altosk

[altosk]

　　　Raven's eyebrows rose at Rita. Was she... scolding him? Usually it came with more of a uncomfortable fire-y blast to the face but there was no magic circles being conjured up under her feet. Just a sheepish look as she struggled to look anywhere but his face while voicing concern. Hells, it was enough to sway his poor little heart and he'd cracked with a soft smile in her direction.

In his defense, it had been Yuri's fault for calling him ' old man ' back in the jail and he just sort of took it and swung with it. Raven knew he wasn't the oldest he could be even if some days he sure did feel like it.

❝ aha.. now, now. i get it. ya don't need ta apologize... ❞

She continues to surprise him as she softly chides herself about the lack of knowledge on his blastia and he feels bad that he'd be even less help to her understanding something he never bothered to care for himself. It kind of hurt when she referred to his make-shift heart as a ' thing ' but he was more taken aback when the little admission ' to you ' slipped her lips.

He could not help the short laugh that tumbled out of him at how she still tries to keep up the tough front. Well, Rita was still learning how to treat people with the same kindness she treats blastia, so it had certainly been a start. He was expecting it more towards the rest of the group than himself however. Raven supposed if there were to be one person he'd ought to open up about the blastia it was Rita.. it was just... awkward.

His hand moves over his breast where he can feel the orbs shape against the palm of his hand. When was the last time anyone had even checked up on the thing? Even after Baction, taking that hit from Yuri's sword that chipped the blastias surface, he hadn't really stopped to make sure all was good just sort of pushed through it. That worked though but— for how long? He also wonders how long Rita had silently been fretting over the thing without him being aware.

❝ ya just don't give yerself enough credit, ya know that? yer our genius mage and if anyone can figure out ' this thing ' in my chest it probably be you. ❞

　　　Raven was really trying to hold back the giggles when it came to how Rita could get so worked up, but still, he'd offer her a small smile even as she got flustered to his teases. She had not been wrong with her observations as Raven was feeling a little more tired today than the last few days and he certainly wasn't like the others who seemed to get more energetic and engaged after battle.

❝ aww, c'mon now.... i'd do th' same if it were you, ya know? ❞

He sighed ever dramatically and shook his head. Despite it all, Rita had brought a fresh breath of air in his life. As ever changing and twisting as it was, she had never failed to be the same hot headed and short tempered girl as always, even if she was getting that warmer side to her. Oh how their lil genius mage was maturing already.

Raven could not help but laugh again but he raised his hands in defense. He did not want to push Rita too far and have her actually give up on showing him care, as rare as it was. He was, legitimately, happy to know that she didn't hate him enough to not care at least.

❝ i am a little tired, ❞ He finally admitted, honestly, ❝ just an off day, y'know? don't got as much juice in the tank and all. i'm not as young as you kids anymore. ❞

It wasn't like his blastia was causing him any extreme grief currently and he was quite used to the daily chronic pain it brought. Some days, as he said, just happened to be worse than others. Perhaps a storm was brewing soon and that's why he felt so darn tired. It wasn't enough that he thinks he'd be unuseful to the group, though. The last thing he'd really want is for them to worry so much on his accord and think they needed to accommodate him in anyway.

❝ but don'cha worry so much. i'd tell someone if i wasn't doin' too hot, okay? ❞

#{ RITAAAAAAAAAAA } #{ v : brave vesperia } #{ tales of vesperia thread : 12 } #talesofourworlds

[altosk]

　　　He'd looked surprised to Alexei's innocent question of being worried and it was hard, if not impossible to deny. Raven had and it had been nothing short of frustrating, because there was so much left unsaid between them and honestly his time unconcious had left far too much time for Raven to think and become evermore restless.

" do ya still not —

' i'm sorry... '

Raven's mouth shut instantly. He stares hard at Alexei, who just continued to talk like Raven wasn't standing there looking at him like he'd gone right mad.

Maybe he did.

Well, Alexei was likely delirious to hell. He was worrying about Raven after all, clearly Raven ought to check if he'd started burning up a fever.

" are ya even listenin' to yerself? ya just woke up after.. i dunno.. seven, eight days– hell i'd lost track– anyway you were out fer a real long time and yer worrying if i've gotten enough ta eat n' sleep? "

Raven shook his head.

" ferget about me. i'm gonna get ya somethin' ta drink so yer gonna have ta bear with me when i help ya drink it. "

Those tired crimson eyes could hardly keep up with Raven, even just the small movement of him sitting up in his chair proving to be just a bit much to follow; yet he managed to lock back in on that expression of his once he was still again. He wasn’t used to seeing so much emotion in those eyes that had once looked so dead… but it felt impossible to decipher all of the complexities behind them now.

