aymried

[aymried]

It's been a while since I posted a starter call so consider this post it! Tap the like button for a little starter, not capping it at the moment. :3

[aymried]

— never apart

The days fly by faster than she realizes. And yet, no matter how much closer she feels towards her goals, she can't bring herself to quite reach them. Edelgard stalls her time in the library oft— Books in hand, perusing as many of them as she can. She sits alone; in solitude. It is only in these lands that she finds herself with as much free time as she now has. It is as calming as it is jarring. And yet, she always thinks of them— Of the Black Eagle Strike Force. Of her friends and allies who believed in her.

The emperor sits at an empty desk in the library and traces a finger atop one particular book about magic. It spells nothing liken to the reason nor faith spells of her homeland, but of an entirely different realm. She sighs; wonders what her vassal might think of such tools. Perhaps he would laugh and tell her that his dark magic is plentiful. Or, maybe he might take these tricks and compare them to his own; tell her that all she must do is continue walking the path she so carefully treads. Even apart, she hears his voice firmly.

Then, she moves to the boardwalk. For as much as she wanders near it, she feels it is never enough. The nearby splashing sound of water hits the girl's ears as strongly as they do of Brigid's newly appointed queen, urging the religious affairs' daughter to take a stroll alongside her. Edelgard smiles at the image, nearly picturing the two kicking sand against their feet as they inch towards the waters.

Her heels bring her towards the mall, next. As she stands in its entrance, passerby's brush against her shoulder left and right. She raises an apologetic hand, pushing herself off to the side as she enters a large clothing store. It brims of colorful clothing; she traces a finger atop a particularly gorgeous red dress. She can almost hear the Mystical Songstress herself telling her how this dress is simply made for her.

The University inches closer. Its large space encompasses many which things she herself hopes to learn. If she brings herself into one of its classrooms, the next Prime Minister's presence sits at her leftmost. His challenging words sit kindly in her ears; she never realized how much she may have missed his strength and outspoken thoughts on nobility. She laughs before turning to the seat and noting its emptiness.

Time brings her towards the swamps— Towards the call of the second son of Adrestia's military general slinking his arm around the domestic affair's son. The atmosphere hardly suits such antics, but it is their loud voices that draw her in. The emperor takes one, two steps. The only sound is the echo of her own feet. She peers upwards with tightly lined lips. She does not sit; does not allow herself to dwell in these moment. All she do is keep moving forward. For, stagnation is unproductive. A waste of time. A mockery of all that she has been through. Her, and everyone. The future is now and she will be the one to see it through.

[aymried]

𝐁𝐆𝟑 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

a selection of lines from the various companions' banter quotes (not cut scene dialogues!) from baldur's gate 3. these are generally spoiler free and non context specific so they can apply to different settings and dynamics! feel free to change names and the like to customize the prompts.

“Death can't have me. Not yet…”

“Calm yourself. There is plenty of me to go around.”

“Realmspace is vast. Countless worlds to be mapped, kingdoms to be conquered.”

“I have missed this. The adventure. The danger. The kicking of butts!

“Let me guess - you need something.”

“Such attention.. I never realised I was so popular.”

“Let's cook with fire, baby.”

“Do you intend to vocalise every thought?. Or just the most obvious ones?”

“Wherever we go, ye gods let there be something green.”

“Careful, or I will take your toy away from you.”

“Watch your elders and learn.”

“Perhaps try attacking the enemy?”

“So much we don't know, lingering in the furthest reaches of existence.”

“All the world's my stage and you're just a player in it.”

“The shadows are my friend.”

“Yes, yes, have your fun. It isn't you they're trying to kill.”

“Feet planted firmly on Faerûn, please.”

“Admirable stamina, yet terrible priorities.”

“Well you certainly have the 'omnipresent' part down, don't you?”

“I am ready, whatever may come.”

“My faith protects me.”

“Need a throat slitting?”

“Death greets us all - but not today.”

