knight and *hobbyist* of elusia

Black Eagles student at The Officers Academy || private RP for Zelkov of FE: Engage

[thiefknight]

maid investigation

[lazulienne]

    “ Huh?! ”  To be contested on her little claim about herself and from Zelkov of all people— Lapis isn't quite sure what to make of it. But she decides in the end she must have misheard him. She's not sure what he could've said, but there's no way he'd actually describe her as cute. It's easier to assume her ears just... aren't working, yup!

Calming down from that bewildering moment, it's focusing on her objective in why she set out here that helps keep her steady. When Zelkov mentions that he's sharing the same motive, it goes even further in that regard. She nods at what he says, specificity and all.

“ Hm... I get that. I won't deny I'm extra nervous about other Brodians being here and my friends too, ”  she admits, though she knows for a matter of fact at least one of them is going to be there for certain; she's just not sure at what time.  “ For Elusians, I've heard descriptions from some of the customers who leave about a cute maid with pink hair and a heart on her right cheek working here. Sounds like it could be Princess Hortensia. ”

[thiefknight]

"That certainly does sound like Princess Hortensia." A pause; then, with just the hint of a frown, "I wouldn't put it past Kagetsu to try something like this, either."

Then he falls silent, fidgeting with the key around his neck in idle thought. They both seem to be in agreement here, and yet neither one of them is making a move to actually do what they've stated they came here for. Perhaps this isn't the best mission for two very shy people, but then again, perhaps they can sneak in and out without being noticed? Or worse.... accosted?

After turning all of this over in his mind, he says, "I think we should probably go inside the cafe now," even though his own confidence is beginning to waver. But Lapis is quite a lot younger than he is, and Zelkov is nothing if not determined to put on a brave face for those among his friends and fellow soldiers who are young.

[thiefknight]

maid investigation

[lazulienne]

    “ Me? Participate?! Like... as in as one of the maids?! ”  Lapis flushes.  “ O-Oh no, nothing like that! I'm not really cute like that to pull off things like that... ”

Plus there was the whole part of her needing to be more mindful of what positions she puts herself in, what with how she was being judged more for this kind of thing than she initially thought. Between that and how painfully obvious it was what kind of looks they were aiming for with their maids, Lapis couldn't imagine herself donning those frilly outfits.

“ No, I'm here to investigate. In case you didn't know, word is that a lot of the people from the Divine One's army got scouted to work here as maids. So I wanted to check in on them! But... ”  Here the two of them stand, decidedly not in the café.  “ I just haven't been able to work up the nerve, y'know? ”

She then turns the question on its head.  “ What about you, Zelkov? ”

[thiefknight]

Quirking an eyebrow at her, he says, "You're plenty cute," because... well, she is. Cute like a little baby bird or a kitten is cute, anyhow. But Zelkov doesn't pay much mind to other forms of "cuteness", so he's not sure if this is what she means.

As she explains, he nods. So they're both here on scouting missions, more or less. It makes sense that Lapis would want to find out who among their number might be participating in the cafe, and her caring nature might lead her to worry about her friends in such a position, too. Zelkov can't argue these points, and he's here for similar reasons.

"I was also trying to determine what exactly is going on in there," he says. "I had also heard some of our fellow soldiers might be here. Specifically, I wanted to know if any Elusians are inside... and if they're alright." No need to hide the fact that he's more concerned for the Elusians than for the rest of them. He's a knight too, and he feels relatively sure Lapis will understand.

[thiefknight]

falling with *style*

[onigirisamurai]

Slight a change as it may be, the smile on the other’s face does not go unnoticed — something that only makes his own smile grow wider in turn. “You know me well indeed. Of course I am not!” The swordsman laughs loudly, as if the notion itself is completely absurd. To think there had been a time where he was once worried Zelkov hated him, to now hearing that he actually missed his company? That itself has already made the experience worth whatever injury may or may not end up occurring in the next few minutes. Whatever happens next can’t top that. It’s impossible. “Failure is how we learn. If I must be injured in order to fully understand this activity, then so be it!”

