#shannivar devessi

[moonstruck-ffxiv-blog]

Holiday shoot! Ft @the-first-caller ! :D

[moonstruck-ffxiv-blog]

[19:32]Louis Chamberlain || Thunder rumbled in the crepuscule. Cloak dripping with rainfall, the hem stained with mud, Louis took one last step, finally at the archive’s threshold. He tried to enter -by the door this time, remembering Shannivar’s advice-, however, nothing budge. He blinked. Locked. Why? “Hah? H-Hello?” (He shuffled window from to window, peeking inside, trying to see his friend.) “Hello? Shannivar? Are you here? I’m… The door is not opening. Is it broken?” (Quieter.) “...Or maybe-

[19:32]Louis Chamberlain:  you are upset at me and you don’t want me there.”

[19:34]♥Shannivar Devessi tilted her head curiously towards the door as she approached the smaller alcove, her arms full of books she'd been on her way to set back on their shelves. She stops in the middle of the entryway and shifts the books from one arm to the other to keep them balanced as she tries to listen over the sounds of the storm. Had she heard someone calling her name? Maybe. Turning back to the low table by the hearth she sets her armful of books down before moving to unlock the heavy door and pull it

[19:34]♥Shannivar Devessi open, blinking in surprise as she sees Louis and stepping back out of the way to let him enter. "Louis! I wasn't expecting you tonight - you're soaking wet, come inside and dry out by the fire. Is anything wrong?"

[19:38]Louis Chamberlain , this time, was alone; Zaz was nowhere to be seen. He didn’t wait twice to get inside. The homes in the cities were so much nicer than the ones in Amdapor! It was something about the air… about the air not being cold and humid all the time. “Yes...No. Well. A bit. It’s um, a bit of a long story.” Removing his coat -that was more than rags-, he hanged it somewhere, near the fire, to let it dry. “You have lots-of books here? I saw when I was here for Starlight.”

[19:43]♥Shannivar Devessi drags the coatrack nearer to the fireplace's warmth to help dry the sodden garment faster. "A lot of books..?" She cocks her head at him as if trying to decide if he's joking or not, then waves a hand expansively to indicate all the shelves around her. "There's quite a few here on a lot of subjects, yes, and more downstairs - though part of the downstairs is under renovations at the moment." Curiousity creeps into her voice as she asks, "..you're looking for information on something, maybe?"

[19:45]Louis Chamberlain: “Yes…” There was a vigorous shake of the head, to chase raindrop from his hair. “I need a book with all the names in the world in it. Does it exist? If yes, d-do you have it?”

[19:48]♥Shannivar Devessi repeats, "ALL the names in the world? Of all the different domains? That's.. I'm not sure a book like that exists. Maybe if you tell me what you want it for, though, I can suggest something that might be helpful to you?"

[19:55]Louis Chamberlain pondered, a frown darkening his face. There was a wiggle from a snake-like shape, that seemed to emerge from his bum. A tail? Whatever it was, Louis, quickly tucked it away between his legs, hiding it from sight. “Well…” (He danced a bit around, shifting his weight. After a lot of “Y’see” and “Um” he spoke intelligibly:)  “I need to name my dad. So I need a book, I find one and I name him. Then everything is fine forever.”

[19:58]♥Shannivar Devessi: "Welllll.." She stretches out the word, giving herself time to think, then turns to the bookshelves behind her with a pensive expression.  Her hand lifts to brush over some of the tooled leather spines as she explains, "For something like giving a name to someone, or something.. what sort of a name are you looking for? Ishgardian? Doman? Gridanian?" She glances back at Louis over her shoulder with a slightly confused look, as if she's turning over the idea of naming one's own father in her

[19:59]♥Shannivar Devessi: mind but only says, "We have a lot of old genealogical volumes here, those are full of names. They're organized by.. mm.. region, mostly, and sometimes by date."

[20:04]Louis Chamberlain opened his mouth in a perfect “O” before closing it. Looks like it was more complicated than he originally anticipated. “Which one is the best? Is there any name that… A name that… It needs…” The young man stopped, sighing. “Why are you Shannivar? What makes you Shannivar? I need a name like that. A name that makes someone a someone. What name can do that?”

20:08]♥Shannivar Devessi opens her own mouth to reply, then closes it again looking mystified. She runs her fingers over the books again and finds the one she's looking for with the ease of long practice, pulling the heavy leatherbound tome out and carrying it to the couch. She settles down on one of the plush cushions and pats the seat beside her (the one closer to the fire's warmth) with a friendly smile up at Louis. "Well.. that's a complicated question. Come sit for awhile and I'll see if I can help with it."

[20:10]♥Shannivar Devessi: "Names don't make someone who they are." She opens the book and turns to a particular page, indicating the writing with a fingertip. It looks like a bunch of branching lines with something written above each one. "You sometimes name a child after a relative you particularly admired, or one who's died and you miss them, or after a great hero in the hopes they might grow into some of the same traits. But it doesn't ever assure it."

