Aya

pfffffffft AD&D Paladin here!

Aya's an NPC, so uh.. you may have to petition the DM to find out!

Does that mean Aya would have to harm herself with her third wish? Oh noooooooooes!!! Wait, I mean harm her poor, starving family back in Ishgard. Right? Right? Right... mmhmmm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuW0rz8J0_8

IIIIIIIIIIIII know Chika!

I am sorry to hear about the experience on Gilgamesh, I wish I could say more, or have had suggestions for you about it, but instead I'll just welcome you to Balmung :-]

Nat was trying to wear something nice for once! Not her fault she's not used to it. I'm just wondering how many flower and bird vendors she had to go through to get them!

Aya nodded along, grinning a little more at each successive suggestion, while she slowly lifted her glass. As he arrived at his final toast, she laughed lightly, her mouth an open grin, showing off the white teeth behind her red lips. "To that! And to Ma'am Momodi!" she grinned a little further, clinking her glass against his, before taking a drink of the warm liquor. She felt the taste of the luxurious alcohol linger a moment upon her tongue, and the trace of its burn as she swallowed. She closed her eyes, and let out a soft "mmm~" in delight, her lips opening for just a moment as she savored the sensation. It was a literal taste of the high life, of the finer things that loved to dance just out of the girl's reach. She brought forth that bright smile once more, her eyes opened slowly. She looked happy: it was a good night after all~

She grinned toward him, as she stood back up, turning around draw a second freshly dried tumbler from the rack. As she turned to face him again, she reached her leg forward, hooking her foot into a stool hidden under the counter. With a little pull she dragged it out, in front of Warren. The stool's were intended as a perch for a Lalafel server, but would serve just as well for Aya to sit upon. She swayed her head back and forth a little, smiling happily as she set the second glass down and took a seat upon the stool, bringing her down to Warren's level. "A toast!" she grins excitedly.

Bright blue playful eyes, displaying no hint yet of the fatigue slowly building behind them, looked, smiling, to Momodi. The Lalafel matron looked back, her little mouth hanging just slightly open in a look of utter exasperation. She rolled her eyes, and shook her head with a dismissive wave of the hand, before she turned back to counting out the night's take. Aya looked to Warren with a wink, before starting to sway her head back and forth with excited energy, biting her lip in anticipation as she pushed the bottle toward him. She pronounced the words slowly but lightly, her accent filling every word with that little sense of mystery, "So what'll it be Ser Ruffian?" she almost giggled along with the words, her eyes glancing from the bottle and back to him as she raised her eyebrows slightly, while that playful little grin irresistibly won over her lips.

She grins while listening to his self-justification. The rattling off of assets and debts, a sort of mental accounting of just how much wiggle room he had for the purchase of expensive liquor. She glanced toward the bottle as he spoke, the expensive amber liquid resting so temptingly in its glass bottle. One of the finest spirits available in Eorzea, it had aged for years in oak barrels giving it a particular dark hue, and a rich mellow flavor edged with the hardness of stiff liquor. She had chosen to pour a few glasses for Warren, unsure if he would fully appreciate it--she was sure he would now once he saw the price tag. She glanced back to him just as he was offering to share a glass, drawing a delighted grin, "Now that's an offer!" she glanced the other way, toward Momodi, "Well I'll be done soon.. I don't think ma'am will mind at this hour, do you?" Her grin revealed a little hint of playful mischievousness in her eyes, anxious to dance along the edge of what she was "supposed" to do.

A blonde eyebrow lifts in response to the request. Aya tilts her head, earrings dangling straight down, as her pony tail draws along her shoulder. "The whole bottle?" She grins, amusement bouncing in her bright blue eyes, "I know you said you're -sure-; but, you know... are you really sure?" She emphasized the words.

I will have to do this. Maybe a "What if Aaya wasn't such a disappointment to her [father and] mother?" Oh right.. she'd still be in Ishgard and all boring!!!!

