ARCHIVED

Catch me on Unicorns!

[phoenixfiiire]

THIS BLOG IS CLOSED

If you want to write with Joshua, head to agloryofuniicorns

[phoenixfiiire]

And that's all folks.

This blog is now an archive and Joshua has been moved to @agloryofuniicorns.

Threads will be continued there if you want to follow me and there's a ton of other muses too.

Hope to see you there!

[phoenixfiiire]

And that's all folks.

This blog is now an archive and Joshua has been moved to @agloryofuniicorns.

Threads will be continued there if you want to follow me and there's a ton of other muses too.

Hope to see you there!

[phoenixfiiire]

And that's all folks.

This blog is now an archive and Joshua has been moved to @agloryofuniicorns.

Threads will be continued there if you want to follow me and there's a ton of other muses too.

Hope to see you there!

[phoenixfiiire]

And that's all folks.

This blog is now an archive and Joshua has been moved to @agloryofuniicorns.

Threads will be continued there if you want to follow me and there's a ton of other muses too.

Hope to see you there!

[phoenixfiiire]

And that's all folks.

This blog is now an archive and Joshua has been moved to @agloryofuniicorns.

Threads will be continued there if you want to follow me and there's a ton of other muses too.

Hope to see you there!

[phoenixfiiire]

And that's all folks.

This blog is now an archive and Joshua has been moved to @agloryofuniicorns.

Threads will be continued there if you want to follow me and there's a ton of other muses too.

Hope to see you there!

[milesducemdominus]

The softened smile upon Aymeric's expression was genuine and it remained all the while that his most prestigious company spoke. Indeed, he'd not expected a visit, and he had received no reminder nor note that such would happen -- but it was no less welcome.

Aymeric's promotion had been unexpected for he had believed one of his brothers in arms far more suited to the position, but he didn't shy away from both the challenge or responsibility when it was offered. A new outlook, a trying time... but he would do his best to continue to be a strength for the Empire.

"We have been re-evaluating our current numbers and position." Aymeric admits, preferring to take the time to do such things to know precisely where they were as a force. "Shuffling some to where they are better suited and such- We may have taken a hit to numbers, but I have no doubts that out strength is still very present, your highness."

[phoenixfiiire]

Joshua found himself struggling to keep from blanching at being addressed so formally. Even if it was technically the title that he was supposed to be referred to with, what with being the Prince Consort, it still rubbed his wrong. Your Grace had been bad enough, but this felt like a whole new level of... formal that he wanted nothing to do with.

"Please. Joshua." One hand was lifted, a small gesture to try to silence the formalities. "The marriage hasn't gone through yet. I'm no royalty of Sanbreque." And he would never be actual Sanbreque royalty, something that Joshua found himself reminded off near-daily with the snide remarks and sharp tongues of others of the court.

"There is nothing that you need?" It was good to hear, it not also strange disappointing. The effort to reach out had been his own idea, but it felt like it was another pointless effort that was going to go to waste like so many of his ideas before now.

[dragonliiight]

His bravado was worth it to see Joshua flustered for just a moment. Because Joshua was so pale it was easy to see the red tint his cheeks almost immediately. Oh, he had embarrassed him.

"Perhaps. You don't seem to be against the idea. Is that a dirty fantasy of yours?" He hummed leaning close to Joshua. Dion knew he was being a bit mean now, but it was just fun to see this Joshua get so flustered. Normally, he tried to pretend he was a lot more flirtatious than he actually was, so it was fun to see Joshua's mask crack for just a moment.

"If you want I can buy you one. A vespa, I mean, but I'd much rather buy you a car. Vespa's aren't exactly the most street safe vehicle."

Dion had to accept the compromise begrudgingly. He wasn't sure why Joshua was so against letting himself be even just a little bit spoiled.

"You should let me spoil you more."

[phoenixfiiire]

"Where would I keep a car?" He laughed as he cuddled up against Dion's side. It was nice sitting out here like this with him. Maybe it was raining, maybe it was gross, but the two of them together felt nice. Almost like they were in an actual relationship with each other.

