#i also want her to show up to that scene in garlemald and help her children fight the blasphemies

[autumnslance]

The Die is Cast

The literal meaning of "Alea Iacta Est" (if not entirely grammatically correct? I don't recall enough Latin, I had 1 semester and the class was at 8am, which is always a mistake, young college-goers.), one of the more controversial quests to come out of the Endwalker main scenario due to how it ends. The phrase in any case is one attributed by one writer to Julius Caesar concerning his crossing of the Rubicon, and like that famous phrase, is intended to also mean that we've hit a point of no return.

These sections also like to use "Thicker than a Knife's Blade", the music usually playing in the Forgotten Knight (though introduced in ARR patches). "Each Drop" is also a common one, or the instrumental version of "Flow." "And Love You Shall Find" was first used in the Werlyt storyline for the town there, and while many of EW's town themes use "For Those We Can Yet Save" (orchestrion roll when, Soken?), Tertium likewise uses that theme from Werlyt (Labyrinthos towns use "Down the Up Staircase", the Antitower theme, and it's meant to be a hint as to Labyrinthos's purpose and main secret.)

WoL cannot yet attune to the aetheryte, but spends time talking to the refugees and soldiers freezing and starving around Tertium. Some even recognize the WoL from past campaigns, reacting with horror and painful memories from the other side of our sweeping victories.

The twins offer to aid the camp; the Contingent has supplies meant to share and can help the civilians the Ist has taken in, but Quintus refuses, instead ordering Jullus to take the Eorzean trio out into the city and seek out ceruleum. There's not much left to scavenge.

Forum Solius is meant to be a bit wrenching; this is a military parade square turned into a children's playground, a park where families were meant to relax and spend time together. The yards are littered with warmachina wreckage, the places where kids are meant to play and pretend empty and ruined. The pond is brackish and still, but a little ceruleum is found in the tank that used to heat it.

While at the fire to dry and warm up, Jullus recounts how life in the city was for the citizens, the lights and sounds and people. Even the too-brief summers with warmth and green grass, and longer sunlight. But then it's time to move on, and seek more ceruleum for the heaters back at the station.

I have a post already detailing Thancred's surprise visit and how it's meant to be in person, with our favorite rogue stealthing invisibly, thanks to his own skills paired with G'raha's spell. While Jullus is busy, WoL reports, and while Thancred can't say much, he reassures his comrade and reminds us to play along with the Garleans for now, especially to keep the twins safe, given those collars.

The cutscene skips directly back to Tertium and Quintus's controversial orders; rather than warm the people, he wants to fuel the magitek armor and prepare the soldiers for battle. The twins are taken away, and Jullus is obviously pained at the idea of using the shock collars, but prepared to do so anyway. The WoL follows instructions, the twins stand down, and Jullus takes WoL to his home.

The camera cuts in these scenes are interesting; as Jullus recounts the pain of killing his own tempered family, and Garlemald's fall and the meaning of their flag, we cut to Quintus staring at his own tattered flag. As the twins talk in their cell, huddled together for warmth, the camera cuts to Jullus and WoL on their journey through the city and across the Eblan Rime to Camp Broken Glass.

Alisaie finds parallels between Varis and Quintus, and also Sharlayan's policies, and she rejects them all. While not enjoying fighting for its own sake, she wants to stand for what's right and for those she loves, and believes fiercely her brother's diplomatic skills will lead to a new way, allowing them to stop fighting. The conversation shows the long way the twins have come, separately and together, from their initial introductions, actions, and beliefs in ARR.

As Jullus makes Quintus's demands at camp, Estinien and the other scouts free the twins. A-Ruhn stops the fighting decisively; I'm amused by him calling Jullus a child, as Lorebook 1 puts the youngest Senna sibling at 18 years old. Quintus, listening to Lucia's report on the scattered legions through Jullus's comms, orders his men to stand down...and then the despondent legatus shoots himself. All we are spared is the actual trigger pull.

It's a rather sudden and direct sequence, that comes with little warning. As dark as Garlemald gets, this is not a fantastical sort of horror, but an all too realistic one as we watch Quintus load his weapon and put it to his chin, and the next scene is the splatter on the flag, his unmoving body, the still-smoking gun.

As the twins are hurrying their comrades to the stations, hoping to speak to Quintus before he "does anything rash", not knowing they're too late. As Jullus is at Broken Glass, unaware of his commander's choice--and leaving him the highest ranking officer of the Ist remaining, despite his youth and inexperience.

And Garlemald isn't finished yet; there's still a tower to deal with, but first, let's get the refugees tended to, and maybe have a nice dinner...

(the WoL really does have a terrible track record with dinners, but hey the last one with the Scions was good, right?)

#final fantasy xiv #endwalker #lyn replays ew #Quintus van Cinna #Jullus pyr Norbanus #Alphinaud Leveilleur #Alisaie Levilleur #Thancred Waters #A-Ruhn-Senna #Garlemald #tw: suicide #music #cinematography

[smallest-turtle]

Should Ameliance Leveilleur be a Warrior or a Dark Knight

#ameliance leveilleur #her husband is a healer and her 'dont tell him what youre doing until he just has to deal with it' is very tank/healer vibes #i also want her to show up to that scene in garlemald and help her children fight the blasphemies #drk or warrior are my choices #mom going ham is a very fun look but also drk is full of love u.u #ffxiv #ffxiv 6.0 #my post #text

[usagi-mitsu]

Werlyt & Gaius - a bunch of thoughts.

I am a little late to the party. I know. But I just finished the Emerald weapon and before I go to try out the „not Zenos“ weapon as in „Diamond“, I need to get my thoughts on the story straight.

Perhaps I have been spoiled by 5.0s brilliant MSQ and cannot appreciate the inherent beauty of at least decent writing any longer. But this felt so wrong and out of tune with the rest of the game. I started writing this 2 hours ago! I wanted to one in bed by now! XD But I had to get it out of my system… so….

