lotus.
Keywords: Eternity. Curiosity. Patience. The flower that describes your love the best is the lotus. A lotus, in flower language, means many things, such as rebirth and overcoming adversity. In much the same way, your love shows itself in the ways that most people can't find the strength to do: overcoming obstacles. you stick by the ones you love through thick and thin, through rain and shine, sometimes even through death itself. You can't bring yourself to move on, sometimes, when the worst comes to pass, but eventually, you do. You always move on, even if you never forget. You are the gentle soul in a raging storm, the flower that refuses to snap in half, or the branch that hangs on for dear life so that life can begin anew. You are the silent revolution in the gentleness of faith.
Tagged by: @astrummorte
While the chirurgeons were able to save Selena's right ear, that ear is heavily scarred due to a certain event told through Be Afraid of the Dark and Frozen in the Darkest Moment. The skin on the ear and behind it is burned as if by acid and they had found traces of darkness in the injury which helped their theory that she had been attacked by a Voidsent.
It may not be noticeable due to her having her hair down and thus hiding it most of the time.
However, during the end of Heavensward and the beginning of Stormblood, her hair is chopped short after accidentally frying it with Dark Thundaza when she casts it too close to her person [Shadows of Witchdrop]. While she cannot hide the scarred ear, she feels self-conscious and insecure and hates the unwanted attention it brings.
A fitting punishment for someone who ventured off on her own perhaps.
lcstkey reblogged
RECOVERING AFTER THE BIG BATTLE PROMPTS * assorted dialogue for conversations after you just went through absolute hell to protect something, get somewhere, or fight your way through hordes of bad guys, adjust as necessary
- how are you holding up after that?
- they knew we were coming.
- i didn't think we were going to survive that.
- can you stand? do you need me to help?
- take some deep breaths. it's over.
- i need a headcount!
- there was nothing we could do to stop them.
- i've never seen weapons like that before.
- don't you dare close your eyes. stay awake for me.
- let me go grab you something to drink.
- i'm sorry. they didn't make it.
- get me a medic.
- we won't survive another battle like that.
- we should have been more prepared.
- the odds were stacked against us.
- sound off! who's not dead?
- if you're bleeding, tell me now.
- don't bullshit me. you're limping. when did you start limping?
- just a few more steps and we can rest.
- they knew we were coming.
- i'm going back for them. you stay here.
- there's nothing else we can do to help them.
- our world is lost.
- i saw you out there, fighting for your life.
- i'm sorry i couldn't be there to help you fight them off.
- given what i just saw out there, i think your training is complete.
- you saved my life.
- they were never going to get past you.
- we all need time to rest after that.
- maybe we should set up camp, take turns keeping watch.
- we did it! it's over!
- next time, we won't be so lucky.
- have you seen [name]? did they make it out?
- they were stronger than we expected.
- we have to prepare for the second wave.
- there's no time to run.
- get me the healer.
- just lay back down, and i'll take care of you.
- you're not going to die, not under my watch.
- you showed up the second i needed you, like you heard me.
- i don't think i can face a battle like that again.
- we got lucky, but the next time they attack, they'll be ready for us.
- we cut down their numbers, but they're still strong.
- there must be something we can do.
- i thought you said you weren't injured!
- think you're going to have to go on without me.
- i wasn't prepared for any of that.
- i need more training.
- we can't face that kind of firepower alone.
- how long until they send reinforcements?
- they've got us trapped here. it's only a matter of time until they come back to finish the job.
- there has to be some other way to defeat them.
- we underestimated their power.
- thanks for coming back for me.
- we need to come up with a better strategy.
lcstkey reblogged
"Ah, my apologies. I'm not usually met with kindness from other keyblade wielders... eh... I do apologize for, eh, for what it is worth." aryin knew well that it would likely mean nothing, but they do hesitantly step out of the shadows of the people around them, waving the light touched hand in an awkward greeting.
"I was just curious... apologies for that. I know how curiosity guns down the pigeon. That... was not the right phrasing. Er... you get what I mean." a weak smile, and the six foot one clearly inhuman looking magician steps forward. "Let me make it up for you by paying for that for you."
