of-invisible-ties

[of-invisible-ties]

Hey, guys, I'm sorry I haven't been super active lately. Just wanted to come on here and say that I'll likely be inactive for a long, long time ...

BECAUSE I'M STARTING MY MASTER'S DEGREE!

I'm extremely proud of that and wanted to announce it now that I've got my acceptance letter and schedule. I'm going to be very busy this year, but it'll the best kind of busy. Thanks for reading <3

[of-invisible-ties]

"It didn't feel right, but it worked." @ akechi, sojiro, or phoenix 👀

From This Cursed Meme II Accepting!

"It didn't work, did it? Not in the end."

Akechi laughs, but it's utterly mirthless. This new reality may have given him a second lease on life, but there was no point in indulging in it. The palace's ruler had to be toppled, and that was that. He would prefer death over living in the palm of a fool's hand. He was dead no matter what, and, thus, he didn't see any reason to reconnect with Hibiki again.

Not for the latter's lack of trying, of course. Hibiki had invited him to darts. Alone. It was obvious what he really wanted. To reconnect and see what went wrong and what could be righted.

Worthless. Utterly worthless.

Hibiki doesn't know that Akechi will die, but he's being an idiot regardless. What was the worth in befriending a murderer -- especially one who had killed people his friends knew and cherished? Those people were resurrected in this false reality as well ... a grim reminder that, had it not been for him, they'd still be alive today.

He has too many sins on his ledger, and he won't pay them. Where he's going, he won't need to.

"You're wasting your breath. I don't know what you think you saw in me, but it was a lie. We both know I was lying the entire time."

He wants to break something. A table, maybe. But he doesn't. He sits there, seething, his knuckles whitening as he clenches the one of the darts they were playing with earlier.

"I should be dead. You know that, don't you?"

[of-invisible-ties]

tomestobetold​:

Have we met… Those words ring hollow into Katerina. It is logical that her son wouldn’t remember her, it had been far too many years and she looked so much older than anything he could have remembered. But it stung no less to know that she was robbed of so much.

But still, she tries to smile. She knows that this is ground she must tread lightly on. Her son is wearing his father’s armor, after all, and that was a sign that something… difficult must have happened. Perhaps Garon was dead, perhaps he had just abdicated, but both options included difficulties.

It was best to tread lightly.

“We have,” she assured him. “But it has been many years… Your Majesty.”

Katerina gave a quick bow at her shoulders. It had been many years since she’d ever had to bow to anyone, but formality might be her ally here.

“I’m sorry for being… perhaps overly familiar. It has been many, many years since I was last in the royal castle. I believe you were only a child at the time.”

Katerina looked back up at him, hoping that something might strike him as familiar.

“My name is… Katerina,” she told him.

The second he hears her name, his blood runs cold. 

It can’t be.

Xander had mourned her death for years. He still remembered the day he’d found out she’d died. Father had told him that she was gone, and he hadn’t understood. He was still a child at the time, so he’d innocently assumed that she’d come back if he waited long enough. Sometimes, he’d wait outside her chambers like a lost puppy, waiting, always waiting, for her to return. When that didn’t work, he prayed to Anankos, his father’s god, every single day. 

Please let her come back, he prayed. Please let her be okay. 

It took so very long for him to realize what Father had meant. His mother was well and truly gone. She wasn’t coming back. 

That knowledge had been too much for the boy to bear. Even as he aged, the pain never truly left him. It was always there, and, on some days, it bubbled up and threatened to overwhelm him like it once did. 

Now the woman stands before him and says that name, and Xander falls utterly silent. The pain of losing her stings him once more. She’s so much older than he remembered, and he’s not entirely sure she is the mother he lost. 

But that little boy inside of him wants to believe it. He’d waited for her for so long. 

“Mother?” he says at last, his voice numb from shock. “Is it truly you?”

[of-invisible-ties]

Out of context starters from my streams

“I WILL TAKE THAT BODY PILLOW!”

“Someone has to be here for judgment day with [insert name here].”

“Hi kids, today we're gonna be learning about: violent anarchy!"

“I am turning this bus around!”

“You’re all horrible.”

“Trust nobody.”

“[Name], did you just rat me out?”

