wreathed in holy flame.

❝ there’s more to be done than simply fighting the foes laid before us. ❞ — Celica, fire emblem gaiden & shadows of valentia Black Eagles student at TOA.

[seraphiia]

He was her warmth, she was his peace.

Hi, hi! Here I am with a new pinned for Celica, and some preliminary details.

Generally, she comes from about a year or so (though definitely more than that) after Shadows of Valentia, having come to Garreg Mach to better prepare for her role as the One Kingdom's Queen. As such, she leaves Valentia in the hands of trusted advisers, and decides to attend the esteemed Officer’s Academy to hone her authoritative and combat skills.

Miss Celica has been here for quite a while, but hey, we're just vibing at this point.

(Mun guidelines below the cut!)

Guidelines

Tagging & Posts

The only thing I would need tagged involves mentions of heavy drug use, but other than that, I’m good with whatever! And if you’d like ME to tag anything? Please let me know.

My post formatting is minimal at best. I use both small and regular text, depending on what my partner’s preference is. I’ll always be happy to match, for accessibility purposes.

Shipping

As of now, she is in a romantic dynamic with Susanne's Alm.

While I am not open to sexual NSFW on dash, if there is enough ooc comfort and communication, I am open to discussing and possibly writing it elsewhere. Possibly, lol.

Celica is canonically in love with and married (post-Gaiden/Shadows of Valentia) to Alm. As such, shippings with him will always hold priority. I am, however, open to testing other situations in PURELY AU settings, with sufficient chemistry and ooc communication! I don't like to force ships, nor is romance a priority for me (unless it involves the hubby ofc).

Celica is open to men and women, and since she is 20 (18 upon her arrival, and should honestly be YEARS older by this point but we shrug), I would prefer any AU ship partners to be above the age of 18.

For any ask memes that involve shipping, I will always consider them AUs.

Asks

Perfectly okay with unprompted asks! I only ask for your patience if it takes me a bit to respond to them. Life, and all.

[seraphiia]

Activity Check (Sept.) - Passed!

Total Skill Points: 98 → 100!!

[Monthly Point]: +1 point allocated to Flying ( Flying: C+ )

[Thread Completed]: Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf ; +1 point allocated to Riding ( Riding: C+ )

[seraphiia]

all work, some play?

Mission Board: Showcase / lance prompt.

[deathsdue]

Whoever his conversation companion was, she had a much more forward way of thinking than he did. It was hard to consider a future, any future, with the past at his heels. How did anyone even begin to solve soil problems? Before he could ask her, they were hailed by one of the several shopkeepers.

He remained back at first, letting the man do his spiel, and then nodded to her question. "Why not?"

Gerome approached the stall, the aroma of grilled food growing stronger and making his mouth water. It was hard to comprehend there being so much food to choose from.

"One meat," he pointed at the skewers filled with chunks of grilled meat with bell peppers laid in-between. "And an eel, please." He paid the man and accepted the two sets of skewers with interest. Meat he had had before, though often cooked over his own first after tracking the beast. Eel, not so much, but he was intrigued enough to try something new.

But then he found himself with a third as Mason offered him a fruit skewer. "On the house," the man explained with the same jovial grin. "It's been a bountiful harvest this year! Enjoy!" Mason turned toward Celica. "And the same for you, m'lady."

Gerome may not much of harvests, but he could see why the man would have repeat customers.

[seraphiia]

Celica listens with growing interest as the vendor advertises his wares, particularly intrigued by the more unique items of the menu. She's had good meat and delightfully sweet fruit (oranges being a particular favorite), but it's the eel that piques her curiosity.

Dagon meat? She's had that. This, however...

"I'll take the eel, too." She chimes in after the masked man, handing over her own payment. Celica doesn't order any more, but Mason also gives her a free fruit skewer, and she supposes she shouldn't reject such kindness, or look a gift horse in the mouth.

"Well, then! Cheers. To good food and new acquaintances."

Raising her skewer, she takes an experimental bite into the eel. The meat was almost alarmingly tender, so juicy that it practically melted in her mouth. The taste was also very different. Savory, yet sweet...

She takes a moment to swallow, and hums. "Mm. This is delicious! Is that a sauce I detect?"

