garregmach | (no subject)

A mist settles in over the monastery.

Is it morning? Night? Who can say? Today, the day feels endless. The sun is nowhere to be seen — or had it been at all? Instead, a curious green glow engulfs Garreg Mach, like an eternal twilight settling in. Time seems to be paused almost, though the wildlife in and around the area continues to act as though nothing is wrong. As though this is perfectly normal. As though it is natural for the skies to be dark, with not a single star in sight, and for the sun to be forgotten in the mist that lingers. The paths are at least lit by small orbs of light, fireflies flitting about.

However, should one come into contact with one of those fireflies, a memory of the past will be projected for all in the close vicinity to see. Joyous occasions, tragic events — they don't seem to discern one way or another. Perhaps it would be best to watch your step for now, though.

Of course, after lingering for about a day, the strange ambience will fade into what appears to be a normal night at Garreg Mach. It's as if nothing had happened at all. Did it? Or was it all simply a shared hallucination?

[ ● MEMSHARE POST. Coming into contact with the fireflies will share a memory of your character's with those around them. You can top-level with a memory to start out or have people tag you and determine it then, whatever. I don't make the rules (except I do and I say yolo). Have fun with it!
● Open posts like this one are flipping to a two week schedule instead of a weekly one.
● Because of the above, the last bit is there for people who'd maybe like to play out aftermath threads later on but don't want to wait for a new post or make a new one.
● Settings have been slightly updated. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Felix arranges the candles to rest in the crook of one tucked arm, leaving his dominant one free in case he needs to draw a sword; old habits die hard. With a frown, he considers Hilda closely before averting his gaze. ]

It’s fine.

[ Something is obviously upsetting her. Given the current state of the monastery, he can hazard a guess as to what brought this mood on. He’s not sure if he should push her to discuss things, however. Maybe, if it seems like she’s open to it… ]

Just tell me where you need these.

I was thinking of spreading them out? One or two at each table, maybe, since our regular lighting is . . .

[ Her voice trails off and she gestures at their surroundings. It's not great is what it is, really. ]

Right.

[ Suspicions somewhat confirmed, he places a candle down at an end of the nearest table. ]

Do you have a way to light them? I’m…not proficient with fire magic.

[ Hilda stares at him for a moment before producing a small tinderbox. ]

I have these.

[ fire magic on candles tho . . . felix please . . . ]

[ Listen, if it were possible to light a candle using swords, he would do it. ]

Do you want me to do that?

[ Felix doesn't want to make her feel useless, but he also doesn't want Hilda to accidentally burn herself if she's having trouble keeping steady. ]

I know...things are strange right now. You don't have to push yourself.

[ She sucks in a bit of air before giving him more of a smile. ]

Oh gosh, Felix, you'd really do that? For me?

[ Normally, she'd put her heart into it more and really turn on the charm to get someone to do her work for her but, well. He's already offered, so why bother? But she can at least go back to the act and give him a smile. ]

That's soooooo sweet of you!

Don’t pull that crap with me, [ he grouses, putting another candle down at the opposite end of the table. ] I grew up with Sylvain. So, do us both a favor and cut the act. It’s not cute.

[ There are plenty of people who would argue with him that it is, in fact, quite cute. Unfortunately, he’s a sour asshole. ]

Just be yourself.

Oh, should I just use you like Sylvain, then? That's what we decided in the end, anyway.

[ Of course, "using" in terms of just small chores and whatnot, but still. She's teasing, mostly. It's a distraction, if anything, and him being a sour asshole just makes her want to tease a bit more. ]

Use…? What the hell does that mean?

[ Felix is definitely perplexed by her meaning and – given Sylvain’s infamous proclivities – interprets the word in an entirely inappropriate manner. ]

Ugh. Forget it. I don’t want to know.

[ He totally fumbles the next candle. Guess who has butter fingers now? ]

[ Oh, does he have the wrong idea? Well, that's fine. Or rather, it's not fine for the "image" she puts on, but he wanted her to stop pulling the crap, didn't he? Be careful what you wish for and all that. ]

Wow, maybe I should be handling the lighting part.

Just do it instead of talking about it.

[ grumble grumble grumble

Then, as if just making conversation and not vaguely insulting someone: ]

You know, you’re kind of a brat.

[ Pot, kettle. ]

[ She doesn't seem offended by that assessment. She's been called a lot worse, frankly. ]

And you're not?

[ A blithe response as she leans in to light up the candle. ]

How am I a brat?

[ Thank fuck that Ingrid isn’t here to list all his flaws and failings. ]

Do you want the long list or the short?

[ She says with a smile and a hum. Strange, how her spirits are now somewhat lifted. ]

[ How has this happened to him, this was not what he expected when he first approached Hilda, fuck. ]

…Give me the short list.

[ With ease from the welcome distraction, Hilda passes over the tinderbox et all to let Felix take charge of all of that. ]

You're very standoffish, to start with. If someone says something that you maybe don't agree with, that person can always expect to get an earful from you about it.

[ Felix accepts the tinderbox distractedly, too busy frowning at Hilda to really notice the automatic action. ]

That’s fair, [ he replies, with the tone of someone who doesn’t really see the issue. So what? is the unspoken rejoinder. ] Go on.

[ Wait, where did this tinderbox come from. He stares at it, blinking, then glances at Hilda’s empty hand. Wow, this girl is good at getting people to do things for her. He’s reluctantly impressed. ]

[ She's already moved on, gesturing to where the next candle should go. ]

It doesn't give people a very positive impression of you. And maybe you don't care, and that's fine. I mean, I get it, right? People call me lazy all the time. But— [ and she spins on her heels at that, wagging a finger. ] — you're unapproachable to a lot of people. They totally get the wrong idea about you because of it.