#no one should give this to Samuru

[samurulantis]

(IC) Father of mine

It had been a fair amount of time since Samuru set foot into Limsa, a town he didn't often visit but had a fondness for even still. This trip was not one of pleasure but of purpose, one he'd been hesitant to take for sometime now. As he trekked his way through the bustling market he would give way to pause when he spotted those of the sailor variety, pulling them from the crowds to ask the same burning question.

"Aryan Rivet, where can I find him?"

The question was often met with a dismissive shrug or perplexed look, turned away at every futile attempt. It was only when the question was overheard by a grizzly looking Roegadyn that he was given some form of direction.

"Lookin' fer Ary? Won't have to go far, fucker practically lives at the docks. Not sure what some nobleman would want with him but if he owes ya money, good luck gettin' it." He'd snap. Samuru made a face at the accusation, scoffing in annoyance.

"I am hardly noble and believe me, he owes me more than money could ever buy. Thank you for your intel."

Samuru made his way toward the docks with the new found information, spying a ship off in the distance that had many bustling about to load its precious cargo. The Elezen truly had little to go off of other than a name and a vague location. To find his target he would have to be a bit more bold than perhaps he would've liked. High heels clicked against the worn wood of the docks as he approached the flurry of activity, stopping to cross his eyes and scan the crowd. He sighed in mild irritation before he parted his lips, voice raising to echo out across the scene.

"Which one of you is Aryan Rivet?" His normally mellow voice bellowed out loud enough to at least gain their attention, all deck hands snapping to attention to peer at the petite Elezen across the way. A lalafellan woman turned her head and called to the inside of the ship.

"EY ARY! Some woman is lookin' fer ya!"

This made Samuru's lips pinch into a thin line, a reaction he was accustomed to but it still pissed him off regardless. He wouldn't have to wait long for the one he sought to emerge, a befuddled expression on his face and understandably confused that he had a visitor at all.

The man was a midlander hyur in his late fifties, white hair a disheveled mess and his clothing had seen better days. Years of hard labor and intensive exposure to the elements hadn't been kind to him, looking worn and not in the best health to be sure. He turned his head to look over at Samuru who stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the unruly lot which surrounded them, doing a brief double take. Aryan made his approach, pulling a cloth from his belt to clean his calloused hands to little effect. Samuru himself felt a twinge in his chest and a lump in his throat. Even if he had been at this for weeks he still hadn't properly prepared himself for what he was seeing. Once Aryan had come within speaking distance he'd give Samuru a once over with his blue eyed gaze, arms crossed in mild defiance of his presence.

(More under the cut)

"Listen, I don't know what you've been told about me but I'm not in that business anymore. I'm flying on the straight and narrow now...keeping it down to earth." He stated, holding up a hand as if that would be enough to dissuade anything that was about to leave the strangers mouth.

"Did you know Sherelle Lantis?" Ru blurted out, appearing unimpressed by Aryan's attempt to brush him off. The mention of such a long lost name caused Aryan's guard to drop out of sheer disbelief, looking at Samuru as if he'd seen a hoard of ghosts fall from the sky in succession. He took a cautious step back, narrowing his eyes at Samuru.

"No, never heard of her. How about you bugger off..." He'd grump, turning as if ready to take his leave.

"Bullshit." Samuru began. "You do know her...not now, but once upon a time. If I were a betting man I'd say you have Eorzea's worst poker face. I didn't come all this way to hunt you down only to be dismissed. The thing I can tell you is that you aren't under threat and no harm will come to you...but it's imperative that you cooperate with me to make this easier for us both."

This prompted Aryan to stop in his tracks, his back facing the stubborn Elezen. His shoulders dropped in defeat, a sad sigh leaving his lips before he turned to face the beauty across the way. Gradually he turned around to face Samuru once more, a twisted expression written on his face. "...What do you want?"

"A little of your time. I realize you are likely on a tight schedule but if you get on that boat and head out of port it'll be a nuisance for me to find you again. Just come with me to the Drowning Wench, have a drink and talk with me. After that...you are free to go and you'll never see me again." Ru's tone firm, but reasonable under the circumstances. Aryan seemed naturally hesitant, taking a glance back at the ship and then returning his gaze to his unwelcome companion.

"..Give me five minutes and I'll accompany you. And you're paying, by the by." Aryan grunted, turning to inform the crew of his brief absence to come.

Once loose ends had been tied both men made for the local tavern, finding a table and taking a seat. Samuru ordered himself a tea, allowing Aryan his mug of strong ale. As they settled in Samuru leaned back in his chair, thinking carefully over what to say. He had planned it for weeks, had it all carefully crafted in his mind. Now faced with the situation he found a loss for words, a mixture of emotions holding his tongue hostage. Aryan stayed quiet as it appeared that he wasn't keen to get things going, the subject as a whole a clear sore spot. With a soft inhale of breath taken, Ru finally worked up the courage to begin.

"I won't mince words...Sherlle is not long for this world." A crack in his tone, trying to stay strong even if the matter was entirely personal to him. This news woke Aryan up all too quickly, jerking his head away from his mug while giving Samuru a startled look.

"W-What..? But..." He bowed his head, threading his fingers through his hair in a shaken pass. "Where is she? I have to go see her..."

"No." Samuru interjected firmly, spoken with a high level of conviction. "You can't go to her, both of us know that. I'm here as a courtesy to her, not you. I owe you nothing, but you owe her everything." There was anger in his tone despite his attempts to mask it.

Aryan grit his teeth, balling a fist as his own pool if anger began to bubble. "And just who the fuck are you? Haven't given me a name or shit all, but you come here to bid me morbid tidings like these?" He abruptly stood from his chair, slamming both hands down on the table. "You aren't the only one who can track people down, I got connections. I'll just go and--"

Aryan was interrupted by a face full of tea, dumped on him by the Elezen who had stood in succession. This made the midlander cough and sputter, taken by surprise. "You'll just go and what? Make her last days miserable and full of dramatics? Do you think her husband isn't going to take notice that you're there? She's been through enough in her lifetime, at least allow her death to be a peaceful one you selfish prick." Ru growled, every muscle in him tensed all at once.

The hyur stood there, dripping in drink and looking like a drowned rat. He practically staggered back into his seat, clearly broken by the news and the denial to do what he wished.

