Tag: FFxivWrite2017

Entry #21: Solace in the Wind

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

(Make up day since I missed this earlier this week with the event this is tied to.)

It was the one place she always went to when she needed to be alone without going far. Going to the Shroud was too far for as worn as she still was. Right now she just needed quiet to think.

To hate herself for not being stronger.

Closing her eyes and letting the gentle wind soothe her. As much as the wind could help her right now anyways. A part of her would have rather it been howling instead of a gentle caress.

“Twelve have mercy please… Give us our Ikara back…” Destiney whispered softly in prayer before gazing sadly out over the railing towards the sky. Somewhere out there Ikara was still held captive. And she had been powerless to really help her friends with the rescue.

The only reason she hadn’t frozen up when the trap caught her was because it had caught Lloire too. But Twelve be merciful how badly she had wanted to freeze up in that moment. Locked in a room with an enemy and Lloire. If she hadn’t fought there was no telling if Lloire could have done it alone. Losing Lloire would have been bad. Especially since he’d helped her so many times and was family to both Soren and Ikara.

Destiney pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. The wind gently blowing her hair. Silently hating herself for still being weak. For not making enough progress. Not being able to contribute better.

Hands clenching tightly in the fabric of her sleeves. This was her fault. Only herself to blame for the problem she had. A moment of stupidity was still haunting her years later. Even with the progress she had made. It still wasn’t enough to get over the trauma. Not enough to play a better role in trying to save Ikara.

Closing her eyes and just letting the sound of the wind and silence help to calm the feelings of self-loathing. Had to force herself to remember not all was lost. Not yet. There had to be a way to deal with this. To be stronger.

Sleeping snuggled up to Syluss helped combat the sadness but it wasn’t a cure. Syluss was her strength right now though. Her love for him and Ikara had kept her moving forward during the failed rescue. Just as it would now. No matter how much she wanted to blame herself. Still she had a reason to keep moving forward.

Entry #22: Monster

On By destiney1984Leave a comment
image

(Writing for Alex tonight. Read at your own risk on this one. It’s part of his past an it wasn’t a very nice past. Violence ahead.)

Alexois smirked as he easily walked by the men on patrol. Dressing the part made things so much easier. Giving the monster a chance to slip in among the sheep. Once he was up on the battlements, on went the mask. No sense letting them remember him clearly.

Besides Jacques had insisted he needed to prove himself. In. Out. Quick and clean. Otherwise Jacques would punish him later.

Alex waited patiently. Trying his best to ignore the cold winter air. Though worry gnawed at him. This was his first assignment without his mentor watching over him. If this knight didn’t show soon then the next patrol would walk by. He’d be sighted and forced to flee without accomplishing what he was supposed to do.

There! A few steps closer…

“What are you doing up here?!”

Shit… Alex snarled as he spun around and rammed the blade of his spear through the man’s gut. The man gurgling from the pain and shock. Life bleeding out from the wound as his hands wrapped around Alex’s spear shaft. Letting the man die before removing his weapon from the now corpse.

So much for his timing. He’d misjudged things clearly. Turning to look down below. Of course the guard’s words hadn’t gone unnoticed in the quiet of the evening. Not good at all. They were already making their way for the stairs leading up here. Armed and ready to take on whatever was lurking up here.

Stay and fight? Hoping to kill his target? Or flee and face punishment?

Alex counted two people approaching him. Flashing a toothy grin before rushing forward. No one ever said life was easy. His had never been. So why take the easy road.

Letting the familiar rush and feeling of blood lust take over as he ducked a sword swing. A feral look to his crimson eyes as he lost himself to the fighting. That darkness that always lurked inside taking over. Not feeling the pain of the sword that grazed the back of his hand as he swung his spear for the other knight.

It was over all too quickly. Licking his lips and tasting his own blood. One of them had managed to connect a blow with a sword pommel. A sneer coming to his lips. It wasn’t a clean kill. He’d come away with a few minor injuries. Not that the knights would walk away at all.

The sound of more knights approaching though sent him fleeing this time. But not before flashing them a toothy grin as he stood at the top of the battlement. Falling backwards and twisting around as he dropped. Rolling in the snow as he landed. Coming up into a crouch from the roll.

Let them see if they could catch the monster.

