#rip avidia

[aegresitmedendo-blog]

Alright guys, it’s time.

I’ve been away for a couple weeks while I was sorting out some irl stuff, and now that I’ve had the time to really step back from things and look at it all with a more logical point of view, I think I’ve been able to come to a decision about my future in FFXIV right now, and the future of this blog.

Unfortunately, Avidia’s going to be going away for a while, that much is certain. Right now my plan is to have her return by 5.0. I will be writing up a short for people who are involved in her personal story, and who she is also involved with, in order to wrap things up. But for now she is going away. I’m also stepping out of the plot with the Faceless. While They’re awesome, and I think it’s a really cool event, I don’t have the time or the attention span to be able to handle all of that right now, so I don’t anticipate jumping back into it.

I’m not stepping away from RP however. I plan on returning to it soon, especially since I just quit my old job, and will have a lot more free-time now, especially in the evenings. I have a new character who I will be introducing soon, right now I’ve just been fleshing her out into a character I wanna play and feel comfortable playing. Sadly, my phone recently bit the dust, and with it went my FFXIV security token, and I don’t have my emergency removal password on me, so I have to wait for support to get back to me before I can make her into a proper character. She will be becoming my main, and she’s also an Imperial (what a surprise, I made another sassy Garlean).

The url of this blog will most likely change, as will the theme and all of that, but it’s still going to be me running it. From time to time I might post Avidia aesthetic pics as they come across my dashboard, but the focus isn’t going to be on Avidia anymore. Sorry if you came here for her, but I hope you guys like this new character just as much as you liked her.

Thank you for having patience with me through all of this. I’m looking forward to being able to hopping back into things with everyone! I’m probably gonna be looking for a new FC, so if anyone has any recommendations for a good FC, especially ones that accept Imperials, hit me up! And as always, you’re always free to send me a message at any time. If I’m not working I should get back to you pretty quick. I’m always down for some chit-chatting or a game of Overwatch.

Thank you all for hanging around this blog!

[charm-in-spades]

Ř€Ł€ΔŞ€ Ø₣ ŦĦ€ β€ΔŞŦŞ

In the Dravanian Forelands, a battle raged as the Glass Network sought to disrupt the ritual that would bring the Drowned Queen back into corporeal existence...

"Enambris! Do you have the ability to shield everyone when I say?" "...I can try something, why?" "Doesn't matter, just do it when I say!"

][VΞβ€Ş - // Warning: Long Post // MOBILE POST][

“Garlean! To me!” 

Ŧhe rampage essence swirled up inside of her again, rearing its head. She wanted to ̪̰k̵͕̬̬̮̜̗̜i͓̟̫͘l̴̦̳͇̩̰͈̬l̝͓ ̼͔̯͇̦ͅA͙̲̞͎̺͙̱n̟a̬̫͓͙̜̬̼. She had to ̪̰k̵͕̬̬̮̜̗̜i͓̟̫͘l̴̦̳͇̩̰͈̬l̝͓ ̼͔̯͇̦ͅA͙̲̞͎̺͙̱n̟a̬̫͓͙̜̬̼. Ana threatened Olivia, she threatened her comrade, and Avidia couldn't let that slide. Jumbled words of rage swam through her mind, about how she should h̫͕̼̺̯̼ͅu̸̝r͠t̘̤͝ ͖A̜̟̪͈͉͠ͅn͎̭̰a͏̯̤̞, she should just h̫͕̼̺̯̼ͅu̸̝r͠t̘̤͝ ͖A̜̟̪͈͉͠ͅn͎̭̰a͏̯̤̞ ... It took all her willpower and all her strength to will that part of her back down. To keep that tactical soldier's mind sharp. Olivia was fine. Olivia was okay. There was more going on here... there was more going on than just fighting this woman... As her eyes dropped down to the ground she recognized Cael's words in her ear. Pushing herself off the ground she joined her comrade, curling her free hand into a fist as she focused the rampage's power down. Condensing it. "͔̗̻̘͕̫͙.̧͈͍̙͕̞.̪̥̮͈̮. ̜̮͎̩͙͢T͓̤̮h̙̘̗̥̫e̫̗͇̪̻̜̱ ̫̺r̙̩̣̗͔u̡͍̫̲̗̺̖̺n̻͈̠̪͇͚̦e̠͇-̡͔͈̦͓͖-̬͓̳͓"̮̤̖̝͔͓̹ ̢̻̹͎̫̦ She choked out, glancing up at him, as if to reaffirm things.

