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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[ The last thing that she recalls . . .

Well, it's complicated. ]

I had been trapped in a dark place with that professor of yours. We made a decision to be as one, so as to allow ourselves to escape such a predicament.

[ It's not a lie, but the reality of it is much more complicated. Before that? Their professor had been chasing after Kronya, for revenge. But who had been at their side? It's strange, how she recalls Dimitri there, standing tall, supportive. And then again, hadn't it been the boy, the clever one? Always talking his way in and out of things, there to help. But what about Edelgard? That flash of silver hair — surely she'd been there as well.

And yet, it would have been impossible for all three of the little ones to be there at once. That much she knows.

Never mind the fact that she envisions that one in two different forms. What does it mean? And why?

Questions that cannot be answered yet, certainly not by the little ones. Best to keep them to herself for now. ]

As you were much smaller then, I would imagine that is in your past.

As one... that must be why you remind me of them. I thank you for lending them your assistance —

[Wait. Rhea said that the professor had been blessed by the goddess. A spirit of indeterminate age bearing the name "Sothis" is not necessarily THE Sothis, but with confirmation of the connection to the goddess by the archbishop...

Oh no. Oh no.

Dimitri's back straightens, held so stiff and rigid that it's a wonder it doesn't snap. He bows deeply, flushing.]

I apologize for my behavior. I was not... entirely certain of your identity, but if you are the one who helped the professor escape, then you really are — ah, but if you prefer to have people acting casually around you, then I will of course continue to do so.

[ Sothis immediately waves a hand dismissively in his direction, practically rolling her eyes. ]

Please, do not— must you all be so—

[ Words fail her.

She lifts a hand to her forehead, sighing with a sort of tired exasperation. Humans. They'd perplexed her even before any of her memories had returned to her; even now, they were confusing in a sort of tiresome way. After a moment to collect herself, Sothis draws herself up, looking over at him. ]

Yes, I am Sothis. But I am not Sothis. Do you understand what that means?

[ She eyes him flatly for a moment, trying to answer that question herself.

. . . no. No, he probably doesn't. ]

One that has died cannot return in such a manner. Things cannot simply go back to the way they were, for the sun has set on my time. The "will" of the goddess is now carried by another, while I am a spirit of time since past.

You died?

[Questions immediately flood his mind. When? Is that why she never answered his prayers, no matter how fervently he prayed? What does she mean, another carries the will of the goddess —]

The professor...

[Dimitri takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly to calm himself. No, he doesn't entirely understand what she means, but it isn't entirely beyond him.]

...very well. I am sorry for the outburst. I know well how uncomfortable it can be to have people insist on paying deference to the king when I would prefer for them to see me as "Dimitri". If your will is being carried by another, then I will treat you as —

[Give him a moment, this is a lifetime of taboo to try and overcome here —]

As "Sothis". Nothing more, and nothing less.

[Which is not to say he will be disrespectful, because an entity that has existed as long as she has wisdom and experience that should be acknowledged!]

If I could say more, I would. I am afraid my memories are still quite hazy . . . and then the paths are ever entwining as well.

[ She settles back in, appearing to perch herself on a chair nearby, feet dangling and waving back and forth with ease. ]

I would imagine your professor would know more. [ a beat. she smiles, almost teasing. ] And I would imagine they feel the same as I do about such reverence.

[ Respect is good. She appreciates the respect, the politeness, and all of it; she practically demands it, really. But reverence is something else entirely and as the fog around everything still lingers, it all doesn't sit quite right with her. ]

They would, [Dimitri agrees with a fond smile.

But something else she said caught his attention. Dimitri removes his eyepatch to hang it as well (no point hiding his scars from the goddess), straightening his hair a bit with his fingers before he continues:]

When you say the paths are entwining, though... do you mean the way that everyone here has different memories? Are you able to recall different versions of events? I feel as if you know me, but I know that it is possible for the professor to have chosen to lead another house... at what point do all those paths diverge?

I cannot say.

[ Yes and no; it's complicated, even for her. And therefore, most certainly for them. ]

But . . . yes, I feel as if I know you. And then, I know her as well. And that boy, the clever one — him as well.

[That makes for at least three timelines. Are there more? And, most importantly...]

...I shall not press you on these topics too much. I doubt that I would fully comprehend them, anyway. Still, I — is there any version of events you know of in which we do not end up at war with each other?

[He wants to believe that it's possible. Even if it doesn't happen in his own timeline, he wants to believe that somewhere, somehow, things didn't have to end up like this.]

Perhaps that question is better asked amongst yourselves.

[ She doesn't know. But what she does know is that the three of them are pivotal to Fodlan in some manner. Surely if there was a way to avoid war, it would involve the three of them. ]

[There's a flash of frustration, perhaps even anger — but Dimitri schools it quickly. Even if she does know the answer, it's possible that there's a reason she can't tell him. Still, what would be the harm in just saying if it's even possible or not?]

