#v; no longer trapped in the cycle (cycle 1 ; main ; post ff1)

[cornelianlute]

@ragingfists liked for a starter

"oh, excuse me, sir. i did not see you there." the princess of cornelia was out on another trip into town (in disguise, of course). it was part of her duties to see how the people of her kingdom were faring. aside from the chaos a traveling fair can bring, things were the same as usual. brushing a lock of hair the colour of carnations behind her ear, the princess continues, "are you a traveler come to experience the festivities in store? if you would like, i can show you around the town?"

[cornelianlute]

@fabullisnova || eiko liked for a starter.

"ah, eiko! it is good to see you again!" the princess of cornelia was about to retire to her garden. there was a significant lack of care lately that she hated to admit, but she had found herself quite busy with her royal duties. "i would ask what brings you here today, but i was hoping you would oblige me with something? i do so need a break from helping my father and mother and i was wondering if you would like to come visit my garden? perhaps there is something you can take home to your moogle friends, too."

[cornelianlute]

@crystalmannequin liked for a starter.

"the warrior of light!" the corners of her lips turn upwards into a smile. she hadn't expected to see him here of all places - or maybe she did. she had been rather consumed in learning royal affairs with governess and she hadn't really had a moment to herself. her hair, the colour of carnations, blows gently in the breeze as she continues. "i feel as if it has been so long since the last i have seen of you. tell me, if you please... how are things outside these stone walls? i feel as if it has been centuries since i have walked outside."

she frowns. "oh! i shall have to mention to my lady-in-waiting the next i see of her that i need a break from all of this studying!" but then a thought comes to the young princess's mind. "hmm..." placing a finger to her chin, she asks, "unless you would like to oblige me, kind sir? if you already have plans, please let me come with you! i can't suffer another moment in this stuffy castle!"

[cornelianlute]

eiko slowly peeks from the door, feeling timid. ❛ um, surprise...! it's been so long, sarah. sorry i haven't stopped by these days; i didn't want to leave my moogles for too long when it was the holidays... ❜

eiko stops and feels that she's only trying to find excuses. she scolds herself, then steps into the room a little more bravely. ❛ anyway, i wanted to come visit you, so i did! my moogles understood and they sent me off! let's have another tea party while i'm here, okay? the last one was fun, and we can catch up! ❜

(eiko; fabullisnova 💕)

↳ @fabullisnova || eiko

sarah had found herself in the royal library of cornelia reading a novel about far away places and tales of heroic knights and swashbuckling pirates. it was all so exciting and sarah oh so loved thrilling adventures. the fireplace beside her kept the room nice and cozy and made her forget the chilliness of the outside. it had been such a long time since she had received visitors outside of the warriors of light and even those visits were far and few between now that they had saved the world.

a knock on the library door had alerted her attention but before she could get up, eiko had peeked her head through the door and had apologized for her absence. oh! seeing her small friend brought the corners of her lips upwards and sarah placed her novel ever so gently on the table beside her.

"why eiko! it is so good to see you!" forgetting decorum for just a moment, her skirts swished as she rushed forward. kneeling down to take her young friend's hands in her own, she smiled once more. she had not seen eiko in what felt like ages and the last had been when the two princesses of cornelia had heard from eiko that she had never gotten to experience a tea party, but had always wanted to try one.

"oh, it is all right. i understand how busy one can be especially during the holidays," there had been all kinds of balls, charity events, and the such to visit - either hosted by her parents or other neighboring kingdoms including one to the elf kingdom where sarah got to visit her dear friend, luci, and his newly wedded wife, jornee. she was happy for them and wondered if she would ever have the chance to fall so deeply in love with someone and share the rest of her life with them in holy matrimony. "but i am glad to see you all the same. perhaps you can tell me more about these moogle friends of your's? i have never seen a moogle before. what are they like? what do they look like? they sound rather fluffy. are they not?"

pale pink strands fell into her face then and sarah released her friend's hands to put them back into place. "i have heard of mythical creatures called chocobos - my father has statues of them in his throne room, but i have never heard of moogles." her eyes twinkled then. "do you think that somewhere out in the world, here, that these moogles exist, too? we could go on an adventure together to discover the truth!"