Ŧhe former Decurion ripped off his helmet once more and tossed it to the side. While everyone else focused on Ana, Ric had sought a heftier objective and he need the help to accomplish it. Eyes flared a brilliant vermillion as he began to focus on sapping what he could from the environment. With the latent aether that permeated the air, this was no difficult feat. He locked eyes with Avidia and nodded, one beast recognizing another as the animal instinct took over and search and destroy mode locked on to his objective below. She knew what he wanted, and together, they would accomplish it.

Melisande channeled through her planisphere, its rings spinning up faster and faster. The cards swirled by in a blur, her fingers hovering above their dizzying dance. Her starry eyes closed, concentrating, features slightly pinched as she listened to something unheard by the others. She smiled, the pull of her lips wicked; the will of the heavens had been made clear. Her fingers closed around a card, her planisphere stilling. Plucking it free, she held it high above her head. Warm, burning orange light pulsed from above as the image grew large and foretelling. Turning, the little Raen winked, lips puckering into a sweetly flirtatious shape. She blew Caelric a kiss for luck, snapped her fingers, and the card dissolved to surround him in a blazing aura. "Don't waste my efforts, Trouble...you better make this void-bitch kneel."

Ølivia ripped the aether from the world around her, the tug from her channeling much more aggressive. water sprites lingering in the area flickered and died, their cores dropping and fading away as the aether was violently ripped out and into olivia's spell. She planted her staff in the ground before her, holding her arms up to her side, the aether shrieked into the air above the circle, the sky cracking as as the veil was ripped asunder. Time felt like it paused for a moment. Something noticed them on the other side, the Shaman had called something's attention to their battle... and it was looking at Avidia. 

Ħer rampage burned, it pumped harder, the feral beast she'd taken into her heart, into her soul twisted as the Between filled her. Noise and Color mixed with Flesh and Metal, urging her to rip and tear until it was done. The voidal rip above them shut, but ink now mixed with the red rampage in Avidia's eyes, fueling her desire to inflict harm on those who would hurt those she cared for, the threat before her, something brutal without mercy... but Avidia was worse.

"ENAMBRIS!" Cael’s desperate, distorted cry.

“EVERYONE BEHIND ME NOW!” Enambris’ warning to protect those around her.

Δ beastial howl was torn from Avidia throat as the /thing/ Olivia called fueled her. The Void and the Between filled her up, fueling the /thing/ inside of her. Her hair cascaded down her back down, a tell that Olivia should be able to recognize. Her will was faltering, Olivia ripping it away to make way for the imminent explosion of power. This was as close to magic as the Pureblood would ever get. Raw aether, pulsating through her and spilling out in palpable waves. Springing into the air, Avidia felt suspended above them all, only seeing the red that the monstrosity and Olivia were allowing her to see. 

Řampage and ceruleum poured out, from her and from her focus, forming giant blades that framed her form. She smelled of void, sharp and painfully so, but also of Olivia. She almost felt freed, really. Like she was finally given permission to strike. Red and blue swirled around her hands and around her blade, and she raised it in preparation to strike. And then everything went red as she snapped, releasing a savage roar. Striking downwards with her sword, the ceruleum swords lanced down along with her. For a moment it was the eye of the hurricane, and then in tandem with Caelric's strike everything exploded upwards in a burst of Ceruleum and aether.

Ŵith all that had been accomplished, the time was now. No longer could he hold what was stored within, especially with the added power that Melisande had gifted him. Nor could he physically see the world around him. Though he could not respond to the Card Slinger's words, the primal grin that twisted his lips signified his understanding. As he shouted through the pearl, crimson energy snaked and coalesced around Ric's body, enveloping his form with physical, corrupted aether.

