#augustine seymour

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

Ghimlyt Dark: Behind

Something wasn’t right.  Mathye sidestepped an imperial’s spear, bringing down his cane full force on the man’s skull.  Behind him, heat coalesced and turned into fire, Sebastian raining down a shower of flames upon their foes.  Augustine was a blur of white and blue as he danced around the duo, shield and sword flashing as he cut down charging opponents.  And Reinhardt was death falling from the skies, cherry-picking off machinma and commanders.  Normally against such might, the Garlean ranks would have been broken.  And yet...

“There’s too many!”  The warning was all Sebastian could get out before his hands, his mind was full of fire and ice, godsdamnit why wasn’t there a fucking opening?!  From behind him a wave of Alliance forces charged, shields emblazoned with the symbol of the Immortal Flames rising to slam into the enemy, giving the black mage a reprieve.  Sebastian dropped his arms--and then felt his knees give way.  His energy suddenly felt as if it’d been leeched from him, smoke and dust clogging his lungs.  Then waves of healing aether buffeted him, clearing the debris from his throat and sinuses. 

Mathye dropped to his knees, uncorking an aether potion and holding it to Sebastian’s lips.  The black mage started to chug down the bitter herbal mixture, then pulled away coughing.

“Finish it!”  Mathye barked.    Ahead of them was movement--finally--as the Garleans were forced to start retreating.  Reinhardt landed next to the pair, panting heavily.  Sweat dripped from his temples to streak his dirt-smeared face, and his white armor was splattered with blood.  He was favoring his right leg, the medic noted.  But before he could do anything, Augustine rushed over.  The golden glow of his own healing-spell was at his fingertips, and the paladin knelt to press his palm against Reinhardt’s thigh.  The dragoon hissed, baring his teeth as skin, muscle, and blood vessels began to reknit themselves.

“Tell me we’re close to breaking through.”  Mathye urged.  Reinhardt shoot his head.

“When I was coming down, I spotted more troops headed this way.”  He answered, his voice raspy.  “In fact, I think they’re being diverted to intercept us!”

“What?”  Sebastian wheezed.  His color-and his aether were coming back, though he didn’t feel like he could just stand up on his feet just yet. 

“Did you see--”  Augustine trailed off as more Alliance troops swarmed past them.  A scout pulled their chocobo to a halt, moving to change the banners on the standard they were carrying, adding a flag of white cloth with a embroidered blue crystal at the center beneath the Ishgardian flag.

“Ser Seymour!”  Aymeric came into view, hurrying forward.  He was surrounded by a contingent of Ishgardian knights, with the occasional flash of color--a dragoon landing briefly before vaulting back up into the sky.  Even more Alliance forces followed in their wake, moving like a well-oiled machine.  The gap the quartet had created was now being converted into a mobile infirmary.

“Are you hurt?”

“Winded, that’s all.”  Augustine replied.  A medic came up, pushing waterskins into Sebastian and Reinhardt’s hands.  Mathye accepted his own and started to immediately drink, and Augustine uncapped his own.  Aymeric gave them all a critical once-over, nodding.

“Can you keep going?”  He asked.  “Right now, you four are the only ones gaining any ground in this area.”

“We can.”  Reinhardt assured him.  They would.  He knew the others-even Sebastian, their newest member-were united in this.  Riven--their small sister, the heart of their family--she had run on ahead. 

If they had to lay waste to the entire Garlean army to get to her, they would do so.

“Has anyone seen Riven?”  Sebastian rose to his feet, wiping his mouth.  “Did she run into this same mess we’re in?”

“No.”  Aymeric’s denial had the eyes of all four men locking directly onto him.  The Lord High Commander shook his head.

“The scouts that saw her reported that she had a clear path straight to Lord Hien and Lyse Hext-”  Aymeric stopped as everyone’s linkpearls suddenly exploded with sound.

The Warrior of Light’s engaged Lord Zenos!

“WHAT?!”  Mathye bellowed. 

I repeat, the Warrior of Light’s engaged Lord Zenos!  Lord Hien and Lyse Hext have fallen!

