perfectteatime | Victory Road Inbox

[ Oh. This is so nice. Of course Dedue would be lovely to hug, but it doesn't make it any less wonderful to discover in reality. Even better when he returns the gesture. Warm and soft, just like his personality. Byleth unabashedly stays like that until the kettle whistles, and when it does he gives a soft contented sigh and steps back at last to take it off the heat.

He does look back at him and nod slowly, a silent thank-you. And a pat on the arm to gesture for him to sit down. Byleth will take care of the rest of the brewing. After all, that's just how things are, isn't it? He always plays mum, and that's fine with him. It's one of the little ways he gets to show them he cares. A moment later he seats himself to pour their tea and relax across from the larger man. ]

[They stay like this for a little while, Dedue gently holding Byleth as the professor's head rests against his breastbone. He isn't entirely sure how long such gestures are supposed to go on between... friends, he supposes? There isn't exactly an easy label for Byleth, who occupies so many roles at once-- mentor and teacher and leader and confidant.]

[The kettle whistles and they part. Byleth indicates that he will continue with the brewing, and Dedue concedes; the professor had always insisted on hosting, even when he had invited a vassal to tea parties. It always left him in a strange position, etiquette-wise. In the end, it was easier to acquiesce to the professor's whims rather than go through the inevitable staring match that would result if he tried to insist on serving.]

[So he sits and waits patiently for the tea to finish brewing and for Byleth to serve it. Once poured, he lifts the cup and breathes in the floral aroma before taking a sip; chamomile isn't his favorite, but the scent of it reminds him of His Highness, and is thus a comfort. He gets that same faint expression that Dimitri had always been so pleased to point out when sharing meals-- like a smile but only with his eyes, easy to miss if you aren't looking for it.]

[ He's shared enough meals with them both that he does indeed know that look. Being one of very little outward emotion himself, Byleth can appreciate the subtle things. He sips his tea, enjoying the long stretch of silence that yawns between them. It's comfortable.

It isn't until the tea is finished and both of them have sat for a minute (and Byleth has leaned very far over the table for a close look) that he actually does speak up. ]

It's good to see you again.

[Those who are uncomfortable with silence usually try to fill it with chatter, but the silence here isn't awkward or oppressive with Byleth; he and Dedue are able to simply be in each other's presence. It's easy, and there's no obligation on anyone's part to make idle small talk.]

[They drink, and finish their tea. Byleth looks at him in that strange way that he does, and Dedue doesn't protest his scrutiny. He isn't sure what could possibly be so interesting about him that the professor wants to look at so intently, but he has little reason to object.]

[A minute smile graces his lips, there and gone again.]

You as well, Professor.

[There's a comfort to be had in the presence of the professor. He had guided them through hardships great and small, after all. Of course, the things they face in this strange world are far different from the battlefields of their home, but it's reassuring to have their mentor at their side again.]

I hope that you have not found it too difficult to adjust to this new place.

It is a lot to take in. Simply on a technology level, let alone interpersonal.

[ He looks down into his empty cup. ]

However, I think I prefer this place to Garreg Mach as I left it. It is so full of life and activity. I love the Pokemon, too.

[ Being able to just see everyone again is enough. He had been so painfully alone, something that didn't used to bother him, but then there was always Jeralt back then. ]

How have you been faring here? And Dimitri? [ He spoke with Dimitri who seemed quite well, but if there's anyone who would know anything pertinent that Byleth might need to be privy to, it's probably Dedue. ]

Edited 2021-12-28 23:46 (UTC)

[Garreg Mach had always been something of a busy place, at least when Dedue had been there; even when the war was going on and there were fewer people, there was always work to be done. This Byleth may not be from the same point in time as he is, in the same way that Felix and Claude are from further ahead than Dedue. It's a strange prospect that he isn't entirely used to yet.]

I am glad that you are not having difficulties. This place can be strange, but I have found its peacefulness to be a welcome respite from the war.

[The professor asks about Dimitri-- and, Dedue supposes, himself as well, though that's the less important thing-- and it is certainly a question.]

