an empress in the making

an ffxiv rp blog relative to the trials and tribulations of corrina de haillenarte - crystal server

[roleplaymemeworld]

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓'𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧 ‘𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮’ 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 ღ  

“Here, take my jacket. You look cold.” “Waking up next to you is my favorite thing of the morning.” “You look beautiful.” “I made your favorite food, because you weren’t feeling your best.” “I brought you flowers to brighten your day a little.” “You can always call me, even in the middle of the night.” “Everything is more fun when you’re around.” “Why would I watch the stars, when I can look at you instead?” “Come under my blanket, I know you’re freezing.” “Please be careful out there.” “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” “Your flaws are the best parts of you.” “Home is wherever you are.” “I don’t care what happens, as long as we’re together.” “Promise you’ll never leave.” “Your hand fits perfectly in mine.” “I’d do anything for you, you know that.” “I want us to grow old together.” “You have made me a better person.” “I’ll always try to make you happy.” “Of course I worry about you. You’re important to me.” “I belong right here with you.” “I’ll stay with you. I don’t want you to be alone.” “Let me take care of you.” “I heard you couldn’t sleep, so I made you some tea.” “I’m only me when I’m with you.”

[anempressinthemaking]

House Haillenarte Wedding!

You are cordially invited!

To a beautiful wedding in The Pillars of Ishgard! Celebrate with House Haillenarte as one of their very own finally ties the knot in holy matrimony. We’ve got wine! We’ve got cake! But most importantly, we’ve got ways for you to win the noblewoman’s hard-earned gil in contest prizes!

The Most Dashing Chocobo!  - Join the wedding party in a parade from Saint Reymanaud’s Cathedral and through The Architects. Show off your chocobo’s best and most creative barding for a chance to win 200k.

The Fury’s Fight!   - Finished with all of that wedding wine? Ate yourself half to death on wedding cake? Burn it all off with a good, ol’ fashioned brawl in the name of Halone, the Fury! Winner of the wedding brawl will take home 500k!

Find details in the carrd below! This is a public social/contest event, so bring your best Ishgardian wear and companions! We hope to see you there!

Event: The Most Holy Union of Alden Kramm & Corrina de Haillenarte   Date: September 25th, 2020 Time: 6 PM EST Server: Balmung Carrd Info/Sign Up Link: https://househaillenartewedding.carrd.co/

[anempressinthemaking]

Moonlit Reflection - #1

((CW: Mental Health - Depression )) 

- A gentle night on the shores of the Moraby Drydocks, the Lady Haillenarte has drifted rather far from home to reflect quietly in a place others cannot find her. The only witness to her plight is the Lighthouse of Oschon’s Torch.

I’m rather lonely.

Not … physically. No, my cohort is filled with an unfathomable love and loyalty that I know I am the most undeserved to possess. The Fury’s will to put these people in my path despite everything that has happened in my life has been the Goddess’ greatest gift to me. I dare not hide my gratitude for each and every one of them, and I do whatever it takes to express it to each of them.

Yet, I cannot deny the fact that I am still lonely.

I have heard the phrase ‘It is lonely at the top.’ Or, one that had been uttered to me in the middle of my chambers from lips that I once believed that I loved. ‘Lonely is the head that wears the crown.’ I tried to correct him, of course. The phrase is ‘heavy is the head that wears the crown’, but when I told him such, he simply looked at me and chuckled. ‘One day, you shall know what I mean.’

You were right.

I’ve never been diagnosed with depression, but I am starting to wonder if it has taken its hold on me. Psychoanalysis has never been a well-learned study of medicine within Ishgard, and thus, I doubt there are any, actual chirurogen within my city that can help me comprehend just what it is that I have been feeling. There is this … guilt that I cannot seem to erase. This agony that’s nested within my head like an egg that is waiting to hatch and spread its wings throughout my body. It will not let me free.

It is strange for a woman of my success and stature to feel. Most would mock me for it, certainly. I am wealthy and grounded, intelligent and, in some opinions, beautiful. There are many layers to me that would be satisfactory in the possession of another. If they had my life, they would be so damned happy.

