braveryinblue

[braveryinblue]

Hector’s eyebrows raise in turn. 'More like lean muscle.' Yeah, sure, he’s never heard that one before. By some miracle only, Hector restrains himself from guffawing at the mention of diplomacy. Hell, maybe he could actually even learn something here,

but if he were a betting man…

With a ghost of a smile, he crosses his arms over his chest, leans back,

and settles in to watch the show.

A bit irksome that the guy had wandered so far away though - where had that bravado of his gotten to? Uh oh. It doesn’t look like diplomacy is faring so hot. Arms uncross, and Hector instead sits his chin on a curled fist. Yikes.

“… What did he even say to get them to waste food like that?” Any other time and circumstance, sure, but when there was a shortage…?

Hector’s only regret is that he hadn’t been able to hear it for himself.

Wait.

Stop.

No way — he’s going again?

“H-hey-” uh, what was this guy’s name again? “-you!”

Hector’s on his feet, and when he wants to, he moves more swiftly than most would give a guy his size credit for. 

He reaches Claude and pats at his shoulder lightly, beckoning for attention. “Might be we’re better off cutting our losses, don’t you think?”

… But if Claude wants to persist, well,

(Hector at the least wants to be there to witness the fallout up close, this time.)

LET THEM EAT CAKE!

nov. 2023 mission board | closed thread

#thread x let them eat cake #achaemenidstar #welcome back wooo

[braveryinblue]

“Yeah, I’m fine. Your pal Hector’s tough as an ox, worry not.” ‘And about as bright,’ he could hear a certain ostian spy’s quip in his head, could picture the guy laughing as he scampered away out of reach. . . Hector cleared his throat, and while he was at it, cleared his mind of the annoying image.

“Anyroad, potatoes it is, then! Let’s be about it, shall we?" Hungry stomachs waited for none! "And don’t worry, I don’t mind.” He offered his arm without thinking, really. Rather, his thoughts were elsewhere: she was right in that there would surely be other food stands to visit throughout the eve.

“Two of those spirals, if you would. One for me and one for the lady.”

T’was only as the vendor was handing over the goods that Hector finally registered what Marianne had actually said - and what he’d answered.

Spiraled tater slices in hand tucked between three fingers, Hector paused, looked at Marianne and. Oh.

“Y-yeah, of course, uh, let’s go find somewhere a bit quieter.”

Something of a tall order given their surrounds, but where there was a will…!

There was a way, and they managed.

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, they had stumbled across something of a sanctuary - a town square transformed into temporary refuge, filled with piles of cushions and people sat atop them, quietly chatting- mostly in pairs, Hector noted subconsciously without realizing why -and well would you look at that! An open space at the end.

He could smell some kind of incense throughout, and candles flickered quietly all about. A fire hazard if Hector’d ever seen one.

“How’s this? We can hang back until things quiet a bit over in the main festival area, if you need. Oh! Here.”

Her potatoes.

This Night Is Sparkling

#thread x this night is sparkling #cursedbluebird

[braveryinblue]

“Well, drat.”

If even Eliwood thinks their odds are slim to none, then things are more dire than Hector might have hoped for. Although... this means that maybe he can be of use here after all, heh. If things got physical before he pitched in, who could blame him for joining in?

But of course, his even-keeled friend reels him back. As always.

“Oh, now you’re just confusing me, friend.”

He grins.

“As if I’d be anywhere without it. But you know well axes are ill-suited to avoiding bloodshed.”

And then, is there still a chance, no matter how tiny, of turning things around?

Hector’s almost disappointed at the thought, though he remembers he is in far over his head here. He’d gladly fight them all, yes, but even he couldn’t hold out forever if all of them up and decided to turn on this pesky pair of meddlers. Putting Eliwood in that position… the thought churns his stomach more than a little.

“Agh. A’ight. Fine. But could you do the talking? Or start us off at least… I don’t wanna open my dumb mouth and fan the flames before they’ve proper started setting fire to the place, ya know?”

*ੈ✩ -- dw about it me and my buddy hector got this.

[RECOVERY] - newly caught ruffians w/Hector

#pheraed #thread x dw bout it me and my buddy eliwood got this

[braveryinblue]

Brow knit further. Fingers itched for the reassurance of a weapon in hand, but he held still for the now. He said he’d listen,

and so he would.

