A tall miqo'te of thin build steps into the room, her iridescent heliotrope eyes glinting in the dim light. She drops into the seat, tosses her violet hair, and smiles. "Let's do this!"
L'yhta stares into the darkness for a long moment, then sighs and stands up. "Didn't think I was doing this to get an analysis of my life, gods. If I knew that, I wouldn't have shown up. But thanks for letting me talk about some stuff, just having someone to talk to helps sometimes."
On her way out, she stops at the door, turning her gaze back to the shadowed interviewer. "Thanks. Really." With that, she steps through the threshold into the fading Lominsan twilight.
Show Content
Part 1: The Basics
1.What is your full name?
"Yhta of the Vipers, sired by L'Mahre Nunh, but you already know that, right?" She flicks her tail to the side and jabs a finger towards the interviewer's paperwork. "Are you just checking what's written down there already or are you just being lazy? C'mon, let's get to the good stuff."
2.Where and when were you born?
"A little village called in Greencliff, north of Limsa Lominsa, where they've got a tiny harbor, some little canoes, and a itty-bitty forest -- mostly gone now, I guess." After a pause, she adds, "Oh! When -- that's, uh," she delays, tapping her index fingers together as she counts, "1555 of the last era. Twelfth sun of the third Astral Moon."
3.Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
L'yhta peers at the interviewer for a moment, then shakes her head a little. "O-kaay, my father was L'mahre Nunh, mister -- it is mister, right? It's hard to see with this lighting -- mister 'I have no memory for other questions.' He was a great man, a true fighter, smart, and strong. I remember that he could throw a spear farther than anyone, and this one time he speared right through a megalocrab and brought it in. That was a feast for the tribe!"
The miqo'te smiles, but it soon decays into a more pensive pursing of lips. "I guess he could be a bit distant, though, but that's how the nunhs are with their kids. He's gone now.
"My mother is L'arhi Xahlo," she continues, her tone growing a bit cold. "Last I heard she's still around, though I think she's out of 'breeding age' now," she notes, punctuating the end of the sentence with air quotes. "She was a sweet and caring woman, always very supportive, but I think she didn't have much more in mind for me or other girls of tribe besides pumping out kids for the nunh."
4.Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
"I'm number five of seven -- six girls, one boy. There's L'shaya, L'halha, L'ioryha -- older than me -- and L'alyha and L'mihia -- my younger sisters. All of them are a lot prettier than I am; round faces, big eyes, light skin, short tails, that kind of thing. We all have the purple colors, except L'mihia, who's got green hair. Yeah, they were a little uppity with all the attention they got, but other than L'ioryha, who's kind of a bitch, they're all really sweet, but in that 'oversweetened candy' sort of way," she relates with a broad smile.
Just as quickly as it appeared, though, the smile fades. "Number one is L'rhilo, who's now the nunh of my ex-tribe." Her voice is icy as she ends the sentence. "He's... he's an ass. Can we just leave it at that? I don't wanna talk about it."
5.Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
L'yhta's face brightens again and she claps her hands together. "That, I do want to talk about! I live in Limsa Lominsa right now, in a little apartment near the bottoms of the lower deck. I like being around the water and the fishermen. Yeah, yeah, I know the whole 'cats and water' joke, so don't even."
She quiets a bit as she continues. "The apartment belonged to my old mentor, Nald'thal be good. He left it to me in his will after the Sahagin cut him down. I live there by myself now."
6.What is your occupation?
"The most fantabulatious, splendiferous spellslinger of the Maelstrom's Foreign Levy, of course! What, you haven't heard of me?" She laughs.
7.Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.
L'yhta looks down at herself, then back at the unseen interviewer. "You -- wait -- what -- seriously?" She shakes her head again and sighs.
"I'm a miqo'te woman of 22 years. I'm about, uh, five and a half fulms tall? I mean, it's not like I measure that -- and something like 100 or 110 ponz, I guess? My eyes are a light shiny violet, my hair's a long dark violet that's straight, so I keep it pulled back to keep it out of my eyes, and my skin's pretty dark between just how I normally am and being out in the sun all the time. I've got some lighter markings on my face that I was born with; I don't really do the war paint thing, and I don't usually paint my nails, either. My tail's pretty long, I guess, for a Seeker." She glances down at her body again, then shrugs. "I'm really just tall and wiry and not very curvy at all."
"Oh, right, clothing. Usually I'm wearing robes, pants or leggings, maybe a tunic. It depends on what I'm doing, you know? I don't really go for flashing a lot of skin like some people do."
8.To which social class do you belong?
"The awesome one, of course!" She beams a broad, toothy smile. "Seriously, I'm an adventurer. I don't think that makes me particularly rich or poor."
9.Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
"I... don't like chocolate?"
10. Are you right- or left-handed?
"Right-handed." After a moment, she adds, "Really, what does that matter for?"
11. What does your voice sound like?
L'yhta pauses again, opening her mouth as if she's about to say something snide, then sighs, resigned. "Technically? Mezzo-soprano, close to a dramatic mezzo-soprano. My range is from about the G below middle C to the B two octaves above middle C."
She leans her head to the side, then smiles again. "Not-technically, it's pretty low for someone my size, I guess. I like to think it's got a nice, dark, warm quality to it."
12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
"You mean, like a catchphrase? I don't really do catchphrases, you know? I think they're kind of dumb."
13. What do you have in your pockets?
"A bottle of highly unstable blasting powder!" she shouts with a cackle.
After an overly long silence, she pouts and reaches into her pockets, pulling out their actual contents. "Let's see... some gil, a couple of raisins, and... the note with the address for this interview." She then mutters under her breath, "Gods, some people have no sense of drama or humor..."
14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
"The rest of the Choir used to tell me I was sometimes like a chocobo hopped up on a mix of Ethers and gysahl greens. I think they were trying to say I can be a little hyperactive and overenthusiastic at times. Of course, they were all kind of old, so maybe that's why it annoyed them. You don't think I'm too hyperactive, do you?"
Not missing a beat by waiting for a response, she adds, "Oh, and I love jellied fruits. Can't get enough of 'em!"
1.What is your full name?
"Yhta of the Vipers, sired by L'Mahre Nunh, but you already know that, right?" She flicks her tail to the side and jabs a finger towards the interviewer's paperwork. "Are you just checking what's written down there already or are you just being lazy? C'mon, let's get to the good stuff."
2.Where and when were you born?
"A little village called in Greencliff, north of Limsa Lominsa, where they've got a tiny harbor, some little canoes, and a itty-bitty forest -- mostly gone now, I guess." After a pause, she adds, "Oh! When -- that's, uh," she delays, tapping her index fingers together as she counts, "1555 of the last era. Twelfth sun of the third Astral Moon."
3.Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
L'yhta peers at the interviewer for a moment, then shakes her head a little. "O-kaay, my father was L'mahre Nunh, mister -- it is mister, right? It's hard to see with this lighting -- mister 'I have no memory for other questions.' He was a great man, a true fighter, smart, and strong. I remember that he could throw a spear farther than anyone, and this one time he speared right through a megalocrab and brought it in. That was a feast for the tribe!"
