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@siraverage
Private RP blog for Stahl from Fire Emblem Awakening Loved by Light Affiliated with The Officer's Academy Affiliated with the Knights of Seiros
Personals and RP blogs not from from TOA, do not interact
Mobile links: About Stahl | Stats | About the Mun Headcanon tag | Thread tag Thread tracker | Activity check
I can also be found at Lucina (@futurepastlord)
Strolls and Prayers
Stahl & Rhys
Oh, a priest! He probably should have guessed based off the attire, but he's seen people dress outside of what their professions end up being, so he tries not to assume. He thinks Emmeryn would probably get along with Rhys in a lot of ways, though that might also be making assumptions.
"I've never heard of the Greil mercenaries," he says thoughtfully, trying to remember if he'd ever run across a group fitting that name. "I'm from another country across the ocean, a placed called Ylisse. I was a knight there for...twelve years, I believe, before I decided to come here and try learning new techniques. I can always be better, you know?"
Rhys shakes his head. "They're based in Crimea, which is a long way from here. Though their former leader is here with me." He smiles at that, pleased with even the vaguest thought or mention of his partner.
"I haven't heard of Ylisse either. What brought you here then?"
Feeling his muscles balk at the continued stiff stance he's taken, Rhys shifts in place, thinking he should either take a moment's rest or move around some to limber up. However, he doesn't show any discomfort. "Twelve years is a long time. Did you not want to be a knight anymore?" Stahl seems amicable to talk with so he hopes he doesn't mind another probing question.
Stahl hasn't heard of Crimea, but he doesn't know if that's ignorance or because there's a lot of places around the world that many people haven't heard of. Still, he isn't ashamed to admit when he doesn't know something. No other way to learn than to admit it.
"I've...never heard of Crimea, either. Is it far from here? Ylisse is a three day ride and two week boat trip away from the monastery. But I didn't leave because I didn't want to be a knight anymore. I want to learn, grow, and go back better than ever!"
He pauses and glances at Rhys. "Why'd you leave Crimea? More experience, too?"
Strolls and Prayers
Stahl & Rhys
"Nice to meet you, Rhys," he says as he holds out his hand, only to realize that he isn't sure if that's customary where Rhys is for. Ah, whoops. He flushes lightly. "Yeah, I'm a knight of Seiros. I'm from somewhere else, but here for now, lending out where my strengths lie."
When he lowers his hand, he brings it to rest on the pommel of the sword at his side, casual, relaxed, but still ready just in case. Despite being a monastery existing in...well, he thinks it's relative peace, a lot happens here rhta causes some pretty big disruptions - and he's only heard of some of them, not witnessed them.
"What subject do you teach, if you don't mind me asking? I sometimes think I could combat instructions, if I thought more about it."
Then he's like himself, but Rhys wonders if that means he's a believer of Seiros now. Before he can ask, Stahl offers his hand, and Rhys takes it in a brief, gentle handshake.
"Faith, healing and light magic" he replies. "I've been a priest for a long time, but before here I worked with a group of mercenaries called the Greil Mercenaries. Home is a long way from here for me. Where do you hail from?" It's interesting to hear of places outside of his narrow world view. He thought Tellius large but the world is much larger.
Oh, a priest! He probably should have guessed based off the attire, but he's seen people dress outside of what their professions end up being, so he tries not to assume. He thinks Emmeryn would probably get along with Rhys in a lot of ways, though that might also be making assumptions.
"I've never heard of the Greil mercenaries," he says thoughtfully, trying to remember if he'd ever run across a group fitting that name. "I'm from another country across the ocean, a placed called Ylisse. I was a knight there for...twelve years, I believe, before I decided to come here and try learning new techniques. I can always be better, you know?"
Strolls and Prayers
Stahl & Rhys
It's the end of his shift, just finishing this last perimeter check before he heads off for the afternoon to spend his free time...well, probably eating dinner and then meandering around the market for a bit. He could easily go to sleep, but he's trying to be on a better schedule than his eyes want him to be. He thinks of Frederick a lot in times like these. Such a good friend and mentor. He misses him.
