[aedsunderstudy]

Our habits and our habitat

verdane ◈ agustria

[dancersnewme]

“Me?” Lene looked over her shoulder, a mixed expression on her face. She didn’t know if she wants to tell her at all. They're fine now, and to Lene that was all that matters. "Why are you asking that?” Lene asked, trying to laugh it off in hopes that Laylea wouldn’t push too hard about it. Yet she felt herself swallow hard as the path gets a bit difficult. “…I just—“ she felt like it was confessing to a lie.

“When you fell, I couldn’t think straight—“ Lene admitted, finally turning around to face her dear friend “I couldn’t hit my shots, I cost the team their lives!” Even if everything wasn’t directly her fault, she felt responsible for it all. “I don’t think I could pick up a bow again, at least not for missions like this.” She paused and takes a deep breath before turning to continue her walk in silence.

And that she did.

Not out of any disrespect, but more to control her emotions as they drew closer— the towers were clearly visible amongst the trees around them. It was peaceful, it had the ability to clear her mind.

[aedsunderstudy]

“Oh Lene…” Laylea wraps her arms around the girl, taking a deep breath whilst thinking of what to say. “Thank you for worrying over me… but it’s not your fault. It’s never your fault, you hear me? All of us got overwhelmed.” 

“When I heard you’d fallen too, I was sick with worry.” She confesses in turn. “I felt terrible enough abandoning that village in Silesse, but if I lost you… I don’t know what I’d do.” 

As more of Nordion comes into view, Laylea thinks of all the places she loves. The market, the square, from here she can see the tailor’s that’s always so nice to her. Agustria might be a complicated mess of politics, but she adores the people. 

“When I came on this trip, I considered not getting on the boat home. I was so homesick.” She gazes out across the lake, just a few days ago they were fighting on the other side. “Now, maybe I’m sick of home. I hope neither of us ever have to fight again.”

[gentleaureole]

in the market for new threads

[gentleaureole]

"Unfortunately, the Greil Mercenaries aren't here in an official manner, but if you ever need help you can always look for Greil or Ike." He knows without a doubt that the two would help anyone.

Her question makes him give a sheepish smile. "I think we're settling, at least for now. Ike and I recently bought a house near here and that's why I picked up this part time job. I want to get us some new furniture while he's away on a job." Usually he'd simply refer to Ike as 'his partner' and leave it at that, but he's already spoken at length of the Greil Mercenaries and even mentioned Ike by name so it naturally comes out now.

"We came here on our own actually. Ike wanted to travel and I asked to come with him, but I suppose we still came together. I couldn't have come here on my own. I don't think I would've lasted the trip. I've also met many good people since arriving though."

Rhys picks up his measuring tape and takes note of the length she gives him.

"Mmm, a couple hours, if no one else comes in. You've been my only customer today so if I get started on it right away I can get it back to you quick. If you want to come back in a bit, I'll have it ready."

[aedsunderstudy]

“Oh how sweet…” Laylea beams at the thought. Buying a house was such a massive step, wasn’t it? It would be a while before she considered settling down herself, but yes, this was a great place for it. “Best of luck to the both of you.” 

So, the dress would be a couple of hours… “No need to rush on my account. I’ve still got a bunch of shops I want to look around today. Maybe I’ll find some more clothes that need adjusting.” She laughs. “It’s been lovely talking with you. Well, ta-ta!” 

She waves goodbye as she leaves the shop, with a spring in her step. What a nice place it was.

[aedsunderstudy]

Our habits and our habitat

verdane ◈ agustria

[dancersnewme]

"Maybe once we return I'll ask him! I'm sure he's worried sick–! That worrywart.." it's here where she usually has some sort of quick quirk to lighten the mood, but after what has happened... She seems hesitant too.

Lene sighs "I haven't been gone for long... I can't say I'm all too surprised..." She keeps a steady pace until Laylea brought up a good point.

"Maybe... But I don't think they should be guarding this side of the border... However just in case– we can cut through an open area in the surveillance." Lene smiles, bringing up a finger to her cheek "It's quiet and it's beautiful, they won't expect a single thing."

[aedsunderstudy]

“Lead the way then.” Their path takes them off the road, skirting the dense forest. Sometimes you just know when you’re passing from one region into the next, but Laylea couldn’t tell you when they pass from Verdane to Agustria, the trees look just the same. 

