AN: This is four days late, I'm sorry! I wanted to post on time but I rewrote this chapter three times before I could accept this baby as my own—you guys deserve proper work!
Anywho, this was another chapter I enjoyed writing! Though it's kinda short and mostly slice-of-life-ish, I felt it was a nice change of pace—Dima needs to talk to things that aren' t ghosts or Edelgard, y'know?
Two of my favourite characters in the game are introduced here and I hope y'all like their portrayal!
Also! This Friday is Valentines' Day and I am VERY excited to show you the ninth and VERY fluffy chapter I have planned!
Reviews:
Dragon lord Syed 101: Glad somebody agreed! And yeah, Hubert definitely doesn't care for Ferdinand either lol. But Dimitri is awkward as all hell and mentions stuff when he probably shouldn't XD
Random Fan: Yup, such is the tragedy of Dimitri and Edelgard :( and oh GAWD I love Shamir too! I might work her into the story at some time and totally understandable that you trusted Tomas at first :3
Tesalas: Thank you! And hey, you may not have known Tomas was evil but *I* didn't get the Flame Emperor was Edelgard until the reveal. Needless to say, I was just as traumatized as Dimitri was.
Matt Rogen: Lol that's an understandable reaction tbh—Tomas DOES look like a random NPC so he's easy to forget unless your like me and just enjoy talking to people!
Welp! Hope you guys enjoy!
Chapter VIII: The Unexpected Introductions
Dimitri awoke with a startled cry as a loud bang vibrated the surface he was sleeping on and assaulted his eardrums.
"You know, Your Highness, I usually don't criticize people on their lifestyle choices but this is something I kinda have to critique you on before you kill yourself," Sylvain said with a frown as Dimitri slowly got over the disorientation he was feeling.
His eyes flickered from the high ceiling to the book shelves and finally down to the desk his head had been resting atop, dried drool covering the wood and part of an open book and a blunt candle sagging solemnly nearby.
Where his head had been resting, Sylvain's palms were firmly planted parallel.
Well, that explained the banging noise.
"I...oh Goddess," Dimitri yawned, rubbing the crust from the corners of his eyes. "I assure you, Sylvain, I had every intention of returning to bed—"
"Yeah sure. Even if I did believe that, you're clearly not getting enough sleep—bed or not."
Dimitri sighed and rolled out the crick in his neck. "Dedue told you I was here."
"In case you didn't know, this is a public part of the Monastery. Not popular, but public. Whether Dedue told me or not wouldn't stop someone from finding you," Sylvain said as he rounded the table and wrapped his two arms underneath Dimitri's armpits.
"Now up you go!" He grunted before Dimitri squirmed our of his grip.
"It's a Sunday, Sylvain. I can spend my time however I please," Dimitri said irritably as he returned to his book. He had been...yes he had been looking at armour smiths to see if—
"Oh boy," Sylvain said with a shake of his head. "I know what this is. Come on, Your Highness."
Dimitri tensed at that admission turning to look at Sylvain over his shoulder and allowing himself to be pulled up this time.
"You—you know?" Dimitri asked in a near whisper. Was Sylvain, too haunted by the dead? Was he also carrying the burden of avenging them on his shoulders?
"Withdrawal."
Dimitri blinked slowly. "With...drawal?"
"Or more accurately, Girl Withdrawal," Sylvain said. "You see, pushing away a girl you're yearning for can work to make her yearn for you in equal parts—but that also runs the risk of giving the person who's pushing away Withdrawal. For the girl, it's okay; that's the goal! But for the guy, that's a problem."
"...Ah,"
Well, at least he wasn't suffering from Dimitri's plight.
"Sylvain, what exactly are you taking about?" Dimitri questioned, turning to face his friend properly.
Sylvain responded with a dramatic eye roll. "Oh come on, Your Highness, you know what I'm talking about. You haven't spoken to Edelgard in a week and it's driving you crazy!"
Dimitri ran a hand down his face and shook his head. "Sylvain...that is extremely far from the truth."
