It’s not often I get to catch this phenomenon while traveling around, but happened to be in Old Sharlayan at the right time to catch the Aurora Borealis over the city. I’ve only been able to see it here a handful of times, but it’s always so pretty to see those auras just dance across the clear night sky.
Final Fantasy XIV
Heavensturn 2025
Last week, we got around to enjoying this year’s Heavensturn event. It was a little different with trivia questions, but was enjoyable, and enlightening. It’s not a very long event overall, but still fun! The fortune draw came back once again this year as well, and we all pulled to see our annual fortune.
Most of us faired rather well, except for Aikirees.
What’s good even with the misfortune ones is they give advice on what to do to turn the fortunes around, so it’s not necessarily an ‘ominously bad’ fortune to get.
Hope everyone who went forth to get a fortune got what they hoped for! Just remember, even ones like Aikirees can be spun around to become great ones too!
Merry Christmas & Happy Starlight!
Merry Christmas & Happy Starlight Celebration y’all! Here’s to best wishes on a wonderfully Happy Holidays, and conclusion to 2024! From all of us to y’all, we really and truly hope it’s been a wonderful one!
Let the countdown to 2025 begin, as we keep kicking tails into the new year!
All Through the House
Not a creature was stirring, not even a… Hrothgar?
… w-wait, that’s not how that’s supposed to go! W-well, I guess it’s better she decided to sleep under the tree rather than try to get into it. I.. really don’t want to find out exactly how sturdy that base is versus her. I know it’s capable of holding its own against Miqo’te as in prior years it has certainly attracted the HQ’s residents towards it, including a Cabbit who to this day doesn’t understand exactly why.
In the meantime, we all can enjoy it’s lovely warmly presence; whether it’s around, under, or.. as very close as possible to the Starlight Tree.
Under the Starry Night
During our gathering and crafting adventures over the weekend, Aikirees and I decided to sit down under the beautiful starry night in Lakeland. She got a nice warm fire going while I churned out some bolts of cloth we were needing to get some items all sewn up right.
I feel like some moons ago, I did something similar for her when it was heavily snowing out closer to home.
Her Past
There we were… just standing there, in Lower Jeuno. It was rather jarring for me, but I suspect for Aikirees, it was a far different feeling. A feeling that I could only ever imagine, and one do I not suspect many if anyone around her could. The stories she told ‘Tess’ and I growing up, all those years ago, we thought they were just that.
Aikirees told many stories about Vana’diel when we were all very young, still living in southern Othard. She told the tales of how she grew up in a placed called The Republic of Bastok, before traveling to a Gustaberg, highlands named Konschtat, sandy dunes of Vulkurm. Adventuring through those places and seeing a Kingdom of Sand.. Sand’Oria I believe she called it, Federation of Windurst, and of course Grand Duchy of Jeuno.
Vana’diel to her was far more that just stories she kept telling us, with tales talking about the the aforementioned, but so many more places in such detail as well! Aikirees would insistingly keep telling ‘Tess’ and I that this was all real and she had been there. We would usually just dryly humor her in agreement in fear of getting mother’s wrath upon us for teasing Aikirees. I think she knew we were doing so, but looking back, I wish I had listened and believed her more…
Somehow, in some way however, mother seemed to always know she was right. ‘Tess’ and I never really did understand what mother meant, but it seemed to resonate with Aikirees, and it made her happy. Even after we fled our village to start anew in Kugane years later, she still would tell the tales from Vana’diel, even if she told the same one multiple times – she certainly had her favorites!
Even with us being older, and I still just thought they were fiction, she found comfort in telling them and I began to take a similar sensation in hearing what she told to the point where I’d engage back asking about specifics. She always knew what to say as well!
Once she grew into her Summoner role in Eorzea, she picked the outfit she wears to this day claiming it was the one she wore in Vana’diel. While initially I thought it was a rather… unique combination, I can understand why she adores it so much – even more so now witnessing what I have.
I looked over at her, grabbed her paw and gave it a gently squeeze. She didn’t really react, just kept looking over Lower Jeuno. Knowing she knew everything about this place and how much it meant to her made me want to hug her so badly, but I resisted the temptation.
“I’m sorry… So sorry for how we treated you all those years ago. This was your home at one point, in another life, wasn’t it? We’ll set this right, we’ll fix this just like we always do – together.” A faint smile appeared on Aikirees’s face, nearly invisible to see unless one was around her as long as I have been. Still not reacting, aside from a gently squeeze back to my hand in return.
~For Vana’diel, ‘Little’ One~
The Trail Has Been Dawned 7.1
Alright, let’s talk about the Main Scenario Quest in 7.1. Major Spoilers for MSQ 7.1 upon clicking ‘Continue Reading!’
Happy Starlight & Holidays 2024
Happy Starlight Season to everyone! May it be an absolutely wonderful holiday season for everyone out there!
Aikirees and I got the tree up in HQ for the season’s festivities along with putting our outfits together. I’m… probably not going to wear the reindeer antlers the entire season, but I am happy that I’m now able to with my glasses.