Her eyes are ever peeled on the horizon, waiting for the towers of Nordion’s castle to peak out. 

“Is everything alright?” She eventually decides to ask. Hesitating once, Laylea could look past that. But it was clear something was bothering Lene. “You’ve been a little… off, if you don’t mind me saying. Are you still injured from our battle?”

[aedsunderstudy]

Our habits and our habitat

verdane ◈ agustria

[dancersnewme]

The journey was smooth– she was so elated that she could finally relax.

Lene tilts her head to the side, looking over at Laylea as the waled "Is that so?" She asked, raising an eyebrow "You sound like youve taken the path often" Turning to look at her with a teasing expression "How often have you done that?" And without her! She would love to do anything like that.

At the mention of Nordion, Lene goes quiet for a moment "It would be nice to go by and take a look..... I have to wonder if Ares has gotten a chance to pass through here" She quickly gets lost in thought, but keeps walking anyway- a little fast without putting much thought into it.

[aedsunderstudy]

“Oh… three times I think? Though two of them were just from Agusti to Mackily.” It was a little long and isolating to take too often, when did she really need to go to Evans? “We should definitely try it some other time.” 

“I hope Ares was able to visit.” Laylea ponders. “He’s been at the academy for so long, it’d be a shame to get so close and not visit home.” Ignoring that she herself didn’t get to visit Darna on this trip.

The closer they get to the border, the more Laylea thinks about the tensions that meant Agustria was ineligible as a travel destination. “Do you think there’ll be guards at the border? Might be time for one of your shortcuts.”

[aedsunderstudy]

Our habits and our habitat

verdane ◈ agustria

[dancersnewme]

"the healers... yes they did do a great job, I just hope we wont have to deal with that again" Lene steps back a bit, It wouldn't do them any good being cooped up in here all day... and she cant say that she doesn't want to see the city one last time.

"Then– Let's just try our best to make it there on our own. We could take some shortcuts here and there to keep a low profile" Lene gives a small wink "I remember some still! Despite always being so busy" but they couldn't go empty handed, so this time she made sure to leave the bow behind. She stared at it for a moment, as if the fight was still fresh... before turning back to Laylea.

"We can't leave without a weapon, I brought a sword just in case." Lene firmly takes Laylea's hand "I won't let that happen again this time, Ill be on watch while we go."

[aedsunderstudy]

Laylea grins, clasping Lene’s hand between hers. “I’ll be counting on you.” 

The journey to Evans is as smooth as promised. Literally, the roads were rather well maintained, even when the carriage drove through the middle of a forest. They wanted to go sightseeing, that’s what Laylea had told them. They’d heard there were some beautiful scenes near the mountain range. 

“Do you know the path through the mountain range?” Laylea asks Lene as they depart from the city. “If you follow the river, you’ll eventually reach a valley that takes you all the way up to Mackily, or even the outskirts of Augusti. They post a guard or two up there, but they’re the sort that wouldn’t recognise an intruder if they tapped them on the nose.” 

She giggles. “Not that I want to go that far. I miss Nordion the most, I’d like to spend some time there.”

[aedsunderstudy]

Our habits and our habitat

verdane ◈ agustria

[dancersnewme]

This had awakened something in her. Sadness for what Jugdral had become, but a fire for improving what seems to be impossible. She heard that everyone was already awake, some even moving about. Lene was relieved that they survived despite her failure as a team member.

That's when a familiar face ran in, quickly scooping her in a warm embrace. "Laylea..." Her voice quivers, tears forming "I.. I thought I had lost you" that fear lived strong in her heart. She saw Lex for a brief moment before the enemy had swiftly brought her down. She should get the chance to thank him for everything.

"Are you sure ..? Do you feel well enough to move around for that long?" What hypocrisy, she's the one who's bed-bound.

[aedsunderstudy]

Laylea takes a deep breath, trying not to start crying again from Lene’s words. “I’m still here.” She says gently, stroking Lene’s hair. She had also thought she’d be leaving Lene behind, but she can’t say that now… 

“I’m much better.” She says. “The healers here are rather good, aren’t they?” It felt like there were more healers running around each town they visited than she’d been expecting. A good sign perhaps, that the people had ways of caring for themselves. 

