brave-horizon

[brave-horizon]

Roevember #8: Atonement

Can this peace really last?

I remember the splash of Vidofnir's blood on the sculpture, steaming in the freezing cold of Coerthas. Ishgardian and Dravanian both fought to keep this olive branch from being offered and accepted. I think I understand them. Hells, I have the blood of dragons and so-called heretics on my hands. I probably deserve the hatred of both sides. And why did I fight so hard to end this war? Was it so that I didn't have to fight any more? Gods, how the fuck does that make sense?

If not this peace, can peace last at all? Is it in man's nature to fill that quiet with violence? Will I get dragged into the next war? And the one after that?

Is this what I want for myself? Do I even have a choice?

[brave-horizon]

Roevember #2: Comrades

Say hello to Boy, the chocobo, and Girl, the carbuncle!

[brave-horizon]

Roevember #1: Awakening

A young warrior rouses her inner beast for the first time

[brave-horizon]

We Fight as One

This story contains spoilers for the finale of the 5.0 MSQ! It's a slight deviation from the events on screen to personalize it to my headcanon for Brave as the Warrior of Light. It's also a very thinly veiled way of flexing my weapon from beating an Ultimate, and I'm not even a little sorry for that.

"Now," cried Urianger, "strike with all thy might!"

Brave Horizon turned to the towering form of Emet-Selch—Hades. The spike of white auracite piercing his chest visibly and audibly vibrated with the aether her comrades were pouring into it. She raised her hand high above her head, closed her eyes, and focused on that moment out of time with Ardbert. Her reflection. A fragment of her very soul. She couldn't help but smile in that instant, standing in a roiling tempest of darkness and light, and the realization that they really weren't all that different. She opened her eyes, and a shining visage of Bravura was held in her grasp. An Axe of Light. That's more like it. It felt like it should be be blindingly bright, but to her it just looked like the weapon that accompanied her on adventures across nations, across continents, and across stars. A whisper of sorts filled her perception as if it were whispered directly into her mind.

"Let us be about it, hero."

---

Brave held her axe, running her fingers over every familiar ridge, groove, scratch and nick. She stood in her suite in the Pendants, the morning after their return to the Crystarium from the Tempest. The physical shape of her Bravura had not changed, but the weapon glowed with light-aspected aether even after a full day. The energy seemed to restore the axe, for lack of a better term: filling chips and dents, honing the edge, even giving it more heft without increasing its weight. Perhaps it had taken on some ideal of of what this weapon is 'supposed' to be. It was very curious that on a wholly different world, there existed a nearly identical axe to Bravura, something with such cultural significance to the Lohengarde of Abalathia and something she thought to be unique. Perhaps it was one of the Ancients' Concepts, echoing through time and across the rift.

After defeating Emet-Selch, the Weapon of Light's aether had faded away to reveal the same thing she was now holding. Brave didn't even remember lifting it in that moment. Hells, even she could barely lift it after the desperate struggle against Hades in his final, overwhelming form. She could only wildly guess at the reasons for its transformation. Perhaps when the physical template of Bravura, the abundance of aether from the slain Lightwardens, and the incredible magicks of an unsundered Amaurotine combined, it underwent an incomplete Creation. Perhaps it's simply stained by the energies that were channeled through it. Perhaps it would fade, given more time. She wished it wouldn't. As it was, it reminded her of Ardbert. Not that she could ever forget him, but it's nice to keep your friends close.

[brave-horizon]

FFXIV Write 2021 - Prompt #28: Bow

This one is a bit of a cheat, but oh well. Inspired by all the discussion surrounding job changes coming up in Endwalker, particularly gunbreaker!

---

A Bellworks engineer looks up from the aerodynamics technical manual and turns to Brave to ask, "What is a bow shock?"

"It's bow shock," she replies. "Not like bow and arrow, but like take a bow or, more accurately, the bow of a ship. Like the wave that a ship's prow makes as it cuts through water, it's a shock wave that forms in the flow just ahead of a supersonic body."

The engineer nods and returns to his reading.

[brave-horizon]

FFXIV Write 2021 - Prompt #20: Petrichor

Well, I missed 2 weeks, but I'm back! Brave and Wyda (@endangered-liaison) are Totally Just Friends.

---

Rain is, obviously, fairly rare in Thanalan. When it does happen, it comes fast and heavy and is usually accompanied by an awesome thunderstorm. It's also often as dangerous as it is impressive. The parched earth paradoxically doesn't absorb water so quickly, and the downpour can lead to destructive flash flooding. Thankfully, the Bellworks lies atop a mesa.

Brave peers over the edge into the rushing waters in the valley below as the rain pelts her. Her hair has come undone and plasters her face and shoulders, and her clothes are soaked--thankfully she's wearing a dark tunic. She stares into the temporary river, the crashing sound of the water echoing through the stone walls between peals of thunder, until she decides she wants to watch the lightning instead.

