#aevum threads

[pclitesse]

starter 3/3 for @brokeassgoing

Normally, coming to the seaside province would be something of a luxury for Alisha who had been running every which way since entering the Isles in an attempt to map the place (there were, of course, actual maps but what type of an adventurer relied solely on those?)

The sound of the flow of the water, while salt water as opposed to the fresh aqueducts of her home, should have been comforting. And it was, really - but something about this meeting with the information broker she had recently heard of kept her nerves on edge.

"Hello, there," Alisha says, finding the person she believes is said information broker at a small beachside tavern, "I take it you are the Mr. Badou I have heard of? My name is Alisha Diphda. I was hoping we could have an honest exchange, outsider to outsider."**

[wavescrest]

starter for @ithuriel

The community kitchen in Eterna Village was so much larger, and better accessible than the one near her abode in Seaside Province. It had truly been worth it to come all this way here, loaded with fish from the sea and various edible foliage she had collected elsewhere  – even if several known community chefs she had contacted with basic questions were oddly missing.

Flayn was still having an excellent time doing what she did best, which was improvising of course! She hummed as she played with the dough she’d purchased and did so a little more loudly once she realized part of the steamed fish had been a little burnt but… (oh, it was still quite tasty though she thought if she could just-)

“Hello, there,” Flyan says, looking up from her place at the counter when she suddenly senses another person coming into the room. “I do not believe we met but I have seen you! You used to live in Seaside Province, yes? Oh, you must be so hungry, I know I am, please sit!”

Flayn rushes over and with a flourish covers one of the simple tables with a lace tablecloth, and then hurries back to the counter to reveal what she has been working on for the last few hours – steamed bun!

“I have here an assortment of healthy and aromatic buns. I heard they can be eaten savory or sweet and have thus tried a different assortment of ingredients in each. I do so  hope you enjoy!”

And if this man had come here to cook himself surely he had the time to at least take a bit and give her some advice, before starting his own project. Surely?

[wavescrest]

Byleth’s smiles are few and far between and Flayn is just beginning to grasp onto some interpretation of each, but her heart warms at the professor echoing her well wishes all the same. She steps closer so that they might converse more naturally and nods thoughtfully at the other’s explanation of this world. So they were far from Fodlan, indeed then… Flayn’s face falls at the confirmation even as she takes pride in the fact Byleth too refers to the continent as home; yes, surely they could return together one day.

“There are others here that do not hail from this world? How mysterious. I cannot say I am entirely comfortable with the prospect of being swept away so, but I am curious to meet such souls.”

Peering up at Byleth, Flayn considers that perhaps the other has already made such acquaintances. She always has had a way with people! A draw, as Flayn once compared to the ocean’s waves.

She is about to ask if Byleth has found comrades here when her next question gives her pause… for what Flayn remembered last was their beloved home and monastery just holding on at the beginning of what was sure to be a grueling war. One started by Byleth’s own student no less!

“…Seteth is as dedicated to the church and its people as ever, but even he grows weary; I, professor, I do not know how to say this but… Fodlan’s past history has returned in a dark way. The Empire has declared war against the Church and any nation that remains faithful – even now Edelgard’s armies march through neutral territory and claim it as their own.”

Ah, confound it! She had even named their greatest enemy. Flayn shakes her head and attempts a comforting smile, reaching for Byleth’s hand; “but you returned to us after falling in battle. And Lady Rhea is alive, we are sure of it. In fact, we were about to all go take back the monastery and go in search of her when I found myself here.”

Her smile turns down a bit, worried, as she adds “I wish I had better news to bring you, my friend. But still we are together and I am sure together we can remain strong.”

⚔️ // hesitancy bent a knee and gave way to something of an eager and wistful gleam in the professor's eye. shadows of harrowed things and the whispers of a river of time byleth wished she could RENOUNCE simply could not last , basking in flayn's light. for that flayn greeted her so fervently was a candle of hope in and of itself , and although it was yet unclear to byleth just WHICH strand of time now crossed her path , there was certainly never mistaking her dearest friends and allies : her beloved students.

