a lion among ladies

[backstreetbard]

[ Dorothea doesn't exactly love spending time in the cathedral of Garreg Mach's campus, as stunning as the stained glass windows and flying buttresses are to behold. She hasn't put stock in the Seirosi faith since she was six years old.

In spite of that, she can still be seen there often in the days following the mission to quell the Western Church's rebellion in Gaspard territory, her hand rubbing circles in Ashe's back. She understands what it feels like to lose a parent, though she doesn't speak of it; instead, she only listens as he very gradually works his way through the shock and pain. Sometimes the only comfort is commiseration.

It's draining, though. She has to step back eventually, to try and shake off the old familiar feelings that watching another orphan in mourning dredges up in her.

Standing on the bridge that leads to the cathedral, she inhales the fresh mountain air and releases a sigh as she looks out over the scenery. A flash of blue in her peripheral vision catches her attention, though, and she's back on stage, turning to face her new house leader. ]

On your way to pray?

Comments

[backstreetbard]

Dimitri's exit leaves Dorothea alone with Gilbert, Setefh, and Manuela, and as much as she would like to talk with the latter, she has no intention of sticking around to deal with the former.

"Yes, if you'll excuse me," she says, "I need to make myself presentable."

She can tell without it needing to be said that each of the assembled faculty and staff will want to have words with her for various reasons, but she'll deal with that eventuality when it comes. They disperse, and she takes a fresh set of clothing with her to the bathhouse to wash off as expediently as possible, dressing and leaving last night's garments to be laundered before rushing to the audience chamber. She doesn't even bother with her hat, since she doubts that Rhea would appreciate headwear in her holiest of presences.

Dorothea wishes she could reach out for Dimitri's hand as they stand before the archbishop, but Seteth and Gilbert are there, watching them both like hawks. Byleth, at least, is present as a sympathetic figure. Rhea, meanwhile, is a tall, imposing presence, and frankly, Dorothea finds her unsettling.

"I have just received word from Duke Fraldarius of a situation most dire that is currently unfolding in Fhirdiad," Rhea begins without preamble, though she does briefly level her eyes at dorothea in a way that suggests mild displeasure at her presence. No matter, she isn't leaving without being forcefully ejected.

"Prince Dimitri, it seems as though your uncle, Rufus, has declared war on house Fraldarius and seized the capital. He has penned a manifesto claiming that House Fraldarius means to install you as a puppet, and is calling on the western lords to come to his aid.

"In light of these events, I am discharging you from your duties as house leader, that you might go to the aid of the people of Fhirdiad. Know that we of the Church of Seiros do not take this matter lightly."

[hauntedking]

Dimitri is not expecting what Rhea says to him. He blinks and he sucks in a low breath. There's a moment where he's not sure what to say. The idea of his uncle turning on him - it isn't a complete surprise, but still. He swallows and then straightens himself.

"...Lady Rhea. You and the church have always been strong supporters of Faerghus. Thank you for informing me - I will of course leave immediately to deal with this threat to the peace of Fhirdiad and of Fodlan. And... I suppose I shall be taking much of my class with me. As much as it pains me to have to cut their school year short."

He glances at Dorothea and then back to Rhea.

"Whatever help you can grant us would, of course, be welcomed. The last thing my people need is a period of conflict and pain."

[backstreetbard]

"The Church has stood fast by the Holy Kingdom since its inception--we will not abandon it now. While I cannot offer you the full compliment of the Knights of Seiros, I have ordered a battalion to accompany you to Fhirdiad."

"Besides the knights, the Iron Company and I will be coming as well," Byleth adds, stepping forward. "I'm behind you all the way, Dimitri."

Rhea nods her assent, gesturing to Byleth in that magnanimous way of hers.

"Yes, Jeralt's mercenaries will be a great boon to you in this campaign. Know that the Church prays for your success. We can no longer abide the Regent's impious rule; how can one such as he hope to rule justly over the people when he does not carry the blessing of the Goddess?"

Beside him, Dorothea presses her lips thin but holds her tongue. This isn't the time or place for a debate.

[hauntedking]

"Whatever help you can provide us is... most welcome, Archbishop. We remember very well that Faerghus owes a great debt to the Church," Dimitri replies with a little nod and bow of his head.

"If... that is all, I would like to make my preparations to depart as soon as possible and let my classmates know what's to be done," he continues after a moment. He sees no reason to draw this out longer than needed.

[backstreetbard]

"That is all," Rhea confirms. "There are more details in the missive sent by Duke Fraldarius, but it would be to your benefit to read it for yourself. Beyond that, I have only one piece of advice for the future king: it does not benefit the righteous to consort with nonbelievers. We do not wish to see the Goddess withhold her blessings from the Holy Kingdom, after all."

