(Note: Illustrative gposes contained. Takes place after the Diamond weapon is defeated in Sorrow of Werlyt. Followup [here].)
X'verha sagged against the bars at his back, the chaos ringing through the metal walls having finally subsided, leaving him alone in the silence with his thoughts. The bars were hard, cold and unyielding, but at least offered support for his aching back. He thought idly that he should probably check his wounds, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
It didn't take a genius to figure out that something terrible had happened to Gaius's children. To his children. After the tragedy that was the Ruby weapon, after his desperate attempt to stop it had landed him in a cage, Allie had made a point to visit, carefully avoiding anyone she knew would carry the information back to Valens. But now...she had not visited in quite some time. None of them had. And...well, he knew precisely how much Valens valued the lives of non-Garleans. A more hopeful side of him thought that maybe they just decided they didn't want to see him anymore after what his work did to Milisandia.
But he had heard -- it couldn't have been even two nights ago -- the horrible screams echoing through the corridors that he recognized and knew had to be Alfonse. No, something had happened. Had been happening ever since he'd been locked up, and he had been useless to stop it. Good for nothing more than a punching bag for Valens to vent his frustration on when something didn't go just his way. If it would spare the children from it, he'd take double the punishment, but somehow he knew that wasn't the case.
Slow, measured footsteps tapped against metal in the room behind him, and he wondered if it was Valens come to again take his rage out on X'verha's body. How much more could ha take before he would just break? But then--
"Verha."
X'verha's limp tail managed a weak twitch at the sound. No one called him that. No one meant to still be alive, anyway. Allie had told him in one of her visits that they had seen Gaius, that he still lived but refused to return with them. The why eluded him, but now he knew that Gaius could only have come to find him for one reason.
X'verha's work was the reason his wards were dead. And so Gaius must have come to collect payment for their lives by taking his. And he couldn't even blame him for it. X'verha carefully pushed himself up, staggering to his feet, torn muscles screaming and barely scabbed over wounds stinging from the movement.
"Gaius." He leaned heavily on the bars as he turned; despite his best efforts to appear as if nothing was wrong, to stand tall and present a strong face, his arms still shook as he clung to the metal of the bars. Gaius came closer, and X'verha didn't know if he should reach for him or flinch away. He hated that he didn't know.
Part of him hoped that Gaius would just cut him down, like any other enemy. How else was he to pay for his transgressions? For not having the strength to reach a console and tap a few buttons to save Milisandia? And, in any case, it would be far better than the alternative, leaving him in his cell to rot or continue being Valens' chew toy.
The last thing he expected was for Gaius to stop just before the bars, hand resting over X'verha's own, softer than anything he'd felt in what felt like an eternity. He gripped the bars harder; he was starting to fear that this was just some delusion, that maybe his mind finally broke, but his hand was there and he could feel the slight stirring in the air from his breath and heard the clinking of various bits and baubles hanging on his tattered coat tapping together.
"I'm sorry," the words escaped without his permission. He held no hope of forgiveness, but he was; truly and deeply sorry for have ever gone along with this project and not protesting more when he saw the preliminary test results, before it ever got this far. "I'm so sorry, it's my fault they're all..."
"Not all," Gaius interrupted. "Allie still lives." X'verha's mouth went slack for a moment, an ear twitching like it wanted to perk up. Allie is alive? It seemed impossible. While X'verha searched for the words that escaped him, Gaius pulled away, looking around for a moment before narrowing his eyes at a spot near the ceiling and drawing his gunblade. For a moment X'verha thought this was it, that the news that the youngest of the orphans lived would be the last news he'd hear to see him off to the lifestream, but two loud gunshots later the door to the cell sagged, its hinges broken.
Gaius wrenched the door away, letting it bang loudly to the ground before entering X'verha's cell, and again he was struck that he didn't know if he should get closer or pull away. But X'verha quickly found fleeing impossible, pained and trembling legs staggering him the few steps closer that he could manage before collapsing beneath him. But where he expected to hit the ground (one more minor pain to add to the ever-growing list), instead strong arms slipped around him just in time, Gaius following him down until they were both kneeling in the grimy cell.
