#tyrfingsheir

[odsfinest]

A Fateful Reunion

The warmth of this ballroom compared to the cold walk up the mountains is a stark contrast. Not even a day and he’s already been given an assignment. Aren’t I a teacher? Why do I need these silly little stamps? What do they accomplish? Well, in the grand scheme of things. Nothing, not to Shannan. If nothing else, it’s motivation to wander around and make acquaintances with the dozens of new faces around him. Even those that he grew with feel distant and cold, for some reason. Well, there’s no time like the present, right?

The man almost effortlessly raises to his feet, and begins yet another lap around the dancefloor. Shannan… is not the most socially apt person. Not to say he can’t hold a conversation, but he has definitely done at least five different circles around the ballroom floor. Like a hawk observing, waiting for the right opportunity to swoop in on its prey, there’s a sudden bee line to one of the many blue haired individuals in this room. 

“Lord Seliph. I’m glad to see you again,” he starts, a warm smile coming across his face. This is rare. Stop smiling. And thus the opportunity is lost to time. No one will believe him if he mentions it. You’re fine. “How have you been? You’ve been keeping up on your training, right? Are you making friends?” Like a mother, there is some obligation to step up and check in on Seliph. 

@tyrfingsheir

[nagaficat]

Stars in a Hazy Heaven

@avemaera @tyrfingsheir

Deirdre's heart is a flutter as she descends the staircase to the ballroom. She has been dreaming of this event and all of its symbolism since she first heard rumors of it. Her dress is beautiful. The perfect blend of both her own and her beloved's tastes! And Lord Arvis...he looks so stunning she cannot keep her eyes off him. He even tied his hair with a purple ribbon! Not red, not black. Purple, her favorite!

"Have you heard the rumors about the Goddess Tower, my love?" She has not stopped smiling since they began dressing earlier in the day and her cheeks have begun to ache. "I know students are not permitted, but you will indulge me, won't you? It sounds so very romantic! We must make a vow together!" Of course, they have already sworn an even more important vow together but Deirdre would very much like to tell any god or goddess who might listen just how much she adores the man whose arm she currently holds.

"And I heard there will be some sort of magic that can capture a single moment in time like a painting but much quicker! May we try it? We could send one home to grandfather! How excited would he be to see how big I am getting!" She rubs a hand lovingly over the swell of her baby bump now most certainly visible before returning it to join her other in clinging to his arm. His jacket is a wool silk and, whether consciously or not, Deirdre continues to rub her fingertips softly against it.

"Oh but listen to me! I am so excited I cannot stop talking!" Her cheeks blush and they step off of the stairs and enter the ball proper.

Lavender eyes scan the room looking for a glimpse of blue hair. It isn't long before she spies it but it is not attached to the person she was first expecting. Still, her eyes light up to see her son heading toward them. She is certain this ending will be as magical as she dreams it will!

[concealedbybreeze]

Chalphy’s Cover-Up 

A graceful draft blows ripples on the water.

Lewyn had always been a man of many talents. He could sing, dance, fight--and his way with words was one of his greatest assets. It helps to have a jack-of-all trades character when roaming the world and concealing your identity; each skill he possesses is another façade to fall back on. It comes as no surprise, then, that he’d be interested in picking up a few more during his time at Garreg Mach.

Let’s face it, traveling ain’t cheap. There’s only so much cash a feckless minstrel can rake in, and good as it may be, tavern food isn’t easy on the wallet. To better prepare for those longer stretches between towns, Lewyn’s decided to take up fishing as a new side-hobby. It’s nothing big, but if he can manage to catch a few good ones while he’s out and about, it’d make the difference between a night of starving and stomach-filled. 

Today, on this partly-cloudy day with a fair breeze, he finds himself at the academy’s fishing pond. His legs ambiently dangle off the wetted pier, swishing through the air and enjoying its coolness. Between them is his rod, already cast into the deep blue. It rests against his knees to free up his hands: hands which hold a flute to his mouth for him to play. To add to the serenity of this scene, Lewyn had decided to blow out a quiet melody. It’s loud enough for him to hear, but not to disturb the fish. 

Between both of these activities, the Silessian is more than preoccupied. His back is turned to the rest of the school, blind to the meandering of its students. Even if he wants to look back, he’s doing too much to make that a good idea. Instead his efforts are focused on the tasks at hand. The bard is concentrating on hitting the right notes and waiting for a bite--ready to react to a gentle tug on the taught string of his rod.

@tyrfingsheir

[hezulion]

snowdown throwdown

The Officer’s Academy was smothered in a gelid blanket of frost and snow as the year drew to a close. Morning training complete for the day, Ares had little in the way of plans for the rest of this glacially slow Sunday. At least until he spots a group of orphans from the monastery playing in the snow and struggling to build their snowman higher. The trio seem to be having a great time and he would have left them to it but the smallest of the three, a little girl, let her scarf fly away on the breeze.

Catching it in one hand, he marches over to the children. Their eyes widen at first, reminding him to try and relax a little. He has no reason to fear them and they certainly should have no reason to hide from him.

