RP:All Good Knights Require a Coat of Arms
Hall of Honor
Hildegarde needed a little time out of the fort, she wanted to investigate the status of Frostmaw’s other institutions: such as the Academy of Aramoth. After inquiring about the status of the headmaster, she hummed and hawed over what to do and thought it better to table it for another time; it could be dealt with soon enough, for now she’d rather inspect the rest of the academy and make sure it was in good shape. The decapitated head of Anbjorn, the false jarl who governed over Hakkon before he defected to Hrathgar, was encased in glass so it would be perfectly preserved. His mouth hung slackly and his eyelids drooped. In death, he didn’t look formidable at all. The knight stared at his face for a long moment, hand pressed against the glass as she stared at the dead head. It was thanks to him and his inability to accept defeat that she had lost Sabjorn. Losing her eye was nothing compared to the loss of her giant companion. A loss that still stung her so and would presumably continue to do so for a long time. Indeed, while she had tried to armour herself with these losses – and she was making progress – it still pained her from time to time. With a sigh, she readies herself to move on to the next exhibit of military prowess; the next display of victory.
Satoshi, having just come through the entrance of the next cavernous room with a large bundle under one arm, pauses on the threshold with gaze fixed on Hildegarde. By the looks of it, the knight is again dwelling on the past, a concept foreign to Satoshi and seems altogether harmful to one's health. The magus might have lingered longer silently observing the Silver, were it not for her presence being announced in a loud and startling manner as Frysta lumbers into Satoshi and sends the bear's bundled burden tumbling to the ground with a series of metallic crashes. With a yelp, the kit is sent stumbling in Hildegarde's direction, an arm flailing to retain her balance from the polar bear's unexpected headbutt.
Hildegarde started with the clatter of metal, turning quickly to see what had happened only to spy Frysta and Satoshi: one ready to lose her balance and one staring ahead with an expression that said ‘oops’. The knight surged towards her Queen to try and catch her by the waist, hoping to prop her upright providing she failed to retain her balance in due time. “Are you all right?” she asked softly.
Satoshi finds herself righted, courtesy of a knight and no thanks to a polar bear--however guilty said bear may look. At Hildegarde's question, the magus waves a hand with a laugh. "Quite all right, no need to fuss. I've taken worse tackles and stumbles than that~. Although rarely with a knight waiting to catch me, just like in the stories." Mostly because her 'knightly' husband is often the source behind those shoves and tumbles. Another laugh comes from Satoshi as she straightens up, adjusting the bundle she carries so that it's hugged to her chest, marking it clearly as something large but soft or malleable. A wriggle of vulpine ears is given to the Silver then. "And like the stories, dear knight, your presence is perfectly timed. I was just on my way to find you, in fact."
Hildegarde smiled at the remark, “I am aware, but it’s still my job to minimise that,” she reminded Satoshi in a playful manner. “Hah! I don’t think the knight’s in stories are often women or have burnt faces, either,” she said, all in a light tone. She seemed to be in good spirits, even after her solemn moment with the decapitated head. “Ahh. What have you come to find me for?” she asked, “You know you could just harass me with a letter, rather than trek out and find me.”
Satoshi scoffs, a sound given a peculiar lilt as it ruffles her whiskers. "Letters have their purposes. But when you're wanting to give a friend a gift, it is best done in person!" That, and the magus has just come from visiting Steinnr the artificer, to put the finishing touches on said gift. Polar bears and their cargo do not fit in envelopes. Taking this as some sort of cue, Frysta clamps his jaws over the dropped package and hefts it to be carried to Hildegarde, proudly lain at her feet before the bear plops down on the ground. Within the fabric wrappings, and waiting for the knight to disentangle, is her breastplate that she'd given to Gikal. The metal has been freshly polished to a mirror bright sheen, its lining restored, and its front now bearing an engraved Coat of Arms. As promised, Satoshi has concocted a design that incorporates the knight's standings and service in Frostmaw, along with her place of birth in Xalious, the snowflake-and-gryphon and Holy Tree symbols on a heraldic shield borne by an arctic lion and a mighty bear on either side, atop of which perches a dragon with a crown in its talons. The Coat of Arms has been carved deeply into the breastplate's metal, lines smooth as if a brush to paper, and they've been filled in by a peculiar, clear material. It glistens as if it were diamonds, and it bears a similar hardiness to the stone, and yet it is frightfully cold to the touch. The entire arrangement pulses with interwoven spellwork waiting to be awakened, causing the diamond-like material to almost glow in readiness. "It's a blending of diamond dust and my own Ice." There's a hint of pride in Satoshi's voice as she comments, the kit standing a little straighter. "Gikal, Steinnr and I brewed it up special, it should withstand most direct hits, deter some of the heat of flames, and channel your energy for the enchantment you requested."
