First Post: 22nd Birthday Post ^_^

[aorin]

Hehe... I was aiming to post up the first entry to my LJ on my birthday. But many things - an outing with friends, dinner party, cake blowing and a traffic jam - was in my way in completing this task. I just hope I managed to make it in time to finish this post before the clock inevitably strikes 12.

Oh, my birthday presents this year are... a few text messages and a bill for dinner which my friend footed on my behalf  ::sighs:: Seems like presents these day are rather immaterial? Also, I've received a truly memorable present from my younger sister.

Well, she did say that money doesn't matter and it was the heart that counts.

Btw, do you know that chinese folks - especially those in my country - tend to celebrate their birthday twice. Once according to the Chinese Lunar calendar, while the other according to the normal calendar. Not that I receive double the presents, but I did get two cakes XD

Comments

[valeria-15.livejournal.com]

Retyping, because I so win. XD

Earlier, I meant to add * Dalmascan Knights were formed - Under Ashelia's kingdom. ;)

So, erm, the men in the Dalmascan line must have had their queens chosen then?

Ok, well, as I tried to explain earlier, mess it up, and pardon moi for the err. The Queen for example, has the title of both King and Queen, she is the 'king' of her country, so she doesn't have the power to pronounce her would be husband to be "king," therefore, he would be titled, "Prince."

As for a King, what I meant to say, is that he has the power to pronounce his would be bride "Queen," even if she is not of noble birth. Since he has the authority, the woman, like the Guinevere in Arthur is called a Queen.

But in cases, like Ashelia's situation: She cannot name her husband King. I know it sounds a bit strange, but that's how it is.

[aorin107.livejournal.com]

Basch in the opening cinematics was absolutely delicious looking. The black armour and how he handle himself in war makes him the epitome of a dashing knight. Rasler, if I may say, pale in comparison, and seemed so childish. I wonder if it would be a crime for Ashe to pay attention to that handsome captain instead of her own husband ^^;;

To me, it would be an insult to women if those man-candy Dalmascan knights weren't laid once or twice or thrice, if I had my way. They are knights, not monks, it's not like they have to practice celibacy, right? I swear if these manly looking knights didn't have a fanclub or two in Rabanastre, then it may have been a proper course of action if Vayne had demolished Dalmasca for good cause those blind girls doesn't deserve to live XD

OH~~ Looks like someone have been really hardworking recently. But yes, what you've said summed up the workings of the 'Courtly Love' theme practiced by knights in history.

For my case, I'm not very well-versed in the medieval period, but when I plotted out 'Courtly Love', I did some reading and research of my own. It's been so long ago, but if there's one point that stood out to me is that this theme is the prescribed the courtly ettiquette between knights and the ladies, where the ladies often inspires the knight to perform great feats and deeds. While, he does it because he craves her attention and to win her favour, even if he knows that their relationship wouldn't be consummated and remain ideal.

Basically, I would think that is what Basch practices in the game itself, but only on the surface. Somehow, there seemed to be more emotional investment for him, when it comes to Ashe, and he sees her more than just a symbol that represents the country that he loves.

Though, personally, I had another reason for choosing this as the title for the story. First of all, majority of the story takes place in the past within the Dalmasca royal courts, and it deals with how Basch and Ashe behave to each other and the development of their relationship. While it is not neccesarily loyal to the definition of 'Courtly Love' but there are some references to the idea.

Secondly, even if I haven't written this part yet, another huge theme for the story revolves around tournaments. Historically, there's where the knights uses the opportunity to fight for his lady's honour, to gain themselves favour by showing their prowess, also job prospects and a form of competition. But, in Basch's case, he does it to honour Ashe and to show his affection, one of the only few ways he knows how. Come to think about it, even if the main focus of the story is from Ashe's POV, but ultimately it was Basch's actions that is more loyal to the title itself. O_o Strange?

Even more stange regarding the fact that the Queen regnant can't name her consort as the King, while the King regnant can pronounce his consort as Queen. Sexist in nature or just to avoid confusion? I suppose Ashe is the first Dalmascan queen in story, but this probably applies to her as well. But I was confuse with the differences between King-consort and Prince-consort. Is this just a matter of styling the title to their preferences or it would deviate for different individuals. For instance, if Ashe chooses Basch, who is a commoner, would he be styled prince-consort or king-consort? Or if she chooses Al-Cid, who is a high-born of Rozarria, would he be indusputably named King-consort?

[valeria-15.livejournal.com]

re-posted because the other post was not formatted correctly.:(

I have to agree with you about Rasler. I saw that many fangirls thought he was pretty. He’s alright, but too childish looking, although – I must admit when he spoke, it was beautiful: masculine enough but not too harsh. The voice of a man/boy whatever, really makes the character. Can you imagine placing a high pitched girly voice into Basch? Absolutely stomach churning and laughable. And although I’ve decidedly fallen in love with Balthier before I even played the games, he’s not exactly very interesting to me these days.

You know, Basch would by his lady’s side if he hadn’t given a promise to his brother. Naturally, it is also for the Empire, because it being such a large chunk of Ivalice, politics there effects those of neighbouring countries. And seriously, how long does Larsa need protection? Not much longer if he decides to find another protector or when he reaches of age, and when he marries. I don’t rightly know how Lord Gramis had chosen his wife, because she’s not in the picture at all, or even mentioned. It’s always about the boys of the family, or the men in the Solidor line.


I think that, with Lady Ashe, she’s the last of her kind, and fics that will have her marry, would probably have her either with Al-Cid, or maybe Larsa when he’s older. If in all seriousness, she is supposed to marry Larsa for the sake of leaving a legacy to pass on, it’d be almost like the Anakin Skywalker and Padme wedding (they being age wise apart); but Anakin was a trained Jedi – not a ruler of a country.

Isn’t it interesting how the creators perhaps subconsciously placed Lady Ashe as the female who can either be distinguished with many aspects of being paired with all the male characters. In some form or another?

The only thing that really surprised me with FFXII, was the ending where Penelo mentions Ashe misses Basch. That was a huge surprise. Because, all through the game, you don’t get a sense of pairing with anyone. And I heard that its been mentioned perhaps by square enix that the romance would be complicated. If so, how complicated can it be? And the only indication that would lead to a supposed pairing is the mention of Ashe only missing Basch. There’s no mention of her missing anyone else. She’s spent all that time with all of them on their journey, yet, her longing was to have the Knight by her. Yes, the length of time was a year, and I’m assuming that Penelo, Vaan, and even Basch had been able to visit through out that year.


As for the sky pirates: Fran and Balthier, it took them an entire year to actually show up. I wonder what the hell were they doing? :D As for Queen Ashe, if she chooses a commoner to marry, and though, he possesses a title – properly respected and considered a ‘sir’, for a Knight, he would still have the title, Prince. As for Al-Cid, he’s royalty, but he’s not a Prince, or a King in his country. The thing with Larsa, he’s an Emperor, and that title would bring Ashe “Empress.”