#⚔️ ask. / trade secrets.

[fellstcr]

↪ ZODIAC HEADCANONS / @silentaura / NO LONGER ACCEPTING .

⊹ — LIBRA . ≻ is your muse a people pleaser ?

||. Undoubtedly so. While Byleth is hardly a weak-willed person, or unable to stand up for herself and her beliefs when it matters, Byleth is not a self-confident person, especially when she stands alone. The entire story of "Three Houses" hinges on Byleth following her directives and abiding by what is expected of her. And Byleth is certainly very good at following her directives and rising to meet expectations. Some of this is her training as a mercenary. ( When orders and directives are all you've ever truly known . . . ) MOST of it is a strong desire to be helpful, or otherwise of value to whomever Byleth values. Sometimes this means sacrifice. Most of the time it means becoming an arbiter of death. For the longest time, that person was just Jeralt. And for that time, her "value" lay within Byleth's ability to wage war. ("We live in an age of war — but i feel like that's what I'm suited to.") Then Lady Rhea came into the picture. And not just Lady Rhea, but Seteth and Flayn, and her respective Academy house. With this meeting and introduction to a life beyond war, Byleth found a new value in teaching, yes, but also in assisting others and being there for her coworkers, staff-members, mentors and students all at the same time. As such, it's in my personal opinion that Byleth both grows as a person because of it... and becomes reliant on it. Especially as her path diverges from the life of a mercenary as the year goes on. Byleth is especially reliant on the approval of her house leader, going so far as to adopt their most precious values into her own psyche as she moves forward in her own life. Byleth will do almost anything for the people that she cares for. One of the last lessons she needs to learn in her life is to care enough for herself enough to find value on her own.

⊹ — LIBRA . ≻ how does your muse navigate justice & mercy ?

||. What makes Byleth so interesting is that her mercenary background strongly informs her views on right and wrong, justice and mercy. Except, I don't mean necessarily in the way of sheer pragmatism. (Though, given routes like Crimson Flower, it certainly can still be a factor.) Contrarily, I mean in the way of prioritizing compassion. In all three main routes (and technically also in CF), Byleth is predominantly shown to be a harbinger of mercy and second chances. She is the Enlightened One, and she best expresses this name and title by proving to be graceful in her judgements towards other people, whether she is for or against them.

Speaking in terms of the Azure Moon route in specific for a moment: Byleth is EXPLICITLY shown to be an especially merciful individual. She is also shown to be an incredibly patient individual, and goes out of her way to listen to the opposing sides and hear their viewpoints before passing her final judgement, which is something that sets her apart from someone like Lady Rhea's rendition of passing judgement (which can altogether be seen as a bit more... cutthroat.) TL;DR: if you are truly repentant, (most of the time) she will accept that, and assist you in your atonement. She throws no stone, because she doesn't consider herself any more morally sound than any other murderer. But what she has experienced is mercy. She has experienced acceptance, IN SPITE OF her past. All of her efforts are in relation to what she has experienced, and what she chooses to pay forward. HOWEVER: If you are decidedly not repentant , and express no remorse, and have no desire in your heart to make better choices, and/or have committed atrocities that are so evil that THOSE choices cannot be overlooked, only then will Byleth reciprocate with a stern and firm hand of consequence. You reap what you sow.

Canonically, Byleth remains present to hear out the accounts of Lady Cornelia, the vassal who assisted with the Tragedy of Duscur, and is in full support of Dimitri's parlay with Edelgard. In the last case, she even goes so far as to hope alongside Dimitri that Edelgard might change her mind if they can find a peaceful resolution. She actively advocates that Dimitri can overcome his past and be the good man she believes in him to be, and only ever doubts that message when it is her own character called into question. (I am of the full belief that Byleth criticizes herself and her past heavily whilst in pursuit of what she idealizes about what makes a person "human". Specifically in the way of emotions and emotional awareness.) In the case of the vassal, while she does defer to Dimitri's judgement on the case (as she should, given it's his kingdom's (and family's) business), at no point does she call for the man's execution. She is in full support of Dimitri taking the evidence and testimony into long consideration before coming to a final call of judgement on the man who plead guilty. In Edelgard's case, Byleth not only acts as a witness to the parlay (probably also in part to protect Dimitri from his own naiveté should something go wrong, lbr), she wants a peaceful outcome with the woman who started a war of conquest and has no qualms with attempting to broker that peace. She has no objections to the potential of it, even despite knowing full well of Edelgard's past actions and betrayals. And, just like in the other routes, Byleth only allows Edelgard's death after Edelgard makes it explicitly clear that she will not change her mind and back down. While she is not the one to pass the final killing blow in Azure Moon, she doesn't allow Dimitri to turn back after the fact, either. Which leads me to the case of Cornelia. (And the other Slithers members, even if AM!Byleth doesn't necessarily know their true origins at the time.) This is likewise one of the few cases (similarly to Tomas, Kronya, and the Death Knight) wherein which Byleth is swift with her judgement and actively executes whomever she has been pitted against. And even then, it is entirely because of the other party's deliberate choices that led them to the point of opposing Byleth. And even then, the actions taken that fly in the face of Byleth's ideals are typically so twisted and cruel that there IS no coming back from them. (re: TWSitD's + Nemesis' genocide of the Nabatean race, Edelgard's War of Conquest and refusal to back down from it (and also her attempt to genocide the Nabatean race), all willingly involved in the Tragedy of Duscur who do not have a desire to repent, etc.)

