LESS THAN HUMAN.

Hoofbeats and Heartbeats

↳ Karla & Ephraim Epidemic, Riding +1

His gaze lingers on the horse before drawing back to her. "No, I'm here on business." Azure eyes harden in thought and he glances around the stables. They are alone. "Karla, are you the new jockey? Do you know the man you ride for?"

He does not think she could be that deeply into this betting ring, but it still leaves the question of how she had arrived here to begin with. Perhaps he can even leverage her help to his own objective.

#heliacalrisings #v: reunion #hoofbeats and heartbeats

The name of the man she rode for?

“… I do.” It’s somewhere there, deep in her mind. She needs to know it so she can find his estate again, and get paid: that was the important part of the job, getting the money given to her at the end of it. She has to mutter it to herself a few times before the unfamiliar shapes form in her mouth rightly, but then she professes to him, “Lord Balmour, if I say it correctly… and yes, I am the new jockey.”

Why is Ephraim looking at her like that? There’s something like a lilt of concern in his eyes — perhaps he’s seen her ill before, he thinks she cannot hold her own? “Worry not over me, Ephraim. I have experience riding horses.”

A Jolt

↳ Karla and Ephraim Post-BOEL Battles Mini‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Karla knows now, laying on this cot, she probably ought not to have touched Ephraim’s face and risked getting him sick as well. She had just been so surprised to see the whisper of pain on his face, that her fingers had moved of their own accord…

Her eyes close, lid over slightly, but she is far from done.

“Tell me… first. Are you well? From the fighting… it looked as though you may have gotten badly injured.” Eyes open again, and though her gaze is foggy, she fixes it on him. She has to know. She has to know.

#[ reblogging the end!! yippeeee!! yahooo!!! ]#a jolt #v: reunion #heliacalrisings

Stubborn, as always. "Of course. Do I not look it? Have some more faith in me, Karla."

He has already received by the time he met her. Any physical pain had mostly gone, leaving only a slightly bruised ego, but that will heal with time as most things do. He is left only with a desire to do better next year.

"Get some rest. I would hear of your own battle once you are well."

He settles in and then waits until she closes her eyes. That she came looking for him even in this state is a sweet gesture, though he cannot imagine why she would have.

—fin.

A Jolt

↳ Karla and Ephraim Post-BOEL Battles Mini‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

It's all a bit of a rush from there. One of the medics comes out and directs Ephraim to lay her down on one of the cots inside the tent. He does so and stays for a moment longer when she speaks. A brief but amused smile turns the corners of his mouth.

The cleric turns to speak with him and he gives her his attention. They walk partway out of the tent. "I have no idea." Ephraim shakes his head. "But I ask that you keep a close eye on her. She shouldn't have been walking around in that state to begin with."

The cleric huffs. "There are many to tend to here. We cannot watch everyone when we are only here to provide healing to the injured."

Ephraim pulls away from her. "Then I will." He turns back around and grabs a stool so that he can sit at her side. The cleric seems to give up and lets him do as he wishes.

"Karla, get some rest. Your brother would want that." He can at least stay here until she falls asleep. At her rate, it shouldn't be long.

#a jolt #v: reunion #heliacalrisings #toaboel2026

Her eyes close, lid over slightly, but she is far from done.

A Jolt

↳ Karla and Ephraim Post-BOEL Battles Mini‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Bit by bit, he's starting to get used to her more forward mannerisms. This time he doesn't even blink when she leans in close and notes one of his fresh scars. He grabs her hand, fingers curling around hers, and pulls it down. "I should be asking you that, but I already know the answer." Slight amusement laces his tone but there's no doubt that he's worried as well. "You're in no state to be walking around like this. Can you..." his voice trails when she sways forward into him and his arms go around her. Her body feels like it's burning up.

"Alright, I'll take you." Just like before, he bends and lifts her into his arms. She really did fall ill easily. Why had she dragged herself out here if she was ill? It's a quick few steps to the nearest tent and then only a moment before he's given a cot to lay her down onto.

#heliacalrisings #a jolt #v: reunion #toaboel2026

Karla collapses into the willing arms as though she’s been waiting for them. In a way, she has been, but… she knows she mustn’t rely on Ephraim like this. It isn’t right of her… what would her mother say? Before she can contemplate too heavily on such thoughts, the flaps to a tent opens, and a loud sigh sounds.