He shifted, eyes on Raymond-Raven as the man took his place on equal footing. Arms crossed over his chest, for lack of aught better to do with them as he deliberated (and listened), and still, he stood tall. Shoulders square, tense, Hector waited. And lis t e n e d,

though he knew not what he was hearing.

A tale, was it? One grounded in reality, from the sounds of it. Eyes narrowed at the mention of Pherae. Anger directed at Hector himself? Fine.

“Leave Eliwood out of this.”

Cold. Bitter.

This wasn’t making any sense.

Raven wasn’t making any sense.

And so Hector quietly reeled, taking in the information with that same pinch in his brow, trying to Make it make sense. He gulped, throat dry, ears hot with frustration as he considered, contemplated what important event he apparently had missed completely. What sort of loose ends had Uther left for him?

And speaking of Uther.

The time for listening was over.

"If this is all you're inclined to spew, then I've changed my mind: shut your mouth, or I'll shut it for you."

Hector was not conscious of when his own axe had appeared in his hands.

"As for collecting my head, you're bloody welcome to try."

Achilles at the Gates

#thread x achilles at the gates #peerlessscowl #was gonna address this tale of raven's but then he said bad words #mean words #and so: persnaps later uheh

[braveryinblue]

Hector knew a challenge when he heard one.

Knew the usual weight, the usual tone, the usual intent.

He’d been on his way back in when he heard his name, and at once, he followed after its siren call. Hector could tell a challenge when he heard one,

and not a sliver of a mistake here, this was a challenge,

but its weight, its tone, its intent. . .

The shout carved unease into his chest. Not fear, no, but it prompted questions. Who? (Sounded familiar.) Why? (He’d enemies aplenty back in Elibe sure, even without those he might have inherited from his brother. But here, in Fodlan?)

In any case, Hector recognized a challenge when he heard one,

and Hector was never the sort to turn down a challenge.

Stepping into sight of his foe, he gave pause. Raymond?

Fleeting thoughts put together an incomplete picture. All those times instinct had whispered in his ear concerning the redhead’s presence, when he’d otherwise been given no reason to suspect a single thing. All those times he’d felt eyes on the back of his head. Aha…

The gap lessened, little by little, heavy, clanking footsteps back to broaching the distance. Mere yards stood now between them.

Hector stood tall, gaze steeled against his would-be opponent.

“Well, here I am." Brow furrowed. "I’m listening.”

Yeah, Hector sure knew a challenge when he heard one, and wasn’t of a mind to turn this one down any more than any other prior,

but still, curiosity burned,

“What do you want?”

Achilles at the Gates

#thread x achilles at the gates #peerlessscowl #here we go #FOR REAL THIS TIME #hector nap time over!!!!

[braveryinblue]

“aɪ, help.”

‘Ai help,’ 

I help.

I help??????????????????

“Agh, shit-!”

That, if Denning needs to know for internal cataloguing purposes, is the sound of someone catching his fingers with a hammer.

It is a result born of distraction, of focusing more on ruminating over the frankly ridiculous response just now delivered -unexpected and unbelievable both- rather than the task in front of him. Waving his hand, Hector hisses, presses on it in a vague effort to numb the pain. It’s fine. He’s fine. Not maimed or anything, and he is quite lucky for that, he knows. Just a bit of aimless hammering, not like he'd been trying to send the nail through to the other side of the plank or anything…

Could have been worse!

Does it stop him resenting the morph for it? Not really!

“Okay. Sure. You ‘help.’ Say I believe you for even the space of a second. Tell me again, then: why? Why are you here, in Fodlan?”

Why aren’t you six feet underground with the rest of your accursed brethren? (Yeah, yeah, the analogy doesn't work but Hector isn't interested in sweating the details here.) Why are you here, mimicking me like some weird bird--

at the least, with a brief moment's clarity granted him by reverberating pain in his hand, Hector comes to the realization that Denning isn't trying to mock him. Okay. Okay. That's... that's gotta be something. Right?

Eyes narrow in consternation.

"You're not here to look for more 'quintessence' or whatever are you? Your master's dead - we saw to it personally."

dread and valor .

#thread x dread and valor #beholdenning #behold! a most dazzling display of tact

[braveryinblue]

He flinched ‘neath her admonishment.

Yeah. No.

“Kinda hard not to notice, trust me!” After all, Florina barely uttered a word in his presence, Fiora was stiff as a board, and Farina— well, Farina wasn’t anything like the other two, that was for sure.