He turns his head a bit, watching the ever approaching front of the line before them. No obviously injured participants or wyverns, parachutes (or at least, what he assumes must be the parachutes) still intact and functional... Everything seems to be fine to him. He doubts Zelkov of all people would be feeling nervous, but who knows? A little reassurance never hurt anyone. “I doubt this could be too dangerous, anyway. Judging by the amount of students in line, they must be adhering to a fair number of safety protocols.” 

Kagetsu’s brow furrows slightly as he inwardly cringes, the memory of the far-too-large book that he still has yet to read given to him upon his arrival bubbling to the surface. Along with the memory of numerous lectures from his superiors for not reading said book. Even though literally no one has gotten hurt as a result, but whatever. “The academy is… surprisingly strict about these things.”

Though it does make him wonder why they’re allowing this, but not him giving out real swords on the first day instead of training ones…

[thiefknight]

"Do try not to get yourself injured if you can help it..."

Zelkov, too, allows his attention to shift to the line in front of them. Everyone seems to be having a good time, and the excitement is making him more antsy for his turn. Kagetsu seems to be getting anxious for the line to move faster as well, judging by how much he's talking... or perhaps that's just Kagetsu being his usual self. Zelkov isn't sure if he could tell the difference.

When it is finally their turn, they are invited to step forward and greet the wyverns they will be using for the activity. Although the wyverns are relatively calm ones, Zelkov hasn't spent much time interacting one-on-one with creatures like this outside of the one belonging to Ivy. He hesitates--just for a moment--and glances sidelong at Kagetsu to see how he's faring.

"It's a little different," he says, "trying to do something like this, instead of just tending to Princess Ivy's wyvern now and then. Isn't it? We have to fully trust them, or else I suppose we might die." This he says with an entirely neutral expression, and no real emotion: simply a fact, albeit an exaggerated one.

[thiefknight]

red vs gold

[solmtinel]

given that her preferred choice of weapon is anything but a bow, timerra allows herself a little pride over managing to hit zelkov— even if it is just a tiny little splatter of gold paint on his leg. "hehe, sorry but i gotta make the golden deer proud, y'know!" she laughs, pulling out another arrow from the quiver on her waist. "can't let the black eagles show us up like this!" weird that she hasn't seen any blue lions, but the less opponents to deal with the better.

just as she's knocking the arrow zelkov emerges from the shadows for a brief moment. she tenses, releasing the string of the bow and her arrow prematurely. she doesn't even have time to see if it hit— zelkov's arrow hitting her square in the shoulder at the same time she releases the string. she clicks her tongue, hurrying to hide behind a pillar just thick enough to hide her body in order to allow herself at least a few seconds of recuperation.

[thiefknight]

He manages to dodge her second arrow, but only just barely, and it whizzes past his head so closely that he's sure there must be gold paint in his hair now. Ah well--nothing he can't recover from.

"What makes you like the Golden Deer so much, anyhow?" he calls toward her. He is genuinely curious, but more than that, he's trying to distract her. Get her thinking about something else so that he can sneak up on her. As he speaks, he begins very slowly making his way around the pillars, looking for the one she is hiding behind.

For all his lifetime of practice in stealth techniques, however, he hasn't learned his way around this place yet at all. Nor has he had much chance to scout ahead, with everyone painting each other with arrows all day. Unfortunately, this makes him extremely vulnerable to her as he whips around a pillar he is certain is the correct one, only to find the space as empty as all the others.

"Where did you go..."

[thiefknight]

playing with *puppies*

[encantresse]

that was the question, wasn’t it? beyond the obvious doubts, there was an ever-present uncertainty lingering in the back of her mind—whether she was cut out for this, if it was even worth investing the time and energy into something like this when she could be honing other skills. still, she could not deny a certain appeal.

“i’m afraid my answer’s not all that exciting,” dorothea admits, swiftly following in his footsteps and closing the gate behind them with a soft clang. “it’s less about inspiration and more about my fondness for small animals. i thought i might enjoy it. it's rather selfish, i suppose.”

she lingers by the closed gate. inquisitive eyes fixate on her partner, carefully observing how he interacts with the pups, and mentally noting his approach so as not to misstep when it’s her turn. “what about you?”

the question hangs in the air, but before the conversation can continue, one of the pups—a reddish-brown one, distinct from the first two—wanders toward her feet. it bounces around playfully, rolling and swatting a paw at the ground. despite herself, dorothea crouches down, hesitantly extending a hand.

