Gungnir&#x27;s Heir

Sometimes You Get a New Cat and Sometimes That Cat Is the Size of a Small Building || Arion & Altena

And also sometimes you almost die (again) but that's beside the point || @luminousrider || Mission Season: Epidemic

"I was hoping I might run into you here. You weren't in the training hall when I passed through." Altena returns his smile and wave, taking larger strides to meet his side sooner.

She missed him during the expedition to Jugdral. She knows she had been the main reason he joined in the first place having encouraged him to see the land they both called him again. Even if it was only for a little while. It had been disappointing ending up in a different group than him, especially so soon after finally reuniting but she's eager now to hear about his adventures.

"You, too, of course, Aphelion." Altena reaches out a hand for her brother's wyvern to sniff before giving him a pat. "I bet you're happy now that we're all back, hm? Peaches missed you t--" with a pause, she realizes there is another wyvern in front of her. Well, there are plenty of other wyverns. These are the wyvern stables, after all. But this one is clearly different.

"Who is this? He's so handsome! And clearly Thracian, isn't he?"

#luminousrider #✧ thread ✧ sometimes you get a new cat and sometimes that cat is the size of a small building.#✧ in character.#✧ mission season ✧ epidemic.#✧ support ✧ altena.

At the mention of the training hall, Arion chuckles sheepishly. "Yes, well, I took a bit of a… fall during the missions in Jugdral. I got shot down during our last week there," he admits. As much as his instincts tug at him to try and soften the blow of the news on him, a single thought silences them on the spot - you promised to stop hiding things from her - and so, he merely admits the truth as it is. "I'm coming back to more or less regular activity, but the doctors said I have to be very careful reintroducing training to my schedule." He pauses here, almost stumbling as Remus pokes at him, demanding attention after he'd stopped petting him.

"He is beautiful, isn't he?" Arion comments, his voice softening as he motions for Altena to come closer. "This is Remus. I loaned him in Jugdral to more around more freely, and suffice to say, we bonded quite well. When I had that fall, he saved me." He chuckles as he scratches the snout, while the wyvern coos softly and stretches his neck to ensure the prince's hand hits all the right spots. "He's very used to different people, so he's a lot friendlier than most wyverns I've met, even though I'm almost sure he's purebreed Thracian, and those guys usually bond with one specific master. Guess there's an exception to every rule," he comments with an amused huff.

Activity Check: March 2026

Status: passed

Skill points gained: - Knowledge Gem (Lance: C+ ½ → B) - Activity (Lance: B → B ½)

Total: 2; 9 → 11

Obtained: - Swordbreaker (Lance B) - Knowledge Gem, Goddess' Favor, Wishblade (BOEL 2026, claim pending)

Class mastery: - Pegasus Knight class mastered! Obtained: Darting Blow, Avoid+

#✧ activity check.#toaactivity

Toa doesn't have a weapon triangle this is all by accident

Boel 2026

hresvelged

Her brows furrow. She isn't one to sit around and allow her opponents to act without her intervention. On a real battlefield, there is no time for waiting. This is no different. When a gap is created, Edelgard is quick to close it. Having her thoughts affirmed only strengthens her willpower.

Running in front of Tine to reach her side, the sun casts light atop her hammer and sprinkles onto the field in wait. With Altena's call, she is able to catch the name of the person she keeps herself in the vicinity of. Arion, is it? He wears a demeanor she'd expect of someone who knows what they are doing. While she understands the idea, does it not create the advantage of giving her ample time to observe how they fight and exploit weaknesses? "Tine," she calls with level.

Keeping her back straight, Edelgard stands in the front lines and speaks without turning her head: "Their approach is to fight each person before moving on." A glance to the two Golden Deer. "Bring yourself behind me— They'll be forced to face us together this way."

@luminousrider

Edelgard continues to put herself in front of Arion and Arion continues to reposition himself away from her. For being on foot instead of in the air where they belong, Altena doesn't think they are doing too badly keeping up their positioning.

She's able to get herself close enough to Tine to throw her javelin this time. She can't imagine it would take too much more to force a retreat. Tine might be tough but no one can last forever.

"I hope you don't take this too personally, Tine." Brows furrowing deeply in her concentration, Altena lets a javelin fly toward Tine.

She looks toward her big brother with a grin. "One more hit should do it. Then we can focus on the house leader!"

@gungniheir @tineoffreege

#tineoffreege #hresvelged #luminousrider #✧ thread ✧ toa doesn't have a weapon triangle this is all by accident.#✧ in character.#✧ mission season ✧ epidemic.#toaboel2026 #✧ support ✧ tine.#✧ support ✧ edelgard.#✧ support ✧ altena.

