#[support] azelle

[valflaame]

No one would believe him if he voiced his thoughts aloud. There's an undeniable shift in the air, a shiver settling deep in his bones with no known cause. He brushes it off at first as a side effect of the training gauntlet, though his doubts linger.

Exhaustion fades a day after the event yet the unsettled feeling remains. Azelle finds himself looking over his shoulder, hesitant to turn corners, body tensing at the slightest provocation.

A spoon is halfway to his mouth when the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Slowly, the utensil lowers, dropping back into his soup with a dull plop. Azelle's gaze lands on his half-brother as if drawn by a magnet.

He swallows, throat bobbing, before standing on unsteady legs. "Arvis," he croaks out in disbelief. (Or is it fear?) "...what are you doing here?"

Arvis had often wondered what happened to Azelle.

He had entrusted him to Sigurd, told him explicitly that his brother meant to world to him. After the battle of Belhalla he hadn't learned of his half-brother's fate, and it ate at him.

Arvis may not have been the most kind and loving sort to Azelle, but that did not mean he did not think about him, and feel protective over him. Azelle was not immune to Arvis' fiery temper, his outbursts, his jealous and possessive moments -- he's not sure he ever made it clear to the younger that he did not begrudge him anything.

All of these thoughts come to him at once as he turns and hears that familiar voice. This monastery truly has the most curious of magic, bringing his family back to him, one by one.

"Azelle," is all he trusts himself to say at first, and then adds: "I'm getting dinner. Care to join me?"

[idoun]

hot chicken is good for the soul | idunn & azelle

Closed starter for @ignifilis Idunn hadn’t thought much about what the situation would entail or if there was any price to pay for this- all she knew was that she was cold, terribly so, and needed to find a warm shelter. The girl had yet to find a way to ward off the low temperatures, as currently all she had was her uniform and a cloak or two. The cold…the experience felt nice for the first week or so. How the white sands of this place would burn at her skin but never the same way that the blazing sunlight of the desert did.

But now…she figured out one drawback, quite a drastic one. The longer she was exposed to this cold, the more her body seemed to freeze up. Was this the same effect that the plants and lakes suffered? They all seemed to become still and frozen in place, trapped into water’s unforgiving grip. Her body was very much the same- because she felt it. In the morning, it was hard to move and get up. Even her mind seemed frozen by the cold, sluggish and lazy.

Idunn decided she didn’t quite like the cold. 

So, she found this spot here. A nice, warm place amidst the blizzard. Many other students were there as well, but what caught her attention at first was the ritual they had to perform in order to remain at this house. Much like a challenge of resistance, they were handled pieces of chicken imbued in fire- or at least, some sort of fiery concoction. At the first bite, her mouth and throat was set ablaze as if she had somehow gotten a hiccup while casting her Dark Breath, but there was no visible fire nor the typical sensation of a burn wound. Her mouth was very much intact, but the sensation of fire remained.

She liked it. Or well, she was still deciding if she truly did like the fiery soup, but the chicken did taste really good so it was more or less halfway decided. The ritual asked for participants to consume a certain amount of this blazing chicken…she saw no problem. This was good food, and Idunn knew to not let food go to waste ever.

It was mid-bite that she smelled something different. The scent of a student- human, but with dragon-laced blood. Faint, but there. A hybrid? The connection seemed distant, perhaps the contact his bloodline had with said dragon was old as time, but there was something there. The familiar smell of a fire dragon’s blood, notes of charcoal mixed in with a very much human scent. Idunn’s eyes followed her nose, and there he was. A boy, student of the Academy much like her, apparently suffering from the same effects of the cold as her. Perhaps the fire dragon remnants inside him were reacting to the environment.

The girl got up, one already bitten chicken leg in one hand and an intact one in her other. She silently but surely made her way towards the boy- stopped before him, and held out the entire piece of meat to him.

“You seem cold. The winds are affecting you.” She stared, taking in what information she could get. Eyes and hair red like fire, matching with the aura emanating from him. Strong- a mage with fingertips dipped in the planet’s blood. Kind eyes, kind soul. Not the destructive type of inferno- more akin to an inviting bonfire during a cold desert night. “This meat is imbued in fire. It will warm you.”

[argetstars]

someone to talk to

Days after their conversation, he still runs through it in his head. 

It seems they both began this journey for different reasons—he was motivated by love, infatuation as his brother would no doubt call it—and she simply went where the winds called her. There’s more to it than that, he now knows, and what a strange thing to reconcile the boisterous, gentle girl of his childhood with the concerned woman before him. 

Azelle sighs and rubs at his eyes. The words on the page are beginning to swim; he takes it as a warning not to overwork himself. Proving his worth as a soldier in Sigurd’s army isn’t measured in how quickly he can read a book, even if he acts that way. Young mage stands and emerges from his tent. Eyes squint as they adjust to the sudden sunlight Just how long had he been buried in his books? 

He keeps his head down while wandering among the camp. Not a soul has so much as blinked cruelly in his direction. Either they know the truth about his parentage and don’t care, or they have no idea and still decide to treat him kindly. Regardless, old wounds make him hesitant to engage in unprovoked conversation. 

Except with her. 

He finds her, eventually, and she’s mercifully alone. “Afternoon, Taliltiu,” he says softly. “Are you feeling better today?” 

> @sunsinger

[eat-a-dicker]

i've seen geneaology fans say finn should be removed from the dating pool because he sucks and is bad and i hate those takes and how eugenecist fire emblem can be. christ

anyways. i ship finn and ayra based purely on vibes, but i also think the decision to let players pick their pairings is very cowardly from a writing perspective. genealogy of the holy war is however a video game and is subjective for every player, but it does come off as cowardly when it comes to it's story

[caffedrine]

Character vs. Event – The Beast wants to Lure the Rabbit Silvio Ricci vs Azel Radwan - Summary

If you trust me to know what I'm doing, then we have both made a huge mistake. I cannot guarantee accuracy for this summary, or even grammatical correctness.

Please support Cybird and pick up this event when it makes it to the English Server

Also - Silvio is super hot in this one. Don't get distracted by the sexy new princes, Silvio brings it.

This is set without Silvio or Azel being romanced.

What if Emma had gone on to purchase books in Benitoite on Akatsuki’s behalf?

After completing Akatsuki’s errand, Emma briefly stopped by the main port before heading back to the inn. The port seemed unusually busy, and Emma overhears some of the crowd talk about the living god, also mentioning that Silvio had personally come to welcome him.

Emma is also curious by the talk of the living god, and wonders if this means Silvio is just ahead.

She had briefly met Silvio a short while ago when she had played the role of ‘Belle’ in Rhodolite. Silvio, First Prince of Benitoite, had tormented her many times, and possibly because he was suspicious of her secret role, had made her his caretaker. Thankfully Rio had protected her, but unfortunately, he was not around to shield her now.

It would have been smart for Emma to turn away and go to the inn, but she was curious about how her former acquaintance was doing. Curiosity drew her into the crowd, and with some luck, she was in a prime position to see Silvio.

Benitoite knights had formed an empty zone, in which Silvio stood looking at a large ship bearing the emblem of Tanzanite. Following his gaze, Emma saw a single figure move down the ship’s gangway.

At first glance, he was an otherworldly man with features she has never seen before. His hair was silver, and his eyes were a mysterious color that she couldn’t quite place but was striking even from a distance.

Around her, the crowd confirms that this new person is the living god, and Emma recalls hearing that there was a real god in human form in Tanzanite. From the looks of him, she could believe it.

As he came closer to them, Emma could see that the Living God’s expression was full of compassion and love that surrounded everyone, starkly contrasted to Silvio’s tyrannical expression.

(something wicked this way comes)

With a politeness that took Emma by surprise, Silvio welcomed Azel, the Living God, to Benitoite. Azel kindly thanked Silvio for his gracious hospitality and prayed that all the people of Benitoite would be blessed.

Emma is surprised, she didn’t think Silvio was capable of being so polite and gracious. At least, he had never appeared that way in front of the Princes of Rhodolite. The Living God must be something if he could draw this personality out of Silvio.  It gives her goosebumps.

Just as Azel begins to accompany Silvio to a nearby carriage, a man behind Emma shouts that Azel is a fraud and has bankrupted him. He demands his money back and starts lashing out, pushing hard at the crowd and Emma.

Benitoite knights rush over to the man, and the combined commotion of the rampaging man, and the knights trying to restrain him send Emma landing on the ground hard. Just as she realizes that she’s technically in the open space, Silvio recognizes her.

Silvio rushes towards her, demanding to know what the hell she’s doing here. He swears at her, and Emma is almost relieved to see the normal Silvio. Emma begins to apologize, assuming he’s upset because of how close she is, but Silvio shushes her, examining her leg, which she only begins to notice is badly scraped up and bleeding through her skirt.

Before Emma can react, Silvio bends down and scoops her up into his arms. Emma demands to know what he’s doing, but Silvio shushes her, threatening to toss her into the sea if she doesn’t calm down. Emma ignores the threat and tells him that she’s not so injured that she can't walk. She points out that he’ll attract undue rumors if they see him right now.

Emma flails more, but Silvio shrugs off her movements. He tells her that he isn’t going to follow any orders from her, and besides, no one cares about them right now. Emma stops and looks at the crowd, and sees that indeed, everyone is focused on Azel.

Azel is telling the crowd that if anyone has a grievance to air with him, to please follow the formal procedures to request a meeting. He promises that as long as time permits, he will listen to all the people of Benitoite. But he would hate for his beloved people to be injured further by this outburst, and to be patient with him.