♪ Land of freedom, land of heroes. Land that gave us hope and memories. ♫

Δ powerful, kinetic force better suited for an Eikon coursed through him, generating lightning around his massive frame. The floor beneath trembled and shook with what he drew in, and the Coyote channeled it inward and down. He was Earthshaker; Ground Breaker; Storm of the Earth and together, he and Avidia would rip this monument to shreds if it killed them. Such was the nature of these beasts. He felt the pull within his gut and he raised his fist above his head. 

♫ Hear our singing, hear our longing. We will go home across the mountain. ♪

Δll of that power was /pulled/ from within and channeled into his lifted hand, commanding the earth beneath him with all the force he possessed within his genetically-enhanced body. synching simultaneously with  Avidia. While she forced the ground to spiderweb and crack, he made the earth beneath them churn and finally erupt with a massive upheaval of energy, starting from the center of the massive rune and pushing outward like a backwards domino effect.

♪ We will go home, we will go home.  We will go home, singing our song, ♪

Ćaelric could only hope that when the dust settled, Enambris would protect everyone from what Garlemald had created. Towards the end, he felt something pierce his chest center mass, and a defiant smile touched the Coyote's lips. "Synne...I'm sorry." It was all he had left before the world went black, a warsong lulling him to sleep. 

♪ We will go home, we will go home.  We will go home, singing our song... ♪

Mentions:

][@accaliadecorus][

][@ffxiv-melisande-trihsenne][

][@ascalonffxiv][

][@enambris // @givethemtothegallows][

Pulled from Glass Network RP Event Logs and Co-Written by those above.

][@synne-tove][

A mobile version of the post is linked beneath the first image. Initial screen shot is @quick-n-silver ‘s and was edited by me. 

[aegresitmedendo-blog]

Physical Traits meme: Avidia goe Balventius

—    bold   all   physical   traits   that   apply   to   your   muse.

eyes (general):     large   /   small   /   narrow   /   sharp   /   squinty   /   round   /   wide-set   /   close-set   /   deep-set   /   sunken   /   bulging   /   protruding   /   wide   /   hooded   /   heavy-lidded   /   bright   /   sparkling   /   glittering   /   flecked   /   dull   /   bleary   /   rheumy   /   cloudy   /   red-rimmed   /   beady   /   bird-like   /  cat-like /   jewel-like   /   steely   /   hard   /  long lashes   /   sweeping eyelashes   / thick eyelashes

eyes (color):     chestnut   /   chocolate brown   /   cocoa brown   /   coffee brown   /   mocha   /   mahogany   /   sepia   /   sienna brown   /   mink brown   /   copper   /   amber   /   cognac   /   whiskey   /   brandy   /   honey   /    tawny   /   topaz   /   hazel   /   obsidian   /   onyx   /   coal   /   raven   /   midnight   /   sky blue   /   sunny blue   /   cornflower blue   /   steel blue   /   ice blue   /   arctic blue   /   glacial blue   /   crystal blue   /   cerulean   /   electric blue   /   azure   /   lake blue   /   aquamarine   /   turquoise   /   denim blue   /   slate blue / slate gray   /   storm blue / storm gray   /   silver   /   silver gray   /   chrome   /   platinum   /   pewter   /   smoky gray   /   ash gray   /   concrete gray   /   dove gray   /   shark gray   /   fog gray   /   gunmetal gray   /   olive   /   emerald   /   leaf green   /   moss green   /   soft pink   /   seafoam

eyebrows:     arched   /   straight   /   plucked   /   sparse   /   trim   /   dark   /   faint   /   thin   /   thick   /   unruly   /   bushy   /   heavy

