middaeg | [Closed] We work hard, and then we work harder.

Entry tags:

[Closed] We work hard, and then we work harder.

Who: Edelgard von Hresvelg & Various
When: Early June
Where: Aefenglom and Dorchacht, and At Sea
What: Edelgard does some quests with her CR
Warnings: Violence, and Edelgard's usual warnings of human experimentation, blood in a vampiric context, and talk of death and war.

At Sea (For Corrin)

It's strange being on a ship, the rolling motions of the waves against the wood not enough to really bother Edelgard, though how much of that was her vampiric body and how much of it was her own fortitude was anyone's guess. Either way, she wasn't in her element and it probably showed in the stance she had adopted, staring stoically out over the moonlit water. The glimmer of silver off the horizon was entrancing, beautiful and distracting...but she couldn't deny that she was any less afraid of the water, no matter how it looked. Maybe it was strange since she didn't exactly need to breathe, but fears weren't easy to let go of.

Either way, she's definitely making waves in the bond, mulling over various things, and likely subconsciously calling out to at least one of her Bondmates.

Below Decks (For Byleth)

During the early hours of evening Edelgard's more active and attempts to be more social, since she can't exactly come out of her vampire-proof room during the daylight hours, or risk bringing people into it. It's simply a bad idea. She's not restless, exactly, but she has a lot of pent up energy. And even the Emperor isn't above pestering her other bondmate during their journey. So, she knocks on the door of Byleth's cabin...hoping to find something to occupy herself this evening. And time with a dear friend certainly is a good way to occupy oneself.

The Silent Forest (For Saber)

Edelgard was happy to take on this particular quest, and even happier to have the opportunity to do so with Saber. She'd seemed capable and competent during their meeting, and so when a pair of Wilder Witches were asking around for guards during this trek, it had seemed as good a time as any to get to know one another better. Fully armored, with Aymr slung over her back, the Emperor was covered in head to toe as the wagon the Wilders had brought rumbled out towards the forest path, the last rays of a fading sun not quite sunk below the horizon yet. An early "morning" for her, but they did need to get going during the daylight hours, and her enchanted clothing was good enough protection until night fell.

"Were you on the original expedition out here?" Edelgard asks of her companion, curious.

[Further prompts will be in the comments. If you want to do something quest related with Edelgard feel free to ping me on Plurk at

intercession]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Hardly."

Edelgard laughs, not harshly, but still amused. She's been a regular outside the city since she arrived, even after her transformation.

"I was unable to go on that expedition because I was...in the process of completing my transformation." That is to say that she was dying.

"But I've traveled outside with some regularity before and after."

"Ah," Saber replies with a nod. She understands that and opts not to delve too deeply. Her own transformation has been deeply personal, even if she hasn't had to deal with dying. It's not something she likes to discuss either.

"Then you'll know what to expect," she opts for a slight change of subject, "When we were working on the leylines it was... intense. The shades seemed drawn to our work and there were times when it seemed like they might actually overrun us."

She shakes her head, "Hopefully this expedition will be calmer."

"Yes. I...had heard about that. A man from my world was on the trip and told me some of the basics. Felix wasn't exactly the most forthcoming on details, but I understand just how savagely the shades came. I've seen that myself, traveling with Hubert outside the wall."

There have been some absolutely horribly dangerous brawls they've been involved with, if she's being honest. Fortunately, they know themselves, and shades are just as vulnerable to Aymr's edge as anything else.

"I do hope it won't be so strenuous, but I think we can handle it. There's plenty of others here, too. This seems like a good group."

"Oh - you know Felix?" Saber seems a little pleased by that. They've become... something close to friends, she thinks, and he's helped her sort out some of her thoughts regarding her place in the world and how she reacts to her changes.

"I don't think he's mentioned you."

Something else to discuss, even if their attention is on the road and the potential danger around them.

"Felix is from my world, yes. Though, a different version of it."

Edelgard isn't surprised by this information. The woman's name is Saber for crying out loud. That would draw him like a moth to a flame.

"In the version of Fodlan I come from, Felix is one of my most ardent supporters. In the one he remembers, we were enemies thanks to an unfortunate twist of fate. Here...we've managed to avoid conflict, and find an understanding if not the same friendship that I recall."

"Ah-" Saber nods slowly. That makes a certain degree of sense.

"I experienced something similar, myself. Although in my case it was an enemy from my world who had no memory of me of our war or our previous encounters. We established a truce, regardless."

"As have Felix and I. It's senseless to carry a war over into this world. Especially since in my perspective the war has been over for weeks. And Felix was a friend."

Not a close friend, but a friend.

"We've...worked together a few times, now. It's been good, I think. There's no malice, or worry over conflict arising, at any rate."

"I wish I could say the same, although I'm beginning to... understand my own former foe a little better..." She sighs, "Although this city has represented for many a new beginning. For myself, as well, if I must be honest. I would not have been comfortable saying as such until a few weeks ago, either..."

"No?"

Edelgard tilts her head, curious about that statement. Is there something she's missing? Or...

"Do you not wish for that same new beginning others have found?"

"I did not when I arrived," Saber replies with a sigh, "And I am still figuring out if I truly do want it."

