no subject

[he's just finishing up speaking with a random local, asking if this broken belt buckle is theirs, when she addresses him.

he blinks at her, taking in her very, very different appearance, her lack of hostility, very different from what he last remembers.

she's not one to pull a ruse and dirty tricks to gain an advantage, so he can rest knowing that this isn't some kind of trap.]

Edelgard.

[there is just. so much. to process.]

Yes, it's me. Ah- [a hand to his chin] -though perhaps not as you know me.