#duskwild

The Bull, the Bear and the Falcon

[I can’t believe I actually forgot to publish this beautiful piece by Eva, featuring @duskwild‘s Watchful Star and Calm Marinee River @notsocalmriver. But hey, it’s Roevember, so... Might as well be the best time possible to have the girls here?

002 | Give me a character & I will tell you

I’ll chose JANNEQUINARD DE DURENDAIRE ( <3 thank you!)LONG POST AHOY

How I feel about this character:HE’S MY FAVORITE QUEST GIVER AND ONE OF MY ALL AROUND FAVORITE SIDE CHARACTERS.Well…Jannequinard is…different to say the least. He comes off as a no-good daydreamer, arrogant(in a way where you can’t even see him as an ass because he’s so dumb about it),  dimwitted(and completely, utterly unaware of it), lazy af and starts off being quite incompetent as an astrologian due to that declination to work hard. However, he discovers that there is more to astrology than just reading the stars and skies for dragon activity - as a tool for war convenience - and that is the art of HEALING. This is looked down upon by the conservative Ishgardians, and quite honestly, if he wasn’t a son of Ishgard’s highest house, he’d probably be branded a heretic for it. However, NO ONE takes Janne seriously at all as he’s no more than a spoiled but harmless lordling, so everyone is just trying to ignore his antics and let him do his studies in the astrologicum, which is actually founded by the durendaires. It’s like giving your youngest child a gift so that they’re occupied, not because you believe in what they’re trying to do. Here is the thing I keep thinking about, and idk how much of it is headcanon or simply overanalyzing but - The Count de Durendaire just…doesn’t mind what his sons do regardless of how absurd it seems and instead he just showers them with money and freedom to do whatever after what happened with Carvallain.  But emotionally, FATHERLY, he completely fails Jannequinard because he doesn’t even give him the feeling that he actually exists, THAT HIS DREAM EXISTS. Jannequinard is too stubborn to really…SUFFER under this though. Like, I love that thought about him. He seems too dumb to notice, but in reality he’s very much aware of the familial situation - yet, it’s beyond his control so he makes the best out of it - which is getting spoiled with money and the freedom to live out his personal interests without familial interference. However, on rare occassions you notice it still takes it’s toll on him. I’m thinking of the situation in the later AST QL in the western highlands that makes it pretty clear Jannequinard DOES have insecurities regarding being left out of things. Like, at first when leveva, the WoL and quimperain do their thing (tbh he’s at fault bc he’s lazy and doesn’t tag along), he doesn’t even notice or care, but as you get further  in the storyline - the further this group’s friendship/companionship develops - you realize it bugs him when it’s pointed out by a villain how he’s left out of things “I wonder what else they’re hiding from you?”This definitely stems from the lack of attention he gets from his family, I believe this. It’s great that your father showers you with material wealth and protects you through his name, but sometimes that’s just not enough? Especially given how NOBODY, servant or family or even simple citizien, TAKES HIM SERIOUSLY //AT ALL// Though apart in years, Leveva’s father was legit the only person to be a FRIEND to Jannequinard, someone who believed in him and his abilities and asked him to take him along to Ishgard so that they may convey their ideas of healing magicks to the folk.  Leveva’s father was ultimately killed for wanting to share that knowledge and Jannequinard watched him die. there’s a lot he’s been through that’s very, very hidden underneath his comic relief personality. him still BEING so stubborn and immune to direct sarcasm can also be considered as him being an actually strong individual, sometimes. (I love the idiocy and blatant humor those traits ARE as well, of course)Ultimately: Janne’s drive to get people to listen to his ideas isn’t a phase out of wanting recognition as it first seems, it’s keeping his promise to his best friend and suddenly his unwavering ambition is SO admirable to me because no mattter how many people mock him, he never gives up. To see their dream fullfilled, to honor his friend! I cry

All the people I ship romantically with this character: janne/leveva and nothing can stop meJannequinard and Leveva developed into such a huge ship for me. that whole background story with Leveva’s father really sealed the deal for me. There’s the age diff and the fact that being her father’s best friend and her grandfather’s student that’s making it kind of awkward, but tbh?  the writing really makes me adore THEIR interpersonal development. I love how leveva goes from utter annoyance/seeing jannequinard as hopeless to somehow finding it amusing to tease him to caring about him TO BONDING WITH HIM OVER THEIR SHARED AMBITIONS to…to her actually seeing him as an admirable man she started to really like along the way. I love that she ends up calling him “Janne” sometimes (THE INTIMACY OF A NICKNAME), after their bonding moment.And Jannequinard, for all the incompetence he displayed towards her, he also went from finding her antics intimidating/overbearing to being smitten by her drive to actually realize she’s his deceased friend’s daughter and OOh. OOH that’s why her pureness her strive her grace HER BRAVERY reminded him so much of the one person he was close to and OH I really, really care about her? speaking of names, he also goes from “ lady leveva” to just “leveva”, esp. when he’s worried about her.I just love that they find someone they can share their passion with; both go through hard times but the fact that they found each other and end up being supportive of one another through it all is beautiful and they both deserve it.TO ME, this ship is a blessing, I didn’t expect them to get such good interaction when I first started the questline sob.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: I love the quimperain’s reactions towards janne’s stupidity or arrogance it’s a treasure

My unpopular opinion about this character: I don’t find him disgusting or creepy just because the ENG translation fucked up in trying to be funny and inconsistent about his age a few times and I’ll forever defend this amazing man /FIGHT EMOTE

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon:I WANT HIM AND CARVALLAIN TO ACTUALLY MEET ???

my OTP: jannequinard/leveva

Happy Halloween, everyone!

[We’ll take the cat.

duskwild replied to your post: If anyone on Siren sees a V’ehtra Nunh running...

[And feed him. And give him confetti.]

@duskwild​ | doot da doot yay memes (accepting!)

Why not both? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thancred:

How I feel about this character: Hoo boy. Get this man some rest and a boost to his self-esteem because he deserves it after all he’s been through. In all seriousness, I’ll be honest and say I didn’t have much of an opinion on Thancred other than “Scion!! Friend!! Cute looking too omg” until I played through ARR a second time and. Well. Now I caught the feels for him. He tries so hard to help the Scions and he pushes himself to the very brink throughout ARR. And it kills me that we never got to see him have a recovery arc after being possessed by Lahabrea since oh no! more Primals to slay! PLEASE, JUST, LET THE MAN REST—

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Honestly, give me a ship where Thancred is loved and cared for beyond just sex stuff. Please, he deserves someone who can see past the charm and just. let him be himself? Scars and all. Idk, I don’t know how to word today but I hope I’m making sense.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Thancred / Minfilia!! They’re a father / daughter duo whomst I love!! I also love him with the rest of the Scions as this one big happy family they all found in each other. It’s great and I love it and just. CRY ABOUT THEM ALL?

My unpopular opinion about this character: Um. Lmfao, well, I think the fact that he became more hardened and less lighthearted in Heavensward makes sense with his character? I personally enjoyed the changes in him but I’d also like to see how he grows from here on out. I’m just kind of upset we only got like, maybe 5 minutes max of screen time with him in Stormblood. ://

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: FOR HIM TO RECOVER. TO REST. P L E A S E. LET HIM SEE A THERAPIST FOR GOD’S SAKE—

my OTP: Personally? Thancred / rest

my cross over ship: Hmm... Idk, tbh. It’s been a while since I played games outside of FFXIV. :thonk:

a headcanon fact: I honestly think that he thinks himself to be somewhat of a father figure or an older brother figure to Minfilia. He might not have raised her but he’s seen her grow into a leader and may have taught her a thing or two about stabbing people.

Y’shtola:

How I feel about this character: Honestly, I think I remember getting incredibly attached to her because she’s a very smart, capable character with the kind of snark I adore and I just love her design in general. (Very iconic, 10/10.) She’s very sure and confident of herself with good reason. (Until. You know, 2.55 and it all went south for everyone involved.) I loved her in Heavensward and I loved seeing her interactions with her mentor. I’m so glad we got a lot of time with her in Heavensward and I was a big pile of gay feelings when we found her first. But I’m not as vocal about her since my brain likes to forget a lot of things, apparently, so I’m gonna continue replaying ARR to see how she was like.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Inhales deeply. I ship her with Lyse. Very cute, supportive couple and I love them dearly. What made me ship this in particular? When Y’shtola ran and shielded Lyse from Zenos’ attack. :) That scene also killed me. I was sold by the time we got to the ending of Stormblood and Lyse had to leave the Scions. Just—it warmed my gay heart.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Other than the Scions? Y’shtola and Matoya. What a great student / teacher relationship! I adore them. I also really want to see more of Y’shtola with her sister because the fact that her last words in ARR are “Forgive me, Mhitra.” FUCKING SLAYS ME. G O D. Give me more sister stuff!!

My unpopular opinion about this character: I like that she’s snarky and confident lmfao. It isn’t as grating as Alphinaud’s stuck-up attitude throughout ARR—at least, that’s not how it felt to me? She had more respect and was willing to work with the WoL at least. Also kiinda upset that she got fridged for a majority of Stormblood. 

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: I kind of wish that she come clean about the fact that she’s blind but I can’t remember if she already told the other Scions. If not, I’d really want them to know and support her so she’s not constantly DRAINING HER OWN LIFEFORCE TO SEE.

my OTP: ... Yep, Y’shtola / Lyse. Come @ me bruh.

my cross over ship: None atm? Again, it’s been a while since I last consumed media that isn’t FFXIV lol.

SEND A SYMBOL FOR A HEADCANON ABOUT MY MUSE.

✎: Growing up, did your muse have a teacher or mentor figure? What was their relationship like?

Her mother was all of these things up until the day she perished. Maliah was a warrior, a songstress and harp player who taught Ahlis what she could about protecting herself as well as various things about their culture in the form of song, dance and in stories. Naturally, Ahlis was very close to her mother as all they had was each other. Thinking about Maliah, it must have been a pretty difficult life looking out for herself and her daughter, especially during the times when they weren’t traveling with other fellow refugees or not temporarily settled somewhere.