The Most Noble of Them All

My name is Maribelle. I am likely the most noble woman you shall ever meet, and if you forget that for even one second I shall filet you with my parasol! That being said, I do hope we get along, darling...assuming you're on your best behavior. { Indie RP/Ask Blog for Maribelle from Fire Emblem: Awakening. Please read rules before interacting. }

[lightofcrimea]

“Believe me, Lady Maribelle, the only thing worse than being alone on days like these is being literally besieged by would-be suitors, all of them after your crown and name. At least if they were after my body I’d be able to take some credit… then again, that might just make the poetry even worse.”

[a-noble-lady]

       “Oh my, I can imagine. In court, times like these are most...hectic, with each family head trying to better secure a claim to the throne or a more notable name, and every young airheaded heir pursuing his or her “one true love” amongst the nobles and peasants alike. I may gripe, but I think I perhaps prefer a quieter, calmer occasion here in the militia.”

[buttonsandlace-blog]

“Maaaaari-belly!!! I have a surprise for youuuu!” Lissa giggled as she skipped to her dear friend. “Taaaa-daaaaa!” She exclaimed as she showered her friend in a bouquet of roses and chocolate. “Will you be my valentine???”

[a-noble-lady]

       “Why, Lissa, you shouldn’t have!” After the initial surprise, Maribelle beamed at the sudden appearance of her bosom friend. Her eyes widened and her cheeks colored slightly at the request, but still she smiled larger and clasped her hands. “Certainly, darling--it would be my honor. But I’m aghast! I haven’t procured any confections for you, so what say you we share these? I was so sure you would be skipping off to profess your love for some ruggedly handsome young lad amongst our midst.”

[a-noble-lady]

       “Ah, Saint Valentine’s Day...such a momentous occasion for so many, and yet once again I go another year without so much as a passerby’s fleeting and shallow affection. I’ve always wondered what it was that drew flocks of giddy maiden’s to Sully’s calloused, vulgar feet, or why throngs of lads converge only at Tharja’s exposed bosom. Is it the exposed skin, or the unchecked words--or something different entirely that makes them so much more charming than I? True...I have no desire myself to humor such wanton infatuation...but I suppose it would be nice to be on the receiving end of adoration, for a change. Ah, well; I shall simply remain alone until someone of equal excellence can match my worth. Today, I shall just treat myself to some tea, and perhaps a good book.”

[a-noble-lady]

"Lady Maribelle, I've found myself facing a rather strange dilemma... apparently with Chrom back in the capital we're supposed to attend some formal events with him, but... my knowledge of courtly manners is about ten thousand years out of date. Would you mind being my teacher in such matters?"

     “Why, not at all, my lady. But if I may inquire; are you being asked to represent your country…or history? Because if not, I hardly doubt you need distress yourself with the strict etiquette of the aristocracy. If all the Shepherds are to be present, then manners are hardly on our prince’s mind. After all, next to Sully or Gaius, your bearing would blend quite seamlessly with the upper class. Perhaps this is unseemly, coming from myself, but you are quite well-mannered and poised already, and you carry a certain noble air about you. If you don’t intend to include yourself amongst our gentry, then I would propose you make no extra effort to integrate into high society. Not that I think you can’t–just that court can be…stressful, and I imagine you have had quite enough of it for a lifetime, with what I know of Crimea’s politics during your rule.”

[lightofcrimea]

“I am not being asked, but…”

Elincia gave Maribelle a sad sigh and a resigned smile. “I hate to admit this, but I think the court rubbed off on me too much. Even though I hope to remain a knight for my time here, I… also want to be able to engage with other nobles on their level, even if that means holding myself to overly strict standards.”

She also wanted to get to know the other woman better, and this seemed like the best way to spend time together. She had to confess, being a true political outsider for the first time in her life, she wanted to get close to the noblewoman and hear stories of the ‘modern’ court.

[a-noble-lady]

       Maribelle listened to Elincia’s reasoning with her head tilted quizzically, and when the knight-queen finished, Maribelle gave a smile of her own and nodded. “I understand quite well, Your Highness, and I must say I quite relate. Doubtless an excellent ruler such as yourself would be most uncomfortable in being limited to familiarizing yourself with only some of the social classes.”