Like a miracle, the crowd quieted down like the receding of the tide. Even Emma feels like her heart quiet down, and she wonders if this is a miracle from god. Silvio tells Emma that they’ll take this opportunity to leave quickly. Emma asks where he’s taking her, and Silvio responds that he’s sure as hell not going to stand here holding her forever, so they’ll just go back to the castle.

Emma tells Silvio to think things through and put her down. Silvio tells her to stop ruining his mood and takes a threatening step towards the sea. Emma doesn’t say anything, and Silvio looks satisfied.

In the carriage, Emma tells Silvio that she’s grateful for his kindness, but she absolutely hates this. Silvio tells her that she only has herself to blame, making him get violent in front of a state guest. Azel tells Silvio that he absolutely doesn’t mind, in fact, this sounds like a profitable story.

Once he pushed her into the carriage, Silvio had one of his servants retrieve a first aid kit and hand it to him. When she saw Silvio’s wicked grin, Emma immediately understood what was going to happen next and grabbed the hem of her skirt to hold it down. Just as she expected, Silvio forcefully tried to pull up her skirt.

All in front of the Living God, sitting across from them.

The fight between Emma and Silvio was so childish, she wanted to cry. She tell Silvio that she can take care of this herself, but Silvio insists that he’s a better medic than she is, and watching a amateur fumble about will only irritate him.

Emma tells him that’s fine, she’ll just get off his carriage, go home, and take care of it herself. Silvio rejects this idea.

Emma demands to know why, and Silvio snaps back that she’s very annoying, and if she resists any further, he’ll tear off her skirt. Emma wails that Silvio is truly the worst. She wonders if this is revenge for their time together in Rhodolite where she had been avoiding being his hostess.

Finally Azel speaks up, telling them to give it up. Silvio appreciates the backup, but Emma points out that he might have been talking to Silvio.

Azel notes that he is always troubled by the worries of stupid people. But, for her, he will lend a special hand.

Emma was surprised at the words, but Azel’s serene, benevolent expression never wavered. In the shaking carriage, Azel stands and moves to sit on Emma’s other side, trapping her between him and Silvio.

Silvio complains that with all three of them on the same seat, the carriage’s balance will be off. Azel tells Silvio in that case to go ahead and move to the empty bench.

Smiling sweetly at Emma, Azel asks her name, and introduces himself as Silvio’s personal fortuneteller, to Silvio’s displeasure. He asks since when were they that close, and Azel asks if Silvio is cheating on him with other fortunetellers. He laments that Silvio is so cruel even though Azel tries so hard for him.

Silvio protests, for one, he doesn’t even believe in fortunetelling. Azel smiles and exclaims that he is the only fortuneteller in the world that Silvio trusts. Silvio sighs in defeat.

Taking advantage of their distraction, Azel jerks the hem of Emma’s skirt up, exposing her wound.

Mockingly pitying her, Azel takes the medicine from Silvio, and begins to treat Emma as a bad feeling wells up in her. Unfortunately, she is trapped between Silvio and Azel and has no choice but to accept having her wound treated.

Azel treats her wound without the slightest show of compassion or mercy. It hurts badly enough that Emma yowls in pain, and clings to Silvio, who recoils and demands that she stop touching him. Through her tears, Emma apologizes, but cannot bring herself to let go of Silvio.

Azel is as efficient as a battle nurse and bandages her wound with gauze. By the time he finishes, the pain recedes. In a voice very different than the serenely benevolent one he’s used up to now, Azel mocks her for crying over being treated.

Then, with a very tender and compassionate gesture, Azel wipes the tears away from Emma’s eyes, and she wonders if the painful treatment was a dream. Emma thanks Azel, and he assures her that as Silvio’s precious friend, she is his sucker- wait, he meant friend, too.

Silvio breaks the moment by demanding Emma get off of him. As Emma scoots away, Silvio flings himself to the corner of the bench, but not before she notices how red his face is. When she brings it up, Silvio threatens to throw her out of the carriage, and Emma wonders if he’s embarrassed.

No, he’s a tyrant, it must be something else.

Azel takes this moment to bring up the cost of the treatment. He leans close to her ear and whispers a number so large that Emma feels herself grow faint. A light seems to shine from behind Azel as he explains that god has just used his own hands to treat her, so if anything, this is a discount.

Emma asks Silvio to save her, but he replies that this is her own fault for refusing to let him treat her. He goes on to explain that as gods go, Azel is pretty evil.

Emma realizes that Azel just scammed her.

Azel assures Emma that he’ll create a loan document so that she can pay her debt back in installments. Emma asks if there's anything other than money that can pay him back, and Azel considers this before agreeing. He’ll forgive the debt if Emma agrees to become his exclusive maid (slave) during his stay. Emma is confused, he said the word ‘maid’ but she’s pretty sure he meant ‘slave’.

Silvio cuts in, he has already hired the most skilled maid in Benitoite to serve Azel. There’s no need for Azel to put up with Emma’s amateurish attempts.

Azel disagrees, he’s grown fond of Emma. She’s not intimidated by princes or gods, so he’s certain he’ll feel very comfortable with her. Then again, if Silvio has that strong of an opinion, he doesn’t mind Silvio paying Emma’s debt on her behalf.

However, he knows Silvio is the type of person who doesn’t waste money. If Silvio is going to help this woman personally, does it mean that he’s in love with her?

Silvio immediately denies this, and Azel shrugs. It’s too bad, it sounds like Emma is going to be his new maid (slave) after all.

Emma agrees to serve Azel and have him waive the costs to treat her. Mentally she apologizes to Akatsuki, it looks like it will be a while before she is able to return to Rhodolite.

At the Benitoite Castle, Azel thanks Silvio for his hospitality, he always loves the food served to him. Silvio assures him that serving him is absolutely no trouble, and to eat as much as he likes.

Emma, now wearing a maid uniform, is their waiter and has been serving them since they first set foot in the castle. Thanks to her time as Belle, she was actually doing quite well. However, she is concerned that there are no other servants besides her, as everyone else has been dismissed. She is kept very busy, working by herself.

Azel and Silvio begin to talk seriously. Azel talks about an easy mark - er, merchant, who is still active. Silvio agrees, they’re using Azel’s name to sell expensive products. Unfortunately, while immoral, this isn’t illegal in Benitoite, and they need to get them on something else. He asks if Azel needs his help, but Azel refuses. Instead, he would like Silvio to do that favor he asked for.

Emma more or less understands the problem. She wonders if the whole point of Azel’s trip is to stop the sale of fake holy artifacts and imagines that there will be a lot of trouble ahead. She idly refills Silvio’s rose wine as Azel turns to her and explains that she’ll be helping him.  Emma starts and nearly empties the wine pitcher on Silvio. She asks if she misheard, but nope, Azel is going to use her for his job tomorrow.

Silvio immediately grabs her hand and cuts in. He was actually planning on having Emma help him tomorrow. Besides, he saw her first, Azel should back down.

Azel asks how much he should sell Emma to Silvio for. He reminds them that he’s an evil god. Silvio clicks his tongue, and Azel turns to Emma. He doesn’t mind if Emma chooses between them.

Silvo End

Emma is paralyzed by the sudden choice. She decides that in the end, she has to pay back her debt to Azel, so she slowly turns to him.

Behind her, Silvio clicks his tongue and tells Azel he understands, all he has to do is buy her. Azel smiles beautifully, remarking that it’s about time that Silvio’s made up his mind, no, Lord Gold*, that is. Silvio grumbles for Azel to stop calling him that.

Magnanimously, Azel agrees to stop, after all, he is very loyal to Silvio. He then praises Silvio for saving his dear friend. And to not ruin the moment, Azel will give him the bill later. This is not included in the compensation they’ve already arranged. Silvio grumbles about how stubborn Azel is.

Silvio then smiles arrogantly at Emma, and she wishes that she had gone with Azel instead. She has moved from the frying pan into the fire.

Silvio tells Emma that just as Azel once said, he doesn’t waste his money. He intends for her to work off her debt completely, and he plans on enjoying this.

The next morning, Emma is summoned to Silvio’s bedroom, and with a wicked grin he explains that today she is his personal maid. He warns her not to run her mouth with him. Emma would love to complain, but since Silvio holds a sizeable debt over her head, she cannot oppose him. Very politely, Emma agrees and tells Silvio to go ahead and give her any orders he wants. She goes full maid mode and calls him ‘master’.

This wipes the smirk off of Silvio’s face and he complains about it being weird when she’s like this. Emma reminds him that he has just told her to be his maid, so what does he want her to do? And why does he look so frustrated when she’s obedient?

Silvio has an errand for Emma to run. He hands her a list of book titles. Azel has requested these particular books from Silvio, but they’re rare enough that no single bookstore has everything. Silvio needs someone to go to the various bookstores in Benitoite and cobble the list together.

Emma is somewhat surprised; this is pretty much her normal job. She was worried that Silvio would give her a horrible onerous task, but this lines up with her abilities perfectly. She assures Silvio that she will be back by nightfall, accepting the list. She will pay off the debt with time to spare.

So why is Silvio accompanying her on this errand? When she asks, Silvio tells her that it’s none of her business. Emma laughs and teases him, maybe he’s coming with her because he cant bear to part with her so quickly?

Silvio reaches out and grabs her head, crushing it in a painful grip. He tells her to focus less on him and more on her task.

Emma asks if this means that Silvio doesn’t want to leave her alone. Silvio is not amused by this and begins to shake her head, blurring her vision. She complains that her eyes are shaking, and Silvio warns her to stop saying weird things.

Fine, fine, Emma will let it be. She’ll pretend there’s nothing weird or unusual about Silvio following her on her errand. That he assigned her.

