#ardbert fanfic

[buoyfriend]

The WoL Catches A Cold *a-choo* - feat. The Ishgard Elf Husbands, G'raha Tia, Ardbert, Hien & Zenos

@eidechsejaspis asked:

Hello again:)

As new season of coughs ans sneezes approaches I have a question of how would Scions (choose any you like), Aymeric and Zenos (where would we go without him?) react on WoL catching serious cold? Time period is at your liking from Heavenward to adventures in Garlemald:)

Thank you in advance:)

It is sniffles season again! Thank you for asking, this was a really fun one to get back into HC writing with!

Aymeric

In moments you think he's not watching, he is. He adores the way you wince when reading an unpleasant part of a book, how you fidget in Alliance meetings, even the little whistle of your snore. Aymeric notices your first sneeze. It's hard to get allergies in Coerthas, and he recognizes the hacking from your lungs a few days later. This comes for everyone sooner or later, and politely asks you to quarantine yourself for a few days.

He isn't one to miss work to care for a sick partner or spouse but has a very attentive nurse stationed nearby

He has given his full itinerary for the next several days so he can be alerted as soon as you wake up from a much needed, multi-day sleep

Aymeric wouldn't argue that he knows cooking well, but he does make a point to assist in the kitchen after work to make sure that you have soup recommended by the best chirugeon available

He will dodge kisses from you for days to avoid becoming sick himself, but it's too late anyways

When Aymeric finds himself bedridden for a few days, he decides that it was worthwhile to give you that forehead kiss as you slept

Estinien

Estinien is familiar with sickness. Long campaigns through the newly snowy Coerthas as a young knight taught him much of seasonal illnesses. He's seen many a friend drink their weight in bitter root soups, gnaw on wild herbs, and the like to push through it until they can get home. He's seen you sick before. Still, he has some lingering anxiety. You looked far worse than a little aetheryte sickness. He's lost much and more, the thought nags at him that more concern might be warranted.

Estinien has his hands full with travel these days and assures you that he will indeed make it to tea with Vritra tomorrow afternoon

He does not make it to tea with Vritra

Estinien deftly slips into the bedroom but there was no need, you had been out cold for hours by then

He would like to keep his friend from waiting, but not until he's sure that your breathing is steady and your temperature not too high

What a sight to see! Had you been awake, you might have heard Estinien's dress shoes pacing along the floor, his hand nearly to his linkpearl while paralyzed by indecision on whether to cancel or not

He cautiously leaves a glass of water and your linkpearl on the bedside table, just in case, though he may never admit that it was he who placed both there

When he does return home, perhaps an hour earlier than expected, he denies all concern as he settles into bed beside you

Haurchefant

While he's not a sadist, Haurchefant absolutely loves the sight of you ill. You're always off somewhere, but for this small bubble of time, you're here. You're sipping hot chocolate and letting him read poetry to you rather than mailing it off to some distant locale. He can watch your tired face grin and sigh rather than imagining it alone from Camp Dragonhead.

His favorite thing to make for you, of course. Hot chocolate, every day you're sick. No matter how hard it is to get chocolate in Coerthas, no matter how many tall tales he must tell to provision it, you wake up to hot chocolate beside your bed every morning.

"You don't need caffeine, anyways, you need something calming and a smile."

He knows he'll get sick if he sleeps next to you every night, but he's forewarned Camp Dragonhead. Emmanellain can hold his seat for a fortnight, it could be good practice for him.

Haurchefant watches you sleep, sliding his hand under the covers to grasp yours. For once, the cuts and bruises all over you are starting to heal. Days off the road, finally given rest. He wishes you both had more days like this.

G'raha Tia

Just as your new adventures together have begun, you fail to keep up. You run a little slower, stopping after a few paces to lean into a cough, heavy sneezes punctuating the blows you attempt to land on monsters. G'raha is quick to notice but slow to bring it up.

He frets, wringing his hands beside you as you ready yourself for the day, struggling to put on your clothes. As you sigh in failure, dropping yourself onto the bed, G'raha can't help himself.

"You can admit you're sick. I know you've been on the road for a long time. Even with the help of your friends, the path you walk is a lonely one. But you're not alone this time. Let yourself rest and let me take care of the other things that come along?"

G'raha fields the many requests sent your way, trying his best to fulfill them, wondering how you do it all at full health.

