Don't Underestimate Me!

@valaskjlf

Help a little girl, Charlotte had thought. You need some good energy in your life after Merceus. Charlotte grumbled to herself as she hefted the ladder up against the wall. Besides, it’s a cat, how bad could it be?

Charlotte was definitely not a pet person was what she was learning from this entire experience. The ladder was rickety enough that it shook a little as she climbed it, but she managed to make her way onto the roof of the stable the cat was hiding out on with little difficulty.

The cat in question had dodged every attempt Charlotte had made so far at catching it before scampering its way up onto the stables. Charlotte had been inclined to let it go at this point; clearly it didn’t want to be caught. But the kid had looked at her with big, sad eyes and ugh. Whatever.

The cat was staring at her with big eyes from where it sat, making itself as small as possible and lifting its back up as though ready to book it again. “Uh...shhh...here, kitty kitty....It’s okay.” 

Charlotte moved slowly towards it, extending her hand as she moves. Its eyes dart back from her, to her her hand, to her. When Charlotte has the eyes on her, she suddenly moves quickly, grabbing for the cat.

No dice.

The cat shrieks and Charlotte shrieks back as she feels sharp claws against her hand. “Oh you sonuva- Hey!”

Even if the Church insisted it was necessary, even if everyone kept saying that it wasn’t a real child, that was a dead child laying on the ground. One they’d struck with their own weapons and taken down themselves.

She shouldn’t feel bad about that. It was a job. She was paid to do it. She was just following orders of the Church that insisted it was fine. So it was fine, right? Hell, it was barely even that unusual compared to the shit you’d see in Nohr.

So why did she feel so shitty?

Charlotte winced as she put some weight on her leg. Yeah, that wound smarts. She was gunna have a hard time getting anywhere without healing. Charlotte sighed to herself as she rested her axe on her shoulder.

They did what they were asked. They killed the bad guys. They saved the day. Yip-ee and all that.

...ugh, this sucked.

Charlotte let out a sigh and looked around at the others. Some students were ambling about. Sasha’s family (what was left of it - Charlotte winced) was crying. Randolph looked like he was about to die where he stood.

Some celebration for a job well done...

Charlotte watched them silently for a minute. She then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. In, out. When she opened her eyes again she was wearing that sweet, soft expression once more.

To Give Chase​​​

Rhys went through an awful lot in the span of a few seconds. His vision blurred as Errol attacked him with more viciousness than his boyish form would indicate, and on top of that a meteor spell slammed into him, knocking the wind out of him.

“Ah…” He was more stunned than anything, and the pain of his wounds would catch up to him at any moment. It seemed others realized his plight, and a surge of not just one, but two healing spells mended his wounds.

He looked up, making eye contact with Elincia and Maria and gave them a shaky nod. Thank you.

He was poisoned still, and healing didn’t take care of the fatigue that washed over his flesh, but he was alright. The poison fought his own innate magic and came out at a draw.

Rhys HP: 10/10. Poison: 9/10 Renewal: 10/10

“I really should have brought an antidote or restore,” he muttered, not for himself, but for Lucina and Charlotte. “Here, at least I can heal your wounds.”

Rhys casts Recover on Lucina: Roll: 3, +3 HP. Lucina HP: 12/12 (poisoned)

It wasn’t much, but it was just enough. Rhys always tried to keep his own off days not so bad by not overexerting even when he felt good, but the whole ordeal seemed to be draining him. He tried to stand a little straighter, remembering the scarf around him and the faith inside him.

“There, we can do this! May Ashera bless your blade, Lucina.”

Rhys’s Bless You: Lucina gets +2 to attack rolls for one turn!

Her hesitance came to bite her in the ass, it seemed. While she was distracted, Errol came swinging at her with a knife  and nicked her exposed skin. Charlotte yelped and jerked back, throwing a hand over the wound. “What the hell?” Her feet weren’t steady when she tried to catch herself. A wave of nausea passed through her. “What the hell did you-”

Errol rolls a 12. Hit! Charlotte’s Health: 9.5/12 Poisoned! Charlotte rolls a 12. Hit! Errol’s Health: 13.5/15.

One handed is not the best way to swing her axe, but she manages to hit the brat with it all the same in passing as he stumbles away from her. Charlotte catches herself and huffs as she tries her best to recover. The fucking meteor that gets dropped on Rhys (that he doesn’t even seem to react to?!) doesn’t help either.

Charlotte takes 1 splash damage. Charlotte’s Health: 8.5/12

If you asked Charlotte to describe what happened while she was busy trying to figure this Fodlan shit out...she honestly could not tell you. There had been a weird portal thing that some Nohrian reject looking knight had stepped out of, then a creature descended from the sky...and then just as quickly all the others had come scrambling over to the fight and taken out the reinforcements so it was just a bunch of them versus this kid again.

It was...kinda unfair. And kinda funny, in a weird way.

Elincia heals Charlotte. 6 Health! Charlotte’s Health: 12/12 Poison damage. Charlotte’s health: 11/12

Charlotte was tempted to just step back and let the others handle this, honestly. They’d been scrapped to hell by this kid (though the damage had already been healed away. Charlotte had missed who exactly had thrown the spell in the rush of all the comings and goings) and there were plenty of strong noble guys here to handle this instead of her.

Seriously, Charlotte should not be getting involved. Don’t worry about this kid. Don’t worry about the fact he’d stabbed Sasha. Don’t worry about the fact that Sasha was now bleeding out and wondering about her family alone and scared and don’t think about her own parents back home in a cold cabin and-

Charlotte rolls an 18. Crit! 3.5 damage. Errol’s Health: 4/15.

Charlotte’s grip on her axe is tight as she rushes past the others and heaves it above her head. The kid isn’t paying any attention to her, and so he doesn’t see it until a yell rips through Charlotte’s throat and he turns in time to see the blade catch onto his arm.