Which they were, last he checked, but it still feel surreal.

"I still live in a tiny apartment with my brother and no, I'm not officially moving out to live with you until I graduate." It was an arbitrary timeline that he had in place, but it was one Joshua wanted to stick to. For his and his brother's sake.

And part of him was also afraid. What if Dion got bored of him? What if this was just a little fling between the two of them. What if...?

"There's no parking garage. But there is a motorcycle I've been seeing for sale. If you want to spoil me, maybe you could give me so money for it." And not buy it for him, because Joshua knew Dion would balk if he actually saw the condition of the bike.

And he reached up a hand up, pressing it against Dion's chest. Joshua cleared his throat before trying to slink into his sexier persona. "If you do that, maybe you can... keep me locked up in your office for a weekend."

[dragonliiight]

It was a neat enough explanation. However, Dion could not help but feel upset by the development that it was that easy for Joshua to just forget and then not tell him something. Dion said nothing, letting his elbow lean against the rim of the window the carriage, a hand covering his mouth to hide the tense frown tugging t his lips.

He listened quietly, taking a moment to truly think on an answer before responding. Letting his anger get the best of him in this situation was going to help no one, least of all Joshua.

"...Rosaria is deeply religious. I doubt they would accept anyone but a Rosfield leading the dukedom. When your mother subjugated it, I would always hear tails of revolts. They would never accept anyone other than a Rosfield as its ruler."

However, shouldn't the entirety of Valisthea being trying to move past the hierarchies of old? With bearers and magic being no more-- men were truly equal. Would this not be time for them to... change things once and for all?

If only it were that simple. Men no longer had magic so now they were going to fight over something else. Sometimes Dion has to resist the bitter thought that maybe that wretched creature calling itself a god was right-- men were better off without free will.

"Even Martha and Sir Wade, I believe, would want to see you succeed in your father's foot steps. The question is what do you want, Joshua?"

[phoenixfiiire]

He deserved Dion's ire for just how much Joshua had allowed to slip to the wayside. The year following Clive's death had been... he had been terrible. Every responsible that should have been handled had been dropped. So much that he should have remembered had been forgotten. And it was just so... wrong. Even if Joshua hadn't wanted to be the one alive - and he didn't - the choice had still been made and Clive had sacrificed everything for him. Being the way he was meant that everything Clive had given up had been for... nothing.

The thought, mixed with the stiff response from Dion, had Joshua's hands slowly twisting together. His nails weren't really that sharp, but even the blunted ends could dig into the back of his hand as he gripped himself tightly. Something powerful and overwhelming was starting to well up inside of his chest, but it was a feeling that he had to ignore. He didn't have the right to give into it.

"I didn't pay much attention to what was happening in Rosaria while I was with the Undying." Because he had, yet again, failed those who had relied on him. He had given into the path of least resistance and had allowed Cyril to dictate everything he did. There was no saving of Jill, no saving his brother, no saving his people. Everyone, everything had been abandoned all because he was more important.

Why was it really a surprise that he wanted to do the same thing now?

"I haven't been doing anything. Before you came, I barely even got out of bed. Martha and Wade are the ones running it. My presence is barely even in name only; I think most of the people in Rosaria have forgotten about the Rosfields and just remember the people who were there to actually help them." And he blinked at that before staring out his own window, watching the scenery pass them by.

His gaze shifted back to Dion at his final question. "... I want to be with you. Why does everything else have to be so complicated when that's all I want?"

[dragonliiight]

The text message remained unanswered, which was probably for the best. Whatever burgeoning affair this was could be squashed before it really began. Whatever, at least he was able to help Joshua monetarily.

He should probably push for Joshua to get a raise. However, he was just an intern at this point. He should offer him a full time position, then he'd be able to get benefits and health insurance...

A frown as he was thinking on the issue. He was still a student wasn't he? A 40 hour a week job was not completely in the cards for him. Ugh, why was dealing with students so hard?