Spoilers for the MSQ and Werlyt incoming??? And no I did not re-read this so not just spoilers but also writing errors incoming. -.-

The good

These fights are epic! I have only ever cleared the normal versions, but I loved those. They are amazing. The callbacks to Eula (her being a woman here! When did they discover that???), Regula (may he rest in peace) and Gaius himself in his prime were delightful. But I could do with a little less rotating, ok? A dragoon has positional, you know? And being allowed to pilot my very own mecha was like *chefs kiss*. On that front? Well done Square Enix!

I am also glad they were able to get another use out of Porta Praetora! That place looks amazing with the wide open field and the lake – and Ala Mhigo across it. It was one of my favourite Stormblood areas and I am always glad to return there. And of course… being able to visit the allied camp again… And Werlyt itself. It’s simply a beautiful place. It reminds me very much of southern Greece. If you’ve watched the movie Mamma Mia you know what I mean.

The music too was really nice. But I don’t think I’ll… you know… listen to it on repeat as I am doing with other parts of the soundtrack.

I’ve also loved how much amazing lore we got about Garlemald and especially the garlean military. And the military abroad. The way soldiers not from the mainland get treated. I love learning about these things.

Gaius

The man. The legend. The guy yelling in Prae.

He’s so very boring here. He has so much potential as a character and maybe I’m missing something, but all throughout this story he has been nothing but passive. He’s a reactive character in this storyline. You know. The guy who made deals with Lahabread (the d is intended), tried to take over Eorzea, lead a whole army, stood idly by as the moon dropped, almost died but then decided just not to die and then though „hm… I’ve got so much freetime now. How about I go and hunt some ascians?“ That guy is NOT a reactive character. He is active. He goes out of his way to make shit he wants happen. And in here? He seems too starstruck and devastated by his adopted kids actions to actually have one clear thought.

The only explanation I have is that he might have gotten hit in the head by something on his way to the ruby weapon. I get why he would rely on Cid for help, but the WoL??? The alliance? If you wish to be an ally and help or something, fucking act like it. You were a former legatus and I expect you to live up to your name – even after retiring.

And yeah.. I guess it’s hard having to watch your kids willingly, knowingly dying. But you fucking raised them. You are a big part of the reason to why they are in that predicament. So like… Aside from that I don’t even get why you are in this story at all.

And for the record: I’m not sorry for him. I’m just flabbergasted by all the bullshit we’ve been learning about him.

To be quite honest, I think this story could have worked just as well or maybe even better, if we got another man as the „hero“ of the story. I am talking about none other than our engineering, hammer-swinging, ex-enemy - of course talking about Nero!

The MSQ has long established that his research into the Ultimate Weapon had been taken, twisted and turned – Estinien had to experience this first-hand. I’m not saying that Nero was in need of a redemption arc and I cannot remember if these weapons were of his creation or even stem from anything he did, but it would make so much more sense for me, to have him confront his past in the garlean military like this and be responsible for the death of his former colleagues. Soldiers that he served with, whom he faught with. Give me Nero and them working together to get the weapons going and him bonding with them as his pilots to a degree. Comrades. Not that strange familiar bond that Gaius appareantly has with them. … Scratch that: Let Gaius be the father figure. Him being that wouldn’t change Nero’s relationship with them, but maybe his with Gaius as his superior.

The story wouldn’t even need to try and redeem Nero: He has already gone through major character development with the MSQ and the Omega raid tier. It would simply be Nero, confronted with the things he created, hopefully instilling more morals and a sense of responsibility for his creations. Heck: Let Cid yell at the guy! Seriously! Cid sticking around to help out would make so much more sense if it was Nero instead of freaking Gaius! Cid hated the guy! He might be a professional, but he is not one to torture himself by staying around a guy he (as far as I know) detests.

Make Nero the central figure and give Cid and Gaius the roles of „angel and demon“: One desperately trying to reach out to his old friend, reminding him why they became engineers and trying to make him realise that he can’t just run around designing weapons and leaving the scematics for everyone to read; while the other has trouble letting go of his imperial past and is struggling to see the errors of his ways – if Nero was wrong, than he (Gaius) was wrong too -and of course they did all of this for their home, to further their cause, and to bring peace to the savage lands of Eorzea, who had been fighting amongst themselves for so long… You get the point.

And you could still have these gundam themed fights. But I think everything would make so much more sense in general.

But speaking of which-

The children

I do not truly care for any of them. And that is a shame: I do think there are great characters and dynamics hidden behind these very few cutscenes. When they were first introduced I was wondering why I was suddenly watching „heartwarming“ cutscenes of my foes as children – until I realised that I was supposed to care and that they were supposed to make me feel pity for Gaius. I was supposed to feel bad for him, because they died and he blames himself. But while their fates so far have been gruesome, I cannot say that I am sad they died. They chose to die as they did. There were a myriad more options. And they chose that.

Actually. Their whole story makes me feel like they were huge masochist from the very beginning. They could have just run away and gotten help from someone more competent than them, but they stayed in an abusive military arrangement just so nobody else got hurt?? Please. Use your brains next time. And for the Berserk-like torture scene? I mean. I get what was implied here. But was it necessary? As a writer myself I follow the rule that torture and sexual violence should never be used in a story, unless it must be in there for the story to work or to bring across a vital point important to the story or it’s moral (or if you are writing porn and you are into it – but we are talking official in-game content here). But the violence towards these „children“ seems unnecessary for the plot and the violence of their deaths by piloting the weapons is already gruesome enough. Sometimes it’s better to leave things like this out – the emotional torture of feeling stuck and having a martyrs complex would have been enough here, I think. If the rest of the story had been well written at least.

(I believe my utter lack of sympathy shows how little character developement they had. I love tragic characters, who choose to suffer for the good of other people – even better if those people don’t even like them. It’s just my thing. And those kids are just… well.)

Their reasons and especially why they were making Allie out as the one who would need to survive was also just… weird. Like. I feel like 75% of what happened would not have happened, if they actually talked to each other, used their brains and had done something about their problems. But no…

These characters are also so exchangeable with basic anime/j-RPG character tropes… I only remember Alfonse, Rex and Allie – because I just did the Emerald weapon. And right afterwards I thought, „huh. So… Fullmetal Alchemist?“ Which brings me to my third point …

…the story at large.

