The "Be My Valentione!" Creative Writing Contest (NA) - OFFICIAL ENTRY THREAD

"I love you" The words died on my tongue as I helplessly watched you take your own life, I was unable to express my feelings, had I only said yes to your question. My heart knew the answer before I did and in a moment you were gone. Perhaps it is for the best, there was no explanation of my feelings (yet I have heard love is like that...) and had I tried to explain or understand, I feel my comrades would be lacking in advice. After all, you were one of our greatest enemies. Yet every time we crossed paths...I Was left feeling light headed and weak in the knees. It could have been the exhaustion from battle, but the feeling would last for several days.

Our final meeting, where I lost you, I'll never forget the look in your eyes; begging me to stop you, to save you and I failed. So I write this letter to no one as you have been taken from me a second time, I can no longer even see where you rest....Perhaps I'll shred the parchment and let the winds carry my words away as they do me no good. They do not ease the pain in my heart as I had hoped....Yet The twelve may see them and perhaps feel moved to grant me a second chance, to grant us a second chance and I pray our paths will cross once more impossible as it seems presently.
~ Cliodhna Eoghan, Hydaelyn's chosen
https://i.imgur.com/FZ5gtEJ.jpg

(Cliodhna Eoghan
Balmung server
Scarf of Wonderous Wit please)

https://i.imgur.com/qWt4BBp.jpg

POP! BOOM! KUPO!

When I first laid eyes on you I will always be reminded of the time we spent together scheming with our (Exploding) Kupo Nuts. The way you fluttered your pom when devising your plans makes me wish I had a pom of my own to bounce up and down, only to remind me of yours, kupo!

On those stormy days in the Churning Mists I wish we could be huddled mogether at Bahrr Lehs, resting on your pom, kupo!

Sometimes when I fail a synthesis I find myself Gullinbursti-ng with rage and just want to Roar like Whei Ahf, but then I think pawsitive thoughts and imagine your little moghammer chiseling away at a carved Kupo nut and I am relieved, kupo!

Will you share a cloud mallow ride with me sometime? There’s enough room for both of us and our Kupo nuts! I shared some of my carved Kupo nuts with Mogmul Mogbelly, I hope you don’t mind, kupo!

While my most memograble times together often relate to fake kupo nuts, I can assure you my kupolation for you is very real! Let’s spread our love with lots of free kupo nuts and kupo nut milk all around!

P.S. I forget what kupolation means but it sounds pomtastic, kupo!

--Gekko Kouga
Behemoth
Noble Barding, kupo!

Dearest Elder Seedseer,

As I soar through the skies of Eorzia, my heart remains grounded in Gridania. I may still be a stranger in your realm, but the love I possess for you is as primal as Bahamut himself. Not even Odin's mighty sword could render it twain.

Neither could our difference in years. Rumors suggest you look young for your age. I prefer older women anyway. I myself am no spring flower who naively boasts of delivering letters between neighbors or culling the pests of the Shroud. I have more valiant quests to my name and the crystals to prove them, but surely a woman of your experience has no need for a narcissist. I would happily smile and nod as I listen to your wisdom, enthralled by the melody of your voice. My harp fails to do it justice.

The threat of the empire drags me away into battle, but should you call, know that I would always return to you no matter the cost, even if it were a thousand gil. T'would be a bargain to gaze at your beautiful face again. Not even the elementals themselves could banish me from your sight, and if I were to suffer greenwrath for such blasphemy, I would gladly be buried knowing that I would rise again among the oak in the South Shroud. Patiently, I would wait for the day a botanist came to chop me down so that a carpenter could fashion me into a staff made just for you. The primals would not rival the magic of our union.

Please be my Valentione, Kan-E-Senna.

Eternally yours,
Angela Ciel'a of Marlboro

P.S. Pardon my boldness, but would you happen to have Noble Barding? I would like it very much.

Quote:

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Fordola,

I find myself conflicted. In the streets they jeer and call you “Butcher.” Even I bore witness to actions which oppressed your own people. Yet, after that moment we experienced the Echo, my thoughts often linger on you.

You claimed that I did not understand; by that vision alone, you are correct. How does a person who clearly loves her country turn on her kinsmen? How is it that even as you took tithes, you sought to shelter them in a way? Upon reflection, am I so different? Even as my Astrometer soothes wounds, how many forced conscripts from other lands have I slain? Would I have done any differently than you, in the same position? What is Good, if not saving who we can, however we can?

