#pridedprincess

[fluxrspar]

[Champagne ] - Imported from the western shores of the Adrestrian Empire, the school purchases 70 bottles of this stuff well in advanced for this day alone. The bartenders are under strict orders not to offer any student more than one glass.

The lioness didn't know what the Fluorspar general liked, but knew that she owed it to her to at least make a courtesy visit at the ball. It was difficult for Lachesis to think of what to say to the lady knight, though. They had shared few and far conversations, but the princess did respect her as a knight. It was hard to dislike her.

"Lady Selena," Lachesis began, after weaving her way through the crowds to find her. There she was, in an emerald gown, sitting on the sidelines. "It is a pleasure to see you. How do you like the ball? We rarely get the chance to talk but I do quite enjoy your company."

Social events are exhausting, Selena finds, though that is nothing new to her experience. Whether she was a child amongst children, a teen amidst peers, a knight alongside soldiers—large gatherings of people unfamiliar are draining. It is in that fatigue that the Fluorspar takes a seat at the side, using the moment to rejuvenate herself. (The night would be a long one, but that did not make it unconquerable.)

Lachesis finds her at rest, though perhaps Selena should stop being surprised. Time and time again, they seemed to cross paths, ever since the realm of moons past. She is a familiar face, one much welcome in the midst of all that is new. Selena knows social gatherings, dances and people—but it is always easier in the company of an ally.

(An ally, for Lachesis deserves more than Selena’s friendship.)

“Lady Lachesis,” she smiles back, because deserving or otherwise, she wants Lachesis’ friendship. “It is good to see you as well.”

“It is quite a bit, but I’m enjoying myself.” The music, the decorations—all of it is beautiful. “Everyone has worked so hard to put this together, and you can see their efforts shining through.” 

‘I do quite enjoy your company.’

Selena cannot imagine why. (In every encounter, she remembers her misspeech—the bluntness, the inelegance, the lack of care—and though Lachesis has said she’s been forgiven, the Fluorspar is not so quick to forget.)

Perhaps that is just one of Lachesis’ charms.

“I also… Ah!” (A thought then strikes the Fluorspar, reaching for her string of pearls—)

“Are you collecting these, Lady Lachesis?” (The brooches, she means, though it can easily be understood.) “If so, you may have mine.” No need to exchange.

[princessmacedon]

@pridedprincess (continued from here!) :

Seeing Maria's gaze turn around to meet her own is a prize amidst itself. She has only known the little princess a small amount of time but finds herself drawn the soothing light she exudes. It only seems natural to seek her out in the ball. "I am so very glad!" Lachesis says, nerves and excitement meeting up. "I was eager to spend more time together, if I am being honest. I hope you do not find that crass." And just like that Maria pulls them off to a new destination, baby bird flying off to a new perch. Maria might be younger, but her wings can soar far, far places that Lachesis does not know. The lioness' chest flutters. What is this? But just like that, Maria approaches dividing the sweet buns with the utmost care, leading Lachesis to safety and tending to her like she was her own. "We can split them in half. But really, anything is fine for me," she tries. "I wanted to give them to you." When was the last time anyone treated her with this much care? Lachesis reaches a hand up to her heart.

It is the simplest, most precious sort of joy that Lachesis offers her: a friend's consideration. And as Maria basks in the lioness's kindness, her laughter crashes gleefully against the back and knuckles of her free hand.

"I don't think that's crass at all!" A smile is thrown over her shoulder as she lays the plate upon the table, quick to busy herself with pulling out a chair for both of them. As soon as she takes a seat, she extends a hand to Lachesis, as if to pull her down into a playful little bubble for just the two of them. "I'm actually really happy to hear that!"

Checking briefly to make sure they have napkins, she moves onto cutting the sweet buns into even halves (with a knife -- tonight, at least!). Eyes flicker up to meet hers, their corners narrowed in a soft sort of fondness.

"Hee hee... Thank you, Miss Lachesis." With the side of her utensil, the halves are cleanly parted. "Then I'd like to split them with you! Isn't happiness supposed to be shared?" Her laughter suggests that for her, at least, that is the right answer, and she slides half of each bun toward her friend ere she moves to pick up her own -- and then pauses.

"Oh!" Suddenly, she twists in her seat, a hand touching her waist and coming away with a black feather brooch. "This, too! I used to collect stamps when they still gave us signet rings, but a trade is just as good! Don't you think so? Hee hee!"

[mmoneystones]

"Lady Citrinne!" Lachesis greets, an air of cheer to her voice. "How magnificent to see you here."

