 Gerik Brynn Aston
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| The Zephyr
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| Gender
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Male
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| Race
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Hyur
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| Clan
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Highlander
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| Citizenship
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Gridania
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| Guardian
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Menphina, the Lover
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| Age
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26
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| Nameday
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26th Sun of the 6th Astral Moon
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| Occupation
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Beekeeper
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| Server
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Balmung
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General
Gerik is a laid-back, charismatic highlander and can usually be seen with a smile on his face. He tries hard to avoid as much responsibility as possible (save for those causes he deems worth fighting for), not because he’s lazy, per se, he just wants to feel like he has the freedom to do what he wants, when he wants. Feeling his bare feet in the grass or the cool breeze that blows through the Twelveswood are some of his greatest pleasures.
Appearance
Height:
- 6 fulms, 5 ilms - he is a bit taller than most Highlanders.
Weight:
- 243 ponz – Gerik is a bit bulky in terms of muscle. He attributes his physique to good genes as he doesn't really do anything consciously to retain or build muscle.
Body:
- Gerik is well-built and defined having somewhat of a gymnast's build. Having worked for a short time at the Greatloam Growery in Gridania assisted in the development of muscle as well as his normal ability to retain his physique. He thinks his best attributes are probably his chest and arms.
Complexion:
- Tanned, bronzed skin covers Gerik's body. He used to have a few scars, but since he's been cohabiting with Deirdre she's returned his skin to its original condition. He has a symmetrical tattoo on his face, a simple design comprised of six white lines.
Hair:
- Gerik normally crops his hair very close to the scalp. He's considered growing it out however he generally doesn't like when his hair grows long enough to touch his ears. If he let it grow out, its natural color would be one of a darker burgundy or maroon. A moderate amount of stubble grows on his jawline, normally Gerik doesn't bother to trim it everyday, opting to trim it once every three days or so. Starting at his belly button, Gerik has a light dusting of hair that leads down to his genital region, sometimes he shaves it off, other times not.
Fashion:
- Shirtless is the way to go for Gerik. He finds that it provides the most freedom in terms of everyday activities, and he also likes to feel the breeze around him. However in situations where a shirt of some sort is necessary, he'll tend to use some sort of lightweight, breathable fabric. He also has a set of clothing for more formal events, he thinks that the wedge cap from the set makes him looks less intimidating. In downtime alone, Gerik can be seen in normally just his underwear, or a set of pants and shoes.
Personality
Due to Gerik's odd upbringing, he still remains a child at heart. More than anything he wants to be liked and to have people he can trust and rely on. He's very social and trusts people very easily due to this, however at the same time he's also afraid to let people get too close for the fear of others hurting him. Others might perceive him as being gullible and a bit slow and they'd probably be right. He never had a 'good' education, so in that regard he's not quite so bright. During his time spent at Gridania he's learned a little about how to cultivate plants, which plants have medicinal properties to them, and which plants are safe to eat, in addition to a bunch of other assorted knowledge about plants and creatures within the forest. Many would describe Gerik as 'lucky', sometimes things happen to him with little to no effort on his part, or he gets something accomplished in a very unorthodox manner.
Despite him not being a 'Forestborn,' he thinks he's earned the trust of the local Gridanians enough for them to treat him as one. He's spent a lot of his time in the Twelveswood, even going as far as to camp in the canopies of the trees at night. When on these extended camping trips he usually spends most of his time napping, or observing the happenings within the forest, his employers are generally not pleased as he may not come in to work for a few days or more. His favorite haunt is the White Willow near Camp Emerald Moss.
Family:
Gerik's mother and father were trading merchants, often travelling between every city-state. His surname, Aston, comes from his mother's maiden name and its midlander origins come from the words "East", and "tun", or the settlement to the east of a main village near the ash trees. Eirika, Gerik's mother, was daughter to a former Ala Mhigan noble house. His father, Ganun, was a commoner, and as such, Eirika was never quite satisfied being married to him. Their son, Gerik is 3/4 Highlander and 1/4 Midlander (from his mother's side).
Personality Traits:
Talents:
- Singing (Singing voice is based off John Martin, please ignore the electronic background music [1] [2] [3])
Likes:
Favorite Food:
Favorite Color:
- A bit undecided, definitely either blue or green though.
Favorite Creature:
Dislikes:
- Snooty condescending people
- The Ul’dahan “gil makes the world go round” mentality
- People who disrespect the Twelveswood
Fears:
- Feeling obligated to a lot of responsibility
- Becoming incapacitated, or otherwise less mobile
Demeanor:
Gerik tends to take a flippant approach to the world, that is, everything but a few select things are not taken quite as seriously as they should be, he also comes off as an optimist. Some of his favorite pasttimes are conversing and meeting new people. His charismatic and charming nature make acquiring friends a simple task, however he’s not one to sugarcoat things, instead preferring to be blunt and openly disagree should a point he feels is wrong manifest. In fact, due to his blunt nature, sometimes inappropriate comments may be blurted out. Despite this, Gerik tries hard to be as good-natured and kindhearted as possible.
Quirks:
- Has a very large appetite, can usually be seen snacking if there is nothing more pressing to attend to, nobody really knows how he stays in shape, not even Gerik.
- Gerik is quite sloppy; he strategically packs his bag every morning, his strategy for packing is to take a bunch of stuff strewn on the floor of his room and haphazardly dump it into his bag.
- Finds Roegadyn men absolutely endearing, he entertains the idea of a cuddly Roegadyn, and likes it, a lot.
History:
Childhood
- Gerik hails from Ala Mhigo. His parents worked as traveling merchants selling and trading wares from one city-state to another. His mother sang to crowds in an effort to increase sales and forced Gerik to do the same once he was old enough. During the time of the Garlean invasion, Gerik and his parents were in Gridania. Due to Gerik being a child at the time, they decided it would be safer for them to travel since he would be a burden and abandoned him in Gridania. There, he was raised in the Acorn Orchard with other Gridanian children. During his time growing up, he spent a lot of time in the forest basking in its beauty and enjoying the company of the creatures that are native to the Twelveswood.
Adolescency
- At the age of adolescency, Gerik decided he should find something meaningful to do with his life and repay the debt he felt he owed to Gridania, and since he's had a sizeable amount of prior experience with a bow (hunting) as well as the practice of tracking prey and remaining unseen; thus he began training more seriously in the art of archery with aspirations to become a member of the God's Quiver (he also dabbled a bit in the art of lances thinking he might be able to join the Wood Wailers, as well as conjury at the Stillglade Fane, however he dismissed these ideas once he realized he couldn't possibly attempt to join all three factions).
