mockingbird.

⚔️ //  “depends  on   the  sort  of  mischief,”  she  countered  them  easily  ,  falling  right  back  into  the  old  habits  that  came  hand  in  hand  with  the  bonds  the  two  had  forged.  “but  ,  as  i’ve  said  before  ,  and  it  would  hardly  be  within  a  professor’s  due  diligence  to  allow  you  to  scurry  off  into  harm’s  way  ,  now  would  it?”

               no  sooner  had  the  words  flew  off  the  tongue  that  byleth  wished  she  could  cage  them  back  again.  so  little  time  she  had  spent  in  this  place.  yet  ALREADY  she  felt  a  cold  and  twisting  DREAD  settling  into  the  core  of  her  ,  like  bracing  for  the  very  ground  to  cave  in.  byleth  could  only  describe  it  as  painfully  recurring. 

             “suppose  i  ought  to  have  begun  with  that…”  she  mused  ,  gaze  falling  short  before  her  small  frame  had  STRAIGHTENED  UP  and  byleth  began  again.  “i  have  a  strange  question  for  you  ,  yuri.  but  back  HOME …  after  things  had  gone  so  AWRY  in  abyss  ,  i  asked  you  to  JOIN  ME  and  my  students  topside.  …  i  want  to  believe  mayhaps  you  had  said  YES.  but  -  to  which  house?”

Yuri could sense there was something off, and why wouldn’t there be? This situation the two had found themselves in was concerning, and Yuri hated being as out of the loop as he was. As easy as their banter still was, there was no mistaking the words that had yet to be spoken between the two of them. But Yuri was waiting for Byleth’s move, almost being courteous in doing so. If there was some danger or threat, it was no surprise that Yuri would already be prepared in some manner. But today was an exception. Perhaps, Yuri thought, the Professor could sense some of the unease.

“As adorable as always.” Yuri replied. “You know that, should there be any danger, I don’t like to drag others with me.” Yet Byleth had always been digiligent themselves in involving themself. At first it had surprised Yuri, but they had since become accustomed to it. This was just in Byleth’s nature. As for her next question, however ... 

love has uneven edges but it is something you sink your teeth into. with love you give all of yourself over and feel everything as it happens- good and bad. for you love can be a fight, whether it's hard won or hard lost (or hard to hold on to), love has a way of leaving it's impression in your skin. it's not that it hurts, it's just that it knows your tender spots and seems to hit those first.

                                     `   only because it’s true .  `    

SO MATTER - OF - FACTLY does she state her words , however elegant .

                         `   unless you happen to know something i don’t . `    

dude im getting my ass beat

𝑸.                        𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭.

“So, about that date.” He said it so casually, an easy grin gracing their lips. “Don’t tell me you forgot about it now.”

It takes practice and the dedication of a loyalist to truly master the art of self sabotage by acts of social mutilation. Another tack nicks the board. Another unsuccessful date executed by yours truly, matter of fact, blurred and crammed besides several other tacks pressed into the metaphorical cork board — each tack a representation of how many he’s scored today like he was a medalist in scoring skirts and these were his awards, but they were just tacks. They bore no name, no significance, nothing stands out, nothing meant anything to him, and the board kept piling up in tacks, and more tacks, and each time his hand cups a woman’s hip another tack, and each time he spreads his palm underneath her dress another tack—

That smile he wore was always the same. 

“ Me? Forget about you, Yuri? Never. ”  He smiles.  “ I waaaas… Just a little caught up in something, that’s all. ”  The click of heels echo down the hall and he reeks of mingling perfumes.  “ Look, i’ll make it up to you, how’s that sound? ” Another tack.

Yuri would know that smell. They were those intermingling perfumes that immediately lit a fuse, but Yuri’s expression didn’t betray them. Their smile remained, perfect and practiced, an execution that was flawless. This was Sylvain, after all. It was no surprise that if there were any rumours to be had, then Yuri would have heard them. But their legitimacy was to be judged by him and him alone. Yuri knew all too well that they could be as damning as they were informative, and with Sylvain, it was no different. Still, Yuri couldn’t help but say, “a little caught up in something? Well, now you have me intrigued.”

He studied Sylvain. Although their smile was still present, their eyes were sharp. “You’re right. I am unforgettable. But there is something that tickles my curiosity about you.” A step closer, but that was all. Yuri didn’t want to get too close, lest those damning scents of perfume threaten to burn his throat in return. “Do you often wear perfume?” Yuri asked. “Couldn’t make up your mind today, hm ? If you want some pointers, I have quite the collection myself.” Yuri’s smile twisted into something both mischevious and invasive.

