[Unbelieveable? Unbelievable, indeed, he thinks. Discomfort flits through him, suddenly uncertain; is he to expect a complete stranger to live with them, just because Mercedes has had a bout of love at first sight?
A smaller part of him wonders why this is suddenly so off-putting, when he had just welcomed an unknown companion seconds earlier. His overprotectiveness is flaring up, he can feel it.]
...Of course. I shall head there straight away. Wait for me?
[And he will meet her, without delay or distraction. The stables are easy enough to spot, since he has been there several times during his stay in Fellden, whether to merely see how the horses or doing, or to take one out for a ride for more important business.
When he arrives, he looks about to spot Mercedes.]
[ And there she is, located near the entrance and hurrying over to grasp his hand. ]
Here, this way. She's still somewhat skittish, so you'll have to approach her slowly.
[ And with no further fanfare, she's leading him carefully over to an open stall, where there's a beautiful grey mare standing there, knocking one hoof against the ground. The more surprising part might be the black and white speckled butterfly wings sprouting from her back. ]
[Suddenly Mercedes is approaching, and clasps her hand around his own before he can get a word in edgewise. He's led to an open stall, feeling conflicted and a bit like a child being led around by a friend, but maybe if Dimitri was SMART, the context clues would already make everything clear.
But for him, the realization does not sink in until he's before a lovely grey mare, eye widening as he tracks the way her wings flutter.]
You-
[It's quite a sight, yes, and one that would instill more awe in him normally. But he's in the middle of realizing that he had just felt vaguely threatened by a... horse.]
[ Unaware that Dimitri is having a crisis of sorts, Mercedes continued to beam as she releases his hand and offers her palm to the mare. It takes a minute before she'll deign to lower her head to rest her muzzle there, but to Mercedes, it's progress. ]
A flutter, actually... is what I believe she's called. I'd asked for a mount, in the event that the mirrors didn't work, but I hadn't expected this. She's slow to trust, so I wanted to work with her a bit before bringing her over.
[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.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mercedes why do you hate him so
Love?
[Wait, what?] Surely you are overexaggerating now. [That's not much like her.]
the gloves are off
But you'll see for yourself. Can you meet me by the stables?
you can't fight him if he's already dead
A smaller part of him wonders why this is suddenly so off-putting, when he had just welcomed an unknown companion seconds earlier. His overprotectiveness is flaring up, he can feel it.]
...Of course. I shall head there straight away. Wait for me?
[And he will meet her, without delay or distraction. The stables are easy enough to spot, since he has been there several times during his stay in Fellden, whether to merely see how the horses or doing, or to take one out for a ride for more important business.
When he arrives, he looks about to spot Mercedes.]
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[ And there she is, located near the entrance and hurrying over to grasp his hand. ]
Here, this way. She's still somewhat skittish, so you'll have to approach her slowly.
[ And with no further fanfare, she's leading him carefully over to an open stall, where there's a beautiful grey mare standing there, knocking one hoof against the ground. The more surprising part might be the black and white speckled butterfly wings sprouting from her back. ]
Isn't she beautiful?
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But for him, the realization does not sink in until he's before a lovely grey mare, eye widening as he tracks the way her wings flutter.]
You-
[It's quite a sight, yes, and one that would instill more awe in him normally. But he's in the middle of realizing that he had just felt vaguely threatened by a... horse.]
Your newfound love is a horse?
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A flutter, actually... is what I believe she's called. I'd asked for a mount, in the event that the mirrors didn't work, but I hadn't expected this. She's slow to trust, so I wanted to work with her a bit before bringing her over.
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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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