Adulthood
- However it was not to be; he was not accepted into the God's Quiver on reasons that are still unknown to him, instead they referred him to someone referred to as the "Godsbow." After much listening to Jehantel's songs and using them as a basis for study, he's slowly been increasing his repertoire of songs. Still, he prefers to not perform in public as he's a bit self-conscious. Gerik is currently looking into alternative ways to assist Gridania's cause due to his inability to assist the God's Quiver. His previous employment history was that of a simple lumberjack for the Botanist's Guild in Gridania. Prior to Dalamud, he found employment with the Shimmersong mercenaries, their headquarters residing in Owl's Nest; he finds the region of Coerthas breathtaking. Presently, he volunteers at the Honey Yard and lives in Ul'dah.
Dreadful Cacaphony - 0
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"Ugh." A young highlander woman sighed. "Ganun it it's crying again honestly how can one get her beauty rest with that dreadful cacaphony going on." She rolled over and slapped the highlander male lying adjacent to her. "Wake up and deal with it!" Ganun grunted in defeat and rolled out of bed. He exasperatingly sighed "Yes dear." Ganun coddled the newborn all the while sporting his trademark scowl; eventually the child eased up and fell asleep. He walked back to bed and fell asleep. Morning came and he woke up to his wife Eirika coddling the newborn almost maternally, a trait he thought she never possessed; however his thought was interrupted when she screeched. "You know my womanhood will never be the same because of you the only good thing you've brought me is a larger set of breasts!" She gazed down at her ample cleavage admiring herself. She turned to face Ganun who just awoke. "Ganun darling shouldn't we name this abomination?" She gestured almost disgustingly at the infant. "Yes yes I suppose we should" Ganun replied. After a bell of deliberation, Eirika had a thought. "Ganun why not just combine our names and be done with this nonsense, all this thinking will give me wrinkles; so how does 'Gerik' sound? I think it it's just marvelous, of course it contains more of my name seeing as I'm the important one." She turned around and began to admire her cleavage again. "Yes, I suppose Gerik it is then." He smiled slightly at the newborn, quite possibly the first smile he had in years.
Fish & Desperation - 4
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"What is that dreadful smell; it smells like fish and desperation!" Eirika held her nose shut with her index finger and thumb. Ganun sighed and said slowly. "Dear we are in Limsa Lominsa trying to sell wares... right now we are in the fish market. Fish. Market." Eirika brushed her hair out of her face and stuck her nose up. "Ganun I do believe it is your turn to supervise Derrick." He sighed. "It's Gerik dear, and yes bring him to me." Ganun replied scowling at his wife. "Yeah, whatever." Eirika shrugged as she was applying more lipstick. "Zarik get over here this iiiinstant!" However the young child did not appear. Eirika cleared her throat and shrieked "Merik!" "Do you mean to tell me you lost our child?" Ganun inquired with the same scowl that was ever present on his face. She replied coolly, "frankly Ganun, I can't be held responsible, for you should have been paying more attention to him. What kind of father are you anyway?!" She adjusted her skirt in such a manner so that it would reveal more of her upper thigh. "But fine, have it your way, I'll go search for the little cretin." She discovered the toddler playing with two fish that probably fell off a cart during transport; two merchant-looking men were next to him offering him various other seafood to play with. "Hi bitch!" the young Gerik exclaimed happily. "You just called me what?!" Eirika's face turned red with anger. "tha-tha's what my new f'rends said your name was e'rlier." He gestured to the two merchants. The merchants stood up visibly embarrassed, we didn't mean it miss we apologi-.” Just then Eirika delivered a quick backhand to both of the merchants faces. She picked up young Gerik before he could crawl off anywhere else and stormed off. She looked down at the toddler and noticed he was holding a rothlyt oyster, she slapped it out of his hands. "No we do not touch anything that looks like a vagin-!" Ganun interrupted her. "Eirika I've prepared our stall. Are you ready?" "Really Ganun, do you have to ask, I was born ready." She flashes an almost sinister grin and brushes some hair out of her face. "But before we begin..." She fashioned a rope attached to the stall as a leash for the toddler and proceeded to arrange her clothes so that they were more revealing. When she was ready she began to sing.
Sweet Child - 7
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"C'mmere Gerik! Eirika said sternly. "Ok mommy!" Gerik jumped off a stool and ran to her eagerly. "Yes, such a sweet child... now drink this!" Eirika handed him a cup with a strange smelling liquid inside. Gerik looked up at her with a suspicious expression but drank from the clay cup anyway. Moments later, everything seemed to blur together and he passed out on the floor. Eirika turned around "Ganun did you get the man I asked for?" She pulled her hair into an updo. "Yes dear, I did." Ganun opened the door to let a highlander man into their inn room in gridania. "There's your payment... now go! Work! We've discussed the design already." Eirika gestured at Ganun to pay the man to which he obliged. The man pulled out tattooing supplies which he held in a bag and began tattooing the young highlander with the same tattoo his mother had on her face, its significance was unclear; however the highlander tattooist accepted tattooing as part of a highlander tradition and simply did his job and didn't ask questions. When he finished he simply bowed and took his leave. "Now we can find him later darling... I do hope that makes you feel better about this." She twisted a lock of hair around her finger. "Now let's go" Ganun nodded and replied sullenly. "Our wares are packed and are outside already." He looked down at the ground. "Oh that's simply wonderful, now carry this!" He grunted as she tossed a bag of her clothes into his arms. The two highlanders exited the gridanian inn room and left to embark on their mercantile journey to Ul'dah.
Something Naughty - 10
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Holding a roll of paper in one hand and a stick of charcoal held between his teeth, Gerik began to climb a young tree in the Twelveswood. The cool breeze felt good against his skin. It had been three years since his parents disappeared. He touched the tattoo on his face almost nostalgicly; reflecting for a moment, but just a moment because it got interrupted by him expelling the charcoal from his mouth. "What to draw today?" he thought to himself. Thoughts ran through his head of possible ideas, but he eventually settled on a fluffy marmot on the grass below. "Guess it's another marmot today." Slowly he used the charcoal to render his masterpiece. When he was done, he climbed back down and headed back to the acorn orchard. "Oh my isn't this lovely it's an uh. imperial warship, or maybe it's an uh a pair of woman's bloomers..." The orphanage worker strained to see what exactly it was that Gerik drew. She turned the paper horizontally and vertically but could make no sense of what it was. "Is that something naughty?" She pointed to a blunt looking appendage attached to an unrecognizable blob. "No ma'am, that's a tail, it's a marmot." He gave her a charcoal-covered toothy smile; in return she forced one herself and replied "Why don't you take this?" The elezen woman reached into her bag and pulled out a notebook she had been using to keep her grocery list in. "You can keep your drawings in it." Gerik reached for it excitedly. "Boy! Thanks lady!" Another charcoal-covered grin was flashed at her. She sighed and hung her head. "I've told you six times already my name is Elimine." When she raised her head again, he was already halfway to the Blue Badger Gate.
