halfkete

[halfkete]

“How do you accidentally buy sixty birthday cakes?”

“Well, it wasn’t entirely an accident.” Nah smiled sheepishly at the older manakete, holding up a cake. “Do you want some? I was down at the market and this one bakery...it just smelled so good! And they offered me a taste of their cakes and....then I was walking home with sixty cakes.” 

It wasn’t like she couldn’t eat them all, but even for Nah that would be one hell of a stomach ache. “Perhaps I was thinking with my stomach...what should I do?” The sugary confection was a delight, Nah had never tasted anything so close to divine before. “They’re just so good!” She took another bite, savoring the rich taste.

“Oh, I know, I’ll give them to my friends! None of them have had anything like this either--and then we can each have our own cake and have a cake eating party!” She paused. “Can humans eat a whole cake? I never really considered that...How about you help me, Myrrh?” ( @darklingdragon )

[halfkete]

(sentence meme) “So, instead of helping you, they ran off the moment they saw what was happening?”

“Well, yeah....” Nah kicked her boot lightly against the gravel, sending some pebbles flying. “I guess I can’t blame them...” These days it seemed like everyone either wanted to kidnap her or was terrified of her. Though, terror was preferable to kidnapping...slightly.

“Dragons aren’t exactly a welcome sight these days.” She sighed heavily, squatting down and hugging her knees. “It’s okay, though, I was able to free myself from the trap easily enough. Maybe I just spooked them...it is my fault for not avoiding their rabbit trap after all...they were just children.” And they looked half-crazed with hunger.

Nah swallowed the memory, shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter--we should get back to camp before the others begin to worry. It was a stroke of luck that we found this wood to begin with, it wouldn’t do to be discovered now. The sun is setting too.” She stood, forcing a smile on her face. “Thanks for coming to find me.” ( @mage-laurent )

[halfkete]

SEND MY MUSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

“You. Me. Cuddle. Now.”

“Don’t move, I just got comfy.”

“I’m scared, hold me!”

“I bit my lip. Will you kiss it better?”

“Tickle war has been declared!”

“Bunny pyjamas, really?”

“I’ve never seen so many kittens in one place.”

“Come on, just one bite.”

“How do you accidentally buy sixty birthday cakes?”

“I never imagined you were so… ticklish.”

“You’re so huggable.”

“You’re under arrest for being too cute. Put your hands where I can hold them.”

“Have you fallen asleep on me?”

“Am I dead?”

“Another one?”

“And what if I don’t?”

“Are you afraid of God?”

“Are you crazy?”

“Are you lost?”

“Are you really that shallow?”

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Are you sure there were no…

“How do you really feel about me?”

“Can’t you pretend to love me this once?”

“Would you care if I was gone?”

“Don’t you know the hell I go through to keep you safe?”

“I can’t take this any longer. Help me.”

“Deep down, you’re scared. Aren’t you?”

“You’ll stay alone if you push others away.”

“How many lives have you taken with your own hands?”

“Just for today. Please.”

“You’re the only one who’s never called me that…”

“We can make it work! Let’s run away together, you and me!”

“I… have loved you this whole time.”

“Treat me as you see fit. I’ll still protect you. It’s my role after all.”

“Maybe it’s too much for me to expect kindness.”

“You give me meaning, even if you take it away.”

“Please… hold me. Don’t say anything, just… hold me.”

“Woah, when did you get that?”

“Who did this to you?”

“How many time have I told you to be more careful?”

“You’re saying this was an accident?”

“What a shiner!”

“If you look like this, I’d hate to see the other guy.”

“I’m not buying it, you don’t walk into a door and get a bruise like that!”

“Does it hurt when I touch it?”

“Let me kiss it better.”

“If you don’t rest, you won’t heal.”

“Another fight?”

“What happened to your face?”

“I don’t think your arm is meant to bend like that…”

“Let’s get you to bed.”

“Let’s get you to the hospital.”

“Why are you so calm about this?”

“You’re bleeding!”

“What are friends for, ey?”

“So, instead of helping you, they ran off the moment they saw what was happening?”

“You need to look where you’re going.”

“I’m not accusing anyone, I’m just saying it looks suspicious.”

“Do you want to tell me what really happened?”

“Don’t move! You’ll faint!”

