“ OH, COME ON, NOW; DON’T GIVE ME THAT LOOK! you said you wanted an honest response from me ---------- and that’s just what i gave you. “ // @temporsia!
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@lancefaired-blog
“ OH, COME ON, NOW; DON’T GIVE ME THAT LOOK! you said you wanted an honest response from me ---------- and that’s just what i gave you. “ // @temporsia!
`&: ARROWBOUND.
Ugh.
What bittersweetly afflicted part of their distasteful predicament does Tsubaki fail to comprehend with that utterly thick head still somewhat poised atop trembling shoulders? Please. Has his little, all too quick scuffle of death taught the oh so perfect Pegasus knight nothing- nothing in it’s wake? … even if the attack was draped over him like the finest silk; a silent invite birthing shadowed motives, ugh. Still. It was very much undeserved, although someone had it coming, didn’t they?
Boisterous claims and elegantly false pretenses will only get you so very far, trust a filthy nomad risen from the deepest, poorest depths to know. Even he had the chance to pretend once. … and he dared not take it. Every subtle movement keeps the only man in their cute tent still standing on absolute edge, tension sparking an ache in traumatized bones and teeth gritting in disgust at such a sight.
Why, why reach? For him of all people? Of all things he knows these hands of his are good for, capable of- saving a life is surely not one of them. Heh. Is it? Finally, shoulders find opportunity to slack between what delirious hammering of breaths suffocates the air around them followed by words ( a dying man’s plea ) and finally, movement is made. Albeit slowly, he eases down beside the bedridden perfectionist, uncertainty tugging at his usually callous features.
Oh, my. Is he going soft?
❛ — Fine. I’ll humor you. Only because I still need to get a better look… does it still hurt? Terribly, that is. Please do try not to get yourself impaled next time. hm? ❜
DID HE EXPECT TO RECEIVE AN HONEST ANSWER IN RESPONSE TO HIS QUESTION; some defeated testimonial stating that, yes, it did still hurt, and that he was exhausted in every possible manner? or did he expect to hear exactly what ended up leaving the pegasus knight’s lips ( upon them, a tight-lipped smile meant to reassure ) ------ “ i’m alright; the worst of it’s already passed. “ something dishonest, but by no means tinged with ill-intention. he should know better, he thinks, than to believe for even a second that he’ll get away with something like this; that he’ll somehow be able to pull the wool over zero’s eyes. they’ve danced to this same tune so many times in the past, and in the end, it was always, always the outlaw that emerged the supposed-victor. he didn’t need to hear the truth to know the way of things; tsubaki doesn’t know why he even attempts at it. it does bother him, after all ------ this dishonesty, that is, and all while he’s sitting so close, having allowed sentimentality to sway him. it does. but he quickly comes to find that this doesn’t bother him nearly as much as knowing the amount distress he’s thrust upon zero by ending up here: bedridden and tired and hindering, to boot.
if it meant he might keep it from getting any worse, then he’d continue to play the part.
“ because you might not be there to bail me out, right? i’ll keep it in mind. “ he chuckles, but it’s not so much humored as it is dry ( for what sort of being claiming to embody perfection would ever require a helping hand, a rescue from that which they claimed to own with grace and finesse? ). self-mocking, even. but now was hardly the time for such loathing sentiment ----- not now, with zero at his side, having relented, bent to the tired whim of a “dying” man. for a moment, the pegasus knight cannot help but to wonder if he’s being selfish, foolish; and, if he is, if zero resents him for that. in the midst of the field, their army’s camp a ways away from their current position, an attacker yet-lurking ----- and what he wants is not for his outlawed companion to seek out and destroy the aforementioned, but rather, to remain at his side. to be not a weapon ( the likes of which he likens himself to as it is ), but rather, a comfort.
his hand reaches out just one more time, taking one of the hands belonging to his company in his own ---------- fingers interwoven, grip firm but gentle. his gaze lingers there, upon them, for a long moment. it does not raise, even when his lips part to speak again.
“ ... zero ---------- thank you. “
“ ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE ALRIGHT, PRINCE TAKUMI? with all due respect, you seem a bit ... frazzled, this afternoon. perhaps there’s something i can do to help? “ // @artisaen!
like this for a oneliner from yours truly!!
`&: CASTITATLI.
