#alms writes

[alms4oblivion]

The Practical Guide to Getting Out of the Friend Zone, by Beatrice Adeline Silva

Happy Ace Week! This might seem like an odd fic to promo on Asexual Awareness Week, just going by the title, but it's one where I very clearly made Beatrice demisexual without actually intending to. I didn't realize this until a friend pointed out to me that Beatrice has no interest in sex for its own sake, except with Ava, and only does it to improve her ability to give Ava pleasure if and when they finally get together, and I said "oh. OH."

Anyway. Here's a fic written entirely from the perspective of Beatrice Silva as a memoir to her college years, specifically the semester when she finally got together with the girl of her dreams.

[monstrousdesirestudy]

📈Good news: a fellow researcher and I are going to redo the monsterfucker survey officially so we can submit it to scientific journals

📉Bad news: officiating surveys outside of universities and submitting to journals is expensive and lots of moolah

📈Good news: through selling cute and silly monsterfucker stickers, we may be able to raise the appropriate amount of money so hurray people can soon buy our specially made monster fucker stickers!

[luce-speaks]

kliff and the friends

last minute submission for day two of @fe-aspec-week 2024!! this one is a little thrown together because i had an idea at the last minute but! here goes!!

—

Kliff has never been particularly fond of other people.

He used to think he just got unlucky, stuck in a tiny village where no one understood the concept of personal space. He dreamed of the day he’d escape them, get out, go anywhere but here, and meet people who were actually decent.

Then he started going to school in the next town over, and with each new person he met, that dream died in front of him. Each and every one of them—over-familiar like Gray, clumsy like Tobin, naive like Alm, or disgustingly romantic like Faye. He hated it. He came back to Ram Village with a disappointed letter from his teacher and a new will to tolerate these idiots so he could safely ignore the rest. He might not fit in, but at least they know him well enough to leave him alone while he’s reading.

—

The war comes on suddenly, like a storm rolling in overnight, and things change. Kliff learns what fire spells can do to a human being, and Gray stops joking about hitting Tobin with his sword, and Faye picks up a lance for the first time, insisting she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her friends. Tolerable acquaintances become battle-allies, people you can trust to have your back. People who could die beside you, any day. There’s no room out here for petty bickering, but sometimes it also feels like there’s no room to get attached. When the war is over, Kliff thinks, they’ll go their separate ways. He probably won’t even miss them.

—

Tobin flags him down at camp one day. “Hey, Kliff!”

He rolls his eyes. “Tobin. I thought you knew not to interrupt me while I’m studying.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. But I have questions about magic! That counts as study time, right?”

Now Kliff is intrigued, though he refuses to give Tobin the satisfaction. “Since when do you care about magic? I thought it was too complicated for you.”

Tobin settles beside him, keeping a safe distance, but not bothering to ask whether he minds the company. “Well, I don’t really get it. But I want to learn. You know—for the war.”

He sighs. “I don’t know what Alm or Gray did this time, but you’re better with a bow than you’re ever going to be with magic. Focus on getting better at that.”

“Healing magic,” Tobin corrects. “I want to learn healing.”

“What? Why?”

“C’mon, seriously? I’m worried about you guys! I want us to go back to Ram when this is all over—all of us, together. Even if we’re not all planning to stay.”

“…All right, then. I can try to teach you.” Kliff grins. “Though I wouldn’t count on your ability to learn it.”

—

Faye catches him off guard in the middle of an overcrowded mess hall. She’s saying something, but he can’t understand her over the din of too many hungry soldiers. Eventually, she gives up and beckons to the door.

Kliff follows her, plate in hand, out to the cool night air. “What was that for?”

She shrugs. “You looked like you wanted to go outside.”

“I—” He pauses. Mess hall never used to bother him more than any other time around camp, but now that they’ve been getting more recruits, it has been getting louder and louder. He’s never liked loud noises, either. “I guess I did.”

