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. ]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's really weird.

[ wow. at least dimitri didn't have to fill in for another girl so his brother could learn how to lead his fiance properly, and now he has to avoid any dancing opportunity like the plague because he'd only end up embarrassing himself because he doesn't know how to dance.

good thing felix hates it anyways. ]

So you can't taste Gautier cheese, but you're fully capable of smelling Sylvain's socks.

[Ah, Felix. He doesn't mince words, does he? "It's really weird"... but that's better than pitying him, so Dimitri will take it. He huffs, slightly amused.]

That is the gist of it, yes. If something smells strongly enough, then it feels as if I can almost taste it, but...

[Dimitri shrugs.]

I still enjoy cheese for more than just its smell, though. The texture when it melts is nice.

Texture, huh..

[ he seems to think for a moment, eyebrows pinched in thought. ]

If that's the only thing that works for you, I could help with that.

[ yeah, he really just offered his help. ]

Felix...

[This isn't what he wanted. The concern truly is touching, and he's embarrassingly happy to have Felix openly treating him as a friend without the barbs, but he just wanted him to know not to waste good rations on him!]

I —

[Dimitri cuts himself off, reconsidering his words before he continues.]

It really is not necessary. Not right now, at least, when food is so limited. I only wanted you to know there was no need to worry about me on that front. If we can ease the supply issues, then perhaps... you can help me then.

[ is he being friendly? maybe. just don't point it out to him or he'll hiss and bite and scratch out the other eye too. ]

That works for me. You can have all the gross fish and mushy tomatoes and slimy..

[ he makes a dismissive gesture. clearly he has no idea whatever that slimy substance is that they serve for dinner most days. ]

Once I find a way to hunt and manage to get into the forest, I'll show you some interesting textures.

[Ah, sharing the meat, such a high honor! Having sweets pushed off on him is one thing, but Felix is essentially offering to share the foods he likes. Dimitri shakes off the melancholy and chuckles to himself, offering up a shy smile.]

Then I shall look forward to it.

Good.

[ he folds his arms in front of his chest, nodding to himself. yes. plans for the future sound good. it means that there is at least something to look forward to amidst all this uncertainty and weirdness.

he glances to the side. ]

You'll have to be dressed for that, though.

Provided I have clean, dry clothing at the time, I will endeavor to wear it.

[Felix is looking away, so Dimitri doesn't even bother to hide his amusement at this odd bout of bashfulness.]

Really, though, does it matter that much? I certainly prefer being dressed, but we have known each other long enough to do away with propriety. Goddess knows you don't stand on ceremony with me.

[It's all right, though. Dimitri doesn't mind the insults... mostly.]

[ wh-- he's not being bashful at all, he doesn't even know what that word means, he's only concerned for dimitri's safety-- wait. ]

Running around naked is impractical and foolish. But if you do want me to shoot you with an arrow because I take you for an animal, feel free to go naked.

[ h u f f s. stupid dimitri. ]

[His cloak is literally fur and his armor is black, which is far easier to mistake for a bear than bare human flesh! Dimitri bites back a laugh, reaching to feel if his shirt is dry yet.

Because he's only topless, he's not naked, goodness.]

I see. A boar would be an appealing target, considering our food situation. I will have to be cautious.

[It's dry enough, he'll pull his top back on.]

[ hey, topless is like half naked. be gentle with this emotionally constipated virgin. ]

Right? I doubt anyone would be mad at me for too long if I brought back a giant boar to feast on.

[ look, dimitri, he'd even share your meat with others.

since dimitri is pulling his shirt back on, felix begins to mess with his own hair so he can tie it back again. not like it's fully dry yet, but still. ]

[There's no way his hair is dry yet. Dimitri's been in here for longer and he has less hair and his still isn't completely dry. Which is exactly why Dimitri doesn't hesitate to swipe the hair tie before Felix finishes what he's doing.]

I'm confiscating this. It will increase my chances of survival if you are not delirious with fever.

Hey-- What do you think you're doing?!

[ his hair falls back in his face when he reaches out to try and snatch his hair tie back from dimitri. ]

Don't be ridiculous. I never get sick.

