raspberrylemonaid | CMO post for Xander

[Leo, it turns out, does not do well in Vallite sunshine. Or really any sunshine, but Hoshido at least had trees around to mitigate it just enough that it wasn't grumpy and uncomfortably pink after forgoing his armor for one day. No sunburn, but he's been in his room all day to keep it from it from getting any worse.

It makes him easier to find, at least, and it gives him plenty of time to write up those drafts of Xander's newest laws for his approval after dinner tonight.]

[Indeed, it does make him easier to find. Honestly Xander was expecting to find him either here or playing chess with Takumi- if it was the later he would have tried again later. But Leo is alone- he has no excuse to back out]

Leo, may I have a moment?

[He looks up when someone walks in without knocking, prepared to gripe but stopping when he realizes it's Xander.]

Of course. One moment.

[It takes no time at all to clear away his ink and paper and turn his desk chair around to face his brother]

Is something wrong?

No, nothing that needs attention right this moment.

[He pauses, unsure how to broach this. He was a skilled speaker through years of practice. But casual conversation was... difficult. Even with his own family. That was part of the current issue, in fact]

I wanted to speak with you outside business.

...business--oh, you mean beyond ruling.

[Really, Leo, you knew that. He nods and gestures to the other chair]

I'd be happy to have a conversation, brother. Sit, please. I'd stand and move the chair myself but, well. You saw my back yesterday.

[Not the sun this time, just a strange thorny tree Leo is allergic to. He'd backed into it after swimming and got some nasty scars and hives. A few potions will fix that but still]

Seems the outdoors are out to attack you even more then usual lately.

[He chuckles, pulling out the seat]

Ugh, it is.

[Leo pinches the bridge of his nose with a groan]

I am a mage, a chancellor and law-writer, not an outdoorsman. And what sort of tree has thorns that large?

[If he was in a teasing mood he might had made mention of that being ironic coming form the holder of Brynhildr. But he doesn't.]

A very effective one.

It isn't very effective if the animals and birds can't get to the seeds to spread them around...but I doubt you want to discuss my issues, Xander. They're boring, I assure you.

Actually... I did come here intending to ask after your wellbeing.

[Leo blinks.]

I...see. Are there rumors I am unwell?

[Who ratted him out about that stress-induced stomach flu last week, or the fever and collapse the week before?]

Rumors? No.

[Though Xander knows all, sees all- okay no, he doesn't know the details. Leo is very good at hiding things.]

But you have been working non stop from the moment the war ended.

Of course I have been. You appointed me your chancellor, Xander, and it's my job to write up the drafts and see that your laws are implemented, particularly ones that in ten or twenty years will be beneficial for Nohr. I haven't much time to rest.

Yes, but you are my brother first.

[He sighs, rubbing the spot between his eyes where all his tension seemed to build. He hadn't intended to make this a confrontation.]

Of course I want you to be healthy and content.

[Leo's a bit touchy about this topic, sorry. He realizes it, however, and takes a deep breath]

I know. I'm sorry, Xander. Still, I'm happy to put anything and everything aside to ensure the success of your rule and our homeland. It's what I've trained to do my entire life.

I understand. This is what we risked our lives and the lives of everyone in Nohr to accomplish. As a King I could ask nothing more of you.

... as your brother I realize I have set you from one battle right into another.

Perhaps, but this battle is something I've been anticipating. It's not going to be easy to force reform on the country, after all. We've always known that.

[For the first time in...quite possibly forever, Laslow is no where to be found. Corrin's coronation party was the night before and Laslow had admittedly had a bit too much fun, but he wasn't the sort to get hide all day because of some drunken flirting.

Even if the flirting had been directed at everyone, not just the pretty girls.

Either way, no one's seen him all day. The only person who might have a clue about where he's gone is Odin, who said he might be in the field of flowers they'd passed on the way to the castle.

And sure enough, that is where he's gone for the time being. It's quiet, and he can dance in peace while he tries to sort out his thoughts about what's to come next. Owain and Severa both miss Ylisse, and he does as well, but....]

[He hadn't intended to watch. Once he realized Laslow wasn't causing trouble he should have let him be.

But it was clear something was on his mind- he had the same feeling from his siblings' retainers as well, but he didn't know them as well to make any assumptions. Maybe it was just nerves- aftermath of the war and everything that was going to happen now.

Or maybe it had something to do with the distant land Laslow mentioned. That he might one day return to. Xander had been honest in what he said. As long as Laslow was alive and happy he was content.

But... well, he'd be lying if he said he wouldn't miss him. Xander spent his life losing things. They were wounds he could function with. He should let him know he was there.

He *should*, but he didn't. Not right away at least]

[Laslow doesn't realize he's being watched as he falls into a ballet position, going quickly into several fouette turns in succession. This was always one of the steps that seemed to calm his mind, and right now he needs--

For his mother's ring not to go flying as he does the last turn, hitting Xander right in the head. Not that Laslow knows he's there right away]

Dammit, man, where--

[He turns and freezes]

[He grunts softly at the small ring hitting him, and fumbles to not drop it.]

Ah... excuse me Laslow. I didn't mean to surprise you.

N-no, my lord, you didn't. My ring is just...very old and doesn't always fit the way it should.

[Because of course a woman's ring wouldn't fit Laslow perfectly. That it flies off probably says more about his hands than anything, though]

[And very clearly a woman's ring. He looks it over for a moment before making his way to his retainer, holding it out in his palm- dwarfing the tiny bit of jewelry.]

