#drace replies

[dracereads]

Getting To Know Everyone (9 People Tag Game)

tagging: @thecasualbookreviewer; You're the best! I really appreciate the tag.

Last Song: I take this as the song stuck in my head, which is Gold Dust Woman by Fleetwood Mac at the moment

Last Show: Umbrella Academy!

Currently Watching: Netflix Sandman; Probably going to keep working on What We Do in The Shadows afterwards

Currently Reading: Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby, and when that makes me cry too much I switch back into Rick Riordan's The Sea of Monsters

tagging: @cre8iveovadose @white-flag-idiot @kajsaschubeler @echoesofnewords @criminal-activityinthefrogswamp @belle-annd-the-book + anyone else who might be interested in doing this. (Honestly if you want a tag, LMK plz)

[illbringthechaosmagic]

Ghosts of Ivalice Past reply for @tarnishedxknight

Wanda had been in the room with Drace and Ashe when the brothers walked in. She had had a brief chat with Drace, welcoming her to the team and filling her in on the small piece she had to play in both the twins lives. It was a little complicated to say the least but they were working through it, with Wanda honoured to call them both her partners. She had been in the middle of asking Drace about her own life when she spotted the two brothers walking in, noticing how Noah seemed to be panicked when he saw the other.

"Noah..." she quickly got up from her seat and rushed to his side, her hands reaching for his arm, even as he wrenched it away from Basch. Her gaze moved to Basch for a moment, silently telling him that it was ok. "Noah, you're ok... take a deep breath in for me..."

Her words trailed off as Drace spoke to him, her gaze moving between the two of them. It was best for Noah to tell her why he was reacting the way he was rather than her butting in, especially when she was sure that she didn't know all of the details. After all, Noah hadn't completely opened up to her about everything, only giving her small pieces of information at a time.

That didn't mean that she was going to stay quiet when the two of them snapped at Basch. "Hey!" There was a bluntness to her voice, the red mist of her powers glowing around her eyes as she looked at them both. "I get that you're overwhelmed Noah but Basch is trying to help you out. As for you," she turned to Drace, "careful how you address him. You might have held a position of authority back in your own land but you're part of this team now. Meaning you all work together."

Dropping Noah's arm, she turned to look at Basch, her hand taking his gently. "Are you alright?"

[disillusionedjudge]

A Reason For Everything | closed reply

@tarnishedxknight - continued from here

Practically being dropped into an unfamiliar time was something Gylfie had not been pleased with, although she was tempered for the reason for such... disruption. After all, back in Archadia, she had...

No one.

Drace was dead, and Gabranth was presumed as much. She had killed her own father, could no longer try and reunite with her mother and sister, and even Cael had just vanished. She was trapped following Vayne's every order as he became increasingly unstable - doing everything she could to keep Larsa safe in the stead of Drace and Gabranth. Zargabaath had, fortunately, become an unexpected ally in such a time, forced in the same position as she, even if he realized too late the danger of Vayne in power. But now... all she could do was pray that he had been able to protect Larsa when she had not.

Here, at least, she was finally free from Vayne. Here, at least, she had her loved ones again, and she could keep better watch over them. At least, as much as her new titleless and jobless position allowed her, but... it was enough, at least, to curb her initial fury. It was good to see Cael again - or Caelen, really - even though he had both Ashelia and Basch. And it was certainly good to have Drace and Gabranth with her again, even if... if...

Gabranth had been a worry of hers, as she knew his temper and instability, but being there with Drace seemed to have helped him. Now, however, her concern was Drace. She seemed... volatile - far more than before - and out of sorts. It would have been simple enough to dismiss it as her adjusting to such a drastic change, but... it had been a few weeks, and she still seemed off. Gylfie did well to keep a close eye on her without hovering, and was rather content watching from the sidelines as Drace and Gabranth sparred - taking silent note as she studied Drace. As she watched her make mistake after mistake, and watched as Gabranth began to best her, over and over again. Gylfie's itch to for a good spar was well smothered by her concern, which only grew as a medical technician interrupted and pulled Drace aside. What was wrong with her? Her stomach twisted, but she made no movement to get closer - knowing better than to invade a private conversation, let alone Drace's.

