#verseandrhyme

[hresvelged]

🍪!

No matter how many times she sees others hoist sweets and wave them around as if it is some sort of prize, she will never get used to it. She doesn't understand it— How, each year, friends and allies alike present biscuits within their hands in an attempt to get one another closer. Is that the goal? It must be.

Watching Mitama stand in front of her like this has her interest maneuver into curiosity and surprise. She looks into the other girl's star-filled eyes and takes a step closer. "You must know how bold it is to offer this to the likes of a future emperor." A finger lightly taps the side of her temple. "If it is a challenge you propose, I will accept. I must warn you, though. I've.. yet to fully understand why this has become such a trend."

As Edelgard leans in, the bite she takes is larger than she anticipates. The loud snap erupts in the quiet space and causes her cheeks to glisten pink. The princess immediately turns around as her hands grip against her forearms. The embarrassment is difficult for even her to hide. "Forget you saw anything. In fact, pretend we have yet to cross paths at all. That is an order."

[carefreemonk]

She did not owe him anything. He had not shown up on hers.

...

"Father." Her expression is carefully schooled, in the hopes that any bit of nerves or awkwardness or worry is hidden away from sight. When she reaches him, she immediately holds out the gift. "Here."

Unwrapped and undecorated, she offers him a book. "It is a recently released collection, summarizing the various forms of faith across the continents that have gathered here in Fódlan as of late." She explains. "I assume that, if you insist on badgering every person that you meet in some way, it is far more entertaining to be able to fire more accurate targets than broad and vague statements of faith."

She knows, at least, that she finds it more satisfying when she can return barbs with targeted points. Not that she cares if he is having fun while he behaves the fool. And if he hates the book or thinks it is a terrible gift, than Mitama herself will have something new to read and no reason to feel like an idiot for making an attempt.

While his judgement is waited for, Mitama's gaze shifts, choosing to look over his shoulder rather than face him directly. "...happy birthday, also. Not that...mortal things like that matter."

“Daughter.” The reply comes in a similar tone to match, though the monk faces her neutral expression with his typical blithe cheer - an easygoing smile. He sets the side of his face on a curled fist, briefly cracks open a starry eye to look at her. She’s hiding something.

But he need not wait overlong to learn the truth of it.

Brows lift. Head cants a notch further.

Eventually, curiosity his better, free hand reaches for the proffered book. Turns it front to back, back to front.

Explanation of the gift(?) is provided in short order,

“Oh!”

followed by the reasoning behind the gift(!)'s choice. “…Oh.”

He grins. “Well, well. You assume correctly, though it concerns me just a titch that you would enable me in such fashion, ohoho~”

Regardless, he’s all smiles, clearly a mix of amused and chuffed, and maybe even a little touched as he runs thumb the length of the book’s spine. He could maybe put off meditating for the afternoon to give it a little read. . .

…

“Well, thank you-”

. . . '…happy birthday, also.'

“… Ah. I had all but forgotten…”

She’s right. What’s another year of this life amount to, in the end? One can but make the best of it with what finite ever dwindling time they’ve got to their name.

(...Has he been doing that?)

(...Has she been doing that?)

… Azama doubts if he’s earned the right to a hug, so he settles for a gentle pat on her head - for once, not ruffling, not teasing. Just. Grateful.

“Thanks, dear.”

[twistedisciple]

[ Fashion Police ]

She should not say it. She should have some tact. She does not even know this person, and she really should not care about how they chose to present themselves. It is none of her business.

But ever her father's child, she cannot stop herself.

"Did you forget to change after they pulled you out of the pond?" Mitama points vaguely at the net shirt and outer attire that looks like it had been shred in a struggle. She was not entirely convinced that it was not seaweed on his head either. "You will get sick walking around like that, you know?"

”Huh? Pond?” Now where’d this starry-eyed brat come from? Griss runs his fingers through his hair almost unconsciously. Nope, not wet. A little - no, maybe a lot oily, but jumping in the pond would solve that problem.

So he pushes back the folds of his coat to put his hands on his hips and peer down at her, a smile slithering across his lips as he pretends to be touched by her concern. He doesn’t even notice that it’s only a veil for the insults about his attire. Or they simply don’t land. He’s heard plenty of criticism about how he’s chosen to dress over the years, most of which tends to be about the tattoos. Or the metal in his face.

“Aww, worried about lil’ ol’ me?” Expression turns as slimy as she thinks his hair is. “Then what’s your solution, doc?”