[cornelianlute]

“Ah, lips that say one thing, while the heart thinks another.” ( garland / falsestalwart )

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (BOOK) SENTENCE STARTER  ↳ @falsestalwart

how many times had they gone through this same song and dance? how many times did she recall rejecting him? or were all those times just dreams - or nightmares really? oh mother, oh father… what would they think if they saw her now? here in this dark place all her hopes for the future seemed to dim. she thought of the prophecy and began to wonder if it was true that the warriors of light would be there to save the world and perhaps even save her. there was nothing here but darkness and it threatened to choke her. it left her scared. what's more was that she also felt scared of garland. his once magnificent armor that glistened in the bright cornelian sunlight was now terrifying to behold. his height had also never truly bothered her before, but now it seemed as if he towered over her and it intimidated her.

and through it all she hated how she felt. she wanted to feel safe with him. she wanted to trust him again, and… though she'd probably never admit it out loud, she wanted to stay with him, to be with him, and forgot that everything that had happened, had never happened. would it be so wrong if she did? she knew it would. she longed for the comfort of his hand in her's again and knew it must never be. that's why she had stood firm (or at least she hoped she had) in admonishing him for she had to return home. there were people back home that loved her, desired her company, and counted on her too. she needed to return.

"sir garland, i do not understand. why would you do such a cruel thing? i hardly think a rejected marriage proposal is grounds for kidnapping."

the briefest of flashes danced in her mind's eye as she closed her eyes for just a second. the dreams she had had of the two of them dancing, taking lunch in garden, strolling through town for a walk and so much more… all she ever wanted was to be with him despite their social statuses.

of course that was when garland replied, "Ah, lips that say one thing, while the heart thinks another."

her eyes flew open then and she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. she turned her gaze towards the stone flooring and clenched her fists to her side. he knew her so well, and she was rather ashamed to admit that she did want to stay with him, but… wasn't it wrong to want such things under such circumstances? was it wrong to want it even when she could feel the storm of darkness within him that had not been there before?

a soft breeze blew through the cracks in the chaos shrine causing his cape to rustle in the breeze and strands of her mint green hair to rustle as well. it sent a shiver up her spine as her fine, pure white dress danced in the light breeze and she felt goosebumps raise on her arms and her exposed shoulders. she caught of flash of light shimmer in the reflection of the ominous purple crystal behind garland and recognized the object as one of the gifts she had given him long ago. tears sprang forth to her eyes and she wondered why fate had to be so cruel to taunt and tease her so. perhaps everything that had happened in the months before had been leading to this moment - their arrival at the chaos shrine.

for a second she wondered if he had outstretched her hand to her but she realized that was an image from one of her dreams. she had always woken up before taking it or not taking it - she could never make up her mind, but now… now she knew what choice she would take and she would take that choice with her to the grave. she would never tell another soul in all her life. it was a secret with reasons that she, and she alone, would carry.

she outstretched her hand this time with her bracelet dangling from her wrist and a pained smile on her face, she said, "it is true my heart thinks something else entirely and i feel that we have gone through this before, but this time i am offering myself to you, garland. i will remain here with you and be your companion in these dark times."

until the warriors of light came she would remain here by his side, unwavering in her decision even if those she held dear would hate her for it.

[cornelianlute]

“Better to stay in here, Princess. Yes, there’s nothing you want out there.”  ( from falsestalwart / garland ! )

Labyrinth - sentence starters

@falsestalwart

Nothing?

How fast her world had turned upside down due to one simple misunderstanding. Whisked away to a place of infinite darkness, Garland was her only companion - if you could even call him that. He had spirited her away here, to the Chaos Shrine, a location whose history remains shrouded in mystery even now. Everything here was so cold, so dark, so… full of despair. How long would she remain here? How long had she been here truly? Sometimes in the briefest of moments she has flashes of memories as if she had been here more than once and always at the hands of Garland, always suffering, always because she had denied him.

Would telling him how she truly felt change things? But then she wonders, with a hand on her heart, her feelings for him were soured and were beginning to change. She had never truly been frightened of him, never truly believed he would harm her or her kingdom and yet-! The feel of the cold stone was like ice against her skin. She looked up at him, the man who had once been her knight but now was her captor, and wished she could see his eyes. She wished she could ask him why he had done all of this, but she could feel the oppressive darkness within him and her throat clammed up. It was all so… frightening. She was frightened of him and she hated it. She shouldn't have to be so frightened because she had trusted him, but then it all changed when he had bared his feelings for her. She had never seen him so vulnerable and she had hurt him and she regretted it.

