. summer's play

[boarddyd]

Who: Dimitri + Babysitters
When: April - May 2020
Where: Aefenglom, Outer City, Wildes
What: Catch all
Warnings: None (will be edited)

[ catch-all for april + may | contact @ tendopeshuu or here ]

Comments

. sylvia

[boarddyd]

[The only luxury Dimitri has afforded himself thus far is a weather resistant cloak. Draped over his shoulders, it would typically obscure his form, but the wind on the docks lifts the fabric easily. It whips around audibly, not unlike the brilliant blue sails adorning the assigned ship.

After boarding, a crewmember carrying a hefty barrel had told him to wait near the plank for his partner. While Dimitri wants to be confident he could handle this conflict himself, he's thankful for the additional support.

Some of the sailors mill about easily, chatting amiably before the journey - and their work - fully begins. A few have settled against the railing nearby, arms draped over its edge. Dimitri stands rigid in contrast.

He's gotten lost in the ropework of the sails, trying to follow the machinations that capture the wind's power. Sailing isn't foreign to him in concept, but he's certainly never done it himself.

It sounds like hard work - he's eager to get started.]

nyooms here

[stardustish]

[ sylvia also has warm clothes for the occasion, even if fashionably it doesn't match. it's an athletic jacket from her world, which is very modern and nothing like something in aefenglom would wear, but it works. she's mostly here to help out with cargo, but when they instruct her to go to the plank to meet her partner, she perks up. she's glad for the help. labor is hard work!

she follows one of the sailors and is immediately introduced to a man with striking blue eyes and blonde hair. he's certainly more dressed for the occasion. sylvia grins at him and holds up a hand in greeting. ]

Hey! Looks like we'll be working together. You're Dimitri, right? I'm Sylvia.

. byleth

[boarddyd]

[A lens through which one could view the stars... Dimitri recalls reading about the object almost immediately upon being offered one. It's a small contraption. Curious, that such a little thing can reveal so much about the world.

More curious that such a common instrument in this world was deemed dangerous.

He takes one hesitantly, but as he climbs a hill to view the meteors his excitement grows.

When he reaches the apex, he holds the lens to his eye-

It's blurry.

Which means it needs adjustments. Carefully, so carefully, he begins to twist the dial.

There are people milling about, though they've all been keeping to their little groups. Standing alone, Dimitri is a bit of an outlier - he's not the only solitary observer, and with monsters in the crowd he's not the tallest, but he is the only one without his eyes turned to the sky as the brilliant rainbow brightens and casts an ethereal hue over the stargazers.]

[hegemonwings]

[ she stands there in black-and-silver officer's garb, the only visible armor being greaves and vambraces, with a dark blue cloak over the top. symbols of adrestia, the emperor herself and the crest of flames are marked here and there. still, that shock of blonde hair stands out in her periphery, and... sure enough. that's the boar prince. she's connected the dots on what those devices are as well—the empire had started producing them for scouts anyway, as she recalls—and bites down a flare of anger at seiros. so much suppression, and for what?

still. maybe meeting like this is a chance to try again. ]

It's a bit tricky to get them aligned properly, isn't it? [ she speaks up from a solid five feet away, very much giving him his space. ] ... You seem well, Dimitri.

. felix

[boarddyd]

[A soft blue glow rests on Dimitri's lips, though he doesn't think it stands out much among the much more brilliantly colored people milling around him. Several cometflies still drift through the air, listless despite their narrow lifespan.

Dimitri finds himself watching them more closely than the skies for the moment-

One had flown into his mouth when his gaze was turned upwards, and he'd nearly choked on the thing. Did it live through being spit out? He has no idea... but he can hope for the little guy, and try not to repeat the same mistake.

Looking around him rather than up means he spots Felix easily, and despite a sudden lurch in his stomach, he approaches directly.]

Good evening, Felix.

Are you enjoying the meteor shower?

[finesseblade]

[ There's a spot out atop the low garden wall, tucked behind the shed near the street, where Felix likes to go to spend a few quiet hours when he's not utterly wrapped up in his drills. Usually, he can go unnoticed out here, but being close to the garden means being close to a convergence of the tiny, glowing insects crawling up out of the greenery—which means there's not just one, but a dozen little points of light dusting his shoulders, his hair, even stuck to the tip of one pointed ear where they've lit upon him for fleeting seconds.

