#cielenruine

[verseandrhyme]

"ARE YOU STUPID!?" Mitama shrieks, turning on her heel. "Did all those battles rattle your brain so severely that you cannot even think for a gods forsaken minute!? Because I cannot believe someone can so intentionally misconstrue everything I say, every time!"

This is worse than talking to her father. At least there is a trail of logic in what her father says.

"I am not a leader! I am a nobody shrine maiden, fighting at other people's will! It does not matter if I care for the fools who end up under my spells, only that I heal them well! That is my duty, regardless of flag or army or personal feelings! And unless you intend to wound a student to prove a point, I will not have you baselessly claiming I do not do my task well!"

She feels lightheaded. She feels the on-comings of a headache. She feels like she never wants to speak to a member of the Blue Lions again.

"I was not talking about the peace of Fodlan! I was talking about my peace! My right to live how I want! 16 years of my life have been sacrificed to war, do not preach to me about what is earned and enjoyed through the labors of others! I know what war takes from people, and if Fodlan's methods are failing to bring it a peace that is not fragile, maybe it should try something else!"

As if it is her fault the monastery cares more for maintaining power than dispatching threats. As if it is her fault Fodlan's past is so distasteful to its neighbors that it cannot find true peace.

"Do you expect your healers to lead the charge to capture forts? Do you expect your pegasus knights to march through the mud? Do you expect archers and mages to stand at the forefront? Because if you think every exercise and every strategy applies to every soldier, perhaps that is why Fodlan needs to constantly fight!"

She laughs. Spiteful. Leaning back on her heels, she throws her hands in the air. "Oh, yes. Because the attitude of a single commoner is as bad as those privileged few heirs who will actually be allowed a seat at the table. At least I know Hoshido's prince has a heart."

She is tired. She is cold and wet and miserable. She wants a nap. Mitama glares at him and scoffs. "A single blizzard spell sent you falling to your knees and you mock me for a lack of ingenuity?" She rolls her eyes. "Are you finished? Or do you intend to waste more of my time?"

the battle of mud and flags

[mmoneystones]

"I don't believe I ever caught your name." He was apologetic in the slight bow he offered to her before coming to rest in the sand not far from where she was seated. "I must apologize if I came off as...cold in our game. In the end...it resulted in this. Though even now is an opportunity." A smile and a slight lift of the shaved ice. "Perhaps it's the 'Queen' or 'Ringmaster' telling us to use our time to know one another and correct our mistakes." Stilted always were these introductions. He'd done them a hundred times over yet he offered the best smile he could to her. "My name is Matthias, I'm a professor for the Blue Lions who's just made my way here. Though some may refer to me as Margrave is they hail from Faerghus as I hail over the northern region. It's good to meet you...even if the introductions are late."

Citrinne turns up to see the familiar face of the teammate that greatly contributed to their recent bout through Wonderland. After nodding at his bow, she scooched slightly away so that he could have some more space to lie in the sand.

“Nor have I, on the name part, that is,” Citrinne returns his smile with a less wide one, but it holds warmth all the same. “I am Citrinne. A noble warrior of Brodia, my home from Elyos. You may remember it as one of those books that were burnt during our final stand.”

So this Matthias…was a noble of this very land? An interesting ally, especially when they’ve been allied for the previous month. The Brodian actually feels guilty for not getting acquainted during the rest of all of this Happyland chaos. “Would you answer better to Magrave Matthias, then? It’s admittedly a bit of a mouthful - Citrinne is enough for me, by the way. I am merely a Knight of Seiros here.”

Now that introductions were out of the way, she leans a fair bit closer toward Matthias in case some of the others were sneaking earfuls. “May I be honest? You never sounded that cold, at least to me. I more remember the times we agreed on some form of answer rather than debate, or more so less arguing after the first batch of questions.”

“If it weren’t for your authority, I doubt that we would have left that strange dungeon before the sun set,” Citrinne waves a hand toward the fading orange on the waves. “While I hold no interest in knowing that Queen, it is good to know she gave me the chance to meet a fair amount of allies.”

[twistedisciple]

Understanding what seemed incomprehensible had been a fun pastime, usually. When it came to his teammate whose appearance had firmly spelled out mercenary in only the most menacing of terms, he felt a bit ill at ease.

”As it happens that we’re teamed together, I’d like to understand your strengths.”

