lightsfoil

[lightsfoil]

shadowbringcr​:

            The moment passeds with them stuck like this, as if in wait for something to happen. But nothing comes, a mere ordinary fistbump - and that is what exactly Lycelle was searching for. At last do her features soften, and the wrinkles on her face ease in to a welcoming smile. “'Tis good to see you whole, Ardbert.” She greets with the warmth of a campfire, a stark contrast to the cold shoulder she was providing mere moments ago.

            It is quite curious to find her fellow warrior back in physical form - if he is here, what now of the his soul that she carried alongside her own? An unusual predicament, although it is no stranger than the existence of multiple heroes that walked similar paths, even if their stories were ultimately still of their own. Another thought crossed the dark knight’s mind - to find someone who recognized her was surely a comfort, but what of her other selves? This was a different circumstance after all, unlike the conundrum with her companions and fellow Scions.

            …And there is the matter of Elidibus to discuss with, as well. Such a heavy topic to discuss over tea. Speaking of…

            “May I interest you in something to celebrate your return, then? Anything you’ve missed from having a corporeal body?”

          the mere act of their fists meeting seemed to have relieved whatever worries the dark knight had been struggling with, and for that, ardbert feels some comfort. the concern is still evident in his gaze, the curiosity as to what had caused her to exhibit such distrust towards him, but the warrior bottles it away for now in favor of returning her smile with his own. the heavier questions could wait for another time, it would appear — perhaps that would be better for the both of them. they had suffered through enough stress, enough conflict for a lifetime ( if not more ). if they were now to be given a moment of rest, a moment of peace despite the unusual circumstances, then the only answer was to take advantage of it.

          ❝ Glad to be here, confusing as it all is. ❞

          the dark knight’s question makes him pause, contemplative, as if listening to what his body is telling him. one hundred years without physical form, one hundred years of wandering as little more than a ghost of who he had once been — being corporeal now was certainly unusual after having only known an aimless sense of loss for a century. ardbert quietly accepts that he will have to actually pay attention to its needs now, and if lycelle was offering then—— ❝ I wouldn’t mind a drink, if you’re willing to pay. It’s been some time since I had one, I’m sure you know, and I must say that being hale and whole again can make a man thirsty. ❞

[lightsfoil]

clarentheir​:

      ❝   So, lemme get this straight. A buncha stuff in here is edible, some of the best sweets are the most convincing-lookin’ objects, and we can chew on whatever we want to figure it out ?   ❞

          SEAFOAM   eyes flit upward, fingers laced against the back of her head. It seems as if she might be deep in thought, carefully weighing the potential consequences of eating, say, a pen filled with toxic ink as opposed to chocolate or licorice. In reality, Mordred is eyeing the light fixture to try and decide if she can reach it without her mana burst ability. 

     ❝   Hell, they could’ve just left it at ‘free candy’. I’ll bite anything !   ❞

@lightsfoil​  ———  spiralefes. 

          ❝ Seems like it. A bit mad, if you ask me — like a game a pixie would come up with for a laugh. ❞

          but it was all in good fun at it’s core, so he can’t help but chuckle at the stranger’s suggestion that she’ll chew on whatever she can. that’s certainly one way to find the treats, not that he was personally very interested in them. how the warrior had even come to be here, he wasn’t certain. ardbert had never been one to struggle with a sweet tooth. no, it was most likely a simple coincidence. by following the flow of the crowd within the city, he had accidentally happened across one of the more popular events of the ongoing festival ( if not the most questionable ). 

          ❝ That’d be a fine way to break your teeth, wouldn’t it? I think it’d be smarter to give something a sniff first. Even if it looks convincing, I’m sure they’d at least smell of sugar. ❞

[lightsfoil]

ardbet on it, bet on it, bet on it, bet on it

( did you ever ) get on a ride and wanna get of

[lightsfoil]

[lightsfoil]

shadowbringcr​:

            Her body stays rooted to the ground when they locked eyes with each other. A part of her wishes to hope, to reunite with a dear and familiar friend, to celebrate his return to physical form and perhaps treat him to a pint or two. But the other part remembers clearly, the chill that went up her spine when she crossed fates with him in Rak’tika, when the best Lycelle could do was to restrain herself from drawing his greatsword and bashing that bastard’s face. That would be unfair to the real Ardbert, after all.

            But the question remains — who here is the one standing before her? Elidibus was a terrible actor, but this was well within his realm of skill to imitate. The city was hard to predict with its twists and turns ( the peculiar events of weeks past came into mind ) and her own memory was no reliable means to determining one or the other.