He'd probably be more irritated about that if most of them weren't blue and gold. However many of them have had an effect, he's... oddly placid about it, ears swiveling toward Dimitri as he turns his head. Whatever strange mood they've put into him is just enough of a buffer that maybe a few old, stray feelings of warmth aren't immediately eclipsed by disgust at the sight of him.

Felix stares at him for a moment, eyes inevitably drawn to the blue glow smack in the middle of his face. He snorts—and then actually chuckles. ]

It's certainly a change of pace from the cakes they were slinging at me when I got here. [ He's still grinning, bemused. ] Don't tell me you ate one of those. How do you know they're not toxic?

. leslie

[boarddyd]

[All around him, both monsters and witches alike delight in muted festivities beneath the aurora. Dimitri has, as the night progressed, taken to watching bonded pairs, families, and solitary observers with comparable awe.

He appreciates the ease with which these people mingle. It's not a lonely feeling... rather, a hopeful one.

A group of children weave through the street, catching cometflies in glass jars. It's quite a collected, corked and stored any way the kids could manage to carry them. A few clatter to the ground, forgotten in the exhilaration of their game, he supposes.

Without thinking, he bends to pick one up - a small red glow waxing and waning calmly inside.

He approaches the first lone child he sees and offers the trinket forward with a smile he hopes is as friendly as he intends.] It seems some of your friends have started a collection...

Would you like one?

[foundfamilies]

[What are the chances that the first lone child he saw would have the symbol of the Black Eagles sewn on like a badge on her chest? Maybe it's just a coincidental black eagle, though. Even with the case of Lysithea to push down the boundary, she looks too young for the Officers Academy and she doesn't seem to recognize Dimitri even a little.

Regardless, it appears he succeeded on his friendly smile roll, because Leslie returns it with a smile of her own, though her face really brightens in excitement when she sees the jar of cometfly.]

Oh, so they're catching them...but is it really okay if I do take it? I've learned a little about how to look after pets, but I never thought of having an insect as a pet before.

[She places one hand on one cheek as she thinks, which is particularly noticeable because the index and middle fingers of that hand are glowing softly yellow thanks to a previous cometfly landing.]

. sylvain

[boarddyd]

[Hours have passed, and the ranks of children on the streets have thinned. Dimitri doesn't truly register how late it is, however, until he finds a bench unclaimed. Many had been used to stand on, or for the elderly to sit and enjoy the company of their families.

Now, he takes the space, and it feels cold.

With a sigh, Dimitri pulls out his telescope - now broken into several pieces - and begins to fiddle with the instrument in his lap. He's hopeless at delicate work...

He doesn't know why he's trying to fix it instead of looking up at the illustrious view with his bare eyes.]

[crestfallenfor]

[It was easy to forget... well, everything, when nights like tonight occurred, lively local customs that he could get swept up in and forget himself in the excitement of. Tonight had been no different, but with people dissipating into their homes, he's left to walk the streets mostly alone.

The melancholy mood that settles in isn't bad, either, for a little while.

But just when he's thinking about chasing away that melancholy mood by heading to the entertainment district, hitting up a bar or tavern, falling back on old pursuits, he sees a familiar figure sitting alone on a bench, fiddling with something in his hands instead of enjoying the sights.

So he closes the distance to him, instead, sits next to him, drapes an arm around the back of the bench.]

Mind if I join you, Dimitri? Shame for you to have to enjoy the sights alone.

[Gently urging him to look up at the sky instead of the broken instrument in his lap, nbd.]

. allura

[boarddyd]

[With a spear and a trident strapped to his back, Dimitri is clearly here for guard duty. He'd offered his assistance to loading the cargo as well, and some of the crewmembers looking for an easy day had taken him up on it. With one barrel on each shoulder, he falls in line with the loading procession.

It's sweaty work; he's already worked up a sheen across his forehead.

On his way back down the plank, a brisk skip to his step, Dimitri stops.

A new face?]

Hello.

Forgive me for being so bold, but are you here as one of the hired guards?

