#beycndfates

"Mmm, or maybe your behavior has become so incorrigible that you don't even notice your transgressions anymore?" An idle thought, with no bite to back it up. The immediate alternative that she could think of was that her cousin had some sort of romantic interest in Sylvain, and Nikolette would hope she had better sense than that. "Though, either way, I doubt she enjoys that a friend is avoiding her." They were all friends, weren't they? Her, Sylvain, Felix, Prince Dimitri? Sometimes Nikolette wasn't sure.

Yet, Ingrid and whatever relationship problems she might be having, romantic or otherwise, was not the topic at hand, and Nikolette wasn't keen to dwell on it too much. "You aren't my type," came Nikolette's scoff at the suggestion, even if it was clear that Sylvain was only joking. "And what you get out of it..." Had she thought that far ahead? No, absolutely not, for time spent with her was its own reward, naturally.

@beycndfates said: It was almost comedic how long it took her to merely walk from the counter to the tables. She stood there far too long after she had been handed the item requested from the cook brewed the cup that was gripped in her hand. Her footsteps were too methodical, though silent as she approached and set the cup down in front of him, hiding her face by looking to the side. “I apologize for intruding, I just felt this may help,” Khione spoke quietly, “Chamomile is good for headaches — or so I read. If you do not want it that is fine! I just thought it might help your pain. I’ve had similar—“ She stopped herself, giving a quick bow of respect, “Excuse my ramblings, I’ll be off then!” (For our boi dimiii)

The events that had unfolded over the last several weeks where unlike anything Dimitri had come across, unlike anything that he felt he could properly stand. Starting with Edelgard revealing herself to be the traitorous wretch that she was, secretly working alongside those that had killed her own mother all this time. He supposed, though, that after that, it was only a matter of time before the next several events followed suit, the declaration of war, the surge of imperial soldiers, and now the attack on Garreg Mach's holy ground. Perhaps she thought it to be a strategic attack, one where she could wipe the church along with the heirs to the other two countries in Fodlan off the map at the same time.

Taking out two birds with a single stone, he supposed. But alas, it didn't work, the church despite the damage was still standing, alongside the students who still remained inside.

The Black Eagle house had disappeared weeks ago, leaving the whole of them complacent in Edelgard's schemes, while the Golden Deer and Blue Lion houses had been left behind, left to fend for their very lives in a declaration of war none of them wished for. A war that that woman started, a war that Dimitri would end. kill her, kill her TAKE HER HEAD - !!

Dimitri's head settled in his hand for a moment, the pulsing of another wave of this headache settling on his shoulders as he attempted to rid himself of them. Attempting to push them away from the forefront of his mind have proved more and more difficult as time has passed on. But even still, he did what he must, pushed on through it all to ensure that those around him were properly taken care of. While most of the students were out, already headed to their homes to recuperate and prepare for the war to come. Some were still unconscious, injured from the attack, they were the reason Dimitri remained, despite the urging to return to Fhirdiad from those around him, he was not going to abandon those under his charge. And while his title of 'house leader' was all but moot, they were still his friends, still those he cherished be it in his own house or the Golden deer.

But waiting for others to heal enough to make the trip back was a difficult process, one that failed to see much progress as the hours passed on. There was little for him to do. Truly there was little that could be done at all, even with the healers tending to them all. Perhaps that was why he found himself here, in the mess hall once more, settled at the end of one of the long tables, staving off a headache that hasn't left him for weeks.

He supposes his own suffering was obvious, despite his best intentions, if the other's approach meant anything. Instantly, he sat up straighter, gentle blue eyes widen as he watched her, glancing to the cup of tea in her hands, still steaming from the hot water within it. "Oh," He moved to stand, to assist her with taking the cup that must be hurting her by this point. "Thank you, I -"

“Excuse my ramblings, I’ll be off then!”

His appreciation was halted on his lips, cut off not only by her excuse to leave his presence, but by his own call out to her, "I - Khione - !" He supposes it was a bit too loud for the quiet shuffling of the mess hall. He cleared his throat, fist raised to his lips as he averted his gaze, taking a mere moment to collect himself before he looked to her again.

"Apologies, I didn't mean to startle you," He started again, "I just ... I wanted to thank you properly ... for the tea," He gestured to the cup steaming before him on the table, "Perhaps you'd like to join me?" Long gone were the tea times shared with friends in the gardens outside, teas and cakes displayed on an elegant platter meant to be shared over polite conversation. All that a distant memory burnt asunder outside the door, now they were all that remained.