“You’ll need this, we can’t have you catching a cold,” he says softly, quietly to the young girl who approaches him tentatively. He kneels in the snow, ignoring how the freezing cold seeps into his clothing. With slow and deliberate movements, he wraps the scarf back around the neck, loose enough to remain comfortable but tucked into her coat to prevent it flying away upon icy winds once more. “That’s better, is it comfortable enough?”

She gives him a bright smile and a soft nod before picking up a heap of snow and holding it out to him.

“Play with us mister, please!” A cursory glance around tells him that there’s no one else around except her two companions. The smaller of the two boys sits upon the other’s shoulders, trying to stack more snow on to their snowman.

“Alright, let’s roll a snowball for his head,” he takes the snow offered to him and packs it into a ball before passing it back to her. Her eyes sparkle with excitement as she begins rolling it up, the ball growing bigger and bigger. It grows larger and larger until it’s almost up to her waist. Wrapping her tiny arms around it, she strains trying to pick it up. “Oh no, I can’t lift this.”

“That’s okay, I’ll do the heavy lifting. Do you have any decorations for his face?” Ares asks her, unaware they’re being watched.

@tyrfingsheir

[nagargent]

[ Grannvale ] - An old waltz from before the rise of Emperor Arvis. It was popular during its time in the 750s but has now become a relic of the past, one that may not be as appreciated by the newer generation.

Julia lets go of one of his hands to cover her mouth as she giggles. Then she feels a pang of guilt though, knowing all her brother has been through tonight

“Ah, please forgive me,” she takes hold of his hand once more and allows him to lead her through the steps. They’re simple at least, easy enough to follow through along with the music. Julia twirls out a couple of times to add a bit of flair to the choreograpy. “It’s just a rather old-fashioned dance. I didn’t think you’d be a fan but it has it’s charms.”

“It’s a lovely tune though, isn’t it? Reminds me of a--” Julia stops herself. Lullaby. The last thing she wants to do is wave the fact she had more precious years with their mother than he did in his face. Instead she chooses something else, softer and less barbed for him. “music box I used to have. It was antique and when I listened to it I felt like I was part of a different time period...”

“One more peaceful and prosperous. Does it not fall on our shoulders to build such a world together, dear brother?”

[ladyleonster]

Are Ya Winning, Nephew?

Ethlyn watches, eyes wide, as Seliph confronts his mother and her second husband. Everyone watches. It's a scene that's impossible to miss. As Seliph storms in and grabs Arvis by the collar the same way she herself had when she first ran into the man, she's filled with pride.

Seliph might look far more like his mother but there is no mistaking the Chalphy blood--the blood of Baldr himself--that runs through his veins. He is as outspoken and hotheaded as his Chalphy relations. She is glad to see him sticking up for Sigurd and, had the setting been more appropriate to a fight, would have gladly gone up there and joined him.

Her nephew's triumph is short lived and he quickly breaks down. She watches as his father swoops in to his side and leaves the two men be. Sigurd should be the first one to comfort his own son. Ethlyn can wait until later before she approaches him.

Later in the evening, Ethlyn finds Seliph still clearly shaken up from the events of earlier. She approaches him cautiously but still wearing a hopeful smile. "You were too little to remember me, I'm sure," she begins awkwardly. "I'm your aunt. Ethlyn. Sigurd is my older brother. Leif and Altena are my children. Next time you fancy punching that snake, let me know, alright? I will happily lend my aid."

A gloved hand reaches into her delicately beaded reticule and pulls out a flask of liquor. "Hang on...how old are you now?" Before he has the chance to answer she shakes her head and simply hands the flask over. "It doesn't matter. You'e been through enough. Just don't tell Sig I let you."

@tyrfingsheir

[nagargent]

[ Lift ] - For the photo, the sender boldly lifts the receiver up in their arms. Whether or not they can hold them long enough for the photo may be another story…

"Wh-whoa- whaaaaa!! Help!!" Goodness, this was mortifying! Shrieking like a banshee in the middle of the ballroom. Julia is about to very firmly tell the stranger not to touch her without permission when she realises who it is.

Julia pouts, eyes wide like a puppies. Really, now?

The machine clicks, and Seliph has his photo.

“Was that really necessary?” Julia asks him with a furrowed brow. Oh, she adores her brother from the bottom of her heart but did he have to sneak up on her like that? Make her yell out for dear life. Everyone is looking at her and she wants to melt into a puddle on the floor. Shoulders sagging, Julia let’s out a dramatic sigh but a small smile slowly makes it’s way onto her face. Pout still on her face, she gives Seliph a petulant little push and giggles. “Well, as long as you’re happy with it. I guess I can’t complain too much but you owe me.”

Laughing, because it’s so much easier to feel joy around Seliph than stay angry, Julia darts behind him. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she jumps onto his back, demanding to be carried and points in the direction of the dessert table.

“Onwards! I want ice cream cake and I want it ten minutes ago. Giddy up, now!”

[nagaficat]

[ Cheek ] - The sender kisses the receiver on the cheek for a cute photo.

Deirdre cannot help but grow teary at the sight of their finished photo. In it, her face beams bright as her darling son gives her a kiss on her cheek. She holds the printed sheet close to her heart and her eyes flutter shut.

"Oh Seliph, thank you. I shall cherish this always. I will always keep it close to me so that we are never apart again!"