wrath & rebirth .

Are you the same anon that has been spreading positivity lately?

Even if not ASDFGHJKLKJGFDSAzXGHJK  thank you !!  This was a lovely ask to log in to ; I do my best with this gremlin beanpole and it’s nice to know I’m  ( so far lmao )  doing well  ;w;

   She tries to stifle her laughter yet, fails to do so. His remark alone causes her to playfully roll her eyes, well this will certainly be entertaining. More so than playing drinking games or entertaining the lot of clientele that pays their weight in hefty sums. A hand rests upon her lap, to the ordinary eye this is nothing more than an exchange of entertainment, something she has grown used to but left so very long ago. Finding her way home has ensnared her back into the age old profession, playing the liar who indulges every whim && dream that so many sought if only for a night.  

   “Depends on what you would like to know, are you aware that Garleans && liquor do not mix?” 

 A lethal combination, so she had come to realize. Some took advantage of it, using a loose tongue for coin while she preferred to press on more intricate manners come morning, none would argue as they bared the weight of their shame for having spent the previous night in leisure. “Whatever is said I can assure you will not leave this room nor this district, charm is a weapon after all I advise you be careful with my colleagues” 

 Painted dolls, that was what they all were grinning on cue or laughing when needed but they manipulated hearts around them to pursue what desire they saw fit. This world, so strange yet foreign provides her little as opposed when there was so much potential, she now used it to deliver information from one sector to another. Doing the right thing, it felt odd but the plight of her homeland forced her to not run, to do what was considered riotous. 

 Her head tilts as she examines him, he did not fit the role of a confidant but then she supposed, neither did she. “At any rate, it seems our friends in the Empire are still licking their wounds from the recent loss of territory. Although, from I’ve told they are still ramping to attack but desperation is trickling in - as well as in fighting” smoothly, she chuckles keeping appearances as she goes on to explain. 

 “Ala Mihgo && Doma were strongholds they could not afford to lose, I am afraid of their next route of attack. Have they been acting unusual by any chance?”

       ⊰ ✧ ⊱        ||        Is he aware of that ?  Oh yes , after traveling with Gaius and his band of merry men , Estinien knows damn well that Garleans and liquor are a terrible combination .  Amusing at times , but still terrible nonetheless .  So he nods .  He sees no reason to grace the question with a verbal response .

Charm ?  Bah .  It’s not something he’s liable to fall prey to .  A few have tried over the years , but the simple fact of the matter is that , even now ,  he’s still too focused on travel and duties to consider even one night of leisure .  Any secrets are safe with him .  He can’t be bought with money nor flesh .

A brow lifts at the mention of in-fighting , but he can’t say the news surprises him .  So many of the Garleans are still greedy for power , so it makes sense that they’ll fight anyone and anything to achieve it .  “ Describe unusual , ”  he replies with a wry twist to his lips .  “ If there is a usual for Garleans , I’ve yet to see it .  The only common traits I see among them are bitterness and a penchant for bloodshed . ”  Which is hypocritical coming from him , but oh well .

“ If they’ve any sense , they’ll lick their wounds for a while and focus on replenishing their ranks , ”  he adds after a moment .  “  From what I saw and heard in the capital ,  there’s unrest among the ranks .  Whether that will amount to anything yet remains to be seen .  It makes sense if they’re scrambling to gain power ,  especially with His Royal Remains to rally behind .  There are some among them who have no wish to follow him , assuming they ever did , but others will make themselves known to maintain the fight for the throne . ”

       ⊰ ✧ ⊱        ||        tl ;dr  version is that yes, Alphinaud does remind Estinien of his younger brother, hence the behaviour we see between them, as well as the occasional in-game mentions of one when you speak to the other.

Alphinaud is one of few people Estinien would be willing to consider family, which is no easy feat for him considering what happened to his brother and parents. As such, anyone that dares to harm Alphinaud is probably going to regret it if Estinien ever finds out.

Estinien

╰◌♞ “Trust me, ‘tis not something I’m happy about. But yes.” 

        ⊰ ✧ ⊱        ||        you are ORESTES from the oresteia by aeschylus, and you are haunted by a cycle of pain. you try your hardest to be a better person, but sometimes you wonder if you will stop feeling trapped by your past. you have a strong sense of justice, you are quick to protect and defend those you love, and you are not afraid to compromise your morals if that means you are settling the score. eventually though, the consequences of your deeds will catch up to you, but that's okay, because sometimes looking your ugliness right in the eye is the greatest release.

muse aesthetic.

bold the aesthetic for your muse italicise what can be taken 2 ways.

the softest palms that never want to touch you until after a bottle of wine. / “ just braid your hair if you won’t brush it, at least, you useless girl. ” / pulling on your skirt with one hand as you shuffle away. / “ you’ll get it done before the day is up. ” / guilt that isn’t yours to have. / it’s a crooked game, but it’s the only one in town. / chains.  / “ how could you do this to me? ” / the sharp sting of guilt. / you feel something even though you’re paid to do the opposite. / the family you never had. / falling backwards through time. / quicksand. / drowning, but you don’t save yourself. / “ you’re getting better. ” / “ they smile like a snake.” / you’re the stars and the sky. / there’s a part of you that couldn’t stay away even if you were forced to. / they are your wings, there’s no doubt there. / “ let’s take off somewhere. let’s fly. ” / you edge a bit too close to the sun. / another ghost to take your place after every stumble. / deep roots in the ground slashed open in the sun. / rock candy melting in water. / waves rise and leave the foam behind. / the precipice you call home has a tip you’ll reach eventually. / happiness is the best front a man can take. / “ i’ve never seen someone as beautiful as you before. ” / you disagree; they’re more beautiful. / discomfort at the tiniest of touches. / the sky opens up when you see them. / rain comes down. / poppy fields. / your sanity hanging by a thread. / “ oh god, what have you done? ” / roommates weren’t supposed to be the smartest ones of all. / they’ve got a devil on their shoulder and an angel in their mind. / you try to help, but it only got worse. / now they’re dead, it’s all your fault.

“Okay fine, you caught me. I have a bet going with Midgardsomr on if you’ve got scales instead of hair down there now like an Au Ra. If I win he has teach me Dragonsong. If he wins I have to help bathe him when his scales are molting. See why it’s important?” He pours them both a cup and hands one over to Estinien. “So. What’s the details?”

“Strictly curiosity, of course. I’m a cat, do I need any other reason to wonder? It’s just instead of asking around, skulking about, or trying to catch you bathing I decided to ask like a normal person.” He hands over the popovers and prepares to sit down, “Do you prefer your sake warm? I do but I know some people are put off by warm alcohol…”

“Of course I noticed the fangs, it’s why I’m curious about the full extent of the changes.” He purrs and holds up a bottle of sake and a plate of ham and cheese stuffed popovers. “I’ve even brought bribes.”

VERSE : alternate timeline STATUS : open  ||  upon request SHIPPING : open  ||   healthy ships will be unlikely

SHORT VERSION :  This timeline branches off from the events of the Dragonsong War and onwards , with the premise that Estinien was not cleansed of Nidhogg’s soul .  He leaves Ishgard and refuses to return ; instead , he roams on his own , a shadow of his former self , as much dragon as Elezen .

He cannot shapeshift into Nidhogg’s form , but the dragon has still left his marks : scars  ( ragged ‘craters’ where his Eyes once laid ) , scales down the spine , blackened fingernails  ( akin to claws ) , sharper fangs ... as well as a more savage man than you ever were.