Perhaps staying here with him in this manner would be her atonement. This would be how she made up for her sins. Turning away from him, her eyes fell on the dark crystal beside them, its purple hues lighting up an otherwise darkened space. It was so hypnotizing like she would be sucked in. Maybe it was alright to stay here. Maybe it would be alright. Maybe it would be fine. Maybe how she was feeling was wrong. Maybe what he said was right. Maybe there was nothing out there for her. Maybe everything she ever needed and wanted was here in the Chaos Shrine. Was that right? She didn't know. Her gaze was firmly transfixed on the dark crystal.

"Yes… Maybe you are right. Perhaps it is far better to stay here with you in this darkness than be with the light."

[cornelianlute]

“Moral wounds have this peculiarity - they may be hidden, but they never close; always painful, always ready to bleed when touched, they remain fresh and open in the heart.” ( garland / falsestalwart )

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (BOOK) SENTENCE STARTER  ↳ @falsestalwart

Was that so? Perhaps she would always carry these wounds deep inside of her for all of time. Perhaps it wasn't enough that she was plagued with dreams of other lives and other connections - of people and places she would probably never see. It shamed her to think that if there was even a chance that some of the people in her dreams were, in fact, real that she had forgotten them. But dreams were just dreams and nothing more, right?

There were also the scars she carried from her kidnapping ordeal. Those wounds, she knew, would never really heal. The hurt and the confusion... she'd carry with her forever. For the briefest of moments she had lost her light, her hope for the future, and had known the deepest, darkest despair. The one she had believed in, had put all of her faith in, had hurt her in a way she had never known possible and she wondered then if she would ever truly believe in the light of the future again. In those dark moments of despair, she wondered if she ever truly loved Garland at all or if it was all just a fleeting fancy because who could love someone that could harm them so?

The wind kicked up then, blowing strands of her hair into her face. Reaching to put her hair back into place, she can't stop herself from asking, "Do you things would be different if none of this had ever happened? If we hadn't need of the Warriors of Light, would things have turned out much the same? Or," she turns her pale blue eyes towards her former knight. "do you think things would've turned out much the same? Would you still have tried to take me for your own?"

And the ever-burning question she wanted to ask, but could never find the courage to breathe life into. Her lips felt dry then and she raked her tongue across her coarse pale pink lips. It was unbecoming of her, she knew, but at the same she didn't care. All she really wanted was answers and there was no one around to bother them - though she had a sneaking suspicion that there was probably at least one pair of eyes out there watching them.

He was no longer in service to her father so she had no right to even demand it, but she needed those answers. Her shoulders were square, her stance straighter, and if anyone else were to look at her, they'd probably see a fire in her eyes, and her voice was stern. "Tell me, Garland," she didn't use his title. It was rather mean of her , but perhaps this was the fastest way to an answer. She had known the blackness of despair, of what it was like to lose all hope. She wasn't afraid anymore, and, if anything, she needed closure, too. "Would you have committed the same sins if you could do it all over again? Would you continue to hurt me so?"

[cornelianlute]

“It seems to me everything’s going perfectly for you.”

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (BOOK) SENTENCE STARTER  ↳ @magitekelite

The click-clack of her silver pumps on the cobblestone was muffled by the daily going-ons of cornelia castle town. murmurs ran through the city of dreams of the next crystal the warriors of light must have restored. this time it was the water crystal which meant many prosperous tidings for the kingdom. their seaside port would once again see regular traffic and her father had ordered it restored shortly after the first crystal had been restored. increased security was a must and they saw more and more soldiers coming to and from the castle to the port and back. it was to, hopefully, prevent any pirate activity but to also ensure that the renewed trade routes on land were properly patrolled and secured. it was a joyous time for her kingdom and her people.

while she had enjoyed many a quiet time in the past few days, the sudden change was all so exciting and she couldn't help but to look forward to what the future would bring. all ready they could begin to notice the difference. the once dull elements were now regaining their natural intensity - the fires were warmer and stronger and the earth was capable of once more cultivating and growing strong flora and fauna. the crash of waves in the distance brought her attention back to the present.

it was true. what her blonde haired companion said was true. everything did seem to be going rather perfectly for the crown princess of cornelia. even her mother (who had been prescribed bedrest by the kingdom's head physician since that incident) was looking much better. the usual radiance her mother always seemed to carry with her reflected in all of her features once more. her viridescent hair seemed to sparkle against the bright day sky, the red of her royal attire no longer seemed to wash her out, but brought out the blush in her cheeks, the twinkle of her eyes.