Hildegarde stooped down as Frystra dropped the package at her feet, offering his head a little affectionate ruffle before she picked up the package, “Haha, well, if it means getting to see you, I feel like I should be asking for gifts more regularly!” it was a jape, truly, the knight was too humble to openly and readily accept gifts. Unwrapping the package, the knight marvels at the crest emblazoned upon her breastplate. The sheer cold alone lets her know that this is Satoshi’s ice and that, to her, is an immense privilege alone. “Satoshi,” she breathed, utterly taken aback, “I don’t know what to say.” She had requested this and yet she felt overwhelmed by it! “Why a bear?” she asked finally, fingertips touching the Coat of Arms with interest. The knight’s fingertips briefly traced over the crown, the blush in her cheeks implying some shyness at having a crown in her Coat of Arms. Was she worthy? “Most opponents will be trying to look for the weakspots in my armour, rather than attacking straight on,” she said softly, “so that’ll spare it from too much damage. Even so, after a fight, I’d be likely to take it to Gikal for any repairs or checks.”
Satoshi gestures toward Frysta, the polar bear having stood to begin rubbing his head and broad shoulders against Hildegarde's leg. It's likely a blessed thing the knight is so sturdy, for the polar bear tends to topple most people with his oversized displays of affection. "Frysta agrees with me: A bear seemed fitting somehow, for they're big and fearsome creatures, but also caring and soft-pawed to their family. It's well known there'll hellfire to pay if you get between a mother and her cubs~." As she speaks however, a slight frown creases the kit's forehead. It isn't quite doubt that creeps into her voice next, although it is as close to such that Satoshi can get, "Should I have chosen differently with the bear?" Her grip tightens on the bundle she still carries. Perhaps she should have consulted Hildegarde more closely on this design.
Hildegarde could, fortunately, bear Frysta’s weight and sheer strength. She didn’t mind it, really, she thought it was sweet. Dragons could often be similarly over-zealous in their affections; returning home to find a huge sloppy lick to the face and being shoved away by the eager nudging of a scaly maw were things the knight knew all too well. “No, no, I like it,” she smiled, “I had just wondered what made you choose it,” she said. “I never saw it that way before.” But the bear had meaning to her. It was of significance to her and Kirien, too. It was something they had slain together, both in their dreams, to return to normality. “Does this make you my cub?” she grinned.
Satoshi allows a glimpse of relief to flicker across her features before she laughs off the brief uncertainty. "I suppose! Closest I'd have ever had to a mother, if such is the case~." Despite being said in light-hearted fashion with no ill-feelings in Satoshi's demeanor, it is a dark remark and an uncommon peek into the magus' otherwise unspoken-of past. Satoshi doesn't seem to pay it any mind, however, stepping forward then as she brings the bundle to rest across her arms in presentation to Hildegarde. "It seemed silly to consider your own breastplate a 'gift', and I really wanted to thank you for all you do for Frostmaw--as its knight, steward, and as my friend. Mind you, you're not obligated to wear this at any time."
Satoshi gave 1 Snow Lion Pelt Cloak to Hildegarde.
