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[pauldron]

INBOX text / audio / video / action This is Lightning. Leave a message and I'll get back to you. code credit

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action; near the moon temple, near the beginning of the event?? time is fake

[brothered]

[Waves of inexhaustible enemies, cutting down anyone in their path as they steadily push their way toward the Moon Temple? Felix has neither love for nor loyalty to his faction, but he isn't a fool; he knows that people can and will flock to the apparent capital in a time of crisis, which is why he's doesn't hesitate to head out to the front lines. These Spartae need to be kept away from roads, from smaller settlements, from anywhere defenseless people might be.

There's also something, ah, cathartic about fighting for hours at a time! It isn't terribly exciting, given the basic moves these skeletal soldiers seem to fall back on, but focusing on helping defend this tiny farming town makes it impossible to think about—to worry about—anything else. By the middle of the night, he's settled, almost gratefully, into a mindless sort of routine. Automatically repelling anything that dares to get too close... isn't terrible.

And he isn't alone, a fact that would normally annoy him—and it certainly did, at first? But it quickly becomes clear that Lightning, too, is a force to be reckoned with; she never gets in his way, never calls for his aid, and it takes little time for them to assume complementary positions. Fighting back-to-back—the longer they keep this up, the less often he feels the need to flip around and warily scan the area behind him. This is... true teamwork. Whew.

But he still has to look back every now and again—and at this point, he just so happens to glance behind him just in time to watch Lightning body one of these annoying creatures. Heh.]

Nice form, [he calls back over his shoulder, allowing a Spartae to walk close enough to catch a sword to through the ribs.] Ready for more?

[Because guess what? They comin'.]

the only thing real is killing skeletons. :3

[pauldron]

[This is the kind of teamwork that can only be forged in fire and blood. This is the kind of teamwork Lightning has only forged with the other l'Cie, the knowledge that someone has her back as well as she has theirs. And sure, there's not nearly as many blasts of magic as she's used to, but they settle into a rhythm as the night goes on.

Stab, blast back the approaching on this side, slice. Duck beneath a blow meant to cut her side open, slice the skeleton at the knees. Rinse, repeat, do it all over again. Throw a few glances Felix's way to be sure he's not getting in over his head and appreciate that he knows what he's doing. It gives her the room she needs to maneuver, and if that means taking a page out of Snow's book to bodycheck the skeleton that got too close, well, she's grateful all the same. She leaps back, tossing a spell into the distance.

Fira sears the night, lighting up the empty fields around them in red and orange. A handful of skeletons go down in the blaze, collapsing into piles of scorched but somehow still intact bone. Landing gracefully, she smirks at him.]

I can do this all night. [They may have to. No matter how many they take down, more seem to come from nowhere. How many of their number is the darkness hiding? Hard to say. She glances to the gate to the settlement, the last of its people slipping away under the watchful eye of a few soldiers who had all but begged for their help.] You're not slowing down on me, are you?

[brothered]

[It's a skillful maneuver—and an undeniably powerful spell. He's reminded, briefly, of Sylvain's magic, wonders if his old friend is casting Bolganone somewhere halfway across the continent, before he forces himself to focus back on the approaching Spartae soldiers. Clumsy, creaking things...]

Hardly. [Ah, hold on. Let him neatly parry this one skeleton, then push it and its blade back—right into one of its many comrades. Get rekt.] These creatures are weak.

[They have, however, been going at this for hours now, and he's only human; he can certainly feel the first hints of fatigue creeping into the muscles of his arms, his shoulders—but it's good, in a way. A reminder that he's here! Alive! Doing what he does best, which is a thought that propels him forward, sending a Spartae's axe spinning to the ground.]

No need to push yourself.

[Mildly mocking, but there's no real malice to be found in those words. Goading one another along is what comrades do, right?]

[pauldron]

Who's pushing?

[It's what they do, at least. The endurance of a l'Cie is keeping her upright, though even that can't last forever. She sidesteps another sword, cleaving elbow from arm, and metal and bone clang to the ground. Endless endurance keeps them coming, but they do go down easily enough. Buying time is a simple task.