"Th-Then why even come here? Why tell me at all if I can't go to her?"

"Because she would've wanted you to know. You were the love of her life, weren't you?"

Aryan clasped his hands together on the table, sadness consuming his facial features. "I still don't even get why..." He'd whisper. "I wasn't much of anything when I met her all those years ago. Just a son of a poor blacksmith, pounding away on anvils day in and day out. But by the Gods...she was beautiful, her smile could melt Shiva's icy tomb. I wanted to hold her hand, wipe specks of dirt from her face, take care of her until the day my heart stopped beating. Fucked up thing is when I first saw you I was almost certain it was her..." He'd squint up at Samuru who remained standing, his face blank but he was listening. "I wanted to marry her, despite the taboo of it all. We knew there were other places that were more accepting than our neck of the woods in Gridania. A hyur and an elezen...is it really that strange to contemplate? I would've moved heaven and earth for her." He'd sigh. "Thing is she was with someone else at the time. I know it's not right to sneak around but...with all of the conditions pushed down on us we had to tread lightly. Raelmont wasn't exactly what I'd call understanding...and he had suspected something was going on for sometime."

Samuru slowly moved to retake his seat, crossing one leg over the other. "So what happened?" He asked, voice quiet.

"Sherelle became pregnant." Aryan murmured, squeezing his hands together tighter. "I didn't really care whose it was, mine or his...I still wanted to go away with her. I begged her...pleaded on my hands and knees..." Aryan's lip fell into a quiver, a lump forming in his throat. "But with her strict upbringing and the uncertainty of the child's origins...she just..couldn't. She told me that no matter how much she longed for me that the babe in her belly couldn't live the life that we would offer. She was determined to protect it, to keep it safe from Raelmont's wrath and the cruelty the world would bring should it be mixed. It was just easier to raise the child as a full blooded Elezen than be marked as...something else. No matter how much my heart broke that day...I agreed with her. I wouldn't want my kid to suffer, so we did the only thing we could...and that was let each other go." Aryan placed his face in his hands. "Now my darling star is g-going to burn out.." An audible whimper coming from those hands.

Samuru sat there, a few rogue drops of moisture filling in his mismatched eyes. He lifted a delicate finger to wisp away those pesky tears, clearing his throat in a bid to keep his composure. "She isn't going to burn out, Aryan. Her life may be ending but she will continue on in her children, in those whose life she has impacted. I realize that may not be a comfort to you...but it is all I have to offer."

Aryan rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, looking at Samuru across the way with his bloodshot gaze for a long moment. "You're him, aren't you?" He swallowed hard, leaning over the table slightly. "You have to be...you look so much like her."

Ru held up a hand to stop him, his brows pinching into a tight frown. "Does it matter? Maybe I am, maybe I'm not...but if you're looking to be a father now I fear it's too late. I'm married with children of my own...a half hyurian, half elezen daughter." His words striking a nerve in the sailor across the way. "Both of you were right, it isn't always easy to raise a child with odds stacked against them before they cut their first tooth. Granted, the world is different than it was thirty years ago and acceptance isn't such a far cry. But I can say with a large degree of certainty that for Isen...I would've faced those odds ten times over to be by his side. Both of you made a judgement call that wasn't easy, and I understand that. But even with your best efforts I still suffered, I still put up with prejudice and hatred..I still had to justify my existence not just to my peers, but my father. He knew I wasn't his, I knew I wasn't his, but all of us were happy to live in our bubble of denial for the sake of short term peace. Even if he looked at me like daemon spawn, he still raised me and for that he will always be my father...not you."

That statement cut right through Aryan, forcing him to lean back in his chair as if he had been punched in the gut. "H-How can you...say things like that? Don't you think I wanted to--"

"I'm going to stop you right there. Wanting and doing are two very different things. I love my mother but both of you made a wrong turn that day. If you had run away together before she was with child, what were you going to do then? Abstain and never have a family to avoid a what-if scenario? It's a joke, one big cruel joke that no one is having a laugh at. Mother loved me, that I can say without a shadow of a doubt. But no one wants to feel like they ruined someone's life, and that is exactly how both of you made me feel even if today is the first I've seen of your face. She was miserable without you and she settled for my sake...and I hate that she did." Samuru moved to stand, gritting his teeth in frustration. "We get one chance at living, that's all. Both of you threw away yours and now here I stand, delivering devastating news that you should've heard from her...by her bedside...in -your- home." Samuru's voice grew more dire, Aryan shrinking considerably in his seat.

Samuru, now emotionally compromised, dug into his pocket to pull out a crystal hair pin shaped like a lily, placing it down on the table in front of the devastated hyur. "She kept this...and now she wants it to go back to you. Let it be the last shred of evidence that you fucked up horribly, and no I'm not sorry for saying it. I am going to go now...to say goodbye to a woman who sacrificed it all for someone she hadn't even brought into the world yet." Visibly shaken and distraught, Samuru turned to storm away from the table, tossing a few coins at the bar to pay for their drinks. Aryan was left sitting there alone, picking up the discarded hair pin with shaken hands. Even after Samuru had left, he didn't move a muscle, unable to stop the river of tears that had flooded his cheeks.

He kept right on walking, his own emotions sent into overdrive. No matter how hard he had prepared, it just hadn't been enough. Years of pain, of the unknown, had all come together to brew a storm that went on without end. He stopped himself long enough to peer out at the sunset, his eyes glistening with moisture and his chest heavy. Even after all was said and done, he didn't feel better at all. The weight he hoped to lift, to push away yet remained. "Godsdamnit..." He hissed, the world around him crashing down faster than he could piece it back together. No matter how long he'd denied his origins, this time he couldn't turn a blind eye any longer.

[ @tidusyumemiru for mention]

[eorzeasntm]

Cycle 8: Week 4 Results!

The end of Week 4 has come, and let’s see a little recap of what we asked.

This week I asked then to show us the areas they love most in the new zones around Stormblood’s release!

The overall favorite for Week 4 is:

Nicol Grunenberg

Congratulations! You have saved your home, and taken first place this week!

