#i love them both (taru more) separately but

[venusandsaturnsrings]

How we feeling after that trailer venus!! -chubby darling anon <33

do u even have to ask… UNWELL!! IM SO UNWELL!! i truly cannot even convey how i felt when i saw HIM… genuinely my gut clenched and i had to take a walk to cool down before i punched something. tears rolling down my face hes back HES BACK!! everytime he uses his delusion i moan a lil bit ngl and i’m so excited to see it again and and and i need story quest part two SO bad and and and HIS BANNER IS COMING BACK!! so i can finally c6 him my poor boy has been stuck on c5 for so long… and hopefully i can get his polar star to at least c3!! that’s my goal. one taru and two more polar stars… i’ve been seeing ppl theorizing that he’ll die and personally, as number one taru expert, i doubt he will but IF HE DOES… none of you will ever hear from me again. i’ll be gone, died, dead, deceased. no more taru, no more venus!! we’re a package deal!!

FONTAINE THOUGHTS UNRELATED TO TARU: i don’t plan on pulling for lyney or lynette; don’t care for them tbh!! i will 100% pull for wriothsley given that he doesn’t go to the standard banner like some are saying… i think he’s very hawt and i won’t him!! i’ll probably pull for focalors since i have every other archon and sigewinne bc i think she’s adorable!! i’m excited for water exploration :3 i would like to befriend the fishes me thinks… i think i mentioned it somewhere at some point but!! i’m autistic and my special interest since forever is jellyfish!! would like to see some in genshin!! i’d die!! i REALLY like the aesthetics from what i see so far!! i don’t care for steampunk at all but all of the dainty flowery bits and architecture?? VERY GOOD!! I LIKE!! personally i need more teapot decor that fits MY aesthetic and not just the games aesthetic as it is now… so i look forward to furnishing!! what else hmm… that’s all i can think of tbh and i’m nervous all of my luck will start crumbling T^T i pulled mikos weapon in a ten pull right after hu taos and then kokomis in the next ten pull and then wanderers in a SINGLE PULL right after that… four limited five star weapons within thirty one pulls… i fear i am now cursed…

[storms-path]

Day 19 - Cross

The sun was shining brightly on what promised to be another glorious day in Mor Dhona. The bright, pure sunlight had come as quite a surprise as she emerged from the Syrcus Trench, accompanied by Sanda, Fareena and Stalwart. It was as if the weather itself could feel their triumph and joy and had changed itself to match them. They had all gone their separate ways now, each to spread the word that the Warriors of Light were returned. Arashi had volunteered to give Tataru the good news herself. It only felt right.

Not that it was all sunshine and roses, of course. The remaining Scions were still trapped on the First, the Exarch’s magic still holding their souls in Norvrandt despite his best intentions. Still, they’d find a way to bring them back. Arashi felt better about her future than she had in moons. She wondered how much of that was Ardbert’s influence, now they had rejoined. It still felt strange to think about, but she was no stranger to having soulbound company. I wonder if I can summon him like with Fray? A question for another day.

Arashi’s pace was leisurely as she approached Revenant’s Toll. What harm was there in taking her time for once? She had earned some peace and quiet. Perhaps she could persuade Lyse to take a break as well, spend a few lazy weeks in La Noscea as they regaled each other with stories that they could not otherwise share. Arashi smiled at the thought. Surely Raubahn and M’naago could spare her for a short span of time, if it was the Warrior of Light asking.

Soon enough she reached the main doors of the Rising Stones, pushing them open and striding into the relative gloom. She gave a nod to the wandering minstrel, who even now was strumming away and spinning progressively taller tales of the Warriors of Light and their glorious deeds. She swore she saw the man wink at her as she passed by, but perhaps it was just her imagination. Regardless, Arashi had more important things to concern herself with. As she approached the second set of doors, however, something on the other side of them gave her pause.

Two voices, both women. Both crying. Arashi felt her heart skip a beat. Had something happened to the Scions’ bodies while she was away? Her good mood vanished in an instant as Arashi threw wide the doors and burst into the room to find…

Tataru Taru and Lyse Hext, both weeping, both sat at a nearby table, both looking at an awfully familiar letter. A letter Arashi had written in her darkest moments, sure of her imminent death, and given to one Feo Ul to gift the love of Arashi’s life in the event of her demise. A letter which had been given too early to its intended recipient, who was now looking at Arashi as if she’d seen a ghost.

With movements born from a lifetime of training, Lyse crossed the distance in the blink of an eye, throwing her arms around Arashi in a truly bone-crushing hug and crying unabashedly into her chest. Still dazed from the impact, Arashi returned the hug, which only made Lyse cry harder. “How COULD you?!” she cried between ugly sobs, looking up at Arashi with fury in her eyes. “I thought you were DEAD! I thought I’d lost you for GOOD! I thought… I thought-” The words drowned under the next deluge of tears as Lyse hugged Arashi even tighter. Arashi swore she heard a rib crack from the strain, even with all of her armour.

