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viridiave · 11 months

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a very long post about opinions on the OT2 character themes

> disclaimer: these are the ramblings of someone who has not formally studied music or music theory and is just going off of the vibes that they got from listening to the character themes over and over. so uh please take these opinions like the opinions that they were meant to be

> also MASSIVE SPOILERS AHEAD, PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

OCHETTE

Ochette, the Hunter

- I love this theme. The first time I heard the samples on the Octopath website I fell in love instantly and was convinced that Ochette was going to be my starter just because of how EPIC it sounded. When the full version came out, my feelings on it being epic did not change one bit because it captures the spirit of going on a grand mission SO WELL, and the theme itself feels like it represents Toto'haha as a whole more than just Ochette, reminding us every time of the gravity of their situation. Of course I have maybe too many problems with her actual story but damn if it doesn't do a great job at being cinematic. You can just tell the dev team had so much fun making scenes with the scale of the Legendary Beasts in mind

- also I'm not the only one who hears a slight choir in the background right.

In Pursuit of Legends

- easily one of the best pre-battle themes in the game - the high wind instruments just send chills down my spine no matter what situation Ochette is put in, and when we hear it for the last time in Ochette 3 - oh BOY does it feel incredible. Speaking of Ochette 3

The Journey for Legends Ends

- Out of all the Journey Ends remixes Ochette's version of it is undoubtedly one of my favorites - easily cracks the top 3. In my first run of OT2, I saved Ochette 3 for last, and having it be against the fight against the Darkling?? The high wind instrument sounded like WAILING and I can't get over how fitting that is given everything that the Darkling had gone through until this moment. The whole island is at stake but our attention is all on the Darkling's suffering and honestly? That whole sequence made me forget about the problems I had with Ochette's story and got me to cry a bit because holy shit

CASTTI

Castti, the Apothecary

- I don't have too many strong feelings about Castti's theme, but I dearly appreciate how subdued and somber it sounds. It fits Castti's journey of finding her memories so well and I just generally have no complaints.

- HER LEITMOTIF HOWEVER - the theme used in every flashback sequence incorporates it so well that I cry every goddamn time that it's used. THIS IS THE THEME THAT HER CHAPTER 3 ENDED WITH. IT'S SO SAD AND LOST THAT IT JUST AKSJAKS WHAT DID NISHIKI INJECT INTO THIS THEME???

In Pursuit of Memories

- I love For Succor from the first game. Easily one of the most cinematic-sounding pre-battle themes. In Pursuit of Memories takes everything that made For Succor amazing and TURNS IT UP TO 11 AND WOW THOSE TRUMPETS ARE SENDING CHILLS UP MY SPINE. Castti's leitmotif messes up my brain a lot it's great

The Journey for Memories Ends

- As much as I wanted Castti's rendition of this song to crack the top 3 my god the renditions that DID just made me feel way more BUT HECK IF THIS DIDN'T MAKE ME FEEL A LOT OF THINGS

- Having her theme be up against Trousseau feels incredibly triumphant. Like she's being backed up by Eir's Apothecaries as she fights like Jesus they went SO HARD

THRONE

Throne, the Thief

- I'm probably going to get a lot of flack for this but. I especially don't have strong feelings about Throne's theme. I like it enough, I'm a sucker for strings and I think it suits her well, but I feel like it blends too much into the rest of the soundtrack. It could be the instrument choice, it could be the chords? I promise I like the strings. I also love how it played in her ending. I feel nothing but happiness for Throne when I see her endcard I love it so much

In Pursuit of Freedom

- To be completely honest I have to strain my ears to actually hear Throne's motif in the pre-battle theme but I don't have a lot to say about it - definitely blends in too much with the violins.

The Journey for Freedom Ends

- OKAY THE LOW ELECTRIC GUITAR RIFFS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE RENDITION? GOD-TIER - FOR SOME REASON I ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE AND THEY'RE REALLY GOOD BUILDUP

- As for the rest of it it's fine I guess? Like I like hearing it and battling with it but I think the first time around I was way too confused with the bombshells that Claude dropped on us for me to properly appreciate the music

OSVALD

Osvald, the Scholar

- At first I thought this was a pretty generic somber theme that REALLY loves its cellos, but in my second playthrough I grew to appreciate it a lot more. Without changing a single note, Osvald's theme goes from somber to triumphant over the course of his story and it's kind of insane to me?? Like it fits way too well with the bittersweet ending that he has but has so much room for hope and somehow his character theme captures that so well??? Gods bless you Osvald

In Pursuit of Revenge

- Gotta say - I don't have a lot of feelings on this either. Other than to say that it's badass and imposing as all hell

The Journey for Revenge Ends

- OKAY I HONESTLY DID NOT THINK THAT THIS THEME COULD EVER FIT A FUCKING. DRAGON BALL KAMEHAMEHADOUKEN DUEL BETWEEN HIM AND HARVEY BUT THE ELECTRIC GUITAR MELODY PROVED ME SO WRONG. THIS THEME GOT ME REALLY HYPED UP

- Honestly the fact that I was maybe rooting for Osvald too hard to just kick Harvey's ass because he hurt Elena probably helped BUT STILL AWESOME THEME

PARTITIO

Partitio, the Merchant

- God. The moment I heard the electric guitars I was already sold but then the SAX kicked in and it's like 'YO ALRIGHT WE'RE BALLING'

- this post really started out with me describing actual feelings. Don't worry we're still going to talk about feelings but I don't have much to say about Partitio's theme other than it's awesomea and that people should play it in bars

In Pursuit of Happiness

- man this game is really giving me a great appreciation of the power of electric guitars. I see the appeal now. I especially see it in Partitio's leitmotif cuz man it really makes me want to end poverty. Unfortunately I don't have Partitio's business acumen OR his exuberance so I like. The most I can actually do is look into charity and volunteer work but this theme reminds me that that's good effort too

The Journey for Happiness Ends

- Gotta say? I don't have a lot of strong feelings about this rendition. Like I love Partitio and his story's ending to BITS but I think the fact that we're fighting a whole-ass steam-powered war train had the more staying power for me in this fight. Not that his theme was bad by any means because MAN that electric guitar solo goes bonkers

AGNEA

Agnea, the Dancer

- HANDS-DOWN MY FAVORITE OF ALL THE 8PATH2 CHARACTER THEMES - IT JUST SOUNDS AMAZING NO MATTER WHAT CONTEXT YOU PUT IT IN. I also love that it just ends up existing in-universe as full on diagetic noise for Agnea's encore at the end of her story? HELL I ALREADY SAID I'M A SUCKER FOR STRINGS BUT AGNEA'S THEME JUST SOUNDS SO HOMEY AND WHIMSICAL AND IT ACTUALLY MAKES ME REALLY WANT TO DANCE. AND I SUCK AT DANCING!

- Gil's piano version also just flat-out brings me to tears. God bless you Agnea motif. Why is it so good at being emotional. The evolution of this song throughout Agnea's journey just hits me on so many levels. Music and dance as a form of human expression and communication is fully on display with Agnea's story and her theme reflects that perfectly

In Pursuit of Hope

- how do I gush over Agnea's leitmotif even more without just repeating myself. it's just so good. it's so hype even if the situations themselves are relatively low-stakes. like she's just having a really intense talk with the manager of the theater and the battle theme goes HARDER THAN IT SHOULD

Song of Hope

- HONESTLY WHAT CAN I EVEN SAY ABOUT SONG OF HOPE THAT HASN'T ALREADY BEEN SAID. SONG OF HOPE BEING THE FINAL FORM OF AGNEA'S THEME LIKE IT'S A SUPER SAIYAN HAVING THEIR POWER LEVELS GO OVER 9000. THE FACT THAT IN-UNIVERSE IT'S ACTUALLY HER SINGING IT. THE FACT THAT THIS IS THE SONG THAT BEATS DOLCINAEA LUCIEL. THE FACT THAT THEY'RE BOTH SINGING IT ACTUALLY IT'S SO GOOD

- man I wish sometimes that whenever Agnea uses her EX Song of Hope we got like. a little jingle of her theme and her singing the lyrics. I love Song of Hope so much it's my second-favorite Journey Ends theme. Yes I know it technically doesn't qualify but come onnnn

TEMENOS

Temenos, the Cleric

- okay now I'm REALLY going to get flack for this. I actually don't like Temenos's theme. There's specific reasons for this and most of them have to do with his story. It was already one of the character themes that I felt relatively neutral on when I first heard it, and my first impression was that 'mmmm okay. what's throne's theme sound like-'. The demo came out and gave us Chapter 1, and suddenly it makes sense why it sounds so funky - it represents his character from Chapter 1 so well! It tells us a lot about Temenos - that he's lackadaisical, full of doubt, and that there's more to him than meets the eye. It's true to his character as a detective who likes to mess with his assistant sometimes

- But then Stormhail happened, and it's like. The whimsical tones of his theme really didn't suit the tone of the rest of his story OR his character going forward. Crick's death has dramatically changed the feel of his story, and from that moment on it's pretty clear that Temenos is out for revenge more than he is out for truth - but his theme doesn't reflect that. In fact it feels like it's acting in defiance of the tone shift, feeling almost dismissive of the emotional plot points of his story. On a meta level I think it's interesting how it reflects Temenos's state of mind, sticking to his pursuit in order to avenge everybody he lost and keeping his emotions bottled up. Emotionally however it feels incredibly dissonant - especially when it plays over his endcard.

In Pursuit of Truth

- Honestly for how much flack I gave his character theme I have to give it to his leitmotif for being incorporated in incredibly interesting ways for his battle themes. I did NOT think that the Celestas?? Glockenspiels??? Whatever those brass instruments were - they were INTENSE

The Journey for Truth Ends

- Same words that I have for In Pursuit of Truth like oh my god I didn't think they could make his funky-sounding leitmotif sound so badass but they DID and it felt immensely satisfying to kick Kaldena's ass as the music played. Savor that satisfaction because my god the rest of his story arc does not have a lot of that

HIKARI

Hikari, the Warrior

- I'm partial to Eastern instruments and chord progression! Hikari's theme sounds incredibly regal and it tells us a lot about his character - he's noble, kind, and a great leader. It's a theme that's fit for a king and honestly what more can you ask for?

- also when the bridge plays with the peaceful tones of high wind instruments my heart is just. It is at ease. All is right in the world. tHEN IT'S BACK TO THE INTENSE PARTS WAHOO

In Pursuit of Kingship

- OKAY BEFORE THE GAME CAME OUT I WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO LISTENED TO THE LEAKED SOUNDTRACK OVER AND OVER BECAUSE OH MY GOD HIKARI'S LEITMOTIF GOES SO HARD - I literally SCREAMED when I first heard the leaked version and honestly through the choppy audio and the chunky part of the video - you all know the one - this theme was the one that convinced me that Octopath Traveler 2 was going to be something special. I screamed out loud to several people I knew that this? Seamless transition into Critical Clash II?? It sounded like Latin Honors.

The Journey for Kingship Ends

- So, picture me on my first run, intending to finish the second game this time in reverse OCTOPATH order, meaning I started with Hikari's final chapters. Sure I switched Temenos and Throne around for the order but that was fine, I'm in Ku, and we're about to finally kick Mugen's ass because I fucking hate Mugen. The chapter begins with Kazan literally summoning a sandstorm to open the gates of Ku. I am already so hyped. Then Clan Mei arrives. I am even more hyped. THEN WE FINALLY GET TO KICK RITSU'S ASS, AND HEY OCTOPATH 2, WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS IS A BOSS RUSH??? I get to Mugen. I beat his first phase. I fight Hikari's intrusive thoughts and win. Mugen does some eldritch shit. AND THEN THIS FUCKING THEME KICKS IN AND I WAS JUST THROWN BACKWARDS INTO MY SEAT

- IN MY OPINION THIS IS THE BEST RENDITION OF THE JOURNEY ENDS REMIXES - THE MUSICAL PROGRESSION FROM THE FIGHT AGAINST RITSU, THEN A TASTE OF FOR THE DAWN WITH MUGEN'S FIRST PHASE, THEN CONQUERING THE SHADOW, AND THEN THIS - IT WAS SO GOOD?? AND IT SOUNDS SO TRIUMPHANT LIKE - HIKARI IS ON THE CUSP OF VICTORY AND PEACE IS AT HIS FINGERTIPS. KU WILL FINALLY SEE THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY. THAT IS WHAT THIS SOUNDS LIKE AND IT'S THE MOST AMAZING THING AND I LOVE IT

so yeah i'd love to hear you guys' thoughts on the character themes. feel free to disagree with my opinions! I welcome it!

