#interaction: allyphase

[blaiddllodi]

“Um, excuse me...?”

Her voice is light, like a breeze over grasslands, and it announces her presence before he can truly hear her approaching. When he does turn, he’s greeted with Mark’s smile, poking out from behind her bangs. She gives a small curtsey, then folds her hands in front of her. “May I speak with you a moment, Dimitri?”

“I am, um, submitting some paperwork... to the administration,” she begins. As ever, her words are endlessly deliberate, carefully enunciated, like they were the only words she’d ever get to say. “I am changing, um, my affiliation. I believe I would be able to, um, do more, as a librarian.” She pauses, gathers the rest of her sentence. “There is, um, a section on the form, for House changes, as well.” She wrings her hands. “I, um, was wondering... if you have space, in your House, for a tactician.” Her gaze falls. “I, um, don’t have any... alligiance, to my current House. But, um, I’ve really liked, following you.”

Dimitri was used to being approached, for one thing or another. It came with his lot – as prince, as house leader, as a skilled combatant in the training pit, and as a young man who generally attempted to make himself of some use in a busy space with work to be done. It wasn't quite that there were steps that approached, stuttered to a stop – it was the voice that accompanied, soft and tentative, but in the end familiar.

"Ah! Mark, good day." He dipped his head in greeting to her, the polite mirror to her curtsey. Dimitri cocked his head expectantly. "Yes, of course, how may I be of assistance?"

He had spoken to Mark on few enough occasions, but they had been pleasant nonetheless – somehow, in spite of the undercurrent of loss that suffused them in both instances, once on the archipelago where they had both been sent away in failure, and the second just days ago during the candy collection game.

His fingers fiddled with one another a bit – he still had yet to make it up to her, hadn't he?

"Ah, yes, the paperwork can be quite daunting at first, I have heard – if it's help in figuring out which sections to fill out, I can surely help with -"

But the rest of it caught him aback.

She had...liked following him?

If it were one of Faerghan blood, this might have been a statement that might have been less surprising – perhaps even expected, something he had been conditioned to hear and to accept with grace. It was his blood right, it was his legacy, it was his burden to bear. But in the recent months, he had...felt himself slipping, the ground unsteady beneath his feet when it came to currying to loyalty of those who had not already pledged, and Dimitri had found himself wondering if he was worth following to begin with.

"You...you wish to join the Blue Lions?" For him? He blinked once, twice, a fluttering motion of pleased surprise before the smile cracked on his features. "I – yes, of course! We would be delighted to have your skills in our house! We could all learn from your experiences, I believe – that is, if you are certain that you would like to share them with us. Please, if you choose to join us, it would be my honor - !"

[sunncutter]

[ OSTIA ] - An Ostian court dance where the leading partner wields a ceremonial sword as a part of the routine. This dance, meant to resemble a knight with his lady, is getting some attention from the students of Fódlan.

"Lady Lyn?" Mark holds a sword - a dull one, more for decoration than defense - but her hands still tremble as she extends it to Lyn. "Um, would you like... to dance?" She asks, her hands occupied. "This song, um, I've heard it... in Ostia...! And they dance with- swords." She smiles wide, her full face free from her bangs for once, and steps closer. "I have, um, pearls, too, to give..." She glances to her wrist, showing a bare charm bracelet.

"Mark!" The moment she had arrived at the seaside, Lyn had been looking for her little tactician. Knowing that it was the last place that either of them could be expected to be, but feeling in her heart that they would come together here anyway. There was almost a dissonance she felt, in finding one another at moments of rest and leisure, when the expectation was nothing more dire than to rest the ache in their cheeks from smiling.

After they exchanged trinkets, those little pearls for her star, her hand went to the sword's hilt instantly, as though on instinct, as though it were made for her, and feeling instantly that it was not - it was not her Mani Katti, but when the music began and she heard those trumpets, the pound of drums, Lyn had to laugh, and the blade in her hand felt light as wind as she swept it in an experimental arc.

