ERode

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Orcs, Goblins, and Trolls are fundamentally either "violent barbarians" or "dim-witted beasts" in this universe.

Naga and Harpies don't have such things associated with them, thus, are ok. Also, they're waifus, unlike the greenskins.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

_{@VitaVitaAR@VahkiDane}

“It would be a bold statement to make indeed, Sir Sergio,” Serenity responded lightly, “though those who find themselves called to pledge their blades to the Iron Rose oft root such callings in higher matters.”

A glance towards Gerard. The expressions on the faces of the young ladies who flocked around him, as well as his own, certainly spoke a different story than the gaiety of the rest of the ballroom. There, certainly, were those of the Iron Rose who had no real interest in gaining the favor or friendship of the nobles. Hopefully the ladies’ patrons weren’t keeping a close eye.

More curious, however, was Veilena’s own input with regards to that, as well as what she chose to do next: highlighting the presence of Tyaethe and…hm.

Serenity cast a glance towards the Cazt heiress, offering to take her hand before they followed after the First Princess.

“With knights of such prestige present, I suppose it’ll be a while still before you’ll be able to seek an audience with Her Highness.” The presence of the Paladin had become a normal thing for her, and the Knight-Witch regularly maintained contact with the order in her own way, but for the Gentle Blade herself to be present? That storied master of the sword, the polar opposite of Tyaethe in martial philosophy? It was almost a tragedy, that Renar and Felix had dueled, if there had been any chance at all of a duel that allowed Dame Lilette to display but a sliver of her prodigy.

But unless Princess Elisandre requested it, there was little chance of that.

I Once Belonged to a Fantasy World, But Now I Ended Up in the Real World?

Will keep an eye on this for the time being. Strayed from S2, but Part Timer Devil was a fun time before.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

_{@VitaVitaAR@VahkiDane@The Otter}

“The stories of the Knights of the Iron Rose do stretch quite far back,” Serenity responded. “Though in matters of legend and lore, it’s for the better that our task was to put an end to the dregs of the Red Flag, rather than an airborne scourge or a death-profaning sorcerer.”

She flashed a smile, one filled with a valiant desire for greatness, a pure focus on those far-off horizons that any heroic knight would aspire towards. “In ten years’ time, mayhaps, you could expect grander tales spun by Thaln’s bards. For now, however…”

It wasn’t hard to notice the shifting of bodies, the light that sparked off steel. Renar was doing it after all, wasn’t he? Serenity’s eyes flickered towards Fionn, catching his gaze. Princess Maletha was still young, still faint-of-heart. It would do little good for either the Crown Knights nor the Iron Rose Knights if a Royal suffered as a result of these meaningless theatrics, but Serenity herself wasn’t in a position to do anything about it.

“…I hope this display of chivalry will assuage your interests. The Knight with the darker hair, Sir Renar, was one of the few who took it onto himself to single-handedly hold off a group of Jeremiah’s best while the Knight-Captain faced him.”

And as for the Crown Knight, well, she could tell already.

Though skillful in his own right, the blond swordsman approached the duel from the same mindset that Serenity would have…if she were three years younger. Explosive aggression, honed with an honesty that made for a valorous figure, but which was otherwise a detriment. It took three breaths for him to be disarmed. And honestly, it didn’t make for a good show at all. Hardly a breathtaking exchange, and the response from the noble audience was much the same.

Was the Crown Knight truly so weak? Why did the Iron Rose Knight fight in such a brutish manner? Did that even count as an exhibition? The Flower of the North put on a better show; where was he?

Serenity waited for a few seconds, then turned towards Princess Elisandre once more, her smile half-way apologetic, half-way bemused, but always intended.

“Unfortunately, it appears that in your presence, Princess Elisandre, Sir Renar was overeager to impress.”

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

_{@VitaVitaAR@VahkiDane}

As movements relaxed, their spins and steps became ever more graceful, the two dancers in a world of blurred firelight and shadows, swirling disdain and admiration in the gravity of their art. Confidence and enjoyment mattered just as much to impressions as actual skill, and Serenity guided her fair lady through musical phrases with a conviction unshakeable. A conviction that right now, they were the best couple on the floor, elves and archers be damned.

But while beliefs could be held long into the future, music itself waned, quieted, ended, and the true stars of the night made themselves known. Princess Elisandre and Maletha, twinned suns radiating the beauty that made one the obsession of all who dreamed of royalty and another the subject of ten thousand patriotic oaths. Their skin like marble, their eyes inset gems. The Arcedeens had long made the separation between the noble soul and the noble blood, but with individuals like the Falisse siblings, mayhaps such antiquated beliefs still held some truth.

It was no time for such ruminations on the nature of one's soul though. The dance had ended, the princess has spoken, and so, Serenity herself bowed towards Lady Veilena, offering the younger lady her hand. She would take it, of course, and with that, Dame Serenity escorted her charge to where the two Princesses stood. Sir Sergio, that handsome redhead, had already presented himself, and Serenity herself followed suit.

"The pleasure is entirely ours, Princess Elisandre, Princess Maletha. It is but our duty to raise our swords in the defense of the people, and to be recognized for it is more than we can ask." It was no dragon, after all, no death-scouring witch whom they had vanquished. Merely bandits cornered by decisions made years past. "I am Lady Serenity Arcedeen, and my companion here..."

A tilt of the head, towards the Canzt matriarch. It was as good an opportunity as any for Veilena to make herself known.

