Edelgard von Hresvelg (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
unyieldingmarch) wrote2015-09-30 10:14 pm
unyieldingmarch) wrote2015-09-30 10:14 pm
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[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.]
[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.]
[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 candle is not enchanted in any way, she swears. It just smells nice.)]
[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]
“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 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.
Warmest Regards,
Edelgard von Hresvelg
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
[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.
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
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
[[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.
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
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
Edited 2019-12-27 04:41 (UTC)
[...A gift that has arrived a day late, however.
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
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
[Marie will be overjoyed to receive Edelgard’s return note and her gift. The earrings suit. Marie’s style well, Edelgard has good eye for detail and Marie will be sure to mention that to get in person next time they meet. In the meantime the earrings shall be something she would wear quite often]
[ 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.
Regards,
Azura
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
[ 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.
- Wataru
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
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.
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."
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."
Corrin hesitated, because her immediate instinct was to say it was fine, that she hadn't been worrying, but Edelgard would know that wasn't true. Even if Corrin was a good liar (which she absolutely was not) she was probably broadcasting worry like a beacon.
"It's okay," she finally said. She couldn't remember Edelgard ever looking like that, or even close to that. Putting aside the faint evidence of crying, it was the rawness to her skin and the haggard failure in her eyes that disturbed Corrin even more than the feelings she'd gotten from her earlier in the day.
She wasn't quite sure how long her pause was, before she moved across the room and sank down into the spot next to Edelgard.
"...Long day?" She asked with the faintest of wry smiles.
"It's okay," she finally said. She couldn't remember Edelgard ever looking like that, or even close to that. Putting aside the faint evidence of crying, it was the rawness to her skin and the haggard failure in her eyes that disturbed Corrin even more than the feelings she'd gotten from her earlier in the day.
She wasn't quite sure how long her pause was, before she moved across the room and sank down into the spot next to Edelgard.
"...Long day?" She asked with the faintest of wry smiles.
"You could say that."
Edelgard gestured vaguely across the room at an armor stand that held her platemail, and the battle axe that rested against the wall. It's an excuse to avoid talking about the incident for the moment, though a transparent one she expects won't keep Corrin off the subject for long.
Any delay is better than none. She needs a moment to gather her thoughts.
"I had unfortunate cause to use those today, as you well know. But, everyone came away safely. I know that was weighing upon you."
Edelgard gestured vaguely across the room at an armor stand that held her platemail, and the battle axe that rested against the wall. It's an excuse to avoid talking about the incident for the moment, though a transparent one she expects won't keep Corrin off the subject for long.
Any delay is better than none. She needs a moment to gather her thoughts.
"I had unfortunate cause to use those today, as you well know. But, everyone came away safely. I know that was weighing upon you."
"Yeah, I heard," she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm glad you were able to help everyone."
She had tried also, though not nearly to the extent that Edelgard had.
Still. A long pause, before her hand came out to gently scratch the kitten in Edelgard's lap.
"But I'm pretty sure that's not what made today a long day."
She knew Edelgard had fought many battles before. A battle wasn't going to cause...everything she had felt from the older woman.
She had tried also, though not nearly to the extent that Edelgard had.
Still. A long pause, before her hand came out to gently scratch the kitten in Edelgard's lap.
"But I'm pretty sure that's not what made today a long day."
She knew Edelgard had fought many battles before. A battle wasn't going to cause...everything she had felt from the older woman.
"No. It was not."
Edelgard did not enjoy fighting, really. She was very good at it, and there was a kind of satisfaction in doing something you do well, though she would avoid it where possible.
"I...know that you felt something wrong with me. I am sorry, again, for startling you in that as well."
She looked up at Corrin, eyes focusing in, her gaze still somewhat watery but not on the verge of tears any longer.
"I lost control. I...bit someone," she said after a moment, peeling back her lips to reveal the sharp fangs that had grown in a few months prior. "For the first time."
Edelgard did not enjoy fighting, really. She was very good at it, and there was a kind of satisfaction in doing something you do well, though she would avoid it where possible.
"I...know that you felt something wrong with me. I am sorry, again, for startling you in that as well."
She looked up at Corrin, eyes focusing in, her gaze still somewhat watery but not on the verge of tears any longer.
"I lost control. I...bit someone," she said after a moment, peeling back her lips to reveal the sharp fangs that had grown in a few months prior. "For the first time."
Corrin shook her head. "You don't need to apologize. That's what the bond is for."
At least, in her opinion it was. The bond was for connecting with someone, more deeply than anything. Even if it had nice benefits, the benefits weren't the point. Not to her anyway.
She winced faintly at what Edelgard confessed to. She had suspected, but...that was different from hearing it.
She almost started to apologize herself, but caught the words. Instead she moved her arm from the car to gently drape it around Edelgard's shoulders in a half-hug. She didn't really know what to say, unfortunately.
"Are you okay?" Seemed appropriate.
At least, in her opinion it was. The bond was for connecting with someone, more deeply than anything. Even if it had nice benefits, the benefits weren't the point. Not to her anyway.
She winced faintly at what Edelgard confessed to. She had suspected, but...that was different from hearing it.
She almost started to apologize herself, but caught the words. Instead she moved her arm from the car to gently drape it around Edelgard's shoulders in a half-hug. She didn't really know what to say, unfortunately.
"Are you okay?" Seemed appropriate.
The cat's eyes popped open long enough for it to give Corrin a look, then it droops back into sleep. It was warm, and the little thing is a cat. What else would it do, free from these human concerns?
"I'm fine," Edelgard said softly, shifting to lean into the touch further. Corrin's confusion was apparent enough, but the reasons why were still a mystery.
"So is my...victim. I didn't take much before Hubert snapped me out of it. But, it...tasted good."
