#aether data ceter

[ainarosewood]

Teachings

FFxivWrite2024 Day 12 Prompt: Quarry

Focus on your surroundings look for the slightest disturbance then follow that mark to its end then you will find your prey

These words echoed in Eirunn's mind as she studied the ground before her looking for the barest sign of where the beast had run off too. She had been tasked with taking down a troublesome mark by the Grand Company and she had nearly had it before it bolted while she was stunned from its charge.

It didn't take long for her to find the barest smear of a hoof print in the sand and she whistled for her chocobo to follow as she trotted off after it. Within moments she spotted the beast again and unslung her spear gathering aether around her before springing into the jump ramming the spearpoint home into its humped spine.

The beast let out a bellow and shook her from its back facing her and pawing the dirt before it before its singular eye began to glow. Eirunn closed her eyes and dodged to the side as she felt the heat of its aether as it attempted to use its demonic sight on her before charging. It thenraced past and she opened her eyes and stabbed directly into its flank causing it to bellow once more.

She then ripped the spear free and faced off against it as it ran forward and snapped at her with its beak before lowering its head to gore her with its glowing horns. Once again she dodged and then drove her spear straight through the eye as it opened once more to cast its fell light. It gave one more bellow before crashing to the ground twitching in its last moments of life. Once again she pulled the spear free and then proceeded to dress down the beast, taking as many parts as she could that seemed useful.

She wrapped the parts she had removed in leather and then strapped it to her chocobo before mounting and making her way back to Limsa to inform the Maelstorm that the beast had fallen. Once she reported to Commander Rhiki the Miqo'te thanked her for dealing with the creature as she examined the horns Eirunn presented as proof.

"How in Seven Hells did ye drop the thing? Some o our finest couldn't manage to stand more than a few moments against it." she asked

"By remembering the lessons my father taught about hunting. He was a Viper of Tural and taught me all he knew about stalking, catching or putting down dangerous prey." Eirunn replied quietly

"I see, well it sounds like he was an excellent teacher because I honestly wasn't sure we'd ever see the end o this beasts reign." Rhiki stated

Eirunn nodded, "He was, if you have more troublesome beasts let me know. I'll do what I can to make short work of them."

The Maelstorm commander nodded, "You will be the first we contact, by the way what do you plan on doing with the rest of…it?"

Eirunn shrugged, "Not sure yet but another lesson I was taught was never let a hunt go to waste use all you can of it."

The Miqo'te nodded clearly not sure what to think of what the full details of that could mean. Eirunn just gave her a toothy grin and then rewrapped the horns she had shown her and made her way back to the stables where she had left the other spoils of the hunt to decide what exactly to do with all of it.

[ainarosewood]

Lessons

FFxivWrite2022 Day 28 Prompt Vainglory

@sea-wolf-coast-to-coast

"Well now how is my favorite fresh faced adventurer?" Miounne asked as Senah came up to the counter.

The Lalafell gave her a grin n chuckled, "I do believe I am far from being that anymore Mother Miounne"

"Aye that you are and it's in part why I asked you to come to the guild," the Elezen responded her face sobering, "There's a new adventurer that I'd like you to show a few things to. Boy's got it in his head that the only path for an adventurer is one of glory and none of us here at the guild can convince him otherwise."

Senah nodded, "So you'd like me te show him otherwise I take it and figure my reputation might get him to listen over you all."

The Elezen nodded, "More or less I actually figured I'd he saw you doing some of the more mundane adventurer work he would see that rushing into dangers maw won't get him glory. Only a swift death."

The Lalafell gave a grin, "To the leve counter I go then. N have him meet me 8n the Shroud where I begin the task,"

"Thank you, you know how much I hate to see them throw their lives away."

"As do I Miounne as do I,"

With that she headed over to the leve counter and gathered a handful of the simple leves, a lot of them mainly just dealing with little pest creatures or picking up some herbs for folks.

The Lalafell then headed out toward Blue Badger gate an Miounne called the fool.

Moments later the young Wildwood Lancer came striding up to the counter stating, "So have you finally gotten a job worthy of my talents?"

Miounne gave him a smile, "Not exactly but I would have you follow me into the Shroud."

Huffing in annoyance he agreed overtly not liking that he was escorting her. Miounne led him out of the city and stopped not far from where she was certain one of the leves would be.

