#minfilia kin

[nhaneh]

Has there been a time where they have gone through grief/trauma? What was it like? Do they still carry that grief with them and, if so, how do they deal with that? Have they developed tools where they feel like they're able to let go or is the weight of it insurmountable? How do they deal with that?

oh man, <pats head of OC> this bad girl can fit so much TRAUMA in it

Well ok maybe not quite, but Kea's definitely had her fair share of tough times - the most foundational of which is never quite felt accepted or even all that wanted amongst her kin while growing up in a small, isolated H tribe village. She's pretty much cut herself off from her former tribe as a result, and as much as she herself might insist she's fine, it's left her having kind of a hard time really opening up to people and trusting them to see her vulnerable. For singular events, I think the one that hit her the hardest was the bloody banquet - she'd finally found a place where she seemed to belong, and people who seemed like they might appreciate her for who she was rather than who they thought she should be, only to have all of that kicked out from under her. There's a part of her that can't help but think Minfilia might've been the first person who really tried taking the time to actually care about who Kea really was and what she wanted - to be her friend - and Kea feels a bit guilty over only noticing that after Minfilia was already gone. That moment definitely left her feeling lost there for a while.

She's gotten better at managing her difficulties since - part from experience and maturity, part from simply learning how to let herself lean on other people for support, and trust her friends to have her back. She still has a bit of a bad habit of dealing with things mostly by keeping herself busy and focusing on the present, and can have occasional bouts of melancholy if she's stuck with mostly her own thoughts in one place for too long, but for most part it's just dull aches and distant regrets.

[mmorpg-escapism]

FFXIV Write 2023 - Day 14: Clear

((You know the moment in ARR where it all goes south? Yeah. TW: Death mention))

Besany was numb.

People she had worked with, even just in passing, now lay still and lifeless in the halls of the Waking Sands. Even the tiny Sylph ambassador, Noraxia, lay unmoving, trampled by the Garleans.

The Echo episode showed her Noraxia's final moments, but she was too stunned to move even after the pain subsided and she woke up. Minfilia and Tataru, taken by Garlemald. Their victory over Titan just hours ago felt so hollow in the face of that alone, never mind the slaughter that clearly took place while she wasn't here to protect them.

Eventually, most of the other Scions trickled in. Yda helped Besany to her feet, wordlessly for once, and guided her outside to clear her mind. Papalymo sat with her for a moment, while the others moved about to clear the inside of threats and begin contacting the various next of kin and other agents of the Order to see who survived.

Eventually, Y'shtola came out and broke the hours-long silence. "Bes. We need to go into hiding. Thancred is out of contact, and clearly it is not safe here."

"Hiding? After THAT?" The numbness broke like a dam, and Besany felt a wave of anger overtake every part of her mind. "They took her! We have to stop them!" Tears streamed down her cheeks. "They took her..."

"I know. Minfilia is strong enough to look out for herself, and I know the Antecedent would rather us make sure all were safe before trying to rescue her. Save your rage for when it matters." Y'shtola looked out over the small town. "We must disappear. You may be unknown to most, but the rest of us are not. We will try to contact you when it is safe..."

"I'll probably be at the Church in Thanalan...

"One thing is clear now, though. The Garleans must be stopped."

[driftward]

Let's see... Parental Figure: None, really. Zoissette was well on in her thirties when she met the Scions. Having said that, Papalymo was a beloved mentor figure. They were peers and they were friends, but he also taught her much during their time together. When they first met, she was a talented novice, and under his tutelage, she became an accomplished master, in magic and sciences. And similarly, Minfilia was both friend and leader, an impressive woman who Zoissette looked up to. She misses both of them dearly. Older sibling: None, really. Sibling: Most of them fall in here, less as 'sibling' though, and more just of the idea of close kin, people who she would stick out with through thick and thin, and she knows they would have her back in return. Krile and Tataru, the Brothers Boulder, Coultenat she has an almost spiritual connection vis-a-vis beleagured-but-patient. A fair chunk of B-team falls here, actually. Younger siblings: Alphinaud and Alisaie, naturally. _____ Romantic Interest: Nice try you cunning dog you'll have to try harder than that. Posting memes at 2AM/Gremlin Mode: ALL OF THEM Not close: ... and in her own sort of way, a lot of them also fall here as well as in any other category, because of Zoissette's particular brand of pecularities. It's complicated: G'raha Tia and Urianger Augerelt Adding another category, closer than close: Thancred Waters and Estinien Varlineau, for very different sorts of reasons. Thancred she's practically trauma bonded with, and Estinien, well. He was a soldier, from the same land, in the same war. They -understand- one another in a way that they both feel few others would. (also they're both probably on spectrums let's be honest)

Found Family: Scions of the Seventh Dawn Edition

I think this is my first prompt/ask with this blog. Probably been asked before, but hey. I'm curious.

So! How would your WoL place Final Fantasy XIV's Scions of the Seventh Dawn in a "Found Family" dynamic.

The categories are:

-----

Parental Figure:

Older Sibling:

Sibling:

Younger Sibling:

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Romantic Interest:

Posting Memes at 2 am/Gremlin Mode:

"Hey." "Hey."/Not Close:

It's Complicated:

-----

Tagging @driftward, @autumnslance, @sirdolraan, @scrollsfromarebornrealm, @yzeltia, @saesama, @ladyofvoss, @healerstail

[amdapor-keep]

everyone likes to clown on ysayle for thinking she had shiva kin memories but it does make sense considering how echoes are described as essentially living that experience from the perspective of the person in the vision. i feel like ‘past life’ was actually a pretty reasonable conclusion to come to

[chryza]

Masterpost of what I think about you based on who you simp for in FFXIV I’m going to try and include as many characters I’ve vibe checked as possible but if yours isn’t here comment them and I’ll give you a custom roast for free. If I forgot someone, please refrain from saying “How could you forget x” I have three different memory disorders okay I did my best 😭

The Scions

Minfilia-You think a woman’s tits can redeem anything bad about her and you’re right.

Lyse-You’re a lesbian with a hard-on for destroying capitalism to the point where your friends ask you to maybe tone it down a little

Papalymo-Ur into dads. Not dilfs. Just dads.

Thancred-You like your men ROGUEISH and BLOODIED and BEATEN and BABYGIRLED

Urianger-You have autism or you are currently in an irl relationship with someone who has autism. Thank you for your service

Y’Shtola-okay little sun. (You enjoy being verbally degraded, so this is for you, a compliment)

Tataru-I love you. You want someone who can cook for you and tease you and who in turn you will shower with affection which is the only currency you have to offer

Estinien-I’m gonna be honest the only thing I can offer here is that you like brooding men who are idiots. Don’t go for a joint bank account.

G’raha-If you like GRAHA then you desire strongly a partner you can cuddle like a stuffed animal if you like THE EXARCH then you are a bottom and you like the dark academia aesthetic

Krile-You need a partner that will fill the emotional void left by your mommy issues

Moenbryda-You have autism but you kin urianger instead of crushing on him. Or ur just really into chicks who can crush you with their thighs and you’re mad that people turned it into a meme

ARR

Kan-E-Senna-I don’t believe you. You’ll have to defend yourself to me in a trial by combat

Merlwyb-Your perfect first date is dying side by side with the person you love as you fight for your lives but you’ll probably end up getting a coffee or something

Nanamo-you are SO into the princess and knight aesthetic thing, you LOVE fairytales so much.

Raubahn-You like men with an “I can fix him” flair but who have already been fixed. You’re also touch starved

Lahabrea-The line between annoyance and attraction is a tightrope you walk every day but by god you’re walking it

Cid-GOD you love himbos it’s not even a “haha I love stupid men” thing to you it’s a REQUIREMENT, the men you date need a HIMBO RESUME

Gaius-Your devotion is impressive. No one can tell you what to do with your life. I think you’re a Jane Austen protagonist.

