Hero

Fire Emblem: The Slumbering Goddess

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The extra class spot had already given Derec a bout of nervousness as it was, but it intensified somewhat at the sight of all five professors gathered. For a moment, he almost thought the class was in trouble, but looking around they didn't seem like the type to get in trouble. Well, that wasn't entirely accurate, but no one could deny there was a polish among most of the students that couldn't be ignored. It made Derec feel a little out of place, but that wasn't anything he wasn't used to. The 'lecture'--or should he call it some words of wisdom?--that Professor Roland gave put some unneeded weight on the students. At least, it definitely put more weight on Derec.

Fortunately, the lackadaisical Professor Kalonic--Professor Michail decided to have everyone introduce themselves. Unfortunately, Derec was thrown right back into his previous discomfort. Would he be recognized? He wanted to think that since Auberon Galatea hadn't, it meant that he was essentially incognito. It would be nice to lay low and enjoy the year while he could. On the other hand, if he was outed, it could reflect poorly on him.

Despite being buried in his thoughts, he was able to keep a tab on matching names to faces, raising his eyebrows at a few--the Golden Deer in particular seemed like a rambunctious bunch. Kellen Fraldarius' introduction did make him chuckle a little, but he remained polite. After all, it was imperative to get along with those he was going to stay close to, and he seemed like a decent kid. Auberon was...Auberon, even if it was good to see him stay consistent. The dual-wielding-prayer-and-weapon part did surprise him a little, though. Lienna did nearly break him, however: how one from the cooler Faerghus disliked the cold was puzzling. But hopefully they could get along, too.

Just as he thought he had made up his mind on how to introduce himself, however, the last student revealed themselves to be the crown prince of the empire. Any doubt in Derec's mind suddenly vanished--nope, he was going to lay low and go with the flow. No need to expose himself to any potential enemy.

Deciding to take his chance, Derec stood up. "I'm Derec Ballard," He introduced himself with a smile. "I like making weapons and accessories, and as for dislikes, I prefer cooler temperatures and don't do as well in the heat. I look forward to working with you all."

Short, sweet, and to the point. After giving a bow, Derec reclaimed his seat, feeling satisfied. As he smoothed out his jacket, however, he caught Professor Michail's lingering stare, a tiny smirk on his lips. The redhead blinked slowly, confused, though Professor Michail gave his attention to the next student with the same smile he wore before. Was he trying to tell him something? He was a knight, but as far as he was aware, he didn't come from any major noble house. Maybe Kalonic was a minor noble he hadn't heard of? Maybe Derec was just being paranoid? Exhaling a short breath, Derec tried to put it out of his mind, focusing on the rest of the unit he'd be spending the next year with.

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Of Blood and Magic

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Oh Lilie was mad. So mad that she definitely considered just walking out the door and going back to her room to cry. The only thing stopping her was that she was pretty sure someone would notice, and after lingering in the hall for a few seconds, she rejoined the group in the seating room. Plopping herself back down in her old spot, she ran a finger around the edge of her cup, watching as the water followed it. She tried to pay attention to the conversation at hand, but all her brain could do was replay her cowardice over and over again. The soul crushing disappointment at her chickening out at the last second was gonna haunt her for the whole weekend.

Maybe it was for the best? Aaron was all "butler mode" and it wasn't like he could really do or say anything aside from a token response. Ha, that was rich, she was assuming she'd get any reaction at all! And even if she did, it wasn't like it would be in her favor--she was optimistic, yeah, but she felt a lot of doubt that Aaron felt the same way. Then again, this was the first time the shoe was on the other foot; back home she was the one that was always asked out. So many movies and stories always made the ordeal romantic and easy, too--maybe she was just bad at this, too.

Realizing she had been quiet, Lilie tuned back to the conversation, quietly taking a sip to excuse herself from not talking. It looked like some of the teachers were a little loopy, and that much interested her. Esi was nice, so fortunately they didn't have any problems, but she did have a lot of energy. Not that Lilie minded at all! It helped with her own enthusiasm, so she appreciated it.

"I like Esi," Lilie decided to rejoin the conversation. "She does prefer to go by her first name, so I guess some people think that's eccentric? But aside from that, she's really nice."

