#arliene guidaux

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Day 13: Butte (FFXIV Writing Challenge 2024).

Snow drifted down Arliene's fingertips, kissing her knuckles with a grace before melting against her warmth. She pulls her coat in tighter, looking up to the mass of rock on either side of her. They were once great landmarks - the Twinstones as the Ishgardians called them due to their identical shape - something that had been forgotten since the snow settled in. They stood tall, as if the lands themselves were reaching up to the heavens in defiance of their foes in the skies.

But the constant snowfall and piercing winds had started to wear away at the land. It wasn't much, mind, but it was enough for any keen eye to spot the differences. They were Twinstones no longer, having sprouted jagged edges in diverging areas on the rock face. It felt as if they had shrunken too - though that may be due to the snow limiting one's vision rather than a physical change.

More than anything, they represented a past life. A time of pride. When country meant unity, and in that unity there was a shared path. A clear foe. A clear leader. Good was to triumph over evil, with the lines unblurred; either you were a heretic or a true believer, and that was that.

Perhaps the Twinstones were meant to rot away. These monoliths of stone crumbling in the same way their war had. Breaking apart piece by piece until it is unrecognizable.

Arliene continues her march in the snow, heading back towards her camping site for the evening.

How she longed for the days of spring.

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Day 10: Stable (FFXIV Writing Challenge 2024)

A robin's early morning call. The trio of birds flying out for their morning hunt. The same strand of hair sticking up each morning, requiring extensive efforts to keep it down for the count.

Tea. Toast. Jam and butter. Tuesdays were always the day for sausages. This time it was freshly made from the Steppe. A single egg - boiled, as was often the case during the weekday.

Tuesday meant market day. Shopping for supplies. Rendering aid when possible. Sometimes it served as a means of payment. Fortunately, today was a bartering sort of day. A fever had been passed around during a recent festival in Hingashi - the perfect way to save money is how Arliene saw it.

A remedy here, a spell there. She was careful to conserve her energy so that she could make it through the day without being exhausted. It was a long walk back, after all.

Then, the markets close. Away the elezen went to wind down for the eve. A warm bath with flowers? Always, especially with the candles to give a romantic vibe. The moon was her companion in the tub; running its lucent hands along pale skin gently, guiding her along the path toward fulfilling fleeting desires.

It was time to retreat for the waking world. A soft lilac negligee, woven from fine Ishgardian silks helped keep her cozy as she tucked herself in. A glass of water always on standby - sometimes a lady doesn't want to get out of bed! And, of course, a book. This time, she had decided to purchase a romance novel about a Raen princess and a hard-working but down on his luck dock worker in The Ruby Sea. A chapter a day.

She blows the candle out.

Was there much to this life? Maybe not. But it was hers, wrested from the hands of despair and shaped like clay through her own will. Sometimes an incident would occur every now and again, disturbing the usual flow, but Arliene was more than happy to take those moments in stride.

"Good night." She whispers.

Sweet dreams.

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Day 12: Quarry (FFXIV Writing Challenge 2024)

She had it within her grasp, her target squirming within her grasp. All she had to do was enact the final cut, pluck its head from its body, then--

"Wait, that doesn't sound right." Arliene frowns, squinting at the herbalist's guide open on her left. "Thou shan't cut if the Groveseye has blue rings on the underside of its petals - instead, thou must pluck it wholesale from their resting place -- why are the instructions written like this?"

The healer holds the stem gently, carefully pulling out the Groveseye from the ground dirt and all. Arliene, being prepared as always, places it into a small pouch around her waist to house in temporarily.

"There you are - now to get this back before Merrilyn decides to redecorate the inn's walls with her breakfast."

Arliene stands, brushing off the dirt from her dress. On the horizon, the sun begins to rise, its tender touch running warmly over her face, resting on her lips. She lets out a contented sigh, closing her eyes while basking in the morning's sensuous greeting.

Her mind begins to wander, reflecting on the recent conversation between herself and the Qalli of many talents. Was she truly that listless? Someone as spry as Zinivieve seemed to be full of boundless potential, leaving Arliene feeling like a newborn by comparison. There was no Kharaqiq to play with a partner at home, nor were Arliene's sights set on such a bright future; she was too busy living in the present to dream of such a thing.

Why live so much in the present? Was she trying to escape from the past? If so…was that a bad thing?

Opening her eyes, Arliene feels an inexplicable wave of serenity wash over her. Her answer unspoken but clear, lost in the sun's parting kiss as she descended down the hill, back into the shadows.

Hopefully before breakfast was served.

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Day 11: Surrogate (FFXIV Writing Challenge 2024).

"The fucker nearly cleaved Blanche in half! We need orders, now!"