His even stride carries him to the graveyard, which he usually passes by, except this time he sees someone he's never met before. Well, all has been clear thus far, and a few minutes to meet this newcomer won't go amiss, right? He detours down the steps and waits a few paces away until the man raises his head, seemingly praying.
"Sorry if I'm interrupting," he says with a soft grin as he steps forward. "I haven't seen you before, so I thought I'd say hi. So, uh...hi." He lifts one hand to wave. "My name's Stahl, I'm a knight here. If you, ah, ever need anything, I'm around. Well, a lot of us are around, but so am I."
@gentleaureole
This corner of the monastery is a peaceful one. Some might not think so with the gravestones that rest here, but they don't bother Rhys. He wonders if any still visit them and decides that he will visit with them, offering his prayers to their hopefully resting souls.
He doesn't hear anyone approach at first, but he feels someone staring at him, and Rhys looks up to see a brown-haired man in a knight's uniform.
"You're not interrupting," he replies with a shake of his head. "I'm a new professor actually. I'm Rhys. It's nice to meet you, Stahl." He's met a few colleagues already but it is nice to know more of them.
"You're a...Knight of Seiros, correct? The church's knights?"
"Nice to meet you, Rhys," he says as he holds out his hand, only to realize that he isn't sure if that's customary where Rhys is for. Ah, whoops. He flushes lightly. "Yeah, I'm a knight of Seiros. I'm from somewhere else, but here for now, lending out where my strengths lie."
When he lowers his hand, he brings it to rest on the pommel of the sword at his side, casual, relaxed, but still ready just in case. Despite being a monastery existing in...well, he thinks it's relative peace, a lot happens here rhta causes some pretty big disruptions - and he's only heard of some of them, not witnessed them.
"What subject do you teach, if you don't mind me asking? I sometimes think I could combat instructions, if I thought more about it."
Strolls and Prayers
Stahl & Rhys
It's the end of his shift, just finishing this last perimeter check before he heads off for the afternoon to spend his free time...well, probably eating dinner and then meandering around the market for a bit. He could easily go to sleep, but he's trying to be on a better schedule than his eyes want him to be. He thinks of Frederick a lot in times like these. Such a good friend and mentor. He misses him.
His even stride carries him to the graveyard, which he usually passes by, except this time he sees someone he's never met before. Well, all has been clear thus far, and a few minutes to meet this newcomer won't go amiss, right? He detours down the steps and waits a few paces away until the man raises his head, seemingly praying.
"Sorry if I'm interrupting," he says with a soft grin as he steps forward. "I haven't seen you before, so I thought I'd say hi. So, uh...hi." He lifts one hand to wave. "My name's Stahl, I'm a knight here. If you, ah, ever need anything, I'm around. Well, a lot of us are around, but so am I."
@gentleaureole
green thumb, healer's touch { Stahl & Nanna
in response to: [this]
âOhâhow kind of you, Sir Stahl!â The name settled on her tongue as easily as a gentle breeze, her tone brightening with the ease of it. âItâs a pleasure to meet you. My name is Princess Nanna, haha! Though you may call me Nanna if it so pleases you.â
Relieved of the heavier planters, she cradled the remaining stalks in her arms with greater care, the bundle no longer jostling so precariously. The wind caught her skirt again, brushing it against her legs as she turned to lead the way. âThis way, down the slope--â she added softly, glancing back to ensure he was keeping pace. She gave pause, gasping a little as she realized his wrist was wrapped up in a small cast.
"...Oh! My! Sir Stahl, you are injured?" Heels clicking to a stop, she poured out all her concern into an open basin, spilling shock onto her features. "I-- Oh-- Dear, I should take these back... How shameless of me..."
@siraverage
"Nanna it is," he says with a smile as he loads his arms with the planters, adjusting them carefully to put the least amount of pressure on his wrist. No wonder she wanted some help - these are pretty heavy, and her arms are already filled with her herbs!