[quintessent]

[She's a little bit of an odd sight here - dressed for a hard day's work but there's an unflappable air of nobility about her that tends to turn a few heads when she shows up with staff in hand. (It might be the golden tiara that she never removes). She struck a serious but petite figure, and without any of her supernatural Altean strength to back her up, she can't so easily just life a few man-sized boxes to prove her moxy anymore.

But everyone mostly leaves her be - and she's interested to be near the docks. It's her first time being so near a sea ship!

And she's peering curiously over the edge, at the rudder of the ship when a voice speaks up and she makes a small noise, jumping before she straightens entirely, both hands on her staff.]

I am! I was just... checking if there were any merrow down there. [She says, her accent a gentle lilt.]

. sypha

[boarddyd]

[Despite more than half of the class ignoring his introduction, Dimitri can't help but be charmed by this group. They chat eagerly among each other, sharing wildly overblown stories about the Wilde. Some nervous, some excited, they're a mix like one would expect.

He's looking forward to their company - and he's sure he'll learn just as much as they will on this excursion.

Dimitri had tried to tell the group as much when he'd introduced himself, but they hadn't even cared to hear his whole name.

Oh well.

He'll wait for a lull in the preparatory conversation between their teacher and the guide for the trip to approach her.] Hello, my name is Dimitri- [Alexandre Blaiddyd...

He'll skip that part.] I'll be here as back up should anything unforeseen come up, but please don't hesitate to put me to work wherever you need.

[These kids will probably be a handful.]

[strongspirited]

[Sypha had no trouble at all with taking on an assignment like this. She had been working tirelessly to get her magic back in order, and she was getting quite proficient at new spells, so the payday for the opportunity to explain some very basic stuff to a bunch of children was not something she'd miss. She'd been all smiles and her scholarly background (along with having to consistently chastise Alucard and Trevor) had helped her keep them more or less under control thus far.

When the bodyguard approached as the teacher took over the lesson, Sypha bobbed her head in greeting, and even managed a smile.]

I am Sypha, it's a pleasure, Dimitri. [He looked young...perhaps a decade or so younger than herself and Trevor? It was hard to say, but he did look strong enough.]

Hopefully we won't have any difficulties with Shades. The Wilders have kept this area well clear for months, I'm told, and I personally come to the area to gather herbs.

[They'll be fiiiiine.]

Are you a recent arrival?

. jgy

[boarddyd]

[Dimitri is familiar with slums - the sprawling habitat that offers little more than a chance of survival to the people living within. He's only passed them through, ushered by royal retainers to keep a pace that wouldn't endanger him.

Someday, he'd like to simply linger and learn.

Aefenglom may not be like his world, but certainly there's some knowledge to be gained by living not at the level of a prince, but of the people.

He'd thought the outer city would be much like the shanties tucked against the wall...

He was wrong.

Dimitri's first visit to the periphery leaves him at a loss. He'd refused the gloves, the masks, but so too must he refuse the outstretched hand of a man wrapped in thin black strands of sickness.

Alone, in a dour state, Dimitri walked the dirt paths until he lost track of time. As light is beginning to fade from the horizon, sunset rays overtaken by the glow of the wall, he comes by a frail woman - she couldn't be much older than him - struggling to prop up her make shift refuge.

With a quick 'please, allow me' he steps in, easily lifting the wooden planks and jagged metal sheets. While nothing is too heavy for him, he cannot seem to quite balance the structure correctly alone...

He speaks up to the next person passing by.] Excuse me! Would you please grab that board? <small[He nods towards a length of plywood next to the shelter.]

[turmoiling]

[Jin Guangyao was the kind of man that always had something to do, always something he was putting his mind to. Although he felt the cold more since arriving in Aefenglom, he was still warm enough from the day's activities to continue building his own mental map of the city well into the evening: feeling out the relationships between the people, Witches and Monsters, what was typical and what was forbidden. Freed from the politics of his own world's sects and left to his own devices, it is not so much that he feels at a loss, and more that he's left to contemplate his own place in this new life, and what he should do with it.