Muttering in annoyance, arms crossed over his chest, Hector huffed and looked away. He’d not meant it like that, but could she blame him for assuming? (Clearly, yes, she could, but. That was besides the point!!)

What was wrong with Murphy then if Farina didn’t have as much a grip on him, versus Florina’s handle on Huey? Was their bond lacking? Oh, now that, he’d the sense to not go speaking aloud. And it wasn’t really his place to gauge, anyway. 

“Wha- no I meant, with your job as an Ilian mercenary, as part of the renowned orders of Pegasus Knights!” Come to think of it though, he really didn’t know much about Ilia, it was starting to seem like. What else should he know? And was Farina the best-suited to ask about it? Probably she’d not sugar coat things but…

… Well, she wouldn’t charge him for her time, would she? (A not small part of Hector worried she might.)

And like hells if he was gonna pay for that!!

Short of like. Paying for a lunch. Or something. That much seemed only fair. Right??

All of this paled, however, in the face of her lack of confidence in his chances against her horse with wings.

Hector snorted.

“What? Such little faith in your previous boss! It’s not like I’m gonna hurt him. Maybe just set him straight.” Fists clenched, then unclenched. Okay. They were surrounded by small pegasi gnawing on their boots and pants and fighting over bits and pieces of carrots.

Maybe this wasn’t the best time for such a showdown. Couldn't go setting a poor example, yeah?

“… Whatever. You deal with him then. And deal with these guys too!! Their spit’s gonna take bloody forever to wash out, ugh.”

He’d stomp away, but there wasn’t really much room to do so. 

And so, Hector settled for looking suitably unimpressed.

Horsing Around - Farina & Hector

from here

#thread x horsing around #makingdough

[braveryinblue]

“I’ll take the Lions over the Deer. Sounds manlier.” It's half spoken in jest. Half. Not that the Lions have conquered much of anything in his time with them but, hey, third-or-whatever time’s the charm, right? Anyway. “That’s my line. We could have used you, and Lyn, too, if she were here. Tsk.” Eyes narrow in consideration. “But what’s this about a tome, then?”

Since when?

He frowns.

“Nuh uh. No way. You already have your sword against my axe - I won’t stand for you taking up magic against my armour.”

He, too, is teasing. Mostly. MOSTLY.

He’d been starting to doubt lugging that hexlock shield around after this latest showing, but Hector is just as soon beginning to reconsider.

“Tch. If you weren’t fresh off the battlefield, I'd show you just how 'scared' I'm feeling.” It's an easy taunt to rise to, but Hector feels no shame in it. “But you know me, I’m always game to exchange blows, heh.”

And that would never change.

"Soon as we're both recovered, then."

It's a promise.

°。 out of 31 matches it's 15 wins for Eliwood, 12 for Hector, and 4 were draws ig

[POST BOEL MINI] - Hector & Eliwood

#thread x i recall an even split with 5 draws! #pheraed #smh just you wait eliwood #gon getchu #toaboel2024

[braveryinblue]

“… Good, good…”

A little bruised was fine. Anything beyond that… Hector didn’t like the thought of it.

Without thinking, he reaches a hand back up to his own shoulder, feeling for the ache of injury. It isn’t something he relishes, but nor does he abhor it. Pain comes with battle, and if going without the former meant having to go without the latter…

No thanks.

Again, Marianne, in her quiet way, jolts Hector from his thoughts.

“Uh,”

right. He’s no stuttering fool. Out with it!

“Yeah. I mean! No! I don’t mind. Stay if you like, as long as you want.”

Heavens and stars, what was wrong with him?

Marianne had never seen Hector so upset. It was... kind of cute... Seeing him grouchy with a comically small juice box in his hand... She took a seat next to him on his cot. "Are you hurt Hector?"

He’d not seen hide nor hair of Eliwood so far - was he still out there fighting the good fight? Hector could but hope, even if a vague jealousy lingered over his shoulders.

(He’d forgive the man for going on ahead without him, of course - so long as he paid Hector back with a spar later on!)

In the midst of his daze, Hector starts at a familiar presence, hearing her before fully realizing he was no longer alone on his cot. Blinking to, his furrow of concentration softened at once, replaced by a small smile of gratitude.

“Nah, I’m fine. Nothin’ to worry about.”