"It's already been paid for." Selena immediately deadpans, already on her guard, How does he know I'm a keywielder...? She keeps her gaze on him as if he would be pulling out a weapon at any moment. While her free, twitching hand is itching to summon her keyblade, she manages to resist that urge.
"What makes you believe that I am a keyblade wielder?" She asks, attempting to read his expression, thinking, He does appear anxious but it could be an act...
lcstkey reblogged
his vision is swimming , but simon manages to keep upright as they make their way towards the elevator . stairs are perhaps the more common mode of transportation in the prosecutor's office , but wolfsong is right to lead them here -- he's fairly certain he'd get them both killed attempting the stairs right now .
( how mortifying . )
" mm . " a small grunt of affirmation is about all simon can give as they make their way into the elevator . as soon as they've entered , he leans against the wall , eager to get his weight off of the detective .
it's a little late now , but ... " you needn't go this far . "
Hearing the confirmation, the detective pushes the corresponding button and steps back. The elevator doors closed and it began to climb up. She feels the weight on her shoulder disappear and looks over her shoulder to see the prosecutor leaning against the wall.
Wolfsong returns her gaze towards the elevator buttons. She remains silent to contemplate his words. Eventually, the detective merely shrugs.
"'It seemed to be the right thing to do." She answers quietly, "...And I recall a certain prosecutor once telling me that 'to feign wellness will do you no good. If you need time to collect yourself, you ought to take it.' "
The detective pauses, briefly looking back to check on him only to turn her head as the elevator stops on the third floor, "Or something like that. Let's go."
Trigger Warnings: long post, corpse mention, death mention, supernatural, blood, injury, burned skin, racism, suicide ideation
Sequel to: Frozen in the Darkest Moment + No Title
Soup on a Cold Day
You're caring, consistent in your kindness, and quiet in your compassion for others. You offer warmth because you were cold for a very long time. And you refuse to stand by while others suffer in the same way. Your kindness is not reckless. you count the costs, but you offer it anyway. You have a unique ability at reading people and knowing when they have a pain that they are trying to cover up. Your love language is probably quality time, and you're usually more of a listener in conversations. You probably find yourself taking on a caretaker role with others, almost automatically. So when people try to do the same for you, please don't flinch away. Please don't withdraw into what feels like safety. There are people who are waiting to love you in the same way you have loved them. Please let them.
Tagged by: @astrummorte
Since arriving at Eorzea, Selena has had trouble with the idea of teaming up with a group of individuals into a party. She's grown so used to looking out for herself that she is still all too willing to do things independently.
Part of it is because of Gridania's view of outsiders, especially the Ala Mhigan refugees. Selena is very much aware that they do not trust her so she does not trust and keeps them at arm's reach in return. If anything, their views are too similar to her own village which thought of her as an outsider [for different reasons] too.
Going off on her own has caused certain consequences for her such as the incident where Selena went off to look into a series of disappearances and came back almost half dead with her ear nearly torn off.
Because of this, she would hesitate to join a Grand Company and even the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Selena wouldn't fully know if she could trust them to have her back or if their intentions were truthful.
@astrummorte | Aryin
Selena felt another's eyes on her as she stepped through the marketplace. A fleeting glance over the shoulder tells her nothing of note; perhaps it was in her mind. She continues her course, stopping by a stall to purchase food for the road.
"If you don't have something to say, leave me be," She starts bluntly, sensing someone behind her, "Otherwise, there were other ways to catch my attention." The keybearer pays for her goods and turns to face who she feels has been following her.
lcstkey reblogged
hellbade : senua’s sacrifice sentence starters change tenses/pronouns as needed !! some lines have been edited for clarity / length / ease of roleplaying tw : death , mental health , suicide , blood mention
- ‘there will be no more stories after this one.’
- ‘the dead don’t always lie still here. this is not a place of rest.’
- ‘you might try to ignore it, turn away. but it’s always there, just out of sight where you are the most vulnerable.’
- ‘bravery only means something to those afraid of death.’
- ‘there’s no going back.’
- ‘are you scared? you should be scared.’
- ‘I was just hiding. I find I live longer that way.’
- ‘you listened when everyone else laughed.’
- ‘you can’t just wish things away.’
