contempenitent

[contempenitent]

*: ･ﾟ✧   90 loaded questions / interview the muse.

found on this website, so credit goes to them.

What’s your favorite strategy for avoiding tough situations?

How often do you do things just for the attention?

Would you prefer to be manipulated or to be the manipulator?

What is something someone always tells you to do more of?

What is something someone always tells you to do less of?

Who do you look to blame when things go wrong?

What is the one thing people assume about you that you wish was true?

What is the one thing people assume about you that you wish wasn’t true?

When was the last time you lied to protect your image?

How often do you put on a happy face when you’re really not feeling it?

When do you think you began putting your guard up so much?

Who made you feel most anxious when you were a kid?

How do you speak about others when they’re not around?

What aspect of your life are you most delusional about?

How often do your admit you were wrong?

Which one of your biggest flaws do you like to rationalize the most?

Is it your fear of commitment or your fear of intimacy that makes you shut down more?

At what stage of a relationship are you most likely to withdraw emotionally?

What is the one compliment you always get that you’re too embarrassed to accept, so you deflect it?

What would someone say is your worst habit?

What is the one insecurity you are pretty sure has some basis in reality?

When was the last time you felt really insecure about the parts of yourself you pretend don’t exist?

What is the most interesting white lie you’ve told?

Do you ever feel like an imposter?

Do your friends know how competitive you are?

What’s the hardest thing about being rejected?

How do you deal when you know you’re being irrationally jealous?

How do you deal when you know someone’s not willing to give you what you want?

Are you ever afraid of people knowing who you really are?

If you went to a therapist today, what would they say is holding you back the most?

When was the last time you lowered your standards just to get someone else’s approval?

Is your need for revenge greater than your need for peace?

Have you stopped trying to control things yet?

Which parts of yourself do you still seek validation for?

How do you cope with being unfairly ignored?

Do you like punishing yourself for things that are out of your control?

What does someone say is your biggest problem when communicating?

Are you okay with not knowing what happens next?

Will you ever feel okay with being imperfect?

Does sabotaging yourself give you an odd sense of comfort?

How do you feel about being disliked by some people?

What’s the strangest thing you’ve done just to avoid failure?

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken just to prove yourself?

What’s the boldest thing you do every day, just to feel like you’re still in control?

What accusation would you defend yourself most fiercely against, even though you know it’s true?

What’s the most toxic thing about yourself you actually kind of secretly like?

How much do you enjoy being in control?

When do you give yourself permission to lose control?

What guilty pleasure are you currently justifying to yourself?

What is the most passive-aggressive way you’ve dealt with your rage?

What is the pettiest and most immature way you’ve avoided losing face?

What’s the worst habit you have that rewards you the most?

How do you get your needs met when you’re alone?

What is the most ridiculous thing you’ve done to please people?

What is the most ridiculous way you’ve rebelled?

What’s your favorite way to channel your aggression?

How do you cope with being betrayed?

Are you okay with disliking someone?

What is your favorite form of self-destruction?

What’s the one thing you struggle most to manifest in your life?

What’s the one thing that you manifest so easily, people are jealous of it?

What’s the most irrational reason you’ve ever had for disliking someone?

What is one fear that you’d be ashamed of your friends knowing about?

Which one of your deepest secrets do you think is the least common?

How do people normally find out you hate them?

What is your go-to strategy to deflect criticism, even constructive criticism?

What is one thing people always get wrong about you?

What emotion motivates you the most when you’re down?

What emotion makes you want to give up?

Are people shocked when you stand up for yourself?

How often do you say yes to the things you really want to say yes to?

How often do you say no to the things that make your skin crawl?

How far are you willing to go to maintain a relationship, even an unhealthy one?

What is the worst way someone’s ever abandoned you?

What is the worst way you’ve ever abandoned yourself?

How do you entertain yourself when you’re not around people?

Are you happier alone because you enjoy being alone or because you prefer it to being surrounded by horrible people?

What habit do you know you could quit but don’t want to?

What is your favorite strategy for avoiding difficult people?

What is your favorite strategy for avoiding conflict?

What is the weirdest thing that gets you angry?

What is the weirdest thing that makes you sad?

How often do you take responsibility for other people’s crappy behavior?

