FFxivWrite 2021
Prompt #24: Illustrious
Lady Faye Covington’s smile was like diamonds, all sparkling and magnificent, shining and glamour. What she had not already inherited from her family, she had earned for herself in terms of wealth and notoriety. There were those who would, often fallaciously, bemoan the curse of fame and money, and the woes they brought with them. While she maintained some level of modesty, Faye was no such person. She reveled in all that gil, power, and connections could obtain for her. They were but tools in her arsenal. What they alone couldn’t net her, a dazzling smile and a bat of her eyelashes were wont to do the trick.
Respect and fear, praise and servitude, she ate it all up eagerly, commanding respect in an often quiet sort of way. Hers was a name familiar to any in the know, and she fancied hearing it upon the tongues of others, knowing her reputation proceeded her. She was never one to shy from being the center of attention or having all eyes upon her, even if it was always tempered by that act of demureness. Little could shake the Hyur’s confidence. It was a wonder the woman hadn’t yet become a Primal, and perhaps that was her aim in the end. To live in the hearts and minds of others, wasn’t that the first step toward immortality?
Day 67. 10 and a half feet tall. I slipped in some mud, since my weight’s starting to make me sink in the ground a bit more than before, and I had to search for hours to try and get to a river deep enough that I could wash myself off. So annoying. And of course now it seems like it’s gonna rain. Lucky me. At least I’m below the tree line. Don’t know how much longer, though.
It had been a lovely sea voyage from Limsa Lominsa to Kugane. Magalie had made extensive use of the luxuries granted by her first-class passage and even demanded some that weren’t. She’d sunned herself on the deck, wined and dined with the elite, and hosted private after parties in her massive suite.
She debarked utterly relaxed and positively giddy at the second phase of her vacation. She would shop extravagantly, dine upon the finest cuisine, and perhaps, if inspired, ensnare an exotic eastern plaything. The possibilities were limitless.
So lost in these thoughts was she, that Magalie nearly ran into a man standing on the dock. She clicked her tongue impatiently, “no, you’re fine, just stop in the middle of the...what’s the meaning of this?” As Magalie steered herself around the man, who merely turned and regarded her with curiosity, she was met by a wall of people in her way.
“There’s a line,” the man said.
“A what?” she asked, glancing up and actually taking in her surroundings. She removed her sunglasses as if she was somehow not seeing clearly and wrinkled her nose at the offensive development.
“Oh, come on,” Magalie grumbled and crossed her arms in a loud huff. “I mean, honestly. How long does it take?” She leaned in toward the finely dressed elezen man beside her as if to speak conspiratorially, belied by the fact that she made no effort whatsoever to lower her volume. “I thought these people were supposed to be known for their efficiency.” The man made a noncommittal hum.
She leaned left and right and even popped up onto the balls of her feet in an attempt to see around, through, or over the horde of people that threatened next phase of her idyllic vacation. “This is unacceptable,” she said. Magalie sighed heavily and put her hands on her hips, casting about for allies. “Isn’t it?” As her impatience built, those around her drooped their gaze or occupied themselves by reading or making conversation with their friends. Undeterred, Magalie assumed the position of unofficial spokesperson for the group.
“Well, someone needs to say something and if no one else will, then it is left to me. Pardon,” she said, pushing her way past the man in front of her and wading into the sea of travellers, ignoring the grumbles as she passed.
Finally, she reached the end of the sea of people and by the time she pulled herself free from the crowd, she was fuming and grumbling to herself. “We’ll see about this,” she complained, “don’t know who they’re trifling with.” She marched furiously toward the gate, heels clicking angrily against the deck. “Now, see here!” She said, approaching a very surprised Auri woman who was checking in the passengers.
Her descent upon the attendant was interrupted by the abrupt appearance of a mountainous man clad in black, a long curved sword hanging from his hip. She practically skidded to a stop and lifted her long red fingernail toward his face, or at least where she assumed his face would be. Magalie was wrong but a good two feet and had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. The words that had just recently been on her lips fled from her mind and she stuttered incoherently as she recovered. “W-wh, I um…” She smiled as if suddenly embarrassed by her intrusion, touching her collarbone with the fingers of her hand. “What, uh. D-do you know how much longer this will take? Some of the, uh, people...back there,” she said, jerking a thumb, “were wondering.” She snorted and shook her head, “the nerve, right?”
“No,” said the stoic wall of death.
Magalie waved her hand dismissively, “Yeah, that’s what I told them but, you know...people.” She grinned, “you’re a tall one, aren’t y-”
“Back in line,” said the man.