Faye walks a little farther away from the tent, towards the woods. He follows her, and they settle together at the forest’s edge—still in earshot of the camp, but safely away from the clamor of the mess hall.

“I miss Ram,” Faye says quietly, after they’ve been eating for a bit. “Seeing this many people in one place reminds me how far we are from home.”

Kliff snorts. “It just reminds me of school. They always crammed too many people into the common areas for lunch.”

“So you didn’t like leaving then, either?”

“I liked going to school,” he answers. “I didn’t like the people there.”

“What kind of people do you like?”

He thinks on this. “The quiet kind.”

Faye smiles and nods. They eat the rest of their meal in silence.

—

Gray looks out for him during fights.

At first he’s convinced Gray is just showing off, jumping in dramatically and kicking down a mage in mid-chant before they can fire another spell at Kliff. But then it happens a second time, and a third time, and Kliff is more than certain that it’s intentional.

“You don’t have to do that, you know,” Kliff says, the next time Gray takes a blow for him.

“Do what?” Gray asks. “Look super cool while I’m saving the day?”

Kliff regrets that Gray is too focused on the battle to see him roll his eyes. “Protect me. I can look out for myself.”

“Oh, that? I’m just practicing for next time one of the girls needs saving.” Gray pauses to skewer another incoming mage. “Gotta keep my skills sharp and all that!”

“Gray, I’m serious. Can you stop joking around?” Kliff fires off another spell, stopping an approaching cavalier in their tracks. Now there are no more distractions—Gray will have to talk to him.

Gray turns to face him. “Look, I know you can take it, okay? But that’s not your job. If you’re up in the front lines taking hits, you won’t have the energy to cast your spells. So you do your job, and I’ll do mine, yeah?”

He sighs. “Fine.”

“Great! Now how about a ‘thank you’ for saving your ass?”

“In your dreams.”

—

Alm brings him a book from town.

“Here,” he says, unloading it off a pile of rations and weapons. “They had this on sale at one of the booths. I thought you might get some use out of it.”

Kliff inspects it. It’s a neatly-bound red tome, with gold embossing on the front. It looks well-used, but it’s holding together nevertheless. He flips it open, skimming the table of contents, and frowns.

“I hate to break it to you, but this is a book on magical theory. It’s not going to teach me anything I don’t already know about battle casting.”

Alm looks a little offended. “I know,” he says. “I just figured you would like it. You liked learning about magic at school, didn’t you?”

“I did, but—” He frowns again, turning the book over anxiously in his hands. “We’re in the middle of a war. Did you spend army funds on this?”

“Don’t worry, I spent my own money on it. No funds wasted.”

“But—” Kliff stammers. “Why? What’s the point? What do you get out of this?”

Alm sighs. “It’s just a gift. We may be at war, but we’re still people. I want you guys to be happy—at least, when we’re not having to kill people.”

“Oh,” Kliff says. “Uh. Thanks.”

Alm smiles, bright as ever. “Any time.”

—

The war continues, and Kliff keeps dreaming about the places he’ll go once he’s free to travel as he pleases. He’s not sure what kind of people he’ll meet out there, but—he thinks—if they’re anything like the ones he met in Ram Village, he hasn’t got anything to worry about. Other people may be unpleasant—clumsy, naive, romantic, and over-familiar—but they’re still worth knowing, every once in a while.

[avalost]

Writing tip:

If you don't like how a scene is going but can't figure out how to edit it to make it better - read what you wrote, then open a new doc and rewrite it from memory.

You'll remember the strongest parts and the parts you liked best. You'll naturally discard the weakest parts. It's magic.

[randomnameless]

Is Supreme Leader the worst-written example of the “Evil King/Emperor” archetype in FE?

I'd say the worst written might be Marquis Laus -

But only because FE7 isn't concerned with the Evil King/Emperor Archetype, instead, the main villain is Gharnef !

Bar that, worst written example can only be, imo, Rudy from SoV.