When are you most likely to shut people out?

Which insecurity would shock people if they knew about it?

What do you find yourself justifying to people, even when no justification is needed?

When was the last time you tried to please someone who made you angry?

What do people often tell you need to focus more on?

What do people often tell you need to focus less on?

What is the one thing that could make you happy, but you refuse to do it because you’re afraid of what others would think?

[contempenitent]

Mauvier has not spent an exorbitant amount of time with Miss Tine, but she has always reminded him very much of his Lady. Not just because of their small stature or bright eyes; Mauvier always feels a fierce pang of oveprotectiveness around them, although both ladies have indomitable, independent wills.

Especially now; Mauvier would gawk at finding any student on their own in a place like this. But...

"Miss Tine," Mauvier says, "I am a Knight, and I have been tasked with investigating this maze." (It numbs him, but this is a half-lie; Mauvier had taken it upon himself to come here, but it is in service to his greater goal of protecting the denizens of the monastery.

"And as I am a knight, you are under my protection. I should ask you what your purpose here is, but for the time being, I vow to you that I will keep you safe."

He wonders if Miss Tine had heard the same rumors as him. He didn't expect the Knights' itinerary to be leaked, but the students can be wily creatures, and words can travel faster than plagues.

Miss Tine mentions the dogs, and...his heart sinks. "Yes. I...thought much the same." He can so easily remember what it was like to be an armed beast with a singular purpose, and no will of his own. He could not cut down a creature simply for being born of the same sin as himself.

"Unless they pose an immediate threat to our lives, they will not be harmed. I promise you that."

A true knight is always prepared (I brought snacks)

Mauvier & Tine - Pearlescent Mission Board [Riding +1]

[contempenitent]

Mauvier pushes against the edges of a grin, even as his gaze trains on the ground. "Forgive me," he says lightly. "No matter what happens, you are always Prince Alfed to me." He blinks, expression unchanging. "Until you take the throne, and then you will be King Alfred."

A student. It seems prudent that Prince Alfred would study at a renowned academy like Garreg Mach in order to better serve his people. That is the kind of king he remembers the Prince's father being, though those memories are sparse and fuzzy.

Mauvier had never seen the King firsthand, but when he dares a glance at the Prince's radiant smile, that is the only face that matters for the moment.

Ah yes, the ball. "Truthfully, I did not expect to have much fun, as I was on duty," Mauvier answers, "but I did have a nice time. I met many new people, and I was able to help many attendants find shelter in the storm. I couldn't have asked for a better evening."

Overhead, the morning sun continually rises in the sky. The usual transit of students to their first classes begins, just as the first of the day's bells tolls. "I'm...not all too familiar with jogging, but this seems a wonderful climb for it. The mountain air would do wonders for anyone."

id recognize those muscles anywhere.

[contempenitent]

It does Mauvier's heart incredible good to hear passing students continually buzz about a recently-unearthed book of chivalry, enough that one one of his off-nights, he makes his way to the library and seeks it out. He half expects that every copy will currently be loaned, but sure enough, there's an entire crate of them.

Okay, Mauvier has seen stranger things. Perhaps the book is so revered and in-demand that the church reserved a backstock. Smart idea. But as Mauvier sits by the warm lamplight, his horror grows with every page he skims.

"A knight shall always skip when he is not on horseback," he recites incredulously, "in order to strengthen the calf muscles. If the knight's environment permits, he should carry the shell of a large tortoise on his back to prepare himself for a suit of heavy armor. No more than a pint of lard and six almonds shall be consumed during daylight hours - what in blazes…"

It's…abhorrent. Mauvier finds his head so suddenly heavy that he rests it on the table, closing the book and setting it aside.

None of the students had been chattering about the book's humor or creativity. No. It was all about how useful it was, how it would help them get stronger, help them with romantic prospects. Surely they're smart enough not to believe such drivel, right? And that still doesn't explain the CRATE FULL OF THEM in the library…

Someone must be informed of this. Sir Seteth? No, perhaps that is too drastic. Maybe he should start with the professors, to see if he's overreacting (which he is not known to do). 

Still, for now, his sudden headache makes it hard to even rise to return the cursed thing where he found it.

