Prince From Abroad

Affiliated with TOA (Knights of Seiros) || banner drawn by @cielenruine, icon drawn by @warpaway, theme by https://egg.design/

[willowitxh]

Serenitas Tenebrarum || Alfonse & Thrasir

latin | serenity in darkness | ethereal ball 2026

[willowitxh]

Excellent knights these were. Terribly good at their job. The kind of thing that would get them brownie points with the church. The people that did their best to chase her off when she first arrived at the Monastery, landing her in Abyss in the first place. And now an obstacle to hers and Alfonse's path. Her own bouquet in hand as she lifted her free hand to her cheek. Play uncertain.

"I would wish you luck, if you insist on looking for him," she said. "Isn't this one of his free nights that he gets to enjoy time with his child...? Children?"

Make it sound like a terrible hassle. Make it sound like an inconvienence. Her finger tapped the flowers in her hands... Ah, perhaps... a small and insignificant bribe. After all... flowers were being passed around inside the grand hall... but these guards out here... She sighed softly.

"Look, Ser Alfonse is a knight trusted by Lady Rhea," she murmured, plucking two of the roses from her bouquet and offering them forward. "You're both doing your job, we understand. The Captain wouldn't do this if it wasn't important. If you let us pass, tell the Captain after the ball. He can speak to Alfonse about it afterwards."

Pause. Wait. Watch the knights think. Be drawn in by her words, by the clear trustworthiness of the young man at her side. Let them miss the parts of her that spoke to her identity at the lich in their basement. She wasn't even mentioning the roses she was offering, they were the subterfuge. She spoke the truth after all. Alfonse was a knight of Serios.

"....... I... suppose you are correct," one of them conceded. Finally. They were only human after all. "We will allow you through, but no students or anyone else. We will talk to Captian Jeralt after the ball has concluded."

Smiling demurely, and offering a small curtsey as thanks, Thrasir took Alfonse's hand and walked into the tower before the guards could rethink their decision.

[princeofopenness]

It was only after the knights were fully out of earshot that Alfonse allowed the breath he had been holding to finally escape. He visibly deflated along with it, standing up less perfectly straight than he had been during that discussion. He'd been trying a bit too hard to really look the part of a perfect knight in order to sell the lie as best he could, even though the knight part itself was true. He didn't think of himself as a member of the knights, though. His allegiances did not lie with anyone from this world, and should it become embroiled in war, Alfonse would return to Askr without a second thought.

Alfonse gave a small nod to Thrasir before proceeding onward up the tower. He could just go ahead and begin speaking to her, but he would rather they were fully in privacy before they had their conversation. It was likely an unnecessary precaution, but Alfonse would much rather not deal with the ramifications of people getting curious about the two of them. Once safely at the top, Alfonse finally turned his attention to his undead companion.

"Thank you for coming to meet me here," Alfonse finally properly greeted Thrasir. "I know it might seem silly to be this cautious about a discussion like this, but I wanted to inquire about how things have been for you here thus far."

Simple, yes, but he did care about Thrasir's well-being. He also wanted to make sure that his efforts helping her sneak in and out of the monastery grounds weren't getting either of them in trouble quite yet. A check-in with Thrasir was long overdue. They hadn't really had a chance to discuss the status of things since before the last ball.

[willowitxh]

Serenitas Tenebrarum || Alfonse & Thrasir

latin | serenity in darkness | ethereal ball 2026

[willowitxh]

@princeofopenness asked:

[ GODDESS TOWER ] - No effort has been spared in surveillance or suspicion this year, and you know as much now that you find yourself alongside another answering to an ornery guard the moment you entered its vicinity. Alfonse arriving, bouquet in hand, to meet with someone at the Goddess Tower would certainly raise an eyebrow or two, but he felt he had little choice in the matter. The bouquet had not been his idea, but was a requirement for attendees, and the Goddess Tower simply offered the most convenient place to meet with someone discreetly... even if he knew other people would have exactly the same idea, albeit with different intentions. Unfortunately, it seemed more people had the same idea than he'd bargained for, because the Church themselves had prepared for it. He frowned, looking from his flowers to Thrasir and back again, trying to think of the best way to navigate this situation. He was surprised she had come out to such a public event given how she had mostly been sneaking around the monastery. Being questioned by guards would likely be something she'd wish to avoid. Maybe Alfonse was the perfect person to get her out of the hot water she'd landed in. "At ease," Alfonse called out to the guards, offering a quick salute. He was not wearing knightly attire at the moment, but he was still technically in the service of the Knights of Seiros. He could leverage that. "This woman is with me. I have permission to enter the tower--," Just saying he could wouldn't be enough, though. Plenty of knights trying to slack off had probably done exactly that. Alfonse needed a more convincing lie than just that. Offering more specific information would make it easier for his lie to be investigated, but... "--from Captain Jeralt himself. I have important matters to discuss, and this is the most ideal place for us to do so." His eyes turned to Thrasir, offering her a silent plea to play along.

