#interaction: amitieos

[sayhwaet]

[ Goddess Tower, Redux + Champagne ]

Elincia makes her way up the staircase, glasses of champagne carefully balanced in hand. A mischievous grin tugs at her lips as she spots a broad, athletic figure.

"I believe I owe you a drink still. I do hope it's strong enough for your tastes," she says, offering a glass before pulling it back ever so slightly. "Though I must confess to an ulterior motive. It isn't entirely free."

"I'd like to exchange the little trinkets on our brooches first. Consider it an investment in our budding friendship."

He'd heard that this here Goddess Tower was a good way to make a quick entanglement for the students who didn't know there were better places, and had thought that was funny as hell.

Not that he could say he hadn't entangled in worse places, though that was usually for lack of better options. And when he had come to investigate, it had been purely borne of curiosity, and not necessarily of the assumption that someone might follow him.

Though the chance was never zero, was it?

"Oh, now there's that pretty lady who beat the right snot outta me. And she's even brought me a drink?" His fingers reached for the glass, and a crooked smile erupted on his face at the coy pullback.

"Investment?" A laugh, barked. "Lady you learned my language so quickly I'd think you spoke it native, if I didn't know better - but your manners're far too rich for that, ain't they? All right, you've hooked me. You want this so bad?"

He flicked at the teardrop crystal on his brooch in demonstration first, then unclipped it and extended it on a palm.

"Then take it." His grin widened, wolfish. "G'on then."

[desertslegacy]

Now that she had spent a little bit of time around the island, taking its paths and courses underfoot with every spare moment that she had, it became easier to appreciate its beauty. Not that it was not immediately apparent, as anyone with eyes might have been able to see the clear sky and jeweled waters, the lush greenery and vibrant flora and fauna - but there was so much of it that tugged at her attention, she who was so attuned to keeping her focus on a singular point in a large expanse of sameness.

But the isles promised much and more to those who were willing to plunge into their nooks and crannies, and though she could not be tempted by riches, there was the pique of curiosity that came with such tales.

"Do you think there is truly anything to find?" Igrene brushed aside a crop of vines to allow the Lady Elincia to pass underneath them. There seemed just ahead to be the opening of one such network of caves, if the maps were to be believed - though they, too, had the potential to be nothing more than legend.

"Of treasure, I mean." She cocked her head as they approached, lips curving into a soft smile. "The tales have seemed to my ears to be little more than that - merely legend. We're sure to find something, but whether it is what was promised is another matter. Are you prepared, Lady Elincia?"

pieces of eight

[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!!

[princessmacedon]

{ OOC: housekeeping!

it's been a while since i did one of these and i have a great big mess to clean up ASDFDSD so! threads below the cut, and if i missed something please let me know!

UPDATED:

per suggestion of the newsletter, mun pages ( 🐦 ) ( 🐈‍⬛ ) now have guidelines

both maria and katarina's supports pages have been brought up to date!

threads + thread tracker nonsense below!!

here's my thread tracker! currently, it should contain all of my active threads, excepting those from the ethereal ball and as always, please don't feel as though you need to rush! (especially those of you whose threads i just replied to while fixing my shit AHSDHSDFHSD) this is for my organizational sake HAHA ; i'm glad to continue any and all threads, but if you're not feeling one anymore that's fine too >vo)v

MARIA

Waiting on me:

something old, something new -- @ventusanimae

spirit of healing -- @ashenprofessor

what my cover shows -- @knighteclipsed

all things precious -- @reddragonprincess

red riding hood's basket -- @justices-blade

wondrous tails -- @carefreemonk

with those who favor fire -- @arcelerity

objects in mirror -- @raikuroji

three lions walk out of a field (BOEL) -- @pirrhyc @sharpscion

paperwork perils -- @magictome

land and heavens near -- @lycianlynx

solace in the abyss -- @justices-blade

Waiting on partner:

an end to the song -- @arcstral

sun's shine -- @lycianlynx

shadows in the moonlight -- @hresvelged

birds chasing cats -- @aubins

not dead yet -- @alliberacio

from winter's close emerging -- @hermidetta

i do believe in fairies! -- @nagaficat

KATARINA

Waiting on me:

seeds of hope -- @arcaeda

a blanket of white, unbroken -- @knighteclipsed

a mystery in monochrome -- @gentlenekomata

the road that we walk -- @unsungblade

a day in (un)kingly shoes -- @arcstral

Waiting on partner:

uprooting wallflowers -- @unsungblade

a fleeting fata morgana -- @nabataprophet

cat cat kitty cat -- @unsungblade

cooking by the book -- @amitieos

sham of a prince -- @hosannan

gallowed halls -- @princepsumbra

a night and day we'll never see -- @ulircursed

the mega bonk technique -- @sharpscion

the name of a villain -- @indevouement

TBD:

penpal randomizer -- @gauldheri

ETHEREAL BALL INTERACTIONS

with @cursedbluebird : i'm planning on tacking on an extra reply and have it fade to black if that's alright? :o marianne is so sweet though, thank you for sending her my way!! <3 <3

with @pirrhyc : while i do love lobbing the hot potato around ASDFSDFSDG i think i'll call it there?! but i really enjoyed their little exchange!! :pleading: :boom:

with @frauleindermorgen : i'm definitely down to make this into a mini thread :] unless i misunderstood aDSDDSFHF

ALL MASKS: maria was mask 22! if you'd like to play out the rest of a masquerade thread, i'm down! ^^)7

as always, if you need to contact me for anything, feel free to do so through here or discord!

[regnumaves]

ooc; Tibarn return

You know what time it is, besties.

Yeah, it's time for Tibarn to continue vibe checking all my other delusions. Anyway, he's back after a brief return to Tellius to take care of some matters back home. If I've learned my lesson (we'll see), my muse lineup will likely stick, at least for a longer while.

While I will no doubt grab a few new threads, he had some at the time of dropping that have potential to be picked back up - specifically threads that did not get far enough for my partner to claim upon his leave, some of them with skill points attached. If you'd be interested in reviving the thread, please let me know. If you'd rather not, that's 100% chill with me of course! I just want to know where I stand before I load him up on new interactions.

The threads in question are:

In the Name of the Goddess, Square Up (with Rhea @aurheatum, +1 Gauntlet) - my turn

A Flower, For You (with Leanne @allegreta) - Leanne's turn

King to King Communication (with Diamant @heriteur) - my turn

Defrosting (with Elincia @amitieos, +1 Flying) - Elincia's turn

Bonding?? Exercise?? (with Rafal @rafent) - my turn

Vibe Check Failed (with F!Byleth @ashenprofessor, Gauntlet +1) - my turn

Fear the Deer (with Sakura @gentlenekomata, Bow +1) - Sakura's turn

[crookedorel]

For what it was, the line to get inside was absolutely atrocious. Berkut had entertained the notion, had waited his due for the weekend rush of what was apparently the hottest new watering hole in the cesspit of this town. He could not speak to its charms in the way that many who ran in the same circles as he - as far as he could see, it was merely the gimmick that drew so much attention, playacting at having a maidservant for an hour or two while those in costume fluttered lashes to curry favor.

The bell jingled merrily above his head as he entered, and he had to frown at it upon stepping in. Neither host nor hostess in sight, an abominable oversight for the amount of people that still milled about. Shaking his head, Berkut stepped somewhat further in, seeking out someone that might have the good sense to settle the affairs of those waiting - to be sat, to pay, or even simply the attention due them for waiting in that ghastly line.

He almost didn't hear that he was being spoken to until slim fingers tugged at his hand, and when he turned to bark his cool dismissal at whoever might have had the gall, that sweet smile in that pale, pretty face took him aback.

Waiting for - ?

Upside-down - ?

Perhaps another noble about the town had mentioned his name, perhaps there were those that might have called him friend unrequited had discussed him with the staff here such that they might have anticipated his needs upon arrival. If this was true, then this was the kindest thing that he could say: the welcome was…well, welcoming.

Bodies pressed upon him from all sides, though he caught her name as she led him farther and farther away from the bustle of the dining floor and…into the bustle of the back of house. An apron, somehow, was slung about his shoulders, tied snugly in the back with looping knots, and before he could have snapped his displeasure at whoever had done so, he found himself presented with leaf after leaf of delicate ticket paper, splayed before him.

It was all rather too much.

"I beg your pardon," he said coldly, fumbling and failing to untie the crisp knot of his apron, "but I am not to be spoken to this way, as crown prince of my nation - "

service with a smile

[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]

🥂"Good evening, Lord Raymond!" It's natural for Elincia to wish to check in with her students, whether she knew them well yet or not. The battles had been hard-fought and win or lose, everyone had done themselves and the house proud. Found an opportunity to grow and improve. "Are you feeling alright? I must confess the days events have left me a little tired! Still, all experience is useful. Is there anything I can do for you? Please, feel free to let me know any time or place."