“You need my expertise?”

“Can you feel death's cold grip?”

“So many stars, so many mysteries yet to be discovered.”

“Death comes quietly.”

“And I thought we were going to be friends.”

“Locked tight, but there must be some way to open it.”

“No, you can't die. Get up, damn you!

“You had my attention, now you have my fury.”

“From silence to suffering.”

“So many worlds out there. You'd need a thousand lifetimes to see them all - more.”

“I hope this is important. For your sake.”

“Let them gaze deep into their own abyss, and wonder just what it is they are trying to achieve.”

“I ought to just burn this whole thing down.”

“We have slightly more pressing matters to attend to.”

“You have still have time to surrender.”

“Every kicked buttock, another step on the path.”

“Weave save me. I can't take much more…

“You are right to fear me.”

“Let me look around. Might be something that'll help me crack this thing.”

“Incredible, to think how many worlds exist beyond this tiny speck within a speck I call home.”

“I really wish I could cast a Hold spell on you.”

“I can fawn over my face later.”

“Ready for another round?”

“Keep your blade close.”

“I can't unlock it from here, but there must be a switch or a button somewhere…”

“No, that's not moving. There must be a way to open it somewhere.”

“Battle favours the fearless.”

“Sleep with one eye open, evil. Maybe both.”

“Gotta be something around here to unlock this thing.”

“Why do beautiful people taste better?. It hardly seems fair on the ugly - they have such wonderful personalities.”

“Oh, calm down. I'm happy to see you too.”

“Just go for the Magic Missile and fire away. Never fails.”

“Still standing, no matter what you heard.”

“Enough waiting. I crave blood.”

“Hang on - I won't allow this. You aren't dead, go it?”

“GODS, it's HOT in here!”

“No rest for the wicked, I see.”

“Better to hide than fight, sometimes.”

“Would that I could hide from you, too.”

“Are you feeling lonely, perhaps?”

“There is no right or wrong, only truth.”

“Battle is afoot - you can poke me once we are safe.”

“What good all this ethereal eladrin blood if I can still get pimples?”

“I should've been a drow. They have such stylish armour.”

“I am armed! Armoured! And entirely sick of your foolishness.”

“Let's have some fun.”

“War is an old woman's game.”

“No rest, be you wicked or wise.”

“I'm getting too old for this nonsense.”

“I would poke you back, but I fear that's what you want.”

“You have my attention - now do something with it.”

“You are insistent, are you not?”

“Do what must be done.”

“Your suffering will be spectacular.”

“Lest I sit down for a rest and not rise again.”

“Better to look evil in the eye. Even if it be very small.”

“I'm not built to crouch.”

“I think I could go another round.”

“Always the same old song.”

“Is perfection too much to ask?”

“Eyes on victory, tummy on dinner.”

“So many places to be.. and I chose Baldur's Gate.”

“I'm not opening that. Not from here, at any rate.”

“What is the point, if not victory?”

“Won't last much longer like this.”

“Let's hope the locals are friendly.”

“Let us show them how it's done.”

“Weapons high. Standards higher.”

“Must everyone be so exhausting?”

“What I would not give for a chunk of fresh honeycomb…”

“Which way to the nearest library?”

“Now this is my happy place.”

“Who shall I silence?”

“Stop, or die.”

“Wear your scars proudly.”

[aymried]

What Tarot Card Are you?

Justice

What would you do to ensure justice? You know full well I don’t speak of lofty ideals and courts and magistrates, dearest. What would you do to those that hurt you? If I dropped them in your lap, what would you do? What kind of pain could you possibly inflict upon them? You are right to do so. You are right to want to do so. Ignore the screaming, dearest, you are the hand of justice now, and they hurt you. Do not look too closely at their faces, dearest. You are within your rights. You spell out your own rights, now. Are you happy about it? Are you certain that this is the right person you hold by the hair? Does your anger hurt less now?