Well well, Alfonse was lying to the guards for her sake. Amusing, especially considered how easily disproven his lie was. Perhaps it was of benefit that she was once again wearing the dress she had gotten from the Day of Devotion celebrations. It covered her undead body, hiding it from view, her mask had been switched for delicate cloth. Devoid of the jagged black horns attached to her mask and with the gentle antlers that accessorised the outfit, she appeared... less terrifying. Perhaps even like a different person, if the guard were unfamiliar with her. With luck.

Instead of attempting to cause a little chaos, for her and Alfonse at least, Thrasir offered a smile. Not as fake as it would have once been. She saw Alfonse's look, the plea, and had mercy.

"I do believe I last saw the Captain inside," she said. "If you wanted to verify, though you might be looking for a while, he disappeared into the crowd again."

If the guards were that insistent on checking they would be looking for a needle in the haystack, so to speak. With luck, they would simply trust Alfonse's word as a Knight of Serios. With luck, they wouldn’t bother check until after the ball. With luck.

[princeofopenness]

Alfonse wasn't entirely certain that the white, flowing attire Thrasir wore for the Day of Devotion entirely suited her, but that was likely because he was so used to seeing her in precisely the opposite. Dark armor painted a far more imposing figure, especially with the semitransparent flesh and visible skeleton. Veronica felt more suited to such an outfit than Thrasir did. She still had some degree of innocence left, not having suffered the absolute hopelessness that her Hellish counterpart had. The tragedy of their dead world had likely snuffed out whatever naiveté Thrasir had remaining.

Regardless, Thrasir did not look quite as terribly out-of-place in an outfit like this as she would have otherwise. It was somewhat hard to look truly alien in a Fódlan that had deviated so far from normalcy, with visitors from so many worlds all under the same roof. With such a wide array of fashions, Thrasir still managing to stand out among them all was a feat in and of itself, though one that typically served as a detriment to her. At least they were exempt from that sort of suspicion right now. They were too busy dealing with a completely different kind of suspicion.

"Then you can wait here while I go find the Captain," one of the two guards stated. "Once I return, we'll let you pass."

Alfonse's lip tugged in the direction of a frown at the denial, barely managing to restrain himself from scowling. Trying to find Jeralt was something that would likely take all night, if not longer. Alfonse wasn't even sure if the man was present on monastery grounds right now. He had to imagine the guard felt much the same and had no intention of actually letting them through.

"You would refuse an order from the captain?" Alfonse pressed. "You know that the Church doesn't take kindly to insubordination."

"I'll take his orders if I can verify they actually came from him," the guard countered. "You're not the first person to tell me they had special permission to get through tonight, you know."

Confound it all. Why was everyone so hellbent on getting through to the Goddess Tower? Why couldn't Alfonse just take care of the things he needed to do in peace?

"And how many of them were other knights? I have to assume it was mostly just students. The only other people who would be coming here would be the next guard shift." Leveraging his position and displaying his understanding of it would be key to giving himself credibility here. "And that's not for another few hours. We have urgent business to attend to. We can't afford to wait. It's a matter of security for the whole monastery-- there's no better place to get a good view of the entirety of Garreg Mach's grounds."

Maybe he could offer some of the special knowledge he possessed as "proof" of his "sincerity". Thrasir could so easily back him up, as she, too, was in a privileged position of getting to observe the business of other worlds. Then again, trying to bring up something like the Agarthan infiltration to rank-and-file knights would only make him look like he was speaking nonsense.

[princeofopenness]

Hero Worship

[princeofopenness]

@radiantlodestar (continued from here!)

Was he prepared for this dance? No, Alfonse probably wasn't. It wasn't going to get any better, though. Alfonse knew how to dance, but that didn't mean he particularly enjoyed the activity. The fact that one of the eventualities he had been preparing to dance at, the inevitable day of his coronation, was one that was inherently couched in tragedy; when the time came that he needed to dance then, it would be in the wake of both of his parents having passed. Embla and Askr finally bringing their war to an end would have been a cause for celebration, but the chance to do so had been spoiled by Læraðr and his Quieting Hands.

The exuberance Marth showed surprised Alfonse. He always expected the hero-king to be more reserved, perhaps because of the lofty stories Alfonse always heard of him. This had never been in line with the reality of who Marth was. In actuality, he reminded Alfonse more of Sharena than of someone like Alfonse himself, especially with the way he dragged Alfonse along to their destination. He had to imagine the two would get along quite well; perhaps next year, they might have a chance to meet. She would certainly enjoy it.

"I assure you, your magic is likely no worse than mine," Alfonse stated, though he actually had no idea whether or not the assertion was true. The Askran prince had brought magic to the battlefield before, though only along with the support of his sister; he had never seen Marth wield a spell, but he did not doubt there was some version of the prince out there that could.

