WATER MAIDEN

Upwards, girls young and old run across the grounds abuzz. Something was up. Azura was set on finding out. They wander the monastery grounds for a ten, fifteen, even thirty minutes before coming to their destination. 

The lake. The one solace Azura had in this academy appeared to be frozen solid. Such a thing rarely happened in Hoshido, but the songstress had seen it in other lands they ventured to. A chill ran down her back. While they stood and watched from above, many a student had gone on to parade across the frosty rink.

Well..... She may as well investigate further. It was a far cry from the water she sought out, but it would be a pity to turn back. Azura ventured towards the frozen pond and sat down to watch. The students appeared to be having fun, with their careless behavior and reckless screams.

Elise’s smile falters. They really have been avoiding them, then. She didn’t think it was possible to understand the situation even less than she already did, but here they were. 

They were never as close to Azura as they were to each other, she knows that. It was impossible to be, considering the short time frame they had and the circumstances that surrounded it. But she’d believed they were sort of close. Closer than that.

Orrr… she doesn’t hate them, and they’re just on some super secret mission nobody’s supposed to know about or something! Azura never told them she was alive because she couldn’t, right? That’s gotta be it!

“Um… Okay, I guess. I can… okay.” It feels uncomfortable to say. As much as she wants to support her sister’s secret spy career, the idea of lying to her siblings — keeping any secrets from them, let alone one this BIG… She’d be lying if she said she was a fan. Then she’d be a double liar. And she likes the sound of thateven less.

Seeing Elise's face fall like that was more than enough hurt. But how could they risk more people finding out about their stay? "Elise, I......" Azura paused. What could they actually do to help?

"I promise I will make it up to you. I promise." The words were empty on their own but Azura believed with enough time she could mend the tear. Anything to bring a smile back to Elise's face. 

Gaius returns her smile earnestly, especially at the promise of more sweets. "No problem, I got time to kill. Let's see what we can see."

He really owes her at least remembering her name, but...nah, it's gone. He flounders a bit, glancing back at his companion, her long wavy hair. It's a nice color, he thinks. Like the sea-salt taffy that came imported from Valm sometimes, blue like the oceanside sky.

Well, he has his strengths and his faults. As long as his strengths come through, too, they should have a fine ol' day.

-

There's an artisan in town famous for his intricate furnishings that Gaius hits up first, knowing that the wares are way out of their price range. Starting with the fancy stuff might jog Miss Taffy's imagination, though.

There's a dresser topped with a delicate carving of a sailboat bobbing along waves; a little table with an inlaid chessboard shining with flecks of mica; rocking chairs that are almost too pretty to sit in. He studies them all eagerly; some things he thinks he could recreate, while others...well, it's true what they say about jacks of all trades.

Up ahead in town, the man shows Azura a collection of artisans with highly intricate furnishings. It's certainly different than anything she's ever grown up with, to say the least. Sometimes she finds herself yearning for a simple Hoshidan style. But the market shows all that the eye can imagine. Azura is nearly distracted to follow a different path, but catches the man's signature orange hair and goes after him. 

He's friendly and warm in a way that Azura is not used to. Maybe that's because he doesn't know the things they did in their life. But either way, he's easy to be around. 

Azura nods at his words. "Of course," they all looked highly expensive anyway. Ideas, though....

She's quick to notice another woman looking in her direction, giving her a small smile and a wave. "Hello there. It's lovely to meet you, Azura." It seemed only the two of them remained, so it would be quite foolish to let this opportunity go. "I would be thankful, honestly. For a moment I was starting to believe I would be on my own."

"Yes," Azura agrees. "It does seem rather plain, but we must exercise caution." There was no telling what they might find out there. The sword at the girl's side told them she was a fighter. Excellent. "I'd be glad to pair up with you. Might I know your name?" The songstress nearly expects to hear a title with it. 

"I'll be able to heal you if anything goes awry," Azura adds. "So let us exercise caution as we enter the field." With that, they're off to Gronder proper to assess the damage. The field is only a shortway off from the check point that the monastery had them assemble at. Many students showed up to check out the fields; perhaps they were anticipating the Battle of the Eagle and Lion that much.

"Yes, I see." Common wisdom would apply anywhere, it would seem.

Azura watches as the boy takes lead and brings in the first few pilgrims. It was sort of odd acting as a liason for a church that she had no authority on, but then again the songstress remembered that she did reside here as a faith professor. So the staff in her hands was enough to grant her the leeway?

