hresvelged

[hresvelged]

Where one disposition extends to another face she has never seen before, Edelgard maintains neutrality. A hand rests idly on her hips as she takes in a deep breath of their surroundings. There was sun, but was it warm? She didn't think so. The fingers on her right hand nestle around her axe, keeping it pointed downward.

"What? Flèchefeld? I'm unfamiliar with that," she interjects before answering the question. The house leader turns to her allies expectantly, words coated in plain: "If any of you are knowledgeable on this name, speak up."

She looks upwards; brief. Waits. Then, directly forward. It is as bizarre as it is curious that this person makes it a point to explain newcomers are a rarity. It's not worth wasting time upon investigating. Not now, in her opinion. "The reason is simple. Our allies were meant to arrive with us. We are here with purpose. Still.." She keeps the explanation to a minimum. It's best to be cautious. Lowering her gaze, she stares down the blades of grass: "It appears we became separated along the way."

A blink, eyes lit with the fiery want to obtain further. "We need to know more about this.. Flèchefeld before we search blindly. Help us in this quest. The answers we seek will then more readily appear. We won't find them any other way. Wouldn't you agree?"

@pillarofopenness

(holding five missing persons posters) hi hello

anamorphosis 2025 - team chalice / the sun + evette

[hresvelged]

As expected, a leader is destined to remain at the front of the pack-- so to learn that Edelgard is setting out alongside the others does not come as any sort of surprise to Nel. Many of her students have been consigned to this mission, leaving her little time to check in on them. The familiar confident silhouette of the Black Eagles' leader is easy enough to spot, however. There's few that can stand as proudly, determination evident in her features-- that red cape in stark contrast to ivory hair can be seen from a mile away. "Miss Edelgard. Prepared for your endeavors?" A question that she already knows the answer to, evidenced in the way that the corners of her lips tilt upwards. "You and I are familiar enough with these farewells, yet it somehow fails to make it any easier." A pause, before Nel gently pats her shoulder as fond encouragement, adjusting the lance she keeps in her free hand. "It falls on your shoulders to protect those accompanying you. My faith goes with you- as does my confidence; for there are few that can stand unwavering at the tip of the spear." "Be well, Edelgard. May we meet once this chore is concluded."

Where there is a mission— Information to learn and truths to be had— Edelgard is quick to follow. She never has been one to trust the Church. Not today, not tomorrow, not many moons from now. She doubts this mission will be any simpler than the others, but it is much like Professor Nel speaks.

It does fall on her shoulders to protect them. Edelgard will shed light where the Church fails. She will step atop that pedestal for herself and carve a way forward. Even so, it isn't often she's given words of hope in the way her professor speaks them.

"Thank you for trusting me," she says. It is sincere as much as it is spoken with the assurance that she will follow through. "It goes without saying that I place my confidence in yourself, as well. After all, you have taught me much." The words end with a pronounced lightness.

Her head is raised at the tap of encouragement, offering uplifted hues as form of acknowledgement. She is not often touched upon the shoulder nor told to be well. Nel doesn't keep her distance from her. She may not say it, but Edelgard finds it nice. "I look forward to hearing of your endeavors."

[hresvelged]

"It's fine. If you'd like to know, I chose to be here on my own volition," she replies. Curious one may be about the torn note, it makes no torrential difference what it says. It is unlikely to have anything of importance written on it. "Had I been forced, I'd begin to question the intended purpose. In fact, I spent more time inside the venue than out. None of this mess is the fault of my own." She'd find it rather imprudent of the Count to direct his next emperor in this fashion, but it isn't as if she expects a reign of smooth transition. Neutrality is best trekked wisely.

Kicking the sand at her feet, Edelgard draws her head up and bobs: "This is the first time the Ethereal Ball has been held away from Garreg Mach's grounds. I won't pretend the aftermath is any neater there than it is here, but I suppose it has the benefit of finding that mess in a more condensed space." The monastery staff did keep tabs on the ruckus, but she has yet to see an event where the finale results in a perfectly clean room.