Azeyma's Candle - 15
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"The festival is here!" A teenaged roegadyn gestured happily and pointed to a large fireworks machine. A group of similarly aged orphans from the acorn orchard gathered around him. Gerik looked up in wonder at the aerial fireworks, they looked like jewels bursting into the sky. "Aderyn, wait up!" The teenaged roegadyn turned around and beckoned for Gerik to join the group. When he caught up, Aderyn put his hand around Gerik's shoulder and they proceeded to walk toward the festival grounds. The motley group of orphans pooled all the gil they could scrounge up with and bought an assortment of fireworks: some red, some yellow, and some blue. Exclamations of joy could be heard from the group. Over the course of four hours, they used up all their fireworks and decided to use the big fireworks machine set in place for the festival instead. "Wanna climb up on the oak atrium for a better view?" Gerik tugged on Aderyn's sleeve. "Sure, you have the best ideas Gerik!" The two climbed onto the roof sat together and smiled in wonder at how much closer the fireworks were. An Azeyma's candle bursted in front of the pair, exploding in a myriad of colors. Just then, Gerik's hand accidentally landed on Aderyn's while readjusting himself out of a cross-legged position. "S-sorry" Gerik was about to pull his hand off Aderyn's, but Aderyn slowly pulled his hand out from under and placed it atop Gerik's. The two made eye contact for a while and Gerik slowly went in for a kiss. Noticing gerik's advance, Aderyn also slowly moved toward the highlander. It lasted but for a few seconds, then the two sat speechless on the roof of the Oak Atrium. Gerik smiled slightly all the while. Aderyn was the first to speak "Y-y'know I'm not like that, I like girls." Gerik frowned and looked off to the side, remaining silent. Aderyn continued "I'm gonna marry a nice elezen girl one day a-and we're gonna have lots of kids." He stood up and took a look another look at Gerik before climbing down the roof. Gerik pulled his knees up to his chest wrapped his arms around them and let out a deep sigh.
Logs - 17
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“So I just swing at it like that?” Gerik grinned at the Roegadyn he knew as Opyltyl. Opyltyl looked back at him and sighed. “Aye, don’t forget to ask for the elementals’ forgiveness... and do you always have to stick your tongue out when you swing?” Gerik shrugged and swung his hatchet at the tree again. He liked the way the doublet vest he bought looked on him. Of course, he decided he needed to look good for his first day at the Greatloam Growery which is why he spent most of his gil on it, plus it showed off his muscular arms, Gerik liked his arms. Opyltyl left soon after to manage the Growery. A loud yawn left his lips a few hours later and a warm, inviting-looking patch of grass caught his eye. Looking down at his meager stack of logs, he sighed and dropped his hatchet on the ground and started walking over and stretching for a nap.
Pre-Dalamud Summary
Gerik's story starts with a nap. The clearing he had been laying in was warm, breezy, and most importantly, he found his favorite type of moss to lay on, for it was more spongy than the other varieties that lived on the forest floor. His snores could probably be heard from quite a while away. His boss at the Greatloam Growery had been checking up on Gerik more frequently these days since he'd often discovered that throughout the workday Gerik would wander off somewhere and take a nap. Stumbling upon Gerik in the clearing, he pulled out a flyer and a bit of plant based adhesive from his pocket and walked over to the napping Highlander. He fixed the flyer onto Gerik's forehead with the adhesive and walked away shaking his head.
Three bells or so later, Gerik awoke to find a piece of parchment stuck to his forehead, he tried to pull it off, but only succeeded in ripping the portion not directly attached to the glue off. "Shimmersong - Mercenary Company", the flyer read, curious to see what the company was about, he went to Owl's Nest and it was there that he first met Ariel Madaellyn and Yssen Van. After a lengthy interview process that intimidated Gerik to no end, he was accepted. His first mission as a mercenary was with House Mavanix; during the mission a fight broke out, Gerik primarily served as a utility role protecting the young Miyuki Tatsugawa and after the battle was when he first met Kylin Mavanix, albeit unofficially. A week or so later, another Mavanix mission came in. This time a demon named Juravis threatened the group and it needed to be slain. During this mission he met Sydalyr Fyrilblyssyn and took a romantic interest in him almost immediately, being one of the few gay Roegadyns he's ever met.
Shortly after this mission, Gerik had a run in with Ysa Van, Yssen's mentally unstable sister. A fight was avoided however, and Gerik stayed in the Corvus Cinis HQ that night with Sydalyr Fyrilblyssyn. Unfortunately, Gerik has never seen Sydalyr again after that and figured that Syd was just uninterested in him. Shimmersong's ranks began to bolster; Kylin Mavanix, Seohyun Iyasu and Derrick Rickkon were recruited into Shimmersong. Through Seohyun, he was introduced to Deirdre Ta'ea albeit briefly in her apartment in Limsa Lominsa. Gerik and Kylin never officially met for a while. During their first meeting Kylin and he were fast friends and this is when Gerik made a deal with Kylin to show Kylin his sketchbook in exchange for swimming lessons.
The Aleport beach was where they spent their time swimming. Gerik felt a chemistry between the two but didn't act on it, afraid of being rejected again like with Sydalyr. Gerik ran into Deirdre on the beach one day, She asked Gerik to hold her underwater, he initally said no, but then complied no matter how confused he was.
Ysa attacked Gerik again shortly thereafter in Limsa Lominsa and wanted to know about Deirdre. Gerik hesitated to give her information initially however eventually yielded when she stabbed and dislocated his shoulder. Gerik called for Kylin over the Crystalline pearl and was met with the voice of a compassionate duskwight woman. Eva stitched his wound and took care of the dislocation, since then he's felt a certain debt to her. Soon thereafter, Deirdre and Gerik went into hiding from Ysa on the cliffs of La Noscea under Oschon's Torch, there she began training him in combat, specifically, with the knife.
After Deirdre attacked Gerik out of mental instability, Kylin took Gerik to his sister Elza's cabin in Gridania where they lived for a while. Gerik and Kylin also began a relationship in this time, but it was not to last.
During the Felstar Gala chaos ensued, aether erupted from the very ground beneath the attendees. Kylin was one of the ones that got sucked down into its abyss. Gerik and Deirdre regrouped at Elza's cabin mourning the losses of Kylin and Shurin, neither of them left the cabin or spoke for several days. Deirdre and Gerik fled for the Isles of Umbra when monsters started attacking the city-states because of Dalamud's proximity. It is there they spend their last days before the fall of Dalamud.
FFXIV: A Realm Reborn
Year One:
Lamb Sausage Is Discovered: Show text
Gerik strained his head to look back at the shore they were only twenty or thirty fulms out, but it felt like forever since they departed the Limsa docks. His rope restraints becoming more uncomfortable, but he tried to relax and enjoy the ride. He didn’t mind this positon, being tied face-down to the back of a Roegadyn; the Roegadyn’s back was comfortably warm.
