#this has been sitting in my drafts for two weeks because i'm a coward lol

[anneapocalypse]

Word Search Game

@ammoniteflesh tagged me to find the words skin, regret, and fall in my fics or WIPs. All of these I'm pulling from my big messy Ariane fic doc and this is all very first-drafty and unedited.

Tagging with no pressure: @farfromdaylight @chocochipbiscuit and @dreadfutures with the words light, place, and storm.

skin:

Ariane’s hand came to rest on his jaw then, cupping his face gently as she drew him in for another kiss. This one was soft and lingering, unhurried, and he wished with all his heart that it could never end. But end it must. “I dare say we both of us need our rest,” he said, with great reluctance. She nodded. “I dare say you especially.” It was another long moment before they reluctantly broke apart, and rose from the window seat. “Take heart,” he said. “All is not lost. Though our circumstances be dire, I dare believe we shall yet find a way, and I shall endeavor all the more to make it so.” “I have faith,” Ariane said. “I must. We must.” One last time, he took her in his arms, and kissed her. “Good night, my love. I shall see thee on the morrow.” “Good night, my love,” Ariane echoed, as she walked him to the door. “Rest well.” Her words settled in his heart, the memory of her touch still warm on his false skin, as he made his way back to his own quarters, full to bursting with emotion—most of all, in spite of their circumstances, an irrepressible joy.

regret:

“Thou art a healer of some considerable skill. I regret that I have had few opportunities to see thee in the field, but on those occasions, thy power hast been most formidable.” Ariane laughed, setting down her teacup. “I’ll be honest, Urianger, I never imagined anyone would use the word ‘formidable’ to describe me. I do most of my work standing behind someone with a sword.” “And 'tis thy talents which keep that one standing.” He smiled. “I understand thou hast taken to studying several arcane arts in parallel. Hast thou a favorite among them?” Her eyes took on a wistful look. “I always thought it would be conjury forever. And then… well. Suffice it to say, it let me down when I needed it the most.” He could have kicked himself. Master Alphinaud had relayed the story of Ariane’s unsuccessful attempt to bring Lord Haurchefant back from the brink of death—an attempt which had very nearly killed her. “Forgive me. ‘Twas not mine intent to call back such painful memories.” She shook her head. “Please, it’s all right. I’m… I can talk about it. About him.” She gave a sorrowful smile. “Avoiding speaking his name won’t bring Haurchefant back. I couldn’t save him. I have to live with that.” She sighed. “One way or another. Yes, it still hurts. But don’t feel you can’t speak of it, Urianger. I don’t want people walking on eggshells for me. I can handle it. I have to.” He nodded with all earnestness. “Aye… The grief doth linger… even as we learn to endure it. I understand. ” Ariane met his gaze, and nodded. “I know you do.”

fall:

She had seen the whole of Urianger’s face before. Once, when he had adjusted his goggle to wipe surreptitiously at his eyes, she had caught a glimpse of them, pale green and intense even in that fleeting moment. Later, when he had cast off the mask of Darkness, his whole face. But when it was over, he had shed the ornate gray robes of his disguise, and returned to his old worn arcanist’s robe, eyes hidden and face in shadow. So it been even as they grew closer, through too many teatimes to count now, and Ariane had simply grown used to it, grown accustomed to reading his expressions through the tilt of his head and the curve of his mouth. Seeing him laid out in the Rising Stones’ infirmary, still and silent and exposed, felt so deeply wrong. Ariane knew that it was for safety reasons, to keep his head and face unobstructed, should he move while unconscious. (He did not move. He was so still it hurt to look at him.) Still she longed to gently draw his hood back up over his hair. Give him that dignity at least. She could not. Nor could she keep a constant vigil by his bedside, flanked by Thancred and Y’shtola’s equally still forms. Her friends needed her out there, finding answers. And so she took only the length of a cup of tea to sit with them, with him. Her tea cup drained, she had no further excuse to sit, but Ariane took one last moment, watching Urianger’s chest rise and fall. Seeing that at least, he and Thancred and Y’shtola still drew breath. Gods, what she would have given just to hear his voice. Be it in quiet reassurance or cryptic verse of prophecy. It mattered not. Just to know he was here. Just to feel less alone.

#word search meme #tag meme #writing stuff #ffxiv stuff #the stars are blind my love #urianger x wol #shadowbringers spoilers #heavensward spoilers #this has been sitting in my drafts for two weeks because i'm a coward lol #but here! #haurchefant x wol #ffxiv spoilers