FINAL FANTASY KISS BATTLE 2022!!!
Feb. 14th, 2022 07:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
seventhe
well HELLO FRIENDS????? after MUCH delay which is MY OWN FAULT, i am here to present to you the tiny fandom event of the year: Final Fantasy Kiss Battle 2022!!
This event is open to everyone, even if we aren't DW circlefriends! (feel free to friend me too; i promise i'm not crazy that's a lie but at least i'm sometimes funny). If you aren't on DW, you can still play via anon or OpenID!
The Kiss Battle is simple. Players leave prompts in comments under each specific fandom, using generalized fandom nomenclature: a relationship of some sort, and a concept to inspire other players.
- For romantic relationship kisses, we use X / Y
- For platonic relationship kisses, we use X & Y
- Absolutely open to relationships with more than 2 people involved! X / Y / Z (/ A / B ...) welcome to this party!
- Prompts can be a word, a sentence, an image, a song lyric; it's a suggestion, rather than a request
- it's a kiss battle! there will be smooches!
Players then go looking for smoochin' prompts they'd like to fill. Fills can be fic, art, interpretive dance, whatever you're inspired to; they can be filled in a responding comment, or as a link (to AO3, tumblr, etc). FILLS GOTTA HAVE A KISS IN 'EM. IT'S A KISS BATTLE. What counts as a "kiss" is up to you, though -- you can be creative!
- Fills should use the comment header to let people know what the fill is; please use a format like "X / Y, (title), (rating), (any content warnings that might apply)"
- "Aerith/Tifa, memorial, G"
- "Cloud/Squall, just in time, R (blood)"
- Prompts can be filled multiple times! Don't worry if someone got there first; we love Two Cakes up in this event! The more kisses we get, the better!
- You can fill as anon if you want/need for any reason
- You can of course crosspost anywhere you'd like
It's a very simple game, and is meant to be played in good faith without anybody being a shitbag about pairings or characters. We're all too old for this.
FANDOM LINKS Fandoms with compilations and expansions should fall into their titled macrofandom. For example:
- FFXIII also includes FFXIII-2 and Lightning Returns (FFXIII-3)
- FFX also includes X-2
- FFIV includes the After Years
If you need to specify a certain microfandom / singular canon, please do so in the prompt or in the comment header!
FINAL FANTASY I
FINAL FANTASY II
FINAL FANTASY III
FINAL FANTASY IV
FINAL FANTASY V
FINAL FANTASY VI
FINAL FANTASY VII
FINAL FANTASY VIII
FINAL FANTASY IX
FINAL FANTASY X
FINAL FANTASY XI
FINAL FANTASY XII
FINAL FANTASY XIII
FINAL FANTASY XIV
FINAL FANTASY XV
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS
FINAL FANTASY TYPE-0
FINAL FANTASY RECORD KEEPER
FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS
BRAVELY DEFAULT
OTHER FINAL FANTASY CANONS
FF CROSSOVER PROMPTS
FF / OTHER CANON CROSSOVERS
MAKE FRIENDS! If you're interested in meeting more FF fandom people, this comment thread can be used as a friending meme! Tell us a little about yourself, which FFs you've played, favorite characters/ships, and look around for new friends! FF FRIENDING THREAD
You can also join the Final Fantasy Old Folks Home Discord and come gripe about those kids on our lawn and the old days where you had to level grind by hand lmao. Open to all FF fans! -- EDIT Discord link has been updated!
AO3 COLLECTION
If you're posting your work on AO3, add it to our collection here!!!
BLITZ KISSINS
If you already know what smooches you want to write, you don't need to wait for a prompt -- just comment into the relevant fandom thread with your kiss!
REMEMBER
It's only fun if everybody plays, so if you leave a prompt, try to fill someone else's!
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS??
Hit up this thread and myself or lassarina will help you out!
SHARE
just copy and paste the following line anywhere you like!
<a href="https://seventhe.dreamwidth.org/442726.html"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/fmiLCcl.jpg" width=500></a>
Re: FINAL FANTASY XII
Date: 2022-02-23 12:21 am (UTC)Al-Cid/Vayne, "Of No Consequence", T/PG-13ish
Date: 2022-02-25 06:26 pm (UTC)Never let it be said that Al-Cid was a late bloomer, in any sense of the word. From a young age, he had learned his responsibilities as a son of his house, the assessment of the many possibilities that lay before him - and as well, he had come to learn his own inclinations. A formal masquerade ball attended by the nobles of many of the nations and factions of Ivalice, an attempt to grow a sense of camaraderie rather than competition, was in a sense a nexus of all three; a chance to prove himself worthy in pursuit of the most desired possibilities, and an opportunity to... indulge some of those inclinations.
As only a minor among House Margrace, still of an age that none were as of yet appraising his potential to rise to prominence, few paid much attention to his doings as he moved about the crowd, his wandering eyes all but hidden behind a pale mask overlaid with a fine silver and gold filigree, a spray of white feathers crowning. Indeed, few likely could have told him apart from his brothers in such dress - but for his mannerisms and his courtesy, which he was pleased to bestow upon many a young woman in attendance. Not one to play favorites - not yet - he shared no more than a bit of conversation and the space of a dance with each, then took his leave with a respectful bow. It was good, he thought, to leave as many options open as he was able.
