garregmach | (no subject)

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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

[ The vision of the memory may fade, but Felix remains transfixed with dull horror where he stands. He swallows harshly, throat bone dry. Though he’d heard rumors about Count Varley – hushed whispers spoken behind hands as classmates gossiped – he doubts anyone could have predicted the extent of the man’s cruelty. Felix may be no stranger to a father’s delusional expectations, but this memory makes his childhood seem a veritable paradise of love and acceptance. Sick with a quiet rage that simmers just below boiling, he reigns in his temper before Bernadetta mistakes its source and target. ]

Bernadetta, [ he begins as gently as he can, not approaching her just yet. ] You’re okay now. He’s not here.

[ And if he were, Felix knows he’d be in line to take the man’s head clean off his shoulders. ]

........

[Her jaw is clenched shut, and her breath comes in shallow little pants. She has—told people about this, before. She has been comforted, been assured that her father was the wrong one, not her.

But... she's never felt like this before, helpless and scared and humiliated to have one of those many, many sessions actually . witnessed.]

I—that... it, it was, um...

[ Well, at least she’s speaking – fumbled and halted though it may be. That’s a start. Drawing closer, he peers down at her in vague alarm. Comforting others has never been a skill he possesses. But Bernadetta is…was a friend, once. He can make an effort, for her sake. ]

You don’t have to talk about it, if you don’t want.

[ A beat. ]

But if you do…I’m listening.

I—that is, it's—he's... he can't touch me now. So it's...

[Finding the right words is a task and a half on a normal day. Now? It feels all but impossible.

Still, she tries.]

It's... not fine. But i-it's... it's over, right? B-besides, nobody wants a ghost bride. I won't be getting sold off any time soon.

[That was a horrible excuse for a joke, but she's upset and embarrassed and fumbling and can't even keep straight which Felix does or doesn't know she... fell, before ending up here. She's too out of sorts to realize she has a third Felix to factor into the equation, now.]

[ The “ghost bride” comment throws him off, but Felix distractedly reasons it has something to do with her fondness for hiding away behind closed doors where the world doesn’t know she exists. ]

Bernadetta. [ The name is spoken in an even, albeit firm tone. ] It’s over. No one can force you to do anything you don’t want. If they try to? Use what you’ve learned at the Officers Academy. And if you don’t want to do that, call on me.

[ He’ll gladly wet his blades in the blood of her would-be suitors. Anyone who would take a bride by force is scum deserving death, in his book. ]

...it's okay, Felix. Really.

[She musters up a smile for him, weak but sincere.]

It's... it's over. And nobody here wants to make me do anything, right? ...right?

[Tell her she's right, before new worries sprout, quick.]

Right.

[ Though the reassurance comes easily, a smile in return does not – Felix is still too wound up from what he just witnessed to manage one. ]

I could teach you brawling basics. No one here wants to make you do anything, but if you knew how to handle yourself in that kind of situation, you might feel more comfortable.

I-I've, um, never tried that before.

[She tugs at a lock of hair, mind reeling at the sudden—or not so sudden—offer, and the implications of it.]

I'm, I'm good at breaking grapples? And... and I know a bit of dancing. Is... is brawling anything like that...?

In a sense, yes.

[ Felix studies her. It feels like a lifetime ago, when he tried to return her satchel and she pulled that lightning-fast move on him. Bernadetta has potential. ]

Alright, it’s settled. I’ll teach you. Let’s go to the training grounds. This will be easier there.

[ RIP Bernie. ]

Wait—wait, you mean... right now?

[Felix isn't one to waste time but this is a whole new level...]

What, are you otherwise engaged?

[ With a huff, he walks by her in the direction of the training grounds. ]

I’m going. Make up your mind.

[ Unfortunately, this is how Felix shows that he cares. If he can’t be there to protect her, he can help her protect herself. ]

I—uh—n-no...?

[She scuttles after him, not thinking particularly hard about this just yet...]

Good.

[ He gives her an approving nod, then continues walking. If any fireflies stray too close, he’ll whack them away with his sword scabbard. ]

I didn’t realize that you were here, [ he remarks casually. ] How long have you been in this place?

[ Despite a vague curiosity, he doesn’t ask what timeline she’s from; there’s too much potential to open up unknown wounds that way. ]

[She catches up with him, then stops dead so she can just... gape at him in shock.]

...Goddess have mercy, there's a third one.

Urgh. [ This is a sore spot. ] Yes. I am the third.

[ It’s a conversation he’s had to have several times now, and each subsequent time just whittles his patience away more and more. The idea that there are multiple versions of himself – both who have apparently made different choices than him – picks at the frayed threads of his insecurities. Is he forever doomed to be a stand-in for someone better? ]

If you have trouble telling us apart, just…ask.

Um, I... made a charm, for one of you. For, um, his ponytail.

[She can make another? M-Maybe that will work...]

...I already have your measurements, so I'll make another set of extra clothes, later on.

[ Felix is not typically prone to self-loathing, and yet…he hates the counterpart who got a handmade charm, just a little. ]

Don’t waste our resources on me.

[ And he unsheathes a sword. After a moment of deliberation, he reaches behind himself to cut off the ponytail. His freed hair spills into his face, immediately irritating him. ]

There.

[That same Felix had to be tearfully dissuaded from having a dramatic bridgetop fight with the other Felix, so.

It may be mutual?

But forget about that because Bernadetta has something new and exciting to freak out about, namely—]

Y-You—! You just... your hair! Why?!

Because I’m tired of being mistaken for someone I’m not.

[ The sword is sheathed once more. He stares at the ponytail of hair in his hand, then tosses it aside to the ground. ]

Hair will grow back. It’s fine.

[ In truth, his heart is pounding as if he’s fought a battle. Though he’s dismissing the action as inconsequential, it feels monumental to him. ]

A-At least... maybe... let me even out the edges for you?

[One hand raises as if to smooth the ends, before her fingers flinch back uncertainly . halfway in between.]

I don't... I'm... I'm not in your situation. So, I... I can't say if that was something . you should or shouldn't have done, but, um, I'm... I'm sorry if I made you feel like you had to do it.

[ The entrance to the training grounds looms in the distance; Felix eyes it longingly before turning away with a sigh. ]

Don’t misunderstand. This was my decision. You have nothing to worry about.

[ That said, he does appreciate the sentiment. Bernadetta is a good person. ]

We’ll take a quick detour to fix my hair. Then you’ll learn how to brawl. Deal?

[She's not sure she believes she didn't play a part in this, but...]

...deal. Just, uh... maybe leave the sword off, while we're doing that.

Alright.

[ Honestly, he’s grateful that she volunteered to do this; his hair is already infuriating him. If one more strand gets in his mouth…! ]

Where are we doing this?

Um, my room? A bench? Wherever you want to do it should be fine, I think.

[Pray there are no Black Eagles walking by at the worst possible moment, F3lix.]

Your room, [ comes the quick reply. ] Lead the way.

[ Because he honestly cannot remember which room is hers. It’s not as if he ever visited her when they were younger. ]

a-ii

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