       Though externally Maribelle appeared cool and confident, on the inside she was less self-assured. This was Queen Crimea herself, after all--was Maribelle truly in a place to be teaching her about propriety?

       Shaking these useless hesitations out of her mind, Maribelle fixed the woman with her signature lordly smile. “At the very least, I can teach you how best to conduct yourself around the aristocracy as well as the most popular Ylissean dance steps. In truth, I doubt your own etiquette is too out-dated, but I suppose it never hurts to brush up on one’s manners. Now, when would you like to begin, my lady?”

[buttonsandlace-blog]

“Oh tea! Yes! That sounds like a great idea!” Lissa giggled happily as the two walked hand in hand toward the outside of camp. She was so happy, she could practically kiss Maribelle right now, however, she held herself back. “I’m also looking to find a new bag or satchel… my favorite just broke… the strap has fallen apart…”

[a-noble-lady]

       “Is that so? What a shame! And your old one was so adorable, too... Well, this just means we can’t stop until we’ve found one that suits you even better,” Maribelle asserted with a nod, glancing affectionately at Lissa. She released Lissa’s hand, only to offer her arm for Lissa to hold as they strolled out of camp--it was a much more proper posture for public, though. “Now, darling, where should we start first? This outing is becoming much larger than a simple shopping spree.”

[know-that-i-loved-you]

Mending||Open

[know-that-i-loved-you]

The Exalt nodded gratefully as the noble lady held the door open for her. Judging by the smile on Maribelle’s face and the sure tone of her voice, Emmeryn began to see that she was beginning to feel slightly more comfortable in her presence. After all the time the young heir of Themis spent with Lissa, the Exalt thought about what a shame it was that they hadn’t bonded like this before.

“It’s no trouble, Maribelle. I’ve been faring well enough,” Emmeryn answered, “Though sometimes, it can be a bit difficult. There are always people whose needs have to be answered, and negotiations with Plegia have been slow. However, there’s a silver lining to every storm cloud. With you and the Shepherds on patrol, I’m coming to see that more and more of the people are beginning to find hope again. Seeing that hope alive in their eyes helps give me the strength I need to stand with them.”

[a-noble-lady]

       Maribelle listened with a more sympathetic ear than her face disclosed. Hearing the Exalt’s positive stance when faced with such strife strengthened Maribelle’s resolve to step further into the world of Ylisse’s politics and affairs.

       “Well, I am truly glad that we might assuage your burden in any small part, Your Grace. Perhaps this is arrogant of me, but if I can assist you in your duties or anything else, anything at all, then consider me at your service, and allow me to serve where I may,” she responded somberly, nodding her head. “If it pleases you, my motive isn’t simply a desire to serve the nation, but also to help my dearest friend’s elder sister,” Maribelle added, almost bashfully, with a modest smile.

[art-of-monkan]

Day 30: FANART FRIDAY so how about some Fire Emblem: Awakening! Afternoon tea with miladies & the shy swordsman.

[a-noble-lady]

"Lady Maribelle, I've found myself facing a rather strange dilemma... apparently with Chrom back in the capital we're supposed to attend some formal events with him, but... my knowledge of courtly manners is about ten thousand years out of date. Would you mind being my teacher in such matters?"

     “Why, not at all, my lady. But if I may inquire; are you being asked to represent your country...or history? Because if not, I hardly doubt you need distress yourself with the strict etiquette of the aristocracy. If all the Shepherds are to be present, then manners are hardly on our prince’s mind. After all, next to Sully or Gaius, your bearing would blend quite seamlessly with the upper class. Perhaps this is unseemly, coming from myself, but you are quite well-mannered and poised already, and you carry a certain noble air about you. If you don’t intend to include yourself amongst our gentry, then I would propose you make no extra effort to integrate into high society. Not that I think you can’t--just that court can be...stressful, and I imagine you have had quite enough of it for a lifetime, with what I know of Crimea’s politics during your rule.”

