doyouevenliftbrooo

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

Alcryst? Lapis? Yeah, they were friends. That much was obvious, Etie always did see them hanging around each other-- it was warranted, considering they also shared the dynamic of lord and retainer... but she had always assumed that their relationship was similar to the bond that she shared with Alfred. But this, did she mean...? "You guys are DATING?" It slips out faster than she has a moment to stop herself, eyes wide and peering over at Lapis with unbridled curiosity. As if she's just been presented with the most unexpected information in her entire life, never once having thought of the possibility that perhaps they could be more than just good friends. It's not like she's ever been in a situation like that before herself, so how could she have known!? She doesn't... she doesn't know what it feels like. "Wow... I'd have never guessed. About anyone here, actually." She doesn't know whether to chalk it up to her inexperience or naivete, but suddenly she can't help the wave of embarrassment that washes over her. These conversations aren't ones she's ever had before, and even if they were-- Etie doesn't have anything to add. No stories to tell, no thoughts to offer forth; and to that end, she flinches instinctively when Lapis turns the attention onto her. What did they expect? Did they expect her to be as experienced as they were? She's never been anything like the rest of them, and in some ways she's proud of that. In others... maybe it gets a little under her skin at times, the stark differences between herself and the other girls on the Somniel. Goldmary said it best, Etie needed to learn how to live in peace just as much as she needed to learn how to survive in war. But she hadn't. Not yet. And as she sinks a little bit further into the water, there's a frown that tugs at the corners of her lips. "I-- uh--" "... No, actually. I've never--" Gods, she's stumbling over her words in a way that makes this look absolutely pathetic. If her face was red before, it's certainly worse now, eyes pointedly avoiding the gazes of anyone else. "... I've never had any kinda romantic thing going on. I'm not exactly what you'd call an eligible bachelorette in Firene." Which is true, Etie stands out against all of the norms shoved upon the women of her nation-- which she's proud of, don't get her wrong. There's nothing she would change about herself in the end, and she'll never be the type to bend to someone else's whims, but it seems like she'd fit the bill of 'desirable' more by Brodian standards. "I mean. I've held hands with Celine, and Prince Alfred; but that doesn't really count. They're my friends." "I love them. More than anything. But not-- not in that way." She's silent afterwards, brows furrowed as she pores over the thoughts in her mind. "Yeah, I've thought people were beautiful, and maybe I've had the random stray thought of 'wow, I'd like to kiss them', but..." "I'm sorry. I don't have much of an interesting answer to give you. N-not like everyone else's." A nervous laugh follows, suddenly feeling as if she's just made herself even more of a sore thumb to stick out of the group. "A-anyways..."

@goldmaries

the devil's bath

         ⤷   ethereal ball 2025:  second half.

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

Oh no. Oh geez. Oh no. Oh geez oh man oh no-- What has she gotten herself into here? It's normal enough for allies to bathe together, sure. But generally speaking, these areas were much larger and not in close quarters like THIS... not to mention that, yes, her friends are quite beautiful! It doesn't take a genius to see something like that, and Etie would readily admit it in the unashamed, blunt manner that she always carries with her words. Or at least, she would if it didn't devolve into a pitiful noise of distress that gurgles in the back of her throat, drowned out by the chatter of the others and the bubbling of the tub. Perhaps it's better that way. But she's also the only one that's still... clothed. She's always traveled to the beat of her own drum, and there's nothing wrong with standing out against the mold. At the same time, surely it wouldn't hurt to give in just this once and chill with the others in the same manner? Nothing ventured, nothing gained she supposes... and leaves only her head poking out of the water as she ungracefully shimmies out of her swimsuit. She's going to regret this, isn't she? Either way, what's done is done. She responds with a nervous chuckle, higher pitched than her normal voice ever is. "Y-yeah! Haha.... Never would've thought we'd all be in the same place like this again." And certainly not in the same BATH together. "Had no idea you showed up here too, Panette!" "It's good to see everyone. Like-- in general. Not the whole without clothes thing--" She's like a dog at the beach in the way she's digging this hole to violently fling herself into. The archer trails off into a cough, shaking her head for a moment. "OH WELL. What were you guys talking about, anyways...? Not gonna hold out on us, are you?" Anything to change the subject. Anything. Please. @goldmaries

the devil's bath

         ⤷   ethereal ball 2025:  second half.

