#laniaitte

Yesterday’s question about Charibert prompted a conversation among my friends about other characters in FFXIV who are or might be gay, and somewhere along this train of thought I said something like, “Oh, yeah, and the lesbian Rose Knight with a big crush on Laniaitte...”

To which my friends rightfully responded, “There’s a lesbian Rose Knight?”

...Well, apparently I’d forgotten that I thought about translating this at some point and then I... didn’t do that. Oops? Anyway, here she is...

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE 男の過去、女の未来 "a man’s past, a woman’s future”

悩み深き男 : 私は、祖国のため神殿騎士団に志願しようと思っているのだ。だが従騎士としての修行中は、例外なく「結婚禁止」となる。勲功を立てて、騎士爵を手にするまで何年かかるか･･････。 悩み深き男 : 私には、幼いころに将来を誓い合った女の子がいた･･････。もうずいぶん昔の話で、その子の名前も思い出せなくなったが、もし彼女が、今なお待っていてくれていたらと思うと･･････。 悩み深き男 : その子は、アインハルト家の一門に引き取られたと聞く。アインハルト家の者に聞けば、彼女の行方がわかるかもしれん。どうか探し出し、もう自分を待つ必要はないと伝えてほしい･･････。

DEEPLY TROUBLED MAN: Hail, adventurer. Might I trouble you for a moment? I’ve no dearer wish than to join the Temple Knights and serve for the betterment of Ishgard, but I cannot help but note that knights-in-training are prohibited from marriage. Moreover, none can say how many years may pass ere I win my spurs and claim true knighthood. DEEPLY TROUBLED MAN: In my youth, however, I promised my hand in marriage to a girl mine own age. We were only children at the time, of course, and I cannot now even recall her name. But I worry that she is still waiting for me to return to her after all these years... DEEPLY TROUBLED MAN: I realize this would be a trying thing to ask of anyone, but I would like to find her, and tell her that she needs no longer wait for the boy who promised her that he would love her. I know only that she was eventually taken in as a ward of House Haillenarte. Perhaps someone sworn to the rose will be able to help you track her down.

マリエル : ･･････結婚の約束ですか。言われてみれば･･････そんなことも、あったような･･････？ マリエル : ええ、おそらく私のことだと思います。しかし、今の今まで忘れていましたし、ラニエット隊長に仕えることが生きがいですので、結婚などに興味はありません。 マリエル : 心優しいラニエット隊長に寄り付く悪い虫を退けきるまで、そのようなことに、うつつを抜かしている暇はありませんから！

MARIELLE: ...A childhood promise of marriage? Now that you mention it... why, yes, some such thing might have happened. MARIELLE: Ah, yes, I do remember it now. Indeed, I may have sworn such a vow when I was a little girl. But if it were not for your reminding me of it, I would have wholly forgotten such a thing. I am now sworn to serve Lady Laniaitte, and I have little interest in marriage. MARIELLE: Oh, captain, my sweet captain. Why, just look at the flies that are drawn to her warm heart. I’ll not rest upon my laurels until I’ve exterminated every last pathetic pest that dares to approach my genteel lady!

TRANSLATOR’S NOTES

1. Obviously, I’ve done this with quite a bit of polish. A more clunky and literal approach to what Marielle says about Laniaitte might simply be “I've sworn my life to serving Lady Laniaitte, so I'm not interested in getting married. I'm not going to rest until I've stomped out the filthy insects that keep getting close to her because of her kind heart!" 2. ...I’m about 70% sure the “filthy insect” in question is Emmanellain, but I may be biased as I’m personally very fond of Emmanellain. 3. Both of these characters touch on romantic tropes that are immediately recognizable in Japanese pop culture — the overly-angsty guy who thinks his childhood friend is still waiting for him to marry her, and the girl who worships another girl to the point of rabid protectiveness. The “joke” in this quest is, of course, that they don’t usually intersect... 4. Marielle has a couple of other lines in other quests that allude to her admiration for Laniaitte (things like “Oh, Lady Laniaitte is going to be troubled by this!” and “Lady Laniaitte will be pleased!”), but it’s nothing too crazy. Aside from her one line here, she’s otherwise pretty lowkey about it.

LOCALIZATION Hyur on Hard Times: The Temple Knights are recruiting! It has long been my dream to join their ranks, and soon I shall make it reality. I've told myself I would give anything to be a Temple Knight, but one of their rules gives me pause: we are forbidden from marrying while undergoing training. Hyur on Hard Times: Hearing this brought to mind a promise I made long ago. Given to flights of fancy and romance─as children are wont to be─I promised a girl that we would marry when we came of age. I was just a boy, and to be honest I cannot even remember her name. But I worry she may still be waiting for me. Hyur on Hard Times: All I can recall is she was a ward of House Haillenarte. I realize the chances are slim, but I ask that you find her. Tell her she need not wait for me any longer. I could not bear knowing a girl wastes her life waiting for the impossible.