This Thread is Now the Home for all of my stories that relate to events prior to A Realm Reborn. These Stories are included in my table of contents which I am maintaining in my Stranger in a Strange Land thread. [align=center][/align] One Late Summer Limsan Afternoon Shamelessly inspired by Zhavi! Kael watched from up the alley - a misty wind was blowing through the soggy streets of Limsa Lominsa that afternoon. It was late summer, almost early fall. For a refugee such as Kael, in his first year in the city, it was difficult to tell. He had been old enough to remember Ala Mhigo in its full glory in the final years of its independence. He had survived its fall, fleeing along with the nobles and the paupers, the family's carts stacked high with heirlooms, not yet pilfered by servants and ne'erdowells with baser things on mind than the preservation of tradition. He spat onto the ground, that strange raised Limsan material, brick and concrete, hanging, suspended god-like, above the crashing waves below. It was covered with scum, the residue of so many uncaring inhabitants. These kids cared even less, they weren't supposed to be there, the city was closed to them. But on long days of idleness the kids had little to do but sneak into the city, and look for trouble. Today trouble came in the name of Masters. At least, that's what they called him. Ala Mhigan's were big, renown for their strength and toughness. The damned problem was that Roegadyn were bigger yet, and "Masters" was no exception. His real name was some unpronounceable gibberish, but since he liked to lord over smaller folk, he adopted a pseudonym they could pronounce with a suitable pleading vigor. Masters was rumored to be 16 years old. Too old for the street urchins; it was time already for the big leagues. But he clung onto his childhood with a death grip: among the urchins he had his own gang, but there would be no such glory as a lowly runner in a real street gang. Tensions had flared all summer between Masters, and those rivaling to succeed him. They always seemed keen for a fight. Today Masters and his gang were busy throwing around a batch of stolen fruit. Apples, oranges, and other sweet, juicy delights. Kael knew he wanted some. And from his perch he waited, and watched, his own crew waiting nearby. Then entered a towheaded girl, who could not have been yet, six years old. Baby-cheeked and innocent as she walked up the alley, she was watched by a dozen pairs of eyes. She smiled sweetly as she approached Master's group, watching the tossing of fruit with apparent delight, "Those look good, will you share? Can I have one" she asked with the plaintive demandingness of a child. The girls voice gave her away, if the kids weren't already sure of it, they were now: she was just another damned refugee barging in on their territory. "And jes why'd we wanna share wi' the likes of ye?" the Hyur boy twice-her-height answered, scowling. Beyond the two, movement stirred along both ends of the alley; finally there might be some more excitement. Baby-cheeks bit her lip, while twice-her-height took a deep bite of the apple, the fruit crunching under his teeth, as he chewed its sweet flesh with delight. "Its ta' good runt. Not givin' any ta the likes of ye, now get." Kael's eyes narrowed, his muscles tensed. The girl let out an anguished cry before making a leap toward twice-her-height, grasping at his arm and dangling from him, trying to wrest the fruit from his grasp. As feet from both ends of the alley sprung to action, baby-cheeks was sent with a crash back to the pavement, the fruit-munching twice-her-height lowered himself, and set the apple down, to deliver a swift retaliatory strike to the side of her head, lesson enough for trying to steal his stolen fruit. Kael was 13 years old, a blonde and striking youth, he towered over twice-her-height as he raced to the girl's rescue. At his side were his younger brother, Osvald, 3 years his junior, but large for his age, and their friend Cedrix, another refugee who'd been in Limsa a few months longer than the brothers, and had been a sort of guide since they'd met. The three entered the scuffle with a vengeance, fists colliding with twice-her-height, sending the hapless assaillent flying against the