"And thank you, for fighting valiantly for the Blue Lions house."

"Lady Elincia. Professor. Good evening."  Raven acknowledges her with a brief bow. He tries to keep his posture loose, but he cannot help the touch of rigidity that overtakes him – he and this professor had not had much chance to interact in their classes, and though she was a kindly woman, he had witnessed her display on the battlefield, and he could not risk allowing himself to get too close. 

Shrugging on the ill-fitting cloak of his nobility to hide behind, he settles his expression into something neutral and, hopefully, passably pleasant. "I am feeling quite well, thank you – the healers have done their good work, saints be praised. But what of you? Surely you have brought more glory to the Blue Lions house than I – fighting to the end. I shall have to watch out for you, professor." 

Though his tone is an attempt at lightness, conveying a jest, he means it. She, and others, he knows now to keep a closer watch on.

[bxldrsdraumar]

a kiss that says thank you

As time passed, Sigurd grew quite fond of his role at the monastery - knightly duties came easy to him, the regiment of following orders, but also the day-to-day tasks of the academy and monastery, lending a hand here and there, taking his prayers in the cathedral, and occasionally being called upon for his expertise in battle for seminars.

He balked, ever-humble - what could this man do that the teaching staff could not, he wondered? - but was amenable, understanding that in many instances it was less his skill and more his legend.

"Ah, Lord Sigurd!" Elincia greeted him warmly as she always did, grasping his hands and pressing her lips to one cheek, the next in greeting, then accepting an embrace from him and pressing a firmer kiss to his cheek before drawing back, eyes glittering with joy. "I appreciate you assisting me with lessons today - I think this class could learn much from a man like you!"

A man like you. Sigurd heard the words often enough, but he never took them quite to heart as he once had - things changed when there were series of volumes written in your name - but from Elincia's lips he understood it as the kindest compliment. "My dear friend, I could not be happier - now, let us see these young ones!"

[revelale]

🥂"Good evening! I'm afraid I haven't seen you around?" Elincia clinks their glasses together regardless, enjoying the festive atmosphere. After such a hard day it's nice to let her hair down. "Enjoying the party? It's a little on the quiet side but perhaps everyone is a little exhausted."

welcome to the afterparty!

from what he's parsed, the mock battle went off without a hitch. there wasn't much need for the church folks to be there. it being a battle and all, there were plenty of nuns and priests who weren't too keen on witnessing the glory of battle. himself included. retainer and sentinel he might've been, but these days were mostly spent peacefully. pandreo might dare think that his glory days are behind him. he should pray that his glory days were behind him, at least.

but while the clerics—the professors at least—busied themselves with the medical tents and the other faculty and knights supervising or, at times, participating, that left the monastery fully vacant. filled with a new business, that'd been all that led up to this final penultimate event and pandreo is pleased to see more than a handful of people taking up the charge and celebrating victories or mourning losses the way they ought to be. nursing a champagne glass in hand, the priest only turns his face to greet the lady with an easy smile. he clinks his with hers, offering something of a lazy wave of the hand in a salute of acknowledgment.

"professor," because in a place filled to the brim with dignitaries, he didn't know who was a majesty or a highness and the last thing he needs is to cause a diplomatic incident. a little been there, done that, wasn't it?

"it's better for a priest to not be seen, more heard, right?" pandreo chuckles. "very much! who'd have thunk that the church of seiros knew how to throw a party, huh?" he glances in the direction of the students, offering a slight shrug. "they'll find energy after they get some bites in, i think. you want this?" he tips the nearly full glass of champagne in the woman's direction.

"i don't drink, so you're free to take it but, ah—i won't be insulted if you don't, haha."

[ofdusk]

a kiss that says thank you

another kiss [accepting]

It’s just a routine training exercise for the pegasus knight, but Corrin watches it as though it’s the most fascinating thing she has ever seen.

She’s taken to watching students train in her downtime, but she enjoys spectating the fliers the most. Not only is it an excuse to enjoy the sun, but also an opportunity to offer a hand with any of the mounts. She always has held a certain fondness for animals, after all.

Which means she’s armed to the teeth with treats to offer the pegasi after they’ve returned to the ground.

Corrin watches Elincia dismount, waving from her little perch atop one of the fence posts before hopping down to meet the two of them. She’s seen them fly quite a few times now, and it never ceases to amaze her.

