#cielenruine

[dcggersedge]

@cielenruine | cont

The collar is already gone, removed from her neck the moment they returned from their strange performance. So why is it that every thing Matthias says feels like another little jolt to her confused brain?

"The way I...speak to him?" She repeats slowly. What does that mean. What does that mean? She doesn't remember speaking to him any differently from how she speaks to everyone else except for. You know. The...lessening? Of the lying? Was that it? But Matthias shouldn't know she's a rotten liar either!

"I...I don't get it? How do I speak to him?" And how does he speak back that might've tricked anyone into thinking she had a place to call hers?

Yunaka laughs, a little desperately, raising her hands to scrub at her face. Still human. That's funny. She'd been nothing more than a tool at the hands of the script and Helena. Almost like home, here she was murdering by the demand of others again! Like she learned nothing!

And he praised that!

"I'm not..." She drops her hands back down to her sides with a sigh. When she meets Matthias's eyes again, she's not bothering to plaster on the cheerful smile or quick wit. They're both too tired for that. "I'm like, the farthest thing from a knight, Matthias. And I don't think Rafal even likes me, let alone employs me."

She hadn't answered his first question. She waves at her back. "It hurt. I'll be fine."

[mmoneystones]

"I don't believe I ever caught your name." He was apologetic in the slight bow he offered to her before coming to rest in the sand not far from where she was seated. "I must apologize if I came off as...cold in our game. In the end...it resulted in this. Though even now is an opportunity." A smile and a slight lift of the shaved ice. "Perhaps it's the 'Queen' or 'Ringmaster' telling us to use our time to know one another and correct our mistakes." Stilted always were these introductions. He'd done them a hundred times over yet he offered the best smile he could to her. "My name is Matthias, I'm a professor for the Blue Lions who's just made my way here. Though some may refer to me as Margrave is they hail from Faerghus as I hail over the northern region. It's good to meet you...even if the introductions are late."

Citrinne turns up to see the familiar face of the teammate that greatly contributed to their recent bout through Wonderland. After nodding at his bow, she scooched slightly away so that he could have some more space to lie in the sand.

“Nor have I, on the name part, that is,” Citrinne returns his smile with a less wide one, but it holds warmth all the same. “I am Citrinne. A noble warrior of Brodia, my home from Elyos. You may remember it as one of those books that were burnt during our final stand.”

So this Matthias…was a noble of this very land? An interesting ally, especially when they’ve been allied for the previous month. The Brodian actually feels guilty for not getting acquainted during the rest of all of this Happyland chaos. “Would you answer better to Magrave Matthias, then? It’s admittedly a bit of a mouthful - Citrinne is enough for me, by the way. I am merely a Knight of Seiros here.”

Now that introductions were out of the way, she leans a fair bit closer toward Matthias in case some of the others were sneaking earfuls. “May I be honest? You never sounded that cold, at least to me. I more remember the times we agreed on some form of answer rather than debate, or more so less arguing after the first batch of questions.”

“If it weren’t for your authority, I doubt that we would have left that strange dungeon before the sun set,” Citrinne waves a hand toward the fading orange on the waves. “While I hold no interest in knowing that Queen, it is good to know she gave me the chance to meet a fair amount of allies.”

[twistedisciple]

Understanding what seemed incomprehensible had been a fun pastime, usually. When it came to his teammate whose appearance had firmly spelled out mercenary in only the most menacing of terms, he felt a bit ill at ease.

”As it happens that we’re teamed together, I’d like to understand your strengths.”

Introductions could come after. More than that his curiosity had been piqued. Between the shirtlessness, the piercings, and the tattoos it was clear an appeal to authority would be ill advised. He knew an agent of chaos when he saw one.

Not the worst way to start a conversation, Griss thinks. Up until now, they’d been sitting in silence, which is - at least for Griss - unusual, but he’d been too consumed by the task of stoking the fire in the pit to bother anyone else. Now he looks up at the older man sitting on the other side, an eyebrow raised beneath his shaggy hair.

“Guess you have a point,” he concedes, for once surprisingly reasonable. Embers lift up and disappear into the dusky night with one final push against the main log, and then he withdraws the stoker to hold across his lap.

This question reminds him a little of when he was still just a pup in a duo two people short of being called Four Hounds. What had he told Zephia all those years ago?

“I’m real good at killing.” He’s proud and nonchalant at the same time, without a hint of remorse or shame. Even though, back then, those words hadn’t come from the blood-soaked, mute child Zephia had asked to meet. “And figuring out all the ways a person can be hurt.”

