[Despite the lack of closeness in their relationship -- having only more or less just introduced themselves to one another and had a pleasant enough conversation -- Ozymandias thinks it would be remiss of him if he did not gift Edelgard with something for the holiday.]
[He does not bother with the handmade tradition of the city, however. While charming, it's not very practical for someone like him to craft much of anything let alone to someone he has only more or less just met. It would simply be far too personal to do at this juncture.]
[So, although there are not any particular frills with its presentation, a bottle of red wine is given to her with blue and gold ribbons tied around the neck. Much of the city's alcohol is quite frankly swill and not worth the prices that are being charged, but Ozymandias would never present something like that to her. (Or anyone else he hopes to maintain a positive relationship with.) He's tasted this wine before, knowing that it is from a reputable vineyard and from a particularly good year for said vineyard and thinks she'll find it acceptable, not being overly sweet or dry.]
[The tradition is unfamiliar to Edelgard, but she appreciates it all the same. A few days later, a parcel will appear at Ozymandias's place of residence, stamped with a golden eagle on a field of red, the crest of Adrestia...and one of the decorations that she'd certainly had on when they spoke.
Inside is a small golden necklace, nothing too ornate, but a well-worked piece of a sunburst along with a simple note.]
Your gift was far too kind, Ozymandias.
Thank you. May the coming year be as radiant for you as ever it has been.
[A small parcel will arrive at Edelgard's house during the holiday, addressed as from Zelda. Inside is a glass jar that has been repurposed into a candle. It carries a light lavender scent even when not burning, and the note attached wishes for Edelgard a peaceful holiday devoid of pranks or enchanted foliage.
(The candle is not enchanted in any way, she swears. It just smells nice.)]
[The tradition is unfamiliar to Edelgard, but she appreciates it all the same. A few days later, a parcel will appear at Zelda's place of residence, stamped with a golden eagle on a field of red, the crest of Adrestia...and one of the decorations that she'd certainly had on her armor when they had met.
Thank you for the candle. Please, allow me to repay your kind gift with one of my own. I hope that these are to your liking, for they certainly made me think of you when I saw them.
Best wishes in the upcoming year, Edelgard von Hresvelg
[The gift from Marie is a small package wrapped in canvas and tied with red ribbon. Inside Edelgard would find a small silver pendant. An eagle with its wings spread.
“I thought it would suit you nicely” the attached note reads]
[[The tradition is unfamiliar to Edelgard, but she appreciates it all the same. A few days later, a parcel will appear at Marie's place of residence, stamped with a golden eagle on a field of red, the crest of Adrestia...and one of the decorations that she'd certainly had on her outfit when they had met.
A small packet is left propped up against Edelgard's door with her name written on it. The ink is bleeding a little bit after contact with water.
Inside is a burnished gold chain with the small skull of a bat laced onto it, intended to be a necklace. It's very ominous, that's for sure. A crinkly piece of paper accompanies it.]
Happy Modranicht! I sure hope you can read this. I made up a neat little trick ink that won't show to anybody but the person I have in mind when writing this. I'm pretty sure it works, maybe.
When we met in our dream, you had pointy-sharp teeth. Do you know what kind of Monster you're becoming yet? I'd love to see! So anyway, I thought about enchanting this necklace so that everyone you hated would spill over with blood on sight. But I don't know if gruesome is your cup of tea. Honestly, I couldn't think of WHAT you might like to have. All I could think about is how cold it's been, and how cold it'll keep being. So that's why I made this. If you touch the chain, it'll warm you up if you feel cold. I hope you find it useful.
[ Azura's gift comes a day late, because she had the hardest time deciding what to send Edelgard in particular. She doesn't really know what Edelgard enjoys, besides the color red, so in the end, she decides to go with something simple.
In the box is a hair pin in the shape of a bright red zinnia flower. There's a note, too. ]
Lady Edelgard,
Though Modranicht itself is unfamiliar to me, the Winter Festival is a yearly holiday in my homeland with similar themes, so please accept this as a gift of both traditions. Thank you for your kindness, and for helping Corrin where I cannot. Best wishes for the new year.
[ Edelgard will find a small, deep red box wrapped up in shiny golden ribbons.
Inside, there's a bracelet that bears many polished stones, handcrafted by him. The short message that was added along with it says: ]
I hope you're having a nice holiday time, Lady Edelgard, and that my gift is of your liking. Let's continue supporting each other in this new year coming up.
The whole time Corrin had been trying to help, she'd felt Edelgard on the edge of her mind. Angry but controlled, at least at first, and then...not. Very not. But with everything that was happening, it wasn't as though she could just drop it and run to find the other woman. So she'd had to wait. And wait. Doing what she could, helping where she could, until a moment where it felt like she wouldn't be abandoning her duties to go do something...not her duty?
Well. Not exactly. But also...maybe? Bonding was certainly complicated.
But eventually she found herself tracking the other woman, putting aside her usual playfulness of 'oh I wasn't sure where she was' to beeline in on exactly where the older woman had stopped after everything happened. But when she reached her she paused on the edge of her perception, her pace a bit uncertain, one arm unconsciously hooked behind her back. She wasn't afraid...she was pretty sure she couldn't actually be afraid of Edelgard at this point, but...there was some nervousness there. And a lot of worry.
