IC Inbox - Isle of Avalon

[asaviorshand]

[For now, you just get the default automated message. Dimitri will need some time to figure this out.]

Comments

voice; un: b.eisner

[hegemonwings]

[ better to just do this. she's known he's here for a while, and while it might be best to give him space—she decides to just bite the bullet. it wouldn't do to leave him to himself. ]

Dimitri. This is Byleth. I would like to meet with you to catch up soon, if you're open to that?

[ aaaand there. it's a start, at least. ]

Voice

[asaviorshand]

[Dimitri still isn't quite used to how this device works. However, he does know how to answer a call, at least on voice only mode. He'd also heard Byleth was here, and even though she isn't the same Byleth he knows from back home, he's still not going to ignore a phone call from her.]

Oh! Ah, hello, Professor. Yes, I am very much open to meeting up with you and talking things over. Is there a particular place or time you would prefer?

[hegemonwings]

I'm happy to hear it. You're welcome to come to Edelgard's and my home, if you like? Or I know a nice café near the hotel if you'd prefer more neutral ground.

[asaviorshand]

I think I would prefer the cafe. I would very much like to get a better sense for the kinds of tea they have here.

[hegemonwings]

As you say, then. [ and she sends him a message with the address, a block or so from the hotel. ] Can you meet me there in an hour or so?

[asaviorshand]

In an hour? Yes, I can do that. I had nothing particular planned for today.

In which case, I shall see you soon.

[hegemonwings]

[ and after some quick explanation to edelgard and dressing to leave the house, she was off. might as well handle some quick errands on the way.

at the appointed time, she's already waiting at a table near the window, dressed simply, though still in the dark colors his professor would have favored. her dark blue hair is loosely tied back with a familiar purple ribbon, and the scent of chamomile rises as a server places down a teapot, cups, and a spread of various accoutrements.

this was always easier with people she remembered as allies. ]

[asaviorshand]

[Dimitri arrives a little bit early himself, though not quite as early as Byleth had. As he's been looking for work lately, he had a change of clothes ready, which he's wearing now. He has on a blue dress shirt and black formal slacks. Byleth probably sees him before he sees her, but he spots her quickly enough.

The fact that her hair is dark is a surprise to Dimitri. He imagines there's a story behind it, but he doesn't bring it up on his own.]

I hope I didn't make you wait too long.

[He pulls out another chair, and sniffs the air as he sits down.]

That's chamomile tea, is it? You know my favorite.

[Dimitri is actually a little touched. Despite this being a different Byleth who chose a different side in the war, she still knew what his favorite tea blend was.]

[hegemonwings]

[ she offers a faint smile at his approach, shaking her head when he first speaks up. ]

No, only long enough for this to arrive. And... yes. I did my best to learn everyone's favorites, in the Academy days.

[ she may never have been close with the leaders of the lions and deer or their right hands, but they had still all been her friends, once. she'd like to think so, anyway. byleth takes a sip of her own tea. honestly, herbal blends typically aren't her favorite, but the soothing effects of chamomile can be rather nice.

now that he's closer, the gold pendant of a twin-headed eagle is obvious around her neck. a ring, gold and set with a ruby, stands out on her hand as she stirs honey into her tea. ]

You seem well. I understand you and El have already talked about the gap in our experiences?

Text, un: black_eagle

[flame_emperor]

[Before she begins writing, Edelgard takes a long sip of her tea, and then takes a deep breath. Then she begins.]

Hello, Dimitri. I trust things are going well.

Byleth told me what you said, during your conversation a few months back. I confess that I needed some time to process what you told her about our time in Faerghus together, and then everything went wrong last month. But it seems to me we're long overdue for a discussion.

Are you available?

[asaviorshand]

[Dimitri is caught by surprise by the notification from his device, and opens the text. He's even more surprised to see it's from Edelgard. He takes a few moments to contemplate a reply, then begins picking at the keyboard.]

Yes, and I hope it's the same for you.

I agree, we should meet and have a talk. I can meet on my lunch break, if you would like, or after I leave work for the day, around 5:30 in the evening. If neither of those works, I'm free all day on Saturdays and Sundays.

[flame_emperor]

Then let us aim for the cafe after work. It should be relatively quiet that time of day anyway. Tonight?

[asaviorshand]

Tonight would work fine for me. Is there a place you would prefer?

[flame_emperor]

There's a cafe near where Byleth and I call home. I find the cakes there to my liking. I'll be waiting for you there.

Switch to action

Edelgard arrives early, so she can be waiting for Dimitri when he arrives, and so she can sneak one of those aforementioned cakes before he arrives. She isn't...nervous, exactly. But the revelation of the past they shared, that she had forgotten and he had not, put a number of things in perspective for her.

No, she mentally corrected herself. She didn't forget. The memories were cut out of her by cruel men in masks with long knives. The memories of Faerghus, and the young playmate she could still only halfway remember, and who knows what else.

She's there, sipping her tea quietly, when Dimitri arrives, and she waves him over. "Dimitri. Please, have a seat. Would you care to order? I will pay."

[asaviorshand]

Dimitri couldn't help but wonder if it was the same cafe he had met Byleth at. If so, that would make things simple -- he already knew the way there.