With a smile wreathed in shadow and eyes glinting with firelight, he gazes through the flames at the man on the other side.

“I’ve been told I can get too,” grin widens, “distracted though. But killing ‘em fast is so boring. They gotta get some good hits on me too. So!” He slaps his palms against his knees and sits up like they’ve just completed some sort of business transaction. “You got someone you want me to kill? Maybe one of those cute little sheep would look good in red.”

[optimismxmagicism]

"My, I would hope the little witch has been good in my absence." Matthias made no note to hide his presence as he approached the boy with a smile. "More treats than tricks this evening, right?" The old man leaned against a wall, taking a small rest. There was little to be read from Ewan, It would be foolish to offer oneself up to be watched if one were a devil. He could hardly say that he trusted the boy, but he did not distrust him. "I've been unfortunately tricked time and again. Perhaps the worry of a witch's curse whilst we gather our spoils would prevent such travesty again, yes?"

“My my, if it isn’t mister vampire!” Ewan spoke with faux surprise as the man approached, a cheeky smile on his face. “Who’s to say? I could’ve been getting up to aaaaall sorts of mischief. It’s in my blood, after all.” He giggled. Honestly, besides trying to make Sennō trip over a banana he had been remarkably well behaved, all things considered. Part of it was him not wanting to be suspected- If everyone tried to pin him down as a devil, any real devils could escape unnoticed.

“I see, so a little devil got to you first, hmm? Well, not to worry.” Rummaging through his candy bag, he pulled out a handful of more old-timey sweets he figured an older guy would like. Then, the mage dropped them into Matthias’ hands without asking. “There’s no point to a witch’s trick if the devil has already caused mischief. So here’s a witch’s treat instead!”

With a wink and lighthearted smile, he turned around. “I’ve actually been bothered by devils a few times myself, but I have an idea on who’s hiding their tail, so to speak.” Based on previous interactions, he’s had at least one suspect in mind. It wasn’t the most pleasant of thoughts, admittedly.. But that was the name of the game.

“But I’d love to go candy gathering with you again, Mister Vampire. You were so helpful carrying my candy bag last time! At least half of it would’ve been left behind if it wasn’t for you.” Indeed, the size and weight of that bag would’ve been too much for such a petite witch.

Then, with a twirl on one heel, he turned around to face the margrave again, putting his hands on his hips. “So, won’t you help me do so again? If you do, maybe I can even give you a hint on the impostor’s identity. One of them, at least.”

[hermidetta]

He did his best not to be cruel, days like this were meant to be spent enjoying the company of friends. Matthias was quick in his mission. A small box with a tiny bear, small enough to be looped onto a belt, had been left alongside a few tiny cubes of cheese. There was a knock at her door but he was long gone by the time anyone would have answered.

⠀ ⚘ birthdaydetta 2k24 ♡ ⠀

to coax out a mouse one must, of course, start with cheese. for all of her unpleasant run-ins with garreg mach's rodents, bernadetta quite resembled one herself—though do not ever tell her this or risk losing her favor.

"dear mr. matthias,"  a tiny voice recites, in the measured timbre of reading off parchment.  "bernie is very sorry for biting your hand that one time. you were just kind of scary, and you're still kind of scary, but that wasn't okay to do. so, i'm sorry. i will not do it again, probably."

the pacing of the recitation crumbles.  "well, it's not like i meant to! i just panicked! and then you started cackling and prancing after me, footsteps thudding and shaking the ground! fee-fi-fo-fum, much?! and then you and professor lambert, oh sweet summer professor lambert, you kissed right in front of bernie's face! kissed! in front! of my face! my eyes! my eyes, i say!"

the other week when matthias (despite everything) had spared this rodent five whole cheese cubes was when she had decided to pen an apology that was long overdue. but bernadetta crumples up this leaflet, too, flinging the balled-up letter over her shoulder and onto the floor after its other ten or twelve failed predecessors.

under normal circumstances she could have outwritten a dozen flimsy apologies like that one in her sleep. under normal circumstances bernadetta could write and write for days. alas, she had been hit by every creative enemy in the book: writer's block. burnout. general lethargy and an unavoidable seasonal low. the overall frustration of other projects letting her down, and bernadetta could think of no one willing to return to a pit where their passion felt thankless. she ought to put everything she has ever written over an open flame—it seemed from the ash-laden tray on her desk she was already halfway there. yet the knock comes just when she is about to call it quits on this, that, and maybe everything else.

