Shez

A mercenary who was meant to fade into the waves of history...

(This presentation brought to you by #Retronide)

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

You clearly need every blade you can find...

𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔪𝔶 𝔭𝔬𝔠𝔨𝔢𝔱𝔰 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔣𝔢𝔢𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔞𝔴𝔣𝔲𝔩𝔩𝔶 𝔩𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱 𝔩𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔩𝔶.

[ً @holyaches]

i hope i die warmed by the life that i tried to live.

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

//

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

//chewing on this art like a wild dog on a piece of meat they found

https://t.co/QqUyGfm4hh

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

@SALACIOUSWHISKY Shez glances up, not realizing he'd been standing under it. "Well, yeah," Shez said bemusedly. "But I never got the chance to partake in that tradition...holiday parties don't happen often in merc companies, and even when they do the decor tends to be sparse...."

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

Shez takes a deep breath. Just Edelgard's presence and promise to stay was enough to alleviate that migraine feeling of wanting to just meltdown.

"Thank you...."

[- Eᴅᴇʟɢᴀʀᴅ - @AdrestianEagle]

"I can. And I will."

A simple reply...but it was what Shez needed to hear. That she'd stay with no hesitation for someone who meant a lot to her.

So...

Anything he needs, Edelgard shall do. Shall help.

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

"Can you just...stay here with me tonight?"

His voice is tired- a tone it seldomly took on, even after the most grueling battles. Shez was usually so full of energy but as he clung to Edelgard, all he felt was drained.

"I don't want to be alone right now."

[- Eᴅᴇʟɢᴀʀᴅ - @AdrestianEagle]

And so, in this moment...she holds him. Edelgard understands well that...grief is not something so easily pushed aside. Perhaps once, she would have thought so.

Yet...she knows much better now. Thanks to Shez...and all of her allies. No...her friends.

"You...are free to do +

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

Shez closed his eyes as tight as he can, as if it'll help blind him to the reality of his worst fears, as he clung to Edelgard tightly.

"She deserved so much better..." he choked out.

[- Eᴅᴇʟɢᴀʀᴅ - @AdrestianEagle]

A hand came up to rest on his shoulder...before it then decided to actually bring him in for a gentle hug.

"...I'm sure she was a wonderful person...even if I did not meet her myself. Nothing anyone says about her can change the truth that you know...the experiences and time +

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

Shez fell silent. He wasn't crying. But there was an urge to do so that built up in his head like an unbearable migraine. He took a shaky deep breath, forcing his jaw to unclench. "Yeah...you're right..." he said weakly.

[- Eᴅᴇʟɢᴀʀᴅ - @AdrestianEagle]

"...Unfortunately, I wouldn't know. But..."

Deep down, she did know. The fact that he asked...brought the same exact idea to her mind. And she knows the sight...of someone dear being discarded without even a burial.

"This village is yet another sign of Fodlan's rooted flaws. +

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

@SALACIOUSWHISKY ".....I'm dead. I'm dead, and by either some miracle or clerical error went to Heaven-"

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

for years, and only now was he about to grapple with it.

"...what do you think they did with her body?"

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

"They never really took the time to know my mom, either." Shez said. "They saw two people who existed outside of what they considered 'acceptable' and that was enough to earn their contempt."

A thought dawned on Shez: one that had been lurking unformed in the back of his mind

[- Eᴅᴇʟɢᴀʀᴅ - @AdrestianEagle]

Finally...it seems everyone would leave Shez alone, for the time being. And since Edelgard wasn't taking any of their resources, they likely just saw her as...not much of a problem.

Someone who'd be gone in the morning.

But for Shez, this was all much more...

"I would never +

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

have someone to stand up for me."

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

"Understood. Thank you, Empress...."

The village elder turned, giving the villagers a wordless glance that got them to disperse and flee back into their homes.

Shez looked over to Edelgard. "Growing up, I never thought I'd come back here...let alone

[- Eᴅᴇʟɢᴀʀᴅ - @AdrestianEagle]

"We will only stay for one night...I do not wish to burden your people, after all."

They both know the path back to an Adrestian outpost would be well past dark...and that's just a risk.

"We also have our own rations and supplies...so do not worry. If anyone attempts to take +

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

@SALACIOUSWHISKY //i care for her so much ;-;

[bee 🐝 @claudeycore]

happy halloween! 👻🎃🦇

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

a thing they could do about it.

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

"Your terms are reasonable." the elder said, giving another terse glance to the huddled villagers.

Shez couldn't believe what he was seeing- it felt like only yesterday they'd chased him out of the village before he could even bury his mother, now he was back and there wasn't

[- Eᴅᴇʟɢᴀʀᴅ - @AdrestianEagle]

"...Very well. While I am here, I expect Shez to be treated with respect. Your differences of the past should have no bearing on who he is now."

Sigh. Gentle, but...very clear.

"Follow this rule, and I too will follow the rules of your village in return. I have no intentions +

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

He looked back towards the huddled villagers, who suddenly seemed far less eager to whisper and gossip as they eyed the armed troops behind Shez.

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

Shez looked back up, a look of surprise on Shez's face. "Edelgard....it's fine," Shez said. It was a lie, but he knew this was important.

The elder could see where the situation was going and tried to course correct. "Lady Edelgard, please forgive them,"

[- Eᴅᴇʟɢᴀʀᴅ - @AdrestianEagle]

"Ah."

Her demeanor had quickly shifted the instant she saw Shez's distaste for their words. To be called a monster...or seen as one. Or to even feel like one...it was something the Empress knew extremely well. Too well.

"I do not appreciate the tone you all would so openly +

[Shez @ByVioletBlades]

//Happy Halloween!