a king, carries on

#aglaean #« with vast wings across the sky » ━━━ 𝑖. › interactions.#« in the name of all true goodness. » ━━━ ➺. › support : l'arachel.#thread | l'arachel 01.

Beorc magic never fails to be--is ' innovative ' the word? Tibarn finds the only thing stranger than the magic itself to be its practitioners. This one is a student but apparently one with a great deal of personal capability. He suspected at first that he wouldn't need to worry too much about her but the more time that has passed since they departed the monastery the more he realizes this might not be true.

There's something really amusing about her. Catlike almost, in her grace... and her arrogance.

He can't help but smile at it.

❝ I'm sure you're more than capable, ❞ he begins. Best to start diplomatically. He's a king he's supposed to be able to manage diplomacy but he's no honeyed-word raven. ❝ But why not put her mind at ease? ❞

The place they're trying to get into is supposed to be more than dangerous. It's all heat and mortal peril.

He's no coward but only a fool doesn't play it safe. But he also knows arrogance. He's very familiar with arrogance on a personal level. One of his own flaws.

❝ How about take the precautions just in case? I'm willing to make you if I have to, for peace of mind, but I'm sure it won't come to that, will it? ❞

𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘴.

Naesala huffs again, but he does very much value his life. He does not want an angry Tibarn — someone who, without a doubt, is stronger than almost all the laguz he’s ever met. There is a reason he is named ‘protector’, and Naesala is not.

He’s not really even bitter about this fact. Let Tibarn deal with the hawks, the ravens, the herons. It gives Naesala the freedom to leave whenever he wants, and that’s something he would never want to give up. He did, though, for his people — but he’s glad the weight of that responsibility is no longer on his shoulders.

“We most certainly are stronger than them,” Naesala agrees. He picks up a few lances, more than others around him, and begins to move them. “Have you had a chance to see them fight? They’re quite funny, I must say. Most don’t even have the proper form. They’re making me teach them flying as well as how to fight with your hands. Perhaps you should just take over, I’ll sit back and learn from you.”

#corvuschriisti #« (n)evermore. » ━━━ ➺. › support : naesala.#« with vast wings across the sky » ━━━ 𝑖. › interactions.#thread | naesala 01.

Tibarn grabs a few more weapons as well. There is a rhythm to it: pick up, carry, drop. He smiles a little at the raven's words despite himself. Easy to fall into old habits, older than he'd like to remember. There was a time when the two of them were friends, after all. Before kingship and betrayal.

❝ I've seen them fight. They flail around a lot on their flying mounts, but it's actually not too hard to teach them how to manoeuvre in the air even atop their beasts. ❞

He kind of likes teaching. There's fun in it. It's less about actual motions (which, they wouldn't be able to copy what a bird does of course) and more about the tactics.

Where to move in the air. How to position one's self relative to other flying units. How to position relative to ground units.

These are things that translate regardless of how someone gets into the air.

More people should command from above. Queen Elincia style. He doesn't commend a beorc to Naesala's face though.

❝ What exactly have you been teaching yours? I don't think I have the time to do your work as well as mine. ❞

Aid and protection to them both alway,

Bodyguards, for younger and younger child workers.

nohrslittleflower

“Yeah…” She sighs, still a bit disappointed, but she can’t deny that he has a point. Just standing around and complaining isn’t gonna help at all. If anything, it’ll just make her seem more like a child throwing a tantrum. And she is definitely not that! “…yeah, okay. Yeah! Elise’s got this!”

She clutches the list tighter, more determined than ever to get this right. All she has to do is match the names to the kids. Easy enough. She can just yell. “Um… Oliver and… Madeline…?”

Two kids look up in their direction, she assumes that must be them. “Yeah, you two! Over here!” She raises her hand in the air to wave them over, smiling widely as they start to approach. Part one done.

Actual children located (that are not her because she is not a child even though these kids are nearly the same height and she’s wearing heels no that doesn’t make her slightly jealous shush), she flips the paper to open the map she had folded between it.

…Ah, shoot. She never learned how to read a map. Somebody else always did that! She doesn’t know where any of this stuff is, she doesn’t even know where ‘north’ is! It’s up, sure, but where’s up?!