Instead, she moved to stand next to Gabranth with a stretch. Careful to keep her own worries masked to avoid adding to his. "Watch that one," she joked. "She'll kick your ass next round, you know. She's done that with me before." A partial truth, a partial lie. All the same, really, though Gylfie wasn't sure if she was trying to convince him or herself of Drace's wellbeing. "However, if you two are quite done flirting, I would--"

She didn't finish - her attention snapping back to her beloved mentor as she just... left. Without a word, without acknowledging them. And that was enough for Gylfie to refuse to stay quiet on it much longer.

"I have her," she said quickly to Gabranth, and hurried after Drace. Her heart in her throat as she did her best to quell her racing thoughts. What could she have been told that made her leave so sudden? That made her not even want to speak to her? To Gabranth? Please be okay, she prayed. Please let me in.

Gylfie slowed as she reached Drace's quarters and, with a deep breath to steady herself, she knocked. Loud enough to be heard, but... gentle, in a way, to keep from startling her. "Drace?" she called. "'Tis only me. Mind if I come in?" Of course, if she was refused entry, she would leave, but... oh, gods, above, she hoped Drace would allow her in. She wasn't sure how long she could wait until she tried again, and certainly wasn't sure what she would tell Gabranth.

[blairmalfoyxo]

Stargazing ✨💫

Characters : Draco Malfoy, Blair Potter (Harry's sister) and rest of Hogwarts

Summary : Forbidden love means forbidden dates but they are difficult when your brother is the star of the school

✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧

"Draco where are you taking me? It's almost lunch time!" Blair whined as Draco dragged her towards the room of requirement.

"Just wait for some time." He carefully opened a carefully concealed panel and took out a picnic basket.

"What's that ?" Blair asked confused.

"Our lunch. We haven't been out for a while so I figured out we could have a picnic date." Drace replied with a silly grin as Blair's face lit up.

They both hand in hand went through the corridors making sure that no one saw them.

Only one corridor more

Blair thought, but they both halted when they heard footsteps coming their way. They recognised the voice as one of the gryffindors'. Their eyes widened and Blair quickly pushed Draco into a nearby corner.

Dean was talking to Seamus and halted on seeing Blair in the corridor.

"Blair what are you doing here? Dean asked with a cheerful smile.

"uhh nothing , just lost my way" Blair nervously fiddled with the bow on the basket.

"Harry was looking for you. We should go to the dining hall." Dean suggested , Blair was about to shake her head no when Harry appeared in the doorway. Draco facepalmed on seeing Harry. Harry looked at her and the basket in confusion.

"I just found this lying randomly" Blair said and kept the basket on the window nearby. Harry was confused for a second but shrugged it off "fine , just leave it there and we are gonna be late for lunch".

Harry grabbed Blair's hand taking her away while Draco watches in the corner.

Hours later

The sun had set and the stars were twinkling in the sky , Blair sat in the corner of her dorm , her mood gloomy. A pebble hit the window catching her attention. She opened the window to see an enchanted scroll. She opened it to find Draco's message to meet her in the courtyard.

Grabbing her coat , she rushed downstairs and found Draco in the courtyard with the picnic basket laid with all the snacks.

A wide grin made its way on both their faces as Draco kissed her and mumbled "I needed to compensate for today's date. We can always have a picnic under the stars. Stargazing is one of my fav hobbies."

They both laid on the blanket watching the stars and eating snacks blissfully unaware of Hermione searching the dorms for her.

✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧

[5judgements]

@stingslikeabee​ asked:

❛ History is a strong word. It was more of a… dalliance. ❜

   Do not think for a moment I missed the way you two gazed upon one another. Does our fine Magister have a history with the lovely focus of entertainment this night?