His Highness' health and disposition has greatly improved since he has been here, and I am given to understand that Grant and his child were heavily involved in his convalescence. He is far less volatile and less prone to melancholy than I remember him, though I was brought here on the eve of the battle at Gronder Field and I was informed that he also improves later in the campaign.

[It was heartening to hear that Dimitri would recover from the dark and tormented state that Dedue had found him in. And to see him here, freer from the burdens of his ghosts and responsibilities than Dedue had ever seen him before...]

I cannot properly express how pleased I am to see His Highness in such good health and spirits, barring some difficulties a few months back. [Sylvain's disappearance, of course, was a hard blow to all of them, but even then, Dimitri didn't fall back into his brooding ill temper. A good sign, surely.]

[And almost as an afterthought,]

Ah, and I am well, of course.

I see... so he truly has not seen the end of things. Neither of you have. Regardless I'm quite glad he has had the support he needs to recover here. I will do my utmost to continue the upward trend. From where I am from, he has already accepted the crown and gone on to lead Faerghus. I believe you are still serving under him as well.

[ The dismissal of himself though is not going to really fly with Byleth. He knows how Dedue is, and he sees it as a personal duty to keep the man grounded and not completely define himself by Dimitri. As much of a task as that is. ]

Well? Is that it? Surely you have experienced more than that here. This place is incredible. If it's not too much trouble, I would like to hear your story as well.

[It's a comfort to know that, even after the war, he remains at Dimitri's side. There's much work that they have to do beyond Edelgard's defeat, and he will best serve their cause in Dimitri's service. And, aside from that... it would pain him to be sent away from His Highness.]

[Dedue generally doesn't speak about himself much, and finds it somewhat awkward and uncomfortable to do so. There usually isn't much to say, anyway; he knows that he's what someone would charitably call a quiet soul, or perhaps uncharitably call boring. His service to Dimitri is the most interesting part of him.]

There is not much to tell. My arrival here was uneventful. I determined His Highness' location through the network and met him in Olivine. Since then, I have been living and traveling with his household.

[Doing a little mental math would give Byleth an estimation of just how far and how long it would take someone to go from New Bark Town to Olivine-- nearly a month, if they were traveling normally. But what's the likelihood that Dedue would go at a reasonable pace?]

Is that all? Hmmm...

[ Ah. Typical Dedue. He settles back for a moment, allowing silence to fall again as he leans his chin in his hand. After the nice comfortable stretch, he speaks up again. ]

Surely you must have made some Pokemon friends though? Would you tell me about them?

[ You have to be specific with Dedue, that's really the key, and even then sometimes that doesn't work, but Byleth isn't overly concerned with forcing the man out of his comfort zone. If he puts up too much resistance, the Professor is happy to let it settle. ]

Of course. When I arrived, it was with Akupāra. You can find him now in the gardens, usually.

[The giant tortoise that carries a garden around on his back. He's been winterized now, and some of his more delicate plants are wrapped up in colored cloth to protect them from frost, but he'll still bask outside on sunny days.]

He was much smaller then, but he was good company.

[Akupāra liked to ride on one of Dedue's broad shoulders when he was just a Turtwig, and was small enough to be easily carried around. Now that he's evolved, he can't fit anymore and has to content himself with putting his head on Dedue's shoulder when he's out in the garden.]

There is Desta, as well. [Byleth would have seen her around, since Dedue rarely asks her to go into her Pokeball-- the lovely little Roselia who has probably tried to bring him tea or tea snacks at some point.] I was here before, though I do not remember it. She was with me then, and His Highness took care of her until my return.

Ahh yes, I couldn't really miss him when I went for a walk. He's such an impressive creature. Quite beautiful.

Ah- and yes the- [ He makes a vague gesture. ] With the flowers? So very cute. I'm sure if Lorenz were here he might try to kidnap her. [ What with the whole. Roses thing and all. Look at him trying to be funny. ]

They are both very fitting for you.

It is so heartening to see all of the Pokemon friends everyone has made.