The miqo'te smiles, but it soon decays into a more pensive pursing of lips. "I guess he could be a bit distant, though, but that's how the nunhs are with their kids. He's gone now.
"My mother is L'arhi Xahlo," she continues, her tone growing a bit cold. "Last I heard she's still around, though I think she's out of 'breeding age' now," she notes, punctuating the end of the sentence with air quotes. "She was a sweet and caring woman, always very supportive, but I think she didn't have much more in mind for me or other girls of tribe besides pumping out kids for the nunh."
4.Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
"I'm number five of seven -- six girls, one boy. There's L'shaya, L'halha, L'ioryha -- older than me -- and L'alyha and L'mihia -- my younger sisters. All of them are a lot prettier than I am; round faces, big eyes, light skin, short tails, that kind of thing. We all have the purple colors, except L'mihia, who's got green hair. Yeah, they were a little uppity with all the attention they got, but other than L'ioryha, who's kind of a bitch, they're all really sweet, but in that 'oversweetened candy' sort of way," she relates with a broad smile.
Just as quickly as it appeared, though, the smile fades. "Number one is L'rhilo, who's now the nunh of my ex-tribe." Her voice is icy as she ends the sentence. "He's... he's an ass. Can we just leave it at that? I don't wanna talk about it."
5.Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
L'yhta's face brightens again and she claps her hands together. "That, I do want to talk about! I live in Limsa Lominsa right now, in a little apartment near the bottoms of the lower deck. I like being around the water and the fishermen. Yeah, yeah, I know the whole 'cats and water' joke, so don't even."
She quiets a bit as she continues. "The apartment belonged to my old mentor, Nald'thal be good. He left it to me in his will after the Sahagin cut him down. I live there by myself now."
6.What is your occupation?
"The most fantabulatious, splendiferous spellslinger of the Maelstrom's Foreign Levy, of course! What, you haven't heard of me?" She laughs.
7.Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.
L'yhta looks down at herself, then back at the unseen interviewer. "You -- wait -- what -- seriously?" She shakes her head again and sighs.
"I'm a miqo'te woman of 22 years. I'm about, uh, five and a half fulms tall? I mean, it's not like I measure that -- and something like 100 or 110 ponz, I guess? My eyes are a light shiny violet, my hair's a long dark violet that's straight, so I keep it pulled back to keep it out of my eyes, and my skin's pretty dark between just how I normally am and being out in the sun all the time. I've got some lighter markings on my face that I was born with; I don't really do the war paint thing, and I don't usually paint my nails, either. My tail's pretty long, I guess, for a Seeker." She glances down at her body again, then shrugs. "I'm really just tall and wiry and not very curvy at all."
"Oh, right, clothing. Usually I'm wearing robes, pants or leggings, maybe a tunic. It depends on what I'm doing, you know? I don't really go for flashing a lot of skin like some people do."
8.To which social class do you belong?
"The awesome one, of course!" She beams a broad, toothy smile. "Seriously, I'm an adventurer. I don't think that makes me particularly rich or poor."
9.Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
"I... don't like chocolate?"
10. Are you right- or left-handed?
"Right-handed." After a moment, she adds, "Really, what does that matter for?"
11. What does your voice sound like?
L'yhta pauses again, opening her mouth as if she's about to say something snide, then sighs, resigned. "Technically? Mezzo-soprano, close to a dramatic mezzo-soprano. My range is from about the G below middle C to the B two octaves above middle C."
She leans her head to the side, then smiles again. "Not-technically, it's pretty low for someone my size, I guess. I like to think it's got a nice, dark, warm quality to it."
12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
"You mean, like a catchphrase? I don't really do catchphrases, you know? I think they're kind of dumb."
13. What do you have in your pockets?
"A bottle of highly unstable blasting powder!" she shouts with a cackle.
After an overly long silence, she pouts and reaches into her pockets, pulling out their actual contents. "Let's see... some gil, a couple of raisins, and... the note with the address for this interview." She then mutters under her breath, "Gods, some people have no sense of drama or humor..."
14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
"The rest of the Choir used to tell me I was sometimes like a chocobo hopped up on a mix of Ethers and gysahl greens. I think they were trying to say I can be a little hyperactive and overenthusiastic at times. Of course, they were all kind of old, so maybe that's why it annoyed them. You don't think I'm too hyperactive, do you?"
Not missing a beat by waiting for a response, she adds, "Oh, and I love jellied fruits. Can't get enough of 'em!"
Show Content
Part 2: Growing Up
15. How would you describe your childhood in general?
"I guess it was okay. Unlike the rest of my family, I wasn't that great at the logging, fishing, cooking, or any of that other village stuff. I mean, I was okay, but since everyone was expecting me to be like the second coming of the Twelve because of how great my sisters and my brother were, I didn't really live up to expectations.
"It wasn't too bad, though. I had a mother, a father -- sort of -- and a family, a place to live, and stuff to eat. A lot of people have it a lot worse than I did, especially now."
16. What is your earliest memory?
L'yhta looks up and taps her index fingers on her knees as she thinks. "I remember being woken up in the night by a loud crash of thunder. I shrieked, and L'rhilo came over and told me the thunder was the Twelve fighting all the evil in the world. I guess that explanation worked for me, because I felt a lot better. Then he hugged me until I fell asleep."
She sighs and looks down, shaking her head. "He was really a major father figure for me, since my actual father was fairly distant, being the nunh and all. He didn't come around a whole lot, though when he did, he was always just brilliant."
17. How much schooling have you had?
"Formally? Like in an actual school? Not a bit. We didn't have one in Greencliff, because no one thought 'book learning' was all that useful. My mother taught me letters and I had some books to read, but that's about it."
Her face lights up with a smile. "Now, after I got to Limsa Lominsa and met Mister Fletcher? I didn't go to a formal school, but he and the rest of the Choir taught me just about everything I know now, and I spent a lot of time reading through all his books on history, literature, geometry, logic... I guess I'm an autodidact in a lot of fields.
Noticing something on the face of the interviewer, her ears flatten a bit and her tail swishes quickly. "Yes, I know what that means!"
18. Did you enjoy school?
L'yhta's tail slows to a stop as she replies. "I enjoyed reading all those books. And I definitely enjoyed learning how to shape Aether!"
19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
"Didn't I just tell you that?" She leans forward. "Who wrote this list of questions anyhow?"
With a roll of her eyes, she then says, "Mister Fletcher and the rest of his Choir taught me how to shape Aether, whether it's my own Aether or that I call from the land around me. Each of them was practiced in one of the disciplines of magic, and since I'm so awesomelite at magic, they made sure I learned all of them." She smiles smugly.
"As for the other stuff? Lots of reading on my own. Mister Fletcher was going to insist that I do it, but I've always loved reading."
20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
L'yhta puts an index finger to cheek and looks up for a moment, then says, "I'd guess I'd say my father. He was always so strong, so cool, and so in control. The few times beastmen would attack the village, he'd lead the defense, and he even got the few Roegadyn living there to help out, too. Everyone loved him, and he helped and protected everyone."