He begins to follow her, peeking around the planters to keep her in sight - and to keep an eye on what's ahead so he doesn't fall - but is distracted slightly when she stops with a gasp and faces him again. "Hm? Oh, no, it's okay!" He shakes his head and keeps his grip firmly on the planters. "I'm alright, one of the healers was able to help a bit, so doesn't hurt as bad as it looks."
Alright, maybe that isn't entirely truthful, but he is a knight and was asked to help, and that is what he's going to do. That, and he could stand to learn his way around here, too. "It's alright, lead on and I'll follow."
I won't fall if you don't fall
Spoiler: They both fall Mission board ice skating shenanigans
The look of bewilderment on her face quickly melts into recognition, then followed by sheer joy-- it was only a matter of time before she stumbled across other familiar allies, but it did come as a surprise that Stahl had meandered his way across the seas to come to Garreg Mach. As a result, she quickly pushed herself away from the rink's edge to throw her arms wide, a grin stretching from ear to ear. "Sir Stahl! 'Tis a pleasure to see you once again. I pray good tidings have brought you here to Fodlan?" There's plenty left unsaid in that statement, including the undercurrent of anxiety that Say'ri feels being separated from her homeland so soon after the vicious conflicts that plagued Ylisse. "'Twould have been folly of me to decline an opportunity to learn from others. I had no other choice but to accept such a rare chance to attend." "Yet there is so much more than simple instruction here. As you can see..." Say'ri motions to the ice that stretches out for quite the distance, filled with a sense of nostalgia. While she never had much time for an art like ice-skating, it wasn't uncommon for the lakes and streams of Chon'sin to freeze during the harsher winters-- somewhere, in the deep recesses of her mind, she recalls a time in which she tumbled on the icy surface, Yen'fay's strong and reliable arms catching her before she could hurt herself. Always keeping her out of harm's way. "The students certainly have plenty of hobbies to take up. What say you, Sir Stahl? Care to test your reflexes?" It takes only a few steps to take a seat at one of the nearby benches, and Say'ri is unable to keep a chuckle from bubbling up as she leans forward. "I had already procured my skates, actually. There should be spare pairs nearby." @siraverage
Ah, Say'ri has always been a delight, and she still is now! With her arms wide, Stahl steps into them and enfolds her against him in a firm hug. She's small compared to him, but she's a warrior through and through, her lithe frame taut with wiry muscle. She'd been good to have at his back in a fight. He'd trust her in one now, too.
"Good tidings, sure," he says as he releases her and stands up straight again. "Mostly just here to train, get better so I can be a better Shepherd. I want to be as good as Frederick someday." A tall ask, he knows, but he's doing his best to work his way up, be better than he is. It's what the royal family deserves. "I can never know too many styles of fighting, right? Keep any enemies on their toes."
But there's no fighting now, not here. Only ice skating, something he hasn't done since he was young and would go out on the ice with his brother. He wasn't as tall back then, still gangly though, and spent more time fallen onto the ice than gliding the way his brother and mother could.
"I can't say my reflexes on the ice will be any good," he laughs, but holds his arm out for her as she takes a seat, helping her keep her balance on the thin blades. "But yeah, let me get a pair of skates and we'll have at it."
Quickly, he gets a spare pair of skates that can fit him decently well - a little small, but he's used to that when he can't get his shoes custom made - and sits beside Say'ri to put them on. He feels unsteady with such a thin blade to stand on, but, well, he's here now, so here he goes! Standing carefully, he gains his balance as best he can, then holds his arm out again for Say'ri so they can waddle to the ice together.
May Activity Check
Status: Passed!
Threads: Tracker here Asks: Tag
New classes accessed: N/A Classes mastered: N/A
Activity points: +1, total 2
"Well met." Innes stands with his back straight, charm sitting in his palm: a little anchor. "Would you care to swap charms?" The whole thing is silly to him, but why not?
Stahl doesn't know this man that suddenly approaches him, but he carries a familiar sort of air about him. Not because he recognizes him, but recognizes that he is a man of status. Although different, he's reminded of Emmeryn and, to a lesser extent, Chrom. Shoulders back, chin held level, his hand almost perfectly extended flat and parallel to the ground. He could imagine the once-Exalt approaching him similarly, though familiarity would have more of a smile on her face.
