I've made my choice...

[betweenduskanddawn]

Who: Corrin and various. Open prompts in main post, closed prompts beneath it.
When: During the memeshare event.
Where: Dreams!
What: A brief walk through Corrin's memories.
Warnings: Some violence, some death, talk of executions.



A. Foolish Innocence

[...When the image fades into view, it reveals the dark inner throne room of a large stone castle. An elderly king sits on the throne, with his five children standing before him. Corrin is in the center, looking up at the throne. Her expression is clearly one of nervous excitement, and she's fidgeting faintly in place.]

Garon: I see you made it here safely, Corrin.
Corrin: Yes, Father. Long have I wished to see you and visit Castle Krakenburg again. I feel like I’m dreaming…
Garon: It is only thanks to your diligence that you are here. I am told you are now a warrior almost on par with Xander. You finally possess the strength to be an instrument of Nohr’s power in the world.
Elise: But, Father, will she be all right outside of the fortress?
Camilla: I worry about that as well. Isn’t it dangerous for Corrin to live outside the fortress’s magical barrier?
Corrin: I appreciate your concern, but I earned my way here and I’m ready to fight.
Garon: Corrin, as you know, Nohr is at war with the eastern kingdom of Hoshido.
Corrin: Yes, Father. I have heard as much.
Garon: We of the royal family are descendants of the ancient gods, the First Dragons. As inheritors of that divine strength, we conquer those who oppose us with ease. One who learns to wield that power can destroy an entire army of common troops. Xander, Camilla, and Leo have already shown that they possess this power. I expect no less from you.
Corrin: I am aware of your expectations, Father. And I have trained every day to become more like my siblings.
Garon: Hmm…you show promise. But you will need a suitable weapon in order to serve Nohr.

[The king gestures, and a servant steps forward carrying a twisted, black-bladed sword. Corrin reaches out to accept it eagerly, tossing it from one hand to another as she learns it's balance.]

Corrin: Wow…
Garon: This is Ganglari, a sword infused with magic from another world. With this sword at your side, you will crush the Hoshidan army with ease.
Corrin: Thank you for this generous gift, Father.
Xander: Hmm… Generous indeed.
Garon: Now, let us see you put that sword to its proper use… Bring out the prisoners!
Nohrian: Yes, sire!
Corrin: Prisoners?

[The visitor to this memory would suddenly feel a presence next to them, and turn to find the current Corrin standing there. Her expression is distant, watching the scene.]

I was so excited that he finally trusted me. If only I knew...

[It was hard to tell if she was talking to the visitor, or herself.]

B. Mikoto

[...When the image faded into view, it revealed the brightly lit street of an airy, open city. People are walking around, selling and buying at the various market stalls, laughing and happy. Hushed conversations talk about the 'lost princess' who had returned to them.]

[Corrin was walking along the center of the street, in her black armor, being led by her three Hoshidan siblings and Azura...]

Corrin: Everyone really is friendly here. And it’s so…bright…and open. It’s quite a contrast from the fortress I grew up in.
Azura: I’m glad you like it. Like I said, I’ve always been happy here.
Takumi: Just don’t get too comfortable…sister.
Corrin: Pardon me?
Takumi: I don’t trust you. Shouldn’t you be heading back to Nohr soon?
Azura: Takumi…
Takumi: Hey, who said you could call me by name? You haven’t earned that privilege either.
Corrin: That doesn’t even make sense.
Takumi: Excuse me?
Corrin: Azura has been in Hoshido for as long as I’ve been gone. Shouldn’t that be enough to consider her part of the family?
Takumi: I don’t care. I don’t trust either of you. I just wanted to tell you that to your face.
Sakura: I apologize for Takumi’s rudeness. He’s a bit of a hothead. Anyway, how’d you like to try a sweet rice dumpling? It’s a Hoshidan specialty!
Corrin: I’d love to. Thanks, Sakura!
Sakura: You’re welcome!
Corrin: You know, I’m very close with a girl in Nohr who’s around your age.
Sakura: Oh? What's she like?
Corrin: Well, she's generous and kind. Always putting the need of others first...
Hinoka: All right, everyone. The ceremony is starting. Let’s head to the plaza!