Judging from Sonya's words, this must mean she isn't overly familiar with Fódlan's events. In some scenarios, this means there is nothing else to compare it to. In this situation, it offers a new perspective. She alters her question and begins again.

"Would you attend again? The Ball." A beat. She looks down, taking a step away to pick up a broken quill. It is torn cleanly in two and void of any ink. The princess holds one half in each hand with palms up— She keeps them still, standing in wait for them to leave her empty-handed.

"Here, away from the monastery. It was tradition to have it there. That has changed."

— never ending

pearlescent mission board // beach cleanup

[hresvelged]

Ah, it was logical that a knight would be attending to this sort of duty. "I see. My name is Edelgard von Hresvelg," she says as she moves to stand in the center of the classroom. The sunrise glows in the deepest depths of the room, radiating against the podium and glistening against the chairs. "I am the Black Eagles house leader."

Her attention moves to the book again. While hardly new, its pristine condition paves way to suggest it's well-tended to. "Connections do play a pivotal role in one's future. It hasn't been long since Garreg Mach decided to open their doors to people beyond Fódlan. They must have realized this." That is a lie. She won't say more. Moving to stand in front of her usual seat, she presses a hand against the table. It is cold; firm. "Without allies and proper ideals, people will find themselves lacking."

"—You will come to learn that there is more than a simple book like this can tell you on Fódlan's history. I would suggest you borrow it, but I'm afraid this copy is needed for my class today." The truth is oft best discovered in the depths of one's own irises. "There is time before others pour in. Perhaps I can offer my input on a particular subject."

the many ways of avoiding a succession crisis || edelgard & darios

continued from here

[hresvelged]

"Captain Edelgard, is it?" She chuckles again, quieter than the rest. The giggle feels foreign against a face told not to smile. Her siblings are lucky to have her. She believes this without even knowing much about them at all. She doesn't need to, but she wants it. The brightness says so; she wants it so.

Her heels scrape against the ground as she brings her legs closer together. "As your captain, I promise a smooth voyage. Now then, let's see.. Ah! I know." Moving to hoist a training axe into both hands, her right remains closer to the top while the left cements at the bottom. "Steadying yourself is important no matter what you're wielding, but.. With axes, even more-so. That's where having a focused strike comes in."

While she can easily continue speaking, she stops herself in her tracks and steps away from the nearby log. Her feet are planted as she swivels her upper body to face Maria. "While you want a firm grip, it's best not to have it overly tight. Instead of raising the axe directly up, bring it to a diagonal. Like so."

Edelgard takes a quiet breath as the axe hovers above her head, keeping her eyes glued onto the wood as she gains traction in a running start and strikes its side in a diagonal formation. It produces a loud thud as the log cracks against her force and splinters while she pulls it out.

"What do you think? Would you like to try?"

shadows in the moonlight

recovery mission board / any skill +1

[hresvelged]

She knows naught of Kurthnaga's voyage both beyond and into Fódlan, but it's clear the topic at hand continues to hold a degree of resonation. Instead of drawing her features to the Great Lords, Edelgard takes a moment to study her ally. Her face remains neutral as she chooses to take from a perspective she doesn't wholly grasp. Lips draw straight; arms steady.

"They fail to understand that," she speaks. "Or.. Perhaps it's more apt to say they want to be distanced. There are those who would rather live luxuriously while completely ignoring everyone else. Someone of that mindset is not fit to be at this roundtable at all."

"If this is meant to pave way for the future, we should stand against it," she says with resolve. She's taken this duty on for herself long before she witnessed this discussion. Fódlan's future cannot swim in shallow, murky depths. She sees purpose in this gathering should it run appropriately, but it means nothing if the people placed at its side fail to see anything except their own shadows.

Amidst her thoughts, one of the Great Lords stands up from his seat and points at the person directly across from him. His voice echoes in the space as if all eyes are meant to turn towards him. "Your reasoning is completely baseless. My territory's populace is larger!"

The other man's finger wags. "Are you proposing quantity over quality? Tsk, what a shame."

