sacred healer

When I see an injured person, I must help. I seldom think of the consequences to myself. NATASHA from FE8, Golden Deer student affiliated with TOA

[agapisya]

『 𝒘𝒆, 𝒘𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆 』

[pryings]

he notices her smile and tries to return them with one of his own. knoll's smiles are careful things, often constructed to attempt to placate, which he finds disingenuous with natasha.

it is rare to smile for the sake of smiling. it pulls at his cheeks, feels strange on his face. he does not dislike it.

he is also smiling from relief. that the spell works as intended, that they're seemingly in no danger. her magic is strong, as is her—faith. the former is something he understands. the latter, not as much. regardless, he is impressed by her, as he so often is.

he watches her pray, and finds only curiosity in her faith. he enjoys watching her pray, though. she is a vision in a cleric's vestments, casting holy magics.

"i've been settling in well enough," is what he finally says. "i don't mind how odd this land is... grado has its own oddities. i think every place is worth learning about, and learning from."

[agapisya]

TO SEE HIM smile, that is one of those little pleasures in life. To draw a happy expression out of someone who rarely demonstrates it & does not always know what to do with himself. He looks better here than he did when last they spoke but... when last they spoke it was wartime, and that is good for almost no one, certainly not a man more comfortable in libraries and studies.

It takes him a moment to answer. He seems curious about her prayer and she resists the urge to explain her steps. He understands it, maybe not the same way she does but she knows he understands it nonetheless. It is not a lack of understanding which keeps him from faith and she does not wish to try and force the gods onto him.

"Every place is... worth learning about?" she echoes. There is something in that which she likes. She is not well-travelled but she agrees anyway.

A nod. A widening of her smile.

"I'm glad you are enjoying it. I am surprised, a monastery school seems the last place I'd find you."

[agapisya]

『 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒘𝒐 』

[fateschallenged]

Chrom looks at the girl sheepishly. He didn't know how crowded the ball was but clearly if a single person's presence or lack of could be noted, it clearly wasn't too crowded. That made the mess they were currently cleaning more egregious then. Maybe.

Or maybe it was an extremely crowded event and the student he's helping is just a really observant person, able to notice things and people others miss.

Wouldn't that be a useful skill? Chrom didn't think he was bad at observation but his prowess in it often left a lot to be desired.

"I don't mind helping out. Really."

She has an air about her that he finds comforting. The kind of air Emmeryn sometimes had, a natural healing aura. He wondered if this young woman was a healer herself or if she just reminded him of that kind of person. A calming essence.

"It's really no trouble. I'm surprised more students didn't volunteer! Well maybe not that surprised..."

[agapisya]

NATASHA can tell that he's put at ease by her. She only notices this because it's fairly common, she's been told she has one of those faces.

She is glad that he does not mind helping. Her smile is pleased.

"Don't be surprised by that... I've noticed a lack of volunteering among many people..." Trailing off, trying not to sound agitated. It is not just something that affects this place or these people or something as small and meaningless as a ball. If it were so, she would not be so annoyed.

No, though she knows many people who are happy to help others she has also known too many who would turn away.

This topic is no longer about cleanup, of course. But seeing the willingness with which he offers to help puts her mind somewhat at ease. Just as there are people who will not help, always are there people who will. She is grateful for that.

"Help me shift this table? It looks as though someone spilled food back there."

[agapisya]

『 𝒂-𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 』

[goldoanheart]

Kurthnaga holds the bow that she hands to him awkwardly, unsure of the proper posture that it was meant to be wielded with. Whenever he used beorc weaponry here at the academy, he tended to gravitate towards axes - there was something about the weight and strength required to use them that entranced him, though he certainly didn't look the part of a fighter.

"Ohhh, yes! I would much rather capture a beast then have to kill it!" Killing meant blood, and blood meant the ever constant churning in his stomach that made him want to run away and hide forever, just so he didn't even have a chance of seeing or smelling it. The thought was so nauseating that he wanted to run just thinking about it. But he wouldn't.

