Marlowe

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

MENTIONS: Zeidram [@Dezuel], Arton [@Ithradine], Arbora [@Lucky], Galahad [@vietmyke]

Neve let out a small yelp as she was shoved towards the back of the room. She caught herself before she could stumble to the floor and turned to see that Galahad had leapt into action, his long lance sweeping through their frontline to knock most of them over. Arton doubled up on his attack– blood sprayed the floor as his sword found a gap in an enemy’s armor. Even Arbora acted before she could, her hand calling forth a strange, diamond-like object from her belongings and summoning a small beast with only a string of words. The creature barreled towards one of their opponents and knocked them down to the floor, their armor scorched by vibrant, spectral flames.

Her fingers curled tightly around the metal of her staff as she swallowed the lump in her throat. Steeling herself, she raised her staff towards the enemies that stood before them. There were definitely four or five now, and more than half of them were incapacitated by the others’ attacks– save for one. Her eyes widened as she spotted one of the soldiers closest to the door raise his gun towards Arton. ”Look out!” she cried as she lifted her staff higher. Fulgence radiated from its tip as a bubble of magical energy quickly formed around their small cluster. The rifleman’s gun sprayed bullets in their direction, but they rattled against the barrier she had created. Whether their foe was surprised at the inefficiency of his gunfire or simply had to reload, Neve didn’t spare him a second of respite. Narrowing her eyes, she raised her staff again and pointed its tip at the man that had been caught off-guard. A fierce torrent of water shot straight towards him and slammed into the center of his chest, knocking him into the two men behind him and sending them crashing into the wall of the hallway.

Somewhat breathless, Neve turned to the other three as her eyes scanned them up and down. ”Everyone alright?” she asked. ”Perhaps we should check on the others…”

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

MENTIONS: Zeidram [@Dezuel], Arton [@Ithradine], Arbora [@Lucky], Galahad [@vietmyke]

Pretty missy?

That in itself was enough to make Neve blink. She had been the target of certain… flirtatious men and women back in Cascarona Landing, though she never expected to be honed in on during a prestigious ceremony. Nevertheless, Zeidgram’s words further darkened the crimson that had tainted her cheeks. No words dared to leave her pursed lips– that was, if she even had any words to spare him. She wasn’t keen on figuring it out. Instead, she spooned the rest of the lemony-brothy trout into her mouth as her gaze shyly swiveled towards the rest of their number. Someone else– another rambunctious, flamboyant man– had tumbled to their table in order to join them. Was that even allowed? She sent another glance towards the lordling as if in silent question, but he had since returned to his jovial tidings with the rest of the nobles at the front of the room. Leonhart didn’t seem too bothered… if he was ever bothered by anything to begin with.

Table Kirin turned to introductions. Her curiosity peaked as she realized that they actually did come across all of Ibros– from Osprey, from Midgar, from the west, and so on and so forth. Several of them had already been hardened by war and battle and grief and strife. She suddenly felt out of place; what made her so special? She could cast magic and mend splintered bones, but that was all, and there were a handful of others that could weave spells. Neve shrugged away the thoughts as they came. If the Grovemasters believed she was worthy enough to accompany their troupe, then they were far from wrong.

Soon after the commotion with the passing of the butter, flagons were drained and platters were scraped clean. Little by little, bellies swollen with drink and warm meals were guided out into the polished olive malachite corridors and ushered towards the upper floors. Awaiting them there were dozens of decently sized dormitories that had been clearly reserved for esteemed guests– each of them had shimmering wooden floors and cherry-oak beds that were lined with fine fabrics and ruby-hued covers. Their respective luggage and weaponry had been neatly piled up in the corners, near the cabinets and away from careless and befuddled footsteps. Each bedroom had only been built for three or four people, max– that much Neve could tell, for there were only four beds in each room– and heavy curtains that obscured views of the midnight-cloaked grasslands and hills that stretched far beyond the walls of Balmung.

Neve stared out into the darkness dotted by the lights of the city, amazed. Back at home, most of the homes were lit by candlelight and fireplaces. Here, it was obviously different. She had heard of the marvels of electricity and how it was much more powerful than the light of fire. Even now, the stars seemed to have fallen from the skies and landed in the midst of the lands below the heavens, leaving the sea of black above their heads untouched by any remnants of their previous inhabitants. There was something haunting about it, and to be honest, Neve wasn’t sure what it was. If Balmung was as beautiful as this…

She pulled the curtains shut as she turned to the others. She had been boarded with Gal, Arbora, and Arton, to which she didn’t have any complaints. It wasn’t rare for her to sleep in the same room as a man, especially when such a man was ill or terribly wounded and it was of utmost importance to be at their bedside. Neve cast a tender look towards Arbora and gave her a smile. She hoped that the Viera was as unbothered as her– besides, if the men did try something, she was sure that the guards stationed in the hallways would be quick to intervene.