“SQUAAAAAAAACK!”

“Not being funny here. 400 people died.”

“It didn’t feel right, but it worked.”

“Oh no, you’re gonna make me a vegan!”

“How are we going to explain this bullshit to [name]?”

“I have committed unspeakable horrors in the name of stats.”

“Wait, fish have hearts?”

“Can I make it into a tasty breaded stick? If yes, it is a fish.”

“It’s science!”

“What if you finished this cutscene?”

“Is there no loyalty among friends!?”

“I’m taking it seriously, I swear!”

“[Name] sells grenade launchers on ebay.”

“Do fish really need all those organs?”

“[Name], you were warned.”

“But he’s from Baltimore!”

“You’ve already fallen into it. There’s no escape!”

“Somebody’s left chips in a bin and he’s diving to get it.”

“Has he/she/they not suffered enough!?”

“Pretty sure that’s a type of pasta.”

“I had permission, thank you very much!”

“Worthless. Utterly worthless. Get on the damn bench!”

[of-invisible-ties]

@armatization​ II continued from here

Anankos sees her waver, and he knows his words have caused doubt to take root. Good. He will extract her from the humans who turned her against him. And, together, they would make humanity suffer for forgetting and burying their betters, dragons. 

All he needed to do was get her to drop that accursed blade. The moment she abandoned it was the moment he knew he had won. By relinquishing the Yato, she embraced her destiny as a dragon, as his daughter. She won’t fail him like Lilith. She won’t falter like Lilith did. 

She’s better and stronger, and he knows it. 

“Sumeragi?” he scoffs. “You think that puppet of mine could sire someone as powerful as you?”

He laughs with bemusement. Such a foolish, ignorant daughter. 

“Tell me this, daughter ... how is that you gained the power to take draconic form? Do you think that is something that a human parent can offer you?”

“It is within your blood. Blood that connects us both. Blood that marks you as Valla’s princess and heir.”

She is foolish, yes, but he will give her knowledge, and she will be all the better for it. 

“If you turn your back on me, then -- and ONLY then -- will you be betraying your family.”

[of-invisible-ties]

valorandgold​:

“Perhaps you should give what you tell your enemies more thought, Lord Ephraim.”

“A little originally can go a long way, I think you will come to find. Or perhaps simply let your actions speak for you instead.”

“Blast! I was sure I had the perfect line, but ... you’re right.”

“If my actions cannot speak for me, what good am I? You’ve given me much to consider, Dame Selena.”

[of-invisible-ties]

legendspun​:

“Oh, I heard it plenty growing up but your lance skills intrigue me.”

"What do you say to a friendly spar?”

“I like the way you think, friend.”

“That lance of yours looks as mighty as my Reginleif! This will make for a fine battle!”

[of-invisible-ties]

“Don’t pick a fight with me. You’ll lose!”

“What do you mean, you’ve heard that one before ...?”

[of-invisible-ties]

toumaryu​:

   you shuffle in place awkwardly, cheeks alighting at father’s praise. it feels… strange to hear him speak so highly of you when he’s only ever known you as a baby. strange, but not unwelcome.

“if not for you, i wouldn’t be here in the first place,” you shake your head, reaching out as though to take his hand, only to let your hand drop and the other fidget with a cuff, “and… if not for your plan, all would have been lost. i would go through it all again in a heartbeat if it meant saving our world. … and more importantly, you. both of you… so please don’t feel guilt over all that’s happened.”

   you still hate that said salvation could only come in the form of death, but you decide not to apologize for it again when father himself declared it for the best. ( nor do you wish to worry him with how much of a wreck you are deep down. not when he seems to think well of you for now. ) this time when you reach out, you do take father’s hand- both of them, in fact. you clasp them so delicately, looking upon the man with an earnest gaze.

“i know realistically it can’t last, father, but… can we be a family here? you, me, mother, manali, and lilith… i want to know you as you truly are. that way… when all must come to an end and we part ways once more… should the gods allow it, i’ll carry the real you in my heart. and that way… the monster won’t be all that remains of you in people’s memories. is… that too much? am i being selfish by asking?”

