#⸻ iona rossi.

[hcark]

What's so funny? He wants to spit in vexation, but the following question trumps the comeback. "Like 'em or not, I've got my regulars." What a roundabout way to say he's horribly picky with who he chooses to give his energy to. And this lady? On thin ice for being rushed out.

A snort of his own works its way out as Marc turns his attention to other things. Always polishing to be done — not to mention the constant righting of the wrongs made by curious hands. "Anyone can use a knife. But to do it halfway decent takes practice. Never know who can turn your own blade against you— most commonly through the neck and chest.”

There is something comical about the way the storeowner draws on. Iona cannot be certain if it truly is comical or offensive speaking to a priest in such a tone. But to say the least, she has not heard anyone breathe the word, bitch, in her vicinity for too long a time. Whatever venom he drools, she cannot help but huff out a small breath of laughter behind a clasped hand. The snort forgotten by her in mere moments after lifting her gaze from the displays to look at him almost incredulously.

"You don't like customers? The news not good for business?" she asks out of obligation, eyebrows raising gently as she nods along with him. Maybe she has no experience with self-defense other than throwing a few punches in her youth, but she doubted a switchblade was hard to understand. "Well, it's just a knife. How difficult can it be to use?"

[cagliostrohq]

Your adventure begins here, C. it’s dangerous to go alone! before starting your journey, make sure to FOLLOW OUR STARTER BLOG, and go over THIS CHECKLIST! you have 48 HOURS to post in-character and send in your blog to the main.  

(nathalie emmanuel, she/they, cursed blood) To IONA ROSSI, the whole world looks like an open page. With a leap of faith, their ability of CATOPTROMANCY (MOST OFTEN PRODUCING NEGATIVE PREDICTIONS) grows a little stronger. They are an ASP shade aligned to NO ONE. For THIRTY-FOUR years, they have survived a world of magic with both their BEAUTY and APPREHENSION. They work as a PRIESTESS, but if they could change their fate, they’d want to RESTORE THE DRAGON PRIESTHOOD AND OVERCOME THEIR CURSE. (c, 22, she/they, cst) (The Tested Follower)

[engarde-unlp]

Juegos Panamericanos Santiago 2023: Se dieron a conocer las listas completas de atletas

El Comité Olímpico Argentino anunció quienes serán los participantes que serán parte de la delegación argentina en los juegos de Chile.

Los 522 atletas argentinos participarán en los XIX Juegos Panamericanos de Santiago 2023 bajo el lema de “Nuestro punto de encuentro”. Cada uno de ellos competirán en 57 disciplinas de 37 deportes que se desarrollarán a lo largo de dos semanas.

A través de los Juegos Panamericanos, 21 modalidades le otorgarán la plaza directa hacia los Juegos Olímpicos de París como también serán de gran ayuda para obtener marcas mínimas o puntos para el ranking olímpico.

En esta 19° edición, Santiago recibirá a más de 8000 atletas provenientes de 41 países americanos y a su vez, tendrá el debut absoluto del breaking -que también tendrá su aparición en Paris 2024-, y el skateboarding que estuvo en el centro de atención durante Tokio 2020.

Los Juegos Panamericanos se llevarán a cabo desde el 20 de octubre al 5 de noviembre y será transmitido por Panam Sports Channel.

Atletismo

Franco Florio (100, 4x100 y 4x400 metros)

Elián Larregina (400, 4x100 y 4x400 metros)

Diego Lacamoire (4x400 y 1500 metros)

Julián Molina (3000 con obstáculos)

Pedro Emmer (4x400)

Bruno de Genaro (400 con vallas y 4x400)

Leandro París (4x400)

Tomás Mondino (4x100)

Juan Ignacio Ciampitti (4x100)

Bautista Diamante (4x100)

José Zabala (1500 metros)

Pedro Gómez (maratón)

Juan Manuel Cano (marcha 20 kilómetros)

Ignacio Carballo (Lanzamiento de bala)

Germán Chiaraviglio (salto con garrocha)

Nazareno Sasia (lanzamiento de bala)

Joaquín Gómez (lanzamiento de martillo)

Carlos Layoy (salto en alto)

Belén Casetta (3000 con obstáculos)

Florencia Borelli (maratón)

Mariana Borelli (1500 metros)

Ailén Armada (lanzamiento de disco)

María Florencia Lamboglia (4x100)

María Victoria Woodward (4x100)

Melanie Rosalez (4x100)

Belén Fritzsche (4x100)

Badmintón

Ailén Romina Oliva

Iona Angelina Gualdi

Nicolás Ezequiel Oliva

Santiago Otero

Básquet

Masculino

Franco Baralle (Minas Tenis Clube, Brasil)

Pedro Barral (Obras Basket)

Juan Bocca (Obradoiro, España)

Martín Cuello (Flamengo, Brasil)

Tayavek Gallizzi (Quimsa de Santiago del Estero)

Lucas Giovannetti (Estudiantes de Madrid, España)

Bautista Lugarini (Instituto de Córdoba)

Agustín Pérez Tapia (San Martín de Corrientes)

Fabián Ramírez Barrios (Quimsa de Santiago del Estero)

Javier Saiz (Instituto de Córdoba)

Kevin Hernández (San Lorenzo)

Santiago Scala (Sesi Franca, Brasil).

