After the trip to Shaaloani the other night, another thought came to mind that we’ve been forgetting to do as well and that was explore more of Solution Nine. We don’t tend to head there very often due to how far out of the way it is from where we usually are. So, we finally get that chance and even bought the appropriate attire for the occasion.
It was fun, we mostly lounged and chatted, at one of the local spots with massive screens on the wall, but later on found a neat hideaway spot that had a nice large semi-circular couch. This could be a really nice place to come with the rest of EOCA one evening for certain!
While we did celebrate every 10 levels after level 50 for Dragoon, that tradition dates back to when we started our Gladiator’s journey during Shadowbringers. Even with actually liking the class, tanking has never really been our strong suit, so it did have us stepping out of our comfort zone by quite a bit. Hitting each of those tenth level milestones felt like another long leg of this journey really felt like we accomplished something, and with it came a mixture of feelings.
As such, over the weekend we accomplished said new milestone and attained level 100 Paladin! Wherever the road takes us, the journey will continue~
Something we’ve been really wanting to do is just head back to Shaaloani, but more specifically the saloon located there. The town in general has such a great ‘old western’ vibe to it, but at night, it’s really something to behold. We’ve been meaning to carve out a moment or two to head back there, and with luck after a fairly turbulent weekend, we were able to check it out once again at our leisure.
~This was prior to Aikirees’ journey~ Episode XLV! – Some weeks, like this one, we just, well, really do not know what to make of our outcomes. This is even more compounded when we both return from our chambers to see the other has taken a far different approach to the report.
Aikirees and I spent some time around HQ in the early hours of the night. Not necessarily saying much, but just basking in the cool Empyreum night hearing the Moonfire Faire fireworks going off in the distance. I think the last time we had a moment to even remotely try to do this was well before heading to Tural and even working on our islands.
It was brief as it usually is, but felt longer. I think Aikirees just being there was support enough without having to say anything. The poor cats are having a rough go at things right now, and my old map desk’s papers seem unending even now. Of course, Miss Laureine assists when she can and I know Miss Lizicus tries to keep everyone in high spirits with her carefree approach to everything, but my rock has always been Aikirees. I’ve always been the one to look over and protect her, but now I really don’t think she needs all that much protection – perhaps she’s trying to do the same for me and the rest of us now.
I ended up dozing off into her shoulder at the sound of distant fireworks, with her fuzzy warm shoulder being a comfort for such tired ears. Once the moon had reached directly above us, I felt a gentle nuzzle on one of them and awoke as our sign that it was time to head to sleep.
We head into HQ and warm up next to the entry fireplace, but before proceeding down to the bunk behind the office, I head into The Archives for a moment. Meandering back to the far end of it, with an eerily glowing fireplace and rows upon rows of shelves littered with any sort of notes or loose maps that one could think of, are two mannequins I placed in there moons ago.
One was of my wedding dress to my dear Sirena almost a full year ago now, while the other is of my old Burgundy Room dress. I haven’t worn it in over a year, and I don’t know if I ever will again. Just gazing at it in the near-silence of the Archives brought back so many fond memories of that time.
I really don’t know how much time had passed, but in the crackling of the fireplace, I could hear the footsteps of Aikirees. She’s by no means sneaky, but her approach caught the attention of my ears as they angled towards her. I didn’t look away from the dress, but the next thing I knew was two fuzzy arms had wrapped themselves around me. As derpy as she can be, she always means well, and to all of the souls she has touched or met, they can also attest to this of her being as well.
She embraced me like that for a moment, not overly-tight but just enough to let me know she was there. Her newfound Hrothgar growl/purrs were a more obvious giveaway, but that was beside the point. I grasped and rested my chin into one of her paws for a moment, before we headed out of the Archives and to the bunks below.
“Thank you, Little One. We got this, as we always have.”
As for anyone out there reading this that might be having a tough spot; you got this. You kick so much tail, and you’ll continue to. Sometimes all it takes is that little reminder, but even if it looks like a lot of dark and no light, it’ll pass and that light will be back in full force. Just keep your light going, and keep kicking tail. I’ve had my malms of darkness as well, so it might not be the same sort of turbulent, but it will be light again.
Continue to be ‘zee awesome’sies,’ and y’all got this!
