asaviorshand | IC Inbox - Isle of Avalon

[Dimitri's expression turns melancholy as he listens to what Claude experienced. He's curious about what he means by saying his and Edelgard's ideals were shared, but he's not sure how to ask him about it. But, at any rate, hearing about Edelgard's death in another world still wasn't easy.]

It does seem that way. It's unfortunate. I can't help but wonder if she saw me as a representative of the status quo, and perhaps that's why she resisted me harder than she did you. Or perhaps it was because I put our advance on hold, thus giving her more time to prepare.

I suppose I could ask Edelgard here and see if she would give me her input, but even she would only be able to theorize. Not to mention that asking her about the death of a counterpart of hers would be...well, callous at best. And it's all in the past now -- I don't think getting an answer to that question would change anything.

[He pauses a moment to take another sip of tea. He then looks back up toward Claude, making eye contact with resolve in his gaze.]

There was a time when I gave little thought to the future, but that time is behind me, as well. I want to make sure that the Fódlan I know stays peaceful. Professor Byleth told me some things about those who slither in the dark -- and about the Church of Seiros -- that I wasn't privy to prior to talking to her. While I don't doubt her story, I do worry that, especially regarding the Church and her feelings toward it, her perspective may be slanted.

[That may be do to his own view of the Church, though, and he knows it. While he is very aware of its flaws, he also sees the positive aspects that it has, and is more reform-minded in how to approach it. Plus anything he learns could be used to help the Byleth he knows, since he's succeeded Rhea as archbishop.]

Will you tell me what you have learned? I would greatly appreciate your perspective based on what you know.

Honestly, don't you think your own perspective is a little skewed, Dimitri? You grew up with the Church's teachings, and you were told that if the Church was threatened, you should fight to protect it without question. But when Teach got to the Academy, she didn't know a thing. She was an outsider, like me, and she made up her own mind based on everything she learned and experienced firsthand.

[Of course, there's no such thing as an unbiased perspective, but with Byleth it's less pronounced. It was the main reason he grew to trust her so much when she was his own teacher for the Golden Deer class.]

Anyway, I'm happy to answer any questions you have, so go ahead and ask away. Where should I start?

[Dimitri takes a deep breath. Claude makes a very good point, and one he can't claim is entirely untrue. However, he has his own line of thinking regarding bias.]

I know I have my own biases. I would be a fool to assume otherwise. However, I also believe that, just as Professor Byleth influenced each of us, we also similarly influenced them. I noticed that when I spoke with the version of the professor here -- she was remarkably different from the man I know back home. I wish to get any perspectives I can get so as to make the best possible decision I can -- both for myself, and for Fódlan as a whole.

[Dimitri ponders for a moment. There's the obvious place to start for him, but in general...good question. Might as well pick the obvious starting point, then.]

Have you learned anything about what truly happened regarding the Tragedy of Duscur?

[No matter what he did, no matter what he chose to leave in the past, it was undeniable that the event would always have some degree of influence on him.]

[Claude will admit, he's certainly curious to meet a Byleth who is not only a guy, but who was in turn influenced by Dimitri while teaching and guiding him. But that's a thought for another time, as the conversation turns to Duscur.]

Not much. If Dedue knew anything, he didn't exactly stick around to chat after we fought together.

[Something he still regrets, even now -- he wishes he could have persuaded him to stay. He frowns and sips his drink, mulling it over.] Though I can easily guess that it was another conspiracy set into motion by Those Who Slither in the Dark. They're probably behind the so-called "accident" that got my uncle, too. Everything they did was to sow the seeds of unrest in Fódlan, and eventually drive it into war... Faerghus just made for the easiest target.

[Dimitri nods. He can only imagine how distraught Dedue would be with his liege dead. After getting his revenge, he would have felt directionless.

As for everything else...]

It wasn't just our two nations, either. They were involved in the Insurrection of the Seven in the Empire, as I learned from speaking with Professor Byleth and Edelgard here. They played all sides against one another, and to what end, I can only speculate.

[Dimitri places his hand on his cup's handle, but doesn't lift it yet.]

Perhaps I'll be able to learn more when my men find the location of their stronghold. I'm told I killed their leader already, but maybe there will be other evidence.

[But since he had Claude here...]

Would you happen to know where their base of operations is?

Sure. This is a bit crude, but...

[He grabs a napkin from the table and a pen from his pocket (so much more convenient than quills and parchment!) and makes a quick doodle. It soon becomes apparent that he's drawing mountains and the territories around them, labelled 'Hrym' and to the north of it, separated by the Airmid River, 'Ordelia'.]

You want to look in Hrym territory, in the eastern mountains over here. [He circles the mountains in question. It's not to scale exactly, but he's no cartographer, so it's the best he can do from memory. And, you know, on a napkin.] Or rather, you want to look under them. The base is deep underground... but you need to be prepared, too. Their technology isn't like anything you ever faced in Fódlan. Don't just rush in there thinking Teach will be the ace up your sleeve like always, or you'll be crushed.

[Dimitri carefully studies the basic map that Claude had drawn out for him. It's recognizable enough to figure out where he's referring to. He'll just have to make a note for himself as a reminder on where specifically to look when the time comes.]

Underground...that would certainly explain a few things. Their ghastly pale skin, for starters.

[He listens to Claude's warning, as well, and nods in response. He's really likely just to bring as much of his army as he can manage...but then a realization comes to him. Byleth had mentioned that Cornelia was among their number. So, then...]

This technology you speak of...it wouldn't happen to include massive suits of armor, would it? Like giant humanoid beasts made entirely of metal? Because if so, I at least have some experience. When I led my army into Fhirdiad, Cornelia's forces deployed such constructs against us as a part of their defense.

I can't say I enjoyed fighting those.

IC Inbox - Isle of Avalon

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