#swordsovereign —001

[viladlind]

fiyero thinks he's never been as handy with a weapon as he's become in the past few weeks of travelling. there is an expertise that his friends possess that has always seemed out of reach. astarion with his daggers, karlach with her axe, laez'el with her sword. he remembers the light joking he shared with astarion over the warm fire in the middle of their camp once, as fiyero was cleaning his weapons and instruments. you seem to have a particular affinity for kidneys, the vampire had teased, and fiyero had bumped his shoulder into the others in response.

   usually in the back, he thankfully didn't need to stab kidneys a lot of the time. sometimes, of course, their enemies would rush at him, recognizing the danger in a bard who heals and boosts his teammates from afar, but it was never long until said teammates followed their lead and killed them before they could hurt fiyero all too badly. to protect and to be protected in this manner, he wasn't familiar with before. it was a blessing, in a way.

a person with great power should use that power to keep the peace. was he doing that, keeping peace? he thinks back on the conversation he had with jaheira, the truth tincture he'd refused to drink, in an effort to keep his group safe. to get rid of the absolute was, in a manner of speaking, something good. something right.

   did he do that out of the kindness of his heart, or out of necessity?

   looking at the swords as they appear, he can feel the amount of power that seofon holds. to imagine him up in these skies, fighting to protect people, it was reassuring in a way. to know that there are others who have an easier time with morality, with helping where it's needed. he thinks he could find the protection he's grown so used to in seofon as well, if he lets him.

   and he's never struggled with letting people close, right?

   ' you've dedicated yourself to a noble cause. ' his free hand reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind his ear. ' i found myself leading my friends back home without ever really having led. i was a travelling bard before, always out and about with different people. once we all found ourselves in the same sticky situation, though ... i suppose i was charming enough for them to rely on me. '

   blinking slowly, he leans into seofon, looking back at him. ' people are bound to think badly of you no matter what you do. i've known that since birth— tieflings aren't exactly looked upon fondly where i'm from. ' he waves his hand, as if to disregard the mention. ' to have such a strong sense of the power you hold is something you can be proud of. i'm sure your people would rather have you than somebody who underestimates what they're dealing with. '

Fiyero speaks of the place he lived and Seofon watches as their environment changes, as it grows. He takes note of what has appeared in their little world and it simply reinforces what he already believes about Fiyero.

❝ I've found that it isn't always the place you grow up in that you find feels most like home. ❞

❝ Home is where your cherished bonds stay. Home can be in the hearts of others. It's clear that the bonds you have with your friends are irreplaceable. ❞

So Fiyero is a traveler of sorts. An adventurer. Seofon is reminded of his early days- the ones after he remade himself. Where he also cast aside his name to start a new life, because what was left of that little town? What had become of the son of the local seamstress and baker? When other crews finally arrived to help, he was long gone, floating in the sea of stars. Better that it manifested as such than seeing that little town. Not that Seofon hadn't loved it, but because he wasn't that person anymore. He couldn't be.

Sometimes he wished he could be, but that was...

❝ It's not whining at all. I like hearing your story- and I know a thing or two about friends getting in sticky situations. Back home, I'm captain of one of those skyfaring crews. We're called the Eternals, and we've all dedicated our lives to keeping peace in the skies. It's not easy, though. ❞ He gives Fiyero a knowing look, because he's pretty sure he's also left the Eternals in a pinch. Not that they couldn't take care of themselves, because of course they could! They'd been doing fine before he came along... it just so happened that when they did band together, they accomplished much more than each could do individually.

❝ I wish I could call myself a pacifist, but not all conflicts can be solved by just talking it out. When I was young, I learned I had ... rather unique skills. Skills that were useful in battle, but also outside of it. It sounds strange to say out loud, but I'm an avid collector of sword souls. And swords in general- ❞

Among the items at the campsite, a few of Seofon's most cherished blades appear. The Setti de Spade, the Gateway-Star Sword, the training sword he gave to the Captain. The rusted Seven-Star Sword that started it all. ❝ Swords are works of art, but they're also weapons. In the wrong hands, they can cause devastation. So I use my abilities to make sure they aren't in the wrong hands. It's made a lot of people back home think that I'm just after power, but that's not it at all. ❞

Anosiete hasn't chimed in for a while, and Seofon wonders if that's a good thing. It probably is. So he focuses back on Fiyero and his bright eyes and winning smile.