Dion was shifting through paperwork when he caught Joshua practically glaring at him.

"...Something wrong?"

[phoenixfiiire]

Dion was always so engrossed in his work that Joshua hadn't imagined he would have actually noticed the annoyed stares being shot at him from his intern. The work that he was doing felt pointless and mindless as well; a simple automated computer system could have handled it. Unless Dion just didn't want this information that easily accessible, which was probably the answer because then the Lesage company's shady practices could be found that much easier.

Whatever. That wasn't really his issue. He was just here to do a job the best he could and then head home to worry about his other job. Maybe he'd actually give a response to Larry today and see if he could fish more money from him.

Having Dion suddenly address him, though, completely scattered Joshua's thoughts to the wind. He jolted in place before flushing deeply, immediately looking away. "No. Nothing's wrong." Joshua knew he probably spoke up a bit too quickly.

"... normally you're not here. It's... kinda weird trying to work while you're watching me. That's all." And he couldn't get any coffee while Dion was here.

[valistheanshield]

That pause ate at him, waiting for Joshua to tell him the obviously dire news. He didn't expect things to be good, especially so soon after such a drastic change, but suddenly he could feel this dread clawing at his stomach, making him less hungry than he had been moments ago. His gaze remained on his brother, waiting as patiently as he could, only to hear the expected words. That magic was gone, just as they had intended to have done. It still somewhat ached to know this, to know a part of him that had been there for so long was just gone...much like his hand.

His brows furrowed as Joshua spoke of both he and Jill being unable to reach their Eikons, but still slightly able to feel them, as if they hadn't faded entirely. Clive, momentarily, reached inward. He didn't seek to try and cast, not wanting to risk the curse further if he could still somehow do so, but he could understand what Joshua meant within moments. It felt as if Ifrit were still there, just barely. Embers of the inferno he had grown used to feeling inside. He didn't try to reach for it though, instead leaving them to smolder to nothing.

It was no surprise to hear that the cities were in turmoil, that the Emperor and his ilk were dead, presumed or otherwise, that the Kingdom of Ash was simply gone save for Edda and whatever Waloeders had made their way to Storm prior to Primogenesis. Dhalmekia was struggling, and the Iron Kingdom was in shambles. It was after hearing all this, Clive shook his head, looking to immediately answer the proposed dilemma that Joshua had spoken. "Uncle Byron was supposed to set up a coalition that was to handle that...I think our part is done, at least for now." As strange as it felt to give up responsibility for it, he trusted their Uncle to take care of the task at hand.

"The Imperial Family..." He echoed the previous statement though, his eyes downcast. "So there has been no sign of Dion then?" It was a slight question, glancing to his brother at that. The loss of the Prince was sure to have hurt Joshua badly, and it felt almost crass to press that point, but he wanted to be sure. It was unfortunate that the Prince hadn't been found, he had done a great deal in the fight against Ultima, and it was not right that he wasn't here to celebrate the resulting world they had striven for.

Perhaps it was better he focus on the grief that came with that knowledge, for already part of him wanted to be on his feet and seeking to solve the issues at hand. Even after that statement that Byron should be the one to handle it, Clive still felt some measure of need to act. Not take the rest he had earned. His good fist clenched against the tray, and while he could swear his left hand did the same, a glance was all he needed to know that it hadn't moved even an inch. This would take getting used to.

[phoenixfiiire]

"They are doing much, and without the aid and order that the men he's organized have provided I'm certain there would be more chaos." There was no reason to add a but to that sentence. There was only so much that could be done to stave off the panicked frenzy that was bound to rear its head in a world that was now sans magic. No crystals could work. There were no longer Bearers, though still would be those who bore the scar and brand of being labeled as one.

There had been more than one murder of a Bearer reported, killed out of a misguided belief that they were somehow the cause of this. Even without their magic they still were blamed, and Joshua knew it would take years for that to fully fade. Decades, centuries even. Not until the last Branded died would those resentments fully die with them.

