loyaldeserter

[loyaldeserter]

Heath is not inclined to give up Legault's identity, but this man has a trustworthiness about him. It seems every denizen who passes by looks at him with a familiarity. And then, he offers a secret of his own--significant enough that he feels almost inclined to answer his questions. He is no stranger to the art of diplomacy, it seems.

"His name is Legault. Also known as The Hurricane, or more frequently, a pain in my ass." Heath can't help but smile, shaking his head. He trusts the man to look after himself, one can never be too careful when the Black Fang has marked you for death. Legault knows that too well. "Long purple hair, likes to skulk in the shadows when he isn't playing the charmer. Dunno exactly what he's doing here for a living, but I can take a few guesses."

Heath knows better than to touch alcohol this early in the day, but the mountain of a man in front of him surely knows his limits. It feels almost disarming, his friendliness, and he knows well enough how to read between the lines. Doesn't even have to, at the end.

"Noted. It was a poor decision on my part to begin with." He can't argue with that. He has never been particularly good at blending in, despite being a quieter sort. "I am Heath, formerly of Bern. I must be honest with you; if circumstances were slightly different, I could have easily ended up here myself."

He takes a sip of water, politely declining the smaller cider offered to him. This conversation with Lambert is more than a simple exchange of words; he is sizing up Heath as a knight, as a threat, as a man. All Heath can do is present himself as he is.

"You seem an honorable man, and I must apologize for acting so thoughtlessly. I, of all people, should know the importance of a low profile in exile." It is embarrassing, to think how his concern for Legault drove him to act so impulsively. He owes a debt to Lambert, now, and his own history seems the least of what he can offer. "I'm a defector from Bern, the most powerful nation in Elibe. We were ordered to kill innocent civilians, and when we refused, another unit slaughtered them and we were sentenced to death for our treason. My commander stayed behind as a decoy, but I was the only survivor..."

Maybe he could use a little cider. He stares into the distance, the screams and fire as fresh as they ever are.

"We are far enough from Elibe that the risk of being tracked here is low, but Bern does not suffer traitors." Heath does not always exercise the caution he should in divulging his history, but Lambert is a keeper of many secrets, if his words are to be believed. A guardian of those facing persecution. "Rest assured, I will not make this mistake again, and I will exercise caution in my future visits."

He says this before quite registering his intent, but he doesn't correct it. He supposes he can wait for Legault to visit him on the surface, but he would like to have this option, if possible.

oh uh, don't mind me

[loyaldeserter]

It is a relief to hear this woman is not bothered, though this means Hyperion is emboldened. He is so very enamored with her, and Heath worries he'll skip straight to the licking phase at this rate.

"Ah, yes. His name is Hyperion. Mine is Heath, I'm a knight here." Figures that the lug would go for someone so willing to entertain his affections. She's very comfortable being around a large beast of scales and claws and other pointy things, to the point where Heath would assume she was a wyvern handler himself if not for her own words. "I am not familiar with you, so I must assume you are a professor of some kind?"

Heath likes to think he knows most of the knights, if not by name than by face. And, well, if she'd been around Hyperion before, Heath would already know her name.

"Forgive my manners. What is your name?" He's mixed up the order of all of this. Blame Hyperion, who is currently looking suspiciously like--okay, yeah, he's lifting off and showing off some fancy loop-de-loops. Heath sighs, a small smile and chuckle betraying his fondness. "You're welcome to socialize with him, if you'd like. Are you familiar with wyverns? Oh, aside from, uh...nevermind."

Great job, Heath. Touch on the sore spot before you've even learned the woman's name.

what's an apex predator to a >:3

[loyaldeserter]

starter for @fellsparks

Hyperion is a friendly wyvern, which one might think is a good thing. Having an agreeable mount can make it easier to work together, and lower the risk of an incident of aggression with an unfortunate passerby. But what it does not do is lower the risk of negative incidents as a whole.

You see, a typical wyvern is rather solitary, preferring the company of itself and its rider. It is unfriendly and can even be aggressive, but above all else it keeps to itself.

Hyperion does not do this. Hyperion often forgets he is no longer a hatchling when he expresses interest or affection, which is an issue for obvious reasons. He's never badly hurt a friendly human, and never injured one on purpose. But he is a large beast built for war, and humans are oh so small and squishy compared to him.