Regardless, the moment he finished his work shift for the day, he clocked out and headed straight for the meeting spot, without stopping by his place for whatever reason. He didn't need to, so he figured it would just take more time. Even with that, he found himself the second to arrive.

It was an odd feeling, seeing Edelgard and being able to meet her like this, even though they'd spoken face-to-face once before. All the same, he was able to easily manage a smile and nod toward her as he walked up to the table.

"I think I will order something. However, please do not feel obligated to pay on my behalf. I can certainly pay my own way." That said, if Edelgard insisted, Dimitri would accept -- he didn't want to derail the purpose of their meeting with something as insignificant as payment for tea.

"Have you been well?"

[flame_emperor]

"Please, I insist." It's more an automatic response than anything, an unspoken rule of the nobility from back in Fódlan. Edelgard has easily discarded most of those mannerisms here in Avalon (she still smiles at how flustered Lorenz during the casual nature of their tea meeting, a few months back), and yet she finds herself slipping back into them preferable in this case. No matter the world or how things ended, or will end between them, Edelgard and Dimitri have...a history. Falling back on formalities keeps things...peaceable between them. Formal, yes, but she has no desire to reignite a conflict
already settled in her world. For now...assuming things ever change between them while they're here, this is the best way to interact.

A history that goes back further than she ever realized...at least on a conscious level.

She nods politely, folding her hands together on the table. "I have been, yes. Byleth's presence has made things here a great deal easier." She knows Byleth explained the exact nature of their relationship to him, no use dancing around it. "I pick up adventuring contracts and sell some of my artwork; between the two of us we've earned a comfortable enough living here." She gestures towards him as a waitress approaches to take Dimitri's order. "And yourself? Your work is enjoyable, I trust?"

[asaviorshand]

"Yes, very much so." Dimitri took a moment to place his order. He was sticking with tea for the time being, and little else. Once the waitress left, he resumed.

"I've been working as an appraiser and tester of weapons at the blacksmith. It's been quite an experience, working for a smith in a world separate from our own. I've had much to learn."

He paused. How would they try to segue into the heart of why they met up? Fortunately, he did think of something based on what he just said.

"Speaking of learning, it seems as though we've both learned much since arriving here. Both about this place...and about Fódlan."

voice; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

[A day after this panicked post from Lorenz, Claude decides to reach out to those they know to offer an update, so Dimitri gets a message.]

Hey Dimitri! It's Claude. Just wanted to let you know I'm done with my beauty sleep. You see, taking care of these dashing good looks takes time, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

Anyway, I'm awake again now, so that's that. See you around!

Text - UN: dablaiddyd

[asaviorshand]

[Soon after Claude leaves that message, he will receive a text himself:]

It's Dimitri. Glad to hear you're back with us again. There's still a lot I'd like to talk with you about, so would you be open to meeting with me somewhere? Your favorite café or restaurant, or someplace similar. My treat.

text; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

[He'll switch over to text too, then, if that's Dimitri's preferred method of communicating.]

I've just sent over some directions to my favourite cafe in Camelot. Lots of flowers and plants outside, you can't miss it. If it suits you, we can meet there tomorrow at noon?

Text - UN: dablaiddyd -> Action

[asaviorshand]

That works just fine for me. I'll see you tomorrow.

[The next day, Dimitri follows Claude's directions and arrives at the cafe. He was right, he couldn't miss it, not with all of the plants out front -- especially during the winter. It's five minutes before noon, so he's not sure if Claude is there already. If not, he'll take a seat at an empty table.]

[leicesters]

[Claude arrives not long after Dimitri, spotting him and waving cheerily before taking a seat at the table. His tolerance for the winter cold is considerably less than Dimitri's, so he pulls off his thick scarf and coat as he settles.]

Hey, Dimitri! Thanks for the invite. How've you been?

[asaviorshand]

[Dimitri smiles, and raises his hand in response. Once Claude draws closer, he lowers the hand and folds both of them in front of him on the table.]

And thank you for introducing me to such a nice place. I've been getting by well enough -- especially now that we've left that magical disease outbreak behind us.

How about you? Aside from refreshed, I'd imagine.

[leicesters]

Right, right, I'd almost forgotten about that. You didn't catch it, I hope.

[He rubs the back of his neck and gives a wan smile.]

I'm good... Though a little disappointed. Flayn had the nerve to bail on us after I woke up, and so I can only assume she's gone back to Fódlan. It's all fine, though -- I'll see her again someday.

[asaviorshand]

[Dimitri shakes his head.]

No. I had how to avoid spreading disease drilled into me as a child. So I knew what to do to avoid getting sick.

[Dimitri had been a baby when an epidemic had swept through Faerghus, and it claimed his birth mother. After that, there was no way he would go uneducated on disease prevention.

Regardless, upon hearing the news about Flayn, he frowned. She had so valued the ability to talk to friends she once had who were no more, and now that was gone to her... It seemed cruel.]

She has? I'm sorry to hear that. I will miss her presence.

[At least it makes for a fairly easy segue into what he wants to discuss.]

She told me here that she had been enrolled into the Golden Deer house after her kidnapping. It sounds as though she was assigned to whatever house Professor Byleth taught, as she was enrolled in my house in the version of history I know. I must assume she ended up in the Black Eagle house in the world where the professor taught it, as well...though that would have been harder on her.

Did Flayn ever talk about her past with you?