CANDLE IN THE WIND @starrook - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag

CANDLE IN THE WIND

@starrook

"I'm so sorry for all this... so sorry. And I'm sorry it's me greeting you, instead of someone better..." alcryst with the knights of seiros, toa aff.

679 posts

“Others call it a hickey,” Lapis tells him, hardly experienced in the art herself to deliver her explanation with full confidence. “Though back home, folks just called it a love bite. We'd blame it on the bugs too, heh.”

Though its coloration never made that lie ever convincing. It always seemed far more like bruising, and early on, she never understood why anyone wore it with pride. But now that she has a lover of her own, she think she's starting to see the appeal.

It's, if nothing else, a form of love that blends with a display of strength, even if much more controlled and much safer than any other typical Brodian show of might. For the girl who has been always awkwardly strong...

“We call it a bite, but I've heard it actually includes sucking to really form it.” Though Alcryst is listening to her, she can tell he has some apprehensions about it. She can't really blame him for it, but if he's not fully against it then... “I dunno how much it actually hurts. So how about this? You can leave one on me first, so I can tell. And if it's not too bad, I'll leave one on you when your hair's long.”

"Whoa, you know a lot, huh..." Not like that's a bad thing! If anything, it explains why Lapis takes this in stride, when Alcryst was so sure she'd get embarrassed or feel guilty about leaving him with a love bite. Were their roles reversed, that's how he would feel… ah, but that speaks more to himself than to her. Despite the years they've known each other, and how much they've shared, sometimes Alcryst still feels shy around his fiancée.

After a few moments, Alcryst slowly nods. He would like to try something new, especially if Lapis is interested as well. "Y-Yeah, okay. I can leave you a love bite." A beat. "Um... now?"

#lazulienne #t. blind leading the blind #i just think it's a neat title—#lapis supposed to be a no experiencer but the fact that she knows how to do it makes alcryst think she is actually an experiencer #in hickey science specifically

together with you

⤷ ethereal ball 2025: second half.

Always, he says. The word is heavy, but it is all she has ever asked for. It's what she thought she'd never be able to have yet has tried requesting anyway, even when she's sure it was fruitless.

The weight of it hits her all at once, 'til she lowers her head and leans it against his chest.

“Geez, I don't deserve you, Alcryst,” she mumbles but quickly corrects herself, “No, that's not right. You just make me so happy it's hard not to get all caught up in it!”

She says it like it's a complaint, but she knows she's just basking in it, overindulging in the silly way 'always' makes her feel. She might be drenched and miserable from the storm, but the warmth from that word, from his declaration, fills her from inside out.

“It's not fair,” she pouts. “It's—”

Wait, maybe it wasn't all just the warmth from her euphoria, because she feels something else building within her. She quickly separates, ducking her head into her elbow as she turns away.

“—ACHOO!”

Ugh. How embarrassing. Imagine being in the middle of undressing your boyfriend and you go and do something as unsexy as that! Right after his lovey-dovey vow too!!

“Sorry. I, uh, guess I should get into that bath soon, huh?”

When Lapis rests her head against Alcryst chest, he brings up a hand and combs his fingers through her hair, hoping to comfort her. He's about to say something, to reaffirm how much Lapis means to him, when she suddenly ducks away and sneezes loudly.

"Bless you! Uh..." Alcryst bends over to pick up the jacket Lapis just took off of him. He rustles through the pockets before pulling out a familiar handkerchief embroidered with Brodian lilies and offering it to Lapis. "That was a cute sneeze," Alcryst adds affectionately. "I hope you're not getting sick though... Get in before the water gets cold. I'll join you in a second."

As relentless rain pours beyond their window, Alcryst makes a silent promise that tonight, Lapis will know only love and warmth.

- end

#t. together with you #lazulienne #thank you for the thread! they're cute as always #while i was writing this i remembered the handkerchief and was like “hold on lemme callback to that one for the brownie points” LHDSHJKFHJK #idk how lapis sneezes it could be a little kitten sneeze or midwestern dad in allergy season but it's getting called cute regardless!!!

✦ 𝐈'𝐌 𝐌𝐑. 𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆. 𝐈'𝐌 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐓. 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃. 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐓 ✧

Mission Board: Anniversary 2025, faith +1

Miserable, inconceivable, harrowing, nightmarish; even these bleak descriptors could not begin to depict the extent of Rafal's tragedy. His horrifying gamut of extremes. Who else had existed at his level of grandeur with seven bracelets in hand? Achieved rare apotheosis - power enough to total entire civilizations to rubble at whim? Once, the Fell Heir had been a man who balanced all the world across his palm, commanded the smoking ruins of Elyos and made kneel every force that yet breathed or didn't. Now?

Now, he was simply a man who'd kissed a frog.

( oh, how the mighty should fall. )

"What the. . ." Whether for mercy or one final nail in the coffin, a bizarre development proceeded to further define Rafal's second to lowest moment - the first being his own sister's death, of course. Ribbons of magic flowed through the air gracefully with a phantasmal quality both around the dragon and in front of him. Squinting through the resulting flashbang of light, the source and target of its surreal spectacle was determined to be the frog. Rafal would have thought this event no stranger than any that passed in the last several minutes, but there was opportunity left to be surprised. Much more opportunity.

