Flames of Rebirth

arranged marriage thematic starters, only revamped! change pronouns/adapt as needed!

refusal and disagreements

❝ I would rather die than marry the likes of you. ❞

❝ I will run away! I won’t accept this marriage! ❞

❝ I cannot accept this. I will not marry them – my heart belongs to someone else. ❞

❝ Please – please do not make me wed them! ❞

❝ Anyone else would be better! Please, I know you can find me a better match! ❞

❝ Do not touch me! I only married you for duty, stay away from me! ❞

❝ I do not care what you want, we did not marry out of love. ❞

❝ You are mine now. Act properly. ❞

❝ Who you loved before is meaningless. We are married now, and your lover will remain in the past. ❞

❝ I will never love you! ❞

❝ It isn’t fair! I don’t even know them! ❞

❝ You will not give my only child to that monster! ❞

❝ It is a match beneath my daughter. You insult us with the mere proposition of it. ❞

❝ She is a princess. She won’t be wed to someone lesser. ❞

❝ He will marry the one we chose, not that peasant! ❞

❝ You refuse me to give yourself to a peasant?! ❞

❝ The match is already made but I cannot accept it. I love you! ❞

❝ It is you I love! I could not bear to be with them instead. ❞

meetings and beginnings

❝ You are not at all what I imagined. ❞

❝ I know you hold no love for me. How could you when we are practically strangers? And I know we may never come to love each other, but we can at least be friends. ❞

❝ Love can be built, too. And if you’re willing, I would like to try and learn to love you. ❞

❝ The descriptions I heard did not do justice to your beauty. ❞

❝ You are lovely. I am lucky you are to be wed to me. ❞

❝ I must admit I expected far worse from an arranged marriage. ❞

❝ I want to know you better if we are to be wed. Tell me about the things you like. ❞

❝ We are only marrying because I need an heir. What you do and with who beyond that does not matter to me. ❞

❝ I too am in love with someone else, but they will never allow me to marry my beloved. Why don’t we make an agreement? ❞

❝ Am I not what you expected? ❞

❝ You seem disappointed… I may not be as good-looking as you expected, but I shall never treat you unkindly. ❞

❝ This is your home too, now. You are free to go wherever you wish. ❞

❝ How odd we have been betrothed for so long but never saw each other before our wedding day. ❞

❝ I do not care about power and wealth. I want to marry for love. ❞

❝ Even though I have been told this would happen my entire life, I still can’t quite accept it. ❞

discussing the topic

❝ In just a few days I will be wed to someone I never met. ❞

❝ It is so odd to think my entire life will change so fast. A person I don’t even know, and we will be bound for life! ❞

❝ I know they plan to marry me off to someone soon, even if no one said a thing yet. ❞

❝ How could you agree to this without even asking me what I want? ❞

❝ You will do as you’re told and marry them! ❞

❝ We picked the best match available for you. ❞

❝ It is the best we managed. I am sorry you don’t like them, but there was no other way. ❞

❝ You knew this day would come. People like us only marry for duty, dear. ❞

❝ Love is not the priority for the likes of us. ❞

❝ Marrying for love is a delusion. ❞

❝ You are a princess. You will have to agree to a match eventually. ❞

❝ There are so many good proposals! How come no one is to your tastes? ❞

❝ Our bloodline must continue, and for that, you need to marry and have heirs. ❞

❝ I do not wish to leave home. My betrothed lives in such a different place… ❞

❝ I will never let them ship you off to a stranger. ❞

❝ You will not be sold for power like I was. ❞

❝ I won’t let them trade you for their alliance! ❞

❝ The arrangement was made when you were both still children. It is much too late to go back on it. ❞

❝ We have been promised to each other for years, and yet we have never met. ❞

❝ They are deciding your life for you! How can you simply accept it?! ❞

❝ There is no reason to make a fuss. I have known for years someday I would be married to some stranger my family found suitable. ❞

❝ Through them, we shall finally join our bloodlines! ❞

❝ Our children make quite the pair. I am glad they seem to get along so easily. ❞

❝ Only kings would be worthy of you. We will accept no less on your behalf. ❞

❝ A complete stranger is suddenly mine. And then, I am hers, too – I must offer her my all. ❞