   Drace had been seated at the same table Melissa approached while performing, accompanied by Ghis and Gabranth. While it was no mistake that the Bhujerban’s attention had been centered on the eldest of them, that same brief occupation of space had belonged to a shared moment of realization that neither of the pair had been able to entirely subdue, noticed well enough by Drace and she was ever curious about it. She had no quarrels with the uncomfortable, speaking quite more freely than most would appreciate.

   Which had readily lead to her intrusion upon them talking, squared away from the rest of the attending bodies, and it nearly appeared Gabranth was keeping the dancer cornered there.

   History is a strong word. It was more of a... dalliance.

   Gabranth cannot hide how her words strike him, brows furrowing and a hard frown forming.

   “Yes.. nothing more,” he replies lackluster. With him staring at Melissa for a few moments longer, Drace watches them with the utmost air of wondering what was beneath the casual demeanor they were showing. It was obvious that there was more than to what either of them had let on and she was keen on understanding.

   As if on a cue of knowing that Gabranth and Melissa wanted to continue their private conversation, Drace excuses herself, wearing a small grin before wandering away from the two of them.

   Gabranth doesn’t share her air of mirth.

   “Had our time together truly meant so little to you?” A brief pause before he’s starting to step away from Melissa, unwanting of an actual answer.

   “Enjoy your time in Archades, Melissa.”

[tarnishedxknight]

"In favor of not getting sick from whatever the hell they consider food nowadays," Gylfie said as she leaned against the doorframe, "I'm making myself dinner. Would either of you like something?"

((@disillusionedjudge for Drace and Gabranth in their mcu verse!))

@disillusionedjudge | “i’ll keep you safe” prompts

"Aye, most definitely," Drace said all too quickly, her frustration with modern cuisine made very apparent. "Cuisine" was far too kind a word for it as far as she was concerned. It tasted terrible, looked about as appetizing as it tasted, and what it did to her digestive system was downright unholy. "That would very considerate of you, Ynarra, thank you."

"You cook?" was Gabrath's brief and uninformed reply. His brow furrowed.

Drace look at him in bewilderment. "Have you never partaken of Ynarra's excellent cooking before?"

Gabranth shrugged and shook his head. "I tend to forego the majority of meals, so..." he said.

Drace frowned disapprovingly. "Aye, well... be that as it may, Ynarra is truly gifted with regard to food preparation. I suggest you avail yourself of her offer."

"Very well," Gabranth said, turning to Gylfie. "What do you plan on preparing, and do you require assistance?"

"Careful, now. We wish it to be edible. Best not to let Gabranth anywhere near it," Drace said, a slight smirk curling her lips.

He sighed in embarrassed frustration. "Why, because there was once a single incident involving a small roast...?"

"You set both it and the kitchen on fire with your misguided culinary endeavor. Alarms blared and your ship was thought to be under attack," Drace deadpanned.

"And after that I employed a cook on the Penumbra. I learned from my mistakes," he said.

"Gods be praised! Gabranth acknowledged he made a mistake," she joked, her smirk returning and growing.

Gabranth sucked his teeth but made no attempt at protest, knowing Drace knew him much too well for his own good. He clenched his jaw to prevent a smile from forming on his own lips, refusing to let Drace have that victory. "The answer is yes, we would like to dine with you," he said to Gylfie.

[booasaur]

Natalia Reyes post something about the ship. Grace and Dani! It looks like she support it.

I SAW that! It made me laugh. For those who don’t know, she posts something TDF-related every Terminator Thursday, and this week’s thing was an instastory from someone asking if they…well:

And yes, that’s a little rainbow slider and the average response was to the max. Everyone knows this ship should’ve been canon!

