#striador

[ruaimei]

If there's hope for me there's hope for anyone.

Most of the knowledge she's gained of Amphoreus & the Chrysos Heirs have been through Herta's tales ; much of it was disregarded as idle chatter , another grand success for fellow genius to boast about . Though she had little interest in the stories , Ruan Mei couldn't help the natural curiosity towards the eternal land . Such interest compelled her to seek out an ally of the nameless ; to her surprise , the king who defied death long before becoming a demigod did not immediately refuse her .

' You've quite the story . I've heard it's been quite some time since death's natural order returned to Amphoreus ... I wonder , is that what kept you alive , or were you truly destined to reach this end ? Do you feel satisfied ? '

[remembranced]

@striador // c.

"Well, I happened to have something a bit more important to look out for. First name, T. Last name, Reasure!"

Alright, maybe he was pushing the button a little with the stoic royal, but the way he saw it, would the man even want a perfect stranger possibly getting in his way and conflicting with his own preferences on the battlefield? The answer was no, obviously! At least... it was easy to assume that, at least. Still, the outcome was symbiotic: Mydei didn't have to adjust his fighting style and Clear could pilfer the treasure (well, in this case, ancient memories suspended on a thread by Oronyx's power) for himself without disruption by Nikador's malevolent Titankin. Sauntering within view, glittering orbs of pure memory that differed from Memory Bubbles was held like a trove of gems stolen by a cat burglar, all before they disappeared in a flourish of his hand.

"You're welcome for staying out of your way, by the way. Any idiot can hold you back, but not me~!"

[worldbearing]

𖤓 CONTINUED // @striador

ㅤㅤAN EASY LAUGH escapes his lips as he falls into step beside the other, not paying much heed to his pretenses of apparent exasperation — Phainon knew him far too well to think that it was a genuine bother, so any semblance of irritation was comfortably ignored. Still, he played along, placing the palm of his hand against his chest, as though he were truly taking a knightly vow.

ㅤㅤ❝ Alright, alright — I solemnly swear I won't be stealing leftovers while you're cooking. ❞ㅤ' This time, ' the faint curve of his mouth betrays, clearly finding this more amusing than he tried to let on. But in the end, even this PLAYFUL CHARADE cracks with a light-hearted chuckle ( and a not so subtle compliment. )ㅤ❝ Can't really blame me when it tastes so good, though! ❞

[worldbearing]

@striadorㅤ:

❝ your form's looking good, one more rep. ❞ amber hues gaze down at his husband as he bench presses, both appreciative of the sweat that made his defined muscles shine under the gym lights while also watching to make sure he could handle the weight without pushing it too far. while he loved every date they went on, mydei would be the first to admit that gym dates were among his favorite, spending time doing one of his favorite activities with the person he cherished the most. of course, the eye candy that he was so lovingly married certainly was a bonus. once the weight was on the rack, the taller of the two offered phainon his water along with a protein bar ( home made, of course ), before sitting himself next to his husband. was the bench too small for two six foot+ tall men to sit on ? most certainly, though its not like either of them particularly cared. mydei thumbs the brim of his hat higher, an eyebrow raised slightly in question. ❝ are we good ? we can finish off doing some cardio and then get some late lunch, if you want. ❞

ㅤㅤ❝ Phew — thanks, coach. ❞ㅤPushing himself into an upright position, he wipes the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, finally setting the heavy weights aside. After such a thorough training session, the offered water is accepted with a grateful nod, taking a couple sips to cool his body down. Workouts have always been part of his ( and now their ) routine, not only to keep fit, but also because he enjoyed the SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT that went along with the burning ache in his muscles. Today was no exception, but no matter how much he enjoyed the grind, a break was still in order. Luckily, there were far worse ways to wind down than sitting beside his husband and sharing the snacks brought from home. As Phainon shifts on the too-small bench, stretching out his legs to get into a more comfortable position, his knees lightly bump against the other's ; making no attempt to move away.

ㅤㅤ❝ So, what do we think? Better than last time, I hope! ❞ㅤhe jests in between bites, AN EASY SMILE playing upon his lips.ㅤ❝ Can't afford to be slacking when you've definitely improved, after all. ❞ㅤHe takes another sip before passing the bottle back over, leaning back on the bench in a manner that almost forced them even closer together.ㅤ❝ Anyway, I'm finished for today — so unless you plan on doing more training, we should head out before I start eating the rest of these protein bars. I'm starving. ❞ㅤAs if for emphasis, he waves one of said snacks between them, before giving Mydei a nudge.ㅤ❝ My treat this time! As much as I love your cooking, I think you deserve a break — and I hear our favorite go-to spot calling our names. ❞

[desiredrivcn]

@striador: ❝ ever so stubborn, aren’t you? ❞ for anaxa

for the demigod of strife to call out such a mundane and obvious part of anaxagoras's demeanor felt like a dull commentary to the reason coreflame holder. studying the expression on mydeimos, the professor tilts his head as he merely waves him off as he walks past him with a rather slow pace, heading to the bookshelf behind and grabbing a book.

"did you want praise for stating the obvious?" a dull remark as he flips through the pages and sighs. "i can see why phainon loves hanging around you, mydeimos, you are a dull blade in words. straight to the point is not sharp, it is a simple means to ignore reason." he continues, like it even mattered to anaxagoras if he had an audience.

"i stand by my commentary on this foolish journey you and the other chrysos heirs are on. it is based off of speculation, feelings and delusions with no proof. that is not how i will work, mydeimos, and you cannot be that woman's pet dog and drag me into submission. if you wish to challenge me however, your fists will not suffice, your words might."

