sereneshymn

[sereneshymn]

The smile on Rafiel's face blooms warmer as he nods to the other man's introduction. "It is a pleasure to meet you. Please, come in." He then claps his hands, and the wolf pups all turn their heads and flock back to him; unlikely, really, that they understood it as any sort of command. He merely succeeded in drawing their attention.

As the puppies towards him, he chuckles softly, stroking their soft heads and bellies. Partially to reward them for good behavior; but mostly, to distract himself a little and not allow his smile to waver. Herons avoid peeking into the minds of others - it is not particularly polite, after all. But some parts still reach Rafiel no matter what he does, and...

It bothers him, the shape of Lambert's heart. It's... distorted, somehow, in a way he has never seen. As though a part of him had been torn apart and then hastily put back together with little regard for sense and completion. Indeed, some parts seem to be missing.

What is that?

What could it be that this man had gone through? And after it all, how is he still able to be so kind and gentle?

It is a relief, of course, but it also sends a painful shiver through him. He does his best to conceal it, however, and smile through it, to avoid causing worry for someone he just met. He focuses on the pups, and the question posed.

"Yes, they are now old enough to eat solid food," he confirms. "I believe there should be a shelf outside the kennel, right next to the entrance... There is some minced meat and other food that was prepared earlier today for the pups." He smiles lightly, with a small sheepish hint. Though he may have spent many years among Wolf Laguz, and as such witnessed their kills many times, he still feels... not fully comfortable about interacting with the remains of a dead animal meant for consumption. "Could you bring it in, please?..."

Pubby......... || Rafiel & Lambert

[sereneshymn]

Activity Check: October 2024

Status: passed

Skill points gained: - Activity (Faith: C+ → C+ ½)

Total: 1; 12 → 13

[sereneshymn]

Rafiel shakes his head, Sephiran's smile answered with one of his own, the feelings behind it genuine. "It is no problem at all. This is a most troublesome situation you're in - if I can help, I would be more than happy too..."

He pauses. "... though my lack of combat ability can be neither hidden nor denied," he admits, the briefest of chuckles escaping him in slight embarrassment as he does. The serene expression fades a hint as he considers the situation. "What to do... The safest option would be to go back and get the Knights, but we might lose track of them by the time we return..."

Hmm. "Wait for them to sleep... I could perhaps soothe them into sleep. The Galdr of Sorrow could also make them more sluggish, enough perhaps for you to find your tome and make a run for it..."

He closes his eyes for a moment again, to get a new feel for the aura he had previously caught. "The group I am sensing is not big. Four... Or maybe only three. It is never not dangerous to deal with bandits, but I believe we stand a chance here. However, they are moving - we are too likely to fail to find them if we try to go get backup..."

Opening his eyes again, he looks at Sephiran and gives him a nod, decisiveness in his gaze unlike what one would usually expect from a Heron, and especially from him. "The final choice is yours, of course. But if you wish to go for it, you have my support. That tome is very important to you, I know."

A Little Violence. As a Treat || Rafiel & Sephiran

[sereneshymn]

Oh dear.

"The staves..." Rafiel echoes, the defeated-sounding sigh already resonating through the words he speaks before releasing from his body full force afterwards.

Look, he gets it, many weapons are hazardous to both the opponent and the wielder, and anything can be so when used without kill and care. But this is... a bit far for his liking.

Although he supposes he would, realistically, say this about any fighting at all, so he really cannot speak here. And when his mind reminds him of this simple and brutal fact, he gives up.

"These are the Berserk staves," he explains, carefully picking one up and holding it for the young man to see clearly. "I've only ever glimpsed them briefly, and have never used them, but that's still more experience than anyone else present here." He sighs. "The energy it releases stirs chaos in the victim's mind, causing them to forget allies and enemies. Most soldiers will be sent into a rampage as a result."

If the student wishes to take the staff from his hands, Rafiel will not object, the way in which he holds the item making it clear. He prefers not to have more contact with it than necessary, anyway, even if he cannot use it himself.

"I take it this is your first encounter with these?" He asks, before adding after a pause. "Oh, and - may I ask your name?"

In Which We Thank the Goddess This Item Died in PoR's Code

[sereneshymn]

The night was quiet and yet somewhat restless, the sky adorned only with a few stars peeking through the endless dark to keep company for the lost souls. Though he rarely fell into really deep slumber, on nights like these, Rafiel's sleep was usually lighter than usual still, as though to look out for voices of souls calling through the murk.

