garregmach | (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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( Dimitri's eyes never left the man's face. His thoughts returned to his encounter with Felix, being told briefly of his older self. And after a few long seconds, he was certain that was who stood before him.

The man he would become. Nothing like what he had hoped to be. He could see every bit of darkness hiding under that expression, and for a brief second, he told himself he could feel the ferocity in the other man. In himself. Without even needing to ask, he was sure this man with a missing eye and messy hair had become every bit of the wild beast Felix had accused him of being. This was the beast he would become. The very thing he told himself day in and day out he could never become if he wanted to ascend the throne and serve his people in such a way that would make his father and Rodrigue proud.

The rain finally pelted against a spot on the fallen wall to break through, causing a trickle of water to land atop the blond hair. The sudden coolness after being mostly shielded by what he had been carrying jolted him out of his thoughts, and he blinked as if coming back to himself. )

I do. ( He confirmed with a nod, brows furrowing. ) I can see it — ( that darkness, the monster lurking and waiting for the right moment to emerge ) — in your eyes. ( This Dimitri still had that expression, the one of a man hiding from an inescapable truth. )

If we hurry, the horses will stay mostly dry. ( Dimitri blinked again, and his expression transitioned smoothly to a small smile with practiced ease as if his thoughts he hadn't just come to the realization of what he truly was inside or out. They had both come here for the horses, after all.

Adjusting his hold on the fallen panel and tipping his head slightly out of the way of the insistent trickle, he shifted his feet as if to move forward. )

Shall we?

[His pupil constricts to a tiny pinprick upon hearing that, defensive despite knowing there's nothing he can hide from himself. They both already know exactly what's hidden beneath the surface, and that awareness is like having his lungs filled with smoke, making it hard to breathe and harder still to keep his cool.

But he doesn't give in, of course. His expression shifts to something sorrowful as he realizes what this younger version of himself must have figured out if he knows who stands before him. This is the last thing he wanted, the thing he tried so hard to fight against. Dimitri finds himself wanting to apologize for what he's become, but he also wants to scream at him, to beat some sense into him and get him to expel some of the poison he holds inside before it's too late.

Who knows? It might already be too late for him.]

Of course, [he replies, mirroring that polite smile that doesn't reach the eyes. Best to tend to the horses before they catch a chill. Dimitri falls into step with his younger self, making his way over to their destination.]

I have grown taller, so allow me to hoist it up while you get another piece.

( Ah, there it was. The flicker of defensiveness that said he'd heard something he hadn't wanted to. Dimitri wondered what might be going through his older self's mind, if being exposed in such a way made him angry or something else. In all the years separating him from becoming this man, had he thrived on the darkness inside of himself or something else? The former seemed like the most likely the more Dimitri thought about it.

But instead of asking questions he can feel burning on the tip of his tongue, he only nodded. He recognized that smile for what it was. Polite but guarded. Obligated, even. )

That would be best.

( Dimitri nodded, allowing his older self to take the full weight of the piece once they'd reached their destination. He was quick to make his way back over to the other pieces, shifting about other debris before hoisting it up carefully to carry it back to his companion. As he approached, more questions swirled in his mind. Some much more harmless than others. )

Have you broken any sewing needles recently? ( He called curiously to his older self. And in those words, there was a gentle teasing alongside his curiosity.

If they were to work together, a lighter mood would be preferred. )

[If nothing else, it is nice to not have to worry about burdening someone else. Working with himself alleviates those issues. Not only does he know exactly what he's capable of, he knows that he truly won't mind working like this in the rain in order to shelter the horses. Since there's little he can do about it, Dimitri pushes the darker thoughts out of his mind, and he looks more genial by the time he answers. It seems they have the same idea yet again. Perhaps he hasn't changed as much as he would like to think...]

I have not. Mercedes was extremely helpful on that matter — that, and it has become easier to gauge my strength now that I am no longer growing.

[The way he continued to get stronger as he grew really made it hard to fully seize control of his strength, but it has been a few years since he experienced a drastic shift on that front. Dimitri pauses his work to soothe one of the horses startled by the clattering their makeshift construction is causing, lightly patting its neck before he returns to his task.]

Is she teaching you now?

( There had been a change in his older self's expression, and he realized he was grateful to hear a response in a tone that held no anger, no resentment, nothing to indicate hostility or discomfort. If there had been, it would have made this whole ordeal... unpleasant. Neither of them would give up on their desire to aid the horses, and they would have been forced to endure one another's discomfort if something had gone sour between them in those earlier moments.

He managed another smile as he listened and moved back towards the freshly erected wall. His older self had taken the time to comfort an animal in distress, and that he hoped meant there was still something honorable in him even years later. )

She is. It has been... a difficult process, as you know. ( Though it was reassuring to know he would manage to control his strength eventually, even if it might not be now or anytime in the immediate future. )

There have been concerns I would never learn to do so. ( From himself and others, but surely his older self knew that.

Shifting the panel, he offered it out to the other. )

[Up it goes! The horses still seem a little unsure about all of this, but they're smart creatures, and it's clear that neither version of Dimitri has any ill intent toward them now that they aren't winding each other up.]

You will get the hang of it. ...though not for a few years yet, most likely.

[It's not something he can say definitively since they may be from another timeline (and honestly, he hopes for his younger self that he's from a better one), but at the very least he doubts he'll completely get a handle on it until he's fully grown. Such is their curse, though it certainly comes in handy in situations like this one. Being able to lift and move such large debris means they're quickly making a decent shelter for the horses. It's satisfying, being able to fix something instead of breaking it, especially when it directly benefits someone other than himself (or something, in this case).

Really, there's not that much left to do. So he might as well get on with it, even if he's afraid of the answer he might get to the question he needs to ask.]

What month was it before you ended up here?