❝ What do you think your betrothed will be like? ❞

love, duty, ambition and alliances

❝ Don’t pretend to care. The only reason you agreed to this is because of my title. ❞

❝ You married me for my claim, I know that! I just thought, given time, we could grow to be fond of each other. ❞

❝ I shall marry you only because I must. ❞

❝ Ours is a union of duty. You would do well to remember that. ❞

❝ Every good child knows: duty before your heart’s desire. ❞

❝ Remember what is at stake. Peace relies on our union. ❞

❝ Even if we married for duty, our union can still become one of true love. ❞

❝ A marriage is a marriage – love or arranged. Both require the same level of commitment. ❞

❝ Both our lands benefit from our match – and I know will be a good queen. ❞

❝ My people will love you in time. I think I might, too. ❞

❝ We were wed for an alliance, but this doesn’t need to be terrible. We can at least be friends. ❞

❝ Duty brought us together, but it is love that will make this bearable. ❞

❝ My father used to say the strongest loves are built by choice, not by chance. ❞

❝ Do you believe in love at first sight? I think I’m already in love with you. ❞

❝ Even if you love me, your people never will. ❞

❝ I married you for your title. I do not care for love. ❞

❝ My heart is yours, but we cannot be together. My family would never agree to a match like this. ❞

❝ Marrying them will give the realm peace. I have to agree to the match, even if you are the one I truly love. ❞

❝ It seems silly to think a single union will end decades of conflict. This is just the start. ❞

❝ They found me someone rich to marry! I will finally have everything I wanted. ❞

❝ I do not care my betrothed is not handsome – I only care that he is rich. ❞

"... Thanks," he muttered, the tips of his ears turning red. Cloud didn't see himself as handsome, but he wasn't going to argue. He did understand why she found it odd for him to be running from such attention, but that was because she didn't know the truth behind it.

He refused to wear a dress again or to put on any other kind of show at the Honeybee Inn.

"I'm not – it's complicated. I'm not here to catch anything." The implication of it made him want to combust on the spot, but he held it in. He just wanted to do his business without having to deal with that kind of stuff. He liked Andrea Rhodea well enough, but it really wasn't his style.

"If you were going somewhere, then let me escort you. It's not safe around here." That was the least he could do, since he had ended up using her as a shield.

What was this. Is this person actually....worried for her safety. How kind. Although, Ember could handle herself in most situations. Still. Perhaps she could stick with this young man, at least for now. "Now that you mention it. The more I visit here, I have been getting odd looks from some rather shady people."

One reason she was sort of just, hanging out here for the moment. While there were those with good intentions and hearts. She also saw the wickedness in this world as well. "Cloud. Nice to meet you. My name is Ember, as for where I was going. To find something to eat, and also see about getting a new dress made." As she has been wearing the same dress for so many years, it was time to get a new one.

please help me.

i never said i would help you.

you think i got a chance?

aim straight.

no point in discussing names. we'll all be dead soon anyway.

hold your fire.

oh, i'm sorry, did i hit a fucking nerve?

everything was fine until you showed up.

not exactly the subtle type, are you?

there is blood everywhere.

how long do you think it's been there?

i'd say we got a week tops.

it wasn't technically a lie.

i'll go help them. you stay put.

t'is just a scratch.

you're bleeding buckets.

when's the last time you slept?

when's the last time you ate?

i'm right behind you.

let me see it, no use in hiding it.

i can't see!

i can't see you, where are you?

you got eyes on the target?

i'm catching up to the target.

i'm a nobody.

thanks for saving me.

get up, you're still in one piece.

you're not fooling me.

hand it over.

i won't ask again.

don't look at me like that.

drop it.

i have to try.

move out of my way.

i can't let you.

make them bleed for me.

i'll kill them.

kill them all.

it is my medical opinion that that could have gone better.

does this mean we're friends now?

nice catch.

good eye.

i have my moments.

let go.

i can't give up. not yet, not ever.

you need to rest.

take a break.

don't leave.

come with me.

you're a handful.

don't do anything stupid.

don't do anything i wouldn't do.

do as i say, not as i do.

i'm fine, relax.

don't baby me.

if you think this is bad, you should see the other guy.

i've dealt with worse.

i know it hurts. you'll be okay.

did you see that?

you're not alone.

i like to keep people on their toes.

i won't leave you alone.

