wither &amp;&amp; fall !

─ ⊹ ⊱ racing scandals.

[ epidemic 2025 ] - riding +1

solmtinel

she stands out like a sore thumb amongst the crowd of people, pushing around to try and see what was happening at the front of the crowd but failing to really make any progress forward. some of these people seem way too eager to witness the horse racing currently happening.

a race was supposed to start soon, too.

"ugh, not happening." timerra lets out a sigh, placing a hand on her head and looking downward for a brief moment. her disappointment in herself is quickly taken over by the recognition of the voice that calls out to her.

she turns her head and gasps. "prince alfred!" she grins, hurrying to close the distance between them. "what are you doing here!? you don't seem like the type to enjoy something like this." she tilts her head, placing a single hand on her hip.

#ׂ╰┈➤ 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴 ! ── .✦ ic.#ׂ╰┈➤ support ── .✦ solmtinel.#ׂׂ╰┈➤ racing scandals ── .✦ thread.#thought i published this but i just put it in my drafts smh #ööpsies

He smiles, happier now to have found a friend amongst the crowd. It's easier to get an idea about what's going on with this sort of thing when you have someone in your corner -- maybe the two of them can do some proper investigating.

She does seem to be enjoying herself to some degree, though, so even if the both of them stick out in the crowd at least they don't look overly suspicious.

"Yeah, this isn't usually where you'd find me," he admits, a bit sheepish, and rubs the back of his head. "To be honest with you, I'm actually looking into the competition itself, I..."

He's startled by the sound of an announcement for the start of the race, and stands up straighter. He looks at her, then back at the race track before he pushes his way through. "You're here to see the horses too, right? Come on, let's go this way!"

we take women's rights very seriously — alfred & edain

“thank you.” edain bows her head politely and steps into his room with a somewhat serious expression. this was something that had to not be taken lightly.

“… all he said was that the mission was far too dangerous for you alone. i didn’t think to question him considering how many dangerous missions the church sends the students out on.” far more than to her liking, but this was a wartime academy, not an orphanage. they would have to willingly put themselves in danger eventually.

“… but if there’s a young woman in trouble and unchecked power holding her back, i certainly can’t look the other way.” she smiles again, as if to say she understands the sentiment behind his worry.

“i still can’t let you go alone, however.” she places her hand on her chest as she looks up at him. “as a professor i have the authority to take you with me on this mission. i’ll just have to… finagle a thing or two. how does that sound?”

#ׂ╰┈➤ 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴 ! ── .✦ ic.#ׂ╰┈➤ support ── .✦ ulirblood.#ׂׂ╰┈➤ we take women's rights very seriously ── .✦ thread.

When he hears her words, he cannot help the surprise on his face. He'd willingly accept any and all help offered to him; the more people that can lend a hand, the more likely the mission is to be successful, right? That's what he wants more than anything in this moment.

"Y-Yeah! That sounds completely reasonable, professor!" he says immediately -- the fact that someone has been listening to his concerns is such a relief. He almost says as much, but doesn't want to sound unprofessional or childish. He likes to think he has a good head on his shoulders and won't let these sorts of things effect him too terribly, but he also wants to leave a positive impression on this professor as well.

"What do you need from me, then? I'll be ready to head out whenever you are."

You cannot be a flower of hell

His words make her smile

she's just selfish enough to not refuse it a second time.

"It does sound lovely. The more time I stall, the more severely it will kick my ass when I get back to training."

Still the itch in her throat and the distant nausea...

"Say you don't look like a mage, but would it be okay if we started with target practice? I can teach you some things, but you could also fire arrows or just sit back. I'd appreciate your presence either way."

She sighs; there's still something left unsaid.

"I do cultivate my sword and axe skills, but I was born a mage and will die one. It might bring me comfort to cast."

#ׂ╰┈➤ 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴 ! ── .✦ ic.#ׂׂ╰┈➤ you cannot be a flower of hell ── .✦ thread.#ׂ╰┈➤ support ── .✦ tineoffrege.

He laughs. It's true, putting off something like exercise really can mess you up later -- he knows firsthand how hard it is to get back into training after too long away from it. Even if his breaks are always because he's been too sick to practice, not because he wanted to stay away, the results are the same.