"Perhaps when you're feeling well enough we can think about aiding him, but we've done our part of the battle, Brother. We can give ourselves some time to rest now that Ultima is gone. We deserve it." Though even as he said that, Joshua couldn't help the slight furrow of his brow as his gaze dropped to his lap. It felt alien saying that, and a bit crass. They were Rosfields. Did they really have the right to decide that someone else needed to handle a problem that they ultimately created?

Joshua had skirted over it with his rather matter-of-fact statement, but Clive's direct question forced him to pause. It wasn't something he wanted to think about, but there was no use in denying the truth. "Dion's body hasn't been found, but I do not expect that we ever will find it." There was no way that he could have survived the fall of Origin. In truth, there was no way the two of them should have survived either. That they had was all the miracle that Joshua could have hoped for.

To act like he wanted or was owed more would have been... disrespectful.

Clive's sudden lack of appetite was apparent. Joshua didn't want to push it, but the tray couldn't stay. "Are you finished? I can take it back to the kitchen for you."

[hautevaux]

Vaux didn't know how he felt.

There was a great bitterness in his heart, one that now festered far more strongly than it ever had. He'd spent all of his life clawing his way upward, doing everything he could and more to get him to where he was now, with his own business, with a reputation he believed he deserved - - - his craft known. And now? He was to lose it all, and his bitterness grew for it was something he expected from the world around him. Suffering and misfortune was in the very air, it was only a matter of time before it hit him too.

And now here he was, intending to leave it all.

Damn planet. Damn wars. Vaux may not have appeared so, but he was quite pessimistic, hateful toward the path their future was paving. It would just be suffering, violence, more war...

He's mesmerised, however, when the feather was conjured from simply naught and given to him without hesitation. Long fingers were hesitant, took the beauteous plume as if it was but the most precious thing he had ever held, and momentarily tucked it close to his chest. Whether he truly believed it would offer some kind of protection or not, Vaux didn't yet know - couldn't process - but he would take it at face value at least. Whomever this person was... they were not like him - a bearer of some kind, it appeared, but the tailor's judgement of such folk was kind, not holding the same harshness as others.

"Thank you-" He whispers, somehow finding it within himself to smile. Despite everything, despite his woes and his difficulties, his pessimism and bleak outlook, Vaux could at least take comfort and contentedness from having met this fellow. Some people on the planet made the struggle worth it.

"Perhaps our paths will cross again in the future, whatever it shall hold."

[phoenixfiiire]

The act of conjuring an actual object, one that could be interacted with physically and one that would exist beyond him, was not a power that a simple Bearer would possess. The nature of the object spoke to his true identity as well, though Joshua knew better than to give voice to anything more concrete beyond simply offering the feather. It would be up to the other to put two and two together if he so desired - but, as Joshua had learned, not many people truly cared to do so.

It wasn't out of ignorance. But a desire to have a simple life. Getting involved with people who could do great magics would only ever end in tragedy.

And with that he left. It would be months before Joshua would be able to recall the shop owner, his own life taking an unexpected turn after taking the shard of Ultima inside of him. And when his thoughts finally did wander, he couldn't help but wonder if the other had gotten out alive - and, if so, where he was now.

[pocketfulofgalaxies]

Namine was a soft sort of girl. As she had never actually had live models, at least back when she was in Castle Oblivion. Or when she had lived in the manor. So once Namine had gotten her own body she has been striving to get better at her drawings. Often with animals but as well as her other friends.

She laughed seeing his pose. Alright, so maybe asking him to sit on a log had not been the best thing to ask of him. "You look a little stiff. Perhaps making a funny pose would have been a better thing to ask of you." She'd make it work, somehow.

Was it so hard for her to believe that someone lived out here. Well the answer to that, was yes. "Uh. Well, you see i'm still getting used to the world around me. I'm trying to catch up on things. I guess you could say I have lived a sheltered life." Namine could have said a prisoner, but just telling him the other was a better option.