Critiques:

Rongi/Katarh did Nicol Grunenberg M’telihgo Feilyon Zetsumei Tsunarashi

Rongi:

Nicol: Hey Nicol, welcome to Round 4! Last week, I really enjoyed your shot! The browns and the dark blue, plus the placement of you and your partner were done really well. If I can get nit-picky, I would have liked it if you moved the camera down just a tiny bit, so that the NPC behind you's feet weren’t cut off at such an awkward place. But other than that, I liked it and appreciated the simplicity. This week is another great shot from you as well. It is risky to do a back shot, but this worked in your favor. I like the over-all composition, the two layers we get in the front and the back, and the big open sky is great. I wonder what it would have looked like a little bit more zoomed in, just so you aren't being overtaken by all that background, but I like this shot as well. My advice for you next week is to really look at your zooming, and try and find the perfect amount of zoom in that will please all the judges. I know it’s hard, haha, but keep trying! Good luck!

M’telihgo: M'telihgo!! I am so proud of you this week! Last week, I was, again, disappointed by your background and foreground composition. It is cut off at the top of the building in an odd area, and I think your partner would have looked better completely in frame instead of half cut off. Your glamour also left me with something to be desired. But I saw you in the discord chat asking for advice, and I heard that you got some from a previous winner. I don’t know exactly what she told you, but you submitted the best image of you so far, this week! Look at that image!! It's beautiful! You are off to one side, you've got a tilt going that makes the image more interesting, you've got a nice Asian glamour to match the Asian scenery, the fade from white clouds in the corner to dark rocks in the opposite side give the image a nice flow...it's great. I am so proud, and I hope you see as well what an improvement this is! You are in my top 2 this week! I am just blown away by how much you improved in just ONE week! Congratulations! I cannot wait to see what you bring next week. My advice this week? Keep. It. Up!!! Good luck!!!

Zetsumei: Welcome to Round 4 Zetsumei! Let's start with last week's photo! Amazing. Everything about it was amazing. The composition, the framing, the effects, the glamour’s, just perfect. One of my favorite pictures in ENTM history. Congratulations. This week's shot is quite impressive as well, but I feel like it's a small step back for you. The effects, the glamour, the mount, all the pieces are there, but your background composition was lackluster compared to previous weeks. I love this picture but I wish you hadn't been dead center OR that the background had some sort of rhyme or reason to why it is there. Maybe something is behind you that made this background choice your number 1 pick, I just can’t see it because of your position. But this is by no means a weak picture. It's just hard to go from your Round 3 shot to this shot. Seriously, last week was AMAZING. My advice for you next week is to simply keep on doing good. Watch those backgrounds! I wanna see something like your Kugane post card shot and your Double Trouble shot every week! Good luck!!

 Katarh:

Nicol Grunenberg: This is by far my favorite shot from you yet.  This looks like a Renaissance painting.  I love it so much!  Fantastic usage of the location - good weather (I like the contrast of the partly cloudy sky against the castle) and good decision to make the location itself the primary focus.  Following the rule of thirds, my eye is immediately drawn to your character, and to the castle, and the triumph that is radiating out of that fierce pose.  The only tiny suggestion I can think of is zooming in just a hair more to cut off the excess ledge near the bottom, but that also might have been tough to do and keep the whole castle in view.  Overall great job!

M’telihgo Feilyon: An excellent shot this week from you as well.  The concept is great and your execution is excellent - you look very pensive overlooking the ruins.  I would have liked to see just a bit more of your face, though - getting the three quarters turn and still looking out over the vista might have been tough, so perhaps a slightly tighter zoom might have achieved it as well.

Zetsumei Tsunarashi: This shot is quite lovely, but I think this week might have been the week where "less is more" should have been your guiding thought.  Yes, it's Kojin of the Red.... but everything is so red I can barely see the location behind your bird!  I think you have some limbal darkening in red, and that along with the zoom being too tight on your character means the location itself, which should have been the star of the shot, has been washed out.  I do like your choice of glamour for this (since it comes from the zone's dungeons - and has red!) and your choice of mount to emphasis the red theme.

Nads and Vaughn did Samuru Lantis Destiney Delvanguard Gangly Zilla Leviathan Seagreen Linmei Quan 

Nadede:

Destiney Delvanguard: Destiny, this is probably one of my favorite shots from you thus far. The place that you picked to read your book is one that I would pick for myself personally. While I like the image you have taken I wish that I was able to see your feet as well as it feels a bit odd having your feet cut off. While I like the idea of having the sakura effect in your image, I wish that you could see a bit more of the effect as it is barely visible. I encourage you to keep listening to critiques that are being said, not only for yourself but for others as well. I also would encourage you to keep playing around with your lighting some more and with limb darkening. The limb darkening will help with drawing viewer’s eyes to you.  This is really a big improvement over your image last week. Keep it up!

Gangly Zilla: Gangly, I normally love what you come up with week after week, I feel as if you stepped a bit back this week. Your glamour I feel goes well with the atmosphere of the area that you are in and the expression on your face does have the look of being very cautious as one would be in a new area unknown to them. The tilt also helps give that feel of uneasiness. I feel that the effect filter used detracts from your image. I am wondering if perhaps another choice of filter effect or color filter would have been a better choice that could convey the dreamlike state you are going for. Last week’s image I liked the lighting used and how you had your hand outstretched was inviting the viewer to join you and your companion in a scary realm. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next week.

Leviathan Seagreen: So, are you happy to be back in your homeland finally after I’m sure has been a very long time? I like how with your hair and skin tone being light along with the lighter colors in your glamour makes you pop out against the night sky. I also how the lighting makes the image have a softness to it and the use of the limb darkening helps draws viewers in. While there are things that I do like about the image I wish that you could see more of the Au’ra villages in the background. You are from that area, be proud of it and show more of it ���� I also liked your image from last week as well. The only detractor I could find from that was that you were dressed in a dark attire while your companion was dressed in white. You just want to make sure that if you have another in your shot that they don’t try to take the spotlight off of you. Keep up the good work and looking forward to what you come up with for next week.