“You were worried…?” He managed out in a whisper, that much having appeared clear to him… even if it was still shocking. It was that naive innocence behind his eyes, and the long withheld sighs that he finally let loose that gave him away more than any words could.

“…I’m sorry.” For what he was apologizing, he couldn’t say. It simply felt right. Necessary, even, as he slowly glanced the other up and down.

“You look… exhausted.” Alexei’s brows would furrow as he scanned him over once and again,

“Have… you been eating and sleeping well…?”

#{ this surely will not become any gayer:tm: ) #{ v : brave vesperia } #{ tales of vesperia thread : 4 } #cataclysmus

[altosk]

　　　With the confirmation he needed Raven had gotten to his feet and brushed off some dirt from his pants. He still couldn't help but wonder what a group of kids were doing in a place like this, and what had even triggered the cave in in the first place. If there were other people in here.. had it been merely a coincidence or were those kids actually putting themselves where they didn't belong?

❝ o━k━ i'll be right back then. ❞

He back tracks to the entrance where they'd left their supply packs. Still no sign of help from the outside and he tried not to let the pessimistic thoughts eat him from the inside. If need be maybe he could always create an opening for Yuri and those kids like he'd done back at Baction–

–no...

Raven shakes his head and those thoughts out of himself as he sighs with a palm pressing against his temple. Yuri would smack him good if he knew the thought even occurred for a second in his mind. Doing that would break the promise he made to all of them if he could not also leave here alive with the rest of them. Yet..

If it were to be their very last solution....

❝ i'm back–! ❞

Raven pops his head out from the cracked open doorway, grinning dorkily with a little wave. His second arm hugging one of their bags to his chest that he'd used to carry whatever he thought they'd might need. The kids seem to enjoy the carefree air Raven brought to ease their current situation. Like he hadn't been thinking dark thoughts seconds ago. Keeping them calm and collected was certainly number two priority.

❝ i think i grabbed enough ta go around. ❞

Raven had a tendency to not want to do things, but when it came down to it, he always pulled through. Yuri could think of worse people to be stuck with in this situation, let alone having to manage a few teenage boys who were trapped here. He would have wanted to at least help if it had been anyone, but... leaving kids here like this would just put a bad taste in his mouth that he probably wouldn't forget.

Though, Yuri was pretty sure "boss" sounded entirely off to him. Damn. He knew how Karol felt now when he'd asked Yuri not to call him boss. But, well, Karol was technically the guild boss, so it at least made sense in a more official or professional setting. In his case though it was just a cute nickname for the kid. Yuri himself could never see himself being the boss of something, and he could only shake his head at the name.

At Raven's suggestion, Yuri nodded. He didn't really want to separate from Raven right now, but he felt bad at the idea of both of them possibly scaring the kids into thinking they were going to just up and leave them. "Yeah, please. I've got some wrappings on me that I can use for some of their cuts, but it might be good to try to disinfect everything before wrapping it up. We should have enough emergency aid to last us until we get out of here."

Thankfully that meant more hands to help with these kids, too. Raven might have to carry the one with the injured leg, but the other two probably just needed some support at best. Once their wounds were taken care of, they'd be in good enough shape for that much at least. Luckily it didn't look like any of them were lying or trying to use them by faking injuries. Maybe Yuri had gotten a bit more paranoid during this journey, but thoughts like that seemed to stick to the back of his mind now.

"I don't know if you guys know there was a cave in in here, so we're gonna need to wait for our friends to get back for all of us to get out of here, but... once we're out we can take you to the nearest doctor so someone in the actual business can have a look at you guys. We can handle first aid right now, but you'll be best in a doctor's care, rather than us giving you aid and then just leaving you to go about your business."

#{ v : brave vesperia } #{ tales of vesperia thread : 1 } #bravewolfvesperia

[altosk]

❝ i'm surprised any of us survived................ (rip julius for like five minutes.) ❞

Raven had gotten to learn first hand what it was like having a shark fly into you at absolute full force and, personally, he didn't really want to go for round two. He was lucky that was the worst he'd gotten from it and it only took a good appy juice to get him back into shape.

❝ gotta say you guys were pretty awesome out there, though. good job. ❞

"I'm still in disbelief I managed to survive that Sharknado," Eizen admitted. It couldn't have just been luck. While he had suffered some injuries, they hadn't been as severe as some of the others in the fight. He also had dodged sharks and lightning with ease. He'd thought maybe he would have gotten swept out into the water, but he just hadn't been.