"Of course," he says, grinning as he fishes one of the pearl charms from his pocket and tucks it carefully into the man's hand while accepting the anchor from him. "Almost done, myself, so thank you, sir. I appreciate it."
old town road
toaball2025 cont. from here
It's comforting, to have another there to reassure her in her ministrations-- especially when she has little to no experience regarding being this close to a larger animal. Sure, there's plenty of her allies that used mounts, whether they were different breeds of wyverns or steeds... but it was rare that Nel came face-to-face with them outside of the battlefield. Feeling the warmth of Stahl's hand over hers and the soft surface of the horse's fur under her palm is a new sensation, and she glances up at him with a hint of wonder reflecting in the depths of her eyes. "She likes me," Nel repeats the words, the syllables sounding strange on her tongue. It's not an idea she thought she would come to accept, but she takes his word for it. "Fascinating. I have never held a desire to harm an animal, but instinct is instinct. Were I in this horse's position..." Slit pupils glance back to the animal in question, her lips thinning into a line. "I do not believe I'd allow a dragon in such close quarters." It's a fair assumption. Those of her kind have never been known for their gentle demeanor or their kindness-- they've only been seen in history as murderers and pillagers, seeking after greater power at any cost. The casualties along the way were only ever the means to an end; there's plenty here at the Monastery that know that well. Briefly, she wonders if Stahl is one of them. Nel does not fault him if that is what he chooses, but the curiosity remains.
A light chuckle follows, however, and Nel shakes her head. "I will refrain from indulging in a contest of staring with any other horses I come across. Since you know so much, though... How did you learn?"
@siraverage
She likes me. Stahl grins and nods. "She does! She's very sweet, but horses need to develop trust with someone first. Isn't that right, girl?" He pats the top of her head, rustles her mane a bit, then pulls his hand back to let Nel be the one leading with the horse now that she's already made progress.
But it's her next statement that draws his attention back to her. A dragon? Stahl has befriended dragons, and fought against them. Nel being a dragon, well...he can't imagine she's anything but the friendly type. Truthfully, he'd never seen Tiki, Nowi, or Nah near any horses, so he can't say if horses react that way to all dragons, or just certain types.
He tilts his head a bit to the side and purses his lips. Perhaps those questions are better left for later, when he knows her well enough to feel like it's appropriate to do so.
"I grew up with them," he says simply, and, in his head, that's all there really is to it, but he expands on it anyway. "My dad, brother, and I all lived in a small village on the outskirts of the capital, and there was a farmer nearby with several horses. My family owns an apothecary, so we also had horses for the times when we needed to rush medicine into town. Or when we wanted to go on rides.
"So it felt natural that, when I decided to become a knight, I worked my way up to the mounted cavalry. I've just always had a soft spot for horses, and it seems they like me, too."
roasting on an open fire
âȘ cont from here .
It had been a long day, huh? Riding on a boat, putting his heart on his sleeve and nearly crying like a newborn babe, then there was the humiliation that came with damp white trousers and hiding in a jacuzzi with strangers.
And the drinking. Oh, the drinking.
The champagne from earlier had gone down far too smoothly, and now there was this odd fluttering in his chestânot the usual post-battle rush, but something softer, stranger. Heâd have to ponder it later. Preferably with the help of a trusted healer. Or a priest. Or both.
He barely registers the blanket being cast aside, only nodding in response, face flushed with something that wasnât entirely embarrassment, though that too was present in abundance. A welcome warmth lingers in the air between themâone born not of awkwardness, but something gentler, like an unspoken trust. He clears his throat and coughs into his hand.
With a soft exhale, he joins his companion where the blanket once laid, easing down with careful deliberation and discarding his sodden cloak to the side, hoping to make the arrangement less uncomfortable for them both.
âOhâwould you, truly? That would be amazing!â His voice lifts, enthusiasm lighting up his face like sunlight catching dew. âIn exchange⊠here!â
Alfred rummages beneath the damp folds of his royal blue sleeve, fingers fumbling for a moment before they close around a small, sturdy object. He draws it out with a kind of reverence, revealing a tiny anchor charm, shining faintly in the low light.