Mason chuckles, "Yep! My family's special eel sauce. I won't be givin' away any secrets, though—sweet face or not."

Celica laughs in turn, "Oh, I wouldn't dream of prying it out of you. I think there's a lot of fun in the mystery, in fact." Turning to her companion, she asks, "How about you? Is the food to your liking?"

[seraphiia]

reacquaintance

Mission Board: Showcase / riding prompt.

[wolfhednn]

WORDLESSLY HE FOLLOWS AS SHE TALKS, doing as is natural and as is asked. both horses are quickly secured to a low bough within the shade, allowing plenty of room for them to graze but not to wander off. then he fetches blanket roll, blade … the thought of fishing almost makes him think to mention that he grew up learning to fish in the river with nothing more than a crudely-made spear, but that doesn’t seem appropriate for the occasion.

head turns to sweep a look over the glittering lakeside at the memory, though——and catches celica touching a hand to the hilt of her own weapon along the way.

interest piques,

kept behind the approving, subtle glimmer of amber eye that can’t quite be called a smile but perhaps sounds a bit like one as he unfastens the blanket roll and fans it out across the grass in a single motion. “i haven’t forgotten. that future castle fhirdiad we saw might have been false, but the way you handled your sword against that enemy in the dungeons wasn’t.”

one hand rests confidently on a hip, head cocked in invitation. “is that a challenge, to work up an appetite?” an amused huff. “a bit out of the ordinary, i’ll admit.” but he doesn’t sound disapproving.

[seraphiia]

"Such kind words!" Certainly from him—or especially, as she knew Felix wasn't one for empty praise and flattery. "I'm glad my skills were of use back then, but I'm afraid I've had little chances to make use of my abilities since that time. My magic is stronger than ever, but..."

A sweet smile, as she unsheathes her blade. "A bit of a workout would do us both good, I think." For it was no secret that he wasn't the biggest fan of small talk. "You would make a wonderful sparring partner."

To his remark, Celica can't help but giggle, thinking wistfully of comments Saber would make many times throughout their journey. "Yes. It seems I can be a bit of an oddball sometimes... but I don't hear you declining." She nods towards his blade, hand moving in an inviting gesture.

"How about it, then. A couple of rounds or three? Pure swordplay, nothing more."

[seraphiia]

fight or flight

[alliberacio-deactivated20250406]

Celica's answer about Mila made her silent, only leaving traces of "I'm sorry" in the movements of her lips. Not for the dragon itself, Alear knew nothing of her outside of being reverred as a deity, she felt sorry for Celica—losing someone she was devoted to must have been difficult even if humanity needed to find its strength. It must have been hard for her own friends when they lost her too.

But she did not let that moment of wondering to affect her, instead the dragon giggled at the teasing directed at her. "I sure do," She spoke as expression softened, as she continued her tone remained sweet but blended itself with understanding. "But i imagine it must have been hard to be seen as a reincarnation of your own Goddess, and becoming a ruler at that!"

When her mother died she had to stepped in at her own choice to fill the role of doing what she wasn't able to and now that the war was over and she had been crowned monarch, it felt as she had bigger shoes to fill. Divine One as most called her was as simple as any human, with both boons and banes, she wasn't made of pure strength or shaped to be perfect in every way, but surely some thought of her in such light.

"Once one of my stewards after i expressed i was uncomfortable with having a server, mentioned my late mother did not mind those services and that i would grow accostumed to them myself, but part of my answer to that was that i wasn't my mother and that i'm capable of taking care of myself," Looking back on that conversation left fodness creeping up her face further, as serious as she had been that day, Alear was glad to see how their dynamic had developed. She was glad for Vander's guidance and support. "I still have much to grow and as much as i wish to become someone like the mother i love, someone that people can count on, i still am my own person. Despite those initial words from him, i'm glad Vander was there to support me for my own person no matter the similarities i may have to her, in fact... i miss him."

But she was getting besides the point, the dragon giggled at her own mistake.