When all proverbial dust should settle, a shockingly familiar face was discovered in their midst. No longer so green nor small nor amphibian, none other than Prince Alcryst of Brodia stood before the naked eye in all his human glory and inferiority. The man who had once worn the deific form of a Great Fell Dragon peered back at Alcryst in turn, his lips slightly ajar and scarlet eyes humongous with disbelief.

The man who had once been a god.

The man who had kissed a frog for this person's sake.

Prince into frog into prince once more followed by happily ever after - such was how certain tale went, did it not? Not this one. Two hands made for two lapels, Rafal wasted no time in pouncing upon the groaning Alcryst.

"—You!!!!"

Alcryst doesn't get a chance to reorient himself before Rafal grabs him by the collar. Terrified eyes stare at the Fell Dragon. "Wh- Wha—" Words fail him, half because it's been some time since Alcryst last spoke, and half because...

"Why did you kiss me?!?!?!" Worst of all, why did it work?!?! "I told you not to do that! Um, I mean, I know that I didn't really say that, but, agh, that doesn't matter!!"

Alcryst should apologize. Or should he?! This might be one of those rare moments where he might not actually be at fault here. Because Rafal... he started it! He did! He's the one that decided to kiss a frog, and look where they are now!

(Privately, he wonders if he can... change back into a frog for a moment. Just long enough for him to be cured by Lapis' kiss and forget about what just happened.)

"I have a girlfriend," Alcryst blurts out.

#t. his silly ribbit #rafent

✦ 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐈 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐎 𝐁𝐀𝐃 ✧

Modern AU: Part II, the dramatic soap opera sequel to ruin Alcryst's life

Warm crimson eyes crinkled with encouragement at their corners. Nil was glad when Alcryst joined him; a bit unsure that he would, admittedly, but nevertheless glad to be proven wrong. Classmates ought to get along, he thought. Maybe there was something more to Alcryst that he didn't know about, or maybe that 'more' was actually all just his imagination, but whatever the case, Nil wouldn't change his own attitude for a thing. He'd continue to smile and make friends with everyone - even people who didn't seem to fancy him all that much.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm here for school! You know, just like you?" He'd meant his words in jest, and lightened his tone to show it, but couldn't help but notice how unusual Alcryst's wording was - continued to be. 'I told you? I need space'? That couldn't be right, because prior to this afternoon they'd never spoken to each other before, much less communicated a boundary so serious; he would have remembered being on the receiving end of a request like that.

No-one had ever needed space from Nil before. Until, apparently, today.

"Strawberry refresher for, uh—"

. . .Ah, right, he'd forgotten to give his name at the counter. He stepped toward the barista with a nod: "—Yep, that's mine! Thanks so much."

Sweet treat safely procured. The milky-pink drink sat nursed between his hands like a treasure. Cold and perspiring, Nil brought his sleeves over his fingers to make carrying it easier. As he returned to Alcryst's side and waited for the other's own drink to be called, he took a sip. Ruminated on one wiggling little curiosity all the while:

"Say, Alcryst. Have we met before?" How awkward would it be if they had met and Nil just couldn't recall it? Not just awkward at that, but awful! Still, he doubled down shyly. "You mentioned needing space—and if you like your space, that's cool! But, I just thought to myself, you made it sound like this wasn't our first conversation."

And just like that, all of the goodwill that Rafal just earned is gone in an instant. "Are you serious?" Being in public forces Alcryst to keep a firm lid on his anger, but he's unable to hide the hurt in his voice. "Wow. Just... wow. Is that the game you want to play?"

Am I nothing to you now? Maybe that's how it should be if Alcryst wants that clean break, but there are still times when he wants to grieve for what could have been. If only Rafal could be better. If only Alcryst could be better too...

One of the baristas calls for Alcryst's order, a small flat white with almond milk. He barely hears her. He glares at Rafal for a few seconds before forcing himself to walk to the counter and pick up his drink.

Alcryst turns, walking towards the door. He shouldn't waste another breath on Rafal, and yet he finds himself speaking regardless. "...I'll send the money through Nel. So don't come looking for me, Rafal."

#t. before you came into my life i missed you so bad #rafent #rafal's ass is just like that coffee. small flat and white. that's why it's alcryst's go-to coffee order :softsmile:#not actually but

cream of the crop

Back in Garreg Mach, speculation arises that faith magic will never accomplish anything with the current epidemic. [...] [Bow +1]

heliacalrisings

Ephraim accepts the bow and feels the weight of it heavy in his palm. Despite its size as a war bow, he doesn't think he should have too much trouble wielding it. He's been trained in all manner of weaponry from a young age and the bow is no different. Not his best but certainly not his worst.

Alcryst leads them through the forest but Ephraim can see just as easily as him the trail they follow: a path of broken branches marks their prey's location.