“do they already have names, or is that something we get to decide?” she asks, a small smile tugging at her lips as she watches the little one’s antics.

[thiefknight]

"There is nothing selfish about enjoying the company of small animals." He doesn't make eye contact with her, and hardly even looks at her at all; his ability to interact well with the wolf pups does not extend to other humans, despite his efforts. "I think a fondness for animals betrays compassion in most people."

As he speaks, he sits on his knees and reaches for the nearest pup, ruffling its fur fondly and producing a small tug toy from a pocket somewhere in his coat. The pup immediately begins to tug the toy, wagging its tail happily at the game.

"I enjoy pursuing a variety of hobbies," he says, in answer to her question. "Trying new things can sometimes lead to a lifelong passion, after all."

When the pup comes up to play with Dorothea, Zelkov eyes her movements a bit more closely. "Most of them do not have names yet," he says, "but I call this black one here Ashes... ...you're too hesitant with them. They'll sense your nervousness and become nervous too." By way of demonstration, he reaches for the tug toy Ashes is still holding and gently but firmly removes it from the pup's teeth.

[thiefknight]

escaping together

[thiefknight]

{mission board task 10/24; authority +1}

Every day here at the monastery, it seemed as though Zelkov found some new activity, interest, or hobby to explore. There were so many things going on around him at all times that he never got bored, and although he terribly missed his home and his friends, he was enjoying these new experiences too.

When word got around about the escape room that had been set up on the grounds, he was quick to visit. Escaping and thievery and the general unlocking of things were some of his best qualities! How could he pass this up? And so he arrived, among the first to give the place a try.

Do you think you'll be able to solve it? the attendant had asked after giving him a quick rundown of how the room worked.

Zelkov had held open his coat, gesturing flatly to the dozens upon dozens of keys that hung from its lining. The attendant had then (unhappily) insisted that he remove the coat and leave it outside the room, because otherwise he would be cheating, and that certainly was going to ruin the experience for his Escape Room Buddy.

Begrudging, he had agreed. The attendant tried to take the key around his neck as well, but Zelkov had all but hissed about it, and so the issue was dropped. One key was fine; 50 keys was cheating.

Now that he had been thoroughly briefed and removed of all cheating implements, he found himself waiting alone in the hall in front of the room. He had been assigned someone to work together with in solving the room's puzzle, and although he didn't know who he would be matched with, he was ready to tackle the challenge at hand.

He was so lost in his thoughts about the entire experience that he did not, at first, turn around to see who joined him.

[thiefknight]

falling with *style*

[onigirisamurai]

Fodlan truly is a place full of wonder. Falling out of the sky on purpose? For fun? Who comes up with this?! Truly, innovations never cease.

Kagetsu has never been one for flying. It was never something he had the opportunity to learn back in his homeland, and even after he left there was never really a good moment for it. What better opportunity to learn then when it doesn’t matter if you fail or not! He wins either way! The perfect plan.

Or, it would be, if the lines were not so painfully slow. Seriously, how could falling take so long?? You just go! …At least the person he found himself next to was willing enough to strike up a conversation to pass the time. “I could hardly believe it myself—good morning Zelkov— and so then I— Zelkov—? ZELKOV?!” He has to do a double-take, and even then it takes him a moment. 

The prior conversation is immediately abandoned, the swordsman sprinting towards his fellow retainer with little thought to anything else. Including the looks he gets from those he pushed past and cut in front of in his quest to hop over the lines barricade and force his former coworker into a reunion hug. Not the most polite or professional thing he could’ve done, but that’s not just his fellow retainer. That is his BEST friend.

…At least, he is Kagetsu’s best friend. He doesn’t know if Zelkov feels the same. They haven’t had that talk yet. The regular ‘are we friends’ talk was difficult enough.

Pulling back almost as abruptly as he had started it, his already bright expression somehow manages to light up even more at the familiar face. “Ahaha, so it is you! I had known with Queen Ivy present, you would not be far behind!” He, in fact, did not know that. He had hoped, sure, but he hadn’t ever heard anything that would confirm that hope to be true. Unless this counts, but he’s pretty sure it doesn’t.