And indeed it was. Dimitri wanted Edelgard's friendship again—but he also knew how it felt to be pressured and hounded into doing things. Of course Dimitri loved his family...but he would be lying if he didn't admit that loosing hours upon hours of sleep trying to appease them wasn't stressful.
He refused to put Edelgard through that, and so the only conversations they had shared were limited to two words; "Good morning," or "Good night" or "Good afternoon."
"Riiiiight well, either way, this—" Sylvain gestured to the book littered desk. "Isn't healthy. You need a new pastime, and I prescribe, a new girl!"
"A...new girl? Sylvain, you are aware I don't care for Edelgard in that way, yes?" Dimitri asked with a frown. "I just want her to be my friend again—that is when or if she's ready to have me."
Sylvain threw his head back and howled in laughter, an action that was promptly cut off as Tomas called, "Gentleman, this is a library!"
"Sorry, Sir!" Sylvain called back before turning his grinning face back to Dimitri. "You're not serious though, right?"
"Goddess, Sylvain can a boy and a girl not be friends and nothing more?" Dimitri asked incredulously. "Do I and Felix and you have to love Ingrid romantically to properly care for her?"
"Okay, okay, touché. But you're sure—"
"Yes, Sylvain."
"Alright but my point still stands though; you need a new hobby, And the best hobby is a girl."
"But...what would a romantic relation offer me? Uncle probably has a long line of noble girls lined up to throw at me anyway," Dimitri said with a twinge of bitterness tugging the corner of his lips downward once more.
Sylvain scoffed and batted a hand through the air. "You don't think my old man has the same thing for me? I didn't say a romantic relationship I said a hobby."
Dimitri winced. "I-I don't feel comfortable using someone in that way. Besides, I don't even know how to talk to Edelgard without making a fool of myself, how can I possibly woo a girl I don't even know?"
The Monastery bell rang then, and Sylvain pulled Dimitri closer to his side. "Watch and learn, Your Highness."
Dimitri let Sylvain lead him out of the library and through the Monastery hallways and the prince had to squint as burning bright sunlight beamed through the large windows lining it.
"You see that beauty over there?" Sylvain asked, gesturing with his head towards a brunette Dimitri recognized as Dorothea who was chatting animatedly with a girl with maroon hair pulled into a fishtail braid.
"Which one?" Dimitri asked and Sylvain grinned, elbowing him teasingly in the ribs. "Touché again, Your Highness! But I was referring to the brunette. Now watch as I rock her world."
Sylvain confidently sauntered forward and stopped Dorothea, giving his most charming smile. "Well, well, if it isn't the Monastery's most beautiful flower; Dorothea!"
Dorothea gave Sylvain an overly syrupy smile that made Dimitri tense in discomfort. "Save the effort, Sylvain. I won't bite."
Sylvain seemed surprised for split second before he let out a hearty laugh. "Oh, Dorothea, your beauty is as sharp as your wit! You don't have to be so cold with me though, I'm not like the others."
Dorothea patted Sylvain's head before walking around him. "Hmm, I don't doubt it. 'Bye-bye, Sylvain! Come on, Petra."
The other girl—Petra—blinked in confusion at the exchange before following after her friend. Sylvain stared after the retreating duo with wide eyes before looking back at Dimitri.
"Ah...sorry, Sylvain," Dimitri said sympathetically. "You probably didn't want me to see—"
"No, I'm sorry, Your Highness; I'm going to have to cancel our woman lesson today. Dorothea is ice cold and I love it."
"Wait...what?" Dimitri said as Sylvain walked briskly away with a serious frown on his face as he pursued Dorothea and Petra.
Well...perhaps this was for the best. Sylvain's suggested "hobby" didn't appeal to Dimitri anyway.
Dimitri turned on his heel to return to the library before catching sight of a girl with pink twin-tails carrying three wooden crates in her arms. She let out a gasp of exertion with every step and after the fifth she cursed a name under her breath.
"Ugh!" She whined before looking up curiously as Dimitri approached.
"Excuse me, do you need help with that?" He asked. Surely he could spare or few moments to help someone in need? With Sylvain off his back, he could always go back to research when he was done.
The girl's face brightened. "Aw, thanks!" She said, facing Dimitri so he could take a crate off her load.