"it's ... a relief to see you too , flayn." despite her own flame wistfully flickering in the wind ( the clouds of past storms still lingered deep within , as it were. ) , byleth could not find it within herself to meet the girl's effervescence with anything less than that small truth at least. that time had once again crossed their paths even here , well . . . perhaps the goddess did work in mysterious ways , for byleth's path always seemed to entwine with the starlit souls of her allies. their presence and voices alone made her uncertain course just a bit clearer.

"i suppose it's a little complicated to explain. though , i'm sure you know well enough we are far from fódlan." byleth need not look to the sky to know the blue sea star did not shine down upon them here. still , putting that truth into perspective was paramount. "this isn't exactly the only world that's like this. and as far as i know there's no easy way to return home , either. the tower you just came from doesn't have an entrance."

"...but i'm —... it ... warms me , to see you safe. truly." hand to heart. new words lingered at the tip of byleth's tongue only to falter there just shy of becoming known. selfishly she almost wished to hold on to this moment until time's end. ruefully , she yearned to know if such good tidings could really be true. that perhaps by some strain of fortune and blessing byleth might have been reunited with a friend at long last. ( byleth cursed war and all that it brought with itself , including to question familiar faces as friend or foe. in turn , she decried (the heart) the mind that now knew the difference. )

"—what do you remember last? before finding yourself here , i mean. is seteth well?"

[fangsanddaggers]

Bright Lights and Daggered Fangs ||@brokeassgoing||

The well dressed tailor found himself out at night. Well fed from the newly made corpse the other night by Wolfwood - accidental murder is a thing he had to explain - he felt himself better. To bite a living being was still horrific, but human blood didn't have him screaming in horror.

However, here he found himself in the arms of another chaotic event. These people really did enjoy their parties. Over and over and over they find themselves in celebration. It was... Nice.

His nose twitches, head swiveling instantly to seek out black with the flare of wings, maybe the custom made jacket he'd sewn. When chasing the scent, he tracked it to a redhead, eyes trained up on the dazzling display of fireworks. The cigarettes smelt like the type Nicholas used, said he'd given a pack to some random the day he accidentally unalived his last meal.

Long red hair, cigarette, smell of Nai and-

Red eyes glinted with pure evil delight. He inched closer, drinking in the other's scent from behind. Yes, there was Legato as well. their new roommate as of late, the man he had yet to meet face to face.

"So. This is the delicious blood merlot that Nai has been keeping hidden from little ol' starved me, hmm?" The man purred dark, eyes vibrant with glee as he trails claws over the other's cheek, tucking hair behind an ear as his voice dips into something playful. "Truly a buffet size, my my."

[mischiefmodig]

Hearths Rising \ / Open

On this evening the snow fell heavy across the isle, creating a blanket of ice and frost over all it could reach. The cold keeps many in their homes with one another for company, but not all desire the comfort of their abode.

The Waystone Tavern is alight with chatter and music of all kinds. Every wall was decorated with plant life and ornaments that signified the return of Hearths Rising. Multitudes of people share in their stories of present times and past times with drink and food. A cheery atmosphere, one to match this particular holiday. Familiar to him now,

It had all come around again. Around and around they had gone. In circles did Loki run now. Away from the myths and away from the ever-pursuing storm.

The black cloak, raven hair, and dark green accents hardly matched the furnishings' bright warm tones. Despite having found the darkest ( coldest ) corner of the tavern to sit, Loki stood out as a stain against a white robe. In most cases, the volume and festivities would have kept him out of such a place, however, he hoped that maybe a certain individual would check in this tavern last for him,

And thus sat Loki in the corner beside a window. Quietly sipping on the Perlberry Rum ( far too sweet for his liking, but the Dwyrnøkk would not be satisfied with anything less. ) he watched the quiet snowfall from his window sanctuary,

[cagcdlxve]

Sunflower Festival Open ⋆˙⟡

⋆˙⟡ :- " I learned this from Lady Reina of the Padedue temple! " Lilith explained softly, picking up a few of the pieces of trash that she had gathered in her bucket. She was happily working in the early dawn, helping the keepers clean the beaches of debris left by visitors.

