#hawkkingseyes

[ordelion]

Shields shall be Splintered

Lysithea gazed upon the large, opulent exterior of the city of Tagzig. The bright stripes of aquamarine and teal accented the deep black blocks that formed the wall, both colors combining into a raw, grandiose look. If Aeschylus be not a liar, this citadel had incredible technology that could outmatch the most brilliant of tools and spells from Fodlan. It was like being a child in a candy store to this prodigy- a feeling that, unlike many others who use that comparison, she knows personally and recently. While everyone was at camp, she requested the role of patrolling the city walls via the obvious route to the entrance, but the job was snatched up while she was too soaked to argue. When she could finally strike out comfortably, she knew she needed a few quality allies to scout the darker, less notable edge of the city walls safely. Of those who remained, Janaff was a clear choice for his mobility, and Ophelia for her perception. Using her desperation brilliance, it did not take long for her to conscript convince them to her cause, and organize a plan. Landing her here. In front of the city of her dreams, thick darkness surrounding her, allies behind her, light ahead of her, perhaps an act of destiny, perhaps merely another bout of random fortune, perhaps a curse in sheep’s clothing. Like much in her life, Lysithea had many back-up plans and safety nets and last resorts- but if the chips came down to it, the girl couldn’t assure her own survival. Her heartbeat was on edge. How many scientists died researching something spectacular? How many died trying to help a stranger? How many died before they reached their 16th year?

In her first five minutes of searching, Lysithea didn’t find much aside from clear ground, sheer darkness, and that magnificent citadel growing ever closer. Nothing in Father’s lands could match this, she whispered to herself, then giving the signal to Janaff and Ophelia to start their flight by clicking two rocks together. “The coast is clear, and the darkness thick enough to keep you out of sight. Just don’t make too much noise.” Hopefully, they would have better fortunes. -> @sheereccentric

[duskroine]

pretty please?

Mission Task Board: The academy professors are bogged down with work and need a little extra help. Teacher’s assistant positions have been opened up and are available to just about anyone willing to lend a hand. Try your hand at helping teach some of your fellow students—or get an inside opportunity to change you and your friends’ grades in the assignment logs. [Grants Authority +1]

     It had been a mistake. A small, itty bitty mistake.

     A mistake that, in her eyes, shouldn’t have affected her at all. Seriously, who assigns such tiring work and expects for there to not be consequences? Well, Ophelia can name a few professors that are quite strict on their classroom rules. Either way, those last few tasks were absolutely unfair! 

               ( They weren’t that bad, honestly. The heroine just has a habit of excelling on only assignments that fuel her interest--she won’t believe it, though. A Chosen One is to be excellent at everything they’re given but... well... there’s no excuse for her late work. )

     Thankfully, the stars granted her an eye for an eye! One night, she dreams of something falling and words crossed out in ink. It leaves her quite confused when dawn peeks through her curtains. The answer to her problems only come when the first group of students leave the classroom with smiles and yawns. 

     “Teacher assistant positions?” Ophelia’s gaze narrows at the words on parchment. She blinks a few times, reading the passage beneath over and over and over again until the words are pinned in her mind. A smile grows on her lips and she raises a fist in triumph, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she cheers.

     A golden opportunity it is! Why suffer as the student if the chance to prosper as the teacher is there? Besides, it’s just like conducting seminars--kind of. She’s great at those! ( No, she isn’t, but the enthusiasm counts for something. ) Ophelia’s quick to sign her name along the blank line, immediately signing her fate as an assistant. 

     When the time arrives, the heroine finds herself in one of the empty classrooms--guided by a guard who seemed enthusiastic about the entire ordeal. The teacher’s desk is clean with paperwork neatly stacked in the middle. There’s a lecture to be given and classmates to teach. Before she even has the chance to step towards the desk, the door opens with a click.

     “Oh?” Ophelia turns on her heel and raises an eyebrow--the expression easily fading into a brighter one when the person comes into view, “Professor Janaff! It seems that fate has desired for us to work together again!”

@hawkkingseyes

[prhyst]

Night Terror [Janaff & Rhys]

+1 Bow Starter for @hawkkingseyes

He’d always been a light sleeper when far away from a real bed. The number of times there’d been some crisis in the night while on a march were too many to recall, and Rhys was always the one willing to sacrifice sleep for patients in urgent need at some dark hour of the morning. He weakly raised his head to muffled sounds of commotion outside his tent. He was the only one awake yet in his particular tent, the other members still sleeping for the moment.

Rhys glanced around, scrambling to wake himself up, grabbing his staff and his bow, unsure which would be needed. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, half tripping over himself as he stumbled to look outside.

It was difficult to make out anything but a stray glint of metal or two, whatever he was seeing in the distance barely reflected by a couple of the night watch’s torches. If there was a fight going on, it was to their disadvantage.

“Wake up! Everyone, up! Something’s out there!” An inhuman cry reached his ears and his hair stood on end. His eyes fell on who he deemed wold be most helpful to them all.

“Janaff! You can see in the dark, right? I can’t even tell what’s out there, but it doesn’t sound good!”