@senerist

all's cringe in love and war

Mauvier & Soren - Non-Mission Task Board: Pearlescent [Lance +1]

[contempenitent]

Mauvier can't say how he found himself caught up in this. He's not one to blindly follow troubling rumors, but some such things are difficult to ignore. He pushes down the thought for now.

The hedges on this particular manor are incredibly high - several feet above Mauvier's rather impressive eye-level. It seems to entice onlookers with large, bright flowers blooming all along the edges, and there are certainly no gates or guards or other security to speak of. It's…strange.

Maybe it's inadvisable to go alone, but Mauvier would hate to wrap up another professor - or his Lady forbid, a student - in something so potentially dangerous. Then again, it could be nothing. That memo about horrid screams reported from Madame Duval's hedge maze, along with incessant banging, muffled, like someone was trapped - maybe it's nothing. But with so many people from Garreg Mach congregating here, he wants to be nothing but sure.

He enters the maze with confident footing, and it's eerily quiet. After just a couple of turns he commits to memory, he already feels the enormity of the maze. It wouldn't do him well to get lost here - especially if there really are mutant dogs, or however colorfully the briefing put it.

There's a rustling, and it sets him on edge. Mauvier reaches slowly for his lance, begrudging that he really, really isn't made for stealth.

But instead of a ravenous canine, or some kind of clue that might give him some answers, Mauvier finds the source of the odd noise to be -

"Miss Tine?"

@tineoffreege

A true knight is always prepared (I brought snacks)

Mauvier & Tine - Pearlescent Mission Board [Riding +1]

[contempenitent]

Mauvier has begun to grow accustomed to the routine of his daily patrols. He's gotten a feel for when classes begin and end, when the mess hall crowd ebbs and swells. Conversely, this gives him a good idea of when he's spotted something out of place.

And...this man is out of place, running aimlessly around the monastery. Mauvier has half a mind to scruff the rascal by the collar and ask him to walk in an orderly fashion. But he he looks closer.

Prince Alfred.

They hadn't spoken very much, back at the Somniel. He remembers Princess Celine fondly, but knows that, as siblings often do, she differs from her brother. In any case, Firene is sacred ground to Mauvier. The man with whom its future lies, certainly he can trust.

"Prince Alfred." Should he seem more surprised? He's seeing more and more familiar faces by the day. He bows slightly. "It's good to see you. I'm afraid that I missed you at the Ethereal Ball. Did you enjoy yourself?" His smile is small, but he holds it true.

id recognize those muscles anywhere.

[contempenitent]

Semi-Hiatus/Housekeeping

Hi all, I'll be taking a short break, and while that's happening I wanna sweep out the cobwebs.

Below are all of Mauvier's ongoing threads. Please let me know if I've missed one, if my turn order is wrong, or if you would like a thread to be dropped.

Something Buried - Griss (partner's turn)

running from the daylight - Shamir (partner's turn)

The Church of What’s Happening Now - Flayn (partner's turn)

Once Upon a Dream - Marni (partner's turn)

Brighter Things - Veyle (partner's turn)

Silver to Gold - Rafal (partner's turn)

i like to engage in the ancient and noble art of searching for ‘cool bows’ on Google Images and just, like, really wallow in that shit - Sin (partner's turn)

nightmare lance rotation - Goldmary & Miklan (partner's turn)

for we’re creatures of the wind - Elffin (partner's turn)

unforgiven, we dance - Micaiah (partner's turn)

[contempenitent]

Activity Check: May 2025

PASSED!

Skill Points: 7 >>> 8 Allocated: Lance D+ >>> C

Classes Accessed: Cavalier, Lance Fighter Classes Mastered: Recruit

Items acquired: Flame Lance, Starry Saddle Blanket (pending)

[contempenitent]

[ LAST DANCE ] "Have you really just been standing around all day?" Comes Marni's accusatory voice. The girl attached to the voice appears soon after, hands firmly on her hips, but looking rather like a wet (and recently dried) dog. "You can't blame me for calling you the boringest man in the world if you're gonna come to a ball just to stand around! Have you been over there in the corner the whole time? In your ARMOR???"

If her eyebrows could rise any further, they'd lift straight up off of her head.