[ask-frederick]

[Rabble Rousing - Maribelle & Frederick]

[ask-frederick]

“You are quite welcome, milady,” the knight replied with a short nod. “I suppose I would also advise to think on your feet and allow context to fill in any blanks you might come across. Some things will inevitably be beyond your immediate comprehension, but you mustn’t allow your mind to linger on them for very long.”

With the town in sight on the horizon, Frederick sighed and tried to imagine a new best case scenario. Maribelle would try to speak with a baker or a carpenter, head to the market to sample the food that commoners regularly enjoyed, and might end their excursion by engaging a pauper in a round of light conversation. With any luck, all of this would go along with little incident. In all likeliness, though, the noblewoman would have her coin purse snatched by some urchin on the street and caterwaul the entire way back to camp.

“What’s more, Maribelle, you are more likely to hear some form of profanity if you happen to offend someone than a ‘beg pardon’ or ‘excuse me’,” Frederick explained. “If this may happen, stay calm and conduct yourself regularly. I would recommend keeping spoken replies short, clear, and simple. While it is typically polite in places such as court to be concise, people of more common birth tend to see wordy responses as condescension.”

[a-noble-lady]

       “Fret not, Sir Frederick; I’ve already come to terms with the unfortunate fact that I’ll face profanity without a shadow of a doubt in my excursion. Such a matter is most unfortunate, of course, but unavoidable. After all, how could the commoners be familiar with more proper terms and phrases to express their dissent? Simply put, such a thing is impossible, with the lamentably scarce education offered to the lower classes. Just look at Donnel, or poor Johan--the boys likely can’t tell an adverb from alliteration,” bemoaned Maribelle as they rode on. Realizing she had gone on somewhat of a tangent, the Troubadour sighed and waved her hand. “Pardon me, I’m afraid I got somewhat carried away. Nevertheless, I assure you I will be fine, Frederick. I have spent quite some time around Sully, after all. I believe my ears to be quite desensitized to the vulgar exclamations of the less refined.” Or so she desperately, desperately hoped.

       “Now, I do believe the town is quite close by, so what say we ride faster? As I said, I want as much time as possible to acquaint myself with the commonfolk. Let’s not tarry, Sir Frederick!” She left this comment behind her as she urged her horse into a brisk trot, and then easing into a swift canter, as the outskirts of the town drew closer.

[a-noble-lady]

{ I’m a brute so have some Sexual Sunday lesbian porn I drew last week :^) }

[elefluff]

full version of one of my entries for allyssinian‘s  change-of-fate fire emblem crossover zine!! this was a lot of fun to draw @ v @

[buttonsandlace-blog]

“Oh! That sounds amazing! We can go now if you’re ready!” Lissa said with excitement as she softly holds Maribelle’s hand in her’s. Oh, how she loved spending time with her dear friend Maribelle. 

[a-noble-lady]

      “Perfect, darling!” Maribelle exclaimed as Lissa took her hand. Maribelle grabbed her parasol and ushered her companion out of her tent, a contented smile on her face at the prospect of an afternoon spent with her treasure. “Shall we also get some tea while we are in town? Perhaps with the new shipment of imports, there are some new flavors to sample as well.”

[fxdelitas]

    “Oh, but you are a lady of both valorous character and generosity; here,  was about to apologize for taking your precious time. Truly, you are too kind to a mere knight of the realm, milady. I’d gladly return that kindness by setting a cup of tea whenever the Shepherds stop at the capital; that in itself has been a rare occurrence, as of late.”

      "If it’s not too bold, milady, might I ask this –How have you been? Not many women of the upper class end up volunteering to keep the borders safe for loyalty to country, and I’m sure you’ve had many brushes with danger while serving our Lord Chrom. Surely, it takes so much courage to continuously commit to his cause.“

[a-noble-lady]

       “My, I’m honored that you would consider it such, but I’m afraid my reasons are not half so bold. I am merely bound to my role by a sense of duty and responsibility, as the most able-bodied member of my family. If the nobility is not the first to step to the defense of the citizenry; why then, what is the point of our titles in the first place? Our privileges and statuses are given to us in exchange for an obligation to protect and defend the common people of the realm--theoretically, that is. I am, of course, aware that few others of noble birth share my views, unfortunately. But that makes little impact on my choice of action. If I do not leap to the defense of the defenseless, though powerless I on my own may be, then what right do I have to claim any authority over the peasantry? In a perfect world, Dame Rosaline, parental security is at the core of the class system. I merely do my best to uphold it.”