#{ the reapers curse will do anything but let him actually die. to sharks at least. } #{ at least raven got to see pretty girls in bikinis. } #{ also hello eizen old man here. } #springfestitales2024 #talesofourworlds

[altosk]

　　　It was the feeling of hair tickling his face that stirred Raven from his few hour-long sleep. His eyes slowly drift open before catching something in his peripheral vision had shocked him enough to sit up, realizing that Alexei's hand was slightly raised from the bed and his eyes flicked straight up to his face, mouth going agape.

❝ !! ❞

The shock of merely seeing his eyes open had Raven skimming the fact that it had been Alexei brushing his hair back that had really woke him. Alexei looked like he was struggling to even keep them open to look at him but what was important that the bastard actually woke up. His chest ached with a relief he didn't realize he needed to feel.

❝ spirits, thank goodness. ❞

He seems to sigh his relief. After at least a week of waiting Alexei finally wakes, albeit incredible weak, it was a sign of something.

❝ ... damn ya really scared the hell outta me... ❞

Raven needed to get him some water, and maybe really consider that doctor because he didn't really have anything to check vitals and he's never had to deal with someone who'd woken from such a long coma before. Even when Alexei had run into that exploding building they had the palace medics at the ready to do most of the healing. His mind was already running itself in circles of all the things he needed to do with Alexei waking.

First, it was just a single finger that would twitch against the sheets below. Hours later, both eyelids would begin to flick about. Raven, deep in a sleep of his own, albeit a far more temporary one, had missed both signs indicating that the man before him may soon wake.

Another hour would pass, another twitch of a muscle, just a quick jolt of a hand, barely even an inch off the mattress, yet still it was the most movement Alexei’s body had experienced in several days.

Just one hour more, and at last the eyes that had remained closed for far too many nights would strain open, heavy as though they weighed several pounds.

Everything felt just a bit fuzzy— most of all, his head; a jumble of incoherent thoughts he couldn’t yet decipher.

This room didn’t look familiar. Not now, anyway, disoriented as he was. Even now, it was his first instinct to investigate, yet he couldn’t so much as lift his head from the pillow, plagued by the most awful sensation of vertigo for even making the attempt.

It was just then that his blurred gaze would come to a focus on the figure before him, however, and the mere presence of that person was enough to ground him in reality long enough that he could ascertain the situation at last. His mind was still waking— and he didn’t know that he could remember what led him here… but if he was watching over him like this, it surely meant he’d gotten into some kind of trouble. …Perhaps he’d remember soon. Either way…

“Schwann…?” Alexei’s voice was hardly audible, eyes closing and reopening so slowly, one would think he was just that close to losing consciousness again, but instead, his fingers would twitch as he managed to lift his hand from his side; a hand that so naturally found itself brushing that messy black hair from the other’s face in an attempt to get a better look at him.

How exhausted he looked… the dark bags beneath his eyes evident even as they remained closed. Alexei could only lay there and wonder how long the other had been fretting over him like this. His hand remained there with the utmost gentleness, fingers brushing past his cheek even as his eyes struggled to remain open, one slow blink after the other.

#{ on my knees rn } #{ RAAAAAAAAAAAAA } #{ I GOT A CRUMB } #{ v : brave vesperia } #{ tales of vesperia thread : 4 } #cataclysmus

[altosk]

♡ — @cataclysmus // well, Raven???? //

●●●●● | ATTRACTION ●●●○○ | AFFECTION ●●○○○ | INTEREST ●●●●○ | LOYALTY ●●●●○ | TRUST

​🇦​​🇹​​🇹​​🇷​​🇦​​🇨​​🇹​​🇮​​🇴​​🇳​ ⦂ world hard tiddy warm soft maybe he didn't want to quite admit it out loud but alexei was an incredibly attractive man and though could pull the most terrifying of expressions, his eyes were like wine. smash. ​🇦​​🇫​​🇫​​🇪​​🇨​​🇹​​🇮​​🇴​​🇳​ ⦂ his affection towards alexei extends far, far back. from being a new knight in casey's brigade looking up to the man who'd brought them together to the bond they created working along side each other. even when that bond had tainted and rotted did raven ever struggle to let go of what was, as it was the last thing held onto that time. maybe the only thing that could save alexei from what he nearly became. ​🇮​​🇳​​🇹​​🇪​​🇷​​🇪​​🇸​​🇹​ ⦂ their interests highly clash, one introverted man dealing with an extrovert, ontop of ravens near self destructive drinking habits. the times he can get raven to sit still, they could both find themselves becoming engaged in the same activity. still sucked at chess though. ​🇱​​🇴​​🇾​​🇦​​🇱​​🇹​​🇾​ ⦂ he was loyal, then he wasn't and then he was again. it was a real bloody back and fourth when it came to raven, especially when alexei had taken that loyalty and put it on a tight leash. he loses a loyal point for what he did to schwann at the end, but raven will still have his back in a way. ​🇹​​🇷​​🇺​​🇸​​🇹​ ⦂ weirdly, his trust is undoubtfully higher than his loyalty. alexei had the means to kill him faster than any human on the planet. even when schwann had stayed behind willingly in baction, it had been more his own choice to be buried away with dein nomos in those ruins. did he believe alexei would still maybe stab him in the back? a bit, yeah, but what's life if you didn't live on the edge. @cataclysmus

