#stalarmonios

[salveden]

HONEY! THE MINIONS CAN EXPLODE?! — team 11, iron round

MIDORI’S SMILE WAVERED at the sudden pulsing between her eyes.  she did not stumble, though the ground moved beneath her feet.  her eyes closed, her grip on the heavy staff tightened, then loosened; when she attempted another grip, her fingers closed around air.  midori opened her eyes and choked back a gasp.  whether of amazement or fear, she could not spend time identifying the feeling when there were massive hunks of metal in front of her.  like... massive massive!  and there were multiple of them—   four, to be exact.  but the one in the back, behind some flickering veil that seemed cast around it, looked like the baddest guy there.

fists clenched, midori swallowed and whispered,   “   holy sweet cakes, what is that?   ”   then, surprise colored her face in a faint flush.  midori looked down at her hands, finally aware of the lack of weight from the staff.  instead, there was a shield clipped tight by a band around her forearm.  that was... all, really.  despite the oddness of it all, midori couldn’t argue since she adored how the ochain shield flashed a glow of light within its gems every time she shook it!

ochain shield! heals midori for 1hp!   (   midori hp = 10 / 10   )

a groan of metal sounded in front of them and midori turned towards her team, smiling bright and hopeful,   “   i’ll go first!  watch my back, friends.   ”   she was sure that, even if something went wrong, her teammates would be there to cover her mistake.  so, determined and bright-eyed, midori turned back towards the beasts of metal and raised her hands.  the weight of the shield made it a slight struggle but it was nothing that she couldn’t handle—   nothing would compare to the travel case she carried daily!

midori! rolls d20 = 7! ‘seraphim’ critically hits, 4 damage!   (   radio scout: bulwark a hp = 6 / 10   )

the incantation fell from her lips in an easy roll of enunciation.  at the call, light burst from midori’s hands and enveloped in an explosion around the closest scout beast.  if she looked close enough, peered through the brightness of the spell, then she would guess that there had been a flicker of feathers from the blast.  angel wings, midori thought, then ignored it at the sound of the scout’s metal whirring and churning.

black ice node! rolls d3 = 1! ‘radio scout: bulwark a has been deactivated!

suddenly, there was silence.  midori blinked wildly; once at the beast, twice at her hands, before whirling around to face her team.  her fists flickered with a faint glow but she paid little mind to them as she shook her hands excitedly.   “   did you guys see that!?  i think it stopped working.   ”   a glance was thrown back to the other two scouts.   “   we might have to do the same to those two, right?   ”

@wolfskintribedaughter , @pheraean , @stalarmonios , @einjelique

[troubadontcha]

what the dog doin

starter for @stalarmonios

In the end, wolves are just like horses, right?

If a wolf wants to kill you, it will. If a horse wants to kill you, it will. They both have teeth, limbs to strike with, and if you startled them from behind, surely they’d spin and lunge for you, right? In the end, wolves are no different from horses.

... Dwyer honestly isn’t quite sure if this makes him all the more calm, or all the more scared.

But the wolves at least, if anything, look quite calm and docile. Dwyer shuffles on in to the dog-assigned yard where they’ve all pretty much just... seen fit to lounge about, doing quite nothing in particular. Unfortunately, something in particular is what they need to be doing.

“... Hey. You. Up.”

Cautious little nudge of his staff toward the nearest dog, prodding it on the shoulder. It... gives no heed and simply yawns.

Delightful.

[gentlenekomata]

Flying object detected! | Sakura & Shigure

The Battle of the Eagle and Lion is coming soon! The armorers are holding a seminar on the infamous hilltop ballista, allowing students to learn what goes into its maintenance and care. You’re even allowed to make a few test shots! [Grants Bow +1]

Sakura wasn’t a big fan of battles, even when it came to competitions between the houses: as a matter of fact, that month there would be a battle between Black Eagles and Blue Lions and that only meant one thing for sure – great rivalry and a lot of competition among the students, especially the ones that couldn’t stand the possibility of losing. That said, the petite priestess usually stayed away from those kind of event, since she wasn’t really competitive and she thought she couldn’t give a proper contribution to the preparations. This time though, the two team would be using a very interesting weapon, actually something that Sakura has always looked up with admiration but also fear – the ballista.

