#Penelo is Sun

[mazziemay]

𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒚𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒏'𝒔 𝑬𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕

[freyayuki]

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Realm and Elemental Relic Draw Banners Part 7

Every 15 days that players log on to the Final Fantasy Record Keeper (FFRK) mobile game, they get 1 Realm/Elemental x 11 ticket.

These tickets can be used on Realm and Elemental banners for a 10 +1 pull that guarantees at least 1 relic that’s of 5-star or higher rarity. These tickets can also be obtained as special rewards from campaigns and limited events and the like.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper End of Service Announcement

Just before the Summer Sun 2022 Festival event was set to begin, an in-game message appeared, saying that Final Fantasy Record Keeper was gonna end its service on September 29, 2022.

Unexpected and unpleasant surprise doesn’t begin to cover this. I talk more about that in another post.

But I really wish that this didn’t have to happen. Don’t want to say goodbye to FFRK yet. There’s still so much that I want to do in this game. Sigh.

Anyway, I’ve already used up all of the Realm/Elemental x11 tickets that I had on hand since there was no longer any reason to save these. I talk about the results of my pulls using those tickets in another post.

It really sucks that the game didn’t even bother to update and refresh these banners.

And it would have been really nice if they’d adjusted the rates and/or made it so that players were guaranteed to get at least 1 6-star or 1 7-star relic from these banners. I mean, why not, right? After all, the game is ending already.

I’m trying to finish as much of FFRK’s content as I can before the end. I talk more about this in another post.

Some of the quests I’ve been able to clear include 1 Realm/Elemental x11 ticket as part of the rewards. Also got some tickets from clearing some of the missions in the Books of Trials.

Here are the results of my draws using those tickets:

Final Fantasy XIII Realm Banner

This draw gave me 2 6-stars. Then Dr. Mog appeared and turned 1 of them into a 7-star.

The 6-star I got turned out to be a dupe of 1 of the Awakened Arcane Soul Breaks (AASBs) of Noel Kreiss from Final Fantasy XIII (#ad). Was really annoyed when I saw the Soul Break Rank Up! screen. Noel’s AASB went from Rank 1 of 15 to Rank 3 of 15.

The 7-star I got was this boomerang.

This turned out to be the Synchro Arcane Soul Break (SASB) of Hope Estheim from Final Fantasy XIII.

It’s new and I actually have 2 of Hope’s AASBs so I’m really pleased to see this. Hope’s part of my magical and mind-based holy elemental team and my Final Fantasy 13 realm team so getting his Sync just made him even better as a DPS. IIRC, also have his holy Chain Soul Break (CSB).

Was really looking forward to being able to try out Hope in battle with his Sync but unfortunately, I ran out of time. Never got to use Hope’s Sync before the game ended.

Final Fantasy XII Realm Banner

This draw gave me my first copy of the Glint+ Soul Break (G+) of Penelo from Final Fantasy XII.

It’s new but not really pleased to see this because I’m pretty sure this is actually Lensable. Also can’t remember for sure now but I don’t think I even have a single BDL relic for Penelo or maybe I only have her AASB and 1 of her Ultra Soul Breaks (USB).

Either way, she’s definitely not one of my go-to healers. And now that the game is over, I’ll never get the chance to try out Penelo in battle.

Final Fantasy VIII Realm Banner

This draw gave me 2 6-stars. Then Dr. Mog appeared and turned one of them into a 7-star.

Was pleased when I saw Dr. Mog but that quickly turned into disappointment when the 7-star I got turned out to be a dupe of the Limit Break Overstrike (LBO) or Limit Break Over Flow (LBOF) of Rinoa Heartilly from Final Fantasy VIII.

Rinoa’s LBO, Angel Wing Permafrost, went from Rank 1 of 5 to Rank 3 of 5. Meh.

The 6-star I got was new but wasn’t really pleased to see it either since it was just a Glint+ Soul Break for a Final Fantasy 8 char.

Was so disappointed that I didn’t even bother taking note of who it belonged to. Since it’s a fist-type weapon though, this G+ most likely belongs to Zell Dincht from Final Fantasy VIII.

Final Fantasy VI Realm Banner

This draw gave me 1 5-star and 1 6-star. The 5-star turned out to be a dupe Burst Soul Break (BSB) for a Final Fantasy VI char. Since it’s a fist-type weapon, this probably belongs to Gau from Final Fantasy VI.

At least the 6-star I got was new. It turned out to be the AASB of Shadow from Final Fantasy VI.

Was really pleased to see this because I already have a few of Shadow’s relics. Have his Sync and his dark Chain Soul Break so getting his AASB just made him even better.

He’s part of my physical dark elemental team and my Final Fantasy VI realm team.

Pleased that I was able to use Shadow a bit more before FFRK ended although it wasn’t as much as I wanted. He was my dark Chain holder but with his Sync and AASB, I found that he can actually deal pretty decent damage.

Water Elemental Banner

This draw gave me 1 5-star and 1 6-star. The 5-star turned out to be my first copy of a Final Fantasy X char’s Legend Materia Relic (LMR).

