To Cut a Path to a Brighter Future

[crimsonflower]

[When Edelgard was called to the conference she did not expect to see Claude there, but after certain events it did make some sense. It gets her to tense up in the beginning, but when Claude mostly hangs back for the conversation he's mostly forgotten. For now.

So then the conversation between Emperor and King went as follows—

Dimitri: Edelgard. I did not think you would actually accept my request.
Edelgard: Call it a whim. Well then? What did you want to talk about?
Dimitri: I will get straight to the point. Why did you start this war? There had to be a way to change things in your territory without the need for so many senseless casualties.
Edelgard: It may be hard to believe, but this is the way that leads to the fewest casualties in the end. Don't you see?
Dimitri: How could I? Countless people have already lost their lives in this conflict.
Edelgard: The longer we took to revolt, the more victims this crooked world would have claimed. I weighed the victims of war against the victims of the world as it is now, and I chose the former. I believe that I have chosen the best path, the only path.]

Comments

[crimsonflower]

The assistance would be appreciated, though I do hope to soak some.

[She inhales the steam that rises from the bath. It's so fresh and clean that she just wants to melt and become one with the water. Her body sinks as far into the basin as possible as she tries to hide herself with water and steam.]

I have a question, though you are certainly not obligated to answer... Do you have any plans on what to do when this is all over?

[She's curious about what others will do since she'll probably have to fade into nonexistence after going to war with the Agarthans.]

[azuremoon]

["Well... that depends on what needs to be done. A lot of people are going to get hurt, so I'll want to take care of them first. I was thinking I might work at one of the orphanages, but everything is going to be a big mess for a while. I know you do not like the church, but it runs many charitable facilities. I'll have to do my best to make sure those don't suffer after everything comes to light."

Her faith in the goddess should probably have taken at least a small hit from all this, but from what Dimitri told her, this was all Lady Rhea. Mercedes still believes in a kind and loving goddess, and even if that goddess can no longer answer prayers, she's still a persona worth emulating and looking up to.]

[crimsonflower]

Perhaps the church need not fall completely. If it were run by someone level headed with no intent to use it as a way to govern the people I see no need to destroy the faith completely. After all... apparently it is not the Goddess's fault she was unable to answer the prayers of those hoping she would solve their problems for them.

Perhaps it can become an institution of guidance instead of law and blind faith.

[However now that the subject has come up she's not really sure who she'd put as head of the church. None of the people in her house were devout, and Manuela who she knew for a brief period, uh...





Probably could not handle that level of responsibility.]

[azuremoon]

[People hoping to have their problems solved for them is a terribly harsh way to put it, but even with a brief glance, Mercedes can guess that Edelgard's prayers went unanswered. She moves to start tidying the tent up, giving her a some time to soak while they talk.

"I always felt it should be that way. Faith is too personal to be law. I think that the goddess would have felt that way, too."]

[crimsonflower]

[Edelgard finds herself envying the calm wisdom of Mercedes yet again.]

It's nice to think that. I am actually surprised you don't find me completely contemptible for trying to destroy the church.

[azuremoon]

["Why did you try to destroy it?" Mercedes asks, though she already knows the answer. The trusted few who are in on this secret all know the reason, but perhaps gently prodding Edelgard to repeat it will help her understand why she bears her no ill will.]

[crimsonflower]

A handful of reasons, though my main issue was with the lies the church had spread to keep order. That crests were gifts from the Goddess, and only such gifts gave you the right to rule. Such a warped system has ruined lives and torn apart families. In order to protect those who would suffer from such a system in the future I had to tear it down as quickly as possible. Or else... risk someone else becoming like me.

[Trying to exit the tub as little as possible Edelgard scoots up to its side and tries reaching for the soap.

It probably looks a little silly considering she's trying to keep to the warmth of the bath water as much as possible, but also trying to sneak it when Mercedes isn't looking to not force her to gaze upon her ugly torn up limbs.]

[azuremoon]

[At least Mercedes makes it easy for Edelgard to avoid her gaze. Dimitri sweats in his sleep unless it's nice and cool out, so she needs to air those out and turn them over and maybe drop some essential oils on them. She has plenty to do!

"I won't lie, I was surprised when you attacked the monastery. It was painful to think one of our classmates could do that. But... hate doesn't solve anything. It eats people up inside, and seeing what it did to Dimitri was a reminder of that. Isn't it better if we all try to understand each other? I never got the chance to do that with you — how could I find you contemptible when I don't know you?"