You're lucky it didn't land in the field. You might have never seen it again.

Oh, no. I'd've dragged Odin out here to help me find it.

[He takes it from Xander delicately, slipping it back on his finger--not the wedding hand, at least, so it's obviously not something like that]

He's the one who broke the chain I used to wear it on and has so far refused to replace. But enough of that. Can I help you, my lord?

Ah, yes... I came to speak to you. Not as my retainer.

[He takes a small breath]

I can tell your mind has been heavy as of late.

...ah.

[Dammit, he was hoping to avoid this just yet. Laslow sighs, running a hand through his hair]

Forgive me, milord. I did not intend for it to be so obvious.

Maybe it isn't to others, but remember you are at my side more often then not. I would be blind to not notice eventually.

Well, at least it wasn't Odin.

[Seriously, he's such a nuisance sometimes. Why is he Laslow's best friend?

Oh. Right]

But...yes. With the war over, I can't help but think of...other things.

[He makes an agreeable noise, encouraging him to continue]

Fear not, we're alone.

....I told you of my homeland, correct?

Yes, though not in much detail.

[He had known for a good while that Laslow and his companions were from a far away land. But the full details were still hidden.]

...if you've heard of the Outrealms, that's is where Ylisse is in regards to Nohr. We were brought here by Anakos to protect who we know now to be Corrin, and we were going to return after we had done just that.

[Past tense.]

[It had been three weeks ago since this little 'game' had begun. At first it was a bit quaint. Perhaps some lord thought it would be fun to force such conditions the group. When she found out that Xander was also among their number it became a little less so. If it hadn't been for the fact that the clause for escape seemed a little too easy (and actually succeeding would mean her brother's death) she would probably been out on the first week.

Perhaps it was a good thing that Xander had been the other sibling taken to this strange 'game'. Leo would have tried on the very first week, no doubt. He might have been able to succeed (at least Camilla hoped he would) but the determination of the group might have been able to find some small detail that he left behind. Elise... Elise, the poor thing, wouldn't be able to handle the stress. Corrin would probably try to play the hero.

No, it was good that it was just her and Xander. The younger siblings didn't need to experience this.

For three weeks she had played along, waiting for her chance. Motives came and went: money, secrets, promises of power. Things that were ultimately useless to royalty. That's when the motive of the fourth week had been shown--or, rather--it was shoved under Camilla's door. It was a riding glove, made out of black leather, embroidered with a simple heart pattern. A pair of earrings made of rose quartz were tucked inside.

It had taken all of Camilla's self-restraint not to roar with rage. She knew those items well enough. There was no doubt who they were taken from since she could make out several small repairs in the glove that Camilla had made herself.

Elise was in danger.

She had been ready to find one of their group alone when she realized one thing. If Elise had been her motive, who was Xander's? That's when she ended up in front of his room, banging on his door. The others seemed scattered about trying to find reason in the motive. That didn't matter. Corrin? Leo? One of his retainers? That answer was more important right now.]

Xander, open up. We need to talk. [She knows it's not very polite but it's all she can do at the moment. In her other hand, the glove with the earrings still inside is clutched tightly. It would be clearly visible when the door opens.]

[He opens the door almost too quickly- clearly either expecting her, or about to leave himself. When he sees the glove the already tense look on his face tightens even more, and he steps aside to let her in.

If he got an item of his own it's not out anywhere obvious in his room. Once she's inside he closes the door and double checks the lock before:]

That's Elise's glove.

[That look does nothing to help. She steps inside quickly. Her grip on the riding glove only tightens.]

Yes.

[If he hadn't been here, if she had a proper weapon... This might have already been over.]

They're going to bleed for this, brother. [Their captor? The others? Perhaps both.]

Agreed.

[There's no doubt of that, but he looks pained by saying it. Xander walks, briskly and too stiff, to a corner of his room and reaches up-

-moving a loose panel in the ceiling tiles. There's a glimpse of items up there, but after taking what he came for he re-covers it too quickly to see much. With a flick of the wrist he tosses the item to her- a black circlet, a simpler version of her own, more like a headband then either of theirs. Something to keep back a mop of unruly blond hair, perhaps.]

But you must calm down first.

[She just grips the glove tightly as she watches him move the ceiling tile. That's just like him, hiding away things in some corner. Practical--not that it matters when she sees that circlet.

The tenseness in her posture doesn't break when she catches the item with her free hand. It's clearly worn, familiar scratches dart along the edge. Like the glove, it seemed to be genuine. Her visible eye narrows.]

With him gone as well?

[Leo. It's more troubling than Elise, somehow. He was clever and skillful enough to avoid capture and yet..]

All the more reason.

[Still, there's an edge to his voice. As if he was about to storm into a fray any moment. Barely contained]

... if they have our siblings- [And he assumes it's not just Leo and Elise.]

-then there's no telling what else they are capable of. I know you want to go out there and paint the walls red. And then I'd have to watch you be executed. I won't have it.

[There's no proof that Corrin was taken but proof was something that didn't cross her mind. As soon as she saw the circlet that thought had entered her mind. Her teeth grind.]

I've waited, Xander. I've played nice with all these adorable people but this isn't something I won't stand for. [Money, power... None of that had swayed her into action. The others might have seen her more interested in the executions than most but she had kept herself occupied.

It would be easy--] I can't do nothing this time.

CMO post for Xander

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