Nero-SCRUNGLY SKRUNKLY MAN HAG BLORBO HEHEHHEHE EVIL SCIENCE

Heavensward

Haurchefant-I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry. Why don’t you wrap yourself in a blanket and pretend like he’s the one holding you.

Aymeric-Objectively the most stable main character in this godforsaken game, you take your husband material seriously.

Lucia-You’re a lesbian who mains warrior, I shan’t elaborate

Edmont-pathological dilf/gilf enjoyer to the point where you need help and/or jesus

Artoirel-your dream is to become one half of the most powerful power couple to ever power

Emmanellain-You’re gay in a hipster filter flower crowns cavetown kind of way

Ysayle- You were chronically disappointed by stormblood. You say everyone is out of your league but chin up champ, ysayle wanted to fuck a dragon and probably did so you can’t be that bad

Hraesvelgr- ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Igeyorhm-What does it matter if a female character is developed, you are horny in the here and now and that’s more important. You probably think femdom is hot too 👀

Stormblood (god help me)

To preface-if any character from stormblood is your simp of choice you automatically get a sticker that says WEEB slapped on your forehead.

Yugiri-I feel like you listen to metal and keep neat pets like tarantulas or snakes. I cannot explain why.

Gosetsu-For want of a proper bushido character you settled on him but then when the Tsuyu plotline happened you genuinely fell in love with him. Kind of a DILF, reblog.

Hien-himbo connoisseur. You own a sword.

Sadu-WOMEN. BIG FAN OF W O M E N. That’s your only personality trait rn but that’s okay, life’s hard.

Zenos-you are a godless degenerate who is unironically into BDSM (it’s okay me too)

Yotsuyu- You know she’s a femme fatale. You know there’s no way that’s going to end well. But you are so allured by her viciousness and tragic backstory what does it matter that you’ll end up dead on the floor. “I can fix her” yeah keep telling yourself that bud.

Fordola-you are genuinely one of the sweetest people in the world and I think you COULD fix her actually.

Asahi-Liar, you’re a fandaniel simp

Shadowbringers

Lyna-you believe drinking your respect women juice is not only an obligation but an honor and you still avert your eyes from the Victoria’s Secret posters in the mall

Kai-Shirr-HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Runar- I feel like I can’t even call you a furry in bad faith. You just love nice men that much. Who cares if he’s a lion.

Feo Ul-Trans. You definitely have an au where the WoL took them up on their offer to become King Titania.

Ran’jit-I…don’t believe you? You’ll have to explain to me why you like him

Ardbert-So soft. So nice. Hnnnn oh yeah we were talking about you. You’re not a himbo enjoyer because you do prefer men who have some brain cells but you DO like em sad and you DO like em muscley

Emet-Selch- He is the character who in the entire game the story tries its hardest to make us simp for. It worked. The only thing I can do is quote another video on this same subject: You are DISEASED.

Elidibus-Someone hits u with the 🥺 and you melt like butter. Your favorite activity is peace and quiet.

Endwalker

Fandaniel-You self-identify as a goblin. You were a theatre kid. You love that he’s sad and insane but you don’t want to fix him. That would ruin the appeal.

Ameliance-“Bro I said I wanted to fuck Ameliance as a joke but bro….I don’t think it’s a joke anymore”

Nidhana-You’re correct. About everything. You’ve never been wrong. You own booty shorts that say “I love women in STEM” on the ass

Vrtra- ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Jullus-for you, enemies to lovers isn’t just a trope, it’s a lifestyle

Venat-📸 hmm? Oh sorry that was just me taking a picture of you admitting you desperately crave someone to take care of you. Mommy issues. NEXT!

Hermes-you adamantly differentiate between Hermes and Fandaniel, but at what point must the line be drawn for your “I can fix him” complex to kick in hmm??

Hythlodaeus-You have a praise kink. (You also should come be my friend. We can simp for him together ☺️)

[brineffxiv]

Interesting: she's got a superficial resemblance to the Minfilia we know, but even with the eyes and the hair she really does look quite different.

That's clearly a deliberate design choice, and I can only guess it's to drive home the fact that these are separate people. At this point I don't know anything about this Minfilia, and so can only take a shot in the dark as to the greater implications.

Oh my, I look quite snazzy in these duds.

You cheating bastard. Who said you could bring a dragon?

(Is that a dragon? It doesn't look like Midgardsormr's kin, but then, if I remember correctly, there shouldn't be any of that kind of dragon on the First. Right? So it's something else, whatever it is.)

((Okay, okay, tangent. How does space work here? The dragons are from space. But our "star" aka, the planet was split into many reflections. So what about space? If I went to space on the First would it be a different space from the one on the Source? The same space? Was the entire universe fractured?? THE IMPLICATIONS FOR BOTH ANSWERS ARE STAGGERING!!

Right, okay, tangent over. Back to the cutscene.))

Thancred! You took a level in badass while I wasn't looking. Gunbreaker looks good on you!

The Exarch is also pretty badass but I'm fairly certain he didn't need to take any levels: he was already that way.

And now for a different kind of ass!

(no I will not apologize for that joke)

Interesting that this conflict is what mucked up "the plan," as opposed to, I dunno, killing the Lightwarden? Assuming that the plan was causing the 8th Calamity, I wonder what exactly happened here that knocked it off the rails?

Huh. Well, I didn't expect an Ascian to opt for less bloodshed. I wonder what he means by that?

Also, hey, why is your name "???" ? We already know you're Solus. I mean, unless you're going to be going by a different name..?

Gee Thancred, you might be correct, but you don't have to be a dick about it. She had a supernatural compulsion to come meet me, that's not her fault.

Ahaha! So these are the kind of Fae Folk this game is invoking? How wonderful! Now, are we going with sadistic or amoral? I shall brace for incoming horror regardless.

[mirroralchemist]

May 2022 Writing Update

Word Count: 514 Notes: Another month another update. I’m still handwriting a lot (I paid all this money for fountain pens and inks so I might as well use it) but I try to find time to type stuff up. This is one of my many Camp NaNo projects I’m slowly typing up. Mainly how a sleepless night begins the fruits of friendship between Ami and Urianger. Contains dubious attempts at Uri-speak

“What ails thee on this night?”

“Oh! It’s nothing important. No need to worry.”

“This I cannot,” he said, “It is my Lady Minfilia’s wishes thou comes to think of our order as close at thine own kin. What troubles burden thee, I wish to aid in dispelling them.”

I take a moment to think on his words. I was…unaccustomed to such warm receptions. Always to myself, knowing that strangers could be so kind was a new experience. Slowly, I nodded. Perhaps having an elder member listening might ease these thoughts.

“This is the first time I’ve been away from my family for such an extended period. I’m used to being able to go back home after running tasks, adventuring is a new experience. And for that new experience, I realized comes with much adjustment.”

I shook my head.

“Not that regret deciding to be one! Nor do I regret agreeing to aid the Scions. I pledged my blade to this cause and I want to see it through to the end. I never considered the other effects that my decision brings.”

“Thou art longing for the comforts of home.”

“A little,” I confessed, “It still feels too ‘new’. So I thought that reading would help me rest. Alas, the selection here is so robust, I have nary a clue what to choose.”

Urianger seemed to have stiffened at my words. I felt my face heat up in embarrassment. A silence fell over us, neither of us inclined to speak. The awkward moments ticked by before he stood by my side.

He is…really tall.

I knew that him being Elezen, their height was expected. Just the realization dawned upon me how tall he really is. He rubbed his chin in thought as he seemingly scanned the shelf. His focus honed in on the top shelf. He reached and pulled a tome, smiling as he presented the item to me.

“Given the late hour, dense tomes make for poor company. I proffer onto thee this collection of poems. A variety of subjects lay within these pages, yet concise in words. These readings may aid in they attempts at slumber.”