“I’m… sorry!” Arashi managed to gasp out with the last breath in her lungs. This did not have the intended effect of loosening Lyse’s grasp.

“You’re SORRY?!” Lyse loosened one arm, allowing Arashi a moment to breathe before the same hand slammed into Arashi’s chestplate. This time Arashi was certain she heard a snap. “You write that awful letter, telling me you’re going to die in some godsforsaken land, that you love me but want me to move on and life my own life, that you’re sorry you had to tell me this way, and then, AND THEN! You have the AUDACITY to slam open the doors right as I’m sharing the news with poor Tataru!” Tataru, for her part, looked like a carbuncle that had just been kicked. All shock, betrayal and mournful glares.

“I didn’t mean for you to get the letter like this!” Arashi cried, hoping against hope that Lyse hadn’t broken anything too vital in her armour with her well-justified anger. “I gave it to Feo Ul to make sure people would know what happened to me if I didn’t come back!” Arashi recalled now with horror the look on Feo Ul’s face when she accepted the terrible task. She remembered the awful clarity with which Feo Ul had once again called her cold. And cruel. And heartless. She revisited the awfully ominous giggle that Arashi, in her half-dead state, had pretended was just her imagination. Never deal with the Fae if you aren’t prepared for the consequences.

Now the consequences were staring Arashi dead in the eye, determination mingling with confusion and a very cross sort of love. Lyse gripped Arashi’s hands in hers and started pulling the poor Au Ra over to the table. Arashi, accepting her fate, followed with feet of lead. She let herself be sat down opposite Lyse and Tataru.

“You are going to sit with us, and you are going to tell us everything.” Tataru’s voice was strained with tears, but the intent underneath it was colder than Shiva’s ice. “And don’t miss out a single detail, or we’ll tell this Feo Ul person just how heartless you were towards your closest friends!” A cup of tea was thrust at her by Lyse, full to the brim and now spilling down the sides of the cup.

Raising the cup to her lips like it was her last meal, Arashi took a sip and began her tale.

[ffxiv-ariavitali]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Haurchefant Greystone/Warrior of Light, Haurchefant Greystone & Warrior of Light, Haurchefant Greystone/Original Female Character(s), Haurchefant Greystone/Original Character(s) Characters: Aymeric de Borel, Estinien Wyrmblood, Haurchefant Greystone, Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy XIV), Original Final Fantasy XIV Characters, Aria Vitali | Aria Lukos, Stryder Vitali | Stryder Lukos, Lucia goe Junius, Alphinaud Leveilleur, Tataru Taru Additional Tags: Grief/Mourning, Loss of Control, Love, Love Confessions, Unrequited Love, Implied Relationships, Character Death, Canonical Character Death, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Angst, Angst and Feels, Angst and Tragedy, Injury, Sacrifice, Implied/Referenced Abuse Series: Part 15 of Collections of History Unwritten Summary:

Or writing prompt: "Being pulled away from their limp body, kicking and screaming"

If there was one thing that Aymeric and Estinien could agree on, it’s the fact that the overwhelming despair felt by the Warrior of Light cannot be rivaled.

They were surprised Aria was able to hold on until his final breath. For the sake of the man that granted her, Master Alphinaud and Mistress Tataru asylum on their darkest day, she had fought for Ishgard; that was the reasoning that everyone thought was the origin of her goodwill. If it were not for Haurchefant’s insatiable curiosity towards adventurers, particularly that of Aria’s life, they wouldn’t have discovered that both she and Stryder are the grandchildren of House Lukos.

In fact, there were a lot of things that would have gone differently had Haurchefant not befriended the Warrior of Light. Ishgard would not have a stout ally against the heretics, they would have scant methods of combating the primal threats that are emerging - much less know primal activity was rising to begin with - and the shameful thousand year lie perpetuated by the church would continue to plague their homeland. On a more personal level, Aymeric and Estinien would not have befriended a woman as loyal and loving as she. They would not be able to bear witness to her talents in many combative and arcane arts nor would they find someone they enjoy bantering with that wasn’t each other. If it wasn’t for her, Ishgard would have fallen to the Dravanians long ago.

The lord commander and the Azure Dragoon knew that there were sentiments beyond friendship developing between Aria and Haurchefant. Whenever Aria was visiting, her first stop would always, always be Camp Dragonhead regardless of the weather. They even heard that she had participated and helped create a new training regiment to better suit the knights of House Fortemps. Everyone liked Haurchefant. Everyone liked Aria.

Everyone liked the idea of them together.