As much as it pains her to know she’s already down a point in the responsibility department, she doesn’t wanna be the reason these kids get lost. She sighs, turning to hold the directions out to the teacher next to her for him to look over instead. “Can you take over map stuff, please..? Sorry…”

#« with vast wings across the sky » ━━━ 𝑖. › interactions.#« a growing flower in a cold garden. » ━━━ ➺. › support : elise.#thread | elise 01.#nohrslittleflower #{ sorry for the wait! }

He's glad she's getting the idea. There's definitely more maturity to her than she first let on. He watches as she calls the kids over and keeps back a little to kind of let her take the lead. They make their way over and he sizes them up. They seem well behaved. Cute, even, as kids at that age often are.

Maybe this won't be so bad.

He stands back, watching as she...

... immediately struggles with the map. That's fine. He doesn't want to point it out or call her on it.

❝ Sure thing. ❞

Instead he just takes the map. He makes a mental note of where they're heading before handing it back to her.

❝ Okay, hold onto that. Follow the path on the map as we walk. Hey, did you ever learn the trick for figuring out which cardinal direction is which? ❞

✦ 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐘: 𝐓𝐈𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐍.

—𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞.

Initial Class: Hawk King Birthday: September 13 Basic Info: King of the island nation of Phoenicis. Physically strong and eager for battle, Tibarn is now attempting to unite all of the Bird Tribes and is the self-proclaimed protector of herons. Loyal but arrogant, determined but stubborn.

—𝐂 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤.

Likes: blue skies, well-earned scars, training and sparring, meat and seafood dishes, rich desserts, sea breeze, herons, keeping busy Dislikes: dark places, snow, fashion, beorc architecture

—𝐁 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤.

Hobbies: travel & rest Talents: piracy, physical combat Background: Self-made king of Phoenicis, which like other Laguz societies prioritises picking a king based on their strength and battle prowess. Has ruled Phoenicis via popular support and a strong arm for several decades.

—𝐀 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤.

Height: 202cms Ring Size: 12.5 | Y Personality: A savage attacker in battle with a friendly demeanour off it, at least to those he cares for. Honourable and willing to take risks for the sake of what he believes to be the greater good. He makes his own rules and moral code but abides by them one hundred percent. Ally most able to take a punch.

(resources used linked below the cut)

#« breathe life into the air » ━━━ 𝒾𝓋. › headcanons.#{ this is fun! }

Going to classes is still a new and exciting concept for Leanne, and while there is precious little she could actually apply to her own battle strategy (of which there is none, other than dodging incoming attacks as best she could), just the novelty of learning amongst beorc peers is reward enough on its own.

She hears descriptions of one very familiar figure from her Golden Deer classmates, and so it is with a heart full of excitement that she heads to the Flying class early.

"Tibarn!!" Leanne sees him as soon as she turns the corner into the clearing, and she launches herself forward, capturing the Hawk King into a feathery hug, chattering excitedly all the while.

"I missed you so much! I heard from the other students that you're teaching them flying classes — did you know they think you're so cool? They told me the professor turns into a big green hawk!"

Still giggling, she disentangles herself and hops to the ground, looking up at Tibarn with an eager expression. "I'm going to be your student too, so teach me all of your best dives, okay?"

Old friends dot these halls but thankfully not in too high a number. There are people he would prefer to avoid of course, but Leanne is never one of them. Any member of the bird tribes is a happy sight but Leanne has a way about her where she's always a wonderful presence.

He spins around as she calls out to him and wraps his arms around her in a tight hug; he lifts her easily from the ground and he smiles at her. It's hard to keep up with her words, his ancient is still on the rudimentary side, but he catches most of it.

❝ Leanne! It's been too long. ❞

His response is in ancient regardless. It hasn't really been that long but any time apart from someone who already feels almost like family is too long in a way.

❝ I'm glad the students are taking being taught by a laguz well. Come to my class, I'll show you some moves. What are you learning here? As a student? ❞

#« stormy skies are all we've got » ━━━ 𝑖𝑖. › answers.#serenegaldr #leanne my friend leanne <3

𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩.

[POST EVENT] - Reunion.

Reyson is not a surprise. With all the noise Naesala had been making, all the calling out to the abyss, he is not surprised that it would bring forth his once-lover.

He does not flinch at Reyson's touch, nor does he melt away at the attention they're both giving him. It is normally a welcome experience, to be looked at regardless of what emotion that evokes from the viewer, but now he wishes he could fly away.

He can't, but instead of shrinking he closes his eyes and reaches out to touch the tip of a white feather. Still attached to Reyson, still whole and unmarred by beorc hands.

His voice is tighter and hoarser than he would like. "You've seen those holes in the sky. I decided to go into one of them."