The Captain of the boat “Ram’s Head” was Iawu, or “Wu” for short; a burly Hellsguard Roegadyn. “You doing all right back there? Don’t be gettin’ seasick or nothin’ or my back is gonna be covered in whatever’s in your stomach.”
Gerik managed a chuckle having relaxed significantly because of Wu’s kindness. Still he strained to look at Limsa Lominsa, trying to look for a blue haired Elezen. He thought he caught a glimpse of her for a second, but it was just what looked like a muscular man’s long blue wig blowing off in the sea breeze.
The waves rocked the boat back and forth, Wu seemed to know exactly how to steer a ship through choppy waters; it was sort of nice despite the thunder and lightning emanating from the sky above them.
“H-Hey.” Wu tensed up all of a sudden. “What’s that?”
Gerik snapped his attention from Limsa’s docks, to the horizon. Nothing. “What’s what?”
Wu looked back at Gerik sternly. “I know for a fact that I didn’t pack no lamb sausage in the back of my pants this mornin’.”
“Well.. the rocking.. and you’re so warm..” Gerik trailed off.
Wu grinned, “S’all right, I know how it is being a man.. Just don’t go drizzlin’ me with your baby gravy, I paid a lot for these pants.”
Some Bells Later –
Gerik opened his eyes from a nap, surprised by the bleakness of the sky, Dalamud seemed to glow stranger than usual. “Must be starting soon.”
Wu nodded. “I think we might be far enough from the impact zone now, but I’ll keep pressing further.”
Gerik squinted at Dalamud, “Hey, Wu, look at that..”
Wu turned around to look at Dalamud. Nothing too out of the ordinary. “Look at what now?”
Gerik flashed a wide grin at Wu. “You don’t have a lamb sausage down your pants anymore”
Wu smiled, rolled his eyes, and turned back to the wheel. “Boy, and it only took a few bells to do so!”
To their left a large splash erupted, a few passengers on the ship ran to look at the commotion. When they realized that it was a fragment of Dalamud, they fled for cover below the bridge. More fragments came flying their way, most hitting the water far away. Gerik breathed a sigh of relief.
Wu turned around to look at Dalamud. “What the – Are those wings?”
Gerik gripped Wu’s torso. “It’s coming closer.”
In an instant the giant wyrm was overhead and seemed to be en route to Limsa.
“You’d best hold on tight, Gerik.” Wu braced himself against the ship’s rail.
A massive wave took hold of the ship and with a fierce speed smashed it into the Procession of Terns. Luckily when the ship was destroyed Wu managed to wedge himself between the railing and the walkway of the procession with Gerik still affixed to his back. Wu himself had a small plank of wood impaled through his left calf, Gerik got off mostly unscathed save various cuts and bruises. Wu had been knocked unconscious by one of the ship’s support beams.
Gerik looked over at the direction in which the massive wyrm flew. “Deirdre...”
New Beginnings
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It had been a week since the tidal wave hit Limsa Lominsa. People were still looking and grieving for loved ones. A few rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, the first rays anyone had seen in days. Gerik had been holed up in Iawu’s home in Limsa Lominsa. It was a long week.
“You’ll be alright laying here Wu?” Gerik touched Wu’s leg gingerly. He had just rebandaged the wound.
“Aye, that pretty nurse comes by regularly, I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Wu says with a grin.
“Pretty nurse… ” Gerik thought for a moment. “I thought there was only a MALE midlander nurse that came by here? You never told me you…”
“You never asked.” Wu finished quickly. “But anyway, you had best go, I know you want to look for Deirdre.” He tossed Gerik a sack of gil. “S’what Deirdre ordered me to give to you.”
Gerik caught the sack, nearly dropping it in the process. “Oh, this is the gil..” He kneeled down and reached into the sack, pulling out whatever could fit in his hand and stuffed it down Wu’s pocket. “For breaking my fall.” Before leaving, he flashed Iawu a small grin.
---
Gerik pulled the mint green scarf over his chin as he began his journey outside of Limsa Lominsa taking only a moment to glance back at the battered city-state as the wind billowed.
New Beginnings II
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Gerik made his way to Carteneau astonished at the remnants of the battle. Already he'd stumbled upon several corpses, each in varying states of decay. Although he'd never admit it, he cried at the sight of each, thinking any of them could have been be his friend once. Weapons occasionally occasionally served as beacons that glittered in the sun. The highlander came across a bow made of a strange purple stone, it needed a restringing, but otherwise it seemed to work fine. he picked it up and slung it over his shoulder. A short prayer was uttered to ask for forgiveness to take this bow and to offer peace to whomever once held it. He spent the entire day looking for a body with long blue hair, one of these days he vowed to come back with flowers in honor of the dead. The area was a wasteland, he was the only one alive and walking in the area with only corpses to greet him.
He saw a midlander cadaver that he thought was his friend Blade, he was slumped over on his massive axe, and it looked like he was missing an arm as well as half his face. Resisting the urge to sob again, he reached into his bag to find something appropriate to offer as his condolences. Finding nothing of worth, Gerik settled on placing his lunch: two boiled eggs and a few Mizzenmast Biscuits, at the knees of the man. Then he made a ring of stones around him, to signify that someone did care about him. However, Gerik never found who he was looking for. Disheartened, he turned around and headed to Gridania.
Year Two:
Can you Even Lift?
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"So, moving on then, do you have any weaknesses?"
"Hmmm, well I don't like getting stung by bees, if that's what you mean." Gerik shifted uncomfortably in the ash chair. "Oh! Also I haven't really tasted honey that much previously."
His elezen interviewer grimaced, unsure what to do with his responses. "Uhh.. so do you have any previous experience with beekeeping?"
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I used to get stung by bees a lot, that's how I know I don't like it." Rolling up his left sleeve, he pointed to an area on his arm where a bee had stung him. "I think this was the most recent, a few years ago maybe."
She stared blankly. "I just... I don't think you're qualified. But we don't have any other applicants, so I guess you're hired? Wait, you can lift at least one of those hives right?"
"Easily, probably." He looked through the window behind her at the wooden crate-looking hive.
"Oh, would you mind demonstrating, just for proof?" She turned around to fetch him some protective gear but was confused to find out that he'd left the shack, probably because of his impatient expectancy to demonstrate himself competent at the job.
She heard yelling coming from outside and immediately knew what had happened. He had tried to pick up an already populated hive.
Honey Straight from the Hive
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"Just draw the bowstring back like this, and hold it. Hold your breath and take in your surroundings. Keep the scene in your mind. You may let go now, slowly." Calloused fingers touched the highlander's shoulder. "You've done well today, keep practicing."
