#artificidel

[viridescent-lance]

"Sir Forsyth, yes?" Ephidel addresses from a darker corner of the knight's hall. "I have heard tell that it is your 'birthday,' and that you are Professor Python's dearest 'boytoy,' so I have brought you this." A heavy tome is pulled from beneath clerical robes and presented to the man. "He has said you are fond of martyrdom, so on behalf of the church, these are her histories." His smile turns cheshire like a pleased cat. "You may enjoy the sacrifices of Saint Seiros and her Ten Elites."

"Yes, that is I." Forsyth barely has a chance to respond to the strange, haunting individual before they say something that is made even more outrageous by the impassive monotone they deliver it with. If it were someone else, he may assume they were mocking his relationship--in this moment, he is utterly and absolutely certain that Python has described their relationship as such to this person. "I'm not--that is to say--who told you such a thin--erm, thank you..."

"Gwah?" Forsyth's stumbling is then interrupted by yet another unbelievable series of descriptors, this time making Forsyth wonder if this holy person is truly so austere or if this is part of a very committed bit. The book is, in fact, a very valuable and lengthy account of the aforementioned saint and elites, and must have been very difficult to procure. As he looks up from studying it, he sees a disarming smile that answers none of his questions, simply raising more.

"Is this some sort of game?" To an outsider, Forsyth must seem ungrateful, questioning his generous gifter. But those comments are simply unacceptable, even in jest! He does not know this mysterious benefactor, and he does not know how well Python knows them. For Python's sake, he hopes it is not particularly well. He hopes his expression is severe enough, and he shakes his head. "I appreciate the present, really and truly, but the manner in which you speak of me and my relationship to my partner...I apologize, but it is utterly inappropriate."

This birthday is off to an...interesting start, that is certain.

[aimlessarchery]

"Another 'year' has gone by my dear professor, and with it, another of your 'birthdays.'" Ephidel's eyes crease and their smile pulls tighter at that. They hope he notices how they've learned from him.

"Time always moves by so quickly for me however." They take his hand and place within a flask, enchanted by their spells to always be cooling. "Do treasure it."

It is unclear if they mean the gift or his time.

"Hey, your wording's gotten better."

Python feels his shoulders seize with the instinct to recoil, however, at the tight, cat-like quality to Ephidel's expression. Maybe it's the golden eyes, but it looks far too much like a wild animal leering from the bushes.

"...Expression could use some work, though."

He takes the flask from the clergyman's cool fingers.

"Sure thing, pal. Taking it slow is my specialty." The gift is lifted slightly higher, tipped toward Ephidel in acknowledgment. "Especially if I've got a good drink to keep me company."

[ulircursed]

"In the end, you still bested me by one token." Ephidel notes, slightly smug. But there is a thoughtful pause before he continues. "Perhaps past actions aren't always indicative of future ones..."

Ephidel's words hadn't been overtly hostile throughout their entire acquaintance, even, perhaps, less so at the moment. Still, Andrei feels the now-familiar chill up his spine as the other speaks, and he has to suppress the urge to take a step back, and his voice is cold in response to the other's musings.

"The final outcome of the game is no concern to me," he says, "Though it would... inconvenience me, if you were left with incorrect assumptions about the debts owed on either side."

Regardless of whether Ephidel makes any action to take them, Andrei places two candies within his reach, the number that the other had lost in the first round, before taking a step back again, putting distance between them.

"Merely looking upon your face is—" Creepy. Unsettling. None of these are words he would wish to admit aloud to the other, so he settles on, "—nauseating." Arms crossed tight across his chest, he turns to leave. "I'd prefer if you stayed away from me, should we meet once more in future engagements."

(Though, with how the fates operate, Andrei has a feeling he wouldn't quite get his wish.)

[making-dough]

getting graded in fire emblem rp ♠ - She'd been mid-swing when she'd been suddenly pulled, yanked to... whatever this place was. Looked like a doll house. Feels like one too. Controlled by a mysterious talking Voice. Well, at least, they'd found everyone else so at least that was some good news there. Even if it felt like some more cosmic weirdness. And why was it that she was getting the odd impression that she was never aiming for Jugdral to begin with? Well, all this were 'roles' assigned by some cosmic weirdness, then the black cloak and Colla's reactions made her 'role' clear enough. A thief, huh? Well, the gold were certainly tempting enough. Though, she can't really claim much in the way of thiefiness. Fine. She'll play along for now, standing right behind Ephidel behind the unsuspecting mannequin holding a purse of gold "Why do I feel like we're not out of the woods yet?", she muttered quietly to herself.