Sure enough a little ahead of them was Senah the Lalafel carefully searching some mushrooms in the underbrush."

It took the young man only a few moments to recognize her and he stared asking incredulously, "Is that the Warrior of Light picking mushrooms? Why in Nophica's name would she be doing something so beneath her."

The Lalafell easily hearing him looked up and said, "Cause some o the folks at the Glowery need em n they put out a leve."

"But...but your the Warrior of Light," He sputtered

Walking over to them she nodded, "Aye I am, don't mean I don't still help folks boy. Being an adventurer shouldn't be about slaying massive beasts or looking better that yer fellows. If you think that's all it is yer in the wrong business."

"But you do just that!"

She nodded,"Sometimes Aye, other times no, most times, I do exactly as I am at the moment. Gathering stuff for folks that have a tough time cause o the beasts about. An I do it cause they need help."

"But such things are beneath you a waste of your talents..."

She snorted, "Lad fore I was the Warrior o Light I was a simple farm girl who chose an adventurer's life so my parents could afford my brothers medicine. There's no such thing as 'beneath' yer talents. Folk need help they get help simple as that."

He just stared at her in shock unable to believe that the vaunted champion of Eorzea was doing mundane tasks.

"Take it as you will lad Miounne asked me to show you what adventurings about you don't wanna accept it that's you. Pure n simple it aient all murder n glory n if ye think it is leave, we don't need fools like that in the guild, now as fer me I gotta finish getting these mushrooms then I'm off te deal w a rat infestation fer one o the nearby farms,"

He just watched her go whining, "But I want to be important, I want to be a hero,"

She looked back, "If ye think ye aren't a hero to the folks that ask ye te do these simple things then yer an idiot. Being a hero aient just about having songs sung n yer story told. Some times it's just getting a grateful smile fer helping some one te me that's way better than the songs."

He looked contemplative for a moment clearly he had never thought of it that way.

Miounne gave her a grateful smile and stated, "Shall we return to the guild then and see if there's other work that needs doing?"

"I...don't know...let me have some time to um think.,"

She smiled at him, "Of course, you know where to find me or the leve counter once you've sorted things out,"

With that the Elezen returned to the city leaving the young man to wander behind her completely lost in thought. She hoped he had learned something today the Twelve knew enough adventurers had died for want of glory. Hopefully he would not join their ranks

[ainarosewood]

SeasWol Challenge Day 1

@seaswolchallenge​ @ffxiv-writers​

Prompt: Crescendo

Rhel took a deep breath trying to calm his nerves he had to admit Nashmina's strategy was bold.  Impress one of the richest men in all of Eorzea to fund her Troupes’ travels. What worried him was he knew that part of this relied on how well he performed in literally his first performance as a Dancer.

The soul stone had shown him all he needed to know but it was still nerve wracking to know that the Troupes success depended on him.

He opened his amber eyes and unerringly met the same hued ones of his partner and love Ayls who gave him a reassuring smile. In an instant all of his doubts and fears faded as he felt her confidence in him through their bond.

Moments later the drums began and the mammets were sent out for him to combat. Without his former hesitation he began tossing the chakrams with unerring accuracy striking them at the weak points and causing them to fall.

He then let the music guide him his feet following without much thought as Ranaa took the field and also began engaging him challenging his burgeoning skills.  As the music reached its height he found himself actually meeting Ranaa's skills with an ease that was unexpected.

When it was all over he was relieved to hear how impressed Gegeruju was and quietly made his way over to Ayls as the Lalafell profusely praised Ranaa.

Ayls gave him a gentle hug and said softly, "You did great out there Rhel, not that I doubted you would."

He smiled back stating, "You had more faith in me that I did in the begining,"

"You had it, I knew that." she simply said then stepped back as Nashmina approached him to discuss the next steps for the Troupes travels.

[talesfromeorzea]

Stories

FFxivWrite2024 Day 24 Prompt: Bar

"Nimble yer a sight fer sore eyes been awhile since the Straits blown ye my way how ye been lass?" Baderon called as Nimble Rabbit strode into the Drowning Wench the Hells Guard gave him a big smile and rumbled, "Well enough and it has been far too long since I've had a good bit o grog ye ken?"