It sinks in and digs with the usual bite of the blade, but Charlotte feels a big of resistance as she tugs it back out. Some kind of strange blue light catches her attention, and the resistance throws her off balance enough that she isn’t ready for it when he lashes out in turn, allowing him to get a second, desperate strike in.

Errol rolls a 20. Crit! 3.5 damage. Charlotte’s Health: 7.5/12 Errol rolls a 9. Barely hit! .5 damage. Charlotte’s Health: 7/12

One stab into her thigh causes Charlotte to try and kick out at Errol. He’s faster though, and manages another slash at her side before dodging away. In the crowd of people, and with her now wounded leg, it’s impossible to follow. Charlotte lets out a frustrated growl. “I’m gonna tear you in half, brat!”

To Give Chase​

Rhys blanched. He wasn’t interested in death or agony, and while he’d experienced many battles before, he never got jaded like the other mercenaries had.

“No thank you.” He concentrated. “I’m good.”

Valaura Roll: 3! Barely Hit. Errol HP: 15/15 to 14.5

The spell didn’t set in with the poison Rhys had hoped for, and the counter attack that was served with a maniacal laugh was practically a mocking demonstration in how to properly poison someone.

Errol Counter Roll: 18, crit! Rhys is poisoned. Rhys HP: 10/10 to 6/10

“Agh…”

@bcmbshellblcnde​

Okay, somehow this had taken a nosedive straight into shit show territory. They’d managed to grab the kid, but immediately he’d swung around and gone all freakshow on them, screaming about agony and death and whatever the hell else edgy losers who wanted to intimidate people were into.

“Woah, are we seriously gunna beat up some kid?” Charlotte asked as the other two prepared for battle. Her question was answered by Rhys throwing a (weak) spell Errol’s way and the kid stabbing him back in return.

Whatever the noise Charlotte made was, it definitely wasn’t cute or charming as she reached for her axe and completely fumbled getting it into her hands. Thankfully, the kid was so busy laughing up a storm over stabbing Rhys to bother with Charlotte’s clumsy attempt.

Charlotte let out a frustrated groan as she picked up her axe properly. “This is so messed up, what the hell!”

To Give Chase​

Maybe it was divine intervention, but Rhys suddenly knew exactly where Errol was. Had he caught the barest glimpse from where they were standing? It was a little far away, but he felt absolutely certain of it. Movement caught his eye and he rushed through the entryway of the northeast quadrant of the fort square.

“This way! He’s there- he’s close. Get ready, everyone!” With his new confidence came a burst of speed.

Who knew what would happen if either of them got away? Rhys didn’t want anyone to find out. They had to give it their all.

Move to: Q4

“Just ahead-”

@bcmbshellblcnde​!

Rhys suddenly went racing off in a direction. Charlotte nearly tripped trying to follow after him so quickly. “H-hey! Hold on!” Geez, she grumbled under her breath as she raced after him. How the hell did such a tiny kid with tiny legs get around so much of the city so fast.

The area they end up stumbling into is an empty field, from what Charlotte can see. It seems like an odd choice. Surely he wasn’t stupid enough to try and hide where they would be able to see him from a distance?

Charlotte gazed around them. She couldn’t see him so far but- wait. Over in the distance, she could have sword she saw something moving! Charlotte points and starts to run in that direction. “That way, I think?”

(She gets the feeling she might have just avoided something major.)

To Give Chase​

Rhys was getting awfully turned around, and for a moment he even felt woozy. He blinked and shook his head, continuing on. “Sorry- I’m okay.” Now was certainly not the time to get dizzy spells or stomach trouble.

Move: to K5

It was just Errol left to track, huh. They could do that. Once they found him… he could conjure a valaura spell if there was trouble, and he found comfort in at least being able to defend himself.

“Let’s go!”

@bcmbshellblcnde

The others went chasing down after Errol immediately as soon as the news came. Charlotte gave a fleeting glance over her shoulder in the direction they’d heard the news about Lord Ziegler from. A part of her wondered if they should be heading off that way to join the others in case they needed support. They had two other teams chasing down Errol already after all. But her group was gone before Charlotte could suggest it, so she just shrugged and followed after them.

“Oh, um, hey! Wait a second!” They’d approached the Northern stairs now, but Charlotte could see the other two teams coming from the direction they were heading too. To the east, she could see a tiny sliver of a path in between the stairs and a tower. Charlotte pointed in that direction.

“Should we try checking out over here? It looks like the others have that way covered!” And she was getting so sick of this game of cat and mouse...if she spent any longer running around, her feet were gunna kill her. Charlotte started off in the direction of the towers.

To Give Chase​

“Hmmm.” They seemed to be getting rather turned around. Another team was also running around the housing district. Rhys scratched his head. “Er, maybe we should head back out.”

He spent so much time deliberating it that he only moved a little, looking behind him as though asking if his suggestion was okay.

For a professor, he wasn’t much in the way of a leader.

Team to M10

@bcmbshellblcnde​!

Okay. Charlotte guessed they just weren’t doing the stair thing after all.

Backtracking seemed like a strange choice to Charlotte, but she couldn’t think of a way to voice that properly without sounding like an ass, so she just smiled and nodded and followed the group as they went back.

It was a plausible plan, sure. Though Charlotte lost faith in it the moment they rounded a corner and saw another group in the distance.

Her face dropped. Ugh, there was no way that their target had gone back this way. That made zero sense at all. Rhys seemed just as uncertain as to where they should go. Charlotte bit down on her cheek before she could groan loudly.

“Since there’s another team, I think we can say this area is covered!” Charlotte suggested. Her foot tapped against the ground impatiently. The stairs were probably a no go now, but they still had a chance. “Let’s go check out the area over by the south west, I don’t think anyone has been there yet!”

Charlotte turned on her heel and started heading off in that direction before there could be any objections.

To Give Chase

Rhys HP: 9/10. Renewal: 10:10

The trap they’d set off had made his hair stand up straight, and he’d yelped as the shock when through him. However, he was back to normal again within a few breaths, and he placed his hand over his heart with relief. “Whew… that was a surprise. I’m okay… you guys seem to be okay too.”

