A collection of thoughts and feelings

Alinea Skylark

My main girlie!

Age: early 30's after Endwalker. She doesn't actually know when her birthday is, but after comparing to others, that's what she guestimates.

Unsundered life: She was happily married to Hades and Hythlodaeus, and her little brother, Themis, was the absolute apple of her eye. Her name was Emmeline, though once she became Azem, only the aforementioned people ever called her by her true name. She loved her work and got along well with everyone on the Convocation.

Alinea has full recollection of her unsundered life, but after the events at Ultima Thule, she's able to find peace and move on with her life as Alinea Skylark. Her and Estinien start dating shortly after, much to Alphinaud's delight and Alisae's horror. Currently, she's just trying to relax as much as possible before the next adventure sweeps her away.

Aurora Calypso

Age: 21 after Endwalker.

Unsundered life: She remembers bits and pieces of her life as Azem, and cares deeply for Hades, Hythlodaeus, and Themis, but doesn't remember any personal connection or attachment. The one thing she does remember is that her name was Echo.

The events in Shadowbringers and Endwalker took a heavy toll on Aurora's body. She's slowly recovering and is currently taking a tour with Erenville of all their favorite places across Etheirys. She loves her carbuncle, Monty, and he is absolutely spoiled.

Annabeth Rose

Age: 36 or so at the end of Endwalker

Unsundered Life: She was both Azem and sister to Hades. She knew that Hades was planning to propose to Hythlodaeus, but then the final days happened. Her name name then had been Eleonora.

Annabeth has a twin brother, Felix, who she adores, as well as many younger siblings that she also cares for and keeps in contact with. She has an extremely large extended family, most of whom consist of characters who I've saved from their in-game fates :P

Alira Thorne

Age: 32 at the end of Endwalker

Unsundered Life: Her name was Eris and she loved being Azem. She loved going from town to town, meeting and learning from the people, and helping wherever she could. Her best friends where Hades and Hythlodaeus and she had the great honor of officiating their wedding.

She had a very traumatic upbringing that caused her to push people away for the longest time. Only during Stormblood, does this come to a head and she starts working on the path to find inner peace. This comes in the form of becoming a Dark Knight. Thanks to Rielle, Fray, and the moogles, her and Sid work through their pasts together and eventually start dating. Her and Sid have a little girl after the events of Shadowbringers who Rielle names Sibbie.

AU

In an alternate timeline, all the girls work together, going from ARR to EW. Most of the above information holds, with the only change being that Aurora worked in the Capital as a record taker of the convocation of fourteen meetings. She was adored by all, and knew the goings on and kept quiet on them all. All the 14 would talk to her as an impartial party when they were musing on issues, and she was good at providing input and questions in a way to help them think.

I had multiple writing ideas for today's prompt, but the one I liked the most was more in-depth than I felt I had time to write for today, so I'll work on writing and posting that another day. Instead, have some gposes of Alinea and Estinien on a picnic date!!

Estinien wakes with a start. He rubs a hand over his face, thinking he’s missed the alarm. As he shifts his weight to get out of bed, he hears his wife grumble. He leans over to shake her shoulder gently.

“Love, wake up. The kids…”

One eye pops open and stares at him. A small smirk plays upon her lips as she raises a brow at him. 

“Stin, did you forget the twins are babysitting our children this weekend?”

Estinien blinks at her, the words slowly processing through his mind. 

“We don’t have to get up?” 

“No.”

“We don’t have to take them anywhere?”

Alinea closes her eyes and snuggles into her pillow. “Not at all.”

“Do you think the twins will survive our twins and Draco?” 

Alinea’s eye pops open again, “Aye, I do. I also know that Ameliance would be visiting and she’ll keep everyone in line. Estinien,” she raises herself up and presses a chaste kiss to his lips, “We’ve got the weekend to ourselves. Sleep.” 

She ruffles his hair and falls back against her pillow.

“Huh,” he looks around the room, “time to ourselves.” He looks at his wife and grins. He cuddles up against her and bites her ear. He chuckles at the gasp and avoids the leg she kicks back towards him.

Her laughter joins his, “There’ll be more than enough time for those types of activities later. But for now, sleep.” She blindly waves her hand behind her to smack him, but he just catches it and kisses her cheek.