Why can I not be happy?

My mind is filled with a thousand solutions. A thousand wishes that I want to grant with my own, bare hands. A thousand ways to rise up and empower myself beyond my Ishgardian roots. The Navigator’s implanted a seed inside of me that beckons me to the other corners of this star and urges me to stake my claim until I have touched on every land and made new roots. I yearn for this feeling more than most things. At times it is so strong that I find myself fleeing Ishgard at every opportunity – seeing it for the gilded cage that it truly is.

Restraining. Choking me.

I have to be a good Lady in Ishgard. I have to mind myself. Outside, in Aldenard. Vylbrand. Hoshu and Othard. I have tasted freedom and now I never want to go back. I want this entire star, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get it.

I suppose that is why I am lonely. My avarice is starting to take its toll. I cannot be satisfied with what I have, and thus, there creates a distance between those who are and me – who is not. I cannot just be a Lady of Ishgard and keep my silence behind the borders of Coerthas. My city is thriving. My policies are taking effect. But that no longer satisfies me.

I need more.

In my desire for more, plenty have been wounded. Pain and blood and death now follow my footsteps. Every yalm I take across this land does not go unhindered. Because it is done by my order, I treat it as if it were my very hand. The blood stains me – not those who act within my name. And it is so painful. It is a hurt that I never want anyone else to experience.

I ache for it. This dream of touching every corner of this star and leaving my mark. I sweat, bleed, cry, and lose sleep for this dream. I selfishly keep it, and its consequences, to myself.

And I am very, very lonely.  

Can I drink this away? Can I insert all of the intoxicants inside of me until I can feel a semblance of happiness? Forget temporarily in the arms of my betrothed? Make love until the sun comes up or the moon shines bright and let the pleasure fix me? It is not working. Why is none of it working? Am I broken? This depression is far too grand. Why does it have such a hold on me?

I want someone to see how lonely I am. Even if I cannot share with them this crown, I want them to know that every onze of suffering is worthy to bring to them this world that I yearn to make. So they will look upon me and see a Lady truly worth following. A Lady worthy of their love, their loyalty, and their faith.  

I’m rather lonely.

Why can I not be happy?

[anempressinthemaking]

stirring the flames of war

There was nothing left but ash.

Cinders even still burned, a crater left in place for what was once one of the most elaborate restaurants in Kugane. The depths of the underground entertainment stage had been consumed in the flame just as well, leaving naught but a space that acted like a graveyard for the fallen that met their end on that fateful night. The force of the Sekiseigumi had been swift in answering the call of the fire – yet, it had been far too late. By the time any soul took witness to what had befallen the others, nothing remained but ash and bone.

A bouquet of flowers cradled upon her arms as she approached. Two guards – under the guise of Hingan mercenaries based tightly in their haori and sandals – walked at a distanced trail, keeping eye on those along the path as their mistress approached the vicinity and beheld the damage for the first time since her cohort’s escape. All was quiet in the surroundings – postings implanted around to keep others mindful of the danger of being on unstable ground. Yet, the unstable ground was black, hardened and void of any hint of life. A true display of destruction.

Ring, ring. Even in times of melancholy, her linkpearl never ceased.

“Lady Haillenarte, I do hope you know that you are being watched.”

Her heart galloped inside of her chest at the voice. As she stood in the blackened ground, her eyes narrowed at the sound, and her voice faded behind the weight of gravitas that sought to take hold of her figure. The other end chuckled, a masculine, ripe sound of amusement.

“No greeting for me? We were growing so close, I believed. We nearly perished together above the Basin, even. Or do you not remember me breaking an arm to protect you when the airship shifted?”

Intuition told her to say nothing. To simply listen as the husky voice of the Garlean Praefectus continued to speak – cruelty dripping from every onze of his tongue. Her eyes glared back over her shoulder, flitting from left to right to observe her surroundings and finding absolutely nothing but the graveyard of the dead.

“Lady Padma told me you were so much smarter than that. That you were focused upon the future. You held no care for either side of the war, you wanted to build something substantial for your family. I respected that. I respected you.”