Entry #20: Solitude

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

Stefan still wasn’t sure why he had let his sister talk him into such an idea. Filling in for her for a night with her Free Company. Had even dressed in what he had thought might be appropriate.

Yet he still stood out among them. The outsider among a group of people who trusted and liked each other. A part of him wishing he could blend in better among them. However these were his sister’s friends. Her allies.

He didn’t belong.

The best he could do was keep his opinions to himself. Try not to give them any reason to dislike him. Even when Nathaniel had called him a name… He kept his tongue. At least till later when he was alone with Anata.

Once free from helping them, he went back to his apartment. Sitting down at the piano. Fingers lightly dancing over the keys as Esper came to sit on top of the piano. Losing himself in the music.No more pressure to blend in. Here he could be himself. Just him and Esper.

“It doesn’t matter. I do not need a group. As long as I have you.” Stefan smiled sadly at Esper before pausing the song to reach up and scratch under the carbuncle’s chin. “You don’t require me to blend in.”

Entry #19: Ready or Not

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

(Had a bit of trouble with this one tonight. Dest and Lance both tonight. I figured might be good with a friend’s plot coming up soon.)

“Are you insane? No!” Lance scowled at what he was hearing. “I didn’t teach this all to you just for you to go and get yourself killed. You are not making everything that was done to keep you safe, worth nothing.”

“It was not worth nothing. You know it as well as I do. But I am doing this. You can’t stop me, Lance.” Destiney crossed her arms over her chest as they spoke outside in the yard at her house.

The thunk of a sword biting into wood. Poor striking dummy taking the brunt of the knight’s anger at his cousin’s words. He could understand full well why she would want to do this. That wasn’t the part he disagreed with.

What bothered him most was that they were keeping things from the Company she worked with. All because the ties the leader and one member held. That part did not make any sense to him. If she was willing to work with them. Put her trust in them. Then how could she keep this part from them? Clearly this was something they were going to clash over.

“You are talking of walking into enemy territory. Possibly getting hurt or worse. Have you even told your boyfriend about this? My guess is you haven’t. Halone have mercy… Destiney think about this.”

“I have thought about. Ever since the night Yuti told me what they found out. I am not letting Ikara remain in enemy hands. She’s like a sister to me, Lance!”

A soft huff before Destiney paced away from her cousin. Hand coming to rest on the hilt of her blade. Feeling for the magic she’d been training with. Reminding herself of every lesson both her brother and cousin had been giving her. Teaching her to fight. To be able to protect those she cared about. Rather then always being the one needing protection. It didn’t make her a skilled fighter by any standard. Yet it helped. Every bit helped more then where she was a year ago. Barely able to fight. This time would be different. This time she wouldn’t hesitate.

After all she had a reason to come home to. Always. She promised Syluss she would always come home to him.

Turning to face her stubborn cousin. Knowing he was just trying to protect her because he cared about her. Because it was part of who he was as a knight. As family. Setting her feet and preparing herself for the battle of getting him to give on this. “I will prove to you that I am ready for this. I will not falter. Not this time.”

Hand drawing that blade. Giving Lance a look a determination. For Ikara she would do this. Had to do this.

Entry #18: Drinks Up

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

(Writing for Alex tonight.)

Alex huffed softly before peeking outside the door to his room at the manor. Couldn’t take it anymore. So sick of being around here. Of being told what to do an how to behave. Pretending to be something he knew he wasn’t.

Sneaking out, Alex headed out of Ishgard. He wasn’t about to go drinking at the Forgotten Knight. Too many times he’d gotten into fights there or nearby. Probably the worst idea of all. Instead he went for the bar in the southern part of the Shroud. At least there he’d never been tossed out before.

Alex sat down at the bar and ordered himself a bottle of something strong. The duskwight had no self control when it came to drinks. He’d likely drink and find somewhere to crash not far away. The stress of dealing with Lord Rillek was getting to him slowly. So why not drink the night away.

A familiar miqo’te male taking a seat beside him. Ordering a drink for himself before glancing over towards Alex as he nursed his drink. The man giving Alex a rather toothy grin.

“Been a time. I was beginning to think ya dead finally. No need to torture anyone else lately?”

“No. I’ve been busy, friend.” Alex replied with a shrug before taking a long draw from his bottle. “I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.”

