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

[Rahela]

Haurchefant,

I found your letter. I almost missed it, laying in the snow by Providence Point. Right by the Mark of the Lover. Was that intentional…?

I’ve kept it with me ever since.

But consider this my reply.

First, I should apologize. At one point during our time together, my Echo accidentally caused me to look into your memories… And they weren’t happy ones. They hurt. They felt like something you wouldn’t want to talk about, so I never talked about them. You’ve faced far too many hardships, both from within and without your own home.

I don’t want to presume too much, but… I get the feeling that as much as you loved Ishgard, you weren’t happy there. You were duty-bound to serve Ishgard, and you were proud to do it, but in your heart of hearts, I feel that you wanted to walk free. Was that why you admired adventurers so much? Because they could fly off to some faraway place where they wouldn’t be hated just for being born, just as you always wanted to as a child? Did you want to join my adventure?

Because I admit, I dream of just that. How after the War ended, you’d be free to follow your heart. You could join the Adventurers Guild. Join the Scions. Journey to new lands with me. Stand with me through thick and thin. Be loved for the kind, sweet, wonderful man that you are.

When night fell for me, you were the evening star that guided me back to the dawn. My beloved knight, if that was what you wanted, we would stay together forever. I’d say it over and over again, before even the Twelve, upon their sacred altar.

And you’re still with me, even now.

With all my love,
Rahela
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Rahela Uillces of Balmung. If selected, I’d like a Mandragora Choker, please.

[xelhes]

Haurchefant,

I cannot begin to form proper words to express how I feel. As often as I tease and jest to many others in my life, it has only ever been you that has left me with a tied-tongue. Perhaps what had started as an infatuation, as simple attraction, has slowly turned into something more for me. As for you, I could not tell what you might feel in return, but I accepted the gestures and fondness you showed to me.

Kindness in a world full of cruelty, warmth when the world became quite dim and cold. You opened your arms to me, praised me and my deeds, and, above all else, you believed me more than I ever really believed in myself.

Often, I think about if you had met me before I took up to adventuring and ponder if you would still consider me “hope incarnate”.

Despite these self-doubting thoughts, I am more than what was once a young auri women with a broken and bleeding heart. It was through harsh life lessons but I grew to love the strength I held within myself and I thank Halone that was the woman you met.

Perhaps some day, I will find more than enough courage to tell you three simple words but for now, I will stick with two:

Thank you.

Forever & Always,
Elysia

(Elysia Flores - Diabolos - Bluebird earring)