The first bookstore she stops by was one she had purchased books from Akatsuki the previous day. The bookstore owner recognizes her, and asks if the rumor is true, is she now dating Silvio? To Emma’s horror, the owner explains that the rumors were that when the Living God arrived in Benitoite, Silvio and Emma had an intimate moment. Publicly. And now, the rumors say that Silvio has both the Living God and his mistress as guests at the Benitoite Palace.

Anyway, here is the book Emma requested. Please, give the bookstore owner’s regards to Prince Silvio.

Immediately upon exiting the bookstore, Emma tells Silvio that they need to break up.

Silvio looks stunned as he accepts the book from Emma. He recovers enough to remind Emma that they can’t break up, they’re not dating in the first place.

Yeah, well, there are rumors going around. Rumors . . . from Silvio’s very nonchalant reaction that he already knew about.

Yep, according to public opinion, Emma is Silvio’s woman. At least in Benitoite.

Okay, then they should break up publicly.

Silvio refuses to take orders from his newest maid. Instead, they should go to the next store.

As they walk, Emma is aghast at how fast these rumors are spreading. Oh, she just knew something bad would come from Silvio picking her up at the port. And now, she has become hyper-aware of all the people they pass by, feeling their gazes slide over her. Oh, what would happen if the rumors of her being Silvio’s woman spread past the Benitoite capital?

As if reading her mind, Silvio wonders what would happen if that dog hears the rumors too. He slips an arm around Emma’s waist and bends down to whisper in Emma’s ear. It occurs to her that, from the right angle, this looks like a intimate moment.

Silvio is doing this on purpose.

The longer they stay together, the faster the rumors will spread. Now Emma has just one last resort. She points and shouts that Azel is right there across the street.

This breaks Silvio’s attention, Azel should be in a different part of the city all together, dealing with . . . And Emma is gone, sprinting off down an alley. She thinks she heard Silvio scramble after her, but she continues full speed ahead, and practically dives into the first store around a corner. Gasping for breath, she waits, but it seems like she has shaken off Silvio.

After a moment, Emma decides to look around the store. It’s a general store, full of cute accessories that make her think of Benitoite. Something on the shelf catches her attention.

After Emma makes her purchase, she leaves the store, confident in her escape skills and planning on finishing her errand. She gets as far as the main street before a voice calls out to her. Before she can even look, she is dragged into a different alley and pushed roughly against the wall.

It’s Silvio.

And he is pissed.

Maybe Emma would have been better off if just a regular kidnapper had found her instead.

Silvio hopes that Emma is prepared to face the consequences of her actions. Emma is, but she doesn’t regret trying to stop the spread of the rumors. If it gets out that she is Silvio’s mistress, her marriage prospects will plummet.

Silvio is aghast, is that what she cares about? Hasn’t it got through her head why he’s spent his entire day with her yet?

Realizing what he just said, Silvio shuts his mouth, then swears, he didn’t mean that last bit to slip.

In case Emma hasn’t realized it, Silvio is a prince. And, if that’s not enough, he’s rich. Like, really rich. The rumors have already spread, and right now, she’s the most kidnappable person on the continent.

Oh. Well, maybe if Silvio had said that from the start, Emma would have been more cooperative. But, from his expression right now, Silvio looks embarrassed. It’s not something she is used to from this arrogant tyrant.

Emma apologizes, she didn’t realize he was worried about her. Silvio quickly denies this, he was never worried. He just would be upset if something happened. Totally different emotion.

Silvio is still a tyrant, which Emma hates, but still . . . Emma thanks him.

She pulls her recent purchase out of her pocket – a trinket with a ship motif. The little ship looks like it’s about to have a grand adventure, and looking at it, all she can think of is Silvio’s face.

Emma explains that she realized that back when she got injured Silvio hadn’t hesitated before running to tend to her. In the end, he had even paid Azel for treating her. But, in retrospect, she had never thanked him, so she wanted to give him this as a token of her thanks. Also, she might have been holding on to it to soothe Silvio’s ire when he eventually caught up to her after she escaped him.

But it wasn’t a lie that she wanted to thank him.

Silvio stares at the tiny ship resting in the palm of his hand, frozen. His ocean-blue eyes are wide and he seems very surprised. As the silence continues, Emma grows embarrassed. Maybe he dislikes the trinket – it’s nothing to a millionaire like Silvio. She tells Silvio that if he doesn��t like it, she’ll just take it back.

Silvio immediately snatches the trinket away, holding it above her head. He never said that he didn’t want it. He smiles as Emma grasps at air.

It is a very silly trinket, but Silvio will accept it as his due. Emma thinks he looks surprisingly happy, and her heart skips a beat at a smile she never saw back in Rhodolite.

No, that’s stupid. What’s the point of getting excited about seeing one nice smile on a tyrant’s face? She’s being far too lenient with him.

After this little adventure, Silvio actually listened to Emma’s request, and although he still followed her, he managed to do so without being seen. She was able to finish purchasing the last of the books on the list by the time the sun began setting over the sea.

Emma returns with Silvio to the castle, then cheerfully announces that her job is over. Since she’s paid off her debt, she’ll go ahead and return to the inn she’s staying at.

Emma is somewhat sad; this is probably the last time she will ever interact with Silvio. As a bookstore clerk, she cannot easily approach him, as they practically live in different worlds. She wishes him well, and turns to leave.

Silvio abruptly grabs her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

Did Emma seriously think she could just leave like that?

Silvio Epilogue

Emma met Silvio when the King of Rhodolite died and she had been nominated as Belle to choose his replacement. Silvio had come up with many tricks to try to get her to reveal her identity, leading them to but heads more often than not. If she had to describe their relationship, Emma would say that it was not a good one.

So how exactly did she end up like this?

His arms are wrapped around her like a backward hug, and he’s asking why she thinks she can just leave like that. Emma points out that she completed his errand, and her job is over.

Silvio half-laughs, does Emma really think that all she needed to do was run a single errand to pay him back? As his exclusive maid, she hasn’t even served him dinner yet.

Silvio has a lot of maids in the castle, right? Maid who would be thrilled to serve him any meal he would like, right? Why does he want Emma? Silvio asks if this is how Emma pays back her debts, by mouthing off to the people to whom she owes money.

Silvio doesn’t need Emma to serve him dinner. Emma figures that this is just revenge for everything that happened between them in Rhodolite.

Emma thought she would be free after she served him dinner, but then Silvio’s official duties as the Prince of Benitoite began. He had her sorting documents, organizing files, and assisting with enough paperwork to make her dizzy.

By the time most of the paperwork had been conquered, Azel had returned to the castle. While Silvio listened to Azel’s report, Emma served tea, sweets, and a shocking amount of gold bullion to Azel. Honestly, there was enough gold to last a person an entire lifetime.

Silvio is pleased with Azel’s report, the business was destroyed and was untraceable back to Silvio. Azel is pleased that Silvio is pleased. If Silvio has any other problems, merely contact him and Azel will come running. And, of course, that offer is extended to Silvio’s woman.

Azel is disappointed that neither Silvio nor Emma want a divination.

After the meeting, Emma accompanies Silvio back to his room, where she can hear the sound of the ocean running over the sand. He pours a drink for both of them and tells Emma to drink up. Emma asks if he normally treats his maids to alcohol, and Silvio tells her that she is fired as a maid. She’s far too cocky for the profession.

Emma has no problem with this, it was a lot of hard work.

Silvio urges Emma to drink up, he doesn’t feel like drinking alone today.

The liquor is a light sea-blue and makes her think of Silvio. Since Silvio is personally pouring her drink, she decides to accept and try it.

Silvio explains that it’s a traditional Benitoite liquor, very rare, so Emma might not get a chance to try it again. Tasting it, Emma remarks that it makes her think of the sea, a fitting beverage for Benitoite. It was very tasty and easy to drink, so Emma would have to be careful.

Silvio knocks back a shot of the liquor and pours himself another glass. Emma wonders if she should be worried.

Silvio tells Emma that she should stay at the castle tonight. Emma isn’t certain that it’s allowed, with her being a commoner and all, but Silvio insists that she is his guest. Silvio corrects her, she’s not a guest, after all, he did buy her. Emma asks what the difference is between a guest and someone in debt to him, and Silvio muses it depends on his mood at the moment.

How strange. All while they spent time together in Rhodolite, Silvio had been unpleasant and tyrannical. But right now, it could be said that they were getting along. Now that she isn’t terrified of him discovering her true role, she can see different sides of him. Maybe this playful kindness had been there back when they first met, and Emma had been too wary to notice it. For one, she never would have guessed that he would immediately come to her aid if she was injured.

These thoughts stir confusing feelings inside her, so Emma washes it down with another drink.

When Emma laughs softly and admits to Silvio that she never would have imagined that she would be in his room this late drinking with him. Maybe she had been right when they started the book-buying errand that morning, and Silvio liked being around her. Silvio disagrees and tells her not to get so cocky.

With a shrug, Emma decides that she’s been here long enough, it’s time for her to return to her room at the inn.

But as soon as she sets her empty glass on the table, Silvio grabs her wrist.

Silvio reminds her that they already talked about this, he doesn’t want to see her get kidnapped. Emma asks if that’s the only reason he’s acting like this.

Silvio’s brows furrow, and there’s an awkward silence between them.

Huh, Emma would have thought that Silvio would swear at her and deny it or something. She wonders what Silvio is thinking about during this long silence and decides to back down. She assures Silvio that she does not doubt that he only wants her to stay out of concern for her safety. But Silvio’s grim expression doesn’t go away.

Trying to lighten the mood, Emma reaches out to poke Silvio where his brows are furrowed, but he suddenly leaps backward as if she burned him. From across the room, Silvio shouts at her to not touch him without permission.