Femenino

Malvina D’Agostino (Ameghino de Villa María)

Valeria Fernández (Obras Sanitarias)

Agustina García (Defensor Sporting, Uruguay)

Victoria Gauna (Bishop University, Canadá)

Candela Gentinetta (Obras Sanitarias)

Agustina Jourdehuil (Malvin, Uruguay)

Natassja Kolff (Ameghino de Villa María)

Agustina Marín (Francisco Franco, Portugal)

Carla Miculka (Malvin, Uruguay)

Delfina Saravia (Unión Florida)

Camila Suárez (Obras Sanitarias)

Magalí Vilches (Lleida, España).

Básquet 3x3

Femenino

Natacha Pérez

Ornella Santana

Aylén Valdez

Delfina Gentinetta

Masculino

Juan Fernández Chávez

Ariel Ramos

Felipe Bonfigli

 Gerónimo Ramallo.

Boxeo

Florencia López (50 kilos)

Sofía Robles (54 kilos)

Milagros Herrera (57 kilos)

Victoria Saputo (60 kilos)

Lucía Pérez (66 kilos)

Lorena Balbuena (75 kilos)

Ramón Quiroga (51kilos)

Luciano Amaya (63,5 kilos)

Joel Mafauad (71 kilos)

Abraham Buonarrigo (80 kilos)

Breaking

Mariano Caravajal (B-Boy Broly)

Abril Nadal (B-Girl Abril)

Canotaje velocidad

Brenda Rojas (K1 500M, K2 500M)

Candelaria Sequeira (K4 500M)

Martina Isequilla (K4 500M)

Lucía Dalto Aziz (K4 500M)

María Magdalena Garro (K2 500M)

Martina Vela (C1 200M, C2 500)

Sabrina Inés Ameghino (K4 500M)

Tais Nicole Trimarchi (C2 500M)

Agustín Vernice (K1 1000M, K4 500M)

Benjamín Eliseo Cardozo (C2 500M)

Gonzalo Carreras (K4 500M)

Gnozalo Lo Moro Benassi (K2 500M, K4 500M)

Joaquín Lukac (C2 500M)

Manuel Lascano Micaz (K2 500M, K4 500M)

Valentín Rossi (K1 1000M)

Canotaje Slalom

Iris Nerea Castiglione (C1)

María Luz Cassini (K1; Kayak Cross K1)

Nadia Virginia Riquelme (Kayak Cross K1)

Lucas Ignacio Rossi (K1)

Matías Ezequiel Contreras (Kayak Cross K1)

Sebastián Rossi (C1)

Ciclismo

Ciclismo BMX

Agustina Cavalli

Gonzalo Molina

Nicolás Torres

Ciclismo MTB

Agustina Apaza

Catriel Soto

Inés Gutiérrez Ortega

Joel Fontreras

Ciclismo pista y ruta

Valentina Luna

Irma Cristina Greve

Maribel Roxana Aguirre Mangue

Natalia Vera

Milagros Yohanna Sanabria

Rubén Ramos

Agustín Ferrari

Marcos Méndez

Leandro Botasso

Laureano Rosas

Lucas Vilar

Tomás Moyano

Juan Bautista Rodríguez

Eduardo Sepúlveda

Tomás Contte

Ciclismo Freestyle

José Torres Gil

Analía Gabriela acarías

EGames

Alan Cruz

Fabricio Suárez

Mariano Caneda

Lautaro Raris

Mauricio Avendaño

Nicolás Flores

Nicolás Moreno

María Belén Giunta

Débora Milagros Ponce

Lucía Mariel Polanco

Luz Tatiana Ayala

Milena Evangelista

Romina Ayelén Pacheco

Victoria Gerosa Destribats

Equitación

Adiestramiento

Micaela Mabragaña – Bradley Cooper (Big Tour)

Fiorella Mengani – Assirio D ́Atela  (Big Tour)

Gabriel Armando – San Rio  (Big Tour)

Florencia Manfredi - Hand ̈s Up Chaparrita Z (Small Tour)

Ingrid Berger - Floppy Disk (reserva)