Let’s make the last month of 2024 stellar!
Sisters’ Fashion Report Adventure LV
Episode LV! – When one wants to relax, be lazy, and lounge around in comfy clothes, but also have to be an void entity from the Thirteenth stuck in a mansion. I’m fairly certain a couple of denizens from there would look at us in bewilderment.
Brief Initial 7.1 Outing & Issues
RL took its toll to a higher degree on 7.1 Launch Day, so the initial getting into things was a lot rougher than expected. The biggest hurdle was actually playing the game as all PS4 controllers via Bluetooth currently do not work. After ~45 minutes or so, there was semi-success of utilizing some daisy chaining antics to get something long enough to work. However, due to aforementioned RL bleeding later into the evenings, it was a subpar outing unfortunately.
Aikirees and I should hopefully have better luck this evening, and the cousins did manage to get some items accomplished. Hopefully the issue with the controllers gets fixed in the next week or so as that’s a pretty rough hurdle in itself. Anyway, aside from those sorts of frustrations that I know will be addressed, there will be some sort of 7.1 retrospective once we tackle the new MSQ and have a second to digest it all and very much so for the new Alliance Raid as well.
Y’all have a wonderful Wednesday!
Echoes Across Time
As Aikirees sleeps deeply one night, faint memories that are, but also not, hers come passing through her mind. A world she once would have called her home in a past life, Vana’Diel. As vague as the images are, she’s able to make out what they are and when in time.
The first being an early memory of many many summers past. Just starting out as a fledgling Summoner, barely after befriending what would become one of her closest soul bound friends, Carbuncle. There she was standing in front of a large floating crystal – even now she could sense that the presence inside was the powerful primal, Titan. One of many she had to encounter on her journey back then to be able to fully weld the power of the Primals. Ultimately, Aikirees succeed in such an enormous task, and seeing the memory once more brings back the rest of the journey she took to do so. At first all she had was Carbuncle, but in the end she had many friends to call upon for aid.
Some of the memories she tries to make out whisk by far too quick for her to recall clearly enough, but once the memories of the Primals had faded away, one of a looming and dark castle pierces through the fog in her dream.
She knew this place, and knew a dark presence lived there. Even in her sleep, she curled the edges of her mouth with a low snarl. Castle Zvahl Baileys was the name of this foreboding place, and it was here she with her friends took on a defeated the Shadow Lord. Unsure as to why this memory pierced her mind so clearly, even as vague as it came to her, it didn’t make her feel well nonetheless.
A lot of whirlwind memories continue passing by with such force, but a couple become less vague and more clear with warmth behind them. Some of the friends she made along the way appear as she adventured throughout some parts of Vana’Diel.
They were with her through a lot of trials and tribulations, but also for the small quiet moments as well. She remembers a lot of the silly memories that they all made together, but also the ones that got everyone to save the world over and over again. Everything from small group gatherings in a few places, to taking on Ark Angels on floating continents, there was no short of moments happening throughout her life there!
But… why now, what does it all mean? She knew this life, and it was two lives ago now – not counting the one she was gifted recently. More of the moments pass by quickly, but she begins to have a hard time focusing on them. Her conscious returns to the now, and all of the images she kept seeing disappear within a dark cloudy haze.
Aikirees slowly wakes back up, back home in HQ. Sitting up for a moment, she decides to hop out of the top bunk bed and head out of the bedroom for a moment. Trying to not stir me in the processes (she almost did so successfully, but I am Viera after all!), Aikirees heads outside to help clear her mind.
As she stepped outside, the cool crisp night air of Ishgard helps clear her mind a bit. Unsure of it all, she takes a moment to pause and star at the stars. Will there be more of these dreams? Are they an omen of things to come? She shakes the thoughts from her mind, and heads back inside to get some rest the remaining part of the night. Only time will tell why now of all times these memories of a past Echo come rushing back.
Knowing Aikirees though, it always has a reason…
Tranquil Moment
Normally Aikirees and I stop into Old Sharlayan weekly to pick up a hunt, but in this case decided to stop for a quiet moment in front of this lovely fountain in front of the Leveilleur Estate. Listening to the fountain flow on a clear day with the sea breeze passing by was something we certainly needed.
Feels like forever since we took a small spell here. The last time I believe it was after saving the Star on a quiet Saturday morning in the spring. Aikirees was still prior-journeyed self having a biscuit while I was combing over notes for maps with a hot tea. That in itself feels like a lifetime ago and it’s not even been a year yet from my retirement. Having these little moments though does remind me that we need to continue to keep having them, even with being as running around as much as I have been lately.
Reminiscing aside, y’all have a wonderful day ahead!
Sisters’ Fashion Report Adventure LIV
Episode LIV! – Sometimes it’s just best not to inquire, but Aikirees’ idea to dance it out seems to have worked very well in her favor.
~Boop~
No words said, just a gentle head boop from my dear younger sister is all it took to tell me everything.
Even with us having been through so much, sometimes that is all it really takes, and I love her for the simple reminders.