X'verha couldn't keep it in anymore; horrible choking sobs ripped from his chest as his scratched and cut fingers dug into travel worn fabric. And where he might have expected to be pushed away or merely tolerated, he felt Gaius' arms instead tighten around him, one hand soothing over his hair and furry ears. X'verha buried his face in the scarf around Gaius' neck, unable to resist seeking out comfort he did not deserve.
"I'm sorry," Gaius rumbled lowly. "I should have been here. I left all of you to the whims of that monster." X'verha wanted to argue that no, this is my fault, I allowed this to happen, my hands built it, my mind thought of it but the words wouldn't come. The one gauntlet Gaius wore scrapped against his side, and X'verha couldn't help his flinch at the scratching against cuts and burns and who knew what other wounds hid beneath his threadbare shirt.
"You need healing," Gaius carefully helped X'verha to his feet, holding him close so he had no choice but to lean on him for support.
"I'm fine," he tried to protest, but it fell flat as he attempted to stand on his own and pull away, his legs staunchly refusing to follow his instructions.
"There should be chirurgeons on standby in Terncliff," Gaius continued, as if he hadn't even spoken. Together they took a few tentative steps, but when X'verha's body only barely cooperated, stumbling even with Gaius' support taking most of his weight, Gaius stooped to pull X'verha into his arms, the miqo'te curling automatically against his chest before he realized what he was doing. He tried to pull back a little, as much as one could while being cradled, but Gaius simply tightened his hold enough to thwart him.
"You should rest, we'll be there soon enough." And they both fell silent, though whether it was a comfortable or a tense silence was up for debate. X'verha didn't understand, truly. Perhaps it was professional courtesy that kept Gaius from simply dropping him off a cliff. Maybe it was just sentiment that stayed his hand. Whatever it was, X'verha was too tired and too injured to do anything but allow it. And as if his body could sense safety, he could feel his head drooping onto Gaius' shoulder, eyelids heavy. By all rights, he shouldn't let his guard down yet, but he was exhausted.
And if he just never woke up, well. Perhaps that would be a mercy.
Available For: Penpal RP
Server/Database: Balmung / Crystal
★ The Basics ★
Name: Kikilu Kilu
Race: Lalafell
Age: 42
Gender/Pronouns: Cis Female / She/Her
Sexuality: Panromantic / Asexual
Marital Status: Taken (monogamous)
Affinity: Lawful Good
Likes: Singing, dancing, nature, socializing, baking, herbology, honey, marshmallows, edible flowers, plushies, stories, pretty desserts, letter writing, and all forms of magic.
Dislikes: Smoking, dishonesty, book study, snobs, morbols, and morbol-like creatures.
★ Appearance ★
Hair: Auburn Red
Eyes: Golden
Height: 2′ 5″
Build: Average lalafell chub.
Tattoos: None
Piercings: Several on each ear.
Scars: None
Other notables: Forehead gem.
Common Accessories: Various necklaces and wristbands.
★ Personal ★
Profession: Healer, herbalist, soft-retired pop idol.
Hobbies: Magic (in all forms), singing, dancing, herbology, and baking.
Languages: Eorzean Common, Hingan, Hannish, and some Turali.
Personality: Bubbly and easy to get along with, Kikilu loves meeting new people and making new friends. She’s naturally curious, and loves hearing about the lives of others, visiting places she's never been to before, and experiencing new things. And with the heart of a healer, Kikilu will go out-of-her-way to help others.
Though she tries not show it to others, Kikilu is very emotional. She tries very hard to see things from every point-of-view, and respect those with different ideals, even when she might not agree with them. She rarely gets angry, but if you insult or upset her friends, then you’re likely to see the side of her that she keeps reserved for just such occasions.
Formerly traveling the world as a pop idol, Kikilu has returned to her magical roots, now exploring the natural healing abilities of plant life also.
Smoking: Never
Drugs: Never
Alcohol: Socially
MSQ screenshots are OOC.
I just can't resist a pretty picture, but as she's not an actual WoL, she hasn't gone through the WoL's journey herself.
"Doesn't it concern you? Her claim of a voice- a feeling that's always causing her to wander away?"
"No, it's just her imagination.... She will grow out of it I am sure."
