called by mighty heaven, carried by mother earth

   ‘The same type of man’ was something to be carefully considered, and as his mind pressed onwards, Chrom came to something resemblant of a realization, something signaled in the way in which his eyes widened.

   “Oh. Oh.” Is all he can muster initially, and in response, Chrom scans Sin’s face, trying to find an iota of embarrassment or even solidarity. A bit flushed, he clears his throat. “I believe we are?” He is blunt, though it was impossible to presume that he wouldn’t be flustered at the insinuation. Chrom hadn’t been aware that others similar to him were about. It was relieving, knowing that his experience wasn’t his alone. But he couldn’t outright say so, either; there was a comfort in sharing insinuations rather than concrete statements. 

   “I believe we are…” he says again, this time without question, and instead acceptance. A smile replaces his embarrassment. “I hope this isn’t discomforting a conversation for you, in that case. It’s… it’s nice to meet another like me, I think…”

Sin has long known that, logically, there had to have been someone else in the world that shares in this condition of his. It wouldn’t make much sense for it to just be him, would it? But those sorts of things are hard to talk about: Men and women both have their obligations, and scarcely do they intersect. It’s unusual for a woman to take up a sword, to lead in either peace or war — Hanon was, for all of her valorous deeds, for all she did to carve Sacae out from naught but blood and ashes, only an exception.

…Though, it isn’t like every Sacaen in the world lives like that. Would it that everyone could live freely — Just whose dreams would be fulfilled, if such a world existed?

“…It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

No matter how he’d like the world to be, as it stands it’s easier to keep things like this. He’s still a little hesitant to completely disrobe, if only because he doesn’t really think Chrom would particularly want to see him laid bare, but it’s nice to know that he would understand.

At the very least, he’s able to get a little more comfortable. Freeing up his hands, letting the front of his coat sway to the side as it opens up — Whatever Chrom sees there, Sin trusts him not to comment on it.

Sue & Sin // Mission Board: Herald

…but what about you?'

Sue could only give her bodyguard a small smile, content with him taking her hand, and yet… 

“Yes… let us go…” Sue replied, intertwining her fingers with his before starting their stroll to the shop from the stables. 

Admittedly, Sue wasn’t very familiar with the town too well nor did she know where this shop was, it was secret after all— she didn’t like how the only thing she could do was pray the shop revealed itself to her and Sin. 

Though as they made their way through the gates to the town, Sue couldn’t help but marvel at the many stalls the market had and the many different wares they sold that she had never seen before. 

She felt a little guilty. Sin had to sit through all of her many questions like: ‘Sin? What’s the fruit there called?’ or ‘Why are those people over there fighting over a sword? What’s so special about it?’ but she quickly dismissed those as she was having fun just looking around and he did answer them all for her, she could only hope he was having fun as well. 

Though this trip wasn’t for her… better get moving again. 

Sue dragged Sin along and continued her search again, only managing to lead them down a many bustling street and narrow alley in their search. She felt like a fawn taking its first steps, everything was new and frightening but she was really glad Sin was with her… 

Sue also had to admit that it was really reassuring to hold Sin’s hand… she had never been in a relationship before… but this, at least, was nice… 

“I wonder what Grandfather would think of us right now?” She thought… only after she felt a shift in the air around the two of them, she realized she said that part out loud… 

The Silver Wolf was his idol… how could she say something so careless…!!

“…Oh well,” Sue shrugged and looked forward, giving his hand a gentle squeeze, “He’s not here right now anyway…” 

As she quickly averted her eyes from the man behind her, she noticed something on the alley slightly to the right in front of them— it was a line! 

A line of a bunch of other pairs just waiting to get it! It had to be the shop!! 

With that in mind, wandering semi-aimlessly is pretty much all they can do until they find something. Sin has long since gotten used to Garreg Mach’s particular kind of disorder, so guiding her along, answering anything she asks of him, simply feels natural. Of course he’s only fulfilling his duty, but it is calming, in a sense. How relieving it is, to have some kind of purpose again…

…It is very strange to be in such close proximity to Lady Sue, though. Is this right? Is this something he should be allowed to do at all? Even if this gesture is hollow in the end, it’s still… Improper, maybe. Not to say he minds it at all, but perhaps that’s a problem in of itself.

