#azem x fandaniel

[starrysnowdrop]

Oh, can't you see—

You belong to me?

[japhers]

jealousy towards a faded memory

[fandans]

clinging to something long gone

[drk-of-light]

A final meeting, a final farewell

[syqy]

wol/fandaniel :)

[cinnabun-faerie]

FFXIV {April 2022 Masterlist}

✧Group HC & Reactions✧

WoL playing a prank on them (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

React to a sick!WoL admitting that they were scared that their caretaker only thought of them as a tool (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Aymeric, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

Comparing/Tending to scars (Estinien, G'raha Tia, Thancred)

React to WoL being a Miqo'te (Emet-Selch, Hermes, Hythlodaeus)

Encouraging Miqo'te!WoL who is nervous to show their cat-like behavior (Aymeric, Estinien, Haurchefant, Urianger, Y'shtola)

WoL Breaking down into tears (G'raha Tia, Thancred, Y'shtola)

Domestic Fluff HCs (Aymeric. Erenville, G'raha Tia, Haurchefant, Y'shtola)

WoL breaking down into tears {Part 2} (Emet-Selch, Estinien, Urianger)

WoL going to live with the beast tribes instead of adventuring (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

WoL breaking down into tears {Part 3} (Aymeric, Erenville, Haurchefant)

Finding Y'shtola & WoL making out (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Exarch, Ryne, Thancred, Urianger)

WoL having a bad nightmare (Alisaie, Alphinaud, G'raha Tia, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

WoL having a bad nightmare {Part 2} (Aymeric, Emet-Selch)

Finding Urianger & the WoL making out (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Exarch, Ryne, Thancred, Y'shtola)

Cuddles HCs (Artoirel, Emmanellain, Haurchefant)

Reaction to an Au Ra!Reader curling up to them as Ishgard is so cold it makes them want to hibernate (Alphinaud, Aymeric, Haurchefant, Tataru)

Comforting WoL who suffers from delusions that everyone hates them (Emet-Selch, Hythlodaeus, Venat)

WoL wanting to be bent over the nearest surface {18+} (Aymeric, G'raha Tia, Thancred, Y'shtola)

Viera!WoL having their bunny tail (Erenville, Urianger, Zenos)

With a Sick WoL (Emet-Selch, G'raha Tia)

WoL getting married to Aymeric (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

WoL laying on their chest when they're cuddling (Aymeric, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Haurchefant, Urianger)

WoL singing "Raise your glass" in the Forgotten Knight {Part 1} (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Thancred. Urianger, Y'shtola)

Exarch accidently summons the 8 year old version of the WoL (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Exarch, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

Miqo'te WoL bunting them (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, Exarch, Post Reveal-G'raha Tia, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

Reaction to WoL after Alisaie hits the G note on the Piano (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Thancred. Urianger, Y'shtola)

Finding Thancred & WoL making out (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Exarch, Ryne, Urianger, Y'shtola)

WoL saying they don't want to fight anymore (Aymeric, Estinien. G'raha Tia, Haurchefant, Thancred, Urianger)

WoL trying to redecorate the tower to make it more cozy (Zenos x Reader x Fandaniel)

✧Solo HC & Reactions✧

Thancred with a Lalafell s/o HCs

Y'shtola reacts: Unconscious WoL teleporting back to the ship (part 3)

Gaius Baelsar Domestic HCs

Fandaniel reacting to learning you had banged his clone from the Crystal Tower

Y'shtola with a shy Fem!WoL who takes great appreciation of Y'shtola's new outfit on The First

Zenos Domestic HCs

Fandaniel reaction to WoL saying they don't want to fight anymore

Erenville reacts to WoL trying to help him with a small task but ends up getting so frustrated that they can't capture the creature they end up breaking down

Gaius Father HCs

Artoirel Love at First Sight HCs

Fandaniel with s/o who's been trying to reverse-engineer allagan tech for years

Tired WoL enters the Rising Stone and falls asleep on Y'shtola's lap

Thancred & a Miqo'te HCs

Zenos confessing his love to the WoL

WoL revealing they have Azem's memories by playing wrong notes of a familiar song (Emet-Selch)

[agent-cupcake]

UPDATE TIME Okay so my sleep schedule is obscenely fucked so my productivity has been really low when it comes to writing, but I'd like to share some of the ideas I've been kicking around recently. They're all FFXIV because I've got the brainrot and there's a HIGH chance I'll write none of these, or things will change dramatically, but I wanted to share regardless.

Hermes x f!reader - Modern AU

You're a patient with a rare disease being treated by Doctor Fandaniel. In that time, he becomes a little too attached to you and your case. He believes your medical issues are fully curable given the proper resources and time, but isn't getting approved for that sort of experimental treatment. Realizing that the hospital, your family, and the medical field in general are just going to let you die, Hermes takes things (namely, you) into his own hands. Essentially, Hermes kidnaps you so he can personally treat you with the stated goal of saving your life and obviously no other ulterior motives.