He's more food-motivated than attention-motivated, but sometimes he...fixates on certain people. It is not common, but it is an absolute pain when it happens.

Heath is almost dragged by the reigns as Hyperion sniffs the area around a woman with short black hair he assumes is a professor. He chirps, almost like he does with other wyverns. Oh, brother.

"Ah, my apologies, ma'am. He isn't aggressive--the opposite, in fact. He's too friendly for his own good." Hyperion tilts his head as he stares at the woman, curious eyes scanning her head to toe. It's been a while since he's been so fascinated by someone. "Come on, Hyperion."

Hyperion, does not, in fact, go on. He stays put, lowering his face dangerously close to the woman's. Heath buries his head in his hands.

what's an apex predator to a >:3

[loyaldeserter]

Legault's laugh rings clearly, the genuine sound of it stoking warmth in Heath's chest. His grin turns devious, as always, and the warmth tightens--not unwelcome, but a dangerous place to dwell in.

And he's not escaping it anytime soon with that bombshell. It's not like he's been hiding it from Legault. Hell, he'd have no reason to tell him to begin with, right? But he'd prefer for the man not to know of his ill-fated Day of Devotion entanglement. Far too much ammo for him to wield with that damned silver tongue.

"I-I..." How did that even reach the Abyss? Did one of the other members of the circle talk about it? Did Soren himself? Gossip spreads quickly at Garreg Mach, and Legault has a keen ear for it. "Whatever you heard, it was likely overstated. I'm not...I don't..."

Heath clears his throat, letting the sentence die before it gets entirely salvageable. It's embarrassing, how easy it is for Heath to lose his words like this. He can blame some of it on the drink, but to have to acknowledge this in front of Legault, especially knowing the inciting incident of that night...!

"You can do what you want, but I'm just saying, it's not good for keeping a low profile." Heath could say he doesn't care, but no one here would believe that. Of course there's a level of jealousy; at this point it's impossible to deny. His insides churn, and he can't take his eyes off Legault's own. "It's dangerous..."

Forming emotional connections is already risky, but opening yourself up to physical and emotional intimacy like that? No one who is pursued like they are can afford it.

That's what Heath keeps telling himself as he sways slowly to the music with Legault, still nearly stepping on his toes.

a gaze that's quite as clear

[loyaldeserter]

Heath has never been a particularly social person, but he knows he should try and make an effort. Stronger bonds between comrades make them more effective at working together, and it would benefit Heath to be on friendly terms with his coworkers. It's not that he hates people or social events, he just prefers to be on his own much of the time.

At least the mixer comes with a free dinner and wine. He stays close to the wall, still in his armor, engaging in short, polite conversations between glasses of wine. He doesn't drink too much, but perhaps he drank a little more than he intended, because the gathering doesn't seem that bad. What if he talked to more people?

A shock of lavender on the edge of his vision; is that...? No, it can't be. Legault isn't employed by the Church, last he checked, no matter how much Heath wishes he would turn from his life of crime. This man is a little too tall, as well--an inch or two above Heath, even. His hair is shorter, his face more delicate and unmarred, but this new man's similarity to Legault is eerie.

"The Church does love its events. It hosts a grand dance every year, a tournament, these mixers on occasion..." The man--Leon's--laugh is light and airy, all the charm of an experienced extrovert, and it seems tailored to make Heath feel at ease. Heath suddenly is very aware of his own lack of dress outfit or visual preparation as he shakes Leon's hand. "Heath. Wyvern Knight of Seiros."

The heat in his cheeks is from the buzz of alcohol, surely. Heath takes a little too long to withdraw his gloved hand, doing so a little awkwardly. Alright, initial introductions and impressions. Heath runs through the list in his mind.

"I am from the land called Bern on the continent of Elibe. My wyvern is called Hyperion." It's good for your colleagues to know your abilities, and a friendly conversation-starter to mention where you're from. Though maybe not the best decision for Heath. "What do you teach?"

Is that too many questions? Heath takes a sip of his wine, which he probably shouldn't.

... and i'm new in town!

