#◣ 𝘈 𝘕𝘌𝘞 𝘈𝘋𝘋𝘐𝘛𝘐𝘖𝘕 𝘛𝘖 𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘘𝘜𝘌𝘚𝘛 (𝘢𝘴𝘬)

[endlesscacophony]

@beycndfates said: “you can't control what fate has in store for us.” (Lumine for Aether — bc angst)

There appeared to be a great many number of things that Aether didn't understand, things that he just couldn't control, too many things outside of his grip that continuously slipped through his fingers. And while his sister was already on that list, already someone he had lost and was searching desperately for. He didn't quite realize just how intense that truth was, just how far the two had drifted in their time apart.

Here she was was, standing before him, just a few measly feet from each other, closer than they have been in who knows how many months - and she was more concerned about their fate, about Dainsleif, than she was about him. He thought, for a moment, that maybe she hadn't recognized him, that maybe their time apart had fogged her memory, that was why she didn't seem to care about him, care that he was even here before her. But no, as her gaze set heavily upon him, it was obvious that so much had changed, she was ... different than he remembered her.

Just how long was he truly asleep?

"Where is all of this coming from - ?" Confusion was a cloud in Aether's eyes as he watched her, watched the Abyss Herald that stood at attention behind her, as if guarding her from him? "Lumine, come on, this isn't like you."

Another step taken forward toward the person he's been spending all this time, all that research looking for, only to feel even further away from, further than he's ever felt in his life.

"We can figure this all out together, just come with me, please - !"

[endlesscacophony]

@beycndfates said: It was almost comedic how long it took her to merely walk from the counter to the tables. She stood there far too long after she had been handed the item requested from the cook brewed the cup that was gripped in her hand. Her footsteps were too methodical, though silent as she approached and set the cup down in front of him, hiding her face by looking to the side. “I apologize for intruding, I just felt this may help,” Khione spoke quietly, “Chamomile is good for headaches — or so I read. If you do not want it that is fine! I just thought it might help your pain. I’ve had similar—“ She stopped herself, giving a quick bow of respect, “Excuse my ramblings, I’ll be off then!” (For our boi dimiii)

The events that had unfolded over the last several weeks where unlike anything Dimitri had come across, unlike anything that he felt he could properly stand. Starting with Edelgard revealing herself to be the traitorous wretch that she was, secretly working alongside those that had killed her own mother all this time. He supposed, though, that after that, it was only a matter of time before the next several events followed suit, the declaration of war, the surge of imperial soldiers, and now the attack on Garreg Mach's holy ground. Perhaps she thought it to be a strategic attack, one where she could wipe the church along with the heirs to the other two countries in Fodlan off the map at the same time.

Taking out two birds with a single stone, he supposed. But alas, it didn't work, the church despite the damage was still standing, alongside the students who still remained inside.

The Black Eagle house had disappeared weeks ago, leaving the whole of them complacent in Edelgard's schemes, while the Golden Deer and Blue Lion houses had been left behind, left to fend for their very lives in a declaration of war none of them wished for. A war that that woman started, a war that Dimitri would end. kill her, kill her TAKE HER HEAD - !!

Dimitri's head settled in his hand for a moment, the pulsing of another wave of this headache settling on his shoulders as he attempted to rid himself of them. Attempting to push them away from the forefront of his mind have proved more and more difficult as time has passed on. But even still, he did what he must, pushed on through it all to ensure that those around him were properly taken care of. While most of the students were out, already headed to their homes to recuperate and prepare for the war to come. Some were still unconscious, injured from the attack, they were the reason Dimitri remained, despite the urging to return to Fhirdiad from those around him, he was not going to abandon those under his charge. And while his title of 'house leader' was all but moot, they were still his friends, still those he cherished be it in his own house or the Golden deer.

But waiting for others to heal enough to make the trip back was a difficult process, one that failed to see much progress as the hours passed on. There was little for him to do. Truly there was little that could be done at all, even with the healers tending to them all. Perhaps that was why he found himself here, in the mess hall once more, settled at the end of one of the long tables, staving off a headache that hasn't left him for weeks.