The Voice returns with some more mockery, mocking them for their assumptions and their empty-handedness, offering them some tools but warning that they have to fit their 'mold'. You are empty-handed. She'd been ready to complain about exactly whose fault that would be but then Miss Mysterious Voice turned around and offered a choice of props so fair enough? The warnings about needing to fit its mold sounded vague enough, though given what had happened to Frederick and co, it was most likely a promise of more violence. Well, she couldn't really say she wasn't familiar enough with that kind of gamble. The life of a mercenary was never easy, after all. Violence, blood and the risk of permanent harm were all just a single mistake away, whether you were ready or not. Whether you wanted this life or not. Her mind drifted almost instinctively towards the bloodstained blade, sharp, trustworthy and practical. Even if it turned out to be a mistake, she'd much rather to have a weapon in hand than without. There was a brief flicker in the direction of the silver lance before she'd decided against it. That had looked a little too rich for her. It was probably a good idea to avoid being too indebted to Mysterious Cosmic Voices™. This would do. The blade she'd imagined had turned on her, stabbing her through the middle and sending a sudden jolt of pain through her body, but somehow, that was just fine. It wasn't as though she was expecting to get out of this completely unscathed, anyway. And soon it was time for the next test. The Voice returns, sounding amused yet disappointed at the same time. "If another believes you a villain, then a villain you shall be.", the Voice laughed before a series of lights revealed the trial laid before her. A glance towards the mannequin cowering before her told her just about what she was expected to do. "A villain, huh?", she muttered to herself, walking up to the cowering mannequin in green and placing her hands around its neck. There she stayed for a moment as if caught in indecision. Pondering whether or not she could deliver the final blow. And wondering if the flashes of the purple curls on top of its head she was barely glimpse was simply her imagination or not. Well, that settled it. If it had been armed, she wouldn't have anywhere near as many qualms but a cowering foe? Villain or not, she didn't much care what others thought of her but she'd at least like to be able to recognise herself. With a grunt of disgust, Farina simply gave the mannequin a quick frisk and then threw the mannequin off to the side, as if she'd lost all interest in it. She wasn't enough of a do-gooder to help it and neither was she ruthless enough to do it harm. Well, unless it had been carrying anything worthwhile, anyway. She'd happily help herself as a 'payment', then. The rest were a series of questions that she could honestly do little to help in, neither having as much familiarity with the old empire that once ruled Jugdral nor familiarity with this mysterious Voice that they'd apparently encountered on a previous mission. Apparently, they got her name, at least. Pasithee, child of Celephais and Keranes. Somebody cursed by something that had condemned her and wanted revenge, apparently. That was the piece of information they could confirmed from this Voice. Eventually, the Voice no longer answers. Instead the darkness grows closer to all of you until it’s all you can sense. Endless nothingness. Then you are nothingness.

[ulircursed]

Andrei can count on a single hand the number of times he had been allowed to hold Yewfelle in his youth. Even as it remained dim and unresponsive in his grasp, there had always been a reverence in his actions, each movement done with the understanding that he was holding the most precious treasure within his world, something worth far more than his own life, a dozen times over.

Even wielding it, the full awareness that this could not possibly be real glowing right before his eyes, it is impossible for him to fully discard that reverence.

isadora attacks andrei with steel axe (6): 0 damage andrei hp: 10/10 andrei cannot counterattack!

As Isadora swings her axe at him, Buttermilk reacts as he had been trained, changing direction with his usual speed. Instead of immediately lining up a counterattack, however, Andrei instinctively tightens his grip, drawing the holy weapon closer to himself protectively, ensuring its safety above all else.

A counterattack would've been unnecessary, after all. The shadow of Professor Python guides Forsyth's hands just as his sister's had guided his, except Forsyth does not waver in the face of that guidance. Python's arrows strike Isadora true, as could be expected of his prowess, and the traitor falls without another word.