In the end, he must keep his eyes on the future.

Though, her words do make his stomach twist a little. Yes, what would— Well, all right, he is only her grandfather as it stands now, but what would he think of this circumstance? What would he think, seeing them like this? Seeing him, like this?

…Let’s not think about those sorts of questions today.

“Well,” He supposes he is also obligated to humor her, and squeezes her hand in turn. “I should hope he finds me worthy of your attention...”

…Putting that deeply embarrassing thought aside...

For being an allegedly secret shop, the throng of people spilling out from the alleyway immediately catches one’s eye — So much for discretion, huh. But it is remarkably convenient for their purposes, and thus Sin allows himself to be pulled in whatever direction his Lady deems best.

a selection of headcanon questions inspired by key bones in the human body.

skull.   what memories/thoughts do they guard the most from others ?

cheekbone. what makes them smile ?

mandible / jawbone. what are they incapable of saying out loud ?

teeth. what lasting mark do they leave on others ?

hyoid / neck. who taught them to speak up, or stay silent ?

clavicle / collarbone. who/what do they lean on when they're vulnerable ?

scapula / shoulderblade. what burden do they carry on their back ?

sternum. what makes their heart pound hardest ?

ribcage. who/what are they trying to protect ?

humerus. do they use humour as a shield or a weapon ? what from/to ?

radius. who/what do they reach for first in a crisis ?

ulna. who stands by them no matter what ?

carpals. what small habits do they have ?

metacarpals. do they ask for help or clench their fists and bear it ?

phalanges. what is their relationship with touch ?

spine. when do they lose their backbone, what scares them ?

pelvis. what future or legacy are they afraid/excited to be responsible for ?

sacrum. what sacrifices have they made ?

coccyx / tailbone. what outdated beliefs do they still carry, if any ?

femur. what drives them forward ?

patella / kneecap. how compliant/obedient are they, who will they kneel for ?

tibia. who/what keeps them moving forward ?

fibula. do they ever feel overlooked ?

tarsals. what past mistakes stick with them with every step they take ?

'More things than I used to', the ease or lack of such for certain ingredients, depending upon seasons and the wild...

In these ways, he's exactly like Lapis despite everything.

“Mm. When you spend your time growing up not guaranteed your next meal, it's hard to feel super comfortable even in a place like Garreg Mach, huh?” Her presumptions of just how he might feel, projecting her own sentiment, spur Lapis to nod before she replies. “I'm still not super used to so much meat and milk to be honest. Back home, raising animals was hard when we didn't have food for them.”

She partakes of her own bowl, chewing on the potato chunks while she also chews on her forming thoughts.

“So it's really eye-opening hearing you say that's almost all you ate! I'd always thought they were super luxurious— milk especially! If you had it, you'd have everything. But I see now that's not the case.”

She's not sure if the monastery actually keeps their own source of milk on their territory or not, so asking this might not even help in the coming season but... her curiosity can't be helped.

But it would have never been afforded to me, anyway. Not in Elibe. Call it a silver lining, if you want to.

"—But I don't think it's bad. I came here because I wanted to know how other people live, so..." Technically true, even if he's not exactly telling her everything. "Even if I hadn't been impressed, it's not like I could complain."

He can say all he wants that this is for the sake of fulfilling the order the Chieftain gave him, and it wouldn't be wrong. He can say that he hates the world for allowing the tragedies that befell Sacae to happen, and maybe there was a time when that wasn't wrong either. He's still bitter, he'll probably never stop being bitter, but he doesn't think he's angry anymore.

He doesn't really know what the Chieftain thinks he's learned from his time away from the plains, but he does know he's figured one thing out: The world is a far more vast place than he ever could have imagined. Do the reasons really matter that much, if he wants to see as much of it as he can?

...In any case, he tries very hard not to choke on another spoonful of stew as he processes what she just asked him.

"There's not much you don't use milk for. You can drink it as-is, though it's better fermented or in tea." He's giving this a bizarrely serious amount of thought, now that she's mentioned it. "You boil meat in it, and if it's necessary it can be dried into powder and mixed into water. And before you ask, it is not good."

There are definitely some use cases he's forgetting. Fuck. Whatever, it's fine.

To leave is to be driven out. Whether by personal dissatisfaction or because the environment cannot house you, there is an unhappiness implicit in such an action.

