IC Inbox - Isle of Avalon

[asaviorshand]

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

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[asaviorshand]

[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.]

[leicesters]

[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.

[asaviorshand]

[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?

[leicesters]

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.

[asaviorshand]

[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.