OUTLAW

closed niles blog part of the officers academy (resident of the town of garreg mach)

[purloyned]

HOY THERE, NILES! WHAT IF WE....🥺👉👈 rekindled our raging flames of friendship

let it burn for all eternity!!

[purloyned]

passionfruit // ♬

[maligknightsthorns]

Camilla had just returned from enjoying lunch with a student when she noticed her office door was slightly ajar. Her eyes narrowed, there were several students who would practice lock picking on professors doors... Part of their requirement to pass a thief's class mastery. She prepared to take stock of what was missing and then hunt down who ever was bold enough to try to steal from her as she opened the door. Most of the time it was something silly; a name tag, a pen holder, some decor.

There's a lovely grin to greet her... and his boots on her desk. Her jaw hardens. "Get your feet off of my desk." She then spies the box of Nohrian bonbons, with a note from one of her siblings attached to it, missing two chocolates. Her nostrils flare for a moment as she regains her composure. "Was my desk too hard to break into?" She feigns concern. "That's where I keep my good stash. Glad to know it's safe." She gives him a smile as she moves the box up to a shelf, out of the way. Really the desk drawer was just candy and sweets she saved for him. Enrichment for her favorite thief. Also a way to keep him from stealing all of the candy and sweets she has saved for students...

"Shall I be the one to tell my brother you stole his gift to me?" She turns and locks the door.

When she turns around Niles is still sitting on her chair with his feet on her desk, leaning back with his hands stretched behind his head, cocky grin on his face.

"I said "get your feet off of my desk."" She frowns as she smacks his boot.

[purloyned]

"Ohh, the good stash, hmm? Lord Leo will be heartbroken when I tell him his precious gift didn't make the cut."

Niles teases, of course. But he knows it's best to toe the line with Camilla. So though her against his boots are met with a snicker and hands raised in mock surrender, ultimately he pulls back and returns his feet to the floor. She's locked the door. Which excites him, in every sense of the word. Her intentions for him could be very good or very bad...

His demeanor remains flippant. But he sits up, on the edge of his seat, cautious yet still curious on where this will lead. "Looks like I've been caught in your trap. Or... perhaps you were caught in mine?" Niles' voice lowers to a purr. "Few people would willingly lock themselves into a room alone with me. You must be desperate if you're adding yourself to that number... poor princess."

A sleight of hand reveals the second pilfered bonbon. He offers it to her. An invitation, and a test. "You're welcome to let yourself indulge. No one's watching."

[princepsumbra]

Mirkwood Ninja Warrior

[princepsumbra]

starter for: @purloyned

He knew this seminar would not be a traditional one.

'Meeting near the forest after dinner' already sounded like a cliche horror tale told around soldier's watchfires. The fact that Niles expressed interest in attending meant he'd found it intriguing, which also meant the off-putting aura around the entire seminar did nothing to dissuade him.

Still, in the archer's defense, Leo doesn't think he expected a terrifying chase in the dusk lit woods.

Hands raised high, emerald eyes remain fixated on the cloaked figure of their "instructor." Magic sparks weakly around gloved fingertips. A half-finished incantation lies prepared on his lips; he will not be caught unawares.

He felt the initial attack was nothing more than test of skills. Beginner's fencing moves are not fearsome in and of themselves. The unexpectedness of it all is the true attack. Given enough time, Leo's confident he can outmaneuver this cloaked, theatrical showman.

But he does not know what will come next, and that irritates him most of all.

"Tell me this isn't some elaborate ruse you conjured out of sheer boredom," Leo murmurs to his retainer. While he doubts even Niles would go this far for a joke, recent experiences have shaken his trust in people. "If this is, remind me never again to leave you alone for so long."

[purloyned]

The idea came to Niles one late night, a few drinks in and eavesdropping on a conversation between professors. Something about managing emotions in stressful situations, and it seemed just up Leo's alley. There were probably more specifics that he should have paid closer attention to...