"Goddess that makes a difference! Thanks again," The girl said as the two continued their walk down the hallway. "I'm Hilda, by the way."
"Dimitri," The prince responded with a smile. "Where are we taking these?"
"The Golden Deer classroom, Professor's orders," Hilda sighed.
"Huh," Dimitri said, giving the crate a tiny shake. "I wonder what's in them?"
"Probably some torture device! She is brutal! Did you know she rigged some dummies with ketchup one time? Without telling us? My classmate Ignatz shot it with an arrow in the neck and it just exploded."
Just the image made Dimitri wince as they made their way down the steps. "That must've been...shocking."
"It was!" Hilda cried passionately. "Poor guy was screaming for a minute straight."
Dimitri frowned before asking, "Do you like Professor Byleth?"
Hilda sighed, and shifted the crates in her arm with an exerted grunt. "Well—"
"Hold on, give me another; I'm stronger than I look," Dimitri suggested and the loud and dramatic whoop of relief Hilda made caused him to smile in amusement.
Hilda placed her remaining crates atop of Dimitri's and took the top for herself. "You're a real saint, you know that?"
Dimitri chuckled softly and shook his head. "Me? No."
"I'm serious! I would've tripped and dropped all these dumb boxes if you hadn't come!"
"I...still disagree, but thank you for the praise," Dimitri said as their little journey continued out of the Monastery.
"Now, about Professor Byleth—she's creepy and like I said super brutal. She also works us way too hard but, I can't say I hate her. We're learning and that's the point right?"
"You certainly can't argue that," Dimitri agreed.
The duo entered the Golden Deer classroom at last and placed the mysterious crate atop the teachers' desk.
"Thanks again for all your help, Dimitri," Hilda beamed. "I promise to make it up to you."
"No, no, no! You don't have to," Dimitri insisted. "I'm just glad I could help you."
"I guess it would be easier to not give you something," Hilda mused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Buuut I'd feel so guilty about it!"
Dimitri awkwardly fiddled with his collar and gave an encouraging smile. "Well...I suppose if it makes you feel better. A-anyway, I must be off." Dimitri bowed lightly and Hilda gave a friendly wave as he made his way back to the library.
Alright it hadn't been too much of a detour, and he had even met someone new! Now then, back to work—
Dimitri paused as his stomach gave an unhappy gurgle and he patted it with a frown. On second thought, he hadn't had breakfast yet, had he? It wouldn't do for the thinking process if he was hungry...
'One more detour, one more and I'll go back to research,' Dimitri vowed to himself as he went to visit the Dining Hall for a quick brunch. Much to his surprise however, the Hall was completely empty.
Well, he supposed that worked in his favour.
Dimitri turned to the empty line and glanced at the menu card tacked to the wood; fish cakes, fish smoothies, fish wraps—
"Boy, save your money," the server behind the wooden counter said darkly. She wore a white apron and cropped sandy hair adored her head as she gave Dimitri a serious look.
"Ah, well. I missed breakfast unfortunately and I'm rather hungry." Dimitri said.
"You're not hungry," the server insisted. "Wait 'till tomorrow; Mercedes is making stuff."
Dimitri blinked in confusion at the woman. "I...don't understand why you're so insistent of me not eating, fish wraps sound good."
"No, no, no," the server hissed, leaning forward so close to Dimitri that he had to lean backwards with wide eyes. "Take your coin purse and run before—!"
"Oh! Has someone come to eat my food?" An excited voice chirped.
The server leaned back in sighed, shaking her head sadly. "It's too late for you. You won't be able to resist those sad little doll eyes."
"I'm still confused..."
The server didn't respond but handed Dimitri a brown paper bag.
"Wha—?"
"Take it. Trust me."
Before Dimitri could respond, a girl in a ribbon adorned outfit and curled sea green twin tails skipped out of the kitchen. "Oh, Prince Dimitri! How lovely, have you come to try my food?"
"I have, actually! Are there any fish wraps left?" Dimitri asked, taking out his coin bag. The server shook her head and sighed before entering the kitchen with a squealing green haired girl in tow and came out with...