[The real Corrin stood nearby, seemingly unaware of the visitor to her memory, as she stared at the scene unfolding before her. Her hands are clenched together, pressed into her stomach, and her red eyes are wide, nearly on the brink of tears...]

Please, no...

[But the memory was unwilling to heed her words and continued on...]

C. One Giant Step

[...When the image faded into view, it revealed a small army standing on a long stretch of lightly forested plains. Scattered around them are the remnants of a battle that had just ended, some medics moved from person to person healing the wounded while the dead enemies were left where they lay.]

[Most of the army was turned towards a deep, bottomless chasm that stretches in both directions as far as the eye could see. An old wooden bridge hung across it, swaying slightly in the breeze. Corrin stood at one end of the bridge, dressed in the black armor she rarely wore anymore. She held a glowing sword loosely in her left hand, her fingers unconsciously tightening and loosening around the hilt. ]

[Azura stood next to her, the blue haired woman resting her spear on the ground as she and Corrin spoke quietly.]

Azura: Isn't this wonderful, Corrin? You've managed to win over your family, blood related and not! Because of the choice you made, all of this became possible.
Corrin: Thanks, Azura... And thank you all. It means more than I can say for everyone to trust me.
Azura: ... We'd better get going, Corrin. Now that we've secured so many allies, we should do what we came here to do. Once we reach our destination, we can tell everyone what we know.

[Before Corrin could say anything else, they sky above them began to darken, and a hush fell over the army, all eyes turned up towards the approaching clouds. From the army, two men stepped forward, one dressed all in black, the other in a mix of red and white armor. Both had their eyes turned towards Corrin.]

Ryoma: The skies above Hoshido and Nohr are changing...
Xander: It seems the time has come. Corrin, what do we do now?

[The observer would suddenly feel a more concrete presence stepping up next to them, the real Corrin, dressed in more casual clothing. She offered the visitor a small smile.]

I can’t say I was expecting anyone to see this…


[OOC: Closed prompts will follow in the comments. If anyone would like one, or a different memory, just let me know!]

Comments

Edelgard

[betweenduskanddawn]

The scene faded into view on the edge of a battleground. Two vast armies, one in black, the other in white and red, are arrayed against each other but have not started fighting yet. Corrin was standing on the edge of the battle with Azura and Jakob, her red eyes wide and slightly wild as she tried to figure out what to do. The two commanders of the army are both shouting for her attention...

Corrin: I... I won't betray anyone. I won't fight against the people of Nohr after you cared for me all these years. You and Camilla, Leo and Elise... We might not be related by blood, but you are family to me. You've been with me for as long as I can remember.
Xander: Well said, little princess. What ties us together is thicker than blood.
Ryoma: What are you saying, Corrin? You would discard your true family and side with those who stand against us?
Corrin: ...No. I refuse to fight against my Hoshidan siblings, either. Ryoma...we might not have spent much time together, but you are my family too. You, Hinoka, Takumi, Sakura... I don't want to fight with you on this or any other battlefield.
Ryoma: We feel the same, Corrin.
Corrin: ...But I can't side with either of you against the other. I cannot betray any of my family.
Xander: Corrin, what are you...
Ryoma: ...going to do, then?
Corrin: I'm so sorry, both of you. Please, set your swords aside! I'm sure a peaceful solution exists. If we could just—
Xander: I've heard enough! Corrin, I can see what you're trying to accomplish here. As your older brother, however, it is my duty to teach you the truth...
Ryoma: Not while I still stand... Corrin is finally back with her family—I will not let you take her again!
Corrin: No, wait! Xander! Ryoma!
Xander: Don't think for a moment that I will let you take Corrin without a fight. It seems only right to cross swords with my opposing equal. As the heirs of our respective families, why don't we settle this here and now?
Ryoma: Prepare yourself, then. I will defeat you in defense of my kingdom and my sister!
Corrin: Please, both of you, stop! We can still talk this out inste—!
Xander: HAAAA!
Ryoma: YAAAAA!
Corrin: Gah, it's no use! They just won't listen to me... I'll have to step in if I want to stop them!

As the two armies began to battle, Edelgard would feel Corrin, the real Corrin, suddenly standing next to her, watching it all unfold.

"I think I may have told you something about this..."