I’m so lucky to be the one chosen for doing this preparation!, she thought to herself as she was approaching the small hill where the ballista was collocated: the hilltop ballista (that was its correct name) was a rather difficult and special weapon, generally only used by experts to attack enemy from afar, for surprise attacks, but sometimes, thanks to these special exercises, even simple students could learn the basis of using the hilltop ballista. This time around, Sakura decided to take part in the preparations, since she’s always been fascinated by her brother Takumi dealing with it and she thought it could be a great occasion to learn something new too.

Reaching the top, the petite priestess approached the big wooden machinery, a supervisor briefly explained to her the main part of the big weapon, then he moved and he left the space for her to get closer to examinate the mechanism that put into action the whole object. “Alright, so I just touch thi—!” she couldn’t finish her phrase that the large weapon moved, a mechanism snapped and the ballista released.. nothing, because luckily for her it wasn’t loaded. Yet, the load sound made by the mechanism release, definitely alarmed the other person who was actually assigned to work in pair with her.

“Shigure!!” the pink-haired girl suddenly moved from the wooden object, waving enthusiastically at the familiar figure approaching her position with a flying mount. “Sorry for scaring you!” she lastly giggled, showing off the best smile she could afford in that moment. “Are you here for the preparations too?”

starter for @stalarmonios​

[anankelotus]

[ Fairy Wings ] - shimmer and dazzle in your new boutique threads! And what’s this… it seems they’ve some interesting accessories to choose from as well, the likes of which may be more functional than you initially thought. Soar!

"Ojichan! Look what the sparrows gave me!" Shigure twirls, bright smile on his face and skirt swirling as he flutters into the air, the wings on his back glimmering in the ball's sea of lights. It's a dream come true, to fly on his own without the use of a mount. Even if he does love dear old faithful Kaito, this is something he's yearned for ever since he was but a small boy watching the butterflies with rapt attention. With a giggle, he paints around himself with sparkling water, showing off for Anankos. "You must try these, they're so much fun!"

Anankos stares at Shigure, so light-hearted and at ease with the strangeness of this all. Well... at least his dear nephew is having fun...

He briefly considers if he should truly join in Shigure's fun, but quickly decides against it. He does not even know if he could be granted such ephmeral flutters of wings. It has been so long since his feet had even left the ground, so long since he could simply let go of human concepts like staying rooted on your own two feet.

Perhaps it is the folly of youth that allows kids like Shigure and Lilith to easily let their burdens slip past them, and he hopes that someday, it will not catch up to them. He would protect them from that future if he had to. He would do anything to make sure that they did not lose a joy for life, what happiness they could find in this world.

"It's quite impressive... Shigure... though, I don't know if I would wish to fly like that myself..." Once, before he was a mere abandoned soul, he had been able to cloak himself in the wings of a dragon, but those days were long past. And even if he still had them, he did not doubt that they would be marred and tattered, a shadow of their former self.

"I am glad that you are... having fun though... you kids should be able to enjoy events like this without a burdened heart weighing you down..."

[pridelessdaydreamer]

Sparkling Water: Fresh spring water that has been magically carbonated. Served with a squeeze of lime or a dash of one of the many fruit syrups available at the bartender’s disposal.

When he spots the glimmer of familiar verdant hair, Shigure heads over with two glasses of sparkling water in hand. His bubbles with tasty peach flavor, while the one he means to offer to his friend glints candy-apple green. Maybe Linhardt won't like the flavor, but it wouldn't hurt to try, right?

"How are you doing this evening?" he asks, handing the second glass to the Black Eagle. "I've never been to the Ethereal Ball before, but one of my classmates has told me plenty about last year's gathering. I suppose, what with our situation and the elementals and," he gestures to the stunning, dreamy ballroom, "the setting, this ball might live up to its title in a very literal way."

It was after an ample amount of time seated that Linhardt eventually decided to stand up again—mostly for refreshments.

(Just for refreshments.)

So it was pretty convenient that, not too long after he got up, Shigure entered view with not just one, but two drinks.

“Thank you.” It does not show on his face, but Linhardt is happy to receive it. “I’m fine. It’s my first time too, but the people here aren’t as bothersome as I expected. Of course, being as tall as we aren’t is an interesting situation, but that’s out of our control isn’t it?”

Pausing to really take in the ballroom—ignoring the rats and the like, of course—Linhardt can see Shigure’s point. It’s nicely decorated, has a pleasant atmosphere, and (he takes a sip of the drink he was offered) the refreshments are nice too. Green apple, he recognizes. He has no preference for the taste, but he passively notes the green color.