LMRs have their uses but most, if not all, of them are already Lensable so meh. Wish I got something else from this pull.

The 7-star I got was the AASB of Arc from Final Fantasy III. Nice.

It’s new and pretty sure I already have Arc’s other Awakening plus a few of his other relics as well. Don’t have his Sync or Dual though.

Was planning to make use of Arc to help me with the Final Fantasy III Dragonking Dungeon quest. But I ran out of time so was never able to try out said quest before FFRK ended.

Also never got the chance to try out Arc in battle with the Awakening that I just got for him.

Ahh, really wish Final Fantasy Record Keeper didn’t have to end, at least not anytime soon. There’s still so much that I want to do in the game. And now I’ll never be able to do any of those things because it’s all over now. Sigh.

Conclusion

So what about you? Which banners did you use your Realm/Elemental x11 tickets on? How did your pulls go? What do you think about the rates on FFRK? What do you think about the fact that Final Fantasy Record Keeper is all over now? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions by leaving a comment below or by reblogging or replying to this post.

Notes:

screenshots are from my Final Fantasy Record Keeper game account

[invisiblebounds-ffxiv]

FINAL FANTASY XII - Penelo Tribute

Music Theme  

[joulethieves]

So just realized the Garif would absolutely grow the most powerful insane dank weed in all of Ivalice. Like these guys smoke that shit 24/7 and offer it to welcome newcomers. So obviously they break out the good shit for the six wanderers, and, not wanting to be rude, Vaan is excitedly the first to take it. To Balthier’s surprise, Penelo follows. He can’t reset, so he takes a hit, followed by Fran. Basch and Ashe, not wanting to be rude, take a hit but simply hold it in their mouths before exhaling. The fallout to this is either absolute chaos or The Most Chillest Afternoon By Jahara’s Streams Under the Sun Ever

I like to think the latter, they deserve a relaxing day

[streetsteel]

Send this dum face  ⊙０⊙ and I’ll show you a canon muse I played/considered playing [closed I have like five more of these]

@infernalpursuit​ sent:  ⊙０⊙ !!

“We’re stopping here for the night.” 

“Huh? But we still have some time before sundown! We can get farther and camp there!!” Vaan interjects, but one look from Fran keeps him from adding more arguments as to why they could keep going and going until there was no more daylight. 

The kid’s energy is commendable, sure, but he’s a bit too hot-headed to make sensible decisions sometimes. Which is why it falls to... basically everyone else, if we’re being honest. 

“Certainly, Vaan, if you want to find a space to set up camp in the middle of the Tchita Uplands, be my guest.” Balthier sits on a flat rock in the small space that connects the Phon Coast and the aforementioned region. He slips a finger behind the strap holding his mules in place and removes them with a sigh of relief. He doesn’t need to lift those up to know there’ll be a river of sand flowing out the sandals—Balfonheim-style footwear is amazing in the Port, not so much for sandy beaches. 

Vaan grumbles something about being ‘proactive’ and walks off, followed by a worried Penelo who will certainly try to put some common sense into him. Better having a spot they’re sure is safe and good for camp than getting stuck with whatever they’re at when the sun goes down. 

“Are you alright?”

By now, he’s not surprised anymore when Fran sneaks to his side and only makes her presence known with words. She’s one of the woods-dwellers, and despite leaving the forest, her footsteps are still silent like snowfall. 

Balthier looks back at her, then gets back to business, clearing sand out of his sandals. 

“Never been better.”

The slight frown she gives him is also expected. She’s one of the rare people who can read him like an open book. She worries. They’ve never been so close to Archades in a long while. The return of the failed prodigy child sure took a long time, huh. 

“Fran, Fran, Fran, what kind of leading man would I be if heading into the heart of the Archadian Empire made me nervous?” He muses, tapping the end of his mules to make sure nothing was left in them. 

“A sensible, cautious one.” 

Ouch, touché. He looks back to her, eyebrows quirked upwards, a tiny smile tugging at his lips. 

“Would you ever use these words to describe a sky pirate, now?”

It’s her turn to look away with a snort. Balthier looks back towards the Tchita Uplands. He can’t see the city’s skyline yet, but he knows it’s there. Close. He can feel the nerves building up, but doesn’t voice it, doesn’t show it. 

Hell, maybe he can be a sensible, cautious man sometimes. 

FFAMRAN MIED BUNANSA/BALTHIER, FFXII STATUS: CONSIDERED A LONG TIME AGO

[sarasa-cat]

@aorin :  

Forgive me if I got the name of the series wrong. I believe it is called Invisible Sun. There's also the drabble series with paraplegic!Noah dumped in Penelo's care. I'm not sure if they are the same series so I do apologize if I got them wrong. But yes, I love them and have re-read them a couple of times. ♥️

Yes, yes, that is all part of the same series and same universe. I think I still have some of the draft chapters for Invisible Sun sitting somewhere in dropbox or google drive. When time allows, I want to organize much of my old fanfic and get all that is worth archiving onto AO3. That includes finishing and editing some of my old, mostly completed drafts that somehow got abandoned.  

