ᅠ ᅠSevera.

Love it, actually.

No specific reason. Don't you dare think too much about it.

… So, we're all giving 'friendship' rings now?

“Geh!”

Which makes the redhead grunt, pouty lips twisting further looking at that devilish noble.

“Spoken like a thirsty man near a lake. Watch your amused face before you say nonsense.”

She's smacking that hand next time! Definitely…

“Hmph. Do whatever. Just don't complain to me after.”

“H-huh? What the…?! Don't call it cute! Even if you list those, I won't—! I'm not here to feed anybody's curiosity, not to open my emotions, also!

It's fully on you if you stick around. I did just warn you. I'm never contented, Hilda!”

Anyways.
She's keeping it.

Dearly.

WH,

Ah. Obviously. Right. Uh.

@secretdreamer.bsky.social

. . .

Friendship ring

“And what does it matter what I want from you? Hellooo? What I dread is you having to use those awful and empty sweet words on me, is all.

…I'll complain about anything, really. It's not like you HAVE to adjust yourself, not *to me*. Like you weren't able to tell I'm a complicated case, gods, duh.”

“Add shameless as well. What's with that, suddenly flaunting…! Any girl you ‘choose’ will be judging your skill as well, princess of the daft.”

“A /bit/? Oh, no, dear. People like us that got such crappy treatment as to never be truly what they focused on, get to make it ALL about themselves! You better not get yourself a meek and humble wife. Yuck.”

Alright FINE.

“Training with the new soldiers is seriously NOT worth the sweat!”

She'll do it anyways.

wedding. Treat that so-called ‘perfect’ brother of yours to a little surprise with supporting a giant venue… Have them buy all kinds of expensive gems, just to end up with YOUR rings, so they don't have the heart to reject or complain… Pfft! Oh, I'm amazing. Now that's CATHARTIC.”

“It sure sounds like the full package. A bit of a romantic, aren't you?” her voice is sneaky—but it manages to stay a lighthearted sneer “I can't say I wouldn't want to milk all my family goods dry if I had the chance,”

As she does already, in a way.

“I hope you do the same in your -

@vevelaignis.bsky.social

“…Ahem.”

“Let's go,”

And soon past her to wait for their portion. Severa would now take whatever—like somebody used to nothing would. Still, she'd also mix in some comments now and then on how she can't wait to try some trending bakeries once they leave town rather than this!

To say, this was merely a warning for possible new recruits who tried their luck.

Swift and finished, her feet trace a way next to Lucina while shaking off her gloves. Just a quick stop right next to her.

but far enough so the annoying dust-filled breeze stays away from their food. Near the edge there's a sad sack of flour, so she just huffs, picks it up, and proceeds to slam it in said table.

“Ours.”

-- There's definitely a difference in how the two march through their day to day life.

After having her glare scrutinize people that stopped their meals just to greet Lucina, forks in their mouths, no manners in sight — can the princess see what she's saving her from? — the mercenary now leads to the table that is just near enough to be indulging with some warm sunlight,

“…Like I'm not trying hard enough not to, already…” she grumbles. But now her eyes glint with the sight.

“Oh?
You made those? Not bad! Not bad. I was about to repeat some weak-hearted maiden type of reply, like wishing you some fine eloping… But you might stay strong just fine with those.”

“Uuugh. Quit smiling, will you!? I'm only saying it isn't as stupid as I first assumed, but I wouldn't catch myself acting useless *all* the time. Being a full let down sucks already, I'd like some pride, thanks.”

Soon, she catches herself grimacing just a little.

“Who even does THAT anymore?”

Now giving a quiet, cold “Hmm.” she ponders.

“…R-right. Got a little heated there. That maybe… isn't as illogical as I first thought, when you put it like that. Running away from a legacy you didn't ask for feels like the only sane thing to do.
Never seriously considered the marriage part as well…”

“That's —” it takes a second for her to consider, before going: “That's AWFUL! What the hell?! So you never get to make a big name out of yourself? Isn't that like, uh, I don't know! Letting your brother win over your identity definitely!? …Rgh. You're GOOD with that?”

“So I'm getting the child treatment?! …Thanks, anyway.”

too deep in the sand to even complain about its itch.

“Mhm-mm.”

But there's a tint of lingering uncertainty.

Those words fit. They do. She's not planning to stay in that shadow forever, then, what comes next?

So, as long as she could, Severa would stay quietly in place.

Severa didn't expect much from it. No matter how dangerous Lucina made the terrain for her—she's not following those *daft* steps giving her a *daft* hope some Blue Blood may grow in her unnoticed.

Yet, this mere gesture wasn't something she would casually do; maybe her feet are already stepping -

“It was stuffy, alright… Hm?

That sounds /a little/ familiar. Gawds, people just can't shut up about their own selfish expectations! …Hmf. Still, how exactly does slacking help? Sounds flawed. Won't you get called way more often a disappointment?”

“That sounds like something you'd say to a child to calm them down, Lissa! Yeesh.”

“Ylisse. Most of the time I had to spend in the capital city, but, bleh. Rings a bell?”

“I mean. Not to be gloomy right now, but it's not like it's impossible for something to go wrong just as we speak, is it? Wait. Ugh! Why even think about that?”

“Mfph. Yes, you did. I /suppose/ I can be considerate and give you another chance to start once more, only if you don't apologize again. Eugh.”

So there's a noble over here? One could tell by the change of demeanor.

“The name's Severa. I've heard less than what I've seen from you. You're from?”