#excalitress

[mourningcomess]

[ SWEET BUN TRIO ]

She stops herself from popping the middle bun with mere moments to spare. The storm must have swept away her logic alongside beauty, otherwise there was no way she’d end up with this trio of pastries in hand. Even if her stomach is speaking louder than her mind, there are so many other options of cuisine to dine on.

Although…the sweets may be far from her tastes, but they do look cute in presentation. It would be a waste to simply dump them, and placing them back would only meet her with even more awkward looks tonight. The best option would be to give them to someone as a gift, but who could possibly…?

The answer miraculously comes into sight in the form of a grim raven. With no hesitation, Sonya pivots to face the black-dressed lady eye-to-eye and holds out the plate of sweet buns.

“Here. Take one, two, or three of them, Three preferably,” she immediately offers, pushing the plate subtly closer and closer to the lady. Most other women liked the sweetness of these things, even if the taste was long-lost to Sonya herself. She couldn’t picture anyone better to settle the buns with.

“Oh, also,” she quickly adds on, pulling off a turtle charm from her bracelet and setting it aside on the plate. “Not for eating. Just thought it’d look good on you, dear.”

Ishtar has had enough of the ballroom. She looms near the corner, obsurcing sight and hoping the night draws near. There's too much ups and downs, too much uncertainty in the whisper of this eve. She cannot hold it in any longer. Her body grumbles with the frustration of one ready to give in. The ocean was certaintly pleasant to look at yes....but now she'd like a break. Performing the spectacle of Ishtar was not an easy task.

And so she overshadows the ball, a tufted bird with no vendetta to exact. Ishtar stands with increasing anxiety, hands and fingers unable to contain the underlying tension. But no. She was a princess. 

The arrival of a stranger is always swatted away. Ishtar is ready to seethe and scratch, but the woman does not appear suggest much menace.

A sweet bun?

The item is plopped into the princess' hands. Just like that, the thunder mage had no idea she was hungry. She stares at the item, its soft texture and fullness, and wonders if its okay to start eating. Then again, why did this woman gift her food?

"For me?" Ishtar asks. "Why?" A glance is all Ishtar needs to know that the woman is not dressed to the ball's standards. It would only anger her more if this woman was taking pity on her for some reason or other.

But she doesn't have much reason to refuse at this point. Ishtar settles for taking a piece of the sweet bread and tasting it. It has a pleasant subtlety she can enjoy. Just when she thinks the woman is done, she offers her charm.

"Well, thank you," the thunder mage responds. "You must have good taste. I suppose I should offer you my charm as well." Retrieving her allotted charm, she hands it to the woman.

"Your name?" Ishtar nearly demands. "We might as well get acquainted."

[rigelwitchofhope]

It started as simple observations from afar. After all, there was little to care about regarding her students on the surface. But as the class time piled up and she’s gotten more used to the bluebird’s face and mannerisms, Sonya elects for an initial approach. Once the professor’s brief Reason lecture comes to pass, she takes her chance before the student can slip away.

“Hey kid,” Sonya hollers, pausing to give the other time to adjust herself. “Rinea, right?” she adds on, not meaning to startle the girl as she draws closer.

“Was just thinking - you’re pretty attentive for a face that just dropped down here. A pretty face, too. They don’t give me the funds to host welcome parties, nor would I throw one, but…”

Footsteps pause simultaneously with her voice. Now only a few paces away from the newcomer, the air around them suddenly feels…restless. Sonya’s eyes morph into a squint at Rinea, more to hide troubled eyes than to intimidate.

Where has she felt this pressured atmosphere before? Why is it nostalgic?

She forces her eyes to widen back to normal size, picking at her collar while attempting to hide suspicion with a returning smile.

“I merely wanted to welcome you to this mess of a house. In case no one else found the time to yet.”

Rinea remembers, in the before times, her parents had once tried to have her tutored in magic, but she had shown absolutely no talent and it was deemed an absolute waste of money. Yet in the here and now, magic came easy to her, a reminder of what she had been through. It leaves a bitter taste in her mouth, especially as she let out a horrified scream the first time she used her magic, the memories of that day flooding her, the flames, the screaming that sounded so much like her own.

From that day on she had merely kept her head down, content to learn the theories behind it as if that would make it safer to her, as if it would make the horrible sensation that sometimes licked at her like flames go away.

