Leporine Travelers: A Little Ladies’ Moment

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Reinylla handing something to Elizara.

Reinylla and Elizara decided to return to Ul’dah, which just so happened to match up with the Little Ladies’ Day even going on. The two split up for a bit to walk around and see the sights, with Reiynlla paying a visit to the Sapphire Avenue for a spell.

“Oh! There you are, darlin’! Here! I gotchu a little somethin’!”

Reinylla excitedly hands over a fairy sized boxed, practically shoving it into Elizara’s hands, tied together with a twine-like rope.

“Uh, thanks? What is it?”
“Just’a open’er it, sugar! It’s a surprise!”

Elizara carefully opens the package, with Reinylla’s excitement beaming off the tufts of her ears.

“Wait, what is this?”

Elizara holds part of the gown up from the package, not exactly sure what to make of it.

“It’sa dress, darling! Surely you know’a what that is??”
“Y-yes, just never wore one before.”

Reinylla furrows both her brows and ears a smidgen.

“What’cha mean? You’ve a neve’ring wore one before??”

She ponders for a moment.

“Well, here’a then, come along!”
“Wh-hey, hey! Slow down, will you?!”

Reinylla once again dragging Elizara off towards the Adventurer’s Guild by the hand, nearly causing her to trip over practically everything in the way. After some struggling, mostly on Reinylla explaining the process, Elizara was dressed up and soon after was Reinylla.

Elizara looking at the elegant dress she was gifted.

“You look’in so gorgeous there, darlin!”

Reinylla exclaimed in sheer delight. Elizara looks over herself, not sure what to make of it all.

“T-thanks, I think? I feel a little… silly. What’s the occasion that I can wear my normal clothes anyway?”

“It’s fer the Little Ladies’ Day event, sugar!”

“The, oh, the reason for all of the decor, I take it?”

Reinylla nods several times.

“Why, yeppers! The very same! Come along, let’s go!”

Rather than dragging Elizara by the hand again, she beckons to her in the direction they needed to go in to take all of the sites, sounds, scenery, and festivities that this year’s Little Ladies’ Day had to offer.

The event this year was assisting someone new to being a Seneschal Prince, while seeking out information as to how & what it all entails.

It was wholesome and good as they usually are, with the ending being a big fun performance on the Little Ladies’ Stage.

Dusk fell upon Ul’dah, with the two Vieras feeling a bit on the tired side, with a healthy dose of being able to accomplish helping out the big event take off without any major hitches. Once the sun started to set and the festive lights were lit, the stage was set for the big performances.

The two took pause to enjoy it off a little in the distance from the steps leading down towards the stage itself. While watching and listening to the Songbirds perform, Elizara turns towards Reinylla.

Elizara smiling at Reinylla in front of the Little Ladies' Day stage.

“Hey, Rein. I-… thanks for this day. Means a lot.”

Reinylla beams.

“Anytime there, sugar. We’ll get’cha memories back before’ya know it!”

Not exactly sure how to react, Elizara half smiles before the two return their gaze towards the stage. The two end up watching the performances and enjoying all the festivities until the very early bells of the next morning. Not exactly certain how to disgown, Elizara simply flops onto the bed and gets some sleep for the night; she’ll inquire with Reinylla in the morning in regards to such a task.

Close up of Elizara smiling at Reinylla.
Close up of Reinylla smiling at Elizara.

The two’s bond grows stronger, but their journey is still just in its infancy. Only time will tell where it finally leads and what ultimately is discovered about Elizara’s past. Until then, the two I’m certain will continue to look after themselves just as strong as ever.

Shaaloani Nightfall

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Aikirees and I chatting in Shaaloani.

I can’t recall the last time Aiki and I slowed down for a moment. Just happened to catch her sitting on the outskirts of town after taking care of the local custom deliveries for the week. We have always enjoyed this part of Tural with its scenic/calming environment and rusting little towns that are scattered throughout.

Even with the small downtime feeling pretty brief, the night was pretty, cool and dry out, with naught of a single concern even if a fleeting moment. Have forgotten such a familiar feeling with everything happening.

Hope everyone has been having a wonderful one, y’all got this!

Dragon Tails: Lone Wolf No More

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Lizicus cheering while riding upon the Kamuy of the Nine Tails.

This has been years in the making. Lizicus got the Kamuy of the Nine Tails doggo that she’s been seeking out on her journey ever since the early days of traveling around on the First. Still a bit personally concerned with yet another large pupper in and around HQ – as Sirena, and Aikirees have theirs, but I suppose with all of them running around it’ll keep the surrounding area safe from any harm. I-I’ll just keep my ears away from their chompers for a spell.

Lizicus greeted by the seven Kamuy.

I think the story goes, according to Miss Laureine, is Lizicus first saw the Kamuy while traveling over in Othard quite some time ago now, and became enamored (read: ‘Rad’ded) with the site that she began to seek them out. At first it was a bit difficult but as time progressed, and a little help from some friendly moogles, she slowly befriended each one by one. Miss Laureine did assist when she could, and now, after going to the ends of the universe and back, she finally was able to earn the right to fly on the big pupper itself.

The rest of us will still have to wait and keep seeking out the remaining Kamuy before earning said right as well, but for now, she is one really happy lizzer. I think Miss Laureine even heard a squeak or two of excitement upon ending the journey, but we’ll just keep that to ourselves.