"I do know this one," she said, and it surprised even her. The steps came to her mind as though she had seen them performed on a stage, rigid and stuffy and something she had utterly failed at learning. "Or at least, I've seen it. I can't promise I'll be a very good lady," she added, joking, lifting the sword, "But I seem to recall a promise where I would be your blade, if you would be at my side."

That was the more natural fit for them, anyhow, and Lyn's smile hearkened back to those early days when they woke up and could hear the keening of hawks in the distant mountains. She could almost hear it now, in the woodwinds, if she closed her eyes for a minute to listen.

"Come, then! We will show them the way a true pair is meant to move. Won't we, Mark?"

[peerlessscowl]

A green-clad presence flits through the medical tent after the first round concludes, a basket on her arm and eyes searching for familiar faces. Her journey brings her close to Raven, hesitantly, but she pushes forward enough to hand him a small envelope, and sign to him, “I hope you’re alright...!” The envelope contains a slip of paper with a small sketch of a pair of gauntlets, with a small thank you below for fighting for Mark’s house.

If it had been only years ago, he would have been angrier - at his failure, at the abrupt end before even having the chance to prove his mettle, to fight and die for something that mattered - but now, with the dragon behind them, the monastery retaken, and the girl approaching him, it all felt...

"There you are," he said, gently, canting his head in greeting. "Sorry I didn't do much. They're teaching these kids something here, to be certain."

It was almost a humor that entered his voice then, which would have surprised him if he stopped to think about it - he didn't, eyes moving with Mark's hands as she extended out her little gift to him. He snorted softly, but extended a hand to take anyway, eyes creasing at the little sketch.

When his hands lifted to sign back to her, the reassurance that he was fine, would be fine, would fight for her again, would do better - he found his fingers still thick and clumsy, attached by straps to the gauntlets that he had not even gotten the chance to use.

A rueful smile, the barest tilt to his lips. "Sorry," and this he meant to encapsulate all of his failures here, but mostly for the inability to communicate as she best preferred. "But could you help me take these off? Must have forgotten in the rush off field."

[peerlessscowl]

"All right, now." Still that gentle tone of his voice, the barest weight of his sigh as his lips twitched into a thoughtful frown. Raven hadn't truly meant it when he said that she might hurt someone - certainly not himself, now that he was closer to inspect with a more considerate eye - but if she carried on like that, then perhaps she might.

The hand that reached for him twisted her shoulder, with the rest of her torso so pinned by the triangle of the door and the wall, and the scream that dragged from her throat had the rough edge to it of either someone who didn't have experience screaming, or had done rather more of it in the last short while than their throat could take.

Watching her face contort, it pricked idly at the strings of his heart. She would be feeling that in the morning, surely.

"Gotten it out, then? Very scary," he added, not able to help himself. "I'm not going to let you out if you keep at it, though. Seems like you still have some time left under that enchantment."

A glance about the room told him, at least, that no, or very little property damage had been done. A relief, at least. If he squinted into the far corner, behind a series of shelves, he thought he could make out the crate that the girl was moving, or opening - or taking inventory of, more likely, he thought with a glance at her frame. The staves that littered the ground around it were familiar enough in their shape that he scoffed.

"Trust this illustrious institution to import something like these without knowing what they were first."

my heart once dwelled in my skull

anniversary faith +1

[warpaway]

HEY EVERYONE – april makes kind of a landmark for me as it means i've been in the officer academy community for about six months!! i thought it'd be nice to commemorate the occasion with a follow forever!!  i've met so many new people through the officer academy and it's been such a blast returning to tumblr rp and being able to join such a welcoming and lovely community!!

urls are organized in no particular order and segregated by titles and formatting just to make the post pretty.

ME, ITS MOTH – i like to follow myself so that i can see my own posts on every dash.  in case you didn't know, i also run these blogs!!  feel free to come over and say hello!!

@azelfire @senerist @warpaway

NEW FRIENDS – i feel like i can comfortably call you people friends and i'm so glad to have met you through this group!!