He had just bid farewell to another dance partner and was intending to pause for a drink - so much chatting and dancing over the course of the warm summer evening had left him somewhat parched - when he saw her among the tables. Tall, perhaps as tall as himself, with long dark hair cascading over her shoulders in casual curls, for her back was turned. Atop those lovely locks, presumably rising upward from her own mask, were a pair of dark horns, matching the protrusions from the ornate shoulder pieces on the garment she wore.
The very picture of temptation, Al-Cid imagined. He picked up a glass and sipped at some cider, eyeing her over the rim. He hadn't the slightest idea who the young woman might be, but he very much wanted to run his hands through those curls, let his fingers become entangled...
But first, the game must be played. She seemed to be doing no more than having a drink herself, and so Al-Cid stepped around the table between them, setting his empty glass aside as he passed. "If I may beg your pardon," he began, and she turned, revealing a firm yet graceful mouth and a sharp chin - all Al-Cid could see beyond the horned black mask that covered her face from nose to hairline. More handsome than pretty, Al-Cid thought, but nonetheless fascinating. He bowed, taking her gloved hand to bring it to his lips and kiss lightly. "Might I ask the name by which I may call such beauty?"
There was no immediate response, whether the giggle of delight Al-Cid so often received or an answer, and so he looked up. He found those fine lips smirking before they parted in response. "Vayne Carudas Solidor," replied a deeper voice than he had expected, if still young. "Third son of Emperor Gramis of Archadia. And you are...?"
Al-Cid was very relieved for his own mask at that moment; it covered the widening of his eyes and the rise of his eyebrows. Also the faint blush of warmth he could feel in his cheeks as he realized that indeed - the "young woman" before him wore trousers rather than an elaborate gown like to those worn by most of the ladies, and his eyes had simply not looked away from the fascinating hair and face before he had spoken. This was, by far, the largest blunder he had made in a state setting to this point...
And although he almost began to apologize, it occurred to him that perhaps he need not do so. "Al-Cid Margrace," he replied, relinquishing the other young man's hand and straightening again. "Considering the conflict between our nations, perhaps it is fortunate that I am but one of many, and you a third son, lest our meeting be considered of great import."
"And your mistake be considered Rozarria's insult to Archadia?" Still Vayne smirked behind his mask.
"I cannot see why it should be considered an insult at all," Al-Cid replied easily. "Here in my homeland, it is a compliment to be found beautiful, whether male or female."
"I suppose it is." Though the mask largely hid Vayne's expression, he did pause to regard Al-Cid for a moment. "And so you do not intend to retract your remarks?"
"I would never go back on my word, nor willingly speak an untruth," Al-Cid stated, with a smirk of his own. "If I have said something, then it is said."
Vayne laughed quietly. It was very much the response Al-Cid had been hoping for. "You are... interesting, Al-Cid Margrace," Vayne observed. "And your charm considerable. I expect it will serve you well."
"And I will take that as a compliment."
Vayne's smirk now appeared more an honest smile. "As it was intended."
When Al-Cid offered his hand again, Vayne hesitated a moment, then shook firmly. "Perhaps, as the circumstances of our births permit us to go unnoticed - we might, indeed, go unnoticed."
It might have been Al-Cid's imagination, the way Vayne's gloved hand seemed to linger, sliding along his own as he withdrew. Or... it might not. "Are you not enjoying yourself?"
"I seldom enjoy such affairs, but they do occasionally present useful opportunities. I'm certain you understand."
"All too well," Al-Cid agreed with a nod.
Vayne still held his own glass in the left hand, and drained it before setting it aside. "The drinks, if nothing else, are exquisite," he added. "But this ball has otherwise been quite dry, until your approach made it more amusing."
"Then I am glad to have done so," Al-Cid told him, with a slight bow. And if he was reading Vayne correctly... "If leaving this assembly is what you wish, then it would be my pleasure to further amuse you."
Vayne lifted a hand, gesturing in the direction of one of the great archways at the end of the ballroom, with the darkness of night visible beyond. "Very well - shall we?"
It was indeed quite dark in the ornamental garden outside in spite of the season; the ball had begun before dusk, but already had lasted for hours. And perhaps because of the season, once they were far enough out among the maze of perfectly trimmed hedges that the chatter and music of the ball had faded, Vayne reached to his throat, loosening the collar of the ornate jacket he wore. "Forgive me if I offend," he remarked, "but seldom do we experience such heat in Archades. I feel I may be somewhat overdressed."
An interesting suggestion. "I am certain that I am," Al-Cid agreed, doing likewise. "Though I am accustomed to the heat. When not hosting formal events for international visitors, Rozarrians tend to wear considerably less."
Another low chuckle from Vayne. "Though I believe we've already established that our conversation has no bearing on the relations between our homelands, I would ask, lest I insult you personally - I know that you said you would not go back on your word. Do you still stand behind it...?"