It is ONLY when someone's heart is set on a violent, gruesome path, and when there is no remorse for one's actions, or an overwhelming pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness that Byleth will rescind her hand of mercy. By that point, the other party has made it abundantly clear that they will not change and this is by deliberate choice. Then and only then - at the individual's true point of no return - does Byleth pass her judgement. And she will always side with the living who are doing their best to choose peace, and good.

[dgct2]

Fanfic Recs

Welcome to my fanfic recommendation list. Thank you to all the amazing tumblr writers out there.

Stories below feature either Pedro Pascal or Chris Evans characters. Most stories are sm*t with something extra so if you are under 18 please DO NOT read. There are a couple that are just fluff or adventure. Please follow the warnings or legend below. A lot of stories are also multi-chapter.

UPDATED AUGUST 11TH, 2024

Legend

⭐️ = Personal Favourite

🔥 = Spicy times ( please note number for how spicy )

⚔️ = Adventure

🥺 = Angst

💗 = Fluff

📚 = Multi chapter

⭐️ Special shoutout to @wheresarizona @softlyspector @psychedelic-ink @finnsbubblegum and @blueeyesatnight who have all written my favourite stories so far.

Jack Daniels 

🔥 Afternoon Sun - psychedelic-ink - After a night of passion Jack takes care of his significant other. Soft, attentive, and so damn sexy. 

Frankie Morales 

🔥🔥🔥 Box Set - frannyzooey - Quite a few stories with Frankie. All are worth reading. 

Pero Tovar

⭐️ 📌 🔥🔥⚔️⚔️💗💗💗📚 - The Cross - blueeyesatnight - I inhaled this story in one night. It is so good! Fans of Outlander and Doctor Who will love this. While on sabbatical in China. you're asked to do research on a mysterious box with weird engravings of monsters on the outside. You're not one for monsters. The museum questions what Spanish bronze would be doing in China? You agree to do research for them. You've heard tales of two mercenaries that were there over 1,000 years ago. You follow the last known trade route, but get lost in the mountains. No big deal. The fresh air is clearing your head. You pull out the box and look at it closer. It is a puzzle box! You push the mechanism and it opens.... transporting you to the past. Where are you? Or more importantly when? The answer becomes clear as two riders approach you. A timeless adventure that is less about logic and more about love.

📌 ⭐️ NEW 🔥🔥💗💗💗📚🎄 - Stranger At My Gate - leslie lyman - Magic and Christmas. Your a food blogger who has returned home for Christmas. You need inspiration for a new book which is due soon. There is a knock at the door and inspiration arrives in the form of a man. A man who is apparently out of time.

Joel Miller

🥺💗📚 To Do The Right Thing - pedgeittopascal - Reader is part of Joel and Tess's smuggling group. She and Joel are together when she becomes pregnant. They figure out what to do because the QZ is not a life for a newborn. A beautiful story of love and sacrifice. There is also a second part to this story being written. 

⭐️ 🔥🔥🥺📚 Adjustments - softlyspector - The 1st Joel fanfic that I read so it has a special place in my heart. Jackson era. Joel and neighbour become close. Neighbour is dealing with stuff and Joel is attentive and protective because she’s part of his tribe. Soft, fluffy, and so beautifully written.

⭐️ 🔥🔥🔥💗🥺📚 September - wheresarizona - My favourite story. I’ve read it a few times. Joel and the reader Doc were building a life in Austin. They were separated on Outbreak day. 20 years later she finds him. The rest of the story is how they reconnect. 

🔥📚 Mr. Miller's Birthday Gift - jksprincess10 - DBF! Joel and reader start a secret relationship. They celebrate her birthday and then his. The relationship doesn’t stay secret for long. 

⭐️ 💗💗💗📚 Where It All Starts - finnsbubblegum - Single Dad Joel and neighbour become friends when she helps takes care of Sarah who is still a baby. Enjoy the fluffiness of this sweet story.

🔥🔥🔥🥺📚 A Future Together - kteague - Joel and Reader had a life in Austin with Sarah. Outbreak day happens. They do not get separated this time. It is now 20 years later and they are still together working as smugglers in the QZ. They are tasked with bringing Ellie to the Fireflies. Retelling of the game. 