[aymried]

to: edelgard

from: lysithea

'sorry, i was disappeared for a whole month back then.'

'how are you doing recently?'

[To: Lysithea] There's no need to apologize.

[To: Lysithea] While I was concerned, I'm pleased to hear from you.

[To: Lysithea] I've been as well as I can be, I suppose. What of yourself?

Edelgard's fingers trail over the letters effortlessly, eyes glued onto the screen as if nothing else surrounds her. She prefers it this way; giving her sole attention to what matters most.

[aymried]

THE MANY MEANINGS OF "HEY.": A PROMPT LIST.

i often have these ideas that have no real origin, but i can actually tell you precisely why my brain wanted this: i was listening to "hey, soul sister" by train on a loop and i got thinking abt the fact that we really do just say "hey" for so many reasons. and i wanted to make that your thought of the evening! so happy november, bon appetit, wrap up warm, DO NOT ADD TO THIS LIST, and enjoy your writings!

[ GREETING ]: sender says "hey" as a greeting to the receiver.

[ ATTENTION ]: sender, having just noticed something strange or remarkable, calls for the receiver to get their attention.

[ REASSURE ]: in a bid to steady the unsettled receiver, the sender lightly says "hey" to help them calm down.

[ ANGER ]: the sender sharply snaps "hey" at the receiver, clearly angry about something the receiver has just done or had done in the past.

[ IDEA ]: having been presented with a predicament, the sender suddenly unravels a solution, introducing it to the receiver by saying "hey…".

[ GUILT ]: having just done something that they know the receiver won't be pleased with, the sender sheepishly greets them once they arrive to see the damage.

[ GOSSIP ]: the sender turns to face the receiver conspiratorially, clearly eager to share some new gossip with them.

[ URGENT ]: the sender rushes to the preoccupied receiver, desperately shouting "hey!" to get them to focus on a far more pressing matter.

[ SOOTHE ]: after finding the clearly distressed receiver, the sender pulls them into a careful embrace, gently murmuring "hey…" to try and soothe them.

[ SMILE ]: the sender (who hasn't been smiling up until they actually see the receiver in front of them) lights up with a smile as they greet the receiver.

[ TEARS ]: the sender greets the receiver while very clearly in tears.

[ FAKE ]: alternatively, the sender (who has just been crying in private) hastily wipes away their tears and tries to greet the receiver casually (to varying degrees of success).

[ WARNING ]: when the receiver begins to say things about subjects that are off-limits to the sender, the latter gives them a warning by saying "hey…".

[ LAUGH ]: having found the receiver to be decidedly unhappy, the sender lightly catches their attention before doing something to make them laugh, or at the very least, grin.

[ PROTEST ]: after the receiver does or says something that the sender deems to be unfair, the sender tries to exact justice by saying "hey!".

[ BREATHLESS ]: having clearly just sprinted down to the receiver, the sender tries to catch their breath while greeting them.

[ SAVE ]: after just saving the receiver's life in a very heroic fashion, the sender smoothly greets them while helping them escape.

[ FLIRT ]: the sender meets the receiver in a social setting, and attempts to flirt with them with the very traditional pick-up line: "hey.".

[ APOLOGY ]: the sender, having recently done something that hurt or upset the receiver, reunites with them and addresses the elephant in the room by greeting them with a sincerely apologetic tone.

[ AWKWARD ]: after a particularly rough first encounter, the sender meets the receiver again, and awkwardly greets them with more than a touch of embarrassment.

[ GENTLE ]: having found the receiver in an emotionally compromised position, the sender closes the door and approaches them carefully, gently saying "hey…" to try and get them to communicate what has upset them.

[ HARD ]: preparing to deliver what they both know will be bad news, the sender tries to prepare the receiver by quietly greeting them in a solemn tone.

[ WAKEN ]: walking into the receiver's bedroom, the sender gently shakes their shoulder to waken them, and whispers "hey." to encourage the process along.