Ephraim glances at him. "Do you hunt often?" He can't help but ask, the way Alcryst has already tracked its location and how he speaks of their quarry. Regardless, the man is a font of knowledge. It's good that he's here.

Far ahead, he can hear the screeches of the demonic beasts they hunt echoing through the trees. Not close enough to see and shoot at, but not too far away either. He wonders what's drawn them here.

"We may only need the one, but I suggest we take all three. We will be doing the people a favor by ridding this area of their presence. And between us, it will be short work."

"I'm more of a fisher," Alcryst admits sheepishly. "Something like this is more like... well, back home, we were at war with a kingdom that favored wyvern riders and other flying units. So part of my training included how to find and track down wyverns." And that's not really hunting, right? At least that's what Alcryst thinks.

Hearing the screeches of demonic beasts, Alcryst considers Ephraim's suggestion. These creatures were so easy to track because of how destructive they are. One only needs to look at what they leave behind: broken branches, uprooted trees, the messy remains of half-eaten prey. "You're right," Alcryst says with a nod. "Then... we'll kill all the ones we see. Once the flock is gone it'll be safer here..."

First, though, they had to find the flock. "Their nest should be just ahead..." The forest around them quickly disappears into smashed trees, and Alcryst motions to Ephraim to stay under cover. The monsters cleared out a small area to make space for a nest, or at least something resembling one. A few thoughtfully placed trees, massive droppings... and an equally massive bird with leathery skin and a deformed beak laying in the middle of it all. Just the one, though.

"The others must be out hunting," Alcryst says. "If we want to take down all three, we'd need to wait for them to come back..."

#t. cream of the crop #heliacalrisings

bröther, i crave Violence

+1 gauntlets

He's conscious, but just barely.

Diamant gives him a quick once over—body seemed intact, nothing visibly broken or wounded, hands tied behind his back—when Alcryst cries out and bodily throws himself forward. Caught unawares, the young king finds himself falling backward towards the ground,

Just as the enraged swing of a fist sweeps overhead. Almost getting Diamant in the back of the head.

Brodian grits his teeth as he rolls onto his feet, catching the kidnapper's fist just as he throws another punch. But the man was far from finished—he rams his other fist into Diamant's gut, knocking the air out of him, but not enough to stop the king from throwing a hook of his own: right into the captor's jaw.

Knuckles connect hard with teeth and bone, his head thrown back from the recoil. With the man's fist still clutched in his grip, Diamant uses his unoccupied hand to grab the man's neck as well, leaving him to choke and gasp as he's thrown against the trunk of a nearby tree.

The farther away he was from Alcryst, the better.

(His grip tightens, the man grasping for breath as Diamant's fingers dig deeper into his skin.)

The sooner he was out, the safer his brother would be.

Alcryst is certain that Diamant came to save him. However, when he tries to make out who his brother is between the two brawling men... he can't. He can't. How could this happen? He heard Diamant's voice. It was Diamant that he threw himself on to protect him from the aggressor...

...Wasn't it?

One man has another by the throat. Alcryst hears choking gasps. Is that Diamant?! He's not sure, but it doesn't matter. The fear that his brother is dying takes over. With a loud cry, Alcryst rushes towards the two men. One is clearly the aggressor, strangling the other one against the tree. He delivers a powerful kick to that one's knee to make him stop.

#t. bröther i crave violence #heriteur #friendly fire (concussed alcryst is confused alcryst)

no time for that.

Herald / Riding +1

Truth be told, Ayra was hoping to take this mission with her husband. Still, that he is not here doesn’t change the fact she has work to do. The task is simple enough... or, at least, it should have been.

Instead, Ayra walks into the stables to find her mount in a state and half her supplies gone... and she isn’t the only one, either. A great many voices hurl accusations at the wyvern riders, the pegasus knights, even one another... Which is to say, her damned unit is — not — moving.

“Calm your steeds,” she snaps at them all, “and saddle up. We’ll replenish supplies on the way out of —”

She’s cut off by a dozen protests made at once, predictably. Ayra’s eyes narrow. “We don’t have time for this.”

A youth retorts hotly, “You aren’t a knight, lady, just some volunteer. Our unit’s leader should decide.”

She grips her sword. “Watch your tongue, whelp. Since the lot of you insist, fine, I’ll go and inconvenience your leader.”

A leader whom she herself recommended for the position after their time in Jugdral, naturally. She turns round, striding out of the stables to find —

“Alcryst. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave the flowers to our botanist. Somebody looted our supplies and your knights are kicking up a fuss instead of getting ready.”

