Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
asaviorshand) wrote2021-06-11 03:44 pm
asaviorshand) wrote2021-06-11 03:44 pm
IC Inbox - Isle of Avalon
[For now, you just get the default automated message. Dimitri will need some time to figure this out.]
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.
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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."
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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."
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?"
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?"
"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?"
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?"
"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."
"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."
She appreciates Dimitri finding a way through to the main purpose of the meeting, and Edelgard nods. "Yes, that we have. When Byleth told me what you had told her, it..." She reaches for a drink, to sort her thoughts out. "I immediately knew it to be true, though I must tell you even with the revelation of what we once were, my memories are still...spotty, at best. I cannot remember you clearly at all. But it also explained other things, small things. You asked me about my hair once, in Abyss. I could never figure out why you of all people would bring it up, considering how quickly the subject changed."
And why he'd hated her so. There had always been his obsession with her supposed involvement in the Tragedy of Duscur of course, a belief this Dimitri had accepted was not true and moved past. But it had always run deeper than that, hadn't it? He'd taken her actions so personally, in a way that had never truly made sense to Edelgard. And now she had her answer.
"You never said anything beyond that." It isn't accusatory or meant as an attack, just a simple statement of fact that while Edelgard had forgotten their childhood connection, he never had, and had never tried t reignite it at Garreg Mach. "And after awhile I put it out of my mind. I suppose my counterpart in your world must have done the same."
And why he'd hated her so. There had always been his obsession with her supposed involvement in the Tragedy of Duscur of course, a belief this Dimitri had accepted was not true and moved past. But it had always run deeper than that, hadn't it? He'd taken her actions so personally, in a way that had never truly made sense to Edelgard. And now she had her answer.
"You never said anything beyond that." It isn't accusatory or meant as an attack, just a simple statement of fact that while Edelgard had forgotten their childhood connection, he never had, and had never tried t reignite it at Garreg Mach. "And after awhile I put it out of my mind. I suppose my counterpart in your world must have done the same."
Dimitri listened quietly as Edelgard spoke. He too remembered the time he had brought up her hair color in Abyss. It had been quite a bizarre sight, to see the girl he had befriended all those years ago, now with her hair white instead of the light brown that he remembered her having.
When Edelgard brought up her counterpart in Dimitri's history, he nodded. "I did eventually bring it up to the version of you in my world, during a parley we had outside of Enbarr. I remember what you said in reply when I returned the dagger. You thanked me, and said that it was because of me...because of my parting gift and my words, you never lost heart."
Dimitri paused for a moment as the waitress came back with his tea, and he continued. "During our days at the Officer's Academy, I didn't think it relevant to mention. We all had our own affairs, our own inner demons. Not to mention all of the activity during our year there. In the end, the main reason why I brought it up was because...well, because I had your dagger at the time. I felt it only right to return it before our final confrontation."
When Edelgard brought up her counterpart in Dimitri's history, he nodded. "I did eventually bring it up to the version of you in my world, during a parley we had outside of Enbarr. I remember what you said in reply when I returned the dagger. You thanked me, and said that it was because of me...because of my parting gift and my words, you never lost heart."
Dimitri paused for a moment as the waitress came back with his tea, and he continued. "During our days at the Officer's Academy, I didn't think it relevant to mention. We all had our own affairs, our own inner demons. Not to mention all of the activity during our year there. In the end, the main reason why I brought it up was because...well, because I had your dagger at the time. I felt it only right to return it before our final confrontation."
Edelgard thinks for a moment. Dimitri's words seem to have stirred the recesses of her mind, and the inklings of a memory. Even though she cannot recall the words precisely, if what Dimitri says is true, she had internalized them to such a degree, that his telling her about them reminds her. "Yes...by my uncle's carriage." She says. "You gave me the dagger. I remember now." She stopped carrying it on her person long ago, and certainly didn't wear it to this meeting today like she did with their first meeting, when Edelgard had heard he'd returned.
"All this time I've carried it and couldn't recall for the life of me how it had come to me." It was Kingdom-made and must have come from her time there, but nothing beyond that. But it was a well-made weapon and a useful tool besides so she never felt the need to get rid of it. "How did it come to be back in your hands?" She takes another drink. "It never left my side in my world. It's here with me in Avalon, in fact."
She nods at his reasoning. "Yes, I understand. And I am not angry at you for keeping your silence. To be honest, I'm afraid the knowledge would not have changed anything. I was already too set on my path by then." She sets her cup down.
