"Why would you accuse her of having trouble with detail oriented tasks?? Why would you put that so specifically to begin with??”
Seteth was normally a very patient man — if the church brought those who worked within it anything, it was empty time — but Flayn as a topic never failed to wear him thin quickly. He was suspect, and, in his own eyes, rightfully so. Just what exactly were Linhardt’s intentions with his darling little sister? He claimed his curiosity was simply that of any student towards one of their classmates, but none of the others in Linhardt’s class had approached him or accosted him attempting to hound him for information on her. Why come to him to begin with? Had he already tried shaking Flayn down and failed?
"If by that you mean that their crests are both on the rarer side, then yes, I suppose I would agree.”
"Their crests say nothing of their character, however. Are you doing all this because you want to know more about her crest?? Really, you’re just as bad as Hannemnn…”
✎
❝ I take offense to that, ❞ they reply. It isn’t as though they dislike Professor Hanneman, but they certainly find his methodology... ham-fisted at times. ❝ I’m not the sort to take hair samples or -- euch, blood, in an attempt to understand a person’s crest. That’s why I’m asking. ❞
Seteth has done it now. They don’t think before continuing; the filter between thoughts and Linhardt’s mouth is momentarily switched ‘off.’
❝ Though she bears the major crest, we both bear Cethleann crests. It could be possible that crests may influence a person’s behavior or personality in ways subtle enough that no one’s noticed well enough to write a record of it yet... For example, Saint Cethleann was known for her compassion and prowess in healing magic, does that drive me to prefer light magic above all others?? Is this why I have trouble with detail-oriented tasks??
❝ It’s likely we may be related, but the distance between us would be enough to compensate for hereditary factors, I believe... If we assume those sorts of details are influenced by our parents at all, that is. ❞
It’s then that they’ve realized they’ve spoken a bit too much.
❝ Well, I’ve gotten ahead of myself. Answer the question, please. ❞
“ I guess that’s true. It was silly for me to ask such a question.” She couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh at her own foolishness. Clearly Mercedes should have put much more thought into her question before she asked it.
“I see, I see. Well I hope you find it.” A pause. “Oh? Well I guess that’s true. I don’t usually come here.”
✎
❝ I would know, ❞ he continues. ❝ If I’m not here, it’s the dining hall... Back and forth, back and forth... If you see the path I’m wearing into the floor feel free to let me know. ❞
Is it depressing?? He hasn’t decided yet. ❝ What sort of books are you looking for?? I may currently have a monopoly on history books at the moment. ❞ He gestures vaguely to the table he claimed as his, stacked high with books and notebooks he intends to cross reference once he finds the tome he’s looking for.
“ if said scholar from faerghus was right, you wouldn’t need to attend the various lessons this monastery offers, would you? however, since i do sometimes spot you in class with the corner of my eyes, it’s safe to assume he drew a blank. ” [ byleth pauses, her expression then grows more serious than it usually is. ]
“ have you… had troubles sleeping, linhardt? is that why it’s hard for you to keep your eyes open? ”
✎
❝ I almost never have trouble sleeping. ❞ The exceptions are in the occasions when their mind clings to something unpleasant that Linhardt can’t shake. In those cases, they distract themselves with research and... Well, then they no longer try to sleep.
❝ In fact, I think I’m like everyone else here. I just choose times to get my naps in that others take offense to. Also I do enjoy your classes, Professor... Even if I end up falling asleep. I haven’t skipped nearly so many like I usually might. ❞
"Linhardt." Her voice is quiet as she taps his shoulder lightly, hoping that he hadn't fallen asleep at the ball they were invited to. Ishtar's lips were slightly pouting as she looked at him. "Please don't fall asleep quite yet, I'd like to dance with you, one last time."
✎
❝ I’m awake, ❞ they respond distantly. It’s more impulse than answer. They fold their arms casually, canting their head to one side slightly in thought. Like her; Linhardt is dressed nicer than they usually are. Any nobleman would be, at least. It’s one of the few things they couldn’t avoid out of laziness, but at least they hadn’t had to do more than put it on.
There’s a brief pause before they answer her entirely. Even though they are awake, exhaustion dulls their mind, and the liveliness of the ball in general is… too distracting to think. If only there were some sort of reprieve.
❝ Did I fail to mention that I don’t dance?? ❞ they ask in turn, blinking slowly. Even as they turn to better face her, it’s clear that sleep is not the furthest thing from their mind…
❝ I suppose I can in theory, but why would I want to?? It seems so… exhausting. Besides, aren’t you and I in that rut where we pretend we want nothing at all to do with each other so maybe some one will realize we aren’t comparable and call off this little – ❞
Their own speech is interrupted by a yawn.