— vocalized

showcase mission board / roundtable discussion

[hresvelged]

It isn't a response she wants to hear. It does not wholly answer her question at all, either. She can't pretend to be surprised, even if the disappointment cracked in small fragments on her face says otherwise. Steeled lilacs turn. "I did. I don't have many other reasons to enter his office, though it's clear my timing was less than ideal."

She continues with words soothed by cooling speech: "Whether or not your perspective aligns with the Professor's is of no concern to me. It's not as if I reached out to the both of you to begin with." She hadn't. Her foot taps the ground, scraping until it steadies.

This conversation would have never occurred altogether had she been able to peer into those drawers or simply run into Professor Hanneman himself, but nothing would ever be that simple even if she had gotten those notes. Edelgard keeps her gaze on Linhardt; firm, unyielding.

With a pause, she smooths away stray hair. "You may not apply your research into practice, but others will. I find it hard to believe you're at least not slightly aware of Professor Hanneman's recent advancements. You did share bits of information with me from some notes only earlier." It is in her nature to question whether or not the other person wants it.

how long of a drop can it possibly be from professor hanneman's window?

[hresvelged]

As she followed him into the dining area, she held onto the topic of family. That was the key in this distorted lock. The strange floorboard sounds as they walked and arms huddled into a cross kept her at a lagging pace. While she found herself awkward at expressing emotions, she knew that she couldn't have done this alone.

She sat down in the chair and rested her hands in her lap. Even from the throne he placed himself upon, the slights in his smile fell upon his two esteemed dinner companions. With a word of gratitude, she brought her attention onto the empty plates in front of them— Were one to stare deep into its porcelain, the reflection shining back at them painted a story even the viewer may not accept.

The princess looked up, curling her hands into smaller fists to push away the terribly strong scent and reassert her face with neutrality. "Thank you. May I ask what you have prepared for us?" His answer circled her question. The Duke stepped away from the table and spoke with his back to their faces. "I'd much rather show than tell. You must understand, I'm sure." He chuckled; low, muffled. "Let us start with an appetizer."

Much to her surprise, he slithered into the kitchen. Moments later, he reemerged by pushing a cart of three bowls. They were filled with an appearance resembling onion gratin soup. He carefully placed one serving each in front of them, taking the time to look them up and down. Before she could inquire, he sat down and interrupted..—

"This is my favorite. Do share your thoughts. How is it?" He waited.

to show the world its shame

[hresvelged]

There was little reason he finds himself organizing the shelves of the classrooms. Normally he would make his way to do so at night but, circumstances now pushes his self imposed duty to the morning.

Perhaps his hopes were rearing their head more readily than he wanted now that his mind had little else to focus on. It was a prospect he found hard to truly move on from, teaching once more.

While he's certain no students would ever be as effortless to care for as Lianna and Rowan had been, a challenge of his own abilities was never a bad thing, he thinks.

"Oh-" He supposes it is nearing class time though he's certain it's just a bit too early for students to come in. A small smile if offered her way. She must be especially studious. "I won't be too much longer though... while I've already gotten most of it arranged, was there any particular reading you needed this morning?"

Edelgard is always among one of the first in the classroom each morning. Most sunrises followed momentary solitude— A chance for her to debrief and prepare for the day before the Black Eagles space becomes full with chatter and eager faces.

Knitting her brows into surprise, the heels of her boots echo as she steps forward. "Ah. I wasn't aware there would be anyone else here. You aren't someone of my house, either.. Who are you," she asks as a statement.

Walking closer to the shelves, the princess removes a gold-covered book and flips open its pages. "As I recall, we are to begin our studies this morning examining history." Her response is brief, for she sees no need to delve into the specifics beyond that. The thud when she closes it follows a placing of the literature onto the teacher's podium. "I assume there were things out of place. The assistance is duly noted, if that is the case."