Emma blinks owlishly at him, then recalls that time when Azel was treating her wound in the carriage how he had panicked when she clung to him. She asks if Silvio cant bear to be touched, but he denies this, looking everywhere other than her eyes.

This is a weakness.

Emma can’t help but grin wickedly. Silvio grows more upset and yells that she is getting carried away without being aware of her place. Emma shrugs, she’s probably drunk so what she says and does doesn’t count.

Silvio’s frown curls into a grin.

It doesn’t count?

Uh-oh.

With a wicked expression, Silvio stalks towards her, placing his glass on the table. Feeling wary, Emma steps backward, only to topple down on top of his bed.

Silvio pushes her down, hovering over her and caging her with his arms and legs. His face is close enough for the tips of their noses to touch, and Emma and Silvio breathe the same air. When Emma tries to move away, Silvio grabs her hand tightly. Emma can’t see anything other than Silvio, cant hear anything other than their heartbeats. Their fingers are tangled together, both of their bodies hot enough for sweat to bead along Emma’s brow.

Silvio laughs, Emma really is drunk.

Emma would like to respond to it, but every time Silvio exhales, his breath scatters her thoughts.

Silvio sighs, Emma can’t leave now, not with that expression. He roughs up her hair, tangling it with his fingers. Emma asks what he means, and Silvio tells her to stop talking, or else he’ll take a page out of Azel’s book and increase her debt to him.

Once he has tangled Emma’s hair to the point that it looks more like a bird’s nest than a hairstyle, Silvio gets off of Emma, letting her up. Emma sits up and begins righting her hair, and Silvio starts helping.

Emma tells Silvio she really should leave now.

At the very least, she can’t stay here. Her heart is doing backflips, and she cannot describe the feelings washing through her. Standing up, Emma reaches Silvio’s bedroom door, but he calls out to her, stopping her.

Silvio tells Emma that the next time she comes to Benitoite, she really should stop by the castle and say ‘hello’. Besides, he owns her loan, she can always come by and work it off.

What a tyrant.

Emma agrees that she doesn’t want to be in debt to him until she dies, so she will stop by the castle. Unless she forgets.

Silvio grumbles for her not to forget him.

Well, the debt, at least.

Silvio pours himself another drink, and Emma begins to leave for real, only for something to catch her eye. That trinket she had bought for Silvio on a whim sparkles on his desk in a prominent position.

She has no idea what her feelings for Silvio are.

Azel End

The day starts with Emma chasing after the Living God. She calls out for him to please slow down, but Azel refuses to stop his powerwalk.

Even though Azel is not running, his legs are long enough that his stride propels him farther than Emma. Even though they had left at the same time, Emma has to rush after him. Very kindly, Azel sympathizes with having stubby legs and warns Emma that if she can’t keep up with him, he’ll just have to leave her behind.

Eventually, Azel makes his way through a back alley, but there is no sign of anyone else there. Just ahead of her, Azel pulls to a stop, and Emma can make out two men guarding a door. Azel apologizes for intruding, and as both the guards start at the sight of the Living God, he opens the door and walks in.

Catching up, Emma breathlessly repeats Azel’s platitude and runs in after him.

There are many people inside, and they are all reacting in surprise to Azel’s sudden entrance. Some are shouting with joy, and others are crying as if they are experiencing a divine visitation. A very different reaction than the one Azel received at the port. Emma feels like she is watching drowning men clutch at straws.

Azel didn’t seem to even notice the crowd. Instead, without pause, he marches towards the stage.

Emma sees a large vase in the middle. She imagines that this is a fake holy item being auctioned under Azel’s name.

Standing on the stage, Azel calls for the crowd to quiet down. He is very sad, he has heard that there is the sale of holy items, and he sees that the rumors are true. Do they not understand that God’s protection isn’t bought with money?

Did Azel hit his head while outside of Emma’s eyesight? She stares at him in disbelief as he continues. Azel assures the people that God doesn’t need money, otherwise those without money would not receive any protection. God loves all and protects all despite their wealth or status.

Azel’s face and voice is full of compassion and love, if this was the first time Emma interacted with him, she would even believe him. Surprisingly, even after interacting with him, Emma can feel Azel’s voice penetrate her heart and is filled with a holy sensation. Like her, everyone around seems to be holding their breath, waiting for Azel’s next words.

Well, not everyone. The merchants selling the fake divine artifacts try to flee. This snaps the crowd out of their trance and as one they turn against the merchants and begin to form a mob, demanding their money back.

The merchants run out the back way, and the crowd rushes after them, leaving behind an empty auction area of only Emma and Azel. She asks if Azel plans on chasing after the merchants as well, but Azel refuses. He’s not stupid enough to leave behind all this money.

(Azel isn't upset that people are scamming others, he's upset that he's not getting a cut)

Emma asks what meant a few minutes earlier when he was saying that God doesn’t need money.

Well, that was then, and this is now.

Azel beckons Emma forward, her job starts now. It’s easy enough, even an idiot like her can do it. Leaping down from the stage, Azel starts pushing Emma ahead of him into a side door she missed earlier. Emma recognizes one of the merchants in the room and asks how Azel knew that he was there. Azel reminds her that he is a God and tells his slave maid to look sharp. Emma snaps back to her senses and locks the door behind them.

Emma was glared at by the merchant, but Azel moves to stand between them, blocking their line of sight. Azel greets the scammer and drapes a companionable arm around his shoulders and forces him to sit at a nearby table. He and Azel should have a fun chat together.

The scamming merchant’s face is pale.

Azel knows this person. He knows his name, his home address, his workplace, where his family lives, and so on. It seems this merchant has several gambling debts and is having trouble making ends meet. But none of this is Azel’s concern, right? He only care that he was using his name in selling these goods. The compensation should be about . . .

Emma cant hear what Azel says next, but the merchant’s face tightens like he bit into something sour. Emma feels sympathetic with the merchant, but she can only pity him so much, as he was obviously running a terrible business.

Azel is continuing, loud enough for Emma to overhear. Since the merchant has extorted a lot of money out of people using these false holy relics, and he had a recent run of luck at the gambling hall, this is an easy price to pay.

The merchant asks why Azel would ask for that much, and Azel replies that he is the Living God. And, with his divine foresight, he has prepared a loan document for the merchant. He’s a kind god, so he’ll only punish him monetarily. He smiles at the man, as sweet as if a halo was over his head.

Suddenly the merchant hurls himself off the chair, kicking it away and barreling towards Emma, who is directly in front of the door. Azel calls out to Emma that this is her time to shine.

What? Whaaat? This is impossible!

But, if Emma lets this merchant get away, she will never be released from her debt. Thinkign quickly, she grabs a nearby broom and braces herself to whack him.

And then she sees the knife in the merchant’s hand.

Oh. She’s probably going to die.

Noooo! She can’t give up now! Not after all those self-defense classes they made her take while she was Belle! Emma kills the fear in her heart, raising the broom, ready for a broom to knife fight with the merchant.

Suddenly a chair flies from behind the merchant, hitting him hard enough to knock him to the ground. Azel steps on the merchant’s head, grinding his face into the floor, asking if he’s an idiot as well as an incompetent.

Emma wonders if that last bit was directed towards her and not the merchant. At least, Azel is looking at the merchant instead of her.

The benevolent façade is gone, and the change is so complete Azel looks almost like a completely different person.

Azel asks if the merchant thought that he truly could run away from Azel. Does he think that God is that compassionate? That is a ridiculous thought, no God could be that convenient to humanity. The merchant has just made Azel his enemy, he should know the weight of that decision.

Azel is disgusted that scum like this merchant is using God’s name to exploit others. He’s now changed his mind, the loan document is not enough for the merchant to pay for his sins. Adding the crime of pointing a knife at what belongs to Azel, all the merchant’s wordly possessions will be confiscated to pay for the disrespect.

Azel then begins to dig through the merchant’s pockets, eventually pulling out a rusty key and tossing it to Emma. Azel glares at the merchant lying on the ground one last time before standing up, using the merchant as a stepstool.

They find the safe, full of an eye-watering amount of money. Emma thought Azel would keep all of the wealth for himself, but instead he instructs her to call for the knights; they’re going to return the money to the victims of this merchant’s fraud.

That said, Emma did notice Azel taking some for himself.

This was all legal, as Emma would eventually find out. The document Azel made the merchant sign proclaimed that he transferred all his wealth to Azel. Everyone, including the responding knights, bowed down in gratitude to Azel.

Everyone except Emma.

When they are finally alone in the carriage, Emma asks Azel, by chance, if he’s actually really evil. Azel laughs and admits that he was wondering what she would say. Then his smile disappears, and he warns Emma not to say anything else. She has a flash of Azel stomping on the merchant’s head and she closes her eyes, cringing as if she expects Azel to get violent.

After nothing happens, Emma opens her eyes, only to see Azel looking at her with a shocked expression. It's as if her reaction was worse than an insult.

Azel tells Emma that she should learn how to run away. Think of this as a divine prophecy from god, she is going to die if she continues to stick her nose into unnecessary things. Emma asks him not to say such ominous things, and Azel tells her he would love to, but anything else would go over her stupid head.

Azel asks what she was thinking back in the room, he didn’t bring her with him to fight. Emma explains that she was thinking about her debt. Azel is exasperated, he is certain he told her that he wanted her as a distraction. Ugh, maybe it’s on him, and he said it wrong. Next time, he’ll have to dumb his instructions down for her. A lot.

Emma apologizes for causing him to worry, but Azel assures her that he was never worried about her. Instead, he was worried about Silvio, what would happen if he inadvertently offended his beloved prince by getting his favorite killed.

Azel sighs and sulkily kicks Emma’s seat. He’s going to have to add the cost of saving her to the loan document. Emma is aghast, didn’t he just receive a lot of money?