“I’ve got some bandages, wait a sec.”

“You’re the clumsiest person I know.”

“I won’t let you be on your own, not when you’re like this.”

“How could you be so careless?”

“I can’t even look at you, you promised not to get into any more fights!”

“H-how many of them were there?”

“Do you want to build a snowman?”

“The past is in the past.”

“I’m where I’m meant to be.”

“I know you!”

“A dream is a wish your heart makes.”

“People down here think I’m crazy, but I don’t care.”

“For once, it might be grand to have someone understand.”

“Just look at the world around you!”

“Someday my prince will come.”

“If you had the chance to change your fate, would you?”

“If you cut it down, then you’ll never know.”

“But you’ll never know me.”

“Don’t you dare close your eyes.”

[halfkete]

see? food!

The dining hall of Garreg Mach never ceased to amaze. An near-endless supply of food (as long as Nah ignored the looks the staff gave her--a growing manakete needed her food!) with no rations in sight. It was heaven. As Nah happily filled her plate--and then some--she hummed happily as she took her seat across from a purple-haired girl she hadn’t seen before. 

“I’m Nah,” she introduced with a smile. “You’re a big eater too, huh?” Was the girl a manakete? She wasn’t supposed to ask here, but upon closer inspection, Nah didn’t smell any dragon blood on the girl. Just another food afficionado then. Nah was always happy to indulge. “The food here is divine--I don’t think I’ve ever had anything so good! They always have so many dishes...Fodlan must be a very fertile place, to make all this each day. Isn’t it amazing?”

Nah wasted no time in starting her feast, knowing she’d be going back for seconds...and thirds...and however many they let her have this time. “Amazing...the food here really is magic. I don’t even need weeds to supplement between meals.” Though that habit had proved tougher to break than she thought... ( @hungrymage )

[halfkete]

"Ahh! Hi there!" Elise laughed as she (almost literally) ran into Nah outside of the dining hall. It was peach sorbet day and she wasn't going to risk getting there too late and having them run out. There was one thing that she wouldn't mind risking it for, though--a new friend! "I'm Elise! We're friends now, okay?"

“O-Oh, My apolog---” She didn’t have time to finish her sentence before the girl was continuing as though nothing had happened. “Are you oka---” We’re friends now, okay? Was it really so simple? Nah didn’t smell any ill intent... “Ah, yes it’s nice to make your acquaintance. I’m Nah. You seem to be in a bit of a rush--may I ask where you’re going?”

[halfkete]

AMAZONITE COMFORT: What sorts of things bring your muse comfort in trying times? Are there any habits they have when things get difficult to help cope?

Nah’s most prized possessions are her dragonstone and a small pocket-sized portrait of her parents. She also tries to keep a huge stock of candied figs and other sweets on her that remind her of her father. Her dragonstone was inherited from Nowi--before meeting up with the other awakening kids, she didn’t possess a dragonstone of her own. Those items bring her great comfort, but also come with bittersweet feelings--that she never got to really meet her real parents, but the small things help her pretend.

She usually copes by either destroying things (a common habit), or indulging in the what could have been. Imaging what it might have been like growing up with her family as she eats some of Gaius’ favorite candy and holds Nowi’s dragonstone close.

[halfkete]

Coral Fragments: How well does your muse deal with stress? Do they do anything in particular to help them deal with it, and if so what do they do?

Destroy things!!!!! Nah’s constitution as a half-manakete is a little unstable in her younger years and one of the ways she deals with it is destroying things. Often in secluded areas deep in forests, but if the opportunity doesn’t present itself to make her escape, the training dummies usually take the fall. As she ages, the urges to destroy things fade and she is better able to balance her two sides. 

[halfkete]

“You. Me. Cuddle. Now.”

Nah blinked in confusion as the pink-haired girl demanded her presence. “I’m, uh---not a very good cuddle partner, you know.” Not to mention they were complete strangers. “I’ll likely just be an inconvenience...” That was the issue with being cold-blooded...she usually wound up freezing out whoever was her company, especially as the weather got cooler. “I’m more than happy to keep you company, though. I can even grab a pillow from my room for you to cuddle.”

[halfkete]

SEND MY MUSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

“You. Me. Cuddle. Now.”

