#rhapsodyinsapphire

[elfyourmother]

7 & 14 for the fanfic writer asks?? 🙂

o hai! welcome to the blog ❤️

7. What story/headcanons do you feel the proudest of?

Since I mentioned the Emet fic already I’ll just plug A Warmer Hearth again because that’s the other XIV fic I’m really proud of. It’s set in the immediate aftermath of the Bloody Banquet in Ul’dah, when the remaining Scions have fled to Coerthas to seek refuge at Camp Dragonhead, and is essentially the story of how Gisele and Haurchefant first became lovers against the backdrop of her and the Scions trying to seek asylum in Ishgard.

But I’m really proud of that story for a lot of reasons. It’s emotional hurt/comfort at its core, done really well. I think it’s some of the best smut I’ve ever written. The way Haurchefant just desperately wants to take care of her, how they both confide in each other without fear. The domesticity of it, and a little uncertainty. Some of the imagery still stays with me too--the picture in my head of Gisele standing on the parapet of the fortress looking out and waiting for Haurche to come home, this one spot of warmth and color against the stark white and grey landscape of Coerthas. I think I really captured the essence of Gisele and Haurchefant’s relationship though, which is one of profound trust and love and comfort. It’s very easy reading that fic to think, “these two will definitely get married one day”, and that’s what I was really going for.

As far as headcanons go, honestly the entire foundational premise of Gisele’s story as Warrior of Light, because I’m not sure I’ll ever top that tbh. I joke around a lot about my crack ideas being my best ones but it really is true...and it’s honestly wild how well it ended up fitting. Not since I made my Shepard in Mass Effect a Kemetic Pagan who specifically was dedicated to Isis and Osiris did I come up with something that turned out to be a ridiculously well suited happy coincidence (I went into ME blind and had no idea Shepard dies and gets resurrected at the start of the second game). Gisele being a canon immigrant from DA was fun and meaningful before Shadowbringers came out. But when it did, and suddenly an ex-Grey Warden was fighting what is tantamount to a palette swapped version of the Blight? By tainting herself with the dangerous energy in question? Too perfect.

Of course I would be weird enough to make a crack crossover universe as my main interaction with a thing but tbh? I don’t think Gisele’s story would be nearly as impactful or meaningful to me if she were a straightforward Warrior of Light that was native to Eorzea, instead of a canon immigrant who got yeeted there. It’s not just that I’m a sucker for fish out of water stories, though that’s a significant part of it. But also because her being a canon immigrant from Thedas, having gone through all the events of DA:O, colors damn near everything in FFXIV and adds a richness and a depth to the story that I think is sorely needed specifically in ARR. It adds all kinds of layers to her relationships too. And it retroactively makes her DA:O story richer too, if that “Spirit of Love” was actually Hydaelyn the whole time.

To bring it back to A Warmer Hearth, the Monetarist coup is a prime example of this to me. Yes it’s brutal for any WoL to go through, but a WoL who was once the fledgling Grey Warden that survived the slaughter of her order at Ostagar only to be framed for the murder of her King? Holy shit. Even smaller things like Ysayle’s dialogue after the time you fight her at the Amphitheatre are so much richer. I’m paraphrasing here but Ysayle says something like “you of all people should know the cost of war”, and while that’s certainly meaningful for any WoL, it just hits different for the woman who lived through the Fifth Blight, knowing that Ysayle has probably quite literally seen Gisele’s past with the Echo at that point. And there’s some eerie parallels to a similar conversation with Loghain in DA:O.

Everything just hits different with a WoL who was the Heroine of Ferelden, in the best possible way, and it’s the most fun I’ve had in years tbh. At this point what started as a crack crossover AU feels like the real story, and her original mainline DA story where she lived to become queen etc feels like the AU. Also I grew up with Final Fantasy quite literally from game 1 (I’m old!) and it’s always been my favorite gaming franchise and my “home” as it were so it means a lot that my comfort OC has become a Final Fantasy protagonist in that pantheon of legends with Firion and Cecil and Terra etc. Being so steeped and influenced by FF, it definitely played a subconscious role even when I first created her years ago in DA:O on PS3, and because of that, if I’m honest she’s so much better suited to a Final Fantasy universe than Dragon Age. So I feel like I’ve come full circle in a sense and she’s home. We’re both home.

14. How do you feel about your older work? 

Eh...ambivalent? There’s some older things I’m really proud of (most of my Mass Effect work holds up pretty well, I think). Others not so much. But it’s hard to look at these things objectively because of my self-esteem issues and rejection sensitivity. My inner critic is brutally unfair and downright cruel. I’m trying to work on her, but it’s hard.