❝ A person with great power should use that power to keep the peace. Life should be protected and cherished. I wish more people would see it that way, but that's why I formed the Eternals. While we don't agree on most things, that's sure one that we do. ❞

[springsfall]

" No, I don't think there's shrimp of that size in this city....." she doesn't recall ever witnessing what the other is explaining, but given how.....odd things can be here, it isn't that out of the ordinary. many things are witnessed with each eclipse and who was she to say that there was a giant shrimp, frying rice? and if there was, of course it would come up when someone inquires about shrimp fried rice.

" You could try the market on the boardwalk in Golden. Perhaps a fisher caught one of that size that you could use."

@swordsovereign

[hopeled]

often she took to the roofs of buildings, finding solace in the way everything seemed to grow quieter from up above. it was odd, how her mind had grown quieter, how she could sleep easier than ever before. it felt far too foreign, but Ritsuka knows it should be treated as a blessing. still, there exists that current running underneath her skin, a sort of restlessness that forms every so often. perhaps she needed to hit the batting cages again but before the thought could be considered anymore, a commotion from below catches her attention.

eyes peek over the edge of the roof, spotting what looked to be some thug hassling someone in the alleyway. from looks alone, Ritsuka could tell the thug was outnumbered. hm. best to put an end to this quickly, lest the poor guy end up in the hospital.

hands plant against the ledge and she easily jumps over it, her positioning allowing her to drop onto the thug from above, which is enough to knock him out. she stands up quickly, smile wide as she looks at the other. " Sorry about that. I heard the commotion and got a bit ahead of myself."

@swordsovereign

[imnotdracula]

@swordsovereign liked for an event started

Soma wasn't really a believer when it came to the idea of a higher power. He knew monsters were real, but God? That was something that he usually didn't think on. What he did believe in was the feeling of safety and sanctuary. The Hakuba Temple had always brought a feeling of calmness to his heart and there were times western churches did the same. They weren't as prevalent in Japan; however, whenever he saw one, he couldn't help but go near.

Maybe that was what brought Soma to the steps of this church. A need for comfort and tranquility while his emotions continue to rage on inside of him. He sat on the steps with his jacket pulled taunt over his shoulders like a blanket. It was quiet.

"Damn it, don't cry," He told himself. He had no reason for tears, yet he could feel his eyes forcing themselves close as they welled up. He took a deep breath, shuddering lightly as he tried to fight it all back. He was starting to think coming here was a bad idea. He decided to get up, wipe away his tears, and look for the first person to help him. He needed something to distract his mind before he burst out sobbing.

"Hey man, do you know any good places here to eat? Kind of new to the area," Soma quickly said as he approached the other.

[viladlind]

a beautiful name. fiyero could laugh, but he only bites at his lip with a fang, as though keeping a secret. it is a beautiful name, isn't it? picked all by himself, when he decided to leave behind what he called home once and for all. a new name for a new life. and how wonderful it's been, despite all its tribulations. despite the crisis going on back at home, despite the crisis of being here alone, this is a wonderful moment, and fiyero intends to take advantage of it.

   as he gives a compliment, seofon responds in kind, smiles for him. like a flower opening up when the rays of the sun shine down on it. to push a button and to see something work has always been very rewarding for fiyero. he prides himself on his people skills, even if they can be overbearing at times. his reward is a smile, and that's all he needs to beam back at seofon as he listens.

   and when he thinks back on what he now calls home ... what is home? is it waterdeep, still? he spent a few years in the city, and yet, his departure of it seems so far away now, with everything that's happened. instead of the theatre he sometimes played at, or the yawning portal he frequented, it's the campsite that comes into existence nearby. each of their little corners, with no people to inhabit them but their valuables still nearby, and the campfire burning in the middle of it. scratch and the owlbear baby are sleeping nearby, curled up together. ' this is what i cherish, ' fiyero supplies, a bit abashed.

