Merry Christmas friend!

I’m thinking a small manor, maybe Ernst’s old family estate? It being left to him. A place with a big cement patio overlooking the wilderness/ mountains. I don’t see them without a space that goes from indoors to outdoors with just opening a set of French doors. They both however love to sit early in the morning outside on it with coffee. Especially the cold mornings where they have to wear multiple layers and a blanket.

They’d furnish it simply but enough for the both of them. Valuing floor space because they’ve realized they end up putting on a record while doing chores, cooking, etc and ending up in a dance together all too often. (I can see them in a house on the outskirts of a city with a balcony but I don’t think their neighbors would be too keen on how much music is played from their place.) Ernst also like to dance with his German Shepherd whenever Hans isn’t home or doesn’t want to dance for some reason. (Usually he’s just being hard to get)

Ernst would display his trophies from victories, family heirlooms, antiques anywhere he could but that’s the extent of his decorating. Hans would end up picking the rest out. Not because Ernst doesn’t want to he just can’t think of anything else to put in the place. Probably decorated like a hunting lodge.

If only the gunfire hadn’t been so viscous, he’d still have a semblance of where he was. If the tanks hadn’t found his little alcove and targeted it so energetically. A sick compliment. A single competent sniper being the largest threat for them that they spend large round to secure their peace of mind. The glint off his scope must’ve tipped them off. He’d really have to finally commit to going without it. Damn that little Finnish sniper was right.

Frustration on top of frustration. Defeat on top of being ousted. Every tree looking no more different than the last. Ilya couldn’t even find his way back to the battlefield now that the fire has died down. Continuing into the thick of the woods. It’s futile to go back. They knew he was around. The element of surprise was lost and they’d be on guard for any sniper activity. Any more flashes of light to tip then off was at the forefront of their brains. Not enough time to learn how to shoot accurately without a scope. Not that it didn’t cross his mind. Make a practice session out of it. The risk was simply too high.

Snowfall coming in, flakes picking up in velocity every second. Ilya would have to hunker down till it passed. Almost scurrying for a safe location. Or as safe as he could find. Then he spotted it. An overturned tree. The roots had been pulled out of the ground ages ago. The halo of roots providing at least one direction of coverage from the impending storm.

This spot was as good as any. It’d serve as a temporary home, using the butt of his rifle to dig out a foxhole for himself. Snuggling himself in bed wait out the night in favor of moving early in the morning.

Slam! His wheels touched the soaking ground. Violent bouncing, almost sinking into the grass from the weight of the landing. Ernst skidded down their makeshift runway that was little more than a glorified field. The tail ending up one hundred and eighty degrees away from where his nose should’ve came to rest. But otherwise unscathed. His hands still shaking from the rattling aloft, and narrowly avoiding a few lightning strikes from Zeus himself. Really no different than avoiding fire but the fear of god was in each one none the less.

A moment to sit in the rain and breathe. He was on solid ground. Probably the only time he wanted to be. Movements to get out were slow initially. Using his left to detach his prosthesis from the control. Once it was, he hurried up and out the cockpit. Mechanics quick to meet him and get the bird back in its nest. Thunder crashed, and he picked up the pace to the pilot’s lodgings.

Flinging himself inside uncaring of the water he spun around the room in closing the door. His leather flight jacket was soaked. But it faired much better than the uniform beneath. That held new weight along with the darkened shade. Those of the Staffel in the room groaned at him. One calling him a giant sopping dog.

“Why didn’t you do that in the hangar?” Hans stopping in his tracks catching Ernst throwing his outter clothing on the floor.

“Then I’d get my underwear wet too!” Trying to hide his shivering to no avail. Choosing to hide it by staying in motion.

“You look pathetic, go get dry and warm before you catch a cold.” Hans’ attention following the pilot who was gathering up everything he shed. A waterfall leaked from the giant ball he was holding close to his chest. Almost purposely squeezing it without realizing. A hand flew up to salute, only getting halfway before Ernst had to abandon the idea and catch the wet mess. He flashed his chattering gap-toothed smile, and rushed off.

His thought process:

☘️ [SHAMROCK] How passionate is your OC about things they love/hate?

Very passionate about his role in the war. He’s seen more pomp and circumstance than most others because of the overall amazing performance of all the pilots. Even meeting the Kaiser! While he does have his own goals and motivation that’ll drive him when all else fail, getting rewarded helps. Plus another opportunity to meet von Richthofen and hopefully keep his name favorably around the flying circus is always seized with vigor. I do feel that that is also to his detriment as even with him hanging around Hans and the medical staff he’s still pretty blind to the actual horrors of the war.

As for things he hates, it’s more of his own failings he’s passionate about. If he misses a foe, crash lands, doesn’t perform how he envisioned he should it’s a major deal for him. He’s likely to brood on it once on the ground. Emotions are definitely on the surface all the time for Ernst.

🍀 [FOUR LEAF CLOVER] Would your OC spend hours looking for a four leaf clover?

He would!! Especially if it was for someone else. He’s less likely to stick with it if it was just for himself as much as he may thinks he needs the luck.

🌳 [DECIDUOUS] What's your OC's favourite thing to do at the park?

Sunbathe! He’s such a sucker for a sunny day. Though he doesn’t remember sunburn is a thing. Or some physical activity.

🌱 [SEEDLING] What new passions/hates is your OC discovering?

Right now it’s the learning curve from losing his right hand. Flying with a prosthetic is very different and he’s had to miss out on so many flights while he’s been practicing and getting used to it. It’s simply safer for him to be grounded from combat flights for the time being.