skin (general):     lined   /   wrinkled   /   seamed   /   leathery   /   sagging   /   drooping   /   loose   /   clear   /   smooth /   silken   /   satiny   /   dry   /   flaky   /   partially scaly   /   delicate   /   thin   /   translucent   /   luminescent   /   baby-soft   /   nearly flawless   /   small pores   /   large pores   /   glowing   /   dewy   /   dull   /   velvety   /   fuzzy   /   rough   /   uneven   /   mottled   /   dimpled   /   doughy   /   firm  /   freckled   /   pimply   /   pockmarked   /   blemished   /   pitted   /  scarred  /  bruised /   veined   /   scratched   /   sunburned   /   weather-beaten   /   raw   /   tattooed

skin (color):     amber   /   bronze   /   cinnamon   /   copper   /   dark brown   /   deep brown   /   ebony   /   honey   /   golden   /   pale   /   pallid   /   pasty   /   fair   /   light   /   cream   /   alabaster   /   ivory   /   bisque   /   milk   /   porcelain   /   chalky   /   sallow   /   olive   /   peach  /   rosy   /   ruddy   /   florid   /   russet   /   tawny   /   fawn

face structure:     square   /   round   /   oblong   /   oval   /   elongated   /   narrow   /   heart-shaped   /   cat-like   /   wolfish   /   high forehead   /   broad forehead   /   prominent brow ridge   /   protruding brow bone   /   sharp cheekbones   /   high cheekbones   /   angular cheekbones   /   hollow cheeks   /   square jaw   /   chiseled   /   sculpted   /   craggy   /   soft   /   jowly   /   jutting chin   /   pointed chin  /   weak chin   /   receding chin   /   double chin   /   cleft chin   /   dimple in chin   /   visible adam’s apple

nose:     snub   /   dainty   /   button   /   turned-up   /   long   /   broad   /   thin   /   straight   /   pointed   /   crooked   /   aquiline   /   roman   /   bulbous   /   flared   /   hawk   /   strong

mouth/lips:  thin   /   narrow   /   full   /   lush   /   cupid’s bow   /   rosebud   /   dry   /   cracked   /   chapped   /   moist   /   glossy   /   straight teeth   /   crooked teeth   /   gap between teeth   /   gleaming white teeth   /   yellowed teeth   /   braces   /   overbite   /   underbite   /   dimples

facial hair:     clean-shaven   /   smooth-shaven   /   beard   /   neckbeard   /   goatee   /   moustache   /   sideburns   /   mutton-chop sideburns   /   stubble   /   a few days’ growth of beard   /   five o’ clock shadow

hair (general):     long   /   short   /   shoulder-length   /   loose   /   limp   /   dull   /   shiny   /   glossy   /   sleek   / smooth /   luminous   /   lustrous   /   spiky   /   stringy    /   shaggy   /   tangled   /   messy   /   tousled   /   windblown  /   unkempt   /   straggly   /   neatly combed   /   parted   /   slicked down   /   slicked back   /   cropped   /   clipped   /   buzzed   /   buzz cut   /   curly   /   bushy   /   frizzy   /   wavy   /   straight   /   lanky   /   dry   /   oily   /   greasy   /   layers   /   corkscrews   /   spirals   /   ringlets   /   braids   /   dreadlocks   /   widow’s peak   /   bald   /   shaved   /   comb-over   /  thick   /   luxuriant   /  voluminous   /   full   /   wild   /   untamed   /   bouncy   /   wispy   /   fine   /   thinning

hair (color):     black   /   blue-black  /   jet black   /   raven   /   ebony   /   inky black   / midnight  /   sable   /   salt and pepper   /   silver   /   silver gray   /   charcoal gray   /   steel gray   /   white   /   snow-white   /   brown   /   brunette   /   chocolate brown  /   coffee brown   /   ash brown   /   brown sugar   /   nut brown   /   caramel   /   tawny brown   /   toffee brown   /   red   /   ginger   /   auburn   /   copper   /   strawberry blonde   /   butterscotch   /   honey   /   wheat   /   blonde   /   golden   /   sandy blond   /   flaxen   /   fair-haired   /   bleached   /   platinum

