bakerstreet | We're not broken, just bent

[Oh man, I wish I could brain my Robin muse for this! Some canon review is in order, it seems! In the meantime, care to have a king from another country? Seda is... not unlike Robin in the fact that he's on a journey to purge his body of an entity called the Dark Genie, which has about the same calamity-bringing strength as Grima, but is only reined in so long as he doesn't give into emotions like hatred, despair, and the like. And it can only be defeated by one who uses a legendary stone called Atlamilla. (Canon is Dark Cloud)

[I could see Seda getting lost running around and underestimate the strength of Risen or something? Especially if, say, his magic in an attempt to go back in time went awry and plopped him where he ought not to be. Does that interest you? (If not, I also have Leon from FE Echoes, if you'd rather thread with another FE muse.)]

[Actually, another Fire Emblem muse would be great! If you don't mind. Leon is a cutie.]

[Same mun here. I don't mind at all! Please do forgive the limited icons, though. XD So, Leon and... do we still wanna go with the Risen injury, or should I think of something else?]

[That sounds good! And I don't mind lack of icons. Would you like to start?]

After everything that transpired for him, the last thing that Leon expected was to somehow stumble his way through a weird gate, and be unable to find his way back once it closed behind him.

Alone as he was as well, Leon could not help but feel a little fearful at the strange, grotesque creatures that shambled their way to him like the undead. He was completely without his allies. Mila's tits, what he'd give to be able to have Valbar at his side! But no.

Focus, Leon! he thought with a grim expression. Here they come...

Moving as far away as he could manage, Leon immediately knocked an arrow back, took aim, and fired. The creature was knocked back somewhat, the arrow embedded in its chest, but kept coming without missing a beat.

Still, he could tell that there was no rhyme or reason to his foes' movements; they simply charged without any plan. While that was all well and good for him, their raw numbers was the problem. They'd close in on him eventually. All he could do was evade them while trying to kill them as quickly as possible.

"You'll regret testing me!"

Eventually, he could feel fatigue set into his bones. After some time at this insane dance, he'd already weathered a few blows while trying to thin their numbers as quickly as possible. It was really difficult to draw an arrow back, and agony on top of it.

"Shit. Just die already!!"

Even gargoyles fell faster than this! There's no way he'd let himself die here! Even though he was running out of places to, well, run. Their numbers were still too high; they sucked up his arrows like dry sponges to water!

[OOC: Also I'm terrible at action scenes, I apologize.]

There had been reports of Risen in the area, Chrom had known that much, but he'd never imagined that there could be quite this many in one spot. It's a good thing, then, that he'd brought the full force of the Shepherds with him to trudge through the uneven land of the forest and hills.

As always, Frederick was the first one to charge ahead, taking out a good dozen Risen on his own, with Lissa to back him. The ranged fighters are able to shoot several out of the sky, and the melee specialists finish off the ones on the ground.

Chrom himself dispatches several of the beasts when he hears unmistakably human cries of distress, and being the prince and hero that he is, he rushes in the direction they're coming from and spots an injured soldier trying to vain to fend off the Risen surrounding him.

"Hang on! I'll fend off as many as I can!" Chrom shouts, raising Falchion and fighting off the Risen closest to the injured man. He manages to stall them just long enough for backup to arrive, and the mages in the group finish off any Risen left behind while Lissa hurries to the soldier's side and casts a healing spell on him.

Sighing in relief that they'd arrived just in time to save an innocent person from a gruesome fate, Chrom sheathes Falchion and slowly approaches the archer, probably far more trusting of a complete stranger than he should be. He can already feel Frederick's eyes boring holes into him the closer he gets.

Smiling softly, Chrom extends his hand to help steady the injured stranger, who looks like he's barely standing at this point.

"I'm glad we made it in time! Those damnable beasts never rest, I swear," Chrom says with an exasperated sigh, though his smile never fades. "I'm Chrom, leader of the Shepherds (he'll leave to prince of Ylisse part out for now to appease Frederick). And you are?"