#{ raven standing in the corner like the blair witch project } #{ him and i are also fist fighting over this. his feelings vs my simping. } #{ headcanons } #{ asks : answered } #cataclysmus

[altosk]

♡ (I found it and you can't stop me. :D )

●●●○○ | ATTRACTION ●●●●○ | AFFECTION ●●○○○ | INTEREST ●●●●○ | LOYALTY ●●●○○ | TRUST

[ FFXIV VERSE ] mostly. ​🇦​​🇹​​🇹​​🇷​​🇦​​🇨​​🇹​​🇮​​🇴​​🇳​ ⦂ CATGIRL- sorry. admittedly at first it took awhile for him to get used to her unique look. it was probably the first time he'd ever seen someone look so animalistic yet human. it's her personality that really wins him over, though. ​🇦​​🇫​​🇫​​🇪​​🇨​​🇹​​🇮​​🇴​​🇳​ ⦂ they essentially saved each others lives and if that isn't some reason to gain affection towards someone, dunno what is. from the start, even from a doctors point of view, she had been so attentive and gentle to him it was almost a shock. he's not used to being treated from kindness, especially from strangers right from the get go. ​🇮​​🇳​​🇹​​🇪​​🇷​​🇪​​🇸​​🇹​ ⦂ he does find interest in learning more about medicine from her, having his own minor ability in the healing arts. however, he finds her way more hysterical whenever they go out for a drink. ​🇱​​🇴​​🇾​​🇦​​🇱​​🇹​​🇾​ ⦂ it's a rocky road. no doubt he'll eventually overstep in the wrong directions but cyra isn't one he wants to intentionally betray or anything. she has no ill-will in her heart as far as raven can really see. ​🇹​​🇷​​🇺​​🇸​​🇹​ ⦂ these two- well, they keep big secrets from each other. perhaps it may be for more deeper reasonings than simply just trust, but they haven't quite locked that bond that has them both opening up to each other. however, in a pinch, he knows he can rely on the healer to get him patched up in a jiffy. in a battle he could trust her to cover blind sides.

#{ yes help me continue to procrastinate writing alexeis } #{ asks : answered } #{ headcanons } #voidtouched blue

[altosk]

♡ why not

●●○○○ | ATTRACTION ●●●○○ | AFFECTION ●●●○○ | INTEREST ●●○○○ | LOYALTY ●●●●○ | TRUST

​🇦​​🇹​​🇹​​🇷​​🇦​​🇨​​🇹​​🇮​​🇴​​🇳​ ⦂ emily is a gorgeous woman, for sure, raven wouldn't deny that but he just knows that she is just too pure hearted for a man like him. plus, he's yet to get over a woman who died years ago. ​🇦​​🇫​​🇫​​🇪​​🇨​​🇹​​🇮​​🇴​​🇳​ ⦂ he really likes the girls attitude. you don't find many nobles like her around, that's for sure. he admires the way she looks at things in the world, even if it could come off as a little naive at times, but isn't that the charm of things? couldn't go changing the rules if you weren't at least a little over your head about it. ​🇮​​🇳​​🇹​​🇪​​🇷​​🇪​​🇸​​🇹​ ⦂ he's yet to learn a whole lot about emily, so he isn't entirely sure how much their interests align, but hey- he's pretty okay when a pretty lady knows how to give him a bit of first aid after a nasty bar fight that he intentionally causes for funsies. ​🇱​​🇴​​🇾​​🇦​​🇱​​🇹​​🇾​ ⦂ his loyalty extends far enough that he would lend a hand to her if she was ever in need and he was around to help, but their bond hasn't grown much further than that. ​🇹​​🇷​​🇺​​🇸​​🇹​ ⦂ she does comes off as a person who could be incredibly trust worthy just he may not want to open up to her personally about himself. still, it would not stop him from relaying other topics to her.

had she met raven at an earlier time in his life she'd likely be a scam victim.