[draceempressa]

Sca isn’t broke tho. Her NP gain is meh and she’s mostly good for divine enemies. Takumi seems really off balance being an archer but can fight short range too

Yeah , it's actually keeping faith to his Conquest incarnation that he have similar skill in that path, called Point Blank there. Other hints that Heroes Takumi is Conquest Takumi and not the original playable Takumi is that his red eyes and Vengeance skill. Hpwever, despite all of that skils and originally in Conquest path he is a raging madman sniping down everything that try to stop him from destroying Nohr for killing his mom Mikoto, he is very sane and sweet instead in Heroes, because fanservice. Same with Raijinto and Siegfried's built-in Distant Counter effect. back in Fates Raijinto shoots lightning and Siegfried shoots off black flames, so that's explains how they could counter from distance. but Hector? where did that Distant Counter come from? Also, Takumi have been stated to be a swordsman at some point but give up swordplay because Ryoma keep handing his ass off. He's not a slouch at close-range combat in story. Takumi is THE most broken archer in FE franchise, period. Back in Fates he's nuking everything too with his ridiculously high crit rate. Also, Fujin Yumi have been neutered here. The original effect is that he can move while ignoring terrains like a flier, that's why no one bother to reclass him into kinshi knight. But they do drew him in that class, because aesthetic, heh. Not that all of these incarnations are accurate, tho. For example, originally in Shadow Dragon Gradivus' effect is full health restore. Here? Distant counter. Hauteclere? 10+ HP per turn. Here? Special cooldown. Not all PRF weapon maintained their original effect, yeah. Also I was stalking some artist's twitter that ships Leo x Takumi and most of them also plays FGO and they also have Arjuna and Gilgamesh. What a surprise.

[stingslikeabee]

her intentions to seek out ghis in the palace had met her not with him, bur drace, who was more than keen on seeing the bhujerban to her source of interest. the magister's words consist of explanation towards the other judge's absence; he is toiling away on the sparring grounds with bergan, of all people.

and what a sight it is to behold. all of them had something to learn from one another, always bettering themselves against the best of the best. the two are more or less entirely involved in the fight, unarmed, unarmored and it is perhaps the first and last time melissa will ever see bergan so venerable.

at first glance they seem almost evenly matched, but as the display goes on it should not be overlooked that bergan has yet to make any meaningful impact against ghis, who of which has not only struck bergan several times over but has earned a colorful bought of curses out of the meaner judge.

it seems to be irritating him to a point he's given up trying to win and is only intending to do anything to at least hit ghis. it winds up being his downfall, as ghis sees the anger and allows not only for bergan to misstep, but to trip him up in the same motion, and a swift knee into the larger's ribcage. the crack that becomes of it is audible and ghis stops only then, stepping back, and observing as nearby magickal healers rush inward.

breathing heavy and stepping away from the reeling bergan, who continues to curse ghis, he has only just noticed that melissa was even there. surprise colors his features as he walks over to where both her and drace have been watching, stopping just before them and breathing still quickened.

'to what do i owe the immense pleasure of your presence?' he asks, eyeing drace as if accusing his fellow magister of something unknown. drace knew well enough that having civilans around the training grounds was a dangerous venture, but a small price to pay in watching bergan be put in his place.

unscripted asks . always accepting

Among the judge magisters of the Empire, Melissa clearly had a favorite - her attachment to Ghis was a rather public affair, at least among his peers. It had enabled her to be present at a number of social and public gatherings, and the Bhujerban had clearly bonded swimmingly with judges Drace and Zargabaath, while her relationship with Gabranth was civil, albeit a little distant and neutral.

With Bergan, however - anyone in the same room with the two of them would feel the temperature dropping several degrees given the icy, pointed stares she offered that magister. He made no secret of his disdain or biased opinion of foreigners (even if she was technically only half-Bhujerban); and if Melissa couldn’t very well respond or act in any way that could put her at risk (or indirectly reflect on Ghis), it didn’t mean she wasn’t allowed to silently desire for a painful death of that particular officer.

And while she had never said anything to anyone about her profound dislike for the other noble-born magister that was not the one she was currently in a relationship with - Drace seemed to have picked up on that really fast. Melissa was certain that had been the reason that prompted the other woman to lead her inside, getting a civilian to the training grounds where she wouldn’t be typically allowed - and yet, with Drace’s characteristic armor by her side (albeit with the helmet being removed while she too watched the match), no one dared question the dancer for being there.