Venturing beyond the wall for the first time today, he felt confident that any official maps would hardly reflect the reality -- which turned out to be even more true than he had thought at first. Where he'd grown up in Yunping had been far from the best neighbourhood at the time, but not the worst. But this was an entirely different situation. A place of desperation and corruption. That didn't necessarily mean unsalvageable, though.

His contemplation of other stragglers is interrupted by the call of this man who seems, at a quick glance, as out of place as himself.

With his arms folded into his long sleeves, the problem is not so apparent. He hesitates a moment and with a faint smile says:]

Of course. One moment.

[Stepping lightly over, he grabs the board with his left hand alone, but it's a little awkward to manage. He angles himself to avoid making the complete absence of a right hand too obvious, using the side of his arm to try to wrangle it into a better grip. He'll really need to do something about his missing hand sooner or later, but the easily obtained prosthetics look obviously fake, and Jin Guangyao has always cared about appearances. Better to simply hide it with the voluminous sleeves of his robe, for now.]

Where would you like it?

. itachi

[boarddyd]

[It's easy to discriminate between those who call the outer city their home - for many their final resting place - and those who reap it for profit. The faster someone walks, the more color in their face, their response to muddy patches in the road...

The people who are alert, free of illness, are either here to help or here to take what they can for themselves.

Dimitri has been walking after one such individual for a while now. Perhaps they've noticed him, he isn't exactly stealthy, but a philanthropist would have stopped to give aid by now. This man... is simply waiting for an opportunity to lose his pursuer.

Which isn't a crime, so Dimitri hasn't intervened.

It seems he won't need to-

After taking an abrupt turn around a corner, the man turns and raises a knife.] Leave me alone, you hear!?

Or I'll cut your hands off!

[Dimitri startles, only for a moment, and then presses a shoddy smile onto his lips.] I'm sorry for disturbing you...

I was simply curious as to your purpose in this area. It isn't safe to wander.

It's none of your business, bastard! [With that the man attempts to charge, knife held forward with intent to force Dimitri to dodge and allow him the chance to sprint away.

Dimitri does side step, but he quickly trips the man, who stumbles, and eventually loses his footing.

Right in front of a specific passerby.]

[anbu]

[The man falls in a crash of momentum directly in front of Itachi, who is little more than a shadow off the street, dressed head to toe in unassuming black. His eyes slant down at the groaning body. One foot lifts, and for a moment gives the impression it's going to kick—but instead nudges the man's shoulder in order to roll him upright.

Mud is smeared over the man's crude features, and there clutched in his hands is the knife. Itachi presses the same foot across the assailant's throat, eliciting a gurgling sound of protest, that blade once more upraised in a glint of silver.]

Release it.

[The man's voice chokes off, knife falling loose of bloody fingers and thunking to the ground. In the effort to catch his own fall, he had sliced open his own hands. A hazard of inexperienced handling.

Impassive eyes drift back up as Itachi maintains the pressure of his heel. He surveys the younger man, and reflects on the polite words of just a moment ago.]

He may be more amenable to questions now.

[Was he stalking this whole interaction? Yes, maybe.]

. lorenz

[boarddyd]

[Falling asleep hasn't been more difficult since Dimitri's arrival - it hasn't been any easier, either. But, somehow, he finds himself wanting to rest more often, like a particularly urgent lethargy that feels as important as eating or drinking.

He still can't quite calm himself enough to drift off regularly.

Chamomile doesn't always do the trick, but the fragrance does help him relax. So he takes the morning to seek out a tea shop, careful to open the door as gently as he can manage.

Once inside, he does not announce himself. Instead he sets to looking over the products quietly, intent to be in and out as efficiently as possible.]

[bergamotrose]

[Dark greens and rich plums were far from ideal colors for Lorenz. There was no way he could get the colors to look just right on him no matter how hard he tried but, if he tied his hair out of his face and wore the right embellishments in his antlers, the pallet almost worked. Almost.

Spying Dimitri's quiet entrance, Lorenz allowed him a few moments to peruse the stock on his own before approaching the young prince.]

Is there anything in particular that you're looking for this afternoon?

[He asked in his best Customer Service Voice(tm). It was all in good humor-- honestly, he was curious about how the young prince would react.]