HIS HEART IS FULL OF STRENGTH AND WARMTH, a knight with much bravery. his presence is comforting, his smile infectious, and it’s why she’s created such an intricate piece filled with bright colors. perhaps she should of waited until he was done tending to the field ( and she’ll help him too, if he so wished! ) but the look of surprise on his face when she places it atop his head that she finds herself smiling.
❝ My apologies for interrupting, Tsubaki. I should of waited, but I simply couldn’t resist. It looks amazing on you! ❞
IT’S NOT SO MUCH HER INTERRUPTION THAT BAFFLES HIM AS IT IS THE PRESENTATION OF THE GIFT IN AND OF ITSELF. beneath his fingertips, gentle to the touch, the leaves and petals woven into the intricate crown atop his head crinkle and sway ----- and he is filled with both amazement and deep appreciation. so scarcely were there joys and pleasures to be found in wartime. the army’s march wore on them all ( yes, even one so resilient as he; yes, even one so bright as she ), but the princess before him seemed determined in not allowing this to get the better of them. of him, as she’d presented him with his gift of hers just as he found agitation and fatigue settling into his bones. it’s almost as though she’d known.
“ you’re far too kind, princess ----- gracing me with your presence and this ‘gift’ of yours is nothing to apologize for. “ the smile that graces his features is luminous. infectious as always. and with an almost teasing lilt to his tone, he adds: “ in fact, you might very well have done me a favor! one of the women in town felt that my outfit was missing a certain ‘something’. if your crown suits me as well as you say, then perhaps adding it to the mix will fix that. “
`&: TEMPORSIA.
‘ W-WHAT ?? oh, tsubaki – i’m not avoiding you, why would i be ? ’ he chuckles, ‘ it must be a mere coincidence, then. how are you? ’
“ ARE YOU SURE? YOU SEEM A BIT NERVOUS NOW THAT I’VE MENTIONED IT -----. “ and he chuckles as well, but it’s more of a point of laughing at the other than with him. “ ah, but maybe i’m reading to much into things. i’ve been well, in any case ----- and it was kind of you to ask. what about you? “
`&: ARROWBOUND.
And not so precariously far, should their bold little attacker dare show his face again, a rather nasty surprise laying in wait so specially for them. A cloaked dagger in the pathetic sliver of makeshift doorway to their easily invaded tent. Who rams it in and saunters off with naught more but a shallow cry lacking delicious plea? How pathetic. Hmph.
So there he’s stood since the sudden disturbance on their perfectly moonlit night, having toyed the thin blade between fingers so thoughtlessly, why the gleam of precious metal has surely sampled a tender bite of him, fresh rubies blood, blood red cultivated from his filthy flesh wrought earth streaking it’s hungry edge nonetheless. The sooner Tsubaki’s assailant returns to finish him off the better.
A hush of breath and steeled turn of decided heels plants him firm. He will go nowhere, much less close the only eye he has until he’s had the pleasure. He squints as if unable to see, when really the darkness became home years ago and to think it is all just ( merely ) because every sentence of undeserved pain becomes clear as the stars that line their shared sky on that usually ‘perfect’ face.
My, what a sight.
❛ — Please. I couldn’t care for sleep. Besides, your attacker is still on the delicious prowl. ❜
HE SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO BELIEVE THAT ZERO WOULD REST FOR EVEN A MOMENT before having his revenge; the likes of which he believes is wholly-deserved. it’s cowardly indeed, to try and down an enemy when you don’t believe they’re looking ----- but it’s even more cowardly to escape into the night when you’ve both failed, and been spotted in the attempt. they wouldn’t get away so easily; not so long as the outlaw kept trained vigil. in fact, tsubaki’s best guess said that whoever it was would not last to see the next day. ‘least, so long as zero remained as adamant as he was, refusing to sleep, refusing to leave the ‘door’ to their makeshift tent lest the pegasus knight’s assassin come back to try and finish the job. and while this level of concern is appreciated by the other ( moreso than he can put into words; for after his unsightly fall from grace, he seems not to care any less for him than he had prior to it ), he can’t say he’s not concerned. anger resides just beneath the surface of said concern; anger and violent malice. and tsubaki ... well, suffice it to say that he worries.