The Eagles leader tries to shield and protect Tine, whom they've been steadily wearing down, but Altena's javelin still manages to find just the right arc over Edelgard's shoulder and strike true, prompting a light smile and nod of approval from Arion. Just as smart and skilled as he always remembered his sister to be.

"Good one," he offers. To Tine, as well, he gives a short nod. "I'll give it to you - you've withstood more than most opponents I've faced."

Edelgard is not the only one who wants to protect her ally. Altena has taken a solid strike from the girl previously, and Arion isn't keen on letting another one find her easily. With that, he positions himself between her and the opponent blades.

"Come," he encourages. "I haven't faced one of Friege in a long time. This battle is for getting to know each other - why not show me what you can do with that blade?"

Toa doesn't have a weapon triangle this is all by accident

Boel 2026

hresvelged

They are siblings, then. She understands now. It's no surprise that they seem to fight so well together. Still, she isn't oblivious to the fact that the two of them are prioritizing their attacks onto her classmate instead of her. Is that their strategy? The sound of metal clashing is engrained into the princess's mind, kicking green under her feet as a sign of where she stands. It's best if she can separate them. With Altena and Tine in a parry, that leaves her with one other choice.

Their fighting styles are similar, she thinks. Edelgard takes a deep breath and swings her axe towards the man— The circular motion draws into a loud gust of wind, hitting naught but the ground underneath their feet. Grass and dirt fly into the air as a result of the swing, retracting her weapon and shaking her head.

The missed attack isn't on purpose, but she supposes it can be used to draw attention onto herself. The princess's shoulders draw back; she doesn't retract any further: "Tell me.. —" Her eyes glimmer of unyielding determination as the sun draws onto white hair. It cascades her silhouette into a tall blanket behind her. "Will you fight me head on?"

@luminousrider @gungniheir

"Perhaps you should." The corner of Altena's mouth upturns slightly as Tine moves to face her directly. "If you can hit me."

She is quite pleased when Tine strikes her sword against her and even more so when Leif's shield is able to withstand the blow. She can't wait to tell him.

"I'm surprised you didn't bring a tome." Altena lunges forward, thrusting her javelin toward the other girl. She's not complaining, of course. She knows her weaknesses and magic has always been one of them. It's nice too, she thinks, to see Tine branching out. She wonders what drew her to that particular weapon.

Edelgard addresses Arion, trying to coax him into attacking her. The Black Eagle house leader clearly understands the strategy the siblings are employing. "Don't let her get to you, Arion. She'll get her turn to fight us soon enough."

@gungniheir

A strike powerful, but too predictable for Arion to justify not dodging; the hammer draws an arc through the air and kicks up a cloud of dust as it strikes the ground where he stood a second ago. The Eagles leader seems to be aware of their strategy by now, but as far as he's concerned, that changes little. Her attempt at a taunt is met only by a light huff and faint smile from him.

"Hah... One at a time, my lady."

He keeps up a calm and collected front, even though he understands already that facing her will be difficult. Alert, aware, her piercing gaze equally sharp to the proud eyes of the predator whose name her House bears; and the shield and hammer that, in spite of their weight and her posture unassuming at a first glance, don't seem to weigh her down.

More experienced, perhaps, than her age would suggest.

With that, he moves a step closer to Altena again. They can fight just fine independently, she has his full trust - but it is still best not to let them get separated all too easily.

Toa doesn't have a weapon triangle this is all by accident

Boel 2026

The air is sharp, calming in how it demands her attention. She observes her surroundings instead of dwelling on the things rattling through her mind.

It's fear, of course it is. The expedition has left her paranoid and tired beyond her years.

She grips her training sword, a dull blade she's less likely to kill with than her thunder magic when it flares beyond her control.

Since that horrible skirmish in Sillese she has began to almost fear herself how lowly she can act.

But it is all the more reason to participate to prove to herself what happened hadn't damaged her beyond repair.

Her opponents are not enemies, she reminds herself, even if they opposed one another once upon a time.

Even if she knows that neither of them cares for her.

Swiftly, disorientingly, they switch positions. Aimed at her is the spear of Thracia's missing crown prince, which she doesn't quite manage to dodge.

The pain blooms dully; it too sharpens her mind.

Quickly escape and formulate a plan.

"I'm sorry, Lady Edelgard , but I need to rely on you to be my shield. You're better prepared against a Thracian at this moment than I am."

in an out all her composure is fake and she's only faintly aware of that.

She truly is unwell.