@starrook

When a subordinate reports that their supplies were stolen, Alcryst's heart drops. Just an hour ago, he allowed himself to believe that he was doing a good job leading his unit through their mission. He jinxed himself, and now everything is falling apart! What's worse, Alcryst knows that he's about to disappoint the very person that recommended him for this position—

"Ayra!" Just as Alcryst prepares to step into the stables, the swordswoman steps out. Startled, he takes a step back. "What's-"

And then he sees the madhouse waiting for him inside the stables. Sharp voices fight to be the loudest, arguments tangling over each other in a way that's impossible to understand. Horses whinny nervously, irritated pegasi stomp their hooves, and the wyverns look ready to take a bite of the next person that stands too close to their stall. Ayra confirms the report and suggests leaving the flowers behind. "We can't," Alcryst sighs. "There's no time to return them to the greenhouse. Otherwise they won't arrive in time for the festival." They had a schedule to follow in order for the flowers to arrive with their brightest glow. Delays can't be tolerated.

Stress is beginning to build in his chest. Alcryst takes a deep sigh, trying to calm himself. As the leader, he needs to bring order back to his unit. And so, swallowing back his dread, Alcryst moves past Ayra and into the stable. Much of the arguing quiets down when the soldiers notice him entering. And when Alcryst barks an order for calm, he gets it.

Whoa. Alcryst isn't used to people listening to him! His usual nervous, humble self takes a seat as he speaks with authority. "Students," Alcryst's gaze falls to the student volunteers that joined him on this mission, "Go tend to the mounts, make sure they're ready to move out in half an hour. The rest of you, we'll continue outside." The air in the stable is suffocating.

Once the knights are outside, Alcryst addresses the elephant in the room. "Overnight, someone or something stole a good amount of our supplies. But from what I understand, there is still enough for a small group to make it back to Garreg Mach with the lumenthus flowers." Given the weight of the flowers and the time they already wasted... "I want the wyvern riders to—"

Alcryst doesn't even get to finish before the cavaliers shout out their protests. "But sir! We suspect the wyvern riders are the ones that sabotaged the supplies in the first place! How can we trust them to deliver the flowers?"

Then a wyvern rider scoffs. "Blaming your mess on us? We properly secured our supplies. It's not our fault that the thieves made off with your lot."

Finally, a pegasus knight glowers. "Why wyverns? We need fast fliers to get back in time. Pegasi will make up for the time these guys have wasted."

#t. no time for that #astrasword #i love ayra volunteering alcryst to leadership positions honestly i think it's really cute #every time it happens alcryst is like surely THIS is when i finally disappoint her (fearful) (doesn't want to disappoint her)

grxstnnefealltoir

stars smile and stars scorn || alcryst & darios

home sweet holy land - mourning stars

grxstnnefealltoir

An ever present guide, it's almost as if he gets to look up and say 'See? Watch me succeed!' If he didn't know any better, he'd laugh but in a sacred place like this, he focuses.

Maybe a little too hard. The hesitant 'um' from the very man guiding him snaps him from his gaze and Darios turns away shaking his head. "A-ah, my apologies. I, three should be enough, right? I wouldn't wish to take from yours."

There is one thought that brings a slight smile to his face as he looks at Alcryst's candles. "That's quite a number of people to light candles for." It's a heartening image, that many people connected together through one existence.

"Is the color of each candle a different blessing or hope?" Darios tries to soften his gaze, though eagerness still seeps in behind stormy grey.

"I bring extras in case I think of anyone else," Alcryst admits. As a child, he always felt guilty if he didn't have enough candles for every person he wanted to light them for. Granted, as a child he would want to light candles for everyone from kind strangers to fictional heroes. Alcryst is more discerning now, but the fear of running out never left him.

He parts with three candles. Darios' intensity has softened a little, and Alcryst finds himself relaxing once again. He nods eagerly in response to the prince's question. "They do! I don't know all of them, though... The red ones are for energy and love. Brodia's national color is red, so I see them a lot for warriors. Yellow is for life and health, green is for abundance, and white is for calm."

#t. stars smile and stars scorn #grxstnnefealltoir

can we be fwiends again 🥺

grants any skill +1

Now? Yunaka slowly lifts her head. What does she think of him, huh? She studies him quietly for a moment, then sighs. "You piss me off when you undersell yourself. I don't get why you and your brother are so stubborn about trusting me. And I think you're kind of an idiot for not killing me when you could've."

But…she sighs and closes her eyes. "You're kind when you wanna be and smart. And Diamant needs someone like you beside him if he's ever going to succeed at making things better."

…ugh, how does anybody just come out and say stuff like this, this is so embarrassing… "I haven't hated you and your brother for a long time. It's…your fine. There are worse nobles who could be in charge."

Maybe Alcryst should be offended by Yunaka calling him an idiot, but he finds that it doesn't bother him at all. Around half a year has passed since they had their conversation in Alcryst's office. In all that time, he's only become more convinced that he made the right decision for all parties.

It was not the most just decision. Maybe it makes him no different than the corrupt nobles in the Brodian court that do everything in their power to twist things in their favor. But he sees the friendships that Yunaka has made, not just in Lapis and Diamant but so many of the Black Eagles students as well. He sees someone trying to find a new direction for their life, trying hard not to fall back to the crimes that earned her a death penalty. If Yunaka was killed, what good would it have done?

