pillarofopenness

[pillarofopenness]

Sharena’s hands finally stabilize, shoulders relaxing despite her never realizing they’d tensed before. He’s smiling again. Not a true one, not the happy one she wishes for him, but she can’t expect him to pivot emotions just like that. Enough people already expect that from him — and if you ask her, they definitely shouldn’t. Being hier to the throne of Askr doesn’t make him any less human, and she thinks they should respect that, thank you very much! Far be it from her as not only a sister, but as a friend, to contribute to that.

“That’s a great idea!” The usual spark of joy finally returns to the princess’s green eyes, tied back hair nearly becoming a safety hazard from how wildly it swings alongside her excited nodding. It never even occurred to her that inviting her was even an option! Truly, Alfonse is a genius. Though she already knew that. Everyone knows that. He’s the best, obviously.

At the same time, now that the idea’s out there, she can’t help but want to pop back over to Askr and drag her back through to join them now… But she can’t do that. 

…Can she…??

“Ooh! Wait! They have that… uh… What was it called again..? Photo… Artifact? Architect…?” A pause, hands coming up to form a general box-y shape as she tries to force the devices name out of the depths of her memory. And fails, for an embarrassingly long time. But in her defense she only briefly saw it on her way in and immediately got distracted so it’s not really her fault. 

She gets there eventually, loud clap of her hands accompanying her grand epiphany. “‘Photo-artifex’! We can take a picture together to send back to Askr for mother! Then it’ll be like she did get to come! Annnd, if we can show her how much fun we’re having, that’ll just show her all the more reason to come join us next time! Right?”

Partying In Remembrance

[pillarofopenness]

In getting out of Abyss to mingle for once, Thrasir should have expected seeing someone from Askr. Prince Alfonse was here, so why not his sister? Despite her best efforts though, Thrasir somehow managed to end up standing in front of Princess Sharena. Hel was clearly still out to make her life miserable even beyond her defeat.

"Princess Sharena," Thrasir greeted neutrally. "It is good to see you here."

That was a lie. In all honesty, Thrasir had no direct feelings towards this encounter at all, but she was pulling on all of Veronica's remembered lessons on etiquette and how to get through balls as painlessly as possible. Her only concern here was the Askran Princess not sharing her brother’s willingness to... set aside past conflicts.

"Are you enjoying the ball so far?" Her only hope here was to offer small talk and remain... non-threatening.

She has no idea how she hadn’t noticed her here sooner. The voice that addresses her is a sound so very familiar now — a sound that despite the times it was one she loathed to hear, sends a feeling of pure joy through the Askran princess she can only express in a surprised gasp. “Princess Veroni—!”

But the face that greets her as she looks up, as she focuses on the features behind the mask meant to obscure them; it’s the wrong one. Features too sharp, build too tall. The voice that continues out of her mouth is just a smidge too deep. Too cold. Just like her eyes.

“…Ah.” Joy shatters into disappointment. Then guilt. Why is she disappointed? She shouldn’t be. That’s not fair. They’re different people. She can’t be upset with her just because she’s not her. That isn’t right.

It’s hard — it’s really hard, and she hates herself for it — but she pulls it together, usual ‘open’ grin suitable for Askr royalty slapped right back into place. “Sorry, I mean — Thrasir! It’s good to see you, too!” It’s not a lie for her, at least, regardless of her previous reaction. She hopes the lich-person can at least tell that much.

“Yep!” She nods, but is she? As much as she wants to say yes, at this point she’s not as sure of that as she would be. Gods, what is it about this specific ball that turned tonight into such an emotional train wreck not even half way through?? Blegh. “I didn’t expect you’d be here, though! Didn’t think this was your kinda scene, you know? Not that that means you can’t come! It’s great to see you getting out there! What about you? Are you having fun?”

[pillarofopenness]

Sharena nods once again, turning in the direction of her new assignment, already shifting through the pile before the instructions are even fully out of his mouth. Though that’s not to say she doesn’t still listen to the remainder, of course. The last thing she’d want to do is zone out and waste the little seeds they have. Of which there are… more than she realized, yet somehow less than expected.

Right, seeds aren’t infinite, a bird can only carry so much, even if the bird is ginormous. All she has to do is not mess up! Easy! No pressure! Just look at the pictures and put them in the dirt!

….Oh Askr she’s never seen any of these plants before in her life. Okay. This is fine. Small ones probably need less space, right? Poking at the satchels, she pushes the larger ones to one side of the table, and scoops up a few of the smaller. She can just dump these ones onto the soil however, probably. Actually planning is laters problem.