„Pacing is a virtue“ or was it patience..? Anyhow: The author of this story should have had more patience with his story and characters and taken a bloody break! And I am not talking about the obvious blunder of „How is Allie feeling?“, „she is in shock and you cannot talk to her“ turning to „oh yeah if you are careful you can talk to her now“. I mean. WTF. That was MAYBE 10-20 in-game minutes of dialogue.

But everything was moving so very fast – and not even in a good way. There are few things better than a fast paced, action rich story about a group of young people trying to safe (their) world. But if you try to cram in two expansions worth of character development and story telling into about two hours of content each patch.. Well, then you get whatever the hell this is.

Gaius is a very interesting character and while I did not understand why they needed to bring him back in 4.4 (?), I do see how he could be a good asset for endwalker. And his involvement in 5.0 with Estinien was just a dear delight. So I am not opposed to learning more about him, to watching his character grow and changed with time. But I am not ready for badly written content of which 50% get told by suddenly induced echo-sequences. I mean – weren’t there rules for the echo at some point???

I’m not sure which one of the devs said it, but the feature that let’s you play an NPC is super convenient for them to tell the story, because before they could only show what happened where the WoL was.

And that’s just it. Rule number 1 in writing anything is „Show don’t tell“. It feels like they literally turned this one around for these cutscenes. While Valens torture and diet-Fandaniel-routine were very much „show“, the rest of the story was one long cutscene of exposition: We get exposition by Cid, by Gaius, by echo, by Gaius and his crew again, then by Allie. Before having to watch scenes we are not there for.

BTW. Dear square Enix: Your writers are capable of writing amazing villains, antagonist and despicable assholes. You don’t have to write „asshole, must die“ on Valens name card. And I also think the „WoL, strike here“ sign above his head was a tad bit too much. Nuance, dear writers. Nuance. Or perhaps I just got spoiled by these last few foes in the MSQ.

When I said I wanted to just be able to punch a bad guy for once and not feel bad about it, I did not mean this! I meant that I just wanted to play training dummy with Danny-Boy.

(Oh! And as far as I’m concerned you can just… sideline Gaius … „would be killer“ and the lady? Make them targetable NPCs with Dialoge to read. Let them stand somewhere accessible and comment on the latest developement. But ffs don’t give me hour long speeches about how you are going to kill Gaius if he does something you don’t like. The guy could and would wipe the floor with you if he felt like it. -.- So. Please. Shut up.)

Conclusion

Basically. I have to finish the Diamond weapon. But I doubt it will change my perception of this story line even in the slightest.

To be perfectly honest though … bringing Gaius back, having this story with and about him, forcing a sort of redemption ark here. It feels like they are really „grooming“ him to be a morally grey ally in Endwalker, with perhaps a big part to play in the endgame. At this point I wouldn’t even be surprised if they pulled a GoT and made him „King in the North“. Or if they had him die a heroic death to save the world, but especially his country. And to do so they need us to think his sacrifice means something. Or that he is the right person to lead Garlemald into a new future (I don’t think he is). But: For one, neither we (the players) nor the characters need to find him worthy of throne or death by heroism for his sacrifice/ascension to work. To be a useful tool for the story, only the other garleans who might oppose the alliance and scions need to deem him or his sacrifice „worthy“. And only they. And Ishikawa-san has all of 6.0 to accomplish whatever the hell she needs him for. He did not need to be the center of his own botched redemption ark. If that’s what they wanted to do. Or maybe I’m looking at this all wrong and all they wanted was to give the writes in training some literal training grounds to test their abilities.

But! On a positive note: I have yet to be told that raids and other side content are canon to any degree. So when playing the next story quests I’ll blissfully ignore all that happened in Werlyt and if it get’s mentioned (because they do that sometimes when you’ve done certain content) I’ll just ignore it.

Happy ignoring! Also: GIVE ME MORE NERO CONTENT!

#I am having feelings #You may blame me and you may hate me for this #But i had to get this out #I actually like Gaius as a character a lot #But in this??? Nah #ffxiv #sorrow of werlyt #FFXIV werlyt #gaius van baelsar #cid nan garlond #nero tol scaeva #Valens van Varro #Final fantasy xiv #shadowbringers #ffxiv shadowbringers #shb spoilers #sorrow of werlyt spoilers #5.2 spoilers #5.3 spoilers #5.4 spoilers #5.0 spoilers

[porta-decumana]

You know exactly who I’m going to ask about... Cid! Oh and Gaius too in case you haven’t been asked about the hubby yet!

CID GARLOND

How I feel about the character: I love Cid.  I feel like it would be very hard not to like Cid.  He’s just genuinely such a good person?  I think he’s the first character in ARR that I really liked because I could tell the writing team put a lot of effort into his character.  And I’m glad he shows up so frequently in other side content because I like to see what shenanigans he gets dragged into. 

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Yume/Cid is the ultimate OTP with Nero/Cid and Mikoto/Cid coming into 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Non-romantic OTP: Cid/WoL in the sense that the WoL is not romantically involved with Cid.  So basically Cid and Kaida.  I headcanon that they’re good friends and vent to each other often!  Especially Kaida to Cid, I feel like he probably knows a lot more about her than most of the Scions do at this point.  Especially her drinking habits, when she can be convinced to partake of alcohol.

Unpopular opinion: My unpopular opinion is that the fandom should appreciate him more.  I feel like he often gets overlooked for characters like G’raha or Emet-- both of which are also good characters.  But Cid’s had a lot of good depth added to him over the expacs and I think he deserves more love than he gets.  Especially after the start of the Bozja questline, holy cow.  I remember liking Cid a lot before that but the Cidception quest really made him shoot into my top 5 for favorite characters.