[unyieldingmarch]

Edelgard stood quietly throughout all of this, listening to the exchange between these men and women. She doesn't recognize any of them except Azura and Sakura, but it's easy enough to figure out what's going on.

"...The day you made a difficult choice."

That's what she thinks, anyway. Turning to Corrin, she takes her by the hand.

"It must be difficult seeing it again."

[betweenduskanddawn]

Corrin was so caught up in the moment playing out before her that she completely missed Edelgard reaching out for her. But her surprise lasted only a moment before she drew in a breath to steady herself, her hand tightened around Edelgard's.

"It's...certainly something." She agreed as her gaze turned back towards her family.

On the field before them, the siblings and their soldiers were starting to array themselves across the battlefield, while Ryoma and Xander clashed in the middle. The memories of Corrin and Azura stood watching the battle, uncertainty clearly visible on Corrin's face.

Corrin: We'll have to get their attention if we want to stop them from fighting...
Azura: I have an idea... Why don't we attack the groups closest to us? If we defeat the leaders, Ryoma and Xander can't possibly ignore us.

Corrin opened her mouth, wanting to object, then closed it. She didn't want to fight anyone, not if there was some way to avoid it. But getting between Xander and Ryoma while they were still fighting was suicide. Before she could answer though, a third figure emerged from the woods and approached them in a rush. He was a young man a few years older than the two princesses, dressed impeccably and looking entirely out of place on a battlefield.

Jakob: Ah, I'm so glad you're safe! I'm here to help you, milady.
Corrin: Jakob?! What are you doing here?!
Jakob: I've been trying to find you ever since we got separated at the Bottomless Canyon. It took me a while, but now that I'm here, I'll support you.
Corrin: Thank you! We're grateful to have you!
Jakob: I'm a bit unclear as to which army we are fighting, though. Everyone seems so fired up, and they aren't exactly looking at us with happy eyes...

The memory Corrin's expression turned a bit sheepish as she looked out at the army, then back to her butler.

Corrin: The short version is...we're up against the Hoshidan army and the Nohrian army right now. I've chosen not to side with either one.
Jakob: B-both armies?! Lady Corrin, what have you gotten yourself into? I suppose it matters not. Your enemies are my enemies. I shall assist you, whatever your intentions.

"That's Jakob," Corrin explained to Edelgard, pointing her free hand at the man unnecessarily. "He is one my retainers, my butler. He walked across half the world to find me..." She had a fond, sad expression on her face. "Then I immediately dragged him into a battle, and he didn't complain at all."

[unyieldingmarch]

"How...disconcerting."

This is clearly not something that Corrin had found easy. There's a lot of high emotion running across the field, between the brothers, the sisters, and this violent confrontation of families being flung out across a battlefield where lives are at stake. It's not a simple thing, but it does give some context to what Corrin has said in the past.

And Azura too, actually.

Interesting...

"You said before that the Hoshidans are your blood relatives, and the Nohrians were the family you grew up with, right?"

[betweenduskanddawn]

"Yes. I'm sure you recognize Sakura in the rear there. The woman on the pegasus is Hinoka, and the boy behind her with the bow is Takumi. The one fighting against Xander is Ryoma, my older brother." She gestured to each of her siblings in turn.

She turned towards the other side of the battle, eyes flicking through the more spread out ranks of the Nohrians...

"The commander battling Ryoma is Xander, my eldest brother. The boy behind him with the angry eyes is Leo, our younger brother." She pointed, then gestured above them into the sky.

"See the purple haired woman with the axe? On the wyvern. That's Camilla. And if you look way back there..." She gestured towards the rear of the army, where a girl who was barely out of being called a child sat on a horse. "That's Elise, the youngest. I still can't believe she came with them..."

Corrin trialed off. There was a fondness in her voice as she pointed to each of them, but a pain too, a sort of uncertain longing. Aside from the briefest of visits by Sakura, it had been...eight months since she'd seen any of them. The memory was as much a blessing as a curse, really. Pointing them out helped a little, at least. Made them feel closer somehow.

Before them, the memory Corrin and Azura were still speaking.

Corrin: I wish I could think of another way. Jakob, take Azura and try to stop the commander of the Nohrian forces.
Jakob: But Lady Corrin-

The memory of Corrin cut him off with a gesture.