I opened my mouth to speak but found myself silent. In just the short time he already formed a suggestion. I was in awe of his readied knowledge. I couldn’t even form an answer.

“M-my apologies if I was too forward. Scarcely do I find another whom share mine affinity for fine literature.”

I shook my head again, giving the man a small smile. I took the tome into my own hands. Our fingers had brushed against each other before I held the item close to my chest.

“You were not being too forward at all,” I assured him, “I appreciate it in fact. Thank you for the suggestion Urianger.”

He gave a small flourish of a bow. His smile even more infectious.

“’Tis no trouble. If thou art ever in need of mine guidance, pray do not hesitate to call upon me. My services, be they leisure or duty, are thine to wield.”

[orime-stories]

Ferocity and Fear

Aurelle Silmontier - Final Fantasy XIV

-

The Warrior of Light considers her feelings about her two new travelling companions as they press on into Dravania together. Full story below the cut. (623 words) Previous Story / Next Story / Read on AO3 / Tumblr Masterlist

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Estinien made Aurelle extremely nervous.

His every communication was an impatient growl, as though her mere presence offended him. Though her existence wasn’t the only bane of his, she had to acknowledge. Not if his interactions with the others were anything to go by. Alphinaud had been politely weathering the man’s constant ill-tempered complaints, and Ysayle… Ysayle was being treated with downright contempt.

For she was Lady Iceheart — the leader of the heretics that had been such a thorn in her group’s side, and the one who had set the dragons loose on the city the time Aurelle had first been called to defend it. A woman responsible for the betrayal and death of so many of her kin. But for all that, she was also a woman blessed with the power of the Echo, who seemed to genuinely regret the harm wrought by her otherwise unrepentant pursuit of what she claimed to be a more just world.

Aurelle certainly felt more drawn to the melancholic murderer than she did the perpetually hostile ally she had set out from the city with. Which said more about Estinien’s conduct than anything else, she had reassured herself when she had realised that particular truth. And maybe with Minfilia still missing, there was a part of her that just felt relieved to meet another person like herself. Another person with this strange connection to Hydaelyn.

It certainly helped that she had brought a love story along with her — a version of Shiva’s tale where the woman was revered for uniting the nations of man and dragon by capturing the heart of one of the First Brood and falling for him in turn. Setting aside the questions of physicality, and the fact that this relationship had apparently ended with Hresvelgr eating poor Shiva (in a way she gathered was supposed to be taken as a romantic union of souls rather than a shocking act of barbarism), it was certainly doing Aurelle good to dwell in a space where impossible loves ended bitter wars right now.

Ysayle really seemed to believe that she had a piece of the real Shiva within her too. That what she was summoning was the woman’s very soul (though whether from the aetherial sea or the dragon’s belly, she had not specified and Aurelle did not think it appropriate to ask). And while experience taught her that primals just didn’t seem to work that way, part of her hoped that there could somehow be truth to this particular tale, surely no more unheard of than a mortal playing host to a primal at all, and seemingly retaining their own will to boot. If nothing else, she hoped that Hresvelgr would recognise enough of his beloved in Ysayle’s situation to consider ending this war too.

Grabbing her share of the evening meal that had been prepared in Camp Tailfeather’s simple communal space, Aurelle crossed the room towards her seat, Estinien’s eyeless gaze fixed on her all the while. She tried not to notice.

“Why do you act the part of a wilting flower?” he asked with his customary scowl as she sat herself down, shrinking herself further away from the tone of his voice. “I saw your ferocity on the Steps of Faith.”

“That’s not… That doesn’t come naturally to me. The fighting.” Just let me eat my food. Leave me be and I’ll leave you be.

“Liar. You bore it far more comfortably than the face you wear now.”

He was not entirely wrong there, she had to concede. But unless he wanted her to start violently ending his existence, she wasn’t sure what he wanted her to do with that observation.

Ferocity and fear was all she had this far from home.

[cidnangarlond]

Ask mem time... 🎶 💕 🍀 💎? PS hope you are having a nice Sunday Jack :]

BREN HIIIII I hope your Sunday is nice too !!

🎶 I just did the music one but have another Heavensward song !!

💕 Tell us about one of your favorite characters and why you like them!

I HAVE SO MANY THEY'RE ALL GREAT.......... but one is Thancred!! He goes through so much character development throughout the series and if I think about him and Minfilia too hard I might cry

Here he is in "Shadowbringers" I am also ignoring whatever he had going on in "Stormblood" outfit wise and also his weird ponytail and chin facial hair that was the only facial hair he has but that was his emo period so I can excuse it but it was so bad like baby WHAT are u wearing......... Now he looks like Dante Devil May Cry

🍀 Do you have any kins or comfort characters from your hyperfixation?

Normally I'd say no but a character I care a great deal for and whenever he shows up I'm like ^_^ HIIIII THERE YOU ARE is Cid I care him so much. I can't tell you why other than "I just think he's neat" bc he is!!!! Very fun very neat I care him so so much if anything happens to him I will cry for 7 days and 7 nights

💎 Are there any fun facts or trivia you'd like to share?

The developer of the game called Alphinaud a major player in the series a Redditor and like. HE'S RIGHT BUT HE DOESN'T NEED TO SAY IT... he has Redditor energy in A Realm Reborn ONLY he gets better after that. That is my son I will not stand for this correct slander!!

Thank you Bren have a great evening !! 💜💜💜

[ffxiv-ariavitali]

Smol non here, now that we’ve got Aymeric, Estinien and Haurchefaunt with their newborn for the first time, can I ask for the same with Thancred and Exarch?? This scenario has my heart melting I love it too much,,,

i was counting my jars of candy and now i realize why i’m missing some. you got it, coach!

Female WoL

Part 1 - Haurchefant

Part 2 - Aymeric, Estinien

Shadowbringers spoiler warning just in case since CE was requested!

❅ ❅ ❅

[Thancred]

The Scion stands before the door to the medical wing in Seventh Heaven with crossed arms and a worried demeanor. Half of the reason why is because he knows the others, especially the twins, are just as overly anxious as he is to your condition so he has taken it upon himself to ensure you aren’t disturbed.

That being said, the second half of the reason is because he, himself, is too anxious. It spoke levels for his care and concern over you and certainly no one doubted the veracity of his love and adoration. However, he was hovering too often, too close and too much that it was beginning to impede on Y’shtola and Krile’s work and it wasn’t long until the two ladies had kicked him out in order to attend to you.

“Lighten up, Thancred, they’re taking care of her!” are some of the comments that the others were making. He truly must have appeared to be a mess of sorts if Alisaie was starting to make pointed jests aimed at his unusual behavior this day. Not to mention Alphinaud was constantly smiling at him with sympathy once his sister started teasing him in between the updates via linkpearl he was undoubtedly giving the Fortemps family and, by the gods, was Urianger laughing at him?

The moment that Krile had emerged and allowed visitors, everyone available within headquarters seemed to stop what they were doing to make a beeline for the medical wing. Congratulations were given without stop and if it wasn’t for Coultenet stopping him, Thancred was sure Hoary would have screamed the good news to all of Mor Dhona.

Upon seeing the baby, Thancred couldn’t help but collapse to his knees at your bedside. It surprised you at first, but you could only smile warmly in his direction as you made a silent request to your fellow Scions. Understanding almost immediately, they evacuated the room to give you two the privacy that you needed.

“I was thinking of asking F’lhaminn if she would like to be the godmother,” you confide to him, causing Thancred to peer up to you in shock. “Would you not agree? I think she would be a wonderful role model and care taker when we’re on the field.”

Thancred silently shifts his gaze towards the baby, his mind running at full speed as he thinks about the meaning behind your words. Once he understood, he smiled gently and reached out to take his turn at holding the baby. A new life, so tiny and fragile, it makes him want to put more effort into ensuring that they live in a future filled with happiness.