Seeds in hand, Sharena kneels beside the dirt in a spot hopefully out of the way as she begins to tear open the packaging containing them. “Do you think you can dig that way? The bigger stuff usually went behind the small stuff, so we’re gonna need more space towards the back.”

…….wait she’s not supposed to have seen this place before— “Uh, I mean, so I’ve heard, anyway! I could be wrong! You’d know better than me!”

Can a hawk till a field? Should a hawk till a field?

[pillarofopenness]

"...It was father's,"

The words feel like someone took a bat to her feelings; the wind knocked out of her joy, the smile off her face. “…Ah.”

She doesn’t know how she hadn’t realized it on her own. Or maybe she did, subconsciously, and she just hadn’t wanted to. Looking at it now, it’s all she can see. The fact he looks so much like him doesn’t really help, either.

The turtle charm she’d been so elated to see moments prior is now shoved unceremoniously in her pocket, both and because she doesn’t trust herself to properly secure it now. She found it hard enough to unlatch the seashell charm she gives him in turn, and that’s the easy part. Struggling with something else would probably be enough to push her into crying, and no one wants to see someone crying at a party. Especially so early in.

“Don’t apologize,” The smile that returns is smaller, shaky like the hands she uses to hold her brother’s around the shell she’d just given him, but sincere. “I think he’d be happy to know you’re wearing it. It looks good on you. Kinda like he’s here with us, you know?”

“Alfonse!” Sharena is quick to track him down as soon as the event reaches its official start, pushing past the crowd the best she can in the unfortunate situation heels on sand brings when it comes to running. It’s not often they prepare for events like this separately, much less travel to them separately, and she has been dying to know what he could’ve possibly come up with outfit-wise when left to his own devices.

She had faith in him, of course; he’s an adult, he can dress himself. But would he dress himself fun the way a ball deserves? That was the real question. That was what she was worried about.

She was not disappointed. 

“Awww, you’re so fluffy! Jealous! Where did you even find a fabric like this??” The princess reaches out to grab the cape the second her eyes take notice of it, reveling in the softness of the texture beneath her palms before he could have a chance to dodge. Because if you can’t pet your own sibling, who can you pet, really?

The violent and traumatic assault on the innocent fabric only ends when a flash of light catches her eye instead, attention redirected away as quickly as it came in favor of the tiny little turtles in her brother’s possession. A new target. “AND you got the TURTLE?! Hmph, lucky. I just got this one.” Sharena pouts, lifting a wrist to poke at the shell shaped charms dangling from her own bracelet, a soft clink of metal sounding quietly as they bump together.

“I mean, the seashells pretty and all… but look at him! He’s just a little guy..! …Can I have one? Pleeeaassseeee??? I’ll give you one of my seashells!”

It wasn't until after Alfonse had arrived at the ball that he realized Sharena had never seen him wear this outfit before. Their mother had made it for him in happier times (without the cape, of course), a memory of a celebration they never had a chance to hold. Fingers toyed with the fluffy cloak as he thought of it, a deep frown crossing his features. He never had the chance to see Alfonse wear this attire, either. He never would have the chance.

Alfonse's eyes lifted from the cloak as he heard Sharena's voice call out to him. The frown briefly left his face as he greeted her with a warm smile, but that happiness didn't remain long. He was happy to see her there, he truly was. He couldn't help but think that this was a perfect place for Sharena, the exact sort of environment she would thrive in. Unfortunately, she had asked the one question that he had already been ruminating on, one that quickly brought a deep, remorseful look back to his face.

"You don't recognize it?" Alfonse inquired, brows knitted together. He stood chewing the inside of his cheek a moment, debating whether or not he ought to tell Sharena where that cape had come from. He didn't want to destroy the happiness this ball was clearly bringing her. He didn't want to dredge up painful memories. There was no easy way to avoid answering, though. It would be wrong to lie. It would be wrong to keep the truth from her.

"...It was father's," Alfonse explained with a heavy sigh. His eyes grew distant, fingers playing once again with the furred cloak as heavy thoughts stormed through his mind.

"...Sorry. I didn't mean to make things... uncomfortable," Alfonse mumbled, shoving a turtle charm into Sharena's hand. "Here. Take this. Focus on that instead of, ah... of him. I'd rather you not have such burdensome thoughts plaguing you at an event like this."

[pillarofopenness]

stupid academy I’m ballin

A ball — a real ball! A joyous time, and the perfect opportunity to bring out the four big Fs of Askr! Festives, Food, Fun, and most importantly, Friends! Is that a real thing? No. But what better opportunity than now to make it happen? Traditions don’t start until someone starts them, and Sharena sure is gonna get this party started!

