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

[redbudtree]

Lord Stephanivien de Haillenarte,

Ishgard is a cold city, and when I arrived there the welcome was as icy as the snowdrifts of Coerthas, barring a few exceptions like yourself. I was immediately taken in by your warmth, your enthusiasm, your smile, your mechanical genius - I'll not lie, I was smitten from the moment I saw you.

(Or perhaps not quite, as it wasn't from the moment you would not cease calling me 'sausage-fingered'; really, did you have to keep repeating that? It sounds funny, yes, but I am glad the novelty wore off.)

Regardless, I knew I loved your smile from that very first small adventure. And as more and more happened, as I saw what a true champion for equality and invention you were in equal measures, that admiration grew only the stronger.

I would not, I think, want to kiss you, now or ever. The love that has grown as I've watched you invent and create and fiercely defend all that you stand for isn't like that; it's a bond of kin, of kindness, of knowing that there is someone who cares about each and every person he meets, and knowing that there is a beating heart within Ishgard that I may ever run to and call home.

So, my friend, thank you for providing a home for people in desperate need of a little sunshine.

Sincerely,
Gracie Sournois
P.S. - Remember to FINISH YOUR COMMISSIONS before running off to Idyllshire to play with the goblins.
P.P.S. - Taking on the fiends of the hinterlands with a wrench is not a good idea.
P.P.P.S. - Don't go without Joye. I think any fiends would run screaming just from the sight of her grin.

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Letter written by Gracie Sournois of Goblin server, and if I am one of those selected, my choice of reward is the Bluebird Earring!

[Persisia]

To G'raha.

I do not count the breaths I take until next we should chance to meet. I know - yes, even I know how unbearable that would be. I have ever been given to waiting, to reaction rather than action. In this, I will not. I could wait until the star bled out, and it would not see you free. I must uphold my end of our agreement; I must ensure my name reaches through time, to become a star to guide you in the encroaching darkness. I fear I cannot stop the trials of these days, though you placed such faith in me. So I will fight enough for us both.

I must admit that no day goes by without thoughts of you. I have seen and studied Azyz Lla, that levitating land thought lost or myth. In writing, it must be hard to believe. Though I lived it, I oft wonder how much of it was a dream! I should very much have enjoyed to see it by your side. An expert on Allagan history might have squeezed more secrets from its ancient heart. The events that have transpired, the locations that I have been... oh, how I long to share them with you! Never in all my days have I had such a dear friend as you, short though our time together had been. We will yet discover how to master Crystal Tower. I promised you then, and I intend to uphold that promise. The light you defend could be just what we need in these times.

Until the land crumbles to nothing, until the skies shatter and the world ceases to move, until these conflicts steal away my very life, I shall strive to make both of our dreams reality.

Yours, always, Shade.

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My character is Shade Springston of the Brynhildr world, and I would like the Noble Barding, please. Thank you for the opportunity!

[KitariaKitKat]

From the moment my eyes had laid upon yours, my heart has been a flutter.
Then and There I have finally decided. There shall be no other.
As I am being pushed from location to location, you have been on my mind.
I felt my mind wonder if you could be mine?
Could the world full of chaos stop for us?
Could this world be one we could trust?
Will my letter reach you, my love?
Or will it fall deaf to the sky above?

Primals and trials keep me away from you,
But in the end, If you asked I'd still say...I do.

Thancred my love you are always on my mind.

Forever Yours,

Kitaria Cenbrine.


If I win the Contest, I would like the Barding, please! Thank you so much!
World: Coeurl
Character: Kitaria Cenbrine

[WhiteCherry]

My dearest Sun and my dearest Azim,

I still remember the first day we set eyes upon each other inside the Throne Room. As a little Raen from the eastern reaches, I could easily feel the intensity of your thirst for power.
I still remember the shivers down my spine, as you looked at all of me and coldly announced that I could not be your promised Nhaama.

But oh, how our Father and Mother tricked you.

A small smile finds its way to my lips as I remember how we clashed in words, how you would smirk at me whenever I frowned, as you laughed when I turned my back on you…
…Only at the battle for the Ovoo did I notice how you made my heart flutter.

How desperate we were to taste the sweetness of victory, how hard we tried to bring one another to the ground, how our blood burned with excitement…and passion. And oh, the happiness I had soon after when we fought on the same side for the same cause.
There I knew, you had me under your spell.

I still remember the night we said farewell, as the flames of the Throne Room burned bright, casting our shadows onto the wall as I finally built enough courage to shorten the distance between us.

