Week four

[letsplayamod]

Two more of your fellow gods, your companions, your friends, have met their end together. As you turn in for the night, and a new week dawns upon you, it's starting to be a bitter experience. Just how much of this will you be forced to take?

But all isn't just despair. The morning is brighter than the last. The storm clouds that previously plagued almost every day have dissipated, and this week brings plenty of sun and a friendlier breeze. Not to mention, another floor of this strange temple has revealed itself. Whatever lies within is your domain, not Typhon's. Keep it tight in your grasp, because you never know when you'll lose it.

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

Profiles | Locations | Regains | IC Rules | Weekly AC

Quark's Bar

Comments

[stringup]

...You said you had fallen in battle, right?

[ Mostly she just remembers how alarmed she was when she heard that he took Athena's offer in exchange for his life. ]

[markofnobility]

I did, yes. I was sent to defend a bridge- a very important strategic point that if lost would turn the tide in our foes' favor after nearly five years of the lines barely moving.

... I think, when Hubert handed me the orders, that he knew I would likey not return. But what else was there to do? If I could not hold it who could?

It must seem cowardly, buckling at the end and selling my honor for my life. Not much of a god of loyalty.

[stringup]

[ It's almost funny that he's saying this to her, considering she basically made the same choice but on far worse terms than Athena ever offered any of them, she imagines. She wants to point it out, but it doesn't feel especially productive right now.

After a moment of biting her lower lip, she finally asks, ]

Would that loyalty have been returned?

[markofnobility]

[ he opens his mouth to claim of course it was. But she was honest with him before, he can at least try and express that doubt in his heart.]

Hubert, our tactician... we were friends, I think. Maybe... if the war was won I thought that, perhaps... well. There may be something to look forward to there, under peace.

[ what that 'something to to look forward to' could have been is left unspoken, but the hurt look in his eyes says enough]

But with that mission I finaly fully realized the truth of it. I would never be the priority over the cause. For him or the Emperor. I thought I had accepted that years ago. But when Athena came I... suppose I could no longer deny the reality of it all.

I do not blame them. In war men are disposable. That is just the way of it.

[stringup]

[ Ah, the part of her that served the Lover for nearly four years thinks, So it was love. Of course it was. As always, it lay at the root of all suffering and delusion.

She has to remind herself to shake off the thought like a bad habit. And honestly, if she thinks that, then doesn't that make her the bigger fool here? ]

...Well, even if you don't blame them, would you call the others who took this second chance cowardly?

[markofnobility]

What- no! Of course not!

[stringup]

So why do you get to be called a coward but not them?

[markofnobility]

Because I already knew and understood my possble fate! Dying for the crown is a duty every noble must be prepared for!

[ something his father and his peers very clearly did not believe. But Ferdinand was better. HAD to be better]

[stringup]

[ ...This is a dangerous thing for her to say, she realises, but she also means it. And she sincerely finds herself hating what she's hearing. ]

Then I'll be selfish and say I'm glad you took Athena's offer.

[markofnobility]

[ that strikes him silent. Eyes too wide... and slowly filling up with tears. Saints, how pathetic, his inner critic sighs, that all it takes to crumble his ideals is someone wanting him to exist. Not for his blood or his skill. Just... him.

He can't help but be so happy]

Ha... and you still wonder why my feelings have kindled like they have, saying such a thing?

[stringup]

[ Oh. This is the second time she's made him cry and it doesn't make her want to internal scream any less. Did she fuck it up this time? Has the moment she inevitable ruins things arrived?

But no, it hasn't, from what he says right after. ]

...You shouldn't be so happy to hear this from a deathknight.

[ Still, there's no real muster behind her words. She fishes around in one of her sleeves before pulling out a handkerchief and holding it out to him. ]

[markofnobility]

[ he takes the offering and wipes his face rather daintily- he's still Ferdinand after all.]

But I am happy to hear it from Velvet.

[stringup]

[ Of course. Never change, Ferdinand. ]

Don't think I'm any less mad about you saying that shit.

[ You know, even though her cheeks are flushing a tad. ]

[markofnobility]

[He offers the handkerchief back once his eyes mostly stop leaking]

I will have to accept your ire then.

[stringup]

[ Once she tucks the handkerchief away, she reaches to take the bouquet of white roses she got from the cornucopia and holds them out to Ferdinand wordlessly. ]

[markofnobility]

[He sputters, turning bright pink as he accepts them]

You... have a funny way of showing your anger, my dear.

[stringup]

What, would you rather I change it?

[ He just called her "my dear", what the fuck what the heck how is she supposed to respond to that??? ]

[markofnobility]

[ he presses his face into the blooms, taking a deep scent of them. They smell shockingly fresh]

No, not at all.

[stringup]

...Good.

[ And while she's trying to act like it's no big deal, the way her face is still bright red probably says otherwise. ]

[markofnobility]

[He peeks up from the petals, eyes smiling]

Though... considering you returned a priceless artifact, you should be the one being given reward, not I.

[stringup]

That was entirely by accident, though.

[ She will not entertain any ideas about that reward she will not entertained any ideas about that reward she will not entertain any idea—]

[markofnobility]

Hmm... are you sure? Because I would be honor-bound to accept any request.

[stringup]

Th-that feels too much like taking advantage of you!

[markofnobility]

[He plucks one of the flowers from the bundle, twirling it a bit]

Oh, I would not say so. You know Ferdinand von Aegir never does something he does not want to.

[stringup]

[ She's starting to steam alive, let her live Ferdinand. ]

I-I...w-well...

[ She seems to run through several possible answer and seemingly discards them until she finally settles on one. ]

Can we hold hands?

[ Look. She's never dared to dream about someone courting her and she's afraid to ask for too much. Even this feels like she's setting herself up for disappointment. ]