Sharena has the Seashell charm!

Seashell: Starfish: Anchor: Turtle: Alfonse Pearl:

yo summoner check the drip

(Pretend there are gold accents the world does not understand my vision it’s not ready for my dreams :sadcat:)

[pillarofopenness]

Activity Check [April]

Total Skill Points: (6) —> (7)

Skill Up: N/A

Claims: N/A

Threads

Waiting for response: (Take your time!)

Bear in Mind — w/ Alfonse

In drafts:

Can a hawk till a field? Should a hawk till a field? — w/ Tibarn

you know house flipper's 70% off right now — w/ Alm

I'M BACK IN THE BUILDING AGAIN — w/ Yuzu

it’s just a prank bro (GONE WRONG) (COPS CALLED) (EMOTIONAL) — w/ Azama

FIRST GIVE, THEN TAKE — w/ Lianna

If you don’t see your thread here, please DM me. It may have gotten lost in my records.

[pillarofopenness]

It started off as a quick, simple assignment: ‘the seamstress needs a needle’. With the ball coming up so soon, she couldn’t just leave her hanging once she’d seen the request! Now more than ever is it absolutely vital that seamstress gets her needle! She’ll just pop on over to the blacksmith, he’ll whip up another — in and out in a flash!

But— oh no! He can’t make a new needle, he’s out of metal! No problem, she’ll just take a quick detour to the mines and pick some up for him! Could he have just used a piece of scrap metal rather than sending her out for an entire restock since it’s a sewing needle and those things are tiny? Yeah, probably. But she gets it, it’s the rationing mindset! You see you’re low on something, then you don’t wanna use any of it unless absolutely necessary. 

But then the miners don’t have any ore left to ship, and they can’t mine anymore because they haven’t had lunch. That’s fair, she gets it — manual labor on an empty stomach just makes it all the more difficult! No problem at all, she can go pick something up for them! Easy peasy!

…BUT THEN THE BAKERY CAN’T MAKE SANDWICHES, BECAUSE THEY’RE OUT OF TOMATOES.

“Could you grab me this?” “No problem!” “Oh, could you deliver this for me while you’re here?” “Absolutely!” “It seems I lost this somewhere, could you look for it?” “Sharena’s on it!”

She’s not entirely sure exactly how she keeps getting redirected like this, but task after task, she took them all with a smile. She loves helping, after all! What kinda member of the Order of Heroes would she be if she didn’t?

A voice snaps her out of the autopilot she’s been in for the past who knows how long and back into the present. A present where her arms were starting to hurt, now that another way has been brought to light. 

“Really? Oh, that would be a HUGE help! Are you sure?” Sharena beams, peaking her head around the boxes the best she can, but she can’t really see much of the other beyond a bit of what looks to be an academy uniform not too dissimilar to her own… Well, if they’re from the Officer’s Academy, they can probably handle a few, right?

The princess lowers herself a bit the best she can without actually dropping anything, trying to make it easier for the stranger to grab a few off the top of her so-tall-she’s-beginning-to-have-regrets pile. “Be careful, they’re extra supplies for the watchmaker, so it’s a tiiiiny bit heavy… and, uh, probably fragile.”

* FIRST GIVE, THEN TAKE ;

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 ; please note that this is a closed roleplay , receiver does NOT have to match reply length &. please remember to have fun ! red wolf moon ; excavation - busy with errands prompt !

[pillarofopenness]

Word on the street is there’s another war taking place - albeit not the kind you’ve been cleaning up after these past few months. It's... a prank war! And no one’s sure who’s winning or losing. No one’s sure of the score at all, in fact, unless… Are you perhaps one of those taking part? Or are you, instead, looking to put an end to these shenanigans? It’s only a matter of time before innocent victims wind up caught in the crossfire, after all.

The art of the prank is a delicate one — ever-treading the fine line between lighthearted fun and ruining someone’s day. A good time, or forever ruining your relationship with another. 

…Okay maybe ‘forever’ is a little dramatic. But! Point remains! A delicate art. More importantly, one that’s a great way to break the ice! And she already has a classic prank from her many attacks upon her brother’s peace and quiet back home ready to go, so it’s too late to back down now! She’s invested too much time into it! It’s kind of sad! 

All she has to do is scan over the people passing by to find the perfect target…

…Aha.