. alex

[boarddyd]

[This time, when Dimitri sojourns to the outer city, he brings a dozen wooden swords with him. Packed in a roll of fabric, he's quick to make his way to a particular dirt yard. About three boys are waiting for him there, between the ages of five and twelve - he greets them with a wave and sets his parcel down in the dried mud.

It's the flattest ground he could find in the area.

These children do not appear infected, though if they did Dimitri would likely be undertaking this endeavor all the same. He supposes it must be their parents who either are currently suffering the illness, or have died from it and left them to find care with others.

He hands out three swords, taking one for himself. Drills first, which the boys follow with the sort of diligence that can be expected of their age. Then, sparring, which quickly devolves into the three of them rushing Dimitri-

He knocks their swords away easily, splintering one on impact and sending the pieces flying towards a passing woman. The boy with the broken sword screams in surprise, and Dimitri yells a warning he hopes isn't too late.]

Watch out!

[sing_for_me]

It was one of the boys' little sisters that was looking for him, asking Alex to help her find her brother so they could play together. After asking around, several people mentioned seeing them go for "training" with a young, blonde man. She was a confused with the training bit, but best to just see it for herself. As they continue to walk, the sounds of wood hitting against wood, and the tiny yells of young kids grew louder and louder. Seems like they were headed the right direction--

And something was headed right for theirs.

Alex immediately crouches and covers the little girl as the piece of wood comes hurtling towards them. It does hit her shoulder, some of the splinters landing in her hair, but it wasn't too hard of an impact. ]

Are you alright?

[ She asks the little girl first, who seems stunned, but once she sees what the boys are doing, her lips curl into a frown. ]

I want to play with swords too!

. hector

[boarddyd]

[Physical labor comes easily to Dimitri - he quickly learns how to hoist a sail, tie a knot, and where to shift cargo. It's waiting that's difficult, and once they're on course, it's all there's left to do.

He doesn't initiate small talk with the crew, instead pacing up and down the starboard side of the ship while his cloak whips in the wind. There's nothing to see but water and the slowly diminishing port on the horizon.

A few seagulls perch on the railing near him, watching him carefully.

He doesn't know how terrible of a choice it is to feed them...

So he offers a small piece of hard bread to the pair, and soon dozens are descending. Calling loudly, crashing into one another for the chance at a crumb.

Oh no-

With a bit of fear in his eyes, Dimitri turns and tries to make eye contact with anyone he can. The crew, understandably, avoids the throng of greedy birds, which leaves only the other hired help within the vicinity.]

Do you... do you have more bread? [If he feeds them enough they'll leave, right????]

[petcromancer]

[Hector loves animals. Way more than most people. It's just fact. But at this moment, he's not inclined to be charitable to anyone, man or beast. 'Take a trip on a boat, it'll be fun', he'd told himself, nostalgic for the sea after so long away from his hermit's cottage in the east of Rhodes.

Now his sheep-faun's wool is waterlogged with salt water and he can't get warm and the sound of dozens of cawing seagulls is drowning out any soothing ocean waves against the ship's prow.

Forget the screams of tortured souls and demonic growls. Hector is pretty sure the ambient noises of hell are going to be the cacophony of gulls' cries that some idiot has been foolish enough to throw bread to.

That idiot sidles up, asking for more bread, and Hector glares at him.]

No. Stop feeding them! You'll draw even more in.

. maria

[boarddyd]

[One does not venture into the Wilde without a bond, they'd warned. But at Dimitiri's insistence, the group had permitted him to venture at the side of an experienced witch. They'd slipped him a temporary bond potion - implication clear - but he's hesitant to lead with such a proposition.

He wants to know what he alone is capable of out here, and he doesn't intend to rebuff the attempts of his friends for bonds to run off with a stranger.

Spear in hand, he jogs up to his partner with a friendly smile.

Their mission today is simple routine maintenance - making sure paths previously carved out are still able to be traversed. An easy task on paper, but there will almost certainly be fighting.]

It seems as if we'll be working together. My name is Dimitri - thank you for allowing me to accompany you. [No, she doesn't look like the friendliest person, but he can't help being polite.]