[ WHISPER ]: the sender gently whispers "hey" to the receiver to discreetly get their attention without drawing the attention of others.

[aymried]

It becomes difficult for her to tell whether she is asleep or awake, at times. Nightmares often sully her amidst slumber; thoughts of the future encompass in the waking hours. Now, she finds herself standing within Golden Ward's boardwalk with the dark sky to greet her. What is typically filled with many people greets the woman with sheer silence.

Edelgard stands alone, so she thinks. Her back is turned towards the closed rides, only eyeing the large and still ferris wheel. She teeters closer towards it and rests a hand on a nearby railing, fingers laying across her cheek in contemplation.

[aymried]

It was a different fighting style than she was accustomed to; not by the thorns of dark magic nor the blunt charging of a sword. Naturally did Edelgard find herself paused at the sudden change of direction as the umbrella came in contact with her side.

"Excellent work," she commended. In truth, it had been a while since she had a proper spar. Raising the axe slightly upwards, the emperor took a step back to create space between them. It was short, only long enough to allot herself proper momentum to aim nearest the umbrella itself.

Neo's brow furrowed slightly, her grip on the umbrella tightening. Attacking first in a head-on situation wasn't quite her usual M.O. Not that she didn't know how to handle it, she just had her preferences. She could work with this, though. Keeping her weapon close by her side, she took a low stance and dashed straight ahead, ready to thrust out like a rapier...only to halt her step and hop to the side once she was within striking distance- the side opposite the head of the axe, of course. Only then did she throw her arm forward, aiming for the woman's side.

[aymried]

Edelgard nodded in agreement, removing the axe from where it sat readily and into the grip of her two hands. While she may have been briefly expecting a wooden lance or sword, she had come to find that being resourceful was just as admirable. "Very well. If that is your training weapon of choice, I've no reason to stop you. Strike towards me first."

Well, this was a fun idea! She'd not trained with anyone in a while, and given her real weapon was unavailable to her right now, taking on someone wielding a wooden blade sounded like a good chance to perhaps not get herself knocked down several pegs. She faced this young woman with a confident smirk, raising her somewhat sturdy umbrella to point at her. It was as good an acceptance as she could give!

[aymried]

She can't deny those abilities against the Professor's. Strong as Edelgard is, she is unable to manipulate time in such a manner. "I'm well aware of where we are. Rather, of what distance there is between Fódlan and here. Even so, our actions are certain to have repercussions.." She would be content never to see Thales again, but such cannot be the case. His infiltration into the Empire must be settled above all his.

Before she can finish her train of thought, Kronya begins to lunge towards the emperor once more. Without Aymr in her hands, all she can do is attempt to dodge. Still, the long bout and emotional turmoil settles where she does not want it to be. It lunges too close to her chest's leftmost as she brings a hand over the wound.

She grits her teeth as the sheer force makes her fall to her knees. "Guh.. You.." She looks up towards Kronya. "You will never get what you seek."

"He might not be here, which is good means i can do what i want." Without Thales, Kronya do whatever she desires and it is to kill anyone she desires. As much as she slightly cared to her organization, she's just the type of 'do whatever wanted' since this isn't Fodlan anymore.

"Does that even matter? We aren't in Fodlan anymore. Relish the moment of Thales' absence! All witnesses die by my hand!" The bystanders heard that as they ran away meaning, she's serious. Innocent or not, blood will spill. Man, woman or child? They end up in a gory manner. Now her look is back to Edelgard.

"Unlike the Professor can stop and reverse time, You aren't. Hope you have your last words as i'll give you an experience of 'death'!" While her opponent was disarmed, an attempting strike to the heart with Athame commenced.

[aymried]

"While training by myself does suffice, it is only effective to a degree. Train with me. That is the best way to show me your strengths and weaknesses." With a wooden axe in her hands, she holds it lightly and swings it to lay its handle atop her shoulder.

