#pridelessdaydreamer

[aimlessarchery]

dark blades, thundering...staves? | TOAHarmonia Thrud vs Hoðr

w/ @hosannan , @pridelessdaydreamer , @shadoll

The summoning horn blares once more, signaling the start of combat. Colorful decorations hanging from the walls sway from the breeze as the door to the training grounds closes, keeping the sharpest bite of the blizzard outside at bay for the combatants and spectators alike. Python eyes his opponents warily as they take to the floor. Two students with two staves. With nothing sharp to defend themselves with, it looks like an easy victory at a glance. However, the light magic they wield means they could mend each others wounds effortlessly. Python's instincts tell him his flippant remark earlier was more accurate than he thought—they really should end this as quickly as possible. "Sorry about this," he calls out breezily, only sounding about half-sincere as he draws his bow and points it at the boy with the forest green hair. "I've got a nap scheduled later that I really don't wanna miss. I'm sure you'd understand."

Python 7/7 HP hits Linhardt 8.5/8.5 HP with Blue Bow [Roll 11, -2 HP; Linhardt 6.5/8.5 HP]

He tilts his head toward his partner with a grin. "You ready to go? I was only half-kidding about that nap plan, y'know."

[hresvelged]

It was Linhardt’s aim to mindlessly wander the ball for a bit longer—and so they did, until, at last, they desired to rest off in a corner somewhere.

(Despite the prose, this actually occurred rather quickly.)

What Lin had not expected to encounter, however, in this moment of quietude, was the heir apparent to the Empire; her house leader; Edelgard.

“Oh, hello there, Edelgard,” he begins, deciding that, considering this exchange was outside of school hours, it likely wouldn’t be too much of a bother. Producing a black feather, he extends it to the girl:

“Are you interested in a trade?” (Not that Linhardt knew what brooch she had.)

"Good evening, Linhardt."

She found herself settling with contentment to see that they approached her. Her head bobbed once, words clear: "Of course. Consider my brooch yours." While she had been wearing it atop her dress a majority of her evening, it now lay within in the grip of her fingers.

Edelgard opened up her gloved hand, revealing the black feather bestowed upon her. It was the very same as Linhardt's, light to the touch yet ready to fly away were one to lose sight of it.

"I find it most apt that we were both given black feathers. Wouldn't you agree?" It was by chance. That much she needed no reminder. She yearned for flight— Others much needed the same.

She extended her arm forward, head raised: "Even after this ball ends, it would be wise to hold onto this. I hope you do exactly that."

[aurheatum]

Curiouser and Curiouser (Team 8 Steel Round)

@pridelessdaydreamer @hresvelged @aubins @lockpicnic

When Rhea "awakens" once more she finds she is free of those meddlesome gauntlets; equipped instead with a lance reminiscent of something her brother would wield and bow and quiver tied to her back

Her clothing is also looking decidedly rather more... metallic, but that was the least of her worries right now.

Instead of a bustling coliseum or a shattered wasteland the group finds themselves in a room of plush red velvet. The setup is not unlike Rhea’s audience chamber and at the center of it all sits a chair, nay a throne, upon which their new foe sits.

Rhea can feel malevolence from the Virtuoso and lance in hand attempts to make her way to the false monarch only to be stopped by the lush portraits on the wall come to life.

“I see,” Rhea states as a painting with a distinct Gautier feel walks up to her, “so you are meant to protect your master? Then you leave me no choice.”

Rhea had always preferred closer quarters than lance combat allowed her but never has she forgotten her earliest training, thinking wistfully of Saint Cichol’s statue Rhea takes her stance and strikes.

[Roll 1d20 with Blessed Lance --> 20, nat crit! -7 HP. Hanged Portrait's HP: 3/10]

Her strike is true and she takes pleasure in the way the creature seems to weaken beneath the lance’s holy light but the feeling of victory does not last long; she feels the dark magic before it hits her, but is powerless to defend herself, in fact as the Portrait draws back from her with a jeer she feels positively feverish.