[ancientechos]

28 & 29 for both your OTPs?? 😮

From OTP Questions! Thank you @rhapsodyinsapphire!! And sorry for taking so long ;u; 

28: Which one owns a pet that the other is absolutely terrified of?

Arianna x Emet-Selch: Ari isn’t really afraid of any pets Emet owns...partially because he doesn’t really have any. The pets are all technically Ari’s...there are a few he’s made, but they still qualify as “hers”. That being said, Emet isn’t scared of any of them, either. He is, however, occasionally discomforted by them. For some reason a few of them, namely the fluff balls and the cerberus pup, enjoy bestowing their attention upon him. This is not reciprocated in the slightest; Emet hates his personal space being invaded. And a few, like Arianna’s chocobo, simply don’t like him and go out of their way to make it known when he’s in their presence.

Laurelis x Haurchefant: Neither! Laurelis and Haurchefant have a couple pets between them. One of them is Heureux, a bullpup rescued from Baelsar’s Wall. That being said, all their pets get along with them swimmingly, though a few have preferences for one pet parent over the other. They’re one big happy family and they could never be happier than when they’re with their menagerie...at least until they finally have their son.

29: Which one holds the umbrella over both of them when it rains?

Answered here!

[veils-and-hearts]

The scent of Ishgardian roses and Othardian peonies fills the room. . . Mateus, Shirogane W4, P52 (Small) Commission for @rhapsodyinsapphire This was a treat to do, mixing a bit of the romantic French countryside with the refined Hingan furniture and decor, lots of flowers and fun colors!  Elegant is such a cultured character with a love of flowers, expensive tastes and a touch of cozy.  You can tell she just loves to share her love of these things with her friends by having her home be as inviting and comforting as possible and filled with the beautiful things that make up her life. (Housing Commission Status: Temporarily Closed, Check Back Later)

[ormthehermit]

Trust NPC // Ormazd Corbeau

Selection: “If I must.”

Job: Sorcerer (CASTER)

Weapons: Allagan Scepter

A.I. Behaviour: Orm shall strive to find the proverbial high ground that he might reign an unrelenting torrent of spells upon the enemy. His prerogative is that of destruction, and naught but injury or death itself will give pause to his rampage. Despite this, he will maintain a status of maneuverability, that he may quickly avoid incoming attacks.

Battle Lines:

“Show me your worth.” - Starting Attack Line

“Ha ha!” - Using Specialty Skills, Variation 1

“You’re nothing to me!” -  Using Specialty Skills, Variation 2

“I haven’t got all day!” - Assisting an Ally

Limit Break:

“I am ending this!” - Using Limit Break 1

“Enough, damn you!” - Using Limit Break 2

[Snaps Finger] - Using Limit Break 3

KO’d:

“Gah!” - Variation 1

“Woe to you...” - Variation 2

“Felled... At last...” - Variation 3

Revived:

“Time to awaken.” - Variation 1

“Hmph... I didn’t need your help.” - Variation 2

BONUS: Unique dialogue occurs between Orm and Thavnairians, particularly with his adventuring companion, Opal. While in combat, Orm will hurl insults at his allies, or pour salt over wound and mercilessly berate, mock and chastise his opponent(s). Should a chocobo enter the fray, Orm will hesitate to engage the enemy.

When idling in a dungeon, Orm will find a quiet corner and fold his arms over his chest to meditate.

Tagging: @opherose @plupatredis @rhapsodyinsapphire @deltabannermen​ @defrocked-duelist​ @kich-rp​ @anathemic-starfield​

[izakaya-jinh]

What’s Your Underlying Motif: Elwyn

the dog

whether it’s the way you bare your teeth when backed in a corner, your loyalty, or your tendency to act on instinct, your reoccurring theme is the dog. like mitski said “i get mean when im nervous, like a bad dog” or how halsey said “i won’t smile but i’ll show you my teeth” even when migos said “dance with my dogs in the night time” the essence of the dog runs through you. you’re tough and a quick draw on the outside, but if we got down to it we’d see you’re acting the only way you’ve ever known how. it doesn’t make you bad, survival is natural, your loyalty and determination is commendable. i don’t blame you for the way you act when your back is against a wall, but please remember to not bite the hand that feeds.

