Triple Threat AU

[crimsonflower]

[Edelgard stands in the ruins of Garreg Mach. The first to arrive if only because she wanted to be early to lament in private the forgotten days of the academy. The revolution she pushed aside to protect Fodlan from Those Who Slither in the Dark. She was hoping to deal with them after the war, but instead they used her as an opening to attack Rhea and capture Byleth. Over the last five years they've been using the professor's blood, the goddess' power, to increase their strength and numbers.

She's here today because she received a letter. A request to parley with Duke Riegan and King Blaiddyd. Despite being wary of Claude and knowing Dimitri's distaste for her she's here. Because how can progress with her ideals if Fodlan is locked in a stalemate with people who threatens its very existence?

The Emperor waits in silence as the full moon shines down in through a hole in the building illuminating her in the monastery.]

Comments

[crimsonflower]

I believe you are pushing your luck, Claude.

[Keep poking these beasts and one of them is bound to bite. Edelgard sets out the cups for everyone to keep them busy. Everyone getting a saucer and matching teacup. The design is simple, and while it's delicate porcelain there isn't too much fancy about it because it's meant for travel with the assumption that if once of the set were to break it could be easily replaced.

Thankfully considering Dimitri, the most beastly of them, will be handling a teacup himself.]

[azuremoon]

[Dimitri is certainly cognizant of that strength of his, though it's possible (likely, even) that he'll end up getting angry enough to accidentally break something over the course of breakfast. He really, really does not want to embarrass himself like that, though, so after a little hesitation, he removes his gauntlets and gloves. They're dirty anyway, his hands are far cleaner.

Claude's comment earns another eyeroll, though this one is not nearly so pronounced.]

Indeed, [he says, unwittingly doing exactly as Claude hopes by briefly uniting with Edelgard. Five years later, and he's just as easy to manipulate...

Blessedly, he has Dedue around to watch out for him. Dedue looks right at Claude with pursed lips, as if to say "I see what you're doing". But as he does not disapprove, he simply thanks Claude for the help and directs him to the plates and utensils, not wanting to leave the bacon at this final crucial stage. Crispy edges, chewy fat — a minute too long, and those edges might just burn, which would be a true tragedy.]

[outsideer]

[ Push his luck? Claude?? Perish the thought.

In all seriousness, what a turn of events if it was his light treatment that most threatened this union. Though, if he did get bitten, he would accept the price of his loose hold on interpersonal caution, relatively unbothered. So long as the beast stayed once finished gnawing.

Dedue's look earns an outright beatific smile, as if to respond "That makes one of us." He proceeds as directed and will continue to heed any such instructions, be it to help plate at the fire or bring the plates to the blanket, where they might serve themselves directly. Serve themselves. Surely their highnesses have done before. ]

[crimsonflower]

[The fire has also been shared by the kettle which whistles uproariously when it is time to remove. Hubert, after consulting with Dedue over the tea blend to use, fills the strainer on the teapot with the loose leaves before pouring the piping hot water into it. Almost immediately the heat and steam wafts the aroma of chamomile and ginger into the air before Edelgard's vassal caps the teapot with its porcelain lid. The tea shall steep as Claude and Dedue make to bring the food to the blanket gathering.]

It's a beautiful morning. A shame it is so cold before the sun is high.

[Goodness! Has she really resorted to trite conversations about the weather in order to stay "safe"?]

[azuremoon]

[In the interest of soothing Hubert, Dedue has elected to let everyone serve themselves. Individual plates and utensils are passed out, but the food itself is all simply placed on larger platters in the middle of the blanket. Dimitri inhales deeply as the scent of chamomile makes its way to him, thankful for what seems like the thousandth time that Dedue knows him so well.]

It is for the best. Hard physical labor warms people up, and there is much of it that must be done here.

[Thank the goddess that he won't have to be dripping sweat while the monastery is being repaired!]

[outsideer]

[ Any conversation is promising. Or, any conversation that begins without hostility. As such, Claude values the utility of weather as a topic, and though he misses most of it, would not have smiled at her expense.