Yet, it seemed she had been noticed by her Professor. Prepared to apologize and share her notes to show she had been more than just coasting by in class. She almost dares not to look up at the Professor as she approaches but answers. "Yes, I am Rinea, Professor."

She waits for the scolding the never comes, that she's not participating enough, but she's scared, so scared of this magic she never thought possible for her to use. Instead, she's praised for her attentiveness and her beauty. The only person who had ever praised her before was Lord Berkut, but perhaps this place would be a positive change in her life?

She gives a small, shy smile. Her cheeks turn a slight shade of pink from the praise. The welcome also warms her heart.

"Thank you Professor. Not many had besides a familiar face from home, but I welcome it all the same."

But she notices how her normally confident professor squints at her and picks at her collar. Those are behaviors more akin to her own, not befitting the beautiful, confident professor she's used to seeing in lessons.

"Are you quite allright, Professor? I have a blend of tea that's good for calming nerves back in my room if that's your problem. I use it quite frequently myself."

[roseraurea]

[ FIREWORKS ]

Eyes would rather keep away from looking out at the cataclysm that she had to trek in order to get here. But it is sparks of light from the window, ones that do not come from the roaring thunder, that convince Sonya to finally give a passing view. Thankfully, her viewing is not wasted.

While the erupting fires are inevitably consumed by the rains moments after they are created, the fireworks are a determined bunch. Not a second passes by before another attempt of a display is made, and then another, and another. It nearly becomes a reaction test to determine what the unnatural fireworks are meant to represent before fizzling out, an admirable game in its own right.

While she doesn’t have time for such games, Sonya turns to notice another person enjoying the show. A young man with pale hair…why does this little one strike her so familiar? The mage soon recognizes the identity of a fellow caster, even if his attire tonight is different. The boy was one of the quieter ones during those travels…no wonder she could not remember him instantly.

As only she had sights on him, Sonya decides to utilize her element of surprise. She drifts toward Kliff’s side rather than attempting to sneak behind his back. For she does not intend to shock him, merely to ponder alongside.

“Looks like some kind of flare magic, hm?” Sonya hums aloud, retaining her gaze on the spectacle. “Wonder how strong it is, seeing how constantly it’s fighting with the storm. Unless the guy has his own special methods?”

While she does not directly address the other throughout her musing, her left hand slips a turtle charm into its palm and holds it out for Kliff. Payment for his own thoughts, if he’s willing to share.

These “fireworks”… they were a fascinating sight, and quite beautiful too. Kliff couldn’t help but be just ever so slightly enamored by the way light flared across the sky, only to fizzle out so fast. Pink eyes shone with interest, widening slightly as if wanting to take even more of it in.

Then a woman’s voice spoke to his side, addressing him. Turning his head sideways- and then up to match her gaze, he came face to face with a familiar woman. An ally from his days with Celica’s army. “Why, if it isn’t Miss Sonya. It’s been a while.” Though his tone of voice conveyed little in the way of interest, it wasn’t as if he disliked her.

Quite the opposite, in fact. She was one of the few he’d say he respected, Sonya being an intelligent woman with skill in magic to match. Their conversations, far and few between as they had been, hadn’t been unpleasant.

So for that reason he didn’t mind sharing his own thoughts. She’d probably be one of the few who’d even understand his musings in the first place.

“If I’d hazard a guess, magic was used to give the flares hydrophobic properties.” His words came out calmly, as his eyes drifted back to the view outside. “Keeps them from fizzling out instantly thanks to this incessant rain.”

He looked to her extended hand then, seeing the sparkle of a charm. “Ah. They gave you one of these hideous things too, huh?” He said with mild amusement as he swapped it with one of his own charms. “It’s so far removed from what actual turtles look like… not to mention it’s just flat out ugly. Heh, Hope that doesn’t bother you too much.”

[dcggersedge]

Not her name. If you're gunna call yourself a fangirl, at least get the gemstone right.

Yunaka's eye twitches a little as she stares down the merchant, who in turn glances past her to the sound of muffled yelling. Yunaka is quick to nip that in the bud, snapping her fingers in his line of sight. The man jumps, eyes darting back to her. "Hey, look at me. Look at me. Don't look at the women I came here with."

