General Beatrix [Final Fantasy IX]
Character/Fandom: Beatrix [Final Fantasy IX]
Title: The Rose of Alexandria
Author: bomsok
Spoilers: Just general in-game spoilers. ;)
Personal Website: Sympathetic Magick NET
The Rose of Alexandria
I don't know if I can...but I will give it a try.
The charming general of Final Fantasy's ninth installment is one of the most inspiring characters of not only the title series, but of the gaming world. Arguably, many of her female peers have been afforded a longstanding reputation of weakness, whether or not this is deserved. Many assert that as Final Fantasy has manifested often as a recurring story with fairytale romance, the women are portrayed as classic damsels-in-distress, having to be rescued time and again by the righteous heroes. Even if this were true, Beatrix gracefully conquers this perception with her remarkable prowess as a holy knight and her command of respect from adversaries and comrades alike.
...allow me to shatter your delusions of grandeur.
Initially, she presents herself arrogantly, constantly prompting that you have no real chance of defeating her. She is regretless, cold and focused, and at this point is blinded to the nefarious workings around her. Kuja early on is recognized as an ally of the Queen and as such, Beatrix is compelled to execute orders against those who oppose the wily weapons dealer, automatically and faithfully as a knight is trained and expected to.
I will admit that my first impressions of her were fairly negative. I found her blatant arrogance repugnant as well as the fact that no matter how skillfully you managed to deflect her attacks, she would always defeat you. However, this all was well warranted: she was an impressive and gifted fighter who earned her rights to brag through years of rigorous training and fealty, most likely forsaking a multitude of relationships in the process. Her aloof personality is likely a testament to her loneliness, her independence. Having mastered the special Seiken technique of swordplay, she was an insurmountable force the likes of which your party had never seen until then, one you were just never destined to overcome. Reality was bitter.
I didn't train all these years so I could take a backseat to anyone.
Yet that same bitter truth is also conjunctive with her greatest strengths. Of course, as mentioned, her physical capabilities in battle segregate her from many Final Fantasy heroines; she is a talented swordswoman and competent commander. She takes honor and devotion quite seriously, and is offended by the fact that the queen finds in cloned warriors a more efficient and useful form of protection and might than in a practical and experienced human counterpart.
Also of note is her eye patch, which may very well serve to symbolize the sacrifices she's undergone in the past to arrive at her current point. It is never told how she lost her eye, and this makes it the stuff of retrospective fiction writing and theorizing. She is a woman who had seen many battles, the brutal mark of war forever etched upon the fairest of visages.
There's no difference between them [Black Mage dolls] and me. We're all just blindly following orders. My heart and will mean nothing...Maybe Steiner was right.
Her fierce loyalty as a guardswoman of course shapes and supports her role as protector and holy knight in general. Without these powerful emotional ties, she would be a causeless soldier. Beatrix obviously is meant to defend the members of Alexandrian royalty; she is not swayed by the possibility of death, only by the idea of a causeless existence. Referring back to an earlier quote of hers, we understand her disappointment about the creation and utilization of the Black Mage dolls for militaristic or otherwise destructive purposes. They are emotionless troops, animated bodies lacking heart and conscience created for a sole purpose and yet, her revered queen allows for them to effectively displace her and reduce her to mere scavenger hunting. Was she prepared to continue defending someone so ungrateful?
It can't be...Princess... So, it was true. The queen really did mean to kill her... All of this time, I have been mistaken.
The moment of realization when she discovers the truth about Brahne's plans is demoralizing; as a soldier loyal to her queen for years, to learn of the murderous madness of Brahne made her question herself, her ideals, whether or not she was the same as the dolls she had come to despise. But after this incident passed, she promised herself that she would do nothing more and nothing less than serve her princess, and do all in her power to protect her from the insanity of her foster mother. If this should cost her life, she would be ready to give it. No regrets.
Save your valediction, Steiner. We'll live to see another day.
The relationship between Steiner and Beatrix is something truly special; it's a unique blend of comedic romance and starcrossed love. The two began as rivaling commanders with clashing personalities: Steiner a bumbling captain and Beatrix an elite general. She insulted him and called him on his incompetence and he responded indignantly. Through it all though, I feel like they had some feelings for each other from the start, even if their pride would never allow them to admit or show it. I dare say that even though we know Beatrix was not one to tolerate ineptitude, I believe she was amused by Steiner’s antics. If the game’s view allowed for it, I am almost certain we would have seen little grins after watching him be his hapless self. All were little bits of happiness working to change a heart.