“I heard ya gone soft. Got a lady and joined a House in Ishgard.”

Alex snarled softly before reaching to grab the man by the shirt collar. It only made him laugh as all eyes turned on them. Not that there were many this time of day but still enough.

“It’s none of your damn business.” Alex growled threateningly.

“Now now. Show a little self control. Unless ya want tossed out of here.”

Alex let go of the man’s shirt with a snort. Returning to his drink and trying to pretend the other man wasn’t there. Not that it worked. His old ‘friend’ wasn’t going to let this go.

“There is a price, Alexois. To everything. Yours is coming due.” The man downed his shot before giving Alex one more sinister smile. “Traitor.”

Alex watched warily as the miqo’te left. Fully expecting a dagger in his back. Thankfully it didn’t happen. One less injury to have to explain to Kohina. Debating if he was even going to tell Kohina about this encounter. No this was probably best left unsaid. He’d never really told anyone about the things he’d done with the bandits out here. This was something he wasn’t ready to explain. Especially some of the darker details of what went on. What he did…

Sighing heavily before downing the rest of the bottle.

Entry #17: Dreams

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

Destiney walked forward through the dreamscape. Surely it had to be a dream. The broken buildings and strange sky. The lack of other people. It was a odd location. The atmosphere felt almost oppressive.

This wasn’t the usual bad dreams that plagued her on rare occasion. Their occurrence came about less and less anymore. The happier her life was, the less they had a chance of happening. Right now? Her life was very good.

So why was she having a bad dream now?

Feet pausing in her walk as she stood before a woman in red kneeling before a sword. The hat with it’s white feather hiding her face. Destiney tilted her head as she looked on with curiosity.

The woman’s hand reaching for the sword hilt as she stood. Blue eyes meeting their match. Destiney was staring at herself. In an outfit she had never worn before. Taking a step back in surprise as the phantom pointed the sword in her direction.

“Accept your Fate.”

Destiney reached for her own blade only to find it not there. Reaching for magic that refused to respond. Looking on in wide-eyed horror as nothing was there when she needed it. Falling backwards in panic when the phantom rushed her with that sword. Raising her arms to protect herself when nothing else worked.

Waiting.

Nothing happened.

Destiney lowered her arms to find the phantom of herself gone. The sword was there in the ground before her though. Slowly she stood up as she looked towards that blade. Once more the words of the phantom rang in her ears.

“Accept your Fate.”

Hand reaching for the hilt of that sword. Testing to see if this was what the phantom wanted. Yet before she could touch it…

Destiney gasped as she opened her eyes to stare up at the ceiling above her. What a strange dream… She didn’t understand any of it. Of course she was working on her red magic and sword work. So what was with the odd dream? Maybe it was all she had eaten and drank at the party. Yeah maybe that was it. Just a strange dream.

Entry #16: Ceruleum

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

(Wow, XD I managed to find a really old screenshot of Dest with Oni before she cut her hair. This was from her first time dealing with Oni after she pushed him into the water. An the basis for this writing entry cause it’s appropriate.)

Destiney tilted her head as she looked at herself in the mirror of her room. Reaching up to touch the short ends of her hair. Remembering a time when she actually kept it long and preferred it that way.

Of course remembering that reminded her of other things too. Like her early days as a member of the Order. Her first encounter with just how special Oni is. Though granted he behaved a lot better now then back then.

Still remembering a few times he’d gotten her good with the ceruleum. Ending up with it either streaked into her hair or on her clothes. Dyeing her hair a few times to hide the blue.

Chuckling softly to herself at the memories. Not that she wanted him to dye her hair all the time. It was in itself frustrating sometimes. Yet it was also part of what made Oni… Well Oni. Though she still didn’t understand how he could actually drink the stuff.

Dropping her hand from her hair as she finished getting ready for the day ahead. A smile on her face at the memories.

Entry #15: Shades of Dusk

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

(This isn’t a recent occurrence. This would have been after Dest learning the truth between Leon and Alex.)

Destiney sighed softly. Once more wondering if she had made the right choice. If giving Alex his father’s name was a good idea. Leon’s father’s name. Twelve above… To consider the truth behind that single name.

