Stefan still wasn’t sure why he had let his sister talk him into such an idea. Filling in for her for a night with her Free Company. Had even dressed in what he had thought might be appropriate.
Yet he still stood out among them. The outsider among a group of people who trusted and liked each other. A part of him wishing he could blend in better among them. However these were his sister’s friends. Her allies.
He didn’t belong.
The best he could do was keep his opinions to himself. Try not to give them any reason to dislike him. Even when Nathaniel had called him a name… He kept his tongue. At least till later when he was alone with Anata.
Once free from helping them, he went back to his apartment. Sitting down at the piano. Fingers lightly dancing over the keys as Esper came to sit on top of the piano. Losing himself in the music.No more pressure to blend in. Here he could be himself. Just him and Esper.
“It doesn’t matter. I do not need a group. As long as I have you.” Stefan smiled sadly at Esper before pausing the song to reach up and scratch under the carbuncle’s chin. “You don’t require me to blend in.”
You are good at making decisions; you have a clear sense of what
needs to be done and what others should be doing. Played out inside
yourself, this tendency drives you to value willpower and self-control.
You may be accused of bossiness. But acting on your desire to dissuade,
restrain or guide is often appreciated by others – who might secretly
like a clear direction, and some firmness.
Orderliness
You love it when everything is neat and tidy: when there is a proper
way of doing things, and you can tick things off the to-do list and know
where everything is. So others, at times, are to you unbearably sloppy
and messy. And you run into things that can’t be ordered (a child, a
partner, a colleague at work) which drives you slightly nuts. But your
desire for order is a good one when it is focused where it is needed
and when you’re okay with a bit of mess.
Misanthropy
You have seen the darker side of human nature, even in daily life.
When you look beneath the surface everyone is pretty messed up; there’s
more selfishness circulating that others admit. You are never surprised
by the stupidity of others, even though it annoys you. Your streak of
misanthropy is, in fact, a requirement of remaining sane. You’ve wisely
come to terms with your need to sometimes confidently reject people.
Yuti Kyis did her best not to look too intimidated by the large Auri man but… well it was a challenge. Those eyes were fierce. Still, she’d had her fair share of encounters and at least he seemed to be a friend of L’ania’s. Yuti frowned for a moment at the coat draped over L’ania and then at the man again, a quiet hmm escaping her lips before she approached. “H-hello Stefan, L’ania,” she said politely, before bowing her head to the stranger. “I am Y-Yuti Kyis, a-at your service. S-sorry to bother, but I was hoping to see L’ania b-before I had to go off somewhere.” Her smile widened and she raised the tray into the air. “I b-brought hot chocolate! B-but since it’s Thanalan a-and that’s not very good for the weather, I c-cooled it down so it’s r-really more like regular chocolate and…” she trailed off, blushed and raised the tray again. “A-anyway, I brought enough for everyone!”
Stefan Delvanguard finally looked away from Kyoudo to look at the new arrival. Of course a face he recognized. “Good day to you, Miss Yuti. There is nothing to interrupt I’m afraid. Just telling Miss L’ania’s friend I do not appericate the looks I’ve been getting since I arrived with medicines from the Guild in Ul’dah.” Nodding his head in thanks as he took the offered drink in one hand while his other was still holding medicine bottles.
L’ania Hena ’s tail swished a couple times, relaxing as Kyoudo didn’t seem to be ready to kill Stefan anymore. Her hand was still on his chest, with his hand over hers and she turned it enough to give his hand a soft squeeze of reassurance before pulling away. She grinned happily at Yuti, “Oh you know Stefan? We just met by chance. Her ears wiggled as she introduced Yuti to Kyoudo, “Yuti is one of my dearest friends.” The chocolate made her grin, “Oooooh!” She took it with a small bow of thanks.
Kyoudo Komainu mildly froze as L’ania’s hand squirmed under his to give the bulk of his a squeeze. Reaching for her hand had been one thing, but just like the night before, her doing it of her own volition was enough to cause him to tense. Especially given he had wanted nothing more, just moments prior, to strangle the life out of Stefan with the very hand she touched. No, they were not meant for the gentler things, and he took a step away as her hand retreated. He was grateful for the hot chocolate as it gave his hands a different focus, and the cup shrank considerably from Yuti’s hand to his. He threw himself onto the ground without reservation and despite the frown set on his lips, he stared ahead as he sipped from the very small, petite cup he held with but two fingers.
