i rode the light of the stars to you

Everyone writes: “We’ve known each other for years!"

But we can do better than that—let's make things actually interesting.

Here are some quick tips for writing two characters with history (without saying, "we've known each for years"):

• They reach for the same object at the same time without looking

• One of them uses a nickname no one else is allowed to use

• They start arguing mid-conversation like the first half already happened

• They move closer when the other looks uncomfortable

• One of them says, “Don’t start,” before the other has said anything

• They know exactly which buttons to press (and press them immediately)

• They unconsciously drift toward each other in crowded spaces

• They anticipate each other’s reactions before they happen

• One quietly moves something (a drink, weapon, chair) because they know the other will reach for it

• Someone might say something, and the other immediately responds with: “You’re still doing that?”

• They suppress laughter at the same time over something no one else noticed

• One character still treats the other based on who they used to be

• A certain place, smell, or song causes them to exchange a look

• Their arguments sound rehearsed, like they’ve had them before

• They touch each other casually without asking (fixing clothing, nudging, taking something from their hand)

• They stand closer than strangers normally would

• They borrow items from each other

• They bring up something embarrassing from ten years ago

• They sit in silence together and it’s either very comfortable or extremely tense

• One of them automatically orders the other’s drink

• They interrupt each other and still somehow finish the same sentence

• One starts a story and the other finishes it automatically

• They argue about the details of shared memories

• They mention people or events without explaining them

• A simple phrase or nickname triggers an entire inside joke

• They notice tiny things about each other no one else would catch

Real history sounds like unfinished conversations, old habits, and arguments that never really ended. When you show shared history (instead of telling) your characters seem that much more alive and believable.

On a similar note: Not all shared history is comfortable. Sometimes shared history means unresolved tension or an old rivalry:

• They refer to something only as “that” or “before.”

• Someone says “You know why.” without explaining further

• Standing slightly farther apart than expected

• Fingers drumming or fidgeting when they’re forced to talk

• Avoiding eye contact for just a second too long.

• A small disagreement suddenly becomes heated.

• One character reacts sharply to something that shouldn’t matter anymore.

• A casual comment triggers silence or defensiveness.

• One character starts explaining themselves but trails off

• One character makes small, cutting remarks disguised as jokes

• They still know each other’s preferences or weaknesses

• They speak in fragments when the past comes up

• They fall into familiar conversations and then awkwardly break them

If you enjoy digging into character dynamics like this, my printable novel planner has detailed sections for relationships, character arcs, and story structure. It’s perfect for organizing a fanfic or mapping out an entire novel!

Maybe it is time to finally introduce my elezen OC. I don’t have a fitting glam for her yet but here she is:

Marielle, or for her friends Mari!

Back again with one of those minor quality of life menu options it's real easy to overlook or forget about. This time, it's the teleportation menu.

In this short menu are two primary options for teleport settings: aetheryte ticket usage, and tab preferences.

Aetheryte ticket usage is simple; select the option in the dropdown you prefer, and then, if selecting either "Confirm for All Costs Above Gil Allowance" or "Always Use for Costs Above Gil Allowance", set that price of your choosing in the gil allowance field below the dropdown. In this case, I've set the options to Always Use an aetheryte ticket for teleportation costs above 500 gil.

I also forgot they added the ability to sort the teleport tabs by expansion, as the default has been by region for so long. But when I make the selection...

I like that the original three city-state regions remain separate; the remaining ARR options are Dragonhead and Revenant's Toll. Shadowbringers doesn't change much as all the aetherytes were in Norvrandt anyway, but for Endwalker and Dawntrail and their various far-flung locations, it's much easier on my brain to seek them under the expac, rather than confusing various region markers, and the "Others" tab was getting unruly. Now it just has my apartments/houses/FC home.

At the bottom of the page it will track how many tickets you have on hand. Where does one find these tickets? Three places!

The first place is your Grand Company Hunt Billmaster, usually next to the Hunt Board for ARR. Since I'm on C'oretta, we'll use the Immortal Flames for the example. Substitute your own GC, the options are the same.

I have other tutorials about the Hunts and benefits, like items, glamours, and in current content upgrades for endgame tomestone gear (subject to change in 8.0!). As a way to level and get gil, once level capped I tend to just do my weekly B hunts for each expac for seals and gil (and chance stumbling on soloable A Ranks in ARR, HW, or StB zones for more rewards), since I don't catch hunt trains that often. Allied seals can also be gained in the Carnivale by Blue Mages, but for now, let's talk to our Company buddy.

There's various options for Company-themed gear, but we're going to the "Other" option, which is where you can find minions, riding maps, crafting materials, chocobo fruit seeds, Ventures, and Aetheryte Tickets. Those last two are very inexpensive, allowing you to buy quite a lot if you've a stockpile of seals and nothing else to spend them on.

The second place to find Aetheryte Tickets is in Ishgard at the Forgotten Knight. Ardolain, one of the elder leaders of Clan Centurio, also has an option for various items, Ventures, and Aetheryte Tickets.

It's important to note that the Clan vendors in Rhalgr's Reach do Not offer Aetheryte Tickets!

The third place is from a Calamity Salvager, in the "Deal in Spoils" menus, if you've any Gold Chocobo Feathers on hand.

Technically there is a fourth method, which is via certain one time quests, some of them temporary holidays. There also used to be the old Veteran's reward system, but those items moved to other ways to acquire them. Like in the aetheryte tickets' case, via hunts.

And that's it! Ways to get the tickets and also set your teleport so it's not asking every time if you want to use a ticket or spend 70 gil to go from one aetheryte in a zone to another - but will use a ticket automatically when you've got a 1k+ teleport cost. Also remember there's more than one way to organize your teleport list to whichever way, by region or by expansion, that works best for you.

Happy traveling!

aoife's first day of marauder school! (i say as if i didn't just pick it up and then immediately get distracted doing something else)

Electrope