#nossummusmanus

[snakeofgarlemald]

Tell me about Menenius's views on Garlemald, its emperors, and its military power.

Mun: THIS IS A LOADED QUESTION TWINNY, GD! Nah JK XD

Okay so lets break each down as best we can, shall we?

Views on Garlemald: For this and my canon AU as well, he has a love hate view of his homeland since he gets to see it from the outside after what happened with not going home thanks to Noah's decision and after the Dal. But canon wise before Noah decided to say 'fuck the empire', Menenius loves his homeland and granted might not have been perfect all the time, but it was a secure place that despite the frozen wasteland, they still survived no matter what.

However after everything that's happened and seeing it through outsider eyes of sorts, he still loves his homeland but seeing how stubborn the garleans can be and how prideful, that he's like 'okay so maybe you guys can take a chill pill.' And especially with 6.4 and how they still are about outsiders and magic.

Views on it's Emperors: I mean Menenius grew up with mostly Solas ruling Garlemald so he never experienced anything else, and to see Solas on his war campaigns and how damn strong he was, every kids dream was to serve him. But he respected Solas no matter what, even serving in the 4th legion. Though once Varis came to power, Menenius knew how strong he was and smart as well, and had very little objections about it since he managed to win out over Nerva and Titus so that's something right?

Views on it's military power: I mean growing up and hearing how your empire conquered pretty much everything in its path with it's magitek and how powerful the legatus' are without the use of magic, you would be in awe as well. And even being friends with one Legatus who could also give you the inside scoop as well was handy for what was going on. You have Zenos, Regula, Vergilia, Quintus, Basch, Gaius and others that no one challenged before and would think were invincible at the very least. Course that's until oops warrior of light decides to wreak everyone and have a field day cause of reasons.

Still, Menenius never regretted his decision to join the military since hell, he got to be in one of the most dysfuntional legions that somehow made it work and held Bozja and Dalmasca for 30 years, so that had to be at least something right?

[morganaux]

" your majesty! my apologies... you startled me. i did not expect you to be awake so late. is something wrong? " (For Phoebus, if that's okay!)

"I believe I am the one who owes you an apology," Phoebus answered, voice calm despite the unease that held a tight grip upon his heart. "Forgive me for startling you. I..."

The prince consort closed his eyes, shaking his head. How could he explain himself without sounding like his sanity was beginning to slip? He was supposed to be a man of reason— a shining example of what a Garlean citizen should strive to be— but was instead chasing shadows in the dark that may well have been little more than figments of his imagination. But he could not lie. Not if he expected anyone else to be honest to him.

"I meant only to enjoy a quiet stroll, but I saw something... Unusual down this hall," he went on to explain, reaching for his sword before stopping himself. "I only caught a slight glimpse of them from afar, but I could have sworn I saw two cloaked figures skulking around over this way. Did you... Did you not see them?"

[primalvessel]

"26... 27... 28..."

It was hardly necessary to count aloud, not when neither of them was trying to impress the other during what was essentially a routine training session but it was a nice counter to the soft grunts and heavy breathing as the two of them exercised.

Maru rose and fell with every push-up that was counted and he hummed his appreciation as he felt muscles flex and contract.

Beneath him, Quintus made noise that was quite probably disapproval and the Miqo'te chuckled lightly before resuming the sit-ups he was doing on the Garlean's muscular back.

It was better for them both that way because they both knew the feline would be too busy staring to get any exercise done himself otherwise.

So with every push-up Quintus did, Maru did a sit-up on his back.

"32... 33..." the Miqo'te continued, sounding amused. A shame really, that he couldn't see the sweat the Legatus was working up, nor could he see the play of muscle beneath scarred skin but there would be time yet. The showers awaited them.

So the feline kept counting their reps.

"37... 38... 39..."

@nossumusmanus

[valiinus]

"Little rabbit," he murmured with uncharacteristic gentleness. Since it was just the two of them at the moment, settled into the privacy of his quarters, there was no need for stiff formalities and keeping up appearances.

Not that fraternization between soldiers was uncommon, even as far as Legati were concerned. But he would not have Nerva's reputation sullied by their relationship, nor would he allow others to whisper about the Viera being his "pet" or "toy". His lover deserved better than that. (But Quintus was not naive nor blind to the struggles of non-native Garleans within the military ranks, try as he might to quash such behaviour and biases within his own legion.)

And so their time together would have to remain in the all-too fleeting hours of the night, where Quintus could be tender or passionate or loving or even rough with them without worries of prying eyes and loose lips.