It was rather mesmerizing - there were a number of surprising details, the first one of them being the lack of armor; the second thing was Ghis’ agility - it really showed how good and attentive he was in close combat in opposition to Bergan. Without even realizing she had reacted in that way, Melissa had stepped ahead, hands finding the railings that separated the more public area from the grounds proper and gripping at them with more strength than it was perhaps necessary.

If Drace noticed it, she kept it to herself - but she did have a smile on her face after realizing how the younger woman watched the match with undivided attention. Melissa’s eyes followed the figure of her lover - and it was clear she had a side, although she remained mindful of her surroundings and never once shouted or created some commotion. But as soon as Ghis found his opening and Bergan fell to the floor, the dancer reacted with a bit more emotion than she should - her body moved forward with a sudden swing and a smug smile appeared on her face, hands tapping on the railings in a way to translate the excitement coursing through her veins.

Oh yes - she had enjoyed that. A fallen, annoyed Bergan with the added injury of having failed before an audience (as small as it was) brought no meager satisfaction to Melissa (and to Drace as well, although the other magistrate seemed more amused at the dancer’s reactions than the incessant cursing of her peer).

But there was more to it - and with the proximity of Ghis and the fact he was currently unarmed and affected by the training (as well as the display of skill that had ended just a moment ago)... It all very much fueled Melissa’s desire to outright pull him by the light fabrics that covered him and kiss him senselessly on the lips. She had never imagined to one day be genuinely attracted to the man she now shared a home with - but by the gods, she was.

Impossibly so, and doing everything within her power to control the urge to just show him how much.

“I had something to say to Your Honor, but it has presently slipped my mind...” she confessed with a slightly breathless voice of her own, eyes roaming over his figure rather boldly for the place they were in. But Drace - ever the attentive one - moved away without a word, the sound of her armor denouncing her distance and leaving the pair alone at that corner of the training grounds despite the fact that they were very much in plain sight for the other palace employees and army members.

"Jarvis,” she practically whispered his name - there was no one around to hear and take offense, but it showed just how personal that experience felt to the dancer, “I cannot wait to see you tonight. Without Judge Drace by my side I am not sure I can remain here any longer, and frankly...” She reached out to him - a hand raised, slowly, just enough to brush a strand of hair away from where it had been stuck to his skin given the effort made while training; and just that small, harmless touch felt very much like fire, igniting her in all the right ways - and yet very much improper for palace grounds.

“...I should go before I cannot contain myself anymore.”

[lumifuer]

Marked

Pairings: Draco Malfoy x Reader

Summary: Draco shows you his mark.  Words: 870 Warnings: Of course I came back with angst A/N’s: A little disclaimer at the bottom of this fic. 

The exposed skin of your lower back touched the cold stone wall, and the sensation sent a shiver down your spine. You exhaled against his lips and he took it for an invitation to allow his hand to move further under your shirt. His fingertips left a lingering sense of passion and started pinning deeper into your skin as you playfully tugged at his light blonde hair.

Similar meetings became a habit of yours, and although your relationship wasn't a secret to anyone at school, you enjoyed having him all to yourself in the middle of the day, even if just for a brief moment. But this time didn't feel like usual. His eyes were more absent, his caress lacked the influence it usually possessed over you.

"Draco," you gently brushed his flushed cheeks, and the touch jerked him back to reality.

"Yes, love," his gaze focused on you.

"What's troubling you?"

He looked surprised at first, and it quickly evolved into confusion. Right, as if someone cared about what he felt. You knew that thought must have crossed his mind - you could almost read it from his frowned forehead.

"It's--," he stuttered, looking away. Something was wrong. And you began to feel hopeless, which in return filled you with anxiety. You couldn't make him talk, and too much pressure would make him shut you out again. But at the same time, it felt wrong to just abandon the topic. You tucked a misplaced strand of hair behind his ear and gently turned his head to make him look at you.

"Whatever it is, I'm here for you."