Oh Emma, no matter how much money you have, you never have enough.

Yep, Azel is definitely an evil god.

How can she say such things? And to think she’s special, she has been personally chosen by god to serve him. If anything, she should be bowing down in gratitude.

On another note, Emma’s debt is too high now to just be Azel’s maid for the day. Congratulations, she’s now his newest slave.

Emma refuses.

Azel asks if Emma plans on selling her organs then.

Emma begs god to have mercy on her. Azel smiles benevolently, God has no mercy for humans. Congratulating Emma on her newly extended loan, Azel stands and traps her between him and the carriage seat.

It occurs to Emma that it would be better if she jumped out the window of the carriage.

Gently placing his fingers against her cheek, Azel tells Emma that he intends to have her repay the loan with her body.

Azel Epilogue

Emma covers herself and glares up at Azel. He asks how conceited can she be, but Emma just reminds him that he said to pay  him back using her body.

He did. And he intends to use all of her.

There is a lot of manual labor that needs to be done, after all.

What did she think he meant? Azel laughs, he’ll just add another bit to her debt for this insult.

It wasn’t until the end of the day that Emma truly understood ‘use all of her’. She was so tired, all she wanted to do was fall face-first into bed and sleep. Instead, she limites herself to sitting down and resting her face on a nearby table.

Azel had spent the entire day performing divinations for the people of Benitoite. Since he was a god, and a foreign god at that, people outside of Tanaznite rarely had an opportunity to receive his divine guidance, making the day very busy.

Honestly, Azel would rather not do this, but he wants to keep on Silvio’s good side. As the richest man in the world, Silvio is not only Azel’s number one benefactor, he is also Azel’s friend. And, to maintain that relationship, Azel will visit and bestow God’s blessing on the citizens of Benitoite.

Unfortunately, he can only run a divination for one person at a time, he needs someone to keep everyone waiting organized. Emma will be paying back her debt by lining up supplicants, guiding them to Azel, handling complaints, and more.

All the chores that need to be done outside of divination will be handled by Emma.

Emma asks if he really intends for her to handle this by herself, and Azel does. After all, she is his only slave here in Benitoite. Of course, if she wants him to bring on another worker, they can pull out the loan document and figure out how much debt to add.

Fine. Emma will do her best, by herself.

Not only did Emma have to cater to the needs of the supplicants, but she was also in charge of Azel’s personal requests, such as bringing him food and drinks.

She can’t help but wonder about all the people waiting (impatiently) in line for hours for a chance to consult with the evil god. Maybe Azel’s divinations were really worth all the trouble.

Emma is not present for Azel’s divinations and has no idea what happens once she leads people to him. All she is aware of is how anxious the people waiting in line are, and how full of hope they are when they leave him.

At the end of the day, with her head face down on the table, Emma wonders what a divination is like.

Suddenly a breath blows into her ear, sending a shock through her. She looks up to see Azel’s face right there.

He thanks her for all of her hard work and dismisses her for the day. Emma asks after him, will he also return to his guest room?

Azel likes this room, it has a perfect view of the sunset. She watches as he leans against the window, staring out across the sea. Intrigued by the scenery God is watching, Emma joins him. She remarks that the sunset is beautiful, this room has a clear view of the horizon. Azel asks if she heard him dismiss her, but Emma insists that she likes watching the sunset.

Well, that’s fine. It’s not unpleasant watching the sunset with her.

That’s interesting, Emma thought Azel disliked her. Azel disagrees though he doesn’t like the fact that she is terrible at regulating her emotions. But think, why would he have someone he hates spend the entire day serving him? He’s not the local masochist to put up with that.

That said, Emma is staying here late. Does she want Azel to pay for her lodgings at the castle too?

Emma cuts in, she’s staying because she has a question for him. She noticed that Azel didn’t take any money for his divinations, even though he keeps on taking as much as he can from her.

Azel reminds Emma what he said earlier, God’s protection is equal. Both rich and poor have the right to seek salvation.

Well, that is the official reason, but the truth is that Azel uses divination to gather useful information. For example, he found out that Emma was the latest Belle of Rhodolite. Depending on the time and place, he could use that to extort money from her.

When Azel tells people’s fortune, people like to talk about useless things with him. And, despite his background, he can gather a lot of useful tidbits.

Azel then asks if Emma would like him to divine her fortune. He urges her to accept, for all they know, this might be the last time divine inspiration strikes him, and he might never be able to tell a fortune again.

Emma can’t believe that Azel is making this offer out of the kindness of his heart, but in the end, she is very curious. She agrees.

Azel asks what she has a question about, and Emma asks if any question is acceptable. Azel assures her that it is, after all, he is the Living God.

Okay, Emma would like to know about her future love life. It’s been on her mind to fall in love and settle down soon, and she wonders how that will go.

As soon as she asks, Azel’s benevolent smile twists into a scowl. He wonders why everyone wants to learn about their love lives, it’s really revolting to him.

He tells Emma that if she’s that concerned, go chase after Silvio. To her shock, he explains that Silvio definitely likes her, so that’s her best bet. He gives her a pitying look and says that he has lost his motivation to perform a divination for her.

Emma is upset, she was looking forward to seeing what a divination performed by the Living God would look like.

Okay, fine, if she doesn’t go after Silvio, maybe she’ll meet someone else. Whom? He doesn’t know, and he doesn’t care.

Emma argues that Azel’s prediction is far too vague, and Azel tells her that’s the beauty of fortunetelling. He then extends his hand towards Emma. He would like his fee for divining her fortune now.

Emma reminds him that his fortune-telling services are free. Azel assures her that she’s just that special – he charges friends and family more. Emma doesn’t want to be special to Azel, who is more of a fraud-scammer than a real god.

Azel clicks his tongue, Emma never learns, does she? He pinches her cheek, reminding her that he’ll add enduring insults to her overall debt. Emma argues that she wasn’t insulting him, she was telling the truth. Azel snorts, her sincerity takes a certain kind of courage, doesn’t it? This time, Azel’s smile is strange and his grip on her cheek is lighter.

If what Azel said was true and not a deception, Emma will be able to meet a suitable man with good taste. At this point, as long as he’s not Azel, Emma will be happy.

Azel tells her not to worry, he’s not interested in her romantically either. Honestly, their compatibility is the lowest possible, the world would end before they came together.

Besides, instead of think about love, Emma should use her brain to think of a way to repay her debt to Azel. Still teasing Emma’s cheek, Azel’s smile grows dark and evil. When Emma scowls at him, he only laughs.

Really, she would be happy to fall in love with anyone other than this dark-hearted evil god.

(You heard it here first, route is over, no chance of romance between these two)

[ignifilis]

He's never had much a sweet tooth; dumping sugar in this strange concoction sounds like it would make it worse. Such thoughts are kept to himself. It's not as if he has any proof of such a thing, anyway.

Altena and Leif...he has a few fuzzy memories of meeting them as infants, symbols of hope and new life in an otherwise desolate world. What burdens did they face growing up?

Azelle nods, brow pinched in thought. "I haven't seen either of them yet. Please, tell me about them--does Leif take after his father with the lance?"

[ Coffee ]

Lips pucker as the bitter liquid slides down his throat. The mice raved about this coffee, claiming it gave a burst of energy to all who partake. They might certainly need the boost since they're the ones running all over the place, but Azelle can't find the merit in such a drink.

He holds his cup and stands from his seat, intent on returning his barely-used dish to the bar. At least he tried something new! "Hello, Lady Ethlyn!" Azelle pauses in his mission. "Have you tried this coffee? I'm not quite sure I like it."

"You know," Ethlyn hums, "I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about it either. It's rather bitter but the smell is heavenly. With enough milk and sugar, I think it could be alright though I don't know what that ratio should be." She has a feeling it's one of those things that is an acquired taste. Something you really have to decide you want to like before you actually do.

"Altena had me try some with her earlier. Have you run into her yet? You can't miss her. She still looks just like her father." There's a part of her that wants to ask after his own kids but, from what she can glean, very few of her brother's followers ended up with a happy ending. A forced ball does not feel like the time to drag up potential unpleasant memories. "Leif, my son, is here too, somewhere."

[celticbotanart]

Level up!! Azelle finally got her true swashbuckler looks (aka she was adopted by her party and finally took a shower - surprise, her natural hair color WAS violet in the end!)

I'll also include the previous commission I did of her on Nov/2023, so you guys can see the glow up:

In this universe, Azelle holds a Dwarf-made spear as her weapon, so I finally was able to work with the “Dwarves aesthetics totally is Art Deco” idea I’ve seen around for a while, hehe. She still has the spear, the daggers are her alt weapons, and part of the same "series", made by the same dwarf artisans! Thank you so much once again for your ongoing support, JF 💛

commission info | patreon | twitter | Ko-fi | VGen | bluesky

[dark-frosted-heart]

Beauty and the Beast’s Last Theater - Azel Radwan (part 3/4)

As usual, can’t guarantee 100% accuracy on this

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed since Prince Azel covered my eyes with his hand.

Emma: Are we done yet?

Azel: Not yet.

Emma: …Just what…

Azel: Be quiet.

Fingers suddenly pinched my lips shut, stopping any words.

(Prince Azel mentioned “mercy”, but what kind of mercy is this?)

(...I closed my eyes and stopped speaking, and am now oddly aware of the warmth coming from his hand)

The living god’s hands felt rough, just like any other man’s.

This awkward moment only filled by the sound of breathing continued—

He soon removed his hand without any warning. I blinked a couple of times at the light from the moon shining through the windows.

While my vision was slowly adjusting to it, Prince Azel retreated to a wall and crossed his arms.

Emma: Um?

Azel: Come on, just practice already.