It is what a traitor deserves. The thought rises, unbidden but true, to the forefront of his mind, a fresh pang of something like grief accompanying it.

And then, as suddenly as it had come, Yewfelle's power flickers out of his grasp, Brigid's presence, too, fading behind him. Compared to the radiance of the sun that had enveloped him a moment before, the dimness of her presence now is enough to render her all but nonexistent to his senses.

He cannot turn to look. He will not. But—

"...Lady Sister?" Andrei's voice is quiet and trembling as he calls for her upon instinct, feeling his world upended again, thrown adrift in the storm that had already taken her away from him once before.

But her presence had dimmed just like Yewfelle's glow, never to be reignited, and she does not respond.

Focus on the ongoing battle, the voice at the back of his mind chides as it always had, but Andrei's hands shake as he raises his own bow against the enemy healer.

andrei attacks mairenn with brave bow (-1, -4): 0 damage galeforce activates! andrei attacks mairenn with brave bow (23, 13) illusory mistress activates! (3) the attack hits an illusory double! mairenn hp: 10.5/15

His first two arrows veer wildly off target, and while he manages to correct his course by his next set of attacks, the image of the woman merely dissipates into thin air upon the arrows' contact.

Useless, useless!

Without accomplishing an attack, Andrei pulls back to a safer range. The weak presence at his back is almost a relief, then. He does not wish to bear her disappointment again.

murder is a long-term investment

team theta | week three

[fellincantation]

[WONDER]: There is a beauty in them. The kind of power and perfect Ephidel always craved.

Ephidel was a fascinating creation. To Grima, it was painfully obvious that they were not human. He was just as she was, a thing born of unnatural means. When his hands cupped her face, she found herself content with staying still. She watched his face in return with the same intensity that he watched her with. She even lowered her head to meet him eye to eye.

"You're fond of touching me," Grima said after a moment, making no effort to pull her head away. "Of touching my vessel."

Grima's gaze softened as they watched one another.

"Would you look at me with such wonder were you to look at me as I really am?" She asked, letting her eyes drift shut. Grima turned her head just enough to press against the palm of Ephidel's hand. "I would love to find out."

[viridescent-lance]

if two guys on the moon allied with each other would that be nice or what :)

starter for @artificidel

While he'd had little doubt of Lukas' integrity, moving on to a round with higher stakes and a partner who he does not know well both does have Forsyth a little stressed. Still, he wants to believe in the goodwill of the world; and the bracelets will tell him his match's choice last time, anyhow.

"Ah, Sir Ephidel! I hope you are well." Forsyth does not know the man well, but he's heard tales from Python and seen him around. A holy man in training, if he recalls correctly. His bracelet clearly indicates he chose allyship in the last round, which is a marked relief. "I had the great fortune of being paired with a close friend of mine last round, and thus mutual allyship granted me two more candy."

Forsyth holds up his hand, showing off his bracelet's Ally brand clearly.

"Of course, I am a mere stranger to you, and I do not expect you to immediately place your trust in me. Thus..." Forsyth produces both the prized pen from Clive and the inkwell Python had gifted him for a previous birthday, and places them on a nearby table. "I am selecting ally, but if I were to go back on my word and betray you, these are yours. A pen gifted to me by my commander for my first promotion, and an inkwell from my cherished partner. Both hold immense personal significance to me, and I am putting them in your hands."

Hopefully this will be enough to seal his trustworthiness in their amber eyes. Forsyth does not plan on sacrificing anyone's fun for his own benefit, even with his penchant for sweets. This is as much a game of trust as it is the moving of sugary tokens.

[making-dough]

follow the colleader

♠ - Somehow, she'd managed to pick up a heavy black cloak by the time her and Hilda had rejoined the others, who had all been led down a tunnel towards the rear of a fortress, it looked like? For some reason, Colla had insisted that she and Ephidel take the front. Sure, she didn't have much of an issue with that arrangement....Right up until the point that he led up to a hidden locked wooden door and expected them to open it. Well, she only knew one method of dealing with locked doors.

Farina tries to bash the door down. "The hell am I supposed to do with this? You've got a key or anything?" The door hardly seems to budge, but it makes a loud noise regardless. Colla looks horrified. "I thought you knew how to pick locks!?" "Do I look like a thief to you?" He tilts his head to the side. "Yes."

