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Imperial Year 1185 ➳ Flayn
(Derdriu fell and the burgeoning league of nobles known as the Leicester Alliance was disbanded. Annexation by the Empire had gone... surprisingly smooth, almost as if it was meant to happen. Of course, it didn't go without some problems. People are complicated, especially when morals and loyalties are involved.
Ordelia and Gloucester were the first to give in and together, the two houses led much of the transition. House Riegan was no more and Edmund easily conceded once they realized there was no point in fighting. All that remained was Goneril which had long been the strength of the Alliance. Holst Goneril was no fool. Even he could see that he was against all odds and he would have to give in. They knew this at their last Roundtable meeting, when Claude had gathered them all together for their final meeting and explained their options.
This isn't the Alliance's war. If Derdriu falls, they give in to the Empire. Resisting would destroy their lands, lead to suffering, and despair. They'd done well for five years, protecting their neutrality. They'd held their own for so long that their territories had become sanctuaries for those fleeing the war's destruction. He'd thanked Goneril for protecting their borders and Edmund for helping with the financial burden of taking in so many refugees. He'd thanked Ordelia for helping them save as many people as they could and he'd even thanked Gloucester for all of his support balancing these extra responsibilities.
Wouldn't it be a shame if all of their efforts went to waste because of something like pride? As nobles, their duties were to the people. Protect them. Evacuate Derdriu, prepare for battle, lure the Empire in deeply to avoid widespread casualty and destruction and if that isn't enough... If Derdriu falls... protect the people. Surrender. As the Alliance's leader, he would either die in battle or step down and in turn, the duty would fall on Gloucester to lead the others through what happened next.
But the empire had killed his sister. They'd killed Hilda. And Holst wasn't going to let that go easily. Gloucester and the other nobles had tried to reason with him and little by little, he'd begun to relent.
This was fine. The Empire didn't have to worry about Goneril who would inevitably give in. Edelgard wasn't a cruel Emperor nor was Byleth Eisner. They would led the Duke grieve. His lands were the furthest from the Empire and would take time to assimilate anyway. In the meantime, they would move on to crushing the Church and the Kingdom.)
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Claude's bow and Tiana's curtsy are things she takes note of with obvious interest, and she makes a note to herself to practice them later once she's back in her own room and no one will be able to laugh if she messes it up.]
Ah, I see! In that case, I shall dispense with the formalities at once.
[...she says, formally. It's just how she talks, though.
But it's easier to be less formal once they've been brought over to Tiana's table. Her retainers, their friends, and their families are kind, lively people, and she smiles to see how comfortable they seem to be with each other. She wouldn't have expected to see someone teasing the queen or be hit for it - but it's different, here.
It's a festival. An Almyran festival, at that. Rather than expecting things based on her own experiences, she should be open to accepting them as they are.
So she watches, and listens, fascinated by the way they interact, until she's addressed directly. It takes her a moment to really process what's been said to her, and her eyes widen slightly before she looks briefly down at her hands.]
...I am sorry to have worried you...
[Luckily, Claude cuts in before it gets too far. She flashes him a small, grateful smile as he redirects the conversation and as the others fall into their own chattering, and when he's able to speak to her quietly, she nods once.]
You do not need to apologize. It is only natural that they would have taken note of it... after all, it was quite an unusual situation. [A pause, and then -] Rather, I ought to be thanking you.
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They'll probably have more questions after a while...
(A sympathetic warning. Now that they know she's up and well again, the only thing stopping them will be the grace period that comes from the basic courtesy and awkwardness that comes from talking to a refugee. Once they become more comfortable, it's only a matter of time before they begin to press.)
We don't get a lot of guests from Fodlan here and we usually don't hear much either.
(But he'd managed to convince his father to send Leicester military assistance. The Almyran army, led by their undefeated general, had brought soldiers and all of those soldiers returned home with stories to tell. They'd seen Fodlan first hand and been briefed by their outcast prince personally... there's definitely a level of intrigue around recent news from Fodlan now.
Ah, but that last part... it's not that he doesn't know what she's talking about but as far as he's concerned, it's not worth being thanked again.)
Don't mention it.
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[It can't be helped.
Honestly, if the situation was reversed - if she was safe at home in Fodlan, and someone from Almyra were suddenly brought into their midst - she would have been mad with curiosity, and with worry, too, if they'd been unconscious for as long as she had been. When she looks at it like that, even though the scrutiny makes her uncomfortable, and even though the reminder of what brought her here hurts, she really can't blame anyone for it.
How can she judge, when she would be just as curious and just as worried?
She sighs lightly, but not wanting her thoughts to linger on it - this is a festival, after all, the mood should be cheery - she snags a bit of food from the table to nibble on it.]
