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JUNE TDM + SETTING UPDATES
BEARING FRUIT (NEW CHARACTERS ONLY)
It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.
The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.
From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.
And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.
You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.And then, it goes wrong.
The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.
So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—
You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.
I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.
The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.
From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.
And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.
TWO CITIES, ALIKE IN DIGNITY
With the new Shard-Bearers present or en route, it is Kathova and Cetina that approach the established ones, requesting that they form mentorships with the new souls to assist them with the integration process. To this end, they have both provided a centralized zone in both Highstorm and Springstar for a small, casual meet-and-greet to be held before the new Shard-Bearers are unleashed upon Kenos as a whole.
Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well.
However, for those who have attended such events in the past, they'll note a marked difference—Only newly arrived Shard-Bearers and members of the faction are welcome. If you're a member of the opposite faction, you'll be questioned and ultimately turned away. If you want to join the party, you'll have to be a little sneakier, it seems.
Tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's mild winters-- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, and large bowls of soups like youvarlakia and fasoalda have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. The atmosphere is ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic or political, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings. This is a forum in the classical sense, where people are encouraged to speak freely, no matter the topic.
However, there’s a little tension in the air at this particular gathering. Whether you’ve recently arrived or you’ve been here nearly a year, it’s not hard to figure out—Meridian has just lost the Iconoclast Oracle, and though the Blight (see below) is improving, letting such an important things slip through their fingers again is painful. Without the Oracles, they’ll never see home again, after all. Yet to make matters worse, Meridian lost an unknown but not insignificant amount of its Shard-Bearers to Zenith’s sway. Even in the Seat of the Tribune, it’s not hard to overhear conversations about “what should be done to ensure they win the next Oracle” or questioning “if Tribune Cyrus is really up to the task.”
There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands. Yet, as you look, you’ll see that the selection is also quite interesting. The foods and drinks on offer are from a multitude of worlds, and so you may find a new favorite! Or something not suited to your palate at all. It’s at least a chance to be adventurous.
The mood of Highstorm is subdued as always, but still seems to be pleasant and joyous thanks to claiming the Iconoclast Oracle. Again, it’s worth noting, as the Oracle was contested and therefore rightfully theirs in the first place. Congratulations are given to more senior Shard-Bearers for their efforts, and those who have just arrived may be regaled with stories of bold heroism at the first battle in the Scorching Isles or stories of wits and cleverness at its reclaiming last month. However, these stories aren’t always true, exactly, as only the Shard-Bearers have been present for either conflict. It seems they’re getting a bit of mythology built around them by the public.
Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well.
However, for those who have attended such events in the past, they'll note a marked difference—Only newly arrived Shard-Bearers and members of the faction are welcome. If you're a member of the opposite faction, you'll be questioned and ultimately turned away. If you want to join the party, you'll have to be a little sneakier, it seems.
SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος
In Springstar, the Seat of the Tribune becomes available for such a forum. While a section of the building itself has been reserved for the meeting between fresh faces and experienced Shard-Bearers alike, the hustle and bustle of Heliopolis continues around them -- acolytes still gather their robes and tomes, hurrying from their quarters to lessons. A score of young militants march in step across the yard to the training grounds.Tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's mild winters-- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, and large bowls of soups like youvarlakia and fasoalda have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. The atmosphere is ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic or political, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings. This is a forum in the classical sense, where people are encouraged to speak freely, no matter the topic.
However, there’s a little tension in the air at this particular gathering. Whether you’ve recently arrived or you’ve been here nearly a year, it’s not hard to figure out—Meridian has just lost the Iconoclast Oracle, and though the Blight (see below) is improving, letting such an important things slip through their fingers again is painful. Without the Oracles, they’ll never see home again, after all. Yet to make matters worse, Meridian lost an unknown but not insignificant amount of its Shard-Bearers to Zenith’s sway. Even in the Seat of the Tribune, it’s not hard to overhear conversations about “what should be done to ensure they win the next Oracle” or questioning “if Tribune Cyrus is really up to the task.”
HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы
Eternally in opposition, Highstorm provides the Manor's courtyard as the setting for their informational meeting. Formality is of utmost importance here, with attending Zenith loyalists and residents dressed in beautiful, albeit austere attire -- they are, after all, standing before Lady Yima's home. A buffet-style luncheon is spread alongside one of the largest reflecting pools, wherein you may gaze and find your memories revealed in retrospect upon the water's surface.There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands. Yet, as you look, you’ll see that the selection is also quite interesting. The foods and drinks on offer are from a multitude of worlds, and so you may find a new favorite! Or something not suited to your palate at all. It’s at least a chance to be adventurous.