[starrook]

[Spaghetti and Meatball ]

For just a minute, Mitama could only stare with silent horror as the world seemed to freeze. It gave her plenty of time to assess and accept the oncoming embarrassment.

"I am so sorry!" Mitama rushes forward, grabbing as many of the napkins off the table as she can. Without thinking, she sets to trying to wipe some of the sauce and stray noodles off of the other student. She gives the plate a little kick out of the way and grimaces at the sound it makes as it scrapes against the floor.

"That was entirely my fault, I cannot believe I was so clumsy I - oh!" Oh it was probably strange of her to be actually touching him without the context that she was a healer. Mitama's hands snapped away, only for her to awkwardly hold the napkins out for him to take. "So sorry, really! If there is a cleaning fee I will...attempt to pay it."

One minute, Alcryst is stunned by the sudden weight of noodles and fragrant sauce on his chest, the clatter of a plate falling to the floor. The next thing he knows, there's a very pretty girl fussing over him, hands all over his chest as she apologizes for the mess and her clumsiness.

Apologizing. TO HIM?? Alcryst goes stupid for a second before he manages to say something coherent. "Oh, no no! I should be sorry! If I hadn't been standing right in your way, you wouldn't have tripped and lost your dinner..." He bows with such force that it shakes some of the noodles off of his clothes. "Forgive me. I'll get you another plate.

"And the...cleaning fee? There is none. A-Actually, this is nothing for Brodian clothing! The wool is treated so that it's easy to clean off blood and dirt after battle. Here." Alcryst takes a napkin and begins dabbing the sauce off of his clothes, hoping to reassure the cute girl. Though it slowly dawns on him... what girl would be impressed by this stuff?

Alcryst stops, then sighs dejectedly. "...Why don't I give you one of my feathers? It won't make up for your lost spaghetti, but..."

[viridescent-lance]

[ Trip ]

Mitama squeaks, quickly righting herself. She had not even been dancing, just trying to make her way across the nightmare of a ballroom, only to trip and bump into another guest. She should have just gone to sleep the evening by in her room rather than try to attend.

She quickly turns to the poor victim and bows. "I am sorry for my clumsiness." When she lifts her head, the green is familiar. It takes her a moment to place the name, only remembered from an echoing announcement of her failures. "Sir...Forsyth, yes?"

Forsyth has seen this girl before, a while ago at this very ball. He hadn't gotten much of a chance to talk with her or even see her up close then, as they'd been on opposing ends of a dancing competition.

"Ah, no worries. It could happen to anyone." He reassures her, but something about her eyes strikes him, wobbling the last couple words. The literal stars in her eyes are unusual, yes but it's where he's seen them before that's the problem.

That man's infuriating face...hers does resemble it, as he looks closer. Could it be...?

"Ah, sorry." He's been staring at her for a second, which is weird. He shakes his head apologetically, brushing away those thoughts as well. "You just look like someone I know, is all."

"Would you like to exchange brooches?" An easy way of changing the conversation, and something he does need to make headway on. "I've a teardrop crystal, myself."

[mmoneystones]

continued from x

Citrinne lays one hand on her chest, near the heart that the bishop aimed for as their final hurrah. She can feel it continue to pulse, so she can only nod her head in response to Mitama's concerns.

"I am alright, thank you. Under regular circumstance, I utilize magic for combat myself. The force of a spell in retaliation is not unfamiliar to me. Though today must be an exception."

Yes, an exception. Citrinne still underestimates how long it has been since her last true battle. A year may be little time for some, but to her it has been over 365 days since she had to be in top fighting shape. Time has proven to make her fumble on the defensive end of things. Future rounds will determine if her offense is just as rusty.

"The Church? This is not the first time you have spoken lowly of them," Citrinne faintly recalls that from her first encounter with Mitama, and how her early statements made the knight question her early allegiance. "I do swear that I held a thunder tome upon entry. Could it have been stripped from my person between then and now?"

"...no, I simply must have misplaced it. Forgive my ramblings."

@verseandrhyme

[optimismxmagicism]

[RUFFLE] - sender ruffles receiver's hair.

It occurs purely as a result of muscle memory. Kana is small, cheerful, eager, with a voice that rings out in any room they find themselves in. It is an energy that Mitama could never hope to obtain, but finds herself fond of all the same.

The second she realizes what she has done, to someone who is very decidedly not her dear friend, Mitama freezes. Staring with wide eyes, a heartbeat passes. Then another. And then her face burns a bright red.

"...Excuse me." She turns her head away. "You reminded me of someone and I got carried away. My apologies."

