raijintosworn

[raijintosworn]

“Let it never be said that I shy away from physical labour,” Ryoma sighed, exhausted. But he’d clearly hit his limit. There was only so much strength one person had in their bodies, no matter how much they trained. Not only that, but Ryoma was getting older; his joints and his spines weren’t appreciating the hard labour.

And yet this boy was seemingly unaffected by the work. It helped that he was likely around half of Ryoma’s age, which just made him feel that much older to think about. Still, he persevered - somehow.

Ryoma wanted to say that he was one of those men who needed a break. He also had a creative place where the boy could put that thumbs up. He realised he was only tired and cranky, and therefore said nothing. “Yes, I suppose there are people more exhausted than I am.” Eventually, that pride of his would give out - his back might give out before then.

“I envy your energy,” he said. “I remember being a young adult and having all the energy in the world.” He tried for a smile, but it felt more like a grimace.

My Lord Osha von Violation at the Festivale of Fyre

[raijintosworn]

Ryoma looks over to the makeshift camp and nods. “A fine makeshift camp indeed.” It’s better than sitting on the floor, he hopes. He wishes that there would be some kind of backing for the logs. Mitama is young, but Ryoma’s back is already sore at the thought of seating without lumbar support. He won’t mention it; he doesn’t see the point in criticising.

“If the need arises, I’m sure it’s better to eat something and hope for the best, rather than to let ourselves starve to death.” He still hopes for rescue before it reaches that point, but they’ll see soon enough. He leaves his bounty by the firepit; do they have firewood? He’s about to ask when Mitama speaks again.

He tilts his head in confusion. “I realise I can be a strict teacher, but I have never written a letter to a student’s parents regarding their behaviour.” We both know. Both know? He sits down, suddenly seeing Mitama in a new light. He feels like he should know her. He doesn’t.

“Mitama. Who are you?” There’s something about her that he feels he should know, but he doesn’t. She’s rather familiar with him. Why? Students aren’t usually so friendly with him, no matter how kind he is.

ah yes me, my student, and our 200ft barge

( mission board - affluence )

[raijintosworn]

Ryoma cannot pretend he’s an expert on magic. If he was, he could answer his own questions by now, rather than try to passively learn it through these requests. So when Mercedes asks what he’s thinking, he’s truly at a loss. All he can think about is why someone would do this, rather than the practicalities.

“Immortality cannot be worth her own soul,” he says. He wants to say death isn’t so terrible, but decides that might be too dark to say aloud. He’s biased, and he knows this, but he simply can’t imagine doing something so dangerous just to stay alive. There would be a life beyond the one she currently lives, a life without her wife or anyone she loves. Ryoma can’t imagine anyone willingly doing this.

“I’m not well versed in local politics, I must admit. What is this house’s standing with the people and other houses?” He rubs his chin thoughtfully. “I know plenty of nobles who would try underhanded tactics to get what they want. They could be attempting to distract the lady of this house.” He does not miss ridiculous court politics, now that he thinks about it.

“I suspect she would have this done to her, rather than she herself choosing whatever magic this is. It could be that she asked for one spell, and was given a completely different one.” He shakes his head. “Forgive me. I'm rambling. You're more of an expert in the matter than I am.”

the face of evil

( TOA anniversary board - reason +1 )

[raijintosworn]

🎄 It's an unassuming kind of a day, where a man who minds his own business ought be rewarded by the gods by peace and blissful unawareness.

What he gets instead is a run-in clearly ordained by some mischievous sort of deity, a being looking to have a laugh at the silly mortals' expense.

Head tilts to the side.

"When in Fódlan, as they say... my lord?" After all, who are they to rebuff a harmless local tradition. "Ah, but you must never speak of this to Lady Hinoka, all right?"

tis the season ; accepting

Ryoma expects many things in his day-to-day life. One of those expectations does not include Azama, underneath the mistletoe, with him. Well, it’s certainly better than a near-stranger, that’s for certain.

“Oh, I can assure you, this will stay between us.” He can’t imagine a letter home to Hinoka will be welcomed right now, especially not one that includes the footnote ‘PS. I kissed Azama’. She might come all the way to Fódlan just to gut him herself.

