Clover

Andre wasn't the only person Schezar had reminded Clover of that day. When the man approached her with a coat that clearly seemed to belong to him, when he wrapped it around her shoulders to keep her warm, her eyes softened and her gaze lowered slightly. Being taken care of had become a strange, albeit nice sensation, one Clover hadn't experienced in a while. Not from the time her grandpa fell ill and it was her taking his hand, just like he'd always taken hers. She thought of him, also of her father. Memories had always been precious belongings, but happiness wasn't the only emotion they brought. To his request, an echo of her own even if their words had differed, a nod from her head was the only reply she could actually offer. The future was uncertain for the two of them; a soldier's life took place away from safety, for there was no such thing in war. She could only do her best, like he'd been doing up until now. That much, she could promise. Then, when her eyes raised again to meet his smile, two silent words could be read in them. 'Thank you', they said, sincere and open. [...] That night, alone in her room and about to sleep, Clover talked to her grandpa again. 'Dear grandpa. I know you've always been aware of this. Even in war, even in pain... this is still a beautiful world.'

The Tia's ears perked at the beginning of K'nahli's compliment, or what had sounded like one. Despite how nice her voice actually felt when she had something good to say, he still did his best to maintain his serious expression of eternal annoyance. He added nothing like the clumsy, awkward boy he was, limiting himself to step aside and let her perform. Despite his silence, there was actually a heart pounding crazily against his ribcage. Unblinking eyes followed K'nahli's every movement as she positioned herself and raised her bow; the longest seconds since the time he confessed his intentions. She looked heavily concentrated, and her movements weren't any less perfect than the usual. If he had the strength, she had the skill. And the wind, and the mind. Seconds passed. Tension raised, begging for a release, that of an arrow that would mean everything. Suddenly and without warning, a whistle in the blue sky gave the signal. The game was about to end. K'rahto's wide open eyes followed the arrow's course, silently wishing for it to fall as soon as possible. It felt like forever. The very moment it seemed to meet the ground, the impulsive boy started running in that direction. It'd only be a few more seconds before his fate would unfold in front of him. And it did, and it petrified him. The first arrow he found, the one which had landed first, was his own. K'nahli's wasn't much further, but that short distance meant a world. She'd won, he'd lost. The Tia remained in the spot, head slightly down, eyes glued to his traitorous arrow. He didn't know how to look at her now; he didn't want to be mocked, either. All he needed now was time. Time to lick his wounds, and to forget about K'nahli Yohko forever. "You win," he finally said, firmly even if he kept avoiding her gaze. His own remained on his own arrow, still, engraving that image in his mind. K'rahto'd always wanted to be strong, and this was the time for it. The game had lasted too much.

Nothing. This challenge had no relevance whatsoever in the real world, just like the contest itself. K'rahto was no archer, and he wouldn't become one even after this. Strength was the only point where he might be superior than K'nahli due to his training with the spear, and thus he wanted to go with it in a desperate attempt to surpass her. The Tia remained motionless for a few seconds when she told him to take the lead. Smart girl. He'd been hoping for her to go first in order to observe her position, but now he'd have to do with everything his sister had taught him. Without much choice, and before she'd have time to think that he wanted to give up, K'rahto inhaled deeply and moved to position himself. He'd chosen this challenge under the initial belief that his strength would suffice. Now, with the bow raising and his eyes posted on the yellow horizon, traitorous thoughts charged in doubts came to his mind. His position would also play an important role; even the course of the wind would. Strength alone wouldn't grant him any sort of victory, not even in the most simple of challenges. His open eye narrowed. He was thinking too much, wasting too much time. The Tia'd always been impulsive in his actions, yet K'nahli was making him doubt himself more than what was safe. He just needed to do it. Now. Without further delay, his arrow was set free with deadly speed.

K'nahli Yohko wasn't just an outstanding archer; she also exceeded at pushing certain buttons masterfully. Her provocations and mockery had a natural negative impact in the Tia, whose fists tightened and teeth bared lightly like a threat. He'd hardly gotten a single night of good sleep for the past suns, focusing on his training as if life depended on it, yet she had the nerve to feel insulted? "......................" The worst part was that no words could prove K'nahli wrong in her claims, and thus K'rahto didn't want to fall prey of them. Actions would speak louder if he managed to show his improvements to her. He just needed to keep his mind cool... which seemed even harder than defeating the female in an archery contest, really. Exhaling soundly and quickly through his nose, the Tia took a moment to clear his thoughts. What challenge could give him an advantage over her, if any...? "Distance," he spat with disdain, eyes narrowed. "No targets. Let's see who manages to send the arrow furthest."

