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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I cannot think of a reason I would ever become angry with you.

[Angry for her, on the other hand... that is another matter entirely, and he cannot promise that it won't happen. Dimitri curls his fingers inward a bit more — it's meant to be a squeeze, but he's afraid of snapping those little fingers if he genuinely squeezes. He draws back afterward, picking up the shirt again and placing it in her hand instead.

He still hasn't noticed the spot on the collar where he ripped it from trying to yank it on too hard.]

Now, here. It is warm and dry enough that your own clothing should be serviceable within the hour. Until then, please wear this.

I thought you might say something like that. It's why I said "around" me.

[She blinks at the shirt in her hand, a bit befuddled, before some of what he was saying actually sinks in.]

O-Oh. Thanks, Dimitri.

[The blanket bundle makes a brief return as she retreats underneath it once more, and then there's a... long pause.]

................um. Dimitri?

[Oh, she called him by name... twice! She also called him out, but he is choosing to ignore that because he does not like to make promises he can't keep. Better to focus on having someone here that will both call him and friend and call him by his name, two things which should intersect far more often than they do, but alas, they do not. (At least there's Mercedes, she truly is an angel.)]

Hmm?

Can you hand me my thigh holster? It's laid out by my garters and socks.

[A single hand emerges from the rumpled quilt.]

I, um...

[How to put this gently?]

I need to do a little patching, or we'll just do this whole thing all over again.

[Frowning slightly, Dimitri gets up to retrieve the holster as requested. Only once he's handed it over does he bother saying anything.]

Here you are. ...but why? There should be nothing wrong with the shirt...

Ahaha...

[She doesn't actually answer him, as she takes her little sewing kit back.

A few minutes later, when she emerges in a shirt that might as well be a dress on her, the fresh tear at the collar has been patched shut with some of the golden thread she had squirreled away, in a quick but nice enough rendition of his Crest.

Edelgard had given them all information on possible hostile abilities they might face, but she likes putting it to a nicer use.]

[Initially, he's a little startled to see it. It's not like a rendition of the crest of Blaiddyd suddenly makes the shirt more modest (it's a high-necked shirt anyway), but as he examines it, he realized what happened.]

Was... there a tear?

Oh, uh... j-just a little one?

[It was easily a handspan long, actually, but... well, he's sensitive about this! She can spare his feelings. Or... try to, at least.]

All fixed, either way. When we have more supplies stocked up, I'll make you a new one, anyways.

[Dimitri scowls, but it's not in a truly angry way — if anything, it looks like he's just pouting. He's been so careful not to tear his clothes here, he knows there are no easy replacements! He folds his arms too, hugging himself.]

I see. Well, thank you for the repairs. I would ask that you focus on making clothing for the others first, though, especially those without appropriate winter wear. My clothing is adequate for the weather.

[If she were taller, she might be possessed by the insane urge . to pat his head consolingly.]

Well, yes, but you only have the one set.

[And he literally gave her the shirt off his back at the first sign of need. She has some concerns, now...

this may require some Black Eagle-tier cunning. The kind of political maneuvering and cutthroat acumen that would make Edelgard and Hubert proud.]

...you really wouldn't accept it? Even as a gift from a f-friend...? ...well, I-I guess if it's an imposition...

[Poor Dimitri, he has no defenses against that sort of thing. Save for Sylvain, his friends aren't really the manipulative type. He's easily pushed around by people he cares about, and that goes double when it's someone sensitive like Bernadetta. His eye widens as Dimitri shakes his head quickly.]

No, of course not! It is not an imposition, and I would... be happy to receive something from a friend, but I am not in need. Surely, it would be better for you to make something warm for yourself, or for Hilda or Flayn...

[Bernadetta isn't the naturally manipulative type, which is why she is giving him the biggest, most pathetic-looking Bambi eyes Fòdlan has ever seen. The guilt is already eating her alive...

He's such a nice man.]

I can do that too, but if you spend all your time worrying about us, then... then somebody ought to be worrying about you, too!

[And Bernadetta is a champion worrier.]

Edited (calm down spacebar, damn) 2019-10-03 23:15 (UTC)

I suppose there is some truth to that.

[Goddess have mercy, he can't even look at her. Dimitri stares off to the side, reddening. Though he has people to look out for him, Bernadetta says it so straightforwardly that he can't help but be embarrassed. Dimitri knows he has a tendency to overwork and not take care of himself, though, so she isn't wrong.]

...very well, then. I accept your offer. Truly, though, I do not need more warm clothing. When the weather warms up, I would appreciate something lighter. I get hot easily.

Edited 2019-10-04 00:19 (UTC)

[She heaves a silent sigh of relief, sagging forward. She... isn't certain just what she would have done if he said no.]

Then, at least let me get you some spares, for when you give other people your warm clothes.

[She touches her chin, hands completely swallowed up by his long sleeves.]

I wonder if any of the exercise clothes survived...

Oh, the exercise clothing would be ideal! There are surely spare uniforms somewhere as well, bandits would have little reason to steal them. I do not know where the faculty would have stored such things, unfortunately. This place has far too many secret nooks and crannies.

[Now that they are hopefully finished with hunkering on the floor, Dimitri stands, offering his hand down to Bernadetta.]

Shall we move to the chairs?

...oh, right. Thanks, Dimitri.

[She slips her hand into his, and quietly marvels at the disparity as she is easily righted, keeping the quilt bundled under her free arm.]

We could... probably share this, now.

["I'm not cold" sits on the tip of his tongue, but honestly, he would like to cover his torso a little bit.]

If you do not mind, [he says, flushing slightly. Sharing blankets with a friend...! He hasn't done that for a decade now, all tucked into a bundle with Felix. Ingrid as well, before she got old enough for it to seem improper, and even Sylvain and times, but Felix was always the one that wanted to cling to his side.

Dimitri pulls two of the chairs close together and sits down in one of them, allowing Bernadetta to arrange the quilt as she pleases.]

[When she was small—when she had her uncle, and her secret friend—blanket forts had been a favored pastime. They made her feel safe, and snug, and eventually that grew to envelop her room entirely. She drapes the covers over his shoulders first, then settles herself down.

All but nestled into his side, she feels very small once more.

She feels safe, as she draws her knees to her chest and wraps the other end of the quilt over her own shoulder.

Tentatively, she glances up and offers him a small, self-conscious smile.]

There. It's... it's only fair that we both get to enjoy what we worked on making, right?

[Putting his arm around her seems like a bit much, but he's happy to rest it on the back of her chair. His legs are too long to tuck them up in the same way Bernadetta has, but as he said, he doesn't get cold easily and his legs are covered. Having this cover his shoulders and chest is enough. It's cozy — relaxing, even. It always was easier for him to calm down when he was close to someone, and with the fire crackling and the sound of rain outside (not to mention the fact that he still barely sleeps), it's no surprise that he feels himself getting sleepy pretty fast.]

Mm-hmm.

[Like this, the fire doesn't seem so scary. She's not alone, now; not the last one left, cut off or abandoned or already assumed to be dead or... whatever Edelgard's belief had been. She's not alone, and she's warm, and safe, and dry, and...

Well, she hasn't been sleeping very well herself.

So, it's no surprised when she nods off, gently sagging into his open side.]

[This is not exactly the most private place for a nap, and with Dimitri half-naked and Bernadetta only in his oversized shirt he is certainly worried that she might be subject to some unwanted teasing if anyone catches them... but he can't really afford to not steal a little sleep when he has the chance to, and when she falls over against him he just lets his head drop to his shoulder and decides that it's not that big of a deal.]

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