>QUIZ LINK<

Tagged by: @enchantingwrath​

Tagging: @kich-rp​ @levingale​ @serene-gale​ @gatheredfates​ @rhapsodyinsapphire​ @of-the-wine-dark-sea​​ and if you’re seeing this, you too!

[themadchemist]

Rebloging this for @rhapsodyinsapphire. Thanks for the tag!! 💙💙💙💙💙

Layers of an Apothecary. Arciela

LAYER ONE: THE OUTSIDE.

name: “Arciela Ausbasch.” eye colors: “Golden.” hair style/color: “Ginger. My brother says I inherited it from our father”   height: “171cm” clothing style: “Anything comfortable and practical, mostly coats or long dresses.” best facial feature: “My eyes, I guess. I like their color.”

LAYER TWO: THE INSIDE.

your fears: “Not something I’m really comfortable talking about… but… I fear that I’m not good enough, that I’m a burden to those around me.” your guilty pleasure: “I… I add too much cream and marshmallows to my hot chocolate… Thanks Haurchefant >.> .” your biggest pet peeve: “People telling me that I should eat more healthy food. I eat what I want.” your ambition for the future: “To open my own restaurant or bakery.”

LAYER THREE: TOUGHTS.

your first thoughts waking up: “… If I can sleep some more.” what you think about the most: “How things would’ve turned out if I had the courage to speak up in certain situations” you think your best quality is: “My patience.”

LAYER FOUR: WHAT’S BETTER?

single or group dates: “It depends, but I think group dates would be more fun some times.” to be loved or respected: “Respect. Love comes afterwards.” beauty or brains: “Brains. I can ignore a person’s looks if they’re smart but I can’t ignore stupidity.” dogs or cats: “Dogs. (they’re closer to wolves)”

LAYER FIVE: DO YOU?

lie: “If I absolutely have to.” believe in yourself: “I try to.” believe in love: “Yes.” want someone: “I can’t answer this.”

LAYER SIX: EVER?

been on stage: “No, and I’d rather I never do.” done drugs: “Nooooo… (she tried certain potions).” changed who you where to fit in: “I did…”

LAYER SEVEN: FAVORITES

favorite color: “Mmmm, white.” favorite food: “Brownies.” favorite games: “Chess.”

LAYER EIGHT: AGE

day your next birthday will be: “It’s not important” how old will you be: “29” age you lost your virginity: “I didn’t lose it yet…” does age matter: “As long long as they’re adults,no. Although, I personally prefer my partner to be older than me.”

LAYER NINE: IN A BOY OR GIRL (IN BOTH!)

best personality: “I don’t know, I never thought about this.” best eye color: “Again, I don’t know, but most of my crushes had gray or blue eyes.” best hair color: “It doesn’t matter” best thing to do with a partner: “Cook, read, walk in the gardens”

LAYER TEN: FINISH THE SENTENCE

I love: “My family and friends.” I feel: “Hesitant ” I hide: “My feelings and opinions.” I miss: “Someone that I don’t even know (Lahabrea).” I wish: “I could some people back and set things right”

tagged by: @zinniane . Thanks a lot! It was super fun! and sorry that it took me so long to do this, I kinda got lazy… tagging: Who ever wants to do this. It’s been going around for a while so idk who did it or not.

[elfyourmother]

Ooo 3 & 20 for Gisele and whomever you'd like?? :O

ok guys i’m sorry but i have to call a moratorium on au questions please i have nothing for them my brain doesn’t really work that way most of the time and it's starting to make me feel bad

i also never know what to do with “whoever” requests...i just have too many ships my brain goes into decision paralysis i’m sorry

[ormthehermit]

Loving Orm

analytical

you can’t stop overthinking everything and you see the flaws in yourself and the one you love faster than any of the other feelings do. you feel guilty and cold deep down, because you can’t stop taking a strategic and intellectual approach to love. if there’s a problem, you fix it; if there’s a confrontation, you analyse it; if there’s dissatisfaction, you seek to find the fault. this is a both a blessing and a curse, because you’re a problem solver but your analytical outlook can cause you to nit-pick and cause problems instead, creating a destructive cycle. you can’t help but feel the eyes of the world when experiencing your love, you look to society and others to guide your strategies. love exists beyond two people, it’s tethered to the weight of the world. you may suit those who are at-ease and should avoid those who feel uncalibrated or desperate.

Quiz!

I tag @moonlifter​ who took the lovely screenshot :D and @rhapsodyinsapphire​ and @kich-rp​ and I don’t know who else but just dew it, ok

Thanks for tagging me @shroudrose​ and @defrocked-duelist​