In quieter moments, he finds his way to The Last Stand to get your favorite dinner, absolutely purring as he watches your sleepy smile. Alas, your sense of smell is back! You knew exactly what he'd brought you as soon as he opened the bag!

He can't help but laugh to himself as you find yourself exhausted from the walk from your bed to the dining table, cracking jokes about his hero losing the greatest battle thus far.

G'raha's excitement knows no bounds when you announce that you're well enough to continue your travels together. The ruddy cheeks, the soft ear wiggle. No sickness can stop his hero for long.

Ardbert

(Assuming Ardbert is no longer a ghost!)

Ardbert is restless. He hasn't seen an open field, a forest, an ocean in days. He wonders if it's unsupportive to ask if you'd mind if he pops out for a fishing trip tomorrow. Perhaps if you're a little better in the morning?

He's not heartless, he left some hot tea beside your bed and made sure your medicines were in reach.

Though he did have some guilt by the third hour of his fishing adventure. The pangs of guilt grew until an idea sprouted from them.

He racked his mind as he navigated the markets. He had enough fish, but the right peppers...which peppers were correct. Tomatoes. Cream. Potatoes. Something was missing, some spice.

Ardbert has made a mess of things. He has put out the kitchen fire, somehow there are no more clean pots and pans. Yet, the soup is complete! It was his mother's recipe, it always had him right as rain after a day or so.

Though you tried your best to hold a straight face, the soup was...I don't know if it's fair to call it a soup. He looks absolutely crushed.

You fall asleep while he strokes your hair, his head pressed against yours as he told you stories. About Kholusia, fishing for cod with his father, his mother's miracle soup. He asks what they made where you're from, but it's too late. You've already drifted off, dreaming about magic fish.

Oddly enough, from a couple of sips of Ardbert's attempted soup, you feel some measure better. He, on the other hand, has the same horrible wheezing cough you had a day before.

Hien

Hien is not the biggest believer in staying bedridden in a sealed room while sick. He frowns, hating to see you suffer, but a thought springs to mind as he twirls your lank, sweaty hair between his fingers.

The clean air of the Azim Steppe is just as promised. During the day, he haggles in the markets for the best Dzo to make stews, the best leaves to make tea. All while you watch the clouds pass from the hammock outside of your yurt.

It's hard to leave the hammock, not only for the comfort. Where else could you see so many stars? Hien points to his favorites, the brightest, the funniest shapes some constellations make.

There wasn't much for entertainment, but watching Hien in the distance sparring with friends was a welcome sight.

After a few days, he encourages you to come with him. On a little walk, at least. Another day, just a little spar. How do you know you're well if you don't test your skills?

The break from all the noise, the responsibilities, becomes intoxicating to you after some time. Hien never has to rush to some meeting, you never need to leave to be flung at a new problem.

You've been better for a week now, finding yourself testing your sharpness with Hien and his friends every morning. Though you may have been hesitant to travel while sick, the time spent together was precious. Perhaps next time you won't have to be sick to convince yourself to take a break.

Zenos

He's seen you weakened before, brought to your knees by your own frailty. It disappoints him and yet, he's fascinated by it in a way he doesn't quite understand. How could someone so pitiful occupy every hour of his day?

Zenos doesn't agree with the chirugeon, you could power through this with sheer force of will and merely shrugs as the medicines are set on the table.

This could not be what ends the object of his obsession, his first friend. He regularly checks that you're still breathing. He leans in too close to hear that your heart is still beating, only to be rewarded by a wheezing cough into his hair.

His size is quite the advantage, it's not a challenge for him to carry you from place to place. He leans low to the ground, scooping you up as the sight of you exhausted from standing up only leaves him with disgust.

Still, when you fall asleep each night, he leans his head to your chest. Your heart still beats, your skin glittering with sweat. He knew he would see you like this on another day, performing the great feats that brought him to you in the first place. Though he never understood your reasons, he knew you'd be back to fighting the mesmerizing fights that led the two of you here. To share a bed, a home, a life.