[aymried]

THINGS MY FRIENDS' MUSES HAVE SAID *  assorted dialogue written by my talented mutuals, adjust as necessary

you are stronger than you think.

there's so much you don't know.

sorry to unload this on you. i just don't get to talk about this much.

i'm sorry for misleading you.

you ought to know that. someone ought to tell you.

you really don't tire of this, do you?

i'm running out of patience for this.

you don't owe me anything. i don't think any of us should owe each other anything.

it's... hard to explain, actually.

sorry for waking you.

the opportunity was just too good to pass up.

i know you're just being nice.

i'll take the blame for this.

you're unbearably ridiculous.

i'm leaving after i get my coat.

quit your grinning.

what if we stayed up later tonight?

i'm still figuring it out myself.

you know i'm just gonna keep asking.

i spilled coffee all over not one, but two shirts.

as treacherous as i thought it might be, this journey has been rather... well. interesting, to say the least.

where did you learn to dance?

why the sudden declaration? you're not leaving me, are you?

maybe we should head back to camp.

the stars looked too pretty last night. i couldn't sleep inside my tent.

i love you. i care about you... but you're scaring me.

i hope you don't think you're going to lure me into your bed after a few charming words.

aren't you supposed to offer your assistance with stuff like this?

maybe you could help me from time to time.

you're a heck of a lot cuter than me.

i'm open to suggestions.

what was that for?

you don't have to tell me, if you don't want to.

why the stubbornness?

there's nights i don't sleep easily.

i'll see you at sunrise.

guess it's a good thing you haven't heard.

been a while since i told anyone about that.

what a damn shame i didn't bring a rose.

you're gonna have to be more specific.

i do live to make your life absolutely awful.

wait for me. promise you will.

i'll keep it safe. i promise.

you don't need to say it.

i'm not a bloody mind reader.

haven't you heard?

i know better than to tell you to stay behind.

you can say no. i won't be mad.

you're even sweeter than i remember.

i would have been even happier if i saw you more often.

honestly, i want to get inside before i start to turn blue.

hope you like meatballs.

not being kind. just being honest.

i'm taking us somewhere sandy.

you'll have to hold onto me for a while.

i want to catch up on my reading.

i'm in trouble. it's really bad.

the guest bedroom is all yours.

[aymried]

It is the mention of Thales that sends a chill up her spine— She loathes that man and all he has done. Their alliance has always been but a temporary treaty. When she stared at him, donning the guise of another, it never failed to leave her with a bitter feeling.

Kronya uttering his name makes her eyes widen and heart yearn with a frozen rage. The words appear just as fast as the action as she feels the tug of Aymr loosening in her grip. Her weapon, once pointed upwards, now finds itself aimed at the ground with a loud thud.

".. Thales will never be here." A bold claim, perhaps. For the sake of Lysithea— of everyone — she can't back down. Thus, she speaks. Lies or truth, neither can be differentiated. "You speak confidently, but are you certain of that? If something were to happen to me, you would lose the support of the Empire."

"What's my choice? You and that mage's corpse." Kronya was focused on tormenting anyone from Fodlan and giving the same experience of 'death' in this place. Retribution for her 'demise'.

Her focus was still on Edelgard for getting in her way. As Kronya would always do is to cheat her way to win, she would've. Just lack of toys to do so.

"Perhaps if i killed you, she's next. Thales won't mind seeing you in blood if ever arrived here." Possibility of Thales in Spirale may be impossible but everything is possible per eclipse.

Now she proceeds to deliver a slash aimed to disarm Aymr from Edelgard.

[aymried]

For as much as she tended to wear a cold and serious exterior, Edelgard couldn't help and allow that shying smile of hers to sustain itself on her face. Many years ago, she felt the burdens of her world's weight alone. In this place, though, they were all the same. That much she couldn't deny. Odd as it was, it felt strangely comforting.