“Right, of course,” she nodded. “Just, uh...here I go!” She said awkwardly.
Magalie wove her way back, her bag marking her place in line and lifted her chin. “Shouldn’t be long now,” she said confidently. “You’re welcome.”
Twenty-fourth writing prompt [Standing in Line] for FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge
There is the rather rare occasion when the doctor doesn’t have certain medical supplies on hand. Every day her clinic has been packed and now her stash of supplies on hand has dwindled. In turn forcing the bow mage to make an emergency trip to Kugane. What she hadn’t taken into account is that it is the weekend and more seem to flood into the streets on their days off of work. Her nimble feet move swiftly over the pavement. Rushing and weaving in between people Davina jogs to the marketplace. Wild sapphire eyes scanning over the shoppes and stalls. Finally eyeing the tailoring stall she rushes over in its direction.
Fortune does not seem to be on her side today. Just as quick as she arrived she has to apply that same speed to slowing down. Digging her heels into the ground she slows her pace but almost tumbles into a person a head of her. The man instinctively jerks away and mutters several choice words under his breath before turning his backside to the Milander mutt. Her chest bounds up and down while she takes a moment to asses what is going on. A long line of patrons travel back from the tailor’s booth. How long would it take to wait in this line? “What’s going on?” Davina questions.
The man she almost hit scoffs at her,” Starlight is next month.”
With how busy and crazy every day has been lately the Hyur completely forgot that the gift giving holiday season is fast approaching. Now she has a kid to tend for. Which means lots of shopping. That requires time. Time that she doesn’t have because it is only Norimasa and her working the clinic and apothecary shop.
“I do need to hire more staff....” Davina huffs under a shuddered breath. “Dammit. Norimasa is going to enjoy this.”
Romance. Scynthe had promised Vivvienne a night of romance and pampering that she would never forget. She had looked forward to this night for nearly a week, unable to take her mind off of her growing belly. Ever since Talil had left her, Vivvienne had been given very little in the way of relaxation. She’d taken up living with Scynthe in his cramped hut and making herself at home in the small home had sent her into nesting mode nearly a whole trimester early. She hadn’t had to take care of Zephenaye in those first few weeks because Scynthe still had a baby sitter under contract. It was an odd transition to be sure, but Vivvenne had felt something in Scynthe that she’d never felt before. He...he got her.
Good smells drifted into the air as she put her feet up on the small ottoman in front of the small couch and enjoyed the gentle tinkling of utensils against pans. Scynthe had been working hard in the kitchen all afternoon preparing and cooking a full five course meal for his lover. He was so focused on his task that her mind brimmed with possibilities. She drifted from feasts, to wonderful salads, to massages with wonderful oils and what would come much later. Oh-ho-ho, what a night they were going to have.
“Dinner is ready, my moon.” Scynthe’s smooth voice drifted over the air and brought her from the delights of her daydreams. With a big smile, she placed her hand across her belly and stood up, rounding the small couch to the dinner table. She had only sat down for a short time before what was on her plate became very, very apparent.
With a smile he had presented her a plate of slightly burnt...chicken? It looked as though there was a glaze across the blackened bird that spilled over to the mushy carrots and broccoli. That’s what she thought they were anyways. She beamed up at him with perhaps an over eager smile as he sat down at his own plate across from her.
“This looks very good, my love.” Vivvienne chirped as she waited for him to begin eating. He smiled up at her before he began to dig into his plate as if it were any other meal. In fact this was the most that she’d seen him enjoy a meal to date! That must mean…
She put a forkful of the chicken into her mouth and fought the revulsion that began to creep over her face. It was tough, charred and...sickly sweet. It was so sweet that the syrup dribbled down the back of her throat and made her gag on the chunk of chicken. Scynthe looked up at her expectantly, making Vivvienne quickly swallow the syrupy lump and paste a smile onto her pastey white face. She felt every bit of the overcooked food slide down her throat until she felt it hit her stomach and then another familiar feeling hit her.
A rumbling in her stomach came up faster than she was able to excuse herself, the chunk of chicken and whatever else she’d eaten that day came up and out. Luckily she was able to turn her head to the side and send the mess to the floor and not on the table and the...lovely meal. Without any prompting Scruff the pug came tumbling over to have his own sample of the evening’s meal.
“Dearest? Is everything okay? Are you sick?” Scynthe looked over the table at her, lost at what he was supposed to do. Vivvienne held a hand up and wiped the corners of her mouth.
