(no subject)

[starfelled]

[ It's been a few days since the first arrivals trickled in to this iteration of the monastery, and there's been some improvement to the area, at least.

Which is fortunate, really, because the clouds have finally decided to open up and let out a torrential downpour.

The grass out in the courtyard almost immediately becomes saturated with water, squishing beneath people's feet as they step through it. Drainage in the monastery is a real problem in some parts, particularly near the marketplace area. Slowly, as time passes, pools begin to form, though some of the remaining debris serves as a decent buffer between the water and whatever crates merchants may have left behind. It may be a good idea to salvage some of that, though it's not likely to be ruined thanks to said debris. In general, it's likely a rude awakening for any new arrivals.

Of course, some would say that rainy days are the best when it comes to fishing; some would even say they're right, given how the fish seem to be out in droves at the lake. If one didn't mind potentially getting soaked, they could bring in a real haul during this rainstorm. The dining hall is not nearly as well stocked as it had been in its heyday, so this could potentially be beneficial for the community.

For some, it's likely best to stay inside and find shelter from the rain. Thankfully, most of the monastery roofing seems to be intact, save for a few sizeable holes in the cathedral. Still, that doesn't mean there isn't a leak here and there, so watch your step, particularly in the dining hall and the second floor of the dormitories as well. It might not be a bad idea to put a few buckets out to catch all that water . . . ]


[[ MORE HOUSEKEEPING, hey what's up guys:

• please PM this journal if there are more setting changes you'd like to be noted! i.e. if your character did some sprucing up in the greenhouse, just let me know and I will update the setting page accordingly.
• as noted on the "mod" plurk, I'll try putting up open posts roughly once a week going forward. it'll depend on how things are going, no big. ]]

Comments

[failnoughts]

[ claude cocks his head, eyeing her briefly before giving a slight nod. ]

Pass me the hammer and I'll be right down.

[ he'll need to hear this, but claude would prefer not to leave a job unfinished. ]

[axepectations]

[ She leans up to pass it to him— ]

Careful.

[ —and then pull back once he takes it, lingering down near the ladder to spot him. ]

[failnoughts]

[ claude grabs it, carefully hammering down the last few nails. he pauses to assess his handy-work before climbing down the ladder. with a sigh, he pushes the hair out of his face and smiles. ]

Okay, I'm all yours.

[axepectations]

[ She purses her lips as she steps over to where she'd left the stack of towels, a small book on top of it, and picks it up. ]

You know? I was going to ask you a really weird question, but I think showing is better than telling.

[ At that, Hilda flips the book open to a certain page and holds it out to him. ]

[failnoughts]

[ claude scans the list. his expression doesn't change, though that in itself is a sign. he closes the book with an audible snap. ]

Well, that confirms my suspicions.

[axepectations]

Does it?

[ She raises an eyebrow slightly. The non-reaction was . . . interesting, to say the least. ]

Well, are you going to keep it to yourself or share with the class?

[ read: her. ]

[failnoughts]

[ his lips curve at that. ]

I think this place is frozen in time. Everything is as it was before we came here. And most of all have somehow arrived here from different points in time.

[axepectations]

[ Her expression sobers slightly. ]

Even those who should be dead?

[failnoughts]

Well if they come from a different time, they wouldn't be.

Though . . . I don't know what it means for them.

[axepectations]

Sure, like Dimitri. [ She shrugs. ] His Kingliness seemed stable? So whatever happened in his time, I guess that's . . . good. But—

[ There's a pause as she considers how to approach this next one delicately.

oh well. ]

The other Claude is dead back where he came from. I'm pretty sure of that.

[failnoughts]

Dead?

[ well. that's startling. ]

How?

[axepectations]

[ She shrugs her shoulders, sitting down. Her tone is light but it's definitely put on, like she's just reporting anything else back to him. ]

Dunno. He wouldn't tell me. I mean, he's you, so.

[ Hilda gestures vaguely, not making eye contact. ]

I saw it in his eyes, though, when he first saw me. And he told me the Alliance fell where he's from — that the professor had sided with Edelgard and the Empire.

[ Her brows crease slightly. ]

[failnoughts]

[ is that even possible? considering that those who slither in the dark are consorting with edelgard, it seems like a very strange choice. still, all choices are possible here. he breathes out. death. what a terrible ending to everything. ]

It's not our future, Hilda.

[axepectations]

No, but it's his reality.

[ There's something quiet, almost aching there. She sucks in a bit of air, lifting a hand to rub at her forehead, covering her eyes in the process. ]

[failnoughts]

[ claude moves to rest his hand on hilda's shoulder, squeezing it gently. ]

The reality of a situation hasn't stopped us before.

[axepectations]

[ She lowers her hand from her face, exhaling. ]

I never want to see that kind of look on your face, okay? It was so . . .

[ So unlike him in so many different ways. ]

[failnoughts]

[ firmly. ]

It's not going to happen. All right?

[axepectations]

[ Hilda finally glances up at him, straightening up once more. ]

. . . Okay. But I'm holding you to that, alright?

[ There's a bit more pep to her voice again. ]

[failnoughts]

I don't know, that sounds like a lot of work, Hilda.

[axepectations]

Yeah? Someone has to do it. Guess it falls on your shoulders, huh.

[failnoughts]

[ claude sighs heavily. ]

Just my luck.

[axepectations]

Your life must be sooooo hard.

[ She tips her head to the side. ]

— that actually reminds me, I talked to Edelgard, too. Which was weird, by the way.

[failnoughts]

[ claude cocks his head. ]

Weird how? I imagine it's a little from her Highnesses' usual icy demeanor.

[axepectations]

[ Hilda shrugs, speaking matter-of-factly. ]

She tried skipping a rock across the water and ended up spiking it into the lake bed.

It was pretty great.

[failnoughts]

[ claude laughs. ]

That does sound like her! She must have been mortified.