❝ …You get my point. I don’t need to say it. Go ahead and find some one better to dance with, I’m sure you have your pick. ❞
RULES : share four songs / pieces of music that represent your muse.
REPOST. DON’T REBLOG.
Tagged by: @folsety tagged me after i tagged him on azelle... mad lad
Tagging: @giltless two people can play this game (if ur not giltless you can just take this and say i tagged you please i love music)
Darkness - Pinegrove // ♫
it’s a question mark that keeps me looking
and it’s never satisfied
and it’s never what i thought
saying i’m happy when i’m not
Re-do - Modern Baseball // ♫
maybe i could just move away or go extinct like triceratops
but i love loving, watching movies, sitting back, and also breathing
my family and friends would be crushed, but is it enough?
( oh, no, it’s not enough ) oh, the future freaks me out
but i guess i could just curl up in a ball and think
I Feel Exhausted - Everyone, Everywhere // ♫
i want to smash things
i want a coffee
can we just be
can we just be
decompressing
will you let me
Total Mess - Rozwell Kid // ♫
i’ve mastered the stupid little trick
of doing everything to the point that it makes me sick
i know ( i know )
i’m down on the ground
i’m passing out next to you
Ingrid paused as they entered Linhardt’s room. She blinked, staring at the mess for a long moment. This was… more than she had been expecting. They sure had a lot of books. More books than Ingrid thought one could fit into an academy dorm room. Where they really all Linhardt’s?
“Wow… alright, so this will be a bit of a challenge. But that’s ok,” she nodded, talking herself up for the task.
“Ok, Linhardt, let’s get to work,” she encouraged, stepping further into their room. “Would you prefer to organize your books by subject matter, author, or title?”
She peered at the desk and cautiously closed one of the open inkwells so it wouldn’t end up spilling on one of the tomes.
✎
Now it’s a challenge, is it?? They can feel their motivation waning with just those words. At least Ingrid is still here. Doing things is so much harder without some one in the room.
❝ Subject, author, title, sounds like a good system, ❞ they answer. They can’t really remember how they did it at home...
Then another thought comes to mind, and slips past their lips. ❝ Well, actually, not all of these books are mine. Would it be better to sort them source, subject, author, title?? Maybe there should be separate places for the books I’m borrowing from the library, those I’ve taken from the knight’s hall, those I’ve taken from Professor Hanneman, and then those I own myself...
❝ But then what about the couple I’ve borrowed from other students?? I have at least two from Ferdinand, if I haven’t forgotten returning them to him. So those should be aside... Even if they’re also about weapons. ❞
At this point, they’re vividly remembering why they haven’t attempted something like this themselves.
It isn’t often that Linhardt can be seen at the training grounds... In fact, it’s more like never at all outside of mandatory class sessions... ( Even then, it’s rare. ) But it had been close to where he’d acquired that sword, and it seemed the most fitting place to attempt to swing it, so there he was.
With the Creator Sword.
Clearly clumsy with the blade in general, he swings it, grunts, and swings it in the other direction. ...It doesn’t give the results he wants. He removes one hand from the hilt, casting some sort of spell that bathes it in a yellow glow. It hits the sword, but some unseen force strikes back, and causes him to flinch...
❝ Interesting... So it’ll be like that, then?? ❞ he murmurs to himself.
So, over a year ago I made a post with the help of some friends about the affinity system in FE6-10 and how it could be used as a horoscope in those respective in-game universes, and what that might resemble or be determined. You can read about that here.
Today, I give you one derived from Fódlan's moons! Here's what you'll find:
Importance of the moon
Overview Horoscope
Other headcanons
Cross-reference to the Affinity Horoscope (for fun!)
This post will mostly be spoiler free, EXCEPT for its inclusion of Byleth. It contains information found after chapter 9 of all routes, so as long as you paid attention it's something you'd already know once you got to that point. For others who's ages are not given, I've made an educated guess.
DISCLAIMER: This is in no way based off any real life horoscopes, but rather the characters represented in the game. I could have easily assigned Capricorn to being equivalent to the Guardian Moon, but I decided to be difficult and make all this up myself! It's more fun that way.
The Importance of the Moon
Cosmology is actually very relevant to Fódlan culture. Each of the month's introductions in the first part of the game often incorporate the moon, or specific stars into how the common culture interacts with that month. For example, there is one star that is commonly believed to be the Goddess Herself, and that Her home is in the heavens means She's looking down on Her people throughout the year. Not only is the moon one of these celestial bodies of holy relevance, but it can, when full, light the sky and allow farmers to harvest crops past sundown, help travelers navigate despite the dark, and allow hunter's arrows to strike true even when the wolves are hungriest. Because of that, the moon's phases are carefully watched by noble and commoner alike, and as a result, assumptions have developed based on which moon a child was born under.