There are plenty of nice things to tell them about Fodlan. When they ask, I shall focus on that. It will be fine.
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Even so, there are better ways to ask.
(Still, Flayn seems to be handling it well enough so he doesn't press it anymore. He helps himself to some drink, something warm and spiced. Even in Almyra, it can get cold in the winter, especially at night, even if it isn't the same type of cold one might experience in Fodlan.)
Hopefully, everyone will get to hear about it. (How nice Fodlan is. How nice it can be. He looks down at his drink and smiles to himself, ) And I hope you'll see our good points too.
(This is, after all, his homeland. Before there was Fodlan, there was Almyra, and this is the land he feels closest to. For all of the troubles and hardships he's had, he still loves it.
Nearby, there's a collective gasp as a mage lights a fire for the wood. There's a round of applause and cheering and from some of the other tables and smaller crowds, mothers and fathers begin to guide their younger children over. They keep walking closer and closer to the flames. There's a melody in the air, as the people begin to sing a repetitive song, clapping along as they take turns helping the children leap over the fire. Some children cry and their mothers lift them up into their arms, carrying them as they hop. Back and forth, back and forth, gradually, the older children come over and begin to jump on their own. Those that can't jump over the flames yet begin to dance around the fire and the words to the songs become more clear as they sing together, louder and louder.
He leans close to Flayn and speaks along with the song,)
"Give me your beautiful color, and take my sickly pallor.
May your warmth be mine; your light is mine."
(He slips his hand into Flayn's and rises, inviting her to come over towards the fire,)
Let's go. It's our last chance.
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I am quite sure that I will. This is— oh!
[The gasp draws her attention away from their conversation (oops), and she watches with a wide-eyed, delighted expression as the wood is lit up. It's hard not to applaud at the sight, and she finds herself clapping lightly along with some of the people from the other tables.
Pretty...
And then as people start to guide the children over to leap over the flames, as the singing starts to gain in volume and the others gathered begin to dance around the bonfire, she's just - awestruck, really.
This isn't something she's seen in Fodlan before. It's not even something she's read about. But it's enchanting, and it's something she'll certainly remember for the rest of her days.
Her lips curve up into a smile as he translates for her, and she rises to her feet quickly, her hand giving his a light, grateful squeeze.]
Will we also be jumping, then?
[This is exactly the sort of thing her father would caution her against!
She can't wait to try it.]
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(In the dark, carrying their grief and all of the weight they've accumulated over the months. It's time to burn away some of the burden, to shine a light on their darkest memories. The new year is for leaving the old behind and beginning anew.
A group of young boys let out a squeal of delight, one calling out "Khalid!" as they come closer. They clap their hands together along to the song and laugh delightfully.
He smiles at them and gives Flayn's hand a squeeze,)
Follow my lead.
(He lets go of her hand and hops over the flame, still small enough that he doesn't really need to put much effort into it. And if only because it is so simple, he does it again, this time with his hands behind his back and it looks something like the start of a dance to which some of the children start to join in. After Flayn makes her first leap, Tiana and the others from their table will also follow, some leaping more dramatically, showing off at times-- incorporating their leaps into dances and singing loudly at the top of their lungs.
This is a celebration and though she is new and not like them, everyone is too busy celebrating to really notice the difference. It's the magic of the new year-- Fodlan, Almyra, Brigid, Dagda.. no doubt, these nations are all celebrating the same thing in this exact moment. Even if they have their own traditions and beliefs, they can all look forward to the new year.)
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It's definitely more fun to take part than to just observe (not that she has anything against observing; just being close enough to watch is better than she's had in the past), and she can't help but bounce a little on the balls of her feet as they get close to the fire.
He goes first, and she beams as he leaps over the flames, then giggles when he leaps back again. It seems easy enough, so she doesn't hesitate before she takes a leap. She's light and agile on her feet, and despite being short she manages it quite handily, not at all in danger of getting burnt. She lands with a laugh, then steps out of the way so that the others can join in.
Their leaping and twirling and dancing is lively and energetic, and though she still doesn't understand a lot of the words being spoken and sung around her, the general mood is infectious. This is a celebration, and it's lovely. When she gets the opportunity to, she leaps over the flames again, twisting as she lands to twirl into some of the dances - she's been watching the steps, and many of them are repetitive enough that she can pick them up; she did, after all, take part in the White Heron Cup for the Black Eagles, and she'd won! Dancing is something she can do well enough! - blending in well enough.
She catches Claude's eye as she blends into the group and smiles brightly.
The only thing that could make this better, she thinks, would be if Seteth were here to enjoy the celebration as well - but it's a miracle that she's able to enjoy it herself, and she's grateful for it.
It's been a long five years. But here, in this place, with these people - maybe the next year will be better.