Decibitus [Moved to a new thread]

^{A REAL ICON WILL BE HERE SOON}

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~8:30 AM | MT ARAPILES | Punks Wall

---

Whether plans were concocted or prayers were spoken, the consensus of Team VAMOS was to scout out Punks Wall, chasing rumors of freak accidents and frenzied howling, and so they did, departing with variable swiftness and leaving more than a couple spooked campers in their wake.

After all, Catherine had opted to remain visible to humans. Between her humoring of mortal bystanders with Lathin chants and conversing with her very invisible colleagues, those who weren't amused were fairly unsettled, a couple of them taking surreptitious snapshots with their phones of the nutjob Catholic who popped up. Maybe she'll go viral by the end of the day or at least make it to imgur's front rows for a couple of hours.

That, of course, was not a concern for the reapers as they continued down the quiet trail to Punks Wall. Shriveled trees flanked them from both sides, the brush of the Australian outback hardy but warped, while the sky itself bloomed with brilliant blues. It was a good day for climbing, but the trail itself saw little of hikers and climbers. Freak accidents warded off those there for leisure, while for those seeking a supernatural adventure, it was far too early in the the day to get into the mood. It made for quick traveling, at least. No one had to dodge around hikers who couldn't see them.

A good half hour later, Punks Wall loomed before them, a slab of mountain broken off from the rest. Orange stone, its faults and ledges marked with chalk dust from hundreds of top ropers, stretched upwards for over one hundred meters. Perhaps it would be a sight worth marveling at. Perhaps it would be even more worth marveling at from the top.

But...

"HUGROOOOOOOOOOK!"

"Ohfuckfuckfuckfuckfuc-"

A banshee-like cry, rippling out with a static undertone.

A man, turning the corner, his climbing shoes clapping loudly over stone and his hands waving at the nun just 50 meters away.

And behind him, a human-sized monstrosity, its shaggy hair blowing wildly in its pursuit, three-inch long claws carving into the air. From its throat, yet another roar sounded, scraping against the ears like a scream through blown-out speakers!

...

And behind it, whizzing with that mosquito-hum, a drone followed after, capturing all this in 4K.

Seven seconds before impact.

Now, what was a good reaper to do?

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

He even gained a bit of fame as the Witch Knight, using magic to amplify his swordsmanship

Still there, mate.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Go scroll up until you see a giant block of text about Magic. That's not included in the first OOC post, so it's probably useful for you to read, seeing that you're doing a magic sword person.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

_@VitaVitaAR

Enough did, but to be a noble was to bear scorn without complaint. Only tyrants drew their blade at every petty insult, after all, and if one remained in good standing with Royalty and Divinity, one ought to hold their head up high. Detractors lurked in every corner, and even as Serenity guided Veilena to the edge of the dance floor, she could hear their scattered whispers.

The traitor's spawn, convening with the scion of the Arcedeen. No doubt to plant seeds of betrayal into the mind of one of the most militarily-powerful families in Thaln. No doubt to prepare for the second war to be ignited by the raising of the Red Flag.

Nobility, indeed, was a quality. One honed through experience and discipline. Only fools who wished to fuck their sisters believed that it was blood that made a noble soul.

As one song ebbed away, as couples exited and entered the dance floor, Serenity drew in a breath and with it, drew in herself. A back, perfectly straightened. Hands, resting firmly in her partner's. Stomach tucked in, blood pumping to measured beats. And, finally, she inclined her head, flaxen strands spilling like rays of sunlight, beams of moonlight. There was nothing but confidence and enjoyment, an appreciation for her dance partner that was so perfect, so practiced, that it may truly have been genuine.

"Well, shall we give them something to watch, my lady?"

With the thrumming of strings, the whispers of wind, the echoes of percussion, Serenity took one step forward and advanced, entering a quick sequence of waltz spins as the two of them cut diagonally across the diameter of the space. Fast enough to cut between other dancers. Fast enough to befuddle the gaze of spiteful onlookers. Fast enough to meet the scherzo of the viol!

A dynamic entrance indeed, before knight and mage, scion and heiress, Serenity and Veilena, stopped in timing with the musician who they matched, their movements naturally leading to a pose natural and noble.

The opening act concluded and with its end began the beauty of 3/4 time.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

_@VitaVitaAR

“The night has yet to descend,” Serenity replied, gazing out reddening skies. “And none have imbibed so deeply of the libations available that they’ve the gall yet to approach while your charge is present.”

Regardless of what any lesser nobles thought, after all, the very fact that a member of the royal family extended an invitation towards Veilena meant that they approved of her continued presence in society, whether on the swiftness of her actions in her childhood or on the accomplishments made in her adolescence. And if one had the foolhardiness to do so regardless, they would find themselves with no place soon enough. After all, the Crown Knights would not suffer an insult to their charge’s extended hospitality, and the Iron Rose would not allow a time for such celebrations to be besmirched with denigrations.

“Admirable though the sunset may be, Reon’s fall and Mayon’s rise is a ritual uninterrupted by the comings and goings of mankind. This occasion, however, is a rare relief from training grounds and libraries.” Serenity smiled, sweeping one foot behind the other as she extended a callused, ornamented hand out towards the young prodigy. “Before disparate duties and desires see us scatter once more, would you favor me with a dance, Lady Cazt, if only until the Princess arrives? No matter what beliefs our fellow guests hold, the music this evening does not fail to inspire a desire for merriment in my heart.”

Her eyes glanced over towards the black knight, performative mischief flickering at their unreadable mien.

“Or should I have presented a partner for your knight as well, so they may subtly shadow us on the ballroom floor?”