legacy

subaki ; fire emblem affiliated with arietta I'M NO GOOD AT GETTING ( help ) WHEN I NEED IT THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH PERFECTION YOU ALWAYS FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING 「 alone 」

[camelligare-blog]

dancing-duelist:

Inigo laughs heartily. “Yes, well, he can be quite the odd–hang on, how is it that you know him?” he asks, squinting. The man in front of him is Hoshidan through and through. Given the state of relations between Hoshido and Nohr, Inigo hadn’t exactly gotten much time to develop any friendships with anyone from his neighboring country.

So then how…?

Two options come to mind. (Perhaps he ought to be thankful for his…unique perception of the world, given that he couldn’t come to such conclusions without it.)

The first. Time travel. The gentleman in front of him is from the same timeline as he, but simply further along it. 

The second. Alternate realities. The man could be from a parallel world with entirely different circumstances.

Either way, Inigo finds himself in the curious position of not knowing someone who knows him. He’s inclined to believe that it’s the second possibility. The red-head does seem somewhat familia–

Oh.

Oh no.

His stomach churns with mild horror.

“You’re Princess Sakura’s retainer, aren’t you?”

A moment’s confusion dances across his wavering brows, but Subaki smooths the creases over with a measured smile. Clearly, it’s a ploy.

“He’s a difficult fellow to ignore. With those kinds of theatrics, he could be a one-man play.” He chuckles to himself. “Of course, he could never upstage me.”

Confidence oozing out of every imperceptible pore of his typical pretty boy face, Subaki lets out a charming laugh and cants his head forward. “Indeed I am, Laslow. Just as you are Lord Xander’s retainer. You do your job well.” The compliments come easy when you’re every bit as poised and graceful as a sky knight. “But enough with the jokes. I wanted to ask you your opinion. What do you make of this place?”

[camelligare-blog]

To anyone looking for more interactions/threads, please feel free to like this post. I’ll contact you about plotting!

[camelligare-blog]

dancing-duelist:

@camelligare

It’s a bustling street and so reminiscent of Valm that it nearly makes him cry. Instead, Inigo wanders through slowly, looking at the sweeping lines of architecture and dodging pedestrians…

Or occasionally, not dodging them.

It takes a moment for Inigo to orient himself from the sudden confusion, but when he sees the lines of a Hoshidan sky knight’s uniform, his hand immediately drops to the hilt of his blade.

He scowls at himself, forcing it away. “Ah, my apologies. A…habit, and a poor one at that. No need to bring this sort of antagonism here…especially now with it being over and all.”

He sweeps into a bow instead, as an apology, one hand crossing over his chest. Inigo rises, tilting his head to the side as he focuses on the red-haired man. He seemed…familiar. Had they met? Or rather, had they fought?

“My name is Laslow, good sir. A pleasure.” Mindfully, he remembers the alias…and also realizes that he may end up in a heap of trouble if the two identities ever come crashing down on one another.

A busy mother with a child in hand and another sprawled around her shoulders shuffles from stand to stand, fetching the day’s bread in its raw forms. The babe cradled against her bosom grabs for the satchel of flour and gnaws at the corner before crying. The poor dear must be teething.

Against the child’s shrill voice, a lively dog hops from side to side, courting the flit of a butterfly that has wandered too far from the meadows. It yaps and jumps and spins around, only to discover its own tail for the umpteenth time. The mutt races around in circles before being scooped up by his owner and carried to the wailing infant.

Reunited with his father, the young boy stops bawling and starts gurgling. He claps in delight at the sight of “up-up!” which must mean “puppy!”

Subaki grins at the sight before the scent of fresh apple pie steals his attention. His mouth waters helplessly and he starts for the bakery.

The glint of metal stops him dead in his tracks but he relaxes when the responsible party offers an apology for jumping to conclusions. Subaki furrows his brow but smiles nonetheless.

“What’s this, Laslow? Some sort of game Odin’s come up with? You’re acting like we’ve never met before.” He sets his hands upon his hips. “It’s sweet how you play along with him. To my understanding, most people won’t even give him the time of day.”

[camelligare-blog]

event 02.

“I-i-it’s impossible t-to get th-through this snow...!” he chatters out, shivering in a blanket he’s managed to conjure up in this horrid dream.

His first thought had been that all of this was his fault. After all that goading from that Kurama character, how was he to know that the frost wasn’t a manifestation of his innermost self?

The more he trudges through the blizzard, though, the more he manages to convince himself that this is some sort of... unbalance of the elements. Not enough yin to complement the yang.

