#xhailflamex

[mark-lyn-and-friends]

Keeping Secrets

@xhailflamex

“Coward! Using the castle gate for defense will only prolong your death by my blade!” Once again Rutger had found himself in a tough fight, but this one was a bit different than the others. For one thing he was back in Bulgar, the site of his parents murder, and for two he was fighting a fellow Sacaen who was actually almost meeting him blow for blow. If he wouldn’t have rushed ahead into the battle like he always did he might have had some support and taken fewer injuries on the way there, but for now he was in a duel to the death and it would still be a short time before the rest of the army caught up.

“Life, death, it doesn’t really matter to me. I’ve served my master well and will continue to do so.” His name was Kel and there were rumors that except for the Sword Demon Karel himself that he was the best swordsman in all Sacae, maybe even Elibe, but he hadn’t faced anyone of the likes of Rutger. The two of them clashed again and again, barely missing vital body parts and blood vessels with their swords with each pass. It was a good thing Rutger’s robes were red, because if they weren’t then they sure would have been by now.

“Just give up, it’s no use.” Kel taunted as Rutger’s breathing became heavier and more strained with each glancing blow. But the young man had one more trick up his sleeve.

He was told only to use it in dire situations and this was definitely one. He sheathed his Killing Edge and took out his second sword, the mighty Durandal. The same sword that Lord Eliwood used years ago to defeat Nergal and the Fire Dragon, according to his father’s recalling of the events of course.

“You’re not doing so well yourself, this last attack will determine who lives and dies.” Rutger said pointing the sword at Kel. If his heart wasn’t beating out of his ears he could have heard the gates behind him opening, signalling that the rest of the army was now here and getting to watch the tail end of this duel.

[sireneia-a]

+*. @xhailflamex ( cont. )

     the vow made in childhood is one the archer keeps close to his heart. keep lilina safe. his training from friend to servant transformed that oath to add one word ever present in his mind: lady.

lady lilina echoes in his thoughts. gone are the days he said it so freely, and it feels like eons ago when his liege brings it up again in the solitude of the castle's garden. he can hear the far off cries of some training drills all the way out, and that faint noise binds him to his pledge as her retainer.

“ but lady lilina! things have changed. ” he doesn't mean to scold her, but he remains stubborn on this point. “ if i grew so familiar with you, then that wouldn't make me a very good knight, would it? and a knight never rests from his duty! ”

[moon-caughtar]

@xhailflamex​ || Continued from X

     He’s aware that his current position - a mere musician - gives him little right to be so blunt towards both her and Roy himself, but, as the acting primary strategist for this army the young boy has managed to cobble together, he feels a great responsibility to look out for the soldiers he deems most necessary for their victory. Lilina and Roy are both children, if this world were not so cruel they would have never seen war nor bloodshed, but that luxury had long since slipped through their fingers and he could not longer treat them as children if he wished to help them survive this battle. They both have his sympathy, of course, he’s not heartless. Hector’s death had rattled Elibe as a whole, not just the nation of Lycia, and had left much of their army broken and sick with dread. He commended Lilina’s strength in the face of news so grave, but this wasn’t the best way to go about stomaching her grief.      

       “I do not mean top pressure you, my lady, but you are invaluable to this army; more so than I believe you realize.” And to Roy, from the talk he’s heard around camp (he is a strategist, after all, if he were not privy to the ongoings of the soldiers he wouldn’t make for a very good one), but he’ll not stick his nose down that hole. Regardless, her energy and cheerful nature have been vital to keeping up morale in such trying times. He’s concerned that if she pushes herself too hard the impact the consequences will have on the army as a whole will be difficult to overcome. And he dislikes having to think about grief from such a logical and indifferent standpoint (and he does care; he knows what lose feels like), but he has no choice. 