“It is nice,” he agrees, the mark of Earth on his right hand humming in his veins like a crest. He realizes then the presence of a card within his grasp, and when he glances—You’ve been officially matched with—he folds it up twice over with his free hand and tucks it into his hair.

“It would be better if we weren’t being watched, of course.”

[theofficersacademy]

Activity Check: June

We’ve conducted the activity check for June!

If your muse is both:

Not listed below

Has made the activity requirement for this month (3 IC posts, regardless of any exemption status)

you may claim your activity skill point! Simply add it to your Total Skill Points on your stats and allocate it wherever you please. If you have reached a new letter rank and would like to claim a new ability, please message the Masterlist.

Warned:

Tiki @dreamingdragonscion

Artur @shadesofpurity

Henry @th3twist3dmind

Shigure @stalarmonios

Louis @fabulyeux

Booted:

Tine @wrathfulbrand

- the House Leaders

[salveden]

nice argument senator — gold round, team 11

THOUGH THE DREAM SHIFTS, tears still remain clinging to midori’s eyelashes.  she closes her eyes and wipes her face with the gloves of her knightly attire.  when her hands touch her face again, the gloves are different.  rougher.  pulled over two fingers instead of five.  bright eyes open to the arena floor, where the length of her new uniform stretches out from her legs.  there’s an irony to the clothing; how familiar it seems to the samurai armor back home.  a laugh passes through her lips, weak but joyful, and she touches the symbol across her chest.  the weight of swords on her back is easier to bear when she remembers where she got the strength from.

“   alright,   ”   midori says, finally looking up towards her companions,   “   i’m ready.  let’s finish this and... s-shigure?   ”   silence overtakes her words.  midori stares at the kinshi knight with a hopeful gaze, eyes watering after a moment of realization.   she takes off in a sprint towards the space where his kinshi is mounted.   “   shigure!  you’re back!  i’m... i’m so sorry i couldn’t help you.  i’ll do better this time!  for all of us.   ”

and it starts with the gentle wave of the apothecary’s hand.

midori! heals +1 health with amaterasu.   (   midori hp = 8.5 / 10   )

midori! rolls d20 = 8! ‘recover’ heals good, +4 health.   (   shigure hp = 9 / 10   )

midori! heals +4 health with live to serve.   (   midori hp = 10 / 10   )

the call of magic within her is desperate—   that much, she knows.  still, it works and a channel of light opens between the both of them.  what midori doesn’t expect is the warmth that encases her as well.  small scratches and tears of skin are pulled together and gone within seconds.  the same channel of magic, the same spell that healed shigure.  midori sighs, holding her hands to her chest, and smiles up at her friend.

“   be careful, shigure.  please.   ”   young apothecary turns towards her team,   “   the same goes for you all.   ”   a slight glance is given to the enemies before them, though there hadn’t been a need to.  she had heard the mechanical groan of gears and metal when her eyes first opened.  it was an illusion of their earlier enemies; the beasts of metal.

@pheraean , @wolfskintribedaughter , @stalarmonios , @einjelique !!

[ashenprofessor]

The librarians are at their wit's end. There are far too many overdue books signed out right now, and so they have decided: until each and every one is accounted for, no more library access! Got a class you need to do some research for? Tough luck. Want a quiet place to hide from the hustle and bustle of lunch break? That's too bad. Get out there and shake down your fellow classmates and faculty for their tardy books!

Byleth went to enter the library only to be met with a No Entry sign and an extremely irate looking librarian blocking the way. “What’s going on here?” They enquired. The professor was only looking to do a bit of research into past residents of the monastery, hoping to find mention of their mother. It was a touchy subject, always had been in their family, so they were already on edge.

“We’re sick of people not returning books. The library’s precious resources are dwindling by the day and enough is enough” the librarian informed them. “So we’ve decided until those books are returned. No one is allowed anywhere near our books”

Byleth huffed in annoyance. “If I help get your books back, can I have access?” They asked. Getting confirmation and a list of some culprits, the former mercenary stalked away with their new mission in mind.

Get those books back.