“I concur,” he answers, a single tear streaking down his cheek, as Minfilia’s words echo in the back of his mind.

[Crystal Exarch]

The only ones that were allowed in your bedchambers at the Pendants were Y’shtola, Chessamile and Lyna and, quite honestly, it would seem that the restriction was made on wonderful foresight on their part. Rumors of the delivery date had spread around like wildfire with none of the city’s leaders knowing where the leak came and it took much and more effort to ensure that the Pendants isn’t swarmed by those wishing their Warrior of Darkness the best.

The leaders divided the work rather easily: Lyna of course organized guards at the entrance to the Pendants to ease the Manager of Suites’ burdens, Moren provided useful literature regarding parenthood from the Cabinet of Curiosity, Katliss and her people at the Crystalline Mean worked together to ensure the baby’s necessities would be provided and both Bragi and Glynard worked together to pass on any information of your condition to any curious souls so they would be less inclined to make any ‘personal visits’.

Despite this, all the leaders are painfully aware of how antsy the Crystal Exarch has been. With his constant running back and forth from the Ocular and the Pendants, they were worried that he would collapse from exhaustion from the physical exercise rather than his research.

Yet, they all agreed that it was a good change of pace. The excitement is so obvious on the man’s face and they swore that he appeared much younger than the years he has actually lived. Even Lyna, having been with him since he had adopted her, made comment that he has been appearing ‘as if he was young again’ and less of an old man that she has known him to be.

When the baby arrives, the Scions and the Exarch were the first to greet you and the child. Considering they were the saviors of Novrandt, it was the least that could be done. When they finished and allowed entry to the leaders, they saw the most heartwarming scene: a mother and father reveling at the cuteness of a child rather than two saviors welcoming their kin that would, inevitably, feel as if they are continuing the legacy of their parents.

However, what the Exarch is unaware of is that they are unwilling to let them take the burden alone. Your child is the symbol of hope for a brighter future that the both of you have provided to whatever is left of them in this cruel, cruel world. For now, you two must bask in this happiness for it is impossible to live without.

And, indeed, what they bore witness to was the Exarch’s most genuine smiles as a result.

[ofdragonsdeep]

30: Abstracted

The great wyrm Midgardsormr offers the burden of the future.

The first few thin rays of dawn over the highlands of Coerthas found Ar’telan awake, to his eternal regret.

There were any number of reasons that could drag Ar’telan from his bed, and for a mercy today’s was one of the more mild causes. He was gathering bark from the spruce trees in the area, one eye open to see if he could spot the culprit of the recent spate of felled trees the area had suffered. Fearless though many of Ishgard’s botanists seemed to be, they at least acknowledged that he was less likely to end up as snapped as the branches if the culprit was a particularly nasty specimen of wildlife.

It was relaxing, after a fashion. His hands worked in quiet rhythm, nails scraping against the bark before he took out a knife to score a little of it from somewhere the tree would not miss, then stashing his prize in the bag he had been given for the purpose. The snowfall was light enough not to register, but thick enough to crunch beneath his boots in a satisfying way. And it kept his mind distracted from the thoughts which wished to plague it.

“Thine endeavours seem without purpose, yet thou art devoted to them nonetheless. What driveth thee?”

Midgardsormr’s voice was not surprising, but always unexpected. His avatar manifested in a tiny spark of aether, languidly beating wings keeping him aloft to watch as Ar’telan sliced another sample of bark from its kindly donor.

“It’s helping people,” he said, not needing to move his hands for Midgardsormr to divine his words. Midgardsormr watched as he moved between the trees again.

“Even when thine allies have turned to enemies, and there is no promise that these souls will not likewise betrayeth thee?”

“They don’t have to give me anything. That’s the point.” He looked down at the piece of bark in his hands, ran the tips of his fingers over it to feel the rough surface. “I have less time to suffer from betrayal than the lifetime of a dragon, anyway. So perhaps it is easier.” Midgardsormr’s eyes were on the buildings in the distance, watching with the quiet mournfulness with which he always carried himself.

“And if thy love moved away from you?”

Ar’telan sighed, shaking his head.

“He won’t.” He sat down in the little patch of ground beneath the tree’s tall branches that remained stubbornly clear of snow, hand resting against a raised leg. “Does that happen to dragons? Do mated couples fracture with time and trouble? Or is that a mortal concept?” Midgardsormr fluttered down to join him, sitting his small form upon a nearby rock. He did not seem bothered by the cold or the snow - Ar’telan was not entirely sure if he truly manifested for anyone other than him, though he was not keen to test it in Ishgard proper for obvious reasons.

“To be a mate is a contract not lightly undertaken,” he replied. “It is more and yet less than thy mortal definitions. Even across the valley of stars and the inevitability of death doth the bond endure.” Ar’telan’s eyes found the flags flying from the top of the keep at Dragonhead, and wondered.

“You have learned of us, then, to know that it does not mean such to man,” he surmised. “The stories that Yasyle told me of Shiva-”

“Shiva understood,” Midgardsormr said. “Though I was deep in slumber when my children made their choices. In granting them the freedom to live, didst I forsake mine own.” His eyes, tiny points of burning aether that belied his tiny form, regarded Ar’telan levelly. “There is an echo in the souls of thee and thine of a time which knew not death, this I see in thy fractured aether. Oft have I found myself curious of the source, though even when I first did set foot upon this star was it broken.”

“There is nothing wrong with being mortal,” Ar’telan said. Midgardsormr inclined his head.

“So far from our home, my children’s children know more and more the embrace of death. A tragic, flickering candle flame that our song knoweth not how to sing of.” He settled into a position not unlike a sleeping cat, but with his neck still raised, wings tucked in close to his back. “Here more than anywhere else has the blood of my line been spilled. Even Meracydia knew not its breadth.” His gaze went to the rising sun, a huff of breath accompanying his thought. “But it is the whims of your deathless, few though they are, that drive us here. A bitter truth.”

“Could it be stopped?” Ar’telan asked, and Midgardsormr sighed.

“My son knoweth naught but rage, his song a discordant, screeching melody, his continued life not his own. His is not an anger which mortal hearts can quell.” A soft puff of breath left a line of melted snow in the wake of its blue fire. “Thy fire burneth bright, even severed from thy mother as thou art. Perhaps thy hand could grant him succor.”

“It seems a cruel price to pay,” Ar’telan said, and Midgardsormr inclined his head.

“So are all prices. History demandeth no less to those who wouldst forge it,” he agreed. “To safekeep thy beloved and thy people, though in but half of the life of the youngest dragons all memory of thee shall fade - ‘tis not a futile quest. Thy lives are as grains of sand, but each shineth bright in spite of thy ephemeral nature.” His tail swished back and forth as he thought, and Ar’telan could not help but imagine what might have happened if the true great wyrm that he was had thought to do the same. “Our songs shall heal, though the notes be ever sorrowful. In this thy deeds shall be remembered, even long after thy mortal kin hath forgotten.”

Ar’telan held out a hand in offering, and Midgardsormr considered it for a few moments, before flapping over to sit upon it. Ar’telan got to his feet, free hand raised to his forehead to shield his eyes from the glare of the newly-risen sun.

“Should it be for mortals to decide?” he asked, and Midgardsormr made a sorrowful noise.

“Mine own hath decided already, in times long lost to memory. Such is our nature that we see the world as unchanging, with ancient eyes scarred by conflict and loss. If the future art thine to have, then thee must forge it.” His tail swished from side to side to keep his balance as Ar’telan walked, striking out for the path back to Dragonhead. “If it remaineth with mine own, then from thee it will be taken.”

“I wish there was an answer which did not require bloodshed,” Ar’telan said, slipping his hands into his pockets for warmth as he walked. Midgardsormr shook his head.