What I wish would happen: I really want Cid to fly us to the moon quite literally and if it doesn’t happen, I will riot.  I specifically want the WoL to come barging into the Ironworks and being like “Cid, we gotta go to the moon” and Cid is just like “what” and Nero is just laughing hysterically in the background.  And then they both make it happen and Cid literally pilots the ship into space and comes with us and we have a great time on the moon before Ishikawa annihilates us with more Amaurot lore and feels.  ALSO I WANT CID AND GAIUS INTERACTIONS, PLEASE SE, GIVE THIS TO ME.

GAIUS BAELSAR

How I feel about the character: Oh where do I begin.  I started off feeling very ambivalent about Gaius.  I thought he was an effective villain in ARR but that was about it.  When he came back, I felt very neutral because back then, everyone just assumed he would be back.  I thought he looked hella fine though lmaooo.  And then I really started getting invested in him uhhh right before Werlyt started actually.  The ShB scenes with him and Estinien were so great and I really starting thinking HARD on his character.  The implications of indoctrination, the fact that he was Solus’s right-hand for so many years... and I fell in love with his character.  

OTP: Gaius/Kaida forever, goodbye.  Other Gaiusfuckers are also welcome but you must understand that I am a bit biased.

Non-romantic OTP: So this is kind of wild.  Gaius/Emet-Selch and PURELY because the possibilities with their relationship as boss and henchman are absolutely intriguing to me and I’m sad no one talks about this nearly enough.  Emet-Selch has 1 line in-game about Gaius and I wish we knew more.  I can imagine it was a very one-sided relationship with Emet-Selch probably being amused with Gaius at best and Gaius being the Good Soldier Boy(tm) and protecting his liege.  His sword is called Heirsbane for a good reason and I can only imagine how someone as powerful as Emet-Selch felt when he saw Gaius continually putting down usurpers in his name.  Probably something to the effect of “oh that’s cute, he thinks he’s protecting me” while also continuing to play his role as a very mortal emperor of Garlemald.

Unpopular opinion:  OH WHERE TO BEGIN.  I’ll do one that won’t involve me writing a novel.  I see a lot of depictions of Gaius where he’s shown as very emotionless and stoic and I don’t necessarily agree with that.  I think he’s an incredibly emotional character (5.5 showed that imo) but he’s constantly torn between practicality and his feelings.  He’s a military leader, he knows there’s a time and place for everything.  But he isn’t entirely heartless, just reserved in showing emotion because of his past experiences.

What I wish would happen: Gaius becomes the leader of Garlemald just to dissolve the empire after realizing the atrocities caused by his people. He sets up a Republic and continues working as a politician to help Garlemald recover from years of manipulation and indoctrination by the Ascians.  He and Allie live together and are happy.

#cid garlond #gaius baelsar #earthlystar #i apologize for any typos #i was keyboard smashing excitedly about these two

[catte-bard]

We Were Once Thick As Thieves

(SPOILERS FOR 4.5)

Six Years Ago. . .

The winter air was crisp; fat flakes of snow drifted down silently. Grey winter clouds hid the sun from view. Most had retreated to the warm safety of their homes. Garlemald’s bitter winters discouraged many from venturing outside too often. The few individuals that dare brave the outdoors hurried about bundled up in their thick coats.

Ceruleum burning at a nearby plant wafted on the breeze. It gave the air an almost metallic tinge.

Bellona and Atticus sat perched atop a stone wall, watching people rush by to escape the cold. No one paying much attention to either youth. Too occupied with getting to their destinations.

“You’ve been quieter than usual today. Something wrong?” Bellona was the first to break the silence between them. She swung her legs back and forth, glancing over at her seeming sullen companion.

Atticus brow was crease and his gaze cast down. Lost in thought, at first it seemed her didn’t hear her. “Hm?” He eventually looked up. “Ah…no. Something’s just been on my mind.”

She arches a brow. “Your father?”

“Yeah…” He sheepishly admitted. “It’s the longest he’s been away from home is all. And I guess I’m just worried…”

Bellona gave a sympathetic nod. “I’m sure he’s okay. He’ll come home eventually like he always does. I’m sure his work in Eorzea won’t keep him there for too long.”

He nods but the somber cloud above his head seemed to remain.

She tilts her head at him. It wasn’t like Atticus to act so serious. She wasn’t used to such sullenness and silence from him. To be honest, it was a bit worrying.

Alright then, let’s move on to a different subject. Maybe he’d cheer up talking about something that’d take his mind off his worries?

She drummed her fingers against the cool stone as she thought. “So have you heard about that magitek that fell through the ice a few days ago?” She eventually asked.

“Hm?” Atticus perked up. “Oh, yeah, Quintus told me about. I hear it some new prototype for something, wasn’t it?”

Bellona nods. “I was there when I saw it happen.”

“Oh really?” Her friend arched a brow.

“I was.” She insisted. “They were doing something out on the lake—I don’t know what. But the ice started to crack, and all the engineers started to panic. When it started looking like they couldn’t save it, they just abandoned it and ran to land to avoid falling in with it.” Her brow creases. “Though I think they said two of them didn’t make it.”

A truly awful turn of events. Especially, to see it unfold. The sound of ice breaking and people shouting in panic...

Bellona shook her head, ridding herself of the thought.

“Sounds like quite the screw up.” Atticus mumbled. “Would’ve hated to be the person who had to report that to my superiors. I bet that project was expensive too. You think they’re going to try to get it back?”

Bellona shrugs. “If they do, it’ll probably be in the spring when the lake has thawed.” All the ice would make such a retrieval too risky.

The boy chuckles. “Yeah, someone definitely got a lot shite for that one. Feel bad for that one poor bastard who had to take the brunt of the blame.” He tilted his head in thought. “Quintus also told me about those two engineers. You know one of their bodies washed up yesterday?”

Bellona shook her head. This was news to her.

“Yeah, it supposedly wasn’t a pretty sight to behold.” He grimaces. “The skin was blue and grey. The nose had frozen right off and—” He pauses dramatically to lean close to her. “—Their fingers were run down to the bone from them scratching at the ice to escape.”

Bellona leaned away from him, giving her friend a skeptical look. She searched his face for any sign of deceit. What he was saying sounded like a load of horse shite. 