The man fumbles for a moment in half starts and stuttered words, so she taps the list she's placed down in front of him once more to offer a lifeline. The man takes it, snatching up the list while mumbling something before disappearing to check his stock.

Yunaka sighs...and then feels someone walking up behind her. She tenses up, but it's only Sonya and her. Smile back in place, she nods over to where the merchant has disappeared. "Gone to grab it, should just be a jiffy and then we can be on our way." The woman has the audacity to try and look sheepishly as she practically glues herself to Sonya's side. "You know, back to the monastery. Which is a sort of invite only kind of deal."

The woman doesn't say anything. She doesn't even react like Yunaka said anything, just keeps staring at her with big dopey eyes before looking back at Sonya like she's checking to make sure that she's still there, then turning back to Yunaka again. It's weird. And, after a moment of it, Yunaka sighs.

"So, what are you planning on doing next?" She asks pointedly. The woman startles at the question, like she hadn't expected to be asked anything at all.

"H-huh? Doing next?"

"Well it's not like you can just come live in the monastery with us, silly!" She lets out a fake laugh as she puts her hands on her hips. "You've got a life and people to get back to, don't ya? The sooner the better, I imagine?"

But just like that, it seems like something finally went wrong. The woman flinches, turning her gaze downwards. "...no, not really." She mumbles. Her free hand grabs at the skirt of her dress. "...my parents died during that attack a few moons ago."

...ah, shit. Yunaka glances over at Sonya quietly, at the same time the merchant comes out with two large crates for them.

and that's 'cause none of us got enough love in our childhoods

[duchaisruin]

Thread Cleanup !

After getting a little more settled, figured it'd be prudent to make a post for my backlog. This serves as a chance for anyone to let me know about any threads or asks I've haven't gotten to yet ^^; I'll be prioritizing Ball Threads/Asks & Mission Board Threads, but feel free to kick me if I left you hanging for too long. If you'd like to drop a thread, just let me know. No harm, no foul ✌️

ETHEREAL BALL 2025

◈ Threads Owed:

just a man (ending reblog) ┊ @lordgaspard

who tf invited god herself to the ball ┊ @sublimeflowoftime

pov: youre a felon on the run and you bump into beyonce wyd ┊ @encantresse

the past arrives with a duel (be sure to win) ┊ @blaiddllodi

don't make small talk with anchors ┊ @lalamines

If I had a silver mark for every time I got concussed on an island I would have two silver marks, which feels like a lot but I am concussed right now so maybe it isn't ┊ @deliverred

[ pending thread title +1 ] ┊ @cielenruine

[ pending thread title +2 ] ┊ @burningquake

◈ Threads Pending:

what if we were both men and we threatened each other bodily harm at the destiny grotto 😳 ┊ @crimsonpaved

baby does not go back ┊ @losojos-decupido

◈ Asks Owed:

[ LANTERN ] ┊ @nagaficat

[ GRISSTONE ] ┊ @deliverred

(FOLLOW UP) ┊ @unslake

EXCAVATION MISSION BOARD

◈ Threads Owed:

old moons, young souls ┊ @egittae

something new, something bruised ┊ @landslioness

nightmare lance rotation ┊ @goldmaries + @contempenitent

does this dungeon have a kill screen? ┊ @excalitress

◈ Threads Pending:

participation medals aren't plated with gold ┊ @roseraurea

a nobleman's ransom ┊ @lordgaspard

ALTERNATE UNIVERSE

◈ Threads Owed:

three hopes - azure gleam au ┊ @lalamines

you're only here cause it's cold - harvest moon au ┊ @hermidetta

do i smooth your checkered past? - harvest moon au ┊ @lalamines

◈ Threads Pending:

man's best friend, hound's worst foe - wolf hunt au ┊ @deadlyminded

MISCELLANEOUS

◈ Threads Pending:

getting nat 20d ko'd anonymous ┊ @ephemeralove

◈ Asks Owed:

FIVE SENSES MEME ┊ @in--nagas--name + @senerist

MUSE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ┊ @grxstnnefealltoir + @lalamines + @burningquake

STARTERS ┊ @in--nagas--name + @egittae + @lordgaspard

Once again, let me know asap if I have a thread or ask I owe you!