There’s a lot of unique things that the cousins have seen on their journeys, especially Lizicus. However, even they were completely perplexed upon seeing someone incredibly inebriated sleeping in a rubbish bin while exploring Solution Nine.
This poor soul is definitely going to feel that upon waking up in the morning…
These two, who rarely are together, we able to manage a successful hunt that they both were trying to find together while traveling the First one evening. It’s really surprising to see just how much Aikirees now dwarfs even the cousins.
Wishing everyone the absolute best and wonderful Moonfire Faire this year! Y’all enjoy the fireworks, the obstacle course challenge, and all of the wonderful festivities that come with it!
~This was prior to Aikirees’ journey~ Episode XLIV! – While out spell practicing, Aikirees has once again thought about proper protection in the most creative ways.
While having some final moments of an evening with Aikirees at the HQ’s Gazebo that is very much not a notorious monster, the tiredness of everything finally caught up to me. I nodded off and rested my weary head onto Aikirees’ shoulder, which is something I thought I’d never do.
Her fuzzy, warm shoulder was such a comfort, and from the subtle sounds she was emitting upon sleeping, could tell she didn’t mind me resting there. It was a feeling I hadn’t felt in such a long time.
Summers prior, in the early days of HQ when we were crafting like no tomorrow, Aikirees would fall asleep on my shoulder just so. It must’ve reminded her of those days and the comfort it gave her. I’m not sure I’ll ever personally get used to her being so tall now, but she’ll always be that little Miqo’te that I’ve care for before her journey and always now thereafter as well.
There she was, just sitting atop the Dawn Throne, on a clear starry night. Stargazing off into the distance with not a care in the world. Well, rather that’s what she would like any onlookers to think, but I knew better. Aikirees does have a softer side through her unrelenting optimism.
I watched over her that night, while she just gazed it away. I think she needed it, as a lot has happened and none of which even I’m sure of yet. She hasn’t stated what happened on her journey just yet, only the fact she was spared the loss of another life. Assuming that is the case, that doesn’t make me feel better as to what transpired.
I suppose only time will tell when she wants to talk about it. I just know that this moment of her doing this in Azim Steppe is important to her. She loves watching the stars, and I knew of a time before all of this, even before our journey onto the First, she did this very thing in this very spot, and looked outwards into the cosmos.
Once the dawn broke over the Steppe, I approached her not saying a word. Her ear flinched in the direction of my boots, but she didn’t look away from the rising morning light. Still not saying a word, I just hugged her, and continued to.
“It’s alright, Little One. you’re alright and you’ll continue to be. I’ll still watch over you and continue to protect you as much as I can.”
Aikirees was in the workshop attending to the U.S.S. Voyager when Sirena popped in to check on things, only to see not only that Aikirees was ecstatic to see her, but that our little airship had been making strides while we were all away adventuring.
I honestly forgot why I started drawing these, but this is the 3rd incarnation of the Black Mage’s elemental gauge for Dawntrail. I love the class to pieces, but also tend to say and do silly things even at max level and these are what I ended up calling the parts of the gauge.
Shadowbringers’ and Endwalker’s Editions
It’s really just silly fun, but I do tend to call out those parts of the gauge that way. So. Many. Cookies. Delicious Xenoglossy Cookies~!
Sirena met up with us early on in our Tural journeys, and she inquired with Aikirees on if she remembered the Manderville Mambo even after her journey.
The way her face lit up and they began to Mambo was certainly one to remember.
Thus the two of them Manderville Mambo’d the day away, much to my chagrin.
(I was cracking up while watching the two of them do this)
…she sits. Apparently she still is able to ride inside her dwarven tank, even after her journey. We were both a little bit surprised by this revolution, and it would seem the look on Aikirees’ face reflects this.
We’ve Dawned the Trail, journeyed across Tural, seen so many beautiful sights, and made so many wonderful friends along the way. However after all of that, it’s really good to finally rest our weary selves back at our beloved home once again.
~This was prior to Aikirees’ journey~ Episode XLII! – We decided to head out to Reunion and mingle with the friendly folks there, and possibly strike up a bargain for some goods in the process. Twas a lovely day outing for just the two us, before returning to Kugane that evening.
