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

[Cliodhna_Eoghan]

"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


(Cliodhna Eoghan
Balmung server
Scarf of Wonderous Wit please)

[UltimaAngel]

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.

[Ventos_Tia]

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

[Kryptsil]

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')

[AltHarmony]

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.

[Lagomorphic]

To Tiamat of the First Brood,

This is not a love letter, per se, but if Valentione’s is about more than mere romantic love, then none should be more deserving of this letter than you in your permanent exile of sorts.

I haven’t forgotten you. You, trapped and alone in Azys Lla, refusing to break free from your bindings in an act of penance. You, who have lost so much.

I understand. You’re grieving a great loss and trapped by your own guilt. Me too. I lost family, friends, and loved ones when the Garlean Empire chose to raze Doma, crushing it under its heel for having the gall to rebel. As you lost your most beloved, I too lost those that I love to war. I was powerless to stop it. I’ve thought time and again that if I had any way of bringing them back, I’d do it.

What I mean to say is that I understand your choice, even if you keep yourself trapped in Azys Lla – a living monument and a cautionary tale that it doesn’t do well to dwell on the past. All we can do is stand and move forward.

Maybe you might too, one day. Maybe not.

Just know that you haven’t been forgotten. Happy Valentione’s Day.

-Akiudo no Kirisame

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Character Name: Kirisame Akiudo
World: Balmung
Prize Desired: Noble Barding

[ChachapoChapo]

To my dear Kazagg Chah,

I don't know if you have similar customs as my people, but today is a special day in our culture known as Valentione's Day. On this day we share our love an appreciation for the people in our lives, and that is what I wish to share with you today.

The first time I saw you I knew I would be safe with you. You put me at ease with your words, which were somehow both strong and gentle. You helped me grow in my journey within black magic, and though I no longer practice the art, the lessons I learned from you have stuck with me all this time.

I would share my heart with you, if you'd let me. I know people wouldn't approve if we were to be together, but if given the chance, I would give you my heart. I would wait for you to share your feelings in your own time, your own way, and if the Twelve saw fit, I would lay in your strong arms until the sun rose. My heart, my soul, and my body would be laid bare for you.

I am a better mage and a better woman for having you in my life. My heart is yours, waiting.

-Chachapo Chapo

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Chachapo Chapo
World: Faerie
Prize: Scarf of Wondrous Wit

[IcyRozu]

Dearest Cid,

Please don't tease nor poke fun. I know I’m not one so open to expressing these kinds of feelings but in the spirit of Saint Valentione’s I hope that you will accept this as a token. And yes I did sneak this letter into your shop. It couldn't be helped! As I said this isn’t something easy so forgive me if I sound like a prattling mess. Better in a letter than stuttering and babbling in person making a fool of myself though. I suppose however fools fall in love is the phrase I’ve heard.

You know I’ve often thought of the many beginnings that have been given to me. The day I came to Eorzea, the day I met Y’shtola, when she introduced me to the Scions. Every adventure I've been on since I began this journey, I like to believe that they have all led me to you. When I met you, it felt as though we were kinsmen outsiders lost in a new land unknown to us. Perhaps I am the only one that has this feeling but there is this sensation of a certain connection that draws my curiosity ever closer to you. I know they say curiosity kills the cat, but I simply can no longer suppress it.

Eorzea has become such a wonderful home I dearly love and will continue to protect it no matter what and I hope that you continue to be by my side. To soar alongside you is an experience I shall not soon forget. If…it I would be alright and to your liking I would very much wish to give you some chocolates. I've heard it’s a tradition. And if you will have me I would very much like to be yours.

Yours Stubbornly Shy,
Nyx

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Character’s Name: Nyx Hoshiko
Server: Siren
Choice of Prize: Noble Barding

[Cherimage]

To Lord Scaeva,

I know that you’re a busy man, so I will keep this brief. As your newfound expedition companion, I’ve felt rather conflicted about your past actions, and how they might affect our performance (my survival) in the future. Simply put, I feel that we should review and repair our relationship before we continue to risk our lives together.

To that end, I wanted to recall a pivotal moment in time, the downfall of your imperial career.

Do not take offense; everyone has a low point in life.

But, do you recall when we first locked eyes? I do. I was afraid, I was confused, but I was fascinated. When I first gazed upon you, I was caught by surprise. A single man stood before the might of eight warriors. With no magitek cannons, why would he not flee? I remember you answered my inquiry with a swift and powerful strike to my temple. I still have scars from that encounter with the wall. But, as I regained my senses, I saw a vision: A vision of a magnificent vermillion warrior, dancing amongst a field of lightning, his weapon's momentum guiding his grace.

Though we destroyed your ancient weapon, you slipped from my sight before I could react. For months after, I had nightmares of your vengeance, fear of the ceruleum-powered terror that got away. Can you imagine how I felt when you suddenly appeared in Mor Dhona? Or Azys Lla? Or in Rhalgr’s Reach? Well….By then I was expecting you.

No, I know your eyes (all three of them) are forever focused on science. But, I hope that this letter has at least expressed how I feel about you. Should you ever want to pursue reconciliation, or maybe even more, you need only send for me.

-Ange'sona Mysidia, Grandmaster of Magic

(Character: Ange'sona Mysidia, World: Gilgamesh, Requested Prize: Ahriman Choker)