[loyaldeserter]

forgotten addendum: i am formally dropping the following listed threads. most of them are already claimable by the three month rule if they've reached the reply minimum (and nw if you already have claimed them). i apologize for taking so long in addressing this. i should have dropped most of these much sooner, but i didn't want to give up on them, or entirely lost track of them.

(standing in front of slightly smaller child) he asked for no pickles with @lycianlynx

exposure therapy with @freliasarrow

snips and scales with @deathsdue

wings of wax with @pirrhyc

oh boy, customer service! (-1HP) (-1HP) (-1HP) with @allyphase

if you have any particular interest in reviving them or threading with heath again, let me know! i would strongly prefer not reviving them, though; part of how i let myself get so overwhelmed was trying to force myself to keep threads alive that i had lost the plot on, and the stress was starting to impact and worsen my real life health issues and prevent me from roleplaying in general.

thank you for understanding!

wanted threads for heath!

hello! i am looking to get some new threads with heath. between my health and activity issues and some drops, he has very few active threads right now, and i would like to rectify this! he is a knight of seiros and thus available for the unaffiliated prompts on this board!

any +1 - become a servant with heath! he is…very awkward, and not the greatest at ingratiating himself with servants, but he also isn't immediately suspicious. is he having to deal with your character bungling things, or is he the awkward sidekick to your character's social butterfly?

lance +1 - heath may not be as intense about forsyth regarding knighthood (which, sidenote, if you want your muse to deal with forsyth being insane about this also lmk), but he has…less than positive thoughts about this book and the ideas that it spreads. perhaps your character is subscribing to these ideas and pestering him with them? or they feel poorly about them and see him as someone who they can complain to? either way, something has to happen to make heath actually do something about it. maybe he can't exist as an obvious knight in public anymore without people making references to the book. a lot of options to set the scene.

faith +1 - heath has a complicated and deeply personal relationship with vigilante justice. he would be inclined to take some kind of action, but how to do so without making the situation worse for those who are suffering? he's a knight, not an auditor, so the actions he can take would be rather…direct. is your muse trying to talk him in or out of something? what kind of interesting dynamics about vigilante justice can we play with?

also, if there are any affiliated-locked threads you would like to pursue with him, give me a holler!

now, some personal ideas.

wyvern delivery service - ever since pelleas brought up the idea of wyvern mail delivery, it's been on heath's mind. it turns out there are some organizations in the area that are glad to get a little extra help. heath isn't quitting his job as a knight, but he's started doing some delivery runs. does your character want to tag along? do they have something they need delivered and just have to personally see it through? do you have any fun ideas to play in this space? let me know!

protecting merchant caravans - a fun little idea which can blend the general roleplay of being assigned to protect a merchant caravan and come up with some fights mechanically and utilize our kits! let's do a garreg mach job! whether you are a fellow knight, a professor, or a student getting some combat experience, the bandit problem needs fixing.

@ me in ⁠the discord plotting channel or dm me! slight preference for dms so they don't let lost, but whatever works best! my discord is NightinGem, but you can dm me on my blog here if that is easier.

[loyaldeserter]

wanted threads for heath!

hello! i am looking to get some new threads with heath. between my health and activity issues and some drops, he has very few active threads right now, and i would like to rectify this! he is a knight of seiros and thus available for the unaffiliated prompts on this board!

any +1 - become a servant with heath! he is…very awkward, and not the greatest at ingratiating himself with servants, but he also isn't immediately suspicious. is he having to deal with your character bungling things, or is he the awkward sidekick to your character's social butterfly?

lance +1 - heath may not be as intense about forsyth regarding knighthood (which, sidenote, if you want your muse to deal with forsyth being insane about this also lmk), but he has…less than positive thoughts about this book and the ideas that it spreads. perhaps your character is subscribing to these ideas and pestering him with them? or they feel poorly about them and see him as someone who they can complain to? either way, something has to happen to make heath actually do something about it. maybe he can't exist as an obvious knight in public anymore without people making references to the book. a lot of options to set the scene.

faith +1 - heath has a complicated and deeply personal relationship with vigilante justice. he would be inclined to take some kind of action, but how to do so without making the situation worse for those who are suffering? he's a knight, not an auditor, so the actions he can take would be rather…direct. is your muse trying to talk him in or out of something? what kind of interesting dynamics about vigilante justice can we play with?