- ‘you. you took him from me.’
- ‘I’ll give you what you want. I won’t resist anymore. just give him back.’
- ‘the darkness does not bargain. it does not reason.’
- ‘the hardest battles are fought in the mind.’
- ‘this is the price you pay for seeing things differently.’
- ‘once you gaze into that relentless darkness, all that lurks within it … can see you too.’
- ‘it’s like crossing into another world that looks the same but feels different … an imposter world.’
- ‘those who make it back are forever changed.’
- ‘just because you cannot see the threat, doesn’t mean it’s not already here.’
- ‘do you know what it’s like to leave everything behind?’
- ‘when darkness speaks, it changes everything. turning home into a foreign land and loved ones into strangers.’
- ‘exile makes sense when you realize you were never really home in the first place.’
- ‘I was so naïve to think that I could banish it myself.’
- ‘I wish you could have seen my home before these dark times.’
- ‘you have the sight. just like I do.’
- ‘there is nothing wrong with seeing the world the way you do.’
- ‘you cannot overcome suffering if you refuse to look at it.’
- ‘defy the gods, (name)! find your own path, like I found mine.’
- ‘my god(s) abandoned me! I am alone!’
- ‘to survive … I did things. bad things. like you (name), the man I once was died.’
- ‘you say your world has collapsed? good. let it collapse and have the courage to shed your tears.’
- ‘I wouldn’t have made it without you.’
- ‘this darkness takes everything. everyone.’
- ‘we can fight this together. side by side, we always do.’
- ‘this is my battle. I must face it alone. away from here.’
- ‘I believe in you. you know that.’
- ‘just promise me that you will come back to me. I want you to say it.’
- ‘I will come back to you, I promise.’
- ‘(name) is getting stronger! you must stop him!’
- ‘remember your training.’
- ‘in the end, we all fall. even the gods have their time. yet still we go on. why?’
- ‘be ready to face horror in the eye, like I have, to find your answers.’
- ‘when the illusion of self is shattered, you simply cease to be.’
- ‘you can feel it, a stranger in your own body, an impostor … and nothing is the same ever again.’
- ‘did you think that I would let you go?’
- ‘I’m not ready to die.’
- ‘do you still hear his screams?’
- ‘they can break you, but not your promise.’
- ‘even death won’t keep you apart.’
- ‘you fought for your dream, now there is no way to win.’
- ‘you ran from it but brought it nearer.’
- ‘you will walk into the lair of the beast, look it in the eye and you will go to war.’
- ‘this is your mission. this is your quest. there is nothing else left.’
- ‘why suffer the past when there is a new road ahead? the only one that makes any sense.’
- ‘what are you doing? you’re showing weakness! you’re not a warrior, you’re a disgrace!’
- ‘they say dreams are visions of our memories, thoughts and fears as seen by our inner eye. but what if each of us is always dreaming?’
- ‘did you really think you could win? how could you be so stupid?’
- ‘go on, feel sorry for yourself because there’s no one left to do that for you.’
- ‘if you’re too much of a coward to fight then go ahead and end the suffering.’
- ‘maybe you’re already dead.’
- ‘there will be times that you will feel alone and exhausted, like a strange little fish swimming against the tides of the big ocean. but have the faith to let go and let the tide carry you away. because the whole ocean if your home and it does not ask you to swim against it.’
- ‘the gloom lifted, and for the first time in years, I felt a ray of hope.’
- ‘you want to believe it’s real but it’s a trick.’
- ‘it only takes an instant. fear swallows you before you have a chance to make sense of it. and darkness becomes a part of who you are.’
- ‘there’s no going back to how things were. there’s nothing left to go back to.’
- ‘you will die here. and all your suffering will have been for nothing.’
- ‘i’ll find you, my love. I promise.’
- ‘it’s so strange that we go to such lengths to bury death, something so very ordinary, inevitable.’
- ‘it’s as if we conspire to hide death because we have no answer for it.’
- ‘when death comes, and it forces itself onto our friends or loved ones, then comes the reckoning.’
- ‘if you go down there, no one can save you.’
- ‘that voice, it’s not (name).’
- ‘I can see the darkness in your eyes.’