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

"Aw, come on! I can't have my bow?!" "It's too large, ma'am. The family has requested that all guards be subtle in manner in order to reduce concern from the guests." Etie gnaws on the inside of her cheek at the sudden introduction of ridiculous rules that she had no prior knowledge of. If she had, perhaps she would’ve viewed this job in a completely different light— but it’s too late now; she’s already here, she’s been assigned a partner, and leaving would only create more problems than it would solve. All she can do is abide, heaving a huge sigh as she hands over her trusty bow to the employee that keeps hassling her. “When I get it back, there better not be even a scratch on it- got it?” The short woman grumbles, arms crossed over her chest as she scowls at the man when he peels it from her hands. This leaves her with much of nothing, but… if she’s got to crack some skulls with her hands alone, she figures she’d be able to. Etie has always been quick on her feet, dancing in and out of danger on the battlefield as needed— if she couldn’t handle herself in nearly every scenario, she could never call herself a retainer of Prince Alfred. Her pride and her confidence, a constant in her demeanor. Falling into step behind the steward is easy, emerald eyes flitting around her surroundings as she makes mental notes of anything that could be considered to be either a vantage point or a weak point— there’s a few windows that are larger than others. They’d be easy to break through if necessary. “Here is your assigned partner. Should either of you run into any trouble, please maintain communication with the rest of the staff.” The steward bows his head politely before turning on his heel to leave, allowing the two of them to have a moment of acquainting themselves with one another. And man, this guy is huge. Impressive. Her gaze drags from his feet all the way up to his face, and she has to stifle the eagerness that emerges from being paired with someone who clearly has the same affinity for physical strength as she does— man, she wishes her biceps were like his! It’s not fair! “Hey, I’m Etie,” She chirps before offering her much smaller hand for a shake, a smile crossing her features in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere. Something tells her that he’s experienced the same annoyances that she has, and the least they can do is try to forget it and just keep on with the job. “You look tough! Looking forward to working with you. Let's bash some skulls!”

@of-ostia

i mean technically their marriage is saved

mission board: pearlescent [sword +1]

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

Of course, Goldmary has never forgotten the words Etie so recklessly spit at her in a fit of anger. It causes her face to flush ever so slightly, hand raised to rub at the back of her neck in a sheepish gesture— yes, there was some truth to what she said, but… there was also truth in the fact that Etie needed to learn how to live in peace just as comfortably as she did in war. Thankfully, it seems that she had been forgiven at some point along the way, just as she had chosen to bury the scathing remarks from the other girl in the past. “Yeah, yeah… I said I was sorry!” She protests, though the corners of her lips remain curved upwards ever so slightly. “Besides. Your skills are perfectly suited to help me out here, and I... appreciate it.” The words feel strange rolling off of her tongue, and she opts to avert her gaze by striding forward to lightly kick at a rather large chunk of wood that seems awfully out of place. It’s no sweat to lift it up and over her shoulder, the only evidence of strain being a light grunt as the weight settles. “What the hell is this doing out here? It’s almost like someone destroyed an entire house,” Etie grumbles under her breath, hauling the plank out of the way and depositing it to an easy to access spot for later, when she inevitably needs to carry it all off of the premises. Oh, that conception does bring a chuckle to her as she glances up at Goldmary as she works, a brief expression of thought crossing her features. She’s right, in her entirety— and Etie always has tried to uphold the same standards as other Firenese nobles have… but there’s a part of her that knows she’ll never fit in, and it’s just not her style. “Yeah, I guess so. I try to keep things nice and neat, but I’m probably not quite as adamant as some of the other nobles are,” She muses as she busies herself with gathering more wooden shards, still wondering what in the hell happened here. “To make it short and simple… I’m not, by any standards, the ‘lady’ that you’d expect from a noble.” “Though I think you already knew that. I’ve long since known I don’t fit the bill.”