Hector grins. It's his attempt at proving reassuring, though he winces as he goes to turn. “Agh— I mean, the healers already gave me a onceover… Probably be stiff awhile yet, but it’s nothing Hector can’t walk off! Heh.”

She needn’t be troubled by the likes of him.

Instead, he turns her question back on her. (No, he’s not deflecting.)

“How about you? You lasted longer than I did out there.” Maybe she was tougher than she looked, but more time out there meant more chance to get peppered by more attacks… “You all right?”

#toaboel2024 #cursedbluebird #just tacking on a smol reply #huehue

[braveryinblue]

"Snzz... Wha... Bro I'm sleepin' come back in 5 mins a'ight"

Achilles at the Gates

#toaaprilfools #forgive me

[braveryinblue]

"They got you too, did they?"

Eliwood holds out an ice pack towards his best friend, a little smile on his face. There's still determination there, despite his recent loss. He's surprised to have made it to the end of the tournament even if he was eliminated before he could see the outcome of his match.

"How did yours go, then? I didn't get a chance to see. Surely you got a few good hits in?"

“Haaaa… That they sure did.”

There you are.

“Took your sweet time, huh? Hope you had fun, at least.”

Hector’s experience out there had been much too short-lived, but them’s were the breaks - win some, lose some. He reached for the ice pack, though he received it not without a light (?) bop to Eliwood’s shoulder in return. “I guess that’s plus one to your record, eh?”

The ice is cool. Feels nice. Healing magic is swell and all, but not a resource to be haplessly wasted even here in Fodlan where tomes are mysteriously unnecessary. For whatever they don’t get to, there’s the old tried and true: time, and rest.

“It went a’ight, I guess. Nasty piece of work on the other side with her bow and sword and uh, temper. I gave a different axe a whirl this time, felt good but… not perfect. Still can’t wrap my head round magic, really.”

He’d tried the hexlock shield again this year, too, but… It didn’t really feel like him, in the end. Magic stung, sure, and the shield compensated nicely for some of his resistance against it, but in the end,

Hector would much simply rather not get hit by the stuff at all.

“Anyway, ‘course I got some good hits in! Ha!” There’s a glint in his eyes that warns of an impending noogie if Eliwood isn’t careful not to provoke further, but Hector bides his time for the now. “And you? I heard strange rumours - that you were out there spewing ice??”

Strange, if so, but then again…

… Well, whatever. “Regardless, you did House Pherae proud, I’m sure.”

#toaboel2024 #pheraed #hector is proud of u also eliwood #bestie #ya did great

[braveryinblue]

Marianne had never seen Hector so upset. It was... kind of cute... Seeing him grouchy with a comically small juice box in his hand... She took a seat next to him on his cot. "Are you hurt Hector?"

He’d not seen hide nor hair of Eliwood so far - was he still out there fighting the good fight? Hector could but hope, even if a vague jealousy lingered over his shoulders.

(He’d forgive the man for going on ahead without him, of course - so long as he paid Hector back with a spar later on!)

In the midst of his daze, Hector starts at a familiar presence, hearing her before fully realizing he was no longer alone on his cot. Blinking to, his furrow of concentration softened at once, replaced by a small smile of gratitude.

“Nah, I’m fine. Nothin’ to worry about.”

Hector grins. It's his attempt at proving reassuring, though he winces as he goes to turn. “Agh— I mean, the healers already gave me a onceover… Probably be stiff awhile yet, but it’s nothing Hector can’t walk off! Heh.”

She needn’t be troubled by the likes of him.

Instead, he turns her question back on her. (No, he’s not deflecting.)

“How about you? You lasted longer than I did out there.” Maybe she was tougher than she looked, but more time out there meant more chance to get peppered by more attacks… “You all right?”

#toaboel2024 #cursedbluebird #cute... #so proud of u marianne #kicked butt out there

[braveryinblue]

🧃

“Hey! Down here!” Ewan noted as he looked up towards the man. “Here’s a present, for your hard work!” And then he plopped a juice box into his hand.

Sat leaning over the edge of his cot, chin perched on a loose fist, Hector glowered at a fixed point on the floor. He'd lost. First round this year, no less.

But he'd had fun while he was out there... and maybe the Lions would actually pull it off, with or without him.

His other hand squeezed his knee lightly, frustrations not yet fully dissipated no matter his bent toward optimism. Man. Losing sucked. The knowledge that he'd done what he could without going overboard did little to hide the fact he was in here instead of being out there, on the field - his natural habitat, really...!