"Thank you for saying that. And, um, for not hating us anymore, hehe..." Alcryst smiles awkwardly. One of his fingers begins anxiously tracing patterns in the dirt. "I'm glad that we could earn even a little bit of your trust."

#t. can we be fwiends again 🥺#dcggersedge

✦ 𝐈'𝐌 𝐌𝐑. 𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆. 𝐈'𝐌 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐓. 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃. 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐓 ✧

Mission Board: Anniversary 2025, faith +1

Those gagging motions were both far too accurate and far too human.

". . . . . . ."

As Rafal beheld this ridiculously lifelike display, he wished with all his blackest, thorniest heart to throttle the puny creature before him. Diminished to an undesirable by a frog desired by exactly no-one? Not even the foxes and hawks that spurned its bitter taste and allowed it to sustain its meager existence for that alone? How rich; it eked by on the more sophisticated palates of its natural predators. It possessed two flaps for lips that Rafal would not kiss even if his own were at risk of turning black and blue and falling off. It. Was. A. FROG.

"You retch at me?! Ungrateful, slimy, rotten little beast. That I am even considering your method is far more than you deserve. I am a dragon, and you are a frog—I possess infinitely more to lose in this mad endeavor than you!" Still, he silenced the many violent voices chorusing in his head. One might say that instead of the Fell Dragon on his shoulder, it was the Divine Dragon that prevailed. Fielding such troubles was no doubt a crucible of atonement, a great test of the will, and Rafal would not be defeated by demands for his effort.

Out gusted his haggard, bone-deep sigh. A thousand years ago he swore that he would spend his life's remainder to atone.

( and, now, so it seemed, his dignity as well. )

"Slimy and rotten you are, but you had best change your tune on ungrateful."

Kissing a frog - disgusting. Truly mad. But, if this were well and truly the only way? Burying his repulsion, he seized the creature in his hand, body encircled in all five of his fingers as if he intended to choke it dead. But instead of doing so, he merely brought its face closer to his mouth. And closer. Even closer. The slowest crawl to ever crawl; the most trembling pair of lips this world had ever seen; a tight squeeze of crimson eyes as they cinched shut. All these and more. Then—

. . .Chu~

Oh no no no... Rafal completely misunderstood!! Wait, no, he understood didn't he? But Alcryst never imagined the Fell Dragon would be offended by the rejection!

(Wasn't Rafal the one that rejected the idea in the first place???)

He scrambles to apologize, bowing his head and lowering his belly to the ground. I'm so sorry!! Alcryst needs to fix this, and fast, because whether Rafal likes it or not he's the only one that can bring him to safety...! A hand plucks him from the ground. Alcryst's froggy heart pounds against his froggy ribcage. A terrified Alcryst tries to pull away, but it's no use. Rafal is bringing him closer to his mouth. Slowly. So slowly. Painfully slowly. If you're going to eat me, just get it over with!!

Rafal's lips press against Alcryst's froggy mouth. They don't open to devour him. No teeth tear him apart. It's a mercifully short kiss. When Rafal pulls away, Alcryst can only stare at the Fell Dragon in shock. But he's a frog, so it looks more blank.

With a pained, whining croak, Frogcryst wiggles himself free from Rafal's grasp. He whines-croaks again, loudly making his mental anguish known. Rafal kissed him. Rafal kissed him!! What will Lapis think? Surely she was supposed to be the source of true love's kiss! Never mind that; if she finds out, she'll be devastated!! And it was all for nothing! Thirty seconds pass, a minute, and Alcryst is still the same as before except worse because Rafal kissed him and it's weird and-

Cough. Sparks fly from Frogcryst's mouth. "Rib–"

The frog is consumed in a sudden explosion of light, loud enough to be heard for miles. Magically energy whooshes past Rafal's head to swirl around the frog prince, gently lifting him into the air. Pillars of light erupt from its body as its limbs lengthen, its hands and feet reformed, taking the shape of a human. Its flat frog face, kissed not just a minute before, transforms slowly into the visage of a certain miserable prince...

Alcryst, with torn clothes and a battered body, is gently lowered to the ground by the light. And, just as quickly as it came, the Disney magic disappears. The prince groans as his eyes slowly flutter open.

#t. his silly ribbit #rafent #the vision is the scene in beauty and the beast where beast turns back into a human #but make it over the top KJHDKHAKHSFKHJ

Though it hasn’t been terribly long since she’s seen her cousin, a wave of nostalgia washes over her when she spots him a little ways away. Perhaps it is also the effect of hearing recent news that replays childhood memories of tea parties and dressup with stuffed bears. She tilts her head slightly, a slight tug upwards on the corner of her mouth. It seems as if those days are so distant and now the boy in front of her—no, man… no, he is still a boy to her—seems to have grown so much even in the short time they’ve been apart.

Citrinne approaches him with a sharp tap on the shoulder.

“Alcryst,” she says when she has his attention. “Is it too late for a tea party?”

Alcryst's heart leaps into his throat. Though he hasn't heard her voice in months, he recognizes it instantly. He turns to his dearest cousin with a bright smile. "Ah, Citrinne!! You're here!!" Alcryst hugs her, minding his own strength. He's so excited to see her that he fears he might crush her!