“You’re amazing up there!” Corrin fishes a couple of sugar cubes from her pocket, attention turning to the rider to ask if it would be okay to offer them to Chrysaor. Only the question dies on her lips as she feels a soft muzzle press into her hand.

Oops. She laughs, shaking her head as the pegasus noses her again in search of more.

“You too,” she slips him another one, grinning at the affectionate little sniff he gives her after.

[peerlessscowl]

a gentle kiss to ask forgiveness 

He feels his body begin to slow down, movements sluggish as though he were swimming through honey. Elincia's voice bubble brightly in his ears, and he tried desperately to raise his sword one final time before coming to a knee. 

"What did you...?" he manages through gritted teeth. As his vision fades, he can see the staff in her off-hand glowing, and he grunts. Magic. He should have known, should have paid better attention – she was trying to teach him something with their sparring sessions, and he had been arrogant to think that she would come with such a limited arsenal as merely a sword. 

He feels himself being lifted by gentle hands, absently aware that he was being dragged to a nearby bench, deposited before the last of his senses fled from him. He squints up, and Elincia is haloed by the afternoon sun, and she is smiling kindly at him as she leans down and presses a soft kiss to his forehead. 

"Get some rest, Lord Raymond," she says from faraway. "We shall try again another time." 

[bxldrsdraumar]

ulfhedhnar

Among the new students are massive wolves unlike any that Fodlan has seen before: not monsters cursed by crest stones, but mounts that are frequently used by Elyos’ elite cavalry units. The Officers Academy has gone out of its way to import a small pack of these creatures, hoping to one day offer certification for aspiring Wolf Knights. However, these seasoned veterans prefer sunny afternoon naps and would rather ignore whatever nonsense that’s coming out of your mouth. You’ll have to earn their respect first. [Grants Riding +1] 

(starter for @amitieos)

Sigurd was a skilled rider. He'd spent most of his life in a saddle, and the feel of a mount beneath him was as second nature to him as walking. When he began to get his bearings around Garreg Mach monastery, he was surprised to see such different breeds of horse on this continent, larger and much furrier than he was used to, but he took to them all the same, gradually building up his strength with short rides through the mountain paths surrounding the town. 

So when a new wave of exchange students arrived with mounts of their own, he expected it to be of a similar vein – the more things change, the more they stay the same, after all, and he expected one mount to be much like another. 

What he had not expected, however, was this. 

"When I heard this was a training for 'wolf knights' I assumed it was metaphorical," he joked to his partner the seminar, a young woman who introduced herself as an instructor at the academy. The wolf was enormous, and though it seemed content to bask with its belly facing the sun, he ensured that he kept a respectful distance from it until they were better acquainted (and ensured also that his body was squarely in between the wolf and the young woman, for who knew if something could go awry). 

"Are you...from this continent? This Elyos?" he hazarded at Elincia. "Is this an area in which you are skilled as well, my lady?" 

[peerlessscowl]

amitieos

“Me neither, though I’m certainly grateful for the practice,” there was ever room to grow and improve. Elincia considered herself a skilled swordswoman of course, her lord uncle had been an impeccable teacher, as had the battlefield. It would be foolish to rest on her laurels though when there was always more to achieve. Plenty to learn and practice in case a day came again where Crimea needed more from her than kindness and warmth. “I think my issue is the draw phase. It feels clumsy, too much friction and too little finesse. I’m not able to gain enough momentum there to quite reach the speed threshold needed to pull this off.”

A glance at the sword in her hand elicits as brief frown. Frustration must be clear on her face. Perhaps that was why Raymond’s smile failed to meet his eyes? Elincia is quick to relax her expression and posture in response.

“Shall I demonstrate?” Elincia asks as an afterthought. One she probably shouldn’t have missed. How else could he pinpoint her mistakes without seeing them first hand?

It was obvious at a glance, from across the training grounds that his stance was quite different to her own. His rooted firmly to the earth below, built more for power and defence than her own light-footed approach. Doing most of her fighting aloft in the air had translated to looser footwork, more bounce in her steps as though she was about to take off in to the air at any moment. It allowed her greater freedom of movement, both to dodge enemies and strike swiftly but left her more fragile to precise attacks. As she draws her blade she feels it catch against the sheathe as she pulls. Snagging and slowing her down. Once free the blade whirls through the air as she moves with it.  