His expression brightens at her suggestion. He's not very good with magic at all, but that doesn't mean he can't learn some! He came here to this academy to dabble in as many subjects as he could, anyway, and who knows? Maybe magic would one day help him to achieve his goals of being a better ruler for Firene.

"Yeah! Let's do it!" he says, a bit too excitedly. He beams at her, pure excitement on his face. "I'm not very good at magic, honestly. I'm much better with a lance. I think you and I could show each other a thing or two!"

FEBRUARY 2025

total skill points: 9 -> 10

activity point 9 -> 10 Lance +1 (D -> D+)

new classes accessed: n/a

classes mastered: n/a

rank and event rewards: n/a

#toaactivity #ׂ╰┈➤ 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 ! ── .✦ ooc.

─ ⊹ ⊱ racing scandals.

[ epidemic 2025 ] - riding +1

#ׂ╰┈➤ 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴 ! ── .✦ ic.#ׂ╰┈➤ support ── .✦ solmtinel.#ׂׂ╰┈➤ racing scandals ── .✦ thread.

Recently, certain denizens of Garreg Mach have been looking a little more flush. As it turns out, horses from the monastery stables are being used for races off-campus, on the back of which an increasingly prolific gambling scene has evolved. All of it, of course, is completely unsanctioned. The monastery staff cannot take action on the perpetrators without knowing who they are, and risk a scandal if the issue becomes public. Will you help them in their efforts to end this quietly? Or are you interested in seeing the races—or the gold—for yourself? [Grants Riding +1]

Maybe Alfred should stop getting involved with other people's problems. Maybe he should be more focused on his studies instead of trying to solve every little issue as it appears before him. The issue is, however, that he has restless hands and a desire to better both himself and those around him -- so of course he wants to get to the bottom of this illegal horse racing that's plaguing the monastery.

He finds out where they're being held just by asking around. It's not a well kept secret, really, so he's not spent that much time on this particular task. It is notable that this information is readily available to someone who by all accounts shouldn't be able to access it; maybe this is not as well kept a scandal as perhaps the monastery would like. Which is, of course, worrying in its own right.

He walks around as if he has even the slightest clue where to start. He runs a hand through his hair and pauses as he spots someone he actually knows in the crowd. His eyes narrow, and then he stands up straighter, waving a hand and calling out.

"Hey! Princess Timerra!"

@solmtinel

──── ⋆⋅☆ prayers for a quick recovery.

[ aphotic 2025 ] - faith + 1

adalrikr

Erk was not at all confident in his ability to wield a staff. He was capable, certainly, but that did not mean he was good at it. Or rather, he didn't think he was good at it. Lord Pent made it look easy, while Erk fumbled through the motions with anything that wasn't his trusty and reliable tomes.

His grip on his staff is tight, while people bustle around him with more traditional medical supplies - bandages and the like. He wouldn't feel comfortable with those either, but at least with the staff in his hands he can rely on what he does know: magic. Even if he is not at all confident in the finer points of healing magic.

The young mage general startles slightly as someone calls out to him, quickly clearing his throat to compose himself as he turns to the stranger, "I can... try... I am not the best at this... my training is in the other form of magic... but I am willing to give it my best shot."

#ׂ╰┈➤ 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴 ! ── .✦ ic.#ׂ╰┈➤ support ── .✦ adalrikr.#ׂׂ╰┈➤ prayers for a quick recovery ── .✦ thread.

Alfred can tell that the stranger is not as comfortable with this situation as the other healers and doctors. While that might concern someone else, that hardly matters to Alfred, who makes up for his own lack of knowledge with the desire to get out there and help as best he can. He's not confident, either, but he is incredibly eager -- that's got to count for something, right?

"I don't know what I'm doing either," he says, and extends his hand for a shake. "I don't have much experience with magic at all, to be honest with you. But two heads are better than one, right? We can pool our efforts and figure this out together if you want. I'm Alfred of Firene, nice to meet you."

He flashes him a little smile as he looks around. "Seems like we got our work cut out for us. They're really at an all time low for people who are willing to help, let alone people who actually know what they're doing."

a test of heart.

[ epidemic 2025 ] - goddess messenger

#ׂ╰┈➤ 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴 ! ── .✦ ic.#ׂׂ╰┈➤ a test of heart ── .✦ thread.#ׂ╰┈➤ support ── .✦ lunaestice.