Though they had only known each other a short while, Lachesis felt a kinship of sorts with Citrinne. Perhaps this was a lady she could trust. It pleased her to see the blonde tonight. The lioness allowed herself to smile wide.

"Though you may be long tired of drink, please, let us take another sip of champagne together," Lachesis tells her. "I feel that we can become good friends." The princess rests a hand on Citrinne's arm. "Let us enjoy the evening together."

"Oh, Lady Lachesis!" Citrinne returns Lachesis' good cheer with her own, a small smile already forming on the Brodian's lips. "There is no surprise in seeing a woman such as yourself tonight, yet your dress...it is simply splendid!"

Though Lachesis' hair is darker and fiercer than her own, Citrinne has no fear while addressing her fellow noblewoman. They have only spoken once in the past, but Citrinne already has early faith in the fellow blonde as well. Even if not as a strong ally on the battlefield, at least as a friend who can hold similar taste in partying etiquette.

"Please, this is only my first drink of the night," Citrinne holds forward the champagne glass from her first toast with Lapis. It is nearly past halfway done, though she has been finding trouble finishing off the dry liquid. But with a last-second comrade...perhaps she can endure the taste for only a bit longer. "Let us drink for a lovely friendship!"

Citrinne clinks their glasses together and tries for a longer sip than her previous ones. Just enough drink makes it through for a respectable sip, while not being enough for her to awkwardly gag. She watches as Lachesis takes her own sip, wondering if the woman has more regard for the beverage from possible longer experience.

The younger blonde instinctually places her hand atop Lachesis' from the arm that is being rested on. That wouldn't be too strange, right? No. They are two beautiful, mighty women, uniting to take on this likewise mighty gala together!

"I would love to enjoy this together. And to make this evening a truly wonderful one."

[viridescent-lance]

[Champagne ] - Imported from the western shores of the Adrestrian Empire, the school purchases 70 bottles of this stuff well in advanced for this day alone. The bartenders are under strict orders not to offer any student more than one glass.

So many faces, so many people to say hello to, but Lachesis cannot forget that kind and humble knight who helped her in her time of need. Yes, she had almost crumbled to dust back in the village, back where she wanted to forget everything and dissapear.

But now she was here, back at the academy, and standing on her own two legs. The lioness had somehow mended things with Finn as well. In the back of her mind, she knew she must pay respects to the one who helped her at her lowest.

"Sir Forsyth," Lachesis calls, heading through the crowded floor. Could he hear her? Finally, finally she heads to the precipice.

"Sir Forsyth, it is truly a joy to see you tonight. I wanted to express my utmost gratitude. You helped me at my lowest and that has carried me through all these months. You are an honorable and valiant man, Sir Forysth. You have my respect." "Please, accept this drink. I hope that we can become friends."

A familiar voice calls to Forsyth across the room--the lady lioness, Lachesis, strides towards him, good cheer and color on her face. It is lovely to see her in better spirits!

"Lady Lachesis! The joy is mutual!" Her words bear much, and Forsyth feels himself warm in pride. He is susceptible to praise, he knows this, but this is praise of the highest caliber, by a noble and honorable woman. "I am grateful that I was able to do so. And I must tell you, your presence helped me through those dark times as well."

He takes the drink, and raises it to the sky.

"A toast! To our friendship's health and prosperity!"

[ulircursed]

Andrei. Something about him seemed off from the beginning. She had been stuck with him during the month away from the monastery and now once again in the battle. But still it tugged on her mind....why was he so familiar?

But firstly, more important matters. Lachesis found Andrei after the battle.

"Andrei," she greeted sharply.

"I suppose we should be congratulating together," Lachesis threw her hand to the wind. "But I have something more pertinent."

"To think you would go so far as to belittle our opponents..." she trails off, thinking of the indigo mage and her new friend who both gave their very all in this fight.

Her lips thin, a large frown deepening. "I hope you can learn the spirit of friendship from this battle, if you take something away. Mocking others is not the way to go, even if one wishes for victory."

Andrei turns the other man's bow in his hands, checking it for damage after being exposed to Erk's Fire spell twice. In truth, he isn't even certain it is stronger than the bow that he himself had elected to bring. Taking it had been a statement, more than anything.

He had bested the other team, and so he would take what is theirs. That is the way of battle, is it not?

Sharp gaze darts upwards as Lachesis calls his name, admonishing words neither unexpected nor welcome in the aftermath of such a battle. "Victory in such a mock battle matters not to me," he says in reply, "But a battlefield, real or not, is no place for friendships to form with the opponent. Defeat, or be defeated. Those are our choices. I am here for nothing more."