Though, Ryoma isn’t entirely sure how the whole tradition works. It wasn’t specified to him when someone did explain, and he didn’t ask further because Ryoma never thought he would find himself in this position. A forehead kiss feels rather demeaning, doesn’t it? A kiss on the back of the hand? No, with Azama, that feels wrong in a way Ryoma cannot express. There’s really only one place, but it’s rather intimate, isn’t it?

As Azama said, while in Fódlan, right?

He sits a hand underneath Azama’s jaw, before pulling him in for a kiss. The kiss doesn’t last long, only a second. Finally, Ryoma releases him, and takes a step back, almost as if nothing happened. A harmless tradition indeed.

“There. That should do, shouldn’t it?”

[raijintosworn]

There was nothing like a bath after work. Ryoma could feel the stress leaving his body already as he prepared himself. It was true that he was far less stressed now than he was back in Hoshido, but he was far more aware of it these days. He was taking better care of himself. He was pretty happy, all things considered.

That happiness faded the instant Ryoma saw him.

Camilla had been dismissive upon their meeting. Leo had been cold. Xander seemed confused. Somehow, that angered Ryoma more. He was aware that there were people from home that were not from his home, such as Mikoto who was still alive, and Sakura who seemed to come from a much happier version of events. And this Xander, this man before him, didn’t even have the decency to be the right Xander.

The old injury in Ryoma’s abdomen seared from within. This was insulting. The fact that Xander did not immediately understand why Ryoma might be angry made him wish for a blade to strike him with. Ryoma took a deep breath and tried to steady himself, but a lung full of hot, humid air did not help.

He noticed where Xander was looking, and he looked up at it. No. No. He folded his arms, his gaze steely. “You can’t think I’ll willingly kiss you after all you’ve done, Xander.” There was always a chance, of course, that Xander was feigning confusion. Either way, Ryoma wasn’t letting him off easily.

@paragonknightxander

bed bath and beyond pissed

from here

[raijintosworn]

bed bath and beyond pissed

from here

[raijintosworn]

“You’re being ridiculous,” Ryoma said with a sigh. “And when you collapse from exhaustion because you’ve been standing up, what then? When you’ve frozen to death, how will you react to threats? Think about this for a moment.” It wasn’t like Ryoma didn’t understand, but it was starting to make him a little homesick. Geoffrey reminded him so much of Saizo and Kagero, who would give their last breath for him.

He missed them both so terribly. His body temperature shifted even lower at the thought of them.

“Please just sit down and stay warm with me. What danger could possibly lurk in a snow storm? No creature will be roaming around outside, be it animal or man.” Even animals used to snow would surely be in hiding right now from the blizzard. There’s no way to see past the thick snowfall.

“In any case, we’re both very capable men. I’m sure we could both fend out whatever trouble may be lurking outside, should it come to that. Now please, just sit down and let us share the blanket. You and I must conserve energy.”

would milord care for a warm cosy blankie

( TOA anniversary board - heavy armour +1)

[raijintosworn]

“Of course. I lived and died by my duty, though you know this.” His work was everything to him at one point. All that feels so far away now: Hoshido, the trappings of royalty, and the toll it had taken on him. Yet somehow, Nohr feels close - far too close for Ryoma’s comfort. It doesn’t help that he seems to be surrounded by Nohrians.

Surprisingly, Leo does not want to trade insults. It’s true; it is rather petty. “I’m now just a sword instructor.” His Highness Ryoma, crown prince of Hoshido - that man still exists inside of him, proud and wrathful. Yet that also is no longer him. Ryoma, the sword instructor at Garreg Mach - that is a much more humble station. He never thought it would be something he would do, but he enjoys it. That’s a fact he won’t share.

Ah. Sakura. Of course, Ryoma has been spending a lot of time with her recently. There is a tinge of guilt when he spends time with her: he knows his existence is a lie. She may not even know that there are other paths, other ways for the war to have gone. Ryoma does. Sakura knows only the best version of events. He will never tell her his story. He can’t. It’s unthinkable.

“And why do you assume I don’t spend time with my own family?” Just because they aren’t co-dependent on each other - which is a barb Ryoma keeps to himself. No more insults. “Of course I spend time with Sakura, and she’s very well, thank you." He's not surprised Leo didn't mention Mikoto. Ryoma isn't going to give him that information, either.