Captain Steiner was the one to open her heart, to allow for these so-called secondary emotions to shine through; her tough exterior and sharp words may have had us thinking she was incapable of any tenderness, but as her concern for Garnet and her feelings for Steiner grew, this notion was cast aside. Her heart had been locked away, buried beneath years of blind loyalty and mechanical actions. But as a fortuitous mishandling of a certain someone’s love letter would have it, she would find true happiness, companionship, and love in the one who had been there with her all along.
It's time to say goodbye to this room. Save the Queen, you have served me well. My duty is finished here. Farewell, Alexandria.
Even though she may have intended to leave her kingdom, she acknowledges that her heart will not allow her; her devotion is all she's ever known, and the love interest she's found in the Pluto Knights' captain has done well to prevent her from actually leaving Alexandria. The final cinematic scene of the game efficiently illustrates not only what the future holds for her, but what it holds for the two as a couple. As they exchange warm smiles and raise the sword above their heads, their unspoken promise is consecrated. They would protect Alexandria and her new queen together.
I am intrigued and disappointed by the oversight of this character. She is perhaps doomed to take to the shadows of Garnet’s presence, as is her romance. Nevertheless, she is a character to be greatly admired, and as so very little of her story was shared, she is a very interesting figure to work with fiction wise.~
Fin
As I find more links and communities to list, I will do so. There is currently a lack of Beatrix-specific sites and communities online, so, I will do my best to add to what is here over time.
I hope you enjoyed reading my commentary, rushed and mildly incoherent as it was. ;)
Links
Perfect Knight - a wonderful [and my favorite] Beatrix shrine that everyone must visit.
Knights - a dual shrine to both Beatrix & Freya.
The Beatrix Official Fanlisting - if you are also a fan, feel free to join up.
Steiner x Beatrix Shrine - a cute little shrine to one of the best couples ever.
Steiner x Beatrix Official Fanlisting - if you are also a fan of this coupling, go join up.
Credits
Quotes used come from Perfect Knight.
Title: The Rose of Alexandria
Author: bomsok
Spoilers: Just general in-game spoilers. ;)
Personal Website: Sympathetic Magick NET
The Rose of Alexandria
I don't know if I can...but I will give it a try.
The charming general of Final Fantasy's ninth installment is one of the most inspiring characters of not only the title series, but of the gaming world. Arguably, many of her female peers have been afforded a longstanding reputation of weakness, whether or not this is deserved. Many assert that as Final Fantasy has manifested often as a recurring story with fairytale romance, the women are portrayed as classic damsels-in-distress, having to be rescued time and again by the righteous heroes. Even if this were true, Beatrix gracefully conquers this perception with her remarkable prowess as a holy knight and her command of respect from adversaries and comrades alike.
...allow me to shatter your delusions of grandeur.
Initially, she presents herself arrogantly, constantly prompting that you have no real chance of defeating her. She is regretless, cold and focused, and at this point is blinded to the nefarious workings around her. Kuja early on is recognized as an ally of the Queen and as such, Beatrix is compelled to execute orders against those who oppose the wily weapons dealer, automatically and faithfully as a knight is trained and expected to.
I will admit that my first impressions of her were fairly negative. I found her blatant arrogance repugnant as well as the fact that no matter how skillfully you managed to deflect her attacks, she would always defeat you. However, this all was well warranted: she was an impressive and gifted fighter who earned her rights to brag through years of rigorous training and fealty, most likely forsaking a multitude of relationships in the process. Her aloof personality is likely a testament to her loneliness, her independence. Having mastered the special Seiken technique of swordplay, she was an insurmountable force the likes of which your party had never seen until then, one you were just never destined to overcome. Reality was bitter.
I didn't train all these years so I could take a backseat to anyone.
Yet that same bitter truth is also conjunctive with her greatest strengths. Of course, as mentioned, her physical capabilities in battle segregate her from many Final Fantasy heroines; she is a talented swordswoman and competent commander. She takes honor and devotion quite seriously, and is offended by the fact that the queen finds in cloned warriors a more efficient and useful form of protection and might than in a practical and experienced human counterpart.
