Lord Elwin (Father) said: "Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."

FATE never truly called me... Despite having that passing thought for a brief second, the young boy lifts a hopeful gaze back at his father. He was lucky to have him, that much his mother had made very clear. He thanked the flames every single day for having pillars like him and his brother to fight out the overwhelming toll it took to divide himself between shield and family.

Even now, his father whispered the words he seemed to need. For a while, he had kept waiting on fate to give him something... Always, he came off empty handed, having to manifest fate, or an imitation of it, himself.

"I'm starting to wonder if fate even exists..." Is his initial answer, a sigh coming down as he tries to avoid his father's gaze, glancing back at the ground. Maybe this way, he couldn't notice him wavering. "You still believe in it, my Lord?"

Ah, he flinches, inevitably eyeing him back for a second. "Father, I mean."

♞ @phoenix-flamed ♞

Lord Elwin (Father) said: "Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing."

FATE never truly called me... Despite having that passing thought for a brief second, the young boy lifts a hopeful gaze back at his father. He was lucky to have him, that much his mother had made very clear. He thanked the flames every single day for having pillars like him and his brother to fight out the overwhelming toll it took to divide himself between shield and family.

Even now, his father whispered the words he seemed to need. For a while, he had kept waiting on fate to give him something... Always, he came off empty handed, having to manifest fate, or an imitation of it, himself.

"I'm starting to wonder if fate even exists..." Is his initial answer, a sigh coming down as he tries to avoid his father's gaze, glancing back at the ground. Maybe this way, he couldn't notice him wavering. "You still believe in it, my Lord?"

Ah, he flinches, inevitably eyeing him back for a second. "Father, I mean."

♞ @phoenix-flamed ♞

Jill said: "it sounds kind of lovely, actually."

"Right?" Clive answers almost immediately. The terrace was an area around the castle that should not be ignored. He thought to show it to Jill today, his little place of hiding when he wanted to have a quiet thought or two, stare at the sky, wander, and wonder. Somehow, he appreciated it just a little more than his own chambers.

And he wasn't lying when he said they could overlook such a scenic sight there, one that could make you forget your woes... and sometimes even enhance them. For better or worse, that little corner was one he was fond of, hopefully she could be, too. Surely, she missed her home, he thought, and though his Father was as attentive as possible with her, no one could deny that there truly was no place like home -- homesickness could be mortal, if left unattended.

"Do you wish to go there now? You will not regret it, I assure you."

♞ @eikonshiva ♞

Joshua Rosfield (Little Brother) said: “i want to keep you safe. that's all.”

The kindest soul in all of Rosaria, Clive was sure it was his little brother Joshua. Despite all of the burdens he carried, the Dominant of the Phoenix was ever gentle, kind, selfless… It pained Clive to think that someone like him – so riddled with trials and tribulations forced upon him – would think about his protector’s well-being first rather than his own.

His expression softens, picking himself back up from the ground, bruised from yet another loss at training. They knew it was just a drill and yet, here Joshua was, standing up for him because Clive simply didn’t want to back down at all, even while losing footing due to clear exhaustion. If it wasn’t for Joshua, he would’ve taken quite the heavy blow from his comrade and opponent. He takes a heavy breath and places a soft but firm hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“That’s my duty, Joshua. You needn’t fend for me, I won’t let you down. I’m here to protect you.” Wasn’t it ironic? The Shield protected by the one he had sworn to keep safe.

“If you keep defending me like this, they might just give you the title of First Shield instead of me.” He jokes, though feels a shiver run down his spine at the thought of his brother being in danger for his sake. I can’t keep making him worry like this. I’m sorry, Joshua…

“Was I too reckless, this time? Perhaps I made you worry a little too much?”

♞ @stellarisen ♞