Students and staff alike report sightings of a strange, sparkling silhouette within the fishing pond. The mythical Goddess Messenger has graced our waters! But hooking it proves difficult, even for the most experienced caster. The elusive creature snaps wires, wastes bait, and even… pulls fisherfolk into the water?! Still, despite its troubles (or perhaps, because of it) it is a tempting catch. Shall you make a splash by being the first to catch this mysterious fish—or by falling straight into the depths?

He doesn't necessarily want to catch this 'goddess'. He didn't set out here with that intention -- to capture something that wasn't really harming anyone at all. He understands that others want to test their skill in attempting this catch, that they want to lure her out and claim a prize. He's just not someone who is interested in that.

He's heard rumors, though, about a different approach that others are taking to interacting with this mystery: to try to earn the respect of the Goddess Messenger. It's said that maybe she sees the strength you possess and grants you a wish, or gives you a boon of some sort; he's a little fuzzy on the details, and has only heard bits and pieces. He's not sure he needs that, either, but that's a lot more tempting than just trying to subjugate this mystery and claim superiority in fishing.

And he's curious. Curious about the mysteries of this pond and curious about the kind of people who would gather here. So he goes down past the dining hall, towards the pond, and walks the perimeter.

It seems like he's not the only one with that idea. He notices someone from a different class nearby, someone who, to Alfred, at least appears to be friendly. He waves, jogs over like he's a friend, and gives him a big smile.

"Hey! Are you looking to catch a glimpse of the Goddess as well?"

@lunaestice

JANUARY 2025

total skill points: 7 -> 9

thread drop [auth +1 ] 7 -> 8 (D+-> C)

activity point 8 -> 9 Riding +1 (D -> D+)

new classes accessed: n/a

classes mastered: n/a

rank and event rewards: prayer ring (auth C reward) (pending !)

#toaactivity #ׂ╰┈➤ 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 ! ── .✦ ooc.#man i need to make him a proper activity check

we take women's rights very seriously — alfred & edain

edain blinks, somehow startled by his sudden appearance at the door despite being the one to approach. oh, but he looked worried sick. the bright eyes did not suit the expression on his face. the thought makes her frown before he speaks of what the mission actually entailed.

the golden deer professor hadn’t told her very much at all…. and now edain was beginning to understand why. “i…. i suppose it does, yes.” she lets out a sigh, pressing her hand to her forehead. “your professor neglected to tell me that part of it. seriously….” she shakes her head, however she still can’t just let him go just like that. it was still dangerous for a student to charge into a mission without being prepared. she was a professor here so she did have some authority when it came to taking students out on missions. perhaps…

“… why don’t we sit down and have a chat about the mission and i’ll see what i can do.” she finally decides, smiling slightly and tilting her head. “are you alright to talk in your room here? or would you prefer the privacy of my office instead…?”

He's not sure what she's going to want to do, but this is better headway than he was making before. She seems at least somewhat willing to listen to his point of view -- which is more than he could say for the other professors he's dealt with. He's not going to say he's hopeful yet, but he's a little less wary.

He steps to the side and opens the door fully for her. "Yeah, come on in, professor," he says. He's sure he can put on a pot of tea or something for them while they chat, but he's not sure how long this conversation is going to last. He's not as well versed in tea as his sister, anyway, so maybe it's better to not offer anything.

Is she going to scold him? Or acknowledge his concerns?

He stands a little awkwardly. "It seems like my professor hasn't filled you in on why I wanted to go out there to help?" he asks, shifting his weight from one side to the other. "It's not that I just want to play the hero, you know. But when I hear about something like this I can't just sit still. If we don't help her, who will?"

contempenitent

all your phases and fractions

Mauvier & Alfred

contempenitent

The night has been tranquil, but unbearably long. Mauvier’s feet have grown sore, but he knows that he’ll have trouble finding rest at the end of his shift. He might find it in him to sit down, but to sleep? Unthinkable, even as his eyelids grow heavy and his focus dulls.

Night guard shifts are typically uneventful, but Mauvier’s energy normally remains steady. There’s plenty to look at: the splendor of the gardens, the stillness of the pond. There are locks to check, corners and alleys that someone could hide in, but no one ever does.

