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

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.]

[Right. Totally. Probably fine.

Bernadetta has never met any version of Claude von Riegan and could not pick him out of a line-up if a blade were held to her throat, but this protective proclivity does not bode well for him if she ever does.]

I think so! He helped me a little with the quilts at first.

[A little. It was delicate work, after all.]

But, um, if you wanted it to be just us, that would be nice too! Like... like our greenhouse time.

[........SHIT.

That's! What! She calls it in her head!]

A-Ah, I-I mean, the, uh, the time we work in the greenhouse together.

Speaking of the greenhouse! I've actually had plenty of people turn over bags of seed they found to me, and if you'd like to speak to Flayn she actually has some as well.

[Edelgard didn't insist on taking from Flayn because, well... Obvious reasons that have to do with the Death Knight.]

But do not fret. We can keep our "greenhouse time" to ourselves. I do not mind making that man put his disgustingly excessive strength to an actual use.

He's very gentle too, even if he's that strong. It's really impressive, I think.

[BERNADETTA.]

Oh! That sounds great. We could use some new crops to enrich the soil...

[Wait right there, Bernie Bear. Edelgard puts her hand on the table to halt discussion on the greenhouse.]

...Gentle in what way?

...? In... general?

[She cups her cheek in her hand, thinking of how to explain what she means.]

Like, he can haul a cart better than any warhorse, but he can grasp your hand like it's something very delicate, too. Or pat your head.

[Bernadetta, no.]

You've been holding hands with him?

[IN A CHASTE WAY SHE HOPES. Well, it most likely is chaste. She remembers he was quite the gentleman in the academy days. The only nasty rumors she ever heard about Kingdom boys were about...

Sylvain.]

Sometimes? I-I, um... the first time I met him here, I screamed and stepped on him and... ran. And, uh... and barricaded myself in my room. He calmed me down and got me some water, and we started talking that way. Um, another time, we ended up talking about... about my father, because I had, well... you remember how I get, sometimes.

[Self-castigating and almost hysterical, yes.]

He held my hand that time, and a few others. It... It was nice. He's nice.

[She doesn't seem to fully grasp that it takes a certain category of person to not be nice to someone like Bernadetta.]

I like making him smile. That's nice, too.

...If he is treating you well, then that is all that matters. Some have commented on his beastly nature, and I simply worried for you. Please do not hesitate to come to me should he ever step out of line. He is a big and intimidating man, and I would not wish for you to feel as if you cannot hold him accountable for his actions.

Are we clear?

[Just soothe her worries. Just let her know she'll confide in her should anything happen. Edelgard wishes to protect the soul who had died protecting her dream. It is only fair. Edelgard, in a way, owes her a debt.]

Oh, no, that—he's—I mean....

[That's sweet, in a murderous Adrastian way that touches her deeply and shows . on her face.]

He's very gentle with me. I promise.

[But, to soothe Edelgard's worries...]

If that ever stops, you'll be the first person I tell. I promise.

Thank you, Bernadetta. However now I wish to question you some more. What I want to know is... what are your dreams?

[This is what she originally wanted to sit down and talk about.]

That's... I-I mean, I won't say I've had the best sleep, since coming here, but... they're not all bad.

[That's... that's not what she meant, honey.]

[Ah. Ahah. Oh goodness. Gracious. Edelgard turns her head to the side and covers her face as she stifles a laugh.]

N-no, Bernadetta. Your goals. Future plans. Tell me of those.

...

[Bernadetta freezes, staring at her.

Her mouth moves soundlessly for a moment.

When she speaks, her voice is very quiet, and terribly, terribly gentle.]

E-Edelgard... I don't... I don't have a future.

I — I know. [Edelgard sobers up quick. Her reply nearly breathless and just as quiet.]

But I wish to do right by you, Bernadetta. If I am to return with these memories I want to create a future for you. Starting by making sure you live, and ending with helping you achieve your dreams.

That's...

[she folds her hands on the table, honestly thinking it over.]

I can't... I can't speak for the other me. Because—because I want a lot of things, all the time, but I give up on a lot, too. Not, um—not forever. But I think 'someday' instead of 'today.' And—and the Bernadetta where you're from... hasn't run out of 'somedays' or 'todays' yet. She might still want to be a writer. She might, she might want to paint. She—might want to make dolls, or to fall in love, or build a better family than . the one she was born into, or to travel the world and discover all sorts of plants. She might want to be able to sing and not feel ashamed and she might want to see your new world and she—

[—'she'—]

—she might want to teach you to swim so you never have to be scared again, and she might want to—to embroider things for all the Eagles, and—

[Her vision is hot and blurry. She tries to be discreet about wiping her eyes, but at this distance it's a lost cause.]

—just... no matter what happens, please don't leave her alone. Even if she doesn't, doesn't make it, take... take her back. Take her home. I-I think she'd be happy, if you did that.

Edited 2019-10-27 04:37 (UTC)

[Edelgard refuses to look away. It would be absolutely unthinkable to try and shy away from the discomfort that the young woman's tears give her. Edelgard deserves this discomfort for creating the situation in the first place that made her cry.

Edelgard doesn't remember much from her childhood. Not much in the way of comfort or happiness. Everything before the basement a blur. A haze of faces and events that are difficult to string together. She does remember one thing though. When she was young someone, she cannot remember who, would brush away her hair and kiss her forehead. Such soft affection soothed her sobbing. Made it a little more bearable.

And so she pays it forward to Bernadetta. Reaching over the table to brush away her bangs and place her lips gently on that pale forehead.]

I will strive to do that. To be the Emperor worth following to the end, but also to be the Emperor that sees to it that you live long enough to try all those things.

I never—

[A breath stutters out of her at that kiss. A small, aching noise, like one that might come just as ice was pressed to a . tender bruise.

She leans into Edelgard, trembling slightly.]

I never turned away from you. I n-never—I'm, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough. I—wanted to keep going. The war was scary, but I—wanted to keep living with everyone...!

I know, Bernadetta. The five years we spent together against the Church... I watched you grow strong. It must have taken such courage from you — to be scared and yet still stand firm at the ballista. I am nothing if not proud... no.

I am honored by your service and loyalty. Please know that as your Emperor my gratitude runs deep, and I will do what I can to repay you for the sacrifice you made for my dream by in turn helping you achieve yours.

[Edelgard pulls away. Her hand allowing Bernadetta's bangs brush softly against her forehead again. She wishes there was more she could do. It is not as if she could turn back time and save Bernadetta from her fate.]

Edelgard...

[You're going to make her cry again at this rate.]

You don't need to r-repay me. I just... I'd like it if we could be happy here, while we are here. That... that would be enough.