As much as he’d like to stop and heal them both for any kinds of just in case scenarios running through his mind, it was best to keep moving. He strained his ears again, glancing around. Another team was on the other side of the wall of houses, so they could leave that to them, he hoped.

“This alley leads to another which opens up to that big staircase. We can’t make the jump, but an Agarthan could, right? So we can try and cut them off if we go back.” He winced. “Sorry… after all this trouble…”

Still, they backtracked and avoided the trap, hoping to catch their ghost.

Moved to M11

@bcmbshellblcnde

She feels kinda shitty for shocking them like that, but the chase isn’t going to stop just because they got a little bit crispy. They continue on their path for a while before Rhys suddenly calls out an idea to them about the Agarthan being some kind of super freak who can hop walls and stuff.

Charlotte frowns as he asks their opinion. How the hell should she know if that’s something it could do? She didn’t even know what it was they were chasing, but it sure as shit sounded more and more like some kind of monster the more she heard about it. Charlotte didn’t really want to be in the monster hunting business anymore now that the war was over, but it was way too late to back out now.

“Um, I guess?” Charlotte calls as she follows Rhys back over the steps they had already taken. She makes extra sure to step around the trap this time instead of triggering it again.

The stairs...Charlotte shoots them a quick glance. With how there was only one access way, it’d be a pretty stupid place to hide, but Charlotte gets the feeling that whatever they’re chasing might be backed into enough of a corner to start trying stupid shit.

“Should we try the stairs?” Charlotte calls as she moves to the top of them. She looks back at the other two. “If it’s down there, maybe we can cut it off?”

Chance Lance [Priam & Charlotte]

Was he stupid? Well, he had a throbbing headache to answer that.

Priam had weathered much worse injuries without much issue, but this one stung deep and spread instantly from the point of impact to just being a killer ache all over his skull. He groaned and put his head in his hands. Maybe the simultaneous blow to his pride was making it burn even more. He leaned against the wall while still cradling his head with his hands. Owwww.

“It does.” He looked at his palms after running his hands through his hair. No blood, to surprise, but he felt like he needed a long rest and some ice, for sure.

“Hey… this shouldn’t be your problem, seeing as I part caused it and all.” Priam wasn’t about to throw another lance up there to try and ‘help’ anymore though. “But if you don’t mind, that’d be great.”

This was definitely a defeat. It was his own hands, at least. Priam staggered on his way to the door, already planning on telling whatever healer was available that it was a training accident. He’d be fine soon, he was sure of it. He squinted and rubbed his head again, stopping to look back at Charlotte.

“I owe you one, though. If you need something or help on a mission, I’ll be there.” He tapped his head with a grin crossed with a grimace, a grinace, perhaps. “I hit pretty hard.”

“Yeah, no kidding...” Whoops, that was maybe too much of a slip than Charlotte should have allowed. It didn’t seem to matter though. Priam seemed far too occupied with nursing his now ailing head to worry too much about what exactly Charlotte was saying. Which was for the best. 

“Don’t worry about it. I get the feeling if I leave this to you any longer, we might have more of a problem to deal with than just a lance stuck in a wall.” Like a dead student, which would be way harder to explain to whoever it was that gave a shit about students showing up dead. Especially the part where she had to explain that the student had done this to themselves.

Charlotte stepped to the side and let him walk out of the training hall. Oh...well, turns out this wasn’t a total loss then. Him owing her one would definitely be something to keep in mind, even if she doubted there was very much he could offer that would catch her attention. Still, it didn’t hurt to have those favors stacked up.

Charlotte smiled and giggled sweetly as she nodded and waved goodbye. “I’ll be sure to remember that. Take care!” The smile remained until he left and Charlotte was certain she was alone. She let her hand drop and groaned. “Man, what a shitshow that was...”

Right. The lance. Still needed to deal with that one

Charlotte took her axe off of where it hung at her side and gave it a quick toss in her hand. Yeah, this’d work. She steps back enough to get a proper view of the lance and raises the axe up behind her head. She just had to get it down, right? It being in one piece was secondary to that.

With a shout, Charlotte heaved the axe up towards the lance. The two collided, and there was an obnoxious shattering of wood as the axe dug into the shaft and splintered it, but the force was enough to cause it to shake and, just like that, dislodge from the wall and come tumbling back down to the floor. Charlotte gave a short whoop for her success before quickly stifling that noise.

when all is said and done

“In not so many words,” Ferdinand retorted, huffing. First, she was annoyed at him for not reacting fast enough as he took stock of what was happening, and now, she was annoyed at him for not being just as annoyed. Could she be pleased at all? Ferdinand sincerely doubted it. If there had been a way, it was not something within his realm of capability, and for once, Ferdinand supposed he might just be alright with that.

So he left the choice in her hands. Either he could try to undo the bolts with that they had, or she could do what she was clearly very talent at doing… ‘They cannot enter for them without having opened the door first.’ Charlotte wasted no time at all. She yelled. No. Screamed.

Ferdinand clenched his jaw tight as the sound cut through the silence of the road—the bursts of expletives and words so coarse that Ferdinand thought his hearing had been grated smooth and he hadn’t even been awake for more than an hour—grimacing even as the wagon stopped moving with a sudden jerk, and the bars around them rattled against the man’s fist. The vibrations seemed to radiate from all around him. They probably were.

‘Was there another?’ He couldn’t hear another captor, but it didn’t mean there wasn’t one…  Ferdinand frowned.

His eyes met Charlotte’s briefly as he scrambled to his feet, crouching and ready to make a run for it as soon as the the door unlocked. He glanced down at the chain. “Pass them on the left… I will pass on the right.” Ferdinand pulled a few links of the chain between his hands as if that had been enough to explain the rest. Rather straightforward, he thought.

The man that came around to the back of the wagon had been shabbily dressed, decked in the tattered, ill-fit garb and assorted furs that Ferdinand had come to associate with the brigands that frequented the mountain passes… They could not be too far away from the last village, then. And. Whoever had been responsible for this was simply hiring common thugs to make ends meet.