@adalrikr @yukyunotabibito @goldoanheart @tossup-tempest @contempenitent @lollipop-bribes @radiantpaths @freliasarrow @justicespeared @naganokoe @thunderbanned @vallitevoice @livingrief @otgolokh @anthieseofvalentia @adheidth @nevassan @loyaldeserter @viridescent-lance @katabatiic @berglietz @aimlessarchery @allyphase @encantresse @luminousrider @nagaficat

HELLO AGAIN – after quitting tumblr rp for about 6 years i wasn't sure i would ever come back.  being able to reconnect with familiar faces has been a lot of fun!!

@blacktempest @in--nagas--name @fletching-scar @landslioness @craneswings @jasperblion @tineoffreege @pirrhyc @diadic @lazulienne @deliverred @justicefanged @fangedjustice

AGI – agi (she/they)

@princeofopenness @hatariwildheart @direthunder

EYES ON YOU – i have been lurking your threads especially.  i love seeing you guys on my dash!!

@kgetsu @rafent @duchaisruin @war-father @quartzhearted @losojos-decupido @theofficersacademy @hosannan @nobilisseoblige @mahalikha @cotharach @zweiflugelig @starrook @sciathrach @hermidetta @stellalimned @dcggersedge @verseandrhyme @cursedbluebird @maligknightsthorns @old-scalebag @ulircursed @shadoll @twistedisciple

HERE'S TO THE FUTURE – to all of you who didn't fit in any of the above categories, to all of you who i haven't yet had the pleasure of interacting with, and to all of you who have still made this group a lovely place to be for me.

@eruditesunrise @freliaslance @futurepastlord @sublimeflowoftime @pillarofopenness @nohrslittleflower @amatsuken @heavy-draw @petuniasblessing @grxstnnefealltoir @cielenruine @bladeunbound @crimsonpaved @petuniasblessing @fe13chrom @fellincantation @lunatenais @unrivale @gloucesterrose @freedomarrow @regnumaves @failnaughted @threads-of-healing @anruraiocht @nabataprophet @machiot @goldmaries @heriteur @gentleaureole @heliacalrisings @deathsdue @bladebrecher @archiepiscopus @crevassier @egittae @astrasword @ninisdance @shiningfalcon @championsblade @verdantshotarrow @optimismxmagicism @cendrivinite @rozyrne @wolfhednn @gurado-no-nouru @far-from-common @grimatruth @rineas @thestaunchshieldvassel @lilchxrmer @dyshonor @crookedorel @blaiddllodi @peerlessscowl @serraic @wingboundwarrior @mercenarymage @boundlesschaos @lindwyvrm @tomestudyholic @taguelbunnyboy @bladespromotedpawn @moriddyn @thelightofcreation @renaisguy @deamare @fluxrspar @knighteclipsed @alyration @unsungblade @princepsumbra @laslow @princessmacedon @ephemeralove @frauleindermorgen @amitieos @ashenprofessor @hresvelged @virtuoustyrfing @sacretic @carefreemonk @gentlenekomata @reddragonprincess @aubins @justices-blade @lycianlynx @fabledoath @lionscion @delicatevalentine

thank you all for a lovely six months!!  here's to another unspecified time period!!

[pryings]

a quiet hum buzzes through the dining hall as those assembled are shuffled in. this 'psychological experiment' or 'speed dating game' or 'social gathering' or whatever it is has been prepared. in place of the long dining tables, the hall is filled with numerous small, round tables, each with a number placed upon them. you are to find your assigned tables, chat with your partner, and hopefully make some kind of connection.

the goal of this exercise is somewhat vague, but knoll and hubert seem poised to take notes. so that's interesting.

schedule:

12pm. EST Feb 14 - 11:59pm Feb 15 ROUND ONE. 12pm. EST Feb 16 - 11:59pm Feb 17 ROUND TWO. 12pm. EST Feb 18 - 11:59pm Feb 19 ROUND THREE. 12pm. EST Feb 20 LAST WORDS.

please tag all interactions #toaLoveHypothesis2024. you will receive an ask from hubert or knoll within the next few hours asking if you like or dislike your partner. unanswered asks default to a 'no.' please answer it at any point before the round ends.

rounds will be 36 hours long, but should narratively simulate the speed dating experience of only having a few minutes to talk. it should feel rushed. interactions can be asks or short threads, please communicate with your partner to determine what works best. you can continue an incomplete interaction after a round concludes if you wish, but please note that you need to vote by the round's end!