Quickly though, he pulls away from the hug. It's been some time since they've seen each other in person... Alcryst needs to keep in mind that she needs time to reacclimatize to his, ah... dour energy. "Sorry, it's just... I'm so glad to see you. The trip went well, I hope?"

#answered #solucetus #cousin :softsmile: just in time for the wedding--

✦ 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐈 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐎 𝐁𝐀𝐃 ✧

Modern AU: Part II, the dramatic soap opera sequel to ruin Alcryst's life

Nil showed as much grace as he always did. Even when a part of him raised a brow and another part of him silently wondered: was he overthinking it, or was the other. . .upset at him? He wouldn't look at Nil when he spoke and even seemed like he wanted the interaction to be over as soon as humanly possible. But, surely these things couldn't be - it was the first time they'd spoken to each other! He was led to conclude that maybe this Alcryst was just like that; a normal occurrence for him, a byproduct of his personality. He did appear a little embarrassed, so, alternatively, maybe he just didn't like being perceived while holding up a line. Anyone could understand that.

. . .Well, he'd give him the benefit of the doubt.

"You don't look like you've got it," Nil fielded with a friendly, tinkling laugh. He watched his classmate flounder for a few seconds more before taking matters into his own hands and pressing into the space beside him. Sides warm and touching.

"—Here."

This time his words weren't directed at Alcryst but the conspicuously bored-looking and increasingly more impatient cashier whose entire expression screamed 'time is money and you're wasting it'. Sorry for the trouble, Nil's apologetic look said to them as he handed over a crisp twenty dollar bill for two approximate five dollar orders.

The icing on the cake? "I'll be paying for both our drinks. A strawberry refresher for me, please. Small, low ice. Extra syrup. And, oh! You can keep the change."

How kind. How sincerely, generously, kind. Nil knew what it was like to work yourself to the bone for a job that paid pennies at best and didn't care whether you dropped dead tomorrow at worst. He shot a sunny smile at the worker then moved into the designated waiting area of the shop. Amidst it all, he hadn't forgotten about the recipient of his generosity, and waved to Alcryst like he would a friend he'd known for all his two decades then some: "Over here, Alcryst!"

Let's wait for our drinks together.

It's just some light teasing, hardly the worst that Rafal's ever thrown at him, but it manages to touch a nerve. Embarrassed, Alcryst sheepishly takes back his singles and steps away from the counter to let the next person pass.

Rafal waves at him from the pick-up area. Alcryst looks to the door and silently considers leaving. Not like that's an option for him, but what's wrong with a little wishful thinking? He ends up joining Rafal's side, addressing him with a small nod, unsure of what to say. When the other man is distracted, Alcryst discretely checks the contacts on his phone.

Blocked Contacts: Rafal (mobile).

Alcryst frowns as he slips his phone back into his pocket. "...Thanks for saving me there," he says quietly. Regardless of his feelings on Rafal, that was a genuine act of kindness, and not something Alcryst would have expected from him. Though he remains guarded, he softens just a little. "But... why are you here? I told you, I need space. Paying for my drink is nice and all, but it doesn't change things between us."

#t. before you came into my life i missed you so bad #rafent #being in nil's shoes must be insane at this moment

✦ 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐈 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐎 𝐁𝐀𝐃 ✧

Modern AU: Part II, the dramatic soap opera sequel to ruin Alcryst's life

??? was the best kind of nobody.

He wasn't ambitious, and he didn't aim for bigger, better things, but he was a joy in the lives of people who knew him. Many called him a good kid; the type to open doors for both men and women, the type to ring you up with a smile no matter the frown he got in return. Someone too good for this world, and, in that, maybe a tad too inoffensive. Not a star, exactly, but a minor planet like Pluto: the body that others felt to be endearing but not striking. Not an erotic and sensual Venus, not a bold and bombastic Jupiter. Just Pluto - small, happy, forgettable Pluto. Just, ???.

"Fwaaah." Yawn. "Man, I'm so sleepy today. . .I think I'm in trouble."

"All those part-time jobs catching up to you, huh?"

"Hehe."

??? was ???. He packed on as much work as he could handle so he wouldn't be a financial burden on his siblings. He went through life befriending everyone and making no enemies. He knew that giving was his best quality - he knew that other people knew that, too. In sum, it wasn't like he was arrogant but he knew logically there shouldn't be anyone who hated him. Or at least hated him enough to make that fact clear.

??? was ???, so he didn't understand why he felt eyes on him the moment he stepped foot into the lecture hall. An omnipresent, chasing stare that never relinquished its hold; not when he sat down in his seat for class, not when he stood up once it ended, and especially not when he left the room. Still, after that, the sensation of being watched left him alone and didn't come back for a while - not even when he got into line in the coffee shop behind the very person deemed responsible. As the dark-haired boy struggled at the counter to retrieve his payment, he tapped him on the shoulder from behind.