It sounded like something he was making up just to scare her. She certainly hadn’t heard of anything like that.

“That’s gross.” Bellona finally said, wrinkling her nose. “You’re gross.”

Her friend laughed. “I’m only telling you what Quintus said.”

“Your brother’s gross too.”

“Gross? I thought you had a crush on him?”

Her face went a deep shade of red.

“No! What makes you think that?!” Her voice shrill and indignant.

“I remember it.” Atticus told her. He casually traced his finger through the snow that had collected atop the wall. “We were nine and you told me you thought Quintus was cute. And I thought that was the most disgusting thing you’ve ever said to me. I had never felt so betrayed.”

Bellona shoved him in the arm. “That was when I was nine, you arse. That was years ago!”

He arches a brow. “Alright, but do you still think he’s cute. You do, don’t you? Oh, I think I might barf.”

“I do not!”

“Oh, so you think he’s hideous? Thank gods, finally someone agrees with me.”

Biting back another response, Bellona simply rolls her eyes.

“I only tease out of love, dear Bella.” Her friend laughs. “Though I am curious.” Atticus tells her as he wipes a tear from his eye. “If you don’t fancy my dear brother, then who do you fancy? Come on, there has to be someone who’s caught your eye. Someone the proud Bellona bas Marcellus is trying to court?”

“That’s none of your business.” Bellona mumbled, feeling her cheeks grow hot again.

“That’s not fair. I told you about Clovia when you asked.” He pouted. “Your turn to tell me who you like.”

And when Bellona refused to answer he said. “I bet I can guess who it is.” A mischievous smirk plays across his lips when he saw her ears perk. He had her attention. “I know who it is. Because you got in trouble for sneaking around with her past your curfew, didn’t you?”

Bellona merely grunted, refusing to confirm or deny his guess.

But that was all Atticus needed to know he was right. “Ha! I knew—ARGH!”

“Oh, Atticus! Are you alright?” Bellona called out to him.

She looked down at him, fallen from his perch and lying on the ground behind them. It wasn’t a far fall and a large drift of snow had also ensured he hadn’t been hurt. At most, he seemed dazed.

The young Garlean blinked up at her. “You pushed me.” He sounded shocked.

“Did I?” Bellona feigned innocence. “Must have been some weird spasm or something.”

“You’re going to pay for that, Marcellus.”

“You’ll have to catch me first, Vitalion.”

Childishly sticking her tongue out at him, Bellona quickly hopped down from her perch and took off before he could climb back over the wall.

Present Day. . .

There was chaos and fighting all around. Fires blazed and ceruleum ran in bright blue rivers across the ground. All around was the sound of steel clashing against steel, explosions rumbling in the distance, men and women shouting.

The disorder was overwhelming, but Bellona helped where she could as she navigated her way through the battlefield. A hail of arrows here, a potion given to injured ally there.

It was a terrible scene to view everywhere. Such carnage rivaled that of the Battle of Ala Mhigo. Cries of agony and anger.  Soldiers on both sides dragging their injured to safety while trying to fend off attackers.  Men and women laid dead or dying in the dirt. A few times, Bellona had to watch where she was going so as not to stumbled over one of the fallen.

The sight of it all left her feeling ill. This bloody battle could have been avoided. No one would have had to die today. However, Varis could not be swayed from his madness. And his arrogance today—his ignorance, would cost so many people their lives.

Perhaps it was that Ascian heritage showing itself?

It’s quiet here.

Bellona paused to study her surroundings. Somehow, she had found herself in a part of the Ghimlyt Dark that wasn’t busy with clashing soldiers. It seemed both Alliance and Imperial forces had moved on from the area. Aside from the few wreckages of burning magitek machinery and abandoned standards, nothing stirred within the barren field.

There was nothing here. Better to move on to somewhere she was needed.

However, just as she were about turn away, a single gunshot rang out. The bullet whizzed by mere fulms away. It seemed the field wasn’t as empty as she thought…

Bellona looked over her shoulder, in the direction the shot had come from. And emerging from behind one of the burning wreckages was a single imperial soldier.

Had he been there the entire time?

The woman’s eyes darted about, looking for anymore potential hiding places. This could easily be an ambush she had just walked into. However, no other soldiers emerged. It seemed this one was alone. A straggler left behind by their cohort? Or a coward trying to run?

Either way, she could handle one legionnaire on her own. The Miqo’te lifted her bow, readying for a confrontation.

The soldier paused before Bellona; their gaze hidden but she could feel them studying her. Leering at her.  They stabbed their blade into the ground before slowly reaching up to remove their helm.

Her heart sank when she saw the face underneath.

No…

Her bow slipped from her fingers.

She couldn’t hurt him. She wouldn’t hurt him…

Atticus tossed his helmet aside and took up his weapon again. Golden eyes cold in the amber light of the blazing fires around them. Slowly he approached with his weapon brandished before him,

“Take up your bow.” The man demanded. His tone cold with anger.

Bellona’s ears flattened and she shook her head. No… Perhaps, somewhere at the back of her mind, she knew that eventually she’d actually have to confront him. However, now to be actually faced with it… “Atticus…”

“Take up your bow, right now.” Atticus snarled.

“I…I don’t want—”

“You don’t want to fight me.” He mocked. “Tis too late for regrets and pacifism. Especially when you already have the blood of your own countrymen on your hands.”

And you think I’m ever going to forgive myself for that? She wanted to say so badly. She wanted to tell him how she hadn’t wanted any of it to be this way. That she hadn’t wanted to fight against friends and family. That she hadn’t wanted to be a traitor.

However, words failed her. Her tongue frozen by terror as she looked her former friend in the eyes and saw killing intent staring back at her. No more pleading. No more mercy. No more chances. She was just another enemy of the Empire, and he another imperial soldier who would cut her down should his emperor will it.

And Bellona felt like all sorts of remorse in that moment.

She stepped back. “Atticus, please—”

“No.” He interrupted. “I gave you so many chances to redeem yourself and to return to Ilsabard, but you never heeded me! Now look at where it’s gotten you. Why must you be so bloody stubborn?! I could have spared you this fate!”