VERSION A (AUGUST 2015)

House Haillenarte Knight: Several moons ago marked the anniversary of the passing of Ser Chlodebaimt, son of House Haillenarte. He was lost to us in a horrible battle at the Steel Vigil. His sacrifice saved a great many lives that day, and so every year a memorial service is held in his honor.

House Haillenarte Knight: However, the Rose Knights of Camp Cloudtop, defending their post against the Vanu, were not present. Needless to say, their attendance was sorely missed.

House Haillenarte Knight: We've received no missives from Camp Cloudtop regarding the ceremony, but at the very least, I am certain Rontremont wished to pay his respects. He is a good friend, and once served under Ser Chlodebaimt.

House Haillenarte Knight: This was the battle standard raised during the ceremony. It would mean a great deal to me if you would take it to him. Considering he was unable to attend, I think he would be pleased to have it.

Rontremont: Good evening, adventurer. What can I do for you?

Rontremont: This a battle standard from the memorial service? But it's so tattered, ravaged by flame and stained with the blood of battle. It brings to mind memories both dark and lovely.

Rontremont: Never again will I experience battles so grand. We thought ourselves spared having survived the Calamity, but then came the likes of Svara and Safat...

Rontremont: Had it not been for Ser Chlodebaimt, the list of casualties would have been endless. He was a quiet man, but the boldness of his actions spoke volumes. One only dreams of serving under such a fine commander.

Rontremont: I appreciate the sentiment with which this was sent, but I am not worthy of such a precious memento. Lady Laniaitte is his sister, and her heart must surely ache for missing the service. If anyone should have it, it is she.

Laniaitte: Hello there, [PLAYER]. Is there something you need?

Laniaitte: ...The battle standard from Steel Vigil. You are too kind. This is a most unexpected gift.

Laniaitte: My brother was a good person. Insightful, deeply caring, and a man of great integrity. Since taking command here at Cloudtop, I see that more clearly than ever.

Laniaitte: He was loved and respected by everyone, his subordinates perhaps most of all. Our dear brother Francel even transferred to central Coerthas hoping to avenge him someday.

Laniaitte: I thought if I left, transferred to an outpost far removed from that tragedy, the past would simply fade away and I could move on. But to see this...

Laniaitte: I sometimes wonder if his death was the catalyst to spark the decline of our house. But for his sake, I will not let our name be besmirched. I shall always be proud to be of House Haillenarte.

VERSION B (DECEMBER 2015)

House Haillenarte Knight: We recently held a ceremony to honor the passing of Ser Chlodebaimt, third son of House Haillenarte.

House Haillenarte Knight: But I was surprised to see none of the Rose Knights from Camp Cloudtop in attendance. Not that they should abandon the camp, mind you, but at the very least, I expected to see Rontremont or perhaps Lady Laniaitte in attendance.

House Haillenarte Knight: I'm sure she has her reasons for not attending, but Rontremont is a dear friend of mine, and I know how he cared for Ser Chlodebaimt. They worked quite closely together for many years, down to the very end.

House Haillenarte Knight: Which is why I want you to present this to him, the battle standard raised during the ceremony. I am certain he would have attended if he could, and at the very least, I should think he would appreciate a memento from the ceremony. 

Rontremont: Good day to you, adventurer. What can I do for you?

Rontremont: The battle standard of the Steel Vigil. Charred by flame just as I remember. Though there is much I wish I could not remember from that day...

Rontremont: In the wake of the Calamity we were all but defenseless, and Svara and Safat saw fit to give us no quarter... I should hope to never again see a battle so bloody.

Rontremont: He laid down his life for our nation, for the few of us who escaped with our lives. A true leader to the bitter end, and I will always treasure the years spent under him. But I am not worthy of a memento such as this. Though she may be reluctant to accept it, Lady Laniaitte should be the one to have this.

Rontremont: I realize she has her own way to deal with grief, and I suspect that's why she did not attend the ceremony. But in all my years serving House Haillenarte, they have never been the sort to simply let go of family. Please, friend, take the battle standard to her.

Laniaitte: Hello there, [PLAYER]. Is there something you need?

Laniaitte: ...The battle standard from the Steel Vigil. You are too kind. This is a most unexpected gift.

Laniaitte: Chlodebaimt was a good man, always ready to put his men's needs before his own. They were a family, and they mourned his loss like family. Though I wish they had not followed Francel's example.

Laniaitte: He insisted on a post in central Coerthas, hoping to avenge him someday, and Chlodebaimt's men were quick to follow suit.

Laniaitte: But I refuse to dwell on the past, grieving at gatherings year after year. It's not what he would have wanted. Nay, he would have me live my own life, and fulfill my own dreams.

