"We are not poisoning them Claude!" Fed up, I scowl at the idiot after going through his plan of poisoning the other guys.
"Come on it doesn't have to be lethal besides it would be a good joke," Brightly, Claude smiles as I feel my brow twitch at the moron.
"For you maybe, don't you think it would look a bit suspicious of me to poison my brother the future king!?" Sharply, I bring up.
"Yeah now that you say it like that yeah…" Chuckling, Claude smiles as I feel the urge to strangle him increase.
"You…do you have any pride in battle!?" Roaring, I demand from him as I note Edelgard watching from afar, sighing tiredly at the sight of us.
"Why would I?" Claude shrugs.
"Why? Battle is life it is a way of a life, it is for those who wish to fight fair and honourably not cheap tactics to get in the way," I state the fact to the moron.
"You're no fun." Claude pouts as I seethe, combing my fingertips through my hair, taking in a few shaky breathes.
"You mean I am not a coward!" I correct him.
"Ooh look seems Dimitri and teach are having a nice little chat I sorta want to barge in," Swiftly, Claude tries to change topic.
"What? That's rude!" Annoyed, I try to argue only to feel Claude slide his arm through mine.
"Come on aren't you curious?" Smirking, he leans in, too close as I feel his warm breathe graze my features, my nose twitching at the scent of pine and exotic spices as he drags me over, much to my irritation
"Just because I am doesn't mean…Claude! Claude you idiot get back here!" Hissing, I command him but it falls to deaf ears.
"Hey there! Did we miss our invite to this strategy meeting? Oh no worries-we'll just join in now," Instinctively, Claude pipes in, Edelgard finally joins us as I grumble scowling at the moron.
"Apologies brother, professor this idiot thought it best to be nosy," I sigh apologetically at the two.
"It is fine sister. Nice try Claude but I do not intend to let slip our strategies. Especially when we are up against such strong opponents as you three," Softly, my brother smiles at me.
"Brother don't encourage the jester…" I sigh face palming.
"Well now! Kind words from his kingliness, next I'd receive praise from the princess herself…" Playfully, Claude puts his arm around me bringing me into a side hug as I glare at the smug ass while my brother's eyes narrow into a glare.
"I would keep your hands to yourself Claude." Confidently, my brother warns him.
"Oh come it's just a little fun right bro?" Teasingly, he leans in as my brother flinches at the title as my eyes narrow.
As humorous as you may be I am simply looking out for your wellbeing and for the safety of that hand of yours…" Smoothly, my brother warns as I hear the faint eep of shock and pain from Claude as I grab his hand on my shoulder, hearing the faint crunch of bone as his greens look down at my sweet devilish smile emitting hatred, terror and fear as he sweat drops, fearful of my wrath.
"Over my dead body Claude," Coldly, I mutter earning a chuckle from the moron.
"I rather not. If that's the case we'd better come up with some clever scheme as to not disappoint right princess?" Claude turns to Edelgard and I only to smirk coyly at my sharp glare.
"We are not poisoning my brother!" I bark at him frustrated as he laughs.
"No matter the tactics we will destroy you. The best you can do is learn a thing or two." Edelgard smirks.
"Hah there's nothing wrong with a friendly rivalry but let's not get carried away. A rash attitude could be your undoing after all," Dimitri offers advice to the two.
"Hear that Mal?" Cheekily, Claude elbows my side as I glare, feeling my eye twitch.
"For the last time do not call me Mal!" Sharply, I growl at him, my coal black leather glove twitch in irritation at the ass.
"But it's cute! Besides Sylvain calls you it," Claude points out pouting.
"I will punch you!" Seething, I growl at him.
"I'd be impressed if you can reach such a height down there," Teasingly, he smirks as I snarl.
"Argh! If the professor wasn't here, I'm sure the others would be happy to have you silenced." Glowering, I declare.
"Hmm perhaps your time would be better spent preparing instead of worrying about the competition's mind-set," Edelgard proposes.
