#aliberation

[encantresse]

★ "Alear! Don't you look stunning! Our Bern's outdone herself, hasn't she? At this rate, she ought to dress everyone for next year's ball!"

☆ "Right? You're a lifesaver, Bernadetta, not to mention talented... if I need advice on next year's outfit, I'm coming straight to you!" / @aliberation

★ “Y-you guys are really flattering me here! I just patched it up a little, but I'm glad it all worked out.” / @hermidetta

credit: pancito_detonao

[nobilisseoblige]

Ferdie, Ferdie! Can I use you for practice? Please say yes and don't ask me to explain further

[rafent]

[TXT] : you're so bad at replying to me!

[TXT]: when will my wife return from the war [ TXT ] : guess i'll just sit in bed. alone. by myself. [TXT] : cold, abandoned, unloved [TXT]: with only the night to keep me company and the memories of our love. [TXT] : yearning for days past. thinking of the last kiss that happened decades ago [TXT] : RAFAL.

𝐀 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄 — accepting

└ 𝟲:𝟮𝟵𝗣𝗠 𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗔𝗟-> 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗟𝗜𝗡: Relax. I just checked my messages right now. Six hours later, yeah, but what of it?

└ 𝟲:𝟯𝟭𝗣𝗠 𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗔𝗟 -> 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗟𝗜𝗡: You're acting like a starving cat that hasn't seen its owner in five minutes. Or one that tasted fine caviar for the first time in its life and can't get enough. That caviar being me.

└ 𝟲:𝟯𝟮𝗣𝗠 𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗔𝗟 -> 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗟𝗜𝗡: I'm flattered that I've got you head-over-heels crazy for me, but reversely I've got my phone notifs going crazy because of you.

└ 𝟲:𝟯𝟮𝗣𝗠 𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗔𝗟 -> 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗟𝗜𝗡: AND I'm looking for a peaceful evening tonight.

└ 𝟲:𝟯𝟯𝗣𝗠 𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗔𝗟 -> 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗟𝗜𝗡: So...

└ 𝟲:𝟯𝟯𝗣𝗠 𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗔𝗟 -> 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗟𝗜𝗡: I'm blocking you for the next few hours. Bye.

[dcggersedge]

[ TXT ] : i had a dream about you last night. [ TXT ] : it was really, really weird. [ TXT ] : for some reason, you were like... part squirrel? and we had to fight for... something. i can't even remember [ TXT ] : but you also had this weird beast form that looked like a squirrel on steroids. it looked kinda cool actually

[ TXT ] : was it a hot weird beast form though? [ TXT ] : like okay sure that's a crazy dream but was I hot

[forgottenbelle]

It seems that mostly everyone is more interested in what's going on on the deck than they are the swell of the ocean waves and the scenery-- Alear almost finds it to be a shame, but she figures that most of the people on board have seen their fair share of the sights that come with being out on the water. Hands resting on the ship's railing, she takes a deep breath to inhale the salty breeze, eyes falling shut for a brief moment... but once they open, she spots a young girl that's leaning dangerously over the edge, and the Divine Dragon moves before she even processes what she's doing. A gentle hand at the girl's shoulder pulls her back onto a safe distance, dual-tone eyes widened and fear flashing in the depths of her gaze. "Hey! Be careful!" She chides, although she doesn't mean to come off as condescending or anything of the sort. A sigh of relief escapes and Alear gently releases the girl's arm, hands clammy from the close call. "A strong gust can throw you overboard easily, or a sudden lurch of the boat too. Is it your first time on the waters...?" "Oh, I guess I should introduce myself, huh? My name is Alear. I'm not too used to the sea either, so I understand that it's gorgeous... but let's check it out at a safe distance with each other, alright?"

Kind-hearted folk attend the academy in overflowing abundance. On land and off it, Rinea has given up on keeping track of how many have veiled her with urgency and concern — even when she is perfectly out of harm's way, according to her quite prolific and accurate anxiety-fueled calculations.

No, the venomous snakes were not going to sink their fangs into her. No, the experimental spells would not blow back at her. No, the man with volatile mood swings would not —

Thus, when she is ripped away from the hypnosis of swirling waves, Rinea cannot fault the lostcounth hand to jerk her backwards.

Ah. Unique eyes, bold hair, deified countenance, an aura that bequeaths worship of the highest fervor; no alliance, border, creed, birth and death holds any meaning in the vicinity of such a lady. Rinea would not mind it were her arm to be ripped off by those fingers.