Right now, it feels possible for her to believe that it might actually be.]
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His grandfather, Judith, his classmates, his friends... They'd all made Fodlan so much more bearable and now some many of them were dead. If not dead, he'd surely let them down in other ways. He'd dissolved the Alliance, given it away to the enemy they'd resisted for years...
Some volunteers add more wood to the fire, making the flames grow higher and brighter. The younger participants are pulled away by their parents, led into new dances and song while those who are older and bigger begin to tackle the fire. When they leap, the ends of their clothes catch fire and expertly shake off the flames.
Claude joins the group and when his turn finally comes, he leaps higher than most. The crowd gasps and cheers, clearly impressed by the first feat. Some of those around the flame encourage him to go again and again and each time, he leaps fearlessly, even when the fire has grown to the point that he's practically leaping into the flames instead of over. When he jumps he thinks of the time he's been away. It's been so long since he'd last cleansed himself with flame. He thinks of Fodlan, of Leicester, of Judith, Ignatz, Leonie, Hilda, his friends, the ones who died under his command, the classmates he killed in battle, the ones he couldn't save...
Flayn might notice that when he jumps, some of the others always follow. The same can be said for when a large, scarred man who roars when he leaps.
Tiana places a hand gently on Flayn's shoulder and into the inner ring of the circle around the flames. She claps along with the song and leans in close to her to explain, "Almyra's heroes. The ones who returned from the war." She points to the large man, "That one is the Nader, the greatest general in the kingdom."
When Claude jumps one more time, Nader is at the end to throw his arm over his shoulder and tussle his hair. It's clear that the two are close.
When it looks like no one else will be leaping over the fire though... a man suddenly bursts from the flames much to the shock and awe of everyone in the crowd. His robes burn at the ends and grabs both Nader and Claude by the arm, saying something to both of them and dragging them both right back into the flames for more. The man is wild-- absolutely wild-- and after a second and third leap, he kicks at the fire with his boot, sending a burning piece of wood tumbling and rolling over towards a group of small children who let out delighted shrieks and begin to take turns jumping over it.
Nader hangs back at the main fire and it looks like he calls some of the soldiers over to break down the fire into smaller ones for others to take turns with. Meanwhile, the wild man throws his arm around Claude's shoulders and begins to maneuver him over towards Flayn and Tiana. As they approach, she might notice that the two look very similar to each other. He has his mother's eyes but it's clear who he takes after the most--
"Tiana." The man laughs.
"Malik." Tiana greets with a light curtsy and before she or Claude can introduce her, the man speaks.
"And you must be our guest." )
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But Claude doesn't seem to have actually caught fire, and neither does Nader, and she watches and listens with interest as Tiana explains who he and the others who are jumping with them are.]
I see... [It's no small wonder, then, that Claude and Nader seem so close; war is terrible, but it can bring people together when they fight on the same side. It's an intense form of camaraderie, but camaraderie nonetheless.] He is quite—
[Impressive, she's about to say.
But then there's that roar, and the man who bursts from the flames is even more impressive. She watches with wide eyes after he leaps and scatters the fire for the children, relaxes when Nader arranges for the bonfire to be broken up for the other groups, and then her breath catches when he throws an arm around Cladue's shoulders and guides him over.
Their resemblance is striking. Even without Tiana saying his name and making it obvious that she knows him, it's obvious who this must be.
She bows, in the same way Claude had shown her before, suddenly flustered. She'd managed it is an honor to meet you in Almyran to Tiana, before, but being addressed so directly by Malik, she doesn't seem to know what to say.
Tiana puts a hand on her arm, encouraging.]
Ah - yes. And you are Khalid's father, obviously. I mean— [She bows again.] The king! It is an honor and a pleasure to meet you, sir.
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"I understand you left at a difficult time," His voice is softer, lighter, but she'll have no problem hearing him. He has that sort of power. Even surrounded by singing and cheering crowds, when he speaks, he makes himself heard. He seems to pull Claude in closer when he speaks too. Is this some attempt at a half-hug? Claude isn't sure what to make it of judging by the way he glances at his father, uncertainly. "But you couldn't have arrived at a better time. This," He waves his free hand, "is Almyra. Welcome."
What follows is about what one would expect from a welcome. He asks how she is, if she's enjoying the festival, and when he is satisfied he finishes with a familiar warning: Being here won't be easy. But he invites her to make herself at home.
A moment or so later, Tiana goes to take Malik into the crowd so they can dance, leaving Claude and Flayn in each other's company alone once more. As they dance into the glow of the lit fires around them, Claude watches quietly, his gaze lingering for just a moment before he speaks, )
I guess he has a point... (He admits it almost reluctantly, ) It's the best time to arrive here.