He knows they shouldn't stay here long, considering more Risen could appear at any moment, but he can't just leave an injured person here to fend for themselves either.

Edited 2017-06-05 03:55 (UTC)

[I am also terrible at action scenes. No worries. XD]

He's definitely barely remaining on his feet at this point. Healing magic doesn't do much for fatigue at all, and so Leon finds himself leaning on Chrom with a slight, unsteady sway to his step. Even dungeon exploration doesn't wind him so sharply as this. Doesn't scare him so much, either.

Because at least he has his friends and allies both at his side.

"L--Leon. What.. what were those things??" he wheezes out, lifting his head a bit to try and look his savior on the eye. Leon's soaked in sweat, and it's bad enough that the red eyeliner he wears has streaked somewhat. He feels gross and uncomfortable, and his arm still hurts something fierce. He can't draw his bow like this at all, and it worries him. Archery is his livelihood, his passion, and the only real thing he's great at. He hopes he can recover quickly.

In any case, the archer doesn't recognize royalty when he sees it, and so treats him as if he would anyone else. He lightly claps Chrom's shoulder in thanks, and attempts to stand up on his own, only to just huff as he has to rely on the prince to stay upright.

Despite Lissa's healing magic mending some of his wounds, Leon still appears to be extremely fatigued, and Chrom allows him to use his shoulder for support as he guides him over to where his horse is waiting, happily munching the grass at its feet despite the danger they were just in. How wonderful it must be to be that blissfully ignorant.

"Those...were Risen. We really don't know much about them other than the fact that they're mindless beasts that seem to appear from nowhere and attack in droves. Unfortunately they're becoming all too common these days," Chrom says with a frown. "Come on, let's get you back to camp to get those wounds treated and then we can talk more, about whatever you want."

Chrom carefully hoists Leon up onto his horse (he's rather light, as to be expected of an archer)and makes sure to steady him in the saddle before climbing up in front of him. He smiles softly over his shoulder, taking the reins in hand despite the glare he gets from Frederick. He knows he's being reckless taking a stranger into their camp, but as prince of Ylisse, he can't possibly just do nothing when someone needs help.

"Hold onto me, Leon. We'll be back in camp shortly. Meanwhile, may I ask where you're from?"

He makes sure to keep a slow pace so as not to jostle Leon's injuries. His horse is swift and sure of foot, so it nickers and seems to huff in protest at having to go so slow. Chrom will have to remember to give him some oats when they get back to camp.

"I see."

Leon's mostly just.. there, as Chrom helps him up, and then uses his good arm to hold onto the prince as soon as he sets his bow back in its straps on his person. He's a bit too out of it to notice when he's being glared at.

"I'm from Valentia. I was with a group of comrades before I found myself here. The way I'd come disappeared before my eyes before I could turn back."

There was no way for Leon to know that the Valentia he knew went under a different name in this world: Valm. Or rather, Valm was what would eventually become of Valentia, under that new name.

But the Valentia he knew existed some 2000 years prior to now.

"Tell me -- did you run into anyone else on the way to finding me? Some people named Valbar, or Kamui?" Leaning forward a bit in worry, his tone quivers just a little as he tries to keep himself calm.

Edited 2017-06-05 05:32 (UTC)

Valentia? Leon must've gotten knocked in the head during that scuffle. Would it be rude if Chrom to correct him? He'll just let it be for now. No need to further upset him when he seems so distressed already,

"I'm afraid not. You're the first person we've come across out here," says with an apologetic look back to Leon. He's knows very well the feeling of losing comrades and not knowing whether they're alive or dead.

They finally arrive back at camp, and Chrom allows the stablehands to take his horse with the instructions to give him extra oats and water. He helps Leon down from the saddle, careful not to jostle his injured arm. He supports him all the way to the infirmary tent and secures him a bed as the healers tend to the wounds Lissa hadn't caught.