He’s always been a pretty chill, affable guy! He won’t mind, surely. Plus, even if he does, she’s pretty sure monks aren’t allowed to hold grudges anyway! Win-win! For her!

Sharena gleefully bounds over to the unsuspecting Hoshidan, totally normal can in hand with absolutely NOTHING wrong or suspicious about it in any way whatsoever in outstretched hand. Why would anyone ever think there’s anything wrong with it? Look at her face. Picture of innocence right here. You’re crazy.

“Hi! Do you think you could open this for me? I’m having a teeensy bit of trouble with the lid…”

@carefreemonk

it’s just a prank bro (GONE WRONG) (COPS CALLED) (EMOTIONAL)

[pillarofopenness]

Are the elementals of Morfis up to their old tricks again? Who knows. They are, however, suspected as the most likely cause of these new portals popping up on occasion. Stepping into one brings you to a strange place beyond the monastery’s walls. A large, circular arena awaits, beyond which are two large doors. In the center of the arena, a lone treasure chest sits. The doors don’t open without a key, and with no other obvious way out, the only thing left is to check the chest - but wait! Doing so summons monsters aplenty. It is only after these foes are defeated that you find a key. Tentatively, you try one of the doors… Oops! Wrong one, it would seem, as you wake up some time later back at the monastery with no sign of the portal, only for another to show up some time later. A treasure hunting game is afoot, and to the first to successively clear all stages go the spoils! [Grants Any Skill +1]

Initially, she thought these portals were for her or Alfonse, that it was someone from Askr trying to contact them. They certainly didn’t look like the gates from home — usually you could see through to the other side of those before stepping through, in her experience — but what else could it be? A summoning? She’s never been summoned before, so maybe that’s just what the gate looks like on the other side! she thought.

But there was no home to greet her on the other side, or familiar faces, or even UNfamilar faces. Only a chest, a bunch of doors, and fighting. So much fighting. She HOPES this isn’t what being summoned is like, for all their friend’s sake…

Normally bright Sharena runs a hand over her face in less-than-sunny annoyance, bright flash of light that had given her hope upon opening yet another door only crushing it once over as she finds herself at the start. Again.Honestly, she’s lost count of how many times she’s been through here at this point. This must be how the heroes that get caught in the tempest feel, the poor guys.

“Okie-dokie, one more time, then.”She sighs, adjusting her grip on Fensalir as she mumbles to herself. There’s only two doors, surely she’s gotta get it right soon-ish, even if they do seem to keep randomizing. That’s a 50/50 chance! There’s no way she’s that unlucky, right?

She pauses just before approaching the chest again, halted by a very sudden and very obvious change in the typical empty room; being that it’s not empty. She squints. The purple hair and bit of the girls face she can see is entirely unfamiliar to her, so she can rule out the summoning thing, at least. If she doesn’t recognize her, she’s not a hero and therefore not in the ‘summoning pool’ (as the summoner called it), and therefore not a possibility.

…A new enemy type…?

No, she hasn’t activated the trap yet, it can’t be! …Unless the arena got sick of her failing and decided to speed up the process... Or…

Maybe it’s… not an enemy? Can there be other people in here? Did the arena make her a friend??

“Hey, you! Over here!” Princess hops on her tippy toes to give herself extra height as she waves her hand high in the air at the stranger. An action that doesn’t immediately result in an attack, which she takes as a sign approaching should be okay. Another point on the tally for real person! That puts it in the lead!

“Hi there! I’m Sharena. Are you an enemy?” She can almost feel the look Alfonse would be giving her right now if he was here.

@craneswings

I'M BACK IN THE BUILDING AGAIN

[pillarofopenness]

“‘Sharena’? Who’s that? I’m Feh; adorable and lovable mascot of the Order of Heroes, here all the way from Askr! Feh feh!!”

[pillarofopenness]

Activity Check [March]

Total Skill Points: (5) —> (6)

Skill Up: Lance (C) —> (C+)

Claims: N/A

Threads

Waiting for response: (Take your time!)

Bear in Mind — w/ Alfonse

In drafts:

Can a hawk till a field? Should a hawk till a field? — w/ Tibarn

you know house flipper's 70% off right now — w/ Alm

If you don’t see your thread here, please DM me. It may have gotten lost in my records.

[pillarofopenness]

She understands. That’s a relief. 

Embarrassment recedes at the response, and newfound tenseness in her shoulders along with it. Sharena looks back up once again, mentally noting the slight… redness on the other’s face…? Strange. Wonder what that’s about. 

…Eh, probably just the lighting. She is pink, after all. Reflections and all that.

