pheraemarquess

[pheraemarquess]

Eliwood had heard of these portals, that there were dangers behind them. He felt rotten just leaving it for a student to wander in, so it would be better if i was just him in danger. So without telling anyone, without thinking, he leapt into the portal.

Everything would be fine as long as the portal didn't- oh it closed behind him. He really should have seen that coming. Yet, now that he was trapped here, it was good to take a look around.

It seemed to be an underground catacombs like place? Interesting, he hadn't read of anything like that in any of the books in the library. Perhaps it was a place magical in nature?

He didn't have long to ponder the nature of this place as another portal opened up and a younger man wearing the uniform of the Officer's Academy comes running through. He remembered when he first started being told that the House Leaders wore a special uniform that included a cape with their House's colors. That meant this young man could only be Claude von Reigan, House Leader of the Golden Deer.

"I am. I'm Eliwood, Assistant Riding Professor to the Blue Lions. And you must be Claude von Reigan. As for where we got warped to," he pauses, considering. "I heard about these portals in the staff lounge. There's incredible dangers ahead, but apparently if you can get through the gauntlet of challenges, incredible rewards. I personally don't care much for the reward, I just wanted to make sure no students wandered in and got in over their heads."

He sighs, shaking his head in frustration at the situation he's found himself in. "Clearly, that plan has gone to the wolves. But, all is not lost. If we work together, we may be able to get out of this yet. Can I count on you?" He holds out his hand to shake on it. It would be easier if he knew he could rely on the one he was stuck in here with. Sure, it was a student, and he didn't want to burden a student, but in this situation he didn't have much choice in the matter.

"We Got the Torture Labyrinth Tomorrow" "What" "We Gotta Get Tortured for Eternity Tomorrow" "Ohhhh. Okay" || Claude & Eliwood

Mission: Any Skill +1 || @pheraemarquess || Mission Season: Excavation

[pheraemarquess]

The whole way to the venue, Eliwood mostly studied the collections and genealogies and cross checked everything against the guest list and seating arrangements, trusting his horse to follow Lyn's. He was looking for particular names of those who might cause trouble once there, and even cross checking it with his new knowledge of the history of Fódlan in his studies.

A love match of two warring entities could either start to broker a peace, or as the couple feared, could lead to tensions boiling over as people who despised each other were forced to sit and mingle. With love matches like this, he wondered if it was just better to take the hit to one's reputation and just elope. Like a story he had overheard adults talk about as a boy in hushed whispers, of a noblewoman and a plainsman.

He wondered what it was like to be able to follow his heart as he truly desired. The Lords Pherae for generations had followed the call of duty ceaselessly, never letting their hearts get in the way of doing what needed to be done. His own parents had only learned to love each other once he came along. Yet, even still part of him wanted more than anything to defy the call of duty, marry someone he truly loved, just this one time in his life. But he knew better than to be that selfish. He couldn't promise the one he loved forever, or even to grow old together. He would be consumed by his illness, and could he do that to the one he loved?

Yet, still, he admired the couple's strength to go through with the wedding yet. They were braver than he could bring himself to be. And as they approached and dismounted, still nose deep in scrolls and studying for every possible conclusion, he approached his friend. Putting the scroll away, he turns his full attention to Lyn.

"Yeah, I'm fine. No need to worry about me." It wasn't the total truth, as he had not fully recovered from the Ethereal Ball, but it should at least sate Lyn for now. "I was just studying over everything we were given, looking for any potential sources of trouble from within the tent. I managed to identify three." He motioned for her to look over at the seating chart. "Here, here, and this one is the one I'm most worried about." He circled each as he went over them. He then turned to Lyn. "But that's second to what I'm more interested in. Copper for your thoughts on all this?"

He nodded, as he followed along. "It'll also help us learn the fastest ways to approach if trouble is from inside or outside." Walking with Lyn, he observed everything, looking for places to hide, or where best to position themselves in case of emergency.

braided red cord

[pheraemarquess]

Two further fingers go down, and Eliwood's smile becomes a little forced at some of the suggestions. He hadn't done so many of these things, but it was for the best he hadn't. Yet, at the more depressing ones, he makes a mental note so he can change it for others. He can do that much at least.

At the sword one, Eliwood lets out a hearty chuckle. "Seems you caught many of us. The sword is my weapon of choice, actually." And with broken bones, he initially isn't sure, but then a memory from his youth surfaces. "Ah, I actually broke an arm as a boy. I was on an adventure with my best friend, making sure he was staying safe, and well, I fell down a ravine and broke an arm."