Introductions could come after. More than that his curiosity had been piqued. Between the shirtlessness, the piercings, and the tattoos it was clear an appeal to authority would be ill advised. He knew an agent of chaos when he saw one.

Not the worst way to start a conversation, Griss thinks. Up until now, they’d been sitting in silence, which is - at least for Griss - unusual, but he’d been too consumed by the task of stoking the fire in the pit to bother anyone else. Now he looks up at the older man sitting on the other side, an eyebrow raised beneath his shaggy hair.

“Guess you have a point,” he concedes, for once surprisingly reasonable. Embers lift up and disappear into the dusky night with one final push against the main log, and then he withdraws the stoker to hold across his lap.

This question reminds him a little of when he was still just a pup in a duo two people short of being called Four Hounds. What had he told Zephia all those years ago?

“I’m real good at killing.” He’s proud and nonchalant at the same time, without a hint of remorse or shame. Even though, back then, those words hadn’t come from the blood-soaked, mute child Zephia had asked to meet. “And figuring out all the ways a person can be hurt.”

With a smile wreathed in shadow and eyes glinting with firelight, he gazes through the flames at the man on the other side.

“I’ve been told I can get too,” grin widens, “distracted though. But killing ‘em fast is so boring. They gotta get some good hits on me too. So!” He slaps his palms against his knees and sits up like they’ve just completed some sort of business transaction. “You got someone you want me to kill? Maybe one of those cute little sheep would look good in red.”

[dcggersedge]

[FOOD] - sender sets something to eat down in front of receiver (would you like some cheesy bread miss yunaka) A plate with a single piece of bread. He had determined that the first person who saw would be whom he asked to taste it. "I apologize for the hastiness but this sort of thing is best had fresh."

simple actions | accepting!

"Oh!" Bread! Good old bread. Easy to acquire and easy to eat and the one stable thing she ever had in her life. She likes bread.

The cheese on top does catch her by surprise, but she's not one to turn down perfectly good food just because it's not what she expected. She takes a bite.

"Mmm. It is good fresh! Thanks." She felt more comfortable with this than some of the fancy stuff they wheeled out at the Somniel. "What's the occasion?"

[optimismxmagicism]

"My, I would hope the little witch has been good in my absence." Matthias made no note to hide his presence as he approached the boy with a smile. "More treats than tricks this evening, right?" The old man leaned against a wall, taking a small rest. There was little to be read from Ewan, It would be foolish to offer oneself up to be watched if one were a devil. He could hardly say that he trusted the boy, but he did not distrust him. "I've been unfortunately tricked time and again. Perhaps the worry of a witch's curse whilst we gather our spoils would prevent such travesty again, yes?"

“My my, if it isn’t mister vampire!” Ewan spoke with faux surprise as the man approached, a cheeky smile on his face. “Who’s to say? I could’ve been getting up to aaaaall sorts of mischief. It’s in my blood, after all.” He giggled. Honestly, besides trying to make Sennō trip over a banana he had been remarkably well behaved, all things considered. Part of it was him not wanting to be suspected- If everyone tried to pin him down as a devil, any real devils could escape unnoticed.

“I see, so a little devil got to you first, hmm? Well, not to worry.” Rummaging through his candy bag, he pulled out a handful of more old-timey sweets he figured an older guy would like. Then, the mage dropped them into Matthias’ hands without asking. “There’s no point to a witch’s trick if the devil has already caused mischief. So here’s a witch’s treat instead!”

With a wink and lighthearted smile, he turned around. “I’ve actually been bothered by devils a few times myself, but I have an idea on who’s hiding their tail, so to speak.” Based on previous interactions, he’s had at least one suspect in mind. It wasn’t the most pleasant of thoughts, admittedly.. But that was the name of the game.

“But I’d love to go candy gathering with you again, Mister Vampire. You were so helpful carrying my candy bag last time! At least half of it would’ve been left behind if it wasn’t for you.” Indeed, the size and weight of that bag would’ve been too much for such a petite witch.

Then, with a twirl on one heel, he turned around to face the margrave again, putting his hands on his hips. “So, won’t you help me do so again? If you do, maybe I can even give you a hint on the impostor’s identity. One of them, at least.”