As their Royalnesses pick through it, Claude takes a moment of his own to indulge the morning. Dedue moves past with the platters as Claude, plates stacked in his hands, closes his eyes and inhales. The air's fragrant with the crisp of bacon, the complement of potato, the overlay of chamomile. Despite the chill, he feels enough of the sun against his skin for it to warm. It isn't anything like a morning in Almyra, not really, but for a certain earthen undertone.

Traces of commonality.

Then moving, helping to distribute the plates, settling himself on a cushion (beside the empty) once everything is laid out. ]

Look at that.

[ With a satisfied nod, gesturing to their spread. ]

I am indebted to you both, but most of all to Dedue. Thanks for your effort.

[crimsonflower]

Yes, thank you.

[Edelgard nods Dedue's way while Hubert plates everything for her. Making sure it is all proper and right before it is placed before her. Only after her tea is poured and her plate is set with utensils does the vassal make work on collecting for himself.

Edelgard lets the fresh food sit in front of her for a moment while she warms her hands with the cup of tea.]

[azuremoon]

[Dimitri, too, takes the tea first, getting another whiff of it from up close. He softly thanks Dedue, who bows to him and then turns to everyone else to say, "It was no trouble." Dedue also waits until the others have made their selections before getting some of his own, then he sits off to Dimitri's side. Despite the imposing figure he cuts, in this scenario, he somehow makes both himself and Dimitri seem a little bit less intimidating.

It's exactly the opposite of what Hubert does for Edelgard, really.

Dimitri finally takes a small sip of the tea and sets it to the side, starting in on the food because it only seems right that he proves he's not serving poison by taking the first bite. Poor Dedue watches him carefully in the hopes that he'll think it's delicious, but alas, Dimitri is as impassive about food as he ever is. Dimitri shifts his weight, feeling as if he should say something else but struggling to find a topic that isn't fraught with potential pitfalls. Finally, he settles on:]

The tea is a nice blend.

[Probably. It smells nice, anyway.]

[outsideer]

[ Easy-going as is the Alliance Leader, perhaps it goes unnoticed. Perhaps not. Perhaps, had Hilda been here...they would have made absolutely no difference in how the other was perceived. It would be as noticeable or as overlooked: that he, too, waits first for another to sip the tea, to take the first bite of the meal, before himself bringing the cup to his mouth.

Swallowing, he dispenses a look of startled pleasure down to the brew and heaves a satisfied sigh. ]

It is, at that.

[ Claude says it, able to mean it. Despite Lorenz's much aggrieved efforts, Claude's palate lacked the refinement to distinguish subtle notes in the finest teas. Even so, he can discern well enough that this chamomile blend outstrips most of what he's had in the Alliance (if only just). Lorenz will surely appreciate the information.

As for the food, while it lacks the elegance of the tea, it's too bad Dedue won't care whether Claude approves. Delicious is an understatement, if one helped by his having forgotten to eat past midday the day before.

Really, he'd be all too happy to sit there and stuff his face, but that he cannot overlook how sorely they need his help with conversing. ]

Forgive me a dull question, Edelgard, but how did you come by this blend?

[ It isn't all that dull to him, though. Assistance from the East kept the Alliance supplied, but while the Empire may not be struggling to the extent of the Kingdom, it must, too, have its shortages. And Claude's plenty interested in trade as a general matter. The farther the source, the better. ]

[crimsonflower]

That question would be better fielded by Hubert. He took to finding something I could drink before bed because my preferred blend tends to keep me up longer than I need to be. I do have to admit the scent of it when mixed with a dab of honey from the dipper is quite soothing.

[Hubert makes sure to test everything first before gesturing that Edelgard is allowed to begin consuming breakfast. He'll then go on to explain that this type of chamomile is made into both tea and oils used by Brigid shamans to induce calm or to be used as a mild sedative. It's a little more potent than the kind found in Fodlan, but when Edelgard insisted learning more about Brigid Petra produced some of it. To keep its freshness Hubert had it moved from woven bags to tins.]

[azuremoon]

From Brigid...

[Some might balk at hearing that (Brigid shamans? Blasphemy!), but Dimitri simply seems curious. He wishes even more now that he could taste it, but sadly, wishing alone will not suddenly restore that sense to him. The scent is calming, though, and he can already feel his muscles relaxing ever so slightly.]