The mood of Highstorm is subdued as always, but still seems to be pleasant and joyous thanks to claiming the Iconoclast Oracle. Again, it’s worth noting, as the Oracle was contested and therefore rightfully theirs in the first place. Congratulations are given to more senior Shard-Bearers for their efforts, and those who have just arrived may be regaled with stories of bold heroism at the first battle in the Scorching Isles or stories of wits and cleverness at its reclaiming last month. However, these stories aren’t always true, exactly, as only the Shard-Bearers have been present for either conflict. It seems they’re getting a bit of mythology built around them by the public.
SETTING UPDATES
In both locations, information passes between all in a forum, spread and disseminated among the masses - it's a good opportunity for city residents, faction loyalists and interested new parties to share and share alike. Once the meet-and-greet has concluded, twin missives from both faction leads are read out -- invitations for all present to explore the cities to their heart's content, and warnings about stumbling ill-prepared ( or at all ) into the Below, or worse yet, the Beyond. As Shard-Bearers new and old take in their cities, they'll all see it change throughout the month...
OOC, these are all updates to the setting at large that players both new and old are free to interact with as little or as much as they wish! Feel free to use them as prompts on this post, in your characters on-going lives and arcs, or just let them go "that's none of my business" and ignore it. The world of Kenos is shaped by our playerbase, and these are some of the wider reaching effects of various player plots and actions.
OOC, these are all updates to the setting at large that players both new and old are free to interact with as little or as much as they wish! Feel free to use them as prompts on this post, in your characters on-going lives and arcs, or just let them go "that's none of my business" and ignore it. The world of Kenos is shaped by our playerbase, and these are some of the wider reaching effects of various player plots and actions.
THE BLIGHT (CONCLUSION)
The Blight, a strange, time-related disease that had been ravaging Highstorm and Springstar both is finally being addressed concretely thanks to the efforts of a few Shard-Bearers (game-locked log) and unknowingly, of Aetós. While the cities are both still affected by the Blight, it’s now on the mend as the knowledge gained in the Scorching Isles is applied. For living things, a vaccine and medicinal potion has been developed, and for the environment, a technique has been developed to reverse the effects. Efforts are ongoing for each to eliminate the Blight from the cities entirely.FURTHER DETAILS
- Though the two cities are at war over the Oracles, the Blight is an area in which they’re unified because of the level of threat it presents to everyone. As such, the people of Highstorm and Springstar will both gladly accept help in distributing vaccines/potions or purifying the Blight from objects, regardless of their faction.
- Distributing the vaccines and potions is quite standard, should you wish to assist with that effort, but both cities are offering monetary incentives for anyone willing to collect or donate its most important ingredients: gold, silver, or platinum (if you’re willing to kindly donate objects containing these materials to the cause), Turquoise Vitalia (a flower that grows in the highlands of World’s Edge), and Blue Lotus (a flower that’s springing up and growing rapidly near bodies of water in Highstorm).
- You can also assist by purging the Blight from inanimate objects that are under its effects. Any Shard-Bearer who has Harmonized can be taught the process by some of the more senior NPCs that are in the bodies of government, but the basic process is simple. It requires a member of each faction, and similar to the purification of Discord, you’ll both push your faction’s energy into the object. As the process starts, you’ll innately sense that there’s a stronger presence of one energy over the other, and you’ll work together to equalize the energy.
CITIES IN RUINS
As part of the disastrous side effects of the Blight once ravaging the cities, large vines and roots have torn through the cities. This has created zones in them that are now uninhabitable because of collapsed buildings (which can be viewed for Highstorm and Springstar). There are efforts to rebuild both cities that are ongoing, but the unusual weather effects that were witnessed seem to be a bit more intense after a new batch of Shard-Bearers have arrived. This “unusual weather” can be pockets of thunderstorms of flurries, but they always carry additional effects such as (but not limited to) causing one to hear voices from the past or future, visual or auditory hallucinations of themselves from different timelines, pockets of space where old injuries, illnesses, or previously known physical conditions are re-experienced as if their body is going back in time. However, there are some new oddities that are also present...FURTHER DETAILS
- You may see ghostly specters of Shard-Bearers who have come and gone. Sometimes, they seem to notice that you’re there and flee deeper into the districts and disappear. Other times, they just go about what seems to be daily life in the district, though things don’t always match up. They might be leaning against a counter that’s no longer there, for example. Very rarely, you might even find one that you can have a conversation with, though not for long.