"...Edelgard?" She finally said, her voice quiet, as she resumed her careful approach.
The aftermath of a charged situation was always a trying time for Edelgard. She sometimes had to force control of herself, and then afterwards when she was in private took time to decompress. This was no different...and yet different all the same. The Emperor had done something, lost some semblance of her control when she'd broken and bitten that Witch. It was the first time she'd given in to the new urges, the first time she had failed to keep her guard up.
That shamed her.
It shamed her in a way that few could understand, and it wasn't until she felt Corrin approaching that she realized something else: that she hadn't even considered how it might affect Hubert and Corrin.
Corrin will find her sitting in her room, alone with her kitten Heidi. The small orange furball, asleep on her lap, doesn't stir as the Emperor looks up. Her eyes are slightly red at the fringes, her chin and lips rubbed a raw red from where she'd scrubbed at it.
"...Corrin..." she says in a low, unhappy voice. "I'm sorry. I've worried you."
[When Edelgard wakes that evening, she'll find a thin red cushion sitting on her desk, with a note on it—and Heidi above that, the orange cat asleep and twisted into a partially upside down ball, the note underneath quite crumpled. Clearly Heidi's found it some time ago. The pillow's warm to the touch.]
[The intermittent storms were kind today, the scattered clouds hovering in the sky to watch the revelers dance about without literally raining on their parade. It certainly makes Hubert's errands for the nights easier.]
[Eostre, however, doesn't. It takes him longer than usual by the better part of an hour, and when he finally emerges through the front door carrying several parcels, his face is beset with exasperation. The flower crown hanging a tad crookedly on his head is a pretty good guess why.]
It's utterly staggering, the sheer number and magnitude of these festivals. The only solace I find in them is imagining how displeased the Church would be with such revelry.
[Fódlan's holidays were rather conservative. At first, Hubert thought only one or two of Aefenglom's festivals would be like this.]
{Edelgard had been waiting for Hubert, feeling his agitation through the bond and opting to be present for his arrival. Perhaps she could calm him down...though the flicker of amusement in her eyes and through the bond at the sight of his crown likely isn't a great help.]
It is. For a society besieged, they certainly do boast a number of holidays.
[This one she hadn't even bothered to look for information on. It was likely the same as the last dozen.]
[The bread had...It had gone okay all things considered. It was edible. Trucy's attempts to tamper with it hadn't been things that would have changed that. Even if Mikasa had dubiously stared at the food colouring and edible glitter that had been snuck in.
The biggest danger had been Mikasa and Leslie themselves. Partly because of the perils of nearly modern appliances and magitech. But, nevertheless, they had managed it. They had bread. But they'd made far more than Mikasa and Trucy could use, Leslie lived with more people, so it made sense for her to get the most of it. So the fae had helped carry it, being let into the house.
Once inside she just sat down where in the room she'd been left in. Letting the girl pack away their goods. Mikasa didn't know where to put it in this house. So there she sat. Large dark grey eyes watching the door Leslie had gone through.]
[Edelgard was a largely nocturnal creature now, waking at around dusk and setting about a fairly dull routine involving paperwork and the like. This evening was no different. She'd dressed in a slim-fitting red dress that covered every bit of skin save her face and hands, and long white gloves fit snugly up those as well. Given that she was heading downstairs to eat, the color was probably a good decision. She wasn't particularly hungry, but better safe than sorry.
Stepping out of the stairwell, she noted a light on the living room and turned in to greet whoever was in the room. Probably Bernadetta, she imagined, but...no. It was a stranger.]
...Hello there.
[Pushing open the door with a creak, the Emperor moved into the room.]
[ the bond has already shown some unusual flares of complex emotion and discomfort from byleth over the second day of boaltinn, while she's been out and about, so she decides properly reaching out is advisable. after claude, and her other self, it's... it's been a lot. she's currently stopping off somewhere to pick up a couple of edelgard and leslie's favorites, but. ]
[He'd been quieter than usual, the two days following the mirror-dreams. That was hardly no surprise; even if Hubert would never admit it aloud, the Bond belied how shake he really was—by all of it, not only what he'd witnessed from Edelgard. So his thoughts turned inward, sometimes even sitting idly with no textbook or ledger in sight, lost in thought. Simply pensive, most of the time, but moments of anger or melancholy or conflict weren't rare.]
[But those two days were all. Hubert detested dwelling on the past too long, and so he forced himself to look forward, and move forward.]
[There was one point to start with. An unease, tinged a little with guilt, settles into his stomach as Hubert makes up his mind. He doesn't let that deter him. If anything, it has the opposite effect.]
Lady Edelgard, [he starts, his voice level as always.] I have something I must confess to.
[Hubert's melancholy is troubling, but not unexpected. He'd had a bit of a shakeup, to say the least. Some things were best left alone though, lest they cause more distress. Edelgard didn't want to press him, so she'd left it be. It wasn't as though it was easy to talk about in the first place.
The guilt she doesn't miss, though she simply attributes it to him feeling as though he should have saved her when they were but children, and she dismisses it.
When he approaches, she looks up. If he's ready to talk, she's ready to listen. She can support him through this as he supported her...]