She takes his hands, holding them like they’re made of glass. Anankos never imagined that he’d see her like this. He’d foreseen his own death, and he feared he’d never know his child’s voice nor touch. Then she professes her earnest wish -- her desire for them to be a family in this world beyond worlds. 

It’s more than Anankos could’ve ever dared to hope for. 

He doesn’t know when the tears start falling. They simply do. This is all he’s ever wanted, but he feared that he had no right to ask for it. Not after all of the damage his counterpart had done. Yet here is his precious daughter, telling him she wants to be a family and remember the real him. 

He’d always feared that his true self would be lost to the ages. That both humanity and his daughters would only know him by his crazed counterpart, who wanted only to spread death and destruction. 

This is far more than a wretch like him ever deserved. 

The tears stop only when he has no more left to shed. His frail human form could only shoulder so much grief. 

“I’ve wanted that for so long,” he says tearfully. “Araceli ... no matter how short our time here is, I will cherish it forever. All of us, as a family -- fate never showed me that possibility. To have it here, I ...”

He hugs her and holds her tight. 

“Thank you ... thank you ...”

[of-invisible-ties]

@tomestobetold​ II continued from here

Kaze knew that love between retainer and liege would be seen as improper. But he didn’t care. He saw that Aqua had never known love for all her life, and he knew it would cruelty to keep his true feelings from her. 

Every single time he protected her or acted as her shadow, he did it with love. It was neither duty nor burden to him. This was the woman he had sworn his heart to. She deserved nothing less.

He holds his palm against her cheek, careful to keep his hold gentle. Blue tresses cascade against his hand, and it occurs to him just how beautiful her hair is. Just how beautiful she is. 

Did no one ever tell her that?

“I’ve felt this way for a very long time, Lady Aqua.”

“I love you. If -- if it is not impudent of me ... may I kiss you?”

[of-invisible-ties]

“It’s all so familiar yet I know I’ve never been here before. I feel so at home.” { corinne to kaze or takumi! }

Meme II Accepting!

Takumi gives her a withering look and keeps walking. They were heading to the Hoshidan capital for today's ceremony. Mikoto had wanted to make a public announcement concerning her child's return to Hoshido. Takumi didn't see the point. He remained convinced that she was a Nohrian spy, and he made sure to keep an eye on her the entire time they marched to the square.

His message was clear: don't try anything funny, Nohrian.

It was obvious he had no intention of replying to his sister's remark. No one else seemed to hear it, but Kaze did.

"You've been here before," he informs her. "When you were young, sometimes the queen would bring you here."

Even as a child, Kaze was ever adept as a spy. His parents always told him he'd serve the Hoshidan royalty, and, as a child, he decided to use his sneaking skills to get a look at one of his possible lieges. He'd watched Corrine as her mother took her around the capital and showed her everything it had to offer. He'd seen similar things with Takumi and Ryoma; ever since they were children, Mikoto led them by hand to the square's attractions.

"It's alright if you don't remember."

"There's plenty to see here. After the ceremony, I could accompany you, if you so wish."

Takumi glares at him, too. The prince mouths something. Kaze grimaces, hating every word of it.

Don't make promises to the traitor, Takumi had said.

Kaze knows how unfair that is. It's his fault the Nohrians took her away. He was going to atone, starting with making sure her day went right.

"...Is there something that catches your eye, Lady Corrine?"

[of-invisible-ties]

“Oh, my baby! Are you all right? Are you emotionally traumatized?” (Summoner Miranda to Nino LOL)

Meme II Accepting!

"E-emotionally ... what?"

Nino had no idea what that word meant. There were heroes who understood those big words, but none of them were around right now. They were busy earning points in the arena -- or was it Forging Bonds? She didn't remember. The Order was especially busy at this time of year.

She quietly wishes Lloyd were here. He'd know what to do. Seeing Linus in his undead state was ... scary. It chilled her to the bone, but she puts on a brave face anyway.

"I'm ... I'm okay, Summoner."

"I just want to know if Linus will be okay. He seems to be in a lot of pain ..."

