#fodlanfxtes

          As someone who only attends classes on a honorary basis of sorts these days, it’s not unusual for him to go quite a while without seeing the same person twice.  This one, he’s caught glimpses of here and there, but with more and more people willing to tell him things that could be in his interest to know, reputation has certainly preceded Gaius.

Admittedly, Byleth wasn’t sure why she’d elected to fulfill the promise from five years ago. It would have been much simpler and easier to stick to the shadows, provide information to the relevant parties, and never even hint that she’d returned from wherever she’d fled to after she refused to join either Edelgard nor Rhea that fateful day. And yet, a part of her had been drawn to Garreg Mach, which was thankfully abandoned after the war began. She didn’t know why it was the case, but it made it easier for the former professor to find her way to the Goddess Tower without having to hide her presence or sneak past guards at this late hour.

Lowering her hood, not expecting anyone else to have thought to fulfill this small promise from five years ago with the war going on, Byleth took a moment to lean against the railing and look up at the moon illuminating the sky. For the past few years, for some reason, gazing up at the night sky seemed to calm her and fill her with a sense of longing at the same time. A strange sort of nostalgia that she didn’t quite understand. And almost as swiftly, that same calm was broken when she heard the doors behind her open, wondering if, perhaps, there still were a scant number of guards who patrolled the area, only to see a familiar face enter the room...

@fodlanfxtes​

It was always a strange thought hearing that someone new might be joining your class. Others in the Blue Lions seemed excited that someone would be joining them. There were a lot more individuals who were outspoken and friendly than there were individuals like Israel. Perhaps the only people who were more secluded like himself were Dedue and Felix.

On one hand, Israel didn’t mind the thought of another person joining their class. People like Sylvain were much more talkative and interesting. Mercedes was beyond kind, Annette was just a sweet and caring person. Whoever were to join would have plenty of others to keep them occupied. On the other hand, none of that mattered since Israel was asked specifically by Seteth himself to watch after this new member and keep her safe. So all the others who would normally pull someone into a friendship were out the window.

As he sat in the classroom set aside for the Blue Lions, he couldn’t help but feel bad for this new girl. He new a little bit about her. Her name was Flayn, and she was the sister of Seteth. She was entrusted to the Blue Lions as Seteth believed Byleth’s class were most capable of keeping her safe. Why Israel himself was selected he would probably never know. He only felt bad that he was the one chosen.

Icarus ♫ Bastille

Look who's digging their own grave - that is what they all say.

Edelgard will kill herself, and anyone dumb enough to follow. Bernadetta is one of those fools. She doesn't want to fight. She doesn't want to die. There's something about Edelgard that sparks that desire to fight in her, and protects that tiny flame within Bernadetta from the wild winds of life.

Edelgard has jumped off a cliff in the hopes to reach the sun. And Bernadetta jumped with her, despite it being the highest fall either of them may ever face.

It hadn’t been more than a month or so since the self-proclaimed “Lord of Ash” had joined the army as a training instructor. Summoned forth by that unusual ritual beneath Garreg Mach and wielding a Heroes’ Relic, it seemed strange that the hooded woman deigned to not take to the front lines after joining up. And yet, she had her reasons for not wanting to fight directly, or so she claimed. Perhaps she knew the kind of power the Sword of the Creator held, and wished to avoid using it to tip the balance of power in Fodlan so decisively. Or perhaps the reason was more personal.

Regardless, it was clear that she seemed to have some fair experience in teaching others, reinforcing the choice to keep her in the position - and leading to the almost affectionate nickname of “Professor” for her floating about the camp. A nickname that, admittedly, few used directly to her, instead opting for the more professional “Instructor”; after all, calling her “Lord of Ash” was enough of a mouthful as it was.

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Therius wasn’t sure how he got the Crest of Indech. He’d never really found out, but one thing was certain, in his opinion—the main reason he got into this Academy was probably because of his Crest, and thanks to Asthar being able to sway the Academy into even letting him in. He couldn’t let anyone down while he was still studying here.

“Of course I’m ready, Flayn.” Green eyes met hers after he bowed. He took out his rapier, white hair tied back in his usual long braid as it swayed in the breeze. “I trust that you won’t hold back—the only way we’ll both get stronger is if we challenge each other as much as we can.”

And a victory was more satisfying when it was hard-won, too. At least, in his opinion. But even though Flayn looked all sweet and innocent, she was still Seteth’s younger sister. And with her apparently having a Crest of Cethleann, Therius calculated that she probably had some strong abilities up her sleeves.

@fodlanfxtes​:  " you have a place in my heart no one else could ever have. " //from Flayn

❝ Hm? ❞

He looks up from his paperwork and gives her a serene smile;; yes, it is true he sometimes worries he has failed her. That he’s not good enough a parent. And maybe that is true, with all the ways he hasn’t been able to protect her from the cruelty of the world. Or, he fears perhaps one day she will leave him, fly off to foreign skies and live her life in a place where he’ll never see her again. Just the silly fears of an old man, he supposes, but still. It does mean a lot, to hear this from her. It helps put his heart at ease.