#dimitri support

[xbl00dyw0lftearzx]

When Dimitri woke up, the first thing he noticed was how much his head and his chest hurt. The unmistakeable pain of broken ribs- yet there was nothing actually broken there. All just felt woozy, almost unreal, but each breath earned a hiss and a flinch from the prince dude to a flash of pain.

He was at the infirmary now, alongside a couple others. All in the same state as him: in pain and wobbly, but with no apparent injuries.

A sniff- and his face was wet too. He reminds the faint feeling of crying moments before the last blow of axe connected with his body and knocked him out, when he thought he was truly going to die only to wake up now.

Someone, a couple cots away- is that Felix?

Dimitri got up with a struggle, weakly dismissing the aid of a priestess who had spotted him trying to sit up, and limped his way towards Felix as he tried to keep the pain in his chest at bay.

"Felix?" He hated how feeble his voice sounded, but anything more than that and his lungs would protest. "Felix, are you okay?"

Death is, surprisingly, not as restful as Felix had imagined. But then, what he imagined of death wasn't much of anything really.

It was the grisly, empty, end. So why was absolution filled with so many dull aches and meandering thoughts? That's what this had to be after all, didn't it? His last memories were of himself lying limp with the vision of dark claws approaching.

(His eyes hurt. Light was shining on them.)

What a pitiful end it was then

(How did he have eyes to see at all? To see how the light eclipsed before them?)

He tries to roar again against his fate, but he whimpers with the pain of a crushed chest.

(His name is called, and those eyes flutter open at the sound.)

It's him. Encircled in the light of the medical tent. For a moment, Felix believes he had been taken too. He saw the prince volunteer for the rescue effort as well, but steered clear of that skin deep façade. But Felix notes the nicks and cuts along his face, and priests scurrying about in his periphery.

A more intimate name comes to mind, with some small relief in his tone. But the gruffness of his voice and the habit on his lips forms another.

"Boar."

[bcmbshellblcnde]

Ballroom Blitz

The following day they wake up and the house is already bouncing with far more energy than Charlotte feels she has. Still sulking and wounded over all her wasted time and energy, she sulks behind the group as they are directed along the house to where the supposed party will be taking place. It’s bustling, but not in the way Charlotte assumes the party is meant to be.

Servants rush around with last minute directions, fixing things and rearranging other things and putting things down just for someone else to come and pick it back up...Charlotte’s exhausted just watching them, and she hasn’t even done anything yet.

Sitting stationary in the ongoing storm of events are two people, a young woman and a younger boy. Charlotte perks up curiously. Were they lucky enough that the missing person they’d been sent to hunt down was sitting right there in front of them. She wished...the sooner she could get away from all this disappointment, the better.

Before she could even nudge any of the people she came with to try and suggest heading over to them, a voice calls out and Charlotte quickly snaps the mask of a perfectly demure woman back on.

“Oh, welcome everyone! Ah, it’ll be a while yet until we can truly begin…”

Charlotte smiles, though it lacks the energy she had yesterday. "Oh, that's quite alright! I know that I'm still just honored to even be invited." It’s not a bad idea. Charlotte figures if there's still time, they might be able to try snooping around and seeing if they can find something interesting to do until they're all shepherded around for the rest of their stay to make sure they don’t see precisely the kinds of things they might be looking for. "Is there anything that we might be able to do to help? I'd be delighted to help things run smoother and take that stress of your minds!"

“No need.” It’s not Lady Bergliez that answers but her companion, an incredibly lordly older man. He looks down his nose at you all, seemingly unimpressed. “I didn’t realize that we would have extra……… ‘guests’.”

Charlotte mentally wrinkles her nose. Great, some stuck up snob. She didn’t need any more than that interaction to feel that this was exactly the type of noble who got his kicks outta shitting on anyone below them. Ugh. She did not want to deal with this guy.

"Oh, you must be Lord Bergliez?" Charlotte smiles all white teeth and cheeriness once more, doing her best to look perfectly sweet. "Lady Bergliez so generously invited us, yes. We have been sent here formally by the Church of Seiros out of concern for Sasha, but I am sure that the announcements made here today will be of great reassurance to them when we return."

“You’re mistaken.” The lord says flatly. “I’m Lord Ziegler, actually.” His displeasure was already palpable when you came, but at the mention of the Church his mood manages to sour even more. “Hmph.”

Oops. Well, good. She hope that stung his ego.

“…Oh don’t mind him.” Lady Bergliez gives a winning smile. “It’s only natural for a father to be less than thrilled to part with a daughter. Isn’t that right, Virgil?” There is a moment of silence as Lord Ziegler seems to collect himself, his anger relaxing into a pensive, melancholy expression. “Yes… you’ll have to excuse me. Life’s trials continue to stack heavily on these shoulders of mine. To give away sweet Sasha threatens to be the straw that breaks the horse’s back.”

Charlotte hums in a way she hopes comes across as understanding. He was probably just pissy he didn’t marry her off to better. Charlotte glances over at the rest of the group and hopes someone else steps up to deal with this.