Rhea does not so much as glance at her, but the message is clear all the same. Dorothea can feel the color rising to her face, but she doesn't dare speak or even move, lest she speak out against the archbishop in her very audience chamber. From where she stands, Byleth's eyes narrow marginally at Rhea, her head canting slightly as if some unseen figure is whispering into her ear.

"You are dismissed. I have sent Gilbert to gather your classmates so that you might hold a briefing with them before you prepare for your departure. May you go with the blessings of the Goddess."

It's rude, she knows, to turn and leave without bowing, but Rhea has made her opinions perfectly clear. Why is everyone against them? Whether it's because of her childhood of poverty, her lack of a crest, or her irreligiosity born from years of abuse without the church or their precious goddess so much as lifting a finger to help her, every aspect of her personhood seems to be unacceptable in the eyes of the people in power around them. Has she no redeeming qualities? She wants to cry, but she keeps a neutral face for the moment, jaw clenched as she walks at a pace just short of a jog the moment she exits the audience chamber.

She should wait for Dimitri, but she doesn't. She has to pack her things, at least enough to get her through this trip to Fhirdiad. Will they even be coming back to the Academy after that? Part of her never wants to set foot in Garreg Mach again. No one here will miss her anyway, it seems, but the fact of the matter is that there will be no escaping the church and all its judgment once she and Dimitri are married (if the church even allows him to marry a crestless libertine peasant like her). Faerghus is called the Holy Kingdom for a reason, after all.

Her door shuts behind her, just shy of a slam. The room still smells of their coupling the night before, so she throws her windows open to let some fresh air in while she packs. There's no way that Seteth or Gilbert believed Dimitri's lie about the two of them simply having fallen asleep together, but there's no time for the other shoe to drop. They're leaving, likely to never return, so whatever punishment they might have planned is effectively moot. Small favors.

They'll have to travel light, and it will be cold in Faerghus, so she exchanges her uniform for the sturdiest, warmest garments she has and hopes they will be enough to shield her from the cold. Hot tears run down her cheeks as she hastily stuffs the one travel bag she'll allow herself, unwilling to be a burden on her classmates. This is going to be a hard trip.

[hauntedking]

Dimitri has so many things to worry about now. About how everyone seems opposed to his relationship. About how his uncle seems determined to kill him. About how he has to fight a war now just to make sure his people can live in peace for a while longer. He's upset, of course. Who wouldn't be? But he can't let himself slow down. He has to keep moving. He has a responsibility. So the first thing he does is inform his classmates. If they don't want to assist, he's fine with that - if they want to go home to their families - but he hopes they'll come with him.

He's relieved when they all indicate that they'll stand by him, through thick and thin.

It's then that he also announces his intention to marry. Possibly sooner rather than later. The reaction is a bit mixed. Felix is skeptical. Sylvain keeps his mouth shut. Ingrid seems happy for him - so do Annette and Mercedes. Dedue is Dedue. Ashe is supportive, of course. They're his friends - not just subjects or pieces on a playing board. And he's grateful to have them.

After that he has to pack what he can. Nothing too heavy or that will take too long. Clothing, his armor, his weapons, the few books that he'd like to hang onto. He's going to miss the Academy; it's been a place for him to feel... almost safe at times. It's where he met Dorothea. And once that's done, he has to go find her - no matter what Gilbert might say.

"Dorothea?"

Is she still in her room? Or maybe out in the courtyard with the others?

[backstreetbard]

She's only just finishing with her packing when Dimitri comes to call. She didn't have much to begin with, and everything that wasn't fit to be carried with urgency is tucked into the bags she'd brought with her from the opera when she'd first come to Garreg Mach rather than left strewn about the room. If she's lucky, the church will send along her things, but she doesn't expect they will. She'll speak to Manuela--better to let her old senior take her things than allow the church to dispose of them.

Dabbing at her face to make sure it's dry, she opens the door for Dimitri and moves to embrace him.

"I haven't kept you waiting, have I? I'm sorry, darling. I'm ready to go now."

[hauntedking]

"Dorothea - how are you feeling?"

The day has only just begun but he still feels as if he wants to collapse. There's so much happening all at once - but he has to keep moving, doesn't he? He wraps his arms around her and gives her a tight hug.

"We're all getting ready to leave. I think it'll be another hour or two before we really start, but... we're gathering and making ready to go. It's going to be a long trip and I don't know when we'll be back. If we ever will be."

[backstreetbard]

"I've been better," she admits, hugging Dimitri back and resting her head on his chest, "but I'll manage. I'm used to being treated like that at this point. Anyway, are the others coming with us? I can hardly imagine them hanging back when it's such an urgent situation."

Sighing once, she lifts her head to kiss him.