- OOC, if your character is one that you’ve dropped, feel free to have them make a cameo reappearance. This is more a chance to give a little hello (or farewell!) to CR and is totally optional. We ask that you not make a toplevel for them (unless you’re planning on reapping them), but we’ve made a toplevel for these kinds of interactions here. We also encourage you to give some friendly (or maybe not so friendly) hauntings to new players!
POLITICAL TURMOIL
After new Shard-Bearers arrive and settle into their new homes (so much as they can), those that frequent Springstar will see that the tension of the welcoming forum wasn’t a one-off. Meridian is a faction with opinions and ideals that are as diverse as the worlds people hail from, and so not all are happy with Tribune Cyrus’s performance in leading the faction to lose the same Oracle twice. Debates spring up in restaurants and bars, but it’s only aided by two notable Springstar residents encouraging such debates. Desmond Ó Ruadháin and Agapitos Voreen both draw crowds in public places as they speak to the people that gather. Their talks are peaceful and encourage people of Springstar to talk amongst themselves… But they’re also distinctly political about the future of Meridian and Springstar.FURTHER DETAILS
- Desmond is the foreman who oversees how the unique architecture of Springstar is made, and as such as a deep connection and investment in peoples’ home worlds. When Desmond speaks, he brings people together and tells stories from his homeland and well as from others that he’s heard. It’s something he encourages for those gathered, though it does make the sting of the loss of the Oracle more worrying. If Meridian doesn’t get the Oracles, then they’ll never see home again. There’s an undercurrent in his speeches that having been born here and to a noble family that’s living in Springstar for generations, Cyrus can’t truly understand the stakes here. He may be a good Tribune during peace, but this is war.
- Voreen is a businessman whose family owns several large shops throughout Springstar, and as such has a deep connection to the city and its people. When Voreen speaks, he brings people together by focusing on how Springstar itself is almost a miracle, and how it’s brought people from all walks of life together. His gatherings encourage people to get to know each other and to learn more about the people and the worlds they come from, since he deeply believes that the diversity of experience and knowledge is Meridian’s strength (…and frequent cause of arguments, it’s true). There’s an undercurrent in his speeches of a deep distrust of Zenith and especially of Yima. Anyone that offers you exactly what you want always has strings attached, right? Cyrus is too conciliatory towards Yima, and it makes Meridian as a whole seem weak. He may be a good Tribune during peace, but this is war.
- This is also a situation that Yima is well aware of, and she’ll send a brief message to Zenite Shard-Bearers to inform them of the unrest brewing in Springstar… And that for those with a deft hand for such matters, it’s a good opportunity to encourage this unrest in whatever way they see fit. She makes it clear that if Springstar is busy with internal politics, it’ll be much easier to stop their occupation of Alenroux as well as ensuring that the city itself may not be able to provide resources or backup to its Shard-Bearers in the fights for the Oracles.
SMALLER CHANGES
PASTORAL PEACE (ALENROUX)
Thanks to the ongoing efforts of both Shard-Bearers and Springstar’s military forces, Alenroux is now a much safer place to stay at night. While the threat of creatures roaming its lands isn’t negligible, the Southern portion of the island (close to the main Cornerstone) is now a place that can be inhabited by those willing to make the effort. Think of living there as being similar to living on the frontier—you have to build your own place to live and once night falls, you’re essentially on your own to protect yourself. Creatures will naturally gravitate towards anyone that chooses to set up a residence there as if they’re drawn to the life force, but so long as a home is well-fortified, it should be safe during the night. However, this does not apply the further North you go.
That said, while the people that work in (or just generally really like) Alenroux may be grateful to Springstar for its help in this regard, it does now seem unnecessary… Which is in large part thanks to Zenite efforts to undermine Springstar’s occupation. As a small town starts to be built around the Cornerstone, Springstar’s military or those that have been seen supporting it are treated with suspicion, if not openly told to leave. While the burgeoning community of Alenroux can’t said to be pro-Zenith (yet?), they’re definitely leaning decidedly anti-Meridian.
THE BALANCE OF POWER (KOWLOON)
For those that have been in Kenos for a while and frequented the underground city of Kowloon, it’s been clear for a while that the drug den and bar Draumahol is under new management. Or, should we say, Draumah👁l? The establishment is now very openly owned by Silco, but anyone who spends enough time in the city to learn about its loose form of governance would also pick up that this means Silco has likely scooped up a position on the city’s “council”, though concrete confirmation of that is still hard information to get.