the questions provided are only suggestions. if your muse would not want to discuss this topic, feel free to talk about whatever you wish.

caspar (@berglietz) & yarne (@taguelbunnyboy) topic: assuming you do not die within the coming months, what are your plans for the future?

linhardt (@pridelessdaydreamer) & sakura (@gentlenekomata) topic: what hobbies do you partake in?

lucius ( @semperiuvare) & sara (@shadoll)  topic: if tasked with healing an injured stranger, how would you respond?

louis (@etrefleurbleues) & arval (@laruarva) topic: how do you connect with others on an interpersonal level?

deirdre (@nagaficat) & eitri (@grimkkr) topic: thoughts on magic and its practical uses.

elffin (@moriddyn) & forsyth (@viridescent-lance) topic: describe your ideal vacation.

lachesis (@pridedprincess) & selena (FE8) (@fluxrspar) topic: two interesting truths and one compelling lie.

shez (@partnerindestiny) & hilda (@delicatevalentine) topic: fabric softener and its impractical uses.

dimitri (@blaiddllodi) & l’arachel (@aglaean)  topic: total monsters you have vanquished.

minerva (@reddragonprincess) & zephia (@ruinakete) topic: which food brings you the most joy?

jakob (@indevouement) & denning (@beholdenning) topic: which animal you most relate to?

mark (@allyphase) & laslow (@laslow) topic: your favorite type of cat.

elincia (@amitieos) & hector (@braveryinblue) topic: what is justice?

(tumblr has decided to implement a limit on how many people can be @'d in a single post, so if you do not see your muse's name, check the second part of the post)

[peerlessscowl]

Well, it seems like they will move forward with the mock battle after all, despite everything that’s happened, so Mark takes a day from her schedule of sorting through the library’s surviving catalogue to find allies. It’s not like she herself can fight, but a good leader rallies their troops, and knows who stands on what side of the lines. 

It’s Raven she approaches first, her fears about the battle ahead easing as she approaches. What reason would he have to follow any other?

“Um, hello...!” Mark calls, with a small wave towards him. “Um, have you considered... the mock battle, coming up? I would, um, be honored to have you fight with me... um, for the Blue Lions house.” 

It feels almost silly, the mundanity of a mock battle after what everyone went through, after the real battles, the real comrades lost - or, not lost, merely temporarily paused for a snapshot of time during the fight, miraculously returned when everything wrapped itself up with a neat bow.

He tried not to think too deeply about it, focused on the tasks that needed to be completed, rather than the gentle tug of want in his chest for the tease of something long gone.

In the end, Raven supposed, the rebuilding was coming along well enough, and the mock battle was both a sign of that, and also the goal to be reached, the carrot at the end of a long line to be completed for the chance to feel normal again.

He couldn't begrudge them that.

"There's a face I haven't seen in a while," he said aloud at the mousy tactician's approach, then, drawing hands up from his sides, he made the gestures that had fallen out of use but that his hands still remembered:

Doing all right?

If you need my sword, it's yours.

[bxldrsdraumar]

Sigurd had been ready for much when the march had begun - ambush, inexperience, or numbers beyond their ability. He had expected it to have been like any number of the hundreds of marches to battle that he had done in his time, across countryside, or through desert, or mountains, or woods.

What he had not expected was that their first stop was to a shop in town.

Nor the flood. He hadn't counted on that.

The transition from waking to sleeping was quite the blur, and if his normal waking moments had not been so mired in haze and confusion on their own during his time in Fodlan, it might have been more disconcerting. As it stood, however, he was able to keep himself composed - keep the smile on his face for those in despair to see, to keep his back straight and his shoulders broad to carry whoever might have needed it, either literally or figuratively.

As the homes had been lost in the flood, and they had made their way into the tunnels, he found he had needed to do a bit of that, and Sigurd was glad to - for the time being, keeping morale high was paramount.