Apparently, black cloaks equaled thief in his eyes. Good to know. In the end, Byleth managed to pick it and they could continue inside. After some messing about with the gargoyles inside the room, they finally unlocked a secret passage along the south wall, leading a long, dark, narrow, rocky corridor that extends into shadow...and the door they used to enter, slamming shut behind them. Looks like they had no other option but continue onward then. Eventually, they come across another locked door. This time, Ephidel manages to pick it easily enough, revealing a room with nearly nothing of interest except a table (and some papers on top) in the middle. Apparently, said papers referred to something on the table's south-eastern leg. Or was it south-western? The south-western was crossed out on the paper, which made thing look really suspicious. Maybe there was some hidden switch hidden on a leg. May as well go with Frederick's suggestion of twisting them? "You sure it's not the far-left one? That crossed-out SW smells of someone covering their tracks.", Farina pointed out. Well, it's not like they had much better ideas, anyway. Ducking down to reach the table legs easier, she called out. "May as well. Try right and then left? Okay! Ready when you are!" It did nothing.

"How about we flip it over entirely? Maybe there's something on the bottom of the legs?", she eventually suggested.

Eventually, they found a hidden button hidden under the table's leg, which opened the door on the other side...and revealed a huge spiked pit hidden just in front of it. Good thing everyone was obsessed with that table and that no one tried to just open the door then.

It opened out to another dark narrow corridor, which lead to another locked door, this time a solid iron one with a stuck wheel in the middle and a series of small holes just below the wheel. Touching this door quickly made it flicker as though it was simply a projection, transporting them to a room with a huge prominent hole in the middle and more importantly, surrounded by guards. So, a trap, was it?

And suddenly it was chaos. Not only did Colla lead them to an apparent trap but he had even cast his 'poison' magic her way. Accident? On purpose? She wasn't sure she cared at the moment. If nothing else, she'd have the satisfaction of shutting up the traitor. And then...figure out what the hell else is happening. "Well, I guess you've chosen your side clear enough.", Farina muttered in between patting out some magic burns on her cloak. "But firstly.. Hey, you! Out of the way!" Smashing her fist towards the nearest guard's face and force him at least be no longer be her problem, Farina aimed to make her own way out of that mess and towards Ephidel and Colla's corner.

Just when she'd finally approach them, then the whole world seem to flicker and distort as though caught in a strange magic, leading them to be sent to...somewhere else.

[ulircursed]

The choice is made without hesitation, the grim confidence of reciprocation hastening his action. Andrei's eyes widen, then, as the unexpected results of the round made itself clear in the darkened sky.

"Ephidel has voted to Ally."

...Seriously? Bewildered gaze darts briefly to the other's form, even as his own decision shifts and twists itself upon his wrist. Had he needlessly doubted a sincere offer of alliance? He looks down at the brand of Betrayal now upon him. A visible mark of villainy, almost a mockery of all his choices in life.

It's just a game. That's all. What bearing does it have upon you as a person?

(Nothing. Everything.)

Units of trust, forever slipping through his fingers.

Pockets heavier, Andrei too turns away, the memory of burning golden eyes following him long after Ephidel had left his sight.

Andrei's decision illuminates before the morph's eyes. Betrayal. He is not surprised, and his tokens swirl from his hand by the spirits that guide them.

But as the light begins to fade, it snatches each of their wrists and curls into a bracelet; their decisions brazen upon them. Ephidel's lips twist and eyes crease.

'Ally' upon his own.

He regards the man one last time before turning his back to leave.

'Units of trust, milord.'

[lunaede]

[ soothe ] sender kisses receiver to stop them from shaking

He did well to hide it. It was only by looking into his soul that Ephidel could see how it trembled. It was among the morph's duties to ease the hearts of the monastery's body; they were not sure why, but they had found this is what humans sought for that. Hands held in theirs, Ephidel leaned forward to whisper into the knight's ear. "Still your heart, Sir Frederick." Lips of ice graced his cheek before they tickled the curve of his jaw once again. "You are safe in these hands."

different kinds of kisses ( accepting! )

Of course he was anxious. How could he not be? After all that's happened, Frederick feels tense. It didn't feel like less of a dream because it was one, rather it felt even more real. Should no one else have acknowledged what happened, maybe it would be different. Maybe he could have ignored it all. But he cannot.