Gerik looked confusedly in reciprocation and released the string just as she had told him. "But I didn't shoot anything."
"Ah, but you did. You just don't know it yet." The elderly elezen woman patted his head of hair. "You young people are so impatient nowadays."
"Hm.. Well ok. Same time tomorrow then?" He handed her a satchel that jingled with the sound of glass.
Her eyes widened as she opened the satchel. "Oh goody, my favorite, honey straight from the hive." She smacked her lips, "And how creative, you left part of the honeycomb in the jar. Momma's got to buy some toast to enjoy this with!" She tapped her chin with her bony fingers. "Yes, same time tomorrow. By the way, where did you get your bow, it's very, how do you say, unique?"
"I actually found it when looking for a friend.. Up in Mor Dhona. I guess someone dropped it or something." He handed he the bow, figuring that she wanted to see it for a better inspection.
She delivered a loud slap. "A dead man's bow?! What were you thinking?! Her nostrils flared as she exhaled.
Gerik recoiled after her slap and rubbed his stinging bicep, "Oww...that hurt."
She knocked on the bow, "Such an odd material wouldn't you say? Definitely not wood, some sort of stone, perhaps? Still, at least it's a longbow, wouldn't want a man like you to be using a sissy miqo'te shortbow." She chuckled at her comment bemusedly. "Hell maybe I would have ripped this bow out of some poor sap's dying hands too!"
"BZZZZZ"
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“The... bee goes Bzzzzzz?” Gerik raises an eyebrow at Iawu. “Is that… is that me getting stung on the ass?”
Iawu let out a hearty laugh. “Aye, was hoping you wouldn’t notice.”
Gerik stifled a laugh by biting his tongue, trying to appear serious. “W-well how couldn’t I? It’s just there… in the open, you even used the crack in the book as my buttcrack, what kind of kids book is this anyway?”
Iawu flipped through the pages of another copy and answered rather pointedly. “It’s an alphabet book, B is for Bee, D’you think it’s any good?”
After looking at his illustrated ass from every angle one could possibly imagine with a book, Gerik shifted his gaze back at Iawu whilst cracking a grin. “I knew I shouldn’t have told you about that story about me and the Honey Yard. And I didn’t get stung on the ass, I got stung on the uh… my...” Gerik furrowed his brows, thinking. “This thingy!” He points to his tailbone.
Iawu shrugged. “Close enough!” He took a seat and began flipping through the book again. “What sound d’you reckon an imp makes?”
Gerik’s face shifted from pensive to dumbfounded over a period of tics. “How’s this?” Gerik tucked his hands under his armpits and flapped imaginary imp wings. “SKREE SKREE!”
Iawu continued staring, even after Gerik’s sound effects. “Wow… I gotta say, that was… that was awful.”
Gerik crossed his arms. “Well you do it then.”
Iawu set the book on the table adjacent to his seat and got up, briefly adjusting his glasses. He brings his hands up to shoulder height and begins flapping them furiously. “TIIII, TIIII!” He stopped suddenly when he caught a glimpse of an old woman staring at them through the window.
“I-I was going to offer you some popotoes… but I think I’ll give them to that harlot next door instead…” The old woman chewed her lower lip for a while before adjusting her bra and walking away.
Year Three:
Men's Underwear
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The rain left Gerik's hair like dew covered grass. He hadn't expected how enjoyable it would be to work at the honey yard. Despite a painful start, he quickly learned the practice of beekeeping, and in fact, he enjoyed it immeasurably. He ran his hand through his hair before starting to harvest the honey from a nearby hive. Thoughts of several years ago flooded his head, mostly of Dalamud. He had always wondered where all the familiar faces that he was so accustomed to seeing went; where was Kylin, where was Deirdre, where was Blade? He plucked a bee out of the honey, it had mistakenly flown in.
Gerik sealed off the jar and headed back inside. "I've got the last batch harvested, should I just deliver this stuff now?" He licked his finger after noticing some vestigial honey lingered.
A red haired wildwood woman lifted her eyes from the paper she had been reading. "Oh my.. You're so very fast, I'd even dare to say you're one of the best workers here." Sauntering over she removed her glasses.
Flashing her a grin and glancing behind himself quickly, he decided "I um.. I think I'll just deliver these."
The wildwood woman eyed him up and down before taking his hand and brought it up to her lips.
Gerik was a rigid plank of wood, he cringed at her advances, but she was his superior. Her tongue was a snake slithering over the finger he had licked prior. "Right um.. I think it's, it's.." Gerik shifted uncomfortably. "Look, the new Lalafell employee is stealing the honey!" As the eleven woman spun around to look outside the window, he took his delivery and ran.
---
"This seems like the place..?" A large Uldahn mansion that had seen better days stood in his path. He took the knocker in his hand, but the door opened before he could bring it down, a sophisticated looking highlander woman met his gaze and answered rather pointedly.
"Baelhyn residence, this is Etienne."
"Oh, ah I'm here for the delivery, yeah?"
"I see. Please bring it this way, and leave your shoes outside, they are filthy."
She led him past the foyer and into the kitchen. What looked like a mansion that would have employed a full retinue of retainers was empty and lonely.
"Please leave it here." Her gloved hand pointed to a countertop, as he approached she began to develop a displeased expression on her face. "When was the last shower you had? Your very smell is causing me to age."
Taken aback by her comment, Gerik paused for an inordinate amount of time before placing the jars on the counter. "Walking from Gridania to Ul'dah isn't a short walk, yeah?"
She seemed to ignore his last comment,"Why, I feel as though I should do the greater community a service and allow you a shower."
"Thanks? I think."
Gerik stood still, still unsure of what transpired. When he snapped back, he realized the woman was already down the hallway.
"You will have to use the master's bathroom, I am afraid the other bathrooms are in disrepair at this moment in time." Producing a plush towel from her right hand, she opened the door to the ornately decorated bathroom and let him inside. "Do not steal anything, I know exactly how many soaps and miscellaneous bath accessories we have." With that she turned on her heel and closed the door behind her, tawny brown hair trailing after.
Gerik removed off his shirt and pants quickly, however he decided to examine the bathroom a little closer, it had been a long while since he'd seen a posh bathroom like this, he eagerly opened all the soaps and sniffed them, and then looked though the drawers. In one he found what looked like a collection men's underwear. He looked behind him making sure Etienne wasn't behind him. Quickly he removed his own underwear and pulled up the one he found; grinning, he modeled for himself in the mirror.
"Ahem."
A well dressed man stood in the doorway.
"My, when the cat is away, the mice will certainly play."
Men's Underwear Part II
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Gerik turned around to catch a glimpse of the man who possessed the assertive baritone voice.