[He supposes that they are both suited to him; the fact that he's gotten companions who are associated in some way with plants isn't lost on him. He's very fond of these creatures, both for their gentleness and for how they were never frightened of him, as many animals in Fodlan were. Perhaps it's due to their intelligence, or perhaps because many creatures here are just as large and strange as Dedue, and they're used to it.]

[He even gives Byleth one of those micro-almost smiles when he jokes about Lorenz.]

I am glad that you think so. I am fond of them, and of many of the other creatures that live with us. I have also found His Highness' rats to be endearing and entertaining.

[He's fond of Gremlin in particular, precocious little creature though he is; perhaps it's because he'd helped to distract him from his discomfort while he was convalescing from his vaccinations earlier in the year.]

They are quite charming, aren't they? Certainly preferable to the rats back home.

Are you responsible for the garden I presume? I would like to see it when spring comes around.

[ A pause. ]

I presume they have seasons here right? Like normal?

[They are indeed preferable to the rats back home, on account of the fact that they don't spread horrible diseases through Fhirdiad that kill significant portions of the population because apparently Faerghus hadn't figured out hygiene standards until they imported a scientist from the Empire. Which. Says a lot about Faerghus, probably.]

I am not solely responsible for the current state of the gardens. While I have made some additions, considerable work was done by Sylvain before I arrived.

[He's left the bulk of Sylvain's work alone, other than what's required for maintenance.]

The seasons here are similar to what we experienced in Fódlan, though I understand that winter does not last as long as it does in much of Faerghus. [A low bar to pass, considering how long the northern parts of the country remains in the grips of winter. And a comfort, especially for those of them that hate the cold.] The moons are also named differently, but they correspond well enough with the Fódlan calendar.

Ahh good. Then... come spring, would you mind if I joined you in tending to it? I wonder what kinds of things we can grow here.

[ Dedue had often been a presence in the greenhouse and Byleth was fond of working there with his quiet company. It always felt serene with the light filtering through glass and leaves, and hearing the gentle scrape of Dedue digging or the sound of the pruning shears while he trimmed things. ]

[ Something to look forward to, he tells himself. Though he scarcely intends to leave the man unbothered until then. ]

Of course. Is there anything in particular that you are interested in planting?

[Dedue had already helped Grant find the kinds of things that he wanted to plant, so it wouldn't be much trouble to do the same for Byleth. In the past, the professor had seemed most interested in planting either practical things-- produce for the monastery-- or flowers intended as gifts. He is a little interested to know if this trend would continue, or if there's something that Byleth wants for himself.]

Hmm. Well, I don't know many of the plants here, but I do want to plant flowers. Maybe some berries too.

Oh! I know! [ He lightly smacks his fist into his palm as the idea strikes him. ] What if we make a garden for us, with flowers and food, and then a separate one for Pokemon that's just berries. That way, we could also attract a lot of wild Pokemon to watch.

[ Look at him he's so excited. Well. Ok it's Byleth but this is excited Byleth. ]

[Ah. So Byleth wants to make something like a butterfly garden, but for Pokemon. It's possible that they could plant enough berry bushes to attract Pokemon, though there's no guarantee what kinds they'd attract. Dedue might have to do some research on the subject.]

I am less familiar with the native plants of this realm. If you wish to attract specific species of Pokemon to the garden, we may need to plant only certain berries. I could look into the matter.

[The professor, like Dedue himself, is generally subdued in terms of expression-- thus what would be considered a minor show of excitement in others is a significant display in him. Since it's rare to see him so enthused, it's tempting to just indulge him.]

However, it would probably be best to discuss this with the others of our household before implementing it, in the event that they also have preferences as to what creatures we have in our gardens.

Of course. We can discuss it- and we will need to research it naturally. However I think it could be quite a fun.

Something to occupy ourselves with, and an excuse to spend more time with you of course.

[ He has no shame in admitting that. He adores Dedue's company. Such a soothing presence. Dedue is someone he trusts nearly implicitly as he can. He has never really given Byleth reason to doubt him, and he admires his dedication to Dimitri, albeit sometimes it can be concerning when his own health is disregarded, but still. In all other matters, Dedue makes him feel quite safe. ]

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