[nights-at-crystarium]

May I share a fic rec? I finally found an Emet fic that scratched my brain in all the right places, never I would've expected that from an Ardbert ship @_@ (disclaimer: I'm not responsible for the brainrot it might awaken in you)

Studies in incorporeality

[thevikingwoman]

Meryta gets a letter after defeating Tatiana

Fandom: FFXIV | Words: 987 | Read on Ao3

part 1 | part 2 | part 3

Meryta Khatin x Tansui | during The Wheel Turns | romance Rating: Teen. Letter writing, longing, fear of death, fear of change, Ardbert friendship, dealing or not dealing with feelings

Letters and Longing, part 2

Despite her fears, Meryta manages to slay Tatiana. The Light crawls inside her body after, but she tries to ignore it. There are more important matters. Feo Ul crowned king, Eulmorians driven away, and now they’re safely back at the Crystarium, one unwelcome Ascian tagging after them.

She doesn’t think of him, not when an excited post moogle finds her on the way to the Pendants. It hands her a letter, her name scrawled on the front, along with a message across the back:

This better reach you, with the outrageous fee the moogle charged. There’s only so many ships in the sea

She laughs, sudden relief and happiness bubbling in her chest. Nodding at the attendant, she hurries up the stairs to her apartment, and sits on her bed, ignoring the table decked with food. She rips the letter open with a smile.

Dear Meryta

Glad I was to hear from you. Surprised too, given what you told me of your whereabouts, but the moogle assured me a special friend would help with a return post. I pray this finds you, somehow.  I hope your fight goes well, as it customarily does. It is too much to ask, I suppose, that calmer waters await you, but I do wish for it. Here, things are much the same as usual. We have not had an influx of recruits since the last one, many staking their hopes on Doma restored. With the recent bolstering, we are not of want for people, and the Captain sets his hopes for profit along with a strong and allied Doma. Your friend, Lord Hien, does well in bringing together the most unlikely allies, I must say. Rasho has decided that I should play envoy, so I do travel to the enclave, which continues to thrive I may add.

We have not seen a swell in the Garlean ships, but I do thank you for the warning. We will keep a look out for unsavory behavior – more unsavory than our own, that is.

But, enough about that.

Please, Meryta, I wish you well for all your upcoming fights. I can only imagine they will be frightfully many. I hope to hear from you soon.

I likewise wish for you to be back with me. I will happily cook for you again, and see you back in my bed.

Stay safe,

Tansui

Her heart warms as she reads it, and her cheeks as well, at the last part. She misses him. His wit, his eyes and his hands on her. The way he listens to her.

There’s a long sigh from across the room, and when she looks up from the letter, Ardbert is there, an almost impatient look on his face.

“Happy news?”

“Yes.” She looks down at the letter, where it’s signed. She runs her thumb across his name. “Welcome news.”

“Someone you care about, then? Someone who cares about you too, I take it. Lucky.”

“Something like that, yes.” She does care about him, rather much she finds. An unfamiliar ache in her chest. The longing she feels for him is unfamiliar somehow, different from how she longs for her family, her friends.

“Really? Don’t waste your time pondering.”

“I suppose not.”

“Are you going to write them back? You should.” Ardbert gestures to the table, and the food she didn’t notice when she entered. She was too eager to open the letter, she realizes. “Got some nice food here too. He’s keeping you well fed, the Exarch.”

She nods and sites and eats and talks a little more with Ardbert, of Ascians, but of Seto too, and much more. It’s nice, and the food is good. When the conversation lulls, she starts writing. Ardberd does not have to remind her, but he smiles encouragingly when she fetches her parchment, and implores her to write now, not later, before he fades into – wherever he goes when he’s not hovering.

This time she writes not only Tansui, but manages short letters to Tataru, her family, and Emmanellain too. Tansui’s letter is the longest, and though she tells of her victory, it’s the only one where she doesn’t downplay the danger she’s in. He already knows how she feels, and he deserves to know all. She wants him to know. The extra aether is still swirling inside her, good food and good conversion and the happiness of correspondence can’t stop that.  It’s a relief to be able to say all that’s on her mind.

She also tells of the good things, a little of the people at the Crystarium. The hope she sees in everyone, even as she leaves out her own role, in the myth people are starting to spin. They don’t know it’s her, and she doesn’t want to call herself some kind of hero, least of all to him. She writes of mundane things, of Frithrik and Moren and asks about the people in Onokoro. If she closes her eyes, she can almost feel the sea breeze.

