claude von riegan. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
godshattering) wrote2025-01-01 12:30 am
godshattering) wrote2025-01-01 12:30 am
abraxas inbox + horizon contact
action + prose (nsfw marked) / horizon / network
[ It's a short message, a simple request to answer, but Claude stares at it in his vision until it fades. He had been considering reaching out to Kyle himself, given that he knows the other is in Thorne, and - well. Best to not get ahead of himself and answer. ]
I'm alright. Cadens is fine, relative to... what it could be, since you've heard about it.
The Free Cities hasn't said much to us other than that we aren't allowed to go there to assist. For now, anyway. Has anything happened in Thorne?
I'm alright. Cadens is fine, relative to... what it could be, since you've heard about it.
The Free Cities hasn't said much to us other than that we aren't allowed to go there to assist. For now, anyway. Has anything happened in Thorne?
[ It's not urgent, she says, but when it comes to being presented with a mystery? Well. Not that he'd ever be inclined to ignore something Petra says, but what he was about to start is immediately set aside since it can wait. ]
Something to show me, huh? You certainly know how to intrigue a guy. There's something I have to finish up first, so does meeting there in a few minutes work? If not, take your time. I can entertain myself with Brigid for a bit. Well, assuming you don't mind.
Something to show me, huh? You certainly know how to intrigue a guy. There's something I have to finish up first, so does meeting there in a few minutes work? If not, take your time. I can entertain myself with Brigid for a bit. Well, assuming you don't mind.
Of course. I can be there in a few minutes if that works for you.
[ Whether it does or if later works better, Claude will show up at their agreed upon time outside of the other's temple. If the doors are open, he'll still knock first - just for the sake of good manners - and step in inside with that announcement of his presence with a smile as a greeting. Assuming Kyle doesn't have a method of knowing when someone appears, as he's since learned other Summoned have in varying ways, but it seems like the polite thing to do to not catch his host unawares.
And speaking of politeness and its tangents: he's also come with a pouch of tea for Kyle for the other man to try sometime as promised with this one being a pine needle variety he favors for something from Fodlan, also as promised. ]
Hope you weren't in the middle of something, even with the invitation.
[ Whether it does or if later works better, Claude will show up at their agreed upon time outside of the other's temple. If the doors are open, he'll still knock first - just for the sake of good manners - and step in inside with that announcement of his presence with a smile as a greeting. Assuming Kyle doesn't have a method of knowing when someone appears, as he's since learned other Summoned have in varying ways, but it seems like the polite thing to do to not catch his host unawares.
And speaking of politeness and its tangents: he's also come with a pouch of tea for Kyle for the other man to try sometime as promised with this one being a pine needle variety he favors for something from Fodlan, also as promised. ]
Hope you weren't in the middle of something, even with the invitation.
𝐼 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒹𝑜 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝒶𝒸𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓃𝑒𝓇. 𝒮𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒹, 𝐼 𝓈𝒽𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝒷𝓇𝒾𝑒𝒻.
𝒫𝓇𝒾𝓂𝒶𝓇𝒾𝓁𝓎: 𝐼 𝒹𝑜 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉.
𝒮𝑒𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒹𝒶𝓇𝒾𝓁𝓎: 𝐼 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝒶𝓅𝑜𝓁𝑜𝑔𝒾𝓏𝑒... 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓆𝓊𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝒻𝓊𝓈𝑒𝓁𝓎, 𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉. 𝐼 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒾𝒹𝑒𝒶 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝒻𝒻𝓁𝒾𝒸𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓁𝓁𝑜𝓌, 𝓎𝑒𝓉 𝐼 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝒷𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓆𝓊𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓇𝑔𝑒 𝓊𝓅𝑜𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒹𝑜𝓂𝒶𝒾𝓃, 𝓊𝓃𝓌𝒾𝓉𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓁𝓎 𝑜𝓇 𝓃𝑜𝓉.
𝒯𝑒𝓇𝓉𝒾𝒶𝓇𝒾𝓁𝓎: ...𝐼 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝒹𝑜 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁.
~ 𝐻𝓎𝓉𝒽𝓁𝑜𝒹𝒶𝑒𝓊𝓈
𝒫𝓇𝒾𝓂𝒶𝓇𝒾𝓁𝓎: 𝐼 𝒹𝑜 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉.
𝒮𝑒𝒸𝑜𝓃𝒹𝒶𝓇𝒾𝓁𝓎: 𝐼 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝒶𝓅𝑜𝓁𝑜𝑔𝒾𝓏𝑒... 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓆𝓊𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝒻𝓊𝓈𝑒𝓁𝓎, 𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉. 𝐼 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒾𝒹𝑒𝒶 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝒻𝒻𝓁𝒾𝒸𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓁𝓁𝑜𝓌, 𝓎𝑒𝓉 𝐼 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝒷𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓆𝓊𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓇𝑔𝑒 𝓊𝓅𝑜𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒹𝑜𝓂𝒶𝒾𝓃, 𝓊𝓃𝓌𝒾𝓉𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓁𝓎 𝑜𝓇 𝓃𝑜𝓉.
𝒯𝑒𝓇𝓉𝒾𝒶𝓇𝒾𝓁𝓎: ...𝐼 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝒹𝑜 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁.
~ 𝐻𝓎𝓉𝒽𝓁𝑜𝒹𝒶𝑒𝓊𝓈
[ There's not an answer right away as Claude studies those words carefully where they appeared along the margins of the book he's reading. They aren't unwelcome and neither is the contact; it's more than he has to consider what to say when - as he's learned - much can be lost through text alone when it's not merely some academic textbook where there was no tone present at all. ]
If it helps, I don't mind. I daresay you couldn't have prevented what happened any more than my friends suffering from the same could.
Or myself. In whatever happened, it seems to have varied. I later saw one of my friends as someone who... [ His writing will trail off here for a second in the distinct impression Claude's deciding both what to say and how to say it. What to reveal, and what to not. ] Passed. What I inadvertently put her through was no more pleasant. Which I mention mostly to say I understand and there's no blame to be attached to anyone as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully you're also doing well.
Oh, and I wouldn't mind actually getting to try that tea sometime as I have others you're also welcome to try. Whenever the time's right, consider the doors open.
If it helps, I don't mind. I daresay you couldn't have prevented what happened any more than my friends suffering from the same could.
Or myself. In whatever happened, it seems to have varied. I later saw one of my friends as someone who... [ His writing will trail off here for a second in the distinct impression Claude's deciding both what to say and how to say it. What to reveal, and what to not. ] Passed. What I inadvertently put her through was no more pleasant. Which I mention mostly to say I understand and there's no blame to be attached to anyone as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully you're also doing well.
Oh, and I wouldn't mind actually getting to try that tea sometime as I have others you're also welcome to try. Whenever the time's right, consider the doors open.
here works! i went ahead since you got the last one, lmk if anything needs changed!
godshattering
- 2023-01-11 18:29 (UTC) - ExpandThere's something we should speak about, when you have the tiem.
[ Nothing good, in the history of ever, has ever come from those words as a greeting. Claude's instantly concerned when they make their way across his vision. ]
Of course. You've caught me just as I've been finishing something up for today, but did you have a when or a somewhere in mind?
Of course. You've caught me just as I've been finishing something up for today, but did you have a when or a somewhere in mind?
[ Well, well, well, if it isn't the consequences of his own actions - ]
And which bet might that be?
And which bet might that be?
Talked to the authorities. It didn't go badly. Everyone should be in the clear.
[ When he gets this message Claude's perched on a boulder aiming at a small monster creeping up on some livestock, and his shot flies wide so he can read it. But what he does read is more than worth missing that shot because of the relief it brings once it sinks in; the monster thinks better of its approach and wanders off anyway. ]
I certainly like the sound of that assuming everyone being in the clear also includes you as it should, Jesper. But what's "it didn't go badly" mean, exactly?
I certainly like the sound of that assuming everyone being in the clear also includes you as it should, Jesper. But what's "it didn't go badly" mean, exactly?
I AM SO SORRY i had this marked as replied when i hadn't, my apologies!!
godshattering
- 2023-02-08 16:55 (UTC) - Expand[ Claude may wake without the noticeable warmth of Hilda beside him the morning of the 14th. She'll return to the room and bed several minutes later along with what she apparently left to retrieve. When he eventually does wake, Hilda will still be asleep, but Claude will see a present on his bedside table addressed to him.
The box comes with an envelope that contains a note inside written on some handmade paper. Inside the box is a resin bookmark, with a bright gold tassel. The bookmark itself features various yellow flowers, and what looks like a branch of Almyran pine (or at least a version of pine since Hilda had to make do with being in Abraxas). ]
The box comes with an envelope that contains a note inside written on some handmade paper. Inside the box is a resin bookmark, with a bright gold tassel. The bookmark itself features various yellow flowers, and what looks like a branch of Almyran pine (or at least a version of pine since Hilda had to make do with being in Abraxas). ]
𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘦,
𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺 (𝘐 𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘳 𝘐 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥).
𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘭𝘮𝘺𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸. 𝘏𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦'𝘴 𝘋𝘢𝘺.
𝘹𝘹 𝘏𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘢
[ These messages come in intermittently as she messages Sylvain. ]
𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶? 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘺𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵?
𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶? 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘺𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵?
𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸?
𝘞𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯? 𝘋𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶? 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳.
𝘞𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯? 𝘋𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶? 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳.
[She had considered giving the gift to Claude in person, and had even begun to mentally prepare herself to do so when she had gone to pick up the item in question from where she'd had it forged, but in the end, she opts to leave it for him to find. She slips into his room in the middle of the day, some time after Hilda has already left her own offering, and leaves a a rectangular wooden box with a bit of red ribbon tied around it on his bed.
Beside it is a note on a piece of paper that has been neatly folded in half, with only his name visible on the top. The box itself slides open to reveal a hunting knife with a blade shaped like a feather and a carved handle. The handle is capped with metal at the end that has the Golden Deer crest engraved on it, and beneath the blade is a sleek leather scabbard to house it.]
Dear Claude,
I am sure many nations have days similar to this one back home, but I have been hearing a great deal about Valentine's Day and what it is meaning to others. It is a day we are meant to show those who are closest to our heart what they mean to us, and I decided I could not be allowing such an opportunity to slip by.
You do not need help when it comes to looking after yourself, but I hope you will continue to be staying safe when you go out into the field. Please be keeping this on you to ensure that you do.
Yours,
Petra
Beside it is a note on a piece of paper that has been neatly folded in half, with only his name visible on the top. The box itself slides open to reveal a hunting knife with a blade shaped like a feather and a carved handle. The handle is capped with metal at the end that has the Golden Deer crest engraved on it, and beneath the blade is a sleek leather scabbard to house it.]
Dear Claude,
I am sure many nations have days similar to this one back home, but I have been hearing a great deal about Valentine's Day and what it is meaning to others. It is a day we are meant to show those who are closest to our heart what they mean to us, and I decided I could not be allowing such an opportunity to slip by.
You do not need help when it comes to looking after yourself, but I hope you will continue to be staying safe when you go out into the field. Please be keeping this on you to ensure that you do.
Yours,
Petra
( continued from here )
I didn't say I was giving up anything.
[ Just a helpful reminder, even as he moves to slot a leg between Sylvain's with his knee pressed to the bed as he lazily adjusts his thigh to conveniently press it right against his groin. Much like everything else, it's close enough to count as attention but still not quite. Claude hasn't missed anything shifting through the other's gaze - all of it works in his favor, as far as he's concerned. ]
And I didn't say I was going to make it easy for you, either. Watching whether you listen is a different kind of reward.
[ Is he smug to match? Definitely. Another rock of his thigh goes with that without any real intent behind it when there's barely enough contact to count. But Sylvain knows better than to expect anything easy by now, he thinks. ]
Needless to say, it's in your favor if you do.
I didn't say I was giving up anything.
[ Just a helpful reminder, even as he moves to slot a leg between Sylvain's with his knee pressed to the bed as he lazily adjusts his thigh to conveniently press it right against his groin. Much like everything else, it's close enough to count as attention but still not quite. Claude hasn't missed anything shifting through the other's gaze - all of it works in his favor, as far as he's concerned. ]
And I didn't say I was going to make it easy for you, either. Watching whether you listen is a different kind of reward.
[ Is he smug to match? Definitely. Another rock of his thigh goes with that without any real intent behind it when there's barely enough contact to count. But Sylvain knows better than to expect anything easy by now, he thinks. ]
Needless to say, it's in your favor if you do.
[ His breath escapes him in a quiet hiss as Claude grinds up against him, eyes darkening further even as he keeps them locked on Claude's face. His smirk doesn't fade, but he arches an eyebrow at the challenge. ]
I think we both know I'm very bad at listening. Or maybe not listening. Just not doing what I'm told.
[ He was, in fact, infamously bad at it. ]
If that's the sort of test you want to run, I fear you may just end up punishing both of us.
I think we both know I'm very bad at listening. Or maybe not listening. Just not doing what I'm told.
[ He was, in fact, infamously bad at it. ]
If that's the sort of test you want to run, I fear you may just end up punishing both of us.
[ As the day of Claude's birthday draws to a close, he'll return to his room to discover a non-descript cardboard box perched atop a pile of books near his desk. Anyone that doesn't live in the mess may not feel like it's out of place, but it's clear that whoever left it for him knows that won't be the case.
Inside the box sits a small, living terrarium with a miniature pine tree in the centre mimicking that of an Almyran pine. The rest of the terrarium is arranged deliberately; everything from the chosen the gravel and sandstone pebbles resemble that of the courtyard space in his domain. Embedded in the cork above the plants, small charms hang from delicate gold chains, depicting a skyscape made up of tiny clouds, stars fashioned from clear crystal beads, a sun and, most notably, a wyvern. As the day turns to night, he'll notice that the sun becomes a moon, shining soft silver light onto the scene below; every so often, the stars will twinkle. The sun also emits a soft golden light during the day.
Tucked under the terrarium is another plain, but sturdy, wooden box so as not to be crushed under the weight of the terrarium. Inside lays a beaded necklace that is surprisingly light despite appearances. Small gold and green beads make up the majority of the necklace, with the exception of the ones flanking the quarter-sized moon charm in the very centre. The bigger beads on display are brilliant iridescent glass with streaks and dots of suspended yellows, golds, and silvers seeming to catch the light of the sunset like wyvern eyes.
The only note in the box is written in familiar handwriting. ]
[ It's unclear what 'this' means and if it was the gift in its entirety, or just one particular part. The note provides no further explanation and perhaps aside from Sylvain, no one else is in the loft. ]
Inside the box sits a small, living terrarium with a miniature pine tree in the centre mimicking that of an Almyran pine. The rest of the terrarium is arranged deliberately; everything from the chosen the gravel and sandstone pebbles resemble that of the courtyard space in his domain. Embedded in the cork above the plants, small charms hang from delicate gold chains, depicting a skyscape made up of tiny clouds, stars fashioned from clear crystal beads, a sun and, most notably, a wyvern. As the day turns to night, he'll notice that the sun becomes a moon, shining soft silver light onto the scene below; every so often, the stars will twinkle. The sun also emits a soft golden light during the day.
Tucked under the terrarium is another plain, but sturdy, wooden box so as not to be crushed under the weight of the terrarium. Inside lays a beaded necklace that is surprisingly light despite appearances. Small gold and green beads make up the majority of the necklace, with the exception of the ones flanking the quarter-sized moon charm in the very centre. The bigger beads on display are brilliant iridescent glass with streaks and dots of suspended yellows, golds, and silvers seeming to catch the light of the sunset like wyvern eyes.
The only note in the box is written in familiar handwriting. ]
𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘥𝘢𝘺.
[ It's unclear what 'this' means and if it was the gift in its entirety, or just one particular part. The note provides no further explanation and perhaps aside from Sylvain, no one else is in the loft. ]
[ The arrival of creatures through the rift have become a strange anomaly against the backdrop of Abraxas. Hilda wouldn't say she's used to it (she's never recovering from an octopus landing on her head) but like many things in this world she's had no choice to adapt. There is one last surprise arrival of creatures from another land however – and this one is the most familiar of all.
She leaves Cyprian's workshop for the Old Public Hall when she hears a screech overhead. A shiver runs down her spine and she turns, half expecting to see Waffle or one of the other wyverns before scolding herself. She isn't in the Horizon. It must be another creature. She turns away only to hear the soft flutter of wings and her head whips around. That's when she sees it perched above on the awning of Cyprian's workshop: the unmistakeable face of a baby wyvern staring back at her.
Hilda acts before she thinks, doesn't even consider that he doesn't want anything to do with her. She's only focused on keeping her eyes trained steadily on the curious creature staring back at her. ]
She leaves Cyprian's workshop for the Old Public Hall when she hears a screech overhead. A shiver runs down her spine and she turns, half expecting to see Waffle or one of the other wyverns before scolding herself. She isn't in the Horizon. It must be another creature. She turns away only to hear the soft flutter of wings and her head whips around. That's when she sees it perched above on the awning of Cyprian's workshop: the unmistakeable face of a baby wyvern staring back at her.
Hilda acts before she thinks, doesn't even consider that he doesn't want anything to do with her. She's only focused on keeping her eyes trained steadily on the curious creature staring back at her. ]
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘺𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴! 𝘈 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦!
[ Claude's continuing to mind his own business, mostly, and is in the middle of balancing some books when handwriting appears in his vision. It's enough to startle him if only because it's familiar handwriting he's honestly expected to never see again, and it takes him another second to remember to actually read it, which results in: ]
[ For once, Claude’s tendency to work a little late has played to Sylvain’s favor. He’d sent a message earlier to make sure the other man did plan to come back to the Loft tonight, and after getting an affirmative, he’d spent the entirety of the afternoon in the kitchen preparing.
When Claude does get home, he’ll find the Loft dimmed and lit only by an array of candles in the dining room, revealing a table set for two and the rich scents of familiar foods filling the air. Sylvain straightens from fixing a few last-minute touches, but just shoots the man a bright pleased grin as he waits for him to take it in, hands tucked behind him in his back pockets as he rocks back on his heels. ]
Happy birthday, Claude.
When Claude does get home, he’ll find the Loft dimmed and lit only by an array of candles in the dining room, revealing a table set for two and the rich scents of familiar foods filling the air. Sylvain straightens from fixing a few last-minute touches, but just shoots the man a bright pleased grin as he waits for him to take it in, hands tucked behind him in his back pockets as he rocks back on his heels. ]
Happy birthday, Claude.
[ It's later than he'd meant it to be, really, especially when Sylvain's message seemed like more of an indicator to make sure to be back and not at the hours where he might make it back before crawling into bed with a book. That there's a chance this is connected to what day it is isn't lost on him, and it's curiosity which has him ducking out on plans he'd scheduled a while ago with no regrets.
When he walks into the loft, Claude pauses with his keys in one hand and the other on the strap to his satchel when the sight that greets him isn't the usual interior he's come to expect. For once in his life he's properly speechless when it begins to dawn on him as the door falls shut behind him it even registering. ]
What's this?
[ File that under questions which could've been answered if he'd just waited about .0001 seconds for the birthday wishes to happen after looking over everything before looking to Sylvain last. That grin on the other man's face is more incandescent than any of the candles around combined. Without realizing it, his own expression softens. ]
You made all of this for me?
[ Never mind that it's not yet clear what the 'this' is in its entirety; it's apparent enough there's something here from what foods he thinks he can detect from the kitchen, the table set for them, and everything else. All of it done very deliberately, and with no shadow of a doubt as to what it's for or the care put into it. ]
When he walks into the loft, Claude pauses with his keys in one hand and the other on the strap to his satchel when the sight that greets him isn't the usual interior he's come to expect. For once in his life he's properly speechless when it begins to dawn on him as the door falls shut behind him it even registering. ]
What's this?
[ File that under questions which could've been answered if he'd just waited about .0001 seconds for the birthday wishes to happen after looking over everything before looking to Sylvain last. That grin on the other man's face is more incandescent than any of the candles around combined. Without realizing it, his own expression softens. ]
You made all of this for me?
[ Never mind that it's not yet clear what the 'this' is in its entirety; it's apparent enough there's something here from what foods he thinks he can detect from the kitchen, the table set for them, and everything else. All of it done very deliberately, and with no shadow of a doubt as to what it's for or the care put into it. ]
Yes, I know Linhardt. We went to the same academy back when, though we ended up on different sides of the war.
[ A relief that alone will give Kyle most of the background context he needs to know without needing to say much else - probably, and: ]
I found him in Nocwich on the last trip there. He'd mentioned he was in Thorne, so I told him to find you. I take it that's worked out?
[ Claude might be asking for his own amusement since it had taken him all of a few seconds to remember what being around Linhardt was like, and we are chatting also might've made him grin to himself because of it. ]
[ A relief that alone will give Kyle most of the background context he needs to know without needing to say much else - probably, and: ]
I found him in Nocwich on the last trip there. He'd mentioned he was in Thorne, so I told him to find you. I take it that's worked out?
[ Claude might be asking for his own amusement since it had taken him all of a few seconds to remember what being around Linhardt was like, and we are chatting also might've made him grin to himself because of it. ]
[ Claire has gotten a bit sidetracked if she's being honest, the rifts delayed things in a way she hadn't expected, but she does finally have the plant for Hilda that Claude requested. And preceding any of that, she needs to check in on him. ]
𝐻𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑑𝑒, 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑒. 𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒 𝐼 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒?
𝐻𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑑𝑒, 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑒. 𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒 𝐼 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒?
[ The words floating into his vision in familiar handwriting are a welcome sight - even if as he pauses to read them it means that (baby) wyvern teeth sink into his hand and Claude swears under his breath a second later. Well. His fault for being distracting from the training they're supposed to be doing and while holding a treat in his hand. ]
You have good timing, as our latest houseguest decided I should no longer be in one piece but before that, I was quite well. [ Mind scribbled while he's inspecting his hand and shooting an unimpressed at a rather pleased looking baby wyvern. ] Hazards of raising a wyvern, I suppose. But if you mean for more recent events, I made it through alright. You did as well, I hope?
[ The past few weeks have seemed like a blur, truly. It's Claude's turn to realize he's done a rather poor job of checking on everyone else, what with being occupied with Hilda's recovery. ]
You have good timing, as our latest houseguest decided I should no longer be in one piece but before that, I was quite well. [ Mind scribbled while he's inspecting his hand and shooting an unimpressed at a rather pleased looking baby wyvern. ] Hazards of raising a wyvern, I suppose. But if you mean for more recent events, I made it through alright. You did as well, I hope?
[ The past few weeks have seemed like a blur, truly. It's Claude's turn to realize he's done a rather poor job of checking on everyone else, what with being occupied with Hilda's recovery. ]
We did. Ours came addressed to us representatives of the Conclave, which I found interesting.
[ 'Interesting' being a neutral word for confirmation they're being observed by more than their factions and the Fey. It's funny - Claude's mostly been turning that letter over and over in his mind and had made the mental note to reach out to Kyle, and yet the other man's beaten him to it. That's just yet another confirmation doing so would've been the right choice. ]
I suppose the logical conclusion to make is that Solvunn also received one to better their chances of finding assistance.
[ Among other conclusions waiting to be made, but - best to start with one at a time. ]
[ 'Interesting' being a neutral word for confirmation they're being observed by more than their factions and the Fey. It's funny - Claude's mostly been turning that letter over and over in his mind and had made the mental note to reach out to Kyle, and yet the other man's beaten him to it. That's just yet another confirmation doing so would've been the right choice. ]
I suppose the logical conclusion to make is that Solvunn also received one to better their chances of finding assistance.
[ Among other conclusions waiting to be made, but - best to start with one at a time. ]
Well, I think. We were able to offer a fair amount of help and got a special kind of soil in return. How did your round of it go?
[ Shortly after their return from The Nether, Claude will find a package sent to him. The sender signs their name simply with a mysterious C.
Enjoy your new apron, grillmaster.
If this doubles to amuse Hilda, all the better. ]
Enjoy your new apron, grillmaster.
If this doubles to amuse Hilda, all the better. ]
Claude,
I fear I owe you some apology for my abrupt departure, and my time of silence since. Please know that you did nothing to insult nor upset me. I am, in fact, glad to have met you, and think fondly of that night.
I wish you well, and that we can, perhaps, see one another once more.
[ When this particular message finds him, Claude's idling around the greenhouse on the loft's rooftop. The unfamiliar writing appears as he's reaching for a tray of seedlings from a bench and he pauses. Though really, the formal opening gives him several pointed clues before the rest follows to make it clear. A few moments go by where he studies the words carefully - and not without a smile to himself. ]
Well, in all fairness. I suppose I probably also owe you an apology for not reaching out sooner since I thought you might've needed some space.
[ Teasing may or may not translate so well in writing, so probably best to not linger on that. ]
And if we're being honest here, I'm glad to hear it. Besides the apology since I hardly think that's needed and so I mean the rest of it, especially since it'd be a shame to be the only one thinking of it fondly. Should I take this to mean I should look for you on a roof again the next time Nocwich is open?