She feels an urge to thank her, though for what, she’s not sure. Being his friend? Looking out for him? Caring about him…? …No, that can wait. As much as she loves playing the embarrassing sister card, she’s gotta hear more first. Get a feel for where the line is. She doesn’t wanna ruin his friendships or anything.

Sharena claps her hands together, leaning forward in her seat again, though nowhere near as far into the dragon’s personal space this time. “So! Tell me everything. How’d you meet?”

They Never Said it Would Be Easy to Share a Room With Your Boyfriend's Sister

Restoration | Roommates

[pillarofopenness]

Sharena nods at the name she most definitely did not already know because that would be weird. ‘One Kingdom of Valentia’… sounds like something you’d title a place post-war, so he’s probably king by now then?? Not that it particularly matters, really, Alm is still Alm regardless of the world, just as anyone is.

Following his gaze to those around them, while nothing about them screams ‘lion’ the way their house leader does with that cape of his, she definitely recognizes a few from the class or two she’s been able to attend. “Huh, yeah, I guess they did.” 

Now that she thinks about it, there had been a Blue Lions seal on her assignment paper… Huh. She thought that was just because it had her name on it, and that’s her house now. 

Well that’s dumb. Why would they want less people helping out??

She’s quick to turn her attention back to the maybe-king, smile wide and solution already in mind, of course. What kind of Askr rep would she be if she didn’t? “Well, fortunately for us, that just so happens to be my new house! Er, in the affiliation sense,” She still does not actually have a house. An important distinction, even if she’s not gonna bring up her technical-homelessness. “And as the Blue Lion here between us, I hereby dub thee: honorary Blue Lion! Welcome to the mission! No need to let something as silly as a different allegiance stop you from helping out if that’s what you want, right?”

you know house flipper’s 70% off right now

[pillarofopenness]

[pillarofopenness]

“Aye aye, captain! That’s what I’m here for!” The princess responds with a smile and a nod, hand raising in a little mock salute. A reference he more than likely doesn’t get (she has no idea if that costume was just for the festival or if it was something he had already owned, she never asked), but it’s funny to her so who cares.

Pirate or not, he’s definitely commanded control of the tides of….. dirt. With how much of that he was able to do on his own, there’s probably not too much a human with tiny human hands like her can do to help, but it’s worth a shot! Even if it’s not necessary, it’s the thought that counts.

Sharena holds said tiny human hand out to the now human-form-bird in greeting, smile still ever-present in her expression. “I’m Sharena, by the way! What can I do?”

Can a hawk till a field? Should a hawk till a field?

[pillarofopenness]

“YOU KNOW HIM?!?!” Hands slam down onto the bed at the sound of the familiar name before she can stop herself, too shocked to hold back in the way she leans forward to stare at her roommate with wide, shocked eyes.

“That’s fantastic! Was I right? Are you friends? Do you know if he has any other friends?? Are you BEST friends?!” Shock quickly turns to delight, questions flowing out one after another like a stream. If she’s heard of him, friends or not, that’s a least a start! He’s getting out there! Not just hiding off in a corner or something like she had feared! This is the greatest outcome she could’ve possibly hoped for!!!

…..Oh she’s gotten really close, huh. Oops.

Sharena clears her throat awkwardly, gaze darting away in embarrassment as she sits back, returning the stolen personal space to its rightful owner. “Ah, sorry, sorry — got a little too excited, hehe... I’m just… so glad. I was worried he’d have been all alone here, you know?”

They Never Said it Would Be Easy to Share a Room With Your Boyfriend's Sister

Restoration | Roommates

[pillarofopenness]

If she had been doing anything before, it was discarded immediately the moment the words hit her ears. Anything previously in her hands now dropped to the floor in her surprise, along with her jaw.

Alfonse. Her brother. That Alfonse. Asking her to do something silly and fun?? Just because???? WITHOUT her having to make him???? First he’s making friends on his own, now this?!?!?!

This is a place of miracles. It’s beautiful. She could almost cry.

“WOULD I?!?!” Sharena leaps from her seat, practically flying across the room to meet her brother — and out the room just as fast once his arm is within her grasp. She already has one giant bear from there, despite never having visited herself, but… Surely her temporary roommate won’t mind too terribly if she gives it a friend. It’s only right, anyway. He’s lonely. Enrichment for his enclosure and all that.

“I can’t believe you’re asking ME! I thought I would’ve had to drag you, haha!” Which she still is now, but the sooner they get there, the less chance there is he changes his mind.

Bear In Mind

@pillarofopenness || Forge-A-Bear