#octopath #octopath traveler 2 #ot2 spoilers #octopath ochette #castti florenz #throne anguis #osvald v. vanstein #partitio yellowil #agnea bristarni #temenos mistral #hikari ku #this is a long boi #feel free to disagree with me in the comments #i welcome it all

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achirding · 10 months

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Fate Smate

A SatBK Sonic and Gawain talking and hanging out oneshot!

Summary: Sonic and Gawain take a little break in researching how to get Sonic home to have a little adventure: seeing what new trouble Lancelot has gotten into. Along the way, they have a little chat on Merlin and destiny, and Sonic learns that Gawain and Lancelot are fully aware of their impending 'rift.'

Contains: Gawain and Lancelot are besties! Gawain talks about destiny and fate a lot and is super unimpressed with the idea he and Lancelot are gonna be mortal enemies and Lancelot is supposed to kill him! Gawain is super pushy, literally and figuratively- big brother syndrome lmao! Shadow is up to weird inscrutable antics as usual! Gawain isn’t very fond of Merlin and isn’t very nice about his descriptions of him!

Rating: G

Word count: 2,424

Note: This is supposed to be part 1 of a stand alone story, but I repurposed it to fit the Destiny prompt. Might go in an make a part 2, might go back to the original one and polish it up, idk! For now, enjoy Gawain and Sonic hanging out! C:

Sonic has never been fond of paperwork or research. He’s very much a hedgehog of action, tearing through obstacles at mach speed and figuring everything out as he goes along. And when he literally and figuratively comes up against a challenge he can’t power through, he calls up Tails. His little buddy loves research, is good at thinking through problems, and able to adapt and tinker his solutions to any and every situation. It’s what makes them such a good team. Unfortunately, Tails wasn’t invited to this little trip to Camelot. Sonic’s been handling everything pretty well so far, but figuring out the right magic and locations for his return trip is turning out to be a little tricky. And, as he looks at the piles of scrolls, papers, and books on the round table, Sonic desperately wishes once again that Tails were here to help him. (Smithy is a skilled craftsman and smart in his own right, but apparently being a blacksmith doesn’t require reading! How is it possible there’s a guy that looks so much like Tails but is illiterate?! If he’s going to be here for much longer, then Sonic’s gonna put teaching Smithy to read on his to-do list.) At least he’s not forced to wade through all these papers alone. Sonic glances over to his left where Sir Gawain is quietly reading. It’s weird. Gawain isn’t Knuckles, but echidnas aren’t exactly common, so it’s incredibly eerie to see someone with that knucklehead’s same face and explosive temper just sit and think and research- “It is time for a break!” Gawain’s booming voice shatters the quiet of the room and breaks Sonic out of his idle thoughts. “Huh?” He blinks, startled, as the echidna snaps the book shut. Gawain doesn’t push the chair back so much as he pushes the entire table forward, standing up and stretching his arms above his head. He looks at Sonic expectantly as he exercises his shoulder, “Come.”

“Okay,” Sonic doesn’t know what Gawain is planning, but anything beats pouring over these boring old papers, “Where are we going?”

“On a quest!” As soon as he’s in Gawain’s radius, the echidna grabs Sonic to push him ahead. Gawain keeps one hand firmly on the hedgehog’s back, obviously very comfortable around pointy quills.

“Quest?” Sonic shrugs as he lets Gawain lead him through the corridor, not used to being the one encouraged to go faster. He has to glance backwards to make eye contact with the echidna, “Quest for what?” “Lancelot!” Gawain tells him cheerfully, “That daft man has a terrible habit of getting into the worst kind of trouble when left to his own devices. Let us make sure he is not in need of succor.” “Heh,” Sonic laughs at hearing Lancelot described like that. The dour hedgehog would undoubtedly disagree with Gawain’s assessment, and would very much resent anyone thinking he needed to be rescued. But much like Shadow, Lancelot seems to be a magnet for trouble, too.

“Sounds like you two get along well,” Sonic remarks absently as they pass through a partially re-constructed corridor.

“Indeed!” Gawain answers proudly without any bit of hesitation, thumping his fist on his chest, “Sir Lancelot is my dearest friend and closest companion!”

“…Huh, that’s cool,” Sonic says after a moment, a little surprised by how quickly and emphatically Gawain answered that question as he pulls a heavy wooden door open.

“Does that surprise you?” Gawain asks mildly, innocent enough but with an undertone of emotion Sonic can’t quite place. Definitely not positive though, “Have you heard differently?”

“Nothing, really, it’s just-“ Sonic makes a seesaw motion as they pass a grand collection of woven tapestries that seem to have survived the wreckage. Dusty and mostly still on the floor, but Sonic’s eyes linger on a tapestry of an old man with a disturbingly familiar looking mustache, “Merlina made it seem like you two weren’t super close. More rivalry than friendly to your whole friendly rivalry.”

“Bah, poppycock!” Gawain scoffs, obviously relieved as he shakes his head dismissively, “That’s simply because her grandfather filled her head with all those nonsense prophecies! Those silly tales of how our bitter feud would result in the end of the dream of Camelot!”

“Ah,” Sonic answers ambivalently, surprised at the blasé dismissal. He didn’t believe in things like prophecy and fate, but it seemed someone like Gawain, who seemed incredibly committed to intangible things like chivalry and duty, would care more. Especially if they were supposed to destroy a whole entire kingdom over a spat, “So you heard everything Merlina said when she was under the influence of the scabbard?”

“Sir Sonic, that was not new information for either myself or Lancelot!” Gawain seems genuinely amused by his attempt at gentleness, laughter booming in the stone hall. That it was broken didn’t seem to impact the acoustics too much.

“For as long as we have known them, the girl and her grandfather have never let us forget!!” The echidna sighs heavily, mouth twisting into a grimace like he just sucked on a lemon, “That mad codger ranted about destiny all the time, and what role everyone would play in the downfall of Camelot. Whether you wanted to listen to him or not!”

Gawain obviously finds this topic frustrating, ripping the stairwell door off of its hinges as his voice rises in his growing agitation, “The moment he saw me or Lancelot, he would immediately remind us of our destined ‘rift.’’”

The knight doesn’t even try to fix the door, just leaves it off to the side as he ushers Sonic through the doorway, “Merlin told ranted about my fate all the time! Long before I even met Lancelot!”

Gawain massages his forehead just under his visor, “He was driving me mad! I didn’t know a damn thing about who Lancelot was supposed to be, but when I finally found him, I was going to challenge him to a duel to the death!”

“That sounds reasonable,” Sonic answers dryly, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. Gawain obviously had a flair for the dramatics, given how he reacted to his unexpected loss to Sonic, but why did this guy go straight for the kill-or-be-killed option? Definitely some less drastic steps he could try first.

The echidna is either oblivious to Sonic’s sarcasm or choosing to ignore it, nodding as though he truly and honestly thought ‘duel to the death’ was a reasonable solution, “Aye. Either Lancelot’d kill me before ‘fate’ wanted me dead, or I’d kill him first and derail the whole damn thing.”

“Wait, what? Kill?” Sonic’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise, stopping mid-step. Gawain continues to usher him forward like a little kid, though, which is starting to get kind of annoying. He digs his heels into the stone and pushes back against the echidna’s strength, “Lancelot is supposed to kill you?!”

“Aye! My kiss of death at Lancelot’s hand will be dealt by the sword with the red hilt!” Gawain waves a hand flippantly, obviously past the point of caring and seeming overall unimpressed by the whole impending-murder prophecy.

“Actually, that was the first thing Merlin told Lancelot when he first arrived at court, too!” The knight sighs wearily, so maybe it still does bother him some, “Not even a greeting! A new arrival, determined to prove himself among the legends of chivalry and champions of justice, guided by tales of fellowship and a kind, just king-”

Sonic lets out a long breath through his nose at all the unnecessary detail and adjectives, very much not moving his feet at all now. Gawain seems to be even stronger than Knuckles is, pushing him forward like Sonic weighs nothing. It’s kind of impressive, but he’s only putting up with this treatment because he’s curious to hear how this story ends, “Only to be immediately accosted by a strange old man! A strange old man with a very big walking stick who points it at this unknown youth’s face and just starts yelling in his face, ‘You! You’re going to kill Gawain, the man you love most, with the sword of the red hilt! It’s your destiny!’”

“...Youth?” For some reason, Sonic’s attention fixes on that weird little detail, squinting at Gawain’s face over his shoulder. The echidna’s obviously an adult, but it’s not like Gawain has an incredible amount of wrinkles or gray hairs, “You’re older than Lancelot?”

“By two years!” Gawain announces proudly, and Sonic’s interest in that sidenote immediately fizzles out. The echidna was just being his usual dramatic self again and making something small seem much bigger and more important than it actually was, “Where was I?”

“Well, neither you or Lancelot seems to be dead, so I’m assuming you didn’t end up challenging him like you planned,” Sonic offers only slightly helpfully before they’re both standing at the bottom of the stairwell. He crosses his arms over his chest as he watches Gawain, in a much better mood, gently open the door without breaking it off its hinges. It still shakes and creaks like the wood is protesting- Gawain definitely isn’t as careful with his strength as Knuckles is.

“Ah, yes! The moment I heard my name mentioned, I immediately knew this was supposed to be my destined rival. I stood up to challenge this knave who hadn’t given anyone his name yet, but before I could call out to him…” The echidna grins wide at the memory, looking incredibly amused and pleased, “Lancelot told Merlin no!”

“Heh,” Sonic is much more amused by Gawain’s good mood, finding that wide smile contagious. The ceiling abruptly goes from patches with holes to clear blue sky piles on either side, which means they’re close to the epicenter of Merlina’s whole freeze-everything-to-save-everyone spell, “How’d Merlin take it?”

“Exactly as you think!” Gawain laughs heartily, eyes crinkling as his smile stretches across his muzzle, “Simply imagine it, Sir Sonic! The greatest sorcerer of our time. personally responsible for putting Uther and his son on the throne and orchestrating so many other wondrous and terrible events! Used to being respected and feared, only to have this saucy knight without a single deed or accomplishment to his name, tell him directly, ‘Give that quest to someone else, I’m not interested,’ before walking away! Lancelot gave the King’s Advisor his back without a second thought!”

Sonic shakes his head with an amused sigh, not really understanding why this is so funny, but Gawain’s chuckles are hard to resist. Shadow probably wouldn’t have given Merlin an answer, just glower at him and leave to do his own dark hedgehog-y things, like usual. Sonic grins right back at Gawain, “Hehe. Merlin sounds like an intense guy, I can understand why you didn’t like him very much.”

“I did not dislike him,” Gawain says carefully, very obviously trying to make his point as precisely as possible, “Merlin had always been a little odd, always had a habit of speaking in prophecies and riddles, but he wasn’t...”

Gawain pauses as he mulls over his words carefully, obviously searching for the right word before giving up, “He took a turn for the worse after King Arthur lost Excalibur.”

Gawain’s mood dampens to a quiet melancholy, rubbing at the back of his neck as they finally get to the courtyard entrance. Rather, the chipped walkway and pillar markings that show this was once a doorway, “Perhaps that loss was the beginning of the end.”

“Yeah?” Sonic prompts Gawain absently, hand on his hips as he looks at the little garden. It’s odd- this had been the epicenter of Merlina’s magic that had leveled half the castle, but the trees and flowers here seem absolutely fine. Not so much as a broken branch or scattering of leaves across the grass, “What makes you say that?”