"Out with the old, in with the new." That's the spirit of the New Year, right? Everything is ready for something different. Maybe even someone different.
(Things are changing in Fodlan. The other nations are perfectly poised for change. Maybe this year will be the year things finally change here too.)
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...by the end of their conversation, she comes to the conclusion that he's kind. He certainly seems like a lot - "larger than life" is an apt enough description for him, she supposes, and even in the brief time she spends with him before he and Tiana leave to dance, he commands the attention of everyone around him.
He's upfront and honest about the fact that things may not be easy here, but he also invites her to feel welcome, to make herself at home. It's better than shielding her from the fact that things might be hard - if she's aware that they'll be difficult, she can at least prepare for them.]
"Out with the old, in with the new"...
[She repeats the phrase as she and Claude watch the other dancers.
That's fitting, really. Something different, someone different - new places, new people, new plans. The friendship they've struck up is somewhat new, too; they hadn't known each other too well even in Garreg Mach, but she's certainly looking forward to getting to know him better.]
...I think we could all use a little change. [A pause, and then...] More than a little change, in some cases. But change is not always a bad thing.
[A smile, then, as the others continue to dance. It seems a little silly to just stand and watch, and she holds a hand out to him -]
Would you like to dance?
[The steps seem easy enough, and what she doesn't know already, she's willing to learn.]
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I thought you would never ask.
(He laughs and takes her hand, stepping forward so that he can lead her out toward the main crowd.
He meant it. He thought she would never ask. No one ever does.
Turning to face her, he gives her a twirl and steps off. The dance is easy and nothing like the formal dances they used to have back in school. It's lively, energetic, almost wild once you really get into it, and it's easy to forget that this is a celebration at the palace and most of those present are other royals or high-ranking officials. And with everyone celebrating, no one really notices who is and isn't like them.)
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...it's fun. Frankly, Flayn finds it much more fun than the formal dances at Garreg Mach - not that she didn't enjoy those, too, but she really spent more of her time there people-watching, because most of the students were too intimidated by Seteth to ask her to dance, and she wasn't about to paint a target on someone's shoulders by asking them herself. (It's a problem, when your closest living relative is an overprotective meddler.)
But that's not the case here. They're free to dance and to celebrate and to relax, and though being in Almyra won't necessarily be easy later on, for now, everyone is more or less of the same mindset - this is the time to come together, not to focus on the differences.
By the time they're done, it's late, and Flayn is getting sleepy despite wanting to stay up and see everything. She's still smiling even as she tries to hide a yawn behind her hand.]
...is the new year always like this, in Almyra?
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Not one to stay up too late himself, he offers his arm to Flayn once more at the end of one dance and begins to lead her away, back towards the palace. She's tired and he has a long day ahead of him. They both need to rest,)
Yeah. At least, for as long as I can remember. (He has, after all, been away for only a little less than a decade.) ... It's been a while.
(Once they're away from the crowds, away from others that can watch them, he'll let Flayn slip off him so they can walk side by side freely. He doesn't have to keep her as close now; they can relax,)
The last time I celebrated was... just before I left, actually.
(Seven years ago? Or is it eight now? Hm.)
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[...well, if what he experienced tonight lines up with what he remembers from before he left Almyra - then it probably is always like that, and any differences are the exceptions, not the norm.
Flayn wonders, as they walk and as she slides her arm out of Claude's so that they can just walk nex to each other, if she'll be here for the next new year's celebration. Probably. A year may feel like a long time, but in the grand scheme of things, it really isn't; will the world be safe enough for her to go her own way in a year?
Probably not. But as long as she keeps her head down and waits, even Fódlan will be safe for her to return to someday, once she's faded from living memory.]
Well... I am glad that we returned in time to celebrate it this year. You seemed as though you were truly enjoying yourself.
[The way he smiled tonight definitely looked a little... different. More genuine, maybe? She isn't sure exactly how to describe it.]
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It's good to be back home.
(To see his mother again and spend time with her. It was even nice to spend some time with his father again. Time that wasn't spent putting on strong fronts and flairs,)
... You know, the nice thing about the new year is that no matter where you are; in Fodlan or Almyra or anywhere in the world... for a few days, everyone is celebrating the same thing.
(They're getting closer to hall where Flayn's room is,)
Imagine what else we could celebrate together...
(And that's it. Here they are. He stops in front of the hallway. The lanterns are dimmed down and there's only moonlight and the glow from the fire outside to really light things. Down the hallway, there's one room with one lantern lit right outside it, dim and low but noticeable,)
Everything looks different at night. I had one of the servants leave the lantern on by your room. You can turn it off before you go in.
(Blow the flame out and call it a night. It probably isn't the easiest to see but he offers her a friendly smile,)
Good night, Flayn. Happy new year.