Linmei Quan: Linmei, you have been improving week after week. The colors within your glamour goes with the colors within the background to give a cohesiveness to your image. While I like the lighting in the background of your shot, I wish that you played around with the lighting closer to you to help you pop out some more. I am also finding that the heart in your image and your feet cut off a bit of a distraction. Maybe having you zoomed out to just where your toes touch the edge of the image would have been a better choice? Your shots appear to have the same mood, color tone, etc week after week. I challenge you to try to blow me out of the water with your next set of images and to come out of your comfort zone by changing something up, be it your style of glamour, hairdo, lip color, maybe no tattoo, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask past judges and contestants for advice. Now, can you be up for the challenge given? Hmmmm. Can’t wait to see if you will or not! :D

Samuru Lantis: Such a contrast with this week’s image compared to the one last week (which btw I liked). I liked how it took the past critiques and used them to help improve your images. While your background is very bright I liked how you used the dark rock to help make you pop out against the background. The colored marker filter also helps bring the plant life around you pop out as well. While I like your image and the lighting in the background works with the overall image, I just wish I could see what is in the background a bit more. Play around with the limb darkening and see if it will help bring your character out more. Keep up the good work and looking forward to next week.

Vaughn:

Destiney Delvanguard - This! This is what I've been waiting for from you! One of the most gorgeous models finally bringing her game up! The overall image is one I could see in a fairy tale. Bright colors, blue sky, white clouds, and a distant image of a castle? (I know it's not, but run with me here!) You chose a color for yourself that compliments the entire image while making you stand out, refusing to let you blend into the dream. Everybody better watch out for you in the upcoming weeks!

Gangly Zilla - I look at this picture and see Alan Wake. Dusty, misty, desaturation with a tiny glow in the distance. You must also enjoy horror games! Strong camera tilt adds to the overall nightmare setup of the image. I'm almost scared of what's going to pop out at us!

Leviathan Seagreen - I have yet to be disappointed by any of your shots, and this is no exception! While the background is dark, you can still see the little details, and that sky is phenomenal! With you in the forefront, shirt the same color as the sky, it brings the whole image together. Bravo!

Linmei Quan - Keeping up with the strong images! The depth of field and tinted limb darkening really help make you pop! Great use of the camera tilt as well. Not too little and not too much, just enough to give this shot dynamic. If there is one criticism, it's your hair blends into the trees a bit. However, it does't distract too much. Keep this up!

Samuru Lantis - Ahh, this is the Samuru I expect! Placing yourself against the darkest part of the scene is the best choice, and I'm glad you did it while still setting a bit against the background to tie the contrast together. This is definitely a serene image, and I know I'd like to be meditating while staring off into that misty distance with you!

[moonlit-theft-archived]

(( I swear I won't be evil at all.)) ◝( ′ㅂ`)و ̑̑ --- ONE FACT ABOUT EACH AND EVERY MUSE OF YOURS.

For each “◝( ′ㅂ`)و ̑̑ “ I get I’ll tell a muse fact nobody knows about! @delightful-envy

Eiri - She had professional lessons in both singing and dancing when she was younger. Though she doesn't have lessons anymore, she still enjoys doing both of them quite a bit.

Miyako - To be honest all she actually wanted was to marry a nice person, have two children, and live her life out in content peace -- so much for that.

Vayne - He hates soirees. He always has, and he likely always will. It doesn't help his case that he can't dance.

Miira - She has problems realizing the feelings of other people. Though she is cheerful and friendly, she doesn't always realize when someone is angry or sad, and thus won't always take the right approach with them.

Mana - Though she is anti social, she loves talking about books. Anything else however, and she'd prefer to not have a part of it.

Lacie - She doesn't sleep much, mostly because her mind just doesn't allow her any peace. Though since she created something that'll help energize fatigued people, it's not too much of a bother.

Seigyaku - ... His feelings for Mana are platonic. XD

Hiroshi - He actually has hunter blood running through his veins.

Emi - Very romantically loyal. A guy could walk past her stark naked, and if he's not her love interest, she wouldn't give a damn. 

Sota - Oddly romantic. He likes taking his significant other on dates, and to spend time with them. Though he also likes to do some good natured teasing to them.

Amatus - He was supposed to change his weapon in when he became a vampire, since he can't touch anything other than the handle, but he's so attached to his whip that he couldn't bring himself to do this.

Evangeline - She will chase Amatus to the end of the world to get him to do his paperwork, if you let her.

Alexandria - She's the youngest of three children, the family's little 'princess'. As a result the family simply lets her 'hobby' go unpunished.

Takahiro - He wasn't born with his red eye. It's something he ended up with after an accidental vampiric blood transfusion following after an accident.

Takashi - He's actually not nearly as stuck up as people tend to believe upon meeting him; he quite likes to kick back and hang out with his siblings during the weekend.

Amaya - She... would probably have more success in love, if she wouldn't want to eat everyone she falls for. Regretfully for people, she falls away rather easily.

Akemi - Though she always acts like it's a drag to be a part of her family, she can't imagine ever being without them and, in a way, she's glad that being a human means that she'll go first.

Shinji - He gets sick when he has to travel in an airplane.

Haruka - He was fairly short when he was younger, and underweight.

Miki - When she loves someone, this tends to come with slightly obsessive tendacies - and the self depreciation that allows her to transform into whatever that personw ants her to be.

Hatsue - She wandered around by herself for a long time, not knowing for the longest time that there were others like her.

Kindra - She doesn't actually hate vampires, though she's rather distrustful of them. Still, she thinks that things should be amiable between the two races, for things to prosper for everyone.

Gin - He's been in love with Kindra since they were kids, and very set on marrying her ever since she accepted his proposal when they were 4 and 6.

Jin - When it comes down to it, she's actually a daddy's little girl.

Hikari - She sleeps with an old pillow of herself, her brother and their parents under her pillow.

Yuji - He was a serious student back when he was homeschooled, but ever since being 'released' to Cross Academy he just... unwinded.

Samuru - When he was younger, he actually had a complex about his girly face. Now, however, he accepts it as one of his greatest assets.

Lily - Her thighs are fairly firm from all the horseriding - which makes it even more lethal that, whenever someone pisses her off, she tends to lash out by stomping on their foot.

Murasaki - She loves traveling, so she always takes up missions that are abroad, whenever possible. And even though she tends to give off the fact, she is most definitely not actually stoned--

[samurulantis]

|A nightmare overtakes Samuru| Their child cried in the darkness of a cell out of reach. Each attempt to melt the bars or cast any aether was met with immense pain. The sounds of a chair being dragged in front of Ru's cell as the deep voice speaks, "You knew what he was. You accepted it. You are as responsible as he is. I'll give you mercy though. Isen or the child? You have till I return to decide." The footsteps walked away as the infant cried out louder. When the answer was given, Ru awoke.