- ‘no boy is going to save you, no one can.’
- ‘you cannot escape the darkness. your curse will make everyone suffer. their blood is on your hands!’
- ‘you’re tired but you have to keep going.’
- ‘this is wrong, this has to be wrong.’
- ‘they say that I’m cursed. what if they are right?’
- ‘they’re afraid of what they can’t see. like children afraid of the dark, they make up stories to fill the void. that doesn’t make them true.’
- ‘you have to step out of this darkness. let them see you for who you are, like I have.’
- ‘without you this darkness has made me a monster.’
- ‘the world once seemed so simple: black and white, darkness and light.’
- ‘the truth of life is revealed when we can face death without fear.’
- ‘how can the gods understand us if they refuse to die themselves?’
- ‘what if this is pointless?’
- ‘it makes sense in your mind but it does not make sense in the real world.’
- ‘maybe this is the price paid for the gift that the gods have granted you. the gift that makes you so very special in my eyes. just another part of the person I love.’
- ‘your eyes were open but you were … gone.’
- ‘I heard your voice. you brought me back.’
- ‘you found your own way back. all you needed was a little help. a little hope.’
- ‘you will pay a price for this.’
- ‘do you see it clearly now (name)? the suffering you’ve caused.’
- ‘you have blood on your hands.’
- ‘why must they pay for your heresy?’
- ‘why are you fighting for someone who is already dead?’
- ‘I can’t fight it anymore!’
- ‘you said it, I have blood on my hands.’
- ‘I didn’t say that, you’ve done nothing wrong.’
- ‘who do you trust? him or me?’
- ‘do you still believe in me, (name)? in us?’
- ‘you don’t have to do this on your own anymore.’
- ‘silence is lonely.’
- ‘how will you save (name) if you are too much of a coward to step into the shadows?’
- ‘your sword is useless here.’
- ‘do you remember that darkness, (name)?’
- ‘I wont give up. I’m not going to rot in here!’
- ‘if I had stayed, I wouldn’t have survived.’
- ‘it was my mission to make you hate, to hate this darkness with a passion so great, it would focus your mind on the quest.’
- ‘all this time I’ve wanted to protect you from the truth that would have destroyed you a long time ago.’
- ‘I won’t stand in your way. you will not survive what is in there.’
- ‘I’m not here to fight my past. I’m here for (name).’
- ‘I will fulfil my vow, whatever the cost.’
- ‘that is our gift and our duty. I’m not going to look away in fear anymore.’
- ‘we’ll all die someday.’
- ‘I don’t want to die.’
- ‘if you don’t want to die with me, then leave me alone.’
- ‘there is nothing to go back to.’
- ‘it’s not like the old stories, is it? the noble warrior facing evil in search of victory and honor. clear dividing lines.’
- ‘it’s as if it knows true torment lies within memories you cannot defeat. cannot escape.’
- ‘don’t see me like this. turn away, (name).’
- ‘I remember it clearly now.’
- ‘fuck the gods! you did this!’
- ‘you created this darkness so you could hide behind it!’
- ‘only suffering brings salvation. it is the way of the gods.’
- ‘it was all a lie! you are a lie!’
- ‘look at you. running forward but moving backwards to wallow in your miserable past.’
- ‘I tried to save you from yourself.’
- ‘what can you do to me that you haven’t already?’
- ‘let go of your battle. let go of redemption. let go of (name).’
- ‘let go of your battle. you’ve done enough.’
- ‘you’re killing yourself.’
- ‘is that what you want me to believe? after all you’ve done to me?!’
- ‘you’ve crawled into me to confuse me and deceive me!’
- ‘you will have to kill me because i’ve got nothing left. no fear, no hate. no quest. nothing.’
- ‘you will have no power over me.’
- ‘a life without loss is one without love.’
- ‘the longer you hide from it, the longer the shadow grows, until all you can see is darkness.’
- ‘when our time comes, we must look death in the eye and embrace it as a friend. only then can we let go of our fear, and emerge from our darkness.’