Zenos viator Galvus x f!WoL reader - Post Endwalker AU

This one strays far enough from canon that I'm not sure I could do it justice, but I like the idea nonetheless. Zenos's third life begins in a prison. You, physically and mentally drained by everything that has happened, are his savior and his warden. In your attempt to understand him, your dark mirror, you open yourself up to a whole lot of uncomfortable baggage a hero shouldn't carry, and to being understood, convincing Zenos to consider a new perspective. Unfortunately, understanding a monster doesn't make him any less monstrous, no matter what misguided ideals your adventures have taught you so far... All of this to say that when he escapes, he's no longer preoccupied with fighting you.

Hades x f!reader x Hythlodaeus

Long before you're made Azem and Hythlodaeus gives up the seat of Emet-Selch for Hades, the three of you go on an anthropological expedition as a more hands-on lesson. I have to write a threesome with them eventually. Legally, I think it's contractual. We'll see.

G'raha Tia x f!WoL reader

He's very enthusiastic and attentive and I have a voice kink.

Thancred Waters x f!Reader

I want to take advantage of a man with the lingering issues of a caretaker who lost his ward + it would be funny if he got fed up with the old man jokes. I wholeheartedly blame Kane for this one.

[arcann]

🗣☕👀?

Thank u! 🖤

| 1.5k words, Hermes x Azem

From the idea that Hermes could have been a source of information to make Hydaelyn out of an improved ritual that created Zodiark. Being kinda divorced totally fits the bill on reluctant allies right? *shoots my argument in the foot by the end* oh. wait.

I’m here now. Nothing matters anymore, I found you.

Fandaniel repeats those words to himself like a drone in a hive. But this is not his hive and now he knows better than to follow blindly. And he’s more than exhausted for a few words to calm him down.

“Yes, it should work, if your conduits are potent enough and Venat is willing to push through with the aid of her followers then she could succeed where Zodiark and the Convocation failed.”

“Could?” Venat’s mentor eyes him with doubt, his face shamelessly unmasked. Lately people chose not to wear their communal masks or even the usual robes, uncertain of their safety and comforted by the humane, but this man and his fellow conspirators had a loftier motive to do so.

Fandaniel’s frown deepens and his teeth grind against each other until they hurt. He doesn’t need to hide his discomfort at being here, how angry he is that he’s being kept out of the loop, treated with mistrust once Venat turns her back around. Her friends are her fierce protectors and they know a necessary risk when they see one. 

He envies them so much.

“The act will depend completely on Venat, she is the centerpoint of what follows. When the time comes you won’t need me there.” The so-called Watcher doesn’t react but Hermes knows he is pleased by that. He can feel it.

“I am simply relaying my designs concerning Zodiark’s creation, what should and should not be repeated. My theories on what will happen this time. Nothing more.”

“Of course.”

And that's it. The man rushedly picks his annotations, coded in a way Fandaniel can’t figure out and leaves the building. No fanfare, no parting words, after hours of being schooled about a man-made apocalypse by one of his leading oppositors. He has what he came for today and he says much by giving him the cold shoulder every time he visits. 

But Fandaniel got what he wanted.

He rises from his seat and walks deeper into the building, chosen for its unremarkable features and ruined exterior. The Final Days’ impact could be seen anywhere, inside and out of Amaurot and while half of this place was occupied by debris and who knew what else, the space that could be salvaged was pristine and untouched. A refuge, as much as one could exist in these times.

His step rushes and his breath quickens. He shows signs of a panic attack when alone and, the few opportunities he’s had to ponder, he guesses this is how his trauma expresses itself. By hating solitude when once he had such a high appreciation of it. Not finding solace anywhere.

Your arms. Your arms. It isn’t right to be apart.

Finally he reaches the right room and closes it behind him, locks it for good measure. People barging in displease him immensely these days.

“You know, I could hear everything you said.” Their voice is calm. Cool. Fandaniel’s fear subsides as quickly as it rose.

“Ah, my apologies. I tried to keep it down.” No, he didn’t. He thought Prometheus’ injuries would be enough to keep them asleep or distracted. 

Or maybe, by the end, he wished they would be awake and ready to receive him.

He gives himself a few seconds before turning around, taking off his mask to excuse his delay. He was very vocal the first time he saw Prometheus in their new state. The memory mortifies him still but he likes to think he is getting better at hiding those particular emotions. 

And then he turns.

Despite his preparation and outer calm, the sight still fills him with dread. Prometheus’ chest and arms covered in bandages, their face bruised, purple and swollen. Their legs were the same, thankfully hidden by the blankets over the bed they sat on. Their injuries had improved much after Fandaniel had arrived, dedicating a great part of his time to tend to them. He can’t deny that Venat’s followers brought them back from the brink of death but to him, it didn’t excuse almost abandoning them here, alone and unkept. He doesn’t feel especially thankful. If he hadn’t struck that deal…

“But he left already. Satisfied, I think. We have time now.” 