He was not prepared for a romp in the woods. Certainly one way to test someone's composure. The instructor's initial attack against Leo came almost out of nowhere—Niles' heart leapt at the sight of gleaming steel striking towards his master. Fortunately the mage is skilled with a sword. Perhaps, given some time and assistance on Niles' part, they could have ended this lesson in that clearing, victorious.

Niles had no intention of risking it then and there. Even if he didn't plan on taking a romp through the woods tonight... that Leo would even suggest he concocted this ridiculous seminar has Niles laughing breathlessly. "I'm flattered you think I could come up with this myself. Now keep close, milord. Who knows what other tricks this ghoul has up their sleeve..."

Even the trees seem untrustworthy. He'd be shocked if there wasn't some sort of advantage the instructor prepared for themselves. A deep knowledge of the forest, or perhaps some traps hidden in the shadows...

"Your orders?" Niles sees plenty of directions to go in, but it's Leo who has the mind for strategy. "Do we ditch this class or play their little game?"

[rpmemesupreme-blog]

send me a ♡ and i’ll describe what i think our muses’ child would be like

[ can be in terms of appearance, personality, or both! ]

[purloyned]

passionfruit // ♬

[purloyned]

I suggest you stay away from my office.

Who would Niles be to spurn such an invitation?

He strikes just before office hours, when most professors are either in their classes or on their lunch breaks. Bypassing the lock takes nothing but a slim metal file and a bit of effort—child’s play, essentially. When Niles pushes the door open, he’s greeted with a special prize left on her desk…

A box of bon-bons. His eyes light up as he recognizes the packaging of fancy Nohrian chocolates, the kind that he could only dream about as a kid. So taking one for himself shouldn’t be a big deal, right? Camilla can always get another box. Niles is shameless as he pries it open, picks one at random, and sits himself down at Camilla’s desk. He closes his eyes, bites slowly into his chocolate. The shell immediately gives in to his teeth with a satisfying crack, oozing out delicious caramel.

Ah. Niles kicks his feet up on the desk, then sucks the caramel off his fingers. When Camilla finally enters, it’s to his self-satisfied grin (and two less bonbons). “Working hard, or hardly working? You’re late to your office hours, professor.”

@maligknightsthorns

[purloyned]

a kiss after treating a wound

(she's gotta kiss the boo boos it's the law)

Niles has cleaned up his fair share of shattered glass over the years. A broom and something to collect the shards in is all he really needs, but he was working on a time crunch... perhaps he was careless in using his bare hands to pick up the glass, but it's nothing he can't fix himself.

Niles tells Camilla just that, knowing very well she won't take that as an answer.

Well-groomed hands work expertly in treating his wounds. She's... gentle, and somehow that's a surprise. Sure, Camilla dotes on her family and retainers with all the love of an overbearing mother. But Niles isn't even remotely close to that circle. So he thought. Clearly, as she presses a dainty kiss against his bandaged palms, Camilla feels differently.

"Am I supposed to say 'thank you, Mommy?'" Niles' jeers, sharpening his tongue as he pulls up his defenses. He isn't used to gentleness unless the other person wants something from him. For someone like Camilla, who delights in taking pity on wretched creatures, why should it be any different? "Of course you'd take care of my hands. Half my skill is in my fingers..." Niles tests the boundaries, pushes his hand down in an effort to grasp Camilla's throat. "Let's make sure they still work."

[purloyned]

“Oh… father.” Nina awkwardly spoke, surprise on her face as she saw perhaps the last person she expected to see. Though they had reconciled.. somewhat, she still felt a bit awkward around him. Their conflict (or rather, her conflict with him) turned out to be a misunderstanding more than anything else, but years of feeling abandoned doesn’t just suddenly vanish.

“You’re the worst dad ever you know that.. I was worried when the letters suddenly stopped. I thought you were finally sick of me…!” Granted, she didn’t know that Fodlan had only just come out of a temporal crisis when she had arrived, but from her perspective, he suddenly went silent for several months. She sighed, after a moment of silence. “….its.. good to finally see you though, Father..” she mumbled, looking away bashfully. Now that she was older and more understanding, she wanted to believe he had a good reason. She.. wanted to believe in him. It wasn’t just the nobles that needed to be taught a lesson, or the boys she could see that brought her to Fodlan. Deep down.. she wanted to spend more time with her father.

