Week 6 cyoa: hei, jiuqing, vin, and kashuu

[saturations]

spoiler warnings: ff14 heavensward and some light endwalker elements
content warnings: violence, death, war, terrorism (short), brief mentions/references for eyegore, brief mention/reference for decapitation, depression, suicidal ideation (nihilist flavor), suicide, dragons and monsters eating people

Comments

[countermeasures]

Might I accompany you, then? I could make myself useful as a healer on the journey, just in case.

[disestablishment]

[ ... Ysayle is a bit at a loss here, lips pursing some. ] You would trust me? Alleged leader of the heretics? They would say I would sooner feed you to the dragons than assist you.

[countermeasures]

Perhaps I don't know you well enough to trust you.

...but I don't know you well enough to distrust you, either. And the truth is, you helped me. The only other people I've encountered so far have tried to kill me.

[she smiles very faintly]

If you wanted me dead, you wouldn't have to go to the trouble of feeding me to a dragon. You could have simply allowed those soldiers to kill me before apprehending them.

[disestablishment]

Even in war, kindness can be found among men—for you to have been left in the cold without aid... That is too cruel. [ Truly, Ysayle thinks that. ] ... I speak the truth when I say I wish for no more corpses made by war. Yours included. You need better dress to survive the journey. [ She gestures to one of her men to get Jiuqing a winter coat. ] We'll be going next sunrise.

[countermeasures]

Thank you, Lady Ysayle.

[jiuqing smiles. it's less faint this time, and much more genuine - she brings her hands together and gives a bow.]

I'll do my best not to be a burden on the journey.

[disestablishment]

[ She laughs a bit at that, covered politely behind a hand. ] Those should be my words. I may be experienced in travels, but I am no healer. [ thinks. ] Seeing that you are not from here, if you have other questions I am willing to answer them. [ But if Jiuqing wants to talk to someone else? Or just turn in for the night, that's fine, too. Also, she gets this coat but in lighter pink. ]

[countermeasures]

[cute. she will bundle up. nice and warm.]

The truth is, I'm so unfamiliar with this land that I'm... really not sure what sorts of questions I should be asking. Is there anything you feel someone ought to know, to be able to survive here?

[disestablishment]

… It would do you good to know about the War then. [ THE WAR! ] Do you know aught of it? Even some semblance?

[countermeasures]

[jiuqing's brow furrows as she tries to think back to the conversations she's had with aymeric and estinien.

but then - because i got a 17 and apparently only roll high when death isn't on the table - she remembers something out of a memory she'd seen, weeks ago.

"the infamous lady iceheart, here in ishgard? this is most unexpected..."

"she has done much to quell the violence. the inquisition may not approve, but we are glad of her presence."

"and with the great wyrm's demise..."

but she's going to see the great wyrm, isn't she? this moment - if it is a reflection of someone's memory - is from before the moment she'd seen. what lies in store, if she accompanies ysayle on this journey?

and -

"...that men and dragons once lived together in harmony, and that it was man's treachery that shattered the peace and plunged our peoples into war..."]

...just that it's... been going on for as long as nearly anyone alive today can remember. Does anyone even know why the fighting began in the first place?

[disestablishment]

[ JIUQING YOUR LARGE BRAIN!! ] … Each side has their bias, their own story, but whether that is the truth many do not know. However, I know that dragon and man once lived in harmony and it was man who would betray trust. Ishgard—they would turn a blind eye from it, call it blasphemy, and continue their bloody crusade. [ … ] Do you wish a recount of the beginning?

[countermeasures]

If you wouldn't mind giving it, I would appreciate that.

[that way if she slips up and references something from aymeric's memshare ysayle will assume she heard it from her! yeah!!]

[disestablishment]

[ A nod. ] So you understand the source and nature of my knowledge, I possess the echo—a blessing of light from Hyaedalyn herself, the Mothercrystal. She is the deity of this star. At times, I could receive visions of the past pertaining to locations or people, but naught I can force. [ Haha! You can now memshare Ysayle. ] Over a millennia ago, man and dragon were at peace. They had an alliance built upon the foundation laid by Saint Shiva, an Elezen woman, who was in love with the great wrym Hraesvelgr. Dragons outlive us, thus Shiva asked Hraesvelgr to consume her… So that her aether would ever stay with him. So forth, peace, until it was broken by King Thordan I and his Knights of Twelve two hundred years later. They would slay Ratatsokr, brood-sister of both Hraesvelgr and Nidhogg, for the power in her eyes… Subsequently, they point their weapons at Nidhogg as well, then take one of his. Ever since, Nidhogg has led dragons to war against man for a thousand of years.

[countermeasures]

If I were Nidhogg, I'd be pretty mad too...

[if she rolled higher than a 1 she would probably not say that out loud. but like. seriously.

it's no small wonder the dragons want revenge.]

...not mad enough to go after people who weren't the ones who did all that for a thousand years, though.

[disestablishment]

[ It’s okay. Ysayle is called heretic leader for a reason. She is also dragon apologist. ] Nidhogg is right in his rage, but there must be an end. King Thordan I and the Knights of Twelve are no more, but bloodshed continues. [ So. Yeah. She agrees? ] Ishgard chooses to fan the flames. They were taught that we have always been natural enemies, simply fighting over territory.

[countermeasures]

This has gone on long enough... it definitely needs to stop.

[she nods a little.]

...is there anything else I ought to know? If not, I think I ought to let you make your preparations for the journey.

[disestablishment]

... Be careful of the man they call the Azure Dragoon. I've heard, unlike his predecessors, he's brutish and violent. Not too different from the inquisitors who execute the innocent on false claims of hereticism. I wouldn't be surprised if he were to show himself in the Churning Mists, seeking to bathe in dragons blood and all who stands in his way. Do not hesitate to defend yourself. Unfortunately, while you may be neutral party, he won't see that if you stand beside me. [ Hmmm. ] 'Twould seem you will have little issue with this, but be polite. [ Yeah. Ysayle tries to think some more, but she thinks that's it? ] Get some rest. The beds are on the second floor. [ So they can start traveling! ]