Leon and Alex were half-brothers… How had she not realized it before? There was so much in common between the two that they could have been doppelgangers of each other. Almost but not quite.

Blue eyes looked towards the desk. There sitting that vibrant green stone with it’s craved symbol. Leon’s bard soulstone. His spirit had been bound to it when he died. Lingering beyond death to watch over her. Her own guardian angel. But his spirit had been absent for a time now.

They shared the same tawny skin. The same blond hair. The main difference between them both was their eyes. Leon’s had been a pale green where Alex’s were a sharp crimson. They even had a tattoo over the same eye though in different colors.

Personality wise? They were as different as night and day. Just from looking though it should have been easy to notice. Should have been yet she had completely missed it. Probably because her first meeting with Alex had been a rather violent one.

It was ironic how much they looked alike and she had never realized it till she knew the truth of the matter.

Entry #14: Brains over Brawn

On By destiney1984Leave a comment
image

Stefan sighed as he shook his head at his twin. “No. Try again!”

“Oh stuff it!” Destiney grumbled as she glared daggers at her brother. The heat of Thanalan and aether usage was making her irritable.

“Use your wit, sister. Neither of us has the brawn to overpower a foe. We have to use our brains. “Try the spell again. You have to get better with fire aether. I know you can heal just fine but out there in the field with those… With your Company…” Correcting the term quickly that he was going to use instead. “You wanted to be able to protect others and yourself. You wanted to fight back. So fight damn it! Do. The. Spell. Again.”

Destiney gives him another exasperated look before returning to the dummy. This was the one downside about asking her brother for help. He lacked patience for teaching. At least Lance was more patient with her when it came to working with blades. Stefan on the other hand… She wanted to strangle her brother lovingly right now.

Entry #13: Old Wounds

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

(Writing for Lance today. This is partly from
after the Steel Vigil’s fall.)

If he could have paced his room he
would have. However the leg still pained him. The nightmares refused
to let him sleep. The defeat at the Steel Vigil had taken a sword and
carved a wound deep into his soul. It had only been days since the
fall. Since Nidhogg’s brood had savaged the Vigil.

He was on leave now. Maybe
indefinitely. Assuming he would ever be fit for duty again. Not that
he had been badly wounded. The claw that had gotten his hip and down
part way across his upper thigh would heal. It would scar but it
would heal. Other then that he hadn’t suffered any other major
wounds. He had been one of the lucky ones. Yet he felt anything but
lucky.

It was all gone. The Vigil was in
shambles. Lord Chlodebaimt was gone. House Haillenarte was suffering
both the loss of a son and the Vigil. Their reputation was torn from
this loss. Everything just gave his father more fuel to use against
him. To flaunt how superior House Dzemael was over House Haillenarte.

So he remained in his room. Not
sleeping. Nor walking about as he was supposed to by the healer’s
orders. Ignoring his mother and siblings attempts to lure him from
his room. Snarling at anyone that even made the attempt. Behaving no
better then a wounded animal rather then the young man he should be.

Why had he survived? Why had his
commander decided to sacrifice himself? What was it all worth when
all they had done is lost anyways…

The pillow smacked the wall and landed
with a soft plop on the floor. Lance pulled his good leg close and
rested his chin on the knee. He was so tired but every time he shut
his eyes all he heard was the screams and saw the flames. Saw good
men and women fighting a losing battle. Saw the aevis that wounded
him.

It would be days till Lance finally made an effort to leave his room.
Having enough of his family pestering him. Just to get away from the
constant insistence that he return to having a life. So he went out.
Did not mean he was having a life. Instead he just found ways to numb
the pain.

***

Lance gasped as he sat up. It had been a long time since those
memories had surfaced. Putting a hand to his forehead as he took a
deep breath. Hearing the chirp of a familiar friend as he looked
around. Finally he had been able to make a place for his feathered
friend at his apartment. Often leaving the window open for the small
owlet.

He held his hand out for the small bird as it landed on his bed.
Those large eyes looking up at him. “I hope you had a successful
hunt tonight, my friend.” The owl cocking his head to the side as
he looked up at Lance before hopping on Lance’s outstretched hand.

“At least only one of us still bears wounds.” Lance smiled softly
as he scratched under the owl’s beak, earning him a rather pleased
sound from the bird.