He swung his blade through the air and Bellona stumbled back, tripping over a piece of debris and fell to the ground.

Is this how she died?

Her bow laid feet away, too far out of her reach for her to use it to defend herself. And looking at her surroundings, she found nothing else within reach that would be useful.

Defenseless.

Atticus now stood above her; his blade pointed in her face.

“Go on…” Bellona urged him when he wouldn’t deliver the killing blow. “Do what you must for your emperor and country.”

Atticus narrowed his eyes at her. And she saw such disdain within that gaze that for a moment she thought he’d really do it. However, he abruptly lowered his weapon and stepped away from her. A growl of frustration came from him.

Bellona laid there for a moment. Then realizing that he wasn’t going to attack, she slowly got to her feet. “Atticus?” She timidly called to him.

The man stood with his back towards her. His grip on his blade was trembling.

“Why isn’t this easy?” He muttered.

“Taking a life should never be easy…” Bellona softly told him. She walked over to him and attempted to place a comforting hand on his arm. However, the man shot her a dark look and immediately shied away from her.

She tried not to feel too hurt from the look of disdain he gave her. It was a look she deserved anyway…

“Why did you leave?” He asked. “You had a good life in Garlemald. Family and friends who loved and supported you. Why would you run away from all of that?”

He shook his head. “What could possible be worth betraying your kin and country?” He gestured around him at the flames and ruin. “Is this what you wanted? Men and women dying all around in bloody war?”

Bellona opened her mouth but couldn’t find her voice. Atticus’ barbed words left her without the courage to speak. He was right to be angry with her. Every criticism, every insult, she deserved.

What could she even say? Sorry? That wouldn’t fix things. All the terrible things she’s done.

“Have you nothing to say for yourself?” Atticus sneered.

She shook her head. “I…This isn’t what I wanted.” Finally, her voice came to her again. “I wanted peace.”

“Does this look like peace to you, Bellona?”

Her eyes cast down to the ground in shame. Peace? How could she claim to strive for peace when she led the way, carrying the bloody war banner?

“This isn’t what I wanted.” She repeated. She hadn’t ever wanted to fight.  

Her hands balled into fists. “But I’ll not be to blamed alone for the bloodshed today. The Eorzean Alliance didn’t want a fight. But your emperor rejected their offers of peace! We could have all laid down our arms today but Varis is too much of a zealot and a mad tyrant to listen to reason!

“That is not a man who sits on the throne, but a blood-thirsty beast. That is what you’re fighting for.” Even now, Varis’ confession still echoed in her head. It made her shudder just thinking about it. He was mad—a puppet of the Ascians. “He’s doesn’t want unity, Atticus, he wants destruction.”

The man narrowed his eyes at her.

“Enough. I’ll hear no more slander of my lord.” The man snapped. “He gave Eorzea a chance. He offered his hand forth for them to join the Empire. He offered his friendship.

“Lord Varis longs for peace. And he knows the only way to achieve it is by uniting the entire realms under a single standard. It is the Eorzeans who crave destruction. Their rejection shows that.”

He sounds just like him. Bellona thought in horror. Just like that madman. Too blindly loyal to see that Varis meant to lead the world into its undoing.

“Atticus, please.” She tried to reason with him. “Varis—the Galvus family, even the entire Empire. There’s more to it all.”

“I said enough of that! Now, it’s time for you to come home, Garlemald misses its lost daughter.” He held his hand out in beckoning. “Our emperor can be a merciful man. If you ask for forgiveness now, it will be given. Please, all you need do is come with me and swear your loyalty to him and all will be forgiven.”  

Bellona took a step back and shook her head. “I can’t abandon Eorzea.”

“But you would abandon Garlemald and all you love? Help its enemies burn it to the ground?”

“No!”

“Do you think you can have both?” Atticus asked her. “This is war, Bellona. You need to choose which one matters more to you.”

Again, she shook her head. “Why do I have to make a choice?” She demanded. “I love Garlemald…and I also love Eorzea. I don’t want to see something happen to either.”

Couldn’t she save both? Couldn’t there be peace between them? Why does it have to come to war and choosing sides?

“You know better than that.” He told her. “That’s not how this works, Bellona.”

And his grip tightened on his weapon and he lifted it to point at her. The blade gleamed amber in the firelight.

“I need to know. Which will you stand with? Garlemald—your home,” He took a step forward, weapon brandished before him, “Or Eorzea?”

Her heart pounded in her chest and her mouth had run dry. She opened her mouth but found her voice gone. She couldn’t will herself to speak.

“I told you before. I can’t abandon them.” Bellona quietly said, finally finding her voice. There was an ache in her throat. “I’m sorry…”

I’m sorry I had to do this. I’m sorry if I hurt you or anyone else who cared about me. I just wanted to do the right thing. I wanted to help people the Empire had hurt. But I just ending up hurting those close to me instead and I’m so sorry for that…

She wanted to say but swallowed her words when she saw Atticus’ face. Many emotions flashed across his features. Irritation, shock, disappointment. But she mostly saw hurt. Hurt and betrayal.

However, the pain on his face was quickly overshadowed. Sorrow quickly melted into trembling anger. An anger unlike anything she’s seen in him before.

“As am I…” His teeth bared.  

And for the first time, she actually felt afraid of him.

“Bellona!”

Atticus’ head snapped up at the shout and he immediately backed away. Moments later Yugiri and Hien were there. And upon seeing a hostile imperial soldier, moved forward to confront him. Standing protectively in front of the warrior.

Atticus leered at them, as if debating on taking them all on. He was outnumbered. It would be a risky fight—a foolish fight. One that he’d lose quickly. There was no honor in recklessly charging into a confrontation which had odds stacked against you.

He gritted his teeth in frustration and took a step back. His gaze shifted to Bellona one last time. Anger and hurt—so much hurt burned behind that glare.

Then turning around, he retreated. Disappearing amongst the smoke.

“Coward.” Yugiri murmured.

“Are you alright?” Hien asked as he helped Bellona to her feet.