[hresvelged]

The audience booms. Everything hinges on the spotlight; their voices full in nectar and visages enticing as dewdrops on withered flowers. As the blinding lights pour themselves atop snow white locks, Gwi-Ma's robust vocals taint her ears and tug her forward. A vow is a vow. She has no choice but to believe it.

She has been waiting for the chorus— For their song to echo strongly in the bellows of this stadium and allure the people to their music. This is where she belongs. She is a leader. This is the role she douses herself in. Edelgard shifts to reposition herself back into the center of their formation in line with Lewyn's pacing and interlocks eyes with an audience member. Lips upturn into a smile. "Oh, it's true! You'll be all mine."

EDELGARD rolls [8 - 2 = 6] for a successful performance. -2HP to CROWD. FRONT MAN activates! Other DEMONS granted +2 to next roll. EDELGARD rolls 9 to Attack LEANNE, -5HP

"Escape the lies at hidden gates. You and I, free from crystalline." This is the only way. There's never been another option. The hunters can't see that. She blows a kiss to the people, playing off the brush against her person as a purposeful move. She dislikes being touched; like a flutter in the wind does a mind flash brief.

With her right hand raised upwards, Edelgard snaps her fingers and pours dark beams in lieu of light. The stage dims. "Unmistakable!"

"Through the dark you will find. Our hands intertwined."

[ ♫ ]  ─  * 𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐀 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍!

kpop demon hunters au | gameplay doc

[hresvelged]

With her bag temporarily free from subject of the unruly nature's forces, a nod of approval leaves her as a form of thanks to Sonya. "I understand. For every one person running out of the rain, I noticed another acting as if it was nothing. The timing was unfortunate, in any case." Her voice is elevated; smooth, yet sharp enough to cut through the ever unpredictable gusts.

As she feels her heels digging into the beachy shores, Edelgard adjusts her posture into poised features and draws her shoulders back. "Still.. Even if there was a rush to escape rainfall, why leave such a mess behind? The weather has calmed now." It is not particularly surprising, but it is an act she carves into her memory.

Moving one hand off the bag, she gestures behind her towards a state of disarray— Scraps of paper buried in sand, torn apart as if in anger. "Do you see this? There's more like it the farther we walk. I wonder what it says..," her words drift before a sigh escapes her lips. "Ugh. Regardless, it won't change anything."

Neutrality expresses itself in furrowed brows. From what she can discern of Sonya's words, she forms a conjecture that they are of agreement. "It doesn't matter the importance of these items. They should mind their actions." A beat, moving her attention away from Sonya and back onto the opened bag only lightly swirling in-between.

Without uttering another word, she releases her tight grasp. Sudden and true, she hopes the acting invitation speaks for itself.

— never ending

pearlescent mission board // beach cleanup

[hresvelged]

In other scenarios, she would begin to say how predictable it is of nobles to keep their distance— Even amongst their fellow, they fight for power that never should have been theirs to begin with. They yearn for endless riches at an elongated table, never finding themselves satisfied until the gold underneath their feet forms a river. A seat alone cannot rectify that. In fact, she believes it exemplifies it instead.

What Kurthnaga says holds truth, showing as much with upturned brows of her own. It is of surprise as much as intrigue. She takes the insight in its fullest, noting the beat of familiarity he implied.

"You do have a point. It is odd, when put like that." While she speaks, her attention remains on the Alliances' nobles in observation. One fiddles with his quill; another loudly slams his hand on a stack of papers. "It makes you wonder if this is truly productive at all."

When one talks, another yells over. The volume only seems to increase until a hand of silence is raised. Her fingers gravitate to pinch the bridge of her nose: "I believe the outcome will remain the same as what we see now unless significant change occurs. Would you agree?"

— vocalized

showcase mission board / roundtable discussion

[hresvelged]

The church is foolish for curating a miscellaneous assortment of students to do their bidding. With each further step into the darkness, she can only internally shake the dismay. While she knows the monastery is full of secrets, she can't help and wonder why this hand is chosen to reveal itself now. One way or another, droplets of truth will fall from the sky.

