garregmach | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ 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. ]]

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...okay. Okay.

[She takes a soft, shuddering breath and stumbles to her feet. Her feet feel like lead, but now that clarity is trickling in, she realizes that Edelgard is out here getting rained on. Bernadetta is so cold she's basically numb, so they need to get inside before Edelgard hits that point too.

With that thought echoing, it's easy to trudge the last few feet into the Dining Hall.]

People... keep talking about different timelines. It really is true, isn't it?

[Bernadetta will be permitted to keep the cape as long as she needs it. Even once they're inside. The Emperor will lead them to one of the benches that is still serviceable and encourage Bernie to sit down.]

As far as I can tell, yes. There is also more than one set of differences too. It is a lot to keep track of.

Edited 2019-09-29 19:26 (UTC)

...what was the last thing you remember?

[She fiddles with the hem of the cape, her stomach beginning to twist in knots as she comes down from that little... episode.]

[Bernadetta's fits of panic are nothing new, but to have one of them be because... what? Did Edelgard leave Bernadetta behind to die in a fire? It worries her. Edelgard takes a seat beside her, and folds her own hands politely in her lap.]

We were on the cusp of the Millennium Festival, and so I had ventured away from the Empire to go fulfill the promise I made five years ago. When I got here I did not notice anything wrong at first because I intended to be here, and this is how I assumed the monastery would look.

The promise you made five years ago...

[Her brow furrows in thought.]

Do you mean the Black Eagles reunion? ...were we all there?

Yes, and I do not know. Instead of arriving there I guess I ended up here.

[Edelgard stands from the bench.]

What were you trying to do earlier? I'll finish the task for you and then we can bring you to the hearth in the Knight's Hall.

Collecting fresh water. But, um, the full barrels are hard to move, now.

[She pauses, hands clenching and folding and fidgeting for a long moment.]

...I'm from later than you, if we're from the same place at all. There was—a big battle at Gronder Field. I was assigned to man the ballista.

[Her hand rests on Bernadetta's shoulder. Yes, she can see the set up of the field. Having Bernadetta man the ballista because of her impeccable aim. Did she fall that day? Was she dying, and did Edelgard not reach out her hand in aid? Though even if she tried she can see Hubert insisting on retreat.

But it does chill her heart knowing that she might? Could have? Already done so?

Her hand squeezes trying to be reassure.]

I apologize for causing you such distress. Allow me to make it up to you by bringing the barrels inside. They may be heavy, but I have plenty of strength.

[Dimitri even more so, but she feels like she needs to do this. For her.]

I-I couldn't ask you to do that! You already went and lent me your cape...

[She ran to her. In the pouring rain, even though she's just Bernadetta, Edelgard ran to her.]

What happened to me... isn't something that can be changed, I think. No matter how I ended up here. I just... need to do something more productive than dwelling on it.

[She sounds almost like she's trying to convince herself.]

Please allow me to do it, Bernadetta. Gathering fresh water benefits us all, and good deeds from those within the Empire shall serve as an olive branch to those that distrust us. If anyone asks, please take credit for it.

[Edelgard may have her pride, but there is also the pride of her people. Should they be praised for their efforts she'll feel as if she has done her job properly.]

When I return we shall dry by the hearth together. Maybe when the rain lets up you can help me refurbish the greenhouse. I have been working on it a little because we used to spend a little time together there.

...I can't stop you, but I won't lie about doing good things, either. We... we did something good together.

[A good idea only goes so far if you can't execute it properly. The success of this plan is thanks to her, too.]

...I'd like that. Going to the greenhouse, I mean. I was just thinking earlier about how we should probably start harvesting and storing medicinal herbs. You know... just in case.

I will be back soon, and I shall tell you what a terrible time I had pulling weeds without you.

[It's laughable really, and she's glad no one was around to see. Talking about it after the fact will be much more bearable than fumbling about in person. She also hopes that sharing such a thing with Bernadetta will help her a little. Like the time she told her about her fear of the open ocean.]

It's a pity Ferdinand isn't here. We could... challenge him to break your weeding 'record'.