âLetâs call it a token of our friendship,â he says, placing it in their hand with all the earnestness in the world. âMay it keep you steady!â
@siraverage
As soon as Alfred joins him on the couch, Stahl flips the corner of the blanket back over to cover him, reaching his arm over to make sure he's tucked in well enough to keep the heat in. He's lean, and Stahl thinks he could catch a cold easily enough. "There we go," he says once satisfied that Alfred is as tucked as he'll be able to get.
And then he stands, making sure Alfred is still fully covered, before looking around for the flint to start the fire. His muscles ache a bit from the chill that's started to set in, and he misses the warmth of the blanket, of his shirt when it was dry, but he'll be back in the heat soon enough.
It doesn't take long for him to get the fire lit, stoking it for a couple of minutes to get it going large enough to help warm the room. "Ah, excellent. That should help you out." Grinning, he returns to the couch and slips back under the blanket, accepting the anchor charm from Alfred and tucking it into his pocket, where he also retrieves the pearl from his pocket to exchange.
Once the charm is attached to his bracelet, he tucks himself close to Alfred, their arms flush against each other's. "Outside of getting drenched and being stuck next to me, have you been having fun? I'm one of the Knights, so if you need anything, I can try to help."
Alfred had just left the jacuzzi in favor of something more private, his now-drying cape slung over his arm as he walked throughout the estate. He was now cold, despite having spent the time warming up prior, and sought some other way to warm himself up and dry out whatever crevices were left in his attire. He still had to carry his cape in front of his waist, given the curse that was white trousers still damp from the rain.Â
It seemed others had the same idea, curled up as they were on various pieces of furniture throughout the estate, slumbering about or merely chatting with one another in the face of unusual circumstances.Â
Logically, the next step was to⊠get cozy? But how might he do that without a blanket? He could always kindly ask to sit next to someone, siphon their warmth⊠but wasnât that indecent? What would CĂ©line say if she found out about him cozying himself up to other guests?
Oh well! He was cold. That was enough for him. He approaches another gentleman nearby as not to make this too awkward of an affairâcozying himself up with a male guest wouldnât turn as much heads or paint him in a negative light, he thinks to himselfâand clears his throat. âIs, uh⊠this seat taken? I got caught in the rain a while back and am just looking for a place to cozy up, as it were. Oh! Iâm Alfred, by the way. Whatâs your name?â
It's gotten late, and at least parts of the mansion have started to settle down. Some rooms are still rowdy, and Stahl has considered joining in on some of it, but he feels a bit exhausted after the day of dancing, drinking, fishing (he won't get over that, at least not tonight). So he settles onto a couch and tugs a nearby blanket over himself. His jacket has been slung over a hook on the wall, and he's removed his shirt if for no other reason than it's cold, so the blanket helps to lock in what heat he can get.
His eyes are closed and arms crossed loosely over his chest beneath the blanket when he hears someone speaking to him. He opens his eyes again and sees a blonde man standing nearby. He looks cold, which is to be expected after the downpour they all just got caught in, so Stahl flips part of the blanket up, indicating that the seat next to him is definitely not taken.
"Hey, no worries! We all god wet and cold out there, didn't we?" He pats the spot beside him. "My name's Stahl. If you'd like, I can also try to get the hearth going. That'd help a lot, huh." He'd considered it before, but when it was just himself, he didn't care as much to think about it. But being joined by someone else who's smaller than himself, he starts finding other ways to try and help faster.
"Anyway, feel free to sit with me. I like having company."
Ethereal Ball part 2 plot thoughts
Stahl has been ushered inside with the rest of the guests at the ball, and outside of finding himself trapped in a closet for seven minutes, he's had a pretty free second half of the evening! Let my very tall man join in some more festivities with you. He's fun, I promise! (Unless you don't want him to be)
[ THE DEVIL'S BATH ] - The Viscount's home has a private bathroom with the newest invention in relaxation and funtimeâ a "jacuzzi" he's calling it. Built into the marble flooring is a large indoor pool of water that has a variety of switches to change the temperature, to add bubbles and whirlpool effects, and to add scents and pretty colors. He's opened it to those who wish to warm up and clean themselves from the storm.