I legit can't find anything positive to say about the guy, who apparently was very worried about the blue people so he sent his only son away in the rival country/state (and sent said son's mom in a monastery/thing?), with the purpose of having his son topple that other country so he can lead an army, in the intercontinental war he will have started, to kill him, become a "hewo" and then kill the lizard turning into goo - something he cannot do himself, despite having killed the lizard with her lesbian harem a few days earlier.

Complete with letting his edgy nephew in the dark, creating a marianna trench rift between his nephew and his son that ends in his nephew losing his remaining sanity by torching his wife - on top of making every Rigelian with half a brain despise his son -

And that was his plan to save the world??

What the actual fuck???

[thelocalmuffin]

As Conrad goes to meet his little sister for the first time face-to-face, he goes to the coffee shop for a quick drink to stay awake. In that coffee shop, he gets a little more than he bargained for.

A little modern AU coffee date fic for @houjitsun! Thank you so much for your patience again, this was a really fun piece to write!

[veriana-rose]

If I ever wrote a story where the female love interest dies (or almost dies) at the climax, her name will end in an ‘a.’

Why? Because Alm’s “CELICAAAA” and Seth’s “GLORIAAAA” both live rent-free in my brain.

[katofvalentia]

A small Echoes related ramble:

While I do agree with the notion that the way the scenarios in Echoes were written to now include Conrad were not beneficial to Celica nor the way she was treated as a whole, I don't think his existence is unnecessary.

Celica's journey is about her internalizing her problems and not sharing the burden with any of the people who are close to her, not even her own brother who also tried to make her realize her self-destructive behaviour. The fact it's not just her friends but also her family that she puts in danger that way, strengthens her very relatable character flaws in my eyes.

Additionally I would like to say that Conrad existing proves for an interesting contrast between Alm and Celica's dynamics with their family members.

Celica was well aware of her father's mistakes as a ruler, she was aware of her station and her fate. She believed she had lost her brother for so many years and having Conrad appear before her lets her regain some of the lost pieces in regards to her life as Anthiese.

Alm meanwhile, was so certain of his connection with Mycen, he took pride in being known as his grandson. That was a big part of his identity, his foundation to improving as a fighter and commander. Once the truth of his lineage is revealed, he is told to deal with it. Alm doesn't even know how act around Mycen in their first 1 or 2 supports. His way of coping with all that was to desperately try to preserve his only remaining family member (Berkut) but he lost even that. In the end, Celica got back the brother she thought she had lost, while Alm lost the family he wished to keep.

[i23kazu]

hmmmmmm wld yall want a 3333 flwer event ...

[merryfortune]

Picnic by Candlelight

Written for the Sweet and Spicy Bingo 2023

prompts provided by @sweetspicybingo

Prompt: Candlelight

Title: Picnic by Candlelight

Ship: Alm/Celica/Faye

Fandom: Fire Emblem Shadows of Valentia

Rating: T

Word Count: 1,036

Warnings: None

Tags: Polyamory, Established Relationship, Secret Relationship, Fluff

   The brisk evening with a sky full of violets speckled with stars was perfect for an al fresco outing.

   It was silly, perhaps even juvenile, but neither King Alm nor Queen Celica cared. Their servants had tried to convince them to have a banquet since their favourite guest was in their midsts but they knew her better. Far better. And so, a starlit picnic was decided upon. 

   They could only have these rural pleasures in fleeting splashes throughout the months and so, indulge they would. They wanted to make sweet and precious memories with their unconventional companion, no title given lest waves would be made and she didn’t particularly want to stand out.

   That companion being their dearest Faye.

   “Thank you, again, my dear for making the journey from Ram Village.” Celica said as she kissed Faye’s cheek.

   “I would go to the end of the world for Alm, and you, too, Celica, of course. For either of you, really,” Faye giggled, “it's truly my pleasure.”

   “Glad to hear it.” Alm replied.

