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

Is that so?

[She looks at him side long. She's absolutely curious, but she doesn't want to seem malicious in her interest in regards to his embarrassment.]

[Well, look at that. It seems she's keen on a distraction after all. Luckily for Edelgard, Dimitri isn't so prideful that he can't laugh at past mistakes.]

Unfortunately. Right over there, actually — I was running a couple of drills and became startled by one of those visions. That poor training lance is kindling now... which would not have been so bad on its own, but Felix was right there to see it, and the memory itself was of me breaking a far more valuable weapon.

[He shakes his head, lifting his free hand to look at his palm.]

I was not punished, of course. Rodrigue — Felix's father — thought it was hilarious, seeing a nine-year-old snap a sword by swinging it. His elder brother teased me relentlessly for it the entire rest of the visit, though. I was not permitted to assist with the hunting, despite the fact that's why my father and I visited in the first place. He always loved taking trips up there for a fortnight during the Horsebow Moon to try and snag a bear before they went to hibernate.

Edited 2019-10-23 04:07 (UTC)

[...Interesting. His tale of events seem oddly familiar to her. As if she once heard a story about a boy breaking an important sword before. It's difficult to place, but maybe not because there's lack of context. Maybe she just doesn't want to accept it.

Because pieces of the puzzle are falling together. Hearing about his monstrous strength as a child coupled with the memory that played before her earlier today... It couldn't be. It must be coincidence. She'd have to look for more clues to confirm the suspicion, but it's their. And it begins to eat away at her as she sits in silence.

Sipping her tea.

And then finally:] Did he make fun of you for it?

Felix? No more than usual, but I am sure he would have had a few choice words if he knew how many people I accidentally showed his younger self to today. He was... adorable, there is just no other way to put it. Needless to say, he does not appreciate reminders.

[That's not going to stop Dimitri from leaning in slightly to say:]

He was actually quite the crybaby.

[Forgive him, Felix! Edelgard clearly needs the distraction.]

Oh.

[That "oh" has an odd bit of clarity to it. Like someone who just had a small mystery answered for them. It makes sense, she thinks. That someone who would cry a lot as a child would be somewhat aware of how to comfort someone else while they cry.]

You are quite fond of him. It shows.

[After all there is warmth in his voice, and an affectionate expression trying to make its way to his face.]

[That it shows is something a proper noble would probably be embarrassed about, but Dimitri only smiles wider, letting it shine right through without a trace of shame.]

I am. He is one of my oldest, most cherished friends. Our circumstances and relationship may change, but he will always be very dear to me.

[Even if Felix insists on insulting him, pushing him away, or flouncing altogether.]

[Goodness, he's just too intense, isn't he? Intensely earnest and sincere. What had happened to him, she wonders. What brought about this... liveliness? He seemed much more emotionally detached and distanced the last she saw him at the academy.

This deep state of caring reminds her again of that small boy, but also a little of how Felix had reached out to her when he didn't have to. She must think again: are all men from the Kingdom like this?]

It must hurt you having to give him such distance.

[Otherwise why would he be doing drills here and not at the training grounds?]

[It does hurt, but Dimitri has more than just that reason to keep a little distance between them these days. His smile fades as he looks away again, watching the fire.]

It is preferable to hurting him.

If you like I can look after him for you. I would share my time with him regardless, but more than that...

[To protect him. Or give Dimitri updates. Or... Maybe Edelgard is looking for an external excuse to care.]

[How unexpectedly sweet. Sweet in that way that Edelgard and Felix both are: gentle, but afraid of having that perceived weakness exploited.]

You need not do it for my sake. He would find such a thing to be deeply unsettling. That being said, I am glad the two of you are getting along. You do not like to sit idle, do you? He does not, either. Having someone to let off a little steam with is beneficial for both of you.

[That isn't all there is to it, of course, but it's likely all she'll acknowledge.]

You need such a partner too, do you not? After all just running drills cannot be satisfying. There are some iron weapons at the training grounds now that people have collected what had been left at the market.

[And here she is. Offering her time and energy to an enemy. Though should she truly think of him as that in this place? When they are returned... will they remember?]

There is still enough to do around here that I will be able to occupy myself, but if you are offering, I will not deny that I am interested. That was an unfortunate moment for the match to be interrupted.

[It was just about to turn in his favor! ...probably. No, it definitely was unless Edelgard decided to start countering with magic.]