Have a wonderful Tuesday y’all!

Project Progress & Fam Time

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Aikirees drinking a tea sitting next to me, while reading a book glancing at her with the caption 'Monday Morning Weekend Recap' off to the left.

The trainscape officially cleared Phase 1 last Monday on my day off, also watched Star Trek: The Motion Picture (2022 version), and that was awesome! Haven’t watched it since the 2001 Director’s Edition on DVD, so it was a huge difference in a positive way. Probably should have watched it less tired, but still very much enjoyed it. Been on a Studio Ghibli trend lately too, so also watched My Neighbor Totoro as well – loved it.

The Media Server project hit the major milestone of being functional. I decided to go with Linux Mint for it, but with it being Linux, it’s a massive learning curve as I don’t know Linux all that well. It’s still got some tweaks to work out, but I’m pretty happy with how it’s been going – even with the curve, but I am learning a lot along the way.

Talked to the folks and saw them over the weekend too, it’s been a spell so it was mostly nice. Planning future events too around patch cycles, which is looking pretty good as well. Speaking of Final Fantasy XIV and patches, just a little less than 2 weeks until 7.2, and we’re pretty much ready to go – just… not all that thrilled for it. Don’t get me wrong there’s things in it that look really fun, but for the first time in I can’t even recall, I just don’t care overall for the story. Hoping something in this one or leads off with anything to pique up my ears in 7.3 at the very least. We’ll see.

Early VIP crowd gathering in the main lobby for the Saint Patrick's Murder Mystery 2020.
Audience and actors alike gathered around a scene for the Saint Patrick's Day Murder Mystery 2020.
Audience gathered around the main stage for the Saint Patrick's Day Murder Mystery 2020.
Audience and actors alike gathered around a scene for the Saint Patrick's Day Murder Mystery 2020.
Large audience cheering on the actors that are on stage for the Saint Patrick's Day Murder Mystery 2020.
Post-show smaller crowd mingling near the main stage of the Saint Patrick's Day Murder Mystery 2020.
Rhaza, Kami, and I around the stage well after the crowds had left from the Saint Patrick's Day Murder Mystery 2020.

This time five years ago marked when the birth of EOCA was conceived, as well as me joining the Adamantoise Alliance & The Aether Event Center. There’s folks I still remember upon looking over these photos once again: Chococo, Rhaza, Kami, April, Sean, Kiba, Morrigan, and I think a couple of really old Burgundy members were there as well. I was invited to the early party for this show – Saint Patrick’s Day Murder Mystery – as a VIP for some of the preliminary work on mapping I did, but this event marked the beginning of it all officially.

I can’t believe it’s already been five years now, and some of these folks are still long time friends that I keep in touch with. That was a really magical time, and I do miss it, but I know as time moves forward so do we all in our own ways. Those memories, amongst many others, I’ll cherish for as long as I live.

Ah old memories, Happy Monday y’all! Kick some tails today! We got this!

Leporine Travelers: Flying Cats

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Reinylla petting a flying fat cat with Elizara being absolutely confused.

“Hey. So. Reinylla.”

“What is it, Sug— oh my good gracious! Where did you get such’a dorable feller?!”

“S-someone in, what’s the name… ‘Drybones’ gave me it, and it just, I don’t know, picked me up and then took off into the air?? H-how does that even— are you listening!?”

“Who’sa adorable big’ole fluffy kitten? You are, just arent’cha!?”

“I–….”

At that point, Elizara knew she was temporarily trapped sitting atop a flying cat in Eastern Thanalan, while Reinylla ecstatically petted and doted upon the adorable feline for as long as she could. The burning questions of how she got into this predicament and how it took flight to begin with will have to wait until a later moment it seems.

Leporine Travelers: The Beginning

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Laureine talking to me about Elizara.

As Laureine told Elizara, she approached me the next morning while I was at my desk having my morning tea glancing over some documents.

“…I see. T-this is a rather interesting turn of events, even for The Archives.”

I respond to Laureine’s entire recount of the night prior, still a bit unsure how to proceed.

“May I see the scroll you found next to Elizara?”
“Oh! Why, of course, Missus! Here, this is what I found with the faint glow.”

I gently take the scroll from Laureine’s grasp and began to examine it. The scroll appeared to be incredibly ancient with near impossible language to understand. The glow that Laureine had mentioned was all but gone now.

“This is a rather unique artifact… not anything I would have placed or asked anyone to put in there…”

I say out loud while continuing to examine both sides of the scroll: in and out of the light, the material it was made of, and the way it was written.

“W-what of Mistress Elizara…?”

Laureine inquires, almost holding back a feeling of force; I ponder this for a moment.

“…well, hmm. She doesn’t know where, or even what she is, which in itself very strange. I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to remain in HQ, as I believe her going out to see the realm would do her some good and hopefully give her a recollection to her memories.”

Laureine agreeably nods.

“I concur with that, Missus, but… on her own…?”
“Oh Twelve no! That would be cruel. However, the question becomes as to who will go with her. You are busy with your own tasks, along with keeping Miss Lizz on her tasks.”

I resist the urge to chuckle at Lizicus’ and Laureine’s rather interesting relationship, as I all well know how family can sometimes be.

“Well, let’s see here….”

I pull out a tome with EOCA’s roster and start to thimble through it.