She climbs a tree on the company campus and hops over onto the roof of the chocobo stables. She isn't surprised to find Wyda atop there. She also isn't surprised to find her attire far less appropriate for lying in the rain. With a quick breath of laughter, she lies down next to her dear friend and turns her head partially toward the Sea Wolf, so that she can look up without the big drops hurting her eyes. They end up in an awkward semi-cuddle as they watch the light show together. Brave enjoys how she can share such intimacy with Wyda while still respecting each others' relationships.

An hour or so later, the scent of the desert after the rains subside stirs them. They stand up, smile at each other, and give each other a kiss on the cheek before they go their separate ways.

[brave-horizon]

FFXIV Write 2021 - Prompt #4: Baleful

A continuation of alternate Brave's story started in prompt 2.

---

Brave is frustrated with her research. Rather, with the research that she is being drip fed by Marcus. She spends nearly a moon absorbing the carefully picked, sanitized documents she is provided on Resonance, through which she gains a painfully incomplete understanding of this baleful mockery of the Echo. Not that she or anyone truly understands the Echo in any case, so perhaps that is unavoidable. Nevertheless, it seems like the Empire is throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks. Feeling that she's gained as much information as the arcitectus would offer on his own, she's resolved to demand more. Perhaps if she appears cooperative, they'll loosen her leash enough to let her slip free.

The day after her request, Sovea lets herself into the room in the morning to escort her to Marcus. The very sight of the spy threatens to unleash her inner beast. If she tore that bitch to pieces it would certainly get her killed as well, but she can't help seriously considering that option anyway. She knows too well how quick the woman is on the draw, unfortunately, so she elects to march on in front of her, grinding her teeth.

"I'm glad to see you taking an interest in my work," says Marcus when Brave is shown into his laboratory.

"I suppose it was either that or sit around with my thumb up my arse, waiting for you to throw me in with the other POWs."

"And what a waste that would have been." He has an infuriatingly disarming smile as he beckons her over to one of those light displays the Garleans use. There's a great deal more data than she was previously allowed to see. "Here, look. Look at the potential of the Resonance! This is our illustrious crown prince."

"Zenos? He's barbarous even for Garleans," she remarks as she scans the information. She'd become somewhat proficient at reading the Garlean script in her captivity so far. "Twelve, this... this isn't possible."

"But it is! I worked with mal Asina himself before being sent out here. Oh, Brave Horizon, Eorzea has only scratched the barest surface of what man is capable of!" He rests his hand on Brave's shoulder, and she shoves it away with clear rancor. "Here, I will leave you with this console. Learn all you want. When you've had your fill, the good frumentarius will escort you back."

Brave narrows her eyes at him. Does he know about her history with Sovea? She shakes her head and turns her attention back to the display as Marcus leaves the lab.

[brave-horizon]

FFXIV Write 2021 - Prompt #3: Scale

With apologies to @furymint

---

"Hey, Shiri--ah... damn," Brave calls out and trails off, realizing that her ananta assistant is out for personal reasons. She is surprised to hear the woman respond.

"Yesss?"

The roegadyn blinks. "Ah, sorry. I thought you were on leave."

"Yesss, to molt. But I have finished. On that sssubject..." Shirina holds out a necklace on a gold chain. Really, more of a gorget. The foundation of the piece is a large scale, one that Brave reasons that she just shed. The edge of the scale is framed in gold border with some of the finest filigree work she's ever seen. More gold is inlaid into every fine imperfection within the smooth surface of the scale, creating a wholly natural yet beautiful pattern.

"Sh-Shirina. This is gorgeous," she breathes quietly.

"It isss... not customary for thisss kind of to be ssshared with non-Ananta. But our relationship isss far from customary, yesss?"

"I truly appreciate your help, Shirina. Thank you so much." They smile at each other. Brave nods and turns her attention back to her paperwork. After a moment, she realizes her assistant has not yet left. She seems hesitant, even nervous. "What's wrong?"

"Mistresss Brave... do you think Mister Elliot would enjoy one asss well?"

Brave laughs, a loud bark that's quickly suppressed. From behind the back of her hand, she says, "I think he would find a hundred different ways to interpret it other than the one you would intend. I leave it up to you, but you'll only confuse the poor guy."

[brave-horizon]

FFXIV Write 2021 - Prompt #2: Aberrant

This is intended to be an alternate path my RP character took during an event my FC ran during Stormblood. She doesn't get rescued, she gets brainwashed by the Empire. I also intended it to be a full, self-contained story, but it's much more difficult to write than I thought. I'm not much of an author, and this was quite exhausting! I'll try to finish it in later prompts. On with the story!