*touches ground* something happened here

Post-Party Cleanup w/ @goldmaries

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

There's a lot of stuff happening around here, that's for sure-- and despite her best efforts in sticking her nose into various things, nothing seems to catch her attention for long. At the end of a long, long night... the idea of a bath is pretty tempting, as a means of soothing aching muscles and giving Etie a much-needed chance to relax before calling it quits for now. Towel slung over one shoulder, she pokes her head around the corner of the walkway leading into the secluded area specifically designated for this, and she blinks a few times as she puts two and two together in her head. Is that Goldmary? And Lapis? Whatever they're talking about seems to be important enough, but... Friendly faces! Yeah! And surely she can think of something to add in to their hangout, right? Stretching her arms high above her head, she takes a few steps forward before depositing her towel on the nearest surface, and sucking in a deep breath. "HEY-O, COMIN' THROUGH!" There's no warning as she barrels forward in all of her brash glory, feet stomping against the ground before she hops unceremoniously into the dead center of the warm waters between Goldmary and Lapis, the resulting splash not only LOUD but thoroughly dousing both of them. If their hair was dry before, it certainly isn't now, and Etie's head pops up above the water with a raucous laugh that follows. "Hey! Thought I'd check out what all the commotion was about these things. I'm glad you two are here-- I didn't want to do it alone!" Etie runs her hands through her now-soaked hair before shaking her head in the same manner that a drenched dog would. She pauses after a moment, gaze flickering from one girl to the other. "... So what were you talkin' about- WOAH. N... No swimsuits, huh?" I mean. She guesses it was called a bath. Regardless, she quickly sinks down into the water up to her chin, eyes decidedly focusing on anything BUT them at this moment.

@goldmaries

the devil's bath

         ⤷   ethereal ball 2025:  second half.

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

Pearl Shoals doesn’t remind her of home in the slightest— in fact, it feels stuffy compared to the inviting fields of Firene, filled with towering mansions and ostentatious decorations that look gaudy more than they complement the architecture around them. There’s a couple of homes that look better than others, and this one in particular is one that she can appreciate, as it immediately catches her attention for one reason and one reason only: its garden. Some of the flowers behind the bushes remind her of those that grew in her village, and it takes little effort for her to vault over the hedge in order to bring herself closer to the target of her interest— gently, with the utmost care, her hand cups one of the tulips as a smile stretches out across her face; how long had it been since she had visited her parents? Her sister? She’s spent years in Alfred’s service at this point, rarely finding time to indulge in more private matters as opposed to maintaining her status as his ever-loyal retainer. She misses home. She’s found a new family in the Divine One and her allies, but it’ll never be the same as her flesh and blood she’s left behind in favor of duty. As much as she’d like to reminisce, though, a vicious snarl tears her from her reverie in rather rude fashion; emerald eyes glance upward just in time to see a twisted body launch in her direction, and thankfully she’s deft enough to quickly hop out of its way, a yelp of surprise escaping in the process. “W-what the hell?” She manages to choke out as she remains crouched, every muscle in her body tensed in preparation for throwing her weight in the opposite direction of wherever her assailant decides to strike. Yet… it’s not human, that much she could tell in the way it moved— A… dog? Etie knows well enough what a hound looks like, thank you, but this isn’t it. Its spine is curved at an awkward angle, legs stunted and the way it bares its teeth with a short snout makes her almost feel sorry for it. She’d rather not be responsible for someone’s pet being hurt, and so she offers a confident hand in its direction, voice low and as soothing as she can possibly make it. “Hey, buddy… I’m not here to hurt you, okay? We can be friends. But only if you stop growling!” Dogs needed a firm word sometimes, right? They listened if you asserted yourself over them, and perhaps she could- Nope. Absolutely not. It stalks forward with narrowed eyes, the docked tail lashing with every movement. Etie takes a step back with every one that it takes forward, feeling sweat beading at her brow. She takes a deep breath, steadies herself… and books it in the opposite direction, searching for a gap in the hedge to easily vault through. “Come on, come on….!”

@chryssaetos

no big dogs allowed. guess they arent fw me

w/ @chryssaetos

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

Etie’s never been a stranger to hard work, having grown up in the service of Firene’s crown prince— in fact, it was a preference opposed to mundane days of little exertion; there was pride that came with being able to handle more than the average person. But this… this entire fiasco is not what she signed up for, despite being willing to help with whatever possible in reconstruction efforts. “Here’s your uniform. You aren’t paid unless the customers are happy, do you understand?” The man speaking to her seems to look down on her, shoving the shirt into her hands without any care. A flippant wave of his hand follows as Etie grumbles, brows furrowed. “You’re an extension of this business now. Now go, there’s plenty of tables waiting to be served. You listen to your patrons, and you do whatever they want.” “… Whatever they want?” Surely that’s absolutely ridiculous? Yet the establishment owner simply nods as if this is fact, reaching over to pat her on the shoulder. “Yep. Now, get to it.” She doesn’t like this guy. Not one bit, and if she had her own way, she would’ve already told him off for treating her (or ANYONE, for that matter) in this way… but Etie knew that she agreed to help in any capacity, and this just happened to be one facet of it. At least she’s not alone in the endeavor, a much taller man that looked around her age had received his own uniform as well; if they were going to suffer, it’s best that they do it together. “You too?” She offered to him, holding a hand out in an attempt to offer a shake. “I’m Etie. Let’s try and make this at least a little fun?” Yeah, that’s probably not possible. But damn it, she’ll try. There’s already a group of guests at a table that are scowling in their direction, one of the regal-looking ladies waving at them as if they’re trying to get a dog to come over. “And let’s…. let’s try to survive. Only 7 hours and 59 minutes left to go.”