- ‘do not mourn the waves, the leaves, the clouds. even in darkness the wonder and the beauty of this world never leaves us. it is always there. waiting to be seen again.’
lcstkey reblogged
There are some moments where the ahriman allows itself to remain as a study specimen, hovering still. Curiosity does get the better of it as Urianger talks, and while it remains generally at Urianger's side, it does hover in arc to get different, inquisitive views of Selena. Obvious to the fact that this could probably be seen as creepy (especially to any adventurer who has experience with an ahriman's enchanted stare), Urianger presents as pleased by all accounts. "Excellent question." Full marks on this exam, miss, you've made the reasonable next step.
"Voidsent in this realm cannot passively accrue aether from the land to allow their material form, as things which belong here can. Thusly, voidsent must needs sup upon the living with more fervent need than even native predators. I offer this accomplice of mine an easier deal: to come at my summons and, generally, harry my foes. In return, enough aether to maintain form is easily offered in edible parcel. This negateth the inherent danger of attempting to sup 'pon travelers."
Example in point. Urianger draws forth a loose shimmer of a spell. Nothing of form, just accrued aether. The ahriman flies to it and with an unnecessary chomp over the spell, consumes. Judging by the subsequent bobbing about, it seems rather pleased with this affair, but the body language of eye-based demons can be difficult to judge. "Any capable mage could manage such, but many fall to hubris; summoning ever more intelligent and demanding voidsent (or simply avoid all void magics). I thinketh myself humble enough to remain happy with but one summons with an intelligence somewhat below the average Spoken." It has a wider range and independence than his carbuncle, and he's never particularly needed multiple or more complex voidsent familiars. They seem too much a hassle.
Selena finds it difficult to maintain eye contact with the ahriman's gaze and tense up. A shiver would snake up her spine with every inquisitive tilt and turn as it hovers. She found it better to gaze toward Urianger who appeared pleased with her question.
There is the term again: aether. The keybearer had presumed it was another word synonymous with magic, but to hear that it's something someone could naturally gain from the environment... Her brow furrows as she thinks, Is aether more like energy then...? Like something we gain from when we eat a meal or rest?
She watches the Elezen conjure up the shimmering spell. The keybearer watches with a mix of horror and fascination as the ahriman chomped on the spell, with enough fervor akin to eating their favorite midnight snack.
"I see...Sticking with just one does seem best." the keybearer says, thinking, I understand better how the Voidsent could take advantage of a mage. I'm better off with Umbra and Fang.
@strywoven sent: after a long day, the two are there in front of a fire in the woods. spyro lazes with his head in the keybearer's lap, smoke puffing idly from his snout as he watches the curling wisps disappear into the nighttime above his horns. "hey," he says quietly, trying not to disturb the peace, "promise me... we'll always be friends, okay?" it demonstrates just how young the dragon is, desperate to cling to his friends and to the good in the world.
Artemis' gaze remains on the night skies, watching each wisp rise and disappear. She dozily closes her eyes briefly, recalling the day they just had. Quite a bit of running, but mostly on her doing all the running as Spyro flew, and chasing after monsters on a rampage. It all worked out in the end and they were both worn out from the adventure.
Catching her attention, the keybearer reopens her eyes and looks down as he inquires if they'll always be friends. She looks up at the sky, watching the stars glitter down on them through the trees, and faintly smiles.
"Of course, we'll always be friends," Artemis answers, fully meaning every word she says then promptly boops him on the snout, "Promise."
lcstkey reblogged
"You know people only get excited about somebody getting killed! Or nearly killed." Rusi frowns, brows furrowing suspiciously at her attempt at deflection. Gridania has been host to enough adventurers and their misadventures that the standard for what warrants gossip is pretty high. Their tail-tip flicks with the amount of attention they;re paying to make sure she's not hiding anything obviously... they don't know, physically missing? Got a chunk taken out of her? The rumors were pretty bad, about a bloody mess taken to the conjurer's guild.
Well. They cross their arms and lean forward. "I know the conjurers are good but, seriously, what happened that you got got so badly? Even they're not perfect and you're up and at 'em pretty fast for what the story I heard was." They're concerned, honestly! They might not be besties with her, but Rusi'a likes knowing that people they know aren't in danger of falling apart suddenly.