"I firmly believe this victory is ours. I promise to aid you in achieving it."

hresvelged

Unlike last time, the sky sprinkles brighter. The air is welcoming; crisp, fresh against her lungs and skin. The minute the horn blares in readiness, she knows what she must do. The trees to her left ready themselves for a new dawn. The bushes to her right stand as if nothing has changed since the prior moment she visited. With her shield in one hand and axe in the other, she wears the pride of the Black Eagles. She stands at the ready, bringing her attention to her classmate in turn.

"A Thracian?" While she hadn't gotten to visit Thracia during their most recent trip, she makes a conjecture that the Golden Deer in front of her hail from that land. The princess brings her shield to cover her center, raising her hand with the axe with an iron fist. "Is that so. Then, I will gladly bear the titles of shield, sword, and victor. Thank you, Tine. Keep a close watch."

With her cape fluttering behind her, Edelgard runs to the other woman— The axe aims for the opposing shield with its blade at a angle. "I wonder what sort of battle techniques you possess." A beat, retracting her axe and its marks left behind as she jumps to create distance. "Show me. I will extend the same."

@luminousrider

"Arion!" Altena's face brightens when she spots her brother on the field and sporting the colors of her own chosen house. It's thrilling to be able to fight at his side once again even if it is only a mock battle. And, this time, she doesn't have to convince him to join her. "You chose the Golden Deer as well?" Her own reason should be obvious with Leif but she wonders what drew him here as well. "Stick with me, alright? We're always stronger together."

The Thracian siblings approach a group of Black Eagles students. One the house leader and the other someone Altena feels perhaps too familiar with.

"My brother and I will show you the might of a Thracian Dracoknight. I look forward to testing your strength." Altena certainly takes note of Edelgard's hammer. Her younger brother had been so worried about her defenses that he forged her shield himself and here the first opponent she faces with it wields a weapon effective against it. It seems Leif's craftsmanship will truly be put to the test.

Edelgard swings her hammer and it sends Altena staggering backwards as it clangs against her shield. This will not be an easy fight. Their best chance is to take out Tine and Altena moves out of Edelgard's range to let Arion set himself up to do so.

"Be wary of that one, Arion," she gestures toward Tine. "She might be wielding a sword now but she's a Friege. You know they put up a tough fight."

@gungniheir

"Hah." How nice it was to fight by his sister's side again, even if it was all pretend, and without their wyverns at that. He smiles as he comes closer to her side. "I'm with you no matter what, sister."

As nice as it is, he wastes little time before evaluating the opponents before them. The white-haired girl sports the vibrant cape he's learned by now to recognize as mark of the House Leader, and Tine's mention of the lady's name confirms that further. A frown passes through his features as he eyes the shield in her hand. If she has skill - and already at first glance it's clear she does - reaching her with their training weapons will be no easy task.

As for the other... "A Friege, huh," he echoes Altena's warning, his eyes now fully focused. "I'm eager to see what you've got then, girl."

With his sister optimizing their positioning, he points the steel at her -

"Have at you!"

- and charges at her, aiming with a strike that aims not to do any serious harm, but to show he's serious about this spectacle.

@tineoffreege

Sometimes You Get a New Cat and Sometimes That Cat Is the Size of a Small Building || Arion & Altena

And also sometimes you almost die (again) but that's beside the point || @luminousrider || Mission Season: Epidemic

#luminousrider #✧ thread ✧ sometimes you get a new cat and sometimes that cat is the size of a small building.#✧ in character.#✧ mission season ✧ epidemic.#✧ support ✧ altena.

His back still hurts a bit at times, as does his head. Arion isn't surprised, really. It wasn't the first fall he's ever had, though it probably was from the largest height of all his accidents thus far, and even if he hadn't sampled the experience himself, he's learned plenty about during training. Familiar with the concept in both theory and practice, he knows that he should be grateful to his body for still working more or less as intended at all after everything he'd put it through, especially because he cannot really say that he'd given it all the rest it needed.

... Okay, in his defense, he really did rest, or try to, anyway. He was seen by medics, took some time off, took medication, slept properly. The wave of exhaustion that hit him shortly after returning to Fódlan, the way his body did not take no for an answer - he was familiar with it by now, for this was not his first brush with death, and so he obeyed.

... But also, the wyverns aren't going to feed themselves. Not while locked up in the stable, anyway. So once he recovered enough to at least go for walks, the wyvern stables were where he directed his steps, to spend time with both Aphelion and Remus, in particular getting more acquainted with the latter.

It's during one such visits that a familiar face comes to his sight, and Arion smiles, waving to her in greeting, more eagerly than he would towards anyone. For while there were many people to whom he could wave as a prince or a commander, there was only one to whom he does so as a brother.

"Altena! Good day to you. Come here for a moment, I need to introduce you to someone."

