[Night has fallen and Marianne is… absolutely outside! She can’t help it. So many of her comrades are fighting, she can’t just sit inside where it’s safe. That’s something she’d do back then – and she swears that she’s a changed person now. So with lance in hand and an extra pack of emergency first aid supplies, Marianne is in Kyst! Ready to help!
What she’s not ready for is facing a group of fleeing civilians, a few screaming that the runes drawn earlier during the day are useless now (probably from someone accidentally wiping it off, or some other silly incident that could have been avoided), others merely running straight past her. She’s already afraid, but there’s nothing else for it. The small crowd of trapped Spartae spill out from the trap after the fleeing civilians.
There are a few who take up arms, so Marianne is not left COMPLETELY bereft. But… she is Struggling – these are people who’ve never fought before, she can’t oversee injuries and fight at the same time. She needs an intervention... Someone, a young man, grabs her by the arm and drags her forward, shrieking that they need help.]
Wait, let go -- !
[BOY SHE’S TRYING TO SAVE UR LIFE AND UR HANDS ARE ON HER??? this is the opposite of helpful!!!]
It's kind of impressive how quickly everything goes to shit, but considering all that he's been through, Sylvain doesn't even get the satisfaction to say he's surprised. Which is to say: Sylvain is also outside! It's impossible to rationalize being anywhere else when there are so many people in need of rescue or some other sort of aid.
He's helping a young mother and daughter evacuate their home, lifting the latter into their family's carriage when the screams break out. There's a curse on his breath as he shifts his attention back into the main streets, but he retrieves his lance and excuses himself as soon as he's certain they can handle the rest themselves. He's not really looking for anyone once he's there, admittedly? Like, he's mostly trying to determine which spot needs him the most, but while he'll catch the boy's voice before he ever hears Marianne's over the noise, it's his recognition of her (and the Struggle) that brings him so quickly to her side, reaching for the boy's wrist and taking a sharp half step between them. Intervention: done.
"Hey, cut it out," he snaps, tone perhaps a bit harsher than it needs to be given the whole 'everyone's panicking' thing as he shakes his attention away from Marianne. But boy?? We may disrespect women's emotions in this house, but we do not make uninvited, bodily grabs at them! Damn!! "Calm down. Tell us where to go."
Simple, to the point, because if he's learned anything about people during a panic, it's that they often aren't capable of exchanging information beyond the basics. And sure enough, the boy doesn't seem to care much who he's holding onto, his free hand coming up to grip at the arm restraining him. He babbles something about help and this way, fragmented by the desperate sort of fear that comes with the spontaneity of situations like this, and once Sylvain feels like he's caught... like, enough-- or enough to figure out vaguely what's going on, beyond a whole fucking lot of everything, at least--he lets go and turns to glance at Marianne properly for the first time.
"Come with me?" Unlike the stern glare the young man had received, the Look he shoots Marianne is more like a question, a silent Are you alright that he knows better than to voice in the middle of such chaos. "I could use the backup."
Also, um? Is that a fucking lance?? Little miss birds and sunshine over here with a fucking lance, he can't help but wonder when the fuck that happened...
[thank you goddess for this Sylvain-shaped intervention.... Because Marianne hadn't expected it? Does she look just as surprised to see him? Perhaps!!! But she's also very clearly relieved, especially with the way he effortlessly deals with the citizen and then turns to her. It's been a long time since she's seen Sylvain in action, and mock battles at the Officer's Academy shouldn't really count, but she's come to think of the Blue Lions as both experienced and competent.]
...Of course! [She wants to thank him too, but gratitude can wait till later. She has her game face on! Lance at the ready! She's going to follow Sylvain straight to where their help is needed most, though
She takes another look at him, a little anxiously. He doesn't look hurt, but it's nightfall and Marianne's eyes have fooled her once before.]
Are you hurt, Sylvain? I can heal you if you are.
[that's somewhat of an obvious statement to make, but since healing magic has been so touch and go recently... She'd better let him know that she's still capable on the healing front.]
[ Well before shrieks and suspicions arise, Mercedes is simply trying to help clear the snow. She has the benefit of already having a fire spell under her belt, despite it not quite being as strong as she remembers. She can't even draw on Bolganone. Still, the spell they teach her feels familiar enough, and she's grateful for it-- the warmth at her fingertips.
Of course, she has someone else to focus on as well, and she's already looking for him, checking among those already hard at work at making the roads worth traversing again. ]
Theoretically, Sylvain should also have some spells under his belt?? Like, the professor would probably be Less Than Thrilled to find out all those lessons went to waste, especially given his total disinterest in them at the start. But when it comes to melting snow, he finds that he struggles almost as much as he had in the garden to manage even the smallest flame, sputtering out over the snow's surface before it can melt more than a dent into it.
Be kind!! He's trying... although for the moment he does seem to be distracted, frowning at the pattern of several of these little dents like maybe they'll spell out to him the reason this is so difficult, beyond the excuse of 'new magic'. He's not used to having to try so hard?? Come on, there's got to be more to it...