The Hyur smile back and said, "Aye, aye take a seat lass and tell us o yer latest adventurers I dare say me regulars would love te hear a good yarn whilst they whet their whistles."

Drunken cheers came from the nearby occupied bar stools and Nimble plopped herself down on one of the empties catching the flagon that Baderon slid toward her. The Roegadyn sighed and looked down at the cup for a moment murmuring, "I doubt ye'd believe me if I told ye. Hells I find it hard to believe even though it happened directly to me. Spins like one o Wawalago's fish tales it does."

Baderon laughed, "With all ye've done for the realm lass there's no way I'd be calling ye a liar out with it sounds like a stirrin yarn."

She gave a smirk and responded, "Don't say I didn't warn ye. It all began shortly after the big huffla over in Ala Mhigo trying to get their government its sea legs…."

She then began to tell them all about the fall of the Scions to the mysterious ailment, her own encounter with the mysterious Exarch and her subsequent travels to the First and the struggles there. The return of the Scions spirits and bringing the Exarch to his slumbering younger self locked in the Crystal Tower. All the while the drunkards surrounding the bar stared at her slack jawed and even Baderon found himself gaping like a fish out of water as she finished the story.

After a few moments of silence at the end of her tale Baderon cleared his throat and said softly, " 'ad I 'eard that from any other venturer I woulda called em out for tall tales but from ye lass…damn ye had yer'se one 'ell o a trip these last moons."

The Roegadyn nodded stating, "Why do ye think I asked fer the grog."

Baderon laughed and then said, "After 'earing that lass lemme getcha something with a bit more punch to it."

Nimble laughed as the Hyur reached up to some of his stronger spirits and then poured her a glass sliding it toward the Hells Guard who took it and tossed it back. The rest of the night she sat there drinking and conversing with the folks in the Wench happy to be home. Eulmore the closest thing to Limsa on the first had left a foul taste in the back of her mouth from the moment she'd set foot in the Gilded city. It was no where near as homey as Limsa Lominsa was to the sea raised Roegadyn.

[talesfromeorzea]

Mess

FFxivWrite2024 Day 18 Prompt: Hackneyed

Ryna looked at the terrified young engineer who was wringing his hands and staring at what was left of the machine he had tried to use to clean the Rising Stones and gave a big sigh. "Ye've 'eard the phrase if it aient broke…"

The young Hyur nodded gulping saying quietly, "I..just wanted to make cleaning more efficient I…didn't expect it to…"

"Go compeltely 'aywire and flood the entire place?" Ryna asked ruefully and the Hyur simply nodded in response.

"I…I thought I had the design down. It should have worked…"

"Well it didn't an Tataru and F'lhaminn will be back from the market soon enough." the Viera stated dryly.

His eyes grew huge and he gave her a pleading look, "Please Warrior of Light I know such a thing is by far beneath you but this is too much for a single person to clean up. I'm begging you help me."

The former pirate gave a chuckle and nodded, "Aye lad, I'll lend a hand now go get one o the mops while I find a bucket te put this water in. Also if the books are wet yer explainin to the others."

He gave another audible gulp and then rushed off to find the mops his feet splashing in the pools that the crazed machine had left behind. Ryna meanwhile found behind the bar a rather large tub and placed it out at the poor Hyur nearly face planted into the muddy mess because he slipped. The taller Viera steadied him then took one of the mops and the pair began cleaning up the disaster.

Luck seemed with the engineer because the water didn't get high enough to affect the lowest shelf of the book case and the rugs while sodden were salvageable. It took a few candlemarks but the room went from a collection of various shaded puddles to its former clean self and Ryna looked at Hyur and stated, "Now no more crazy innovations on cleaning equipment without Cid's approval ye savy?"

He nodded vigorously and then scooped up the offending contraption before bolting off to the workshop of the Ironworks presumably to correct the mistakes his mechanical menace had made. Ryna once again chuckled and looked over as the doors swung open and Tataru and F'lhaminn entered.

Looking after the engineer that rushed passed Tataru asked, "What's that all about?"

"Lad made a machine that went a little wonky and caused a right mess. He an I got it sorted though no worries." Ryna replied

Tataru beamed, "Thanks this place is hard enough to keep in order without some crazy inventions adding issues. I swear sometimes Cid is a bad influence on folks."