[There are precious few people that could make Zelda comfortable with leaving the relative safety of the Bright Wall at night, given how most of her experiences with the Wilde have gone, but fortunately, Edelgard is solidly one of them. And it's not as though they're venturing into the thick of the Wilde, anyway; the farmlands surrounding Aefenglom are dimly lit with torches and the odd gas lamp, as well as the floating fireflies that herald the coming summer. She also has to admit that it's a great deal cooler at night, which makes this whole task quite a bit easier.]
Thank you for coming with me this evening, Edelgard. [She says as they make their way through the fields to where the desired bushes reportedly are, a wicker basket hung over her elbow.] When I saw the business owner was offering double for this specific kind of berry, I have to admit I was curious.
[she has a bit of a sweet tooth she hasn't been able to indulge in for years, sue her--]
[For her part, Edelgard had been forced to adapt to taking comfort in the night. She could go out in daylight, and would with heavy clothing, but it was so much easier to not have to deal with that. Zelda made her feel comfortable, and drew out an instinctual protective side in her. She was hardly a paladin or defender of the princess, but she was ferociously protective of her friends...strangely moreso now that she'd Turned. Protecting beauty had become important to her, for reasons she could not quite fathom.
The strange light of Aymr helped illuminate the path around them, the odd weapon resting in it's leather thong across her shoulders. She hadn't bothered with full armor or battle dress for this, but the axe was not going to be left behind the Bright Wall.]
Of course, Zelda.
[Stepping lightly, the Emperor kept an eye out for trouble, but hovered nearby her friend.]
I'm admittedly curious too. This is an unusual request.
Hey Edelgard! I hope you're doing well. Sorry it's been a little while since our last get together. On top of my work there was a little project I wanted to try and then some things in the house-- anyway! Now that it's finished, I thought it might be something you'd be interested in trying.
Considering how magic and potions worked, I'd been wondering if I couldn't cultivate tea leaves with magical properties. So I've been working on a few.
I know things can get pretty stressful here, so I thought a soothing cup might be just the thing, you know? You're welcome any time. The house is pretty empty these days, so don't be a stranger, okay?
Think nothing of it. We've both been busy. I've been helping a friend that arrived adjust to life here in the city. It's been quite a busy few months with that and other things, if I am honest.
I think that I'd love to try that. I've had very few potions that tasted good since I arrived here, so anything that can be cut with tea would be a welcome change.
When would be a good time to meet for tea, for you?
[Quite honestly, Hubert rather disliked gift-giving, if in large part because he was so dreadful with it, and only somewhat because society usually reduced it to something so disingenuous. Still, if there was anyone Hubert would make the effort for, it would be Edelgard.]
[The sooner this clumsy affair was over, the better. He wouldn't mince words, or drag out this apprehension. The decision rests heavy on his tongue, and it was a little ridiculous what a tremendous conscious effort something so simple could take. It's just one word—nevermind that was quite literally the problem.]
[Walking ever silent by sheer force of habit, Hubert steps into their study, laying a book at the edge of the desk. It's some novel, unwrapped but new, by some author he'd seen her reading indulging in from time to time. It's just one word, but he could feel raw force of habit fighting it fiercely.]
[Hubert half-bows as he presses the book to the desk, a mild gesture that wouldn't root him to the spot.]
May another year find you well, Edelgard.
[There, it's done, and without the hitch he'd feared. Hubert waits the half-beat long enough to make his retreat more casual, and turns to take his leave.]
[Edelgard had been more than content to simply sit and read quietly on her birthday, and she certainly didn't expect Hubert to surprise her with a gift. It wasn't his way, but when she felt him approaching she had made it a point to not say anything that might spook him or otherwise spoil a nice moment. She kept reading, though she looked up when he dropped off the item and smiled.]
Thank you, Hubert. That means a lot.
[When he turns though, she was prepared. Because what she wanted from him wasn't a gift. It was just his company.
She rose quickly, carefully setting aside her reading.]
[ byleth had taken some time for preparations before edelgard rose. litha, edelgard's birthday, the garland moon... between all of those things, she felt an odd pressure to do something for her. something... more than the typical tea party or bouquet of flowers she might have done before, in any case. still, she finds it... difficult, to think of a proper gift for an occasion like this, given that she rarely finds herself needing an excuse to perform gestures for those she cares about.
so she found herself weaving a crown of the typical white roses, together with the red carnations that she knows her partner favors. placed an assortment of rock candy sticks in a jar, and prepared a cake along with a spin on saghert and cream. she'd spread everything out on a coffee table in her own room, in front of the sofa by the window. slices of the cake were plated, and high dishes of the saghert and cream, topped with more berries, were placed next to them.
a quick message to edelgard via the watch—would you come to my room when you're free for the evening—and she began steeping the earl grey, humming softly to herself. ]
[Edelgard had felt Byleth making her preparations, and while she had wanted to tell her bondmate that it wasn't necessary, she didn't want to deny her the ability to do this her way either. Or embarrass her. It was also nice, admittedly, knowing that so much effort was being expended on her behalf. Just for a birthday.
