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MIAOU has been through a lot. Four umbral calamities, to be exact.
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Long ago, during the age of the Allagan Empire, a fatally injured miq'ote laborer was urgently brought into the care of its scientists. With life draining fast, there was no other choice than to allow themselves to be subjected to a multitude of trials and experiments by the will of Amon. After putting the power of Allag's advanced technology to the ultimate test with a grueling amount of trial and error, the creation of the first cyborg, MIAOU, was deemed a success.

As their flesh was now intertwined with the full ability of Allagan tech, MIAOU was rendered practically immortal, with cybernetic arms, hands, face, and heart preserving their youthful state for as long as the alterations stayed intact.

Being the technological success that they now were, MIAOU was given all sorts of new privileges, as well as a completely different work life. Along with now being put out on the battlefield, they were also granted a plethora of Allagan knowledge regarding mechanics and technology, and spent their days forging robots and weapons to grow their ever-expanding robotic army. Sure, it wasn't the most fun or lavish lifestyle they could have, but it was one they were comfortable with; familiar with. They wouldn't ever dream to live in a society that didn't have the advancements they interacted with every day.

Allag wasn't perfect, but it was their home. And when the fourth umbral calamity took it away from them, they found themselves completely lost, a total outsider among those of the new astral era. Without a place to call home, there was naught much they could do except become a wanderer. Odd jobs, mechanic favors, and hunting easily earned them enough gil to keep themselves afloat.

As each era passed, the knowledge of Allag amongst the public grew thinner and thinner, and as its concept shifted from a recent past into that of a more legendary, historical civilization, MIAOU would be questioned more and more by those they came into contact with, as the design of their mechanical parts were clearly of an Allagan build. This was more annoying than flattering, and so they eventually donned their signature jacket, pants, face mask, and gloves that they still wear today, in order to keep hidden as much of their mechanical parts as possible.

With the double-edged sword of immortality eventually taking its toll on them, MIAOU in the present day of the Seventh Umbra Era is completely jaded, exhausted from all their years of being alive. After having survived a total of four umbral calamities that always took everything they knew and held dear within the era, MIAOU now simply wished to keep their lonesome, wandering lifestyle, without the weight and eventual loss of any companions.

Though obviously, fate would have other plans for them.

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Lol? Who knows

(Small note: The events that occur during the ARR dragoon quests do not occur here)

-TLDR: A extremely painful and tedious slowburn of FWB to lovers between two idiots that can't read the room to save their lives
-I mean that seriously because despite several 'nights' and emotional confessions (saving from nidhogg, inn cutscene offscreen shenanagins, promises to always be a linkpearl call away) they don't think the other likes them romantically, this started in Heavensward and goes through the entirety of Endwalker and maybe even still will continue in Dawntrail because these two are incredibly stubborn!
-They first did the do in Azys Lla during Heavensward and it was so intense that Estinien is left with deep claw marks on the back of his neck, and MIAOU with deep bite marks around their collar. Though these marks are usually hidden by clothing and hair, permanent scars are left behind after they heal.
-Their behavior towards each other can and will change on the dot. One flirting while the other is flustered (it swaps), comfortable besties one second to both nervous and butterfly stomach'd the next
-Also both of them are absolutely terrible at flirting, I swear they spout total nonsense sometimes, but it NEVER fails to make the other flustered while the rest of the Scions cringe in the background
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The reason MIAOU wears a mask.

After an experimentation of Amon's design. performed on MIAOU's fatally injured body, had been so intensely successful as to provide the miqo'te with immortality, MIAOU essentially became his plaything, subjecting them to further tests and experiments in which Amon would ultimately take advantage of them. Also parading them all around Allag like the prized, albeit ugly (in Amon's eyes), possession they were. MIAOU's creation was one of the most important stepping stones for Amon, eventually using the knowledge gained from them to resurrect the late Emporer Xande, who would be the one to cause Allag's end under the guise of the unsundered Emet-Selch.

MIAOU may have only disliked him to a limited extent back in Allag, but in the present day, after having long come to the realization that Amon had just been using them, they show nothing but an intense hatred towards him, especially now with the added knowledge that Allag's destruction was still very much his fault. That, alongside the fact that Fandaniel works alongside Zenos in the present day, certainly does not make him any more likeable.

When first encountering him in Endwalker, MIAOU knows his demeanor and wordings feel all too familiar, and after MIAOU, whilst struggling to believe, is informed of his past as Amon via the Echo, Fandaniel begins to refer to MIAOU as “his finest” on occasion to serve as a constant reminder; although Fandaniel's past bears no burden on himself as a nihilist trying to destroy the world, it's still all too fun to watch the Warrior of Light squirm before him.

And squirm MIAOU does, because despite knowing better, and not to mention HAVING better (with Estinien), MIAOU is intensely plagued with an intrusive longing for the guy; the effects of a long-term relationship of power imbalance, even if it was 5,000 years ago.

Initially seen as an annoyance and yet another obstacle for MIAOU, but ended up traumatized and feeling extremely violated by him after the events in Garlemald [Quest: In From The Cold], though Zenos much savored the long lasting effect he'd had on them. MIAOU's disgust at his actions upon their own flesh further fueled their fear of Zenos and his sick, twisted interpretation of “friendship” as an obsessive bloodlust, a constant need to hunt the other down.
Although the summoning of Zenos to Ultima Thule was the last thing MIAOU could've ever wanted to happen, it was cathartic as all hell to finally end the sorry bastard's life.