"My dancing skills are likely worse than my magic, I fear," Alfonse added, a feeble attempt at humor to try and dispel any anxiety either of them might have been feeling. It did not assuage his own anywhere near as much as he had hoped. "I hope you'll not begrudge me missing a few steps here and there."

[princeofopenness]

[ MORFISIAN ] - A sophisticated dance that celebrates the wondrous beauty of fire magic. In lieu of the Elementals gifting you the ability to perform this dance as intended, the club BOOMS has stepped in offering to help out. Fire magic dances upon your fingers and gives your face an ethereal glow.

The hero-king himself, requesting to dance? Alfonse should be honored, though admittedly, the fact that he had met so many Marths before someone dulled the impact the Altean's reputation would have otherwise. Still, Alfonse was in no position whatsoever to refuse. It was always nice to have a chance to have a chance to chat with so noteworthy a figure. A dance was just a convenient excuse for exactly that.

...The fire magic part of this dance did offer some small concern, though. Given that everyone was carrying bouquets with them, it would be something of a hazard to hold something so flammable while engaging in this particular activity, wouldn't it? Maybe he should put it to the side for now-- they could exchange flowers after the dance was over.

"I've some capacity for magic, but it's not really something I'm particularly used to using," Alfonse cautioned the other prince as he extended a hand. "I hope you don't feel let down by that."

[princeofopenness]

Ball had arrived once again. Alfonse hadn't had a chance to ask his mother for a second outfit, so he would have to make do with the one from the previous year. It was better to get more value out of the one that already existed, right? Would people judge him for wearing the same attire twice? He certainly hoped not. With a bouquet clutched tightly in his fingers, he steeled himself for the inevitable social interaction. Hopefully things would be a bit less stormy than they were last year...

Alfonse has a bouquet of hyacinths!

Flower Tracker:

Roses: Thrasir

Orchids:

Lilies: Marth

Hyacinths: Kiran

Tulips:

Ball outfit:

(drawn by @warpaway)

[princeofopenness]

Activity Check (April 2026)

Thread Tracker

Skill Points: 1

Sword +1 (B+ (+1) -> A)

New Items:

Cinqueadea (Sword A)

New Classes:

Swordmaster (Sword A)

[stormofembla]

➥ add THIS NEW MASK to your daily ten-step skincare routine

anniversary board 2025 | heavy armor +1

[stormofembla]

"Oh." Bruno broke into a soft smile; the focus on festivities was well-appreciated. Maybe he was looking too much into this — Alfonse wasn't one to hide behind the fickle comforts of a mask. "Well, I am a firm believer that any mask would always belong at a festival."

Right, because he had heard tales of a different version of himself, wearing a mask during the Winter and Spring Festivals — as if nothing was different, as if he still needed to hide during the celebrations. He liked to think that there would be a day where he would consider setting it off to the side, but it didn't seem to be anytime soon, especially not given recent happenings; so in the meantime, he would stand in support of his other copies, until he could no longer be a hypocrite himself.

There was a long pause as he pondered the latter part of it — attending festivals with Alfonse, in matching... attire? He blinked, smile fading gradually into a surprised part of his lips. Shaking off the hesitation, he managed, "That does sound like your mother. But I don't think I would mind, either?" A slight lilt of his voice, as if he was disbelieving himself, but with peace came more uninterrupted time for holidays, uninterrupted time with those he had left behind. This was a good thing, even if his initial response was shock.

"I would find enjoyment in it," he eventually affirmed. Then, to further reassure the frown on Alfonse's expression, he continued, "I have, if I have to admit, always been more fond of Askran celebrations. Maybe circumstances have changed, but they were always... different in Embla." Duller, quieter, more devoid of the lightheartedness that Bruno recalled in memory; but perhaps his own thoughts of home were colored differently because of his experiences.

"But no matter. Matching outfits or not, I would enjoy an Askran celebration with you... all." I would like nothing more than to celebrate with you. He swallowed, uncertain exactly how he felt about the concern — until he asked, "Did you think I would refuse your invitation, for some reason?"

[princeofopenness]

Any mask would belong at a festival, but perhaps not every mask would belong at every festival. Alfonse had to wonder if it had been inappropriate to wear his replica of Bruno's mask to the ball. Most of the other guests might not have understood its significance, but the significance it held to Alfonse and the few others who had previously known Bruno at that point... would they have judged him for it? Thrasir and Sharena had both seen him in it. Would they think less of Alfonse for wearing Bruno's mask so brazenly?

Well, Sharena probably wouldn't.

"It's not like you've never attended an Askran festival," Alfonse mused, more to himself than to Bruno, "though perhaps never as yourself. Not in full, at least. That isn't to say that the person who attended wasn't you! It just... well, you weren't entirely at liberty to let your guard down at that time, were you? It might be nice to be able to attend a celebration without any worry weighing you down."