“‘Tis the unending nature of war, mortal. We but pray for time to breathe.” Ar’telan sighed, thinking of the weary knights in Dragonhead, of Estinien lost to Nidhogg’s rage in the Steel Vigil, of frozen corpses lining the trail for both dragon and man. How much he would give for Haurchefant to be able to send his knights back home to their families for the last time, for his kindness not to turn to anguish over every coffin escorted to the Steps of Faith, to take his hand and tell him that it was done, that they were free of blade and bow and moved forward with word and deed. How deep the ache in Midgardsormr’s soul to know that his child was forever lost to reason, to entrust his fate to those who had dragged the conflict across the centuries. How much the ancient Wyrm had already trusted him with - to walk the path with him, to believe him more than Hydaelyn’s shield. Minfilia had been aghast to see that he had lost the Blessing, but Ar’telan understood it for what it was, he thought.

The strength of mortals is not in what they borrow from the endless, but in the paths they forge themselves.

It would be worth it. It had to be. Their lives flickered like the flames of a candle, but they brought light.

[autumnslance]

Scion Cinnamon Rolls : Shadowbringers Edition (5.1)

A continuation of my original post HERE. Endwalker 6.0 post HERE.

Beautiful Cinnamon Roll Too Good For This World, Too Pure:

Ryne, as if it were any contest. She's Minfilia's heir in all ways and is still getting past that isolated, sheltered upbringing in Eulmore's dungeons--but she's learning to stand on her own two feet and assert herself, all without losing her kindness and generosity, and inspired by the love of her Scion family. Now we just need a way to take her home with us...And I do wonder if the Oracle of Light will be an answer to getting the Scions home, as her predecessor did for the Heroes of the First...

Looks like they could kill you but is actually a cinnamon roll:

The Crystal Exarch is the Mysterious Old Wizard of the Tower, can cast all sorts of magic, fight in any role in combat, has led the Crystarium for a hundred years, gets in face-offs with the few other world leaders, leaped across space and time, was an Archon of Sharlayan once upon a time--and is still a nervous, stuttering dork who fidgets outside his crush's door, makes his friends sandwiches, takes in orphaned viis children, and gets flicked in the forehead by annoyed teens. He's not even an expert wizard by his own admittance, just has access to a vast reservoir of power and a lot of shiny toys and information, used toward specific purposes. We start off angry with him for kidnapping our friends, but by the end realize the Exarch is a loveable nerd.

Looks like a cinnamon roll but could actually kill you:

Feo Ul is a pixie. Sure, they look sweet and kind, and "the Madbloom" is more in tune with and appreciative of mortal lives than most of their kin. But don't get on their bad side (or forget to call on your beautiful branch for aid, you silly, ungrateful sapling!). Not to mention what happens in MSQ to make them even more terrifying--while keeping a part of them linked to us. Forever. Nothing bad can come of this, surely. Though it IS handy when other pixies get a bit too handsy with the Warrior...

Looks like a cinnamon roll and is actually a cinnamon roll:

Okay, so Ardbert is kind of stuck, being a ghost who can't interact with the world. But that does give him an interesting perspective and time to think things over, and even find empathy for an enemy, understanding his loneliness and isolation. Ardbert doesn't stop trying to help people either, futilely attacking a sin eater while begging whoever would listen to please let it work this time. From various older beings around Norvrandt, and in the Role Quests, we hear time and again how good a man he was in life, and the sadness of those few, at him and his friends being cast as villains by the majority. Ardbert is his fellow Warrior's primary emotional support throughout the 5.0 MSQ, and we literally couldn't have succeeded in the end without him.

Looks like they could kill you and could actually kill you:

The no-nonsense Captain Lyna of the Crystarium establishes herself by insta-killing a sin eater. She fights by our side in Holminster Switch, to rescue the Oracle, and again when Vauthry sends sin eaters to assault Lakeland. When injured, her concern is more for the troops and civilians lost and the futility of it all, angry at how some want to hasten the end of the world, unraveling the work of those trying to save it. Her brief, understandable breakdown is one of the emotional kickers of the MSQ. I need to know more of her familial relationship with the Exarch, and see more of her in general as she's just heckin' cool.

Could kill you, but is still a cinnamon roll:

Beq Lugg just wants to hide in their palace and avoid the world of man after the betrayal in Voeburt (which is detailed in the Tank Role Quests, btw). Using familiars and fae magic they attack anyone who intrudes upon their solitude, though get past those defenses, and they might be willing to listen to you--and like any Nu Mou, are susceptible to certain words that reveal their nature as a good friend who truly just wants to help. For the appropriate price, of course. Their willingness to add aiding the patients at the Inn at Journey's Head to the deal, and encouragement of Alisaie in the process, prove how far they’re willing to bend the concept of "appropriate compensation" as well.

Would kill for a cinnamon roll:

Look, Estinien Wyrmblood just wants to drink, eat dragon-roasted squid, and maybe sleep, man. Then a couple hyper-competent popotoes harassed (and tricked!) him into helping his absent friends. Ended up in the Empire working with a former enemy of the realm to destroy a super weapon and got a lot more than he bargained for in that throne room scene and escape from the palace. Good thing he's used to weirdness when it comes to Scion business. Now if only Krile and Tataru could use their powers to make him CALL HIS DAD...

Sinnamon roll:

Emet-Selch. I’m not even going to explain this. Y’all know what he did.

[ainarosewood]

30 Day WoL Writing Challenge-Day 30 Promise

@seaswolchallenge​ @ffxiv-writers​

A'holha scanned the area about straining his ears to hear.  All around them were the pale crystal clusters and ancient Allag ruins before the gate to the Eight Sentinels.  Behind them were multiple corpses of the Gigas that had been camped here and launching raids against the Sons.

The Miqo'te lowered his axe and looked over at his partner E'shera.  The Scholar standing as alert her Fairy fluttering just behind her.

"Seems to be the last of them." she murmured quietly.

He nodded then replied, "Still we should probably check the path leading to the Tower proper.  Just in case they have a secondary camp."

"Aye and we can at least greet Raha" she said smiling.

The Warrior nodded smiling sadly.  It was a ritual they had developed after the bard had sealed the Tower.  Whenever they were in the area they would go to the doors and say hello and tell the slumbering Miqo'te of their recent adventures.

As they stepped through the gate and followed the path up Shera asked softly, "How long has it been?"  

He paused a moment thinking back before he stated softly, "Since before the attack on the Reach."

"Wow," Shera breathed, "A lot has happened since then hasn't it."

Holha simply nodded his blue eyes roving looking for signs of the giant kin. Together they walked past the rubble of the old sentinels both silent their minds in the past.  It seemed the Giants had not thought to go past the gate since there was no signs of them.

As they approached the glowing portal that led to the Labyrinth they sheathed their weapons and reached for it.

Suddenly pain flared in their heads and the faint voice began,  "Throw....wide.....calamity looms....Throw wide the gates."

Gasping Holha reached out to Shera and pulled her into his arms.  The lady Seeker clung to him tightly.  The pain intensified and they desperately held on to one another terrified that the other would be next.

Holha grasped her tightly praying she wouldn't  be next.  Out of no where the aether shifted and he found himself falling forward hands slamming into the hard pavers before the Tower.

The pain in his head abruptly vanished and at first all he could do was stare in shock at the stones before him.  

No, No, No was the only word his mind would form at first. Then he let out wordless howl of rage and pain tears pouring from his eyes.  He pounded the stones with his fists the only sound to be heard between his sobs was the scrape of his gauntlets as they struck.  After a bit he stopped crying and scrubbed his face with one sore hand.

Then shoving himself to his feet he snarled, "I don't know who you are, why your taking them but I swear I will find them!"

*******************************************************

Shera opened her eyes to find herself in a starry expanse.  It wasn't as it had been before there was no meter shower falling from above, no welcoming voice of the Mother Crystal.  It was silent, and cold and she was completely alone.