       “Oh, but forgive me for rambling. How have you fared, good Dame? I trust that you have kept yourself safe with your assuredly capable abilities on the battlefield, but you yourself are also a lady of dignified standing, are you not? Not to mention, you also do far more engaging in actual combat than I.”

[a-noble-lady]

       “My...this is a rather pleasant surprise. I knew my mother had commissioned a portrait of me, but I had no idea the artist would be able to pen such a lovely rendition of my visage with naught but my portraits to go by. I must say, it truly captures my noble poise and dignity. Perhaps presenting me so beautifully is simply my mother’s attempt at enticing me to visit home more often, but...well, I suppose if this is the result, then I can certainly humor some well-intentioned flattery.”

[buttonsandlace-blog]

“Hmm… well if it’s that important to you, then maybe we should go shopping?” Lissa suggested cheerfully. “I heard that there are some new imports from Chon’sin and Regna Ferox.” 

[a-noble-lady]

       “Why, what a lovely idea! Just the other day I saw some dresses and accessories that would look absolutely precious on you. Oh, and any furs from Ferox would doubtlessly be a perfect match with your complexion! When would you like to depart?”

[know-that-i-loved-you]

Mending||Open

[know-that-i-loved-you]

Emmeryn nodded politely and rose up from her seat. Though Maribelle seemed to wear her heart on her sleeve, the Exalt didn’t seem to mind. The noblewoman had only been honest in expressing her insecurities. There was nothing wrong with that. Perhaps these feelings were unpleasant for now, but Emmeryn appreciated Maribelle’s strength and hoped that she would be able to change her outlook on things, if only even a little.

“Thank you, Maribelle. I’m sure the soldiers we meet today will be thankful for all the help they can get,” Emmeryn replied, helping Maribelle up by the hand. “If you have your staff nearby, we can walk to the barracks together and talk for a while along the way.”

[a-noble-lady]

       “My staff is just outside the door, actually,” Maribelle stated with some echo of her typically haughtily matter-of-fact attitude returning to her voice. To prove it, she let the Exalt’s hand go, paced across the room and opened the door, leaning down to pick up something placed just outside it: her Mend staff. With a prim smile, Maribelle held the door for Emmeryn. As the two began their trek to the barracks, Maribelle racked her brain for something to say. Walking with one so respectable and maternal, and especially after the Exalt’s suggestion, every second of silence was one Maribelle spent feeling increasingly awkward.

       “If I’m not overstepping my boundaries by inquiring...how have you been faring, Your Grace?” Maribelle winced inwardly at such a banal choice of topic; another part of her (the one born and bred to live the class system) shouted not to intrude on the Exalt’s personal state; and yet another side was genuinely curious and concerned. “I would imagine guiding and overseeing the realm while foreign affairs are in such a state should be...taxing, at the very least.”

[buttonsandlace-blog]

“Nothing to wear? But everything looks positively wonderful on you Maribelle!!!” Lissa smiled happily as she popped her head inside Maribelle’s tent. “Sorry to intrude, I just couldn’t help but to overhear…” Lissa said sheepishly. 

[a-noble-lady]

       Maribelle looked up in surprise at the familiar voice. “Oh, Lissa,” her face broke into a smile. “It’s no issue at all, my dear. You’re welcome to visit me whensoever you please.” After a pause, Maribelle sighed once again, and shook her head.

       “It’s not a matter of looking good, darling, though I thank you for the compliment. I can’t simply keep wearing the same clothes--people will think I’m a bum! I’ve worn everything in my wardrobe seven times each by now, and that’s far too much with far too little variation! I would be the laughing stock of the other nobles, were they to see me.”