“There she is,” sighs a cleric, waving them over to a cot. “Miss Karla, where’d ya go, lass? You’re sicker than a dog. You can’t be walking around, now…”

As she’s gently laid out on the cot, she murmurs, “I wanted to see the fight…” Making eye contact with Ephraim, she tells him, “You did well.”

“Enough of that,” huffs the woman. The moment Ephraim has laid her down, she’s pushing him back and walking between them. “You’re going to run yourself to your bones like this, girl.”

Karla’s silence feels unsteady. Like she’s swallowing something heavy back. Another cleric wanders in the tent, receives instructions from the first, and wanders back out.

“My brother…” Karla begins.

“We still can’t find him. When we do, we’ll make sure he’s well, too.”

She shifts uncomfortably in the cot. It has nothing to do with the physical comfort of it.

The second cleric returns with something cool to press against Karla’s forehead, and the first turns on Ephraim, attempting to lead him out of the tent.

“Young man, are you a friend of hers? Do you know where her brother may be? Or anywhere she may have contracted... this?” Her voice is lowered on the final word, as though murmuring some work of a devil.

Status: Passed! Skill Points Gained: 2

Activity ➜ +1 Knowledge Gem ➜ +1

Skill Changes:

Sword - A+ (1/3) ➜ A+ (3/3)

Obtained:

Wind Sword (from BOEL)

#toaactivity #( out of memories. )

Practice Arts

↳ Karla & Edelgard Epidemic Any+1‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

#hresvelged #v: reunion #[ SORRY THIS TOOK TEN BILLION YEARS AUGHHH ]#practice arts

The sun of the day beams down on the students gathered at the training grounds, and there Karla finds in her hands a lance. Long, pointed at one end, and not sharp all along both sides like a blade, with a far different weight to that of a sword, it is rather ungainly a thing to try to par off with. She jabs into the air, a useless stab at nothing — there’s no one she’s currently fighting, and in these exercises, everyone must stay far apart enough that no one, truly, can get hurt, either way. She wonders the point of this. Of fighting with something that one is not proficient in.

All Karla knows is the way of the blade, even if she does not wish for it. Even if it is not hers, anymore. All of her is, and will be…

Edelgard. She sees her from across the field, joining the practice session. Don’t they share sword classes together? She wonders… what sort of unused muscle she will be strengthening today.

↳ @hresvelged

Hoofbeats and Heartbeats

↳ Karla & Ephraim Epidemic, Riding +1

Not every problem can be solved at lance point, but the strategies that play out behind closed doors, deals made in hushed whispers, trading information deadlier than any weapon, those are the battles he has no interest in fighting. Nothing but smoke and mirrors, mind games and subterfuge when one could speak plainly. There is no reason to hide unless ill intent is involved. And Lord Balmour no doubt has ill intent.

Ephraim's status as royalty, even if from afar, has earned him some credit among this betting ring, but not enough to divulge their secrets. The nobles here don't race, they employ others in their stead, jockeys they don't care for so long as they keep winning.

Missing horses from the monastery's stables, students whispering about a gambling ring, and bored students whose titles are heftier than the gold that passes between their hands. Not too many years ago, he might have counted himself among their number.

But what's led him back to the stables is a rumor about a new jockey that's competing in the races and word that they've replaced someone who got hurt in the last bets.

He doesn't expect to find someone he knows.

It's impossible to mistake her the moment he sees her long black hair and curvy figure: Karla. Perhaps more unrecognizable, now that he draws closer, is the smile that tugs at her lips. The horse she's feeding nuzzles her palm for more and he's not sure he's seen her this relaxed. His footsteps still to silent.

"Would that you always wore such an expression. It suits your beauty." He stands just to her side a few paces away and hopes that he hasn't startled her.

#heliacalrisings #hoofbeats and heartbeats #v: reunion

Karla rises from her moment with the horse as though she is rising from a dream — slowly, and heavily, blinking back the weight of it all, but softening when she sees Ephraim’s face, slightly. She hadn’t expected to see him on this job. She’ll count it as a birthday present to her, then, that he’s here. Is that selfish, to want something, however small, like the attention of someone, the kind compliments of someone she cares deeply for? For the moment, she’ll not weigh too heavily on it — she’ll bask in it, enjoy this day before the sun has set, and night has taken it over.

“With you, I would find more reasons to wear such an expression,” she says, light as a tease, expression relaxed with the simple joy of a presence she appreciates. The horse nuzzles her hand, and she pats its muzzle, before stepping closer to Ephraim, bridging the gap that existed between them. “I am surprised to see you here… are you riding as well?”