what happened to you?

what the fuck happened?

you look like shit.

you clean up nice.

you look ... alright.

you look ... beautiful/handsome.

i have no idea how uncomfortable i am right now.

what did you do?

looks like i can't leave you alone for one minute before you start doing stupid shit.

what can i say?

you owe me for this.

i owe you, big time.

so we're even?

it runs in the family, doesn't it?

they drive me nuts, but they're family.

you wouldn't get it.

don't pretend like you understand.

i think you're the only one who gets it.

take it easy.

breathe.

i may have fucked up.

did you hear that?

can we go now?

i don't like this.

run!

this is no joking matter.

do you ever take anything seriously?

i'm not leaving without you.

i'm going to get you out of here.

leave without me. i'll just slow you down.

i'll catch up. go!

i thought you were dead.

peekaboo.

i know you're there, [name].

it takes a lot more than that to kill me.

we both know we can't do this without each other's help. so grow up and help me.

i hate you.

i love you.

i know you love me.

you love me, don't lie.

care to join me?

we are never speaking of this.

don't tell anyone about this.

why did you leave me?

the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

shut the fuck up.

i'm fucking livid.

your wish is my ... strong recommendation.

i'm calling it right here. this world can officially bite my ass.

take a picture, it'll last longer.

it's nothing.

leave me alone.

you're like family.

don't talk to me.

i know you missed me. i missed you too, you know.

i'm tired of pretending.

stop pretending you care.

we're safe, i think.

i only wanted to help.

you don't scare me.

try me.

what are they here for?

why are they after you?

whose blood is that?

do you love me?

you're not a bad person.

what are you hiding?

you're safe with me.

did you have fun?

feels weird seeing you again.

just like old times.

someone was here before us.

you're not as bad as everyone says you are.

are you always so serious?

you look like you've see a ghost.

i don't think i want to find out.

don't fucking touch me.

do you mind if i smoke?

over my dead body.

got a light?

forget you saw anything.

i'm too old for this shit.

i'll see myself out.

don't call me that.

i won't say anything.

did you come alone?

i want you to run, okay? run and don't look back.

you're all right. you're safe. it's over.

you're not acting like yourself, are you okay?

what's in it for me?

ladies/guys/people love me.

get behind me.

follow me if you want to live.

oh, fuck you.

i'll take care of you.

maybe you should stick around for a while.

i don't believe you don't care.

let me carry you.

look at me.

i'm this close to losing my shit.

i can tell when you're lying to me.

you're staring.

this is for your own good.

i don't need your pity.

can you walk?

i can explain.

they deserved it.

am i dead?

takes one to know one.

i don't owe you shit.

kill me if you're not a coward.

this better not be in vain.

are we getting paid for this?

you are one lucky son of a bitch.

please go. i can't look at you right now.

it takes two to tango.

do it, pussy. you won't.

let them go.

let me go.

let it go.

where are you taking them?

there you are.

it's me, you're okay, i'm here.

don't look.

do you care about anyone but yourself?

you got a weapon?

allow me to show you how it's done.

i can't believe i actually killed them.

i can't believe you actually killed them.

i don't like this anymore than you do.

you can trust me.

i know you're just dying to say something to me.

i can protect you.

you've been awfully quiet.

don't.

don't say another word, you hear me?

ha! i knew i could make you smile.

ha! i knew i could make you laugh.

you're going to hell, you know that, right?

we're going to hell, aren't we?

i got you.

you mumble in your sleep.

don't miss.

get a fucking grip.

pretty sure that's illegal.

i didn't ask for this.

no one's coming to help us.

we're fucked.

i think god hates me.

i think god hates us.

it's never been easy.

i was worried about you.

i'll drink to that.

you're joking, right?

i'll do the talking.

lady luck smiles on me today.

didn't take you as a softie.

don't go soft on me, now.

the quiet type, eh?

don't remind me.

i'm just messing with you.

that's an order.

come on, don't be shy.

i know someone that could help us out.

don't go too far.

don't lie to me.

i'd prefer to get out of this in one piece.

well, that was a waste.

let me do it.

they've got us surrounded.

stop lying to me.

time changes you.

come on, lie down.

i wish i was like you.

look at you.

are you proud of yourself?

we're almost there.

you should look away now.

i'm glad i checked up on you.

don't get mad.

watch your language.

because i love you.

keep that shit to yourself.

keep it up.

where do you think you're going?

it's ok to cry.

that's my boy/girl.

stay safe.

i need to tell you something.

can't sleep?

you can take the bed. or the couch, if you want.

listen to me.

i dare you.

snap out of it.

promise me.

i'm not scared of death.

you know i'd do anything for you, right?