[worldbearing]

@striadorㅤ:ㅤ❝ I trust, from time to time, you stop to ask yourself how come you choose to fight. ❞

ㅤㅤA SHORT LAUGH ESCAPES HIM in spite of the weight to Mydei's words, a breath of mirth against the gravity of his question, spilling over into the wry smile curving his lips. Even Phainon's answer seems to come effortless at first, delivered with a playful shrug and half-smile.ㅤ❝ Surely the answer is obvious, Mydei. For the greater good, noble sacrifice, selfless duty. I mean, that's what all the great heroes say, right? ' For honor! ', ' For glory! ', ' For the fate of the world! ' ❞ㅤHe lifts an imaginary goblet, as though toasting to an unseen audience. This kind of teasing came easy too — a habit well honed over the years to fill the spaces between words before heavier things could settle. But just as quickly as it came, the laughter fades and his smile wanes.ㅤ❝ At least that's what I used to think. ❞ㅤHis gaze drifts to the worn bracers encircling his wrists, the leather cracked, faded from age and a myriad of past battles.

ㅤㅤ❝ Of course ... it's never quite that simple, is it? ❞ㅤPhainon's voice dips lower, his gaze flicking towards the other, searching Mydei's expression as if seeking an answer there.ㅤ❝ I think about it, ❞ㅤhe admits.ㅤ❝ It's so easy to lose sight of the reason when you let something else slip into its place, after all. I allowed anger to do it once, let vengeance carve a path for me when I didn't have one. ❞ㅤHis jaw tightens, a flicker of a bygone memory darkening his features. Back then, his grief had been a fire which turned righteousness into destruction, until it consumed more than it protected. It has been years since, but regret still wells in his chest ; his fingers curling into a loose fist.

ㅤㅤ❝ You saw what I was like then, Mydei. ❞ㅤHow much of himself he had lost. He exhales, slow and deliberate, as though the measured action would ground him.ㅤ❝ Back then I didn't stop to ask myself anything at all. I just followed the anger, let it drive me forward because I didn't know what else to hold onto. ❞ㅤThe words hang between them for a moment, like the EMBERS OF A DYING FIRE, smoldering — aching. Phainon shakes his head, scattering the specters of its flame before it could rise anew. A small smile tugs upon his lips, and whatever grief had stirred from its tomb was banished once more.

ㅤㅤ❝ But I suppose that's why you're here. ❞ㅤWhen his gaze lifts this time, his eyes softened, no longer beset by the shadows of his past.ㅤ❝ To remind me of what truly matters. I think I'm starting to understand that now ... not just what I fight against, but what I fight for. For the future — or, at least for a chance at it. ❞ㅤHe allowed silence to settle then, the weight of their conversation slipping from his shoulders like a cloak he refused to let remain there too long. It was the slow resurgence of something familiar, and with it, ease returned to his stance. Before long, Phainon tilted his head with a lop-sided grin, staving off the weight of TOO MUCH SINCERITY.ㅤ❝ Still, you will let me know if I start charging off in the wrong direction again, won't you? ❞

𖤓 STARTER MEME | ( CLOSED )

[indeliblepromise-a]

꒰১ ✦ : ˚ʚ 【 @striador 】 ɞ˚ : ✦ ໒꒱

╰ ꒰১ cont. from 「 X 」

‧₊˚ ⋅ ꒰১ ᯓ ☆ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝑬𝑵𝑼𝑰𝑵𝑬 𝑨𝑾𝑬 that he had spoken. Sometimes, when his former duties took him to the Moment of Scorchsand, he would catch sight of the SoulGlad™ Scorchsand Audition Venue and the CONTESTANTS that gathered at the Superstar Showdown Arenas. Those participants came from all sorts of planets to show off a wide variety of fighting styles to Penacony. From the fierce martial arts of Belobog to the elegant swordsmanship of the Xianzhou to many more REFINED techniques in between. And yet not once had he ever seen anyone fight like the warrior before him.

˚ʚ ☾ ɞ˚ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤㅤThe words the man spoke were probably; no, DEFINITELY true. He was lucky to be able to even see the man in action. Neither Grandpa nor any other past generation of Nameless had ever even gotten to set foot on Amphoreus until now. What REALLY brought a look of shock onto his face was the SUDDEN OFFER to teach him.

˚ʚ ☾ ɞ˚ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤㅤThere was no immediate answer at first but his lavender hues justㅤ—ㅤSTARE at the man. The man was huge; standing proud like an INDESTRUCTABLE WALL. His arms could probably break solid rocks without him so much as breaking a sweat. Maybe if the bellboy was as STRONG AND GROWN UP as Gallagher, something like what the man was offering was achievable. With his petite body though, he could have SWORN he was being told a joke.

˚ʚ ☾ ɞ˚ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤㅤAnd yetㅤ—ㅤat the same time, little Misha was NEVER good at saying ' No '.

˚ʚ ☾ ɞ˚ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤㅤ❛ㅤI - I suppose I could TRY ! But I'm not sure how well I'll do . . .ㅤ❜

[desiredrivcn]

@striador: " you can't understand . not unless you were there . " ( for caelus )

every new world caelus steps on, he has to learn a whole new culture, history and way of life. it was likely that confusion will eventually slip into things, and make the trailblazer look like something he isn't. he didn't mean to offend mydei with assumptions, not at all, but caelus' mouth runs faster than his mind sometimes.

whatever gifts mem gave him, it still does not take away the issue that caelus was not there in person to experience the emotions mydei had to in those snippets of history trapped in ice fragments in kremnos. he fidgets a bit with his sleeve and nods to himself.

"you're right, i can't understand. but i want to understand you and everyone else in amphoreus if we're gonna help you out. outsiders or not, we all got a stake in this because loss isn't selective."