“Rest well, dear.”

“You too, Estinien love.”

He lays back against his pillow, smiling at the ceiling. Soon however, he frowns, as he feels eyes staring at him. He turns his face to his left and is met with 2 carbuncles glaring at him. “Gods, it’s too early to deal with you.” He glares back at them and sighs, shifting his body to allow more room for the carbuncles to jump on the bed. 

Sephy jumps on and gently nuzzles his face in thanks, before curling up in the space that’s now present between Alinea and Estinien’s legs. Demetri crouches and pounces with all his might, landing solidly on Estinien’s chest. Estinien lets out a rush of air, before shooing the carbuncle of his chest. “Bloody menace.” 

He rolls over to the right, only to once again meet Demetri’s face. The two stare at each for a minute before Estinien sigh and relents, lifting up his arm. 

He wasn’t sure why and he’d doubt the carbuncle would tell him if he could, but whenever the children were out of the house, Demetri spent more time with him. Maybe the carbuncle pitied him for missing his kids, but as Demetri wormed his way closer to Estinien’s chest, Estinien couldn’t help but smile. 

Once Demetri had settled against his chest, Estinien slowly laid his arm across the carbuncle. Demetri stiffened but soon settled. Estinien starts at Alinea’s chuckle, having not heard her turn to face him. 

“And here I thought you two still didn’t like each other.” She winks at him and reaches out to stroke Demetri’s head. 

“Well, I’m not sure like is the word I’d use, but aye, I guess we’re closer now.”

Alinea nods, “Good. Now,” she looks down at Sephy before looking at the boys across from her, “everyone get some more sleep.” 

Demetri lets out a snort, as does Sephy. Estinien lets out a low chuckle but reaches out to hold Alinea’s outstretched hand. He rubs his thumb over the back of it. “I love you,” he says. 

Her eyes flicker open, “And I love you.”

Estinien does not flinch, nor even attempts a raise of his brow. Across from him, Demetri keeps his gaze locked on Estinien. Estinien knows that Demetri’s dagger is locked away, but he knows how sharp the carbuncle’s teeth are, having been on the receiving end a few too many times for his liking.

He hears movement from his left, but he does not break eye contact with Demetri.

“Do I want to know why you and Demetri are having a staring contest?” Alinea asks, as she reenters the upstairs living area. 

“It’s a battle of wills, love. And the last biscuit is at stake.” 

Unbeknownst to both competitors, Alinea and Sephy look at each. Alinea shrugs while Sephy makes a soft coo-ing noise. Alinea moves into the kitchen, but Estinien sees a flash of pink in his periphery. 

Before he or Demetri can do anything to stop her, Sephy jumps up and steals the last cookie. Demetri quickly gives chase and the two carbuncles tear through their home. Estinien sighs, placing his hands on his knees, before pushing up to stand. He quickly raises a leg as the carbuncles charge underneath and he lets out a chuckle as Sephy viciously (for her) guards her cookie from her brother. 

Estinien makes his way to Alinea, coming to stand behind her, so he can wrap his arms around her. 

“So you like the biscuits?” Alinea asks, leaning back into his embrace, brows raised.

“Aye, they were very good.” 

Alinea nods, watching Sephy reluctantly giving Demetri some of the biscuit.

“Well, you all will be glad to know the second batch is almost ready to come out of the oven.” 

At this statement, both carbuncles’ heads turn towards Alinea and Estinien kisses the top of her head. 

“You spoil us, but we are extremely grateful.” 

She turns in his arms and leans forward to kiss him. “Well I can’t have my fiercest defenders fighting on an empty stomach. Go, sit, I’ll bring everyone their own individual plates this time.” 

Estinien squeezes her waist, “Yes commander, whatever you say. Just make sure you have some too.” He winks at her.

She winks back, “Oh most of these will be mine.”

Demetri sighs, but Estinien lays a hand on him as he passes by. “Courage lad, but if that doesn’t work, try the pouty face.” 

Estinien smiles as the laughter of his children echo around the Meghaduta. Draco and Azdaja are perched on one of the upper balconies watching as Hallie and Astra balance and climb on Vrtra. He cringes inwardly at the girls’ brazen attitude towards the mighty dragon, but when he swivels his head to look for his wife, she and the Father of all Dragons are conversing from an even higher rafter. He shakes his head, laughing silently to himself. 