However, in a definitely unrelated point (it’s not), Meridian characters may find themselves running into more difficulty while in Kowloon. There’s no open hostility or even widespread distaste. It might seem more like bad luck unless Meri talk amongst each other. They may be more likely to be pick-pocketed or mugged, may find that some shops offer an arbitrarily higher price to them, etc. These are all free for players to decide, but should be on the level of being unlucky or a particularly bad day down in Kowloon rather than anything more serious.
OOC NOTES
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kenoslogs.
no subject
What would have convinced Lady Rhea to make someone so young, whose resume consosted entirely of mercenary work, into a professor? The students were hardly that much younger than Byleth himself, much of the time. He supposed somehow Jeritza had been hired on, but he was just a man with a peculiar penchant for wearing masks.
No one knew him as the Death Knight.
But even someone who lived under a rock had heard of the Ashen Demon.
What tipped the scales too far in absurdity, however, was the suggestion that in some other life he could be a knight. Yuri knew well enough to know that were it not for Aelfric's machinations, he'd have led a different life, but still... The laughter bubbled up inside him before he could quite catch it, a brighter sound than this situation merited, but hell, he might've needed a good laugh.
It died away quickly enough, leaving Yuri to compose himself and ignore any onlookers. ]
As though I'd steal a job meant for Ashe. [ That had always been the guy's dream, for as long as he'd known him. And Ashe fit the bill, where Yuri assuredly did not. ] Me, clanking about in armor...no thank you.
[ He didn't even want to imagine the way that'd ruin his physique. ]
And most people know me as a mercenary, nowadays.
[ Kind of. ]
no subject
[Byleth's tone was blunt, but lacking in judgement. Though nobles tended to employ a layer of plausibly deniability in their reliance on the criminal side of business, mercenaries and smugglers and all those in between were essentially in bed with each other. Jeralt had more than a few contacts in the underworld, and they served them well when it came to information, supplies, or getting needed dirt on this, that or the other.
Of course, Byleth didn't think Yuri was one of Jeralt's contacts, but they all moved in the same circles. You heard things.]
In any case, it seems we may, in fact, be from the same timeline - or, at least, one that's fairly similar. You served King Dimitri, yes? Against the Empire and their dark mages?
no subject
Once they gave me the option to change sides.
[ Well, that was tidier than knocking him around the fortress and offering him the option of allegiance over death. Considering Yuri felt no fondness for the Empire and was only satisfying himself that his debt to House Rowe was paid in full, the decision was an easy one. ]
Same for you and your old man, wasn't it?
[ Not entirely, of course, considering that whole battle was spent avoiding Byleth like the Faerghan Plague, but the comparison still stood. They'd been working with the Empire for their own reasons until the opportunity came along to change sides... Which likewise they arrived at for their own reasons. ]
no subject
[Was it technically betrayal if your client died first? Nah.]
But that's good. In all honesty I was... beginning to doubt my memory, so to hear you confirm what I thought to be true... it's a relief.
[He really had been starting to wonder if he had been a professor after all, but his memories just got scrambled when coming over here!]
no subject
Hasn't he already considered someone meddling with their memories as a probable explanation for any contradictions?
The only thing they seem to have in abundance around here is time. So it seems to him, anyway, dragged away from a war before putting it to rights for good and all. The listlessness of his circumstances leaves him ill at ease, something he suspects isn't bound to change terribly soon. ]
You're the renowned Ashen Demon that Shez prattled on about every three seconds until you joined up. [ Hyperbole, but roll with it- ] No need to doubt yourself. I know you.
[ He paused, frowning at the taste of his own words. The truth of the matter was that he didn't know Byleth particularly well, not on a personal level, but he did have a decent grasp of who the man was. Certainly, his reputation preceded him most anyplace in Fódlan. ]
Or I know who you are, anyway. You're the terror of the battlefield who likes some pink mountain flower...allegedly.
[ He had his sources. ]
no subject
Ah, you... know about that?
[Though, as soon as the question passed his lips, he remembered that he hadn't been overly subtle about that whole thing. In fact, he had all but ambushed people who had treated him very cordially, asking clumsily on how one showed their love for another person and what you can give them as a heartfelt gift.