He gives a pat to Zelkov’s arm before stepping back fully, finally returning his personal space to it’s rightful owner. “It is good to see you, my friend. I will admit, things have not quite been the same without your company. Are you here for the ‘sky-diving’ as well?”

[thiefknight]

Well, if he'd had any questions about whether or not this was really Kagetsu, he certainly doesn't now. With Kagetsu's swordsman arms half-crushing Zelkov's organs in a tight hug, he is both surprised to find his fellow retainer here and... not surprised at all. This does sort of seem like the kind of place Kagetsu would gravitate toward. It's chaotic... it's noisy... it's full of people getting into each other's business...

Zelkov's usually flat expression breaks just long enough to give Kagetsu a small smile. Despite it all, he's terribly glad to see a friendly face--and especially to see this friendly face.

"It's good to see you, too," he says. "I have missed having you around." He hasn't encountered Ivy here, yet, and didn't know she was on-site too until this very moment--so he files that information away for later use.

For now, he says, "Yes, I want to try this new activity. It seems interesting, and perhaps even a useful skill to learn. ...it also seems unnecessarily dangerous, but I'm sure that doesn't bother you?"

[thiefknight]

red vs gold

[solmtinel]

using a bow requires a lot more concentration and quiet than timerra prefers, but if she wants the golden deer to win this game than she’s gonna have to be quick on her feet. perched above most of the chaos in a tree, timerra sits with her bow and watches the battle from her mostly safe vantage point. there is one single student that stands out to her the most with their skill.

zelkov— she knows the man is an assassin or something like that (she can’t say she’s talked to him much if at all, despite being of the same army for a short amount of time) so it makes sense that he’s so good at slinking around in the shadows, but it’s still impressive how he’s able to take pot shots at his enemies and basically vanish out of thin air like he was never there. there’s not a chance in gradlon that she was ever gonna have him beat in the sneaky department. timerra frowns to herself, already knocking the training arrow loaded with gold paint in preparation of her plan. she was gonna have to pursue him pretty aggressively if she wanted to get rid of the golden deer’s current little problem.

she sees his silhouette in the shadows, and so she leaps off the tree branch and lands a few feet behind him. the moment she has to take to steady herself for the shot is all it takes for him to strike in retaliation. his arrow wizzes past her, grazing her arm with the bright red paint of the black eagles. it looks just a little too much like blood.  “don’t cha worry, i didn’t think i could!” timerra grins and winks, unleashing her own arrow on him.

[thiefknight]

He is quick to fling himself out of the way of the arrow, although it catches him in the lower leg just enough to leave a flash of gold paint behind. Surprising--no one has been able to hit him at all, yet, and he's impressed that his first "damage" came from someone he knew. Taking stock of the situation, he reaches for another arrow and readies it as he darts behind a nearby stone wall.

"Timerra," he calls from his half-hidden location. "I wasn't expecting you to be fighting for the other side!"

It isn't a fight, and the sides don't really matter. Even so, Zelkov is entirely in his element in this game, and he may be taking it a little bit too seriously. Possibly.

After just another moment's wait, he dashes to the other side of the stone wall and emerges, aiming his arrow at her once again and letting it fly. They may have fought in the same war previously, but now? It's every Elyosian for themselves.

[thiefknight]

falling with *style*

[thiefknight]

The stranger had certainly piqued Zelkov's interest with his speech about this new concept of "skydiving." Most new activities could, of course, get his attention; it didn't take much for Zelkov to want to try new things. His mind was always latching on to something and then focusing on it for days or even weeks at a time until he felt like he had gotten the full experience out of whatever it might be. Perhaps skydiving would scratch that mental itch for a little while.

So he had signed up gladly for the opportunity to give it a try. Yes, there was some chance he could get himself hurt, but he wasn't that worried. At the monastery, he was surrounded by healers, and he knew how to take a fall besides. In a worst-case scenario, he might have a broken bone or two that needed to heal via magic over the course of a few days, and he could live with that.

Standing in line, fidgeting with the key around his neck and trying to patiently wait his turn to be thrown off the back of a wyvern, he became suddenly aware of a very large and very familiar presence nearby. A presence he had known for a long time... and would recognize anywhere.

Turning toward the source of the boisterous chatter, he said, "Kagetsu. Is that you?"

[thiefknight]

playing with *puppies*

[thiefknight]

{mission task board 9/24; riding +1}

Puppies.