A clean-cut highlander man stood in the doorway, a towel wrapped around his waist; sun-kissed skin glowing from the afternoon sun. “So I suppose this is what the menial labor of Eorzea has come to, trying on others’ clothes and doing as they please in another’s house.”
Gerik twiddled his thumbs. “Ah, sorry.. I didn’t mean to-.”
A smirk crossed the noble’s lips, and slowly his mouth distorted as if to hold back laughter, the dam that was his lips eventually gave way and a torrent of laughter followed. Slowly his laughter slackened, Gerik stood dumbfounded at the man throughout the process.
“I’m sorry, you just have no idea how dull these days are; a little excitement is good.” He wiped tears from his eyes. “Usually the only person I ever talk to is Etienne, and I’m quite afraid we’ve run out of things to talk about. Anyway, my name is Issachar, and you are?”
Gerik grinned, happy that the situation didn’t end up with him being arrested. “I’m Gerik, from the Honey Yard, but um.. nice place you got here.”
Issachar nodded and scanned the floor, not seeming to pay attention the latter part of what Gerik said. “So you were going to take a bath, I take it?”
Gerik positioned himself so that he could lean against the sink across the doorway. “Yeah, your assistant kind of dragged me up here.”
“Etienne will definitely do that. She might call me ‘Master’ or what have you, but she’s the real one that runs this estate. But ah, I suppose you don’t need to hear all this, I’ll wait my turn to use the facilities.” With that, he bowed and gently closed the door behind him. “You can keep that underwear by the way!” Issachar projected from the other side of the door.
---
Briefly into his bath, he heard a few knocks on the door. “Mister Gerik, Master Baelhyn wishes to have tea with you after his shower. He has also instructed for me to lay clothes out for you, they are located on the end table outside of this door.”
Smiling at the rhythmic intervals of Etienne’s heels going down the hallway he closed his eyes and soaked in the tub.
Tea is Served
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Etienne dropped a silver tray laden with a teapot and two teacups abruptly on the table with a loud clank. "Your tea sir." She turned on her heels and walked back to the kitchen.
The two men stared at each other a moment wondering what that minor outburst meant. Issachar broke the silence first. "Forgive her, I assume she's most used to serving nobility. I'm assuming she's taking serving an ah.. how do I say this delicately." Issachar murmured to himself. "Ah, there it is, working class member. She's taking serving a working class member as an affront to her station, or that's what I'm presuming anyway."
Gerik stopped mixing honey into his tea briefly to look back at Issachar. "I can go, if it's making her feel bad, yeah?"
"No, no, you're fine. Hell, for all I know, we might be members of this working class soon, my parents' business ventures haven't been going very well with me at the wheel." Issachar shrugged nonchalantly and sipped at his tea. "I mean, if the state of this house isn't an indicator."
"It's not so bad, I can get you a job at the Honey Yard." Gerik smirked and leaned back in his chair and gestured to the jar of honey sitting on the glass tea table. "It's more difficult than it seems to harvest that."
Issachar feigned a scoff. "Such a lowly position has no place with these noble hands!" When his attempt at a joke failed and Gerik looked more confused than anything, the highborn highlander tried to revive the conversation again. "I uh.. that was my attempt at being humorous, my apologies for offending. Truth be told, I'd enjoy experiencing that."
"You will do no such thing." Etienne's encroaching footsteps alerted the two to her position, she carried a tray of fruit tarts. "You need to consider your parents' legacy, may they rest in peace, before you go off gallivanting with some man you just met a few hours ago, I will not be selling myself off in the streets like those Concern girls." She shot Gerik a deadly look before placing the tray onto the table.
"Well why not? I mean it's good work." Gerik replied, a bit more defensive than he would have liked.
"I am afraid I will not be dignifying that with a response." She crossed her arms and looked away.
Issachar laughed profusely before breaking into a coughing fit. "Look at you two, like an old married couple." He was the only one that chuckled at his own joke. "But I suppose you're right, I do need to attend to business." Issachar fiddled with his cravate. "Tell you what Gerik, why don't make an arrangement where you come by and visit weekly or so?"
Year Four:
Becoming a Tree
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A dapper man stepped out behind an ornate changing screen. "Well, how is it?" He ran his hands over the satiny fabric covering his chest. "I'm not quite so fond of this collar."
"Mister Issachar, it's fine. I hired the best seamstresses at sunsilks, they even embroidered your family crest into it." A silver marmot laid at the cuff of his left sleeve.
"Oh, that's what that is." He ran his fingers over the embroidery. "This is supposed to represent my family's fur trade, yeah?"
Etienne rolled her eyes. "You've been starting to speak like that... like that uncouth delinquent ever since you allowed him to commandeer the guest bedroom."
The royal purple bowtie gleamed like an amethyst as Issachar straightened it. Peering through the mirror at Etienne he smirked. "Be nicer to him, won't you?"
She made a sigh and gave him an acidic look. "Shall I make arrangements for Lady Ardris to escort you? I really wish you didn't invite that crude lummox."
The placid expression on his face broke. He coughed. "You mean for that vile, insipid woman to escort me?"
"We have no choice, we're losing gil, do you want us to be out on the streets?! Putting yourself in a position to marry Lady Ardris is the best shot you have at bringing this family back to the wealth it once knew." With a hand on her hips she turned around biting her lip, she hated mandating things to him.
Looking wistfully at the bird that had just perched itself on the windowsill, Issachar answered, "I suppose you're right." A sigh left his lips. "Say, Etienne, what do you suppose of the idea of you taking over my parents' business. If I recall, you're quite proficient at numbers."
"Well, sure, I graduated top of my class at the old Mavanix Academy. But what do you mean to say?" She spun around on her heel to look at him accusingly. "You're just giving up?"
A dignified gait carried the man over to a sofa where he sat and placed a book onto his lap. "Oh come now, let's not sugarcoat things, we both know the time of my eternal sleep is sooner than later... I've put a lot of thought into this, and I think you should be the rightful leader to my parents' legacy, they always did love you like a daughter, just as I've always loved you as a sister." He tapped the book a few times to break the silence that fell after his declaration, "I've been reading this story, the protagonist dies and wants to be buried with a tree to celebrate the metaphorical union of the cycle of life and death. I'd like to think I could go that way too, so very poetic."
With tears welling in her eyes she delivered a hard backhand to his face. "No more of this talk." She took a tic to compose herself and to wipe the tears from her face. "I'll need to prepare Gerik for this society event should you really wish for him to attend with you."
Issachar nodded, holding the side of his face. "... please do."
---
Several rhythmic knocks alerted Gerik to a prescence on the other side of the bathroom door. He put down the rubber chocobo he had been playing with in the bathtub. "Eh? That you Etienne?"
A muffled reply came from the other side of the door. "I so wish that you would stop speaking in that agrarian elocution you love so dearly. When you come out of there I have a few lessons for you."
"What kind of lessons? Are they going to be painful again?" Gerik looked at the burn mark he had on his palm from grabbing an deceptively hot pan.
"Well my goodness, I had no idea I was living with a little girl, and who grabs a cast iron pan without a potholder anyway?!" She struck the door with her hand.
He could hear her tapping her heels to the floor, she was growing impatient. "Alright, alright, I'm coming." He set the rubber chocobo atop the faucet and drained the water from the bathtub.
Year Five:
Issachar
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Issachar collapsed one balmy day in Ul'dah. Everything seemed pleasant enough, his favorite tree in the garden had just grown fruit. Etienne was out conducting business on his behalf, and Gerik was probably out with his Roegadyn friend. It was a shame he'd never gotten to meet this Burgenheim fellow, Gerik told him all about the Roegadyn's enthusiasm for books. Perhaps they could have traded stories. He would concede that he felt jealous of Gerik spending so much time with the man, But it was for the best, they all knew this day would come. Issachar drew up his will just the other week, he had every faith that Etienne would revive his parent's namesake; and Gerik, well, he wanted him to be happy. A percentage was to be skimmed off the top of their profits and sent directly to Gerik, weekly, Etienne was to do this herself; as for the Baelhyn Manor, they were to each own half the rights to the property. it would take a lot of gil to repair things that had fallen to a state of disrepair.
He coughed.
Issachar didn't want to burden them with his inconvenience, it was good that neither of them were home, they could enjoy their time out to the fullest. He stared at the ceiling cursing his ailment, imagining Gerik's skin against his own, his stubble like a cat's tongue running down his chest. And then that first day they had met. He reminisced over the warm honeyed toast they had shared that this morning, honey could certainly only be described as liquid gold. Or even earlier that morning when he spent a good deal of time just happy to be cuddling with the man, his hands intimately embraced around Gerik's chest, he was always so warm, and he loved when Gerik's musk wafted into his nose. Gerik's natural musk was like an open field; it made think him of cobblestones and maybe ash trees, somewhere open and free. Then his vision began to fade, so he closed his eyes. His hearing dulled, so he stopped listening. His breath began to weaken, so he stopped breathing.
Cake
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"MY CAKE! WHERE IS IT?!" Etienne tore through the manor like a madwoman. Loud footsteps encroached quickly toward a sleeping Gerik. "DID YOU EAT IT?! DID YOU?!"
He rubbed his eyes lazily and propped himself up on one arm over the sofa. "Ugh.. My brain is telling me you're being way too loud for my hangover right now."
"You did eat it didn't you?! There isn't anything in this house that hasn't been in your mouth at least once!" Her eyes grew large with rancor. "You even ate some of my eye cream! And don't act like I didn't notice, I saw your fingerprints on the patina on the side and there was about a spoonful missing!"
"Hey! It looked like whipped cream, and it was in such a nice little jar!" He sat up, already feeling tense from their constant conflicts ever since he moved in, though lately it had gotten worse.
"Gods, you are one of the most disgusting beings that ever inhabited Hydaelyn! I saved up MOONS for that cake! Not to mention how long it took to get onto the waiting list to even buy it! The Bismarck only makes five of those a year!" Each of her words were punctuated by the stomping sound of her custom made heels. "Well?! Did you eat all of it?!"
"I uh... Nooooo?" Knowing she was right, he scanned the room for the tray it had come in.
"I should have known. You only have about FIVE stomachs in that body of yours." She sighed and pivoted around, "Well, I have a board meeting to attend, but I expect reparations when I return! And clean your room, it looks like the asshole of the Mineral Concern exploded in there!"
A few quick motions of her hands and her long sleeves were rolled up to her elbows and her business attire was smoothed over.
As soon as he knew she left the foyer, he trudged over to the kitchen and pulled a little box out of the pantry. Quickly thumbing through the slips of paper, he began to look for a recipe.
Cake Part II
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Etienne exhaustingly pushed the stained glass door open, she kicked off her heels and continued to walk over to her room. Halfway there she caught a whiff of something heavenly coming from the kitchen. She peeked around the corner and caught sight of Gerik trying to frost what looked like a piece of marmot steak.
His tongue stuck out like an upturned leaf as he paddled icing on with a spoon. Not noticing her peeking in the doorway, he proceeded to apply what looked like wording to the cake. He thought to himself about what happened earlier that day, he had been an ass. He had just been so angry lately. Angry at Etienne, angry at Issachar, but mostly angry at himself. He tried to legibly pipe out "I'm Sorry" on the cake, and mostly achieved legibility. Gerik sighed deeply and looked over at his cake, staring at it a moment before slowly sliding the platter that held the cake to the edge of the counter and dumping it nonchalantly in the trash where all his previous cakes had landed. Leaning against the counter with his back facing Etienne. With a somber look at the trash, Gerik slid to the floor,tucking his knees into his chest.
"You don't need to waste food, you know." Etienne cracked a grin at him. Her hazel eyes looked over the somber looking highlander, he hadn't responded to her remark. "Look, I'm sorry, I've been quite tough on you ever since Issachar took a fancy to you... Well, ever since you first visited really." She tucked a stray piece of tawny hair behind her ear. "It's been tough ever since Mister Baelhyn left, I know."
His eyes had begun to grow glassy. Knowing her stoic analytical nature, he appreciated that she was even trying to make a joke of sorts, but the truth was that he had been incredibly unhappy ever since the death of his lover, Issachar. He nodded through her attempted dialogue with him, but he simply couldn't concentrate.
She sighed and slid onto the the floor next to Gerik, it was covered in flour, but she was beyond the point of caring about her clothes. "You know.. I ordered the cake for the both of us, I wanted us to enjoy it during this tough time. I shouldn't have gotten angry at you." She placed her palm flat on the floor and shifted some flour around.
Without warning, Gerik wrapped his arms around her in an embrace. He buried his tear-streaked face into her shoulder. "N-no, I'm sorry. I just.. I just-"
"I know, I know, I miss him too." She patted him uncomfortably, bodily contact was a pet peeve of hers. Still, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "I think I know something that we can do that would make Issachar happy, I'll be right back." Moments later she returned holding a seed, "I um.. I remember him saying that he wanted to have a tree planted inside his grave. Mind you I don't know what kind of tree this is, but perhaps this will do." Delicately she opened the mans hands and places the seed between his palms. She gave him a half smile before taking a few steps backward. "See to it that you tell that new maid of ours that this mess get attended to."