”Best to get some rest,” she murmured as she shuffled towards them. ”We’ll have to wake early in the morn–”

Something loud and violent tore through the hallway outside of their room and left behind a monstrous echo that droned on and on. Bristling, she stared up at the others in alarm. What was that? Though no answer came to her mind, she couldn’t help but creep towards the wooden door. Neve swallowed as her trembling fingers curled around the knob and cracked the door open. A form sprawled on the floor right next to where she stood. Though the light was poor, her nose twitched with the all-too-familar scent of blood. Already, she could see the fluid, thick and black, pool underneath the armored man.

”My staff,” she breathed out, her right hand reaching behind her to grasp at the air. ”Someone pass me my staff.”

A long nozzle materialized from the depths. Sleek and crafted of cool, malicious steel, the gun edged closer and closer– and with it, the heavily armed and armored figures of faceless individuals. Their features were partially hidden by helmets dotted with red lights, though the rancor behind their scowls was enough to convey their intentions.

Like a frightened beast, Neve took a step back into the room. The five strange men followed, their guns raised up to eye level, their sights trained on them, their fingers flush against their triggers. Neve’s gaze searched them for their identities, their reasoning. No matter how much her breath burned in her throat, she was only met with silence.

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

MENTIONS: ...

Just as her fingers were about to wrap around the handle of the ceramic flagon, one of the table’s inhabitants– a dark-haired man with a delicate face– handed the container to her. Neve blinked up at him as he spoke to her with words drenched in honey. They were enough to dust her cheeks in a rosy hue. Warmth swelling in her chest, she turned her eyes back to the flagon as she poured herself only half a mug of the golden liquid. Neve placed it back down with a quivering hand as the red mage turned his attention towards a pale-haired man that looked very much like Leonhart. A nervous, dark-haired man critiqued the other mage for his pompous speech, and Neve gave the three men a small, lop-sided smile. At least they’re lively, she thought to herself as she nodded at the noble-looking man upon his request. She carefully handed him the platter of the quillback before she returned to picking apart her trout. The flesh was sweet, delicious, and melted in her mouth. It was enough to make her toes curl–

Neve flinched when the older mystrel on the other side of the dark-haired sollan suddenly rose up and lashed fire-fueled words towards Leonhart. Her eyes darted between her and the lord, who appeared to be as surprised as she was. The banter that had flooded the dining hall had dwindled to a few mere whispers. For a moment, she worried that the woman would be thrown out from the feast, but Leonhart had instead risen from his chair and took a few steps towards the head of the room. He swirled a bejeweled goblet in his right hand as he offered Izayoi a frivolous bow.

”My apologies, fair lady.” He appeared to be genuine as he smiled at her. ”Perhaps I should have made a statement before everyone became so engrossed with the festivities.”

Neve swallowed a mouthful of fish before she washed it down with a small sip of the honeyed mead. Now that he was closer, he seemed to be much younger than she previously thought. He couldn’t have been too much older than she was.

”As we all know, it has been some time since the Mothercrystal has fallen dark. Strange beasts lurk across the countryside and outskirts of cities alike and even now, shadows encroach upon the purest of soils. Every day, we lose more and more to this foul miasma, with little hope to defeat it– until now, that is.”

She was so engrossed with the king and his speech that she hardly heard the ruckus on the other side of the table. Absent-mindedly, she handed the robed man a small platter of butter before she resettled her sights on Leonhart. He had strode to the other side of the room and held out the goblet towards those who sat here.

”Feasting within these halls are those who believe that they can make a change– that they can save our homelands from destruction. Some might say that they are naught but thieves, brigands, wayward travelers… but all I see are warriors of the continent, fit to carry out a crusade against those who wish to lay waste to Ibros. That is why I gathered all of you within these halls– that you, the Divine Mother’s champions, will search for her Light anew and return it to the Mothercrystal.”

Neve blinked again.

”I have divided all of you into four separate teams,” Leonhart continued as he began to motion his goblet towards each table, starting from where he stood. “Unicorn, Seraph, Fenrir, and Kirin– the first who returns the Light to the Mothercrystal shall not only be seen as the saviors of Ibros, but will also receive a generous sum of ten million gil as a reward.”

The trout must have gone down the wrong way, because her throat stung with the intensity of a hornet’s strike. Coughing, Neve scrambled for another draught of her goblet. Ten million gil?! She raised her gaze to the others as murmurs of surprise and calls of excitement echoed around the hall anew. Did Leonhart even have that much money?!

”We will emerge victorious from this storm of shadows!” Leonhart’s voice became a fever pitch as he raised his goblet far above his head. ”We shall restore the Light to the Mothercrystal and purge the darkness from the land!”