He supposes his own suffering was obvious, despite his best intentions, if the other's approach meant anything. Instantly, he sat up straighter, gentle blue eyes widen as he watched her, glancing to the cup of tea in her hands, still steaming from the hot water within it. "Oh," He moved to stand, to assist her with taking the cup that must be hurting her by this point. "Thank you, I -"

“Excuse my ramblings, I’ll be off then!”

His appreciation was halted on his lips, cut off not only by her excuse to leave his presence, but by his own call out to her, "I - Khione - !" He supposes it was a bit too loud for the quiet shuffling of the mess hall. He cleared his throat, fist raised to his lips as he averted his gaze, taking a mere moment to collect himself before he looked to her again.

"Apologies, I didn't mean to startle you," He started again, "I just ... I wanted to thank you properly ... for the tea," He gestured to the cup steaming before him on the table, "Perhaps you'd like to join me?" Long gone were the tea times shared with friends in the gardens outside, teas and cakes displayed on an elegant platter meant to be shared over polite conversation. All that a distant memory burnt asunder outside the door, now they were all that remained.

"I realized I hadn't really had the chance to check in on you after everything that happened," A true failing on his part, as a student of the blue lions house, he should have done more to ascertain that everyone was truly unharmed. While, he did all he could to help and assist where he was able, but between the debilitating headaches, the reminder that he, himself, should be heading home and the cacophonous accompaniment of voices rioting in his mind, it had grown quite difficult to concentrate, let alone remember everything that he must do. failure, foolish MONSTER, DISGUSTING WRETCH - !!

"Only if you have a moment, I don't wish to distract you if there are other matters that you need to attend to."

[endlesscacophony]

@shuttersnapped​ said: 'hey, ashe ??'  ryan's quiet as she sits next to him, voice sounding about as tired as she feels these days.  the war has taken a toll on them all, of that she has no doubt.  'do you ever think about what you're gonna do when the war's over ??'  there's a beat of pause as she fiddles with the string on her bow.  'i mean, it's gotta end sometime, right ??'

War had indeed taken it’s toll on everyone, it was apparent in the morale of the entirety of Garreg Mach, of all of those who marched into battle with them. The people, while invigorated with the apparent revival of Dimitri, were still growing weary with everything going on, with the current bleak outlook. Ashe tried to do everything he could, tried to cook meals that were warm and comforting, ones that were reminiscent of his own home and hopefully would remind others of theirs as well.

But a cooked meal with sparing rations were not always comforting when faced with the horrors they dealt with every day.

“Ryan, hey -” One such meal and it’s clean up had just been concluded when his fellow archer and comrade in arms sat beside him, her usual glittering demeanor was even dampened by everything going on. Her question though, caused him to pause, to think and possibly dream of a future beyond this war, beyond the terrors that it wrought.

“Head back to Gaspard territory,” He raised a fist to tap at his chin in thought, “Join my brother and sister in the manor and resume position over the territory, I’d suppose. Being the eldest heir of Lord Lonato, adopted or otherwise, would mean that they are currently without a lord.” Never a title Ashe thought he would ever gain, the loss of Christophe and Lonato came so quickly it was never something he stopped to consider.

Regardless, he waved a hand, “That’s if they’d even allow someone like me in a position like that,” His laugh was half hearted at best, he knew his position of a commoner all too well, surely he would meet friction if he were to just take the position with no say to the contrary.

Looking to her now, Ashe placed his hand on her shoulder in a reassuring manor, his smile growing warm, more genuine, more caring as he nodded at her, “One day we’ll see the end of this war, we just have to believe it and keep working every day to make it so.” It’s as Lonato always said and as he often read in the fanciful knight stories about Loog and his allies, there was no use in hope if there was no action backing it up. They would stop this, one day.

“But what about you? Where would you be off to after all of this?”

[endlesscacophony]

@aalberich said: I did not think fate would ever give me the chance to make things right. [ for diluc ! ;~; ]

Their history was ... tumultuous, to say the very least. Rocky in a way that, while most journey's tended to be, it was quite different that most, much closer to home than he found he really liked. And during this journey, there was a time that Diluc was certain they wouldn't be able to recover, to reconcile or come to terms with what had transpired. A time he regretted more than anything else. And while he felt vindicated in the moment, felt as though his actions were justified, it would seem their story is not as black and white as just that. His grief and his anger had driven him, surged through him with no recourse and no outlet until it exploded from his palm, illuminated his great sword in a burning flame that had been flung towards Kaeya in an unforgiving show of force.