🔥 Pistol - cosmictheo - Reader is a ward for Bill and Frank. Frank is fun dad. Bill is grumpy dad. One day Joel and Tess show up just as a storm approaches. Joel and Tess are partners nothing more. Sparks between Joel and reader. He tries to do the right thing but can’t fight that feeling.

🥺💗 Call My Name - toxic-seduction - Set in 1x06. After Joel is stabbed you and Ellie bring him to an abandoned house to take care of the wound. Joel calls out name while on death's door. It isn't yours. Later he tries to explain what happened.

📌 NEW 🥺🥺🔥🔥 Trying Not To Love You - supernaturalgirl20 - You accidentally slip that you've fallen for Joel. He gives you the cold shoulder. When you go missing on a patrol he searches for you. He admits the idea of loving you scares him. Perfect mix of heat and angst.

📌 NEW 💗💗💗🥺📚 Looking For The Light - cowgurrl - A series of stories set within Jackson era. Joel and you are smugglers bringing Ellie to the fireflies. You both have lost a child during the Outbreak. Is it worth taking the risk again? Family fic. Joel being a girl dad. Mostly fluff with a pinch of angst.

📌 NEW 🥺🥺💗💗 - Put On A Brave Face - toxic-seduction - Reader is shot while on patrol with Joel. He's sorry he wasn't more aware. She's sorry that she put him though the angst. Comfort each other in the end.

📌 NEW 🔥🔥🔥 One Thing I'm Missing - joelscruff - Retelling of TLOU from 1x08 forward. Joel and Reader become a lot closer. Ellie makes sure that they have time together. It is hot and really cute at times.

📌 🌟 NEW 🔥🔥🔥📚🥺 Five Days - morallyinept - Set during Jackson Era. It has been 30 years and reader meets Joel again. 5 Days together at an Outpost as all hell breaks loose in the world again. Can the two of you rediscover love again? I inhaled this story. It is so worth reading.

Javier Peña 

🔥🔥🔥 Carry out - soullumii - Javi and secretary are late working at the Embassy. She’s bratty towards him because she missed a date. He makes it up to her in a big way. 

⭐️ 🔥🥺📚 Infections Of Another Kind - psychadelic-ink - Set after KC. Javi is part of the TLOU verse as a former FEDRA officer. Reader is a former Firefly who is disenchanted. The two of you meet and despite your differences make a life together. What happens though when the real world comes calling again? This story is brilliant. The crossover I never knew I needed. 

⭐️ 🔥🔥🔥💗📚 Learning To Live - wheresarizona - Javi has returned to Texas after Columbia. He meets his love Cielito aka you at the supermarket. Sparks fly as you two build a life together. Simply put Javi deserves to have a happy life after all the shit he went through.

📌 NEW 🔥🔥🔥 Sin Without Limits - steviesgoldfish - Set during Los Pepes. You are Javier's other partner besides Steve. You're still new to the team. You quickly figure out that Javi is working both sides to help take down Escobar. You agree to work a heated UC mission to get the info needed to find La Quiqa.

📌 NEW 🔥🔥🔥 Let Me Love You - thetriumphantpanda - Javier Peña has been the bane of your existence since you arrived to work for the ambassador. When you find yourself at a loose end following an altercation in the street on your way home, Javier is the only person you could turn to which turns your evening into something you'd never dreamed of.

📌 NEW 🥺🥺🔥💗💗📚 Paperwork - blueeyesatnight - A series of one shots set during S2 and S3 of Narcos. Javi and the new secretary for Ambassador Noonan butt heads when she first arrives. Over time she comes to realize that he's one of the good guys.  

Marcus Pike 

🔥💗 Spring Fling - whataperfectwasteoftime - DILF! Marcus is in Washington when his estranged college age daughter Emma and you come to visit on vacation. Immediate sparks between you and Marcus. What happens though when you have to return back to Texas in a week? P.S. This writer has a lot of Marcus fanfics that are worth checking out. 

📌 NEW 🔥🔥💗💗📚 Accidental Husband - supernaturalgirl20 - I'm a diehard Jisbon fan but I also love Marcus. This is post Teresa. Marcus gets his happy ending. Reader and Marcus had a few dates but broke up. The team conspires so they have to drive to her sister's wedding together. What happens when divine intervention and tequila are added to the mix? It is a match made in heaven.

Marcus Acacius

📌 ⭐️ NEW 🔥🔥🔥🥺🥺🥺⚔️📚 Against The Wind - studioghibell - You're the daughter of the Emperor himself. You've fallen in love with his most trusted General, Marcus Acacius. Your father refuses to let the relationship continue.

📌 NEW 🔥🔥🔥 Till Death - morallyinept - Marcus has a favourite slave girl who works in the baths. With an impending battle he lets himself feel everything this time as they become lovers. He vows to return to her.

