felldenlogs | ( closed ) november catchall

⟪ it’s actually something dimitri said that brings her to ashe’s door today. he’d said ”nights like these are particularly hard on ashe” , and it’s not something flora’s like to forget about so quickly. still, she doesn’t come to check on him immediately – they’re friends, this much she’s decided, but if he is truly grappling with something, she wishes to give him space. recover, if possible. rest.

but eventually, the last of the monsters are gone, court life goes back to what she assumes must be normal, and she can no longer pretend that concern for a friend, even a new casual friend, can wait.

so she set out to visit, with a proper armful of gifts –– homemade sweet pastries, foremost, a basketful of them, and a new winter’s cloak, just in case. she’s taken a shine to working among the local tailors and seamstresses when she’s not at the bakery, and it grants her proper access to all sorts of good fabric.

so here she is, knock-knock-knocking on his door. ⟫

Ashe? Are you home?

[ Now that things have settled, many of Ashe’s friends have appeared at his door to check up on him. On the one hand, he’s so very grateful for their kindness, on the other, he can’t quite help but be somewhat embarrassed. He must have been a sight over the last few days for people to be so concerned. It’s true, he’d been terrified to his very core, but surely it hadn’t been that bad, right?

Right??

There’s another knock on his door, the third in just as many days. First Mercedes, then Dimitri, and now…? He half expects Sylvain, since the redhead would round out his friends from home that are here in the Court, but the voice that drifts through the wood surprises him. ]

Flora? Y-yes, I’m here. Just a minute!

[ Once again, he finds himself frantically casting around the room to make sure that it’s clean enough for a guest. There are books everywhere already, a pile here, a pile there, but it’s not really messy? The only item of offense is his coat, still bearing the bloodstains of his part in the battle with the Fury. He quickly crumples the garment up and tosses it into a corner to hopefully remain unseen.

That done, he darts over to open the door. ]

Hey there. Is everything okay?

Never better.

⟪ for a moment, she's just there, beaming up at him with a mixture of joy at seeing a friend and –– well, relief to see this friend apparently well enough to worry about her first. then, a proper basketful of pastries is thrust upon him. ⟫

I brought gifts!

⟪ because this is how normal people gift items, yes? they just furiously happen in his general direction? ⟫

I was worried about you after the... after everything that happened. It's good to see you alive and well.

I'm glad to hear it.

[ He'd been so worried for everyone during the horror of the past few days, but once they were afforded a moment's peace, exhaustion struck him hard and fast. Now he really ought to go out to check on the rest of his friends instead of having them come to him all the time.

He starts a little at the sudden basket being thrust at him, his hands closing around it automatically before he takes a second to look at the contents. Oh, does his face light up. ]

These are for me? Really? Flora, you didn't have to. Would you... would you like to come in? I'd hate to eat these all by myself.

Oh! Yes, of –– I mean, yes.

⟪ honestly, she'd thought this could easily end at the delivery, but if he'd like to share pastries and perhaps have a talk, she's more than happy to join him.

she'll find a spot in his room that is... okay, she does sit close by a pile of books, curiosity very piqued. 's not a common sight to her, so many in one place. ⟫

I... brought you a coat, too. 's made with materials the tailor gifted me, and I thought it might be useful for you to have, in case yours took damage in the battling.

Edited 2019-11-12 17:07 (UTC)

[ Ashe has had enough of being alone, he’s realizing. He’d needed the rest, but at the end of the day, he’s a people person, always at his best when others are around. It’s been a while since he got to chat with Flora, too, so it’ll be nice to catch up. ]

Flora… thank you. [ His eyes dart briefly to the corner where his usual coat lays in a crumpled mess. Hopefully she won’t notice it. ] My clothes did come away a little worse for wear, so… I really appreciate it. If there’s ever anything I can do to repay you, just say the word.