   He shepherded both his lovers closer, it was the gentlemanly thing to do after all. Even if he was clumsy with how he divided his attention. It wasn’t a normal nor kingly thing to do, to take two wives. One in public and the other in secret. Though how secret it was remained to be seen given that the garden was adorned with guards, laced with servants, and plenty of eyes to see but they tried to keep it under wraps as best they could.

   Faye’s feelings… They could overcome even fate, separation, and wars. Her desire to be as close knit as she could to her beloved, it resonated and being a good friend of Celica, too, they found a way forward. All three of them. Some in ways which overlapped and other times, in ways that weaved all their relationships differently.

   But for now. There was a level of discretion necessary. Faye understood that and so, was included in whatever ways that she could. As far as the staff knew, she was just a friend visiting for vacation but she knew it would not be the guest suite that she would be retiring to after midnight. 

    Until then, Faye would simply have to wait as her heart burgeoned with anticipation of what was to come and enjoy the present as it, too, was a rare gift. She had all the faith in the world that Alm and Celica would welcome her warmly again later but for now. A certain decorum was necessary. Faye was a distinguished guest and only that, as far as anyone who needed to know could know.

  Their dates could only occur once a blue moon and Faye did not want to jeopardise her stays. It was such agonising sorrow to be parted from either Alm or Celica too long. So they had to behave themselves until the time to come undone, with festivity and excitement, was appropriate.

   So, on this calm and wondrous night, they set themselves down in the middle of the castle's gardens on a picnic blanket. It was a pale purple to match the dusky sky, it was laden with treats and a bottle of wine, candles were lit around to enhance the mood. The weather was mild, if a little cold, but it just made for an ever more perfect dusk for them to have to themselves on a date. 

   Here, amid the glimmering candlelights and atop this woollen picnic blanket in the dewy grass, politics fell to the wayside. As did nameplates and other stifling courtesies. When they were together like this, They became akin to how they were as children. A little jaded, yes, but free and innocent in the same breath. 

they could be themselves and each other’s lovers.

   “We have a fine selection of delicacies tonight, Faye.” Alm said. “Foods from far and wide, excellent wine. Please, help yourself.” He gestured over the spread laid upon the wooden plank of the charcuterie board.

   From one end of it to the other, Faye’s eyes followed the path that Alm’s hand laid out. She gazed over generous mounds of cheese and even chocolate, various fruits and dried meats, little savoury biscuits and more. Her mouth watered just looking.

   But here was the thing about Faye and she knew this humbleness so well it became a vice. It was difficult to spoil her, and right now even, she felt as though she ought to deny the generosity. She pined for the simple things - fresh peeled oranges, homegrown, sugar cookies fresh from the oven and chilled spring water - but she accepted. She glanced at Celica, following her lead to the grapes first.

   “They’re delicious, Alm.” Celica said. She popped another grape in her mouth for good measure.

   Faye agreed wordlessly with a smile after she finished swallowing. The grape was sweet and juicy, truly a bounty of an agricultural region formerly of Zofia but now of Valm. Her heart stammered in her chest as she glanced between her two lovers to affirm the private joke within her thoughts. It was nice that Zofia and Rigel were united as they were, just like Celica and Alm respectively then her in the middle: enjoying the best of both worlds. 

   She watched, fondly, as Alm and Celica leaned into one another. Alm moved his arm behind Celica, inviting her into an angular embrace and their lips met in the middle with a kiss. It was a kiss fitting of a wedding vow. Faye took it upon herself to reach for the wine - it promised notes of peaches and roses - and poured three glasses. 

   “Thank you, dear.” Celica told her when she finished kissing Alm. 

   Faye doled out the wine. First to Alm, who acknowledged her with a nod, and then to Celica whose delicate fingers brushed along her own when she accepted the glass by its slender stem. 

   “To us.” Faye said.

   “To us.” Alm affirmed.

   Faye initiated the gesture again. She held up her wine glass to the middle and the other two kissed her own upon its rim. She would have her turn soon, in more privacy than what this picnic by candlelight would offer.