* *     @ashenvaliant​ .

                              `   there’s nowhere to run from this .   `    

lyric - based sc .               /                ♫

ONE NOD IS DEFTLY GIVEN, confirming yuri’s initial question of his role in it all. ❝ M’hm. I guess it’s only natural, as it isn’t the first time I have flown solo in lands unfamiliar to me. Besides, one should take it upon themselves to know it can be a little deadly to blindly trust anything and everything a kidnapper, or even sometimes anyone, splays out for you in the spotlight. ❞ kidnapper, he says, hardly cutting corners to their predicament, no matter how one attempts to claim it otherwise. as for the other question they ask, he can’t help but offer an almost sheepish laugh at the thought.

❝ Eventually, perhaps? I would probably glean plus write things like names and what is initially convenient to double back to if it it boasts something promising to learn, but figuring this layout is what will help me in deducing a level of focus. In a way, it’s catching two birds in one bush with preliminaries, ❞ he replies, scratching a little at his cheek. still, despite all he says being true, describing it as reconnaissance remains tucked neatly away in the recesses of his mind, tucked away to never be revealed so carelessly — there’s little need nor reason in letting a stranger he’d only met minutes ago become privy to the true reasoning for his little interest, after all. so, for now, he was content in playing as the naive liberi who merely wishes to make a map.

elysium then tilts his head, more so at the talk of service and providing. ❝ Eh? You mean like payment for assisting you? While I could use the funds as a newcomer, I feel you couldn’t pay up much yourself currently, being a newcomer as well and all. Mmm… we can call this a freebie then. I won’t drag you through the shopping portion, I can do that later on the way to my place and map it before sleep. ❞ an easy feat with his sense of recollection, accompanied with his own sense of direction, as he contemplates.  ❝ We can start right now if you prefer, then. If you simply tell me where you wanna get to, we can get there in no time~. ❞

“Ah, I mean to suggest making a rain check, of course. I wouldn’t expect to take anything for free.” And the mere notion of this stranger offering their assistance for free did indeed surprise Yuri. After all, they had given enough information to maintain Yuri’s curiosity at least for a little while longer, if only for the sake of convenience. He couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle at the talk of trust. Whether or not Yuri was presenting themselves as someone too trusting, that was hardly the case at all. Yuri had simply refined their experience in getting whatever they wanted from people, be it information or anything else, and if any plans were to fall through, a blade would make up for his futile efforts. Not that Yuri had such an intention currently, but the thought was always tucked at the back of their mind, as would be a weapon, but it seemed whatever kidnapper there was, was also attentive enough to leave him with a wooden sword. It was pathetic, really, but it was better than nothing. “Ahah, not a fan of shopping with company? Either way, any company is better than none, right?” For now, Yuri was playing it safe. “You mentioned this not being your first time to have landed in an unfamiliar place, so it only seems wise to ask for your assistance.”

Bingo. Yuri ought to blow a kiss to whatever rare luck had decided to grace him. “Well, if there is any prominent city, the heart of it would be ideal. But, of course, if we happen to bump in to more monuments or whatever else that catches your fancy, I won’t stop you.” Yuri did have a destination in mind, but he would savour this opportunity, and salvage whatever information they could get their hands on otherwise. They had some high hopes that exploring with a Chartographer ought to hand feed them important tidbits about this unusual place. On the topic of kidnappers, the one who had brought him here was still sitting in Yuri’s mind. 

“I shouldn’t be too surprised to see you come out of nowhere.” Of course, this wasn’t to say they had caught Yuri by surprise, no no, but Yuri wouldn’t doubt their capability in doing so. As opposed to their first few brief meetings, this time they are met with a smile, although this one didn’t quite meet the light in their eyes, nor did the edges wrinkle. It was one that was more articulate. More smooth. Yuri said, “what is it? You’re lucky I’m not in the middle of something as dire right now.”

⚔️ //  “heh.  and  here  YOU  are  ,  continuing  to  think  yourself  quite  the  charmer.”   and  despite  it   all  she  would   not  wish  for  any  other  way  to  meet  such  a  familiar  face  ,  changed  as  though  it  may  be.  OLDER.  just  like  all  the  rest.  wearier.  as  though  the  torment  of  their  homeland  had  embedded  itself  deep  inside  the  soul.  “beacon  of  good  fortune  i  am  afraid  i  am  not  ,  but  …  i  am  glad  to  see  you  too.”

          “tell  me  ,  have  you  any  plans  of  MISCHIEF  just  yet?”

“I think?” Yuri was admittedly a little startled. But of course, this wouldn’t be Byleth if not to catch them off guard at some point. Usually Yuri would counter with a remark, but this time, a smile was given, the corners of their lips upturning. It had been so long, after all, and although their path had started off rocky, there was a bond between them, and yuri had no intention on severing it any time soon. At least, if they could help it. Yuri gave a light chuckle, a hand to their lips. “Ah? Can’t say I have. I’ve been a bit preoccupied, as you might understand.” Of course they were referring to Spirale and their obvious predicament. “But, if circumstances call for it, who’s to say I won’t be up to a little something or not.”

❝ That so? I guess I can understand. Cartography takes a lot of effort on the part of the mapper, even with all the appropriate tools, ❞ he chimes back in his cheerful tune, smiles returned in favor of their own. ❝ Well, things like specific mile points and more minuscule landmarks to be mindful of to start, of course. When one goes directly from point A to point B, maps can be fairly easy to read, all things considered. But if you’re forced to detour, or something unexpected happens to make you lose your way, many roads and pathways can look the same! ❞ silver eyes take a glance around, soon locking on to a monument, pointing toward it. ❝ See that right there? Most maps would leave out this detail and focus on the overall routing, which is just as important. But by placing a point of recognizable interest, others can see it and go ‘Oh, I remember passing by this!’ and pin their location easier than guessing wildly. ❞

“So that’s where you come in, then?” Usually, Yuri wouldn’t be too interested, but beggars can’t be choosers. If it meant finding his way around these parts, then so be it. Yuri was surprisingly good at indulging and maintaining a lot of information, curious or not. They figured they’d get the most obvious question out of the way, first. “You’re new here, right? And you’re already trying to chart these areas.” If it took bargains, then bargains Yuri would wager. Yuri inclined their head towards the monument. “Does your line of work also entail finding out about this monument, for example? Does it extend further than simply charting things down?” They would press at this spot of luck and see if they could strike gold. Yuri wasn’t the sort to settle for anything less if given the option. Making their way around would probably prove to be the least of their worries in the long run, but Yuri wasn’t about to let this particular Cartographer out of their sight.

❝ You definitely heard right. ❞ somehow, at the words he offers, elysium seems rather chuffed about it. ❝ Yes, alongside my travels. I could always buy a map from here, too, but they tend to lack the detail I ascribe. ❞ he’s not going to mention how he always gets asked to tone it down. ❝ Of course, it’s a good way to familiarize one’s self if you directly involve yourself, right? Convenient and practical. Is mapping something you’re into as well? ❞

❝ Looks like I’ve flown into some uncharted territory, huh? No worries, it simply means I’ll have to chart it all to catch up to speed! Now, where would they sell cartography tools… ❞

“Too long? Hmm...” It was quiet. Yuri didn’t hesitate to reach, his index finger and thumb gently squeezing a strand of Dimitri’s hair, movement nimble and taken with care and consideration, despite their confidence alluding otherwise. Closing the proximity of their space felt different when it was anything other than holding a knife to someone’s throat. As confident as Yuri appeared, it was different when newly blossoming feelings of care were creeping up. Although Yuri didn’t exactly hide the fact that he’d become friendlier with His Highness, nor was this too much of a bold move as it would have been prior to events. 

Yuri was appreciative of their time now, spent in a peace that felt earned, a book in hand with candlelight. Even if this moment of peace was temporary, Yuri was going to be as self-indulgent as he could. After a moment, he lets Dimitri’s strand of hair fall back into place, the corner’s of their lips upturning more.

“It certainly has grown quite a bit, hasn’t it?” He said. “Why, don’t you like it? I think it suits you.” Now that Dimitri had pointed it out, Yuri did see a difference. In all honesty, it was nice.

⚔️ // “yuri…”  his  name  flits  past  her  lips  quietly.  though  there  little  sign  of  it  upon  the  SURFACE  ,  she  cannot  help  how  equal  parts  joy  and  concern  twist  her  heart.  “so  you  have  been  torn  from  fódlan  too.”  (would  the  “stars”  leave  her  home  EMPTY  of  every  soul  who  BELONGED  there?)

@ashenvaliant​