From one pocket, he drew a simple copper loop with a few plain keys; one slotted easily into the door, twisting with a click. One last look at Charlotte. Then the door. As soon as the door had been pulled back, Ferdinand dashed forward, springing ahead to make the most of the surprise on the man’s face.

Thankfully, the student is able to keep his head on well enough to slide up over next to her near the front of the caravan cage. He takes hold of the chain and gives some short instructions. Well, that wasn’t half bad of an idea. Consider her somewhat impressed. She took the chain in hand as well but held still, waiting as she watched the through the bars as the would be kidnapper pulled out a ring of keys and started fiddling with it.

The gate swung upon and Ferdinand dashed forward at the same moment she did. The chain went taught as they both veered to opposite sides of the brigand. There was a solid weight as the chain hits against the man’s chest thanks to the raised advantage of the caravan. Charlotte hoped it hurt when the chain knocked the guy off his feet and sent his head crashing against the ground.

The sound was a sickening crunch that made Charlotte wince, but she ignored it. Served that asshole right, if anything. The keyring that the guy had been fiddling with drops to the ground and Charlotte dives for it. There’s only a chance, but it was better than nothing. Charlotte fiddled with the ring, trying to see if there was any one that might possibly look like the key to their chain.

“What the fuck is going on back there?”

Shit, two of them. 

Charlotte quickly shoved the keyring into her bra for safekeeping. They could deal with that later. Fiddling with the key and chain to try and them free again would be way too hard with some guy swinging a weapon at them. The guard at their feet started to groan and move slowly to try and stand up. “Oh, hell no!” Charlotte lifted her leg and stomped down on the guy’s torso as hard as she could. He let out a pained cry and slumped down to the ground again.

“Hey, what the hell?”

❛  𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦  𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐳  ❜   —   Charlotte,  Dimitri,  Lucina  &  Marth

Lucina can’t remember the last time she had attended a party like this before. It must have been when she was still a little girl, before the war had spread throughout all of Ylisse.

The festivities are quite impressive, to the operatic song, and the display of skill and strength by soldiers, as well as Randolph with… the rather strange looking gauntlets.

That must be a Relic.

Lucina has heard of them, even read a few books on Relics, but seeing them up close… well, she doesn’t have a good feeling about them. Then again, she hasn’t had a good feeling about anything since they arrived here.

She looks around, spotting Sasha and Randolph speaking with each other, though Lucina is too far to make out what their conversation is. They’re regularly approached by nobles offering their congratulations on their engagement, and there is no window of opportunity for her to speak with neither them nor their parents for the rest of the night it seems.

Instead, she decides to listen in on the conversation of the nobles sitting close to her.

"I just can’t understand what Lord Ziegler is thinking.” A noble man dressed in red stirs a sugar cube into his tea. “I mean, truly, I thought he despised Lady Bergliez. To go from that, to marrying his heir to that son of hers? And to think I was going to propose a match between Sasha and my Albert…”

“‘Where is the mother’ is what I’m asking.” An older woman sniffs. “I know Lady Ziegler well, well enough to know straightaway that she had no hand in this decision. She hardly tolerated the boy. To allow him to marry her daughter, her firstborn at that? No, never.”

Lady Ziegler must be Sasha’s mother. But where is the woman? Surely they would have been introduced to her before the party? But there hadn’t been anyone with Lord Ziegler.

And how strange that Lord Ziegler doesn’t like Lady Bergliez. 

“Pardon me.” Lucina interrupts, “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. Is House Ziegler not on good terms with House Bergliez? Or is this a more personal matter between Lord Ziegler and Lady Bergliez?”

“House Ziegler and House Bergliez, yes,” the older woman answers. “Count Bergliez and Lord Ziegler, yes. But Lady Bergliez is another matter entirely. She was a servant of House Bergliez when Cyrus was the head. Found her way into his bed and now thinks herself a lady. The way she came into the family, and being the same age as Cyrus’ children to boot–no wonder they despise her. Lord Ziegler refused to do business with her… until now, that is.”

Oh. That brought up several questions, but now was not the time for her to voice them.

“But that is hardly a reason to detest someone, is it? Perhaps Lord Ziegler had a change of heart.” doubtful, considering how he acted when they first spoke with him. Of course, that didn’t explain the lack of Lady Ziegler’s presence. “You mentioned Lady Ziegler. Perhaps she is unwell and couldn’t make it.” 

“A change of heart, in one moon’s time? I’m sure that’s incredibly likely,” the man in red says sarcastically.

The older woman adds, “That is the only acceptable excuse. But even so, couldn’t this have been delayed? What mother wouldn’t be here for their child’s engagement announcement?”

Lucina hums in agreement. Everything about the engagement is unusual, and the absence of Lady Ziegler only adds to that.

@bcmbshellblcnde @arcstral​ @elegiac-boar​ 

The party was just as over the top as Charlotte had been hoping it would be. It made her disappointment all the more bitter. They clearly had enough money to be throwing it around without concern, it was such a shame that Charlotte’s efforts were already wasted before she had even started them. Maybe. She could probably still come back from this with at least a boost to her ego.

She was curious about those weird weapons they had hauled out. She couldn’t tell if they were something special or not, based on the mixed reactions of the crowd around them. She considered following after the servants as they wrapped them up and carried them away, but they kind of creeped her out. Besides, there was plenty of gossiping already going around, and Charlotte was a far better people person than she was a spy.

And she really wanted at least a compliment today. That was enough of a win.

Dimitri went off to one group with what seemed like confidence, and Lucina slid in with another. Charlotte had the feeling that one of the students would be having a harder time than the other, so she followed after Lucina, trailing behind and listening to the conversation.

Oh, now this was the type of conversation she could sink her teeth into.

“Oh, I do hope that it was nothing more than a change of heart.” Charlotte frowned, putting on the sweetest voice she had as she did her best to look genuine and well-meaning. “Setting up an engagement so abruptly...well, whatever her status, I can only imagine that Lady Bergliez has the best intentions for her family in mind. I have only heard positive and wonderful things about her, however she may have come into her position.”