[deamare]

♡ ˚·  @cielenruine asked:

"Are you doing alright now?" Wellness checks were hardly his thing but he would have forever thought on it if he hadn't. Her reaction to some of the questions had been a slight touched. For most what could be pushed as a hypothetical or reasoned away, others felt far more strongly. It may have been wrong of him to think that, yet it persisted. "It was a valiant effort. Your insight was wonderful to see." After a moment he looked off. "If you ever need to talk, there are people at the academy who provide a great service in taking a weight off a person's heart." Then a bit of a hesitant sigh. "And should you ever not wish to talk yet do not wish to find yourself alone, I often find myself the same. Though most would say it's breaking curfew, the library provides a wonderful place to simply read in silence amongst others." He chided himself. If Rodrigue were here this'd probably be far more reassuring. "I can't attest to understanding entirely, but in some small part, I do get it and would like to help you."

A pang of shame-- had she truly worried her teammates so? “I am fine, thank you.” And she intends to apologize for raising such concern, before he speaks again.

Ishtar’s own gaze falls lamely to her hands, teeth worrying the inside of her lip. It is a kindness, this effort that he makes. That much is not wasted on her, nor is it lost to her own guilt for having prompted it. The questions asked, the rooms themselves, they had set her on edge, brought out a well-protected ache. 

“I will certainly remember that.” To be alone is not new to her, but to seek to be otherwise is another question. “It is… kind of you, to care for me like this.” A pause— she does not know for what reason he does, though by his own words she might wager that she resembles something he knows of himself.

And though it is not so simple as speaking to another, the weight of her grief too burdensome a thing to be shared ( a punishment she is well owed ) it is the idea that somebody might wish to listen that is enough. Ishtar’s eyes lift once more to the man’s face. She is smiling, a soft thing that does not reach her eyes but warms them all the same.

“I am fortunate to not have been alone then or now.” There is the careful movement of her hand until it rests feather-light on the other’s arm. Gratitude, or perhaps a reassurance of her own, expressed in a motion where words feel too few. “Thank you, again.”

[rafent]

umbrella, sender lets receiver under their umbrella.

"Sun showers do have a way of sneaking up on one." Despite the downpour, the sun and all the clouds that cradle its brightness shone down on the market stalls. The umbrella he carried was tilted do its side to make room for the dragon at his side. "It's best to always carry one. I don't doubt your constitution but there is still a bit of a chill in the air. You wouldn't want to catch cold." He was already well acquainted with the rains and the chills they imparted upon others.

𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒 — accepting

Curse as he might, even the most powerful dragons could not control rain, cause it to dance upon strings as this one had once done to a world of dead at his disposal. Reversely, this new sense of the Fell Heir's powerlessness was no doubt for the better, humbling, his drenched fate one deserved, if not for the timely source of providence that should intervene.

Repelling thick pellets of rain, an umbrella provided relief, aided by the man's angled reach and the wide canopy produced. Rafal trained an inscrutable glance on Matthias, making no move to shift closer, or further away, with silence long and unwieldy stretched over an unspoken question of the other's intent. Eventually proving an answer all its own, he remained where he was.

"So they do," he agreed—resumed—taking the opportunity to wring out his tunic, the same done to his hair. Nonchalant, self-grooming, as if Matthias weren't worth a moment of his time; or perhaps in reality, some measure of trusting. Assessing no immediate threat deserving of regard and able to turn his back for it.

"Rest assured, Matthias, it will take more than a downpour to deal this dragon a blow to health. Rather than detriment, this rain is also a pleasing sight to me for my own world's lack of it." A pause, thankful. ". . .Your consideration is noted, however."

The market square echoed with frantic individuals working to escape into more sheltered pastures, only two remaining. Between them, human and dragon, a companionable silence arrested the next several heartbeats and beyond; silence of which Rafal was used to, company of which he was not. A development, strangely enough, that was not unpleasant in the least.