body type:   tall   /   average height   /   short   /   petite   /   tiny   /   compact   /   big   /   large   /   burly   /   beefy   /   bulky   /   brawny   /   barrel-chested   /   heavy   /   heavy-set   /   fat   /   overweight   /   obese   /   flabby   /   chunky   /   chubby   /   pudgy   /   pot-bellied   /   portly   /   thick   /   stout   /   lush   /   plush   /   full-figured   /   ample   /   rounded   /   voluptuous   /   curvy   /   hourglass   /   plump   /   soft   /   leggy   /   long-legged   /   gangling   /   lanky   /   coltish   /   lissome   /   willowy   /   lithe  /   lean   /   slim   /   slender   /   trim   /  thin   /   skinny   /   emaciated   /   gaunt   /   bony   /   spare   /   solid   /   stocky   /   wiry   /   rangy   /   sinewy   /   stringy   /   ropy   /   sturdy   /   strapping   /   powerful   /   hulking   /   fit   /   athletic   /   toned   /   muscular   /   chiseled   /   taut   /   ripped   /   herculean   /   broad-shouldered /   sloping shoulders /   bowlegged

hands:     delicate   /   small   /   large   /   square   /   sturdy   /   strong   /   smooth   /   rough   /   calloused   /   elegant   /   plump   /   manicured   /   stubby fingers   /   long fingers   /   ragged nails   /   grimy fingernails   /   ink-stained

[aegresitmedendo-blog]

IC - Reverse pick pocketing was the way of the game and Ric had a mind to see what kind of individual that Avidia was. A single note was slipped into her pocket with the brush of a shoulder. It was an obvious move because the crimson-eyed scoundrel had turned to wave in her direction with a smirk before disappearing into the crowd. The note itself was simple. "Coffee or liquor? My treat, in exchange for a conversation. Time and place is on you. - ♠".

The city was loud and crowded, and each person that walked past Avidia made her withdraw a bit further into herself. She could feel the occasional dirty look that was given to her. Another glare burned into the back of her head. More savages who didn’t understand, and who refused to understand. Their looks didn’t bother her. She could shrug them off easily, for they did not matter, but... being surrounded by so many enemies - even in a neutral city - kept her wary.

By the time Caelric reached her her eyes were shrouded in white bangs, kept locked downwards as she walked to her destination. When his shoulder touched her she looked up with a sharp glare, expecting to see some other savage who had a bone to pick with her and didn’t care that they were in a neutral city. Instead, she was face to face with the ever-irritating smirk that plagued her in the Network meetings. Her expression twisted into a scowl and she opened her mouth to speak, but by the time she formulated the words in her mind the man was already gone, and her pocket was heavier. Not much, but there was definitely something there.

She stopped right there, in the middle of the crowd, letting the other people move around her rather than bothering to adjust for them. With a gloved hand, she fished around in her pocket, pulling out the folded up note that Caelric had slipped in there. The scrawl on it just made her eyes narrow and lips purse in annoyance, right down to the little spade on the end. She crumpled up the note in her fist and pulled out her little black notepad, the one that followed her everywhere. With the click of her pen, she wrote almost furiously, the sound of scratching surrounding her and making people wary. Ripping the page out she ventured further into the crowd, folding it carefully around a single piece of gil, so that it might make its presence known in his pocket.

She found Caelric easily, for he had not been able to venture far in the short amount of time. The giant man stood out among all the fair-skinned foreigners, and so she made a beeline for him, shouldering others out of the way. He did not receive the nudge that he gave her. Rather, she walked past him without even looking at him, the only connection between them being the strands of her hair brushing his arms as the wind picked them up. With practiced ease she dropped the note into his own pocket, the gil weighing it down so that he’d know it was there, and then made a sharp turn. Should he read the note it would say, in practiced and elegant cursive: “I prefer tea, especially when accompanied by the ambiance of dusk.”

[aegresitmedendo-blog]

Class Meme - Avidia goe Balventius

D I S C I P L E S  O F  W A R

One should not underestimate Avidia for being a Frumentarii. Being a spy does not mean that she hasn’t taken part in the rigorous combat training that the rest of the military takes part in. The young woman has trained her whole life, even before she recieved formal training, and it shows. 