Eventually as they found cover in the cave system that sprawled underneath the area, it seemed the remains of the villagers and his companions alike were able to find a brief moment to rest. Carefully, after ensuring as best he could that all were under the same roof, Sigurd took a post at the mouth of a cavern, prepared to take vigil during the long night.

He grinned at the companions that joined him - a young lady, a student of the Golden Deer house, who had taken a post and immediately retrieved a chessboard from her robes, and young Forde.

Sigurd extended a hand to shake. "Together again, are we? Always happy to have a familiar face nearby, in troubled times."

A shift in the loose stones behind him, and Sigurd cocked his head, smiling broadly at the child who appeared from the dark of the cave. "And what's this? Isn't it quite past your bedtime, young lady?"

Though his words were a scold, his tone was teasing, and the little girl - Aphaea, he believed - smiled at him, and cocked her head in return. "What use is a bedtime when there is so much to see? Maybe you'll miss something, and it will come in to gobble us all up."

Sigurd laughed. "Well, we shall try our best not to allow that to happen, won't we?"

Night Shift starter for @allyphase and @renaisguy

Whoa! Nice Creepy Doll You Got There

[enarmor]

"Why, I'd do what we knights were born to do."

Sain speaks with an overbearing kind of conviction. The kind that leaves no room for error nor space for speculation--that claims what he's saying is something he believes with his whole heart. Knighthood is baked into his blood. Though Mark's question is good, it is one he can answer without breaking eye contact.

"Protect my fair lady, for starters." One finger goes up. He's making a list. "Be it a threat to your life or some unsightly scoundrel looking your way, you can always count on me to shield you from harm." And that is not because he believes Mark to be defenseless. Far from it, in fact, he's seen how cutthroat she can be as a commander. Rather, fighting should not be something she should have to do, and neither should fending off weirdos. Better to leave that in the hands of the guy with gauntlets, Sain thinks.

"Be loyal to you, now and forever. Times have changed, my goddess of wisdom, but my devotion to yourself and Lady Lyndis has not." That's finger number two. "Staying by your side can make all the difference, you know!"

Now Sain twinges. That was a lesson taught to him the hard way. As he stops to run his hand through his hair, he redoubles on his vow to never leave his friends again.

He does need them, after all.

"And naturally, serve your interests however you see fit." The third and final finger sprouts up, followed by a small wave from the same hand. Sain has been losing the seriousness strewn over his face over the course of his explanation, and now it's almost all gone--replaced by another of his golden smiles. "Dear, you've always been good at instructing me, so why stop now? I can help with studying, relaxation--whatever you need! ...I do hope you see more use for me than just stabbing people." The Lance is a truly versatile tool, even if Mark already knows that. His steel tip can be used at range or thrown to cover greater distances, or pulled back to half-wield against a closer foe. His hickory shaft can deliver a blunt strike meant to disarm, or extended to an ally to help climb a horse. And in times of great need, even the flag flying the Legion's colors could be tied to his neck. Sain is plenty happy to be the face of any operation, equal parts standard-bearer and active combatant.

"I'm all yours, Mark--passionate and devoted!"

✢⁎. binding ties

[nothosword]

Woof, now that's a thinker. What isn't Fergus here to study? More years spent meandering as a mercenary than he can count on his fingers, and the guy has nothing to show for it. He thought to finally make something of his life, now that he's in the final stretch for his thirties. But to answer his question...

Why doesn't he actually start with what he isn't studying?

"Nothin' to do with swords or horseback riding, that's for sure." He slackens on their dance during his explanation, giving Mark the opportunity to regurgitate his lessons back at him. Things continue like this for a while, with the blonde's wide-swaying motions dying down into ripples in a pond. "and I'd prefer to skip history, if I can. That class bores me half to sleep..."

He realizes he's sounding picky, and so he shoots his brow further up his head. "Government's fun, though. I keep an open book, but it'd be nice to be something better than a sellsword." If, by some miracle, he finds a way to quell his bursts of anger. Fergus can't imagine holding any kind of professional job where he talks with his knuckles before his mouth.

He plugs his stream of rambling and sets his feet flat against the grass. They could pick up their dance at any moment, but Fergus wants to ask something first:

"Why, you got any recommendations?"