Samuru felt the weight of something heavy on his chest and yet he was not bound in any way. His eyes snapped open only to reveal a darkened cell, sitting within a single chair situated beneath a spotlight. He jolted to stand, reaching for his book which seemed to have been taken. "Hello?!" He'd call out, glaring hard at the metal bars that stood between him and freedom. "Let me out!"

As he approached the bars, he tried to cast anything he could think of to aid in his escape, but was met with painful backlash. He'd hiss when the spell was rejected, lurching away from the source of his agony. The only thing that distracted him from the sting was the wail of a babe, a very familiar cry at that. He felt his pupils shrink into narrow points, sucking in a sharp breath of panic.

"Grace...? GRACE!" He'd cry out, running to the bars and grabbing them full force, shaking the metal hard but to no avail. It was then he heard the sound of a chair dragging in the darkness, a faceless figure taking a seat in front of Ru's cell. He'd grit his teeth in anger, able to tell that this was his captor. Such a thing infuriated, lashing out long before he was able to speak. "You better not even DARE to---"

He was cut off by the unknown assailants chiding remark, nostrils flaring at the pure audacity of his suggestion. "Isen is here? What have you done to him?! Let them go or I swear I'll kill you. THEY'LL NEVER FIND YOUR REMAINS!" Words scathing, the rage within near intolerable. But much of it was posturing, a tactic meant to scare even though he knew he was completely vulnerable. This cretin wanted him to choose? His husband or his precious daughter, that was the offer.

Samuru shoved his way from the bars, starting to pace back and forth in his panic. He'd drag his fingers through his hair to the point many strands were yanked from their roots. "Who in the fuck are you to ask such a thing of me?? You say I am guilty, that Isen is guilty...but you should know an infant is guilty of nothing! You'd punish her because of the sins of her fathers?" His voice echoing into the darkness, breath hitching against the lump in his throat. "Are you even listening to me?!" Yet no reply came, only the loud cries of his child far out of reach.

He felt the well of tears bubble in his eyes, that burning sensation throbbing within his temples from trying to bite them back.

"LET-ME-OUT OF HERE!!" He shrieked, grabbing that single wooden chair and flinging it at the steel bars. It shattered upon impact, causing wooden shrapnel to fly in all directions. The Elezen fell to the floor in despair, grabbing at his own throat as the emotions became overwhelming. A full blown panic attack had set in, hyperventilating profusely as the grim realization set in; He'd have to choose. He couldn't break free, he didn't know where Isen was or what kind of condition he was in, and the wails of his frightened child only made him realize how weak he truly was. Without his magic, without his potions, he was absolutely powerless to stop this.

"Give...give my family back to me..." His voice trembled, the pathetic whimper only solidifying how out of his element he really was. He heard footsteps approaching, fearful gaze glancing out into the darkness. "N-No...No I'm not ready yet, please just...just take me instead...leave me here to rot. Spare them...spare them..." And yet the footsteps continued to get closer, each sound forcing his heart to skip a beat within his chest. Grace's crying only grew louder the closer the figure came, disorienting him all the more.

"I don't want...I can't..."

"Choose..."

"Please, Gods, don't..."

"...Choose..."

"I'll do anything if you just--"

"CHOOSE!"

"ISEN!"

As that single name was shouted, Samuru jolted awake. He sat up abruptly, practically gasping for air in that one terrifying moment. He clamped a hand over his mouth, certain he was about to be ill. When his eyes adjusted in the darkness he realized he was in his bedroom once more covered in a cold sweat. He looked at his side to see Isen curled up next to him, sound asleep. Samuru exhaled sharply, the relief so intense he feared he would pass out. He leaned down to touch at the Hyur's arm, kissing his shoulder to show silent gratitude that it had all been a dream.

Rising from the bed, he made his way over to the crib where their daughter slept, safe and unharmed. He reached in to scoop her up, gently rocking her within his arms while he tried to calm himself. It wasn't real, none of it had been. Yet he still felt guilty that he chose to sacrifice the love of his life...not something anyone could easily do. Yet he knew deep down it is what Isen would've wanted, as their child was the most precious thing to them. Protecting her was their ultimate job in this world now.

He looked over at Isen once more, lids falling half mast. Even if it had all been just a dream, it was enough to make Samuru start to reconsider certain things in their lives. He'd never want anything like that to come into being, and this time...he wouldn't let himself be weak.

[@arismont-juliembert @tidusyumemiru]

[eorzeasntm]

Cycle 8 Week 2 Results!

The end of Week 2 has come, and let’s see a little recap of what we asked.

This week I asked them to explore the beautiful city of Kugane! I wanted it to be postcard perfect, so others could see how wonderful the city really was!

The overall favorite for Week 2 is:

Zetsumei Tsunarashi

Congratulations! Obviously the cuisine paid off, but can you stay in first place next week?!  

 Critiques:

I paired the two judges off, and had them do half and half:

Rongi/Katarh did: Nicol Grunenberg, M’telihgo Feilyon, Amelia Amber and Zetsumei Tsunarashi

Rongi:

Nicol Grunenberg: Hey Nicol! Welcome to the competition! I loved how in your Audition you used your sword to lengthen your body and create a focal point for your images but I felt like your Minion shot was repeating that, and so it fell flat for me last week. This week on the other hand, you stepped it up! I love the crunched-up pose with you looking over your shoulder. I find the background a little too “obvious” though for a Kugane shot. Titling the camera a little bit could have really helped make this more unique. I love your pose, but I do wish you had centered yourself on that post, instead of being off to one side. I think this is a strong image though! I like it a lot. My personal challenge for you is going to be to work on making your backgrounds unique and special in some way, as while this week is better than Minion week, I want to see something like in your Audition shot! That scenic shot was amazing! Good luck in the competition!

M’telihgo Feilyon: M’telihgo! Welcome to the competition! Your Audition battle shot was really great, and I hope to see more shots like that from you. But let’s talk about your backgrounds and your framing (framing = set up of the shot, not the use of frames). In your audition scenic shot, your background is very dark, and while there is a statue in the background it isn’t positioned in any particular way. It’s just there. Moving to your Week 1 Minion Shot, it’s the same. I like what you are doing with your Minion, but the background is just there, and with a big hole in the center as well. Now we come to Week 2, and again your background is just there. I love that you made it look like a selfie, and that it’s in sepia to stress the fact that you are “remembering the time” you got lost. But I wish the background had been more exciting. Looking at all the other shots this week, we see a lot of the say places…so I commend you on doing something different. But Zetsumei did something different as well, and her background is quite impressive. My personal challenge for you going into next week’s round is to look at your backgrounds and how they affect your image. Good luck!