Commonly, people who believe deeply in the horoscope will also take note of which phase of the moon their child was born under. They will often assume that a child born under a full moon will greatly display traits associated with that moon, while a child born under a new moon will display their personality more subtly. Differing opinions reign for the phases in between, with some thinking that babies born under waxing moons will be more straightforward while those in waning moons will often hide their assumed traits with the opposite. These auxiliary opinions are not held by the public at large, and it's rare to find two fortune tellers that agree on what the phases one's born under mean. That said, as always with horoscopes, there are people who believe deeply in them, and are likely convinced of one idea over another.
Guardian Moon
The Guardian Moon is characterized by cold weather and harsh winds. It's during this moon that Saint Seiros first appeared with her message from the Goddess. Children born under this moon are assumed to be closest to Seiros, of all the four saints, either in appreciation or personality. Guardian people are also said to be steadfast, if not stubborn, and do not often change their minds easily. Their devotion means they make good knights or clergy.
Characters born under this moon: Ingrid, Rhea, Gilbert
Holidays in this moon: Saint Seiros Day
Pegasus Moon
During the Pegasus Moon, Fódlan sees its harshest snowstorms. Fódlan's throat is at its hardest to navigate, isolating the continent from its eastern neighbor, Almyra. And accordingly, Pegasus people tend to be independent, if not closed off from others. While that isn't to say they're introverted, they never mind being left to their own devices. Any coldness to them is superficial, but they can come off as abrasive. There is no singular career they fit well – they do best when allowed to follow their own paths.
Characters born under this moon: Hilda, Hanneman, Felix, Lysithea
Lone Moon
The Lone Moon stands by itself in an empty sky, bright against the starless blanket across the heavens. It signifies the end of winter, though as the cold still lingers, it doesn't mark the coming of spring, but rather reminds the world below of the inevitability of change. Similar to those born under the Pegasus Moon, Lone people can appear rather... lonely. Their introversion is not a result of any harsh behavior, but ends up being more of a personal preference – plenty of them are warm and friendly, but also know that they're always better going at their own pace. Because of this, they do their best work in positions where they don't necessarily need to work with others, and don't need to focus on the broader picture.
Characters born under this moon: Ignatz, Shamir
Holidays in this moon: Saint Indech Day
Great Tree Moon
Under the Great Tree Moon, Fódlan warms and flowers begin to bloom. Spring was a whisper during the Lone Moon, but now it's begun in earnest. Suitably, Great Tree children are presumed to be warm and beautiful. Like a tree, they stand proud and sturdy in their ideals, and carry them close to their hearts for their entire days. As a heavy storm can cause branches to break, Great Tree children are often advised to be flexible or avoid turbulence in their lives. These people make good politicians.
Characters born under this moon: Hubert, Ferdinand
Harpstring Moon
Under the Harpstring Moon is when Fódlan begins planting its crops. The warm and crisp summer air is a reminder of life and living, and it's during this moon where many festivals and local celebrations take place. The moon is named after the sound of song, and under it, children are welcomed with great jubilation. They are said to be cheerful people, and often assumed to possess some sort of innate musical talent. Regardless of that being true, they're able to get along well with people from all sorts of life. Hard workers, Harpstring people can succeed at anything they put their mind to.
Characters born under this moon: Annette, Raphael, Mercedes
Holidays in this moon: Saint Macuil Day
Garland Moon
The Garland Moon sees the beginning of the rainy season. It's also a month of romance, as tradition holds women give white roses to those they have crushes on. This tradition has steeped into the horoscope superstition, and Garland people are commonly considered romantics at heart, or otherwise very in touch with romance in other ways. This can conflict with their rainy nature – despite their desire for affection, they often experience moody or vengeful feelings that can keep them from being completely honest with their own emotions. They're also known to do whatever they want to do, whenever they want to do it, and by whatever means.
Characters born under this moon: Sylvain, Lorenz, Edelgard
Blue Sea Moon
The Blue Sea Moon marks the return of the Blue Sea Star, long associated as the Goddess' throne from which She watches the continent. Celebrations are held in its return in the sky, welcoming the Goddess home, and praying for Her to once again walk among Her people. Blue Sea children can be worriers, with many people believing their moods plummet with the disappearance of the star during the Ethereal Moon. Still, these people are best at smiling during hardships, and cheering up others when it's needed the most. As Saint Cethleann was born in this day, it's common for people to look for her personality traits – compassionate, cheerful, thoughtful – in Blue Sea people.