“Yeah…” The Warrior mumbled. Shaken but fine. “He…he didn’t hurt me.” She stared off into the direction Atticus had run.

Had Hien and Yugiri not arrived in time he probably would have…

She had seen that look in his eyes. That was not the look of a merciful man. That was not the look of a friend. The thought of him willing hurting her was too outrageous—too painful to bear. But that look. So much anger—so much disdain in that one look.

What little bridge that had remained between them before seems to have crumbled away now…

“We should move on.” Yugiri suggested, looking in the direction Atticus had run as well. “That one might come back with reinforcements.”

Bellona nodded her quiet agreement. And with an aching heart, turned away.  

#final fantasy xiv #ff14 #ffxiv rp #writing #bellona and atticus #tumblr mobile decided to be temperamental so had to repost this

[dreamangel-ren]

FFXIV April Fools Joke Expanded

I shall call it FFXIV AU: Eorzea Academy

So, after seeing the April Fool’s Day joke about our beloved FFXIV characters attending to high school, I got heavily inspired and add a bit of my magic to this wonderful idea. NOTE: This is all pure headcanon so that means it is NOT to be taken literally! If you don’t like this kind of stuff, then stop reading now!

Still here? Okay here we go:

-Of course, my Warrior of Light is the star of the show! - Ren Kurosaki attends to the school as a new student. The school’s first impression of her is that she’s wild and mysterious. On her first day, she stopped bullies from picking on a fellow student. Many are trying to figure out if she’s even eligible to attend to Eorzea Academy since her documents contained vague information. -Ren lives by herself; she goes from being a bard to going on extravagant quests to maintain financial security. At times, she receives aid from fellow neighbors when times get too hectic. - Appearance: Long wavy brown hair with hair clips on the side of her bangs. She always has her sleeves rolled up to her elbows; she gets lectured by the teachers to have her sleeves worn properly. She wears a bracelet on her left wrist. Her choice for socks is the mid-thigh high ones. -She excels in archery, white and black magic (RDM), and dancing; she wishes to get better with ninjutsu, weaving, and cooking. She’s terrible with tanking and she gets nervous when practicing healing.

- Some teachers don’t approve with Ren’s behavior because she ends up breaking the school’s rules, but for a good cause: to help make Eorzea Academy a more comfortable and fun environment for the students. Some consider her the Warrior of Light because of her good deeds while some consider her the Warrior of Darkness because she only makes things worse. With Eorzea Academy being a very prestigious school, students go there mostly tensed because they don’t want to disappoint their superiors. -Ren does have a harem, but there can only be one! (Yup, it’s a shoujo kind of story fellas). The Remaining Cast: Yotsuyu: The president of the student council and the Queen Bee of Eorzea Academy; many students would do anything for her because of her undeniable beauty. She uses her power to pretty much manipulate the entire school for her amusement and a few students hate her for this reason. With Ren in the picture, Yotsuyu is worried that she will lose her position to the new student so, she’s bound and determined to wreck Ren’s reputation. Aymeric: The vice president of the student council, head of the Heavensward Elite, and one of the wealthiest students of the school. He is also known as the lady’s man because most girls want to date him (he even has his own fanclub). However, some believe that him and Yotsuyu are dating because they are the most attractive duo. Yotsuyu loves Aymeric and already confirms to everyone that they are in a relationship, but the young lord on the other hand doesn’t feel the same way; he doesn’t like how Yotsuyu treats the other students. When Ren arrives to the scene, he takes interest because he admires her free spirit and her endless service to the school. Estinien: Aymeric’s best friend and part of the Heavensward Elite (along with Aymeric, Haurchefant, and Ysayle). The typical strong silent type of the bunch, Estinien always look out for his best friend because he knows that there are sharks out to get Aymeric because of his reputation and some would try to take advantage of his kindness. He has secret feelings for Ysayle. As for Ren, he doesn’t quite get her, but he comes around to help her when he feels like it.

Haurchefant: Another member of the Heavesnward Elite and everyone’s best friend; this boy is very popular among the students because of his big heart. Furthermore, he holds high status since his family, The Fortemps, are one of the founders of the school. He would help any student in need even if they didn’t ask for his help. He meets Ren and instantly develops a huge crush on her which later turns to love. Every chance he gets, he tries let Ren know his feelings; however, she’s oblivious to them. Despite this, he protects her from Yotsuyu’s evil schemes and supports her to the ends of the Earth.

Ysayle: The only female of the Heavensward Elite and highly respected to all students due to her passion in the school and students. She kinda bumps heads with Ren because Ysayle usually goes by the book and disapproves Ren’s rebellious nature. Many strongly believe that Ysayle should’ve taken the role of president of the student council. While her reasons for not accepting the position are unknown, they come to her for guidance. Yotsuyu can’t stand her because the students adore her; so, she started a rumor about Ysayle tempering other students to follow her which folks gave her the nickname Shiva, the Ice Queen. Zenos: A transfer student who attends to Eorzea Academy and students are afraid of him. With him being a crown prince from a different country, students believe that he would put Yotsuyu to shame, but they don’t want him to take control because he would make everyone’s life a living hell. Noticing the student’s fear towards him, Yotsuyu wants Zenos to join forces with her to bring Ren down. At first, Zenos didn’t agree to the plan because he didn’t care; however, after a few encounters with the student, he slowly changes his mind and he grows an obsession with Ren. Asahi: Zeno’s bodyguard who also attends to the school. He has strong admiration for the crown prince of Garlemald and anyone who challenges his master must deal with him. Upon learning that his step sister, Yotsuyu is the student body president, he’s determined to bring her down so he can give the title to Zenos. However, completing that mission will be difficult after he learns that his master has interest in Ren; the Doman boy refuses to let the new student take his beloved master away from him.