Slinging the second bow across his back, he gives Lachesis the same thin, humorless smile he'd sported, when faced with the cleric with the optimistic grin. "If you have more complaints about my behavior, surely they can wait until our battle is over."

[ruinakete]

So this woman really was a clergywoman of the monastery. How odd. And to know that they would continue to cross paths due to this...It did not settle right in Lachesis' chest but there was naught that she could do.

At least on the fake battlegrounds could they come to grips with the raw emotion capitulated by evil and right. Lachesis stops by Zephia the morning of, when faculty are still setting up for the situation.

Eyes meet and the Nordion princess holds her own, shoulders proud and hands on her hips, only a feather's breath from grasping her sword.

"Know that I do not approve of you," the lioness speaks, her voice the calm of the sea but the depth of the oceans. "And I will always fight for what is right, despite whatever you pose for in the monastery."

Her eyes glance at the wide expanse of horizon. Maybe in another time, she could find it beautiful. 

"I've got my eyes on you," Lachesis warns her. "Zephia." The name comes off a bitter taste on her mouth.

Turning, she leaves the mage dragon presence. She has said what she needed to. Eyes flit and turn back for a moment. Yes, she is still there, a danger on the wind. But Lachesis will not avert her gaze, her step, her movement, for any second longer.

MAGE DRAGON HAD BEEN RESTING IN COMFORTABLE SILENCE, seated on a spare stool with their back to the pole of a newly set-up tent when a golden-haired nuisance came by to proudly parade her hopeless mortal morals as if each minute spent at their side would count itself in the shape of a plumed feather. and how unfortunate they were that fate would lead this beast into their path, after having dealt their obligated hours tending to the poor ego laying lachesis' hair straight.

in fact, there was little shame in the sigh zephia exhaled, grimacing at the sight of the girl before them. if not for the publicity of this arrangement, though they had no hand in meeting this time, they would have damned it all and lunged at her; no stranger to tearing away at the skin of one that irritated theirs.

instead, they listened, nodding politely and clasping their claws together in their lap. "you do not? oh. pity," was all they offered in conversation, regarding both lachesis' words and herself, as a dismissed concept and thing.

where her gaze glanced elsewhere, theirs had not.

"you are not the first nor will you be the last. now if you would?" a gentle gesture was made then, a shoo-ing movement timed awfully well with the turn of her back. and, just like that, the beast left the dragon's den, not any more wary than she already was, maybe. but that came to no matter to zephia.

if lachesis knew what was good for her and her noisy righteousness, she would leave the hound to tend to themselves. yet she was no smarter than that storefront owner had been, those weeks ago. it seemed griss would need new prey once all returned from the gronder fields.

[hresvelged]

[ H-True-O Water ] - Originating from an artesian aquifer from the frigid lands of Albinea, this bottled water is boasted to be the finest in the world. With all that marketing thrown at you, you can really taste the difference!

Lachesis finds her at the refreshment tables. A princess with a purpose, of course, but she would be remiss without saying hello. The lioness still remembers their time together in Rusalka and the deep impression left of the princess' iron will and determination. She was a wonderful young lady.

"Allow me to bring you a beverage, Lady Edelgard," Lachesis starts, handing Edelgard water. "I am glad to see you here tonight. I was hoping to say hello." "Your gown is beautiful," she offers. "Commanding of a princess of your worth."

It is a momentary respite she seeks, pulling herself away from the bustling dance floor and towards the refreshments. She knows the face of Lachesis well— A professor of the Black Eagles and one whom she met amidst a tale deeper than the monastery cares to admit.

Edelgard takes hold of the bottled drink, cold to the touch yet warm to the soul. Brushing it against her lips, the surge of its frosty awakening is what she needs most. "Thank you for that. And the drink, as well." Her eyes momentarily flicker downwards towards the crimsons surrounding her very being. "I did choose this dress with a specific purpose in mind— I'm pleased to hear you were able to see that."

Her left hand gestures forward, eyeing the composure of her professor. "The colors of your own attire coordinate nicely. I take it you took great care in your own evening's ensemble..? As much as I, certainly."

[ladyleonster]

[ Cue the Music ] - Dancing’s what tonight’s all about, is it not? Grab a friend or a stranger and get to twirling (or whatever it is the kids call it nowadays).

"Ethlyn!" Lachesis, calls, her voice twirling with excitement. It's been so long since she could feel genuine joy, even a semblance of it.

Her hand reaches for Ethlyn's, fingers intertwining with what feels familiar. "Dance with me, Eth," Lachesis stars. "Come on. It'll feel like the old days."

Yes, they can never go back. It will never be like the old, like home. But for tonight, they can put on a mask and pretend, with visions of dazzling lights and shimmering dresses. What more could she ask for? Tonight she becomes a lady again.