[archadespirate-aa]

@silcncc​ said: "This place is overgrown."

          “It’s been here for a while, that’s certain.” He’s gently brushing vines off their place on the ground, his nose wrinkling in some form of dislike. “I think my ears have heard wrong- but I swear I had overheard someone saying there was something of value in here...” His attention shifts to the sky, a hand shielding his eyes from the blazing sun as he seemed to search for something that wasn’t there.

          “What do you think- should we head in without them?” Them being, of course, Vaan and Penelo. He had sent invitation their way to meet him here... perhaps Vaan had gotten lost? That would be unfortunate and, as terrible as it sounded, the two wouldn’t be able to find him. Gods know where they were coming from and where they may have gotten lost... No. Enough of that.

          “Nevermind, I’ve made up mine. Let’s head in. Finders keepers, right?”

[atopearth]

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age Part 2 - Balthier, Ashe and Vayne + Overall Review

I am surprised at the assassination of Emperor Gramis, and I’m not sure what to think of it. I wouldn’t discount Vayne from being capable of killing his father, since really, killing him presents more pros than cons, especially considering his old age and his alignment with peace (like Larsa) rather than war and military might (that Vayne grew up with and believes in). In addition, with the greedy Senate constantly trying to put Larsa as a puppet on the throne, Vayne needs to solidify his rule if he wants to protect Larsa and the Empire imo. Tbh, with how Vayne seems to be, I feel like he wants to do all the dirty work and then have Larsa get to live peacefully or something. On the other hand, Gabranth seems rather loyal to Gramis, since he was giving him updates on Vayne. He also seems to be aligned with Larsa, it was kinda hard to watch him have to kill the other lady Judge that was on his side to prove his fealty to Vayne though.

Who would have thought that Balthier was once upon a time a judge for a brief time? And to think that his father is the Cid guy at Draklor lab obsessed with nethicite. I think it must have been pretty disheartening to see his father like that and even have to make the choice to run away instead of staying with him. I think I can kinda understand better why Balthier chose to continue to go on this journey with everyone. He’s been running away from everything all this time, he probably thinks that it’s about time he faced it all, especially when despite all his efforts to escape from his father etc, in the end he gets roped up with Ashe and them anyway. It was nice of Balthier to tell Ashe his story hoping that she wouldn’t follow in the footsteps of his father, and be obsessed with the powers of a stone to rule Dalmasca. Cid seems pretty interesting! Not only does he have Venat (one of the Occurians, a heretic though) beside him, but I thought his plan to lead the party to Giruvegan to get the nethicite/treaty sword was smart. Well, the party don’t really have a choice either way though even if it’s a trap, since they do need the power, and only Ashe could have been chosen by the Occurians to wield it (due to her having the Dynast-King’s blood). I have to say though, Giruvegan was an annoying place lmao, I honestly didn’t remember anything much about FFXII, but I definitely remember summoning Belias to get through, and I probably got lost the first time as well, because dang were those areas a hassle to get through lol. But seriously, you can tell with how the Occuria acted with Ashe that they see humans as beneath them, and they just want to use Ashe to destroy the Empire because they’re trying to forge a future without their “guidance”. Yay, I always love guests so it’s nice to have Reddas join the party to venture to the Sun-Cryst. It’s kinda interesting how big of a decision Ashe will have to make when she gets there though. Will she choose to destroy it and all the nethicite or will she choose to break a piece off of it to make nethicite strong enough to fight against the Dawn Shard etc? It’s kinda nice but also saddening that Balthier is leaving the Strahl (his airship) to Vaan if anything were to happen to him…

I thought it was pretty cool to see how so many people around Ashe were trying to influence her decision, especially with the appearance of Gabranth revealing why Reddas decided to come here with them; it’s because he was also an ex-Judge, and he used the Midlight Shard once upon a time and destroyed Nabudis. It was because of that, he wanted Ashe to not repeat his mistake. Cid is certainly pretty out of his mind due to his research and will to experiment, it’s kinda saddening that Balthier and the others had to kill him in order to stop him. At the same time though, I feel like for Cid, he feels sane whilst insane? Haha. Is this the first time a Cid in the FF games has been evil though? How interesting~ Didn’t think the Sun-Cryst would go crazy like that though, it was disheartening to watch Reddas sacrifice his life to break it using the sword, never really realised that anyone could wield the sword to break it though, I thought it had to be Ashe lol. Either way, a difficult end, but something that one of them had to do. To think that the Sun-Cryst awakened Bahamut though! That is something to look forward to. Terrible that the impending war is now practically happening now though, and Dalmasca will be the battleground. Larsa’s heart is in the right place, but Vayne is right, if Larsa wants to show and prove that Vayne’s methods are wrong, he needs to muster the power to show him that his way is right then. Vayne is ruthless but that’s how he’s survived all this time and protected Larsa. It’s not easy when he has to put his guard up against most of the people around him. It was pretty brutal when Vayne shot that laser and destroyed a few of the Marquis’ ships, the Marquis honestly really doesn’t have much of a choice but to rely on Ashe and party to stop Vayne from inside the Bahamut tbh. I guess it’s good that Larsa is helping them out lol.