"Ah, but since there's a little time before we go, I'd like to say goodbye to Manuela. Who knows if I'll get a chance to see her again any time soon. I'm leaving her all the things I can't carry away from here myself. I know they'll all fit on a carriage back to Enbarr."

[hauntedking]

"We have some time. But... yes. It would be good to say your goodbyes. I'd like to say a few myself, but... I'm not sure how alert I'll be, considering how much I have to think about..."

He pauses again.

"This is going to be hard, Dorothea. I won't lie to you about that. And I would love to have you with me at my side throughout it. But... if you don't want to fight this war, I'll understand. I don't want want to force you into such peril."

[backstreetbard]

Dorothea grabs ahold of Dimitri's arms, squeezing as tight as she can when he tells her it would be all right for her not to fight. Her eyes are still red from her earlier crying, but she's clearly determined.

"No! Thats not going to happen! I won't be left behind. I won't let you walk into danger without me there to cover you. What has all this training been for if not that?" she asks. "You're right--I hate fighting. I can't stand violence. But how could I be worthy of you or your people if I don't fight for them in their hour of need?"

She doesn't point out that this might also be her only chance to prove to everyone that her love for Dimitri is sincere. If she were only after his money or his power, would she put her life on the line for his sake? She only hopes it will be enough.

"I'm going to go see Manuela, but it won't take long. I'll be down at the stables by the time everyone is ready to go."

[hauntedking]

Dimitri's expression flickers into a sad smile, "Apologies. That was... probably unfair of me to ask. You're determined and I shouldn't find a reason to set that aside. But having you beside me will give me even more strength to fight this through to the end. To live."

He gives her another tight squeeze.

"I'll see you soon, my love."

[backstreetbard]

They share a brief kiss before parting ways. Dorothea makes her way then to the infirmary where she finds Manuela steeping a pot of tea in anticipation of her arrival. The smell is familiar--it's the herb she's been drinking to prevent herself from conceiving, and she embraces her mentor thankfully before drinking the decoction down. The older songstress even bundled up enough servings of the dry leaves to last Dorothea a few weeks, if she's careful.

Their conversation isn't as long as she wishes it could be, and they embrace tearfully before Dorothea bids her farewell. She's even lucky enough to find her favorite of the monastery's stray cats to cuddle before their departure, and she carries it with her down to the stables where the others are congregating to finalize their preparations to leave. It's a busy scene, if a somber one--they are riding to war, after all, and there is no telling which among them will survive the battles to come.

Dorothea stays out of the way, having no horse of her own. Professor Byleth passes by briefly to murmur a few words of encouragement and press a levin sword into her hands. After that, all that's left is for her to wait until it's time to move out.

[hauntedking]

They have horses - but it's a long trip and so carriages or wagons will end up more comfortable for some. It's something Dimitri has thought about and he's arranged for a few. Or rather Rhea has, to help speed them along. It's very generous of her, which doesn't surprise him. He finds Dorothea in the bustling crowd and squeezes her hand.

"How are you feeling? We can find a horse for you - or there'll be a carriage. What would you prefer?"

[backstreetbard]

Dorothea takes Dimitri's hand and gives it a squeeze in return. In her other arm, the cat turns to peer at him with its large, green eyes and meows.

"I'm all right. Nervous, but that's to be expected. As much as you know I'd love to be beside you the entire way, I still can't ride a horse well enough to make the trip. A carriage would be best--maybe Annie and Mercie would ride with me. And... would you hate it if I brought Spoonie? I know it'll be a bit of a hassle to travel with her, but I'd hate to leave her behind."

[hauntedking]

"Yes, that would be perfect! I'm sure Annie and Mercie would enjoy the company!" Dimitri seems to brighten at the suggestion and gives her hand a squeeze.

"As for Spoonie... we should be able to manage with her. It's just going to be a very long trip, so you'll have to keep a close eye on her."

[backstreetbard]

"I promise I'll make sure she doesn't get into trouble. We're just leaving so much behind already, and I'd be sad if I had to leave her, too."

Giving Dimitri one quick peck on the lips, Dorothea parts ways with him to go find Annette and Mercedes. Ashe and Dedue are helping the girls load their luggage onto the carriage, but they all pause to greet her when she arrives. Annette embraces her enthusiastically, while Mercedes offers a warm (if more measured) clasp of the hand. Ashe's face turns pink, and Dedue bows his head.

"His Highness told us that he's going to marry you?!" Annette says, her voice carrying a little farther than Dorothea would like through the bustle of preparations being finalized before their departure.

"Yes," Dorothea confirms, smiling sheepishly. "I love him more than I can really explain. That's why I'm coming with all of you to Fhirdiad--if the Kingdom is to be my home, then it only makes sense for me to fight for it."