It had devastated their relationship, fractured their lives beyond what had already occurred. And Diluc was certain Kaeya would want nothing to do with him after that - hell, Diluc wanted nothing to do with himself after that.

And then the first letter came. While it was short and to the point, with only the necessary information, it was a letter that Kaeya felt compelled to sent, compelled to inform him that he should leave if he was going to. Diluc doesn't remember how long he'd allowed himself to stare at the parchment gripped in his hand, ultimately it was Kaeya's letter that stirred the courage within him to do it.

Who could have ever guessed that they would be able to return to this? Return to being able to be within each other's presence for an extended period without being at each other's throats. There was still a heavy air between them, still too much that needed to be said, but they were just navigating another page in their story.

There was a soft hum, a nod of his head as he watched the surface of the liquid in the glass before him quake, shiver as the table seemed to shift. "Fate, it seems, has quite a bit still in store for us, doesn't it?" There was a quirk of his eyebrow as he glanced across the table at Kaeya, a visit from the Calvary Captain to the Dawn Winery without a mission to correspond with it was rare occurance indeed.

Straightened his posture, Diluc took a deep breath as he met Kaeya's gaze head on, "I don't know if things could ever be the way they were before. But, if it would ... entertain the Knight's of Favonius' Cavalry Captain," There was a smirk on his lips, a tilt of his head, "Then I suppose I just might have to stick around Monds for awhile longer."

"... Besides, who's going to be the one to tell Charles to cut you off, hm? Can't have you drinking away all my wine." It was a tease in jest, lighthearted in nature and reminiscent of a time long past. Perhaps they could move forward and fix this.

[endlesscacophony]

@destinydefied​​ said: ❝  have you even taken the time to let yourself feel it?  everything that’s been happening.  eventually,  you have to slow down and let it feel real.  ❞ byleth @ dimitri bc i love pain and suffering

Numb was a feeling Dimitri was acquainted with the most, ever since the Tragedy of Duscur, the loss of his loved ones and now the war that’s raged for years on end. It felt like he was muffled, surrounded by cotton and put on mute, nothing he ever did mattered, he always failing, always falling too short of figuring out the next step, the next clue. you failure, you fool, her head should be on a PIKE OR YOURS WILL - the voices crowded his mind, crowded his thoughts and left no room for anything else, not even to feel.

They’d been winning, he supposed, in this war against the Adrestian Empire, against that woman - but so long as she was still breathing he would not count it as any sort of ‘success’. But it’s that very success that he supposed found his professor here beside him, attempting to gather his attention as he often did during this time of day. When Dimitri found himself rooted in front of the crumbling pile of wreckage in the front of the cathedral - once a place of worship, now fallen to only be a showcase of his failures, a reminder of what needs to be done. 

A glance sidelong at the other, a squint of the only revealed pale blue eye, Dimitri withheld the anger that well up inside him, despite the raging cacophonous chatter of the voices within him, he wasn’t upset with the professor, no. It was quite the opposite. He was the only reason Dimitri remained in the monastery, the sheer fact that he was alive was enough, the knowledge that he wouldn’t be haunted Dimitri too.

“Only when I feel her blood between my fingers as I crush her skull with my bare hands will I know that this is real. So do not mock me with your foolish pity and misplaced guidance, Professor.”

[endlesscacophony]

@mercyburned​ said: ❛ is it really you? ❜ / Clare for Dimi

Disoriented, everything in his sight was sideways, stilted almost beyond recognition - whether that was the state of his actually vision itself, or the effects of the injuries he’d sustained were beyond him. He stumbled, barely able to get one foot past the other as he made his way through the woods. Everything hurt, the pain shot through him with every step, every blink, every movement of his body. The voices echoed loudly through his mind, their words painful not only to the headache, but the wound to his right eye -- blood, murder, MURDERER, kill her you have to kill her she needs to die do it do it DO IT --

He wasn’t sure where he was, all he knew was that he’d been heading south, but he was in too much pain to fully realize where he was anymore. He’d long since strayed from any path he’d decided to take, especially the main road - all of them far too dangerous, they were searching for him, they had to be. Even if they weren’t, he couldn’t risk it, he couldn’t let Dedue’s sacrifice go to waste.