[ that's a lie and they both know it. sick felix is a nightmare. ]

[Alas, Felix did not grow a single inch since their academy days, and he was already small to begin with. Dimitri only needs to extend his arm straight up to keep that hair tie out of reach... provided Felix doesn't tackle him, but that's a risk he'll take.]

You do not get sick that often, but when you do, it is... difficult. Should you not do your best to avoid that?

[If he gets sick and goes crawling into Dimitri's bed and then refuses to look him in the eye for a month, Dimitri will be very upset!]

[ how childish!!! felix actually stands up on tiptoes to try and get his hair tie back, but he's still too short to reach it. even worse, the entire situation makes his face go red - from annoyance, obviously. ]

That's none of your business. I can handle a bit of rain.

[ and he totally isn't a bed crawler!! not anymore!! ]

[None of his business... Felix is right, he shouldn't be doing this. As far as he knows, there's only one Felix here, and Dimitri's dead from his point of view. Trying to take care of him like this will only make it hurt more. The playfulness fades somewhat from his expression. Dimitri purses his lips.]

Usually, you would be right. You are an adult, and I should allow you to look after yourself. However... food isn't the only thing in short supply, here. We lack medicine, as well. Please, be careful.

[ felix notices that something changes, though he can't quite tell why that is. his arm still hovers in the air, trying to grab his hair tie, but some of the tension disappears. a frown creases his forehead as he stares up at dimitri. ]

Don't be ridiculous. It's not like I ever got seriously ill.

[ he huffs before he turns around. good job, dimitri, you made it awkward. ]

You're too young to talk about dying.

...what?

[Dimitri's arm lowers at that. How can he say that when Dimitri was very clearly not too young to die? There's something strange afoot here, and he's afraid of hurting Felix more by trying to find out what it is. In the end, he keeps his mouth shut, clearly perplexed.]

[ there really is something strange going on. felix stares up at dimitri, eyebrows drawn together in thought. could it be.. ]

Listen. I know I've said some.. things to you in the past, but I never really.. [ he makes some vague hand gestures, ] ..really wanted you to.. well. Die. Especially with the war and all that. I'm.. I'm just glad you are alive and we got through it together.

[ phew. that was difficult to get out. maybe this will make dimitri feel better too. ~~haha.~~ ]

You... I lived? I mean, of course, I am alive, but I lived past the end of the war?

[This is actually a massive relief to hear. Dimitri runs a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. So many people seem to think that he's dead that he'd started to wonder... but the relief is short-lived, replaced by confusion.]

You said before that you "let me die". That you put flowers on my grave. Do you not recall that?

[He cried. It was far too vivid to be something Dimitri's just imagining, and the pain of even just seeing it has it seared into his memory.]

[ here felix thought everything would go back to normal, especially what with how much effort it took him to utter an apology. apparently he was wrong. ]

Of course you did. Why wouldn't you?

[ he narrows his eyes at dimitri. ]

I definitely never said or did any of those things. [ he grimaces. ] Unless you mean putting flowers on my father's grave. That I did.

[That is a very familiar look, those eyes narrowing. It puts him on the defensive immediately. Dimitri lifts his hands, shaking his head.]

I have no intention of dying! However, many people I have spoken here seem to think that I have died. Most of them, even. I suppose that is just a product of there being multiple timelines interwoven —

[Which brings another idea to mind entirely.]

— is it possible that there are two of you here?

[ for a long moment, felix can't do anything but stare. then, slowly, he turns around and moves to lower himself on the nearby bench. ]

I think I need to sit down for a bit.

[ he's already sitting..

a hand comes up to pinch the bridge of his nose, like he's getting a headache. ]

That explains some.. things.

[Dimitri is right there with him. To be fair, his headache is constant, but the bad weather and attempting to discuss a topic he can just barely wrap his mind around does nothing to help it. He sits on that bench as well, though he gives Felix a respectable amount of space.

"Respectable" being "just a little longer than Felix's arms", of course. Just in case.]

You have experienced some discrepancies as well?

Let's just say people are disturbed when I'm friendly. [ he makes a face. ] I'm always friendly.

[ is he being serious? it's hard to tell. then, as though merely commenting on the weather, ]

I think I met your 17 year old self earlier but I thought I hallucinated that.