Prompt #19: Taken

Prompt #19: Taken

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#FFxivWrite2024 is underway – a daily writing challenge presented to the Final Fantasy XIV writing community for the month of September. You can join any time throughout the challenge with any prompt number! Entries can be written on any online writing platform (tumblr, Archive of our Own, Google Docs, etc.). Submit the link and be sure that I have reading access. Check you entries here in the Public Spreadsheet

Rules & Info || Prompt List || #FFxivWrite2024 || kofi

Prompt #20: Duel

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#FFxivWrite2024 is underway – a daily writing challenge presented to the Final Fantasy XIV writing community for the month of September. You can join any time throughout the challenge with any prompt number! Entries can be written on any online writing platform (tumblr, Archive of our Own, Google Docs, etc.). Submit the link and be sure that I have reading access. Check you entries here in the Public Spreadsheet

Rules & Info || Prompt List || #FFxivWrite2024 || kofi

Prompt #9: Lend an Ear

Submit your entry here: https://forms.gle/jDWjFKfmeaGnH3PL9

#FFxivWrite2024 is underway – a daily writing challenge presented to the Final Fantasy XIV writing community for the month of September. You can join any time throughout the challenge with any prompt number! Entries can be written on any online writing platform (tumblr, Archive of our Own, Google Docs, etc.). Submit the link and be sure that I have reading access. Check you entries here in the Public Spreadsheet

Rules & Info || Prompt List || #FFxivWrite2024 || kofi

FFXIV Write 2024 | Day 2 | Horizon

Spoilers: Stormblood Level 64

Characters: Annie Ruthie (Warrior of Light) Yugiri Mistwalker

See end of work for notes ^-^

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“Giri,” Annie called.

The seated figure on the coastline turned in response, expression softening after catching glimpse of who was speaking. Her daggers were sprawled out onto the rock beside her. “Forgive me for making you search,” she called in response. Annie shook their head, “No matter.” They planted a kiss on Yugiri’s forehead as they took their seat.

Annie listened closely as Yugiri began to speak. They leaned their head against the Raen’s, fingers intertwining. “- That you even spoke with my mother and father,” she said, tears barely making it down her cheeks before Annie was wiping them away with their thumbs. The Raen chuckled in appreciation and self-deprecation. “My apologies, I don’t mean to-” she started, interrupted by Annie’s lips on hers. Yugiri smiled as Annie’s head found its way atop her chest. The pair remained in solemn silence for minutes on end, simply basking in the rare, quiet presence of the other. Annie watched as the sun slowly set into the horizon over yonder.

“You know I love you, right?” they asked to Yugiri.

Annie felt Yugiri let out an approving moan into the top of their head.

It was then that the pair noticed an imperial airship within the clouds.

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A short one to start out with. I've been wanting to write this scene for ages; this was such a beautiful scene between Annie and Yugiri and I want to do it justice. I'm still not completely satisfied with it, but that's the point of this, isn't it?

@bananarose for gpose credits ♡ you handled them beautifully

FFXIV Write | Day 1 | Steer

Spoilers: Endwalker Level 90

Characters: Annie Ruthie (Warrior of Light)

Continuation of entry Tempest

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The incessant chirp fell quieter and quieter, dipping into the idle sound of the stars. The fog of their vision fought with the encroaching darkness for control, as they felt their consciousness suddenly dip into The Lifestream.

Zenos’ words rung continuously in their mind as their body traversed The Lifestream. ‘What of you, my mirror?’ he had said. Annie hated that he was right. That they were but a more nuanced reflection of him.

Inaudible voices rang out in the background. Was that… Alphinaud? And… Y’shtola? Annie allowed themself to spend what little aether they could grasp concentrating on the calls of their friends. And, as their last expense, they allowed the voices of their comrades to steer them back to consciousness.

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FFXIV Write 2024 | Day 4 | Reticent

Spoilers: A Realm Reborn Level 50

Characters: Annie Ruthie (Warrior of Light) Thancred Waters

See end of work for notes ^-^

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Annie’s heels spun around the corner and into the room before them. “Gods, you look awful,” they said to the hyur, a cheeky smile spreading across their face.

“It’s good to see you, soldier,” Thancred responded, sitting up. Annie sat at the foot of his bed, letting their hand rest upon his calf.

“We’ve missed you,” they started. Thancred gave a small shake of the head. The two of them had always been reticent about their feelings towards one another, but something about today felt different. It hung in the air more than usual. Maybe it was everything that had happened; the fight with Lahabrea, and everything that had unfolded as a result. “We have,” they continued. “It hasn’t been the same without you around, Minfilia’s been worried sick, and-”

He let out a sharp inhale at the mention of Minfilia. That was the one piece of history they hadn’t ever spoken about before, but then again, why would they? They weren’t anything of import, at least not that the two of them were willing to acknowledge. Still, Annie knew they overstepped their bounds, allowing their hand to caress his skin beneath its touch.

“Annie-“ They winced at the word, hand tightening around Thancred’s leg beneath it. Annie. He never called them that, not since they had first met. “I’m sorry. I can’t help but feel- This was all my fault. And… and I owe it to you and the Scions-”

Annie placed their hand on Thancred’s bare chest, pressing their lips to his. They had never kissed before, their drawn out moments of longing always interrupted by one of them spinning their attention to a different matter. This was special.

Annie released the kiss, finally allowing their eyes to meet Thancred’s. Annie would have sworn they saw the smallest glint of a smile spread across Thancred’s face, before he whispered, “Gods know how long we’ve waited.” The hyur leaned forward to press a second gentle kiss to the Au Ra’s lips.

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I've tried to write this scene between Annie and Thancred for months, and this is the closest I've come to something I'm happy with. The end of their relationship is something I'm really happy about, but the beginning of their story has always given me trouble. This might just be something, though.

@bananarose for gpose credits ♡