Well that last bit leading to the ending wasn’t long at all! Legit just defeat Gabranth and then killed three forms of Vayne and you’re done! Anyway, I’m not sure how I feel about the ending because it felt kind of rushed. But I guess I didn’t mind it either. I really liked how loyal Gabranth was to Larsa, so it was kinda saddening to see him die, but I think it was great to see Basch fulfill his dying wish by succeeding him as a judge and thus supporting Larsa’s rule. I think it’s really interesting how they truly are twins in the sense that even though they were on different sides, their loyalty to their liege was very similar throughout the game. Honestly though, it’s hard to think of Vayne as an “evil” person, like yes, he’s done terrible things that has caused people to die, I don’t doubt that, but I think you can really understand his motivations? He’s always been protective of Larsa, so a lot of my impressions of what Vayne did kinda felt like he set up everything that came to be through his regime of violence was so that he could give the best setting for Larsa’s idea of peaceful negotiations between countries to come to be. With the state of the Empire as it was when Gramis was alive or even when he died etc, it was obvious that Larsa didn’t have the power and influence to achieve what he wanted, but through Vayne’s actions, people were able to see the contrast between them. Also, Vayne needed to ensure that the Occuria who still think they have the right to interfere and rule over humans had no more power in doing that, in order to ensure that Larsa in the future wouldn’t have to encounter such problems. Destroying the Sun-Cryst fulfilled that and I’m happy they were able to free humanity even if their methods were questionable. I think Vayne underestimated Larsa’s strength and conviction though, but I think he’d be happy if he was wrong about that imo. 

Anyway! Seeing Balthier the leading man protect Dalmasca by directing the falling Bahamut elsewhere with Fran was awesome! I knew he wouldn’t die, but I found it hilarious how later on, he just randomly took his Strahl back from Vaan and Penelo who were maintaining it hahaha. I also found Penelo’s new look really cute! Much better than her old look haha. It would be nice to see it as a costume in DFFOO! I find Ashe’s ending rather lonesome and saddening? She did everything to reclaim her throne and her people, and yet in the end, she loses the people she journeyed with to become Queen. I guess it’s normal though, and I guess like Penelo, I do hope that Basch can one day go back to be beside her. It’s nice to see that Vaan and Penelo get to be like Balthier and Fran, and travel together as sky pirates haha. I wish we actually got to see Balthier and Fran again though. Oh well.

Overall, honestly FFXII kinda renders the same feelings I did when I first played it, maybe it’s a bit more positive this time though! Like, really, I did enjoy the story but I definitely found the characters and their development lacking, mainly everyone aside from Balthier, Vayne and maybe Ashe, but then Ashe only really drives the story and doesn’t really thrive as a character so hmm. I feel like they could have added more scenes to really develop the others because I felt that I was just following along for the story, but didn’t really care for the characters. I still really liked Balthier’s personality and his background though and I find that the highlight of FFXII, especially when he interacted with Ashe and kinda told her about his past. But yeah, there were a lot of scenes I liked and I did enjoy it overall, but I’m not a fan of the gameplay either, so I kinda gave up on the side missions hahaha. I honestly took so long to finish the game because I just couldn’t get into it lol. BUT, I love how customisable the gambits are omg! It’s so crazy how much time I put into experimenting with them haha, but despite that, I found the gameplay rather tedious so I just went through the story. And yes, the story is really short imo, it felt like it would have been a great movie instead haha. Also yes, if FFVII Remake had even a tiny bit of these gambits, I think I would have cried in frustration less lmao. Anywho! Nice story, execution kinda choppy and short but still good, gameplay average, and characters just a means to an end. 7/10 imo haha.

[astoryisaloveaffair]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Final Fantasy XII Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Balthier/Fran Characters: Balthier (Ivalice Alliance), Fran (Ivalice Alliance), Vaan (Ivalice Alliance), Penelo (Ivalice Alliance) Additional Tags: Post-Ending, Angst and Fluff Summary:

It’s funny that it should be sunny, he thought. Usually at this point in the story, it’s cloudy and stormy as everyone laments the tragic death of the lost heroes. But I’ll take sun if I can get it.

[auronlu]

Every now and then I spend about a week rereading @twigcollins ' moments in another time series. It's an engrossing, engaging, fascinating, slightly AU reading of FFXII: what came before, what was happening behind the scenes, and all the party interactions the game didn't have time for.

The worldbuilding in this collection of fics is brilliant. It ties together so many details the game never fully explained, developing Vayne and Cid and Penelo and Fran and Balthier into more complex characters based on in-game hints and clues, extrapolating from canon and yet also applying some jaw-dropping additions to the story that really work.

(What was the Sun Cryst for, anyway? HOW did the Dynast King use the shards to bring peace? What was Cid trying to do? What was Vayne really trying to do? What was working at Draklor like? Living in Lowtown? Life before the war? The culture of Balfoheim? Etc, etc, etc. So much of the Ivalice and characters we love, with depth and context added in a way that feels true to the spirit of the world and game.)

