— KING OF NOHR —

"We have to stop thinking in terms of Us and Them." Xander (Fire Emblem Fates / Revelation) Blue Lions Professor at The Officers Academy

[malignantknight]

By Land Or Sky

Just as your group sets to return from Leicester, you notice your supplies for the journey back have been looted and tampered with and some of the mounts in your unit are agitated. There's no saying who did this, but whispers that the rivalry between horseback riders, wyvern riders, and pegasus knights at the monastery has been getting worse these days… Could this be the result of that petty conflict? And do you even have the time to investigate it as the lumenthus flowers begin to lose their glow? [Grants Riding/Flying +1]

[malignantknight]

Camilla's heart sank. Who would hurt their mounts? "Has anyone figured out what she was given? Is she going to be okay?" The idea that any of them could lose their mounts to this cruelty was too much to bear.

At the sound of her name, Barbie nudged Camilla's shoulder again. "She's anxious, but she doesn't seem to be hurt. Her equipment was destroyed. I was trying to fix her saddle, but I don't have a leather needle or anything to poke holes in the material to try an fix it. It sounds like the other fliers are in the same situation, anxious mounts and destroyed equipment." Camilla sighed as she patted Barbie's head.

"It's odd though... I keep a repair kit for fixing Barbie's equipment with everything I need for a quick fix, but I can't even find that." Barbie moved to rest her head in Camilla's lap, purring softly. "Not that it would have fixed everything, but it's odd that it's missing, like someone knew to take it."

Camilla glanced over at Xander's mount, grimacing at her odd behavior. "The students like to pretend there's a rivalry between the fliers and the riders. It's usually a friendly thing, pushing each other to better themselves. But I wonder if someone took things too far..."

The sound of pounding hooves made her raise an eyebrow. "Is it safe for them to still try to deliver the flowers?" The question of if they would even make it in time went unspoken.

[sigfrithu]

He frowned, shaking his head. "An apothecary is examining some remnants of this substance as we speak. By myself, I'm only able to recognize that it smells like some kind of herbal incense."

Based on that, he could only hope that it would not be too dangerous - but at the same time, he knew just how dangerous some plants could be. That is how many poisons are made, after all.

He listened to Camilla's musings, his brow still furrowed. Having been here considerably longer than him, his sister had a much better grasp on the intricacies of relationships at the Academy. A friendly rivalry sounded like a good motivator for people to better themselves, but if this was a part of it, then taking things too far was putting it lightly.

No amount of pettiness justified abusing their animals, theft, and sabotaging a mission.

To her nest question, he turned to look at Sigrid, who shook her head, as though trying to give Camilla an answer of her own. He sighed.

"I've given her medicine recommended by the apothecary and a lot of water. She's already calmer than she was before, so I had him give the same to the other horses. I'm hoping we'll be able to keep going... The destroyed equipment still poses a challenge, however."

He thought for a moment, before looking back to Camilla and nodding.

"We will try to continue, but we must be on a lookout for anyone acting suspiciously. If possible, I would like to both deliver the flowers and catch whoever's responsible. Are you able to keep going in spite of the damaged saddle?"

[tomatotactician]

finally, home away from home

Non-Mission 　⧸⧸ 　Leo   &   Xander

[sigfrithu]

He is hardly given a handful of minutes to explore the monastery grounds that shall serve as his current residence, before an all too familiar voice calls his name, stopping him dead in his tracks - but also prompting a smile to break through the usual stern expression worn with hardly a pause out of a misplaced habit.

By the time he turns in full to face the source of his distraction, there is already a warm smile creasing his features instead.

"Leo," he greets; it has been some time since he last spoke the name, and it comes off as akin to shaking off the stiff and dust in relief. "You could say that, indeed... The halls of Castle Krakenburg have become awfully quiet as of late, too much so even for me."

A hand is placed on Leo's shoulder, as though in reassurance - it really is me. I really am here. Though the mention of letters does prompt a curious frown to flash across Xander's face.

"Hmm, I did send one announcing my arrival. Have I somehow managed to outrun it? Or perhaps it got lost along the way... Ah, well." Not a matter that feels worth overthinking. "I suppose that simply means I got to give you a little surprise, and I'm glad if it was a pleasant one." The hand on Leo's shoulder gives it a little assuring pat as his smile grows a touch warmer still.