Aymeric had the pleasure of having a private conversation with Haurchefant amidst his arguments with Count Edmont on whether to shelter the Scions after the banquet of Ul’dah. They shared an evening filled with spirits and ale at the upper floor of the Forgotten Knight with the Fortemps son steadily becoming rowdier as the night hours passed. It was at this time that Haurchefant began spilling his not-so-closely-guarded secrets.

“Fury take me, I think I love her,” Haurchefant stated as he appeared to be having an epiphany. Aymeric chuckled as he poured another glass of mulled wine. “Pray tell who has been in your good graces.” “Who else but the Warrior of Light?” Haurchefant answered, mildly affronted he needed to even confirm what he thought was common knowledge. This made Aymeric laugh louder. “Oh? She is something, I will agree. A formidable ally and a knowledgeable companion.” “She likes butterflies,” Haurchefant stated. Aymeric blinked. “Pardon?” Haurchefant grinned. “Aria loves butterflies, how delicately they fly and dance in the air. She adores sweets with crème brûlée being her favorite dessert. Her favorite books involve romance but put emphasis on the characters’ growth. Oh, and she agrees that hot cocoa cannot go without marshmallows on top!”

Aymeric’s eyes were wide with shock and confusion as he eyed Haurchefant as if he grew a second head. Yet, the maniacal smile that the lord had as he recounted what he had learned of the Warrior softened, just as his eyes did. To the lord commander, he was reminded of that expression in a way that he occasionally felt with Estinien - a look of admiration and fondness. However, in this case, the sentiments were tinged with romantic affection.

“You … seem to know quite a bit of the Warrior, Lord Haurchefant,” Aymeric commended. Haurchefant hummed. “She also told me that the eyes are the gateway to a person’s soul.” “Did she now?” Aymeric raised a brow, his attention captured. Haurchefant nodded. “Aye. So I looked to hers. Ever since then, I have always been meaning to ask her a single question.” “And what might that be?”

Haurchefant took pause to contemplate how to answer. He parted his lips and closed them, seeming unsatisfied with how the question was formed in his head. Aymeric was patient, taking sips from his drink in the meanwhile. After a spell, the knight looked to him in all seriousness.

“’Why...why do you always look so afraid?’”

Aymeric understood now the reason to why he wanted to ask the question.

The lord commander saw the moment that the light in Aria’s eyes had dimmed and tears began running down her cheeks. He watched as a soft healing light glowed from her hands over Haurchefant’s wound. He heard the wails and screams, the begging and the pleas that escaped her lips for him not to leave. He could do nothing as he witnessed Aria shaking the lord’s shoulders as if trying to wake him up.

It was then that Stryder, her older brother, stepped towards his sister and did what no one else could. The man pulled Aria back by both her arms to separate her from Haurchefant’s body. The Warrior’s cries became louder and higher in pitch to which Estinien visibly shook at the sound of it. He had heard her song - one filled with grief and promises of vengeance.

Even as Aria flailed her limbs to escape her brother’s hold, Stryder held his concentration and kept her back with all his might. As the Temple Knights loyal to Aymeric arrived and removed Haurchefant’s body, Aria continued to cry to the heavens in a way that assured all that heard it that her sorrow will be engraved into the Vault’s stones for generations to come.

For a bell she screamed until she could scream no more.

As the company was to depart from the Vault, Stryder had held Aria close as he lifted her in his arms. The woman was passed out cold then, having fallen unconscious from the overwhelming emotional and physical exhaustion that took hold of her. It wasn’t until they were all about to go their separate ways - Aymeric, Lucia and Estinien to the Congregation of Knights Most Holy and Stryder with Aria to the Fortemps manor - that the lord commander had the resolve to call out to the elder Vitali.

“Master Stryder, she is-,” he managed to get out. Stryder stopped but didn’t face the native Ishgardians. “For all my sister is capable of, she is still but a single mortal. Lord Haurchefant understood this...and took care with her.”

Aymeric’s eyes widened ever so slightly at his comment, but was given no quarter as Stryder continued to speak.

“Aria has always been terrified of becoming close to others in the fear that they will be lost to her. Mother, Father … then the insult given by Lucien... The lord was her life raft, the salvation she needed to gain the courage to try again. She loved him, Ser Aymeric, and now she has to, once again, let go.”

Stryder took a few more steps onward before pausing to make one last comment.

“...Next time, consider the consequences of your actions. Lest it falls to the ones supporting you that suffers.”

Lucia was just about ready to jump after the Vitali as he began walking away, but was stopped when Aymeric stretched an arm out to bar her way. Estinien looked towards the lord commander.

“You did what you thought was best for Ishgard,” he tried assuring him.

Aymeric inclined his head, taking in a deep breath before walking towards the Congregation. He knew that he would be branded a heretic. He was aware that it wasn’t going to be easy. The lord commander knew how aware his companions were of the risks to his decisions. He thought he was ready to make the necessary sacrifice needed to bring the truth to light.

But the last thing Aymeric expected was to see the shattering of a heart.