He looked at him kindly. All sunny smiles; all sweetly rounded doe eyes; the softest, shiniest white hair. An angel. So, in short: The Devil. "It's Alcryst, right? I've seen you in class before, I think. If you want. . .I can pay for your drink?"

@starrook

Alcryst remembers the look of disdain on Rafal's face when he mentioned his goal of starting college in the fall. College, according to him, is a waste of time and money when you're already successful. And then he'd look down his nose at Alcryst with a pointed look, which frustrated him to no end. Alcryst still enjoys great success in his modeling career. His agent tells him he's up and coming, that he has a long successful career ahead of him that might rival even Rafal's. A part of Alcryst still fears completely abandoning all that he's worked for his entire life. But is it the life he wants to live when he's 30, 40, 50?

The life of a model was left in Alcryst's childhood bedroom, and a new life as an aspiring law student took its place. Here on campus he has the freedom to choose how to live, and he relishes every second of it.

Now, Rafal has become a snake in the garden, threatening the natural order of Alcryst's new world. He tries to tell himself that the white-haired male in the lecture hall today wasn't Rafal, because Rafal wouldn't be caught dead in a classroom let alone studying. He's here. Or is he? The mere threat rattles Alcryst. He can't say they left each other on good terms...

"Ugh..." Alcryst swears quietly under his breath when his credit card is declined again. It just worked this morning, why is it acting up now? He pulls out his wallet and carefully extracts a wad of singles from the inner pocket. Normally Alcryst doesn't carry cash, but surely he has enough for a coffee...

Rafal materializes next to him. Alcryst jumps, visibly startled. It's Alcryst, right? His eyebrows furrow, confused as to why Rafal would pretend that he doesn't know him. Another one of his games, maybe. Alcryst sees right past that innocent-looking smile. "I got it," Alcryst responds gruffly, digging through the coin pocket for one last quarter. He's starting to worry he doesn't have one. His face flushes with embarrassment.

#t. before you came into my life i missed you so bad #rafent #apologies in advanced nil you dont deserve alcryst even on the best of days

bröther, i crave Violence

+1 gauntlets

Nearly crushed that kid's skull in—

"WHAT?"

It's less of a question, less of a word, than it is a rumbling, guttural growl that rises up from his throat. His nose flares, the crimson of his eyes burning with something heated and mad. Normally, Diamant would give in to the begging, the pleading. A true, honorable warrior did not kick a man who was down and unwilling to fight any further.

But right now, he was a brother. And deep in his gut, just the thought that this man would let Alcryst be so violently assaulted and do nothing... that he would even be part of it...

Teeth gritted, Diamant only tightens his grip on the man's arms, pressing him deeper against the wall. His other hand goes to grip the back of the man's head—he whimpers, he pleads—and once his cheek is smashed against cold brick, Diamant pulls his head back again, giving it a hard, final slam against the wall.

The kidnapper goes limp, then crumples to the ground, Diamant stepping back with a glare. He kicks his foot against the man's side. Out cold. Not dead. "Like hell you were getting away. Wait right there."

With that, he races off towards the woods as fast as his feet can carry him.

It feels like an eternity, yet isn't so long at all, until he hears a man's voice, clearly struggling with something. It wasn't Alcryst's. But something deeper, rougher—

"Knock it OFF, y'fucking brat! Just—" A large man struggles with the person slung over their shoulder, thrashing and fighting with their head obscured by a hood. The man bodily lifts the captive, about to slam them in the trunk of a nearby tree when,

"ALCRYST!"

Diamant doesn't think. He charges the man, ramming the full brunt of his body into him with a shoulder to the clavicle. The hooded captive is dropped to the ground, and the abductor is left coughing and gasping for air as Diamant rushes to his brother, desperately yanking the hood off his head.

What he sees sets him aflame all over again.

"A-Alcryst! All this blood, are you—!? Can you hear me? Do you know who I am!?"

Suddenly, something knocks Alcryst out of his captor's grasp—he cries out painfully when he lands on the ground. Darkness consumes him once more.

...

"...Ow..." Alcryst furrows his brows, fighting to stay conscious in spite of his splitting headache. His vision is blurry but he can see that there's someone in front of him, shaking him. "Diamant?" One shaky hand reaches out, pushing the man's face. Dirt and blood smear on his cheek. "I'll throw up if you keep doing—look out!"

Alcryst throws himself onto Diamant, pushing him down so that they avoid a blow from an enemy. He surprises himself by how fast he moves despite how terribly he feels. Now that this hood is off his head, he has a better sense of his surroundings. It emboldens him even more to fight.

"Ngh..." With his hands tied behind his back, Alcryst struggles to get back on his feet. He does so slowly.

#t. bröther i crave violence #heriteur #diamant inadvertently knocking alcryst to the ground and for once im like 'goddammit diamant he's gonna get seriously hurt" /lh #alcryst still wants to fight (it is not a good idea for him to fight)

silk hidden steel

mission board: herald / axe prompt.

"Who is that...? Holding a pretty intense sword, too."

