kenosooc | JUNE TDM + SETTING UPDATES

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Welcome to Kenos! As a reminder, all new players need an invite to apply to the game, which are now open. If you've previously gone through our invite process, you do not need to do so again, that said!

This log is Game Canon. Any characters who are not apped to the game will disappear. If Cyrus or Yima are asked, they’ll explain that this sometimes happens since not every soul has a strong tether to Kenos and sometimes return to the Timestream. They may return to Kenos one day, but for now, weren’t able to make the full journey.

As a note primarily for current players, closed toplevels/prompts are not allowed in this log. If you would like to interact with the setting changes in a way that isn't open to all characters (new and old), we ask that you instead make a log in

kenoslogs.

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

When characters emerge from their cocoon/the ground, they may be wearing their normal clothes or nude. Up to you!

At some point in the days after leaving the Tree of Life, new Shard-Bearers will have a dream, even if they're usually not capable of sleeping. All new players should read this post since this details how they'll learn about both factions and their goals and should help them make a decision about which Faction they'd be drawn to.

As a reminder, your character has a Shard somewhere on their body that encompasses their soul, so keep note of where you're sticking it on their person for reference! Additionally, they have a tattoo of their Aspect somewhere on their body. Please be mindful this Aspect will be assigned to you upon approval and whatever you choose for the TDM may be temporary (for new characters)!

For the Highstorm and Springstar prompts, both cities will be fully open and accessible to all characters once they are freed from their rather harrowing ordeal at the Tree of Life. For prompt ideas and any general information about the cities and what you can find there, all locations are listed here, but to make it even quicker! Highstorm + Springstar.

New characters will not have access to any canon abilities on the TDM until they Harmonize, AKA make a choice of which faction they choose to support. For some characters, this may be an easy decision, but it make take others time. We just ask you keep this in mind!

Finally, while absolutely not required for the TDM, if you'd like to get a headstart on catching up on the events of the game so far, we highly recommend giving the Plot So Far timeline a read. New players have found this page very helpful in orienting themselves within the game and its ongoing plot!

CODING

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I've got more experience with that sort of thing.

[ A casual shrug, though his expression remains serious enough. He knows Dimitri wouldn't ask it of him. No doubt Byleth wouldn't either. Claude...perhaps. They had certain ways of thinking in common. Regardless, Yuri suspects they'd all see the sense in it.

They all know the benefits of having more intelligence, and it might well yield them a clearer image of the truth of their circumstances here. Information, above all, is something they need. ]

I'd need to size up the situation more before I commit to it, but... I'm sure there's more to all of this than what we're being fed. We've got to use what we have as best we can.

That's true.

[ Dimitri sighs. ]

We would... by necessity... end up opposed at some points. And we would have to potentially at least pretend to have some strain in our relationship.

[ He's not sure he'd be good at that. ]

Fair point. Deadpan as Byleth can be, I don't expect he could put on a convincing act, if it came to it.

[ Yuri doesn't know him terribly well, but it doesn't take much at all to know the man is bracing in his honesty. ]

Not unless I made him believe it, anyway. I don't know how that'd pan out.

[ And having the Ashen Demon gunning for him in earnest? No thank you. He's pretty damn quick on his feet, but so is Byleth. Avoiding him might not be an option. ]

...I think that would hurt him deeply.

[ Dimitri sighs. ]

But... I imagine you'll do what you think is best, in the end. I won't deny such a maneuver would be useful... perhaps Byleth will simply have to learn how to be a better actor.

[ Yuri only hums his agreement, at first. He doesn't know Byleth that well, but he knows the man is alarmingly new to dealing with people on a more personal level. As though his life has been all business, prior to joining the Kingdom Army. It'd be cruel, then, to deceive him.

He could, of course, simply avoid being seen in the open with any of them. Three was a manageable number, not to mention...he could always pretend he was trying to court them to change sides. Hell, he'd changed sides back home. ]

There's time, at least. Seems they give people a while to pick a camp...or not pick one. Not being able to heal somebody...doesn't sit well with me, though.

[ Meeting someone else who shared that concern was far more compelling than any lofty promises could ever have been. ]

Yes. No one forces anyone into anything. At least... not yet. We'll see what the future brings.

[ Dimitri sighs. There's so much to think about. And none of it is really pleasant. Still... another familiar face is better than not having one, to some extent. He glances at Yuri again, holds the gaze for a long moment. ]

I'm... glad to see you here, Yuri. Your help is always appreciated. But - oh - I should tell you they have their own magic here. In addition to our own... you can learn more of their native systems. Even I've been able to pick up some of it and learn a bit of healing. [ He sounds pleased by that. ]

[ Healing...certainly sounds like something Dimitri would be pleased to know. He cares for others deeply, and already, this Dimitri has made the same quite clear. ]

You know, I've heard His Majesty's rather an admirer of magic-users. Evidently doesn't have a natural aptitude for it, himself.