I've ranted again and again about one fic in this series, A Kind of Integrity, Fran & Balthier's backstory, told from Fran's perspective. I LOVE THIS FIC. But there's much more than just that one story. There's one-shots, shortfics, and other multichapter stories.

There's a couple stories from Penelo's POV which I especially appreciate, because she's easy to overlook, yet she's tied into the everyday world and life of the city of Rabanastre, the lower classes and regular people caught up in these epic events.

There's also a great twist on the Vayne & Cid side of things to give them more interesting motives and a coherent throughline.

I love the way this series plays with multiple, conflicting worldviews of different characters -- it's not only Ondore slanting truth according to his own lights.

Oh, and there's some delightful hints of Larsa/Penelo; Larsa is aged up slightly in this AU to make that less awkward.

I know the next time I replay FFXII, I won't be able to help playing it with bits of this series in mind.

TL;DR: If you love FFXII, browse this series. There's stories of every length, and I suspect like me you'll find yourself sucked in.

[adalheidis]

A redesign of Penelo for completion sake. I imagine she’s had to do a lot of errands in the desert and while obviously Dalmascan citizens don’t care for protections, I still wanted to give her a more functional garb that could help with the sun and the sand.

[runicmagitek]

Right Where You Are, That's Where I Am (Ashe/Basch - Final Fantasy XII)

(( my second fic for Chocolate Box! ))

Of all the variables riddled in the royal life, Ashe prized the constancies. It was in the rising and setting sun blazing across Dalmasca, the stability with the established era of peace, and the knowledge that it would be chaos and ruin if not for her intervention. Ashe reminded herself of such when her tasks plucked her nerves. Between trade treaties and urban development evaluations, she inhaled and recalled a time when she rose each morning paralyzed thinking that day was her last. Or if not hers, then an ally’s. Such fear evaporated, but the memories lingered.

She hadn’t been alone in her endeavors. While she and the others pursued conflicting paths in life, there was a time when they walked as one. Ashe missed those days. Not the peril, but the company of different, yet like-minded individuals. She missed traveling without fretting the path to their destination. She missed foreign lands and newfound sights. A queen was not destined for wanderlust, though; her place was at the throne of Dalmasca, where her people needed Queen Ashelia.

The coronation passed without a hiccup, unless the return of her beloved ring from a certain sky pirate counted as such. She smiled at the band on her delicate finger; knowing Balthier and Fran were alive—somewhere—warmed her heart more so than regaining the piece of jewelry. While she never spoke with them again, word of Vaan and Penelo reached her from none other than Larsa Solidor. The latter maintained correspondence with them and recounted the letters to Ashe in his visits. Something to cut the dry topics of their budding alliance and other pressing matters. Ashe anticipated those tangents.

Just as much as she anticipated him.

Read more: [AO3] [FFN]

[katnissdoesnotfollowback]

Possible Preview?

Self call out post part 2 (I am weak edition):

Salt Lake City - October 2001

I drive by the place once just to make sure I have the right address. Twice because I know this can’t be right. There’s no way my cousin from Wyoming, who I’ve known since birth and who’s more like a little sister to me anyways, set me up on a blind date with someone who thinks Michelle’s is a suitable first date for someone like me. It’s a swanky French restaurant that just opened. It’ll probably go bankrupt in weeks. Hopes and dreams won’t poof enough clientele into this part of town to keep this place afloat.

Then again, it is a blind date. I have no idea how much Penelope has told him about me, but his restaurant selection suggests not a whole lot. Despite all that, I decide to give the guy a shot, at least then I’ll get a good meal and a night out of the house out of it, right? So I park my motorcycle and pry off my helmet. Without the tint of the face shield, I have to squint against the glare off the polished windows and gilt lettering. The sun is at the worst angle right now and I hurry inside before it blinds me.

“Bonsoir, mademoiselle.” I stare at the host and blink. He’s wearing a tuxedo. A freaking tuxedo! My high school Spanish is not gonna help me with this one. I already feel like a dolt and glance down at my plaid skirt and black tights, plain green blouse and leather jacket. I am so underdressed. My boots clunk together as I make myself as small as possible. I look back up at the host and remember that in a place like this, they’re called maitre de’s. Progress!

“Um my name is Savannah, I’m meeting someone here?”

“Ah yes! Right this way!” He smiles and shows me into the dining room. I keep my distance and peer around him, scoping out the patrons to see if I can spot my date before we reach the table. There’s only a handful of people in the restaurant. Mostly couples. One group that’s clearly here for a business dinner.

Then I spot a guy with long brown hair, dressed in all black. He’s bent over a paper, scribbling away, a far off, dreamy look in his eyes. An artist! I can dig this. Maybe a writer. There’s also a balled up apron on the table next to him, like maybe he works here and is just enjoying some discount food on his break or before he goes home. I stand a little straighter and smile, but tuxedo guy keeps walking. My gaze lingers on tortured artist just a second and then whips back around in time to see the only other single diner in this place rise from his seat.

Oh no.

