inside my quiet heart

[theidlemaiden]

Who: Hilda and various!
When: Throughout the month of January/February
Where: Cadens, the Horizon, Aquila
What: Catch all with open + future closed starters inside
Warnings: Mention/discussion of death

( open starters can be found below, closed starters will be marked accordingly or you can hit me with a wildcard!
for specific things feel free to reach out to me on discord or timescars. )

Comments

horizon — open

[theidlemaiden]

[ Hilda’s Horizon is a shared domain fashioned after Garreg Mach, a place where she, Sylvain, Claude, Petra, and Felix had attended the Officers Academy during their teenage years.

If you happen to stumble across the large fortress, you might hear a screech of a wyvern overhead before it swoops low over you, looping quickly around the turrets of the monetary. A perceptive eye may notice the streak of pink atop the brown wyvern along with delighted laughter before the wyvern speeds off in the direction of the aerie where you'll find her feeding and caring for the other wyverns there, hair likely a little windswept from her earlier journey.

There may be another day where your nose picks up the smell of something burning from the kitchens. Students mill about the dining hills leading into it but don’t seem bothered by the smell behind the kitchen doors. Further investigation will reveal Hilda bemoaning her attempt at recreating her favourite sweet buns from home. It may be the Horizon but it seems like she’s trying to bake instead of having them magically appear.

Otherwise she can often be found in the gardens seated under a pergola in bloom with a tea set and a lavish spread of cakes and pastries, and a book in front of her. She looks like she’s in deep concentration (or bored depending on the book) until she hears the arrival of someone. In which case she’ll snap her book shut and perk up considerably. ]

Oh! Did you want to join me for some tea? It’s always better enjoyed with company.

[ There is one day when she is noticeably absent from her usual haunts, instead emerging from an almost blink and you’ll miss it entrance to a lower level called the Abyss. Or maybe you’ve found your way there by accident and have gotten lost in its endless maze of twists and turns. Either way, when Hilda realises you’re there she’ll look surprised before apologetically explaining — ]

What are you doing here? This place is under construction so it probably looks a little creepier than it normally does.

( horizon, tea )

[politicians]

[ elrond bows politely. ]

I would be honoured. I had hoped to catch up with you.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Delighted to see Elrond, Hilda stands up rising to meet him across the short expanse of grass that covers the space between them, looping her arm through his before leading him back to the table. ]

I didn't see you on the boat in Luna. What did you think?

[politicians]

[ he takes it generously. ]

It was an interesting experience, being on a boat. I have only done so a few times in my life.

[theidlemaiden]

Interesting in a good way? [ Mostly she's curious to see if he was afflicted with seasickness too. She hoped not.

Once he's at his seat she flits around to the other chair passing him a cup and saucer like the good hostess she is. ]

Is there any particular tea you'd like? We're not limited since we're in the Horizon.

[politicians]

Yes.

[ his voice goes soft, almost young. ]

My father was a mariner. He crossed the seas quite often. I remember the furl of his sails when he left the harbor. The white against the blue.

[ with that, elrond shakes his head to address hilda's second question. ]

And here I must defer to your expertise. I'm afraid I'm still woefully behind on tea blends.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Hilda's gaze can't help but soften; she loves hearing people talk about their families. It gives insight into who they are, what they've come from and she isn't oblivious to how personal it is whether or not they have a good relationship with them or not.

She wants to pepper him with all sorts of questions but busies herself first with coming up with the perfect tea blend. ]

There's so many different kinds so I don't blame you! Are there flavours you don't like?

[politicians]

[ it is still difficult to talk about his family. though easier in this place, now that elrond isn't famous or just an oddity by nature. though, he remains one due to being the sole elf here, but that is all they will see him as.

it is a relief. it is strange. it feels off-putting still. ]

I'm afraid not. Why don't you surprise me? Perhaps that is how I will find my favourite.

[theidlemaiden]

[ She sucks a minute pinprick of breath through her teeth, indescribable perhaps to the human eye, but one that he might pick up. ]

A surprise it is.

[ Elrond’s answer is one that she hoped he wouldn’t say. Tea may have been one of her favourite things in the world, but it didn’t make it any less intimidating trying to pick something for someone who might have wildly different tastes than she did. Any anxiousness is smoothed away with a bat of her eyelashes as she conjures up a selection of teas. Two more teapots materialise on the table alongside the one that’s already there – all perfectly steeped at the right temperature and time. Ferdie had taught her well before their lessons had been cut abruptly short. ]

I picked a couple of blends that are the same as the ones from home – lavender and ginger. And then one from home that I love: an albanian berry blend. But don't let that sway your choice!

[ Surely there had to be one in there that Elrond liked. ]

the aerie

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil is leaving from a meeting with Claude when he hears the screech and feels the air shift as something large bears down on him from the sky. He vanishes completely, missing the tinkling of laughter that follows as he watches the winged creature fly away from behind the safety of the Gray Space, or as it asserts itself in Horizon, anyway. Even here, no sound travels when he's within this space.