They revere nature there, do they not? Is this tea blessed?

[outsideer]

[ At moments like these, Claude can appreciate what Dimitri and Edelgard have in Dedue and Hubert. Unflagging attention to their needs, excessive dedication. Claude wouldn't be surprised if Edelgard hadn't needed to speak a word for Hubert to know she struggled to sleep, that just that drip of honey enhanced the effect. Neither had the wordless exchanges between Dedue and Dimitri gone overlooked, the nudge toward chamomile.

It isn't something Claude particularly wants, and he certainly doesn't need it. To be known like that has never not anymore been his desire.

Still. How the other half lives, so to speak. And Hubert does speak, Claude listening with more interest to that explanation than to any idle vacancies within. Brigid. Before he can ask after Petra, Dimitri makes his inquiry, and the simple interest in it does surprise him. ]

I've heard that as well.

[ Smiling around the brim of his cup and himself curious. If not the blessing of the purported goddess, would Edelgard balk less? Regardless, before he can say more himself, he fills his mouth with more bacon, potatoes. Even with the heretic Emperor herself, he's not so foolish as to wax on about giving thanks to the earth and the gods of other lands, however tempting the topic once introduced. ]

[crimsonflower]

[Hubert, with Edelgard occasionally chiming in, are both amenable to share the knowledge of Brigid they've learned through Petra. It's insightful even if not a particularly in-depth discussion considering Edelgard never wanted to pry too hard with Petra. The young woman already a political hostage. Best not to rub salt in the wound.]

I think it's interesting that Brigid's belief system differs so greatly from the one in Fodlan. Though sadly there is no way to tell if it is based on something tangible or just made-up stories like the Church of Seiros has done. I would not mind learning for myself one day.

[azuremoon]

As long as those beliefs give people succor and do not harm anyone, does it really matter if there is truth to them?

[Dimitri truly feels that it doesn't. Faith is a personal thing, and knowing that Edelgard won't want to rip it away from individual people would settle one of the many qualms he has with her. That her path would have involved trampling over everyone that disagrees with her is a big problem.

Still, that she would apparently like to learn more about Brigid is nice. Dimitri looks to Dedue, asking a silent question. Apparently, he's satisfied with the answer he receives, and when his gaze shifts to the group as a whole again, he continues:]

There are many gods in Duscur, aren't there?

[Dedue knows what Dimitri's doing, but he still gives Edelgard a slightly uneasy glance before he responds.

"Yes. The sky, the earth, the sea — all have a god. We recognize the goddess of Fódlan, as well, though we do not pray to her unless the prayer is about Fódlan. The deities of foreigners are seen as the protectors of their respective lands."]

[outsideer]

[ Well. From his Kingliness, himself.

Claude remains human, despite his years of crafting his expressions, his reactions. Even he can be surprised and show it, more often than he'd like, really. Dimitri may not be the last person Claude would expect to say it, to speak a philosophy that so completely aligned with his own thoughts on the subject, but he's pretty far down the list. For a moment, he stares, hand with teacup stalled just below his chin.

His own nascent belief in the possibility of gods had been born with Teach and shaken when they were taken. The miracle of meeting them tempered by refusing to seek a miracle in rescuing them—gods should be a support system, which he had no need of—

but then, the King of Faerghus sits with the Adrestian Emperor over tea and bacon. Speaking of foreign gods. Inclined though Claude his to have his efforts acknowledged, this feels an awful lot like a miracle.

He's able to recover with the shift to Duscur, listening to Dedue. Brigid and Duscur's beliefs better resemble that of his home than Fodland's. It's... fascinating. ]

They might as well be. Are the gods of Duscur kept back by the wall around Fodlan?

[ An amused observation, amused question. Claude leans back, venturing more than he might have, had Dimitri not spoken so. Setting down the cup, he's propped a hand behind him in the grass, head tilted to consider the sky. ]

Tell me, do either of you ever think of it? How many countries there are past the mountains, over the seas? Each with their own gods.