Hand aching, she’s happy she took the time to write, to all of them. It is easier this time, and she worries less about messing it up – and it’s easier to write of a victory than of worries. She’ll worry about the other Lightwardens another time, and perhaps the Light inside of her will dissipate, perhaps this feeling of dread will too. She won again, and she shakes her head to dismiss the thoughts of the next battle and the next again. She finds she’d rather think of Tansui, of warm sand and sea, of the fumes of Hell’s Lid and the setting sun. Tomorrow will bring what it must. Pleased, she bundles her letters, and she goes to send them immediately instead of waiting for the morrow. She hopes they reach everyone soon, and sending them now is better than later. She’s not so tired that she can’t handle a few stairs.

[shivasdarknight]

i had a dream about you {ffxiv, wolysayle}

❆fandom: final fantasy xiv, ffxiv ❆characters: named warrior of light (Surkukteni), Ysayle Dangoulain, Krile Baldesion, Tataru Taru, Ardbert Hylfyst, oc (Melisande + others referenced) ❆relationship: wolysayle, referenced wolestinien & wolcylva (neither estinien nor cylva appear, though) ❆dynamic: f/f, referenced m/f ❆rating: e ❆key tags: xaela wol, bi+intersex+bigender wol, polyam wol, sapphic bi4bi, YSAYLE LIVES BITCH, hurt/comfort, POV swap (Surkukteni > Ysayle > Surkukteni) ❆content warnings: cursing, implied character death, canon typical existentialism, dream fic, irreality, grieving, vaginal fingering, sapphic blowjobs, temperature play, clothed sex, praise kink, discussions of gender, reference to sexually fluid au ra (and how Surkukteni is intersex within that), brief discussion of sexuality (in a fairly humorous tone) ❆chapters: 4/4 {complete} ❆words: 31,395 ❆series: How to Obtain a Polycule (ft. Emotionally Constipated Dumbasses), Snow and Dirty Rain {Ysayle Lives AU}

If it wasn't bad enough that Surkukteni had not been allowed the time and space to grieve, her dreams became quickly plagued for a love she'd lost years ago. There's a strange sentience to this Ysayle that haunts her dreams, but was that really important? If she could seek some sense of closure for her broken heart, she'd take it even if it meant reopening that wound every night.

Set in Shadowbringers and ending in 5.3, this is Ysayle's reentry into MSQ. Chapters 2 and 4 are spicy, emotional support Ardbert through half of it, and a sequel planned very soon. I can confirm that this fic made someone cry, so have fun <3

{Read Here}

[roegadynroost]

FFXIVwrite 2023 - 26 Last

You could feel the light everywhere. Behind your eyes, in your brain, pumping painfully through your veins. It pulsed like fire, burning like frostbite a horrid sting cloying in every fiber of your being.

You've come so far, fought so hard, and yet it had all been for naught. 

The Ascian, Emet-Selch taunted and mocked you still. 

"The gulf between us is a reflection of the disparity between the world as it was...and what it has become."

You wanted to stand, you wanted to fight, but you couldn't. The light was too much. It choked you, it drowned you. You could hear your friends take stand, but you could not, you'd bee brought to your knees. It was too heavy.

"You are a mistake." The Ascian chided "For we who have known perfection, the shattered Source and these shards are ghastly mockeries of the true world. The ephemeral lives you exalt are pale imitations, utterly devoid of meaning."

You'd given it all and for what? You would all die here, on this light flooded reflection. You could not fight. 

How could you let them down now, when your all come so far?

The voices were damped as if you were in water, you could not hear, you could not see, not taste. All that there was, was the light. It surged in you, pushing to get free.

"Why waste your final moments in futile defiance?" Where you moving closer? You could almost make out the Ascian, you could almost hear him. "Weary wanderer─you've no fight left to fight! No life left to live!"

Too much, it was too much, it was in your throat, coating your tongue, you gagged.

There was a commotion around you, but you couldn't make it out.

And then just like that, it stopped. 

You pushed yourself up onto your elbows, squinting into the white abyss. The light was still there but something was holding it back. The fog of the unforgiving resplendence had lifted.

"If you had the strength to take another step, could you do it?" Ardbert, it it was Ardbert beside you, your eyes were wide as you looked at him. He was so clear you could swear you could touch him if you just reached out. He peered ahead, unblinking, unflinching in the light. "Could you save our worlds?" he asked.

"You know I could!" You gritted out desperately, hopefully.