A hand runs against rocks to her left as she feels their coldness press against her palm. Curious she may be, Edelgard is ever the observant one. It is her duty to ensure her classmates are safe. She will gladly be the one to do that if the church won't.

It is natural that lilacs draw themselves towards Tine who appears to be in thought. Her head moves left and right, if only petitely. Stern facials rock into tides of concern. "You owe me no apologies. I only ask you remain cautious," she speaks in earnest. Moving her fingers from frigid cold to icy locks, she sweeps her hair away from her face.

"I can't blame you. This is strange. Is that what were you thinking about?" A beat. "If you don't mind my asking, that is."

Weighty Topics

[hresvelged]

Edelgard is not indistinguishable. The air around her chills; the bluntness of her speech commanding. The aid of keeping to themselves and attempting to blend in is what acts pivotal. She's never seen a wedding party from this perspective before. It is a simple task in practice, even more by hearing the abundance of staff. The longer she can act as a faux bodyguard with Mae, the more they will be able to learn and observe. That is why she is here.

With a tray pressed against the palm of her right hand, she observes the now married couple and the ways in which they looked at each other as if all the snarling words around them failed to exist in their entirety. Edelgard leans her weight on her right hip and tilts her head up. Her eyes squint, bringing her tone to a quieter level than what she usually dons.

"Hm. There could be a number of reasons," she replies. Her attention remains on the two ahead. A breath escapes. "Envy, perhaps. Any unions of this nature are sure to have someone dissatisfied." Copying Mae, she brings her serving tray closer to her person and tucks it underneath her arm. "We can't rule out disdain for political reasons. I'd suspect that would be the root cause of a majority of this upheaval."

The couple's eyes remain on each other with smiles unmatched. As they whisper to one another, their hands interlock. She can't hear what they are saying. A small step forward follows instinctively. Edelgard rapidly tears her attention away and brings it back to Mae. "They are ignoring the commotion, but.. Do you think they're truly happy like this? Even after the festivity, this ruckus won't end."

the shape of a vow

mission board: pearlescent (sword +1) feat. edelgard

[hresvelged]

What does that feel like— To have more time to make a dream come into reality? Waiting is no option for she who faces the needs of now. Downcast eyes uplift, taking in each word as if the goal yearns to make itself stand tall above this resounding ball.

It is easy to say that she is at Garreg Mach to learn. While that holds merit, there is much more that awaits her than ancient books dusted with lies and unknowns. Her Professor knows this, too. Her palms inch around the paper. "Yes. That's right. My wish is why I enrolled at the monastery." As she turns it around, Edelgard folds it neatly down the middle. "I recognize that may be a predictable answer. Even so, it has purpose."

Her tone remains firm, matching the resolve like a spark to her flame. "We aren't in a peaceful world. It hasn't been for a very long time." Setting the parchment down away from her grasp, the princess's arms cross. Crisp air cools itself against icy skin. "It's a goal of when, never if. Taking the first step to peace means bringing truth. That fact starts here at Garreg Mach."

As her hands fall back to her sides, she finds her head tilting in inquisition. "Hm.. A cycle, you say? From when you were young.." She echoes the statement, posed as a question. "What do you mean by that, Professor?"

nothing ventured, nothing gained

toaball 2025 cont. from here

[hresvelged]

Crapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrap-

Lysithea bolts up the steps, one hand behind her back, the other gripping onto the railing as she ascended at a breakneck pace.

She was an idiot. How could she forget?

She should’ve remembered.

Thank the goddess that her room was right by the top of the steps, and Lysithea’s own by the bottom, but… still.

Once she makes it up (and catches her breath,) Lysithea lays three sharp, well-placed knocks on the door, waiting for it to open.

Once it does, Lysithea simply extends her hand, producing the gift she had gotten weeks ago in advance, and… simply forgotten the exact date for.

And then things happened, and… nevermind.

“Sorry. Was far too busy the day of, and it slipped my mind, Edie. Here. A late gift.”

A simple, marble white figurine of a large feline, coated in majestic wings of onyx black. A dichotomy Lysithea saw in both herself and her colleague.

