#nobleburn

Sometimes, Shadowheart likes to be alone. Between everything that happened, finding a place like this with magical tomes and journals is like heaven for her. A place to take a brief moment to herself, regain clarity, and perhaps to learn something new.

What she didn't expect was to nearly run right into the other's form as she turns the corner. She catches herself right before she does, blinking at Wither as she takes a step back and out of the woman's space.

The witch isn't granted much time to query or wonder what kind of effect she had on the other that she had invited into her secret little hideaway. No sooner was her own question about the other's well being out of her lips does the risen lunge forward. Throat gripped, and gaze fierce. In equal parts she feels surprise and fear from the motion. Not to mention how she was lifted off the ground.

"Hey-!! Gh-- hh?!" For a zombie, Nikolette was definitely strong even aside from the magic she seemed to possess that even still the witch could sense running through their veins, see it starting to rise to the surface as it eked through veins. She has demanding questions for her, and Elijah is beginning to realize that this cast away woman may have a bit more importance than some kind of forgotten test subject, like herself.

At the back of the witch's mind is their own question: Did I mess up by helping them? Was this a mistake?

Whether way that answer fell as it tumbled through her mind she knew she had to resist this. Moments and stimulus like this would bring them out of her mind if she didn't keep herself in check. This measure of panic would make the wall in her mind weak.

She acts quickly to free herself. Bringing up her hands a small sigil appears in between her palms after a grit mumble through rasped breath. The small explosion of force knocks the two apart and allows Elijah to catch her senses and breath alike. She grips her throat, a look of frustration cast towards Nikolette. A wariness in case she tried to do something again.

"I can't... tell you anything when you're holding onto me like that! G-geez." A gulp of spit to flush her system after a couch. The girl sighs. "I'm trying to remember! It's not like I'm being obtuse or secretive! Were you involved with them or something?? Anyway... the one who died. It wasn't the one with the engagement, the younger brother. Really young. Everyone was very sad about it. That's all I know, really! Once we get into town, we can ask around and find out more if you really need to. But if you come at them like you did me, though, you know we're going to have trouble, right??"

Byleth knew they were interrupting something, but couldn’t be bothered to care.  While not a direct student of theirs, they still felt inclined to return an item they so happened to find left in the reception hall. 

       “Nikolette?” They questioned, from behind, barely recognizing the glint of discomfort on the other student’s face she’d been talking to. (At least, Byleth assumed they were talking. They hadn’t bothered to stand and listen long enough to ascertain the point of their..  acquaintance .) Instead, once the Blue Lion’s student turned to face them, they held the arithmetic book aloft between them and quirked one eyebrow.

In hopes of avoiding another stressful encounter with a girl he shall not name in his head, Ryder had taken to leaving the training hall early in an effort to avoid her before she decided to use it. Knowing how she was, he was almost certain she’d be judging him any moment they stood in the same room. Thank the gods he wasn’t in the same class as her too. 

But as usual, his luck was terrible, and the girl in question had strolled into the library. Upon noticing her, he could only mentally curse at himself. She was someone who strived to be the best. Of course she’d end up coming here if she needed a reference book. And of course that reference book had to be on the shelf right next to his table.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite beautiful flower!" Sylvain was all candied words and practiced smiles as he made his way over to the other, arms swooping up to cradle the back of his head, tilting to glance down at her.

After a long morning of classes, it was definitely in his own interests to stop by the dining hall to grab a quick bite to eat. Today’s lecture seemed to be more intense than usual. Or, the cramping in his hand was what made him feel that way. He’d have to go back and jot down the notes back in his room. Well, even before he went to do that, he’d have to ask the professor for the lecture notes again. Having to do this at the end of every lesson now was starting to irritate him. 

Though, he hoped a decent meal could allow him to switch gears. Except, the dining hall was flooded with students with the exact same idea. Just great. Would he even be able to get a good break before the next session started? He sure hoped he could. All he could really do was finalize an order and stand in line, hoping that by the time he got to the front, his choice wouldn’t be sold out. When Keith finally made it to the front of the long line of students making orders, he had been intending to grab one of the savory meat dishes, but unfortunately for him, they had all gotten sold out by the time he had made it. 

The cafeteria staff had offered one of the dessert dishes to him instead, a small serving of a sweet berries and cream. As much as he didn’t want it, he couldn’t just refuse and cause a scene. Without a word, he had taken the compromise and made his way over to a vacant seat. And it just so happened the girl he happened to sit across from had also gotten the same pitiful dessert as he did.

How did anyone think this small dish would get them through their remaining classes? Casting a closer look over her, the redhead realized that he didn’t recognize her all that well. It was doubtful they were actually in the same class, otherwise he would’ve at least been able to pinpoint where he might have seen her. 

  Caiying eagerly puts the brush she was using down with a light thunk sound. It permeates off of the stone underneath her. The ink on its tip stains the outside of the rock with a couple of black splatters, some of it previously left smudges on the inside of her fingers. She pays them no mind as she gingerly lifts up the drawing she finished of her traveling companion, showing it off. 

  “ What do you think ? ”

  It’s a scene depicting a recent skirmish with some monstrous plant they had encountered on their journey. Caiying, of course, took it upon herself to make the depiction as enchanting and larger-than-life as possible. That’s how heroic tales are shown, right ? 

@nobleburn​ asked: nature and/or survival!

18 + 3

"oh! i recognize these berries!”

a hand reached out to tug at her companion’s sleeve, pure excitement in her voice as she pulled the woman towards a nearby shrub. it was wild grown, spindly, with bright green leaves and dark blue berries. she’d not seen them in ages, of course -- it had been quite some time since she had done any foraging -- yet she remembered all too well the extensive lesson she had been given by one of the other members of her troupe, and all of the warnings about what might happen if she misidentified anything.

nimbly, she plucked a handful of berries from the plant and proceeded to toss one in her mouth, and then another. it was sweet, but not overpowering.

“they can be really good in a pinch, if you’re out in the forest and forgot to bring food, or just for a little snack while on a walk.”

after another one or two berries (both with the thought of just one more), she gathered another handful and offered them, enthusiastically, to nikolette.

“if you’re serious about adventuring, foraging is a very important skill to have. i’m uncertain if running out of food is terribly common -- i haven’t been adventuring for long, myself -- but regardless, it will certainly be useful.... ...do you already know how to forage? i suppose i should have asked instead of assuming...”