#hector support

(welcome to garreg mach)

@liegebound @braveryinblue @entomophobiccleric

Reality shifts around them, and the final foe dissipates into smoke without a single blow being landed on them. Just the same, the weapons in their hands vanish. For a time they drift in this liminal space, exchanging those introductions they promised before new and stronger weapons materialize before them.

Felix is lifted into the air suddenly on the back of a pitch black pegasus. Though he always had a distaste for equines, he can tell this one is much like their enemies or the characters in this fable. It stands as rigid as a wooden doll, and does not breathe below the saddle. He finds another pair of gauntlets in his grasp, but there is also a Recover staff strapped to his back.

Just as he contemplates all the tools he had been given, new enemies replace the old. Growing in just as much strength as they have. They are an intimidating bunch, and seem more coordinated than the last, which only meant the four from Garreg Mach needed to work together too.

Felix glanced back at his team, and saw how still haggard they were from the last fight. He pinched his eyes shut a moment before taking hold of the Recover staff.

Felix casts Recover on Hector. Roll 1d20: [1] [+3HP] Hector’s HP: 8/10HP

Bernie had been very much busy keeping her eyes on the dessert tray and not on people suddenly approaching her. She didn’t really care what the prize was for collecting all the stamps, she just knew it would look bad if she left without getting any, and she owed Lady Edelgard at least not looking bad for not being a horrible house leader. She figured if she kept herself small and out of the way, no one else would approach her and she could finally eat in peace.

Of course that wouldn’t work.

Her shriek sounded far more like a high pitched and distressed gurgle than anything recognizable. She spun around with wide eyes. “Who- OH!”

Huge. He was huge. She didn’t know who this was but he was huge and scary and he appeared to be frowning at her for something oh god what had she done, she was going to die right here and now and...

Hector had been fussing over what he should have out to drink once Charlotte came over. He had just started to talk with the other and didn’t know much about her yet so he wasn’t sure what her drinking preference would be. He looked over and saw Lilina playing with her toy axe that she had, pretending to be a monster and couldn’t help but chuckle and smile to himself. He wished that making decisions over what to set out to drink wasn’t so difficult, but it was proving to be harder than he originally anticipated.

He went into the fridge and tried to see if he had anything besides sports drinks that he could put out. He searched in the back and found a small box of apple juice, laughing to himself as he pictured the type of reaction Charlotte would have if he invited her over for a juice box of all things. He decide to take it out so that Lilina would have something to drink so she wouldn’t try to take a sip of whatever he finally decided to put out.

After handing his small daughter her juice box he looked over at the time and ran a frustrated hand through his hair, knowing that Charlotte would be over any minute. That’s when he remembered that he had a bottle of wine that Eliwood had given him awhile ago, telling him that it would be a great drink if he were to ever host a party. He figured that now was as good a time as ever to set it out since he wouldn’t have any other use for it.

He grabbed two wine glasses, thanking the Gods above that he wasn’t going to have to put the wine in one of Lilina’s cups. He filled the two glasses about half way before setting the bottle down on the table. “Who said that you couldn’t have a few drinks to celebrate Halloween.” He mused, laughing when he heard Lilina just laugh and make a monster noise at him as a response.

Charlotte hadn’t remembered the guy after that night in the pub.

She probably should’ve felt bad about it. She didn’t, but she’d at least act like she did. He kinda should’ve expected it with how she’d gone down with the drinks, but apparently he’d saved his name on her phone somehow, and the text saying he was “that guy she’d fought at the bar” was enough to give her a hazy memory.

An unhappy one, seeing as she’d acted like a fucking animal in front of so many people. She hoped nobody there recognized her. Or at least nobody got a video online where she could be recognized. But none of her social media had blown up about a fight, so she guessed she was still fine for now.

Honestly, she didn’t know why this Hector guy was inviting her over. It wasn’t exactly a situation where she’d say they were close friends or anything afterwards. It kinda sounded like a booty call, but considering how long it had taken to admit she was hot, she wasn’t sure she’d be feeling it. Still, she’d dressed up cute, told Benny she was heading out, and left to find this guy’s place.