pavement. Masters' crew of boys and girls went to work: a swirling melee ensued. The Ala Mhigans were strong, but they were outnumbered. Beaten and bloodied they retreated slowly, having protected the girl, they inch backward down the alley, trying to protect themselves from the punishment that was to come. At last Masters made his presence felt, bursting through the crowd and delivering a vicious and decisive kick to the flank that left Kael sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath. As the end neared for Kael, a yelling voice came clamoring down the alley. It was a local Miqo'te ne'erdowell known as "Dole" who came flying, and screaming toward the melee. "JACKS boys, the JACKS are comin'!" he aimed to run through the engaged combatants, such was his fear, but the outstretched arm of Masters caught him by the scruff of the collar. With barely a struggle, the massive Roegadyn pulled Dole before him, glaring at the boy's tiny features. "Ye tellin' honest, cat-filth? I'll kill ye if ye ain't." The fear in Dole's eyes may have been manifested by Masters, or by the Jacks, or more likely a mixed terror of both. Regardless, it was enough to convince the Roegadyn, who still scowled as he tossed the Miqo'te to the ground. "GET!" he bellowed. The alley quickly cleared, wounded helped along by their own. Dole scampered away climbing up a wall and into another alley, while Osvald and Cedrix limped along with Kael until out of sight. [align=center][/align] Kael sat upon the stacked boxes in the courtyard, bleary still from the blows he had sustained. He could hear the steady pitter-patter of rain falling from above onto the canopies that conveniently shrouded the spot, making it one of their favorite places to hide. As they recovered from the battle, the word's of his father voice echoed through his ears, "Remember, son. Always lead. Do not forget who you are." He squeezed his hand into a fist. It hurt. The pain didn't want to subside, the more he squeezed, the more painful it became. " If you remember anything, anything at all, always remember this: there are those born to lead. Born to bear that responsibility, to do everything that is necessary for their families, their lands, and everyone who follows them. That is who we are. That is who you are." His father's hands were huge. He had always found them remarkable, like they could do anything, and protect everyone. He looked at his own, tiny still, and useless. "We've been dealt a cruel blow, but we must persevere. We are Ala Mhigans yet. And more than that, still." Those hands couldn't save Ala Mhigo. And they couldn't save the kids now, no matter how hard the man had tried. Kael looked down at his battered army. Cedrix was bleeding from a gash to the side of his head. Osvald seemed to have it best, he always seemed to fight like terror possessed, and the worst marks upon him where the battered knuckles that had inflicted so much worse upon his foes. Dole was there too, licking his paws, his head throbbing where he'd been thrown to the pavement. Into this inauspicious gathering, once more, stepped towheaded baby-cheeks. As she entered the courtyard with soft steps, the boys all smiled, while the brothers breathed a sigh of relief. Kael slipped from his seat, landing on his feet, he walked slowly to the girl with an outstretched hand. He gazed at her worriedly, "I'm sorry they hit you... you know we didn't mean for that happen." She dismissed the concern with a warm smile as she looked up toward him with such affection in her eyes; a trail of blood flowed from a gash above her left eyebrow, framing her childish face. Kael swallowed hard, he'd never meant for her to get hurt. His eyes were a mixture of concern, and anticipation,"Aya?" he asked, "Did you get them...?" Baby-cheeks let down the folded hem of her smock, showing the bounty of apples, oranges, and fruit. Cedrix and Osvald leaned forward, their eyes staring widely at the sweet feast before them, Dole just licked his lips. Kael patted his little sister's head, "Aya--you pick first this time." She could not contain her grin, and neither could he. It was just another late summer afternoon, under the rainy skies of Limsa Lominsa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2G5gt56LMc