"What i mean to say is that even if some people might think of us as higher than them or even put us, even if not meaning to hurt, in the shadow of someone else, we are our own people filling the roles they may not be able to now." As the dragon had voice she had wished to become someone others could count on as the divine dragon but as an Emblem too. These were important roles to take on her shoulders, but if she had led her friends to victory thanks to their support, then she only needed to continue that hard work going forward—their strength was her own, her own was theirs.

But she felt like she should apologize for having thought of Celica, this Celica, in a similar way some would have thought of her as "Mila's reincarnation."

"I would like to apologize if you making me think of Emblem Celica has made you uncomfortable in any way. She was an important friend to me and all the people who got to know her, but you're not her and i would never want you to feel forced to be like her."

[seraphiia]

She hums, "Very wonderfully said, Alear."

Her teasing title from earlier is discarded for the woman's proper name—a show of acknowledgement and respect on Celica's part. Everyone was their own person, and as she told Mae once, had the room to be uniquely themselves. It was something Celica hardly needed reminding of, and yet she's glad to hear it, all the same.

"This Vander sounds like a caring, attentive man." She smiles, "There are also people I miss from home. My brother, my grandpapa, my beloved... but I know I'll be with them again, someday. I'm sure that's true for you, too."

To the dragon's apology, she lightly waves a hand. "Oh, don't worry about it. While I admit that being compared to this counterpart of mine has... unsettled me, in the past, you've done nothing of the sort. It's only natural to think back on a dear friend when something reminds you of them."

Celica takes Alear's hands then, "And I am honored to be held in such high regard by those of your homeland, even if I struggle to think I deserve it at times." A sheepish chuckle, "Honestly, if the chance ever arises, I might like to meet this Emblem of mine one day."

[seraphiia]

Activity Check (Aug.) - Passed!

Total Skill Points: 97 → 98

[Monthly Point]: +1 point allocated to Flying ( Flying: C+ )

[seraphiia]

reacquaintance

Mission Board: Showcase / riding prompt.

[wolfhednn]

FOLLOWING HER LEAD, PRACTICED HANDS guide his gelding’s movements off the dirt road and onto less-trodden, narrow paths. shallow sprigs of woodfall cover rustle with each step, high ferns threatening to tickle at calves and ankles as the sun disappears behind the boughs.

“ is there a reason he should mind? ” nearly has brow furrowing, trying instinctively to think, before a glimpse of celica’s teasing look clarifies her meaning ; cheeks flush and he sputters, looking off in the other direction with an indiscriminate glare. “it was just a question.”

her answer brings his attention back around a moment later, still prepared to frown but blinking with new consideration. fragile? is that what she thought he was implying?

wasn’t it natural to be wary about something like that?

he shakes the subject off easily, no more eager to continue discussing the nature of social entanglements than she appeared to be. much more intriguing was the mention of her husband’s swordsmanship as they draw up to the shore of the lake through the copse of trees. “mm. then i’ll have to see for myself how valentia’s technique compares.”alm. the name does sound familiar.

but with her next remark on the weather goes his fluency again, and all he manages is a quiet grunt in agreement. gaze pans out over the placid surface and uncultivated surroundings, appreciating the solitude. “is this what you had in mind?” he looks to her for cue to dismount… and some sense of direction. “i didn’t bring anything to do.”

[seraphiia]

She tries to hold back her urge to giggle at his reaction, quite endeared by that rare flustered side of his. But the time for games passes as they arrive at their destination, Celica dismounting from her steed and reaching for the picnic basket she had fastened to the horse.

"Worry not, Felix. I brought us food. I thought we might be able to chat over lunch..." A glance at him, over her horse's back, "...or simply enjoy the scenery. I hear this place is a great fishing spot, though I'm afraid I didn't bring a rod."

With a light grunt, she hefts the basket into her arms, nodding back at the horse as she carries it out into the clearing. "Could you fetch the blanket roll I brought, please? I suppose we could sit in the grass, but I'd rather none of it get in the food." She teases.

Setting the basket on a suitable spot on the ground, she turns to him, hand going to hover over the sword at her side. "Your blade too, of course. I know you brought it along." Bandits did frequent these roads, and... well—it was Felix.

"My Alm isn't the only one who knows Valentian sword techniques. The skill of a warrior priestess is nothing to scoff at, either."

[seraphiia]

all work, some play?