He approaches them, failing to pretend his anxious craving. Gingerly they hold the arm Prometheus gives to him, analyzing the state of their bandages. To leave this to time and weak healing magic when one could fix the damage in an instant back then... But no one can bring back those days. Prometheus would heal the hard way.

“All good. Now the other one, my dear.” He stretches so Prometheus doesn’t have to move too much while they let their approved arm fall over Fandaniel’s back, its presence heavy in his mind. Being near them is the closest thing he has felt to peace in a very long time.

“This one will last too. No need to change them.” He smiles gently, satisfied with his findings ”You’re improving so much.”

“That was quick.”

“I suppose I’m getting better at it.”

“Huh.”

And finally, finally, he can let himself be held. He closes his eyes and leans into Prometheus’ shoulder while sitting on the edge of the bed, holding his weight just enough so that it doesn’t become too much on them. There is no flinching and no grunts of pain. He might not allow himself to relax completely but here, being lightly embraced by his love, he feels peace at an arm’s length. 

He’s safe.

A moment passes, too short for him but long enough for Prometheus to twist and turn with discomfort.

“Hermes,” He opens his eyelid halfway, paying attention. “I knew you came up with the idea but to hear how embedded you were in the plan…”

“Can we not talk about this? Why would it matter now?”

Prometheus turns quiet but the silence is no longer amenable. They tense under him after being shut down so quickly. A mistake, Hermes recognizes, one he should amend quickly. 

“I apologize once more. I–”

“Of course it matters! Now more than ever!” Their outburst startles him and he’s driven away from their shoulders. He skitters back to his side of the bed, warily waiting for them to keep talking.

“Was it guilt that drove you here? Disgust? I still can’t understand how one could… could…”

“You saw the horde, Meti. You cut through it. Yet, they still came for us, stronger every day.” “We did what we had to, to save those who still live–” 

“You killed half of those who still lived!”

“There was no other way!” He rises from the bed to be more resounding. “What would you have me do? Any choice we took would require a path of sacrifice so long we couldn’t begin to imagine the end of it. But we took it and for that we’re still alive. Both of us, we’re here. It’s over.”

“That’s it? You could have listened to me and we could have fought together. Maybe then we could have–” 

“No one would have followed you!” He doesn’t mean to, but he screams. “You heard me. No one! Not after how disrespectful you were to the Convocation. Not even Venat picked up your lost fight, did she?” 

Prometheus looks down to the bed, defeated.

“No, now she wants to execute my plan on her terms.” 

The dreadful silence forces itself once more and the realization dawns on Hermes. Something heavy in his chest constricts itself as he notices Prometheus slowly moving themself to the other side of the bed.

“Wait, that’s not what I meant–”

“You said your part. Now leave me be.”

“Don’t say that, I came here for you, I found you, that’s the right answer, I wanted us to–” 

“I was covered in scars before we met. How do you think those got there? I’ve been through this before. Alone. Now leave.”

“Don’t put on a brave face. No matter what she did, Athena could never compare to an army of ravenous beasts. It’s a miracle that you lived this time around.”

“Venat saved me, just as she saved me back then. She is no miracle, she is as real as you and me and I owe her my life twicefold.” Prometheus grasps their chest in pain, their breath quickening as they exert themself but they keep going, “You on the other hand are playing nurse because you’re not the Convocation’s favorite anymore. It brings you joy to prove to someone who has to listen to you that you were in the right.”  

Who are they talking about? That isn’t who Hermes is and they should know that. Meanwhile they use his shock to keep going.

“I fought. I failed. And now I’m Venat’s most useless follower, indulging the enemy so he agrees to give us information.”

Tears brim from his eyes. He won’t be able to hold them for long. 

“I am not your enemy. I will never be.”

“You are, Fandaniel. But your success doesn’t give you the right to enjoy my vulnerability. To gloat.” The pain interrupts them once more but after a deep breath they continue. “You’re not fixing anything by mending me.”

Prometheus refuses to look at him again and Fandaniel no longer wants to be seen. He puts on his mask, uncomfortable with the tears already running down. Still appearing unfettered, he walks towards the door, unlocks it and leaves as he was ordered.

To face the world he saved. Alone again. And to weep.

[theimperialnuisance]

FFXIV Write 2022 //ffxivwrite info//prompt list//characters//master post//

Prompt twelve: Miss the boat | Idiom; to lose an opportunity to do something by being slow to act | Word count: 774 Characters: Kien's ancient, Apollo (before he took the seat of Azem), Hermes, Meteion CW: None Notes: At first I thought I'd do a Kien x G'raha story but then the intrusive ancient brain worms said "but what about Kien's ancient Apollo and his unrequited love for Hermes?" SO HERE YA GO XD I’ll probably go back and add more to this at a later date cause I wrote this pretty late last night and I really love this connection—I hope I was able to capture his story well! Endwalker spoilers!