Namine began to sketch as she continued to listen to him. Hard to remember. Oh. So, like losing his memory. "That's sad. Leaving the other place you had lived."

[phoenixfiiire]

"I did as you asked." But there was no indignation in his tone. If anything, it sounded like he was trying not to laugh. Joshua knew he was no model, and it he was told to just look natural he'd end up looking anything but.

The laughter in his tone quieted down quickly when Namine explained her own situation. There was something in the way she said it that had him suspecting her sheltered life wasn't due to pleasant reasons. Could it ever be? His own life had been so very sheltered when he had been a child, and all because his mother wanted to keep him away from the rest of the world.

Or maybe it was that she wanted to give it to him - but only the reason of the world that she deemed good enough for him. She wanted him to have everything he desired, so long as it matched up with her own expectations.

"I'm sorry. I hadn't meant to imply you were wrong for not knowing that." If she had never really encounter much of the outside world before then maybe she truly never had thought about where the animals lived. It sounded silly, but everyone had to started without any knowledge.

Joshua found he didn't really want to keep focusing on himself in the conversation. "Are you... safe out here on your own? You don't look like you have any weapons on you, but I don't want to presume again."

[dragonliiight]

Joshua quickly tapped no, and Dion shook his head. If he didn't need food or water, then he was likely just tapping his beak on Dion for attention. Dion watched as the bird then fluttered up to sit on his shoulder. He'd grown heavier in recent days-- a sign that his strictly bird days were nearing an end.

However, the bird relaxed and snuggled up again his chin, eyes slipping shut. His feathers were soft, and warm like sitting by a campfire on a gold winter's night.

"What am I to do with you..." He muttered quietly, reaching up to pet the other ever so gently. He was hard to deny in this form because no matter how Dion might deny it-- Joshua was very cute. It was almost a shame that soon he'd have a human form back, but Dion can't say he's not looking forward to not having to take care of Joshua like a pet anymore. And just as Dion expected-- the next morning the bird was gone. He was used to Joshua coming and going, but perhaps, in the birds place would be a young man? "Joshua?"

[phoenixfiiire]

There was a questioning tone in Dion's voice as he called out the Phoenix's name - and did Joshua detect a hint of worry? Of course he was worried. Even if dying and returning was part of his natural cycle, there was still the ever-present what if, and one day the what-if would win. One day he wouldn't come back.

But that was far away, and this was now, and the mischievous and impulsive streak that had grown in him while being a bird hadn't fully left Joshua.

He stepped up quietly behind the dragon, footsteps near-silent as he watched Dion look for him. Closer, closer - then he pounced, hands gripping the other's shoulders tightly.

"Boo."

[aeternxm-aa-deactivated20251113]

overwhelming was an understatement, and axel felt like he understood that more than most of the bearers here. most had settled in well, adjusted to their new life with little difficultly, they'd EMBRACED it. axel can't deny the jealousy when he sees new bearers come in, hope in their eyes for the first time in years and a smile on their faces. it's that realization that they're finally free -- it would be heartwarming if axel could RELATE. bitterness was in his heart -- he couldn't help it. he'd lost good friends in his attempt to escape and sure, cid had done his best to save them -- but it hadn't been ENOUGH.

sometimes you can't save everyone, axel knows this -- but he wished it wasn't so. his friends deserved to be here JUST as much as he did -- more so, even. they deserved freedom, to feel the breeze in their hair -- to see life thrive when it had EVERY reason not to.

there's a METAPHOR somewhere there, axel's sure.

❝ i've thought about it. ❞ it's not a lie, the thought HAS been in the back of his mind for weeks now. the gardens provided safety, an escape -- isolation from the rest of the hideaway. but axel couldn't deny that he felt the need to do MORE -- to pull his weight. he was more than capable of fighting when he needed to, the scars littering his body were PROOF of that -- lessons to be learned ❛ be better. be faster. never give them an opening. ❜

but every time the opportunity presented itself, axel had shied away. maybe it was nerves, maybe something else or maybe... maybe he was just WEAK.