Azura nods as Shez whispers to them. This was not going to be easy. Such a heinous crime like graverobbing....

Then again Shez was pretty much giving them the ability to make the decision. They took another look at the elder man who stood before them. 

"And how would you know about such a discrete detail?" Azura asks. It sounded more like he found the bow than lost it. "Are you not the very one who took the bow?" The songstress shakes their head. "It doesn't bode well to use the goddess's name to curse others. You must take accountability for your own actions."

"I am called the Voice," she says. Perhaps it is not terribly safe to admit herself in front of followers of a different goddess, but her partner deservers her proper introduction. "In my homeland, I am similar to our Archbishop of Garreg Mach - though, my connection is with the divine dragon Naga instead."

Raising her voice again, she turns to the crowd once more. "My partner and I shall aid you as best we can."

-- -- --

Over the course of an hour, two hours, Tiki answers the worries of the commonfolk in measured phrases. Her eyes remain wide and kind, throughout, as if there is no fatigue for such listening. She's sympathetic, really; to have such a tragedy befall them in their short lifetimes is quite difficult.

As the sun rises directly overhead, the crowd thins. Very soon, there are only a few people left, awaiting admittance to the cathedral for prayer. Finally, Tiki rests back on her haunches, and sets upon the stone steps.

Finally, she can speak with her new friend. She yawns, and wipes sweat from her brow. Eyes sparkle at Azura.

_____________

There is no shortage of common folk who need aid. For hours, the two of them stand by and answer countless questions ranging from a regular squabble to one that pulls to the depths of faith. Azura notes how the woman with her never waves in her patience and warmth, stopping to answer each and ever individual query.

The quest to learn about this land's beliefs may have to wait. There are people on its very doorstep asking to be let in, for penance, for bread and water. Azura has to believe that is more importance than understanding scripture. Aiding common people is the core of what they understand as faith.

Finally, a brief respite comes as they enter the doors of the cathedral. It is a momumental building that attests to the history of this land. Yet the other's attention is already on them. Resting will have to wait.

Sharing. Very well. "I, too, hail from a different land," Azura begins, placing a hand on their chest. But which land? Of Nohr, of Hoshidor, or of Valla? "I do not think there is a specific deity I devote myself to. Rather, I think faith should be about helping others, as we have spent the past few hours."

“To work forward before backwards, yes. I ideally plan to forge more bears and animals in the near future…more comfortably in a setting that lacks as many people as these opening days. After today, I will take to scouting and see when the lines are the least horrific.”

A breath from Yuzu before she continues. “As for what’s in stock…well, bears are the forge’s clear namesake and most common export. However, they certainly do not shy away from other creations. From…window peeping, I have made out the shapes of dogs, fox-like creatures…aye, even pegasi appear to be in stock.”

It was sort of impressive how this girl wanted to create as many bears as possible. In a way, Azura wished she had that sort of gumption herself. It was admirable. Perhaps the girl would spend the next days helping other people out. So maybe their meeting wasn't just a coincidence. 

"So are you some sort of collector or....bear enthusiast?"

Azura certainly liked cute and fuzzy things, but the commitment to the bit was more than they had experienced. It could be that there were others out there who had an even greater love for this kind of thing. How fascinating. At least the two of them could potentially bond over it.

However, the girl continues to answer their questions, and Azura listens carefully, nodding all the while.

"Foxes and pegasi......now that is certainly interesting. I wonder if they have any birds or cranes." The songstress pauses to think how the girl is so adept at gathering information. Perhaps she is a shinobi? But then again, Azura decides not to ask. 

"I see. That's excellent advice. Personally, I'm not sure I have the strength to do this several times like you, so I must choose my animal carefully. I assume you're going to go with a bear on your first attempt?"

He's always doing things like this, always a sucker for someone in need, especially a pretty face. But honestly, it sounds like a fun challenge. He's made plenty of lockpicks, plenty of knives, but never furniture. Good to make sentimental things with purpose, that'll last a long time.

Oh, and the prospect of more candy doesn't hurt, either.

Was it the candy? Was it merely the presence of candy that enticed him to help her? No, that couldn't be it. But then again, she didn't really know this person. There wasn't enough information. And if he was offering, there was no good reason to refuse.

Azura had arrived at Garreg Mach at a time when the monastery was in chaos. They'd been afforded little time to themselves, helping out the monastery with even basic tasks. Now that the new dorms had been completed, it was a perfect time to make things feel like home.

