#ffvi gaming tomorrow...........................

“Here we are, old girl,” Cidgeon muttered with a pat given to Lovey-Dove as he fumbled with the door in the deepening darkness. Not as dark as Thamasa would be at this hour, no, not with the Vector’s lights scattered about, yet enough to prove the growing lateness. Tomorrow would be another long day in an entirely different way from all the traveling; for now he only looked forward to a bed.

Inside, he lit the lamps and set aside his bag to sort through in the morning while Lovey-Dove fluttered off to the adjoining room. He didn’t have long to linger before an alarmed coo sent him hurrying after her.

She perched on the armchair by the fireplace. Cidgeon’s eyes locked on the figure across the floor in front of the hearth, partially curled in on himself.

“Cabanela.” Cidgeon swiftly crouched next to him. Breath seemed steady. Cidgeon reached out to check his pulse and flinched back, startled at the chill in Cabanela’s skin. Prepared this time, he tried again and found his pulse satisfactory as well, but the man was freezing.

“What have you gotten yourself into this time, boy?” Cidgeon muttered. An ember still smouldered in the hearth—a fire had been burning recently. He prodded it back to life. Cabanela stirred though showed no other signs of awakening. Still, that was a good sign and Cidgeon rose to his feet to frown down at him.

Then he went to Cabanela’s room—pristine and seemingly untouched. So, it didn’t look like he’d made it that far at all today. He pulled away the blanket and pillow from the bed and hauled both back out. This was not how this evening was meant to go. His own bed still called and he didn’t count on seeing Cabanela until sometime tomorrow and that maybe, just maybe, he’d be found asleep in his own bed like a vaguely normal person, ha. No, he knew that evening was a lost cause as he nudged the pillow under Cabanela’s head and threw the blanket over him. He brushed a hand over Cabanela’s face. Even in front of the now-crackling fire his skin still felt icy.

Sighing, he sagged into the armchair. So much for bed; better to keep an eye on things. Lovey-Dove gave a soft coo and took her place back on his head. Nothing to do but settle in, listen to the fire and wait.

Cidgeon snapped awake to the sound of whistling. Kettle, ears supplied and the rest of the evening’s events caught up. The fire was still going, or going again, and the floor was bare and—

“Mooornin’, Prof!”

And Cabanela himself filled his vision, offering a saucer and steaming teacup.

“Decided to stop taking up the floor, did you?” Cidgeon said as he took the tea and eyed him critically. He looked all right.

Cabanela swirled back to the fire and Cidgeon realized there was another cup on the mantle which Cabanela took and cupped close. “You’re back a little earlier than expected,” he said.

“We made good time. Luckily for you,” Cidgeon added pointedly and maybe it wouldn’t have made any difference, but he wasn’t about to let Cabanela slide away this easily. “What happened last night?”

“Sorry I wasn’t up to welcome you baaack. A liiittle nap came on sooner than expected.”

“Nap, right. After coming in from an icebox?”

Cabanela took a sip of tea. “We attempted another infusion.”

Cidgeon jerked. Tea sloshed over onto the saucer. He scowled up at Cabanela. “He was supposed to be done with that. You were supposed to be done.”

“Heeey now.” Cabanela raised a placating hand. “I’m still the only success. The doc wanted to see if more could be dooone. Besides I’m not about to say no to anything that might help here.”

“Yeah? So now what? What’s this new ‘help’ of yours?”

Cabanela gave a loose shrug. “Nothin’. It failed.”

Cidgeon eyed him worriedly. He looked fine, but he also knew many of Asbolus’s other subjects hadn’t fared so well in the past. “Failed? Why?”

Cabanela gave a short laugh. “You think he said anything to me? Not a cluuue I’m afraid. I was out like a light and next thing I kneeew, there was ice everywhere and a few fried machines. He said my magic went out of control, made sure I wasn’t doin’ anything new and sent me on my way. I came back to warm up and there you were!”

Cidgeon ignored the shiny smile. “And what about side-effects? You were freezing last night. How are you feeling?”

“I feel fiiine.” Cabanela danced a few sparks around his fingers. “Magic’s fine. A bit chilled still,” he conceded. “But warmin’ up.”

Cidgeon sighed. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing, boy. Putting yourself into Asbolus’s hands like this; what good will it do you when he goes too far?”

“Who am I to disobey His Majesty’s will?”

Cidgeon snorted.

Cabanela’s expression darkened. “I will get my place back and that means fulfilling my duties.”

“And if they get you killed or worse? What then?”