also, if there are any affiliated-locked threads you would like to pursue with him, give me a holler!

now, some personal ideas.

wyvern delivery service - ever since pelleas brought up the idea of wyvern mail delivery, it's been on heath's mind. it turns out there are some organizations in the area that are glad to get a little extra help. heath isn't quitting his job as a knight, but he's started doing some delivery runs. does your character want to tag along? do they have something they need delivered and just have to personally see it through? do you have any fun ideas to play in this space? let me know!

protecting merchant caravans - a fun little idea which can blend the general roleplay of being assigned to protect a merchant caravan and come up with some fights mechanically and utilize our kits! let's do a garreg mach job! whether you are a fellow knight, a professor, or a student getting some combat experience, the bandit problem needs fixing.

@ me in ⁠the discord plotting channel or dm me! slight preference for dms so they don't let lost, but whatever works best! my discord is NightinGem, but you can dm me on my blog here if that is easier.

[loyaldeserter]

July activity check: passed!

skill points: 15->16

flying: D+->C

obtained: tbd also claim your b axe too silly

[loyaldeserter]

"I could ask the same of you." Fiora decidedly does not seem like herself, and Heath wonders what exactly she endured in the aftermath of the fall. Or, he recalls the revival magic, if she had survived it to begin with. "I...am about as well as I can be, given the circumstances."

A reasonable response. The unanswered question looms, though, and he can't quiet the worry on his face.

"He went missing during the initial fall. His training is to retreat to the mountains, and while I could fire a return flare here, I don't know if it would reach him." Or if he is alive to see it, goes unspoken. "What about Huxley? Have you seen him?"

It seems more likely that he would be in Garreg Mach, given Fiora's presence, but he doesn't know what training the pegasus received should his master be incapacitated. A heavy silence sits for a second, two steedless riders trying to steer themselves.

"Maybe we could search for them together?" Fiora needs something to do in this state, and Heath can hardly bear delaying his search for Hyperion much longer. "We don't need to enter the mountains themselves, just find a higher vantage point to set off the flare."

Cyclical

[loyaldeserter]

Heath should have expected this--did, really, but it happens sooner than he thought. The sniper's attitude wouldn't be out of place in Bern, though he'd get a thrashing from Vaida if he was under her wing for that kind of outburst. Thus, Heath seems relatively unfazed, though he is prepared for blows come what may.

Before Heath can respond, another resident of the Abyss steps forth. A man of imposing height and build, but a strange serenity above it all, flaxen hair unbecoming of the gloom.

"You're correct on all counts. It was reckless of me to arrive like this, though I'm not sure I completely grasped the situation down here." Heath's own piercing eyes meet the man's. There's a nagging feeling of wrongness here, that this underground is not merely outlaws but outcasts. "I'm not from Fodlan, and my experience with the Church is limited aside from my recent employment."

This place is meant to be a secret, guarded from most. Legault's not shy about letting Heath know where he dwells, but he'd emphasized the hidden nature of these catacombs-turned-slums. It would have served Heath well to be less forward. Too late for that, though.

"I have a friend who lives down here. He has many powerful enemies, some of whom we share." Perhaps he is being too open once more, but there is something about this man that puts Heath...maybe not at ease, but speaking to him feels easier than it should. "I wanted to assess this place, myself."

It's a simple thing, and a story he'd be skeptical of himself. But it's the truth, and he takes bite of the slop-soup. Eugh.

"I don't intend on speaking a word of this place to anyone who doesn't know of it. For it to be necessary..." He shakes his head. Surely there is a better solution the Church could find, or at least they could ensure the Abyss is supplied in a better fashion. "Nothing is ever as it seems on the surface"

oh uh, don't mind me

[loyaldeserter]

Heath's breath catches at the sudden closeness, which is a bit hypocritical considering his own actions. He could and should pull away, but Legault's hands are warm even through the gloves, his eyes moreso.

"Legault..." Heath rolls his eyes, almost grateful for something to scoff at. He can't help but smile, though, the drink enhancing the flush his face betrays. "You could just ask normally, you know."

"I don't know if you want to dance with me, though." Heath is not a good dancer. He is clumsy, inexperienced, and entirely unsuited to it. Legault probably doesn't have much more practice, but he moves with a catlike grace that Heath lacks. "Your feet will end up trampled, if we don't take a tumble into the flowers."