Dimitri trudged into a field when he decided he’d warranted a break of any kind, pressing his back to a tree and sliding down, wincing as he all but fell to the ground below. Goddess above, he wasn’t sure what to do, what could he do? He needed to get somewhere safe, it was getting dark soon, he was starving and exhausted --

“is it really you?”

Dimitri jolted, fear striking a cord deep in his chest as he pushed himself up to his feet, hands grabbing his lance with practiced grace. He was unstable, swaying on his feet as he looked at the person who’d approached him, the woman appeared shocked.

“I - Who are you - ?” He squared his shoulders, attempting to seem more stable than he truly was, there was something about her, he couldn’t put his finger on it. She seemed familiar in a way he couldn’t describe, not someone he saw often, but he knew her, didn’t he? 

Dimitri shook his head for a moment, attempting to clear his thoughts, “I - I’m sorry, I -”

[endlesscacophony]

@guiltscorched​ said: "thoma. would you mind sitting with me awhile? all i've heard for the past several hours is the scratch of pen to paper and i fear i'll lose my mind if this tedium carries on much longer."  ayato, distinctly tired and rubbing at his eyes in a manner he'd only ever display in the privacy of his own home, gestures vaguely with the hand still holding the pen. there ought to be a spare chair somewhere under all the paperwork for thoma to sit on. "just for a short while."

Thoma wasn’t surprised by the request, rather he figured it was heading his way sooner rather than later. It had been a rather long day, faced with missive after missive, reports that needed reading and preparations needing to be made for the upcoming festival. All of which led the Yashiro Commissioner to be quite tied up in his work, barely enough time for a glass of water, let alone a break of any kind. Perhaps that’s why he had stuck close to the other’s office today, with Ayaka out of the house running errands of her own, she called for Thoma to stay home, to tend to her brother if he should need it.

As always, his lady was right, and the call for Thoma to keep Ayato company in his office came late that afternoon.

Tucking the rag he had been using to dust into his pocket, Thoma peeked his head inside, a warm smile on his face, “Of course, my Lord,” He nodded, taking a few steps inside, his hand reaching to close the door before he stopped, hesitated a moment.

“Should I make some tea, my lord? Perhaps that can be a nice change of pace from the paperwork as well, don’t you think?”

[endlesscacophony]

@furiaei​​ said: ' you're not the only one who does that. ' she sighed. ' i, too, seek to appear as a scoundrel who leaves a trail of broken hearts in my wake, yet make myself irresistible all the same. but, it's grown to feel empty. i no longer find pleasure in all my indulgences, only more emptiness. has it begun to feel the same for you? ' ( for sylvain! )

There were quite a few things that Sylvain has done in his life that he isn’t proud of, a great many number of things that he would change if he could. Several of them were out of his control and not something he could really do anything about, but still, the desire to rewrite one’s life to see how it could possibly play out differently is something that Sylvain was acutely familiar with, something he often longed for. 

To be crestless, for one - that alone would change his life dramatically. Would Miklan still hate him? Would he still have gotten disinherited, or would Sylvain have actually been able to lead the life of a proper second born son to a noble house? Would his father have such high expectations for him if he didn’t have a crest? Would he ever actually enjoy the time he spent with his father? Would women even still look at him the way they do now? Would they bother with him? Or would he be allowed to find someone who he could truly love and would love him in return? Would he hate himself as much?

The possibilities, the never ending questions, the what if’s were all endless, a tunnel with no light, only the ever encroaching darkness of the reality he was stuck in. The one where he was the chosen heir, and the crested second born son of a very proud house. The one that placed him were he was now, with Mya beside him, both of which staring at the bottom of their glasses, a momentary reprieve from their wartime duties. A chance to sit back and suss through one’s thoughts - though that only ever seemed to put Sylvain in a rather dull mood. His own thoughts were never anything he enjoyed, not something he wanted to spend much time dealing with, and when it gets to that point he typically finds someone to entertain him for the evening.