Corrin: Jakob, please.

Her butler looked like he was going to object again, a deep frown on his face, but Corrin met his gaze evening and after a few uncertain seconds he nodded.

Jakob: As you wish.
Corrin: Thank you. I'll see about the Hoshidan commander. Azura is right, Ryoma and Xander can't ignore us if we stop their armies.
Azura: Are you certain?

Corrin gave a faint, wry smile that Edelgard probably recognized.

Corrin: No. When you're done, try to head towards Xander and Ryoma, I'll meet you there. And don't kill anyone.

She hesitated.

Corrin: Not unless you have to, at least.

There was another long, silent pause before the three nodded and turned to head in two directions.

[unyieldingmarch]

Edelgard nodded, committing each name and face to memory. She'd be ready if more of Corrin's family arrived, and not caught off guard like with Sakura. that had been a surprise, but not again.

"You three tried to stop two entire armies? That's bold. Even for you."

Leslie

[betweenduskanddawn]

It was hard to tell precisely what time it was in the dim light of the northern fortress. It was snowing, because it was almost always snowing, and the fortress was covered in the hushed quiet that snow always seemed to bring. The only movement, at the moment, was a girl of perhaps nine making her way quietly through one of the hallways, wrapped up in a heavy cloak, her bare feet silent on the stone floor.

The girl came to a stop before a large wooden door, and she glanced behind her several times before reaching up to turn the ring that held it closed, trying to quickly push it open. Unfortunately, it made a loud, deep groaning noise as she did so, and she winced.

"Shhhhhh." She said to the door even as she kept pushing it. Behind her came the sudden sound of footsteps...

[foundfamilies]

If there's one thing to move Leslie's heart immediately, it's children trying not to get caught. There currently isn't a definitive sign that this child in particular is being abused, but a combination of Leslie's own experience and having already seen one definitely abused child in this dream means she doesn't assume that a kid is trying to sneak outside a castle barefoot into the snow for general mischief reasons. So she's immediately so invested in this child getting to freedom(?) that she doesn't notice the real Corrin (if she's around) and she ends up trying to move quietly herself.

But there are those footsteps. "No, you're going to get caught. You have to find another way!" she whispers fervantly at the memory that can't hear her.

[betweenduskanddawn]

The younger Corrin was unaware of Leslie's urgings, but she did manage to push the door open regardless! Open enough for her to squeeze through the space, at least. As she did so, a door opened at the far end of the hall, spilling light out and silhouetting a young man four or five years older than Corrin herself.

"Princess Corrin?" He turned just in time to see the child squeezing through the door and let out a groan. "Princess, don't you dare-"

Whatever he had been going to say, Corrin didn't stop to listen, squeezing the rest of the way through the door and outside. The door didn't lead completely out of the fortress, of course, just into the large courtyard that framed the front of the monolithic black building. It was covered in a few inches of snow, and Corrin's bare feet slid as she ran into it, nearly falling.

"Princess!" The young man called from inside, hurried footsteps carrying him after her, but tiny Corrin turned back and threw her weight against the door to push it closed. A quick search turned up a shovel, and she turned and jammed the handle into a space in the stones, then pressed the wide base up against the door handle. It wouldn't hold for long, but it would be enough to deter the young man, at least.

She had a grin on her face as she turned from the door and started across the courtyard, blanket waving behind her like a cape. Beneath it she was just in her pajamas. Whoops.

When Leslie followed the younger Corrin through the door, she'd find the older one seated on a pile of logs nearby, watching her former self. She offered the girl a small smile and a wave, gesturing for her to come over.

[foundfamilies]

Now she realizes who this is. Once it's pointed out to her, she does see the resemblance -- even if she still thinks it's weird to see child versions of the adults she knows.

Still, that didn't seem like the reaction of an abusive figure, so Leslie begins to wonder if maybe she was reading too much into the situation. Maybe this is just some child wanting to play in the snow when she should be sleeping. Even so, as she squeezes out behind the young Corrin herself (it seems to be an easier fit for her, she thinks, not knowing that as someone not truly in this memory she could just phase through the door if she so desired, which makes things so much easier), she giggles to see little Corrin outwit her pursuer, no matter how well-intentioned he seems.