A Jolt

↳ Karla and Ephraim Post-BOEL Battles Mini‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Though he had not won the battle, he still has hope that the Blue Lions will prevail on the field today, as they had last year. Then he had been forced to retreat much sooner so that he had made it the second round this year pleased him, though not as much as making it to the third round would. Next year, he is sure. It is something to continue to train toward.

And the aftermath of the battlefield, when students and professors and residents of Garreg Mach alike linger, is a good opportunity to reach out to others. There's so much talent here, it would be a shame to waste the opportunity.

He's walking along the medical tents, freshly healed and on the lookout for others, when someone familiar wanders into his path. Yet Karla looks so out of it that it takes a moment for what she asks to register with him.

"You're asking me that?" Ephraim walks toward her in concern and places both hands on her shoulders, partly to steady her and partly to get a good look at her. "You're unwell. What are you doing out here?"

They're close to the med tents so he merely needs to take her back to the healers and let her rest. Hopefully that's all she'll need. "Never mind. Don't answer that. I'll get you to one of the medical tents."

#toaboel2026 #heliacalrisings #a jolt #v: reunion

The moment Ephraim picks up on her illness, she has half a mind to nearly collapse into his arms and close her eyes. Her entire body aches with fever — but she holds it at bay, just barely, trying to nod and stumbling towards him and, thus, the tents. He seems well. Still steady, still strong, still untouchable. Is it just some sort of facade, or is he really so? If only he were not so tall…

She reaches up at his shirt and pulls him down towards her, then brushes the back of a hot finger against his cheek, a gentle scar laced there. “You got injured…” she notes, softly, dazed. “Are you… all right?”

Forward, she sways, into him, her body halfway against his. She almost considers melting into him, like this. Closing herself off to the world and finding nothing but him and his warmth. But surely that is improper, and she must remain… conscious, apart… Oh, but it’s hard. Everything is so sharp, so bright, so hard…

A Jolt

↳ Karla and Ephraim Post-BOEL Battles Mini‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

#a jolt #heliacalrisings #v: reunion #toaboel2026

Karla had forced herself out of the cot multiple healers had put her in to go watch Ephraim’s fight when she had heard that he had advanced to the next round. Blearily, staggering as though drunkenly, she’d picked her way across the grounds and had sat to watch his fight.

Fear courses through her veins with every strike — bolt of lightning, blade of fire and steel, attack, hailed however. The moment he is out, she is following him, staggering after him, but the heat of her fever and the midday sun keep stopping her many times on the way back to the med tents. It is only her deep concern that keeps her legs moving, despite the pain and lingering nausea.

Finally she finds him in the fray, hair frazzled and striding down the row of med tents. She feels faint, and presses a hand over her forehead, attempts to bring herself back to the ground. Then, her fingers play over her lips, which holds back sick.

She staggers before his path, trying to raise her vision to his height, despite the fact that the sun catches her eyes then and makes her head ache. She feels as though she may be sick. Face is pale and sweating profusely, and her voice, when spoken, is badly hoarse. “Ephraim… are you… all right?”

↳ @heliacalrisings

Ophelia's third target in her post-battle rounds is more difficult to locate. In fact, Karla has been lain down in one of the cots, with at least two clerics overseeing her. It is now that Ophelia can see clearly that Karla seems to be severely unwell.

If she had been more observant, she may have noticed that earlier, but Ophelia is none the wiser.

“Stars above!” she exclaims, rushing to Karla's side. “I've never seen before this affect of mine own spells! An unintended consequence to be certain, please, would you allow me to try and take care of it myself? I always keep at least two of my strongest stones on me for emergencies like this!”

Bleary eyes can hardly locate the owner of the energetically proper voice above her, falling on the blurry outline. One of the healers steps back to allow the other to talk to her, and Karla tries to recall where she’s heard this tone before, because she knows, without the flicker of a doubt, that she has, indeed, heard this voice…

“Mm…” A weary hand twitches over the other. Oh… this was one of the people she fought against, wasn’t it? Her name was, um… no, she can’t recall. Her mind is too sick, too heavy. Everything hurts…

For a moment, eyes the weight of an entire castle close. Then they force themselves open again, try to find the smudged figure before her…

“N… no, this wasn’t… your… doing. I’m… sick.” She tries to sit up, even still — a gentle gasp and hand pushes her back down, and she’s resigned to being flush with her cot once more. “But… if you… wish…”

#[ SNIFFFLESSSS SORRY FOR THE LATE REPLY THIS IS SOOOOOOO CUTE THANK YOU!!! ]#umbralward #( answered. )#v: reunion

i call dibs on the dibs!!!!!! — boel 2026 round 1 battle 5

"emblem corrin!?" timerra turns her head at the sound of the dragon going down, giving caspar just enough opportunity to get a gnarly hit on her— powered by his body weight like her own first strike had been on him.