Perhaps it was with the sudden shift in his energy, the way his gaze glanced over the others in the tavern that surrounded them, that was the cause of Mya’s commentary on their similarity. So much for getting his mind off of dreary thoughts and exhausting details - suppose it was just the night for it.

However, he couldn’t help but find it within himself to laugh as he glanced sidelong at her, “Come now, it has never been my intention to, as you said, ‘leave behind a trail of broken hearts’,” He’ll admit, his way of going about things has always been uncouth. but too many similar experiences that were all good and fine up until they began inquiring about his family, his name, his crest, his title - etc, tended to leave a bad taste in his mouth. 

“I suppose I just haven’t found the right girl yet,” He mused with a shrug, lifting the mug to his lips and downing most of the liquid that was left there. He withheld the urge to wink, to nudge Mya and ‘swoon’ over the fact that she finds him irresistible - not only did he know that wouldn’t work on someone like Mya, but it didn’t exactly fit the mood they’ve summoned.

On the question of emptiness, Sylvain’s gaze returned to the end of the cup in his hand, staring at the bottom for a good long moment. He wasn’t even sure he knew what it felt like to be considered ‘full’, he supposes in the moments he spent with people he cared deeply for, like Felix, Dimitri, or Ingrid - even Mya had made her way into the lift of people he enjoyed being around. Well, when she wasn’t poking at topics such as this, that is.

In the end, Sylvain’s shoulder’s lifted in a shrug, “Hard to say,” He admitted, glancing over at her finally, “I have to admit, I definitely don’t have time to do what I did during the Academy,” Much less about a matter of time and moreso a lack of want, and a promise to be better. 

“Who knows, maybe I’m changing too.”

[endlesscacophony]

@divergentpaths​ said: “ where do you think you’re going? ” (Felix @ Dimitri!)

There was hardly a glance behind him as the prince stopped for but a moment, “Out.” He said simply before promptly making his way out the door.

[endlesscacophony]

@sortilegii​​ said: ' dorothea! ' edelgard greeted with a smile, ' i have given more thought to your opera work. i will allow you to stage it, if you so desire. would you mind if i watched a sample of the spectacle before that? ' ( because that disco thing u sent me fueled me )

Despite the Emperor’s wishes, Dorothea had spent the better part of her free time the last few years working on the grand work that would one day grace the stage of the Mittelfrank Opera House. It was a glorious tale of the strength of their emperor and her conquest, the things she did for the betterment of Fodlan and to bring them toward a glorious future. It was hardly anywhere near perfect, given that it was just her ideas and notes jotted down on pages over the last several years. She was no songwriter or playwright - no.

But she would be denying it if she said she was not proud of what she’d accomplished. 

Nevertheless, to hear Edelgard bring up the topic herself these many moons later? Well, Dorothea was positively beaming with excitement as she canted her head to the side, evergreen eyes glimmering as she took Edelgard’s hands in her own. “Oh, Edie!” She sighed, “I knew you’d come around to the idea sooner or later,” She winked, giving the other a gentle squeeze before releasing her.

“I will warn you it is hardly anywhere near it’s completion, mostly because I have yet to find someone who can truly capture the image of our illustrious Emperor that I hope to convey -” Dorothea chuckled, tapping her chin as she pondered in though, “Though, if I had your permission, there might be a few playwrights I could send missive’s to...” The songstress hummed to herself, her mind already running a hundred miles away, thinking of who she could call upon, who would be able to capture and display everything she wished to convey of her admirable Emperor, the one she adored so dearly.

The one she knew the people would too.

“I mean, if the very first audience member to bear witness to the tale of our mighty emperor is going to be the Emperor, herself, then I suppose I should gather the best there is, don’t you think, Edie?”

[endlesscacophony]

@mercyburned​​ said: Saints, but her heart broke sometimes for Dimitri. It was hard to see someone hate themselves so much. Byleth reached for his hand and laced their fingers together, swinging their hands back and forth slightly, before tugging gently for him to follow. “Let’s go for a walk. It’s a beautiful day outside.”