Rounding the corner they spotted the light blue hair of Shigure. He wasn’t on the list but that didn’t mean he didn’t have any books. Marching up to him, Byleth asked in a no nonsense tone. “Have you got any books? People are overdue on their loans and I don’t particularly care how I get them back”

@stalarmonios

Garreg Mach Zero - Mr Shakedown

[amitieos]

A pile of gifts awaits the professor upon her return, sitting innocently on her desk in hues of orange paper accentuated with green ribbons and bows. What a curious thing! who was it that was kind enough to bestow them upon the deserving faculty member? Whoever it is, they're long gone... but the gifts aren't. Why not open them and see what it is she's been blessed with?

To Lady Elincia, the message inside the card with the cute little Yule tree reads, traveling and nature are both such precious things, to be cherished whether alone or with one's friends. Here's hoping these gifts can bring some light and peace to you and your holidays!

The first gift is an envelope, containing packets of the seeds of different flowers from all over some far-away continents and worlds. Included are some instructions as to how to plant them (I wasn't sure whether you liked gardening, but maybe these flowers will give you a taste of what all the places that are out there are like!), and the second gift holds some brand-new tools meant to help with nurturing the blooms-to-be, orange accents defining each as belonging to Elincia. In the third gift sits a new set of grooming brushes and combs for pegasi (I hope your flight buddy likes these too!), whereas the fourth contains books about the native flowers of several different continents. Last but not least is a pair of hair ribbons in fine orange silk, one each for the lady and her pegasus!

Happy Yule, Lady Elincia, and may your days be many and merry and bright!

A blessing, she truly has been granted. Whoever was her Secret Santa had clearly taken the time to find a heartfelt and wonderful gift for her. Or wait, gifts plural.

Her cheeks flush slightly as she reads the card. That alone is enough to warm her heart but oh, precious seeds. The gift of both beauty and life and tools to help nurture the new blooms that will surely bring such colour and warmth to her springtime. She intends to plant them in the greenhouse first thing tomorrow morning, nurturing them through the cold season.

Then come grooming tools, a gift for dear Chrysaor. Tears of joy threaten to spill out. Her oldest friend and most stalwart companion, for another to think of him so kindly too is almost overwhelming. Their matching ribbons too are adorable and so heartfelt. Truly, she needed to thank whoever had been so kind as soon as possible.

So grateful she is, she manages to resist the urge to stay inside and read through the volume of flowers around the world for the time being. It would wait for her, she knows that.

"Ah, Shigure! Just the person I was looking for," she calls out across the hall, waving and grinning as she goes. "I just received the most wonderful gift for the Yuletide season. Seedlings, a book on foreign plants, grooming tools for my pegasus -- you wouldn't happen to be behind it, would you?" He is thoughtful and generous enough to be responsible, Elincia thinks to herself. If he is not, perhaps he could help her unearth another hint.

@stalarmonios

[gentlenekomata]

July activity check ♡

Skill points

activity

Activity Check – Any +1

Completed thread – Flying + 1

total — [ 22 + 2 = 24 ]

Points allocation

given to Flying [ D -> D+ ]

given to Authority [ E+ -> D ]

Claims

Rank D Authority -> Rally Dexterity (pending)

On going thread

waiting for you;

flying object detected! @stalarmonios

will you take my leaves? @lionsword

the white heron teacup @allegreta

a flower to make a dream come true @pirrhyc

fairies adventure @nohrslittleflower

royal matters @fabledoath

cosy house @ladivamagnifica

blackthorne forest @pridelessdaydreamer

clinical trial @valkyrrian

✭˚･ﾟ✧･ﾟ✭˚･ﾟ✧･ﾟ* ✭˚･ﾟ✧･ﾟ✭˚･ﾟ✧･ﾟ* ✭˚･ﾟ✧･ﾟ✭˚･ﾟ✧･ﾟ* ✭˚･ﾟ✧･ﾟ✭˚･ﾟ✧･ﾟ*

have to reply;

Opportunity of memories @goldoanheart

Safe and sound, warm and together @duskofendflame

Arval ask + new thread @centrifugalcycle

Eos mini thread @eosasami

Completed thread

 a believers meeting w/Marianne [ finished w/ 1119 w. ]

herbs and wyverns w/ Azama – flying +1 [ finished w/ 2901 w. ]

[anankelotus]

When Snow Falls on the Ruins Once More || & Shigure💧

starter for @stalarmonios

His footsteps echoed against the stones of the academy as loudly as his thoughts rang around in his head. He hurried, for he did not want anyone to have to look upon his ragged visage. Tugging his hood closer around his face, he felt as though he should not have even come up to the surface in the first place. It was a constant fear... that he was being watched, being judged. For actions that he had never even had a way to control. 