[ Well. It's rare to see him frowning, but it's also rare to see him looking genuinely troubled, so Mercedes will be kind and slip up behind him, reaching out to pat him on the back.
He doesn't startle as easily as some of the other students, she thinks. Hopefully. ]
Thankfully he does not startle as easily as some of the other students, no, but he's still not expecting the sudden company. His eyes widen for that half second before recognition hits, and then he's got his expression schooled back into a careless smile, all studious tension gone in an instant with a quiet laugh.
"Mercedes," he greets, and while he doesn't shy away from her touch by any means, he does turn so he can settle his attention more fully on her. "Appearing in my time of need, as always... But you know, if it's just some alone time you're after, you don't need to go to all the trouble of making excuses."
Because magic practice is obviously just an excuse to spend time with him! It's fine, he definitely gets it. Complete understanding.
[It's not that Felix means to look at his clock every morning. Not that he's still up in arms about the damn thing; like, he's had ample time to come to terms with it, but does he necessarily need a reminder that his friends (re: Sylvain, mainly) make bad decisions? No. No, he does not—especially since they all happen to be who knows how far away. They're on their own!
And yet? And yet. Every morning, Felix rises earlier than almost anyone else; Felix eats a hurried breakfast; Felix ventures to the training grounds, spending hours honing skill after skill; Felix slips back into his small, quiet room and, as he places his swords on a low table, oh-so casually glances up at his room's one real piece of decor. It's habit. That's it.
But for someone who supposedly... doesn't pay close attention to it, he's quick to notice that something is off on this particular morning? That something is missing—and while he tells himself it's nothing, after studying the clock for a few (uncomfortable) minutes, he finds himself compelled to reach for his compass. He's probably making a fool of himself; he'll probably catch shit for this for the next, oh, however long it takes for Sylvain to find something new to tease him about, but as his stomach sinks in the most peculiar of ways...]
Sylvain.
[He actually messaged first? And it's, like, ten in the morning! Answer!]
[ Sylvain wouldn't exactly consider himself an early riser, but then it's not as if he's ever had the chance to make sleeping in ridiculously late a habit, either. So even if he hasn't been up since like, the crack of dawn--unlike some people--10am is a survivable time. And you know, he's actually had a pretty peaceful morning! The Court's been relatively quiet for once, without any disasters or chaos to spur everyone into action, which means it's only a matter of time before the next thing comes up to knock the wind out of his sails. Let him at least enjoy it while it lasts.
He's not expecting anyone to send him anything this early though--and he's doubly not expecting Felix to send him anything at all? When does Felix ever pick up his compass first... ]
uh oh. whats this about?
[ His only consolation is that Felix would waste a full message on just his name, honestly. That means it can't be something immediately serious, even if Felix contacting him instead of the other way around means it does have to be something serious to begin with... But hey, maybe it's nothing! ]
[It's more like Grandpa Felix doesn't see the point in sending messages to Sylvain's compass if he isn't, like, up and ready to read them—but whatever! Sylvain is up, and his response is... perfectly Him; a sign, Felix thinks, that perhaps nothing's wrong at all, and yet that gut instinct urges him forward.]
[ ...Oookay, so that's not a question he would expect from Felix. Especially not so early...? Surely if they'd made plans together--for whatever sorts of plans those two would agree to, anyway--they wouldn't have made them so early? ]
not yet, no.
[ He doesn't waste time asking if he needed him for something, or if he'd already tried contacting him first. He wouldn't ask about someone if not for a reason, and he may be extremely stubborn, but he's also extremely straightforward.
So in the end, after only a brief pause, Sylvain settles for a simple question: ]
[And that makes sense, doesn't it? Unless they'd, like, breakfasted together or something, there's no real reason for Sylvain to have seen Ashe this relatively early in the day...
...But the feeling that something is amiss is still there, and this unanswerable question he's staring down at only serves to amplify it. Time for facts.]
His name isn't in the compass. It isn't on the clock.
[But instead of telling Sylvain to go look for him (which he undoubtedly will)... well, you know what? Of the four childhood friends, Sylvain is undoubtedly the smartest—and Felix recognizes this, hence this radio silence as he gives Sylvain time to do what he's better at: connect the dots. Tell Felix what he's missing here, because surely Felix is missing something.]
[ The Clock, as it were, is still something that amuses Sylvain, for as much as he might not understand how it works. (Does it have Felix's standards for Bad Decisions? Surely not, or else his name would always be there... but how does it know where they all are, anyway? He's not really sure how he feels about some sort of formless entity keeping eyes on him at any given moment...)
Or at least, it WOULD be something that amuses Sylvain, if not for the context being what it is. What does it mean when the magical tracking device... stops tracking someone?
...There's a longer pause this time. He turns to walk back in the direction he came from, towards the rooms where they've all been staying. ]
could it have fallen off?