Cloud hardly felt proud about running from people, but whenever he was near the Honeybee Inn, the same girls always had a way of sniffing him out. He knew their fawning was likely meant as a form of flattery, but he still had a hard time believing that they weren't secretly making fun of him with their attention.

Moving through the crowd at a faster pace than usual, he turned several corners in an attempt to lose the women. Turning for one final time, he moved behind someone else that was standing in the alley, leaning against the wall and unintentionally using the person as a shield.

Cloud was tense until he felt giggling laughter fade past his hiding spot, letting out a sigh of relief.

"What a catch, this must be my lucky night. And no. You didn't interrupt anything, I was just taking a walk is all." Really. Just a simple stroll, although she knew well enough to also keep her guard up around here too.

if you are sending to a multi-muse, remember to specify the muse that the sentence starters are being sent for .

“ I never asked you to save me - I asked you to stay. ”

“ You keep saying you’re fine, but I can still see the blood on your hands. ”

“ Don’t touch me. Everyone I love ends up broken. ”

“ I forgave you the first three times. There won’t be a fourth. ”

“ You weren’t there when I needed you most, so why are you here now? ”

“ I stopped counting the days since you left - turns out forever is shorter than I thought. ”

“ All those promises you made sound like lies when I say them out loud. ”

“ I kept your side of the bed empty for a year. It’s time to admit you’re not coming back. ”

“ You look at me like I’m a ghost, but you’re the one who killed us. ”

“ I would have burned the world down for you. You wouldn’t even cross the street. ”

“ Say it. Say you never loved me so I can finally stop hoping. ”

“ The worst part isn’t that you lied - it’s that I still believed you. ”

“ I practiced smiling in the mirror so you wouldn’t notice I’m falling apart. ”

“ You taught me how to trust again. Thanks for the lesson. ”

“ Every time you walk away, a piece of me goes with you. ”

“ I didn’t lose you. You threw me away the moment someone better came along. ”

“ Stop apologizing. The damage is already done. ”

“ I still reach for you in my sleep and wake up colder than before. ”

“ You said ‘forever’ like it was easy. ”

“ I keep replaying the last time you said my name, trying to hear love in it. ”

“ The silence after you left is louder than any fight we ever had. ”

“ I was ready to die for you. You weren’t even willing to live for me. ”

“ Tell me where it hurts, so I know where to stop touching. ”

“ You moved on so fast I didn’t even get the chance to miss you properly. ”

“ I built my whole world around you, and you just walked out the door without looking back. ”

“ The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves to survive loving you. ”

“ I finally deleted your number. My phone still autocorrects ‘I’m sorry’ to your name. ”

“ You weren’t the villain - you were just cruel with good intentions. ”

“ I hate that I still check if you’re okay when I’m the one bleeding. ”

“ We didn’t break up. We slowly tore each other apart until there was nothing left to save. ”

“ You said you’d never make me cry. Look at me now. ”

“ I keep the voicemail you left the night everything fell apart. I’ve listened to it so many times I know your pauses by heart. ”

“ Loving you feels like drowning in slow motion while you stand on the shore. ”

“ I wasn’t enough to make you stay, but I was enough to make you feel guilty about leaving. ”

“ You came back like nothing happened, but I’m still picking up pieces you don’t even see. ”

“ I stopped leaving the porch light on. You never noticed anyway. ”

“ The saddest part is I still defend you when people ask why I’m not over it. ”

“ You didn’t just break my heart - you broke my ability to believe anyone else. ”

“ I finally understand why you always said ‘don’t get attached.’ You never planned on staying. ”

“ Every happy memory we had now feels like evidence in a crime scene. ”

“ I wish I could hate you. It would hurt less than this. ”

“ You keep asking what you can do to fix this. Start by going back in time. ”

“ I smiled in all the photos so no one would know you were destroying me behind them. ”

“ The hardest part of letting go is realizing you let go first. ”

“ I still flinch when someone says your name like it’s a curse. ”

“ You weren’t a chapter - you were the whole book, and now it’s on fire. ”

“ I didn’t lose feelings. They were murdered, slowly, every time you chose not to choose me. ”

“ I hope one day you look for me in a crowded room and feel what I feel every single day. ”

“ You walked away like it was easy, but I’m still here trying to remember how to breathe without you. ”

"You got hurt."