However, before his mind could spiral much further, a shade of blue all so familiar flitted out of the corner of his eyes. A shade of blue only slightly different from his own that he donned. He nearly tripped with how fast he spun on his heel, darting after what could only seem to be fleeting hope.

Cadros... no, it certainly couldn’t be. He had- Cadros wasn’t here anymore. But he had witnessed so many things that seemed entirely out of the realm of the possible happen here at the academy. Who knew, perhaps one day he would be reunited with his beloved Cadros. Perhaps that was today.

Words slipped from his throat before he could stop them, words that sounded to his pointed ears as, almost desperate. “Cadros...! I...” He choked on something he could only call a sob, tugging his hood further down to hide any tears that might be falling.

“...I’m sorry... for... for everything...” He had always wished to get the chance to apologize, for wrongs that he had never wanted to happen. For destroying the thing that they’d had, for destroying the once peaceful kingdom of Valla. He could never forgive himself, and he certainly didn’t expect anyone else to either.

“...Valla was... different after you... I miss that version of our kingdom...”

[paintingfallenraindrops]

(starter for @stalarmonios and @anankelotus)

Cadros hums softly to himself as he wanders the academy's grounds, that old familiar tune that his dearest friend had written. Though, it was never meant to be sung so casually. And he hoped that he would never have to use it the way it was meant to be sung, but he supposed it wouldn't matter for the time being anyway. Anankos was not here.

He sighs, once again reminded how much he misses the dragon, his god. He missed seeing his face everyday, missed hearing the advice he would whisper in that soft and shy voice of his. It made Cadros feel terribly lonely knowing that he had left Anankos by himself. He shouldn't worry, Anankos is a dragon, a god, after all, but that poor gloomy man does not truly know how to handle himself, especially when it came to humans, no matter how much he loved them.

He missed Valla, and it's green fields, and- huh?

Cadros quickly falters in his thoughts, nearly tripping over an upturned stone as he stares at a student. A boy, and it's like looking in a mirror. Cadros didn't remember having a twin brother, or any siblings that looked that similar to him. Who in the world was this...?

"You... huh...? Valla...?" Is all he manages to sputter out as he continues to stare in shock. Was that possible? For other Vallites to be here at this strange academy? And he does not dare hope, that it could mean that it was possible for Anankos to be here as well. Because the disappointment were he not to be, it would sting far too much for Cadros to ever bear. It was far too painful to even hope that he would ever see his god's face again.

The Best Time Machine is a Song

[saionofvalflame]

❀ ending chapter, beginning route | + chrom, shigure.

When he wakes up on September 1st, he sits bolt upright in his bed as he takes in his unfamiliar surroundings... except they’re not so unfamiliar after all. Like waking from a dream, the details unfog and become clear, and Saias gasps aloud with joy to find himself in his academy dorm room once more. The fictional world from the past couple of months no longer holds him: he and everyone else has been freed, they must have been! The missions were successful, then; he read every single one of the six fanfictions’ final chapters, his anticipation and excitement mounting as team after team finished their boss battle... except those in Edge of Eden, who managed to defeat Melanthios even though two other enemies remained. He’d worried about the fates of everyone in the books upon finding this out, but it seems trouncing the fallen deific being was enough to secure their objective.

Strange that there was no sign of Rion; then again, Saias hopes he won’t see the magenta-haired youth for a very long time.

As he leaves his dorm, he finds Chrom and Shigure chatting in the hall outside (and what a delight to see the light-haired bluenette again! though he seems to have aged between his last stay and now), and he instinctively scans them for injuries. Their battles had been difficult, though Chrom had been rather lucky on his end, while Shigure had managed to hold on at the end by a thread. He’s so very proud of both of them and how well they fought despite their limited equipment and spells.

Funny, isn’t it, how the three of us survived lethal missions by the skin of our teeth with only a couple items available to us. I’d almost call it a rite of passage between the three of us. However, next time, I hope all of us have at least a small arsenal in order to take on whatever our enemies throw at us.