[alms4oblivion]

WIP Wednesday

It's still Wednesday somewhere, right? Got tagged by @the-darkness-does-not-bargain, so here's a little something from the upcoming final chapter of my Bridgerton AU:

“Try this one.”  Beatrice held out a small black candy with the outline of a castle stamped into it. Ava cast her gaze about the confectionary, resplendent with sweet delights in all manner of colors and shapes, and concluded that this offering must be a ruse of some sort, a poisoned “candy” meant to lay low the humorless sort who might favor them and, through dourness of countenance and deficit of congeniality, undermine the bounty and joy that should otherwise prevail in the establishment. “Is it poison?  It’s poison, isn’t it.”  Ava found that, as her comfort in Beatrice’s presence grew, so too did her willingness to speak her mind, however outrageous her thoughts might be at any given moment.  “Or are you trying to intoxicate me, so you can drag me off somewhere without any trouble?” Beatrice smiled at her over her hand, upon the thumb and middle finger of which the object perched, menacingly.  “Perhaps I am only attempting to level the playing field.” “How do you mean?” Beatrice leaned in close and whispered in Ava’s ear.  “You always intoxicate me.” Ava blushed and smiled and shook her head, basking in the warmth that accompanied her when Beatrice, her Beatrice, the Viscount Bridgerton, flirted outrageously with her in public.  She wrapped herself more tightly around Beatrice’s arm, not to prevent any distance between them, but because of a deep-seated desire that she should be closer to Beatrice, impossibly closer.  Impossible in public, in any event. “So it is poison.” Beatrice did not so much as bat an eye.  “You think there’s something fishy about it.  Or would you prefer it to be fish-shaped?  I’m sure they can arrange a custom order.” Ava ducked her head and strove mightily to keep a rein on the smile that blossomed on her lips, though she succeeded only in keeping her teeth from showing.  “Are you trying to impress me with bilingual puns?” A dangerous glint appeared in Beatrice’s eye, and Ava found herself in the mood for risk.  “I always try to impress you,” Beatrice whispered, “especially with my–” She was interrupted, loudly, by Lady Superion clearing her throat behind them.  “When I agreed to chaperone the two of you for this little excursion, I did not do so in order to learn for myself how incapable you are of restraining yourselves in public.  I recognize that you perhaps consider yourselves wed already in your own minds, but please, for the love of God, do try to control yourselves even slightly.”

Tagging in @thistleation, @baez-atwitsend, @pinechips, and @willowedhepatica

[bgezal]

how would any game dev ever think this is a good-feeling mechanic. is this a joke. is it going to play the worst hand instead. id appreciate that it would mean so much to me

[hirokiyuu]

ace/riddle - double agent au

"No, I know how it is," Ace says sympathetically, thumb tracing sympathetic little circles on the back of the girl's hand. There's no trace of artifice in him at all, nothing in his tone or his body language or the gentle slope of his eyebrows to give the game away. Watching through the cameras Riddle is impressed, not for the first time by the thoroughness of the act, even as a part of him wonders what else Ace might be hiding.

[nowis-scales]

Hey, pssst... everyone! Go wish @fayesdiary a happy birthday. They could use some birthday cheer.

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

General Warnings: N/A

Fandoms: Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

Relationships: Faye/Celica, Faye & Alm, Past Alm/Celica

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern, Love Confessions, School Dances, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Male-Female Friendship, Faye has been to therapy (she's still working on those attachment issues and social skills though!!), The author apologizes for potential minor details in backstories being wrong, Author is loving Echoes but she is very much not done playing

Word Count: 8,313 words

Summary: Graduating university is a momentous occasion in any person's life. Faye cannot be happier to have finally received her degree, though she is nervous about starting her world over in a new way. All she hopes is that she can keep the love of her friends in her life... However, growing feelings for one of those friends' exes is threatening to take that all away.

She can’t have Celica or she will lose Alm. She can’t have Alm or she will lose Celica. Is there really no way she can have both?