[whomthebelltolls]

[Maria is very used to facing the Wildes alone. Alex is ill-suited to combat, and while Kaede does in a pinch, this isn't one of the longer expeditions, like the one to establish the outposts they'd done before. She's 'experienced', she supposes, as she's told of her charge and why she's expected to team up with an unfamiliar Monster, but it still isn't the most warmly received idea in the world.

Still, he is cordial, so she is as well. She was raised to have manners, after all, it just comes with the territory. It helps that it seems he must be one of the newer Mirrorbound Monsters - not too terribly many of the changes have taken hold, which helps put her at ease. Even if, logically speaking, it really shouldn't.

She's getting too soft.] Maria. [Curt, and to the point.] You come armed... good. I can't protect both of us against what we're going after. [Well, logically, she might actually be able to, but she'd rather see him armed anyhow - shows he at least has some ability to protect himself.]

. tataru

[boarddyd]

[After figuring out how to adjust the lens on his telescope, Dimitri had settled into watching the meteors through the device. Time passes unknown to him, the hour of the night far from his mind as a little comet fly lands on the tip of his instrument.

He lowers it, looking over the glowing yellow thing with fondness for just a moment before trying to gently...blow it away and on with its evening. The insect doesn't budge. He blows again, to the same effect, and then shakes the telescope.

Still, it sits, flashing its light as lazily as before.

He tries to nudge it with his finger, to no success... Any harder, and he might hurt the thing.

At a loss, Dimitri stands like a tall blond doofus in the middl of a crowd, locked in a stupid staring contest with a stubborn little bug.]

[seemstressed]

<sub>[It's...definitely endearing catching sight of the young man attempting to rid himself of the frail insect without actually harming it. Most wouldn't think twice when it comes to knocking the creature or squishing it between their fingers. Not even Tataru can judge, considering she'd probably eat it with the right spices...but it's nice to see care out of a Hyur toward something far smaller than them.

Smiling she goes up to him, a small twig in hand, before she's tapping him against the leg with it.]</sub>

Here, you ought to use this. It'll work better than a finger.

. azura

[boarddyd]

[Specks of color light Dimitri's black clothing, greens and yellows and blues illuminating him along with the rest of the scenery. Despite not resting on clothed skin, the effects have begun to set in...

And make him feel more at home.

Perhaps that's why he doesn't keep to himself; Dimitri speaks silent greetings to many in the crowd he slips past, and when he reaches a lone girl, he stops.

There's something hauntingly melancholy about her, about the shade of blue that the surrounding cometflies cast over her.] Excuse me...

Beautiful evening, isn't it? [A bit of an awkward introduction, but he couldn't help himself.]

[prayerwheel]

[ Azura's naturally a solitary person, even in all her time here, so it's taking a bit for any "social" effects to sink in for her. She's definitely trying to be more social at Aefenglom's assortment of parties and festivals, though, so when she thinks she hears someone calling out to her, she turns. ]

Quite, yes. I don't believe I've ever seen colored fireflies before. [ One hands on her palm, casting more blue light on her. She regards it with a little quirk of an eyebrow. Weird bugs, but kinda cute. ]

. byleth

[boarddyd]

[The scent of freshly watered foliage blankets Garreg Mach's campus, bright sun and blue sky completing the picturesque scene. A few students mill about, but most remain in their classrooms mingling after the day's lessons.

Dimitri stands in the archway of the Blue Lion's class, watching himself chat with his teacher. There's a smile on Byleth's face...

And on his, as well.

He wonders if he could imitate the expression now - with all he knows, and all he's lost.

With a sigh, he decides against trying.

Annette and Mercedes stand near the memory of him, waiting near Dedue to ask the teacher a question. Felix has already departed, and Sylvain has slid his chair up to a noble girl to 'help' with her homework. Ashe didn't come to class -

It must be shortly after Lonato's Rebellion, then.

Days difficult in their own right, but Dimitri yearns for them all the same.]

[hegemonwings]

[ she doesn't want to see this, has no desire to learn anything more of dimitri's broken timeline destined for ruin. byleth eisner made the wrong decisions in many realities, and those misbegotten worlds will suffer for it, she thinks. she should turn and leave the classroom, but that would likely only... cause her to see more that she doesn't desire to know.

something odd crosses her face at the phantom of the man who appears so similar to herself, but so different all at once. that odd, easy dynamic she sees with dimitri is a surprise, but byleth supposes that it makes sense. she thinks of edelgard, in those simpler days. ]

I expected he would be taller. [ that comes up abruptly from dimitri's side. never mind that her counterpart has nearly a solid six inches of height on her. ]

... I feel as if I'm intruding.