   ' i spent many years in waterdeep. it's a beautiful city— the city of splendors, right by the sword coast north. filled with people, and trade, and talent. i left it ... i think a few weeks ago? and i've been on the road ever since, so this has been my home. '

   as they walk past, he spots a few details: astarion's mirror, some of gale's books, a wooden duck left behind by halsin. he wonders if the stillness and quiet is because of the campsite's emptiness, or because of the starry sky it's hovering in. what a beautiful place for their home to be in, however brief. ' truthfully, i'm a bit worried about things back home ... my friends are capable, but i left them in quite the mess. ' feeling himself trail off, he shakes his head a bit, jewelry jingling with the motion. looking back at seofon helps with that— he can focus on the features of his face instead, eyes going over his cheekbones, to the bridge of his nose, to his lips.

   then he smiles, a bit cheekily.

   ' do you fancy yourself a fighter, seofon? perhaps you know of my struggle. i wouldn't want to merely whine. '

❝ Fiyero, that's a beautiful name, ❞ A beautiful name for a beautiful young man, one that Seofon finds himself hoping to spend more time with, even if the anxiety of their new surroundings faded... that didn't mean that they would have to part ways, right?

Seofon rarely felt his heart flutter like this- with the excitement of meeting someone new and charming, someone who he wouldn't mind spending quite a bit of time with. The last time he'd felt like that was ...

Well, with the Captain. Their first meeting was still burned into his memories, their smiling face while they talked with Sierokarte about a rusted sword that they'd stumbled across. He remembered a time where he wasn't sure what he was feeling, but he knew that they were someone incredible. Fiyero reminded him of the Captain in a way that he couldn't explain.

Was it how he looked back at Seofon with eyes full of wonder? Was it the familiar touch? The way Fiyero held himself as someone who had so much love to give? Maybe that was it. Having that much love was a gift that not nearly enough people possessed, and it was a heart like that which Seofon would do anything to protect.

Really? That quickly?

You don't understand the importance of something like this. You never loved the people around you. All you wanted was power, and when you had it, you used it to slay the pillars of your world. Look where that landed you.

Of course Anosiete wouldn't understand.

Fiyero calls Seofon special, and the swordsman can't help but smile.

❝ You think so? Back home I'm not the only one who has at the very least reached the sea of stars in some way, but maybe the others haven't experienced it in the same way. Before I arrived here, I was in the company of someone who was trying to reach Estalucia to find their father. I have faith that they'll reach it... ❞

❝ But Faerûn and Waterdeep- those sound like beautiful places, too. What was it like there? I'd love to know about the places you've seen and that you cherish, too. ❞

[viladlind]

fiyero has always been one for teasing, for flirting, for grand gestures, whether he's known a person five minutes or five years. there is a freedom in sharing the love he has for the world, the love he has for himself. even if something doesn't work out, there's hardly ever any ... well, hard feelings about it. to enjoy something as it lasts, he's learned to appreciate things for what they are, rather than what they were, or what they could be.

   and of course, he thinks of halsin, briefly. but nothing ever truly happened between them, and now fiyero is alone again.

   he's never liked being alone.

   so there is a handsome man on his arm, and the world around them changes to put them into a darkness that isn't frightening, but marvelous. the street underneath them disappears, replaced by blue and black, dotted by white stars. like freckles, he thinks. he takes his time to truly take it all in, and when he looks back at seofon, his expression has brightened into excited wonder.