"But I do wish you to know something. That I forgot our time together...it wasn't that the time was unimportant to me, or of no consequence. I did not forget you by choice. I'd have held onto those memories, if I could have." Yet another reason to hate Thales for what he had done to her. Not only had he taken her family from her, but also the memory of the one good childhood friend she'd once had. The one...
She remembers that night at the Goddess Tower, when she'd spoken of her first love to Byleth. A young man of the Kingdom who's name she could not remember. A young lord's son. "I know that time meant a great deal to me." She says finally, and leaves it at that.
"All this time I've carried it and couldn't recall for the life of me how it had come to me." It was Kingdom-made and must have come from her time there, but nothing beyond that. But it was a well-made weapon and a useful tool besides so she never felt the need to get rid of it. "How did it come to be back in your hands?" She takes another drink. "It never left my side in my world. It's here with me in Avalon, in fact."
She nods at his reasoning. "Yes, I understand. And I am not angry at you for keeping your silence. To be honest, I'm afraid the knowledge would not have changed anything. I was already too set on my path by then." She sets her cup down.
"But I do wish you to know something. That I forgot our time together...it wasn't that the time was unimportant to me, or of no consequence. I did not forget you by choice. I'd have held onto those memories, if I could have." Yet another reason to hate Thales for what he had done to her. Not only had he taken her family from her, but also the memory of the one good childhood friend she'd once had. The one...
She remembers that night at the Goddess Tower, when she'd spoken of her first love to Byleth. A young man of the Kingdom who's name she could not remember. A young lord's son. "I know that time meant a great deal to me." She says finally, and leaves it at that.
Dimitri sat quietly, listening intently as Edelgard spoke. He took a few sips of his drink as he listened, though his gaze never turned away from her. There was no emotion on his face, aside from a little surprise at Edelgard's comment that she hadn't forgotten him "by choice." It was an odd way to phrase forgetting a memory, given that people rarely consciously choose to forget. It sounds almost as if she were made to forget.
"Five years ago, at the Academy. It was mere days after Jeralt's murder. Professor Byleth and I noticed a conversation occurring among the Flame Emperor, Monica, and a man neither of us knew. We did our best to eavesdrop, but we were noticed. The Flame Emperor threw a dagger at us, but narrowly missed. I picked it up and held onto it." He closed his eye for a few seconds before continuing. "Of course, that's when I began to suspect the Flame Emperor's true identity. I was in deep denial until that day in the Holy Tomb."
Dimitri paused to take a deep breath. The fight in the Holy Tomb was an awful memory for him, and he generally preferred not to think about it. Fortunately, given everything else Edelgard had to say, he didn't have much opportunity to dwell on it, as he sometimes did.
"I am glad that the time meant that much to you, as it did me. It also matches up with what your counterpart in my version of events told me the day we made parley." He hesitated a few seconds before continuing. "There is one thing that you said here that was left unmentioned then, though. You say you did not forget 'by choice.' It thus sounds as though you were forced to forget. Would that be correct?"
"Five years ago, at the Academy. It was mere days after Jeralt's murder. Professor Byleth and I noticed a conversation occurring among the Flame Emperor, Monica, and a man neither of us knew. We did our best to eavesdrop, but we were noticed. The Flame Emperor threw a dagger at us, but narrowly missed. I picked it up and held onto it." He closed his eye for a few seconds before continuing. "Of course, that's when I began to suspect the Flame Emperor's true identity. I was in deep denial until that day in the Holy Tomb."
Dimitri paused to take a deep breath. The fight in the Holy Tomb was an awful memory for him, and he generally preferred not to think about it. Fortunately, given everything else Edelgard had to say, he didn't have much opportunity to dwell on it, as he sometimes did.
"I am glad that the time meant that much to you, as it did me. It also matches up with what your counterpart in my version of events told me the day we made parley." He hesitated a few seconds before continuing. "There is one thing that you said here that was left unmentioned then, though. You say you did not forget 'by choice.' It thus sounds as though you were forced to forget. Would that be correct?"
[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!
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!
[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.
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.
[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?
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?
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.]
[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.]
[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?
Hey, Dimitri! Thanks for the invite. How've you been?
[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.
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.
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.
[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.
[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?
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?
Kinda crazy that so much hinges on Teach, isn't it?
[He doesn't want to think too much about what became of Flayn in a world where Byleth joined Edelgard, so he'll just offer that relatively noncommittal comment. He already misses her enough even without thinking about how she might've suffered in other, parallel worlds.
To the question, he nods.] Yeah, I know about her past. Towards the end of the war, Rhea confessed a lot of things she'd kept a lid on for so long, and Flayn and I have talked about it a lot too. Why do you ask?