Lachesis twirls Ethlyn and the smile becomes her. "Ethlyn, we still have something to keep going for," but perhaps she speaks more for herself than the other.

"Better than the old days," Ethlyn challenges with a smile and a laugh. This new life is what they'll make of it, isn't it? And it isn't hard to see it positively anymore now that they're all here together.

She takes Lachesis's hand and allows her dear friend to twirl her off to the dance floor. It's nice to see her smiling again and Ethlyn hopes the happiness remains once the magic of the evening fades back into the mundane.

[maligknightsthorns]

[ 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐭𝐡 ] : sender drapes a coat / cape / etc. around receiver's shoulders.

Lachesis drapes a fur shawl over the Nohrian's shoulders. "It's getting colder this time of the year. I would not want you to catch a cold." Hands run across her back to ensure warmth. The lioness' fingers catch a strand of her lavender hair. What a beautiful color. But with all things, it must be let go.

"Have a good evening, Lady Camilla."

It wasn’t that Camilla never felt cold, its icy grip sank its claws into her more often than not. Between the skies, Castle Krakenberg, and Nohr in general though she had gotten used to wearing the cold like a blanket. It enveloped everything, if anything its absence was more unsettling.

The warmth was a constant reminder that she wasn’t in Nohr. The cold winds that came bearing the threat of winter felt like home.

She was enjoying the evening cold, looking up at the stars, when a fur shawl was wrapped around her shoulders. A warm voice accompanied the warmth of the shawl, warm finger tips gliding across her shoulders.

Lachesis, who always looked like sunlight, was walking away before Camilla could properly thank her.

The fur was soft as it tickled her cheeks. It made her smile. She was so used to being the one taking care of others, being the one taken care of though?

It was as strange as the warmth of Fodlan.

[livingrief]

Lachesis was spending her time slowly exploring the monastery grounds. She'd only just arrived but wanted to immerse herself in the experience, especially if this was going to be her new home. 

There were several beautiful areas, she discovered. The gardens, all the greenery abound, the wonderful architecture, and more. It was certainly a beautiful place to be and she took a moment to be grateful that her life had been spared and she'd been allowed to live here. Perhaps she had been to harsh on the nun back then....

She continues to pace. Lachesis does not understand why, but she feels restless. Even if she is here, where is her family? Is she a failure of a woman and a mother by abandoning them to come live in a fairway continent? She had already lost Eldigan. She cannot lose anyone else. 

Lachesis thinks of the fight she and Finn had before she disappeared. Does he hate her? Has he forgotten about her? Perhaps he has moved on, has a new woman in his life. Perhaps she was out of line, but she'd only wanted the best for him.

The lioness turns a corner. The part of the academy is rather isolated. Bare green fields lay out in front of the empty building. Is that....is that a figure in front of it? Focusing her eyes, she tries to take a closer look. No, it could not be. 

But...

Finn??? Her body doesn't register it but she begins to run, fast, until she's by his side and has thrown her arms around him. It's still him. Despite everything that's happened, it's him. She has so many questions bubbling up in her mind but none come to the surface. Instead, tears flood her eyes. The only word that comes to her voice is his name. "Finn!" she cries. "Finn!!"  "Why didn't you tell me you were here? No, it doesn't matter." Lachesis pauses, trying not to choke on her own tears. "I'm just so happy you're here, Finn." Laying her head against him for a moment, she remembers. Her bright eyes look up at him. He still has that dark, empty look to him. "I'm sorry........I'm sorry about what I said before I left. Please ...forgive me...." "Finn I....." But would it matter? Would it matter if her feelings hadn't changed? She can tell, he seems more haunted now than he did back then. Perhaps she won't be able to reach him. The abyss between them was just too dark. ���​​​​​​"I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." This time, she wouldn't leave. No matter how many times he tried to force her away.

Finn was staking blankly at the horizon. It meant little to him but took some of the burden of the rest of the things in his mind. This was a relatively less populated part of the academy so he could be at east. He did not have any assignments right now but was still a kept dog. 

But there, he noticed a presence enter the vicinity. The knight paid it no mind. They would likely not interact with him and go back to whatever they were doing. But he hears that voice and that call and then a running figure towards him.

Lachesis?

Before he has registered it is actually her - and not another phantom haunting him - she wraps her arms around him tightly. She's warm. Her heart is beating fast. Then, Finn realizes she is crying, sobbing even.

But why?

Honestly, he's just glad that she's alive. He would have never guessed so and has blamed himself every single day for her disappearance. But to know that she's well is more than enough for his heart. Why the tears? More than that, she shaking and struggling for words. It's unlike his wife, who is one of the most dignified people he knows.  At first, he thought not to hug her back. He doesn't deserve this much. Ah, but perhaps one hug he can allow. His arms come around her back, lightly at first, but her sobs don't stop. Has his wife ever sobbed this hard, not since Lord Eldigan's death? It's much to take in. Is it his fault?

Arms fold even more tightly around her, nearly crushing her. Please, please don't cry. At least not for me.  But at her words, he recalls their fight. It doesn't matter. It hardly matters anymore. All that matters it that she's alive. But then he has to let her go. He can't hold her anymore, like he used to. "Lachesis," he starts "I really am glad to see you are alive and well." For years he had tormented himself about her dissaperance. "Please don't worry about that fight..."

"But, you probably shouldn't associate with me. I'm not....good for you." His eyes watch her hands in his, the wedding band which she still wears. It hurts.  "Nobody should associate with me honestly. Lachesis, you'll be happier if you move on. If you find someone else." Not that he ever would.  Pulling her hand up, he kisses it and holds it to his cheek. They stay like that, frozen, until the sunlight hits them and the spell is over. Then, Finn releases her. "Lachesis, I'm sorry." And then he turns to leave.   

[artificidel]

'Return to my embrace, Ephidel.' Lord Nergal's voice echoes, 'return to the warmth of my love.'

The promise of it continues to be all too tempting.

Celephais 28.5/30HP casts Painless World on the party! [Roll: 14 - 4 = 10; Hit] Ephidel is inflicted with -6 dexterity for their next turn.

His arms surround his creation, long fingernails dragging up their limbs and almost consuming them entirely. 'To your Master, to your God.'

Yet, again the thought is cemented in Ephidel's mind that they can not fulfill his wishes. Not of their true god, not even to the illusion of him. In both, they were a failure. They did not deserve him; but his false-master was right about one thing.

Ephidel struggled back to their feet.

Ephidel does NOT sync with the vengeful spirit of Nergal

They were not meant to heal; made only to destroy. Pasithee herself had proven as much to the morph. And then that fire began to burn within them again, and with it, a will and desire formed on their own. Outside of purpose. Outside of loyalty and servitude. Outside of Lord Nergal or the church or existence itself.

Ephidel wanted to dismantle this illusion, not for the church, but to prove the inherent treachery Pasithee saw in them. To be the thief she had branded them as months prior. To snatch away what ever they could of her remaining happiness.

Ephidel staggered forward, Fimbulvetr coalescing in their grasp.

Ephidel 10/10HP attacks Celephais 18.5/30HP with Fimbulvetr at melee range! Heartseeker activates! [Roll: 7 + 2 = 9; -2.5HP] Post-Apocalyptic Savior activates! [Roll: 1, hit! -2.5HP, Celephais 16/30HP] ; Celephais is frozen! Celephais is unable to counterattack! Poison Strike activates! -1HP, Celephais 15/30HP

The tundra strikes true, and encases Celephais in solid ice. Ephidel would find Pasithee. They would find her and destroy her with hands made only to kill.

murder is a long-term investment

team theta | week three

[fluxrspar]

[ 𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 ] : sender is apologising for appearing cold.

"Please do not take it to heart," Lachesis starts. "Our last encounter did not smooth over so well, but I would not wish that soil our relations for the future." Lachesis' eyes flicker across Selena's figure. "You are a wonderful knight."

for you i would (still accepting)

Selena does not know what she expects when Lachesis approaches her. The Fluorspar has no right to understanding, no entitlement to forgiveness—the fellow knight could scorn her forever, and Selena would know it is just.

Instead, it is Lachesis who apologizes—though it should only be Selena, the one who committed the slight to begin—and she is taken aback, quietly. Eyes widen just the slightest, words forming and dissipating just as quickly in the moments that pass.

“I…” Then a nod, acknowledging– accepting Lachesis’ words, however undeserving Selena may be.

“Thank you.” Unspoken: I am glad. (A smile graces her face.)

[princessmacedon]

[ Sweet Bun Trio ] - A selection of traditional Faerghus pastries, all small enough to be eaten in one delicious bite! The first bun is filled with sweet cream and topped with icing and a candied cherry. The second is a sweet roll filled with almonds, pecans, and dried cranberries and glazed with honey. The third is a bun sliced in half, filled with almond paste and whipped cream, dusted with powdered sugar on top.

"Lady Maria!," Lachesis calls. "It is truly so wonderful to see you here. Being here with you tonight warms my heart so."