Before I had taken my place in the Convocation, I had been a scholar on Elpis. At first, it didn’t make sense as to why I was there. I was clumsy, hardly any good at creating or overseeing anything except maybe the check in desk at the library in Amaurot. Someone out there must’ve seen potential in me. I suppose they found my journal of drawings of all the different creation ideas I had and places I had hoped to one day visit. I just hope they hadn’t learned about my accidental creation of quite possibly the most hideous and strangely affectionate creature on my first day there.

Even so, I’m glad I was assigned to Elpis. I had a chance to meet Hermes. He was the Chief overseer of Elpis and while his title made him seem intimidating, he was actually quite kind and approachable. He helped me settle in on my responsibilities the first day; he even thought my accidental creation was clever, even if my fellow scholars didn’t agree.

I’m not sure what drew me to him. He was handsome, sure, but also passionate and truly caring about life not just on Elpis but all of Etheirys. I’d often catch him by himself, just gazing at the sky with his beloved creation by his side and though he smiled often, there seemed to be a sadness deep within his heart. Even so, I found myself wanting to know what life was like through his eyes.

I threw myself into my work. Any excuse to be near him. After some time, it seemed my dedication paid off. Hermes approached me and asked me to be his assistant and how elated I was. The days I spent by his side were the best days. We spent hours talking about everything—I learned so many new things not just about Elpis but all of Etheirys. We had become even closer than before and I couldn’t help notice how much more relaxed and happy he was. I found myself falling for him.

I never worked up the courage to say something to him though. I was too afraid of what he’d say, too afraid of rejection. I kept my feelings to myself. Meteion knew though. It was hard to hide anything from her but she was happy to have someone love him just as much. We both wanted his happiness.

The day I left to take the seat of Azem was both the happiest and saddest day. It was a chance to finally go see the world like I had dreamed of but it also meant leaving him and Meteion. Hermes understood of course but Meteion didn’t want me to leave—she gave me a feather as a parting gift to help ease the sadness and made me promise to return every so often to tell her all about the things I saw. I agreed as she hugged me tightly and Hermes thanked me for my hard work and that was it. I resolved to myself I’d never see him again and that my feelings for him would be left unsaid.

I returned from a trip when I learned he had accepted the empty seat of Fandaniel and oh, how happy I was to be near him once again. But, he was different. He seemed sadder, more absorbed in his work than ever before, and worse of all, he told me Meteion became unstable and that in itself seemed to drive him closer to the choices he made as the Final Days approached.

He became enthralled by his own creation. It was too late for him. It was too late for any of us, really. I was opposed to the Convocation’s plan—I stepped down from my seat and defied my colleagues wishes. Before I left though, Venat told me everything that had happened that day on Elpis with him and Meteion.

I don’t know why she did. Mayhap she thought that in my knowing of the truth, it would help me better understand the choices he made, that it might ease the pain and confusion I had been feeling. In a way it did, but I was overwhelmed by my own foolishness of how blind I had been to just how much sadness and longing was locked inside his heart.

You were looking for the meaning of life, Hermes…and I believe I had found the answer that you had been searching for, even if it was just on my end. Life with you was all the more worthwhile.

If only I had told him that. Mayhap, it could have saved him.

–a page from Apollo’s journal

[voidsentprinces]

Azem: Do you know what is causing that alarum?

Hythlodaeus: NOPE! But would you ever put your brain in a robot body?

Azem: Uhh…why? I like my body…I LOVE my body.

Hythlodaeus: Well you'd never get old ooorrr siiick.

Azem: We're literally immortal. Mitron: Why is the alarum going off?

Hythlodaeus: Not a clue. But you know, Azem, your robot body would be the perfect man--handsome, strong…

Azem: Well I mean, if I can choose can't I be a beautiful woman? Straight up gonna Audrey Hepburn it up, if possible.

Hythlodaeus: Uhh…I don't know who that is. So uhh…yes, sure, don't see why not?

Azem: Then you BETTER BELIEVE I'd put my brain in a robot body!

Mitron: Robot body? NO WAY! That goes against the natural order.

Azem: So did molboros but that didn't stop Loghrif from submitting it to Hythlodaeus.

Hythlodaeus: Or from me approving it! Besides, you'd have the strength of FIVE MEN!

Mitron: I have that now!

Azem: NOT FIVE MEN! GORILLAS! The strength of five GORILLAS! But, since you're that strong. You gotta be careful. Can't make omelettes anymore…you'd obliterate the egg.

Mitron: I DO like my omelettes…but would I still have my RUGGED looks?

Hythlodaeus: You'd look exactly the same.

Azem: Not me! Gonna straight up, Breakfast in Tiffany's up in this bitch. Minus the…uhh…Mickey Rooney part.

Hythlodaeus: Again, no one knows what is. Look, gonna just lay some ground rules. You look the same…but you're five feet tall.

Mitron: That's…kind of short. Why five feet?