When the message comes through, Edelgard is already waiting, after a fashion. She'd been preparing for the evening by picking out a nice outfit, settling on a long button up shirt and trousers. Inhaling after reading it, steeling her thoughts, she walks down the hallway and knocks twice.]
[On the evening of her birthday, Edelgard would find a package sent via courier delivered to her doorstep. It was a simple package wrapped in brown paper and tied off with a plain ribbon, but evident even with this was the hand stamped pattern of feathers upon the package. Contained within was a solid, leather bound anthology of short mystery stories and, in a neat little bag packaged beside it, a set of hand crafted lollipops with brightly colored, edible flowers set inside them. Delicate violets, bold nasturtiums-- the colors still as vibrant as they would be when they were still under the sun.
With it, a simple letter:]
Dear Edelgard,
Although you had mentioned that you didn't wish to make a large affair of your birthday, a gift to mark the date still seemed appropos. Forgive me if the gifts are presumptuous-- but you strike me as someone who would enjoy these tokens.
[Though Leslie has become much more careful about ensuring she gets a full night’s sleep now that she knows the effect sleep deprivation could have on her height, she still has a bit of a bad habit of staying up late. The night of the 21st, though, she’s in bed while the sun is still in the sky, aided by living in a house with a windowless second floor. The sudden drastic shift in her sleep schedule makes falling asleep right away a bit of a challenge, but she is determined.
The benefit of this is that when she wakes up on the morning of Edelgard’s birthday, it’s still dark out — meaning that she knows that Edelgard will still be awake. She doesn’t know where Edelgard will be, but she has time to find her.
Leslie descends the stairs from the second floor with a small box under one arm, covering a series of yawns. If she sees Edelgard during her trip to the kitchen, she’ll do the gift-giving then, but otherwise, she makes breakfast first — another good habit she developed more out of concern for her height than concern for her actual health, but at least she’s doing it. After breakfast, she’ll make a more concerted effort to search the house for her guardian, peering into common rooms and knocking lightly on study doors. If Edelgard is out, she’ll settle into a chair where she can watch the front door.
Wherever and whenever she finds Edelgard, though, her first act will be to hold out the box with her present in it: a communication watch replaceable backing made of steel that Leslie commissioned to have etched with the symbol of the Black Eagles (one of the only customization options available for the devices — Hubert suggested the method when she approached him with an overblown idea of the kinds of things that could be made with alchemy), and a pocket watch chain of decent quality (the etching commission ate into her funds too much to get anything particularly fancy, but she shopped around to find one that was good for her price range) that Leslie enchanted with Corrin’s help for extra durability. Since Leslie is a novice when it comes to enchanting, the enchantment certainly won’t last for an extremely long time, but she worked hard enough with Corrin’s directions that it will likely make it through the summer before fading.]
I wish you a happy birthday, Lady Edelgard!
[She isn’t quite used to the idea of saying “happy birthday” on its own.]
[Edelgard has been enjoying her evening and has been waiting for this little moment. Something told her that Leslie was going to try and surprise her. Call it intuition, or maybe she just heard the girl's excitement as she pitter-pattered around the house. Either way, the girl's guardian is seated in her study, so she isn't going to have to look too hard.
Rising immediately as Leslie enters the room, she cants her head and smiles softly, accepting the small bundle. She pulls it open, blinking in surprise, her smile widening.]
Leslie...this is beautiful. Goodness...I don't even know what to say.
[Pulling the watch from the box, she cradles it gently, staring at it with wide eyes.]
[Corrin had felt slightly off all day. Not that anything was wrong, just something felt...different. And had for a few days at least. It took her hours to finally put her finger on what it was, though...]
[And a bit later, Edelgard got a call.]
El?
Edited (I don't know why I put the wrong date...) 2020-08-25 14:47 (UTC)
[Leslie knows very little about courtship, but she’s pretty sure people don’t usually bury courting gifts. Right? Even so, she’s very sympathetic to the idea of losing a gift. Her own room has a canvas that “Mr. Krüger” gave her hanging on the wall opposite the foot of her bed, which looks much more like abstract art at best, or “someone spilled a lot of blue shades of paint and dripped yellow when trying to clean it off” at worst.
Trawling is not exactly a job for one person, especially one person the size of Leslie. If she were to attempt it on foot, she’d need at least someone to hold the net on the other side of the river. A boat would be more likely as a solo expedition...for someone who knew boats. Leslie hasn’t even been on the love boats from that one festival, so learning two new skill sets at the same time is not likely in the cards.
That’s why tonight, shortly after sundown, she is not out alone, but with Edelgard, thanks to mentioning this problem of needing to find help to fulfill the quest to her housemate a few days prior. Right now, they walk towards where the rented river boat will be waiting for them, weighted net aboard.
She’s wearing a possibly unnecessary yellow rain coat, with a kind of bucket hat that is secured to her head with a strap under the chin. More plausibly necessary will be the huge, stompy rubber boots she’s wearing. They go up over her knees, but she’d had to stuff them with socks to make them not fall off. The bag hanging from her shoulder holds, among other things, some snacks she’d prepared during the day to bring with them if they felt a need for a short break. (Not that Edelgard needs non-bloody food anymore, but she wouldn’t want to leave the emperor out.)
As the river comes into sight, Leslie finally asks:]
Is it...normal to bury courting gifts when you are courting?