If only they knew what that felt like. The problem was, Azura didn't know what home felt like. Having live in several countries since birth, they had always been on the move - often a political hostage but never truly belonging. So what was​​​​​​home? 

The man's next words confirm her suspicions, though. So he liked sweets. 

Cormag's first day of class drains him, saps his energy like battle never could. There is no adrenaline, seated in the lecture-hall, and in the fogbound drone of the professor's voice it is hard to remember one's purpose.

Cormag endeavors to. He keeps his eyes on the blackboard, though he has to squint to see; he scrawls down senseless notes on crisp fresh sheets of parchment.

And when it is blessedly over... Cormag aches for the aerie, to saddle Genarog and ride the cold, clear mountain winds...

But there is no time. He's absorbed next to nothing from the lecture, and he must understand these things. He must!

Thus, Cormag trudges to the library; he scans the stacks for the tomes with the friendliest titles. Faith Magic for Utter Beginners, he finds.

He starts from the beginning--mostly. He skips the introduction.

He doesn't make it past the first numbered page. It's--it's just incomprehensible. He's seen it done so many times, had it done to hi, but the explanation... urgh.

Defeated, Cormag folds his arms across the tabletop, lays down his weary head. "The hell does it come from?" he mutters, to himself.

They'd only visited a few times, but it was already starting to become a favorite place. Azura stretched out with a new book in hand to relax for the hour. Time passed on in warmth and comfort as they felt themselves be totally absorbed by the words.

When they looked up, they saw someone sitting at one of the larger tables in the room. A new face, perhaps? The person seemed to be reading a relatively basic faith text, and opening and closing it several times. Azura couldn't help but wonder if they were struggling. 

After several moments, Azura hears a frustrated murmur escape the student's mouth. Well, now was as good a time as any. Slowly, she approaches the oaken table.

“Azura, wait-!” she hopelessly reaches a hand out, not even bothering to fully stand. Her figure is already gone between the other yellow tents. In the end, it is one of the guests that decides that their tea part is over. And none of them even seemed to be finished with their tea…

The princess sighs, and head hangs low for a decent few moments. She finally gets out of her chair, first collecting the remains of Azura’s side of the table. Her cup is over halfway full of apple tea. Dumping it would be a great waste. Perhaps she could…

“Oh,” Lachesis rather innocently gasps, raising head to realize she still did have one more guest with her. Her student, no less. But Lachesis does not have the heart to carry on a party with such dark undertones already set. Surely Mitama must understand as well.

“There is no need to help me pack everything back up, Mitama,” Lachesis clarifies, already setting Azura’s former chair back near the main tent. “Besides, that time spent would be better spent preparing for the upcoming rounds of battle.”

When she is completely done moving chairs and cups, Lachesis heads back over to the pinkette’s position. Patiently waiting for her to make her leave, yes, but also to state one last thing. One last desire.

“I do not know your relations with that lady,” the princess repeats her case, “nor do I care much to know why you chose to sting at her so. And no, I will not be foolish enough to ask you to consider her feelings more, as if you were a growing child. I only wish to tell you this. Under my tuition, I am not interested in masking feelings behind berating."

Lady Azura flees and, rather than chase, Lachesis simply takes the exit with a resigned grace, setting about calling an end to their impromptu gathering. The dismissal is obvious in her words and so, rather than make any argument she does not feel like putting any effort into, her cup is placed back upon the table before she rises in turn. She, at least, has the grace to return the chair to its place.

"Thank you for the tea. Refreshments before we needlessly beat each other is quite a gift." Mitama bows to Lachesis before turning to leave. Turning only, because the woman continues to speak as though she has wisdom to share. She stays and listens, out of respect for the gift.

She does not turn to face her again, but turns her head enough to look back at her professor through strands of pink. "...Indeed. Masked feelings can be so tiresome. Let me make it plain for you as I may, then: past you do not know / need not be your concern, true? / let us stay that way."

With a smile, she bows her head again. "We all have our own scars, professor. Some more visible than others. I certainly look forward to hearing you teach what you have learned from yours, and only hope you do not resent what I chose to learn from them in turn."

The next round will be starting soon, and they will not be granted the luxury of rest again. Mitama yawns as she exits the tent, stretching her arms above her head as she walks.

"What a dreadful day for a battle..."

“Wonderful!! I mean…thank you, my lady,” Yuzu recollects herself from her previous animated actions and blush subsides. “Having one another to turn to will surely make the trip easier and quicker, meaning that plush friends shall be in our grasp sooner. I am glad you see the benefit in such an arrangement.”