Alfonse had given thought to how his mother would take to Bruno attending a festival with them, and it seemed now the thought of her had infected Alfonse's mind entirely. His words would not have sounded alien coming from Henriette's mouth, aside from the part where Alfonse's tongue had tied itself into a knot. She had a bit more confidence when it came to social interactions than Alfonse ever did, and likely more than he ever would.

"Sharena would surely be happy to-- ah, pardon, did you say you...?"

Oh. Alfonse had been so focused on thinking of excuses to try and convince Bruno to attend that he hadn't paid much attention to what the Emblan prince was actually saying. Sporting a light pink tinge to his cheeks, Alfonse coughed and cleared his throat, trying to find his footing again now that Bruno's words had finally sunk in. It was more than a bit humiliating to get caught up in his own thoughts like that.

"...Well, she will be happy to have you, I mean," Alfonse eventually corrected himself. "Perhaps we could convince Veronica to attend as well. It would be nice to have the both of you together. Er, the one back in my world, not... the Veronica currently... well, Thrasir can attend too if she wishes."

[willowitxh]

Maledictus Aurum || Alfonse & Thrasir

latin - "cursed gold" Anniversary Misson Board - Any Skill +1

[willowitxh]

Alfonse's reactions never failed to amuse Thrasir. The revulsion in response to her question brought an almost savage grin to her face. The way he stopped reading and seemed to keep making the situation worse for himself almost got a snort of laughter. And when he finally composed himself enough to answer her, it was as though he was pretending he hadn't just been the most entertainingly delightful mortal for the past moment.

That got her mouth to crack into a small smile.

She waited until he had finished stumbling through his words, and then waited a few moments more before she gave her own response. Just long enough to make the air between them a little awkward. Then she set her own book on the table, open to the page she had found.

"What good is a dead thing in an infirmary?" Thrasir asked rhetorically. Obviously she'd never go to one. Except apparently after passing out in stress and then getting charmed by an attention sapping witch. "The library has information and, apparently, a certain royal I can mask my presence here with."

Thrasir then paused, her eyes flicking up to meet Alfonse's for a moment. Then she went back to the book. She shifted it to face her companion so that he could see the page on flower related curses she had chosen to look through first.

"Since I am already dead without a living body to catch such afflictions," she sniffed with a small upturn of her lip, "one must first assume some sort of spell or curse."

[princeofopenness]

Was Thrasir smiling? No, Alfonse must have just imagined it. A smile would have been an uplifting expression to see from her if indeed Alfonse had seen it, but he had not, he insisted to himself. He had merely mistaken her expression for something it was not, or some trick of the light had confused him, or something like that. Alfonse definitely had not made Thrasir smile. There was no way he was capable of breaking through an exterior as hardened as hers, intentionally or otherwise.

This train of thought was quickly interrupted by a heavy cough. Alfonse barely managed to move his hand to cover his mouth in time, a smattering of flowers deposited into his palm as recompense. It almost seemed like the cough had been summoned by his thoughts on Thrasir... but that would be silly. Illnesses, strange and illogical as they might be, simply did not work like that. Alfonse did not have a satisfactory explanation for where the flowers were coming from, sure, but that didn't mean everything about this disease would behave without regard for sense.

"There are a few reasons to suspect this may not be natural, yes," Alfonse concurred, shoving his clenched fist into his pocket to deposit the handful of flowers. He would dispose of them later, and he would much prefer not to leave pieces of himself scattered across the table and floor. Besides the distinct possibility of it being remarkably unsanitary and possibly spreading this affliction to others, Alfonse was not terribly fond of making others clean up his messes.

"The fact that this affects you only confirms my suspicion. I mean, it's not really that difficult to come to the conclusion this might be magical in nature. It's hard to think of reasons someone's body would just start creating flower petals. I do have to wonder where they're coming from, though-- on a physical level, I mean. Are they fragments of my innards converted into plant matter? If so, we might be on a bit of a ticking clock before this affliction consumes us."

Well, there was one way to assess that question. Alfonse eyed Thrasir carefully, gaze traveling up and down her figure. If one looked carefully, they could practically see the thoughts working their way across his mind. There was really no good way for him to make this statement, but transparency was paramount here in a more literal sense than it would otherwise be.

"...Thrasir, if we get somewhere more isolated, could you, er... I-I would be interested in seeing if the petals are visible within you at any point before they emerge, or if they simply manifest within your mouth."

His cheeks were already roughly the same color as Thrasir's body from even trying to ask that question.

[princeofopenness]

Partying In Remembrance

[pillarofopenness]

Sharena’s hands finally stabilize, shoulders relaxing despite her never realizing they’d tensed before. He’s smiling again. Not a true one, not the happy one she wishes for him, but she can’t expect him to pivot emotions just like that. Enough people already expect that from him — and if you ask her, they definitely shouldn’t. Being hier to the throne of Askr doesn’t make him any less human, and she thinks they should respect that, thank you very much! Far be it from her as not only a sister, but as a friend, to contribute to that.