This was exactly why he was here at the academy; right? To learn and to grow, to be better than he once had been. And that included learning how to overcome his fears. Didn't it? He could do this! He knew he could!

"Are you ready, Lady Natasha? Let us make haste into the woods before it gets too late to hunt properly," Not that the dark was much of an issue for him, but he was being considerate of his beorc companion! She surely could not see in the dark as well as he could, "Don't worry! I'll protect you if there is anything dangerous lurking out there!"

[agapisya]

TO CAPTURE rather than kill would make for an interesting challenge. While Natasha does not believe in hunting for sport or trophies there is always a need to feed people. Still it looks as though the idea makes him squeamish and she does not truly desire the allegedly legendary bow no matter what price it is being offered at so there is no need for her to force him outside his comfort zone.

She smiles. There is joy in that smile and she is more than willing to accommodate the scope of his comfort.

His promise to protect her if danger arose made her smile. While she was not completely helpless, fighting was definitely not her strongsuit.

"How gallant. What a fine friend I have made today."

She looks happy.

"Let us be off," she said in an effort to waste no more time. She was off into the woods, taking the lead for the moment. "We can do this! I'm manifesting success, by the grace of the Gods."

[agapisya]

『 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒘𝒐 』

[agapisya]

Affluence mission board, Ball Cleanup

HAND comes up to tap rest upon chin. "You weren't even at the ball, were you? Unless you spent the entire time masked I would remember having seen someone with your good cheer."

The young professor who volunteered to assist with cleanup certainly has a presence about him. Something similar to that of Prince Ephraim if she isn't mistaken but if that's due to him being of a similar position or merely in how he carries himself she can't say & isn't going to ask. Instead she leans over to clean a particularly messy spot on the floor of piled-up decorations & spilled drinks.

She is glad to know that she did not volunteer alone though and will take any assistance.

"You're kind to help clean up a mess you didn't even make."

@fateschallenged

[agapisya]

『 𝒂-𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 』

[goldoanheart]

"Oh... uh... haha... hm, would it really be that easy to find a legendary beast?" The idea of hunting still has his stomach turning. If they did find such a thing, he would much rather leave it be. Perhaps take a few notes on its existence, but certainly not spill its blood. Was hunting for sport really that big of a deal for beorc? That they would distrub something that had lived for ages without their interference for so long, and then... urgh... kill it.

"Wait, half off?" Kurthnaga tilts his head in confusion, "If this vendor is asking for such an impressive catch; why would they not just give you the bow then? To make someone pay after doing all that work, it doesn't seem right."

Not that he didn't have the money, but... hm, he would have to ask Nasir about this later. If a vendor was scamming people by making them catch game and then still pay at least half price, that couldn't be right; could it?

Wait, wasn't he missing something very important?

"Oh! I don't have a bow. Are there any that I could borrow?" Not that he necessarily needed it for hunting but... he wanted to try this the beorc way! For fun! For a new experience!

[agapisya]

NATASHA shrugs. "If it were easy would it truly be worth doing?"

To her it is more about the effort than the outcome & the promise of learning a new skill. She lowers her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "If there is a legendary beast around perhaps we can befriend it and catch it that way. Unless it is a very dangerous beast."

More likely they will find and catch a deer and receive nothing for their trouble. But it can be nice to dream. "I'll say a prayer for good luck on our journey."

She clasps her hands and begins to do so before something occurs to her. Oh. She didn't have a bow either.

"Wait right here."

She heads off & returns swiftly with a pair of training bows. Would this do for the meantime? Could they even catch anything with such weapons? It was worth a try.

"If these don't work, I suppose I can always use my magic to aid us."