21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
"You know, up until I got older, I pretty much got along with all my siblings. One of them, L'ioryha, always put me down because I wasn't as great as she was, but everyone thought she was a bitch anyway, so whatever. L'rhilo was sort of a surrogate father, and I helped with raising my younger sisters. And my mom, she was always very sweet to me -- up until I left the tribe, anyway."
22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
L'yhta sighs. "I didn't really know what I wanted to be, since I wasn't all that great at anything. I thought about singing, but in a little village, there's no room for people who are only performers." Her face darkens as she adds, "My mother thought I should be one of the nunh's favorites and be a mother, or at least his favored lover. That bitter little potion didn't come up until I was older, though."
23. As a child, what were your favorite activities?
"Running around, swimming, watching the tide go in and out, reading and listening to old stories, playing tricks on people... you know, the usual kid stuff."
24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?
L'yhta leans back and crosses her ankles in front her as an impish grin slips across her face. "Remember when I said the Choir thought I was hyperactive? Take how I am now and imagine it like a hundred times worse. My sisters used to say they'd see me running up walls and along the ceiling."
25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
The grin fades and she crosses her arms. "Popular?" She lets out an abrupt, harsh laugh. "Not even like a little. Look," she says, wagging her finger as she speaks, "my tribe, like a lot of miqo'te, was always looking for excellence and perfection. As the gangly fifth child in a family full of beautiful girls and a heroic boy, no one thought I was anything special.
"I mean, sure, I had a few friends who liked to go exploring with me, but they eventually grew out of it. I'd say from about 14 on, I kept to myself a lot."
26. When and with whom was your first kiss?
L'yhta's tail straightens and puffs up. "Next question," she spits.
27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
L'yhta's ears flatten against her head. She pulls her legs back under the chair as she leans forward, her eyes narrowed. "I'm not talking about this, period. Drop it."
28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
After a long pause, she leans back and lets out a deep breath; her ears lift back up and her tail drops back to a slow swish behind her. "There's three things. One," she enumerates with her fingers, "Mister Fletcher and his legacy. He gave his life for others, and I want him to look up from the underworld and be proud of me. Two, my family. Look, I know I may not seem that keen on them, but all of them -- especially my father -- are exemplars of miqo'te excellence, and I want to live up to their name. Three, seeing all the death and destruction by Bahamut..." She trails off into a pause, then continues quietly, "I want to help protect people. I don't want anyone to have to see their family and friends die because good people did nothing."
15. How would you describe your childhood in general?
"I guess it was okay. Unlike the rest of my family, I wasn't that great at the logging, fishing, cooking, or any of that other village stuff. I mean, I was okay, but since everyone was expecting me to be like the second coming of the Twelve because of how great my sisters and my brother were, I didn't really live up to expectations.
"It wasn't too bad, though. I had a mother, a father -- sort of -- and a family, a place to live, and stuff to eat. A lot of people have it a lot worse than I did, especially now."
16. What is your earliest memory?
L'yhta looks up and taps her index fingers on her knees as she thinks. "I remember being woken up in the night by a loud crash of thunder. I shrieked, and L'rhilo came over and told me the thunder was the Twelve fighting all the evil in the world. I guess that explanation worked for me, because I felt a lot better. Then he hugged me until I fell asleep."
She sighs and looks down, shaking her head. "He was really a major father figure for me, since my actual father was fairly distant, being the nunh and all. He didn't come around a whole lot, though when he did, he was always just brilliant."
17. How much schooling have you had?
"Formally? Like in an actual school? Not a bit. We didn't have one in Greencliff, because no one thought 'book learning' was all that useful. My mother taught me letters and I had some books to read, but that's about it."
Her face lights up with a smile. "Now, after I got to Limsa Lominsa and met Mister Fletcher? I didn't go to a formal school, but he and the rest of the Choir taught me just about everything I know now, and I spent a lot of time reading through all his books on history, literature, geometry, logic... I guess I'm an autodidact in a lot of fields.
Noticing something on the face of the interviewer, her ears flatten a bit and her tail swishes quickly. "Yes, I know what that means!"
18. Did you enjoy school?
L'yhta's tail slows to a stop as she replies. "I enjoyed reading all those books. And I definitely enjoyed learning how to shape Aether!"
19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
"Didn't I just tell you that?" She leans forward. "Who wrote this list of questions anyhow?"
With a roll of her eyes, she then says, "Mister Fletcher and the rest of his Choir taught me how to shape Aether, whether it's my own Aether or that I call from the land around me. Each of them was practiced in one of the disciplines of magic, and since I'm so awesomelite at magic, they made sure I learned all of them." She smiles smugly.
"As for the other stuff? Lots of reading on my own. Mister Fletcher was going to insist that I do it, but I've always loved reading."
20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
L'yhta puts an index finger to cheek and looks up for a moment, then says, "I'd guess I'd say my father. He was always so strong, so cool, and so in control. The few times beastmen would attack the village, he'd lead the defense, and he even got the few Roegadyn living there to help out, too. Everyone loved him, and he helped and protected everyone."
21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
"You know, up until I got older, I pretty much got along with all my siblings. One of them, L'ioryha, always put me down because I wasn't as great as she was, but everyone thought she was a bitch anyway, so whatever. L'rhilo was sort of a surrogate father, and I helped with raising my younger sisters. And my mom, she was always very sweet to me -- up until I left the tribe, anyway."
22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
L'yhta sighs. "I didn't really know what I wanted to be, since I wasn't all that great at anything. I thought about singing, but in a little village, there's no room for people who are only performers." Her face darkens as she adds, "My mother thought I should be one of the nunh's favorites and be a mother, or at least his favored lover. That bitter little potion didn't come up until I was older, though."
23. As a child, what were your favorite activities?
"Running around, swimming, watching the tide go in and out, reading and listening to old stories, playing tricks on people... you know, the usual kid stuff."
24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?
L'yhta leans back and crosses her ankles in front her as an impish grin slips across her face. "Remember when I said the Choir thought I was hyperactive? Take how I am now and imagine it like a hundred times worse. My sisters used to say they'd see me running up walls and along the ceiling."
25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
The grin fades and she crosses her arms. "Popular?" She lets out an abrupt, harsh laugh. "Not even like a little. Look," she says, wagging her finger as she speaks, "my tribe, like a lot of miqo'te, was always looking for excellence and perfection. As the gangly fifth child in a family full of beautiful girls and a heroic boy, no one thought I was anything special.
"I mean, sure, I had a few friends who liked to go exploring with me, but they eventually grew out of it. I'd say from about 14 on, I kept to myself a lot."
26. When and with whom was your first kiss?
L'yhta's tail straightens and puffs up. "Next question," she spits.
27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
L'yhta's ears flatten against her head. She pulls her legs back under the chair as she leans forward, her eyes narrowed. "I'm not talking about this, period. Drop it."