---

Brave's little apartment is a fine cell. She may not be in chains, but she certainly is a prisoner of Marcus nan Aquilus.

A small number of the Dufrense Bellworks had volunteered to serve as field engineers in service to the Temple Knights in the liberation of Gyr Abania with Brave Horizon as their sergeant, reporting to a knight of House Durendaire. Although largely by luck, the Dufrense Sappers had aided the Eorzean Alliance and hindered the Empire significantly, with their capstone having been capturing and reverse engineering a squadron of magitek reapers. It was their testing of these devices that drew the attention of the architectus magiteci of Castrum Abania. He assaulted the Bellworks' position, and though they met unexpected resistance from the irregulars, he did succeed in his goal of capturing their leader.

Brave was knocked unconscious in the skirmish, and she awoke in a soft bed in a decently furnished room. Her wounds were tended to, and there was a meal waiting for her. The architecture was patently Garlean. The door was locked and guarded. Save for a brief interrogation by Sovea eir Gravitas, a woman she knows well and harbors a deep hatred for, she was left in her room for several days to cool off.

Presently, she receives an unexpected visitor after an aan retrieves the remains of her breakfast. An imposing figure in familiar intricate armor: her captor. She remains silent and moves to stand next to the chair in her room. She has hidden a metal bar she salvaged from the bed frame there. He removes his helmet to reveal a middle-aged man of pure Garlean descent. His face is disarming. If not for the third eye, she might have guessed that face belonged to a kindly schoolteacher. It almost distracted her from noticing as Sovea entering behind him and standing by the door.

"I hope by now I've made it clear I don't consider you a prisoner of war," he says in a voice that is soft and clear, nothing like the sound the amplifier in his helmet makes.

"Then I can leave."

He smiles. "Your talent is clear, Brave Horizon. You understand magitek to a degree I wouldn't have thought possible to s--someone who has not attended the Academy. You took our armor and removed our interlocks and made them operable to any old member of your little band. I cannot overstate how impressive that is." Brave takes a mocking little bow, and he laughs. "You must understand how important magitek is to all peoples of this Star, not just the empire."

"Technology is important. Magitek is tainted by the disgusting imperialism that it enables."

Marcus raises his hands in concession. "Perhaps. I won't deny that the Empire is capable of incredible cruelty, and I won't deny that our technology makes it easier for those acts to be committed. But you know this has the potential to change this star for the better, and there is nowhere else where this progress can happen but here."

Brave's grip tightens on her makeshift weapon behind the chair. "I was doing just fine on my own, thank you very much."

"Of course. But let me show you the current potential of our art, beyond just clattering suits of armor." He produces a... some sort of magitek book? Perhaps some sort of adaptation of Allagan tomestone technology. "I'll let you read it over. We can speak about what you see in a few suns. Goodbye, Brave Horizon." He pulls his helmet back on and leaves the room. His cape flutters behind him as he does. Gods, he even has a fucking cape. Sovea lingers for a moment longer, then draws a gun on Brave in a blur. She gasps and backs away, holding up her hands. Her club clatters to the floor, and the spy steps forward to deftfully kick it into the grip of her other hand. She leaves without a further word.

Brave stands there, stunned, for a few minutes. She heaves a heavy sigh and flops onto her bed. Tears collect in the corners of her eyes as the adrenaline wears off. She tells herself that she'll never help the Empire that has taken so much from her. But after two more days of isolation and boredom, she can't help but... open? this strange tablet-book. The Resonance. It's disgusting. It's aberrant. She almost becomes sick reading it, and tosses the thing aside. The concept doesn't leave her mind for days more. Then... then she picks the tablet up again.

[brave-horizon]

FFXIV Write 2021 - Prompt #1: Foster

The young girl walks through the streets of this unfamiliar, terrifying city. There seems to be a lot of people trying to get her attention, but she doesn't pay attention to any of that. She just places one foot in front of the other, as she had for weeks, and looks for somewhere to hide from the oppressive desert sun. She arrives in the Pearl Lane entirely by chance. The shops and dwellings here are not as lavish as those found in the nearby bazaar, but they are nice enough. A sign catches her attention. The child can recognize her letters, but she can't yet read, so it's curious indeed that the stylized illustration of books draws her to the door. She pushes it open and steps inside so cautiously that she doesn't ring the bell hanging from the interior doorknob.

An hour or so later, while the young roegadyn beams at the illustrations of a picture book and traces her fingertips over the shapes of the words, the shopkeeper nearly trips over the girl as he moves to shelve some books, making them both cry out and jump. The book arcs through the air and lands open, pages down. The girl gasps and gingerly retrieves it. She lays it out on her lap and smooths out the creased pages with all the dexterity and care a four-year-old can muster. The middle-aged hyur simply watches until the little girl closes the book, clutches it to her chest, and casts her gaze upward.