Relief on Wings || Arion & M!Shez

Mission: Delivery for the sick || @bladeunbound || Mission Season: Epidemic

It was an interesting new experience - to simply deliver food and goods, instead of death. Refreshing, really, if someone were to ask Arion for his honest opinion. He had a feeling he was going to enjoy it.

Aphelion, too, seemed to feel from the start that he was not heading off to battle. Perhaps the wyvern could see that his rider took only a light short spear for obligatory self-defense just in case, but the weight of the heavenly lance was nowhere to be seen this time around, nor was he wearing the heavy armor that protected the body parts not shielded by his thick scales from arrows and blades. All he would bear this time around, beside his partner, were bags of food and medicine.

Beside them, his other wyvern, Remus, sniffed curiously at his newest partner. Arion cast glances at the scene, but saw no reason to worry. After all, until just recently, he was a loan wyvern - accustomed to accompanying different riders.

"Shez, was it?" He inquired, adjusting the bags to ensure they wouldn't fall off. "How much experience do you have with flying mounts?"

bladeunbound

Compared to a regular mission, this one feels... fun almost? Truth be told, he's never really taken to the skies, not for fear of them or anything, just that the chance never really came up.

The wyvern he's been lent is so nice and gentle. Shez just kind of wants to hug the guy and never let go if he could help it but - no! He can ask Arion really nicely after the mission if he can do that, or at least offer the wyvern treats.

"Zilch! But I think this little guy will do me just fine." He's hopeful. "That said uh... don't worry I'll land on my feet if I do fall."

He looks to the cargo they're carrying and hums. "How far is this trip taking us? It feel's like we're carrying a good bit of stuff."

#bladeunbound #✧ thread ✧ relief on wings.#✧ in character.#✧ mission season ✧ epidemic.#✧ support ✧ shez(m).

Arion huffs in amusement in response to what he sincerely hopes is an attempt at a joke. "You may land on your feet, but your legs will still snap even if you do. That said, Remus was trained to be loaned to riders of all levels of skill, so I'm sure that if necessary, he'll catch you."

It shouldn't be necessary though, at any rate. As much as Arion is always cautious and prepared for anything, they're not flying to battle.

With a gesture, he motions for both wyverns to lower themselves to the ground to make it easier to climb on their backs. Shez could watch how he did it, if he needed. "We've got two villages to cover this time around. Every single person in one of them has caught this illness and no one can get supplies, so we're carrying food and medicine for all families that live there."

A light frown passes through his features as he speaks. They still haven't found a cause or a cure, last he heard. He hopes they can make a breakthrough as quickly as possible.

"Alright. Ready?"

"That lance..." The color drains from Ethlyn's face as she walks into the knights' training hall only to see the very weapon that took her life. A shaky hand finds its way to her abdomen where it left behind a gruesome scar. There is no mistaking it. Gungnir is a Holy Weapon. It is the only one of its kind. Aside from the man who killed her, there is just one other who could wield it.

"You..." Her body had frozen in the doorway but she wills it forward with small, wary steps. "You must be Arion." She holds no ill will toward him. He had been just a boy when his father tore her family apart. But just seeing that weapon is enough to bring memories of that terrible day flooding back to her. Pink eyes remain locked on it.

"My name is Ethlyn. My daughter...Altena...she has only had lovely things to say about you." She forces a shaky breath from her lips. "I've wanted to thank you for being there for her. Knowing that she had someone who cared for her after...it means a great deal to me."

Back when he reunited with his - evidently alive and well - father upon arriving in Fódlan, Arion thought that was the only ghost of the past he would have to face. He likes to think that this mindset was realistic on his part. But apparently, what it actually was was naive, if the voice he hears behind him - one that refers to Altena as daughter - is any indication.

In his defense, he himself wields Gungnir nowadays. He's aware of its destructive power. He knows how it rends through flesh. He's done it to people, and already long ago did he learn to not turn away as he works. Surely, he thinks to himself with what feels like childish stubbornness, it wasn't naive of him to be convinced she was dead?

"You're... Altena's mother? Lady Ethlyn?" It's clear in his voice that he's still trying to convince himself that that truly is who's standing in front of him. Still, it doesn't dull his instincts entirely; he sees it, the way she freezes at the sight of his lance.

... He supposes that, if anything, this is another piece of evidence.

In any case, he analyzes and reflects quickly; approaching a nearby weapon rack, he slowly places Gungnir there to rest. What she's said so far has already made it clear that he needs not be armed around her.

"Let's talk over there," he suggests, pointing towards a nearby table and a few chairs, where training Knights can sit to rest in between sessions. Hopefully, she'll feel more comfortable putting some distance between herself and the weapon.