[agapisya]

『 𝒘𝒆, 𝒘𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆 』

[pryings]

though he was the one who’d offered it, the feeling of her hands on his arm, at the crook of his elbow, is somehow unexpected, as if he’d expected her to rebuff him entirely and is surprised that she hasn’t yet.

but she asked him a question, didn’t she? he can’t let himself grow so flustered he doesn’t answer. “i… do not believe i have changed in any regard.”

not a very good answer; he grimaces internally. she will need her hands free to cast, he thinks, but for the moment he takes the lead through the valley. it looks from where they are that the further in they go, the more dangerous it will get. he is no stranger to hostile landscapes, as much as he wishes he was, and is grateful (‘gratitude’ in a form that from someone else, someone like natasha, would take the shape of a prayer) that at least there are no monsters about.

he thinks of the sorts that would thrive amid fire and lava, then pushes those thoughts aside. this place is dangerous enough without conjuring worse from his imagination.

“a good point. we are safest together. so i won’t go far. nor will i let you go far…”

[agapisya]

SHE giggles at his words from behind her hand. & there is nothing better than the feeling of being known and understood. Knoll looks surprised that she has taken his arm and she finds this undeniably charming.

She can't help but wonder what he's thinking. What lurks behind his expression which she has always found inscrutable. Do others? After his forced departure from the side of Grado's Prince is there anyone who can claim to have much insight into him? Could even the Prince? She can't help but wonder. Nosy but never one to press too deep or risk hurting.

Instead she smiles at him. Knoll's words are reassuring. They walk through what should realistically be a blistering heat set to cook them alive and yet they are unharmed. She cannot help but be grateful.

"Thank you," she says. Her hands clasp together in prayer. "Please bless us with continued safe passage."

She turns her gaze then back to Knoll. "And thank you for accompanying me. How have you settled into this land with all its strangeness & shadows?"

[pryings]

[ Cue the Music ]

WHEN Natasha approaches, it is not with any hesitation. She extends a hand to Knoll & offers a friendly smile. Her eyes are alight in a way that suggests that the good mood of the evening is getting to her, or perhaps that she's had more champagne than the students were told that they could have. But only a little more, she is a cleric after all, & will not indulge unnecessarily.

"Master Knoll, you are always so serious. Is that the case tonight? And if so then is there any way I can tempt you into a friendly dance?"

knoll takes the offered hand, bowing at the waist with one hand behind his back ( a stiff and rigid posture, befitting him in a way ) as he presses a feather-light kiss to it. she seems to be in good spirits, which is nice to see. he remembers all too well the way the weight of past conversations had once sat heavy in her throat when they used to speak, during the war.

but for now, there is no need to think of war or natural disasters, only the music and good cheer around. "you... are always able to pull me in the direction of your choosing," he says by way of answer. he does not know if that is an adequate response. "if you would like to dance, we shall dance."

[agapisya]

NEITHER the stiffness nor the rigidity is unexpected from Knoll and she draws comfort in the fact that he is terribly (no, adorably) predictable.

She keeps her hand within his and draws him toward the dance floor as if to test his words. "The direction of my choosing hm? Then I choose this way. It's not too crowded. I wish to dance."

She is no noble lady but neither is he a member of the upper class of Grado. There is kinship there for that. A smile decorates her face & she puts her free hand on his waist. It is the more masculine position that she chooses to take if one cares about this, but she hopes Knoll does not mind.

[agapisya]

『 𝒘𝒆, 𝒘𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆 』

[pryings]

knoll's eyes flick toward natasha as she casts first. he watches her hands, mostly. they cast very differently ( likely due to their affinity for different magics ) and he can't help but take note of those differences. there's a certain economy to his own hand movements that anima mages sometimes lack, and he's curious to see if light casters are the same.

he's less familiar with what this continent dubs magic of faith but curiosity can drive a man to all sorts of unexpected places. and the desire to help others can drive him even further than that.

he denies himself very little, when it comes to indulging these aspects of his nature. he wonders if she's the same—if there's an indulgence to her, the sort that clerics and holy women are supposed to avoid. he sees the eagerness in her, marks it down for future consideration.