Tonight, however, that calling turned out to be more literal than usual.

Eyes blinked open at the sound of knocking to his door that he could be certain he did not merely dream, and he rose to go and check it out. At this hour, whatever it was, it was likely to be urgent.

When he opened the door, a small moment passed before he realized that, to see the guest, he had to look down. As his eyes landed on the small, teary-eyed figure before him, he felt a sting in his heart, and his hand wandered upwards towards his chest in response.

"Oh, sweet little one... A nightmare, you say? Please, come in."

He asked not about the boy's identity, nor the reason why he had found himself at the Officers Academy at this hour of night. Gently placing his hand on his shoulder, he urged the guest inside his room, quietly locking the door behind him. He turned on some lights to chase away the darkness, the glow reflecting off of his white wings to brighten the place further still.

"Please, sit wherever you like," Rafiel encouraged. "You can wrap yourself up in the blanket, too. That often helps. Would you like to talk about it, or would you prefer if I sing a little to you, to try and help you move on from it?"

retreating in covers, closing the curtains

[sereneshymn]

Artist: Rika Suzuki

Source: Twitter

[sereneshymn]

@warpaway ; Faith +1

Oh dear.

"Are you alright? Please do not push yourself," Rafiel says in concern, his hand resting on the arm of one of the priests he had just managed to bring back to his senses with a soothing galdr. The others, as well, sit in a circle on the floor around him, breathing heavily.

Watching the scene around him, the Heron cannot help but let out a deep sigh. "Perhaps it would be better for the Church to simply dispose of these staves. They are evidently too dangerous to use..."

"N-No, it's alright... really," one of the clergy interrupts him quickly, waving his hand - even though a small gesture like that is enough to cost him a lot of energy. "I'm sure we can... master this power... and once we do, it will be of great use..." He coughs, prompting Rafiel to stretch out his arm in an attempt to stop him, but he continues still. "Besides, if these staves... ever fall into the wrong hands... it's important that we know how to use them..."

With a look of deep concern, Rafiel shakes his head. "I see your point, I really do. And yet, what is happening here... It feels too much. In any case, I will not allow you to continue today - on that I will not budge. Please head to the infirmary for rest."

The young men have no strength to resist, and with the help of some assistants, they are escorted away, leaving the Heron with a few remaining priests and Knights who have not yet been subjected to any disastrous effects. He winces. He would really prefer they not continue, but he cannot seem to convince anyone that the risk outweighs the danger...

Just then, he notes someone else approaching. A student, if the outfit suggests. Oh no, please don't tell him they're getting students in on this, too...

"Hello, young one," Rafiel speaks, unfamiliar yet with the youth's name. "May we help you, somehow?"

In Which We Thank the Goddess This Item Died in PoR's Code

[sereneshymn]

Activity Check: September 2024

Status: passed

Skill points gained: - Activity (Authority: C ½ → C+)

Total: 1; 11 → 12

Class mastery progress: - Priest class mastered! Obtained: White Magic Heal+ & Miracle - Class change! → Monk

[sereneshymn]

"Sir Rafiel!" Geoffrey called to the heron, catching up to him with a polite smile and fresh flowers in hands. "I didn't really know what coud be considerated appropriate to offer you, as a gift, but I heard the Academy's flowers were a traditional gift to give here? So..."

He handed him a bouquet of various yellow and white flowers, they reminded the knight of the heron, of his kindness and gentleness.

"I never had the opportunity to thank you for everything you did for Her Highness, I want you to know I will forever be grateful to you and Queen Nailah. I hope you can accept this simple gesture and my best wishes for you on this day."

A deep bow, as a show of respect.

At the sound of someone calling his name, Rafiel turns, and his smile grows bright at the sight of a familiar figure. "Sir Geoffrey! How wonderful to see you. I didn't know you were in Fódlan!"

He pauses there, his words replaced by cheerful laughter as he carefully accepts the flowers - the bouquet matching his own colors just about perfectly. "It's a beautiful tradition, isn't it? I think so, at least. Thank you so much, I appreciate that you remembered."

He lets the knight speak his mind openly afterwards, his expression warm and gentle, waiting until he finishes before replying.

"There is nothing you need thank us for, really. We did only what we could, and what we believed was right. If anything, I should be the one thanking you and your queen. I must confess that in the beginning, I did not so easily believe in the possibility that beorc and laguz could live in peace and harmony... not after everything else I had seen and been through. Only when I heard of Crimea's deeds from my siblings did I allow my heart to open."