Mission Board: Showcase / lance prompt.

[deathsdue]

Gerome was still struggling to accept his place in this world, whatever it may be. There was still a strong desire to shut himself away, as he had before, and let this world pass by without him as it should. He did not belong here, this was not a world where he should exist.

Yet now he struggled against such thoughts, and what better way to work to dispel them than to understand this world and all that it had to offer?

House Ordelia's harvests were not something he had ever seen in his future. By the time he was old enough to understand such things, Grima's army had already begun to sweep across the continents, destroying everything in their path. Food scarcity had been a common problem when assisting towns.

Now bountiful harvests were on display every which way he turned and people spoke of agricultural techniques that would sustain the future. It was unheard of, for those around him and for himself. Fascinating...so this is what a world looked like when it was allowed to flourish.

"Ah...no," he replied to the woman who suddenly turned toward him. There was a slight pause between the two, as if to give space for both to consider what farmer might wear a mask and dress in black, but then Gerome continued.

"I'm here to broaden my understanding of farming. That they could grow and harvest so much is...astounding." Though in the future...well, he didn't know where it might lead at this point. "And yourself?"

Besides learning of this world and where his place might be in it, he was also endeavoring to be better at that elusive thing called conversation.

[seraphiia]

Celica smiles in the brief pause that ensues—an obvious conclusion, what with the odd mask, though she supposes she had to ask. At the very least, he was here for a reason, one that she assumed was some level of interest. And with his response, that much is confirmed. "Isn't it? I've seen some bountiful harvests in my time, but this really is something else."

To his question, she hums. "I'm here for a similar reason. I thought I might learn more about Ordelia's revolutionary farming techniques, so that I may take that knowledge back home. Our lands have been struggling for quite a while... poor soil, smaller harvests and whatnot."

She walks alongside the man as they converse, her feet leading her on a rather aimless path. Now that the demonstration was over, she didn't have any immediate plans.

Until—

"Oi! You two!" A shopkeeper at a nearby stall calls for their attention, Celica turning to a rather animated man. Smoke wafts from behind him, rising from what seemed to be a small cooking fire. "All that walking around is sure to have struck up an appetite, yeah? Why not rest your feet for a while, and have some grilled treats?"

She smiles. It did smell good. "Oh? What are you serving, sir?"

"Haha! No need for all that 'Sir' nonsense, m'lady! Mason's fine. As for what we have..." He gestures to his display of food, "Grilled corn. Fish. Eel. Meats. Fruit skewers—a true smorgasbord of delight! Take your pick."

Celica turns to the masked man, "Shall we?"

[rigellion]

mr. and mrs. rudolf

[rigellion]

earlier, he was mostly joking about those heels. but at least celica's sharp aim discourages the guy from running away again. and now that alm gets a better look at the servant, it hits him how young this guy actually looks. he can't be much older than either of them, right?

alm slows down to a stop, straightening once celica slides off his back. he is content to leave most of the talking to her. after all, she's better with words than he is.

and yep. this guy is definitely not succeeding in making himself sound any less suspicious. alm is pretty sure this is their rogue, but... where does his motives lie? what's his end goal? and really, what kind of a thief would leave a note announcing his plans to steal some nobleman's treasure?

he glances at celica, wondering if she has also realized this. something is off about this entire situation.

"listen, we're willing to hear you out and not immediately hand you over to the guards," he takes his opportunity to speak up. the servant's gaze slowly turns to him, wary and distrustful. "but you have to tell us where the heirloom is first, okay?"

a second passes, followed by another—

"fine!" the server huffs. "the statue."

alm opens his mouth; he's about to ask what the servant exactly means by it... except it all suddenly clicks into place. "keep an eye on him," he says to celica, nodding in the servant's direction.

and with that said, the king heads back over to the fountain.

the water audibly splashes as he wades his way through, stopping in front of the small elevated platform. alm looks up at the duke's stony features but doesn't focus on that. instead, with one foot on the platform, he reaches for the scepter— or rather, its centerpiece.

alm yanks it free and stumbles back as a result.

"c— anthiese, i got it!" he holds it up. "but just to make sure... you can sense something, right?"