Also of note is her eye patch, which may very well serve to symbolize the sacrifices she's undergone in the past to arrive at her current point. It is never told how she lost her eye, and this makes it the stuff of retrospective fiction writing and theorizing. She is a woman who had seen many battles, the brutal mark of war forever etched upon the fairest of visages.
There's no difference between them [Black Mage dolls] and me. We're all just blindly following orders. My heart and will mean nothing...Maybe Steiner was right.
Her fierce loyalty as a guardswoman of course shapes and supports her role as protector and holy knight in general. Without these powerful emotional ties, she would be a causeless soldier. Beatrix obviously is meant to defend the members of Alexandrian royalty; she is not swayed by the possibility of death, only by the idea of a causeless existence. Referring back to an earlier quote of hers, we understand her disappointment about the creation and utilization of the Black Mage dolls for militaristic or otherwise destructive purposes. They are emotionless troops, animated bodies lacking heart and conscience created for a sole purpose and yet, her revered queen allows for them to effectively displace her and reduce her to mere scavenger hunting. Was she prepared to continue defending someone so ungrateful?
It can't be...Princess... So, it was true. The queen really did mean to kill her... All of this time, I have been mistaken.
The moment of realization when she discovers the truth about Brahne's plans is demoralizing; as a soldier loyal to her queen for years, to learn of the murderous madness of Brahne made her question herself, her ideals, whether or not she was the same as the dolls she had come to despise. But after this incident passed, she promised herself that she would do nothing more and nothing less than serve her princess, and do all in her power to protect her from the insanity of her foster mother. If this should cost her life, she would be ready to give it. No regrets.
Save your valediction, Steiner. We'll live to see another day.
The relationship between Steiner and Beatrix is something truly special; it's a unique blend of comedic romance and starcrossed love. The two began as rivaling commanders with clashing personalities: Steiner a bumbling captain and Beatrix an elite general. She insulted him and called him on his incompetence and he responded indignantly. Through it all though, I feel like they had some feelings for each other from the start, even if their pride would never allow them to admit or show it. I dare say that even though we know Beatrix was not one to tolerate ineptitude, I believe she was amused by Steiner’s antics. If the game’s view allowed for it, I am almost certain we would have seen little grins after watching him be his hapless self. All were little bits of happiness working to change a heart.
Captain Steiner was the one to open her heart, to allow for these so-called secondary emotions to shine through; her tough exterior and sharp words may have had us thinking she was incapable of any tenderness, but as her concern for Garnet and her feelings for Steiner grew, this notion was cast aside. Her heart had been locked away, buried beneath years of blind loyalty and mechanical actions. But as a fortuitous mishandling of a certain someone’s love letter would have it, she would find true happiness, companionship, and love in the one who had been there with her all along.
It's time to say goodbye to this room. Save the Queen, you have served me well. My duty is finished here. Farewell, Alexandria.
Even though she may have intended to leave her kingdom, she acknowledges that her heart will not allow her; her devotion is all she's ever known, and the love interest she's found in the Pluto Knights' captain has done well to prevent her from actually leaving Alexandria. The final cinematic scene of the game efficiently illustrates not only what the future holds for her, but what it holds for the two as a couple. As they exchange warm smiles and raise the sword above their heads, their unspoken promise is consecrated. They would protect Alexandria and her new queen together.
I am intrigued and disappointed by the oversight of this character. She is perhaps doomed to take to the shadows of Garnet’s presence, as is her romance. Nevertheless, she is a character to be greatly admired, and as so very little of her story was shared, she is a very interesting figure to work with fiction wise.~
Fin
As I find more links and communities to list, I will do so. There is currently a lack of Beatrix-specific sites and communities online, so, I will do my best to add to what is here over time.
I hope you enjoyed reading my commentary, rushed and mildly incoherent as it was. ;)
Links
Perfect Knight - a wonderful [and my favorite] Beatrix shrine that everyone must visit.
Knights - a dual shrine to both Beatrix & Freya.
The Beatrix Official Fanlisting - if you are also a fan, feel free to join up.
Steiner x Beatrix Shrine - a cute little shrine to one of the best couples ever.
Steiner x Beatrix Official Fanlisting - if you are also a fan of this coupling, go join up.
Credits
Quotes used come from Perfect Knight.