Or even if she deserves it. She's still struggling with that and her own sense of self-worth. It's an uphill struggle, but she's making progress. Bit by bit.

"There are failures in my past that I feel I must make up for before I am worthy of any such true beginning. Or... that's how I felt at first. I am not sure now."

Edelgard's brow knits together as she listens with the quiet intensity that she reserves for the problems of her friends. She's not sure what exactly Saber has done, if anything, but from the sounds of it...she's probably berating herself needlessly.

"Everyone deserves the opportunity at a fresh start," she says simply, after a short pause to consider her words. She'd always felt that way, that everyone deserved an opportunity to live and be happy, to grow and find themselves. That was why she'd gone to war in the first place. To give Fodlan's people, all of it's people and not just the powerful, a chance to grow.

To be honest, it's mostly berating herself needlessly. Saber has a martyr complex that she's only slowly working through.

"I think that's true," she replies after a moment of thought, "Although I also believe that chance must often come from the self rather than another."

Which is a roundabout way of touching on her own guilt, honestly. She's dealing with, but it still lingers. It still hurts. There are good days and bad days.

"Others cannot usually offer you your own redemption."

"No. that's absolutely true. In order to truly begin healing, you must first accept yourself...your mistakes...and move past letting them chain you down."

Something she speaks on from experience. After Byleth disappeared for five years, there were a lot of questions.

"I hope that you find the peace of mind that you seek, Saber. We all make mistakes, and it isn't wise to dwell on them too much."

"So I've been told," Saber replies with a wry, almost-smile, "There are people here who are helping me to understand that. Although... it is difficult, even at the best of times."

She trails off and shakes her head.

"We are not here to speak on my troubles, though."

Yes, she's trying to change the subject.

"I'm more interested in perhaps seeing you in action."

"Are you now?"

The Emperor laughs softly to herself, looking at Saber with an expression halfway between amusement and confusion. That didn't really strike her as a reason to get close to someone, or to agree to go on a mission with them.

Then again...Felix.

"Whatever for?"

"To be honest, it's partially because of Byleth and partially my own interest - you both come from the same world and have spoken of a war, of fighting. That's something i know well. Call it... professional interest. I enjoy seeing other people practicing their art."

She sounds a little sheepish and she shrugs after a moment.

"I hope my explanation makes sense."

"I see."

She doesn't really sound bothered or anything, but, well perhaps there is an element that she should explain. She does not want to put a damper on Saber's enthusiasm by stating that she doesn't actually enjoy fighting, and only does so out of necessity...so she gives the second reason instead.

"I suppose, then, that I should give you fair warning that my abilities here are not what they are at home. I am a vampire, and so I do not have the power granted me by my Crest. I'm still adapting to the changes."

Edited 2020-06-12 01:37 (UTC)

"I am in much the same boat," Saber replies with a shrug. She doesn't necessarily enjoy fighting either, although she is rather competitive. A friendly spar or duel is something she can enjoy - she isn't bloodthirsty, though.

"When I was king I had greater power. And before my arrival I was... a Heroic Spirit. I am not as strong as I was, but I still maintain my skill. That will have to do for now."

There's a brief pause and she glances at Edelgard curiously, "What, precisely, is a Crest? Some sort of power?"

"A heroic spirit...the same way Ozymandias and Enkidu are?"

That would be good to know. She's dealt with both extensively, and considers Enkidu to be a close friend. They've been good to one another.

"To answer your question, a Crest is a magical mark in the blood that imparts an ability and great fortitude and strength to the bearer. Many nobleborn in Fodlan possess one."

"Precisely, although I do not know Ozymandias..." Saber frowns. There certainly are quite a few Heroic Spirits here, aren't there? Still, that's none of her business (at least for now).

"Ah. So a form of magical enhancement. That makes sense... still, even without it I imagine you're quite capable of handling yourself."

Saber doesn't underestimate small women, mainly because she is one.

There are indeed. Edelgard has no idea about Marie, though they spend time together from time to time but she's heard the term thrown around enough.

"Yes. Some Crests also impart other, more esoteric abilities. My own allowed me to heal myself when attacking a foe. A sort of magical vitalization. Now, though, I'm simply a vampire. Stronger than a human, and being...dead...means that I'm protected against certain other things."

Like being strangled.

"As a heroic spirit, I also had power beyond that of mortals... which has now gone, of course," Saber replies thoughtfully, "Although as a chimera I'm obviously still stronger, faster... and I can fly."

She flexes her wings by way of illustration.

"Strange to think on the transition, I imagine."

"Yes. I never quite imagined that I'd be able to transform into a bat, or mist. such things are unheard of in Fodlan."

She can, at least, see the upsides to all of this.

"Do you know which creatures make up your form yet?"

"I have the wings of an eagle and the tail and talons of a lion, I believe..." Saber sounds a bit rueful - and that tail, tufted, flicks out from behind her in an expression of irritation.

"So I'm not sure what I'm meant to be besides a mix."

"I've heard of no such creature, either. Perhaps a griffin?"

That's as close a thing as she can think of from Fodlan, anyway.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject