A Ballad for Icarus - A Historical Pokemon Quest

Wobblegonnabe · Oct 17, 2024

[X] Sniddle

[X] Join the patrol.

Shadowphyre · Oct 17, 2024

[X] Sniddle

[X] Work at the camp.

Do I care that Sniddle is not a valid name option? No, not really, Imma still vote for it.

AmberGimlet · Oct 17, 2024

[Fable 2 Voice] "And so our story ~~begins~~ continues." I am SO excited.

Elpis said:
Arc 2: The Border and the Runaway Knight

Right off the bat this arc is so, so sick. Incredible work Elpis. They both look so good, I love the outfits. Amazing choice with the framing of this, it makes me want a Capella POV so badly.

Elpis said:
You can help, so you will help, because that's the kind of person you are. You don't care to call it Noblesse Oblige. You don't care to think you're better off and thus should help those who have it worse.

Even those who are not fortunate will still reach out and give someone a hand if the content of their character matches that ideal you have been chasing for ten years.

Awww... this is a really good way of putting it, but also it's incredibly funny for Aria to be saying this knowing that A Ballad For Icarus is running on otome tropes. Girliepop you are absolutely correct but also. Lol, lmao even. But no seriously, I love that Aria says this, it's very consistent with her upbringing and general disposition shown so far, it's a nice moment.

Elpis said:
Even as it hurts. Even as your entire body vibrates with the energy of that net. It runs up your fingers and into your shoulders before you manage to pull the net off. It takes all the strength you have left, finding yourself ripping it apart on the way down.

Elpis said:
The aftershocks of the trap are still there, forcing your arms close to your body. You are tense, but you cannot keep lying here. You turn to look at the tree—the Sneasel is no longer there. You breathe out of your nose, glad for the one good deed today before turning your head back to the sky.

Aria is so. Raw. Grabbing the electrocution net and just ripping it off. It's so bad even the aftershock twitching happens, christ. She really is the Most ever, doing this while a quarter dead from that frantic flight. Love this about her!

Elpis said:
The Sneasel fills your vision, sneaking up on you. She looks… normal for a Sneasel. A short feather in its ear, bright blue in color, contrasting its thick, dark fur it must have grown for the cold weather. She pokes you, the sharp claw sending some pain up your side as it checks for signs of life.

You roll out of the way, forcing yourself to stand up. "Please don't do that."

She crosses her arms, grinning up at you. Sneasel are… not rare in the woods, but not very common either. They usually hang out on higher ground, grouping up with a Weavile, which means this one either strayed off too far or was separated by the sudden storm.

That makes two of you.

fdjhfda Sneasel stabbing her with her sharp claws while trying to make sure she's not dead... truly, the Dark type pokemon that cares. Though I say that as if Thalia and the Squadkrows weren't ridiculously, heart-meltingly tender for their rival's trainer. Aria is definitely making a lot of assumptions about how this Sneasel ended up here. Love that she's just posed and being smug at her soon-to-be trainer. You love to see it.

Elpis said:
"Well, go on then," you say, looking up. The sky reveals your position. Atlas' Star is very bright today, pointing north. You point towards the direction of that star, knowing that's where the mountains are. "Your group should be somewhere in that direction."

Silence. You look down again, finding Sneasel looking confused. You feel jealous at how casual she seems in this weather, how little she cares for the frozen world around you. It makes you shiver.

hjfhahd Sneasel has already decided this is her new human and is just confused that Aria hasn't realized that, incredible. Really, really wondering if that bit of jealousy is just for the temperature. Aria certainly has the cares so much it causes problems disease.

Elpis said:
"I don't have any food," you say. Well, you do. But not for freeloaders. Sneasel are perfectly capable of finding their own food, they have excellent noses and are adept hunters and gatherers. Sneasel looks insulted.

'You think I need your food?' its expression is so loud it might as well be shouting the words in a human tongue.

"Fine," you say. "Do what you want."

HSFDD BUT NOT FOR FREELOADERS. I love Aria, so much. The wild sliding between being the aching picture of tortured nobility and also just kind of petty and grumpy is really fun. She's going through a lot, huh. Also Sneasel being insulted is just, very funny. Aria is lucky she literally can't fumble this one.

Elpis said:
Something pokes your side again. You jump, ready to draw your sword, only to notice the Sneasel still bothering you.

"A simple thank you would've been enough," you say, sighing. Sneasel shrugs. "Just leave me alone, girl."

Sneasel shrugs again, as if to say 'That's not going to happen'. Then it points at you, before pointing at herself. She holds up a scrap of the net she must've picked off the ground, waving it around.

"You don't owe me anything," you say. You pat down your shoulders, getting rid of ice and snow. "I'm perfectly capable of continuing by myself."

She does not look convinced in the slightest, and you don't have the energy or time to argue with a 3 foot bipedal mustelid.

"Fine," you settle. "I'm on my way to the Spectrier Guard territory, you know? Big and scary people in black armor?"

'Let them come,' Sneasel challenged. You sigh, rubbing the bridge of your nose. It's no use, rather than wasting more energy trying to talk you turn around and start walking. East is the way. East will continue to be the way.

Sneasel's smug face as she follows one step behind you makes you wonder if you're going to regret this.

Elpis said:
The red in her eyes starts to change into a different hue as you glance back. Probably nothing, and with that journey ahead you cannot afford any distractions. If nothing else, not having to walk this path alone helps a lot.

AHAH! AHAHA! THE EYE COLOR DOES CHANGE! I KNEW IT! I feel like Aria has commented on it being weird in the past, which is odd because this seems like just an established fact of being a pokemon trainer...? You'd think it'd be more well known, or maybe I'm just misattributing confusion. Anyways, I know the name I want to pick.

[X] Capo
Again. Do it again. The melody keeps repeating from the start.

Feels very fitting for having to start the pokemon journey as it were, from scratch. For what, the second time now? Third, even, depending on how you define it?

Elpis said:
You and that Sneasel are not a perfect pair. It's so easy to point out the differences to Skiddle—in most part it's the way Sneasel decides on things. She does not listen, which is fine, you aren't prone to listen either after all. She will do what you ask if you say please and thank you. She will do as you ask if you ask, not order.

Because nobody should order someone so admirable. Skiddle was cute, and she knew she was cute, but knowing she was cute made it cute!

Sneasel is… well, cute. But she knows she's cute, and that makes her not cute.

Despite your apprehension, the routine between you develops quickly. She points out shelter, you point out directions, traveling so far off-road that you can avoid people but still close enough to it to feel safe.

I think Skiddle and Sneasel NEED to meet. Also Aria you absolutely dork oh my god. "but knowing she was cute made it cute" "and that makes her note cute". This is like, a really clear way of describing the difference between their dispositions, but also it's just adorable. The moments where Aria drops the gothic introspection to kind of flail around are great.

Elpis said:
"Hey," you call out, frowning. Sneasel stops in her tracks, turning around with narrowed eyes, still somehow suspicious of you. "Is it easy? To just leave your family behind to follow me?"

Pokemon have different ties to their families. Some species simply don't have them, some only move in packs until the end of their lives, and some are a bit more free spirited.

But humans are humans, and Pokemon are Pokemon.

"Snee," Sneasel says, actually verbalizing her answer for once. You still can't speak Pokemon, but you imagine it's something like 'Family stays family'.

"I get that," you say, pursing your lips. "But that doesn't mean it's easy, does it?"

'We are not separated,' Sneasel says. It points at her feathers. 'We share our feathers, our bond does not break so easily.'

"Feathers…" you say, thinking about Skiddle again. That dark feather in her hair. Thalia and the Squadkrows who saved your life in that cold storm.

'Do you not have their feathers?' Sneasel asks. You look at the pouch at your waist. At the small book inside. At the box of rations. At Drake's letter and Capella's thread that tied the pouch shut again.

"I do," you answer. You don't know what emotion you're feeling now, between the storm of strange ideas and weird thoughts. Even Zack is still with you, in a way, in your name, in your actions. "Thank you."

'You're welcome.'

Well, at least there's some common ground you can find.

Augh. Pain. Aria's pokemon conversations always have a lot of impact whether they're serious or comedic. This one is just. Waurgh. "do you not have their feathers"... The thank you/you're welcome... Really, really good bonding between pokemon and trainer. But also Aria asking "is it easy to leave your family behind" is just flaying my soul.

Elpis said:
The rations are still plentiful, but warmth is hard to come by. The hours you've walked, the nights you've slept in small crevices that Sneasel pointed out. You find yourself comforted by her presence, more than you care to admit out loud.

Dawww... keeping her trainer safe and warm.

Elpis said:
Bells ring in the distance. The vibrations echo in your bones and you clench your teeth through the clattering, facing the cold as you look up.

DING. DONG. DING—

You don't know how long you've been walking today. You do know, however, that you should have gotten caught by border guards by now. Sneasel stands at your side, but the journey to here was… too easy. The bells— you know the code, you try to remember but it eludes you until you see a large group of people sitting in carriages in the distance.

Evacuation.

DING. DONG. DING—

The village you find yourself in is being evacuated, the bell rings three times, then takes a break. Then three more. You have heard of this before, when the winters are very harsh, how the villagers are taken in by the city of Marquess Reichert to stay until the temperatures rise again.

This is to get out of the cold and into the city, not like an earthquake or a fire or anything. But despite the slower nature of the disaster, the way you write the tolling of the bells still gives it so much fear and anticipation. Good stuff!

Elpis said:
Or it would have been, until you notice the gaze of the armored man sitting atop a strange looking Rapidash. It has no flames on its head, instead a mane of hair that looks like candy adorns it. It makes for a contrast you would have found funny on any other day, the black sheen of the heavy armor against the pale beauty of the Rapidash—the emblem on that armor, a mirror of the Glastrier Knight's, pointing in the wrong direction with a cross instead of an oval in the middle.

You tense up as he approaches. You haven't stopped your own feet. If you look casual, natural, maybe he will assume you're a—

That damn uniform, still. You tighten your cloak around you, hiding everything but your head. The approaching knight calls out.

"Halt," he calls. He doesn't look that old, perhaps in his early twenties, and his voice is also young to match. His blue hair is long and tied up, revealing a rather ridiculous scar that travels from the top of his ear down to the side of his neck. "Who goes there?"

Elpis said:
"Sofia!" a voice calls out, killing any thought of violence. You turn away from the knight, your gaze meeting that of an elderly woman. She's dressed much like you, coat and all. You can see a stick to help her walk under it, gripped by pale and thin fingers. She ignores the knight completely, walking toward you with a purpose and then grabbing your head, forcing it down, away from the man's gaze. "Oh dear, what a mess you made of yourself. Come, we must get you warmed up."

You don't get to protest as the woman drags you away, just past the knight, who looks too stunned and confused to really doubt the woman's words. For a moment, you're just as confused. Did she mistake you for someone? No, though the woman is quite old and her eyes are half-lidded and unfocused, the sharpness of her movement makes you realize she's helping you escape notice.

Her other hand just grabs Sneasel's claw and drags her with you as well.

Oh this scene is everything. The variant Rapidash with the black armor being almost comical. Aria realizing she's still wearing the darn uniform. The 'ridiculous scar'??? AND THEN! Grandma swoops in for the save. Love that she just ignores the knight and drags Aria (and Sneasel!! by the claws!) off sfjhgfjh. Refuge in audacity, gives zero fucks. Love this as Aria's reintroduction to civilization, she's gonna have a lot to process.

Elpis said:
What you don't know is why. The villager woman gets you into one of the carriages with her. It smells of a campfire that must have burned last night, spartan but full of people who are huddled up together and giving each other warmth and comfort. None of the villagers inside, who would no doubt know that she is not your grandmother, make a single sound.

Two of them grab heavy blankets, throwing them over you, warming you up and hiding you between them. It is the first of real warmth you've felt in the past two days.

You don't know what to say, so you say nothing. The sting in your eyes that announces tears is simply because of the cold wind, nothing else.

"Why are you helping me?" you manage to ask. You notice Sneasel at your feet, hiding in between the blankets and enjoying the warmth all the same.

"Because you look like you need help," the old woman answered.

Elpis said:
"Aria," your grandmother says, her voice weak, her fingers thin and pale as they hold onto your hand. "You are a good child."

You must help those who you can help, so why is accepting help in return so hard?

"A child like you should not look like she had a life well lived," the old woman says. You freeze.

MAN. This is hitting my right in the heart. That sentiment of giving but not knowing how to receive...
Also this old woman is so cool. I love her. Elpis, you do an incredible job conveying the mood of warmth and care. The description of heat and the heavy blankets and everyone huddled together does a really good job of putting the reader in the moment.

Elpis said:
Her fingers trace your shoulders. "A child does not stop being a child by being a warrior."

"I'm not a warrior either," you say. You don't know what you are. Some vagrant, a masterless knight.

"We may not all fight the same battles, Sofia," she says. You frown, that name again. "But we are all warriors, each and every one of us. We fight for our family, for our friends, for our homes."

Aaah I love this sentiment so much. Everyone is fighting their own battles, but they can still help each other...

Elpis said:
"Aria," you say, introducing yourself. You cannot give them a wrong name, you cannot hide who you are again. This is what you picked, and this is what you stand by. "I am Aria."

"Welcome to Traviolle, Aria," the old woman said. The others in the carriage echo her words. "I am Beatrice. The young ones call me Old Bea."

Something, something about names. "cannot hide who you are again" huh... Greatly enjoy this direction.
Also, Beatrice! We have her name. She's the coolest.

Elpis said:
There's no reason to start doubting people's intentions today. There's no value in constant paranoia. That is not the person Drake wants you to be. Not the person your grandmother wants you to be.

Wanted.

You shake your head.

"I could be a criminal," you say. The blood on your hands is still fresh on your mind. For the first time in three days, you feel safe enough to think. To feel. Why is it always so easy to share with strangers? "I could be dangerous."

Elpis said:
A girl pokes your blanket. You look toward her, finding yourself in a staring contest with a six year old child. She is holding something, struggling slightly as she raises it to you. It's—it's clothes? A bundle of them. You take them with shaking hands, before two other women lift the blankets, blocking everyone's sight from you.

Ah.

They know, of course. About the blood, the smell clings on you even if you've already gotten used to it. You take the uniform off, laying it in a heap on the ground before untangling the clothes they offer.

Elpis said:
"It doesn't matter how many children van Kesteren raises to be his soldiers," Old Bea says as you settle back onto the seat. Changing is an awkward affair, though there is more space in these evacuation carriages than in the ones used to transport Glastrier knights to their duties. She holds the bloodied clothes and you can see something that looks like disdain on her face. "A child is a child, Aria. And no child deserves to freeze to death. If you have done something that brings you shame, it will not change my decision to help you now."

I'm going to cry, Aria is so so loved by strangers. Misty-eyed about this. Such kind sentiments for a girl who is oh so very hard on herself. It makes a lot of sense that Aria finds things easier to share with strangers. My read would be that she's less invested in what they think of her so it's easier to open up, which has certainly caused her problems. The firm assertion that no matter what Aria might have done, Beatrice doesn't regret this moment of kindness for a stranger. Ah, it's so so good.

Elpis said:
"The people I've met under his employ are not bad judges of character," you say, frowning. "The Duke is not… a perfect person, I know this. They took me in when I had nowhere else to go."

"It is not a time to argue politics, I suppose," Old Bea says, nodding.

Just really funny for the kindly old granny to go "okay no politics at the carriage" is just. Really funny. Aria...

Elpis said:
"But if you wish to ponder on something before you fall asleep, keep this in mind. Why did you wear a uniform, and all the knights in the east and west wear armor?"

You don't know.

Or rather, you do. You can extrapolate. You can guess. You can make educated assumptions. You have a billion different ways to take what you know and create an answer that makes sense.

Elpis said:
The tea warms you, tires you out, and makes you think—a Skarmory's shedded steel can make for a single armor, or five swords. A Corviknight is bigger, though the amount of steel is much the same.

One chose weapons, the other defense.

You try to stay awake, but the exhaustion catches up to you.

There is so much more you must think about…

Love love love the framing of this around the amount of steel gotten from pokemon, and what can be made of it. That's so cool. Also good description of the way Aria can really think herself in circles. In general, her internal monologue has a really fun texture to it, it's neat being in her head throughout this story.

Elpis said:
You wake up with a start. You try to stand, but a hand on your shoulder stops you, saving you from an embarrassing and loud injury. Old Bea puts a finger to her mouth, motioning for you to stay quiet. Most of the villagers are still asleep, and the children who have been the loudest on the journey here are finally quiet, leaning against their parents.

Elpis said:
Outside, you can hear the knights speaking. Two of them, the young man from before and an older woman. Sneasel has climbed from the floor of the carriage into your lap, clutching around your waist and just barely avoiding stabbing you with the sharp claws.

Dawww this is very cute and sensible. Sneasel can be held like a stuffed animal, just mind the razor blades. Actually this reminds me of something but I can't quite say what.

Elpis said:
"But the report does sound off, I agree. An unknown assassin? Who escaped after killing four more knights?"

You draw a sharp breath. There's no way the information could've gotten twisted like this, not unless the guards decided to abandon you as a scapegoat. No, there is something terribly wrong in Caer Rivenhold. Capella knew the truth, after all, or at least the truth that the guards were spreading.

Which means—what exactly does it mean?

What DOES it mean?? I want Capella POV so badly.

Elpis said:
You help with the camp, of course. You still try to hide your face from the knights, even as you realize that they will likely not be suspicious of you. It takes only a few minutes for tents to be set up with such a practiced perfection, you realize that your help is barely needed.

These are people who have survived these winters longer than you've been alive, and yet they do not mind that you take a little bit longer to set that fire compared to them.

Again, just, incredibly good job conveying that sense of warmth and kindness to strangers.

Elpis said:
"What's that?" she asks, pointing at the book in your hands.

"It's a book," you say, "a friend gave it to me."

"What's it about?" she asks.

"Old stories about heroes," you say, "like Emperor Kael."

Her eyes light up. Even those who don't know folklore and fairy tales know Kael, such is the influence of that man.

"Can you read it?" the girl asks, smiling up at you. You are eternally tired, but you've rested enough. If you can distract the kids long enough for their parents to get some rest, the first step to repay these people's kindness is already done.

"Of course," you say, sitting down next to the fire, the book opening up to the first chapter. "A is for Atlas," you read, "who protects us from the stars."

Elpis said:
You finish the story to the cheers of the children. You don't know if you've done the right thing, now, considering how excited they look. There's no way they'll just calm down and let their parents rest now, will they?

Aww, Aria gets to give something back to these people who took her in. Storytime for the kids. Very sweet.

Elpis said:
The sound of snow crunching under feet behind you makes you tense up.

"Your storytelling might use some work," the young knight says, smiling at you. You swallow the lump in your throat. The lack of suspicion and the fact that the story surrounding Drake's death has not properly reached their ears made you careless. "Still, it's good to see that you take your education seriously. Not many children learn to read in the villages."

"I couldn't disappoint my grandmother," you say. Half-truths and terrible, shameless lies. "I'm sorry, I made them more excited than before."

"It's fine," he says, waving off your concern with a hand. The armor reflects the bonfire, the Corviknight steel looks very nice and polished. "By the time they stop playing 'Atlas and the Starscourge' they'll probably be tired enough so they're still asleep for the rest of the journey. Any distraction's good at times like these."

Ah, all good things must come to an end though. Back to our regularly scheduled political thriller.

Elpis said:
"You're Sofia, right?" he asks. You almost speak the truth, suppressing the reflex at the last second as your lips part. Your teeth slam together with a loud click, and you nod instead of speaking. "I am Leif, Knight of the Spectrier Guard. I lead this evacuation effort."

It kind of sucks that she's found her resolve to live under the name she's chosen, but she's also just kinda stuck with this on the spot alias whenever she has to interact with this guy. Bitter comedic twist of fate there.

Elpis said:
"I know I'm too young for it, but age matters little here," he says, laughing it off. "I used to grow up in a village, so I know the people and the paths better than some knights who've been around longer."

"That's… fair," you say. Experience can be useful, but the different kinds of experience are often difficult to weigh against each other. "I suppose it's easy considering how practiced they are."

"Does it seem that way?" he asks, turning his own gaze toward the fire. "Winters have grown harsher over the past years, even as we evacuate them and offer to expand the city, they keep returning here in spring. Is it good to get used to these things?"

'Is it good to get used to these things' is such a heartsinking statement. Also huh, the winters are growing harsher? I wonder why. It could be nothing, but given the fact that legendaries are running around, I'm inclined to think otherwise. Also, Aria, I think you are in no position to think a knight is too young for the job, lol.

Elpis said:
"But enough about me, where did you learn to swing a sword?"

You look at the sword still leaning against the log. Fortunately it lacks and emblem, and the only thing that could really implicate where it comes from is the kind of steel it's made of. You decide not to draw the blade until you're out of sight.

Interesting that the steel would be the tip off, good to know for if that comes up later.

Elpis said:
"I picked it up here and there," you say. "The woods are dangerous, after all."

"That's true," he says. Again, he laughs it off, again you wonder just why he's focused on you. The group of villagers has reached a hundred men, women, and children. "You've been injured recently, though that does not look like a wild Pokemon did that to you."

Ah.

Why do you keep assuming everyone around you is too stupid to put two and two together?

It must be the time spent with Lissy. You hear Sneasel laugh.

He probably knows that you're not a villager.

"Still, the efforts of Marquess Reichert are appreciated," you say. "Not many nobles would help smaller villages like he does, after all."

Good deflection on Aria's part by turning it back on the Marquess, but also that little self-jab is just. Man. She's taking that little slip up very harshly, though it may just be because of how immensely high the stakes are. The quick side swipe as Lissy was funny though.

Elpis said:
"It is the duty of nobility, is it not?" Leif asks, crossing his arms. "Noblesse Oblige, and all that."

"That's nonsense," you say, unable to stop yourself. You slap your hands over your mouth, but he simply laughs. This makes it harder to hold back. "Noblesse Oblige puts all the responsibility on the shoulders of nobles. You can't be absolved from being a good person like that, people should help each other regardless of status if they can afford to—"

The wave of words crashes against the man's even louder laughter. You shut your mouth and glare at him, unable to mask your emotions. You just know Sneasel is somewhere out there absolutely laughing her ass off at you. You can hear that cackle from miles away.

Literally escaping criminal suspicion by being such a huge fucking do-gooder dork that Leif just clears her vibes. Incredible. Aria is the best.

Elpis said:
"Well, regardless, you and your Sneasel can help us once we get to the city," Leif says.

"She's not my—" you begin, but somehow you can't continue. You shake your head. "Sorry, help you?"

"There's some problems that usually crop up around the city during winter," he explains. "It's nothing major, but you'll be compensated. While there's obviously enough food for everyone, that's rationed and mostly bland. Money's the best way to get some proper food on the table."

"Ah," you say, nodding. Of course, no single territory can just live on the labor of knights alone. "Thanks for the information. I'll keep that in mind."

He smiles and nods again before leaving to join the other knights at the tent they share.

Ohh interesting. Due to clearly being both a reasonably upright person and handy with a blade, she's getting job offers. That's really neat, I want to know what that will be like.

[X] Join the patrol.
There is money to be made helping the knights patrol outside the city. The knights are looking for volunteers that can help them secure the area around the city, as wild Pokemon become desperate for warmth and food in the harsh cold and might attack civilians that travel in and out for various reasons.

But also, I think Aria getting kicked out of the knights and then instantly ending up working for knights again is just really funny.

NMS · Oct 18, 2024

[x] Work at the camp.

It's not might be worth much coin or involve doing things Aria/Sophia is necessarily good at, but it's helping the people who helped her.

tzar1990 · Oct 18, 2024

[X] Work at the camp.

Less "important" and profitable, sure, but Aria could really, really benefit from some simple human contact and kindness that isn't tied to her ability to do violence. Plus, her ability to bluff and handle social situations isn't that great, so a lower-stakes environment might be nice.

Also, more peasantry connections = more reasons for rebellion when shit gets real.

Vanestus · Oct 18, 2024

[X] Join the patrol.

WaterWorld · Oct 18, 2024

[X] Inana
[X] Join the patrol.

Magery · Oct 18, 2024

There's no other choice for the name but

[X] Inana

If you know, you know.

And if you don't know… I'm afraid you may have brought a small bird to the falcon competition.

[X] Join the patrol.

This is definitely how Aria will create her Revolutionary Guard, trust me.

YemDM · Oct 18, 2024

[X] Capo

[X] Join the patrol.

barty · Oct 18, 2024

[X] Inana
[X] Work at the camp.

SaberFail · Oct 18, 2024

[X] Capo
[x] Join the patrol.

Walker · Oct 18, 2024

[X] Inana
[X] Join the patrol.

Lyosha · Oct 18, 2024

[X] Inana
[X] Join the patrol.

Victory4T · Oct 18, 2024

[X] Inana
[X] Work at the camp.

RiceRockRekt · Oct 18, 2024

Okay, I've gotten the free time I need to put in the work for this, the wonderful start of Arc 2!

Elpis said:
Arc 2: The Border and the Runaway Knight

And what an ambience to kick things off.

Ahahahahahaha, I really do love this! The slanted mirror framing, the black and silver swords, how Aria and Capella share the same expression, yet it all feels so different in the people they are and will choose to become in these circumstances, the fucking red uniform and CAPE while Capella is still wearing Glastrier Knight colors, it's...

...The blade's width, and the spiraling hit topped with a circular inset...

Elpis said:

Wait is Capella carrying Drake's sword.

Holy shit.

I'm already hyped as hell alriiiiiiiiight, let's fucking go!!!

Elpis said:
You know these woods, you know your way out.

On the way out of the woods you hear a cry. A terrible, pain-filled expression of grief. And though you, too, want to do nothing but collapse and cry until all those emotions are finally gone, you know one thing that even your distance from Skiddle cannot take away: You cannot ignore someone's plight.

It has never been a question of whether you should help or not, has it?

You can help, so you will help, because that's the kind of person you are. You don't care to call it Noblesse Oblige. You don't care to think you're better off and thus should help those who have it worse.

Even those who are not fortunate will still reach out and give someone a hand if the content of their character matches that ideal you have been chasing for ten years.

I love this expansion of the narration preceding the last vote, and the way Aria's gnawing at the concept of Noblesse Oblige even though she's diving forth to follow through the beliefs that carried her through knighthood is an interesting intersection of Authority meeting Rebellion.

Aria's an interesting protagonist, because for all her, varying issues, she doesn't really doubt the content of her character, nor her worth as a human being, it's just that she has some troubling tendencies in how she asserts her independence pursuing that belief.

She's a very "I'm not stabbing myself in the fork because I hate myself, I'm stabbing myself with a fork because this vampire is starving and you can't stop me" kind of girl, which, you know, given her mother, makes sense. Definitely explains the psychosexual tension her and Capella have.

Elpis said:
So when you find a Sneasel tied to a tree, shaking against the electrified net of what looks like an automatic trap, you do not hesitate. She glares at you, her eyes red in anger and distrust. Her claws lash out as you approach, though she cannot properly reach you. When you grab the net, she does manage to scratch your hand, but you cannot stop now.

Even as it hurts. Even as your entire body vibrates with the energy of that net. It runs up your fingers and into your shoulders before you manage to pull the net off. It takes all the strength you have left, finding yourself ripping it apart on the way down.

You land in the cold snow. It feels like you'll never stand up again.

.

Like.

Uh.

.

Deadass???

ARIA WHAT DID I JUST SAY!?

So like. WOW, she just DID THAT.

I'm actually incredibly surprised by "electrified net", like even if it's crushed Thunder Stone like the Fire Stones Aria used as a flarelight (which, I really should say in case I haven't, was a really fun worldbuilding detail even in light of what Immediately Happened), it's like. The phrasing.

Like what is the tech level in Gildera, like pokeballs are around, though I assumed they were more rudimentary kinds, even if the Glastballs look pretty polished, but that's not necessarily a guarantee since...I mean, at least one guy has timetraveled in this setting's history...

I'm not too concerned with getting an answer since like, I enjoy being mildly boggled at times, just acknowledging this.

So! Sneasel! You're meeting your trainer in a really weird way!

You are unfortunately going to be her self-preservation instincts going forward!

Elpis said:
The sky above you is dark. Heavy moonlight still finds its way through the treetops and grants you some relief from the blindness that a winter night would usually impose. The world below you is cold and soft.

I feel like Aria needed the floor time.

Just has to be tazed to take a solid break and contemplate the universe that's done her so much wrong and so much right.

Elpis said:
The aftershocks of the trap are still there, forcing your arms close to your body. You are tense, but you cannot keep lying here. You turn to look at the tree—the Sneasel is no longer there. You breathe out of your nose, glad for the one good deed today before turning your head back to the sky.

The Sneasel fills your vision, sneaking up on you. She looks… normal for a Sneasel. A short feather in its ear, bright blue in color, contrasting its thick, dark fur it must have grown for the cold weather. She pokes you, the sharp claw sending some pain up your side as it checks for signs of life.

You roll out of the way, forcing yourself to stand up. "Please don't do that."

Wuhghhs.

Oh my god.

Sneasel: [Chitters what would translate as "Hey are you dead are you dead are you dead are you dead."]
Aria: Can't I pass out on the snowy ground in peace. Please.

I do think it's interesting how pokemon in ABfI keep randomly having different colored accents than the rest of their species.

Does it have any greater meaning Sneasel has a bright blue feather instead of red? No idea. Every animal in this damn country is frosted.

Elpis said:
She crosses her arms, grinning up at you. Sneasel are… not rare in the woods, but not very common either. They usually hang out on higher ground, grouping up with a Weavile, which means this one either strayed off too far or was separated by the sudden storm.

That makes two of you.

"Well, go on then," you say, looking up. The sky reveals your position. Atlas' Star is very bright today, pointing north. You point towards the direction of that star, knowing that's where the mountains are. "Your group should be somewhere in that direction."

Silence. You look down again, finding Sneasel looking confused. You feel jealous at how casual she seems in this weather, how little she cares for the frozen world around you. It makes you shiver.

"I don't have any food," you say. Well, you do. But not for freeloaders. Sneasel are perfectly capable of finding their own food, they have excellent noses and are adept hunters and gatherers. Sneasel looks insulted.

'You think I need your food?' its expression is so loud it might as well be shouting the words in a human tongue.

"Fine," you say. "Do what you want."

You turn around, trying to find your way again. The way east, toward the Spectrier Guard. Toward the Reichert family, where the letter in your pocket must reach. Where Drake would have sent you, in the end. You shake your head, taking a step forward.

Something pokes your side again. You jump, ready to draw your sword, only to notice the Sneasel still bothering you.

"A simple thank you would've been enough," you say, sighing. Sneasel shrugs. "Just leave me alone, girl."

Sneasel shrugs again, as if to say 'That's not going to happen'. Then it points at you, before pointing at herself. She holds up a scrap of the net she must've picked off the ground, waving it around.

"You don't owe me anything," you say. You pat down your shoulders, getting rid of ice and snow. "I'm perfectly capable of continuing by myself."

She does not look convinced in the slightest, and you don't have the energy or time to argue with a 3 foot bipedal mustelid.

. WOW.

Sneasel: [Chitters what would translate as "I've decided your mine now."]
Aria: Don't I get a choice???
Sneasel: [Chitters what would translate as "No."]

I love. Whatever the hell this is.

Pokemon are so fucking hilarious, Thalia was like "I'm an independent boid who needs to take care of da homies" and Aria was like "Respect" and then this fucking. Knife Weasel decides Aria's her human all on her own. Incredible. Outstanding. This is what an animal with Knight's Authority looks like.

It's funny Aria's just "Well it's weird to see a Sneasel here. Oh well I'm just gonna point out where she came from" like with zero reason to assume this little guy has an even remotely normal backstory.

The sky reveals your position. Atlas' Star is very bright today, pointing north.

Atlas being Polaris is neat.

Elpis said:
"Fine," you settle. "I'm on my way to the Spectrier Guard territory, you know? Big and scary people in black armor?"

'Let them come,' Sneasel challenged. You sigh, rubbing the bridge of your nose. It's no use, rather than wasting more energy trying to talk you turn around and start walking. East is the way. East will continue to be the way.

Sneasel's smug face as she follows one step behind you makes you wonder if you're going to regret this.

The red in her eyes starts to change into a different hue as you glance back. Probably nothing, and with that journey ahead you cannot afford any distractions. If nothing else, not having to walk this path alone helps a lot.

Okay so pokemon just. Share eye colors with their trainers. That's just what they do. If they vibe with you they start kinning the heterophobia in your eyes.

That is such subtly wild worldbuilding.

Sneasel: [Chitters what would translate as "I don't give a fuck what Batman wannabes think, I do what I want."]
Aria: You have a mouth on you.
Aria:
Aria: I miss you everyday Skiddle.

Elpis said:
You have formed a new bond. This Sneasel embodies the aspect of Authority. You already have a partner, though. You have one Skiddle. Forming this new bond makes you wonder, has Skiddle also found someone else to take care of her? Is she looking for you still?

Until that day you meet again and give that girl a hug, you must accept this distance. But you will never forget her, and you will not forget what she means to you:

Wisdom and Authority become one.

You are [Imp l]. This aspect of you is not yet fully formed. It seems to be missing a few letters.

This is so interesting, the ideals each of Aria's partners represent fusing like this is. Suggestive. Does this imply it's going to take until Aria makes a full party to reveal its true nature? Is her old Growlithe meant to be a part of this, either by the natural progress of the story, or as a choice we must make?

...The fact that Capella would very likely take up Skiddle the same way she has Drake's sword...

...Hey.

Elpis said:
Calling it your starter is not accurate, but it is the one that Drake has decided to be your partner. No matter how many Pokemon one catches and befriends, there is only going to be this one that will be with you all the way.

Inside is…

[ ] A brewing storm. Streaks of lightning run over the walls, sending small shocks through your fingers as you stroke the button.

This Pokemon represents a Knight's Courage. To face one's fears is the greatest of strength to those who wield the sword. Persist and push forward even in the face of impossible odds. Those with enough courage in their hearts would not even fear the mighty Gyarados' intimidating glare.

[ ] A fiery temperament. Though it looks so cold, the Pokeball is hot to the touch. You move it from one hand to the next.

This Pokemon represents a Knight's Power. To overwhelm one's enemy, one must first master oneself. They say the most powerful of all knights may catch even a charging Tauros by the horns. Surely such stories are exaggerated, but who knows, maybe you will be the one to prove them true.

[ ] The smell of nature. It feels familiar, like a garden you have not seen in a long time appears when you close your eyes.

This Pokemon represents a Knight's Wisdom. Brute force is not always the solution; you know this well. Words and diplomacy are worth as much as a blade in hand and armor on your back. One may even be able to talk down the most savage of beasts, or perhaps find unlikely friends in the midst of their enemies.

The choices for Aspirant Partner were Electric-Type, Fire-Type, and Grass-Type.

We choose Wisdom, so we got Skiddle.

But—

Elpis said:
Nobility has resources and other means to ease them into taming and raising Pokemon. You imagine if it weren't so, there is little they could do to stop those under them. They control medicine, the materials to produce pokeballs come from their mines, and some families even have exclusive access to items that cause Pokemon to evolve…

You try not to think of the past. You fail miserably, but it is with the comfort of a familiar room that you let go of your worries and think ahead.

When we got the foreshadowing that Aria's Starter was an Evolution Stone pokemon first chapter, that didn't come with any confirmation as to what that pokemon was, or the family Aria was raised by, until her dream sequence later on.

And Growlithe is a Fire-Type.

Were we just making the most convoluted "You choose a pokemon and your rival gets one after that plays into the type advantage dynamic" choice ever???

That's. Outstanding.

Like any Water Stone Evo would be a natural counter to the Power Partner, but the Starter in response to Courage would've had to have been, a Nidoran? Since the Nidos are the only Ground-Types who use an Evolution Stone—Though, acknowledging the weirder kinds of items that influence Evolution, we could expand the list, but a noble family that deals in Moon Stones really is the natural fit.

Anyway! [Imp], huh? Those are three letters to start with that have, implications (heh), but I can't help but feel "Yeah Aria did pick up this fucking imp who's gonna eat all her chips at 1am and call her a bitch" is a pretty natural read here.

For now you should choose a name for your new friend.

[ ] Capo
Again. Do it again. The melody keeps repeating from the start.

[ ] Inana
A hero, named after Kael's wife. A name Lissy would love for sure.

[ ] Obsidian
Minerals and gemstones are so, so beautiful. They remind you of someone.

[ ] Charon
A monster in Ancient Elysium, like those that Drake named his Pokemon after.

These are.

These are good. All very very good.

Can you imagine Sneasel and Capella meeting and it's just "You named a WEASEL after me???" "[Chitters what would translate as "You named me after your ex???]"

[X] Charon
A monster in Ancient Elysium, like those that Drake named his Pokemon after.
I feel a lot about daddy's girl depression, though.

I wonder if we'll ever meet the rest of Drake's team...

Elpis said:
You and that Sneasel are not a perfect pair. It's so easy to point out the differences to Skiddle—in most part it's the way Sneasel decides on things. She does not listen, which is fine, you aren't prone to listen either after all. She will do what you ask if you say please and thank you. She will do as you ask if you ask, not order.

Because nobody should order someone so admirable. Skiddle was cute, and she knew she was cute, but knowing she was cute made it cute!

Sneasel is… well, cute. But she knows she's cute, and that makes her not cute.

Oh you are so fucking normal aren't you Aria.

Aria on Skiddle being mad with cutie power: Baby girl baby.
Aria on Sneasel being mad with cutie power: Evil.

This is just so fucking kkkkkkkkahahahahahahahahahaha.

Aria. You're getting bullied by an e-girl. RIP.

Elpis said:
Despite your apprehension, the routine between you develops quickly. She points out shelter, you point out directions, traveling so far off-road that you can avoid people but still close enough to it to feel safe.

At this point, you are not sure just what you can do once you reach the depths of the Reichert territory. There should be few blue knights behind you at this point, Carrier-Pidgeys are much better to send around even if the harsh winter slows them down to a crawl.

The storm has ended, at least. Instead, slow and steady snowfall that does not melt in this climate and makes the already perilous path into something uncomfortable.

I just think it's funny. Aria is once again being nannied by a bad bitch Dark-Type, but it's not the Dark-Type she asked for.

You do gotta wonder what's going on in Caer Rivenhold, like I feel Aria might be underestimating how many Problems Were Caused behind her.

Love the consistent environmental mood of Gildera.

Elpis said:
"Hey," you call out, frowning. Sneasel stops in her tracks, turning around with narrowed eyes, still somehow suspicious of you. "Is it easy? To just leave your family behind to follow me?"

Pokemon have different ties to their families. Some species simply don't have them, some only move in packs until the end of their lives, and some are a bit more free spirited.

But humans are humans, and Pokemon are Pokemon.

"Snee," Sneasel says, actually verbalizing her answer for once. You still can't speak Pokemon, but you imagine it's something like 'Family stays family'.

"I get that," you say, pursing your lips. "But that doesn't mean it's easy, does it?"

'We are not separated,' Sneasel says. It points at her feathers. 'We share our feathers, our bond does not break so easily.'

"Feathers…" you say, thinking about Skiddle again. That dark feather in her hair. Thalia and the Squadkrows who saved your life in that cold storm.

'Do you not have their feathers?' Sneasel asks. You look at the pouch at your waist. At the small book inside. At the box of rations. At Drake's letter and Capella's thread that tied the pouch shut again.

"I do," you answer. You don't know what emotion you're feeling now, between the storm of strange ideas and weird thoughts. Even Zack is still with you, in a way, in your name, in your actions. "Thank you."

'You're welcome.'

Well, at least there's some common ground you can find.

I really liiiiiiiiike this moment. The feathers that tie you together.

That is SUCH a good way to tie in the Murkrow Feather (Thalia's feather) to the pick of Sneasel (who, again, fellow Dark-Type, lol).

Aria not being sure she can relate to Sneasel Human to Pokemon and Sneasel still finding her suspect (which is funny since. Come on. You literally didn't have to bother with Aria. Problematic Fav smh), but then it's like...The family you left behind is still with you.

Elpis said:
It's a story you've heard so often, you can recite it from memory, and therein lies a difference between the two of you. Capella claws her way out of that mire and stands tall, using her history as a stepping stone to motivate herself; you run from it.

And you will keep running from those eight letters of which you retain only four.

Still insane about whatever the fuck Aria's old name was (12 letters?) and the fact the ones she chose to keep are. From the chunk of Zachariah Zack couldn't be bothered to keep himself.

Like. It speaks to me Elpis.

Still think it's funny the way Aria is "Well I can't speak pokemon [Continues to mentally elaborate her impressions of their intelligible viewpoints in a dialogue format]."

Elpis said:
The rations are still plentiful, but warmth is hard to come by. The hours you've walked, the nights you've slept in small crevices that Sneasel pointed out. You find yourself comforted by her presence, more than you care to admit out loud. The winter is too harsh, the snow too high, to really look for you. Or perhaps Capella pointed them into the wrong direction.

In-fucking-CREDIBLE the way Aria continues to be a tsundere about a whole fucking knife beast. Are you that scared to admit smug girls work on you.

Yeah maybe Capella did. Or maybe she started beating up knights who got sent after you. Who's to say.

Elpis said:
Bells ring in the distance. The vibrations echo in your bones and you clench your teeth through the clattering, facing the cold as you look up.

DING. DONG. DING—

You don't know how long you've been walking today. You do know, however, that you should have gotten caught by border guards by now. Sneasel stands at your side, but the journey to here was… too easy. The bells— you know the code, you try to remember but it eludes you until you see a large group of people sitting in carriages in the distance.

Evacuation.

DING. DONG. DING—

The village you find yourself in is being evacuated, the bell rings three times, then takes a break. Then three more. You have heard of this before, when the winters are very harsh, how the villagers are taken in by the city of Marquess Reichert to stay until the temperatures rise again.

Your dangerous choice has become a good opportunity, it seems.

Oh this is fascinating, a winter evacuation signal is like a really well-thought out addition to like. The Eternal Snow Hell Gildera is.

The fact Reichert goes to the effort is probably the most glowing character recommendation we've gotten.

Elpis said:
Or it would have been, until you notice the gaze of the armored man sitting atop a strange looking Rapidash. It has no flames on its head, instead a mane of hair that looks like candy adorns it. It makes for a contrast you would have found funny on any other day, the black sheen of the heavy armor against the pale beauty of the Rapidash—the emblem on that armor, a mirror of the Glastrier Knight's, pointing in the wrong direction with a cross instead of an oval in the middle.

And here we meet a Spectrier Guard! A black knight on a fucking Galarian Rapidash.

Aria is right, this IS funny, especially since this variant clearly isn't the local breed, so this guy. Like. Got this fairy tale rhino on purpose when there's a more convenient version that comes with external heating.

Man this must be a good guy, the Galarian Rapidash-Line has empathy powers like the Gogoat-Line, they don't vibe with those without good intent...Which is a really clever choice for a border inspection detail, huh.

Elpis said:
You tense up as he approaches. You haven't stopped your own feet. If you look casual, natural, maybe he will assume you're a—

That damn uniform, still. You tighten your cloak around you, hiding everything but your head.

Homie I feel like the cloak burrito is gonna make you look. Less than casual.

Of course, in this kinda weather, more natural than not.

Elpis said:
The approaching knight calls out.

"Halt," he calls. He doesn't look that old, perhaps in his early twenties, and his voice is also young to match. His blue hair is long and tied up, revealing a rather ridiculous scar that travels from the top of his ear down to the side of his neck. "Who goes there?"

Okay I like what's going on with this dude's design but I do think it is fucking funny that Aria's reaction to seeing what must be someone damn near getting their brains ripped out is "Wait that looks so jacked up."

Elpis said:
A million possible answers, and very few convincing. You managed to scrub away most blood from your face, but the bruises are still healing and sore. You definitely do not look like a normal villager.. Sneasel is hiding behind you, ready to strike, waiting for that moment where the knight's eyes meet yours.

"Sofia!" a voice calls out, killing any thought of violence. You turn away from the knight, your gaze meeting that of an elderly woman. She's dressed much like you, coat and all. You can see a stick to help her walk under it, gripped by pale and thin fingers. She ignores the knight completely, walking toward you with a purpose and then grabbing your head, forcing it down, away from the man's gaze. "Oh dear, what a mess you made of yourself. Come, we must get you warmed up."

You don't get to protest as the woman drags you away, just past the knight, who looks too stunned and confused to really doubt the woman's words. For a moment, you're just as confused. Did she mistake you for someone? No, though the woman is quite old and her eyes are half-lidded and unfocused, the sharpness of her movement makes you realize she's helping you escape notice.

Her other hand just grabs Sneasel's claw and drags her with you as well.

Wow. Okay go grandma go!

Love how Sneasel was Ready To Kill before she got handholded.

I do wonder what it implies that an old woman was that fast to keep attention away from Aria, like how dangerous is it for anyone in general to draw the attention of the Spectrier Patrol? Pony Rider here doesn't seem particularly jumpy, though, the matter of eyes...

Elpis said:

Hm. Yeah. I wonder what a man in Reichert's employ would've thought, catching a look at Aria's eyes.

Elpis said:
The village looks absolutely drowned in snow. Knights are sitting on various mounts and keep watch over the evacuation efforts. Mudbray stand tall in front of the carriages, waiting for the order to move. Nobody gives you a second glance as the old woman moves you forward in line, skipping ahead of most villagers.

What you don't know is why. The villager woman gets you into one of the carriages with her. It smells of a campfire that must have burned last night, spartan but full of people who are huddled up together and giving each other warmth and comfort. None of the villagers inside, who would no doubt know that she is not your grandmother, make a single sound.

Two of them grab heavy blankets, throwing them over you, warming you up and hiding you between them. It is the first of real warmth you've felt in the past two days.

You don't know what to say, so you say nothing. The sting in your eyes that announces tears is simply because of the cold wind, nothing else.

"Why are you helping me?" you manage to ask. You notice Sneasel at your feet, hiding in between the blankets and enjoying the warmth all the same.

"Because you look like you need help," the old woman answered.

"Aria," your grandmother says, her voice weak, her fingers thin and pale as they hold onto your hand. "You are a good child."

You must help those who you can help, so why is accepting help in return so hard?

UGH. THE WAY THIS COMES BACK TO ARIA'S TAKEDOWN OF NOBLESSE OBLIGE FROM THE START OF THE CHAPTER.

Aria's grandma trauma...

This is so sweet. I love when it all comes back to this faith in inherent compassion.

Elpis said:
"A child like you should not look like she had a life well lived," the old woman says. You freeze.
A life well lived. A curse to any noble, and the common man's most polite way to say that one was run ragged by circumstance.

"I'm not a child," you say. She smiles at you, with all the softness and generosity that someone could muster for a stranger. It is much, much kinder than you're used to. Her hand reaches out, and though you want to do nothing more than grab and stop it, you don't want the attention.

Her fingers trace your shoulders. "A child does not stop being a child by being a warrior."

"I'm not a warrior either," you say. You don't know what you are. Some vagrant, a masterless knight.

"We may not all fight the same battles, Sofia," she says. You frown, that name again. "But we are all warriors, each and every one of us. We fight for our family, for our friends, for our homes."

Your frown deepens. You know those words, a prayer, though you cannot remember what church it belongs to. Regardless, the words of that old faith resonate with you. She isn't wrong, and even then, trying to hide your origin with that sword sticking out of the blankets is futile.

"Aria," you say, introducing yourself. You cannot give them a wrong name, you cannot hide who you are again. This is what you picked, and this is what you stand by. "I am Aria."

"Welcome to Traviolle, Aria," the old woman said. The others in the carriage echo her words. "I am Beatrice. The young ones call me Old Bea."

"Thank you," you say, nodding at her. You draw the blankets closer, your arms hugging around your legs, putting your chin on your knees. "I've been freezing for a while."

Just really...Yeah...

The little hint of a religion Aria doesn't have the context for is good. Feels lively.

SHE CHOSE THE NAME ARIA AND SHE REFUSES TO STOP LIVING BY IT.

Old Bea is nice : )

Please don't be the next old person who gets stabbed.

Elpis said:
There's no reason to start doubting people's intentions today. There's no value in constant paranoia. That is not the person Drake wants you to be. Not the person your grandmother wants you to be.

Wanted.

You shake your head.

PEOPLE KEEP TAKING ELDERLY PEOPLE FROM ARIA. IT'S GIVING HER TRAUMA.

Elpis said:
"I could be a criminal," you say. The blood on your hands is still fresh on your mind. For the first time in three days, you feel safe enough to think. To feel. Why is it always so easy to share with strangers? "I could be dangerous."

Old Bea simply laughs. It's such a mess. Sneasel seems to have found herself quite relaxed already, sleeping in between your feet without a care in the world. As if everything is fine now. As if—

A girl pokes your blanket. You look toward her, finding yourself in a staring contest with a six year old child. She is holding something, struggling slightly as she raises it to you. It's—it's clothes? A bundle of them. You take them with shaking hands, before two other women lift the blankets, blocking everyone's sight from you.

Ah.

They know, of course. About the blood, the smell clings on you even if you've already gotten used to it. You take the uniform off, laying it in a heap on the ground before untangling the clothes they offer. A loose shirt with long sleeves and thick trousers that'll stave off the cold. There's even a hat there, to hide your hair and ears. There's not much that can be done for your skin, but from the looks of it, this close to the border you're not the only person that has a darker complexion.

Mm. Yeah. Ow.

ARIA WANTING TO TRUST PEOPLE BUT BEING AFRAID OF PEOPLE TRUSTING HERRRRRRRRRRR.

Do you know how they pair race horses with donkeys to help them calm down? Sneasel is like that for Aria.

Babygirl offering the clothes to replace the blood...

I do like the way "oh yeah being this close to the border explains why plenty of people here have brown skin" is just laid out here. 0% suggestive regarding whyever Aria has the skin tone she does.

Elpis said:
"It doesn't matter how many children van Kesteren raises to be his soldiers," Old Bea says as you settle back onto the seat. Changing is an awkward affair, though there is more space in these evacuation carriages than in the ones used to transport Glastrier knights to their duties. She holds the bloodied clothes and you can see something that looks like disdain on her face. "A child is a child, Aria. And no child deserves to freeze to death. If you have done something that brings you shame, it will not change my decision to help you now."

"The people I've met under his employ are not bad judges of character," you say, frowning. "The Duke is not… a perfect person, I know this. They took me in when I had nowhere else to go."

Dude what can you even say about this.

Old Bea: Kesteren is kinda cringe for employing underaged murderhobos.
Aria, defending a man she spent several days walking through snow away from the domain of: I mean I don't think that's too problematic—

I think what's more interesting than just what Bea is informing us about Kesteren's reputation outside of his Duchy is that Aria showing this trust in his better angels does feel like it's the natural consequence of choosing the more openminded vote last time, though, it's more than likely that we wouldn't have seen Aria discuss recent history this openly if we'd gone the other way.

Old Bea's a sweetheart though, and I think it's good when big complex political wheels makes you go "Okay wait is this guy full of shit or is the widescale economical apparatus too complicated to go a less. Hm. Way about things?"

Elpis said:
"It is not a time to argue politics, I suppose," Old Bea says, nodding. Someone hands her something, pieces of firestones. She crushes them, pouring the pieces into a cup and filling it with a liquid from a pouch. It quickly begins to steam before she hands it to you. Tea, you notice. The small pieces of firestone look like stars at the bottom of the cup. "But if you wish to ponder on something before you fall asleep, keep this in mind. Why did you wear a uniform, and all the knights in the east and west wear armor?"

You don't know.

Or rather, you do. You can extrapolate. You can guess. You can make educated assumptions. You have a billion different ways to take what you know and create an answer that makes sense. The tea warms you, tires you out, and makes you think—a Skarmory's shedded steel can make for a single armor, or five swords. A Corviknight is bigger, though the amount of steel is much the same.

One chose weapons, the other defense.

You try to stay awake, but the exhaustion catches up to you.

There is so much more you must think about…

Fascinating how old ladies will subject Aria to political science homework.

Lovvvvvvve the way Fire Stones are used like herbs and spices.

I like the discussion of different local metal birds, and the fact that the difference is about how many more can be armed...

What does it mean that Duke van Kesteren is the most prepared for war?

Elpis said:
"But you still believe there will be one within our lifetime," you say, tensing up. Redwood nods, not taking as long to think. "For specific reasons, or because there has not been a period this long without one?"

"The second verse is the same as the first," Redwood summarizes. For a man who is usually so jolly, the grave expression on his face makes for a grim reminder that he, too, is a man who has fought in war. Captain Redwood is one of the people who was on the frontlines during the last Solian-Gilderan war before the princess' marriage united the continent. A war hero, for all that is worth. "It is human nature to want what one does not."

"But you said it is avoidable," Ruby says, joining the conversation after finishing their own task at the stove. "So why is it going to happen?"

"Because to defy that nature takes a strong character," Redwood says. You nod along. There's no such thing as a strong character among those craven nobles who have never seen the bloodshed with their own eyes. While men like Duke van Kesteren have fought and bled alongside their own knights, the capital nobles who most benefit from war do not even have to send their sons.

Certainly, he's the lord who remembers the last one the most.

Elpis said:
You wake up with a start. You try to stand, but a hand on your shoulder stops you, saving you from an embarrassing and loud injury. Old Bea puts a finger to her mouth, motioning for you to stay quiet. Most of the villagers are still asleep, and the children who have been the loudest on the journey here are finally quiet, leaning against their parents.

Family, you think to yourself. What a beautiful picture of family.

Outside, you can hear the knights speaking. Two of them, the young man from before and an older woman. Sneasel has climbed from the floor of the carriage into your lap, clutching around your waist and just barely avoiding stabbing you with the sharp claws.

Love how at first brush Aria's reaction is "Oh you want me to be quiet as to not disrupt this lovely domesticity" but what Old Bea is actually doing is Snooping.

Elpis said:
"Duke van Kesteren is furious," the woman says. You shake your head. You can't even get nervous at this, how can those two be called knights? They're practically shouting this for everyone to hear! "It sounds strange either way, doesn't it? Someone like Drake dying?"

"Age will be the end of us all," the young knight says. "But the report does sound off, I agree. An unknown assassin? Who escaped after killing four more knights?"

You draw a sharp breath. There's no way the information could've gotten twisted like this, not unless the guards decided to abandon you as a scapegoat. No, there is something terribly wrong in Caer Rivenhold. Capella knew the truth, after all, or at least the truth that the guards were spreading.

Which means—what exactly does it mean?

The only two people who could suppress this information once it's out would be Drake himself or the Duke, whose orders are absolute. If he tells the knights not to speak of her, then they would not, but—

Your head starts throbbing. You raise your hands, rubbing your temples, trying to make sense of it. The pain behind your eyes spreads until it touches your spine. Their reputation would be tarnished if they admit that some third-rate aspirant killed the commander. This does not mean you're off the hook, but it does mean that your face will not be on bounty posters across the entire country.

It does mean that you have to avoid anyone wearing blue and white though, and burn that uniform Old Bea is hiding for you the moment you have the chance.

This is interesting, because a number of things in this picture. Don't add up.

For one, the other knights died? When? If it was Typhon who did it, that would've been during the incident itself, and Aria being launched out the Caer means she wasn't there to pin it on, and Capella wouldn't have said that everyone thought she did it—Though, there's the obvious possibility that there were more people in on it waiting in the wings, with Aria as the prepared scapegoat...Hm.

I'm very suspicious of this reasoning, as well:

Their reputation would be tarnished if they admit that some third-rate aspirant killed the commander.

Aria constantly talking down to herself aside, I think the reason Kesteren would want to keep her identity to himself, if that is what's happening here, would be one more pressing than the loss of face, especially when Drake's death is an all the more worse crack in the armor.

You shake your head. You can't even get nervous at this, how can those two be called knights? They're practically shouting this for everyone to hear!

Think it's hysterical Aria's standards are "You should be able to keep your MOUTH shut."

Literally judges everyone by "If you wanna be called a knight you have to be half the man Drake is (I am not half the man Drake is)."

Elpis said:
"Still," the woman speaks up again. "If it's true, his death is just the beginning."

"Aye," the young man answers. You can't see him, but you can hear the way his voice shifts, nervousness spreading through his chest. "I imagine it is simply a prelude to greater conflict."

The conversation dies off, but your own thoughts are still racing. The carriage slows down. It's time to open a camp for the night. The further east you come, the thinner the snow gets, the less bad the cold. In between the border and behind the mountains, the warm winds of Sol come and give the Marquess' territory a less harsh winter.

Gildera's geography feels more and more like a prison. If it wasn't for the abundance of fire stones in the mountains, it's likely the capital would've frozen over hundreds of years ago.

The way this continent refuses to have realistic climates is fun.

LITERALLY. LITERALLY SOL IS A HARBOR OF HEAT AND LIFE.

Love how "Hey is Gildera. Like the bad guys" keeps coming back right down to the inhospitable JRPG dominion.

Elpis said:
You help with the camp, of course. You still try to hide your face from the knights, even as you realize that they will likely not be suspicious of you. It takes only a few minutes for tents to be set up with such a practiced perfection, you realize that your help is barely needed.

These are people who have survived these winters longer than you've been alive, and yet they do not mind that you take a little bit longer to set that fire compared to them.

In the end, Old Bea is not keeping you constant company. You find yourself at the large campfire set up in the middle, keeping watch over it as you warm yourself. It's so important to you, as if you have to charge at the flames, as if you'll freeze again soon. Something like this is hard to describe to others, you realize, the feeling of cold and loneliness.

Not that you're truly that lonely. Sneasel moved away from the camp to hide in the trees when children were trying to pull at her feathers, but you can still feel her presence in the dark, watching over you, meeting your gaze when you look into the treetops.

This is such a dark, yet lively image being painted.

There's no one to be scared of, people are taking care of business even if you're slow, and don't mind that you tried, the animal who took a shine to you is lurking at the edge of the firelight, keeping you company in the distance.

It's such a living atmosphere.

Also LOL, Sneasel getting poked at by little kids.

Elpis said:
You can still feel those hands on your back, and you wonder when you'll be able to hold them again. The bag in your hands weighs heavy with those promises. In one moment, you draw out Lissy's book, staring at the cover, tracing the title with your fingers.

Someone pokes you again. You try not to sound irritated as you turn around and smile at the child that gave you those clothes earlier in the day. You don't know her name, but with how many people you've met today there's no way you can memorize them all anyway.

"What's that?" she asks, pointing at the book in your hands.

"It's a book," you say, "a friend gave it to me."

"What's it about?" she asks.

"Old stories about heroes," you say, "like Emperor Kael."

Her eyes light up. Even those who don't know folklore and fairy tales know Kael, such is the influence of that man.

"Can you read it?" the girl asks, smiling up at you. You are eternally tired, but you've rested enough. If you can distract the kids long enough for their parents to get some rest, the first step to repay these people's kindness is already done.

"Of course," you say, sitting down next to the fire, the book opening up to the first chapter. "A is for Atlas," you read, "who protects us from the stars."

Ough...Reading kids Lissy's fairy tales...

Aria being good to kids the way her grandmother was to her...

Her eyes light up. Even those who don't know folklore and fairy tales know Kael, such is the influence of that man.

Lol. Aria's speaking for herself.

Elpis said:
"Are the stars dangerous?" one of the children asks. You notice that the girl who asked is not the only one who's decided to listen in on the reading. The girl that speaks up is looking at the sky. She is pale and scared, shivering against the cold even though the fire is so strong you can barely feel it yourself.

"No," you say, "because Atlas protects us."

You point at the stars and find the brightest one in the sky. It shimmers, various colors coming off it when one squints. The children follow your gaze, and their shivering stops. You continue reading.

"Once, there was a great evil in the night sky," you read, trying to put on a voice like your grandmother used to do when she told a story. "It came from far, far away. A distance so great, one could cross from here to the east of Sol and back a billion billion times and still not reach it."

"That's really far…" one of the boys says, his voice low and awed.

I see we're finding about Lore on all the fucking aliens these medieval and/or classical age peasants have to deal with!

Atlas being fucking. Starscourge Radahn, I guess.

She's trying to put on her gramgram's voice.

"That's really far" hell yeah it is little man!

Elpis said:
"An oracle walked to the greatest city in Elysium and called out for a hero," you continue, "she said 'Soon there will be a challenger, who will take from us our mother earth. The stars will devour Elysium!'"

The children huddle together, the story catching their interest. You can see some of the adults listen in too, some laughing at the way you tell it, some interested in ways that make you wonder just how many of them have ever learned how to read, or if the many years of war have never given them time to enjoy their childhoods.

"But whenever we are in trouble, there are heroes who we can look up to," you say, your voice rising slightly. "Heroes like Atlas, who lived in that city! Atlas was not a warrior at all, he was a craftsman, but he knew that he was destined for something greater than himself. He would become a hero."

"A hero!" the children echo. You smile at them, standing up as you hold the book open with one hand and remove the sword from your waist, keeping it inside the scabbard before pointing it over the flame.

"Atlas gathered help. Dozens of Pokemon who were friends with him: fearsome Ursaring, intelligent Kadabra, and fearless Psyducks!" You point the sword up at the sky again. "A gaggle of Clefairy were with him, sending him up and up and up into the sky. Until under him there was Elysium, and above him, there was the eternal night sky."

You put the sword aside, leaning it against a log and focus on the words. How did your grandma do this again? You cough slightly, changing approach again. Regardless of your inadequacy, the children are entertained, and that's what matters, right?

Wow Aria is so into this she's waving her sword around! In public! In front of the Spectrier Guard!

This is really cute though. The wayyyy she raises her voice for the adults along the edges, because everyone deserves to hear about Atlas! Who had the aid of bears, and wizards, and fucking migraine ducks.

I love this.

Elpis said:
"As he stood on the edge of the world, it appeared. It was red and blue, its eyes an empty maw, its hands stained with the light of all those stars it devoured. The Starscourge!"

The children make a loud noise together, something between a scared scream and an excited shout. You nod, continuing without missing a beat.

LITERALLY STARSCOURGE.

...Deoxys???

Starscourge Deoxys.

That's metal holy shit.

Elpis said:
"'You fool', the Starscourge said, 'do you not see that you will lose? Do you not see that this is your fate written in the stars?'"

"'No', said Atlas," you say, finding the right tone finally. You can see that scene in the fire, you can see Lissy in it, swinging a sword as a child so happy and carefree as she re-enacts the very fights that made her who she is. "'I make my own fate'."

Atlas swings the spear in his hands, and the weight of the world rests on his shoulders as he fights back against the Starscourge. It fights back, but the power of his friendships, the power of his Pokemon friends at his side, prove too much for it.

The Starscourge runs, but Atlas does not descend. He knows, after all, that one day it will return.

And until then, he keeps watch for us. He guides us at night, and protects us when the sun is up, locked in an eternal battle until the end of time.

You finish the story to the cheers of the children. You don't know if you've done the right thing, now, considering how excited they look. There's no way they'll just calm down and let their parents rest now, will they?

You see them run off to grab sticks, pointing them up at the sky like you did earlier. Some begin fighting, rolling in the snow and tackling each other. Within seconds, the children forget the situation and just enjoy themselves.

This is rly rly good.

I love how you take us into these little myths within myths and make us fall in love with your fic folklore blorbos Elpis.

Can't believe this is literally the only based Atlas ever.

Remembering Lissy as she tries to give these kids the same happiness...

Elpis said:
The sound of snow crunching under feet behind you makes you tense up.

"Your storytelling might use some work," the young knight says, smiling at you. You swallow the lump in your throat. The lack of suspicion and the fact that the story surrounding Drake's death has not properly reached their ears made you careless. "Still, it's good to see that you take your education seriously. Not many children learn to read in the villages."

"I couldn't disappoint my grandmother," you say. Half-truths and terrible, shameless lies. "I'm sorry, I made them more excited than before."

"It's fine," he says, waving off your concern with a hand. The armor reflects the bonfire, the Corviknight steel looks very nice and polished. "By the time they stop playing 'Atlas and the Starscourge' they'll probably be tired enough so they're still asleep for the rest of the journey. Any distraction's good at times like these."

This is like. It's also so consistent the way good faith messes with Aria more than the opposite. Never used to being treated right.

The fact this guy is sincerely complimenting her for being literate pffft.

It kinda shows how the atmosphere of a dude in black armor changes entirely from presentation, scar face here is just happy the kids will feel safe and relaxed for the trip.

Elpis said:
"Yes," you say, pursing your lips. Times like these. Times you've never really had to consider. When winter was heavy in the Flamberg house, they simply had Arcanines warm everything up. When the snow got thick in the Caer, classes became more frequent and outside training was used to toughen up. The fact that villagers at the edges of those territories could suffer like this was never something that crossed your mind. "How long until the city?"

"We have one more village to stop at on our path tomorrow, then we should be able to reach it by nightfall or early light if we can afford to. It depends on the weather."

At least there's no fear of starvation. Gildera remains abundant, and in the cold weather preservation is very easy, snow and ice allowing for storage boxes that have become a very important exported good to Sol, who replace the natural resources with ice stones.

The way Aria really isn't used to the cold as a catastrophe all its own. Mm.

Scooching in worldbuilding about how Sol and Gildera have a lot of trade based in their differing climates is one of those things. A history tied at a knot that keeps coming out bloody.

Elpis said:
"You're Sofia, right?" he asks. You almost speak the truth, suppressing the reflex at the last second as your lips part. Your teeth slam together with a loud click, and you nod instead of speaking. "I am Leif, Knight of the Spectrier Guard. I lead this evacuation effort."

"You do?"

That's not the right tone, is it? You open your mouth to apologize, but the man just shrugs.

"I know I'm too young for it, but age matters little here," he says, laughing it off. "I used to grow up in a village, so I know the people and the paths better than some knights who've been around longer."

"That's… fair," you say. Experience can be useful, but the different kinds of experience are often difficult to weigh against each other. "I suppose it's easy considering how practiced they are."

"Does it seem that way?" he asks, turning his own gaze toward the fire. "Winters have grown harsher over the past years, even as we evacuate them and offer to expand the city, they keep returning here in spring. Is it good to get used to these things?"
"Is it so hard to imagine people that wish to return home?"

"Home is where my people are," he says, and you realize it is not him you are arguing with, or you that he is complaining to. It's surely an argument he's had with someone else, whose answers mirrored your own.

I like Leif.

It's really interesting to see this like, mirror to Aria's situation, that this is a country boy in polished armor and Aria is the bluest blood on this continent who's been clinging to rags for half her life now.

It's funny how Aria is trying to play the role she's been provided but she's like, doesn't at all know how to act like she's one of these people.

Elpis said:
"But enough about me, where did you learn to swing a sword?"

You look at the sword still leaning against the log. Fortunately it lacks and emblem, and the only thing that could really implicate where it comes from is the kind of steel it's made of. You decide not to draw the blade until you're out of sight.

"I picked it up here and there," you say. "The woods are dangerous, after all."

"That's true," he says. Again, he laughs it off, again you wonder just why he's focused on you. The group of villagers has reached a hundred men, women, and children. "You've been injured recently, though that does not look like a wild Pokemon did that to you."

Ah.

Why do you keep assuming everyone around you is too stupid to put two and two together?

It must be the time spent with Lissy. You hear Sneasel laugh.

He probably knows that you're not a villager.

Like literally. Kekekekekekekekekekek.

"It must be Lissy who's making me stupid." "[Laughs knowingly in Sneasel]"

Deeply funny how Aria's "Shouldn't knights know how not to give things away" comes back at her like a brick.

Elpis said:
"Still, the efforts of Marquess Reichert are appreciated," you say. "Not many nobles would help smaller villages like he does, after all."

"It is the duty of nobility, is it not?" Leif asks, crossing his arms. "Noblesse Oblige, and all that."

"That's nonsense," you say, unable to stop yourself. You slap your hands over your mouth, but he simply laughs. This makes it harder to hold back. "Noblesse Oblige puts all the responsibility on the shoulders of nobles. You can't be absolved from being a good person like that, people should help each other regardless of status if they can afford to—"

The wave of words crashes against the man's even louder laughter. You shut your mouth and glare at him, unable to mask your emotions. You just know Sneasel is somewhere out there absolutely laughing her ass off at you. You can hear that cackle from miles away.

Leif ABSOLUTELY having the time of his life with how much of a clown Aria is.

He might earn the coveted title of "Second Favorite Human" from Sneasel.

You know. If him and Aria don't end up having a sword fight over all this.

Elpis said:
"Well, regardless, you and your Sneasel can help us once we get to the city," Leif says.

"She's not my—" you begin, but somehow you can't continue. You shake your head. "Sorry, help you?"

"There's some problems that usually crop up around the city during winter," he explains. "It's nothing major, but you'll be compensated. While there's obviously enough food for everyone, that's rationed and mostly bland. Money's the best way to get some proper food on the table."

"Ah," you say, nodding. Of course, no single territory can just live on the labor of knights alone. "Thanks for the information. I'll keep that in mind."

He smiles and nods again before leaving to join the other knights at the tent they share.

You will be there soon. Before that last stretch, you should get some rest.

. This is fascinating.

It says More Than A Little about the Spectrier Guard that "Oh yeah you seem to be some random blackguard who nonetheless is good with kids" is an acceptable choice for off the books recruits.

Like fun things honestly, I like Leif's chutzpah.

SHE'S NOT MY SNEASEL, THOUGH.

Aria is so funny. Literally. Literally tsundere about a small mammal.

The Border City, Wallburg, is visible.

There's no way you'll be able to get that letter to Marchioness Reichert right now. You also can't just hand it over to someone, that's not what Drake would've wanted. So for now, you have to settle in, make some money, survive the winter before you can work on a new plan.

[ ] Join the patrol.
There is money to be made helping the knights patrol outside the city. The knights are looking for volunteers that can help them secure the area around the city, as wild Pokemon become desperate for warmth and food in the harsh cold and might attack civilians that travel in and out for various reasons.

[ ] Work at the camp.
This will not really earn you any coin, but it'll keep you distracted. Just because you're evacuated to the city doesn't mean that the villagers can simply stay idle. They make clothes, take care of their young, and make sure that everyone gets by.

This is interesting.

The cover signals that Aria's gonna get a Corviknight Steel Sword somehow, even though we aren't guaranteed to be working closely with the Spectrier Guard in Wallburg, so I'm kinda interested in the implications of each choice.

You're really making sure to slow our roll and give us time to settle in Elpis, makes me interested in what the pace for actually making contact with good ol' Aunt Reichert is.

[X] Join the patrol.
There is money to be made helping the knights patrol outside the city. The knights are looking for volunteers that can help them secure the area around the city, as wild Pokemon become desperate for warmth and food in the harsh cold and might attack civilians that travel in and out for various reasons.

Because I'm basic, I want to see what Volunteer Knight Antics look like, but I'm perfectly at ease with being surprised.

Elpis said:
Aria, the Aspirant Knight

Aria, the Runaway Knight

Art by Me

Your Pokemon and your Skills share the same slot. As one grows in power, the other will too. Aspects are combinations of Skills, representing the content of your character and choices, not necessarily the things you can bring to the table.

They're graded loosely adapted from We Stand In Awe's and But Not Forgotten's skill levels. Everything runs purely on a narrative basis, with your capability in a skill deciding the paths that become available to you rather than rolls which decide their outcomes.

Aspects and Skills

Aspect: Imp‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ l (Wisdom + Authority)

This is an Aspect of your Character. Something that you ARE, not something that you CAN DO. Wisdom and Authority make for a better noble that most. If you hone this aspect, perhaps you can forge it into a blade that can carve borders. It is missing a few letters, though. You should go find those.

Skill: Wisdom [Competent]

There are many ways of persuasion. Knowing when to apply the right kind of force, knowing when to ease up, such is the way of a Knight. During lessons, the stories of those generals who set enemies up to fail with strategy and wit were always much more interesting to you. You are Aware. You notice things that you might not usually, you make connections that make no sense sometimes because of details you picked up but might not quite have the context for yet.

Skill: Authority [Competent]

Your voice commands respect. Your deeds will make people think twice before starting a fight with you. It is easier to convince others to follow you. These are all aspects of Authority, something you have inside of you whether you want it or not.

Aria's Pokemon

~~The Flamberg Growlithe~~

?: ??? the Growlithe: Love. You are someone capable of great empathy and affection.

~~Skiddle, the Runaway Knight's Regret~~

1: Skiddle the Skiddo: Wisdom [Competent]:
Skiddle is your first partner as a Glastrier Knight. She's kind and happy, always ready to cheer you up and keep you company when you're down. She will keep you upright if you can barely walk, and she will warm you up at night if you're cold. That's the kind of Pokemon she is.

Or was.

??? the Sneasel

See you soon!

Important Characters and Friends

Capella, your precious friend.

Capella is a year younger than you. She has spent a lot of time with Drake before he returned to the Caer after picking you up. She is your best friend. The only one who truly understands you.

Drake, your adoptive father.

The man who took you in. A bald Commander whose name makes many tremble in fear. To you, he's your savior and mentor. His trusty Partner is a Dragonite named Typhon as scarred as him.

Lissy, the Future Legend

A girl who wants to become a hero. She knows all the tales and stories of those who now dwell in the Elysian fields. Her ability to fight in close combat is enough to make even some older knights cower. Her Scraggy is named Perseus.

Ruby, the Mountain Child

A member of the last natives in Western Gildera. They hail from Regis' Pass, a village where the last survivors do not know what their future looks like. Ruby wishes to become a noble to protect their people. Their Bunneary is called Opal.

Silvia, the Lightning Blade

Silvia is a Captain of the Glastrier Order. Despite using a long sword, she is said to be the fastest swordswoman on the continent. Her partner, Bolt, is a Raichu with a darker fur than usual.

Redwood, the Scholar

A man who towers over everyone in the Caer. Redwood is a teacher at heart, though his own skill with the blade is not to be taken lightly. His partner is an Ursaluna named Princess. She wears a crown.

Minor Characters and Acquaintances

The Murkrow Squad of the Northern Woods

Led by Thalia the Murkrow, these four Murkow were your first battle, and rivals for berries. They're not that bad, though. They did save your life. Maybe one day you can come back for them.

In other news, the character sheet updated!

This is an Aspect of your Character. Something that you ARE, not something that you CAN DO. Wisdom and Authority make for a better noble that most. If you hone this aspect, perhaps you can forge it into a blade that can carve borders. It is missing a few letters, though. You should go find those.

Again, the fact that stacking two Partner Skills has created, this is a really interesting implication for character design in this quest.

What is Aria being positioned to become, when the crown she despises becomes all too fitting.

Your voice commands respect. Your deeds will make people think twice before starting a fight with you. It is easier to convince others to follow you. These are all aspects of Authority, something you have inside of you whether you want it or not.

I already used the good ending line just above, so I won't repeat it.

I think it is funny that the Skill Aria is the most tsundere about having comes from the pokemon she's the most tsundere about having.

Skiddle is your first partner as a Glastrier Knight. She's kind and happy, always ready to cheer you up and keep you company when you're down. She will keep you upright if you can barely walk, and she will warm you up at night if you're cold. That's the kind of Pokemon she is.

Or was.

Rough.

Drake, your adoptive father.

I didn't bring this up last time, but...The fact Drake's "adoptive father" now...Only after he died...

A man who towers over everyone in the Caer. Redwood is a teacher at heart, though his own skill with the blade is not to be taken lightly. His partner is an Ursaluna named Princess. She wears a crown.

Redwood, the man that you are.

Bears are good culture.

Princess is cool too.

Led by Thalia the Murkrow, these four Murkow were your first battle, and rivals for berries. They're not that bad, though. They did save your life. Maybe one day you can come back for them.

And the Murkrow Squad! They're buddies!

Man I do wonder what's being set up for the Squadkrows. Are they like. Going to be Aria's Bad Bitch Villainess Murder Flock???

So yeah, happy got to spend time reading this and writing the review! Good work Elpis, seeya!

Elpis · Oct 19, 2024

Adhoc vote count started by Elpis on Oct 19, 2024 at 1:56 AM, finished with 24 posts and 23 votes.

15 people have voted
[x] Join the patrol.
- Teocraso
- Vanestus
- Andrensath
- Axel Fones
- WaterWorld
- Magery
- Walker
- Lyosha
- Half Moon
- RiceRockRekt
- Dragonlord Seth
- Wobblegonnabe
- AmberGimlet
- YemDM
- SaberFail
8 people have voted
[X] Inana
- Andrensath
- Axel Fones
- WaterWorld
- Magery
- Walker
- Lyosha
- barty
- Victory4T
8 people have voted
[X] Work at the camp.
4 people have voted
[X] Capo
3 people have voted
[X] Charon
2 people have voted
[X] Obsidian
- SeekerofDreams
- Dragonlord Seth
2 people have voted
[X] Sniddle
- Wobblegonnabe
- Shadowphyre

Fixed it. Thank you for voting.

AmberGimlet · Oct 19, 2024

Joining The Patrol means we'll probably get to see more of Leif, I hope. Curious to see how and if Aria is going to clear up her actual preferred name. Though given Leif clearly knows the gist of it she might also just be able to say "hey call me aria [provides no explanation]" "okay aria [doesn't ask]" and then they get down to brass tacks on patrol stuff.

And Sneasel is named Inana now, very cool.

RiceRockRekt said:
And the Murkrow Squad! They're buddies!

Man I do wonder what's being set up for the Squadkrows. Are they like. Going to be Aria's Bad Bitch Villainess Murder Flock???

That would be rad. You know, Aria could just have Skiddle, Inana, and four murkrows as her team. Well, three murkrows and Thalia the Honchkrow, realistically.

RiceRockRekt said:
The cover signals that Aria's gonna get a Corviknight Steel Sword somehow

Oh right, of course, the swords are defined by WHICH steel bird was used for em. I noticed Aria commenting about how that would be what gave her away, but tragically my brain has no RAM. I love fantasy materials science as a worldbuilding detail though, so that's fun.

Elpis · Oct 19, 2024

NemoMarx · Oct 19, 2024

She really is smug about her cuteness huh.

Tempera · Oct 19, 2024

RiceRockRekt said:
LITERALLY STARSCOURGE.

...Deoxys???

Starscourge Deoxys.

That's metal holy shit.

The description reads as Eternatus to me. A metaphorical tale of Eternatus' eventual return.

Elpis · Oct 25, 2024

Thank you to Magery, Blue Nine, and Tempera for checking over this bigger-than-usual chapter!

Winning Vote:
[x] Join the patrol.
[X] Inana

###

The weather is fine, so the trip doesn't take as long as it could have. Once the final carriage is full of people, the way continues and in the distance between the light fog and slowly thinning treeline you see the border city, sitting between the mountains that mark the boundary between all you ever knew and all you've learned of the outside world.

"It's quite a sight, isn't it?" Old Bea asks. You nod, trying to pull away the blanket from one of the kids who decided to make you her bed for the rest of the journey. The girl is sleeping, and any attempt to wake her up is met with an even tighter grip on the blanket. Lisa, she is called. Though initially quite shy, she warmed up to you quite fast after distracting her long enough for her parents to get some shuteye.

Such is the way of the village people, you suppose. Where one has to get along with the unknown faster than most.

"The numbers of people in a place like this," you begin, unable to fathom the idea, "there's some farmland nearby, but what do the others do? It can't just be a city of artisans, can it?"

"Craftsmanship is valued greatly, but the market is quite full of those who have made a name for themselves among nobility," Old Bea explains. "Back when I was young, in between wars, the city was simply a place for Solians and Gilderans to trade, and it's still used in a similar way. Gold is a language that every nation speaks."

"So traders, artisans, laborers? Is that enough for a city such as this to stay standing for hundreds of years? Then once a war breaks out, the rest of the country supports it and we keep repeating?" You get slightly loud without noticing, but Old Bea doesn't seem to mind. "There has to be more than that, that's such a…"

What is it?

What word are you trying to use here that would truly grasp the vastness of your disappointment in it?

What tongue could you borrow, what poem could you quote, what song have you heard before that could come close to this feeling?

"That's sad." There's nothing else you can say about it. To live in abundance of gold and wares and then live with the austerity of an economy focusing on war, never knowing what tomorrow will bring.

The Empress did not bring peace at all.

"Isn't it?" Old Bea asks, smiling. "But we are not those who choose to go to war, and we are not those who choose to make peace. We can only decide how we live, and that is a strength and a freedom nobles will never truly have."

You don't know what to say, so you raise your hand and pat Lisa's head. She rolls up even more into your blanket as she reacts to your touch.

The carriage begins to slow down. You've finally arrived.

You have never been in something like a city before. Buildings with multiple floors and ceilings, like castles and mansions, but rooms so small they could just be huts, it's an interesting way to stack people on top of each other and use as much space as possible efficiently.

It is at the gates where your anxiety spikes once again and makes you wonder just how well Old Bea's plan is thought out. Leif approaches you before you enter the city, once again riding that tall and colorful Rapidash.

"Pokemon are not allowed to be out and about in the city without a permit," he says, nodding at you. You look at Sneasel, who looks awfully happy at receiving all that attention, and then back at him. "No Pokeball, hm? Well—"

He fumbles with the bag on the side of his Rapidash, nearly falling over instead of just dismounting. Rapidash bites into his ponytail and pulls him back up, revealing a Pokeball in his hands, empty from the looks of it. He throws it toward you, so casually, as if it didn't cost enough to afford three days of food.

It looks—well, much like the Glastrier Pokeball. This one is darker, with a black top and a purple bottom. The Spectrier seal is on it, though, an emblem that sits at the top of the city gates as well.

Not too long ago holding this in your hand was the cause of great joy, now it feels like the weight of the world sits in your hand.

Sneasel pokes you in the side, knocking you out of the thoughts just like—just like her. You shake your head, this isn't the time. You hold the Pokeball up and she jumps against it, not even shaking in defiance before the light click and soft hum announce the capture.

Sneasel has been caught. Do you want to give Sneasel a nickname?

"Inana," you whisper at her. You think of ancient heroes, of Lissy, and of promises to return. Inana dances in the ball, full of joy and vigor at having received a name. If you can capture just a fraction of that brilliance, of that smile on her face, maybe you can find the strength to keep going.

"It's a beautiful name," Leif says. You turn to him, and you can see the eyes of the other villagers move toward you. "Keep my offer in mind, Sofia of Traviole. If you wish to help and earn some coin, come to the recruitment center near the gates, it's the one with the snow-covered roof."

He laughs about his own joke; all rooftops were drowned in snow and ice at this time. You try not to laugh with him, but a small chuckle does escape your lips. He bids farewell before entering the city proper, all the knights leaving together now that the task has been completed.

"That boy's never going to grow up," Old Bea says. You turn toward her, putting Inana's Pokeball onto your belt.

"You know him?" you ask, frowning.

"In a way," she says, shrugging. She does not look too bothered by the temperatures. "His family used to live in a village near ours, so if there ever was trouble we would send our children to each other until it was over."

"Trouble?" you ask, your frown deepening. "Like bandits? Wild Pokemon?"

"All kinds," she says. She grabs a large bag from the carriage, handing it to you. You sling it over your back, tying it together before grabbing a box filled with bedding. "Knights cannot be everywhere, and the villages were so close."

Were, not are. Even in peaceful times, tragedy can strike. Even when the nobles try to be good and kind, they're not omnipotent.

Nobody checks on your identity as you walk into the city, falling into step with the other villagers. Some of the children are surrounding you, trying to help you keep the box steady while accomplishing the opposite.

The presence of knights is thin. There's two at the gates, two near the refugee quarter. For a city this size, which dwarves even the Caer Rivenhold by a magnitude of ten, there has to be more to it, right?

"Sofia, Sofia!" one of the children calls out. You don't like it, to be called something you are not. To shed one name for another again. You'd correct them, and ask them to keep it a secret, but you're afraid children are not that good at keeping those.

At least the other villagers are nice enough not to use the wrong name in private.

"Yes, yes," you say, adjusting the weight of the box. "What's up?"

"Can we hear another story?" a girl asks.

"Can we hear the one about Kael?" a boy asks.

"No, no! I want to hear the one about Inana!" another boy demands.

"If there's time this evening, sure," you say. You don't have anything to do, really. You'll join the patrols, you've already decided, but you don't know when those patrols will be. You have to go to the recruitment center before nightfall, at least, so once everyone's settled in it'll be fine to leave for an hour or two.

The children cheer, scattering around to find their parents again as you approach your goal.

The quarter of the city that is set up for the evacuated villagers is not too shabby, but comparatively sparse. It's at the edge of the city, near the gates, which gives it protection by the constant stream of knights that come in and out. It's also not quite as warm as the more central quarters, though that is remedied by the delivery of firewood and some higher-grade fire stones that have already been set aside for the buildings.

The sleeping places are set up more like camps, the buildings have a lot of area and inside there are no walls, forcing the villagers to make their own using blankets and other cloth. It doesn't take long, though, just as with the camp before they're so practiced that the quarter becomes a home within just a solid hour of setup.

"Will you join us?" Old Bea asks. "There are some people going out into the city tomorrow, to trade goods, it's a good chance for us to gather things our village needs before spring."

"I'd love to," you say, glancing at the crowd that's gathering outside again. The people are sorting out what they should do to avoid staying idle. "But I've decided to join the patrol, so I'll be on my way to the recruitment center."

"Ah, that's a shame," she says, nodding. Her hand reaches for your shoulder again. "Regardless, once you're done with that come back here for dinner, will you?"

"Of course," you say, raising your own hand and putting it over hers. "Thank you, Beatrice."

She doesn't say anything, but her smile is brilliant. You grab your things, making sure everything is fastened. Just to be sure that no accidents happen, though, you wrap a cloth around the sword's sheath, taking care to tie it so it can't be drawn.

Inana wiggles in the Pokeball, already bored.

The Recruitment Center has bounty posters set up. None of them are for you.

You still don't understand what the Glastrier Order really wants with you, but something strange is afoot and you refuse to be captured until you have all the pieces of the puzzle.

Though you're a stranger to the people in the refugee camp, the children look up to you and the adults appreciate your willingness to help. The family that takes care of you when Old Bea is too busy leading the lot is…

[ ] … the farmers.
You find yourself with a family that took care of the land. Right now they're the people who have the least to do in the quarter, which means most of the time is spent helping others or talking to each other. There's a lot of things you don't know yet about the wilds and food, you imagine they can be good teachers.

[ ] … the smiths.
You find yourself with a family that took care of tools. They still have some metals, perhaps they can make you something useful or teach you how to make it yourself for a price. There's a lot of things you don't know about minerals in the world, you imagine they can be good teachers.

[ ] … the weavers.
You find yourself with a family that took care of clothes. They still have some fabrics left, you imagine there's a chance you can simply ask them for some better threads if you have the money. There's a lot of things you don't know about pokemon materials, you imagine they can be good teachers.

###

The air is cold and your vision is filled with white.

The patrol is a simple affair. While it is mostly about keeping the peace and showing a presence, right now there is an actual task at hand. It is the next morning when a knight arrives at the camp and calls your fake name. You are out fast, and follow the man on foot until you reach the north-western gate to the city.

Three knights are there with you, led by Leif. You're not the only one who's decided to join the patrol, however. Two other villagers with their own Pokemon, as well as five unknowns make a total of eight with you included. All of them are quite young, with the oldest maybe in his mid twenties.

"A criminal has been sighted near the city," he says. You purse your lips. The situation has been making you too nervous so you've stopped reacting, at this point you can't change anything. If the Glastrier Knights decide to report your alleged misdeeds, they'll do it. Until then, you can relax. Kind of. Maybe. Possibly. "He's not too much of a threat, but the last group that went out to look for him hasn't returned so we're assembling this group to find them. Four knights are missing."

This does raise your nervousness somewhat. The Spectrier Border Guard are not pushovers, and none of their knights should be threatened by some petty criminal. This either means something else is out there, or that petty criminal has more tricks up his sleeves.

"This is important, so listen up," he says loudly. The others in the group turn to him, while you stand up straight, squaring your shoulders. He gives you an appreciative nod, and you wonder just how many faux passes you'll make before the day is over. "Wilhelm is a petty thief and possibly still out there, but he's not our priority. If you find him, do not engage unless you have no other choice. If you find any of the knights, you use these."

He hands everyone strange sticks. They brim with energy, warm to the touch and strangely enticing to look at.

"You point them at the sky and pull on that string," he says, pointing at the string at the top. "Once it's drawn all the way down it'll release a flare up into the sky, we'll be able to find you then. So do not move until we arrive, is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," you murmur, pocketing the rod. Inana looks excited, jumping back and forth. The snow is no longer a death trap, which makes the expedition possible, but it's still too cold and too windy to really enjoy the stroll through the woods.

Near the border, the geography is not quite the same, at least. The trees are more sparse, but here there are the mammoths out of which shields and the like are made: Mamoswine Trees they call them, for their size and durability. It pierces through the sky, its tip sometimes disappearing among clouds and fog until you can see nothing of them.

And in between those giant trees there are clearings and rocks. Landslides from ages ago formed the ground of the Reichert territory, dirt and sand in between everything so it's still somewhat possible to move on it. Mudsdale carriages can make any terrain, but on foot this is a deathtrap for anyone who tries to move further into the country.

"We have to cover a lot of ground," Leif speaks up again, holding up something that looks like a rough map of the area near the city. It's separated into squares. "Everyone takes one area, those two—" he points at the two other knights. "Will keep the perimeter secure and make sure nobody sneaks out. I'll join you in the search."

It does not take long after for the search to actually start. It's a simple affair, mostly involving walking forward while Inana is climbing the trees and taking a look from up there. Of course, he wouldn't leave you alone, meaning the search starts in groups of three.

"Sir Leif," the citizen with a Poochyena says, drawing the knight's attention. "Forgive me if this is not appropriate to ask, but aren't four missing knights a bigger concern? Should we really be so few?"

"There's a lot of trouble this winter," Leif says without missing a beat, his usual smile is a bit forced, not reaching his eyes. "This is a priority, of course, but so is the breakout of Tauros that haven't been caught yet, as well as the Mankey stampede that took out some of our grain storage."

"Would the Spectrier Knights be stretched so thin?" you ask, tilting your head. He raises an eyebrow. "Don't get me wrong, I know it's not nearly as large of a force as… other Orders. But it's not that small."

"You're right, yes," he says. "The largest part of our force is currently occupied elsewhere."

What does he mean elsewhere? The entire point of the Spectrier Border Guard is guarding the border. There's nowhere else than the Reichert territory they could be—fuck.

That last word might have crossed your lips. You slap your hand over your mouth when Leif starts laughing. You don't find it funny at all.

"By the Sovereign…" the man with the Poochyena mutters. "Regardless, thank you for indulging me."

"All good, Peter," Leif says. "It's a valid question, we would not hide information from those who help us, after all."

You feel a pang of guilt, and snuff it out immediately. There's no need to pretend anything, Leif obviously knows that you were a knight of some sort. You're too direct, your mannerisms are too distinct, and you definitely saluted at him using the Glastrier salute at one point during his speech.

"And you came here from the refugee quarter, did you not?" Peter asks you. "It's quite bothersome to move every winter, I imagine."

Something about his mannerism, his way of speaking, feels off to you. It's politer than you're used to, and much less direct than you like. Despite this, you don't feel like he deserves to become the target of your reflex to talk down on anything that bothers you and bite your tongue.

"A village is a village," you say, thinking about Old Bea and the other villagers. "But a home is its people. As long as they are safe, it doesn't matter where they grow roots."

"Well said," Peter says, smiling gently. "Though I admit I've seen few villagers who bother buying themselves a weapon, it's quite something to wield a sword at your age when you're not a knight."

Leif snorts. You breathe in through your nose and out of your mouth. It's nice Leif tries to let you keep some dignity, but his inability to control his own reactions just makes you feel more ridiculous.

"Even villages can't rely on the knights all the time," you say, pursing your lips and staring at Leif. He shrugs, giving you a smile in return. "And even then, defense is never wrong. One can't rely on the goodwill of others, as brigands are wont to do what they want. Laws only matter where people can be brought to justice."

"A bit cynical, don't you think?" Leif asks. You smile at him, returning his earlier shrug.

"I suppose it's hard for trust to be built in the Marquisate if the knights are busy at the border," Peter concedes. "Though please don't misunderstand, it is not criticism that you must carry a sword, young lady, it is the wonder that this duty falls to someone so young and not those in the village who should be taking care of you."

"I am not that young," you say. "And not that helpless."

"Far be it from me to criticize a warrior," he says, conceding without much of an argument. "I am glad to call you comrade today."

"We're almost there," Leif says. He stands still, looking around after checking his map again. The snow has made navigation hard, but not impossible. You're not too far from the city, perhaps two hours of walking away, shorter if Leif uses his Rapidash in case he has to call for backup. "Don't forget my words. This is not the time to be a hero, there's no need to risk your life over a thief's escape."

He points in one direction, toward two massive hills that leave just a single path between them.

"Sofia, you go down the valley, your area starts here and ends around the hill. Peter, follow me, we'll reach your area soon."

You give Leif a nod, Inana jumping on top of your shoulder as you make your way toward the glades with fewer and fewer trees. The valley leads way down, all the earth that has formed the mountains came from there and collapsed on itself.

###

It's half an hour of walking later when you finally reach something that looks interesting. Fresh footprints in the snow, heavy either from a weightier person or from someone in heavy armor. Regardless, the fact that you can still see them means that they must've been through here after the last snowfall.

A flare shoots up.

One of the knights must've been found. You are still in that valley, still scouting every corner, still uncertain if this is the most productive way to use your time and energy, but for now you can follow the prints. Inana is holding tight around your neck and letting you carry her everywhere after she noticed that there are no trees to climb for scouting.

Another flare shoots up.

Inana murmurs something under her breath. You stop, grabbing her and holding her up in front of you.

"Look, I don't like doing busywork like this either, but it's important," you say. "And it's also good pay, we'll be able to buy some tasty treats later."

Inana murmurs again.

"Yes, we will share with the kids," you say, narrowing your eyes at her. Inana snarls. "You're half their size, how do you expect me to give you more than them? Sharing a meal is much better!"

'I am growing, they are runts,' Inana's stare seems to say. You frown, patting down on her head.

"You're the runt, I don't understand how you eat so much when you weigh so little, where does it go?" You poke her belly. She lashes out at you, shoving your arm away before pointing the claw at her matchstick arms, flexing at you. "You're the least muscular thing I've ever seen. I saw a Bunneary with more meat on her ribs than you."

Inana jumps at your face and holds on tightly. You pull on her, trying to get her to let go, but she refuses to budge. She snarls, shouting in your ear. 'I am great and without equal!'

You finally manage to pry her off, throwing her two meters far and into the snow. She digs her way out and makes a gesture that probably would have been very rude if she had fingers instead of claws.

A loud crunch behind immediately ends the argument. You hear heavy steps, slowly turning your head as Inana growls a sound you've never heard before. Your own gaze follows hers until you find the target of that dangerous glare. You can smell it in the air. They are not here for a friendly meeting.

Tauros. Their winter coat is thick and heavy, reminding you of Bouffalants, but they're unmistakable.

The Tauros that Leif mentioned earlier, from the looks of it. A single Tauros isn't that bad, but a group of them could crash a castle gate. You're not equipped to handle them right now, your hand moving towards the flare—

"RUN!"

A voice shouts from the left. Your eyes move up the hill, and the Tauros start charging. You heed the advice, dashing towards your partner and grabbing Inana by the back of the neck and pulling her with you as you rush up the side of the hill and away from the stampeding Tauros. Inana struggles against your grip, trying to break loose to fight against the Tauros, flailing about and clawing at the air as you climb with one free hand.

You find yourself falling over as you reach the tip of the hill, but a hand grabs your shoulder and keeps you from eating snow. "T-thank you."

"You're welcome," she says. A young woman, maybe a year older than you, wrapped in the heavy armor of the Spectrier Knights. You found one of the missing knights, it seems, the flare—it's not at your hip anymore. It fell out of your pocket when you dashed out of the way, now sitting between all the Tauros which are glaring up at you.

You're fairly certain that they can come up if they want to. So what's stopping them?

You square your shoulders, turning to the young woman, saluting her out of reflex. "Thank you again."

She looks… haggard. You remember the knights have gone missing just yesterday, but she looks like it's been longer than that, her hair is the color of that fresh snow all around you, her eyes a dark contrast. Her one arm is still on your shoulder, keeping you steady, the other is limp at her side.

"I imagine you are looking for me," she says, letting go of you and saluting in return. "I am Sophia, Spectrier Knight. My unit has been following a thief before we were separated by the Tauros."

"Why didn't you return to town?"