I assure you, for it does not matter how many suns or moons pass, I will come back to be by your side once more. Until then, I only ask of you one thing: to achieve further greatness, to become even more victorious, so I can see your smile as you brag about it when I arrive.

You will always be on my mind, Magnai, my love, my sun.

Forever yours,
Your Moon

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I am not officially participating, since I am not a resident of the allowed territories.
However, since writing is my passion, I decided to post it either way, and possibly show how the rest of the players would love to participate, not even for the sake of winning.

Best of luck to all who can participate!
[ White Cherry from the Cerberus server ]

[WesaAgeyv]

To my dearest Hildebrand,
I have helped you through many adventures and trials. While there are some who call you a fool, I have come to see as the maker of my smiles. You are my detective jester, my beloved foolish gentleman. My love for stretches across Eorzea and through the Dravanian Hinterlands. I have learned all of your dances, as well as your famous pose. I have donned your gear as my own, and always strike it at all of my foes. With Nashu at your side, my jealousy knows no bounds. Sometimes I wish she were me, no matter how bad that sounds. Following your quests always give me pleasure. My love for you truly knows no measure. Someday soon, I hope we meet again. Until then, I will always be your friend.

With all my love,
Svava Hilde
Jenova

P.S The Noble Barding would look great on my company Chocobo!

[Mercedes-CLK]

To Yotsuyu,

Time has not been the kindest mistress to you ever since your childhood, my dear. Cast away and sold to the highest bidder, your natural beauty; your smooth ivory skin, killer eyes, raven hair, and sultry gaze, attracted numerous collectors all over Doma. You were a prize to be desired. To be wanted. But never did anyone show any compassion for you.

Ultimately, you fought long and hard, fangs bared, claws unsheathed. The only thought on your mind was revenge. You lived life as an empty and lonely shell, filled with nothing but vengeance, and you wouldn’t stop until the same ones who declared you a harlot, were all crushed under your heel. We were on opposing sides, you acted under my nemesis, but I never harbored any ill feelings towards you.

Is that what you wanted? Did you want me to look at you with the same condemning eyes as all the other Domans you betrayed? Would you have preferred if my blade struck you down like Hien’s did? Well, I couldn’t. Behind your fortified resolve, I saw a scared young woman who wanted to be loved. You were never at fault for your childhood being the way it was and times are different now.

I’m so happy you’ve gotten a second chance at life. Watching you eat dango, oblivious to the life you once lived, the pain you once endured, I can’t help but be overjoyed that you finally found the happiness you never knew existed.

I love you, Tsuyu. May the Twelve have mercy on anyone who would dare ruin the happiness it took your whole life to discover, for I will strike anyone who dares endangers your most blissful and radiant smile, like Susano’s lightning. Here’s to many more Valentione Days.

Love, Kiyona

By: Kiyona Fujiiro, Excalibur, (Scarf of Wondrous Wit!)

[Snowsephy]

Hey, Zhloe.

I’ve never really been good at this sort of thing, yet, I felt as though it needed to be addressed, or else I’d just be left with these feelings every day.
Yesterday, I worked hard making those wooden toy gifts for the children, and had gotten splinters in the process… but when I looked down upon at my hands,
I did not grimace. Rather, I smiled. These were the markings of our hard work, toiling week after week to keep the children feeling protected and happy.

Your selfless actions really made my heart flutter. When I first met you, you were always putting the ones you loved and cared for first, even if it meant
you had to eat things like leftover pudding and stale bread. You are a true paragon of appreciation; one that someone as self-centered as I could learn a thing or two from.

The day that we pulled Mephina’s Arms out of debt and saw both Khloe and T’kebbe’s smiling faces, on top of your tears that I desperately wanted to wipe away myself…
I felt like we shared a bond everlasting. After yesterday’s task was complete, I figured constructing this letter was the best thing to do… as a “thank you” for teaching
me the meaning of hope, and what it means to keep going strong even in the darkest of days and the blackest of nights.

Even if it means eating half-full cups of leftover pudding and hard stale flatbread, I’d love to do so… by your side, taking care of them one day after the next.

After all, you can always soften it up with a little hot water; the same way that I’ve softened my heart for you.

Yours truly,
Snow Seracroix

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Letter by Snow Seracroix of Coeurl. If I am chosen, I would love the Noble Barding as my prize ♪

[Redderton]

To Magnai of the Oronir



I hope this letter finds you in good spirits as what I have written is heartfelt and sincere. In truth I suspect what I write may not be expected of me; as brief our meeting was no doubt you could tell the appearance I must keep as the Warrior of Light.