“What about you?” She questions. “We could get an official escort to Evans, but after that we’d be on our own. Any trouble, and…” She shakes her head. Not when they were so close to the end of their trip. 

Laylea could go on her own, of course. She should finally find a weapon if she were to, but… she’d like the company.

[aedsunderstudy]

The moments of happiness

silesse ◈ Sailane recovery

[charmblooded]

"Pleasant company?" Diarmuid shifts one arm to point to himself, smiling coyly as he does so, as if to say could you mean me?. "Ah, but you are yourself! If I'd known being frostbitten would lead me here —"

He shakes his head.

"I've more a sense of responsibility than that. But the last two weeks have felt tense, to say the least. I feel like I'm melting, in more ways than just one."

Their eyes match, then, firelit and comfortable, melted brown or molten amber.

"I feel the same. About the desert, that is. It's easier to warm up than cool down."

[aedsunderstudy]

“Melting already? I’d hate to see what the sauna would do to you.” She laughs, rolling onto her back once more, leaving one arm dangling off the edge of the sofa. 

Her eyes don’t leave Diamant’s. Gazes melting into each other, was that an expression?

“Verdane next week, isn’t it? Never been there either, but the climate can’t be too different from Agustria. Maybe we’ll finally have weather we can all enjoy.” 

She finally breaks eye contact, sitting up and stretching her arms. If she lay down for much longer she may just fall asleep. 

“I hope the others are enjoying their trip. If this was my first time visiting Jugdral I’d think it was quite terrible!”

[aedsunderstudy]

Our habits and our habitat

verdane ◈ agustria

[aedsunderstudy]

Waking up in Marpha felt like a dream. Unfamiliar faces, an unfamiliar room, nothing but a great lake outside her window… for a moment, she truly believed this was the afterlife. But then she found the room Lene was in. Lene couldn’t be dead, not her. Eventually, Laylea found someone who could explain what happened, and she was left to sit and wait. 

“Lene!” Laylea wraps her fellow dancer in a tight embrace when she wakes. “You’re alright, thank goodness.” Laylea wipes her tears quickly, a mellow smile washing over her face. “Sir Lex saved us, brought us back here- oh don’t scare me like that again!” 

When her heart’s calmed, Laylea glances out at that vast lake again. Off on the other shore would be the land the two of them now called home. “We’ve been through so much this month.” Too much. A painful reminder that winning the war had not been enough to bring peace to all parts of the continent. 

“I would like to see Agustria at least once before we leave.” She tilts her head in Lene’s direction, hoping she feels the same. As affiliates of Garreg Mach, they shouldn’t. But would they truly be blamed?

@dancersnewme

[heriteur]

three-way offensive

expedition week 3 verdane - purple subteam 1

[dancersnewme]

How could they-

Lene has dealt with nothing but problems since theyve arrived, and it honestly broke her heart. Would their home be nothing but a source of conflict for as long as they continued on living?

She had to adapt. The new gear stayed close to her as her only sense of safety, and that's when she heard it − it sounded like a familiar

It couldn't be, she didnt want to believe it, not right now. It activated something deep inside her, for a moment the world went quiet, and her body moved on its own. She pushed passed the larger red haired man, almost to roughly than she originally intended.

The brigand wasn't given a chance to react. Her blade pierced through him, and she stood there for a second to long "i need..." her voice was barely above a whisper "i need to check to see if she's ok" her lips quivered.

@charmblooded @heriteur

[charmblooded]

Diarmuid is intimately familiar with it, as much as he loathes it — the attitudes of their newfound companions catch on something jagged and half-formed in his chest, prying at the edges of his own doubt. The reason he'd left, and the reason he would always return. He thinks to raise his voice to anything —

protest, redirection. Anything.

His voice is stolen before he can find it, before he can argue against arrogance.