Lilie took another sip of her drink, stopping when she remembered their first meeting. "Although...when we first met, she came out of the sea. And she forgot to, um..." Hm, was this something she was supposed to share? Now that she thought about it, it was kinda inappropriate, wasn't it? But she couldn't just stop, someone was gonna ask what she was going to say! "...she forgot to form her swimsuit." She finished quietly.

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Fire Emblem: The Slumbering Goddess

Twelfth Bell, 3rd of the Great Tree Moon

The first day of orientation had finally come to a close with the sound of twelve bells singing from the cathedral. Students were free to roam the grounds and better acquaint themselves with their surroundings--after all, Garreg Mach would be their home for the next year. Many were eager to take on the sights, what with the dining hall, the cathedral, and the marketplace all being attractive options to explore. And for those that still held some discomfort, the dormitory was still somewhere they could retreat to.

Of course, the exception came for one class unit that was instructed to meet in the Blue Lions Classroom. Thirteen students were expected, and waiting for them seated patiently behind a larger desk was Professor Lysander. He rested his chin on his hands, eyes staring at something that wasn't there. Once the students started to gather, however, he straightened up immensely, wearing the same kindly expression he always did. As the last student took their seat, Professor Kaira closed the door, joining the other three house professors at the front of the classroom with her hands together.

Lysander got up from his seat and stood in front of the students, taking a gaze at all of them before he cleared his throat. "Thank you all for coming. My name is Lysander Roland and I am honored and humbled to meet you all," He said with a soft voice, giving the class a short bow. "As some of you are already aware, this year the Officers Academy is choosing to--well, to be honest, this year I am choosing to do things differently. While tradition has long since guided our way, I feel that a little change can do no harm."

Euphemia frowned at Lysander, but he continued, "In truth, Fódlan is experiencing an instability that hasn't been seen in centuries. The Black Plague sweeping the Empire while they navigate relations with Dagda is enough to upset the balance, but both Kingdom and Alliance have had their fair share in trial and tribulation as well. Because of this, it is prevalent to do what we can for the people of Fódlan. For your people, for your brethren, to offer a hand to thy ailing neighbor as the scriptures dictate...the time will come sooner than later where faith and morality will be tested."

There was a heavy, odd silence that followed Lysander's words. Tomai let out a muted sigh, shaking her head at the dark haired man. As he caught his eye, he cleared his throat, a little concerned. "That was more ominous than intended! I sincerely apologize," He chuckled nervously, shaking his head. "What I meant is--what I mean to say is that now, more than ever, reaching across borders and taking your neighbor's hand is important. That is the reason we have split the classes into 'units' as opposed to separating them by house. By combining the three, it is my hope that relations between students will see through nationalism."

Another pause followed, but it was more comfortable and mostly because Lysander forgot what he was going to say next. He snapped his fingers as he remembered. "I thought I had more to say, but honestly, I think that about covers it," He said, missing Euphemia's facepalm. "Well, this group in particular does have a small advantage over the others. Lord Ioannis in particular picked this unit out! That's neat, isn't it?"

"Y-Yes, Professor, but I believe you had more to say..." Kaira piped up, trying to steer Lysander back in the proper direction.

"Did I--? I did. How bothersome, my memory is just not what it used to be," He sighed. "This unit will be looked after a little closer than the others. Aside from a few heirs and some royalty among you, some classes and missions will be handled differently. Students participate in requests given by surrounding villages as a way to both give back to the community and to give the students experience. In addition to those, there will be the odd mission here and there that will take you to the other churches to offer your assistance. Think of it as a trial for future generations!"

Lysander seemed satisfied, taking a seat back behind the desk. The other professors avoided exchanging looks, but were a little more confident. Euphemia nodded, deciding to say a few more words. "All of us here--that is, Professor Michail, Prifessor Malathice, and myself included--implore you to reach out to us if you ever need a guiding hand as well," She told the class with a smile, though she noticed Kaira's delated look. "And Professor Kaira, too, of course!"

Michail chuckled, deciding to join Euphemia. He motioned for Tomai to join him, but the man preferred to stay where he was. For now, Michail decided to focus on the students. "On that note, how about everyone here go ahead and introduce themselves?" He suggested. "I'll start it off. I'm Michail Kalonic, Knight of Seiros turned professor, and I'm from the Kingdom. I like horse riding and fighting, and I dislike people telling me what to do. Explains why I decided to teach, right?" He joked.