[seraphiia]

As Alm goes to investigate the location of the artifact, Celica approaches the young man, a close eye kept on him as she leans down to pick up her heel lodged in the dirt. He flinches for a moment, as if he expected her to hurt him—but of course, that couldn't be farther from the actual truth of things.

(Unless he gave her a reason to, of course.)

"Why did you do it?" She asks, instead. "For money, I assume? A magical heirloom like that would no doubt run for a pretty coin down in the markets—the black market, even. There have been a number of illegal magical products making circulation as of late."

And an artifact that could take the shape of almost anything? Miraculous as it was dangerous, depending on what hands it fell into.

The young man sniffs with annoyance, "As if fancy blue bloods like you would understand. You've never had to want for anything. Never had to starve, never had to worry about where your next meal came from..."

His eyes flit up as Alm returns with the heirloom, and the man scoffs, "I was told that if I nabbed the artifact from the Duke, me and my siblings wouldn't have to worry about a thing anymore."

Celica frowns. He could be telling the truth, or he could just as easily be fabricating a story to garner sympathy, and lessen his punishment. No matter his reasons, he was caught in the midst of a crime—something had to be done about it.

Turning to Alm, she reaches out to touch the scepter, humming in confirmation. "...Yes, I feel a tremendous amount of magic coming from this. Amazing job, love. It seems we've found our item. We'll have to return it to the Duke. As for our friend here..."

"Tell us more about your siblings. I don't know who roped you into this, but my beloved and I will assure that they are taken care of while you're explaining your story in the Knights' custody."

The man hangs his head in defeat, but Celica knows it's for the best. She glances at Alm, sharing a nod with him. No matter the servant's reasons, he needed to take accountability for what he's done, and they couldn't risk believing a lie and allowing him to escape. Of course, she would keep her word to help his family.

In some way, it was the greed and privilege of the wealthy that led to this—however small the gesture might be, this would be their way of giving back.

For now, the authorities could take it from here. Perhaps she could share at least one more dance with her beloved, before the night's end...

end.

[seraphiia]

Activity Check (July) - Passed!

Total Skill Points: 96 → 97

[Monthly Point]: +1 point allocated to Riding ( Riding: C+ )

[seraphiia]

fight or flight

[alliberacio-deactivated20250406]

"Oh you know about Emblems then, if you ever have any questions on the matter please feel free to let me know. I'm always happy to explain." Not the first time she had done so, nor the last she assumed. She did not mind it, in fact she enjoyed sharing about it, they were part of Elyos' culture as much as any dish was to each of the countries that were part of the continent.

But as Alear had said, she would only talk of it—in detail at least—if Celica herself wished to know.

"I'm glad i feel approachable, i wouldn't wish to make things awkward. But to answer to your question, they do there too and even call me Divine One," As used as she had gotten to all the worshipping, she still believed of herself as normal as anyone else. She waved her hands as she spoke again. "But there is no need for you to do the same or to treat me as if i'm a god! In fact i prefer if we can just chat as two people, this isn't Elyos after all."

A soft smile followed that sentence, when she spoke with the Emblems she treated them as friends and not gods she had to worship—being one of them now made that feeling stronger. She wouldn't want someone to put her on a pedestal when there was no need to.

"I must say Céline is from the country most devoted to the Divine dragons, but its more important that we are in fact friends. I do prefer being seen as simply myself, but i do understand there's people that by believing in me it helps them push forward," In times of need and when all hopes were lost, to some she was a light to hold onto until their future finally shone bright again. To them Alear was the hero that her past self wished to be. "If i can be that light that gives them hope, i'm glad to have this role even if i'm not as Divine as they think of me."

But that was enough talk of her, she only hoped that it proved a good answer.

"I once asked C—Emblem Celica what she was doing and she answered with offering a prayer to Mila. I'm curious about one thing since you mentioned your people are devout to dragons too, how is Mila?"

[seraphiia]

Did she want to know about the Emblems? She wasn't entirely sure. While it would certainly inform certain... behaviors toward her, particularly from Griss, Celica did not wish to compare and contrast herself with another—even if that other was, well. Herself.