[duskroine]

“Hey! Ophelia!” Rumors are flying around the monastery that feel a little too familiar to Janaff. He hadn’t received the summons himself, but he can tell many of his friends have, by the way that they shuffle around. Ophelia is one of them. He knows she’ll be with the other knights, but the back of his mind won’t stop repeating that it didn’t help them much last time.

“You’re heading out soon, right?” He closes the distance between them, gently putting a hand on her shoulder. “You’ll do great out there, I know it,” he says, squeezing her shoulder a bit. “Just- be careful, alright?” His smile falters. Both of them know what he’s talking about. He doesn’t feel like elaborating, instead pulling Ophelia into a hug. “I’ll be cheering for you back here. I can’t wait to hear the story.” From you. Come back safe, alright?

               “   greetings, dearest professor!   ”   ophelia waves in his direction with one hand while her other is occupied with holding missiletainn and the strap of her equipment bag.  the urgency in his approach is enough for her to realize why he might be here.  she sighs, lowering her bag and tome as he closes the distance between them.  truth to her speculation, his question is one that she has guessed   —   ophelia nods.  but not without a smile.  one that brightens warmly at janaff’s next words.

               the hand on her shoulder is regarded, yes, but she does not touch it.  she doesn’t have the chance before she’s pulled into an embrace.  it’s on instinct that she drops her stuff and immediately returns the hug.  he’s smaller than her   —   a feature she’d laugh if they weren’t only an inch apart in height.

               “   and i cannot wait to tell it to you.   ”   she says, because she will.  she’ll be the one to share the adventures of her trip to enbarr to him.  maybe over tea, or while she barges into one of the classrooms he’s teaching in; either way, she’ll tell him.  ophelia smiles,   “   your encouragement will be heard, no matter how far i am from the monastery.  do not fear because, with experience and hard work, i will triumph.   ”   but having experience underneath her belt might not help.

               she’s been on countless journeys, some alongside friends while others only had her as the adventurer.  except, that was in her country, where she could walk through the villages of nohr without taking a map by her side.  where she traversed through her deeprealms without having someone holding her hand.

               ophelia has not forgotten of the events in the past academic year.  she has the scars to prove it and the friendships she made to remember; janaff is not the only person she grew a bond with, but as her professor, she understands where the anxiety of her leaving might rise.

               “   i’ll be safe and the mission will be completed, no matter the cost   —   this, i can promise.   ”

[duskroine]

“Hey kid!”

Janaff waves to Ophelia from down the hall, beckoning her over. He flicks his wings, trying (and failing) to draw attention away from the book tucked under his arm.

“I heard it was your birthday,” he says, holding it out to her. “And beorc give gifts on birthdays.” It’s a small, well-loved book. Collected Works of Theatre is written across the cover in faded letters. “I thought you’d like to read some of these, they’re famous plays from back home. It was tough to find,” he adds with a laugh. “But I hope you like them. Happy birthday.”

THE BIRTH OF STARS HELD BY DUSK! - late, sorry!

     He approaches her when the first class is dismissed for the day--tired yawns and the crack of limbs stretching, but not her. Not Ophelia, on a day that she has all but anticipated for. Her uniform for this glorious day is accompanied by a longer cape and her regular circlet exchanged for a prettier ( and more expensive ) one.

     If others hadn’t known that today was something special to her, then they do now. If they still didn’t know, then it’s quite evident from the choice of words that everyone uses towards her--Happy Birthday.

     A voice calls out over a sea of moving students and faculty--Ophelia recognizes the flutter of wings too easily.

     “Professor Janaff!”

     The heroine skips toward him, hands clasped together behind her back as she moves toward him. The usual haste fades from her advance. Only for the item that Janaff holds ( but it’s angled so oddly. She would guess that it’s for discretion, maybe? ).

     She stops in front of him and he begins to speak; she immediately begins to nod frantically. It’s excitement, of course. Ophelia’s quick to take the gift from his hands--a small apology on her tongue yet drowned out by the squeal she lets out instead. A book rests in her grasp, small and concise. The cover--a vast expanse of solid material--holds the words, Collected Works of Theatre, written in brilliant yet faded letters. By this moment, Ophelia’s practically jumping at the sight in front of her.

     "Oh, I LOVE them,” the heroine throws herself at Janaff for a tight hug, “thank you so so much!! Just imagine the wonders that these stories will tell, for me and the stars--OH, and you, too, if you would like!”

[hawk-kings-eyes]

Bored Out of My Beak (Open Starter)

It had been a boring day so far. No work to do yet no one else seemed to be free. Ulki was off doing who knows what by himself. Tibarn was talking with the stupid king of Kilvas. Loreizah wanted to have some time with his kids since they were visiting. Even his old drinking buddies all were busy with theirwives or lovers. Yet here he was all alone and bored out of his beak.

Left with nothing else to do he decided to count things. Only the things he decided to count were so far away that most normal hawks couldn't even see them. "One lizard, two lizards, three, four ... twenty lizards." It had been a good ten minutes since he had started counting. He wondered if there was anyone else he could go bother. He layed down on the windosill he had been sitting on and breathed a sigh.