Subaki gasps as the ground beneath him gives way and he falls into a chasm coated in just enough slush to break his tumble. “Oh no... Hello! Hello, is anyone out there!”

[camelligare-blog]

vividfortissimo:

Sayaka held her breath with anticipation as she waited for Subaki to bestow her with the title. Was it going to be awe-inspiring and impressive like the names Mami Tomoe would often come up with? An amazed gasp escaped from her lips when she heard the title and she flushed with joy. Sayaka of the Cerulean Blade, Her Highness of the Fleeting Dream…she felt like a true hero of justice!

“Heh…it has a nice ring to it!” She applauded before suddenly unsheathing her cutlass to dramatically point it up at the sky. “I love it! Thanks, Subaki!”

Glancing back at the sky knight, she ran a gloved hand through her short hair as she hummed thoughtfully.

“Alright…it’s my turn to give you one! How about, ‘The Crimson Knight, Eternal Guardian of Hoshido’s Peace’?” She suggested eagerly.

“You’re quite welcome, milady.” 

Now to commit the name to memory. 

He thinks this won’t be the last time that their paths cross; the world around them has such a soothing quality to it. Sometimes he’ll hear thoughts in his own voice that don’t really sound as though they belong to him. As if someone else were guiding him.

Subaki grins at the dramatic pose she’s struck. He’ll have to work on his own, as well as his perfectly timed arrivals to the fray.

His eyes sparkle. “The Crimson Knight...” he trails off as the rest echoes inside his mind. Brilliant, it’s absolutely brilliant! He can’t help but let out a chuckle free of either restraint or measure. “I love it. I will cherish this title bestowed upon me by Her Highness.”

With a gentle gesture of his hand, he suggests that the two of them wander through the forests as they speak. Better than that eerie spot with the shadows and statues.

“Might I ask when you began training with the sword?”

[camelligare-blog]

vividfortissimo:

“I mean, it kinda is!” Sayaka hummed with delight, resting her chin against the palm of her hand. “Sure, there’s probably some downsides to it, but you’re basically an ally of justice!” Bubbling with enthusiasm, she couldn’t stop grinning as she thought of the justice she practically worshipped. Enraptured by the idea proposed by the sky knight, she nodded in agreement.

“Whoa…really? You’re the best, Subaki!” She cheered, giving him a quick thumbs-up, “Alright, we gotta come up with a cool title, something…heroic!” 

Confidence surges through Subaki as he sifts through his thoughts for a form of address both grandiose and awe-inspiring. He knows exactly what to call her.

“Lady Sakaya of the Cerulean Blade, Her Highness of the Fleeting Dream.”

No such equivalent exists for a sky knight but Subaki’s specialty needs only so many words. The title is Sayaka’s and hers alone.

He bows before her as though greeting a foreign dignitary.

[camelligare-blog]

“What is that hideous thing?”

Subaki’s skin crawls at the sight of That Hideous Thing™. Why his mind has erected a gigantic neon pink statue of himself is anyone’s guess. (A small part of him has died on the inside and continues to putrefy the rest.)

[vividfortissimo-blog-deactivate]

Sayaka held her breath as she awaited for Subaki’s reaction. Surely, he would be irritated for her comment. She barely suppressed a shudder at the thought of the seemingly calm and perfect Sky Knight lashing out at her. It didn’t help that she observed (or maybe she imagined it) his eyebrow twitch.

Relief washed over her when he remained serene. Beaming at him, she listened carefully to him. However, she was met with a pang of confusion by the names “Sakura” and “Hoshido”. Sakura sounded like a normal name, but the other name sounded like it belonged in a fantasy book.

“Lady Sakura of Hoshido…? She sounds important,” She remarked pensively, yet her eyes glistened with excitement. He was a knight? That explained why he seems rather disciplined and perfect, “Whoa…you’re a real knight? Like the ones that fight for justice and peace? That’s so cool!”

She paused for a moment, recalling that she needed to introduce herself. Clearing her throat, she grinned despite feeling somewhat self-conscious around a knight.

“I’m Sayaka Miki! I don’t really have a special title like you do…” She answered briefly, hoping Subaki wouldn’t ask more questions about herself. She was starting to regret transforming on impulse.

[camelligare-blog]

He chuckles at the unmistakable glimmer in her eyes; it’s the same look the new squires wear when they’ve yet learned to envy his talent. To see it again makes his heart sing in unbecoming ways that court naivety. “I should think our second princess very important, yes.” The young lady slides right back into his good graces and it shows. “Both funky and cool, hah hah! You make knighthood sound so glamorous.”