“Well, Sirena and Juli have been making a really wonderful and cute team as of late. Aryiah is off to Twelve knows where, and I don’t even know when we’ll see her again. Aikirees and I are usually off doing the same, as y’all are…”

I flip a couple more pages through the roster.

“Hmm… Reinylla.”
“Oh! The Viera who helped us found EOCA and you relocate?”

I smile and nod.

“Yeppers! The very same. She’s incredibly warm and has been wanting to depart from Ul’dah for a time now and see the Realm. It would also benefit for Elizara to be around another Viera – help her better understand herself.”

Laureine’s worried expression softens.

“That does sound like a good idea then, Missus.”
“Hopefully so. I’ll make contact with Reinylla via linkpearl to let her know where to meet her. Laureine, please escort Elizara to the rendezvous point in Ul’dah once the time has been established. Answer and/all questions she might have on the trek, and please do try to help in any way you can too.”

Laureine smiles and bows.

“At once, Missus!”
“..oh, and one more task for only you.”
“W-what is it, Missus?”

I hand the scroll back to Laureine rolled carefully up and sealed.

“You need to take this to Terrestia. If anyone can understand where this came from or what this is, she’s the most likely.”

Lauriene slowly takes the scroll from my hand.

“Y-your sister…?”
“Yes. You’ll have to do it without any of us making contact, but once you get close, she’ll find you just from that scroll alone. Just… when you have time, no hurry or anything, but until then keep that scroll safe.”

Laureine nods uncomfortably.

“Y-yes, Missus, it will be done.”
“Right then. Let’s get these two together and see what happens.”

Reinylla greeting Elizara sitting on a bench.

As asked, Laureine escorted Elizara to Ul’dah. Within a bell, she’s approached by an enthusiastic, red-haired, heterochromatic eyed Viera.

“Well, howdy there, darlin’!”

Elizara snapped out of her daze to look up at an excited Viera greeting her.

“Oh, erm… H-hello? I.. take it your Reinylla?”
“Sure ‘am there, sugar! Nice ta meet’cha, Elizara!”

Elizara continues to look up at Reinylla, not certain what to make of her.

“Mind if I take’a seat next to ya?”

Elizara without saying anything subltly nods at her inquiry.

“Thank ya! Awfully kind’of ya! So, tell me about yer’self?”
“… it’s just Elizara, there’s really not much else to say right now.”

Elizara began to recount the story of where and how she appeared without knowing much else aside her name – not even what she was.

“Quite the tale, hun! Can’t say I understood’n all of it, but sounds like ya had quite the journey! Can’t say I can’a boast anythin’ close, just a humble Viera from across the Eastward Sea yearn’in for adventur’in!”

Reinylla chatting with Elizara while both sitting on a bench.

The two began to talk for a number of bells, well mostly Reinylla regailing her quiet beginnings in the far, far Southern part of Othard – far more southern than Aikirees and I. Just nearly the opposite side of that continent from where Lizicus and Laureine grew up, in fact.

“…You’ve had quite the journey here…”
“I guess’in so! Neva’ really thought of it that’a way!”

Reinylla chuckles.

“Wonder how far I’ve traveled then…”
“Well, there’sa only one way ta find out, sugar! How’a bout it?”

Elizara pauses, nearly frozen, at the thought.

“…You want me to come with you?”

Reinylla excitedly nods at Elizara.

“Absolutely, hun! How’a bout being my travelin’ companion? I’ve been a’itching to go out on my own fer a time now!”
“I.. don’t know.”

Reinylla furrows her brows for a moment.
“Aww, come’er on! It’ll be fun! Who’a knows, some’thing or other out there could give that’a memory of yers a good jarring!”

Elizara doesn’t say anything, only going back to being lost in thought.

“Well, that’a settles it then!”
Reinylla hops up from the stone bench with an incredible amount of delight.

Reinylla beckoning to Elizara to come along.

“Come’on, Sugar! We’ra burnin’ daylight!”
“W-wha, b-but I didn’t agr—“
“Yes’a you did! Come onnnn! I want’a see the realm! Let’s go, Hun!”

Elizara, slowly gets up from the bench, with some reluctance, but Reiynlla quickly grabs her hand and tugs her towards the Adventuring Guild.

” I’am so excited! We gonna to have such an a’venture together!”

All that Elizara could muster was a smirk while trying not to trip being nearly dragged towards the Aventuring Guild there in Ul’dah.

“But’a first! We need ta’get properly equipped ta head on out’of here!”
“‘Properly Equipped…?'”
“Yeah, sugar! Can’ta be runnin’ around out there wit’ no way of defending ourselves!”
“..Ah?”

With that, the two of them begin their journey across the realm, one with aspirations to see it all with the other just trying to make an understanding of everything. Only time will tell what what those two will get themselves into, and what will be uncovered of Elizara’s mysterious past.

Dragon Tails: Snowy Night

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Black and White image of Lizicus staring up into a snowing night.

It’s rather uncommon for Lizicus to be seen lost in thought, but it does happen. Just so happened to catch her off-guard while traversing Western Coerthas one evening while trying to construct some furnishings. The snow slowly landed on her shimmering scales as she looked up to the falling sky, pondering and seemingly in deep thought about everything; including tacos because, of course.