"Hey if you two are getting this fired up before the battle even starts…it'll make it that much easier for my class to sweep up a win. So please carry on." Smirking, Claude places his hands on his hips leaning over teasingly.
"A good point Claude. I apologise- that wasn't my intention. At any rate let's vow to make this a productive battle shall we?" Honourably, Dimitri offers.
"I don't intend to lose." Firmly, the professor exclaims fist bumping at last showing some sort of emotion so that's good I guess…
"Bold words professor." I mutter impressed by her confidence.
"Oh in that case I won't hold back." Edelgard promises.
"Ah how precious looks like you and the students have become fast friends." Pleased, Manuela arrives rejuvenated almost as she smiles at us, her eyes narrowed at me as I remain poker faced.
"While I am pleased that you are taking the initiative to acquaint yourself with the students. I'm afraid it's about time for the factuality strategy meeting." Manuela intervenes smirking slyly.
"Ah how time flies! In that case I'll see you later come on Mal," Smirking, Claude grabs my arm as I scowl.
"For the last time…urgh I'll see you on the battlefield brother, professor Edelgard," Respectfully, I bid them goodbye as I'm about to be dragged off to the battlefield, smirking at the pumping excitement of adrenaline flowing through me.
"And I you, we must battle one another!" Earnestly, my brother insists as I nod leaving him trailing after Claude, preparing for battle…
Silently, I kneel down in the forest behind both Hilda and Claude behind their trap as the others get into the position Hanneman dictated, a foolish decision at that.
"You just can't keep your eyes off me can you princess? Not that I don't blame you," Coyly, Claude smirks at me as Hilda joins in, watching amused as I scowl at the lazy boy and girl, finding them both insufferable.
"Oh please don't flatter yourself I'm making sure you don't sneak any sort of poison to the other teams," Snippily I remark scowling at the cowards hiding, forcing those that should be hiding for an advantage out in the open where they stand no chance at survival.
"I won't I promise." Smirking, Claude promises making me roll my eyes as if I would believe that.
"Just don't die." Resignedly, I order him turning to leave.
"Aw where did the affection come from?" Teasingly, he questions as Hilda giggles.
"I don't have affection for you I just don't need the others harassing me if you get injured, it's too bothersome. Besides as if I would waste my time on you," Scoffing, I shake my head at such foolish ideas.
"Glad to know what I mean to you Mal…" Dryly, Claude mutters.
"Oh would you two just get a room," Fed up, Hilda huffs.
"So I could strangle him sure." Darkly, I growl.
"Kinky…" Chuckling, Claude perks up.
"That isn't.. how dare you bring up such things before me you barbarians, perverts urgh!" Insulted, I snap at them.
"Hey, hey I wouldn't be against it. Ice princess you can place your hand wherever you like on me, throat, chest…" Horrified, my eyes widen in revulsion at the dark implications, scowling at his voice going darker, attempting to flirt making me shiver, recoiling at him.
"Finish that sentence and I swear…" Lowly, I snarl.
"You're as tight as Marianne geez you need to loosen up Mal," Maddened, Hilda recommends cutting me off.
"Such trivial pursuits as unsightly and unholy as that? Please," I mutter disgust laced in my tone.
"Wait are you a virgin?" Hilda giggles as I freeze, feeling my blood turn icy cold as I scowl.
"Oh my god you are." Giggling, Hilda continues mocking me as I seethe, ignoring the brief flashes of red and imagining beheading her, no, no that won't do, make her watch as I slowly behead that brother of hers then slowly cut all over her form and leave the rats to have fun with the tied up child, heh.
"I will not dignify such a disgusting degrading question you're lucky I haven't beheaded you for speaking to me in such a informal manner. Besides…at least I'm not a Lilith of the night!" Disgusted, I sneer shaking my head as I turn to get into position, ignoring the eyes on me and burning face. Let's just get this over with.
"Lilith of the what?" Confused, Hilda turns raising a brow at the grinning gawking Claude, staring in awe at the scene that just occurred.
"Really Hilda hiding there?" Annoyed, I place my hand on my hip.
"Well I'm cheering you on you know from afar." Weakly, the pinkette smiles.
