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

[ It’s been eons since Ashe has seen a firefly! So, naturally, he must investigate. Friendlier than usual these insects are this time around! He doesn’t get very far in before he’s got one of the bugs on the back of his hand, and, quicker than he can say “Hello there, friend!” he’s transported. ]

---

[ A fresh rain has recently fallen. The stony streets and back alleys of Faerghus are muddy and dank, the air chilled and heavy. Splashing through puddles with harried steps, a boy with hair a color contrasting his age trots down a narrow passageway with something tucked closely to his chest: A single baguette.

Food has never smelled so good before. But of course, it would, when one hasn’t eaten in seven days. Granted, that’s modest compared to his longest stint; but he’d rather not endure that again, if he can avoid it. Someday, he’ll have a good, solid meal and a warm bed, he just knows it!

Unfortunately, today is not that day. That’s not his biggest concern at the moment, either.

What is, are the two pairs of green eyes that look up at him from a hole in the wall of a building -- a young boy and girl, clearly related. Before them, Ashe kneels, and reveals his treasure with a bit of a triumphant chuckle. It definitely earns a couple of soft “ooh!”s of praise from the children.

“How’d you get it?” the little girl asks, catching her brother slightly off-guard. ]

I--I worked for it, of course! Just like a future knight-to-be should.

[ He’s lying. He picked a lock, snuck into the back kitchen of a local tavern, slipped in and stole it. But his siblings need not know that. They also need not know that, at this rate, Ashe often fears he won’t live long enough to even find a way to train to be that noble knight he aspires toward. He’s got to keep up that brave face, for their sakes. It’s the most important piece. ] That’s why I was gone so long.

[ Another lie. He was gone as long as he was because a dizzy spell toppled him after the heist, and he needed a moment to get his bearings again in the wake of it. Still, ignorance is bliss, as they say -- and when so few things are truly “blissful” in their lives anymore, Ashe feels the need to nurture those that are, and that can be.

So, though his stomach rumbles a loud protest, he breaks the bread in two even parts, and dispenses them to the boy and girl, who both immediately look upset with this decision. The boy even attempts to refuse with a whimpered, “What about you, big bro?” ]

Don’t you worry about me. Everything’ll be just fine, you’ll see! You’ve got me here, your big brother, and I’m never going to leave your sides, alright? I mean that, on my honor.

[ And then, he makes a rather routine childish gesture. The boy and girl, seeing it coming, mimic it somewhat in-step with him, so that he laughs as he does it. ]

“Cross my heart.”

Now, you two eat up! I’ll hear no more about it.

[ And now he... really needs to sit and take a breather, putting his back to the nearest stone wall just in case the room turns on its axis again, as it had before. As soon as he does, of course, he’s out like a light, and the world fades to black. ]

Oh... ah, well, that sure was... something, wasn’t it?

[ He looks sheepish. Like, way sheepish. ] You didn’t see anything unusual just now, did you?

[Try as he might to avoid people, there are only so many places to be within the confines of this spell. He's seen some pretty nasty memories today, and though he can tell that this memory isn't entirely a good one, it's good in comparison to some others.

Mostly due to the presence of Ashe's siblings. They're clearly happy, so he can't imagine this is a bitter memory.]

I am afraid so. ...were those children your siblings? They are quite cute.

A-ah, I see... [ Ashe's face turns remarkably sheepish at that confirmation, gloved hands awkwardly tangling before himself for just a moment before falling back to his sides. ]

Yes, they are. Though they're much older now. [ Well-fed and properly clothed, too. Still safe and sound to this day, so far as he knows.

A moment of silence passes before pale green eyes drop to the tops of his boots. ]

...My past isn't something I'm especially proud of. Before Lonato, I had to resort to some pretty unsavory acts just to survive.

[ Another small pause. ]

I hope you don't think less of me for them, Your Highness.

[A small huff of air escapes him. It's just like Ashe to be worried about what he thinks of him. Dimitri isn't worthy of that knightly devotion, not by a long shot. But he will not disabuse Ashe of the notion. Sometimes, people need something to believe in, even if it's just a pretty lie. He shakes his head, smiling ruefully.]

You were but a child yourself. No one worth your time would think less of you for stealing food under those circumstances. I have done far worse with far less noble intentions.

[He didn't just steal food to survive, he stole lives — and he reveled in it.]

You are a good man, Ashe. That you did what you had to in order to care for your family raises my estimation of you.

[ If “not worthy” is truly what Dimitri thinks, Ashe isn’t acutely aware of that, and wouldn’t comment even if he knew.

Not one of them here is devoid of mistakes or regrets; not one single soul without at least the faintest splatter of blood on their hands. But it isn’t about that -- not about the slip-ups of the past, but what’s done with them. How they all learned; how they all grew. So Ashe being this hard on himself about it really is a by-product of embarrassment more so than anything else. There’s nothing quite like the humiliation of having your dirtiest of laundry aired before someone you immensely respect, after all.

...And, of the same coin, also nothing like the swell of -- is it relief? He’ll call it that -- that floods in in the wake of being told he’s valued more for his handling of those dire times. ]

Really? [ Ashe quickly corrects himself. ] Not that I don’t believe you; I just didn’t expect to hear that, that’s all.

[ A beat. ]

I’m honored by your praise.