He says this, but he adjusts into a better position as the sound of tuning dies away. Drink softens him, allows him to give into vices. He can regret it in the morning, alongside the hangover.

"You clean up well." Might as well really indulge, if he's going to do this. He slowly sways to the incoming rhythm, tugging Legault's silly cravat. "If it counts as cleaning up. Don't know who else could pull off this kind of costume. It suits you."

a gaze that's quite as clear

[loyaldeserter]

June activity check - hiatus

[loyaldeserter]

Heath is quite tired of romance, frankly. It's not that it's an inherently bad think, but he could use some personal distance given the events of the last couple of months. But knightly duty is knightly duty, and guarding a wedding isn't the absolute worst situation he could be in.

Enter the complication known as Sain of Caelin.

"Mmmhm." Heath hardly graces his ramblings with an answer, focusing instead on incapacitating the hostile agents with his own spear. It's odd to move this quickly and lightly, his usual armor replaced with a tuxedo, padded leather beneath still a level of vulnerability that prickles the mind. "A knight's duty is to the people's prosperity and freedom. Our foes intend to limit that freedom."

It's impressive, how much this cause fires Sain up. He's truly a skilled man when he isn't wasting his time chatting up any woman in his vicinity, as these poor sods are finding out.

"Ah...Bern is more practical, when it comes to that kind of thing." Even back in the army, Sain rubbed Heath the wrong way. Overfamiliarity and womanizing are not on the list of traits Heath likes associating with, something the hapless knight seems to either not recognize or care about. Heath sighs, following in lockstep. "Most royal marriages are strategic, and stories focus more on conquest and duty."

Sain's skillset, while questionable, is uniquely suited to this mission. It makes Heath wonder how much of that ignorance is an act; he smiles in good cheer, but he ferrets out ill intent with a frightening efficiency. It's odd that the Knights decided to assign Heath of all people with him. Perhaps they thought the two would work well together given their shared Elibe background? It's a fair, if (somewhat) inaccurate assumption.

"I suppose this wedding reminds me a bit of a story I heard as a squire." Sain won't stop pestering him. He knows this. Giving in will just spare future headaches. It's all practical. "A Bernese princess, third in line to the throne, was expected to be married off to secure an alliance with Etruria. Unbeknownst to the family and court alike, however, she had fallen in love with an Ilian mercenary. Influential, but a peasant ruler and female at that."

The story is clearly a tragedy, a lesson about loyalty that picked up a cult following for its doomed romance. Will Sain pick up on it, or pursue it further? It's all talk for the sake of talk, something to fill the space between crasher brawls.

‧❀༉‧˚ your secrets aren't see-through.

[loyaldeserter]

"I...!" Heath sputters, attempting to maintain a semblance of dignity. The Goddess of Fodlan surely has taken issue with Heath, to put him in this situation. He at least catches himself before he retorts with the (sort of) fact that he has never actually had a committed relationship before.

The woman unfortunately follows up, and then Soren decides to continue to beat a dead pegasus. Heath forces a grim smile.

"You're as delusional as the lady here." Heath ignores her protests, handing her the basket. She pouts about his 'chivalric duty' or something, which she has lost on account of the loony business. "Listen, I don't know what you're getting at, but--"

"Oh! I get it now." The woman's face lights up in a way that does not particularly soothe Heath. She looks at Heath, then Soren, then back again. "A lover's quarrel, now is it? As your destined lover, it seems as if I did not divine the stars at length...but...ahhhh...I see it now!"

Heath tries to slip away as she gazes at nothing, but her hand clamps on his arm in a vice grip. She's surprisingly strong.

"Yes! Oh, my loves...I have found you at last!" She strides toward Soren, handing him the basket and taking his other hand. "And fate compels me to help you nourish your academy! Please, allow me to buy you whatever supplies you wish. Our love will change the world for the better!"

Ah, but that's a wise gambit on her end. To pass up charitable donation, however strange its source, would be foolish.