As long as he were willing to speak, she knew. She would remain alive to hear it. The arms of the Elezen descended to place the flowers upon the grave site – her eyes glinting as something is seen in the midst of the crumbled ashes. With a stretch of her fingers, she picked up a piece of paper, observing the drawing on the edge. Aether bled off of the paper’s surface, magic interwoven within the sheets to protect it during the worst. Blood splatters layered across the image, dried prints covering the face of a little girl smiling. The Elezen hitched her breath, lifting the picture to her chest to embrace it while her face contorted in tearful regret.

“We would have been such wonderful partners, Lady Haillenarte. But, you’ve chosen your side, and I shall indeed protect mine. Continue to supply our enemies with Skysteel weaponry, and I will be unable to protect you, dear. You’d like to continue to explore the beautiful corners of Kugane, wouldn’t you? Tell me, are you even apologetic for what transpired under your watch? If it were me, I would’ve never allowed my people to act like such thugs.”

“Enough, Praefectus Valvus…” Her words are whispered out, standing, and turning quickly towards the edges of the pathway. Her footsteps echoed as she departed from the scene, the voice on the line chuckling to finally rouse a tone from the Ishgardian noble.

“Now she speaks. My dear, you have not seen nearly enough of what happens to those that displease me. Ah, but you will. You most certainly will.”

The steps have quickened to a run. Driving her as far from the place as possible, her hand ripped the linkpearl from her ear and cast it aside into the nearest river as soon as the opportunity rose. A new frequency and replacement would be the first on her list of priority, but after paying her respects, she knew to no longer embark on the shores of Kugane without adamant protection. Protection she required – hands who would not be afraid to strike and kill as need be.

“If it is war you wish for, Praefectus, it is war I shall give you.”

[anempressinthemaking]

“Welcoming the dusk to the dawn in the Royal Menagerie. Ala Mhigo has its treasures.”

[rpmissionboard]

Deep Red - I’m in love with you. Red - I love you. Pink - I think you’re cute. Blue - You’re amazing. Rose - You’re pretty Purple - You’re hot. Plum - I would fuck you. Violet - I would date you. Aqua - I could stay on your blog for hours. Lavender - You are my tumblr crush. Orange - I want to get to know you. Tangerine - We have a lot in common. Amber - I wish you would notice me. Cream - I don’t talk to you but I really love your blog. Beige - I don’t know you at all. Yellow - I don’t like your blog. Green - I don’t like you. Olive - I think you are unattractive. Brown - I hate you. Grey - You scare me. Black - Delete your tumblr. White - FACEBOOK/MSN/other means of contacting you PLEASE

[mooglemeet]

Hello! If you’re an active Final Fantasy XIV blog — roleplaying, aesthetic, etc. — could you please reblog this post? It’ll serve as a reference point for people who are looking for new blogs to follow to see who is active from April 1st (not a fool’s joke, I assure you!) and onward!

[anempressinthemaking]

“The fireflies are lovely at this time of night.” “I can think of something more lovely to look at.” “Oh? Do share.”

[anempressinthemaking]

Family Meeting #16 - The Missing Cache

~ The Target: A missing magitek cache, approximately 79 x 36 x 20 ilm in dimension identified with the following patterns – one, marked sigil of a silver lion’s crest on the box on the bold colors of blue, darksteel corners along the edges for sealing, and evidence of circuits traversing along the sides of the metallic box.

“Level of danger?”

“Consider what it possesses inside, cousin, and you’ll know.” The folder is lifted down towards the Haillenarte from the Machinist – the Rose’s insignia bore proudly onto the jacket that he’d possess on his person. His gaze appears resolute, arms crossed over his chest to observe the shorter figure of the woman before him. “It is my utmost recommendation to obtain the contents of said cache before it is able to be used. What happened in Idyllshire could most certainly happen again.” “Agreed. I’ve hired investigators to pinpoint the source of where the cache could have gone – along with the men who were tasked to find it and disrupt the supply line,” Corrina states, her eyes gazing down onto the folder to pry it open and observe the contents. “This should contain what they require for the initial search?” “If there is anything missing, we’ve got the means to find it.” Stephanvien smiles brilliantly, waving a confident hand up in salute towards the other Haillenarte.