(With Ashe, in particular, it had caused a minor misunderstanding where the archer had thought Byleth was asking for dating advice... somewhat embarrassing for both sides when they realised the miscommunication)]
no subject
[ Or several, actually. His men all came to him with different stories about the Ashen Demon's odd quirks after he arrived in camp. At times it was difficult to determine which were actually true, but the pink flowers had come up more than once. Evidently, a gift for his father.
It was sweet, albeit peculiar, from a distant view. ]
Doubtless there's more to you, but I'm sure you'll agree we're not exactly well-acquainted.
[ There were allies he'd be far worse off with in this place, but Yuri could admit he only knew a little about Byleth. ]
no subject
[And wasn't that a relief? Byleth didn't have to endure yet another person knowing him intimately, from his darkest secrets to predicting how he'd react, or intuitively understanding his feelings. It's... what he wanted, but he wanted to earn such things; not have them dumped into his lap with no effort on his part with a bucketload of expectations attached.]
I only knew you as a crime lord that King Dimitri had picked up somewhere. Jeralt knew about you, though. He, in fact, warned me to be mindful not to draw your ire as he, and I quote, 'didn't want to deal with that shit'. You must be quite good at what you do, if Jeralt wanted to stay on your good side.
[After all, his father was used to making enemies and making them often. He was dismissive of most of them - not in an insulting way, but resigned that they'd rock boats, insult some powerful people, and eventually they or their catpaws would come to have it out with them... and they'd win, as they always did. There were, however, some people Jeralt pointedly tried to avoid: the Church being the biggest one.]
no subject
[ Yuri neither confirmed nor denied the insinuation that crossing him was more trouble than it was worth, but the slant of his smile was a little too sharp around the edges, and that said enough. It was that sharp edge to him that made Rowe's servants view him with suspicion, like some predatory beast stalking their halls, despite the nature of their own master.
But the expression wasn't unfriendly. If anything, there was a faint glint of mirth in his lilac eyes. It was no surprise to him that someone like Jeralt, seasoned warrior that he was, would rather spare himself a potential thorn in his side.
Though, with that in mind... ]
Meanwhile, you're the guy we tried our damndest to avoid in those woods. You don't poke the bear, as they say.
no subject
[Byleth's tone wasn't apologetic or shamefaced - just frank and to the point. Yuri being a mercenary himself likely understood: if you were paid to eliminate your client's enemy, there was usually no malice attached to the deed, just professionalism. At least, Byleth felt no animosity or malice towards those he was paid to kill.]
And the war that engulfed Fódlan was profitable work for us mercenaries. Saying that...
[He let out a rueful huff.]
...taking that contract with the Empire forced me to experience the bitter taste of defeat for the first time in a long while, thanks to Shez. He truly is my equal on the battlefield.
[The only one Byleth had actually felt genuine fear for on the battlefield. Shez came so close to besting him multiple times - as himself and under the thrall of Arval - that Byleth couldn't help but have a tinge of admiration in his otherwise even tone.]
no subject
[ The amusement colored his tone, though Yuri managed not to chuckle. He understood competitive spirit in principle, but really, if a fight was good and interesting, he tended to be satisfied with that. As much was true for most where he hailed from, so far as he'd ever seen.
Both Shez and Byleth seemed to enjoy their rivalry, now that it was on friendlier terms... Minus a certain incident that set them all scrambling to rescue Byleth, who refused to fight Shez in earnest when the man couldn't stop himself. They'd damn near lost the guy to that bit of business. ]
There's value in losing, now and then. Just so long as you survive, you can learn something from the experience. I still wouldn't want to go toe-to-toe with you if we were on opposing sides, for that reason.
[ Yuri knew well enough that he'd throw dirt in Byleth's eyes and run like hell. He wasn't of use to anyone if he died, and he had things that remained to be done still yet. ]
But that's the professional side of things, isn't it?
[ He knew only scraps of information about Byleth, rather than the Ashen Demon. ]
no subject
[Byleth considered Yuri for a moment. It was odd, he felt an immediate kinship towards him that he wouldn't have in any other circumstances. In their world, Yuri had been rather elusive. Aside from aiding him in battle from time to time, or vice versa, the man had been like a ghost, drifting away before Byleth could even think to approach him outside of work means. He had assumed Yuri simply wanted nothing to do with him, and thus accommodated him accordingly.
But here...
They're the only ones from their world, thrust into an incomprehensible situation and forced to play along. The Dimitri and Claude here were familiar... but also alien. It stood to reason he'd feel kinship with Yuri, even if they were essentially strangers to one another.
A stranger, meaning someone who Byleth could build a bond with on his own terms, with his own efforts, and who understood his position, having faced him as an enemy and then fought with him as an ally. Really, his fortunes were starting to turn...]