Natalie, that was the perfect Aya :-] Thank you! I so enjoyed that! :D:D (I've enjoyed the others too, I enjoy poor Warrens travails!)

Natalie stretched her arms high above her head. The morning sun always felt so good: the way it swept away the chill of the desert night, burning it away with a radiance befitting the Sultana herself. It was a wonderful Ul'dahn day, of course it was always a wonderful Ul'dahn day for Natalie, and she had things to do: like wipe the grin off of her face, or maybe bask in the sun all day. Oh, she wanted to, of course, but there was such good reason for the grin! She couldn't help but think of all the people there were to see, and all of the days there were to ruin! So many plans to hatch, and even more fun, to foil! Rather than diminish, the Cheshire-like grin grew more and more as her mind meandered back through the last few days: memories of weddings called off, babies left crying, and Miqo'te children now afraid of milk. It was like a special blend of catnip for the soul, a special elixir that reached deep into the heart of Clan McBeef, warming the heart, and satisfying the soul. Look, things had kind of sucked for McBeef and Company latley, but really none of that should matter when there were smiles to wipe away, and good feelings to quash! She reached back and scratched her rear idly. Then a little more ~ it felt really good! "What a perfect day to be Sultan Sworn!" she thought to herself beaming that infectious grin across the court yard. But in an instant, the grin suddenly became a look of confusion as she tilted her head, scratching a little harder. "Or was it a Brass Blade..." she blinked, then tilted her head the other way. "It doesn't really matter does it? There are so many people who's days I can ruin!" The grin returned! She'd strapped on her finest red armor, and then added, for flair, her favorite masked beret pulled over her head and eyes, it always seemed to help clear up the confusion. Natalie looked back over her shoulder, spotting the smiling blue-haired Miqo'te man in the window. She grinned, kicking her foot back and offering a little finger-wave. Kage smiled a smile filled with the warmth of a dutiful certainty: the whole city might love Ser Natalie, but he loved her the most! She turned back down the road into the goblet, beginning to merrily skip along her way into town. ******* "How better to start a day!?" Natalie thought to herself, as she grinned from ear-to-ear with a delightful mischief. The small Miqo'te boy looked up at the woman bent over him; his eyes swelled with fright. "You shouldn't play with that stuff - don't you know catnip is poisonous?" she exclaimed in such a tone of serious alarm. The boy screamed, staring at the clump of plants squeezed so tightly in his little fist. In a moment he had dropped them, and scampered away. Natalie picked up the leaves, shoving them in her face, and rubbing her nose and cheeks against them with a sense of thrill and delight. "ITS SUCH AN AMAZING DAY!" she yelled for anyone within hearing distance. It was hard enough to avoid running into things while wearing the mask. Having her face stuffed full of delicious, wonderful, and all-around amazing catnip made it that much harder. She barely noticed as her hips and tail bumped into the cart, though her thoughts sprang into characteristically rapid action: "Oh what wa... I LOVE CATNIP!" The little wheeled flower cart had been bumped loose, and began rolling down the hill. The flower girl let out a little yelp as it raced away from her, her ire immediately turning to Ser Oblivious McBeef. The cart rumbled, and trundled down a path, heading into the city. And Oblivious McBeef stayed true to her name. "CATNIP!" ******* Before the Gate of Nald, the shadows of the day seemed to grow deeper and longer. An unnatural chill filled the air as a small, black tear in reality popped into existence. It stretched and wobbled, growing slowly taller, and taller, until a dark shadowy-figure emerged from within, a visage of pure enmity, with an enveloping aura growing to monstrous proportion. His voice roared with malevolence, uttered at Unicronian depths, causing the massive opened doors of the gate to quake and tremor, "I...." The eyes of the visage shot open, sewing terror among the guards, who clattered and clamored from their posts as quickly as their legs would carry them, "Am Jin'li... and this time, I shall not fail!" The voice began to laugh, a maniacal menace that seemed to echo throughout ever alley, every street, every courtyard and hallway of the city. The Sultana suddenly shot up from her morning manicure. "Did you hear that?!" she cried to her Vizier, her eyes