When Leslie sees the older Corrin that she's used to, she initially stops in her tracks. There are...two of them? (She's early on in her memory experiences.) It's still not difficult to guess that this is a case of Leslie not being the only one to stumble in here, so after that moment of surprise and confusion, she comes over and finds her own seat on the logs.

"Did you like to go out after your bedtime a lot?"

[betweenduskanddawn]

Corrin shifted her cloak a bit so Leslie would up sitting on that instead of the wood, which was pointless in a dream but oh well, she was still here. The question made her hesitate, turning to look out at the younger version of herself as she ran across the courtyard.

"Not...usually. This had been a rough winter, they hadn't let me outside in..." She trailed off. "At least four months, I think?"

Ten years ago was a bit blurry, after all.

The younger Corrin reached the gate, sliding to a stop in the snow as she peered up at it. She hadn't been this close to it in years, especially not at night, but she knew there was a pulley people spun to open it. So she ran over to the edge of the gate, finding the large metal pulley, and reached up to grab it, tugging it to the side.

Nothing happened, of course. The pulley probably weighed twice as much as she did. She had as much hope of moving it as she did the gate itself. But she still tried several times, her small feet leaving the ground from her last attempt. Finally she dropped back down into the snow with a frustrated noise, and nearly kicked the gear before catching herself. That would've hurt!

Back at the door, there was the sudden sound of someone trying to push it open. Once, twice, then the hard clatter of weight against the door. The shovel strained, but held. Inside a frustrated voice could be heard, muffled through the wood.

"Oh honestly. Princess Corrin, open this at once!" It was definitely the young man again.

Tiny Corrin spun around to stare at the door, and then stuck her tongue out at it, and instead of moving that way, moved along the fortress wall to a set of stairs that led her up towards the top.

The older Corrin made a sound that might have been subdued laughter as she watched this.

c

[oathkeeper]

[He might have taken a wrong turn when it came to the long hall of mirrors. One moment he found himself in the hall of hundreds of rows of them only to find himself standing before this large dark chasm listening in to a conversation that makes him feel rather out of place. Sora's rabbit ears twitch and swivel when he feels the presence of someone real behind him and he turns to her.]

Sorry, I think I was a bit clumsy back in the Looking Glass house.

[But still Sora can't help but feel at least a little curious about the memory he sees. It's obvious some sort of war had occurred but something isn't over yet. It seems really ominous.]

What happened here?

[betweenduskanddawn]

[Corrin shook her head and offered him a small smile.]

I think it's happening to everyone right now.

[And then she turned back to the scene before them.]

We just fought a battle with Iago, the last of my fath...of Garon's forces.

[At some point she'd stop calling him that, she was sure of it. She drew in a breath, as if mustering the same courage the other her was needing.]

And now I have to convince all of my family and friends to do something absolutely insane.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora blinks but he can tell fairly easily that this is a very important memory for her. The way she seems to be struggling with something. He feels a little empathetic to that.]

If they're friends and family they'll believe in you. Right? Nothing's too insane if it's for someone you love.

[He's definitely been there before. And his friends were at his back without batting an eyelash.]

[betweenduskanddawn]

[Corrin laughed softly.]

I'm not sure that's true. Or that should even be true...but...

[Before she could continue, the scene before them moved on. The memory Corrin moved to the edge of the bridge closest to her army, looking out at them all, with Azura standing on one side of her and an elderly man in armor standing on the other.]

[The memory Corrin hesitated for a long time, trying to gather up her thoughts before she finally spoke. And the words came out in a rush.]

Corrin: Well... Now we jump off this bridge. We have to reach the bottom of the canyon to continue.

[A noise of confusion and surprise ran through the crowd, and one of her brothers stepped forward.]

Takumi: Corrin, it's called the Bottomless Canyon. By definition, we can't reach the bottom. You're asking us to kill ourselves!
Gunter: Lady Corrin, you were prepared for them to doubt you, yes?

[The elderly man in armor sighed.]

Corrin: Yes, Gunter. I was prepared for this. I'm sorry I haven't been able to tell you the whole truth up until now. I'm certain that you'll be willing to jump once you know why I've been fighting.

[The Azura reached out to grab her hand, fear on her face.]