The words came out as a whisper, but you would never guess how loud they were echoing in his head. He battled with his thoughts, cautiously considering the pros and cons of sharing his secret with you as he did many times in the past. But the deciding factor - your safety - would always successfully close his mouth shut. No matter the cost for him. All of this reflected on his expression -  the desire to be heard and aided, fear of something unknown to you, and finally, complete retreat. Your heart broke at the thought of letting this chance slip by your fingers, something ominous screaming in the back of your head to not give up.

"Draco, please," you begged. His blue eyes locked with yours as your voice broke. He took your hand in his and pulled you out of the corridor you were hiding in. You followed him in silence, uneasy, but you told yourself whatever it was, you were ready to help him. With every next step, your heart was beating more painfully than the second before.

Finally, you found yourself in a secluded area, a dark passage that nobody seemed to be using anymore. Drace glanced behind your back to make sure no one was following you and then closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

His pale hand traveled down to the sleeve of his robe and tucked at the hem of it. He frowned and hesitated before finally pulling it up and exposing a mark imprinted on his skin.

Your vision went blurry, eyes grew wider, and lips parted, the disbelief left your body trembling.

"What is that?" the symbol, a skull with a snake protruding from its mouth couldn't be mistaken for anything else.

"You know what it means," he replied indifferently. Or at least that's how he wanted to be perceived. But you were the only person he couldn't have fooled.

Out of all the emotions, you could have felt at that moment, anger was the most glaring of all. You felt furious at the mere thought of Draco allowing to be branded under whatever threat or reason. You desperately wanted to put the blame on someone, anyone but him as he was standing in front of you, exposing his arm and avoiding your gaze.

The thoughts came in like a flood. You were unable to process a single one of them and move on to another. You hid your face in your hands, seeking refuge in complete darkness, but it brought no peace.

"Please,(Y/N)," his voice was begging and vulnerable, he let his guard down and all of his fears fell down on you, "don't leave."

You looked up at him.

"How could I ever leave?" the words slipped up, but you didn't mind. "I love you."

He let go of the fabric of his robe and locked you in a tight embrace. His chin rested on your shoulder, and you caressed his neck with your fingertips. You didn't know who to trust. You couldn't just accept this situation and move on. Was there a way to rid him of this mark completely? Or did he even want that to happen? You were too scared to ask. You swore to be ready for whatever secret he buried deep inside of his mind, but this was proving to be just a little bit too much. You felt useless, knowing quite well what - or who you were dealing with. But you wouldn't dare to question one thing; you were going to be there for Draco.

Whatever fate throws in his way.

Thank you so much for reading! Comments and reblogs are greatly appreciated! ♥

DISCLAIMER: I started using tiktok and Draco kept popping on my for you page. It wasn’t a concious choice to get into HP fandom now. I haven’t read the books before and I just want to say - it has nothing to do with JKR. I don’t support her comments about trans community and I actually didn’t want to write for the fandom for that particular reason. Let me know if I should keep writng for him. 

[dracereads]

@agardenandlibrary: Nice! My Kindle has lasted me 10 years so I think it's been worth it for me. I hope you have similar luck with yours!

I'm really hoping so as well! I sat and read through way too many articles, personal reviews, and even a few youtube videos before making my decision. I've heard nothing but good things about kindles overall, so I'm genuinely optimistic!

[pomefioreundergroundlab]

SRS: Honestly why do I always encounter many people who tend to assume Game Yuu as a boy? Game Yuu has no physical features and gender in the purpose that everyone in all race and gender can play the game. Yuuken and Yuuya are simply Game Yuu's male incarnations. (IDK if they will make a female incarnation, let's just see)

From what I have seen, it could be because of a number of reasons. Main one could be the setting itself, since Night Raven College is an All-Male deal, a lot of people must go with: "Well, Yuu must be a boy too, then." Another could be people seeing the above, and getting into the game thinking it's a BL, so, of course, the main character must be a male.

I, personally, don't think much about Yuu's appearance, they're Just Some Person that looks a little like Ciel Phantomhive in my mind.

~Mod Lag

There was a scene where Ace mistook Epel for a girl, and Trey replied "Hahaha, silly you! there is no girl here, this is an all male school after all! They (the pomefiore dorm) are full of pretty boys but they are all male!"