“Well, shortly after that, Merlin began acting like he was on a desperate, secret quest,” Gawain goes up to the nearest tree, leaning a hand against the bark as he peers up at the branches, “Frantically looking for signs, muttering to himself that there wasn’t enough time!”

Gawain pulls back and rubs at his forehead, obviously not finding what he was looking for, before moving onto a different tree, “Merlin was then obsessively watching the flight of birds in the sky, scribing into his glass ball for hours, looking into the horizon of the lakeshore and the mouth of the river like he was searching for something...”

Gawain’s eyes slide over to Sonic with an unplaceable emotion, “Or someone?”

That catches Sonic by surprise, stopping mid-step towards the tree, “Me?”

He points to himself, looking around to make sure Gawain isn’t actually talking to Lancelot who suddenly materialized out of nowhere, or someone else, “You think he was looking for me?”

“Who can say?” Gawain answers back just as evasively, nodding towards the second tree and giving it a gentle tap that still has the entire tree shaking. There’s a loud squawk from the branches as two little birds fly out in a panic, and a much less bird-like muttered curse.

“Lancelot!” The echidna yells up at the tree branches cheerfully, as though he didn’t just try to knock Lancelot off the tree a moment ago.

Sonic squints up at the tree, and sure enough, there is a figure high up in the branches that looks very much like a hedgehog… but is hanging onto the branch in a more sloth-like way. Lancelot obviously hadn’t been in a very stable position before Gawain shook the tree, and appears to have only just managed to avoid being knocked off.

Sonic snorts at this very inelegant and uncool look for the grim hedgehog, and is momentarily sorry Caliburn isn’t here to see this. That sword of his put Lancelot up on too high a pedestal, and would benefit from seeing more of the man and less of the legend.

“Hullo, Lancelot!” Gawain calls out again, waving when the tree-bound hedgehog finally spots them, “What are you up to today?”

“Gawain!” Lancelot answers back just as cheerfully, which is honestly a little weird to hear from someone who looks so much like Shadow but nice that apparently he holds Gawain in high esteem, too, “Sonic!”

Lancelot changes his grip so he is holding onto the branch with one hand, holding out a bundle that… looks like it’s squirming? Huh? Sonic squints at the bundle as what looks like a little, stubby hand shoots out from a space in the fabric, “Impeccable timing! I could use your assistance in this matter!”

- Fin -

#satbk #sonic and the black knight #satbk sir gawain #sonic the hedgehog #satbk sir lancelot #satbk au #satbk2023 #satbk promptweek #satbkified #satbk merlin #shadow the hedgehog #knuckles the echidna #day late to my own challenge sob

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halos-top-alien-model · 6 months

Text

Sangheili Bracket Round 2 Match 3

More info below:

Rtas 'Vadum:

Debuted in Halo 2

Born on Sept. 21, 2487, Rtas would explore his keep's shoreline as a child - nearly dying at ten years old in one exploration gone wrong - and graduated with honors from a top war college. By Sept. 2554, he would serve as a commander to all the SpecOps units in the Fleet of Particular Justice. During the Battle of Installation 04, he and a team that included his second in command - Bero 'Kusovai - would be sent to investigate a possible human boarding on the agricultural support ship Infinite Succor. However, they would not find humans there, but the Flood parasite. While the outbreak would be contained, Rtas would be the sole survivor - and lost left mandibles in the process. Following this, he would be reassigned to to command all SpecOps from High Charity.

A little time would pass before Rtas would be assigned to lead a mission against a heretic faction, his former Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee joining them as the newly appointed Arbiter. An attack against the base of operations would ensue, only for Rtas to once again detect the stench of the Flood. Complicating things further was that the Heretic Leader locked himself behind an unbreakable barrier while a harsh storm was on the horizon. The Arbiter would volunteer to conduct a risky plan to draw out the Heretic Leader solo, with Rtas deciding to leave with him his blade as help. The two would not see each other again until later at High Charity, where Rtas argued with the Prophet of Truth over the changing of the Honor Guard and the Prophet undermining Rtas' attempt to save the Prophet of Regret. Another reunion would take place on Installation 05 - specifically the Quarantine Zone - where Rtas and his SpecOps forces would aid the Arbiter in reaching the Sacred Icon necessary to activate the Halo. However, following this mission, the Hierarchs would order the execution of all Sangheili, beginning the Great Schism. As civil war erupted, Rtas would reunite with Thel once again and assist him in reaching a Scarab to break into the ring's control room, although Rtas would then split to achieve another goal - taking control of the Shadow of Intent. Now leading the fledgling Fleet of Retribution, Rtas would conduct a campaign to quarantine and sterilize the Flood-infected High Charity and Halo, only for a single cruiser to escape and head to Earth.

Rtas and parts of his fleet would follow it, joining the Battle of Voi in the process. Knowing more than anyone else the threat of the Flood spreading, he was prepared to glass all of Earth, but was talked into only glassing the portion of the continent the Flood had landed on. On his ship, he and other notable figures of the war would receive a message from Cortana warning that a Gravemind had taken over High Charity and was heading to Earth, with the Ark at the other side of Voi's portal being the only way to stop it. Rtas was eager to take his forces - alongside the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn - to go on the offensive against the Covenant and Flood at the Ark. His fleet would engage the Covenant in the skies, being confident despite being outnumbered three to one, declaring the iconic line: "Then it is an even fight." Unfortunately, while the battle was going well and Rtas prepared to destroy the Citadel, the Flood-infested High Charity appeared to knock his ship off course, temporarily taking it out of action. Once the threat of the Covenant activating the entire Halo Array was finished, Rtas would gather all the human and Sangheili forces and take them back to Earth, while the Arbiter, Master Chief, Sergeant Johnson, and 343 Guilty Spark stayed behind with the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn to finish off the Flood for good. Once the war was finally over, Rtas would return to Earth again to attend a memorial ceremony, although he would stay on his ship in orbit while the Arbiter attended in person.

At some point later in the year 2553, Shadow of Intent would respond to a distress signal at Rahnelo. By this point, Rtas had recruited Bladmaster Vul 'Soran and Unggoy Ranger Stolt as his advisors, the former serving as his second in command. At Rahnelo, Rtas would learn of the existence of a Prelate intent on taking out the Sangheili and allow the female warrior Tul 'Juran to join in the hunt for him in defiance of tradition against female military service. They would pursue the Prelate to Duraan, only to fall into a trap and be boarded. After fending off the attack and capturing the Prelate, where he learned of greater plans forged by the Minister of Preparation as well as the Prelate's hatred of Rtas personally for supposedly causing the deaths of his family on High Charity. Rtas would still speak amicably with the Prelate, singing for him and theorizing that the Minister deceived the Prelate on when his family had died, sowing the seeds for the Prelate's later turn. Yet before that, when Rtas took a small team to confront the Minister and destroy his prototype Halo weapon, the Prelate would briefly betray them. This betrayal would be short-lived, as the Prelate would then sacrifice himself to take out both the Minister and the weapon while Rtas escaped alive. Once the mission was over, Rtas would speak with the Arbiter regarding changing the Swords of Sanghelios' restrictions on female enlistment due to Tul. Afterward, Rtas resolved to locate the survivors of the San'Shyuum species, in order to ensure the ones good-hearted like the Prelate would be treated fairly.

Shadow of Intent would be involved in a few events between the years of 2553 and 2558, including an operation against pirates in a Joint Occupation Zone and being stalked by three ONI prowlers that would then be destroyed under unclear circumstances. By Nov. 2559, Rtas would still be pursuing the San'Shyuum and therefore unable to assist the Arbiter in a trip to Netherop, but it is unclear if he was caught up in the Created conflict earlier and if his mission was known and allowed by Cortana.

Ripa 'Moramee:

Debuted in Halo Wars

Born on Malurok on June 2nd, 2478, he served as a warlord thrall within the Ministry of Preservation, gaining infamy across the Covenant for his ruthlessness. During this time, he notably quelled the Sixteenth Unggoy Disobedience within days and killed the Kig-Yar pirate prince Krith. Yet, ironic to his role of quashing rebellions, Ripa would then go on to attempt a coup against his kaidon in Moram, only to fail and end up imprisoned in the super-maximum security penitentiary known as the Weeping Shadows of Sorrow. While there, he incited a large-scale prison riot as part of a plan to escape, only to be captured once again and placed in solitary confinement. It was here that he was visited by the Prophet of Regret, who bestowed upon him the rank of Arbiter and the mission to wipe out humanity. Before that, however, the new Arbiter would first squash a rebellion incited by his appointment.

Starting in 2526, Ripa would lead the Fleet of Glorious Interdiction during the Harvest Campaign, while also occasionally visiting Etran Haborage to fight back against the Flood presence there. Around February 2531, the Harvest Campaign would be changed by the discovery of an underground relic; valuable information was gathered, but the relic ended up taken by human forces before the Covenant could destroy it to keep it out of their hands. Following this information led Ripa's fleet to Arcadia and the location of another Forerunner structure, with the UNSC Spirit of Fire pursuing them. Noting how the human professor Ellen Anders was able to interface with Forerunner technology and believing she could do the same for activating Etran Haborage's Forerunner fleet, the Prophet of Regret would task Ripa in capturing her. He would ambush her and Sergeant John Forge on Arcadia, nearly killing Forge in the process.

But bringing Anders to Etran Haborage only allowed the Spirit of Fire to follow, beginning Ripa's downfall. While he was able to use Anders to finally activate the Forerunner fleet, she managed to escape immediately afterwards, regrouping with her allies and informing them of the fleet. They would then launch a plan to destroy the entire shield world and the fleet with it using their slipspace engine. Ripa would attempt to stop this plan, leading to a second confrontation with Forge. With victory in the duel in sight, Ripa fell to Forge's taunts and opened himself up to getting stabbed in the neck by Forge's combat knife then stabbed in the chest by his own dropped energy sword. His corpse and armor would be destroyed along with the shield world, preventing the Covenant from being able to store them within the Mausoleum of the Arbiter, while his holdings on Malurok would be the source of dispute among neighboring keeps even after the fall of the Covenant.

Submitted propaganda: He's ugly-cute and so mean and evil 🖤

Additional commentary: I agree with the above

#halo #halo sangheili #sangheili #halo aliens #halo elite #halo elites #halo fandom #halo tumblr #tumblr bracket #tumblr tournament #rtas vadum #rtas 'vadum #shipmaster rtas vadum #halo shipmaster #shipmaster #ripa moramee #ripa ‘moramee #ripa 'moramee

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driftward · 10 months

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Title: The Flow of Battle Characters: Zoissette Vauban, Y'shtola Rhul, Scions of the Seventh Dawn Summary: The thoughts and feelings of one sorceress as she and her comrades sweep the plains of Paglth'an Notes: YOTP May entry: Mission Fic. Look, I was busy.

The smoke and fire of battle swept around them, and they in turn swept through it nigh effortlessly, as though it were no more than fog parting before a mighty ship, tall and proud and powerful. Cautious, for there was risk in the fog of war, but undaunted, for the skill of its crew were more than measure for the task.

And she knew no ship could sail higher than Zoissette Vauban.

That the work needed to be done was as unpleasant as it was necessary, but despite that, there was a certain thrill to battle that Y’shtola found herself drawn to. The execution of proving the mastery of her skill, the elements coming to her as easy as breathing and scattering the enemy as though they were leaves on the wind. The levin sensation inside of her as she called upon the forces of aether and shaped them into that which would be needed to arrange the battlefield to her desires.

And with the assurance brought by the presence of her Warrior of Light, why, there was no challenge she could not rise to, no enemy force she would not overcome, no stratagem they could not defeat together. It was a joy watching Zoissette in action, whether she served as a dauntless glacier that Y’shtola could stand astride, safe and secure in the protection her shield wall provided, or as a terrible driving blizzard of weaponry and spellwork that Y’shtola could stand in the eye of as they delivered defeat to their enemies.