Of course, Marni has no way of knowing that the poor man had already been dragged out to dance multiple times already that night. Her own various escapades getting caught in the rain and almost getting lost at sea had kept her busy. It's hard being so popular!

...Well, for better or worse.

"Anyway, we're supposed to trade these, right?" She waves around her bracelet, letting the charms clink against each other. "I'll give you my charm if you dance with me and tell me how great I am at it. Besides, none of the dances they do here are ones I know, so I can't really ask anyone else..."

A Lythian dance might be familiar to the others, but to someone like her, it feels just as foreign and isolating as the rest.

Marni leans in close to whisper, "...And tell me if you see Griss coming up behind me, got it? He put ice down the back of my dress last year."

She started it, to be fair, but that's not really important to her.

The sight of Marni is never going to feel commonplace, no matter how hard he tries. He still needs to remind himself that she is not a tortured figment of his own mind; she is flesh and pincurls, and she is asking him for a dance.

"If everyone is enjoying themselves," Mauvier explains flatly, "then no one will be on their guard in case of a threat." That's the only reason a man like me would be here. But, when he thinks about it, he has had some fun. The phantom of it, perhaps. The faintest glimmer.

Mauvier hands over his anchor, unable to help from smiling. No matter what Marni may say, she is a child, and she should be allowed to act like one. She should get anything she asks for. "I will dance with you, but not just to trade. I will dance with you because...I am your friend, Marni."

He reaches for her little hand; she is so much shorter than him. "Just follow my lead, and don't be too erratic. Rest assured, Griss will not be bothering you tonight."

[contempenitent]

It is hard to believe Lady Micaiah's words as she speaks them; that she, too, has committed atrocities. It seems unthinkable; sweet, gentle Emblem Micaiah, always guiding him toward righteousness...

But, of course, the Emblems were simply facsimiles. That is the reason Mauvier finds himself here now.

Lady Micaiah seems to fall into the steps of the waltz easily; Mauvier follows as best as he can, finding that his bulwark body still remembers how to follow a lead.

Mauvier smiles at the opportunity to regale Lady Micaiah with talk of his liege. "Lady Veyle...she is young, but she's stronger than she believes herself to be. Endlessly gracious and sincere. So much has been taken from her...I only wish for her to live as she chooses, and to protect her from those who mean her harm."

The music swells, and Mauvier finds that he must raise his voice a bit to be heard. He's aware that the dance floor may not be the best place for such a conversation, but Lady Micaiah seems so at ease here, he won't ask her to stop.

"And yours," he continues, over the resounding strings. "What was your liege like?"

unforgiven, we dance

[GRANNVALE ] An old waltz from before the rise of Emperor Arvis....[x]

[contempenitent]

[ NOHR ] - A quick-paced dance that focuses heavily on precise footwork and bold movements, evoking the image of two soldiers in battle.

"Noble of you to stay vigilant at an event like this," Lukas speaks up, approaching the knight -- he assumed, considering the man was in full armor and seemed mostly to be watching the crowds. "But you are not the only one keeping an eye out for those attending. I think you're allowed to enjoy yourself as well, Sir."

Unclipping one of the starfish charms from the ones pinned to his cape, he offers it alongside his hand. "Would you do me the honor of a dance in exchange for a charm? A brief break from your vigilance to simply be in the moment."

At first, Mauvier resigns himself to staying on the fringes, where he feels he belongs, observing the dance floor. Every so often, his eyes dart around the crowd, across all the exits, lingering on anything that could pose a threat.

Perhaps it paradoxically makes him stand out. A redheaded young man calls to him; he also wears armor of a sort, but Mauvier isn't sure it would do much good in the case of a battle. Maybe...it is not meant for such things. Some swords are only for ceremony or display; perhaps it's like that.

The man's assessment catches Mauvier a bit off guard, in a way that makes him strangely relieved. Mauvier's diligence is not meant to be noticed, and he has never sought praise simply for doing his job. And yet...is he correct? Is it okay, after everything, to unwind the steel coil he's made of his body?

Mauvier sighs, smiles. He sifts through his deep pockets for one of his anchors. "Very well. It looks like you already have one of these, but...I've plenty to spare." Tentatively, he takes the man's hand. "I am Mauvier. Forgive me if I misstep, but I will do my best."

Received Starfish Charm!