Ewan grinned at the (admittedly unexpected) gesture. Normally he didn’t like sudden contact, especially not from random strangers. However, with this girl specifically he didn’t seem to particularly mind.

“Heehee, don’t worry. I get it a lot that people find my hair very ruffle-able.” It was true, the combination of his small stature, baby-face and never ending optimism often endeared older students to his antics, leading to them patting his head or ruffling his hair.

All he did was help Mitama repair a staff, and while doing so he was immediately intrigued by her eyes, which looked a little similar to his own. (How many other people do you meet that are that literally starry eyed?). Perhaps that’s what made him take to her so quickly.

“Tell me about your friend though! Are they as fun as me? Or perhaps as charming?” He pressed a finger to his cheek as he winked at her. His voice was just slightly teasing.

[boundlesshart]

neck kisses that turn into love bites . (hey remember that three hopes au)

The hand in her hair drags out a whine that had been building for a while now, but that she had stubbornly held down. It was no fun when she made the game too easy for him. Her laugh fans across the skin of his neck as she pulls back just enough so that her voice can properly reach him.

"Not so patient, are we, King?" It had only been a few months. Did he really miss her that much? It would be sweet, if she was not aware that it was not the case. They had rules for that very reason. "My sincerest apologies." Her lips return to his neck, trailing their way downwards until they come to a point where she can feel his pulse beating against them.

She lets him feel the wicked grin on her face for just a moment before she parts her lips and bites. She expects he'll punish her for it later. She looks forward to it.

Claude lets out a breathless laugh, the first genuine one in a while. "Am I supposed to be? I'd say you've kept me waiting long enough."

Transforming the Alliance into the Federation is far more complicated than a simple name change. New laws needed to be passed and old ones re-examined, never mind the more immediate issues his country faces—their warmongering neighbors, for one. Overall negotiations are going as well as they should be, but they've hit a frustrating wall regarding just how much "financial assistance" the Federation should be offering. A war with the Empire would prove more costly, but there's also the matter of restoring ruined farmland and supporting Leicester's merchants; even now, far from that meeting room, Claude finds his mind wandering to possible steps forward in—

"Waugh!" Claude yelps in surprise as teeth sink into his skin. Was, was that— "Oh, look who's impatient now!" he teases. Definitely didn't expect that coming from Mitama! Though, ow, that'll definitely leave a mark...

"Message received loud and clear." Claude pulls Mitama in and claims her lips. They've wasted enough words.

[hosannan]

[ Street Crepe ]

The woman matches the description she had been given, right down to the feathers. Mitama can only assume this was the woman Leif had pointed her in the direction of. Well, all of his worry and nerves made a lot more sense now. She definitely was pretty.

"Excuse me?" Mitama bows politely, though she imagines it looks silly with her hands filled. "You are Nanna, correct? It is nice to have a face to finally put to the name." Even if she only got the name a short few moments ago. "Leif has sung nothing but your praises whenever you have come up."

Mitama holds one of the two crepes out to her. The other one already has some bites taken out of it. "Would you like one? I am afraid my eyes are bigger than my stomach."

"I am! And you are...?"

The girl had her hands full, with colorful specklings of red and yellow fruit, wrapped lightly in a cake-like blanket. A dollop of cream was the fixture that held her sweets together. Her eyes glowed happily, finding bold strokes in introductions an easy way to familiarize herself with the strangers around here. "Oh! One of Lord Leif's friends, hehe. So excited to meet you!" She clasped her hands together, pillowing it to the side of her cheek in soft delight. "Thank you so much for taking your time to meet me. I--"

"...Oh!" Pink fluttered over her features, lightly brushing over her cheeks and ears. "Goodness... Well, he's very skilled at getting to the point. I'm flattered to have reached your ears at all, miss."

Flattered was underplaying it. By the way her eyes softened exponentially, laughter chiming at the end of every lilt of her voice, she was honored to be deigned worthy of Lord Leif's praise. Especially when she wasn't at all on the grounds to hear it. Lately, it felt like many people were headed in her direction explicitly because he mentioned her and swore on her character. But-- As she blinked away her own stardust, the stars in the girl's eyes made her wonder...

"I very much hope to get to know you."

Word of mouth was a fanciful manner of acquaintance. But Nanna knew that behind every conversation was a flutter of personality she couldn't quantify with just words. The girl's hair curtained prettily, pink like a blush or the petals off a flowering tree. And as a tree stands tall and bears fruit, she held out a sweet crepe to close the space between them.

