a nice girl who is definitely your age (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fishingforcompliments) wrote2020-05-01 06:34 pm
fishingforcompliments) wrote2020-05-01 06:34 pm
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[Shaking off the others from her camp who apparently doubt her ability to stay alive is easier said than done, but Flayn manages it eventually. Since he's on his way back to the camps from the lighthouse, they come across each other on the dirt path.]
Dimitri! There you are...
[She probably doesn't really need to tell him how worried she was when he left so abruptly. It's written all over her face already.
Relief at seeing him safe (if not entirely sound, given... dead bodies...) is written there too, though.]
Dimitri! There you are...
[She probably doesn't really need to tell him how worried she was when he left so abruptly. It's written all over her face already.
Relief at seeing him safe (if not entirely sound, given... dead bodies...) is written there too, though.]
[ The only stroke of luck today is that he'd seen Flayn when he woke up; even if she wasn't part of the list of the dead, he could confirm with his own two eyes that she was well, and it's good to see her now for much the same reason.
His expression stays grim, though. ]
Flayn... were you looking for me?
[ There's just been a whole load of people killed and she's still running around. He wonders if this is what Dedue has to live through literally all the time. ]
His expression stays grim, though. ]
Flayn... were you looking for me?
[ There's just been a whole load of people killed and she's still running around. He wonders if this is what Dedue has to live through literally all the time. ]
Yes.
[It's a simple enough answer. She was indeed looking for him - it's why she's outside of her camp.]
Before you take it upon yourself to lecture me, you should know that the others from my camp have already done so. But I had to see for myself that you were all right after you left so quickly.
[A lecture changes nothing. She can't sit idly by while people are putting themselves at risk, even if it means taking a few risks herself.]
[It's a simple enough answer. She was indeed looking for him - it's why she's outside of her camp.]
Before you take it upon yourself to lecture me, you should know that the others from my camp have already done so. But I had to see for myself that you were all right after you left so quickly.
[A lecture changes nothing. She can't sit idly by while people are putting themselves at risk, even if it means taking a few risks herself.]
[ She is correct—he was about to chide her. And even if she preempts him, he's going to, a little. ]
I understand how you feel, truly. [ hadn't he bolted off on his own? whatever. ] But there is a killer on this island now, and you must be cautious.
[ It hurts somewhat to admit as much aloud, though. His severe expression softens slightly. ]
Though I had hoped it wouldn't come to this.
I understand how you feel, truly. [ hadn't he bolted off on his own? whatever. ] But there is a killer on this island now, and you must be cautious.
[ It hurts somewhat to admit as much aloud, though. His severe expression softens slightly. ]
Though I had hoped it wouldn't come to this.
If that is the case, then you must be cautious as well.
[In other words: take her with you next time, Dimitri! She doesn't say that quite so bluntly, but she's definitely thinking it, and she will say it later if she thinks it will help her get her point across.]
I had also hoped that it would not come to this... but now that it has, I cannot stand idly by. I feel sure that you cannot, either.
...and you did tell me not to let you out of my sight, did you not?
[that was in the context of fetching a corpse out of the ocean, flayn.]
[In other words: take her with you next time, Dimitri! She doesn't say that quite so bluntly, but she's definitely thinking it, and she will say it later if she thinks it will help her get her point across.]
I had also hoped that it would not come to this... but now that it has, I cannot stand idly by. I feel sure that you cannot, either.
...and you did tell me not to let you out of my sight, did you not?
[that was in the context of fetching a corpse out of the ocean, flayn.]
[ 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.
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...?
[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.
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.]
[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.
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.
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.
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.
And you have mine.
[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.
[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.
[Honestly, Flayn isn't expecting to be up at the top of the waterfall. She's come up here in search of some peace and quiet, carrying the flowers he'd asked her to hold onto, and is very surprised to see that he's up there before she arrives.
She comes to an abrupt stop, then speaks up.]
Dimitri—?
She comes to an abrupt stop, then speaks up.]
Dimitri—?
[ He's here, standing by the edge, looking out over where the water turns downward, towards the rocks. It's serene in a haunting sort of way, considering all that's happened. ]
Hello, Flayn. [ His gaze dips to the flowers in her hands. ] Did you come to mourn? I can leave, if you'd prefer to be alone.
Hello, Flayn. [ His gaze dips to the flowers in her hands. ] Did you come to mourn? I can leave, if you'd prefer to be alone.
It is not that I would prefer to be alone...
[The opposite, really. Being alone is a little scary. But sitting idly by and just trying to sleep after the trial is equally scary, so she's settling for trying to keep herself occupied and make herself useful, instead.]
I thought that... perhaps it might be nice to create some kind of memorial for those we have lost. But I am not settled on a location yet.
[The opposite, really. Being alone is a little scary. But sitting idly by and just trying to sleep after the trial is equally scary, so she's settling for trying to keep herself occupied and make herself useful, instead.]
I thought that... perhaps it might be nice to create some kind of memorial for those we have lost. But I am not settled on a location yet.
[ Dimitri's feelings on celebrating the dead are... low, to say the least. But remembering them, memorializing them—that was better. ]
It is a sweet sentiment.