@arcstral ; @elegiac-boar ; @futurerequiem​

[minorindech]

doubt comes in

On Bernadetta’s orders, the group had come to rest for the incoming evening. Patrolling was not easy work for archers who had seen little reasons to march in the past years under her father. Taking away her father’s power by placing him under house arrest had left much of the war effort decisions in Bernadetta’s hands. It was scary, but she’d been determined to do her best and help.

While they set up camp, Bernadetta had gone further out into the woods. She had spotted something strange while walking around. Tracks that looked like they didn’t belong to any kind of animal Bernadetta knew had been going off into the distance. They could be just that. Some strange animal she didn’t know about. But Bernadetta didn’t feel right just leaving it alone without taking a look at it.

(It was stupid of her. She should probably bring at least a few soldiers with her. But she worried far more that it was nothing important at all, and Bernadetta would feel like such a fool if she dragged people out with her just for it to be nothing.)

Bernadetta could do this. Bernadetta could totally, absolutely do this. She knew the area like the back of her hand now, and so walking through the forest and stepping carefully over branches and bushes was no trial for her. Even Petra would be proud of the way way Bernadetta stalked quietly through the woods.

A flash of color caught her eye. Bernie paused and kneeled down. A tiny fluff was stuck on one of the branches. Bernadetta carefully plucked it up and examined it. Blue...blue? What could have left this behind?

The sound of snapping branches underfoot catch her attention to the side. Bernadetta flies into movement, nocking an arrow and pulling back the bowstring taut as she aims towards it. Her heart is pounding in her ears.  She can barely hear herself when she speaks up. “St-stay back! I’ll shoot!”

@elegiac-boar

[bcmbshellblcnde]

where I am expected

Charlotte huffs irritably after shoving her things back into the crappy bag they’d been stored in. Unbelievable. Just because you were a guard didn’t mean you had to be such a rude brute about the job. Her and Benny would’ve never torn through people’s possessions like that! Well....Benny never would’ve. But Charlotte would’ve at least made it look like she hadn’t messed their things up to shit.

“Unbelievable...awful service...” She grumbled to herself. She straightened up and gave a look around the area. Except for the tight security, it seemed like any other city she’d seen that prided itself on being a fortress. Hardly the type of place where criminals would be able to get in easily enough for people to go missing. And yet here they were all the same, investigating a missing person...

God she hoped there was a bonus in her paycheck for this.

"On the behalf of Lady Bergliez, I welcome my lords and ladies to the city of Merceus."

Charlotte turned to spot a man smiling politely at their group as he bowed in greeting. Her eyes gave him a quick once over. Handsome enough, and in armor that clearly cost a pretty penny. That wasn’t special though, especially in a fortress town. He was likely a servant of that family that they’d been told would be hosting them, sent to guide them there. Nothing too special.

"As for myself, I am Randolph von Bergliez, ranked general. My lady mother invites you all to stay within our residence during your time here, and offers our generosity and our goodwill."

Nevermind, she’d been wrong before.

“Oh, thank you so much for coming to meet us yourself!” Charlotte smiled prettily as she tilted her head so she looked up at him with her darling blue eyes through her eyelashes. “Your house is so generous to offer us shelter while we do our best to solve this horrible mess. Oh...” Charlotte giggles and rests a hand against her chest. “Pardon, my name is Charlotte from Nohr and it is a pleasure to meet you, General.”

She can practically feel that uppity noble kid glaring at her from the other group.

“Oh, but I am terribly sorry.” Charlotte frowns and shifts her head so that she looks appropriately distraught. “Your house and the victim’s are close, right? I imagine it must be awfully stressful for you all as well...I cannot imagine what you’ve been going through.”

Randolph looks respectfully (perhaps appreciatively) but only for a moment. "Y-yes... ah, likewise, Charlotte. I hope you make yourself–yourselves welcome here." He smiles a bit, before bringing a fist to his mouth to cough and clear his throat, looking away. "Ahem." All professional from here. Though Randolph's professional tone is weakened by his visible... wariness. Confusion, perhaps. "Actually, you mentioned something important, something that has perplexed me. The "victim" you speak of... you are talking about Sasha, correct?"

“Oh, did I say that? My mistake, slip of the tongue.”

@arcstral ; @futurerequiem ; @elegiac-boar​

[minorindech]

blue bucking broncos

@elegiac-boar | riding +1

No. No no no no no no no.​ Absolutely not. No! Never! Not in a million years and not if her life somehow depended on it! No!

Bernadetta von Varley was a sensible young lady who did sensible things that were expected from her. Things like stay in her room, stay quiet, stay out of sight, and most important, do her best not to be crushed by the ever present weight of failure that she bore on her shoulders daily by virtue of being her, any additional spectacular failures thrown onto that weight notwithstanding.

When Bernadetta heard that a club of students had set up a magical mount with the intent of having people ride off it and get thrown off, she knew for sure that she would need to avoid it at all costs. For one, there would be people there, and Bernadetta did not need to deal with people. For another, that sounded like an absolute recipe for disaster! Why in the Goddess’ name would people willingly ride that? Was she the only noble in the world with any sense of self preservation? If Bernadetta got on that thing, she would likely be thrown from it so far that she would go flying into the wall and hit her head and crack open like a fruit from a tree that never gets picked hitting the ground.