[contempenitent]

Mauvier's breath catches when Lady Micaiah mentions his homeland. Yunaka - right, perhaps he should have expected that they might be acquainted, with how close she had been with Lady Micaiah's Emblem.

About...himself. It would take a lot of clever acrobatics to tell Lady Micaiah much about himself without revealing the unspeakable sins he's committed. It must be strange enough to know about one's Emblem - worse, still, to know that Mauvier had used her according to Lord Sombron's will.

No, he shall not speak of it. He shall not remember her that way. She deserves better, to be witnessed as she is now.

The music kicks up behind them - all around them - and Mauvier's body feels stiff, although he knows the steps. Still, a request has been made of him, and he owes it to Lady Micaiah.

"I..." he begins, digging delicately for his answer. Lost in contemplation, he's wandered into the middle of the dance floor, where they're swiftly surrounded by other couples. "I have made many mistakes, Lady Micaiah. Much of my past, I would leave behind me. But I've come to Garreg Mach to better serve my liege."

Mauvier's feet move of what feels like their own accord, even as he fears stepping on Lady Micaiah's feet. "But I...am also committed to protecting the students and faculty of the monastery. It is a great honor, to serve as their Knight."

unforgiven, we dance

[GRANNVALE ] An old waltz from before the rise of Emperor Arvis....[x]

[contempenitent]

"...Did they give you one of those bracelets, too?"

Sin doesn't have many thoughts about Mauvier just yet, but he's pretty easy to spot, considering his... General build, really — Sin wouldn't exactly consider himself short, but he only barely comes up to his shoulder. In any case, they do seem to have a moment to themselves...

He's... Well, he can't lie to himself and say he isn't a little tired. The night is still young, and he's got a long way to go before it ends, but he's spent most of it working and probably will spend most of it working. As he expected, when he was informed the Knights would be here.

...With a shot of hot shame shooting through his center, he remembers that Lady Sue did make him promise not to do this to himself anymore, and knows, instinctively, that she'd be terribly cross with him if she knew he had put that promise aside. I'm so sorry, Lady Sue...

wait, is he still there? um.

"...If they expect the Knights to go along with this," he says a little too hastily, taking a pearl into his hand to give to his fellow Knight. "Then I'll ask you to take this.

what would Lady Sue say, if it were him on the other end?

"...Try not to overstretch yourself."

Sin is here, as he had tentatively promised. Mauvier is glad to see him, even if he's still largely an unknown quantity. He's dressed rather plainly, but Mauvier appreciates the unpretentiousness of it, the clean frankness that matches Sin's speech.

"It appears they haven't missed a single person," Mauvier says, with just a hint of humor in his voice. His large hand dwarfs Sin's little pearl, but Mauvier takes it nonetheless, bestowing an anchor in return. "All does appear peaceful. I suppose the Viscount must have spared no expense on safety, for the gravitas of his responsibility, but I shan't lower my guard."

There's an odd tenderness that Mauvier hadn't expected, at Sin's request. "You as well," he says with a nod, making his way back to his newfound perimeter.

Received Pearl Charm!

[contempenitent]

[PHOTO-ARTIFEX]

"I was worried you weren't going to participate, Mauvier. It's good to see you here!"

Veyle meant every bit of it. It was a truth that was cupped in the warmth of her voice, fondness bleeding into every syllable, because she knew he must have found a gathering as large and happy as this to be jarring. She did, too. But seeing him gave her a small surge of emotion. She felt, in a little way, that maybe the ball was not all too crowded. Perhaps there would be enough space within that joy—space for two.

Veyle would try. If it meant that Mauvier could be happy tonight. She would try.

The Fell Child took his hand. She flicked her head to a small section of the beach, tucked away beneath a swarm of people.

"Um, there's something I've been wanting to try ever since I saw it... it's a device that captures a picture on film!" She looked up at him, her eyes veering towards puppy-like, "I want it to take a picture of us. Will you go with me?"

When Mauvier sees Lady Veyle, charmng as ever in a dress that reminds him of the one she donned in her off-time at the Somniel, he's delighted. He can suddenly imagine why people would want to go to an event like this - to share these peaceful, picturesque moments with others close to them.