Concurso completo

Juan Benítez Gallardo con Chaman Ginn

Luciano Brunello con Cash des Cedres

Juan Candisano con Remonta Urnelia

Javier Rawson con Baral Villerster

Salto

Damián Eduardo Ancic

Leandro Nicolás Moschini

Ignacio Maurín

José María Larocca

Escalada deportiva

Valentina Aguada

Alejo Suter

Lautaro Soria Sánchez

Rocío Ailén Becerra Speranza

Valentín Sternik Spiurka

Zoe García Molina

Esgrima

Dante Cerquetti

Candela Espinosa

Clara Isabel María de las Mercedes Di Tella

Melisa Lara Englert Urrutia

Datev Nahapetyn

Jesús Andrés Lugones Ruggeri

Alessandro Taccani

Agustín Gusmán Menteguiaga

Flavia Mormandi

María Lucía Ondarts

Augusto Antonio Servello

Nicolás Marino

María Perroni

María Macarena Morán

Pascual Di Tella

Stefano Iván Lucchetti

Arturo Eduardo Salgado Rondón

Esquí Náutico

Antonio Collazo

Eugenia De Armas

Kai Ditsch

Patricio Zohar Álvarez

Tobías Giorgis

Violeta Mociulsky

Fútbol femenino

Estefanía Palomar

Aldana Cometti

Agostina Holzheier

Camila Gómez Ares

Adriana María Sachs

Daiana Micaela Falfan

Brisa Eugenia Priori

Eliana Noemí Sabile

Erica Noelia Lonigro

Maricel Pereyra

Julieta Micael Cruz

Laurina Oliveros

Milagros Iara Martín

Miriam Anahí Mayorga

Paulina Gramaglia

Romina Stefanía Núñez

Sophia Wais Braun

Vanina Noemí Correa

Gimnasia Artística

Nicole Iribarne

Leila Martínez

Lucila Estarli

Meline Mesropian

Milagros Curti

Santiago Mayol

Daniel Villafañe

Julián Jato

Luca Alfieri

Santiago Agotinelli

Gimnasia rítmica

Celeste D'Arcángelo

Martina Gil

Gimnasia trampolín

Valentina Podestá

Lucila Maldonado

Santiago Ferrari

Tomás Roberti

Golf

Magdalena Simmermacher

Valentína Rossi

Jorge Fernández Valdes

Alejandro Tosti

Handball

Gladiadores

Diego Simonet

Federico Pizarro

Federico Fernández

Gastón Mouriño

Ignacio Pizarro

Juan Manuel Bar

Leonel Maciel

Lucas Darío Moscariello

Nicolás Bono

Nicolás Bonanno

Pablo Vainstein

Pablo Simonet

Pedro Martínez

Santiago Baronetto

La Garra  

Carolina Bono

Elke Josselinne Karsten

Fátima Rosalez

Giuliana Gavilán

Graciela García

Lucía Dalle Crode

Luciana Mendoza

Macarena Gandulfo

Malena Cavo

Manuela Pizzo

Marisol Carratu

Martina Romero

Micaela Joana Casasola

Rocío Campigli

Levantamiento de pesas

Ludmila Yasmín Gerzel

María Luz Casadevall

Tatiana Ullua

Dante Alessandro Pizzuti

Nicolás David Rivero

Hockey sobre césped

Los Leones

Tomás Santiago

Juan Catán

Nicolás Cicileo

Nicolás Della Torre

Federico Monja

Tadeo Marcucci

Agustín Bugallo

Thomas Habif

Matías Rey

Santiago Tarazona

Lucas Toscani

Maico Casella

Tomás Domene

Agustín Mazzilli

Nicolás Keenan

Lucas Martínez

Nehuén Hernando (reserva)

Bautista Capurro (reserva)

Las Leonas

Clara Barberi

Agustina Gorzelany

Cristina Cosentino

Juana Castellaro

Valentina Costa Biondi

Valentina Raposo

Victoria Sauze

Agostina Alonso

Sofía Toccalino

Sofía Cairo

Rocío Sánchez Moccia

María José Granatto

Julieta Jankunas

Eugenia Trinchinetti

Pilar Campoy

Agustina Albertario

Valentina Marcucci (Reserva)

Delfina Thome (Reserva)

Judo

Masculino

Mateo Etchechurri  (73 Kg)

Agustín Gil (81 Kg)

Tomas Morales (81 Kg)

Mariano Coto (90 kg)

Ivo Dargoltz (100 kg)

Keisy Perafan (48 kg)

Agustina Lahito (52 kg)

Brisa Gómez (57 kg)

Agustina Delucia (63 kg)

Victoria Delvecchio (70 kg)

Karate

Giuliana Kovak

Laura Díaz Cano

Gonzalo Navarro

Marcos Molina

Luca Impagnatiello

Yamila Benítez

Lucha

Mauricio Lovera (67kg.) en Grecorromana

Nahuel Gómez (97kg.) en Grecorromana

Agustín Destribats (65 kg.) en lucha libre

David Almendra (57kg.) en lucha libre

Ricardo Báez (97kg.) en lucha libre

Catriel Muriel (125 kg.) en libre masculino

Patricia Bermúdez (50 kg.) en lucha libre

Linda Machuca (76kg.) en lucha libre

Samuel Mesropian (60 kg.) en Grecorromana

Natación

Ivo Cassini (aguas abiertas)

Joaquín Moreno (aguas abiertas)

Cecilia Biagioli (aguas abiertas)

Candela Giordanino (aguas abiertas)