Chrom takes a seat next to Leon's bed, arms folded as he looks him over. Despite the dirt and blood caked in various places on his body, he's quite handsome. If Chrom had to guess he'd say he's in his twenties with plenty of experience in battle. Maybe he could find a place in the Shepherds, unless he has a home he needs to go back to (that actually exists).

"No worries, you can stay here with us until you're fully healed. I take it you're proficient with a bow?" Chrom asks, pointing to the weapon propped up beside Leon's bed.

"We could always use archers in the Shepherds. We're kind of a ragtag team at the moment, but our numbers are steadily growing. Though I'm sure you're eager to get home."

Leon nearly loses consciousness from fatigue, but the situation itself has him on guard enough. Well, not necessarily on guard, but full of strangers' faces, it's no wonder he stubbornly stays conscious. Still, he nearly floats in and out of consciousness for a time, aware of his surroundings, but almost asleep, until Chrom speaks up again.

He gives a sluggish nod. He has some head injuries from a fall or two, but they're much more mild compared to his arm.

"I'm only one of the best I know. Near or far, on a horse or off, I always hit my target. Well, I'm ex-Rigelian, after all, so you know what that means."

Even injured as he is, he can't help but smile flirtatiously. Even with his skin bared enough for healers to tend to his wounds. He has a few scars from the odd arrow flying back his way, as well as close encounters with a sword or an axe, but overall, it's his strong build that probably stands out more than the marks.

"Mm. The group I was traveling with is kind of rag-tag, too. But mostly we're just a few bands of mercenaries that kind of gathered together under one leader."

He sighs.

Of course, the Rigelian Empire originally comprised of what is currently northern Valm. Even the old castle in the northwestern part of the continent still stands after all these years.

"I would like to get back to everyone. We have a beef to settle with our foe, after all. I'm one of the only archers in our leader's army, too, and they rely on me just as much as I rely on them." Frowning, he looks to his injured arm.

"Not that I can do much with my arm like this. I hope it heals right."

"You don't have to force yourself to stay awake, you know. I can always come back later," Chrom says softly, a look of concern etched on his face. His worry eases somewhat when Leon smiles up at him, and he tries to ignore the tiny bit of heat that rushes to his cheeks at all the exposed skin in his sights. What are you doing?? He's an injured soldier!

Chrom shakes his head, trying to dislodge any inappropriate thoughts as Leon brags a little about his archery skills. His concern immediately comes flooding back when Leon claims to be ex-Rigelian. That's impossible. Valentia? Rigelia? Those places haven't existed in thousands of years. Either Leon was lying, or he'd hit his head harder than he'd realized.

Or...maybe, just maybe, somehow, he's telling the truth...more impossible things have happened...

Still.

"Leon...I don't mean to sound rude, but the place you claim to be from...Valentia...is that just to cover up where you're really from? You aren't obligated to tell me more than you feel comfortable sharing, of course."

"What? Why would you say that? Rigel and Zophia are still at war, and you think I'm lying about something so obvious?" Unable to help it, Leon gives Chrom a thoroughly confused look. He's not offended, just flabbergasted.

"Besides, I don't lie. Leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Personal policy."

Looking away for a moment, Leon sees a cloth in a water basin. Although it's a bit dirty from tending to his wounds, he grabs it in order to wipe his face down. Permission be damned. Besides, the healers have almost fully tended to everything.

"Are you sure you didn't hit your head, too?"

Well, Chrom can't be too mad about the insinuation that he hit his head. It's only fair, after all. The strange thing is, Chrom has dealt with liars most all of his life, people trying to use him for his status by pretending to be his friends, but right now, looking at Leon, Chrom can't sense any hint of untruthfulness or ill intent behind his words.

Which worries him even more, because if Leon is telling the truth, how on earth did he get here??

"Because Valentia and Rigel haven't existed for two thousand years. Valm encompasses all of that land now..." Chrom trails off, tapping his chin thoughtfully. Maybe...

"You said you arrived here through some kind of gate that closed behind you, correct? I wonder if it's possible...that you were sent forward in time somehow..."