Ari Levinson

🔥🔥🔥 Don’t Get Sad, Get Even - writing-for-marvel - You catch your boyfriend cheating at a party. You decide to get even with his roommate Ari. You discover that Ari is definitely the better catch. 

🔥🔥🔥 After Hours - flordmatista - CEO!Ari and assistant go on what appears to be a business trip. Turns out Ari has other plans. P.S. All of her Ari fanfics are worth reading.

Andy Barber

🔥🔥🔥 A Butterfly will Fly - flordmatista - Dark!Andy and a ballet dancer. Slight bondage. Spicy and sweet. 

🔥🔥🔥 Discipline Me - flordmatista - DILF! Andy. You’re staying overnight. End up meeting Andy in the kitchen. He teaches you how to stay quiet while he drives you wild. 

[verumking]

ivaios asked:  🍁 + what's something that brings yozora happiness no matter what? 

⚔️ *:･ﾟ✧┆send 🍁 + a question about my muse! ❪ always accepting! ❫

This is a question Yozora himself could not provide an answer to, because his definition of ‘𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒’ is extremely skewed. He regards happiness as something which he ( as a part machine, part god of death ), is unable to genuinely experience: be it physically because he doesn’t have a beating heart, or morally because Death is undeserving of happiness. He denies mortals of happiness on a daily basis after severing the souls of their loved ones-- why should he ever be happy with himself?

However, there are specific things that provide Yozora a sense of temporary relief from the loss he encounters or creates. Yozora is ‘happiest’ when he has a strong sense of 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐘. Freedom is something Yozora had been chasing his entire life, for he was denied of any sense of independence from birth. He was traded like paperwork between his manipulative mother and the abusive corporation that forged him into a machine. He was then made to serve Gigas Corporation as their puppet king, imprisoned within the walls of their headquarters for the entirety of his childhood and adolescence. Even after escaping Gigas Corporation, Yozora was no sooner approached by the Watchmen of Fate and was ascended as a god, and arguably, he is now serving the forces of destiny in the place of his creators. So Yozora heavily values those brief moments of autonomy, where he feels in complete control of the direction of his life and fate. Be it through the command of the Watchmen, or simply when he travels alone.

Yozora also feels ‘happiest’ when people 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐌 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘-- i.e, like an ordinary human-- and not like a king, god, machine, or even a monster. For all of those identities have such negative connotations for Yozora, relating to his time in Gigas Corporation. Being treated as ‘unusual’ or ‘inhuman’-- such as people pointing out his heterochromia or technomancy-- reminds him that he’s not fully human, but part machine. Being treated like royalty or divinity reminds him of the false worship by his creators, crowning him as the ‘saviour of humanity’. Whilst Yozora has come to terms with his title as the ‘𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐗’, and has accepted his fate as the god of death, he hates being hailed as a ‘higher power’ and much prefers to keep his identity and purpose a secret unless absolutely necessary. When people talk to him without formality, and allow him his moments of privacy and reprieve, Yozora feels most at ease. 

❪ @ivaios​ ❫

[fellstcr]

↪ ZODIAC HEADCANONS / @cagcdlxve / NO LONGER ACCEPTING .

⊹ — ARIES . ≻ how does your muse handle competition ?

||. While it would be inaccurate to say that Byleth is a competitive person, it has been shown that Byleth does have something of an occasionally competitive impulse. During the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, Byleth is shown to have a couple of (really funny) lines that focus on her desire for herself and the Blue Lions to win. (This is regardless of whether or not she offered to stand to the sidelines with the other professors out of fairness for Manuela's condition... which I personally hc is true in every timeline.)

Byleth mentions it "doesn't seem fair" to pit herself AND the Blue Lions against the other houses, who will go into the battle without their professors.

Byleth jokes around privately with Dimitri before the battle, riffing off of his confidence and expressing her own.

Byleth has the opportunity to playfully boast about her house's success instead of giving the other two houses a compliment after the battle

Byleth is also noted by Dimitri to be extremely happy.

To that end, while Byleth is especially pleased to be able to feast with all three houses, she notably has yet another opportunity to lightly poke fun at the other house leaders for being unable to secure a victory during the Battle of the Eagle and Lion.

After the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, Byleth is also shown to be calculated when it comes to securing her victories. (Which tracks, given that she is the commander and tactician of every rebellion army, the Knights of Seiros, or the Black Eagle Strike Force.) In preparation for the White Heron Cup (a dance competition), the game's mechanics heavily imply that Byleth took the time to weigh each of her students individually. Not only did she choose her representative based on the overall team makeup, but she looked at their willingness to actually dance during the competition and adapt to the requirements. (imo her choice was probably Flayn in a base Blue Lions route since everyone else has a role, and Byleth can't become a dancer herself. Otherwise her follow-up choice probably would've been Annette!)