Emma: …I get nervous when I’m being watched.

Azel: Want to know how many will be watching that day?

(I won’t get any sleep if I do)

I shook my head and turned back toward the window, feeling a nasty stare.

(I’m not sure what happened just then…)

(In any case, let’s just dance in front of Prince Azel. Maybe he can give me some advice…)

I made up my mind, shook away any bashfulness, and tried to move my body again.

(Huh, I think I’m dancing better than I was before)

My body was nimble and I thought my awkward movements were more graceful.

(I see, I let go of a lot of stress)

(All thanks to Prince Azel’s “mercy”)

After going through the dance, I looked over at Prince Azel who was smiling gently—

Azel: You’re still terrible.

His words didn’t match his tone.

Emma: How blunt.

Azel: Would being indirect help you at all?

Emma: …Well when you put it that way…

Azel: Straighten your back, don’t bend your fingers.

Emma: L-like this?

Azel: No.

Prince Azel didn’t even bother hiding his exasperation when he sighed before coming up behind me.

(Woah…)

He lifted my hand and fixed my posture.

Emma: I see…

Azel: It’s a simple task of bending your knees while maintaining your posture.

Emma: I’ll try.

Azel: …You’re not doing it.

Emma: Woah…!

While he was supporting me, he gently pushed the back of my knee with his foot.

As I squatted down to bend my knees, I saw Prince Azel smirk from his reflection in the window.

Azel: Are you planning on showing off a dance while bending forward to tourists around the world?

Emma: O-one more time!

Azel: Now you’re straining yourself, dummy.

(I can’t help it…Not when this close distance is making me feel funny)

I could feel his warmth on my back and his breath against my ear. Despite being some holy god, Prince Azel was no idol.

The moment I realized this, I could feel my heart race.

(No, don’t think about it. He’s just guiding me…He’s just guiding me, so stop thinking about other things—wait, guiding?)

Emma: Prince Azel, I realize it’s late to ask this, but… Will you practice with me?

The moment I asked, I felt him sigh against my ear, causing my shoulders to jolt.

Azel: I suppose trapping you in debt for a night wouldn’t be so bad.

Emma: You're pushing that on me!

Azel: So what?

Emma: Scammer.

Azel: You don’t really have a choice, do you? Unless you want to embarrass yourself on stage.

Emma: Ugh…

Azel: You should be thankful for God’s mercy.

(I can’t even think of a response)

(I’m scared of the bill afterward, but my movements have made a lot of improvement thanks to Prince Azel…)

Emma: Please…

When I begged him reluctantly, Prince Azel’s godly smile lit up.

Azel (polite): Please leave it to me. I will bear the responsibility of turning you into a full-fledged dancer.

—Several hours later.

Emma: Did you see that, Prince Azel! I did well, didn’t I?!

Azel: Yeah, sure, nice, you did it.

I was out of breath and hurting all over, but my movements were a lot better than when I first started practicing. 

I was so thrilled that I couldn’t stop smiling.

Emma: Thank you! I didn’t expect to improve so much.

Azel: You were terrible in the beginning.

Emma: Even though it’s true, I don’t think that’s necessary.

(But I’m happy. I’ll at least be able to do the bare minimum while dancing on stage)

Emma: It’s all thanks to you. I didn’t expect you to be so good at teaching.

Azel: Yeah, I put a lot of time into this. I’m going to double the bill and tack on a late night fee.

Emma: I’ll take it. I’m ready for manual labor.

I smiled triumphantly, but for some reason he turned his handsome face away.

Emma: Why are you looking away?

Azel: I can’t bear to look at how pitiful you are.

Emma: Pitiful…?

Azel: With all this mistreatment, how can you still smile optimistically like that?

Emma: Was I getting mistreated?

Azel: …The fact that you didn’t even notice is a pretty huge deal.

(It’s true that he has a sharp tongue, is Spartan-like, and is strict enough to make me miss Sariel’s lessons, but…)

Prince Azel kept practicing with me until the moon outside changed positions.

Even if he is going to bill me later, it doesn’t change the fact that he patiently taught me.

Emma: I…felt that you were more caring than I thought.

Azel: You got the wrong idea.

Emma: …Are you feeling embarr—

Azel (polite): Ah, would you like your bill now? Of course, I’ll bring it to you later.

Emma: I didn’t say…Ack.

When I thought I finally got him to turn his head, he pinched my cheek.

Prince Azel scowled.

Azel: Let me tell you one nice thing. Including those that won’t be able to fit in the venue, there will be at least 50,000 people coming to see the performance.

Emma: 50,000?!

Azel (polite): Good night, sweet dreams.

(He dropped that information at the last minute!)

Prince Azel quickly left.

He disappeared in an instant, leaving me with the huge moon.

(...In the end, he was still as mean as usual)

(Seriously…)

(Was his aim just to put me in more debt?)

--

Several days later—The creation myth festival was thriving.

I wanted to enjoy my first festival in Tanzanite, but even though I was a dancer with a minor role, the thought of being on stage in front of tens of thousands of people made me very nervous. When the beautiful moon rose, my heart was pounding.

(...There really is a lot of people)

The overwhelming excitement from the crowd around the stage made it hard to breathe.

Female dancer: Emma, it’ll be alright. Besides, that outfit suits you!

The one who tapped my shoulder while I stood at the edge of the stage was an actual dancer, someone who instructed me. 

Emma: T-thank you.

Female dancer: Hehe, we still have a while until our performance, so it’s too early to get nervous.

Emma: Ugh…Is the living god going on before us?

Female dancer: Yeah. The living god’s the star. He appears at the end to get the crowd excited. I’ll let you know when it’s our turn, but until then, enjoy the performance as a part of the audience. Since you’re not from here, you probably don’t know Tanzanite’s creation myth?

Emma: I’m embarrassed to say…Actually, I was looking forward to it.

(Perhaps the myth’s related to Prince Azel? I wonder what kind of story it is)

The sound of footsteps echoed on stage.

Everyone fell silent as the actors appeared.

Male actor: ‘This is a story from long, long ago—’

[ignifilis]

Six moons.

He recognizes the fog crossing her features, the seconds it takes to calculate lost time. How many of them can relate to such a feeling? Do they also mourn the life they never lived when they can't sleep at night?

Silence settles briefly between them. He's content to let it lie there for now, allow the aftershocks of their reunion to fade. But she speaks again, and Azelle flinches, fingers crumpling up the abandoned paper resting underneath his hand.

"I...I don't know if that's how I would describe it," he replies, crimson eyes falling on the paper. Absently, he unclenches his fingers, smoothing out the wrinkles as best he can. "He is not the man I once believed him to be."

Azelle can only guess how much she knows, if her memories feel more like half-forgotten dreams. "Have you heard from him?"

ignifilis​:

“Indeed,” he agrees. Reuniting with those he’d believed forever lost has eased some of his burden. She smiles, the simple gesture transforming her sorrowful expression into something bright, something meant to banish the shadows of their past.

Azelle finds the corners of his own lips curling upwards in response.

But he freezes at the mention of the Crusaders. One day, he’ll release his anger towards them. Understand they have little to do with the workings of petty mortals desperate to achieve godhood. Azelle used to wonder why they cared so little for those carrying on such mighty bloodlines, before he realized the answer wouldn’t matter. It was far too late to change the course of history by then, and his own end was rapidly approaching. He’d meet them soon enough, ask all the questions that barely kept him sane.

Ah. He blinks, pushing aside his thoughts. “Each new day we awake is a miracle. How long have you been here, Deirdre?”

How long has she been here?  Some days it feels as though she has only just arrived while others it feels as though she has been stuck in this strange purgatory for a lifetime.  Time is strange here she realized quickly with the appearances of her children fully grown.  Perhaps that is why it feels so strange to think about.

“It has been about six moons since I awoke here.”  She looks away, unable to meet the eyes that remind her so much of her husband’s.  They are softer and no where near as stern but the two brothers share the same fiery red.  How much should she tell him?  His own life ended before hers so he would not know of her fate.  It feels wrong to share such dismal news with him but their fates are so similar perhaps it would be nice to have someone who can share in such a unique circumstance.  “Your brother would be overjoyed to learn that we are both here, alive and well.  He has lost so much in his life.”

It is easier to imply, it seems, than speak the truth plainly.  

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

These translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Please support Cybird by buying their stories. Expect grammatical errors.

Crawling slowly on the ground, the man reached out his hand towards the roses, his eyes filled with determination.

(What should I do? Is there any food around?)

(Ah...)

I searched the pockets of my skirt and somehow found a wrapped cookie.

(Is it because it's a dream?)

Emma: "If you want, you can have this cookie."

Unhesitatingly offering it to him, the man's eyes changed color, and he stood up, accepting the cookie as if he were receiving a gift.

???: "Thank you for your generosity."

(His attitude changed!)

???: "I haven't had a chance to eat recently, so even if it's a dream, this still makes me happy."

Emma: "That must have been tough."

While maintaining an otherworldly atmosphere, the man took a big bite of the cookie. However, in the next moment, his perfectly sculpted face contorted.

???: "Too sweet!"

Emma: "Huh? Really?"

Curious, I also tried eating one cookie, but its taste was normal.

I tilted my head in confusion, and the man frowned, placing his hand on his chin.

???: "I see. For you, this level of sweetness is pretty normal."

Emma: "Yes. I often eat sweets."

???: "No, that's not it. I mean, an overwhelming sweetness has blended into your daily life."

???: "You're in love, aren't you?"

Emma: "You can tell?"

???: "Yes. The sweetness of the dream world proves that you love and care for someone."

???: "May God bless this pitiful girl."

Emma: "Pitiful?"

???: "It's even more pitiful that you're unaware of it."