"Her family." Charlotte's sweetness and kind words for Lady Bergliez seems to offend the older woman. "Lady Bergliez is a status chaser through and through. I suppose we all are, in a sense, but to see that desire displayed so openly... it's quite gauche, don't you think? Though for a woman in her position, I'm sure it's all quite logical. There are plenty of people willing to swindle their way into a lord or lady's bed for a scrap of power or coin, especially when they're older like Cyrus is. But then how are you to keep it when they inevitably pass away? That's where the children come in...."

Well damn, step on Charlotte’s entire foot why don’t you? Charlotte takes a sip of a drink she was so thankfully she snagged on her way here to hide her expression for that split second before it smooths out again. “"Oh, a marriage to secure her position certainly makes sense, considering the abruptness of it...but how do you suppose she might have convinced Lord Ziegler to so quickly change tune, if that we the case?” That asshole didn’t seem like he’d change for anything. “To go from not doing business to offering away one's precious daughter...I got the impression that the Lord was far too esteemed to let himself be swindled."

The man in red clears his throat, looking somewhat uncomfortable. "I hate to voice this thought... you did not hear this from me, you understand... would it be possible that Sasha and Randolph had illicit relations? Perhaps one that would make marriage a necessity to salvage the situa–" "No." The older woman glares at the man. "That girl is like a daughter to me. Sasha? With him? Absolutely not."

Charlotte lets out a little gasp and covers her mouth. "Oh my...I could not imagine...Sasha was so sweet when I spoke to her earlier, I could not imagine her being that type of girl." Because Charlotte was absolutely that type of girl and Sasha did not have that vibe whatsoever. "Though...well who might ever really say of a young man's intentions..."

Charlotte looks Lucina’s way. There was definitely something up regarding this marriage...it was way too abrupt, and that weapon that was being offered was way too strange. Maybe while everyone was busy they should try and slip out to see what they could find....

The old woman nods sagely, "Yes, you understand. There's no trusting a man of his... character. I can't imagine the distress the poor girl must be in, to be slated to marry a boor like him." "And the gauntlets that were on display–ghastly things, weren't they? I can understand the need to display strength, but for Randolph to show off his skill at punching and hitting? With those ugly things? Just before announcing that he was engaged?" The man in red grimaces. “I only hope that wasn’t prophetic...”

“I cannot imagine it going that far!” Charlotte quickly objects. Geez, why did nobles always jump straight to that. “Whatever his intentions may be, he was quite polite to us when necessary, and I can only hope he has the sense to do that with her.”

❛  𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦  𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐳  ❜   —   Charlotte,  Dimitri,  Lucina  &  Marth

Dimitri greeted Lucina with a pilote smile followed by a nod, before his gaze returned to the family before them all. Having gotten to the ballroom just now, he lacked some of the context as to what could have upset the girl so much to the point of making her leave the area so readily, but a few cues rung bells in his mind- something felt off.

The boy, supposedly the lady’s younger sibling, held a rather wrathful look towards her retreating figure. It wasn’t worry for his sibling or curiosity for her reaction- Dimitri was familiar with that fire, that hostility. Anger. But it only lasted a brief second before fading into a more neutral expression as he moved to stand from the chair and chase after the girl, who was most likely Sasha.

For a moment, he wishes he could go after the two- but he knew he couldn’t. If they were to chase after Sasha and the boy, it would have to be in a subtle fashion at best. Rather, the princely mask was back as Dimitri turned to face who he could only assume were Lady Bergliez and Lord Zeigler, if his memory of the Empire’s nobles wasn’t failing him. The pair was already engaged in a conversation of their own.

The father of the bride is nowhere to be found, but the mother of the groom is exactly where you left her, bright and cheery with her noble guests. ”….beautiful, truly. A work of art, more than befitting House Bergliez. I doubt even the Relics of Houses Blaiddyd and Riegan could compare. Randolph has yet to see it…“

Dimitri stares for a moment, a blond eyebrow quirking slightly at the mention of the relics of his family and Claude’s, before taking the smallest step forward to make his presence more known. "Good afternoon, Lady Bergliez and Lord Ziegler. It is a pleasure to finally meet you all. I sadly missed out on the preparations for this lovely festivity due to the Kingdom’s callings, I hope that I am not too late.” His smile was typical, but the prince intentionally skipped his usual introduction and announcement of his titles.

Lady Bergliez turns to Dimitri, delighted when he sees him. “Oh! Well, that’s no problem at all!” While she doesn’t quite know what the prince of Faerghus looks like, the people she was talking to do. They look at you, gobsmacked. “…Are you Dimitri Alexandre, Prince of Faerghus?”

With a still pristine poise, Dimitri hides the bout of awkwardness that rose once a couple of eyes turned to face him. As used as he is to people acknowledging his presence in public, outside of the Kingdom it feels…different, even more so when not in diplomatic missions. Still, Dimitri nods, smile still in place. “Ah, I deeply apologize for not introducing myself. Yes, that is my name. I am not here under the Kingdom’s banner however, but as a student of the Officer’s Academy along with my peers.” He gestured to the others of his group.

Lady Bergliez goes wide eyed, and the grin she gives you is akin to a predator’s. “Oh! Oh of course!” She quickly bows her head before turning to the rest of her peers, even haughtiest than ever. “It looks like even the prince of Faerghus didn’t want to miss this event!”

Oh no. Dimitri blinks in a pause, his smile becoming strained for just a second before falling right back to place. I don’t even know what this party is for. “I am sure it will be a grandious celebration.” He added, just to keep face. Then, after a beat of moment, he put his hands behind his back, easing his posture into something more relaxed, casual. “Pardon the odd question, but I have heard you mentioning my house’s relic a bit earlier. May I know the context? This is only innocent curiosity on my part, after all it is not often that I hear Areadbhar being discussed outside of the Kingdom.” And outside of wars.