“That’s a great idea!” The usual spark of joy finally returns to the princess’s green eyes, tied back hair nearly becoming a safety hazard from how wildly it swings alongside her excited nodding. It never even occurred to her that inviting her was even an option! Truly, Alfonse is a genius. Though she already knew that. Everyone knows that. He’s the best, obviously.

At the same time, now that the idea’s out there, she can’t help but want to pop back over to Askr and drag her back through to join them now… But she can’t do that. 

…Can she…??

“Ooh! Wait! They have that… uh… What was it called again..? Photo… Artifact? Architect…?” A pause, hands coming up to form a general box-y shape as she tries to force the devices name out of the depths of her memory. And fails, for an embarrassingly long time. But in her defense she only briefly saw it on her way in and immediately got distracted so it’s not really her fault. 

She gets there eventually, loud clap of her hands accompanying her grand epiphany. “‘Photo-artifex’! We can take a picture together to send back to Askr for mother! Then it’ll be like she did get to come! Annnd, if we can show her how much fun we’re having, that’ll just show her all the more reason to come join us next time! Right?”

[princeofopenness]

A picture for their mother... Alfonse had scarcely even considered the option, in all honesty. There was something about the idea that unnerved him, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why. It was usually paintings-- a pit formed in his stomach as he realized he would inevitably need to sit for one on the day of his eventual coronation-- but Anna and the Summoner both had other methods of procuring snapshots to which Alfonse had been previously subjected. Seeing his likeness in portrait form never sat well with him. He always had some unpleasant look on his face or other awkward trait making him look out of place, soiling the memory they were attempting to capture.

Still, Alfonse came to the same roadblock he often did when dealing with Sharena: those big, pleading eyes of hers. It was terribly difficult for Alfonse to turn her down when she was excited about something. Seeing her smile was one of the few joys Alfonse had left in this world, one of the few of which, no matter what ill befell them, he had yet to be robbed. There were worlds in which that wasn't true, he knew that (Líf was testament to that much), but so far, Sharena had remained his rock, his pillar of emotional support. She had never wavered in that role, even if Alfonse had never asked it to be filled. For all the joy she had given him, she deserved a little in return.

"...I suppose mother would be quite happy to receive a picture of us, wouldn't she?" Alfonse concurred after a short moment of deliberation. "I have to imagine she would be requesting as much if she were here. Besides, she had wanted to see me in this attire herself. It only feels right that she gets some way of fulfilling that wish."

Hopefully he would not regret this. No matter how terribly the photograph came out, Alfonse suspected it would delight Henriette regardless.

"Maybe we'll be able to take a picture with even more of our friends next year. When we inevitably leave, it will be nice to have some way to take the memories of this visit with us."

[princeofopenness]

Did You Hear They Made Looking Outside Cool? (Look Outside AU)

[umbralward]

Ophelia sits perched, like a lovely bird or a lovelier bird-woman, on the edge of the kitchen counter, her bare, flawless feet, waving with every other word she says.

“The foreshadowing was perfect.  Right on time!  Eight-fifteen, and the sky shifts.  The teeth of cloud pull away to reveal a beautiful eye, full of innocent benevolence!”

She refers, of course, to the apocalypse.  She had been on the way to school, all dressed up in her school outfit.  The blazer had been warm, so she'd tied it around her waist and rolled up her sleeves.

The natural beginning to a story worth at least 200 episodes!  Mahou Shoujo Oferia Dosuku!

“Your Heroine broke off into a sprint, using all her finesse and cleverness to dodge the frantic traffic and horrified bystanders!”  She raises one arm to the ceiling, grinning, “And by this holy power, she shall banish this eldritch arrival!!!”

She jumps down from the table, swinging her arm as though brandishing some unseen weapon, making the sound effects with her mouth.

[senerist]

soren has to wonder, as ophelia continued her diatribe, if she had been so pointlessly loquacious before this happened, or if her sanity was beginning to fray.  he has to wonder similar of himself, too.

If he had to evaluate it, he'd say he got off better than she did.  The teen seems hardly aware of her skin, now rough like raw marble, glittering like a beacon in the dark halls of the building.  If it hadn't been for her loud mouth and boisterous appearance, they wouldn't have been pursued on their way here by that - 

                          whatever that was - 

                                 whoever that had been - 

     - and soren's [ tail ] wouldn't have been snapped in half to distract it in their escape.

                     useful. hurt like hell. still hurts. easier to hide now.

he'd backed up against a wall to put distance between them, and use that and the wall to convince them his silhouette wouldn't be twisted by his own affliction.

he had thought, too, upon entering, that he'd seen something move in this corner, but that seemed to be a trick of the light (or the extra eyes he'd spent the morning growing).

“We were chased down the first floor, but lost it on the stairwell,” soren interjects, purposely leaving out his little contribution.  Ophelia has no grounds to judge him for new additions to his anatomy, but the others might turn on him.