Euphemia was less than thrilled at Michail, but Lysander loved it. "That's a great idea!" He agreed, much to the chagrin of the blonde. "Oh, but I already introduced myself. Why don't the rest of you go ahead, that way each student knows us all?"

Tomai seemed to disagree, but relented. "Tomai Malathice. I like crest research. I dislike Michail," He replied plainly. Michail's smile never left his face, but he did look over at Tomai.

"I am Euphemia Kalonic--the Goddess blessed me with only one brother but could only do so much with Michail--and I like books and nature. I dislike bugs, though," Euphemia followed suit obediently, giving the class a playful wink.

The three then looked to the green haired girl, who seemed to forget she was a professor for a moment. Considering the gap in age, it was probably understandable. "Oh! I am Kaira Simeon, and I like...praying? Oh goodness, I feel like I could give a better answer than that..." Kaira furrowed her brow, trying to think. "I like a lot of things, and I don't like some things, but that is...not very specific. Oh dear..."

"While our lovely Kaira decides, who wants to introduce themselves first?" Michail asked as he smoothly transitioned attention to the classroom, looking at the students. "Don't be shy! Just stand up and introduce yourself!"

Why Is No One Joining My RP (General Advice Thread)

"what does success mean for me as a GM/RPer"

@BangoSkank

Honestly, even if the rp dies, so long as I had fun and had good memories, I consider it a success? Idk in my head a rp dying =/= failure per se, though I guess you can argue it depends on when it died. Failure to launch rps are easy enough to discern I think

Why Is No One Joining My RP (General Advice Thread)

Jesus Christ this is going to explode in the worst way

Though actually, I think sometimes people want more interest than they need. For example, you get a group of maybe 4-5 when you anticipate double that. Sometimes smaller groups actually work out better than larger groups, but they get discouraged when they have only a few people expressing interest if that makes sense.

Fire Emblem: The Slumbering Goddess

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Michail seemed to anticipate Jorah's response, an almost giddy expression on his face, though he seemed to straighten up just a touch as Auberon came into the conversation. At Auberon's greeting using their shared last name, both Michail and Euphemia looked out of habit, though Euphemia realized the student wasn't addressing her. He did noticeably examine his student, probably trying to get a good read on him, but after a few seconds he lit up considerably. Taking his elbow off Euphemia's shoulder, he managed to catch her curious look and gestured to the two house leaders. Despite her raised eyebrow, she nodded, and with that approval, Michail flashed a grin at the two young men.

"I figured you'd take this time to get to know your fellow Lions, but I can see you take your responsibilities seriously. It's good to see that the Blue Lions are in capable hands this year," The blond stated, giving him a polite bow of the head in acknowledgement. "But please, call me Professor Michail--having two Professor Kalonics running around would confuse people, and Euphemia here has been a professor here for several years so it's only right she gets claim to it."

"How kind of you," Euphemia replied.

"Indeed! More importantly Little Galatea, you've come at a perfect time," Michail gestured to Jorah before he crossed his arms. "This is Jorah von Riegan, the Golden Deer's House Leader. Part of your responsibilities include keeping up pleasant inter-house relationships--and that includes information retention. I think it'd be prudent if Little Riegan here would go ahead and relay what your duties include."

Tomai decided to remove himself from the small group, choosing to converse with Lysander and Kaira. As they spoke, the three took notice of Derec leaving the classroom. For a moment, the redhead noticed the trio of Professors looking at him, though he did not speak to them, choosing instead to look for the Fraldarius boy.

"So the rumors are true. How bold of Duke Charon," Tomai noted. "I take it to mean that Lord Ioannis took his plea to heart. But what coincidence would it be to have both heir apparent to the Empire and the legitimized bastard of the Kingdom? Not to mention the heirs of the Alliance's roundtable."

Lysander frowned at Tomai, shaking his head. "We mustn't speak of this. The archbishop made that clear," Lysander reminded him. "The very least we can do is grant a year of peace and hope that the relationships built can withstand the incoming turbulence."

"And you don't believe the students won't also notice? The 'extra class' you've implemented has practically given it away," Tomai asked.

"Regardless, we must do what we can for them," Kaira insisted. "No more, Tomai. Leave your concerns for later, please."