The cold strangely never bothered her, so being in such a revealing top didn’t even phase Lizicus as the stood there nearly enjoying it. What was on her mind? Not even Laureine knows. Lizicus puts up such an incredibly strong ‘happy-go-lucky’ front that even sometimes everyone forgets there’s something deeper to her than just napping and all of the ‘rad!’s’ she’s known to spout.

Perhaps Laureine knows deep down the turmoils in her heart, but really only Lizicus herself knows first and foremost all the thoughts she continues to have.

Give folks hugs even when they don’t seem to need them, they’ll appreciate it more than you’ll ever know. Y’all have a wonderful Wednesday!

Dragon Tails: Encounter in The Archives

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Laureine reading a book off one of the shelves in The Archives.

One late night, well after all of us had turned in for a nice rest, Laureine decided to step into the wandering corridors of The Archives for some light reading. She’s not unfamiliar with The Archives, as she has done this many of times before, while initially just to place old documents from my desk to the main entry point area in the early summers of being part of EOCA. She’s always had a fascination as to what old tomes, books, and documents she’ll stumble upon in there within The Archives’ many many winding corridors; however, no one really knows what one will find within The Archives now, as it’s become its own entity upon itself.

After a few bells of simply wandering and greeting the local will-o’-wisps that reside within The Archives, Laureine found a nice thick book relating to comparisons of Allagan technology (one of her personal favorite subjects) and other-worldly technologies not familiar to even the Alexandrians. She fell into a deep concentration of all the diagrams with incredibly exquisite details that are far beyond my comprehension, but not for very long as about one-third through the pages, Laureine heard something echoing throughout The Archives that had not ever been heard before.

Laureine startled at a sound in The Archives.

Placing the book back upon the shelf, Laureine decided to investigate whom or what would/could have made such a sound so deep into The Archives. She had her trusty spear capable of being summoned for the ready at any notice, so she wasn’t concerned for her well-being.

“I-it’s probably one of the Missuses, it has to be this far in The Archives…”

Laureine thought to herself as she continued to cautiously get closer to where she heard such a noise. The thought of it being a malevolent will-o’-wisp did cross her mind, but she was on friendly terms with those denizens of The Archives, so it was quickly dismissed.

“Missuses…? Are one of you in here? …Cuz… is this a prank??”

She inadvertently hoped it was Lizicus just pulling her tail, but alas, that wasn’t the case. The closer Laureine got to where she heard the sound, another strange almost voice-like echoed through the corridors. It sounded like a person, but one unknown to her.

“H-ello…? Is anyone there?”

Laureine called out, but with no response, beyond hearing her own voice bounce across the walls lined with shelves. This was a part of The Archives that Laureine, nor anyone really, has ever ventured through in the past. The corridors themselves seemed to bend as time and space that made it up were being manipulated in some way. She grasped the small node that could summon her spear very tightly now, but restrained from using it as to not make matters possibly worse.

This area of The Archives felt darker, and the eerily quiet of no response to Laureine’s call out began to unnerve even her. Upon getting very close to where she heard the initial sound and voice, Laureine turned into a side corridor to be greeted with a rather big surprise.

Laureine discovering an unconscious Viera in The Archives.

“A.. a… Viera!? H-here!?”

Laureine thought to herself in disbelieved surprise. She kneels down to check and see how she is – alive, but just mostly unconscious.

“Where could have you come from…”

This part of The Archives is just endless winding and warping corridors with the main entrance yalms away from here; the questions that began to boil up in Laureine’s mind became near limitless. She looked around at the books to try and understand the context of the situation, but nothing really stood out as a clue. Looking on the ground around the mysterious Viera to see if any of those could be of help to even remotely how anyone could have made it back there.

A scroll near the Viera’s back side faintly glowed with unintelligible letters to Laureine. She picked it up and carefully examined it.

“It’s not Eorzean, nor any language I’ve ever come across while traveling the Realm and beyond. Perhaps a Reflection…?”

She decides to take the scroll with her and ask me about it later on, and upon placing the scroll into her carrying node, the Viera stirs to regain consciousness.

“Hnnng… w-wh–..?”

Her eyes open to see Laureine kneeling over her with a concerned expression.

“Who– wh- what are you…?”

Slowly trying to get up from off the cold ground, Laureine assists.

“H-hey, it’s alright. You’re in a place called The Archives held within Eorzea Cartographers’ Headquarters. I’m Laureine, and you are–?”

The Viera winces back from Laureine’s hands.

“What are you!?”

Laureine pauses, unsure of what to make of the inquiry.

I’m an Au Ra, Miss Viera. We’re fairly common here, but I suspect where you’re from, we are not?”

The Viera shakes her head in disbelief.

The Awoken Viera looking up at Laureine in The Archives.

“I’m a… what…?”
“You’re a Viera, or that’s what you appear to be. The Missus is such one who hails from Southern Othard. Are you familiar with the term?”

The Viera shakes her head at Laureine’s question.

“Never heard of such a place, or this ‘Eorzea Cartographers.'”

The Viera’s ears begin to tingle with subtle twitches to her surroundings.

“W-why is everything so loud? Why can I hear literally everything so clearly?”
“It’s your ears; being a Viera gives you heightened sense of hearing to the point of capabilities no one else really can.”

She touches her long lightly fuzzy ears in more disbelief.