Finally the man, no longer a shade, looked at you. In his hand he held out his axe, his intense eyes peering down at you through the glaring incandescent. A plea there, for you to save his world. This was it, this was why he'd been denied his final rest.

"Take it. We fight as one!" Ardbert's voice echoed into the aether. You could feel him as he joined with you, the aether felt strong, it felt familiar. You could feel your strength return to you. You could feel the light shrink as it paled to your own radiance.

"This world is not yours to end. This is our future. Our story." The words fell from your lips, like unto your own, but it was not you alone. Ardbert had granted you a boon and you would not see it squandered. 

You would fight, as you always did. 

To the end. 

To your last breath.

[dholwrites]

Meeting the Family

AKA Junior meeting the Nijoh'ir's husbands

Summary: A late birthday gift for @nijohirjesyho

The former retainer doesn't realize that Nijoh'ir is joking when he calls Ameliance his wife. It only makes matters a little more complicated when he gets introduced to the Warrior of Light's actual spouse.

(ﾉ*ФωФ)ﾉ

“Junior! Here take this.” 

When Junior was called down from his room, he thought he was in trouble. Like another professor coming to complain that he isn’t paying attention to the lectures. What he wasn’t expecting was to be led to the waiting room. Nor that someone would thrust a mug of hot chocolate into his waiting hands by a friendly elezen. It’s a welcomed warmth to his cold fingers, especially with the freezing weather in Sharlayan. The man fussed over him like an affectionate but long-forgotten uncle, asking “have you eaten? Did you like studying here? Have you made any new friends yet?” 

In the midst of the questions, Junior racks his brain to try to remember if he knows the blue-haired elezen from somewhere. A former employer perhaps or maybe another retainer that he doesn’t recognize. Yet whenever he thinks he is getting somewhere, the elezen would pet his head and derail his thoughts. 

“If you keep shaking him like that, he’s going to lose what brain cells he has.” The miqo’te only realizes that someone is there when his ears pick up a rough voice snickering at his predicament. He whips around to find a hyur who has made himself comfortable on one side of the couch. His legs crossed and eating through the plate of sweets that servants would often bring out for guests. Realizing that he has finally been noticed, all he did is offer up a cookie with his mouth half full, “Want one?”

The only answer that would make sense now is that they are Ameliance’s guests. His foster mother has mentioned that she does talk about him in her circles. Perhaps, she is planning to introduce him?

The door swings open to reveal Ameliance. There is a grin on her lips. The kind that promised a mischievous plan. It’s big enough that even Junior couldn’t help but grow worried. He shuttering out an excuse that Erenville is expecting him at the library and rush for the door. Only to be seized. 

“Junior, darling,” She sweetly sings much like a siren would before drowning her prey, “Wouldn’t you stay?”

“I think I should leave you to your guest, Lady Ameliance.” She did not care for his excuses. In fact, she tightened her grip and hauled him over to the center of the room. Junior dragged his feet but found himself again in front of the strangers. 

“This is Haurchefant, Nijoh’ir’s husband.” Ameliance gestures to the other elezen, nudging Junior to greet him properly. The miqo’te goes bow only to freeze when her words register in his mind. Husband…? The Sharlayan doesn’t seem to notice his distress as she turns him to face the hyur. “And this is Ardbert, Nijoh’ir’s other husband.” 

Other… Husband? One moment passed, and then a second. The gears in Junior’s head are working overtime for him to understand the bombs that were just dropped on him. The only conclusion that he could draw now is… The Warrior of Light is married to three people! That is the only thing that makes sense. It explains why Nijoh’ir doesn’t live in this giant mansion despite being married to Ameliance. He must be dividing what free time he has between his lovers. 

Junior was fairly certain that he knew Nijoh’ir well, or at least a little better than the general populace since the Warrior did help him get to where he is. Yet here he stands, just now finding out that the other is married to another two people. 

In the midst of his thoughts, Junior didn’t realize he is being coaxed to sit in an empty seat while Ameliance and Haurchefant coos over his cute ear flicks. Ameliance petting the top of his head. It rises as he perks up and droops when he slouches, like the perfect way to read his mood. Ardbert on the other hand is more interested in the local sweets laid out and has already finished his share. 

The entire room snaps into attention when Nijoh’ir enters the room holding a small stack of papers. Junior watches as the husbands rush over to greet their love, sharing sweet kisses that would make people turn away with embarrassment.  