"Lady Alear," Rinea greets, then extends her hand. "I am Rinea. I do ask for your forgiveness... though I must confess I was out of danger, and caused you needless worry. If sea-gazing at your side can undo my transgression then I am your humble servant for the hour."

[twistedisciple]

It's to be expected in the wake of a mission, but Alear wasn't quite prepared for the amount of frantic commotion the monastery erupted into upon the return of students and faculty alike- she feels as if she's been running around like a chicken without its head, constantly taking over various tasks in order to assist with whatever she can: whether that's fetching supplies for the injured, taking care of weaponry that's been damaged, or simply assisting with meals... it's exhausting, and it's been a long time since she's had to work this quickly. After all, the Somniel was usually peaceful, and there were more than enough hands to handle any emergencies. Here, though.... there's a lot of people that came back hurt. Haggard, bruised, battered-- and briefly, she wonders what the hell happened in those mirrors. Nursing a cup of coffee, Alear has made a spot for herself in one of the quieter hallways. A quick break until she's thrown into the fray once again, a makeshift seat fashioned out of a window with a large enough sill to accommodate her weight. There's only been a few from Elyos that she's managed to run-into during the chaos, but... she sighs before taking another sip of her drink, eyes falling shut for the briefest moments. Yet when she opens them, she sees a flash of dark green that she swears she recognizes, the tall figure of an eerily familiar man nearly escaping her notice. She freezes, heart stuttering and breath coming to a standstill as Alear's brain slowly processes what she's seeing-- and it's near instinct to feel the hairs on the back of her neck begin to stand up. Another Hound, here in the Monastery. She'd already run into Zephia, who had expressed no desire to jump into a fight... and Alear certainly didn't want to either-- only if wholly necessary, only if there was no other option. The recollection of his desire for nothing more than a bloody battle to the end, however... it strikes a bit of a different chord in her, and she's immediately on high alert, muscles tightened in preparation to move. "You-!" The exclamation comes out before she can stop it, pushing herself out of her sitting position and gently placing that cup on the nearest surface. "First Zephia, and now you!"

Has he always been here? Or did he just show up more recently as well? It's impossible to tell, and her eyes give him a quick inspection from head to toe. "I never thought I'd see you again, Griss."

"Wha--" His teeth snap shut on a prickly "what is it?" when he whirls around on his heel and catches sight of a face unfortunately familiar. He's confused first - why is she so surprised? - and then indignantly amused. A sneer pulls his lips back from his teeth as he helps her close the distance down the hall, one leisurely step after the other.

He'd kept his distance from the Divine Dragon for the past year or so, not exactly out of a willingness to maintain the peace so much as the fact that their paths rarely crossed. And also Lord Rafal seemed rather fond of them - in his own way, of course, but that made the Divine One off limits for any of the Hound's games. But to "never" see him again?

"Kinda extreme, yeah?" He chuckles as he prowls closer like a wild dog. They'd just seen each other not too long ago, after all - at the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, although the Divine Dragon's hair had been shorter then. By a lot, now that Griss thinks about it, but what did he know about the growth speed of a dragon's hair.

Slowly, he starts to circle around behind her, forcing her to turn if she wants to keep an eye on him. A smirk stretches lazily across his face.

"You're still alive after your run-in with Zephia, huh? Guess she doesn't want you dead this time." His fingers trail dangerously through her hair as he comes back around to face her from the front. "Meeting two Hounds back to back and living to tell the tale." The long red strands slip from his fingers. "Lucky you."

[ostianshadow]

Oh, everything hurts. But it would be a lot worse if it weren’t for that pendant that the thief gave her, and Alear presses it close to her chest as hazy sight searches the field to spot his hair. It’s rather easy, and as Alear hobbles along with her sword for support, she waves with her free hand.

“Hey! I’ve got your necklace. I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name… I’m Alear. You really saved my life out there…. Thank you.”

Maybe she’s talking a little quickly, but her head hurts and her body is weak.

“You had my back, and we didn’t even know each other. That kind of kindness is great in my book.”

Does it surprise Matthew to see her hobbling across the field toward him instead of toward the castle?

Not really.

"Hey, hey, take it easy..." She'd caught him in the middle of finding himself a seat - no illustrious endeavour, to be sure. Exhausted as he was, the ground had quickly been deemed as good a place as any. Buuut... Now that she was here, putting in all that effort to shamble her way over to him, it didn't feel appropriate to take a knee just yet. It'd not do to come across too lackadaisical, right?