[ Clock hands come off, right?? Not, like, spontaneously--not usually--but who's to say if magic clocks even follow normal clock rules at all! It wouldn't explain the compass issue (he checks his own as he goes, just in case, and it only brings his brows in closer together) but to be totally fair, do they really know how the compasses work, either?
He doesn't actually wait for an answer. His compass stays in-hand as he reaches Ashe's door and knocks twice, and although some part of him supplies something more rational, suggests that he might just already be out for the day, the combination of factors has him knocking again, harder; he strains to hear something inside for only a moment before he tries the handle, peering in through the crack for only a second--
And then standing more openly in the doorway to take in how distinctly unlived-in it feels--no books, no personal effects, just a plain, lifeless room, just like when they'd first arrived. ]
his things arent in his room.
[ They're just stating facts to each other at this point, aren't they? But Felix knows as well as he does that Ashe wouldn't have gone somewhere without saying anything to them... ]
[There is something so funny about Felix trusting Sylvain to piece things together... and Sylvain suggesting that a hand just fell off his magical clock?? Anyway: Felix does not find that funny, but less because it's Sylvain grasping at straws and more because it's Sylvain obviously being as lost as he is. That... is not a good sign for things to come, but as he reads and re-reads that question, he forces himself to bite back his frustration. There's no need to actually answer it. They both know that.
And Felix knows that all he can do... is wait for Sylvain to send him more information, because that stupid question aside, he trusts Sylvain to look into this since he can't? Which is a trust that's rewarded when Sylvain does, in fact, send him a message confirming that he did what Felix assumed he would, but ah, what news. No name on the clock; no name in the compass; no things in his room. Would Mercedes know more? Would Dimitri? Is he looking for Ashe, too—and if so, would he bother contacting Felix? Would Felix blame him if he didn't?
...So it goes.]
I see.
[And that's... it! No, no. A beat as he looks up at his clock, and then:]
[ Listen, alright, Sylvain is NOT the authority on magical clocks and how they may or may not function! For all he knows, Felix could have been practicing some impressive dumb sword technique in his room and smacked the damn thing... He just also knows how unlikely it is, and so the idea holds little, if any, water.
The only idea that seems willing to stick happens to be one he isn't willing to accept so easily. And, judging by the message that comes through to his compass, the same can be said of Felix. ]
be careful. [ Habitual, instant, and likely enough to earn a scoff from the brat on the other end. ] ill check around here some more... maybe someone else mightve seen him.
[ Not that he's got high hopes in that regard... But he sends one more message following, as he closes the door and wanders in the direction of the kitchens. ]
ill meet you after.
give me an hour. two tops.
[ Just... a reassurance that he won't, like, disappear too? Or at least if he does, then at least Felix will Know... ]
[And normally such a thing would earn a scoff—but not today, because as Felix reads these messages, he's thinking about how quickly, how easily someone as bright as Ashe... disappeared without a(n apparent) trace. What if—
...Hmm. Well. Felix isn't one to worry; Felix is one to go out and deal with the problem head-on, which is why he heads for his door, passing by his coat without a second thought. Of course he'll be careful. He doesn't need Sylvain to meet him in Kyst to presumably check up on him, but before he shoves his compass back into his pocket, what he types is:]
The same place.
[This "same place" is, of course, the tavern they've wound up in a handful of times? A simple place with cheap, yet filling, meals—and after spending an hour stalking about Kyst and finding absolutely nothing of interest, the idea of a warm meal is more than welcome. He's a Faerghus boy, but without his coat, he's still chilly. It's too bad he had other things on his mind...
And those things are here to stay, apparently, as he grabs a table and waits for Sylvain to arrive. Catch him in the back of the room, sitting near the fire and glaring down at his mug of spiced... something. Weak mulled wine. All that matters is that it's warm to the touch as he, unfortunately, Thinks and Waits...]
Edited (you didn’t tell me i used the same icon tWICE IN A ROW) 2019-12-07 08:26 (UTC)
It should be a given by now, or so Sylvain thinks, yet he agrees with a quick 'got it.' all the same before he tucks his compass into a pocket. The next... oh, hour-ish, is spent asking around the Court and visiting Ashe's usual haunts in hopes of spotting a familiar head of silver hair poking out from behind a book, or a baking tray, or, like, anything else, really! But once it becomes undeniably clear that his search is coming up fruitless, he directs himself towards Kyst, pushing past the uneasiness twisting and knotting itself in his stomach.
He opts to use the mirrors rather than ride, favoring the immediacy over staying too long in his own head. It still takes some time to traverse the roads to their shared destination, even with his hastened step--however, true to his word, he steps through the doors well before his two hour promise can be broken. Finding a familiar face in the crowd comes easily enough; he'll speak up only once he draws a bit closer to Felix's table.
"Hey."
Where he might normally sound cheery--maybe even tease Felix for starting before him when his eyes fall to the mug in his hands--Sylvain instead sounds... distracted? Only mildly so, granted, but paired with the small quirk of his lips he offers instead of a grin, and the relative silence as he sheds his cloak (because SOME of us aren't heathens, priorities be damned) and settles into the seat opposite, it's obvious he's not the bearer of any good news.