The knight's ears were ringing still, having been battered by the dragon's fierce assault that was ripping the Convictor's keep apart. Still, she heard enough, and began to dig. Gauntlets ripped and tore at the stone, the rubble falling parting akin to a piece of bread being torn off. She manages to find her footing, groaning in pain. Everything hurt, but that meant she was still alive. Still fighting.

Arliene's voice rumbled, mustering the strength to find order amidst the rain of chaos. "ALRIGHT MEN, here's what we do: Edgard, Fernard - you two ready the calvary below for a charge. Fracis, Annette - build what forticiations you can, hold off the horde below. ARIANE!--" Her voice boomed.

"Y-Yes, ma'am?" The recruit couldn't have been more than twenty suns old, her voice quaking from the intensity of the situation she found herself in.

"You've the most important duty of all - you are to ensure the dragonkillers are ready to fire on my word. Can you do that for me?"

"…"

Arliene sees the shaking of Ariane's shoulders. She places a hand on the hyur's shoulder, whom she stood nearly a full fulm over. The shaking stopped, terrified green eyes meeting amber, frozen in that moment.

"We need this, Ariane. We're all dead otherwise. I believe in you."

A smile was given, with a meek shake of the head in response. Arliene shook her shoulder once, reaffirming the greenhorn before turning to the rest of the defenders.

"Now, let's remind this big bastard who owns the sky! Let our convictions ring true, and shine as a beacon of hope for our people! For Ishgard! For the Holy See!"

A roar from within, followed by a roar from the outside.

Battle was upon them.

As the other knights dispersed to their duties, all Arliene could do was hold onto hope.

Hope that she is half the commander Blanche was; lest they be buried within this stone tomb.

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Day 9: Lend an Ear (FFXIV Writing Challenge 2024)

"...when at the last possible second, I sent th' bastard crashing t'the mat while th' crowd erupted in celebration!"

"Mhm...thrilling."

The healer hummed faintly, having finished cutting up the proper portions of ginger, peppermint, and feverfew. Arliene placed them into the teabag - enough for the patient and herself. Her jaw was still sore from her fight in the arena against the Dazkar man the previous night; covering up the bruising and small cuts with make-up and bandages as needed.

"Yer not listenin'..." The Roegadyn whined, a pugilist known as Swift River. He took the cup in one hand, about to down it in a single gulp when Arliene held a hand up.

"Let it set first. You won't feel any better otherwise." She commands, dipping her own teabag in the hot water. The cups were made from high quality jade in Yanxia, depicting the One River on the exterior. "You said last time it was a flurry of blows where your opponent eventually fell. Also, somehow they changed from being a fellow Roegadyn to a voidsent who managed to gain independence and runs a thriving wrestling federation?"

"I, uh..." Swift River gawks, taken aback. "I-I just got me stories mixed up, that's all!" He stammers in reply.

"Maybe." Arliene laughs softly, trying to ignore the lingering headache and throbbing pain in the back of her skull. "For what it's worth, they are genuinely thrilling tales! When you retire, you ought to pursue a career in oration."

"Heh, well, they'll 'ave t'scrape me bleedin' corpse off th' mat a'fore I give up me fightin' days." He runs a thumb over the bridge of his nose, giving the Ishgardian a cocky grin.

"I pray it does not come to that - I fear I haven't found the herbal remedy for reviving the dead just yet."

Raucous laughter fills the air from both parties, followed by a comfortable silence.

"Thanks fer listenin' Arliene." He takes the cup once more, sipping. "Not bad."

"Of course." She smiles. "Go give them hell, champ."

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Day 8: Chimerical (Free Choice) [FFXIV Writing Challenge 2024].

Warning: Spoilers for Dragonsong's Reprise ahead.

A grand feast. Stews, soups, fish, croques, pastries, and untold amounts of wine and laughter to be shared. One of many knights of the Convictors taking her place at their long table, celebrating the end to their righteous war. Tales of the final days of the Dravnian Horde echoed throughout the halls.

At the head of the hall sat Dragon-King Thordan, in his glorious throne crafted from the heads of Hraesvelgr and Nidhogg. It was a necessary price he had to pay, absorbing the powers that they had drawn steel against for so many years in exchange for their grand triumph. But it was all worth it, in the end; now they could feast on the fruits of their labors as much as they wanted.

Arliene is on her third glass of wine by now. The elezen doesn't recognize the men on either side of her, though that doesn't take away from her merriment any less. She looks across the table - only to not recognize any faces across from her either.

"Is this truly your dream?" One of them speaks to her. Or was it multiple? The question rings up and down the hall, as Thordan leans forward in his throne; his gaze affixed on the knight expectantly.

"…Yes." A single voice cuts through the cacophony of noise, silencing the room. The sound of the King's armor rattles throughout the hall as he stands, making his way down the aisle. The cold touch of iron rests against her skin, sending a chill down Arliene's spine.