“Argh, I don’t understand any of this. How can I be here, what am I!?”
“W-well, how about a name for starts, Miss Viera?”
“… Elizara.”
“Ah! Well, please to meet you Mistress Elizara.”

Laureine bows to Elizara in greeting like she has done so many times to new folks she has met – more times to me than I’d prefer but she really keeps to her etiquette.

Laureine chatting with the completely bemused Elizara.

Laureine helps Elizara off the ground and begins to explain where they are, what continent, City-State, and what Etheirys is to give her some sort of foundation to see if any of it helps. Unfortunately, Elizara seems to be completely unaware of where she is.

“So, none of that helps?”

Elizara shakes her head more puzzled than before.

“N-no, it doesn’t. L-aureine was it? C-could we please get out of here. The sounds of this area are starting to give me even more of a headache…”
“Ah! R-right! Apologizes, Mistress. Let us quit of this place and see what The Missus has to say about what to do.”

Elizara shakes her head in annoyance.

“P-please, just… Elizara. I’m no Mistress.”
“A-pologizes, Mistress. It’s rather habitual.”

She shrugs at Laureine and the two of them begin to slowly with caution make their way out of The Archives. The winding feels like it takes many bells before reaching the entry area. As Laureine opens the door to HQ’s first floor, she glances at the wall time-keeper to see only a single bell had passed since her entry into The Archives.

“W-well that’s new…”
She remarks with some disbelief at the lack of time that had passed.

“W-well seeing as only a bell has passed since my journey through The Archives and meeting you has happened. It’s still the middle of the night. You can stay in my chambers until the morning. I have a very comfortable area with a warm fire to make you feel at home, I hope.”

Elizara’s annoyed bewildered expression that she has kept for most of the journey out of The Archives softens.

“…Thank you.”

Hearing this delights Laureine as she had been worried all this time of hostilities.

“…Let’s also find you some clothes so you’re not wandering around in skivvies too.”

Laureine lightly chuckles to help break the ever-softened tension. Elizara looks down at her clothes, or rather lack-thereof and smirks in return.

“…Y-yes, I guess that would be a good idea, it’s freezing in here!”
“Ah! R-right! One fireplace coming up – that is one accompany we very much do no lack in HQ, Mistress! I’ll get you some tea as well?”

Elizara shakes her head.

“Coffee. Black. Please.”
“R-right! Th-this way, Mistress.”

Laureine begins to escort Elizara to her chambers as the night continues for a set of practical clothing, a warm fire, and apparently a strong cup of coffee. This is just the beginning as Elizara adventures have only just begun…

Time Warps & Day Off

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Aikirees drinking a tea sitting next to me, while reading a book glancing at her with the caption 'Monday Morning Weekend Recap' off to the left.

Taking the day off, but the weekend was rather productive. Two-parter story going up this week and I’m pretty happy to have been able to get back to writing. It took a smidgen longer than expected so ended up pushing back some things, but that’s alright.

Trainscape is incredibly close to concluding Phase I, which is good as I can just enjoy it running with just doing the usual weekly maintenance on the wheels/tracks to keep it running smoothly. An item got delayed in the mail as of writing this, which has (of course) slowed it down again. I know all projects have their delays and unexpected dilemmas come up, but this one has got to take the cake. However, the learning from it has way outpaced the problems, and the reward is endless enjoyment of trains.

The day off was initially supposed to happen sooner, and not on the weekend of when we Time Warp forward a hour, but that was just how it landed. The idea was to relax 100% today, but I wanted to return to the audio project which has evolved into a media server project – something I’ve been yearning to do for years and it just happened a part given to me by Mama Kosmikros has given it a sporting chance.

Final level of Sea of Stars now, and I think I’m starting to get close to the end of Horizon: Zero Dawn – nearly 60 hours in. I’ve taken my time in that game, so it’s kind of comical to run around at level 50 seeing the story that recommends level 21. After this one is done, I very much want to seek out Forbidden West to continue Aloy’s journey – it’s been really fun.

Aikirees holding an instant camera, waiting for the film to develop.
Aikirees smiling while holding an instant camera.
Adorkable Sister is Adorkable

Final Fantasy XIV progress is still chugging along until 7.2. RL is making it really hard to continue with my weekly schedule, which I’m hoping doesn’t affect progressing moving on, but only time will tell. It’s all good things, but I still need my relaxing time as well. The ‘Status of Things’ from last week is still full in effect and probably will be for some time into the foreseeable future. I just hope it doesn’t waver my enjoyment of adventuring through Eorzea that much more.

I think that’s all for now. Y’all kick tails and have a wonderful Monday & week ahead!

A Pink Cat Left Notes

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Page from EOCA's HQ guestbook from Sirena stating 'Just Sirena's paw prints all over the page.'

A little while back, after a rather long day, I came home to this note being in the HQ’s guestbook. It made my evening seeing little adorable pink paw prints in the book. Nothing much aside from that, just appreciate my cats post really.

Y’all have a wonderful one!

Happy (Belated) Valentione’s 2025!

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Aikirees and I in Valentione's outfits.

Little belated, but we hope everyone had a very wonderful Valentione’s 2025 Season! We adored the story this year, and have enjoyed that it’s been slowly building on itself over the years. It was pretty quick for a seasonal, but that didn’t deter it at all.

We also got to recreate this photo like we did a couple of years back before Aikirees went on her journey, and that was a wonderful time too. Lots of hugs to everyone on this Wednesday morning! Y’all got this!