Lady Bergliez’s face freezes into her smile. “Oh…” “She was telling us of a wedding gift from the Zieglers’. Part of Sasha’s dowry, in fact…” One of the nobles pipes up, looking over at Lady Bergliez. “Oh now don’t be shy, especially not in front of a prince. You’ve been teasing us about a weapon for days. Will you ever tell us?” “…I believe it’s time that we get seated.” Lady Bergliez snaps her fingers at a servant, who quickly makes their way to the group. “I won’t have the food go cold.”

Dimitri nodded, eyebrows arching slightly as his smile continued plastered to his face. 

A weapon.

So this is a party commemorating a wedding for Sasha…and a weapon will be part of the dowry. From the reactions, that weapon seems special in its own might. Could it be a relic?

This makes things more interesting, as well as dangerous. 

The prince no longer says anything, instead allowing himself to the guided by the servants and looking over at his group.

@bcmbshellblcnde @arcstral @futurerequiem

The group takes to the party relatively well. Like Charlotte had anticipated, they take the chance to go check on Sasha as soon as they get it. That Errol kid with her kind of gives Charlotte the creeps...what kind of kid talked like that? She kept it off her face though, at least in front of everyone. No good lady fought with children after all.

Sasha wandered off and the others seemed to take that as an invitation to start to mingle more. Charlotte’s eyes trained after the bride to be, watching her go off on her own. Though Errol said he would be chasing after her, that short moment where she’d be alone was probably the best time to see what she knew about the situation.

When she found her, Sasha was standing on her own out on the balcony, looking up and out to the sky. Charlotte didn’t spy any sign of the kid around. Before she had the chance to even debate whether or not to approach, Sasha turned and caught sight of her and stiffened with the usual kind of posture that came from noble breeding. Charlotte managed not to roll her eyes as she sighed and stepped out to join her.

"So...nervous huh?" Change in tactics. Charlotte really didn’t see the need to slap on the whole act with someone who clearly was in no position to affect what was going on around her. Besides, Charlotte could use a break. She had been on practically all day, she was tired. "I can imagine. Marrying into nobility seems like it either tends to go one way or the other with very little in-between. He doesn't seem too bad though. You could've done worse, even if you're not crazy about it."

"I know." Sasha's words sound hollow. "At least I know him... somewhat, at least. For that I should be grateful, right? Father... Lord Ziegler said the same thing to me. Errol as well." She sighs wearily. "I've known this was waiting for me someday. I just wish...." pausing as she searches for the right words, then finding none, "I wish the circumstances were different."

"Ugh, definitely. You could've gotten some scumbag old guy who wanted a young wife just cause he thought it'd be easier. No thanks." Why wouldn't she call her father father? Charlotte didn't get nobles. "Different, huh? I guess you probably wanted to at least finish at the Academy before getting married, huh? Though things don't seem too bad for you where I'm standing." Charlotte shrugs and leans casually against the balcony. "What do I know though."

Sasha doesn't say anything, only closes her eyes and lets out a sharp exhale. "I think I just miss my siblings." She quickly glances at Charlotte before looking back ahead. "They weren't here when I came. My mother sent them to some kind of boarding school... most of them. Of course you've seen that Errol is still here."

"Oh? Wouldn't you have known about it? I mean, don't noble families usually plan to send their kids off for schooling and stuff?" She thought Errol was a  brat. "Too young for him still, I guess?" She wondered if it was being too busy that was really causing a delay in her letters, or something else. Worry for her family, maybe, or in the worst case scenario, was someone stopping her from sending out those letters...

“No. They think so, but the second youngest is just a year older and hardly any more mature. Still gone.” Sasha leans against the railing of the balcony. “Before I left for Garreg Mach, my mother and father told me that they’d keep me informed on what’s happening back home. And they did, until they didn’t, and went back on their word…”

"I'm guessing this whole engagement thing is new too then, huh?” Not unusual, though Sasha seemed to think it was. “Messed up to just spring that on you with no warning...it's not like your family has any need to rush something like this, do they?"

Sasha shakes her head. With a sigh, she puts her head in her hands, rubbing her temples. “I can hardly understand what happened since I left. My mother nowhere to be seen, my father has become a stranger to himself… even Errol has changed. Normally he’s a sweet boy, I don’t know what’s happened to him. And he calls me Sister, not Sissy like the others, like he has been…” Sasha laughs humorlessly. “I’m sorry. It’s silly, right? Maybe it is all in my head.”

"Nah, I doubt it. I've seen plenty of strange things. If anything, you should be keeping an eye out for any other weird things. Never know what it could mean." Sounding more and more like something was going on, that was for sure. But at the very least, Charlotte had definitely managed to get some kinda info out of her.

The following day they wake up and the house is already bouncing with far more energy than Charlotte feels she has. Still sulking and wounded over all her wasted time and energy, she sulks behind the group as they are directed along the house to where the supposed party will be taking place. It’s bustling, but not in the way Charlotte assumes the party is meant to be.

Servants rush around with last minute directions, fixing things and rearranging other things and putting things down just for someone else to come and pick it back up...Charlotte’s exhausted just watching them, and she hasn’t even done anything yet.

Sitting stationary in the ongoing storm of events are two people, a young woman and a younger boy. Charlotte perks up curiously. Were they lucky enough that the missing person they’d been sent to hunt down was sitting right there in front of them. She wished...the sooner she could get away from all this disappointment, the better.

Before she could even nudge any of the people she came with to try and suggest heading over to them, a voice calls out and Charlotte quickly snaps the mask of a perfectly demure woman back on.

“Oh, welcome everyone! Ah, it’ll be a while yet until we can truly begin…”

Charlotte smiles, though it lacks the energy she had yesterday. "Oh, that's quite alright! I know that I'm still just honored to even be invited." It’s not a bad idea. Charlotte figures if there's still time, they might be able to try snooping around and seeing if they can find something interesting to do until they're all shepherded around for the rest of their stay to make sure they don’t see precisely the kinds of things they might be looking for. "Is there anything that we might be able to do to help? I'd be delighted to help things run smoother and take that stress of your minds!"