[Hanged Man counters with Halahala 1d20 roll: 17 (15 with Rhea’s speed), hit either way. Rhea takes -2 damage (and another -2 due to her Res) = -4 dmg -> Rhea HP: 4/10. Current debuffs: -2 Str -1 Mag -3 Def -2 Res -2 Spd]

“Children,” she calls, “take care. They may seem whimsical but these opponents are just as strong if not stronger than our last.”

[areadboar]

Charcuterie Board: Every flavor of cheese you can imagine, all lined up by color and size for the Aesthetique.

"Linhardt," he introduces, extending a hand for Dimitri to shake. "And your name is...?" (An invitation for the other to introduce himself.)

Pleasantries aside, the boy then extends the platter he's been carrying with him—the infamous charcuterie board. "Care to try one?"

Dimitri had been browsing the food table when a colourful plate of food was shoved in his face. Tracking up the arm to the face of said person, he recognised them as a Black Eagle student. There were vague memories of spotting them holed up in the library but never spoken with them.

"Dimitri." He responded shaking the offered hand, "Pleasure to meet you" Royal training kicking in. Scanning the platter, the prince was at a loss of what to choose. Not that he could taste it anyway. "It all looks delicious. What do you recommend?"

[alluxerim]

a dirge of light and destruction

     “Come on,” Khalkós nudges Lucius as he remains standing at the foot of the great tree, staring at its flittering inhabitants with a mournful expression, “We can’t just stay here forever. I mean, knowing you, you probably can, but that doesn’t mean you should.” She leans in closer. “Remember that we need to keep looking for the magic; whatever will help save the forest might help save them as well,” she points out, one hand motioning to the beetle in Lucius’ palm.

     “You’re right...” Lucius turns, too, at Linhardt’s voice, noting the items held in the other’s hands. He makes no move to discourage taking these items; it’s true that they are of no use to their original owners any longer, and if Linhardt can find a use for them, even as mere entertainment... maybe that’s a way to perpetuate the memories of the those who had once held these same items. “Yes, let us continue,” he says with a weak attempt at a smile.

     The moment he steps out of the tree’s shadows, the beetle’s wings flutter, and in a moment it flies from his grasp to rejoin its brothers and sisters in a branch far above them. “Ah...” Lucius’ gaze follows it until it disappears, an inexplicable pang of loss in his chest. St. Elimine, I beseech you...

     ...What would, what could he even pray for on their behalf?                             (‘This is their fate for eternity.’)

     Peace. At least, at least, grant them that, he pleads silently as they leave the tree behind, the last traces of the once-children quickly fading within the fog and eerie stillness that envelops them on their way forward.

@pridelessdaydreamer

[shadesofpurity]

A Certain Monastery’s Tea Party

Reason and Faith band together to put on this month’s special seminar: the history of tasseomancy! You will be learning the “magic” behind divination and how the old masters used the remains of tea leaves and coffee grounds to predict future events. Just in time for the moon of love, you will all be divining your romantic futures from a delicious cup of white rose tea. Ah, tea.. a beverage that Artur had come to know quite well. he was no expert on it, but he’d had quite a few cups for both social gatherings and his own late-night studies, so when he heard of a seminar about tea and magic, he couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity. the added bonus of divining his love life with Kurth was something he definitely didn’t know about, though, but hey, he was never the type to complain. And now he wait, watching those around him deeply entrenched in the tea leaf and coffee ground ritual. apparently the divination ceremony required a partner, and Artur was able to find one quite easily. if his memory served correctly, this was a boy from the Black Eagle house, and.. well, Artur couldn’t help but notice the wisdom in his eyes, as well as the very apparent bags. He was praying that his partner in tea crimes was getting enough sleep. “Well, are you ready to get started, Sir... oh, sorry, I haven’t even asked your name yet!” > @pridelessdaydreamer

[allegreta]

smiles that don’t reach eyes [leanne & linhardt]