“I shouldn’t be in this position at all, a ‘near-traitor’ like myself.” Cabanela set his cup aside and spread his arms in a careless display. “But I’m their Magic ‘Knight’. Their ooone and only. The doc may not give twooo whits about me and the Emperor certainly isn’t happy with me. I’m quite certain Beauty would just as soon see me in a prison cell at beeest, but I’m all they’ve got. Not a test subject nor a tool any of ‘em are willin’ to toss aside and that’s to my advantage.”

“Yet.”

“I’d be a fool to pass this up.”

“You’re a fool now,” Cidgeon grumbled. “This ambition of yours had better be worth it.”

Cabanela’s gaze pierced. Back straight, and shoulders set. Even the softness in his voice didn’t cover the fierceness underlying it. “Not a doubt about it.”

No, there wasn’t, was there? Not from that day Cabanela returned, frantic and furious and pleading with him to return to Thamasa to look after a certain princess while he swore he would do everything and anything to rescue a king. He always had been one to hold to his word.

Cidgeon sighed. “Watch your back. You failed Asbolus. He doesn’t take kindly to failures.” What would he try next?

“Of course. But enough about meee. I have to go soon. How did things go?”

And the question in his eyes was clear: how is she?

“Well enough. I’ll be putting my reports together today. Nothing of concern to you.”

Something in Cabanela relaxed and he flashed a smile. “Glaaad to hear it. I should be back for dinner.”

“Then get on with you. Their perfect knight can hardly be late, can he?” And if his tone leaned toward sour, Cabanela gave no notice.

“Now you’re gettin’ it.”

And then he was gone, out the door in a swirl of white. Cidgeon glowered and absently patted Lovey-Dove earning a reassuring coo in return. The worst, well, there were several problems here, but Cabanela wasn’t exactly wrong. They could have simply taken him prisoner, locked him in Asbolus’s labs for the goddesses only knew what else, but he was still useful. Mutual use it seemed—a precarious balance, yet if anyone could walk that fine line it was him.

The guidelines:

I’m open to the following fandoms: FFXV, FFVI, Kushiel’s Legacy, Dragonriders of Pern, Wheel of Time, Stardew Valley

This doesn’t have to be romantic/sexual love

I don’t write reader inserts. I’d also prefer not to get 100 Gladnis prompts. They are one of my OTPs, but I want to stretch a bit with this. Pairings I’m interested in: FFXV - Ignyx, Gladignyx, Crownyx, Promdy, Promnea, Aracrowe, OT4/Polyship Roadtrip. My other OT4 - Gladnis + Crownyx.  FFVI - Daryl/Setzer, Daryl/Celes, Daryl/Setzer/Celes. My other fandoms, I don’t have specific pairs I enjoy. I mean, you are welcome to ask for any pairing! This section may change, so check back

Which brings us to: let me know if you want me to write in canon or an AU. It can be one of my established AU’s (Dragons, Sacred). It can be in a canon based setting I already play in (WWH).  You can suggest an entirely different AU premise.  I’ll write in Verse 2. I’ll write Everybody Lives.  I’ll write Fix It. Etc. Note - I’m very open to Gladnis prompts in all three of the listed worlds I already write within as well as other creative AU’s. <3

This will not be on a schedule. My intent with this list is to have a go-to source of prompts for when I need a break from my WIP.  Eventually I plan to publish it on AO3, but that is a long ways off.  I have been posting to Tumblr as I complete them, and completed drabbles are listed below. Those set in the worlds of Sacred, Dragons, or WWH will be cross-posted into those fics’ series listings on AO3 as well.

YOU MAY SEND MULTIPLE PROMPTS!

To make a request: send me an ask with the following. If there are more than one you’d like, you may send more than one.

Fandom(s)

Pairing (or character(s) if non-romantic)

Is NSFW ok?

Prompt from the list

Canon or AU (if AU you may specify or leave it to me)

Any additional notes

Now, on to the list of prompts! Links are included to all completed pieces.

   “Pull over.  Let me drive for awhile.” FFXV - Gen, post-canon

   “It reminded me of you.” FFXV, Ignyx or Crownyx, Coffee Shop AU

   “No, no, it’s my treat.”

  “Come here.  Let me fix it.” FFXV, Gladnis

  “I’ll walk you home.”

   “Have a good day at work.”

   “I dreamt about you last night.” FFXV/KL, <spoiler>, Sacred AU

   “Take my seat.” FFXV, Gladnis

  “I saved a piece for you.” FFXV, Crownyx, WWH

   “I’m sorry for your loss.”