a pause; a frown. he shifts again, a hand raising from its place beside him slowly, slowly. it’s a longshot, he thinks to himself. there’s absolutely nothing that will derail the outlaw from this particular path. nevertheless: “ zero --------. “ he starts, hand open, stretching out towards the other. he’s yet out of reach, and tsubaki doesn’t exactly have much wiggle room to begin with. his injuries, unfortunately, leave him bed-ridden. hindered. he could curse himself for that much ----- it would not be nearly as difficult to reel the other in, as it were, if he were physically capable of moving across the space and grabbing hold of him himself! ah, well ----- his hand falls back onto the makeshift cot with a light thud, but his hand is still open against the spread, as though expectant.
“ alright, alright. i understand your concern, and i won’t 'scold' you for it again; honest. ... but, at the very least ----- do you think you could humor me, and come over here for a second? “
`&: MAIDENDUSK.
❛ hold, brave cloud crusader - ! ❜ she balances on the tips of her toes, hands clasped together in eager anticipation. her gaze does not wander, eyes fixed upon the snorting animal with wonder as an active imagination stirs. ❛ how blessed you are to have such a magnificent creature as your companion ! it is of utmost urgency that i should know the name of your NOBLE STEED ! ❜ / @lancefaired ♥’d !
“ TO KNOW HER NAME ----------? “ the query is strange, to say the very least, and merits a raise of brow, as such. innocent light dances in her eyes, and the question seems to be one solely of curiosity ----- little more than that. he cannot keep himself from being only slightly hesitant, however ... if only because of his hoshidan blood. ( well, that, and the matter of her lineage; if nothing else, her father has gained quite a reputation around the camp. ) “ that’s an odd thing to ask out of the blue, don’t you think? what’s made you so curious, all of a sudden? “
`&: YUELISE.
animals were naturally attracted to the small nohrian princess. it was an odd detail, but it’s been a proven FACT ever since she was young. elise knew that animals were sensitive to emotion and one’s intentions, so was her emotions and intentions pure enough to gather their attention? she did not know. it just did not make any difference, animals just like the pegasus she gently pet leaned towards her and she was fond of them. it was a WIN WIN.
elise’s attention averts to the sky knight that was making his way over, the hand that pet the pegasus pausing as she smiled his way.
’is this YOUR pegasus, subaki? she’s really well taken care of! her mane is all glossy and clean too! she’s great!’
– @lancefaired
PEGASI WERE ESPECIALLY SENSITIVE TO THE EMOTIONS AND INTENTIONS OF OTHERS; it was likely for this reason that there were only so many capable of properly riding them into battle. tsubaki himself could claim to have always been in perfect harmony with his own mount, but then, of course, he would be a liar. ( his first appearance before his lady sakura would attest to as much ----- ah, what shame there was in falling flat on his face before his royal audience, and all because his nerves had gotten the better of him! ) it’d taken hard work, and a great deal of effort, for him to rein her in, as it were ----- to get her to stay still so that he could pet her, perhaps, or to feed her a treat. but when it came to the troubadour at-hand, the action seemed almost ... effortless. as though his trusted companion was naturally drawn to her, for some reason or another. as though there was something about her innocence, her purity, that captured the animal fully. it perplexes him, to say the least, but in another sense, he finds that he’s somewhat impressed.
and he’ll respond to her question as he approaches, hands clasped behind his back, a smile adorning near-gentle features. “ you have my thanks, lady elise ----- and hers as well, i’m sure. she certainly is something, though; isn’t she? to have her look anything less than pristine would do her an injustice, i think. “ a brief pause follows, then, during which he cants his head almost inquisitively. “ ... you know, she seems to have taking a real liking to you; and so quickly, at that! that hardly ever happens. “
teach me not to fade. i am terrified of touching people who will forget my name in the morning sun, teach me to believe at i am made of such strong identity that i cannot be undone, that something in me is permanent, that i cannot be forgotten. teach me that i mean something.
`&: HELDSTRONG.