When the notice had gone out several weeks ago looking for volunteers to help care for wolf pups, Zelkov had signed up immediately. He loved animals, and he loved children, so of course he loved cute little baby animals even more. He had volunteered specifically to help care for the pups for an hour or so every morning until they were old enough to go on to more experienced training. It was his task to gently help them learn not to bite their handlers, and to help get them used to being around people.

It was a wonderful problem to have.

This morning, he had arrived a few minutes early to prepare himself for the day's puppy tasks. Washing up, changing out of his usual cloak and into an older shirt that could be chewed on if needed, and checking the information left by the previous night's puppy team--all part of the routine, and he enjoyed every moment of it.

When he was finally ready to enter the section of gardens that had been corralled off for the wolf pups, he was surprised to find that he wasn't the only volunteer here today. He certainly didn't mind company, but he was nothing if not a loner, so he wasn't sure how well he'd be able to keep up any small talk this newcomer might try.

Approaching the stranger, he said, "Good morning. Are you here to train the puppies, too?"

{ @encantresse }

[encantresse]

the weather’s warmer now, thankfully, as made evident by the pleasant morning rays that replace the brisk chill of months past. a delighted hum rings out as dorothea stands on her toes, chin and hands resting atop the gate. she watches the litter tumble around, barking and nipping at each other’s heels—some of them even hurl their little bodies at one another, pinning each other down in playful mock-wrestles, gnawing on ears, tails, or any limb they can manage to grab.

( it always endeared her to see that little ones across all species were so alike—so innocent and carefree, full of a vibrancy that tended to fade as life went on. )

she turns at the sound of a voice. it’s as unfamiliar as the features her gaze settles on, though the stranger seems amiable enough, and so she greets him with a smile.

“good morning to you, too.”

dorothea gestures toward the pups. “train might be too generous a word,” she says, shaking her head good-humoredly. “before today, i’d never seen a wolf up close, let alone handled any. but they seem sweet enough.”

her attention shifts back to the pups as two of them break away from the rest to approach the gate doors, pawing and hopping around with curiosity. one, whiter than its steel-gray sibling, even takes to seizing the gate bars in its jaw, as if eagerly trying to pry it open. the songstress laughs.

“i expect to follow your lead. it seems like they recognize you—and that you’ve left quite the impression on them.” she steps aside to let him do the honors. “i don’t believe i caught your name? i’m dorothea.”

[thiefknight]

He, too, watches the puppies, but steals glances at Dorothea as he does so. Although his time here at the monastery has been peaceful so far, he's never sure where hidden threats might lie, and he's quick to size up every new person he meets. Dorothea certainly doesn't come across as very threatening, but then again, she is out here playing with wolf puppies--so she must have some parts of herself that don't match up with her outward appearance. And he can appreciate that.

"Zelkov," he says, and unlatches the gate in the hopes of avoiding a handshake. "Nice to meet you. And you’re correct. I have been visiting these pups for a few days already.”

With the gate open, he quickly steps into the puppy corral and motions for her to do the same before any escapes can happen. “What inspired you to volunteer for this task?” he asks over his shoulder.

[thiefknight]

maid investigation

[lazulienne]

      It's a place she knows more by rumors than she does by personal experience. She feels like she's heard plenty over the last couple weeks, finds such gossip has at last taken her to the threshold, but her feet remain planted where they are; every few days, she'll come here but in the end turn around, deciding its a curiosity better buried before it flares up again and brings her to the same place she's starting to feel more and more familiar with.

It's not meant to be a place she seriously considers, has no reason to be there she tells herself, but she knows better than to try and lie to herself. Her feet come here for a reason. Even in all of her self-denial, she knows that.

But still... in the end, today, she still tries to throw in the towel, and she takes a different route than yesterday, hoping not to be caught loitering. However, it takes her through those same shadows, and though she doesn't sense his presence at first, it is when he reveals himself that she startles and takes a step back.

“ Oh! Zelkov? ”  Eyes grow wide, but her defensive stance lets go once she recognizes who it is who joins her here and now.  “ Geez, I didn't even notice you! It feels like you came outta nowhere, and I thought I had pretty good senses for that kinda thing. ”

A kind of embarrassing failing for a retainer and huntress, in full honesty.