He nods, smiling. "So in reality, I should thank you as well. I hope our friendship can continue to flourish."

[sereneshymn]

“Fancy seeing you here,” comes the dry announcement of their presence. Yuri raises a hand and waves lazily in greeting as they step up to Rafiel's side, the other clutching a book to their chest as they glance around in mock confusion. “And with no gargoyles around? How odd.”

“Anyway, a little birdie told me it was your birthday, so…” Yuri shifts to hold the book out to him. “…happy birthday. It's a collection of some folk songs from Faerghus. Saints know why I even had it lying around still.” A shrug. “Don't think they're magical or anything like your galdrar, but I thought it would be more loved in your hands instead of gathering dust in my room.”

"Ah, Yuri. Good day to you," Rafiel waves in greeting. The gargoyle comment prompts a chuckle, although one could sense the slightest hint of nervousness in his voice as he does.

(However grateful he is for the new bonds and connections he forged, he unfortunately cannot say, in spite of genuine attempts to approach the situation with as open a mind as he could, that he enjoyed being chased by monsters.)

But that is not currently relevant. The Heron's expression brightens at the revelation of the gift, and he gratefully accepts the book held out to him. "Truly, you mean it? Oh, thank you! I haven't had many chances to hear Fódlan's music outside of the chapel, so I really appreciate this."

At the further comment, he chuckles. "Truth is, I can combine just about any tune with seid magic to give it special powers... but many songs can be enjoyed and appreciated just as they are. In any case, thank you so much. I will enjoy learning these... and if you ever want to listen to me sing them, simply say the word. I'd be more than happy to."

[sereneshymn]

word travels quickly at this little academy of theirs. for better or worse, it finds its way to the most unlikely of people —

— though, in this case, she finds it most fitting.

humming happily, she steps lightly into the infirmary, the sound of a soft tune filling the otherwise quiet room. her gaze drifts over the neat rows of beds before she makes her way to the one closest to where he stands. then, she lowers herself onto its edge, while a small, knowing smile plays on her lips.

"rafiel, was it? we met on the archipelago, if you remember. i'm dorothea."

a brief pause follows, along with a hint of hesitation. ( there’s no telling if this would appeal to him — and, in fairness, he'd have every right to turn down a stranger. surely there were others he'd rather spend today with? )

but she presses on, her tone light and pleasant. "i heard it's your birthday. funny enough, it just so happens to be mine as well." she gestures toward the window, where the gardens lie under a sunny sky. "i was wondering if you'd like to join me for tea during your break. i wasn't quite sure what you'd prefer, so i gathered an assortment of sweets just in case. unless, of course, you're not fond of them in the first place...?"

that should've crossed her mind earlier.

"in that case, i'm sure the company will be enough, yes? it does no one any good to be alone on a special day. or at least, that's what i've always believed."

With the last patient taken care of and discharged, Rafiel has little else to do but stroll around the now empty infirmary, humming a leisurely tone as he sorts through bandages and puts all medicines back in place.

His attention is drawn to the sound of footsteps entering the infirmary, although he does not stop singing. Should a new unfortunate visitor be coming in need of help, he hopes to create a soothing atmosphere, so that no one need fear asking for help and treatment.

But when the person in question enters, before him appears a person in perfect health, by the looks of it, and Rafiel smiles and nods in greeting as he finishes the stanza just as she speaks.

"Dorothea. Of course I remember, how could I ever forget you? It's lovely to see you again. How may I help?"

It is as she continues to speak that his eyes light up, the previous gentle smile replaced by a much brighter expression of joy.

"Could it be - we share a birthday? What a wonderful twist of fate!" He clasps his hands together in excitement. "A teatime with you sounds wonderful! I would be most delighted. And please, don't worry about anything - I am in fact quite partial to sweets, so I'm sure I will enjoy anything you picked out," he chirps.

The smile on his face is warm as he nods. "I am actually about to start my break, so we could go whenever you'd like... Thank you, Dorothea. Truth is, a pleasant time with family and friends has always been my usual birthday present, but those I'd usually spend it with are not here now, so... this actually means a lot."

[sereneshymn]

ooc; headcanons - a little analysis of Rafiel

Sorting out my thoughts about this boy and all his abilities (and problems).