"Matthew. Nice to meetcha. Rather - nice to see you still in one piece, more like." It's a lighthearted admonishment doled out with an easy grin. It's a bit easier to breathe, a bit easier to relax now that the thick of battle has been seen through. Sheepishly, thief rubs at the nape of his neck. "And, ehhh... Well. It's in everyone's best interests to have each other's backs in that kinda situation, no? Being ambushed in the night like that... Ever a rude awakening, ain't it."

He chuckles, shakes his head, and decides that you know what? Maybe he will sit after all. He's bloody tired, okay? Never you mind that his shiny stunner did most of the work for him. He settles on the ground, draping arms over his knees. It's just a quick breather, okay?

Anyway, the point is: Matthew isn't sure he'd call it kindness, per se.

But much like he'd not convinced her to stick to a casual retreat, he doubts if he'll change her mind here and now.

Sometimes it's just easier to go with the flow.

"Good job taking command out there. It's not a job I'll ever envy."

[dawningardea]

A combination of snow-white hair and a navy scarf is something that would draw Alear's attention in even the thickest of crowds-- after all, she could never forget the visage of those who fought beside her through the most vicious battles of Elyos's war… and even though she knows that the Emblems won't remember her in this world, there's no way she could pass up the chance to get to know them all over again.

Emblem Micaiah is no different. No… Lady Micaiah, she should say. A quick jog is all it takes to catch up to her, Alear's voice ringing out above the commotion of everyone else.

"Oh, excuse me! Lady Micaiah, sorry to disturb you…!" By the time she falls into step with the other woman, there's a fondness and familiarity that settles into Alear's gaze; something she can't help but to show, even as she bows her head slightly in greeting. "I apologize for the sudden shouts! I just, uh…. I've heard some stories about you, and I wanted to introduce myself. I believe we're also heading out on the same expedition team, if I'm not mistaken!"

"I'm Alear, of Elyos. If there's anything I can help you with, please let me know…!" To repay all of the times she'd been saved before, but also to form a new bond.

All of the seasickness that has managed to evade Micaiah for the first half of the voyage has at last descended to punish her hubris. She finds herself waddling above-deck at a random hour of the day in as steady of a posture as she could, gaze fixed on the horizon to anchor her sense of balance which has begun to lurch with the ship itself. For all the reading and studying she did on maritime travel prior to boarding, it seems that nothing can prepare one for raw immersion itself. An immense admiration for full-time seafarers grows exponentially in her with every swing of the keel, and she makes a mental note to express it personally the next time she visits Daein's mariner's guild at Oribes Bay. Seriously, how on earth did humanity endure this for hundreds of years, and likely hundreds more to come?

Such aimless thoughts course through her head—anything to distract her from the nausea rushing her in waves—when a burst of blue and red enters her vision along with an upbeat friendly voice. The unexpected greeting jolts her out of her stupor and leaves naught but one immediate thought at the forefront of her dazed mind:

"Oh, wow. Your hair is... incredible."

The realization that her musings have audibly slipped from her tongue arrives a beat too late. A horrified gasp quickly follows, "O-Oh my goodness, I sincerely apologize for my rudeness! I do not know what came over me. I assure you that I did not mean any offense, Miss Alear."

The burning embarrassment of the situation shocks some of the seasickness out of her, brain fog clearing just enough to properly dissect the words of the woman before her.

Elyos. She has vaguely heard of the land before, and has since made the connection between it and the tales of Emblems and rings thanks to the few other Elyosians she's interacted with—that would explain the similar recognition of her by Alear. She bows her head to mirror the other (with no small amount of regret as her stomach protests) alongside a warm smile of her own.

"Ah! You hail from Elyos. There is still much for me to learn about your homeland, but I am truly honored to be known among your people—and a little flustered, haha!"

"And indeed, I do recall your name next to mine in the team roster. I look forward to working with you and getting to know you better! And likewise, I would be happy to give my support in any way you may need."

Micaiah's gaze darts around before she leans farther in and whispers, a hint of bashfulness sparkling in her eyes.

"And, um, about my comment earlier... I really do admire your hair, Miss Alear. I'd like to try dyeing mine similarly some day, but instead of being known as the Silver-Haired Maiden, I might become something like... the Bisexual-Haired Maiden instead. That sure would be interesting..."