She’s fast - more than enough so to take an enemy off guard and sneak in an extra attack. Not fast enough though. Her movements don’t blur or appear imperceptible. A foe well trained and expectant would see what’s coming and have an opportunity to brace for impact or swing out of reach.

“Have you had any more success than I have? If there’s anything I can help with do let me know. Two heads, two perspectives, might prove enough to crack this!”

Ah, so she had noticed it, too. Raven felt a bit validated in his estimation – both of the technique, and of Lady Elincia herself. The demonstration had been quick, over almost in a flash, and though it had been repeated, it still took a sharp eye to suss out where the root of it lie. 

He saw the frustration cloud her face and then clear suddenly, and Raven's eyes narrowed briefly. He nodded his assent at her demonstration, stepping back with crossed arms to give her the space to attempt the manoeuvre. 

Just as he had been having issues in grounding himself, so too it seemed did the Lady Elincia. She seemed to be far more used to keeping light on her feet, moving about to avoid enemies – he recalled that she was a pegasus rider, and he thought perhaps that might be useful. 

And there it was. 

Raven shook his head when she turned to face him. "You're moving around too much, you're wasting the momentum you're building up. I had similar issues earlier, but it seems to me like you're used to being above your enemy, while I'm more used to being in their face." He canted his head before continuing, "During the demonstration, the swordsman seemed to...almost stop for a moment. As though...perhaps you noticed it as well, but it wasn't just that he stopped moving, but as though the air around him paused for a breath. And then he struck." 

At her invitation for him to demonstrate himself, Raven spread into a stance, knees bent, his center lower to the ground. "This might be easier for you to get the hang of than me – this is a similar stance to horse-riding, after all." 

He hadn't attempted on the dummy yet, but he took in a breath, eyes fluttering shut for the steady in, letting it out slow before he opened his eyes again. The dummy was a stationary target, it should be easy. He rested his hand on the hilt of his blade gently, taking another breath in as he twisted at the hip, then -  

RELEASED. 

His breath out was almost a huff of disappointment, but he had gotten close. Even though it was a dulled, heavy training sword, he had still left a clean slice across the bulk of the dummy's front. 

Frowning, he rose to his full height. "I don't think I have that stillness in me," he murmured softly before, with a start, almost as though he had forgotten Lady Elincia was there, he gestured. "Why don't you try again? I'm sure you'll get the hang of it." 

infinite blade spam

[peerlessscowl]

She has an awful lot of faith in him, and he stiffens for the first few beats of the music - it's a familiar enough song, although not exactly one he learned at Cornwell - before the autopilot takes over. Compounded with the last few years of honing his body's movements, any reminder of the awkward boy from before seems faraway indeed.

He grunts in response to her mention of her homeland - not for disinterest, for he still logs the information away for later - but for fear of losing count. Two this way, one back, then three? No, still two - it is a miracle they move together as smoothly as they do, and it is to his horror that he finds this seems to have convinced her that he is good at this.

Her talk of abandoning the rote steps almost causes him to tense - and her mention of a genuine smile certainly does, relegated to his fingers stiffening against he side and should.

But he has trained with this woman, and he has seen how she moves about - thinks he might have a bead on predicting her, when needed, and he thinks that perhaps maybe she has absorbed the same information on him, as well. So he forces himself to loosen up, an almost imperceptible shake, before Raven nods once his assent, and allows himself to let go a bit - moving together not as dance partners at a function, but as mere partners in movement, practiced and sure steps against a comfortable opponent.

[ Indulge ]

He feels the whisper of a breath on the back of his neck, the nudge of a request with a gentle huffing laughter beneath it.

It's a ball, it says, and his grimace deepens, knowing that he won't like what comes next, after receiving so many commands of late. Why don't you go dance?

He wants to bark back why don't you fuck off but leaves it off. It's a harmless request, and he isn't keen to start an issue. He scans the floor until he finds a familiar shock of green hair, and his face softens.

Since the Battle of Eagle and Lion, he had been stiff, perhaps a touch unnecessarily cold to the Lady Elincia, and with a moment's reflection it touched him that this was unfair to her. She had been, after all, nothing but the picture of kindness.

His approach is a mite stiff, but as he moves he shakes off the cool front and replaces it with practiced manners, presenting her with a perfect bow as he extends his hand, brand shining in the night air.

"Lady Elincia," he greets. "I...it's been a while, but I'm sure I still know the steps. Would you like to dance?"