            No other way to it, then. Her hardened eyes fixate on the warrior, as she cautiously extends a friendly fist in front of him.

          she has her reasons, he imagines, even if the truth of those thoughts elude him. so accustomed was he to bearing witness to the struggles faced by the warrior of light during her time on the first that being so out of the loop now is almost irritating, absurd as such a feeling was. ardbert had never had the right to intrude upon the dark knight’s personal affairs — nor had he to any of the warriors of light, odd as it was now remember so many. it had only been by chance, by the strange fate of their souls being similar, that he had been able to do so once before as an apparition, a spirit. 

          still, he can’t imagine what he could have done to cause such an expression — to make lycelle so torn. his consciousness had all but disappeared when he had offered his help against hades ( or at least it felt that way ). had helping her then pissed her off? surely not, though he cannot say for certain. so, rather than question her further, he does as she obviously wants. ardbert extends his fist and gently bumps the one offered to him, expression still somewhat perplexed. 

          ❝ ... Odd that there isn’t that mad flash of light now, but I can’t say I dislike it. Honestly, I’m still getting used to actually being able to touch things. ❞

[lightsfoil]

saintism​:

          LISTENING, SHE CAN TELL WELL enough he is as he says, if not lacking a little in what credit he offers himself. yet it is not the words which are stated that matters, she knows, but the meaning themselves, far more important than some elaborate play on words. ah, not that she can truly say much, her own charisma a tale of wonders in rallying those to a just cause. ❝ Something as that is difficult to say. In the end, we all have them for different reasons, ❞ she agrees, pulling herself up from the kneeling position she had been in at river’s edge, allowing amethyst eyes to linger but a tad longer.

          there was a peace to it all, at least, if nothing more could be said of the practice. ❝ I cannot say for certain myself, but there is always a solace that someone, somewhere, has heard you. That sometimes offering one’s words is enough when there is truly nothing more you can do. ❞ at least in her belief, knowing that one is not so lonesome, even if the recipient of the prayer is beyond tangible means. once he questions of her own participation, however, she turns, offering a small smile in response.

          ❝ No. Truthfully, I have been offering prayers to the ones drifting by in hopes that it might help theirs reach them sooner. While I still will pray for them, there is not much more I can give to those no longer here. ❞ after all, she has lost her capability to linger on the past, always facing toward the prospect of a brighter future instead. what more could she offer than merely the thought they might one day find salvation. eyes trail over her company, wondering the same of him briefly before speaking. ❝ And what of yourself? Have you come to send any off of your own? ❞

         ❝ You seem to have the right idea of it. I’m sure those who sent those candles adrift would be thankful. ❞  these candles were being sent off for a reason. each one was filled with a prayer, a wish, with the intent of reaching those who had gone ahead. for those who had departed this world. to pray in the hopes that those small wishes could be granted, to make sure they reached their intended — it was a kind sentiment, truly. enough so that ardbert finds himself speaking to the girl honestly, from the heart, despite himself. 

                   ❝ ... it’s a little late for me to send anyone off, disregarding whether I have a right to or not. I’m not sure any of them would want to hear my prayers, nor can I imagine they’d find any sort of comfort in hearing them. ❞  ardbert’s voice is quiet, words mumbled and tone almost solemn as his body lowers to a crouch. a hand extends to gently push a candle that had gotten stuck on the branches of the bank, entangled and unable to continue its journey, back into the pull of the river. once it has reunited with the rest, continuing to flow as it should, he smiles. 

          unloading his feelings onto a stranger was unfair, heavy as they were for one man to carry. his burdens were his own, and the last thing he wanted was to pass the weight to anyone else. especially a stranger, compassionate as she appeared to be. it had been enough to speak of his woes to the warrior of light from the source, in the hopes that it would help them to avoid making the same mistakes. being in their company, earning their friendship, had been enough. more than he deserved, really.  ❝ I think I’m always praying for my friends, with or without a candle. At this point, I imagine they’re sick of listening to me mope. ❞

          he looks up at last, offering the stranger a smile of his own. painful as it may be to remember his fellow warriors of light, as was it to recall the deserved slander they had faced from the condemned of the first prior to their deaths, the warrior’s words were at least sincere.  ❝ Better than I can help make sure these ones depart as they should than waste any that could be used by those who really need them. ❞

[lightsfoil]

whitemage​:

Well, she’s grown far too used to being in utterly baffling situations to let this shake her. That Ardbert is somehow standing in front of her now when their souls were merged together is yet another mystery to be solved. For now, however, she’s more concerned about the dazed look he has but feels relieved at his remembering her name, so much that she finds herself smiling. “I see your memory hasn’t failed you yet, dear friend.” And he seems to know the oddity of this situation judging from how he points at her chest, to which she nods.