GLADIATOR || PALADIN: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master MARAUDER || WARRIOR: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master DARK KNIGHT: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master PUGILIST || MONK: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master LANCER || DRAGOON: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master ROGUE || NINJA: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master SAMURAI: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master ARCHER || BARD: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master MACHINIST: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master

D I S C I P L E S  O F  M A G I C

While Avidia might be a Garlean, and thus incapable of using magic, she does utilize magitek to mimic the art in the form of demimagicks. On its own she can’t use it very well, but combined with her other martial abilities she is quite skilled.

CONJURER || WHITE MAGE : Unskilled |  Novice | Adept | Expert | Master ARCANIST || SCHOLAR || SUMMONER: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master ASTROLOGIAN:  Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master THAUMATURGE || BLACK MAGE: Unskilled |  Novice | Adept | Expert | Master RED MAGE:  Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master

D I S C I P L E S  O F  T H E  H A N D

Avidia is familiar with basic magitek and how it works. However, aside from that, her abilities in creating something are... a bit lacking. She’s a soldier. Not an engineer or artisan. Her skills extend to repairing her own gear, stitching up ripped clothing, and cooking for herself. Though recently, a friend of her’s has begun to teach her more domestic things.

CARPENTER: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master BLACKSMITH: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master ARMORER: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master GOLDSMITH: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master LEATHERWORKER: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master WEAVER: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master ALCHEMIST: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master CULINARIAN: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master

D I S C I P L E S  O F  T H E  L A N D

Again, Avidia is a soldier. Not a farmer. Not a provider. She can find things if someone tells her what to look for, but expecting her to be able to do it on her own is foolhardy.

MINER: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master BOTANIST: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master FISHER: Unskilled | Novice | Adept | Expert | Master

Tagged By: @serwynterwulf Tagging: @whattherhel @el-v-i-s @pilot-knight @lizardwaifu @titus-kagimake-ffxiv @quick-n-silver @ascalonffxiv @charm-in-spades and anyone else who wants to do it

[aegresitmedendo-blog]

Writing under the Read More.

It was winter when the woman arrived.

She was Garlean. Tall and imposing, with pale skin and white hair that cascaded down her shoulders. She was neither young nor old, but somewhere in the middle, hovering in that space of middle age where the features of her youth were beginning to fray around the edges. She was bundled up in thick woolen blankets when she entered, wrapping up and over her head, but when they shifted to the side any onlooker could see her bloodshot third eye resting on her forehead.

It was the dead of winter when she showed up to the small, makeshift hospital. It was in the Miyagi province, just one short mile away from the town of Kochi, isolated deep within the forests on the mountains. There was blood dripping down her arms and down the gunblade she held, gripped tightly in her hand, and yet - despite her limp - the woman was not injured. The only blood of her own was the thick droplets that ran down her thighs, leaving a small trail of dots in the snow that would otherwise look pretty if the circumstances had been different. Underneath the blankets the healers could see the swell of her belly, nine months pregnant, and it was for this reason and this reason alone that they took her under their roof.

The labor was quick, but it was not painless, the woman delirious with fever from having wandered the cold for so long; she murmured indecipherable phrases and names, voice barely above a whisper. By the end of it the white sheets she lay on were stained red, permanently marred by a stain that would never quite come out. Laying in the middle of the sheets was a small, squirming form, smaller than even some of the Domans’ children. The infant’s wails filled up the hospital, to the point where those waiting in the lobby could hear them, but the moment she was lain in her mother’s arms the cries stilled entirely, replaced with wide-eyed awe as she looked up at the woman’s face.

The woman smiled, but it never quite reached her eyes.

She left in a week, taking her child with her, and the medics never saw the woman - or the babe - again.

It was winter when the streets burned down.