“We are adopting a baby,” Nijoh’ir announced to the group with the confidence of a natural-born leader. They had finally gathered around to see what was going on. The paperwork in his hands is now spread on the table in front of Junior. 

Before he could think, Nijoh’ir had already pressed a pen into the hand of the green-haired miqo’te. Just as he is seconds away from signing the paper without reading the small print, the man beside him rests a hand on his shoulder. “You’re baby.”

[caranraw]

I bet y'all have forgotten that I also write stuff, huh? Well now I AWAKENETH FROM MY SLUMBER to bring you Chapter 10 of "A sky cursed with light": Conversations Interrupted!

My dearest Rhotkoel, 

I wish I had better news to relay to you, but progress and healing are slow to come, and so we are both forced to partake in our least favourite pastimes - waiting, and being patient. I rejoice, however, in the knowledge that you have slain one of the terrible creatures that threaten all life in the First, and brought back the night to the lands near the Crystarium. Not that I ever doubted your success, but a man is allowed to worry for the owner of his heart.

And how is your incorporeal friend? Did he show himself to you again? I have little trouble believing in ghosts - Doman folklore is riddled with them - but I wonder why he is unable to appear to, or be heard by, anyone but you. Is it because you are both Warriors of Light? You’d do well to try to befriend him, as he may know the answer to this riddle without even knowing it. 

I’m not sure why I’m writing that out. Of course you’ll try to befriend him. You’ll make friends with rocks, if there is no one else to talk to… 

“Good news from home?” Ardbert asks, pacing about my room. “You’re smiling quite a lot.”

Keep reading on AO3 - Start from the beginning

[stellamancer]

I thought this idea would go away after sleeping but unfortunately I was wrong. lol.

Like I'll do it if it's real. Maybe.

Being haunted by you-know-who. Being forced to attempt to address some "unfinished business."

[jarael]

"Why don't you tell me about yourself?" Ardbert asked.

"...what do you want to know?" Sigrun's mind swam, thinking about what his response might be.

"Well, what's changed since our first meeting?"

"I'm married now, with three kids, a toddler and young twins."

"And you're still an adventurer?"

"My wife keeps everything under control, along with our friends." Yugiri...she wondered how her beloved shinobi was faring in her absence.

Ardbert gave her a warm smile. "Best keep them close. The future is always in motion, and you never know how things will change."

Sigrun thought about Tesleen, and how Alisaie fought back a breakdown when the Hume was turned into a Sin Eater. She knew the youth's pain far too well.

"How's about we change the subject?"

[thebumblebeesystem]

(Spoilers for the Endwalker magical ranged role quest)

So, I'm finally working on the Endwalker mage quests. And I did not expect to have a "wow, this reads different as a DID (dissociative identity disorder) system" moment during them. I figured I'd post about it because I know a lot of systems don't talk about their experiences with playing ffxiv, for good reason - we often get taunted, threatened, etc. quite a bit when we go public. That hasn't happened to me yet, thankfully - the ffxiv community has been kind to me about it. And every time I post, I get comments from systems who are glad I spoke up. So I'll keep doing it.

Anyway, the moment was this one - when Vaindreau was trying to answer the seemingly simple question of what his name was.

Long before I knew I was a system, I had multiple name changes as an adult. Every time I'd go through something big or traumatic, I'd feel like I changed so much that I became a different person, and my old name didn't feel like it fit anymore. This seemed completely normal to me, despite never having met anyone else who changed their name repeatedly like this. And now I know why I did it. These were host changes.

For the unfamiliar, when I say "host" I mean like dinner party host. The host is the system member (my system's word for "alter") who is around constantly and manages most things. Other system members come to and from the dinner party table (called "co-fronting" or "co-conscious," depending on what they do while at the table). But the host is always there.

When a new host in my system asks themself a seemingly simple question - what do I want people to call me? - there are many options. "So many names, swirling in my mind, and voices that reject them." It took us weeks to settle on our latest name of Bee, a few months ago. Different system members came to and from the table, giving their input. We took occasional polls of our system depending on who was around. It was a big group decision.

But that's how it went as a self-aware system. In the past, when we didn't know we were a system? When we didn't know that each individual voice in our head was a real person, with their own name and personality and likes and dislikes and all? We reacted exactly like Vaindreau did in this scene. What is my name? Why are so many names racing through my mind? Why can't I settle on one of them? Why can't I answer such a simple question?