[hresvelged]

Hues of reds and orange paint the sky in a light all too befitting to conclude the evening's events. Were it not for the swaying sound of nearby waters nor the crisp air that accompanied it, one may nearly forget where they are. That is, should a person allow themselves to. Not her.

The princess insists that she remain as one of the last guests to leave. As simple as it may have been for her to depart without further rebuttal, it is best if she is counted among the final faces to be seen. A simple inquiry is all that sits atop her tongue as she approaches the Viscount and extends her aid as a command; not a question.

Finding herself holding a now empty bag in both hands, the princess's fingers wrap around its handles as if the weight of the world resides inside it. Parsing her attention between the waves and the other woman, she scans the way she holds herself. If Edelgard's white locks glisten against the sun, trails of purple seem to sparkle just as intermittently.

"It appears you and I are the only ones in this particular spot." A brow rises upwards, falling in line to the beat of wind gusts. "That's fine. It only means nothing else will impede our progress. My name is Edelgard von Hresvelg," she announces over the crashing of a wave. The bag flutters upright as she pulls it back down. "Gah—! I, ah. Hope you found the events acceptable..?"

@excalitress

— never ending

pearlescent mission board // beach cleanup

[rigelwitchofhope]

"How much do you enjoy being in control?"

Loaded Questions || Accepting!

Panic surges through Rinea at the thought of even remotely being in control. She looks to her Professor, wondering whatever could have given her the impression that she would ever enjoy being in control. That was part of what made things work so well with Lord Berkut, he took charge and she just had to follow along. It was a peaceful existence, until he started spiraling and she could no longer comfort him.

"I loathe being in control. I could find myself quite happy following along with someone else."

Of course that would just be her repeating the same tragedies that had befallen her before, wouldn't it? But wouldn't be a more peaceful life, one she could be content with until the end came, as long as it did not come the same way? Would she fight the end if it did more if it did? Who's to say. She didn't like to think such thoughts.

[duchaisruin]

May 2025 - excavation (part 2)

◈ Points Obtained

• Monthly Check ┊ [ any +1 ]

Total Points: +7 ➜ +8

◈ Stats Obtained | Tracker

• Heavy Armour: [ E+ ] ➜ [ D ]

◈ Mission Board | Tracker

+3 new threads

toa-verse • nightmare lance rotation - [ lance ] +1 ┊ goldmaries + contempenitent • a nobleman's ransom - [ heavy armour ] +1 ┊ lordgaspard • does this dungeon have a kill screen? - [ any ] +1 ┊ excalitress

◈ Mini Thread | Tracker

+9 new threads

toa-verse • what if we were both men and we threatened each other bodily harm at the destiny grotto 😳 - [ n/a ] ┊ crimsonpaved • who tf invited god herself to the ball - [ n/a ] ┊ sublimeflowoftime • baby does not got back. baby got problems - [ n/a ] ┊ losojos-decupido • begrudgingly reunited - [ n/a ] ┊ petuniasblessings • just a man - [ n/a ] ┊ lordgaspard • pov: youre a felon on the run and you bump into beyonce wyd - [ n/a ] ┊ encantresse • stamp on the ground - [ n/a ] ┊ bladebrecher • the past arrives with a duel (be sure to win) - [ n/a ] ┊ blaiddllodi • don't make small talk with anchors - [ n/a ] ┊ lalamines

◈ Asks Answered | Tracker

• etheral ball - [ relax ] ┊ lordgaspard • etheral ball ┊ hermidetta • etheral ball - [ house tour ] ┊ nagaficat • etheral ball - [ crowded ] ┊ diadic

"Why the hell did the bastard drag me to that ball..."

[aubins]

yuri's been following her. they don't care much to bother hiding the fact.

one of their men coincidentally hanging around the inn when she happens to be there, loitering in the shadow library if she ever stops by. all the children running about abyss—not intentional spies, but everyone notices when new people arrive to the underground city, and they never deny yuri when they come around to play and ask a few questions about what they've seen her getting up to for their time.

professor. it's funny, really. as of recent years, they're hardly a surprise anymore, even if they have to wonder what aelfric's up to with their implementation. what reason was there to assigning teachers to guide the flock he intends to send to the slaughter? to keep them in line until then? to keep yuri in line until then?

aelfric's not that clever. he hasn't even suspected the half of it yet. but it still leaves the mockingbird to wonder why.

but waiting and watching only gets you so far, in the end. so the next time they hear that sonya's gone to visit the shadow library, they move to follow after her themself and leave one of their men to watch the door when the shut it behind them.