You are so strong, in more ways than I can express. Saving the Council and me from the treachery of the Qaylana only reaffirmed this. I see your fire and resolve and can’t help but admire that.

I find that I don’t wholly understand, neither you nor myself. But I want to. I want to know you. I care about you Fordola. I will wait for you. Will you wait for me?

Alice Reis

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Character: Alice Reis (Midgardsormr)
Desired Prise if chosen: Scarf of Wondrous Wit



For additional flavor not part of the official entry above, please see this Lodestone entry.

https://i.gyazo.com/3a0d87dd13e61404...65e9c11015.png

To Grishild of Fesca's Wash, whom others call the Ungood,

I'll admit up front, I've never had much talent when it comes to flowery language. I prefer a much more direct and economical use of words. Thankfully I am in good company, if I haven't read you wrong.

I've travelled all across Eorzea and then some, and yet never have I witnessed an ordinary mortal fight off half a dozen adventurers at once the way you can. No magic spells, no hand-me-down ancient techniques, nor even a proper suit of armor. Nay, you send challengers running like whipped curs with nought but a stout blade and sheer bitter grit. And even when bested, I have never seen you waver - in fact it seems you fight the fiercest when the odds are most stacked against you!

Who cares then, that the Gladiators won’t have you, afraid as they must be that you’d ruin poor Franz with a strike to the groin? Who cares that the Archers worry more with your bow at their back than about the foe in front of them? Who cares that the Marauders are too coward to see just how ferocious would be your inner beast unleashed? To hells with themm all, I say!

That’s why I write to you with a proposal. The way I see it, we ought to just found our own guild. I have the gil from my adventures, and you most certainly have the moxy to spare. Together we could take the realm by storm and show them all what’s for. And if not, well, I’m still keen to continue as your sparring partner.

Till we next cross swords,

V’entos Tia, Sargatanas, seeking Noble Barding

https://img2.finalfantasyxiv.com/acc...b0d1cf5f71.jpg

Dearest,

The snow still falls on the hill. Like an ash from the remnants of our fire. Of our friendship. Of our spark.
Here I stay. On my knees atop that hill, gazing high. Watching that ash fall.
I close my eyes and I hold you close again. Your hand in mine. Your weak smile still brighter than mine could ever be…
I tilt my head back and take in a deep breath.
That smile…A smile fit for a hero.
A smile to remember…
…even when reddened with blood…
But as often as I close my eyes to see you once more in that awful memory, I never truly see you do I old friend? I write with naught but lament in my eyes, for these words will never reach yours… My voice will never reach your ears... My feelings will never reach your heart…
So I open my eyes once more. The snow has collected on my shoulders and gently tapers. The flowers I brought you are nearly completely covered now…
How long have I been here I wonder…?
I look at your gravestone. Its surface is painted red. The red even paints the faces of each snowflake that falls before it as the sun finishes its descent. I guess that means the day has concluded dearest Haurchefant… I’m glad to have spent it here… it’s a special day after all…
Let those embers that remain of what could have been linger on. This snow is our ash.
Just as you were my shield back then, I will be the shield of everything good here. So rest easy and smile that smile of light. Just as you asked of me that day, for you my love…. I will smile too.


Happy Valentine’s Day.

Forever yours,
~Your Warrior of Light



(Character name: Krypt Silvernite
World: Jenova
Desired prize: hopefully the 'Scarf of Wondrous Wit')

https://img2.finalfantasyxiv.com/acc...9e1d8c9d0f.jpg

To Nero tol Scaeva,

To think I had bided my time crafting charm potions in hopes to use it on you. Fear not as most of them ended in failure... yes. I tested them. They did not work as intended.

I finally decided I should write to you instead.

I hope you are well. After what happened within the Rift, I grew worried each passing day. While I wish I was there mending your wounds, alas, I am needed elsewhere. In all honesty, being out there is not as important as being by your side.

You may not know me, but perhaps you have seen me as I joined you, alongside others, and the Warrior of Light in your journey through the Crystal Tower and within the Rift of Omega. Yes. I was there on both occasions... watching you.

Since the Crystal Tower, I have had constant dreams involving you... and I. Dreams so ravishing and heart-racing it would make the women in brothels blush!

I can no longer hold back this longing... This need I have for you is far to much for me to handle. I am desperately in love with you! I am completely enthralled by your dashingly handsome looks, and your jaw-dropping intelligence. I enjoy the way your ice blue gaze would glance pass me. I completely worship and idolize you and would do anything for you even if you did not return my affections. You have an intelligence that the world needs and the strong will to carry all of Hydaelyn into a new era.