Subaki tucks a hand beneath his chin and eyes Sayaka from head to toe. “That won’t do, Sayaka,” he begins, “You’re deserving of a title. Now I’ll have to come up with one. The perfect title.” A meticulous hum joins his lips. He’s giving this almost as much thought as that eccentric mage of Prince Leo.

[hunterxhakusho-blog1]

cloudjumper

[hunterxhakusho-blog1]

“Perfection,” Kurama muses, reflecting on the meaning of the while camellia. If it sounds like a compliment, that’s entirely accidental. His view of Subaki is upside-down at this point (given the way that he’s sprawled out across the grass) but he notes the flower turning to ice none the less.

“Hmm, you’ve acquired a bit of control - unless you hadn’t meant to do that,” Kurama says, reaching out to take the flower none the less. He can’t smell it’s fragrance through it’s frosty sheath, but he twirls it between thumb and forefinger none the less.

“Common,” he says, suddenly. “Red is the colour of common foxes. I stopped minding." 

Without his conscious decision, he shifts from demon to human, red hair spilling out in sharp contrast to the green of the grass, as bright as any of the flowers.

[camelligare-blog]

Perfection, he agrees. Lesser men aspire towards simpler things: Settling down with a woman and starting a family, avenging a lost brother, discovering hoards of treasure... on their own, they are perfectly fine feats. The stuff of tales. But are they enough?

That is the question he asks himself, given enough time to ruminate.

If Kurama is looking to see him buckle under one perfectly worded quip, the kitsune will never find the right words. Nor will he have the opportunity to do so now that he’s revealed a part of his hand. Subaki watches the cards rest upon the table and quirks a delicate brow.

“Though you’ve yet to say it in explicit terms, I can agree with your sentiment. Perhaps we have more in common than I realized.” A chill runs down his spine. Or is it excitement? 

[fatebled]

rika’s first reaction shouldn’t be surprise, but she can’t prevent her eyes from widening at the sight.   takumi   -   that awkward boy she forces her waltz on…   he’s a lord   ?   there’s no reason for the male before her to lie, but forgive her for holding some disbelief.   he really doesn’t seem the royal type.

“   i see,   ”   that’s the only verbal reaction she has, save for some cheeky remarks about takumi   —   though she feels that won’t go smoothly if she speaks such to his retainer who probably cares deeply for the supposed lord.   “   my name is rika; i’m…   ”

she pauses, hesitant to be so assuming of the situation.   but nonetheless, her voice grows a little stronger as rika meets subaki’s gaze.   “   i’m also her friend, so forgive me for being a little…   protective.   if you don’t mind, i’d like to accompany you to chise   -   a little precaution.   ”   she doesn’t clarify that she’s not suspicious of him because that simply isn’t true;   but the words don’t need to be spoken to be evident:   she is distrustful of him & his intentions.

[camelligare-blog]

Compared to Chise, Rika is far more subdued; her energy tempers Subaki’s and his enthusiasm ebbs into a careful respect. So long as she is wary, he will keep his distance.

Lord Takumi inspires a myriad of emotions, doesn’t he?

Subaki notes the quiet fire in her eyes, thinly-veiled by the twitch in her vibe. He has nothing to underscore about that but perhaps another time it will become relevant.

“By all means. I’d welcome the company.”

He expects little threat from either Rika or the possible denizens of this world. Any who oppose him will find themselves kneeling before his strength. Hoshido’s finest can do no less.

Subaki turns for the fields and wanders forward a good ten feet before he feels the need to check and wait for his new travel-mate.

“Are you a priestess by any chance?”

[vividfortissimo-blog-deactivate]

Growing slightly perturbed by Subaki’s account of the odd phenomenon, Sayaka bobbed her head. This was all a dream that was being shared by people from different places? In a way it reminded her of those mass multiplayer online games that were often in advertisements. Looking up, she raised her eyebrows when she noticed how calm and collected he looked despite the stressful situation. Right, she couldn’t fret over this or afford to look weak in front of a stranger!

“Huh…I guess that does explain a few things,” She noted, casually placing her hands behind her head, “Like your funky fashion sense.”

Once the words tumbled out, realization immediately dawned on her. Okay, maybe that small comment wasn’t necessary and would have been a good idea if she kept it to herself. Letting out a sheepish chuckle, she quickly added, “No offense, um…hey, what’s your name anyways?”