It saddened Lilith that this was a task that must be performed, however, she was learning plenty of new things as she helped Arcanus preserve her wonderful landscape. With small motions, she carefully wove and folded the strips of plastic and strings together around a piece of sea glass. This resulted in a tiny charm that could be worn on a necklace.

" What do you think? " She held the piece of jewelry up for her companion to see. " It is as true as they say, that treasure might be found in what was thrown out! " She laughed from her own cleverness ( she did not remember the exact wording of the phrase. )

[wavescrest]

Flayn found the concept of a café itself entrancing, to be able to see so many people come and go peacefully all with a view and smell of the sea (not to mention perhaps something delicious to eat or drink). What a marvelous idea! She truly could not get enough of the ambience of the place.

Today, however, she shifted a bit nervously upon her usual seat; her infectious smile still there but hidden a bit by the solemnity she felt Elias’ art only deserved.

“Oh, please do not apologize. The fact you are willing to go so far to me is a gift itself, you see – back where I am from we also have connected divination and tea but never have I been able to experience it myself.”

She sympathized too with the flow of aether turning her magic to an unfamiliar pulse inside her but kept that to herself for now, nodding at the next question.

“Yes. Please let me know if you need anything else from me. If not… well then, I look forward to watching you work.”

@wavescrest

He sat at a chair on the patio of a cafe in Seaside, making finnicky adjustments to the setup of teacups, bag of leaves, and teapot before him and his guest. It had been awhile since he did a reading of tea leaves. It had been taught to him that the ceremony of it all was important. He didn't put much stock into this kind of art himself--in truth he didn't actually consciously use a divination spell to make tasseography work-- but it was a parlor trick that made a lot of other people happy. So he learned it from his master.

"I apologize for not being able to do much more than this...I have had some trouble with conjuring visions while here at the Isles, so..." This would have to do.

Elias opened the pouch of finely cut loose leaf green tea, scooping a little over a teaspoon into the bottom of Flayn's cup. Just for fun, he decided he would do his own reading as well.

"Are you ready to begin?"

[magiccuco]

[@wizard-of-night]

He sat down with a sigh, looking at his wand. He thought he'd be able to fix this after being able to find another unknown spell. He wanted to test it on a tree, but nothing happened.

Why did he think it'll work? Nothing is going to be able to fix this. He wasted the time he had and failed his initial mission, and now that it's the 100th cycle..

He covered his face with his hand. It was too late, anyway. There's no reason in trying to get out of it.

٠ ࣪⭑ He was getting tired of this. Tired of the lies. Tired of everything that was making everything so complicated. He felt so much guilt over having to hurt people already in pain - how could he call himself a hero when he was doing the same things they did?

And all for what? His friends were leaving and they still had so much left to do before Almong and he could finally make things right. The 100th cycle had to be the one to change things for the better.

He didn't know how else to get the next disaster master except to try out a new spell. It was certainly a risk, but Almond had supported him, and they were running out of time.

With a few simple motions, concentrating as hard as he could - he made a portal to take them closer to the goal. But his thoughts were not focused enough. He was thinking about the Nightmare Knight.

@wizard-of-night

[askstalks-in-shadows]

New To Eterna Village \ / Thread

Stalks-In-Shadows had only just recently manifested from the tower. She had a million questions, but felt that asking now wasn't the proper time. She had seen a figure before, who had made eye contact with her for a short time before walking away, and when she attempted to follow, she soon lost track of him, and found herself hopelessly lost.

At first she tried to catch his scent in the area, but for whatever reason, her enhanced sense of smell wasn't working...in fact, her hearing seemed a bit off as well, and after taking a few moments to collect herself and test something, she came to the scary realization that her werebeast abilities were somehow being cancelled out.

She was on her own. Taking out the strange key she was given, she read the inscription: Eterna Village 106.