With their temporary comradery solidified, Yuzu checks their progress on the line. Despite her theatrics, no one seemed to turn an eye to the duo, the focus instead on finally getting into the store. This means that subconsciously, the two have been pushed ever so closer to the entrance with…a few more minutes of waiting at least. Hopefully.

“That aside,” Yuzu starts, deciding it best to make small talk than ponder over the great crowd she is currently surrounded by, “do you already have a bear or similar animal in mind to create? Their options vary in size and color, thanks to my sne- entrance before they opened store doors! Aye,” a sweat forms by her cheek, hoping no one else heard that slip-up.

The songstress takes a look around. Even more people seem to have gathered with the announcement of the forge-a-bear merchants. They hadn't realized it would be this​​​​​​popular. Perhaps such a thing was in fashion nowadays. But then again, that many more people would mean it would be harder to pick them out of a crowd. Maybe that was in their favor.

Yuzu's question draws Azura's attention. Her mouth opens for a second. She hadn't even thought of it. 

Azura reaches for her arm, a nervous gesture. "Honestly, I was so preoccupied with not being caught that I didn't spare the time to think of what I wanted." Sad, to be honest. 

"I have no idea. What types of animals do they have? Do you know?"

Innes did not have ideas on how to entertain children. His childhood was normal by prince’s standards, he thought, but even he knew his childhood was different to a common child’s. Archery practice, tutoring, and then reading heavy books for fun. What did he really know about play? What did he know about children when he’d hardly known children, even when growing up?

He couldn’t simply defer to Azura. He had to think of something. A good king delegates, but a good king also should be skilled in all aspects. Including how to deal with children. It was good practice.

“Er…” He sounded clueless. Stand up straighter, look a little more confident - and after clearing his throat, he tried again. “Well, reading to the children would be nice, would it not?” Or Azura could do what they wanted, and Innes would follow suit.

So she waits. Perhaps this would be more interesting than she thought. Azura had initially came to help out the monastery; she hadn't thought she would meet someone worth a second thought. 

"Yes," the songstress nods. "That could be nice. But let's not overdo it with the reading. Why don't we suggest a few things to them and see what they're most interested in?" Children were pure vessels of enthusiasm. They were sure that with a bit of gumption, the kids would react positively.

April 2025 Mission Board - Reason +1

"Really, they can't just tell me I ain't allowed to dance! It's not my fault that my dancin' is just that good! How about they try not breathin'! Hmmph!"

In the absence of anyone to vent her frustrations to, she had taken to the halls, muttering indignant protests under her breath as she paced restlessly around the underground town. This dancer was not in a good mood, a fact clear to anyone in Burrowhaven with working ears. Or eyes. Anyone with a general sense of situational awareness, really.

"What's wrong with bein' energized, anyways? Never heard anyone ever complain about that!"

Despite the subterranean locale, the town was lively at night, all bright colors and echoing music through the chambers. Her classmates were all back at the inn, having a raucous time with the locals. They were allowed to dance, because they weren't actually good at dancing. Silvia harumphed again.

The acoustics of the tunnel streets offered no reprieve from the music, all the more taunting her restriction. Ebbing and flowing along with the faint melody was Silvia's own pulse, and she could feel the rush of energy, itching at her to fall into steps as natural as breathing. Still, she was too close to the main streets; she wasn't exactly sure what would happen if she was caught, but she didn't want to find out. It was bitter cold outside at night, and the monastery was a long ways away.

Without any real direction, she turned the pent-up energy to pacing the far reaches of the system of tunnels, where the music faded to a faint thrum. There she could sulk in peace, maybe even find an isolated spot to dance, if she was lucky.

The path grew narrower and less-maintained as she continues outward from the town center. Even the locals rarely strayed this far out except for patrols.Finding another student out here would be an oddity. Which is what makes it all the more odd when Silvia catches sight of a flash of brilliant blue disappearing around the corner.

Azura wondered if the abilities of her necklace would work, if they lived.

What was she to do, though, in such an obsolete situation? The monastery practically shipped them off to this area, and now she had been stripped of her functions. Powerless once again. The thought made Azura's feelings sizzle to the surface. Frustration threatened to break free, but she could never lose composure.

So it was later in the evening, when twilight covered the skie,s that she decided to test the truth. Her truth versus the village's truth. It wasn't worth much to sit around and sulk the entire time they were here.