Alas, this shift is simply dull. Mauvier would never complain of it aloud, but surely everyone is allowed their off days. The sky is lightening; sooner or later, he will be relieved, and then…he is not sure.

But there is a sound.

Somewhere behind him - footfalls, too light and breezy to be a fellow knight. Surely most students should still be sleeping, although it’s technically not an infraction for them to be out of their rooms as dawn approaches. A second wind stirs Mauvier’s senses back to life. He will investigate.

When he turns around, the source of the noise is apparent. He’s indeed a student, and he seems to simply be jogging at a steady but leisurely pace. Nothing about him is suspicious or winded or - wait a moment.

Mauvier knows those eyes, like the rolling fields of his homeland. Even in a class uniform, Mauvier’s shoulders stiffen to see him; he feels no incongruity when he calls, “Prince Alfred!”

@unfleured

#ׂ╰┈➤ 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴 ! ── .✦ ic.#ׂ╰┈➤ support ── .✦ contempenitent.#ׂׂ╰┈➤ all your phases and fractions ── .✦ thread.#ty for the starter!!!! im excited to write with mr mauvier <3

It's early when Alfred wakes.

He's always been like that -- disciplined to wake before the sun, to greet the morning with a smile on his face and sweat on his brow. There's not been a time in recent memory where Alfred has chosen to catch a few extra minutes of sleep over getting up and working those muscles. Coming to this academy is no different, he won't slip up on his routine now.

He gets dressed quickly, puts on his workout clothes, and hits the ground before anyone else even thinks about getting up. He starts out in an easy jog to warm up his lungs, steadily picking up speed as he goes on.

He notices the knight on guard -- of course he does, he has to work out the mind and pay attention just as much as he needs to work out the body -- but nothing strikes him as strange. He doesn't register who it is until he hears his name called.

Alfred slows to a stop and wipes his forehead. There's not a lot of light to see by, but he recognizes Mauvier nonetheless. A wide grin splits across his face and he waves that hand up high in greeting.

"Mauvier!! I didn't know you were here!"

You cannot be a flower of hell

She smiles softly. He's so energetic. How much of it is real? It certainly isn't all faked; fake enthusiasm has a clear hollowness to it all emotions if you look.

That's reassuring too; earnestness is something she envies. She's working on saying =I'm fine and meaning it.

But she's getting lost in her own head, not dignifying the declaration with a response.

"Thank you for the offer, but it's alright.

I was exaggerating with the choking part. I can live with this."

She's handled worse. She wouldn't be here if this was all it took to remove her from the living realm.

"Its a punishment that inevitably passes."

She wants him to stay and just talk to her.

It would be selfish if someone of such conviction should be helping those who reach out back.

"I can tell you that you already cheered me up."

She's proud to mean this one.

#ׂ╰┈➤ 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 ! ── .✦ ooc.#toaactivity

It's kind of good that she's saying that she's not actually choking, but what she follows up with isn't much better. A punishment? Well, it seems like she really is suffering if she's self loathing like this.

He frowns a little, tilts his head and settles in. Well, this is a new friend that seems to be in need, he's not going to walk away. "I'm glad I can help, but I bet we can do even more to get your mind off these struggles you're having. Wanna finish our food and maybe go for a walk? Hey, do you like training?"

Sometimes when he has a really difficult problem to work through, working up a good sweat helps him to put things into perspective. It's not the same for everyone, but Alfred really does want to help.

"We can also just keep chatting if you'd like!"

DECEMBER 2025

total skill points: 6 -> 7

activity point for october, 6 -> 7 Authority +1 (D -> D+)

new classes accessed: n/a

classes mastered: n/a

rank and event rewards: n/a

graceful trick night ☆

[ aphotic 2025 ] - authority +1

maerablooded

he does not believe in ghosts... per se. there are many perfectly reasonable magical explanations for anything that one might come across when dealing with a supposed haunting. it isn't his area of expertise, of course, but he's well-read, and knows how these sorts of things tend to go.

but knowing there is a rational explanation doesn't make finding it any easier.

"bandits cannot be ruled out as a possible explanation," he says, and he is glad he doesn't have to state that ghosts are... unlikely. this young man seems rational, which is good. he doesn't want to have to wrangle someone who's likely to jump at every shadow.

the students at this academy seem very put together. it's refreshing.