"We cannot let the thief get away." She points toward another hill at the end of the valley, on the other side of the Tauros. "He stole something important, and he's also trapped here until the weather warms up and melts the snow. Trying to escape the Marquisate right now would be suicide."

"But you're injured, you could've regrouped at the city and gotten backup."

"No," she says, looking down at her leg. It's… well, not bleeding anymore, but it's clear she has been wounded badly. She hasn't moved from the spot since she caught you from tripping, but she must be in terrible pain. "I couldn't."
"Ah," you say, nodding. You look at Inana, who's still glaring down at the Tauros. The Tauros glare back. "Well, the stick to call for backup is down there, so I guess we're both stuck."

"I don't think that's the case," she says. She points at the hill again, and you can see someone approach. A man, tall and slim, wearing a ridiculously large hat and a wide, disgustingly bright smile. "The other flares got him moving."

"Ah, Miss Knight! Terribly sorry about your leg," the thief, Wilhelm, shouts loudly. It's barely necessary, the wind carries his voice easily. "It has been a fun chase, but I think it's time we should wrap it up, right?"

"You have nowhere to run, thief," Sophia says, drawing her sword. The black blade is shaking at the tip, too long and heavy to be held with one hand. Inana shouts something as well, though the 'snees' and growling are harder to decipher than human tongue.

Wilhelm's smile widens, the skin around his lips cracking slightly after exposure to the cold and dry air. You narrow your eyes when he draws a… flute? The instrument causes Sophia to tense up, her sword lowering until the tip touches the snow.

He blows into the flute, playing a strange tune that echoes over the hills. Inana slams her hands over her ears, while the Tauros become unnerved and irritated. They try to escape the sound and the direction that's most convenient leads right through you.

Inana does not hesitate in the slightest. She raises her claws, meeting the one charging Tauros that was coming directly at you and blocking its approach. Horns and claws clash with a loud noise, the aftershock of that impact shaking snow loose from the hills. The other Tauros are not actively attacking you, instead running past you and crossing the hill. As fortunate as that is, you find yourself on the backfoot, putting your body between Inana and Sophia and raising your still bound sword with the sheath.

By the time the stampede ends, Inana and the Tauros are still in a stalemate. She looks at you, grinning and saying something that must sound like 'see, I'm strong!'. You can't help but laugh, looking behind the Tauros to find Wilhelm—right there in front of you.

He jumps on top of the Tauros, having crossed the distance with two knives in hand and brings them down on you. You raise the sword up, holding one hand flat against the sheath and block the stabs by holding strong against his forearms.

It's a heavy attack, but you stand tall. So does he, of course, but you have ways around that.

"Inana!" you shout. "Flip!"

She understands without much effort, her claws changing angles on the horns and her entire body twisting around before she manages to use the Tauros' momentum to twist it around and slam it down. Wilhelm yelps as he falls off, rolling away from you as you swing your sword at him. The man is nimble, much more than you, and you don't like just how confident he looks as he shakes off the snow from his clothes.

You look back into the valley, but the flare is gone.

"Looking for this?" he asks, holding up the rod, waving it around. "It's a neat little trinket, but I really can't have anyone spoil our fun."

He pockets it, then draws his knives again. They're thin, mostly for stabbing rather than cutting. You've heard that knives like these can be used to pick locks as well, which sounds reasonable considering his reputation as a thief.

You're not sure you can agree on petty thief, though. This man is a professional. Dangerous and unpleasant, if a bit weaker with the blades than you'd have expected. You swing again, taking a step toward him, but he jumps back and raises his hands in… surrender?

Of course not. He tries to kick you in the stomach, but such a cheap attempt would never work on you. You twist your body out of the way, stabbing the sword into his stomach. He doesn't fall over, instead landing on his hands and flipping through the air before landing on his feet again.

"Is this guy a performer or something?" you mutter. Inana cries out, and you see that the Tauros recovered from its earlier dive to threaten her again. Wilhelm whistles with a finger in his cheek and the Tauros reacts with more anger. It kicks Inana out of the way and rushes at you instead.

That bastard grabs your legs after diving at you, fixing you in place. You can smash that sword into his head but that will not save you. So—

"Spring!" Sophia shouts out. You hear a loud, high-pitched roar and find yourself in the air all of the sudden, that asshole still holding onto your legs. Vines are wrapped around your waist, keeping you away from the Tauros' angry charge. "Now shake!"

The vines start to shake you, and Wilhelm's grip loosens enough for you to kick him off. Unfortunately he's not in the way of the Tauros, but he is right under you when the vines let you go and you slam feet first into his chest.

He grunts in pain, then rights himself up so fast you're forced to step back and find yourself side by side with Sophia again.

Next to her is a rather large Bulbasaur, glaring at Wilhelm. He looks injured as well, though not nearly as much as Sophia. Spring, he is called. A warm and welcome name. Despite that, though, he looks rather appropriate for Gildera, much like Skiddle before the plant on his back has blue tips and his bright green eyes shine even more radiant.

Inana glares at the Tauros. Spring looks irritated. Sophia… Sophia is on her knees. She's breathing heavily, and you can see some fresh blood from the leg wound seeping into the snow as she tries to stay standing.

"Sophia," you say, putting your hand to your sword's sheath. "Stay behind me, I can handle him."

She looks up at you, doubt on her face, worry and exhaustion in the way her eyes move from you to Wilhelm. She does not believe you, but she has no other options, and that is fine. That is understandable.

Well, there's nothing else to be done now. You unwrap the cloth around the sheath.

"You're just some stupid villager," Wilhelm says, grinning so wide you can see every single one of his teeth. "There's no need for you to go this far for a failure of a knight."

"No," you say, drawing your sword. The Skarmory Steel glows bright, reflecting sunlight everywhere. You swing it to the side, your face twisting in anger as you glare up at him. "There isn't."

"Well, in for one corpse, in for two," he says, the knives in his hands spinning for a moment as he changes his grip. "What name do you want on your gravestone, girl?"

"Aria," you say, pointing the sword at him. "Memorize it so you can share it with the rest of the scum in prison."

He aims at Sophia, forcing you to keep up the defense. Tauros charges at Inana, who's already become fast friends with Spring and is now riding on top of its bulb to meet the Tauros head on. While Inana blocks the horns, Spring's vines hold back the legs, making the fight much more even.

You swing the sword, getting caught between the blades. They slide down the edge of yours, until you're face to face with that grinning maniac. You kick up, hitting the man's leg. He kicks back, sending you reeling backward. Sophia catches you again, crying out in pain before pushing you back into the fight. You spin around, grabbing the man's collar and dragging him with you and away.

Spring and Inana find themselves with the upperhand in their fight, so you can focus entirely on yours. He stabs at your arm, and you pull it back before stabbing forward with your blade. It nicks his torso, drawing blood.

It's strange how much easier this seems compared to the poacher. Perhaps that is what Leif meant. He's a petty thief, he makes for good theater and little else, though his ambush against the knights using the flute and the Tauros does point to a slightly more intelligent criminal.

So when he whistles again, once more making the Tauros change directions all of the sudden, you do expect it. You stab the sword in the ground and slide down the hill, watching as the Tauros' charge goes right over you. You see—

Spring's vines on its horns, sending it flying down the hill with Tauros, and you see Inana on Spring's head, standing proudly with her arms crossed as they descend.

You ignore the audacity and turn to your adversary once more. He's stopped smiling.

"I really don't like you, girl."

"I don't care."

You rush at him, using the sword that's still buried in the snow as a shovel to throw some at his face. He blocks the snow with his arm, giving you an opportunity to drive your shoulder into his stomach and tackle him. Before he can recover, you stab the sword into his leg.

He screams, then chokes back that cry to pucker his lips and whistle. You don't let him, slamming your gloved hand onto his mouth with a force that cuts his lips against his teeth. You keep pressing against him, forcing his head into the snow.

Instead, he lets go of his swords and snaps his finger. That bastard wasn't controlling the Tauros independently at all, you realize.

That Tauros that's still fighting was his all along.

It reacts to the snap, shoving Inana out of the way and slamming its head against Spring, continuing its ascent back up the hill. You move out of the way, but the Tauros keeps up with the movement.

"Damn it." You hear Sophia's words before you find yourself rolling down the hill again.

She shoves you out of the way. You cry out, trying to grab her on your way down and save her as well, but the Tauros is too fast. Your hand reaches out too slow.

Sophia's body is thrown up, sent across the entire battlefield with such a loud noise you wonder if she died on impact. You can see the armor has broken apart. You can see the horn of the Tauros as it flees the scene without its trainer, full of blood—

You can see Sophia on the ground, bleeding, barely alive.

You ball a fist and slam it into the man's chin. It breaks with a loud crunch. For good measure, you turn his hands and stomp on them, leaving his fingers to point into ten different directions.

Then you stab your sword into his leg, making sure he won't be able to escape before you take care of Sophia. The flare in his pockets is quickly pointed up, drawing on the string until it explodes and releases a light in the sky.

You rush to her, your feet dragging across the snow as you reach out. She's still breathing, if barely. The snow under her turns into a mire of blood, the wound so deep you can see her organs writhing underneath.

Spring mews, looking up at you, tears in his eyes. He does not make a noise, yet his expression tells you everything you need to know. The fear in his heart, the worry in his quivering lips. Inana joins you, standing next to Spring and putting one clawed arm on him.

Sophia is whispering something. Something you can't quite place. You lean forward, your hand on her wound, trying to stem the bleeding. You try to listen. You must hear.

"A true knight," Sophia whispers a prayer. She breathes in deep, then continues. "will rush onto the battlefield."

A Knight's Prayer. The essence of those who have come before, summoned into the world like faith in a higher being. But today, you feel, is not the time for prayer.

"Their souls ablaze," she continues. You have to think .You can save her. You know you can. There is, there is— your bag. You have something in there, you know there is something in there. Bandages, berries, potions. Wounds like these— "with the flames of valor."

If there is a higher power that guides your fate, you will do as Atlas does and defy it. Today you will not let someone bleed in your arms, you will not be pushed away, and you will not be forced to run.

"No fear of death—" she coughs. You let go of the wound, reaching down to your waist. "Is to be seen in their eyes."

You grab your pouch, taking out the things that Ruby put in and unwrap that familiar thing.

You remember what it was for, you remember the most expensive gem that your mother always wore around her neck. The strange stone that is so rare and hard to find.

It's a golden clump with spikes shooting into every direction. Not a berry, but medicine. You crush it, barely any liquid coming out as you rub the spikes on Sophia's wound, hearing her cry out in pain.

It takes a solid minute of rubbing the clump into the wound before something happens. A light shines from your hands, making it hard to look straight at her. Flesh is mended, blood pulling itself back from the skin and leaving nothing but a scar.

Sophia's pale skin takes on some color again, her breathing slowing down. Despite the exhaustion she must be feeling, she is wide awake, the medicine forcing her consciousness awake. Her eyes are wide open, staring up at the sun behind you. You turn slightly, trying to shield her eyes from the light. She whispers another prayer, though you don't know what for.

You breathe out in relief and exhaustion. Now you just have to wait for Leif and the others.

You have saved a life. You have conquered the unreasonable with the radiance of your soul.

In the end, more than anything else that defines you, your empathy and kindness for others are something that makes you [You]. Your love and trust in other people, even in the face of adversity and betrayal, is unmatched. Your willingness to give everything, from expensive medicine to your very blood makes you more of a knight than most.

You are Aria and you are Loving, even if you don't think you are. Even if there is that gnawing feeling at the back of your mind that you're a bad person who drags those around you down.

Even if you think you deserve less, you're a good child.

Sophia is not the kind of person to forget such a debt. You are not the kind of person who demands repayment for doing the right thing. Regardless, you'll have to visit her soon, Leif says she wishes to meet you. 'Sofia of Traviole' is now known to all the Spectrier Knights still stationed in Wallburg.

There's something to be learned here. With enough of an impact, you will be able to request an audience with the Marchioness. You simply have to pick your approach:

[ ] Prowess.
You are a knight, and a knight's word is only as good as their skill with the sword. If you prove yourself with your martial ability, the Spectrier Knights will surely put in a good word for you.

[ ] Wit.
You are kind and helpful, and this will make you popular even if you don't want to be. If you prove yourself among the people of the city, the nobles will not deny your presence.

[ ] Duty.
You are adept in the ways of the land, and this will surely be a boon. Bounty hunting, mercenary work, if your name is in everyone's mouth then surely it will reach the ears of the Marchioness.

NMS · Oct 25, 2024

Yeah! Save that life, Aria!

barty · Oct 25, 2024

Hmmm... Can we playb the folk hero revolutionary card here ? I want to find out.
[X] Wit.
[X] … the weavers.

Who? · Oct 25, 2024

I really enjoyed the fight scene, Elpis. The combination and teamwork of Pokemon and knight is an excellent technique, and you use it pretty well.

[X] … the farmers.

I think learning how to live off the land is a useful skill for a runaway knight.

[X] Wit.

I like the idea of Aria being kind and helpful in general. And I think this could link to the Imp Aspect - Wisdom and Authority seem like a natural fit with Wit.

Dubious Wisdom · Oct 25, 2024

Both Sofia & Sophia eh?

Lugia's armpits does Aria need a subtlety or deception skill. The most obvious runaway knight ever. You'd think the Spectriers would punish a clear deserter.

Anyway-
[X] … the weavers.
You find yourself with a family that took care of clothes. They still have some fabrics left, you imagine there's a chance you can simply ask them for some better threads if you have the money. There's a lot of things you don't know about pokemon materials, you imagine they can be good teachers.

I'll take useful poke-materials.

[X] Wit.
You are kind and helpful, and this will make you popular even if you don't want to be. If you prove yourself among the people of the city, the nobles will not deny your presence.

We be mind-maxing

A Ballad for Icarus - A Historical Pokemon Quest

Life blooms like a flower, far away or by the road

All Ideas. No Skills. a bit hungry

[INSUFFICIENT SECURITY CLEARANCE]

Ostensibly Hope

Ostensibly Hope

Backalley Watchdog

Ostensibly Hope