bernadetta blinks. she drops her pen, scurries to the front and peeks under the bottom sliver as usual. for good measure she waits another moment—no, three—before the handle of her door finally clicks with caution. two eyes and a nose peep outside first.

just the cubes of cheese are already enough to make bernadetta reevaluate herself all over again. the bear, though, delivers the finishing blow. it sits in her palms while she marvels at it, gray eyes gleaming like a child on the morning of—well, their birthday. and bernadetta has always felt at her bravest with her namesake in the picture. this was a fragment of bravery she could take with her.

it sobers her, reminds her of what she ultimately knows: that even if she struggles to pick up her pen today, tomorrow will bring with it another new chance. so bernadetta, trudging through the crumpled papers and returning to her desk with her spoils, pops another cube of cheese in her mouth and tries her very best to give herself grace. if matthias could try so hard not to be cruel to her, bernadetta could at least do the same.

[rafent]

🎄

"What a predicament this is. It seems there's not a hall in the monastery not filled with these things."

🐉 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓: accepting 🎄

Not merely another instance of mistletoe but an entire hallway of them; not only a single locust but a swarm of them close to never ending. 'Predicament' Rafal could handily agree with, standing flank to flank with the stalwart Matthias as they laid boggled eyes upon the scene together. Such an active war zone was neither for sensible dragons nor sensible men to navigate, that much was clear.

Cool fingertips brought skyward to knit brow, massaging circles into the knotted area. How long had such a snowy brow been intensely furrowed? Why; only since the first sprig had thought to manifest, of course. "There are many with far too much time on their hands. I have found myself in such a position in the past, but never would it have entailed something as foolish—as childish—as. . ."

Now gaze brought skyward. Words dwindled.

Plants could not wink but this one might as well have, twinkling its dreadfully familiar hues of green shrubbery and vibrant red ribbon at the top of the doorway that hung above both men. A parasitic plant, Rafal had read once, now one well and truly as it sought to leech the color from his face. Ignorance would have been preferred; ignorance was bliss, indeed; and not one lick of it could be maintained with the relentless permeation of evergreen tradition in recent times. What came next was no guess at all. However.

"Let us take a different hall."

He turned on his heel suddenly. However: a man of his respect Matthias was, and it was precisely for that respect that he wielded a blind eye. A fell creature like Rafal no less than contaminant, his touches no less than contamination, there ought be no dealings where good men and bad dragons touch. No dealings at all.

[deamare]

♡ ˚·�� @cielenruine asked:

"Are you doing alright now?" Wellness checks were hardly his thing but he would have forever thought on it if he hadn't. Her reaction to some of the questions had been a slight touched. For most what could be pushed as a hypothetical or reasoned away, others felt far more strongly. It may have been wrong of him to think that, yet it persisted. "It was a valiant effort. Your insight was wonderful to see." After a moment he looked off. "If you ever need to talk, there are people at the academy who provide a great service in taking a weight off a person's heart." Then a bit of a hesitant sigh. "And should you ever not wish to talk yet do not wish to find yourself alone, I often find myself the same. Though most would say it's breaking curfew, the library provides a wonderful place to simply read in silence amongst others." He chided himself. If Rodrigue were here this'd probably be far more reassuring. "I can't attest to understanding entirely, but in some small part, I do get it and would like to help you."

A pang of shame-- had she truly worried her teammates so? “I am fine, thank you.” And she intends to apologize for raising such concern, before he speaks again.

Ishtar’s own gaze falls lamely to her hands, teeth worrying the inside of her lip. It is a kindness, this effort that he makes. That much is not wasted on her, nor is it lost to her own guilt for having prompted it. The questions asked, the rooms themselves, they had set her on edge, brought out a well-protected ache. 

“I will certainly remember that.” To be alone is not new to her, but to seek to be otherwise is another question. “It is… kind of you, to care for me like this.” A pause— she does not know for what reason he does, though by his own words she might wager that she resembles something he knows of himself.

And though it is not so simple as speaking to another, the weight of her grief too burdensome a thing to be shared ( a punishment she is well owed ) it is the idea that somebody might wish to listen that is enough. Ishtar’s eyes lift once more to the man’s face. She is smiling, a soft thing that does not reach her eyes but warms them all the same.

“I am fortunate to not have been alone then or now.” There is the careful movement of her hand until it rests feather-light on the other’s arm. Gratitude, or perhaps a reassurance of her own, expressed in a motion where words feel too few. “Thank you, again.”