Once his heart rate settles back down, curiosity wins out. He cuts a shortened path toward the tower, entering to find another familiar face at the top of the stairs. It's her domain, so she might feel his presence before he reveals himself, but if she doesn't she might be shocked to suddenly see him suddenly standing in the 'stables' with her. He's dressed in a black cloak and grey cassock, moons embellishing the collar. On one shoulder is the sign of The Hanged Man. ]

Hello again.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Hilda is tipped off by the arrival of another person in their domain not by the approaching footsteps but by the low growls of Waffenzahn and Buri.

Despite knowing that they’re growls of warning, she isn’t as concerned and turns. A genuinely pleased smile lights up her face that’s already flushed from the wind when she realises who it is. Unlike their meeting in Luna, in the Horizon, Hilda has donned an outfit from home with a cloak thrown over her shoulders that is clasped together with the gold sigil of the Lovers. ]

Kyle! It’s so good to see you again.

[ Waffenzahn seems less enthused, trying to extend his neck around Hilda somewhat possessively to bare his teeth at the stranger. The growl is cut short as Hilda bops him gently right on the nose. ]

Sorry about that. Waffle gets a little prickly around strangers and the same goes for Buri. [ She nods towards the older, grizzled wyvern in the stall across from them whose eyes are mere slits as his sizes Kyle up. ]

Are you here looking for someone?

[ushiri]

[ He gives the wyverns a curious, if dubious kind of look. Keeps his distance for now. Nothing can kill them here, but he's not exactly looking to see how it feels to lose an arm, or his head to those jaws.

His gaze flicks back to her and he smiles again. ]

I was just having tea with Claude. [ Something he would normally not share with someone else, except that Claude and his friends from school have connected domains, and he holds them in high regard.

Kahlil tips his head toward Waffle, his mouth forming a line. ]

Are these dragons?

[ There'd been a young woman in Thorne who'd mentioned dragons in her home world. They're myths in Nayeshi, and equally non-existent in Basawar. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ Hearing the reminder that Claude is making friends here warms her heart and the smile on Kyle's face triggers one of her own. Although if her being proud of him branching out to make friends ever reached Claude's ears it's more likely to come out as teasing because of how walled off he is. ]

Wyverns. But it's easy to make the mistake initially.

[ She motions towards Waffenzahn's two feet. ] You can tell the different because wyvern's have two feet and dragons usually have four. Well that, and their size is pretty sizeable.

[ Noting the dubious look from earlier she picks up one of the buckets by her feet. ]

Did you want to get a little closer? They're usually much friendlier after being fed - kind of like me. [ The last bit is said with a cheeky smile. ]

[ushiri]

[ Wyverns isn't a word he's familiar with, but he takes note of the distinctions as she describes them.

His gaze flicks from her, to the bucket, to Waffle again. ]

What exactly do they eat? [ He ventures a step closer, trying to peer inside the bucket she's holding. Blond dogs possessed by Issusha'im aside, his animal handling skills are minimal at best. The ushiri'im were taught to ride tahldi, but they were never expected to actually need a mount. Not with their innate skills. ]

i just re-read my tag and my god my grammar was awFUL I'M SORRY

[theidlemaiden]

[ Are you judging her name choices, Kyle? Say it out loud with your chest if you are. ]

Raw meat mostly; they're pretty good about going out and finding themselves food every once in a while but we still have to feed them so they don't accidentally eat some of the local farm animals. One of my least favourite things at home was feeding it to them.

[ Her nose wrinkles in distaste as she holds out the bucket to Kyle so he can see several cuts of various game inside it. Hopefully she doesn't have to go on to explain why it was one of her least favourite things to do. ]

You don't have to use your hands if you don't want to. We normally skewer them and then feed it to them that way.

[ And sure enough, a skewer is also in the bucket. Buri and Waffle's attention apparently has been captured by the bucket with some of their favourite things and their yellow eyes stay trained on it as it swings. ]

no worries! I think brain auto-corrected everything so I didn't notice sjdsdf

[ushiri]

[ He would never...

Kahlil takes the bucket from her, making his own face at the meatiness inside. Between this, the creature's irritable demeanor, and... well, whatever must come out of its backend, would be enough to put him off the wonder of flying, he thinks.

When the skewer appears he decides to use it, skewering a chunk of meat and cautiously walking over to Buri first. He extends it out to the wyvern. ]

They must be fearsome in battle.

[ It's certainly scared the shit out of him when it'd swooped over his head earlier. ]

asjkdhasd

[theidlemaiden]

[ Do it.