Arrows fly and blood spills and he reacts without thinking turning without seeing, not really, and his head still pounds from where he'd been struck a week ago and in the dense forest he can hardly see but he yells, hoarse,

"Laylea!"

but there is no time to spare, is there? Not on desperation, and not on hoping — in the absence of decisiveness, there is no do-overs. So he grips his sword, and he steadies his breath, and he peers around the terrain as if nostalgia can guide him. His mount shifts restlessly beneath him. The pressure of the forest feels heavy, and he sees, he sees, he sees

he sees

nothing at all. Despite his desperation, despite his anger and his grief and his surge forward, the sniper he swore he'd dove for seems only further from his reach. The sole solace is their lack of retaliation, trapped in close quarters with him as they are.

He blinks, forcing his vision to refocus.

[aedsunderstudy]

Laylea had just been following the path the maid cut through the undergrowth. Idle chatter, oh where in Agustria are you from, how is it doing these days, aren’t these flowers nice?

Perhaps this had been a terrible idea. Perhaps they should have heeded the warnings. Perhaps the forest did not want to be disturbed. But it was the legendary spirit forest, and this was Laylea’s first time properly exploring Verdane. Of course she wanted to see all the beautiful nation had to offer. And despite their struggles last week, Laylea was confident, overconfident, that the bandits of Verdane would pose no threat. 

What she hadn’t considered, of course, was that the bandits knew the forest. For as dense as the trees grew, so thick that even the best of horses would stumble, there were lines of sight long enough to shoot an arrow through. And with the thick canopy obscuring the sky, it was impossible to notice even a glint of sunlight reflecting off the arrow, until it struck her in the stomach. 

Even when the second arrow came, Laylea could not see the archer who fired it. She staggers to the nearest tree, glancing around desperately to find her allies amidst the sudden chaos. They cried out her name. If she stayed here, she’d be a sitting duck. If she moved, she’d be an open target. But if she could just reach them- 

The arrows dig into her as she walks, towards where she thinks the voices are. Her breaths are heavy, and the pain overwhelming. 

“Diamant!” She cries out in relief when she finally finds him. Just a few steps more and he’d be there to protect her. Just a few steps more and she’d be safe. Just a few steps- 

The sudden impact of an axe knocks her off her feet. She presses her hand to her side. Blood, too much blood, gushing out of her alongside the splatters from the arrow wounds. A man stands over her, silhouetted against the leaves. He must have heard her scream… or maybe he’d always been waiting in ambush. He mutters something, a gloat perhaps, but Laylea can barely make out the words. He raises his axe… 

“I’m sorry…” She mumbles. She’s terrified. She doesn’t want to die here. Not in Verdane. Her vision fades, and she speaks her final words, praying that someone is there to hear them- 

“You’d better keep Lene safe. If anything happens to her, I’ll never-”

Laylea is defeated

[aedsunderstudy]

The moments of happiness

silesse ◈ Sailane recovery

[aedsunderstudy]

Laylea hums, pondering the question for a moment. “Is it strange to say I like the snow?” Though the melting of snowflakes on her hair had chilled her head so deeply she thought it would never stop pounding, “It’s pretty. And it feels different to the snow I’ve seen before, maybe because it's been settled for so long.” 

She rolls onto her side, staring into the welcoming fire. The reds and orange flames dance about, illuminating the room in a warm glow. Diarmuid too, seems to glow, Laylea can’t help but give him a soft smile. 

“And I liked wandering around Tirnanog. Both there and here, the people just seemed so happy.” Despite the… troubles, it felt more joyous than the Jugdral she’d grown up in. 

She grins. “Tell me, if you had to choose between the cold here, or the heat of the Aed desert, which one would you trudge through again?”

[charmblooded]

"Not at all. Would that we were getting to experience this snow in more fortunate circumstances!"

Diarmuid shifts position, withdrawing his hands from the flame to plant them behind him. He leans back on them, supported on his wrists, and then a bit further, settling on his elbows. From this position, he can tilt his head back and find Laylea's gaze with his own eyes, amber-brown and low-glowing. His hair flips out of place, dangling slightly behind him, far from its usual careful styling.

There's something in his eyes, a little bit behind the warmth of them — nostalgia, perhaps, fleeting but earnest.

"Hm...neither isn't an option, is it?" he laughs, again, an echo of the crackle of flame. "Likely the cold. Although I'm without a mount at the moment, I've always found it easier to ride through snow than sand."

"And you? The snow, for its beauty? Or do you have a secret fondness for the arid?"