A frigid wind began behind her and she found herself floating forward.  Ahead of her were a myriad of ice shards floating.  Suddenly voices began sounding as she passed the ice each one showing a face of someone she knew.

It didn't take the Miqo'te long to realize that these shards were the memories of hers and Holha's travels.  The faces within all of those they had known, helped or fought.

One came through with a clarity that the others hadn't "We did everything right, everything that was asked of us and still, still it came to this!"

She saw the ice ball it was coming from Ardbert's anguished features within and she attempted to reach for it  instead of grabbing it she found herself spinning around and watching it float away.

The Seeker then found herself facing another within its depths was Holha on his hands and knees before the Tower sobbing.  Once again she reached out and got spun again facing a third that was blinding in its brilliance.

Shera's vision whited out and then she saw Minfilia before her the Hyur's hands stretched out before her halting the advance of a gleaming wave of liquid light.

Turning to look over her shoulder the Midlander intoned softly, "Your time has not yet come."

Once again her vision whited out and when she opened her eyes she found herself staring up at a vaulted brick ceiling.

"Thank the Twelve, you've awoken," a familiar relieved voice sounded beside her.

Turning head she saw Alisaie sitting in a chair next to her bed the young Elezen dressed in garb a lot different then last she had seen.

The Scholar leapt up from the bed tacking the girl in a hug calling "Alisaie!"

"Oh for the love of....get off me E'shera!" the girl huffed but made no effort to shove her away.

The Miqo'te let her go then looked around the room confused.  Overtly it was an inn room but it wasn't any that she recognized.

"No doubt you have quite a few questions." a  naggingly familiar voice sounded from the door, "Pray my friend allow me to explain,"

Turning Shera saw a cowled man dressed in a red and black robe with gilded accents.  His left arm appeared to be made completely of blue crystal threaded with a gold metal.  The same crystal covered what could be seen of his neck and creeped up a portion of his face.

As she looked at him confused she realized where she had heard his voice before, "You!" she snarled, "Your damn right I do and you had better answer them."

The cowled man simply nodded stepping into the room stating softly, "Well then let me begin with where you are..."

[faelune-home]

FFXIV Write 2020 #28: Irenic

(A/N: A touch more uncertain with this one. The first thought I had was MInfilia’s goal for peace with the beast tribes, but I already kinda addressed that. So the second thought I had was of Ishgard rebuilding with the dragons. But I may have lost my way with this one a bit. :/

Post-Heavensward. NPC focused.

Word count:1045

@ffxiv-writers)

Some few meetings between dragons and the populace wouldn’t undo a thousand years worth of distrust and hostility immediately, but it was a better start than anything.

The arrival of a former heretic at the gates with a dragonet had been the spark for the idea for Ser Aymeric. He’d initially been baffled at the reports from Ser Francel, however it had gotten him thinking. Some few designated places in both territories and perhaps…

The Firmament could be the start; the children making their home in the new area wouldn’t be a problem. Even with most of their so far short lives living in fear of dragons, it would be a better start to change the tides of such opinions while they were young. Ehll Tou herself certainly helped, already the talk of the cobbles, ever surrounded by young people. The young dravanian had also pledged to try and convince her own peers in the Sea of Clouds to join her.

The older generations would be harder to convince. Those that fought on the front lines, or that lost family that had. The old scars still weeped and bled, and even those few elder Brumites that wished to reside in the Firmament were wary with the new presence. The best plan Aymeric could consider would use Tailfeather deep in the Forelands as a neutral meeting place, but to travel all the way there when most yet struggled in the frozen highlands was a hindrance to the idea.

And none of this yet considered those like Marcelloix, the returned heretic. Those numbers within the heretics that would wish to return to society, but feared they wouldn’t be accepted for their decisions...or their appearance. Aymeric couldn’t help but wish Lady Iceheart remained with them. So often she spoke of peace and making the Holy See accountable for their crimes, and while she may have been a radical about her actions, to have someone to assist in parley now that a mutual goal was possible would’ve been a blessing from Halone Herself.

“Penny for your thoughts?” The Lord Commander turned to the new voice, away from his musing thoughts staring out at the clouds, only to jump in surprise at the gil coin tossed at him. He caught it, though not without a fumble or almost dropping it, earning a snicker from Hilda.

“Preferably I would like to be handed things, not haphazardly tossed them with a risk of losing them into the Sea of Clouds,” the man huffed.

“Well int someone a bit touchy today? Too much paperwork?” The woman smirked, arched eyebrow betraying her curiosity at his mood.

“That, and various considerations.” He sighed. “Alongside long term reform to the city’s inner workings - over seeing the restoration in the Firmament, redistributing the political powers away from the upper houses and the church into the parliament, reconsidering our historical texts and the teachings we would pass on to our younger generations - I’m afraid I’m also rather lost on how to move forward with our old foes. At least with regards to repairing relations and being able to consider them allies once more.”

“Ah, so a lot of fancy faff I wouldn’t much get,” she scoffed, kicking a stray pebble down the street. “But that is your job innit? Make sure we’re all working out now and getting along. But a lot of folk dun want to play nice.”

“Unfortunately not. I promised Midgardsormr I would do better by my people toward his children and his kin. I would like to start by encouraging discussions but--”

“But you can’t just be having people waltz out of here into the freezing cold to go all the way to some wilderness only to meet another cold reception,” Hilda interrupted. Another wry smile crawled across her lips as she saw the elezen man’s jaw stiffen.

“Aye, that would be the right of it.”

“I can tell you now, whatever ideas you’ve got musing around that fluffy head of yours-” She said, poking his forehead and ignoring the hard look he shot at her, “-everyone down in the Brume at least has mulled over the exact same thoughts five times over. And you’re a smart lad, you probably know this lot up here in the Pillars have the same notions like.”

“And yet no ideas on how to solve it,” he grumbled. Hilda rolled her eyes.

“Oi now, what happened to the man that went round promising to do better by the rest of us? I think he’s crawled into a hole and left his shell behind.”

Aymeric frowned, confused. “You just highlighted my problems, surely you would understand what ails me.”

The woman huffed. “Aye, I pointed ‘em out, but I figured that’d also tell you how to fix it. Plenty of folk aren’t too certain about the big race into a ‘peaceful future’ you’re talking about, ‘specially when we haven’t seen it yet and they don’t much believe in it. Maybe the best thing you can do is actually talk to ‘em and then give whatever daft ideas you have a try. Rather than wallowing ‘bout how it all seems hopeless.”

“If discussion worked, then we would have reached an agreement before now.”

“And you of all people should know that not only do these high house lot like the sound of their own voices and they’ll keep talking in circles till they get what they want, but that’s just it; men won’t stop till the plan suits them. You need to stick in and get them on your side.” Hilda shrugged.

“Like I keep saying, I don’t know much about this nonsense, that’s all your job. But if you need an ear to complain when the day job gets to you, you do know where to find me.” She snatched her gil coin from his grasp and sauntered off, leaving the man alone with his thoughts once more.

He wanted to hope for a better future for Ishgard, once that would include the dravanians. But it was a future that still looked a long way off for them all. He sighed again, looking to the skies.

A stray prayer to Halone, to grant him strength and the way through the gloom left his lips, drifting into the mists.

[haillenarte]

full steam ahead;

Here is a translation of the dialogue between Ran’jit, Minfilia, and Thancred in “Full Steam Ahead,” the level 77 Shadowbringers main story quest.

First, a preface: This translation is not a word-for-word translation, though it is slightly more loyal to the Japanese script than the official localization. As always, the Japanese text is enclosed for you to make your own comparisons and judge my decisions if need be. I have some more comments about where I departed from the original text at the bottom of the post.