Nice idea! My characters haven't developed too much, but I'll give it a try. What kind of stories has your character gotten into? Clover> She moved from Limsa Lominsa to Gridania (where she was born). There, she's been working at the Botany guild. She's made a few friends whose wounds she had to tend. Someone said "I love you" to her for the first time in her life, and she still doesn't know how to react. Lately, she's been pondering to join the Twin Adder, even if the idea scares her. K'mih> She managed to pass the adulthood test that every 16 years old Miqo'te from her tribe has to do. She's realized that she likes her father too much for her own good. Other than that, she's been living happily in the tribe, playing with her siblings. How has your character changed since the game re-launch? Clover> She's still the same girl. K'mih> She's mostly the same as well, simply more aware of her growing affection for her father. What has been your favorite RP moment so far? I can't really pick one. There are many scenes I've enjoyed. What was the most shocking RP moment this year? When a boy (whose name I don't know if I should reveal (?) ) confessed his love for Clover. I never expected anyone to develop that kind of interest for her. What was the most surprising thing you found out about your character? Clover is a bit more awkward than what I initially expected *laughs*. What relationships did your character build? Clover> She's made several friends so far. In most cases, it all started when she healed their wounds the best she could. The friends she's interacted with are: Alana Black (childhood friend), F'yue Tia, Andre Winter, Xydane Vale, and -recently- Schezar Stormbreaker. K'mih> Albeit she's interacted with a few characters outside her tribe, I can't say she has built anything tangible with any of them. I'm hoping she'll become good friends with her new sister K'tahjha. What are you looking most forward to seeing in the future with your characters growth and story? Ummm... I'm RPing in a very relaxed fashion in FFXIV, with no real goals. I guess I'd like to see if there's anything that can have any sort of influence in K'mih's relationship with her sister K'nahli, but other than that, I'm not really looking forward to anything. Perhaps it's because right now I'm more focused on the future of my other non FFXIV RPs, which I'm not taking as casually as this one.

K'rahto observed what she did, turning his eyes for a second towards the imaginary target she was pointing at. Her movements were precise, perfect, whereas he needed to concentrate a lot if he wanted to acquire the same position. At her question, his eyebrows frowned again. She wanted a direct answer about his inferiority in archery, didn't she? Well, he had no other choice but to indulge her. "No, I... of course I haven't trained as much as you," he admitted with a stroke of annoyance, his pride having a difficult time. And it was that pride what pushed him to add the next clarification. "My weapon of choice has always been the spear. That's the one I'm best at." He was no weakling. He didn't want K'nahli to see him as such.

K'rahto's heart skipped a beat at the silhouette of the one he'd been waiting for. There she was, with the morning sun caressing her skin under dark, silky hair. Oh, but it hadn't been her skin, nor had it been her hair, what caught his attention years ago. It'd been her eyes, fierce on the outside, and yet so painfully lonely. K'rahto didn't know if anyone else could see the same he did whenever he looked at her from afar. However, fascinated as he'd always been with those wine orbs, he'd never had many chances to indulge in them. Not until now. Today, it was him the one she looked at. He remained stiff and serious as the female approached him, trying to hide everything behind his serious mask of pure concentration. Her question came as a surprise that made him blink unconsciously. "I used the bow for the first time when I was eight..." he explained, unsure of if that was what she wanted to hear. The boy might have trained archery on several occasions, but never as seriously as she did. At least, it'd been that way until five suns ago.

