middaeg | . summer's play

[Dimitri watches Byleth's hand closely - because it's motion - but he hardly recognizes the adornment beyond its imperial make. She must truly care about the empire, and about her class...

It's not too difficult to believe - his teacher cared deeply for all of them, as well.

For his sake, Dimitri presses his civility further.] I'll admit...

The meteors are quite the sight, but it does feel like we should be doing something more.

[The city suffers a plight, and here they are, watching the sky fall.]

The entire city has slowed down for this, Dimitri. [ that fractional smile remains. ] If the locals can take the night... then so can we.

[Her words sound too easily like the suggestion of his Professor - granting Dimitri permission to take just a little something for himself.

With a slow nod, he attempts to take the advice to heart.

It does little to calm him, but in the very least he raises the telescope to his eye and squints up at the sky.]

I don't recall ever seeing something like this in Fodlan. Though, there are allusions to such sights in a few pieces of foreign folklore I've read.

[Now Dimitri speaks from interest rather than obligation, as if such easy conversation could continue to pull the spirit of his Professor from this woman.]

Folklore isn't my specialty, [ she says that after some thought, looking at him with a touch of curiosity. ] so I would be curious. I've heard some things from Petra about the tales they tell in Brigid, but... [ byleth shrugs one shoulder. ]

[The Professor hardly knew of Fodlan's religion when he'd arrived - it follows that he'd know even less of foreign myths. Especially given how common disdain for the surrounding countries was in all levels of society...

What Dimitri knows comes from books in Abyss, and the words of foreign merchants and friends.]

I'm sure she has many interesting stories. [What became of Brigid in the war, he wonders...

His brow furrows, and his grip on the telescope tightens. It blurs, but he keeps it raised.] If you're interested, I can share the one I know.

Though I'm sure it'd be better from the source. [Almyra, in this case.]

[ she notices the tension, of course, but says nothing. (brigid's doing great though, dima, everything's cool.) her eyes go back to the meteor shower. perhaps if she doesn't make him feel like he's being scrutinized, he may relax a touch. ]

Most things are. But I trust you can tell it well enough.

[When Dimitri lowers the telescope, he offers it to Byleth - a bit stiffly, but it's a gesture of good will regardless. Under a shared view of the stars, it almost feels as if they could exist in the same world...

Hands freed, he quickly wraps one around the other, squeezing his knuckles before they fall to his side.]

In Almyra, there's a legend about a set of twins born from the stars. Some accounts tell of two boys, others a boy and a girl, but they are always infants when found by a lowly peddler.

Their new father goes through many trials, and the twins always turn to the stars for guidance. What they read there helps him become a rich and respected man.

Though, of course, many are greedy for their power, so they're forced to run away.

In some ends, they simply disappear. In others, one kills the other to send them back to the skies and goes on to live as a mortal, no longer able to see the stars.

[A rather dark ending - Dimitri pauses as the story comes to a close.]

I believe it's meant to be a cautionary tale, as many are.

[ something about that... it's wrapped in metaphor, but it has her wondering. that can wait, though. she raises an eyebrow. ]

Cautioning against what, exactly? [ she's not sure she sees much of a moral. ]

[So much can be gleaned from myths and the reasons they're told - Dimitri wishes he knew more, and that his knowledge reached further beyond Fodlan's borders. Perhaps someday...

With a soft hum, Dimitri considers his response.]

No one would say that the twins were in the wrong for using their power as they pleased - after all, it belonged to them, and they were only helping a loved one.

But any ability like that - capable of turning a man's fortune around - will be coveted. So, in some ways, it could be interpreted as a warning against altruism... keep your strength hidden and use it wisely.

I prefer to read it as an affirmation that greed for power ruins everything in its path.

[He pauses, then - and his eyes are on her. Truly listening, hoping for her thoughts.]

[ byleth almost thinks he might be mocking her somehow with this. there's a good deal she could read into his words if she had a mind to, but... no, she thinks he's being genuine. some of the tension slips out of her stance. ]

Seeking power as an end in itself can only end in tears. [ she says that slowly, carefully, meeting his gaze and nodding once. ] Power is an important tool, but never a worthy goal.

[The air between them isn't easy - the cometflies that drift aimlessly around have lost their ethereal mystery. Instead, they seem only to box them into proximity. To force this conversation, to prevent either of them from flaring up and storming away.

Dimitri doesn't know whether to appreciate or begrudge the creatures.]

I agree.

And I think no one can say that using one's power to help those we love is a terrible thing.

[Living, or dead.

Admittedly, Dimitri is expecting a disagreement.

~~Maybe he's even hoping for one.~~]

[ it's... useful, at least. that they're being forced into this. still, for now, the disagreement doesn't come.

still, her responsibility is to the living. she desires retribution for her father, but... it's not what truly drives her hatred for those who slither in the dark. only one part of a greater whole. ]

... It isn't. [ she shakes her head, gently, at that. ] All that I have done has been to that end... and to make sure none will suffer as they have.

. summer's play

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in this tag i completely wing a folk tale

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