"...Oh! Thank you...! Hahaha, I certainly have been beside myself tonight, I almost forgot they made these fresh from the kitchen." She clasped the welcoming gift, gladly, raising it up like a wine glass. There was a touch of laughter in her eyes. "To new friendship."

[renaisguy]

She is sore and still exhausted from the entire affair, but pride forces her up and out to hunt for her former teammate. There is a frustration at her inability to provide the support she had wanted to in that last round, but that does not mean good work should go unacknowledged.

"You performed your job as a healer rather well during the arena." Mitama informs him. They might have struggled, but she could not find any fault in his performance. "Should you wish to attempt it again in the future, I am happy to provide some pointers before hand. Perhaps you might help me better figure out how to control a mount in exchange."

"Thank you." Forde smiles at her. Two out of three is great, and he was only knocked out once! "You did an incredible job as well, thank you for your support."

Mitama couldn't say the same for her health. "Are you alright though? That last round seemed... rough."

Forde uses Recover on Mitama. Roll: 1, +3HP

"Heh, seems like I'll need to take you up on that offer..." He's improved in the past months, but there's still a long way to go. "I've never properly ridden a pegasus, you did a great job for a first time."

Their time in the arena had felt like an age, but it was still light outside. "Now, I'm going to find somewhere sunny to take a nap. You're welcome to join me, if you need some rest."

[hresvelged]

a kiss between furrowed brows to try and comfort 

They are the only two in the throne room. She has dismissed the other attendees minutes before, facials contorting into distress as the weight of a thousand suns begins to boulder downwards. The Duke's no longer bore a glare of discontentment; only the look of Mitama remaining. The newly crowned emperor's brow is pinched, arms crossed. For but a brief moment, Edelgard nearly forgets she is not the only one in the room.

She turns her back towards the door and takes a walk closer to the seat. One step, two. A pause, a tap on her shoulder. As she swivels around, it is the light kiss between her strong expression that courses her into reality. "O-Oh?" The girl's lips break its line of stagnancy, shaking her head in turn.

".. As expected, your observational skills never fail to surpass my expectations." Her laugh is airy, even if forced. "I apologize. This is ill-befitting of me. Bringing you here was the right choice— I see it now." Edelgard moves closer towards Mitama, placing a hand on her shoulder. She gives it a light squeeze and looks her straight in the eyes: "My days at the academy are coming to a close. But, that is not why I brought you here. I wanted you to see the truth; to hear it from me."

Moving herself away, her heels bang on the floor as she glares towards the throne. It is selfish to ask someone to stay nor would she ever consider such. If she only has time for one more utterance, let it be this: "Thank you for coming. That is all."

[carefreemonk]

It is not the first time that rumors preceded her father's presence. But it was the first time she had heard rumors like. This. Mitama makes brief eye contact with him before immediately turning and walking away.

Mouth opens.

Closes.

Opens again--

"MI

TA

MA!!!"

He starts shuffling after her.

Picks up speed a little, even.

"Where do you think you're going, hm?? Without even so much as a hello for your old man!?"

If she's going to be like that,

she deserves the fatherly embarrassment she's got coming.

He starts r u n n i n g.

[gentlenekomata]

[ 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 ] :sender takes a hold of receiver's both hands.

"You should take as much care of yourself as you do others." Mitama frowns as she inspects Lady Sakura's hands. Occasionally, she takes a moment to massage a spot that wears signs of their hard work as of late. "You will not be able to aid others if you do not aid yourself first."

𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 prompt | no longer accepting

The sudden sentence of the young girl made Sakura almost flinched, but even more the delicate massage and touch she received as Mitama gently picked her hands in hers, making her noticing a thing that she always deny to herself –fatigue. Sakura was a very active and relentless worker, always doing her best to make the most of her time to heal and take care of people in need; she spent most of her times in the church and in the infirmary, occasionally, especially when tournaments were held and aside from taking care of wounds, illness and sickness, she barely considered her own health status.

“I.. I’m sorry” she looked apologetic, she knew that Mitama was absolutely right and she wasn’t paying much attention to her own wellness and body: she wasn’t the type of person who enjoyed taking pause or rest, she always needed to do something, especially for the others. She worked in the church, she volunteered in the kitchen and many many times she offered to sweep the corridors of the offices –she simply couldn’t stand the fact that she too needed help, at times.