Who would have thought that he’d end up here, after all those years after Ferndale? He feels the pang in his chest as he thinks of Hamignant and how old he’d be now, but he shakes his head and focuses on the here and now. He has no doubt that Hamignant would be proud that Estinien had finally worked through his anger and despair. That he instead was one of the principal members in achieving peace with the dragons, so much so that his children were not afraid of the teeth, the scales, or the fire that came from them. 

Indeed, he rather suspects that if any harm were to ever happen to his children, the perpetrator would rue the day as they’d be hounded by multiple dragons. He laughs at the image and he can feel his wife’s gaze fall upon him. He looks up to her and smiles. She smiles back before turning back to Midgardsormr. She says something and then waves, as the dragon goes to eavesdrop on Draco and Azdaja’s animated conversation. 

Alinea alights behind Estinien and wraps her arms around his chest. 

“Gil for your thoughts?”

“Only a gil?” 

She playfully bites his shoulder and he squawks in indignation.

“Egads, woman, you’ve been spending too much time around the dragons.”

She winks at him, “Midgardsormr says couples should talk openly and honestly with each other at all times.”

“Aye, I agree. That doesn’t explain the biting.” 

She laughs, leaning her chin on his arm. “I’m just happy. It’s good seeing the children like this.”

He sighs, shaking his head fondly and raises her hands to his lips, kissing them both. “Aye, Draco is growing like a weed already. I can’t believe he’s already ten.”

Alinea’s voice has a small frown to it, “I know. And the twins are almost ready to go to school.”

“We still have them for many years, Ali.”

“I know, but they’re so little now.” 

“And soon, they’ll be grown terrors. I doubt they’ll go far, love. They adore you and their family.”

Alinea sighs, “I won’t begrudge them if they want to move and explore the whole wide world. Hell, we did. But…”

“It’s hard to consider letting go?” he offers and he can feel Alinea nod into his shoulder, hiding her face, while a few tears are shed. 

“Mom?” Hallie’s head turns immediately. 

“Yes, my dear?” Alinea steps forward, tears hastily wiped.

“What’s wrong?” Hallie looks at her, while Astra’s gaze tries to pierce her soul.

Alinea smiles fondly, “Nothing is wrong, sweetheart. I just can’t believe how big you’re growing.”

“Mom,” an exasperated Draco sighs, though a grin is across his face. “You say that every time we visit anyone.” He winks at his dad, who has to laugh that his son has caught on to that fact. 

Alinea gives a small hmph and crosses her arms over her chest, “Well, it’s not my fault it’s true.” She turns and winks at Vrtra. “Why, I do believe last time they weren’t even able to climb onto your back, Vrtra.”

His laugh rumbles deep in his belly and it almost knocks the girls’ from their perch, instead earning peals of laughter at the sudden movement. 

“Indeed. Thy brood has gotten stronger and bolder since last we met, but not nearly as much as you assume. They are good, young children. So much hope for the future.” He blows out his breath, letting steam hit both girls’ on the face, while Azdaja twirls around Draco, before landing on his head. 

“You do well to be proud of them Alinea, and you Estinien. You have done well in providing a safe home for them and they will continue to usher in the prosperous age you have helped to bring us.”

Estinien goes and wraps his arms around Alinea, casting his gaze across his children. “Aye, we are proud. And we love you, all of you.” 

“Dad..”, Draco sighs, but starts making his way down, as his sisters fling themselves into their parents’ arms. He makes his way to the hug pile and throws himself on top of his sisters, earning laughter and small jabs of elbows to his chest. 

“So you’re saying?”

“The Fury doesn’t exist anymore? Yes and no.” Alinea sips from her tea, serenely, as if she hadn’t just brought down thousands of years of tradition and ceremony. 

“Alright. And do the others know?” 

Alinea raises a brow, smirking at Estinien’s face. “They know the general gist of things. A few of them didn’t quite want to know the details. I assume you want to remain in that group too?”