And defeat was delivered, giving them a moment of respite. The Scions of the Seventh Dawn rallied around Zoissette, and Y’shtola waited patiently alongside the rest as Zoissette eyed the ravine and considered their options.

She came to her conclusions quickly, and turned to the group.

“Thancred, take the twins and head up that ridge. We are covered by cliff wall from the other ridge, so they most likely picked that one to put their ranged capabilities on. Keep them from firing on us.”

Thancred just nodded, as he began to jog in the direction Zoissette was pointing. Alisaie punched a hand into her fist as she moved after him, and Alphinaud began paging through his grimoire for the spells he would need.

“Everyone else, with me. Urianger, back line, provide support. G’raha, forward picket, by my side. I will take the vanguard. We center around Y’shtola.”

Zoissette looked to her, and she nodded in response. “I am to be your magical artillery, then? Very well. I shall show the Telophorai a thing or two they shan’t soon forget.”

With nods all around, they plunged into the ravine.

Zoissette proved to be correct, which was expected. On the ridge above them, Y’shtola could glance archers being stunned by red magicks while Thancred lived up to the namesake of his profession, rushing in and disabling gun emplacements before they could be brought to bear. And she was certain if she looked closely, she could see Alphinaud providing succor through his puissant spell casting, but she paid them no further mind. Each team had a job to do, and hers was to bring down the might of the elements upon their enemies.

The dance began anew. She trusted Zoissette, as she trusted each of them, and that trust would not be betrayed today. She did not flinch when a small group of addled Garlean troopers broke formation to make for her, and Zoissette was there in barely a blink, planting her shield as aetheric wings sprayed out from her like sea spray from the bow of a dreadnought. The enemy broke upon it, and scant moments later, Y’shtola’s spells scattered them. She had learned the hand language from Zoissette, and so she knew the signs as they were made to her, and without hesitation she directed lightning to sweep around as Zoissette and G’raha plunged into another group.

And when they pulled back wordlessly, she pulled back with them, unworried. Urianger covered them, his spells bolstering their defenses and slowing the enemy advance.

Zoissette was stalling. A habit of hers. It drove Alisaie crazy, but Y’shtola found she minded it not at all, for she knew what the woman was doing.

Analyzing.

She continued to throw spells into their enemies, waiting. Looks and subtle hand gestures were exchanged as Zoissette directed the team into positions. Figuring things out. Taking the time to think. And then, Y’shtola spotted it, the subtle shift in Zoissette’s posture.

The puzzle was solved.

“Y’shtola, fall back, target that dragon. Urianger, gravity on that group of soldiers, keep them occupied. G’raha, to its flank,” said Zoissette, even as she charged in shield first, to slam her steel into the face of an enemy.

They did as they were told, quickly and without question. G’raha harried the creature from the side while the Garlean conscripts found themselves confounded by Urianger’s spell works, and Zoissette moved quickly amongst the enemy, keeping them from organizing any effective counter-attack.

For her part, Y’shtola pulled deep on the elements. The battlefield seemed to fade away, as she focused, trusting Zoissette and the others to keep her safe. Aether was threaded before her staff, wisps of fire materializing from the air in strands and being woven into a mighty braid that she grew into a massive fireball high in the air. It swelled so large that it began to wobble on itself, too much energy in too small a space, threatening to become unstable and lash out.

Just before it would have been a moment too long, she released it, and a second sun fell in the ravine, a powerful raging gust of air flowing before its shockwave as static crackled in the air, its fellow astral elements of levin and wind being unable to resist being pulled into existence as well.

Soldiers and dragons and more fell, opening the way to dive deeper into enemy territory, and Zoissette wasted no time in exploiting the opportunity.

“Come to me!” she called out, and they followed.

Y’shtola smiled thickly at herself. The work was unpleasant. The reasons unfortunate. But the opportunity to exercise her mastery thanks to the efforts of puissant allies who knew how to capitalize on her talents, well.

That was its own tiny sublime joy, and she would secret it away. Pleased with herself, she was quick to stay with the group into the next fray and beyond.

It was later, onboard the airship, when each of them were able to take their rest and reflect on the actions of the day. Y’shtola could feel the day’s exertions in the very marrow of her bones, and exhaustion was writ in the forms of her comrades as well.

But she waited by a railing, taking her ease, reflecting, watching as Zoissette went to each of them one by one. A hand to a shoulder here, a murmur of commiseration there. They were all ‘tins in the same skip’, as Zoissette would say, and she looked after them as much, if not more, as they looked after one another. She had shed her awkwardness over the years, and replaced it with an earnest, naked honesty that the others had come to learn to appreciate.

As Y’shtola had.

At last, Zoissette came to her side, leaning against the airship railing and looking outward at a world that was going by swiftly. But she was not watching it, not really.

Y’shtola reached up a hand and touched it to her shoulder, and Zoissette quietly reached up and touched it back.

They had fought side by side. They had been where they were needed. They had worked together for common goal. Another day’s battle won, another struggle yet to come.

But they were here for one another, and for Y’shtola, that was all that mattered just now. And it warmed her to know Zoissette knew that, and felt much the same.

As they shared touch and gentle conversation, Y’shtola knew that tomorrow’s troubles would come all the same. But that, too, they would face together.

#final fantasy xiv #zoissette vauban #y'shtola rhul #paglth'an #biot writes #year of the otp #missionfic #witchshield #202207-11 #y'shtola x zoissette

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loressa · 11 months

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This won 3rd place in the Jame Gam jam and I'm so proud of the work we did over 4 days!

I learned a lot about UI design and CSS, most proudly the skill of creating an image map. Mouse over the images, if you're on PC, to see descriptive text and click for (slightly buggy) links.

We worked great as a team, with creative contributions coming from each of us to collaboratively create our concept. The jam themes were "unintentional side effects" and "butter chicken" so we brainstormed up the idea of memories lurking everywhere, even in unexpected places like a takeout menu.

Our artist's art inspired our writing and helped give me ideas for gameplay based on the art they were making - for example, the main room of the apartment was an early concept sketch. I realized we could base the game navigation around images like this to give us a lot of clickable elements with limited art resources. This meant our artist could focus their limited time on [spoiler].

Our writer helped bring [spoiler] to life while also fleshing out the sad little world with extra flourishes, which were easy to implement due to the ease of twine!

For code, I used a lot of <include>, <replace> and <div>s to display game elements and .random() to create variety. (Sugarcube)

This is the jam release version. I will be eventually updating the game with more interactive elements and an extra demon eventually.

⚠️ Important warning: this game contains depictions of emotional abuse and destructive behavior. It also has horror themes. This is designed as a cathartic game experience for people who have gone through situations like this, but please be careful playing in case it triggers trauma. ⚠️

#indie games #itch.io #game jam #game jams #jame gam #prototype game #alpha games #cathartic #emotional abuse #raised by narcissists #twine #twine game #sugarcube #game dev #game development #devblog #horror games

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paintedscales · 7 months

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FFXIV Write 2023 :: Day 20

Prompt :: Hamper Characters :: Nomin tal Kheeriin, Lorha Keipah, R'ayzel Mhazu (belongs to @blossomblade), Ralne Dalduos Word Count :: 1,399

FFXIV Write 2023 Master List

Traveling Vylbrand had been a rest of endurance on some days, as Nomin learned. She would have set up camp not far from Aleport if someone had not advised against it, and if she had not seen the clouds for herself. The weather had been all but tempestuous in the time she had been back in order to carry out a request to clear out the area known as the Sastasha Seagrot.

Rain beat down on the lands, the spattering of it a steady thrum as Nomin sat at the table at the small inn they stayed at. Across and next to her were her travel companions and friendly faces: Lorha and R'ayzel. They had formed their own small party, and were supposed to meet someone else there to make up a team of four to properly venture through the caves where the Serpent Reavers had been hiding out.

"I hope that these storms that have been blowing through hasn't hampered whoever we're supposed to introduce ourselves to…" Lorha commented, sighing as she idly stirred her spoon in her soup. Like the other two, she had been growing impatient, being confined to the indoors for now until they had gotten their adventuring party rightfully sorted out.

“If it has, maybe the Smiths can provide us with someone on short notice?” Nomin posited, hopeful that perhaps that could be the case.

“I wouldn’t place your bets on it. They mostly just provide a lot of tips and pointers for those starting off in the adventuring lifestyle…” R’ayzel replied, her brow furrowed as she leaned back in her seat. Similar to Nomin and Lorha, R'ayzel had not originally been from Eorzea -- so far as she had been told. They shared plenty of skeptical viewpoints at any rate.

Eating their meals in mostly silence, all three of them looked toward the door once it had burst open, the silhouette of a tall figure walking in shortly after. What drew Nomin's attention more than anything were the long, leoprine ears that protruded from the woman's head, dappled brown and white. Once the door had been closed, the woman removed her cowl to reveal herself; she had alabaster skin, and light brown hair.

"Um…I hope I'm finally in the right place…" the woman started, looking around at the patrons that were holding up for the time being. The three at the table watched her curiously, wondering if she was the one they were meeting with. The viera cleared her throat, "I'm…I'm looking for the Sastasha adventuring party?"

"Oh, oh! That would be us!" Lorha said, dropping her spoon with a small clatter into her bowl as she excitedly waved toward the newcomer. There was a wide grin upon her face, and her ears had perked upward with a sense of glee.

Relief was palpable from the viera, who walked over and gave them all a small, sheepish smile in greeting. She adjusted her cloak and slowly took a seat in the empty chair. There was a moment where the viera glances between each of them: two miqo’te and one au ra…

"Um…" the viera started. "Well! I'm Ralne! I'm, uh…well, I'm part of the Dutiful Sisters of the Edelweiss in Limsa Lominsa."

R'ayzel quirked a brow at that, electing to stay silent.

"'Sister'? Oh, does that mean you're a fellow healer like me?" Lorha asked. "I suppose I can do more offensive things, too. In order to help out with anything that might come across as rough or unfortuante, that is! I didn't realize we'd be getting someone who heals."

"I…I suppose you could call what I do healing…after a fashion." Ralne then cleared her throat and gave a sidelong glance to R'ayzel and Nomin. "You see, the activities of the Serpent Reavers have been coming awfully close to Limsa Lominsa. I elected to take on the job and sign up as an adventurer at the Drowning Wench to do so. I do this on behalf of the Sisters to set their own minds at ease, you see. With their own duties revolving around Limsa Lominsa and offering succor to the residents and the great city itself, matters outside its walls often -- and regrettably -- go unanswered."

Ralne’s ears twitched momentarily before they drooped backward. Her expression had become sheepish once more as she laced her fingers over top of the table.

“Sorry, I tend to overexplain a bit…” Ralne softly said. “‘Tis an unfortunate thing, especially when you serve the Sisters.”

“It’s fine -- it’s a nice introduction at the very least!” Lorha replied, leaning on the table with her elbows propped upon it, and her knuckles against her cheeks. “I’m Lorha! That’s Nomin over there, and we have R’ayzel right there!”

In response, Nomin offered a small wave -- rather, a curl of the fingers in greeting. Meanwhile, R’ayzel had only merely nodded her head upward somewhat as a less proper means of greeting Ralne.

“So…what…what exactly is our formation here?” Ralne asked.

“I’ll be leading, making sure I keep everyone else safe behind me,” R’ayzel said, stuffing her mouth with some cornbread before taking a spoonful of soup into her mouth. Speaking up once more, she seemed to care little when flecks and crumbs of food went spilling forward or flying out of her mouth: “so don’ do ahny’fing stufid, lih rumin’ in fron’ off me.”

“Er, oh! Duly…duly noted…” Ralne said, picking up a stray cloth that she assumed had no owner before wiping away the bits of cornbread and spittle that had fallen onto the table in front of her. She glanced at Nomin, “what about you? What are you going to do in our little formation?”

“Sharpeye…” Nomin replied, simple and to the point. “I’m an archer. I plan on eliminating threats before they can come close. Or…taking care of anyone that might want to attack from a distance themselves.”