[ He offers her a smile, drained but still more genuine than anything he's had today. ]
Where have you considered, so far?
It is a sweet sentiment.
[ He offers her a smile, drained but still more genuine than anything he's had today. ]
Where have you considered, so far?
[She smiles back at him, then moves to look out over the edge of the waterfall.
...it is a long way down. But the view up here is beautiful, too, in its own way. Flayn wonders if Marie thought the same thing before she went tumbling down over the side.]
I also considered the tree on that smaller island close to the camp near the cavern. But... that tree is a little bit spooky. I am not sure it quite fits.
...it is a long way down. But the view up here is beautiful, too, in its own way. Flayn wonders if Marie thought the same thing before she went tumbling down over the side.]
I also considered the tree on that smaller island close to the camp near the cavern. But... that tree is a little bit spooky. I am not sure it quite fits.
[ He almost reaches out to hold her arm, for fear of her tumbling over the edge. But ah, Marie hadn't just tripped and fallen, had she? That wasn't the real threat, was it?
He stays as-is by her side, water churning around them. ]
It is a little unsettling, isn't it? [ He hasn't even ventured out to the tree much, with how much water surrounds it, but it's a bit eerie from a distance. ] Though it's hard to think of any other place that hasn't been discolored by tragedy.
He stays as-is by her side, water churning around them. ]
It is a little unsettling, isn't it? [ He hasn't even ventured out to the tree much, with how much water surrounds it, but it's a bit eerie from a distance. ] Though it's hard to think of any other place that hasn't been discolored by tragedy.
...yes, that is true. Many parts of the island were... involved in what happened this week. If I am being honest, as lovely as the view is from up here, I do wonder if perhaps it is an... inappropriate location.
[Would Marie really want to be remembered at the very spot where she had been pushed to her death? Flayn isn't sure.]
I did not think so many people were going to be killed.
[Would Marie really want to be remembered at the very spot where she had been pushed to her death? Flayn isn't sure.]
I did not think so many people were going to be killed.
[ He wonders if it would be appropriate to leave the flowers where he found them, so near their feet now. Would it make anyone think twice before committing another crime, if they could see the world from Marie's final perspective?
For a moment, he looks crestfallen. ]
I did not either.
[ So many senseless deaths. ] And we lose another of our number tomorrow.
For a moment, he looks crestfallen. ]
I did not either.
[ So many senseless deaths. ] And we lose another of our number tomorrow.
[She nods slowly. They will be losing someone else tomorrow - and a child, at that. Flayn has more than a few complicated feelings about Zoe's... everything.
She takes a breath.]
...is it selfish of me to say that I am very glad we did not lose you?
She takes a breath.]
...is it selfish of me to say that I am very glad we did not lose you?
[ Zoe... was she really guilty? The evidence pointed that way for Anaido, but as Dimitri stands here, Marie's body still fresh in his mind—they weren't finished, were they? ]
No. [ It's never wrong to be glad to see a friend alive and well. ] But it is selfish of me, because I'm happy to hear you say so.
[ Even barely knowing him now, Flayn is so kind. Too kind. His thoughts brew like a storm before he speaks. ]
Flayn, listen. There's something about Marie's death that does not sit well with me.
No. [ It's never wrong to be glad to see a friend alive and well. ] But it is selfish of me, because I'm happy to hear you say so.
[ Even barely knowing him now, Flayn is so kind. Too kind. His thoughts brew like a storm before he speaks. ]
Flayn, listen. There's something about Marie's death that does not sit well with me.
Edited 2020-05-04 23:13 (UTC)
[She smiles faintly at him.
In that case, they may both be selfish - because she would have been happy to hear the same thing. She'll keep that to herself for now, and her expression falls a little as he continues.]
...what is it?
[There are a lot of things about the deaths that don't really sit well with anyone, she thinks - but Dimitri wouldn't bring this up unless there was something specific, so she'll wait patiently for him to explain.]
In that case, they may both be selfish - because she would have been happy to hear the same thing. She'll keep that to herself for now, and her expression falls a little as he continues.]
...what is it?
[There are a lot of things about the deaths that don't really sit well with anyone, she thinks - but Dimitri wouldn't bring this up unless there was something specific, so she'll wait patiently for him to explain.]
[ He looks conflicted for a moment, his thoughts such a tumult that he doesn't know if it's better to share or simply ignore his conjecturing, but in the end, the dangers outweigh everything else. He speaks quietly, grim. ]
There were two pairs of footprints up to the waterfall. [ After what happened at the lighthouse, they had been sure to check. ] If one was Marie's set, the other was likely her killer's. And from the size of them, I cannot believe it was Zoe.
[ None of this was new information, and he isn't here to doubt the conclusion they reached, not aloud anyway. But. ]
Which means there may be a killer we haven't discovered yet.
There were two pairs of footprints up to the waterfall. [ After what happened at the lighthouse, they had been sure to check. ] If one was Marie's set, the other was likely her killer's. And from the size of them, I cannot believe it was Zoe.
[ None of this was new information, and he isn't here to doubt the conclusion they reached, not aloud anyway. But. ]
Which means there may be a killer we haven't discovered yet.
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