28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
After a long pause, she leans back and lets out a deep breath; her ears lift back up and her tail drops back to a slow swish behind her. "There's three things. One," she enumerates with her fingers, "Mister Fletcher and his legacy. He gave his life for others, and I want him to look up from the underworld and be proud of me. Two, my family. Look, I know I may not seem that keen on them, but all of them -- especially my father -- are exemplars of miqo'te excellence, and I want to live up to their name. Three, seeing all the death and destruction by Bahamut..." She trails off into a pause, then continues quietly, "I want to help protect people. I don't want anyone to have to see their family and friends die because good people did nothing."
Show Content
Part 3: Past Influences
29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
L'yhta blinks a few times, then widens her eyes and shrugs a little. "There's a lot to choose from, but I'd have to say running into Mister Fletcher. Like, literally running into him and spilling tea all over his robes like the idiot teenager I was. Before I met him, I was almost out of money and was going to have to be one of those... 'kittens' you see whoring themselves out on the streets," she says, her eyes narrowed. "Thanks to him, I'm the superstounding Aether-weaver extraordinaire you see today!"
30. Who has had the most influence on you?
"I just... never mind. I'm getting used to this repetition game you and your oh-so-smart piece of paper like to play," she answers with a waggle of her eyebrows. "Like I already said, Mister Fletcher. More than anyone else, he showed me what I could do, what I could be, and the true meaning of courage. You tell me a 70 year old man standing in the vanguard against a swarm of Sahagin, saving lives and throwing fireballs in the chaos with only a robe and a stick for protection, isn't a true vision of courage!"
31. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
"Being me, of course!" She winks, then adds more sedately, "I haven't really done anything all that great yet, you know? I know I have a great destiny, but I haven't run into it yet.
"Tell you what, when I save the world, I'll come back and tell you how I did it."
32. What is your greatest regret?
L'yhta starts to say something, stops, then taps her foot on the floor for a moment before saying, quietly, "Actually doing what Mister Fletcher said that day when he went into battle. I always think that if I'd run in, if I'd cast Cure or Fire at just the right moment, I'd have saved him, and he'd still be here with m-- us. I know that's crazy; I know that if I'd stepped out past the rear guard, some Sahagin warrior'd been eating L'yhta-steaks that night; but... I always regret not trying."
33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
"If I did something evil," she grins, "why do you think I'd be telling you about it? Just because most bad guys like to monologue doesn't mean I do.
"Yeah, didn't answer your question there. Look, I think I stole some candy when I was a kid once. I'm on the side of Good and Awesome here."
34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?
"Nope!"
35. When was the time you were the most frightened?
L'yhta pauses for a brief moment, then shakes her head. "I'm not going to talk about that with you. Pass."
36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?
Her face lightens as she chuckles. "When I was 16, I made a bet with some of the kids in Greencliff that I could do a triple flip when diving off the cliffs into the ocean. Not only did I not do it, my bottoms got caught on a tree branch and I was totally naked when I popped out of the water, coughing and spitting, with everyone watching. I couldn't really catch my breath because of how hard I hit the water, so one of the tia had to pull me out of the drink." She blushes slightly and shakes her head, a tiny smile on her face. "So, naked girl, talked a big game, then just made a fool of herself and had to be pulled to shore so she wouldn't drown. Not my finest hour."
37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
"I'd have left my tribe before L'rhilo became nunh, that's for damn sure," she blurts out coldly before catching herself and waving her hand dismissively as she looks away. "Keep going. There's a lot I'd change from my past, and I'm not keen on talking about any of it."
38. What is your best memory?
She sighs wistfully. "I've got a lot of good memories -- the times I was with my father, baking fish cakes with my mother, casting my first spell, dancing in the moonlight on the docks of the city -- more than I probably deserve, you know? I wouldn't want to pick one in particular."
39. What is your worst memory?
"The day Mister Fletcher and the rest of the Choir passed. I..." She takes a deep breath. "I think I've relived that enough for one day; let's keep going."
29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
L'yhta blinks a few times, then widens her eyes and shrugs a little. "There's a lot to choose from, but I'd have to say running into Mister Fletcher. Like, literally running into him and spilling tea all over his robes like the idiot teenager I was. Before I met him, I was almost out of money and was going to have to be one of those... 'kittens' you see whoring themselves out on the streets," she says, her eyes narrowed. "Thanks to him, I'm the superstounding Aether-weaver extraordinaire you see today!"
30. Who has had the most influence on you?
"I just... never mind. I'm getting used to this repetition game you and your oh-so-smart piece of paper like to play," she answers with a waggle of her eyebrows. "Like I already said, Mister Fletcher. More than anyone else, he showed me what I could do, what I could be, and the true meaning of courage. You tell me a 70 year old man standing in the vanguard against a swarm of Sahagin, saving lives and throwing fireballs in the chaos with only a robe and a stick for protection, isn't a true vision of courage!"
31. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
"Being me, of course!" She winks, then adds more sedately, "I haven't really done anything all that great yet, you know? I know I have a great destiny, but I haven't run into it yet.
"Tell you what, when I save the world, I'll come back and tell you how I did it."
32. What is your greatest regret?
L'yhta starts to say something, stops, then taps her foot on the floor for a moment before saying, quietly, "Actually doing what Mister Fletcher said that day when he went into battle. I always think that if I'd run in, if I'd cast Cure or Fire at just the right moment, I'd have saved him, and he'd still be here with m-- us. I know that's crazy; I know that if I'd stepped out past the rear guard, some Sahagin warrior'd been eating L'yhta-steaks that night; but... I always regret not trying."
33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
"If I did something evil," she grins, "why do you think I'd be telling you about it? Just because most bad guys like to monologue doesn't mean I do.
"Yeah, didn't answer your question there. Look, I think I stole some candy when I was a kid once. I'm on the side of Good and Awesome here."
34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?
"Nope!"
35. When was the time you were the most frightened?
L'yhta pauses for a brief moment, then shakes her head. "I'm not going to talk about that with you. Pass."
36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?
Her face lightens as she chuckles. "When I was 16, I made a bet with some of the kids in Greencliff that I could do a triple flip when diving off the cliffs into the ocean. Not only did I not do it, my bottoms got caught on a tree branch and I was totally naked when I popped out of the water, coughing and spitting, with everyone watching. I couldn't really catch my breath because of how hard I hit the water, so one of the tia had to pull me out of the drink." She blushes slightly and shakes her head, a tiny smile on her face. "So, naked girl, talked a big game, then just made a fool of herself and had to be pulled to shore so she wouldn't drown. Not my finest hour."
37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
"I'd have left my tribe before L'rhilo became nunh, that's for damn sure," she blurts out coldly before catching herself and waving her hand dismissively as she looks away. "Keep going. There's a lot I'd change from my past, and I'm not keen on talking about any of it."
38. What is your best memory?
She sighs wistfully. "I've got a lot of good memories -- the times I was with my father, baking fish cakes with my mother, casting my first spell, dancing in the moonlight on the docks of the city -- more than I probably deserve, you know? I wouldn't want to pick one in particular."
39. What is your worst memory?
"The day Mister Fletcher and the rest of the Choir passed. I..." She takes a deep breath. "I think I've relived that enough for one day; let's keep going."
