Fantasy Howl's Flying Castle (Finished! ---Whoo! (*＾▽＾)／)

[Zer0]

- James Pendragon -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

"Ow, Lydia! My bone axe wound is still sore!" winced James when Lydia bonked him, though it was remedied by her smooch. He suddenly realized how powerful her smooches had an effect on him, that she could ask him to do anything and he would do it. He chuckled, "And I can't help thinking --- sort of --- about getting injured, if it means being wept over and taken care of by you. This feels nice." he grinned, stretching.

"I believe I won't be sad anymore if I get sick in the future. I'll just happily rest in bed and ask you to feed me soup, while I hug your leg and you touch my hair, and I fall asleep like that." he hummed and hugged her as though she was a big puffy Sasha. "And then, I will pretend to be sick some more, so that I get to be pampered by you some more, and we can just stay at home and talk together."

He nodded when she asked him to stay with her. "I'll watch over you too." he pressed his lips to hers and hugged her tight. "I won't let them hurt you like they did Kenren."

He felt sad when she talked about her town. What happened here was terrible, all black and ash save for twisted metal and scorched rubble. "I'll help you rebuild your town, Lydia." said James. "I've got two mean cleaning and mending spells, and I can learn how to do carpentry. Echo and Renee can bring the trees back, and Sen and Seth can help rebuild the machinery of your family's factory. We'd be having a picnic with your family while looking down at a recovering Bourgeaus."

He thought a while at her last question, hugging and smiling as she snuggled against him. "I don't know. I had planned to go back to school, but with the Academy razed, I think it'll be some time before I can go back . . . So, for now, if we could have the flying castle over here after the war, I think I'll be here helping you rebuild your hometown."

Roleplay Skittle

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

Seifer laughed. "Of course you can!" and he hugged her tight, happy that she trusts him with this. Then he looked at her like they just had a connection. "Renee, I'm your friend too. After all we've been through, you can be weak, or scared, in front of me and lean on me. You can be all that you are, even the regurgitating food for Sirius."

Katsuya
OOC | Characters | Moments in Time
​

 

[Katsuya]

Renee looked at him, searching as she listened, her fluttering wings now flapped in merry and she winced from the harsh movements. Yet she giggled like a silly person, bashful even with the way she's nuzzling his chest and squeezing him tight and loosening her hug only to hug again. It seems she found her answer.

"So-! So I can talk to the plants in front of you or sing horribly or have messy and sticky feathers from failed experiments or rearrange f-flowers from the flower shops by color and meaning while walking in the streets with you?" She looked relieved and happy and shy, her eyes growing wider and wider; similar to a child's innocent and hopeful expression.


Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

"Yes to all! I didn't know you can talk to plants, Renee. You sing alright too, and I think it's impossible to have good looking feathers if your experiments end up exploding. And yes, we can rearrange flowers together from the flower shops while walking in the streets." Seifer chuckled. "So you know the meaning of flowers, I didn't know that either."

He hugged her, and nibbled her cheek affectionately. "Are you into poetry like your brother?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee squeaked when he nibbled her cheek before giggling silly again. Then she nodded. "Mh-hpmh. I do. Like for example chrysanthemum means joy and optimism. I always thought it fits as Kenren's flower symbol because he's optimistic about the war." She said. "and I don't normally talk to the plants in front of others...not even in front my brothers."

Then her wings flapped again. "Yes, I am but I'm not a poet like Seth. I'm not eloquent like him when it comes to speech." Renee admitted as she nuzzled his cheek with the tip of her nose. "Are you into poetry or flowers? What's your favorite color and flower?" Then she froze, feeling like an idiot.

"Oh my goodness...how did I forget to ask you this...When's your birthday?"

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

"No, I only learned poetry to flirt better." said Seifer. "My mother's hobby is flower arranging, so I know the meaning of flowers she likes. She likes orchids, especially white ones." he remembered fondly. "My favorite flower . . . would be golden showers." he nodded. "They look nice, especially when the tree is full of them, all yellow flowers all around."

When she froze, he wondered what's up. "My birthday's on Spring." he chuckled. "Yours?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Why is Renee not surprised that he learned poetry to flirt? She snorted at the thought of his...fangirls swooning from him reciting poetry before blinking widely. "Your mother does flower arrangements too?...Hm." She tilted her head, smiling warmly.

"White orchids...reverence and purity, humility and innocence..." She said quietly as she squeezed him again. "Golden shower trees are pretty to look at...when we do have a home of our own, I can plant some in the garden so we can see the flowers bloom."

Then she blushed again, her wings covering her purple red cheeks. "I-It's in winter. February fourteenth..." It's really ironic that she has a soul link with Seifer, tends to support love when she sees it, and her birthday is on the day of the lovers; especially when she's the guardian of Charity...

Fate indeed-!

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

"I'd love that." said Seifer. "Except we'll plant them together, Renee. And with the flowers and all the plants that you like too, except for the dangerous ones, we should plant those in your future greenhouse, all protected by enchantments like the ones at the academy --- or used to be in the academy."

He was amazed that her birthday landed on that day. "No wonder you're good in bed." he winked. "I think I know what to give you on your birthday."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Her bandaged wings covered her face shyly as she made another noise; it sounded like a quiet soft but high pitched 'Kyyyaaa~!'.

"I-I-! Um...."Renee cleared her throat as a bright citrus colored eye peeked through her wings that parted a bit. Her red-purple cheek plumped up from under her eye, crinkling it bit. "I would love that...no pun intended. Heheheh~!" Slowly but surely, despite being shy and embarrassed, she let her bandaged wings relax, revealing her special smile at him before snuggling her face in the pillow and Seifer's arm; all giggly at the idea of staying at home and snuggle together after making love at a cold winter with hot cocoa under the same warm blanket for her birthday.

"...It's so weird though..." She muttered, leaving small and teasing kisses on his cheek and under his chin. "My birthday is on that day of all days and I happened to be the guardian of Charity..." Renee shook her head in disbelief. "Fate is...really something..."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

"Is charity like love, Renee? Or is there a guardian of love? I hadn't bothered to ask about the others so I don't know who's who --- except for Dubois. I just heard the word chastity and I knew it could be no one else but her." he chuckled. "I wonder why your older brother is into her, I mean, I know she's pretty and all, but since she's chastity, won't that mean they'll never do the do? I mean, won't that get in the way of their relationship unless your brother's alright with being chaste forever, which is impossible unless he's into guys?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee coughed before taking a deep breathe and trying to stifle her laugh. "Snugglebunny, Chasity means that she can conduct herself properly; to be modest, in other words." She said, smiling wide in amusement. "It doesn't mean she'll be chaste forever. It just means whomever she falls for will be the lucky fellow who earns her love."

"And slowly but surely, I believe James is at the receiving end of her love and affection..." The Pendragon sister knows her brother enough to see that there's a change in him and it's not because of the war. It's because of Lydia.

Then she tilted her head a bit with her wings fluttering. "Charity means self-sacrifice or selfless love and a will to be generous to others even when they don't do the same back. So..in a way, it is love." Renee cupped his cheeks, rubbing with her thumbs as her gaze stayed warm.

"I believe...Echo is Humility, Johnny is ...Paitence, Chenglei is Diligence, Serena is Kindness, and Kenren is...T-Temperance? Yea, Temperance..." She heard from Echo and Serena on what their guardianship is and Chenglei muttered it while visiting Kenren, sleep-depraved for some odd reason. It was funny too because the poor soldier planted his face in his lunch right after.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

"Love sounds like you." said Seifer, as though he found the meaning new. "That's how you are with me." he pondered on that, smiling. "I thought love was showing affection and how much you need someone. And Serena is kindness? What with her flaming temper and all? I heard about what she did to one of the training rooms in the warship."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee giggled. "Her temper is very...strong, I'll say strong, but her kindness is stronger. To be compassionate and emphatic to another person. She even plays what other people feel like a mirror reflecting their true image but with music instead." She smiled.

"Haven't you noticed back at the other side of the Storm Wall? She usually played soft tunes in the night to make us sleep comfortably. She became friends with Hisaya, even after what he did. If I'm right, she played a piece for him too- It sounded really...depressing and I swear I heard them crying together at the atelier."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- ?? -
" Ruins of Paroosia "​

Seth woke up to the sound of chains and the stench of smoke and decay. His hands and feet were bound with sealing cuffs. He dare not open his eyes or show any signs of consciousness, for there was a frightful presence nearby. He was lying on something cold and hard that felt like stone, except that underneath he sensed something strange, like there were many things crawling and writhing below the stone. He pretended to be unconscious, just listening to get an idea of what was going on, willing himself to remain calm as slowly, veeery slowly, he slightly opened an eye.

A clump of golden hair. Serena was in front of him, but there was something above her. If the violinist woke up, she'd find herself bound in chains, unable to do magic, with something that had long fingers breathing down her face.

* * * *​

Meanwhile, in a dark looming tower guarded by ancient evils that once served the Nameless one, Sen was trembling as he was forced to work on it, hastening the opening of the portal. There were others there too, Lykon carrying great heavy burdens like a pack mule, malnourished warlocks chanting spells, and a captured dragon from the Storm Wall army that was writhing in pain as though some dark magic was plaguing it. Behind them, watching their progress, his mere gaze burning holes in Sen's back as though it could see right through his soul and mind, was the black dragon egg, now swollen to a size larger than a city in a nest underground where Sunny the manna tree once stood.

It was bathed in a pool of blue, manna stones turned liquid through some arcane spell, nourishing the hungry, hungry thing within.

Sen dare not look at it. He dare not disobey it, because if he did, it would kill his brother and his friend.

Katsuya

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

"That makes sense now. Every time I think of Serena, the first thing that comes to my mind is cackling and her violin. She's the secretly kind type, isn't she? That, or I've been so used to hearing her play her violin that I think it's normal. I should thank her one of these days for that. It helped me sleep many times, especially when we were apart for that one week --- gods how I missed you that time. Don't tell anyone, Renee, but I actually cried on the fourth day . . . in the fetal position."

When Renee left with Kenren and Chenglei, Seifer had found himself quite lonely. He had wandered around, wondering what to do. Echo and Johnny hardly left their room unless it was on important business, Lydia and James, they seemed to be staying at Historia's place --- and it's not like he could somehow hang out with them. He always felt like making fun of those two for some reason, being so serious and all. So, he actually found himself hanging out with Serena for once, just listening to her play her violin. She did indeed have that knack of playing songs that soothed people the most, and had asked her if she could play a song for him. It had helped.

When he reunited with Renee in Dalaran, Seifer had barged into her room, yelling her name, then ran up to her and jumped into her arms, wrapping himself around her like a gecko. He chuckled at the memory.

Katsuya

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

A soft giggle escaped her lips as James cried out after she bonked his head with hers and upon the expression on his face after she smooched him, she couldn't help but give him a more powerful smooch before whispering, "don't joke like that."

Her gaze roved over his face as he talked about his reasoning for thinking about getting injured and shook her head, "I only ever want to cry for you out of love and happiness and I want to take care of you forever... I don't want to cry for you because I'm sad or worried and I don't ever want to not be able to take care of you," she rubbed her little nose against his and gave him a longer kiss before her soft finger tips rubbed against his forehead where she had bonked him before.

She then just lay with him, smiling as he talked about his plans for when he got sick in the future, shaking her head an giggling slightly. She wondered how difficult their children would be and if they would pull the same antics as their father and found her cheeks feeling warm when she thought about the idea of having children with James. She buried her face against him for a moment bashfully before looking up at him, her cheeks still red and a loving smile on her face before her eyes closed as he kissed her. Of course she wanted to respond that she wouldn't let them hurt him the way they did Kenren either, but she didn't always have to be the protector and she knew that so she let James be gallant and just basked in the chivalrousness of his statement, her delicate fingertips dancing along his collarbone. She decided that he was well aware that she would do what she could to protect him as well.

"Maybe I should learn some construction spells too?" The city had been vast and technologically advanced and everything had come from manual labor and no magic. The city hadn't sprung up over night and even with magic, she doubted that would be the case. It actually made her heart ache a little to think that no matter the time and effort that was put into it, the city would never be exactly the same as it had been, "that's so sweet James... but there will be so much to clean up everywhere... not just here. Kingsbury... Paroosia... all the Elves went to Dalaran and that was just one civilization," it was very disheartening to think of all the homes lost, all of the settlements and she knew that everyone would be needing help getting their homes back, and the places that they had gone as refugees would want them to have their homes back.

She sat up then and looked at him, her mind obviously working at a solution, "you know... I think the best thing would be to figure out a way to get materials transported from place to place... there will be no lack of bodies capable of building and planning, but with all the destruction Valdanr has caused and is still causing, there will be a lack of materials everywhere," that much was evident by how the dragon had torn the land, burning everything that could burn and tearing up the earth in search of even more materials to fuel whatever evil mechanisms he had in the works.

Lydia shook her head and lay back down with him, laughing at herself slightly and giving James a kiss right on his jawline. She didn't really want to think about the aftermath right now and laughed at herself for doing so, "when the war is over... and the land is fertile again... when the homes are back and the water is clear... I want to take you to Frankia's countryside and show you in person my family's country home," of course he had seen the manor in her soul room and thinking that she remembered something else, "James... I haven't gotten to see your soul room yet."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- James Pendragon -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

James shrunk guiltily, as Lydia spoke about how she'd rather cry out of happiness and love for him, instead of worry or sadness. He never wants to make her feel awful like that. "Sorry, Lydia, I won't joke about that again." he said somberly, and smiled when she rubbed her nose to his. His ears went red as he happily listened to her wanting to take care of him forever, and he sank peacefully on the cot some more, as he was blanketed by her love.

He startled when her delicate fingers danced on his collarbones, and his face went red as he looked to the side in that half-frown-half-trying-to-not-look-pleased-but-actually-is-reigning-down-his feelings-look, his heart beating fast. They had made out before, but his hands were usually holding hers or never roamed anywhere beyond her face, hair, shoulders, and upper back. That was the first time she touched him there. "Yes, construction spells s-sounds like a good idea, Lydia." he cleared his throat. "Wait, let me get a pillow." he grabbed the one he had brought along as he thought he may be sleeping in her arms again tonight, and placed it in between their lower halves before hugging Lydia again, still stoically red.

"The castle can help with the transport, though we'd probably need to have a bigger door." he suggested. "And the dragons too . . . but where would we get the lumber?" he thought about the Storm Wall, but he didn't want to cut any of the trees there. He wanted to preserve the beauty of that place, just the way it was.

"I'd love to see your home, and your grandma, and read the book that got you started on magic, Lydia." said James, smiling. "You must really love that place a lot." and he wondered if she'd like to live there.

He perked up at the mention of his soul room. "You want to see?" he said brightly. "Oh, wait, Renee had gone straight to her room. I don't want to bother her right now. But she had gone in my soul once, she told me it was a huge library full of owls all living in their own little houses within the library. She said there's a second floor and that up there is a circular hallway with four other stairs connecting to it, and in the middle is a room guarded by giant stags like Frey, but with lightning eyes. She said she saw me in there, casting an incomplete spell circle and that the room was full of paintings of people, and that the biggest paintings were of her and Ifrit. I wonder if it's still the same now."

Roleplay Skittle

 

[Katsuya]

Serena is a restless sleeper, always twisting and turning while kicking in her bed or sleeping bag. Though she never made a noise. For the creatures who handled her might have had some difficulty with cuffing her up and it's no surprise that she moved again as Seth peeked at her oh so slowly; her long blonde hair, freed from her braid somehow, veiled him safely from the strange creature above them.

She woke up at the smell of decay and smoke, not opening her eyes as she quickly realized she wasn't safe...They weren't safe. Memories from before replayed in her head as she gagged internally, having a 'EW! Gross!' moment.

What is that!?

What is breathing it's hot and rancid breathe on her face? Did it just decide to never brush it's mouth ever again after being rejected by the minty freshness of toothpaste? Oh man, she can already sense this creature is bad news. Serena didn't dare open her eyes. She didn't want to know what it was. The violinist moved again like how she would while sleeping, tugging on the cuff and chains that held and kept her in place. No magic. Great. She can't conjure her violin or her masks with these cuffs on her wrists and ankles.

Serena stayed calm as she thought of what she can do to escape, find Seth and Sen, and get out of...wherever they are. Maybe get this creature a toothbrush and paste too just so it can choke on the minty freshness of doom-!

******************************************************************​

"Serena is really kind, even when she doesn't show it openly." She agreed. "I'm glad that she was there for you while I was gone..."

Renee hummed quietly, squeezing Seifer comfortingly, and smiling warm. "I see. Don't worry I won't tell anyone." She muttered, her wings relaxing despite the fluttering. She's keeping that quote to herself in her innermost soul room.

"I missed you too... Always touched at my anklet to feel better..." The beaded anklet Seifer hand picked and made for her during in Awashima's festival. Same with the clockwork half heart necklace, she was never seen without them.

Back at Dalaran, whenever she saw someone from the Order, Renee would hold onto the necklace and concentrated on the light weight of her anklet as she walked pass them with an aloof greeting. She hides in her room afterwards, sitting and staring at the fireplace while absentmindedly playing with the beads. When she was reunited with Seifer and calling out to her, she flinched in surprise and tumbled to the ground as he jumped into her arms, laughing and crying while placing so many kisses on his face. Their necklaces were tangled together, tugging them when the couple tried to lean back a bit, now that she thought about it.

Raising an eyebrow at his chuckling with a silent question, Renee nuzzled under his chin and breathed in his comforting scent of light rain in the forest. "...Seifer, can I ask you something?" Her orange eyes peered up at him and he can see that she's hesitant. It means two things: it's regarding her being weak (which couldn't be it, they just discussed about it) or...something about him.

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Lydia smiled sweetly to James as he apologized, caressing his cheek. Joyful crying was always better than sorrowful, while she did understand that knowing that she could cry for him like that made him feel loved and happy because he was loved, she didn't like the idea that those sorts of tears would only come if something happened to him, and she definitely didn't want something to happen to him.

As James looked away with that cute little expression he always did when he was happy but didn't seem to want to express it, Lydia watched him curiously, her head tilting slightly as he even stammered faintly when he spoke. She nodded slightly, her brow furrowing as he rose, her body shifting so that he could more easily get up, though she assumed he just needed a pillow to be more comfortable until he placed it between them, at which point her eyes widened slightly and she looked to him then back to the pillow, her own face reddening before she brought a hand to cover it shyly and giggled softly. She had been thinking about what it would be like to have children with James, but she hadn't thought about the actual activity involved in doing so. Her delicate touch to his collarbones had been done innocently and it hadn't occurred to her that the gesture could have such an affect on him.

His consideration for her modesty was always so thoughtful and typically done without her even saying anything that sometimes she wondered if it wasn't done more for him than for herself. Not that it really mattered who his actions were done for because regardless of the reasons behind it, he was doing it because he respected her and was willing to wait. These thoughts made her face turn an even darker shade of red and she couldn't help but giggle a bit more and bury her face against him in an effort to calm herself down some, gently clearing her voice and in a slightly squeaky voice, "y-yes... i-it would," the smile on her face was still evident in her voice.

"W-well... if we could collect the seeds, maybe Echo and Renee could help... um... the hair growth elixir! I'm sure Renee could good figure out a way to re-formulate it so that it worked for plants instead of hair? Then Echo wouldn't get overworked and we would be able to create the lumber necessary for a lot of construction," she thought quietly for a moment. Maybe all of the construction that Valdanr and his army had been doing would prove beneficial after all, "Valdanr already has building sites where metals can be smelted and recrafted into things that we'll need so we can always leave the sites up until we are done using them to fix every thing he has broken... we can just tear down everything he has built and use it for better purposes."

"I think that the goblins, or at least some of their ambassadors should go with us to face off against the orcs. They don't have to fight, they just have to be there to speak, to tell the ones still fighting for Valdanr what has been agreed upon. To let them know that they can live in peace with the rest of us unlike what would likely occur if they stayed with Valdanr. They need to be educated with truth instead of blinded with lies... if we can get them all then that will be even more help and we can help them all build their own settlements too... these are important steps towards peace," maybe all of the times that her parents had tried to get her to understand politics hadn't completely been lost on her, the only difference was that she wasn't trying to be underhanded.

"The manor in the country was probably bigger than our home in the city... but I liked it more because it was so peaceful and quiet, not so much noise," she giggled slightly and collected James' hand in her own, winding her fingers between his, "it's lucky that the book is one of the ones I brought to the castle... otherwise I'm afraid it would have gotten destroyed and we'd have to find another copy," she didn't bother pointing out to James that it wasn't anything special because she had before and since he still wanted to see it, she wasn't going to deny him.

Lydia nodded at James as he asked if she wanted to see his soul room, but giggled as he mentioned Renee going to her room and not wanting to disturb her, undoubtedly she was with Seifer and Lydia's cheeks darkened again before she shook her head at the embarrassing thought. She listened intently to what he said about his soul room and smiled about it, wondering how long ago it was that she had visited James soul room, "w-well... maybe we can ask her before we head to the front lines again? We wouldn't be able to go long... with the portal and everything growing still larger... but I'd like to see it before we go."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- James Pendragon -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

James sniggered at Lydia's mention of the hair growth elixir. "Yes, but let's keep it a secret from Seifer and put expensive hair product labels on them. And then watch his expression when he sees us supposedly wasting it all on the ground."

When Lydia talked about the building sites. he nodded at her. "That's smart. Let's tell Kenren that tomorrow. I heard he usually destroys the ones that are most vital to the enemy so that they don't come back to attack us there, like the weapon forges on the western quarter of Bourgeaus." Retaking Lydia's home had been a great victory, because of the machines that the were able to scavenge and repair that past three weeks. Their supplies of bombs, ammunition, arrows, and steel for repairing and forging swords were usually flown over across the Shoflo ocean, which usually caused delays, but now they can make their own weapons here.

The prince had spread the weapon smithies across their territory, moving most to the coastal town they had won and fortified three weeks ago, so that Paroosia won't be much of a target. Now it was the caravans and the aerial transports that keep on getting harassed by small groups of enemy raiders, but that was better than taking the forges themselves.

He listened to her talk about peace with the orcs and goblins, smiling at how she was earnest about it. Goblins were nasty, while orcs had war as part of their tradition, determining their standing in society through battles won --- hence their many enemies, and their great fighting prowess from living lives of constant conflict. " Their goblin chief came with us, we can talk to him too." It seemed they had a lot to do tomorrow, they probably won't be leaving for the frontlines soon. "Or tonight, do you want to talk to him tonight?" he suggested, patting her hair.

As James entwined his fingers with Lydia's too, kissing her hand, he agreed to them going to his soul room together tomorrow. It made him curious. "Why do you want to suddenly see my soul room, Lydia?"

Roleplay Skittle

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

"Just remembering me hugging you like a gecko when we got together in Dalaran." said Seifer when Renee raised an eyebrow at him. He hugged her like a teddy bear and, protecting her wings, rolled around the bed with her playfully. "Yes?" he stopped.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee 'squee'-ed when Seifer hugged her like a teddy bear before giggling. Her wings under his protective hand fluttered in her mirth when they rolled in bed playfully. When he stopped, she looked at him again, biting her bottom lip as she didn't want to break his merry with this...but....

"...I know you said that your engagement is done and he was angry about it but...your father..."Renee cringed, her nose scrunching up at mentioning the older Rathmore . "He didn't d-disown you...did he?"

It was a sensitive topic, one that she wished she wasn't concerned about but it concerned her since Seifer is proud of where he came from; of his family name. So she wanted to know...what he said in the room before when her lover had to talk with him.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

"Oh, he wanted to, Renee." said Seifer, his eyes cold, though with a dullness as though he was used to it or had expected nothing else. "But since his businesses had been burned to the ground and he lost his partnership because I wouldn't change my mind, he must have realized he could use me like a poster boy, being your boyfriend and all in the future." he waved a hand. "Anyway, I won't ask money from him anymore or have anything to do with using my relationship with you for advertising. My relationship with him won't be the same, but eh. " he added carelessly.

Renee could tell he had no love for his father, only obligation and a sense of perhaps paying him back for all the money and things he gave him as he grew up. If she recalled in his soul room, paintings of Seifer growing up always showed his father with that Rathmore smirk that his son also apparently learned. His mother seemed to be alright apart from the whole commoner and noble mentality, so Seifer must have gotten his mean streak from his father.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Her wings slowly puffed up.

"...Are you kidding me?" Renee muttered, her brow twitching as she squinted her eyes. "Our realm are in great peril with people dying around us and he is still doing that to you? Is he not grateful that his son is okay and alive? Does he not realize or care that he might die too if we lose this war or lose his ever faithful wife? Knock on wood." Which she did knock on the wooden bed posts near her head.

Then she made hand motions as if she was shaking someone. "That's so-! AUGH!!! I swear if it wasn't for the fact that Mrs. Rathmore is such a nice lady, I would punch his teeth in! I really would! He is so lucky that I'm over here with you instead over at Dalaran where I can drug his tea with farting herbs and stick him on a wall or chair with my sticky bombs! AAAHHHHH!!!"

"And he has the audacity to use our relationship like it was some sort of product-! The nerve! That is so-! So-! AHHH!!!" Obviously that really pressed Renee's buttons. Parents should always prioritize the child, not the reverse. Seifer shouldn't even feel like he owed his father anything because his father, being a parent (That jerk!), should always want what's best for him! For his son and yet he does that! He does not care at all! What is wrong with this man?!

What in the nine realms does Mrs. Rathmore see in him?!

There's gotta be something she sees that Renee does not and whatever that is, it better be a good reason because that man is total bullsh-

"...Seifer, remind me to meet with him, face to face. Let's see what happens and if he pisses me off, please..." Renee looked at him with her brows furrowed, her bright orange eyes more alive and livid than ever. "Pull me away quick. I might be angry enough to strike him with my arrows..." She won't but she didn't want any chances.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

Seifer's frown turned into laughter. "F-farting herbs while stuck to a chair? Where will it all go, then?" he laughed, imagining his father's trousers puffing up from all the bad air like a balloon.

"I'll pull you away." he reassured his angry girlfriend, patting her back in good-humor. He smiled at her fondly then hugged her gratefully. He then tilted her chin up and kissed her fully. "Thank you for sticking up for me."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"Hopefully back in his bowels where it's all rotten like his personality-Mhph!"

Her puffy and bandaged wings spreads open as her angry tirade immediately quieted down from his kiss. She froze before her body limped in his arms, loosely wrapping her own pair around Seifer's neck as she kissed back. When he broke the kiss, her dazed eyes fluttered open and she sighed happily. She hummed and nodded lackadaisically.

"Any day, Sweetheart." Renee whispered. Her wings relaxed on the pillow, still opened fully. "Any day...Do you think your mother would like to visit our home? We can relax with tea in the garden."

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Lydia smiled brightly at James when he brought up fooling Seifer, her eyes narrowing slightly as her gaze shifted to the side. The look of dismay that would undoubtedly fall over Seifer's proud features would be amusing to behold and Lydia couldn't help but snigger as well at the idea, tugging James' sleeve slightly, "you know, if you keep it up with ideas like these, you'll be counter-pranking your brothers in no time."

She gave a nod to his suggestion. The prince was right in his decision to destroy building sites in normal wars that were not so widespread, but with the damage that Valdanr had caused all over the world, they would need anything left behind because repairs and such would be needed everywhere and it would save them time and effort if they just left the sites alone so to speak. If they could turn more of Valdanr's army against him, that would make it easier for them to leave troops around to guard sites and it would also mean that they would need to guard the sites less because there would be less enemies trying to use them.

A slight grimace crossed over her features as she had a slight internal battle. She desperately wanted to just stay there with James snuggling until they both fell asleep, but at the same time she knew the importance of acting quickly because there just wasn't time for lagging about and so with a resigned sigh, "I think now would be best," she moved to rise, smiling at James as he kissed her hand before reluctantly drawing her hand away and standing beside the cot, "well..."

She didn't really want to say that she wanted to spend as much time with him now just in case and seeing his soul room was at the top of the list of things she wanted to do with him while they were together. She didn't want to bring him down nor did she want him to feel the need to comfort her or make her feel more certain of the future, she didn't want her worries to way on his mind with the battles that were quickly approaching, "you told me I could... and I just wanted to see it while we still have time," she offered him her hand to help him up.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- James Pendragon -
" Mill Fort, Bourgeaus "​

"Yeah . . . my brothers." said James, as his smile faltered, his shoulders drooping. He hugged Lydia tighter for comfort and buried his nose in her hair. He didn't speak for a while and just nodded absently.

When she rose and offered a hand, he took it, gazing at how their tattoos looked together as she pulled him up. He didn't let go as they made their way to the goblin camp.

Mugwump Mudbolt, Goblin Chief, was as crazy about explosives as he was with diplomacy. He was easy to sway on any side as long as that side kept him safe and kept his followers safe and they got what they wanted. He was very similar to that goblin mage back in the Quarry, who would give in if his life was in danger. He didn't like the idea of talking to orcs, and he laughed his screechy goblin "Gaheek! Gaheek!" laugh since they didn't exactly see eye to eye on things --- orcs fight with honor, goblins use dirty tricks and will even blow themselves up --- but if Lydia could make an area safe for Mugwump Mudbolt to talk, he will talk to them. He seemed to revel at the idea of hurting others with secret bombs and said that if they don't come over to the wining side, he'll give them bomb-in-the-box gifts.

Kenren was up as usual even at this time of night and agreed with Lydia's suggestion. "Already believing we'll win this war. That's the spirit, Lydia" he said sleepily. His handwriting had become better after weeks of constant practicing and he was back to his usual managing inventory, budget, and other things self, with Chenglei helping him out. "Your home will be one of the places we'll be building up first. With our weapon smithies and the steel mill, Bourgeaus will probably be supplying metal to the rest of the razed cities after we get the train and the railway systems fixed. He smiled at her. "You always take the initiative. If it wasn't for the fact that we need you in the frontlines, I'd have you here planning the defense against the shades and travelling from outpost to outpost to fortify them, and heading a research division dedicated to sealing them away. When this war is over, there is something I wish to talk with you about, but I won't say it now, you have enough on your plate."

As the two returned to Lydia's tent, James wondered what Kenren wanted afterwards, but stayed his thoughts there. He didn't want to add more questions in their heads that they can't possibly answer. He went to the bathroom for a while, asking Lydia beforehand if she wanted anything in the kitchens on his way back. He brought it along if she did ask, including the cot from his tent, extra blanket, some coffee, water, and dried herbs for soup he could heat later when they wake up in the morning.

* * * *
​

The next day, James' head somehow was at the opposite end of their sleeping bags, so only his feet with triple wooly socks on for the cold stuck out from the blankets. He was sleeping with his face to the cot it seems, but he was breathing fine. He slept like this often with his face in his pillow, and had snuggled next to Lydia's warmth.

Roleplay Skittle