But for how long? One of the Temple soldiers shouts, cleaving their way through a few Spartae in their path, even as the main horde stays with Lightning and Felix. Dawn is hours away and she lets a burst of Aero fly in that direction. Bones scatter, buying the soldiers an escape route before she has to roll out of the way of an axe aiming for her neck. It stumbles, misses the attack, and she aims a kick at its sternum. It falls apart, but the axe skids backwards towards Felix's location.]

On your right!

[Careful there, partner! She's got your back.]

me: why is this tab in a window all of its own... oh? OH! oop

[brothered]

[He settles for a quiet huff of amusement as he turns his focus back to his task, making sure that no Spartae come too close to the imaginary line between himself and Lightning. Leaving enough space between them is a smart tactical move! Ensuring they have room to pull away—if they need it, which so far they have not. They are... doing well!

Even if an axe does come clattering back his way. He glances back just in time to step to the side, allowing it to land at the feet of... a particularly enterprising Spartae, who wastes no time picking it. Dual-wielding, huh? Great.]

Thanks, [he shouts back to her—and it would be a nice gesture, if he didn't immediately follow it up with:] I needed a change of pace.

[Why is he like this? God only knows. But as glances back in the soldiers' direction while he waits for his newest challenger to stop swinging both axes around like an idiot:]

How are they holding up?

[The lads!]

voice →

[enkelis]

( Despite doing her best to settle down, to ground herself, Clary's voice still manages to shake a little; she does her best to be flippant about it, but when you see someone almost every single day, it's a little harder to hide that. )

I heard I might have broken some records for world's longest nap.

[pauldron]

[When you see someone almost every single day, keep watch over one another, spend meals and days together, it's impossible to hide things from family.

Even more so from Lightning, who has had experience with two younger siblings and the past few months with Clary. She doesn't shake, doesn't tremble, not without cause, so to disappear for weeks like that only to reappear so shaken...something's wrong. Very wrong.]

I don't know. Someone I know back home slept for five hundred years. Think she's got you beat.

[A wry snort. There's a hundred questions to ask here; what happened, are you safe, what's wrong, are you okay, and somehow none of them matter. The only thing that matters is...]

Where are you?

[enkelis]

You know, I think I'd be okay with that. ( After the hell few weeks she's had? Five hundred years asleep sounds legit. )

Would you believe me if I said I was at the Temple? ( She laughs, humourless. ) Woke up here in my own room.

[pauldron]

[Wait. Wait, what?! A room at the Temple, after weeks gone--

Either the Priestess kidnapped her in which case there will be hands thrown very far, or there was a defection that Lightning somehow missed. Either way...]

Send me the number. I'm coming over.

[And don't even try to protest!]

[enkelis]

( She takes a second to hop off her bed, yanking open the door to look at the number posted. )

42. ( A beat. ) There aren't even any guards posted? How is this possible. ( More to herself than anything, because she really doesn't expect Lightning to know. )

holiday delivery → dec. 25th

[enkelis]

( There will be a small collection of packages left for Lightning at the warehouse on Christmas morning, carefully wrapped in self-decorated brown packaging, painted by Clary to be proper wrapping paper! Within will be the following:

A painting of the two of them seated upon the roof of the warehouse together; their silhouettes while they face the setting sun in the distance, shoulder-to-shoulder, just as they should be. The initials of CF in the bottom left corner are the only indication of who painted it.

A second package will contain a long dagger. Engraved upon the hilt is the angelic power rune, imbuing it with a holy attribute, useful against demons. Her best way of knowing how to help protect Lightning.

Finally, there will be a small box. Within it there will be a brass key, along with a note stating my home is your home. It will unlock the front door of Clary's house, in which Lightning will have a room to call her own.

There will be a card included, simply stating Merry Christmas, Lightning, signed with love from Clary. )

✿ dec 25th - gift(?)