A truth, which would have surprised Naesala if he had the strength to be surprised. "I got into a fight. There were mirror... copies of people from here. Some I recognized, some I didn't. They were fake, and the beorc with me were falling for their trickery."

He fell for it too, of course. At least at first. But when this lesser-version of Reyson forgave him and did not make him work for it -- he knew this was a shadow. A shadow he could live with, and a shadow he could feel worthy of. If Naesala does not deserve the sun, then perhaps he can earn its reflection.

He grips one of Reyson's feathers but does not pull. It anchors him. He would do the same of Tibarn if he could, but he does not think it would be appreciated. How sad it is, to sit between what you wish you could be, and that which you think you do not deserve.

He's not sure which of them is which. Another surprise.

"They are dead now. Everyone's loved ones. Every single one is dead."

@reprisalet

reyson is surprised to hear that naesala had gone into the holes in the sky, though perhaps he shouldn't be. there is a sort of… honor to such an act that he’s not accustomed to seeing on the raven. a helpfulness. more than likely, naesala had just wanted to see what was going on, or worse: to get away from reyson in the aftermath of their fight. it doesn’t do to dwell on these sorts of things, the hows and whys of it all.

still, reyson is agitated. not angry, but on edge, restless. there’s a desperate need for escape in his own wings now, and he feels like he might just lose sight of things entirely. but he keeps hold of it, focuses on the here-and-now, the alive-and-real. he had worried about naesala, while naesala had been gone. this is unsurprising. he worries about everyone he loves, always. if he could, he’d keep them all close, never wander far from their sides.

it does not work this way, he knows.

instead of dwelling on that, he chooses to focus instead on naesala’s words. on what he is saying… and what he is not saying. on the heaviness of it all. what lingers in the in-between. copies, meaning: illusions. illusions oft served a purpose. trickery, then: to get people to obey. what sorts of illusions would get them to obey other than copies of people they trusted.

reyson does not react as naesala tugs on one of his feathers. that all but confirms it.

a copy of him, then? the thought makes his stomach churn. he, at times, feels like a ghost. so far from serenes, something that does not belong anywhere else, but who has now changed so much that he is unworthy of the call of home. his hands flex, extend, relax. his wings twitch.

“it was not real,” he says, focusing on that. the words that affirm the truth, rather than make any attempt to reassure. because he knows it probably felt real, and that therefore makes any pain naesala felt very real.

not to mention the direct pain from the awkward bend of his wing. if the break is clean, he can mend it. he takes naesala’s hand in his. “let me get what i need for a splint. hold onto tibarn in the meantime, do not try to move while i am gone.”

his attention then shifts to tibarn. “please… watch him for me. i trust no one but you with this.”

@kingstalons

#« with vast wings across the sky » ━━━ 𝑖. › interactions.#« galdr battlecry. » ━━━ ➺. › support : reyson.#« (n)evermore. » ━━━ ➺. › support : naesala.#reprisalet #corvuschriisti #thread | reyson & naesala 01.

Tibarn isn't the least bit surprised to hear Naesala had tried to run away. It's all he knows, isn't it? It makes him grit his teeth to see the way Reyson frets and worries. That doesn't matter though, what matters is that Naesala is okay. His bone can be fixed but his heart is likely another story. Tibarn shouldn't interfere with that one...should he?

He doesn't know if he wants to. But the trust between him and Naesala is not something he'd ever deny. To hurt him now would be a sin unforgivable. So he keeps the barbs on his tongue back and doesn't scold him for making Reyson worry for the month he was gone. Doesn't tell him off. Doesn't bring up any of that shit at all.

Naesala's account of the place he went sounds harrowing enough. He doesn't know what any of it means though. It's enough knowing that between the words Naesala says are more that he isn't saying. He can only infer what they mean. Reyson gets up to fetch the supplies he will need and Tibarn nods curtly.

A hand comes to rest between Naesala's wings. He is careful not to put any pressure on the bad one, or the good one for that matter. The palm of his hand presses against Naesala's spine though as if Tibarn is confirming whether or not he is real.

❝ Go. I've got him. You can trust me. ❞

@corvuschriisti

blaiddllodi

he'll come a-flying from a higher place

blaiddllodi

"A-ah! Yes, we should hurry then!" There had been a part of him that had not expected the gruffness, that brusque attitude – he did not know if all people from where the professor hailed were so direct, so to the point, but it was not the style of speech to which he was accustomed.

Next to the large man, so confident in himself, and with the bristle of indignation at their mission, it did make him feel small – but there was something to learn there, as well, he thought. The comfort of no frills, merely directive.