"Bloody coward," I grumble under my breath disgusted.
"Hey!" Hilda scowls.
"Something wrong?" Curious, Claude questions.
"Hilda is defensive, it would be best if she was in Ignatz place or at least have Raphael to back him up, or have Ignatz in the forest to help him attack from afar…" Calmly, I explain to him perking Claude's brow, noting the glint in his eye.
"Wait are you taking this seriously?" Claude smirks.
"Um duh. I am versing my brother aren't you? This is your house." I reason to him.
"Not really." Casually, he shrugs.
"Huh!?" Shocked, I am taken aback.
"I mean the teach is still new you know, so we should…" Claude begins.
"Never underestimate your enemy Claude honestly fine don't listen to me but don't come moaning or whining when we lose." Frustrated, I grumble annoyance etched into my tone, he knows the information well so why is he playing dumb? What does he hope to achieve?
"Not like I do anyway," Claude mutters under his breathe.
"You do!" Angrily, I bark getting into the position as Hanneman gets into position and so does their professor as the match begins. Scowling, my eyes narrow when the blue lions make the first move, going straight for Ignatz as expected. Swiftly, I intervene as Felix goes in for a quick slice knowing of archer's weak defence but managing powerful attacks. Swiftly, I cut in as the scared Ignatz recoils back fearful of the blow, only to release a weak whimper as I shove him into the forest terrain, my ears ringing hearing the clang of metal, hearing the sparks flying from our clashing blades as my beady blues meet a pair of ruby red smirking.
Swiftly, I kick him back, hitting the gut taking him aback as he is kicked to the side when I notice Dedue trying to sneak past. I release a quick fire spell a small one due to the quick reaction speed as it hits him, smirking at the effective heat as Ignatz from afar fires at him, knocking him out of the mock battle.
"Sorry but you got in my way," Smirking, I exclaim as I fire another spell at Felix knocking him out of the competition as we focus on the blue lions. Loudly, I hear the quick squeak from Marianne as Annette attempts a quick spell at Marianne only for her to dodge due to the foliage however as I turn to deal with the mage I am quickly greeted by my ears picking up the swift sound of a branch breaking as I turn pivoting, using the movements of the butt of my spear, spinning my form to block the spear from above, making me turn to look up at the familiar redhead before me.
"We really must stop meeting like this Silvy," Teasingly, I greet him.
"And miss out on these heartfelt moments? Nah, don't suppose after the blue lions win this we could get some tea you and me?" Smirking, Sylvain plays along, coyly winking.
"Any shortcake there?" I ask curious as we deliver some blows, Sylvain being on the receiving end as I easily manage to destroy him through distraction by talking.
"Always," He smirks as I deliver the finishing blow to his chest, hearing the clatter of metal as my spear breaks, knocking both my spear and him out of the battle.
"Still on for that strawberry short cake?" I ask sheepishly as he shakily stands.
"Always Mal always." Weakly, Sylvain smiles and flees, retreating from the fight. I should get some healing done, wonder if Hilda and Claude are out of there little hidey hole yet? Probably not. Lazy cowards. Urgh, I need to heal up where's Marianne? Freely, I rush through the forestry fortunately finding Marianne and to my surprise finding Hilda by her side, axe in hand scowling at the professor as I send a quick spell, a fire spell creating the perfect distraction for Hilda to strike only for the professor to easily dodge the strike and lead to a stalemate, axe clashing against sword.
"You're injured." Marianne whispers rushing over to my side as I feel her hand on my shoulder feeling a sense of warmth and energy flow through me. "Thanks for the heal," Breathlessly, I thank her as she smiles nodding only then for me to hear the rustle of leafs as I get into my defensive position, drawing my rapier, my spear broken from my spar with Sylvain however out of the bushes I am greeted by the heavy clang of metal once more. Powerfully, I lunge forward, my blade meeting my brother's blade as we see ruby red sparks fly from the collision the pair of us dashing backwards, at a distance, waiting for the other to strike only then for me to raise a brow surprised when I dive to the side, noting the arrow fired at Dimitri making him dodge it as Claude appears from the bushes, protectively in front of me as my grip tightens on my sword, finding his interruption unwanted and unneeded.