Finally it's his turn, and it takes him a while to think of something, but when he does, he knows this will open him up to so much more teasing. But this was still a game, and it was all he could think of.

"Never have I ever kissed someone."

@grxstnnefealltoir

those are his hooves you bitch

toaball2025 - faculty jacuzzi night

[pheraemarquess]

He looks down, mildly disappointed in her reaction, even if he should expect it. Part of him had hoped for them to be on equal footing, especially with Elibe so far away. But he should know better by now. There was a great divide separating him and others that would always remain, even so far away, just based on who he was born to.

His eyes leap to her hands as he realizes something is very wrong. By the time he is able to get his body to respond, she already has her pouch free from it's buckle. He cursed his body's slow response.

When she says she's fine, a brow shoots up in response. "You seem the farthest thing from fine. Let me help you Fiora. Please." As he looks everything over, he shakes his head sadly. None of these had the proper ingredients that he knew would help him. He began grouping them up as she had them to put them away. "Unfortunately, my pain isn't something that regular medicine can treat." His voice chokes up on himself, not wanting to share this part of himself that he had only revealed to Hector. Even then, it was only because Hector was with him when he discovered these things about himself. Yet, he didn't want her to feel like she had failed him in any way.

He takes a breath, turning his keel even. "What I have is a disease of the body. My mother sent for all the best healers in Lycia, and they all came back with the same conclusion. It will never go away, it will never end." He stares at his hands, slight tremor in them. "It will consume me totally in a few decades." He looks over to her, sorrow in his eyes. "It's not something anyone can fix. Just slow the progression of." And it's why he could never love anyone. He couldn't condemn one he loved with all his heart to be forced to care for the burden he was doomed to become.

He places the potions he gathered gently in her hand. "I think it would be better if you cared for yourself for now. When we get back to the monastery, I'll have an apothecary make what I need, so you don't need to worry about me. But, I'm more worried for you Fiora." He put a hand on her forearm. "You may not see us as equals, or even friends, but I still see you as an indispensable friend. I'd hate for something to happen to you."

Taking off his jacket and coat, he walks past her and sets them on an outjutting rock like a hanger. "You can hand me your armor if you want so more can dry." He holds his hand out, slight tremor still visible. He then takes his cloak and hangs it over the entrance to the cave so it could be good cover, and further protection from the elements. "That should buy us some time from the storm to warm up and feel better."

When Does a Ripple Become a Tidal Wave?

Eliwood + Fiora

[pheraemarquess]

May Activity Check

Status: Passed!!

Points Gained: Any Skill +1

Allocation: Sword 2 -> 3 Rank D+ Acquired!

Claims:

Classes: Pending! Inventory: Wind chime bracelet, Pending! Mastery: None!

Threads:

Completed: made of light; paperthin final WC: 1,427 Dropped: None! In progress: those are his hooves, you bitch "We Got Torture Labyrinth Tomorrow" cheers! When Does a Ripple Become a Tidal Wave? These Sidequests Never Seem to End

[pheraemarquess]

"HELLO PROFESSOR!"

"I am Ferdinand Von Aegir of the Black Eagles." His grin even louder than his voice. "I see you are competitive, given how many charms you have on your bracelet! You must have a rival in mind, hm?" Presumptuous. There was no saying if there was a rival in place, but Ferdinand, once already in motion, would roll himself down his own hill.

"In any which case, I shall be of great help to you. Here!" Tada! An anchor charm is held up like a medal of honor. "For you. I am cheering you on." A fist goes up in solidarity.

Eliwood is on his third cup of coffee to wake himself up and not collapse from exhaustion from all the excitement of the night, when a loud call gives him a jolt of adrenaline. His coffee jolts in his hands and he almost spills it all over himself, but catches himself before he can.

"Thank you for the wake-up call, I certainly needed it." Ferdinand asserts himself easily, and Eliwood finds his confidence admirable. "No, I wouldn't say I have any rivals, the closest person I have to a rival I left back at home." Of course what Hector really was his best friend, one irreplaceable. Besides, calling himself Hector's rival was really a joke, as Hector moved towards his brightest potential, while Eliwood stumbled and fell further and further behind as his body slowly betrayed him.

But he would never voice his concerns to a student, let his worries become another's who looked to him for guidance. Instead, he smiles gently. "I would much rather say that I'm making friendships that will hopefully last me a lifetime."