Amber Branches of the Orange Tree | Ambra's 1x1 Search Thread [MxF, MxM] [18+]

Once again open

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

MENTIONS: ...

Balmung Castle’s banquet hall hung heavy with the sweet-and-savory aroma of alcohol intermingling with roasted meats. Goblets brimmed with vibrant drink, which glistened in the half-light as travel-weary and starving guests stuffed their faces with food. A myriad of culled beasts rested upon sleek, ornate platters that lined four long tables that were draped with delicate, olive-green shawls. Their golden-brown skins glistened with moisture and their flesh seeped in grease, dressings, and marinades. Alongside them rested trays that heaped with brightly-hued vegetables that had been seared, baked, roasted, or sauteed. Billows of thick rose up from the containers at a constant basis; their food never seemed to grow cold, no matter how long they laid upon their respective salvers. It almost seemed as if the tables and food and flagons decorated the very room itself, despite it being elaborate already. Its walls were painted emerald green and embellished with oil portraits of beautiful sceneries and stern-faced nobles whom she couldn’t name. Over their heads loomed golden chandeliers that brimmed with pristine crystals and the ceiling depicted winged deities fluttering between or resting upon dawn-tinged clouds.

Neve dropped her eyes from the ceiling and onto the roast quillback in front of her. The poor bird’s head hung over the edge of its tray, its blank eyes staring at her as if it dared her to slice into its flesh. She wrinkled her nose; a bitter film had befallen her tongue and soured her mouth. In the midst of all of the clamor, it was difficult to bring herself to eat something so… spontaneous. Quillback was a far leap from the delicate venison of Brightlam antelope back home. Ah well… at the very least, at least there were other things to eat. Like fish, she thought as she stabbed a fork into a small trout that had been baked to perfection. You can never go wrong with fish.

As she chewed carefully around the trout’s spines, she brought her sights up to the people milling about her table. When she had arrived, the servants had asked her to sit at the table to the far right– near the wall with the many portraits of noblemen and women. Neve didn’t bother asking why. Her gaze swept over their number. They appeared to be an interesting bunch. Though their weapons had been confiscated upon their entrance to the banquet hall, she took note of their appearance and clothing. One of them had flowing, crimson robes that looked to be from the north. Others had garbs that distinguished them as hardened warriors. She wondered where they hailed from and what kind of stories they carried with them. Perhaps their lips would be loosened by the assortment of drink and they would tell her.

A bout of laughter tore through the air and brought her gaze over her shoulder. A tall young man clad in a long, heavy coat was catering to a short Mystrel woman. Both were deep in their cups already. Neve couldn’t tell what they spoke about; the clatter of silverware and cacophony of voices drowned out their conversation. They looked friendly, at least. She wondered if they were to all work together. Something told her perhaps not– there were far too many people in the banquet hall, probably around thirty or forty. If she were Lord Leonhart, she would group them into teams and send them all across the continent.

Neve glanced towards the lord in question. He had been sitting at the head of the room ever since she got there. A long table had been stretched in front of four or five chairs that had been embedded with delicate, golden patterns. Though Lord Leonhardt’s chair– or throne– was the most beautiful of them all. Tall and plush with red velvet cushions, it was certainly fit for a king. Upon it sat the young lord himself. He was around her age and bore long, golden hair that was tied in a low ponytail and interlaced with verdant ribbons. His sharp, handsome face hardly had any facial hair, and his eyes were a deep, ocean blue. Leonhart’s face had been bright with a gentle smile as he feasted with the rest of the noble-blooded, and from what Neve could tell, he wasn’t the type of person that was keen on frowning. Just what was going on in his head? Was he worried like the rest of them? He had to be, right? Then why was he smiling and laughing as if this was all a typical party?

A brief sigh drifted forth from her lips as she looked back at her trout. There she went again, thinking too much. It was just like her. I should probably relax. She reached towards a flagon of honey mead. Leonhart will explain everything soon.

The flagon was further away than she thought. No matter how far she stretched herself over the table, she couldn’t bring her fingers around its metallic handle. Neve huffed as she leaned further forward. She was almost there…

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

I'll DM you guys the link tonight ^^

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Okay, I've chosen the accepted characters! Congrats to the people below!

@Cu Chulainn
@vietmyke
@Vertigo
@Psyker Landshark
@Lucky
@Ogobrogo
@Dezuel
@Ithradine

Please make sure you are willing to be dedicated to the roleplay! If you've changed your minds about joining, let me know so I can adjust.

If you haven't been chosen, please don't feel bad. The process was a long and difficult one with many factors taking precedence over my choices. I hope to see you guys again soon.

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Lmao I'm bad at themes and voice claims but I might do Neve's as well

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

@Asura's ^^

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

I believe we're waiting for one more sheet.