of course they all had the warriors of light to thank for such things. without them perhaps none of this great and wonderful change would be happening - happening all over the world she just knew in her heart.

shielding her soft blue hues from the ever brilliant and dazzling sunlight (that only seemed to grow more radiant as each day passed by), she looked up at the sky above. at one point in time she had looked up at this same sky many a time with a certain someone and she wondered if he would also be as elated about the changes to the world as the people of cornelia were, as she was. that was the only dark spot in this otherwise perfectly perfect life.

turning back to her companion, she gives the other a gentle smile though she wonders if the clouds in the sky remain in her eyes as she thought she heard the voice of another call out from the distance. just a phantom, a memory from another time. "yes, i suppose things seem that way, but truthfully-" no, it wouldn't due to linger on the past. the world was changing and she must do her best to keep up. "-my apologies. my thoughts were with someone with whom i would have very much liked to spend these joyous times with. it is a shame that he is no longer here but times change and perhaps after everything, in these future times of peace, he is no longer needed."

she sighs. "so while i would agree that things are going rather perfectly for most everyone, for me, there are people i wish were here beside me to witness these great changes for things to truly be perfect."

[cornelianlute]

@ednaeflowers asked: ❝  words often fall meaningless when we try to describe tragic events of a certain magnitude.  ❞ BREATH OF THE WILD SENTENCE STARTERS

thinking of events in her own past, those words couldn't be more true. she often fell silent or struggled with words when it came to recollecting that time. it was easier most days to think on it, to talk of it, but other days it wasn't. for most people, she wondered, if they would've already succeeded in moving on. was she the 'runt of the litter' so to speak? the last one to truly be able to put such an event behind her? would there come a day when she would steel her resolve and truly be able to move on? she didn't know.

then again she also didn't know the pain that her heart would feel at the betrayal of trust and the shattered remnants of her unspoken love. she had been a girl in love and she had been wounded so. though she thought of the warriors now with similar thoughts, it was different to that time. maybe she would never love again. she's silent, still, as she contemplates edna's words. things were much easier when they were focusing on using her lute to hit people over the head with.

"yes, i suppose you are right. i know that there are things in my past that are too painful, most days, for me to speak of. i hope, no, i wish that it is not the same for you."

[cornelianlute]

@fabullisnova || eiko asked: ❝ i hope you get to meet your true love soon. ❞ BREATH OF THE WILD SENTENCE STARTERS

taking eiko's hands in her own, she says, "thank you, eiko, for your kind words." some days it was harder for her than others. harder for her because was it so much to ask for that a princess like her be able to wed for marriage? if certain people had their way... than yes, yes it was. eiko was very sweet. sarah knew there would eventually come a day when she would have to lay down all notions of marrying for love for the benefit of her kingdom and her people, but even so. she appreciated eiko's kind words and they touched her more than eiko would ever truly know. "i hope so, too. i hope you get to be with the one you cherish one day as well. maybe that day will come soon for both of us."

[cornelianlute]

"a... paint bomb..." sarah had a good guess as to who was the unlucky receipent of her sister's schemes, but she didn't say a word. a mental image of the likely suspect being covered in a shower of beautiful pink glitter is enough to make her want to laugh but she holds it in. after all she is supposed to be the older one who is supposed to be against such activities. taking in another look at the unfortunate state everything around the two sisters is in sarah wonders if they'd be able to truly hide all the evidence before someone were to find them. surely there'd be glitter for days and even in the most unsuspecting of places. 

her eyes grew large as her sister plopped her head onto her chest and sarah thought about how she was most likely covered in glitter too. thankfully the dress she wore today was also a soft pink so it'd hopefully blend right in. "well... i'm not entirely sure. i suppose it depends on where you got them? they aren't from the restricted section... are they?" surely diana's penchant for mischief wouldn't cause her to break into a closed off area for a prank... would it? "diana, relax and be calm. i will help you clean up. father and mother are gone away into town for until the evening. i'm sure everyone else is much too busy to notice where we are." but where should they start? a broom and a dust pan? would that be enough to get rid of most of the evidence?

her big sister's presence brought a brought a soothing wash of relief across her panicked features. yes, there was a possibility of a scolding, but if anyone had to witness the results of her disaster, she'd rather it be sarah than a servant or worse ... the girl shuddered — her parents. diana let out a sheepish giggle in response to sarah's question. she was about to reach up to scratch at her scalp, only to immediately throw her hand down as the acute awareness of how stained her hands were hit her. ❝ i was about to set off a paint bomb ... ❞ she told her, sidestepping the glass to reach her older sister.