Show Content
Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions
40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
L'yhta cants her head to the side, skeptically. "Do you really need me to say it? Optimistic! Eorzea's going to keep getting better, and I'm going to see to that!"
41. What is your greatest fear?
"Okay, seriously, I know you have to ask all the questions on that paper, but really? How many people actually answer that? And of those how many people do you think actually tell you the truth?
"You still want an answer? O-kay, here you go: being alone and powerless and out of options. Aaand I'm not going to elaborate."
42. What are your religious views?
L'yhta leans back in her chair. "So, you've got the Twelve, and sometimes they'll step in to help you out when you need it. The way I look at it, even if they're not always watching over us, there's no harm in at least asking for their help when you need it, or following the examples of their teachings. Who knows? You might get your prayers answered.
"Calling one of them my patron, though? I don't think so. I've seen and felt a more immediate power who's got my back."
43. What are your political views?
"The Admiral is awesome. I'd follow her into the maw of the Seven Hells if she needed it. Since she's doing a great job ruling the city -- especially with all the people trying to pull it apart -- I'm behind her all the way.
"I guess more generally I think most politicians are power-hungry jerks. Especially in Ul'dah," she says with a soft giggle. "The Admiral, though, she's there because she's got the strength and the wisdom to helm the ship. Other than that, I'm not really into politics."
44. What are your views on sex?
L'yhta rolls her eyes. "Are we going to keep coming back to this? You and that piece of paper are trying to hit on me, is that it? Next question." She then mutters, "Gods, can't get away from the damned stereotypes here, either..."
45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
She purses her lips. "Yes. To protect someone, to stop a greater evil..."
Her voice trails off into a silence that she holds for a moment before continuing. "Let's get real for a minute here. I weave Aether into massive rocks, fireballs, and lightning cages. When I cast a spell, someone's going to get hurt, and honestly, some of them are going to die. I don't get too broken up about people who want to kill us, tear down everything we've built, and control the minds of the world for their own advantage dying by my hand.
"Do I like it? Nope. Do I wish I could just heal and protect people? Sometimes, yeah, I do. But this world has a lot of evil in it, and usually there's only one way to stop it."
46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
L'yhta blinks. "There's... wow, um, I don't even want to think about the depths of evil to which people can go. Slavery? Rape? Tearing children from their parents' arms? Killing for fun? Once you go far enough down that road, it's all about at the same level."
47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
She giggles and waves the question away. "Oh, I'm sure. I've never run into either yet, so maybe you should ask someone else."
48. What do you believe makes a successful life?
"Being happy, meeting and fulfilling your destiny, and living with as few regrets as possible. Also, being brilliant while doing all of that."
49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?
L'yhta blinks. "Remember when I said that there's some questions that you're never going to get a real answer on? This is one of those questions. By the Twelve, why would you even think asking this question would get a true answer from anyone?
"And more importantly, you've been talking to me for like an hour or something now and you can probably answer this one yourself. So there." She blows the interviewer a raspberry.
50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
"Oh, probably. Here's one for you: those little domesticated kittens running around, flashing their skin and acting all cute for the sailors so they can sell their bodies for coin. They make all miqo'te look bad."
51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
Her tail begins to flick through the air. "Yes, but nothing I'm going to talk about with you."
52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
"My freedom. The lives of others, if my dying would actually save them. Um... truth, beauty, freedom, and love?"
40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
L'yhta cants her head to the side, skeptically. "Do you really need me to say it? Optimistic! Eorzea's going to keep getting better, and I'm going to see to that!"
41. What is your greatest fear?
"Okay, seriously, I know you have to ask all the questions on that paper, but really? How many people actually answer that? And of those how many people do you think actually tell you the truth?
"You still want an answer? O-kay, here you go: being alone and powerless and out of options. Aaand I'm not going to elaborate."
42. What are your religious views?
L'yhta leans back in her chair. "So, you've got the Twelve, and sometimes they'll step in to help you out when you need it. The way I look at it, even if they're not always watching over us, there's no harm in at least asking for their help when you need it, or following the examples of their teachings. Who knows? You might get your prayers answered.
"Calling one of them my patron, though? I don't think so. I've seen and felt a more immediate power who's got my back."
43. What are your political views?
"The Admiral is awesome. I'd follow her into the maw of the Seven Hells if she needed it. Since she's doing a great job ruling the city -- especially with all the people trying to pull it apart -- I'm behind her all the way.
"I guess more generally I think most politicians are power-hungry jerks. Especially in Ul'dah," she says with a soft giggle. "The Admiral, though, she's there because she's got the strength and the wisdom to helm the ship. Other than that, I'm not really into politics."
44. What are your views on sex?
L'yhta rolls her eyes. "Are we going to keep coming back to this? You and that piece of paper are trying to hit on me, is that it? Next question." She then mutters, "Gods, can't get away from the damned stereotypes here, either..."
45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
She purses her lips. "Yes. To protect someone, to stop a greater evil..."
Her voice trails off into a silence that she holds for a moment before continuing. "Let's get real for a minute here. I weave Aether into massive rocks, fireballs, and lightning cages. When I cast a spell, someone's going to get hurt, and honestly, some of them are going to die. I don't get too broken up about people who want to kill us, tear down everything we've built, and control the minds of the world for their own advantage dying by my hand.
"Do I like it? Nope. Do I wish I could just heal and protect people? Sometimes, yeah, I do. But this world has a lot of evil in it, and usually there's only one way to stop it."
46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
L'yhta blinks. "There's... wow, um, I don't even want to think about the depths of evil to which people can go. Slavery? Rape? Tearing children from their parents' arms? Killing for fun? Once you go far enough down that road, it's all about at the same level."
47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
She giggles and waves the question away. "Oh, I'm sure. I've never run into either yet, so maybe you should ask someone else."
48. What do you believe makes a successful life?
"Being happy, meeting and fulfilling your destiny, and living with as few regrets as possible. Also, being brilliant while doing all of that."
49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?
L'yhta blinks. "Remember when I said that there's some questions that you're never going to get a real answer on? This is one of those questions. By the Twelve, why would you even think asking this question would get a true answer from anyone?
"And more importantly, you've been talking to me for like an hour or something now and you can probably answer this one yourself. So there." She blows the interviewer a raspberry.
50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
"Oh, probably. Here's one for you: those little domesticated kittens running around, flashing their skin and acting all cute for the sailors so they can sell their bodies for coin. They make all miqo'te look bad."
51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
Her tail begins to flick through the air. "Yes, but nothing I'm going to talk about with you."
52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
"My freedom. The lives of others, if my dying would actually save them. Um... truth, beauty, freedom, and love?"
Show Content
Part 5: Relationships With Others
53. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?
L'yhta crosses her legs at her ankles. "That I've been sitting here answering your questions at length kind of answers that, doesn't it?" she replies with a smile. "I like to think I'm an open, friendly person to everyone. I think most people are basically good, and being nice can help bring that out. Also, I like meeting people. And being grouchy puts me in a bad mood, and I don't like that."