#{ as of now at least } #{ asks : answered } #{ headcanons } #emily lotus

[altosk]

♡ //TARGET LOCKED

●○○○○ | ATTRACTION ●●●●○ | AFFECTION ●●●○○ | INTEREST ●●●●● | LOYALTY ●●●●● | TRUST

​🇦​​🇹​​🇹​​🇷​​🇦​​🇨​​🇹​​🇮​​🇴​​🇳​ ⦂ flynn's cute. not his type though. ​🇦​​🇫​​🇫​​🇪​​🇨​​🇹​​🇮​​🇴​​🇳​ ⦂ raven had first met flynn when he'd joined the knights as schwann and from the beginning he could see just how pure of heart the young man had been. in raven's eyes, to the present day, flynn had always been a true knight in his eyes. one that casey would admire just as he does and while he rarely partakes in his role as schwann anymore, he does take a bit of inspiration from the young commandant as he does from yuri. ​🇮​​🇳​​🇹​​🇪​​🇷​​🇪​​🇸​​🇹​ ⦂ the only other interest that raven really had with flynn that didn't match with yuri was his experienced time in the knights. it is one of the things the two of them can see eye to eye on and make conversation over. while, there is some things raven is clearly uncomfortable talking about, he still had some stories to share. ​🇱​​🇴​​🇾​​🇦​​🇱​​🇹​​🇾​ ⦂ flynn had that kinda face that was hard not to be loyal to. you ever seen this kid look sad? it's like you've literally kicked a puppy dog. ​🇹​​🇷​​🇺​​🇸​​🇹​ ⦂ trust with them could go back to even their days in the knights. schwann would trust flynn to have his back, but raven would trust flynn with much more. he's come to learn more of flynn as a person while living his life now on top of it was hard not to trust someone yuri had admired so much.

#{ i was too sleepy to finish the rest of these last night } #{ asks : answered } #{ headcanons } #mistralxsoul

[altosk]

                                 I can tell this situation is getting to you.                                            I get it, the road’s getting tough,                                   it’s easy to question the decisions that got you here.                                               But, when negative thoughts hit you,                                                         let it pass, and keep living.

#{ musings }

[altosk]

♡ (do it, do it, tell us!)

●●●○○ | ATTRACTION ●●●●● | AFFECTION ●●●●○ | INTEREST ●●●●● | LOYALTY ●●●●● | TRUST

​🇦​​🇹​​🇹​​🇷​​🇦​​🇨​​🇹​​🇮​​🇴​​🇳​ ⦂ listen, surely there isn't a soul alive that doesn't think yuri lowell is attractive and bummer he missed his chance to ever hit his shot. nevertheless- we respect a taken man in this house. ​🇦​​🇫​​🇫​​🇪​​🇨​​🇹​​🇮​​🇴​​🇳​ ⦂ jokes aside, yuri was an unexpected turn around in raven's life. from following the guy with no good ulterior motives to quite literally trusting him with his heart. yuri had saved his life, if not more than once at this point. raven couldn't think of a more better man to watch this back of his and maybe.. maybe the guy really does make him a bit of a better person. ​🇮​​🇳​​🇹​​🇪​​🇷​​🇪​​🇸​​🇹​ ⦂ out of all the members of brave vesperia and friends, yuri was probably the closest pal raven could get hobbies wise. obviously not.. every hobby, but a drink with the kid once and awhile was pretty nice. usually better when a bar fight doesn't break out. dahngrest gets a bit rowdy. ​🇱​​🇴​​🇾​​🇦​​🇱​​🇹​​🇾​ ⦂ loyalty to raven never started till that day in baction. when he was so ready to give up and die yet there yuri stood. shaking him and yelling sense into him it had left raven absolutely shell-shocked. hells, till this day he never really did understood what made yuri give him a second chance. what the kid saw deep down in him but he does hope he'll learn one day and live up to the expectations because he wanted to. ​🇹​​🇷​​🇺​​🇸​​🇹​ ⦂ trust. . . yes, raven thinks he has quite a lot of trust in the young man.

#{ big trust.... } #{ boy these are rly just high stats in general } #{ headcanons } #{ asks : answered } #bravewolfvesperia

[altosk]

                                    Falling too fast, no it won’t overtake me                                         A voice from the past echoes LOUD like a drum                                                                             (oh, yes)                                   No more goodbyes, though my heart is still aching                                                 Now open my eyes, one more time,                                                                         Here I come

#{ hnng return to oblivion } #{ banger song } #{ musings }

[altosk]

Send ♡ to see what my muse thinks of yours

○○○○○ | ATTRACTION ○○○○○ | AFFECTION ○○○○○ | INTEREST ○○○○○ | LOYALTY ○○○○○ | TRUST

LOW | ●●●●● | HIGH

#{ heck you natty im do it watch me watch me } #{ >:0 } #{ ask memes }

[altosk]

[kicks the door down] ♡♡♡♡♡♡ [blows a kiss]

@altosk

●○○○○ | ATTRACTION ●●●●● | AFFECTION ●●●●○ | INTEREST ●●●●● | LOYALTY ●●●●○ | TRUST

Attraction: Well, he looks okay as Schwann... Yuri guesses. Not really his attraction type though.