✢⁎. nova in the night

[blaiddllodi]

Night came strangely quickly, and with it a chill that Dimitri would not have expected from such a lush, warm environment. He had heard that the sands of Sreng soaked away all heat from the sun, and stored them at night, when temperatures would have quickly dipped to something that a northern man might have been more familiar with, but it was strange to expect that the sands of the beach would have behaved the same. 

"Perhaps we should gather some firewood?" The suggestion came easily, and mostly from a place of wanting to keep busy – it would have taken a blind man not to see that his new companions, from all teams, were low and in their heads about their defeat so early in the competition. 

"Whoever would like to assist, I would be grateful for the help," he announced to the group, slinging the strap for Areadbhar over his shoulders. He didn't truly believe that their hosts would leave them into the cold night, merely to fend for themselves, but it was a poor leader who left those in his charge to fester under the weight of their ennui. 

The first few steps along the treeline proved less fruitful than he would like: not only could he not see any usable dry kindling, but what he could see chilled him greater than the crashing waves at their backs. 

Find wood king? Roll: 5! A monster appears!

Eyes. Pinpricks of glowing light, reflecting the rising moon and glimmering just out of reach. 

His hand went for Areadbhar's haft, and he planted his stance firmly, his other hand extending to one side to keep any others behind him, lest the beast strike. 

Attempting to make himself larger, the more frightening of the two, Dimitri puffed out his chest, made stern eye contact with the beast, and lowered his voice. 

"Leave us! Get out of here! Go on!" 

Okay but can you chase it off king? Roll: 2! Of course not!

It didn't seem to care. 

Was it laughing at him? 

Lovely Day. Sure Hope There Aren't Any Getters About

Happyland 2024 - Week 2 - Sadland Bonfire

[sunncutter]

It was as easy to follow in Mark's quiet confidence as she suspected it was for Mark to follow in her own bluffness – Lyn dipped her chin in a nod, understanding instantly the sort of environment they could expect, and exactly why her little tactician might have fallen in her first experience with them.

"Your experience suits you," she said in a tease, but happy to take the step alongside her friend with her head held high. The lights blinded her only for a moment before mellowing to something comfortable, almost soothing – a trick, possibly?

Although there was nothing there just yet, Lyn cocked her head dubiously. "Provoke them? Listen to you, you sound like a warrior in your own right." Her hand tightened around the hilt of her blade, and sure enough, the shift in her bootsoles against the floor brought the light to shimmering once more, and almost as though from within the chest, a man appeared.

His posture set her on edge, somewhat familiar, and the jut of his jaw as he appraised her disdainfully, eyes narrowing with avarice to see the blade at her hip.

In challenge, he drew his own sword.

"Stand behind me, Mark! I don't know why, but this man seems...familiar..."

i promise the clowns don't bite

combat document

[renaisguy]

Forde is pleased to be working with Mark again. They didn’t talk much when they were on night watch, but she seemed like a pleasant woman, if a little stressed. This job should be far less taxing. And Lianna, though they hadn’t interacted yet, seemed well spirited. 

The house they were in was a bit of a shambles, but it was workable. He thought about how a bit of paint would brighten the mood, maybe a few decorations… but that wouldn’t be possible, unless one of these houses had painting supplies in them.

“Aye, we’ll do whatever you need of us.” Forde doesn’t like heavy lifting per se, but he’ll do what’s asked of him. Lianna has the great idea of checking the walls thoroughly, so Forde joins her. 

Roll: 10+1 = 11

“Ah, there are some loose stones here.” He says, running over the left wall. “Not too many though, so- ah!” One of the stones falls out of the wall easily, and for a moment Forde panics. “It’s fine! It almost feels like the wall was built to have this hole.” Other than that cubby, the walls are structurally sound.

He laughs, then realises he’s right. There’s something hidden away in the wall. “A key?” He questions, taking it. “Hey Mark, any ideas what this could be for?”

@allyphase

move-in day - settling in

Roll 1d10 for every post after your starter. Starting with your third post (including your starter), with every post, add +1 to your d10 +1 counter resets after +5 1-8: carry on 9-10+: ping key

[blaiddllodi]

"Indeed, it seems as though this island was not attended to in our clean up efforts over the last month."