“... and then I must’ve been empowered by something heavenly, because I nearly felled our Melanthios with a single strike! I think the only thing that prevented me from killing him was that strange armor he was wearing, but Kris—you know, Marth’s best friend—he finished him off right after.”

“That’s impressive! I almost ended up dying, but I managed to kill our group’s Melanthios after he killed Uncle Leo... Uncle Leo!” Shigure tears up, covering his mouth with the back of his hand.

Saias steps forward. “He’ll be fine, Shigure.” The two bluenette teenagers startle and whirl around, then cry out with relief, and in two seconds he’s buried in a double-sided bear hug, very enthusiastic on Chrom’s part, hesitant but no less gentle on Shigure’s. The redhead chuckles and pulls the two close—oh, how he’s missed them so! It’s just not the same without his friends.

“You’re back... I didn’t know whether the other students that were trapped got out, but you’re really back...” Oh, Chrom. He must be taking all of this particularly hard, what with him being written into the empire only to find out he was on the evil side. Saias shushes him and murmurs that there’s nothing to forgive. Poor thing, knowing him he’ll be blaming himself for a while. Luckily, Saias doesn’t plan on leaving him to wallow in self-deprecation, and there have to be plenty of others willing to help the young Ylissean prince recover.

Shigure shifts and withdraws from the hug, and the priest-in-training takes the pause to look over this older, more mature version of his younger friend. “You said... you said Uncle Leo will be fine? But how... he’s dead.”

The redhead shakes his head with a smile. “Nope, he’s alive. If last time has taught me anything, it’s that everyone will always make it out alive at the end of the month, no matter whether they died during the mission or not.”

Sapphire and golden eyes widen. “Wait, what do you mean, ‘last time?’” Chrom asks. “Did something like this happen before?”

“First time?” Saias quirks a brow, then chuckles. “Yes, it has. Last time we were sent out throughout Fódlan on a mission to uncover more about our mysterious enemies. I was sent to the Sealed Forest... several of us died, and those who died were resurrected as shadows that were forced to fight us. The less said about it, the better.” He winces. Oh, and that reminds me: whatever happened to Theo? I still haven’t seen shell nor tail of that little spider droid since then. “In any case, when we finally won our battles, everyone got out alive, even the ones who died. I know for a fact that your uncle made it out alive with you.”

Shigure frowns. “I don’t recall hearing anything like that from our classmates—in fact, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of that particular mission.”

“Now there’s an interesting phenomenon. When I first came here to Fódlan, I entered the academy in the Pegasus Moon of 1180.”

“Saias, you can’t have entered then.” Chrom furrows his brow in exasperation. “You were here months before me, the Pegasus Moon of 1180 would’ve been during the time you were trapped in the book.”

“Yes,” the Jugdrali mage agrees, “and no. The mission I was on took place during the Lone Moon of 1180—just like this enchanted book mission—but we returned during the Great Tree Moon of 1180. Do you see what happened?”

“Time travel,” Shigure breathes. “Or, no... time reset. That’s so strange, why is it that that happened? Was it a result of your battle with these enemies you mentioned?”

Chrom pales. “You mean to tell me that we might have to do our entire school year all over again?! But wait... you were already in higher-ranked classes than you would’ve been if you had to start the year over... so does that mean everyone remembered and were able to pick up where they left off? Oh Naga, does that mean our enemies remembered?!”

That would explain a lot, actually, such as Chrom’s mission during the Verdant Rain Moon and this latest mission into the tomes. “You know what, I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.”

“I need to see this.” Shigure heads back into his dorm room, and, after trading a bemused shrug with Chrom, Saias follows after the singer. He finds the other teen staring at the calendar on his wall...

... which shows the Great Tree Moon... of 1181.

“Oh.” Saias sways, a bit lightheaded. So time has returned to its natural course, then? “I thought... I thought it was gonna reset again. I think I even hinted at it when I talked about course direction with you, Chrom, said you had all the time in the world.”

“... People are gonna wonder why I’m a year older when I go back home,” Chrom murmurs, looking faint. “That is, if time in Fódlan doesn’t run parallel to time in Ylisse.”

“It does not. I’ve been gone for two years at home and about nine months here,” Shigure says, tone matter-of-fact. The other two Blue Lions give him a quizzical look, at which he offers a sheepish smile. “I’ve lived in a Deeprealm for most of my life; they run much faster than the rest of the world.”