He closes his eyes. He's not used to seeking comfort this way, but he cannot deny that it helps. With Ephidel's kisses on his skin he feels his shivers change from those derived of fear to those of a different nature.

"I'm sorry," he says, and his voice is quiet. "I don't know what's come over me."

[thewitchsaccord]

Night does not fall because it never left. The stars are trapped in place and the moon will offer no guidance if asked. A procession of spirits arrives outside the monastery's gates to escort you to what was not long ago an abandoned town left to ruin and rot, recently overrun with some new, decaying faces.

The most observant among you may soon realize that despite their frightful appearances, the ghosts and skeletons occupying the town will only assail those who draw too close to the hordes of candy they guard.

A tall white shadow looms on the highest building, humming a melody that is likely to be less familiar than the voice itself considering the host makes no effort to alter her inflection and pitch.

"Fufufu..." she murmurs, seeing that some of you have grown restless. "I am Nihil. You have been chosen to participate in a game."

🍬 Candy Tracker 🍬

Ewan (@eagerfutureflame) vs Azama (@carefreemonk) Hilda (@delicatevalentine) vs Sonya (@excalibris) Andrei (@ulircursed) vs Ephidel (@artificidel) Azelle (@fjalarspark) vs Caspar @berglietz Lukas (@redmessenger) vs Forsyth (@viridescent-lance) Lucius (@semperiuvare) vs Niamh (@boundlesschaos) Grima (@fellincantation) vs Felicia (@maeido) Lilian (@divinecrest) vs Emma & Miranda (@shiningfalcon & @anruraiocht) Corrin (M) (@duskofendflame) vs Jakob (@indevouement) Knoll (@pryings) vs Caeda (@arcaeda) Selena (FE8) (@fluxrspar) vs Eldigan (@lionheartsoath) Sigurd (@bxldrsdraumar) vs Skrimir (@galliason) Leif (@diadic) vs Sylvain (@gauldheri)

[lmstella]

If a link to your reply isn’t below and it’s my turn, let me know, because I’ve lost it 👉👈

https://www.tumblr.com/artificidel/719894603920293889/x

https://www.tumblr.com/fangedjustice/712908695871324160/limstella-lloyd-repeated-quiet-as-he-tested  

https://justicefanged.tumblr.com/post/713376498551324672/this-time-when-his-opponent-goes-through-the    

https://cursedbluebird.tumblr.com/post/714999973890097152/marianne-was-already-short-compared-to-some-of-the 

https://www.tumblr.com/ylisseanstar/724411856882696192/suspend-your-disbe-leif-lmstella-everything

[fluxrspar]

She sets about making herself useful almost immediately upon arriving in Rusalka. Her only pause—forgivable, given the context—was before her liege, one she had thought gone reanimated as himself; a being in his own control.

Being a knight, however, she could not be distracted from her duty for very long.

It is through this determination that Selena finds herself in the village’s approximation of an apothecary. Though the mage could not claim knowledge in the art of developing medicine—she was not even versed in white magic (or as it was referred to in Fódlan: faith magic)—seeing the emperor again, plagued still by the illness that had gripped him in life, she could not help her desire to alleviate whatever he may be suffering behind his smile; anything, she would do in the service of His Majesty.

She learns first by observing, passing along herbs and the like when she is asked; then by actively doing, if just one step in the process. Gradually a proficiency is built, until she is able to work with a fraction of the same efficiency as the other villagers, even if she did not yet know what each aid was for. The knowledge is internalized, fossilized into stone; carried on for when she returns later, alone.

Perhaps it is merely her nature that she cannot remain idle for long; or maybe it is that she does not tire at the same rate as the other villagers. Whatever the reason, the work begins anew—sorting through baskets and using freshly gained information to do more; to assist; to aid.

(A few moments pass; she recognizes the faint presence of another.)

Eyes turn instinctively, an old weapon expecting a threat—and a sharp gaze softens, when she realizes that it is not. “Oh,” is all she says at first, before continuing: “You’re…��

…not quite like the others, but that wasn’t what Selena intended to say. Though his eyes glimmered unnaturally and his presence was as loud as a doll’s, Selena assumed humanity of the man she was looking at. Given all the facts, she had no reason to assume otherwise.