Status of Things 2025

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Me reading a book in a dark red dress in front of a bunch of bookshelves.

I really, really didn’t want my first Status of the year to be rough, but well, it’s going to be. Disclaimer as this is kind of my way of venting and not necessarily directed at any person(s) in particular as that seems to be a concern. This time its just observations that I’ve noticed over the last few months and collectively just want to talk about.

Social Media Paradox

At this point, I am pretty much done/permanent hiatus from social media. My link for Mastodon will still be maintained here, but… I’m basically done. I may come back when Donald Trump leaves office once and for all, but until then I just don’t have it in me. I did try to give it one real good push back in the fall of 2024, but everyone was just so… angry. There was almost nothing positive or productive being talked about – not none, just minimal at best. Most of my interaction was either dismissed or cold shouldered, which I assume was my own doing for leaving for a near year, so I knew my time was done. Again not all, just… not a lot.

That in itself is very disheartening as I have met so many wonderful people on social media from both Twitter and Mastodon. The thought of poking around on Bluesky has crossed my mind (realizing I know that backtracks my original thoughts on it), but it sounds like the follower count craze and exhausting clout chasing exist there too. Not to mention the perpetual anger that the internet has gladly come to embrace. I just don’t have the time or energy to spend on all of it.

Anger, Anger, Anger

Why.. just… Why!? Why is there so much anger out there now? Look I get the world is not a friendly place currently, but why add to it!? When I mean kick tails, I mean get out there and make a difference! Take that anger and use it for something good! It becomes so tiring to keep seeing this over and over and over again. Make the cycle stop, please. This also has bled into Final Fantasy XIV…

One player harshly bullying another in party chat.
‘Friendliest MMO Community’ my furry ears.

The above was from a Jeuno raid that I, personally, did. The poor feller was having a rough evening, and let’s be real for a moment EVERYONE HAS THIS HAPPEN. I do not care if one has ran the content 1,000 times or once, you’re going to mess up. Bashing & bullying someone this harshly is garbage behavior. Miss Laureine had a similar incident happen where her party’s tank was kicked in a World of Warcraft fashion for messing up a mechanic. She, of course, did not vote yes to kick, but it still went through all because someone was having a petty tantrum about the mistake.

Do not take one’s own anger, go into a piece of party content, and do this. Just… go play something on your own please until you can come play nicely with the rest of us who usually are wanting to have a fun time after a long day’s work. It’s not just this either, there’s been a lot of coldness in group content as well, and from someone who has been around since Stormblood, it makes it a lot harder to want to continue to play a game that I/we have enjoyed for such a long time.

Other whispers of anger being directed at Dawntrail itself is also incredibly exhausting. If one doesn’t like the content, just don’t play. I will never understand why this is such a difficult thought to process. I honestly don’t like the current MSQ either, but there’s parts of Heavensward, Stormblood, Endwalker, and yes even Shadowbringers (albeit very minor) that I didn’t like as well. I still play nearly daily because I enjoy the game regardless – even the parts I disliked I knew would eventually lead into a part I did. So please shush about this and move on – I am so tired of hearing doomsaying nearing the level of WoW: Cataclysm. The mention of lack of content is mind boggling – there’s so much to do; so unless one has been around since A Realm Reborn, I can’t see how it all has been tackled.

Content creators and even folks who write articles in regards to XIV that I used to enjoy are starting to slip down this slope too, it’s all just… so tiring to see.

Aikirees and I resting in the Lounge on floor pillows at EOCA HQ.

I was going to add a couple more things, but I stopped myself, as it just wasn’t helpful energy. I know it’s really rough for a lot of folks out there right now; really I truly get it. There’s a ton of anger floating out there about what to do, but please just take a moment and remember we’re all having our own battles, and just to lend out a hand or an ear can go such a long way – far more so than a fist or harsh words. Please, hug people, tell them it will be alright, and get together to kick a lot of tails.

We all got this in the end and it will be beautiful.

Wayward, but Trying to Return

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Aikirees drinking a tea sitting next to me, while reading a book glancing at her with the caption 'Monday Morning Weekend Recap' off to the left.

It’s been a spell since I’ve been able to sit down and write some things. Overall it’s been good, but just chaotically busy across the spectrum. RL has, and probably will be for the foreseeable future, incredibly busy. Been also trying to see family more frequently like it used to be, and that has been really nice.

We’ll go into Final Fantasy XIV in a moment, but for elsewhere: nearing the end of Sea of Stars – its just tying up loose ends and items at this point before taking on the final dungeon. It’s been an incredible game/story the entire way, so I am wanting to see it through till the end still. Cannot recommend it enough. Horizon Zero Dawn is mostly progressing main story now, albeit 30+ levels higher than it is so it’s been a rather comical progress now. Haven’t decided on what to tackle after these two are done, but I know I’ll find something pretty quick in my backlog!

Other parts of RL is the trainscape, which aside from one major setback, has been a nice learning and constructive continuous hobby to resurrect. It’s getting to a ‘self-sustaining’ point now until I decide to start the next phase, and even with it being early in the stages is a really nice little project to watch run as-is. Ideally do need to get to other other projects that have been placed on the backburner for a long spell now eventually, but nothing is on a major deadline like last year’s and that is a nice feeling to have.