Oh – I can fix your old one up as well. ⟪ she's about to get on her feet again, when she realises that it might be best not to snoop about his clothes without proper permission. ⟫ 's nothing, truly. The Court tailor's kindly, happy to let us have most all we want, so it was just a matter of the sewing, and that I enjoy.

⟪ which reminds her: ⟫ If it don't fit quite right, I'll adjust it.

[ He makes a move to stop her, one hand outstretched while the other still hugs the gift basket to his middle, but she stops herself first. He really, really doesn't want her fussing over him when she sees the state of his coat. It looks worse than it was, but he'd gone a long time bleeding without realizing it. ]

No, um. It's okay, thank you. I'll get it taken care of myself. [ At some point. ] But... would you like me to try on the new one?

Oh – yea, that would spare you the extra walk.

⟪ she reaches into her pocket and produces a pin cushion. there's a habit still of having the things she needs on her person, like someone who ran away before and learned a lesson in keeping valuables close for the event. ⟫ If It do need changing, I can pin it in the way you need it.

[ It’s probably telling that Ashe doesn’t think much of the way she just… happens to have a pin cushion on her. He’s well-aware of what it’s like to have everything you own kept in your pockets or in a pack on your back, even if it has been years since he’s had to live like that. ]

Sure thing.

[ So saying, he sets the basket aside – having to push a small stack of books out of the way first – to try the coat on. It's definitely warm and cozy. Flora has a pretty good eye, too, since it’s nearly a perfect fit – it could just stand to be taken in at the waist a little, something made obvious when he turns around and spreads his arms for her. ]

What do you think?

⟪ she steps closer, examining where she believes it's best to take it in – ⟫ A few stitches here and there, but then it'll fit just right.

⟪ with that, she gently places the pins, occasionally stepping back to make sure that her gauge isn't off. stitches can be undone, too, but it's winter, he'll more likely than not want to have a proper coat sooner rather than later.

as she works: ⟫

You're a keen reader, no? 's like a proper library in here.

[ He keeps his arms up, allowing her to work around him without issue. It’s a bit awkward, even now reminding him of getting fitted for his school uniform all those years ago. He’s not used to being fussed over. ]

I guess you could say that. I spent the first half of my life not able to read at all, so maybe I’m making up for lost time.

⟪ to smile like that might be an... odd response to someone speaking of half a life's worth of no access to base education, but here she is, smiling like she just learned of a secret relation. ⟫

My brother taught me most all the letters ⟪ he gave it a valid attempt, during the month in spring and the month in autumn that they'd often had when she was growing ⟫ but my reading's dreadful still.

⟪ she gives it some solid efforts, but it's... very slow, and often guesswork. her writing's worse though by far. ⟫

D'you read true histories? Or is it more tales and stories?

[ That is kind of an odd thing to smile about, and Ashe casts her a questioning look that lingers for all of a second before things are made clear. Perhaps he and Flora have more in common than he first realized. ] Ah. My adoptive father taught me, after he took me and my siblings in.

I… I really like stories about knights and heroes. Whether they were real or not doesn’t matter to me. So, a little bit of both I guess?

Must be a nice way to learn more of this place.

⟪ lots can be told of a people by the stories they share. which... in her case mostly vary from village to village, but the point stands!

she worries her lower lip before she asks – there's some hesitance to it, but worst comes to worst, he'll say know and she'll need to try someone else. ⟫

Would you –– if it's none too much trouble, would you help me practice my reading?

It's been enlightening in some ways. Baffling in others.

[ The utter lack of history books still has him confused, but he has had very little time to think about it with the famine and the monstrous invasion that followed. Now that things are settling into something like normalcy, maybe he'll look into it at long last.

He glances back at her just in time to catch her looking pensive, prompting a curious creasing of his brow - something that smooths over into a bright expression but a heartbeat later. ]

It's no trouble at all! It would be an honor to help you, Flora.