54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
"Right now? I think it's still Mister Fletcher, or at least his memory, for all the reasons I've told you before." She smiles a little, perhaps a bit sadly. "I know it's kind of morbid to call a dead person the most important person in your life, but no one else has taken his place yet."
55. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?
"That's actually kind of a tough question, you know? I respect the Admiral immensely, but I also have a lot of respect for E-Sumi-Yan of the Conjurers' guild and the brothers who run the Thaumaturges' guild. It's hard work teaching people, especially if they don't have the best aptitude for magic.
"And, of course, I respect the memory of Mister Fletcher and my father, L'mahre Nunh. I try to live up to their example."
56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people.
"Uh..." She pauses, stumbling on the question for a moment. "Other than the Chairs of the Choir... who're all gone now... I'm pretty alone right now." She purses her lips, then adds, "I mean, it's not like I'm not used to that, but still."
57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person.
"Nope. Next!"
58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
L'yhta sighs. "More of these questions? No. Not yet. Moving on..."
59. What do you look for in a potential lover?
"Thal's bloody balls, would you stop with the Gods-damned questions about sex? You really want me to talk about this? Fine!"
Her tail snaps to and fro angrily as she continues in a strained voice. "I want someone smart, someone strong, someone who wants to be with me instead of just feels they have to. I want someone who can stand with me against the forces of darkness, whose lap I can put my head on, and who I can cuddle with when I'm cold.
"That good enough for you? Now drop it. Gods."
60. How close are you to your family?
L'yhta takes a while to respond, instead looking away and pouting. Finally, she turns back to the interviewer, her arms crossed. "Since I left the tribe, we haven't been in touch. I didn't leave on good terms, so I doubt they want to talk to me. I still love them, well, most of them, but I don't think there's going to be a tearful reconciliation any time soon."
61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?
"I really haven't thought about it, honestly. I doubt I'd be a good mother, anyway," she replies, her voice taking on a dejected edge.
62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?
"I guess the Maelstrom, or maybe the adventurer's guild? I, uh, don't have a whole lot of friends right now that I can fall back on. Since the Choir was... closed, anyway."
63. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
"When I go out into the world, I usually work with other adventurers, and yeah, I trust them to protect me against the giant beasties we fight. We're all professionals... usually.
"Other than that... I don't really have anyone who'd do that for me." She stops, casting her gaze away for a long moment before looking back and gesturing broadly with her arms. "Usually, I'm the one doing the protecting!"
64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
L'yhta blinks twice and shrugs, replying coolly, "Probably no one."
65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why?
"I don't think I despise anyone. I mean, that paper you're reading questions off of annoys me, but I don't despise it. I'm not really the kind of person to hate, I don't think."
66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
"I argued with you, didn't I?" She laughs quietly. "I mean, I don't look for fights, but I'm not going to back down from one when someone's totally wrong."
67. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
"When you're as stupendiferous as I am, and also as supercharged with energy, you kind of end up being in charge whether you like it or not," she notes with a broad smile.
68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?
"I guess that depends on what you mean by 'interacting,' you know? I'm not entirely comfortable with giving speeches, I guess, not that I get to do that a lot. What I don't really like is being at a big party when no one wants to talk to me, even if I try to talk to them. I guess that reminds me too much of my childhood."
69. Do you care what others think of you?
"Of course not!" She laughs, although with a bit of an edge that suggests she's not being entirely truthful.
53. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?
L'yhta crosses her legs at her ankles. "That I've been sitting here answering your questions at length kind of answers that, doesn't it?" she replies with a smile. "I like to think I'm an open, friendly person to everyone. I think most people are basically good, and being nice can help bring that out. Also, I like meeting people. And being grouchy puts me in a bad mood, and I don't like that."
54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
"Right now? I think it's still Mister Fletcher, or at least his memory, for all the reasons I've told you before." She smiles a little, perhaps a bit sadly. "I know it's kind of morbid to call a dead person the most important person in your life, but no one else has taken his place yet."
55. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?
"That's actually kind of a tough question, you know? I respect the Admiral immensely, but I also have a lot of respect for E-Sumi-Yan of the Conjurers' guild and the brothers who run the Thaumaturges' guild. It's hard work teaching people, especially if they don't have the best aptitude for magic.
"And, of course, I respect the memory of Mister Fletcher and my father, L'mahre Nunh. I try to live up to their example."
56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people.
"Uh..." She pauses, stumbling on the question for a moment. "Other than the Chairs of the Choir... who're all gone now... I'm pretty alone right now." She purses her lips, then adds, "I mean, it's not like I'm not used to that, but still."
57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person.
"Nope. Next!"
58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
L'yhta sighs. "More of these questions? No. Not yet. Moving on..."
59. What do you look for in a potential lover?
"Thal's bloody balls, would you stop with the Gods-damned questions about sex? You really want me to talk about this? Fine!"
Her tail snaps to and fro angrily as she continues in a strained voice. "I want someone smart, someone strong, someone who wants to be with me instead of just feels they have to. I want someone who can stand with me against the forces of darkness, whose lap I can put my head on, and who I can cuddle with when I'm cold.
"That good enough for you? Now drop it. Gods."
60. How close are you to your family?
L'yhta takes a while to respond, instead looking away and pouting. Finally, she turns back to the interviewer, her arms crossed. "Since I left the tribe, we haven't been in touch. I didn't leave on good terms, so I doubt they want to talk to me. I still love them, well, most of them, but I don't think there's going to be a tearful reconciliation any time soon."
61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?
"I really haven't thought about it, honestly. I doubt I'd be a good mother, anyway," she replies, her voice taking on a dejected edge.
62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?
"I guess the Maelstrom, or maybe the adventurer's guild? I, uh, don't have a whole lot of friends right now that I can fall back on. Since the Choir was... closed, anyway."
63. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
"When I go out into the world, I usually work with other adventurers, and yeah, I trust them to protect me against the giant beasties we fight. We're all professionals... usually.
"Other than that... I don't really have anyone who'd do that for me." She stops, casting her gaze away for a long moment before looking back and gesturing broadly with her arms. "Usually, I'm the one doing the protecting!"
64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
L'yhta blinks twice and shrugs, replying coolly, "Probably no one."
65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why?
"I don't think I despise anyone. I mean, that paper you're reading questions off of annoys me, but I don't despise it. I'm not really the kind of person to hate, I don't think."
66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
"I argued with you, didn't I?" She laughs quietly. "I mean, I don't look for fights, but I'm not going to back down from one when someone's totally wrong."
67. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
"When you're as stupendiferous as I am, and also as supercharged with energy, you kind of end up being in charge whether you like it or not," she notes with a broad smile.
68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?
"I guess that depends on what you mean by 'interacting,' you know? I'm not entirely comfortable with giving speeches, I guess, not that I get to do that a lot. What I don't really like is being at a big party when no one wants to talk to me, even if I try to talk to them. I guess that reminds me too much of my childhood."
69. Do you care what others think of you?
"Of course not!" She laughs, although with a bit of an edge that suggests she's not being entirely truthful.