"Then reap what you've sown, champion! Drink until our kegs run dry! Gormandize yourself upon our offerings!" The hall roars in approval, while Thordan leans down, speaking in a voice only Arliene can hear.

"In the morn, the truth shall be revealed to you, my staunchest defender. The way the world is meant to be for an honorable knight such as yourself."

What a wonderful promise.

A cause realized.

A purpose fulfilled.

The perfect dream.

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Day 14: Telling (FFXIV Writing Challenge 2024)

"And so it ends not in glorious triumph, but bitter sorrow. A tale for the ages, one that will be unforgotten in the annals of history. This, my friends, was the tale of many an Ishgardian. I merely happened to be one of the many caught within the storm. When you look at me, when you dream of me; dream not of a single elezen, but of a whole nation shaken to its core…though, if you do dream of me, I would be rather flattered."

The audience laughs.

"We've explored many a tale, pondered on unexplored futures - what if we had won the war? What if I had to take the lead during a siege, with my commander slain? What if…" She pauses for dramatic effect, spreading her hands out. "…I hadn't made it back in time before Merrilyn threw up all over the inn?" Less laughter than before, though enough to indicate the audience was following along. "In the same vein, we've explored the past and the present. Memories of what was. How a life lived, though mundane, may contain some level of excitement - you're welcome for that by the way, making me include details that would cause any lady to blush." She joined in with the laughter this time, shaking her head.

"As for why I tell you these things, the answer is simple: I had to tell my story, and I managed to find a room of folks clueless enough who to pay me to do it!" That got the loudest rection of the night, with Arliene having to wait a handful of seconds before she could resume. "No, no, but seriously…some of these tales, well…they could be fabricated in some form. They could be completely fictitious. Or, mayhaps they all carry some modicum of truth, an insight about me. Whatever you glean, friends, I think tells as much about yourselves as it does about me; in much the same way a good game of Kharaqiq does, as shown to me by a Doman fisher."

They clap throughout the morning and into the night. At least, that's what it felt like.

Perhaps this was all a dream, too.

Time to wake up.

[carrefxur]

Created a carrd page for my Elezen! First time trying it out, I think it came out nicely.

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Bit of an update for my FF14 followers/mutuals that I haven’t talked to in a while, I’m back to playing the game again! You can find me on Mayu Ishii on Balmung most of the time. I also plan on playing on Arliene Guidaux and Kho’jin Qestir down the line.

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As hard as one may try to move on, I’ve come to find that I can never truly shed the title I once had - a Knight of the Convictors.

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past and present

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Traits & Characteristics (Arliene Guidaux)

Bold - all that applies to your muse Italicized - any that are applicable in some way

Eyes: blue | green | brown | hazel | gray | gray-blue | other

Hair: blond | sandy | brown | black | auburn | ginger | silver / white | multi-color | other (gray-blue)

Body Type: skinny | slender | slim | built | curvy | athletic | average | muscular | pudgy | overweight

Skin: pale | light | fair | freckled | tan | olive | medium | dark | discolored | tattooed

Gender: male | female | trans | cis | agender | demigender | genderfluid | other | doesn’t like labels | don’t have any definite headcanon either way

Sexuality: heterosexual | homosexual | bisexual | pansexual | asexual | demisexual | other | unsure | doesn’t like labels

Romantic Orientation: homoromantic | heteroromantic | biromantic | panromantic | aromantic | demiromantic | unsure | doesn’t like labels

Species: midlander hyur | highlander hyur | wildwood elezen | duskwight elezen | hellsguard roegadyn | sea wolf roegadyn | dunesfolk lalafell | plainsfolk lalafell | keeper miqo’te | seeker miqo’te | xaela au ra | raen au ra | other

Education: high school | college | university | master’s degree | PhD (Or Allagan equivalent of) | other (home-schooled / self taught) - idk whatever astrology school is :))))

I’ve Been: in love | hurt | ill | mentally abused | bullied | physically abused | tortured | brainwashed | shot

Positive Traits: affectionate | adventurous | athletic | brave | careful | charming | confident | creative | cunning | determined | forgiving | generous | honest | humorous | intelligent | loyal | modest | patient | selfless | polite | down-to-earth | diligent | romantic | moral | fun-loving | charismatic | calm

Negative Traits: aggressive | bossy | cynical | envious | shy | fearful | greedy | gullible | jealous | impatient | impulsive | cocky | reckless | insecure | irresponsible | mistrustful | paranoid | possessive | sarcastic | self-conscious | selfish | swears | unstable | clumsy | rebellious | emotional | vengeful | anxious | self-sabotaging | moody | peevish | angry | pessimistic | slacker | thin skinned | overly dramatic | argumentative

Living Situation: lives alone | lives with parent(s) / guardian | lives with significant other | lives with friends | drifter | homeless | lives with children | other