From this reaction, it could be assumed that Yuu is , at least, biologically male, otherwise in universe characters would make a fuss, (with the whole how did a female student get accepted to a male school, fanfics who features female yuus as least shows this fuss) moreso character who differentiate between men and women greatly , can tell if they are biologically female , namely Ruggie and Leona, and yet neither Ruggie or Leona treats Yuu any different than any other student.

You can at least assume their gender, but it's highly implied with the cast's reaction Yuu is biologically male.

-Mod Drace

[disillusionedjudge]

All At Once | closed reply

@tarnishedxknight - continued from here

Gylfie was almost convinced this time was one of the seven hells. It was a fate well deserved for her, she thought, although being joined by the others made it clear this was simply their new reality. It was... all too much. Everything she had fought for - the very Empire she had bled for - was gone. All of her sacrifices - her struggles and triumphs - meant nothing. Archadia was gone. Dalmasca was gone. Ivalice was gone. Their history wiped from existence, despite how rich this time was with it. It was almost easier to bear, not being alone with something as soul-crushing as this, but...

She loathed to admit it, but being denied work all but broke her. Everything she had strived for - everything she had fought for - was now all for naught. And the grief she now carried...

This lasting grief - this depression, as it was so aptly named - wasn't entirely unfamiliar to her. There had been times she would, when not on duty, seek refuge in the office of Drace or Gabranth and sit with them as they worked to ease the heaviness in her heart. But those moments had been rare, and usually struck when harshly reminded of her lack of family or friends to turn to, and easily brushed aside as her simply being bored. There to either aid or bother, depending on her mood, her mentors until they had to leave or they asked her to find something else to keep herself entertained.

But she could not hide it now. They knew, as shameful as it was, and she did everything she could to keep her head above water. She spoke to Drace and Gabranth about it, which helped, and did well to try and keep her mind and body busy, but... It still weighed heavy upon her. It led her to, at times, almost act as though she were a ghost, simply drifting by. In and out of the compound to wander the forest that surrounded it, to find her bearings and keep herself occupied. Yet... there was a strange grace to it, although one she was hesitant to accept.

Her previous disdain, if not outright hostility, for the two Dalmascans who took residence at the compound with them was all but gone. Now in the form of a cautious interest - ever mindful of Basch and the bad blood between him and Gabranth, no matter how one-sided it was beginning to seem, and ever curious of Ashelia. While she was slowly accepting that... Basch was not the same person Gabranth had described him as, she was also beginning to see that Ashelia was far from the annoying, childish Princess she had so quickly brushed her off to be.

To be certain, there had always been some degree of respect Gylfie felt for Ashelia. After all, she could recognize her resilience and strength, and admired her dedication to saving her homeland. But that had usually been passing feelings, covered by the way Ashelia would react to her or Drace or Gabranth, and covered by the way they had clashed upon a variety of topics. Perhaps she had simply been clinging to old divisions to ease the ache in her chest - a last, desperate attempt to hold onto something familiar, when all that had been familiar was lost. Regardless of reason, it... was an assessment she no longer felt fitting. Ashelia carried herself still with such strength and dignity through it all, Gylfie couldn't help but acknowledge her respect for her, and accept the olive branch when it had been offered.

But something was still off about her, though it was something Gylfie never pressed. It was not her place, even if it was something she could recognize and name as a familiar. Their friendship was still in its infancy, and something she was cautious about testing the limits of just yet. Besides, as far as she was aware, Ashelia had Basch, and figured them to be confiding in each other, just as she was with Drace and Gabranth. And perhaps they were, or perhaps they weren't, but she had failed to see just how much the Princess had been carrying until she heard her sob.

The sudden sounds immediately had Gylfie rush to find its source, and, for a moment, a part of her wondered if it would be best if she left to find Basch. Wondered if he would be better to comfort Ashelia than she, but...