He takes a breath and thinks. He had never been a particularly devout man, but he had still believed in Halone and the Fury. Now, to hear that there was so much more to it than that. He glances at Alinea and sighs, smiling. Of course his beautiful and violent girlfriend had taken down the gods of Eorzea and didn’t seem to mind an ilm. 

But, he was still a man…

“I think, love,” he says, squeezing her hand, “that you’re right on this one. I have all the faith in you and your girls. But..” 

Alinea squeezes his hand back, stopping him. “Estinien, there is nothing wrong in faith in a higher power. She is still there, in her own way, and there is nothing wrong in keeping your faith.”

“In you both,” he adds, looking at Alinea seriously. 

She laughs, “I’m honored to be kept in such company.” She squeezes his hands and moves to sit beside him, laying her back against his chest, wrapping his arms around her. 

“Faith is important, Estinien. Thank you for even letting me tell you as much as I did. We haven’t told any of the leaders. There’d be mass panic if we told what we knew and saw.” Alinea looks out the window, and Estinien follows her gaze. “Sometimes, it’s best to hold onto what we know, whether that is true or not.” 

“Not all falsehoods and lies are innocent though,” he says, sourly. 

He feels her head tilt against his chest. 

“You are right,” she says. “But in this case, I know it will cause no harm. The Fury has watched over you this long Estinien.” She straightens and turns to kiss his forehead. “I’m watching over you too now, but I don’t mind the extra eyes. You’re too precious for me to lose.” 

The sound of someone sitting next to him jostles Estinien from his thoughts. He raises a brow as Sid slides onto the bench, already reaching for the menu that Estinien had been staring at. 

“Anything good here?” Sid asks, eyes roving over the menu. 

Before Estinien can say anything, Erenville sits across from him and nods. The Viera flicks the menu in Sid’s hand earning a low growl from Sid. 

“I do not know why you ask. You always eat the same thing anywhere we go,” Erenville sighs, rolling his eyes. “And unfortunately for you, the Shroud is known mainly for their vegetarian cuisine.” 

“Vegetarian?” Sid’s nose scrunches at the term, but he sighs, continuing to peruse the menu.

“Not that it’s not good to see you all,” Estinien says, “but why are you here?”

Gaius slips into the seat across from Sid and puts down a drink in front of Estinien. “Because, we know that you’re worried about Alinea and the babe. We know that you need support in this too.” 

Erenville nods, while Sid pipes up, “Plus our partners kicked out of the house to make sure you were coping okay.” 

Gaius and Erenville frown at Sid, while Estinien bristles. “I am fine.”

Gaius raises a brow, while Sid looks at him with both brows to his hairline. Erenville frowns at him, waving to the menu in Sid’s hands. “Right, that’s why we even heard from Vrtra that you were brooding more so than usual yesterday in Radz at Han.”

Estinien mumbles into his drink something that sounds like, “...bloody meddlesome dragons…”

Sid sighs, “Look, we just want to be here for you.”

“Shouldn’t you be with your own families and newborns?” Estinien’s voice is sharp and biting, and he immediately regrets the tone. “I am sorry.”

His friends all smile at him. “It is okay. We knew what we were going to deal with.” Erenville says.

“Still doesn’t make it better,” Estinien mumbles, eyes to the side. 

Gaius sighs, “Estinien, our wives and partners are okay. They were in more than well enough shape to literally twist our arms.” Sid nods enthusiastically here. “They will be able to handle a couple hours while we are here, for you.”

Erenville nods, “The Scions are all on standby for them, including Alinea.”

Estinien sighs, and rubs at his eyes with the heels of his palms. “I know why she wants to do this, but it’s breaking me how rough this is going. For both of them and for me.” 

Sid places a hand on his shoulder. “Alira had a rough time bonding with Sibbie too. She was out for a few days after Sibbie was born and she felt so much guilt for it. It took a while for her head to catch up with her heart and Alinea will be the same way.”

“Are you sure? Can you really promise me that?”

Sid sighs, “No one can promise that it’ll be perfect.” 

Erenville scoffs. “I can. This is Alinea we are talking about. She and Draco will bond. I know it. Yes, it may take more time than was first expected, but it will happen, Estinien. Just have faith.” 

Estinien looks to Erenville and sees unwavering faith. He looks to Sid, who smiles and nods, and then to Gaius who also seems sure. 