"Lord Raymond!" Elincia instantly bobs into a low cursty, paying careful attention to her skirts before rising to stand and take his hand. She squeezes it ever so gently as flowers bloom upon the vines that chain their wrists. "It would be my pleasure, I love to dance! In Crimea, folk dance is very important to our people! Although there might be a few too many backflips for an occasion like today!"

Elincia giggles lightly as she allows him to lead them. The way he bowed and the ease with which he dances belie his noble upbringing often hidden in his sword technique. One she's become aquainted to in training sessions. He fights not like the son of a count or even a knight but like a mercenary, hardened and desperate to survive.

But despite his modesty he dances like a dream. It seems the steps drilled into all children of noble birth never truly leave them.

"You're doing well, if it's been a long time! But I think dancing is more than just rehearsed steps, is it not? It's supposed to bring a smile to peoples faces. A genuine one..." Her eyes dart around the room, at everyone watching. Or more likely, absorbed in their own dances. "Shall we forget the steps and let the music lead us for a little while? Only if you're comfortable with that though, I want you to enjoy this evening as much as I am, my friend."

[peerlessscowl]

Verdant brows furrow in concentration. The technique looks simple enough at a glance but Elincia just can't seem to move fast enough to pull it off. Agility has always been one of her strengths, something she takes pride in and yet she finds herself stumbling at the first hurdle. She may be able to strike fast enough that her sword becomes a blur to the untrained eye but any swordsmaster worth their salt could catch her in motion.

Elincia tries to reassure herself that it's hardly the most practical move in combat but the way her hands hesitate as she unsheathes Amiti makes her cringe slightly. There's plenty of room for improvement. Today's seminar had made that clear.

Lifting her head, she spots a familiar shock of auburn hair. Sword in hand, Raymond enacts the same motions she herself had been attempting. His fluidity is impressive, particularly in the draw phase where she'd been struggling so much. Perhaps, she thinks as she crosses the training grounds to greet him, they could help each other out and break the task down together. A few more paces and she stands behind him, tapping his shoulder gently.

"Lord Raymond, did you enjoy the seminar? The skill on display was incredible," Elincia says, brushing stray hair from her face. The smile she fixes him with is gentle and warm."I must admit, it's difficult to replicate such moves. I was wondering if you'd care to work together on mastering the technique? I think another's perspective might be just what I need."

"Of course, if I can be of any assistance to you I'd be thrilled to help!"

Raven didn't consider himself an arrogant man – he had been through enough trying situations to be keenly aware of his strengths, but also of his limits – but he knew that his skill with a sword was something that he could take pride in. Just as well, his education was some of the best a man could receive – from his father's master-of-arms, he understood theory and anatomy and advanced techniques that many men his age could never have dreamed of encountering, and from his own incredibly successful career he gained a certain adaptability, footwork honed from years of experience fighting all kinds, muscle memory forming from seeing the way his opponents carried their own experience. 

But while he knew he was a capable swordsman, this technique was not one that he had seen much of. Which, he supposed, was rather the point – it was speed which allowed this technique to shine, just as much as power, and confidence, and skill. He was not slow or clumsy, but when he saw the demonstration there was a curdling in his stomach. 

So he picked a dummy in a corner, away from many of the others that had attended the seminar, and aped the movements with the training sword. A clunky wooden stick, if it was anything, but with a technique like that it was better to start off as harmless as possible. 

It was in the draw, he came to realize, where most of the speed generated. His stance seemed solid, firm and low to the ground – his hips square, the better to generate the torque needed – and he moved through the motions slowly at first until he felt he had the hang of them. He was so used to generating power from his shoulders that it took a moment, gradually loosening his upper body to allow the technique to flow properly. 

He tensed at the tap on his shoulder, and for the briefest moment his eyes narrowed – the Lady Elincia. One of his own instructors. He hadn't known she would be attending the seminar, he thought, or he might have preferred to watch from a distance. She was perfectly lovely – polite, courteous, and she seemed quite friendly. 

He straightened, forcing his lips into a smile that didn't reach his eyes, and he offered her a brief bow in greeting. "Lady Elincia, good day. It certainly is a master's technique – I haven't pushed myself in this way in quite a while," he agreed. He cocked his head a bit at her admission – really? Someone of her caliber is struggling with this? It was a surprise – in his estimation, she had to be at least as skilled as he, all things considered. "What is it you're having trouble with?" 

infinite blade spam