Affection: Raven is like an older brother to him, and Yuri has always been the older sibling to his foster brothers, so it's a very different experience to have someone who can support him from the other side. Raven also knows how to have fun and relax, even if he's not always genuine about it, but that's at least helped Yuri figure out when he's being genuine, even if it's not a perfect spot yet. Raven is one of the few people in his life that he'd be absolutely crushed to lose.

Interest: He likes doing things with Raven and hanging out with him. Sometimes their interests don't really align, but for the most and vast part, it's easy to find ways to hang out with him that don't feel forced, and most interaction is natural.

Loyalty: Yuri will always be on Raven's side now that he knows him. Yuri is as protective over Raven as he is with other people he loves. Whether it's relevant to Dahngrest or Zaphias, if Raven needs support in something, he can always call for Yuri for any help he needs.

Trust: As far as general trust and all that betrayal stuff, Yuri fully trusts him. His only trust issue lies more in what Raven might do with himself and that he may still have doubts here and there. Yuri finds it understandable, but he sometimes still side eyes Raven out of habit and concern.

#{ SINCE NATTY REBLOGGED THEIRS IM REBLOGGING MINE } #{ HEHEHE HE HE EHEHE } #{ CRIES MORE OVER THIS } #{ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH } #bravewolfvesperia

[altosk]

　　　If Alexei really wish to die after all of this then mayhap he would have granted his wish, could think of it as 'his last order' if it made him feel better, if he really wanted to keep thinking that Raven was still seeing the world through a small lens. His eyes were open, and he saw just how vast his second chance was, it was Alexei's turn to do the same. That it never... had to end with their deaths, their blood on others hands or each others.

Raven could not help the small smile that twitched at his lip despite the more melancholy look to his eyes. Childish? Much to learn? Alexei was one to talk. The two of them were in the same boat, even if the other didn't see it that way.

❝ ... course i know that.. ❞ His voice hardly above a whisper-

at which part? well. . . all of it.

Casey would probably be disappointed in the both of them if he thought about it too deeply; not very good friends at all. Not good.. a lot of things. Perhaps Alexei only thought of himself as the one in the wrong but Raven did not believe Alexei's commands excused the actions that he took to follow them.

'If there’s anything I’m least worthy of… it’s…'

It remains unfinished in the air but Raven thinks he can fill in the blanks. Perhaps Alexei was right but frankly Raven just wasn't going to accept it that way. Admittedly, it also felt strange to talk like so, but what other path did Raven really have left to walk? Alexei had been right that death threw itself at him every which way and yet, each time, he came out bruised and battered but. . . breathing.

There was a lot to feel about what Alexei said but he couldn't help but focus on the most important part— 'I don’t want to die'

And oh spirits he just might if Raven didn't get his ass in gear. He and the tree are barely able to keep Alexei from hitting the floor when everything finally gets the best of him, eyes widening as Alexei's sentence trails off into silence.

❝ ah hell! ❞

Raven shouldn't have wasted all that time when he could have already started healing Alexei. After those hours of sleep he certainly had more energy to heal the other once again but he was not looking forward to the fact he'd have to get them back to Dahngrest. He had no supplies on him that would help them survive the night outside. Oh, what he wouldn't do for Karol and his magic little bag right now.

❝ you owe me big time... ❞ Raven grumbles. ❝ and ya really better not die on me... ❞

and thus the days begin to pass · · ·

It had been truly amazing how much he could get done while Alexei had been out of it, but unfortunately that didn't come without it's worry. Between each task he'd needed to go out and do, he'd come back to check on the man who rest silently in the bed. His chest only ever rising and falling in soft breaths with no sign of actually opening his eyes.

The day after he'd gotten Alexei back to the city he'd run into Karol who had a pages worth of news to catch him up to speed, after nearly sobbing his eyes out that Raven wasn't dead and definitely no ghost wandering Dahngrest for eternity. That sounded like a horrendous fate actually and he finds himself also thankful that it isn't the case. It would be kind of funny to haunt Harry for the rest of eternity.

So Yuri had gotten hurt in Zaude, but how..? It hadn't been Alexei that he knew. Karol explained to him they'd be on stand-by for a bit until Yuri's recovery, which had made plenty of sense to him and he could be thankful for the extra time he'd been given. When Karol had turned around to ask Raven where exactly he had gone, he'd simply brushed off that it hadn't mattered now that he was back.

right?

The guilt could eat him alive later, keeping this secret from them.

However, now he had both Yuri's condition and Alexei's condition on his mind, it left talking to Estelle complicated, even if he could really use the princesses abilities right now. Unfortunately, their friend was a much higher priority than. . .