"...No one's heard from him," he says, simply. It's easier to let his attention settle more on Felix's mug than Felix himself while he pieces this all together, and maybe tries to focus on JUST the situation at hand and not whatever possibilities it might bring with it! "He hasn't been in the kitchens today, or the library."
[The biggest pro (and biggest con) of sitting alone with his mug of mulled wine: Felix has plenty of time to think things through, which means that, by the time Sylvain drops into the seat across from him, Felix is... hmm. It's not that he was expecting anything good to begin with? It's not like he expected to actually uncover anything in Kyst to begin with, really, but doing is better than idly sitting by—and his wild goose chase has given him more than enough time to come to terms with this... uncertainty. Shit sucks, bruh, but what's new.]
Hm. [A quiet noise of acknowledgement as Felix turns the mug in his hands, simply savoring the warmth for a moment before bluntly adding:] So he's gone.
[Back... home, perhaps. Hopefully. Felix, however, is too cynical to just easily accept such a thing; there's always the possibility that one of the higher powers in this place plucked Ashe away to do who knows what, but...
...Well. Instead of throwing that out there for Sylvain to enjoy, Felix finally looks up, openly studying the other man's face as he tries to determine how, exactly, Sylvain is handling this. There's no need to hide what he's doing here? Nor is there any need to look away if—when—Sylvain returns the favor, because they both know that Sylvain can read Felix far better than most; he'll see past Felix's impassive expression in a second, sharp eyes picking up on the way he's tightly pressing his lips together, on the way he's holding his mug so tightly his knuckles are turning white. No, he isn't pleased with this... but it's fine to allow a bit of that emotion to come through right here, right now, because it's Sylvain who'll pick up on it.]
((ooc; feel free to handwave this discussion if you want! I just wanted to make sure I snag all my castmates for this c: ))
[Out of the blue, a little image pings on Sylvain’s compass — it is a map, centered on the southern reaches of neutral territory, with a certain area marked rather purposefully. The reason why? Well, it becomes clear soon enough.
A message follows through. Dimitri probably spent half an hour trying to get this to work properly, honestly.]
Sylvain,
I have procured us all a large house in neutral territory, indicated on the map I have paired with this message. You are free to use it as you please, for there is room for plenty. Consider it a safe haven — for now, at least — should you ever require one. It is difficult to know what this war might bring, and thus preparation is key, no matter what.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.
[ That Dimitri figured out how to send an image at all is impressive enough for Sylvain to not make fun of the fact he wrote an Entire Missive along with it. It's not as if he expects anything less, but every now and then he does like to entertain the idea that his dear, dear friends might one day learn to like... chill. ]
its a good idea, but ill admit, im a little surprised you would ask for a house and not something a little more... you know. [ Dramatic... castle-y... hmm. ] serious.
[ Somehow, imagining Dimitri living in commoner housing is as hilarious as it is wholesome. He deserves to have a cozy place to live among friends, whether it can be useful later on or not! ]
and one with room for plenty, too... dimitri, dont tell me you found a girl you want to settle down with already!
[Sylvain is lucky that Dimitri didn't send a full-fledged Letter. It could have been much worse, but texting is still a chore, and therefore his old friend is saved from such a fate.]
Did you think I might ask for a fortress? [Or a castle. Honestly, did the thought cross his mind? He will not say.] Would they be so generous. I was surprised to have earned what I did receive.
And no, Sylvain. I know you tease, but I have not. This space is for all of us, as I said, not so that I might tow strange women back with me from the streets of Kyst.
[ Dimitri is 23 going on 97. If he ever sends a single 'lol' Sylvain's just gonna assume someone stole his compass. ]
honestly? a fort would have been my second guess.
i meant it though, when i said it was a good idea! im going to stick around the court a while longer myself, [ --you know, to keep an eye on things, obviously-- ] but if anything does go wrong while were here, itd be best to have a safe place we can all get to.
but you know, if you ever want me to introduce you to someone, you need only say the word! i bet i can think of a few who would be really into the whole eyepatch look.
[ Nevermind the implication that Sylvain has already gotten to know enough locals to offer in the few months they've been here... even if it is a joke!! ...Probably! ]
[Someone needs to teach him “lol” in the first place. He would probably use it unironically in a formal letter, let’s be real.]
Of course. I do not expect anyone to drop their things and come running. But as long as you know it is available to you, any time that you need it, then I am satisfied.
[You know, he almost doesn’t even reply to that last line. He really shouldn’t. But at the same time, Dimitri never learns.]
Do not tell me you have gotten to know that many locals, and their preferences, so quickly? [He just straight-up makes the implication a question.]