Some days come and go like a leaf on the wind, easy and light, the problems never ceasing but never enough to cause grave issue in terms of the day to day. Dimitri always liked those days, the days when nothing was too overwhelming to conquer, where he felt as though he could handle everything that dare come across his attention. Where he opened the curtains in the morning on his own and allowed for the light to stream in, to welcome the day with open arms. The voices were quieter on those days, making it all the easier to go about it without concern or trouble.

And as nice as days like that were, they never remained, they faltered, as they often did, sometimes for a single dark day in between the light, and sometimes for longer. This seemed to be a longer stint that Dimitri found himself in, unable to bring himself to open the curtains, to do much more than pick himself up from his bed and drag himself over to his desk where the mountains of paperwork that needed to be done lay in waiting. His words drifted from his lips filterless, unyielding as he berated himself, reminded himself of the things he needed to accomplish or else be nothing more than a useless welp that bore a crown. useless, idiotic PRINCE, MONSTER, NEVER TRULY FIT THE CROWN, WORTHLESS CREATURE, DIE, DIE!!

On this particular day, he sat at the desk, cloak heavy around his shoulders as he worked by candlelight, as if it were the middle of the night and not midday. His vision was edged in darkness, his mind was muddled, a mess, proving to be difficult to work through, but he pushed himself nevertheless. His voice quietly pleading the voices to quiet down, to spare him in his headache. He barely even noticed when the other entered, her presence mingling with the ones in his mind until her fingers intertwined with his own that lay on the desk.

Dimitri startled, blinking against the fuzziness that filled him in order to turn his head, gaze snapping up to look at Byleth, watching her as she attempted to lift him from his seat and lead him outside, a beckon to join the day, to go for a walk. “Professor, I --” Dimitri’s voice was hoarse from it’s lack of use so far that day, bringing himself to his feet as to not disappoint her.

He followed behind her wordlessly, hand still intermingled with hers as they trailed out of his room and brought him into the light of day. While all in all, it did very little to clear his mind of its every concern, it did seem to help his vision, the every encroaching darkness seemingly fading, albeit briefly, as they made their way around the Monastery grounds.

Typically, on horrid days such as this, Dimitri did what he could to pull himself from his own stupor, trying desperately to rid the concern of others by doing what he could to care for himself, and yet sometimes he couldn’t find it within himself to. To get up, go for a walk, refresh his mind on his surroundings and remind himself that he has those he can lean on, that he is no longer trapped within the confides of his own mind attempting to survive the treacherously cold forests in Faerghus. 

He was safe now. As safe as he could be, surrounded by friends and trusted allies.

“Thank you, Byleth,” He spoke quietly, doing his best to keep his position beside her. “You always seem to know just what to do, even when I seem to fail figuring it all out.” 

[endlesscacophony]

@saiichii​ / @bsqvad​ said: 📝 ok im enabling u to write atsushi again

He would be lying if he said he didn’t feel bad to bribe Ranpo like this, but he was floundering on this case and Dazai wasn’t exactly being helpful - so what could he possibly do? Glancing down at the ramune in hand, Atsushi took a deep breath, glancing over at Ranpo’s desk one final time before rising to his feet. He wouldn’t be surprised if the other had already figured him out, his anxieties were radiating off of him in waves and that coupled with him looking over at Ranpo and his desk ever couple of minutes -- it would only make sense.

“R - Ranpo-san -” Atsushi cleared his throat, his back straightening the moment the stutter left his lips, the reminder to have more ‘confidence - !’ still hung on his shoulders from what Dazai had told him when he started this case. He just needed to be confident ... confident ... ?

As he settled the ramune on the other’s desk, Atsushi found it within himself to smile softly, “Ranpo-san, do you think you would be able to spare a minute to help me on this case? I - It shouldn’t take up too much of your time,” A case like this for Ranpo would’ve lasted the afternoon, tops - but for Atsushi? Well, he wouldn’t argue that he was the weakest link here at the ADA, but at least he tried his hardest ... right?