It was so bizarre, he thought, that there could still be so many creatures about - but then, of course, there was no telling how many islands truly lay in this archipelago, and it seemed as though prior to their host's entrance and the church's assistance, these islands had been both uninhabited and uninhabitable.

He was beginning to believe that perhaps this was for the best, frowning as he once more strapped a thrumming Areadbhar to his back, ignoring the chill that crawled down the bare skin of his back as he pressed on.

"Come, we cannot let this deter us - the sun is going down, and we must build a fire. If not for warmth, then at least to deter the wild creatures that lurk in the jungle."

What do you think chat, does he do it this time? Roll: 4! Nothing found

Blast! He really was no good at this, was he? It seemed that no matter where his eyes turned, he could find no dry wood to be used, feeling only the return of other eyes on him as they inched forward into the wilds.

Dimitri sighed. "Are either of you finding anything?"

Lovely Day. Sure Hope There Aren't Any Getters About

Happyland 2024 - Week 2 - Sadland Bonfire

[peerlessscowl]

He'd been called in as a favor, actually. Leaving behind the monastery had been easy, but although he hadn't kept in touch with many that resided there, it seemed that his name still bore some weight as someone that might be called on in an emergency.

Raven didn't understand why this counted as an emergency, as such, from the details he'd been given - student, female, under some enchantment or other, needing to be locked in the storeroom until either the spell wore off, or she was able to be subdued - and yet he found himself carefully making his way down into the stores of the monastery, watching the candlelight flicker on the stone walls as he passed.

He didn't mask his approach, quite, but neither did he feel the need to make a spectacle of himself, no desire to strike the same chord of fear in the girl's heart, if she could feel such a thing under this enchantment - simply took his steps cautiously until the door appeared before him.

"Hey," he called softly through the wood of the door, listening briefly for signs of movement from within, "My name is Raven. I've been sent to check on you. I'm coming in, all right?"

Warning given, he pressed the door forward, eyes catching on the flurry of movement just as it occurred, the flash of fabric and glinting accoutrement and something fierce in the girl's eyes -

Just as he pivoted, shepherding her into the direction the door swung, and pushing it against her back, trapping her in the triangle that formed between the door, wall, and nearby shelf, pressing firmly - though not unkindly - against her form as she writhed.

"Careful," he said, craning his neck around the door while keeping a firm hand against it. "You could hurt someone."

my heart once dwelled in my skull

anniversary faith +1

[blaiddllodi]

Well, that was embarrassing. It wasn't as though he had wanted to harm the beast, he had no grudge to bear against them, but it stung for these two mousy girls to jump ahead of him merely because the beast didn't designate him as enough of a threat to heed.

Dimitri shook his head. "I apologize, I...I hadn't wanted to harm it, but I suppose that put the two of you at risk, didn't it?" A soft sigh through his nose, part frustration, part dismissal - better to move forward than to dwell. "The two of you did well. I suppose we should take those bones with us, in case they prove useful. We cannot know how long we will be here."

The night grew darker with every step they took along the beach, and gentle sweeps of Areadbhar's haft along the underbrush of the emerging jungle proved fruitless in the search for dry, usable kindling.

Can you guess what he's about to find? Roll: 6 That's right, it's another monster.

The rustle of branches caught his periphery, and he spun - was it the same beast? Or had it sought out reinforcements...?

This time, he drew Areadbhar fully, felt it tremor in his grip, the curling whispers singing in his blood at the prospect of blood - but he kept his stance firm, pitched his voice once more.

"Begone! We've no quarrel with you!" It was a more reasonable request than he expected the monsters were used to, and it occurred to him, briefly, that he might have better luck if he stopped treating them as men.

Can you guess whether he scares it off? Roll: 2 Of course he doesn't lmao

The beast huffed what sounded, once more, suspiciously like a chuckle, and Dimitri grunted.

Oh, come on.

@allyphase

Lovely Day. Sure Hope There Aren't Any Getters About

Happyland 2024 - Week 2 - Sadland Bonfire