[He doesn't want to think too much about what became of Flayn in a world where Byleth joined Edelgard, so he'll just offer that relatively noncommittal comment. He already misses her enough even without thinking about how she might've suffered in other, parallel worlds.
To the question, he nods.] Yeah, I know about her past. Towards the end of the war, Rhea confessed a lot of things she'd kept a lid on for so long, and Flayn and I have talked about it a lot too. Why do you ask?
Indeed. Perhaps that's due to their unique situation, but...
[Dimitri pauses. The whole "Sothis reincarnation" thing is still something he has a hard time wrapping his head around.]
...but all the same, it's hard to believe a single person and their choice is what changes history so much.
As for why I ask...well, I spoke to the professor some time ago. She told me things I wasn't aware of about Fódlan and its history. However, given her attitude toward the Church in general and Rhea in particular, I was concerned about...about whether or not she was letting her emotions cloud her judgment. I was hoping I could get another perspective.
I'm also willing to tell you what I know, and how events played out in my version of history. I realize I haven't spoken much of it, and I'm sure you have plenty of questions.
[Dimitri pauses. The whole "Sothis reincarnation" thing is still something he has a hard time wrapping his head around.]
...but all the same, it's hard to believe a single person and their choice is what changes history so much.
As for why I ask...well, I spoke to the professor some time ago. She told me things I wasn't aware of about Fódlan and its history. However, given her attitude toward the Church in general and Rhea in particular, I was concerned about...about whether or not she was letting her emotions cloud her judgment. I was hoping I could get another perspective.
I'm also willing to tell you what I know, and how events played out in my version of history. I realize I haven't spoken much of it, and I'm sure you have plenty of questions.
Right. To be honest, I'd wanted to talk about this stuff with you since you got here, but I know the past isn't a happy subject for you. So I'm glad you reached out. Oh-- but first!
[He gets the attention of a waiter so they can both place their orders, Claude asking for a black coffee. Once she's taken their orders and leaves, he resumes their conversation, turning his attention back to Dimitri.]
Anyway, I'll go ahead and summarise my own experiences in Fódlan. Once the war broke out and I inherited leadership of the Alliance, I bided my time and waited for Teach to return. When she did, we retook Garreg Mach, and persuaded the Church to join forces with us under one banner -- the Crest of Flames. After that, we rallied the Alliance lords who had been swayed by the Empire back to our side, and fought many difficult battles on our way to Enbarr. I don't suppose you heard about Gronder Field...?
[He trails off, apprehensive. This was the main thing he didn't want to talk about with Dimitri, but there's no avoiding it forever, no matter how much Claude prefers to keep things lighthearted.]
[He gets the attention of a waiter so they can both place their orders, Claude asking for a black coffee. Once she's taken their orders and leaves, he resumes their conversation, turning his attention back to Dimitri.]
Anyway, I'll go ahead and summarise my own experiences in Fódlan. Once the war broke out and I inherited leadership of the Alliance, I bided my time and waited for Teach to return. When she did, we retook Garreg Mach, and persuaded the Church to join forces with us under one banner -- the Crest of Flames. After that, we rallied the Alliance lords who had been swayed by the Empire back to our side, and fought many difficult battles on our way to Enbarr. I don't suppose you heard about Gronder Field...?
[He trails off, apprehensive. This was the main thing he didn't want to talk about with Dimitri, but there's no avoiding it forever, no matter how much Claude prefers to keep things lighthearted.]
[Dimitri orders a chamomile tea for himself. When Claude starts talking, he listens intently. He nods at several points, and when Claude brings up Gronder Field, he takes a deep breath before answering.]
An all-out battle among three different armies -- mine, yours, and Edelgard's. I remember a battle at Gronder Field, too. With Professor Byleth's help, we were able to win, but it was a harsh and confusing fight.
[Another deep breath, then he continues.]
Up to that point, I had a somewhat similar experience. Cornelia usurped the rule of the Kingdom and pledged loyalty to the Empire, and framed me for my uncle's murder. I spent five years on the run...and ran into the professor at Garreg Mach, same as you. We used his return to rally the Church forces and the rest of the former Blue Lions, and petitioned the lords still loyal to the throne of Faerghus for aid. Lord Rodrigue himself brought the aid to us, and we began our advance toward Enbarr -- up until Gronder Field.
An all-out battle among three different armies -- mine, yours, and Edelgard's. I remember a battle at Gronder Field, too. With Professor Byleth's help, we were able to win, but it was a harsh and confusing fight.
[Another deep breath, then he continues.]
Up to that point, I had a somewhat similar experience. Cornelia usurped the rule of the Kingdom and pledged loyalty to the Empire, and framed me for my uncle's murder. I spent five years on the run...and ran into the professor at Garreg Mach, same as you. We used his return to rally the Church forces and the rest of the former Blue Lions, and petitioned the lords still loyal to the throne of Faerghus for aid. Lord Rodrigue himself brought the aid to us, and we began our advance toward Enbarr -- up until Gronder Field.
Right... Honestly, as I recall, it was a bloodbath. I would have liked to team up with you to take down Edelgard, but you wouldn't listen to reason. You just wanted to fight anything in your path. As a result, the remnants of the old Kingdom forces were completely decimated... and you lost your life in your desperation to kill her as she retreated.
[He runs a hand through his hair, looking away. It's hard to talk about, even now, when the wounds of war are less fresh.]
Dedue survived, though. He wouldn't join my army, but he did help us infiltrate Enbarr and take down Edelgard. I couldn't say where he is now... but he insisted on carrying out your wishes to the end. [Hopefully it's a little consolation, at least. Claude knew how much Dedue always meant to him.]
[He runs a hand through his hair, looking away. It's hard to talk about, even now, when the wounds of war are less fresh.]
Dedue survived, though. He wouldn't join my army, but he did help us infiltrate Enbarr and take down Edelgard. I couldn't say where he is now... but he insisted on carrying out your wishes to the end. [Hopefully it's a little consolation, at least. Claude knew how much Dedue always meant to him.]
[Dimitri nods. As he recalls what happened in Gronder Field, a look of sorrow forms on his face. He doesn't comment on Dedue's fate; but he is at least somewhat relieved that he managed to continue living even when he himself didn't.]
Yes... Suffice it to say I was in a rather...twisted state of mind at the time. Professor Byleth and Gilbert wanted to join forces with the Alliance, as well, but the messenger we sent there was murdered and his body left for us to find. It put us into a difficult position, because we couldn't trust the Alliance after that -- and after we seized the Great Bridge, as we came into direct conflict with Gloucester troops there.
It was after that battle that everything changed. Before the battle at Gronder, we picked up a young woman who begged to take part in the war effort to avenge her brother. It was a trick -- she blamed me for her brother's death. But she tried to murder me while my back was turned. If it weren't for Lord Rodrigue...
[Dimitri takes a deep breath. He has to calm himself when thinking about what happened to Rodrigue.]
Lord Rodrigue threw himself between my assailant and me. He was mortally wounded. Professor Byleth cut down the would-be assassin, and Lord Rodrigue...bled out in my arms. I blamed myself for his death, even though he told me with his dying words not to. That night I was prepared to depart for Enbarr alone and fight the Empire until I died from exhaustion.
Professor Byleth stopped me. He reached out to me, and told me that I should live for myself -- act according to my own wishes, rather than chain myself to the dead. I was finally able to listen. Truth be told, I...I never wanted to exact revenge. I felt I was obligated to, as someone who lived while the people he loved died around him. But I felt that by doing so I would become an irredeemable monster. That conflict between my duty and my morals -- that was what drove me to the edge of reason.
Yes... Suffice it to say I was in a rather...twisted state of mind at the time. Professor Byleth and Gilbert wanted to join forces with the Alliance, as well, but the messenger we sent there was murdered and his body left for us to find. It put us into a difficult position, because we couldn't trust the Alliance after that -- and after we seized the Great Bridge, as we came into direct conflict with Gloucester troops there.
It was after that battle that everything changed. Before the battle at Gronder, we picked up a young woman who begged to take part in the war effort to avenge her brother. It was a trick -- she blamed me for her brother's death. But she tried to murder me while my back was turned. If it weren't for Lord Rodrigue...
[Dimitri takes a deep breath. He has to calm himself when thinking about what happened to Rodrigue.]
Lord Rodrigue threw himself between my assailant and me. He was mortally wounded. Professor Byleth cut down the would-be assassin, and Lord Rodrigue...bled out in my arms. I blamed myself for his death, even though he told me with his dying words not to. That night I was prepared to depart for Enbarr alone and fight the Empire until I died from exhaustion.
Professor Byleth stopped me. He reached out to me, and told me that I should live for myself -- act according to my own wishes, rather than chain myself to the dead. I was finally able to listen. Truth be told, I...I never wanted to exact revenge. I felt I was obligated to, as someone who lived while the people he loved died around him. But I felt that by doing so I would become an irredeemable monster. That conflict between my duty and my morals -- that was what drove me to the edge of reason.
Dimitri...
[Even when he survived Gronder, he suffered a great deal, didn't he? Claude's expression isn't pitying, exactly -- he won't insult him with that -- but remorseful, more than anything.]
