garregmach | (no subject)

(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

Tell me this: does that man contribute anything positive to others? To his family?

...N... well, I want to say no.

[But...]

I... never heard anything about him as a politician o-or anything, though...? He... said matters like that didn't concern me.

[The literal Varley heir.]

Of course not. To him you weren't an heir. You were a tool to catch one. And politically? Well, I won't go into that unless you truly wish to hear it. After all you should have a choice, Bernadetta. A voice.

[Edelgard is not very... good at people. But she's been trying to improve. To melt some of her ice walls so that living here isn't unbearable. So she reaches out, and rests a hand on Bernie's shoulder.]

Y-Yeah, but... but, mine's not the only one that matters. That's... I don't want you to compromise your dream for my sake, Edelgard.

[Her tone wavers, but gradually strengthens.

She even manages to meet her eyes!]

I... I really, really like your dream, you know. Because—because the best people, the ones who can and want to do things... they'll do the most good. I... I don't know if there's a good side to my father. I'll... never know that. But I do know... I do know, he could have been so much better, in a lot of ways.

Bernadetta, please allow me to speak frankly with you. Continue to look into my eyes, even if they are so light and unsettling. I wish you to know I am speaking the truth as I know it.

[With her other hand Edelgard now takes hold of both shoulders making sure Bernadetta is faced in her direction completely. Unable to turn away.]

You are, without a doubt, one hundred times better than your father. You have shown loyalty where he would show cowardice. Bernadetta I am proud to call you one of my Black Eagles.

...

[Her throat clicks on a thick sob. Her shoulders hitch, and her vision swims, and hot tears drip over her cheeks.

But her head stays up.

Eventually, her voice returns, halting and hitching with each breath.]

Y... your e-eyes are pre-pretty...!

[It's all she can think to say, rocked as she is in the wake of such overwhelming, unavoidable approval.]

[Ah. Pretty, are they? Her pale eyes at times make people uneasy because some minds will just let her irises fade into her sclera. To have them called pretty by Bernadetta actually has her expression going soft. A little color coming to her cheeks as Edelgard's gloved hands rise to gently catch her tears brushing gently over her skin.]

Thank you. I am glad you think so. Also I am not very experienced in giving hugs, but if you need one I would give it to you.

I-It's okay. I don't get them very much, so I think I'll be fine.

[She... lifts her arms a little. Is this how you initiate one...?]

[Edelgard hesitates. What was she expecting? Bernadetta being too much of a coward to accept? Perhaps dying makes someone more bold...

Eventually she pulls the other young woman into a hug. Her arms curling around her with their chests flush so that Bernadetta can feel it when she gives that extra squeeze. The hug is... stiff, which is to be expected. But there is warmth in it. Edelgard is trying to put some heart into this action. Not doing so would be an insult to all that she has said to Bernadetta.

And all that Bernadetta has done for her.]

[Dying once has loosened some of Bernadetta's deeply inset hesitation, and the sudden trip down memory lane has also shaken her more than a little. But...

Well, this is Edelgard. Say what you will about how imposing she is, or how brutal she is on the battlefield, or how viciously she can cut a man down in conversation. But Bernadetta has always known that if Edelgard ever wanted to kill her, it would either be done by Hubert in the dead of night, or unerringly forthright by her own hand, from the front.

Bernadetta might not be sleeping at all, tonight, but here and now she goes loose and lax and hugs Edelgard back, the way her uncle used to do for her.]

[One hand rises to pet Bernadetta's hair for a short period. The hug actually lasts a little longer than Edelgard had intended it to, but eventually she lets her hands fall away to end the embrace.]

Always call upon me if you have a need, Bernadetta. I shall be there.

...thank you, Edelgard.

[For... for a lot, really. For choosing to find value in a recluse. For making that five year promise. For...

For erasing the image of her back, shrinking in the distance, a little bit more each day.

Bernadetta steps back, and clasps her hands together loosely.]

I'll remember that. I-I promise.

[Funny thing that she may truly be different than "other Edelgards" in that for some time she had the professor to rely on for comfort and support. A confidant and as such she had someone to help keep her heart from completely freezing over or turning to stone.

Outstretching one of her own hands, Edelgard makes an offer.] Will you join me for tea? I have some questions for you.

O-Okay. Sure. I've... I've got some nice Sweet-Apple Blend tucked away, if you like that?

[Does... Edelgard want to hold her hand too now?

She takes it, just in case.]

Oh, I would definitely partake with you.

[Edelgard accepts her hand, but not to hold it in the simple sense. Now, she holds Bernadetta's hand as if she has the honor of escorting her like a gentleman would a lady.]

O-Oh! I'll... get on that, then.

[Dimitri is, in Bernadetta's humble opinion, something right out of a fairytale, as princes go, but somehow Edelgard remains the uncontested most valiant person at this Monastery. She's not sure just why or how, but the facts don't lie.]

Then... should we go to the gazebo? For, uh... old time's sake? Or tradition, I suppose.

That would be lovely. Perhaps it's a bit dark out, but it should be enough to see what we are doing.

[She'll lead the way to the gazebo, then. After all having spent some time there with Sothis before she knows at least one table and set of chairs is serviceable.]

...do you... think it will snow?

[She ought to make more quilts...]

We should stock up on firewood, when the mist lets up. Just in case.

[As she contemplates Bernie's question Edelgard cants her head to the side.]

Dimitri had said it is still in the middle of winter, but spring is on the horizon. The possibility of snow cannot be ruled out, but I'm not sure how long we'll have to worry about that.

Oh, that's good. Um, we're pretty well stocked, but I'd rather not have to, uh, deal with snow caving in those roofs.

[They've done their best, but professional architects they most certainly are not.]

I would venture with you to gather some when the sun returns.

[When they arrive by the gazebo she sees the table and chairs to the side. She'll walk Bernadetta there, and...

Well she's not actually a man so she won't pull her chair out for her, but she'll at least pat the back of her hand gently before letting go and seating herself.]

[Bernadetta settles down, her posture...

Well, after that memory, Edelgard can probably practically see the invisible ropes dictating the set of her shoulders and the straight arch of her spine.

Bernadetta herself doesn't notice, after so long. It's either this or her cringing, frantic slouch.]

I'd like that. Thank you, Edelgard. Um... m-maybe we could ask Dimitri to pull a cart for us...?

[Is... is that too much?]

Why would we need him?

[Surprise is clear on her face. Were Bernadetta and Dimitri really that close of friends?]

He's... he's nice. And he likes to be helpful.

[He leant her the shirt off his back, once. After... a mortifying modesty malfunction, but still.

There is so much about her friendship with Dimitri that Edelgard will never hear from her mouth, because Edelgard will probably kill him.]

And if he helped, we could bring back a lot of wood...

[Edelgard would learn how to wrap her tiny child sized hands around that massive neck of his to choke every last breath of his out of him while he apologized until he turned blue.

But she'll probably never find out, so it's fine.]

I do suppose it would increase productivity.

[And maybe if she imagined him more like a workhorse than an intruder or an enemy that would help.]