“I suppose I have to just wait and hope and pray.” 

Gaius inclines his head, “Or we can ask for a favor?”

Estinien’s brow raises, “A favor?”

Gaius clears his throat. “Feo Ul, Oh loveliest of branches?” 

Feo Ul suddenly appears in the middle of the table. “Why, isn’t this a nice surprise? One of my beloved saplings’ partners has called out for me. How may I help?”

Gaius bows his head. “I know you would never betray the confidence of one of your dear saplings, but I know that even now you have been keeping an eye on Alinea and the babe. How do they fare if we may ask?”

The king frowns, before facing Estinien. At the broken look on Estinien’s face, the king takes mercy. “Oh my dear,” they say, flying towards Estinien and holding Estinien’s face in their hands. “Take heart and find courage in your love. Already their bond begins to strengthen. It will not be long now till Alinea calls you home. Progress is happening and I have no doubt that the bond between mother and son will never be torn asunder after this trial.” They lean down to rest their head against Estinien’s forehead. “They love each other already. They are just learning to speak each other’s language. Alinea has to learn to love another in their own way. It’ll be bumpy, parenthood always is.” The king pulls back and winks at Estinien, “And it wouldn’t be my dear sapling’s way if it wasn’t a grander issue than most.” 

Estinien chuckles, a tear running down his face before he can stop it. Good natured chuckles erupt from the group. 

Sid winks at Feo Ul, “She did have to compete against Alira there.”

Feo Ul sighs, “What is it with my lovelies? They cannot have a moment’s peace. But oh, they are all so bright in motherhood.” They turn to face Erenville. “Soon.. Soon I better have godchildren from you as well.” 

Erenville pales at the finger pointing at him, but nods dutifully. “Of course, your majesty.” 

Feo Ul laughs, “But what is soon? All relative it is. Take your time, laddie, and it will work out in the end. You’ll see. Soon!”

They disappear in a twirl of aether and the table is left with a warmth over them. 

Sid nudges Estinien’s shoulder. “See? It’ll be alright. And you’ve got us!”

“Apologies for that,” Erenville winks, taking a sip of the drinks that have just been brought out.

“Hey, I’m delightful,” Sid retorts, while Gaius and Estinien chuckles between themselves. 

“Thank you, my friends. For helping me cope with my wandering thoughts.”

Gaius nods, raising a glass, “What are friends for?”

“To friends,” Sid says. 

The sun’s rays tell him that they should both be out of bed and busy with their day, but it’s rare that they can share a day without responsibilities calling them. He turns to his side and runs his fingers over the stars on Alinea’s back. He smiles at the small sound that comes from her and is greeted to her eyes watching him. He traces patterns across the constellations and frowns at one spot. 

“I remember, not long after we met, we were involved in a skirmish with the dragons. One clipped you over here. You wouldn’t tell Alphinaud about it, not that the boy would have noticed on his own at the time.” He lays a kiss on the spot. “You used to have a small scar there. It only showed up at times, but I remember it.” 

Alinea doesn’t say anything, but there’s a warmth in her eyes as she watches Estinien start his tracing again. 

“And here,” he presses a spot near her neck, and she rolls over to face him, giving him better access to view it. “Here you had a scar as well, but from before I ever knew you. I once asked Alphinaud about it, but he couldn’t recall. Alisaie said you had it when she first met you.” 

Alinea closes her eyes and smiles, “Aye, I recall that. I don’t know how I got it to be honest. Though knowing me,” her eyes open and she grins, “It was probably something silly like getting a cat out of a tree.”

He laughs, pulling her close to him and kisses her head before tilting her chin to his. He kisses her gently, before pulling away to lie on his back, letting her cuddle into his chest. 

“Does it bother you?,” she asks. “Me not having my scars anymore?”

He looks down at her head and rubs her back gently. 

“Does it bother you that I’m covered in more scars than the day we first met? I’m far more hideous than I was then.” He winks at her scowling face, earning a swat to his chest. 

He laughs, before pulling her closer. “No love, scars or no, you’re still you. You’re as beautiful as the day I met you and you’ve always been, whether primped up for a ball or soaked head to toe in blood.” He smiles as she laughs. “I could care less about your appearance. I just want you to know, I remember every story and I’m proud for all the ones I get to walk beside you on.”

