I recall Ismaire and Carlyle being one of the parts of FE8 that compelled me. It's a pity to me, then, that I don't remember the circumstances that canon gives us for those two all that well. But, although I cannot attest to accuracy in that sense, I very much get the *feeling* of their relationship that I'd felt in those few moments Ismaire and Carlyle interacted in-game. Being familiar with your Tellius pieces, it frustrates me to not be able to place why I feel like there's something so wonderfully genuine going on here - but I do get that feeling, and I like this piece.

Absolutely beautiful, you have a gift with words... a way to make normal words flow like poetry. This easily tops the list of best fics I've ever read, and believe me... I've read more than I'd care to admit.

I especially love your interpretation of Ismaire, as she was my favorite minor character in Sacred Stones, I even gave my OC the same name and hair color. I always thought of her as a sort of Lady of War, who was adept at both politics and battler, something you portrayed perfectly.

Keep writing.

Vibrant, passionnate, marvelous, dreamy, poétic... Ismaire is beautiful, but Carlyle is wonderfully written here.

Finally, I realize they are more than a symbol/hint at Seth and Eirika relationship, you gave then their own definite personalty, and through your Ismaire's personatly isn't really original from the usal kind of woman you use to built, her inreractions with her contry, knight, etc still works fine. Not wondefully, but find althogether. Regarding Jehanna I'm not sure I prefer that vision of the courtry. For me, it's a land made of dreams where everything can happens, even a queen to govern alone, as a pert of some traidtion. This Jehanna is more realistic and down-to-earth. More believable, but less fantastic. Makes me little sad.

The descrption I favor is that of the henna tattoo. And the ending is so absolutely uncertain, urgent, intense, epic, poétic, romantic, I... well, I 'love' it, huh.

I'm honestly really impressed by this fic and I'm quite surprised to hear that you aren't happy with it.

I love how detailed and expressive this story is. It's also great to see something written for characters who don't get much attention in fandom.

Your writing is beautiful.

Carlyle. An interesting look.