[A flutter. He had been upended by a flutter all because he'd jumped to conclusions.
Relief uncoils in him, but Dimitri disparages himself a bit mentally, too. He feels a fool; what's wrong with him?]
I, ah... [He forces his focus back into place, not wanting to ignore Mercedes' excitement or her new friends.] She's very beautiful, Mercedes. I find myself jealous.
[He clears his throat, shifting a little.]
When you think she is comfortable enough, she is, of course, welcome to join us in our new home. Have you given her a name?
Once she's grown accustomed to people, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to take her for a ride sometime! [ Because she can't blame him for being jealous, this horse is gorgeous. ]
But I haven't named her yet, no. [ She'd thought, briefly, about naming her Emilia or something similar, but the flutter deserved a name that didn't contain bittersweet memories. ]
[He is more of a close-to-the-ground kind of rider, rather than a take-to-the-air rider. It’s not like any of the pegasuses back home would let him practice riding them. But that’s a thought for another time. Dimitri gives her a baffled look like it’s a mystery why she would ask him for advice after something so important.]
I suppose... off the top of my head…
[The thing is, Dimitri is also a man of sentiment and deep emotion. He would name his own steed something that harkened back to Fódlan, somehow.
His mind churns. Don’t hurt yourself, Dima.]
Her coloration reminds me of the snowfall across the high mountain peaks of Faerghus. [The mountain range in the upper northwest, dubbed Sacred Gwenhwyvar by Faerghus natives.] You might consider Gwenhwyvar as a name?
[ She remembers those peaks all too well-- the first thing her eyes had been drawn to, when she and her mother had fled the Adrestian Empire. A sign of something different, of knowing that things would continue to change.
Mercedes hums softly now, her eyes softening as she gazes at the mare. ]
When I was taken in by the church, that used to be the sight that greeted me when I gazed out the window. And you're right, her coat does bring to mind that view. I think Gwenhwyvar is a wonderful name, Dimitri.
[He appears pleased with himself for a moment, having offered a helpful suggestion, and his mouth curves into a smile.]
I am glad you like it, then. It is an elegant name for an elegant companion, but may it grant her strength, too. As sturdy as those mountains that greeted you from beyond your window panes each morning.
[He watches with interest as the honeycomb disappears as quickly as it appeared.]
I am eager to show it to you. I should warn you, though, that while it is very large, it only has the most basic furnishings. Otherwise it is fairly barren.
[But oh well. It’s fine.]
Still, you have free rein to pick whichever room suits you best. One with a grand view of the neighboring forest, no doubt.
That does sound like a very pleasant view, indeed. [ as she turns to face him properly. ]
… As for the furnishings, I can help with that much. You'll need to decide on a color theme and I'll want to see what kind of natural lighting it has...
Very well. Your stubborn nature supersedes mine. But I insist on leaving the color coordination to you. If you are going to that much work, I can at least trust you to coordinate well enough.
[And let's be real, Dimitri would just say "blue" if she asked what colors he'd like.]
[It’s a waste of breath trying to argue the point, especially since Mercedes is too considerate to let it pass. But at her remark, he does have to shake his head, making one thing clear.]
It was my blessing, yes, but I did not ask for a home for myself. It is for all of us.
[Dimitri, asking for something that big for himself? The world has to turn itself inside-out before that happens.]
All of our friends and comrades who might need a place to stay in a land beyond either faction’s reach. We cannot know how the war might start playing out soon, so this space was requested for convenience and safety’s sake. [In case.]
I do not want you to think of it as a place where you need my permission to do… anything you want for the house. It is not my domain to lord over.
… [ Well, isn't that just like him, though? Always thinking for the sake of everyone else, whether it ends up being to his detriment or not. This, at least, is not a choice he's made that has her concerned, so Mercedes nods-- apologetically. ]
Then I believe... what I need to focus on would be furnishings to help everyone feel at least a little at ease.
[ And, almost cheekily-- ] Yourself included, of course. But I do see your point.
[They can agree on that, at least. Though Dimitri will be happy living in a stark room with just a few weapons hanging on the wall.]
And I see yours. If there is anything I can do to help, though you know my hands are not very deft with a needle, please let me know. Do not hesitate to ask, and I will do my best to accommodate you.
...In the meanwhile, may I see your compass? I can mark on the map where it is located so you always have a reference.
[ Well, he probably knows she isn't going to bother him with trivial sewing requests, which is likely why she's more than happy to offer up her compass in return. ]
[He takes it, and with some fiddling, marks the house’s location on the map. Southern neutral territory, off a tiny little shaft of land that might be called a peninsula. It guarantees a nice view of the sea with a short ride anywhere but north.]
Here. Our new home, near the sea.
[Returning her compass to her, he grins.]
I will extend the invitation to the rest, too, of course.
I only asked you first because I value your opinion and— ah, it is not as if I do not care for the opinions of the others, but you have always given me advice that is both encouraging and rational, if needed. I thought if you had anything else to add to the matter of living in neutral territory, you would say so.
Mm... well, it already seems to me as though you've thought this through. A house in neutral territory is, as you said, something of a safe haven for members of either faction where they'll be able to interact without fearing some manner of punishment-- or if things go sour.
[ So if there's anything she would add... hm. ]
I actually think, given how well the people of Kyst seem to view us for, er-- our fight with the Fury, we'll be well-received. You'll have free meals, at least, until you have more people living with you.