. edelgard

[boarddyd]

[With a pat to Dimitri's head, Rodrigue departs the castle entry hall along with Glenn and Lambert. Grinning, Dimitri watches them go until they cross the threshold of the main audience chamber. Then, he turns, scampering off through the gate and into a garden. Dirt crunches under his boots, steps loud and excited.

He crouches next to a hedge, as if at risk of being caught. (No one in the capitol minds their little lord playing in the castle greenery.)]

Hey, El, are you there?

[She answers him sharply, but he doesn't stop smiling. Instead, they hash out a game of hide and seek. He's counting first, and she's hiding. Dimitri stands and places his hands over his eyes, beginning at one...

While the grown prince watches, standing next to a garden bench. They'd played until dusk, when Edelgard's Uncle had sent someone to fetch her. By then, they'd both been covered in dirt and twigs.

He remembers trying to pick one out of her hair and getting his hand slapped for his efforts.]

[unyieldingmarch]

[The older Edelgard watches from a darkened doorway, her eyes narrowed at the sight of the teenage Dimitri on a garden bench for a brief moment, before her focus is completely dominated by the sight of something she definitely did not remember. It doesn't make sense. If she had come into Dimitri's mirror, why is she seeing herself? And why is she...no.

No this is headache inducing enough without standing silently, watching the ghost of a man she'd killed watching the ghosts of an apparently forgotten shared childhood.

Without a word, she marches over and looks down at the young prince, silently taking in his posture.]

...is this a true memory, or a fiction?

[She has to know. A part of her doesn't want to, a part of her wants to run, to hide, because asking might require her to explain why...why she doesn't remember this. And can it be so easy?

No. Not likely.

But not asking will gnaw at her far more.]

. petra

[boarddyd]

[Tucked away in rows of stately homes is Sylvain's residence - a livelier place than any of their homes in Faerghus, Dimitri imagines. So many of his former classmates call it home, yet he doesn't truly know any of them.

Not even the people he'd grown up with.

Still, despite the apprehension in his chest, Dimitri has taken time to visit. It's rude to rebuff an invitation for too long.

He stops at the door, caught between knocking and walking in, and decides on the later. It'd be no good to splinter the wood, and with his nerves beginning to eek into his muscles, he fears he might over-do it.]

Hello? I'm sorry for intruding-

[Dimitri enters with as quiet of a step as he can manage with metal clad boots and slams closes the door with absolutely no grace.]

[islandhuntress]

[Petra turns swiftly, a hand going to the hilt of her dagger at the loud bang. Her eyes widen when she sees Dimitri but not the Dimitri she'd last seen... this was the Dimitri she'd known in school. Before the Empire had declared war. It feels as though she's seeing a ghost.]

Dimitri? I heard you were here but I was not imagining...- Um, please come in. Were you looking for someone?

You can be taking a chair- [she pauses and corrects herself]- taking a seat if you would like.

Allura Memory for Dimitri!

[quintessent]

[The castle Dimitri finds himself in is as expansive. Giant vaulted ceilings and long hallways made even more spacious by the fact that they were empty. By no means was the castle in disrepair – it was clean and luminescent blue lights lit each room, but there were no guards, no servants, not even a cat or dog. (The mice were likely sleeping.)

The only sign of life comes from the sounds of a fight further down the hallway. A young woman’s huffs and puffs and the sound of metal-on-metal. Following the sounds, Dimitri will find yet another room – this one set up as a sort of sparring arena, and inside an Allura that doesn’t look much different from the one he knows now is readily dispatching a handful of robotic sentinels, who fizzle and then disappear when they’ve been defeated. Until once again she is alone.

There’s a few beats of silence as memory-Allura catches her breath before stepping over to where a series of high quality weapons sat neatly, looking like maybe she’s the only person whose used them in the lack century. Replacing the staff, she picks up a different weapon- a whip this time. ”Start training simulation: Level Five” She commands the room, and the robot sentinels reappeared before the battle starts all over again.