“... Right. I knew that.” Chrom rubs the back of his neck. “Well, looks like we’ll have to make the most of this opportunity. It’s a new day for Fódlan, huh?”

Saias smiles. “It seems so. And if I’m not mistaken—not to break up this little reunion—we all have family and friends we need to go check on and make doubly sure they’re all right, don’t we?”

Both bluenettes nod, then Chrom, as if remembering something, turns to Shigure with his finger in the air. “Your great-uncle’s here. I met him while we were trapped in the book.”

“He is!!” The youth is out the door before the young Ylissean can say anything else, and the redhead chuckles at his friend’s quiet enthusiasm. Bragi, he missed his younger friend... it feels so good to have him back, and that he has the chance to meet Saias’s other closest friend. Speaking of which... the swords-mage turns to the older teen, gaze gentle and kind.

“Chrom... for what it’s worth, I don’t hate you at all for the role you were slipped into and the actions you took because of what you believed. I’m willing to bet your family and friends don’t hate you either, and they’ll welcome you back with open arms if you just have the courage to go to them.” The bluenette nods, eyes fixed on the ground in evident shame. Saias withholds a sigh, then thinks of something else and smirks. “And if it takes me beating that into your thick skull with a heavy tome for the next several months—”

“All right, all right, all right! I get it! No more wallowing in the depths of guilt and misery!” Chrom holds his hands out to keep the other teen away, laughing. “When did you become so violent?”

“Being trapped in a book is boring and stressful. Or, it was on my end.” Saias grins, then wraps his arm around the other boy’s shoulders. “You know you can talk to me about anything and anyone, right?”

After a bit, Chrom nods, slow but understanding. “Yeah. Thanks, Saias.”

“Of course, anytime. Come on, we have plenty of people to check on and make sure—ohmyBragi Sigyn’s gonna be pissed.”

The laugh that answers him make him beam from ear to ear. Worth it.

[ladyleonster]

As horribly as Ethlyn's night has gone, it still isn't enough to dampen her competitive spirit. Especially when it's Colm who comes seeking a partner. He'd been willing to go along with her big idea of a surfing contest and he's got spunk and spirit.

His spirit shines through as he dances and Ethlyn can't help but smile as she matches his enthusiasm. They twirl about the stage with flair, both dancers unafraid to add their own touches to a basic waltz. Their execution of the steps is certainly lacking but Ethlyn is able to let go of her earlier heartbreak and enjoy a few moments of fun.

Tie breaker roll: 3!

"Not bad at all!" She agrees and holds out her hand for a fist bump.

@stalarmonios @areadboar

mettaton vc knock 'em dead darling!

[pridelessdaydreamer]

decorating dinner with delicious(?) dressings

[+1 authority starter for @stalarmonios]

A part of Linhardt thinks the Academy staff unwise to put him in charge of cooking duty when he was still so new to the Academy (he’s surrounded by upperclassmen, and yet he still has to work?), but another part of him thinks himself to be very lucky, because he has a partner — and that means he could do as little work as possible.

Which is the plan, of course, until, made to fetch ingredients, he notices some odd additions in the pantry: chocolate, tofu, pineapple (arguably the most outlandish item there, but alright), and —

The goddess smiles upon him; there is fish.

And so alongside all the other ingredients Shigure asked him to get, Linhardt brings various types of... well, fish. From Airmid gobies and Caledonian crayfish to a queen loach and— they had a bullhead. Was he supposed to not take it?

It all goes on the counter.

“Is that everything you want me to get?” Linhardt asks, already moving to wash his hands again (all that fish wasn’t going to remove itself). “I realize we aren’t exactly using a recipe for any of this, so I also grabbed some other ingredients we might need.”

[theofficersacademy]

Activity Check: October

We’ve conducted the activity check for October!

If your muse is both:

Not listed below

Has made the activity requirement for this month (3 IC posts, regardless of any exemption status)

you may claim your activity skill point! Simply add it to your Total Skill Points on your stats and allocate it wherever you please. If you have reached a new letter rank and would like to claim a new ability, please message the Masterlist.

Warned:

Arval @arvaal

Catherine @thunderbladecath

Felix Hugo Fraldarius @aegisshieded

Saias @saionofvalflame

Chrom @ylisseanstar

Kiragi @kiraumi

Midori @salveden

Shigure @stalarmonios

Booted:

Takumi @prince-pineapple

- the House Leaders