[endlesscacophony]

@furiaei​ said: ' i don't like playing by the rules. it's boring. where's the fun in that anyway? what i like is the freedom of being me, no matter if people like that or not. '

Freedom was never something Sylvain had been granted, he knew it was never something that would be given to him despite his best efforts to the contrary. He was the only crested son of house Gautier, he was expected to hold steadfast against the, so-called, ‘threat’ from the North. He was expected to marry a suitable woman with a suitable crest and have suitable children, goddess forbid any of them dare be born without a crest or be condemned for ever drawing breath. The choice of freedom, the choice to be himself above anyone else, to have absolutely no care into other’s thoughts of him or how it reflected on him and his family name - was not something Sylvain had the luxury of.

Not to say he did anything about the thoughts and opinions of others, nor did he let them stop him from doing what he wanted. If there was any possible way that he could ruin his father’s plans, even a little bit? Then he’d do it - it was all he had, all he could do in the face of his own lack of power in his circumstances.

Nevertheless, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t admire Mya’s tenacity, her strong will, her ability to live her live bereft of societies idiotic gossip.

Still, a laugh escaped the ginger, the charismatic smile danced across his features, “That’s the spirit!” He placed a hand on her shoulder, nodding his head. Truth be told, he was also a bit jealous, the sinking feeling grabbing ahold of his stomach with a lead anchor, unwilling to let go. It was an ugly feeling, one that Sylvain wished he wasn’t subject to, but he couldn’t help it. There were a lot of things he wished for in his life, and the ability to live life as carefree as he seemed to, was one of them.

“Now why don’t you and I break the rules and skip out on training today? We could head down to town, catch a bite to eat, and you could fall madly in love with me. What do you say?” It was easy, almost too easy for the words to fall from his lips, despite the fact that he knew Mya was no fool, knew that she wouldn’t fall victim to his ‘antics’, and truth be told, he appreciated it. His reputation was something that he could control, something he had a hand in, and if he was going to ruin it? Then by the goddess, he would burn it to the ground.

[endlesscacophony]

@svnsworn​​ said: 13 + 23 for the nonverbal meme, with Dimitri and Felix 🥺👉👈

13. my muse washes your muse’s hair 23. our muses take a warm bath together

It wasn’t very often that the King of Faerghus found that he had spare time, even less so when that time happened to be shared with the one that he loved, the one he cherished most. So much had changed since their time during the war, they had grown and morphed into rulers, leaders of the people, the ones who stopped the Great War from completely toppling all of Fodlan. Little time did they have to actually spend it with one another in the quiet comfort of the King’s quarters, it seemed it was widely spent in the presence of other’s, talking through unification strategy meetings and border agreements, trade routes and knight training regimens. Helping the people was not an easy task.

But Dimitri did everything he could to serve his people, and with Felix at his side he knew they would do everything in their power to succeed.

Which is why he wanted to take this downtime and use it to the fullest extent that he could.

At one point in time, Dimitri would’ve been surprised that Felix would have agreed to him, but now? With all the growth and reconciliation the two have been through together, the effort they’ve put in to come to terms with the differences in their past - they were better now, stronger together.

Dimitri had a lot to thank Felix for, but he knows the other would never take it.

Perhaps that’s why he insisted on these moments together. Where their bodies are pressed to one another, the warmth of the water soothing their calloused skin and aching muscles, the steam rising from the bath, filling the room. Currently, Dimitri’s fingers were intertwined with the thick black strands of Felix’s hair, simultaneously getting out any knots that had gathered during the day, while also working the soap in and rubbing it into his scalp.

“I wanted to say thank you,” Dimitri spoke quietly, nervous to offset the relaxing energy of the space between them. He tilted his head to glance at the other’s face, making sure that he wasn’t pulling too harshly on the other or hurting him in any way. 

“For joining me.” His smile was warm as he continued his ministrations, “I know you must be tired after such a long day’s travel, but I find a bath typically helps.”

[endlesscacophony]

@nobilismare​ said: “ sometimes i realize one day i could die, i could just disappear and the world would be none the wiser. there’d be no one to miss me and that terrifies me more than death itself. ”  (post ts ferdie to dimitri mayhaps?)