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Fire Emblem: The Slumbering Goddess

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Euphemia watched Jorah, unamused, though surprisingly she didn't seem to have much to say about it, choosing instead to focus on his words. She did, however, hear Michail's delighted chuckle, but fortunately he wisely chose not to comment, either.

"Your wish will be granted, if only by coincidence. Aside from the more obvious title ensuring that your fellow students should follow your orders in combat, House Leaders also have a few more responsibilities in addition to their schoolwork. Fortunately, it can be narrowed down to three additional tasks, and one does include more time with yours truly. The first is a weekly report with your house professor, which in your case would be me--most nobles usually have some idea on reports and the like from watching their parents, but aren't aware of the paperwork behind it. Every Monday you will tell me the skills your classmates wish to work on, and in turn I will be helping them during their respective classes. This will also help me judge how you watch over your troops, so to speak; if there are any faults, I will correct them, so you shouldn't be afraid to make any mistakes.

The second is a monthly conference with the other house leaders. Facilitating relationships between the Empire, Kingdom, and Alliance is a cornerstone in diplomacy, so it'll be good practice for the future. This will also be the time where your problem solving skills will come in handy, as any inter-house grievances or issues are to be solved there. Professor Lysander will oversee these conferences and guide you in building relations, and every month he will present you with a hypothetical question. Of course, no man is an island, so you'll be permitted to bring in one classmate to assist you. It doesn't have to be the same student every month if you so choose.

The third is deciding which students will be assigned to group tasks. The Officers Academy is indebted to Garreg Mach for their donations, and so we return the favor with community service. The students help by tending to the horses in the stables, picking weeds from the fields, and assisting guards with watching the skies on pegasi and wyverns. Keep in mind that students cannot opt out once they're chosen and will lose their free time on Saturdays to complete these tasks."

"I remember always getting stuck with stable duty after stealing Olivander Charon's girlfriend. Joke's on him, though, that's how I met Betsy," Michail sighed happily. "Thanks to the generosity of a few nobles, the horses, pegasi, and wyverns we take care of are top-notch. Betsy was such a shy filly...now she's one of the finest mares you'll ever meet. They're all real sweet, Chionne takes very good care of them."

Euphemia almost rolled her eyes, but turned her attention back to Jorah instead, flashing him a smile. "As the heir to the Riegan house, I have high expectations of you, Jorah--and that includes proper conduct," She said, giving him a look as she crossed her arms. "So you'll be happy to hear that I'll be keeping a very close eye on you. We'll be getting to know each other very well over the next year."

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Oh wow, he already knew the group members' names, Derec wasn't expecting that. He should probably take a page out of his book. At least the guy seemed amicable enough right now, although he had to bite back a chuckle at his first comment--great minds think alike! Okay, so far so good, he wasn't immediately rejected, so he could relax a little. At least Auberon was a little self aware his actions weren't immediately welcomed with open arms; he couldn't imagine spending too much time with anyone who was more concerned with their own ego. Well, the guy did seem to have an ego, but nothing Derec couldn't manage.

"Unfortunately, I don't really know anyone here," Derec admitted that much, choosing not to comment on the national pride even if he felt it was in poor taste. "She could have already left, but if you'd like to track her down, I'm sure she hasn't gotten far."

As far as he could see, most of the students either lingered or went to the courtyard, so it shouldn't be too hard to look for someone. Not that he had any idea what she looked like. He could always ask around, it wouldn't hurt to learn a few more names. They'd eventually have to learn who the other Deer and Eagles were as well, so he could technically kill two birds with one stone.

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Isolde visibly flinched at the sudden hand, taking a moment to realize that there was a witness to her bumbling. Oh, wonderful. Still, it would be rude to decline help, and once she was on her feet, she dusted the grass and dirt off her skirt. As he spoke, she listened, though she found him strange. Now that she was looking at him, she realized he was one of the boisterous boys. How odd, she didn't think he was the charitable type. His face didn't look familiar at all, either, despite his claim of Gloucester. At least the other boy's face did ring a bell.

"We were dismissed, I do not believe anyone would take offense to any withdrawal," She admitted quietly, plucking a blade of grass caught in her wavy hair. What a first impression, she could have easily been swallowed up by the ground or struck by lightning from the heavens above and it would have been a mercy. But there was no escaping interaction now, was there?