He still takes the anchor graciously, and looks it over before clasping it to his own bracelet. "Still, thank you, Ferdinand. I hope the night treats you well." He then pulls out an anchor of his own. "Here, one for you as well, in case you have a rival of your own you wish to best." He then puts his own fist up, mirroring Ferdinand. At least the students seem to be spirited here?

[pheraemarquess]

"I believe you have what I am looking for," Sara declares cryptically, palm upturned in advance as though he should understand.

He is no more familiar to her than she must be to him, but none of this is readily apparent in the way she approaches, smile like that of an old friend addressing another and not two perfect strangers. If he should still struggle to make sense of her, she performs a vague gesture at his bracelet to drive off any doubt.

"An anchor is the only charm I am missing to complete the set, though I would appreciate if you do not attempt to break it first. One of the professors removed a limb from the starfish he gave me for fun and I am uncertain whether it meets the bracelet requirements in that state."

Eliwood had been enjoying a nice cup of tea, energy almost completely spent for the night, staring at nothing in particular when someone enters his field of vision. Deciding to focus back on what was happening in front of him again. Her outstretched hand gives him pause for a moment, considering if she wants his tea, until she gestures at his bracelet and understanding dawns on him.

"Oh yes, of course," he says as he unclasps a charm and hands it to her. Hearing her story, he hums in recognition of it. "I don't know why he would do such a thing, but I'm sure it was still count as a full set. After all, in this storm, anything could have happened to anyone's set. I'm confident they won't hold it against you."

He doesn't mention how familiar she seems with him, like they've known each other forever and he knows they've never met. He's met many of the eccentric type in his travels. This would be no different. It also wasn't any of his business.

[pheraemarquess]

When Eliwood first heard of Burrowhaven and it's plight, he knew he needed to help the people there achieve a new normal. It was only what was right after the ones he was affiliated with had wrecked their previous lives. Of course, the reclusive village did not welcome him with open arms, seeming wary of outsiders. He couldn't blame them.

However, one decided to give him a chance to prove himself. The seamstress had asked him to fetch her some new needles and a new pair of scissors. Eliwood accepted eagerly, ready to lend a helping hand in any way he could.

Along the way, he found a young blonde man who he remembered seeing around the monastery. A student he was pretty sure, but still it should be fine to ask for a little assistance.

"Excuse me, but you're with the Officer's Academy, right? Do you mind helping me find my way around? I keep getting turned around looking for the blacksmith." It was kind of embarrassing to admit as he had always thought himself good with directions, but the second they went underground, his natural compass seemed out of order.

@freedomarrow

These Sidequests Never Seem to End

[Authority +1] - Eliwood and Leonardo

[pheraemarquess]

These Sidequests Never Seem to End

[Authority +1] - Eliwood and Leonardo

[pheraemarquess]

Eliwood takes a sip of the water and....

.....

.....

Nothing. It's just water. Ilian water was much better than this. Perhaps the bottling process took something out of it? At least it was better for him than anything else he could be drinking right now, if nothing else.

He sets his glass down after finishing it. He leans in almost conspiratorially to Lapis. "Between you and me, I don't see what's so special about it. It just tastes like regular water to me."

At the offer of a charm, he smiles before unclasping one of his own anchors to offer. "Nonsense. Each charm is a memento of a meeting, a reunion of old friends, or the forging of a new friendship. At least that's how I choose to see it." He takes the turtle and clasps it onto his own bracelet.

The description of her home fills him with wonder and awe. "The Kingdom of Might? To be recognized for your prowess there shows you have quite the skill set then. Perhaps you'd be interested in sparring with someone like me sometime? I'd like to keep my skills sharp." It's an easy offer to throw out. It would also be good to see the fighting styles of many areas in case he ever has to defend against them.

He laughs a bit self-deprecatingly. "You might say that. I think they were more impressed with the stories that have been told of my adventures than of me, myself. I just did what needed to be done, what anyone else in my shoes would do." It was all in vain of his true goal anyways. He had failed to save his father in the end. His smile softens. "I've been told that, but personally I don't see it. I just think the world would be a much better place if we were all just kinder to each other. But if that makes me easier to be around, so be it." He tries to take another drink of the water, but then remembers it was empty. "Hm. I thought I had more."

cheers!

         ⤷   ethereal ball 2025: second half.

[pheraemarquess]

If he was tired, Fiora looked exhausted. It must have been the strain of pulling him out of the water. Escaping the ocean's wrath in a storm was hard enough, but to do it with another person was another story altogether. That had to be the explanation.