   “You can have half.” KL, platonic Alais & Imriel

   “Take my jacket, it’s cold outside.” FFXV, Gladnis

   “Sorry I’m late.” FFXV - Ignis & Crowe (Platonic)

  “Can I have this dance?” FFXV, Ignyx

   “I made your favourite.” FFXV, IgNoct, pet play

   “It’s okay.  I couldn’t sleep anyway.” FFXV, Pairing TBD

   “Watch your step.” SDV, TBD

   “Here, drink this.  You’ll feel better.” SDV, platonic Harvey & Maru

   “Can I hold your hand?” FFXV, Gladnis

   “You can borrow mine.” FFXV, platonic Ignis & Regis

   “You might like this.” FFXV, Gladnis, Vampire AU

   “It’s not heavy.  I’m stronger than I look.” FFXV, Gladnyx, Artificial AU

   “I’ll wait.” FFXV, Aracrowe

   “Just because.” FFVI, TBD

   “Look both ways.”

   “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to.”

   “Try some.” KL, Imriel/Sidonie/Amarante

   “Drive safely.”

   “Well, what do you want to do?”

   “One more chapter.” SDV, platonic Shane & Jas or Sam & Vincent

   “Don’t worry about me.” FFXV, Crownyx, Everybody Lives AU

   “It looks good on you.” FFXV, Promptio, BDSM

  “Close your eyes and hold out your hands.” FFXV/KL, <spoiler>, Sacred AU

   “That’s okay, I bought two.”

   “After you.”

   “We’ll figure it out.” FFXV/DoP, Crownyx, Dragonscourge AU

   “Can I kiss you?” FFXV, Promptio

  “I like your laugh.” FFXV, Promptio

   “Don’t cry.” FFVI, Celes/TBD

   “I made this for you.”

  “Go back to sleep.”

   “Is this okay?” FFXV, Gladnisnyx

   “I picked these for you.”

   “I’ll drive you to the hospital.”

   “What do you want to watch?”

   “You can go first.” FFXV, platonic Ignis & Noctis, Verse 2

  “Did you get my letter?” FFXV, Gladnis, pre-game

   “I’ll do it for you.”

   “Call me when you get home.” FFXV, Nyxnoct

  “I think you’re beautiful.” FFXV/KL, Aracrowe, Sacred AU

   “Are you sure?” FFXV, OT4

   “Have fun.”

   “Sit down, I’ll get it.”

   “I made reservations.” SDV, SFW Angie/David, Star Burst

   “I don’t mind.”

  “It brings out your eyes.” FFXV, Promptio

   “There is enough room for both of us.” FFXV, Prompto/Cindy/Aranea

   “You don’t have to say anything.”

   “Wow.”

   “Happy birthday.”

   “I’ll pick it up after work.”

   “It can wait until tomorrow.”

   “Cross my heart and hope to die.”

   “It’s two sugars, right?” FFVI, Celes/Terra

   “I’ll help you study.” FFXV, platonic Ignis & TBD

   “Stay over.” FFVI, Daryl/Setzer

  “I did the dishes.” FFXV, Promptio

  “You didn’t have to ask.” FFXV, Gladnis or Ignyx

   “I bought you a ticket.”

   “You’re warm.” FFXV, OT4, Verse 2

   “No reason.”

   “I’ll meet you halfway.” FFXV, Ravnea

   “Take mine.” FFXV/KL, Lunafreya, Sacred AU

   “We can share.” FFXV, Gladignyx, WWH

   “I was just thinking about you.”

  “I want you to have this.” FFVI, Daryl/Maria, pre-canon

   “Call me if you need anything.”

   “Do you want to come too?” FFXV/SDV, <spoiler>, Crossover AU

   “I’ll still be here when you’re ready.” FFXV, Promptio, WoR

  “Is your seatbelt on?” FFXV, Gladnoct

  “Sweet dreams.”

   “I was in the neighbourhood.”

   “Stay there.  I’m coming to get you.” FFXV, Crownyx, pre-game/KG

   “The key is under the mat.” FFXV, Promptio

  “It doesn’t bother me.” FFXV, Ignyx

   “You’re important too.” FFXV, Gladnis

   “I saved you a seat.” WoT, Moiraine/Siuan

   “I’ll see you later.”

   “I noticed.” FFXV, Ignyx

   “You can tell me anything.” FFXV, Gladnis

   “I hope you like it.” FFXV, Gladignyx, Sacred AU

   “I want you to be happy.” FFXV, Gladnoct

   “I believe in you.”

   “You can do it.”

   “Good luck.”

  “I brought you an umbrella.” SDV, Elliot/TBD

   “I’ll pick you up at the airport.”