[ Dimitri learns full-blown texting lingo and writes a physical letter using u and bc and lol... he signs it off with 'pls advise xoxo' and the fabric of reality instantly begins to unravel--but!! Oh, Dimitri... He's so easy to tease, Sylvain almost feels bad. ]
oh...? am i sensing some interest over there, your highness?
[ Disclaimer: 'interest' and 'want of violence against his person' happen to be strikingly similar vibes. Also, it's just fun to mess with him. ]
now, id hate to suggest im as popular as you seem to think, but what can i say? the people here have been pretty welcoming!
and trust me. when it comes to figuring out what people do or dont like, im a pretty quick study. [ ;) ]
[Why are you hypothesizing this nightmare scenario. Do any of his friends or allies ever want to experience this in their lifetime? The answer is likely no. Do not tempt fate, Sylvain.]
You are sensing wrong. I am not interested. I refuse to find myself in a situation similar as to what happened back home.
And I cannot decide if it is comforting or worrisome that some things to do not change, Sylvain, even when we are worlds away from Fódlan.
keep it in mind at least! one bad date is nothing. as long as you dont try to be funny, i think you could really nail it next time. [ Is this a pun... ]
but is it so surprising? id hate to change how everyone thinks of me just because we're somewhere new.
i mean hey, mercedes might know how to cool off, but you, felix, and ingrid are all still the same old sticks in the mud! what would you guys do without me here to liven things up every now and then?
[ Oof!! Talk about a double hit. How do you explain to your Chronically Serious friend that their sense of humor is its own type of humor in and of itself...?
(In other words: Sylvain's gonna take that moment in-between messages to count his blessings that this conversation is through text, because if it weren't, he's not sure he'd be able to NOT laugh.) ]
actually, im not sure the difference is so simple...
or if its just me, for that matter...
but hey, we each have our own strengths! this one just... probably isnt one of yours. [ Probably...! ]
The message comes with a minute or two delay. Maybe five. You have to give him a moment to think up of something!
Because he's deciding to take a page out of Alois' book. Terrible jokes (and he is quite aware they're terrible, thank you) are hilarious because they are so bad, aren't they? It's humor and self-awareness rolled into one.]
Did you hear about the horse with the negative attitude, Sylvain?
[ A very good thing, that's what. Don't think too hard, Dimitri, he'd hate to see you hurt yourself over this--but still, even after that delay, Sylvain's response comes only a short moment after: ]
no, i did not. but i bet youre gonna tell me.
[ Please tell him. He won't even look away from his compass while he waits. ]
[ It's thoroughly enjoyed!! Just... not by Sylvain, who does laugh, albeit in that fond 'man, how am I friends with someone so ridiculous' kind of way, because he has No Taste. ]
you know, i really think youll have better luck if you just play up the eyepatch.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action during the october event!! im ready
What she’s not ready for is facing a group of fleeing civilians, a few screaming that the runes drawn earlier during the day are useless now (probably from someone accidentally wiping it off, or some other silly incident that could have been avoided), others merely running straight past her. She’s already afraid, but there’s nothing else for it. The small crowd of trapped Spartae spill out from the trap after the fleeing civilians.
There are a few who take up arms, so Marianne is not left COMPLETELY bereft. But… she is Struggling – these are people who’ve never fought before, she can’t oversee injuries and fight at the same time. She needs an intervention... Someone, a young man, grabs her by the arm and drags her forward, shrieking that they need help.]
Wait, let go -- !
[BOY SHE’S TRYING TO SAVE UR LIFE AND UR HANDS ARE ON HER??? this is the opposite of helpful!!!]
Belated but ALSO ready...!
He's helping a young mother and daughter evacuate their home, lifting the latter into their family's carriage when the screams break out. There's a curse on his breath as he shifts his attention back into the main streets, but he retrieves his lance and excuses himself as soon as he's certain they can handle the rest themselves. He's not really looking for anyone once he's there, admittedly? Like, he's mostly trying to determine which spot needs him the most, but while he'll catch the boy's voice before he ever hears Marianne's over the noise, it's his recognition of her (and the Struggle) that brings him so quickly to her side, reaching for the boy's wrist and taking a sharp half step between them. Intervention: done.
"Hey, cut it out," he snaps, tone perhaps a bit harsher than it needs to be given the whole 'everyone's panicking' thing as he shakes his attention away from Marianne. But boy?? We may disrespect women's emotions in this house, but we do not make uninvited, bodily grabs at them! Damn!! "Calm down. Tell us where to go."
Simple, to the point, because if he's learned anything about people during a panic, it's that they often aren't capable of exchanging information beyond the basics. And sure enough, the boy doesn't seem to care much who he's holding onto, his free hand coming up to grip at the arm restraining him. He babbles something about help and this way, fragmented by the desperate sort of fear that comes with the spontaneity of situations like this, and once Sylvain feels like he's caught... like, enough-- or enough to figure out vaguely what's going on, beyond a whole fucking lot of everything, at least--he lets go and turns to glance at Marianne properly for the first time.