[aedsunderstudy]

“Ah, you do favour a mount don’t you? I hadn’t considered that.” Laylea sits up slightly, resting her head on her arm. Loose hair falls softly around her, she uses one flick of the wrist to get it out of her face, but does not fight where it falls back.

“I wouldn’t call it a secret, I am fond of the desert. I prefer outfits that flow freely, but they don’t offer much warmth. I’m afraid I would have frozen long before we reached Sailane if I hadn’t been prepared.” 

Her gaze flicks between Diarmuid and the fire, the light bringing out all the brown hues in her eyes. Though it’s a simple conversation, it feels special.

“There’s nothing like this in the desert, though. After a certain point it’s impossible to cool down gracefully. I could walk through the snowy mountains again if I knew there was a cozy fire and pleasant company waiting at the end.”

[aedsunderstudy]

“Laylea! Glad I caught you,” Sharena heaves a deep breath as she finally catches up to the dancer, trying and failing to ignore the cold air stinging her lungs from the run for the few seconds it takes her to catch her breath. Wow, does she miss her warm defrosting time already. Or does she miss not needing to defrost? After all, it is a lot easier to ignore the cold when you don’t know what you’re missing…

Not the point! Sharena takes a big inhale before straightening up again, refocusing her attention on the real important topic — the friend she found, and why she came to find her. “Are you okay? I don’t know what happened, but when I woke up I wasn’t one the battlefield anymore, and none of you were there, and—“

The Askran cuts herself off with a quick shake of the head. If she keeps rambling her every little worry, they’ll be here forever. “We won, right? You’re not hurt? I was about to take a look at some of the stuff for sale, do you need me to get you anything?”

"Sharena!" Laylea pulls her into a hug as soon as she sees her. "Thank goodness, I was so worried about you. How are you feeling? Are you cold?" Silly question perhaps. "The healers took you away as soon as we arrived, did they treat you well?"

As for how they got here... Laylea takes a deep breath, looking Sharena in the eye. She's such a sweet girl, the truth would breakher heart... but Laylea can't lie to her. "I'm sorry. We weren't able to win. Barely got out of there before we succumbed to the cold as well. The villagers, they... we don't know what happened."

With a bombshell like that, it's hard to just turn around and enjoy shopping now, but... "Thanks for the offer, but I'm doing find for money. If there's anything you want, let me know, alright?" Think of it as her way of making up for it.

[aedsunderstudy]

The moments of happiness

silesse ◈ Sailane recovery

[charmblooded]

Crosslegged before the fire, Diarmuid holds his hands before the crackling flame, not quite close enough for the sparks to lick at his fingers. It's a hair closer than he should be, perhaps, but the chill that's afflicted him feels even deeper than his bones. Even his blood feels sluggish and frozen, and he wriggles his fingers, desperate to feel his fingertips once more.

...it feels fruitless. Still, he tries; he's distracted from his paltry efforts when he's spoken to, and he turns his head, freckled cheeks illuminated by soft firelight.

"It's a strange feeling," he admits, smile broad and a little bit lopsided. He raises one finger to his lips in a 'shhh' motion, and accompanies it with a tilt of his head and a wink, as if the strangeness of it all is a secret for just the two of them.

"I am enjoying it, but you're right. It would be more pleasant without, well...and what have you found most fun?"

[aedsunderstudy]

Laylea hums, pondering the question for a moment. “Is it strange to say I like the snow?” Though the melting of snowflakes on her hair had chilled her head so deeply she thought it would never stop pounding, “It’s pretty. And it feels different to the snow I’ve seen before, maybe because it's been settled for so long.” 

She rolls onto her side, staring into the welcoming fire. The reds and orange flames dance about, illuminating the room in a warm glow. Diarmuid too, seems to glow, Laylea can’t help but give him a soft smile. 

“And I liked wandering around Tirnanog. Both there and here, the people just seemed so happy.” Despite the… troubles, it felt more joyous than the Jugdral she’d grown up in. 

She grins. “Tell me, if you had to choose between the cold here, or the heat of the Aed desert, which one would you trudge through again?”

[aedsunderstudy]

The moments of happiness

silesse ◈ Sailane recovery

[aedsunderstudy]

“Nice to be somewhere warm.” When they arrived in Sailane in such a dreadful state, those waiting for them rushed to their sides, giving them all the healing they could provide. But the chill is more deadly than the axe, and they were given stern instructions on how to recover. 