He frowns. That sounds impossible. But there are aspects of magic that even the most skilled mages have yet to understand, and it's entirely possible that time can be manipulated much like the elements.

"It sounds crazy, but perhaps that's what happened."

Chrom's words make him drop the cloth. It falls with a wet sound back into the bowl, and he watched Chrom with a stunned expression. Hearing the word "Valm" however... Was it...?

"Mila's tits..." he swears, eyes wide. Sure, it's good to know that Celica succeeded in her mission - her friend Alm, too. He lets himself drop back down onto the cot. He's seen men summon necrodragons with their fell magic, witches warp their bodies and souls - and then move across the battlefield just the same. He's seen a fair deal of magic even from ally lines, but this?

He can only lay where he is, numb.

"Then that means..." He might not be able to go back, at all.

The knowledge makes him feel ill. Grabbing the nearest blanket, he pulls it over himself. He's not cold, and his arm protests from too much movement, but he finds himself desperately needing something to hold onto.

"Oh god... Valbar, Kamui, Lady Celica..."

The look on Leon's face as Chrom breaks the news to him is troubling. He can't even begin to imagine how awful it must be to be separated from friends and comrades in a foreign land, and in a completely different time. His expression softens into a sympathetic one, and he leans over to squeeze Leon's shoulder reassuringly.

"Listen...it may not mean much now, but I swear to you, I'll have my best mages look into whatever could've cause you to be transported here. Until then...you're welcome to stay. Just take it easy and heal up, okay?"

Chrom settles into his chair, determined to stay by Leon's side for the night.

"Rest if you need to, or if you want to talk, I'll be happy to listen. It's the least I can do, really."

Leon lets him touch him, but doesn't move from where he's tried to bury himself under the blanket. His grip is white-knuckled as he struggles not to cry. For anyone who knows him, he knows no one would blame him. His one-sided love for Valbar is all but a secret, and gods, he almost misses Kamui's awkward flirtation (which, honestly, is just Leon mistaking general conversation for flirting.)

His breath audibly shakes as he does his best to remain strong in front of this kindhearted stranger.

Being a prince and the leader of the Shepherds, Chrom has seen his fair share of grieving soldiers, and has had to learn to be strong and supportive for them while dealing with own issues. When he sees how close to tears Leon is he feels his heart ache for this almost complete stranger.

"It's okay to cry, you know. I've seen men three times your size bawl like newborn babes. It doesn't mean you're weak. It means you're human," Chrom says in a sure, soothing voice, his hand never leaving Leon's shoulder.

"I doubt there's much I can do to comfort you, but if you need anything let me know."

Leon doesn't have any words to say, though part of him wants to convey that it's different. That it hurts even more because he's been separated from the man who saved his life from drowning in a sea of depression after the passing of his previous lover.

He simply accepts Chrom's touch, in stubborn silence.

"...My makeup doesn't sit right if I've been crying," he complains instead. He knows it's not really an important thing to speak of, but it's an attempt to distract himself all the same.

Chrom can't help but chuckle at that. Of all the things to bring up at the moment.

"You can always reapply it, can't you? Not that I really know much about that kind of thing," he says with a bright little smile that makes his eyes crinkle. He removes his hand from Leon's shoulder and stretches in his chair, yawning. Battle fatigue is slowly beginning to catch up to him, but he doesn't want to retire to his own tent, just yet.

"Would you like me to stay with you for the night? I know it must be unsettling to be alone and surrounded by complete strangers."

He slides his fingers through his messy blue locks, trying in vain to smooth them down a bit. He's not sure why; it's not like he's trying to impress anyone, right?

"If it helps, you could tell me about the people you're missing. I could have my scouts keep an eye out for anyone matching their description, just in case they got dragged through whatever gate you did."

Leon watches him all the same, sighing a little in response. He really wishes that he felt better - his savior this time is handsome, with a nice voice, too. Even with his hair unkempt so, he's attractive.

"You.. don't have to. Stay with me here, I mean."

He closes his eyes. He's pretty close to sleep, too.