Show Content
Part 6: Likes And Dislikes
70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
"I like reading, and swimming, and singing -- especially ballads, I really like those, and dirty sea shanties -- oh, and dancing! I'm not that great at it, but part of my training with the Choir was special meditating positions that I'd have to hold for a while."
She hops up and arches backwards, putting her left arm before her and her right to one side for balance. Then, she slides the ball of her left foot up to the side of her knee. She remains perfectly still in that position for about a minute before retaking her seat. "That was Hachi, the Bird. The idea was that, by sensing and controlling your body, you can better sense and control Aether. Plus, they look really neat when you put them into dances." She smiles brightly.
71. What is your most treasured possession?
"I have an old map of Eorzea that Mister Fletcher got from his mentor and passed down to me. It's really old and has all sorts of interesting places and things marked on it. Something I want to do is see all the places they marked on it, mark some new ones of my own, and maybe pass it to an apprentice of mine one day."
72. What is your favorite color?
"Red!"
73. What is your favorite food?
"Jellied fruits, of course! But I can't just eat those, you know? I also like roasted fish and juices, especially orange juice, and that's great because Limsa Lominsa has the best oranges in the world."
74. What, if anything, do you like to read?
L'yhta taps her feet on the floor, her eyes wide and her smile broad. "All of the books! Really, I'll read anything, because every tome or essay has something to say. I guess my favorite things to read are mystery novels, but like I said, I love reading."
75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)?
"Muuuuuusiiiiiiic," she belts out, "is kind of my thing -- symphonies, operas, solos, ensembles, vocal, instrumental, anything. And musicals. Oh, and interpretive dance, but only if the music is good. I don't like people interpreting other stuff."
76. Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit?
"Nope, sometimes, rarely. Smoking because it's nasty, blech," she says, waving her hands across her face for emphasis, "though I like the smell of incense and pipe smoke. Drinking, because a lot of people do it and there's a lot of neat tasting beers out there. Yes, I'm a beer girl, but I also like sparkling wines. Drugs, it sort of depends on the drug, you know? There's some mind-expanding drugs that can give you new insights into problems or life, but there's also some herbs that are mind-closing -- they just knock you out and trap you in yourself. I don't use those. And anyway, I don't use any a lot, because when I'm out of my mind, how can I help save the world?"
77. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
L'yhta's smile fades a bit. "I get up early, do my meditations and exercises, then get some food at the Bismark and watch the sea and the ships come and go. I might do some fishing, or maybe go swim and sun myself a bit. Then, um, I usually go read. I... it's been kind of lonely lately, you know? But I'm going to start going out more."
78. What makes you laugh?
"Ooh, really bad puns. Those're probably my major weakness."
79. What, if anything, shocks or offends you?
Her smile disappears. "Lots of things shock me. Garleans killing people because they don't wear the right flag, beastmen killing people out of jealousy, Eorzeans abusing each other because they can get away with it. That all shocks and offends me. It's the... the potential for just true evil in some people that shocks me, when everyone starts out essentially good."
She blinks a few times. "That, uh, got kind of dark and existential."
80. What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?
"Go out... drinking? I guess? Probably meditate, really, or dance. I actually sleep pretty well most of the time."
81. How do you deal with stress?
"I go through my meditation positions to try to center myself. That usually works, because I have to focus on every little part of myself and then on the world around me. It really put things in perspective, you know?
82. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
"Planning's for chumps," she says with a playful grin. "I mean, I plan things when I have to, but I like jumping into things to see what happens!"
83. What are your pet peeves?
"I mean, other than all the stuff I already mentioned? ...Gods, domesticated kittens annoy me. Like a lot. The other races already think we're savages and sluts, and that doesn't help. But I also don't like those people of other races who go in for the exotic little... 'cat girls'," she spits spitefully, "and make it acceptable."
70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
"I like reading, and swimming, and singing -- especially ballads, I really like those, and dirty sea shanties -- oh, and dancing! I'm not that great at it, but part of my training with the Choir was special meditating positions that I'd have to hold for a while."
She hops up and arches backwards, putting her left arm before her and her right to one side for balance. Then, she slides the ball of her left foot up to the side of her knee. She remains perfectly still in that position for about a minute before retaking her seat. "That was Hachi, the Bird. The idea was that, by sensing and controlling your body, you can better sense and control Aether. Plus, they look really neat when you put them into dances." She smiles brightly.
71. What is your most treasured possession?
"I have an old map of Eorzea that Mister Fletcher got from his mentor and passed down to me. It's really old and has all sorts of interesting places and things marked on it. Something I want to do is see all the places they marked on it, mark some new ones of my own, and maybe pass it to an apprentice of mine one day."
72. What is your favorite color?
"Red!"
73. What is your favorite food?
"Jellied fruits, of course! But I can't just eat those, you know? I also like roasted fish and juices, especially orange juice, and that's great because Limsa Lominsa has the best oranges in the world."
74. What, if anything, do you like to read?
L'yhta taps her feet on the floor, her eyes wide and her smile broad. "All of the books! Really, I'll read anything, because every tome or essay has something to say. I guess my favorite things to read are mystery novels, but like I said, I love reading."
75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)?
"Muuuuuusiiiiiiic," she belts out, "is kind of my thing -- symphonies, operas, solos, ensembles, vocal, instrumental, anything. And musicals. Oh, and interpretive dance, but only if the music is good. I don't like people interpreting other stuff."
76. Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit?
"Nope, sometimes, rarely. Smoking because it's nasty, blech," she says, waving her hands across her face for emphasis, "though I like the smell of incense and pipe smoke. Drinking, because a lot of people do it and there's a lot of neat tasting beers out there. Yes, I'm a beer girl, but I also like sparkling wines. Drugs, it sort of depends on the drug, you know? There's some mind-expanding drugs that can give you new insights into problems or life, but there's also some herbs that are mind-closing -- they just knock you out and trap you in yourself. I don't use those. And anyway, I don't use any a lot, because when I'm out of my mind, how can I help save the world?"
77. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
L'yhta's smile fades a bit. "I get up early, do my meditations and exercises, then get some food at the Bismark and watch the sea and the ships come and go. I might do some fishing, or maybe go swim and sun myself a bit. Then, um, I usually go read. I... it's been kind of lonely lately, you know? But I'm going to start going out more."
78. What makes you laugh?
"Ooh, really bad puns. Those're probably my major weakness."
79. What, if anything, shocks or offends you?
Her smile disappears. "Lots of things shock me. Garleans killing people because they don't wear the right flag, beastmen killing people out of jealousy, Eorzeans abusing each other because they can get away with it. That all shocks and offends me. It's the... the potential for just true evil in some people that shocks me, when everyone starts out essentially good."
She blinks a few times. "That, uh, got kind of dark and existential."
80. What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?
"Go out... drinking? I guess? Probably meditate, really, or dance. I actually sleep pretty well most of the time."
81. How do you deal with stress?
"I go through my meditation positions to try to center myself. That usually works, because I have to focus on every little part of myself and then on the world around me. It really put things in perspective, you know?
82. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
"Planning's for chumps," she says with a playful grin. "I mean, I plan things when I have to, but I like jumping into things to see what happens!"
83. What are your pet peeves?
"I mean, other than all the stuff I already mentioned? ...Gods, domesticated kittens annoy me. Like a lot. The other races already think we're savages and sluts, and that doesn't help. But I also don't like those people of other races who go in for the exotic little... 'cat girls'," she spits spitefully, "and make it acceptable."
Show Content
Part 7: Self Images And Etc.
84. Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?
"Most of my days aren't routine!" she says, leaning forward. "I do lots of stuff all the time, since I don't plan a whole lot, you know? Buuut if something gets between me and what I want to do, honestly? I get kind of grouchy."
85. What is your greatest strength as a person?
"Being totalrifficly superawesome!"
86. What is your greatest weakness?
L'yhta thinks for a moment, rubbing the back of her neck, then looks up. "I guess that I'm a little too spontaneous and 'jump in, it looks clear!' for my own good."
87. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
"Why would I want to change anything? I'm brilliant."
She lets that hang in the air for a moment, then continues, "I'd maybe be a bit more introspective, I guess, not just flitting from one thing to another."
88. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
"You tell me, mister 'I have a quill and a piece of paper and've been asking all these questions that this incredibly smart and witty woman's been answering candidly.'"
89. Are you generally organized or messy?
"Don't ever come to my apartment! It has load-bearing books!" she answers with a laugh.
90. Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.
"Only three? Ooo-kay." She counts each off with her fingers: "First, magic. Second, openness. Third, willpower."
"Things I'm bad at: aiming at things, including with swords and spears. I was never great at that. Second, accepting people who do stupid or hateful things. Third, shutting up, at least that's what I've been told from time to time."
91. Do you like yourself?
"Do I like myself? Have you been listening to me at all, mister?"
92. What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons…)
L'yhta gets a bit more sedate as she replies, "Because I want to help people and make the world a better place. Because I want to honor the memory of Mister Fletcher and the rest of the Choir. Because I want to live up to the name of my family, even I don't see them any more. Because I want to be most excellent, and it's probably the thing I'm best at!"
93. What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
"Save the world! I mean, maybe with others, and it'd be better to keep things from getting to that point, but if the world needs saving, I want to do it!"
94. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"...Still living in Limsa Lominsa? Still being magnifijestic? Maybe teaching apprentices? I don't know, you know I don't plan more than like a day or two ahead."
95. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
"Big boom, taking out some great evil and saving millions. Maybe billions."
96. If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.
"Augh," she says, leaning back in her chair, "that's terribly morbid! I'd probably find an apprentice, will all my stuff to them so they can learn the arts of Aether, then go find some big bad and make him wish he'd never set foot on Eorzea."
97. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?
"Being most excellent."
98. What three words best describe your personality?
"I'll give you three with alliteration! Bubbly, bright, brilliant."
99. What three words would others probably use to describe you?
L'yhta blinks. "That kind of depends on who you ask, doesn't it? I mean, some would probably say, 'impatient, hyperactive, supercilious.' Others might say, 'joyful, sylph-like, driven.' I mean, I could go on, but if you want to know what other people think about me, why not ask them, Mister Paper Man?"
100. If you could, what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice…)
The interviewer, from the shadows, finally looks up, only a flash of light from his glasses revealing the change in position. "L'yhta. You need to calm down and think more. You're smart, but wildly overconfident. Between that and all that you feel you need to prove, you do stupid things that are going to get you killed. Meet people. Make friends. Confide in them."
84. Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?
"Most of my days aren't routine!" she says, leaning forward. "I do lots of stuff all the time, since I don't plan a whole lot, you know? Buuut if something gets between me and what I want to do, honestly? I get kind of grouchy."
85. What is your greatest strength as a person?
"Being totalrifficly superawesome!"
86. What is your greatest weakness?
L'yhta thinks for a moment, rubbing the back of her neck, then looks up. "I guess that I'm a little too spontaneous and 'jump in, it looks clear!' for my own good."
87. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
"Why would I want to change anything? I'm brilliant."
She lets that hang in the air for a moment, then continues, "I'd maybe be a bit more introspective, I guess, not just flitting from one thing to another."
88. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
"You tell me, mister 'I have a quill and a piece of paper and've been asking all these questions that this incredibly smart and witty woman's been answering candidly.'"
89. Are you generally organized or messy?
"Don't ever come to my apartment! It has load-bearing books!" she answers with a laugh.
90. Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.
"Only three? Ooo-kay." She counts each off with her fingers: "First, magic. Second, openness. Third, willpower."
"Things I'm bad at: aiming at things, including with swords and spears. I was never great at that. Second, accepting people who do stupid or hateful things. Third, shutting up, at least that's what I've been told from time to time."
91. Do you like yourself?
"Do I like myself? Have you been listening to me at all, mister?"
92. What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons…)
L'yhta gets a bit more sedate as she replies, "Because I want to help people and make the world a better place. Because I want to honor the memory of Mister Fletcher and the rest of the Choir. Because I want to live up to the name of my family, even I don't see them any more. Because I want to be most excellent, and it's probably the thing I'm best at!"
93. What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
"Save the world! I mean, maybe with others, and it'd be better to keep things from getting to that point, but if the world needs saving, I want to do it!"
94. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"...Still living in Limsa Lominsa? Still being magnifijestic? Maybe teaching apprentices? I don't know, you know I don't plan more than like a day or two ahead."
95. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
"Big boom, taking out some great evil and saving millions. Maybe billions."
96. If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.
"Augh," she says, leaning back in her chair, "that's terribly morbid! I'd probably find an apprentice, will all my stuff to them so they can learn the arts of Aether, then go find some big bad and make him wish he'd never set foot on Eorzea."
97. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?
"Being most excellent."
98. What three words best describe your personality?
"I'll give you three with alliteration! Bubbly, bright, brilliant."
99. What three words would others probably use to describe you?
L'yhta blinks. "That kind of depends on who you ask, doesn't it? I mean, some would probably say, 'impatient, hyperactive, supercilious.' Others might say, 'joyful, sylph-like, driven.' I mean, I could go on, but if you want to know what other people think about me, why not ask them, Mister Paper Man?"
100. If you could, what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice…)
The interviewer, from the shadows, finally looks up, only a flash of light from his glasses revealing the change in position. "L'yhta. You need to calm down and think more. You're smart, but wildly overconfident. Between that and all that you feel you need to prove, you do stupid things that are going to get you killed. Meet people. Make friends. Confide in them."
L'yhta stares into the darkness for a long moment, then sighs and stands up. "Didn't think I was doing this to get an analysis of my life, gods. If I knew that, I wouldn't have shown up. But thanks for letting me talk about some stuff, just having someone to talk to helps sometimes."
On her way out, she stops at the door, turning her gaze back to the shadowed interviewer. "Thanks. Really." With that, she steps through the threshold into the fading Lominsan twilight.
The Freelance Wizard
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