"I realized I hadn't really had the chance to check in on you after everything that happened," A true failing on his part, as a student of the blue lions house, he should have done more to ascertain that everyone was truly unharmed. While, he did all he could to help and assist where he was able, but between the debilitating headaches, the reminder that he, himself, should be heading home and the cacophonous accompaniment of voices rioting in his mind, it had grown quite difficult to concentrate, let alone remember everything that he must do. failure, foolish MONSTER, DISGUSTING WRETCH - !!

Al-Haytham shifted as bright sunlight filtered through the window and shone over them, blinking owlishly to adjust to the light. He shifted and glanced at the woman who shared his bed, vibrant red hair flowing like a river across the silken sheets.

@beycndfates said: “you can't control what fate has in store for us.” (Lumine for Aether — bc angst)

There appeared to be a great many number of things that Aether didn't understand, things that he just couldn't control, too many things outside of his grip that continuously slipped through his fingers. And while his sister was already on that list, already someone he had lost and was searching desperately for. He didn't quite realize just how intense that truth was, just how far the two had drifted in their time apart.

Here she was was, standing before him, just a few measly feet from each other, closer than they have been in who knows how many months - and she was more concerned about their fate, about Dainsleif, than she was about him. He thought, for a moment, that maybe she hadn't recognized him, that maybe their time apart had fogged her memory, that was why she didn't seem to care about him, care that he was even here before her. But no, as her gaze set heavily upon him, it was obvious that so much had changed, she was ... different than he remembered her.

Just how long was he truly asleep?

"Where is all of this coming from - ?" Confusion was a cloud in Aether's eyes as he watched her, watched the Abyss Herald that stood at attention behind her, as if guarding her from him? "Lumine, come on, this isn't like you."

Another step taken forward toward the person he's been spending all this time, all that research looking for, only to feel even further away from, further than he's ever felt in his life.

When they were but classmates, her presence had been so meek, so passive, that Hubert, as astutely observant as he was, sometimes forgot she was there. Marianne posed such little threat to anything, always hiding in his peripheral. When she’d promised to return to the academy with the rest of their friends, Hubert hadn’t expected her to go through with it, instead staying absent in the midst of the war. Yet years later, here she was before him within the medical tent, near darkfall. Something about her presence now was gravitating. Marianne had seemingly found her voice, her strength, so much so that it caught him entirely off guard; a rare feat, for sure. When Hubert had witnessed how she magically silenced many of the enemy mages they’d come across on the battlefield, he too nearly fell into a stupor due to her elegant ferocity. Yet, just like with everyone else he’d come to care for, it was worrisome the way she now threw herself into danger. A war couldn’t be won when a prized soldier was gravely injured, or worse. ❝ Often people don’t realize when they’re becoming more of a hindrance than a help to their fellow allies, ❞ he interrupted the thick silence that blanketed the tent. They were seemingly the only two awake, the rest of the soldiers sleeping off wounds of varying severity. Despite how sharp his choice of words always was, the edge was now dulled, much softer than what was expected of a man with his frightening reputation. As he glanced up from his mended arm to peer up at her face, examining her expression, he continued. ❝ What I mean to say is, that you’re considered of utmost importance. ❞ A pause nearly settled in. ❝ Lady Edelgard sees you as one of our prime healers and someone who could greatly benefit the Empire. ❞ As if he’d ever admit he’d come to admire Marianne as an ally as well.

@beycndfates​ said: ❛  you do realize that i know you better than anyone, right ? so i know that you’re lying.  ❜ Felix to Dimitri :))

The lie was an easy one, Dimitri was hesitant to admit, but it was nevertheless true. His ability to sleep was few and far between at best, never anything that was found very easily, no. It evaded him, escaped him, haunted him in ways that little else did. When he wished for it, begged it to wash over him and allow him a few moments of rest was when it was furthest from him. And when he didn’t want it, didn’t have time or knew that it would only be fraught with nightmares did it wash over him quickly and without care.

So the answer to ‘did you sleep last night’ being a quick and simple ‘of course,’ didn’t always cut it. Especially since it has been 3 days since he’d been able to properly find sleep. Though, if he were honest it felt much longer than that.

“I -” There was a sigh as Dimitri halted his movements, closing his eyes for a mere moment to collect himself before raising his gaze once more, looking up at Felix. “I’m sorry, Felix,” He spoke quietly, placing down his quill and leaning back in his seat. He hadn’t meant to lie, truly it had been an accident. However, he spoke without a thought to whom he was speaking to, most anyone else would believe it, and if they didn’t they wouldn’t have mentioned that fact. Dedue and Felix being one of the only ones who ever did.

So could he truly be surprised at the topic of current conversation?

“Lying was not my intention, I fear I spoke without thinking,” He spoke softly, shaking his head ever so slightly as he did so. “Sleep has been... evasive as of late, but there’s no reason to concern yourself over it.” He waved a hand, quickly dismissing the concern.