#feroxiox

GAR HAR! What a jackpot! Thanks, friend!

Even a month later, Emmeryn couldn’t keep her thumb from always drifting to her ring finger, to stroke along the lioness’s back. It was a ministration of gratitude and happiness, particularly as she looked across the tea table at her fiancee. He had a look of sedate satisfaction. Probably because he had finally gotten what he’d yearned for.

Emmeryn was recovered enough to remember their meetings and friendship before her fall. She could recall the boat trip he had taken her on one Devotion Day.

“Don’t look at me like that, it’s very distracting,” she gave him a hollow chiding. “We have a lot to discuss, Basilio.” It still made her feel giddy to drop his title. Just his name... there was no need for formalities between fiancees.

“We need to fine-tune the details of how we’ll balance our respective duties,” she reminded him. While Chrom was the King of Ylisse and handled many of the political responsibilities, Emmeryn was still considered the Exalt, and since her recovery, she had taken on many of the spiritual and charitable efforts that the crown managed. She was a bit more than a figurehead for her people, and while she could easily manage most of her duties from Ferox, there would still need to be some visits made home.

cries………. I also had forgotten about the her getting sappy and domestic when she sees him with babnigo. That’s a good one. …..Cries some more.

Tourney Dance: Second Movement || {Accepting!}

     Shoulders shoot up upon hearing a rather loud, if not obnoxious voice, pierce the air, the dancer barely holding back a startled yelp as pink plaits and strands of hair whirl around in time with the sharp turn of the female’s head. She had thought the words would have belonged to a drunkard– of a man who had far too much to drink, and sought the company of anyone who looked remotely younger than himself–, so to have the familiar face of the other land in her vision, why, it causes for Olivia’s shoulders to relax ever so slightly, and for the shocked expression tainting her visage to fade back into that of her usual, demure look. At least, the dancer thinks, she is in good hands until her husband makes his way back over– that, from past experience, Basilio would not let some barbaric person force themselves onto her.

The dance was only just beginning. Couples were still adorning one another in flowers, and the bands were still warming up. The courtyard was bedecked in flower garlands and paper lanterns. The fountain in the middle glistening in the light.

She made sure to find him before he had entered the event proper. Very careful to be sure that they were not seen.

“...Basilio?” her voice was quiet. She approached him softly, her hands folded dutifully behind her back. Her dress was heavily embroidered with flowers, a spring time skirt that was far fuller than her usual attire. But no less lovely. the bodice certainly revealed a bit more than usual for her.

“Might I have a word with you?” she asked, her head tilting towards the now empty statue garden down a path that many had stopped visiting.

CHARLOTTE vs. KHAN BASILIO @peachmeant / @feroxiox

Coin Toss: Charlotte strikes first

“The audience is already roaring in applause and the match hasn’t even begun yet. Here we are, Chrom... this match will decide the winner of the ax division. Lady Charlotte, or Khan Basilio.”

“This is going to be pretty intense, isn’t it? I’ve heard people hyping each other up all morning, and the support seems to be equally share between the two. Charlotte pretended to be a fragile one back during the signups, but we’ve all had a chance to see her true colours by now: I don’t believe anyone knows which way this match will go.”

“Without further ado, let the tourney begin!”

CHARLOTTE: 3 strike v. 9 defense

Charlotte lets out a snarl and moves in, but Basilio laughs mightily as he side-steps.

BASILIO: 8 strike v. 17 defense

As Basilio steps to the side, he swings his ax in a downward cut, but Charlotte blocks him, pushing his ax back.

CHARLOTTE: 6 strike v. 17 defense

The back and forth continues as Charlotte swings her ax around to hit Basilio’s side, but he blocks her in turn, congratulating her as he does, “Almost got me there, Gar har! Good form!”

BASILIO: 4 strike v. 10 defense

Charlotte sneers slightly as Basilio swings again to hit her, but she sees it coming and avoids him in turn. “Have to be faster than that, old man!” she taunts.

CHARLOTTE: 2 strike v. 18 defense

Again, Charlotte strikes and again, she misses. Basilio laughs once more as he dodges her strike.

BASILIO: 12 strike v. 2 defense (Anemone)

Finally, a strike connects! Charlotte is distracted by the anemone flower that Basilio wears, and she falters in her dodge. Basilio swings his ax against her side, catching her in a solid hit.

“Who knew ax wielders were so swift! They’re both dodging more than they’re hitting. But the Khan has made a slight lead!”

“Gods, I thought they’d never get a hit in! I never thought Basilio was one for flowers, but it certainly did him a favour there.”

CHARLOTTE: 11 strike v. 8 

Tying up the score again, Charlotte lets out a rough shout as she hits Basilio with the flat of her ax. All the same, the khan still laughs.

BASILIO: 6 strike v. 17 defense

Charlotte gets out of the way quickly as Basilio retaliates with an uppercut strike. She lets out a triumphant, “HA!”

CHARLOTTE: 7 strike v. 10 defense

Charlotte swings wildly, trying to win the match with one last hit. Time is running out, but Basilio can see her motion coming and he steps to the side.

BASILIO: 8 strike v. 6 defense

As he side-steps Charlotte’s final attack, Basilio tags Charlotte with one more strike to the shoulder.