"Scary indeed. Though.. For myself, anger was what I first felt. But, that matters not— You're right. If I could solve all of these mysteries myself, I would. Until then, we are in similar situations."

While she listened, her curiosity piqued. A laugh left her lips, nodding in agreement: "I understand. Thank you for the explanation. I do miss the cats of Fódlan from time to time.." A clear of the throat. "In any case. I must know something. Your power to fight. I presume you were born with it..?"

he could only imagine just how busy she must have been. and all the scary thoughts about whatever was happening at home carrying on before someone else said that they would go home to the same time they were taken from must have been really frightening for someone with a lot happening. it must have been a huge relief for her to hear that.

ϟ everyone probably feels that way. i didn't understand anything because we never wandered out the Forest for very long, and it took a lot of help from others to learn, but there was probably lots that everyone didn't know. we all went through the same thing and woke up in this strange place. it was really scary. ϟ

a little smile beamed, hopefully it would help. because time and friends helped. he kept it going while scratching underneath his ear — one of those habits that happened when thinking hard. ϟ we live in the wild. maybe the easiest way to describe it is we're like animals you know and see, but they don't seem to have the same power to fight as us. in the Forest, and all over the place, we'd be like asking what a cat or dog or bird is. ϟ

[aymried]

Often have people asked her of her opinions on her situation; on her stance. Never has one asked her about punishment— Her eyes widen, taking a breath in turn. "Hm.. Perhaps in a way, I do." Edelgard is taken away from her duties, one step closer to the victory she so sought. "I won't deny my mistakes. But, to completely tear me away from my efforts.. It feels as if I'm left to merely stew in my thoughts until I'm able to finish what I started."

A long blink, looking upwards. "I don't take this for granted, but.. I can't help and wonder if this is right. A second chance it may be, but how can I allow myself to feel that way?"

"Exactly. There's usually a reason for everything even if we aren't sure what it is at that moment. Maybe being here is a punishment to some, but I think I've come to find it as a sort of second chance. The mistakes you've made elsewhere don't apply here, for better or worse." She looks sad for a moment as she says that, but she's quick to brighten up just a little bit again. "What about you? Do you find being here is a punishment?"

[aymried]

Edelgard does not find any sort of satisfaction in being able to use Aymr— She borrows its power because she must. Because it is a tool that can help her carve a path towards the future she so desperately desires. "This axe is for my hands only, as you well know." Kronya already stated as much, finding herself only reiterating.

She continues to fight against the other, alternating between using her axe as a shield and as a tool of destruction. Kronya's own power scuffs her just as much— The aches on her sides begin to propel themselves as her eyes move themselves to focus on her own body.

A sigh, then. While one hand lay across her own wounds, the other tightens around the axe as its glow intensifies: "What is your choice? I am prepared to make that decision for you, if I must."

Knowing it won't end well, it's do or die. Aymr can only be held by those with the right crests, from experiment or birth. A swinging slash from Edelgard as it was like, lightweight but highly strong.

Kronya may have narrowly blocked it but the spike pointers from Aymr is like being poked by a needle, which made Kronya's forehead bled a little.

"If that's what Aymr looked like, wish i can use it..." Impressed but she repelled that attack after as she continues attacking Edelgard on her pace by a combination of slashes and a stab on where it hits.

[aymried]

"That is true.. Before I arrived here, it felt as if time flew by much too quickly. My agenda hardly helped the matter." For better or worse, she supposed. Even so, it was relieving to know she was not the only one who felt this way. "It would be a waste if I sat around ignoring what has been given to me.. I'm not one to believe in luck or destinies, but I suspect there is a point to all of this."

"No, rather--I believe they make you human. I've also experienced those same thoughts. Finding comfort in the peace here can feel conflicting, but I think it's best enjoyed before it passes us by." It was often the little things that made her feel as though being here wasn't so bad, but they also made her feel guilty, too. "I often ask myself things like...why me? Surely there's someone more deserving, but if we start to think like that then what good does that do anyone?"