Available For: Penpal RP
Server/Database: Balmung / Crystal
Everybody's problem! Kitani is loud, energetic, and not often in trouble. A party girl emitting absolute gremlin energy. And though she often attempts to hide her emotions from others, she's not as good at it as she likes to think she is.
Events in her past kept her from allowing any relationship deeper than acquaintances. And she spent many years working aboard ships, avoiding staying in one place (or even with one crew) for very long. Keeping herself busy, and often surround by others, she made sure she had no time or reason to feel lonely. Working aboard ships was busy enough, but there were always new people to meet, new places to see, and new drinking games to compete in.
Now-a-days, she resides with her long-suffering partner, Olly. It's the longest she's ever stayed in one place, and the closest she's ever been with one person. Life sure has changed for Kitani, and it can feel a little overwhelming for her at times. Luckily, there's still plenty of parties that need attending where she can blow-off steam... and poor Olly gets dragged along to most of them.
Notes:
MSQ screenshots are OOC.
I just can't resist a pretty picture, but as she's not an actual WoL, she hasn't gone through the WoL's journey herself.
Available For: Content (DNC, PCT, WHM, AST), RP, and Penpal RP.
Server/Database: Balmung / Crystal
Though at first glance, she passes for viera, she's actually half miqo'te. Luki is far shorter than what you'd expect of a female viera. She's also somewhat scruffy, and has a little (bunny-like) tail. Her miqo'te side shines through via her highly expressive ears too.
Does she answer to a "pspsps"? There's one way to find out!
She collects a lot of crystals, and enjoys spending time in nature (as long as it's not too cold), especially near water.
When not surrounded by those natural elements, she spends a lot of time at the arcades (or the Gold Saucer) playing games, and frequently attends nightclubs (especially places/events rock/metal/alternate or cyberpunk themed), and festivals of pretty much all kinds.
Singing is something of a secret passion of hers. And whilst she'll sometimes brave karaoke after a few drinks, you'd be hard-pressed to catch even a hint of song leave her lips. She loves to sing, but lacks the confidence to do so in any kind of sober setting.
Less of a secret, is that she loves bunnies! And while most viera may not appreciate being likened to wild rabbits, Luki takes any such comparisons as high praise.
Name: Luki Lutz
Race: Viqo'te (viera mother, miqo'te father)
Age: 33
Gender/Pronouns: Cis Female / She/Her
Sexuality: Demisexual / Pansexual
Marital Status: Single (monogamous)
Affinity: Chaotic GoodLikes: Parties, games, blitzball, frisbee, dancing, beaches, the ocean, nature, crystals, sweets, and fruit (especially squapes grapes).
Dislikes: Smoking, dishonesty, onions, mayonnaise, seafood, spicy food, bitter flavours, cold climates, snobs, and flying insects (especially wesps and hornets).
Established Relations:
Childhood friends with Lokin.
Notes:
MSQ screenshots are OOC.
I just can't resist a pretty picture, but as she's not an actual WoL, she hasn't gone through the WoL's journey herself.
Available For: RP, Penpal RP
Server/Database: Balmung / Crystal
At a glance, he could pass for a viera, despite his father being hrothgar. Lokin stands taller than most male viera, and has a short tail, resembling that of a bunny.
He spends a lot of time at the arcades (or the Gold Saucer) playing games, and frequently attends nightclubs (especially places/events rock/metal/alternate or cyberpunk themed), and festivals of pretty much all kinds.
Another favourite activity of his is attending blitzball matches, armed with a portable bbq and as much food and drink as he can carry. It never fails to draw a crowd and encourage good vibes between fans.
He also enjoys woodcarving, a skill taught to him back when he lived in his birth village. Though it was mostly for the productions of weapons back then, nowadays he prefers to make statues of animals, or trinkets to sell.
This is Nekaia. ^^ She's Half Moonkeeper and Sunseeker. Meaning she's a Moonseeker! She was sent to Gridania's orphanage after they found her during the Calamity. Then was adopted by some shady people and taken to Ul'dah where she was raised in a Pillow house.
Then when she was old enough, she moved and went to study in Limsa Lominsa as a Scholar. She's an Astrologist now.
