#memma rha

few of the headshots ive done lately ft. @ffxivfisticuffs & @moonlifter

ERIETTE DEUXMONT - WHISPERING FALCON - MEMMA RHA

There were many things that they'd missed. First steps, first story, first namesday, first day of schooling. Sixteen turns denied of them both. Sixteen turns they could never get back. This, however. This was something they could still share.

A first starlight.

His daughter would be home for the holidays. Of that, he was sure--and he planned to make it as memorable as he could. Invites were sent out. Letters to Ruran, to Svana, to Sleepy. To Shaziya and Eleanor. To Fiona and even Emerald. Hells, to Xev'tan (hed regret that, he was sure). To any. To all. To everyone. Any person the man could conceive would promptly find a letter in their mail:

Dear Friends and Family,

Its that time again! A time of good cheer. Of memories made and memories cherished. You are hereby invited to the Thanalan Aquisitions Holiday Dinner. Please bring a gag gift that would make your mother shed tears, and a memory to share. Something good. Something special. Don't bring food or I'll be viscerally insulted.

Next was the dodo. The largest he could find, and a pot large enough for frying. He began making plans, putting together everything hed serve--millioncorn souffle, while fried dodo, roasted aldgoat, a salad, almond rolls, fruitcake to lob at the neighbor's window...everything needed for the perfect holiday dinner.

And it needed to be perfect.

He purchased the greatest tree he could find, and set it up in the museum. He adorned it with homemade ornaments, made yearly until only just last turn. Some of them were framed drawings. Others hand painted figurines, wooden sticks pasted into shapes. His favorite was was a glass red bulb with two tall figures and one small, sloppily painted in white. The other side read: Hapy Starlite Dad.

He had taken time putting that one up. He held it in his hands and let the tears flow freely, without anyone in the house to see them.

There would be new ornaments this year.

Last year, was the darkest starlight he had ever had.

This turn, however. This one would be the greatest. Perfect. Wonderful. Magical.

Memma's first starlight--and in that single night, he had to capture sixteen turns worth of lost time.

The first present went under the tree. An album, full of images from a magitek pictern, of a mother, a father, a daughter--and in many moments, another daughter still. Older, not by blood but by bond. In and out, but she was there.

Memories. Memories of the man he was before, that she never got to know. Memories of Svana, when she was still young. Memories of a mother she had never been able to know.

This starlight was her first.

Rha would make sure that it stood out in her memory, enough for all the time gone by.

A series of letters, written by Rha, to be sent out upon his death, should it ever happen. Herein lies Rha’s final will and testament, spread across numerous letters (as well as documented on a main will, executed by Larkson Odh).

II. Memma Rha

Heya, Sunshine,

So elephant in the room: I died. It’s really not so bad. I’m looking forward to seeing Siri again. I think, I’ve made my peace with the Gods, at the end of it all. If they’ll let me see my girls again, is it really so bad? I look forward to the say I see you again soon, but please don’t be in a rush to get here. I have the capacity to be a very patient man. 

Every moment spent with you, was moment’s basking under the sun. The darkest nights, the coldest, when the boughs of the shroud threatened to wrap themselves around me, you were there. At my worst moments, faint rays peeked through and guided me home. You were a reason, the reason, I would get up in the morning for the longest time, and I would have been lost, without you.

You have no idea, how happy you’ve made me in the time we were together. You’ve captured my heart, wrenched it from my chest, and I can still feel it beating, right next to yours. I remember, when I first saw Rhiveya open her eyes, I thought. That’s it. This is the first day of my life. I didn’t live, I didn’t exist, until I saw her. When she was gone, it felt like I’d finally died, but my body just kept on going through the motions.

When you were born, kid? Well, I hate to be so predictable, but: It was like it was the first day of my life all over again. I felt like I’d been reborn, as if my life had been given meaning, given purpose. You made the world beautiful again. You were my world. You still are. Nobody will ever stand a chance at comparing to you (please don’t say that out loud, as if you need more of an ego).

Don’t look so glum. Don’t think I can’t see you right now, huh? Of course I can. I can see the gold in your hair, the red of your eyes (I like your hair, like that). I can see the way you’re blaming yourself, too. I can see the places your head is turning. Cut it out. It doesn’t do anyone any good. There are some things in life, I’ve had to come to accept, that we simply can’t change. This is one of them. Obsessing over it leads down a dark road, the kind I never want to see you go down. You’re too much like me, kid. Nip that in the bud.

I know that right now, you feel like your own sun has got snuffed out. You don’t feel like there’s much of anything good in the world. How could a world ever be good, if it would take something so precious away? But it’s there. I’m there. When you go to sleep at night, I will kiss your forehead while you dream. When you wake up, leave your blinds open: I will be the rays of light, gently urging you awake.

I will be fond, sweet, and sad memories alike, that paint the world in varying shades, when all of it would otherwise seem grey.

Don’t be like me. Look forward to the future, and look out for the colors, the sights, the sounds. Listen to the music, and when you don’t hear it, make some for yourself. Every Rha knows how to chase the devils away, right?

Check my toolbox in the garage. The gun is yours. The archaeology tools, too. The keys to the Falcon are in my coat pocket. Slip it on, grab my shit, and go have yourself some fun.

I’ll be watching every step of the way, but, someday, I look forward to hearing it from you, yourself.

Love,

Memma to Rha:Hope | Love | Passion | Hate | Resentment (For himself) | Envy | Indifference | Confidence | Insecurity |Greed | Desire | Optimism | Spite | Hostility | Kindness | Warmth | Intelligence | Experience |Trauma | Aggression | Gentleness |  Arrogance | Pride | Lust | Cruelty | You’re soft | You’re trusting | You seem honest | You’re humble | You’re cold | You’re closed off | You’re reserved and guarded | You’re unfeeling | You’re remorseless | You’re heartless | You’re inhuman |You’re frightening | You’re frightened | You’re devious | You’re unpredictable | You’re struggling | You’re lost | You’re broken | You’re disheartened | You seem headstrong | You seem difficult |You’re stubborn | I see hope | I see purpose | I see absolute conviction | I see compassion | I see a shining light | I see shattered remains | I see something familiar | I see a friend | I see an enemy | I see a lover | I see thirst for blood | I see malicious intent | I see pity | You’re pitiful| I see darkness | You’re unwavering | You’re pure | You’re noble 

Romina to Rha:Hope | Love | Passion | Hate | Resentment | Envy | Indifference | Confidence | Insecurity |Greed | Desire | Optimism | Spite | Hostility | Kindness | Warmth | Intelligence | Experience |Trauma | Aggression | Gentleness |  Arrogance | Pride | Lust | Cruelty | You’re soft | You’re trusting | You seem honest | You’re humble | You’re cold | You’re closed off | You’re reserved and guarded | You’re unfeeling | You’re remorseless | You’re heartless | You’re inhuman |You’re frightening | You’re frightened | You’re devious | You’re unpredictable | You’re struggling | You’re lost | You’re broken | You’re disheartened | You seem headstrong | You seem difficult | You’re stubborn | I see hope | I see purpose | I see absolute conviction | I see compassion | I see a shining light | I see shattered remains | I see something familiar | I see a friend | I see an enemy | I see a lover | I see thirst for blood | I see malicious intent | I see pity | You’re pitiful| I see darkness | You’re unwavering | You’re pure | You’re noble