   “Take a deep breath” FFVI, Setzer/TBD

“Be careful.” FFXV, platonic Gladio & Iris

here, i will expand on that. by saying that they are plays, i don’t mean they’re staged shows so much as i mean that they are play scripts, of the sort you have probably encountered in various language/literature classes that include theatrical stuff as texts to study, the standout here being teaching shakespeare as literature. and actually, older drama is very good for illustrating this point, because the scripts have very simple direction, with much room for interpretation and ambiguity. this describes old sprite-based final fantasy games very well. i would argue that playing a 2-D final fantasy game is much like reading plays as literature. the characters, with their makeup and costumes, being squished into 16-bit sprites, introduced with a short line (“a mysterious young woman, born with the gift of magic, and enslaved by the gestahlian empire…”)? dramatis personae. characters moving on simple grid backdrops as simple blocking instructions and set design guidelines. the sprite games had a very few simple signifiers, such as animations-of-the-sprite or thought-bubbles-with-hearts-in-them etc. to communicate the character’s emotional state during scenes, functioning like [angrily], [enamored], or [shocked] direction notes in a play script. and, of course—the silence of it all, dialogue standing alone and quiet, with none of the grounding and contextualization and narration to peer into character’s inner lives that happens in novels or other forms of literature. there is, in old-school final fantasy games, a level of ambiguity unavoidable in the final product that simply could not have made it past storyboards in modern games.

for a general dramatic example, consider kain’s little mind-control problem throughout ff4 (the character, best friend of the hero cecil, is mind-controlled by main antagonist golbez to turn him against those he loves, whose magic can prey on kain’s jealousy, resentment, and insecurity festering in those relationships to effect the mind control). we are given bare, silent dialogue and flat animations to communicate the character’s struggle to control himself and his regret and shame following episodes of this, because it’s a sprite game. (given this, is it any wonder that this character so often falls flat with players)? for a general comedic example, consider the character of ghido, in ff5—a wise old turtle mentor figure, providing the heroes with guidance, assistance, and truly scathing sarcasm (“what the warlock seeks is in the great forest of moore.” “the forest of moore?” “trees, my dear boy, lots of them”). imagine what a voice actor and animator with good comic timing could do with that character.

and for an example of how much is left ambiguous: consider ffvi’s opera aftermath. not the actual performance—the scene immediately following, that introduces and establishes setzer’s character, that demonstrates celes’ cleverness, ruthlessness, and chutzpah, that develops locke’s relationship with celes and sabin’s with edgar’s by revealing the truth behind an event (at that point) long past. with the dialogue as script, the animations as rough blocking and directions, and the characters’ sprites as guidelines for costuming—give that, a brief synopsis of what happened before and character personalities, and time to workshop and rehearse to five good actors, they should be able to deliver three or four or more variations on that scene that communicate radically different things without much difficulty.

and beyond acting: costume design, set design, lighting, all of these things are communicative. is the blackjack interior well-kept? is it in disarray? is it perfectly orderly, but covered in dust? these things tell us different thing about the airship, and about its owner. and—recreating setzer’s costume, such as his coat, from the sprite (ignoring concept art and going solely on what’s in the game itself): is it old, or new? in good condition? in a state of disrepair, or obviously-has-been-repaired? is it heavy and stiff, or light and easy to wear? does it fit setzer perfectly, or is it too large or too small? how does he wear it? all of these things, again, inform the character and thus the scene differently. all of these are necessarily left ambiguous because of what a sprite game is and how it must work.

now, of course there are some key differences, but even these can inform and inspire analyses in fun ways. the biggest difference is that the custom is, in serious game thought, to consider each of these individual games their own discrete text, finished, complete, whereas in theater, a script that is unperformed is incomplete. the performances and realizations of the script are needed for the thing to be fully complete. consider how this does and does not apply to remakes, re-rereleases in analysis!

to be honest, this lens of formal analysis is something i think about a great deal when it comes to ffxiv—because although the array of resources to draw from is much larger than the sprite games, i still think about actions as stage directions and blocking in the majority of content—how it is rare for characters to perform actions other than the basic player-accessible emotes or stock npc emote actions, and thus by so doing imbue the scene with extra meaning (e.g. zenos’s hauling yotsuyu up by her hair, both his action and her pained expression and pose in response). in this simple formal way, ffxiv is itself (inadvertantly or not) a classic throwback.

and speaking of classic throwbacks within the series as a whole—consider ff9, the origin itself of the theater ship prima vista that we’ll be seeing tomorrow. the entire game is heavy with the history of the games prior that it chooses to make public and displayed rather than more layered in and circumspect; it is also riddled through and through with references to theater. and i am not sure these things—this choice for their self-conscious and self-celebrating flagship game—was unconnected, unconscious. the theatrical elements of ff9 are surface (the protagonist is an actor on that theater ship prima vista, there are play scenes both as opening and as closing) and structural: characters have soliloquys and asides, the five-act structure is followed religiously.