The thought was cemented as another girl came up to them, apologizing for the other boisterous boy. It looked like the three knew each other well. After patting around and making sure her hairclips were still in place, she bowed to both the strange classmate and the red haired girl. "I am Isolde Ordelia. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Her voice dropped in volume as she wondered if she should even bother with her last name. Well, no use hiding it, right?

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Veronica paid more attention to her manicure than all the commotion in the Black Eagles classroom. There were few things in this world that ever really demanded her attention, and even those were always second to her well being. Right now, she was sure that manicurist had done a poor job filing her nails perfectly; she could see the lopsided curve from a mile away. It would need to be fixed sooner than later, and a letter would ensure that her employment would end long before Veronica returned to the Gerth Estate. She'd pen it tonight, no use in using the sorry excuse for parchment the academy could barely afford.

That said, her blue eyes flickered up at the sound of a nearby conversation, her interest piqued. Of course the prince was arrogant enough to assume people already knew who he was, but then again, such was the burden of royalty. Apparently he was seated near the ever infamous Aegir siblings as well, and she couldn't help but laugh at the coincidence. What a trio they made: one bastard, one half-baked heir, and one pompous prince. Nevertheless, the fates smiled upon her as she would be joining the group. They could do the heavy lifting while she watched from afar.

Uncrossing her legs, Veronica finally stood from her seat, boldly approaching the three. Placing one hand on her hip, it was obvious she held herself to a high esteem, easily looking down on them. "Greetings. As we are all in the same unit, I feel the need to introduce myself," She pushed her jet black hair over her shoulder as she spoke, her formal words betraying her disinterest. "I am Veronica Berenike von Gerth, future princess consort of Adrestia."

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Of Blood and Magic

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Oh Max was mad. He was mad, he was going to shank her, and he was going to make sure to yank out her earrings and stab her in the eyeballs. What was worse was that Lilie was definitely expecting more of a tongue lashing than that one word. But if Max was anything like Ren, then she had properly ignited a hatred so icy that it made her feel empty. He definitely left her squirming enough for it--he was really good at his stares, even neutral-looking Max looked like he was angry.

Should she say something? Say she was kidding? Insist they're friends? No, he said they weren't friends! Right? Classmates wasn't bad, she didn't even say anything bad, he was just being a jerk again. Unless she actually hurt his feelings? Oh no, what if she ruined what little good rapport they had? What if even if he didn't consider them friends they were on the way to friendship? Or maybe he actually didn't care and had nothing better to say?

Lilie was getting stressed, dropping her gaze as he spoke to Maddie. Yup, she needed air like right now, the awkwardness was going to kill her. And the glass in her hand was a perfect excuse! She realized Aaron wasn't around, so he wasn't going to stop her from escaping, either.

Quietly excusing herself, she decided to drop off the glass in the kitchen first. She was surprised to find Aaron there, stopping in place as she watched him for a second. He didn't notice her, absorbed in the glasses and bottle. He looked kinda tense, too--did something happen? Well, she was usually tense around vampires, so she couldn't blame him, but he was usually more composed.

Placing the glass in the sink, she approached him. "Hey," She greeted him. "Are you okay?"

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Fire Emblem: The Slumbering Goddess

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Euphemia was quick to whip around with a smile and a fire in her eyes, albeit they were extinguished as soon as she noticed it was a student; her wrath was quelled enough that she knew better than to hit an unintended target. Once she straightened up, she threw on a more perky, enthusiastic smile as she listened patiently--though it was obvious she wasn't prepared for his comment. She let out a quiet hum before straightening up considerably, pointing the rod at Jorah.

She decided that despite what he had said, an impression was left to be made, though her blue eyes examined his face carefully. She tapped his chin up slightly to get a better look. "Indeed, it is. Of course, so long as you follow the rules and avoid any trouble, you won't have to acquaint yourself with Priscilla," She replied cheerfully, pulling her rod back as she tapped her own chin.

"I don't know, that Priscilla is just gorgeous," Michail happily added, perching his elbow on Euphemia's shoulder.