Full name: Rafiel of Serenes

Title: Crown Prince of Serenes (formerly); King Consort of Hatari

Current occupation: Infirmary assistant and counselor at the Officers Academy

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Age: 133; apparent: 26-27

Species: Bird laguz – Heron

Height: 175 cm / 5’ 9”

Weight: ~45kg / ~99 lbs

Herons live around 300 years on average, meaning Rafiel is less than halfway through his lifespan. With regards to physical aging, he will change very slowly, both due to that and due to the general nature of the Herons. He will look more or less the same he does now for almost the next century. He will not begin to look middle-aged until he passes 220 or so years, and only in the last couple decades of his life will he get traits like sunken cheeks, some wrinkles and white hair.

Yes, he is extremely light for his size. We know from Path of Radiance that Herons weigh a lot less than one would expect them to, with Leanne – a Heron with the build of a young but still fully grown woman – weighing about half of what Mist does, according to Ike. In my personal headcanons (that I of course will not force upon other muns) all Bird laguz weigh less than they would seem at first glance, but Herons weigh least of all.

Eyes: Celadon

His gaze is, usually, calm and serene. Appears a little dreamy, perhaps even a bit sleepy – and yet, at the same time, you may feel as though he sees right through you. Some people would be very uncomfortable in a staring contest with him. He knows that, however, and purposely avoids looking at people too intently.

Ears: Pointy

Hair: Blond, wavy. Long, almost to his knees

Extremely soft to the touch, like silk.

Contrary to what some might think, it doesn't require much maintenance.

General body build: Slim, lean

Again, he isn’t underweight, but he lacks pretty much any muscle at all beyond the bare minimum that he should have as a (relatively) healthy person.

His skin is very soft to the touch. It also bruises quite easily under most pressure.

To quote Ike again, he gives the impression that you could hurt him by shouting. He feels breakable, for lack of a better term. You look at him and by default feel the need to be careful when making contact with him.

His behavior and attitude further strengthen that impression. He does flinch in response to sudden loud noises, he is fully aware of his physical weaknesses and shortcomings and his need to rely on others for many things, he does not hide his emotions, and he does the thing where he’ll apologize for apologizing.

Wings: Pure white. Large, about the same length as his height.

If one looks more closely, it becomes quite clear that his wings are not healthy, and a flying professional may notice that he is flightless just by looking at him. His feathers – including flight feathers – are thin, almost translucent in places, and someone who knows a thing or two about birds or pegasi can recognize that those feathers will not facilitate flight. They also feel soft and weak to the touch, and get easily damaged.

In his transformed state, this applies to all feathers covering his body.

In addition, he has almost no muscle in his wings in comparison to the likes of Reyson and Leanne. Heron wings would, of course, not be particularly strong in general – but if one of Rafiel’s siblings allowed you to touch their wings, you could still feel enough muscle to allow for the effort that comes with flight. Rafiel’s wing muscles have all wasted away due to illness and more than twenty years of not being used at all. Even just a few flaps are tiring to him.

At most, Rafiel’s wings can give him some extra lift when jumping, which he uses when climbing up ledges or trees, and reaching upper shelves. They would also allow him to safely glide down from a height.

ABILITIES

Soothing aura. It’s something he exudes just by existing; he emanates a calming presence that may help with preventing violence and solving conflicts. Strong negative emotions or chaotic energies of the people around him can still override it, however, in which case he will begin to feel unwell. Integrating gameplay and lore, I consider the Heron’s healing passive skill, Blessing, to be a part of this ability. In times of need, the Heron may choose to release more of this power, making it strong enough to heal wounds.

Heart-reading & emotional resonance. By peering into the hearts of others, Rafiel can discern their true feelings and hidden thoughts, as well as recognize lies. His ability in this regard is quite strong, which we can see in the game in his battle conversation with Sephiran, where he recognizes the other’s true identity regardless of his attempt to hide it. And indeed, some information will reach him no matter what, with him able to recognize a suffering person or a broken heart straight away. He avoids consciously using his power more than necessary and without warning people, however, as peering into the hearts of others without their knowledge is generally considered a rude thing to do among the Herons, what with it being a rather serious breach of privacy.