“Don’t move, I just got comfy.”

“I’m scared, hold me!”

“I bit my lip. Will you kiss it better?”

“Tickle war has been declared!”

“Bunny pyjamas, really?”

“I’ve never seen so many kittens in one place.”

“Come on, just one bite.”

“How do you accidentally buy sixty birthday cakes?”

“I never imagined you were so… ticklish.”

“You’re so huggable.”

“You’re under arrest for being too cute. Put your hands where I can hold them.”

“Have you fallen asleep on me?”

“Am I dead?”

“Another one?”

“And what if I don’t?”

“Are you afraid of God?”

“Are you crazy?”

“Are you lost?”

“Are you really that shallow?”

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Are you sure there were no…

“How do you really feel about me?”

“Can’t you pretend to love me this once?”

“Would you care if I was gone?”

“Don’t you know the hell I go through to keep you safe?”

“I can’t take this any longer. Help me.”

“Deep down, you’re scared. Aren’t you?”

“You’ll stay alone if you push others away.”

“How many lives have you taken with your own hands?”

“Just for today. Please.”

“You’re the only one who’s never called me that…”

“We can make it work! Let’s run away together, you and me!”

“I… have loved you this whole time.”

“Treat me as you see fit. I’ll still protect you. It’s my role after all.”

“Maybe it’s too much for me to expect kindness.”

“You give me meaning, even if you take it away.”

“Please… hold me. Don’t say anything, just… hold me.”

“Woah, when did you get that?”

“Who did this to you?”

“How many time have I told you to be more careful?”

“You’re saying this was an accident?”

“What a shiner!”

“If you look like this, I’d hate to see the other guy.”

“I’m not buying it, you don’t walk into a door and get a bruise like that!”

“Does it hurt when I touch it?”

“Let me kiss it better.”

“If you don’t rest, you won’t heal.”

“Another fight?”

“What happened to your face?”

“I don’t think your arm is meant to bend like that…”

“Let’s get you to bed.”

“Let’s get you to the hospital.”

“Why are you so calm about this?”

“You’re bleeding!”

“What are friends for, ey?”

“So, instead of helping you, they ran off the moment they saw what was happening?”

“You need to look where you’re going.”

“I’m not accusing anyone, I’m just saying it looks suspicious.”

“Do you want to tell me what really happened?”

“Don’t move! You’ll faint!”

“I’ve got some bandages, wait a sec.”

“You’re the clumsiest person I know.”

“I won’t let you be on your own, not when you’re like this.”

“How could you be so careless?”

“I can’t even look at you, you promised not to get into any more fights!”

“H-how many of them were there?”

“Do you want to build a snowman?”

“The past is in the past.”

“I’m where I’m meant to be.”

“I know you!”

“A dream is a wish your heart makes.”

“People down here think I’m crazy, but I don’t care.”

“For once, it might be grand to have someone understand.”

“Just look at the world around you!”

“Someday my prince will come.”

“If you had the chance to change your fate, would you?”

“If you cut it down, then you’ll never know.”

“But you’ll never know me.”

“Don’t you dare close your eyes.”

[halfkete]

little secrets

Nervously, Nah tightened gloved hands around the strap of her bag, eyes trained forward as she walked past the guards at the gate of the monastery. The cooling weather weighed heavy on her, even as she edged ever-closer to the woods.

It was only under the cover of the Sealed Forest that Nah released a heavy breath, winding deeper into the thick foliage. Far away from the monastery, she reached into her bag, pulling out a familiar green stone. With a sigh of relief and a small smile, Nah felt the change flow through her, soft pink scales emerging across her pale skin. 

It was a relief, to let loose after so long, knocking down a tree with a roar as she spread her wings to fly near the treeline. The cool air braced her as she landed heavily, knocking over a few more trees in the process. Settling, Nah nearly screamed as she saw an unfamiliar figure down below, quickly shrinking back down, dragonstone clutched to her chest.