were startled, her lips trembled in fear. Her vizier, ever stoic and secure, nodded with solemnity, "Do not worry, Your Grace, I am sure General Aldynn will have Ser McBeef on it, immediately." The Sultana let out a deep breath, her content smile returning. The shadowy visage of the resurrected Jin'li fell to silence, as the horrible, bellowing, roar of a laugh drew to an end. He grinned with confidence, his eyes falling back to earth, resting upon the open, unguarded gate. The only sound in the darkened air was the light rattle of wood upon paving stones. The sound grew strangely louder, as Jin'li's eyes narrowed in curiosity, his celebration of imminent victory paused for a moment. ******* The Sultan Blade, Brass Sworn giggled maniacally as she popped the chocolate into her mouth. She chewed the delicious confection with an earnest affection, taking in the luscious flavors of the delicacy as they rushed through her body with a tingling energy. She quickly popped another into her mouth, before rubbing her cheek against the ill-gotten catnip, purring with a contentment that the sound of wailing lovers walking their separate ways could not seem to penetrate. ******* The shadow watched in amazement as the small flower cart trundled forward. It had gained speed steadily as it made its way down every hill in the city, having spilled most of its contents of flowers it found itself filled now with an assortment of every variety of good available in the bazaar. From linens, to jewelery, weapons, food, a large barrel of liquor, and a pot filled with gold. Jin'li rose to laugh once more, all of the might of Ul'dah, when faced with the power of the voidsent, could summon only a single lonely flower cart against him! Just out of sight, as he reveled in the certainty of victory, a torch dropped by a fleeing guard rolled back and forth along the ramparts. Pushed a little further by the monstrosity's wind-like guffaw, it plummeted, turning slowly in the air. In the distance a woman was running toward the gate, passing through crowds of fleeing guards, she had tried to cut through the current, moving more quickly than a woman on heels should, long blonde hair trailing behind her. A distinguished looking, white-haired Duskwight had just given up the chase. Through ragged breaths, he sighed for his lost fortune, "My... imitation... fool's gold..." "Noooooo! That's Ma'am's ruuuuum....!" the blonde girl cried desperately, hand outstretched as if she could mentally stop the runaway cart in mid-flight. In that instant her eye's opened wide with terror; not at the sight of the shadowy monstrosity threatening to envelope the entire gate, but instead at the bright flash of light, an eruption of fire as the torch fell squarely into the rambling cart, creating a veritable inferno as every flammable item within burst alight. Jin'li's shade caught sight of the sudden threat at the very last moment. His laugh ended with a throaty, "Uh... oh..." that shook the very ground. As the cart reached him, the overheating barrel of Momodi's rum burst into a tremendous fireball. The resulting cloud of smoke dissipated into the air, leaving behind only a badly scorched flower cart, carrying on its way out into the desert sands of Thanalan. The blonde girl fell to her knees, crying in despair. "Where will I ever get the gil to pay for this...." ****** The rug merchant let out a horrible cry of anguish as the billy club cracked against the back of his skull, "What do you think you're doing?! That hurt!!!" "Just saying hello!" purred the grinning McBeef. She shoved her face back into the mass of catnip with a satisfied grin. "I really am the best Sultan Sworn..." "I mean Brass Blade..." "Best whatever.. I am just the best!" She grinned manically, purring into the catnip. The Sultana, then the city itself, sighed in relief, "Thank the Twelve for Ser McBeef..."

I think you should write for Osric, as if he used Berrod's wardrobe of choice!

That's no Inspector! That's Miss "Drop Whatever You're Doing and Fall Dead Gorgeous" Crofte!

Ninja Aya! Gooooo~

This was a lot of fun! Thank you guys so much for hosting it! I wish I could have stayed later

Mononke gets my vote tooooo!

Love it!~

Fun game! I want to reply to Jancis.. but we haven't actually met! (Why Jancis, whyyyyyyyy?) So.. Val.. who didn't exactly enter.. but... *thoughtful chin stroke* I want to find some perfectly slightly-scummy, Cockney, Victorian-era thug from Sherlock Holmes, but for now Badger from Firefly will have to do:

(( Ah, sorry, I am not feeling well and forgot that Erik was using an alt. I was just trying to get Aya off scene, so just consider her to have left for now please. ))