Agostina Hein

Andrea Berrino

Delfina Dini

Florencia Perotti

Julia Sebastián

Lucía Gauna

Macarena Ceballos

Malena Santillán

Magdalena Portela

Martina Barbeiro

Selene Alborzen

Valentina Marcantonio

Guillermina Ruggiero

Agustín Hernández

Federico Ludueña

Gabriel Morelli

Gian Franco Turco

Lucas Alba

Matías Santiso

Tomás Di Paolo

Ulises Saravia

Valentín Constantino

Guido Buscaglia

Ivo Cassini

Joaquín González Piñero

Juan Bautista Carrocia

Natación Artística

Tiziana Bonucci y Luisina Caussi

Patín artístico

Martina Della Chiesa

Donato Mastroianni

Patín Velocidad

Aylén Tuya

Rocío Berbel

Nahuel Schelling

Ken Kuwada

Pentatlón

Camila Fuenzalida

María Belén Serrano

Martina Armanasqui Tur

Franco Serrano

Sergio Villamayor

Vicente Severo Lima Maciel

Pelota vasca

Micaela Cortez (Frontball)

Sabrina Andrade Blasson (Goma)

Cinthia Pinto (Goma Trinquete)

Marías Lis Calderón (Goma Trinquete)

Facundo Andreasen (Goma Trinquete)

Alfredo Villegas (Goma Trinquete)

Nicolás Comas (Frontball)

Lorenzo Cardozo (Frontenis)

Emiliano García (Frontenis)

Federico Fernández (Goma)

Ráquetbol

María José Vargas

Natalia Méndez

Diego García

Fernando Kurzbard

Remo

Flavia Chanampa

Clara Galfre

Evelyn Maricel Silvestro

Ingrid Paula Marcipar

Olivia Peralta Martínez

Oriana Belén Ruiz

Catalina Deandrea

Agustín Matías Scenna

Alejandro Matías Colomino

Axel Haack

Emiliano Calderón

Ignacio Daniel Pacheco

Joaquín Riveros

Joel Alejandro Romero

Joel Antonio Infante

Martín Segundo Mansilla Cocuzzo

Pedro José Kirk Dickson

Santiago Deandrea

Sonia Baluzzo Charuzzo

Rugby 7

Masculino

Alvarez Fourcade, Santiago

Fraga, Agustín

González, Luciano

Graziano, Matteo

Lavayén, Alejo

Mare, Santiago

Moneta, Marcos

Osadczuk, Matías

Pellandini, Joaquín

Revol, Gastón

Schulz, German

Vera Feld, Santiago 

Skateboarding

Aldana Bertran (street)

Matías Dell Olio (Street)

Ailin Arzua (Park)

Omar Cocilova (Park)

Surf

Lucía Cosoleto

Lucía Indurain

Juliana González

Ornella Pellizzari

Santino Basaldella

Franco Faccín

Leandro Usuna

Martín Pérez

Franco Radziunas

Squash

Leandro Romiglio

Jeremías Azaña

Roberto Pezzota

Taekwondo

Lucas Guzmán (-58)

Agustín Alves (-87)

José Luis Acuña (-68)

Dylan Olmedo (-80)

Giulia Sendra (-49)

Carla Godoy (-53)

Victoria Rivas (-67)

Tenis

Luciana Moyano

Julia Riera

María Lourdes Carlé

Martina Capurro-Taborda

Facundo Díaz Acosta

Facundo Bagnis

Genaro Oliveri

Tenis de mesa

Camila Argüelles

Candela Molero

Ana Codina

Gastón Alto

Horacio Cifuentes

Santiago Lorenzo

Tiro deportivo

Fernanda Russo (rifle 10 metros)

Lola Sánchez (rifle 10 metros)

Alexis Eberhadt (rifle 10 metros y 50 metros tres posiciones)

Julián Gutiérrez (rifle 10 metros)

Juan Fragueiro (pistola 10 metros)

Laura Ramos (pistola 10 metros)

Sofía Lamarque (50 metros tres posiciones)

Amelia Fournel (50 metros tres posiciones)

Marcelo Zoccali (50 metros tres posiciones)

Federico Gil (skeet)

Cesario González (skeet)

Joaquín Cisneros (trap)

Fernando Vidal Sanz (trap)

Iván Cruz (pistola 10 min aire, pistola tiro rápido)

Tiro con arco

Ivan Nikolajuk (arco compuesto)

Damian Jajarabilla (arco recurvo olímpico)

Florencia Leithold Juárez (arco recurvo olímpico)