[gentleoverdrive]

Once the last bastion has been conquered, the Deliverance prepare to march towards the Rigelian Capital. The Deliverance's field commander and one of his most stalwart allies allow themselves to take it easy before that happens, however.

(Previous oneshot/chapter is here. If you don't want to read it in AO3, see below!)

“Well met, and salutations, Alm.” Hearing those first two words from someone out of his eyesight would often leave the young leader bereft of any energy and force him to grin and bear with what was needed of him; and while he had grown to adapt to his position atop the Deliverance fairly well, part of him simply wanted to avoid the etiquette of it all when it came to people calling him ‘Sir’ or something to the effect. “Well met, and salutations to you too, Clair!” But he was easily able to make that melodious voice out among the crowd, and luckily for him, neither his ears nor the tap on his left shoulder managed to deceive him, for it was none other than the spirited lady who had become his confidante among said upper echelons of the Deliverance, the cheerfulness that populated his reply all the more apparent now because of that. Following her older brother publicly decreeing that this fortress had been successfully conquered was just as good a time as any to find her emerald-haired friend since, for Clair, having these one-on-one talks with the leader of the Zofian effort was one of the few boons she could still count among, what with almost everything else in her day-to-day life having become mostly stripped away to make way for actual necessities. “May we speak once more?” “As always, I would most certainly love to.” The jovial back and forth allowed Alm to hand his quasi-personal blacksmith the remnant parts of his armor so that it could get a lookup and, perhaps, some proper restoration work done ahead of the march to Rigel Castle the army was preparing towards. “Milord.” Clair deigned to offer her hand for Alm to take… “Milady.” …an offer which the boy quickly took her up on. And before long, they were walking away–respectively letting out a hearty chuckle and dignified titter as they did–from the makeshift tents the Deliverance had set next to the front gate for miscellaneous tasks. --------------------------

As they made their way into the main hall, Alm noticed that his walking companion was barely able to suppress a wince. “Wha–-hey! Clair, are you OK?” “I… well, I deign most unsuitable to lie to you, but I did not want you to worry over such a minor affair.” “This goes beyond my being your commander. Answer me: Are you okay?” For a brief moment, with Alm’s face occupying part of what she considered her personal space, the celebrated falcon knight briefly felt that same funny pang in her chest from back when she was still getting acquainted with the Ram Village boy she now called both her friend and commanding officer. “I…” Clair felt the need to find her verbal footing once more. “...I may have flown afoul of a small deployment of archers as I directed my partner into your general direction. Perhaps I should count my blessings, for all but one arrow was the one that managed to graze my right greave.” “I see… will you be able to hold on until we arrive at the mess hall?” “My my! Could it be, perhaps, that there is something you have in store for me?” Seizing upon the opportunity to lighten up both of their burdens, she teasingly poked at his cheek to dispel that frown that currently inhabited his visage. Along with turning the tables and having his cheeks turn a flush red, Alm’s frown quickly gave way to an awkward smile as he offered his arm for her to hold on to. “Heh, I just might!” -------------------------- “So, you saw my scrap against Slayde.”

After finding appropriate seating arrangements upon a relatively isolated table, the young man from Ram Village and the girl from the Zofian Capital had exchanged pleasantries for some time, before the touchy subject resurfaced.

“I most certainly did.”

At that confirmation, Alm guided his eyes away as he took in a deep breath and his clasped hands became ever so slightly shakier as he remembered his violent act of unfettered retribution against the now slain turncoat.

“You do not have to pretend when around me, Alm.” Just in the moment she felt her friend pulling back, Clair placed her right hand upon both of his. “Slayde visited some sort of heinous act upon you or, perhaps, a loved one, did he not?”

“He did.” His reply came swift and almost as though it were instinct, his eyes still casting their sights elsewhere.

“Then say no more.” Clair’s own response came along with her left index flicking the green-haired young man on his forehead. After wincing from the slight sting, Alm directed his attention towards his confidante once more, her bid to regain his attention a success.