[Her tone of voice has clearly pressed x to doubt but is not 100% certain that it couldn’t be something done by people around here. She’s certainly learned some surprising cultural things over her time here.]
[Edelgard, somewhat amused by the request, had agreed to go along with it all as a means of getting out of the house. It is an odd one, all things considered, but not so odd that she'd dismissed the notion out of hand. If anything, this might be a good opportunity for her to keep an eye on her Ward and maybe build up her confidence.
Of course, that doesn't mean that she's not going to be surprised by the inquisitive young lady's queries. She chuckles, shaking her head, a little bewildered by this particular question.]
No, not really. [She runs a hand over the hat, ruffling it a little bit.]
I suppose for a dragon it may be, but I don't think that's normal for most people. I don't know about merrow, though I think this is a bit unusual.
[ byleth's schedule may line up with edelgard's enough for them to spend a good amount of their free time together, but byleth sleeping from dawn to dusk is relatively rare. (the small hours of the morning to the early afternoon are much more common, all told. they can't both keep vampire hours as their standard.) still, on the days where things align enough for them to share a bed, byleth's found herself more than a bit affectionate when she wakes before her partner.
especially when she knows a holiday means they've nowhere to be in any hurry.
lying behind her with an arm snugly over her side, she pulls edelgard a bit closer to herself, peppering light kisses over her neck, jaw, cheek.
if she's being honest, it's still somewhat disquieting to feel her so cold. but the bond tells her more than enough to set her at ease in turn. ]
[Edelgard is pleased enough to just have those lazy moments between business excursions, but on holidays it's much easier for her to ignore those things and focus on just relaxation and enjoyment. It's not as though any of it is strictly necessary for survival, and she's not running a nation, so really that stuff is just to keep occupied.
Yet Byleth, pulling her close and pecking her on the cheek is enough to occupy her even more. She turns her head, stirring a little, eyes opening part way.]
It should be around here somewhere. [Maria had double-checked the map but a couple moments ago, but navigating in the moons' light always added an edge of uncertainty to it. However, there wasn't much of a choice, when her companion was a vampire. Edelgard's night vision is better than hers anyway, so they have that going for them, at least.
Tamash had ranged out ahead of them a bit, as Maria had instructed, to try to pinpoint the groves of flowers, and the distant, low-ember glow of the fire magic she'd infused him with began to become a bit brighter as he started to return.] Ah, I think he found it.
[Edelgard continued ahead, her eyes peeled sharply, her focus on the surroundings. It was easier that way, to let Maria handle the map and let her handle the actual seeing, and by now they had it down to a science.
Her eyes flicked towards the approaching petal-wolf, and she nodded once more.]
Wonderful. Hopefully this goes as painlessly as possible. I hope that we're able to gather enough samples.
[The fae had a good idea of where to find the plants. She'd already been out with Yachi and it had been an experience. She one she couldn't quite describe, it had been warm and fuzzy. Not exactly bad, she'd just wanted to hold the smaller girl close and not let go.
Strange, but the effects of the spores hadn't been bad enough to deter her from returning. Not when her boss burst into snickers and offered her an increasred wage to out.
Mikasa still wasn't sure about the laughing. But it was easy money.
So she grabbed her backpack and vials and set off. Raptorial arms awkwardly slipping under the bag's straps.]
How long do we have? [She wasn't picky about who she'd gone with. They just needed more than one person to leave the walls. Though she was wondering how a vampire would fair in the Wilde's summer.]
[Edelgard hadn't really had too many problems with the flowers either, and Hubert had seemed appreciative of them, so she figured that she could collect more.
She hadn't really had a problem going with Mikasa, she seemed reliable enough, and they didn't have to travel far. The only hitch was waiting until moonrise, though Edelgard's glowing axe was better than any lantern.
Shifting her satchel and looking up at rising moon, she smiled.]
We have hours yet, Mikasa. It's only just now moonrise.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
unyieldingmarch) wrote2015-09-30 10:14 pm
modranicht gift!
[He does not bother with the handmade tradition of the city, however. While charming, it's not very practical for someone like him to craft much of anything let alone to someone he has only more or less just met. It would simply be far too personal to do at this juncture.]
[So, although there are not any particular frills with its presentation, a bottle of red wine is given to her with blue and gold ribbons tied around the neck. Much of the city's alcohol is quite frankly swill and not worth the prices that are being charged, but Ozymandias would never present something like that to her. (Or anyone else he hopes to maintain a positive relationship with.) He's tasted this wine before, knowing that it is from a reputable vineyard and from a particularly good year for said vineyard and thinks she'll find it acceptable, not being overly sweet or dry.]
no subject
Inside is a small golden necklace, nothing too ornate, but a well-worked piece of a sunburst along with a simple note.]
Your gift was far too kind, Ozymandias.
Thank you. May the coming year be as radiant for you as ever it has been.
Warmest Regards,
Edelgard von Hresvelg
modranicht gift;
(The candle is not enchanted in any way, she swears. It just smells nice.)]
no subject
Inside are a pair of earrings and a note.]
Princess Zelda,
Thank you for the candle. Please, allow me to repay your kind gift with one of my own. I hope that these are to your liking, for they certainly made me think of you when I saw them.