Yes, her time with Maria was not the longest, but it was gentle, encouraging, and soothing. It reminded her that not all was bad. That she could see the light in the dark. Maria's presence was akin to a gentle embrace.

"Would you do me the honor of sharing this desert with me? I would love to discuss so many things with you, after all.."

"Oh, Miss Lachesis!" As Maria turns, it is with a beaming grin already worn, though it shines brighter still as she takes in the sight of her one-time opponent. It is never something she thinks in reference to someone's martial strength, but truly, the ballroom suits her so much better. Though she is beginning to think the lioness carries a somber sort of weight within her in constancy, the light cascading over the hall daubs it in gentler, warmer colors.

"I'm so happy to see you," she smiles, a hand reaching to steady the the plate, "and I'd love to split these with you! The honor might even be mine, heeheehee."

So great is her grin that it encroaches upon her eyes, narrowing them in delight ere she turns them upon their surroundings in search of a place for them to sit together. "There-- over there!" She steers them toward a nearby table, eager to settle and share this treat, this conversation, this burgeoning happiness called friendship.

"Do you like one more than the other? Oh! Or do you want to split them into halves?" Though one already has been, mind, but Maria still holds a hand to her mouth and giggles. "I'll cut the buns if you tell me what's on your mind?"

(Plainly, it is not a true prerequisite, her fingers already hovering over the silverware and only waiting for permission; what is most important is only that it begins, that perhaps the light in Miss Lachesis' eyes will grow brighter, warmer, more vivid still.)

[ulircursed]

♡

from here!

(again, base templates are scipio and nanna (sorry for shadow realming u diarmuid) and aside from nanna's eyes going from blue to brown this pair of children look almost the exact same as they do in canon bless)

ok so! our story begins during the isaach war again. edain gets kidnapped, and word of this gets back to ring and andrei. ring is very worried (tbh andrei is also worried, but he is so good at rationalizing his concern and anger for his family as concern for yngvi's reputation instead so it doesn't really register in his head), even when word later comes that sigurd handled the problem, and decides that you know what, he can handle this front, yngvi castle needs more manpower, and orders andrei to head back home with part of the force to hold down the fort.

andrei gets home and realizes that edain never actually came back home, and midir is gone too, and that they all headed off towards agustria with chalphy's army. he's honestly kind of annoyed about this, seeing it as his sister's characteristic willfulness, plus midir is under yngvi's employ and shouldn't be gallivanting about as he pleases??? at this time, chalphy is invading agustria (this is grann 758 and chapter 2 of fe4), and when andrei decides to express concern about the situation, azmur sends him to agustria as 'reinforcement', with him getting there just as the one-year occupation is going on.

the fact that the king sent him is important, bc king chagall decides that to 'honor the peace', he will wed one of his most loyal subjects' younger sister to the occupying grannvale army's duke's heir! why not sigurd? bc fuck sigurd that's why I MEAN it's bc azmur sent andrei and thus it's more official this way!! no really it's bc he's pissed off at sigurd. and also u can see his True Purpose is to further manipulate eldigan, bc he can spin it as the grannvale army making off with his little sister and failing to honor the peace, and chagall sees this as insurance. in reality the dude is already so loyal he doesn't need this insurance, but chagall is a paranoid little freak ok. anyway, andrei is kind of like ???? wtf???? i don't want to marry this woman????? over this, but grannvale in general is like hey hoðr blood, this is a good thing, marry her. so he takes her home, leaving sigurd to deal with the events of chapter 3. oh yeah he also fails to convince edain to come home so he's just like UGHHHH fine and leaves midir there as well. midir is getting a pay cut throughout all this tho

kurth is killed on the way back from isaach and the rumors start to spread in the army of ring and byron's hand in it. without andrei's interference, opinions are greatly divided, and the army essentially stops marching bc now their four dukes are enveloped in an internal struggle. andrei hears of this back home, and without actually being there, has no context whatsoever and doesn't really know what to believe. maybe his father did have a reason to kill kurth, who even knows. all he does know is that the heir thing might go into effect soon

so he has a wife now, and even though i cannot really see them getting along super duper well, she's technically not a political prisoner so hey maybe they have a chance to engage on equal terms and at least get to know each other. anyway andrei is like listen i need a kid with major blood and it's better for yngvi's reputation if i have the kid with you than with some random civilian outside. he won't say it that nicely but this is basically the plan. so they end up having a kid

enter lachesis!'scipio'

minor ullr blood

has ullr blood! wild, i know. i don't think there's a strict logic to when and why the blood manifests (waiting for knoll and deirdre's kid to figure that out /j) so sometimes scipio will have ullr blood and sometimes he won't. this one does, in exchange for not inheriting hoðr blood. this is a good thing to andrei tbh

minor ullr is better than no ullr so andrei actually treats this kid ok! at this point he still thinks brigid is dead so no major blood sucks but it was a long shot anyway. he places about the same kinds of expectations he has on himself onto the kid, and the kid grows up with Self-Esteem Issues but nothing worse than the standard fare. this is the version of scipio with the best mental health so far

midway through the pregnancy ring does come back, but reveals that byron had been killed by the conspirators and they need sigurd back if they want a chance against friege and dozel. andrei's like you know what i have a better idea, and kills him, joining the conspiracy and continuing to target chalphy.