"I am not an angel."

"I run from the liars."

"Can I soothe your fear?"

"I feel like I exist for love."

"They say there is a war..."

"I know I created myself."

"I'm losing my connection."

"Come and feel alive, lover."

"I don't need a cure for me."

"Everything we touch is evil."

"I gotta know how to beat it."

"You blamed it all on my love."

"Love is not a temporary high."

"No, we don't belong together."

"My heart knew that I couldn't."

"I wish I knew how it felt to run."

"She knows what she deserves."

"But I never asked for your help."

"He'd let me win, if I let him stay."

"Do you feel my hand? It is there."

"You took the love from my arms."

"Herе we are, an atom and a star."

"That is why we live like heathens."

"'Cause everything matters to me."

"I never know how to keep in touch."

"I sing sometimes to know I'm alive."

"Giving in to love should set me free."

"I've been a lion, but without its teeth."

"We stand beside the good and brave."

"Maybe I'll recover if you'd set me free."

"Living besides you can be unforgiving."

"When you're ahead, she's coming after."

"I want to live my life, be all of its pages."

"You would never let me into your heart."

"Could you trust love, if I prove it's there?"

"This could be a dream or it could be real."

"If I'm not loved, I guess that I am cursed."

"Why do you keep hunting like an animal?"

"Something about you is soft like an angel."

"Lord, you keep me crawling on my knees."

"When you are with me, I feel like I'm living."

"I have been a dancer, but without her feet."

"I'm tired of the rules and your corrections."

"Giving in to love should never hurt for me."

"On top of the world, it is good and it hurts."

"You're travelling fast, like a bird in a dream."

"But everybody cries and nobody comforts."

"I never had the world, so why change for it?"

"I was given a heart before I was given a mind."

"Something about you is warm and seductive."

"Maybe it's because I need to serve someone."

"Something inside you is violence and danger."

"I don't like the tension, the misapprehensions."

"What will you do when shе takes your throne?"

"But if you come back, could you take me home?"

"We cry for those you burned beneath the flame."

"I know I can't fight the sad days and bad nights."

"'Cause if I'm not pure, I guess that I'm too much."

"I was a moving thing before I was a human being."

"Everything good in life seems to lead back to you."

"You're a part of the morning and еverything matters."

"You got nеrves, but they nevеr show unless they hurt."

"Her love is yours, but only if you give your heart to her."

"I was the ice before it melts. I was the tree before it fell."

"You're a part of the movement and everything matters."

"Look at it go, look at it dance over the sky like a rocket."

"But why do I make you feel like you are big and strong?"

"But why does it make me feel like I am weak and small?"

"If I'll be somebody, I'll never let my skin decide it for me."

"So pure... and it hurts when the beauty is lost in the speed."

"I knew from the moment we met, you are a dangerous thing."

"My dear, come near… do you understand what is happening?"

"Maybe I'll believe that you never meant for life to hurt for me."

"You're a part of the dawn, where the light comes from the dark."

"I know I cannot heal the hurt, but I will hold you here forever if I can."

"Then you take me in, and everything in me begins to feel like I belong."

"The glorious teachers are no use for creatures who know how to play with the gods."

❝ Thank Metia for that. I'm glad you weren't hurt. I had to fight my way out of there. By giving you time to escape, I had to keep them from chasing after you. I'll live with soreness and aches. It's fine to save the strength since I know it takes quite a bit out of you. ❞ He knows she was doing a lot to protect and keep them safe, which is why he'll refuse her to use any more strength, energy or her healing powers to try and heal him anymore than he already was.

A nod. "Yes, take small sips. Clive I know you wanted to protect me but you were so injured. I almost thought you weren't going to wake up." Even if he was trying to keep them from pursuing her. The phoenix was strong and could have handled herself. Mostly. She was just so relieved that he was okay.