FULL STEAM AHEAD 廃都ナバスアレン "the sealed city of nabaath areng”

ランジート : ……無様よな、反逆者ども。 我が主に従っていたなら、かように地を這うこともなかった。 ランジート : おお……ミンフィリア……哀れな娘よ……。 お前はそのまま待て、すぐに鼠どもを始末してくれよう。

TRANSLATION RAN’JIT: I pity you, apostates. Had you surrendered to my liege when you were given the chance, you would have no need to squirm through the darkness and the earth like rats. RAN’JIT: And you, Minfilia... my wretched daughter. You shall wait there as I exterminate these pests.

LOCALIZATION Ran'jit: Had you only sworn fealty to Lord Vauthry, you would have no cause to skulk about like frightened animals. Ran'jit: You will remain as you are, while I dispatch these villains.

ミンフィリア : だめ……だめです、そんなこと……！ ランジート : 何故だ。 かつて我は、拾うたびにお前を育て、ともに戦場に立ち、 何百何千もの罪喰いを屠った……。 ランジート : されど世は変わらず、お前は幾度も、幾度も死に続けた！ ランジート : この薄汚い鼠どもはッ！ 哀れなお前に、なおも戦うことを迫り、 混迷の世に招き入れようとしている！ ランジート : 惑わされてはならぬ……ならぬぞ……！ お前を苦しみから永久に解き放てるのは、 我が主、ヴァウスリーのみッ！ 

TRANSLATION MINFILIA: No... No, you can’t! You can’t... RAN’JIT: Why not? Have you forgotten who I am? It was I who found you. I who raised you, time and time again. I who stood on the battlefield beside you, slaying hundreds and thousands of sin eaters by your side! RAN’JIT: But we accomplished nothing. The world never changed. And I watched you die, over and over and over again!  RAN’JIT: What would these filthy vermin bring you?! They encourage you to fight only because they would lead you down a path of chaos we have already tread! RAN’JIT: Do not be deceived, child! Only Lord Vauthry has the power to save us from this endless cycle of torment!

LOCALIZATION Minfilia: No! I won't...! I won't let you! Ran'jit: You forget to whom you speak! Who armed you? Trained you? Fought and killed a thousand sin eaters with you!? Ran'jit: And when you were inevitably cut down and lay lifeless in my arms─who sought out your successor to carry on the futile struggle again and again!? Ran'jit: We seek to bring peace to what is left of this shattered land, while these mad fools would only bring further chaos down upon us! Ran'jit: Do not be deceived, child! Only by Lord Vauthry's hand will this dying world know a sliver of salvation!

ミンフィリア : ……いいえ、私はそんな風に救ってもらいたいわけじゃない。 ミンフィリア : 今だって、痛くて、つらくて、とても苦しい……。 それでもこれは、ここまで旅してこられた証です……！ ミンフィリア : みなさんからかけてもらった言葉を、覚えています。 一緒に見た風景を、覚えています……。 ミンフィリア : その思い出があるからこそ、苦しいのだとしても…… なかったことになんて、絶対にできません……！ ミンフィリア : 伝えたいんです。 大好きだと……ありがとうと……。 私のこの、命ぜんぶで。 ミンフィリア : だから、あなたの手は取りません。 そこを……通してくださいッ！

TRANSLATION MINFILIA: ...But I... I never asked to be saved. MINFILIA: I know that fighting hurts. Living hurts. It hurts, and we suffer, through the bitterness and the tears... But that very pain is proof of how far we’ve come. MINFILIA: The things that everyone said to me... I remember them. The things that everyone showed me... I remember them. MINFILIA: Even if having these memories hurts me, I can’t just go back to my cell and pretend that nothing happened. MINFILIA: ...I want to be able to say things like “I love you” and “thank you” because that’s what it means to be alive. MINFILIA: So I can’t take your hand anymore. I won’t accept what you offer me. Please, stand aside and let us pass!

LOCALIZATION Minfilia: I don't know about the world...but I never asked to be saved. Minfilia: However much it hurts, and however hard it gets, it's my life, and I want to live it on my own terms! Minfilia: And those “mad fools” you want me to abandon? The ones I've traveled with, fought with, and may one day die with─they feel the same. Minfilia: So no, I will not be deceived! No matter what you say, I refuse to believe it's all for nothing! Minfilia: They're everything to me. All I have and all I need. And I would gladly do anything for them. Minfilia: Let us pass, or kill me. I'm not leaving here without them.

ランジート : 愚かな……！ 反逆者どもに染められおって、仕置きが必要か……！

TRANSLATION RAN’JIT: Foolish girl...! Very well — you must be disciplined. If you would stain your hands with rebellion, then you have earned your father’s ire!

LOCALIZATION Ran'jit: How dare you! Very well─if you would cast your lot with villains, then you shall share their fate!

サンクレッド : ……お前が伝えようとしてくれた気持ちは、 痛いほど、よくわかってる……。 言葉で示せず、すまなかった。 サンクレッド : 行けッ、こいつは俺が食い止める！ ミンフィリア : でも……っ！ サンクレッド : だから誰のためでもない、お前の望みをぶつけてくるんだ。 サンクレッド : 俺は…… お前のわがままくらい、いくつだって受け止めてやる……！

TRANSLATION THANCRED: ...I heard what you said. And I understand how you feel. I know it so well that it hurts... I’m sorry I never said it myself. THANCRED: Go! I’ll deal with him! MINFILIA: But — THANCRED: You’re doing this for yourself, right? And not for anyone else. THANCRED: I... If it’s for you, I’ll do anything.

LOCALIZATION Thancred: I heard what you said. And I'm sorry for all the things I've left unspoken. Thancred: You have to go. Now! Minfilia: Thancred, no─ Thancred: Go! Do what you came here to do. Thancred: I'll not have you waste that newfound resolve on me.

サンクレッド : そいつを頼んだ！ 必ず、「ミンフィリア」のもとまで届けてやってくれ。 

TRANSLATION THANCRED: I’ll leave her in your hands. Take her to Minfilia!

LOCALIZATION Thancred: I leave her in your hands. Hurry!

サンクレッド : 行かせはしない。 妹と娘、ふたりの家族への想いだ……打ち破れると思うなよッ！ ランジート : 笑止ッ……！ 貴様のような未熟者が、あれの父など名乗るではないわ！

TRANSLATION THANCRED: You’re not getting past me, old man. My sister, or your daughter... which do you think she’d rather be? RAN’JIT: Don’t make me laugh, boy... A brat like you couldn’t possibly call himself her kin!

LOCALIZATION Thancred: Not another step! Your fight is with me. Ran'jit: You think yourself her protector!? Hah! As if a whelp like you could be a better father to her than me!

(After the battle...)

ランジート : ……あの娘は、苦難の星のもとに生まれたのだ。苦しむぞ……これからも……。 サンクレッド : 護っていくさ。……あいつが、それを望むかぎり。

TRANSLATION RAN’JIT: That girl... she was born under a calamitous star. She must be shielded from her misfortune... I must... THANCRED: You don’t understand. You can only protect her as long as she wants to be protected.

LOCALIZATION Ran'jit: You would have her suffer and die. I would spare her that fate! Thancred: That is not for you or anyone else to decide─ever again.

サンクレッド : ……でも、一度くらいはちゃんと叶えたいだろ。 俺は、お前の、「お兄さん」なんだから。 サンクレッド : ミンフィリア…………

TRANSLATION THANCRED: ...Still, I wanted to do it right, just once. Because I’m your big brother...  THANCRED: Minfilia...

LOCALIZATION Thancred: One last time, with a little help. I'm so proud to have been a part of your life... Thancred: Oh, Minfilia...

TRANSLATOR’S NOTES

I wound up “rewriting” the script a lot more than I intended to, mostly for emotional impact, but for fairness’s sake, let me note where I really changed things up.