"Come with me?" Unlike the stern glare the young man had received, the Look he shoots Marianne is more like a question, a silent Are you alright that he knows better than to voice in the middle of such chaos. "I could use the backup."
Also, um? Is that a fucking lance?? Little miss birds and sunshine over here with a fucking lance, he can't help but wonder when the fuck that happened...
UR RIGHT ON TIME TO ME!!
...Of course! [She wants to thank him too, but gratitude can wait till later. She has her game face on! Lance at the ready! She's going to follow Sylvain straight to where their help is needed most, though
She takes another look at him, a little anxiously. He doesn't look hurt, but it's nightfall and Marianne's eyes have fooled her once before.]
Are you hurt, Sylvain? I can heal you if you are.
[that's somewhat of an obvious statement to make, but since healing magic has been so touch and go recently... She'd better let him know that she's still capable on the healing front.]
action; october event
Of course, she has someone else to focus on as well, and she's already looking for him, checking among those already hard at work at making the roads worth traversing again. ]
no subject
Be kind!! He's trying... although for the moment he does seem to be distracted, frowning at the pattern of several of these little dents like maybe they'll spell out to him the reason this is so difficult, beyond the excuse of 'new magic'. He's not used to having to try so hard?? Come on, there's got to be more to it...
no subject
[ Well. It's rare to see him frowning, but it's also rare to see him looking genuinely troubled, so Mercedes will be kind and slip up behind him, reaching out to pat him on the back.
He doesn't startle as easily as some of the other students, she thinks. Hopefully. ]
Would you like some help?
no subject
"Mercedes," he greets, and while he doesn't shy away from her touch by any means, he does turn so he can settle his attention more fully on her. "Appearing in my time of need, as always... But you know, if it's just some alone time you're after, you don't need to go to all the trouble of making excuses."
Because magic practice is obviously just an excuse to spend time with him! It's fine, he definitely gets it. Complete understanding.
no subject
[ She says this promptly and cheerfully. Of course. ]
If you're flirting this badly already, though, I suppose you may be having more trouble with it than I thought.
text; un: felix; the time is now and you can just deal
And yet? And yet. Every morning, Felix rises earlier than almost anyone else; Felix eats a hurried breakfast; Felix ventures to the training grounds, spending hours honing skill after skill; Felix slips back into his small, quiet room and, as he places his swords on a low table, oh-so casually glances up at his room's one real piece of decor. It's habit. That's it.
But for someone who supposedly... doesn't pay close attention to it, he's quick to notice that something is off on this particular morning? That something is missing—and while he tells himself it's nothing, after studying the clock for a few (uncomfortable) minutes, he finds himself compelled to reach for his compass. He's probably making a fool of himself; he'll probably catch shit for this for the next, oh, however long it takes for Sylvain to find something new to tease him about, but as his stomach sinks in the most peculiar of ways...]
Sylvain.
[He actually messaged first? And it's, like, ten in the morning! Answer!]
no subject
He's not expecting anyone to send him anything this early though--and he's doubly not expecting Felix to send him anything at all? When does Felix ever pick up his compass first... ]
uh oh. whats this about?
[ His only consolation is that Felix would waste a full message on just his name, honestly. That means it can't be something immediately serious, even if Felix contacting him instead of the other way around means it does have to be something serious to begin with... But hey, maybe it's nothing! ]
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Ashe.
Have you seen him.
[Which is... a rather broad question, so:]
Today.
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not yet, no.
[ He doesn't waste time asking if he needed him for something, or if he'd already tried contacting him first. He wouldn't ask about someone if not for a reason, and he may be extremely stubborn, but he's also extremely straightforward.
So in the end, after only a brief pause, Sylvain settles for a simple question: ]
is everything alright?
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...But the feeling that something is amiss is still there, and this unanswerable question he's staring down at only serves to amplify it. Time for facts.]
His name isn't in the compass.
It isn't on the clock.
[But instead of telling Sylvain to go look for him (which he undoubtedly will)... well, you know what? Of the four childhood friends, Sylvain is undoubtedly the smartest—and Felix recognizes this, hence this radio silence as he gives Sylvain time to do what he's better at: connect the dots. Tell Felix what he's missing here, because surely Felix is missing something.]
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Or at least, it WOULD be something that amuses Sylvain, if not for the context being what it is. What does it mean when the magical tracking device... stops tracking someone?
...There's a longer pause this time. He turns to walk back in the direction he came from, towards the rooms where they've all been staying. ]
could it have fallen off?
[ Clock hands come off, right?? Not, like, spontaneously--not usually--but who's to say if magic clocks even follow normal clock rules at all! It wouldn't explain the compass issue (he checks his own as he goes, just in case, and it only brings his brows in closer together) but to be totally fair, do they really know how the compasses work, either?
He doesn't actually wait for an answer. His compass stays in-hand as he reaches Ashe's door and knocks twice, and although some part of him supplies something more rational, suggests that he might just already be out for the day, the combination of factors has him knocking again, harder; he strains to hear something inside for only a moment before he tries the handle, peering in through the crack for only a second--
And then standing more openly in the doorway to take in how distinctly unlived-in it feels--no books, no personal effects, just a plain, lifeless room, just like when they'd first arrived. ]
his things arent in his room.