“Oh good…I actually prefer being in melee combat myself. I won’t be an issue, you don’t think?”

“As long as I can tell you apart from the others that we’re there to take care of, I don’t think you should be…” Nomin glanced at Ralne’s ears. “You’re quite…noticeable from what I’ve seen in my time in Eorzea, I’ll say. So I really don’t think you have anything to worry about if you are concerned about my arrows making you their mark.”

“That is a relief, actually!” Ralne smiled before turning her attention back toward Lorha. “And then, going back to what you said, you provide healing and aid?”

“That’s right!” Lorha beamed, her tail curling upward. “You won’t have to worry about bleeding out, or wallowing in injury! Rose and I will have everyone taken care of should things look particularly hairy! I don’t think we have anything to worry about, though! I think we’re probably pretty solid!”

“‘Probably’?” Nomin took a slow sip from her cup of orange juice, looking pointedly at Lorha.

“Well, of course!” Lorha looked at everyone. “I’ve seen you and how you’ve not only handled a bow, but have handled a lance as well, Nomin! But we’ve not really spent too long with R’ayzel, and we just met Ralne today. I don’t mean to sound negative about our odds, I just recognize the fact that there may be some aspects of teamwork that might have us stepping on each others’ toes at first.”

Lorha then pointed a finger up next to her cheek as she elaborated; “it’s like when I studied back in Sharlayan. It’s all well and good when you excel in your field or art of study. Though when you’re put into a group of like-minded scholars or practitioners of your field without knowing them, there are times your knowledge and perceptions of that knowledge will come to clash. Twelve knows I’ve seen a number of hotly debated topics that never come to a head because some scholars will swear by one way when other scholars swear by another.”

Placing both her hands on the table, Lorha then continued: “but…should we come together and learn from one another -- especially should we start coming to the point of stepping on each others’ toes -- we can create quite the team.”

“Learn from one another so as not to hamper one another. You could have honestly used fewer words,” R’ayzel said, tapping her finger on the side of her spoon before getting another slurp of her soup.

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxiv #ffxiv writing #my writing #ffxiv oc #oc: nomin tal kheeriin #oc: lorha keipah #oc pal: r'ayzel mhazu #oc: ralne dalduos

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lovekindled · 8 months

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care, sender takes care of receiver when they're sick drunk. andrew + kevin

he'd grown accustomed to andrew's presence by his side, such a common fixture over the last year that it was becoming increasingly difficult to conceive what their deal meant now that a new one had taken place. riko's death was supposed to mean freedom, a weight lifted off his shoulders, though kevin was so used to the lack of air that he still found it hard to breathe. with an entire bottle of vodka serving as a means of succor, the only thing he wants is to drown every single concern and focus on what actually mattered. they might've won now, but a new season was approaching and they still were a weak team. the ravens might be fractured, that didn't mean the foxes weren't either. it becomes undoubtedly clear that none of that is happening tonight, as he stumbles into his room and almost trips with a discarder pair of shoes. “ fuck. andrew, you don't — i'm fine. ” if kevin slurs his words a little bit, he's none the wiser. the same gaze that used to feel comforting and protective now only makes him feel strained, out of sorts. they'd all seen him drunk before, but this felt worse somehow, knowing how all of his teammates were celebrating the raven's defeat and riko's death while he tried to process the changes without making it seem like he cared. he didn't. “ just go back. i'll stay here. there's no need for you to look after me anymore. ” if it nearly sounds bitter, kevin would deny it. he was finally free, except dealing with emancipation had never come easily for him.

⁽ ⠀ ♡ ⠀ ⁾ ⠀ actions speak louder than words , not accepting.

#tw: alcoholism #thank u for sending bestie!!!#i hope this works <3 #kevin day: int.#kevin & andrew: lovetold.#lovetold

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deoxygenated · 8 months

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The other half of that dream is like we were exploring a wilderness. A huge canyon system deeply carved into the mountains. I kept calling it Thanalan but it wasn't actually.

The terrain was more like if the Grand Canyon were also Wulingyuan. It's real and huge to us but the dream zoomed at one point to show we were in a studio on like one of those tables they use for environments for miniatures but elaborate detailed.

It zooms back in and then my group and I are deciding where to go. There's beasts along the trail we've fought and the portion I really recall is when we had to figure out safe water travel.

We were heading to a Solar Flower near the endpoint where the canyons met the ocean. A tree began to engage in battle with us, shooting lightning at my teammates. From my hidden spot I quickly leafed through a book until I found the trees name. So I prayed.

I-Jeuine I named the tree and asked it to stop attacking us. We wanted safe water passage. The tree continued the lightning until it considered my plea and stopped.

It told us it could give us passage only here and to have true permission we would need to go to the solar flower and use it's energies to beg succor from the ocean.

I was overjoyed so I thanked I-Jeuine and let it know that was the plan. Relaying the information to my team we carried on.

This is where the restaurant bit happened.

Then we met some musicians. We were arranged in a circle trying to get help from another tree. But other people were also there. A duo next to us kept playing music and so we danced to keep up.

They were impressed and asked if we can make noises they can sample to make new songs. I'm like I have the perfect guy and mentally the mount list pops up and I'm like Omega (ffxiv) makes a cute noise it would be perfect.

So I summon the Omega mount and the musicians are pleased.

It gets fuzzy after here.

#spent too much concentration on writing the other bit to keep all the threads of this half #also I have no idea why I summoned the mount #the only thing ffxivy before that was calling the place Thanalan #and I dont even have the omega mount in-game?#dreams

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lifewithcake · 1 year

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Sch Tip: Place your Fairy

Fairy placement is one of Scholar's advantages! Place your fairy right in the center of your group's position (usually in the middle of the arena).

Why?:

1. The fairy cannot heal while moving. This isn't just for Embrace; if you try to use a Fairy ability while moving, it might get delayed a bit due to how it queues actions.

2. This increases the range of your healing since fairy heals are centered around the fairy and not the player. You can use fairy abilities while the team is spread out and it can reach everyone where Indom and Succor sometimes cannot.

Some things to note:

1. After Dissipation ends, the fairy will be summoned back to your side and you'll have to place it again.

2. You may have to reposition your fairy mid-fight if the boss moves to a new position. If it's a temporary movement (like a short mech), then it's usually okay to leave it. In some cases I just have it follow me for a short while before repositioning it.

3. In dungeons, don't forget to press Heel after the boss dies or else you'll ditch your fairy at the boss arena and have to summon it again :(

To avoid screen clutter, instead of keeping the pet hotbar active, add Heel and Place to your main hotbar!

#fairy placement is super important in fights where people have to spread a lot.. like ex4!#v big advantage for sch in these kinds of fights #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #ffxiv scholar #healingwithcake #hwc:sch #sry i have not posted one for whm or sge in a loooong time lol i'll try to get on that #i wrote this one months ago lolllll i rlly should just post these #like.. mid september

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herohikara-wol · 2 years

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FFXIV Write 2k22 - Prompt 19

Turn a Blind Eye

Thancred and Hero discuss keeping Zenos around as a not-really-a-scion-because-we-supposedly-disbanded team member. Hero shows off his shiny new spine, surgically inserted by his Dark Knight Job Stone. Takes place after Prompt 11 (Live) and around the same timeline as Prompt 14 (Attrition).

“So how long are we going to play this little game?”

“What little game?” Things were calming down, Hero had time to spend at his bakery without having to worry about the fate of the world, and it was hard for even Thancred’s most withering stare to burst his bubble when he was in his element.

“Playing house with the man who tried to end the Star over a crush, Hero. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” While most of the other scions had given little more than a sigh and shake of the head over Hero’s housing arrangement, Thancred wasn’t quite so willing to let the hatchet rest in the shallow grave Hero’d tried to bury it in. “Does Gridania even know he’s been living here with you?”

Hero’s ears twitched a bit and the Viera’s light steps faltered, “Kan-E-Senna knows what she needs to know. I haven’t heard any complaints, I still report to the Twin Adders from time to time and no one has said a word to me about it. So presumably the only person with a problem is you.”

Granted what the Seedseer technically knew about Zenos was that Hero had a Garlean refugee living in his home whose family died from the tempering fiasco in Garlemald and was currently displaced. The name of the man had conveniently slipped Hero’s mind at the time. He was a shite liar, but absolutely fantastic with his misdirection. It was technically correct and that was all Hero needed to be able to say it with confidence.

Sadly, Thancred was one of maybe four people who could see right through his charms. “Alright, well if he’s so interested in making amends, where is he at the current moment?”

“Well, you know how he kidnapped Krile once upon a time and patterned his Resonant after her echo?”

“Of course I do, you know I do. I helped find her.”

“You know how Krile is a terrifying woman when she’s holding a grudge?”

“Oh. Oh that is priceless. You left Zenos with her?” The scowl on Thancred’s face lightened for a moment before the concern turned his features dark again, “alone? If anything happens to her, Hero-”

“With G’raha, a linkpearl, and without his voidsent; he has to rely on weapons that store their own aether again. I think right now they’re using Raha’s Allagan blood to force some systems in Azys Lla to calm down enough for extraction and research. Nero basically hired G’raha for the excursion. From the calls I’ve been getting, they make a good adventuring group. Zenos is the muscle, Krile is good at providing succor, G’raha is a jack of all trades, and Nero is Nero.”

“You mean Nero is a problem.” Thancred folded his arms over his chest, still trying to see between the lines in Hero’s vivid explanation, only to shake his head. “You honestly think he can be redeemed.”

Hero bit his tongue for a moment, the oven’s timer finally going off and giving him the chance to think about what he wanted to say. “I think everyone deserves a chance to be better. Would most rather see him executed? Of course, but let’s be honest, who would be able to? Percival would refuse on principle. That leaves me, and if I refuse, then who?”

The words had their intended effect, Thancred’s face twisted like he’d just tried to drink curdled milk. Zenos had proven he could face a hundred armed men and kill them all while unarmed. No one save Hero or Percival could even hope to subdue him, much less execute him. Zenos was now part of what remained of the scions.

Whether he liked it or not.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Hero. If you make an enemy of the entire star over one man, where would you go? What would you do?”

“I don’t know, but this is my choice, and I’m sticking to it.” He hummed for a moment, “granted, if I had to leave this star, I could. I could take Zenos with me too. Unlike everyone else, this doesn’t have to be my home, and if it comes to that? Well, then I guess we’ll burn that bridge when we get there.”

For once there was no joy in Hero’s smile, and the underlying threat struck true. Hero could go to Elpis, to the First, to any of the other remaining Shards to live his life with Zenos- and not a single soul could stop him or even go after him save a man best described as an elder wyrm in a fragile mortal shell. No one alive would stop their warrior of light from leaving if he didn’t get his way.

It was petty, petulant, and above all else? It was selfish. However, Thancred let out a sigh and his shoulders slumped, “I suppose you deserve to keep one thing for yourself after everything you’ve been through. If that means I need to learn how to work with Zenos, then I guess I have little choice but to try.”

Hero’s long ears perked up as his blue eyes sparkled again, “thank you for understanding. I was honestly afraid you’d be more insistent, I don’t usually get to dig my heels in. I’m trying to practice advocating for my own needs more.” Lest Esteem strangle him in the night and take charge of his own volition.

“I just wish your needs were less complicated.” Thancred reached for the tray of biscotti Hero had just pulled from the oven only to get his hand swatted. “They’re done, aren’t they?”

“Not yet! I still have to dip them in chocolate and sprinkle the candied orange peel over them. You can wait.” The tension eased and Hero was back to his chipper self, as if the conversation had been forgotten already.

#FFxivWrite2022 #FFXIVWrite #My Writing #FFXIV Fanfiction

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lovelyteng · 2 years

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Today is 1 year ago for my first fanfiction of Balan Wonderworld! Happy 1st Anniversary of Haunted Corruption! My first fanfiction of Balan Wonderworld! Three pictures was Music Team Leaders; Cal (Leader of Stronger's Destiners), Bruce (Leader of Together's Optimists), and Eis (Leader of Hurray's Succors).