Niles blinks in surprise: at first glance he hadn't been entirely sure if this was Nina, but seeing her up close like this, he wonders how he ever doubted.

He'd like to hug her—isn't that what family does? Niles is certain that's what he wants. But he also knows he pressure of being put on the spot, made to show affection even when it comes unnaturally. So he's not surprised that Nina's quick to hurl accusations at him instead. He's her father, after all.

"Uh, stopped?" Ah, right. Fódlan's gotten mixed up in some kind of time dilemma. Niles is still faint of the details. It's certainly something to investigate deeper, especially since Lord Leo seems to be taking quite the interest in this continent's affairs... but that's later. His girl always comes first.

Nina releases all her feelings, and now it's Niles' turn to show she's been heard. "It's good to see you too," he replies with a nervous chuckle. He lifts his hand up, hesitates, then gently pats her on the head. She's a young woman now, yet he'll always see that little girl that clung to his leg and saw wonder in everything she experienced. "Sorry for the silence—I'm still getting settled in myself... speaking of.

"Garreg Mach? You here for school?" Nothing would make Niles happier than seeing Nina get a proper education, but he knows that's too good to be true. He crosses his arms as a teasing smile comes to his lips. "Or did you miss your dad that much, Little Miss Independent? I won't judge."

[leneemusing]

another kiss prompt

a kiss to make up for an argument

a dominating kiss to end an argument 

a gentle kiss to ask forgiveness 

a kiss against shoulder blades as arms wrap around from behind 

a kiss against the shoulder after waking up beside each other 

a kiss to distract

a kiss against tear stained cheek

a kiss on the brow 

a kiss where they’re both covered in blood

a kiss after one muse has killed for the other 

a kiss after one muse has injured the other 

a kiss between enemies who should be fighting 

a kiss between exes who meant to walk away 

a playful kiss to make the other stop rambling 

an adoring kiss because the other is rambling 

a kiss to end sexual tension 

an angry kiss 

a tearful kiss 

a kiss to prove a point 

a hesitant kiss 

a kiss from one muse who should be afraid of the other 

a kiss from a muse who the other should be afraid of 

kisses scattered along hardened jaw to try and sooth 

a kiss as if trying to answer a question 

a kiss between furrowed brows to try and comfort 

a kiss from someone the other didn’t think thought of them that way 

a kiss that says thank you 

a kiss on the corner of the mouth,  hoping for more but expecting nothing 

an exploratory kiss,  testing the waters between them 

a kiss on the forehead of one who is starting to fall asleep 

a kiss against the cheek after discovering the other is napping 

a platonic kiss just meant to express overwhelming emotion 

a kiss to comfort both parties

a kiss stemmed from relief 

a kiss to make the other believe professed feelings 

a possessive kiss to remind the other who they belong to 

a possessive kiss to show the world they belong to each other

a kiss stemmed from jealousy 

a kiss to make someone else jealous 

a biting,  passionate kiss 

a kiss against the neck which feels more like a bite,  teeth bruising skin 

a desperate kiss as if they are convinced they’ll slip through each other’s fingers 

a kiss to make each other feel alive 

a kiss stolen away in a corner,  ignoring crowds 

a kiss after being pulled into an alley to have a moment to themselves 

a kiss after grabbing the other’s arm and pulling them back close 

a kiss to convince the other to stay 

a kiss like they’re trying to convince the other to love them 

a hopeful kiss in the rain

a desperate kiss in the rain 

an angry kiss in the rain 

a possessive kiss in the rain 

a playful,  happy kiss in the rain 

a passionate kiss stemmed from previous heartbreak in the rain 

a kiss in the rain to make up like it’s a damn romcom 

a kiss in the rain filled with the foreboding of a goodbye 

a kiss to make the other stop being stubborn 

a kiss after treating a wound 

a defiant kiss 

a kiss between partners in crime in front of someone they hold captive 

a kiss to anger a third party 

an adrenaline filled kiss shared after committing a crime 

a surprise kiss just because the other couldn’t stop thinking about it 

[indevouement]

fellow retainers my kid doesnt haev a FUCKING job (liege to swear his entire life to) yet what do i do

help me

force him to make a linkedin

craigslist

give him time (WRONG ANSWER DONT SELECT THIS)

go to every royal in the academy and beg

time for a new son

Voting ended onFeb 2, 2024

[indevouement]