NOW, because this is several months later in the timeline than in canon, chapter 3 is currently happening, and edain, none the wiser to andrei's patricide, writes back and tells her family that wow! lady sister brigid is alive!! at this point, myos and daccar of silesse ask the beige ritter for help with the chapter 4 stuff, and andrei decides that he's going to go off to silesse to either kill or be killed by his lady sister. tell her firsthand that yngvi castle is now without a major blood since he killed their father, and hopefully goad her into killing him and coming back or something. this is all subconscious, so in his consciousness andrei is still like shit ok maybe i can take another long shot at the major blood thing. so he and lachesis try again and she gets pregnant once he goes off to silesse

this is 'nanna'

minor hoðr blood only!

basically like canon nanna only her dad's andrei. she's never met him in her life

ok yeah andrei goes off to silesse and finds brigid and dies right there. sigurd remembers that lachesis is eldigan's little sister and has edain send a letter back home explaining everything to lachesis, who is pregnant with nanna at this point. i guess they'd want her to stay put, but she tries to go to meet up with them via heading through chalphy and edda castle, and then straight up towards velthomer, which is around when they do meet up. look, if louise can do it i believe she can do it. but then the barbecue happens

lachesis survives this and goes to leonster and has nanna there :thumbsup: since diarmuid no longer exists idk what would prompt her to leave leonster and die in the desert but that is far past my jurisdiction of getting these children born so i will leave that in ur hands!!

either way, 'scipio' is left back in yngvi castle, and grows up much the same as he does in canon except he has no mother i guess. he has minor ullr blood so his inferiority complex isn't as terrible. still dies to gen ii tho. will get special dialogue with nanna, but probably won't be recruitable as he feels he must uphold yngvi's legacy. the end.

[princessmacedon]

The first thing Lachesis wants to do after the battle is over is find her new friend and ensure her well-being. She rushes over to the med tent, almost stumbling over her own feet in a hurry to see the young girl’s face once more.  It is not acceptable to let this promise go to waste! But she is more fatigued than she expected; a weary composition barely makes it through. And there. The princess still has no name, but she does have the sensation that this girl has graced her heart with - the irrevocable warmth and tenderness which she must return in full.

“I hope you are well,” Lachesis starts with, upon approaching. Memories of ending the battle with the crush of her blade surface like a butterfly’s wing closing.

And she draws yet closer. “My name is Lachesis…of Nordion. I am very much pleased to meet you. Your grace has touched my soul to the center.  I would very much desire that we could become acquainted.”

“May I ask your name?” Her eyes narrow with veneration.

The bandages upon her arm are freshly coiled, courtesy of one of the medics at hand who had not battered themself upon the field. It always feels a bit ticklish to be the one accepting the care rather than giving it, but Maria watches with docile interest as the work is done, absorbing the techniques, the unspoken considerations, the way it feels on the receiving end, as well as how she might take all of this unto herself and better her own abilities.

No sooner has she rolled her ruined sleeve back down than does she realize someone is approaching her direction. Head turns slightly, slowly, then in full all at once as those golden locks and noble, yet gentle bearing refract recognition in her eyes.

"Miss--!" Hands are pulled to her chin by surprise, only to be lowered and gently offered as the other approaches. A name, at last! And what a pretty name it is; she takes care to turn it gently over the moon waxing within her smile. "Miss Lachesis! Hee hee... I'm so happy to meet you, too!"

Though together, palms spread, hopeful that the Nordion might place her own within them. So sincere is her greeting, her praise, that even Maria's oft-sunny disposition softens with a pleased touch of pink to her cheeks. And there, the lovely lady accepts her wordless request so kindly. Maria's thumbs fold over the back of Lachesis' hand, eyes closing for a second as she offers her warmth in the way she feels best suits them in this moment -- oh, perhaps she is not supposed to be busy healing others just yet, but when has she ever been able to resist?