[ There is no graceful way to refer to one Dimitri when talking to another, so Yuri doesn't try. Much as he often flouts formalities, his king warrants the respect they're meant to convey. He's sure this Dimitri will know who he means. ]

I'd have doubted it, were it not for the explosions outside camp. Annette's taken up teaching him, it seems... But I think healing's more fitting. You can help the people around you with more than that strength of yours.

[ Yuri knows as well as anyone what people say about the monstrous strength of the Blaiddyd. How people feared it, regarded it as inhuman. Dimitri here has already spoken of control, and Yuri suspects he means more than reining in his emotions. Yuri personally subscribes to the belief that while that strength may be encumbering, it's impressive rather than dreadful.

Even so...healing. He likes that for him, mirroring that little smile. ]

So how has it been, learning healing magic? Less explosive, I'd expect.

...in truth, I have almost no natural talent for it. At least at home. Here... attuning comes with certain perks and in this case, it means being able to use the magic of this place. Being able to heal people with it... it's worth doing.

[ He smiles softly. ]

Being able to use my hands for something that isn't strength or violence... it's pleasing. Better for me, I think. But I also know that my strength brings with it a responsibility I cannot simply ignore.

I'd wager you could learn healing back home with the right teacher. It just might take more time and patience than it does for others, but I've always believed that what we're born with isn't all that we ever have to be.

[ With all that Dimitri has apparently been through, though, Yuri believes he'd manage. He'd offer to start that process here and now, but his magic's evidently nullified until he chooses one side or the other.

And then he just needs to concoct a little narrative to legitimate being around others from Fódlan if he does what he thinks he will. It's not that difficult, really. He can work on that later. ]

Any power is a responsibility. You're right about that...there're things only you can do because of it, as well.

[ Though he does think they ought to work on furnishing hardier supplies for Dimitri to work with, after the war. Yuri's heard enough about so many pens breaking from Ashe. He can only imagine how that feels, needing to exercise constant restraint even when just trying to work. ]

Yes. It's... something I've come to realize. Being a king means I have power, but I need to use that power responsibly... to make the lives of my subjects easier. To make it so they can achieve their dreams, their ambitions, without having to worry about war or famine or disease. As a king...

[ He trails off for a moment, as if he's thinking. ]

...I must carry the burden of that for them. For as long as I can. Otherwise, why be king? To conquer foreign lands or enrich one's self? No. That is not what it means to be a ruler or a leader.

[ This, indeed, sounds very much like the man Yuri knows. Dimitri puts others before himself, so much so that it draws the concern of those closest to him. Yuri didn't have to know him terribly well to be aware of this, not with the microcosm their camp had become by the time he joined the Kingdom Army.

And that knowledge, even from a peripheral position, is enough to instill a measure of concern. However thorny this Dimitri's path has been, his words are sincere. Yuri feels safe in surmising that he's a good man and will be a good king when he's afforded the time to enact his policies. ]

Looking out for the wellbeing of your people is important. And I know no other leader who means all of his people, when saying such things. [ Save for himself, he supposes. But he's commonborn, it's only natural that he be aware of the struggles of people like himself, who came from nothing. ] But don't forget to include yourself on that count.

[ Dimitri has to consider himself, his wellbeing. ]

Can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself, yeah?

Well, you sound like a friend of mine, with words like that.

[ It's a bit of a joke to try and lighten the mood. ]

I've heard the same from others. Dedue, Mercedes, Annette, Ingrid... I am fortunate to have you and others like you around me - at least if the 'me' in your time is anything like I am.

[ He smiles and even if he's tired, he's also deeply sincere about this. ]

I... am learning to better handle myself so I do not burn myself to ash. Because you're right - I cannot help anyone if I work myself to the bone. Some habits are... hard to break, though.

[ Yuri finds himself pleased to hear that Dimitri's friends advocate and fight for his well-being, much as Yuri has already said they do back home. It's something that seems to be what Dimitri needs, regardless of whatever details may differ between the realms they remember. ]

So there's hope for you after all. [ It's said lightly, more mildly teasing than anything else. Yuri's tone sobers when he speaks again. ] It's good to hear that you know it. Back home... It'll take more time, I suspect.