While Byleth is not prone to competing for her own gain (although proving herself is its own topic entirely), once Byleth sets her mind to competing and winning, there is VERY LITTLE that can or will successfully stop her unless she decides to stop herself. It's what makes her such a commendable leader, fun debate partner, and your worst enemy.

⊹ — TAURUS . ≻ how does your character show their reliability ?

||. Byleth is a creature who is extraordinarily loyal. She is also shown to be kind and compassionate, with her highest priorities being to listen to others and help them through their circumstances. She finds lost things and returns them to their owners, takes time out of her day to assist those who come to her for help (REGARDLESS of her own schedule), agrees to lofty tasks set upon her by her superiors, and no matter the task, Byleth always delivers. I've spoken more about her work ethic and reliability in another headcanon post, but at the end of it all: Byleth is a hard worker. And she expresses her reliability by always being there for her friends and allies no matter the cost. If you need time to air out your frustrations or work out a problem, she will give you the time you need, for as long as you need.

[fellstcr]

UNPROMPTED / @trickthorn / ALWAYS ACCEPTING ! ↳ "Miss AIPD~ Lapis has been a bad girl ★ Do you want to write a report or punish Lapis right away?"

⚔️ // it would seem that their paths had crossed again . hers , and the woman from the sonare isle . it would seem that fate was INEVITABLE , given that they were something like neighbors .

but that certainly was an unexpected confession .

". . . that . . . would depend on the nature of your transgression , lapis ," byleth replied slowly , splaying a hand forth in gesture . "what exactly have you done?"

[fellstcr]

" when it is your creation day , " seiros explained , tying a leather cord around byleth's wrist . a small , pressed golden pendent strung between two leather cords , small ( for she could not afford much more ) and but genuine . " you should be gifted gold : that you might yet go on to grow under her loving watch . "

the tradition was simple : be gifted a golden emblem on your creation day for good fortune in the coming year . stars for wisdom and guidance , hearts for bravery and love , spirals for protection and good health , and diamonds for prosperity and good fortune . every nabatean received a gift of gold at some point in their youth . . . commissioned specifically with them in mind .

" i chose a star , for i believe we all could use a guiding star to show us the way . for the moments we are lost and , also , for the times we must question our paths . i hope . . . that this emblem leads you gently in the coming year of your life . "

⚔️ // of course her thoughts had been drawn to lady seiros eventually . for when did they not ? like a sapling who craved even the briefest drop of rain , byleth had baited her breath upon seiros arrival — and still found herself surprised , for in truth she had expected very little at all. they had taken to perching under the morning sun , with soil clinging to leather and cotton as the light slowly soaked into day.

' may i ? ' seiros had beckoned with hand upturned , and it felt only natural that byeth oblige.

seeing the precious metal , byleth's eyes shone like the ripple of sunlight on a bygone wave. the wind stirred , writing sentences in the tumbling grass , and erasing the dew - spun letters within the same breath . she was quiet. she was still , with gaze locked on golden emblem fastened dutifully to her wrist , beaded cords pressed flat against the vein . then in a hush , the air in her lungs was trapped squarely in byleth's own throat .

not so long ago she had been bestowed garments of ivory and gold. pressed flowers embroidered in royal indigo had framed the length of a bodice and full robes perfectly tailored to fit. the tiara now stowed carefully away in a treasure box in her room had adorned her — and although she hardly understood it then , so it was that she had been named .

byleth had only ever had a few other names. one was her own name , granted to her by JERALT and struck in record by pen and ink. it was a name granted by SITRI , whose name she also bore between her father's name and the one he had gifted. both were born out of the fall of an elusive mother's shadow. one belonged to SOTHIS. a name that those who had known Her simply crowned byleth's brow , confused. it was not meant for her. byleth did not feel as though she fit it right , much as the blue star called. but THAT WAS THE NAME OF THE ANCIENTS , and perhaps it was not her place to drown it in time. NEXT WAS a name hardly born of byleth's own choosing. still it was ONE OF HER OWN MAKE , for all of the ashes that clung to her shoulders as blood stained her cheek and dripped down her sword. she had not chosen THAT name. but she had not wielded the sense enough to deny it , with a body devoid of soul , and a soul devoid of humanity. and so it had remained , the demon of ashes . A NAME GIFTED BY HUMANS for the most inhuman of all.

byleth had not chosen this new name either. how could she possibly be the enlightened when there were still so many UNANSWERED QUESTIONS? there they hung aloft in the space between herself and the earth and the heavens. but with seteth's approving gaze and flayn's undeniable effervescence alight upon her shoulders , and with the glow of bridled pride brimming in the press of lady rhea's hands ; the way she had smiled , once . . . felt almost like returning to the monastery walls . for a moment in time , to be named was to come home .

byleth's lips pinched tightly. her fingertip carefully traced the soft carved gold of the eight pointed star . lady seiros was not lady rhea just yet . . . ( she swallowed thick around the knot in her throat . ) and still– ( her eyes grew warm . her chest tightened . for the life of her , byleth could hardly understand it even now . ) . . . and still .