I SAID DONT SELECT GIVE HIM TIME

[purloyned]

“Why don’t you share Lord Corrin with him?” Niles asks with a slight smile. “You already share duties with Felicia… what, worried your kid will put you out of a job?”

[purloyned]

HC + SECURITY

Things that make Niles feel physically safe and secure:

Having food available, not just for the day but for the next few days, with the ability to get more.

A safe place to sleep, something permanent that he can rely on having.

Money saved, because at the very least it can buy options.

Warm people that give a shit about him (though he'd never admit to this)

With Nina, Niles does his absolute best to provide her with these things: the deeprealm is free from war, presumably more fertile than Nohr (so more to grow and eat, she shouldn't go hungry), and she's raised by people who love her. But he cares deeply for his daughter's safety and does everything he can to prevent her from experiencing the same struggles he had. Because Niles struggles with so many other aspects of fatherhood, he believes this is the best way to show his love.

[mistfallenmemes]

Send me hc + a word of your choosing and I’ll write a headcanon relating to that word!

Or send hc + two words and I’ll try and come up with one that links those two things together!

[twistedisciple]

Eye for an Eye [Griss & Niles]

continued from here

[twistedisciple]

@purloyned

Niles barks out a laugh, waving him off, "Oh please. You couldn't afford the privilege. Even if you sold the clothes off your back and had coins spilling out of all your holes." He gives his eyepatch a light tap, drawing even more attention to it. "First guy paid a pretty penny for this thing. If you can't at least triple it, you're wasting my time." And yet, Niles sees no reason to walk away now. At last, he's met someone interesting. With so many uptight people around, it's rather refreshing to find someone with a few screws loose and a promising sense of humor. "But since you asked so nicely... if I had to do it again, it'd be with a knife and a much stiffer drink." He crosses his arms, leaning against the doorway. "It's not my area of expertise... but if you're so interested, I could shoot something in your eye that I know you'll like." A predatory grin crosses Niles' face. One hand comes down to rest on his belt. "Care to try?"

Every word from this guy has Griss leaning forward a little more, until he's turned completely away from the whetstone with his hands on his knees, his eyes bright like a kid eager for candy. There's a few seconds where he actually considers the offer, calloused fingers fidgeting with the tattered robes over his knees as he weighs the utility of two eyes over one, staring intently at the other man's eyepatch all the while.

How'd he lose his though? Wouldn't have been just because he wanted to, probably. There had to be a story there, so there'd need to be a story for whatever Griss lost, too, like the way his scars and the ink that covered a handful of them painted the pictures of memories he'd shared with things no longer in his life. He takes a fistful of fabric and his indecisive silence stretches on for maybe a beat too long before he pries out a clearly reluctant no.

"The pain from losing an eye's gotta be like no other," he starts with a covetous smile. Oh he wants it so badly. "But if one of mine's gotta go, then the moment better be special." Lids lower halfway, grin stretches just a little too wide. "You think I'm gonna remember your face after this? I don't even know your name. So I gotta pass." Fingers release, and so does the pent up tension that had tried to change his answer at the last second. He stands up and stalks closer, head down to peer up for any trace of scarring peering out from beneath the man's eyepatch, not even attempting to hide his interest, or stop himself from staring.

"Tell me how it felt though, losing yours." He points with his index finger, close enough to nearly graze the fabric, but his middle finger and thumb float a little behind, grasping at air and just as greedy as his eyes for whatever pain lurked beneath the black cover. "And don't spare a single gory detail. Hehehe."