"She's only gorgeous because you're wearing armor, otherwise you'd be cowering right now," She couldn't help but retort before giving Jorah her full attention. "I was going to leave learning my roster tomorrow, but now you have my attention. Let me guess...Jorah von Riegan, son of Duke Rodolph von Riegan. You don't resemble him too much, but I can see some similarities. I think you took more after your mother."

"She's completely guessing, she has no idea," Michail rolled his eyes.

"I've had the pleasure of actually meeting Duke Riegan and the other Lords of the Alliance at one of their meetings. Not of all us spend our free time chasing skirts," She shot him a look before giving Jorah a smile. "I'm looking forward to our year together! Do you have any questions for me?"

Meanwhile, the green haired girl had taken advantage of Euhpemia's direct hit on Michail and decided to eavesdrop on Lysander's conversation. She couldn't help but look over the girl, a small frown on her face.

"Excuse me for the interruption, but I could not help but notice you look a little pale," Kaira said softly, giving Lienna a small smile. "I am actually the academy's nurse, so if you would like I could try to relieve your symptoms with magic."

_{@Obscene Symphony}

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Isolde stared down at the paper in front of her, looking distressed. After finally having worked up the courage to even show her face in public, now that she was here, she was suddenly regretting it. She wanted nothing more than to go back to her room at home and hide under a blanket. Of course, that wasn't gonna really help, but she was at a complete loss. It had been so long since she had been around people her own age that she wasn't exactly sure what to do right now. People were already talking to one another, excitedly checking that they were in units together, but everyone here was a stranger to her.

Letting out a sigh, she jumped in place as a pair of boys got loud. She shrunk back in her seat, taking far too long to realize that they weren't hostile to one another. Was she really so unsocial that she didn't recognize they were friends? Well, yes, but still, she should've guessed.

She was surprised when they introduced themselves; one was from House Gloucester and the other from House Riegan. Another girl decided to introduce herself and reveal she was from House Edmund. How coincidental that three of the five houses had sent their children this year! Unfortunately it had been many years since she had seen two of them, but it was so brief and she had been previously attached to her father's side that she couldn't really say she knew much of them. Maybe she should introduce herself as well? But she wasn't anyone important anymore. At least they were nobles.

Dropping her gaze down at the page Professor Euphemia had given then, she realized that she was placed in the same unit as them. Ah, maybe she really should introduce herself after all! Or was it too awkward? Maybe she should omit her last name? Oh, who was she kidding, everyone knew, she couldn't hide it. No, no, she had to get some courage, she was never going to get anything done drowning in self doubt. That being said, by the time she finally made up her mind, both Jorah and Clarissa were gone, much to her dismay. She decided not to linger, instead dragging herself out of the classroom. Exploring the monastery was something she could do that she wouldn't mess up.

With her head held high, she strode across the courtyard, taking in the fresh breeze. Ah yes, this was definitely the right call--except that thought went away as her foot hit something. Letting out a quiet cry, she found herself on the ground, eyes blinking as she tried to process what happened. She tripped? But there was nothing but grass! No, wait, she tripped over someone!

Scrambling to her knees, Isolde looked at the pink haired girl with tears in her eyes. "I--I--I am sorry!" She managed to squeak out a horrified apology, bowing her head down. "It was an accident, I was not looking at where I was going, I just wanted to explore and--and--I am so sorry please forgive me."

_@Eleven

Fire Emblem: The Slumbering Goddess

Sword Combat Abilities

E	D	C	B	A
Wrath Strike	Bane of Monsters	Grounder Windsweep Hexblade	Sunder Finesse Blade Soulblade	Astra Assassinate Heaven's Fall

Lance Combat Abilities

E	D	C	B	A
Tempest Lance	Monster Piercer	Hit and Run Knightkneeler	Swift Strikes Frozen Lance	Paraselene Glowing Ember

Axe Combat Abilities

E	D	C	B	A
Smash	Monster Breaker	Helm Splitter Wild Abandon	Armored Strike Lightning Axe	Raging Storm Exhaustive Strike

Bow Combat Abilities

E	D	C	B	A
Curved Shot	Monster Blast	Encloser Ward Arrow	Waning Shot Break Shot	Hunter's Volley Point-Blank Volley

Brawl Combat Abilities

E	D	C	B	A
Mighty Blow	Monster Crusher	Rushing Blow Fading Blow	Mystic Blow Finesse Blade	Fierce Iron Fist