“Get moving!”  Augustine screamed, drawing his sword and shield.  “Move, move, move!“  It wasn’t Zenos-they all knew that, but at this point, the dead Garlean prince would have been far preferable to what was currently wearing his skin.  Elidibus, one of the two Paragons remaining.

Elidibus, with both only the gods-knew-what-powers he commanded as an Asican and in the modified body of Zenos.  It had taken everything they all had to put down Zenos when his spirit still inhabited his flesh--and Riven on her own against the unholy combination was enough to make the blood of each of the Companions run cold.

“Augustine, Reinhardt, cover us!”  Sebastian bellowed, seizing his staff and making a beeline straight for the offensive line.  Hot on his heels was Mathye, and soon the earth of the eastern trenches was shuddering as Riven’s fellow Warriors of Light began to fight their way towards her battlefield.

[yzeltia]

FFXIV Write Day 11: Lush and Vibrant

Characters: Y'zel Tia, Zoissette Vauban, Riven Fortemps, Tataru, Krile, Maythe Bishop, Dark Autumn, Thalia Voss, Minti Chocolate, Erick Gage, Mya Blackburn, Thancred Waters, Aeryn Striker, Ioh'Juhn Reighen, Augstine Seymour Rating: Wholesome Summary: Gage Acquisitions wraps up Summer together! Notes: Thanks for @ladyofvoss for today's prompt!

As the Goblet sun beat down upon him, Y’zel felt his head gently pressed down upon by a large straw hat, slotted to let his ears perk through. Looking up, from his spade and hand rake, he motioned joyfully to Zoisette for the coverage as she passed by to offer another hat to Riven as well. She soon sauntered off back to the gazebo to join Tataru and Krile as they weaved more straw items together for their Gage Acquisition friends.

Summer was at an end which meant the season’s harvest was upon them to ready for the coming fall. His tail twitched happily as he went back to work, digging up some more popotoes and adding it to the basket he was sharing with Riven. Behind them, Maythe picked out morsels from the basket then washed them off in a bucket then inspected the roots to ensure they were healthy enough to be edible.

In the next plot, Dark stabbed the revamped scarecrow into the earth and gave it a little twist before assisting Thalia and Minti in fitting a freshly carved pumpkin head on its spike then dressing it up in a spooky tattered jacket. The two took turns giving it funny poses until finding one that seemed daunting enough to ward off crows.               Making use of the training space, Erick had rolled out a large blanket in the square area and promptly retired atop it, resting his head on Mya’s leg as she cut up a fresh tomato into wedges and occasionally fed him a slice. Beside them, Thancred crossed his arms looking to the couple then to Aeryn with his brow raised and a grin. In response, she handed him a tomato and his own knife before turning her attention to a heated argument by the grill.

Ioh and Augustine by the pit seemed to be rather heatedly engaged, a few swears flying about as they gestured to the grill, both seeming to have opinions on who to best season the bountiful harvest the Free Company had produced together. Looking for support, the Keeper turned to Y’zel and gestured, only to have the other Miqo’te look away and pull the brim of his hat down to avoid getting into it. Having not gotten the support he expected, he looked on slack-jawed while the group laughed aloud. A laughter and lightness that would carry them on for the rest of their night.

[chysgoda]

Marketing

Fun with @scrollsfromarebornrealm featuring Augustine Seymour

Art’imis tapped the edge of the folder in her hand on the corner of the table as she walked up to where Augustine was sitting at The Last Stand. “And how is Ul’dah’s favorite Ishgardian pretty boy this evening?”

The Ishgardian paladin jerked just a bit startled by the sharp sound. He frowned for just a breath at the Raen woman before giving her a warm smile, “I could ask the same of Ishgard’s favorite Ul’dahn export.”

Art’imis laughed, an easy sound that rolled out of her throat and sounded like it should come from someone much larger. “Only in some areas, there’s a few clergy who would dearly like to see me banned for how I handle being a champion in the tribunal.”

“If they worked with Aymeric on Justice reform they wouldn’t need to keep suffering that embarrassment would they?” Augustine smirked. He waved a waitress over to take their orders. “It is good to see you somewhere that we aren’t shouting behind shields.” 

Art’imis slid the folder she’d brought across the table to Augustine and then braced a hand on the back of her bench. “X’rhun found those while attempting to bring order to my desk at home.” 