The night was clear and hot, the late summer headiness settling on the treeline. It made it easy to move, at least, even if Dimitri veered from the mountain paths that led from Garreg Mach. Though the moon hung high in the sky, its light shining as brightly as midday on the forest floor through the canopy overhead, he could find no sign of the horses having traveled through this area.

Jogging back from a quick scout, Dimitri shook his head before reporting, "No hoof prints, nor broken branches nor grazed areas. If they did comes this way, I'm thinking they perhaps did not touchdown. Should we travel further into the mountains, or do you think they might have changed course?"

#« with vast wings across the sky » ━━━ 𝑖. › interactions.#« a steady lance pointed straight ahead. » ━━━ ➺. › support : dimitri.#thread | dimitri 01.#blaiddllodi

The youth at his side seems competent. That's good. As a professor he doesn't mind lugging around a bit of dead weight in the form of someone who needs to learn but it's always gratifying not to need to do that. Dimitri had gone on ahead to scout the area before doubling back. A slow task on foot but he could catch things on the ground that Tibarn might not see through the cover of trees even with his sharp hawk-eyes.

The warmth in the air wasn't quite what he was used to, all thick forests and no sea breeze to lessen it. He could manage though, was sure of himself even in unfamiliar territory. Janaff might be able to spot a coin being flipped in a hand from a hundred metres off and while Tibarn's eyesight wasn't that good it was nothing to scoff at either.

But that just meant the best he could do was confirm what Dimitri had already deduced : that the creature had not touched down around here. That meant they'd need to press on. Luckily it looked like both of them were fit enough for something like a journey.

❝ Mountains are probably our best bet. ❞

It's an instinct but he tends to follow those. Always the kind of man to lead with his impulses. It doesn't often steer him wrong and his thought is that, such creatures would likely be more at home in the more forested parts of the mountains.

❝ If we still don't see any sign of them there then we'll look at the map and find a new route. ❞

𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮

reyson does dig in a little, sinking his mind into the comforting warmth of tibarn's emotions and settling there comfortably. the warmth he feels in the crevices of his chest at the way tibarn's heart opens up for him.

"of course it is," he responds in response to tibarn's quip. there's amusement in his expression. reyson likely never being able to follow the suggestions he just gave does not diminish its value. tibarn is a chaotic force, though, it's one of the things he so adores about the king of hawks, and he knows that cooperation is often something the other party needs to earn.

still, he smiles. he has full faith in tibarn's ability to do so.

"don't think about home right now. it'll just make us both sick for it." he doesn't need that, at present. he is enjoying travel. he knows, now, that his home will be waiting for him.

"and you hush. naesala has taken excellent care of me. and i him, in return."

#« with vast wings across the sky » ━━━ 𝑖. › interactions.#« galdr battlecry. » ━━━ ➺. › support : reyson.#reprisalet #thread | reyson 01.

❝ Has he really? ❞

There's some incredulity in Tibarn's voice. Naesala doesn't have the best track record in actually keeping Reyson safe, of course...but Tibarn suspects that maybe he's being uncharitable. If he can't let Naesala attempt to grow then the raven could stagnate forever and always.

Tibarn huffs though, eyes on Reyson.

❝ You're always too soft on him, you know. Would it be too much if I said it makes me jealous? Not that you love him but that you've known him for as long as you have. ❞

He can confess these things, to Reyson. Even if they're stupid. He knows there's a foolishness in them but he worries about him always. The pancake sizzles in the pan and he flips it over with a flick of the wrist. It soars up into the air and he catches it before it can land anywhere but inside the pan.

𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘴.

Naesala is a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them. He knows that Tibarn is testing him, and it would take a fool to keep speaking when he already is on thin ice. They're stuck together, despite it not being what either of them wants, and though Naesala would rather be just about anywhere else in the world he keeps his feet planted firmly on the ground.

"Of course, King Phoenicis of all the bird tribes," he says a bit pointedly, and puffs his wings up more. As if he could ever be as threatening as Tibarn. "I wouldn't want you angry."

The reminder of who is tougher ( Naesala remembers his own wings casting dark shadows, but even stronger talons tearing into beorc flesh ) does not go unnoticed, and Naesala is loathe to be the first to show his back.

With an expression that can only be described as contempt he turns and bends down to pick up some of the lances. He scoffs at the sight of them, then shakes his head.

"Assist me with moving these, then. Beorc are so pathetic without their steel beaks, it would not do to have them walking about without their little tools."