We're the only ones from our world - and I mean our world. Dimitri and Claude don't know Shez, and they expressed confusion when I told them of the war and how it began...
[He paused, trying to think on how to organise his words.]
So... I wouldn't mind, if we continued to be allies here. Then you can learn more about me, from outside the professional side of things.
no subject
They didn't know Shez.
They knew Byleth not as the Ashen Demon, but a schoolteacher.
It was bizarre to consider, yet Byleth was a man of bracing honesty. Yuri hardly had to know him at all to know this. There would also be no gain from lying even if he were not so blunt in his nature. So that left them with two leaders who evidently knew them as other people, not as the mercenaries they were. ]
I'd be a bit of a fool to turn down that proposal, considering what you can do. [ And Byleth would benefit from someone with his particular set of skills. Few in Fódlan planned the way he did, for one thing. Fewer still had his particilar variety of experience. ] So, I'll take you up on that.
[ While Yuri generally avoided direct contact the majority of the time, he stuck a hand out just the same. ]
no subject
So he reached out... and clasped Yuri's forearm in a mercenary's grip, rather than a handshake, giving it a small squeeze.]
Then it's agreed. We'll seek to support and aid one another in this land.
no subject
[ It's well said, and Yuri hadn't anything to add to the thought. So he simply matched the gesture. Doubtless, were Shez here, he'd have suggested the same thing. They only stood to benefit from working together.
When Yuri let go, he allowed his arm to drop and spared the man's satchel another glance. ]
...Not that we don't have more pressing matters to discuss, but weren't you going to fill that?
[ He pointed at the satchel as indication. ]
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[With that, Byleth turned back to the table, and started offloading some of the pastries into his satchel without a single hint of shame or care.]
Though food scarcity isn't an issue here, I like to keep some food stored... just in case.
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Even if it surely is trivial enough not to lie about. ]
Better safe than starving. Things seem...calm, for the time being, but I suspect it won't always be so.
[ Not with the two sides shoring up numbers. ]
I take it you like sweets?
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[It was just he got to shamelessly indulge it here, where sugar was apparently not a luxury commodity only nobles could afford. It was everywhere here, amazingly.]
It turns out sugar can function as a preservative too. Not as efficient as salt, of course, but good enough for this to keep longer than other foods. [like the cold meats.]
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[ Though sugar was more likely to attract pests, that didn't seem to be much of a problem in this place. At least, not so far as Yuri could tell thus far.
But now Byleth, bundle of mystery that he was, had him curious. ]
You've got favorites though, don't you?
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[That is to say, he didn't like one thing more than another enough to designate it as a 'favourite'. It also meant he didn't hate or even dislike anything either. Food was food in his mind, and so long as it was sustaining, he thought it tasted good (needless to say his concept of 'taste' was far different from a normal human's...).]
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Byleth has no preferences? None? Can't the guy taste anything? ]
...That's the saddest thing I've ever heard.
[ Not really, he's the leader of Abyss, but it's still pretty damn sad in his opinion. ]
Everyone ought to have favorites. It's more enjoyable if you do...something to look forward to, when you know you'll be having it.
[ How tragic for poor Byleth. Really, this is easier to spend some focus on than their current predicament. ]
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[He's not... grasping your full meaning here, Yuri.]
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[ And difficult to help someone conceptualize if they just liked...anything put in front of them well enough. Yuri could understand being a good sport, or not feeling that he could afford to be picky, but to have no preferences whatsoever was something else entirely.
He thought this over for a moment. ]
...And there's nothing you don't like eating? Not one thing?
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[He has, actually, eaten raw meat and found nothing absolutely wrong with it. Of course, Byleth had done this when a child, and Jeralt had suitably scolded him for it, since apparently it could make people sick or give them parasites, but personally Byleth had never experienced anything bad from it. He still ate raw fish when he was too lazy to cook them...]
Nothing has ever stood out to me as a 'bad' taste. I'm not sure what people mean by it...
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Coming from the land impovershed in food and rich in chivalry, Yuri really couldn't just let this go. He knew it was silly, but at least for a short time, it was easier to focus on than everything else he'd encountered in the past day or so.
It was a little difficult keeping track of time when day and night cycles were concepts instead of realities. ]
...That's it, I'm raising your standards.
[ Maybe if he tried, he'd show Byleth that some meals could actually stand out. There was just one issue. ]
Once I've got the means, anyhow.
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