Singing galdrar & Seid magic. Ability that comes naturally with being a Heron, made particularly strong due to him being a royal Heron. Rafiel can sing all galdrar known to the Heron Clan – Vigor, Bliss, Sorrow, Valor, Recovery, as well as Galdr of Rebirth and Galdr of Slumber. With regards to Galdr of Release, he knows the melody and lyrics, but does not have the power to actually use it to its effects. He also knows all the other galdrar and songs, including the Repose of Souls – an elegy to bring peace to the souls of the departed – and the sinister Dirge of Ruin, which could bring a devastating curse to those affected at the cost of Rafiel’s sanity and most likely life. I imagine personally that there are plenty other melodies that the Herons know, and also Rafiel infuses most melodies he sings with seid magic, so he’s able to sing soothing songs, lullabies to help others fall asleep, and others. He utilizes those skills in the infirmary to help the sick and injured who come for help. As a note – nothing at all is ever said about what exactly “seid magic” is, but given that the word “galdr” has Old Norse roots (it’s the word for “magic” or “spell”), I’m assuming that the root of “seid” is also Old Norse, namely “seiðr”, a word that may sound familiar to FEH players. “Seiðr” was a type of magic used in Norse society during the Iron Age, related to both telling and reshaping the future – which fits with the way galdrar work. Rafiel’s abilities are shown to be stronger than those of Reyson and Leanne, which fits with him being the eldest as well as Serenes’ crown prince. Gameplay-wise this is shown by how he can always refresh four allies regardless of what form he’s in, but we can see it in the story when he cures the raging Muarim by singing the Galdr of Rebirth, which is normally supposed to be too taxing and complex to be performed by a single Heron. Reyson is able to sing it alone to Renning, but only when the world is petrified and the spirit of order hangs over the land, and also after being allowed a period of preparation; Rafiel sings it to Muarim alone without receiving a prior warning, and in the middle of wartime.

[sereneshymn]

At the confirmation of name preference, Rafiel does little more than nod in acceptance, his expression unchanged. He recalls still their encounter from the Goddess Tower, remembers the heart shattered and closed. He knows that this level of hurt is not easily fixed.

He knows that, contrary to what some say, time does not heal all wounds. Some will leave scars still, and scars can still be very painful.

He leaves those thoughts for another time, however - or for never, who knows - focusing instead on Sephiran's words.

"Oh my, you got robbed? How troublesome... Do you know where they went?"

At the question posed to him in turn, he shakes his head lightly.

"Nothing in particular, really... I work at the infirmary, and I have a break between my shifts, so I decided to get some fresh air. I do miss the spirit of the forest sometimes, so I enjoy coming here." The last words are spoken with a note of fondness and a light smile, though he quickly returns his focus to the situation at hand. His eyes half-close as he takes a deeper breath.

"I sense a few presences to the west of here. Perhaps those may be the thieves who took your belongings..."

A Little Violence. As a Treat || Rafiel & Sephiran

[sereneshymn]

Light laughter bubbles up in Rafiel's chest as he does a graceful twirl, letting the dress spin in a dance of frills, in harmony with his hair - much to the joy and praise of the customers around him. They clap and cheer, and he giggles as he curtsies, before picking back up the plate and returning to work, waving at the group as he leaves.

The idea of trying out this new activity was a little funny to him at first - certainly an encounter with a brand new aspect of Fódlan culture he could never imagine in Tellius, that's for sure - but after some Church workers encouraged him to try it out, insisting he would be a great addition to the cafe, he decided to give it a try. The arguments of You'll look so cute! or You're sure to become very popular! mattered little to him in terms of personal image. What mattered to him was that perhaps, by doing this, he could give someone a reason to smile.

Evidently, that appears to be indeed the case, which does bring him great joy.

Returning to the counter with the now empty plate, Rafiel blinks, then smiles brightly at the sight of a face he recognizes.

"If it isn't young Seliph. A pleasure to see you again, as well!" He greets, paying no attention to the outfits either of them wears - much different indeed from their last encounter, given that was on a battlefield. At the question, he nods.

"I would be more than happy to chat. I just finished with my duties for the time being, and a break does sound nice. I'll wait, of course - take as long as you need."

you know, nya

mission board: anniversary 2024 | any skill +1.

[sereneshymn]

Rafiel smiles as Veyle speaks to him. "Of course, it is no problem at all. I don't know if I can be of any assistance, but I'll do whatever I'm able."

He would have to admit if asked, however, that the next comment she makes does send a shudder through him. "Certainly. I have one I'm sworn to for life myself, and I dread to think what would happen if she were to suddenly become someone she is not supposed to be. Let us hope we can lend a helping hand."

