Subconsciously Val knew he wasn’t going to beat a Knight of Serios or even a former one at that, but he wanted to leave an impression on everyone rather it be a good or bad one. He had never a real gauge for where he lied strength wise it opened his eyes a bit to how much more he could and needed to improve. He had a long way to go before he could be on par with Michail. ”Mom and Auntie would be proud that I at least scored one hit on him.” Val mind wandered if there was more he could have done, he did technically “win” by making Michail take two hits to finish it.
During this intense use of brain power for Valerian a happy grin never left his face. He thanked Michail for the duel and hoped in the future he would train Valerian. After bowing to the former Knight, he heard his Highness speak to him “In all the excitement I hadn’t noticed this bump.” somewhat laughing while rubbing the somewhat small bump. After Kayden had gotten his things he had led Valerian to the clinic and left him there.
The clinic looked and smelt very differently then what Valerian had in his mind. What shocked him about the most about the clinic was the nurse herself. She had oddly tinted hair and incredibly young for a healer, his family’s healer was at least triple her age. If Val had ever gotten seriously injured he knew that she would be an amazing healer.
Valerian had heard the Prince enter the clinic seeing if he was alright. “Yes, your highness I am alright. Thank you for worrying about me. Food sounds amazing right now.” He left with the prince to the dinning hall to see what kind of grub they had. They both sat down to enjoy a nice meal and see if anyone else would join them.
Before the bells trolled, the young man once again wandered the grounds of his new home. He had come across a pound next to a greenhouse, he had never really had much interest in plant life nor in fish. His mother would scold him for such thoughts, she always had encouraged him to try new things. Though this whole experience was new to him so he could pat himself on the back for that at least. He did find a nice quiet place to open his journal up and write down a few ideas, that soothing quiet was interrupted by the demon wails of the tolling bells... “Oh crap, not again!” The poor lad was already having issues keeping track of where his homeroom was, but now even more?!
Valerian had slipped in the back during the first part of the speech and took a seat next to his sister. After listening to the Professor give their introductions he felt like he had gotten the short end of the stick with his professor. Having a former Knight of Seiros would have been a great chance to practice his swordplay, though learning more crests may give him better insight into how it may affect him and his sister.
Saskia took in the professors' introductions with interest. A unit mixed between the nations was an oddity that peaked her interest, though she did little to point that out. If it wasn't for her brother's delayed arrival she'd have thought him to be the first to jump up for introductions. Likely he didn't want to be noticed and called out by one of the teachers. Once again she'd manage to be the first to stand up of the pair, having been too busy listening to even think of a proper introduction but not wishing to miss her chance.
"Saskia Aegir of the Adrestian Empire. I bear a Crest of Lamine and study many books." The words came simple and true, but short and lackluster. Something she then followed up to try to better. "Times have been unkind and not allowed for much else, but I hope we all can learn and show each other things this year." She grasped for more words to not be so short but they eluded her, simply sitting after. At least the ones she did give out were... pleasant? A look almost unconsciously went to her brother to take the scene.
Valerian felt his sister's eyes on him and leapt fourth from his seat. “I am Valerian Aegir, also of the Adrestian Empire. Unlike my sister here I’m not much of a fan of books and I believe myself to be quite good at my swordplay. Such that I believe it would rival a former Knight of Seiros like Professor Michail in a duel.” Words just kept spewing from the nervous man’s mouth... It’s like an outside force had put the words in his mouth. The following set of words should have never come from Valerian’s mouth. “If Professor Michail is willing to show us his skills it would be an honor to duel him.” The lad shut his mouth, bowed, and quickly returned to his seat as he started to fully understand the magnitude of what he said.
Travel had been a luxury that even few nobles experienced due to the Adrestian Empire’s plague. Wishing a tearful farewell to his mother and auntie Em, Valerian threw what little belongings he had into the carriage and climbed in with his sister. He had always been a bit hesitant to leave home, but since he was with his sister he felt oddly at ease with leaving their mothers. Though this ease did not equate to silence... During the few day's journey if anything it was the opposite...
Finally after days of aloud monologues, Saskia wished to have some silence so that she could continue her studies in some relative peace. He knew that sometimes he could go overboard and that his sister didn’t mean harm by it, it was something that he still to this day had to work on. He did have one pastime that he could do in silence, he would open his small bound leather book with the Aegir’s house crest on it and would write.
Voices in my head Words do not leave Saskia Silence drains my life
When the academy came into sight, Valerian broke his most sacred vow of silence. “Look Sas! I have no words for it!”. Valerian had many MANY words for it. He did hear his sister speak softly, though he couldn’t think of the correct words to answer. He did know that this would be good for the both of them.
After the opening Ceremony, the only thing on his mind was Ioannis. Was that person a boy or a girl. This question linger much longer than it should have. The campus was quite large and he managed to get lost a few times before making it to his homeroom. Homeroom was... something... Even by his standards, Valerian expected a bit more out of it. Introductions, a syllabus, or something. All they had been given was the announcement of the Prince being the house’s leader for this year.
His Highness had asked a question to the twins, surprisingly the youngest sibling had beaten him to the punch. “Yes, this is Saskia VON Aegir. She is my sister, my highness.” Valerian shot up from his seat and bowed. Waiting for his highness reply felt like days for him until a noise broke the silence... A monstrous groan came from the depth of his stomach.. Echoing throughout the classroom’s wide halls “How bout you join us for lunch, your highness!” He spat out only thinking of food...
Crest Minor Crest of Macuil (Improved Reflexes) - Valerian unconsciously can perceive the world faster and accordingly react faster than most.
Starting Class Monk
Weapon of Choice Sword
Strengths Sword & Reason
Weaknesses Heavy Armor & Axe
Starting Spells Wind
Personality Even though Valerian is the eldest of the two Aegir siblings, he tends to act boastful when around his sister and in turn tends to get them into trouble. Being adept at getting into trouble, Valerian has unnaturally grown numb to basic beatings due to his training sessions with his mother. Due to being shut in most of his life his social skills are somewhat lacking when it comes to “reading the room” as his sister would say. During the shut-in Valerian gained fascination with wind magic and during the late hours of the night would sneak into the family library to read poetry. Only a small few have seen how Valerian acts without his sister around, the ones that have reported that he is a bit more reserved and puts more thought before how he acts.
Though technically being the rightful heir to house Aegir, he doesn’t mind that his sister has a claim to it. Being the wielder of a minor crest has had its impacts on the young lad, mainly a inferior complex towards his sister. Even with these issues Valerian will protect his baby sister till his last breath.
History
The marriage of Estrid Aegir and Erhard Bracht was all but common affair for the Noble class keeping ties between houses to maintain favor and power. Estrid herself held land and it was the apparent deeds of Erhard that had given him some renown to be a fine enough match to marry in as another knight. Unsurprisingly they courted for a small while before being joined in union proper. Not long after Erhard would move into the estate. A relationship that seemed strong and steady enough, save Erhard's brashness that seemed to slowly come on now that the courting had ended. Something Estrid had resigned herself to deal with at this point.
The circumstances that lead to the birth of the half siblings began with the short- lived marriage of Estrid of the great house Aegir and Erhard of the somewhat less greater house Bracht. Erhard had grown distant following the merging of the houses, but Estrid took it upon herself to find some resolution to avoid fracturing the union of the houses. Searching for her husband one night, she stumbled in on Erhard performing lascivious acts with one of the maids of the estate. In a fury, she struck him rightly, breaking his sword arm and putting to shame a man that now seemed so miniscule compared to the acts he would boast of before. A booming voice followed that sent him swiftly from the premise. Taking pity on the woman, who had been taken advantage of, decided levying no punishment for her husband's actions. Adulterous acts were a swift way to harm house relations, and so it would be an easy matter to keep him far out of mind and sight. Or so she had hoped.
Soon after Estrid had discovered she was with child. An exciting and foreboding prospect given the circumstance she was now in. She would prepare herself for what came with it, and surely she had an easy way to control Erhard in this matter given the circumstance he had been sent away under.
Circumstance that quickly grew more complicated as the maid, Em, that she had discovered bedded by her husband grew plump as well. A situation that she took her own time to contemplate and defuse. It was the same actions she had forgiven the maid for before, and it was solely fury she would direct to her soon to be ex-husband. Given he was still of noble status, it seemed possible he might make a claim on the child, and she would be one short of staff as he would seek to narrow his possible shame. Feeling just as used as Em had, and likely out of a healthy amount of spite, she began to speak more and associate with the young woman. Soon she became more a personal handmaiden than maid, helped by how well they each respectively seemed to get along. She continued as her personal assistant for at least as long as time allowed, before she too would become more immobilized, both children soon being born to the world.
Estrid would give birth to a son, Valerian, a delight for her as she fawned over her babe. It would not be but a few months after as she had recovered then Em would deliver a daughter, Saskia, similarly giving new light to the handmaiden’s eyes. Word would eventually spread as suspected of each child's birth, reaching the ears of House Bracht. Wanting to stem the initial insult it seemed, Erhard was sent to apologize and negotiate for his child. The babes doing little more than babbling, were (brought to a church as a more neutral ground.) As their device passed over (the son's) hand revealing a minor crest of Marcuil, surprise would take both parents. Erhard seemed prepared to argue but bit his tongue, realizing what little stake he held.
It was then after that the daughter Saskia was tested mostly as a gesture. Astonishment took hold when not only was she shown to have her own crest, but a Major Crest of Lamine. Erhard's eyes widened. To him it seemed a quick ticket to redemption and beyond. His deeds easily redeemed. This did nothing to dissuade Estrid as she quickly spoke to declare an adoption of the child on the spot. Something Erhard of course wouldn't stand for, causing a burst of arguments within the church as he claimed Saskia as his own.
Circumstances changed, the matter was taken to the Church to help resolve. Archbishop Ascelpius decreed the child should stay with the mother until they became of age, then being able to take claim to either house as their parents wished. With House Aegir’s influence and Em’s definite preference for Estrid, Saskia would be raised at their estate beside Valerian.
The children’s lives weren’t without complete interference of their father, visiting on occasion as he claimed was his right. At a young age obvious preference was shown toward Saskia, a seeming hope that attempts at grooming might sway her as she aged. Being pushed aside for his sister, Valerian seeked attention from other sources and found it in the unlikely place of Em. Valerian’s constant barrage of questions about his mother and father leaving Em with little reprieve, but Em found charm in the starry-eyed little boy. Valerian would start to see through his “father’s” facade as he grew, taking a protective role toward his half sister.
Concerns turned all the more true as the plague would ravage the Adrestian Empire. Due to her Lamine Crest Saskia was already expected to study diligently, but with ‘recent’ events she seemed to be all but shut into their library and under tutor. This didn’t dissuade her brother from keeping tabs on her (aka annoying her), always the pessimist of that man’s actions. With also being stuck inside, and time spent in the library already, Valerian would spend countless hours studying alongside his baby sister. Aside from the books, Valerian spent his time learning the way of the blade from his Mother, never once being able to best her in any form of combat.
As they grew to teens, the others in the family seemed to grow all the more tiresome of Erhard’s act as well. By this age Valerian was all but a stonewall to the man’s grooming, cutting short his grandiose words whenever he was around his sister. Of course this aggravated the situation and caused desperation to sink in for Erhard. For Saskia, she never quite got to see the man her brother constantly warned her of, at least not until near the end of his antics. Cuz her brother is awesome
As Saskia neared 18, both Houses were anxious come her decision. There was the obvious bias it seemed toward those that raised her in House Aegir but the possibility remained ever present for her to flip sides. Always the worry of political schemes within the Noble Houses.
Seeming to be one of such schemes, the idea was put forward by Erhard to delay the choice and send Saskia to the Officers Academy. It would finally give her the experience of the other nations as the Adrestian Empire had been slowly recovering from its plague, and better her learning for either House she would choose. While obvious an attempt to delay so she could be swayed, it was not something Estrid and Em could disagree with. It would be all the more a boon for House Aegir, and Saskia herself.
Such would not go off for House Bracht without a hitch however, as the insistence of Valerian to accompany his sister was agreed upon by House Aegir. Should worst come to worst it would not leave them without a skilled heir as well.
Trivia
Practices in the mirror saying different “cool” one liners in his undergarments.
Stands at 5 foot 4 inch, he is slightly taller than his sister. He still considers this a major victory.
Has a journal of all of his own poetry attempts.
Even though not proficient in Archery, Valerian likes to go out to a range and shoot a few arrows.
Favorite dish Em's Homemade Apple Pie. Even though Estrid is his mother... she can't cook... Thankfully Aunt Emmie on the other hand can make a mean Apple Pie.
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He loves his baby sister and I blame Hero for making me do this.