Parents/Guardian: mother(s) | father(s) | adoptive guardian  | aunt | uncle | foster | grandmother | grandfather | other

Sibling(s): sister(s) | brother(s) | none | other

Relationship: single | crushing | dating | engaged | married | separated | it’s complicated

I Have a(n): developmental disorder | learning disorder | personality disorder | mental disorder | anxiety disorder | sleep disorder | eating disorder | behavioral disorder | substance-related disorder | PTSD | mental disability | physical disability | other

Things I’ve Done Before: had alcohol | smoked | stolen | done drugs | self-harmed | starved | had sex | had a threesome | had a one-night stand | gotten into a fist fight | gone to hospital | gone to jail | used a fake ID | played hooky | gone to a rave | killed someone | had someone try to kill them

tagged by @captainswingbeard​ (thanks fam)

tagging whoever wants 2 do this

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60 astrologian.

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Some say time heals all wounds, yet my past still cuts deep every time I come here.

If only I could have done more...

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vvitch

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Get to know… Arliene Guidaux!

Tagged by: @thefreelanceangel (thanks!)

► Name ➔   “Arliene Guidaux.”

► Are you single ➔   “Yes.”

► Are you happy? ➔   “I can be. Am I always happy? No. But I do enjoy being happy.”

► Are you angry? ➔   “From time to time.”

► Are your parents still married ➔   “Yes. Although we haven’t spoken in quite some time, I do occasionally ask about them from others I know.”

NINE FACTS

► Birth Place ➔  “The Coerthas Western Highlands.”

► Hair Color ➔  “Black with dyed with light lilac.”

► Eye Color ➔  “Amber.”

► Birthday ➔  “Thirty Second Sun of the Fourth Umbral Moon.”

► Mood ➔  “Musing.”

► Gender ➔  “Female.”

► Summer or winter ➔  “Winter...I think...”

► Morning or afternoon ➔  “Can I cheat and say night time? I suppose morning would be my answer.”

EIGHT THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE

► Are you in love ➔  “No.”

► Do you believe in love at first sight ➔  “Of course.”

► Who ended your last relationship ➔  “I did.”

► Have you ever broken someone’s heart ➔  "Yes. ‘tis not something I take any pleasure it, but it was an inevitability.“

► Are you afraid of commitments ➔  “...”

► Have you hugged someone within the last week? ➔  “I have not.”

► Have you ever had a secret admirer ➔  “Secrets are no fun if they’re not a secret. That said, I doubt it.”

► Have you ever broken your own heart? ➔  “We’ve all had our hearts broken at some point.”

FIVE CHOICES

► Lemonade or iced tea ➔  “Tea, of course.”

► Cats or Dogs ➔  “Dogs, I suppose. Never been one to care much for animals, honestly.”

► A few best friends or many regular friends ➔  “A few best friends, of course. ‘twould be better to have people you can rely on in a consistent manner than someone you know in passing.”

► Wild night out or romantic night in ➔   “Romantic night in.”

► Day or night ➔  “I believe the answer can almost go without saying - night.”

FOUR HAVE YOU EVERS

► Been caught sneaking out ➔  “As a child, yes. I very much loved escaping and playing out in the wooded areas.”

► Fallen down/up the stairs ➔  “I have fallen before - nearly broke my wrist doing so. Needless to say, I’ve been a bit more careful since then.”

► Wanted something/someone so badly it hurt? ➔  “Yes, and I have never regretted wanting that thing so bad.”

► Wanted to disappear ➔  “Perhaps not in the strictest sense, no. Sometimes I do wish I could go away to a world where things hadn’t gotten so...ugly. Does that count?”

FOUR PREFERENCES

► Smile or eyes ➔  “Eyes.”

► Shorter or Taller ➔  “It doesn’t matter. I suppose shorter though, seeing as I’m taller than many.”

► Intelligence or Attraction ➔  “Attraction. One needn’t be a scholar to me, but I wouldn’t want someone who couldn’t tell their right from their left either.”

► Hook-up or Relationship ➔  “Who could say...”

FAMILY

► Do you and your family get along ➔  “I don’t know. We haven’t spoken in years...”

► Would you say you have a “messed up life” ➔  "I suppose it depends on your meaning of ‘messed up’. It’s certainly not all that bright, I can tell you that much.“

► Have you ever ran away from home ➔  “Yes.”

► Have you ever gotten kicked out ➔  “No, although I certainly gave them a few heart attacks here and there with my antics.”

FRIENDS

► Do you secretly hate one of your friends ➔  “Hah, no.”

► Do you consider all of your friends good friends ➔  "I would like to think so.”

► Who is your best friend ➔  “...”

► Who knows everything about you ➔  “Only myself.”

tagging: @scowlet @that-green-nut @iamreinhardt @steppesthetic and whomstever else wishes to do this