[purloyned]

Niles scoffs mockingly. "'It better be special.' Ha! You sound like a maid fantasizing about her wedding night. The way you're acting all hot and bothered at the thought of it..."

It's insane. He's met these types before, those fascinated by broken bodies. They were the always the roughest johns, even when they wanted to pretend they were doing charity instead of dumping a load into something weaker than them, but they paid very well. Niles never understood the mutilation, but he understood power. The desire to hold it in one's hands, and the desire to see it taken away from you, forced upon you until you've no choice but to submit.

Is that you? Niles wonders. One day, he'll find out.

For now the other man's hand hovers annoyingly close to him, a fly buzzing in his blind spot. Niles bats it away. "Why should I tell you? You don't even know my name," he parrots. A sly grin crosses his face. "Not many people want to hear the details about that particular story. What excites you most? The thought of warm blood on your hands, being able to push your fingers into this empty cavity? That's it, right? Hmm, that you're so desperate to know makes me wanna tell you even less... Maybe if you beg, I'll give it some consideration."

[maligknightsthorns]

* a quick kiss to their lips, then commenting on their choice of lipgloss/chapstick/etc

("Huh." Niles' tongue swipes over his lips, focused on putting a name to the flavor. "...Never took you for a cherry girl. Trying to impress someone?")

His lips are as rough as his hands, a testament to the cruel games fate has played on him. His kiss is bruising, a thief taking what he pleases in the night.

It's over in a lightning flash, but still the electricity courses through her. Indignation, that he would be so bold to attempt such a thing. Flattered, that he had the courage to try.

Camilla composed herself quickly. This was a game she would not lose quickly.

"Perhaps," she gives him a cheshire grin. "I do have a few more flavors if you'd like to taste them sometime."

[purloyned]

Camilla doesn't skip a beat. Niles barks out a laugh, "Is that so? I'll keep that in mind then."

He stole a kiss from the Princess of Nohr. A normal person might bow out of the game now and keep their win intact, but Niles has yet to be satisfied. He has one kiss, so far. Greed and curiosity goad him to push these new boundaries and discover what pleasures he can draw from this woman.

Niles takes a step forward. Fingers entwine themselves in soft lavender curls, gently pushing them aside to reveal one of her ears. Closing his eyes, he leans forward, whispering. "I'd try every flavor you have. But what'd be a real treat is if you'd let me get a taste of this other person through your lips..."

He sighs, letting out a warm breath that will tickle her ear. The temptation to lick it is strong, but so would Camilla's backhand if Niles attempted such a thing. Baby steps!

[purloyned]

// PLOTTER / SHIPPER

taken from: me, bictch

tagging: y'all 🥺

CONNECTIONS

write about how our muses could connect with each other! ex. what does your muse like to do that other people would be involved in? do they have interests that other people might share?

Niles likes to sneak into places he's not supposed to be in. He'll weasel his way into any situation if he believes it'll benefit himself or Lord Leo in some way. He's not the sort of guy to readily offer charity out of the goodness of his heart, he doesn't work for free. Right now his concern is getting a scope of the place. Niles will likely run into his fellow skulkers and people-watchers, and he'll be inclined to bug them.

Now, if you're in Leo's classes Niles is more likely to take an interest in you (ie: background checks, as much as he can anyways). For these students he'll start out a little more tame, similar to how he treats Corrin and Elise, out of respect for his master. Be warned that just because he holds back at the beginning doesn't mean he'll refrain from unleashing his full force if he thinks it's warranted.

If your muse is in trouble? He'll likely make it worse! Niles is great at pointing and laughing at others' misfortunes and would play well with similar muses. On a similar note, if your muse is emotional and easily upset they're going to be one of his favorite people to bother.

Occasionally he'll visit Abyss. He's used to the slums of Windmire and makes enough connections between the two places to feel accustomed to the energy there. Still, Niles would never dream of spending the night there. He doesn't have the highest opinion of the place and thinks little of the people who make it their home.