"oof!" it's timerra's turn to fall flat on her back, grip on her lance loosening just enough for it to fly out of her hands.

if this were a fight for solm she'd be going until she couldn't get up no matter how hard she tried, but given that this is just for fun...

yeah, no need to push herself to that degree.

still flat on her back, timerra weakly raises her arm and gives caspar a thumbs up from the ground. "check back in later... for a snack break...!"

timerra closes her eyes and sighs, arm falling back to the ground. she would have liked to gone on fighting a little bit longer, but oh well.

brynherited

“...fighting a little too well, I fear.”

Caspar receives a grim response as Forrest abandons their post by their retainer and makes for Corrin’s limp body. Knees dive into the thick, windy grass below — splotching stains into their skirt that they’ll have to wash off later. But laundry can wait. In the meantime, they press fingers to her neck and tilt her head looking for signs of life. “Corrin? Corrin! Hey, you didn’t need to push yourself this fa— ohgodsshe’sbleeding—”

Their spine shivers and they screw their eyes shut getting a good look at her palm, like Forrest had just licked a lemon. Just as quickly as they had run over to dive down for their aunt, they’re now putting healthy distance between the two. “Is there a medic around to take her back? Is Jakob nearby?” Golden locks lash across their chest and face as they whip their head in circles looking for someone to heed their cry. They know that regular physician sweeps ensure that nobody’s injuries ever last, but Forrest can’t help cursing the rules of the battle, under their breath. If only they were permitted to bring their Recover staff, they could have stitched her up on the spot…

Meanwhile, the stomp-stomp-stomp! of grass behind them finally perks their ear. They had ignored it, in favor of ensuring that Corrin hadn’t taken too much of a beating, but as they drift back into reality they struggle to keep it out of their head. They cast a bewildered look to their south, and eyes widen watching a blur of blue run them by—

Rally: @berglietz @umbralward !

berglietz

Caspar is already on the move the moment Forrest kneels to the ground. With one teammate bloodied and the other tending to a fallen fighter, there’s simply no time to lose!

(The throbbing in his own head has gotten worse, but he’s fought through nastier injuries than a headache before.)

He swings his axe in a wild horizontal arc, creating a wide open space between himself and Ophelia—and an even wider space between her and his comrades. What kind of warrior would he be if he didn’t protect the injured or the vulnerable?

“Alright, give ‘em a sec to collect themselves!” He sweeps the axe in the opposite direction now, keeping his self-made barrier up for a moment longer. “A Chosen One wouldn’t prey on the weak, would she?!”

#umbralward #berglietz #solmntiel #brynherited #dragonveined #i call dibs on the dibs #toaboel2026

Sick and beleaguered as she is, Karla still sees the danger the blue-haired boy puts himself in immediately. Karla is already ill — she knows she is not getting far in this fight, even if she were to miraculously to make it through this round. It seems pointless to grasp onto this with tight fingers, when she knows, especially, what will follow…

One footstep — then another — she staggers forward, a warm hand dragging her over-excited classmate back from the mage’s grasp. She stands herself there, between them, hazy gaze fixed on the woman, trying to determine how strong she is, and how many strikes she’d need left to send her to the med tent…

She looks rather well… ah. Karla’s so tired…

Karla rotates to the left!

@umbralward

i call dibs on the dibs!!!!!! — boel 2026 round 1 battle 5

dragonveined

Corrin can still feel the agonizing burn of Forrest's spell digging its way further into her flesh, light brows knit in an expression of discomfort as she stays light on her feet to jump out of harm's way. The swordswoman that she doesn't seem to notice looks like she's worse for wear, but it's that sympathy that does her in this time: when Karla charges, Corrin's caught off-guard, and though she's able to shift herself at the last second... the dagger is caught by her bare hand, the sharp pain of a blade cutting into her skin drawing a yelp from the dragon. "Ah...!" Her palm is effectively sliced to the bone, though she kept the attack from going further to land in center mass. Regardless, it's rendered that hand useless, even as she pushes against Karla's onslaught to once again place distance between them. It throbs, crimson spilling onto the grass around her as her entire arm trembles and her face contorts into a grimace. Sweat beads at her brow and her vision swims. She's heard of people nearly passing out from pain, and she thinks it might happen to her now. Forrest's magic strikes her again and she reels, stumbling backwards and almost dropping her sword that now sits in her left hand. It's not time to back out yet, it's not time to give up yet, and her gaze shifts to the girl knelt in front of her now-- a sloppy swing is enough to send the girl careening backwards, Corrin flashing an apologetic smile at her to the best of her ability. "I'm sorry. I have to dish out what I've been given!" @brynherited @berglietz @scarletplain @umbralward @solmtinel

berglietz

When Caspar successfully pulls a breath back into his lungs, his view is full of bright blue. The cool damp sensation against the back of his shirt confirms it—he’s been knocked flat onto his back. A turn of his head helps him locate his axe in the grass. The first move his body makes is reaching for its handle.

The sounds of battle fill in all around him. There’s blood in the grass nearby, and he’s pretty sure it’s not his own. Who’s been injured, an ally or an enemy? Both? He’d been so focused on his duel with Timerra that he hadn’t been able to keep everything straight. As he pushes himself to his feet, the noise only seems to grow.

Steel clangs against steel. Magic crackles through the air. Caspar swings his axe into fighting position, and then he hears...his name? Huh? It’s too distant to be sure, but too close to be able to stop his eyes from darting toward the source of the noise. Arms already in motion, he swings wide and cuts nothing but air.

@solmtinel !

timerra glances towards the others while caspar seems to flounder a bit on his back, looking at the fight from a strategic angle. emblem corrin wasn't doing well at all, and ophelia was avoiding forrest altogether.

she herself wasn't in much better shape. the woman with the sword— she has to go down. they can whether out a few magic hits from the fashionista over here just fine.

alright then, after caspar...

"oops!" timerra dances out of the way of an axe swing so wide she wonders if the user swung with their eyes closed. "hey! what happened to that strength from earlier!?" she taunts towards caspar, swinging her lance around

"the fight is over... here!" solm's queen dashes forward, using the length of her lance to swat his axe out of his hands.

@berglietz @dragonveined @brynherited @scarletplain @umbralward

#toaboel2026 #i call dibs on the dibs #berglietz #dragonveined #brynherited #solmntiel #umbralward

Like the consistent patter of heavy rainfall, blow after blow lands against Karla’s awareness, despite stature bent rather pathetically. She cannot begrudge her foes for seeing a clear opening and taking advantage — how could she? In battle, such thing could be the difference between life and death, and though this battle may only be mock in nature, should they not fight as though it were real? Practice only made perfect if one practiced perfectly, after all…

Raising herself slowly from the ground and still staggering as though run through, she raises her weathered weapon against the light-haired woman opposing her. She can tell by the teeth of the blade that the woman is already almost out of the fight for the day… If one teammate takes the opening she has just provided them, then…

Karla 1.5/5HP hits Corrin (F) 1.5/6HP with Nettle Dagger. [Roll: 1d20 = 13, = -1HP]

@berglietz @dragonveined @brynherited @solmntiel @umbralward

i call dibs on the dibs!!!!!! — boel 2026 round 1 battle 5

umbralward

“Eee! That would be perfect!” Ophelia enthuses upon hearing Forrest's promise. She clutches her tome to her chest in a small prayer of reverence, her voice growing low as she continues, “Of course the fair finger of fate points me in a better direction than what I had feared. Ophelia Dusk, your trust must be straight as an arrow.”

As she delivers her soliloquy, her liege readies a spell, pulling vens tome from a perfect hiding place and looking both parts fashionable and formidable as vens spell leaves vens hands. Ophelia is no stranger to the type of spell ven casts, but the flair with which ven casts it breathes a new life into the tendrils that flow into Corrin's flesh.

“Gorgeous!” she exclaims with a grin. “The Devil's Caress, I name it thus!”

She turns her bright smile to Forrest, seeking vens approval, before showing her own spell off to ven.

“And now Ophelia Dusk takes center stage, magic at her fingertips, heart full of the excitement brought upon such an auspicious day!”