#corvuschriisti #« (n)evermore. » ━━━ ➺. › support : naesala.#thread | naesala 01.

Tibarn would consider Naesala to be on thin ice but he's willing to extend him a little patience. If Naesala cooperates of course. But Naesala is not known for his cooperation except at the best of times. Are these the best of times? He considers: this is not a laguz conflict. This is not too dangerous (yet?) for any of them. This is not the worst of times.

Tibarn would rather be stuck with someone else. But he can think of a long list of people who would be worse.

❝ Enough with your sarcastic deference. You're making a fool of yourself. ❞

He knows it's true Naesala doesn't want to make Tibarn angry though. That much is true. As much honesty as Naesala has in him is likely there and he sighs at it. He doesn't want to scare him this time.

(There will be time for that later of Naesala misbehaves.)

❝ I'll help you with these. Maybe we can even get along. These beorc and their tools, they'd be useless without them and we're both stronger than most of them. ❞

𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩.

[POST EVENT] - Reunion.

( tw: description of injury and bone-breaking )

Naesala braces himself. The ache that he feels against his skin and the pull of feathers against poorly healed muscles makes his back tense, makes him want to curl up and try to shut out the pain. But that would do nothing to help the situation, it would leave him with a bent and immobile wing that would do nothing but weigh him down.

He knows that this break will feel different, now, sitting on Tibarn's bed instead of confined to close quarters. He knows that it will hurt more without adrenaline pressing him onwards. He does not look forward to it, but he knows it must be done.

At least the ache will subside.

When he closes his eyes he feels Tibarn's hands on him. He had imagined it before but not at all like this; he had thought that Tibarn's hands would be harsh, his touch heavy handed, filled with anger and violence. He's searching for the break, careful and with precision -- he would say something in surprise, make a remark about how this must be how he touches Reyson, but he is too tired.

He inhales, and feels pain shoot through his body. He cannot help the cry of pain that leaves his lips, and he's too exhausted to try to mask it.

"Ah..! ah..! It..."

He bites down on his lower lip and tries to think of anything else to distract. He'll need to walk to a healer as he does not expect Tibarn to do all of the work for him. He focuses; clear in his mind he thinks of Reyson-not-Reyson, wings ripped off, his heron laguz identity stolen in death. Naesala couldn't do anything about it.

( if this counts, he also has his raven-blood stolen from him as well, only this time it was by his own stupidity and lack of dexterity. )

He thinks, again and again, louder and louder: it hurts, I'm sorry, I wasn't good enough, it hurts so badly, please.

@reprisalet

( tw: description of injury and bone-breaking )

the cry of pain is what ultimately draws him.

he was on his way to tibarn's room anyway, but naesala's cry makes him hasten there. he comes not through the door but the window and steps in with a look of concern.

he would think they had been fighting, if not for the stillness of it all. he has not seen naesala since before he left. agitation is plan on his face at that but beneath it: concern, ever concern.

reyson immediately moves to the raven's side. it's instinctive, and he does it before he can even think, one hand pressed to naesala's cheek and the other reaching for his hand. the pain must be unbearable if he can sense it like this. normally naesala keeps everything locked up so tightly.

the trust he has in tibarn must be great indeed. despite everything. reyson does not speak, just yet, does not trust himself to. naesala's agony speaks loud enough for all of them.

he bites back words like you should have seen a healer immediately, like you should have come to me, like i worried about you while you were gone. none of that has a place here.

instead, he looks to tibarn. "were you able to break it cleanly?"

@kingstalons

#« with vast wings across the sky » ━━━ 𝑖. › interactions.#« (n)evermore. » ━━━ ➺. › support : naesala.#« galdr battlecry. » ━━━ ➺. › support : reyson.#corvuschriisti #reprisalet #thread | reyson & naesala 01.

( tw: description of injury and bone-breaking )

Reyson's arrival is sooner than could be anticipated. Tibarn had known Reyson would be coming, of course, but he'd hoped to have the worst of it passed before then.

Not his fault he'd been blindsided by the raven's request. If he'd had more time to prepare he could have set a better time. No matter, Reyson is here now and honestly Tibarn is glad for it. The soothing presence of a heron by his side will make this easier even if Naesala will probably be agitated and embarrassed. The question still needs to be answered. Reyson moves immediately to Naesala's side and Tibarn is glad.

He does not know how to comfort someone who's in pain, especially at his hands. He finally answers the question though.