I think I will have to pass on using the weapons, though. If we end up needing them for hunting or any other purpose, I would feel terrible for breaking them.

No weapons? Sounds like you are giving yourself the advantage from the start.

[She hasn't forgotten how he yanked her around so easy. Or how he said he snapped the lance.

...Or the fact he could possibly be the same boy that RIPPED OPEN IRON BARS WHEN THEY WERE CHILDREN.]

[Exactly, iron bars! Like the iron weapons!]

I suppose that would give me the advantage.

[He hums thoughtfully.]

Well then, you can use an axe or a lance if you like. The blades can be separated from the weapon as a whole without permanently ruining them. It would be best to avoid swords, though.

I suppose that would level the field. I am agreeable to those terms.

[Edelgard sits up a little straighter. Hunching over less now that she feels... more in balance.]

Edited 2019-10-27 02:12 (UTC)

We still should not use the training grounds, though. There is a small clearing in the forest if you like? I will want to get some more wood soon, anyway.

[They'll have an axe at the ready and Edelgard is plenty strong, he'll probably be able to get enough for a good long while between the two of them.]

Ah, yes. Bernadetta did mention wanting to bring you along if we went out to collect some wood. I suppose you two have mad fast friends.

[There's a little jealousy there. To think Bernadetta remembers her as someone who abandoned her in a time of need, and here Dimitri is playing nice. At this rate she'll be all alone...

Which is fine. That's fine.]

[Is that a hint of jealousy? Well, Dimitri's feeling it too, so he'll be kind and refrain from poking fun at her over it.]

I would like to think so, yes. Very few people have ever treated me simply as "a friend", and I appreciate those who do all the more for it.

[He laughs a little to himself, grasping the tips of his overgrown bangs.]

I am still surprised this dreadful appearance does not frighten her.

Mm, yes it seems what does and does not frighten her always shifts. I would not be able to piece it together if I tried. Anyway I said I would be amenable to it, so we should at least leave some for when we go with her.

[After all she'd not want to distress poor Bernadetta with their sparring. It is something they should probably do alone, away from watchful eyes. Mostly because everyone else is so sensitive to them being at each other's throats more literally.]

Perhaps in a couple of days, then. Just to be certain the weather is back to normal for now. I would not want to get stuck in the woods and have everything suddenly go dark. Unless you think she would appreciate the distraction?

[Dimitri folds his arms tightly, wearing an ugly sneer.]

That father of hers is a piece of work.

He is certainly... something. I immediately put that man on house arrest the moment I declared my rule over the Empire absolute with my intentions to expunge all the corrupt nobles. So many important positions held by such terrible people. Men like him should be locked away, or even sent to hang.

I wouldn't want to throw her into hysterics, however. I did what I could without upsetting her.

[But her hands ball into fists clutching the fabric of the quilt around her shoulders. Now more than even does she want to purge such corruption from Fodlan.]

[Ah, he should have watched his tongue. Now she's getting a little worked up again — though, he supposes being angry for someone else's sake is better than feeling violated due to people seeing her memories... still, he'll try to shift the subject.]

That is probably for the best. Parental relationships can be... complicated. At any rate, she need not deal with that man while we are all here, so there's no use making her think about it. Better to be productive. Do you know how much wood she was wanting to bring back? We could fill one of the carts we brought back from the mountains. The forest terrain is not a concern, I can pull the cart as efficiently as a horse.

She says she wants to stock up before threat of snow. She lives closer to the mountains than I, and further north, but the cold is not kind to us who live in the south as you have noticed. If you are willing to be our beast of burden then I suppose she would like to take back a sizable haul.

[Which then would probably leave them with no excuse to venture out again and spar under such pretenses. Though should they really even need an excuse?

Others would probably want one, but to be able to vent frustration in a physical manner would probably prove helpful.]

Beast of burden...

[Dimitri hangs his head for a second, but then he laughs. It's a soft laugh, but it's genuine.]

If you start calling me a beast as well, I worry that I may come to regret you and Felix speaking with each other.

[Yet it doesn't sound like he regrets it at all. He even sounds kind of happy about it.]

He... he calls you... How odd! You like that?

[She cannot see such behavior being allowed if he did not like that, so perhaps the question needs no answer. Especially considering the fond look on his face and the warmth in his voice. She doesn't understand it at all.]