Near the door, the Allura that Dimitri knows – dressed in the garb of Aefenglom, watches, and she seems a little sheepish having someone walked in on such a mundane memory.]

I ran through that simulation at least a hundred times. It's a little boring to watch, if i'm honest.

[boarddyd]

[A castle is not an unfamiliar sight - though Dimitri walks the hallways in wonder. They're lined with such cleanly contained magic, and rather than cut from stone or wood it appears to be composed of well smithed and thoroughly refined metals. Surely, this place is far more advanced than anything in Fodlan.

He greets Allura with a soft 'Pardon me,' a slight bow in respect and in apology for walking in on something at all.

Regardless how benign it may be.

Though, to Dimitri, it's absolutely thrilling. He can't fathom how this magic makes tangible enemies from nothing, and the weapons-

He can't help but stare.] I don't think so.

Often, I took my breaks at the training grounds by watching others.

Though... I admit I don't recognize the weapons you're using. Are they imbued with magic? [He's on the edge of sounding like a giddy schoolkid.]

. sylvain

[boarddyd]

[Dressed down in a loose fitting black shirt - collar high on his neck - and some typical black britches, Dimitri almost blends in with the night as he slips down the street towards their meeting place. Long sleeves on a summer night are a bit uncomfortable; he's already sweating.

But it's better than showing up to whatever pseudo romantic engagement Sylvain has planned for them baring his patchy tufts of fur.

Dimitri arrives a few minutes early, and stands a few feet away from the entrance with his hands folded in front of him. Too stiff, too formal, and entirely distracted by the myriad of scents emanating from the establishment.

Cheese, he recognizes, but there are too many at once for him to distinguish anything beyond that. Wine, as well, he assumes, but the bite isn't too severe within the overall aroma.]

[crestfallenfor]

[Of course Dimitri is early. He usually is, and so - expecting as much - Sylvain shows up a few minutes early as well, strolling up the path not long after Dimitri has settled in to wait, catching sight of his old, too-formal posture.

It's cute. Nostalgic, even.

So he slings his arm around his friend's shoulders when he gets close enough to do so, keeping a sharp eye out for any negative reactions worse than they might usually be.]

I hope you weren't waiting long?

. sylvain

[boarddyd]

[Just outside the main entrance to the Wilde hunting grounds, Dimitri wears a small dirt path into the scattered grass as he checks his weapons once more. He's come equipped with two spears, a long dagger, and some calming tonic he's not entirely sure is legitimate. Upon arrival, the stewards of tonight's hunt had given him a temporary bonding potion despite his protests.

He owns several already, but had left them back in his quarters.

Now it's tucked away with his other vial, a small pouch on his hip padded with bandages and a few pieces of jerky.

In preparation for a long night hunting shades. He fastens his spear to his back and adjusts his cloak, the final survey of his weapons complete. Then, a familiar scent appears, like mist in the air, and he turns to find Sylvain approaching down the road.

He'll wait patiently for his comrade to arrive before greeting him.] Good evening, Sylvain. What brings you here? [This isn't the kind of hunt he usually goes on hmm]

zipping this ahead to the 14th so they can be equally messed up by the moons o boyeee

[crestfallenfor]

[He's right - this isn't Sylvain's usual kind of hunt, but with the moons waning, he's been feeling his magic building exponentially - more than it usually does on a monthly basis, and ordinary training hasn't been doing the job of burning it down like it should.

It's buzzing under his skin, itching to be let out, and it isn't even a new moon, yet. Not even three monster bonds are doing much, so he can only imagine what it would be like without them.

Dimitri might well notice a few odd things about him, as well - fire licks up his hands from time to time, but it blinks out as quickly as it comes, a side effect of so much study. His body heat is running much higher than it ought to, as well, and - this one's new - there's an odd glow of light around him, since he's begun studying spells he might use to implement those beam swords of Dimitri's dreams.

Other than that he's... fine. Exactly what he's used to of him, and he'll greet Dimitri with a bright smile and a wave.]

The same thing that's brought you here, I expect.