"People also get excited whenever the Warrior of Light slays a primal or breaks wind in their general direction." The young adventurer snaps back, anxiously scratching her right arm. Then, without thinking, Artemis scratches the irritating itch behind the bandaged ear.
Her stomach churns from the guilt. Artemis did not have a believable explanation for everyone who asked, and she certainly did not plan to get so hurt during her excursion. She knew that she needed to come up with a lie to cover the truth of the matter.
I mistook Voidsent for Shadows before and I don't believe anyone other than Urianger has ever seen one, so they could make the same misconception... The adventurer began to think of her web, But there has to be some truth to it. Carlisle knew I was looking into the disappearances, and if I'm not careful, he will call me out. I need to keep that in mind.
"I-I..." Artemis began to try to explain slowly, then blinked as morbid curiosity took over, "W-wait. What story did you hear?"
lcstkey reblogged
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐋𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐓𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 — 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐄. Though it's hardly what he'd call soothing. It's bearable, expected given the surprisingly heavy topic toed mere heartbeats earlier. He hums, a low sing-song tune, vaguely familiar, far too upbeat in nature for the glum mood draping over their shoulders, studying his dear curious companion another moment more in patience.
Though he couldn't make out just where she fell on the that ever shifting, vague chart of good & evil, there did lie a promising potential for both. She held the passion, the strong protective want to do the right thing. Though depending on how it was nurtured, how much kindling was tossed to that lit fire, it could lean towards either or.
When her pale eyes dance over to meet his own, they're guarded — as always, he muses with a tilt of his lips, a lunar curve of twin suns burning lowly in the dimmed light. All raw amusement edged in something Cheshire-like, knowing despite the tight-lipped way he holds whatever it is he knows close. He takes in her form, the armour that adorns her, light but capable of doing their job properly, clothing free enough to allow for quickened movements, attacks, maneuvers. A fighter, though it's a casual garb, nothing too out there to draw unnecessary attention.
She is untethered, a wanderer, an orphan who'd lost her home to some unstoppable calamity. But she wears her pain like an icy shield, careful despite the delicate friendliness that shines through like stray sunlight.
Stubborn, determined. Her heart is in the right place, though the actions she will choose to take when the storm grows more heavy, her tasks more demanding to keep up this routine . . . only time would tell just where she'd lean in the end. How far she'd go for those chosen reasons.
❝ A valiant goal, though not an achievable one, I'm afraid. Loss comes like the tides, my dear. It is inevitable in the face of change, something we can't always control. ❞ His words are lowly uttered, that knife-sharp smile easing faintly at the memory of his own past, his experience lived through. Moving to wander a bit more into the shade of the small grove they'd found themselves within, he eyes the darkness hidden away so safely beneath stray plants & shrubbery, turning to cast the key-bearer a look from over a shoulder, the shadow that veils his own face allowing his eyes to take on a more muddied hue over the brightened sun-gold they normally shone.
❝ If you're willing to try fighting it, who knows — you may very well succeed. But more often then not, foolish 'heroes' choosing to stubbornly resist find themselves swallowed beneath that very same change. Know your enemy well & know your own limits. I'm curious to see just how your story ends, but I'd rather not hear it so soon. ❞
➤ CONTINUED. [ ; ] @lcstkey
Hearing the humming paired with the low-uttered words, the keybearer rests her chin on her knees and feels herself sink. There was a part of her that already knew that her goal was impossible. And yet, she's still trying though she knows not if it is out of stubbornness or desperation.
She had no plan to expel the darkness away from her Star for good. The keybearer has yet to figure out what reason or cause drew the shadows there in the first place if there ever was one. Finding the root of the problem, and destroying it should have been simple enough in theory. And yet, the darkness kept coming back.
"Thanks for the advice..." Artemis mumbles, not feeling very reassured. Her resolve is crumbling and she has burned herself down to the last bit of the wick. The light in her eyes fades for only a moment until she picks her head up and jumps down from her perch to walk in the opposite direction. After a few steps, she stops and turns her head.
"...What would you have done in my situation?" The keybearer asks somberly but is curious to know his perspective. She would welcome the knowledge.
lcstkey reblogged
Starter Call, capping at 5.
Starter Call, capping at 5.