   ' estalucia ... i know i said somewhere nice, but this has far exceeded my expectations. ' looking down between the two of them, he watches as his boots hit nothing, yet they walk through the sky as if it were solid. not quite like flying, but close enough. his heart floats in his chest alongside his body.

   leaning into seofon, their shoulders bumping together, he grins. ' excitement can get the best of you, darling, that's understandable. it's so very nice to meet you, seofon, ' pronouncing each letter in his name, his forked tongue settling in it comfortably, ' my name is fiyero. i hail from faerûn, a city called waterdeep. '

   gesturing with his free hand ahead of them, he thinks that seofon must have achieved quite a bit, to be able to remember this, to dream this. ' i've seen a lot of things, but nothing quite like this. there must be something special about you, ' with a squeeze to their linked arms, ' if people go searching for this and you've seen it so ... intricately, so soon. it's quite a work of art. '

Oh! It worked! He didn't think it would work, but damn was it nice! And what a charming laugh! Truly, he'd lucked out.

Take that, Anosiete!

❝ Well, I've always had a tendency to help where I can. ❞ More than that, he wasn't exactly sure what to do next. Threo had always made fun of him for his inability to 'attract a mate' in her terms, and in any other person's terms, his inability to get a date. Seofon had always bragged to the Captain about make-believe lovers and admirers, but the truth was always that he was ... lonely.

What was that saying? It's lonely at the top, or something. It sure was true.

Before he'd found himself in Spirale, Seofon had finally taken his shot with the Captain in the most peculiar way possible, and if he could go back in time, he'd do it differently. Sure, the hot springs were nice, but ... he should've tried to romance them under the stars or something. Maybe he should've admitted his feelings in plain terms. Now, he'd likely never see them again.

Enough of that! I can mope around when I'm alone, but right now I've gotta impress my date!

❝ Somewhere nice, huh? I think I know the perfect place! ❞ He thinks for a moment as they begin to walk, and the world falls away in their little space so that they were surrounded by stars. It was the most beautiful place Seofon could think of, or dream of ⎛ which made their surroundings change, right? ⎠

Dreaming of this place? Didn't you want to share it with someone else?

❝ Back where I'm from, there's this place called Estalucia. It's far beyond the clouds, and many skyfarers have gone searching for it. ❞

❝ I first saw Estalucia when I was a little kid. I thought I was dreaming, floating in a sea of stars. I think there's a path here in Archimedes that resembles the sea of stars, but if we're on a date, I think it might be nicer if it's just the two of us. ❞

So far, so good.

❝ Maybe I should've introduced myself first, but better late than never. My name's Seofon- and I'd be honored to know yours. ❞

[viladlind]

the laugh that escapes fiyero is half huff, half chirp. he knows when he's being flirted with, and it's nice to know he doesn't look as frazzled as he might feel, in a new city that's so different from what he knows. weird is certainly one way to put it.

   it's a practiced dance, the way he steps over to put a hand on the other's forearm, blinking at him in an almost languid fashion. his tail curls in around the two of them, a slow movement that can be followed with the eye. ' oh, you're my knight in shining armour, hm? who am it to reject such a generous offer. '

   the blonde hair frames his face quite nicely ... up this close, fiyero still can't quite tell whether his eyes are blue or green. perhaps he'll have enough time to figure it out later.

   hooking his arm into the man's, he slides into place next to him, giving him an encouraging smile. ' come on then, take me somewhere nice. a chat with a handsome man sounds splendid with all this chaos going on. '

@viladlind ❲ phantasm amalgam, part 1 ❳

Oh! Well, this person definitely wasn't a draph, not with that skin tone, but there was something comforting about the appearance of something draph adjacent. A little taste of the home that he hadn't even known that he'd left. Or, he didn't remember why he left-

There was probably a reason.

Or, this is just another simulation by Logia! Nailed it! No, that's not it at all. Let me have this one, just stop talking!

❝ I'm going to guess you're new here, ❞

Way to state the obvious. Well. might as well keep going.

This one's pretty easy on the eyes, too! Guess it's my lucky day! Time for the classic Seofon Charm!

The what? Oh, like you had any better luck! You're going to tell me that someone who destroyed the six pillars of reality in his world was able to score more dates than a version who isn't doing any of that? Fat chance!

❝ I just moved in, too- at least that's one way to look at it. Things here are a little weird to say the least, but if you'd like, maybe we could stick together for a bit and figure this place out. ❞

Nailed it!