[puppetgirl]

[ Though she has only spoken to her once, Orchid cannot forget the woman and the mechanical knight that saved her from the Branded. The next time Lightning is in Kyst, a courier will deliver to her one neatly wrapped small gift box, topped with a ribbon. If asked about the sender, they'll only describe them as "a strange young girl with blue hair and red eyes".

Inside the small box will be some small items:

✿ Two handmade clay sculptures: one of Lightning and another of Odin. Both are cartoon-like, with cute, small, stumpy proportions. It looks like whoever made these was struggling trying to craft them from memory. Especially Odin's armor. The mysterious sender got the basic features and color scheme of the two down at least, enough to be distinguishable that it is them. A looped string is attached to the top of each one. It looks like they can be hung like an ornament.
✿ A small batch of chocolate chip cookies, baked by Orchid herself. ]

01/02

[chronosynthesis]

[There's a small package for delivery to Lightning by... whoever handles that. It's a pendant with a rune etched into it, and a letter.]

Lightning,

I hope you can forgive the belated response for your gift. It's well appreciated, and I thank you.

I've imbued this pendant with a rune designed to block an attack, so long as you hold it to your person. Try not to anger any gods, as I cannot guarantee it is powerful enough for that.

Should you use its power, ask me at any time and I will refresh it for you.

Take care,
Syrlya

un: v

[summonere]

Dear Lightning,

Thank you for the escort after New Year's Eve. Unnecessary as it was, it was good to talk to you. I also want to reassure you that you do not need to tolerate any rudeness from Griffon. After he accrues enough damage, he will deform into a core that will be silent until I choose to regenerate him.

Regards,
V

[pauldron]

If that's you giving me permission to zap him next time, I might just take you up on that.

Hurting him doesn't hurt you, right? Just so we're clear.

[Don't tempt her, V. Don't tempt her.]

[summonere]

I won't feel a thing.

[pauldron]

Good to know. You might want to invest in some ear plugs soon.

And you're welcome for the escort. Call me if you need another one.

[summonere]

I may need one eventually. There are issues in Fellden that are bigger than I alone can handle.

holiday delivery. ( 30th )

[cxivth]

( he's late... the honest reason being that he really hadn't expected anything from anyone this 'holiday season' if that's what they called it. but after receiving her gift, well... he definitely felt the need to return the favour.

delivered via the same neutral-allied courier, there's a simply packaged box, with a lop-sided bow that he most certainly attempted and failed to tie himself, she'll find a simple clasp. you know, for those times she may want to make sure her half-cape stays where it should. or... whatever else. he isn't very good at this, is he? )

Lightning,
Hope this finds you well, reminded me of you.
And thanks for the reading material. Definitely gives me something to zone out to when the Emperor decides to drone on and on about whatever. Kidding. Mostly.

      — Noct

Delivery, a few days after the Emperor's warning

[flame_emperor]

A letter, delivered via neutral courier is received by Lightning. The courier notes they had some difficulty in delivering it, but were well-compensated for the trouble.

Lightning,

Would like to arrange a meeting. I will be at Kyst, a small square in the western city off the markets two days hence should you be inclined to join me. I have some concerns regarding our last dance I wish to discuss.

I am glad to hear you are feeling better, but I will understand if you are not able to make the meeting.

Your dance partner

[pauldron]

"Your dance partner". A funny way to put that, Lightning thinks to herself as she stalks the streets of Kyst. The last few days have all been a blur, a mess of caring for the wounded, recovering the dead, keeping guard over the refugees in the Keep. No one's managed to piece together a strategy, either to retaliate or defend, and the Priestess seems to be in the wind.

Those of the Moon Temple are on the back foot and Lightning knows it. One more good attack like that and they're all finished. So when Edelgard's letter arrives, she seizes the chance to gather intel or at least a warning of when the next wave is coming. She'd be lying if she wasn't curious about a few more personal things--that conversation with Dimitri brought up so many questions--but now isn't the time for those.

West side of the city, off the markets. She knows the place, and as morning begins to turn to afternoon, Lightning steps into the square. Edelgard's physical traits are noteworthy; even among the crowd, she's not hard to spot. Lightning stalks towards her, not lowering the hood of her cloak.