“Stranger things have happened here, believe me. Your existence will not be the last.” And though she tells herself that she won’t ponder the possibilities of just how they’d been separated without any noticeable effects on her being, she does. Her foot taps against the ground as she thinks but ultimately gives up. Maybe someone else could give them an answer. Perhaps G'raha or one of her others or the significant others of her others.

To answer his question, though, “Hm? Oh, Spirale. An entirely different star much more advanced than the two that we know. The scenery is very much a far cry from what either of us is used to, yes? Indeed. And you’ll find it even more peculiar that I am not the only warrior of light here as well.”

          ❝ Stranger than... this? ❞

          an eyebrow quirks, surprised, as hands lower to his hips. spirale was not a name he had ever heard before, a foreign star through and through ( and an unfamiliar city to match it ). for it to be able to do stranger than raise souls from their graves — the warrior wasn’t certain he wanted clarification on what events that implied tsuru had seen during her time living in this city. or even to know how long she had been here to bear witness to such. and so, he offers a resigned shake of his head instead, allowing himself a moment to breathe a weary sigh.  ❝ That isn’t exactly a relief to hear. I suppose that means I won’t be getting an explanation as to the ‘how’ of me arriving on this star, then. ❞ 

          ❝  — I wouldn’t be too quick to say my memory isn’t failing me, either. Or rather, I’m remembering a bit more than I ought to. I seem to recall those other warriors. Their names, that is. ❞

         if he were to see their faces, ardbert was sure other memories would come flooding back ( much like they had when he had caught sight of the drahn ). from all they had learned, it only made sense that there would be other warriors on their neighboring stars. but for all these faces to be the warrior of light from the source? another oddity of this place, he supposes, that would go unanswered. ❝ ... and you’re not feeling in any way off, are you? Er, you know, as you did before. I’m pretty sure I was able to contain that light of yours, but if I’m here now— well, you don’t look like you’re in any pain, at least. ❞

[lightsfoil]

saintism​:

          CANDLELIGHT. WITHIN THE DARKNESS OF water do they float, like an array of stars which trail through the night sky, reflecting the flickering flames atop the rafted flowers. this was not how this place was before, she recalls, yet she knows better than most how this island works now. already she has learned of this practice, something oddly sweet, despite the captivity which they are all held in. how strange, that such things as this can bring the smallest solace in a situation so out of place, let alone drawing the attention of veterans and newer arrivals alike… much like the man who approaches not too far away.

          amethyst eyes glance briefly, noting his presence with no hostility, before glancing back to the way the river flows along in the gentle illumination.

          ❝ If you set one out, it is said to send off the fallen, if not those who have departed the island itself. Even still, it is far too strange, given how this city is. Though it is none of my business, I can only presume you came here to partake yourself. ❞ even so, she cannot help but gaze as the candles trickle by, carrying the well-wishes to those departed, whether from the city or life itself. one hand lets one go into the water in turn, joining those on their journey. ❝ Truthfully, I do not know what to make of it, given those that brought us here. In the end, they are still our captors, and what they offer are simply amenities to pass the time. But well-wishes and good will are our own, so it cannot be a mistake to offer our prayers regardless, right? ❞

                                                  「 @lightsfoil 」

          the light of the candles was a sight to behold — beautiful, like a sea of stars. each candle represented a prayer, a wish, be it for those long departed or those recently lost. ardbert had intentionally come to this event, but with the scene now unfolding before him, he felt a painful lurch in his stomach — no, in his chest. 

          he had no right to offer any prayers. not to those who had been lost in the flood, not when his hands had condemned them. for all he had seen on his shard in the one hundred years that followed, for all the hope he had seen rekindled in the eyes of the people that continued on and fought for their home, there was little that could ease his guilt. those who had believed in him, in his cause, had been sent to such a tragic fate because of his actions, loathe as he was to recall that day. loathe as he was to remember their curses. he was not their hero. he was not anybody’s hero.

          but perhaps to his friends, to his most cherished companions. once again it seemed he was not to be afforded the opportunity to reunite with them. not even in death, in sacrifice. wherever they were, ardbert was not to join them. not when he was here, somehow, impossible as it was. at the very least, he could offer a silent prayer in hopes that it would reach them. there was no need for a candle to do such a thing.  ❝ ... I don’t think it’s a mistake, no. Prayers have a certain power about them, something that soothes the heart? Even to those who aren’t particularly devout... er, not that I could say why that is, mind you. Can’t say I’m a wordsmith. ❞  his gaze remains trained on the lights as they move slowly, following the gentle tug of the current, while gloved hands instinctively rub together.  ❝ Have you sent one off then? A candle, that is. ❞

[lightsfoil]

Welcome to SpiraleFES 2020!