[warpaway]

lotus : has your muse ever felt as though they’ve been reborn ? have they ever desired the feeling of a fresh start , or a better understanding of themself and/or the world around them ?

botanical headcanons || accepting

it's difficult for me to say whether or not linhardt would want a fresh start. i don't think he's ever felt 'reborn', rather i think he feels as though he's the same person no matter what he goes through, even as we can see him change throughout the game, he thinks of himself as more stagnant. i don't think he considers wanting a fresh start as much as like a cool-down period. like if he can get away from what bothers him, he'll start to lose the anxieties he does have. that's part of why he kind of runs away from everything. just avoid what you don't like! surely that will work out!

for the last question, linhardt considers their main problem that no one understands them as well as they do. like they know very well who they are, what they would do and what they wouldn't do. they know they're not lazy like everyone sees them as, so that's why it doesn't bother them when some one calls them lazy. they're only bothered when people come around trying to change them, because the only people that do that don't seem to understand that what they're asking of them is literally how they already are.

i think this is especially true with edelgard & hanneman's supports. both of them are more than happy to give linhardt whatever he'd like in order to continue his crestology research, and they both have reasonable resources that linhardt knows he could make full use of! but linhardt also knows his interests can be transitory, and so he denies them first because he doesn't want to disappoint them by taking advantage of these resources and then completely losing interest (and therefore, abandoning his research).

[hresvelged]

The sway of the carriages was still a bit off-putting even as he began to become more accustomed to it. It was rare he even rode in a carriage normally, often preferring to ride his own horse wherever he needed be. But now, there was little choice as there was a purpose to his being here. The results of their game had been well and truly interesting as it seemed neither of them had lagged far behind the other, the results spoke clear. The spoke highly and he was not one to ignore, especially not with the question he had been left to consider before the end of the game. And so here he was, the carriage attached to the one akin to a kitchen. The tables were nice and despite the overall sway, things stayed in place as best they could. He sat down, a cup of tea waiting for him as well as the Emperor's heir. "Your question has truly made me ponder quite a bit." In his own way, it was a compliment to her. Few times he had to so thoroughly consider his answer to such preposterous things...and yet- "I cannot give you a clear yes nor no," the tea is bitter on his lips, a welcome change the the sugar that still hung in the air. "Instead, I must ask, if I'm to teach you, would my further advisement after the fact not be a failing on my and your part?" A question for hers, a probe even. "After you answer, I'd like to understand how much you already know of Faerghus's affairs and of myself. Of course there is no shame in not knowing, much like the Empire, Faerghus has had a tumultuous few years...as you may well know." He hadn't meant it as a jab, no...he was simply giving himself more reasons to trust this, trust in what she said and not be so easily dismissive of one so earnest to ask him for his assistance whilst they were opponents. "Of course we've no rush at all. This tea is quite nice as well."

Edelgard had the fullest of intents on continuing the conversation she started. She sat with one leg crossed over the other, inching her teacup closest to her person in between level fingers. "So I see. I expected you might say that," she began. "It could very well be viewed that way. I might even agree, if I wasn't privy to the circumstances. But.. I would ask them this: Is it wrong to shatter that discontentment? If it does prove to be a failing later on, you are free to push blame onto myself."

The professor was right in that she didn't know as much as someone who lived there might. Strategic books and eerily sunken nobles could only offer her so much insight. "I know that you are Margrave Gautier— Sylvain's father. Your watching resides within the uppermost portion of the kingdom." Surface level facts. She brought the teacup upwards and took a long sip before setting the item down.

"I recall some of which you speak, though I doubt I could tell you as much as yourself." The tips of her nails tapped against the cup's edge, swirling around the handle as she stared into the warm beverage: "Perhaps you are referring to the tragedy of more recent years, for one. You have my condolences." Lilacs peer up; strong. "But I am well aware of the Church's ties to the Kingdom, for starters. Beyond that, much of my information lies either from text or secondhand hearsays. It could never compare to the teachings of a Margrave like yourself."

[deliverred]

Lukas had expected horses to be at a festival that was, in some capacity, meant to celebrate the animals in question. He was not, however, fully prepared for just how many horses there were -- or the fact that some people had costumes that looked like horses, or that even the decorations were equine in design.

It was, as some people said, exactly what it said on the tin.

And yet...

Lukas found himself feeling underprepared, and he had only himself to blame. Matthias had brought up the festival offhandedly, but with a tone of fond pride. An invitation to check it out had been given, and seeing that it was clearly something the other man cared about, Lukas had agreed. He figured one day wouldn't be too much of an ordeal. One day was just a collection of hours, which could be broken down further into minutes.

One day around horses shouldn't have been such a problem.

But it only took a bit of walking around to bring forth into reality a fact that Lukas knew all too well: horses could stand him about as well as he could tolerate them. Many of them seemed to become agitated when he got too close, and it was nearly impossible to get any sort of great distance from one of the beasts at a crowded festival meant explicitly for them.