[20:16]Louis Chamberlain wasn’t expecting the cushion to be so soft. Sinking deeply to them, he had a moment of panic, feeling he was being eaten alive by the couch. “But, um… What if you are what isn’t named?” (He gently tapped his knuckles on the top of his head.) “Y’ see, my dad… He’s the Lord of the Nameless. He rules over whatever doesn’t have a name. He told me once: “I am more than fear that stretched over the Fleshlings’ minds. I am everything and I peer into the unknow.” That what-

[20:16]Louis Chamberlain: he said. I don’t know what it means but that’s what he said.” (He shook himself up.) “S-So if he has one, a name I mean, he can’t be what he is anymore. And then, he will never able to cross over here and he will never do what he wants to do.”

[20:21]Simon'sansouci has completed a venture!

[20:21]M'alice has completed a venture!

[20:21]♥Shannivar Devessi leans over, putting half of the large book in Louis' lap and half in her own to support it. "This page is Aydan's family," she says while she considers what he just said to her. "See, here's Aydan, and his brother Cavil.. and then if you look further back.." Her finger traces just above the page to another branch of the 'tree'. "He was named for his great-grandfather Aidan Marseille, his parents just changed the spelling a little bit." She stares down at the intricate pattern on the rug for

[20:22]♥Shannivar Devessi a few seconds, then tentatively asks, "You said he'll 'never do what he wants to do'.. what does he want to do?"

[20:28]Louis Chamberlain extended one clawed finger, gently brushing over the names he couldn’t read. He wondered how he could write his own name. And his mom’s. And his aunt. And everyone he knew. “My dad, hah. He wants to cross over.” (He made a gesture, pointing down the ground.) “Cross over here. In the physical realm. He wants to do that and eat everyone. Even Zaz. Even me. Come here and eat everyone and everything. Until the skies go dark and stay dark.”

[20:34]♥Shannivar Devessi turns the page to show him another family's set of names, not realizing he can't understand the writing. "Maybe something on this page? Looks like this is.. an offshoot of House Noudaire. They're a smaller Ishgardian house affiliated with Dzamael, as far as I can tell." Her eyes follow where he's pointing, fixating on the spot on the ground for a second with a frown. "Is he.. no, wait. I wonder if I have any books of the families that used to live in Amdapor. Maybe one of their names instead

[20:35]♥Shannivar Devessi: of something Ishgardian?"

[20:39]Louis Chamberlain ‘s eyes lazily glided over all those symbols devoid of meaning. He raised his gaze toward Shannivar.  “Oh, yeah, w-we can do that Names from Amdapor.” (Quickly, he questioned:) “Do you think it will work? Do you think I can do it?” (Giving himself a pep talk, he continued.) “No, it has to work. It’s the only solution. R-Right?”

[20:42]♥Shannivar Devessi lifts her eyes to look at Louis, gaze thoughtful. "I don't really know, honestly. I've never named anything or anyone before.. I mean, not really. I know what Aydan and I are naming our first daughter, but that doesn't really count." She returns to the shelves before her, a thoughtful frown curving her lips as she tries to find what she's looking for. "If you've called him the Nameless One for as long as you've known him, then isn't THAT a name too of sorts?"

[20:44]♥Shannivar Devessi seems entirely comfortable having her back to Louis, showing no signs of apprehension or any other wariness he might be used to.

[20:52]Louis Chamberlain shrugged, unsure what to answer. “If it is a name, it means I’m wrong. He cannot be named and never will be.” (There was a loud, audible sigh.) “All of this is useless. I’m w-wasting my time. And yours. Sorry.”

[20:53]Louis Chamberlain shuffled a bit on the couch. It was dark outside. A half-moon shining in the heavens. “You will have a kid with Aydan? And you will give her a name. And her name will be her name… My mom gives me a name too. Maybe children just can’t name their parents.”

[20:56]♥Shannivar Devessi: "Hopefully several children! We'll need a bigger place to live though, all the children and all the cats - we'll be tripping over each other forever if we don't move from my little apartment." Not finding what she's looking for, she tries the other wall of shelves. "And I have no idea if your idea will work or not, it's not the sort of.. I'm not really good at anything magical, and it seems like magic."

[20:58]♥Shannivar Devessi nods once, pulling down another book from the shelves after having to stand on tiptoe to reach it - another heavy one bound in black and white leather. "This is sort of a retelling of the war, but I'm sure there are a lot of names in here."

[21:03]Louis Chamberlain: “You hug and kiss and have children. And me, I...” (He looks down at his hands. He wiggled his talons. So sharp. And deadly.) “I don’t know who else to ask. I thought because you had a lots of books, you would know everything. I was sure it was an easy question but I guess it’s not.”

[21:07]♥Shannivar Devessi leans back and peers at Louis around the edge of the fireplace with a furrowed brow. "You have plenty of time, you know, you're young. My mother says there's a second half of everyone's soul out there somewhere and it's just a matter of finding the person who's got it." It seems she's conveniently forgetting, again, that he's a hell of a lot older than he actually looks. Carrying the book back to the couch, Shannivar opens it across their laps the same as she did the last one.

[21:07]♥Shannivar Devessi: "Ah, here we go.. here's some pages that talk about the most accomplished of the white mages. I'm sure there's a section for the black mages as well.. do any of these names seem appropriate to you?"