Triatlón

Iván Anzaldo

Flavio Morandini

Moira Candela Miranda Vasquez

Romina Natlí Biagioli

Vela

Julia Pantin

Chiara Ferretti

Eugenia Bosco

Francisco Guaragna Rigonat

Francisco Cruz Saubidet Birkner

Javier Conte

Julio Alsogaray

Luca Contessi

Luciana Andrea Cardozo

Malena Sciarra

Marcos Quiroga

María Catalina Turienzo

María Sol Branz

María Trinidad Silva

Martina María Silva

Massimo Contessi

Mateo Majdalani

Raúl Federico Aguilar

Sofía Alejandra D'Agostino

Voleibol

Femenino

Tatiana Vera

Daiana López

Avril García

Bianca Farriol

Candela Sol Salinas

María De La Paz Corbalan

Daniela Soledad Bulaich Simian

María Luz Cosulich Martínez

Zoe Sharon Studer

Dalma Nicole Pérez

María Agostina Pelozo

Tatiana Soledad Rizzo

Masculino

Demián González

Bruno Lima

Agustín Nicolás Gallardo

Facundo Conte

Gustavo Maciel

Nicolás Lazo

Marcos Richards Meana

Tobías Scarpa

Ezequiel Vázquez

Sergio Soria

Mauro Zelayeta

Manuel Balague

Voley de playa

Ana María Gallay

Fernanda Gabriela Pereyra

Nicolás Capogrosso

Tomás José Capogrosso

Waterpolo

Femenino

Nahir Stegmayer

Lucía Ruiz Castellani

Cecilia Leonard

Ashley Hatcher

Ludmila Ianni

Magalí Bacigalupo

Julieta Auliel

Carla Comba

Isabel Riley

Ana Agnesina

Anahí Bacigalupo

María Sol Canda

Aldana Videberrigain. 

Masculino

Diego Malnero

Ramiro Veich

Tomás Galimberti

Tomás Tilatti

Guido Martino

Tomás Echenique

Teo Soler

Eduardo Bonomo

Carlos Camnasio

Esteban Corsi

Guido Poggi

Nahuel Leona

Octavio Salas

Publicado por Florencia Arce

[ionlyreadfivebookslastweek]

Above Average

A/N: Ahh it’s been forever since I’ve posted and I am so sorry for that! I just finished my first year of college last week and moved back home and then immediately came down with a terrible cold. But now that I’m settled in and not dying so much I hope to have more time to write the requests I have gotten.

Here is a oneshot that was requested by an anonymous reader, so I hope you like it!

~~~~~~~~~~

“Parti-colored horse.”

“Roan.” “Island near Mull.”

“Iona.”

“Things picked by picky people.”

Blake hesitated. “Nits?”

“Yes!” Reid cheered.

You watched as Blake completed a crossword puzzle while Reid timed her. You sighed and went back to filling out paperwork. You had joined the BAU just a few weeks ago. You really loved working there, but at times it felt like you were the dullest pencil of the bunch, so to speak.

What’s worse, you had developed a crush on the BAU’s resident genius over the short amount of time you had been there. You talked occasionally when it came to working together but you worried you’d never have anything to talk about if you two were to hang out outside of work.

“Avengers assemble!” Penelope called out, entering the bullpen and heading for the roundtable room.

The others started to move to follow her but you stayed put for a minute, lost in your thoughts.

“Hey, (Y/N), are you coming?” Reid asked.

“Huh, what? Oh, yeah,” you said, snapping out of it.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Well, come on then. Everyone’s waiting.”

You got up and followed him to the other room.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Hey,” Spencer greeted you.

You looked up and smiled, pulling out one of your earbuds. “Hi.”

“Mind if I sit by you?”

“No, not at all.”

He smiled and took a seat next to you, pulling out a book to read during the flight.

You stared as he flipped the pages at a brisk pace. How was it even possible to read that fast? Man, he was so smart...and attractive. You watched as his tongue stuck out slightly as he focused on reading.

He glanced up from his book and noticed you watching him.

“(Y/N)?” he asked, snapping you out of your daze.

“Huh, what?”

“You were kinda staring. Are you alright?”

You looked down as your cheeks flared red. “Yeah, yeah I’m good. Sorry, I just got lost in thought for a moment.”

“You’ve been doing that a lot today.”

“I’m fine. I swear,” you assured him before putting your earbud back in and going back to your music.

~~~~~~~~~~

Four days later, the team had finally closed the case and was heading home. It had been a challenging one. The UNSUB was using different methods to kill each victim and for the longest time, the team was stumped. It wasn’t until you discovered that the UNSUB was using Carrie Underwood songs as inspiration that the team was able to find and stop her.

“Good job today, (Y/N),” Spencer said as he took a seat next to you on the jet.

You looked up and smiled. “I did alright.”

“You did more than alright! You cracked the case wide open! It was ingenious how you discovered the UNSUB’s inspiration.”

You laughed. “Ingenious? Hardly. I just know my music. I’m not that smart.”

“What are you talking about? Of course, you are!”

You laughed again. “Yeah, right. I’m not as smart as everyone else, especially you.”

“(Y/N), no one’s as smart as me. I’m a certified genius. But you are smart. Everyone is smart in their own way and yours happens to be music. Which came in handy today and so I’m glad.”

“So you don’t think of me as, I don’t know, average?”

“You? Average? You wouldn’t have made it into the BAU if you were just average. And you’re certainly above average in my book.”

Your cheeks turned slightly pink and you looked down at your lap. “Thanks, Spencer. That means a lot, especially coming from you.” You looked back up at him and he��reached forward to brush a hair out of your eyes.

He realized what he did and retracted his hand, clearing his throat. “Do you, uh, wanna go out to dinner with me sometime?”

You grinned. “I’d like that.”