Laniaitte: His passing was a great loss to our house, but such hardships are not unfamiliar to us. Times are hard, but we will move forward. And in time, Ishgard will become the great nation he believed it could be, free of war.

JAPANESE

戦旗の語る落日 “conversations of the battle flag underneath the setting sun”

アインハルト家の騎兵 : 先日、スチールヴィジル防衛戦で命を落とされました、 アインハルト家の三男、クロードバン様の命日があり、 ささやかな追悼式典がございました。 HOUSE HAILLENARTE KNIGHT: We recently held a modest memorial ceremony for Lord Chlodebaimt, the third son of House Haillenarte who gave his life during the siege upon the Steel Vigil.

アインハルト家の騎兵 : しかし、キャンプ・クラウドトップに赴任している、 「薔薇騎兵団」の者たちは、任地を離れるわけにもいかず、 式典に参加することは叶いませんでした。 HOUSE HAILLENARTE KNIGHT: However, the Rose Knights of Camp Cloudtop were unable to leave their posts, and therefore did not attend the ceremony.

アインハルト家の騎兵 : ですが、私の友人であるロントルモンは、 クロードバン様に仕えていた身……。 式典に参加したいと思っていたに違いありません。 HOUSE HAILLENARTE KNIGHT: But a good friend of mine, Rontremont, served under Lord Chlodebaimt for many years... I am sure he would have wished to pay his respects.

アインハルト家の騎兵 : どうか、「キャンプ・クラウドトップ」の「ロントルモン」に、 式典の際に掲げられた「焼け焦げた戦旗」を、 届けてもらえないでしょうか？ HOUSE HAILLENARTE KNIGHT: Would you do me a favor and take the battle standard that was raised during the memorial ceremony? Please, deliver it to Rontremont at Camp Cloudtop.

ロントルモン : 冒険者……？ こんなところに何か用か？ RONTREMONT: An adventurer...? What business do you have here?

ロントルモン : ……これは、スチールヴィジルにかかっていた戦旗か。 黄竜スヴァラのブレスに焼かれて、焦げてるな……。 懐かしい……と言っていいのだろうか……。 RONTREMONT: ...This is... the battle standard that flew over the Steel Vigil... though it’s been burned by the fiery breath of Svara, the golden dragon. How nostalgic... I wonder if those are the right words to say...

ロントルモン : 思い返せば、壮絶な戦いだった。 第七霊災を生き残ったというのに、スヴァラやナウル…… 多くのドラゴン族が襲撃してきたのだからな。 RONTREMONT: Thinking on it now, it was such a magnificent battle. We survived the Calamity, only to be besieged by the likes of Svara and Naul... and then the dragons stormed the Vigil with utter ferocity.

ロントルモン : クロードバン様がいなければ、被害は拡大していただろう……。 寡黙で勇敢で……憧れの上官だったよ……。 私は幸運だった、彼の思いを最後まで受け取ることができたから。 RONTREMONT: If not for Lord Chlodebaimt, the damage would have been much more severe. He was quiet, and brave, and... one could not even wish for a finer commander. I am fortunate to have served him to the bitter end.

ロントルモン : この戦旗は、「ラニエット」様に渡してくれないか。 クロードバン様の妹君である彼女も、式典に参加できず、 悔やんでおいでだったからな……。 RONTREMONT: This battle standard — could you take it to Lady Laniaitte? As she was Lord Chlodebaimt’s younger sister, I am sure she would have wished to attend his ceremony as well.

ラニエット : よく来てくれた、PLAYER殿。 どうぞ、ゆっくりしていってほしい。 LANIAITTE: It’s good that you have come, [PLAYER]. What is it you wish?

ラニエット : ……スチールヴィジルの戦旗か。 気を使わせてしまって申し訳ない。 受け取らせてもらおう。 LANIAITTE: ...The battle standard from the Steel Vigil? I thank you for taking care of this, and receive it humbly. 

ラニエット : クロードバン兄様は、気のまわるお方だった。 この地を指揮する立場になって、よりそう思う。 部下たちにも、とても慕われていたのだ。 LANIAITTE: My older brother was a true gentleman — considerate and attentive. Since taking command of this outpost, I see that now more than ever. He was beloved by every one of his subordinates.

ラニエット : 弟のフランセルが、クルザス中央高地に直接赴任したのも、 クロードバン兄様の雪辱を晴らすためだったのだろう。 LANIAITTE: Our younger brother Francel took his post in the Coerthas Central Highlands to avenge Chlodebaimt.

ラニエット : 断ち切ったつもりだったが……。 こうして遺品のようなものを見ると、 切なくなってくるものだな……。 LANIAITTE: I was trying to cut myself off from it all, but... seeing this final memento of him has brought all those painful feelings back...