middaeg | [Semi-Closed] April Catch-All

Entry tags:

[Semi-Closed] April Catch-All | Great Tree Moon

Who: Lorenz + Plotted CR (with Open Prompts)
When: April Full Moon, Event and After
Where: Throughout Aefenglom
What: Full Moon + A Quest + Memories and whatever else comes up
Warnings: General. He's a Shady Faun, so proceed with caution. TBA as threads occur

Full Moon

[A recent spar with Felix had revealed to Lorenz one factor that he had not anticipated with his monster transformation: that he could run. He had seen Judar do so, but witnessing it and experiencing the sheer power of his new legs for himself were so drastically different that using the extra force in a friendly test with Felix had surprised the both of them.

Pleasantly so.

Energized by the radiance of the waxing moons, Lorenz found himself unable to sit still. All but vibrating with the excess in energy he found himself with, he briefly found his thoughts straying to his friends at home. Was this how Raphael felt when he got into the moment and started hauling everything from the day's grocery shopping to random desks he found streetside around as if they weighed no more than kittens? Was this what Claude felt when he stayed up into the deepest parts of the night, working feverishly on his schemes or stealing out to visit his Wyvern while the rest of the world slept?

He didn't know. He didn't care.

Racing in his giddiness, Lorenz once more found himself at the docks and staring out at the water.

...He wondered how well his new form took to swimming?]

Plantagorium

[Lorenz could easily respect a man's desire to start a rooftop garden. With his still nacent plant magic, he understood that drive well-- but this man's efforts left Lorenz rather... disappointed.

Afterall, anyone who failed that badly with seedlings had a talent that Lorenz didn't want to understand.

Packing his bag and grabbing a sturdy stick, Lorenz prepared himself to set out over the Wall briefly to find something sturdier for the poor man. A sapling, perhaps. Trees were far sturdier than delicate herbs like basil and mint. Even aromatics like lavender, rosemary, and garlic fared better than anything whose name referenced a 'balm' in any way, and Lorenz had a general idea of what he was looking for.

Feel free to catch him in the shops, gathering some last minute supplies (like appropriate hoof coverings), or on his way out of the gate.]

Wildcard

[Don't like a prompt? Make one up! HMU on Plurk at

woodrift with questions or plotting requests. Close toplevels with previously plotted CR for the event will be coming as I get organized.]

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[Close Toplevels Within. If you want to thread something with this, HMU on Plurk]

[This was an unusual environment for one of the shared dreams that the powers within Aefenglom seemed fond of thrusting it's populace into. The Looking Glass House was a place that Lorenz rarely ventured unless he was seeking out someone specific. Even his own mirror rarely saw any company.

Finding another mirror with it's reflective glass gleaming piqued Lorenz's curiosity, and despite his own sense of propriety Lorenz found himself approach. The frame was plain enough, save for the simple eagle motif on it's frame. Prominant at the apex was an insignia he would never fail to recognize:

A double headed eagle, it's wings outspread and twin beak open wide as if in a battle-cry.

The symbol of the Adrestrian Empire.

Heedless of his own sensibilities, Lorenz laid his hand upon the placid surface of the glass. The reflection rippled under his fingers, as if it were a pool of water-- when he blinked, he was Elsewhere.

The darkness was the first thing he knew, but up ahead he saw the shape of a man he recognized. The proud aura he exuded from his person and solid stance of his legs was offset by the vibrantly yellow cloak he wore draped over a shoulder that Lorenz knew was deceptively strong; the way those thick curls fell over his collar characterized a man who was at once a strong leader and cunning schemer.

Before him was one Claude von Riegan.

A man Lorenz knew he would never forget.]

[ well. that's not an expected sight. ]

[ fixated as the faun appears, viren doubts he's yet to be noticed. upright, he leans somewhat heavily on his ornate staff — it's an object he no longer often takes with him, minimized as its use has become without his magic. he props an arm to it, drums claws against his sleeve as he thinks as to whether he should interrupt. this is the full moon, afer all. ]

[ after a moment of consideration, he straightens again. there's a few tps of the staff's end against ground as he better comes within earshot. still a distance away, and still even further from the ocean — the dragon had no inclination to test his form against that. ]

[ with curiosity, ]

Lorenz?

[Edelgard felt the pull of the dream, the tug at her mind, and when she blinked and her eyes cleared, she wasn't surprised to see Lorenz standing in the streets of Derdriu. This was hardly the first vision she'd seen, though strangely it was one she hadn't expected to have. This had been quite a day, yes, but nothing nearly as momentous as some of the others. Claude had put up a difficult fight, but compared to Rhea...?

Well, no sense in debating. She walked forward to stand beside Lorenz.]

...Strange, isn't it? Seeing a city on the eve of a battle. And...seeing Claude acting serious for once.

[If there was one matter they undoubtedly agreed upon, it's that Rhea was not to be trusted. After hearing Edelgard's harrowing tale, and after witnessing her rapid slip into a strange madness in the weeks after Edelgard had revealed herself within the Tomb, Lorenz didn't need more evidence against her.

It was matters closer to home that troubled him.

Looking at Edelgard, Lorenz nodded quietly.]

It is. This is a sight that's rare on both counts.

...I had hoped that the war would never reach this far.

It was an unfortunate inevitability. War was coming for Enbarr, Fhirdiad, and Derdriu.

[Edelgard does sound regretful, at least.]

Claude had evacuated the civilians days ago, sending them towards Alliance holdings throughout the region. And my army was under strict orders not to burn anything. It was intended to be as bloodless a conflict as possible, from both sides.

[Further out, the sound of trumpets heralds the arrival of the Imperial army, and from their vantage point atop the wall it's easy to pick out the Black Eagles Strike Force. Comprised entirely of their classmates, most of them mounted on horses or flying steeds, it moves into position just outside the open gate.]

The only thing that truly caught us by surprise was Claude's reinforcements. If you look to the east, out to sea, you'll see several ships moving this way, laden with Almyran elite troopers.

[A nod. It was heartening to hear that all the combatants involved were dedicated to keeping unnecessary casualties as minimal as possible. There was no good way to strategize for a war, but a simple respect for life went a long way.

Turning his head at Edelgard's words, Lorenz did spot the ships with the Almyran flag just beyond the shores.]

Given what you've told me, and what I already suspected, that's only natural. They are his people, after all.

[Ears flickered at the sound of a familiar voice in an unfamiliar setting, and Lorenz easily turned to face the man. A look of bewildered curiosity lit his face-- and Lorenz offered a chagrinned smile.]

Sir Viren.

[The honorific wasn't necessary. They both knew it wasn't necessary, but Lorenz kept with it for the sake of politeness.]

It's strange to find you in this part of town, Sir.

[As they train their eyes out to sea, the battle begins. Troops move in blocks. The gates break. Pegusai and Wyverns meet in the sky, the typical movements of battle beginning.

A contingent of flying units break through first, soaring over the sea and crashing headlong into the Almyrans. Edelgard herself, Byleth heralded by flashes of the Sword of the Creator, Ingrid with the Relic Lance born by her family, and Leonie with a strange looking bow, all mounted, strike out straight for Claude.]

...It's strange, watching this from the ground. But, I suppose the mirror's decided it's worth you seeing it.

...Is it not your choice as well?

[This was a dream, and dreams were notoriously unstable. Scenes could shift and change with the fluidity of water seeping from cupped hands. They were ungraspable, unknowable.

But...]

There is truth in what you say, [He added, following Edelgard's gaze up to the flying contingent from below.] He is the greatest of my doubts.

No. I'd have tried to show you something more peaceful. Not the war you're currently embroiled in.

[Edelgard watches as the fight begins. It's not a long fight, not really. Claude's guards are overwhelmed by Edelgard's advance guard, and soon he's dueling in the air with Edelgard.

That ends, and the man drops from his wyvern, throwing up his hands in surrender.]

You've bested me. If I die here, the Alliance becomes part of the Empire.

[Edelgard's phantom steps forward.]

Do you yield, then? You've never known when to give up.

[Claude frowns, but nods.]

Well, I can't just surrender so easily. I'm responsible for the others. If you're as smart as you seem, I bet you've figured out why I was able to summon Almyran reinforcements. Wouldn't it be better to let me go and have me in your debt?

[Byleth and Edelgard confer for a moment, nodding in agreement and stowing their weapons.]

Thank you, Professor. And you, Edelgard. I'm truly grateful for your courageous decision. I will return your kindness one day... I promise.

[With that, he flies away on his injured wyvern...and with a cheer, the Imperial army begins working on taking care of the injured and the dead. If Lorenz's eyes are sharp, he'll see Hilda meandering away with a frown, though Edelgard and Byleth both seem to take no notice. They hadn't exactly been...close.]

This is not quite the last we see of Claude. But it is the end of the battle.

If this isn't your choice, then--

[The implications were disturbing. Lorenz didn't wish to play party to that which another kept quiet within their own mind. Curiosity was a terrible trait, but Lorenz didn't seek to satisfy that drive at the expence of another's well being--

But he didn't have time to follow that thread of thought when the phantom that was Claude offered his surrender. His lips turned downward as the implications behind Claude's words became clear; not only was he a responsible leader after all, but his connections beyond Fodlan's boundaries were greater than Lorenz had even realized. Not only was Claude Almyran, but he was of that country's Nobility.]

It is... and the Alliance was left in your capable hands.

[Lorenz by nature was a man of doubts that he kept to himself. He tried to see the optimistic side of affairs, but that was in part for his own peace of mind. Lingering on the questions never helped in the process of finding a solution, no matter how tempting it was.

He trusted Edelgard's ability to lead, but he wondered how the Alliance fared. As a country, the citizens were not nearly as tightly knit as they were in Adrestria or Faerghus. The Counts and Marquesses feld fast to their independent capabilities, and balked at the notion of the Duke weilding too much power.]

In the end, did he ever return the favor like he said? Or was he a further hindrance for you in your plans?

In the end, he appeared in the command tent we had set up outside the city the night after it all. He told me a few things, and gave his regards to Byleth before he vanished. There hasn't been much time for him to return any favors.

[Edelgard shrugs. She doesn't mind one way or another what Claude does. She hadn't wanted to kill him, or even hurt him, if it could've been avoided.]

He did have a plan for integrating the Alliance with the Imperials, and it worked. He...did care for the people of the Alliance, if you were concerned for that. He made sure that everything worked out for the best, for them.

[That was what mattered most to her. She truly had no quarrel with them, but she couldn't leave them on her flanks.]

[A nod. Truly, she had gotten to the core of what was bothering him.]

Everything I do, I've always had the good of the Alliance lingering behind every decision. I'm sure it's the same in your timeline of events. Without your knowledge, we would have no way of knowing the truth of the matter otherwise.

...Even now, with everything I have learned while here, I'm fairly sure that I would have joined your campaign if I had known your ideals at the time.

But there was no way to know; there was too much distance, and the Church has a deeper strangelhold on our land than anyone wanted to guess.

A conflict with the Church and Fodlan itself was inevitable, I feel. One day, Rhea would go too far.

[That's just...after Lonato? And the entire Eastern Church? No. This was brewing.]

Things need to change. I just gave it a push.

You did. Others could see the threads of the menace, but few among them were willing to start the push and fewer still were able to try.

What you did is what many would call impossible. Clearly, they're wrong.

Not impossible. Simply...necessary.

[It was, it was absolutely necessary.]

Indeed. Anyone who disagrees is a fool.

[He would hold fast to that belief. Anyone who saw the problems in Fodlan and decided that they didn't need changing was either blind or a fool. Unfortunately, there were a great many more of those than he had hoped.]

I never thanked you, did I. Not that you need it... but thank you. Knowing that our home is safe in at least one history is enough to give me peace of mind.

Of course. Lorenz, truly, you don't need to thank me.

[She neither needs nor wants praise.]

Just...keep living for a better tomorrow.

[When Sylvain comes to after approaching a mirror with a familiar motif of forests, deer, tea accoutrements and roses, he would find himself faced with a familiar sight: the skyline of Fhirdiad. It was wintertime and, from the windows of the high class dorm he stood in, the streets between the towering stone buildings were covered with snow. Paths had already been tracked through the white powder along the streets and walkways that were usually taken by the daily traffic. In the hallways beyond the door, students bustled as they made a show of doing their coursework in between courses of killing time with their friends and classmates.

Between laughs and questions about lectures or readings, there was an undercurrent of tension. Scattered throughout were questions among themselves of recent events.
'Did you hear what happened out west?' One student, a particularly energetic type, piped up before being quickly hushed.

No one wanted to talk about it. They just wanted to do their work and enjoy the time they had.

Inside the dorm room, Lorenz scoffed irritably while he packed his bags. At sixteen years old, he hadn't quite enrolled in Garreg Mach at that time yet.

For obvious reasons.

Closer to Sylvain, he would hear a familiar sigh.]

Ah. The Royal Academy of Sorcery. Even though I had begged my father to let me enroll, I never got to spend even an entire semester there. It's quite a shame, really.

I am, and I know you are too.

[Lorenz knew that she didn't need thanks, but he had wanted to express it regardless; he didn't know if his counterpart would be able to compose himself enough to in the middle of such a shift in the very dynamics he had spent most of his life wanting to believe were true.]

...You had said you would have preferred a memory that wasn't related to the war. How about we find one while we're here, and we still have the chance?

We can certainly try.

[She does not understand all of this, but she'll try her best to focus, and take them elsewhere.

Or perhaps, his thoughts will take over?]

[His thoughts did take over, providing a glimpse into the carefully manicured gardens that were behind the gates at the manor in Gloucester territory where Lorenz had grown up. The roses, a vibrant crimson hue, were in full bloom in the late spring.

Smiling, Lorenz offered a chair.]

Here's something a little more pleasant,

[He quipped, indicating toward a nearby table and chairs in the shadow of a vast maple tree amid the flower beds.]

My mother was fond of roses, as you can see. Shall we sit and enjoy ourselves?

Certainly.

[Edelgard has no objections to sitting. Why would she? This is territory she's never been to, but at least it's safe, and far...far...from the fires of war.]

[Within the gleaming glass of the mirror was a scene of a picture perfect summer just beyond the glass panels of a large window overlooking the vast property the manor stood upon. The sun shown brightly in the clear, endless sky and just beyond the flowering trees pristine gardens kept cloistered within the wrought iron gates was a glimpse of rows upon rows of winding vinyard. In the distance people could be seen tending to the delicate crops; closer still, within the decoratively painted papered walls and soft, heavy draperies lining the window, was an air of tension that was dissonant with the relative serenity outside.

Leaning against one of the walls on the far end of the chamber was a familiar figure-- a good deal shorter than the version that resided in Aefenglom, with a hair cut that had yet to grow out into it's full glory. An uncommonly severe look turned his lips down and furrowed his brows as he listened to the hushed conversations on the other side of the heavy wooden door that he stood beside.

Huffing irrritably, the young man glared daggers at the door.]

They're truly dancing around the obvious in there, aren't they? [He asked aloud to the empty room, as if speaking would help him organize his own thoughts.]

Clearly, it's sabotage.

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[Semi-Closed] April Catch-All | Great Tree Moon

Event: Dream a Little Dream (Of Me)

Edelgard

full moon

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Sylvain

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Iskandar and Caster! Cu Chulainn