(no subject)

[heartofarapier]

And thus, I see it does begin.
This is a tale I vow to see to its very end.

May the Everlasting bless me with strength, courage, and the valour to defend my people - even far from their hands.

Comments

[grado]

[ ... A sigh. ]

I know you'll succeed, Eirika.

[heartofarapier]

[That is a sight for sore eyes. Even if a bit painful, nostalgia finds her well, she supposes.]

You have such faith in me. As if no time has passed at all between us.

[grado]

I always have. [ A sad smile. He doesn't approach her. ] Too much time has. But that's alright... any right I had to be with you was forfeit long ago.

[heartofarapier]

Why do you say it like that? Have you all the belief in me that you've left none for yourself? Our years, our adolescence, would you say it was for nothing, Lyon?

[grado]

I spoke with Ephraim. You found somebody else. [ He frowns. ] I can't blame you for that. You thought I was dead, and... perhaps, in a way, I still am.

[heartofarapier]

[There's a very long pause and at first she's not even sure what to say. Then she mirrors his frown.]

What a thing to say. I have heard there are doubles, triples, and so on of me. Dopplegangers, perhaps. I would know very well if I had found someone, I should think.

[Her frown fades and is replaced by a modest smile.] Do you think I would abandon you? Do you truly believe that?

[grado]

[ He tries to fight back tears. ]

Then... you and Saleh aren't...? [ Ephraim lied? No... no, he wouldn't do that. It must have been a different Eirika. ]

I don't deserve you, Eirika. And even if you didn't agree... Fomortiis can never truly die. He will always be a part of me, in some way.

[heartofarapier]

[She blinks.]

Saleh is a wise man. Wise, kind, and compassionate. I admire him and his traits. He is very worldly and while I know more now than I once did, I would still look to him for guidance.

[Beyond that, however, she finds a lurking worry over her dear friend. War has not made her forget their childhood together. Lyon is still someone immensely important to her.]

We will but find a way. I could not forgive myself if I couldn't save you.

[grado]

[ He's always been in love with Eirika, and he still is. Fomortiis played on that love repeatedly to manipulate both of them. ]

Eirika... [ It's almost painful to hear her say that. ] Just once, I wish I was able to save somebody else.

[ Even with the crazy amount of dark power he now had, hearing that still made him feel so incredibly helpless. ]

If there's one thing I learned... it's that no matter what I do, I will never be as strong as you and Ephraim.

[deserttiger]

You've done good so far, haven't you?

You'll pull through.

[heartofarapier]

There's always room for improvement, don't you think? Of course, there are few I think could compare to you, so perhaps you've reached your pinnacle of improvement.

[deserttiger]

Of course. I have to keep my allies and my employers safe, after all.

So what does your mun have in store for you?

[heartofarapier]

I can always rely on you, I see. [As if she's ever questioned it.]

I believe I will find myself at any number of places that I'm not suited to be in. And what of you, Gerik?

[deserttiger]

Yeah.

I may end up in another war soon.

[heartofarapier]

Do you feel more complete on the battlefield?

[deserttiger]

I excel on the battlefield, don't get me wrong. But if there isn't a good reason for the fighting, I'd rather not.

[heartofarapier]

[She smiles.] I was going to say I'm relieved to hear you say that, but I know not everyone views force the same way I do. So...

I hope you'll be careful.

[restorationlance]

Eirika. [smiles] I trust you've been well?

[heartofarapier]

Brother. [She is incapable of expressing just how pleased she is to see him. And then she nods.] Yes. I am as well as I can hope to be. And you?

[restorationlance]

I'm doing well. Kind of floating around memes and museboxes a bit, sort of homeless, but I'm okay otherwise.

[heartofarapier]

I would have thought you to make yourself quite well-known, with your prowess. Have you not found something to catch your eye?

[restorationlance]

More like my mun is lazy. [snort] Then again, so am I. She has talked about a lot of PSLs and museboxes, though, which should keep me busy.

[heartofarapier]

Then I am glad to know that you're not left to drab shadows and neglect. I must admit that I've tended to be the more proactive one between us. Perhaps I am so stirred to action that you feel you need not be unless it's absolutely necessary.

[restorationlance]

Hahaha, maybe! Or maybe some of Forde has rubbed off on me and I'm growing lazy myself.

[heartofarapier]

If that's truly the case, I believe I have a few choice words for your retainer. I view you as a man of action, able to act upon it when I cannot. For Forde to be such a poor influence on you...

[She smiles.]

Some gentle berating wouldn't hurt.