Listening to Matthias speak about the history of the festival and the area, Lukas was doing his best to keep his discomfort out of his voice and expression. He was...not doing as well as he might usually; there was a tightness to his smile, a wariness in his gaze.

"I feel I must apologize," he murmured, waiting for a natural break in the conversation, "Despite growing up with them, I...have never had an aptitude for horses. We do not often get along, and I fear I may be causing some frustrations in what is clearly meant to be a joyous time."

@cielenruine

Neigh? Nay!

[dcggersedge]

umbrella, sender lets receiver under their umbrella.

ask meme | accepting!

"Why is it raining so much?" Yunaka whines. It felt like it had been three days straight of rain. The monastery was going to flood at this rate! Wait...could it flood? They were pretty high up, but it was raining a lot...They never had to worry about stuff like this at the Somniel...

She hadn't bothered to grab an umbrella before leaving her office. Matthias, thankfully, seemed to be smarter. Arms crossed and curled up small, Yunaka ducked as close as she could under Matthias's umbrella without actually touching him.

She hadn't had the chance to speak to Matthias again since the candy banquet. Rafal had really kinda screwed her over on that one, pairing her up against him and Lukas and expecting her to come outta that successful...The game had been fun though, and it reminded her of another game that had been left unfinished.

"Hey, while we have a minute, you never finished asking me those questions." She points out. On the one hand, she's kinda glad for that and not having to worry. On the other hand...she is curious just what he might come up with. "Sooo? Come on, you gotta have at least one interesting idea."

[dcggersedge]

@cielenruine | cont

"Ugh...that sounds like a nightmare!" Yunaka gives a little shiver. There's no way she'd be able to survive that long. She'd be clawing her way up the walls and outta the room before they even got halfway done! "I'll take your word on it! In fact, you should keep your word waaaay over there so it never happens!"

He seems interested in pairing up - yippee! - but his suggestion of a game makes her pause, tilting her head curiously. Weren't they already playing a game? Adding another layer on it was gunna start complicating things, wasn't it?

Yunaka freezes in place at his suggestion, smile going stiff. Never have I ever...she's never played anything like that before, but if it's meant to get to know somebody with, she's got a good idea just what that game might be about. She laughs nervously. "Oh...I'm, uh, actually not a big fan of talking about the past. Been there, done that, y'know?"

Did she have to play that to get him to go with her? Ugh. "We can...try? It depends on what sort of things you've never done before, I guess...

[quartzhearted]

[SIT] - sender guides receiver to sit down on a chair / bed / wall / etc.

Both hands on the other's shoulder's, he rested the other man on the bed. "I must apologize, my body has been acting far quicker than my mind can catch up these days." A sparring match, one in which...memories of an old king, of one who could accept the blows of his crest without issue. "I went overboard..." Hands that one would think calloused were gentle as warm magic flowed through his fingertips and healed the cut he'd recklessly made. "...It's unbecoming. One should know when and how to stay their hand..."

morion sighs as matthias guides him down, releasing some of the stress in his legs once rear touches mattress. another spar leaves yet more marks---but this time, he was caught more by surprise than average.

he enjoys his frequent matches with matthias simply because it's exhilarating to find what makes him tick. each swing of his axe, each twist of his body, each stare from focused eyes---that's all the kind of shit morion loves to see. this man has a warrior's heart, too, and it's been a hot damned minute since morion's been able to properly war against one.

today, however, he was met with a trick he was not prepared for. as matthias had come in for a swing, morion had moved, ready to block it---but the incoming attack suddenly blazed with unforeseen power, cracking through the hilt of morion's weapon and slamming blade-first into his arm. gods. again??

" it's fine, matthias. i wouldn't ache about it---not much can be done now, anyhow. " he watches how matthias' hands move now, bare and glowing. they're warm on his skin, uncovered to just above the lower arm. can't have him seeing all of THAT mess before he's explained it. though, thinking about what has transpired before... where has he felt this same surprise?

oh, yeah...!

" sorry if this is a rude question or somethin', but... d'you have a crest? "

[optimismxmagicism]

“Well, I’m glad things were okay for you guys too!” He looked pleased as he nodded at Matthias’ suggestion. “Definitely! You’re a lot more fun than you look, surprisingly.” He stuck out his tongue a little in a mischievous manner, winking as he did. “Hehe, I’m kidding. I had a good feeling about you from the start! I’d be happy to hang out more in the future!”