[Bernie, that's mean! ...it would be rigorously efficient for weed reduction, admittedly.]

[Edelgard can't stop herself. It bubbles up out of her before she can even stop it. A small laugh. Breathy and quiet.]

A pity indeed. I can definitely see him putting his all to such a task.

[And with that she'll step outside. One by one she'll bring the barrels in. Though she may not be a beast like Dimitri, her two crests give her just enough brute strength to accomplish this much.

When she brings in the final container she too is soaked, but it's worth it. At least in her opinion. After all it's not like she has any other skills to offer. She's bad at cooking because she's never had to do anything for herself, gardening and stable keeping is ~below an Emperor~ so she's never been taught those. In fact most tasks have someone who is much more skilled in that area already taking care of them. She may have her pride, but she knows when to take a step back and let the more skilled handle what they're good at.]

There, that should do it.

...wow.

[It's hard to put a finger on just why that was so impressive to watch. Maybe it's because the Emperor herself stooped to menial labor. Maybe it was because she did i so efficiently. Maybe . it was because she did it for Bernadetta of all people.

Maybe it was all that and more. No matter the cause, Bernadetta primly folds her hands to keep them from doing something stupid, like clapping.]

Have you been doing much with the rubble?

[A tad out of breath, Edelgard tries her best to compose herself by not answering Bernadetta's question until she's standing beside her. The Emperor offers her hand to help the other girl stand so she can escort her to the Knights Hall.]

Somewhat. So far I've been patrolling the monastery to see which places are in need of repair most. The Cathedral is quite damaged, but it's not a necessary spot. Some glass in the greenhouse is broken, so I'd like to focus on making it serviceable before the weather ruins any chances we have of using it properly. Today, though, I've been making sure to regularly dump the rain water from all the collection buckets under leaks.

[After all if it didn't come straight from the sky it might not be safe. Who knows what's growing in the rafters that might be in the water that drips from the ceiling?]

[Bernadetta stands, and now it's her turn to drape the cape over the other girl. She's dry enough now.]

The Cathedral... I guess none of the glass there would be salvageable...

[Poor greenhouse... you'll get fixed good as new someday!]

That's... really diligent, Edelgard. Did I throw you off your stride?

[Bernadetta just because you are taller than her now doesn't mean you get to do that!

Edelgard slowly removes the cape and folds it over her arm. Twice to make sure the long stretch of fabric doesn't touch the ground. There's no use in it now. Everything on both of them is pretty soaked at this point.]

Not at all. It takes a while for the water to collect, so it was perfect timing.

[Edelgard then begins to lead to the Knight's Hall hoping Bernadetta will follow. She does not need to stand beside her. If the girl finds lingering a step or two behind safer? So be it. She may have that luxury. Edelgard will brave the way for her.

After all... Bernadetta's loyalty cost the girl her life. Edelgard can only begin to scratch the surface of her gratitude for such an act.]

[Bernadetta does trail after her, like a slightly shorter, infinitely less ominous Hubert. It's actually a far cry from their student days, when it would take her days at a time just to sidle up into shouting-range without being ambushed ahead of time.]

Oh! That's a relief. Um...

[She fidgets with her gloves, the least damp part of her.]

Edelgard? I have something to ask and—y-you can say no of course! But.. I-I wanted to know...

[Halting in her tracks Edelgard looks over her shoulder at Bernadetta.]

Yes? What is it?

...wyulkaqult?

[Ah. Ahem.

Let's give that another shot, Bernie.]

..............w-would you like a quilt? I... made some.

A... a quilt? You would want to give that to me?

[Why would she want to give away something she worked so hard on to the woman who left her to die? She's stunned. Flattered, really, but confused.]

It... gets cold at night. Varley county isn't too far from here, but we're in the mountains.

[Bernadetta that's like half an answer, at best.]

[And Edelgard is from the southern most peninsula. Enbarr surrounded by water and warmth. The chill here really does get to her.]

If you want me to have one of your quilts I will gladly accept.

...!

[She beams.]

Great! They're... well, I made the best with what I had, but they're definitely warm.