Curious, and with a bit of trepidation Augustine opened the folder. His face flushed red when he saw the prints that had been used as the base for posters in the coliseum. And a few that had not made the cut. “Fury save me, I thought these had all been lost.”

“Now don’t be like that. Once you relaxed there are some excellent shots in there.” 

Art’imis laughed as the younger man thumbed through the photos getting progressively redder. “You remembered what we talked about that second morning in Costa del Sol?”

Augustine set the photos down and gave a fond half smile, “I remember contract negotiations beforehand and how you drug me over the coals getting me comfortable with haggling.”

Art’imis snorted and glanced down at the photos remembering the morning herself…

“Augustine are you actually willing to get out of your comfort zone and commit to this or am I going to bill you for dragging me out here for no reason?” Art’imis huffed as she sat on the down on the beach next to where the Ishgardian was standing. 

Augustine looked down at his hands and then at the rising sun. “I just don’t get how this is supposed to help my performance in the ring.”

Art’imis sighed, absently she picked up a handful of sand and let it fall through her fingers before absently repeating the process. “Why are you looking for the prize money from blood sands fights?”

“Pardon?” Augustine blinked and looked down to the mismatched gold and silver eyes that met his. 

“You're Ishgardian, so what is it? Getting together a sister’s dowry? Paying off a debt to some soft handed noble? Or trying to get back into someone’s good graces?” Art’s tone was matter of fact and she snorted at the startled look. “Your not the first one to come down from on high to fight in the sands. Everyone has a reason for coming down to the sands.”

“Something like that.” Augustine looked away again. Something about how blunt the other gladiator was made him want to squirm with more discomfort than his embarrassment. 

“Any road you're here to make gil, and possibly a name for yourself in the bargain. The sands isn’t soldiering, or adventuring, or trial by combat. Think like that and you aren’t going to get what you’re after. We’re entertainers, circus acts, skill in ring might keep butts in seats but it doesn’t get them there in the first place.” Art’imis looked back to the sea herself. “Stuff like this, posters and appearances and stories, gets people excited, gets them to buy tickets. Which means you get more off the gate. And well there’s no rush quite like a couple thousand people chanting your name to get the blood pumping… or knock another fighter off their game. It’s your choice how you want to go about things, but if you’re not committed I’m going back to the main complex and getting myself a liquid breakfast.”

Augustine pressed his lips into a thin line. He took a long breath in through his nose. It was just another kind of duel, if he kept telling himself that maybe he could get through this. “Let’s get this done.”

Art’imis gave him the grin he’d seen on the sands, all teeth and cheeks. She jumped to her feet and brushed sand off her pants, “To work then! We do this right, we'll have ladies throwing their smalls at you on the sands.”

“WHAT?!”

“Fury be good, I didn’t think you were serious about lady’s smalls at the time.” Augustine shook his head and took a long pull on his drink. 

Art’imis flashed that familiar grin that was all teeth and cheeks. “Franz the Fabulous was so damn jealous, it was great”

Augustine chuckled as he handed the folder back to his friend. The thick card folding over the photos made the time since then feel heavier. They’d both changed since than, new scars, new hopes, the crows feet that were just beginning to show at the corners of Art’imis’s eyes. He’d become the confident knight he’d dreamed of, and she no longer had the sense of barely contained madness that had dogged her steps when he had first met her. The waitress brought their meals and they settled into gossip and catching up. 

Art stretched when she stood up many hours later, “best get going so the staff can get cleaned up and go home.”

Augustine stood himself. He paused thinking of something, “Art has Mathye seen these?”

“See you around Seymour,” Art’imis grinned, once again all teeth and cheeks. As she walked off she waved the folder in a lazy goodbye. 

Augustine felt blood drain from his face, “Art’imis wait?!”

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

The Gang Does Pandæmonium: Abyssos

So for the second round of Pandæmonium, Riven had some company with her...

And in the meanwhile...

Totally not sus.  Not at all.  Just a little familiar, nothing to see here...

------

(with thanks to @driftward​ @autumnslance​ and @chysgoda​ for letting me use their characters!)