"no, i suppose it wouldn't." they're both serious sorts, focused and diligent. she is, perhaps, one of his very favorite people for this trait.

he offers his arm. "we should stay close to one another. i'd rather not learn the hard way why they call this place what they do. tell me when you need me to take over casting. before you start to tire, if it's not too much trouble."

[agapisya]

THERE is familiarity in the way his eyes assess her. Having worked with Knoll before even if the situation was not the most ideal she does feel as though she has grown to know him. To understand him even, & if he agreed then that would make her heart feel lighter.

She smiles behind her hand, before taking his offered arm. "When did you become such a gentleman, Master Knoll?"

He is correct however. Staying together will make it easier for the spell to continue to protect them both regardless of which of them is actively casting it. The magic draws allegedly from the faith in this land's goddess but considering she has cast it without issue it is more likely that it will draw itself up from any sort of faith.

Something she knows Knoll lacks in any significant quantities. Another smile forms. She cannot help herself.

If this is indeed a magic she takes to better than he does she doesn't mind helping & would relish the chance to be the reason for success.

"Stay by my side. I know we have nothing to fear when we help one another."

[agapisya]

『 𝒂-𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 』

[goldoanheart]

Hunting a literal deer wasn't exactly on Kurthnaga's bucket list for his time in Fodlan, at least not this year. (He would prefer it to be never, but he did always have such a hard time saying no. Especially when it came to new experiences.)

Kurthnaga ignores the turn in his stomach and smiles at the beorc woman who has approached him politely, "I have never handled a bow before, but it would be an honor to embark on such a mission with a valued classmate." Bows were what beorc usually used for hunting, right? He assumed that was the case but one could not always be certain when it came to an area they were not experience in.

(He tries desperately to not remind himself that a hunt involves the killing of the prey, and killing involves blood. Would it be different if the blood was not beorc or laguz in nature? Kurthnaga did not think it was worth experimenting with, but it was a question that he could not help but to pose to himself.)

"Forgive my inexperience in that regard!" He says with a bow in apology. He quickly rises, with an odd hurry that may have seemed almost panicked, "What kind of... game? Does the vendor desire?" Was that right? Oooooo, he truly didn't know! But he was curious nevertheless, even if it may force him to face his fears. A hunt would be on!

[agapisya]

SHE has not much experience with a bow either. This is to be something of a learning experience for both of them then. To use a bow to hunt is a grave thing and not a duty she will undertake lightly. & if her classmate here has never not once used one then she is technically the most experienced of the two.

Even if that experience just means she's observed and done a few demonstrations. They are both here to learn though. That is why one attends an academy.

Natasha bows back at him. Her hands grip her skirts tightly and the gesture is stiff. She smiles.

"The vendor suggested that if anyone caught any game that was as legendary as the one described in the tales of these parts, the bow will be half off."

She taps her chin. "It doesn't sound too difficult. If one legendary beast has already been seen around here then what is another? I know not what to look for but, well, that's why it will be more fun in a pair. Even if we find nothing, we can return with a partridge or something equally, erm, normal."

[ribbontales]

𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝: a little assortment of prompts revolving around painful, bottled up affection and endless yearning, as well as the possible result of finally taking action. remember to tag your dark themes. add +reverse to swap the roles.