[ As one option, of course. ]
Well, in all fairness. I suppose I probably also owe you an apology for not reaching out sooner since I thought you might've needed some space.
[ Teasing may or may not translate so well in writing, so probably best to not linger on that. ]
And if we're being honest here, I'm glad to hear it. Besides the apology since I hardly think that's needed and so I mean the rest of it, especially since it'd be a shame to be the only one thinking of it fondly. Should I take this to mean I should look for you on a roof again the next time Nocwich is open?
[ As one option, of course. ]
[ While dropping off presents for Sylvain and Hilda, Claude obviously can't be the only one without one! In fact, Jesper's been working on this for awhile, and he made Claude his signature coat from back home, as described to him by Hilda. Including the yellow cape, of course! There is a note: ]
Heard this was your fashion choice back home, can't wait to see it on you, handsome! -Jesper
Heard this was your fashion choice back home, can't wait to see it on you, handsome! -Jesper
[ Claude's birthday presents were going to be hard to top, but Sylvain had something different in mind this time around. It helps that Hilda and Jesper had announced their new business venture, which helped narrow down his options.
Somewhere mid-December, Claude will find a large box left on his bed. Inside, he'll find a carefully crafted set of armor in black and gold. Careful inspection of it will reveal that certain sections are crafted with Jesper's specialty corecloth for extra protection.
Attached is a short note in Sylvain's familiar handwriting. ]
One of these days you'll stop getting so many holes in you. Until then, hope this helps.
~Sylvain
Somewhere mid-December, Claude will find a large box left on his bed. Inside, he'll find a carefully crafted set of armor in black and gold. Careful inspection of it will reveal that certain sections are crafted with Jesper's specialty corecloth for extra protection.
Attached is a short note in Sylvain's familiar handwriting. ]
One of these days you'll stop getting so many holes in you. Until then, hope this helps.
~Sylvain
Edited 2023-12-17 20:46 (UTC)
[ A large, beautifully wrapped rectangular box lies on Claude's bed that is for once (but probably not for long) free of books. The smell of fresh pine fills Claude's room thanks to the pine fronds and pinecones that are tucked into the ribbon arrangement. More importantly than the presentation of the box however, is the plush toy that sits atop the box, lounging like much like the person the visage is of would. It comes with a small satchel and if Claude looks inside, he'll see that it comes with an attachable felt beard. Small buttons behind the toy's ears will allow him to attach and remove it as he pleases. Wrapped in soft tissue paper is a dark yellow scarf, similar in pattern to the one that Sylvain received except dark green and pink threads lines the light yellow lines running across the scarf.
When he gets around to opening the box, he'll discover a telescope, the brass polished to shine in the light of day. Dainty brass charms of a star, moon and sun hang from it that make a soft chime as they move. Also tucked inside the box is a rolled up map of the Abraxas skies. It's clear that it's meant to be marked up if the accompanying pens and pencils are any indication, but there's already a small addition to it: a faint white drawing of a wyvern with its wings spread, darting across the skies.
A note on handmade paper with wildflowers pressed into them smells faintly of Hilda's perfume is tucked alongside everything. ]
When he gets around to opening the box, he'll discover a telescope, the brass polished to shine in the light of day. Dainty brass charms of a star, moon and sun hang from it that make a soft chime as they move. Also tucked inside the box is a rolled up map of the Abraxas skies. It's clear that it's meant to be marked up if the accompanying pens and pencils are any indication, but there's already a small addition to it: a faint white drawing of a wyvern with its wings spread, darting across the skies.
A note on handmade paper with wildflowers pressed into them smells faintly of Hilda's perfume is tucked alongside everything. ]
𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘦,
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘣𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴, 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘕𝘰 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺 (𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘵) 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.
𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴,
𝘏𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘢
[ Sometime between him noticing that someone sneakily bedazzled his shirt at the Sarstina party and now, there will be a gift left in Claude's desk at the Rio Enterprises Aquila office.
The next time Claude opens his desk drawer and sticks his hand in, he will find it filled with dead lizards. No lizard excrement though, which implies they were at least dead before they mysteriously arrived there! ]
The next time Claude opens his desk drawer and sticks his hand in, he will find it filled with dead lizards. No lizard excrement though, which implies they were at least dead before they mysteriously arrived there! ]
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