Two days later Raven nearly cracks getting a healer to look over the older man. Had it been worth risking his identity to make sure he wasn't on the verge of death? Probably, honestly, yet he'd still found himself hesitant; so foolish. Maybe if he could find a trustworthy one. Trust was very limited now-a-days. . .

Another day and he's running a quick task for Harry. The day after he wonders if Alexei really will ever wake up again. He has little knowledge of a comas.

Raven's found he's simply lost track of the days now. He's in, out, checking on Alexei, out again. It feels like the same day everyday. Just moving on autopilot. He's feeling tired today though. He'd just finished changing the bandages wrapped around Alexei's worst wounds. His body is showing signs of healing naturally on it's own but Raven still sometimes helps speed up the process with his artes. It was his current task as he pulled up a chair beside the bed, eyes occasionally flicking to Alexei's face.

It was also one of those rare days he hadn't left the house, so he remains dressed down and his hair not pulled up in it's usually messy ponytail. A lazy day would have been nice if it wasn't spent worrying over the other resident in the house.

His eyes feel heavy. No sun shines through the window today, dark clouds cover the sky and he thinks it's going to start raining soon. It spoke for the soreness in his joints and his real lack of energy. Resting for a bit probably wouldn't hurt yet he finds himself not scooting the chair back to stand, remaining seated where he was. A yawn is covered by his palm.

Raven leans forward with his arms crossed against the mattress beside Alexei's sleeping form. Heavy eyes just watching his face before they drift shut and the guildsman dozes off with the soft pitter patter of rain against the window as a soft storm rolls in.

Alexei’s expression twitched the very second Raven opened his mouth, shouting with such an uncharacteristically booming voice. He could have sworn the life was yelled back into him, just then.

Raven was infuriated, and had every right to be, jumping from one thought to the next without missing a beat, and without losing any of his fire… that was until he paused a moment, and right then, it felt as though Raven had made the sudden decision to bear his soul before him.

“I didn't want t' lose the last friend i had from that time!”

…The last friend? …Since when had he—?

He hadn’t realized until several seconds after Raven had finished speaking that his jaw was left ever slightly agape, lips moving silently as if wishing to speak words his mind hadn’t even the time to process. But finally he would find himself, compose himself, and with a testing glance he managed a smile.

“If I did wish to die here… would you even let me…?”

There was a hesitance, long enough that it served as an answer in and of itself, even after Raven answered with a quick

“If that’s what you want”,

It was evident how it made him feel. Even if Raven was truly willing to let him see his death through… it wasn’t something he wanted, and Alexei couldn’t bear to put that weight on his shoulders.

“…How childish you still are, to consider me a friend. Surely you realize… this is not how friends ought to treat each other.” If friends were what they were… then Alexei had been a truly terrible one. Perhaps the worst friend to ever live.

“….You’ve still so much to learn… it’s baffling… how foolish you are.” Alexei choked in the midst of a soft chuckle, vision fading white for a split second.

“If there’s anything I’m least worthy of… it’s…”

Your friendship?

Your respect?

You…?

There was no telling how he’d intended to finish the thought, for he so quickly brushed past it.

“…Forget it… It’s just a relief, to finally hear you talk about yourself like this… to hear you accept that you’re alive… that you’re human.” Alexei was able to focus just long enough to really, truly smile at the other, even as his hand clutched desperately at his wounds, temperature declining further and further.

“…I don’t want to die… not when you’re finally starting to live.” It was uncertain whether the tear that dripped down his cheek was caused by the pain, the exhaustion, or by the very topic at hand. He’d been too dazed to notice it himself.

“I… wouldn’t be… able… to…”

White.

All he could see was white.

“…To—“

Alexei, no longer able to hold up his own head, slumped back against that tree in a mere instant, hands falling stiff at his sides as his breathing grew faint.

…At the very least, he was thankful he hadn’t had to die alone.

#{ what if i died rn. } #{ womp womp all my writing effort goes into this single thread. } #{ v : brave vesperia } #{ tales of vesperia thread : 4 } #cataclysmus

[altosk]

　　　Raven's hardly understood much of a thing since arriving in the village but perhaps that had simply been the beauty of it. He'd always been okay with going with the flow, even when it came to taking dolls and booklets and even masks from faces he'd never remember to put names to.

The decals on the mask he received were pretty cute, it was probably his first time actually attending any kind of festive event like this, so he supposed these were normal. Raven had ended up just keeping the thing askew on his head as he was too lazy to just carry it around in his hands all day. While fixing it up, a young woman had nearly bumped into him and it caught him by quite the surprise.