Hythlodaeus: Cause thats…the only size they come in?

Azem: A Audry Hep-bot would figure out how to turn off that alarum with her ROCKET FISTS!

Hythlodaeus: You don't have rocket fists!

Mitron: What about X-Ray vision?

Hythlodaeus: Well…OBVIOUSLY!

Azem: Wait so, HE gets HIS X-ray vision? But I don't get rocket fists!?

Hythlodaeus: Everyone gets robot vision!

Azem: AND BIG CHAINSAW HANDS!

Hythlodaeus: Starting to see, why Lahabrea didn't allow you to stay in Pandaemonium.

Loghrif: X-ray vision!? Don't want people looking at my chest all day.

Hythlodaeus: Then YOU can have a cloaking device for that.

Azem: BUT! You gotta choose, X-ray vision or the…cloak thingie.

Lahabrea: Nails are like candy to robots…and we'll eat TIRES instead of licorice.

Nabriales: Alright, the alarum drew me but now I want in on this. SO! SO! SAY I put my brain in a robot body. And there's a war--robots vs amaurot. What…uhh…side would I be on?

Loghrif: I mean, Amaurot right? We got a normal Amaurot brain, right?

Lahabrea: BUT! The Amaurotines will hate you! Can't even get your own cubus!

Mitron: Better not have to live in Elpis.

Azem: Yeeeaah but…nobody knows we're robots right? WE LOOK THE SAME! Except me as Audrey Hep-bot.

Loghrif: The canis know! That's how Amaurot hunts you in the war!

Nabriales: I'm going to be hunted for sport!?

Emet-Selch: You're ALREADY hunted for sport!

Nabriales: I AM!?!

Emet-Selch: No further questions, going back to sleep.

Azem: It's why we have to CRUSH! AMAUROT!

Mitron: Might as well get on board for the big win now, Nabriales.

Elidibus: I'd only put my brain in a robot body if I can put it in a robot cat.

Hythlodaeus: Oh…kay? Audrey Hep-bot and a robot cat…with the strength of five gorillas. Making progress here, guys!

Loghrif: I mean, why settle for a cat when you can be a tiger?

Mitron: Absolutely not. If I haven't to be fucking five feet tall, Elidibus cannot be a tiger!

Azem: You're not the boss of TIGER ELIDIBUS!

Elidibus: I AM SALVATION AND HEAD PATS GIVEN FORM!

Emet-Selch: Hold up wh--

Mitron: Better put him in robot Elpis then! Hear that, Elidibus? ROBOT ELPIS!

Elidibus: Then I shall remain Emissary of the Convocation.

Nabriales: Don't expect any mercy during the Great Robot Wars.

Fandaniel: Tired of hearing you call them robots, gonna call them something else…like…Allergic. We'll form the Allergic Empire.

Mitron: Hear that? We got an Empire!

Elidibus: SO LONG AS I DRAW BREATH IS SHALL NEVER YIELD TO YOUR ALLERGIC EMPIRE! WE DO NOT NEGIOTIATE WITH ROBOTIC FIENDS OR THEIR EMPIRE!

Hythlodaeus: Elidibus does have a point, the Convocation is too stubborn to honor pacts when they've lost.

Mitron: Hmm…time to get serious.

Azem: YEAH! LETS BURN AMAUROT DOWN!

Loghrif: Hey…YEAH! We have an ace up our sleeve! Azem has burnt down Amaurot twelve times already.

Azem: Aiming for Fourteen personally, gonna drop a celestial body on them that last time…put a dragon in it…gonna be fucking awesome. People gonna be making AMVs out of it for YEARS.

Fandaniel: Wouldn't that break Prime Directive 2?

Mitron: I mean…they can't stop us can they?

Loghrif: Lets ask, Igeyohrm.

Igeyohrm: Robots? Harming Amaurot? Comes with a penalty of 1,000 years frozen in carbonite.

Nabriales: A thousand years, frozen in carbonite? So cold!

Azem: Imma escape and ask one of you if your nose itches. Its gonna be great.

Mitron: Damn Prime Directives. But, harming another living being IS a sin in the eyes of the robot church.

Azem: WE DON'T NEED TO ROME TELLING US WHAT TO DO!

Loghrif: Whats Rome?

Fandaniel: If we're robots we'd have mechanics though…couldn't they shut us down?

Loghrif: No, our robot bodies would go haywire and kill them, right?

Mitron: WITH THE STRENGTH OF FIVE GORILLAS!

Loghrif: What if we get a cancerous growth on our brain?

Emet-Selch: I just call that "Azem".

Nabriales: Good thing, the robot body is also a BRAIN SURGEON!

Emet-Selch: Could of fooled me.

Mitron: I agree with Emet-Selch, if it can't break the five foot barrier, its definitely not going to be a brain surgeon.

Hythlodaeus: Yes it can. If Elidibus can be the Tiger Bot and Azem is gonna be an…Audrey Hep-bot. Nabriales gets to be a brain surgeon.