Yes, I took into account the goodwill of the people in Kyst, though I do not want to rely overly much on it.
There are forests nearby that might prove fit for hunting. And plenty of space across the manor’s grounds in case someone [someone not him] decides to grow fruit or vegetables.
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Relief uncoils in him, but Dimitri disparages himself a bit mentally, too. He feels a fool; what's wrong with him?]
I, ah... [He forces his focus back into place, not wanting to ignore Mercedes' excitement or her new friends.] She's very beautiful, Mercedes. I find myself jealous.
[He clears his throat, shifting a little.]
When you think she is comfortable enough, she is, of course, welcome to join us in our new home. Have you given her a name?
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But I haven't named her yet, no. [ She'd thought, briefly, about naming her Emilia or something similar, but the flutter deserved a name that didn't contain bittersweet memories. ]
I was wondering if you might have any ideas?
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I suppose... off the top of my head…
[The thing is, Dimitri is also a man of sentiment and deep emotion. He would name his own steed something that harkened back to Fódlan, somehow.
His mind churns. Don’t hurt yourself, Dima.]
Her coloration reminds me of the snowfall across the high mountain peaks of Faerghus. [The mountain range in the upper northwest, dubbed Sacred Gwenhwyvar by Faerghus natives.] You might consider Gwenhwyvar as a name?
[Or just Gwen for short.]
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Mercedes hums softly now, her eyes softening as she gazes at the mare. ]
When I was taken in by the church, that used to be the sight that greeted me when I gazed out the window. And you're right, her coat does bring to mind that view. I think Gwenhwyvar is a wonderful name, Dimitri.
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[He appears pleased with himself for a moment, having offered a helpful suggestion, and his mouth curves into a smile.]
I am glad you like it, then. It is an elegant name for an elegant companion, but may it grant her strength, too. As sturdy as those mountains that greeted you from beyond your window panes each morning.
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[ She pauses to reach into her skirt pocket, offering the newly-named flutter a piece of fresh honeycomb-- which is devoured within seconds. ]
But thank you for joining me to meet her. I have to admit, I'm very curious to see your-- well, our new home.
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I am eager to show it to you. I should warn you, though, that while it is very large, it only has the most basic furnishings. Otherwise it is fairly barren.
[But oh well. It’s fine.]
Still, you have free rein to pick whichever room suits you best. One with a grand view of the neighboring forest, no doubt.
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… As for the furnishings, I can help with that much. You'll need to decide on a color theme and I'll want to see what kind of natural lighting it has...
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...I cannot let you furnish the whole house, Mercedes. People are paid for less effort than that.
[That is a lot of house to provide decor for.]
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[ Fight her. ]
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[A lot of rugs, curtains, pillows, etc.]
And you know I cannot help you with any of it. [Unless she wants to start a collection of broken sewing needles and scissors.]
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Rather... I want to do this. So if you try to tell me not to, I believe I'll just have to ignore you.
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He sighs. He knows when he is defeated.]
Very well. Your stubborn nature supersedes mine. But I insist on leaving the color coordination to you. If you are going to that much work, I can at least trust you to coordinate well enough.
[And let's be real, Dimitri would just say "blue" if she asked what colors he'd like.]
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I see... so you'll give me just a bit more additional work on top of it. All right, I accept!
[ she's teasing. ]
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What? I— No, that is not what I meant.
[Mercedes!!]
I mean that since you are doing the work, you deserve to pick what is aesthetically pleasing to your eyes. Not mine.
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[ Though she will definitely focus on blues. That much is obvious. ]
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It was my blessing, yes, but I did not ask for a home for myself. It is for all of us.
[Dimitri, asking for something that big for himself? The world has to turn itself inside-out before that happens.]
All of our friends and comrades who might need a place to stay in a land beyond either faction’s reach. We cannot know how the war might start playing out soon, so this space was requested for convenience and safety’s sake. [In case.]
I do not want you to think of it as a place where you need my permission to do… anything you want for the house. It is not my domain to lord over.
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Then I believe... what I need to focus on would be furnishings to help everyone feel at least a little at ease.
[ And, almost cheekily-- ] Yourself included, of course. But I do see your point.
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And I see yours. If there is anything I can do to help, though you know my hands are not very deft with a needle, please let me know. Do not hesitate to ask, and I will do my best to accommodate you.
...In the meanwhile, may I see your compass? I can mark on the map where it is located so you always have a reference.
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[ Well, he probably knows she isn't going to bother him with trivial sewing requests, which is likely why she's more than happy to offer up her compass in return. ]
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Here. Our new home, near the sea.
[Returning her compass to her, he grins.]
I will extend the invitation to the rest, too, of course.
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I'd hope so, or that might lead to some misunderstandings were people to find out that you only asked me!
But I've never lived by the sea before... how exciting!
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I only asked you first because I value your opinion and— ah, it is not as if I do not care for the opinions of the others, but you have always given me advice that is both encouraging and rational, if needed. I thought if you had anything else to add to the matter of living in neutral territory, you would say so.
[Or something.]
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[ So if there's anything she would add... hm. ]
I actually think, given how well the people of Kyst seem to view us for, er-- our fight with the Fury, we'll be well-received. You'll have free meals, at least, until you have more people living with you.
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There are forests nearby that might prove fit for hunting. And plenty of space across the manor’s grounds in case someone [someone not him] decides to grow fruit or vegetables.
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