#Balan Wonderworld #Haunted Corruption #1st anniversary #Cal Suresh #Bruce Stone #Eis Glover #Outside Adventure of Wonderworld

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elfpuddle · 2 years

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Did Elfie Leave?

No, no, no, I didn't. Well, not really.

The week before Memorial Day, my parathyroid flared up again. With it came the instant pseudo-gout and swelling of everything. (TMI, but without my bidet, there was going to be no hope of hygiene, because my hips and thighs had swollen enough that tp wasn't going to get anywhere it needed to.) And, of course the pain. The level 10, I'm not human anymore pain. I spent my fiftieth birthday in a wheelchair wishing that I could just get a friend to get this stupid little gland out of my neck. It took more than a week to get a hold of my endocrinologist because his staff is the literal worst. I do have a new doctor, an otolaryngaologist who is both an endocrine and ent surgeon. He's a teacher, a director of an ent / endocrine center in nearby Atlanta, and just all-around welcome member to my medical team.

I see him tomorrow. Please pray for HubbyTMC & my travels there and back...it takes me a solid arduous hour of work just to get from this spare bedroom to the bathroom across the hall. Getting ready to go, into the car, and then driving to Atlanta in the heat wave we're having is going to tax me beyond all my limits. I'm hoping that the next step is surgery, and that it is soon, like "oh, I have an opening today" kind of soon. My body is exhausted, my pain meds aren't enough, and everything except for my right ear hurts, and that's where my tinnitus is coming from.

Yes, I'm offering it all up. It's a huge blessings to be able to unite my sufferings to those of our Savior, and know that it all is being used for someone's good. But just because I endure it for the sake of others' souls doesn't mean I enjoy it or want it to last any longer than it already has.

I'll be back when I can. In the meantime, enjoy the food queue that I've been saving up for probably years. Keep HubbyTMC and all those caring for me in your prayers, and help me endure this for the sake of the souls who need the redemption. Sts. Blase, Servatius, and Roch, pray for us. Our Lady of Sorrows, hold us close. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, stand with us and guide us.

#nonsims #ElvesHaveCrosses #Hyperparathyroidism #ForRealTuesday #ElvesAreCatholic #ChurchTriumphant #StBlase #StServatius #StRoch #ElvesReconsecrateThemselves #WesternElvesTrappedInTheDeepSouth #ElvesHalp #ElvesAreMarried #HubbyTMC

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rainsmediaradio · 4 months

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Assessment of Nigeria's Financial Strength Under PBAT - Dr kenny Odugbemi

Nigeria still grappled with galloping inflation rates for over two decades, now standing at 27.5%, and overhead food inflation of 31.5%, this has activated increasing spending pressure on the government and raised social risk. We can not ascertain the extent of fiscal relief from oil subsidy Nigeria is spending 6-times to service debt Based on research, most of the fundamentals stated to drive revenues in FY 2024 budget appropriation are rather very uncertain as they are at variance with the current reality. For instance, the outlook of the following: ✓oil production and external funding inflow ✓ oil production target by Opec ✓ambitious growth of 3.76% ✓ exchange range pegged at N750 All these still remain uncertain and unattainable Review of Fiscal Measures Nigeria today has weak fiscal and external positions, and most of our reform efforts are very weak in improving our credit rating PBAT audacious move on subsidy removal, current devaluation are supposed to be key indicators to upgrade our credit rating to reverse the deterioration of our fiscal position CBN is still paying backlog that account for why Naira continue downward trend against dollar My view Based on intelligence, it is uncertain if we will meet FY 2024, revenue projection of N18.5% which implies that we might need to borrow more FDI Drive Whilst it is highly appreciated to solicit foreign direct investment, the millions of dollars spent tend to be more squandamania It is advisable to reduce this heavy spending in a depressed economy and latch on to technology The latest spending on UAE- 422 delegations at the cost of estimate of $800m bin addition to several million spent for Germany & India is worrisome. Although we sign billion dollar investment opportunities, our pursuit of credit carbon rating financial support is highly rewarding, but it cannot be in the short term There is a need to review and recalibrate capital expenditure to executive and legislatures- to reflect current reality The donation of N109m as basic salary of Senators to Kaduna bombs to alleviate suffering, to provide succor as compensation is reactive and repulsive We need a review of their allowances, largesse to reflect current realties It is now a thing of interest that Presidency have not come out to review their spending as sacrifice as a result of our depressed economy. Conclusion It is advisable for the Executive team with bloated structure to lead in ensuring noticeable sacrifice as they are our major cost Centre as charity must start with them Federal government to facilitating submission report of current probe of CBN where we have recovered N12trn out of N33trn We need review, recalibration, repositioning of our expenditure which grows with recourse to our distressed economy and deep suffering of our people who are hungry and angry Read the full article

#Dr.kennyOdugbemi

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halos-top-alien-model · 5 months

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Sangheili Bracket Round 3 Match 2

More info below:

Rtas 'Vadum:

Debuted in Halo 2

Zhar:

Debuted in Halo: The Cole Protocol

A friend of Thel 'Vadamee and Zealot, he and the Zealot team Thel led were tasked in 2535 by the Prophet of Regret with hunting down Kig-Yar rebels trading with humans. During the conflict, he would question why the Prophets ordered the outright extinction of humanity rather than accepting them into the Covenant Empire. He would also be the one to notice the contradictions between Regret's orders for them and the Kig-Yar Reth's claims that the Prophet of Truth had ordered the trading with humans for a secret plan, as well as uncomfortable implications of the Hierarchs' fallibility. Thel would warn him against those thoughts, but they would prove true as Thel and Zhar would brought before both Prophets to eliminate any witnesses of what occurred at the Rubble. Zhar would attempt to kill Truth, but his own friend cut him down instead, which made the two Prophets decide to spare Thel.

#halo #halo sangheili #sangheili #halo aliens #halo elite #halo elites #halo fandom #halo tumblr #tumblr bracket #tumblr tournament #rtas vadum #rtas 'vadum #shipmaster rtas vadum #zhar #halo zhar #zhar sangheili #sangheili zhar #thel's current bff vs his past bff

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driftward · 1 year

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Title: Light and Fury Characters: Zoissette Vauban, Halone Rating: Teen Summary: What is the measure of a woman and her goddess? Notes: CW: Little more violent than usual

Leaving her home, the Shieldmaiden travelled, and as she did so, she grew, she learned, she fought, and she prevailed.

She braved the forest and overcame its trials, and learned to be clever from the rabbit.

She explored the secret places of the star and found the Witch, and gained much insight from her.

She met those the titan in the field and stood with them against the enemies of the Holy See, and learned to fight.

She came across those too weak to defend themselves, and on their behalf, she endured. Her shield defended them, her spear gave them their vengeance, and her sword delivered their justice.

She found the world harsh and unforgiving as she travelled, however. The further afield she went, the more she struggled, the more hurt and pain she witnessed, and she bore it until she felt she could bear it no more, and cried out to the Fury for succor.

Halone answered, and bid her travel to the center of the world.

So she did, and she encountered Halone in the clearing, and stood before her.

"The world has tested you," said the Fury. "I would do the same."

The Shieldmaiden bowed her head.

"Very well," she said.

-*-

She was a scholar.

She was a knight.

She was a good and faithful Halonic woman.

She had come once more to the realm of the gods to meet them in combat, and had once more risen to their challenge. Menphina still waited ahead of them in their path, but for now the adventurers were free to mingle around, to sit and rest a bit, tend to their wounds, and otherwise have as long a moment's respite as they felt they needed before moving on.

Zoissette moved among them, handing out rations and water, and providing healing succor as she was able. She did not like to fight. Not really. It was a means to an end, but she took strides to not revel in it. Might did not deserve to make right, though it could defend it as needed. Even practice held the possibility of injury or harm. So, no, despite the love of a good challenge, Zoissette told herself that she did not like to fight.

Fighting the gods was different somehow, though. And though she was tired, she was exhilarated, and secretly thrilled. She had met the Fury as a shieldmaiden, with sword and shield. She had been but one of many, but she had shared in their victory. Her comrades and her, pitted against the goddess of war, and they had emerged victorious.

All there was now was to head forward, face one more goddess, and then the research team would have their data, and Zoissette would be content to have had played a small role in affairs. She stopped, dropping to one knee, and considered if a prayer before continuing on forward would be appropriate.

Or perhaps she could just walk over and talk to Halone directly.

If they were the actual Halone. To be certain, she did not think them a Primal, but also she was not sure they were a god. They did not act like any Primals Zoissette had met, showing neither interest in crystals nor any seeming need of followers for worship. But the question of the reality of a god still existed. She had long thought of Halone as a set of ideals, set forth in story, told to people, to hold a faith in. That Halone might be real was a thought she had considered, but not fully grappled with.

As her closed hand hovered in front of her face, her eyes open, her prayer yet unsaid, she became aware of a quiet murmuring traveling through the other adventurers. She lifted her head and looked around at them, wondering what trouble there might be, and saw that many of them were looking at her.

The rest were looking to the center of the arena they had just fought in.

Zoissette stood and turned, and saw that the Fury's gaze was upon her, her spear in hand. And as Zoissette faced her, she walked towards her, shrinking as she approached, but somehow diminished not at all despite that.

She stopped mere yalms away, as tall as Zoissette, but no taller.

Zoissette stood a little straighter, and held her head level. She was facing a goddess, and she would not turn her face. No, she would gaze upon her bare, and bear witness to her entirety.

Halone hefted her spear, and pointed its tip at Zoissette.

"Zoissette," Halone said, and her voice held the strength of winter.

Zoissette clasped a hand to her chest, and bowed. Real or not, she would pay her respects. There was a power here to be recognised, and she chose to recognise it.

"I, the Fury, would test your strength of spirit further," she said. "And yours alone."

Zoissette took a step back, startled, and looked around. The adventurers, her friends among them, all looked now, some with interest, others with concern.

She looked back to Halone, and tapped her chest.

The Fury nodded.

I could hardly be considered worthy of the honor, she thought.

She had thought of such a moment, of course. Entertained it in her fondest daydreams. How could she not? The opportunity to relive a story from her childhood, the storytale of the Shieldmaiden and her struggle with the Fury, in a martial test of cunning and strength.

But for it to actually happen?

The Fury did not seem inclined to withdraw her challenge. The tip of her spear remained pointed at Zoissette's heart.

She should decline.

But could she decline? Or would she be putting their entire endeavor at risk?

Did she even want to decline?

Zoissette came to attention, and saluted.

"I accept."

-*-

The arena was cleared, the others having made their way just beyond its boundaries, leaving plenty of space for Zoissette and Halone. They stood opposite one another, Zoissette in the straightforward and utilitarian garb of Ishgardian mail, and Halone, in all of her splendor. Most of her tools were tucked away. Her fairy familiar, Lavender, remained asleep in her soul stone. Her aetherotransformer sat in her back pouch, idle. Her quills and inks were tucked into various pockets, and her focus lay dun in the center of her shield.

"There is a proper way to do everything," her mother admonished her across memory.

Of course she would face the Fury as a Shieldmaiden of the Order of Saint Thea. And so she took her place opposite Halone, and stilled her mind.

The rules were simple. The contest would continue until one of them yielded.

Or was made to yield.

She brought her sword to her nose in salute, and Halone did likewise with her spear. And then they both dropped into a crouching battle stance.

The contest had begun.

Zoissette brought her shield up into a defensive stance, and watched Halone carefully. Goddess or not, right now, Halone was just another warrior.

She watched as Halone pulled her hand back, and as her arm shot forward, a hail of spears streamed across the battlefield, and Halone was with them, part of the storm. Zoissette crouched lower and hid behind her shield, feeling them shatter and ricochet off of it. Bracing her shield with her other hand, she moved forward hurriedly, keeping both feet planted as often as she could so she would not be bowled over by the torrent, and closed the gap.

She grunted as some of the aetheric spears found their way around the shield and skittered off plate.

So much for her typical initial plan of playing defense while she tried to study her opponent.