[princeofopenness]

hc + family

Headcanons About Anything || accepting!

Askr's royal family is nowhere near as extensive as Embla's. While Alfonse has a few cousins that hold important positions in Askr's court, he doesn't have half-siblings or a large network of family of varying distances like Veronica does. This is mostly due to happenstance; Askran royals rarely had more than one or two children, though there wasn't much of a reason behind that trend beyond the personal justifications each generation had.

Additionally, Gustav, despite being the king of Askr, didn't actually have Askr's boon. He married into the family, and thus never had Askr's blessing and lacked the ability to open doorways between worlds that Henriette had. As a result, while he served as king, he was moreso secondary in his role as a leader to Henriette. The one area he had the most jurisdiction over was the military simply because he was more inclined to take up that mantle than Henriette was.

[warpaway]

lotus : has your muse ever felt as though they’ve been reborn ? have they ever desired the feeling of a fresh start , or a better understanding of themself and/or the world around them ?

botanical headcanons || accepting

it's difficult for me to say whether or not linhardt would want a fresh start. i don't think he's ever felt 'reborn', rather i think he feels as though he's the same person no matter what he goes through, even as we can see him change throughout the game, he thinks of himself as more stagnant. i don't think he considers wanting a fresh start as much as like a cool-down period. like if he can get away from what bothers him, he'll start to lose the anxieties he does have. that's part of why he kind of runs away from everything. just avoid what you don't like! surely that will work out!

for the last question, linhardt considers their main problem that no one understands them as well as they do. like they know very well who they are, what they would do and what they wouldn't do. they know they're not lazy like everyone sees them as, so that's why it doesn't bother them when some one calls them lazy. they're only bothered when people come around trying to change them, because the only people that do that don't seem to understand that what they're asking of them is literally how they already are.

i think this is especially true with edelgard & hanneman's supports. both of them are more than happy to give linhardt whatever he'd like in order to continue his crestology research, and they both have reasonable resources that linhardt knows he could make full use of! but linhardt also knows his interests can be transitory, and so he denies them first because he doesn't want to disappoint them by taking advantage of these resources and then completely losing interest (and therefore, abandoning his research).

[hresvelged]

The sway of the carriages was still a bit off-putting even as he began to become more accustomed to it. It was rare he even rode in a carriage normally, often preferring to ride his own horse wherever he needed be. But now, there was little choice as there was a purpose to his being here. The results of their game had been well and truly interesting as it seemed neither of them had lagged far behind the other, the results spoke clear. The spoke highly and he was not one to ignore, especially not with the question he had been left to consider before the end of the game. And so here he was, the carriage attached to the one akin to a kitchen. The tables were nice and despite the overall sway, things stayed in place as best they could. He sat down, a cup of tea waiting for him as well as the Emperor's heir. "Your question has truly made me ponder quite a bit." In his own way, it was a compliment to her. Few times he had to so thoroughly consider his answer to such preposterous things...and yet- "I cannot give you a clear yes nor no," the tea is bitter on his lips, a welcome change the the sugar that still hung in the air. "Instead, I must ask, if I'm to teach you, would my further advisement after the fact not be a failing on my and your part?" A question for hers, a probe even. "After you answer, I'd like to understand how much you already know of Faerghus's affairs and of myself. Of course there is no shame in not knowing, much like the Empire, Faerghus has had a tumultuous few years...as you may well know." He hadn't meant it as a jab, no...he was simply giving himself more reasons to trust this, trust in what she said and not be so easily dismissive of one so earnest to ask him for his assistance whilst they were opponents. "Of course we've no rush at all. This tea is quite nice as well."

Edelgard had the fullest of intents on continuing the conversation she started. She sat with one leg crossed over the other, inching her teacup closest to her person in between level fingers. "So I see. I expected you might say that," she began. "It could very well be viewed that way. I might even agree, if I wasn't privy to the circumstances. But.. I would ask them this: Is it wrong to shatter that discontentment? If it does prove to be a failing later on, you are free to push blame onto myself."

The professor was right in that she didn't know as much as someone who lived there might. Strategic books and eerily sunken nobles could only offer her so much insight. "I know that you are Margrave Gautier— Sylvain's father. Your watching resides within the uppermost portion of the kingdom." Surface level facts. She brought the teacup upwards and took a long sip before setting the item down.