Folder Contents: • Five witness statements from identified scouts that depict a melee that took place near The Ninth Vale in West Coerthas. They are of House Dzemael and can be found in Falcon’s Nest. • A map of Coerthas, pinpointing Falcon’s Nest and the surrounding areas as well as markings that spot around the location of the Ninth Vale. These markings are color-coded, representative of fallen soldiers, a blood trail, and aetheric findings in the snow that lead to other areas. • Sketched images of the cache. • A list of what is inside of the cache. Supplies of unstable ceruleum, gunpowder, explosives, and weapons can be ascertained to be contained from within, with possible missing items.

[anempressinthemaking]

“The sky is quite blue here in Terncliff. The travels outside of Coerthas have been most informative.” 

[anempressinthemaking]

A Contract of Employment

Here stands a commenced agreement on this day, (Insert Date Here), between Corrina de Haillenarte of House Haillenarte, the Rose of Ishgard, and (Insert Name Here.)

Underneath the Ishgardian Republic’s Employment Law item level 43.7, Section 2, The Hire of Foreign Personnel, by the protections of the honorable House of Lords & House of Commons, (Insert Name Here) is now recognized as an official employee of The Coerthan Rose Emporium, LLC.  Official title of hire is (Insert Favorable Title Here) with an agreed salary of (Insert Favorable Gil Title Here) gil per month. The following duties are, henceforth, agreed between employee and employer:

·         Representation of House Haillenarte during times of duty.

·         Recognition of Ishgardian authority figures within Coerthan borders.

·         Obedience of Ishgardian law and order within Coerthan borders.

·         Completion of assigned duty.

·         Presentation of any and all issue that may hinder the employee from performing said duty in an adequate manner.

·         Open communication between employer and employee pertaining to said duty or other matters in which the duty may be affected.

Provided accommodations arranged to the employee will be based upon an at-need criteria, relative to the necessity of the employee in order to complete arranged employment needs. Housing, transportation, armor, and weapons are covered underneath the Emporium’s financial budget, in which the employee has access to at any time to complete their duties. Permission is granted for the following use with said budget:

·         Living expenses.

·         Travel.

·         Other work-related activities: see, Eorzean Alliance defense, adventuring.

·         Food and drink.

·         Family.

·         Health.

Access to the following facilities are at the employee’s discretion for their needs:

·         The Skysteel Manufactory - Ishgard

·         Camp Cloudtop – Abalathia’s Spine

·         The Skyfire Locks – Coerthas

·         The Haillenarte Manor - Ishgard

·         Grayve’s Masonry – Ala Mhigo

·         The Blue Isle Skies of Bafuru the Grand – Costa del Sol

·         The Garlean Consulate Armory – Kugane

·         Various merchant shops in Sapphire Avenue – Ul’dah

·         Various merchant shops in the Pillars and the Jeweled Crozier – Ishgard

This contract is public record and will be stored in the Ishgardian Parliament Archives in recognition of Foreign Personnel. A decree of Ward shall be attached to (Insert Name Here) for smooth navigation through Ishgardian borders. We welcome you to our most humble employ.

Signed,

Corrina de Haillenarte Bastian Bordelois de Haillenarte

[anempressinthemaking]

Getting down with @heikotheimperial during Moonfire Faire 2020 on Balmung. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1k8QaKQGXE - What was playing during this gif. 

[anempressinthemaking]

[deeplifequotes]

“Tell me every terrible thing you ever did, and let me love you anyway.”

— Sade Andria Zabala

[anempressinthemaking]

“Much I can learn under the shade of an orange tree.”

[anempressinthemaking]

“I have made good investments and dirty ones. To be a country richer or morally correct? Decisions...” 