I nearly spin around and leave right then. What the heck was Penelope thinking? He’s wearing a blue collared shirt and a tie, I can practically smell the starch on him. Pressed trousers — because there’s really no other way to describe them, and are those pleats?! And I spot a blazer draped over the back of his chair.

I can’t do this! But he’s already spotted me and scratches the back of his neck as he gives me a once over and seems immediately disappointed with how I’m dressed. Great. This is gonna be so awkward.

“Savannah?” he asks as tuxedo delivers me for judgement, carefully laying a menu on the table at the second place setting and then disappearing. I nod at my date with a pathetic attempt at a smile.

“You must be Graham. Penelope’s told me so much about you!” Just be polite, enjoy some hopefully good food, and then leave. Shouldn’t be a problem, right?

“Oh. Um. Great. She uh didn’t exactly say much about you,” he says, and if this weren’t already awkward enough, that’s just the icing on the cake. If she’d told him anything about me, he probably never would have agreed to this date. My cheeks are burning as he moves around the table and pulls the chair out for me.

Wait what? Do people still do that? We stand there staring at one another and he drums his fingers on the back of the chair.

“Sorry,” I mutter and slide into the chair. Ugh this is a disaster!

“It’s fine,” he says and takes his seat again, clears his throat. “So what did Penelope tell you about me?”

“Your name,” I roll my eyes at myself. Gah I’m such a dork. “Well I mean obviously she told me that. She mentioned that you like to ski and something about travel? I think.” He smiles and it catches me off balance.

“Look, I’m guessing that I’m not what you were expecting so um if you want me to just tell you that you’re cute and sweet and you buy me dinner then I’ll pay your parking and we can call it a date?”

He folds his hands on the table and stares at me a second.

“I didn’t have any idea what to expect,” he says and I shift nervously waiting for him to say more.

“Soooooo….now what?”

“I guess your idea works.”

“Bonsoir.” Graham’s attention is diverted for a moment as he speaks to the waiter — in French what the hey?! — and I hide behind the menu, pretending that I can read it but really I have no clue so I use the time to study him. Since I’m gonna be stuck eating with him.

He’s kind of cute, in a preppy, rich kid sort of way. Okay, he’s actually really cute. Maybe even hot. Neatly trimmed dark blonde hair and deep, ocean blue eyes, and full lips wow! But the clothes, the French restaurant, the face that looks like it belongs in a cologne ad…I’m out of my depth here.

“I ordered us an appetizer, if that’s okay?”

I nod and then freeze. “Unless it was snails.”

He laughs and a new kind of heat fills my cheeks. Not embarrassment this time but something far more pleasant. His laughter isn’t mean at all.

“God no. I hate escargot.”

“You’ve eaten snails?” I ask and he shrugs.

“I had to. Triple dog dare from a little brother.”

“Oh my gosh really? I totally get that. I’ve got two younger brothers — twins actually — and a sister, but anyways my brothers are always pulling these crazy pranks on each other or daring one another to do stupid things no matter how many times I try to tell them not to let the other get to them and just the other day—“ I cut myself off and clasp both my hands together in my lap. “I’m rambling. I’m sorry. So the snails! Were they slimy?”

He seems a bit dazed and shakes his head a little.

“Slimy and disgusting, just like you’d expect.” I shudder and he laughs again, then he asks if I speak any French.

“Shitty high school Spanish?” I say and then cringe. “Oh gosh. I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t swear in a place like this.”

He waves it off and offers to help me read the menu so I can at least eat something I might enjoy. My eyes bulge at the prices and I settle on some kind of salad because it’s the least expensive thing on the menu. After the waiter leaves us once more, we fall into an awkward silence.

I’m not quite sure what to think of him and this is easily the most uncomfortable date ever. He coughs once, quietly behind his hand and I’m pretty sure that’s the nail in this date’s coffin but our food hasn’t even arrived yet and I’m really hungry.

“So, how do you know Penelope?”

“We went to grade school together.”

“Oh so you know each other well,” I say, seeing a flicker of hope, but Graham quickly douses that.

“Uh not really.”

“How is that possible? Isn’t Jackson, Wyoming a pretty small town?”

“It is...I just haven’t spent a whole lot of time there recently.”

“Oh. Okay. So then what brings you to Salt Lake City?”

“My job -- well not my job, I mean it brings in some money but it’s not the only job I have and it’s really more of a passion or occupation than a job…” He trails off and seems a little uncomfortable, clears his throat and I admit, it’s a little endearing. “I feel kind of awkward talking about me when I know next to nothing about you, Savannah. I don’t mean to pry but um...any idea why Penelope would want to set us up on a date?”

“No not really,” I say, but he’s got me intrigued with his mention of his job bringing him here. Gainfully employed! That’s always a bonus. Especially since my first impression of him was rich kid with all the privilege in the world, probably going to college on the Scholarship of Mom and Dad’s Trust Fund. “What is it you do?”

He blinks and stares wide eyed at me a moment. “You mean she didn’t tell you that?”

“Should she have?”