So how did she get here and why was she still here?

“Oh gosh...oh geez Bernie, you’ve really done it now...” Bernadetta trembled in her shoes as she stared at the gleaming death trap. “No way...there’s no way...people think that’s fun!? That’s death in bull form!” There was absolutely, zero way anyone was going to get Bernadetta to ride that thing. Nope. She was certain of it.

[minorindech]

[🏃 + Sweet Bun Trio] The ball was surely a fun one compared to all others he attended before, but no matter the entertainment there was a moment when the room just became stuffy, the noise became too much and his mind started to get tired. While in Faerghus he'd never be given this chance, in here he can just walk out.

The prince sat on the grass near the Goddess' Tower, a peaceful little spot- sighing in relief at the distant party noises no longer bothering him. He also took a few pastries on his way out, just because.

But then he heard the sound of a rustling bush and spotted the Eagles' purple haired archer. "Good evening, Bernadetta! I was not expecting to see you here."

The prince offered her some of the sweet treats with a warm smile. "Would you like one? It feels best to eat them out in the cold, like this. I can give you my stamp, too!"

Bernadetta had needed some air. The event was busy, buzzing, and full of people, and Bernadetta didn't think there was a single soul in there who expected her to last as long as she had, let alone the entire night.

She wasn't sure how she should feel about that. Proud? Insulted? Something she should think about later when she wasn't so exhausted from thinking so much.

She'd expected to be alone when she stepped out of the ball. The night was cool and there was no one around, from what she could see. It let Bernadetta relax as she walked, shoulders slumping and head drooping low and she'd still need to find Hubert and apologize for losing and thank everyone who'd be nice to her and-

Her dress caught on the nearby bushes. Bernadetta groaned and quickly bent down to detangle herself without tearing the dress. What she hadn't expected was the bush to say her name.

Bernadetta squeaks and jumps and has the sense to quickly check the other side of the bush, only to gawk openly at who she finds. "P-Prince Dimitri!" She quickly grabs the skirt of her dress and bows politely. "Um, nice to see you? Unless you didn't want to be seen, in that case I'm really sorry and you don't have to worry, Bernie won't tell anyone you're here and-"

She blinked as he offered her a treat. "Oh, I couldn't..." and she really shouldn't, with the number of them she'd taken and been offered as the night went on but...they were tasty...

Bernadetta jumps again and quickly fumbles for her stamp. "Y-yes, sure, of course! Let me just..." She offers him her card and reaches for his own before realizing he didn't ask. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to assume...I mean...ugh, stupid Bernie."

[minorindech]

The prince stood before the von Varley heir, holding a flowering branch the size of his torso. "Bernadetta, I wanted to thank you for your help in the greenhouse," he chimed, holding out the bough covered with soft pink petals towards her. "Admittedly, I'm still learning how to best care for delicate things, so I apologize for the rather unwieldy presentation. But nonetheless, I thought you might enjoy these given your affinity for plants!"

Of all the things to happen on this beach Bernadetta didn’t remember coming to, getting handed what was practically a flowering log by the prince of Faerghus was not one of them.

(Why did the thought of Faerghus make her heart race so intensely?)

“Woah!” Bernadetta stumbled a bit as the bough was handed to her. One end of it landed with a thump on the sand, but she managed to stay upright on her shaking legs. “H-how did you...Where did you...You found the greenhouse here?”

Still, the flowers sprouting from it looked healthy. It was...actually kind of pretty, despite how strange it was to be holding it. “U-um, you’re welcome! I really don’t feel like I helped all that much but I’m, uh, glad you found it useful? I’d, uh...maybe pluck the flowers from it next time, I don’t think I’m as strong as you to carry this around!”

Oh, wait, hadn’t Cynthia started a game? “A-are you collecting signatures too? I, um...I guess I can give you mine? If you want the signature of someone like me.”

[minorindech]

do not eat the weeds

@kingoftempests

Oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no

For once, Bernie had been happy. Excited even! There was a task at the monastery that needed doing, and it was something she could handle! In the greenhouse, alone, just her and the plants. Bernie could handle that. Heck, if she was optimistic, Bernie could even excel at this. She knew plants. She knew gardening. This was a great Bernie task and a great way to prove she could get out of her room every once in a while.

And then she looked up and the Prince of Faerghus was standing in the doorway saying he was here to help and she was going to die and bury herself in the soil and just save everyone else the trouble.

“U-um!” Bernie squeaked, and then flailed about for a moment, and then squeaked again. “I-it’s uh! Sure. Okay. Yeah you’re here to help that’s fine I’ll just go over there and stay out of your way I’m already in your way aren’t I oh I’m so sorry I’ll get rid of myself right now so I’m never in anyone’s way ever again, Bernie you idiot what were you thinking?”

Could she hide in the dirt? Bernie was thinking of hiding in the dirt.