Alphinaud: The boy whom Ren rescues on the first day of school from bullying which later they become close friends (Ren sees him as a little brother that must ALWAYS be protected). He’s one of Eorzea High’s best students (alongside his sister, Alisaie). Although he’s an excellent student, Alphy at times have issues with his self-esteem because he gets bullied for being soft. Estinien becomes his senpai as he teaches him to man up. Alisaie: Alphinaud’s twin sister and one of Eorzea High’s best students (alongside her brother, Alphinaud). She constantly teases her brother about mostly everything; however deep within, she envies Alphy because he has done so much that impacted the school while she is left in the background. She looks up to Ren and wishes someday to be just as strong as her so she can protect her dear brother.

Thancred: Ren’s ex-boyfriend. When Ren made her arrival to Eorzea, she didn’t know her way around until she met him; he helped her get settled into the realm and began her small career as a bard. They were together for awhile until Ren dumped him after discovering that he still had feelings for one of his previous lovers.

Hien: Another transfer student, but from the Far East who happens to be the prince of Doma. Hien gathers a lot of attention from many students due to his charismatic personality. After hearing about Hien’s skillful swordsmanship as a samurai, Ren challenged Hien to a match. Both sides made a bet if one loses, they must tell their darkest secret. Although, the match ended in a draw, they praised each other’s skills and became friends. Lyse: Although she doesn’t have special talents like the many students, her family name is what got her into the prestigious school. When she first attended Eorzea High, people teased her for trying to be like her late sister Yda; eventually Lyse grew tired of it and started training to become one of the best monks in the school. Understanding her struggle to finding her identity, Ren gladly accepted Lyse as a friend. Y’shtola: Friends with Lyse, Y’shtola is the smartest girl in the school. She is super popular among the boys because of her sassy attitude; however, she doesn’t take interest in dating. She has all knowledge about the school and students which Yotsuyu has a hard time dealing with her because Y’shtola is quick to catch on her schemes. Whenever Ren and Lyse get into trouble, she gets them out then scolds them later. She is the big sister of the group.

 Yup, that’s all I thought about from the joke; I do plan to draw pictures based from my headcanon sometime soon hopefully.

#ffxiv #APRIL FOOLS! #alternate universe #high school #I had fun doing this #possible illustrations in the near future

[usagi-mitsu]

5 questions for writers

i got tagged by @frostmantle, tthank you so much!! :D <3

Tagging... well... anyone who wants to! And if you would like to, dear @stars-bleed-hearts-shine and  @aethernoise? How about it? :)

1. Do you have a favorite character to write? Who and why?

2. Do you have a favorite trope to write? Or one you want to write?

3. Share your favorite description you’ve written?

4. Share your favorite dialogue you’ve written?

5. Scene you haven’t written, but want to?

answers beneath the cut!

1. Do you have a favorite character to write? Who and why? 

Good lord - yes!!! I love writing Alisaie. She is the most snarky, self-confident, powerful and intelligent brat I ever encountered. She is the only one that can put the WoL in their place and she will never hesitate to do so! They are with their friends? Done. The WoL fucks up in public? Come on, she loves that. The leaders of the eorzean Alliance are standing next to them, waiting to continue planning a battle? Do you even have to ask? But on the other hand, she has that deep compassion, she cares, she loves and she truly fears for her friends and allies. She would go on and die for them, if she had to to protect them. But while being confident and snarky and what not, she is still a woman and she feels deeply. And her outbursts are how she shows it. And how she shows, that she sometimes feels helpless in the face of the enemy (see: the level 78 quest after Innocent - that is the Alisaie I love). Also: She is the best excuse to give Alphinaud one hell of a time XD

2. Do you have a favorite trope to write? Or one you want to write? 

It’s not my favorite, but I am really good at angst. I think that might be because I was a mix of an Emo, Goth and literal bouncing ball as a kid. Also: having read a multitude of angsty fanfics as a teen helps. So I mix my talent for angst with what I love second best: Romance. And thats how I write my heartbreaking stories, where two people deeply in love just cannot be together. Or get torn apart. Or watch each other die. And so on. When writing this, my heart breaks - it literally aches. And that feeling is beautiful. And if I can make the reader feel similar? That’s even better. But I’m not a masochist. I cannot stand prolonged angst. Which is why my favorite thing to write is an angsty love story with a happy end. Something, where the protagonists have to earn their happy ending. And that’s maybe because I have resigned to the fact, that that’s not how it works in real life. At least in my stories, hardships and failure and being persistend will pay off, no matter what.

3. Share your favorite description you’ve written?

Stay, I Pray You - it’s literally a description of Garlemald, it’s history and it’s defectors internal turmoils, while the FFXIV Write 2019s prompt #24 Unctuous is my personal wet dream of what the Ala Mhigan royal palace and a meeting with Zenos could have been. Well. I’m not gonna gush over him now. But to be quite honest: I don’t really feel like any of my descriptions ever is adequad. So picking out what I think I did best, is not that easy...   

4. Share your favorite dialogue you’ve written?

... there are too many. I love the exchange between the Exarch and the WoL in Marry me. - it’s so tragic and (pleaes see Nr. 2) just on brand for me. But my crowing piece of written dialogue might be my entry for 2019s FFXIV Write - prompt #26 “Slosh”. Writing it was suprisingly easy and I feel like I captured the alliance leaders quite well - even Aymeric. (Also, literally any interaction between Bolt and Sarada in my very old story Finding Papa. I feel so guilty for never having finished it.)

5. Scene you haven’t written, but want to?

This is like... really basic, but I really really want to write a scene with Ser Aymeric. I have tried before. But I just cannot get the hang of this man. He is so hard to write. And everytime I try, I end up scrapping it (well - not really, more like, never letting it out of my one drive). I wrote and published a cringy AU version of the negotiations before the Gimlyth Dark. I wrote a 15 pages long reaction of my WoL to him getting stabbidy stabbed and her getting more than just emotional over it and watching over him, as he sleeps. It just never felt right. So what I want to say is, that I want to write a scene between my WoL and Aymeric, that doesn’t feel cringy and OOC to me, but isn’t so personal, that I would not publish it. Also, dearest @frostmantle knows about one or two of my ideas for an origin story of a WoL. I really want to write that. :D

#5 questions for writers #frostmantle #thank you for tagging me #<3 #I loved this