“Wh---I---” She stuttered, unsure how to proceed. How did they treat manakete in Fodlan? Should she run? Find the others and hide? “Who....don’t you know it’s dangerous to stand so near a dragon?” ( @wulfhierde )

[halfkete]

She'd seen the other girl in her class before. She doesn't recall much about her save for the fact that she has a strange name too. Was it Yay or Nay or...? Regardless, she seemed like someone she should greet. Fir offered the other girl a small polite bow in greetings. "Um, nice to meet you. I'm Fir. We're both in the same class? And, um," Here she pauses, suddenly anxious. What else can she say? "Stamp my card please. And I'll stamp yours?", she finishes quickly.

Fir. Yes, she’d seen the girl around--her name was easy to remember too. Like the tall fir trees that surrounded the house she grew up in. “Nah. It’s a pleasure.” A small smile hopes to calm the girl’s nerves as Nah once again draws out her parchment, quickly signing her name on the girl’s card. 

“I hope you won’t just run off...I’d like to talk more with you, if that’s alright with you.” She could smell the unease rolling off Fir in waves--and besides she wasn’t from Fodlan either, there was much to learn from her and the night was still young yet. ( @sword-scion )

[halfkete]

No one else's bright green hair stuck up like that. Since when had Nah arrived? Inigo made his way across the ball room, mentally rehearsing his choice of words. The last thing he needs is for her to transform on him again. "Evening, ma'am." Inigo said with a little bow, trademark grin on his face. "How have you been, Nah? I've missed you."

She giggled as he bowed, replying with a slightly unbalanced curtsy of her own. “I don’t know how I missed you--with all that perfume I think I smelled you from across the hall.” She makes a show of pinching the bridge of her nose, flashing a bright smile at him. “It’s good to see you, Inigo. To think that we would find each other under the same stars once again--the world truly works in mysterious ways.” 

She doesn’t mention how lonely her travels have been, all alone. There’s no point. One day it won’t just be on a ship or foreign soil, but the entire world will only know her closest friends in legend and story. And there was nothing that could be done about it. “I’ve been well. I’ve been to a great many places since we parted ways--oh the things I learned! There’s so much out there, Inigo--truly, it’s amazing.” 

Hands twist in the straps of her bag, slung across her shoulder, ever-present with the familiar weight of her dragonstone. “You want to dance, don’t you.” It wasn’t a question. “And I assume you’ll be wanting one of these...” she pulled out the small parchment with Caspar’s name scrawled on it. 

“Apparently they serve no purpose other than entertainment. According to Caspar von Bergliez, this whole celebration doesn’t even have anything to do with the saints or the Goddess, despite it being held on the Monastery’s anniversary of completion. For a continent so immersed in religion, its people truly are very uninvolved.” ( @theindigoflirt )

[halfkete]

hotheadhero‌:

‘Nah’? Why would she be refusing his - Huh? Caspar is a little confused when she accepts his card after that apparent refusal, but then again, the inflection had been different. Was that her name? Strange name, he thinks as he takes her card in turn and scrawls his name upon it, barely making it fit. 

What’s even stranger, though, is the distinctly sharp teeth she flashes him when they trade their cards back. No human has teeth that sharp… right? But why would anyone here not be? Were the humans of other worlds just different like that? He can’t help but think back to Selkie for a moment…

Her question about the relation between signatures and dancing is a welcome distraction after that discovery. Yet another oddity about this girl, but at least this, he can explain. “This ten names thing is just something extra the faculty gave us to kill time between food and dancing and all,” he tells her. “Anybody can dance here for any reason they want; doesn’t have to be in honor of the Goddess at all.” As if to underscore his point, he catches sight of a couple of students engaging in a surprisingly raunchy dance out of the corner of his eye. A deviously bemused smile tugs at his face. It is unsuccessfully squelched.

His odd companion proves a more successful deterrent than his own self-discipline in this regard (not that Caspar has ever been lauded as the model of self-restraint to begin with). “Hope you don’t mind me asking, but is Nah short for something?” he asks curiously. “Where are you from, by the way? I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with so many canines.”

“Huh...so it serves no purpose. How odd. Why hold a ball on the anniversary of the Monastery’s completion then? This is where the saints rest, isn’t it?” Like the Mila tree, where the Voice took refuge to hear Naga’s voice...unless this place wasn’t like that at all. The Goddess certainly wasn’t present here...maybe there was another location? Did the population know the Goddess was gone from this place--from what was supposed to be her Holy Sanctum? There was so much left to unravel here...