“hey, professor.” yuri approaches with the barest incline of their head in greeting, brow quirking. “had a question. your job's to answer those, right? have a minute?” / @excalitress

＊⠀what's in a name?

[lalamines]

Winding the scarf a little closer to her face, Mercedes fishes out her coins and pays for the skates. The evening sun begins to set, casting the sky in hues of rose and tangerine. Frost swirls around with every breath she takes as she sits upon a stone bench, trying to fasten the blades to her snow boots before she steps out on to the ice. It's quieter now than it was during the height of the day; chillier but there's less people around to notice if she falls flat on her face.

Though she isn't totally alone. Mercedes watches the woman by the pond, violet hair fluttering in the winter breeze. Tall, slender, dressed not so much for the weather but to rather to enhance her beauty. Mercedes smiles to herself, only a fellow mage would care so little for practicality. Wouldn't worry about the icy winds, capable of holding them at bay with words rather than furs.

The woman watches out over the pond, Mercedes imagines wistfully, though she can't be sure of that. The only things she's truly certain of is that the woman is alone. Her steps are tentative over the snow - blades now attached she can hardly afford to dash, but she makes her way over to the proprietor and purchases a second pair of blades. Then, like a fawn unsure of it's own legs, she meanders carefully through the snow.

"Good evening, I'm Mercedes. It's a pleasure to meet you," she offers her free hand to shake, taking in the arch of the woman's brow, the expert sweep of shadow and lipstick. They serve to exalt and already blessed face. The mark of a woman confident in her appearance, assured of it. "I bought an extra pair of skates by mistake," a lie. Not even a good one, either. If the woman had turned even once whilst she trotted awkwardly across the snow, she'd know the truth. "Would you like to join me on the ice? I imagine it'll be even more fun with a partner."

@excalitress

dancing on ice: beautiful mage edition

A sudden cold front has frozen the pond solid. Faculty try their best to keep students away out of concern for safety, but there’s so much to do and simply not enough staff to go around that before long, the ice surface goes unmanned. An industrious shopkeep has been selling blades on the sly, claiming you attach them to your boots, that you might glide over smooth surfaces with all the grace of a swan… Just remember, there’s no shame in falling so long as you get back up to try again!

[rigelprinceofdespair]

Berkut let out a sigh of relief as he finally managed to drop the forced smile he had been wearing for the better part of two hours. He would never say that Madame Adelia Duval was a charming hostess. Having managed to enter as a noble, he had been set upon by all manner of tedium. It was only partly due to luck he had managed to make his way out into the hedge maze that took up a large portion of her estate.

When the academy had first assigned such a task, Berkut had thought to perhaps avoid such work. Wasting his time on some dreary task like this would only get in the way of his goals. However then he had heard the rumours.

The memories dredged up at the idea of human experimentation. It sounded eerily similar to what had occurred back home with the Faithful. While he took no joy in helping the church of this land, getting a chance to investigate such a thing was too tempting to resist.

Hearing the sounds of dogs in the distance, Berkut moved a bit quicker. Had he been found out, or was there something else going on? Either way he needed to move. However as he turned a corner a shiver went through him. A cold feeling settled over him, as if in warning to something about to happen. It felt like magic.

There was nothing in sight as he looked around, hands at the ready. The chill persisted as he looked up... and something, wait, someone dropped right on top of him.

@excalitress

Maybe the angry dogs are better companions

[dcggersedge]

Oh thank the Divine, Sonya takes their little admirer off her hands and Yunaka lets out a silent sight of relief from behind them. This was so stupid. Who even did that? Just rolled up on people you don't know and start fawning over them? The woman was brave, she was willing to give her that one, but that was just asking to get got if she rolled up on the wrong people.

Frowning, Yunaka follows behind quietly, close enough to still be with the pair while avoiding brushing up against anybody. Occasionally, the woman glances backwards at her with a nervous look, and Yunaka quickly drops the frown for a bright smile before returning to the previous expression.

...what if it wasn't bravery? Her eyes narrow a little as she watches, silently, the way she glances back and forth between the two, smiling and laughing and absolutely delighted. What if it was just something else disguised as bravery...something Yunaka herself had done a life time ago, time and time again.