        A sigh flutters past his lips; she’s just as stubborn as Roy, perhaps even more so. “Very well, I will accompany you.” His voice was never harsh, though his words were oftentimes blunt. “If I may speak, right now, the army has settled down for the time being and the soldiers are resting. In other words, in this moment, I am nothing more than a simple bard, my lady. What you may say to me will remain this musician’s closely guarded secret, so there is no need to hold back. On that, you have my word.” Grief is something that  only festers within one’s heart if it’s not given an outlet, though he must treat her otherwise, he hasn’t forgotten that those who compose the very heart of this army are merely children dealt a cruel hand and he will protect them with what meager strength he possess. 

[her0icmismatched]

@xhailflamex replied to your post: Eliwood has appeared! What to do? Hold hands...

Ninian will Hold Hands and Propose!

He could not fight the smile that was spreading along his lips, feeling Ninian’s hands grasp his and hearing the words from her mouth. Despite being an Ice Dragon, Ninian’s hands were so warm, and soft, and comforting. A small chuckle escaped the Marquess’ mouth as he smiled warmly down at his beloved. “I do believe proposing is actually my role, but regardless of whom proposes to whom, my answer is ‘yes’ Ninian.”

[heirofgautier]

@xhailflamex for Lilina

“What do you say I get you some lunch, huh?  Out in the village.  I know a great little grill place.” Going straight for the kill, apparently.

[archivedflammes]

@xhailflamex​ from here

Most of Castle Pherae had been decorated, mostly done by staff around the castle, even involving some of the knights as well. Marcus himself had been the one to find the trees that would be spread throughout the castle, while most were in the grand meeting halls and main audience chamber, this particular one was set up in the castles residential chambers, if one were to look at Castle Pherae like an office, then the residence was Eliwood and Ninian’s home.

Marcus and Eliwood had set up this pine just this morning, for Eliwood and his wife to decorate by themselves while Rebecca and others decorated the rest of the castle. Eliwood smiled while Ninian looked through all the trimmings that would soon adorn the tree, seeing child-like excitement in her eyes. Excited though she may be, Eliwood also did not wish her to push herself too hard during this time. The reason for this would become apparent were one to simply glance at Ninian’s stomach, she was now showing signs of being with child, her’s and Eliwood’s child, their first. Though she was still early on in her pregnancy, Eliwood was excited for the day their child would be born.

“Ah, yes, the tinsel.” Eliwood looked at the sparkling garland in Ninian’s hands then back to the tree. “From the top, I’ll fetch the step ladder.”

A few simple steps made of wood, but just enough that both he and Ninian would reach the top of the pine without much difficulty “Would you like to do the honors, beloved?”

[of-invisible-ties]

@xhailflamex​  II Starter Call II @ Ninian! 

“Lady Ninian, do you fare well?”

Marth’s voice is soft, full of respect. He had noticed that the other seemed especially shy and hesitant in approaching others. He wanted her to be comfortable around him, and thus dispensed of his Falchion, placing it into the armory for safe-keeping. It stood to reason that a dragon-slaying blade would perturb a dragon. 

“I am simply checking in with our allies. If nothing is amiss, you ... you needn’t speak with me if you do not wish to.”

[mark-lyn-and-friends]

xhailflamex

Well first of all, I think it would be unfair to assume that you won't write anything else? What ever happened to asking? Second: I feel that too. Because my muses are from older games, or just not the older games that are more popular in the fandom, I get less attention. That's fine and all, but it can get disheartening sometimes. But I just try not to think too hard about it because at least some people are invested enough to continue threads with me.

That’s a good point, I do tend to not even bother asking people if they’d be interested in writing with me after I read their rules and make assumptions about what they mean. (Assuming things is a very bad habit of mine that I continuously have to work on.) So I guess part of the issue is myself as well, and I don’t mind admitting that.

And yeah, it can be very disheartening. I see all these cool blogs with characters I’d totally want to interact with, but they don’t give you the time of day for whatever reason. (I have a theory on that, but that’s for a different time and post.)

But for the most part I feel the same, I do have very good writing partners already, like you for example, that make this a worthwhile hobby for me. Tonight it just kind of bubbled up since it’s really been the first time I’ve had to think clearly in about a week.