Perhaps you could enlist me as your assistant in your endeavors.

All yours if you will have me,
Keian Jaraba

____________________

This was super fun!

Keian Jaraba of Balmung. I am aiming for the Noble Barding

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWI1Pb7VwAASKVu.jpg

Haurchefant,

This letter has been sitting in my chocobo’s saddle for what seems like a lifetime. The paper now worn smudged with dirt and a musky aroma that speaks of all my travels. My letter’s original intention became lost the day you left us.

Once the plight of Ishgard was resolved, I meant to ask if you would be able to take a short leave to Revenant’s Toll with me.

Would you think me presumptuous that I still hold the belief that you would say yes? I wrote down a list of places to visit and cuisines to eat. I wished for you to experience the life there and shelter you as you once had for me. Away from the eyes of those who had mocked your birth and toward a community who saw character and merit above all else.

When I thought Estinien lost I was able to see you once more. I pray it was you and not a figment of my imagination for it brought me great joy to see your likeness once more. After the defeat of Nidhogg, I had hoped to finish this letter. However, I was to go elsewhere to aide those in need before me.

Each place I trekked thereafter I found myself wanting to experience it with you. I wish you could see the vast red bridges and the bustle of Kugane, to breathe in the warm air of the Azim Steppe and to swim surrounded by all nature of creatures within the Ruby Sea.

I lack the flair you had for prose, mayhap it is better this way. I know not of your feelings toward me but I can say with absolute certainty mine will not change.

I love you, Haurchefant. Thank you for everything.

Always Smiling,

Harmony


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Harmony Celeste of Coeurl. If selected I would like the noble barding please.

https://i.imgur.com/vuh7oez.png

Estinien,

I needn’t go on at length about how much I miss you. Our obligations have led us on different paths this time around—unable to spend the passing days in each other’s company, out in the open world. It was getting to experience the little things with you when we departed Ishgard: collecting firewood, foraging for what we’d eat for the night… I enjoyed it, no matter how simple of a task it was. Being able to spend time with you rekindled what I initially found so charming about you. But, despite my feelings, I didn’t want it to blind us both. Even so, you’re far more perceptive than I gave you credit for; I couldn’t hide anything despite trying my hardest and it’s embarrassing to know I’m so transparent. Still, I’m glad you knew.

Most people would fail to see why I think so highly of you in a more personal light. In the years I’ve known you, from when I could barely consider myself a Dragoon, to shouldering the mantle of Eorzea’s champion, you still looked at me as someone worthy of your time— holding your interest as combatant and peer both, but above all else, behind the titles, you recognised me as a person. I’m still that person, even behind my greater deeds, and that’s what drew me to you. One of the first men I ever met in Coerthas— you, Estinien— unaware of what I would become and even after, of whom still thinks me interesting and worthy enough to call me his, I love you, you silly man.

I hope you're safe, wherever you may be, however, I ask this of you: will you eventually find your way to me, that we can share our stories together, and again feel whole?

Yours,
Ark


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Character name: Ark Vuilocand
World: Malboro
Desired Prize: Noble Barding

https://i.imgur.com/9l2AFtj.jpg

To my dearest Master Carpenter,

As I recall the day... From the very first moment to which I saw you, I was smitten. With your hair so soft and white like snow upon the branches of the most luscious of trees, your perfectly smooth skin, and your face the most handsome, my heart began to flutter and I had become speechless. I only wished to look deeply into your eyes without the round lenses of your spectacles were in the way and often dreamt of you pulling me into your arms to keep me all to yourself. I remember gazing upward, and your height in comparison to mine is still great, but I adored our differences. While your slender frame made me want to be near you, your voice and charming personality caused me to burn with desire for one who felt as if he were out of reach.

No matter what would happen day by day and whenever you had sent me out for a task, I eagerly acted upon your request, and I hoped that one day something would blossom between my mentor and his student. No matter how many logs I had to transform into lumber and how many splinters I would get in the beginning of my training, they never outnumbered the times my mind would wander to thoughts of you. Even after all of this time, I yearn for the man who has carved a place into my heart with such skill and without even realizing it. My wanting to speak with you to confess my feelings never came until today. I have not given up hope for there is no one like you who could keep my attention, and the longing is forever real, Master Beatin.

Your humble and faithful apprentice,
Shayith Lumisol

(Balmung, Shayith Lumisol, Bluebird Earrings)