Gylfie's heart ached to see her in such a state - to see her on her knees and holding herself tight as she sobbed - and, without much thought, she made her way to her, and crouched beside her. "Let it out," she instructed softly, and rested a gentle hand upon Ashelia's shoulder. "Let it out, Lady Ashe. I will be right here beside you. It will be alright."

[bigprettygothgf]

i want to thank drace for reminding me that the best way to reply to chuds is to ask them to post hog 

[5judgements]

gabranth has decided he’s taking a nap today, so that’s all i got for now oop

[tarnishedxknight]

"How's your arm?"

((@disillusionedjudge for Drace after the battle at Nalbina!))

@disillusionedjudge

Drace was almost never seen without her armor, but after the Battle of Nalbina Fortress, she was unfortunately sidelined for a few weeks. Perhaps for several. Time would tell. Although the battle had been an unquestioned victory for the Empire, Drace had not emerged unscathed. In attempting to draw the Dalmascan reinforcements from the fortress to better enable the destruction of the protective paling that surrounded it, she had crossed paths with Ser Basch fon Ronsenburg, Gabranth's twin brother. Regrettably, and to her utmost mortification, it was a duel he'd won.

The resemblance had been... disturbing. His fighting style was a unique one, though, and very different from Gabranth's own. She knew she ought not to compare the brothers, but in her curiosity, she had subconsciously done so. And silently, for she would never bring such topics up with Gabranth. It had been a strange encounter, however, for she'd found her usually easily restrained emotions giving way at the mere sight of the man. She knew well the reasons why Gabranth wanted nothing to do with Basch, and in her love for him, those reasons for hatred had become her own. Some part of her, whether she realized it or not, had been defending Gabranth that day, and it may have been that emotional volatility that cost her the duel entirely.

A blow to her left upper arm, dealt by the knight's sword finding a small break in her defense, had dislocated her shoulder on impact and resulted in severe muscle contusions. There had been enough power and strength behind the attack to dent her armor significantly, causing extensive bruising where the misshapen metal crushed her flesh. The sudden, shocking pain alone had caused her to cry out and stagger, but despite all Gabranth said of his brother's arrogance and self-righteousness... Basch had ceased his attacks the moment he'd realized the blow had struck true.

He'd simply stood and watched her, sword held in a defensive stance, unwilling to resume battle while she was faltering and in pain. Fool, she thought. You could have killed me. And yet, some small part of her respected the man for having such honor, which was an increasing rarity in the world. The Knights of Dalmasca, unlike the Judge Magisters of Archadia, were known throughout Ivalice for such honor, but this had been Drace's first time experiencing it. It left her conflicted and with many questions about Basch that she knew would likely never be answered.

The paling fell soon after, and with it, Nabradia's and Dalmasca's dreams of defending Nalbina Fortress and staving off Archadian occupation. Drace... had stepped back from Basch and relaxed her stance, a silent indication straight from the standard rules of engagement that she was withdrawing from the duel. "This is not yet over between us. Mark you well my words, Ronsenburg. I shall repay you in kind for this, someday hence," she'd said strongly, holding her wounded arm and half expecting him to not allow her to disengage from him. If he'd wanted to, he could have pressed her and potentially defeated or even killed her, but just as he hadn't taken advantage of the window of opportunity to kill her before, he did not then either. He'd given a single nod, that was all. And so Drace retreated, living to fight another day.

Had anyone else but Gylfie seen her without her armor, her arm tightly wrapped and held in a sling at her side, she might have snapped at them to leave. She trusted this one significantly, though, and did not mind her seeing her in this sort of compromised state.

"The pain is not by any means negligible," Drace replied with a slight smile. "But I will live." Her dislocated shoulder had long since been agonizingly popped back into place and the contused muscles in her upper arm were compression-wrapped to keep the internal bleeding to a minimum. Oh, but gods, did it hurt! The pain was good to feel, though. It meant she had failed at something and needed to do better next time. A lesson learned. "I shall be right as rain in a few weeks' time, Ynarra. Worry not," she added, for she could already see hints of sympathy in Gylfie's eyes.