[ But his king is younger. There's yet time for him to accept that he can't forever burn the candle at both ends, and if nothing else, he's got a squadron of people who are adamant about making sure he doesn't burn himself out that way. Yuri can attest to how tenacious Ashe is when concerned, for starters. ]

...Which is to say, yes, you've got that in common too.

[ Though, on that note, he's been dancing around this... ]

How should I be addressing you, anyway? You're not exactly my king, and I don't know how open you are about being one to start with, in this place.

[ He's not about to go advertising himself as a crime lord, for that matter. ]

Oh-

[ That last question makes him pause. ]

...I do not mind simply being called Dimitri. It seems... strange to try and stand on ceremony or proper etiquette when my kingdom may no longer exist. And especially when not everyone here even knows about my kingdom. I see no reason to hide it, in other words, but also do not see a reason to make it the sole focus of myself.

[ Well, this begs the question— ]

Would that be your preference?

[ Yuri thinks he can glean the answer from that explanation, but he asks just the same. Dimitri has made several valid points regarding where they are and what that means to his standing, but he thinks it more important to view in terms of what the man himself would like.

At least for a time, he's simply Dimitri. ]

I think so, yes. Just Dimitri is perfectly fine with me.

[ Although he doubts he'd ever be able to get Dedue to call him anything but "your Majesty". ]

Alright then, Dimitri it is.

[ It'd be different, calling him by name. Much of the time, Yuri uses nicknames or labels, if anything at all, which maintains a certain sort of distance.

Here, though... It's likely for the best, simply using names, strange as it is. He already has to with Byleth, since it seems only the two mercenaries are accustomed to "Ashen Demon" to begin with. ]

It may take some getting used to on my part, don't hold it against me.

I certainly won't.

[ Dimitri laughs. He's... comfortable? He thinks that's the right word. He's still a little unsure, trying to feel his way into this. This Yuri isn't the same as the man he knows and he clearly knows Dimitri as someone a little different. So it's odd. But... he thinks he'll manage. ]

Is Yuri fine? Or would you prefer another name or title?

Yuri's what I go by, which sounds true of the one you know.

[ No need to change that, he thinks. Besides, he's not landed nobility by any means. Granted that might change for all he knows, because no one else knew their way around Arianrhod anymore, but that's a concern for whatever lies after all of this. ]

Well then, we may as well go about it properly, wouldn't you say? [ He unfolds his arms in favor of offering Dimitri a gloved hand. ] Good to meet you, Dimitri.

[ Despite the circumstances, of course. ]

[ There's an answering laugh and Dimitri reaches out to shake with a firm nod. ]

A pleasure, Yuri. I hope we'll get along.

[ Despite his initial trepidation, he thinks this has gone well. It's nice to be reminded that there are people out there rooting for him. ]

[ It's nice, hearing a bit of good cheer amidst all this. Particularly from Dimitri, given the struggles he's evidently had. It's enough to prompt a smile from Yuri, knowing as he does what a difference small things can make.

Sometimes they matter in ways none of them realize.

After their handshake, Yuri does in fact have one more important question. ]

So... Is it true you know Byleth as a schoolteacher?

[ There's no masking his incredulity. ]

I - well, yes. I first met him when he saved myself, Claude and Edelgard from an assassin... and shortly afterward Rhea apparently rewarded him with a teaching position and he became head of the Blue Lion house.

[ He knows it's a bit strange, but... well. He can't complain. ]

Is that so...? I've heard a similar story, but Shez was the one who happened to be in the area. He was enrolled as a student as a reward — as a Blue Lion. Didn't last long though, before things shook up.

[ It's strange how that works out. Was it just happenstance that made the difference in which mercenary was on the scene? They've got no way of knowing. ]

I have to admit, it's hard to imagine the Ashen Demon himself teaching noble heirs.

Admittedly, I didn't know him as the Ashen Demon, but... he ended up being quite good at speaking to us. At being a mentor, of sorts, even if he wasn't much older than we were. I... never met anyone named Shez, I'm sorry to say.

[ It is strange to think about. Fate and time are fascinating. ]

Although I won't deny he was a little strange.

[ Whatever happened to Shez, then? Yuri can only wonder. ]

He is a bit of an odd duck, isn't he? [ That being consistent, at least, doesn't surprise him. He comments on it as he might of the weather, a simple observation without any real weight to it. ] I can't say I know him the way you seem to know that teacher, but he seems kinder than a mercenary ought to be.

[ He's very nearly gotten himself killed, refusing to fight back that one time. ]

SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος

HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

THE BLIGHT (CONCLUSION)

CITIES IN RUINS

POLITICAL TURMOIL

SMALLER CHANGES

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

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