Characters born under this moon: Caspar, Flayn, Claude
Holidays in this moon: Saint Cethleann Day, Rite of Rebirth
Verdant Rain Moon
The Verdant Rain Moon is characterized by stormy weather, especially alongside Fódlan's coasts. At the end, the people expect a stunning rainbow across the newly sunny skies. It marks the worst of, and the end of the rainy season. Like the weather, Verdant Rain children are said to be turbulent. Their storms can cause issues in their personal lives or their relationships, but at the same time, they can be predictable, and offer great help where it's needed, just as rain, no matter how hard it hits, gives life to the earth. At their best, Verdant Rain people are beacons of kindness or justice, and at their worst, they are wild and uncontrollable. Advice for them usually contains a warning to watch out for their own emotions.
Characters born under this moon: Manuela, Leonie, Dedue
Horsebow Moon
The Horsebow Moon begins the season of harvest, which continues into the Wyvern Moon. Food gained from hunting is plentiful, and taken advantage of. It's a call for common men to string their bows and set out before the world cools too much, and is a moon of action. Those born under the Horsebow moon are reliable and stick fast to the decisions they've made. They often are considered strong warriors or skilled hunters, so they make great mercenaries or knights. Advice for Horsebow children usually warns them to watch people who may force them into a path they don't wish to take, because Horsebow people stick to whichever path they're already traveling.
Characters born under this moon: Petra, Catherine, Byleth, Dorothea
Holidays in this moon: Leicester Alliance Founding Day
Wyvern Moon
The Wyvern Moon ushers in preparations for wintertime. As the weather cools, harvests are concluded, hunts continue, and food spreads to those keeping it for winter. This time is considered busy and important, every one has a task, and the days roll by quickly. Because of this, Wyvern children can be often forgotten. Jokes are often made that firstborn sons are never born Wyvern. This means they end up independent, or supporting only from a secondary position. They don't usually end up taking center stage, but that doesn't mean they aren't valuable in their own right. With being overlooked comes a freedom many never know.
Characters born under this moon: Ashe, Cyril
Holidays in this moon: End of the War of the Eagle and Lion
Red Wolf Moon
During the Red Wolf Moon, Fódlan begins to witness the cold from the north. This moon is named after wolves, bathed in red from the setting sun, that cross paths with hunters while they look for food. Though wolves are ferocious in Fódlan, they can't be blamed for looking for food during their own winters. Like these wolves, Red Wolf children can often be misunderstood, or otherwise alienated from their peers. They don't typically mind being left to their own, but as wolves make packs, these people would also like to find a place of belonging of their own. Sometimes, it is said, a Red Wolf child needs to put away their fangs and claws before any one can get too close.
Characters born under this moon: Linhardt, Marianne
Holidays in this moon: Holy Kingdom of Faerghus Founding Day
Ethereal Moon
The Ethereal Moon is named for the fleeting nature of all things. It is when the Blue Sea Star goes back into hiding, and the Goddess begins praying endlessly for peace across Fódlan. This changing nature is said to be present in Ethereal children as well, though just as the cycle of the stars is slow, Ethereal children change over time. Their nature is one towards growth and progress. They aren't people who remain stagnant their whole lives, though of course change isn't always for the better... Their inclination towards change also makes them susceptible to being influenced or even manipulated, without completely knowing.
Characters born under this moon: Alois, Bernadetta, Dimitri, Seteth
Holidays in this moon: White Heron Cup, Garreg Mach Founding Day, Saint Cichol Day
Other Headcanons
All moons with a recognized Saint Day (Saint Cichol Day, Saint Seiros Day) also foist the known and popularized character traits of those Saints on those born under it. This is especially true in very religious areas.
Because of the importance of Crests across Fódlan's nobility, superstitions have arose that children born under some moons will be more likely to bear one, especially if it's during a full moon. The moon in question varies from region to region.
Related to the above, it's not uncommon for anyone to have a basic understanding of the moon's phases and cycles. A high-quality midwife is one who not only can help you determine a baby's due date, but also under which phase of the moon that day will be.
Like all horoscopes, moons can be used in match-making, fortune telling, and other fun nonsense that I haven't written in this post in depth.
Because of the relation to the Goddess Star and other religious iconography, many places outside Fódlan do not believe in this same horoscope. They may even have different horoscopes, or nothing at all!
Cross-reference
For fun and to be self indulgent, I did the math and looked at every character who has a given birthday in game and determined which affinity they'd have based on my affinity horoscope from last year. For more about affinity horoscopes, that link is here.