Mitama definitely had got a special radar for that, it was as if she recognised when Sakura was tired, when Sakura was filled with anxiety, when Sakura was drained and apathic, but instead of pushing her through the relaxation mode, she kindly picked her hands and made the petite priestess realized on her own, even though words sometimes definitely hit better than actions. This time though, the massage felt different and the petite priestess felt all the care and love that a simple  girl could give to a dear friend and relative.

“I know you’re right, it’s just.. I wanted to be sure that everyone feels at ease” she timidly admitted, lowering her gaze as to cover a hint of embarrassment, “But, sometimes it feels nice even to be take cared..” and she lifted her face again, meeting Mitama’s gaze and exchanging a smile with her. “I promise you I won’t exceed my limits and I will take care of me, but..” she paused for a moment, taking a brief breath, “Please, teach me how to do it properly” she hold her breath for a moment, thrilled to actually ask help to someone instead of being the one who helped. “You can be the one who can teach me the best way to treat me well” she lastly smile, gently squeezing the hand of Mitama as she closed her goldenish eyes in agreement and acceptance.

[arcelerity]

a kiss that says thank you 

"Oh!" Tormod is used to platonic kisses of a sort, mind you. You don't get raised by felines without licking as a form of affection (though most beorc sadly seem to find that gross). Getting a kiss on the cheek from a classmate you've just helped is still a bit hair-raising, though! "Well, uh, you're welcome?"

He doesn't know if it's appropriate or not to give a little kiss back, so he gives her two thumbs ups in return and a sheepish grin.

[starrook]

"I overheard a very loud man proclaiming that it was your birthday." It might have echoed down the very mountain the monastery was perched upon if he had done so any louder. "That is certainly one way of announcing the day."

Though she laughs, Mitama still politely bows her head. "I am afraid that I did not have the time to prepare any sort of gift for the event. I hope that my well-wishes are sufficient; congratulations on another year of existence, and I hope that you have many more."

“My father,” Alcryst explains sheepishly. He was afraid this would happen. It’s one thing back home, because everyone from the lowliest servant to the Queen herself knew—knows— how Dad gets with birthdays. Here, though, it’s embarrassing to make such a big deal out of it. This isn’t Brodia. And even if it was, no one should be obligated to celebrate his birth. “He’s, um, like that. Please allow me to apologize on his behalf. I hope he didn’t disturb your day.”

Mitama’s birthday wishes make Alcryst feel self-conscious. “Please, don’t trouble yourself over a gift. …You didn’t need to say anything at all, really, so the fact you went out of your way to offer your well wishes is more than enough.”

Another year of existence… what a weird way of thinking about life, and yet it kinda makes sense doesn’t it? “Thank you,” Alcryst adds with a small smile. “I hope so as well. Take care, Mitama.”

[viridescent-lance]

[SIT] - sender guides receiver to sit down on a chair / bed / wall / etc.

"You should be more cautious next time." She feels like she has said this line a hundred times, but do they ever listen? No, and this is why the infirmary never truly stays empty for long. Mitama guides the knight into a chair with a sigh and a grimace - heavier, and unable to pull his own weight - and takes a moment to stretch out sore limbs.

"Very well. Injured leg, yes?" Simple enough, assuming that he had not found a way to do something spectacularly ridiculous in the training hall. Mitama pauses in her casual inspection of it and grins. "Shall I handle this, or would you prefer I fetch my father for healing?"

In the heat of battle, it is easy fo feel invincible. Forsyth has done better, he thinks, of protecting himself and making judicious decisions, but he is a pivotal offensive piece and the enemies were encroaching too quickly. Surely he was not to allow them to breach their ranks and have easy access to those without armor!

And thus, the blow he intercepted went to his leg in the worst possible way, causing it to buckle at the knee and refuse to support his weight.

Now...this was a mock exercise, not an actual battlefield. Forsyth knows he may have taken things a little too seriously, he is aware! He doesn't need to be scolded, and besides, if he doesnt take things seriously during training, how is he supposed to keep himself sharp? But young Mitama has never been one to keep her opinions to herself.

"It isn't a significant--ah--wound. Though..." Mitama is right. Forsyth hates to admit it, but he didn't have to take this injury at all. And as he ages and incurs more years of service, he's starting to feel things for longer. "...you are not incorrect. If I had hung back for longer and allowed a mounted ally to flank, I could have been spared this injury."

Oh, but Mitama is her father's daughter. Forsyth gets along with her well enough, enjoys her presence, even, but she does take after him in more ways than the physical and just invoking his name has Forsyth imagining that infuriating lilt in a lower register.

"That...will not be necessary. It's part of your education here to treat wounds like this, yes?"