((Final episode of K'rahto's challenge. Previous scene here)). The fifth sun, K'rahto walked with firm steps and a very serious expression to the meeting place, punctual like clockwork. Or perhaps too early. It was the spot where he'd confessed for the first time, the one where K'nahli usually trained with her bow. The archery contest would take place as soon as the female arrived, which wasn't yet. Something moved dangerously fast inside the Tia's stomach. He didn't want to display how nervous he was, but the way he kept biting his lower lip with frowned eyebrows wouldn't hint otherwise. It couldn't be helped; this moment was as decisive as great had been his efforts. The past suns had been the harshest he remembered. Thanks to his sister's patience and teachings, he believed he had improved considerably. Archery was the very only thing he'd been fully dedicating his mind to, after all. K'iara'd also forced him to sleep early the night before, something that ended up being useless. Her younger brother spent the whole night rolling over himself, thinking too much for his own good. And here he was, strangely and widely awake, waiting for the one he needed to surpass. This final test would confirm if all his improvements were enough to gain K'nahli's respect...

((Merry belated Christmas! ^^)) Schezar's thoughts, all those memories that still managed to haunt him like nightmares, remained luckily unknown to the girl. It was safe to assume that she wasn't gifted with the Echo. If she actually possessed it, she certainly hadn't developed such a gift at all. As he spoke, a darker colour had started reigning in the sky. Clover only noticed that night had slowly fallen upon them after a shiver ran through her body. It was becoming colder, she'd have to return soon; not to Gridania, for the path back would be especially dangerous at night, but to the small settlement at south. "I'm not gifted with the Echo, but I can't simply ignore what's happening to the world. That you taught me more than what you initially wanted was only inevitable." Her eyes raised to the now black sky, where another snowflake greeted her with its uneven dance. (Peace is not a real choice in times of war...) She said with the soundless voice he could still hear, before her head moved in his direction once more. She observed him for a few seconds, his warm, peaceful figure as he held the puppy in his arms. It was amazing. Tragically so. Her eyes had become a bit more crystalline when she spoke again. "The next time we meet..." She raised her voice, trembling slightly on this occasion. The cold air was unforgiving. "Please teach me how to shield my thoughts." (I don't want to hurt you with them.) Somehow, it was a promise Clover wanted him to make. That he'd stay alive.

Pretty much this. One of my friends left my current FC ages ago because she had seen unpleasant conversations, but it's only recently that I've realized a few things myself. I only know one or two cases I dislike, though. Most people are either cool or completely unknown to me-- usually the latter. But yes, conflict will arise sooner or later in any community.

Of course, if anyone wants to play a rare tribe where the Nunh toys with his power and the huntress (for some reason despite the fact that they're a majority) allow it, anything can happen. It just doesn't have to be taken as the norm, or as something that will certainly happen. About females leaving with a Tia... I more see it like "how much do you like this Tia/simply dislike the current Nunh that you're willing to leave with him?" The lore also states that such cases are "rare", for females tend to be more interested on the Nunh than on useless Tias, so their situation doesn't sound too bad.

Well, look at it this way. The lore might be "vague", but it certainly doesn't point in that direction. Not only it doesn't mention that females are abused; the ones we see ingame are willing (one of them even complains that the Nunh is not performing his duties as much as she'd like (?) ); the lore also states that a Tia can leave the tribe and become a Nunh so long as any female is supporting him. Without their support, he's nothing. If anything, the lore seems to suggest that the opinion of females is not only important but also primordial. This said, the case of abuse seems unlikely, or not the norm. A different thing is people's personal fantasies; those are unlimited, and you could create a special tribe where the Nunh abuses the females if you're so keen on it!

Midlanders... (*-*) *Sigh of love* (I have nothing to add, really. Why do you like your favourite food?)

When a gentle hand was tended out to her, Clover raised her head. She looked at Schezar's eyes for a second, before her hand hesitantly accepted his. It was a strange, almost familiar feeling. From the time her grandpa had left this world, perhaps this was the closest to his touch she might have experienced. It might be the unique brand of gentleness that both men displayed, even if they were still very different. Schezar continued sharing his words, his personal tale with her. He mentioned comrades, as well as his wish to protect people from Eorzea-- more so those who couldn't fight on their own, but who still could bring some good into this word. "My parents were soldiers during their youth," she explained, her tone serious, calm as usually. "I've been considering to take a similar path and join the Twin Adders. Living everyday is not enough; I want to be of real help." Then, another thought, a darker one crossed her mind as she remained silent for a few more seconds. The real world might even be harsher than what some tales made it be, but she didn't want to ask, no matter how much her mind would betray her in front of Schezar. War was no game, and perhaps the loss this man'd had to experience and witness was nothing to take lightly. Clover knew how much joining any sort of military ranks scared her; it wasn't as easy as simply saying she wanted to do it. All the horrors her parents and Schezar had witnessed in Cartenau... all those horrors... "..." As if trying to conceal her thoughts from him for his own sake, she looked away from the man, hiding her eyes from his view. "Any help should be welcome, shouldn't it? This world is still at the edge of war."