“Huh? Oh, no it’s just Nah. I suppose my mother liked the name. Either that or she was playing another one of her pranks and then it stuck...” Nah grimaced, unable to completely discount that possibility. “It does get confusing at times...” She sighed, shaking her head. “I’m from the Halidom of Ylisse, but my mother is Valmese and I grew up in Regna Ferox.” Oh he probably didn’t know geography... “It’s...a far ways to the West of here. Um, Inigo and Cynthia...Lucina, Chrom...they’re all from Ylisse.” 

Now that she thought about it, hadn’t she heard whispers about an Alm and Celica? Like the ancient rules from when Valm was Valentia? That...that couldn’t be possible. By Naga, this place attracted all types. Only half listening, Nah frowned at Caspar’s next statement. “Canines? No, no dogs don’t like me very much...which is rather unfortunate. Most animals aren’t fond of me and tend to run when I approach.”

Something about her draws him in - perhaps it's because she reminds him just a little bit of Flayn. "Hi there, stranger!" he greeted her. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Caspar, from the Black Eagles house - nice to meet you!" He holds out a hand to shake while his other hand whips out his signature card. "They told us to heap names onto these things, so would you mind signing mine? I'll sign yours too, of course!"

“Nah. I’m in the Black Eagles as well.” She supposes she must not hold much of a presence if she’d been so easily overlooked…but Caspar was hardly one that could be ignored with his loud, rash personality. His sense of justice and overdramatics reminded her a bit of Owain, she thought with a smile, accepting his handshake. 

“Oh–yes, this is for the dance competition, correct? What a strange tradition…” Nevertheless she takes the parchment in hand, careful handwriting fills in the space designated as she hands it back with a sharp-toothed grin. “So you dance to honor your Goddess, correct? But…what do the ten names have to do with it? Are you not worthy to dance before the Goddess without the approval of ten peers?” ( @hotheadhero )

[halfkete]

our little secret

She’s drawn to him, even from across the hall--feet unconsciously taking her through the crowds. Even through the masses of people, she can smell him, the scent of her kin. Nah blinks up at the tall green-haired man, “you’re like me.” A statement, not a question. To think--there’d be other manakete in the monastery--and so high up too! 

She smiles widely, revealing sharp teeth as she reaches into her ever-present bag and draws out her dragonstone. “It’s an honor to meet you, Master Seteth--I have so many questions! Oh--have dragons always been present in Fodlan’s history? How have they influenced the flow of history--are they tied to the religion here too?” Nah hardly pauses for breath as she continues. “Back home, in Ylisse, manakete are rare, but everyone knows of their existence...we worship the Divine Dragon Naga, after all. Can you hear the goddess’ voice? I haven’t been able to since arriving, despite being able to commune with Naga back home...Maybe it’s because I’m not from here? Oh! Is the goddess even a Divine Dragon?”

Lost in her own world, Nah suddenly snaps to. “My apologies...I got carried away. Due to the...well, I’ve taken it upon myself to record the histories of every place I visit, so that I can share their lessons with the people. Since I have a much longer lifespan than my friends, it only makes sense that I share their stories--how much do you know about that anyways?” Had Chrom or the others told him anything? Did the Church know of Ylisse? It didn’t seem to be common knowledge among her peers at the academy. “Are there others like us here? I’d love to meet them.” ( @virtufide )

[halfkete]

Something about her draws him in - perhaps it's because she reminds him just a little bit of Flayn. "Hi there, stranger!" he greeted her. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Caspar, from the Black Eagles house - nice to meet you!" He holds out a hand to shake while his other hand whips out his signature card. "They told us to heap names onto these things, so would you mind signing mine? I'll sign yours too, of course!"

“Nah. I’m in the Black Eagles as well.” She supposes she must not hold much of a presence if she’d been so easily overlooked...but Caspar was hardly one that could be ignored with his loud, rash personality. His sense of justice and overdramatics reminded her a bit of Owain, she thought with a smile, accepting his handshake. 

“Oh--yes, this is for the dance competition, correct? What a strange tradition...” Nevertheless she takes the parchment in hand, careful handwriting fills in the space designated as she hands it back with a sharp-toothed grin. “So you dance to honor your Goddess, correct? But...what do the ten names have to do with it? Are you not worthy to dance before the Goddess without the approval of ten peers?” ( @hotheadhero )

[halfkete]

Some lineart in my sketchbook :)

[halfkete]

A series of headcanon asks to delve more in-depth with what makes the muses tick! Questions range from the obscure to the obvious so as to dig further into a muse’s life and habits.