Aikirees and I sitting in front of the Valentione's decorations at night.

I think I’ll discuss more of Final Fantasy XIV in a new ‘Status of Things’ post, but overall it’s been going well. The Valentione’s event was short but absolutely adorable. Being able to recreate an old photo from a few years back with Aikirees when she was a Miqo’te was really fun to do as well. We’re kind of on a breather until Patch 7.2 for the most part now aside from the basic weeklies. I doubt I’ll proceed with posting about the Vana’Diel raid now, or anything else of that longevity as I just don’t have the time to do it like last year for better or for worse.

It shouldn’t impact posts returning to the daily but we’ll see – weekends are probably going to be more impacted for the rest of the year, which is when I usually schedule posts, so it could.

We did finally do the new Hildibrand content, and I’d like to talk a little about it, but best not to go into it. I would like to eventually get posted all of our silly Hildibrand outfit posts from Endwalker and continue that into Dawntrail, but just haven’t had a moment to think about continuing it. Just… I don’t know, there’s something amiss right now but it’s not what anyone is thinking or assuming. Only time will tell I suppose.

Oh, movies and things from the Saturday evenings. The notable couple I watched were ‘Catch Me if You Can,’ and ‘The Black Cauldron.’ Both I highly enjoyed but for very different reasons. Definitely recommend those if y’all haven’t seen them. Not a whole lot on the horizon that perks my ears up just yet, but have been kind of out of the loop on upcoming stuffs, so it can change on a whim really quick.

Probably enough rambling for a Monday Morning. Y’all have an absolutely wonderful one, kick some tail!

Wayward

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Aikirees and I leaning against a chalkboard with 'Blog Stuffs' written on it.

Just kind of a quick one to say ‘still here, but very busy’ sort of update. I have a few things/thoughts in a holding pattern until I can get them written out and posted here. The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind with very little desk time. The trainscape hit the first milestone last weekend, so that’ll free up that time to work on catching up here as well as moving onto other smaller projects that I’ve been holding off on.

Happy Thursday y’all! Y’all got this, and kick tails!

On This Day – 5 Years Ago…

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Screenshot of an old Twitter Tweet from January 20th, 2020 from the Burgundy Room's account after visiting them during a rehearsal.

I can’t believe it’s been five years since this happened: the day that changed everything and sprung board the spark that would grow into what became Eorzea Cartographers. This meeting led me down a path to meeting so many wonderful folks, which a lot of them have become great friends, and so many memories to go along with them.

The story behind this being that I saw the early Burgundy Room perform at an open RP event a while prior. It enamored me so when they announced a full-blown show coming up, I wanted to figure out how to get there as back then I had no idea how to really navigate residential districts. Upon finding the location, I went inside to make sure it was the right place only to be ‘ambushed’ by folks rehearsing for said upcoming show. It was a hoot and that tweet came about from it, then a week later was the big event. A lot of folks I met that evening I became fast friends with and some still to this very day.

I’ll never forget when this happened in my adventures through Eorzea, and without it, I’m honestly not even sure EOCA would have ever came about, nor would I have met so many talented folks along the way. Never would I have thought this chance moment upon starting out my own adventure through Eorzea would have done such a thing, but I am so thankful for it.

The Nintendo Switch 2

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Aikirees and I leaning against a chalkboard with 'Blog Stuffs' written on it.

There’s a couple of others things I’d like to post about from the happenings this week, but they’ll take a smidgen to get my thoughts on beforehand, and this week has been a rather rough one. However, just right-quick thoughts on the Switch 2 I can do.

The official announcement of the Switch 2 after an absurd amount of rumors over the years is both a relieve and also just exhausting. However, the console itself looks like a nice uptick from its current predecessor and the fact it can play everything the Switch can is a colossal boon. I am excited for it, and I’ll more than likely jump to the Switch 2 near its launch assuming that I’m not knee deep in a project or a cost that would deter such a plan.

The official launch video that Nintendo put out is both really nicely put together, but to me a bit somber. I have a launch Switch, and the only difference is that I changed the reddish/cyan Joycons out for neon green/pink many a years ago. When I was early in my traveler year, my mom – Mama Kosmikros (or Mama K) asked what I wanted for Christmas the year it came out. I was with my trainer at the time and he was coming home for the holidays, and since we lived so close it worked out for me too. So, when Mama K asked me this, I responded with just simply ‘a Nintendo Switch.’

We return home for the holidays: my trainer spends it with his family, and me with mine. I swap the early tales of my journey thus so far with the family, and spent a lot of time with them since I know I’ll not see them all again for quite some time thereafter. Christmas Day rolls around and there was just the one box for me, and it was the Switch. I was so excited to take that back out with me, and I had two games from the get-go (neither of this writing have I still completed): The Legend of Zelda – Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. I played Breath of the Wild a lot before heading back out and a lot while with the trainer.

Once I was out on my own traveling the country, the Switch became an integral part of my daily life. I’ve played so many games on it, and continue to do so to this day – and was a lifesaver during the latest Hurricane, Milton, when power was very limited. To see the Switch 2 coming this year and saying goodbye to such a wonderful console that has been like a good friend all these years makes me a bit sad.

When the time comes, I won’t fully say farewell to my Switch; it’ll still play a part in my life in some way shape or form, and I’ll be sure to take good care of it for many more years hereafter as well.