The other man's story is tragic, just as Joachim imagines when a branch of solidarity is extended, but to his surprise, there is a wisdom that runs parallel to what he would have believed. This wisdom fuels the man before him now.

“It sounds as if that person was looking out for you,”  he starts, taking his own tea as he mulls the words over.  “My life was pretty ordinary once I'd found it. We were isolated up in the mountains. Hardly anyone came. I never wanted to think about the world outside until it came to us, because I was too happy with what I had finally gotten.”

His too was a home taken suddenly. Halcyon days die with the lives that get taken with them, because even if the earth can provide, a home is little without the people with you.

“If I had kept sight of the world outside, maybe I would have trained harder and my home would still be there,”  Joachim muses, visibly torn over it.  “My best friend said I was fine as I was even if I couldn't hunt or fight.”

She was the exact opposite of the important person that Sin had had then.

“But ever since, I can't stop thinking about it.”  A pause.  “Hearing you, I feel like we're the same.”

That's not a good thing. There is no light in widespread carnage, devastation of multiple homes across the world but... when one is sad, when one is cornered, it is nice to feel not so alone.

That's certainly a bold sentiment. Joachim is open about what led him here, and in some ways it's an unfortunate refection of both Sin's own reasons and those of countless others: The merciless nature of war brings all people of all nations low, of course, Sin saw that much that up close. Death comes for all.

...But it's painful, still.

"...I'm already obligated to protect you as a Knight, but if you're that concerned about me, I don't mind." That, at least, is easy to say. "But I do have a question."

Why live the way you did then? That's the burning question, isn't it? Isolation is something enforced onto a population, not something they choose by circumstance: Why choose an existence like that? Oh yes, it would certainly be nice if all the tribes had simply chosen lives of isolation out on the plains... Would be nice, to be a part of the world rather than observe it from outside.

Maybe it's too painful to ask, still. It'll be his own fault if it is, and he's pressing too hard, but Sin can't help but try and feel for familiarity.

After the ending of the expeditions, many were back with incredible news, but among them, one thing crept with a terrible outcome –a mysterious plague! There were few information about it and Minerva herself didn’t know much due to her absence in the expedition, but one thing was known for sure: since the Health Committee wanted to stock resources for their experimentations, the Macedon princess volunteered as a hunter to make sure they could get the meat they needed for their studies.

To be truth, the risk behind that mission was fairly evident: demonic beast weren’t exactly common creatures and the only way to safely approach them was by arrows and bow, so wielding a weapon that could consent the person to keep at distance and hit precisely, since one single mistake could lend to a fatal ending. Of course Minerva knew pretty well the danger and the hazard that laid behind that simple task, but she wasn’t the type of person to hold back when asked and since she wanted to improve her archery skill too, she thought it could be the perfect occasion to try. Not alone though.

As she found herself at the meeting point outside the monastery walls, packed with everything she needed to bring for this little expedition outside, she eyed another man, shorter than her and with dark green hair, possibly waiting for someone and perhaps, waiting exactly for her. The flying instructor walked towards him, approaching him from behind, but reaching his side and introducing herself, before getting to the point of the their meeting.

“Minerva, pleased to make your acquaintance” she stared at the horizon before them, the day was still on a long run and before continuing, she turned her head to look at him: she saw a young man, he did seem quite resolute and serious, but she barely met him, no hard assumptions for now. “I assume you’re part of the expedition organised to hunt some demonic beast, correct?”

And Sin certainly doesn't think it's arrogance to think that he's among the better bowmen among the Monastery's ranks, so it's natural that he was chosen to join the hunt. Though, it does make him worry about some of the others accompanying him...

Oh, wait, someone's coming.

"Yes, that's right." Minerva, she says? She looks a bit familiar, but the name is totally foreign... Ah, well. he'll remember it. "Name's Sin. You're with the expedition as well, aren't you?"

His gaze lingers on her for just a little longer than it should.

"Oh! Do you know Rath, then?"

...Probably not, actually. Mark realized that almost as soon as he spoke up. If Sin knew Rath, he would likely know that there was at least one survivor of the Lorca. He would know who Lyn was. Rath surely would have mentioned meeting her, right? There was a chance he wouldn't, given that he wasn't exactly the most talkative person, but it felt decently likely. They could certainly just have lived alongside each other without really ever speaking, but Mark assumed word of Lyn would have gotten around. The fact that Rath had left the tribe at a very young age was a fact Mark was not aware of.