Be sure to specify muses for multi-muse blogs!

Coral Fragments: How well does your muse deal with stress? Do they do anything in particular to help them deal with it, and if so what do they do? 

Rosy Fog: What are their immediate views on romantic love?

Rosy Haze: Do they react well when they develop feelings for someone and if not why?

Rosy Touch: How do they show affection nonverbally? Are they likely to show affection with their words as well?

Apatite Chatter: Are they the friendly sort or do they prefer to let others start off interactions with them?

Apatite Tic: Does your muse have any sort of verbal tics or impediments?

Garnet Shadows: Is your muse apt to stab someone in the back in any way? If so, would they admit to doing so or would they lie to cover it up?

Garnet Shine: How devoted are they to their loved ones? Would this devotion delve into the obsessive side?

Garnet Core: What sorts of things would they be willing to do for friends? For family? For their significant other(s)?

Amethyst Terrors: Are their nights plagued with past memories or nightmares in general? What do they usually entail if so?

Amethyst Calm: How do they usually sleep, in what position? Do they like plenty of pillows, blankets and/or plush toys?

Makeshift Stone: What does their internet search history usually include? Are there any parts of their searches that they’re embarrassed by?

Cracked Cement: Are they adept at using technology of any kind or do they typically need help with it?

Brickwork Shadows: Is your muse good with their hands, or do they tend to be fairly clumsy?

Sapphire Depths: Do they prefer to think ahead or to leap right in and wing things?

Sapphire Beacon: What kinds of things inspire your muse and does your muse tend to inspire others?

Selenite Pillars: Does your muse think they’re mentally or physically strong? Is this belief true or only something the muse believes to be true?

Aventurine Calling: Do they believe in luck? If so, would they consider themselves lucky or unlucky?

Fluorite Cloud: If they had the opportunity, would they prefer to know what’s going to happen in the future or not? Why?

Fluorite Bearings: How strongly do they listen to their intuition? Is their intuition usually correct or incorrect?

Peridot Ghosts: What kind of things get them frazzled or anxious? Do they tend to handle them well or get swept up in the moment?

Moonstone Luster: Are there are any items they own that have sentimental value to them?

Diamond Kiss: What kind of clothing and accessories do they prefer to wear? Are there are any particular reasons outside of general comfort that they like wearing these?

Coal Dust: Can they withstand manual labor? Do they avoid manual labor as much as possible, and if so, why?

Prehnite Memory: How good is their memory? Has it always been like this or did something happen to make it this way?

Bismuth Hue: Are they sickly or get sick often?

Bismuth Aid: What sort of medication, if any do they have to take, if any? Do they refuse to take it, forget to take it, or do they prefer to keep on it?

Quartz Cluster: What kind of textures (e.g. silky, rough, slick, etc) do they prefer?

Jade Ambition: How ambitious is your muse and what are their current goals? To what ends will they go to to make those wishes a reality?

Jade Gain: How well do they manage their money?

Amazonite Comfort: What sorts of things bring your muse comfort in trying times? Are there any habits they have when things get difficult to help cope?

Amazonite Shade: Are they pessimistic, optimistic or somewhere in the middle? Was there anything that happened to them in their life that caused them to think in this way?

Topaz Storm: Is your muse the creative type in any way? How do they usually express their creativity?

Topaz Tears: Do they have any sort of outlet they use as a means to cope (e.g. writing, drawing, playing music, etc.)? How’d they get into it if they do?

Topaz Calling: Do they have anything that they have natural talent in? If so do they enjoy doing it or is it something they tend to forget about?

Ruby Craze: Are they a passionate person or do they tend to be more down-to-earth?

Ruby Light: Are they the sort to wear their heart on the sleeve? If not, why?

Citrine Focus: Are they able to multi-task or do they prefer to keep at one thing at a time?

Opal Wonder: How big is their imagination? Do they tend to share these ideas or keep them to themselves?

Opal Sky: Do they tend to get lost in their own thoughts/daydreams?