"I'm really very honored, Miss Lachesis," Maria half hums as her faith flows from her heart to another's. The act of touching another has never been necessary to heal, but she favors it even so, that gentle, unspoken comfort. To convey her every earnest effort, to tether them to this world, in this moment, and give them what warmth she may... (And, well, she is much to blame for most of it, this time!)

Lashes flutter open with the upward lift of her head, and beneath that soft-cornered narrow, her eyes are a-glimmer with the reflection of something golden, someone wonderful.

"My name is Maria!" Lips part again into a crescent smile. "Of Macedon! And... I saw it, you know?" A bit of mischief sparkles in the depths of rosy eyes -- only just a bit, she swears! "--your kindness, Miss Lachesis. The respect and consideration you held for all of us! And your elegance, too! Hee hee... You're really, truly amazing."

Head of crimson tips to the side, her expression knocked askew with a light and silly sort of affection. "I'd like that very much! After the battle is over, I want to hear about your Nordion, and tell you about my home, too! I could make tea and cookies... heeheehee! Is that okay, Miss?"

At last, she relinquishes her grip, if only because there is work to be done before the victors return to the battlefield. Yet there is an exuberance in her gaze, a joy radiating as she looks to the future -- alike to, perhaps, a butterfly's wings opening again.

"May we please... be friends?"

[peerlessscowl]

She finds him in the medical tent after the battle's end. An overwhelming sense of regret beckons the Nordion princess to find the man with rust colored hair. For this was not the type of battle she desired! It was her hopes to test the edges of comradery and gain new companions. Not this... The lioness is slow to approach, unsure of the proper tactic. They had not spoken in the entirety of battle and it was unlikely he would have a high opinion of her. But this was not the time to get discouraged! She had been through much harsher tests, pressed to the limits of what life could taste. The halo of blonde approaches calmly to his bedside. Calm, stay calm. "Sir Raymond, I take it? I never received your name during battle....Ah, well I wished to express my utter apologies for the way the battle turned out." Lips press together tightly as her brow furrows. "I do not believe that was the commendable way to achieve victory. You are clearly very skilled and I treated you poorly.....It is my hope that we can be acquaintances and put this brutish battle behind us..." "If there is some way I can apologize for my reproachable behavior...If there is some way I can make it up to you," Lachesis adds. "Do not hesitate to let me know, for I do not desire animosity between us."

He dreams, sometimes, bringing what might have been restful sleep to something that is half-waking. It happens more at night than after battle, but the feeling of the ground hitting his knees and tipping forward has haunted him a time or two as well, the dizzy sensation where the world tips to one side in the seconds before everything turns black.

Raven feels it, still, the tug in his chest, the pull of energy from without trying to get at his softer parts, something sinister come to burrow and his core and feast.

He hears the shouting of the medics, though muffled by the haze. Eventually, the sound, too drowns out and fades into the background - dispersed, naturally, he supposes, as his condition stabilizes and they leave his body to do the hard work. The clarity of consciousness comes to him sharply, almost crisp, almost cold against his senses.

He feels her coming before he sees or hears her, and he isn't certain if it is the sense of nausea pitching his gut on the instinct, the shying away of his natural self-preservation from the thing that had sought to sink its claws into him.

He doesn't grant her the dignity of flinching at her approach, raising his gaze to meet hers steadily as she speaks. Raven listens, does not interrupt, eyes never wavering in spite of her self-consciousness - what need have he to be gracious of a witch's feelings?

When she is done, he rises from the cot - slowly, not because of his fatigue, masking it as best he could despite the shivering in his fingers, but slowly to draw attention to their proximity, the fact that if he wanted, he could merely reach out-

There is a beat of silence, then; "Lord, actually. Not sir."

Through the slits of his narrowed eyes, he can see that she is pretty - some lady or another, probably got away with just being pretty her whole life - and he can see that she is used to her charm carrying the brunt of whatever she might like to achieve.

But he remembers the drag of magic across his heart, the flush of her cheeks as his paled, and how she had focused solely on him while chatting casually with his own teammate - the disrespect shown to an opponent you consider an afterthought. The facade doesn't faze him.

"Where I'm from," he begins, voice low and deliberate as he takes a step closer, bridging any distance between them with some certainty, "we share stories. At equinoxes, solstices, in the dark of night to teach our children what comes for them in the night. What hungers for their life force, uses it for their benefit."

His eyes flick down in assessment, then back up to hers. "And at the end of those stories, there is always blood. Whose, depends on who does the telling."

Another beat. "But there is always blood."

He gives her a curt nod, shifting his weight to maintain the steadiness of his gait to move away from her in a straight line, ignoring the flutter of his heart not yet recovered.

He had memorized her face, and he knew that he would see it around, if he looked.