[hcark]

ionarossi​:

“My, my! That is hardly the way to treat a paying customer,” the priestess chastises, clicking her tongue. However, her brows neither furrow nor lift as she regards the shopkeeper. 

Despite her years living in Sephia, her trips into the city itself are rare. Sure, it is similar enough to Rigbarth, but the two metropolises have felt suffocating of late. Too many warm bodies. Not to mention enabling of past bad habits. The recent news is the furthest from her mind, at least right this moment. Thus, she stumbled in for a moment of relief more than anything. And instead, she finds herself interested in the weapons he offers if only to rid herself of the guilt of needing a bodyguard – and the nervous wreck she feels like without them. He should feel lucky his distasteful greeting has not scared her off.

“So, out of daggers. Unfortunately, I’m not… hm… well-versed in this kind of stuff. Any recommendations? Nothing too large? Easily concealable?” The admittance of her inexperience does not come easily, but she is well aware that doing just so can usually soften any situation. 

“And what of it? Been flocked left and right since I stepped foot here, and my patience’s like the daggers— all out.” Clever words to show the worse side of their irritation, but there’s hardly any bite to it. Whether or not this customer’s willing to buy will have to test the waters of ill manners. 

And it looks like a transaction is still treading.

“Right..” There’s a sigh just begging to be released, but Marc settles for a firm plant of hand on each hip instead. “Switchblades it is then, I guess. Only thing I got that checks off most of that list. Might do you good to actually have someone teach you how to handle it. Long as it’s sharp— which it is, it’ll cut a bitch easy.”

[cagliostrohq]

@ionarossi​  — iona rossi

[grxmincvdescxnce]

while iona may not take immediate note of the long-standing placement of her hands, it is an observation hardly lost on the knight herself. the unfamiliarity with such … intimacy between them apparently occurs to leonore only then. and while a significant part of her places concerns towards propriety and manner, the allowance to marvel at the priestess from a closer angle and ensure her stability permits enough pause that she seems to conclude it acceptable in the end. at least, for the moment.

"and what might 'this' be, then? if you're so certain a trained hand cannot assist." the query is not riddled in accusation as some may assume, merely a wish to understand the nature of what they were now dealing it. the apparent awareness of their circumstance intrigues the bodyguard, surely. and if it is a matter they were to suffer through regularly, it would help to know how to proceed in the future.

"… reunited?" the matter of trust and whether it fell towards their lady and iona themselves is briefly forgotten, this revelation in wording drawing complete focus perhaps for no other reason than the oddness it provoked in her mind. there was something to the weight of it, how it seemed to imply more than just her arrival recently.

the sudden recollection that this actually had not been the first indication of more to their overall situation has her expression shifting accordingly, a hint of suspicion in the glint of her eye. "iona," leonore begins patiently, "i get the impression you are not sharing all you need with me. is there something .. more you wish to divulge, by chance?"

Unrest lingers amid the upwind Iona finds themself riding. All that talk is good for something — other than the sweet sound of strange laughter from their companion. The gift of the gab easily diverts what attention the priestess had dedicated to the pain. Ventuswill willing, it subsides from breathless agony to a dull ache. Every few moments, it flares like echoing droplets from a faucet. However, the affectionate words spur a timid smile and a blistering fire that lights their heart and face with warm embarrassment. Iona does not take their hand from the place on Leonore’s forearm, not that they notice it remains. All the while, they mull over the frog that has climbed into their throat and whether those statements are sincere till they remember that they are the ticking time bomb.

While their companion might think herself the sullied, they can hardly imagine the blood she has spilt — and neither should they! Leonore is a vision soaked in gold and crowned by a blinding light. Nothing less. Never anything less. It is plain to see that Ventuswill chose her as Her sword. Back on that dreary day in Rigbarth, it was clear to see. And it would be a disgrace to overlook how they could ruin the knight with this gnawing hunger. The realization of their foolishness should be followed by distance, but Iona is not so strong as to do any such thing. Goddess’s messenger and yet inextricably selfish. None of what Leonore suggested could be true while they were an unbeknownst danger. Especially not when their frightened gaze was reflected with the tenderness in Leonore’s eyes. Nor with the frustration they harbor towards her poor memory.

“No physicians,“ they insist strongly, squeezing her arm, "I can’t see a physician. They cannot cure this.” They bite their lip until wetting the both of them with their tongue. Searching for some kind of guidance in the empty corners of the cabin. She would not understand. And yet, further guilt trickles in when they think of how daft they are to make a scene. How everything must be about themselves. All this self-reflection the only defense Iona had anymore when plagued by the weakness of the body.

"It’s not that easy. I can be of help now, as the Divine Wind expects of me. Do you trust Her? Do you trust me? We’ve hardly been reunited for very long, but…” they trail off, hand suddenly dropping from the muscles of the knight’s arm. Clasping doubtfully to the hope they might not have to share the reality of this curse from a mind already addled with its shame.