Emma: "Who are you anyway?"

???: "You don't know me? Well then, you must be a girl from another country."

???: "Are you from Rhodolite? The land of roses? It's the number one country I'd like to visit someday."

Emma: "T-Thank you very much."

(I wonder which country this guy is from. He looks like a noble, but how come he was hungry?)

(But wait, this is a dream. Does this guy even exist?)

???: "But if you're not a citizen of my country..."

???: "Ah geez, I didn't need to pretend. I did something unnecessary."

(His attitude changed again!)

Azel: "I'm Azel. Even though you'll probably only remember me in this dream, not having a name can be inconvenient."

Emma: "I'm Emma."

Azel: "Well then, Emma. Even though it's a dream, I'll give you some advice as thanks for saving my life."

Azel: "I think you should throw that thing away."

Azel pointed to the jeweled rose protected by a glass dome.

Azel: "Generally, a rose is a symbol of love."

Azel: "To turn it into an everlasting rose means you must have known a deeply profound love."

Azel: "But love is a curse that can drive people mad. The stronger it is, the more it becomes a poison that consumes you."

Emma: "A curse? That's not true."

Azel: "How can you be so sure?"

Emma: “Because I’m happy every day.”

Azel: “Heh, I see.”

(He said it so flatly.)

Azel: “Even though you’re happy now, it doesn’t guarantee it will continue forever.”

Azel: “Just a slight misstep can turn love into a curse and transform you into a beast.”

Azel: “As a fortune-teller, I’ve witnessed many kinds of love.”

Azel: “Love is something beautiful and something to be admired. Many people believe that, but...”

He reached out to a nearby rose and grasped the thorns.

It pierced his skin, and blood oozed out despite being in the dream world.

Azel: “This is what happens when you grasp it recklessly. You get wounded.”

Azel: “Jealousy, possessiveness, fear, madness一love is not made up of only beautiful emotions.”

Emma: “.........”

Azel: “By the way, I hate blood.”

Emma: “Handkerchief! I have one with me.”

I pulled out a handkerchief I usually carried in my pocket and handed it to him.

Azel: “Thank you.”

Emma: “You’re welcome.”

Emma: “I still don’t think love is a curse.”

(I know it’s not always about beautiful emotions, but...)

Emma: “I believe it’s something precious, something we should cherish and hold dear for the rest of our lives.”

It’s the true Love I have finally found.

In the past, the previous Belle and the King had fallen to the depths due to their love, but "we" will never let love turn us into beasts.

Azel: "I see. I have no intention of engaging in pointless arguments with you."

Azel shrugged his shoulders while wiping his hands with the handkerchief.

Azel: "If you insist that much, then stick to your beliefs and see it through."

Azel: "The curse is already on you, so it's too late anyway."

As the news of the previous King's passing was widely reported, a new King was chosen in Rhodolite.

With the new King leading the way, the grand palace, meticulously built with the essence of art, was filled with an oppressively tense atmosphere.

Gilbert: "Good afternoon, people of Rhodolite. Thank you for the warm welcome."

Leon: ".........."

Chevalier: ".........."

Gilbert: "Ahaha! Don't be so wary. I didn't come here today to cause trouble, you know?"

Suddenly, without warning, the royal family of Obsidian, the land of ore and military that posed the greatest threat to the continent and had ruled over many countries, visited the royal court.

For a nation that had long rejected diplomacy, their casual arrival on Rhodolite was unusual.

Gilbert: "Anyway, your clothes have changed since the last time I saw you. A change of mood, perhaps?"

Leon: "As you know, our country is going through a period of change."

Leon: "We've made a fresh start, so we had everyone fitted with diplomatic attire."

Gilbert: "Ahaha, I see. By the way, I also got new clothes for diplomatic purposes. How do I look?"

Chevalier: "Stop this nonsense already."

Gilbert: "I was trying to ease the tension."

Chevalier: "If you visited our country for anything other than an evil purpose, I can guess what it is."

Chevalier: "Eyepatch, you’ve also heard about that story, huh?"

Gilbert: "Bingo."

Leon: "Even the skilled Obsidian, known for their espionage abilities, was taken by surprise?"

Gilbert: "Yeah, it's terrible, right? My friend was involved with the alliance, but they wouldn't tell me anything."

Gilbert, smiling cheerfully, approached the wall and looked at the map of the continent.

Gilbert: “As you all know, recently, the three nations of Tanzanite, Achroite, and Kogyoku formed an alliance.”

Gilbert: "Those countries are major powers on the continent, alongside advanced nations like Obsidian, Benitoite, and Jade."

Gilbert: "Oh, by the way, I'm not saying that your country is inferior, okay?"

Gilbert: "It's just that Rhodolite is smaller in scale."

Gilbert: "While your civilization may be on par with the advanced nations, it doesn't have the same reputation throughout the continent."

Leon: "Thanks for your flimsy concern. So, what are your thoughts on this alliance?"

Previous Part ┆ Next Part

[laslow]

Celebrating TOA and the people who contribute to make our group what it is.

Repost, don't reblog. Only fill in what you feel comfortable sharing! Happy anniversary, TOA! Here's to many more years spent together.

Name: Sam

Pronouns: she/her

Birthday (no year): 5/28! Cyan and I share a birthday with: Liam O'Brien, Laura Bailey, Ian Fleming, and Siegbert :)

Where are you from? What is your time zone? California, USA! PST (west coast best coast)

How long is your roleplay experience? 10+ years? Is it closer to 15 now? If you listen you can hear my joints creaking

How were you introduced to roleplaying as a whole? None other than Wajas.com. Middle school, what a time you were

How were you introduced to TOA? iirc a FE blog I was following reblogged a ToA post and I thought "hm, that's pretty cool! I'll look into it!" and then I blinked and 5 years passed.

Do you have any pets? No :sob:

What is your favorite time of year and why?(Season, holiday, general period) Winter! The weather is actually livable

What is your IRL occupation? Office Assistant though I ask for good vibes I have some new opportunities coming up to leave my current place

Some interests and things you like/enjoy? Writing, reading, cross stitching, karate, journaling, language learning

What non-Fire Emblem games do you play? Legend of Zelda, Persona, Stardew Valley, occasionally I dip my toes back into Honkai Star Rail

Favorite Pokemon type & Pokemon: Vaporeon and Water Type!

Tell us some funfacts and trivia about yourself! Dunno if I've mentioned this in the past but I have crooked pinkies due to a recessive gene in my family! My dad has crooked pinkies as well :)

How did you get into Fire Emblem? Five/six year old Sam watched my brother play Path of Radiance on the family Gamecube and I never looked back

What Fire Emblem games have you played? Path of Radiance, Radiant Dawn, Sacred Stones, Awakening, Fates Conquest route, 3 Houses, Engage. I have read the scripts for Genealogy and Thracia. Halfway through Blazing Blade!

First & Favorite Fire Emblem games: First was Path of Radiance! Awakening is still my fave all these years later

List your 5 favorite Fire Emblem characters across the series! Inigo, Ilyana, Dimitri, Xander, Haar

Who was the first character ever to make you go “ooh I like this one in particular” and why? Can be any context and reason! Ilyana! I honestly can't remember why anymore I just thought she was super cool something about the thunder magic spoke to 5 year old me's imagination

Any Fire Emblem crushes? Laslow AND Dimitri that has not changed

If you’ve played (or are familiar with) the following games, who was your first S support? Who would you S support nowadays? - Awakening: Chrom, still Chrom - Fates: Silas, still Silas OR perhaps Laslow if I'm feeling Spicy- Three Houses: Dimitri, still Dimitri - Engage: Diamant, still Diamant

Favorite Fire Emblem class? Assassin or Swordmaster!

If you were a Fire Emblem character, what would be your class and stats? Would you be playable? A very mid Myrmidon who can get some good stats if you have good rng luck

If you were a Three Houses character, what would be your affiliation? Blue Lions pride baby!!

If you were an Officers Academy student, what would be your boons, banes and potential budding talent? -Boon: Sword, Bow -Bane: Heavy Armor, Axe -Budding Talent: Authority

If you were an Engage character, which nation would you originate from? Brodia!

How do you pronounce TOA? Tee-Oh-Ae

Current TOA muses: Laslow, Leo, Nephenee!

Past TOA muses? Ilyana, Vanessa, Azelle!

Who was your first TOA muse? If you no longer have them, can you see yourself picking them up again? Inilow is here to stay I can't make this man leave my head if I tried.

Do you believe you have a type of character you gravitate towards writing? I love my flirts, and I also enjoy more serious characters who have a relaxed side if you know them well enough. Also youngest siblings.

Do you have characters or types of characters you don’t think you can handle writing, but wish you could? Villains! As interesting and multifaceted as they can be, I struggle staying within that mindset for a long period of time.

What kind of scenes, situations etc do you believe you enjoy writing the most? (If you filled this out last year, has this changed in any way?) I do still enjoy combat--nothing like getting your adrenaline pumping!--but recently I've found I enjoy some of the more emotional things, too. Relationships, grief, etc.

Do you have any scenario in mind for your muse(s) that gets you thinking “man I hope I get to write this one day”? Not really; I've been extremely lucky over the years to have written pretty much every scenario I can think of. I would love to continue exploring both Lazzy's and Leo's arcs as fathers.

Favorite TOA-related memories? Oh goodness....way too many to count! Most recently, I still find myself laughing over Leo (muse) dying for Jan 2024's event plot. Iconic

Present or past tense? Present!

Normal size text, small text, no preference? No preference! I try to use small text on Leo solely for that #aesthetic, but that's it

Got any potential muse delusions to share? 😉  Not at the moment! I'm happy with my lineup! (But if you twist my arm.....a certain knight from SacStones still lives in my head. And there's this wyvern rider from Tellius who occasionally whispers.)