"I've missed you, too. How have you been holding up?"

[tomatotactician]

        Leo will never admit it, but Xander's smile brightens his moments like shafts of sunlight on an occluded day. A familiar hand, heavy but warm, rests upon his shoulder; that regal, commanding voice fills his ears. The voice of his brother, the voice of his king. Ah, this is the piece of home that he has been missing, the key to his unsolved puzzles. Leo thought he would do well to escape Xander's shadow, but there is certain comfort in dwelling beneath it as well.

        "Strange indeed, but it is no matter. The important thing is you're here, hale and whole — and that's better than any letter." The younger prince folds his hands at the small of his back in well-practiced habit. "I've been well, of course. My studies are proceeding apace, and my professors seem pleased with my progress. Some of them are rather more personable than I anticipated... The culture here is far different from Nohr's court. It has taken no small amount of adjustment on my part, but thanks to the others, it is not a lonely task."         Leo won't mention the multitudinous ways he has embarrassed himself since coming to the monastery. Those are secrets he shall take to his grave before he divulges them to Xander.          "Speaking of, have the others come to greet you yet? I imagine Corrin must have been overjoyed by your arrival. And Elise — well, she very nearly tackled me when I first set foot on the monastery grounds."

[sigfrithu]

Though many of Xander's smiles tend to be somewhat short-lived, the report, if one shall call it that, that Leo gives him on his progress prolongs the lifespan of the one that continues to adorn his normally stern features.

"So I've heard. Perhaps it's a difference in norms and cultures - and perhaps the change in our standing also plays a part. I hear that many current and upcoming kings and princes attend this school. This makes us merely some among many, no longer placed on a pedestal and no longer given special treatment. Which I believe to be a good thing," he adds with a nod. "No matter how much you insist otherwise, many Nohrian instructors will still fear giving you criticism and negative feedback, worried about consequences to them. And being surrounded purely by ever-obedient yes-men stunts your growth."

One of the many scars left behind by the tyrant that spent years parading around in the skin of their father, and his gang of lackeys; scars that will take a long time to heal, he suspects. Scars that are now his responsibility to watch over.

"Corrin has already greeted me, yes - with quite the enthusiasm," he says with a little, fond chuckle at the still fresh memory. "I haven't seen Elise yet, or Camilla for that matter. If they have classes or training, then I do not wish to interrupt them - we will have plenty of time to spend together here." A declaration - a promise.

He thinks about bringing up some other familiar faces he's seen around, but stops himself in his thoughts. His encounter with Lady Hinoka... is best brought up with care and at the right time.

"I've heard there are some others from both Hoshido and Nohr as well," is what he opts for instead. Generic, but good enough for now. "I do wonder how those who know me will feel about seeing me in the position of a teacher," he adds with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Professor Xander. It still sounds a little ridiculous to him.

[scarletfireblossom]

All The World's A Stage || Hinoka & Xander

... and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, — As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7

[scarletfireblossom]

All things considered, Xander was at least a pleasant man, unlike his father. Perhaps that helped lessen the blow of the way his gaze searched her. As though she hadn't reacted to his presence the way he had expected. His very question proved that much at least. He was not expecting her neutral greeting. It told her nothing, and left her floundering for a response.

The last time she had properly spoken with Xander, Corrin had been there.

Now she was here in Fodlán, trying to analyse which King Xander she stood in front of. Something she wasn't really that good at. So much so, she realised she had taken too long too respond. She offered him a wary smile, cautiously approaching this conversation as though the words they spoke would somehow manifest into snakes and bite her.

"I... not at all," she replied, silently cursing the hesitance in her own words. "Please forgive me if I came off that way. I was simply surprised to see you."

Still with the diplomatic detachment. A slightly more cautious approach. Unconsiously, her hand gripped at her dress' skirt slightly. Was she displeased to see him here? No, not exactly. Realistically, if she had travelled out here, then naturally the Nohrian King might as well. To be happy to see him though? A strange... expectation.