Waiting for his sister's reply felt like an eternity, in which K'rahto's unwavering and fierce eyes remained completely fixed on her tall figure. He knew he wouldn't ask twice if she refused to help him, but he was almost convinced that she'd accept his request. It was her concern for him what had guided her steps to him in the first place. Despite his convincement that she'd likely accept, K'rahto found himself soundlessly releasing a breath he didn't notice he'd been holding until hearing her confirmation. At K'iara's positive answer and the list of her more than reasonable conditions, the Tia nodded his head energetically, with no complaints. His gaze remained deadly serious, a sign that he was more than ready to start her instructions. Without a doubt, her plan sounded much better than the waste of time he'd engaged in for the past day, and he couldn't help the rush of excitement that ran through his stomach. He felt hopeless that morning, and now... now perhaps not everything was lost if he tried hard enough. The boy's voice was solemn when he spoke again, his unsmiling eyes sincere. His aggressiveness had been cast away for a moment, just to pronounce those words. "Thank you, K'iara..."

Really? I had no idea about that, I should check. In any case, the K tribe has a few members with that kind of eyes, so it's a common/non special trait there. Diversity is fun~

I always like to inject a bit of myself into my characters and for me heterochromia is the number one favorite aspect of myself to do so with. If a game allows for it my main usually has mismatched eyes. I actually don't think anyone needs to justify their personal choices to a random individual. Besides, if the game allows for a feature, it means that it's a common thing in that world. So why not? Creating different characters is fun, and everyone has their own reasons for playing this and that race. Nothing to frown upon, seriously.

Once more, Clover's features didn't hide her small surprise when Schezar removed his eyepatch. Far from her initial idea of a terrible wound she wasn't sure she wanted to see, his eye appeared unexpectedly healthy and well functioning. She stared at him, wordlessly, as he spoke of his participation in Cartenau, of his purpose. Of war. And then, unblinking eyes couldn't but travel to the lily that the man had been carefully taking care of. It was so fragile, so peaceful, foreign to all the things that were poisoning the world. It'd been the warrior's gentle hands making sure that the little flower would have everything it needed to survive, to grow strong under the warm sun. And those would be same hands brandishing a deadly weapon in the middle of a battlefield, inflicting pain and fear. He was like Andre, somehow. Her eyes had turned slightly more crystalline when she looked back at the kind man. They were open, they hid nothing. Not until she bent down in a deep and respectful bow. "Thank you... very much..." Her words said, and she knew he'd know everything. It was because of people like him and Andre that she, an useless hyur who'd never done anything for the world, could live to see the sun rise every morning. The respect she felt for him couldn't be measured, just like her own guilt.

The short answer is: why not? *Laughs*. About uniqueness, I actually chose a Hyur (not a Miqo'te) as main character because I wanted her to be a normal, not unique girl. In any case, I initially started playing a Miqo'te as a secondary character for a very simple reason: they're cute. I'm a girl irl and I love playing bishoujo characters. The tribal lore is being a lot of fun as well! I was a complete stranger when I joined this community, but thanks to the Miqo'te lore, my chara got a family. Also, the only uber sexy Miqo'tes I've seen (the kind who try to look like American singers instead of bishoujo/bishounen) are actually from outside the RP community. I don't care about those. And last but not least! I believe that every character out there is unique, just like there are many unique human beings even if we're the only sentient race in this planet. I personally don't care/pay attention to what everyone else is playing; I play what I like, and I enjoy interacting with other characters, no matter what race they are. Just my two cents!