[thiefknight]

He blinks at her, not particularly surprised by the presence of another person lingering around the cafe, but surprised it's Lapis doing so. She never did strike him as the type to be interested in this sort of thing, but then again, he hasn't had as much of a chance to get to know her as some of the others from back home. Perhaps he ought to do something about that.

"Hello, Lapis," he says, leaning back against the wall and shoving his hands into his pockets. True, he might not know her closely, but he knows enough to trust her and to drop his defenses around her too.

"What brings you to this maid cafe? Are you planning on participating?" He doubts it, but who's to say? Already he's caught sight of people he never would have expected, inside the cafe and dressed up as cute little maids. And he's not one to make assumptions about another person, if he can help it.

[thiefknight]

playing with *puppies*

[thiefknight]

{mission task board 9/24; riding +1}

Puppies.

When the notice had gone out several weeks ago looking for volunteers to help care for wolf pups, Zelkov had signed up immediately. He loved animals, and he loved children, so of course he loved cute little baby animals even more. He had volunteered specifically to help care for the pups for an hour or so every morning until they were old enough to go on to more experienced training. It was his task to gently help them learn not to bite their handlers, and to help get them used to being around people.

It was a wonderful problem to have.

This morning, he had arrived a few minutes early to prepare himself for the day's puppy tasks. Washing up, changing out of his usual cloak and into an older shirt that could be chewed on if needed, and checking the information left by the previous night's puppy team--all part of the routine, and he enjoyed every moment of it.

When he was finally ready to enter the section of gardens that had been corralled off for the wolf pups, he was surprised to find that he wasn't the only volunteer here today. He certainly didn't mind company, but he was nothing if not a loner, so he wasn't sure how well he'd be able to keep up any small talk this newcomer might try.

Approaching the stranger, he said, "Good morning. Are you here to train the puppies, too?"

{ @encantresse }

[thiefknight]

maid investigation

[thiefknight]

{mission task board 09/24; any stat+1}

It isn't as though Zelkov particularly wants to be at the maid cafe. Really, he can think of a wide range of activities he would rather be doing than watching people dressed up in cute frilly outfits serving equally cute frilly food and drinks. But, until just a few days ago, he had never actually heard of a maid cafe before... and for better or worse, he is a deeply curious man.

So it is that he finds himself lingering on the fringes of the cafe, watching patrons come and go, and listening to the chatter and laughter bubbling up from within. He can't quite understand what the draw is; from the outside, the cafe just seems noisy and irritating. He can think of quite a few people he once knew who would probably love it, but he himself isn't one of them.

Perhaps it makes more sense as a patron. He isn't sure he's ready to take that leap just yet.

Instead, he continues haunting the nearby shadows and observing, hoping to figure out some solution to all this nonsense. After some time, he realizes that he is no longer the only one keeping an eye on the cafe--someone else has taken up the role of observer, too.

[thiefknight]

red vs gold

[thiefknight]

{mission task board 09/24; bow+1}

Absolute focus.

Total clarity.

This is life or death.

With careful aim, Zelkov pulls back the arrow and releases it, letting it zip through the air until it finds its mark: an unsuspecting Golden Deer student down the hall. As soon as it strikes, bright red blossoms across the student's clothing...

Bright red... paint.

Zelkov has never been particularly good with a bow, but he also isn't terrible at it. If nothing else, he has laser focus when he wants to, and something about this painted arrow battle has scratched a mental itch for him. Where he had first thought it was foolish and a waste of time, he is now fully devoted to the cause of covering the monastery and the other students with red paint in the name of the Black Eagles.

And although he may not be the best shot in the House, he is quite agile. He uses that agility now, to duck away from the student before any retaliation can be made, and to scale a nearby flight of stairs two at a time before disappearing into the shadows again.

There is literally nothing at stake in this "fight," and yet, it's all Zelkov can think about.

He hears another set of footsteps approaching nearby. A second student, or perhaps the first coming after him? After calming his breathing for just a moment, he whips out of the shadows to take aim at the student, once again coming face to face with someone from the Golden Deer.

"Nice try, but you can't sneak up on me," he says as he takes aim.

[thiefknight]

ZELKOV - Fire Emblem: Engage

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