2. PLATONIC

Write about your muse and their concept of friendship. Ex. how is your muse like with friends? Do they make friends easily or do they find it difficult to connect with others?

Niles does NOT make friends easily. If your muse approaches him trying to buddy up, his first reaction is to question their intentions. He purposely creates distance between himself and other people, and doesn't warm up easily. Friendships are meaningless without trust, and Niles believes real trust can only be forged with people who have endured the same hardships as you. Only when Niles sees you at your worst will he decide if you’re worthy of his trust, of receiving his absolute best.

Even friends aren’t immune to Niles’ usual poking and prodding—if he really likes you, you’ll hear them more often! True friends will recognize the difference between the lighthearted way he teases them and the way he tries to break strangers down with his words. He gets along best with people who have also lived a life of suffering because he feels he can relate to them more, and they’re the sole exceptions to his otherwise equal-opportunity smacktalk. Niles physically closes himself off to people he's not close to. But with people he trusts you can tell he's much more relaxed: no longer crossing his arms, not so stiff, he's much happier, etc.

He’s absolutely not the type to pour his heart out to anyone willing to listen—he still has walls to maintain.

3. ANTAGONISTIC

Write about your muse and the conflicts they have with other people. Ex: who are they on bad terms with, what kind of people do they not get along well with, how do they act around people they don’t like

So basically this is gonna be most people because of how Niles is—

He doesn't look like the friendliest, most approachable guy you've ever met and that's the sort of vibe he likes to cultivate. As mentioned previously, he tends to keep most people at arms length and isn't a trusting person. Niles is actually neutral about most people but is very open about his love for schadenfreude, which can cause a lot of friction between him and other people.

If you've lived a privileged life, or if Niles believes you've lived a life with no hardship, he really wants to see you fail. He loves seeing lords shoved off their high horses. He loves seeing how people react to the worst news they've ever heard, if they'll cry or lash out, how badly they'll spiral.

Dislikes people who try to moralize him or who try to make him out like some wet kitten who needs help (very few do but You Know).

The only authority figures Niles recognizes are from the Nohrian royal family. Anyone else who tries to give him orders gets a stink eye.

4. ROMANTIC

lol. lmao even

Niles believes he is not someone meant for gentle love and is convinced he’ll never know it.

He will have a hard time being genuinely soft with someone he loves because he's unpracticed at it. Because of his past selling his body and time, he knows how well he can fake being in love with someone and fears that happening with someone he genuinely cares for.

[purloyned]

finger lickin' good

[purloyned]

The meals in the dining hall have been getting smaller and smaller, and less and less extravagant as ingredients are shifted for the use of making rations. The kitchen has banned hobbyist cooks to prevent a waste of supplies, which means, if you’re an aspiring cook, you have to find other ways to procure your ingredients, or if you’re just a picky eater, you’ll need to consult with your allies for creative ways to dress up your rations. Some even resort to making bets and dares in order to force others to give up their portions.

The rations here are better than the ones back home, but it's a ration all the same—not very promising. Niles doubts that the children of nobles and higher-ups of the church will ever know true hunger, for better or worse, but even the illusion of scarcity can cause people to act strangely. Just because he grew up with strange people doesn't mean he wants to be surrounded by them.

It's one thing to avoid excess, but looking down at the meager plate of fried crayfish of boiled potatoes, this hardly qualifies as dinner. Dry, lukewarm pieces of meat slide down Niles' throat unpleasantly. Food is food, and he isn't a spitter, but that doesn't swallowing any easier. His plate is cleared in a few bites, yet his stomach remains unsatisfied.

"Hey!" he calls at the woman behind the counter the next time she pops out of the kitchen. Niles lifts his plate, oil dripping off of it, and waves it about. "You couldn't feed a cat with this slop. Where's the rest?"

@arcaeda

[twistedisciple]

Dark, tattered clothes. Bare skin marked with old scars and tattoos. Metal studs piercing his face and wherever else, the mind can only imagine. The man isn't a dark mage from what he can tell, but he displays his muscular body just like one, open for ogling.

