ohh~ poor thing.. this is such a sad story, it made me so sad for poor Vossler..

you capture his character really well,, and i love your writing style..

While rewatching some FFXII scenes for inspiration, I ran up the entire last run with Vossler, from Raithwall's Tomb to the fall of the Leviathan. I could not help but think of "Filth", which after all this time is still one of my favorites you've written.

But I noticed something in those scenes that caused this fic to sting me more than ever, at Raithwall's Tomb. It was when Vossler is telling Ashe he doesn't trust Balthier, that it grieves him to see him plunder the tomb of her ancestors. Ashe simply tells Vossler that Balthier is always thinking of "his own profit" and that if he is assuaged there, he will be dependable. Y'know, typical Ashe answer. She's not yet close to Balthier at point, but she knows how to handle him. It's a very confident response.

Vossler reacts a bit badly to it, one of the few times he's that brisk with Ashe in the game. For a few scenes, I didn't understand why. Then he spilled it out.

"I will fight this profitless battle no more!"

So I thought back to the last line of "Filth", watched that scene in Raithwall's Tomb, realizing Vossler may not have just been talking about Balthier (conscious of it or no) when it came to "trust", gauged Ashe's reaction there, and just cringed. It's painfully true. Just as much as his desire for her, which is another reason I still love this tale. Vossler's grapple with that fire in his body is frighteningly natural.

But to get to the point, it's a testament to your writing when I tell you that it stays with me even as I play the game, and rather than feeling like a fan's substitutions of experiences I should have felt in the game, is a reminder and an enrichment of aspects I truly did enjoy. "Filth" is very much one of those reminders, and one of those enrichments.

As if morning wood wasn't bad enough, eh, Captain Azelas?

Yes, it's not just me. FFXII *does* have a dark edge to it. When it comes to this fandom I'd much rather read some angst or drama than a boring romance. You're feeding my obsession very well! What's perfect about this is I can imagine it playing out, not to mention your expression's twisted (in a good way!). "The vague hiss of a tearing membrane inside her," had me shiver at the squickness; you avoid turning this into something erotic and just leave it a plain disturbing.

Vossler's all about strained allegiances -- he's very much a "stained" character. I love how you've depicted him as a tormented soul.

The only criticism I can offer involves this line: "Her whimpers he’d head in battle". Perhaps you meant "heard" or "heed".

~Aqua~

This was deliciously evil. I can't believe I haven't reviewed it sooner. Must've skipped my mind. That last line gave me shivers.

Oh wow, you write so good, packaged with great vocabularies and all. I liked this story a lot. And you are a great writer.

geez... this was amazing too... So dark and beautiful... thats it, you made my fav authors list. :)

That last line made me shiver.

This was fantastic, though woefully short, although sometimes I suppose it's better that way.

And... I'm not really sure how to express how much I liked this other than to babble for awhile, so. Uh. I liked it a lot.

That was beautifully written and it was powerful in its own right. Vossler -- we barely got to see much of him in the game so seeing this fic and reading it is really rather nice -- even iof it does talk of his impending doom.

- TerrisMoon

Great read, Vossler's such an awesome character and I like the take on him. :) Your writing style fits the idea really well.

Now that, was deep. Good job, you're writing somehow forces me to carefully read word by word. I'm that kind of reader who usually skips the details.

Seriously, there needs to be more Vossler love. You are awesome. And there will be no con-crit from me; it's far too late at night to think.