"I recall some of which you speak, though I doubt I could tell you as much as yourself." The tips of her nails tapped against the cup's edge, swirling around the handle as she stared into the warm beverage: "Perhaps you are referring to the tragedy of more recent years, for one. You have my condolences." Lilacs peer up; strong. "But I am well aware of the Church's ties to the Kingdom, for starters. Beyond that, much of my information lies either from text or secondhand hearsays. It could never compare to the teachings of a Margrave like yourself."

[dcggersedge]

[FOOD] - sender sets something to eat down in front of receiver (would you like some cheesy bread miss yunaka) A plate with a single piece of bread. He had determined that the first person who saw would be whom he asked to taste it. "I apologize for the hastiness but this sort of thing is best had fresh."

simple actions | accepting!

"Oh!" Bread! Good old bread. Easy to acquire and easy to eat and the one stable thing she ever had in her life. She likes bread.

The cheese on top does catch her by surprise, but she's not one to turn down perfectly good food just because it's not what she expected. She takes a bite.

"Mmm. It is good fresh! Thanks." She felt more comfortable with this than some of the fancy stuff they wheeled out at the Somniel. "What's the occasion?"

[rafent]

[ ATTENTION ]: sender, having just noticed something strange or remarkable, calls for the receiver to get their attention. “Rafal, Good even-“ The greeting paused and a bit of a wistful smile washed over the man’s face. It was presumptuous to simply fix this himself. Instead, he offered a hand in his own hair to try and coax Rafal into understanding. Well, with hair like his one could only expect a few owl feathers to blend in.

"Matthias."

Now here was a man encountered before. Recognition schooled into neutrality, closer inspection to unveil his underlying respect. Of the many instructors to walk the monastery grounds, perhaps this one to Rafal were counted among the most reliable. To encounter Matthias again after their recent conflict was even inevitable with their similar positions within academia. . .and what to say upon such intersection?

Rafal, however, would first be led to blink rapidly in confusion. Whatever words he might further intend doused by the man's gesture. "W-What is it?"

Hand lifted in exact emulation of the other. Soft to touch, the offending owl feather came away and fluttered all too innocently to the ground. Shoulders stiffened. How long had he been walking around with that ridiculous piece of fluff in his hair? It would at least serve to explain the strangely persistent giggles he'd heard all the way throughout morning class. And afternoon class. And evening class.

Cheeks flushed to a bright ruddy tone.

"—thanks," he grumbled, so quickly and stiltedly that it might have been synonymous with the flutter of wind as he power walked past Matthias. Further thanking him for his aid would have to wait.

[dcggersedge]

[ ACCIDENT ]: the sender, unaware that the seat they're trying to claim is occupied, drops into the receiver's lap without realizing it.

Perhaps if it were a court meeting, a strategic gathering or hell even just a call to see who wished to volunteer for patrol, he would have been more there. Instead, the weariness from his close call still lingered and the dark circles hadn't cleared.

This was just a faculty meeting. Did he really need to be here? Everyone knew these things... With an uncharacteristic yawn and gentle tears in his eyes, he made for the seat closest to him before, suspiciously, making contact with something far too warm to be a chair. He quickly jumped up and looked down at Yunaka with a face as red as a fox's coat. "I-" How do you even apologize in this situation? "Sorry for almost sitting on you." The first thing that came to mind came out. "I hadn't even seen you there, youre so small." A hand raised to his head and he frowned. "Ah, well. Good...to see you." And he found, perhaps the furthest seat he could away from his fellow professor.

victory lap | accepting!

Yunaka hated faculty meetings. They were boring and dull and overcrowded, and even a few familiar faces couldn't stop the itching need she felt to get up and out of there as soon as she possibly could.

Absently, she continued to use the pen in her hand to do little tricks, keeping her hands busy and attention away from the people filtering into the room extremely slowly. Maybe getting there early would help? Maybe if she was able to see the people as they wandered in, count each one and recognize each face, she might be able to keep herself from getting nervous when-

Something brushes up against her. Yunaka jumps and yelps loudly.

The moment hangs, the both of them staring in silent shock as the brain slowly tries to process exactly what had just happened. Wait...had he...did Matthias just...

He recovers first, apologizing and walking away. It's only when he's across the room, sitting as far away from her as possible does Yunaka's brain decide to be useful again.

She bursts into laughter.

It's the easier reaction than any of the others, and gives her an excuse to lean over and hide how red her face is as she tries to catch her breath. "Wh-what happened? What was that? Old man, did you forget to put your eyes in this morning?"

It's harder to be scared of the room when laughter echoes through it. By the time all other faculty members trickle their way into the meeting, she's still grinning from ear to ear.