He shifts in his seat and seems confused. “Well I figured that was the reason you actually agreed to this date. I mean, maybe not,” his eyes skim over my leather jacket and his head tilts, like I’m some kind of puzzle he’s trying to decipher. “But it’s usually the big draw. At least in some circles.” More awkward silence.

“I’m sorry, I don’t follow. Maybe plain English and not code?”

“Right,” he smiles and glances down at his hands. “Guess you just threw me off balance.” I can feel my shoulders tensing at that comment and am over analyzing his tone when his eyes meet mine. His gaze is so direct it throws me off balance for a second. “I ski.”

“Okay,” I say with a shrug and take a sip of my water. “She mentioned that.”

“No see it’s not a hobby or something I do on weekends. That’s my job.”

“Skiing?” I ask and he smiles, satisfied.

“Yes.”

“Sorry, still not following. How does skiing pay bills?”

His smile falters and he leans forward on the table. “Well it doesn’t pay a lot of them yet, but I’m getting there. A few solid wins and I’ll make a real name for myself.”

Well I feel like an idiot now. Of course he meant ski races. Because that makes total sense with his wardrobe. My eyes dip to the knot in his tie then back up to his face.

“I’ll be honest, I did not get ‘jock’ vibes off the pleated trousers and tie.” His cheeks turn pink and I bite my tongue. I didn’t mean to insult him! Crap! “Sorry.”

“No it��s okay. I still don’t know what kind of vibes you’re sending off. The leather jacket and boots made me expect someone more abrasive but there’s something soft in your eyes.”

“I’m not soft,” I say and sit up straight.

His eyes widen for a moment and thankfully the waiter drops by to ask about wine. I use the disruption to make an excuse and slip into the ladies’ room. I pace for a moment and then pull out my phone. I’ll have to use some of my precious minutes, but I need answers.

“Penelope! What were you thinking?” I hiss as soon as she answers.

“You’re welcome,” she says sarcastically and I groan.

“No! I’m not thanking you!”

“Geez, Sav. You’re the only person I know who can be set up on a blind date with an Olympic athlete and turn it into a disaster.” Someone flushes and Penelope gags. “Wait are you hiding in the bathroom?”

“I had to! This is a disaster! And what are you talking about? Olympic athlete?”

“He didn’t tell you yet? That’s like the third thing out of his mouth anytime he meets someone new. Man, he must have really been thrown by your bike and leather.”

“Explain! And talk fast, I’m wasting minutes on this.”

“Okay okay! He skis competitively--”

“He mentioned that--”

“And he’s going to the Olympics there in Salt Lake in February. So if you two hit it off...SURPRISE! You might get free tickets for figure skating.” I stand there in stunned silence for a moment as the other patron of the stalls exits to wash her hands. She gives me a once over and I narrow my eyes at her pearls. It takes a lot for me to not tell her that at least I don’t have a stick shoved up my ass.

I huff as Penelope asks me if I’m still there. “Yeah, but I don’t know why. Penny he’s wearing pleated trousers and a blazer!”

“Okay I know, I’m sorry. Look he’s a jock and kind of preppy. You’re part biker, part artist. I thought maybe it’d be an opposites attract kind of thing!”

“Fail!” I say and toss up my hand in exasperation.

“Okay well at least get some dinner out of it.”

“That was my plan but I don’t know what to talk to the guy about! I’ve never skied in my life!” I can’t afford it, but Penelope already knows that.

“There’s got to be something you two have in common.” I groan again and she apologizes.

“It’s fine, I’ll deal. I gotta go. Wasting peak minutes and now he’s probably wondering if i got flushed down the toilet.”

She giggles and tells me to call her after the date.

[invisiblebounds-ffxiv]

~ A little surprise! ~ F’raneh Yamir & Iris Valeth

Minwhile I’ve been finishing my Penelo’s cosplay I have a ninja style visit! A little Iris apear over my feet! Look at this cutie! Seriously, Iris made my day! :*

[joulethieves]

New Year’s Eve hangs in the air with a special breed of anticipation only Rabanastre can have. Music fills the streets. The taverns are packed to the gills. The redolence of local fare fills every breath one takes, tantalizing the taste buds of those who seek sweet and savory alike. Balthier and Fran find themselves tucked in a new tavern that established itself hardly a year ago, when businesses began to flourish under Ashelia’s rule; the name of it escapes Balthier at this hour, well into his cups, but the company is excellent and the drink free-flowing. He cannot remember the last time he celebrated the New Year properly, and cannot deny he’s looking forward to it. Vaan has been raving about the fireworks for weeks now, at least, and his expectations are high.

At some point during the late evening,  Vaan takes Balthier to the roof.

“It’s a cool vantage point,” Vaan pitches as he leads Balthier up the stairs. “They built this new tavern to overlook the city properly.”

Balthier doesn’t expect to be particularly impressed, considering his vibrant repertoire of vantage points savoured from his very ship, but follows nonetheless. Atop the roof, no one is there save for them, and they stand near the edge, two pirates over the precipice. Vaan points out different parts of the city; areas Balthier never even explored himself before, side-streets that Vaan peppered across with restless feet as a child and teenager - that which he is neither, now, Balthier thinks distantly as Vaan talks. It’s been three years since Ashelia took back the throne, three years since Balthier entrusted Vaan with her and Larsa’s livelihood in the Strahl, three years that have passed by so quickly in a blur of sun and sky. 