For Fódlan I'm using this schedule (completely arbitrary):
I found these affinities by using this site. Fódlan year 1181 is a leap year starting on a Thursday, so I compared dates to our year 1880, since the last two numbers are only one off to the Fódlan year. Then, I looked at how old the characters are (where their birth year wasn't given in the roster) and went back the appropriate years to compare. (For instance, Edelgard was born in Fódlan 1162, so I looked at 1861.) The website I linked also marks on which nights have full, quarter, and new moons, in case you want to look at it more in depth than I went into!
Thank you for reading my whole post! I worked very hard on this just so we could all have fun, so please feel free to use this information however you please! You're very welcome to reblog it or reference it however you please!
MERCEDES had decided to go to the library today for her free time. She had plans to read some books on the history of the monastery. As she entered the library she noticed a familiar face and couldn’t help but greet them. “Oh, Linhardt! Are you here to read as well?”
❝ Why else would one come to the library if they don’t intend to read?? ❞ He asks in turn. It’s phrased rudely, maybe, but he has no ill feelings to go alongside it.
❝ More specifically, I’m looking for a certain volume... Though I’m in no rush, I could spend all day in here just searching for it. I don’t usually see you in here... ❞
“Of course I am an expert on Flayn. I know her better than anyone else would; it is precisely why I know better than to go handing out her personal information to every curious cat coming along for scraps.”
People inquiring about Flayn could only lead to trouble. The only reason Seteth had relented to her demands to enroll into the Officer’s Academy to begin with was because he’d thought that it would keep her safest during such tumultuous times, but the more attention she drew from the other students the less inclined he grew towards the idea. What could he possibly want from her? What did her age matter?
"Last I recall, Lysithea of the Golden Deer is terribly young. If you mean to hold her age against her, you are sorely mistaken. You said yourself that she is an excellent student; I do not see why you need to search for any answers on the matter to begin with.”
✎
❝ I’m not sure what part of my speech implies I’m holding anything against Flayn at all, ❞ Linhardt replies. Seteth is so protective... Is it an overbearing brother, or is it something else?? In either case, Linhardt’s curiosity isn’t nearly yet sated, and if Seteth thinks such vague and hostile answers can sway them, he’s incredibly wrong.
❝ As her classmate, isn’t it reasonable to want to learn more about her?? And if she’s especially young or, as you still haven’t confirmed, has trouble with detailed-oriented tasks, then it would do well to know of such things so that I, her classmate, could assist her or inform the professor of any help she may need. ❞
What a bother... As proficient as Linhardt can be at these little maneuvers, talking to people is always the worst part of their research. They can’t give Seteth a reasonable answer even in implication, either -- to imply that Flayn is Lysithea’s age on their own behalf is akin to giving Seteth some information that he doesn’t seem to have... At least, that’s how they see it.
❝ Lysithea is an apt comparison... They both have interesting crests, wouldn’t you agree?? ❞
Seteth has no interest in crestology, as far as Linhardt is aware... But maybe offering the point of their inquiry will get them a little farther...
“See? That just means we need to find the best way to store all your things,” she declared. Ingrid did like to organize, and at least this way, Linhardt would still be involved in some of the cleaning.
It did strike her as odd, how tired they always were. Ingrid didn’t think she’d ever seen someone sleep as much as Linhardt did. That just made it all the more important that their room be kept clean and tidy, right? Since they spent so much time in there.
“Lead the way and I’ll be glad to help! Organizing your books will be the easy part, I assure you.”
✎
❝ You know exactly what I want to hear, Ingrid. ❞ They’re joking, but at the same time glad to help and easy is always something good when it comes to having to work. They don’t say anything else, or even so much as gesture to show Ingrid they’ll be leading her to their dorm, in favor of just... Walking in that direction. She’d be following, naturally, they expect.
Their door is usually unlocked, so they don’t need to fiddle with keys or locks before letting Ingrid in. The door opens, and they step through before giving Ingrid a chance to see the damage.
The damage in question is... Books. Nearly ever surface is covered in neat or messy piles of them, alongside papers and inkwells. Linhardt’s notes are only organized near the books their information has been gleaned from, and are otherwise strewn about in what appears a haphazard way. Their desk is covered, their counter is covered, their chair is covered. The only things that seem untouched by this mess is their bed and one extra chair.
...Their bed is tempting.
❝ It’s not that much of a mess, is it?? It will be easy, just as you said. ❞
❝ There is a scholar from Faerghus that writes that through some sort of magic, sleeping on books may impart their knowledge into your mind... Something like when you soak an egg in vinegar, then honey. Sleeping and learning at the same time... It does sound too good to be true, doesn’t it?? ❞
