#victimsofwar

Lurking was not usually considered a good way to meet people. Niles, however, was not terribly concerned with being usual. He’d been prowling around the training grounds for a while now, and finally he spotted someone who seemed interesting.

The whistle had caught Titania’s attention first, turning her head to meet the noise. Vanessa followed, squinting to get a better sight of the approaching figures. Her vision was fine, it had to be good to be a sky knight, but it was a hot day and the heated air was obscuring her view should she look too far.

The pegasus’ wings perked up, almost as if they were bristling, matching the discomfort of her rider. Regardless, Vanessa fights mildly with the mount to move closer, a biting tone ready on her lips.

“Excuse me, who are you to talk to a soldier of Frelia like this?”

It was clear she was young, but she spoke with trained maturity. She wasn’t a knight, not yet, not even a soldier. They didn’t have to know that.

“I’m Valter, House of Weiss,” the boy purred, running his fingers through his shoulder-length hair. “Trust me -- I’m kinda a big deal. I can talk to just about anyone how I want to, ‘cept for maybe the emperor himself.”

Ephraim had wandered off to due to his stalwart boredom. His father tried to keep him preoccupied with his studies, but the mounds of motionless books in the library didn’t appeal to him at all. Oh, no. Ephraim was a wild child who needed to run and play. He slipped away from his father’s retainers and ran through the magnificent gardens by his own whim. 

He notices the other boy and smiles brightly. He’d needed a playmate. By that regal attire, he’d guessed that the kid was a prince, just like him. Maybe they could build on that. If things worked out, he’d have to introduce him to Lyon, too!

@victimsofwar

“Wait...this looks like home.” 

Joshua couldn’t believe his own eyes. Never did he imagine that he’d be able to see the golden sand of his homeland Jehanna again! But something felt different, sure it was Jehanna. That much was true. But was it HIS Jehanna. Determined to find the truth, he set out for the palace. It was the best place to start if anywhere.

As he approached the main hall, boots filled with sand and throat parched Joshua came upon an all too familiar sight. Himself. 

“You’re...me...”

“V... Valter, I-I don’t think this is a good idea--”

“Oh, shut up and just play along, you pussy,” Valter snapped with a harsh glare. “This time it’ll be be different. These ones fly. They’re practically birds. Now relax and follow my lead.” 

The two teenage twins sauntered up to the girl training on the back of her pegasus in the open, with Valter looking confident and cocky with Walter trailing faaaar behind, looking scared shitless. He just knew this wouldn’t end well.

He was right. 

Valter’s lips were pressed into a thin, disapproving frown.