The lady in question
Her story intertwines with MIAOU's during the course of Shadowbringers, with Emet-Selch dumping her into the care of the Scions, and by proxy MIAOU, who were all incredibly suspicious of her intentions. MIAOU slowly warms up to her, albeit with a bit of a struggle as her romantic feelings for Emet-Selch are concerning and clash with their own hatred. However, in the end, both come to an understanding that Emet-Selch's burden is far too much for one soul to bear, and it would be better to put him out of his misery than to allow him to continue on suffering.

Despite MIAOU's ability to travel freely to the First, Lou makes the permanent decision to be sent to the Source in the same fashion as the other Scions. She and MIAOU remain good friends during Endwalker and beyond. Also now the tables have turned as she gets to be the one giving support to her poor pining cat.

MIAOU flip flopped between liking him and hating him at least 5 times from Shadowbringers into Endwalker. Initially annoyed by his sass, though wanted to hear him out after learning he'd lost his world, but spiraled back down into a deep hatred when Emet-Selch haphazardly revealed that Allag's destruction was due to his manipulation of Xande.

In Elpis, MIAOU dyes the ancients' robes given to them by Hades (past Emet) a bright metallic blue in order to fuck with him. (Robes which are usually black, since the ancients see individuality as unsightly) Although MIAOU wanted to continue hating him, Hades' sourpuss attitude was more endearing and fun to mess with than anything.

Despite everything that happened, MIAOU can no longer feel negativity towards him after his temporary revival in Ultima Thule played such an important part in saving Etheriys from the Final Days.

MIAOU's Azem is known as Bastet, obviously a liker of cats and cat-based creatures, and was indeed in a romantic relationship with both Hades and Hythlodaeus back in the time of the ancients. (Bastet had also previously been in a relationship with Hermes beforehand, though the two had long since broken off, they don't hold any bitterness or resentment towards the other. Though let's just say it doesn't make Hermes any less depressed yk)

MIAOU thinks he's a massive nerd and bullies him constantly, while G'raha just accepts it all because he's too forgiving. MIAOU will hit him with an “um acktually” when it comes to Allag history from time to time.

MIAOU immediately knew that the Crystal Exarch was G'raha by scent alone and totally called him out on it; poor thing is just completely incapable of pulling any trickery or matyrdom on MIAOU because they see right through it all, or find ways around it.

In the days of Allag, MIAOU had a friend named X'tiqa Nunh who had similar appearance and doormat-like demeanor to G'raha (regardless of his status as Nunh, plus it means nothing to MIAOU as a Keeper of the Moon miqo'te), so G'raha is basically seen as the spiritual successor to him for MIAOU. X'tiqa was the first one MIAOU ever lost in their 5000+ years of being alive, so G'raha still has his place in their heart, even if hidden deep down under all the jokes.

MIAOU's closest confidant within the Scions. Y'shtola is the one MIAOU goes to for advice regarding Estinien, and you can be certain she sets up situations on purpose for the two of them to have some alone time.
They mutually bully each other sometimes, like cats do, but it's just their thing, all in good fun. Usually.

MIAOU wanted to kill him back when he discussed rebuilding the Scions after so many of them had been ruthlessly murdered in the Garlean's attack. They were so damn tired of losing people they cared for over and over again that they'd practically snapped at the young elezen. Although while outright refusing his request, Alphinaud was the first Scion MIAOU divulged their origins to, showing him the Allagan materials that made up
their arm and hand underneath the jacket.

MIAOU saw Alphinaud as annoying just like most of the other Scions at first, but when Estinien comes into the picture and acts as found family for Alphinaud, MIAOU mimics it to earn rapport with Estinien. It eventually becomes natural.

Another close confidant for MIAOU especially during Heavensward, though their interactions become fewer and far between the more MIAOU is made to adventure elsewhere. Also a great source of information and advice
regarding Estinien. Aymeric has a crush on both MIAOU and Estinien by the way; whether a throuple is possible still remains to be seen, however.

• This MIAOU is an AU, the original MIAOU is fully robotic; an android who also struggles with the development of emotions. The original MIAOU is also shipped with P03 from Inscryption in a whole other crazy story.
• Yes, MIAOU is meant to be an acronym, but we don't know what the acronym is yet (though the M is probably Miqo'te, and the A is probably Allagan)
• MIAOU's cyborg parts are not all full replacements. The metal on their chest and groin area serve to shield the organs within that had been previously damaged. Their digestive and reproductive systems are both fully intact underneath; they still have the capability (and need) to eat.
• Also, not all of MIAOU's cyborg parts were granted as replacements, but instead as physical enhancements. More specifically the muscles on the back of their calves were fused with that of Allagan tech to give them greater running speeds.
• Both MIAOU and Estinien no longer age; MIAOU due to their Allagan-made heart, and Estinien due to his infusion with Nidhogg. Effectively immortal unless killed.
• (And yes Estinien has scars and scales on him after all he's gone through, as is his right)

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