You Again?

[raijintosworn]

Ryoma gratefully accepted the basket, but he still wasn’t sure what he was grabbing. He could at least guess mint, though he was glad to be proven right. Fragrant leaves - that he could understand. He knew some teas were brewed from dried peels and the like, but flowers? Well, he wasn’t a botanist; he just enjoyed the taste of the teas.

“You seem very knowledgeable," he said. He felt like he should know this about her. He loved his siblings so much, yet there was so much about them that he didn’t know. He could tell himself as much as he liked that it was because he was busy, but their parents found time for him and his siblings; why couldn’t he?

This wasn’t the time for moping; this was the time for trying. Namely, trying to find some flowers.

He came across a small patch of white flowers. This might be something, though he suspected he only thought this since Sakura had found white-flowered mint. He held one of the flowers delicately between two of his fingers. It smelled earthy and sharp. It smelled almost like…

“Chamomile?” He looked to Sakura. “Sakura, am I correct? I believe this is an ingredient in calming teas.” It was certainly a tea he had often when he was the crown prince. Though, it could be poisonous.

Riding back to our long-forgotten memories ; Sakura&Ryoma

[raijintosworn]

‘TIS THE SEASON.

send 🎄for our muses to get caught under the mistletoe !!

[raijintosworn]

“Of course not, I’m not saying you’re weak or incapable.” Ryoma knows looks can be deceiving. He’s no fool; he’s been betrayed before by what he thought he saw. He won’t burden the boy with his thoughts. Yet as Ryoma looks at Kurthnaga, familiar red eyes look back at him. It makes his heart twist. He can’t explain it, and he won’t - he refuses to think further on it.

If he does, he might note the similarities, the differences, and his own wishes for how things had gone.

“My point, instead, is that wolves are like dogs.” He thinks. “They are natural hunters; they’ll find the stick. It will have your scent on it.” As Ryoma speaks, there’s one puppy with a stick in its mouth, looking rather triumphant. Yes, there is always a winner, and always a loser.

“I see.” He nods. “We do have quite a few princes this year in the Academy, do we not.” It’s not quite a question. “Though, I’ve realised there is only so much you can learn about ruling through books and mock exercises. There’s no true preparation for the crown.” That’s a weight that was too heavy for Ryoma’s head, it seems.

Bork Bork Bork. Look I'm a Dog

Anniversary | Riding +1

[raijintosworn]

Ryoma nods. “I see. I think I understand.” Like birthmarks, he figures, but he’s never seen birth marks like that. It’s a specific shape, intentional almost. It must be something cultural, but Ena’s blushing cheeks and evasiveness tells him not to press. She’s just a little girl. He must protect her. So, he does. He makes sure he won’t let go of her.

How does one lose a child, anyway? He expects a man to come rushing around any minute now, panicked, looking for Ena. Why isn’t there a worried man chasing after Ena?

“Nasir,” he says. “We’ll find Nasir, I promise.” The problem is Ryoma feels lost in a sea of adults. Even looking around, everyone feels so tall, so important. Ryoma has never been one to shrink away, but this is unfamiliar territory, with unfamiliar people, holding a stranger’s hand.

He isn’t frightened. He’s strong. He’s strong, and he’ll find Nasir, and get Ena home.

But the adults are quite dismissive. They look at the pair and barely respond. Ryoma presses his lips together in frustration. Kind words, and kind actions, but he wants to yell at them all. Can’t they see the scared little girl? Can’t they see these kids need help?

“I’m sorry Ena,” he says. “We won’t give up, okay?” He squeezes her hand. “I’m here until we find Nasir.”

Even if he has to start yelling at adults for attention.

big brother mode activated

( TOA anniversary board - any skill +1 )

[raijintosworn]

Ryoma wonders if anyone will come to save them. He would suggest trying to rescue themselves, but there’s nowhere to go. They just need to make it until someone realises they’re gone.

Or rather, until someone realises Mitama is gone. He hopes she’s popular enough to be missed. Ryoma, who has been keeping mostly to himself outside of classes, will not be missed. Please gods, do not let this be the rest of their lives. This would be a pathetic end. They could make do for now, but this can’t be the rest of their lives. At least Mitama should make it out of here.