"thank you , lady seiros," byleth whispered , bowing her head . and in the same way she had risen to meet the archbishop that morning , in the quiet of the cathedral halls as a sweet and woodsy incense burned in the foyer , byleth met their kindness with her own STEADFAST RESOLVE.

"know that i will treasure this gift you have given me."

[fellstcr]

Upon her desk at the AIPD, Byleth will find a small metal case resting upon a slip of paper. Inside the tin are leaves of the Zephyr Lily within little tea bags. On the note, there is nothing written, apart from the runes drawn in black ink.

" ᛚᛟᚲᛁ "

⚔️ // make no mistake : byleth knew exactly the price of such fanalean tea. she had eyed it and forsaken its purchase for no reason other than that . . . she could not justify the purchase , and so would simply resign herself to admiring its notes from afar for a distant ' one day ' to enjoy.

. . . evidently , someone had taken notice.

and although perhaps she ought be concerned that he had managed to slip in and out of the her office . . . she would allow it to slide. it would hardly do to SULLY SUCH KINDNESS.

[fellstcr]

[ Byleth!! ] Came the cry of the duck, eager to find his most favorite of interdimensional nieces. He'd been waiting for this day for a long time, especially since this was the first time he'd be able to celebrate her birthday with her.

Little webbed feet came to a stop as he approached, a little out of breath but a big smile on his face regardless. In his hands was a pretty little pink box tied by a sparkly white ribbon.

[ Happy!!! Birthday!! Byleth! ] He said between breaths, holding the present towards her. Inside the box was a silver charm bracelet! It currently had three charms. One of a dove, one of a lion, and another that was a beautiful jade gemstone.

[ i hope you like it! You can put whatever you want on'it! I got some cupcakes back home just for ya too. ] his smile could not have bn bigger. She deserved to feel special today, and he was excited to share that with her.

(a lil early but just in case <3)

⚔️ // she was almost startled at first! almost. the uneven slap of webbed feet on any sort of flooring was too distinctive to be entirely off - guard . still , as byleth turned , wide - eyed , towards her most esteemed companion , she couldn't help but feel all the more curious .

"oh . donald–"

he hadn't needed to exhaust himself just to garner her attentions .

nonetheless , he should consider her attentions earned.

byleth made haste to STEADY HIM by kneeling and placing a hand upon his shoulder as he caught his breath. then he presented his gift.

like the sunlight on an early morning , a warmth bloomed slowly in her chest. it was altogether familiar. the same as the warmth she had once experienced when her house leader presented the brooch laced carefully around her neck. she pinched her lips thin. then , unclipped her pocket watch from her belt. when the two were joined together , and the silver charms haloed the emblazoned gold of the watch , byleth regarded it fondly , and held the precious jewels close to her chest.

"i am grateful," she said. "and i will keep this gift alongside me , as a reminder that i always have an ALLY in you." she paused. "or . . . perhaps a true friend would be more apt."

[fellstcr]

tea time with byleth / @mischiefmodig /accepting ! ↳ [ WHY NOT? ]: The sender prepares some tea for both themself and the receiver, not out of any great need or want, but because their default setting is making tea and frankly they can't see any harm in it either way.

⚔️ // the coarse scratching of pen on paper filled the air as byleth filed through a stack of paperwork that much desired her attentions. for loki , that meant he was allowed to be left MOMENTARILY UNSUPERVISED. at least , as much as he could be. the mandatory security cuff around his wrist would hardly allow him the clearance to get very far should he attempt to escape while byleth was on the clock.

still , she had allowed him to take the time for himself while she attended to her duties. so , when the scent of freshly brewed elder-flower tea wafted through the air , byleth found herself surprised to find he had in his hands two styrofoam cups. one in his hand , and the other being deposited onto her desk.

". . ."

perhaps it was truly silly to think , that she was not yet used to loki odinson being kind . . .

"thank you."

[fellstcr]

dances and balls prompts / @requiend / accepting ! ↳  "You stepped on my foot again." ( while looking all :I )

⚔️ // byleth sighed through her nose and de-tangled herself from the ATTEMPT at a dance. it was the closest to exasperated as she had ever been around him , and was almost gone again the next moment. at least , save for byleth's fussing with her skirts , her fingers smoothing down the pale fabric.

"my apologies," she said. "i appreciate the attempts at assistance , but it seems i truly have fallen out of practice..."