"I'm fine," Edelgard said softly, shifting to lean into the touch further. Corrin's confusion was apparent enough, but the reasons why were still a mystery.
"So is my...victim. I didn't take much before Hubert snapped me out of it. But, it...tasted good."
Corrin let out a little sigh. Even knowing this was going to happen, that wasn't the same as wanting it to, or knowing what to do as it did. She was silent for a bit, just tightening her grip around Edelgard's shoulders, her hand gently stroking the older woman's shoulder.
"So you had enough control to stop easily," she said, aiming for the positive things. "And...well. As strange as it sounds, it...I imagine it's better that it tastes good than bad, considering..."
She was going to have to drink a lot of it, really. Eventually.
"So you had enough control to stop easily," she said, aiming for the positive things. "And...well. As strange as it sounds, it...I imagine it's better that it tastes good than bad, considering..."
She was going to have to drink a lot of it, really. Eventually.
"All things considered, yes."
If Corrin was trying to make her laugh, she succeeded. It was a reedy thing, weak but still there. A small one, cut off as she leaned into the touch with a sigh.
"I have always been good at controlling myself. Discipline is a necessary thing. For...me, anyway."
If Corrin was trying to make her laugh, she succeeded. It was a reedy thing, weak but still there. A small one, cut off as she leaned into the touch with a sigh.
"I have always been good at controlling myself. Discipline is a necessary thing. For...me, anyway."
"I understand," Corrin smiled a bit at that little laugh. "Control is so hard to build up and so easy to lose," the words came out with a familiar sigh.
"Back home, after I...first transformed, Azura gave me a stone that I could use to control it. But before that, I killed several people. Enemy soldiers. Almost monsters but...still people."
Her voice was distant, her face flat, as the memory rolled over her.
"They were attacking, even if I'd had control I wouldn't have had a choice. But it's still such a strange thing. Bones snapping between my jaws. Blood tasting like iron, skin like...uncooked meat."
She made an 'mm' noise and straightened up faintly, physically tugging herself from the memory, and then sucked in a deep breath to snap herself the rest of the way out of it.
"My point is, we all lose control from time to time. You just have to remember to stand up and try to keep it in the check the next time. You're strong enough to do it, I'm sure."
Corrin had never been. She'd had to cheat. But she wasn't going to say that out loud.
"Back home, after I...first transformed, Azura gave me a stone that I could use to control it. But before that, I killed several people. Enemy soldiers. Almost monsters but...still people."
Her voice was distant, her face flat, as the memory rolled over her.
"They were attacking, even if I'd had control I wouldn't have had a choice. But it's still such a strange thing. Bones snapping between my jaws. Blood tasting like iron, skin like...uncooked meat."
She made an 'mm' noise and straightened up faintly, physically tugging herself from the memory, and then sucked in a deep breath to snap herself the rest of the way out of it.
"My point is, we all lose control from time to time. You just have to remember to stand up and try to keep it in the check the next time. You're strong enough to do it, I'm sure."
Corrin had never been. She'd had to cheat. But she wasn't going to say that out loud.
It was easy to forget Corrin's half-blooded nature at times. She had no objection to it, the woman had proven herself to be a stark contrast to Rhea and her ilk, and after Azura's story of dragons and how their blood flowed in the veins of royalty it painted a different picture. Not all dragons had to be like those of Fodlan, certainly.
"I certainly will try."
She tugged on Corrin's arm, trying to draw her out of that horrible memory. She felt the effects of it, and she didn't like how Corrin seemed off kilter. Clearly it was a painful, unwelcome thought.
"I have you to guide me back, after all. And Hubert."
"I certainly will try."
She tugged on Corrin's arm, trying to draw her out of that horrible memory. She felt the effects of it, and she didn't like how Corrin seemed off kilter. Clearly it was a painful, unwelcome thought.
"I have you to guide me back, after all. And Hubert."
"I'm sure you can. And yeah, you aren't alone. That's...more important than most people realize, I think."
Corrin (hey join my army) was all about the power of uniting people, after all.
"And we will be there, no matter what happens. I promise." She squeezed Edelgard's shoulders more tightly.
Corrin (hey join my army) was all about the power of uniting people, after all.
"And we will be there, no matter what happens. I promise." She squeezed Edelgard's shoulders more tightly.
"I find that more comforting than you know."
Edelgard, if Corrin has not figured this out yet, has not had many truly kind people in her life. Or truly selfless ones looking out for her, either. Sure, she has subjects and those loyal to her, but that is a relationship of obligations in a lot of ways.
"...I know that I can pull through this. And I know that my fate is sealed, but knowing that you'll be here when I return...it..."
She shook her head again, looking away, trying hard to restrain tears.
"...It makes it more bearable."
Edelgard, if Corrin has not figured this out yet, has not had many truly kind people in her life. Or truly selfless ones looking out for her, either. Sure, she has subjects and those loyal to her, but that is a relationship of obligations in a lot of ways.
"...I know that I can pull through this. And I know that my fate is sealed, but knowing that you'll be here when I return...it..."
She shook her head again, looking away, trying hard to restrain tears.
"...It makes it more bearable."
As Edelgard looked away, Corrin's grip on her tightened faintly, as if she was expecting the other woman to stand up. She knew how Edelgard liked to press her emotions down, she could practically feel the tears the other wasn't shedding.
"That's the whole point of this bonding thing, right?"
She said with a small smile.
"And there's sense trying to hide wanting to cry when I can literally feel it. Not that you should hide it anyway..."
It's okay to cry, dang it.
"That's the whole point of this bonding thing, right?"
She said with a small smile.
"And there's sense trying to hide wanting to cry when I can literally feel it. Not that you should hide it anyway..."
It's okay to cry, dang it.
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