“Of course Syl and I want children. We haven’t exactly been hiding that fact at all. It’s been a delight to be around Eao’s children when Syl is watching them. It would be even better if it was children of our own. I know I’m hoping to at least end up with a boy and a girl but I will be glad with whatever the Twelve bless us with.”
(Thanks @nocturnedreaming )
(Long overdue. ❤ @rinoasdream )
Lance had been up near the Steel Vigil. His usual time to pay respect to the lives lost while he still lived. He made the trip at least once a year. Sometimes more if he felt the need for a little reflection.
He thought he recognized the familiar elezen who was surrounded by a pair of Aevis. What brought her out this way, he wasn’t sure. But hells be damned if he was about to let her stand alone against those Aevis.
“Halone guide me.” A quick prayer to his beloved goddess before rushing towards the surrounded woman.
His blade struck deep into the Aevis who wasn’t facing him. A strangled cry of pain from the beast. The other just about to lunge at Rinoa. Only for it’s jaws to meet Lance’s shield as the knight crouched and raised it. He grunted under the power of those jaws that tried to rip his shield away. Not that he would give the creature that satisfaction. When it gave up trying to crunch or rip the shield away, Lance swung his blade forward right into it’s maw as it retreated. Off with part of it’s jaw! The creature staggered away several steps before collapsing to the ground, the snow staining red with it’s blood.
Lance took a deep breath of the cold biting air before looking back at Rinoa. “Are you okay, my lady? One should be more careful traveling alone out here.”
(Long overdue ❤ XD @eaotheelf I hope this came out okay.)
It was dark in these ruins. The lights they brought along were barely enough to chase away the shadows. How she had gotten Eao of all people to agree to come with her was still anyone’s guess. Maybe the woman was just bored at the time when Destiney had mentioned it.
Every sound made Destiney want to jump to defend herself. This place was beyond creepy. Yet she managed to maintain at least some dignity. Eao would probably never let her live this down otherwise if she made a fool of herself. Oh the joys of family.
A little further in. That was all it took for the creepy voidsents that inhabited these ruins to come out to play. A pair of claws from a Vodoriga took a swipe at Destiney. A well timed back-flip took her out of range of those claws and into a good position to start a little magic of her own. Only to miss the Pudding coming up behind her. The slap from behind sent her sprawling forward. Right back into range of that Vodoriga that looked all too pleased with this situation.
Until a flare of wild ice magic blasted the Vodoriga. Destiney could feel the biting chill of that wildly casted spell. There was no real control to it but there was definitely power behind it. Even the Pudding managed to get caught up in the magic.
Eao just looked smug at the victory. Even a little bored. Taking out a Imp while Destiney had been occupied and then taking out these two. It had been a risky move with the magic being so uncontrolled but the woman didn’t even look all that concerned. As if she knew she wouldn’t kill the other woman.
Destiney huffed softly as she got up, brushing dirt and bits of ice from her clothes. Trying not to shiver at the cold left from the magic. “Thanks.” Gods above she liked Eao but would it kill the woman to protect her in less wild ways? Then again it probably amused Eao to do things this way for all she knew. Family… Love them even when they do crazy things.
Alex frowned as he stopped cutting the vegetables for the dinner he was making. Keeping the knife with him as he prowled over towards the window. Hiding beside the window to first look and make sure there was no trap or someone waiting on the window ledge. Cause some people could be downright sneaky and clever enough for that. Closing his eyes for a moment when he seen nothing right away. Listening to the familiar melody and trying to place it. Where had he heard it before…
Moving away from the window, he switched his kitchen knife for a proper pair of blades. He headed outside to look around for the one playing the music, unsure if this was somehow related to the mystery gifts or just someone amusing themselves. Still he was tense and ready just in case though he was clearly playing it cool.
“Who’s out here playing music?” Alex called out as he looked around cautiously. Looking for any sign at all of the mystery player.
Valen had been off on another bounty. This one for a couple bandits in the Shroud. Sounded like it should be easy enough. Especially since he knew the Shroud well from growing up there. Plenty of places to hide and shoot from safety. Dressed in his hunting blacks and his grabbing the composite bow instead this time, Valen went hunting.
Except things don’t always go as planned. The trees closest to the bandits’ camp weren’t exactly good for climbing. To make a way to climb them would make too much noise. Noise that he couldn’t afford. It was two bandits. If they were alerted then odds would be against him. He’d have to just use the thick trees for cover instead of perching in their branches. It made things a little more difficult.
Valen cautiously sighted an arrow for the neck of the first bandit. Letting it fly with deadly accuracy as he quickly reached for a second arrow. The man went down with a gurgled noise, clawing at the arrow through his throat. However he had missed one important detail. The second bandit could use aether for spells. Killing the man’s partner first, gave the man time to start casting.
Rolling to the left away from the tree. Just in time to avoid the rock that slammed into it. The maneuver left him with in the open though. Vulnerable. A small silent prayer to Oschon as Valen prepared for the coming pain of the next spell if he wasn’t faster.
The pain never came. Valen looked up in surprise as the spell smashed against a shimmering protective barrier. Wanting to find the source but instead taking the shot first. The bandit mage needed to be stopped. For his safety and whoever had just rescued him. The mage went down with a strangled cry, arrow protruding from the man’s chest. A shot to the heart, nice and clean.