Best wishes in the upcoming year,
Edelgard von Hresvelg
modranicht gift
“I thought it would suit you nicely” the attached note reads]
no subject
Inside are a pair of earrings and a note.]
Queen Marie,
Thank you so much for the gift. I shall treasure it.
I hope that my gift is to your liking as well. I did some asking around and learned that this is a symbol for your home nation.
Warmest wishes for the upcoming year,
Edelgard von Hresvelg
(no subject)
Modranicht gift
A small packet is left propped up against Edelgard's door with her name written on it. The ink is bleeding a little bit after contact with water.
Inside is a burnished gold chain with the small skull of a bat laced onto it, intended to be a necklace. It's very ominous, that's for sure. A crinkly piece of paper accompanies it.]
Happy Modranicht! I sure hope you can read this. I made up a neat little trick ink that won't show to anybody but the person I have in mind when writing this. I'm pretty sure it works, maybe.
When we met in our dream, you had pointy-sharp teeth. Do you know what kind of Monster you're becoming yet? I'd love to see! So anyway, I thought about enchanting this necklace so that everyone you hated would spill over with blood on sight. But I don't know if gruesome is your cup of tea. Honestly, I couldn't think of WHAT you might like to have. All I could think about is how cold it's been, and how cold it'll keep being. So that's why I made this. If you touch the chain, it'll warm you up if you feel cold. I hope you find it useful.
-Henry
Another Modranicht package
In the box is a hair pin in the shape of a bright red zinnia flower. There's a note, too. ]
Lady Edelgard,
Though Modranicht itself is unfamiliar to me, the Winter Festival is a yearly holiday in my homeland with similar themes, so please accept this as a gift of both traditions. Thank you for your kindness, and for helping Corrin where I cannot. Best wishes for the new year.
Regards,
Azura
Mondranicht gift! (backdated)
Inside, there's a bracelet that bears many polished stones, handcrafted by him. The short message that was added along with it says: ]
I hope you're having a nice holiday time, Lady Edelgard, and that my gift is of your liking. Let's continue supporting each other in this new year coming up.
- Wataru
Post-Snatched
Well. Not exactly. But also...maybe? Bonding was certainly complicated.
But eventually she found herself tracking the other woman, putting aside her usual playfulness of 'oh I wasn't sure where she was' to beeline in on exactly where the older woman had stopped after everything happened. But when she reached her she paused on the edge of her perception, her pace a bit uncertain, one arm unconsciously hooked behind her back. She wasn't afraid...she was pretty sure she couldn't actually be afraid of Edelgard at this point, but...there was some nervousness there. And a lot of worry.
"...Edelgard?" She finally said, her voice quiet, as she resumed her careful approach.
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That shamed her.
It shamed her in a way that few could understand, and it wasn't until she felt Corrin approaching that she realized something else: that she hadn't even considered how it might affect Hubert and Corrin.
Corrin will find her sitting in her room, alone with her kitten Heidi. The small orange furball, asleep on her lap, doesn't stir as the Emperor looks up. Her eyes are slightly red at the fringes, her chin and lips rubbed a raw red from where she'd scrubbed at it.
"...Corrin..." she says in a low, unhappy voice. "I'm sorry. I've worried you."
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3/1
—As requested.
3/22, Eostre
[Eostre, however, doesn't. It takes him longer than usual by the better part of an hour, and when he finally emerges through the front door carrying several parcels, his face is beset with exasperation. The flower crown hanging a tad crookedly on his head is a pretty good guess why.]
It's utterly staggering, the sheer number and magnitude of these festivals. The only solace I find in them is imagining how displeased the Church would be with such revelry.
[Fódlan's holidays were rather conservative. At first, Hubert thought only one or two of Aefenglom's festivals would be like this.]
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It is. For a society besieged, they certainly do boast a number of holidays.
[This one she hadn't even bothered to look for information on. It was likely the same as the last dozen.]
Do you need help with your parcels?
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un: saber
I am a friend of Leslie's and she mentioned that she would enjoy having us meet. I thought it would only be polite to give you advance warning.
-Saber
un: hresvelg
I would be amenable to that. Thank you for contacting me, and for looking out for Leslie.
When would an agreeable time? I will caution you that I am a vampire, and therefore largely nocturnal.
-Edelgard von Hresvelg
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Action + Leslie, for the bread
The biggest danger had been Mikasa and Leslie themselves. Partly because of the perils of nearly modern appliances and magitech. But, nevertheless, they had managed it. They had bread. But they'd made far more than Mikasa and Trucy could use, Leslie lived with more people, so it made sense for her to get the most of it. So the fae had helped carry it, being let into the house.
Once inside she just sat down where in the room she'd been left in. Letting the girl pack away their goods. Mikasa didn't know where to put it in this house. So there she sat. Large dark grey eyes watching the door Leslie had gone through.]
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Stepping out of the stairwell, she noted a light on the living room and turned in to greet whoever was in the room. Probably Bernadetta, she imagined, but...no. It was a stranger.]
...Hello there.
[Pushing open the door with a creak, the Emperor moved into the room.]
Who are you, and why are you in my house?
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oops, I thought I'd replied to this but it was just open in a tab
you fool!
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text; after.... claude......
I'm coming home. I just
I need to see you, El.
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I'm at home. Come to my sitting room, the door is open.
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Hella backdated to mid-April, post dreams
[But those two days were all. Hubert detested dwelling on the past too long, and so he forced himself to look forward, and move forward.]
[There was one point to start with. An unease, tinged a little with guilt, settles into his stomach as Hubert makes up his mind. He doesn't let that deter him. If anything, it has the opposite effect.]
Lady Edelgard, [he starts, his voice level as always.] I have something I must confess to.
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The guilt she doesn't miss, though she simply attributes it to him feeling as though he should have saved her when they were but children, and she dismisses it.
When he approaches, she looks up. If he's ready to talk, she's ready to listen. She can support him through this as he supported her...]
What is that, Hubert?
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action, berryquest;
Thank you for coming with me this evening, Edelgard. [She says as they make their way through the fields to where the desired bushes reportedly are, a wicker basket hung over her elbow.] When I saw the business owner was offering double for this specific kind of berry, I have to admit I was curious.
[she has a bit of a sweet tooth she hasn't been able to indulge in for years, sue her--]
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The strange light of Aymr helped illuminate the path around them, the odd weapon resting in it's leather thong across her shoulders. She hadn't bothered with full armor or battle dress for this, but the axe was not going to be left behind the Bright Wall.]
Of course, Zelda.
[Stepping lightly, the Emperor kept an eye out for trouble, but hovered nearby her friend.]
I'm admittedly curious too. This is an unusual request.
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Considering how magic and potions worked, I'd been wondering if I couldn't cultivate tea leaves with magical properties. So I've been working on a few.
I know things can get pretty stressful here, so I thought a soothing cup might be just the thing, you know? You're welcome any time. The house is pretty empty these days, so don't be a stranger, okay?
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Think nothing of it. We've both been busy. I've been helping a friend that arrived adjust to life here in the city. It's been quite a busy few months with that and other things, if I am honest.
I think that I'd love to try that. I've had very few potions that tasted good since I arrived here, so anything that can be cut with tea would be a welcome change.
When would be a good time to meet for tea, for you?
~Edelgard
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6/22
[The sooner this clumsy affair was over, the better. He wouldn't mince words, or drag out this apprehension. The decision rests heavy on his tongue, and it was a little ridiculous what a tremendous conscious effort something so simple could take. It's just one word—nevermind that was quite literally the problem.]
[Walking ever silent by sheer force of habit, Hubert steps into their study, laying a book at the edge of the desk. It's some novel, unwrapped but new, by some author he'd seen her reading indulging in from time to time. It's just one word, but he could feel raw force of habit fighting it fiercely.]
[Hubert half-bows as he presses the book to the desk, a mild gesture that wouldn't root him to the spot.]
May another year find you well, Edelgard.
[There, it's done, and without the hitch he'd feared. Hubert waits the half-beat long enough to make his retreat more casual, and turns to take his leave.]
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Thank you, Hubert. That means a lot.
[When he turns though, she was prepared. Because what she wanted from him wasn't a gift. It was just his company.
She rose quickly, carefully setting aside her reading.]
...Would you go for a walk with me?
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6/22, evening
so she found herself weaving a crown of the typical white roses, together with the red carnations that she knows her partner favors. placed an assortment of rock candy sticks in a jar, and prepared a cake along with a spin on saghert and cream. she'd spread everything out on a coffee table in her own room, in front of the sofa by the window. slices of the cake were plated, and high dishes of the saghert and cream, topped with more berries, were placed next to them.
a quick message to edelgard via the watch—would you come to my room when you're free for the evening—and she began steeping the earl grey, humming softly to herself. ]
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When the message comes through, Edelgard is already waiting, after a fashion. She'd been preparing for the evening by picking out a nice outfit, settling on a long button up shirt and trousers. Inhaling after reading it, steeling her thoughts, she walks down the hallway and knocks twice.]
Byleth? I've come as requested.
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6/22-- Delivery
With it, a simple letter:]
Dear Edelgard,
Although you had mentioned that you didn't wish to make a large affair of your birthday, a gift to mark the date still seemed appropos. Forgive me if the gifts are presumptuous-- but you strike me as someone who would enjoy these tokens.
Thank you for everything.
Sincerely,
Lorenz Hellman Gloucester.
Re: 6/22-- Delivery
Thank you for your kind gift, and your kind words. These are wonderful tokens.
Be well.
Warmest regards,
Edelgard von Hresvelg
joining the 6/22 train
The benefit of this is that when she wakes up on the morning of Edelgard’s birthday, it’s still dark out — meaning that she knows that Edelgard will still be awake. She doesn’t know where Edelgard will be, but she has time to find her.
Leslie descends the stairs from the second floor with a small box under one arm, covering a series of yawns. If she sees Edelgard during her trip to the kitchen, she’ll do the gift-giving then, but otherwise, she makes breakfast first — another good habit she developed more out of concern for her height than concern for her actual health, but at least she’s doing it. After breakfast, she’ll make a more concerted effort to search the house for her guardian, peering into common rooms and knocking lightly on study doors. If Edelgard is out, she’ll settle into a chair where she can watch the front door.
Wherever and whenever she finds Edelgard, though, her first act will be to hold out the box with her present in it: a communication watch replaceable backing made of steel that Leslie commissioned to have etched with the symbol of the Black Eagles (one of the only customization options available for the devices — Hubert suggested the method when she approached him with an overblown idea of the kinds of things that could be made with alchemy), and a pocket watch chain of decent quality (the etching commission ate into her funds too much to get anything particularly fancy, but she shopped around to find one that was good for her price range) that Leslie enchanted with Corrin’s help for extra durability. Since Leslie is a novice when it comes to enchanting, the enchantment certainly won’t last for an extremely long time, but she worked hard enough with Corrin’s directions that it will likely make it through the summer before fading.]
I wish you a happy birthday, Lady Edelgard!
[She isn’t quite used to the idea of saying “happy birthday” on its own.]
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Rising immediately as Leslie enters the room, she cants her head and smiles softly, accepting the small bundle. She pulls it open, blinking in surprise, her smile widening.]
Leslie...this is beautiful. Goodness...I don't even know what to say.
[Pulling the watch from the box, she cradles it gently, staring at it with wide eyes.]
I love it. Thank you.
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we can probably fade to black either here or shortly after what with the delay on my end, haha
Here sounds nice! or whenever you need.
8/25
[And a bit later, Edelgard got a call.]
El?
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Yes? Is something the matter, Corrin?
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Before-Everything-Goes-Wrong-In-Dorchacht-th of Septeril
Trawling is not exactly a job for one person, especially one person the size of Leslie. If she were to attempt it on foot, she’d need at least someone to hold the net on the other side of the river. A boat would be more likely as a solo expedition...for someone who knew boats. Leslie hasn’t even been on the love boats from that one festival, so learning two new skill sets at the same time is not likely in the cards.
That’s why tonight, shortly after sundown, she is not out alone, but with Edelgard, thanks to mentioning this problem of needing to find help to fulfill the quest to her housemate a few days prior. Right now, they walk towards where the rented river boat will be waiting for them, weighted net aboard.
She’s wearing a possibly unnecessary yellow rain coat, with a kind of bucket hat that is secured to her head with a strap under the chin. More plausibly necessary will be the huge, stompy rubber boots she’s wearing. They go up over her knees, but she’d had to stuff them with socks to make them not fall off. The bag hanging from her shoulder holds, among other things, some snacks she’d prepared during the day to bring with them if they felt a need for a short break. (Not that Edelgard needs non-bloody food anymore, but she wouldn’t want to leave the emperor out.)
As the river comes into sight, Leslie finally asks:]
Is it...normal to bury courting gifts when you are courting?
[Her tone of voice has clearly pressed x to doubt but is not 100% certain that it couldn’t be something done by people around here. She’s certainly learned some surprising cultural things over her time here.]
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Of course, that doesn't mean that she's not going to be surprised by the inquisitive young lady's queries. She chuckles, shaking her head, a little bewildered by this particular question.]
No, not really. [She runs a hand over the hat, ruffling it a little bit.]
I suppose for a dragon it may be, but I don't think that's normal for most people. I don't know about merrow, though I think this is a bit unusual.
[Press X to doubt for sure.]
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dusk, start of samuin
especially when she knows a holiday means they've nowhere to be in any hurry.
lying behind her with an arm snugly over her side, she pulls edelgard a bit closer to herself, peppering light kisses over her neck, jaw, cheek.
if she's being honest, it's still somewhat disquieting to feel her so cold. but the bond tells her more than enough to set her at ease in turn. ]
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Yet Byleth, pulling her close and pecking her on the cheek is enough to occupy her even more. She turns her head, stirring a little, eyes opening part way.]
...Is it that late in the day already?
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November sometime... for a certain flower quest
Tamash had ranged out ahead of them a bit, as Maria had instructed, to try to pinpoint the groves of flowers, and the distant, low-ember glow of the fire magic she'd infused him with began to become a bit brighter as he started to return.] Ah, I think he found it.
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[Edelgard continued ahead, her eyes peeled sharply, her focus on the surroundings. It was easier that way, to let Maria handle the map and let her handle the actual seeing, and by now they had it down to a science.
Her eyes flicked towards the approaching petal-wolf, and she nodded once more.]
Wonderful. Hopefully this goes as painlessly as possible. I hope that we're able to gather enough samples.
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Somewhen in november - Because flowers
Strange, but the effects of the spores hadn't been bad enough to deter her from returning. Not when her boss burst into snickers and offered her an increasred wage to out.
Mikasa still wasn't sure about the laughing. But it was easy money.
So she grabbed her backpack and vials and set off. Raptorial arms awkwardly slipping under the bag's straps.]
How long do we have? [She wasn't picky about who she'd gone with. They just needed more than one person to leave the walls. Though she was wondering how a vampire would fair in the Wilde's summer.]
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She hadn't really had a problem going with Mikasa, she seemed reliable enough, and they didn't have to travel far. The only hitch was waiting until moonrise, though Edelgard's glowing axe was better than any lantern.
Shifting her satchel and looking up at rising moon, she smiled.]
We have hours yet, Mikasa. It's only just now moonrise.
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