The mansion that is their destination is now well visible up the road; just a little more, and they will be there. While they still have time, Rafiel decides to make some more conversation, as well as try and gather more information.

"Do you have any ideas or suspicions in particular what this may be? I know we haven't met the people involved yet, but my understanding is that you volunteered for this mission for a specific reason?"

the power of fell dragon compels you —rafiel & veyle

[sereneshymn]

And I Thought, I'm Alive

The first thing in front of his eyes when he comes to is an ornate stone ceiling, though his vision is far too blurry and unfocused to make out any details, nor does he try to. His body, still beholden to the law of nature in spite of his feelings, continues to take the weak, shallow breaths in its very last attempt to keep on living, and through that small movement, he can feel the fine silks surrounding him for comfort.

His exhausted eyes do not recognize the room. This is not Lord Hetzel’s mansion. Maybe he was caught by another Senator.

It doesn’t matter.

With the next breath he takes, his arm moves slightly, and at the edge of his mind, he registers the grains of sand in his sleeve. Sand. Why sand. Where sand…

Where was he. Where is he.

It doesn’t matter.

He is alive. Why is he alive. He should not be alive. He does not want to be a—

Behind the door, two voices reach him, quiet and muffled. One belongs to a woman, one to a man. Bits and pieces reach his exhausted mind through the fog in a disorderly manner.

“— — changes?”

“No, — doesn’t — react — — all.”

“— try. I’m not — — give up —”

The door then creaks quietly open. Steps – someone walks in. He doesn’t move. It doesn’t matter.

Within his blurry vision appears a woman’s head, surrounded by locks of lilac hair and adorned with pointy ears. One eye is covered by an eyepatch; the other looks at him softly and gently, trying to find him and connect with him.

His blank eyes stare through her, empty, unfocused, half-closed – as though he is not here at all.

“— — hear me?”

She raises her hand, and soon he feels her fingers stroking gently his hair and the side of his head. The feeling is pleasant. Even in its shattered state, his mind can register the genuine concern and care behind the gesture. It continues to reject them all, however.

She speaks again. “Can you hear me?”

He can, but he doesn’t answer. (It doesn’t matter.)

He feels her other hand moving to hold his own feeble fingers. Through that gesture, he feels how warm she is – or rather, perhaps, how cold he has become. Her hand is strong, reliable, stabilizing. Trying to offer him something to hold on to, to save himself from falling into the void.

He doesn’t want to.

She speaks to him again, to no avail. However, after a moment of troubled silence, she seems to get a new idea.

Perhaps he simply didn’t understand. Or perhaps her words cannot reach him for some other reason.

So, she switches languages.

The moment she speaks again in the melodious language of the ancients, a tremble passes through him. The sound of home, the sound of family, the sound of the forest – it rings in his ears. It reverberates all the way through his body, down to the very depths of his shattered heart, filling every corner of his broken mind with warmth.

It shakes the next breath he takes, turning it into a gasp for air – his body’s first weak, desperate attempt to connect.

(Does it matter?)

Eventually, two tears slowly roll down the sides of his head. Her fingers gently wipe them away, and finally, after she softly rubs his eyelids, his eyes flutter open again – and this time, he sees her.

─���──── ❀•°❀°•❀ ──────

Slowly, bit by bit, the world around him begins to take shape again.

He eventually understands that he somehow crossed the Desert of Death and found himself in the kingdom of Hatari, home to wolf laguz, and that his savior’s name is Nailah and she is their queen.

It takes a few more days before, through a labored whisper, he manages to also give her his name.

He learns that in this place, laguz, beorc and parentless live together in harmony. He doesn’t want to believe it at first, but later he remembers that multiple times, his food and water have been brought to him by beorc – and not once has he overheard them discussing his market price.

Queen Nailah quickly figures out his dietary needs. Assorted fruit, mashed into a pudding for easy swallowing, slowly but surely restores his fragile body’s strength with each passing day. She personally gives him water, as well; an assistant carefully holds up his head, while she brings the cup to his lips.

Days go by calmly, surrounded by light and the idle chatter of the castle life. Nights are still difficult, however. Sometimes he has to be woken up, because he cries in his sleep. Other times, he won’t stop screaming.

One night, he cannot calm down, no matter how hard he tries, no matter what they say and do to try and comfort him. Every time he closes his eyes, he sees devastation. His mind warps the voices of those around him into the pleas and agony of his kin.

Eventually, they send for Queen Nailah, and after some time, she finally manages to wake him.