Yes, him, and not ophelia.  he's the bigger threat.  the smarter one, at least.  the - 

“We'll have to take precautions in case some one visits, regardless,” he continues.  “Shifts for watching the door, likely.  And i'm not convinced this apartment doesn't have roaches or rats, and doubly convinced that either could suddenly have the ability to summarily execute us.”

So much to worry about.  he'd have to keep his eyes open.

“Let's pool information.  What do we know, and what are we capable of?”

[princeofopenness]

Of the three Alfonse had collected, only one seemed to be taking this quite as seriously as he was. The girl was... well, calling her a space case might be a bit insensitive in this particular instance, if what she said about some being in the sky was to be believed. Ordinarily, Alfonse would have chalked that up to the girl's sparkling personality (another thing he probably shouldn't say out loud, given the way her skin glittered in the light), but with everything he'd seen so far, it seemed more credible than it otherwise would. The suggestion of vermin in the apartment was something Alfonse himself hadn't fully considered-- he'd not seen any indication that anything larger might be present, but the possibility of little scurrying creatures was something he couldn't entirely rule out.

...Strange, though, he could have sworn he'd heard a scoff at the suggestion, but it hadn't come from any of the other two.

"I can't say I know all too much more than what's been offered already," Alfonse stated, giving a small shake of his head. "I've contacted a friend of mine who's good at gathering information." Well, she was more about gathering gossip, really, but this was the sort of story Alfonse wouldn't be terribly surprised to see reported on in the pulpy tabloids she reported for. At the end of the day, she had connections and research skills, which was all Alfonse could ask for.

"What, asked her to throw herself into danger for you?" The larger man scoffed. "Not a great friend, are ya, bud?"

"No, nothing of the sort!" Alfonse objected, though he couldn't help but allow some doubt to creep into his mind now that the idea had been put forth. Anna was smarter than that, right? She wouldn't... he hadn't put her in danger with this request, had he?

"Whatever," came the reply from the athlete. "Not my business. Speaking of friends, though, mine are still out there somewhere. We got separated in all the hubbub. I'm not gonna stick around here waiting while they might be in trouble."

"Calm down, Lex," Alfonse advised him, shooting a pointed glance to the larger man. He knew his words would do little to actually stop someone quite as hardheaded as Lex once he'd gotten an idea in mind, but he needed to at least try. "We're not staying put forever. We can't, really. I doubt there's enough food in here to last us that long. We'll have to go out searching for supplies sooner or later, but when we do, it ought to be as a group. We'll look for your friends at the same time. I wouldn't want them to be stuck out there either. I'd like to find as many reasonable people as we can to keep safe. The more people who can work together, the better off we'll be."

Alfonse's words did seem to relax Lex at least somewhat. He was still almost certainly planning to head out to explore the apartment building sooner or later, Alfonse could tell that much, but he seemed amenable to Alfonse's suggestion. If he had pushed further, Alfonse could certainly give proof that it was less than safe to be exploring on one's own. The bandage currently wrapped around a small wound on his left forearm was proof enough of that.

"...As for what we're capable of," Alfonse continued, "I managed to fight off a few of the... well, I'm not really sure what to call them. I was accosted a couple of times while I was looking around the building, but I made it out alright. It might be a good idea to hold onto anything that could possibly be used as a weapon. To that end, I do, er, have a sword somewhere in my apartment."

Stashed away in a dusty box, along with the rest of his father's belongings. Alfonse hadn't had the heart to sort through them yet.

"I don't really know if it's in ideal condition to actually be used in a fight, but if I can retrieve it, I'm sure it'll be better than nothing. It's... well, it's an antique, a family heirloom. I'm fairly certain it was intended as a decoration over an actual weapon, but beggars can't really be choosers right now. Even if its blade isn't sharp, it's heavy enough to hurt something at least once before it cracks, I'd wager."

Then again, Alfonse had thought the same of the mangled golf club that currently sat on the ground near the door. He had discarded it the first time he'd visited this apartment. The thing had barely lasted more than a few whacks before it gave out, but it had been enough to dissuade the creature that had been attacking Alfonse at the time. Twisted out of shape as it was now, it would be of little use in a fight, bent too awkward to swing effectively.

"Are any of you capable of fighting? ...Other than Lex. I know what his answer is already. I wouldn't expect you to be, nor would I ask you to risk yourselves unnecessarily. It's just worth knowing in advance of any further crises that might befall us."

[princeofopenness]

Did You Hear They Made Looking Outside Cool? (Look Outside AU)

[princeofopenness]

@senerist

The soft click of the deadbolt signaled some degree of safety. Alfonse's fingers lingered on the lock, fiddling with it just to make absolutely certain it was correctly in place and could not be turned further. It would be a shame indeed if he incorrectly assumed the door was securely fastened, only to be made a fool of later. In a time like this, one could never be too certain. Whether or not a wooden door, thick though it might be, would be enough to keep a more determined intruder out, though, Alfonse wasn't certain. He had seen some particularly robust things roaming around that could likely tear their way through if they so desired, as well as some formless or flexible creatures who may be able to slip their way through the cracks.