“I have known for quite some time how much of a right craven that man was. Some of said experience came first-hand too, no less. You did Valentia as a whole a favor by besting him the way you did.”

Upon hearing those words, a sense of relief flowed through the leader of the Deliverance, both obvious due to his neutral expression soon switching to a sober but genuine smile and the easygoing sigh after he allowed himself a deep breath.

“...a cutting remark from the Queen of High Society herself? Alas for his reputation!” At his sudden retort, both quickly embraced the levity their back-and-forth allowed them, with his open chuckle and her serene titter.

“I thank you, Clair.”

“Perish the thought. You ought to be in as high spirits as possible if we are to have you properly lead us to victory.”

Her refined manner of speech might have made a good show of hiding it, but seeing as though they were all but knocking at the doors of Rigel’s imperial capital, Alm understood her friend’s burning vigor all too well.

“Right you are, as usual.” Alm quickly cleared his throat after those words. “Apropos of what we briefly talked about earlier and if it’s not too terribly imposing, may I see your right shin?”

“Mm? Is this pertaining to my injury?” The falcon knight suddenly felt put on the spot by such a request. At seeing her friend and fellow in arms reply with a quick nod and brief non-verbal grunt, Clair decided that she might as well allow him this ease of mind.

With a slight bit of difficulty, she put her right leg atop her seat to start undoing the armor covering her leg. Fortunately, her armor was relatively light and well cared for, so it came off without much problem, with Clair’s bare leg now in full display as Alm stood up from his seat and walked to her side.

All of a sudden, Clair felt a slight tinge of embarrassment at her current position, even as she knew the boy would not have any untoward intentions.

“Right.” Upon inspecting her injury, the aforementioned boy quickly closed both his eyes and took in a deep breath; a few words which Clair herself did not recognize started coming out of his mouth, and before she was able to put in two and two…

“And… there!” Alm placed both his hands near her injury, with a faint glow appearing soon after, fading before long.

Caught completely unaware, Clair did not even eke out any sort of reaction… not until she noticed that her injury and the fatigue that came with it both were gone.

“W–wait! W–”

The boy probably did not mean to cut her off, but when he exhaled a breath of relief, Clair’s thoughts were unable to be properly put all in one place.

“Would you kindly keep this a secret?”

The combination of her being unable to suppress her surprise at what just transpired and his plea of secrecy to this soon allowed a small bit of frustration to seep through as he walked back to his seat.

“And what, pray tell, was the meaning of that?” She was careful to not raise her voice, lest she were to bring the attention of the rest of the hall down upon their table, but the Zofian noble still felt like an explanation was needed.

At her line of inquiry, Alm realized he needed to come clean.

“You are absolutely right.” Once he seated himself once more, Alm placed the Royal Sword in front of them both.

“At some point after toppling Desaix and recovering this sword, I started hearing… well, not quite sure what it was, but I think something started to change within me as we journeyed further north. To make a somewhat long story short, thanks to sister Silque, Luthier and Kliff, I have been making strides in an attempt to learn healing magic.”

At that confession, Clair’s eyes widened.

“This is still very much a path I am just starting and to properly walk forth, I’m sure. So, as I previously begged of you, if we can keep this a secret for the time being at least, I would very much appreciate it.”

As he finished, Alm winked at her while bringing his left index finger to his mouth.

Clair was never much for mincing words or enjoying sweet nothings. However, she could not help but to admire as the man she had grown strangely close to throughout these hostilities showed her a side of himself he was still trying to prove worthy of.

At that, she revealed an open-hearted smile…

“Ow!” Before ‘chastising’ him for his transgression with yet another light flick to his forehead. Same as the previous flicker, too.

“Such an underhanded, cheeky friend I must have.”

[allovertheplace-writing]

My phone is so slow on tumblr wth my keyboard is always disappearing on here too

I seriously think it's because of the lag caused by tumblr live- since before, when you could snooze and remove it for 7 days, I never experienced the lag

I hope they remove tumblr live, I cannot do this anymore