Ophelia raises one hand, shimmering orbs of darkness following and floating about her fingertip. As she flicks her wrist, they fly from her grasp, growing and darting with long trails of purple fog following the paths they trace to the swordwoman.

“Face the darkness in my blood and the lightness in my heart - Suffocating Sunset!”

brynherited

Comparatively, Forrest is an analytical caster. They examine their form in the seconds leading up to a toke of darkness — The Devil’s Caress — to ensure proper positioning of their digits and a conduit for the magics to flow through. When the royal finally decides to let loose that blob of sedating shadow, it winds up pitched at the drake and winding around her skin, once it makes contact. She is once again sapped of her vivacity as a lighter show of magic trails back into Forrest’s tome.

If it’s a war of attrition they’ll fight, then they have stocked themselves well.

“The Devil’s Caress!” they holler, in a facsimile of Ophelia’s diction, “and Suffocating Sunset… I’ve gotta say, I’m noticing a theme here — and a fitting one for the spells we wield.”

As the movements progress, Forrest would find themselves trusting their retainer with their back. They turn it to Ophelia, one caster covering the other’s six, and focus on her teammates much the same as she theirs. “And naturally, you have an aptitude for these dark incantations. I’ve never doubted your powers before, but seeing them in action, I’m impressed.”

A beat passes. Forrest purses their lip and holds their hand by their breast, thinking on a pose. They settle for a flip of their tightly-curled hair.

“Just remember that they’re for enemies & combatants, not ordinary townsfolk.”

Rally: @scarletplain !

#brynherited #berglietz #solmntiel #dragonveined #umbralward #v: reunion #i call dibs on the dibs #toaboel2026

It seems everyone here knows each other. The blue-haired man and the dark haired woman, the light-haired woman and the blue-haired woman and the blond curled person on her team… everyone here is acquaintances, as the very least. Meanwhile, Karla is out of her element. No one here is familiar to her. Through the haze of a fever, she tries to think of each stranger as a new friend, but in truth, she just wants the battle to be over with…

The light-haired woman readies an attack back at her, and Karla cannot find herself offended. They share blood together, and all the young Black Eagle can do is breath heavily, mostly a result of her fever, in turn from the new wound she nurses by her side.

She wipes her sopping brow, sways a little bit, and rushes the woman across her with every fiber of her being. Tiny threads of strength gather together into a tapestry strong enough to spur her into action, and…

Karla 3/5HP critically hits Corrin (F) 4/6HP with Nettle Dagger. [Roll: 1d20 = 19, -1 * 2 = -2HP]

This cut is deep. The woman bleeds. Karla kneels into the dirt for a moment, attempting to catch her breath…

@umbralward, @brynherited, @berglietz, @solmntiel, @dragonveined

i call dibs on the dibs!!!!!! — boel 2026 round 1 battle 5

timerra had a peak at all the people that were participating in the battle of the eagle and the lions (where were the deer in all of this, talk about stingy with the acknowledgment much less the praise … ) before she stepped onto the battlefield and man she was excited. it looked like there were a whole lot of strong people to fight.

timerra had fun just fighting regular ol' bandits in the deserts of solm, so a training skirmish like this was no sweat.

"oh! hey!" timerra does a big wave to the black eagle across from her— a student who seemed to care a lot about fashion judging by their uniform. she couldn't help but grin, readying her lance. a black eagle all ripe for the picking. "i hope you bought friends with ya cus i ain't goin' down easy!"

@dragonveined @brynherited @umbralward @berglietz @scarletplain

brynherited

The fashionista in question promptly waves back — equipped for battle with a maxi skirt and heeled boots, which they strut forward in with confidence. “Indeed I have! They’re just up behind me, and I have a feeling I’ll need them to quell that fire of yours.”

The compliment is offered with a charming lilt in their voice and a gesture backwards, as several of their classmates file in behind. The breeze blows. Ruffles on their pastel-pink dress shirt bob. They turn back around to observe the rest of the Deer’s ranks filling, and with an even sigh, their shoulders settle. “Your reinforcements are quite familiar to me, actually. That’s my aunt Corrin over there, and…”

They pause. Politeness gives way to pragmaticism as their stare shifts.