[anempressinthemaking]

Monetarist Meeting # 7 - Journey to Kugane

On the docks of Pier #1 in Kugane, the regal Ishgardian, Corrina de Haillenarte, joins with her Monetarist ally, the lalafellin Padama Padma, to meet with Hancock at The Ruby Bazaar and start a new chapter in her financial journey…

“Lady Haillenarte, we’ve made it!” The voice of the Roegadyn Captain, Loetlora, foretold of their naval journey coming to an end. The crystal waters of the Glass Ocean had been a difficult transition for one who had never taken to the ocean. Shifts in the weather saw to the ship’s turbulent journey over the waves, and by the time they’d port to Kugane? The Haillenarte truly knew what it meant to be seasick. By the strength of Halone did she dock the Piers #1 without completely unraveling then and there.

“Corriiiiina!” The excited voice is tainted with a haughty laugh. To the right of the Piers, Padama Padma waved towards the group that exited the naval vessel – her eyes clouded with sunglasses and her hair pulled into a tight, Hingan bun on top of her lalafellin head. The decorative cheongsam coursed around her frame, and she waddles upright towards her with an entourage of finely-tailored Hyur native moving with every step.

“Oh, how was the journey, my dear?” Padama raised a hand to take the Haillenarte’s gingerly, bringing her forth through the Piers and into the hustle and bustle of the Far Eastern city. The area conjured to magnificent life – the Hingan citizenry converting, selling, trading. Wealth oozed from the ports of Kugane, promising an upcoming future for growth. Being guided through the streets, Corrina paused at certain spots to take in the surroundings.

“Long. Very nauseating,” Corrina confessed honestly, her aquamarine eyes lingering towards the Thavanarian and Garlean Consulates with arched brows. “How fares Lord Lolorito and the rest of the Trading Company?”

“Profits are just sky-rocketing, especially due to the war efforts at the Ghimlyt. The Garleans are doing what they can to import as much goods as possible, here,” Padama answered with a chortle, a tiny, Hingan fan slowly drifting across her face as they strode through the Kugane streets. “You’ll come to find your desires to establish a ballistae trade here to be promising, my Lady. Hancock is just dying to meet you and your men.”

“Mmn,” Corina retorted with a hum. When she paused in front of the Consulate, the ‘tsk’ that rose from her lalafellin companion’s lips are ripe with disappointment. A pale discoloring faded through Corrina’s visage, then. “The Garleans are doing rather well here in the Far East, aren’t they?”

“They did lose their stronghold on Doma, unfortunately. Which did cut quite a drastic bit into their spending. Some madmen and women also attacked their armory a while ago,” Padama explained, the fan slowly drifting across her petite face. “Rumor has told me, however, that they’re gathering quite the force to contest the interference of the Warror of Light and the other forces of Eorzea. So you, my dear friend, may have quite the contracts ahead of you.”

“…You truly do not expect me to work with Imperialists, do you, Lady Padma?” Corrina asked the woman with surprise, her footsteps continuing on as they’d head for the Ruby Bazaar around the corner. Padama’s laughter filled the air then, her head tilting back as the haughty sound floods the immediate atmosphere.

“Why not, Lady Haillenarte? Gil is gil, my dear, and aren’t we all just cogs in this machine called life? It is not your duty nor mine to pick a side in this war. It is, however, our duty to profit from it. Let the warriors figure out who deserves what land. We are our own masters, and we create our own empires.”

The words made her think. Contemplation wormed into the mind of the Haillenarte and the group approached the Ruby Bazaar. Padama’s tiny form bowed in the direction of the Elezen and her retinue, her men crowding around to join her on the opposite side.

“I shall see you at your rental on the coast of Shirogane, my dear friend. Acclimate yourself to the surroundings, enjoy your time spent here. When I see you next, you will be a continent richer and all the more happy for it.” The Monetarist grinned towards her, turning to depart with a Far Eastern bow. Corrina watched her leave, her arms folded underneath her chest. Towards the Ruby Bazaar did she turn, afterwards. Morality began to stammer within her mind, bringing forth her own ethics about the war of the Garlean Empire and the Eorzean Alliance. The alliance in which her city, Ishgard, actively participated within. Did her personal wealth matter over the ‘greater good’?

She had to choose a side, did she not?