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

coldfire

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

🖊 Augustine

So Augustine's moniker during his time on the Bloodsands was 'Black Ice'. He got his nickname from his mentor, a fellow gladiator named Art’imis Chysgoda, whose title was 'Little Dragon'. The combination of his youthful features plus the imposing armor led to many of his opponents badly underestimating Augustine.

He enjoyed a fair amount of success, and there were many who were upset when he retired early. But it had been part of Augustine's overall plan, he had come to Ul'dah for training and to build up his finances so that he could be completely free of his family.

Every so often he'll do an exhibition match or two, and Art'imis still rakes in royalties from all the...posters she created of him.

(@chysgoda )

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

And for tonight’s fight, we have a very, very special matchup!  Our very own Franz the Fair, the Prince of the Bloodsands, against his bitter rival! Black-Ice Augustine!

Augustine: *worried smile* why do I feel like the back of my neck’s on fire?

Franz: *seething*

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

in too deep: side story [one]

He hadn’t been able to sleep well.  But if Sebastian was truly honest with himself...he’d found it hard to sleep in his old home.  Even surrounded by the Scions, even with Riven and the others at his back, his nights in the city were oftentimes restless. 

Fortunately, either Augustine, Mathye, or Reinhardt were always good for being early-morning workout partners.  It was a rule of thumb to leave Riven asleep in stressful situations--a habit that had started from their time on the First.  And on this particular morning, Augustine had already been up.

Logistikon Beta was always fairly deserted--though Sharlayan being Sharlyan, Sebastian had no doubts that there was surveillance.  But it was quiet enough to meet the group’s needs--a wide open space to spar, and no looky-loos. 

So the pair had made their way down to Labyrinthos to fight.

The sun had risen when Augustine pulled away, rolling his shoulders.

“Feel better?”  He offered.  Sebastian had come a long way from his days as a new Scion--and from being a recent arrival from Sharlayan.  Augustine had no doubt if his blood-brother was put against the best the city-state had to offer, Sebastian would best every single fighter. 

“Much, aye.”  Sebastian exhaled.  Setting down his gunblade, he picked up a towel. 

“Are you still upset over your ex?”  Augustine winced as Sebastian deadpanned at him--he was getting entirely too good at that.  Too much time around Mathye.

“I have a hard time believing he just tripped and fell off the dock.”

“He did.”  That was the story and Augustine would be sticking to it.  Sebastian narrowed his eyes, but let the matter drop.  He didn’t want to think about Lacelle--or Lacelle reaching out--at the moment.

“I just...feel uneasy with all of this.”  He admitted.  “Riven...this idea of finding out what Sevestre is up to is a good one.  And I agree--everything that happened during that time has to be because of DeGlass.”  Sebastian was kicking himself internally for not paying more attention to politics when he had been in the city. 

“It...I don’t know.  Something feels off kilter someplace. And...”  The gunbreaker sighed, looking down at the towel in his hands. 

“This is all my fault in the first place.  If I hadn’t gone poking around...”

“No.”  Augustine shook his head vehemently.  “Your ‘poking around’ is probably what gave us warning about all this.  It’s just a matter of putting puzzle pieces together.”  The paladin exhaled. 

“The problem is there’s so damn many.  It’s a shame we can’t go right to the source of it all.”  Sebastian froze, Augustine’s words hitting him like a levin bolt.

“...Why not?”  Augustine was in the process of picking up his own towel, and he blinked at the gunbreaker.

“Huh?”

“Why can’t we get to the heart of the matter?”  Sebastian repeated.  “Riven’s got--well, the goal is to get into Sevestre’s home...so why can’t we add to that?  Do the same for DeGlass?”  Augustine stared at Sebastian.

“You want to break into her house as well?  Could we even pull that off?”  He asked.  “I mean, Thancred would probably relish the challenge, but ever since we came here, she’s been locked up in that manor.  Nobody’s even seen the housekeeper!”  Sebastian made to speak, but the ringing of his linkpearl made him pause.  Augustine’s own had triggered as well.

Sebastian?  Augustine?

“Thancred?”

Where are you two?  There’s been a development.  Thancred’s voice was grim.

“What’s wrong?”  Augustine asked.

It seems until recently, Riven’s stepmother was still alive.