A different thread of fate, to be sure. Hoshido and Nohr tread the path of reconciliation, and it has not come at the cost of your siblings… or theirs.

Azama's words floated through her mind.

"What brings you to Garreg Mach?" she asked. Perhaps that might give her a clue of an answer to her unasked questions.

[sigfrithu]

It took Xander a moment of pause as he regarded her figure. Physically, her visage did not differ from the one he remembered from the day he and Lord Ryoma made their pledge in Valla. Of course, if he were to ignore her... Slightly more stiff movements, the faint marks in the corners of her eyes left over from frowning, perhaps, more often than an average person, and the general posture and energy she exuded...

For a man who spent most of his life carrying expectations of the world far beyond him, would recognize the symptoms of this afflication in someone else without fail.

And she seemed somewhat puzzled by him and his demeanor, too.

It was still a mystery, one that needed investigation. The question she posed seemed like a good enough place to start.

"With the war's end, my siblings all came here to the Academy to hone their skills. I remained in Nohr for longer, in order to stabilize the country and introduce some much needed reforms. The damage left behind by... the monster I once called father, was extensive and required a lot of attention." It was his full intent to choose his words with care, but he had faith that that particular element was one everyone could agree on. "Now, things are stable enough that my ministers can handle them in my absence, and so I've come to join them. I will serve as a knight and a Professor for sword, riding and diplomacy affairs - though I hope to be just as much of a student, as well."

For information given, information deserved to be acquired, hopefully. He briefly considered being more direct, but eventually settled for something that he hoped would be more neutral - merely the same type of response he'd just given.

"How about you? Are your siblings here as well?"

[sigfrithu]

Don't Lose Yourself to Find Who You Are || Xander & Camilla

Past AU: Pre-War || @malignantknight || Mission Season: Herald

[sigfrithu]

The halls of Castle Krakenburg became even quieter than usual after Friedrich was killed, Xander thought to himself as he slowly made his way back to his quarters after training.

... Of course, as he immediately reminded himself in his thoughts, was killed was not a phrase to be used out loud. Passed away tragically due to sudden illness, was the current official version. Anyone who pointed out just how obvious it was that it was poisoned, with some medics able to name the specific substance, was silenced with equal speed; sworn to it if they could be trusted (or intimidated) to hold their tongue, and forever otherwise.

The young prince frowned to himself. Things weren't like this before, when his mother was still in good health - before all those... women appeared, eager to fill the void she was inevitably about to leave behind. They flocked, clamoring for father's love and attention, all while using their own children as weapons and almost begging for Queen Katerina to die already. Lives were ruined and lost almost every week.

It made him sick. But in that moment, there was little that a ten-year-old could do about it, crown prince or no. Aside, of course, from watching out for his own neck. He was the legitimate son, the rightful heir - one of the key obstacles, after all.

... He was going to miss hearing Friedrich's laughter, though.

Amidst the silence, he walked quietly, as though trying to avoid disturbing the souls sleeping in those empty halls, trying to draw as little attention as possible to himself.

Evidently, he was not able to escape it completely, however.

Xander frowned, slowing his steps to a halt. His right hand hung for a moment in the air, above the hilt of the training sword by his side, before he eventually refrained and lowered it.

"Come out," he said slowly, in a steady voice. "I know you're there."

> @malignantknight

[malignantknight]

By Land Or Sky

Just as your group sets to return from Leicester, you notice your supplies for the journey back have been looted and tampered with and some of the mounts in your unit are agitated. There's no saying who did this, but whispers that the rivalry between horseback riders, wyvern riders, and pegasus knights at the monastery has been getting worse these days… Could this be the result of that petty conflict? And do you even have the time to investigate it as the lumenthus flowers begin to lose their glow? [Grants Riding/Flying +1]

[malignantknight]

Camilla was in a foul mood to say the least. When she found who ever looted their packs... Oh would they know her wrath.

Until then she was left picking up the pieces of her saddle. Who ever looted their supplies had decided to ruin their equipment as well.

At least Barbie was alright. No injuries that Camilla could find, but she was agitated. She paced around nervously, occasionally butting her rider's shoulder.