"Do you like the book?" A nod.

"What's your name?" Silence.

"Are your parents nearby?" A quiet gasp and tears collect in her big, orange eyes.

"Oh. I see, my dear. You're from Ala Mhigo, then?" A nod.

"Are you hungry?" A long pause before another nod.

"My wife is almost finished with dinner upstairs. We'll make sure you'll not go hungry this night, at least. Would you like to come with me?" The child clambers to her feet without letting go of the book. The man reaches out to take it from her and she flinches, hugging it tighter.

"That's not--" He sighs. "Well, I suppose you can borrow it for the night. Come along."

Twenty eight years later, Brave Horizon still reads that book twice a year and clutches it lovingly to her breast when she's finished.

[brave-horizon]

I think I said I was gonna use this blog for more than just the writing challenge last year. Well, maybe I'll actually do that this year, hah.

Anyway, writing incoming!

[brave-horizon]

Chains of Command: A new event series run by and for the Bells! As underhanded politics and crooked business cheats the Bellworks out of a lucrative contract, they turn to investigation and a little corporate espionage to find out what a rival manufactory and the Immortal Flames are hiding.

[brave-horizon]

We’re trying something really ambitious here! I would very much appreciate a signal boost. Thank you!

CALLING ILSABARDIAN REFUGEES (BALMUNG)

Did you or do you seek to escape the Empire?

The Bellworks Manufacturing Co. publicly extends an invitation to all Garlean nationals, citizens, and conscripts fleeing recent unrest. In exchange for Imperial knowledge, the Bellworks guarantees employment, asylum, and identity protection if desired.

Contact our agents in Ul’dah, Ala Mhigo, or Kugane.

A new, more peaceful home awaits you in Eorzea. Let’s work together to build a brighter future for all!

==============

OOC:

The Bellworks has harbored Garleans for a long time. It’s a policy that quietly began under Eliane Requingris and has since expanded significantly under Brave Horizon’s leadership. In light of Ul’dah shifting its refugee approach towards more work-oriented programs, and knowing it’s only a matter of time before its worst-kept secret came to light, the Bellworks has decided to simply come out and say it: we’ll take Garleans.

In exchange for whatever knowledge your character might bring from the Empire – be it scientific, mechanical, artistic, magical, artisanal, or otherwise – the Bellworks will do the hard work to ensure your character will have a new, safe home in Eorzea, (theoretically) free from anyone who might come looking for them. (But we all know that RP finds a way).

Interested? Read our FAQ beneath the cut for more info, or hop on our discord with any questions you might have!

Disclaimer: We do not, nor will we ever condone apologism when it comes to imperialism or colonialism OOC, nor does the Bellworks support the Empire IC. 

==============

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[brave-horizon]

EORZEAN PUNKIN CHUNKIN COMPETITION AND ALL SAINTS WAKE FESTIVAL!

The Bellworks Design and Manufacturing Company would like to thank everyone who came to our event! It was full of explosive fun, dripping apples, and hilarious shenanigans! 

We would like to thank @erstwhile25 and Crosswinds & Curios for helping us with our gourd launch exhibition! We’ll all tip one out for Maurice, for his enthusiastic participation.

We also want to send our greetings to the love community of The Lazy Paissa, some of whom showed up and enjoyed the festivities with us! 

The Bellworks would like to wish everyone a safe and happy All Saints Wake. Be sure to practice safe engineering and wear your helmets, everyone!

~The Bellworks mngmt

[brave-horizon]

Punkin Chunkin Team Sign Up Deadline is Tomorrow!

The deadline is midnight edt, October 29th! That’s tomorrow! Go to https://bellworksffxiv.carrd.co/ for details. Or sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf009I8hfDaM8XJcV1vziJEZBNanmwbvqpDXvkNnJOAtbzaZg/viewform?usp=sf_link

There are prizes and a whole bevy of other festival activities! We look forward to seeing everyone on Friday!

[brave-horizon]

The prize for @endangered-liaison for the writing event this year! Such a cute babey and i had fun doin it aaa <3

@sea-wolf-coast-to-coast

[brave-horizon]

The Eorzean Punkin Chunkin Competition and All Saints Wake Festival Details!

For the initial post and the Punkin Chunkin Rules: Go Here The grand prize includes gil and housing furnishings for the individual or team that takes first place! Following winners also will win some cool furnishings. And don’t forget to sign up for the Chunkin, if you want to compete! Deadline for sign ups is October 29th, by midnight EDT!

For full details on that and the other festivities, you can check out our new events carrd: https://bellworksffxiv.carrd.co/

In addition to the Punkin Chunkin as detailed in our first post, the following events have been planned! Keep reading for details!

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