[ They're just stating facts to each other at this point, aren't they? But Felix knows as well as he does that Ashe wouldn't have gone somewhere without saying anything to them... ]
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And Felix knows that all he can do... is wait for Sylvain to send him more information, because that stupid question aside, he trusts Sylvain to look into this since he can't? Which is a trust that's rewarded when Sylvain does, in fact, send him a message confirming that he did what Felix assumed he would, but ah, what news. No name on the clock; no name in the compass; no things in his room. Would Mercedes know more? Would Dimitri? Is he looking for Ashe, too—and if so, would he bother contacting Felix? Would Felix blame him if he didn't?
...So it goes.]
I see.
[And that's... it! No, no. A beat as he looks up at his clock, and then:]
I'll look in Kyst.
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impressivedumb sword technique in his room and smacked the damn thing... He just also knows how unlikely it is, and so the idea holds little, if any, water.The only idea that seems willing to stick happens to be one he isn't willing to accept so easily. And, judging by the message that comes through to his compass, the same can be said of Felix. ]
be careful. [ Habitual, instant, and likely enough to earn a scoff from the brat on the other end. ] ill check around here some more... maybe someone else mightve seen him.
[ Not that he's got high hopes in that regard... But he sends one more message following, as he closes the door and wanders in the direction of the kitchens. ]
ill meet you after.
give me an hour. two tops.
[ Just... a reassurance that he won't, like, disappear too? Or at least if he does, then at least Felix will Know... ]
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...Hmm. Well. Felix isn't one to worry; Felix is one to go out and deal with the problem head-on, which is why he heads for his door, passing by his coat without a second thought. Of course he'll be careful. He doesn't need Sylvain to meet him in Kyst to presumably check up on him, but before he shoves his compass back into his pocket, what he types is:]
The same place.
[This "same place" is, of course, the tavern they've wound up in a handful of times? A simple place with cheap, yet filling, meals—and after spending an hour stalking about Kyst and finding absolutely nothing of interest, the idea of a warm meal is more than welcome. He's a Faerghus boy, but without his coat, he's still chilly. It's too bad he had other things on his mind...
And those things are here to stay, apparently, as he grabs a table and waits for Sylvain to arrive. Catch him in the back of the room, sitting near the fire and glaring down at his mug of spiced... something. Weak mulled wine. All that matters is that it's warm to the touch as he, unfortunately, Thinks and Waits...]
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He opts to use the mirrors rather than ride, favoring the immediacy over staying too long in his own head. It still takes some time to traverse the roads to their shared destination, even with his hastened step--however, true to his word, he steps through the doors well before his two hour promise can be broken. Finding a familiar face in the crowd comes easily enough; he'll speak up only once he draws a bit closer to Felix's table.
"Hey."
Where he might normally sound cheery--maybe even tease Felix for starting before him when his eyes fall to the mug in his hands--Sylvain instead sounds... distracted? Only mildly so, granted, but paired with the small quirk of his lips he offers instead of a grin, and the relative silence as he sheds his cloak (because SOME of us aren't heathens, priorities be damned) and settles into the seat opposite, it's obvious he's not the bearer of any good news.
"...No one's heard from him," he says, simply. It's easier to let his attention settle more on Felix's mug than Felix himself while he pieces this all together, and maybe tries to focus on JUST the situation at hand and not whatever possibilities it might bring with it! "He hasn't been in the kitchens today, or the library."
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Hm. [A quiet noise of acknowledgement as Felix turns the mug in his hands, simply savoring the warmth for a moment before bluntly adding:] So he's gone.
[Back... home, perhaps. Hopefully. Felix, however, is too cynical to just easily accept such a thing; there's always the possibility that one of the higher powers in this place plucked Ashe away to do who knows what, but...
...Well. Instead of throwing that out there for Sylvain to enjoy, Felix finally looks up, openly studying the other man's face as he tries to determine how, exactly, Sylvain is handling this. There's no need to hide what he's doing here? Nor is there any need to look away if—when—Sylvain returns the favor, because they both know that Sylvain can read Felix far better than most; he'll see past Felix's impassive expression in a second, sharp eyes picking up on the way he's tightly pressing his lips together, on the way he's holding his mug so tightly his knuckles are turning white. No, he isn't pleased with this... but it's fine to allow a bit of that emotion to come through right here, right now, because it's Sylvain who'll pick up on it.]
un: dimitri
[Out of the blue, a little image pings on Sylvain’s compass — it is a map, centered on the southern reaches of neutral territory, with a certain area marked rather purposefully. The reason why? Well, it becomes clear soon enough.
A message follows through. Dimitri probably spent half an hour trying to get this to work properly, honestly.]