Her feet suddenly feel heavier as she walks, eyes refusing to move off her. No weapons. No shape of anything hidden. Could be a mage, though, that was always still a possibility...

Yunaka jumps back to attention as Sonya leans towards her. She blinks a few times, glancing from her, to their guest, and back before her mind catches on to what she wants. She's reluctant to leave Sonya alone after her current hypothesis but...they really need to get this over and done with.

She takes the list with a nod. "Be back in a jiffy, try not to miss me too much!" She sings before rushing off towards the stall. The cheer is all gone once she reaches him, placing the list down on the counter. "Need what's not crossed out yet. And it's for the monastery, so I think carefully about how you set those prices."

and that's 'cause none of us got enough love in our childhoods

[mourningcomess]

Ishtar delights in the compliment. For all her lost glory and title, she still loves to idle in worldly pleasures. That time is not lost on her, the time when Lord Julius took her to tides of grandeur unknown to most. A grin sets in on the raven's face. This very well could do. She can appreciate one who knows taste. 

"I'm glad you know style when you see it." It's just the over-the-top mourning look she needs. The other words from the lady's mouth go unaddressed. Though Ishtar still has questions. 

It can wait for now. She pauses to see what the other will do - what turns she will take in this chaotic cage known as the ballroom. Each action is its own invitation to something else. Ishtar wonders if they will become enemies down the line. There is something curious in the way this woman carries herself, though, and it impresses her.

"Ishtar," the thunder mage pleasantly offers with a grin. "I do hope you enjoy the ball now."

[ SWEET BUN TRIO ]

She stops herself from popping the middle bun with mere moments to spare. The storm must have swept away her logic alongside beauty, otherwise there was no way she’d end up with this trio of pastries in hand. Even if her stomach is speaking louder than her mind, there are so many other options of cuisine to dine on.

Although…the sweets may be far from her tastes, but they do look cute in presentation. It would be a waste to simply dump them, and placing them back would only meet her with even more awkward looks tonight. The best option would be to give them to someone as a gift, but who could possibly…?

The answer miraculously comes into sight in the form of a grim raven. With no hesitation, Sonya pivots to face the black-dressed lady eye-to-eye and holds out the plate of sweet buns.

“Here. Take one, two, or three of them, Three preferably,” she immediately offers, pushing the plate subtly closer and closer to the lady. Most other women liked the sweetness of these things, even if the taste was long-lost to Sonya herself. She couldn’t picture anyone better to settle the buns with.

“Oh, also,” she quickly adds on, pulling off a turtle charm from her bracelet and setting it aside on the plate. “Not for eating. Just thought it’d look good on you, dear.”

Ishtar has had enough of the ballroom. She looms near the corner, obsurcing sight and hoping the night draws near. There's too much ups and downs, too much uncertainty in the whisper of this eve. She cannot hold it in any longer. Her body grumbles with the frustration of one ready to give in. The ocean was certaintly pleasant to look at yes....but now she'd like a break. Performing the spectacle of Ishtar was not an easy task.

And so she overshadows the ball, a tufted bird with no vendetta to exact. Ishtar stands with increasing anxiety, hands and fingers unable to contain the underlying tension. But no. She was a princess. 

The arrival of a stranger is always swatted away. Ishtar is ready to seethe and scratch, but the woman does not appear suggest much menace.

A sweet bun?

The item is plopped into the princess' hands. Just like that, the thunder mage had no idea she was hungry. She stares at the item, its soft texture and fullness, and wonders if its okay to start eating. Then again, why did this woman gift her food?

"For me?" Ishtar asks. "Why?" A glance is all Ishtar needs to know that the woman is not dressed to the ball's standards. It would only anger her more if this woman was taking pity on her for some reason or other.

But she doesn't have much reason to refuse at this point. Ishtar settles for taking a piece of the sweet bread and tasting it. It has a pleasant subtlety she can enjoy. Just when she thinks the woman is done, she offers her charm.

"Well, thank you," the thunder mage responds. "You must have good taste. I suppose I should offer you my charm as well." Retrieving her allotted charm, she hands it to the woman.

"Your name?" Ishtar nearly demands. "We might as well get acquainted."

[roseraurea]

Oh, that’s where she wants to take this?