Soul Trains

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Aikirees drinking a tea sitting next to me, while reading a book glancing at her with the caption 'Monday Morning Weekend Recap' off to the left.

Kind of ‘off-the-cuff’ this morning, as I didn’t really plan anything for this week. RL & projects have kind of pulled me away from the usual PC work & play that I’m accustomed to. Not that it’s a ‘bad’ thing in any way, in fact I welcome it as it’s been really fun to step away from all the screens for once and do some more handsy-onsy things.

Of course there’s still the usual Final Fantasy XIV routine, but with a lot of the legwork done from previous expansions and mostly everyone caught up to par, there’s a bit more rest-time that can be allocated to other things. One being the never ending train project. Over the weekend I soldered all of the joiners to make it one whole circuit, well most as I still need to be able to relocate it for the new track bed to be placed first. Once the new track bed is down, then the remaining joiners will be soldered and then finally re-mounted once again.

I’ve tested the wheels on the soldered track and it runs so gosh darn smoothly, so I am very much looking forward to seeing this all done and running again just on that factor alone. It’s still a long ways off for it being completed, but seeing the trains running again will be a nice milestone.

Also watched Pixar’s Soul over the weekend for the usual Saturday Dinner/Movie routine. It was pretty good, but not what I expected in a mostly good way.

I think that’s really it for now; doing well aside, still not really interacting with Social Medias. There might be some ‘new challengers’ appearing here and there here aside from Aiki, the Cousins, my dear cats, and I but that will wary on everything else happening.

Happy Monday, y’all! Kick some tails! Remember that y’all always have and will got this.

Sisters’ Fashion Report Adventure LVI?

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Lizicus and Laureine in dancer dresses with boots, shorts, chain mail coifs with their weapons drawn.

Episode LVI..? – H-hold on a mome–… hmm… T-this week’s regularly scheduled Fashion Report Adventure is interrupted by the cousins it would seem. W-when one is a damsel, but not in distress, and comes prepared for anything that is thrown at them – in Lizicus’ case that might as well mean literally with her trident at the ready.

The Desk

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My very messy desk in HQ

If anyone has ever visited EOCA HQ, they’ll more than likely run across this large and messy desk just past the lounge area. My old map making desk, still covered in old scrolls, notes, drawings, and just rather unkempt all this time. However, there’s a few mementos and memories placed on here that I cherish very fondly with priceless sentimental value.

Image of my desk with numerical markers noting certain items placed onto it or around it.

1 – Star Globe.
This is a double-edged reason for being here. The first being that no cartographer’s desk should be without some sort of globe on it, and the other being that I’ve personally had a globe on my desk ever since I was a very young bun. My Dad got me a globe when I was either 3 or 4, and it’s so old that it still has USSR along with East & West Germany on it. Certainly had a lot of love, and a lot of solar bleaching happen to it over the years.

2 – Azelma’s Flowers.
Back when EOCA hit Rank 30, which as of this writing is the max rank for a Free Company, I was gifted these flowers from our dear friend Azelma in congrats of achieving the feat. This is something that we honestly thought would have taken a lot longer to accomplish, but with perseverance we managed to do so well before the end of Endwalker. I made sure to give them a place on the desk as a memory.

3 – Kibby’s Flowers.
During my more active tenure with The Burgundy Room, I would assist with staff and handling tips at the end of the shows. One show, once it was all concluded, I was gifted these lovely red flowers from Kibby who was performing at the show that evening.

4 – Burgundy Flowers.
These flowers I can’t remember who personally gave them to me, but given the red ribbon I dyed on it, someone from Burgundy during the earlier years did so during the end of a performance. I have been gifted several other flowers, including one from Sirena, but those have been placed in my apartment instead. Sirena’s in particular has a pink ribbon on it.

5 – Coffee Mug.
There’s a lot of these around HQ, and certainly my desk is no unfamiliar place for a nice hot mug. Representing a lot of aspects of my life, but also when I would work on maps, there usually would be some coffee in close proximity!

6 – Winery.
This one not many folks would probably know the story behind it. Years, and years ago when the Aether Event Center was around (it’s been gone a long while now), and I was just starting out before EOCA was established, I was making the maps for the Aether Event Center and working/participating in events they hosted. It was a very fun and wild time, but once the AEC’s mansion was acquired/established, I was surprise gifted my own desk within it! The desk was so gorgeous, and it had these bottles of wine and glass on top of it. I wanted to keep those early days’ memory close.

7 – Carbuncle Lamp.
Kind of part of the above, one of these was on my desk as a nod to Aikirees’ love of Carbuncles during the AEC’s tenure. It has since been placed down on my desk for that reason, and I think Aikirees appreciates one just being there to help illuminate the desk overall.

8 – Envelopes.
Kind of a self-jab with how I tended to organize requests, and other items that came across my inbox. Rest assured, everything was done and addressed in a timely manner, but was just not well organized for the longest time.

9 – Notes, schematics, old drawings, etc.
Another self-jab: my catch-all of everything that is not sprawled out all messy-like on the desk. Various things piled within these mountains of paper. The rest of them have made it with moderate success into The Archives proper.

I think that coves the basis of that desk. The walls have maps and schematics on it, along with a bunch on the desk too. It’s a chaotic mess for certain, but the memories it holds are priceless and timeless to me and I wouldn’t want to change it for anything.