Well... he offered they talk, at any rate, but he has to admit that her words are difficult for him to position himself towards.

"I glad I could be there for her," he says after a moment of pause. "But truthfully, I don't know if there's anything you should thank me for. Every day she spent with me was a day she didn't spend with Leif. Or you, for that matter."

He stops again, hesitating, but eventually, decides to try.

"You need not answer if you so prefer, but may I ask... How are you alive?" He doesn't dare inquire about her husband just yet.

#✧ in character.#✧ ask.#✧ support ✧ ethlyn.#((hee hoo))

A good step in her friendship with Altena should be getting chummy, or at least a little more friendly, with her adopted brother, right? Unlike Altena though, she hasn't passed this guy in the Liberation Army; instead, she only remembers the standoff against him in their Thracian campaign. He had seemed pretty intimidating, back then, with his holy weapon and all, but... hadn't he succumbed to his wounds sometime after the war? Clearly, Fee must have been hearing things because here he stands, ready to receive an unexpected little gift!

(Anyway, she'd had a few made before she left home, so why not give one away, one winged warrior to another?)

"Hey, Arion, right?" It's a timid sort of greeting this time. "I'm Fee, pegasus knight! Uh..." She bends at the waist as she forks over the gift, a modest little paper-wrapped box. "Thought you'd be feeling a little homesick right about now. For the skies back home, that is! I commissioned a few of these paintings of scenes of the sunsets back in Grannvale, y'know, to remind me, and this one is supposed to be just over the Thracian mountains, and I thought you'd, er...that is..."

Her babbling runs away with itself, but her sparkling emerald eyes smile bright as she looks upwards to him.

To refer to anyone from Lord Seliph's Liberation Army as a "friend" would be a massive stretch as far as Arion is concerned. Even "ally" feels like too much at times, and he would only use the word if the other person approved of it or used it first - and for the most part, suffice to say, he hasn't asked. As far as he went, he fought for Altena, for Thracia and against the Loptyrian Cult, and the army and its leader's ideals and visions for Jugdral were unknown to him. It wasn't until later that he understood they were better than his.

He has now had cordial interactions with Leif, Nanna and Ares, reaching what felt like a mutual understanding and at least some degree of trust with them. Where the rest intended to stand with regards to him - if anywhere at all - remained to be seen.

Evidently, however, one of them decided to answer that question for him today. Arion stirs lightly before turning to face her, caught a little off-guard as she addresses him.

"That would be me. Fee? Nice to meet you."

Right, he remembers seeing that green hair from the Liberation Army, and the Silesian style armor and pegasus that carried her; and the love of the skies that she speaks of completes the image for him, too. A relative to the late queen somehow, if he were to make a guess.

He smiles lightly, accepting the gift from her hands.

"That is very considerate of you." He pauses for a moment - he's not usually particularly open about his feelings in front of the people he'd only just met, but he supposes she's already familiar with his situation to at least some degree. "I do miss it sometimes, I have to admit. You're from Silesse, if I had to guess?... Maybe you could tell me about your land and its skies sometime. Unfortunately, I have little knowledge of my own of them."

#✧ in character.#✧ ask.#✧ support ✧ fee.#((she's sweet... thank you!!))

"You know, I can barely remember the last time we were able to celebrate your birthday together." Altena folds her arms across her chest, face furrowed into a deep scowl. It's terribly disappointing. She had always looked forward to the day when they were growing up together. It was a reason to celebrate and an excuse for cheer.

She missed it.

She missed him.

"We're celebrating now, though. I don't care how busy you're supposed to be. We're flying up into the mountains and I've packed lunch for us."

Her face softens and a smile peeks through. She knows he'll go along with it. She's been looking forward to the excuse to spend some real time with him doing something they both enjoy since they returned from their trip home. She's hoping he feels the same.

"I have this for you, too." Altena holds out a rather large stack of letters bound with twine. The letters chronicle her time away from home detailing the adventures she's been on and the bonds she's begun forming with others. They share the choices she's made and the things she's accomplished. And they shed a light on how lonely she felt without her older brother at her side. "I wrote to you fairly regularly ever since I came here to Fódlan. I didn't know where to send them so I just sent them home hoping one day you'd come to your senses and return. I was able to grab them for you when I visited Thracia. Just promise not to read them until after we've split up, okay? It would be too embarrassing if you read them in front of me."

Her smile fully breaks through and she laughs. "Happy birthday, Brother."

The moment he sees the expression on her face, he feels the muscles in his shoulders tense up. Fjalar's tits, where did he mess up this time? It's only after she speaks that the realization dawns upon him, and he relaxes a little, the concern fading from his face and the already prepared apology vanishing in favor of a light, albeit still a touch sheepish smile. Well well well, if it isn't the consequences of his actions.

"... It truly has been years, hasn't it? I've missed it dearly, myself." ... Okay, it's a very natural follow-up. "I'm sorry. You're probably sick of hearing that by now, but I am."

In truth, he did have some plans. Meet with the Knights, training and sparring, extra patrol... It hits him in that moment that he'd simply forgotten what day it was. For the last couple of years, there was no one around who would remember his birthday, and so he didn't either.

Of course, he wasn't about to say any of that to Altena. She deserved no more of his idiotic excuses. To that end, he lets out a quiet chuckle.

"I would never be too busy for you, sister. I don't think I can make up for all that time in one day, but for whatever it's worth, I'll try. Let's make the most of it."

His expression softens as she hands him the bound stack of letters and explains their purpose. For a moment, it's difficult for him to formulate a proper reaction or response; how could it be so easy, when she hands him the representation of the pain he'd inflicted on her with his cowardice, and the proof of the love she'd maintained for him even in spite of that?

In a way, though he hasn't seen them yet, those words have already told him even more about her feelings for him than what has already been said out loud.

"Altena... thank you." He doesn't know what else is appropriate to say, so instead, he does something else that they haven't done in a very long time - and gently pulls her into a hug.

#✧ in character.#✧ ask.#✧ support ✧ altena.#((screams into my pillow I love them so much aaaaaAAAAAAAAA))#((also this is as close as I'm letting Arion get to swearing))

Don't Worry Altena Nothing Concerning Is Happening Here || Arion & Finn

Mission: Any Skill +1 || @sacrificialspear || Mission Season: Epidemic

#sacrificialspear #✧ thread ✧ don't worry altena nothing concerning is happening here.#✧ in character.#✧ mission season ✧ epidemic.#✧ skill ✧ any +1.#✧ support ✧ finn.

Arion is a regular at the training grounds regardless of whether or not they announce new themes for sparring and drills. No self-respecting mercenary can allow his skills to dull if he wants to be worth his coin, and even if the Church seems quite satisfied with his performance thus far and lax on their expectations for him, well, he was never known for going easy on himself. A movement practiced a thousand times could still be made more smoothly on the thousand-and-first attempt, and not knowing the luxury of slacking off, Arion has never desired it.

During his frequent visits to the training area, he has come across a wide variety of faces. Some, he’s seen more often than others — others once, and never again. Some felt distantly familiar, most he could say confidently he met for the first time. Many would greet him politely, some would spar with him — opportunities he gladly accepted — a few students turned to him for guidance; others ignored him entirely, focused on their own progress, which suited him just fine.

As he took note of all the faces he’s seen, there were times when Arion couldn’t help but wonder when he would come across the few faces he knew were at the Academy, that deep within his heart, he feared meeting.

Evidently, the answer is today.

Because as he enters the training grounds, his eyes are immediately drawn to a characteristic head of blue, and he stirs upon realizing that the last time he saw that man…

It was by Lord Leif and Altena’s side. Back then.

His hand grips the handle of his training spear on sheer instinct. His first thought is to turn back, but he can already see that the other has noticed him. At this point, retreating would likely be far worse than whatever can result from confronting the past staring him in the face.

Besides, did he not promise Altena that he would stop running?

Inhale, exhale. He comes a few steps closer, weapon lowered and guard mostly down, and nods in greeting.

“Sir Finn… Good day to you.”

Activity Check: February 2026

Status: passed

Skill points gained: - Activity (Lance: C+ → C+ ½)

Total: 1; 8 → 9

Class mastery: - Soldier class mastered! Obtained: Defense+

#✧ activity check.#toaactivity

And I Will Move the Skies With You || Arion & Altena

Family Reunion || @luminousrider || Mission Season: Aphotic

"I was there for that, you know. The attack on the monastery. Seeing the devastation that it caused throughout the continent was why I decided to break away from the monastery and head off on my own." With the influence the Church holds, she assumed it would be fairly simple for them to replenish their ranks and fill her vacant position. The regular citizens would not have such a luxury.

Altena smiles when her brother offers to let her tag along with him. She's sure she's smiled more in these few moments since reuniting with him than she has in years. Her smiles are bigger, warmer. They come easier.

She had worried a little when he said his mercenary work was affiliated with the knights that it might mean less time that they have together but it seems her fears are unfounded. The offer to split the pay is nice but, in truth, just getting to spend time with him will be reward enough. They have so much lost time to make up for. "All you need to do is say the word and I'll clear space in my schedule for you, Arion. Thracian mercenaries work together, don't they?"