"Psst your princeliness. You've got a thing for Edelgard right? Come on fess up. You'll feel better," Lightly, Claude teases.
"Eww! Really Claude!?" Repelled, I scowl at him as he glances owlishly at me sheepishly shrugging.
"What? You wouldn't give me the details what better way than to go to the source!" Smirking, he defends himself as I huff.
"Claude please. This is no time for idle banter your defences are wide open!" My brother points out.
"That didn't get to him huh? What a shame. I'll find a better way to ruffle him up next time," Claude smirks as he easily dodges my brothers strike as I kick my brother pushing him back however Hilda is quickly disarmed and pushed aside as the professor rushes at Claude.
"Coming up with brilliant schemes I can handle no problem. But I'm not much for fighting. Go easy on me!" Claude greets her smirking.
"…" Silently, the professor remains stone faced making both Claude and I share a uneasy look, both of us glancing at one another than the stone faced demon before us.
"You know that was a joke right? Jeez not so much as a smile…" Claude mutters as he fires releasing an arrow hitting the professor in the shoulder.
"Professor!" Worried, Dimitri calls out rushing over to attack Claude giving me the time to pounce, kicking my brother in the torso to the side saving Claude, only then to feel a sharp thud on my head as I fall to the floor, hearing nothing but muffled sounds as I hit something hard, feeling the sharp pain in my head as my vision goes dark and I black out, having no idea the outcome to the mock battle…
Grimacing, the young girls blue hues stare at the debris of ash, the screaming, the people beneath her dead limp, some feeling their cool now limp hands on her young shaking blooded scarred bruised legs as she continues her run through the fiery flames, her ears ignoring the screaming, the screeching, the crying of children, of mothers, of the elderly as her blade easily silenced the irritating noise, ignoring her burning muscles until feeling the heavy weight of pain engulf her whole, releasing a feral scream at the scene playing before her, feeling time freeze, frozen to stone as a patch of blonde descend down, collapsing to the ground…
"DADDY!" Roaring, the young girl screeches, ignoring her aching lungs, ignoring the burn, ache, the flames devouring whole as the thin bruised girl reaches out to the fallen figure collapsing to the floor as the flames slowly begin to draw closer and closer, feeling the blistering heats emitting hit the young girl draw closer and closer. Terrified, her bloodied shaking form collapses to the floor, feeling a wave of emotions. Conflicted, her dilated blues shake stare in utter silence, in utter disbelief, in utter denial as she clings to her father, tears drenching down her pale bloodied features, shaking him.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Weakly, the ragged cough interrupts the girl's loud ravenous screeches pleading for him as he complies, weakly opening his eyes, his shaking greying blues meeting her strong blues smiling softly sadly at his trembling child in his arms.
"I…I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought you out here…" Wheezing, he coughs out, crimson slowly leaking out from his cracked lips smiling sadly, pained, guilty.
"Daddy? Don't go! Please don't be like mummy! Don't go!" Desperate, she pleads to him, tears descending down her features, clinging to him, holding him.
"I can't help it sweetheart I'm sorry. Just know I love you so much. I do, I love you and Dimitri both, no matter the crest you both bare you two are my loving children…" Softly, his bloodied hand weakly reaches out gently placing his hand on her cheek as she whimpers, placing her cheek in his hand, ignoring the faint sludge of crimson now smeared on her cheek as she clings to her father's dying side, terrified.
"Don't say that please!" Pleadingly, she begs her father, her voice breaking clinging to him, ignoring the dark red staining her attire, ignoring the iron lingering in the air and ignoring the inevitable fate of the man, she so adored in her arms.
"Morrigan…save them both please…" Softly, he whispers out almost praying to the gods, confusing the young girl until her ears perk up at the click of heels, her eyes widening to find a robed figure looming over her, her blues dilating in fear at the same man that had impaled her father now stood before her, making her release a blood curdling scream, automatically trying to shield the dying man in her arms only then as she prepares for her demise to hear the pained grunt and slick sound of heels, her eye widening to find no pain overwhelming her, finding no scream to have escaped her, finding nothing as slowly, she turns terrified.