"Barbie." Camilla groaned. "I'm trying to fix your saddle." There was a growing dent in her thumb from trying to push the needle though the thick leather. She hissed as the back of the needle pierced her thumb. "Argh!" She threw the saddle aside in frustration, sucking on the wound on her thumb. Barbie nudged Camilla's shoulder, purring softly. With a defeated sigh, Camilla reached around and patted Barbie's head.

She spied familiar black armor out of the corner of her eye. "I know I'm being childish." She sighed. "Did anyone mess with your supplies as well?"

@sigfrithu

[sigfrithu]

How could it happen that their caravan was so easy for someone to mess with? Xander's mind was already in overdrive, conjuring up a list of security procedures that he would want to check and revise, but as much as he would like to do it right away, they would have to wait until the current situation was dealt with.

Oh perhaps it was an inside job, some kind of sabotage? Treason? The group of knights they were traveling with seemed to have several internal disputes going on... No, no, he really needs to leave these thoughts for later...

The lumenthus flowers were already a shade dimmer than yesterday, so he knew that unless the mission was to be a total failure, they had to regain control quickly. He'd spent a few minutes already organizing an express escort that was to go ahead with a reserve and barking orders in a voice that made it clear he would suffer no pushback. Once the worst had been dealt with, a familiar lilac hair thrown back in what seemed like pain and frustration caught his attention, and he made his way to his sister's side.

"It's alright, I understand," he assured. To her question, however, he could only wince and gesture faintly with his head towards his faithful mare, who stood nearby, occasionally throwing her head back and forth and digging into the ground with her hoof.

"Supplies are fine, but something arguably worse seems to have happened," he explained, his expression grim. "It would seem that someone fed Sigrid something while I was gone. I found remnants of an unfamiliar substance stuck on her teeth. Some other horses are behaving like this, as well."

If someone is abusing their mounts, not even the Dusk Dragon itself will protect them from him. On that note, though...

"Has Barbie been acting normally?"

[sigfrithu]

Jakob's Freshly Scored Babysitting Gig || Xander & Jakob

Mission: Any Skill +1 || @butlere || Mission Season: Herald

[butlere]

Jakob, a lowly butler, has seen what no other butler ought to see. Fought battles and faced enemies far beyond the range of the average man's comprehension; faceless monstrosities, former kings turned to goop, ancient dragons with higher ambition. All to say, he is worldly in the topic of the unworldly at the behest of Lady Corrin's war. And if there is anything that the same war has taught Jakob, it is that one is not meant to question its most bizarre elements. Outside of a war, however?

Questions were fair game.

"—What has happened to you?"

Stranger than strange, here would be another singularity added to the repertoire of Jakob's abnormal butler-y experiences. On one blink, a patrol shared with the king of Nohr. On the next. . .with his miniature. "I must say, Lord Xander. Now, that is a face I have not seen for some years now."

Past initial surprise, the other's sight is rather nostalgic. The amusement in Jakob's demeanor is matched only by his devotion. Towering over Lord Xander—now young master Xander—he bends down upon a knee to better observe the Nohrian royal. More importantly, to confer him the respect his station is yet due no matter how presently attached to magic-induced youth.

( . . .or was it not magic? that much is uncertain. )

"It seems this is the result of an encounter with the orb that many have spoken of. Though, I do not know if reversion to one's child state is on par with its course." Jakob's analytical gaze sweeps the golden-haired princeling from head to toe. Then, suddenly, his pointer finger moves from left to right.

"Stay with me, milord—" examination, concern, and immediate action all in one; because on his honor as a butler Jakob will not be dubbed negligent in this time of a king's never-before-seen crisis, "what number finger am I holding? From what direction to what direction is it moving? Do you feel any sort of unwell?"

[sigfrithu]

Though Xander gave it little voice in the beginning - if only because he was still fighting to accept the idea of his voice sounding like that again - his shock was equal to the one expressed by Jakob, as he tried to get a grasp on the old-new size of his body. The butler soon lowered himself to his level - dragons, that feels pathetic to even think about - and soon began an examination of his cognitive state. Initially surprised, Xander understood nonetheless why the man felt the need to check on him this way, and as such subjected himself to it.

