middaeg | [Open] Catch All for January (Some closed prompts)

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[Open] Catch All for January (Some closed prompts)

Who: Edelgard von Hresvelg and You!
When: Pre-Snatched Plot, some Post potentially
Where: Dorchacht and Aefenglom
What: A Catchall
Warnings: Possibly discussions of torture, war, and 3 Houses Spoiler Warnings.

Tarnished Reality

[Unsure of what to expect when she stepped through the teleporter, Edelgard had gone fully prepared for the worst, insisting on wearing her scarlet battle armor, with her axe strapped in a leather thong across her back. When she found the city nothing like what she had been told, she'd initially been puzzled, but as it became more apparent that she was not going to be troubled she found herself relaxing fractionally.

Her changes were making it more difficult to function during the day, so she'd come at dusk, well rested and ready to explore the city. Moving among the people, her outlander dress marking her as a Mirrorbound as surely as the unusual battleaxe she carried, the Emperor was quiet through most of her wanderings. The sounds of a scuffle up ahead of her current path drew her up short, though and she stopped and looked around a corner.]

It seems all is not well. [Mumbled, but audible enough for any nearby to hear.] Do you think we should aid the guard?

Bond Lessons

[It's strange seeing other Mirrorbound being pulled up onto the stage, but so far she has avoided being ensnared herself. Watching the goings on is interesting enough, though, but she's still a little uncomfortable with it. So, she slides through the fringes of the crowd towards another unmolested Mirrorbound.]

Eager, are they not?

Home

[Edelgard has made it a point to attempt to win over support from the aristocracy early on, including personally investigating the Mist that had settled in there. The few supporters she'd managed to charm haven't quite turned on her, but when she makes her way out of the district she can feel something building. Tensions are rising, a thing she is extremely familiar with, and that's going to potentially be a problem.

It's not until she leaves the district and makes her way towards the Haven, the cool and crisp night air making her more alert than she might otherwise be, that she senses something amiss.

Eyes narrowed, she pokes her head around the mouth of an alley to see two graffiti artists hard at work. With an exasparated sigh she turns to wave a passing Mirrorbound over.]

Look at this nonsense...

Wildcard

[If you want to plot something out, in Dorch, out of it, a quest, anything else? HMU at

intercession and let's figure it out!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's about right. Edelgard isn't carrying Aymr right now, given the size and weight, alongside the sheer intimidation factor of an axe that moves of it's own accord, but she has started carrying a sword. It's better to be armed than not, has a more dignified air, and she has a more than passing familiarity with them.

Resting her hand upon the pommel, she watches the boys retreat...]

This is going to get worse before it gets better.

[ There's a pause, and Azura's irritation fades out into something tired instead. ]

...do you think it will?

[ get better ]

Yes.

[Think? No.

Know? Yes.]

I fully intend to do all I can to build bridges. And I think that I'm not alone in that.

[ It's a simple answer to Azura's even simpler question, but it makes something shift inside her head.

Building bridges. Hmm.

Azura closes her eyes and lets the cold breeze go through her. ]

Even in a world that isn't yours, you feel motivated to change it for the better.

[ Another pause. ]

May I ask you something a bit personal?

You may. I may not answer, but feel free.

[She isn't going to deny that she's a private person, but she's trying to be open. Azura's connection to Corrin is enough of a reason to at least hear her out, anyway.]

...was your sense of determination and courage sown into you?

[ Azura realizes that likely isn't a clear question, and so turns to face her, shaking her head. ]

Our upbringings being wildly different might answer that, actually, if they are. Though from what you've told me, you've also endured terrible tragedies. And it makes me think...

[ a quiet, mirthless laugh ]

All it's done to me is beat me down. It didn't instill a sense of bravery in me. I can't help my own kingdom, the one I was born to lead, let alone help this city.

So how...can you? How is it that you keep going? How are you so resolved?

[ Her voice is small, but she sounds almost reverent. Someone who went though bad, bad things and came out on top is--

Everything she isn't.]

[That is not the question that Edelgard expected to hear. Far, far from it in fact. Her usually tightly controlled mask cracks slightly, eyes widening for a moment before she's able to regain herself and begin to form a response. It's quite the question, one she'd more expect from someone less seemingly put together than Azura. It makes her re-evaluate her thoughts on the woman, seeing her like this. Perhaps she...needs a more supportive hand?]

I cannot say that it was sewn into me.

[She says slowly, after several quiet seconds. How much to reveal is hard to say, because she certainly does not want to get into the true depths of what was done to her with Azura. With anyone. She had only spoken of it to Corrin because of her nightmares. But, she had a truthful answer to give all the same.]

It was...I suppose you could say it was beaten into me. I would say that my tragedies tempered me as a blacksmith would temper a sword. I was always a devout person before everything, but my experiences broke my faith, and I suppose used that as material to forge a new me.

I endured, because I did not want to give up. And I endured so that I could stop others from suffering the same fate.

[Finally managing to look at Azura, reaching a gloved hand out to touch her shoulder gingerly, Edelgard attempted a reassuring smile.]

I just knew that I had to change things, no matter the cost to myself, because my cause was...is...righteous. When you have a cause to wholly give yourself to I think it's easier to keep your resolve. When I start to flag, I think of the people around me...and that helps, too.

[ "Seemingly" being the key word, here. She doesn't show the sad person underneath her icy veneer very often, and in this case, it all just kind of slipped out. As Edelgard talks, Azura's expression shifts back into impassiveness, in an effort to make it seem like she hadn't just spilled all of that to her.

She looks down at the hand on her shoulder, but doesn't shrug it off or move. ]

...look at me, telling you all of my problems when you have problems of your own. My apologies.

[ a low, defeated-sounding sigh ]

You're a far stronger person than I, and that seems to be the fundamental difference. I wouldn't say my experiences have tempered me. Just knocked me to the ground, and every time I tried to get back up, they'd send me to my knees again, and again, and again. After a while, I started to wonder what the worth of getting back up was. So...I did not get back up, no matter the people I wanted to protect, no matter the justice I wanted.

But someone extended me their hand, after I had laid on the ground and my wounds had festered. But I suppose since they were long infected wounds, they'll take as much time to heal.

[ she tilts her head ]

If I tremble at the thought of saving this city, I cannot save my kingdom.

[ she's too weak, too scared, too sad. ]

So if this is a quandary you feel confident in pondering...how is it that one such as I tempers myself? You needn't answer me, because my issues are not yours to solve, but...I cannot find the answer.

Edited 2020-01-16 05:55 (UTC)

[Edelgard shakes her head with a soft sigh. This is...not really her forte, she's not the softest, most comforting person out there, but she's willing to try.]

First...don't apologize. You've done nothing wrong. Sometimes we just need to let things out, and there is no shame in that.

[None at all, as far as she is concerned, though she'd deeply regret breaking like that herself, later. She's not sure what to say to some of this, it's quite clear that Azura's strained as bad as she had been early on after her experiences with her tormentor, though. So that seems like the only jumping off point to go with.]

Secondly, I would say that you should begin to pick yourself up the same way that I did. By thinking of the people I am trying to protect. Cloak yourself in the need to get up again for their sake and armor yourself in the need to defend those suffering in your kingdom...or simply this city. And...take the extended hand.

[Edelgard looks off towards her home, towards where she knows Hubert works in his lab.]

...Without Hubert, I'd have buckled. After it all, having someone to stand with was what gave me what integrity I needed to temper myself. One cannot stand alone against the inevitability of wicked deeds done by equally wicked people.

You can save your kingdom, and you can help this city. All you need to do is stand fast, with friends and allies at your side. Time, and their influence, will help you heal...and when you have healed you will be stronger for it.

[ Azura listens silently, as she does. As Edelgard goes on, her expression slowly loosens and loosens, until Azura just looks mostly tired. But she smiles faintly. ]

All of that is easier said than done, is it not? But...in time. Whether tomorrow, or next year.

I took Corrin's hand the moment she offered it to me. I can assure you of that. [ a pause ] I don't believe you've told me who this "Hubert" is, but if your strength is tied to his as mine is to hers, I can understand what you mean.

[ Tempering...tempering.

Maybe she was using the wrong metaphor again. She'd said "sown into" but Edelgard had called it "tempered." But neither of those were the case for herself, were they? ]

Forgive me for being overly poetic, but...there is a lacquering technique used in my country of residence used to repair broken pottery. When bowls and plates and vases become cracked, or pieces break off, gold resin is used to fill in the gaps and cracks, in place of using unsightly methods like staples. It became rather popular for the aesthetic look of the gold cracks, even in otherwise-colored pottery.

[ It...was kind of corny, she realizes that, but rather than saying sown or tempered, it felt more accurate to say the cracks in her were still being lacquered closed. ]

That sounds like a lovely form of art. And I would hardly be one to judge you for poetry. I know that I can sometimes seem...dramatic.

[Understatement there. But, she has another thought.]

Have I not spoken of Hubert?

[Edelgard smiles wistfully, looking off in a random direction, her bond tugging at her as she thinks of the Vestra Marquis. He's in his lab, of course, pleased at something, she can tell. Probably some new potion or other...]

Hubert is the Marquis of House Vestra, my closest adviser, my oldest friend, and the person I trust most in all the world. He has helped me out of many, many dark places. He is also my first Bonded, and an accomplished sorcerer and spy.

I've been told it's a fault of mine, though I can blame it on being raised as a performer.

[ does el do theater or is she just extra

Anyway, she's glad for the change in topic. A...sorcerer and a spy, huh. ]

No, I do think I would remember a unique description like that. He sounds like an interesting fellow.

[ and also this reminds her of multi-bonding. She'd completely forgotten about that. And now kind of feels bad. ]

He's certainly interesting.

[Edelgard can't help herself from laughing. Just a bit.]

I think the device can show a picture, if you'd like. He's very tall.

[And very extra.]

If you wouldn't mind.

[ peering over. now she's really curious. who are you, tall dark and mysterious ]

[He is...tall, dark, and mysterious. The image she brings up is fairly flattering, all things considered. Hubert is a handsome man, overall.]

[ ....she's not breaking face in front of Edelgard twice in one day. No. Absolutely not. She will perish on the spot if she does.

So Azura keeps her thoughts to herself, thoughts that include "that is a very handsome man, look at those cheekbones." Her expression says none of that and she just nods. ]

...tall indeed. I suddenly feel quite short.

[ she's, what, two inches taller than el? ]

[Something like that. Edelgard is quite short.]

He positively towers over most. He's...a touch dramatic, but truly one of the most trustworthy people you could ever ask to have at your back.

He's been with me, my retainer, since I was very young.

Dramatic, hmm? I do hope you'll introduce me, one day.

[ she's wondering in what context

...they've been standing outside for a while now, and it's cold. Azura looks in the direction of her apartment and shuffles her feet. Hm. ]

...we're, ah, fairly close to my apartment. Would you like to continue talking inside? I can put on a pot of tea, if you'd like.

[ There's...a decent-ish chance Edelgard has seen the inside of their apartment before given that Corrin also lives there, but the act of inviting her there or if she hasn't, that Azura is praying she didn't just say something really awkward. Please let them be at a friendship level for this. Please gods. ]

Certainly.

[That's her answer. She has no problems with this. They are at least at a C support, and that's good enough to share tea. It's not like she's inviting Edelgard into her bedroom or anything. That's a B+ rank at least.]

Please, lead the way.

[ Azura has no access to the support menu nor the intricacies of + rankings. She's also just a little bit nervous she might have weirded out El too much today, hence the apprehension.

But it's for naught, and Azura's posture relaxes. ]

Right, then. We're around the corner and up on the second floor, here, the three of us.

[ It's an apartment made for two people presently squeezing in three, but Azura likes to keep things neat, so it's mercifully pretty clean. Just very lived-in. She'll gesture to the table near the kitchen and go rummaging around in the cabinets for the kettle. ]

[Edelgard follows her on her way in, quietly taking in all of the surroundings. It does look very homey. A far cry from the large house that she's sharing with Hubert, certainly.]

You, Corrin, and whom else?

[Who else indeed? Niles was in Azura's bed, defiantly reading one of his simplest story books. Linden thought he was an uneducated simpleton, well guess what, he is! An uneducated simpleton that had just managed to be morally superior and incredibly cruel and petty at the same time. For all his convoluted intellectual bullshit he'd just been outmaneuvered by a man who was only recently literate. So while his ear swivels over at the sound of the opening door, at first he ignores the distraction focusing on his thrilling narrative. When he hears two sets of footprints moving about the common spaces however he sits up and goes to investigate.

He'd expected to maybe eavesdrop on a conversation between Azura and Corrin, but when he realizes that's not the case he stops bothering to sneak about. He strolls into the kitchen with no further skulking, blatantly running his eyes up and down Edelgard's form curiously. Fine clothes, intense eyes, immaculate posture. The nature of this place was such that she might not actually be nobility, but whatever position she held in her world, it was one with means and status.]

I must compliment your taste Azura, but between Corrin, myself, and this mystery beauty I think you've found yourself a type. [He flips his head of snow white hair, clearing his good eye of any hanging strands, his tail making a matching flicking motion. The book is still in his hand and held lightly at his side, one finger keeping his place just a few pages from the dramatic conclusion of the hero's journey.] And who might you be?

[ Well, if that didn't weird her out to uncomfortableness, this very well just might. And here she was, about to talk about you in such a nice way when you weren't here, Niles. Then you had to go and be here and eyeball her friend.

Azura finds the kettle and sets it down, but before she does anything with it, she moves to put herself in between Niles and Edelgard, staring him down harshly. ]

...Niles. He's mine. [ said with the tone of "yeah this is the scruffy cat I adopted, he's a handful" ] Er, my bonded. He's one of my step-brother's retainers, from home. I'm normally quite fond of him, but one of his pastimes happens to be making people wildly uncomfortable, so he won't be joining us, will he?

[ Niles, babe, she loves you very much, but she's drawing a line in the sand right out of the gate. Do not embarrass her in front of Edelgard. ]

Edited 2020-01-30 08:56 (UTC)

[Edelgard is not normally someone that is easily put off, but when she's sized up by the stranger, that sets her teeth on edge. Crossing her arms, she regards the newcomer with a cool, if not outright hostile expression. She is as stern as a stone can be, taking a cue from Azura that this man...while tied to her friend...is likely someone that would test her patience.

She was out of her element enough, socializing with Azura, so adding another who had a penchant for mischief or inappropriate questions seemed like something she would rather avoid. Yet she couldn't ignore a direct question. So...]

I am Edelgard von Hresvelg. Bonded to Corrin. I hope my presence is not an interruption.

[And she'll leave it at that, given Azura's line in the sand. She's not wanting to get pulled into or worsen any conflict or tension, but she also doesn't like the look Niles has given her. Or his words.]

[Niles starts to adopt a mock hurt expression, which snaps to a 'mild regrets' frown in an instant when Edelgard explains who she is. Nope if his nonsense was gonna get back to the person he had to live with peaceably for Azura's sake then Edelgard was suddenly off limits.

A huge shame because that ramrod stiff spine and icy glare are positively challenging. But well, his dance card for rivalries is full at the moment. He gets up with a disappointed huff, crossing his arms as he walks past Azura to the window.]

Alright, I get it. [He leans in to make a more private comment only for her ears.] Apologies. Have fun. [He turns to give Edelgard at least a departing nod, then climbs out the window, neglecting to shut it behind him.]

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