Ryna laughed, "Aye, aye though if he didn't 'ave 'alf those 'arebrained ideas we wouldn't be as well of as we are."

"True," Tataru laughed, "Now since your in such a helpful mood mind giving F'lhaminn and I a hand with the supplies?"

Ryna laughed again, "Aye aye Tataru after all yer practically the captain o this ship we call the Stones and I aient one te defy an order."

Tataru simply laughed and led the Viera back to the wain were there were all manner of crates and sacks. Still chuckling Ryna simply picked up the first of several and carried it back into the Stones placing it where Tataru told her to.

[talesfromeorzea]

Rescue

FFXivWrite2024 Day 17 Prompt: Sally

Eirunn was strolling through new Gridania contemplating what she was going to do today when she saw a white blur of a Moogle come charging up the path from White Wolf Gate. Upon seeing her it zoomed straight over and spun chattering. "Hero Kupo! Please help the Elderseedseer is in terrible danger Kupo! Her Serpentsworn are badly hurt and a terrifying beast intends to eat her. You must help Kupo!!!"

Eirunn nodded and growled softly, "Lead on little one,"

The Moogle bobbed in the air spun and flew as fast as its wings could carry it as Eirunn trotted after it as soon as they left the gate she pulled out her chocobo whistle and blew it and in a burst of feathers and aether her chocobo Dawn appeared. Mounting she rode after the Moogle keeping her gaze locked on it trusting the bird to easily find its way in the thick forest undergrowth.

The Moogle led them just before Haukke Manor when she saw what it had been talking about. A massive Voidsent was standing there on multiple limbs with black scales and an almost lizard like body. In front of it was the shimmering blue shell of a Protect spell with the Elderseedseer standing in the center and her usual pair of Serpent Sworn guards hurt. The Elezen Aldene was completly unconsion on the ground and the Hyur Oeric was kneeling bleeding hard and shouted, "Seedseer you must flee!"

Eirunn spurred Dawn into a sprint and reached into her belt pouch brushing her Red Mage soul stone in a burst of aether she switched classes and threw herself from the chocobo's back stabbing with her rapier at the beasts upraised claw. It pierced its wrist joint causing the beast to give a warbling eerie wail and then she darted underneath its massive form aiming for its knees with a similar blow. Once she ran free of the beast she whirled around as Dawn ran along side it kicking at the knees she had just injured. One gave in a sickening crunch causing the beast to wail again before fully facing her.

It then opened its eyes and a red hot beam of fell energies tore through her and the bird causing both to cry out. She felt the familiar warmth of healing wash over her and she called, "Worry about yer folks Kan-E I have this."

The beast then lumbered forward slightly hampered by the injured leg and began snapping as Dawn intercepted the chocobo harrying it distracting it from Eirunn who then began weaving jolt and veraero together before switching to jolt and verthunder. She kept this pattern as the beast focused on the chocobo the bird expertly dodging its snapping jaws.

As soon as she felt the energies primed in her blade she rushed forward with corps-a-corps and began the three most common enchanted blade strikes before fleeing with displacement and she felt the energies primed for Verholy. She unleashed it onto the beast causing it to give a wailing roar and then rush her she waited for it to open its maw wide ready to snap she drove her rapier home through the roof of its mouth and into its brain. It gave one last wail and she leapt back again with displacement as it fell to the ground before disappearing in a cloud of oily smoke.

As it disappeared Kan-E came forward along with her two Serpent Sworn guards saying, "Thank you dear friend I fear what would have happened had you not come when you did."

Eriunn gave a toothy smile and murmured, "Thank him he's the one who charged into the city to ask for help." She then pointed at the Moogle who was hovering not far away.

The Pajali then looked over at the Moogle and murumered, "Thank you old friend."

The Moogle simply bounced in response causing Kan-E to smile and then she turned to her guards, "I believe we found what was disturbing the Elementals pray let us return to Gridania."

They both nodded and gave a bow and Oeric asked softly, "Warrior of Light could we trouble you to travel with us as well. I dare say Aldene and I would feel the Elderseedseer would be alot safer with you along.

Eirunn simply nodded and looked at her bird calling, "Keep perimeter Dawn."

The chocobo kwehed and trotted off flanking the group as the four of them made their way back to the city proper.