Amelia Amber: Amelia! Welcome to Eorzea’s Next Top Model. I loved both your Audition Shots very much, so I was quite happy to see you get cast this cycle. Your Minion shot was beautiful and in my Top 3 last week. While the background wasn’t necessarily framed in an obvious way, the colors all matched up beautifully to create a solid image. This week is again, very impressive. And I love everything about it. I love the filter you chose, and the pose and the glamour. Everything is absolutely great. You are in my top 3 again this week, but you may wonder why you aren’t number 1…and the reason is because I do not get “lost in Kugane” or “Post card” from this at all, like the Round said. You are giving me “Movie Scene.” I absolutely love this image, I think it’s very powerful. My personal challenge to you is to make sure you match the round description as best you can. In this images case, maybe a different frame would have made this less Movie and more Post Card. Believe me when I say I cannot wait to see what you bring to the competition next week. Your images continue to blow me away!

Zetsumei Tsunarashi: Welcome to the Competition, Zetsumei! Your audition shot was very unique, using Portrait mode for your Scenic, and then having a Close Up for the Battle Shot. I was disappointed that your Minion shot was also a close up though, and thought your pose looked really uncomfortable. Is that your left or right hand?! Haha. This week, you continue to be unique and it turned out wonderfully. I love that you went for a different area than everyone else did and I love that you used a colored/design frame. This is my favorite shot of the week. I love that you are doing the /lookout pose while /winking because it gives off a very Japan-I mean Kuganese pose. I love the depth we’re getting from the diagonal background, and I think your glamour is very “blending with the locals.” This is a post card shot if I ever saw one. I do wish you had been more to the right of the image though instead of slightly off center. That would have made the image perfect in my opinion. My personal challenge for you is to continue being unique with your shots, but remember that uniqueness should come second to overall composition and framing of your shots. Be crazy, but controlled crazy. If that makes sense. Good luck!!!

Katarh:

Nicol Grunenberg: The kneeling with the head turned coyly to the camera is super cute - great pose! Kugane Castle in the background looks lovely, and the slope of the background compared to your character makes a nice contrast, especially with your head peeking into the sky.  The ornamental border brings home the postcard feel. This image might have benefited from a little bit of camera tilt (a rare thing coming from me, the anti-angle person half the time), if only to drive home the candid nature of the shot.  Good choice of glam for a "tourist ninja" as well.

M’telihgo Feilyon: I like the use of the Echo combined with the picture frame to have an "old timey" feel to this - and the selfie arm is a nice touch!  The location makes you look like a fresh tourist in Kugane for the first time, which matches the theme.  The pastel of your outfit is a good contrast to the wood tones of the dock and the hostelry.  That said, it's one of the less vibrant locations in the city, and the only object on your right side are some boxes - which while nicely aligned, are not quite the most interesting thing to snap a photo of compared to the stalls on the left. Otherwise it's a great setup and composition.

 Amelia Amber: Final battle time!  The cinema frame combined with your color scheme and the choice of a night shot almost gives this a Matrix-like feel. That's great if that is the mood you were going for... but I feel this is neither touristy nor postcardey.  (I'm not sure I want to visit Kugane if there's fighting going on!) Composition-wise, it's a good set up and although your dress is dark against a dark background, it makes your katana pop out even more.  Great use of the angle tilt.

 Zetsumei Tsunarashi: I'm hungry now, thanks...  This is such a colorful and playful shot, it's among my favorites this week.  The feisty tourist chef going hunting for rare ingredients in the shopping district - but stopping to take a snapshot with the camera, too.  The tilted angle is perfect, and the outfit choice lets you blend in but pop out at the same time.  The selection of the ornamental border lets the reds and golds in the background pop out, too.

Nads/Vaughn did: Samuru Lantis, Destiney Delvanguard, Gangly Zilla, Leviathan Seagreen and Linmei Quan

Nadede:

Samuru Lantis: Samuru this is a very nice shot that was taken. The glamour looks really nice and the color goes well against your character model. While I do like the color filter you had used, I am not too sure about the lighter limb darkening that you had used. It makes you appear a little washed out in the face along with the color of the sky. With some shots, the lighter limb darkening works while in others a darker one would be a better choice as it is typically used to help draw a viewer's attention to what you want them to see. Play around with that and the different color filters as the outcome might surprise you :) . Overall good job this week and look forward to seeing what you come up with the next week :)

Destiney Delvanguard: Destiny, isn't it lovely when one gets lost somewhere? You never know what you will come across, good or *gulp* bad. Your glamour makes it feel as if you are not from the area and visiting Kugane for the first time and thus the reason why you got lost? Hmmm. There are just a few minor things that is throwing me off about your shot this week. The first thing that is throwing me off is how you are sitting on the beam. It looks as if your tush isn't fully on the beam and you could fall off any second. The second minor thing is your facial expression, I feel, does not match your hand gesture or your description. I am wondering to myself "What is she winking at exactly?" Try playing around with the different expressions to go with your gestures, along with body placement, to help convey your story or make your shot more believable to the audience :) . I do have to say that I like this one a lot more than your shot from last week. I couldn't really make you out last week as everything was close to same color tone and no use of lighting to help bring you and your puppy to the foreground. Keep improving and can't wait to see how you do next week :)

Gangly Zilla: Gangly I absolutely LOVE this shot. One of my favorites this week. Love me some Assassin's Creed :) I really do some of the contrasts that is going on here between your glamour and the background along with the bounce of the lights off of your glamour and other objects in the shot. Another thing that I like about your shot is that there are some elements that helps guide my eyes around the entire image and comes back to you. An example would be the direction your head is facing, which leads my eyes to the background and how the rope that you are standing on is lit that brings me back to where you are at.. I am also liking how the lighting in the sky goes from light to dark where the city skyline meets the night sky, almost close to what you would see outside the game. Very nicely done and looking forward to how you handle next week's shot :D