"Obviously. How could I not know of the Chieftain's own son?"

...Something is still very strange about this. It's common knowledge that Lord Rath spent much of his early life away from the tribe, but hasn't it been years since his return? He was still small when the day had come, what a momentous occasion that had been, but doesn't the man in front of him still look rather young? Frustrating.

“Exactly. One has to warm up first. A majestic dove needs to spread her wings before she can soar through the skies, gracing the populace down below with her beauty.” She says, a beaming look of pride on her face.

As she steps up to throw once more, she figures she ought to actually listen to her own advice. Instead of attempting an immediate dazzling, she shall first figure out how to properly do so.

Making a few practice swings that do not release the ball, tossing it in her hand a few times, gazing at the distance from her to the target, all things she does before finally letting a shot fly. It misses, but L’Arachel merely smirks, feeling quite more confident in her ability

[Roll: 3+5=5]

Going to pick up the ball for the third time, she is certain that, as they say, it shall be the charm.

“Allow yourself to be completely dazzled by Rausten’s finest!” She lets out, throwing the ball quite fast and hard at the target. It hits right in the centre, bouncing back into her hand as the man is sent down into the beautiful water below.

(Too little, probably.)

Her second strike is... Well, also pretty bad, but she doesn't seem dissuaded at all, something which catches Sin's attention: If she's got another maneuver planned out, she best make it count, if only for the sake of her performance,

But, Sin has little else to think on the matter, because the THWACK! of the ball against the target rings through his ears, and he's quickly plunged into water — Which, as it turns out, was nowhere near as cold than it felt like from above. AUGH. He's at least able to scrounge himself a second to breathe after crawling back up, spewing out the lukewarm, bizarrely(??) stale(?????) tasting water.

Frankly, it's hard to trust her own senses when it comes to food after her own prior embarrassing culinary failures with army peers. What she might think is filling could be a paltry amount to anyone else who is used to excess, or, hell, just even a regular amount compared to Lapis. She'd ladled a bigger portion for Sin than herself, in truth, because of this very predicament she'd found herself in before.

The man, just as before, is full of mysteries. But one mystery is at least checked off: this is enough to satisfy him. The very idea has her grinning from ear to ear even if she knows it's premature.

“It's extra good if you're not used to it but still like it too. After all, I'm covering for people who might not even be used to a diet that's meatless,” she continues. “So your palate is the kind I need to hear from more.”

That's when a realization hits her, running all on presumptions up until now—

Of course he knows what he eats on a typical day, but the topic of his diet certainly isn't interesting enough that he expects anyone to take actual interest in it, or at least that's what he'd think on the matter. But, she did ask.

"Most people back home are nomads, so it's easier to raise animals that can travel with the rest of the household than try and grow crops." He says, with an almost solemn deliberation that doesn't quite match the tone of the conversation. "Living like that, most of what I ate for much of my life was either meat or milk, depending on the season... That's normal for a Sacaen."

Of course there are outliers to these rules, and prior to the war he imagined the tribes of Bulgar ate more like the rest of Elibe than the rest of the tribes did, but that's a bit beyond what Lapis is asking of him. Intermittently, he finds himself returning to the stew: It is good, and even if it wasn't it'd be rude to waste food like that — Food made for him, at that.

"Now... I think I eat more things than I used to. More grains. Fruit, too. I like it, but it's not the easiest to get back home unless you're a merchant or something. Wild fruits are nice, though."

It's almost a little off-putting, that she's really listening to him as he talks. Sin is very used to getting all sorts of reactions from foreigners: Hatred, disgust, fear, apathy. Interest and real curiosity are new, as nerve-wracking as they are a welcome respite.

sweet love /OWWWWW OWWW FUCK

🎭 What rules and expectations does your muse inflict upon themselves and others to their own detriment?

i've went into sin's struggles with moral inflexibility before in these posts, but i feel that he can also be a bit inconsistent about how he applies his own internal logic if that makes sense. i like to point at him knowingly working with the western isles pirates in ch9 (as opposed to fir who had to be tricked into it) as a good example of what i mean, as an example of his internal morals coming second to fulfilling his duty to someone else. having to balance what's right and what's necessary is a consistent struggle of his, and he's tended to over-correct in one direction or the other in the past.