You are good at sticking with people, even when things get awkward
and tricky. You give people a second and third chance, because
fundamentally, you are good at recognising people’s good sides (even
when there’s quite a lot about them that is not so attractive).
Partisanship is actually your strength: you stay on someone’s side for
more than intellectual reasons – because they feel like a part of who
you are.
Reverence
One part of you dreams of giving yourself up – perhaps just for a
while – to a hero or mentor. In the right circumstances you can flourish
by letting go of your ego. In your inner life, reverence plays out as a
willing submission to your own conscience. In the outside world, you
might get frustrated searching for something worth believing in – a
country, a person, a company – but you will always be open to feeling
respect, admiration and wonder.
Independence
You don’t set out to be different for its own sake; you are more
easily guided by what interests and moves you. You are more concerned
about what is right for you than about the pressure to fit in. In sex
you are more aware than others of impulses which are not entirely
conventional. You know the value of selective irresponsibility, of
forgetting occasionally about being ‘good’.
(Had a bit of trouble with this one tonight. Dest and Lance both tonight. I figured might be good with a friend’s plot coming up soon.)
“Are you insane? No!” Lance scowled at what he was hearing. “I didn’t teach this all to you just for you to go and get yourself killed. You are not making everything that was done to keep you safe, worth nothing.”
“It was not worth nothing. You know it as well as I do. But I am doing this. You can’t stop me, Lance.” Destiney crossed her arms over her chest as they spoke outside in the yard at her house.
The thunk of a sword biting into wood. Poor striking dummy taking the brunt of the knight’s anger at his cousin’s words. He could understand full well why she would want to do this. That wasn’t the part he disagreed with.
What bothered him most was that they were keeping things from the Company she worked with. All because the ties the leader and one member held. That part did not make any sense to him. If she was willing to work with them. Put her trust in them. Then how could she keep this part from them? Clearly this was something they were going to clash over.
“You are talking of walking into enemy territory. Possibly getting hurt or worse. Have you even told your boyfriend about this? My guess is you haven’t. Halone have mercy… Destiney think about this.”
“I have thought about. Ever since the night Yuti told me what they found out. I am not letting Ikara remain in enemy hands. She’s like a sister to me, Lance!”
A soft huff before Destiney paced away from her cousin. Hand coming to rest on the hilt of her blade. Feeling for the magic she’d been training with. Reminding herself of every lesson both her brother and cousin had been giving her. Teaching her to fight. To be able to protect those she cared about. Rather then always being the one needing protection. It didn’t make her a skilled fighter by any standard. Yet it helped. Every bit helped more then where she was a year ago. Barely able to fight. This time would be different. This time she wouldn’t hesitate.
After all she had a reason to come home to. Always. She promised Syluss she would always come home to him.
Turning to face her stubborn cousin. Knowing he was just trying to protect her because he cared about her. Because it was part of who he was as a knight. As family. Setting her feet and preparing herself for the battle of getting him to give on this. “I will prove to you that I am ready for this. I will not falter. Not this time.”
Hand drawing that blade. Giving Lance a look a determination. For Ikara she would do this. Had to do this.
Alex huffed softly before peeking outside the door to his room at the manor. Couldn’t take it anymore. So sick of being around here. Of being told what to do an how to behave. Pretending to be something he knew he wasn’t.
Sneaking out, Alex headed out of Ishgard. He wasn’t about to go drinking at the Forgotten Knight. Too many times he’d gotten into fights there or nearby. Probably the worst idea of all. Instead he went for the bar in the southern part of the Shroud. At least there he’d never been tossed out before.
Alex sat down at the bar and ordered himself a bottle of something strong. The duskwight had no self control when it came to drinks. He’d likely drink and find somewhere to crash not far away. The stress of dealing with Lord Rillek was getting to him slowly. So why not drink the night away.
A familiar miqo’te male taking a seat beside him. Ordering a drink for himself before glancing over towards Alex as he nursed his drink. The man giving Alex a rather toothy grin.
“Been a time. I was beginning to think ya dead finally. No need to torture anyone else lately?”
“No. I’ve been busy, friend.” Alex replied with a shrug before taking a long draw from his bottle. “I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.”
“I heard ya gone soft. Got a lady and joined a House in Ishgard.”
Alex snarled softly before reaching to grab the man by the shirt collar. It only made him laugh as all eyes turned on them. Not that there were many this time of day but still enough.
“It’s none of your damn business.” Alex growled threateningly.
“Now now. Show a little self control. Unless ya want tossed out of here.”
Alex let go of the man’s shirt with a snort. Returning to his drink and trying to pretend the other man wasn’t there. Not that it worked. His old ‘friend’ wasn’t going to let this go.
“There is a price, Alexois. To everything. Yours is coming due.” The man downed his shot before giving Alex one more sinister smile. “Traitor.”
Alex watched warily as the miqo’te left. Fully expecting a dagger in his back. Thankfully it didn’t happen. One less injury to have to explain to Kohina. Debating if he was even going to tell Kohina about this encounter. No this was probably best left unsaid. He’d never really told anyone about the things he’d done with the bandits out here. This was something he wasn’t ready to explain. Especially some of the darker details of what went on. What he did…
Sighing heavily before downing the rest of the bottle.
You know what’s fun to write? Healthy relationships.
I don’t mean in the sense that healthy relationships are important to portray in fiction–no, I mean, they’re actually enjoyable to scribble down. Think of these examples:
A and B kicking ass together 👍
A and B believing in and listening to each other 👍
A and B communicating their problems (doubles as good scene-setting to further explore the characters’ reactions to stress) 👍
Makeout sessions 👍
Quick kisses that makes one/both smile 👍
One swearing to protect the other and then doing it 👍
A and B both contributing to the other’s character development in sweet and positive ways 👍
One recognizing the other’s faults but not letting the knowledge overshadow why they love their partner 👍
One doing something nice for the other, even if it’s in the middle of a battle for the fate of the world 👍
A and B overcoming all the torture you throw at them but never losing their friendship and sense of peace when they’re together 👍
and more
There’s something to writing unhealthy relationships, in the sense of drama and conflict, but there’s no reason a healthy one can’t have drama and conflict while the characters still work to make their partner happy. There’s also something to not throwing unneeded drama and conflict at them, allowing them to interact with themselves and the story in positive ways. Honestly, it’s refreshing and puts a smile on your face (or, at least it puts one on mine). It shows everyone else what the characters prioritize: a healthy dynamic with the person they care about most. It doesn’t have to be boring.
(Also applies to non-monogamous and platonic relationships.)
Destiney walked forward through the dreamscape. Surely it had to be a dream. The broken buildings and strange sky. The lack of other people. It was a odd location. The atmosphere felt almost oppressive.
This wasn’t the usual bad dreams that plagued her on rare occasion. Their occurrence came about less and less anymore. The happier her life was, the less they had a chance of happening. Right now? Her life was very good.
So why was she having a bad dream now?
Feet pausing in her walk as she stood before a woman in red kneeling before a sword. The hat with it’s white feather hiding her face. Destiney tilted her head as she looked on with curiosity.
The woman’s hand reaching for the sword hilt as she stood. Blue eyes meeting their match. Destiney was staring at herself. In an outfit she had never worn before. Taking a step back in surprise as the phantom pointed the sword in her direction.
“Accept your Fate.”
Destiney reached for her own blade only to find it not there. Reaching for magic that refused to respond. Looking on in wide-eyed horror as nothing was there when she needed it. Falling backwards in panic when the phantom rushed her with that sword. Raising her arms to protect herself when nothing else worked.
Waiting.
Nothing happened.
Destiney lowered her arms to find the phantom of herself gone. The sword was there in the ground before her though. Slowly she stood up as she looked towards that blade. Once more the words of the phantom rang in her ears.
“Accept your Fate.”
Hand reaching for the hilt of that sword. Testing to see if this was what the phantom wanted. Yet before she could touch it…
Destiney gasped as she opened her eyes to stare up at the ceiling above her. What a strange dream… She didn’t understand any of it. Of course she was working on her red magic and sword work. So what was with the odd dream? Maybe it was all she had eaten and drank at the party. Yeah maybe that was it. Just a strange dream.
Spirit of the Warlock 