❛ tsubaki ! are you alright ? it looked like you took quite the hit…❜ / @lancefaired ♥’d
“ I’M ALRIGHT ----- IT ... BARELY NICKED ME, AFTER ALL. “ a blatant lie if he’s ever told one; the deepening stain in the fabric of his attire tells a different story than his lips, after all. it tells the truth. hastening to lay a hand upon the injury ( and hissing with the pressure now put upon it ) he tries, albeit in vain, to offer something of a reassuring look. laslow wasn’t a fool, and tsubaki was wrong to think he could take him for such. still, he tries to convince the other: “ i just need a minute ----- and some spare bandages, if there are any. really, it’s nothing to be too concerned about ----- “
`&: PASTREPENT.
in the midst of her outings at the local markets, the flowers’ bright pink petals halted the royal in her path. blooming and vivid, they stood in vases beautifully bold against the typical colors of the flowers usually carried by the florist. ` tsubaki, don’t you think if we planted some in the castle it’d be nice? ` ( @lancefaired )
SOON ENOUGH, HIS OWN GAZE FOLLOWS TO REST UPON THE FLOWERS THAT HAVE SO CAPTIVATED HER, and a quiet laugh escapes smiling lips as he registers her words. the flowers she’s chosen certainly suit her; of this much, he can attest too. bright and blooming, they’re almost as cheerfully pleasant as his liege herself. almost, but not quite. “ they’d certainly brighten things up, wouldn’t they? i don’t think i’ve seen blossoms like these around the castle before, after all. well ----- if your heart’s set on them, milady, i’d be more than happy to make the purchase. just say the word! “
`&: OFTHELACE.
@lancefaired. ❤
Light steps as she makes her approach, a hand to her heart as though his skills, even in training, are so awe-inspiring they take her breath away. In all fairness, his form is practically unmatched, even if Charlotte is exaggerating how captivated she is by it. He seems so tightly wound, so proud of the skill and confidence he exudes– always the easiest towrk, in a pinch.
“Yoo-hoo! I hope I’m not intruding, but I simply can’t stand idle while you’re working so hard without offering a hand!”
SHE’S NOT THE FIRST HE’S CAPTIVATED BY WAY OF HIS EXCESSIVE EFFORTS, and so long as he continued to wear his flawless facade, she’d not be the last. he turns to face her just as she offers her assistance, hand-upon-heart and all, and in return, offers her something of a smile. organizing the weapons at the army’s disposal is tiring, yes ----- but someone had to do it. and who better than he, someone with a penchant for such things? ( not that he’d entrust this particular duty to anyone else; he’s much too finicky for the likes of that. ) “ oh ----- it’s nothing, really! i volunteered to help out with stock, for one, and for another, i’m almost done here; shouldn’t be more than another minute or two. either way, though, i appreciate the offer. “
Oh, little darling, Atlas has nothing on you. You are all old aches and forced bravado, but watch how you sink when no one can see you. You wear the posture of a hundred years– so warped and winded not even the mirror still knows you.
LETTERS TO MY BODY: THE SHOULDERS, by Ashe Vernon (via latenightcornerstore)
@shurikenfcire.
⌠ 𝒟 u t y ⌡— Wary eyes studied the pegasus rider while Saizō only regarded and acknowledged this statement with a nod. What was he to do? Saizō wasn’t oft accustomed to having to be one to consider how people felt. Typically, they were bad before he could consider the question. Nevertheless, he sighed with his answer.
❝Seems like this façade is hurting you more than everyone else. Why do you torture yourself, Tsubaki?❞
WHY DO YOU TORTURE YOURSELF, PEGASUS KNIGHT? why do you push yourself to your limits, preferring to hide your true self from others by way of a perfect, unblemished facade? his lips curl into something of a bitter smile at the question, and his answer, though not entirely pointed, falls from his lips almost immediately. he knows the reason all too well. he’s been rehearsing it for years, beneath the perfect facade ------ where the true self, the tired, anxious, worn-down self, lay. “ isn’t it obvious, saizō? without all this trouble ----- well, i wouldn’t be ‘perfect’ anymore, would i? “
niles/subaki=nibaki…???
HE’S NOT SO FOOLISH AS TO BELIEVE ALL THE RUMORS SPREAD ACROSS CAMP; however, those which pertained to the blond at-hand seemed to be more or less ... true. ‘least, insofar as the sky knight is aware. dark magic, hexes, curses and the like; there’d been talk of the other boasting his ‘dark’ prowess whenever anyone was in earshot, and now, tsubaki can see why. “ er ... ----- come again, odin? “ // @fellegend!