[grxmincvdescxnce]

stripped down for the sake of quick maneuverability in the night, leonore had only just returned from a routine watch. skewered fish swing at her back as the door creaks and then slams shut with the wind. jaskier and jakken, the stallions responsible for allowing their travel over such vast distances in the endless shadow and gloom of their days, rest comfortably enough just beside the cabin. their duties finished for the time being, the pair of horses are rewarded for all their efforts with somewhat overripe apples found nearby, a patch of grass serving as a secondary meal. it'd been awhile since any of them had eaten properly, after all. best to enjoy what they could of the rest they're permitted.

the knight's gaze falls to iona just as the other mentions her habit of looming, which .. okay, yes, the knight was certainly sort of already doing, but it was an easy tendency to fall into. especially these days, when threats seem to lurk around every corner. most especially when iona seemed pale enough to cause considerable worry, though leonore's expression wouldn't quite give way to such. ".. yes, well." the thought isn't finished, some version of 'better safe than otherwise' dying on her tongue as the guilt of the priestess' state envelops any passing thoughts. it's to the point that any admiration in which the fellow follower bears towards her is barely recognized as such, her typically heavier feet moving towards the fireplace in a fashion that seems automatic.

rather swiftly, at that.

"breakfast should be ready soon." leonore was by no means the best cook, decent enough where it counted, but it was a distraction she craved in place of realizing her failures of late. "how was your time here?" considering the position the priestess was found in, undoubtedly their usual prayers were in play. it was a practice leonore had no wish to intrude upon when she could help it. it felt invasive in a way the bodyguard was never comfortable with.

"you mentioned news?"

leonore // @grxmincvdescxnce​​

The wooden floor is cold and rough against their knees and forehead. It has not been long since Iona has started their morning prayers, but their stomach rumbles violently and the agony eats away at their bones. The feeling of their heart beating irrationally in their throat when the door creaks does not make these prayers any easier.

“You don’t have to loom over me, you know.” They sigh, pushing back to sit on their legs. All the while, careful not to scrape their knees. It is somehow taxing to do such a simple movement, face pale. “The only thing you have to protect me from here are loose floorboards and dastardly nails.” 

For a few moments, they stare up at their wonderous protectress with wide, adoring eyes. Maybe she will recognize them now, kneeling in prayer as a priestess rather than as a young teen with a busted lip. It is when that warmth flooding in their chest gives way to bloodlust that they duck their head to fix tangled hair. Such complicated, large feelings snowball into awkward silences and added agony. Pushed together by the Goddess and yet, each second was heartache and pain. It made no sense to Iona.

“Or are you here to talk about the news?” They add this haphazardly. The lethargy afflicted by their curse hardly allows worry about it to nest and fester in their brain.

[grxmincvdescxnce]

the manner in which leonore chose to conduct herself thus far during their journey implied a sense of concern that was highly uncommon for the woman. it was as if her doubts in her ability to properly mind another, particularly in a task so grave as the one placed upon her shoulders and after so many years of bloodied hands, muddled her understanding of human capability. it had her settling into the extremes of her protective services, likely to a detrimental degree — an equally foreign, and extraordinarily terrifying concept. and so the offer to assist, in any form it seems, halts the former knight in the midst of their perceived duties, dark hues glancing over the priestess in a curious sort of fashion. a question forms in her mind as she notes the lack of eye contact, the apprehension in their gestures — it wasn't the first time such actions graced the other, and the guard seems willing to push whatever query across her tongue in due time. ".. do i make you nervous, iona?" 

a beat or so passes, and leonore considers tossing the very idea aside, moving along as if such words never graced her lips. 

her gaze falls back towards the flames. "you may cook if you wish. i suppose i haven't been very fair to you in our delegation of duties, have i? … i apologize, if i've made you feel any particular way in that regard.” she was an earnest woman, most of the time, and her words seem to indicate as much with their lack of insincerity or jest. “... i'm still not very used to this." the last of her words in this moment are quieter, as if it was a secret she hadn’t meant to share.

“as for the sacrifices,” she continues, doubling back to a more troublesome detail that she had not been certain on how to proceed on right away. the rumors had been rampant even in their pocket of the world, the few passersby they encountered whispering their own worries and fears on the matter. “i don’t imagine there's much for us to fret about. not just now.” lack of preparedness would never be frowned upon, but any comprehension of the situation at hand seemed to indicate they all still had some portion of time before things escalated. and perhaps their efforts out here would bear weight in the results to come. “are you—”

when her charge seems to rise to their full height right then, somewhat unsteadily, it takes nothing for the former knight to cease whatever thought and move to their side, offering to ease their struggle. 

“are you alright?”

The priestess need not move an inch. Even when they felt well enough to not wheeze with the slightest of movements, they were being waited on. For all Leonore’s guilt, it did little to subsume Iona’s. She even sounded like a maid. They could no longer count on two hands the amount of chores that their traveling partner had already done for them. It felt eerily like being the youngest child again, eating off the silver spoon of their youth. A feeling that they grew to abhor now that was the past.