The two clashed, shield against shield, and recoiled. Halone found her footing first, but Zoissette had gotten in close, inside the reach of her spear. The two women jockeyed for advantage for a moment, before Halone slammed her shield into Zoissette hard enough to knock her over.

Zoissette skidded along the ground, rolling to her feet, and she could see that Halone had not given chase, instead simply pointing her spear at Zoissete.

"Yield," said the Fury.

Failure is not an option, Guillerme's voice echoed across her memories.

Zoissette shook her head. The Fury was a puzzle, but that was all that a fight ever was, and Zoissette was certain she could solve it with the proper toolkit of a knight. She steadied herself once more.

Just in time to bring her shield up to protect herself from another storm of spears. The first few winged into her, cutting into armor, and she felt the sting across her face as one grazed her cheek. She gritted her teeth and approached the Fury once more, slower this time, more carefully. Less seasoned fighters may have tried the same thing twice or more times, either in frustration, carelessness, or hoping to get lucky.

Zoissette was not inclined to be so predictable.

And neither was the Fury. She did not chase her spears in this time, but instead, let the hailstorm let up. Zoissette peeked around the shield in time to see Halone drop her spear, the weapon vanishing into nothingness even as she flipped her wrist around to catch her sword as it materialized and fell into her hand. Zoissette lowered her hand from bracing her shield, readjusted her grip on her sword, and moved to close quarters.

Again, the two women clashed. Zoissette watched her movements carefully, looking for any hint of a pattern she could exploit, but none was forthcoming.

And then the Fury, in a sudden burst of speed, slammed her shield into her once more. Zoissette did not let herself be thrown back, but instead just leaned into the hit, feeling an unsettling pop from her ribs as she did so, but she managed to bring her sword down in a heavy hit that struck Halone's arm. She quickly tried to follow up her momentary advantage with another wide swing, but Halone was quick to parry, opening up the space between them.

Zoissette frowned in concentration as the two fell into an exchange of swords, each probing the reach of the other, movements quick and sure. Against most opponents, Zoissette could usually find a range to exploit, but not so with the Fury. Stray too far, and she would close. Stay in the middle range, and she was simply faster and stronger. Try to move close in, and she would fade back just as fast.

The Fury was as moonbeam and quicksilver.

Zoissette considered as she fought. The Fury was not actually trying to fight at all ranges, and she did not need to. Her speed and skill kept her at exactly the distance she wished. Fencing or even katana techniques would help mitigate that, but tradition was demanded here. So Zoissette adjusted, and exploded forward. Fighting at the edge of the sword's reach was a poor fit for a knight's fighting style. Medium range was where they might excel, but there, the Fury outmatched her. Infighting distance could go either way, however, and maybe from there Zoissette could come up with another plan.

Admittedly, so could the Fury.

She was close, very close, their swords barely being able to be brought to bear, each using their shields to keep any real hits from landing, when Halone suddenly leaned back, seeming to leave herself open. Zoissette was there nigh-immediately, and she struck true once more, cutting into the Fury's mid armor. Not enough to get through, but with another shot like that-

And then the greatsword slammed into Zoissette. She felt for a moment as though she had been folded neatly in half at her midsection, heard the crackling noise of defensive enchantments in her armor failing.

She bounced when she landed, before rolling a few times, coming to a stop on her side. A quick look, and she saw that the Fury was not running in her chase, but instead walking slowly to approach. To stay down too long like that would be to yield, and so Zoissette pushed herself up a bit.

Halone stopped, and pointed the tip of her greatsword at Zoissette.

"Yield."

Zoissette frowned at the ground, and shook her head clear. She took several deep breaths, and stood to her feet. Her ribs were hot and sharp, and breathing was more difficult, now. Her hand almost connected the hilt of her sword to the focus in her shield, but strayed at the last moment.

"That you may yet shine forth Halone's grace," said a voice from her past. She was not out of this contest yet.

She got into ready stance, and brought her shield up properly.

A greatsword. She knew how to fight against greatswords.

She approached Halone slowly, and Halone just watched as she approached. She could not see the Fury's eyes behind her mask, but she could see the downturn of her mouth.

Well, good. Maybe neither one of them was enjoying this.

The Fury let go of her greatsword, allowing it to vanish, and raised a hand to the sky, her spear returning to her as she called down a rain of ice upon the battlefield. Zoissette ducked, holding her shield up to protect her head, and rapidly tried to close distance with the Fury once more.

Once she was close enough, she leaped, closing back to infighting distance. Now that she knew to watch for the possible return of the greatsword, she would not be caught by it again. Halone attempted to push her away, attempted to back up, but Zoissette was relentless in her pursuit, not allowing the woman a chance to get away. She unleashed a flurry of short and fast attacks, each one individually not of much consequence, but hoping she might wear Halone down.

It quickly became apparent, however, that there would be no such luck. The Fury was too good at deflecting truly dangerous hits, and her armor too well made to worry overmuch about anything less. Zoissette left a false opening, hoping to tempt the Fury into overextending herself into an attack which she could exploit.

And then she found that her tactics were better suited to Halone's spear than to her own sword. Previously the Fury had used the spear as a dragoon might, but now she was a relentless lancer, her attacks a blur, a flurry of strikes erupting from her, each carrying with it a powerful aetheric form around the spear. Zoissette tried to bring her shield fully to bear, deflecting some of the attacks, but too many others made their way through, tearing gaps into her mail, shredding straps, hammering her armor, hammering her. And at last, the Fury drew herself back, while Zoissette was still off balance, and delivered one last mighty thrust.

Zoissette found herself once more in the air, the chainmail across her front split wide open from the force of the impact. The Fury was simply too fast, and she never had a chance to exploit what she had hoped would be a solid setup for a counter attack. She crashed into the wall of the arena face first, and rebounded off of it, falling to one knee before collapsing to the ground. She turned herself on hand and knee to make sure she would still be facing the Fury, even as she spat up blood.

Once more, Halone approached her, stopping a short distance away to point the tip of her spear at Zoissette once more.

"Yield," she said.

Zoissette hurt in more places than she didn't. And as she looked beneath her, she could see drops flowing into a small but expanding red puddle.

"Failure is mandatory," Guillerme's voice admonished her across the many summers.

She should yield.

She cast a baleful glare at the Fury, and could still see the downturn of her mouth, imagine the frown behind her helmet. The angry face of a disappointed mother. She looked away, keeping an eye on her in the edge of her vision, but if the Fury was not going to press her advantage, than she would take a moment to think.

She had not reached for any of her magicks yet. She did not know if it would be blasphemous to do so. To use the gifts of the Fury against her. But, she wondered, was it truly blasphemy? If this was the Fury, if this was truly Halone, then it was possible that any prayer would go unanswered, and she would be leaving herself open to attack for no good reason.

But was her faith in Halone, or was it everything that Halone represented? Did she even need Halone's consent to draw upon it? She had seen the power of faith plenty in her travels. It could create Primals, to be certain, but it could also rally spirits and breathe power into those who held it.

And she knew well enough that her friends had faith in her.

Maybe it would be enough to have faith in herself, that her belief that things would work as they always had, that there was power in her words and in her heart, and that the choices she made could create real change.

Faith, but not blind. Faith that would be requited, if she but believed.

She came up to her feet once more, and the Fury's shield unfolded into a greatsword once more, before she held it towards the heavens, beginning to channel powerful magicks.

Well, time to test the theory.

Zoissette came to attention, and her shield came up in front of her, and she clasped her hands behind it, concentrating. She ducked her head down and frowned across the field at the Fury, and after a moment, the blinding brilliance of a holy spell manifesting from the aether exploded into reality. Zoissette immediately ran in, and she leapt to the Fury once more, this time landing in front of her and planting her sword into the ground. As she did so, aetheric swords erupted up around her, ignoring armor as they stabbed into the Fury, causing her to stumble, and interrupting the casting of her spell.

Now Zoissette shifted her tactics. With holy magics at her disposal, her options opened considerably. A whispered prayer shone a holy light down and around Zoissette, shining shimmering curtains of light surrounding her, confusing the Fury's attacks and preventing her from getting a clean hit in. Zoissette closed in once more, landing several hits, before she leapt out of the greatsword's considerable reach, narrowly avoiding being sent flying again.

From here, she circled the Fury, avoiding her broad sweeping strikes and returning with powerful magics, aetheric swords leaping from the ground, ducking in to slash and then diving out as more magical swords flew through the air, and at last planting herself, holding her weapon heavensward as one final large aetheric sword split the very heavens to crash down upon the Fury's head.

The Fury went to one knee, and Zoissette grinned grimly, allowing herself to feel a moment of triumph. If she could just keep this up a little longer she might yet have a chance at seeing the contest through.

The greatsword swung through the air again, and Zoissette narrowly avoided it, but a moment later, she saw the true threat of the attack, the Fury channeling aether through her weapon even as she returned her swing. The magicks formed, and ground turned to ice several yalms out from where the swing had ended.

Zoissette tried to leap backwards, but it was too little, too late. Ice froze her to the ground. She held her shield up in front of her, but then the Fury was upon her, her greatsword folding into the shield on her arm, and her other sword appearing in midair and landing in her hand as she dashed at Zoissette.

Defending against the Fury was hard enough when she could move back and forth and adjust to her attacks. It was nigh-impossible, frozen as her feet were, and she used sword and shield both to attempt to parry the Fury's attacks, but it was of no use. Relentless strikes rained upon her, making their way around her shield, crushing her defenses, and slicing deep into her, until at last the Fury uppercut her sword into Zoissette, the ice around her feet shattering as she was torn from the ground.

She flew, and there was a moment of black before she found herself rolling on the ground once more. She winced her eyes shut as at last she slid the last few fulms, and came to a stop, curled up on her side.

The Fury approached once more, and stopped some yalms away.

"You will break like this," said Halone, quietly. It was not a gloat nor a promise. Her voice had the the calmness of ice. It was almost soothing, quiet, like being at the center of a lake covered in snow and ice.

Just before the cracks would appear beneath her feet and send her plunging to her death in the icy depths of the sadness she heard in those words.

"Yield," said the Fury, even quieter.

Zoissette slowly, but surely, returned to her feet. Her every movement shuddered through her body, like fissures spreading across the face of a glacier before it fell into the depths.

She pushed herself up to her elbows and knees, slowly. Halone did not approach.

And so she stood.

There was really only one way this contest could have gone, only one way it would go. To continue would be stubborn foolishness.

But still, she stood, and she held her shield in front of her.

Halone just bowed her head, shaking it slightly. With a sigh, she pointed her sword heavensward, before slamming it down into the ground. As she did so, ice formed around her, and spread outwards.

Zoissette kept her distance, waiting for the ice to dissipate.

The Fury repeated her motions, however, pulling more aether in each time, the ice surging outward, and in front of its advance, a powerful gust blew Zoissette back, sending her skidding.

If she just used her pistol, a good shot to the side of the helmet would disrupt the Fury's spellwork, she was sure.

Crack went the ground as the sword came down into it again. And with it, another gust, and Zoissette was driven back further.

Crack, as it came down once more, and this time, Zoissette had to duck to weather the wind.

Crack, and now the wind was a storm, ice forming in the air and swirling as the circle of winter around the Fury expanded outward.

Crack, and Zoissette was once more plucked from her feet, bowled over, ice and wind biting into her wounds, a fine layer of frost forming on her armor.

Crack, and Zoissette met the edge of the arena once more, and there she stayed as the full fury of winter ate into her.

The storm roared through the arena for a time, but not forever. Eventually the winds died down, and the ice faded away, and all that was left was the Fury in the middle, and Zoissette far on the edge, curled up and huddled in on herself. She was no longer bleeding, for a blessing, but only because her wounds were now sealed by the frost of the Fury.

She swallowed, and closed her eyes. She struggled to reach for the strength to get up just one more time.

She heard footsteps come to a stop near her.

"Yield," she heard the Fury's voice say.