Just when you thought the hidden village was a myth, you stumble upon it. Quite literally. It’s been carved out of a massive pit in the earth and turned into a giant greenhouse through the use of magic. The inside is like a jungle, humid and warm all year round, with plentiful fruits and vegetables and other flora. The people, too, are just as warm, and-- come to think of it, you don’t think you’ve ever seen any of the villagers frown since they welcomed you inside, no questions asked. You even think you recognize a face you once saw around the monastery, except she looks a little different in the colorful hemp tunic and straw hat that all the other villagers wear. When you talk to her, she has a sort of dreamy look in her voice and eyes, but insists firmly that she’ll never go back to the monastery or a battlefield for the rest of her life. Stay awhile though, she says, and you’ll soon open your eyes to “it,” too.

starter for @pridelessdaydreamer​

Something is very, very wrong.

Leanne feels it in her bones. It’s crept up on her since they neared this village, pouncing her with force when they were ushered in. It lies in the delicious meals they were served, the beautiful linens they were offered, the plush beds in the spacious guest rooms they’ve been allotted.

This place is a marvel. It is lush and flourishing. And everything in Leanne’s instincts scream to her that it simply should not be.

“Linhardt, may I have a word to--erm, with you?” The wrongness encroaches her mind such that she finds herself slipping on simple grammar. It’s frustrating, and she fears that whatever is causing such joy for these beorc does not take kindly to herons. “Have you noticed anything...odd?”

Linhardt is one of her classmates and her partner for this mission. He has little interest in much around him, but when there’s something that piques him, suddenly he’s at it with the force of a thousand suns, speaking in a manner that far outpaces even the most learned of professors. She wishes he would talk more in class, when he does have things to say they are ever so interesting!

“It’s just...I know you must have noticed that this place is very suspicious.” Honestly, she is a little worried he may be taken by whatever is influencing these people. He’s always sleeping and lazing about, once she almost tripped over him in the cafeteria and he didn’t even stir! “For me, it is something beyond just a hunch. You see, herons like myself have...empathy, I think is the closest word in this language to describing it? We can feel emotions, and are very sensitive to imbalances. I could not tell you why, but there is something about this place that has my instincts on severe warning.”

[salveden]

FOR THE BOOKS AND THE BOOKS ONLY - & linhardt

PROMPT ;   You’ve all faced terrible dangers these past few years, far beyond what normal students and faculty should face during a school semester. So it’s no surprise when the administration announces that admissions have been abysmal this year, in part due to the nobility not wanting to risk their heirs and loved ones to whatever enemies are plaguing the Church. With the school budget in peril, your mission is to put on the best damn open house the Officers Academy has ever seen! Give tours to prospective students and answer their questions, because without their tuitions, your amenities are on the line! And for the faculty, your salaries and research budgets…

MIDORI SHOULD BE UPSET; she should be frustrated beyond thought. even the smallest amount of anger would suffice as reasonable.  she wasn’t one of the victims to the church’s dangers, but her friends were.  she was a bystander who watched her friends fight through missions without the proper compensation, both for mental and physical injuries, and all she knew was what the letters sent to her told.  so, yes!  she should be upset!  the church wants admissions to the student and faculty body but can’t be trusted to keep said accepted individuals safe.

still, she might be a fool for allowing herself to be admitted into the same monastery she has issues with.  she told herself that it was to expand her knowledge of magic and science past her home country, but now, she guesses it was guilt that made the decision for her.  which is why it isn’t shocking that midori is one of the firsts to volunteer when the new mission is presented.

though, to her surprise, linhardt volunteers too.

“   the church split the prospective students between tour guides by classes.   ”   midori says, redoing her twin ponytails as they walk to the front of the monastery.   “   three students will be in our first tour, and only one in our second.  we don’t have any information about the three students besides their names; aspen, wesley, and kim.   ”   after her hair is styled, she moves onto fixing her blouse and cleaning her glasses.  father always said that she looked professional with glasses on, so she’ll wear them, only for the open house.  besides, they’re white framed with a sticker on the side; which she thinks are incredibly cute.

little apothecary glances up at linhardt,   “   where should we take them first?  i haven’t been to many places in the academy during my few weeks here.   ”

your turn ! say ‘aah’ , @pridelessdaydreamer !!