And so, Celica hums. "Thank you. I'll be sure to consult with you if ever I do." Next comes a chuckles, "I can relate. After I was coronated as Valentia's queen, the people came to see me as something... far more than I was. Than I am, really."

Her reminiscence acts as a perfect segue into Alear's question, Celica's thoughts and memories of Mila—of what she'd given Valentia, of what she left behind—already forming an answer on her tongue.

"...She's gone. Felled, by a divine blade." Her smile falters, growing rueful. "There were those in Valentia who believed we should no longer have our lives dictated by the gods, and so those gods were slain, and their long reign came to an end. I had done everything in my power to save them, for I felt that our land couldn't survive without their bounty, but—"

She breathes, "I was wrong. Humanity needed to stand on its own two feet, and with drive and determination, they certainly have the power to. But the death of the gods left a vacuum... a void, in their most devout worshippers, and many find themselves lost in this new world, clinging desperately to any replacement they can find."

A sigh, "For many, that is my beloved—Valentia's new king. And for others, that replacement is me. The girl deemed as 'Mila's reincarnation'. It's... a lofty title to live up to, but if it gives the people hope, it's one I will willingly bear. Though I'm sure you understand, Lady Divine One."

The lilt of Celica's voice reveals the remark to be the tease that it is, and her solemn expression twitches into a faint, but more genuine, smile.

[maleficauraa]

celica fire emblem you will always be famous

[seraphiia]

call of the fae

[frauleindermorgen]

Well, Micaiah thought, listening intently even as her face still sported a supporting smile the fairies here (and there was no doubt about that any longer) clearly understood their language even if the way they conversed with Chailín was something different. Nothing about this was comforting, but it was something she supposed.

“If you’d have us we would be grateful,” Micaiah says, supporting Celica and Chailín just grins and grabs her hand as well. The night continues to come upon them eerily fast as the young girl leads them both to the pond. The darkness that falls is odd, however, with the now ever persistent fairy lights around Chailín and the fireflies that surround the lake it is clear they are not alone. 

(Micaiah finds herself looking up at the stars just to make sure they are the same Fodlan constellations she has grown used to; they are, and it is a comfort if a small one.)

Chailín happily shows them how to find the less watery rushes and valiantly lets them take some of the hay and moss she’s gathered for own bed; she seems genuinely excited to have them here, and Micaiah’s heart aches.

“Thank you, to you and your friends,” she tells the girl as they settle down. Chailín who is tucking her doll into “bed” nods; “you’re very good at that,” she mentions, “have you done it for long?”

“Get ready for bed?”  Chailín giggles. “Every night, of course!” Micaiah laughs too, for it had been a silly question but the real one underneath still lingers: even if in Chailín’s mind her place here had been always surely she had come from somewhere?

“I always get a bedtime story too,” she tells them as they all find their places - palettes laid down from left to right Chailín, Micaiah, and Celica; “oh, maybe I can help tell it this time!” The fairy lights blink pleasantly and  Chailín begins telling them her doll was originally locked up in a tall, tall castle.

“She was locked there because… um the three princes were always fighting. And - ”

She looks to her invisible “friends”, clearly unused to being the narrator and laughs with joy at something: “oh so that’s what a village is! Listen, Celly,” she says, “there were no villages around the tower because everyone was arguing over which prince was best and no one wanted to live together. But Dolly was lonely watching this high up and one day a little bird…”

The sense of calm that had if not immediately settled in at least beckoned to Micaiah in the peaceful night comes crashing down as she connects the the scattered memories of story; her class in Leicester politics coming to the front of her mind.

“Celica,” Micaiah whispers as Chailín goes on, “she’s… referring to the Crescent Moon war. From nearly three hundred years ago…”

[seraphiia]

Celica finds that her heart aches at the girl's unbridled joy. This peculiar wood was clearly a place she found herself comfortable in, one she has called home for an indeterminate amount of time. Though the fairy lights that dance about the space are meant to bring comfort, the Valentian only feels unsettled—no matter the intention, this was no place for a human child to spend her life.

But it didn't seem the fairies meant her any real harm, and so the queen continues to smile as Chailín leads and guides them through crafting their makeshift beds, settling in and listening patiently as the girl attempts to tell her story.