A word of warning first: this is not an event and does not count as event participation towards ranking up. This is merely a bunch of fun activities that persist throughout July and until the next event in August if you’d like to use them for threads. 

Keep reading

[lightsfoil]

          ❝ I would say ‘you look like you’ve seen a ghost’, but that doesn’t sound like it’d be in good taste right now. Not with... this. With everything. ❞

          the warrior motions to himself wearily, though his eyes remains fixed on the elezen’s hand. was it just him, or was she positively itching to pull out that greatsword of hers? surely his appearance wasn’t that startling — was it? certainly, ardbert hadn’t expected to come out of the battle with hades. not when he had used up whatever power had been left in that broken soul of his to mend another, not when that accursed light had demanded nothing less of him. but he had at least hoped that the warrior of light might be a little bit more amicable to his appearance ( confused as he may be, confused as it might make them ). 

          ❝ You... Are you alright? I didn’t do something, did I? ❞  and how could he, at that? 

@shadowbringcr​​. 

[lightsfoil]

          ❝ ... Tsuru? ❞

          well now, wasn’t this embarrassing? struggling to remember the name of someone you had spent so much time with? someone you had supported with your entire being? and yet, that was exactly the situation ardbert had found himself in. the warrior was, unfortunately, genuine in his hesitation, in his doubt. and it wasn’t just over the fact that he was now corporeal now, for whatever reason.

          looking at the drahn, ( au ra, she’d call herself an au ra ) ardbert knew that she was the warrior of light, the savior of eorzea. there was no doubt about that. perhaps it was as a result of the battle with hades, but he could sense -- well, a piece of himself. 

          but at the same time, when he tried to think of the warrior’s face, multiple came to mind. a rather strange occurance when ardbert had only ever been haunting one hero during their time in the first. a trick, perhaps?  ❝ Sorry, I feel like my head isn’t screwed on properly. I don’t even think I should be here, not if I’m—— ❞  he points to her chest, before his own shoulders slump, exhausted at the prospect of continuing that particular line of thought. a part of your soul?  ❝ — well, you know. Though, er, any chance you’d know where here is exactly? ❞

@whitemage​​  

[lightsfoil]

ARDBERT ( FINAL FANTASY XIV )

wow it’s him. the man himself. 

ardbert last name. 

something something another warrior of light to add to the ever-growing pile — except this one is a ghost, i guess. and a part of the warrior of light’s soul now ? it’s complicated.

tragic protagonist energy. 

ardbert was an ordinary adventurer in his world, who set out with nothing but an earnest desire to see the world. unfortunately, his journey ended in his home being flooded with light, indirectly caused by his party. 

unsurprisingly, he struggles a lot with the guilt caused by this. it hurtee. 

ardbert, much like his reflections, was forced into a duty that was far heavier than one man could bear. but even so, he continued to aid those who needed him during his adventure — and that became his downfall.

please, i beg you. no more fetch quests.

the emotional support ghost that the warrior of light did not ask for. you’re welcome.

[lightsfoil]

( following a previous reserve, i'm applying as ardbert of final fantasy xiv. his app can be found under /d, thank you! )

Welcome to beautiful Isola Radiale, Ardbert!

You’ll be staying in APARTMENT 370.

You will be able to use your ‘Equilibrium’ ability up to five times per day to heal mild to moderate wounds.

You will also be given a wooden axe.

Enjoy your stay!

– ⋆ capella!

[lightsfoil]

ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴡᴇʟʟ ᴏᴜʀ ꜰᴀᴄᴇs, ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀ ᴏꜰ ʟɪɢʜᴛ, ꜰᴏʀ ᴡᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀs ᴏꜰ ᴅᴀʀᴋɴᴇss.

[lightsfoil]

‘Take it. We fight as one!”

[lightsfoil]

Warrior of Darkness

[lightsfoil]

when ardbert did this during the fight i was screaming