"You're moving your index finger from left to right. That is the only finger you're holding up." A pause, as he briefly examined his own state in reaction to the question. How did he feel? "I feel... not unwell, but unusual. I'm not dizzy or anything like that, but I can feel the physical changes, so I do feel strange... I believe my mental state has remained unaffected, and the same goes for my memories. They are still complete." Certainly, his twelve-year-old self would not recall descending to Valla and the like. "However, my body has regressed, and..."

His gaze wandered downwards, to Siegfried, dropped to the grass during his transformation. Hesitantly, as though already aware how this was going to go, his hand reached for the hilt -

"URRK!..."

... The blade, normally raised above his head with ease in just one hand, now took both to so much as try to pick up, and even then he was unable to raise it from the ground completely.

Just as he feared.

"Well... this brings back some memories I hadn't planned to revisit, that's for sure." He sighed, looking back up at Jakob. "I believe our best course of action would be to try and find that orb again. It seems to warp at random from place to place, so this might not be easy... but I'm not sure what else could help me revert back to a normal state."

He would not admit it out loud, not just yet at any rate, but the idea of staying like this forever was... rather terrifying.

[sigfrithu]

Activity Check: June 2026

Status: passed

Skill points gained: - Activity (Riding: E -> E+)

Total: 1; 4 -> 5

[sigfrithu]

From One Mysterious Swordsman to Another || Xander & M!Byleth

Chance Meeting || @crested-flames || Mission Season: Herald

[sigfrithu]

For Xander, it was complete natural that one of the first places he would visit upon arriving in Fodlan was the training grounds. The ship that brought him here - fairly small, rocking gently on the waves, and full of civilian passengers - lended itself very poorly to sword practice, and those couple days were more than enough for him to start feeling stiff and out of shape. A shortcoming that demanded immediate attention.

Or maybe he was just overly anxious. Surely for someone like him, two weeks or so without proper training wouldn't be enough to forget everything and lose proper grip. Still, he wasn't about to keep waiting to find out the hard way. Not when there was an easy opportunity to remedy the issue.

Siegfried's familiar weight remained sheathed by his side for the time being; after a few days of forced break, it was best to start with something lighter. One of the many practice swords at the Academy's disposal would do perfectly fine. Weighing it in his hand, he swings once, then twice, even this small and mostly harmless blade doing a fine job carrying the power of his movements;

And then, a noise behind his back caught his attention. His instinct taking over before he could react, he turned swiftly - more so, perhaps, that one would expect based on the armor he wore - and pointed the edge at the person whose steps he heard a moments ago.

... Ah. That's just one of the Professors at the Academy, isn't it.

"My apologies," Xander says quickly, lowering the blade. "I can do rather poorly approached from behind. I meant no offense."

[sigfrithu]

Jakob's Freshly Scored Babysitting Gig || Xander & Jakob

Mission: Any Skill +1 || @butlere || Mission Season: Herald

[sigfrithu]

It was supposed to be a perfectly normal patrol. A completely bog-standard walk around the area, with a chance reunion with one of Corrin's butlers as the only highlight of the afternoon. Nothing less, nothing more, nothing else.

Now contrary to what some might expect, Xander treated the warning he'd received about some kind of Zenithian "orb" fairly seriously. Aware of the existence of both Valla and the Outrealms, the Crown Prince found the idea of other worlds and portals between them fully believable. It could, indeed, appear, and were he to make careless contact with it, there was no telling what might happen.

So, he resolved to be careful. Acknowledging he was new in the area, he had full intent to steer clear of the orb should he run into it, and merely report its location to the Knights, so that it could be apprehended. He had announced as much to Jakob, too, as they walked.

... What no one saw fit to inform him about was that the orb in question could materialize in front of someone out of thin air and simply not take no for an answer.

All he saw was a flash of light that forced him to abruptly halt and shield his eyes, the bright light eliciting a groan from him; midway through, his voice suddenly began to warp in some way, his vocal cords suddenly tingling with a strange sensation -

the light dissipated. He blinked once, twice. Slowly, his eyes adjusted to the lighting again... But something was still wrong.