That being said never before had I encountered someone like you before. Someone that would grasp the deepest parts of my mind and heart and never release. I have traveled places many would never imagine, and seen things that I still struggle to believe to this day; yet right there on the dawn throne you sat cupped in the hands of the beautiful steppe and in that visit my breath was taken away twice over. I had seen many people in my travels yet only you have ever affected me this way.

Though you may think this a joke or a ruse know that I would tear myself away from my own role to be by your side in war, in peace, in grief, in joy, and when you are well or you ail and need my healing arts if you so much as gave the word that you needed me. I know nothing but fragments of your customs and way of life, much less if what I am doing is considerably insulting or frowned upon. Though I may never be that Nhaama you seek if you would let me I would be proud to call you Azim.

Interpret my meaning as you see fit whether what I write is that of a lovestruck fool's confession or a pledge of service. When the world no longer needs me know that I will return to your side.

Ever Thinking of You
Redderton Greene

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Written by Redderton Greene on Behemoth
My prize if I win will be the Bluebird Earring

[Handel]

To my dearest friend, Alphinaud Leveilleur

When I first saw you, I was put off. You were a boy with every advantage to your name and so very confidently you strode out into Eorzea, convinced of your righteousness by virtue of your last name. But yet, when I was in despair over the loss at the Waking Sands, who strode forth with purpose in hand, purpose I craved when I was lost? Twas you. Even if you still proved your shortsightedness when still being clothed in your light garb in the snows of Ishgard but then again, I myself wore a short robe and tights so fair is fair.

Twas our foray in the Coils however, that I saw your determination. I vowed to defend you and your sister through whatever strength I could muster. But soon after, your weakness, your shortsightedness, became your downfall with the Crystal Braves. And thus I saw you sink to the same depression I myself once sunk down into. Graciously, Haurchefant found the words that I struggled to find, as I too, was in need of a spot of sunlight. But I always felt that I should always do something more for you…

Through our journeys through Ishgard and beyond, I have borne witness to a change in you. In particular, I will always find the trip to parley with Hraesvelgar to have been one of my joyous times, despite it’s somewhat bitter conclusion. It is there I saw you learn, from Estinien and Ysayle (and I guess myself) on striving to better yourself after every mistake. I hugged you close when you were distraught over the loss of Minfilia and shared in your triumph as we saved Estinien. I have seen you grown into a capable fighter and a companion I could not replace.

And to put recent events in light, I have seen your shortsightedness strike again with your good-intentioned purchasing decisions. But alas, I am assured that with every slip up, you will take it as an opportunity to learn, just as I saw you swim to fight the Empire once more. Know that I am very proud of the young man you have become and consider you an irreplaceable ally and friend. Wherever our journey takes us next, we shall face the dawn together.

Sincerely,

Syngigeim Usynlonwyn



This is a formality considering that despite being an NA resident, I have an EU account thanks to Steam so I'm ineligible but, Excalibur and Noble Barding. I'm just putting this up for the fun of it.

[Wissp]

Minfilia:

Oh Minfilia, you foolish woman! WHY did you put your life on the line for me AGAIN; WHY do you this, risk yourself time and time again? Minnie, I don’t understand, you HATE me, CAN’T stand me, WHY would you DO it AGAIN, for ME?

It’s a splash of cold water on my face, but I’m finally starting to realize that you…yes, you, ACTUALLY care for me. Despite all I have done to drive you crazy, you ACTUALLY do care for me and want to see me protected, safe. And seeing the truth has made me realize I feel the same about you. I want YOU to be safe too. I want YOU to be back in my life driving me crazy with your inane missions, hearing that shrill voice of yours telling me to do what needs to be done. Despite our arguing, our fights, our sniping whenever we are in ANY kind of proximity to one another, we are friends, though I doubt anyone that knows us would believe a word of it, heck I am having a hard time believing it myself.

But my dear, I must face the facts as well as the truth in my heart; you ARE my friend, one who will go above and beyond the normal bounds of friendship. To be worthy of this, I must do the same, show you I am worth the effort you put forth on my behalf. I WILL prove myself worthy of your friendship dear, prove it to you as well as to myself.

Know this my dear, when all hope seems lost and the darkness is closing in; I will be there at your side as a beacon of light to guide you back home.

Your true friend;

Annabel

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Written by Annabel Ashcroft of Faerie
Prize: Bluebird earrings.