Azura: Corrin! What are you saying? You can't tell them everything here. If you do, the curse...
Xander: What curse? What is she talking about?

[Corrin smiled sadly at Azura, not releasing her hand even as she turned back to her family and friends.]

Corrin: If I speak the truth here, and not down below, a curse will trigger and I'll...vanish. But if that's the only way to convince everyone to jump, then I have to do it. Xander, Ryoma, I'm counting on you two to finish what I've started once I'm gone.

[oathkeeper]

[It's true that Sora's sense of love and self-sacrifice is a little more extreme than most people's view. He's a boy that would literally die for the people he loves so! Maybe his view on that is a little questionable in most cases.

But boy is he confused when the memory continues. He looks to her with a quizzical expression. If these people truly jump down into the endless darkness below the bridge that really would be some crazy loyalty (he would have done it if he knew her).]

Why did everyone have to jump?!

[But maybe he'll get his answer shortly.]

A

[bergamotrose]

[Lorenz watched the memory play out with a distant interest and a keen eye for attention. He didn't know Corrin well, but he had heard scattered references from both Edelgard and from the timid young woman calling herself Sakura for the short while she was in Aefenglom.

Sakura had called her 'sister', but this clearly contradicted. Lorenz looked at Corrin curiously.]

That's a vicious looking weapon to give to someone who had just graduated to combat readiness with swordplay. If you don't mind... what was happening?

[betweenduskanddawn]

[Corrin certainly wasn't expecting Lorenz to appear in this mirror dream, but it was something of a strange night either way. She studied him for several seconds, an uncertainty clear in her red eyes. Finally she seemed to decide it didn't matter either way, turning back to the scene.]

The one on the throne is the man I...thought...was my father, King Garon of Nohr. The others are my siblings. The tallest is Xander, the crown prince. The purpe-haired beauty is my older sister Camilla, and the one next to her with the frown is Leo. And the girl standing behind them is the youngest, Elise.

[She gestured to each as she identified them.]

This was supposed to be a high point of my life. Father had finally summoned me from the northern fortress I'd been kept at for the last fifteen years. He was trusting me with a powerful weapon and giving me a task, I...

[Even now, she could feel the rush of conflicting emotions as the memories flooded to the front of her mine. She'd been so thrilled and nervous she'd thought she might burst. Even the strange, intimidating sword, with it's unsettling aura and twisted appearance, hadn't been enough to deter all of that.]

[Before Corrin could say anything else, two gates nearby were opened and a pair of prisoners were led out, a woman dressed in well kept beast leathers and a man covered nearly head to toe in tight black garb of a ninja. Garon stood, gesturing towards them.]

Garon: These are prisoners from our most recent skirmish with Hoshido.

[Corrin and her siblings turned towards the two figures, watching as they were freed from the chains that held them, and their weapons were returned.]

I want to see your power with my own eyes. Use that sword to strike them down.

[bergamotrose]

[Such orders, coming from a trusted man, being placed upon the shoulders of someone as inexperienced as Corrin must have been in that moment was a terrible cruelty to face. Lorenz stood aghast at the events unfolding-- and quickly looked to Corrin.]

Your siblings are lovely-- but was this what they expected?

[He had taken lives when he was younger than that, but he had long had martial training and preparation for the inevitable. Corrin in the scene seemed raw and untempered-- this was not a task to give a naive newcomer.]

[betweenduskanddawn]

[Corrin's gaze turned to her siblings, watching them move aside as the area was set up for a battle.]

Xander might have. He always seemed more...aware...of what Garon was like. If Elise or Camilla had known they would have warned me, and Leo...well. Garon didn't trust Leo at all.

[The memory-Corrin had moved off to the far side of the arena, and had been joined by an elderly man in full armor and a young man a few years older than her, both armed.]

Gunter: I shall join you, milady. My lance arm is perhaps rusty but still serviceable. Jakob, will you join us well?
Jakob: Naturally. I couldn't allow someone of your advanced years to bear the burden alone. Lady Corrin, there is no need for you to soil your hands with this filth. Please relax and leave the fighting to us. Afterward, I will prepare you some tea.

[The memory Corrin looked grateful, but also rolled her eyes fondly at Jakob, before the three of them took to the field. On the far end, the two Hoshidans had been rearmed and were waiting to face them. The woman in furs stepped forward first, with the ninja man a few paces behind her.]