While the raw meat is definitely unappetizing to Hilda and Kyle it isn't to Buri. The older wyvern with his grizzled exterior and beard-like scales along the bottom of his chin gave the impression of a headmaster scrutinizing Kyle and the offered treat. The likelihood of Buri reacting negatively is slim to none in the Horizon, but she's still vigilant in her watch for any tells otherwise. ]

Oh, definitely. Most people in Fodlan are used to seeing them flying off in the distance, but if you don't spend too much time with them they can be intimidating. But once you get to know them they aren't that scary. Right, Waffle?

[ Waffenzahn nuzzles affectionately into her side in response but still keeps his gaze trained on Kyle and his body curled protectively around Hilda. After what seems like an eternity Buri's toothy maw opens, tugging the offered piece off the skewer and Hilda can't help delightedly gasp over the creature's noise chewing. ]

Oh good! He might let you give him a little pet if you felt like it.

horizon - tea and talk

[beautifullies]

[ After her first time in the Horizon, she's been eager return, not only because she wants to create something better than her first go, but because of Hilda's invitation. It takes her less time to figure out how to meditate than she was worried it would, and she easily enough finds Hilda. ]

I'm a bit early, I hope that's alright. I thought it would be harder to meditate, but I took right to it.

[ In hindsight, she's realized it's almost the same, focused thinking she has while in surgery. The rest of the world becomes white noise and she sinks into her work. Same principle, except she isn't working. ]

Do you mind? I can always come back.

[theidlemaiden]

Don't be silly of course that's all right. Being punctual is such a good quality to have.

[ Never mind that Hilda is usually fashionably late because she's made several outfit changes, unhappy with the smallest detail. Thankfully she can more or less imagine whatever it is she'd like to wear here without having to lift a finger.

She rises from her seat to greet Claire, leading her gently by the arm towards the table laden with cakes and tea. ]

How did you find getting into the Horizon this time around? How are you settling in?

[ So many questions, we're sorry Claire. ]

[beautifullies]

[ It's actually quite nice to feel like, at least for the moment, she's somewhere she belongs—even if she doesn't fully understand. The first question, she answers before they've even sat down. ]

I thought I'd have more trouble, but the meditating felt familiar. Nearly like when I'm working and in my own head.

[ Once they're seated, she takes in the delightful spread briefly reminded of the good times in France. ]

As for settling, it seems there's enough that feels familiar to keep me busy. Gardening, gathering plants. [ It isn't Lallybroch, but it's something. Which reminds her. ]

I have a question for you, if you don't mind.

[theidlemaiden]

I'm glad that you took to it easily. It was so difficult for me!

[ Sitting still and meditating were always things Hilda had associated with something like prayer which had never been Hilda's thing. She'd rather keep her hands busy doing things she enjoyed, and if she was just sitting there doing nothing then she might as well be sleeping or napping.

Admittedly, thankfully, it's easier for her now knowing what's on the other side if she can accomplish it.

She sets about busying herself with pulling out the various tea blends, inhaling them one by one, absently wondering which one Claire would like. Before she can ask, she looks up curiously, a bit of a teasing tone in her reply. ]

And I might have an answer. Well, hopefully I'll have an answer. I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as some of the others here.

[beautifullies]

I think on this, you'll know. I was wondering if could build close to you? So much of your landscape reminds me of home.

[ The home she's hoping to recreate here, to the best of her ability. ]

I realize I'm springing this on you, and I don't mind if you'd rather not. I only thought it might be nice to have a space near someone I know.

[ Claire smiles with warmth behind her eyes, then goes about looking through the different teas, selecting a blend of what her nose tells her is citrus peel, lemon balm, linden flower, and Earl Grey Tea. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ The question catches her off guard and whatever silly, whimsical expression she had on her face before turns into surprise. Hilda didn't really have any expectations, no real idea of what Claire would have asked, but something in her softens when it's asked.

To have someone that she just recently met want to build close to her is flattering in so many ways. A more anxious voice would tell her that it's because the scenery reminds Claire of home, but the older woman's reassurance quiets it. ]

Of course you can! [ Realizing a beat later that she shares this space with Sylvain and the others makes her curb her enthusiasm back just a hair. ] I'll have to ask my friends but I don't see why they would have a problem with it either. [ And if they did she'd have a few choice words for them. ] In fact, you should just go ahead and start because in my experience it's always easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, right?

[beautifullies]

[ Unable to help laughing at Hilda's advice, she lets her tea steep. It's a husky sound, her voice a deeper register already, lower when she laughs. ]

A woman after my own heart. Quite right, though, I don't want to impose. You mentioned wanting to learn some things, and even though we can't keep things here, it wouldn't hurt anything to have a practice garden.

[ Asking certainly had little to do with the location, and more to do with the impression Hilda gave at their first meeting: warm and eager, young and bright. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ The thought of getting into the dirt isn't Hilda's favourite thing, but she likes spending time with Claire and she likes flowers so it's enough for her to not refuse her outright. ]

I don't love having dirt under my nails, but I love what comes out of the ground. [ She selects her own tea -- a fragrant rose that had been her favourite from home -- and starts to brew it. ]

What made you start gardening?