Naturally, Niles ogles. It would be a shame not to. And if tall, dark, and culty notices him, who cares? He'd be rather interested to see how he reacts...

You don't walk around a monastery looking like Griss without expecting to be stared out. Even the monastery that had raised him hadn't known what to make of him past a certain age, and eventually the monks would look at him like he'd dragged a bloody carcass through the halls (even on the days that he didn't). The residents of Garreg Mach were hardly any different, but Griss lived for the attention and all its disapproval.

Today, the weapons needed maintenance, so he straddles a stool in the shade of an awning next to the open door of the armory and makes a show out of the gusto with which he takes each knife to the whetstone. Why were they letting someone like him near the blades? That's the question he sees on startled faces whenever his eyes flash up from his work to catch the stare of some pearlclutcher with such terrifying accuracy that many do indeed reach for their necks as they pick up the pace. Harmonizing with the scrape of blade against rock comes the rough caw of mean-spirited amusement, daring them to look back. They don't.

Eventually though, beneath the sweat that's begun to itch under his collar, his skin prickles from a different irritant. No one has passed by for some time. Griss drags the knife to the back of the whetstone and lifts it to test its edge against his finger, the smile he'd used to frighten off all the others who'd dare to look at him returning now in broken pieces to disguise the incisive clarity in his darting eyes. Like recognizes like; another blighted soul lurks nearby.

ker-chunk!

The knife embeds itself into a wood post on the other side of the armory door within his admirer's line of sight, but that's all. He's no assassin. He hadn't come close to disrupting a single white hair on the man's head, but the expectant grin Griss turns on him doesn't seem to care.

"You looking for someone to take that other eye out?" Griss offers, the cadence good-natured, the growl in it a threat. "Thumb. Knife. A spoon from the dining hall - Take your pick. A veteran like you's gotta have a preference, yeah?"

[purloyned]

Niles barks out a laugh, waving him off, "Oh please. You couldn't afford the privilege. Even if you sold the clothes off your back and had coins spilling out of all your holes." He gives his eyepatch a light tap, drawing even more attention to it. "First guy paid a pretty penny for this thing. If you can't at least triple it, you're wasting my time."

And yet, Niles sees no reason to walk away now. At last, he's met someone interesting. With so many uptight people around, it's rather refreshing to find someone with a few screws loose and a promising sense of humor.

"But since you asked so nicely... if I had to do it again, it'd be with a knife and a much stiffer drink." He crosses his arms, leaning against the doorway. "It's not my area of expertise... but if you're so interested, I could shoot something in your eye that I know you'll like." A predatory grin crosses Niles' face. One hand comes down to rest on his belt. "Care to try?"

[purloyned]

Leo, once upon a time, prided himself on never relying on others. It was his own type of strength, shown not with muscles or a large weapon, but in solitude. Those who assumed him weak quickly discovered their mortal error.

He did not dare call it a rebellion against Garon. Refusing to have retainers foisted upon him was merely pragmatic. He knew they would be evil men; heartless spies like Hans and Iago.

In the end, standing his ground proved wise. Declaring his choice of retainers--one an outlaw, the other a magician--filled Leo with a sense of freedom seldom allowed.

And, in time, relief. He learned he could rely on them and not earn a knife to his back. In a word, he is grateful for Niles' arrival at Garreg Mach.

"Welcome, Niles." Leo sips his bitter tea, setting the cup down with a soft clink. "You made quite the impression during your interview. Do try not to shock the clergy in the future; they may not always be so forgiving."

This day was inevitable.

Niles still trusts that Leo knows what's best for himself. Time away from the capital, allowed to hone his talents in relative peace, seems to have benefitted his prince. He seems brighter, more sure of himself just from the way he sits and drinks his tea. Or perhaps he's just seeing things.

Regardless, his lord's first official words to him elicit a small chuckle from Niles. "A mistake I won't repeat, Lord Leo," he replies with a smile and a small bow. "To see you again after so long brings me great pleasure... I would not dare risk it now. If you've any orders for me, I'm yours to command. As always..."