Their head whips back up at the lengthy strides the knight takes to cross towards the fireplace. Eyes trace the lack of armor along her frame and disappointment mars their features as they settle for watching her shoes. They are once again the only one saddled with the knowledge of their former meeting. A swell of anger in their throat suggests that the chores are Leonore’s punishment for that betrayal, but Iona battles against the unrest of a ravished mind by expressing gratitude. “It has been really nice. Thank you.” They mumble, leaving their morning prayers to the past. Perhaps it was blasphemous with what ease they did so. Hopefully, the Divine Wind would still guide them through all their poor choices.

“Yes, the sacrifice selections” they clarify, though quickly cutting themselves off. “But it’s hardly fair to leave you all the work! Please, let me bless the food at least? Or… you’ve been out awhile. I could cook.” It would not make the food taste any better, but it could put to ease the guilt of their ineptitude and curse. Whether umami or sweet, all food tasted of the sand they shoveled in their mouth at age five. The fish seemed more appetizing fresh as they fumbled their fingers between the folds of their robes to avoid more failed eye contact.

The floor groans again as Ventuswill’s faithful struggles to their feet soon after. Staying in the cabin still felt awkward, particularly with Leonore about. They did not know where to stray. How to create connection with an individual that did not know the half of their life and should not. It was the burden only they wanted to carry, merely for punishment.

One breath in. And another out. The rumbling of the cabin against gusts of wind that had slammed the door closed and drowned out the sound of horses outside. It was a reminder that their aim was merely to not be overtaken. Faith settled for easing their nerves, not curing them as their nails were chewed down slowly.

[grxmincvdescxnce]

the sudden onset of a much more fragile form as iona sways and, in time, leans into leonore for support as they nearly collapse has the knight at full attention. rigid as a stone, neither her gaze — now in search of possible cause as it remains steady in offering the concern she cannot give voice towards presently — nor her footing falter. as the sweat and imbalance persist alongside quicker breaths, for a time there is consideration given towards a doctor. and, in this passing moment, leonore finds herself quite mournful of the state of their situation, in her need to remain unseen and their complete isolation. and this was certainly not the first instance of such — of her wanting to provide in a way she found almost impossible under the circumstances. these worries present themselves in a rueful fashion now, an almost hollow laugh, as the compliments and condemnation of self flow from the priestess’ lips. 

“if either of us were truly ‘saddled’ in this matter, i fear the very opposite is true.” by which, of course, she meant iona being forced to deal with someone like the bloodied knight in any capacity. “you are a marvel in your dedication to our lady, in your willingness to push ahead and ensure the care of others despite your own circumstances. i commend your strength. and your kindness.” whether it was the words themselves or simply a matter of coincidental timing, the bodyguard notes the regained composure with which iona seemed to settle into thereafter. a quiet sigh escapes as the pair seem to ease into a calmness together, a wonder cast towards the idea of medical attention once more.

“when we come to the next town, we’ll make sure to have you looked over. it shouldn’t be more than a day.” she notes, her tender gaze still upon the priestess with what was likely an overwhelming level of focus. “do you think you can manage until then? i’ll handle the food for now.” the latter was not a matter up for discussion. it was obviously important to secure any nourishment they could as soon as humanly possible, and the priestess was in no state to take command of the task. “you may take on the duty once you’re up for it, but not a moment sooner."

A wave of heat passes. The Dragon Priesthood’s cloak suddenly makes the room warm, sticky, and unbearable. They are left tugging at their neckline as sweat prickles down their back. Perhaps it is the act of standing up that precipitates the sudden sickness, the burning of the bite above their hip or Leonore’s uncomfortable question.

The speed with which she meets Iona doubles the so-called nervousness. The concentration on breathing entirely vapid now that she stands so close to them. Stomach grumbling yet again and bloodlust resurfacing with an incessant need and an ache in their veins. They meet her eyes with rippling gazes before their fingers close around her arm for balance. Bitter comfort that they wholeheartedly do not deserve. In all their pain, it is a soft grip as they attempt to refocus on the sound of the wind and the Goddess’s will lapping against the cabin.

"I’m alright.” It careens out on an exhale before sending another fleeting look upwards at the taller of the two. They hadn’t the will to lie and say that it was only foolish butterflies that carved out their innards, so their nod follows with pursed lips. There is no telling for what reason they do so, but it is all they can muster on the question long since passed. Their palm feels like it is burning more unremittingly wrapped around Leonore’s arm than their bite; a welcome escape.

“Thank you. I think you’re doing amazing,” they put forth, harkening to the shadow of doubt that had once been on the woman’s face when their breath evens. It is an attempt to ignore the condition they are in. Grasping gently albeit desperately to the knight. The beads of sweat collected upon their forehead. The pained way in which they talk, hissing, almost like that of a snake. Blinded by admiration or not, the compliment continues and so does the distraction, “I’m more than thankful for your help. I hardly know what I’m doing– what with this sickness,” an honest slip-up for the way they were deteriorating. Yet, it seemed the only excuse for their embarrassing behavior – other than natural frailty. “If the Goddess hadn’t saddled you with me…” Iona felt certain that Leonore knew how that statement would end. They would no longer be human, and, given the state of the curse and the trouble they always seemed to be fleeing from, long gone. A duck of their head admits such incompetence. Somehow, always a damsel.