❝ It's as clean as I can make it. Can your healing magic get it on the mend? Even if it does, I bet he'll still need a lot of rest. ❞

Better than not healing at all. Better than healing wrong. The unnatural angle the wing sits at makes his stomach churn a little. But Reyson will surely see it set to rights with a splint and a song. Tibarn knows how powerful he can be when it comes to these matters. He's seen Reyson restore energy to someone with no will left to fight and has seen him mend battlefield wounds.

Naesala's mind will be a different issue but the body can be restored.

He looked at Naesala.

❝ What happened? Not to the wing but to you. ❞

@corvuschriisti

its a little thing, but it's still a gift, and it does have some small worth. it's a present of thanks, a symbol of potential friendship; the braided chain holds upon it three small charms that reflect the sunlight in a pleasing way. the offering is left upon Tibarn's door handle.

first: a small coin from begnion with a hole drilled through -- desecration of their currency, a symbol of how worthless it is to the gifter ( and, probably, the giftee ).

second: a old ring, most likely stolen from some poor unsuspecting fool. the dark amber gems circle the circumference could use some polishing.

and last: attached by a small little loop is a single soft, black feather -- iridescent and reflecting in greens and blues.

The gift was unexpected. Had Naesala (for the giver was obvious) ever been a gift-giver? He would need to consult Reyson. He took the gift in hand however and inspected it. Each small token meaningful. He didn't think he'd want to keep it together though, so instead it went disassembled, hoping Naesala would not take that as a lack of gratitude:

To his finger went the ring. It was in an interesting style even if it needed a little polish. He could see to that later. It fit well on the index finger of his right hand and so there it slid. A good spot for it.

To his wall went the coin, on a board he kept affixed with other small things he wanted to keep. The kind of little keepsakes he didn't want to lose track of. It would fit in there among the smaller things.

And the feather? That was something he wanted to do something with later and so he slipped it into the drawer of the desk that had come with the room. The feathers he wore were battle trophies. He'd need to find something to do with this one: something that parted from its owner without blood.

A return gift would be in order. He had some ideas but he'd need to go out to get what he'd need.

#corvuschriisti #« (n)evermore. » ━━━ ➺. › support : naesala.#{ cuuuute!!! }#{ happy devotion day Naesala hehe }

nevassan

all school and no play makes sothe a dull boy.

nevassan

Old habits die hard.

Really, Sothe can't be expected be anything less than tightly-wound and survivalistic. The comfort of his room is still just as odd here as it is in Daein castle. He is still a street-kid at heart, picking pockets to make ends meet, letting himself into houses and corners for a meager sense of protection.

That's what finds him here - lockpick and pin jammed into the lock on a storage room door, listening to the mechanism with a sense of quiet satisfaction. Picking locks is as simple as breathing to him; it's almost a hobby, by now, and what an odd hobby that is.

(At least woodcarving is productive.)

He's just about got it - can feel the give he needs, the twisting of springs, the click-click-click -

but he must be losing his touch. He never would've gotten caught in Daein, couldn't afford to get caught, but maybe it's how many people are cramped into these small hallways that makes him more conspicuous. Maybe the torches cast a bit too much light over the arches. Whatever excuses he makes up, though - they're not enough. He shrinks into the shadows as a desperate last plea, knowing he's already been caught - and when he turns to face the shadow, it's..

Tibarn? The king of hawks?

"Tibarn?" Sothe can't help but blurt out - standing half-slouched against the door, his lockpick and pin dangling loosely. He hopes they don't break.

Was Tibarn always this big? (Yes.) Did he always feel threatened by him? (It was hard not to.) Was he in trouble? (Probably.)

"Um. It's not what it looks like."

Yes, it is. Why is he even trying? He pulls his scarf up over his chin and attempts to stare Tibarn dead-on.

(The attempt fails immediately, but it was worth a shot.)

[@kingstalons]

#« with vast wings across the sky » ━━━ 𝑖. › interactions.#« quickhanded touch and a spark to keep well hidden. » ━━━ ➺. › support : sothe.

If it were up to Tibarn, maybe a warning would be enough. Warnings were often enough, though Sothe was the stubborn sort. His dealings with the beorc boy were all in wartime, first as an enemy combatant that had the misfortune of being too close to the enemy commander, then as an ally. To see him here is a surprise to be sure. To see him getting into trouble less so.

Tibarn stands there, arms folded across his chest.

❝ Sothe of Daein. ❞

His eyebrows lift slightly.