"if it is a situation involving banditry, we can deal with that mundane problem in a mundane way. if there's a magical element, we will need to take care to dismantle it safely. be prepared for anything, and move carefully as we proceed through the building."

#ׂ╰┈➤ 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴 ! ── .✦ ic.#ׂ╰┈➤ support ── .✦ maerablooded.#ׂׂ╰┈➤ graceful trick night ── .✦ thread.#and now ghostic treat house plays in my head on repeat

"Right."

Alfred pushes the door in front of him open. It isn't locked and gives easily -- that's not really surprising if the issue at hand here is bandits, after all. And Alfred is fairly sure that ghosts don't need to lock their doors, either.

The inside is dark and not well lit at all, dusty from disuse with all sorts of furniture overturned and ransacked. Bookcases stand bare, cabinets unhinged and drawers left partially open to show nothing left inside. The air feels heavy and thick, dusty and a bit uncomfortable. Alfred feels a shiver run down his spine as he takes in the clearly long-abandoned building, how it gives an oppressive atmosphere even as he stands here still bathed in the light.

"Geez," Alfred says, soft, under his breath. He kicks a bit of debris to the side and steps forward, his eyes traveling along the walls and the ceiling. "Look around here, Professor. There's nothing that hasn't already been gone through. If there was anything left over from the family that lived here before, it's not here now."

He takes a step into the main sitting area and looks up at the ceiling proper. "I bet if we're gonna find anything to explain these rumors, it'll be up there."

──── ⋆⋅☆ prayers for a quick recovery.

[ aphotic 2025 ] - faith + 1

The ship isn’t the only thing that needs attention, and many of the crew and passengers alike make it obvious, intentionally or not, just how hard the trip here was. With the upcoming voyage in mind, the church has decided it is in everyone’s best interests to offer everyone aboard whatever they need for a swift recovery. Be it through patching wounds, restocking supplies, or just fetching drinks, it’s time to offer the best TLC you’ve got. [Grants Faith +1]

Alfred isn't about to let anyone suffer. Not on his watch, not when he has the ability to help out even in a little; he's not very talented in the healing department, but when needs arise he's there!

So with his sleeves rolled up and a smile on his face he gets to work. Restocking supplies is easy, listening to master mages and healers give advice and tell little anecdotes makes the work go by quickly. He's content to do just this, honestly, but he doesn't complain when he's ushered into another room.

There are more patients than he thought. Everyone is working overtime to make sure that needs are attended to, and despite Alfred's insistence that he really does not know how to heal some of these wounds, he's sent into the thick of it.

He holds cloth and bandage both in his hands. He looks around, frowning, until his gaze settles on a young man who definitely looks at least like a mage -- even if not a healer.

"Heya! Sorry, could you give me a hand? I sorta got tossed into this without any real training."

@adalrikr

── ⋆⋅ behold! the noble and honorable frog.

[ anniversary 2025 ] - faith + 1

lindwyvrm

Somehow, someway, an individual as reasonable and level-headed as Ivy always seems to find herself in some measure of ridiculousness. This is the second time since being in Fódlan that she has been transfigured, and she is sorely wishing she had found herself as a twelve-year-old again. At least she were still human. Now, she finds herself a frog.

It reads like cliché children’s parable, or an over-told fairy tale. Ivy spends the first hour in utter and absolute panic, leaping about her quarters with some vain hope that this were all some horrible, bizarre, and unsettlingly realistic feeling nightmare. When it seems that, indeed, this is now her reality, Frogvy scrambled up her windowsill and out into the great, now very new and very big world beyond. All the while, her mind races with how this could have happened to her and how she would wring the neck of whichever one of her students is, perhaps, trying to earn an extension on the upcoming exam.

She’s hopping across the path when her world completely shifts again. It spins, making Ivy dizzy with vertigo (can frogs get vertigo?) as she suddenly finds herself in the palm of Prince Alfred.

Panic wells up in her as he cups her in his hands. She opens her mouth to say something, anything, but the only thing that escapes her is a resounding ribbit.

She leaps frantically around Alfred’s hands, continually ribbiting in some vain hope that a word or two would break through, or that’d he’d look into her froggy eyes and see the soul of his fellow royalty and friend.

Divine One, she thinks fervently, thinking she might be the first frog ever to pray, let him know it is me!