“It’s… something I saw in a stall selling from overseas, and thought of you. Some kind of mystical beast from another continent? I don’t remember the exact details, just… that it reminds me of you.”

She holds it out for Edelgard to take, averting her gaze.

“Just… just please pretend I actually gave it to you day of, and don’t hold it against me. I’m sorry enough as is.”

Birthday 2025

The three pronounced knocks on the door is all she needs to steady herself and declare the space open. She hears the apologies— spots the gift in her friend's hands— and begins with a shake of the head. It is small. It is purposeful. It is light.

"Is today not my birthday? And here I thought it was," she says in a joking, albeit plain-spoken, manner. Still, she hopes the jest is understandable.

As Edelgard takes the figurine into her hands, she lifts it up closer to her face and studies its features. She stares at its wings and runs her index finger atop it. Still evermore, liken to the quiet room behind her.

Her fingers wrap around it carefully, all the while bringing her hues forward. "Thank you for thinking of me. You needn't apologize. I don't care what day it is. Going out of your way like this speaks plenty in itself." Propping the door open with her foot, she gestures for Lysithea to come inside.

"Now then. Watch me place this in a proper spot— One where I will always be able to see it."

[hresvelged]

where edelgard swoops into her life at dawn, like dawn, bernadetta sludges through the shadows to reach edelgard long after dusk. the hour is one more appropriately called early than late, but the flicker of candlelight beneath the door's crack imbues her with the last bit of bravery she needs, and bernadetta strikes while that iron is as hot as it will get.

one tiny knock, hesitant such that it could be mistaken for anything else. but then her lightly scraped knuckles rap the wood again, green thumb curled right beneath them.

bernadetta could grow flowers for days, every season, no matter how many times they wither away and come back to life the next year. she brings those, of course. large blossoms teem from the brown parchment and quaintly cinched twine. brilliant, bold, crimson—sweet. everything she sees in edelgard. but beyond flowers, she has brought more. for one thing, she's not running away.

"a-ahem. lady edelgard! what, um, a surprise! no, bernie, that's stupid. you're stupid." she is muttering rehearsals to herself behind the armful of presents, heedless of whether or not the door cracks open. "i mean, surprise! as in happy birthday! a birthday surprise. these are for you, and so is this tin of bergamot, and so is this new capelet that i made because i thought i saw a tear in yours, and i definitely wasn't staring at you to guess your measurements or anything."

not in any nefarious way, at least. just in the silliest, the simplest way that is so quintessentially bernadetta. "and, um... and what else do i say..." mumble, mumble. (and if edelgard should happen to miss bernadetta and her silly rambling at the door, the gifts are naturally left there with no real mystery as to who had brought them.)

Birthday 2025

The candlelight pours against her shadow as she departs her desk ever so silently. It dims itself against her front and flickers on her back. She pays it no mind, only focused on what awaits the moment she turns towards the doorknob with purposeful steps. They glide against the floor and halt for the briefest of seconds when she hears speech.

Fingers wrap delicately around its knob when she opens; slow, curious. It is moved amidst the voice of Bernadetta, bringing the princess to toggle her facials between surprise and contentment. At first, she says nothing. Does naught but illuminate widened pupils and a growing upturn of the lips. Then, a tiny chuckle. It is as light as it is genuine; hopeful.

"There is nothing else to say," she interjects. The gift is here, before her— The flowers. Her favorite tea. The life of a new capelet to replace tears of old. It is true that it needed amending, but she did not expect anyone to notice the small details. It gladdens her she did. The exchange of words as Edelgard's hues fall to the reds bursting before her are grounding. Purples and reds fill the space with a light rivaling the candle.

As she gathers the items into her own hands, she speaks soft still: "I may be surprised, but rest assured it's in the most excellent of ways." She's always thought these flowers have a lovely, unforgettable scent. Keeping her door open, she steps out of the room. "I owe you my thanks. I won't forget how much thought you put into this. Into me."

"Come now. Help me find a good spot for these flowers."