Shocked, her blues look up at the masked induvial before her, a woman from her figure as her ears hear through the crackle and hiss of the flames hear the sharp gasps of retreat.
"It's the storm!"
"She's here!"
"Run! Report back! Get the elites!"
"I don't want to die!"
"Run! Argh! I don't want to die!"
Shaking, the young girl looks into the bony mask, her eyes recognising the mask as almost bird like the skeletal like mask, marred with red matching the woman's red kimono like torso attire, wearing a pair of sleek black heeled boot with red soles, matching her black trousers and black feather like cloth dangling down from her torus. Silently, she looks down at the young petrified girl. The little girl's ears perk up at the dangle of beads, wide eyed to find a thin figure behind the demon, a muscular slender figure, hearing the piercing scream of mercy from a nun pleading for mercy for aid only for her wild wails to be silenced by his slick steel blade. Her blues spot his dark raven locks tied into a long braided ponytail, numerous beads and feathers braided interwoven into his hair, similar to the demon before her, wielding a blade, his muscular arm bear, revealing crimson ink etched marred into his skin. Traumatised, the girl opens her mouth to scream seeing the numerous dead bodies behind the two, blood coating each of their blades, unfazed by the pungent stench of death and crimson that is until she notes a familiar bundle of blonde in her arms, unconscious.
"D-Dim-" The girl reaches out about to save her brother bravely only then to release a choked gasp, blood spurting out from the young girls mouth, hearing the crack of bone as she falls limp in the arms of the mysterious figure, unaware of the matching troops coming in to do damage control….
Many things would have scarred a child the dead bodies, the burning searing flames devouring Duscur but no the singular thing, the moment that scarred, that had been etched that had been marred into my memory had been her…that singular woman. Her hair as black as the ash and soot clouds suffocating the lungs of the many screaming for help and those screaming for blood and her eyes, her eyes blood red as red as a demons, a monsters, a creature of inhuman nature…
Groaning, I cradle my head at the foul memory playing back in my mind as I force myself up, hissing at my blurry vision slowly tightening as I find myself in Manuela's office, groaning at the sharp pain in my temple.
"You are awake thank the goddess!" Brightly, the young girl with bright green hair greets making me frown at the colour reminding me of neon broccoli almost.
"Um…you are?" Confused, I question, my muscle tense just cause she's a kid means nothing to me, for all I know she could have a knife behind her back and was about to attack me as I slept.
"Oh dear where are my introductions? I am Flayn a pleasure to meet you," Politely, she bows as my eyes peer over her back as she bows, finding no dagger but still…
"Yeah…" I mutter warily.
"You came in bad shape fortunately your house captain came in carrying you…" Happily, Flayn informs me.
"Claude?" I quirk a brow, feeling tired to exasperated to deal with the small child with the weird hair colour of green after she informs me of Claude's so called heroism of taking me back resulting in us losing, great, just great. Thanks to those idiots for retreating we loss the match and just because I fell they decided to retreat. Tch knowing them they used my injury as an excuse, saying something like they were too distressed from my fall or some pitiful pathetic excuse of a reason, disgusted, I shake my head at my boiling blood.
"Indeed, he and Hilda seemed quite worried along with your brother also a scary looking giant," Flayn smiles as I chuckle at her description of Dedue.
"Yeah…look kid," I begin trying to get her to leave so I can change and return to training.
"I am not child nor as you refer to kid. I am a…" Angrily, she pouts as I arch a brow at her bratty mannerisms.
"I really don't care. Look I got to go," Tiredly, I cradle my head shaking it as I stand up, beginning to change back into my attire.
"Where? You don't have class today…" Flayn quirks her head to the side perplexed as my eyes narrow how does she know my timetable? Warily I feel my muscles tense as I stand, getting out of bed.
