Solace

Fire Emblem: Weight of the World

Renvall "Ren" Protego

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Ambra @Zeroth @Mercurial @Redneckatron @Lord Orgasmo @Kazemitsu @Tala Avana @Tenma Tendo @Mistiel

Ren drew an impatient sigh as five minutes could not have gone any faster, inadvertently exposing his ears to the conversations between the pairs of group members. His hands laid on the crest of Snowball, the pauldrons on his shoulders rising and falling with a restless breath. There was no question that they would see combat with the pirate factions, much to the squire's elation; he had the royal blacksmith fashion him a sword for the specific occasion, and he had ensured that he brushed up on his swordplay. Unlike all of the lessons and spars, his life now depended on it.

The squire did find the varying selections of their caravan to be one of mismatch, though Ren was sure that their band was more than enough to take on a bunch of sea dogs, with the backing of the Rozelian Kingdom. Setting himself beside Maize's mount, he watched as the Dauntless climbed to the back of his horse, one hand resting atop of the other. "Time's up!" the knight made the announcement for the wary and unwary, his mount letting out a whine as it began to trot away from the stable grounds.

With the group in tow, Ren kept his steed alongside the knight as they rode across the Walk of the Magi. Waterfalls poured into the Estalan waterfront that stretched below the bridge and beyond, ripples of sunlight warming the surface of their land. The Walk of the Magi was an ancient construction, embedded with the footsteps from Estalan kings and queens of yore. There was a powerful energy that resided within the cobblestone at their feet, almost as if the very air in their atmosphere was one of magical construct.

"After we steer through Greymont and go beyond the gate of the capital city," Maize said, his gaze trailing to the side. "I'll speak of our route and approach."

Beyond the bridge, the Capital City of Greymont stood, a beacon of the nation's profound diversity and magical influence. The streets teemed with bustling activity, the dense population experiencing something different with each passing day. Of course, no establishment could exist with impoverishment, and crime such as petty theft did come and go within the poorer districts. Unlike other nations, Estala was one which prided in its diverse population, embracing any and all kinds of cultures.

For Ren, accepting the laguz was the defeating clause of Estala; they were only prone to causing trouble for the nation. It was one of the reasons why other countries looked down upon them and refused certain agreements such as trade, and in addition, the sub-humans were the main cut of the population that committed the most crime within their borders. "Nothing but savages," he cursed under his breath, recoiling in disgust as their party rode past a trading post filled with laguz.

Everything else within Greymont was a pleasantry to behold, for the most part. Ren paid no mind to the crowds of ordinary people that began to form around the central street, where their mounts traveled on. Word began to spread of their convoy with the Crown Prince in tow, and the many faces of youth and old age began to flock towards them, excited for the opportunity to lay eyes on Eli Estali himself. The very thought of these people almost worshiping the prince aggravated him; with zero accolades to Eli's credit besides his family name, how was it that these people could deem these nobles as something greater than themselves?

As the city watch stepped into the crowds to regulate their traffic towards the gates, a moment of relief washed over Ren as they finally reached the entrance. "Send word to His Majesty that we've departed," Maize relayed the message to one of the watchmen, turning back to look upon the faces of the group members. "The less time spent on horseback, the better. Hope you've enjoyed Greymont and done everything while you can! Let's move."

Attack on Titan: Somnium

Reese Kestrel

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Ambra @LetMeDoStuff @FrostedCaramel

The boy produced a small laugh, a hand running through his eyes as an episode of drowsiness dulled his senses for the moment. Reese wiped his face of the lethargy, stomach growling of hunger as Tanner tossed him some bread. As fashionably late as they already were for the journey back down, it would have to suffice. Even with the closeness in friendship that they all shared, he still wished for nothing more but the strength to shoulder the weight that those like Gabriel carried, the resolve to create the future where all of them could live without those insecurities or terrors.

Even with his fear for the titans, Reese knew that he had to try harder for the years to come. Where faith was shattered through the breached walls, there was nothing more important to the boy than the lives around him. "I'll run circles around you, meatbag," he looked on through Gabriel's punch against his arm, imitating a subordinate's compliance as he scurried behind the giant.

After triple-checking his designated belongings and fitting inside the winter cloak, Reese hefted the pack of supplies to his back, rolling his shoulders as they settled underneath the weight. He spent some time in tying his hair in its usual style, keeping his hood down and allowing the cool breeze to compliment the sun's warmth. Just as Reese doubled towards the squadrons of cadets at the end of the camp, a greater pressure forced itself upon his temples, causing him to groan in agitation.

"Never again," he shook his head at the flashes of memories from the previous night, his own indulgence being the reasoning for his condition. The boy pressed his palms against the sides of his face, slapping himself repeatedly to refocus. Being entrusted by the instructors and accompanying soldiers with the knowledge of the safe zones required his utmost attention, especially when the looming danger of natural catastrophe was present.

Unlike climbing upwards, the adventure to the base of the plateau kept Reese attentive and aware of his surroundings, the responsibility in long-range communication through one of the many flare guns being latched on his belt. They were roughly half of the way down to their destination, the final push still far from their group. While some of the others would chat amongst themselves in whispers, he kept to himself as they continued to traverse within the danger zone.

Those hushed conversations ceased to continue as a rumbling caused the cadets to stop in their tracks, attempting to locate the source of the fury as Reese could begin to see chunks of snowfall tumble from the branches around them. "Avalanche!" one of the guides had taken the word right out of his mouth.

"Shit, shit, shit," Reese attempted to conceal his panic as their situation had turned into the worst within mere moments, quickly drawing the gun from its holster and loading the red flare. His arm raised as high as it could, firing the flare gun as the trail of crimson smoke would signal the danger that threatened to swallow up the entire division of soldiers.

While their group had come to a halt due to the revelation, Reese shouted at the top of his lungs, clapping his hands together to gather the others' attention. "We can't stop!" his urgency was joined by the orders from their guide to descend towards the group ahead, where the closest safe zone was located. "Let's go!"

Fire Emblem: Weight of the World

Renvall "Ren" Protego

Ren had scowled for the moment that Maize ruffled a hand through his shaggy hair, and looked on as the knight took to the center of the gathering. While they had been meant to travel rather lightly, armor remained as a valuable component to any soldier's equipment, taking note of the knight's variation; plate mail adorned the right side of the man's body from shoulderblade to boot, the thick layer of gambeson protruding along the cracks and lingering underneath of the crimson cape along his left side. The shield on his back would serve as his front line of defense and, through the flexibility of his left arm, an offensive counterpart.

Expected nothing less from the Dauntless, Ren thought to himself, setting his utensil aside as his liege lord instructed them with urgency. A gauntlet came up to readjust his hair, the other pushing the chair back into place and proceeding towards the palace entrance after Maize. For whatever reason, it had felt awfully quiet for a morning within Greymont Keep, although it was foolish to think that there would be a city-wide festival for their departure. Nobody was going to roll out the red carpet for a bunch of ragtag commoners, much less, a band of children dressed for a field trip.

From his memory, Port Sesta was a three day ride from Greymont on horseback with stops at the smaller towns, and sailing to Rozel would only half a day. Ren had been itching for a chance at sea once more, having grown quite jaded of the same continental landscape. Greymont Keep had been a breathtaking sight to behold upon his first arrival, the castle in the sky nested atop of the quaint elevation and the Walk of the Magi spread along the bustling inland lake towards the capital city.

"I will speak more of our focus as we ride," Ren could hear Maize's voice through the pleasantries of the morning speak, the waking sun's warmth hugging his face. His feet carried him to the Central Pavilion, where their retinue was gathering within the presence of the knight. Through the collection of horses, he could see his own steed trot in a coyness amongst her fellow breed.

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Ambra @Zeroth @Mercurial @Redneckatron @Lord Orgasmo @Kazemitsu @Tala Avana @Tenma Tendo @Mistiel

A short smile came upon Ren's expression as his fingers came up to his mouth, a sharp whistle produced between his lips as he called his horse. With a crest white as snow and a heart calm as the nightfall, she scuttled around the other horses, running her muzzle against his cheek as Ren laughed. "Here, Snowball," his hand affectionately stroked her forehead. With the final adjustments to the saddle, the squire took up his horse, setting his boots firmly within the stirrups and riding towards the gathering.

"Squire," Maize called out to Ren as he drew closer on horseback, the knight still adjusting his horse's saddle as he turned back for a moment. Staring down at the shorter boy as Ren dismounted from Snowball, he crossed his arms together, a serious look about his features before a casual smile wore on his face. "How's your mother?"

Ren was unsure of how to respond to the nature of the question, confusion spreading along his expression. "Renvall, correct?" the squire nodded in answer to the inquiry. "It has been some time since I last visited Lady Protego," the knight's laughter caused the boy's brow to rise. "Last spring, I believe."

"She is well," Ren answered the previous question in a simple manner, caught off guard once more by Maize's tendency of messing with his hair.

"That is fortunate to hear," the knight nodded, his eyes looking amongst the members of their caravan before returning to the squire. "Quite a legacy to inherit, boy," Maize commented. "We've all got to start somewhere, after all."

The mention of his mother's fame and the succession forced upon his shoulders irritated Ren quite so. Fortunately, the boy managed to calm his fury, taking the knight's word with a grain of salt.

Maize raised a watchful brow, almost reading him entirely. "Let us begin together then, shall we?" he could tell that the man's voice was one of honesty, watching as Maize raised a hand to gather the attention of the others. "We saddle in five minutes!"

Attack on Titan: Somnium

Reese Kestrel

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Jinxer @HecateProxy @wolverbells

While it was amusing to watch as the two sprung from their beds in an alarming manner, Reese held an expression of concern as Gabriel seemed to react in a complicated manner, seeing that his jest had been in a bit of poor taste. Drawing a sigh, the boy dropped down from the top of the bunk, quickly tying the laces on his boots and storming out of the cabin. At the very least, the sun greeted him with warmth and a pleasant atmosphere. Exhaustion weighed heavily on the boy as he struggled in maintaining his smile, yawning loudly as he stretched his arms out.

"Man, I'm beat..." Reese complained, his hands wiping his face as he spotted the group of girls up ahead. "Morning, Lauren! Hey Mora, Jade," he greeted them as he strode past them, learning of their time constraint and picking up the pace towards the mess hall. When he walked through the doors, he jogged towards the table where Gabriel and Tanner sat, sitting across from them.

"Sorry, guys," Reese frowned with his apology, looking down at his cupped hands on the table. His eyes came up shortly after, sticking his tongue out at the despondent Gabriel. "But, hey, if you paid attention in our classes, you'd know that the sighting call is much different!"

Attack on Titan: Somnium

deeznuts

Fire Emblem: Weight of the World

Maize Bensen

"That would be Sir Maize to you."

Maize Bensen had opted to travel somewhat lightly for the assignment under the recommendation of the king. Donning only a few pieces of his plate mail and a gambeson underneath, he felt that his shield was the only necessary component of protection that he needed against a measly army of pirates. Though, the knight had learned early on that it was not a problem to prepare for the unexpected. His shield rested on his back, the scabbard to his blade attached to the left side of his belt. His crimson cape fluttered along his shield arm, concealing his throwing axe.

Patting the gauntlet down hard against the top of the squire's head, Maize surveyed each of the members of their group, finding it strange that there were more outsiders and many more children than he would have liked. "What is this, Erigan?" he thought, stepping towards the center of the dining table. A hand raised to cup his chin, thinking momentarily as he cleared his throat.

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Ambra @Zeroth @Mercurial @Redneckatron @Lord Orgasmo @Kazemitsu @Tala Avana @Tenma Tendo @Mistiel

"Morning, all," the knight silenced the wandering conversations in an authoritative tone, crossing his arms. "My name is Sir Maize Bensen, but call me Maize."

"I suppose that you're all here under the selection of His Majesty. I've been given the responsibility of managing and leading this mission."

There were more faces unrecognized than those that Maize knew of. Whether or not the prince knew about the knight, he had been present for the most of the boy's life from the moment that Eli Estali had been born into the world. Maize had never taken on any squires since his knighthood just over a decade before, and the son of Camellia Protego would be his first. Rhea was one who came under his own personal recommendation, although she would have volunteered, regardless of his word. Jauna Karystane was not exactly the fondest of sights for the knight to behold; her father had been his enemy during the pointless war fifteen years ago, and her choice of attire was more than enough for Maize to know that he would have to babysit the lot of them.

"We must be on our way now if we wish to arrive at Port Sesta on time," Maize turned from the table, starting towards the palace gates with a sigh. Having eaten at an earlier hour, he did not intend on setting their course behind simply because they chose to have breakfast at the time they were supposed to leave. "Start wrapping it up, and come to the gates. We've horses prepared for our journey."

Fire Emblem: Weight of the World

IM BACK

AH HA I remember what my question was (4 days late *shot*)

How will Laguz transformation take place? Will it be instant like in games and preserve whatever the person is carrying (like clothes) or will it be more like a werewolf, spouting fur and changing shape over a short time? Might be problematic with changing in a fight while wearing armor though. Or anything for that matter.

@Tala Avana

I'd say transformation will be like in the games. Wouldn't want anyone to revert and uh... yes.
At the very least, laguz do not wear armor.

Fire Emblem: Weight of the World

Renvall "Ren" Protego

"Piss off, cunt."

It was unsurprising for Renvall Protego to be in a less than desirable disposition at the early hour. Disheveled ebony hair bounced along the sides of a youthful face as the young squire trudged down the stairwell, dismissing one of the servants who approached the boy about Maize. His idea of an expedition beyond the walls had been everything but the task of pampering the spoiled prince further, and with Maize being his liege lord, there had not even been a slither of a choice for him. Even through spending several weeks in preparation, the very thought of those idiotic lips belonging to Eli Estali served to piss him off.

What did they expect from him? A fake smile, showering them with giddy compliments and questions about the latest pair of extravagant pants to wear? Precisely speaking, they expected Ren to die for these pompous nobles, serving as their front-line shields in the battles to come. And what were they to them, anyway? Expendable manpower? He knew well to look beyond the facade that was these people that he watched every day. If the young were not being sent to give their lives for the kingdom, he knew that the crown would not give a hoot about them. Even those filthy sub-humans have a better chance of care than us.

With armor and cape black as night, Ren kept to his standard expression of derision, his arms folded over his chest as an armored finger tapped along the metal of his gauntlets. His footsteps echoed across the hallway, despite wearing ordinary boots. There were only a few positives in his assignment to the mission, and it was two things: rejoicing over the idea of cutting down the foes to come, and feeling the ocean breeze once they would sail off and be at sea. As his eyes scanned the lot that he would reluctantly share allegiance with, he figured that it would not be that bad of an association, considering that there were some things that would be nice to take a gander at. Or not, he withdrew his momentary episode of hormones, closing his eyes with a shake of his head. His taste for women did not include little girls like some others, after all.

With his mind awry and attention elsewhere, Ren had simply strut past the group without a single word of acknowledgement. He kept to himself, a brief glance preceding over the sword resting at his belt before he stepped into the royal dining hall. Through habit, the squire took a seat at one of the far-off tables, seated by himself as his eyes caught sight of the party stepping inside. No peace or quiet, he looked down to his plate of food, running the fork through its contents.

For whatever reason, Ren could not bring himself to take even a single bite. It was then that he took another look to the group amassing among the noble's table, drawing a heavy sigh. He dismissed his place, carrying the plate of food along the tip of his fingers and warily taking a seat at the end of the populated table. Continually stabbing into the eggs but feeling little of an appetite rise, the squire slammed an armored fist against the surface of the table, inadvertently and unintentionally directing the attention of the group.

@Ambra @LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @Zeroth @Mercurial @Redneckatron @Lord Orgasmo @Kazemitsu @Tala Avana @Tenma Tendo @Mistiel

"Maize will come soon," Ren spoke through the awkward situation with a neutral look, his blue eyes not looking at the members of the group for long before his attention returned to his food.

Fire Emblem: Weight of the World

Yay, Day 2 of Anime Expo is finally over and I can have some of my life back. gee I should really check Fire Emblem since I haven't read anything since I left-

20 IC posts

oh

fuck me

nice work ya'll, but

guess it's time to read

EDIT: Gonna have a crappy placeholder post header for the time being, created entirely from random websites. Yikes

Attack on Titan: Somnium

Reese Kestrel

@LordVoldemort @Aquanthe @LetMeDoStuff

A blur, the night had become. The cadets had been able to enjoy a once-in-a-while respite at their leisure,though it had become a series of photographic memories for Reese, who had come to the rude awakening that the next morning had brought upon them. The young soldier knew that something had been amiss; after all, he had been one of the last to awaken at the proper hour, and the bricks of pressure that flattened against his small head was more than discomforting. Beyond the muzzy coherence, there was a feeling of laziness that hampered his will to move, though he knew better than to place himself at even greater trouble with the instructor.

Despite the adverse effects of the previous night working against him, Reese kept to his usual demeanor, a smile on his face as he tossed one of the excess pair of boots towards the husk residing within the lair that Gabriel slept in. When the giant seemed to not respond, the boy looked over to the opposing bed where Tanner rested. The fact that the other boy was still asleep baffled the blond, his lips narrowing to a playful grin.

Setting his fingers between his lips, the boy produced a whistle that they had been taught in the classroom for the sighting of titans, feigning a stern look. "The Titans are coming!" Reese contained his laughter, hoping that it would surely be their wake-up call. Ensuring that the soldiers outside did not hear his whistle, he quickly climbed to the upper bunk hanging over Gabriel, staying in view for the other two but hidden from the giant when they would awaken. He held a gesture of silence over his lips, waiting in anticipation.