The details already rung faintly familiar before Micaiah even points it out, and Celica hums softly. "It seems so." She whispers back, "But what does that mean?"

Her smile then softens as she turns back to Chailín, currently absorbed by the blinking of a nearby light, and gently inquires, "What did this bird do?"

"Oh! Ummm..." Chailín turns towards the light again, as if to confirm something, and giggles. "Brought her things! Berries and flowers and... and other things, from the outside. Dolly was lonely, but hiiiigh up in the tower, she was safe from everyone's fighting."

Celica nods. "Oh, I see! That was very nice of the bird."

"Mhm! It's why I like to pick flowers and berries with Dolly. We make, um... s-sup," She turns to the fairy light, "Supper...?" Turns back to Celica, "Supper out of it, too!"

She smiles, then glances toward Micaiah. Surely that wasn't all the girl lived off of?

[seraphiia]

care for us

mission board: recovery / infirmary prompt.

[twistedisciple]

For the whole time that Celica speaks, Griss listens in silence, wide-eyed and enraptured as if hanging on every word. It’s hard to tell what he thinks from that vacant look on his face though, or if he has a single thought at all about this. He makes no comments, doesn’t laugh, hardly even nods, until her fingertips, as cool as they are, brush the raw edge of the worst of his injuries and he reanimates with a cackling, half-choked and largely inappropriate laugh in the middle of Celica’s resolute lecture. Almost like the instinct any other person would have to cry out in pain.

Miraculously, he quiets himself on his own and waits for Celica to finish. His expression twists into one of deep thought, and he looks down at the stripes of pink and red criss-crossing his arms - each a newly closed wound thanks to the priestess’ deft hand - as if searching for some sort of answer, or something to say.

Dragons bestowed magic upon humanity. He’d heard something like that before, too. And, in turn, those blessed with the power were to use it in the dragons’ names. Then he wondered absently if Lord Sombron even cared about the how as long as his followers had the means to serve him, and to destroy. What difference did it make? A weapon was a weapon. And weapons were supposed to inflict pain.

It’s perhaps Celica’s status as an Emblem that grants her this reprieve from Griss’ crass antics, and to see him in a reverie, however brief. But the moment passes like a flash and his usual self is back again, smirking at her like he’s got something that will undo her whole argument.

”What if pain makes me happy, huh? And yeah, healing magic’s great ‘cause it means I can do—” He pulls his arm out of her grasp, clamoring up onto his knees in the middle of the cot, and digs dirtied nails into the half-closed gash she’d been working on. Through gritted teeth, head bent down with focus, he shreds it open again. “—this!”

Bright red blood bubbles swiftly out of the wound, welling up and overflowing in narrow rivulets down the sides of his arms. “As many times as I want!”

[seraphiia]

The sudden burst of laughter causes her to start a moment, Celica unsure what it meant. Nothing she said was particularly amusing. But perhaps it was, in some way, to him. Still, there is something unsettling and dissonant in the crack of his voice—something broken, in the way he laughs.

She doubts her words would get through. It didn't stop her from having that slither of hope, though. This was the most quiet she's ever seen him, almost as if he had taken the time to listen.

Though healed, his wound is still raw and fresh, and before she can even think to get a new set of bandages to protect it, he retorts with that same crazed, stubborn sentiment. Pulls out of her grasp, and—

"Wha—" Gasping, Celica is left stunned as he claws into his own wound and completely undoes the work she had done in healing it, trails of blood bursting and ribboning down his arm. She stares, wide-eyed, in terror and disbelief. But the moment blood drips onto the bedsheet, her trance is broken.

"What is WRONG with you...!?" She jolts out of her seat, hand clasping around his wrist. As she holds him in place, even Celica finds herself deceptively strong in that moment. "Why!? What does pain get you? What made you this way!?"

Her grip remains firm. Her glare, hot. Blood never bothered her. She's seen far too much of it to be scared by the sight. But to see someone so ready, so eager, to draw their own...

It hurt her heart.

[c0nes]

I have vrain damaage

[seraphiia]

Activity Check (June) - Passed!

Total Skill Points: 95 → 96

[Monthly Point]: +1 point allocated to Flying ( Flying: C )

[zefirart]

Reunion in Askr