Rinkah: I am Rinkah! Daughter of the Flame Tribe’s honorable chieftain. What is your name, Nohrian princess?
Corrin: I’m Corrin.

[The ninja-man took a half-step surprise, shock visible on his face, though it only lasted a moment.]

Kaze: Corrin… Can it be?

[And Corrin's own expression turned to one of confusion.]

Corrin: Huh? Have you heard of me?
Kaze: … I am Kaze, a ninja of Hoshido. Show me what you can do.

[Meanwhile, King Garon had returned to his throne and was clearly tired of talking, slamming his hand against the arm of his seat to draw all eyes to him, then gesturing at the Hoshidans.]

Garon: Kill them all.

[bergamotrose]

[--That order.

Lorenz's eyes narrowed at those words, his gaze meeting Corrin at the harshness of the command.]

What was that man thinking...?

[Lorenz uttered under his breath, incredulous.

Sighing:]

So much here is beyond belief, Corrin. This... isn't right.

A

[hegemonwings]

[ she knows how to recognize... enough, of what she's seeing here. a cruel ruler talking of divine dragons, of the right to supremacy earned by inheritance and the blessings of gods.

a magical sword meant to make someone into an instrument. byleth's mouth curls in disgust. ]

... Your family, then?

[betweenduskanddawn]

[Corrin looked over at Byleth, then back at the scene.]

My adopted family, yes. [That wasn't the word for what it was at this time, though. Her kidnapped family? ]

I didn't know that at the time, though.

[Before Corrin could say anything else, two gates nearby were opened and a pair of prisoners were led out, a woman dressed in well kept beast leathers and a man covered nearly head to toe in tight black garb of a ninja. Garon stood, gesturing towards them.]

Garon: These are prisoners from our most recent skirmish with Hoshido.

[Corrin and her siblings turned towards the two figures, watching as they were freed from the chains that held them, and their weapons were returned.]

Garon: I want to see your power with my own eyes. Use that sword to strike them down.

[hegemonwings]

[ it feels like she's seeing what might happen if those who slither in the dark ever ruled directly. but garon's demand feels familiar. ]

Your father and Seiros would have gotten along famously. [ it's phrased almost like a joke, but it doesn't come out like one at all. byleth's eyes are hardened, staring down the scene before her. ]

[betweenduskanddawn]

Garon didn't get along with anyone. [Corrin said almost immediately, but seemed to try and catch herself.] Maybe when he was younger. Before he was...possessed.

[She drew in a breath, pursing her lips. Corrin tried to see the good in people. In everyone, really. But she was hard pressed with the man who lied about being her father for most of her life.]

Or maybe he was always a bastard. How would I know? From what El has told me about things in your world, I imagine he and your church would have been very much at odds over who was going to be in charge.

[The memory-Corrin had moved off to the far side of the arena, and had been joined by an elderly man in full armor and a young man a few years older than her, both armed.]

Gunter: I shall join you, milady. My lance arm is perhaps rusty but still serviceable. Jakob, will you join us well?
Jakob: Naturally. I couldn't allow someone of your advanced years to bear the burden alone. Lady Corrin, there is no need for you to soil your hands with this filth. Please relax and leave the fighting to us. Afterward, I will prepare you some tea.

[The memory Corrin looked grateful, but also rolled her eyes fondly at Jakob, before the three of them took to the field. On the far end, the two Hoshidans had been rearmed and were waiting to face them. The woman in furs stepped forward first, with the ninja man a few paces behind her.]

Rinkah: I am Rinkah! Daughter of the Flame Tribe’s honorable chieftain. What is your name, Nohrian princess?
Corrin: I’m Corrin.

[The ninja-man took a half-step surprise, shock visible on his face, though it only lasted a moment.]

Kaze: Corrin… Can it be?

[And Corrin's own expression turned to one of confusion.]

Corrin: Huh? Have you heard of me?
Kaze: … I am Kaze, a ninja of Hoshido. Show me what you can do.

[Meanwhile, King Garon had returned to his throne and was clearly tired of talking, slamming his hand against the arm of his seat to draw all eyes to him, then gesturing at the Hoshidans.]

Garon: Kill them all.