Current
(COMING SOON)
Rumors
Common Rumors
- “Aye, that’s the guy I saw at the Bismark, ate nearly 3 plates o’ raw oysters ‘afore passing out in a room at the Mizzenmast.” -Astonished Highlander
- “You remember that one man who came by and chatted me up last week right? Babette told me over linkshell that she just saw him snogging a Roegadyn in the Market Wards, and not a female one! …No, you most certainly cannot watch them Damali!” – Scorned Midlander
- “With a gilded tongue like that, I’m not surprised he’s not got a higher position in society. Don’t even get me started on that nice lookin’ body he’s got.” – Lascivious Roegadyn
- "I heard that guy has a terrible work ethic, sometimes doesn't show up for days! But damn if I can't say no to that smile." - Conflicted Elezen
- "You could probably sell a bridge to that guy, he'll believe whatever you tell him...I guess all looks, no brains? ...Sure was good in bed though." - Disappointed Lalafell
Intermittent Rumors:
- “I heard he grew up at some orphanage in Gridania, why’d ya think his parents would give him up, oooh, maybe he has mental issues, or maybe the moogles brought him to Gridania, or maybe…” – Presumptuous Lalafell
- “The Adventurer’s Guild doesn’t seem to like to hand him leves, supposedly he turns down most of them. Sounds like pure slothfulness to me, what happened to the quality of our adventurers? Back in my day, adventurers weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.” – Elderly Elezen
- "I heard he came into some gil recently, first that rich Mavanix boy, and then that Baelhyn heir.. I bet he's a no-good golddigger!" - Scandalous Elezen
Rare Rumors:
- “The other week I caught him hanging out with an Ixal near Murmur Rills, looked pretty comfortable with em’. Guess when it comes to friends he don’t discriminate even between beastmen, could probably use that as some damn good blackmail though.” – Scheming Roegadyn
- “You know about those rich aristocrats in Ul’dah right? Apparently that bloke might’ve had some intimate relations with one of them, or one of their sons; whichever, it don’t matter much, anyway it ended sourly. Rarely ventures into Ul’dah now, or at least that’s what I noticed, and I would know! I sell the airship tickets from Gridania!” – Gossipy Elezen
- “Heard his parents might still be alive despite them being off the grid for years. Don’t think he’s interested in trying to locate them though, I think they used to use him just for their benefit and dumped him in Gridania when it got rough.” – Softspoken Midlander
Player Character Rumors (Feel free to add your own!):
- "He is a loyal sort, with a bigger heart than his chest can contain. If you are inquiring after him with intention to harm, I will string you up and flay the flesh from your bones." -Deirdre Ta'ea
- "I never cared about anyone like I did him. But alas, Nymeia had other plans." -Kylin Felstar
- "Who? Oh- Yea, he's tall. And.. large? No, really, I've not met him but twice or so.. I can't tell you much about him. If you see him though, tell him I didn't mean to hit him aye?" -Aysun Demiir
Affiliations
- Burgenheim Rousa: Gerik's new confidant and best friend, he visited the Corvus Cinis Headquarters nearly every day while living in Ul'dah to visit him. He loves the stories the Roegadyn tells him. Gerik is thankful for the Roegadyn's presence, as Burgenheim was the only friend he had in Ul'dah at the time. As the Sultana bought the old Corvus Cinis estate, Burgenheim is now living in Gerik's guest room.
- K'aworu Rhea: Gerik found K'aworu after rumors of the "Warriors of Light" reappearing. He brought him to the fane for medical treatment and worked at the Honey Yard to cover his expenses. Recently he's moved into Gerik's Ul'dahn home, much to Etienne's chagrin.
- Razeyha'li Venyhs: Gerik met Razeyha'li in Gridania while he was looking for herbs for K'aworu. The two spent more time with each other when Razeyha'li offered to venture to Ul'dah with Gerik. A lot of what Razeyha'li says confuses Gerik, but he likes that he at least tries to dumb it down enough for him.
- Seohyun Iyasu: Seohyun disappeared for 5 years, but recently Gerik's rediscovered her in an unorthodox way. Seohyun and Gerik were set up for an arranged marriage to benefit both of their families.
- Kylin Felstar: Quite possibly one of the most unexpected friends he's ever had. Kylin didn't turn out to be what Gerik expected a rich entitled heir to be. They had an intense short-lived relationship over a few months; Gerik now believes Kylin is dead due to 5 years of no contact.
- Deirdre Ta'ea: Deirdre has grown to be a matriarchal figure for Gerik. Despite him not knowing why she often goes out of her way to protect him, he enjoys her company. She's also served as Gerik's mentor of sorts in the art of the dagger. Recently relations between them got more awkward because of a night they may or may not have spent together. He hasn't seen her in 5 years and believes her dead.
- Blade Belisaire: Blade has been a sort of recurring acquaintance for Gerik; they first met when Gerik tried to pick him up in a bar. He doesn't know much about the man, except that he's been acting a bit.. off, as of lately. He hasn't seen him in 5 years and believes him dead.
- Eva Ianeira: Gerik finds Eva a very pleasant acquaintance. He doesn't know her that well, however she gave him medical attention after his shoulder had been stabbed and he feels indebted to her to a degree. He'd like to get to know the even-tempered duskwight better. He hasn't seen her in 5 years.
- Ariel Madaellyn:At their first meeting, Gerik was very much intimidated by Ariel, she holds such an authoritative aura about her. However he's begun to let his guard down around her and has decided that she's genuinely a nice person. He hasn't seen her in 5 years.
- Selene Artemis: He knows Selene as Blade's girlfriend. The two haven't really gotten to know each other much, but he feels awkward about their relationship because of a night they may or may not have spent together. He hasn't seen her in 5 years.
- Yssen Van: Very few words have been exchanged between Yssen and Gerik. Previously finding Yssen hypocritical on the topic of his sister and distancing himself between Yssen, he's decided to let the past be the past. He hasn't seen him in 5 years.
Fan Art
I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the art done of Gerik, and I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to draw him!
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Kres Leschae
Abaigeal
Tim'a Fei
Mtoto Wamoto
Deirdre
Tim'a Fei
Xenedra
Rhostel
Me
Me
Annotations
The Sketchbook: Since he was young, Gerik has always kept a sketchbook handy, primarily because of his affinity to drawing. He's gone through quite a lot over the years (13 total) and keeps them in his lodging with the exception of the one being used, which is always kept on his person. Many of his sketches are of the creatures that live in Eorzea, as well as men he finds attractive. He's quite private about the contents of his sketchbook, save for those people he trusts the most. One of the caretakers at the Acorn Orchard got him his first sketchbook, and since then he's been attached to the idea.
- Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to talk to me about planning an RP or something. Either sending me a /tell in game or a PM on the RPC will work. I'm down for most everything, plus Gerik needs more friends!
If you wanted more stuff to read about Gerik, you could check out these pages on TvTropes: Gentle Giant, Dumb Muscle, Men Can't Keep House, The Slacker, Gym Bunny, Straight Gay.
Actor who would Portray Gerik: Marco Dapper
Theme Song: Lazy Daydream
Gerik Brynn Aston