[camelligare-blog]

“Funky fashion sense?” he echoes, knowing better than to throw the remark back at her. That doesn’t stop his brow from twitching ever so slightly. He can feign nonchalance all he likes but annoyance is a difficult emotion to quash all traces of.

(It’s not like she has any room to talk. Oboro would throw a fit if she ever got a hold of this girl’s outfit.)

But Subaki remains gracious before a stranger, “I think I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Seeing as how the girl wants to put that behind her, though, he complies and obliges her shift in topic, “Subaki. I am knight and retainer to Lady Sakura of Hoshido.” Everything about him, from the way he speaks to the front of his teeth, glistens. “Might I know who you are?”

[vividfortissimo-blog-deactivate]

Sayaka couldn’t help but stiffen slightly at the sound of a man’s voice. She withdrew her hand from the mannequin, slowly rising up to face the stranger.

“Milady…?” She repeated, a tinge of scarlet coloring her cheeks when she heard the word. Why was this man so…old-fashioned? Even his clothes look as if they belong to a medieval setting! “Um, right, right!” She agreed nonchalantly with an awkward grin, “I pretty much woke up here randomly.”

She sheathed her cutlass, and her friendly chuckles gradually died down. Could it be this man somehow kidnapped her to this place? No…that couldn’t be possible. Plus, he wasn’t armed.

“Listen, you gotta be honest with me, alright? Do you know why I’m here?” She questioned, gazing up at him as she attempted to mask her skeptical expression, “Don’t worry, I’m not really mad about it or anything…”

[camelligare-blog]

“I can’t say.”

Honestly, he hasn’t the slightest clue why she would be drawn to this space. But if not for her own interest, the only other option remains: He must have wanted someone here, even if that someone was a stranger. In fact, a stranger makes things easier. She expects nothing of him.

Subaki folds his arms over his chest and ponders. He has always been good at feigning silent strength. Though his heart hammers, he is no less poised than a statue carved from marble. (At the same time, he is devoid of color.)

“I find myself happening upon men and women alike whom I’ve never seen before. Every night, as I settle in my tent, I have this reoccurring dream. Only it’s less like a dream and more like a story being told by multiple authors.”

[hunterxhakusho-blog1]

cloudjumper

[hunterxhakusho-blog1]

Kurama brushes the edge of one claw along the delicate petals of the flower next to him. It preens under his attention, with the subtle straightening of its stem that only Kurama could detect.

Flowers of all kinds were such vain things. Perhaps that’s why he was so partial to them.

“Red,” he answers. “I’m rather fond of the colour, however it manifests,” he says. He liked the red of his human hair and the red of his beloved rose.

He taps the camellia with his finger and it fades from red, to pink, to yellow, then white. Colour blooms across it’s surface like ink dripped on parchment and it’s red again. “Is there a shade that you particularly dislike?” Kurama asks, innocently.

[camelligare-blog]

As expected, Kurama is drawn towards the color of passion and indomitable strength. Both elegant and intimidating, red invites admiration and fear alike.

But despite its virtues and its flaws, the color red cannot claim the coveted space of Subaki’s favorite color, never mind what appearances may suggest. And yes, he does turn Kurama’s question upside-down upon its head: “Not at all. Speaking of which, I like white camellias the most.” Not for their meaning but for their understated beauty.

He bends down to pluck a flower and raises a brow at the way frost envelops its petals until it is perfectly encased in ice. Subaki laughs politely and offers it to Kurama in an attempt to save face. “Accept mine and I will gladly accept yours.”

[vividfortissimo-blog-deactivate]

@camelligare

An irritated groan escaped Sayaka’s lips as her eyelids fluttered open. The first thing she observed were the tall, white human-like figures towering over her while posing in rather passionate positions. Instantly, the blue haired girl was reminded of those faceless demons, that plagued Mitakihara City, and impulsively mistook the figures for wraiths.  

Rummaging through her pockets for her soul gem, she quickly transformed into her magical girl outfit, and a silver cutlass materialized into her gloved hands. She aimed the weapon at the figures, gritting her teeth, ready to defend herself.

…

…

Shouldn’t they be attacking her by now? She scowled slightly, taking a few steps back only to knock one down

“Crap…!” She swore, mentally berating herself for being clumsy until she realized something vital. 

“They’re…mannequins?!” She whispered, feeling a wave of embarrassment for overreacting. Maybe Mami Tomoe was right; she should think before acting. Kneeling down next to the doll, she traced her fingertips over the cracks before attempting to pull it back up. 

“What kind of person keeps a ton of mannequins anyways?!”

[camelligare-blog]

A stranger’s voice echoes on and on and on throughout the darkness, rupturing any semblance of peace his quiet meditation had established. Every time, a sigh pulls out a chair for itself upon the tip of his tongue and he must play the henpecked waiter tasked with keeping things under control. He needs a moment longer to compose himself before he begins marching towards what sounds like a young girl.

No one needs to know that this is the most vulnerability he has ever shown.

If he has to laugh and call this place weird to save face, then that is precisely what he will do. He can’t let anyone (else) know what’s wrong with him.

“Your guess is as good as mine, milady.”

He holds his hands up to show that he is unarmed and therefore not a threat. It comes as no surprise that a girl her age is capable of wielding a sword. Hana was just as plucky when she started.

“I take it you woke up here?”

To call that very idea unnerving would be an understatement. Why, his skin crawls at the thought that anyone can waltz right in and look upon his shameful secret.

[hunterxhakusho-blog1]

cloudjumper

[hunterxhakusho-blog1]

Kurama’s eyes flicker with for a moment as he decides whether or not to take that as an insult. He’s petty enough to strike out over some perceived slight, however intentional or not.

A flick of his tail and he’s decided not to make things…unpleasant. “Subaki,” he says, rolling onto his back like a lazy cat as he tastes the name on his tongue.

“Well, in that case,” a lazy wave of his hand and the field is covered in camellia flowers, some yellow, some red, some white.

A bark of laughter escapes him when his name is asked in return. “Hail me? ’Kurama’ will suffice, but feel free to add on whatever titles you wish~.”

He barely has to turn his head to touch his nose to one of the blossoms which dance in the breeze around them. “They have different meanings based upon colour, did you know?” he asks.

[camelligare-blog]

As the camellias spring up all around him, Subaki maintains his polite smile. He’s not exactly pleased with the nod to his namesake (for it feels more like a mockery than anything), but again, he’s walking along a thin line here.

Statuesque in both poise and expression, the knight obliges his difficult companion with a quiet “Kurama it is” to himself.

“Yes, I’m aware.” And he is thankful in private that there isn’t a single pink flower amidst the sea of red. “Regardless of the color, though, they represent perfection and excellence.” Therein lies the pressure.

Much as he wants to be done with this conversation, the perfect gentleman mustn’t be rude. Subaki steels himself and asks, “Do you have a preference, Kurama?”

[hunterxhakusho-blog1]

cloudjumper

[hunterxhakusho-blog1]

Kurama grins, dropping the rose into Subaki’s lap. He rolled onto his stomach, flicking his tail thoughtfully as he studied the male. “I never got your name,” he says, in the irritating way which suggests that he isn’t about to offer his own. Not yet, anyway. 

He sets a hand flat against the grass, letting his power flow through as he created a suitably soft cushion for Subaki as well. It’s a good sign, if subtle. Then again, Kurama’s attention was a dangerous thing to have, however fleeting it often is. 

[camelligare-blog]

“Oh, you intend to meet again,” he realizes with a hollow laugh of defeat. “In that case, allow me to introduce myself: My name is Subaki.” Leaving out the rest about his rank and importance, he prays that the kitsune is satisfied with his response.

“How should I hail you?”

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                    rika isn’t normally one to remain dubious of another’s intentions so clearly, doubt evident in her expression in the way her her eyes squint & her face briefly scrunches.  but she’s rather protective of her dream friend, her kindness being one of the few good things left for rika.  he remains careless, amiable;  rika isn’t sure how she feels about him yet.

                    ❛   i don’t know.  at least, not specifically.  the forest changes, but if you think of visiting her while walking there, you’ll find her.   ❜   she explains, giving him a questioning look.  she pauses briefly, but eventually, her question comes out.   ❛   may i ask who are you   ?   ❜

[camelligare-blog]

“Ah, thank you for the advice.”

He’s a stranger to the rules of this realm but not for long. If he is to return here again, he must know every inch of this place, lest someone he knows comes following.

“Certainly,” Subaki chuckles, “My name is Subaki and I serve as a retainer to Lady Sakura, the younger sister of Lord Takumi. I’m told that Chise and milord know one another so I’m simply the messenger.”

Though his answer bears neither malice nor deceit, one has to wonder if its been practiced time and time again. He carries himself as though he exists in another world entirely where one’s image bears more value than one’s life.