[21:12]Louis Chamberlain doesn’t react right away, gaze distant, unresponsive. “Oh, um, yeah, it sounds like… a good idea. Good name idea for my dad.” It was just as when Shannivar’s butt touched the couch he jolted up. “Actually, maybe… Maybe we can finish that another time.”

[21:15]♥Shannivar Devessi widens her eyes in concern at his sudden change in demeanor. "What's the matter?, I.." She stops short, thinking back to Amdapor. Thinking back to when she had to draw a map with landmarks to show Louis how to find the Archive, because he couldn't.. oh. Her cheeks redden in embarrassment at her faux pas and she says quickly, "No, no.. please, here." She pulls the book back into her own lap to be able to read it more easily and moves her gaze to the page, offering some suggestions.  "There

[21:17]♥Shannivar Devessi: was Thakta, who stood alone against a host of black mages to help some civilians reach safety.. Ovral, whose healing talents were known throughout Amdapor and respected.." Her finger runs down the page, looking for more examples. "Sahav, who.. oh. Maybe not Sahav, he apparently ran away from a skirmish."

[21:24]Louis Chamberlain mumbling, commented : “Maybe a bad name will be fitting for him.” (There was a little aggression.) “Because he wants bad things. Someone who runs away.This can be you, dad. Can’t believe I’m like you.”

[21:26]♥Shannivar Devessi continues on with a few more names at first, then trails off as what Louis said sinks in. Her head lifts and she frowns at him. "What do you mean, you're like him? You're not like him, you don't want to eat the world and everyone in it, do you?" There's a soft 'tsk' sound she makes. "Louis, you can't help what you were born as, but that doesn't dictate who you are. Only you decide that."

[21:37]Louis Chamberlain: “Ana says the same.” (Correcting himself, bitter.) “Said. Ana said the same.” (A moment.) “But she’s wrong. And you’re wrong too. Spoken can choose. That’s why they are Spoken. Choose who you want to be. Choose your life. Choose. Choose. Choose. Choose everything you want.” He got up, limbs stiff, lips twisting in a grimace. Pacing in the Archive, he was mumbling to himself. Suddenly, facing Shannivar, he stopped, unbridled anger in his eyes. “I can’t! I exist to do-

[21:37]Louis Chamberlain: something! I’m created to do something! To fulfill a purpose!  What good I am if I don’t do what I exist to do?!? Zero! I have zero value! There’s… THERE’S NO FREEDOM FOR ME!”

[21:41]♥Shannivar Devessi watches his outburst with wide eyes, slowly getting to her feet and setting the book down on the now-empty couch after closing it. Her hands run over the fabric of her skirt, smoothing it into place while she's unsure what to say. "I.. I don't know who Ana is, was that your mother?" She starts to walk towards him, not understanding why he's so angry but clearly wanting to try and defuse the emotion. "The Twelve gave all of us life for a purpose, yes, but they don't dictate what that IS.

[21:42]♥Shannivar Devessi: You're not a mammet, or a marionette, you're able to think and reason!" One hand reaches for his shoulder in what's meant to be a placating gesture.

[21:42]♥Shannivar Devessi adds, after a moment, "What do you think your purpose is?"

[21:50]Louis Chamberlain: “Ana.. is my friend. She died. She died. I kissed her and she died.” (Escaping Shannivar’s touch, in a shoulder jerk, he took a few steps back.) “I got angry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scream. I-I’m sorry.” He was already sliding toward the coat rack, looking for that awful cloak of his. “My purpose is to free my father. That’s why I exist. That’s why all of us exist. He can’t fit into a portal so he needs us. His children. Then we can all wait to die. I shouldn’t-

[21:51]Louis Chamberlain: name him. I defy him. I should conform. I have to conform.”

[21:51]Louis Chamberlain threw his coat on his head, awkwardly slithering his arms into the armhole. “F-Forget everything about tonight. I have to go anyway. I’m sorry.”

[21:53]♥Shannivar Devessi seems to be at a loss for words while he struggles back into his coat, then hesitantly offers the suggestion, "If you wanted to conform, you wouldn't have come here looking for a name. Do you.. I could write down some more from that history book and bring them to you in your city and read them off to you. Maybe one of them would be suitable." She doesn't try and touch him again, but twists her hands against each other anxiously instead not knowing how to make things better. "..I'm

[21:54]♥ sorry about your friend, Louis."

[21:58]Louis Chamberlain: “Okay. Okay, we can do that. No, wait. I don’t know. He’ll get mad. My dad will get mad. I’ll find out what I’m trying to do. I’ll be punished.” (Shaking his head, unsure and distressed.) “Everyone dies. Ana was the only one that loved-loved me.” (He put his hand on the doorknob.) “Goodnight.”

[21:59]♥Shannivar Devessi: "Then I won't bring them to the city. You can come back here sometime and I'll give you the names then, you don't need to be afraid." She shakes her head in a helpless gesture, not knowing how to reply to the rest of it, and just sighs. "Goodnight, Louis. Be safe."