[randomnameless]

why don't you want jurgdral remakes? are you afraid they will be localised like fodlan games or modified like shadows of valentia?

Mmh...

Lolcalisation aside, I'd say the biggest thing I'm dreading with those remakes is IS' (if FEH is any indication) willingness to retcon those older games to, I suppose, make them more "trendy" or approchable for a "modern audience".

Sure, FEH might goof here and there, but take the "Miccy founded the DB" take - it's present at least in more than one unit so imo, it's no goof at all, what is it supposed to mean? That a Miccy who is only a person who joins an existing group because she embraces their ideals and thus puts them above her own "need" to hide her existence, as a Branded, is not as... bankable as a Miccy who forms her own ragtag group of randoms to fight against Daein, giving hints at her later role as the leader of the Daein army?

I've ranted enough about IS retconning Lyon and Magvel in general (tfw Eph was caught by Grado lel) but it follows the same pattern, OG!Lyon (and FE8 in general) falls because of his very human and earthly desires - he might have ideals and all, but at the end of the day, he falls because of his love and adoration/obsession for the twins and that is something he cannot fight against - FEH!Lyon sassing Fomortiis is just, no. Fomortiis always has the last laugh in FE8 (at least with Lyon and even, I'd say with the playable cast because, again, his soul isn't erased, he is stuck again in a shiny rock, just like what happened in the lore, and led to Lyon's possession. Who can be sure that in 800 years after Ephraim's adventures, L'Arachel's descendant won't be seduced by Fomortiis' power and free him from his shiny rock, like Lyon did?).

FE15 is its own thing lol - but there is a possibility for Jugdral to be pissed on like Magvel and Tellius were in FEH, and I guess, for any Jugdral fan that's terrible.

Sure, FEH seems to treat Jugdral verse with, uh, careful consideration but hey - if the Ayra wanking is any indication, even Jugdral isn't immune to retcons to make a popular character even more #badass, plot be damned.

Add some eggtivation here'n'there, and I wouldn't be surprised if we had some NPCs or even characters in support dialogues explaining how major holy blooded people aren't always better in the domain corresponding to their holy blood than non HB people because non HB people can bypass their lack of dragon blood with hard work - completely pissing on this core Jugdralian mechanic that was translated in FE4's gameplay by weapon rank.

Is it gatekeeping? idk.

For me, it's just that I fell in Jugdral Hell some years ago (nearly a decade!) and despite its defaults, I still like this verse very much so I'd like a remake that is as faithful as possible to that thing I came to know all those years ago, maybe to exchange with new (and non new lol) fans about that verse!

But if we get, idk, a very #badass Deedee who doesn't, idk, mind killing a kid or two to show how #girlboss she is, well, for me, that wouldn't be Jugdral at all, but some sort of adaptation using those characters but writing them OOC.

Of course I can't say I have a better reading and take on those characters as IS themselves, but after seeing A!Mareeta's FB where she is supposed to be at her best/peak performance, and IS still wrote her to be "below" Ayra in terms of ability when Mareeta's Major Holy Blood means her skills with the blade are naturally superior to her "great aunt" 's skills I still think there's something that's missing.

It's as if we had Reinhardt throw better spells/be stronger at Thunder Magic than Peak!Ishtar, or worse, Azelle on a pony teaching FE5!Saias how to throw fire spells.

It's just, not possible in the Jugdral verse, because Jugdral verse is pretty inequitable and major HB people are cheat codes compared to minor HB people or non HB people. Now with that being said, the story is about what those people with magic blood that are cheat codes do and if they use their powers for good or stupid things. It's not about Midayle finally showing Aidean that his skills with a bow are superior to her sister's so now, he is finally strong enough to protect her from Verdane ruffians.

But after Fodlan's false "yeah but crests aren't the alpha and omega and yet i'm never going to tell you what they do because otherwise my excuse for worldbuildling falls apart", I wouldn't be surprised if Jamke, in a support, would teach Bridget how to use a bow.

:/

So yeah, it's better not to have any remakes.

[ignifilis]

Sunheart Chaser: Brod 16/18HP attacks Azelle 10/10 HP with Searing Sunlight [Booming Voice Roll: 2] [Roll: 16, -2, Azelle 8/10 HP]

Warmth suffuses the battlefield. Once again Azelle is drawn into the familiarity of its embrace, a tragic moth falling for a flame's deception. He nudges his pegasus towards the light and ignores her initial resistance.

Light momentarily blinds him, moth wings now aflame. The heat now scorches instead of comforts. Faded burn scars ache under his tunic.

Azelle is inflicted with Brainwashed!

The light fades. Azelle blinks; why had he mounted a pegasus? No matter--they will finish off this invasion with all the might of House Velthomer.

(Arvis will be proud. Perhaps now Azelle can hold his head high, can finally wash away the stain of his half-blood lineage. Together, they will bring glory to the Lopto Church.)

One rogue Silessian stands in opposition. Heels gently kick the pegasus' flanks. She canters towards the poor, brave soul, wings ruffling. Azelle stares down his nose like his brother would, unimpressed with the sword aimed at his chest.

Fire sparks to life at his call. His blood sings, embers fall--

The lancer stands unscathed. Is this weakness on Azelle's part? He will decide later; for now, he urges his pegasus back, not fast enough to dodge the gleaming sword point. Fabric rips. Blood drips down his arm.

Azelle 6/10 HP recovers 2HP from Bond and Amaterasu. Azelle 8/10 HP. Azelle 8/10 HP attacks Dimitri 10/10HP with Ragnarok [Roll: 12 - 8 = 4, -0, Dimitri 10/10HP] Azelle is inflicted with Toxic Poison. Azelle 7/10 HP.

Dimitri 10/10HP counters with Wishblade [Constriction Roll: 2] [Roll: 5, -1, Azelle 6/10 HP]

Azelle is no longer Brainwashed.

He sways in his saddle, head shaking as if to clear his thoughts. His arm stings; there's a long but shallow cut he hadn't noticed before.

　𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞.　— team 9 | silver —

[ayumitsuu]

Twitter results in, RED is Azelle! ❤️

Azelle support squad showed up in full force. Lex would be proud 🥹

I was happy to see a variety of suggestions: Arvis, Noish, Eldigan, and even Eve/Yves.

Close-up:

Deciding next character for orange on Twitter (if you want to suggest a character, my Twitter handle is the same “@ayumitsuu”

[dithorba]

2023 Writing Wrap

Well. Let's see how I did for 2023 in terms of writing.

On a pure numbers look.

This is the first year I've actually started recording my hard number counts. So, I don't really have much of anything to compare aside from that. The last few years have been really bad for me to take anything beyond Nagamas gifts for my count.

Okay Monse, but how does this translate into actual fics you've written and published? Let's check!

On January 8th, at 2.4K words, I published "We're The Lucky Ones," a Julia-centric on her relationship with Julius. For Nagamas 2022.

On February 12th, I published another Julia & Julius-centric fic. "Silent Running" which has 1881 words. Also, a Nagamas gift for @memietroubadour.

I have the multi-chapter "Say So," last updated on April 25th, which is an NSFW body-swap slow-burn romance between Azel & Tailtiu. Mixed with serious explorations of patriarchy, gender, and sexuality.

And the last published fic of the year was "Spanish Bombs," published June 16th. A domestic Julius/Altena fic where Altena deals with the complications that come with a unified Thracia. Author frustrations about imperialism, colonialism, and IDGAF about Yakubians are very obvious in the text.

In terms of published material, 19,723 words were published out of 57,647. Or roughly 34.21%. Fall Semester frankly kicked my ass really, really hard. I didn't stop writing, but it's obvious my classes were so intense and time-consuming that I couldn't afford much time outside of them.

As for work still in progress, I have another Jultena fic "Lamento Boliviano" that will be NSFW and touches on the themes that Spanish Bombs had, but with Altena struggling to conceive a child. That's at 6.4K

Oops. Say So Chapter 3 who knows when.

And I have an "Anti-Quan, no Thracia is really badly written and if you don't see it you're probably racist" manifesto at 6.7 words...and in need of heavy citations. Expect it at 20K minimum.

Some words were used in drabbles or unbaked WIPs. Maybe they'll be fics. I don't know.

No slicing it. I've done way better than ever before. And I owe much of my thanks to @mrmissmrsrandom, @damoselcastel, @nieznasztejosoby, @yeyayeya, @slyfire, @bitchbarrier, @hebi-himes, @mariyekos, @lenaylias, @mahnati, @bigcanasfan95, @shibopanda, and @royaltyjunk

Thank all of you for your continued support.

[syntaxaero]

GIVE US THE OC LORE dealer’s choice, though given the current mood would love to hear about your pokemans!

Sure thing!

So both Adstrum (Charizard) and Floppy (Flygon) are dating (along with Azell, a Garchomp-Sceptile I'll rework soon. Yeah they're poly!), but they're also in an expedition team together too, hence the little scarf on Floppy's leg!

Adstrum's sort of the brute of the group, usually taking foes head-on rather aggressively, or tanking hits for the team! Since he's pretty big and tough, fights tend to end pretty fast (or most opponents flee... if they can)

Floppy's sort of the eyes and ears of the team- keeping a look out for any trouble that might come their way, while also being the item hoarder! Those big ol messenger bags come in handy! Overall good support for the team, and still able to dish out strong attacks with earthquake and draco meteor! Also resident cutie of the group.

And Azell's the "strategist". Atleast that's what they call themself. They're really just the leader that doesn't exactly like getting into confrontation, but they can hit hard too! Usually trailing behind the other two munching on berries. Looks and acts tough but has a soft spot for the other two.