Sylvain,
I have procured us all a large house in neutral territory, indicated on the map I have paired with this message. You are free to use it as you please, for there is room for plenty. Consider it a safe haven — for now, at least — should you ever require one. It is difficult to know what this war might bring, and thus preparation is key, no matter what.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.
-Dimitri
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its a good idea, but ill admit, im a little surprised you would ask for a house and not something a little more... you know. [ Dramatic... castle-y... hmm. ] serious.
[ Somehow, imagining Dimitri living in commoner housing is as hilarious as it is wholesome. He deserves to have a cozy place to live among friends, whether it can be useful later on or not! ]
and one with room for plenty, too... dimitri, dont tell me you found a girl you want to settle down with already!
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Did you think I might ask for a fortress? [Or a castle. Honestly, did the thought cross his mind? He will not say.] Would they be so generous. I was surprised to have earned what I did receive.
And no, Sylvain. I know you tease, but I have not. This space is for all of us, as I said, not so that I might tow strange women back with me from the streets of Kyst.
[It sounds awkward just typing it!]
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honestly? a fort would have been my second guess.
i meant it though, when i said it was a good idea! im going to stick around the court a while longer myself, [ --you know, to keep an eye on things, obviously-- ] but if anything does go wrong while were here, itd be best to have a safe place we can all get to.
but you know, if you ever want me to introduce you to someone, you need only say the word! i bet i can think of a few who would be really into the whole eyepatch look.
[ Nevermind the implication that Sylvain has already gotten to know enough locals to offer in the few months they've been here... even if it is a joke!! ...Probably! ]
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Of course. I do not expect anyone to drop their things and come running. But as long as you know it is available to you, any time that you need it, then I am satisfied.
[You know, he almost doesn’t even reply to that last line. He really shouldn’t. But at the same time, Dimitri never learns.]
Do not tell me you have gotten to know that many locals, and their preferences, so quickly? [He just straight-up makes the implication a question.]
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oh...? am i sensing some interest over there, your highness?
[ Disclaimer: 'interest' and 'want of violence against his person' happen to be strikingly similar vibes. Also, it's just fun to mess with him. ]
now, id hate to suggest im as popular as you seem to think, but what can i say? the people here have been pretty welcoming!
and trust me. when it comes to figuring out what people do or dont like, im a pretty quick study. [ ;) ]
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You are sensing wrong. I am not interested. I refuse to find myself in a situation similar as to what happened back home.
And I cannot decide if it is comforting or worrisome that some things to do not change, Sylvain, even when we are worlds away from Fódlan.
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keep it in mind at least! one bad date is nothing. as long as you dont try to be funny, i think you could really nail it next time. [ Is this a pun... ]
but is it so surprising? id hate to change how everyone thinks of me just because we're somewhere new.
i mean hey, mercedes might know how to cool off, but you, felix, and ingrid are all still the same old sticks in the mud! what would you guys do without me here to liven things up every now and then?
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[Sarcasm? Actually, no. He earnestly is appreciative of all of his friends’ company in Fellden, even if he should never wish another war upon anyone.]
However, if that was a backhanded compliment directed at my sense of humor, I should have you know that there’s nothing wrong with it.
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have you been working on your jokes, your highness?
because that was actually kind of funny.
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[Wait-- oh. Well it's too late. He's already sent it. A follow-up comes.]
You and I simply have opposing ideas about what is humorous.
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(In other words: Sylvain's gonna take that moment in-between messages to count his blessings that this conversation is through text, because if it weren't, he's not sure he'd be able to NOT laugh.) ]
actually, im not sure the difference is so simple...
or if its just me, for that matter...
but hey, we each have our own strengths! this one just... probably isnt one of yours. [ Probably...! ]
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Again, I do not believe that to be true.
I could tell you a joke right now and I am certain it would make you laugh.
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you know what? maybe youre right! maybe i was a little too harsh.
[ Or maybe he's just a Terrible friend who's having way too much fun with this!! ]
i think ill take that bet, your highness. i could use a good laugh, so lets see what youve got. [ No pressure! ]
god...why
The message comes with a minute or two delay. Maybe five. You have to give him a moment to think up of something!
Because he's deciding to take a page out of Alois' book. Terrible jokes (and he is quite aware they're terrible, thank you) are hilarious because they are so bad, aren't they? It's humor and self-awareness rolled into one.]
Did you hear about the horse with the negative attitude, Sylvain?
I'm crying
no, i did not. but i bet youre gonna tell me.
[ Please tell him. He won't even look away from his compass while he waits. ]
i'll never forgive you
[Enjoy this epitome of dad joke humor.]
The price I'm willing to pay for humor!!
you know, i really think youll have better luck if you just play up the eyepatch.
[ He says this because he cares. ]
but is that price too high
Do not tell me you did not find that even the tiniest bit funny. It is a play on words. "Nay" and "neigh", much like a horse neighs.
[Maybe if he explained it to you!! Because honestly, it's the sort that would have had Dimitri laughing for how utterly cheesy it is.]