“Only dumbasses believe that shit.”

“Question! Does that make me a dumbass?”

“Oh no you don’t! That bed’s– …mine.”

“Um, sorry, pops, but you’re outta luck.”

“The hell’s this weirdo doing here?”

“When you’re on the hunt, you don’t want to startle your prey.”

“‘Prey?’ You know we’re not here to kill him, right?”

“You fought the worst for a living.”

“You mind takin’ the lead?”

“You guys need to focus.”

“Hilarious.”

“We’re in business!”

“That’s… fair.”

“You picked the wrong girl, creep!”

“Welp, this was fun! Seeya!”

“I know you’re in there, my friend!”

“Then I shall take it from you by force!”

“You are indeed a worthy warrior.”

“So, it comes to this.”

“Ya got me.”

“Hah hah, very funny.”

“It’s not like I had a choice! Nothing else fit!”

“This your first time?”

“Just play along.”

“You’re getting in on this too?”

“My path to world domination begins with your defeat.”

“Oh, for the love of… You’re my next opponent?”

“Surely you haven’t forgotten me already, have you?”

“You’re pretty hard to forget.”

“Two legs? … Nothing to it.”

“Yeah, hard pass.”

“Hey… Hey, I saw that! Don’t go thinkin’ I didn’t.”

“I was cursed with the unholy trinity. No job, no money, and worst of all, no girl.”

“No… the company can’t fire me if… if I fire myself first! Y’hear that!? I quit!”

“Well? Do I get permission or not?”

So long as the Phoenix was a guest in his home, Barnabas was willing to indulge her in whatever she pleased, even if that meant sleeping the whole day away.

A soft laugh escaped him, picking up the other cup from the tray and keeping it for himself. "That is why I brought more to share, my lady," he replied. "Full glad am I to see that you are well. I will admit, you had me a bit concerned..."

Such an admission was rare, but it was only natural to be concerned for another's wellbeing - at least, that was what the king remembered from his observations. To show concern was to be human. He allowed himself this indulgence as he took a sip of tea, pulling his gaze away briefly.

Oops, there she went overthinking again. "I don't get sick, or ill too easily. Humans are more prone to sickness. However. You're right, I should take better care of myself."

With her familiarity of Limsa Lominsa to guide them, Cataleya begins the trek that will take her and Ember from the Lower Decks to the Upper Decks. As always, the streets are packed, so she quickly falls into her habit of weaving through people whenever there's an opening.

"I actually did know that, hehe. The Missing Member, it's called. Rhoswen—the pirate lady you mentioned—likes to be intimidating but her crew is loyal to her and they do some good work in that place."

Cataleya turns around just enough to smile at Ember. "Likewise!"

Eventually, they make it to the Bismark, which is as busy as it ever is on an afternoon with pleasant weather. So they're informed by a server that they will have to wait a bit, which she's completely fine with.

"The Missing Member, an odd name. Did the pirate lady name it after a missing crew member or something? I'd like to hear the story about the name. Not all pirates are bad. I know that, but there are those who can be shady and have ill intentions."

His brows furrowed once he was able to crack his eyelids to corporate by opening them and taking in the building or home, they were taking refuge inside of. Clive didn't even know where he was or what even happened after what happened at the brothel and when he escaped from there.

As he took everything in, his gaze landed on Ember and a small sigh escaped from his slightly parted lips when he took her in, making sure she was okay and not hurt from head to toe.

"No, i'm not hurt. I'm fine. But you were injured so badly. How do you feel now? If there is anymore pain I can heal you some more." She had been protecting this place the best she could, making sure no one found them or any beasts came around either. But even her powers had limits.

Perhaps this day will not be so boring after all.

Zenos lets her ramble until she addresses his own peculiarities. "This is the Resonant, a form of the Echo I claimed for myself. It has its uses.... It is rare that I am able to bear witness to a soul such as yours."

Ember was relieved that he would keep her secret. She then blinked at his question. Why. Well why not. The phoenix was cautious at first, however unlike the twelve and those um how many were they again. Was it four, five. Oh she couldn't remember.

"Seriously. What would you rather me walk around in a chocobo suit, or moogle outfit to mask my identity? Please i've got way more class than some of those who actually masquerade around in costumes to hide who they really are." She forgot about the question for a moment.