"I couldn't bear the thought of so many of the students being away without a protector," Mauvier answers, like a battle reort etched into his bones, but he softens when he looks at his Lady's face. "And to see you here, having fun, that alone makes the journey worth it." His smile is small, like first-light.

Something swells in his chest when she takes his hand, something that his mile-high walls normally keep at bay. A...device? A picture...of them? Mauvier is more than willing to indulge Lady Veyle, but he's not entirely sure what she's asking, or how such a thing could be possible.

"I will," Mauvier says simply. "Lead the way, Lady Veyle."

[contempenitent]

[ RELAX ] “Excuse me.” Forde calls out to the man standing in front of him, between Forde’s canvas and the beautiful ocean. “Sorry, could you just move to the left a- oh!” Upon getting a better look at the man, he leans forward. “You got the anchor too?”

The ocean used to terrify Mauvier. It reminds him of that awful voyage from Firene to Elusia, of the days that his young life suddenly turned dark and cold.

Now that he's older, having traveled the ocean again both as a Hound and an ally of the Divine Dragon, he finds it quite beautiful, especially with the energy and exuberance of the current venue. Still dangerous, terrifying, but - aren't many lovely things commandng of respect?

Ah - he seems to have been dallying in front of a man who's painting the shoreline. "Apologies," he stammers, backing swiftly out of the way. But when the man mentions his charm -

"Yes - do you need another one? I'd be glad to trade with you." With deep-set caution, Mauvier approaches the painter and his easel. He hopes his own protruberance hasn't interrupted the process too much.

[contempenitent]

[ ADRESTIA ]

“Have you been enjoying the festivities, Mauvier?” Her approach was quiet, but gentle. 

Once she finally managed to get her guards to keep watch in a less inconvenient or intimidating manner, Rhea allowed herself to join students and staff alike. She had taken specific measures to not draw attention or evoke her typical silhouette- the crown and cape had been left behind, and her usual gown replaced with a lighter and slightly less elaborate model that wouldn’t look out of place in a ball like this. If anything, compared to many others, her outfit seemed almost unremarkable.

Perfect. She was the Archbishop, that would never change, but there were situations where she wished to just be Rhea.

A hand was offered to the knight, her expression serene but with the slightest tinge of amusement giving it a new color. “Would you like a dance? This is a popular rhythm in Adrestia. The Empire and the Church have been close for centuries, and so it was only natural that I would eventually learn some of their cultural expressions.” A brief pause. “Please, allow yourself to relax for this celebration, even in my presence.”

Mauvier has witnessed Lady Rhea only once, when he was first sworn in as a Knight of Seiros. Of course, she had knighted many others that day, so there's no reason she should remember him, in particular.

He has never felt such an aura of...calm, from anyone. He never had a chance to stand before Queen Lumera, but he imagines she may have embodied this same resolute tranquility. The sword upon his shoulder had been firm, gentle all at once.

That she should approach him here, that she should call him by his name, is already shock enough. Yet against all reason; she asks him to dance.

"Y-Your Grace?" Mauvier stammers, glancing around, wondering if something is awry. When he finds that he is awake, that Lady Rhea is herself, his face breaks into a small smile as he takes her hand. "You honor me exceedingly. You shall have this dance."

[contempenitent]

Mauvier is accustomed to the callous way that the Fell children and their followers speak. He knows that Lord Rafal means no ill-will; his suggestion is a purely practical one.

And yet, he could not more heartily disagree. The contents of his crate forgotten for the moment, Mauvier dares to look Lord Rafal squarely in the eye, no longer carrying the deference of a servant of his father.

"My life and my strength pale in comparison to that of my Lady," Mauvier says. "All the more reason for me to devote myself to protecting her. There are still those that would wish her harm, even in peacetime. It is my duty to ensure she never needs to use such power again."

His own words stir up tender emotions, like sand kicked up beneath water. To ground himself, Mauvier remembers what brought him here, returning his attention to the crate he's been carrying.

"In any case," says Mauvier, "it appears you may be in need of my assistance again, Lord Rafal." He smiles gently, expecting the young dragon to refuse his offer, but hoping it still awakens some warm memories in him. "Are we headed in the same direction?"

✦ 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃 ✧

Non-Mission Board: Excavation, heavy armor +1