Azem: …but no robot rocket fists?

Hythlodaeus: NO! How are you even going to woo, George Peppard with rocket fists!?

Azem: Some men like it rough.

[starrysnowdrop]

“There are all types of love in this world, but never the same love twice.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

[echodrops]

Endwalker Launch Trailer Thoughts

Spoilers for the launch trailer if you haven’t seen it yet. Careful!

1. Why is everyone on social media so excited that Emet-Selch is the narrator? I’ve seen a whole bunch of people suggesting that he’ll for sure be coming back because of this, but... He recorded an entire verbal record of Azem’s story into the constellation stone that WoL is now using. We already heard the first part of this narration in 5.3 during SoS. I feel like the promo material has made it pretty clear that Endwalker is a mirror narrative where WoL will real-time live through a second coming of the Final Days while learning about the events of the original Final Days through Emet-Selch’s recounting. Emet-Selch just so happens to be the narrator because he was the only Convocation member who believed Azem’s story was worth preserving. (Not that I wouldn’t LOVE to see him back though, of course...)

1.5. Emet-Selch’s narration on beginnings and endings, love and loss, is a very strong allusion to Shakespeare (To the last syllable of recorded time;/ And all our yesterdays have lighted fools/ The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!/ Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,/ That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,/ And then is heard no more...)

2. Looks like we’re getting a classic hero’s journey--WoL is going to set off to stop the Final Days, “fail” like Azem did, die/enter the Underworld/Aetherial Sea, discover the “truth,” be reborn (probably via the power of the Echo), and then finally resolve the Hydaelyn-Zodiark conflict in the way that Azem was originally not able to do. Classic stuff, we love to see it.

3. Is that Sadu Heavenflame in Garlemald? I know they deserve what they have coming, but do even Garleans deserve that?

4. Also saw a boatload of people on social media saying the white flower the WoL is holding is an asphodel (presumably because Pandaemonium’s first tier is “Asphodelos”) but I feel like social media has probably never seen an actual asphodel flower in their life. Leaf and petal-wise, the white flower in the trailer looks closer to chrysanthemum japonense than asphodel... Maybe, maybe if you need some Persephone connection, you could stretch it and say the flower might be a really stylized Narcissus (daffodil) (modeled by someone who has never seen one before)? Asphodel flowers were sacred to Persephone, but the flower that was actually used to lure her to the gate of the Underworld was Narcissus, not asphodel.

4.5. The “bloom that guides and tests” its bearer calls to mind Kathasaritsagara; the flower that measures ones’ conviction is a recurring symbol in non-Western writing...

5. The jagged shape of Hydaelyn resembles exactly the jagged look given to the “Gears of Change” patch art from a million years ago. Damn, what a tidy call back.

6. Anima, Anima, Anima. Letsssss goooooo.

7. Mysterious childish/feminine voice. Don’t know who this is. This voice sounds really different in JP/GER. Someone in the comments suggested Krile? Or a new female character?

8. Mysterious Garlean. My guess is Nerva, but honestly I wish it would be Noah, so we could get an actual end to the Bozja plotline instead of the bullshit field notes sum-up they gave us. (Long shot this might be Nero in new armor but I feel like that would imply a bigger plot twist than I’d expect with his character after committing himself to a life of irritating Cid until they die of old age together seeming to settle in to his defection at last in the 5.x patch cycle.)

9. Ominous dark orbs in the background of the sky; the “threat from another world” or “threat from above” plot line continues to be linked back to at every turn. Also lots of emphases on the mouths of the monsters throughout this trailer--speech, voice, sound, all very important.

10. Completely conflicted on Fandaniel’s line in the trailer. Many ways this could go--could this actually be an early reveal of the fact that he’s not a batshit crazy death seeker and that he really is trying to “save” the world? Or is this a fake out, and we’re hearing the voice of the pre-Sundered Fandaniel trying to originally save his world? I don’t think the clip of Fandaniel actually seamlessly fits into the book-ended clips of WoL here; things might have been spliced to trick us viewers. ALSO, the JP version of these lines sounds SIGNIFICANTLY more distressed and strained. (And the GER line sounds like... they should maybe have gotten German!Dango a better voice actor. XD) Jury is still out on Fandaniel’s actual goals and personality but this is definitely food for thought.

11. All those masks, definitely a call back to Dying Gasp--they symbolize the weight of all the lives lost to the Final Days, the Amaurotines still waiting and deserving of resurrection. A heavy burden indeed.

12. The one who says “It will be ours again, a world free of sorrow” in English is not Emet-Selch, and I actually don’t think it’s Fandaniel or Elidibus. I can’t place the voice right now so hopefully someone else knows who it is, but I actually don’t think this line necessarily goes with the scene it is being played over. Feels deliberately misleading--my first assumption was that this was a new Ascian, but this could actually be just about anyone, since “a world without sorrow” would apply just as well to the current Hydaelyn (being ravaged by Final Days 2.0) as the pre-Sundered world.