“No need.” It’s not Lady Bergliez that answers but her companion, an incredibly lordly older man. He looks down his nose at you all, seemingly unimpressed. “I didn’t realize that we would have extra……… ‘guests’.”

Charlotte mentally wrinkles her nose. Great, some stuck up snob. She didn’t need any more than that interaction to feel that this was exactly the type of noble who got his kicks outta shitting on anyone below them. Ugh. She did not want to deal with this guy.

"Oh, you must be Lord Bergliez?" Charlotte smiles all white teeth and cheeriness once more, doing her best to look perfectly sweet. "Lady Bergliez so generously invited us, yes. We have been sent here formally by the Church of Seiros out of concern for Sasha, but I am sure that the announcements made here today will be of great reassurance to them when we return."

“You’re mistaken.” The lord says flatly. “I’m Lord Ziegler, actually.” His displeasure was already palpable when you came, but at the mention of the Church his mood manages to sour even more. “Hmph.”

Oops. Well, good. She hope that stung his ego.

“…Oh don’t mind him.” Lady Bergliez gives a winning smile. “It’s only natural for a father to be less than thrilled to part with a daughter. Isn’t that right, Virgil?” There is a moment of silence as Lord Ziegler seems to collect himself, his anger relaxing into a pensive, melancholy expression. “Yes… you’ll have to excuse me. Life’s trials continue to stack heavily on these shoulders of mine. To give away sweet Sasha threatens to be the straw that breaks the horse’s back.”

Charlotte hums in a way she hopes comes across as understanding. He was probably just pissy he didn’t marry her off to better. Charlotte glances over at the rest of the group and hopes someone else steps up to deal with this.

❛  𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞  𝐈  𝐀𝐦  𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝  ❜   —   Charlotte,  Dimitri,  Lucina  &  Marth

Unfortunately, Lucina’s worries are not dispelled once arriving at Fort Merceus.

The handling of her Falchion by the guards at the security checks has her wincing. Bringing Falchion had been a spur of the moment decision, and really, she should have left it behind, what with being put in the same team as Marth, who also is familiar with Falchion,.

She lets her companions speak to General Randolph, and finds it amusing when Charlotte is quick to charm their host. Even if Lucina herself doesn’t really understand why the other does it, she does appreciate how Charlotte’s charm can be of use for their mission. 

She listens as Randolph answers Marth’s questions and explains that no, Sasha isn’t missing and that he had seen her just a few days ago, over tea no less.

Even if Sasha had been busy, would she really forget her frequent correspondence with her professor that she’s grown so close to? 

Perhaps Lucina shouldn’t judge too harshly. After all, Lucina doesn’t know anything about Sasha or her situation, save for the worries of her professor. 

"Shall we go? My mother is not a patient woman.”

Before stepping into the carriage, Lucina turns to Randolph- “Just one more question, my good sir.” -and wonders how to word her question, so as to not offend him with the implication of her words. “Would it be possible for us to meet with Sasha, while we’re here? Even though you saw her just a few days ago, I’m sure it would ease our worries if we are able to confirm for ourselves that she is alright.” she then adds, “So that we may relay the news to her anxious professor that they do not have to worry about her, as she is safe at home.”

“She has a lot on her plate, so I was told by my mother and Sasha herself. Even I have been barred from seeing her whenever I choose, I highly doubt you lot will be any more successful.” There is a certain…. bitterness to Randolph’s tone. “When you arrive in Bergliez, you can try asking my mother for help. For what you want, I’m certain that she would put in even greater effort for you all.”

How strange… 

Lucina thanks him with a polite smile, and settles into the carriage with her companions.

Maybe she is overthinking things, and her worries are unfounded.

Perhaps there is nothing suspicious going on at all.

Oh, right, the rest of them. Charlotte continues smiling pleasantly as she gives the group that forms around Randolph a quick glance. Of course it’s two blue haired nobles who come trailing after her, nobody could just let Charlotte have an easy time with this guy, huh? She’s somewhat reassured by Lucina being there, at least she knew the young woman would leave her alone and let her do her thing. She had no idea where Marth would stand on the matter, but he seemed to have no issues like some nobles so far as he stepped up to continue on after Charlotte’s fumble.

Randolph, for his part, seemed to genuinely have no idea what they were talking about which was...weird. Did they seriously come here for nothing? Charlotte bit down the urge to huff and grumble again as she tucked the strange tracker thing the guards had given her into her bra while attention wasn’t on her. It couldn’t be that easy, but until Charlotte saw proof otherwise, she might as well enjoy herself a little.

“That sounds lovely! Let’s go.”

The group is quick to pile into the carriage, Charlotte being sure to casually slide herself into the seat next to Randolph as nonchalantly as she can. The ride to the house of Bergliez is uneventful, with nothing too out of the ordinary happening in the town itself. At least, that’s what Charlotte can see. She occupies most of the ride with politely and innocently chatting with Randolph the entire time. 

(She catches the few glances and the subtle tell of nerves fluttering about from him and gets a wicked thrill of pride. Hell yeah. She’s still got it, no matter what the stuffy boring nobles at the academy might act like.)

The ride to the estate does not take long, and soon enough they are being escorted along into the home while servants handle their belongings (if anything of hers is missing, they’ll be absolute hell to pay, she swears it!). The house is...well, the decorations aren’t really good. A clear sign of money, sure, but poor taste in decorating. 

Note to self, she thinks as they’re taken to the office. No weird paintings of fucked up looking animals when you finally get your mansion. 

Lady Bergliez is a lot younger than she’d expected. Closer to Charlotte’s age, and fairly pretty as she smiles and stands to greet them. Yeah, should’ve figured that much actually. Charlotte smiles back just as serenely and gives a little curtsy. “A pleasure to meet you as well! Thank you so much for opening your home to us in these times, it’s so generous of you. And Randolph has been an absolute delight, of course! The most charming young man.”