Deep brown eyes light up when Arion suggests bringing their wyverns back together. "Peaches has, of course, made friends here but I know she misses Aphelion just as much as I've missed you." Her wyvern has always been friendly, easily enjoying the company of others of her kind as well as people. Even if, sometimes, she favors those Altena would rather her not. But it's been a long time since Peaches has been in the familiar company of Aphelion or others from home like Dean and Eda's mounts. If she's anything like her rider, Altena knows she must be feeling that loss, too.

"Come on, we should probably head that way now. It's hardly fair for us to continue keeping them from each other. And besides, I'd love to see Aphelion again, too."

#luminousrider #✧ thread ✧ and i will move the skies with you.#✧ in character.#✧ mission season ✧ aphotic.#✧ support ✧ altena.#✧ thread end.#((theeeeem aaaaaa))#((thank you for the thread... wibbles))

When she mentions that she was present in Fódlan for whatever disaster it was that befell it, Arion's first instinct is to inquire about her well-being, if it was scary, if she got injured, if this, if that — but he stops himself before any of that makes it out of him. There he goes, his first thought once again to treat her like she's a little kid.

She's better than that, and she deserves better than that.

"Seems like you've found your conviction and your new path, then," he notes instead, smiling lightly. "But worry not — even if I'm in the Church's employ at the moment, and you aren't, that will not keep us apart. Thracian mercenaries work together, just as you said."

Thracian wyverns, too, fly together, and with that in mind it's indeed time to get going. "Of course. Aphelion has been moping a little sometimes, and I do think it's because he misses familiar faces. I'll be glad to see Peaches, too, of course. It's been a good while."

He stands up, motioning for Altena to follow him. The smile on her face is infectious, and his own expression brightens up further, the stern features that had firmly attached themselves to him softening up akin to old scars given fresh medicine and gentle care. It's been a long time since smiling last came easily to him.

... Must have been years.

He hopes that there will be more occasions for such leisure, going forward. Now that he knows that he does still have a family.

— Thread End

The Fish...... || Arion & Flayn

Gone fishin' || @cotharach || Mission Season: Epidemic

cotharach

She has always been fond of wyverns. It may seem strange to any onlooker, this rosy-cheeked and soft-edged girl looking on towards sharp-fanged and thick-scaled dragons with eyes full of adoration, but they do not know that she is much closer to these beasts than to them. Her blood runs cold just as theirs does, she once enjoyed flight like they do now. They share a kinship that she other than the one she has with the good people of the monastery. So seeing this wyvern snap up fish in a fashion so similar to hers—that being ravenous, hoggish, and simply greedy—she cannot help but watch with delight. She approaches, but before she can reach him, another wyvern perks up and takes notice of her movement. She extends a hand, and the wyvern nears it. Flayn smiles.

She has always been fond of wyverns, but she might be particularly fond of this one—and he seems to reciprocate. A fact that seems to have caught on to the wyvern's owner. Flayn snaps out of her ardent trance, lowers her hand, and responds to the stern-faced man by the dock.

"I am Flayn, and you've made an astute observation. My brother rides a wyvern, so I am used to their presence—I enjoy it, in fact. I hope I haven't bothered you," she gives him a slight bow, "well anyways, I am far more interested in fish themselves. The act of catching them is a skill I haven't quite mastered."

Though she has certainly tried. Still, her efforts do not normally bear much fruit. She would be a lousy wyvern-owner, unable to throw them fish to feast on as they lounge by the dock.

"Aphelion… is his name?" Flayn brightens when she hears him refer to the wyvern with it, "What a marvelous name indeed! It inspires a feeling of grandness." As though he were from a fable, she is almost tempted to add. Perhaps she will make a suggestion of this next when Seteth is in need of a noble hero in his tales—if he should find the time to write amidst his many duties.

Flayn's thoughts wander. She thinks about what the other wyvern's name might be, if it is similarly grand. In the haze of her thoughts, she looks over to the pond beyond them, how it shimmers beneath the sun. The glittering gemwater alongside the shifting shadows that swim beneath the surface remind her of a rumor, and she turns to face Aphelion's owner—then looks at his fishing rod, its bobber still floating in the water.

"Oh! Have you heard tell of the mythical fish living in these pond's waters? I do not presume you are the type to put stock in such rumors, but it is a good thought to chew on—" she laughs, "—and perhaps an even better meal to chew on, should you catch it!"

#cotharach #✧ thread ✧ the fish.......#✧ in character.#✧ mission season ✧ epidemic.#✧ support ✧ flayn.#((I'm already fond of them...))

“No bother at all,” is Arion’s first response, and he pauses for a moment, realizing that perhaps this sounds… a bit more curt than he had intended. So while the words are few, the moment the thought dawns upon him can be clearly recognized by the way his face expression softens a hint almost on the spot, a faint smile lighting up his features.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Arion. This is Aphelion, as you’ve already heard,” he gestures with his head towards the wyvern bumping its nose curiously against Flayn’s outstretched hand, then towards the other, still licking its lips after the tasty snack. “And this is Remus. If Aphelion is friendly towards you, Remus definitely will be as well.”

It inspires a feeling of grandness. Arion huffs quietly at the comment, suffocating within himself some dry commentary on the matter that Flayn deserves not to hear — she’s meant no wrong. “He’s flown for some great causes,” he only says instead, before giving a light shrug. “But that’s past him now… Nowadays, outside of the occasional bandit raid I’m commissioned to chase away, he can finally relax.”

The bait continues to bob gently on the surface of the water. Perhaps the movement on the surface and the noise of the conversation have scared the fish away for the time being. Arion doesn’t mind, truthfully told. They’ll come back eventually, and both he and his wyverns are patient hunters. And even if they don’t, he will simply enjoy the moment of calm and bliss he has been given, rare and cherished in his tumultuous life.

Today, none of that matters; the only things that matter are his wyverns’ full bellies, and Flayn’s interesting tale.

“Mythical fish, huh? Better not tell the full story to Aphelion, or else he might just go hunting for it himself and make a mess of this pond.” He means it in jest, but his face is so straight that whether or not Flayn picks up on it remains to be seen. “Though for my part, I always find local stories quite charming. I’m still relatively new to Fódlan, and have not yet heard many.”

If I Had a Gold Piece for Every Time a Lance Had a Curse Placed Upon It That Led to Tragedy Involving Loved Ones,

I'd have two gold pieces. Which isn't a lot but it's still weird that it happened twice || @rigelprinceofdespair || Mission Season: Aphotic

rigelprinceofdespair

Taking the chance to train above ground was always felt like it carried a risk. After all, he knew several members of that deliverance were at this academy. Not to mention often he the quality of those training left something to be desired.

None of that was on his mind as he watched the man before him train. From the moment he had arrived it would was quite the spectacle. The lance he used was no training lance. The way he moved with it, an extension of himself. It spoke to incredibly skill, the kind that could not be replicated by anything but actual experience.

As the man turned and locked eyes with him, for a moment Berkut nearly flushed. Mentally berating himself for simply staring, he gave him a small nod in greeting as he approached.

"Apologies for not making myself known. It is rare I see such a display of skill, especially with such an impressive weapon being used!" Berkut said, eyes going down to the weapon for a moment. Remembering himself, he gave a small bow. "My name is Berkut. I am a student here at this academy. I came to do some training... if you are not otherwise engaged, perhaps I could ask you for some training techniques?" Recalling a previous lesson, he remembered how the man had appeared to be standing and using it. The techniques were somewhat similar, but there had been a difference of some kind... "I normally fight astride a horse with my lance, and some of the moves seemed similar. Do you also ride into battle?"

#rigelprinceofdespair #✧ thread ✧ if i had a gold piece for every time a lance had a curse placed upon it that led to tragedy involving loved ones.#✧ in character.#✧ mission season ✧ aphotic.#✧ support ✧ berkut.

Ah, a student. Arion supposes that explains the curiosity about his training techniques and movements.

… Not that Arion would consider himself to be old — he wasn’t even in his thirties yet, for Dáinn’s sake — but he could recognize that he did have a few years on the young man before him, and he supposed that with that, would come an advantage in experience that the other would be interested in, especially if he’s a spear user himself.

“Berkut? Nice to meet you. I’m Arion, a mercenary in the Academy’s employ.” An introduction for an introduction, as is only fair. As curiosity is expressed about his lance, his eyes naturally wander down towards it.

“This is Gungnir, a lance passed down in my family. You may consider it… an heirloom of sorts.” The whole Holy Blood situation does not feel worth mentioning for the time being. It matters little here and now, anyway.

“Your eyes are keen for detail,” Arion nods in response to the next observation. “My mount of choice is a wyvern, rather than a horse, but you nevertheless picked up correctly that I don’t normally fight on foot.”

The request for sharing of techniques is met with a moment of thought, before he nods with a faint smile. The monastery officials have inquired with him whether or not he was okay being approached for such, to which he did agree, but this was the first time it actually happened. “If I can offer you any expertise, I’m happy to do that. Is there anything in particular you wonder about, perhaps, based on what you’ve seen of my training so far? I would also be interested in seeing some of your techniques.”

Gifts of the Land || Arion & Joachim

Mission: Axe +1 || @licehn || Mission Season: Epidemic