Hop into a hot jacuzzi with Stahl and you'll get bubbles, scents, and effects with his utter delight! Then you can sink in and relax, maybe talk a bit.
[ LAST DANCE ] - The orchestra has retreated inside, and in the mansion's own personal ballroom, they start the music anew. The up-and-coming bard, going solely by the stage name Julian, refuses to be outdone by his rival Delancey's earlier performance, and so sings dulcet tones intended to keep the party going and couples in the mood.
One more dance before calling it all a night isn't a bad way to go! Wet clothes needn't be a deterrent, either! Before getting dry or after (this can be paired with the [TOWEL] prompt, too), get in that last dance with your pal Stahl before splitting off for whatever other festivities you want! (Stahl optional for that part!)
[ CHAMPAGNE ] - Taken from the Viscount's personal collection, 70 of Adrestia's best bottles are provided. The bartenders are under strict orders not to offer any student more than one glass.
Want to grab a drink or two (or five or-) with Stahl? He's more than happy to! He enjoys some good food and drink, so a bit of a feast to go along with the drinks would be nice, but he's also up for a drinking game or two. It can be fun!
[ SLEEP TIGHT ] - Not knowing how long the storm will last and it showing no signs of abating any time soon, guest bedrooms have been prepared, but there's not nearly enough for everybody. If you want a bed, you'll have to fight for it or else find some couch, chair, or the good ol' floor to claim for the night.
Are you really going to let poor Stahl sleep in an antique armchair, or on some hardwood floor? I mean, he'll do it, he's slept on worse! But this man is warm, and what are platonic cuddles for if not sleeping warmly and maybe making a new friend. Stahl loves making friends!
And we're open to other prompt ideas as well! Feel free to hit me up!
The sight of him would have stopped her in her tracks, if she were walking; luckily enough Katarina is merely resting in a quiet corner as wallflowers do, so the faint flicker of startled eyes isn't nearly as conspicuous.
Is that--?
But it isn't. His hair rebels far more than Rody's ever has, and besides -- she recognizes him now that it isn't from the corner of her eyes. One of the newer knights, having arrived nearly at the same time as she'd graduated. Maybe that's something they could talk about? After all, she'd made a promise to be more social this year, and it would do her well to live up to it.
"...Stahl, isn't it?" She bobs her head in quiet greeting as she approaches. "You, um... we joined the Knights around the same time. I... wanted to say hello." A moment to fiddle with her bracelet, and she holds a pearl out to him. "...Here, for your bracelet. Is... are you... having a good time at the ball?"
Stahl stands to the side for now. After dancing, horseback riding, and joining Jeralt for bare-handed fishing (he's pretty sure the captain was drunk, or on his way to it), he's ready to simply be on the sidelines and watch for a bit, keep an eye on everyone. He is one of the knights after all, and tasked at least for a while to be on watch.
When he's approached, he turns a warm smile towards the woman. She seems a bit timid or shy, so he turns to face her fully, inviting her to come join him for a bit.
"Yeah, I'm Stahl," he says with a slight bow of his head. "I've seen you around, but I'm so sorry, I don't know your name yet."
As she hands him a pearl charm, he takes one from the pocket of his jacket and hands it to her as well - also a pearl. "I'm having a good time so far, yes. I never really got to join these kinds of events back home. Was always on duty." He laughs brightly at the memories; he didn't hate not joining in. The knights were always having a good time regardless. "So it's fun to be able to join in here.