“I’m...I’m sorry...I think it’s just a bit of...p-pregnancy sickness...It’s just the baby that’s all…”
“Oh. Would you like to lay down? I can put the meal away for now.”
“Oh yes...yes I would like to lay down...I don’t think that I can eat this evening…”
Without question, Scynthe got up and led the ill woman to their shared bedroom to rest for the evening. Vivvienne embraced her lover and felt a bit of heaviness in her heart. She’d lied this evening and she couldn’t think of how to come clean about this or even how to bring it up! The truth was...the food was what made her throw it back up. In fact she’d gotten over her pregnancy queasiness almost a month before! The sickly sweet, overcooked food made her sick and also made her think that if she and Scynthe were ever to stay together, he would never, ever cook again.
FFxivWrite 2020
Prompt #24: Beam
Masterpost
It was once something far different years before, but now the place X’unmei had taken up solace so long ago was the Shroudrouse Teahouse & Tavern, and after finding refuge there for so long, she had dues to pay. It was normally simple work. Setting up in the morning before opening, cleaning up at night after closing. Quiet. Alone. Free to snack on any surplus sweet with no restrictions nor judgments. Sure, it was lonely sometimes, but for a creature like Unmei, so skittish and shy and easily overwhelmed, she was grateful to have the work where she could dodge the customers and even most of her co-workers.
But now Lady Covington was out of town for… an indefinite amount of time, and with the teahouse’s most public facing and most present employee gone away, apart from being tasked with looking after the Lady’s dog, Checkers, Mei found herself forced to fill in here and there. It was normally in those quiet, off hours, when few customers would visit, and little staff was needed, and Mei was relieved for that fact. One such morning, she dawdled about the empty teahouse, leaning lazily against the counter, stuffing pastry after pastry into her mouth.
She zoned out as she mindlessly chewed her baked goods, mismatched eyes staring off into her space as her mind wandered off into daydreams so consuming, she failed to notice a customer entering until the Elezen woman stood right before her, staring at the Miqo’te, her expression almost more perplexed and concerned than impatient. Very slowly, Unmei straightened up from her slouch against the counter, a nervous but still beaming smile concealing a mouthful of eclair ilming across her face.
“Uhh…h-hi. Welcome t’Shroudrose Teahouse?”
@which-can-eternal-lie
FFxivWrite2019
Prompt #24: Unctuous
Words were a challenge. Words were a game. Words were a means to an end.
I’m so sorry to hear that.
It’s so good to see you.
Why, I had no idea.
Yes, I’d love to.
No, I would never.
It’s no trouble, really.
I’m fine, you needn’t worry.
Anyone could say the words; the trick was convincing others to believe them.
She always won the game.
FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge
Prompt #24: Standing in Line
The Sapphire Avenue Exchange was bustling with merchants selling their wares, eager customers huddled around with gil weighing heavy in their pockets, and beggars hoping to help lighten those pockets. C’therin was most akin to latter, and she certainly looked the part, with tattered, threadbare clothing and dirt-smudged, sun-kissed skin. A long line stretched from one of the merchant stalls all the way across the avenue, impeding the flow of foot traffic, much to the chagrin of several passers-through.
She stopped to see what all the fuss was about, standing upon the tips of her toes and bobbing this way and that, struggling to see around the heads of the crowd with her own rather unimpressive height. Her lips curled into a pleased grin the moment she caught sight of the Lalafellin merchant, a famed jeweler who always drew in quite a lot of clients--and quite rich ones--every time he unveiled and sold his new designs.
She took a moment to size up the line and each person waiting before she got a running start, suddenly sprinting forward straight into the line. Her shoulder rammed into that of a flashy dressed Midlander woman, causing her to cry out in surprise and stumble. Therin reached forward to grab the woman’s waist with both hands, steadying her before she might fall. “Whoops, sorry, lady. In a bit of a hurry.” She flashed a toothy grin and lifted her hand in a little wave, then rushed off, much more careful about crashing into anyone this time.
The Midlander huffed in annoyance, watching Therin slip through the crowd before her turn came to move forward in the line and she stepped forward to the stall, hands patting at her waist in search of her purse of gil... but there was nothing to be found. She continued searching in bewilderment for a moment before she realized what happened, eyes going wide and head snapping toward where she had last seen the Seeker of the Sun. “Thief... THIEF! That Miqo’te stole my gil!” she shrieked, gesturing frantically in the direction Therin had disappeared.
But Kitty was long gone, having already blended into the sea of people and then ducked into a small, dark alleyway. She beamed with smug satisfaction, counting her profits.
( @kitty-ffxiv )