⟪ kyst is an ever-busy town, and though it is pricey, flora’s taken a shine to it, to the way it’s nestled against the ocean, and to the trade between the factions. when she stays, it’s usually to assist the fabric merchants. easy to find a caravan to travel with, even in winter, and by now, she has the means to rent out a small inn-room where she can work on her own tailoring skills in her downtime.

that’s where she’s now, actually, opening a window to let in some cold, fresh air, and spying lalli as he walks by below. quick enough, she shifts into her fox shape, runs downstairs and out the inn, until she’s close enough to shift and catch up on him in her human form – ⟫

Lalli! ⟪ she gasps for air. ⟫ I’ve been meaning to speak with you again, if it’s all the same to you?

Edited 2019-11-06 16:03 (UTC)

[Lalli haunts Kyst quite a bit himself, and for much the same reasons--while he hasn't bothered with a craft, he can make some money selling game carcasses to the butcher's or pelts to the tanner's on the occasions he wanders into town from the surrounding wilderness.

He's on his way to do just that, a pile of still-bloody hides thrown over his shoulder, when Flora catches up to him.

He hasn't thought much of her transformations after the first time he saw it--after all, he's already convinced this must be some kind of dream scape, and Onni can assume the form of his luonto at will as well. Flora must be a powerful mage, is all.

The main reason for his wave of apprehension at her appearance is... he has no idea what she might want to speak with him about, except that in his experience that phrase means nothing good.]

Okay?

[It's clear in his voice that he doesn't know where this could be going.]

⟪ there's not even a hint of apprehension at the sight of the bloodied hide - butcher's work's as familiar to her as any. ⟫

Good.

⟪ she smiles – clearly, if he is open to speaking, she's not offended him too much during their last talk, which is already a relief by itself. ⟫

Ah – would you like to come upstairs with me? ⟪ she gestures towards the inn she stays at – ⟫ I don't mind talking here, either, but it's more comfortable inside, is all.

[He doesn't bother responding, just wordlessly follows her into the building. He has many ways of dealing with uncertainty, and shutting up and waiting is one of them.

Once they get into her room, he continues to stand there silently and awkwardly, privately wondering why this is any more comfortable than being outside. Experience has told him it's best to humor people in these matters, though.]

Okay, what?

[The sooner she tells him what she wants, the sooner he can leave. His discomfort is obvious in the set of his shoulders. Serious conversations are the worst.]

I wanted to apologise for breaching such a... difficult topic last time we spoke. ⟪ she's actually saying this with her back turned, purposefully downplaying the nature of her words as she busies herself with shutting the window and then checking on the hearth. there's a pot of stew hanging to boil –– ⟫ I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.

⟪ that said, by now she's encountered lalli often enough to know that he's not one for... conversation. period. that don't deter her urge to befriend him in the absolute least. ⟫

Also, I'm just about done making dinner, if you want some. Everything's fresh off the market.

Okay.

[Is that to the apology or the dinner offer? It is a mystery.

Oh, just kidding.]

It's fine. You didn't know.

[He still doesn't sound entirely comfortable, but he does sit down on the nearest appropriate surface. It's a concession, as much as he can make one. He didn't mean to make her upset on his behalf.

Truthfully, he's wondering why she's even bothering to apologize at all, but experience has taught him people get weird when he questions these things.

Maybe that's all. He hopes it was. That wasn't so bad, if so.]

⟪ the small kitchette of the inn-room comes with wooden bowls and spoons in a tiny cupboard, and flora gives the pot above the earth one final stir before first filling a bowl for lalli and then one for herself. to add to it, she tears a slim loaf of white bread, handing him one half along with his bowl and spoon. then, she seats herself across from him. ⟫

Enjoy the food.

⟪ really, that seems to have been all – she's apologised, he's accepted the apology, and she's learned that he's not one for lots of talking.

... doesn't mean she can change all her nature. ⟫

You're doing well for yourself with the hides and such?

⟪ gotta ask how the business is going!! ⟫

[He doesn't thank her, and just sits there for a moment, staring at the bowl like he isn't sure what to do with it. Then he just takes the bread and starts eating that. He doesn't dip it in the stew or anything.

Weirdo.]

I guess so. I just dump stuff at the shops and they give me money for it. I catch all my own food anyway so it's not like I need it for anything.

[Hey, look at that! Words! That don't have to be pulled out of him! Afterward he seems to realize that he and Flora are having a conversation, which requires some kind of give-and-take. Allegedly.

He picks at his bread and realizes he has no idea what that's supposed to involve, so he just kind of copies her observation.]

You, um, make clothes. [That's what all the sewing supplies are for, right? Look, he's trying.] How... is that?

⟪ by herself, she figures that perhaps, he's simply not used to certain foods. while she tries nearly everything fellden is offering in terms of food, there's plenty of apprehension to go with it. the stew, if he does poke at it, is a very simple thing – potatoes, meat, carrots, nothing too out there. ⟫

'tis good work. ⟪ she sounds happy, really. ⟫ How's it for you with winter's clothes? I'd be happy to trade you some for meat.

[That's... actually a good question, and not one he'd really thought about. It should get colder soon, and if the winters here are any like those in Finland they can easily be fatal without proper preparation.

Especially since he's been living outside more often, recently.]

Yeah, okay.

Not anything itchy. [How descriptive!!] What kind of meat do you want?

[Is that how this works? He's never had to barter before.]

After hearing another Éirean on the network, Dame Eir immediately agreed to meet her. She asked the girl to spot a dark-skinned girl in full plate armor, with long black hair, riding a horse, and having a red-haired page beside her. She told her to look out for a knight bearing the emblem of a lion-shaped wreath on her loincloth and shield.

Then, she rode on to Kyst.

Dame Eir rode through the city far too quickly, her mount's shoes clacking loudly against the stone road as she did her best to arrive on time per knightly duty. Even Muadhnait, her page, had to hold herself tight against the thumb of the saddle! It did gather a lot of attention, and she was hard to miss in any case, and only became harder to spot when she left her horse at the stables, dismounted, and helped Muadhnait off.

It was neutral territory, and... even if she was risking her reputation by speaking to someone of the opposite faction, she was someone close to her homeland. This was beyond duty, and it was instead the longing she had for the people of her home.

Close to the tavern, Dame Eir looked around for Flora.

It's none too hard to spot Dame Eir – page and armour and all. There's some people around bearing emblems here and there, but it's less frequent here than it is by the Court, seeing how Kyst is neutralist land. Flora waves out of instinct, and then remembers the gap created by titles and birth.

So after the wave, she shifts into a very, very clumsy version of a courtesy.

"Well met!" Her nervousness shows easily, curls flying as she turns to point at the tavern she chose. "There's an inn with this tavern, and the people have been very kind in letting us use this space for working and for... well, breaks. So since you came from far, you might want to eat? Or... drink something?"

Dame Eir immediately holds Flora's hands in glee, "of course! Don't worry about price. I'll invite you what I can afford."

While Dame Eir took pride in her own title as a knight, she rarely if ever minded her own title in the company of fellow party members. And in the presence of the only person closest to her beloved homeland, rank was of the least importance to her. To Eir, it wasn't a meeting between a commoner and a noble. It was a meeting between two sisters from a similar homeland.

Almost like an eager sister, Eir offered her hand to lead Flora to the tavern.

"I have yet to make stout beer similar to the one back home, but I brought some of what I've been making as well in another canteem. One day when I finish it, I'll let you taste it to know what do I need. I could use another taster to help me perfect it! It's also a good time to play music or learn others from where you could be from..."

And Eir runs her mouth with far too much glee, as if making up for the time away from home.

⟪ flora squints at the map on the table between them, giving the lake one final look-over.⟫

So, in short, we have can take a mirror to either Terebellum or Forsvar. ⟪ she points at the respective spots, trying to decide which one may be best for the purpose of exploration. ⟫ Oh. Or Venator.

⟪ to forsvar, she has been a few times, but the military base of venator hasn't yet been on her mind much. she doesn't think of herself as the... military type. even though she is, apparently, at war now. ⟫ No matter what, we'll always have a small ways to go to the lakeshore proper.

[Sal gives the map a good sweep as well. It's still strange for him to go from the small, eerily quiet town of Nockfell to a world in which he could go far and wide almost anywhere. The last time he had to look at a map to go somewhere was a subway map back when he did live in a sizable city, but that was years ago when he was a child.]

Forsvar seems like a safe bet, I think.

[He's been there a few times as well. And while he always loves to explore the unknown (or lesser known), he feels like right now sticking with a more familiar area is better.]

⟪ if anything, flora can... very much relate to the sudden shock that is living in a world that seems so easily accessible now, especially thanks to the mirrors that allow for quick and safe passage to near every part of the lands. she isn't unused to travelling by herself, she's not unused to going places she's never been to before, and yes, by the standards of some folks who only ever move between one village and the nearest sizeable town, she's gotten around a fair bit ––

but at the end of the day, well, at the end of the day she's still mostly stayed in tipperary county. ⟫

I agree. D'you reckon we should bring anything?

⟪ just to be safe? ⟫

I've got a small knife and I was thinking of carrying some rations, just in case.

[Sal freezes a moment. Yeah, it would be a good idea to bring something for protection. His guitar is really only good for supernatural beings, but regular threats...not at all. He would rather not be in the presence of a knife — his is still under his bed where he threw it in a panic upon first finding his room, the very first day he got here, and whenever he mentally acknowledges it's still there he gets smacked hard with a wave of anxiety.

But he can't ask Flora to be without defense should something happen. He himself isn't a fighter. Of course, should someone or something attack her he wouldn't hesitate to throw himself in front of her, but what if he didn't get that opportunity?]

Rations should be helpful. And...a knife would probably be a good idea too. But uh, I'm bad with those. You're...you're not, right? [It would be a terrible idea for him to hold one, is what he's trying to say.]

'tis not much of a weapon.

⟪ though the idea seems to shake something in him already, and that's a troublesome thought to be having. has he been attacked before? ⟫

We did practice the fire-making spell. If there's trouble, it should be enough to make one reconsider, no?

⟪ though the suggestion makes her look uncomfortable. ⟫

Truth be told, I'd rather we flee. My shapechanging's enough to distract most folks, that ought to give you time to run and hide, and I can follow after. I'm fast as a fox, you see, and I got a fine nose.

[Well, if she was as uncomfortable as she looks at the idea of trying to use their practiced fire spells then he wouldn't want to fall back on that either. Though her suggestion of fleeing is a lot easier to accept.]

Yeah, I think it's safer if we ran too. [But it takes him a moment to catch on to what she just said.] Wait, what? What do you mean shapechanging? Like...you can transform?

[The fine nose and fox comments don't quite put two and two together for him at the moment. Sure he's seen some weird shit but whenever he finds more weird shit it still takes a moment for him to fully grasp it.]

Yea. ⟪ and now it might be wise to ask him if he is even fine with seeing it, or reiterating on what she can change into, but instead, she's standing by the table in one moment, and then she's suddenly falling back and –– there, right there, on the chair, sits a fox.

she wags her tail! look, sal, it's flora!! ⟫

[Logically, seeing as how she literally just admitted to being a shapechanger, Sal should be able to calmly look upon this fox's form and think, 'hey, that's flora' . But fear often takes over to such an intense degree it can become completely irrational. Such is the case as Sal looks on at his friend's form. He knows it's her and yet an icey grip clutches at his insides and his heart pounds in his chest. That's a fox, it's Flora, but all he sees is a snarling dog.

He jumps back, causing his chair to fall, until his back presses to a wall. The blue eyes behind his mask are wide with panic as his body is wracked with shudders. He can feel his mouth dry, he mutters something under his breath. 'no, no, no'.]

M..Flora? [he calls to her like a lost child, hands protectively over his plastic face.]

Edited (PLASTIC PLASTIC ) 2019-11-28 07:27 (UTC)

⟪ more than happy to meet with her fellow shifter, she is, though she arrives in forsvar in her human shape – her fox one is more useful for what they have planned, of course, and more swift a traveller to boot – but at least, she thinks, she should give him a proper greeting. ⟫

Good day – I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.

⟪ she's beaming, though, and already about to showcase what she brought for offerings. ⟫

I finished them this morning, see? ⟪ in fact, she'll offer him one of the skull-shaped cookies – ⟫ You should have a taste!

⟪ the emperor’s generosity notwithstanding, there is still much and more to do if she wishes to be any help at all to the people in those remote settlements that don’t immediately benefit from the safety and wealth of the court. resources need to be counted and organised, she’ll need to question those working in the stables on how much, exactly, each horse at her disposal will be able to carry. she needs to decide which one will likely be more pressing – food? medicine? proper winter’s clothing? what if there is something else entirely she’s not considering?

for the time being, she don’t have no choice but to work on one thing at a time, and in this moment, it’s herbs and tinctures, which she is carrying by the armful.

well, arm-over-full, perhaps, as she’s trying her very best to balance the bundles and vials –– ⟫

‘scuse me? Can I trouble you for a moment’s help?

⟪ is rin the best choice for this? maybe. ⟫

[It's not quite correct to say that Rin was minding his own business before this girl approached him--he almost never does that--but he did seem to be engaged with his own thoughts. He was kneeling on the ground, rummaging through one of his larger satchels, like someone trying to find some important thing that they've misplaced. On hearing the girl address him, he pauses, then looks up at her with a big smile.]

You can trouble me for anything, darling.

[He winks at her as he snaps the satchel shut (having apparently not found what he was searching for) and gets back on his feet. He glances at the bundles in her hands and leans forward, all interest and focus fixed on her. His voice is a low, rich purr.]

Tell me what you need.

⟪ did this man just wink at her? she's actually giving a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure. 'tis what old peg had warned her of, when talking with the fae. but then, she's been here for a month and then some, and if she's learned one thing, it's that not all those who seem fae are, and that, well. maybe her idea of 'fae' wasn't necessarily as good and true as she'd thought.

onward! ⟫

Could you take a couple o' these off my hands? My horse is waiting down the street, and I didn't mean to walk the road twice ––

⟪ which, big mistake. she eyes what she assumes is his satchel with some interest. ⟫

[He bows slightly, pressing an open-palmed hand over his heart.]

Of course. I'd be honored to relieve you of your burdens.

[He moves to do just that, his fingers brushing (perhaps deliberately) against her upper arm as he reaches to pluck up some of her supplies. He cradles the vials and the plants to his chest, taking on as much as he's able.

Once done, he grins at her, bidding her to lead the way.]

Are you transporting medicine for the locals?

⟪ the wink she might have imagined, but the touch! that... that really happened, right? perhaps it's a shape of being well-mannered she don't know much of, what would fit with the way he bows and talks so proper. should she have courtesied? does he think her rude now? there's the hint of a bright pink blush creeping across her face. ⟫

Hm-hmm.

⟪ nods! ⟫

Up for Forsvar. Some's already prepared – ⟪ hence the vials clinking as she moves ⟫ – and some's herbs still. Who knows what any of the natives can make of it.

Given the circumstances, I'm sure they'll be grateful for any supplies they can get.

[He keeps pace beside her, his disposition cheerful and at ease. Though he's holding the medicine carefully and his steps are swift, his gaze is fixed on Flora. His smile doesn't waver as he goes on.]

It's kind of you to do this for them. I expect you'll be responsible for saving more than a few lives.

[And then, with a wink.]

By the way, are you a bit chilled? You have a fetching rosiness to your cheeks.

( closed ) november catchall

𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒆

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𝒍𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊

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𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚

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HE WOULDN'T HESITATE my fuckin heart

:,) yep

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𝒓𝒊𝒏

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