"What about you? I hope you're also having fun."
old town road
toaball2025 cont. from here
Despite her icy exterior at times, Nel certainly seems as if she's thawed in the past few hours spent at the shore, if the light upward tilt of her lips upon seeing him is any indication. It's nice to have someone show her how to properly approach these creatures-- the Elyos she knew had long since lost anything remotely similar to the horses here; from what she can remember, it had been centuries, to the point where her memory as a whole was fairly blurry. "I... am making an attempt," There's a hint of a sheepish tone to her voice as she turns her posture to watch his approach. The steed before her is certainly more receptive to Stahl than her, and she's reminded of the fact that not all animals take too kindly to the scent of an apex predator-- even if said predator was a Fell Dragon that had no intention of harming anyone or anything. His exposition makes sense, and she lowers her gaze in a similar manner to try and follow suit. He's gentle in the way that he speaks to the animal, and Nel can't help but glance upwards to study the expression he sports. It doesn't particularly matter, since she's not entirely sure that the horse would care... but there's something about him that manages to calm the beast quite easily. Nel's hand is suspended in the air as Stahl's palm rests against her muzzle, and Nel lets out a hum of thought. Slowly, agonizingly so, she allows her hand to tentatively press against the surprisingly soft hair next to her companion's palm, her gloves long since discarded in an attempt to befriend the horse- ruby eyes widen and she freezes, scared that any excitement might distress her newfound friend. "... Fascinating. She isn't afraid. This... is new for me. Most animals do not stay close to someone they perceive as a threat." Well, she's not willingly perceived as a threat, that's for certain. "You make this seem so easy." @siraverage
Stahl is patient as Nel takes her time in lowering her hand to rest on the horse's snout. These things can take time, and he isn't going to rush her or the horse into accepting each other. But, it seems, Nel has been accepted. The horse no longer swishes her tail angrily, nor does she glare or bare her teeth, even in a small snarl.
"She likes you," he says happily. "Here, you can pet her, too." He rubs his hand along her muzzle, her chocolate-brown eyes closing as his fingers rub between them. She's a beautiful beast, accepts his touch easily, but he notices that Nel doesn't move her own hand at all. In fact, looking at her face, she looks startled. Maybe a little scared.
Carefully, he rests his hand over hers and applies just enough pressure that she pets the horse beneath his palm. "She doesn't mind you, even if she saw you as a..."
it's a strange word to use, especially since Nel might seem a bit stiff, but not dangerous. At least, not until she's in battle, he's sure. She carries herself with the surety of someone who is good with a weapon, would be talented in battle. But right now, she doesn't seem really threatening at all.
"I guess I don't see why she'd see you as a threat. You're very sweet with her, and outside of trying to win a staring contest with her, you seem fine to me." He shrugs, runs his free hand through his hair again.
A summer feh alt for stahl
Long time no see
Gaius & Stahl
Gaius absentmindedly starts counting on his fingers. There must be some folks here from back home that he's missed, for better or worse.
"There's a lady in the marketplace that sells candy sometimes," says Gaius. "She's had some Ylissean stuff once or twice. Told her I'd pay a heap'a gold for more, but I guess they're hard to get." Gaius locks his fingers behind his head while they walk. "Sweet o' you to think of me, though."
Even though it's chilly, the sun is out - trying to be, anyway, behind the rolling clouds. Gaius takes a few moments to daydream about the fruit pies that the dining hall has sometimes. Oh, hopefully they'll be there today. Maybe if he asks nicely he can take the extras back to his room.
"I'm doing okay," he answers, a bit belatedly. "I'm a student here. Guess I just needed a change of pace. Li'l bit of structure, new scenery. You know how it is."
Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. Knights and thieves tend to operate on the opposite side of the spectrum, and these two only came together because of a war so much bigger than themselves. Now...what's left for them?
A lady in the marketplace. Once he figures his way around here a bit better, maybe he'll also toss some extra coin to her, see if she'll bring some Ylissean sweets here. It'd be nice to see Gaius with the usual that he used to have back home. (There's a lot of things that'd be nice to see from home, but he doesn't dwell on it.)
"A change of pace is nice. Learning new things, being surrounded by new people. It's different, but not in a bad way. It'll make me more useful in Ylisse, whenever I go back." He misses everyone there, but at least there's quite a few of them here. It makes things a little less lonely.
"But maybe having a familiar face will be nice, eh?" He grins and points to his own face before laughing. "Your old pal Stahl can be relied on for a lot of things, you know? If you need anything, I'm here for you."