Hildegarde , while curious, would not remark on the mother comment. She didn’t want to make Satoshi uncomfortable by asking any unwanted questions in regards to her past and she wasn’t terribly sure she wanted to discover more. After all, Satoshi was not the innocent and noble Queen that Hildegarde often thought she was. That illusion was shattered some time ago, even if she now still tried to hold the image together. As Satoshi presents the cloak to Hilde, the knight laughed heartily, “Oh Satoshi! I shall have too many cloaks to wear if you continue down this path,” she grinned, settling the breastplate down on the ground so she can draw Satoshi into a strong embrace of gratitude. “I shall wear it to the feast, Satoshi,” this she promised, “as I’m sure it’ll be appropriate.” The Silver paused for a long moment, a little frown on her face, “I feel like I ought to give you something but… there is little I can give you that you won’t already have,” she said quietly.
Satoshi laughs, a bit unsteady after being squeezed in a Hilde-sized hug, and claps a hand on the knight's shoulder--Svilfon and the Silver's habit is rubbing off on her. "Don't you read the stories, Mithril? A queen doesn't want or need material gifts. Having someone they can trust and rely upon--a friend--is far better! Hones--" whatever else Satoshi intended to say is lost, Frysta choosing this moment to read up on hind legs and try to drag the pair into his paws. Satoshi squeaks a muffled protest, veritably squished in the polar bear's embrace, because bears give the best hugs of all.
Hildegarde laughed, “I do read the stories, m’lady, I do!” she admitted. “But the gifts you give me are so fine, I wish I could return some kind of finery to you. All I can do is… is take you fishing!” she laughed, assuming Satoshi probably wouldn’t be too interested in that. Frysta, however, had the best timing. Enveloping the two in a bear hug, the knight laughed heartily, “We’re being mauled by a bear, help!” she japed.
Satoshi, with her feet off the ground due to Frysta's height, is left swatting at the bear until he finally releases her... to land gracelessly on the floor with a small, 'Oomph.' Scowling at the unapologetic bear, Satoshi climbs back to her feet and dusts herself off in a dignified manner. That is, until her ears give a twitch and she turns to face Hildegarde, eyes bright with childlike glee. "-Fishing-, you say~?" That's a yes, Hildegarde. And the delighted growl coming from Frysta suggests that's two yesses.
Hildegarde , unlike Satoshi, appeared to be playfully tussling with Frysta which might have helped Satoshi graceless fall to the floor. The knight and bear are bumping into one another and growling at each other with beastly fun and glee, obviously quite content with their tussling. She stops, however, as Satoshi dusts herself off in a most dignified way. “Fishing, yes. I do it in my spare time.”
Satoshi gives her coat one final brushing off, thus allowing Frysta a moment more of tussling with Hildegarde, before she nods firmly. "Fishing sounds fantastic~. We'll do so soon, Mithril! Until then," a meaningful look is given to her polar bear companion, who snorts in response, untangles himself from the Silver, and lumbers to the magus' side. A small hand rests upon the bear's head, drawing a pleased rumble from him. "We have to be going. There are matters in Vailkrin that I can't stray from for long, with Kasyr in his present condition. But I wanted to deliver your armor in person~."
Hildegarde nodded in response, obviously pleased at the idea of going fishing soon with her Queen and Frysta. But upon hearing that, the knight straightens a little. Whilst her duty was to protect Satoshi, Kasyr was the King-Consort of Frostmaw; she had a duty to him too. “Is everything all right?” she asked in her serious commander voice.
Satoshi's expression darkens, a feral gleam in her eyes and fangs clear in her sneer. "An assassin thought it wise to take a shot at him using Dragon's Blood. He's recovering. And I'm hunting. It's best that's all that is said about it." It's clear the magus is riled by the events, and doesn't seem overly willing to discuss it--it complicates ruses, when one finds it difficult to lie to a certain knight, after all. With a bow that's rigid but no less earnest, Satoshi makes for the exit with Frysta on her heels.
Hildegarde said to Satoshi, "Take care, then. Send him my best."