❝ haven't really left the gardens if i'm being honest. it's nice here, calming. ❞ a pause, as if he's debating whether or not the thought is worth speaking out loud. ❝ hesitant to leave. it's nice just... existing, for once. no responsibilities, no orders -- nothing. if i went out there again... ❞ he shakes his head, like he's suddenly thought twice about what he's said and decided he's said TOO much.

❝ think i'm just better suited to staying here -- not sure i'd be much help on the frontlines. ❞

[phoenixfiiire]

There was no shame in admitting that. It was better to be able to know your own limits than to push yourself too far. A little part of Joshua was even a bit jealous; if it had been even remotely appropriate, he might have wanted to do the same himself. Find a nice safe place where he could just be surrounded by things that made him happy and never leave.

Of course he couldn't do that. He was the Phoenix. There was too much that was riding on his shoulders, that he had to take care of. But... the thought that someone else got to enjoy that small bit of peace, someone who wouldn't have been able to otherwise, was... almost as nice.

"It'll be better out there soon." It had to be. Right now there was so much danger and violence, but the Black Shields were all-but gone, and once the rest of the Crystals were toppled then Valisthea would be freed to move forward in a way that didn't force Bearers to the bottom. There would be a period of unrest and unhappiness over that, but any society that was built on the backs of others deserved to eventually come crumbling down.

"I hope you're willing to see it when it is. There's still a lot of wonderful things outside of the Hideaway." Places where the Blight had yet to reach. Places that were safe, even if it was hard to fully trust that.

Joshua offered Axel another smile as he got to his feet. "I should probably leave you to your work. Maybe we'll run into each other again."

[sacredflorist]

Aerith is quite curious about him, about what he went through. She knows very well what it is to be trapped by Hojo. She hasn't forgotten the years she spent in his lab as a child. Of course he was mostly experimenting on Ifalna, and Aerith remembers how her mother was always looking so damn tired because of that. She wonders if Joshua went through something similar, but maybe she's really just projecting. She knows she's the last remaining Cetra, and the Promised Land seems to be Shinra's obsession. It has been this way for a while now.

She offers him a smile. "I was kidnapped recently. You've been there for a while ?" She's looking quickly in the noises' direction, and it took her some time to realize Joshua has slowed down. She looks back at him and raises an eyebrow.

"No, it's not a test. I'm absolutely not with Shinra." She shakes her and before she approaches him, putting her hands together. "I grew up here. A lot happened here, so I guess my memories are still fresh. And I know my friends are the ones attacking right now. We need to move!"

[phoenixfiiire]

She hadn't seemed upset or bothered by this question, which was... a small relief. Too many times he could recall asking just a simple question and earning a harsh rebuke - if he was lucky, it would just be verbal, or a glare, but more often than not it would involve being struck be it by hand or... something else. It taught him quickly that he was best for him to stay quiet, and to keep whatever stray thoughts he had to himself; to do otherwise would prove dangerous.

Of course, the fact that she didn't was maybe more proof that trusting her was a trap. Different didn't always mean better.

The thought was a paranoid one born from his bad experiences, and Joshua found himself pressing his lips together tightly before starting after her. Giving into those thoughts might have been able to keep him safe, but they wouldn't keep him happy. He had to try to trust other people or else what was the point in living.

The fighting was coming from the lower floor, and Aerith was leading them to the elevator. It would take them there, but there was a faster way. Not really more direct, but lesser known, and if ShinRa was on high alert (and it was clear they were) then the two of them were going to keep running into more grunts if they tried to go down the main path.

He reached out to grab her wrist. "This way."

If she went with him, Joshua would take her to a small auxiliary chute off to the side that connected the floors. Each one had it for maintenance purposes, and while no one was really supposed to know they were there, Joshua had seen enough SOLDIERS coming in and out to avoid being detected after hours.