MINFILIA: Even if having these memories hurts me, I can’t just go back to my cell and pretend that nothing happened. To be fair, Minfilia does not mention going back to her cell in Eulmore here. However, I threw it in because her speech about pain being inevitable in life doesn’t really sound like she’s even talking to Ran’jit otherwise. The gist of their argument, obviously, is that he wants to insulate her from all of life’s suffering by throwing her in a cage, but she is trying to tell him that she can accept that pain.

MINFILIA: ...I want to be able to say things like “I love you” and “thank you” because that’s what it means to be alive. This isn’t a significant change in my opinion, but I had to reword the nuance of the original text very slightly or else it wouldn’t make a lot of sense. What Minfilia says in Japanese is something closer to “I want to convey it... [things like] I love you, and thank you, and everything in this life of mine,” but I went with “what it means to be alive” since that’s a much more familiar turn of phrase in English literature and pop culture.

RAN’JIT: Very well — you must be disciplined. If you would stain your hands with rebellion, then you have earned your father’s ire! There’s nothing actually wrong with the localization’s decision to render this as “cast your lot with villains.” I actually might have done the same thing if not for the fact that I try not to repeat the localization unless it’s necessary. What he says literally is “if you would allow yourself to be stained by the rebels,” but I didn’t like the sexual connotations of words like “tainted,” “besmirched,” and “corrupted,” so I avoided all that by turning “rebels” into “rebellion” instead. This isn’t really important enough to be explained, but I just wanted to defend myself against anyone who might think that I misread this sentence. I know it says “rebels” — it was just unpleasant to keep it that way!

THANCRED: If it’s for you, I’ll do anything. Definitely the most aggressive rewrite on my part here, but I think it’s defensible (and would have hurt me a lot more than “I'll not have you waste that newfound resolve on me”). Thancred’s Japanese line, in a really clunky literal way, is “If it’s for your selfishness, I can accept a great number [of burdens/blows]” — but obviously, no one talks like that in English, so I felt it made the most sense to straight up render it “If it’s for you, I’ll do anything.”

THANCRED: You’re not getting past me, old man. My sister, or your daughter... which do you think she’d rather be? Thancred doesn’t call Ran’jit an old man in Japanese here, but I thought the aggressive banter between “old man” and “boy” was charming, so I threw it in. The second line is also a pretty liberal reinterpretation on my part: the Japanese is something like “Sister and daughter, two feelings of family, don’t think you can break it so easily!” — but, again, this is weird as hell in English, so I made it more of a taunting statement on Thancred’s part.

RAN’JIT: That girl... she was born under a calamitous star. She must be shielded from her misfortune... I must... THANCRED: You don’t understand. You can only protect her as long as she wants to be protected. This is, again, a reinterpretation on my part. Ran’jit says something roughly like “That girl was born under a calamitous star, she has always been suffering, even now,” and Thancred replies, “Then I’ll protect her. As long as she wants me to, that is.” I think the English script wanted this exchange to be more about giving Minfilia the ability to decide her own fate, but I thought this take on it gave more weight to Ran’jit’s madness — the reason he’s so hellbent on “protecting” her is because he still thinks of Minfilia as his daughter, the one that was born under a bad sign, and he still needs to protect her, because he’s still her father. The localization probably changed this because they didn’t want Ran’jit spouting random mumbo-jumbo about stars, but I think there’s actually something very sad about Ran’jit suddenly going on about his daughter’s astrological sign, do you know what I mean? He doesn’t at all understand that she’s long gone. There’s certainly power in “That is not for you or anyone else to decide─ever again,” though.

THANCRED: ...Still, I wanted to do it right, just once. Because I’m your big brother... THANCRED: Minfilia...  I don’t know if I successfully carried this thought over from the previous sentence correctly, and maybe this was already obvious in English, I'm not sure — but what Thancred says in Japanese is “I wanted to make it happen just once,” where when he says “make it happen” he means essentially, “I wanted to see my dream come true.” Basically, his “dream” is that he wanted to protect Minfilia like a real big brother — both the Minfilia from the First, yes, but also the Minfilia from the Source, whom he feels he failed to protect. Yes... This dork really just wanted to have that big damn hero moment where he gets to protect his little sister from the bad guys that are after her... I also cried...

[tenuuchlegch]

         The morning sun was peaking over horizon line, as F’lhaminn poured out her heart to Warburton and Minfilia... or what remained of them. Skies turning a pinkish color over camp Drybone, a falcon cried overhead with wings spread wide soaring into unknown territories. The crystalized aether from shard of Dalamud also began gleaming in the distance, like fire being ignited. How ironic, that the atmosphere would display as such a tranquil scene befitting the one two women were honoring. Truly, it was as if Hydaelyn herself had gone out of her way to ensure this moment’s absolute serenity. Au ra was certain the former leader of Scions would have very much enjoyed it.  

         While Odtsetseg could not boast of knowing the hyur on a level other Scions did, when miqo’te approached her regarding letter which involved group’s former leader she was compelled to escort retired songstress. This was not completely for her sake, but so they both could receive some closure regarding their now long departed friend and kin. Minfilia... or rather Ascilia was a good woman, whose munificence and compassion towards her fellow man inspired or spurred others forward. Xaela would know, for she was one of them. Yet despite all the good that she accomplished, warrior of light’s fellow Echo user never got a proper burial, for there was no body to be found. It was a shame, that none of them had gotten around to doing so until now. She was a light in the darkness, who ignited the flame others may shoulder after all. 

        Odtsetseg hoped she would be one day worthy of such steadfast faith.

         F’lhaminn’s query of what she would say, snapped xaela out from her thoughts. Blinking, typically laconic adventurer briefly found herself at a loss for words. In truth, a part of Odtsetseg half expected miqo’te to simply say her piece, thank au ra then leave. That is what sometimes occurred, amidst circumstances such as this one. Besides what could she, someone who was only a brief part of Minfilia’s life possibly have to say which was not uttered already? But auri had to say her piece, didn’t she? Even if their time together was short, she worked in close liaison with the blond-haired woman. It would be wrong, to maintain her silence now. Additionally, there was a lot left unsaid. 

         Turning to the grave fully after a moment, Odtsetseg breathed in, placed one knee on ground and spoke. 

         “Hello, Minfilia... or should I call you Ascilia now? Whatever the case, I think I will go with the former, if you do not mind.” There came a pause, as eyes closed and head lowered in a shamed fashion. “I never got the chance to tell you this, but when I came to you and the Scions... I had nothing. I had lost my home- my tribe. All the traditions I grew up with were squashed, then scatted to the four winds and every member of my family was either gone or lost touch with me long ago. Needless to say, it would be no exaggeration that I was lost, bitter and... broken. I helped people yes, but I cannot claim that it was from a pure desire such as yours. To be frank, I cared very little for people- I was terrified to. It lead to attachment, I surmised and attachment would only lead towards heartache.” A sigh escaped lungs, as she lifted hues to look upon the grave again; soft smile returning.

          “Yet, in spite of my stubbornness you and the others still kept me by your sides. You treated me as one of your own, despite our very different backgrounds and the fact that our cultures often clashed with one another. Though I did not see it at first, I now am aware that you and the others became like family to me, through our journey. ... Apologies for trying to start our friendship out with a blood pact, by the way. I realize now that was plausibly quite intense to witness.” A noise which hinted at surprise was heard behind her (likely from F’lhaminn), but Odtsetseg paid no mind to it and continued.

         “Either way, I can assure you that your legacy will live on. I may not be the warrior of light you were acquainted with all those years ago, but... let there be no doubt that I will make strides to be the person you believed me to be. Thancred and the others will do their best too, I am certain. With that being said, I hope this gives both you and your father reassurance that you can finally rest.” 

         When all the Scions returned safely to the source, Odtsetseg would ensure that this place be made known towards them. It would not be fair of her to keep such information for herself. Besides, if they all were made aware entire group could visit her to honor the generous woman’s memory.