Granted, Matthias suggested activity of cooking wasn’t exactly Ewan’s strong suit. Still, he’d happily give it his all!

And then the man held out his hand just above Ewan’s head. Instinctively he flinched a little, but reined in his nerves as he closed his eyes..

For a touch that ended up not coming. Peeking with one eye, he noticed Matthias hesitating. “Y’know..” He started. “It’s not good for an adult to be so hesitant!” As he said that, he grabbed Matthias’ hand and firmly placed it on his head. Physical contact like this wasn’t something particularly familiar to him, but he wasn’t exactly against the idea either... especially when it was in the form of a pat on the head.

“I promise, I don’t bite!”

“Oh, there you are!” Ewan’s smile brightened as he saw Matthias from a distance. Quickly he closed the distance, standing before the man with a satisfied expression. “Can you believe it?! We won! Yay!”

The boy couldn’t help but jump a few times, childlike whimsy taking over. “How did things go on your end? We had a lot of trouble, but in the end we managed to point out the devils!” He thought back on the entire night. While he had his hunches, there was one proven correct that he got all thanks to Sara and Matthias.

“Y’know what? Your little hint earlier tonight really helped point me in the right direction. So thanks for that, Unc- Uh, I.. I mean, Mister Matthias!” He quickly corrected himself, already feeling embarrassed. He coughed in his hand, trying to ignore the warmth of a blush spreading across his cheeks.

"Ah- the little witch." He forgot this feeling. Children were such wonderful bundles of joy. "Of course, we all combined our efforts so it was only natural we would prevail." Thinking back to the trial he smiled. "We fared a bit better I feel but in the end, we all did our part." He was a bit caught off guard to say the least. Uncle? Had he made such an impression? "Of course, Im glad I could of use in some way. Likewise, I enjoyed trick or treating with you as well. Maybe not trick or treating, but perhaps making meals one day." He held his hand out, hovered it a bit above Ewan's head as if asking for permission.

[txmehunting]

"You." Matthias addressed the young man with a bit of a scowl. "Your innocence proved invaluable in helping us find the identity of our devils, but I must wonder why you are so hostile towards others." Being wronged certainly could cause such a thing and he could sleuth whatever he wanted to see out but this one seemed far too...easily agitated. Asking outright wouldn't get much but neither would dancing around the issue.

huh? the hell kind of question is that?

sennō meets this odd man's scowl with a heavy roll of eyes, holding back the myriad of different things he could call that kind of inquiry. " why am i hostile? " he parrots, hoping he doesn't have to lay out his issues with that. " that is like asking why someone speaks crassly or why someone hardly speaks at all. it is how they are. "

setting down his highball glass, he turns in his seat ( though he really doesn't even owe this man the satisfaction of eye contact ). his eyes are a sharp gold, though the edges are whittled with exhaustion. " if you must wonder about why i am how i am, then why don't you try doing it somewhere else? away from me? "

[blaiddllodi]

"Ah, your highness." His approach was slow, gauntlets were taken off and held in one hand. "Well things certainly were lively, I do hope you were able to enjoy it though...I know how much you struggle to hide your fibs." It was unfortunate circumstance that Matthias knew the prince as well as he did. He truly wanted to boy to enjoy the evening, but his own competitive spirit was often at odds with letting children have their fun.

"You did pull quite the weight for them."

Just as Matthias's approach was slow, so too came Dimitri's response.

"Things worked out in the way that they needed to. I would not say that that I enjoyed myself, such as it was, but...it was an experience that I needed to have, I believe. Something that no amount of training could provide, merely the doing."

Dimitri had hated the lying, and so had gone out of his way to do as little of it as possible - but, with hindsight, of course this might have triggered the alarm bells for those who knew him.

Where Sylvain had only seen the good in him, it seemed Matthias had only seen the bad. He wasn't sure which was worse.

"It was good, then," he said at the final comment, "That they got distributed evenly for all participants, in the end. This, too, is the responsibility of a king, isn't it? Ah, actually, before I forget - "

Into his pocket he dug a hand, still gauntleted, and dug out a piece of candy. "I...had wanted to return more, but it seems that's already been done. But...I am trying to repay my debts, such as they are."