...Dimitri was unsure what it was. It looked like pieces of wet torn bread placed atop a burnt pile of...something but that couldn't be right; he had asked for—
"Ta-da! Your fish wrap!" The girl said and placed the plate atop a tray.
Dimitri placed three coins down and was about to take the tray when the server woman placed two full glasses of orange juice atop his tray as well.
"Oh, I didn't order—"
"Take it."
"Alright...how much is—?"
"Take it."
The girl gave the server a hurt look as a perplexed Dimitri sat with his food. It was clearly burnt and the "wrap" part was a complete advertising lie but...
Dimitri took his fork and pushed it inside of the charred meat just as the girl plopped down and leaned forward on her elbows with wide hopeful eyes.
The fork hovered before his mouth before Dimitri smiled in realization. "Ah! You're Seteh's sister, are you not?"
"That I am! Flayn, at your service! I do hope you enjoy my wrap, I spent an incredibly long time with it," Flayn said optimistically.
Dimitri took a bite, and of course he couldn't taste it but he rather adored the texture, and the passion practically leaped off the dish!
"Well?" Flayn asked anxiously. "Do you like it?"
"This is..." Dimitri smiled brightly. "Perhaps one of the best dishes I've ever had!"
Flayn clapped her hands together in giggled happily as the server looked at Dimitri as if he had grown two heads.
Within moments, the food was done and Dimitri said, "I think, I will have seconds."
"Oh! Well if you loved this so much you must try my fish cakes!" Flayn cried. "I've even made a fish smoothie and...!"
As Flayn continued to gush about her food, Dimitri saw a familiar figure standing by the doorway.
Lambert. Eyes narrowed, mouth twisted into a scowl...
"U-um," Dimitri forced a smile, quickly stood and walked towards the counter again. "Can I take it to go? In this lovely paper bag I've been given?"
"That wasn't—that wasn't its purpose!" The server woman exclaimed indignantly.
"Oh! Is there another container for leftovers?"
The server woman shook her head and took the bag from Dimitri. "You are one strange boy, you know that? Very odd!"
-o0o-
"Thank you," Edelgard politely told one of the Seiros Knights. The man saluted before continuing his patrol of the perimeter.
"This bodes well for us," Edelgard told Hubert as they continued their walk through the courtyard. "The Holy Mausoleum will be open during the Rite of Rebirth two moons from now."
"That will not guarantee it will be unprotected," Hubert pointed out. "We will need a diversion."
Edelgard nodded thoughtfully in agreement. The Holy Mausoleum, as the name suggested was an important place to Seiros and by extension certainly everyone in the faith—even if it were temporarily open for public viewing there would certainly be guards to deter would-be grave robbers.
What they needed was a threat to something else—something more important than an ancient tomb.
Edelgard looked up and found The Archbishop staring from her balcony, a serene smile on her face.
Or perhaps someone.
Edelgard turned back to Hubert and said, "I may have an idea. Ensure our other plans go off without a hitch."
Hubert bowed elegantly, stated a quick, "Of course, Lady Edelgard," and strode in an opposite direction of her's.
It took only a minute to get to the library where Edelgard found Tomas tidying up a littered table. When she approached, the man smiled with faux warmth and said, "Edelgard, dear! Long time no see, I was just cleaning up after our little Pet Prince."
The inexplicable stab or indignation Edelgard felt manifested itself by way of a scoff. "So he's a pet now? What happen to weapon?"
Tomas chuckled in amusement as he slid a book back in its rightful place. "A loyal attack dog is a very good weapon, Edelgard. Now, I know you didn't come to talk about little boys."
"No," Edelgard agreed, much too glad to change the subject. "In two moons time the Holy Mausoleum will be open to the public."
Tomas paused while picking up another book, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face before he shrugged and continued his actions. "That does not matter, it will still be guarded with Seiros scum."
"That is why I need your help," Edelgard said, taking a seat at the desk and fingering the wick of the melted candle. "Perhaps one of you could make an anonymous threat on the Archbishop's life, strengthen security on her and thus leave the Mausoleum open for the savaging?"