At least there’s food - he thinks. As long as that weird fruit didn’t poison him.

There are fish in the waters, but they’re ones he’s unfamiliar with. For all he knows, they’re all poisonous too. This whole ordeal is frustrating. But the fish are easy enough to catch, which is a small mercy. 

Though, even they look a little strange, he realises as he pulls the two caught fish from the water. They’re going to die out here, aren’t they. He watches the fish flap helplessly, their scales shining bronze and copper in the sunlight. Please, for the love of all the gods, do not let these be poisonous.

He wonders where Mitama went. Hopefully she might have found a water source; they cannot live on salt water. He should go and find her - hopefully, there aren’t any wild creatures here.

Unless he left her to die a horrible death by herself at the hands of some terrible creature. What kind of professor is he?

ah yes me, my student, and our 200ft barge

( mission board - affluence )

[raijintosworn]

It wasn’t exactly reassuring that neither of them were well trained in how to use these weapons. Ryoma would have never sent out soldiers who didn’t know how to use a weapon. This was ridiculous. However, this was not his group, and these were not his rules, so he didn’t say anything more on the subject - for now.

“I wonder how.” He thought of Yukimura for a moment; could it be some form of puppetry? He wondered if Yukimura would know. He shook off the thought; there was no way of asking now. He could never shake off the feeling of homesickness, it seemed, no matter what he did.

He nodded. “Thank you, this is more comfortable.” Though, he still couldn’t say he liked this. Sending untrained, clueless people was bound to end in disaster. Why had Ryoma volunteered? He supposed he had misunderstood the advertisement. That did make him wonder about the young man with him.

“I have to ask - what attracted you to this job?” he asked. Glory, perhaps, or it could be as simple as the thrill of the hunt. Ryoma couldn’t help but be curious.

where hunters become prey

[anniversary 2024] lance+1

[raijintosworn]

Ryoma was technically off the clock. However, he would never say no to lending a helping hand, especially not to a student. He could go on and on about how the youth were the future, but that was a rant for another time, perhaps.

“Of course I’m available,” he said. “However, the only weapon I truly know well is a sword.” He could attempt a lance - it couldn’t be that different from naginata - or perhaps, if he were lucky, he could shoot some arrows and have them land on target. As he was chosen by Raijinto, there was little use learning anything but the blade.

“What would you like help with in particular?”

what's the weapon triangle again?

[raijintosworn]

basil : does your muse have a love - hate relationship with anyone or anything ?

botanical headcanons ; accepting

We’re all in agreement this isn’t an edgy answer right? Right.

It’s himself.

It’s really an uphill battle for him right now. He’s never had many issues with self loathing. Self doubt? Yes; there’s reasons why Ryoma didn’t just take the throne outright when he came of age. But he’s not a man who lived with regrets, and tends to learn from his mistakes. He’s always seen himself as proud and strong.

But I think he’s also shed a lot of that pride and strength since coming to the Academy. I think him losing the war and stripping himself of the title of crown prince has also stripped him of his pride. It’s stripped him of a lot of that strength that held him together.

I don’t think he sees himself as a bad person, just a very flawed person with a great many fuck-ups. Right now, he wants to atone. He wants to like himself. But it’s hard looking himself in the mirror at the moment.

But, perhaps someday.

[raijintosworn]

belladonna :   how does your muse respond to silence ? do they take comfort in soundlessness ,   or seek to fill the void with noise ?

botanical headcanons ; accepting

Oh, Ryoma loves silence. He’s not the type of man to demand silence when he’s around, but if he’s by himself? There’s comfort in silence. There’s peace in it.

I think he likes taking that silent time to reflect and meditate on whatever is on his mind. It could be work. It could be family. It could be the cringe thing he just told someone at the market. Either way, it’s perfect for deep introspection.

And you might think because of everything, he might shy away from that metaphorical mirror. If anything, he enjoys reflecting more because of it. He’s got much to think about.

I don’t think he enjoys places full of noise particularly, but he can absolutely deal with it. It just means when there are periods he can sit alone, in silence, it’s all the more important. If he invites you to sit in silence with him, just know there is a deep trust between the two of you. He enjoys chatting to people, but there’s a time and a place for it, and that ain’t here.