"...I.. could... ..."

He could have sworn he was still talking, but, it's fine to rest for a bit, isn't it? And so Leon sleeps, having not finished his train of thought at all.

Chrom simply smiles softly down at Leon as he drifts off to sleep, and though he'd love to stay here with him, he should be getting back to his own tent before Frederick sends out a search party.

Chrom instructs the healers to come fetch him whenever Leon is awake and then retreats out of the infirmary tent, narrowly avoiding running into a very huffy Frederick.

He manages to sneak past him and into his tent before collapsing face first onto his bed. It feels soft and wonderful and it isn't long before he himself is drifting off the sleep.

He'll do what he can for Leon once he's awake and ready to talk.

Edited 2017-06-06 05:57 (UTC)

Leon sleeps for a good, long while - past any supper time, and long after breakfast. He's used to Kamui bugging him awake so they can march already, or even waking up to Valbar's voice as he speaks to the princess.

But the moment he wakes up, he at once realizes, after a glance, that the fight, and this place that no longer has Valencia, but Valm, is reality.

Of course, the healers remember their orders, and they send one to notify Chrom. In the meantime, Leon sees fit to get out of bed and move around. His body aches like nobody's business, but he can walk just fine. His arm, however, is still taking its time; it's sore, and hard to move easily, so he at once realizes that this isn't an injury that he can just brush off after a night of sleep.

It may very well be crippling, he finds himself thinking, and then at once hoping doesn't happen. But it's just a day, give it time. Valbar would be telling him to eat a lot of meat to help heal it up, and he'd protest that his usual diet was just fine.

And then he'd just shove some meat onto his plate, and he'd eat it anyway.

Sighing, Leon shakes his head a bit, and lingers in the healer tent for now, just.. trying to stay composed.

Chrom is awoken by the healer he'd instructed to alert him when Leon was awake, and after thanking her, he quickly bathes and dresses himself in his casual outfit before heading out of his tent and heading towards the infirmary. He's glad to hear that Leon seems to be alright health wise, at least. Emotional wounds take much longer to heal, unfortunately.

He peeks into the tent to see Leon up and about, and he clears his throat to announce his presence before stepping inside.

"Good morning. How are you feeling? Sore, I imagine," Chrom says with a soft smile, his cape billowing behind him as he walks. He really does look like a prince sometimes, when he's not covered in dirt and grime.

His brow knits in a sympathetic expression as he notices Leon cradling his injured arm. He sincerely hopes it'll heal quickly. An archer is only as good as their arms, after all.

"Feel like talking today? Just brief descriptions of your friends' physical appearances will suffice."

He tries not to sound demanding. He just wants to help, after all.

Leon doesn't stop cradling his arm, either, and just lets out a soft sigh at the question. He's not put out at all, but it's just-- if they're both telling the truth, then unless Valbar and Kamui followed him here, they're long dead by time.

"Kamui. He's.. a stocky kind of guy with short, dark hair. He's got a headband, and he's the type to not really find much use for doing things unless it's for money. But he's a damn good swordsman. Valbar..."

He hesitates, his expression wavering for a moment. "He's a tall, handsome guy in bronze armor. He.. kind of resembles a bear because of it. Honestly, you're more likely to see his boisterous attitude before anything else."

Swoon.

"He... saved me once before, out of the kindness of his heart. I owe him everything. My will to live, too."

He cracks a half smile.

"...Anyway, is that.. sufficient? Or should I try to draw their portraits?" he jokes.

We're not broken, just bent

ooc

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I can do that! Feel free to switch tenses or to brackets, if you're more comfortable with either.

Prose is fine! I usually write present tense, it's just a habit.

Works for me! (present tense is also a habit, but my brain didn't let me work it in the starter. XD)

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I am sorry for him. Leon is... yeah.

Chrom is a handsome dork

Yes he is <3

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Sorry about the delay, I've buried myself in tags lately and I'm trying to keep up ha

No prob! Oh, I beat FE Echoes, btw. Am now in post-game content. <3