@helswathed

that's above my paygrade

Minimum Wage Work w/ @helswathed

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

"I can't possibly imagine why someone would want to crash a random wedding." Etie's grumbling as she tugs at the cuffs of her dress shirt's sleeve, feeling more restricted than she has in a long time. It's not every day that she's decked out in a butler's outfit, complete with a vest and tie that makes her feel like one wrong move will tear this shirt at the seams. There was some kind of stress on at least appearing like she was a normal attendee of the wedding, wanting everything to seem as inconspicuous as possible... and she can't help but rock on the balls of her feet, grimacing as the slacks she'd been given pull at her thighs. The politics and interpersonal aspects of all this is lost on her, as she doesn't know any of the names involved. Not that she cares, anyways, when she's just being paid to stand here and make sure nobody gets too close to the bride and groom. But there's enough patrons here for it to be a danger to them as well, and that's the part that worries her.

"I just hope someone isn't stupid and decides to get guests involved. I guess that makes me glad that you're here, I know you'll give me the best backup." She flashes Kagetsu a brilliant smile there, despite the itchy sensation at her neck from the stiff collar of her top. Every second that passes is a trial in and of itself, resisting the urge to pop open a few buttons and get rid of this damn tie. "... Seen any hors d'oeuvres that look good? I think we're allowed to take some. Can't see why not." Besides... it's not like anyone would notice, right? "The bride and groom aren't even out of their changing rooms yet. I think we've got a little time to kill. Whaddya say?"

@kgetsu

throwing hands instead of bouquets

Wedding Defenders w/ @kgetsu

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

She certainly has a knack for avoiding all of the good stuff, doesn't she? With the events that led to Garreg Mach being turned into a pile of rubble, Etie had conveniently missed the battle that preceded the destruction... and it looks like this time, she missed the party that resulted in a good chunk of the manor looking like a bite had been taken out of it. She can't possibly imagine what kind of celebration would warrant that kind of disaster, though the rumors that circle around speak of a .... dragon? Whatever. People will come up with the strangest stories for even stranger happenings. The part that sucks the most is that the debris and splintered wood from the destruction made it all the way out to the beach and various other areas of the property, suggesting that whatever caused it had been quite the blast. Hands on her hips, Etie lets out a long sigh as she surveys the piles of various objects scattered across the sand. Trash, wood, decorations......... Who knows what else. At least she wasn't alone. A look over her shoulder and a smile follows, emerald eyes settling on Goldmary's form. Sure, maybe it meant that she'd be doing most of the work, but perhaps she could grin and bear it and excuse it as a good workout. With the heat and humidity, she's glad that she decided to show up in her usual ensemble for exercising versus her uniform or normal outfit, considering her hands would certainly be getting dirty here. "I'm surprised you came along for this," Etie chuckles, stretching her arms high above her head as she limbers herself up for the task at hand. "This isn't exactly your speed. I'm not complaining, though- the company is..... better than doing it alone." @goldmaries

*touches ground* something happened here

Post-Party Cleanup w/ @goldmaries

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

CARING FOR THE SICK PROMPTS.

i found this list and kinda fed into it each time i got the flu or a migraine, and u know what, it's just me revealing just how much i love the caring threads and the soft threads and the fondly exasperated "let me help you" threads! use at your pleasure, DO NOT ADD TO THE LIST NOR EDIT IT! i will be changing it accordingly!