🌻 Can your muse handle being someone's second choice? Do they accept that when someone chooses them, it's in some way settling for less?

...WELL. i mean, he could Handle it. he could. but not particularly well, maybe. i think... he's the sort of person who in his heart of hearts feels very intensely for the people he cares for, and certainly for a romantic partner. knowing that he's not first would feel... bad, because he's the sort of guy who always wants to put that special person first, and knowing that he's, well, second best to them might make him a bit sad and bitter.

MY LEGGGGGG

⛪ What would it take for your muse to confess their affections for another? Do they believe that there should be conditions before anyone is allowed to confess?

it kind of depends on how in his head he gets about it, but overall i think what pushes him to actually say something is if his feelings just get too overwhelming to cope with. he's not the type to make a show out of it or anything; if he's sure this is what he wants to do, he'll just say it outright. unless you're sue in which he's going to endure the slowest burn known to man about it probably I mean. What

A collection of headcanon prompts inspired by Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 4th Heart! Send the symbol and/or the full prompt to dig into a muse. Flavor text for each section is merely that: flavor text to explain what part of the original game it's deriving inspiration from but not at all necessary to consider when asking/answering.

THE BEACH

The ocean waves roll as the sun dips below the horizon. After a fun date out, the desire to get to know somebody grows more and more— anything to extend your time with them just that little bit...

📺 — What's your muse's favorite kind of story? Do they enjoy seeing performances?

🍲 — What's your muse's favorite food dish? On the flip side, is there something they can't stand?

🤼 — Does your muse enjoy sports? Is recreational fitness in general meaningful to them?

🎵 — Does your muse value music in their life? In what ways are they involved with it if they have access to it at all?

🕹️ — What would you consider a hobby for your muse? Why is it this that they spend their time on, and how did they get into it?

🚸 — What was growing up like for your muse? When looking back, are they happy with how they were raised or do they hold lingering regrets?

🔮 — Does your muse have any concept of what they want for their future? If not, what clouds their ability to visualize it?

💑 — What are your muse's preferences for a romantic partner? Are they influenced more by past experience, external influences, or idealizations to create this image?

🧡 — What are your muse's thoughts and feelings on love? Do you feel like they're equipped to handle it?

⛪ — What would it take for your muse to confess their affections for another? Do they believe that there should be conditions before anyone is allowed to confess?

THE FIREFLY GAZEBO

By the lakeside, a new attraction populated by creatures with fleeting lives illuminates a picture-perfect scene. However, in being around this ephemeral glow, you can't help but feel compelled to sit with the thoughts you were told are better off kept private, speaking them out before the person you care for most...

👥 — How does your muse feel about themself in relation to others? Are they happy with their relative position?

🙊 — What's a conversation topic that scares your muse?

💣 — How does your muse handle the deterioration of friendships and relationships that they find important?

🔥 — To what extent does your muse chase others? Do they have a point where they know when to give up?

🤫 — What does your muse believe someone else is currently hiding from them? How do they feel about this?

🪄 — What existing fact or trait does your muse wish they could change about someone else they know personally?

⚠️ — Out of all their positive relationships, who does your muse see as the biggest threat to their happiness?

THE CAST

Life begins, life ends. Three years move by fast, and perhaps the faces you will come across in that time shall become unforgettable memories. Every encounter has a story— every person a flaw.

🔔 — What's the one thing or person that your muse can never forget?

🏅 — In what way does your muse actively hurt others to help themselves, even if unintentionally?

🐚 — In what aspects does your muse fail to understand others?

👓 — How far is your muse willing to change themselves to be loved?

🎭 — What rules and expectations does your muse inflict upon themselves and others to their own detriment?

🏄 — What aspect of their life can your muse never escape from?

🐄 — What wish or indulgence does your muse keep reaching for even when they really shouldn't?

🌻 — Can your muse handle being someone's second choice? Do they accept that when someone chooses them, it's in some way settling for less?

🃏 — What trait or habit of theirs does your muse tell themselves is virtuous when it is in fact making them a worse person?

🍡 — What part of themselves is your muse most embarrassed about?