❝ oh! no need ta apologize, lil' miss, i was standin' around in the way, haha~ ❞

Raven was also about to ask if she was okay, not even getting past the 'are' before he stopped and she continued asking. It took him a second, a bit baffled before chuckling.

❝ i'm alright. are you alright? ❞ His eyes fall to the mask that seemed clutched in her hands.

@altosk liked for a Spring Festitales starter!

Masks... Nazamil wasn't sure how she felt about the idea of everyone wearing masks at the festival, if she was being honest with herself. She'd taken hers, of course, and did think it was cute to some degree, but but there was still something a little uncomfortable about the idea. So, there she was, wandering about the festival with mask in hand and heterochromatic eyes fixed on it.

It's not like the prime mask, Nazamil told herself. It wouldn't have the power to alter anyone's thought process. Still... she wished she knew how to feel about it. Maybe she could just put it in her room at the inn and forget about it. Or maybe, she told herself, she should just put it on and try to have fun.

Right as the thought crossed her mind, though, she lifted her head and saw someone in her path. A soft gasp escaped her. Instead of turning invisible like she was want to do, though, Nazamil simply took a couple of steps back.

"Sorry! I... I almost... I didn't see you, sorry," Nazamil finally managed to say. She'd never seen Raven before. He probably had been at the festival for a bit by then, but she just hadn't paid attention. In fairness, she and her new friend had been preoccupied with the stamp booklets recently. Of course she wouldn't know who everyone there was. Still, it was a little embarrassing to nearly bump into someone around all these booths and things.

"Are you okay?" Maybe that was the question Raven should have been asking her. Who could say?

#{ gasp yippeeee } #{ i havent gotten to play the dlc yet i wanna saur badddd nazamil is so cute } #{ v : brave vesperia } #{ spring festival thread : 2 } #springfestitales2024

[altosk]

　　　The beauties of Halure hardly held a candle to that of Spring Rise and the guildsman could not help himself when admiring the blooming flowers. The aroma and atmosphere bring him years back, even just remembering a single vase that rest upon a worn wooden desk. He sighs when her face pops into his mind and he can't help but think of how much she'd of loved this place, the people and the activities. How free anyone could feel here. It had been... nice. peaceful.

He's taken this chance to slip away from any activities with others; while he was all too happy to see Karol making new friends, Raven could only handle the company of others for so long before he needed a breath of fresh air. Thankful that there had been so many activities laid about that most would be occupied elsewhere than to worry about a man like him staring off into space. One individual had snapped him free from his daze.

❝ hm? ❞ Raven had turned his full attention to the man who spoke to him. ❝ suppose i've arrived fer the festivities, but– i'm gettin' far too old ta keep up with these kids now-a-days. ❞

This must be his first time happening upon this stranger. Raven couldn't recall seeing him before, but there had also been quite a few new faces for even someone like him to keep track of.

❝ what brings yerself here then, friend? if not the vast funs ta be had? ❞

♚ ╼ ⟨ @altosk ⟩ | spring festitales

for naught was it was, this village of festivals, spring rise. it was a place so foreign, so whimsical as a fairyland brimmed with ethereal panoramas, beryl lagoons, sequoia forests constellated into flower blooming labyrinths. where reeds sway lazily along rustically booth stalls clustered amongst makeshift settlements spatter sporadically throughout fields of celadon. circumjacent to kratos was a mind inundated from such a world transcending and hellish lamentation. aeons bygone and present times held steadfast onto his subconscious alluring observance binding the angelic god-king into a habit appearing chains of repetition. a trauma so hollowed mayhap the despondency began within his adolescence, genesis from knighthood, or a thousand raging embers of the great kharlan war, when he learned that not all could be saved.

alternatively kratos could sway that his beloved had both been his divine rebirth and his niflheim revelation. mayhap it was something else, conceivably it could be as an ill fated brew that was steeped deep within his maw. nonetheless, it was an incessant endeavor that was all too newfangled, too memorable in his psyche. kratos was and would always be full of these regrets. today was just another year on the same day. but instead of standing at her grave to weep, he was kissing the gravitating petals of spring, landing beneath ancient feet.

ambiences of flora and fauna provided glimpses of reprise. this place he did not know from any manner of region, creed, nor nation was of sub consequence. the obstructed snow-smothered mountains that stretched above cumulus, cascading waterfalls like a gaping goliath’s gullet. ❛ here for the festivities or adrift such as i? ❜ the man he approached was aged yet still young compared to he, as green as malachite, but then, who wasn’t a mere budding neonate when juxtaposed to he, living whispered mythos?

#{ awkwardly makes old comments to the oldest man alive. } #{ v : brave vesperia } #{ spring festival thread : 1 } #springfestitales2024