Best not to worry about that right now, though. There were enough eyes present for at least one to keep watch on the door at all times. Four of them gathered at present, including Alfonse himself, covering a range of body types. There was a larger man, his frame made all the more imposing by the football pads he wore; no doubt that would provide some protection from whatever it was that roamed the halls, so Alfonse couldn't fault him for his choice in attire. A boisterous blonde girl currently was trying to chat the larger man's ear off, seeming far more excited than Alfonse would expect someone in this situation to be. Finally, there was the smaller man who draped himself in bedsheets, seeming as though he was trying to blend in with the large pile of laundry in the corner he had occupied. Alfonse was fairly certain it was just one man under there, though he could have sworn he'd seen more than one set of eyes peering out from underneath.

Two of the people Alfonse had found seemed friendly enough, and the other... well, that one mostly seemed like he wanted to be left alone, but he was pragmatic enough to see the value that a numerical advantage provided. The more people gathered in one place, the greater their odds of making it through whatever was currently going on. Those three were thus far the only sane (relatively speaking, at least) individuals Alfonse had encountered. Finding this abandoned apartment was a stroke of good fortune, even if it came with the disturbing implication of why it was now abandoned. This was a secure place to stay until things became a bit more normal again... if they were ever to be normal again.

"You all made it here alright, I see," Alfonse greeted them, sighing as he shed his coat to hang on the nearby rack. Funny that there was so much laundry strewn on the floor when there were ample places to store it... though it may be less 'funny' and more 'a sign of a struggle'. Alfonse didn't much want to think about that.

"Nothing tried to follow you, right? I wouldn't consider this place secret by any means, obviously, but I think if they don't know we're occupying this apartment, we're less likely to get, er, any unwanted visitors."

[princeofopenness]

Now this visitor is entirely unwelcome! Frogkut does not know why, but something about his very presence... it is far too familiar to other fools he has known.

Of course he must show this fool the true meaning of strength! With Frognea by his side, it will be easy!

A singular mighty hop takes him up, allowing him to perch on the man's shoulder. Then he lashes out with his tongue, scoring a direct hit against the mans ear. Before he could even strike back, Frogkut dives back into the pond.

Tremble before his wrath!

That's enough out of you.

[princeofopenness]

Activity Check (March 2026)

Points: 1

Sword B+ -> Sword B+ (10 -> 11)

[princeofopenness]

Item: A Dusty Tome Rarity: ✶ Rare

What video game has the best lore?

Feed your dashboard by answering my question, blogger.

[warpaway]

unstoppable force v. unshakeable object

mission prompt || heavy armor +1

[warpaway]

linhardt had intended to set a trap and spring it, but the trap is quickly forgotten. alfonse steps in it, of course, and it’s ripe for the taking, but he follows it up with something so much more interesting than the satisfaction of navigating an interview that linhardt promptly forgets his trap at all.

“i wasn’t aware of such a condition,” they reply, eyes widening as they focus directly on alfonse’s face.

they can imagine instantly how difficult living with such a condition might be, even without alfonse’s clear example of mistaking his family members for each other. linhardt doesn’t have siblings, but they know enough to know how embarrassing even that mistake might be.

“if that’s the case, it’s little wonder, then. with us students always in our uniforms, you must have quite the problem if you need to address any of us. there are differences in their tailoring, sure, but that would be harder than just seeing some one’s face.”

naturally, they take this moment to pull out their notebook and begin scribbling line after line of shorthand. “for me, i never leave my dorm without my ribbon in my hair. rarely, i might wear it differently, but i can’t stand to go without it, if that helps at all.”

he looks up from his notes and leans forward. “does that help?”

[princeofopenness]

A little detail suddenly derailed the entire conversation. Though it was something Alfonse found deeply embarrassing, he was happy for it, because being slightly embarrassed was much better than having Linhardt continue to question him. Besides, if Linhardt was going to go around telling people anything about Alfonse (which Linhardt very well might-- Alfonse did not think them the best at keeping secrets), Alfonse would prefer it to be the ultimately inconsequential fact rather than the fundamental nature of Askr.

A small sigh left Alfonse as Linhardt began chattering away, speculating on the nature of Alfonse's condition. He wasn't entirely certain how much he would be able to answer of the questions that would surely follow. After all, it wasn't like Alfonse had ever experienced life from a different perspective than his own. He had never lived without this condition. There was nothing for him to compare to, no baseline he could use as definitive proof anything was actually different for him. For all Alfonse knew, everyone else had the same struggle and had simply adapted to it. Maybe the strangest thing about Alfonse was just that he acknowledged this trouble.

"Yes, it's quite the bother," Alfonse agreed. "Back in my home, we tend to have a lot of celebrations that involve dressing up in costumes for the relevant season or holiday. It's a silly tradition, one that embarrasses me when I have to partake in it, but it is incidentally quite useful. Everyone's costumes tend to be distinct from one another, often carrying some detail of their personality with it that makes identification briefly easier."

The thought of Linhardt wearing rabbit ears with a long skirt and carrying a pillow sprang to mind immediately.

"These are typically larger details than a hair ornament, however. That does help, make no mistake, but... well, I actually happen to know quite a lot of people with long, green hair and some manner of ornamentation like a ribbon or hair tie. Lady Lyndis of Sacae, for starters, though she tends to dress in traditional attire, which makes her easy for me to identify."

[princeofopenness]

You Are Banned From My Sister's Birthday Parties Forever

[princeofopenness]

@aimlessarchery (continued from here!)

Alfonse had not actually anticipated so swift a response. His phone had still been clutched firmly in his hand when the vibration went off, screen darkened as he took the time to rack his brains for the best course of action. His eyebrows raised, and though he knew it would do nothing to make him less frustrated, he opened the messaging app against his better judgement. What he saw on the screen only made his scowl deepen.

[TXT]: I doubt you will be present next year to consume it.

Well, technically Alfonse had not done anything to prevent Python from showing up just yet. There was every possibility Python could be there if the event were held in a public location. He needed to make it clear that Python would have to make sure he did not happen to be in the same place at the same time.

[TXT]: If I see you at any such event again, I will be pursuing the full extent of whatever legal action I can take against you. Do I make myself clear?

Alfonse still was not certain that would actually stop Python.

[katabatiic]

Business Negotiations At Makeout Tower

(continued from here)

[katabatiic]

“In my arms? You continue to overestimate both my strength and my chivalry, friend.”

Legault’s head tilts to one side, his smile growing distant as he focuses elsewhere. He doesn’t hear any other voices or footsteps nearby—but he allows himself a few moments of silence to assure it. Alfonse seems to enjoy speaking candidly about the sorts of things that could put both him and his little friend in serious danger, should the wrong person overhear.

“I understand your willingness to spend coin to keep this problem under control,” he says, slightly more hushed than before, “But have you considered all of the possibilities this entails? You told me once that you worried that someone with a power like yours may have been what caused this world to be so interconnected.”

It is the only world Legault knows, but he wouldn’t forget being told about living in an abnormality. Especially when it implies the existence of other, parallel lives.

“Do you know how long your friend has been here? Whether or not they’ve already used their power?”

The suspicion is clear in Legault’s voice, but he raises a palm in a defensive gesture. He's speaking to someone who knows his history, so it does well to tread carefully when speaking of concerns about unchecked power.

“I’m not suggesting I employ any of my other skills, mind you. Just expressing some concern over the communication between you world-hopping folk before I get involved.”

[princeofopenness]

While Alfonse, logically, understood the suggestion, the emotional side of him could not help but take offense. Where Legault's voice grew more quiet, Alfonse's only raised. His eyes did not carry open hostility, but frustration pulled the corners of his mouth downward, eyebrows twitching in the direction of knitting together. He had long been taught not to openly display his emotions-- a future ruler had not the luxury of wearing their heart on their sleeve-- but moments like this threatened to overcome his careful training.

"Kiran would never betray me in such a way," Alfonse protested. A part of him recognized that Legault had every reason to question Kiran's circumstances, to be wary of Kiran's power. He did not have the same knowledge as Alfonse. He did not know their history, nor did he know Kiran's personality. Still, logic was not what ruled Alfonse's behavior. He had always been more driven by emotion against his better judgement, and even though he might be more open to others than he used to be, that emotionality had not changed.

"They are a dear friend," Alfonse continued, sighing as he forced himself into a softer tone, allowing the hints of frustration to drain away from his expression. "It would be most unlike them to abuse the gift my kingdom has given them. Besides, Kiran arrived after me. There wouldn't have been an opportunity for them to use the Breidablik without my knowing, and this Garreg Mach already had its unusual circumstances long before I arrived to investigate."

Not this Kiran, at least. There were still plenty of other culprits Alfonse could envision, to say nothing of the potential for someone entirely unknown to him being responsible. Eitri and her attempts to create a summoner of her own, the scheming Alfaðör and his willingness to toy with the lives of those he saw as lesser, the agarthan faction that had besieged the monastery shortly after his arrival; all of these seemed reasonable enough candidates to Alfonse. Their involvement was far more likely than Kiran's.

"...No, I have... a long list of people who could be responsible for all of this. Kiran is not exactly high on it. I don't think they have the capacity to cause things to deviate quite as much as they have here. It's... it would require a lot of explaining, I fear, but suffice to say that this world is wholly unique even among worlds that ought to be its peer. That's highly unusual. I haven't seen one that differed so greatly before. Whatever caused this likely happened well before I began observing. There's clearly been quite a lot of time for this situation to fester, otherwise it wouldn't be quite so extreme. With that in mind, Kiran's involvement is... well, highly improbable, to say the least."