#shining feather

The Sculpting in Time card of the day is:

Hi here’s some skin tone Annie renders I made awhile back :3 - @sleepingsapho on main ps sorry for doing it this way I can’t submit anything from your page

By the grace of the Spinner, I find myself once again a free woman.  So much has changed in the cycles away, for better or for worse.  Two and one half cycles, I have missed, and the world has grown.  Strange new people from across the eastern sea have flooded the land, refugees from a war that we are now being taken into.  There are somehow more primals, the Sultana was nearly assassinated, the Flame General lost an arm!  

“This is getting me nowhere.  I should start at the beginning.”

I fled south from my captors, crossing into the Black Shroud by sheer luck while the Holy See was in upheaval.  Through the forest I ran, until I had seen no trace of my pursuers.  Of course, nothing is ever so easy; I had merely been allowed to cross into their trap.  Were it not for the timely help of a lone archer, Nikki, I would have never fended them off.

I fled with Nikki until we were certain that we had lost any further pursuers.  We spent that night in a stable, where we were supposed to take watches.  She never woke me for mine.  I had nearly forgotten such kindness.

[Resting in the stables with Nikki, my first friend upon escaping.]

The following morning, we continued on, aiming to eventually reach Limsa Lominsa.  The road was long, and at the next settlement we approached, Nikki helped me to liberate a Chocobo, shortening our trip by days at least.  I learned that day that people are too trusting when one seems to belong where they do not.

I had forgotten how it felt to move so quickly, the wind in my hair and the thrill of freedom that comes with speed.  We made amazing time, coming to rest only after we had reached Thanalan, where we drew to an oasis. I insisted we stop for long enough that Nikki could rest, having spent the night awake for me.  She eventually agreed.

While my new friend napped, I took the opportunity to bathe.  The cool water in hot desert air was as a lover’s embrace after my time in the cold dark.  I floated for what felt like bells, simply allowing my body to soak in the warmth of the sun.  I will never forget those moments.  My first true relaxation in cycles.

Alas, all good things, as they say.  I returned to the shore to dry and dress, waking Nikki and preparing to move on.  

And then the Cactuar.

Three had wandered into our little camp, quills shining in the midday sun.  We found ourselves in a stare down with the creatures, slowly backing away from them as they bristled threateningly.  

Nikki moved quickly, scrambling onto the large Chocobo to flee before the cactuar would attack.  I followed suit, of course, climbing on behind her and spurring the bird on!  Our faithful stolen Chocobo sensed its danger and--

Stopped in its tracks.

I dove from the saddle, dragging Nikki to the ground with me, leaving the bird between us and an eternity of needles.  I climbed to my feet and, Midlander in my arms, ran for my life.  

Of course, our Chocobo took a salvo of needles, and it thus sprinted after us.  I tossed Nikki up onto the saddle and managed to climb up after moments later.  It took hours, and too much laughter between us, to pull all of the needles free of our faithful bird, but the rest of the trip was uneventful.

Nikki helped me to make the long trip to Limsa Lominsa.  I owe my life to her, and one day, I will find a way to repay her.  She is bold, irreverent, and tactless. I could not have asked for a better companion.  

With a sigh, Shining Feather set her quill aside, her eyes bleary from a long day. Supposedly, putting her story to paper was therapeutic.  Time would tell.

No | rather not | I dunno | I guess | Sure | Yes | Fuck Yes | Oh god you don’t even know | Depends on the Circumstances