The boy's gaze half turned to her when her hand was placed on his shoulder. K'iara was strong... perhaps stronger than what K'rahto would ever be, but this was a fact he didn't want to acknowledge. Not fully. Her words, however, didn't seek to mock him or bother him with further inquires. She was merely worried about his health, nothing more. Not because he was weak, not because he was a mess. He was just her brother. "..................." K'rahto's eyes travelled away from her and down to the ground. His frown softened slightly, albeit it never left. Maybe he'd been succumbing to desperation. Maybe he still was when the impulse to speak guided his thoughts and voice after long seconds. The sound was softer than the usual, though it wasn't devoid of defensive strokes. Admitting his weakness wasn't easy, and it was shown. "I need to become a great archer in 4 days. It's something I just have to do..." he confessed, not adding more details than what were necessary. K'nahli Yohko had made him swallow his pride in more than one way, and her unreachable image was driving him insane. This was no game; if he truly wanted to have any chance to succeed, if he didn't want to lose her forever, he found himself with no other choice than to push his pride away for a little longer and ask now. "Could you...?" His frown deepened. His fierce eyes got the courage to raise from the ground to his sister's calm gaze, contrasting everything she was. His voice came out as an aggressive, determined sound that sought no pity. "Could you teach me everything you know about archery?!" If there was something clear and unquestionable about this situation, that was how deadly serious K'rahto Tia seemed to be.

Permanent as the Tia's frown was, it didn't do well enough to hide his embarrassment. He stepped back and half turned away when his sister inquired about his strange actions. "It's... none of your business..." He replied without looking at her, impossibly defensive. His hand reached out for another arrow from his quiver, busying himself with it in order to look less tense. His sister always managed -perhaps without meaning to- to make him feel like a complete idiot. The fact she was one of the finest huntress, while he was merely a Tia who didn't even know how to use the bow properly didn't help either.

K'rahto's deep concentration made him completely oblivious of the shadow approaching him from behind. Even if his senses noticed his sister's scent, his tired mind didn't process that information as something unusual. It was a familiar scent, one he was used to; nothing that should matter at this moment, when his bow was completely stretched and his eyes were glued to the makeshift bullseye. "...!!" The familiar voice behind him was soft, barely a whisper, yet powerful enough to abruptly set his arrow free to the sky, with no aim and no control until it was lost in the horizon. Other than that, there was a surprised gasp and huge open eyes, but the Tia didn't unconsciously attack her. Despite his tiredness, he recognized his sister right away. The boy turned around quickly to face her, his expression still startled and defensive. "K... K'iara! What the hells are you doing here?" For a moment, he felt really stupid. How could he become a good Nunh if even his own sister managed to take him off guard?

((OOC: It happens after this thread.)) A day had passed from K'rahto's declaration, and he'd barely done anything other than train with his bow in a solitary spot. The boy hadn't returned to his tent the previous night. He hadn't eaten much either. All his attention was on the arrows he kept blindly throwing, almost to no avail. Whatever improvement he'd managed to make, it wasn't enough. He lacked the technique, and he couldn't think of anyone who would give him better instruction. Not like asking for help would have been easy for the proud Tia anyway; if he wanted to be a Nunh someday, he had to endure the trials and learn on his own. Besides, the less people knew about K'nahli's challenge, the better. "I must try harder..." With his trademark fierce, perpetually angry eyes, K'rahto ignored his own tiredness and kept focusing on the task. He had 4 days left...

The young girl listened to Schezar's words, amazement displayed in her open eyes and slightly parted lips. Naturally, she'd heard horror stories about the Primals, as well as about the heroes who risked -and often lost- their lives to fight them. She'd always wondered if there'd be a time where she, too, would eventually have to face them, just like she had to face the Calamity. The world was full of danger, and there was no place to hide from it. What had been unknown to her so far was the role that the Echo took in the fight against the Primals. The more she heard, the more she realized that it was as much of a blessing as it was a curse. Definitely, not something she'd want to possess. Her expression softened, back to her serious self, and she couldn't help but to lower her gaze for a moment, lost in her own thoughts. "Even if you say you have the choice to live in peace... can you? Knowing that you can prevent the loss of lives who stand no chance against the Primal's tempering..." The puppy tried to get her attention again, but Clover didn't crouch down this time. She'd barely noticed it. Instead, she raised her head once more to look at Schezar. "What path did you pick? ..."

Very nice screens! SweetFX is indeed sweet. I need to get start using it again.