...it is a question I plan to ask when this spell is broken. Here, though, Edelgard and I have decided to put those events aside in the interest of not causing friction when we are all packed into such a small space.

Hmm. A wise decision, I suppose.

[ "Needless friction" . . . well, that's one way of putting it. Isn't that human nature?

Still, she hums, nodding to herself. ]

If a suitable mediator were to appear, then perhaps — but otherwise, it would only cause trouble. Talking out our differences when we do not even remember the same events is difficult at best, and disastrous at worst. I would like to hear Claude's opinion, yet I fear if I were to speak with him about it at length, Edelgard might feel as if we were planning to join forces against her. She feels very alone, here.

[Even if it's a problem she created for herself and a direct result of her own actions, he isn't able to take any pleasure in it the way he once might have. Especially not after seeing her sequester herself away from the others, shivering, not wanting to make things harder on the rest of the people here from the Empire. Dimitri stares into the fire, falling quiet.]

A suitable mediator . . . yes, that would be a problem.

[ Based on what she knows, Sothis can't think of one either. Certainly no one from the monastery; even Byleth would be no good potentially, depending on what they remember. ]

So one of the many problems is that there is no one to potentially look out for Edelgard's interests?

That is one problem, yes. Her retainer is here, of course, but she does not want to make things difficult for Linhardt or Bernadetta. Neither one of them has ever been particularly fond of combat. Even then, we outnumber her by far.

[Even the fact that he's thought all this out proves that she's right to be concerned. Their truce is a fragile thing, built only by the two of them agreeing that fighting here wouldn't solve their problems. Edelgard surely still intends to fight him once she's free, and though Dimitri doesn't want to slay her when he returns to his own time, he will if he must.]

[ Edelgard. Admittedly, she was the one she knew the least about out of the three, mostly due to her guarded nature back then. And yet, as much as Sothis claims to be detached from Byleth's little ones, she cannot help but feel drawn to them — even the emperor who cast an imposing figure, appearing strong-willed amongst the masses.

Sothis closes her eyes for a moment in consideration—

I desperately prayed to a goddess that shared your name. Time and time again I'd ask for salvation or death, but in the end neither came.

— and after a moment, she sighs and rubs at the back of her neck idly. ]

Then I shall do as much for her. [ a beat. ] You revere my name, do you not? Then, out of respect for what I once was, you would not go against me and conspire with the sly one.

[ She lowers her hand, shrugging her shoulders. ]

Of course, I doubt Edelgard herself would accept such an offer.

[Dimitri's eye widens with surprise. He's so taken aback that he doesn't even think to protest that he wouldn't use such underhanded methods to begin with. He only worried that Edelgard would fear that he was plotting against her. To have Sothis herself (even if she is dead or retired or however she views it) offer to look after Edelgard so that they might be able to find a way to resolve their differences is more than he ever could have hoped for.

If she had been able to, would Sothis have answered all those prayers?

He clears his throat, not wanting to embarrass himself by speaking around the lump that formed there.]

She might not, it is true. I fear that she will not accept my hand when I extend it for her, either. But if you are amenable, I will try to speak with her about it should she feel hesitant accepting your offer. That you would make it to begin with... means a lot.

I merely wish to bring an end to this foolishness. Surely there are better things for the three of you to be doing with your time? If that means that I must act, then so be it.

[ Sothis huffs lightly at that. ]

[~~The goddess is a tsundere, tsunderes confirmed for Best.~~

Somehow, that reminds him of Felix. It's honestly charming, and before he can stop himself, Dimitri ends up giggling.]

Oh — oh no, my apologies, this is a serious matter, I should not —

[Nope, he can't stop.]

[ wh— how dare. how dare. ]

Is this really the time for that?

I am sorry, truly! I mean no disrespect, it is just...

[He takes a deep breath to calm himself.]

You reminded me very much of a dear friend of mine. He often acts aloof, but he cares deeply about those around him. His words are caustic, but he is very kind.

["And so are you" goes unsaid, but Dimitri's shy smile really says it all.]

Thank you for caring about us, Sothis. I am sure we have caused you no small amount of grief, but it means the world that you would help us still.

"No small amount of grief" is quite the understatement, you realize.

[ She sighs again, pinching at the bridge of her nose. These little delinquents — forever causing her trouble, it seems. ]

That it is, but the sentiment remains.

[Smiling softly to himself, Dimitri turns back to the fire, squeezing as much water out of his pants without removing them as he can.]

Hmm. Indeed.

[ And with that, she'll flit back off to her corner, settling in quietly as she has before. Because, well, these kids. They're exhausting. ]

[Dimitri, bless his heart, will not push her further. Simply knowing that she cares and that the stories of the loving goddess he was raised on may have some truth to them after all is more than he could have hoped for. It doesn't erase the tears shed over unanswered prayers, but it does ease the lingering pain of that broken faith. He's content to let her hover in silence.]

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