Her eyes opened, slowly, and she looked to the adventurers gathered around the edge of the arena, their forms blurry and smeared together like a painter's colors mixed across an old palette.

She knew G'raha was there. She could see the expression he would have on his face in her mind's eye, see his mouth move silently as he would say the words she needed to hear to get to her feet. How often had she spurred him on the same way?

"Why not you?" he had answered once, in response to a question of hers.

And Klynt, fists clenched, jaw tight, no words, but willing not just Zoissette to carry on, but willing herself to make the next strike, to power through the next setback, to make it to the next fight.

"You've got a way of coming at problems sideways, don'tcha?" Klynt had said in another time, in another place.

And the others besides. So many others besides, near and far, and Zoissette's mind touched on each of them, thinking of how they had touched her life, and grateful that she was allowed to be part of their lives.

"Truly, you are the beacon of hope towards which all men are drawn," said Y'shtola to her, once upon a time. Was it truly so long ago? Y'shtola, distant but close. She regretted that she could not, would not measure up to the example that she set, ever so strong and confident. A woman who-

Knew herself.

Someone who knew themself.

Zoissette let her head drop with a frown.

The option was in how you faced it, finished Guillerme's lesson.

Zoissette lifted her foot, and planted it on the cold ground. Her body tensed and coiled, muscles protesting as she brought herself fully to her feet. She could feel the sharp heat of her many injuries, the aching twangy tightness of her tendons, the acidic burn of her very blood in her veins.

But she also felt a cold calm come over her, soothing and sweet.

The rules were simple. The contest would continue until one of them yielded.

Or was made to yield.

Any other rules, she had brought with herself to this arena.

She at last allowed her hand to dip down into the pouch containing Lavender's soul stone, and touched her fingers to it carefully. She bowed her head in a moment of prayer, not to Halone, not to the star, not to anyone. The prayer was wordless, silent, but she felt its power in her whole being, and she poured her entire self into it.

With the sound of chimes, Lavender blossomed into being, the fairy familiar coalescing form aether and then growing into something more, the entire arena filling with bluish white light as she floated up, arms spread and wings broad, flying high into the air. Healing magic coursed and poured through Zoissette, restoring her strength, bones reforming, muscles reuniting, humors balancing.

Zoissette took a deep breath in, and it felt like it was the first breath she had taken in an age. The akasa that had fueled Lavender petered out, but not before she had pushed out one last light, a torrent of aether pouring into and refreshing Zoissette. The light faded, and Lavender, now her normal size and color, came to alight on her shoulder.

Across from her, Halone had watched, lowering her weapon.

"There you are," she said, with a smile.

Zoissette smiled back. She had not yielded.

And she would not now.

Zoissette brought her sword up, and the distance between the two women collapsed as Zoissette exploded forward once more in a flèche. Her sword may have been the weapon of a knight, but she had gone through some effort to make sure its hilt allowed it to be usable as a red mage's dueling sword, the weapon itself flexible enough for a knight's usage, but also balanced such that it could serve as a katana.

And now she moved smoothly through all of her disciplines as her experience dictated, as she flowed fully into combat. A red mage's riposte, followed up by the strong two-handed slice of a samurai. The knight's furious flurry of strikes, followed by absence of blade leaving an intentional opening, but this time countered by a proper stop hit, taking the Fury's attack but responding with her own.

The Fury let go of her sword, allowing it to vanish, and used her shield to protect herself even as it folded out into the greatsword once more. Zoissette backed away rapidly, and as she did so, her hand went to aetherotransformer. By the time the Fury had her greatsword ready, Zoissette's heavy pistol was in her hand, and levin energy crackled through the air as she peppered the Fury with gauss rounds and heated shots.

The Fury was not so easily stymied, of course. She responded with her powerful magic, sweeping the arena with ice once more, but Zoissette, already far away, this time avoided it easily, and responded with magic of her own. The hilt of her sword touched the focus she had in the middle of her shield, and furious ice was answered with verthunder and verstone.

And in it all, Zoissette found herself grinning, and the Fury was as well. She did not like to fight as a means to an end, but the contest itself - well. She had at last let go, and found not a blood thirsty monster like Zenos, as she had feared, but instead had found something of herself. To push herself to her very limits, to dance on the very edge of what was possible, to go beyond what even she had thought she was capable of, and to find not only that she could, but that she would, and that she was still herself - it was exhilarating. No, she was no monster. She was just as controlled, just as careful, just as smart and clever and strong and fast as always.

She was Zoissette.

And for the first time in an age, she felt free, as her spells tore lose, her sword struck true, and Lavender flew around her, showering her with healing magicks. She was fully present, adjusting to the Fury's tactics, and countering with her own. The puzzle had been solved, and the solution had turned out to be herself.

After all, Halone, the Fury, was just a goddess. A goddess of war, but she could be nothing more.

And Zoissette was the fruit of the seed of the limitless potential of all humanity.

The two met in the center of the arena once more, sword meeting sword, shield slamming against shield. A moment of concentration, and Zoissette unleashed a brilliant holy spell into Halone at the same time the Fury brought down a cascade of ice. They crashed together, spell and sword, magic and martial might, and the impact drove both of them back.

Halone flew backward in the air, as though she had lept back rather than having been thrown back, and landed neatly on her feet.

Zoissette was less lucky, but she rolled as she landed, and she snap-uncurled her body with the motion as she did so, leaping back up quickly to regain her footing.

Halone dropped her sword, and it vanished. She twisted her arm around to grab her spear as it rematerialised. She did not attack or approach, however. Instead she simply pointed its tip at Zoissette.

Zoissette took her measure, breathing heavily, but she waited, to see what would happen next.

"You will not yield," said Halone, the joy apparent in her voice, her face split into a broad grin.

Zoissette came to something nearly like standing at attention, but thrust her chin up in defiance in the direction of the Fury.

"Not until the heavens fall. Not until my last breath," she said.

The two faced each other across the arena, neither moving for a long moment.

And then Halone, the Fury, dropped her weapon. It vanished before it hit the ground.

"Then this contest is over," said Halone. "For how could I possibly hope to stand against my Champion? To defeat her would be to defeat myself.

"And so I declare: let all present bear witness, to the victory of Zoissette."

A cheer went up around the arena, but Halone held her hand up, and it quickly fell silent once more.

"Kneel, good and faithful warrior," she said.

Zoissette hesitated, but after a moment, she sheathed her sword, and rested her shield on the ground as she took a knee. A sword materialized in Halone's hand as she approached, stopping barely a fulm in front of Zoissette.

"To all who are present, know this. The eyes of the Fury are upon this warrior, who has ever sought to walk in my footsteps, and in so doing, has travelled further than any could have foreseen. She is my chosen, my champion, the Shieldmaid in my name. And so I hereby dub her Zoissette the Aurora. For her light shines evermore in darkest night, many splendored in its magnificence and colors, a light that all may turn their face to in time of need or peace. A light that burns bright, bright enough to light my halls forevermore, even long after her passing."

Halone tapped the sword on Zoissette's shoulders each in turn as she spoke.

"Rise, ser knight. May you continue to serve."

The excitement of the encounter having died down, and having had more than a moment to take her breath, Zoissette found herself very aware of a tiredness deep in her bones, the weariness of her muscle, and just how spent she truly felt. To say nothing of the beginnings of the aches and sharp pains of her many injuries. Still, she came to her feet, at steady as she was able, and found herself looking into the face of the helmet of the Fury. She held one hand to her breast, and she bowed.

Halone rested her hands on Zoissette's shoulders for a moment, before pulling her tight into an embrace. She could hear the noise of the crowd around her rise up once more, but through it all, she could hear the voice of the Fury as she whispered into her ear, something for her and her alone.

"You were always worthy," said Halone.

She did not know what to say. She was not even certain about what to do. So slowly, uncertainly, she returned the hug, wrapping her arms around Halone, feeling a comforting warmth despite the domain that the Fury was typically known for.

She struggled to hold herself, but hold herself she did. And the two women separated after a time.

"Go forth," said Halone, smiling at her. "Pray show Menphina and the others no less determination than what you have shown me here."

Zoissette nodded, dumbly, and gave Halone a salute before turning away, and making her way to the edge of the arena, feeling as though in a daze. She did not get even halfway there before Klynt near-slammed into her with a whooping laugh. The rest of the group was not far behind, most of them hollering and carrying on, a common refrain circling the crowd of 'The Aurora, the Aurora, the Fury knighted the Aurora'. Healing magics washed over her from what felt like three different hands, and Nyx and Klynt flanked her to keep the group from pressing too closely.

-*-

"Where is your cunning?" asked the Fury, and the Shieldmaiden found she had none.

"Where is your intuition?" asked the Fury, and the Shieldmaiden found herself blind.

"Where is your power?" asked the Fury, and the Shieldmaiden found her legs heavy and sluggish, her arms weak.

"Where is your determination?" asked the Fury, and the Shieldmaiden staggered.

"Where is your faith?" and the Shieldmaiden could only grunt under the onslaught.

"Where are you?" asked the Fury, and this, the Shieldmaiden could answer.

"I am here, as I have always been."

"My cunning I learned from the beasts of the forest," and she found her focus once more.

"My intuition from the learned of the world," and she found her insight once more.

"My power from the warriors who came before me," and her speed and strength returned.

"My determination is my own, for those who have all but lost hope," and she stood tall again.

"My faith, is in myself, my people, and my Goddess," she said, and the Shieldmaiden was whole once more.

The Fury smiled upon her, and said, "Enough. I am satisfied, Shieldmaiden. You have been tested, and found worthy. There will be many trials ahead of you, and what you have endured thus far will seem as though a mild winter. But know this; you have struggled, you have fought, and you have overcome. And so I shall travel with you, my daughter, and together, there is naught that will be left undone."

And so the Shieldmaiden, at last satisfied, returned to the world. And she travelled with the Fury forevermore.

-*-

It took time for the excitement to wear off, and for the others to gather themselves up once more. She nursed her injuries near the edge of the arena as the Fury approached others, or as others approached the Fury in turn. It seemed that her fight with the Fury had loosened the restraint of many, and those who had kept to themselves before now found themselves brave enough to approach the woman who they considered their goddess.

It was little surprise. They were all meeting their gods for the first time, here, in theory. Assuming that they were gods, and there were those among her comrades that believed they were exactly who they said they were. But even with that, it was one thing to believe, and another thing to meet them, in combat or otherwise. And each of them had their own personalities to contend with as well. Byregot had been almost bashful, and Rhalgr aloof. She suspected many believed that Halone would be as cold as her domain, but now she had been proven otherwise, providing her own warmth and guidance to any brave enough to approach her. Even, at one point, embracing a man as he broke into sobs, wrapping his arms around her and sinking into her, presumably relieved of some burden or another. Zoissette had turned away politely at that, to allow him what privacy could be afforded in such a place.

However, at last, it was time for all of them to move on. The gods were patient, but neither god nor man would wait forever. Zoissette waved the others on ahead of her, stopping one of the other heavy infantry to quickly exchange strategy with him. She had taken the vanguard up until now, but even with the minor miracle she had pulled off, her injuries would not be fully recovered any time soon. The others would need to cover for her for a bit. Her fellow warrior understood, and clapped her on the shoulder before heading out on their way.

She turned to leave as well, but paused at the threshold to look back at Halone.

"I still am not certain just what I believe," said Zoissette, hesitatingly.

"We can speak more on that later," said Halone. "But for now, know this. I have heard your prayers and watched your journey. If you believe nothing else, believe that. And if you can believe that, than I would implore you, to believe also in yourself. Your heart has ever been pure and true. You have always done more than your duty demands. You have endured so much, but despite that, despite everything... you have served well and faithfully, my daughter."

Zoissette looked to her, and she took a deep breath in, and she nodded.

"Thank you," she said, before bowing her head reverently, and offering a silent prayer.

Halone smiled.

"Go now, my child," she said.

Zoissette nodded, and went forward once more unto her duty.

#final fantasy xiv #zoissette vauban #halone #light and fury #202301-24 #biot writes

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