The infant was now a child of eight years, able to run and laugh with the rest of the children her age. Her mother was but a distant memory, the vague contours and shadows of a face she’d long since forgotten. As far as she knew, her mother had died during birth. All her life she’d been hopping homes, from orphanages to foster homes, until she’d finally been shoved onto the streets with the rest of the unfortunate, hidden youths of the Capital. She never expected to be able to call a place home for longer than a few years at best, but never had she expected her “home” to be ripped so violently on her.

Bloodied feet ran across the cracked stone pavement of the streets, her skin blistering and cracking from the heat that surrounded her. It was supposed to be winter - elsewhere in the city it was snowing - but here it felt like the worst heat wave of summer, searing her skin and clogging up her lungs. The smoke was worse, getting into her eyes and forcing her head down to be able to see where she was going. She ran over bodies, but she did not stop for any of them. She knew already that they were dead. She saw it in their peeling skin, their melting faces, their skulls that cracked underneath her bare feet.

Pain seared through the bridge of her nose as she found herself suddenly sprawled out on the ground. Blood - fresh and bright red - smeared along the white ashes on her face, reminiscent of the flag that she’d lived under for all her life. Her hands gripped and slid across the pavement, trying to find purchase so that she might get to her feet, but no matter how much she tried her legs would not follow through and allow her to make that final movement. And then, in an instant, she was suddenly weightless, hauled into the air by strong arms that wrapped around her waist and held her painfully tight against a body. She was vaguely aware of the feeling of movement, and it only registered after a couple seconds that someone was carrying her, sprinting their way out of the flame-engulfed blocks and back to safety.

Those same arms held her as she beat her fists against the person’s chest, tears and screams the only sounds to escape her throat. But the person was patient. They held her until she’d exhausted herself, curling up into a trembling ball, and then they scooped her up again, carrying her to their home.

Her new home.

Septima reminded the child of winter.

Not the harsh, cold, bitter winter that chilled you to the bone with wind, but a more comforting season. She was reminiscent of hot drinks on a cold day; a blast of hot air upon entering a heated home; the pastel lights that filled the streets during the winter celebrations. She was tall and curvy, with hands that somehow remained soft even after all those days of working with machinery. She kept her hair tied back out of her eyes, which shined and sparkled with mirth every time she told a joke, which was frequently.

The child felt like scum every time she laid eyes on her.

Septima was like an angel, a pure and unmarred expanse. She and her children were beautiful, perfect examples of what a Garlean should look like. A complete contrast to the tiny, scrawny girl who always got into fights and came home with a bloodied face. Septima wasn’t alerted to these fights for a long time. The child took great care to ensure that she wouldn’t find out. The blood was carefully and meticulously cleaned from her face, and any remaining bruises were easily brushed off (“I fell! Honest!”). She didn’t tell Septima when she awoke during the night with visions of flames dancing in her eyes, loathe to disturb her sleep. She didn’t tell Septima when she became “impure”, not wanting to taint what she had, not wanting to reveal the crimson stains that were slowly splattering all over her perfect, white mask.

She didn’t tell Septima anything. But Septima found now anyway, one way or another. She cried when she approached her about it, but not because of any impurities. She wept for her and held her and promised her, promised her that she would never abandon her. That she would love her as if she were her own mother.

And for once, the child felt as if she truly had a family to come back to.

Winter symbolized the end. It was the death of the year, the death of the trees, and oftentimes the death of too many unfortunate people who had been caught outside for too long. For Avidia, it symbolized the end of many things. She mused upon this as she stood in the graveyard, wrapping her coat a bit tighter around her. Back in Eorzea, her comrades - might she even call them her friends? - were certainly celebrating Starlight, enjoying the festivities. But here everything was quiet, bleak almost. The sky and trees were grey, and even the snow seemed to be tinged a darker shade than it should be.

Avidia exhaled a soft sigh through her nose and reached up to tug on a strand of hair. In her hands was a bouquet of red roses, the only splash of color to be seen for miles. Carefully, she rested it on the gravestone in front of her, the barest of smiles touching her lips.

It only seemed fitting that she brought Septima flowers during winter.

Even long after she left, the bouquet still rested there, a single splash of crimson against an otherwise endless sea of white and grey.

Perfect.