“Oh! OH! Khan Basilio has won! Chrom, Khan Basilio has won the whole ax tournament!”

“Emm? You look like you’re going to cry. Want to step out a second? Anyway, congratulations to our first champion of the day, Khan Basilio of Regna Ferox! Charlotte also fought valiantly; as such, both will be receiving a prize. I heard you’re a fan of shiny things, Charlotte, so enjoy...”

Before the two warriors leave the arena, they are ushered to the judges’ box. Charlotte is presented with a circlet made of silver flowers, her second place prize. Khan Basilio is crowned with the golden circlet of flowers.

@feroxiox vs. @caraidean Coin Toss: Basilio strikes first

“Chrom, perhaps I should refrain from making any commentary for this match. Apparently, rumors are already starting to spread about the Khan and myself...”

“It’s that or address them properly, but you don’t look like you want to waste time on that right now. Alright then. Ladies and gentleman, the match between Basilio and Titania begins now!”

BASILIO: 7 strike v. 3 defense

TITANIA: 3 strike (Anemone) v. 17 defense

For as skilled as her opponent is, Titania sees an opening. Basilio’s bravado and attempts to show off for the audience give her a window for a perfect, flawless, strike. But as she gets in close, the anemone flower that Basilio wears falls from his armor and the wind smacks it into Titania’s eye. Basilio uses that as an opportunity to regain some defensive distance.

BASILIO: 9 strike v. 19 defense

TITANIA: 5 strike v. 14 defense

BASILIO: 10 strike v. 4 defense

TITANIA: 19 strike v. 17 defense

[Emmeryn is trying very hard to not react to anything, but she does flinch slightly as each blow is landed.]

“Emm... They’ve only taken a single blow each. I promise you - they’re alright. Neither of them would have made it this far if they couldn’t endure this sort of thing.”

BASILIO: NAT 20 STRIKE v. 6 defense

It almost seems like Basilio is trying to elicit bigger and better audience reactions. They’re cheering, but he wants a ROARING applause, and as the match reaches its second half, he sprints forward towards Titania with a true Feroxi battle cry. Titania’s foot gets caught when her armor locks on itself around her ankle-- too much dust from the arena to keep it well oiled-- and Basilio gets in not one, but two strikes!

TITANIA: 16 strike v. 9 defense

It is ironic that the woman who has stated the importance of armor got held up by her own, but she is quick to retaliate with an uppercut that gets Basilio right under his chin.

BASILIO: 2 strike v. 14 defense

TITANIA: 15 strike v. 2 defense

[Emmeryn gasps] 

“Kh... Khan Basilio is going to the finals! Uhm... Congratulations to both of you, we have two very fearsome ax wielders before us!”

“THE AWAITED CHARLOTTE VERSUS BASILIO FIGHT IS CONFIRMED!”

@rooksummoned vs. @feroxiox Coin Toss: Phila strikes first

“Chrom, I don’t think my nerves can handle this. The Captain of my Guard, versus the Khan of Ferox? I would like both of them to win. Is that not an option?”

“On the one hand, I know Khan Basilio makes you smile so I want to support him. However, the exact reasons why- Alright, fine. I won’t start anything publicly. Besides, I did promise to help him wi- Er, let’s s-start the match.”

PHILA: 11 strike (Anemone) vs. NAT 20 DEFENSE

Phila makes a strong move for an early lead, but as she closes the distance between herself and the Khan, Basilio counters. The flash of his anemone flower distracts Phila for a moment, and that is long enough for Basilio to find an opening. He strikes, scoring a bonus hit!

BASILIO: 9 strike v. 6 defense

PHILA: 8 strike v. 4 defense

BASILIO: NAT 20 STRIKE v. 16 defense

 Basilio lets out a hearty ‘Gar har har!’ as he moves light on his feet. For a burly man, he is swift, and he executes a perfect double-swing, catching Phila with not one, but two hits!

PHILA: NAT 20 STRIKE v. 17 defense

Phila proves why she is the captain of the Queen’s Guard. After Basilio’s one-two swing, she lunges underneath his reach and brings the hilt of her ax up under his chin for a SHARP strike.

BASILIO: 12 strike v. 15 defense

“G-Go Phila! Go Khan Basilio! They’re both fighting so strongly! Chrom, I can hardly watch, its too much!”

“Both of them are clearly searching for opportunity when we list expect it. I guess that’s how it goes when both sides have so much experience under their belts.”

PHILA: 10 strike v. 19 defense

BASILIO: 19 strike v. 12 defense

PHILA: 16 strike v. 11 defense

BASILIO: 17 strike v. NAT 20 DEFENSE

Basilio moves to strike, but Phila smirks as she moves to counter. Yet before the captain can get in an extra strike, Basilio sees the glint of the pearl earring on his favor, it sparkles in the light just slightly, and he slides his foot to the right, evading Phila’s attack.

PHILA PEONY BONUS: 3 strike v. 3 defense

The battle ends with both axes locked, the warriors agreed on a good match.

“B... Basilio won? Oh, Congratulations, Khan Basilio!”

“Emm, are you blushing?”

“No, don’t be silly-- Oh, and very good work, Captain Phila! I am as proud as ever to have you on my Queen’s Guard!”