He lived in a nice place. Charlotte frowned. Where the fuck did some pub brawler get the money for a place like this?

...It might be a booty call after all.

“Oh my!” Aversa gasped, a little taken back, but only out of surprise. “What a dashing little fellow!~” She poked its head inquisitively, and scratched lightly behind its head once he gave an approving little ribbit.

Reality shifts around them once again. The lifeless archer vanishes along with the knuckles in Felix’s grasp. He’s prepared for the shift this time however; anticipating stronger weapons, but stronger enemies in kind. A light engulfs him, and something begins to manifest in his hands. An axe or mace based on the shape? When the light dissipates he finds

a lute.

...This had to be a joke, right? Not only is he is decked out in all the trappings of a traveling minstrel, it seems that his only form of self defense is a glowing spear on his back. He looks to his allies for any kind of explanation, but finds that they have grown in strength and weaponry.

“Oh you’ve got to be-!” He curses under his breath. He was to play the role of the bards or tacticians who inspire the hearts of soldiers?! He didn’t even know how to play the lute!

He’s about ready to smash the damn thing before an updraft of wind catches his attention. Two large bird like creatures descend from above and sharpen their talons.

Felix shakes his head in annoyance before relenting and just playing the stupid instrument. Oddly, something beautiful comes from his fingers where before it would have just been discordant noise. He looks down curiously before strumming a little more, finding a song in his heart bubbling from up beneath his ribs.

“...Am I m're than thee bargain'd f'r yet?//I've been agonizing to bid thee//aught thee want to heareth//for yond's just who is't I am this fortnight”

Before long, Felix becomes enraptured in the music. Soon crooning in a manner that hardly resembles the native tongue of Fodlan anymore.

Felix rallied Tina! +4 Dexterity and +4 Speed for 1 round!

Once again, the veil of light surrounds and consumes the four of them. Taking with it their weapons, but bestowing new and stronger ones. To his surprise, he had actually been given a sword (and not just any, the very sword he had bought off that merchant, the Sword of Zoltan.) He grasps it tightly in his fist just as a shield appears in his other. It is not as heavy as the Aegis, nor shines with the twilight-like gleam, but he finally feels in his element with these tools.

In the distance their enemies then manifest. A huge cloaked figure with an imposing axe, and two smaller grunts who begin to rally their lord.

Felix is quick to act, a hunger in his blood. He can’t let that executioner get any stronger.

Felix attacks Soldier B with the Sword of Zoltan! Roll 1d20 [+4 from Dexterity] [-1 from enemy’s speed]: [6]+3 = 9 [Hit] [-2.5 base damage +3 strength boosts -1 from enemy’s shield] [-4.5 damage] Soldier B’s HP: 33.5/38

Felix nearly lands a clean hit on the soldier, the end of his swing clipping on the shield at the last moment. The enemy then raising its axe to retaliate.

Soldier B counterattacks! Roll 1d20 [-4 from Felix’s Avoid] [+1 from Felix’s speed]: [11]-3 = 8 [Hit] [-2.5 base damage -1.5 damage reduction from Shield of Seiros] [-1 damage] Felix’s HP: 9/10

Roll 1d2 for Stun: [2] Felix is not stunned.

The axe comes down heavy, but Felix wields his own shield against it. The weight is enough to push him back, and the lifeless husk tries to lock eyes just as their weapons are. But Felix thrusts the foe off him and slides back towards his allies.

"Wait!!"

Hector throws out a hand to stop her, his lips stained blue and his eyes grave.

"I think these ice things been poisoned. I ate mine in one go and it gave me the worst headache."

On the verge of foretasting the delicious dessert, a shout startled the Macedon princess, who abruptly turned to see the intrusive voice and to give it a face. A familiar face, to be honest.

"Are you sure about that?" she was lapidary, she hated when she was being interrupted while doing something pleasing or important. "An headache isn't a symptom of poisoning"