#fxivwrite

Aveline couldn’t help the dumb smile on her face while she watched the little fawn splash about the lake’s edge. The adorable creature was small even for its age, some dwarf specimen with odd blue fur. Where it had come from she didn’t quite know except that it had been a gift and one that kept right on giving. There were few sounds more delightful than the click of her little hooves against the wooden floor of Aveline’s home, and sweeter still were its little mews for more pets once she settled herself in the hyur’s lap.

And now here they were by the Lavender Beds’ docks again, out for a walk and some of the Shroud’s tame sunlight. The little fawn, her Aster, never seemed to get tired of dancing in and out of the shallow water, taking delight in the bright splashes like any curious child might.

But she never strayed too far, no. There was no need for a leash with such a shy creature, more prone to hiding behind Aveline at the snap of a twig than nosing into new and unexplored brush. Even the approach of a stranger would —

Aster suddenly froze, large ears perked up as her head turned toward the movement of a small group stepping off a nearby ferry. One could practically see the gears turning in the little creature’s head as she made that life or death distinction: was it better not to move and attract attention, or should she run to safety before the strange mob of people came too close?

And then there it was, that soft bleat of fear as Aster hastily made her way back to Aveline’s side. Though it resulted in a damp skirt, Aveline could see the full appeal of the teasing she was so often subjected to. Having a helpless creature under her arm begging for sanctuary, its sweet head turned up toward her for reassurance — how could she not love being its big and protective doe?

The crimson spear struck the beleaguered one eye beast, a bellow of rage answered the blue garbed spearman as it crashed inro the snowy path.

Peering in on the friendly rivalry and one-upmanship that almost half the team seems to be into left him bored. The creature had not caused any major injuries to her allies but it proved to him that they were definitely testing him by holding back their full strength in the interest of seeing how much he was willing to bring to the table beyond minimal effort and the supposedly misaimed and mistimed shots at their knight and lancer.

Golden eyes were on him, a flicker of fox ears and a hiss escaped the lips of foxy astrologian as she threw her mirror at him

It whizzed passed his nose by a hair breath and struck the empty air of the path a little ways back from him. A crackle of energy as a small barrier fizzled out of existence, revealing the guide and the exarch.

"Oh my" a nervous laugh escaped from the exarch. "This is awkward."

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After Daniffen Pass, along the route that connects Gates of Judgement and Whitebrim

Time might be on their side. Based on what scant information they had and what he could remember. There were only two locations that held potential. One was an Allegan project and the other contained Voidsent. That they had chosen the more isolated Daniffen Pass instead of through Camp Dragonhead would suggest they were avoiding attention even from her own allies. Still they must not be allowed to enter Ishgard proper, she had enough influence to hold the line there if not call for more backup.

Drinking up the last dregs of his soup appreciatively, he had to admit that the Archer had wasted a calling as a Culinarian. He would suppose it was the least he could do to pay the man back for the meals and to avoid eating tasteless rations in future.

Carefully he brushed of the debris that had gather upon his coat, he dodged a little as large boulder sailed over his head. Finally getting up to see what how the one-eyed beast that haunts the route was doing.

While It had failed to cull her entourage, none of them seem to have broken a sweat over it. He wondered if they were treating this creature as a warm up for the battle to come.

He had thought of the Summoner as nothing more than a useless mage but the way she manipulated shadowy spirits to compliment her team, had him changing his opinion of her.

Admittedly he could end their little training session with a mere snap of his fingers but there was no fun in doing things the easy way, he supposed.

And thus, he strutted into battle like the glorious radiant drama queen that he had became in his Solus’s guise. More to annoy the tiny blond knight who served as entertainment until the one who is worth his full attention comes on stage.

It wasn’t long before they exit the tower and made their way back to Saint Coinach's Find. The White Mage and the Knight made their way to the overseer of the site to check the group in with them.

Mere formalities to ensure safety was accounted for the visitors who wished to visit the site. Quietly he had tagged along to observe and as well as annoy the knight with his presence.

The affable pair started conversation off well enough until they got to the part about some made up incident in the tower that caused them to be split off from the guide. While it saddened the overseer that something had happened to the guide, he was confident that she would turn up again. Being the hardy, stubborn type.

Further pleasantries painted their former guide as a decent professional hunter and adventurer belonging to a local group but had a messy love life of rogues and lesser noble Ishgardian sons.

If there were any information to be had from the seemingly aimless gossip he would have miss it, not having the chance to step into the region proper for some time. Retreating to their entourage the assassin was spotted reporting to young summoner. There was an amusing flurry of activity as the flustered White Mage held her quiet, anxiously waiting for her target to finish his report before rushing over to him and commence a fussing over, much to the embarrassment of the archer with them. The entire time the assassin kept an eye on the Sorcerer.

Something about the young summoner's team dynamics tickled Emet-Selch's memories.   

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Before ShB, the timey whimey timeline of an FGO-FFXIV crossover that got pruned

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Crystal Tower

It was a bold plan to try, to make for the Ocular. It felt like a trap but they were forced to trust his judgement on this. Granted he was working on a hunch that the Ocular should have some kind of control systems for the tower’s defence.

He was mildy disappointed that the Tower's defense system had not managed to cull the young summoner's entourage.

Somewhat before ShB and timey whimey timeline that was eventually pruned off.

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“He stinks.” “Manners Mordred!” “What are you? My step-mom?” She tend to refer to dual wielding archer as her step-mother to annoy him. And yet he prefer it to the reverence shown to him by her fellow knights “Sigh… Just because the man is flamboyant and takes to exotic blends of fragrances doesn’t mean it stinks.” “No Mom.” The tiny blond knight growled. “He stinks the way Morgan stinks of magic. Pre-da-to-ry.” Her comparison drew an intake of breath from her partner. The duo were some ways off from the Sorcerer of Eld that had joined their team. They had met up to change guard shift when they spied their guest in attempt to start a conversation with their White Mage. To be caught unwary by their guest gave them some pause. The duo watched on in contemplation.

Somewhat before ShB and timey whimey timeline that was eventually pruned off.

———-

He was sorely tempted to visit Saint Coinach's Find as they quietly snuck by on a lower ridge. He could hear an almost nostalgic hubbub of activity. Granted it would be awkward to explain to anyone when he had woken up and why he looks the way he does. Very very awkward indeed.

Of course that is if they could pierce the spell enforced glamour of his hood. Which was just as well since he did c—

Instinctively he reached out to grab a hold of the crystal jutting out before he could lose his footing. A small zap made him almost yelp but his grip and his footing held firm.

Note - 20 and 21 can actually swap/share prompts.

Time passes in the Central Circuit, artificial light slowly giving way to night. Estinien answered the door to the smile of Ameliance who was accompanied by Tataru and the three musicians. With a single hand gesture, a basket of fresh clothes was shoved into Estinien’s hands while Tataru alone entered the commandeered infirmary.