13. I feel like Alphinaud’s last lines might be a fakeout, trying to get us to assume the worst and fear for him. The lines are noticeably different in German. Most characters who get “death flags” waved that hard in trailers typically turn out okay (IIRC, Aymeric getting stabbed lol). I wondering if this might actually be a really big fakeout, and instead of Alphinaud actually saying these things, he might be reading them, such as from a letter left behind by the WoL, who will decide to go off to stop the Final Days just as Azem once did. And then line “Tomorrow’s never promised” may serve as a uniting line, shared by both Azem and WoL as explanation for their constant drive to be the one on the frontlines fighting to save the world... Not me over here imagining Azem leaving Hades off with this line to go on another grand adventure far from Amaurot, returning every time except for the one time that truly mattered...

14. The dialogue overall is noticeably different in the German version of the trailer compared to the ENG/JP. @_@ Might have to make a comparison for myself...

15. I fully respect the delay but god, LET ME IN LET ME IN LET ME IN--

[fandans]

maaan i was gonna rewatch all the fandaniel cutscenes for fun before work and now i feel like im going crazy talking about how a sentence should be translated that is so. hermes x azem nation.

[salveticn]

RELATIONSHIPS — TALK ABOUT THE MUSE.

NAME:   elpis

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION:   demiromantic , even if elpis tends to fall in love at first sight if he meets   ' the one '   . but he prefers not to rush it and to go his pace , even if it may requires years of pining . basically , he would appreciate it immensely if he could   ‘ lead the dance ’   .

PREFERRED PET NAMES:   not much of a fan with them ; he will hardly give them , rarely even , whether platonically and / or romantically . he can and will / might shorten one’s name to express affection / intimacy , but not exactly give them any pet name . however , if he is given one , he will only blush and grow flustered -- and then silently hope that he is not teased by it .

RELATIONSHIP STATUS:   canonically single , apparently . come take his hand ...

FAVOURITE CANON SHIP:   hmm ...

FAVOURITE NON-CANON SHIP:   everybody knows i am loud about elidibus x fandaniel / hermes , like -- it’s been my constant obsession since 5.3 came out . but i’d rather not reveal too much on this because i might not shut the hell up otherwise ... however , i'd love to explore more with alternatives , like azem ! since eli is very passionate with anything azem does and he looks up to them highly -- like , he crushes on them very hard , initially believing it is simply some sort of idolization until he realizes it's actually more than that . or erichthonios x elidibus , which lately i am starting to really adore ...

OPINION ON TRUE LOVE:   i mean , elidibus is aware of the concept of   ' true love '   and   ' soulmate '   and he strongly believes in both of them . the concept of   ' having a red string tied to your finger connected to the heart(s) of your soulmate(s) ' ... yeah , he believes in that , but wonders if he'll ever be able to experience it ...

OPINIONS ON LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT:   yes , he believes in that , since he tends to fall in love at first sight quite often . He’d always be fantasizing about his interests until it grows unhealthy , until it’s ready to burst out ... but he goes on slowly , falling in love everyday like it is the first time . HOW ROMANTIC ARE THEY?:   eh ... he tries his best to be romantic , but he wouldn’t define himself a hopeless romantic . he would give flowers and chocolates and sweets ; he would write letters and poems to his significant other(s)   ( even if most of them would not be delivered )   ; he would walk across the universe to meet with them ; he would write their name everywhere , praise / idolize them , grow obsessed with them ... but no , he wouldn’t consider himself   ‘ romantic ’   . IDEAL PHYSICAL TRAITS:   he doesn’t really have a preference . he doesn’t judge a book by its cover .

IDEAL PERSONALITY TRAITS:   oh , elidibus tends to be attracted by those individuals who radiate chaotic energy -- those individuals who are not afraid of taking life by its reins and live to the fullest without restrictions , without fears . he is attracted by lively people with boundless minds and hardly ever falling apart on appearance . he likes the confident type -- the soul that would grab him by the wrist and drag him on adventures , who would let him experience a new taste of life and let him live life outside of patterns . he needs the sort of type who can walk his pace , but that at the same time encourage him to walk a little faster and to never leave him behind ; the individual who can introduce him to new corridors and passages , who can help him overcome impassable obstacles and fears , who can help him overcome his anxieties with a simple hand-holding .

UNATTRACTIVE PHYSICAL TRAITS:    i don’t think elidibus is capable of wrinkling his nose at any physical trait one owns ; elidibus literally does not care about appearances : his interest circles around one’s personality .

UNATTRACTIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS:    a very clingy , obnoxious behavior would only encourage elidibus to keep his distances . elidibus considers his spaces quite sacred and would appreciate it if they wouldn’t be crossed by no one else but him , hence why he would prefer to be the one leading the dance , so he knows his limits . or , well , the sort of behavior that would trigger his ocd and just not be healthy for him in general is something elidibus is not attracted to . while he is attracted to chaotic , lively , carefree people , he is also risking it because he tends to be quite frightened by such an energy -- it feels like walking on a minefield , and yet ...