" i found you passed out in the kitchen. you wanna stop working yourself so hard? or do i need to keep hitting the gym to carry you to bed every day? "

" you're burning up. "

" your neighbour called me and said you could use a nurse. looks like they were right, too. "

" you were told to take it easy, so... yeah. this is kinda on you. "

" you took a sick day. you NEVER take a sick day. so yeah, i got worried, and i figured i'd come over and keep an eye on you. "

" you texted me a long and incoherent text that held about 90% of the emoji list and about four different languages. figured it wouldn't hurt to drop by and see how you were doing. "

" how long have you been sick for? and don't lie. "

" you look like hell. "

" i brought you some soup; let me heat some up for you? "

" okay. it's time you went to the hospital. "

" hey… hello there, sleeping beauty. you gave me a bit of a scare yesterday. how are you feeling? "

" i swear, if you even think of getting out of that bed… "

" you know when i said to call if it's an emergency? a fever is most DEFINITELY considered an emergency! "

" if you think you're going to work like this, you better think again. "

" don't worry. my family swears by this remedy; just let it work its magic and you'll feel good as new in no time. "

" I don't care about getting sick. i'm not leaving you until you're back to full health. "

" you didn't stop to think that this might happen when you're burning the candle at both ends? "

" yeah, I can play the role of nurse AND say "I told you so" at the same time, actually. "

" you better drink every last drop of this tea, no matter how disgusting it is. "

" i told my boss it was an emergency so they've given me a full week to look after you. "

" quit being so stubborn and get into BED! "

" what part of doctor's orders hasn't sunk in yet? bed rest! for the WEEK! "

" right, where do you keep your saucepans? i'm going to make you my famous noodle soup. it's a cure-all, i'm telling you! "

" hey, unless you're going to the bathroom or the sofa, I don't want to see you out of that bed. got it? "

" when are you gonna start letting people look after you, huh? "

" i know, i know, i turned off all the lights once i figured you had the migraine. you want some tea? water? "

" don't be mad, but i saw your fridge, and... it frightened me. so i've taken you back to my place, and i'm gonna get deliveroo to bring some groceries to your place tomorrow. okay? "

" i know your appetite is a little off, so i ordered in a whole tonne of options. just try a little bit of something, please? for me? "

" i've brought half a pharmacy, enough movies and boardgames to last us a decade, and every single snack i could fit into the basket at the grocery store. so sit your butt down, eat your soup, and try and make the most of your bed rest for the next week, will you? "

ACTION PROMPTS ( SEND THE FULL LINE! and feel free to reverse if u wish! ):

[ TOUCH ]: sender gently rests a hand against the receiver's forehead to check their temperature.

[ DAMP ]: sender presses a cool cloth against the receiver's face, neck and forehead to try and lower their fever.

[ BLANKET ]: sender wraps another blanket around the receiver to try and stop them from shivering.

[ SPOON ]: sender gently coaxes spoons of soup into the receiver's mouth to build up their strength after an illness.

[ CARRY ]: sender, finding the receiver weakened/unconscious on the floor, immediately lifts them up and carries them back to bed.

[ AROUND ]: sender keeps a protective arm around the receiver to help them walk without the risk of stumbling or collapsing.

[ STAY ]: sender decides to stay by the receiver's bedside after learning that they're sick.

[ HAIR ]: sender smooths back the receiver's hair in a soothing gesture to try and help them go back to sleep.

[ TILT ]: sender tips a bottle of water up for the receiver to sip from.

[ HUM ]: sender hums/sings to soothe a sick receiver back to sleep.

[ BACK ]: sender gently rubs the receiver's back, either to soothe them or warm them while they're unwell.

[ SHARE ]: sender climbs into the receiver's sickbed with them, wrapping their arms around them to offer warmth and comfort.

[ SHOWER ]: sender, learning the receiver has a high fever, takes a cold shower with them in order to lower their temperature.

[ WAKEN ]: the receiver wakes up in bed, having been found unconscious by the sender and carried into the bed from the floor.

[ QUARANTINE ]: the sender and receiver, both being sick, decide to quarantine together and spend the recovery period with each other.

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

plot call!

Now that Etie is back, I would like to get her some threads rolling! Nel and Shamir are a little full and won't really be accepting threads this time around, but Etie is all open.

REQUIRES UNAFFILIATED: -No Longer Unemployed: I think Etie would be more than happy to step into supportive roles and get her hands dirty… however, I also think her temper would be incredibly short with those who choose to try and abuse her. She can only grin and bear it for so long before she's fed up, and it might be a good idea for someone with a calmer head to go with her… or, if you want chaos, someone who's just as fiery

ANYONE: -Wedding (Un)Crashers: She doesn't really get why they need bodyguards, because she thinks it's really weird that someone would want to crash a random wedding… but she'll do it. It'll give her a chance to wear a fancy dress AND knock some heads together if necessary

As always, ping or DM me!