“Ophelia. It’s good to see you here, though, those colors…” Hers is the next outfit to be carefully examined — each stitch of fabric glossed over by a discerning eye. Someone really ought to tell her that she looks like a golden retriever, though it most certainly won’t be Forrest…

“You’re not going to make your liege cry, are you?” They tap the side of their temple with their fingers, drumming along the bone as though it will recall prior encounters with their (self-appointed) retainer.

“I have it on good authority that the life of a Chosen One wouldn’t permit such.”

Rally: @dragonveined @umbralward @berglietz @scarletplain !

umbralward

Despite planning nearly going awry through a force of illness, the legendary battle Ophelia had been looking forward to is ready, and it's star stands proudly in a sea of grass blowing gently in the wind. Ophelia even grabs her cape and flicks it upwards to help it catch on the wind - all serving her own dramatic spectacle.

She approaches her deployment slot with a clear spring in her step, beaming at her familiar new friend, all sparkly eyes and bright colors. Though she doesn't see the third in her battalion yet, the two of them are stars in their own right, and Ophelia is heartened that they will carry this day!

That is, until she lays eyes on her opponent.

The impeccable style… The powder pink shirt… The immaculate curls… O, doth Lady Fate have a sense of humor!

“Forrest!” she exclaims at once. Caer comment about her outfit goes completely disregarded, as the weight of caer presence here is much more imperative to address.

Ooh, and she can tell that cae is purposely trying to rile her up! And it's working! But by the same token - there is no lie in caer words.

“You're right,” she replies, resolute, “as your sworn vassal I shall not lay a hand upon you, nor would I let an ally do the same… As ever, Ophelia Dusk is yours to command!”

However.

Ophelia rotates to the right!

She jumps between her liege and - oh gods, that's Lady Corrin, isn't it? This is a retainer's nightmare. Lady Fate you are so funny haha hahahahaha - Corrin, giving Timerra a perfect opening.

“Mine starry eyed friend! The blunette is all yours!” she calls with a wink.

#i call dibs on the dibs #v: reunion #umbralward #brynherited #solmntiel #dragonveined #berglietz #toaboel2026

As though with lungs full of a pent sigh from years of holding it in, the world breathes a balmy breath through the grounds where the Battle of the Eagles and the Lions is taking place, disrupting tree branch and blade of grass. For a moment, Karla sinks herself into the comforting wind touch, hand of fever still heavy across her brow. In honesty, she doesn’t want to be here, fully. Though the thought of sparring in a friendly manner no longer unnerves her, no one quite wants to overexert when they are already deeply ill, and she is doing this as a requirement as part of a class. She was told she could make up part of a poor grade if she came and gave it her all, so here she stands, half-out of it — though that is not unique to today.

Others chatter. She carries a dagger that feels heavier still for what it reminds her of, and watches the people before her turn and twirl, until a light haired person comes to rest before her.

Karla 5/5HP hits Corrin (F) 6/6HP with Wrath Strike. [Roll: 1d20 = 16+ 2 = 18. -1HP + 0.5HP = -1.5HP]

With a raise of her dagger and a summoning of her skill, she hits, and she hits rather hard. The blade bites side and draws blood — not too much, but enough to call Karla a momentary victory over the other.

Having won this moment, she closes her dark eyes, waits for another breeze to satiate her of the pain in her forehead.

@dragonveined @umbralward @berglietz @solmtinel

to strike a new path

"It sounds to me as if you are worrying about something that is not likely to come to pass. You are a student here as well, correct? And you're with your brother now. You will not easily find yourself in such a situation."

He pulls her to stand with him. "The Battle of the Eagle and Lion is coming up, if you've heard of it. It's a mock exam of sorts. I plan to enter. Find me if you attend." He's unsure if she plans to participate, and he doesn't think he should ask after what just happened, but he would be happy to see her there nonetheless.

#heliacalrisings #to strike a new path #v: reunion

Despite his light words, Karla thinks that Ephraim knows what she means. To be alone in a crowd is an easy task indeed, one she has managed many times before, but she doesn’t sully his words with this pondering. Instead, she holds fast to their grasp as he pulls her to her feet, and remains with a hand on him for many moments, staring up at his light eyes, haloed by a sun starting to inch across the sky.

“Then you will see me there.” It’s perhaps too early to say she will be anywhere he deigns to go, but she wants to follow this path she has found herself on with him. To that end, she will lead herself towards the shining light that he is, and hope that he can help her withstand the darkness that encompasses her soul.

— end.

Hoofbeats and Heartbeats

↳ Karla & Ephraim Epidemic, Riding +1