And then the asker gets impatient - can you tell me your name or not? Either you remember your name or you don't. Everyone's got one, whether they got it at birth or they changed it later, so what's yours? I don't know. I don't know, because my mind can't agree on one. And so, to stop the odd stares and repeated questions, I'd spit out the first name that felt the most... passable. The one that the voices didn't object to, or perhaps, the one that the least amount of voices objected to. It didn't feel quite right. Quite accurate. Quite... complete. But an answer was expected of me, and so I gave one.

We've learned, over time. Our system is called "the bumblebee system," because each of us in the system is like a fluffy bumble bee flying from flower to flower... and occasionally slamming into a window, repeatedly, and being really confused about it. When someone calls us "Bee," they're referring to either all the bees in the system or to one or a few specific bees, depending on the context. Bee is a catch-all, inclusive name. Our past names (like B'Elarra, which was my name when most of you met me) were the name of the host only, while the other system members went largely unspoken to. Choosing the name of Bee this time was our way of correcting that.

Anyway. This isn't my first time having a "wow, this reads different as a DID system" moment while playing this game. Two others that come to mind are Fray and Ardbert - especially the way that fanfic writers often write them. So many of you have written amazingly good accidental system representation and didn't even know it. Maybe I'll talk about this sometime, too. But for now... I just wanted to get this out of my (ha) system.

(Pardon any typos, missing words, etc. I proofread this a few times, but I have a migraine and words are hard.)

[alannah-corvaine]

One of my favorite dumb AU ideas is turning the WoL + Scions and Ardbert + his friends into opposing teams (whether it's sports, academic, adventuring, monster hunting, literally any kind) and then playing out a rivals to lovers scenario straight out of a 2010s fanfic.

[mrlowell]

Shoutout to all xiv fanfic writers going back to their fics and adding lastnames to Ryne, Ardbert, Sicard and Chai-Nuzz

[lilbittymonster]

Fanfic Writer Asks

Tagged by @crackinglamb 💜💜💜💜💜

Tagging: @ardberts @gatheredfates @allycryz @captainsparklefingers and @piratekenway

1) How many works do you have on AO3?

33

2) What's your total AO3 word count?

113,822 words

3) What fandoms do you write for?

Currently writing for Final Fantasy XIV, have previously written for Borderlands, Fallout 4, and Critical Role.

4) What are your top five fics by kudos?

Only A Thought Away (Critical Role) - 182 kudos

This Is Home (Critical Role) - 169 kudos

I Will Endure (Critical Role) - 127 kudos

Forgiveness (Critical Role) - 118 kudos

Boy, Oh Boy (Critical Role) - 104 kudos

5) Do you respond to comments?

I try to, yes! I will respond in the same energy as whatever the comment is given in. And now that we have the block function, I have no compunction of simply taking commenting privileges away. Manners matter :)

6) What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Extinguishing the Last Light (FFXIV) is the bad ending AU where the Scions don't succeed in defeating the newly formed Lightwarden after the events of Mt. Gulg, and Estinien gets called to the First. it continues to haunt me and I ended up gposing a scene from it.

7) What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Probably This Is Home.

8) Do you get hate on fics?

Not yet, but I have gotten a couple of the "moar plz/when are you gonna updaaaaate?" type comments. See above commenting privileges policy.

9) Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I have exactly one E fic (An Owl In Limsa) that has been published, but the HW fic will also be explicit pretty much right out the gate. I have far, far more smut pieces that are just for me and some friends.

So far, it's just been a single hookup. That's been published. There's. A variance. In my word docs. Some may see the light of day, some may not, only time will tell.

10) Do you write crossovers? If so, what's the craziest one you've written?

Eh, not really my thing. It veers a little to close to crack for my tastes.

11) Have you ever had fic stolen?

Not as far as I know. It may sound self deprecating, but I don't think any of my work is good enough to be worth stealing, and certainly none of it is big enough in the fandom to catch the eye of scammers who sell fic on Amazon or whatever.

12) Have you ever had a fic translated?

Again, not to my knowledge, though if someone were interested I would be happy to discuss!

13) Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I have, at least once, yes! I was part of a small group doing a Critical Role AU where Mollymauk was a lost de Rolo child, and we were all taking turns puppeting the M9 and VM with their official character sheets. I kinda miss it sometimes but we all just kinda drifted. Very very fun though, would highly recommend it.

14) What's your all time favourite ship?

I don't really do the whole "this is my Only Ship Ever" thing. I'll have a preferred ship per fandom, but especially since getting into XIV I have fully embraced the motto of "learn to multiship like an adult".

Some favourites include; Caleb/Essek, Caleb/Mollymauk, SoSu/Hancock, Krieg/Maya, Beau/Yasha

15) What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

My canon divergent Borderlands 2 AU. Every now and again I'll think about it, and I do have the original outline I wrote for it (past me really did me a solid there) but the fandom drift has hit so hard I really just lost all momentum on it. I don't want to orphan or abandon it because What If Some Day I get back to it, but that day is looking pretty far off.

16) What are your writing strengths?

Characterisation, use of tension, descriptions, call and response/motifs, Show Don't Tell

17) What are your writing weaknesses?

Combat sequences, movement, adverbs, endings? beginnings??? middle?????

18) Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

So I haven't had this problem yet, but it will definitely be happening a lot once I start writing Stormblood stuff, because Kitali speaks fluent Doman as well as Dazkar Xaela, and will be switching between those and Eorzean common quite a bit.

Personally I'm not a fan of having a different formatting for each language (plain for the main language, bold for one, italics for another, underlined for another, etc) and would rather just have a dialogue tag stating what language is being spoken, with a new one each time the language switches.

I also am not a fan of having footnote translations in the author's notes, and would rather just have the actual translation instead of having to either scroll back and forth (annoying and I lose my place) or remembering what was said when and with what context (I have memory problems).

19) First fandom you wrote for?

Borderlands 2

20) Favourite fic you've written?

Of the ones I've published, I think I have to go with Extinguishing the Last Light. It's the one I think about the most often, it's the most evocative (imo) emotionally, and it tells the story it needs to tell in several concurrent layers.

Blank template under the cut

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

3. What fandoms do you write for?

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

5. Do you respond to comments?

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

8. Do you get hate on fics?

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

14. What's your all time favorite ship?

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

16. What are your writing strengths?

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

19. First fandom you wrote for?

20. Favorite fic you've written?

[olderthannetfic]

I used to think I wasn't into the Enemies to Lovers trope, and then one time I was telling a friend that I'm sure it's all right if done well but I'd only seen it in shoddy fanfic that bungled the character development, I realised literally mid sentence that one of my favourite Shakespeare plays (Coriolanus) is literally just Enemies to Lovers done well, and then she interrupted me to point out that one of my favourite pairings in one of our shared fandoms (Ardbert and the Player Character in FFXIV) is enemies to [lovers, besties, found family, or whoever you decide to read it].

--

[kaerran]

24: (you pick!) [A Calm Moment]

[i was messing with 5th ed dnd all day and had to resist the urge to just. write scions discussing dnd. AND NOW I AM DERAILED BY OLDEST WOODEN STRUCTURE FOUND HOLY SHIT GO HOMO HEIDELBERGENSIS uhhhhhhh how am i supposed to write fanfic now. oh well. a continuation of 19 weal (aka pelhi appears)]

The two of them were sitting on one of the couches in the room, Pelhi swinging her feet, when she said, "Qahs'a? You're being awfully quiet."

Qahs'a blinked at her, then slowly shrugged one shoulder.

Pelhi squinted at his face. "Mr. Thancred mentioned you were quieter now but I didn't really think you'd be this quiet. Are you okay?"

Qahs'a looked away, into the fire, unsure of how to answer. On one hand, he had managed to save the entire universe from destruction. On the other hand, he was sitting in a room of a manor owned by the father of a man who'd died to save him speaking to the sister that he'd been forced to abandon. …he probably wasn't, but he didn't really want Pelhi to know.

After a silence, Pelhi sighed and leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder. "I wish you'd talk to someone, even if it isn't me," she grumbled.

He could feel Ardbert trying to respond to her, but did his best to squish Ardbert back down, if only until someone else explained why Qahs'a might sometimes talk with someone else's voice. Instead he just wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently.

"Love you too, big bro," she murmured in response.

[gladiogotdatbootio]

OOOOh So this is why all of Ardbert's fanfics are tagged ghostfucking ;_;