Much as Al-Cid had suspected - and in a sense, hoped, for Vayne was graceful, well-spoken... intriguing. "I do," he said with a nod. "I am capable of appreciating beauty in both women and men." He suspected he did not need to ask.
And he was correct. "In that case," Vayne said, stopping where he was on the path to turn to Al-Cid, "I will suggest you wear as little as makes you comfortable in my presence."
"Hmmm..." Al-Cid smiled. Already he was accomplished at reading opportunities, and this seemed to be a particularly entertaining one. "And you are welcome to remove as much clothing as you wish."
"My own...?" Vayne inquired, sounding almost innocent. "Or yours?"
That was a very, very clever line, Vayne's delivery of it impeccable, and Al-Cid was not sure he could think of a better answer than to take Vayne by the hand and pull him through a gap in the hedges, leading him away from the walking path and further along the wall of the palace, where few would have reason to wander on such a night of celebration. Behind him, he heard Vayne laugh again, this time a bit louder.
The laughter ceased, however, when Al-Cid came to a shadowy corner beyond a protruding tower, and pressed Vayne up against the wall, covering Vayne's lips with his own. An approving hum came from Vayne's throat, and at last, Al-Cid's fingers could stroke through those coveted curls.
After a moment of simply enjoying what may have been the most passionate kiss Al-Cid had experienced to date, he suddenly found himself against the wall, Vayne pinning him, a knee between his thighs. He could not quite keep himself from moaning quietly when Vayne drew back. "You never answered my question," Vayne reminded him, "about the removal of clothing."
"Hah..." Al-Cid grinned. "Whatever you do not remove... I will see to."
"That seems a fair arrangement," Vayne murmured, before leaning in to nearly smother him with another kiss as hot and damp as the night air. "But one suggestion," he added as an afterthought. "To keep this interesting... why not keep the masks on?"
"I cannot imagine how this could become uninteresting," Al-Cid panted. "Yet it is a masquerade..."
"Precisely," Vayne stated. "A bit of fun - of no lasting consequence."
And it was by far the most memorable masquerade Al-Cid had attended thus far - a distinction that would hold for the rest of his life.
-----
Yet only a few years later, Al-Cid had the chance to see Vayne Solidor again, and under very different circumstances. An envoy was sent to Archades in hopes of negotiating a treaty - and quietly investigating the rumors regarding the demise of Emperor Gramis's two eldest sons. Given the nature of the rumors, Al-Cid opted not to give his name, nor to remove his dark glasses when the party was ushered in to meet with the Archadian Empire's representatives.
It was the first time he had seen Vayne's face unmasked, looked him in the eye from behind his own dubious camouflage - and what he saw there told him that the rumors were true. The way Vayne's cold eyes lingered, the hint of a smirk at the corner of his mouth, suggested that he was recognized - and it made Al-Cid's blood run cold. All the more so as Vayne simply moved on, saying nothing, and made no attempt to speak with him for the duration of the visit.
For after all, that night truly had been a night of no consequence.
Re: Al-Cid/Vayne, "Of No Consequence", T/PG-13ish
Date: 2022-02-25 10:05 pm (UTC)And then the cutting epilogue, where they're both older and Al-Cid knows better about who Vayne really is, how differently they both see 'a bit of fun' (though they're also both still wearing masks, of a fashion).
Re: Al-Cid/Vayne, "Of No Consequence", T/PG-13ish
Date: 2022-02-25 10:59 pm (UTC)I imagine them being around 16-18 at this point (I didn't realize until I looked it up that they're actually the same age), still young enough for a little impulsive carelessness in spite of being so self-aware. (And Al-Cid, like Sydney, apparently already turns the prose purple when he gets the POV, which just FIGURES. XD)
I almost didn't want to add the epilogue, but well. Otherwise this would have ended with the impression that they actually were fond of each other, which doesn't exactly track ten years later during canon.
Re: Al-Cid/Vayne, "Of No Consequence", T/PG-13ish
Date: 2022-02-28 06:21 pm (UTC)Re: Al-Cid/Vayne, "Of No Consequence", T/PG-13ish
Date: 2022-02-28 07:50 pm (UTC)And yes - I did my weekly round-up post yesterday so I uploaded my Kiss Battle stuff to the collection for easy reading. Right this way. :D
Re: Al-Cid/Vayne, "Of No Consequence", T/PG-13ish
Date: 2022-03-13 07:54 am (UTC)(2) i made the LOUDEST screech when i saw this had been filled, i was so hype, you have no idea
(3) this is so 100% delightful. love Al-Cid's fixation on Vayne's hair (he just wants to run his fingers through it... you and me both, Al-Cid, you and me both...), love his casual ease in recovering from his misapprehension, and it's such an interesting look at Vayne, too—younger, and without a pressing need to orate/stand-on-ceremony/etc, he's as good at witty banter as even Al-Cid. truly a dangerous kinda guy, heh.
and i'm kind of in love with that epilogue, too, gosh, the clenching cold from running into someone again in such different circumstance... just in love with the tension between what they show and what's buried beneath.
thank you so much for filling it; if this is what "out of hand" is then i very much approve!