His reverie is broken suddenly by voices below them - in the bar, on the streets - of people counting down from ten. Vaan blanches. 

“Oh no,” he says, rushed, “it’s the countdown.” He turns to Balthier. “We have to kiss.”

Balthier blinks. This is news. “Beg pardon?” But Vaan’s talking as fast as a chocobo high on hastega.

“Dalmascan tradition--you gotta kiss someone, anyone, on New Year’s or you’ll have bad luck.”

Balthier is four glasses in at this hour, and Vaan’s dusky lips in the night have never looked more tempting than they do now; though it is not the first time the desire has struck him. He’s accepted ever since he saw Vaan that he was a lovely specimen, and three years have built him into a most alluring thing. Were it not for Balthier’s disdain for bedding those with close ties to him, he would have sullied a bed with Vaan ten times over by now. 

But, tradition is tradition. And bad luck?

“Well, we can’t go having that, can we,” he says, and by the time the countdown reaches one, they’re kissing, as the fireworks bloom above them in the desert night.

It isn’t until later, when they mosey back down to the crowd, that they reunite with their friends.

“And where were you two?” Penelo pries. Balthier shrugs, casual and oblivious. Vaan goes off to fetch another round of drinks, smirking like a coeurl with very expensive cream.

“Let’s just say Vaan was acquainting me with your questionable but charming Dalmascan new year’s tradition.”

Penelo raises a brow. “What tradition?”

“The one with the kiss, of course,” Balthier clarifies. How many traditions are there for Penelo to not know which of what he speaks? But then she’s laughing into her drink, loud, and Balthier thinks he’s been played a fool.

“That’s not a tradition,” Penelo solidifies his hypothesis in between her chuckles. “Vaan just got you.”

“And about time, if you ask me,” Fran chimes from her seat. She is beautifully flushed from libation and her smirk comes easy. When Balthier glares her way, she only winks. A nasty habit she picked up from him, no doubt, and she wears it well. 

When Vaan returns with another round of drinks, he’s missed the exchange. he sips Balthier’s drink before handing it over.

“What’re you guys talking about?” he asks. Vaan sits in his seat, lounging with all the grace of a young sky pirate. His storm-grey eyes glimmer with the echo of their kiss and a promise of something more later as Balthier contemplates the concept of luck; how fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.

[dalmascasqueen]

Drabble

The beating rays of the sun. The soft splash of the tide hitting the beach. The smell of salty air and well cooked food permeated the air. The trip to the Phon Coast had been a long one. Each step feeling heavy.

With the sun beating down on them, made the metal the princess wore rather hot. The companions irritable, herself included. Which when they got to the Phon Coast it made them all sigh a breath of relief. A few nights of peaceful rest before continuing their trek.

The light was slowly shifting, turning from day time to nighttime. Colors painting the sky such beautiful colors. The sandy blonde sat at the camp site they were granted, stretching out her legs while giving them breathing time from the metal leg protectors she wore. In a few days time they would be in Arcadia, a place Ashe had once wanted to visit.

Now sitting here on the beach in Arcadia territory, Ashelia had second thoughts. Do I want to visit the homeland of Larsa and Balthier? Am I really ready for this? She dug her toes into the sand, a soft sigh of happiness escaping her, watching as campfires were slowly lit around the camp from others.

She stood to her feet leaving all of her leg gear at the tent and walked to the edge of the water. Gazing ahead at the edge where water met sky. Letting her feet enjoy the cold water that splashed up onto her ankles. Balthier's words from earlier still slightly reverberating through out her mind.

Don't lose your self to a stone, princess. You're too strong for that.

Was she? At times she felt snappy towards them rushing them along. At others, silent and reserved almost like she was lost in thought. As the sun flickered it's last rays before disappearing below the line, if you'd stare long enough, you'd see the outline of the princess. A princess gazing off into the distance. She licked her lips, moistening them before turning back to the camp. A few of the others returned from their hunt and were working on preparing dinner.

Meanwhile, Ashe returned her gaze back to the water before turning her gaze upwards. The stars had begun to peek out and she smiled. A rarity at best. Maybe it would be nice. Not just to go after that Nethicite. Maybe give me ideas for later when I got my crown back. No, best not think of that now. One step at a time.

Ashe left her smile grace her features as she slowly turned back, walking slowly. For once she was peaceful. Not a snappy princess or a sappy one. Just a young woman content in her choice. She'd continue on her trek, come what may.

Just like Rasler had when he had gone to Nalbina. Ashe took a deep breath, willing the tears down.

"Ashe? Dinner's ready!" Penelo's cheery voice echoed to her. The words getting the princess off her dead husband. Ashe turned her attention to Penelo offering the young girl an smile before quickening her pace. Yeah, she'd continue. And no one would ever know that she had second thoughts from that night on.