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unprompted ! / anonymous / always accepting ! ↳  I unironically adore how sassy Byleth is. She is literally just the queen of being so honest with how she speaks that she ends up roasting whoever she is talking about/to and it gets me good every time

||. Byleth is pretty unironically funny i agree <3

[fellstcr]

sleepy headcanons / @seirosu / accepting ! ↳  ✨ Does your muse often dream? Are there any themes to their dreams or are they random?

||. I would imagine that Byleth's state of dreaming fluctuates with time. There are periods where she doesn't dream at all in her sleep, and other periods of time where she dreams almost constantly. Sometimes she remembers the details of her dreams in fine detail, and other times she's left only with the impressions the dreams leave behind when she wakes.

There are two types of dreams that Byleth experiences most commonly. I will name them "shadow dreams" and "sothis dreams".

"Sothis Dreams" are self-explanatory. They are any kind of dream that Byleth has wherein she experiences flashes of the past, present and future. Whether or not these flashes are remnants of Sothis' memories, emotions and overall experiences, or more prophetic and rooted in her power over time, Sothis Dreams are something of a spiritual experience for Byleth. Sometimes she may be searching for guidance, or even specific answers about the past. Other times, she may be acting on a desire to watch over the people she cares about. The former results in retreading Sothis' steps by way of flashbacks (e.g., the prologue dream), and the latter may result in something of an out-of-body experience for Byleth. (e.g., the "[fodlan] weeps" scene.)

As the two consciousnesses share a soul, it's very much a case of Byleth reaching out for the Sothis-fragment of herself buried deep down. She usually remembers anything related to the past and future, but the present may become ... hazy to her mind's eye, especially after a short period of time has passed. While she doesn't usually remember every detail about these dreams, she tries to keep an account of the details that stand out. ( In the prologue, it's clear she remembered fine details about Seiros' duel against Nemesis. Enough so that she told Jeralt about it more than once. She doesn't have anyone to share those dreams with in her present day, so I'd imagine they're logged in a journal she keeps privately, if only so that she may mull the visions over to extrapolate their intended guidance later. )

"Shadow Dreams" are Byleth's alone, and typically more related to themes of war, death, fear, loss, stress, etc. Put short: they're PTSD dreams. They very rarely make any sense, and Byleth doesn't usually remember them at all so much as deeply and viscerally feels their phantasm. They're the sort of "jolt upright in the middle of the night" or "breathe in sharply and your eyes shoot open, but you don't move" kind of dreams. The sort that makes you shiver as your skin crawls and the darkness of your room at night feels a little too creepy to want to keep the lights off a moment longer. The sort that takes you a while to feel at ease enough to go back to sleep, even when you're keenly aware that there's nothing to be afraid of, and what was in your head is a dream already passed.

She usually goes on long walks, takes burning hot showers, or dives headfirst into whatever project or paperwork she's got going on after those.

[fellstcr]

byleth's most treasured gifts (1/5!) / @cagcdlxve / accepting ! ↳  for every 🎁 i get, i'll tell you one of the best gifts my muse has ever received (from birthdays, holidays, special occasions, etc.) and how it impacted them

||. Byleth did not grow up possessing a lot of material goods. As a traveling mercenary, she was raised to be frugal with what her money and decisive about what she owned. Primarily, what Byleth was most accustomed to having were food, shelter, (and traveling necessities), horseback equipment, armor, and, as you can imagine, a few sets of clothes that she tried to maintain for everyday wear. As one can imagine, her choice of dress was ultimately relatively practical... though one glance at her normal attire would also surmise that Byleth has a unique sense of style. (and while she certainly has some elements of fashion sense... what she doesn't have is an awareness of what non-Crest of Flame bearers might consider necessities when it comes to armored protection.)

Suffice it to say : after her awakening, there was quite the hullabaloo around the Church of Seiros. While Byleth never fully understood the true scope of the Nabatean's enthusiasm (and never told any of them the truth about herself and Sothis), that did not stop her from engaging with Lady Rhea, Seteth, and Flayn in their preparation for the ritual at the Holy Tomb.

Byleth's Enlightened One attire is an outfit custom designed for Byleth, in light of her divine revelation and awakened powers. And it is unequivocally Nabatean in origin. Primarily, it features the gold and white aesthetics of Nabatean clothing, and boasts star motifs, heart motifs, flower motifs, and continues the bird-inspired elements implicit in Byleth's overall character design. The elements of her normal attire that remain (the emblem and tassels, dagger, crop top, shorts, lace stockings and armor) are all the elements of her design that are undoubtedly Nabatean inspired and/or designed, echoing many of Sothis' motifs in particular. (re: crop top / tummy window.)

More importantly: it is heavily implied through the design that the elements shown above are part of a larger set. A cape, bodice and coat to go with a gown of some sort, and jewelry to match. The Nabateans celebrated her, including giving her a name, and in this act, enveloped her into the fold as one of them.

Byleth may not fully understand the cultural implications, but she certainly (canonically) dons this outfit, and her title as Enlightened One with absolute care and pride. And it is an honor that she endeavors to uphold and aspire to live up to with every ounce of her being. Before this gift, Byleth had never had particularly formal attire. Much less elaborate, well-crafted clothes that suit her top-to-bottom. So, to Byleth, these gifts are incredibly precious to her. She cares for each item meticulously, even if she doesn't always wear all of the pieces together in their intended set.