"You left me alive. Why?"

Well. Maybe there's time for one personal question.

[flame_emperor]

Edelgard has been seated at the bench—the same bench she shared with Dimitri, in fact, not so long ago on another clandestine meeting—for over an hour before Lightning arrives. To any passersby she has been simply engrossed in a book she's holding between her hands. Her armour and crown have been replaced by much simpler Court-coloured attire, and what has come to be her default "casual" hairstyle, the side-tail that hangs down off the right side of her face. She can feel Lightning approach however, and when an answer is demanded, she quietly closes the book, marking the corner to return to later.

"I had no desire to kill you, but appearances had to be maintained." She replies matter-of-factly, looking up at the woman. "That being said, I apologize for the force of the blow, it was harder than I had meant it to be." She glances down towards Lightning's midsection, where Aymr had struck her. "You're recovered?" She asks.

After a moment, Edelgard scoots further back along the bench. "Please, sit." She offers.

[pauldron]

None of them get to do what they want in this war. That's the price they have to pay: attacking allies, friends, even family on the other side of the conflict. There's a rational understanding behind it that Lightning does get. Do what it takes to survive. Blood will coat all their hands by the time this is over, no matter how much they try to avoid it.

Lightning's eyes narrow pensively down at Edelgard. She lied to her own side, left an enemy combatant not only alive but free, and now wants to talk. She's courting trouble by doing this. How much is that worth to her? Plenty, it seems.

"Yeah. I'm pretty hard to kill."

She doesn't mention Mercedes or Dimitri, nor the anger that had nearly stolen Dimitri's reason. A person doesn't react like that--kneejerk, instinct mixing with emotion--without very good reason. Maybe, when this conversation is over, she'll ask.

For now she sits, leaning back against the low stone wall behind them. Her hood stays pointedly up.

"Your letter said you had concerns?"

[flame_emperor]

Edelgard is aware she courts danger by speaking to Lightning, especially in light of the Emperor's warning to them all. Her entire plan courts danger, but that too, is an old dance, one she has danced before, years ago while a student at Garreg Mach. She still remembers the steps well.

...But that doesn't mean she doesn't think she can improve upon them. Five years ago she had been a different person. She had kept secrets then, and she had used people, her friends, as unwitting pawns in the game she had been playing against Rhea. Beyond Hubert, she had trusted no one, felt she couldn't afford to let herself, not even the one person who's hand she so desperately wished to reach out for. Even if her path left her alone and drenched in blood, she would commit herself to walking it.

...And then her teacher had proven how foolish such thinking could be. Byleth, who she had lied to, used and even betrayed, chose to stand with her despite all that, and the depths of such trust and loyalty had illuminated the folly of trying to cut herself off, and to stand alone. It was a lesson Edelgard had taken to heart, perhaps too late to avert the war, but soon enough that she could change how she planned to fight it. Coming here, and meeting Dimitri and learning what would have become of her had she not shed that mindset had been a sobering experience.

Edelgard will dance this old dance once again, but she is older now, and perhaps even wiser, if she's lucky. She will not wait for others to reach out to her this time; more can be accomplished if she actively seeks out and cultivates allies, and that is precisely what she intends to do here, starting with Lightning.

"So it would seem, and I am thankful for that." Edelgard replies, a small smile playing across her features. "I did, yes. Things have become more complicated in the days since the attack; there's a young woman in our faction, I don't know her well myself, but perhaps you might. Her name is Korra, are you familiar with her?"

Korra, brave and defiant in the face of the Emperor, reduced to writhing on the floor in agony as the Emperor tortured her, publicly, a humiliation meant as a warning to all the rest of them. It is doubtful much information about that has leaked to the Moon Temple yet, but it will help illuminate Edelgard's point well.

[summonere]

Thank you, Lightning.

Regards,
V

[ Simpler than the previous one, but this time it was picking him up after a battle, not walking him out after a dance. Sometimes it was best to keep things succinct. ]