"How long was I out?" I question her putting my shirt on double checking all over.
"A week." Flayn responds making my eyes widen in horror.
"A week!? No Cress!" Panicked, I hiss through my teeth at the lack of routine of schedule for Cress she's going to be so mad, she may even go mental without her routine it's going to be hell to put her back into routine.
"Cress? You really shouldn't be moving," Befuddled, Flayn calls out to me but it falls to deaf ears.
"Just watch me!" I call out opening the door and storming out ignoring the vocals calling out to me and some murmurs as I rush over to the stables, my heart racing, my mind marching, my heart trembling in fear for Cress. She must be so scared, so confused, so worried. Loudly, I hear the feared screech of Cress, my eyes wide at the scene of Cress being forcefully tugged out of her stable terrified of the two strangers dragging her out.
"W-WOAH!" The girl Leonie or something holds her reigns trying to tug her out as my eyes widen when Cress wails, roaring as she threatens Leonie with her hooves making Leonie scowl, kneeling down attempting to continue her tug of war with Cres as I note to my annoyance Lorenz shouting at Leonie, not helping in the slightest just commanding useless orders.
"Get that beast behaved right now!" Lorenz orders.
"Why not try helping us Lorenz!?" Angry, Leonie barks at the noble.
"I am by guiding you, for it is the commoners place to…" Lorenz begins.
"What the hell is going on here!?" Furious, I bark at the two breaking the tension as all eyes turn to my fuming form.
"Ah welcome back Mallory, just in time now you can see how magnificently we have raised your Pegasus," Happily, Lorenz bows to me.
"What did you do to her oh god Cress!?" Horrified, I rush over to her side as she screams crying out in distress as I slowly make my way over to her, gently pushing her back in relieving the terrified Pegasus. I reach out brushing my fingertips through her feathers making her neigh, relieved at the familiar touch as she turns recognising me.
"Could someone help me out here!?" Leonie scowls as she stands dusting herself off.
"Well first off don't touch the wings!" Annoyed, I bark at her scowling as the idiots try to approach only for Cress to screech, warning them off as she throws her hooves out at them, scaring them slightly.
"Oh for the love of…step down now!" Exasperated, I bark at the two brushing them aside to approach the neighing Cres, baring her teeth and hooves as a warning until seeing me approach as I slowly do. Gradually, I reach out to her shushing her moderately.
"It's okay Cress it's just me, I know I took a while sorry about that buddy," Gently, I apologise as she whines, nuzzling my cheek making me smile as I return the gesture, smiling softly.
"Thank the goddess…" Flayn whispers relieved.
"That horse is really something." Leonie whispers exhausted.
"Well first off it's a Pegasus she doesn't usually get these angsty, I mean she is wary round new people but…what were you feeding her?" I question trying to get to the problem of it.
"Well apples…sugar cubes…" Lorenz lists as I frown.
"How many?" I questions.
"Well your fair share," Leonie shrugs as I feel my eyes narrow at the vague answer.
"Did you even ride her?" I gawk at the two staring sheepish.
"Of course not one of us are riders and besides it's scary up there," Weakly, Lorenz smiles with a sheepish Leonie as I feel my eye twitch.
"Then of course she'd be like this she's a ball of energy right now, no, no, no, her teeth must be a mess, her body build, her braids oh no, no, no." Panicking, I freak out over her horrible state thanks to my lack of a presence this past week.
"Well sorry we don't really know how to raise one," Bitterly, Leonie scowls arms crossed.
"No, it's not your fault." I dismiss her not seeing her sharp glare as I focus on Cress.
"I wasn't apologising," Snidely, Leonie remarks but I ignore her.
"You didn't know. Welp got no choice," I mutter dismissing the morons.
"Wh-what are you doing you just woke up!" Calmly, I put on Cress' saddle, getting on top of her preparing for flight.
"Making sure Cress here gets the break she needs," Simply, I shrug getting into position.
"W-wait hold on!" Feebly, Flayn cries out but it's too late as we take off, me grinning excited as I catch up with Cress, making up for lost time.
"See ya!"