Leviathan Seagreen: Leviathan, this is another shot that I had liked this week. The color of your glamour plays well with the tone of your skin and scales :) The angle of your shot works well and there is a softness to it that I am liking. It has a feel of you're at ease and really taking everything around you in. I am also liking the natural effect of lens flare that you have going on. Along with how your body is facing, the flare helps lead the eye to the background and back again to you. Your image last week was one of my favorites and had loved the lighting in it that helped make such a dramatic shot. Keep up the good work and really can't wait to see what you come up next :D

Linmei Quan: Linmei this shot is a vast improvement compared to last week's shot! It appears as if you are getting ready to head to a boxing ring for a match. Don't worry, I'll place my bet on you winning. While I like the overall shot itself, I do find myself wondering about why you picked the border that you did. I am wondering if a much simpler border would have been better for your shot or not. A very minor thing that is throwing me off just a little is the strand of particle effect in your hair that is going in another direction than your bangs. Sometimes something so small can be a detraction for some in the audience. I know that your hair and make-up is a signature look for your character but I would like see you play around with something softer to see if there is a possibility of another story to seen in your shot or to give your shot a softer look all around. Keep up the work and looking forward to see what you come up with for the next challenge :)

 Vaughn:

Samuru Lantis - "Oh! What a surprise!" as you pose for the shot. Snarky and cute! You do take beautiful shots, and you have a great sense of composition, but there's something about the choice of model location that makes you look...headless. With such a pale complexion, being set against an equally pale sky does you no favors. I know you will blow us away next week!

Destiney Delvanguard - Much improvement from last week! Looks more like a complete image, lovely background, dynamic sky, and a cute lost little Elezen. At least you're looking like you're going with the flow! The only issue is the choice of filter making everything look a little more blurry than I think you intended. But I look forward to more of your work!

Gangly Zilla - I really like this shot. Dark, but the model stands out, and the overall lighting is very eerie. The overall look actually makes me think of another assassin game rather than vacationing in Kugane, but I can't help but enjoy it!

Leviathan Seagreen - This showcases the city very nicely with the different levels of the buildings making it up, but I feel that looking at the camera would have enhanced your shot greatly. Perhaps a different color top, but I can understand not wanting to blend into all the red and gold. Still, Levi always looks best smiling!

Linmei Quan - Cute and festive! The city is alight, yet still makes a perfect backdrop to your illuminated figure. Welcome to Kugane! Let's party!

[samurulantis]

Alternate Ending (Maybe if he never met Isen?)

(Decided to go with a slight alteration. Thanks for the ask @nati-kun!)

(Alternate Ending - Samuru never left home with Isen)

So many years had passed since Samuru made a very vital but mistaken choice. He fondly recalled the plucky Hyur he'd met during his brief dabble with magic, who saved him from a hoard of angry imps on that fateful day. Even if Isen had brushed him off rather quickly, Samuru had been determined to follow him and learn more about someone he viewed as strong and confident; Two things he severely lacked in himself. When Isen offered for Samuru to go with him, the Elezen had nearly jumped at the chance.

Yet this time there would be a difference. His father would forbid Samuru from leaving, with a Hyur of all things, to go against what he considered Gridanian values. Instead of standing up to the man who intimidated him so greatly, he decided that perhaps father did know best. This rogue was all but a stranger to him, and maybe he was better off to stay home. Even when Isen protested to this choice, Samuru held his ground fast. This was for the best, it had to be. His father wouldn't lead Ru astray, would he?

With a huff, Isen had turned to take his leave of the Arcanist with jelly for a spine. Ru stood on his porch and watched as the rogue marched off until he disappeared into the thick forest, leaving him behind.

Samuru snapped out of his daydream, recalling that very moment from eons ago. He adjusted himself in the bar chair, adjusting the uncomfortable Woodwailer uniform with a wince. How he hated the damn thing, yellow certainly not his color. He adjusted his ponytail and reached down to grab his bow and quiver, rising from the seat.

"Hey Lantis, your shift done for the day?" Came a nearby voice. The Miqo'te woman was dressed in the same uniform, a co-worker it seemed.

"Aye. I am about to head back to my apartment, pet my cat and just sleep until the next Astral era." He'd mumble, waving a hand in the air as he took his leave. He had long since abandoned his ambitions of being an Arcanist, following the command of his father to pick up a Gridanian profession.

Samuru had always felt clumsy with the bow, his fingers covered in callouses from the hard wood and constant tugging at the taut string. Now and then he could hit his target with decent accuracy, but more often than not he was put on grunt duty due to how inept he was. This was cause for a great deal of mocking from his comrades, a miserable day to day existence.

Arriving at his modest apartment, he'd toss that acursed bow and quiver into a corner haphazardly with a grunt. "I hope they randomly burst into flames." He'd grumble while letting his hair down from that dreadful ponytail. A quiet 'meow' came from under Samuru's bed, a tiny calico cat emerging to greet the frustrated male. He'd scoop her up and cuddle her to his chest.

"I hope your day was better than mine, Grace." His brows knitting as he gave her head a little smooch. "I'll feed you in a moment--" His words were cut off as he heard a knock at the door, turning with a squint. "Who in the seven hells?" He put the cat down and turned to open the door, now face to face with an Elezen man.

"Arthurioux...I didn't expect you today. Please, come in." Stepping aside so the rather well to do male could step inside.

"Samuoux." Arthurioux said rather plainly, which caused the beauty to cringe. How he hated his birth name, and yet he knew his father would kill him if he ever changed it.

He recovered though, stepping forward to lean in for a kiss. He was promptly stopped with a single gloved finger smushed to his lips, standing there with an awkward blink. He'd lean back and look at the male in confusion, a man who bled arrogance and looked down on his smaller counterpart.

"Ahem, yes sorry." He'd state as he adjusted the collar of his shirt. "I fear I come with some unfortunate news. It seems that we must end our relationship. My parents have decided that I should be with someone a bit more...refined." His words cold, lacking any depth or care for the one whose heart he was breaking.

Samuru stood there in stunned silence, staring at him for what seemed like an eternity. "Surely you're joking. We've been together for the better part of a year. My father adores you and Gods know that is a rare thing. How can you be so empty about this situation? And what in the fucking hell do you mean 'more refined'?!" He grit his teeth, balling his fists as a fire ignited behind the oncoming pool of tears.