Was he crouching? Why was the ground suddenly this much closer? No... He stood upright, still.

He glanced around, noticing Jakob again, and his eyes widened as he realized that the man was, all of a sudden, taller than him.

"What..." The rest of the question froze on his throat as the voice he spoke with was strange, unfamiliar, high-pitched. Undeveloped.

Wait... he knew that voice. He heard it before...

Eighteen years ago.

[scarletfireblossom]

All The World's A Stage || Hinoka & Xander

... and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, — As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7

[scarletfireblossom]

starter for @sigfrithu

If I can't get get it in the cooks to make it, maybe I'll ask Azama... Hinoka was in deep thought as she walked through the Great Hall. Her destination was clear by the direction of her steps, but she kept stopping to tally something on her fingers, second guessing the request she was about to make.

It wasn't like it was important or anything, just a few baked treats that she wanted to gift to her younger siblings, and yet it stole all of her attention. Had she truly gotten so used to the atmosphere in Garreg Mach that she was so readily throwing away her outward perception...? Either way, it was, perhaps, a small miracle then, that she realised she was about to run into someone and stopped.

"Ah, my apologies," she said as she straightened. "I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings."

Though Hinoka's gaze was quick to become a little wary. Because the person she had almost run into was Xander. A small pit in her stomach formed as she straightened her dress, hoping her nervous habit wasn't known to this man.

"Oh, King Xander, I hadn't realised you were here," she greeted. It wasn't a cold greeting persee, but it certainly held a certain diplomatic detachment. It wasn't even the Nohrians she was angry at anymore. Xander was a just King. It was just.... Quietly she tried to remind herself that maybe this wasn't the Xander she knew.

[sigfrithu]

It was never in Xander's habit to allow himself proper rest, even after a long journey; and the same was already happening here. There was, maybe, a barely audible voice at the back of his head telling him he could at least take a few hours in his newly assigned quarters before leaving again, but unfortunately, with no one who knew better than him in his immediate vicinity, that little whisper was quickly drowned out by his barely contained anxiety demanding that he familiarized himself with his new surroundings at his earliest convenience.

And so, there he went, surveying the immediate area as his mind began to map it out as he walked. Why was he immediately acting as though he intended to be ready for a siege? Were someone to ask him, he would be quick to conjure an explanation about preferring to always be prepared. Prepared for what, in a time and place of peace? And only there would he likely stop to think.

Alas, no one was here to ask this question at the moment.

His steps came to a quick and abrupt halt as, focused too much on the layout around him, he had forgotten about what was immediately in front, and almost crashed into another person - who he then realized was a familiar face.

... Somewhat. The look in her eyes was different than the one he knew. And her voice, too... there was a note of stiffness in it he was not familiar with.

"Lady Hinoka. Think nothing of it, please, neither was I," he greeted with a nod. His first moment of lowered guard instantly faded as he took note of the difference in the aura she exuded. He paused for a moment, regarding her.

"It's good to see you well... Although, am I right in thinking that you are not too happy to see me?" He inquired carefully, as his mind attempted to analyze their last encounters to try and recall how he may have offended her.

[tomatotactician]

finally, home away from home

Non-Mission 　⧸⧸ 　Leo   &   Xander

[tomatotactician]

        Xander? Here? Leo cannot believe his ears. He all but runs out the door, grabbing his cape and hastily slinging it round his shoulders, searching the monastery grounds until— Finally. There he is, blond hair shining in the morning sun, figure tall and proud and——

        “Xander!”

        Leo pauses, struggles to finds his composure, his breath. He closes the remaining distance at a brisk walk, not to be seen charging at the king of Nohr. He cannot hide the grin breaking across his face though, nor the boyish sparkle in his eyes. Some things still haven't changed over the years. “You... I can't believe it! Were you scheming this all along? You never said a word in your letters about joining the faculty...”

        Leo gives Xander a look up and down as if he still cannot believe his eyes. "...Gods. It really is you. Did you miss us so much you couldn't stay at home?" A soft chuckle. He won't ask about the kingdom; surely Xander must have it all in hand if he's made the trip. "I..." the younger prince suddenly softens as a vulnerable thought lights upon his mind, hesitating a moment longer before he meets Xander's eyes: "I missed you, Brother."