When recovering from frostbite, they said, it’s important to warm yourself up slowly. If you rushed straight for the sauna… Laylea didn’t remember the full explanation, but it would be really bad. So for now, she was lying on a sofa in fresh clothes, the nearby fireplace gently warming her. 

It occurred to Laylea now that they never explained how slowly one was meant to warm themselves. Maybe she’d try the sauna in… an hour? That seemed fair. 

But for now, she was content to lie there, making pleasant conversation with whoever came by. Which now happened to be that blond lad from the liberation army. 

“Are you enjoying the trip so far?” She asks. “Besides the… you know…” The knowledge that aid is already on the way to the village they abandoned does a little to ease her. “I’ve never been to Isaach or Silesse before. They’re fun.”

@charmblooded

[aedsunderstudy]

The moments of happiness

silesse ◈ Sailane recovery

[aedsunderstudy]

To rescue a child when a house was on fire

silesse ◈ purple subteam 1 I COMBAT DOC

[duchaisruin]

Miklan spat onto the snow as he walked by the new girl and yanked his hatchet out from the grunt’s body. “Yeah right—they’ll probably hand back the goods they stole.” He leaned over to pluck his hatchet from the corpses shoulder.

The pinch of warmth the blood trickling through the too-thin furs of Miklan’s glove made his skin sizzle raw. Shit, it was cold. The battle was doable—but with a growing numbness that weighed down his limbs, his strikes will be too sluggish to carve out the remaining grunts.

He breathed out a steamy breathe of fog. They gotta finish this. Quick. When Miklan’s mind buzzed to call out to her, Laylea shrieked out Sharena’s name.

He snapped his head over. With her boots dragging slush behind her and Fensalir hastily stabbed into its sheath, Sharena’s unconscious body hung limp from Laylea’s shoulders as the dancer drew near.

The brigand closed the distance between the groups. He gasped out. “Don’t tell me she’s dead—“ The noble from Isaach would send an arrow flying to Miklan’s throat if he dragged a corpse back to camp.

His own pulse pounded between his ears while a fainter one drummed underneath his index and forefinger. She wasn’t, the brigand sighed.

“We tail it outta here,” None of this was Miklan’s problem—it was his group that dragged him here. “this place is a lost cause. Don’t try to heard any dead-weight stragglers, I’ll slice their throats.”

His eyes darted to a crumpled road, a grunt was blocking the way. If he could take him out; they could make a hasty escape. “Go, go, go—!” Miklan clutched his weapon and lunged at the other brigand.

Miklan mustered all of his strength to slam his hatchet into this foe’s chest. The blow connected and he grabbed the grunt’s wrist, keeping the man pinned. “New girl, follow me up!” Blood steamed onto the ground, staining the snow to a thick pile of brownish slush.

it’s do or die— @dancersnewme

[dancersnewme]

Lene watched in horror. There, that bright stranger was instantly taken down by the elements. This wasn't how things were supposed to go.. she didnt know how it SHOULDVE been, but she knows it couldn't have been like this.

She watched as her remaining team quickly retreated, how allies high tailed out of there.

the voice of a man called to her- a finishing blow to their enemy before they retreat with what few villagers they could save. Lene swallows hard, gripping the hilt of her sword. "right-" her voice was raspy, as if fighting back the tears that would've frozen on her face.

her movements swift- she thrusts the blade through the restrained man. she felt like death itself, having to be the one to end these lives- but they picked the fight... didn't they?

"there" her voice is shaky- before she turns to Laylea "we- we should go too.. Laylea- its to dangerous for us.. to keep this battle going" she sounded defeated, but she knew it to be true.

@duchaisruin , @aedsunderstudy

[aedsunderstudy]

Laylea looks to the villagers, to Sharena, and then to Lene. “Yes… if we stay we’ll only meet the same fate…” She looks back to the villagers. Could they really not bring the ones who were still able to run? No, she’d seen Miklan’s temper, it’d be sending lambs to the slaughter. Maybe the bandits would get bored and- 

Laylea looks away from their scared faces. She can’t lie to herself, by running they’re dooming them all. 