"This is it exactly, such foul language. Really Samuoux, you're too old to be using gutter slang like that. My family has already introduced me to an Ishgardian noble and he has been rather delightful. What is it you have really done with your life other than play puppet to your father, as good a man as he may be?" Arthurioux stated boldly, huffing at the upset man. "If you wish to only do things halfway, then I am sure there is some bar dweller that'll suit your fancy."

"How dare you!" Ru shouted, grabbing the nearest book at his disposal, flinging it hard at the source of his misery. It knocked him right in the head, causing the man to stagger and give Ru a look of shock. "You don't like gutter slang? Oh you're about to get an earful, you half-wit fop!" He'd continue to advance, grabbing another book to start whacking Arthur with with each seething sentence that left his mouth. "I didn't much care for you anyway! Yes, that's right...I thought you were a pretentious, boring, unmotivated spoiled brat. Oh and would it KILL you to participate in intimacy, rather than laying there like a dead rat?! I've seen corpses with more enthusiasm than you. Oh and one more thing, I don't think the way you laugh is cute at all. It sounds like an obnoxious trumpet struggling to play underwater!"

"Sam--" He tried to interject as he was beaten back toward the door.

"No, shut up. You don't get to speak over me anymore, or parade around like some big shot. You're nothing, do you hear me? NOTHING! Now get the FUCK out of my home. I never want to see your bland, stupid face again!" Promptly shoving the flabbergasted noble right out, slamming the door in his face.

Ru stood there for several moments, huffing angry breaths while clenching his make-shift weapon in his hand. Eventually he managed to take a seat, cupping his face with his palm and letting out a sob. How had he gotten here? He couldn't understand why his life had fallen into such utter misery. It was then he glanced at the book he'd grabbed, his brows knitting when he read the title. It was one of his old Alchemy books from his youth, a tome he'd long since put away and forgotten. He feathered his fingers along the spine, biting his lower lip as a realization finally hit him.

With a new flash of determination he promptly rose from the chair, throwing off his uniform to change into a comfortable shirt and pants. Once his cat had been fed, he'd grab his satchel and rush out the door. He was done being a welcome mat, and certainly done with being told what to do. As much as he hated to admit it Authur had at least one good point; He was a puppet to his father. Now he had many years of neglect to make up for, and only one person was on his mind now. But how could he hope to find the rogue now? Long gone, disappearing into obscurity with no real direction to start with. Yet Samuru couldn't stand to live one more day like he had been.

His search began where he'd last seen the man almost two decades prior, which turned up very little. Weeks passed, traveling from one side of Eorzea to the next. The name 'Isen Yumemiru' was either met with confusion or disgust, many not wishing to speak about it before moving on. This left Samuru frustrated, but he wouldn't let himself give up. Not again.

Shortly after arriving in Kugane and once again being turned away, Samuru flopped down at a table with a wince. "This is hopeless..."

"Excuse me." Piped up a voice of an older man, who approached the table where the Elezen sat. "Sorry but I couldn't help to overhear. But did you say Isen Yumemiru?" He asked. He was an older Hyur, dressed in poor man's attire and obviously knowing a hard life.

Samuru nodded quickly. "I did. Please, no one else will talk to me. I've been searching for weeks and I just want to know where he is, that's all." He stood shortly after, giving the old fellow a desperate look.

"Sure, I can take ya to him. Follow me lad." He murmured, motioning over his shoulder. Samuru didn't hesitate, nearly tripping over himself to do as told. Sure this could've been a ruse or a trap, yet he didn't give a damn. It was the best lead he'd had and he was going to take it.

The pair walked for sometime, heading into the countryside just outside of the glorious city. Entering a local cemetery, the look of confusion on Ru's face began to morph into worry. When they stopped at a particular headstone, his fears shifted into reality. Isen's name was crudely carved into stone, with his birth and deceased date. It was only months prior that he had met his end, and this left Samuru in a state of utter disbelief.

"Not really sure how someone as sweet as you knew him." The old man began, letting out an annoyed sniff. "He was a pain in my arse. He'd come into my bar and start shite almost nightly. Good with the ladies, but bad with just about everyone else. He was a bitter bastard, barely cracked a smile unless he was piss drunk. Most knew not to fuck around with him, he killed without hesitation. Seen it with my own eyes, y'know?"

Samuru swallowed thickly, clutching a hand to his throat to try and contain the lump that began to form there. "H-How...how did he...?" His voice cracking, still reeling from the shock.

"Die? Ah, prick finally picked a fight he couldn't win. Tried to take out five big ol' brutes at once. Managed to get a few of 'em before he got a knife to the throat. Honestly if I didn't know any better, I'd say he wanted to die. He was always miserable y'know, guess he had nothing to be happy about. But anyway sorry fer yer loss if he was important to ya. No one ever really comes here to visit the tosser. If yer here though, maybe there was something redeemable about him after all." With that the old man turned to take his leave, thinking his job here as done.

Samuru stared down at the stone for a long moment, taking in a shaken breath as the harsh realization came through. He'd never be able to find Isen, not like he knew him. Even if the brute was still alive, he likely wouldn't have been the same scrappy Hyur he'd met so long ago. Slowly Samuru lowered himself down on his knees, bowing his head.

"I realize this is twenty summers too late, but I'm so sorry. I wish I had gone with you that day, more than I can express. I don't know where I would've ended up, or how my life would've gone. But surely it had to be better than where I am now." He'd frown, wiping moisture from his eyes with the back of his hand. "I...I was too late. I wanted to find you, one way or another. Oh Isen...what happened to you? I knew you were troubled, but never could I have figured how much. Did you have anyone love you, or care about you? I would have...I would have tried so hard." He felt himself choke up, gritting his teeth as he fought the sorrow. "I've never forgotten you, and I never will. Please don't feel alone anymore, I'm here now. I'll come visit you and bring flowers. No one...should be abandoned. This I promise here and now. I am going to live my life how I desire, and do the things that make me happy. I'll be a puppet no longer, if for no other reason than to honor the man who saved my life."

He pushed himself up to stand, dusting off his pants as he tried to compose himself. "So thank you Isen. Even if you never once believed it, you have done good in your life. You rescued me twice." He'd lift his head and move to step back. "Farewell old friend, until we meet again." He then turned and took his leave of the lonely gravestone, his heart heavy and yet somehow still hopeful.