[ He has not been cautious a day in his life. Dedue and Byleth may comprise 100% of his impulse control, and they aren't here. But neither is Seteth, and Flayn is using her newfound independence with reckless abandon. ]
You're bold to twist my words so.
[ He doesn't sound angry about it, because she's basically right about this whole call-out post. He shuts his eyes a moment. ]
But you're right. We cannot sit and idly hope simply to save ourselves. [ ... ] I'm sorry if I worried you, Flayn. I could not waste even a moment.
I am told it vexes my brother a great deal when I twist his words. Does it vex you as well?
[She sounds almost mischievous, but it's hard to make jokes at a time like this. After a moment, her faint smile fades into something more serious. She nods once.]
...I understand. I believe I would have done the same in your shoes... I only wish I had been fast enough to keep up with you. [Though in this case maybe it's better she wasn't, given... what he found.] What was it that you discovered...?
[ He can recognize her efforts at good cheer, and there's a tired quirk of his lips, trying to smile. But in truth, his anger is too rich for it, too fresh. He lets out a long exhale, and his voice is barely steady when he finds it. ]
A friend. [ ... ] Anaido. [ Shattered, bloody, dying. He leaves that portion to himself, though the truth brews on his face. ] He had been killed, by the base of the lighthouse. It is best you didn't see.
[Flayn's shoulders droop at that, and she bows her head. She really had hoped that the voice wasn't right - that it was just some sort of cruel joke. But Dimitri wouldn't lie about this. If he says Anaido is dead, then he is dead. And if he is dead... then the other three likely are, as well.]
...may the Goddess watch over his soul... over all their souls.
[She says this quietly. So quietly, it's almost difficult to hear her.]
[ It's times like this that Dimitri does not feel especially pious. Was the Goddess watching? Listening? What sort of face would she make, seeing their struggle?
But he dips his head briefly as well, closing his eyes, hoping to find some closure in Flayn's soft words. ]
May she guide them all to peace.
[ It's the closest he'll admit to thinking the rest of them are dead as well, though there are no bodies yet to prove it. After a moment of quiet, he looks ahead again. ]
He is gone, but you're still here, Flayn. I will do all that I can to protect you.
[It brings her some measure of peace to imagine the Goddess shepherding their souls to their final rest - but even so, she knows it would have been better if they hadn't died at all.
An honorable death in battle is one thing, but this...?]
You are still here too, Dimitri. I will do what I can to protect you as well. But, please... [She looks up to meet his eyes.] Swear to me that we will survive this together. It does me no good to be protected at your expense.
[ His expression, so stubbornly harried and wrought, softens just slightly. He had a duty to survive this, and also to ensure that Flayn did too.
It is a difficult promise to make (and impossible one, perhaps), but after a beat, he dips his chin, acquiescing. ]
Very well. I promise I will not die for you, Flayn. And neither will you, for my sake. [ And there is something strangely invigorating about that, to make someone swear they wouldn't fall on a sword for him. He can only hope that Flayn's oaths are true. ] You have my word. Let us both survive this, together.
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fishingforcompliments) wrote2020-05-01 06:34 pm
no subject
You're bold to twist my words so.
[ He doesn't sound angry about it, because she's basically right about this whole call-out post. He shuts his eyes a moment. ]
But you're right. We cannot sit and idly hope simply to save ourselves. [ ... ] I'm sorry if I worried you, Flayn. I could not waste even a moment.
no subject
[She sounds almost mischievous, but it's hard to make jokes at a time like this. After a moment, her faint smile fades into something more serious. She nods once.]
...I understand. I believe I would have done the same in your shoes... I only wish I had been fast enough to keep up with you. [Though in this case maybe it's better she wasn't, given... what he found.] What was it that you discovered...?
no subject
A friend. [ ... ] Anaido. [ Shattered, bloody, dying. He leaves that portion to himself, though the truth brews on his face. ] He had been killed, by the base of the lighthouse. It is best you didn't see.
no subject
[Flayn's shoulders droop at that, and she bows her head. She really had hoped that the voice wasn't right - that it was just some sort of cruel joke. But Dimitri wouldn't lie about this. If he says Anaido is dead, then he is dead. And if he is dead... then the other three likely are, as well.]
...may the Goddess watch over his soul... over all their souls.
[She says this quietly. So quietly, it's almost difficult to hear her.]
no subject
But he dips his head briefly as well, closing his eyes, hoping to find some closure in Flayn's soft words. ]
May she guide them all to peace.
[ It's the closest he'll admit to thinking the rest of them are dead as well, though there are no bodies yet to prove it. After a moment of quiet, he looks ahead again. ]
He is gone, but you're still here, Flayn. I will do all that I can to protect you.
no subject
An honorable death in battle is one thing, but this...?]
You are still here too, Dimitri. I will do what I can to protect you as well. But, please... [She looks up to meet his eyes.] Swear to me that we will survive this together. It does me no good to be protected at your expense.
no subject
It is a difficult promise to make (and impossible one, perhaps), but after a beat, he dips his chin, acquiescing. ]
Very well. I promise I will not die for you, Flayn. And neither will you, for my sake. [ And there is something strangely invigorating about that, to make someone swear they wouldn't fall on a sword for him. He can only hope that Flayn's oaths are true. ] You have my word. Let us both survive this, together.
no subject
[She will do her damndest to keep this promise. It's possible that it will be very, very difficult to do so, but so long as they both attempt it -
Well, she's stubborn, and she knows he is too. Perhaps they really will survive this through sheer stubbornness alone.]
We will return home, together.