He chuckles lightly at her words. "You haven't changed one bit Fiora. But here, any titles we hold mean nothing. We're truly equals here." It was what he had always wanted, to be truly equal to those he held in his heart, not held up on a pedestal, or worse, coddled for his frailty. "Besides, isn't it normal to thank your savior properly after being rescued, even if it is their duty? I'd hate for you to think I was ungrateful."

When she turns the subject to his health, he freezes a moment. The pain is a dull throb, and the numbness in his limbs is mostly gone. "I will be okay. The pain I feel is easily manageable. You don't need to worry about me Fiora. I've dealt with much worse." All he needed was one of his special concoctions, of which he had the recipe ready to hand off to an apothecary, and he'd be right as rain again.

But then he turns his gaze back towards her. "What about you? Pulling me out of the water must have been no easy feat. Did you get hurt at all in the waves? I'd hate for you to get injured on my account." It had been years since they had fought together, but even then he had always hated others getting injured when it should have been him.

When Does a Ripple Become a Tidal Wave?

Eliwood + Fiora

[pheraemarquess]

Wanted Plots

//Hi, it's Holly, and I know it's suuuuuuper late into the month, and ball probably takes priority, but in case anyone wants a last minute chance to pick up some last minute mission board prompts, or just want to chill with Eliwood, I got you.

I'm specifically looking at:

[ Authority +1] (needs Golden Deer) - Eliwood is so going to get his good nature taken advantage of, and I'd like someone to either let him know he's being taken advantage of or take further advantage of him! [taken by Neffi!]

Housewarming Traditions (needs Golden Deer) - This is just really cute to me, and I'd love for Eliwood to learn of customs outside his own!

[Any +1] - This is asking for trouble and frankly I am here for it. I also need a refresher on how combat works in TOA, so I'd appreciate the help. [taken by Neffi!]

Custom Furniture - Eliwood just got here, and as such, his living quarters are very sparse. I'd love to do some interior decorating with someone!

If you have any other ideas, or want to plot something other than this reach out to me!! I can be reached here or @hollyflights on discord! I look forward to hearing from all of you!!

[pheraemarquess]

When she eases up, he does as well. He hated others being made uncomfortable by him, especially those he was to work with.

His eyebrows shoot up at learning her storry with knighthood. "Knighthood in 2 nations? That's quite the feat. It shows your talent to be recognized by two nations. Back home, I was also a knight as well, but they asked me to teach here. What land are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"

He holds his glass to her for easiest pouring. It was kind of her to pour for him, but he wouldn't have minded pouring for himself. He liked to think himself above the useless noble stereotype that he knows goes around. Not that he can blame them. Too many sit content in their seats.

Doing cheers. The thought brought a smile to Eliwood's face. "I think that would be quite nice." He raised his glass in a cheers motion. "To our meeting and may we have a cooperative working relationship."

cheers!

         ⤷   ethereal ball 2025: second half.

[pheraemarquess]

"Oh, hello! I don't believe we have met before," Seliph greets an unfamiliar face with a smile that reaches his eyes with ease. As much as he wishes to catch up with friends and acquaintances alike, there is nothing wrong with making some new ones.

"My name is Seliph." After glancing at the man's bracelet, he plucks a pearl from his own in an offering. "I see you have already collected all five charms, but more the merrier, don't you think?"

Eliwood turns to face the one who called out to him, kindness etched into his face. The young man who approached was not anyone Eliwood knew, but that could easily be rectified. New friends from other lands were always the best part of any banquet. "We have not met yet, but it's an honor to make your acquaintance."

Taking the pearl, Eliwood reaches into his bag of charms to pull out an anchor and hand it to the other. "And mine is Eliwood." He looks down fondly at his own bracelet, each charm a memory of either a reunion or of a new potential friend. He looks back to Seliph, fond smile reaching his eyes. "Definitely better. Each one could become a memory of friendships renewed or freshly grown."

[pheraemarquess]

@wingboundwarrior asked:

[ SWEPT AWAY ] - The ocean’s waves grow ferocious, and some of those nearer to the water if not sailing through it might have found themselves taken in by the waters. Swim to save your life! Or perhaps you’re brave enough to dive in to try and rescue someone? The night of graceful goldens and yawning oranges had quickly turned into bitter blues and violets, a black landscape of a roiling, angry oceanic eve. Wind swept waves into feisty tumbles, that crashed and banged like drum, cymbal punctuating with a flash of lightning from above. Fiora was rushing to and fro, escorting party-goers inside the estate and to caverns — only after she’d shuttered the stables, of course, for her companion had to come first — but on a run back from the cave, she saw dark fabriced limbs amidst the white caps of the waves, and she didn’t even think. One moment, she was on the shore. The next her and her pauldrons were in the undercurrent of the water, searching for whoever had been swept away. It wasn’t as difficult as it had been saving her sister, as a child, in Ilia, when she had been but a child herself, when the water made her muscles freeze the moment she touched it. But today, her bones protested her fighting against the crashing of the ocean, still begged for relief from the ceaseless running and standing and flying she’d been doing for the past few weeks months. She doesn’t notice the slight tremor in her body as she lifts the body from the shoreline to her arms and hauls them out of the pelting rain and into a nearby cave, but she is breathing hard — too hard, she thinks, than a knight should be, and privately, she’s frustrated with herself, for her weakness. It’s then that she lowers the figure into a dry spot and goes to assist them, make sure they’re breathing and well, when she sees those piercing eyes, that bright hair — her breath catches for an entirely different reason than pain and exhaustion. “Lo— Lord Eliwood?”

As a coastal lord, Eliwood knew the dangers of a sea storm better than most in fact. He had watched his father pour over reports of vessels lost in such storms, seen the documents himself once he took his father's seat. So when the storm rolled into the party, Eliwood fell naturally into the role of evacuator, trying to save as many people as possible.

He's helped someone who fell by the shoreline when he feels the wave crash down at his neck. The force yanks his feet from under him, and he hisses in pain as he hits the ground, but he doesn't even have a moment to process or grapple with the shore before another wave crashes down on him and the tide drags him under quickly.

If it wouldn't cost himself precious air, he'd laugh at his current situation. He had warned others of the dangers of the sea, and here he was living them. Instead, survival takes over. He moves to swim, but the weight of his own soaked clothes pull him down when he reaches the surface for even a breath of air.

The ocean chews up him in its angry maw, and he begins to lose all feeling in his arms except for shooting pain. Of all times for his condition to act up, it had to be when he was in the most danger.

It's then an arm wraps around his waist, and he knows as long as he cooperates, he'll be saved. As soon as they breach the water, he takes a long, hard breath, and works with his savior to escape the grasping waves of the sea, the rain feeling like stones against his skin.

Once within the shelter of the cave, Eliwood takes a look at his savior, and is surprised by who he finds it to be. "Fiora?" He had spoken briefly before with the Pegasus Knight from Ilia, but he hadn't expected to see her here. A tired, but nonetheless grateful smile comes across his face. "Thank you for saving me. I'm not entirely sure I could have pulled myself out without you. I owe you a debt." He bowed graciously to her.

When Does a Ripple Become a Tidal Wave?

Eliwood + Fiora

[pheraemarquess]

When Does a Ripple Become a Tidal Wave?

Eliwood + Fiora

[pheraemarquess]

[ H-TRUE-O WATER ]

Lapis has had water. Lapis thinks she's had some pretty spruced up water before even, mixing things into it to give it an extra flavor or taste.

But when she's face to face with a group of nobles pushing this 'H-True-O Water', loudly discussing its superiority over the other normal water and sparkling water options on offer, she really does not understand it, even as she keeps looking over the bottle's labeling to see if there's anything marked down as being different.

She soon sees a shadow fall over her, and she turns to see a man she's never met before closer than she would have expected. She takes a step away in surprise, helping give a little respectable distance between them.

“ O-Oh! Sorry, were you looking to drink some of this? ”  She gestures to the bottle in her hand. The nervous tremor in her voice is difficult to miss.  “ I didn't mean to hog it. Um, I can pour you some right away to make up for it! ”

When Eliwood heard tell of some incredible water, he had been curious to try it. He wondered idly if it was like the springs of Ilia, the mountain cold chilling them to a perfect temperature for drinking.

He approaches the others talking about it, about to ask, but as he gets to the periphery of the group, he finds another already with a bottle. She seemed to inspect it carefully, before noticing him. As she steps away, he raises his hands to show he means no harm.

"I was merely curious about it. I didn't mean to startle you," he begins, his voice calm. Noticing the way her voice wavered, he decided he wouldn't approach her again with an explicit invitation. He shakes his head as she offers to pour him some. "Don't feel any pressure on my behalf. You were here first, I wouldn't want to deprive you. In fact," he walks away for a second to approach the bar and plucks two glasses before returning. "If you're amenable, we could share instead."

He held a glass for her to take, keeping a respectful distance, as he wouldn't want the clearly nervous girl to feel pressured. "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Eliwood, I just started working for the Officer's Academy. May I have your name?"