[deliverred]

"Of course. It's my treat, and I want you to enjoy it," Lukas said, soft smile in place as the boy settled against him. He accepted the other half with a quiet but amused thank you, delaying biting into it himself until Matthias had tried his half. "Well, some days start earlier than others and ask unusual things of us. I think it's good to rise to the occasion when you can, especially when someone you care for is in need."

Unexpected as it had been, Lukas wouldn't have turned Matthias away.

Leaning his weight back onto one hand, Lukas bit into his half of the muffin, gaze lingering over the scene. They were a bit beat up, and things weren't really normal, but...

"It is a nice day," he agrees.

This may have been a forcible day off, but really, it had been a nice day -- and it wasn't over yet.

Lukas was not used to being cuddled with, but he could stay quite still even in an uncomfortable position. There were still things to clean up, as they hadn't eaten everything they'd bought, but the call of a little rest was too tantalizing to ignore. Warm sun, full bellies, cats galore...Perhaps a little nap wouldn't be so bad.

"Rest well, Matthias. I shall be here just the same when you wake."

[ END ]

pawns, knights, and kittens galore || anni 2024 any +1

[rafent]

✦ ghough: a state of panic that everything good will be taken from you too early, which makes you want to swallow the world before it ends up swallowing you.

OBSCURE SORROWS - ghough, a state of panic that everything good will be taken from you too early, which makes you want to swallow the world before it ends up swallowing you. also sent by @cielenruine & @represaille

Inevitably, they would land on her—that Emblem. Retrieved from enemy forces at last, Tiki hovered with purified blue energy. A far cry from the mute vigilance and crimson paint better known to Rafal, but familiar in all other ways. His exhausted attempts to gain ability, days counted to weeks countless, there was no bracelet he knew better than the very one he'd toiled to awaken. Feigning ignorance of this spirit was an easy matter, but swallowing the rising bile of his terror was another.

"It's nice to see you, Tiki. It's been a long time."

Clammy palms, taste of bitter ash and sour saliva on his tongue, words to fail the failure—no, not that one, he wanted to say, anyone but that Emblem. 'I remember you.' A single surprised revelation of their reunion would doom him, one loose thread hanging in sight and tug would follow. Yarn pulled and pulled until unraveled, until everything that Nil had worked to conceal would tease apart to lay bare Rafal; his wretched truth, then everyone's rightful abandonment. Theirs. Nel's.

"Nil, are you alright? The battle is over. We can take it from here, if you want to—" Eyes slid absently to a point in the far distance. Should he excuse himself and make scarce to deny the natural course? Worst case, if discovery were inevitable, then all his methods would be meaningless, all but one. His fingers twitched oddly, in some amorphous and involuntary motion like a muscle spasm. In that case, he would. . .

"—Nil?"

He snapped away from his reverie under the weight of several pairs of draconic eyes, Alear's waiting, Nel's worried, the last simply curious; Tiki who by the greatest stroke of fortune, or forgetfulness, didn't appear to recognize him at all. Their faces still remained so trusting, they didn't yet know a thing - not like Nil did.

"I'm fine, Divine One, but I am a little tired. Some rest would be lovely." An agreement, a smile, a reassurance, and he slipped away without complaint. Recovery two-sided, hardworking Nil to replenish his strength, Rafal who had been split hairs away from the edge brought back to even ground. It occurred to him belated, sitting and resting as obediently as he'd promised, what the anomalous movement of his hands had been, continuing even now.

Shaking. All along his fingers had been shaking.

[dcggersedge]

🎄 "...do you think it was those of that tabloid that put these up?" He sighed. "We should take them down, right?"

'tis the season | accepting!

Yunaka snorts. "What, you think they'd set these up just to get rumors running for their paper?"

That's a funny thought. Might even work, if they planned it right. After all, with mistletoe everywhere now, who would believe them if they lied about who they saw with who under the plants.

She grins to herself, cackling. "Maybe we should cook up some ideas of our own to send in, just to see what happens. Could be fun." Could also backfire exponentially, if the past few months have taught her anything.

Now. Should they take them down? Yunaka considers the question for a long moment before shrugging. "I don't see why. Doesn't hurt to let people have a little fun, does it?" And if they had not fun, well. User error? Skill issue?

Yunaka was confident in her idea to dodge running into anyone who mattered to her under these anyway. Like how she was about to totally dodge Matthias.

She gives him a light punch in the arm. "Well, glad we settled that! Good luck cleaning those up if you decide you still want to, I'm gunna go get ready for my next class. Byeeee~!"