So that was where she needed to go. And she didn't have the faintest idea where to begin looking. Looking around, she locks her eyes on a tree that she could climb, maybe get a bird's eye view.

Climbing the tree, upon getting to a high up branch and standing precariously on the long but decently strong looking branch, and holding onto the trunk of the tree, looking around, before she can see much of anything, she hears someone yell "HEY!"

Unfortunately, that moment was enough to startle her into flinching...which apparently was all the branch beneath her feet needed to justify SNAPPING.

[unluckyuncle]

Plotted Starter 𓅭𓅭𓅭𓅭 @windsofcourage

[ Link! L I N K !!! ] came the at first faint squawking of nothing legible by human ears. But every time the noise came through, it grew in clarity until the target of the calls was in sight.

Donald had just woken up it seems from a terrible AWFUL dream. It made him sick to even think about what had just happened. And more than that, there was someone he had hurt more than he could have ever realized.

Shoot, he didn't even know this kid before all of the weirdness happened. But he was not about to not take responsibility for it, even if he wasn't himself. Donald knew deep down what it was like when everyone gave hope on you. Darn him for ever putting someone else through it.

[ Oh gosh... Link I... phew- gimme one sec. ] The very out of breath Donald bent over, hands resting on his knees as he took several large deep breathes to try and calm down. He didn't realize he'd been running around for so long looking for the kid.

[ I-I ... I dunno if you... if you remember me. ] Donald started, looking up at Link, a desperate look mixed with concern... panic, almost. [ B-but I remember you. A-and I just- Had to say sorry... ]

He was so sorry. More than his words could have expressed.

[pclitesse]

starter 2/ 3 for @cagcdlxve

Despite her status of royalty (as scant as it had been) or perhaps because of it Alisha had always loved Ladylake's open air market, particularly on its busiest days; true, it had been overwhelming especially her first few times shuffled back and forth by her overly attentive maids, but soon Alisha began to appreciate it for what it was: freedom, a chance to live amongst the common folk and most importantly enjoy it. The Temporal Gardens gives her much the same feeling, although the anxiety is back as if she is just a child again; here, though, Alisha does not hide her face and hair under a hat - indeed, she strides confidently today toward the reason for her visit.

At that was, of course, delicious pastries! Alisha was doing her best to make do with hunting and foraging, of course, but Eterna Village was so conveniently located and the smell from the bakeries in the Central District so heavenly that finally Alisha had given in. She finds herself picking out a cafe by vibe alone and comes to stand in line, excited despite the wait; she notes that the girl in front of her has her eyes on the display cases in the shop's windows and when Alisha can, she catches her eye and smiles.

"Good day to you! I must admit this is my first time visting this establishment... might you have any recommendations? Miss — ?"

[fellstcr]

⚔️ // "arrrrgh — me harty's . i have come to plunder yer booty ."

[angelictragedy]

Don't Touch my Human ||@brokeassgoing||

After hearing all of the traditions that happen around this time of year, Knives knew he needed a Log for Legato, perhaps another to gift Badou as an apology.

He'd been the first truly kind person in... A long time. He didn't know how to respond, he still doesn't know. It's so much to try and redirect after everything he's been through, he doesn't understand.

So he'd set out, heading towards the highlands as he'd heard the packs protecting the logs were fewer in number there. With him, his logging axe he'd taken, content and eager to find the best log available.

What he was met with, deep in the forest however, was a familiar voice screaming in horrid terror. Panic seized his heard before rage consumed every inch of his mind.

The Plant was moving before he could think. Always before he could think, his instincts having him move swift and firm through the brush like it was nothing, careful to be quiet but not slow down.

There was no time to think, only act, one of his humans needed him.

Knives wouldn't have gotten any kind of surprise attack if he had stopped his screaming. He was writhing in a tangled mass of vines, howling like a terrified pup. Was that... Tears on his face?

Knives saw red.

He strode with confidence, with speed, remembering what he'd learnt and struck the beast hard in it's side. The hulking mass roared in surprise, but the Plant rammed his foot into the creature's side and wrenched the axe from it's tangled hide, shoving it back as he skidded just short of tumbling into the human.

He spun the axe in his hand, crouching to snag the one Badou had dropped when ensnared and remained low, weapons ready, clearly prepared to fight.

"Badou? Are you injured?" Eyes flash at movement to the left, seeing another beast crawling from the shadows, earning a low snarl from the Plant in response.

[wavescrest]

Flayn immediately moves to look at what little of the cover she is shown, perhaps too quickly and close for proper propriety but here was a fellow connoisseur of literature - certainly he would understand!

"So the stories are both recorded and written by Captain Delta himself? What an amazing person!"

Her previous point seems to only be further proven by the next detail given. Ocean depths?!

"He is not only able to swim the ocean but dive beneath it as well?! How in the world... has he fins perhaps, or even gills?"

٠ ࣪⭑ Cucumber was once again surprised to meet someone who didn't immediately berate him on how much he loved books and reading. It was kind of weird for him... but he was happy all the same.

It just happened to be his favorite pastime, and he loved to share it with anyone who'd give him an ear to hear about it.

"O-oh, yeah!" He chirped, showing the girl his book, the cover featuring a little painting of ships on an ocean. "It's a captains journal, called 'The High Skies and Low Seas'." He opened the page back to where he had left off, smiling wide.

"H-his name is Captain Delta, and he's been to a lotta places. But I like reading about the sea life and ocean depths he recorded." Riveting stuff, truly.

[enduringdevotion]

A Mirror More Fragile With Age ||@hopelantics||

Waystone Tavern. An ancient dusty place, the same bar Astarion and Roberto met in. It was light, airy and felt both old yet modern in regards to the architecture of the whole city.

During this season they held a special. 'Toasted Perlbery Rum'. Something new to hopefully wake him up from the strange mental fracture he's been in. Unlikely, but he could hope.

Tucked in the corner near the back exit, the wolf sat hunched over the drink, his cross firmly against the wall beside him, feeling empty without it. He used it as a reminder more than a weapon. A reminder he's strong, that he can't just bowl around people anymore. That if Livio or Vash or even Zazie showed up, they'd all be as frail as the rest of the humans around him.

Always a monster. Always a weapon.

Xuanyu.. He's different. He's always been human, was always frail and squishy, Legato too. They were safe, his mind didn't forget their frail nature.

Still, his hands were stained red. He knows they weren't, know he'd washed it off. But still he saw red, still he saw blue grow dull, watched the body fizzle into ash and light, taken to the tower nearby to revive. Had met those blue whilst playing his violin, trying to remember delicate was needed, just as it was with the instrument.

They'd parted ways. All he needed was to see blue again and it was enough. Had told him he finally understood why he always ran, that it was to protect others, never himself.

He barely remembers how they parted after that, everything a mangled blur chased away by the next spiced sip. He hated keeping himself distant, but until he figured his shit out, it was better this way. Sure, he was being no better than Vash, but there's a difference. He killed Vash. If it wasn't for the weird magic of this place bringing him back, that would have been the end of it. Even Roberto seemed horrified when he told him.

Yet another parental figure he disappointed.

"Damnit, blondie." He groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. I just started to get my head on straight.

[fangsanddaggers]

Berries For a Jam and Leaves for the Scent ||@dragonhcrt||

Astarion hadn't meant to be here as long as he had. But two sweet old ladies had asked for aid so he'd spent hours helping them bring back their baskets. They were full, but the poor things had canes and poor spines.

It's upon turning to leave for his own basket that he was informed he had a new partner. Fine. He just wanted to sniff leaves and decide if they or the flowers would be a good addition to perfumes.

"So, eager for your jar of these things?" They'd been quiet for some time as Astarion led the other to an untouched part of the space, happy to settle on his knees to pick carefully. "Any plans for what you want to make with them?" Perhaps he'd get some ideas to hand over to Nicholas when he see's him next.