"Don't be a fool," Tomas chuckled. "There's no guarantee that wouldn't make our job harder—they may strengthen security around The Archbishop but that doesn't mean they won't do the same for The Holy Mausoleum, especially on such a holiday as the Rite of Rebirth."
Edelgard frowned and sighed. "That...is true. But—"
"Leave the detailed planning to us, I'd feel more comfortable if something this important were in the hands of...trustworthy individuals." Tomas smiled again and Edelgard rolled her eyes and got up. "Fine. Just get the job done."
Tomas cackled and shook his head. "Why, are you giving me orders? You may request, you may beg but you may not order me."
Edelgard chose not to answer as she took her leave. Tomas—Solon—had always been the most skeptical of her. Not without good reason of course—she could give him that, but it did make planning rather annoying at times.
"Say, Edelgard," Tomas called as Edelgard was about to exit the library. The princess glanced over her shoulder and rose a questioning eyebrow.
"It seems Young Dimitri is digging into the Tragedy of Duscur, if these books are any indication," Tomas said and Edelgard tensed. "It's fair to assume you haven't told him the circumstances of the incident?"
Edelgard turned to face Tomas head on. "I haven't, do you expect me to?"
"That's the problem, Edelgard; I do." Tomas slammed the next book into the shelf so hard it created an echoing thud sound as it hit against the wood of the shelf's back. "And I'm sure you know this already but...if Dimitri knew the truth he would certainly come after us."
Edelgard frowned and opened her mouth to respond but was effectively cut off as Tomas rose a silencing hand and continued. "And I am aware you're going to say—" Tomas transformed into a replica of Edelgard and whipped "her" hair. "—Don't be foolish, Solon. I need you bastards."
Edelgard scoffed and crossed her arms as he morphed back into his Tomas guise. "How mature of you."
"Maturity aside, I'm afraid I just don't trust you as much as the others do, Dear...so I'll kindly remind you that dogs can be—and must be—replaced if they become disloyal to their masters."
Edelgard swallowed the angry bile that rose in her throat before letting out a dark laugh. "It says a lot about the actions of you that you worry about my resolve."
"It says a lot about you that you're bold enough to rudely demand things from me when me and my people control the fates of everything you hold dear." Tomas countered with another fake smile. "Who's keeping your weak father's heart beating? Us! Who's allowing you to keep that brooding mage around? Us! Who has the cure to your ailment—"
"The ailment that you gave—!"
"Us!"
Edelgard clenched her fists so tightly they shook and took in several deep breaths to cool the rising heat in her blood as Tomas continued.
"Which is a fairly annoying number of strings to attach to a puppet to keep them in line. You see, it it were up to me, you wouldn't have such sway. I have lived too long under Fódlan's dirt to jeopardize our salvation by entrusting it to an insolent little girl but what Thales says goes, so I must remind you of your place, Dear."
Edelgard scoffed and spun away on her heel. "Do you honestly believe threatening me will prevent me from killing you when you're inconvenient?"
"Again, Edelgard, I do."
"Hmph. And if Dimitri figures it out on his own? What then?"
"Obviously, Dear; he still dies!" Tomas cackled.
Edelgard sent one last glare over her shoulder before leaving the room. This lead her to nearly crash into Dimitri who was entering the library—a heavy bag that was soaked in grease and smelled of burnt food in his grasp.
"Edelgard," he said with mild surprise before smiling and saying, "Good morning."
"Morning," she responded as Dimitri continued into the library.
It was strange not having Dimitri try to start a conversation with her—strange but not unwelcome. Edelgard was rather pleased he had given her some space—for both their sakes.
"Dimitri, my boy! Back again?"
"Hello, Tomas! I'm sorry for the mess last night I—"
"Never fear, Never—is that supposed to be food?"
"It is! Flayn made some, would you like?"
"...no."
With a deep breath, Edelgard continued onwards, silently hoping Dimitri's little revenge hobby wouldn't get himself killed.
-o0o-
AN: I'm sorry but I physically cannot write a purely sunshine and rainbows chapter! Anyway! Next chapter will be longer and also posted on Valentines' Day, SO! GET EXCITED!
Fantasy Fan OUT!