She raises her head and kisses him again, before settling back to cuddle. “Thank you,” she says, reaching her hand to his, letting their fingers align and slot together. “There are still days where I feel weird in my body. Where I too recall the scars that are no longer there. Sometimes it does feel like it’s another lifetime after all we’ve been through, but each one is a part of me.” She looks to him and smiles, “Just as your scars make you, you. I would never change a single one, Estinien. You are more handsome to me every moment I spend with you and I will never stop falling in love with you.” 

She kisses him more deeply, before winking, “The only bad thing is women, and men, seem to love ogling after your scars.” She sighs, dropping her chin onto his chest, before lifting her eyes to meet his. “Just means I have to keep kissing you in public.” 

He laughs, “What a hard life to lead.” 

“So tiring.”

He kisses her, “Well then, why don’t we stay here all day. Let you conserve your strength.”

“Do you suppose we’re heading the right way?” Alphinaud inquires from a ledge not far from him.

Estinien grunts, looking between the map and the sky islands in front of him. Alphinaud turns, an amused grin on his face. 

He sighs as the boy, now almost through his teen years, comes to stand beside him. 

“I daresay, Alinea could have given us at least a vague idea to the path we should take,” Alphinaud frowns, looking at the map in Estinien’s hands. 

Estinien chuckles, before fondly ruffling Alphinaud’s hair. “Aye, she could have, but doubtless she’d have said that that would ruin our experience.”

Alphinaud laughs, straightening, before imitating Alinea, “If you boys want to have a camping trip, then by all means enjoy it.” “All of it,” they finish together. Alphinaud grins at Estinien, who smiles back. 

“At least she was kind enough to pack us a bit of extra food.” Estinien pulls out some grilled squid that Alinea had prepared for him, while Alphinaud frowns at some of the other ingredients. 

“Looks like we’ll still have to cook some of this ourselves.”

“Aye, but we’ve managed with worse.”

“Rightly said. Now, since we’re still lost,” he laughs at Estinien’s glare, “shall we make camp near here and then in the morning, start again for this vantage point Alinea told us about?”

Estinien finishes his squid and stretches, “Aye, sounds like a plan. I’ll set up the tent and you’ll…” He raises a brow at Alphinaud who grins triumphantly.

“Why, I’ll find the firewood, of course.”

When they return a couple of days later, Alinea welcomes them with a home-cooked meal and hot tea. She laughs as Alphinaud recounts their trip and once he leaves, curls up on the sofa next to Estinien.

"So same time in two months?" She asks, brow raised.

"Aye, wherever you chose to send us next."

I was tagged by @halikyon! Thank you for always including me!

📖reading: I've been on a fanfic reading kick for the last while. It's mainly been Bagginshield or Merthur fan fic lately, but really just depends on the day. I want to read The Astral Library by Kate Quinn next.

🎵Last song: I'm going to give the last 5 songs cause they've been playing in a loop since I added them to my liked songs on Spotify.

Phantom of the Opera Medley by Lindsey Stirling

Man on the Moon by Ballyhoo

In the Balance ~ a FF14 song, by Soken and others

Dedicated to Moonlight ~ a FF14 song, by Soken and others

Scream ~ a FF14 song, by Soken and others

📺currently watching: I am watching Game-Changer, a game show by Dropout that was recommended to me by my best friend.

🎬Last movie: I could not remember this for the longest time, but I think it was the Jumanji with Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, and Kevin Hart.

Current obsession: FFXIV, Merlin tv series, LoTR/Hobbit fanfics, and slowly getting back into the world of Hades.

Currently working on: hahaha I _should_ be working on the following:

Writing Day 7 of Estinien/WoL week

Writing something down for EmetWeek

Writing Arilla + all the others meeting Yva

Working on Hades 2 plot progress

Trying to hit max totems or the wings for ex7

And I'm sure many others that I'm forgetting lol

🔎Last Google search: My mom and I were debating if pork counted as red meat, and unfortunately for me, I was right and therefore I cannot eat pork chops often.

👕What are you wearing right now? A cream dress with butterflies on it that is reserved for home use. But it does have pockets!!