...and maybe Heath wants to watch Soren squirm a little bit before this is all over. It's only fair.

this (kinda) happened to my buddy karel

[loyaldeserter]

may activity check: passed!

skill points: 14->15

axe: C+(1)->B (monthly)

obtained: tbd

[loyaldeserter]

Sent off on duty into town to check off the academy's growing shopping list, you find yourself trapped between a clingy lover and a hard place. This clingy lover has been looking everywhere for you. Yes! You! And, well, they also happen to have an eye on your friend, too. Go on a shopping trip, but make sure you appease the lover-you-never-asked for, or else they'll make your life a living hell. starter for @senerist

Heath can't say he dislikes being an errand boy, all things considered. Yes, he is a knight, but it is a sign of peacetimes for the Church to spare a winged fighter for something as small as shopping on the town (though he knows that Hyperion's carrying capacity is part of why he was chosen in the first place).

It's frowned upon to bring a wyvern directly into the streets, though, so Hyperion's getting some time to stretch his wings in the forest. He'd been whining for food and it's been a while since he hunted, so why not let him have his own version of a day on the town?

That, and it means Heath can take a little time himself. One too many of his friends have told him to slow down, and surely this counts.

Of course, nothing can ever go to plan.

"Oh, my love. It was foretold in the stars--I've been searching for you for so long!" All he'd done was help a woman who'd stumbled and dropped her basket of fruit. How did it lead to this? Heath is doing his best to ignore her, but she's making it very difficult. "Truly, the fates smile upon us today."

"I...uh. Think you may have me mistaken for someone else." Heath dusts off the last apple, offering the groceries back to her. Deep breaths. This will be over soon. "Some of these might be bruised, but they should all be good to eat."

"That silver streak...your striking eyes...I'd know them anywhere!" Okay, that's weird. Has she been watching him? The thought is uncomfortable, at best. There aren't a lot of other people with hair like his. "Please, let's not squander this."

Pedestrians are giving them a wide berth, which makes sense as this is happening in the middle of the road. It is terribly embarrassing, and Heath is stuck with the damned grocery basket. He can't just up and leave with it! But the woman refuses to budge. It's a ridiculous impasse.

One onlooker in particular seems to have taken interest in the spectacle, and Heath feels an icy pit in his stomach as he locks eyes with a piercing red gaze. He and Soren had done a good job of avoiding each other since that fateful night, why now...?

this (kinda) happened to my buddy karel

[loyaldeserter]

[ STABLES as well ] She should have guessed that there would be stables at the ball's venue -- or rather, at a viscount's estate -- but the thought simply hadn't occurred to her. If it had, she might have ridden Cookie all the way here! Wouldn't that have been fun?

But alas, she had not; Maria is left with her elbows on and outer gate and her chin in her hands, staring wistfully at wyverns and pegasi in a rare moment away from the hustle and bustle. Whenever one glances at her curiously, without fail Macedon's youngest princess makes a kissy face and wiggles her fingers quite happily in response. She's in the middle of kicking up a foot behind her when she hears someone shuffling around.

"Oh!" Cheek presses into shoulder, a tumble of florid hair and round, rosy eyes peeking toward the source of the sound. Seeing a knight (presumably), she pushes away from the stable wall, floating over curiously. "Hello! Are you friends with one of the creatures here?" Her head tilts, then her whole body follows suit as she pries a pearl charm from her bracelet. As if it is only natural, she holds it out for the other to take.

"My name is Maria! What's your name? Oh! And their name too?" She's too polite to ask the question, but the bursting, overwhelming affection in her eyes suggests she might be dying to pet them.

Heath isn't the only one visiting the stables at this hour. A young, friendly voice calls out to the wyverns with no fear at all, and...is that Hyperion's snuffles he recognizes? Yes, indeed it is. A young girl with red hair to her chin playfully jokes with Hyperion, demonstrating excellent understanding of wyvern body language.

"I am indeed." She's so cheerful, like a princess from a story that birds flock to. Except instead of songbirds, it's scaley, fearsome wyverns who relax in her sight. Her smile is infectious. "I'm Heath. My friend Hyperion is actually the scoundrel you were just making faces with."

At mention of his name, Hyperion chitters. That big old doofy smile is normal on him, but multiple other wyverns seem oddly friendly around her. It's fascinating.

"Ah, thank you. I have a seashell, myself, if you'll have it." She's a good lass, this Maria. He can't help but be reminded of a different girl with red hair who Hyperion had taken a shine to.