I'm sorry for your loss. But, I'm glad Teach had your back. It sounds like he gave you some very good advice.
[Then, a thought occurs to him, and he offers a small smile.] You know... The Teach you remember might not be here, but don't forget if you ever feel trapped like that again, you can reach out to me. I still consider us old friends, no matter how much the war tore everyone apart.
[Even when he survived Gronder, he suffered a great deal, didn't he? Claude's expression isn't pitying, exactly -- he won't insult him with that -- but remorseful, more than anything.]
I'm sorry for your loss. But, I'm glad Teach had your back. It sounds like he gave you some very good advice.
[Then, a thought occurs to him, and he offers a small smile.] You know... The Teach you remember might not be here, but don't forget if you ever feel trapped like that again, you can reach out to me. I still consider us old friends, no matter how much the war tore everyone apart.
Edelgard thinks for a moment, her memory stretching back five years to before the war. Just after Jeralt's murder... "Yes, I remember that meeting." She recalls. "I was furious with them both for what they'd done, and I promised there would be a reckoning for the Captain's death. But there was no eavesdropper. Your counterpart did not go looking for us, it seems." But then, Edelgard's Dimitri would have had a much less personal relationship with their professor. Or perhaps his own investigations simply never lead anywhere because his assignments kept him away from the activities of the Flame Emperor. "Thales." She says suddenly. "The man you did not recognize. His name is Thales. Has Byleth spoken to you of him?" If he's still active in Dimitri's world, that is a loose end that will need to be clipped very quickly if Dimitri is going to have any chance to make something of the peace he has won for his Fódlan.
And it ties into matters that Dimitri now asks about. "I do not know if my memory loss was a happy accident or if it was always intended." She replies honestly. "But the end result is the same either way, so yes, you are correct." She collects her thoughts for a moment.
"Did you ever learn why I chose "the Flame Emperor" for my alter-ego's sobriquet specifically?" She asks finally.
And it ties into matters that Dimitri now asks about. "I do not know if my memory loss was a happy accident or if it was always intended." She replies honestly. "But the end result is the same either way, so yes, you are correct." She collects her thoughts for a moment.
"Did you ever learn why I chose "the Flame Emperor" for my alter-ego's sobriquet specifically?" She asks finally.
Claude...
[Going by the look on his face, Dimitri is surprised to hear Claude say that. Thankfully, it's a pleasant sort of surprise, as is evident when his expression softens and he manages a smile.]
Thank you. That means a lot to me that you'd offer. Between this and what you did for us in the events I know, I really need to find some way to pay you back for your kindness.
[It's at this point that their drinks arrive. Dimitri thanks their server, then resumes his story when the server leaves their table.]
Also, you're right -- it was exactly the kind of advice I needed to hear. And the first thing I did once I made the decision to listen to the professor and Rodrigue was to turn around and reclaim Fhirdiad from the clutches of Cornelia and her Dukedom forces. I wanted to liberate my people, and so I did.
After that...actually, after that, we received a messenger from the Alliance informing us that Deirdriu was under attack and was requesting our assistance. When we reached Deirdriu, we saw that you had deliberately allowed the imperial battalion into the city while your forces withdrew to the harbor. That meant we caught them from behind and they were trapped between our two forces.
[Here he takes a sip of his tea.]
You had bet on our ability to retake Fhirdiad and that we would aid you. It was a massive gamble, but it was one I couldn't help but respect.
[Going by the look on his face, Dimitri is surprised to hear Claude say that. Thankfully, it's a pleasant sort of surprise, as is evident when his expression softens and he manages a smile.]
Thank you. That means a lot to me that you'd offer. Between this and what you did for us in the events I know, I really need to find some way to pay you back for your kindness.
[It's at this point that their drinks arrive. Dimitri thanks their server, then resumes his story when the server leaves their table.]
Also, you're right -- it was exactly the kind of advice I needed to hear. And the first thing I did once I made the decision to listen to the professor and Rodrigue was to turn around and reclaim Fhirdiad from the clutches of Cornelia and her Dukedom forces. I wanted to liberate my people, and so I did.
After that...actually, after that, we received a messenger from the Alliance informing us that Deirdriu was under attack and was requesting our assistance. When we reached Deirdriu, we saw that you had deliberately allowed the imperial battalion into the city while your forces withdrew to the harbor. That meant we caught them from behind and they were trapped between our two forces.
[Here he takes a sip of his tea.]
You had bet on our ability to retake Fhirdiad and that we would aid you. It was a massive gamble, but it was one I couldn't help but respect.
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