Blitz Halloween 2024
After catching up with Aikirees, we headed out to Destiny’s [Blitz] house in Shirogane for their 11th annual Halloween Party. The last time we made it to one was I believe four years ago. Their house hadn’t moved in that span of time, but it was certainly decked out for the season!
We got there about an hour or so into it, and the costume contest had just begun. There were all lovely and clever entries with one person dressed as a tonberry (much to Aikirees’ chagrin) taking the gold at the end of it. Our friend, Kaminila, took 3rd place in the contest! During all of this, one of the contestants complimented my outfit as well. The FC leader, who is a good friend of both Kaminila and I, was unfortunately absent, but it’s pretty easy for us to get here; so we’ll just have to pay a visit sometime thereafter to catch up with him then.
The evening was incredibly delightful! There was music, the costume contest, some games, and a bunch of goodies given away throughout the evening. I don’t believe anyone left without anything, but even still there was no way of not leaving without a smile on one’s face. I did get a special minion that reminds Aikirees of a certain Virtue from her past life that I can torment her with now! We stayed for a good long while, but once Kaminila headed out to sleep, we decided it was a good time to do so too.
We really want to go again next year, and at least try to catch up with our friends again soon, even though I know with all of our schedules that might take some time. Even still, this was a night we certainly won’t forget.
Burgundy’s 6th Anniversary Show
The first event I got to see over this last weekend was The Burgundy Room’s 6th Anniversary Show. I got involved with The Burgundy Room early into their second year, and have watched the Troupe since then grow with a lot of both ups and downs along the way. There’s a lot more to the story than that, which will have to in some way shape or form when I tell EOCA’s tale, but it is really wonderful to see how far the Troupe has come in these last 6 years.
Deep down I really didn’t want to miss this performance, even with my inactivity over the last couple of years, so I made up my mind and decided to plan on going. I’ll admit I was a bit nervous upon going but knew once I got there it would be a really wonderful time, and I was certainly right on that.
I got there about fifteen minutes before showtime, and to my surprise, most if not all of the portion of the Troupe that was performing that night was right there in the lobby! The greetings and welcomes I got were all very warm and welcoming, but I did end up freezing in place for a moment as I wasn’t anticipating that. Once everyone started to get into place for the show though, I felt fine and thus the beginning of the evening commenced.
The overall showtime was about two hours, which did catch me off-guard at the end, but it was alright. Each and every performance was so energetic and unique to one another with the creativity that I remember seeing/enjoying all coming back to me. Actually the overall energy and positivity was emitted the entire performance, and it was such a wonderful thing to feel & see!
Just about all of the performances shown that night I hadn’t seen before with only two being ones I remembered from years’ past. That’s not a bad remark though, just an observation as they were just as fun to see again as they were the first time I did. Some of the songs told personal stories, some were just plain fun as they liked the song and wanted to make a performance to it. The amount of heart and soul they all placed into them really showed.
The evening ended with a remix of ‘Lights’ by Ellie Goulding, which is a classic staple from prior shows, and is always such a treat to see. There were a lot of heartfelt speeches to the Dance Mom, Lily throughout the entirety of it and some emotional moments to parallel it. It really did remind me of those days long past.
Once it all wrapped up, I headed out from there to meet up with Aikirees (she didn’t come to this) and head over to our friend’s Free Company’s house for their big Halloween Party. Happy 6th Anniversary, Burgundy Room, to many many more shows and wonderful times to y’all! I’ll continue to be watching as best I can ♥🤍🖤
Sisters’ Fashion Report Adventure LIII
Episode LIII! – Upon arriving for the Ball, we we’re pretty certain that we have overlooked something rather important. However, we just couldn’t quite place our foot on to what that specific oversight could have been…
No Thoughts
Only – SCREE~!! I really don’t know what’s happening here. Miss Laureine submitted this one with no comment. S-should I be worried?
All Saints’ Wake 2024
We got around to seeing the All Saints’ Wake event for this year, which was a nice continuation of characters that we’ve seen over the last few years. The story itself is fun but quick and gifts a really nice outfit in the end, also unlocking the two festive areas to explore and hang out in.
What we noticed this year was the sheer amount of people that were dressed up in costumes! There was everything from witches, anime characters, to one person being Bane from Batman! At one point even saw Snow White pass by while I was waiting on Aikirees to adjust her costume. Mine hasn’t changed all that much over the last couple of years, seeing as I’m a big fan of masquerades (and also the fact that I’m Viera). It was really, really fun and the energy matched the evening! We ended up spending a bit of time in the Spooky Hollow area as the decor there is just so lovely with a perfectly matching environment.
This coming weekend being the big Spoop Weekend will have a slew of events happening across Eorzea as well, and looking forward to seeing what everyone gets up to! May y’all have a wonderful Halloween and All Saints’ Wake!
Sisters’ Fashion Report Adventure LII
Episode LII! – When the Report calls for said attire, then it’s time to take advantage of it and get some relaxing time at the spa. Specifically the one we happened to have constructed on our little island getaway not too long ago.