“I’m just repaying the debts I’m owed. Even if the method is…” humiliating? Awful? Comically nightmarish? “…unconventional.” Yes. Let’s go with that and none of the more colorful words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He looked around for a moment, watching for prying eyes or ears. Once he decided the coast was clear the mage continued speaking. “Surely you’ve noticed. There’s some strange dealings going on in this town.”

Honestly it was impressive how he managed to keep his composure despite being spotted in a compromising outfit by someone he knew. Though the fact that she was in a similar state of dress made it a little less awkward. Plus, judging from her tone of voice her intent to tease.

Well, two could play at that game.

“I assumed you’re here for similar reasons, Miss Sonya. Unless you’re just chasing after some sort of lost glory?” A small, catlike grin crossed his soft features, a gloved hand covering part of his mouth. “I suppose some people do like maids who are a little more.. advanced, shall we say.”

puler of the part-time payrollers

mission board: pearlescent (any+1)

[dcggersedge]

The latest purchase is all wrapped up nicely and handed off to one of the workers who has come with them. The man nods at the pair before turning with the heavy supplies to bring them to the caravan the group will be taking back to the monastery once the shopping trip has finished. With a satisfied hum, Yunaka crosses another thing off the list they’ve been given.

“That’s another one done!” She reports to her partner cheerfully. She hates being in the marketplace. She keeps glancing around, keeping an eye on anyone who drifts too close to her or actively moving to keep herself out of any crowds that start to form around the stalls that they visit. She really would’ve rathered a different job from this, but it was too late to start complaining about it once they’d arrived. Like any good soldier, she’d just grit her teeth and bare it and power through until the end.

She just hoped the other woman didn’t notice too much. She was gorgeous, so Yunaka felt kinda bad making herself a little smaller in the hopes that eyes would stay on her instead of the thief, but you do what you have to in order to survive. The sooner they got this over with, the better. “Okay, so next up we’ll need to see about inks for-”

“IT’S YOU!” Yunaka flinches as a loud voice cuts her off. Her head snaps around to find the source of it. What she finds is an unfamiliar woman in a simple dress, staring at her and her partner with the widest eyes Yunaka’s has ever seen. Her own narrow a little in turn. Is she…blushing?

(No obvious weapon at first glance. There might still be a concealed one, but she doesn’t see any shapes or lines that would indicate something was hidden beneath her clothes.Under the skirt is possible but the length makes it inconvenient and-)

Yunaka looks at the woman. Looks to Sonya. Looks back at the woman. Looks to Sonya again. “Do you know her?”

@excalitress

and that's 'cause none of us got enough love in our childhoods

[dcggersedge]

YUNAKA ISN'T A FLOWER SHE ISN'T EVEN FROM FIRENE!!!!!!!!!!!!

A shiver runs down her spine as not only Sonya, but their third wheel turn their attention back on her once more. Not satisfied. Who cares if she was satisfied or not!? There were plenty of things in life that she wanted, that didn't mean you got them just for showing up! "This is the kind of greed they talk about in those sermons..." She grumbles to herself, shooting an uncertain look at the two.

She does appreciate Sonya swapping the metaphor over to gemstones, even if there's an annoying little part of her brain who scoffs about how that's not how it work and not every pretty rock is a diamond. Diamonds aren't even that hard to find if you know where to look, do not get her started...

But alright, fine. What options do they have left for their little tag along?

Yunaka stares at the woman long and hard, ignoring the way her cheeks start to flush and she starts to ramble something or other while looking away in a really bad imitation of the way Goldmary looks away when she’s said something she’s pretending to be shy about. Chasing her off is clearly not gunna work without making a big scene. Leaving her with one of them doesn’t seem to be a solution either. That leaves…

“Ugh, fine!” Stomping over, Yunaka snags the woman’s hand and pulls her along, ignoring the looks the excited squeal she makes gets them even harder. “Let’s just keep shopping then, yeah? What’s next?”

“M-maybe you could-”

“Oh my gosh you’re so cute! Stay quiet kitten, or else you'll totally distract me.” There, that seems to work, if the woman's bright red face is any hint. Yunaka fake squeals even louder than the woman before turning to look at Sonya expectantly again. Well? Shopping? Let’s go?

and that's 'cause none of us got enough love in our childhoods