“I’m sorry…”

Then she moves, as fast as she can with Sharena on her back. “We’re not leaving her.” She says firmly as she passes the corpse Miklan stands over. “If you want to move faster you can carry her yourself.” 

She ignores the sounds behind them as they flee, she has to. The cries and jeers and insults and screams fade away the further they get into the mountain. How many of them were killed the moment they turned their backs? That’s a question she hopes she’ll be able to forget.

[aedsunderstudy]

To rescue a child when a house was on fire

silesse ◈ purple subteam 1 I COMBAT DOC

[dancersnewme]

she closed her eyes, giving a prayer to those villagers that had fallen. Lene looked away- she couldnt bare to see them lying on the ground. Instead, she watched as Sharena stood in between villagers and killing blows. Her passion seems so strong- her genuine raw emotion was clear as day.

Lene couldn't help but to smile at that.

she doesnt stay idle, instead turning her attention to the bandit, point her blade at him "your leader is down- yet you still have the never to fight? i pity you" her eyes narrowed, before jumping at the bandit.

the blade plunged deep, the bandit wasn't given a chance to fight back. Lene takes a step back, looking down at the blade in her hand "this is getting a lot easier to handle" lene commented, the icy wind hitting against her skin "another is down! if we keep this up- maybe they'll chicken out" she calls out, looking towards the direction of the others.

@pillarofopenness , @duchaisruin , @aedsunderstudy

[pillarofopenness]

The enemies come one after the other, and she can only hope the others are faring better. There’s hardly time for her to think between attacks — one moment she’s striking back against an attack aimed at the bleeding man’s throat, the next she’s screaming out as an axe blade somehow finds its way through the armor on her side. 

A punch to her gut sends Sharena staggering back, her grip on Fensalir tightening as she strikes forward one final time, fighting to stay standing through the last of the assault. Or, she thinks it’s the last, at least. She’s can’t see anyone anymore, so that means she’s chased them all off, right? It’s hard to tell, everything looks like she’s looking at it through a frosted window, white edges at her vision and all. But that’s normal with blizzards, isn’t it?

“No, not yet. I can’t… I just… gotta…” It’s so cold, for a place with so much fire. So, so cold. She’s cold. When did it get so cold? She can’t feel anything, and yet everything burns so fiercely… Is this what Fjorm feels? 

…Ah. Then that must mean she, too, is…

…she’s so tired.

With the last of her energy, Sharena shoves off her heel towards the now blurry figure of the old man distinguishable only now by the striking red color of the blob around him, falling atop him in a final effort of protection. Hopefully enough to keep him warm enough to keep breathing while her friends take care of the rest, and disguise him amongst the bodies of the felled until then. Maybe the pressure will even stop the bleeding for him, if she’s lucky.

‘The felled’… guess she’s one of them now too, huh? She should give the princess of Nifl a hug, when she gets back to Askr. Oh, and prep apologies for everyone else, while she’s at it. She’s two for two on failures now this mission, after all. They’re probably so disappointed in her…

But it goes dark too quick for her to tell.

Sharena has been defeated! Frostbite 12/10.

@aedsunderstudy @duchaisruin @dancersnewme

[aedsunderstudy]

“Sharena!” Her ally’s defeat is too sudden. Things weren’t going smoothly, but they were going better than this… Laylea shivers as she peers over her body, trying to find a pulse. She does find one but… Sharena’s far too cold to the touch. A little longer and they’d all be like her. 

“We need to get out of this snow.” She says, ducking under the fighting to get back to Miklan and Lene. “Us dancers aren’t meant for the cold, are we?” And without a weapon of her own, they now stood at five vs two, with no way to heal the ever growing list of the wounded. They needed backup, they needed…

Laylea spots him peering down over the top of the cliff - the man she said could travel with them in exchange for his help. “Hey, Tseren!” She yells. “You know healing magic, right? Get down here and help us?” 

“You’re crazy!” Is the response. “I’m outta here!” 

“So much for that…” She mutters. “Any ideas, Miklan?” He was able to get them out of trouble last week, maybe he’d have something for this battle too.