"Bwuh?"

He blinked, coming out of his daze with a start at Ewan's voice.

"Uh..." Save it for someone who deserves it, came the thought, though it remained unspoken. "Thanks, I guess?"

Juice wasn't gonna make him any tougher for the next bout but. Well. Hector still knew better than to look a gift horse in the mouth.

He raised his juice box in cheers.

"Keep up the good work."

#toaboel2024 #optimismxmagicism #cute :D thank youuu

[braveryinblue]

"That's my line!"

If she'd only stop dancing about, just out of reach, he could settle this nice and easy--

Hector 1.5/5HP misses Selena 2.5/6HP with Flaming Axe [Roll: 3; -0HP] Selena 2.5/6HP

"Blazing hells, Twinkletoes, just stand still!!"

But of course she won't. Because if he's got her pegged right, she's as bloody stubborn as he is.

He doesn't look Eremiya's way - he can't afford to at this point.

@motheruin

disturbing the peace — boel r1, battle 10

#toaboel2024 #thread x disturbing the peace #cutestrival #nohrslittleflower #motheruin

[braveryinblue]

Hector could but watch, squinting into the sunlight,

and he could but hope that the wayward arrow did not find its mark in some other poor sap somewhere on the battlefield.

He isn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth overlong, mind you. Naesala goes down, and he knows the Lions' window of opportunity is fast closing with his fall.

It's not so much a matter of vengeance as one of simple pride - and one of hunger, the Ostian's yearning for battle ever soaring even now. The longer he stays in this, the longer he can fight, and the better his chances of facing Eliwood--

Hector 1.5/5HP hits Selena 3/6HP with Flaming Axe [Roll: 12; -1.5HP] Selena 1.5/6HP

Bit annoying, he finds as he swings with all his heart, that the little healer is always protected by the swordsman, but he can't blame them - he'd be inclined to operate much the same.

Knowing this could be his last hit, Hector hopes he's made it count.

next @motheruin !

disturbing the peace — boel r1, battle 10

#toaboel2024 #cutestrival #motheruin #corvuschriisti #nohrslittleflower #thread x disturbing the peace #grahhhhHHHH

[braveryinblue]

Hector finds himself moving before he's even registered the command for what it is, even going so far as to oblige it with a startled "Yes ma'am!" --

but. Wait. Since when is she the boss of him? How did she do that? Something about the authority she carried, maybe... A voice reminiscent of overly strict, always nagging teachers from when he'd been younger.

(He would totally have skipped out on her classes too back then, in that case.)

Useless, huh.

"You don't pull your punches, do ya? We're on the same team, you know." With a shake of his head, Hector grips his axe anew and spies strategizing from the other team. Ha!

"Not so fast!"

Hector 1.5/5HP uses his turn to rotate the Blue Lions left.

"We can't cede the advantage so easily! Still got somethin' in you," what was it he'd heard these guys called... He tries: "ser laguz?"

@corvuschriisti

disturbing the peace — boel r1, battle 10

#toaboel2024 #thread x disturbing the peace #corvuschriisti #cutestrival #nohrslittleflower #motheruin

[braveryinblue]

'You're talented for a beorc!' Is that supposed to be a compliment? Why does it sound kind of back-handed? "Not so bad yourself, for a bird," comes the muttered reply, before Hector ducks back into battle with a grin, any distantly perceived slights gone with the high of conflict.

Anyway, the biggest threat (in his mind, anyway) is gone now, leaving them with... a fiery swordswoman eager to whet her blade's appetite for more (oh, he knows that look, he does, thinking back to a certain girl from the plains), a young, delicate looking healer-type, and then... his own team, which looked to be running on fumes aside from miss Eremiya.

Wow.

Hector wouldn't have bet on that outcome!

Regardless, small or not, healers are dangerous, and Hector doubts if people would have been tossed on the battlefield without knowing what they're in for.

"On your guard," he offers her in what he considers as a courtesy, and then he leaps, axe a-swinging.

Hector 1.5/5HP hits Elise 5/6HP with Flaming Axe [Roll: 7; -1.5HP] Elise 3.5/6HP

@motheruin next up o7

disturbing the peace — boel r1, battle 10

#toaboel2024 #thread x disturbing the peace #motheruin #nohrslittleflower #cutestrival #corvuschriisti