Valen took a deep breath before looking for the source of the protective spell. Finding a smiling Rinoa with a gathering basket hanging from one arm. Putting on a charming smile as he gave her a deep bow.
“Miss Rinoa. What a delight to see a trusting face in a time of need. I hope you will forgive me for this display.” Gesturing towards the two dead bandits. “You surely protected me from injury this day.”
(Haha. XD Alex would go down swinging till he couldn’t swing anymore. He’d find a way to fight unless he was paralyzed. He’d get angry and bitter most likely. Fighting is a big thing for him. Take that away and he’d be so lost. He’s spent so much of his life fighting to survive.)
(I think Lance would be sad but he would accept it. There would be moments of longing to pick up a blade again. He’s spent almost his whole life as a knight. It would be hard for him to let it go. But now that he’s married, I’m sure given time he would find other things to do. Like raising a family.)
(Odds are if Valen lost the ability to fight, he’d lose his ability to play his harp as well since he’s a bowman. Which would make him incredibly lost. He’s spent his entire youth training for this moment. He loves to be able to play music and travel the world. Most likely he’d take up drinking and staring longingly out a window. He wouldn’t handle it too well.)
(To be an adventurer you have to be able to fight. Keaira’s mother wouldn’t mind her not being able to fight anymore but Keaira would. It would be heartbreaking. Though she has a very loving family and would be okay in time. It would take a long time to recover from such a loss though. She would at least try her best to keep her chin up.)
(It wouldn’t be that big of a loss. She is more of a pacifist anyways. She’d likely continue what she’s doing now. Being a herbalist and healer. After all you don’t need to know how to fight in order to help people.)
(Thanks @leatherlaceandblades )
(Lance most definitely has. The Steel Vigil left it’s scars both physically and mentally. He regrets that they lost the Vigil and their commander. He know he was still too young to have made a strong difference in that fight. Doesn’t mean it haunts him any less. He still returns to the ruined Vigil once a year to pray to Halone for those lost that day. That loss made him work harder and remain true and loyal to Haillenarte despite his family. Even went as far as to explore the ruins of The Palace of the Dead when he heard rumors of his commander’s ghost having been sighted down there.)
(For Alex that would have been his fight against his former mentor. He regrets not making sure the man was actually dead before he fled. Years later it led to him being tortured for two days and nearly killed. It’s made him more paranoid and more serious. Any time he flexes that hand his mentor scarred, it’s him reliving at least some part of that memory.)
(Mari has had one fight only really. She’s managed to live most of her life in relative peace beyond that. She originally fled Dravania to escape the war. The old woman she took shelter with in Coerthas was a former dragoon. The woman taught her to fight. However there was a group of knights that later hunted the old woman down and accused her of being a heretic. Mari was told to run, not quite being ready to face a group of skilled knights. But remembering the old woman telling her it was better to love then to hate. So Mari regrets being unable to help the old woman but those interactions with that woman kept her from hating and nursing a grudge.)
(Thanks @rei-sekiro )
(If Alex had to choose, probably magic. He’s already skilled with daggers and a polearm. Already knows poisons. He has no real skills with magic though. Never had anyone to teach him and it’s not exactly something you can learn alone. Not for him at least. He’d enjoy knowing a little fire magic.)
(Healing or Holy magic. Lance, like Alex, knows various weapons but has no training with aether for spells. Lance actually has a smaller personal aether pool. A counter balance to the fact that he’s physically strong and durable. He would like to know at least some healing magic to at least be better able to protect and save those he cares about.)
(Close fighting combat abilities. He has zero interest in magic but he does regret never learning how to deal with close range dangers. After a few mishaps, he’s realized how vulnerable that makes him.)
(Thanks @stars-bleed-hearts-shine )
♠ – What is your muse’s weapon of choice? Is it magical or mundane in nature?
“Physical weapons. Usually a sword and shield. Though I have been trying my hand with other weapons as well. It gives me the advantage of better knowing what other weapons are capable of in a fight. I have been studying with a katana lately specifically. After a trip to Kugane with my wife, we thought the training of the samurai there might be beneficial to help me with a problem I have.”
✓ – Has your muse ever lost anyone they cared about on the battlefield? Do they feel responsible?
(No not really. He’s never really been on a battlefield -yet- with someone he’s cared about. Before he started finding reasons to care, he was more of a solitary fighter. A sort of assassin or hired hitman. The closest he’s been was the day he betrayed Lance on a scouting mission in an effort to protect the knight. He knows he’s responsible and doesn’t ever deny it. He was protecting the first person who ever showed any signs of caring about him. So to him it was worth it.)
(Thanks @subetei-noykin )
(For Lance he has. He’s been serving the Haillenarte family for years now. Ever since he was old enough to take a position in the field. He first served Lord Chlodebaimt de Haillenarte at the Steel Vigil. So he was there when it fell to Nidhogg’s horde. He still feels bad about the fact that the young Haillenarte lord sacrificed himself to try and save some of the knights from a doomed fight. He had come to care about Chlodebaimt in the short time serving under him. He had been a good commander. Giving Lance his reason to keep being a knight and his sense honor.)
(None of the other kids have really been on a battlefield or they have and haven’t lost anyone. Thanks @delicatelygloriouspenguin )
Spirit of the Warlock 