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

There's a softness belied by intensity in the way that Etie glances to the side as Yunaka reclines, emerald eyes following every subtle movement of her face-- she can't pretend to even begin to know what her friend has gone through even within the last few weeks; they've both seen their fair share of bloodshed and destruction in the fight against Sombron... but the archer had hoped it would've been the end of the wars they'd both been expected to fight. It's a naïve thought, she knows. The world wasn't so simple, and despite her desire to see the best of mankind, Etie knew the pitfall that many men fell into. A lust for power, a greed for land, and sometimes simple discrimination based off of the place a person came from. There had been a time where she kept her guard raised around someone simply because they hailed from Elusia-- and that was prejudice on a much simpler scale. The redhead flops backwards as well, letting out a soft grunt as her back lands against the rough shingles of the roof. It's not the most comfortable spot, but there's no place she'd rather be than reveling in Yunaka's presence. She's never been great with her words, but she doesn't feel like she needs to speak too much on the bond they share. "I haven't caught up with everyone yet." The unspoken sentiment that goes along with it is that she's glad that those mentioned escaped the destruction unscathed-- but if there's any people that would survive through anything and everything, it would be those she called comrades. "With everything going on, I haven't even gotten a dorm room yet. Understandably so. Just makes things a little ... complicated." She won't pry. Her posture remains open and non-intrusive, a quiet invitation for her to lean on her if it's ever needed-- but Etie never pushes. She doesn't ask questions, she doesn't offer advice if it's not sought after; she... simply stills her movements, offering her company, a silent reassurance to those that stand beside her that they'll never be alone. Yunaka may be glancing up at the sky above them, but Etie's eyes remain trained on her profile. There's no judgment to be found in her gaze, not even concern. Etie had been compared to a stone pillar before, never cracking or breaking under tremendous weight-- standing tall, proud, and offering support to the most crucial pieces of a building. If that's the case, she believes that Yunaka is the concrete foundation that enables Etie and the others to even stand in the first place. That weight is hard to shoulder for long periods of time. She knows this far too well. Her head finally turns to the side in order to stare upwards at nothing in particular, a little bit of a giggle escaping at the mention of similarities to the Somniel. "Fishing? I'm sure King Diamant was all over that. He might prefer a fishing pole, but I'd love to try spear fishing. Doesn't it sound fun?" "... Would the faculty even let me try that in the pond?"

@dcggersedge

Oh, now there's an idea. "Sure, once things calm down a bit more we can schedule in a lesson." It's a lot less scarier than the idea of teaching someone to fight, or having a spar with someone who isn't ready for just how serious it can be. Honestly, after the last month, putting her weapons down to indulge in something silly like that sounds fun.

Yunaka drops her bag of things between her legs and sighs as she lays back down on the roof. Looking up at the sky and the clouds slowly rolling by, you could almost pretend that everything was still normal. She'd close her eyes, sleep an hour, and then wake up to get ready for lessons and grading and sneaking meals out of the dinning hall.

...yeah right. Life wasn't that easy.

She snorts, turning to flash Etie a quick grin. "Aw man, where do I start...well, practically everyone is here. The Brodian royals, the Elusian ones, Fogado, Alear, a bunch of the retainers too...it's almost like we never left home some days." That made everything so much scarier. There was so much that could have gone wrong, so much that could have been lost...

"Nothing special on my part, really. Just good ol' Yunaka, kicking around and helping out where I'm needed." She was a professor now...or had been. That was weird. When it mattered, she hadn't been able to keep those students safe like she would've wanted to. Maybe this is just another thing she isn't really cut out for.

"You should go and say hi to Alear, if you haven't already! He's a Blue Lions student, I'm sure he'll be happy to see you." And maybe seeing someone who hadn't gone through all that would do him some good.

Just to be expected, Etie's mind is already racing forward to the future...and her future workouts. Yunaka turns to look at the sky again. "Well there's definitely plenty to be done to show off how strong you are right now...but yeah, it'll be nice to get back to normal things like running and dinning and...and fishing! Do you know they have fishing here, just like on the Somniel? Isn't that funny?"

It isn't, except for right now. Right now, any little thing that reminds her of home feels like a really funny coincidence.

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

“ Etie?! ”  What a hell of a way to find out someone's on a whole different continent than you expected them to be! Lapis is rushing over to her the moment she recognizes the noblewoman in the medical tent.  “ Wow, gosh, that's really you! And it looks like you must've been fighting your all in the battle, huh. ”

Looking at those wounds... yeah, that sure told a story all on its own of the fight she must've been put through.

“ ...I'm glad to be seeing you again after the war, even if you're a bit roughed up. I missed training with you a lot. ”

Another voice she hadn't quite expected to hear rings out among the quiet murmurs of fellow contenders who had been knocked out, and Etie's head swivels in desperate search for its source. Her eyes immediately settle on an oh-so-familiar mop of pink hair, and her expression remains bewildered for only a heartbeat before shifting into a huge grin. "Lapis?!" The archer quickly moves to push herself to her feet, only to wince; yep, she's going to be feeling that hit for more than a week, she thinks-- Edelgard deserved every amount of praise she received as an Emblem of Elyos. "Turns out I can't beat an Emblem after all. Kagetsu tried his hardest, too." She settles back into her spot, though the excitement pulsing through her veins makes her want to get out of here more than anything. "I didn't think I'd run into you here! It's a pleasant surprise, to say the least." "As for training... well, we can fix that now, can't we? As soon as I'm back on my feet, it's back to my routine. I have to get ready for next year's battle, after all!"

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

"You fought well."

It is those simple yet strong words she says in greeting to Etie as she smooths away stray white hairs. She means what she says— It takes a keen eye to notice gaps in armor as much as it does to understand how and where to use an arrow.

"I have a question for you, if you don't mind my asking. Consider it self-indulgence." A hand places itself over where the other girl had struck her. Edelgard continues. "It's evident to me you have mastered the art of archery. Using a bow on the battlefield, I wondered.. Once you find where to aim, how do you ensure precision?"

And then, a beat. "Show me sometime. Again. Although, for our next encounter.. Let your target be someone other than myself." There is a tiny laugh, emphasizing her jest.

While she's glad her head remained sufficiently un-thwacked, her ribs seem to throb with every movement of her arms-- It's nothing to take personal, of course, and it wasn't done with ill intent; it just turns out that taking the brunt of an unstoppable force with your body didn't tend to end well. There's no broken bones, and Etie's well aware of the fact that it's only because Edelgard chose to take care with her strikes. A courtesy that isn't lost on her. Yet that smooth, commanding tone catches her attention immediately, and Etie raises her gaze to settle on Edelgard's face. It's almost strange to believe that they seem to be close in age with how she carries herself as a true ruler, back straight and pride evident in everything she does. There's few people she can attribute that boldness to-- it seems that she's quickly risen to the top of the list. Where Etie is a trained soldier on the field, eyes calculating and narrowed in search of the next opportunity, she offers nothing but a fond warmth and beaming smile in her former opponent's direction now that she's off the field. "Hah, says you! It's amazing how quick you are in that armor- even with how much I work out, I don't think I could ever manage something like that." She tilts her head slightly as Edelgard continues, bringing a hand to her own chin. Archery has always been second nature to her, having wielded a bow for as long as she could remember. Hours spent in the gardens of Firene Castle, practicing on makeshift targets that she and Alfred managed to sloppily throw together; the grueling days where she tugged on her bowstring until her fingers bled; the adrenaline that brought everything in her vision to a near standstill as she focused on the next shot. "How do I put it... I think about everyone that I fight for, as weird as it sounds. I take those shots as if they were standing right behind me, and it means that I just can't miss." She's seen enough war to remember what it feels like for her heart to stop from fear coursing through her veins. When the Corrupted raised their blade against the Divine One, ready to strike him down without care-- and how she would do anything and everything to ensure he remained safe. "I don't doubt you have plenty of things you fight for, too. I'll be glad to stand shoulder to shoulder with you at any time, Lady Edelgard."

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

Early morning hours are always Etie's favorite-- there's not as many people bustling about, it's a bit quieter, and it gives her plenty of room to do whatever she wants in the way of her workout routine. Weaving in and out of crowds on a jog isn't exactly ideal, and if she can avoid it, she'd most certainly rather... and the cool air always helps with keeping her from getting too overheated. Of course, not everyone is thrilled by the prospect of waking up so early. It's an ordeal to get anyone else to join her, normally dissuaded the moment she mentions something like 6am in her plans. Alfred never complained, and neither did Boucheron, but.... everyone here was different, and she'd be lying if she said she didn't miss them. Arms stretched overhead, Etie lets loose a yawn as she rolls her shoulders in preparation for her run, quickly moving on to stretching her legs. It wouldn't do to pull a muscle first thing in the morning, and she couldn't exactly tend to her duties while having an injury like that. Out of the corner of her eye, though, she catches a glint of white hair that seems awfully familiar... and emerald eyes immediately zero in on a face that she recognizes, her lips twitching upwards into a devious grin. She could convince him, right? Sure, he's grumpy, and doesn't particularly like being social, but Etie has confidence in her ability to persuade. So she bounds over, hand already raised in a wave. "Yo! Lord Rafal! Didn't realize you'd be around here." "Wanna come with me? I could use a workout buddy. The Divine One is busy, and, well... Nobody else wants to wake up at this hour." The look she gives him is awfully similar to a puppy that's been scolded, eyes widened and brows arched in an expression of feigned sadness. There's no way it works, but she finds it entertaining nonetheless. "Not sure what you're doing out here, but since you're already awake, you might as well make good use of your time, right?" @rafent

don't care + running + playing + having fun

fitnessgram pacer test w/ @rafent

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

It's nothing short of absolutely terrifying to think about the prospect of a ball-- sure, Etie had simple dance lessons as a young girl in order to get by at formal events she was expected to attend alongside Alfred and Boucheron... but it didn't mean that she was any good at it, or that she remembered any of the steps. The last time she had even tried, someone made a comment about her having 'two left feet', whatever that meant. She had time, right? There's no way she can embarrass herself in front of everyone. With a big of digging and prodding, though, Etie finds a piece of information that could easily be her saving grace: a student known for her theatrical talent, someone by the name of Dorothea Arnault. Maybe it would be a dead end to ask her (more like beg her) for help, but she could at least try, right? That's how she ended up standing before her, who towered over Etie. Wow. She's got to tilt her head back to look up at her face, and honestly? She understands the rumors of Dorothea's beauty, the archer's eyes widened with a bit of a dumbstruck look as she struggles to remember her words. This was stupid. An absolute trainwreck. But she had to.

"Uh, Miss Dorothea, right?" Etie began, hands on her hips as she cranes her neck. "Sorry, this is... this is sudden. But I need your help." How rude of her, asking a favor of a stranger immediately. She doesn't even have anything to offer in return, and she claps her hands together in front of her before squeezing her eyes shut. "I'm Etie, and-- well.... the Ethereal Ball is coming up, right? Listen, I'm terrible at dancing. A couple people told me I should ask you about some lessons, so I did." She kinda wishes that the ground would open up and swallow her. Surely it would be a better fate than being rejected here and now, left to face her fate alone on the dancefloor. Maybe she just wouldn't show up. That would work, wouldn't it? Ah, but her friends would be wondering where she was... "This... isn't my speed. I've never been good at these sorts of things." Finally, with great effort, she opens her eyes, though her gaze remains downcast. She may be a noble by status, but it's never been a role that she felt any attachment to-- nor did she feel like she fit in it. Not like she really wanted to. "In fact, I'd rather be anywhere else than stuck in a ballroom. But I at least want to go to have fun with my friends." "So you'll help me, right? I don't know what I can give you as thanks-- but I'll do anything." @encantresse

we can dance if we want to

dance lessons w/ @encantresse

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

Where one person's movement flows into the next, Etie knows she's made a fatal mistake in prodding at Edelgard's weak spots-- in the seconds where she steps in front of her, emerald eyes lock with lavender, and she doesn't even have a chance to raise her bow far enough to nock an arrow before the blade is tearing in her direction. Regardless of the split-second decision she makes, it's a blow she's going to be forced to take. As expected, such a heavy strike disarms her almost immediately, and the blow follows through hard enough to send her sprawling back into the dirt, a grunt escaping as her back collides with the ground. Her world is spinning, though Edelgard's words are not lost on her; and she offers a weak chuckle as she throws a shaky 'thumbs up' in her opponent's direction, finding herself unable to form a coherent statement to return in this moment of disorientation. Ha. She's fierce, she's determined, and an impeccable fighter-- much like several others she knows well. Etie's a little glad that if she had to fall, it was by someone as powerful as Edelgard. "Sorry... Kagetsu... Couldn't even use me as a shield..."

Etie has been defeated!

Tagged: @hresvelged @kgetsu @nobilisseoblige @dyshonor

(equips charm) your prince has come

※BOEL ROUND 2