"...Ohhh, I've seen her. One of the monastery students? Must be here to get ready for some mission."

"The church doesn't have anything planned except for that festival in Baile, though. Kid should run along and play princess before she hurts herself."

Hushed laughter follows (as if their exchange hadn't been loud enough to hear), and Céline remains unmoved, examining the blacksmith's selection of swords. It wasn't worth her energy to pay mind to the gossip of bored, aimless knights.

The broadsword in her hands was too large—as much as she trained, not even Céline felt she had the strength and stamina to effectively swing around such a hefty weapon. It was much more fitting for someone like King Diamant... or Lapis.

Setting the sword down, she turns to check the display of slimmer blades, when—

"Oh!"

Céline abruptly stops so as not to collide with the man in front of her, taking a hasty step back to restore the distance between them. "Prince Alcryst. Fancy meeting you here... come to get work on your bow done, I imagine?"

In her peripherals, the knights begin to whisper anew.

@starrook

Alcryst didn't mean to stay so long at the blacksmith's, but the new inventory of lightweight swords and daggers caught his eye. He may not be as interested in weapons as Diamant is, but he can appreciate a well-made blade when he sees one. Something for close quarters would be nice to have...

A familiar voice gasps behind him, and Alcryst turns to see Céline right behind him. "Princess Céline! Were you here long? I'm sorry, I didn't see you... um, I can get out of your way."

As the prince steps to the side, he notices two knights staring in his direction. Ah... Alcryst recognizes his coworkers. These two don't like him very much, not since the day Garreg Mach fell to the hidden enemy. Separated from his brother and most of his allies, Alcryst found himself among a band of fellow Knights of Seiros. Infighting and deteriorating conditions led to Alcryst ditching them. As difficult as it was to fend for himself and care for a wounded Lapis on his own, it was better than watching the knights tear themselves apart. When the knights notice that Alcryst is looking at him, they turn their heads away and pause their whispering.

"I actually came to deliver a contract for the Knights of Seiros," Alcryst explains. "There's supposed to be a lot of new recruits coming in when spring comes, so we're making sure we have enough weapons and armor to outfit them. Are you looking for a new sword? That must be exciting!" Alcryst smiles as he gestures to the swords on the wall. "The quality here is top-notch. I'm considering getting something for myself before I join the mission. You can never be too careful..."

#t. silk hidden steel #florages

can we be fwiends again 🥺

grants any skill +1

You don't have to hide yourself.

For a moment, Yunaka sits in silence as she watches him. Then, like a kettle boiling over, she leans backwards and lets out a loud shout of frustration.

"You and every other damn Elyosian royal are so…" Stupid! Trusting! Forgiving! With the shout of her lungs, she slumps forward instead, adjusting to sit cross-legged in front of him so she can rest her elbows on her knees and burry her hands in her hair.

You don't have to hide yourself.

"I used to hate you." It doesn't help or do anything, but the words come out in a rush and she doesn't know how to stop them. "You and your brother and your father." Well, one of those never really went away. "A few idiots tried to hire us to deal with you guys. And it used to piss me off that we didn't."

Because if the royals were so great, then why were there people like her?

Yunaka's outburst startles Alcryst. Every Elyosian royal is what? From what he's seen, the current generation of Elyosian royalty has been nothing but kind to Yunaka.

"Ah, that's... understandable," Alcryst replies uncomfortably. Actual attempts were rare, because Father always made vicious examples out of those who tried. Had Yunaka gotten her way, she would've found her head on a pike sooner or later. Whoever or whatever stopped her back then, it's a good thing they did. "What do you think about me now?"

#t. can we be fwiends again 🥺#dcggersedge

can we be fwiends again 🥺

grants any skill +1

"Woah!" He gets into that kneeling position way too fast! Yunaka jumps onto her own knees with her hands awkwardly hovering over his shoulders as she tries to figure out if she'd get jail time for life if she forcibly dragged him back upright. "I-it's fine! Geez, you're a prince, you shouldn't just be throwing yourself down for anyone like that!"

All he'd done was his job. It wasn't his fault that life had put them on opposing sides. She can't be angry at him for doing what he felt was necessary to keep his brother safe. Even so, his apology only makes her frown. Be herself, he says…

"I…you don't even know who the real me is." Yunaka's never been a real person, just a performance of what she thought people would want to see. If she can't be Larimar and she doesn't need to be Yunaka then…

"You've got no idea how I really think or act."

At Yunaka's insistence, Alcryst slowly raises himself from the bow, though he still kneels on the floor. "I... won't argue that," he admits. "I don't know everything about you. But what I think, what I do or don't understand, shouldn't dictate who you are. You don't have to hide yourself. Not with me, I hope. That isn't what I wanted."

He leans his back against the wall, turning his head slightly towards Yunaka. Not demanding eye contact, but still hoping to get through to her. "I did say that Larimar had to die," Alcryst says after a moment's pause. "But my hope was that you would have the freedom to choose who you wanted to be in the future, instead of having others decide that for you."

#t. can we be fwiends again 🥺#dcggersedge