[ 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 ] : receiver notices sender looking at them longingly. [ 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 ] : receiver hears sender calling their name while asleep. [ 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐭𝐡 ] : sender drapes a coat / cape / etc. around receiver's shoulders. [ 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 ] : receiver is hugging a coat / cape / etc. that belongs to the sender. [ 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐦 ] : sender is helping the receiver through a panic attack / severe anxiety. [ 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 ] : sender takes a hold of receiver's both hands. [ 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 ] : sender and receiver are spooning for comfort and warmth. [ 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 ] : sender and receiver are finally about to kiss, but are interrupted. [ 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 ] : sender and receiver are finally sharing a passionate kiss. [ 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 ] : sender has just found the receiver who's been missing for weeks. [ 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬 ] : after being misinformed that the sender has died, receiver is grieving. [ 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 ] : sender is expressing anger over receiver's constant recklessness. [ 𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬 ] : sender is voicing their negative opinion about a person who appears to be close with the receiver. [ 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 ] : sender has just told receiver "you belong to me". [ 𝐰𝐡𝐲 ] : sender has just asked receiver "why don't you love me". [ 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 ] : sender has harmed someone who threatened the receiver. [ 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐦 ] : sender has killed someone who threatened the receiver. [ 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭 ] : sender has gotten injured protecting the receiver. [ 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 ] : sender is getting frustrated with their repressed affection and asks receiver to leave them alone. [ 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥 ] : unable to handle their fondness towards receiver, the sender lashes out and they end up in a heated argument. [ 𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 ] : sender is apologising for appearing cold. [ 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 ] : sender is telling receiver they "deserve better than whatever this is".

[agapisya]

『 𝒂-𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 』

[agapisya]

showcase mission board | bow + 1

BIG game hunting is an interesting pursuit. There are many reasons to hunt, trophy & food both, & Natasha would never begrudge someone for either. Reasons can be thought up for both and despite the reputation of healers being soft-hearted she does not think that a hunter should be relegated to mere survival and notes the ways in which impressive game can be traded for gold or reputation, helping the hunter beyond what a single winter's game can manage.

It is with this admiration for necessity in her heart that she approaches the situation. She is a little bit excited if she is honest. Village girl she may be but her home was not known for being near good hunting grounds.

A new endeavor, & one she approaches with determination. She approaches a stranger for she needs to make new connections here. He seems approachable indeed and perhaps around her age; give or take.

"You are in the Golden Deer class, yes?" she asks conspiratorially, eyes twinkling. "That vendor has posed a hunting challenge. You're one of my classmates, so I feel comfortable asking you to assist me with this. What do you say?"

@goldoanheart

[agapisya]

『 𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍'𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅 』

[agapisya]

showcase mission board | goddess' tears

THERE is a happy smile upon her face when she sees Prince Ephraim yet again. Though his presence here was something she had been aware of when she chose to come here to learn it was something that still made her somewhat nervous. She admired him greatly and respected his opinion a great deal. She had always assumed she was on friendly terms with him but still she sometimes felt...

What would be the word for it? ' Anxious ' fit most well. It came the closest. She who had walked away from Grado and then walked back again. Perhaps she could have stayed in Renais but the road had curved & bent & taken her home again. There are things one can't reach but people like Natasha reach out to them all day long. The wind, the bird flying away, the gods in their temples.

She hopes he isn't mad at her for leaving and she greets him with a smile. "Prince Ephraim," & bows her head, "Humor me, for I know very little about jewelry and I don't know if you know much more than I, but these gems are all the rage. If you were to pick what was done with them, where would you even start? Is this whole discussion not all very frivolous?"

@solarsbrace

[agapisya]

『 𝒘𝒆, 𝒘𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆 』

[agapisya]

showcase mission board | faith + 1

NATASHA does not yet know the culture and geography of the continent. It is a fault mayhaps but she is as ever an eager student. The method by which she is to be exploring the strange area (blaze of eternal fire, punishment from divinity itself if the legends were to be believed) is one she has not ever heard of.

Eyes dart toward her companion wondering if he has ever done anything like this. Knoll is a learned man and though when she spoke to him she learned that faith means little to him magic is far more tangible. The spell they are expected to test is experimental but assurances have been made that it will work.

If it does work its uses could extend far beyond this singular place. Bravery is one of the few things she can boast and so it is with an eagerness that goes beyond her trepidation that she casts the spell. It will likely come down to both of them to keep it going but she cannot hold back her eagerness to do it first.

"The ' Valley of Torment ' is it? That is quite the name. Well, I suppose it would not do to dally, would it, Knoll?"

@pryings

[moorhacca]