...oh, right, she should maybe act like she’s here on more than just a social call. “I was wondering, Lady Bergliez, if you might tell us what you know of our business here? It seems what we know and what Randolph was told has some contradictions to it.”

"Not much, in truth," Lady Bergliez admits. "Only that you all would be coming here to investigate Sasha, that she had been a victim of something... I didn't think a letter would suffice as proof, hence why I allowed you all to hear for yourselves that she is doing just fine. Better than fine, actually." Lady Bergliez gives you all another smile. "We had met a few days before. What a lovely girl she is–are you friends back in the Officers Academy?"

The same as Randolph then...it really did seem that there was nothing going on, from what she could tell so far. But then there would have been no point in sending them all out here if it was really that easy. Charlotte frowns (daintily). “I’m not too familiar with her, I’m afraid. Randolph mentioned that she was very busy, so much so that it might be difficult for us to meet with her?”

"Quite so, I'm afraid. But you have your answer, no? I extended my hospitality to you all for the moon, as the Church requested, and yet... you may not even stay until the end of the week, hmm?" A tittering laugh. Lady Bergliez manages to conjure a fan out of thin air, hiding her smile. "A joke, dear. You are free to stay here. Though as a mother, I cannot in good conscious allow you all to shirk your studies..." A pause, as an idea comes to mind. "Ah, while you are here... well, I'm sure Lord Ziegler would not mind... we are actually holding a feast tomorrow. We intend to make an important announcement..." "Mother," Randolph interrupts, "didn't Lord Ziegler say that this should be kept secret?" "Oh hush, dear. Let a mother have pride in her boy." Lady Bergliez looks upon you all with excitement and pride in her eyes. "I'm sorry that things have been so hush-hush around here. The truth of the matter is, Randolph and Sasha were recently betrothed."

Oh motherfucker. “Betrothed?”

Charlotte huffs irritably after shoving her things back into the crappy bag they’d been stored in. Unbelievable. Just because you were a guard didn’t mean you had to be such a rude brute about the job. Her and Benny would’ve never torn through people’s possessions like that! Well....Benny never would’ve. But Charlotte would’ve at least made it look like she hadn’t messed their things up to shit.

“Unbelievable...awful service...” She grumbled to herself. She straightened up and gave a look around the area. Except for the tight security, it seemed like any other city she’d seen that prided itself on being a fortress. Hardly the type of place where criminals would be able to get in easily enough for people to go missing. And yet here they were all the same, investigating a missing person...

God she hoped there was a bonus in her paycheck for this.

"On the behalf of Lady Bergliez, I welcome my lords and ladies to the city of Merceus."

Charlotte turned to spot a man smiling politely at their group as he bowed in greeting. Her eyes gave him a quick once over. Handsome enough, and in armor that clearly cost a pretty penny. That wasn’t special though, especially in a fortress town. He was likely a servant of that family that they’d been told would be hosting them, sent to guide them there. Nothing too special.

"As for myself, I am Randolph von Bergliez, ranked general. My lady mother invites you all to stay within our residence during your time here, and offers our generosity and our goodwill."

Nevermind, she’d been wrong before.

“Oh, thank you so much for coming to meet us yourself!” Charlotte smiled prettily as she tilted her head so she looked up at him with her darling blue eyes through her eyelashes. “Your house is so generous to offer us shelter while we do our best to solve this horrible mess. Oh...” Charlotte giggles and rests a hand against her chest. “Pardon, my name is Charlotte from Nohr and it is a pleasure to meet you, General.”

She can practically feel that uppity noble kid glaring at her from the other group.

“Oh, but I am terribly sorry.” Charlotte frowns and shifts her head so that she looks appropriately distraught. “Your house and the victim’s are close, right? I imagine it must be awfully stressful for you all as well...I cannot imagine what you’ve been going through.”

Randolph looks respectfully (perhaps appreciatively) but only for a moment. "Y-yes... ah, likewise, Charlotte. I hope you make yourself–yourselves welcome here." He smiles a bit, before bringing a fist to his mouth to cough and clear his throat, looking away. "Ahem." All professional from here. Though Randolph's professional tone is weakened by his visible... wariness. Confusion, perhaps. "Actually, you mentioned something important, something that has perplexed me. The "victim" you speak of... you are talking about Sasha, correct?"

“Oh, did I say that? My mistake, slip of the tongue.”

the pretty birds have flown

“thank you. i suppose.” sigurd nods awkwardly, not sure how to respond to praise for an achievement that felt so mediocre in it’s nature. he’d just have to work at it more to be satisfied with himself, is what he thinks until she speaks up about being tired.

“really? you already want to be done with this?” sigurd regards charlotte with an obvious look of surprise, something that was happening frequently with her apparently. he hadn’t even begun to work up a sweat yet; he knew he could go for a lot longer. “well, i’d imagine we want something more solid than a few swings and that’s it.” sigurd frowns, dropping the axe for a moment and crossing his arms together in thought.

he really did want to keep going for longer, but if she was tired from this already it’s not like he could force her to keep going. after a moment of silence, sigurd offers an idea. “you can rest charlotte, but you don’t mind if i keep using your axe do you? i really want to get more familiar with it.” then, as sort of an afterthought, he adds, “you could spot me if you want something to do with not a lot of effort involved.”

Not necessarily. In an ideal, perfect world, she could have gone on training much longer and floored this guy, and any other guys who thought they could take her, and she’d be able to do it with a carefree laugh and a smile because as much as she hated getting hurt, she enjoyed being the one to cause it in a spar.

But this was not an ideal world, and Charlotte had an image to maintain for the sake of her future goals, and as easy as it would be, she did not need someone who could potentially be a target or an asset knowing what she was really like.

“Oh well, if you want to keep going I’m happy to try and help.” Charlotte tittered, lifting up the sword again. “I’m just so out of practice in a real fight you see, I only ever did it for my defense. I guess I just don’t have the stamina that I used to for these kinds of things.” She sighed.