Explanations are forthcoming. He really wants to let him off with a warning, but this kind of petty thievery was something that had to be nipped in the bud. It's not about the act of theft itself (the pirate king is hardly going to judge someone for petty theft), but this is a storage room, and this is a school. Sothe needs some discipline if he's going to be sloppy enough to get caught.

❝ You know what happens to sloppy thieves, don't you? Begnion sailors'll cut off your wings. Or, you know, maybe for a beorc they'd do the hands. ❞

It doesn't really matter.

He stares Sothe down. ❝ You're coming with me. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, but you're still in trouble. ❞

ofradiances

Catch Up Over Cards

ofradiances

With the coming of peace, it allows people time again to enjoy leisurely pursuits. Art appreciation and games return. One noble re-introduces an old deck of cards, each painted with a monster, spell, or trap, to the people of Garreg Mach and the game spreads like wildfire again. Everyone scrambles to dig out their own decks, or gather new ones, and become the most powerful summoner on the continent. Merchants and artists even begin to sell new sets, breathing life into the game for those who had played it the first time, and providing a fresh entry point for newcomers as well. Care for a game? [Grants Authority +1]

Ike laid out the sets of cards in front of them. "Okay. So if I have this right, this should be enough packs for us each to build a usable deck. Dunno how good those'll be but it should be enough to learn the ropes with."

Ike's never played games like this. As a kid the sorts of games he'd played were mostly training drills in disguise. Occasionally Mist could talk him into playing some kind of pretend games but even that often turned into playfighting or racing or something else physical. These kinds of games were new to him.

Could be fun though. Ike saw it as a chance to kick back and enjoy himself for once.

King Tibarn was probably just as unfamiliar. They'd be on the same page, hopefully. That meant they could take it easy.

He finished sorting them. Monsters, spells, traps. Simple enough. He's not about to actually read the descriptions of any of these before he actually starts playing or anything. Just get a nice split, where both players have about the same number of each type of card... yeah, that should be good.

@kingstalons

#« with vast wings across the sky » ━━━ 𝑖. › interactions.#« when the path was before him he never questioned where it would lead. » ━━━ ➺. › support : ike.#thread | ike 01.#ofradiances

❝ Makes sense to me. ❞

Tibarn looked over what had been assembled. The cards all had little pictures and descriptions. He had a feeling this was the kind of game they'd both get the hang of as they went. Squinting at one of the cards, he quickly read the description before adding it to a small pile he began creating. He didn't know what he was doing but neither did Ike so they were at least on even footing with it.

Quickly, he began just grabbing a few at random, trying to take about half of each type so that Ike could have the other half.

He shuffled them together. He'd played card games before but those were generally simpler. The cards were less flashy. The stakes were simple coin or trade or reputation. Tibarn could find fun in this though if they could grasp the rules.

He places the shuffled deck to his right as the rules indicated and drew a starting hand. His brow furrowed with confusion at what was actually in it but he could make do. He placed a card upon the field, some sort of lizard-like thing.

❝ So, Ike, how have you been settling in here? ❞

𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩.

[POST EVENT] - Reunion.

"I want you to break it."

Naesala speaks the words with such an intense bitterness and disdain, though whether that is addressed at Tibarn or himself is unclear. He is too tired to play games, and they are running low on time -- Naesala does not know when Reyson will come back, and he does not know if he would be able to keep his emotions in check. An overflow of something rancid and cruel, thoughts of what happened to Reyson-not-Reyson's body at the hands of...

... he never quite figured that out, did he?

"I want you to break it, because you're the only one I trust enough to do it right. It's healing incorrectly. It needs to be reset by a healer, but they do not know basic laguz anatomy. They'll no doubt break it in the wrong spot."

He does not like being indebted to Tibarn, but he's in a precarious position anyway -- either leave and risk never flying again, or swallow his pride.

( there is hardly any pride to begin with. the begnion senate made sure of that. )

He looks away -- away from the hawk who no doubt could have protected the image of Reyson where Naesala could not-- and grimaces.

"Don't hold back. I don't mind a bit of pain."

( tw: description of injury and bone-breaking )

Oh. There's the request. Tibarn understands it now. He is no healer like Reyson. He cannot even do what the beorc do with their staffs and wands. But break a wing? That he is good at. Fights won against hawks long ago to prove himself a King. Fights won against ravens pillaging in his waters. It would be easy.

Tibarn nods. It isn't something he'd relish doing now. If he'd been asked to do this before he learned the dirty truth of the conditions of Naesala's kingship he'd have been overjoyed at the chance. Now he just feels pity. He keeps that off his face though. He doesn't want Naesala to know he feels this way.