What do you see in your dreams, she asks. He looks down at her hands, holding his, ready and willing to support him and the burden he carries. Still, he hesitates, the words struggling to pass through his throat. He takes a deep breath. A long while of silence passes before he can bring himself to acknowledge what exactly it is that he left behind – that he had originally thought would claim him, just as it did everything and everyone he loved.

Finally, two tears roll down his face as he whispers:

Fire. And death.

And then he breaks down.

────── ❀•°❀°•❀ ──────

Days continue to pass, and his strength continues to return. It seems as though the day he told his tale and washed his soul and memory with tears was a day of awakening.

Slowly, day by day, he grows to understand that he’s going to survive. And with that, for the first time since his arrival in this new world – he has long lost track of exactly how much time has passed, he can only guess it should be counted in weeks – the thought of getting out of bed crosses his mind.

Through the last remnants of the fog in his mind, he still remembers the time he had no intention, no will to carry on. And still, he cannot help but wonder: what is a worse affront to the departed? To keep going instead of joining them? Or to waste the new life with which he had been blessed?

He inhales, and then he raises his head. He digs up his arms from under the silks and slowly, as though it is an excruciating effort, he supports his upper body – first on his elbows, then his hands. He can feel the weight of his wings – weak, useless, dragging him down.

Still, he manages to sit up. Then, he moves his legs. Slowly, he pushes them through the bedsheets, until finally, for the first time in forever, his feet touch the ground.

He gasps, and two tears fall on his lap. Slowly, stiffly, he wipes them with his sleeve. I'm sorry, everyone. But I'm staying.

After a while, he manages to call for an assistant. A Wolf laguz soon arrives, lending him his strength to help him walk. It’s difficult, but he perseveres, stubbornly taking one step after the next.

It is tremendous, exhausting effort, to live again after waiting for death for so long.

As soon as they’re outside, he needs to rest. The Wolf carefully sets him down on the grass, and he takes slow, deep breaths, taking in the sun and the fresh air. He has almost forgotten how they felt.

In the broad daylight, he looks horrendously pale. Even though it’s warm, his body trembles – another assistant comes with a blanket, covering his arms and back. His wings are spread carelessly on the ground, a few feathers having already fallen off as he moved.

But on his face, there is a faint shade of a smile, and through the labored breaths, he raises his tear-filled eyes to the sky, understanding, and at long last, accepting:

he’s alive.

[sereneshymn]

To dearest Elincia,

Your declaration and promise of friendship fill my heart with great joy and gratitude. To me, few things in this world matter more than beloved family and cherished friends that one can always depend on. I do hope that you are aware the feelings are mutual, and will also think of me should you ever find yourself in need of a friend's support.

My impression so far is that the Academy, being the prestigious institution that it is, has great expectations placed upon it and places them upon its students in turn - and the majority of the young souls here are brimming with enthusiasm and determination to fulfill them. I find this to be something of a double-edged sword - of course, it is wonderful that they wish to do their best and most of them need not be pushed or forced into it, but they must remember not to neglect their health and safety, something I find all too easy for some to do...

None of them are currently giving me what I would consider anything close to trouble, but please, do look out for them when you have the chance. It would be such a shame to lose such brimming enthusiasm and potential to exhaustion and burnout.

The ball was truly wonderful, and that is with me arriving late and thus missing a part of it. It certainly introduced me to a few new, interesting faces - and as I now dwell at the monastery, I encounter more still on a regular basis. I cannot say I am short on company, indeed - but if you know of people you believe I should meet, by all means, I would be more than happy to arrange something! I would say this goes both ways, but with how long you have been around here, I doubt I could have run into someone you have not.

I would not overthink the learning and teaching question, personally. We learn our entire lives - I have lived more than four of your lifetimes, and how much I still continue to learn myself! However, at the same time, I believe everyone has knowledge and experience to impart upon others, and that without a doubt includes you! Even setting aside the more practical matters of running a country, you can teach them kindness, solidarity, respect and the strength of determination. And if you say that that IS what you wish to teach them? I think they would be hard-pressed to find someone better.

A seminar guest, you say? I have not yet attended any seminars at all myself, so I should first pay a visit and see what it entails... but perhaps, if you think I could provide something of use to the students, I could give it a try! Could you tell me how you plan and construct your seminars for example, perhaps?

Looking forward to your next reply.

Warmest regards, Rafiel

Stars in the Same Sky || Rafiel & Elincia