[aedsunderstudy]

To rescue a child when a house was on fire

silesse ◈ purple subteam 1 I COMBAT DOC

[pillarofopenness]

It’s nice, that they’re still together for the most part. She misses Diamant, of course — though that’s not to say she’s anything less than delighted by the added company of Lene in his stead! She would’ve loved the chance to talk with any more of their little team for as much as time allowed, but still. In such a drastic change in environment than the previous one she’d only just managed to grow used too, it’s nice to have a few familiar faces along.

It’s about all that’s nice.

“Right.” Sharena merely nods in response to the orders, grip tightening around her lance in attempt to redirect her focus to the effort of the action, or perhaps the cold of the metal that barely peeks through the protection of her gloves to bite at her fingers. Anything besides their far too warm surroundings in what should be a far too cold environment.

The sudden strike to her back almost makes her jump — a start all to reminiscent of the blow she took in the early stages of the prior battle — but fortunately for them all, it takes a far different turn. An almost… friendly one? It sounds like a joke, at least. A kinda mean one considering what it’s mocking, but surprisingly comforting all the same. If he’s joking, then he can’t be too mad at her for not listening before, right? And with Laylea’s words, despite what she’s done to fail them in the past, it brings with it the compassion of two allies…

Two allies she won’t fail again. She can’t. 

“Last time was different — there’s no misunderstanding here. I won’t be going easy on them this time.” Smiling to the group at her side, she snags the reigns of a nearby horse that had been meant for assistance in transporting their various luggage and hops aboard, sending a swift kick to the stead’s side that sends it speeding forward at Miklan’s side. Perhaps a bit too rude and bold an action for her, especially with a civilian horse with no prior combat training to her knowledge, but with the sheer numbers as they are? Every bit of help is valuable.

Rushing forward perhaps a bit too fast, Sharena grits her teeth as steel clangs against the commander’s armor in an unpleasant frequency once, twice, then a third time as Miklan follows close behind. Though nowhere near as unpleasant as the screams of the man whose chest she stabs through on the fourth strike of the cycle — just barely shy of a killing blow had it not been for the unwelcome stab of empathy that shoots through her heart, and has her kicking herself in the aftermath.

She can’t tell if it’s better she still lacks proper blood on her hands for at least today, or worse that she’s left him in such agony. It’s probably best not to think about it.

“He’s almost down! Lene, it’s up to you!”

@dancersnewme

[dancersnewme]

its so cold...!

Lene trembled in place as she was only just getting used to the cold, even with warmer gear on her body.. she just couldn't see herself being able to focus under these conditions.

and of course, since their arrival it seems that problems follow. Lene stared at the others- seemingly ready to jump into action, and she cant blame them "I wish we could fight at least somewhere... less miserable than this" Lene mumbled to no one in particular. She watched as her teammates charged ahead- It took Lene a few seconds to really push herself forwards. Just as she was getting warm.

her team left a clear opening, and she had to take it. With sudden new found strength, as the blonde called out to her- Lene charged forth, blade already darkened by lives that it had to take, but whats one more causality to paint against its metal?

she shivers in place, watching as the large man falls onto the snow. His body stands out amongst the perfect sheet of white around them. "...Haa.. thank you- for giving me the chance to attack."

@pillarofopenness , @duchaisruin , @aedsunderstudy

[aedsunderstudy]

“Yes! Great work everyone!” 

Everything is still for a moment when the bandit leader collapses. Bandits and villagers alike wear looks of confusion, astonishment, fear. If they would just surrender after such a devastating ambush, all would be right in this world… 

The mountainside descends into chaos. Laylea holds up her arms to shield against the axes flying through the air, but finds none aimed for her or her allies. “Cowards!” She yells, watching as the villagers fall. Deep breath, focus on what she can do.

“There’s a narrow path over there.” She says to her allies. “If we cut a way through, we can lead the villagers down, and block their attacks. Just try and distract them for now, I’ll try and help them.” 

Laylea runs forward to assess the situation. Most of the injured are still moving, thankfully, but their wounds are varied. A child, a child, is able to get back on her feet, a couple are still hobbled over in pain, one is curled up shivering, and one… 

Laylea can’t find a pulse, and closes his eyes with a silent prayer. 

“Do any of you know healing magic?” She asks them, before looking back to her allies. No, no, none of them do. Where was that Isaachian who said he’d help her out?

@duchaisruin @pillarofopenness, keep it up