(As for why her outfit looks the way it does, hurriedly shuffled around to allow for faster, efficient movement while keeping its core elements: I'm of the mind that Byleth was originally in the full, formal attire either during or just before her descent into the Holy Tomb. Casting aside the dress, freeing her sword-arm of the long sleeve, and tucking the golden ornaments of the cape to her side with the belt are all things I would imagine Byleth would have originally done in a pinch when it comes to resorting to a fight, even though she can fight in a dress. From there, the armor elements were added into the look for extra protection.)

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UNPROMPTED / @requiend / ALWAYS ACCEPTING ! ↳  "Byleth—do you know the name of this flower?" Myst asks, presenting a lavender-colored bloom between them. It's one of the same flowers from the last festival that has earned the demon king's ( minute ) fondness—something he meant to brag to Byleth about. Yet, its name evades him, primarily bringing Myst to her door. "It's from the fields of Fanalea."

⚔️ // byleth pondered over the blossom , observing its petals and leaves with a keen eye. eventually , having considered it , byleth spoke , settling on a decision.

"it's a zephyr lily ," she said. "i'm not sure if you've been to the fields at night , but they glow when it gets dark. there's nothing like them in fódlan." as she spoke , she wound her way around myst and his prized bloom. scissors cut away the very end of the stem. a small vase and amply supplemented water were supplied.

once finished doting on the lily , it was a little difficult to help herself from casting the ghost of a playful smile towards its beholder.

"if i didn't know any better ... i might say you seem to actually like this little one. if that was the case , i'd be glad."

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TAKE A BREAK / @heroicvaliant / no longer accepting !           ↳  "Yeahh, uh— coffee break? I think you need one."

⚔️ // there was a rustling of papers as the professor stood straighter. eyes snapped from the map of arcanus isle ( and her many , many , many AIPD cross-referenced notes on incidents around the area ) to the ( stick ) figure shadowing the area nearby.

the visitor.

and what a time it was to choose to gain an eagle eye of the adventurer's guild. she was perhaps one of the better informed of the members , and as byleth's attention drifted to the scattered souls sent haywire around the headquarters , rushing and bustling with an energy somewhere between far too relaxed and frantic , byleth could only fathom one thing in regards to the visitor's current predicament.

perhaps neither was she setting a very good example.

"... i appreciate the offer." she paused , looked longingly back at the map , and returned her attentions to ... ( she glanced at his name tag. then swat away the thought of how it managed to stay pinned to his person. ) charles calvin. "i suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a step away. i can show you around if you'd like , ... charles."

[fellstcr]

SONGS FOR BYLETH / @bardicwine / no longer accepting !           ↳   🎧 + 6 : a song that represents my muse's world view

||. I was honestly a little bit surprised by just how many people asked no.6, but then I remembered that Byleth's world view is fairly complex, given how she changes between routes. For context, my particular Byleth is from the blue lions route, specifically the middle of its "war phase". So, I think we'll start there.

For those who don't know, by the time the war breaks out for Byleth, she's lost a lot of the stability she was just beginning to really understand for herself. Friends she'd made in her students scattered, then reconvened, but for them five years had passed, and for her it had been but an instant. The crux of the Blue Lions house, Dimitri, has gone absolutely mad, and by the canon point I've taken Byleth from, he's been mad for about four in-game months straight. This is not counting the time he'd been mad during the five years he had survived on his own.

Needless to say that Byleth and the rest of the blue lions house felt a little downtrodden. Their troops were low on resources and scrambling to put up a defensive front against the Empire, their own morale was wavering due to Dimitri's impulsive actions and insatiable desire for revenge... And for Byleth, that meant everyone was looking to her to make a miracle. Win the war, keep them all alive, and most importantly: break through Dimitri's madness long enough to get their friend back.

This was... in short, an overwhelming time for her. She never really gets time to regain her bearings in that way, save for her former students and Byleth all feeling the same way. There was a solace in that, and more than anything else, Byleth believes in Dimitri. He helped her grow into herself and, in her mind, showed her, and taught her how to feel, to live, and to be something like 'human'.

I think the best song to describe the dour tone but persistent hope in Byleth is the song MAKE ME BELIEVE by The EverLove

(Lyrics and spotify under cut)

Dance with me into the darkness where the light cannot follow where the spirits are broken And their hearts are all hollow I believe that there is courage but it's burning like ash in the wind and I'm broken to pieces begging to be whole again When the world falls apart and the sky starts to fall When I'm lost in the dark and I'm risking it all When I look to the skies and I fall to my knees will you give me a sign? Will you make me, make me believe?

There's more, obviously, but if the youtube link doesn't work and you prefer spotify: