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He hadn’t expected Seth to really acknowledge the comment; more so to not get the implication. But he supposed that might have been for the best. He was probably on some shit list of the Knight’s.

“Ha! Nah, not really my style.” He returns, moving from the tree he was lazing against and sauntering on over to entertaining the man’s request. Or perhaps give him more trouble for it.

“Just thought you’d like the tip on your technique. You’re not gonna please anyone like that.”

“Harder… no, faster.”

“Would you like to take a turn at the washing, then?” Seth asked, eyeing the myrmadon from the riverbank where he knelt with a washboard and some soiled laundry, a small pouch of soap chips at his side.

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“Sweet of ya.” Joshua coos, smiling weakly back. He clutches his arm tight, feeling the blood seep through.

He couldn’t even play it off now, he wasn’t that proud. “Yeah… I am…” She’d already helped him once now, she didn’t look the cleric sort, but maybe she could help him again.

“You wouldn’t happen to know… where I might find a church would ya?”

Bad luck relies on absolutely perfect timing.

He’d pressed his luck too far of course. As he always did. The fine gentleman of the tavern didn’t take too kindly to hustling. Normally he could take a few drunkards. But this… this wasn’t a few.

They’d gotten a few good hits on him, which only left a fine trail of blood to follow. Breath shallow, sword hand shaking, and back against the wall, it didn’t look good.

But suddenly, in a flash so quick his slowed vision barely registered it, a pegasus knight swooped in, and made swift work of the foes. The girl turned, dismounted and smiled at him. Before very suddenly stumbling forward.

Even injured, Joshua’s reflexes were quick and he managed to catch her. Though embarrassed, she looked slightly amused and said, ‘Bad luck relies on absolutely perfect timing.’

Joshua huffed a breathy laugh before helping her up. “If that’s so, we must have the best kinda timing. Thanks for that there, Miss.”

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dreamyarcher:

She took it back. Just that small reaction to her slip of the tongue was exhausting already, it wasn’t worth it and handsome though he may be, she regretted saying anything. With a scoff, she stepped closer and reached out only to pull his strange hat down over his eyes. “Funny.”

“Jehanna.” That name was familiar. Why was that name familiar? Setsuna frowned to herself as she wracked her brain, trying to think of any reason that name could be familiar. It certainly wasn’t from her realm, and she didn’t travel to other realms often, only really to visit- “Oh.”

“This…feels different from the last time I was here. Off.” She certainly hadn’t felt so much dread when she was last here, or whatever it was that felt like it was crawling under her skin. Then again, she had been drunk the last time she was here, but she felt she wasn’t drunk enough to miss so strange a feeling. Something had to be happening this day.

She shook off the thoughts in time to catch his name. She hummed absently and nodded her own head in return. “Setsuna.”

Eh-!!

Yeah well, he should have expected that really. Still, it was endearing of her in it’s own right. He tipped his hat back enough so that he could see again and returned with a lazy smile.

He watched her there, as she pondered. “You’ve been here before...?” He asks, honestly surprised. Where was she from exactly?

“I’ll give it to you at least,” He says, removing his hat to place it back proper. “Something feels strange indeed. And uh, I really am sorry there. About before.” Something really must have been off if he felt so inclined to apologize. But it’s not exactly an unpleasant feeling.

“Setsuna” He concludes in acknowledgement. What a name that was.

syzygy // [open]

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Ah, hell- Rennac- He’d get an ear full later, the rat.

But still, Joshua wasn’t convinced with L’arachel’s plea and he crossed his arms over a puffed chest. She was obviously trying to bait him with the promise of gold, but little did she know that he was also in it for the thrills. Money? That was just a nice bonus.

He gave her a curious look. “What makes ya wanna play anyway? Thought you were ~above~ my heathen ways.”

He realizes what he’s said now and a smile curls along his features.

“Don’t tell me you’re actually enjoyin’ it now are ya?”

Joshua!! Have you another game to play with me? I heard you obtained another sinful pack of cards and I simply must christen the new deck by showing you the sins of your gambling ways! No need to thank me, I only insist that you deal!

Ah, gods damn it all-

Was she really back for more?!

“AUGH- Ya heard wrong!” He says harshly.

He just couldn’t understand it! And frankly didn’t have the patience to find out. L’arachel really must’ve had some of Latona’s o so holy light shinin’ down over her pompous self. He’d rigged every game he played with her but still she beat him out each time.

“Never thought I’d hear myself say it but,” He swipes his finger tips to shoo her away. “I don’t wanna swindle with ya. What can I say, ya got me beat! And I’m smart enough to run when I’m ahead.”

Or behind

10,000 gold behind

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Joshua!! Have you another game to play with me? I heard you obtained another sinful pack of cards and I simply must christen the new deck by showing you the sins of your gambling ways! No need to thank me, I only insist that you deal!

Ah, gods damn it all-

Was she really back for more?!

“AUGH- Ya heard wrong!” He says harshly.

He just couldn’t understand it! And frankly didn’t have the patience to find out. L’arachel really must’ve had some of Latona’s o so holy light shinin’ down over her pompous self. He’d rigged every game he played with her but still she beat him out each time.

“Never thought I’d hear myself say it but,” He swipes his finger tips to shoo her away. “I don’t wanna swindle with ya. What can I say, ya got me beat! And I’m smart enough to run when I’m ahead.”

Or behind

10,000 gold behind

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Bad luck relies on absolutely perfect timing.

He’d pressed his luck too far of course. As he always did. The fine gentleman of the tavern didn’t take too kindly to hustling. Normally he could take a few drunkards. But this... this wasn’t a few.

They’d gotten a few good hits on him, which only left a fine trail of blood to follow. Breath shallow, sword hand shaking, and back against the wall, it didn’t look good.

But suddenly, in a flash so quick his slowed vision barely registered it, a pegasus knight swooped in, and made swift work of the foes. The girl turned, dismounted and smiled at him. Before very suddenly stumbling forward.

Even injured, Joshua’s reflexes were quick and he managed to catch her. Though embarrassed, she looked slightly amused and said, ‘Bad luck relies on absolutely perfect timing.’

Joshua huffed a breathy laugh before helping her up. “If that’s so, we must have the best kinda timing. Thanks for that there, Miss.”

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darkmageknoll:

Knoll blearily gazed at the man who had just entered. It took his tired mind a moment to catch up and realize that it was Joshua. Though he had barely spoken to the myrmidon, he recalls Natasha seemed to speak with him rather frequently.

“I traveled with Ephraim and Eirika for a time…..You and I did not speak much before, however.” He managed to get out, his voice breaking with a wheeze. Clearing his throat, he coughed a bit.

“I am Knoll.” He turned away to sneeze and waited a moment before turning back. “My apologies. I am not in the best health today.”

Joshua searched his mind for the memory as Knoll spoke, and ah yeah now he was recalling. He didn’t talk too much in the army and mostly kept to himself, but Knoll was a Grado shaman who returned with Ephraim.

Joshua cupped his chin, then looked past Knoll at the place itself. “Right, I remember ya now... Still, it’s little wonder you feel ill.” He steps into the room, his boots leaving prints in the dust.

He walks past Knoll to open a window on the far wall, letting some fresh air and sunlight in. He spins around and gives the mage a quizzical look. “Why ya cleanin’ a musty old place like this when you’re under the weather?”

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You will live as you live in any world… with difficulty, and grief.

It wasn’t as if he was naive to the fact, but it was a numbing feeling to still have Caellach’s blood soaking his robe and hands as talk of reclaiming Renais rose. There was no rest in war.

He grew increasingly silent, perhaps not even saying a single word since Caellach collapsed into the sand. Audhulma fresh in his gullet. He only looked to his ruined home now. The one he abandoned.

He turns when he hears her approach. Of course she must have something to say to him - only just now finding he is the heir to this windswept land - but he’s still surprised by the bluntness in which she speaks.

“Still... It was a world of my own choosing.”

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"Bad luck relies on absolutely perfect timing."

He’d been eyeing the chaps around the card table for a while. Sizing them up to see how they played. What their tells were, and by now he was feeling ready to step up to the challenge.

The fellow near him at the bar must have taken note though, as he leaned close and murmured something sardonic.

Joshua tossed him a look. “Hm, I know that one all too well now.” He looked back over to the table. Nah, they’d be easy. Too easy.

“If you want to chip in to the cause, I’d be happy to share the winnings?”

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No one is now what they were before the war.

It was pretty telling that Joshua hadn’t even noticed Ephraim’s approach. The usual senses so sharp were now dulled watching the Renaitian night sky.

Joshua turned as Ephraim joined him on the balcony.

It was true, but it was a truth he was still grappling to swallow. He ran his hand along the railing, expression twisted.

“You can’t just go back, can ya?” It almost sounds accusatory, but he speaks from experience. He smiles bitterly, his own burdens obvious.

“War. It shakes ya hollow.”

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deathless ♚ sentence meme

You will always fall in love, and it will always be like having your throat cut, just that fast.

You are going to break your promise. I understand.

You’re lonely too.

It will stop your breath, how cruel I can be.

I am a demanding creature. I am selfish and cruel and extremely unreasonable.

I am your servant.

I crawl at your feet; for before your love, your kisses, I am debased.

For you alone I will be weak.

I belong here, and you will not deny me.

I say these things, and the world listens.

I do not tolerate a world emptied of you. I have tried.

In the dark, I have pored over the loss of you like pale gold.

I will not let her speak because I love her, and when you love someone, you do not make them tell war stories.

I moved the earth and the water for you.

You will always run away with her.

You will always lose her.

You will always be a fool.

You will always be dead, in a city of ice, snow falling into your ear.

You have already done all of this and will do it again.

No one should be judged for loving more than they ought, only for loving not enough.

We look terrible to you, and severe, and you see our blood flying.

What we carry between us is hard-won, and we made it just as we wished it to be, just the color, just the shape.

There need never be any rules between us.

Let us be greedy together; let us hoard.

Do not leave me, swear that you will never leave me.

I am selfish. I am cruel. My mate cannot be less than I.

Sleep with fists closed and shoot straight.

I can’t abide a poor liar.

You look like a winter’s night. I could sleep inside the cold of you.

Oh, quit that. Blushing is for virgins and Christians.

Scold me; deny me. Tell me you want what you want and damn me forever. But don’t leave me.

Bad luck relies on absolutely perfect timing.

In his own country, Death can be kind.

What is the world but a boxing ring where fools and devils put up their fists?

Men die. It’s practically what they’re for.

I am no one; I am nothing.

Nothing in me was not made by you.

A revelation is always the end of something. It might even be cause for grief.

Just tell yourself a story that’ll satisfy you and pretend he told it.

Forever isn’t bright; it isn’t like that. Forever is cold and hard and final.

I savor bitterness - it is born of experience. It is the privilege of one who has truly lived.

If you want to kill yourself, do not use us as your knife.

What did I do wrong? Was I boring? Did I ignore you?

Don’t you dare speak to me like that.

I have worn nothing but blood and death for years.

I have fought all your battles for you, just as you asked me.

I have learned not to cry when I strangle a man.

I have learned to watch everything die.

I am not a little girl anymore, dazzled by your magic. It is my magic, now, too.

Are we not devils?

No one is now what they were before the war.

I have not seen you without your skin on.

Close up your head; your brain is getting loose.

We obsess. It’s in our nature.

I’ve a devil of a habit for being right.

In war you must always choose sides.

If you try to be a bridge laid down between them, they will tear you in half.

We are all dead. All equal. Broken and aimless and believing we are alive.

My old bones will follow yours soon enough.

It is better to be strong and cruel than to be fair.

I will see him with his skin off before I agree to fall in love.

After love, no one is what they were before.

I have survived, but I have not been spared.

In the space of one heartbeat to another I loved you and I was lost to you.

Frighten me, make me cry, only come back.

It’s not so bad, my darling. Being dead. It’s like being alive, only colder.

You’ll think it’s love, while he dines on your heart.

You will be so beautiful when you are old.

I cannot keep you and I cannot let you go.

You will live as you live in any world…with difficulty, and grief.

I look at you and it is like my throat being cut.

She said you’d come and I swore to eat your heart.

I still want to kiss you.

My heart is being cut in two. I cannot bear it.

What happens to anything beautiful?

I have to know, I have to or else you will just rule me until the end of everything because you know and I do not.

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Considering an alliance seemed to be in the works, Joshua set himself to quietly slipping away from court one day to see how the fallen nation really was faring.

It was... about as good as one could expect it to be in the wake of all that had happened. Joshua’s identity was probably well known by now, even in these parts, but he still tried to keep a low profile as he wandered the country. Sneaking here and there, trying to learn the people’s will and woes.

Eventually coming upon what looked to be an old library. He wouldn’t have paid it any mind, but soft coughing could be heard within. He tried the door, and it was a bit jammed. Could some fair maiden be trapped within? Well he’d save them from this old musty place~ He tried pounding the door a few times before it came loose and swung open. Oops.

He scanned the inside, and was almost put on alert. The person inside looked almost like the prince he was bargaining with, but a second look told otherwise.

He squinted, that fellow looked awfully familiar even with the resemblance aside.

“Hey... don’t I know you...?”

Knoll let out a quiet, pathetic groan as his coughing fit subsided. What had started out as a simple cough had quickly grown into the full on flu in a matter of hours. Still, the mage had work to do and he was determined to do it. Even if he did have to sit down for a little while every few minutes because his head was swimming with cotton. It may have just been organizing the library but it still had to be done.

Another coughing fit forced the mage to sit. He was so caught up in clearing the gunk that seemed to be caught in his lungs that he barely heard a knock at the door. When he finished coughing he attempted to call out but a quiet croak escaped his throat instead. Clearing his throat, he called out again. A quiet “Come in” barely squeaked out of his mouth.

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tigrisereme:

What did he see, Gerik wondered. He knew full well that he was shit when it came to hiding things like this–heart on one’s sleeve, plain for the world to see. But whatever it was must have meant something, because the apology that followed was not what Gerik expected. A joke, maybe. Another promise. But not an apology. “Hey,” he started, but the words caught.

A pettier part of him stood vindictive as he stared back. Good. He should be sorry. But even inebriated, the train of thought didn’t make any sense, and all Gerik could do was sigh as the weight came crashing on his broad shoulders again. “Nah. Don’t say that, you’ve got nothing to be sorry for. Nothing you could’ve done would’ve changed it…”

“I mean.” More than what he saw was what he didn’t, and all the things he kept putting off because they had thought–he had thought–there would be another day. Until there wasn’t. He huffed, leaning with his elbows on the balcony rail as he tore his gaze away. 

“You couldn’t have known–” He didn’t know. “–she never… I think I might have lo… could have learned… should have. Uh.” Alcohol scrambled the words on his tongue and in his head, and perhaps it was better that none of it came out right. Gerik scrubbed a hand down his face. “…Gods, I miss her sometimes…” 

Joshua stood at an impasse with himself. Was he wrong? Was he justified? In either case, would things have even turned out differently? Did it even matter?

Did any of that matter now? The hindsight was crushing, and all he wanted to do was bolt.

He almost laughed, that’s what he was good at after all.

But he stood still, feet felt rooted to the ground, and he looked back sharply to Gerik. His speech slurred and nonsensical, but still it pricked at him, and only spurred him more to leave.

‘I miss her’

Somehow that hurt so much. Between his entitlement and knowledge that Gerik was more loyal to his mother than he had ever been, his chest felt ready to splinter with something he couldn’t name. It was more than jealousy. It was like anger, but he couldn’t say at who between them.

Joshua barely even addressed what Gerik had said - wanted to, but couldn’t - he just gave a hardy slap to his shoulder.

“... Yeah... I know.” No he didn’t “Enjoy yourself, alright. You deserve this more than me.” He turned, trying to quickly escape.

chrysalis // joshua

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blacktempesthaar:

Haar gave another yawn and leaned over to rest his head in his hand as he remained sitting. He should be thanking Joshua for what he did? What an amusing thought, but there was a point to that. Time to stash his gold storage inside his own armor clearly….or some other obscure place that’s hard to reach.

Upon hearing the explanation to just where Joshua had shown up from Haar would blink out of surprise and then look up as the swordsman pointed. Oh. Truly negligent of him to not check such an obvious place. “Hmph,” He huffed in acknowledgement. “Well, I guess that begs the question of exactly what someone like yourself is doing here then. Surely you’ve got better things to do than to lallygag about in some remote place like this.”

“Hmm, that’s a fair point. I guess I do.” Joshua offers his hand to the Rider, for a shake or to stand up. Either’s fine really. The myrmidon would be easily make off with the man’s loot, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be chummy and give him a hardy slap on the back later.

“But ain’t lollygagging the spice of life? Duty is doing what you don’t want to, and all that.” Joshua almost withholds how Haar seemed to be doing just as much lollygagging himself. Almost.

“You seem to know that well, don’t ya?” He remarks brightly. Still, he held no ill will towards the man. “I’m Joshua. Nice to meet ya.”

The ground is a perfectly fine place to take a nap on (Open RP)

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Trick or Treat! What would your muse dress up as for Halloween? What other ways might they celebrate the holiday?

my first thought was pirate, but then i kinda laughed because i remembered that any time i’ve ever shown joshua to someone who didn’t know him, they thought he was a pirate. and like, i can see why but it’s just funny how unanimous it’s been

after that, my next thought was incubus and idk if i could top that really haha

i think joshua would mostly be into the holiday for the tricks. not pranks exactly, but i could see him enjoying the mischievous side of the holiday

i can sorta only see him liking candy if it’s like. really rich or exotic or something. something weird like chocolate with chili flakes

and as much of a partier he can be, i think in this instance he’d rather spend the day one on one with someone or just a few close friends

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Modern Joshua

I was holding off because i don’t have all of him as defined. i’m not sure how some things would correlate into a modern setting but i still have some p clear ideas!

-a rich kid but you would never guess it because he dresses and acts like a vagrant

-father died when he was p young. doesn’t remember him super well

-i’m thinking ismaire is the head of some sort of business or organization or???? something? probably nothing illegal but probably not the most upstanding either. she tried to be just and run things to the best of her ability but people didn’t like her being at the helm. whispers and a coup kinda happened thanks to carlyle and caellach to usurp her position. i’m not sure if she lives or dies in this au. i think i’m gonna go with lives but she’s kind of an emotional wreck afterwards

-joshua floated a lot thought high school but in the wake of all this he actually starts to put in the honest effort in college and starts to look after his mother. makes amends with her

-prior to that whole debacle though, joshua probably avoided going home a lot. bummed it at other people’s places. people never really asked, just knew he had troubles at home.

-ismaire was still busy a lot and so joshua entered kind of a rebellious phase

-still a bit floaty in college, but not out of spite this time, he just really doesn’t know wtf to do with his life

-has a lot of attachment issues because of all this stuff

-plays in gerik’s band when he feels like it

-???

-profit