❝ I can do it. ❞

It's an easy declaration. And he can help. Can figure out exactly where the break was and break it again so it can be fixed. Naesala no doubt finds the pain uncomfortable but Tibarn wonders if maybe there's something more. He can't fly away like this can he? Can't hide and brood when he's landbound.

❝ Hold still. ❞

His hands are gentle. Maybe that surprises Naesala maybe it doesn't but they are gentle upon the raven's back as he searches for the break in the wing and finds the exact place where the bones are misaligned. He hopes it isn't too late to salvage it. There's a moment where he caresses just below the wing where it meets the raven's back before he swiftly breaks the bone. It fractures so easily. Hollow bird-bones have always been easy to break, he knows his own wings would be no different if he was in a vulnerable state.

𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩.

[POST EVENT] - Reunion.

The days felt like they would drag on forever, but he is alive. Thank the goddess for little things, he supposes. Even with injuries of the heart and body he still is managing to breathe -- for all that is worth.

They come back to the monastery the same number that had left. Well, spare for the prisoner, but she hardly counted. He had voted to kill her, and therefore: she was not his problem anymore.

His mind is pried open and he cannot close it. it overflows with rage and sorrow, despair and pain -- and he is thankful that the one he needs now is not the heron prince.

It is not that hard to find him, either. Naesala does not knock on his door, instead just opens it. There he is: the hawk king that Naesala wishes he could be.

"Ha..." he half-coughs, and realizes how badly he must look. Eyes tired, cuts across his face and body. He can still taste blood in his mouth. The wing he's wounded sits half bandaged and poorly healed on his back. He stumbles into the room and takes a seat on Tibarn's bed without so much as a proper greeting.

"Good, just the bird I'm looking for," he says, and looks up at him with an expression that betrays no feelings. "I need your help. Loathe as I am to admit it."

@kingstalons @reprisalet

#« with vast wings across the sky » ━━━ 𝑖. › interactions.#« (n)evermore. » ━━━ ➺. › support : naesala.#« galdr battlecry. » ━━━ ➺. › support : reyson.#thread | reyson & naesala 01.

It is surprising that Naesala comes to him first. Tibarn looks up as the door swings open. Naesala has looked worse, he thinks he can recall, but Tibarn is still surprised to see him looking as bad as he does.

That wing in particular looks atrocious. He eyes it as he comes over. He does not reach out to touch him, he is not Reyson, who takes such liberties for granted. He gets close though.

❝ What could you need my help for? ❞

Again, he is not Reyson. There's incredulity on his face along with a bit of suspicion. But suspicion is his normal state of being and there's a lot to be said for the way it's served him well in his dealings with this particular raven. Even without the suspicion though, there's not really a clear sign of what he could do to help.

He'd been a little worried while Naesala had been gone. Ever since Tibarn had arrived he'd been keeping half an eye on him, to make sure he wasn't up to anything. The time Naesala had been gone, was therefore strange.

❝ Want me to take a look at that wing? ❞

Aid and protection to them both alway,

Bodyguards, for younger and younger child workers.

nohrslittleflower

Surveying the students as she made her way over, she made a note of trying to count them all in her head. Sure, with all the movement it was a little tough, but that’s what she was told she was supposed to do to keep track of them, so that’s what she’s gonna do! She can’t let that meanie who tried to discourage her signing up for this win! She is perfectly capable!

Ten… eleven… twelve… fifteen? Looks like fifteen. Yeah, that’s fine, she can handle fifteen. It’ll be fine.

She tries to keep her serious expression on her face as what she can only assume the teacher assigned to help approaches (that she totally does NOT need helping her!), though it’s difficult to once she notices the wings.

Her eyes widen slightly in awe as she stares at him, never having seen anything like it before, but she forces herself not to say anything. That would be unprofessional and not adult of her, and that is not today’s goal! Funless day! Super serious!

“Ahem— uh— yeah, I’m Elise! Um… pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Yeah. That’s super professional. Strong start. She nods to herself as she pulls a folded paper out of her pocket, a list of names of the kids she was supposed to escort.

“So! Uhm, we’re supposed to be guarding, uh… AW, WHAT?!” She pouts as she looks at the list, starting to wish she looked past just the meeting location at the top sooner. Seems the rest of the ‘fifteen’ are assigned to someone else’s watch. Boo. “Only two?! Come ON, I can TOTALLY handle more than two, that’s just mean! I’m responsible! You can tell I’m responsible, right?!”