[crimsonflower]

In all honesty I have not given true thought to such a thing. The idea is fascinating to learn about them, but otherwise I have no strong feelings about the gods of other nations.

[How can she hate that which she does not know? Even the ridicule of Brigid and their shamans seems absurd to her. She felt bad for having Petra stay with them as political hostage, and so as a show of good will Edelgard has tried to learn more about her and her homeland to try and foster a more amicable relationship with Brigid in the future.

Observant eyes will notice that Edelgard will only have a little of the bacon, and instead she favors the potatoes. Though, admittedly, bacon is much more palatable than say venison stew or rabbit skewers.]

1/2

[azuremoon]

I used to think about it as a child.

[He used to wonder if maybe he would be able to find friends that simply treated him as Dimitri from other countries, mostly. And he did — he found El, even if it was only for a short period of time. Dimitri peeks over in her direction, smiling fondly when he notices her strong preference for the potatoes over the bacon. So she still has the same tastes...]

2/2

[azuremoon]

[...but it doesn't matter anymore, does it? There's nothing left of "El" to feel nostalgic over.]

I had other concerns after my family was killed, though. It is difficult to turn an eye outward when your home is in peril.

[By some miracle, he manages to not sound too terribly resentful.]

[outsideer]

[ Speaking of miracles. Dimitri—

His gaze does not remain fixed on the sky, dropping down to earth as Edelgard speaks. No strong feelings is better than the strong and negative. On Claude's part, it wasn't only the gods of other nations that fascinated him. It's everything.

Dimitri keeps surprising. Not only by having thought of it, but with the expression on his face as he looks at Edelgard, at her— plate? Something in her favoring the potatoes eliciting easily the softest look Claude's yet seen from him. He's just beginning to think, Huh, so he still—

Nope, there it goes. However, definitely not his imagination. Definitely interesting. Definitely pushed from mind when Dimitri speaks of his family.

Battle prone though Almyra was, Claude had his fascination with the world beyond. But then, that been yet another thing that made him an oddity there. In his desperation to believe that it might be different out there, that it could be different, he'd looked outward even as he skirted personal peril at home. ]

Yeah... of course.

[ Sobering and leaning forward, off his arm. Returning to his plate. For that reason, too, this war must end. Storm in a teacup though this might be, there would be no breaking down walls while conflict raged. ]

Well, maybe someday.

[ Which might be as far as he'll venture on that, cryptic and as much in answer to his own thought. ]

[crimsonflower]

Someday... yes, perhaps. As of right now, and perhaps for a while yet, Fodlan is not fit to address its neighbors.

[Edelgard cleans her plate, even with a second helping of potatoes. When she finishes she'll wash it down with one last cup of tea before sitting back with her hands folded in her lap. Hubert collects what she's finished with and joins it with his to make for easier clean up when everyone else has finished.]

[azuremoon]

["Why is that?"

But before he can ask, Dedue pointedly refills his (still half full) cup of tea, and Dimitri lets out an exaggerated sigh. It's difficult for him to hold on to his anger when someone who went through the exact same things he did, who saw the horror in Duscur and lost their entire family, remains so calm.

There's no point in it. There's no point.]

I am afraid you are right. At the very least, we must take care of these monsters before we can even think of interacting with other countries. They cannot be allowed to spread their poison elsewhere.

[outsideer]

[ Interesting.

Claude listens to the Emperor, to the King, to the possibility in their words should they create a future of peace. They might yet extend their hands beyond these narrow walls. Without the goddess and her church to oppose in those lands, with what intention would Edelgard reach? Dimitri— he can be no more certain of.

A last swallow of meat, then of tea. He places the cup onto the plate, eyes flicking between the two. What he thinks: if he were to vanish, could he trust either with the Alliance? Could he believe in them should he ascend to another, farther throne?

What he says: ]

And so, here we sit.

[ With that bright and easy smile, gesturing wide at the blanket, at the three (five). ]

I won't allow it. [ Would they go to Almyra? Whatever Almyra might think of him, he'd cut off this limb first. ] Whatever else we may agree or disagree on, that is most important.

I suppose we should hold council for once we've successfully gathered our troops.