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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Oh...

[He tries to put on a more neutral expression, but he can still feel his face burning at the concerned words and offer to carry him.]

You needn't trouble yourself.

[Even if the war is on hold, Dimitri is still a king. It seems...

No. Wait. This would be an interesting chance to test his strength, wouldn't it be? How easily would he be able to carry him? Would the extra weight of his sodden clothes make it more difficult?]

-Then again. Maybe I would welcome your assistance.

[He is a king by birth, but he is a knight at heart. Offering his assistance comes as naturally as breathing, and he truly is glad to be able to help. With a firm nod, Dimitri leans in.]

Feel free to hold on if it makes you feel more stable, though I can assure you that I will not drop you.

[As for the answer to how easily Dimitri is able to carry him, the answer is very. He's slow and careful as he reaches in to slip one arm under Linhardt's knees and place the other around his back, but once he's certain he has a hold on him, he stands as effortlessly as he would if he were carrying an infant. Dimitri's training regimen has had him carrying burdens heavier than Linhardt since he was a child, sometimes even while wearing heavy armor. Right now, he's only wearing what he typically wears underneath said armor, not wanting to subject the metal to the rain without the proper materials to tend to it. He'll remain still for a moment or two to allow Linhardt to situate himself, not wanting to startle him by launching into a quick march immediately.]

Thank you, Dimitri. This is very kind of you.

[Testing his strength aside, this isn't the sort of thing he would expect from a man who was supposed to be suffering from madness. In fact, Dimitri has been nothing but kind and receptive to Linhardt's concerns and inquiries. Truly, he's starting to wonder how he could go back and fight him after this.

It would feel wrong. No... It would be wrong.

But that is a thought for later. Linhardt gently nudges his thoughts back to the immediate issue at hand. That is, wrapping his arms around Dimitri's neck to keep himself steady. Does he feel any tension in the other man's arms? No, not even a bit. To experience that himself is fascinating.]

And this isn't a bother to you at all?

[Fighting Dimitri may be easier than Linhardt thinks. He was mad, a raging beast with no regard for himself or others, and he was a terrifying sight to behold on the battlefield. Even when he was younger, seeing just a glimpse of his monstrous nature was enough to make his best friend shun him for years — Felix still keeps him at a distance, even now.

Dimitri doesn't blame him.

The added weight is no bother to him at all, and as such, it doesn't even occur to him that Linhardt is asking if it's bothering him physically.]

Truly, it is no bother. Someone like myself has limited utility in a situation like this, and I am more than happy to assist where I can.

[It will certainly all depend on whether or not they remember all of this when... or if... they return to their proper timelines and locations. There are far too many variables to know anything for certain.]

I meant whether or not carrying me was a burden. Even slightly?

[He just can't help but ask, even if he thinks he already knows the answer. And even if he's shivering in his soaking wet clothes. It isn't as if he's never been forced outside in bad weather for long periods of time before. The weather doesn't care whether an army is trying to march from one place to another.

So really, he is hardier than he looks.]

[Wait. Wait. Dimitri can be oblivious in certain situations, but he's smart enough to realize what's probably happening here. He purses his lips to suppress a smile, oddly amused by it. Briefly, he considers shifting Linhardt so that he's only holding him with one arm to poke fun at him for doing research under these circumstances, but he opts not to in the end.]

Oh, that. No, this much isn't a problem for me. If you were an injured horse, perhaps I would be having difficulty.

[Has he lifted a horse? He's not going to say.]

A horse?

[Well, that would certainly be impressive! Maybe they'll have a chance to test that out sometime.

Not anytime soon, of course. As much as he'd like to research Dimitri all at once, this is going to take time. He'll take opportunities as they come to him, like this one today.]

Well, I am glad I'm not a horse. Not when this place is such a disaster.

[At least they'll be out of the rain soon. Warming up by the fire really does sound good right now.]

[Oh dear, they're at the hall, no time to talk about lifting horses! Dimitri nudges the door open, setting Linhardt down just inside. He's not going to slog mud over by the hearth where he's swept, so he wants to remove his boots and socks at the door. As he's wearing only one layer of clothing (pants and a shirt), he squeezes out a little water while they're still on his body before he goes to put some logs on the embers.]

If you would like to dry your clothing, I do not mind if you cover yourself with my cloak while everything is hanging up, [he says, gesturing to where his cloak, armor, and gauntlets sit.]

[Once he's back on his feet, Linhardt follows Dimitri's example and pulls off his shoes and socks. The rest of his clothing is drenched and a bit muddy from lying on the ground in the puddle.

With a heavy sigh, he also squeezes some water out of his outfit before stepping barefoot by the hearth.]

I suppose I must.

[He can't keep all of this on in this state or he'll definitely end up sick. So Linhardt works off his outer garments one by one, hanging them up while trying to wipe off some of the mud. The rest follows shortly after, though for propriety's sake he does keep his underwear on.

His eyes wander over to Dimitri's cloak. It does look warm...

Although he's a bit hesitant, Linhardt does eventually pick it up and put it on, holding it closed around himself. He must look ridiculous.]

Thank you. I'm very lucky you came along when you did.

[They're both men, but Dimitri will politely avert his eyes regardless until Linhardt has situated himself within that oversized cloak. It does look a bit silly, though not anywhere near as hilarious as it was on Edelgard. Ah, she's so small...]

Oh, it was my pleasure. I hope I will not injure myself badly enough to have to avail you of your services in healing, but whether I do or not, it is definitely in the best interests of all of us to keep you healthy. We need to look out for each other.

[Standing around topless isn't his idea of a good time, but it would seem hypocritical of him to not hang his shirt to dry when Linhardt undressed without hesitation, so Dimitri peels off his shirt and wrings it out.]

I know it looks ghastly, but these scars do not pain me now, so pay them no mind.

Yes, of course.

[Because there has been no fighting (that he knows of) thus far, it's been easy to forget that anything can change at any moment. He frowns at the thought of needing to use his healing abilities, keenly reminded of how the two of them would be trying to kill one another if they met in another time and place.

Linhardt looks over at Dimitri when he pulls off his shirt, frown only deepening at the sight of so many scars. He can't really ignore them even if he knows he should. There's so much about Dimitri and his circumstances that he doesn't know.]

Are you sure? I could try to do something if they did...

[Reminding himself that Linhardt is a healer, Dimitri takes a few steps closer, putting him within arm's reach.]

I am certain. Professor Manuela took a look — there is only so much that can be done for a wound that has healed badly, though. If you would like to look for yourself, though, I do not mind.

[Much. He does mind some, but it's better to have Linhardt study him upfront rather than constantly sneaking glances until his shirt is dry.]

I'm sure she was right, but nonetheless.

[He moves one hand out from beneath Dimitri's cloak and starts feeling around his chest, trying to get an idea of what injuries might be beneath his skin.

...No, these are definitely too far healed to be fixed unless they, uh. Injured him all over again, perhaps. But that isn't something he would be able to suggest, forget actually doing.

So after a bit, he drops his hand and sighs.]

I'm sorry. I don't think there's anything I can do either.

[The direct touch is ticklish, and Dimitri squirms a little beneath his fingers. Thankfully, Linhardt isn't as... handsy as Manuela, and he finishes his examination quickly, much to his relief. Dimitri sighs, parking himself close to the fire with his back facing it, hoping to dry the seat of his pants enough to be able to sit down.]

No need to apologize. As I said, they no longer pain me. I just did not want you to worry.

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