Poets say, someone dies twice. Once when they pass on from the land of the living, and again when they are forgotten, their name never again on the breath of someone’s lips. 

Death was a funny thing, a fickle thing to be sure, but a funny one nevertheless. It was something that hardly made sense, something that took the lives of those who didn’t deserve it, sweeping them from the land of the living far too soon, far beyond their time. It was something that other’s evaded, clinging to life with every fiber of their being, trying desperately to live on as long as they possibly could. Death was unfair, unforgiving and cruel.

Death was something Dimitri was well acquainted with. Not only with himself personally, someone who’s evaded his own untimely demise time and time again, but with those around him. Those who had sacrificed themselves, or were seen as an example to be set, so that he could live on. If he were honest, even if he’d never admit it aloud, Dimitri hated it, loathed it even, for others to die for him, to deem that their lives were lesser than, or that his was worth more - it wasn’t fair. It made his heart hurt.

Regardless of his feelings, Dimitri understood what the other was saying, understood the ideals that he was attempting to portray. It wasn’t often the Prince found that he was invited to tea, to spend some time with those who had found themselves within his army. Not for lack of trying, mind you, no he’d wished to spend as much time with those around him as he could, but he didn’t find he had that much time, or that the others were really willing to. Which, was understandable given everything that’s happened.

Ferdinand, however, seemed to be one of the first to invite him out in such a manner. A fact that Dimitri found that he appreciated.

Dimitri hummed lowly, nodding as his gaze lowering to stare down at the surface of his tea, the way the liquid inside ripped with every minute movement, every breeze blown by the wind. No one was immune to the effects dying in oblivion has on the soul, it was terrifying, and understandable. 

“It’s an unfortunate part of our reality,” He wanted to provide optimism, to prove some wisdom that would befit an up incoming king, but he found that he was falling a bit short in this instance. “Death is a common occurrence these days, I suppose it only truly matters what you do with the time you have. If you manage to do something worth remembering.”

“Even if you’re remembered by a select small few, you’re still being remembered nevertheless.” He hoped that was, at the very least, comforting.

[endlesscacophony]

@mercyburned​ said: ❛ i’m real. i’m here. ❜ / Byleth for Dimi

Some days were worse than others, some moments were scarier than the rest, the voices grew louder, the flickers of movement in the corner of his eye drew closer. It was days like these that were harder to handle, days like these that were typically a testament to how little he’d slept, the exhaustion wearing on his bones like the weight of too many furs. Times like these scared Dimitri even more, when his grip on reality was too fragile, when he was too close to becoming what he was, what he swore he would do his best to never be again.

So he tried to go for a walk, typically it helped, typically it helped him clear his mind to the best of his ability, stifle the voices, if only for a little while. But some days, like today, it didn’t work as well as he’d wished. 

He was jumpy, jumpier than he should’ve been given everything he’s been through, the voices were typically the most apparent, which he typically found easier to deal with. The shadows, however... were a different story. It was never both of them at the same time, thankfully.

The shadows, the flickers of movement in the corners of his already impaired vision made his head out to be on a swivel on this walk of his, constantly scanning the crowds of people brushing past him - as if he were looking for someone. A darkened hand reached out toward him, brushing his shoulder and Dimitri waved it away, another seemed to match his pace beside him, walking in tandem, but disappeared the moment he fully turned. None of them were real, he knew this to be true, but it didn’t help his heart from beating out of his chest.

More flickering touches, more hands attempting to grab at him, he attempted to just brush them away, but it was getting harder with each attempted grab. It wasn’t until one hand did succeed in it’s grapple that Dimitri actually startled, ripping away and turning toward where his ‘assailant’ was. A panicked look on his face, widening his uncovered eye - only to find that it wasn’t anyone hostile at all, wasn’t a flickering shadow disappearing before him, no. It was Byleth.

“Oh, goddess -” Dimitri attempted some semblance of composure, averting his gaze for a moment as he cleared his throat, shaking his head as if that would rid him of his problems. “Byleth, my apologizes, I didn’t see you there. I’m ...” He hesitated a moment, shame settling on his shoulders, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

She was real, she was here... was he really so obvious?