IDEAL DATE:   either a night at the theater , an evening walk at the park , enjoying a nice meal in one of his favorite places ... anything is considered an   ‘ ideal date ’   as long as elidibus is by his significant other(s) .

DO THEY HAVE A TYPE?:   ( see   ‘ ideal personality traits ’ )   ; unless this is about a more general description : then no , not exactly .

AVERAGE RELATIONSHIP LENGTH:   i mean , it depends which relationship i am taking into accounts and in which verse , because it can go from two months to two-hundred-thousand years ...

PREFERRED NON-SEXUAL INTIMACY:   elidibus is one who expresses his love towards gesture . while he is very good with words and will praise his significant other(s) effortlessly , his gestures tend to speak louder regardless . he welcomes and appreciates physical affection , although limited   ( depending on how deep in the relationship he is , how comfortable he feels around his significant other(s) , and other factors )   , but he wouldn’t hesitate holding their hands , caressing their cheek , lying on the grass with them under a starry sky , whispering his adoration to them as if afraid of disturbing the quiet . elidibus loves spending time with his significant other(s) ; he loves feeling happy .

COMMITMENT LEVEL:   see , this is complicated to explain , because elidibus doesn’t like the concept of   ‘ commitment ’   and is quite afraid of it . the word alone feels heavy , overwhelming , and it frightens him . he will pour his heart and soul into a relationship but he will hardly kiss his significant other(s) on the lips or outright say   ‘ i love you ’   vocally ; he will do so only through gestures , and he hopes , with his heart in his hand , that his significant other(s) understands it . there will be times in which he finally finds the courage for it , but it won’t happen soon in the relationship . even if he doesn’t show it , he is committing to his significant other(s) every time he meets their gaze .

OPINION OF PUBLIC AFFECTION:   he doesn’t mind them ! elidibus loves to see love blossoms in every soul !   depending on how comfortable he feels with someone , how deep in the relationship he is , he will be willing to show affection in public even if in moderate portions   ( he’s very shy and anxious when it comes to certain things , bear with him )   , wether it is a simple hand-holding or his arm sneaking in between that of their partner(s) with the chance of walking attached to their hip .

PAST RELATIONSHIPS?:   oh , it depends from verses because elidibus isn’t one to break a relationship that easily . once he feels a connection , he’s technically glued to his partner(s) for the rest of his life .

[cinnabun-faerie]

FFXIV {February 2022 Masterlist}

✧Group HC & Reactions✧

You present him with a flower crown (Aymeric, Haurchefant, Zenos)

Scenario: WoL uses Azem's magic & brings back someone they've lost (Emet-Selch, Haurchefant, Hermes, Hythlodaeus, Ysayle)

Modern!WoL singing songs from their world (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, G'raha Tia/Exarch, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

HCs: WoL doesn't return after the final fight in Endwalker (Alisaie, Alphinaud, Estinien, G'raha Tia, Thancred, Urianger, Y'shtola)

HCs: You fall Asleep on their shoulder (Emet-Selch, Erenville, Hermes, Fandaniel, Hythlodaeus, Jullus)

✧Solo HC & Reactions✧

G'raha Tia Childhood friends to lovers HCs

Alphinaud Childhood friends to lovers HCs

Aymeric Childhood friends to lovers HCs

Dating G'raha Tia HCs

Estinien x Injured!WoL HCs

[333akina]

sorting all xiv relevant characters* (*to me) in scrimblo bimblo, glup shitto, eeby deeby, blorbo, scrunkly, horse plinko and poor little meow meow because its 6 am:

scrimblo bimblo. scrimblini if you will: ardbert(!!!!!), tataru, ryne, minfilia, krile and lyse!!!

glup shitto: SADU. khloe, lue-reeq, the silly ancients in amaurot, hythlodaeus, feo ul, nanamo, ysayle, hien, yugiri, honoroit, moenbryda

eeby deeby: my wol(s) + azem, zenos, emet, lahabrea, elidibus (in a very loving way. still in superhell tho)

blorbo: LOTS OF THEM. if i said the list skipping repeated ones alrd here umm aymeric haurchefant yshtola thancred urianger UHHH. i cant remember anyone else

scrunkly: tataru :((((( , gabu, the little doggies in norvrandt, gosetsu specifically near end of 4.0/in the 4.X patches, cirina, emmanellain, artoirel

horse plinko: my wols again, graha, emet :]

poor little meow meow: graha ×2 , estinien, emet, zenos, gaius, ardbert, yotsuyu, asahi/fandaniel, fordola, lahabrea+elidibus again lol

(please take into consideration that little meow meow does not mean they are exclusively pathetic but instead that they may also be Evil and Insane and Have no hope of redeeming themselves ever)