A gloved hand raised to cup their cheek, then he leaned in to press a kiss to their forehead.

He had never been one for romance, and he had always been rough and quick when it came to intimate acts -- in fact, he still tended to be, even with Nerva. He had never been one for committed relationships either, preferring instead the casualness of one-night encounters. But something about Nerva had, over time, opened him up to things he had never realized he had been missing, while at the same time they allowed him to continue to be himself around them.

In short, the remaining lord of House Cinna was quite smitten.

As if to emphasize this, he took hold of one of the Viera's hands and raised it to his lips, to kiss the back of it in a show of affection.

Nerva despite the many decades at this point the pair had been together, still never quite managed to anticipate Quintus' rare romantic side popping out. Not that they minded, nay they truly enjoyed the scarce moments when the pair could be alone and not worry about their work or what ever the odd assignments given to them were.

Their head leaned into his touch, savoring it even through his gloved hand. The calloused nature of his hands could still be felt against their skin, reminding the Viera of just whom the attention came from. "Lord Quintus." They murmured placing a hand upon his chest, feeling the dull pattern of his heartbeat against their palm.

Their free hand was raised and a kiss placed upon it, causing a quiet laugh to part their dark lips. "You truly leave me wondering if I am so deserving of the affections of a Lord, at times. Given how oft you spoil me so much, it still feels foreign." A small smile, they minded none of this even if they did tease him for giving them a glimpse and an entrance to a life they never could have fathomed growing up in the Woods.

The Viera then shifts their weight to the fronts of their feet to lean upwards and press a kiss to his cheek. "At the very least I have grown more mindful of my makeup so we don't have to spend a grand amount of time trying to remove my lipstick from your skin." Another laugh, that was a grim memory they still recalled how much trouble the pair went through when soap and warm water proved not enough. At least they could always blame gunpowder from cleaning weapons back then.

[snakeofgarlemald]

"How dare you show your face here, after abandoning your homeland and your people."

And cue his ears falling since honestly, he already knew this would be the reaction they both would get as he and Lyon were the two surviving senior members of the IVth after all. Glancing away since even Menenius couldn't really find a good counter for what the elder said since after all....they really did leave Garlemald to her fate. The decision to try and rebuild a nation using Dalmasca after severing ties with the motherland........he really trusted Noah's decision and went along with it. And now trying to return after all this time, after what happened in the aftermath of the civil war and his homeland in ruins, Menenius sighed a bit as he narrowed his peach eyes slightly to Quintus.

"At least I've returned to try and help now more then anything Legatus van cinna. Call me a viator or whatever you feel like at the moment all you want. But right now, we need to figure out how to get more ceruleum to warm those who are still alive and also medical aid for the injured. You got two more pair of hands to help you out now, so give us the order! I may have abandoned Garlemald in her time of need before but I'm not abandoning her or her people now!"

[snakeofgarlemald]

❛ you already know how this will end. ❜

So even the 1st Legatus thought the same thing when explaining to him about going to Bozja and commanding half of the IVth legion there, since he really wanted advice. But if he and Lyon had the same thought.....then it really was going to be the worse case scenario that he had to figure out. "......I know.....but that doesn't mean I won't die trying after all. If buying time with our lives means our legacy lives on somehow....then so be it. I knew what the stakes were when Noah told me.... now I just have to plan it out so it doesn't go south on us quick."

[angelic-din-mortem]

nossumusmanus

He's just going to unleash his two puppies on him. Enjoy your coming storm of puppy kisses.

Not expecting this, Angelic only hears the sounds of their paws before having his room sabotage by the little tykes. Yelling in surprise as he rolls about. He falls on his back as he gently uses his hands to hold them back a bit by their stomachs as he starts. 

How adorable. But wherever did they come from? And how did they come to be here? They were not one of his, and the others had no such pets... 

Blinking in confusion, the male looks around to see if he can find whoever unleased these fur balls unto him.

[primalvessel]

❛ the more you know, the shorter your life will be. ❜ 

"So be it," was the firm response from the Miqo'te who stood as if to challenge those very words.

"You don't think I face that very decision every time I step into conflict?" he asked, though it was clear by his tone that it was rhetorical.

Perhaps it was a test of his resolve, something he'd heard before.

"The more I know, the better prepared I can be. If there's one thing that's been drilled into my head in all the time I've known the Scions, it's that knowing is half the battle."

And if it shortened his life, well.

He was already burning the candle at both ends, what was a little extra off the wick?