⸻ @sigfrithu

[sigfrithu]

He is hardly given a handful of minutes to explore the monastery grounds that shall serve as his current residence, before an all too familiar voice calls his name, stopping him dead in his tracks - but also prompting a smile to break through the usual stern expression worn with hardly a pause out of a misplaced habit.

By the time he turns in full to face the source of his distraction, there is already a warm smile creasing his features instead.

"Leo," he greets; it has been some time since he last spoke the name, and it comes off as akin to shaking off the stiff and dust in relief. "You could say that, indeed... The halls of Castle Krakenburg have become awfully quiet as of late, too much so even for me."

A hand is placed on Leo's shoulder, as though in reassurance - it really is me. I really am here. Though the mention of letters does prompt a curious frown to flash across Xander's face.

"Hmm, I did send one announcing my arrival. Have I somehow managed to outrun it? Or perhaps it got lost along the way... Ah, well." Not a matter that feels worth overthinking. "I suppose that simply means I got to give you a little surprise, and I'm glad if it was a pleasant one." The hand on Leo's shoulder gives it a little assuring pat as his smile grows a touch warmer still.

"I've missed you, too. How have you been holding up?"

[sigfrithu]

Corrin shouldn't be surprised to see his relatives turn up. His beloved siblings who he had grown up with alongside those who he hadn't. But he was always a little caught off guard when he ran into one of them suddenly.

"Xander!" He can't help but to shout in excitement the second he sees him, running over to his big brother's side in a mere instant. "Big brother! I'm so happy to see you!"

Arriving at the Academy, Xander couldn't help but wonder how long it would take before a familiar voice would call out to him from behind some corner or another. Evidently, the answer was "almost immediately". Which, of course, pleased him perfectly fine.

Already by the time he turns to face Corrin, the usual stern expression is smoothed over by a warm smile. The young dragon has always been one of the few people who made it unusually easy for him to do that.

"If it isn't our Little Prince," he declares; as Corrin runs closer, Xander's large, ever steady and reliable hand reaches out to pat his shoulder, before moving a little higher up, towards the platinum silver head of hair, and ruffles it.

"It's a delight to see you too, Corrin. It has been some time. I trust you have been keeping well?"

[sigfrithu]

ooc; Xander plotting call (Herald)

Some plots I'd like to take up with my new man. Xander is a Blue Lions faculty, so for some of those he will need an unaffiliated partner.

Riding/Flying +1 (requires unaffiliated): He JUST got here and he's already getting pulled into immature petty squabbles? Complete with someone potentially injuring or poisoning his horse? Oh no you don't.

Axe +1 (requires unaffiliated): His weapon must always be sharp and ready, no matter who tries to glare at him. Peace is fragile.

Any Skill +1: I'd like this to be an opportunity for Xander to once again face and relive his childhood self - a little too reckless, crumbling under pressure, too mature for his age but not enough for his station, and still climbing out of the jaws of mediocrity. (taken: Jakob)

Fates reunions: Fellow Fates muses! Come At Me (ง •̀_•́)ง

Anything else: If you'd like to write with Xander, feel free to approach me with anything you might have in mind!

As I'm going to make an attempt at meeting the June activity check, I'm happy to write the starters. As per usual, feel free to reach out to me in TOA's plotting channel or DMs. Looking forward to writing with you!

[sigfrithu]

ooc; Xander introduction

Neffi's back in three muse hell baybee

Aaanyway, time for a short intro. So some folks might remember that some years ago, I attempted to bring Xander to TOA and he lasted for a week or so. I'm hoping this attempt goes a bit better.

In terms of characterization, that first appearance is to be ignored; I have reset him fully, complete with route change (Conquest -> Revelation), new affiliation, and different skill point assignment. As far as he's concerned, it's his first time in Fódlan.

Xander has fully completed dossier and about writer pages detailing further my characterization, as well as my mun rules. I would appreciate it if you could give them a quick read.

Looking forward to writing him with all of you!

[sigfrithu]

I'm going to beat the shit out of my slime dad with the power of

friendship

and this sword I found