[of-invisible-ties]

pulchramusae​:

she heaves a sigh of relief as - finally - byleth could lower her blade. the enemy wasn’t supposed to be that difficult to subdue, she thought… unless she misheard the client’s direction. then again, with that girl that only she seemed to see… it was likely she was distracted. and yet the mercenary and the rest of her group… they all made it out alive. not unscathed, but still alive and safe.

cut off a wolf’s head and it still has the power to bite.

the head of blue hair whips around to see her father and guide coming up to her side as she’d search for any suitable evidence that their target was defeated. “… you’re right,” byleth replies, “i won’t deny i bit off more than i could chew this time around, either -” frankly she could’ve gone for the head earlier than now, but… what’s done is done.

“we should get back. the sooner we tell our client the deed’s done, the faster we can get ready for the next job… whenever that may be.”

That much was true. This had been a hard-fought victory, and, thankfully, the client was paying them plenty for it. Even before the mercenaries had set out, the client had warned them that the bandits had taken the lives of other merc groups. 

Of course, Jeralt knew his people were a cut above the rest. He’s proud of all of them, Byleth included. He never doubted that they’d win the day.

“Good thinking, kid,” he tells her. 

He barks orders at some of the other mercenaries. Their first priority was evacuating the wounded. A few of them tried looting the dead, and he doesn’t stop them. He can’t blame a man for trying to eat. Especially after such a grueling battle.

“Lots of wounded,” he mutters as Byleth accompanies him. “This is going to take longer than I thought.”

He sighs.

“The client will have to wait. Seems like you’re not the only one who bit off more than they could chew.”

[of-invisible-ties]

sweptawxy​:

“Oh- I see… well..” She looked at the wall, still uneased but assured enough that it would be okay to next time break down the wall if someone tried to contain her or Nils. Hector was pretty smart about these things! “I suppose I could..”

“Exactly! Hey, we could practice with that wall over there.”

The wall in question already has a crack in it. Hector’s eyeing it the same way a wolf stares down its next meal. He was born ready for this.

“You can borrow my axe if you want. Or would you like a sword instead?”

[of-invisible-ties]

“ It’s… you’re scaring me. I have this weird feeling you’re going to leave. ” { celica to alm! }

Meme II Accepting!

This was one of Celica's dreams, but she would not know if it told her the future, or if it was simply a warning.

At first, the dream is normal. She and Alm were children, making flower wreaths as they played in a massive garden. The flowers' colors were especially vibrant, and little Alm laughed and giggled as he placed a wreath on Celica's head.

Then Celica poses her question, and the scene changes. They're adults now, and the flowers have died. The vibrant fields are gone, replaced with barren earth and the clanging of swords. War descends, and men scream as they're cut down in its wake.

The adult Alm faces her, his eyes full of remorse.

"You're the one who left me," he says sadly. "You left us. You left Zofia to rot, Anthiese."

The earth fills with graves. Women cry as their children starve and their men die fighting. All of them wear Zofian garb.

Alm grows angry as he watches it all.

"How could you?" he asks. "How could you abandon your people? Abandon me?"

Her dream ends as Alm gives a harsh cry, for war has arrived to take him, too.

[of-invisible-ties]

“Now I have something I want to protect. It’s you.” (Corrin @ Silas!)

Meme II Accepting!

"W-wha ...? Me?"

Silas felt his face burning with embarrassment. He'd told her how he felt, and he wasn't expecting this. Her eyes shone as she smiled at him, and then she swore to protect him.

She loved him, too.

He never thought he'd see the day. His embarrassment forgotten for the moment, he takes her hands in his.

"I'll protect you, too. I already promised you that, and I'll keep my word!"

He had a ring for her. How could he have forgotten that!? He withdraws one of his hands from her and slips it into his pocket. No, wait, wrong pocket. He checks the other one, finally finding it -- a sparkling white ring, which matched her snow-white tresses perfectly.

"This is for you, Corrin. I love you."

[of-invisible-ties]

(Theothervonkarmagirl, Maria) "Kill him, and you'll be famous."

Meme II Accepting! II @theothervonkarmagirl

"I wouldn't go that far, Lady Maria."

Yet again, the two were discussing Prince Takumi's latest misdemeanor. Today, Jakob thinks, must've been especially bad, because the young lady's wrath was stoked.

"If you would like, I can serve him his tea cold today. And I'll forget to bring the biscuits he's so particular about."