“…one of the clergy members, right? Of the Church of Seiros?” (He had walked alongside them; the long path from the monastery to the tear to Rusalka.) “Are you here to make medicine as well?”

The Fluorspar stands, taking the supplies to her work station and setting them down. “I am, at least. You’re free to join me, if you’d like.”

@artificidel

cough cough milord

apollyon ouranos; team theta making medicine; +1 public opinion per post; one concoction every 5 posts

[making-dough]

Kicked out of Nahan not a penny to our name ♠ - Dear whichever gods were listening, when she'd (privately) asked for these jerk villagers to get in trouble, she wasn't that serious. And especially not in being by a random army. Well, end result was that they lost half their group (mostly the students like Maria) to said army, it looked like? And the rest of them kicked out of town to regroup in a nearby forest and plan their next move.

Well, given the way they were received though, Farina couldn't say she was surprised they ended up getting chased out of town. It was the how that was surprising. Well, she'd never been welcomed in the first place so she wasn't about to get too fussed on getting thrown out. More importantly, getting their students kidnapped was probably going to be a problem. Never mind the entire question of why were there armed soldiers going around kidnapping random villagers in the first place. "Firstly, do we know even know which way those soldiers went?", Farina pointed out. "We'll just make everything worse if we start stumbling around blindly." She paused for a moment to stroke the back of her pegasus as if silently offering an option they had available. "Well, if we need to, I guess I could go for a bit of a fly. A caravan like that should be easy to spot from the air!"

And it seemed like her idea had attracted some merit, with Ephidel and Byleth at least, speaking up in its favour and Hilda even expressing some interest in joining with. Just then, a certain empty-eyed young man burst out of the bushes nearby, trying to get them to follow him instead towards the north-east, towards the Grannvale border. Apparently, he went by Colla and the Nahan villagers' claimed he was the army's target. Apparently, he came across that army before and got dumped for being 'too old', which made the pushy way he was trying to get them to follow him all the weirder.

"Whoa there!", Farina hissed out in response to the Colla's urgings. "You seem awfully eager to be heading back towards a group you only just got away from." Granted, said group might not have wanted him but who's ever heard of someone just rushing into trouble? "Don't tell me you've got your own pals those goons have nabbed?", she guessed. It made sense for a motive as any, ignoring the possibility of the whole thing being a trap, anyway. His appearance was just a little too convenient here and his urgings sounded just a little too eager. Still, having a local guide would certainly make things easier. If it's a trap, well, they'll deal with it when it gets sprung. "No complaints here, then.", she laughed, grabbing a handful of her mount's reins. "Let's go!" Well, just so long as they kept a sharp eye out, anyway. Speed might be of the essence but no sense in being too careless, right?

But before that..."Hilda, you're with me!", Farina declared, swinging herself onto her pegasus' back and nudging him into taking off. "We're flying!" That was little sense in putting all their trust in Colla's directions. At the very least, they should get a much better idea of what exactly they were dealing with around, right?

[nagaficat]

As is customary for Ephidel, he seems to appear from thin air behind Deirdre. Only making his presence known by his uncharacteristically soft voice. He looks almost like a lost child at this soiree. "I trust you are enjoying yourself Lady Deirdre?"

It seems like such a silly question. Of course she is enjoying herself! Deirdre finds it difficult to imagine someone out there who might not be having the time of their lives. It is a wonderful, enchanted, perfect evening and she intends to savor every moment of it.

But she knows that, ultimately, Ephidel's question is one asked in politeness and she smiles warmly at the man who has become someone quite dear to her. "I am very much. Even more so now that you are near!" She reaches for his hands and, as their palms touch, a flower springs to life at her neck.

"And you, Deacon? I trust you and your beloved are having a wonderful time as well?"

[twistedisciple]

New Year Cleanup

Griss' drafts should be completely clear now. For the sake of starting fresh for 2024, I'm also going to be dropping the following threads:

Anthemusa w/ @unsungblade [starter posted 5/3/23, no reply] Withering Dogwood w/ @iyusiia [last reply 9/29/23] Combat Conglomeration w/ @artificidel [last reply 9/29/23]

There are also 14 memory prompts still in his inbox that I intend to write responses to soon.