❝ ah ... this sure IS a mess huh? um, & some precious scrolls are now a lot prettier too ... yay glitter, right? ❞ she tried to lighten the mood but only succeeded in making her crime worse. with a slight cry, her head plopped onto sarah's chest in defeat. ❝ ohhh! i can't get in trouble like this! i mean, were they that valuable? please help me clean up! i promise i won't do anything like that again! ❞ she whined, voice muffled by fabric.

[cornelianlute]

@ragingfists asked: ❝  when you get to my age, you start reminiscing about all the memories from your childhood.  ❞ BREATH OF THE WILD SENTENCE STARTERS

"is that so?" sarah was only still a young woman - much too young to be considered old by the general populace but at the same time in the royal courts was considered an old maid as she had not been married off yet. while she doubted that sabin was referring to the same thing (in fact she knew he wasn't), she couldn't help but to sigh dramatically. "though i am only a young woman, i am called an 'old maid' all the time in the courts. i do miss when i was younger and such talk of marriage was far from anyone's lips."

that was before such change had come to the kingdom - when she was still allowed out by herself. "i think i was the happiest, sometimes, when i was younger. there was much less pressure on me as there is now. is it the same for you, sabin? or are you content living as you do?" she sighs again, hands on her cheeks. "sometimes i wonder what life would be like if i were not of nobility. i confess i am a little jealous of the life you lead. i wish i could have that, too."

[cornelianlute]

@fabullisnova (eiko) asked: "so what happened after he climbed up the tower and rescued her?" PRETTY WOMAN PROMPTS

"he fell to his knees and sobbed at the sight of the beautiful, slumbering princess. he took her lifeless hand in his own and placed a tender, goodbye kiss on her forehead. it is said he offered prayers to the gods and just as he was about to leave, the princess opened her eyes to a world altogether unfamiliar to her." she sighed. "it's very romantic and bittersweet all at once. he thought his love had died by the hands of the dragon knight, but she awoke. she awoke from her years long slumber to unfamiliar sights and the knowledge that things were not the way they had been when she had been abducted." closing the book, she solemnly stares out the library's windows. "do you think they lived happily even after everything, eiko? i just couldn't bear it to think that misery awaited them after all of that."

[cornelianlute]

tag dump.

[cornelianlute]

again? she restrained from saying the word out loud and instead let out a sigh. she had thought that after everything, more leniency would be shown, but for all she knew the chancellor was probably thinking that that was what had gotten them into this mess in the first place. if her sister were here, she'd probably say something about how 'he needed to stop worrying. he was already balding anyways so urging the two of them to marry wouldn't do him any good.' tugging on a strand of her hair, sarah says, "must i go back so soon? i'm not really in the spirit for listening to a lecture right now - especially about how fine of a marriage candidate i am." she sighs again. trouble in paradise one would say. "i don't suppose you've ever dealt with such trival matters such as this, lady rosa?"

sympathy pulls at rosa's lovely visage, gaze tender towards the princess's plight. recovery from such trauma would take time & she was felt great guilt for startling sarah so. affection was readily available if the young woman needed it. for now, rosa would do her best to distract & put her troubled mind at ease with other matters. ❝ ever a thorn at your side ... he wishes to discuss your marriage prospects.❞ the words came smoothly, a blonde brow twitched in mild irritation on sarah's behalf. the chancellor was a good man but ambitious, seeking opportunities at all turns with the blessing of king cornelia. ❝ there's something of a scolding awaiting you, yes ... & i am sorry.❞

[cornelianlute]

@tribaloflight liked for a starter.

pale blue hues take in her surroundings and she's knows one thing for certain - that she is not in cornelia at the moment. her pulse quickens and she thinks to herself that surely an adventure lay around the corner. how'd she get here? she wasn't too sure, but the world was a magical place and there would be time to discover the answers later. right now she was excited about the prospect of an adventure! surely if the chancellor saw her or one of her parents, she'd be in for an earful but she didn't see them. besides she needed a break from their watchful eyes every now and again.

she spies a stranger in the distance and rushes over. it was unladylike of her to rush in such a manner, but at the moment it didn't matter to her. "forgive me, but..." she looks around again before resting her gaze on the other. "i think i am lost. could you, perhaps, tell me where i am?"