The others surely see the sense in what she's said, or they see no point in arguing with her. She meets Dedue's eyes and wonders what he thinks of her--for all the time she's spent with Dimitri, Dedue has always kept his opinion of her and their relationship to himself. Does he think she's taking advantage of his liege? Does he believe she's helped him or hurt him?

There will be time to find out later. For now, everyone is being ushered into the carriage. The din of armored knights mounting their horses rings through the courtyard, and the caravan begins to move. Annette and Mercedes are cuddled up across from her, while Silver Spoon is content to curl in her lap. This is the start of her new life, and she's terrified. Everything is going to change, and she isn't sure if she'll be able to handle everything that's to come.

[hauntedking]

He would like to comfort her - to provide more words that would reassure her as they depart for a new chapter of their lives, but there's too much going on. There's too much that needs to be done and handled. So he has to part ways with her. Instead he's mounted up with Sylvain, Felix and Ingrid, the former childhood friends sticking close even now. Sylvain is, thankfully, silent.

Felix is less so.

"Are you honestly going to go through with it?" He asks him and Dimitri hesitates a moment before he nods firmly.

"I am. I love her, Felix. And that's not going to change."

Felix purses his lips. He has nothing else to say and Dimitri is glad for the silence that settles in as the they begin their ride. There will be time to talk later. By the time they stop to set up camp, he's tired - but he still needs to handle his horse and getting the camp set up and it's not until well past dinner time that he can finally retire to his tent.

He's sent a note for Dorothea, asking if she'd like to join him. If only for a little while.

[backstreetbard]

The flap of his tent is pulled back after a sing-song "I'm coming in!" Dorothea slips inside, still dressed in her traveling clothes. Sidling up to him, she takes his hands and kisses them before sitting down beside him.

"What a day. If I'm tired, I can hardly imagine how you must feel," she says, resting her head on his shoulder. She knows they're still a few days off from Fhirdiad, and the only thing awaiting them there is bloodshed, even unto the death of the regent. She knows Dimitri doesn't want to kill his uncle, but in the position he's been put in, what option does he even have? Rufus made his choice, and now there must needs be consequences.

"Did you get a chance to eat? I think there's still some stew left from dinner if you're hungry. Even if you aren't, you should eat anyway to keep up your strength."

[hauntedking]

Dimitri is incredibly glad to see her in all honesty - his stress levels already feel like they're dropping - and he wraps her into a warm embrace as he settles onto the cot he's going to be sleeping on for the next few days... weeks... however long this takes. He sighs softly, just basking in her presence for a few long moments.

"I had some already," he replies with a little smile, "I'm mostly just glad to see you. It's been a strange, strange day and I don't need to tell you that it's all felt incredibly surreal."

[backstreetbard]

She wraps her arms around him in turn, snuggling into his embrace. He's become a sanctuary for her, just as much as she has for him, and she knows that he, at least, is something solid for her to hold onto in a world that seems to constantly shift under her feet like sand.

Her fingers thread into the hair at the base of his skull, gently massaging. "I'm glad you ate. What about your head? Any new pains or aches? I'm here for you any time--you know that."

[hauntedking]

"...nothing new," he replies with a sigh, his own arms wrapped tightly around her. He doesn't want to let go. If he had his way he'd stay right here forever and let the rest of the world pass him by.

But he has responsibilities, alas.

He turns his head to press a kiss against her temple, "...how are you? You're dealing with the travelling well enough?"

[backstreetbard]

Sighing, she continues to rub his neck, hoping to alleviate some of his pain. She'll even give him a proper shoulder massage once they've dressed down a bit, but for now she's content to remain in his arms if that's where he wants her.

"The travel is tiring, but Mercie and Annie are wonderful companions. They've been so kind to me, ever since I joined the Blue Lions. They're watching the cat for me tonight, and I told them they didn't need to wait up for me if they wanted to go ahead and sleep."

Translation: they knew not to expect her to return that evening once she'd been summoned by their prince. The figurative cat was out of the bag, after all: they'd been caught red-handed that very morning, with only an unconvincing lie to save their skins. She couldn't think of a reason that she shouldn't be allowed to remain with him now that he'd announced his intentions to make her his wife.

[hauntedking]

Her fingers do chase away some of the tension, but it lingers. How could it not, considering what they were going into? It was hard to just sit and think and be accepting of everything. His thoughts seemed tangled and if he allowed his attention to drift too long, he could even swear he heard voices whispering to him from out of the darkness...

"That was kind of you," he murmured, "...would you like to lie down? I think I'd like to stop being vertical for a little while. Even if I don't want to sleep just yet."

[backstreetbard]

"Of course I would," she says, kissing his cheek and standing briefly to allow him to lie back and situate himself first. Once he's comfortable, Dorothea settles in beside him, snuggling against the warmth of his body. There's a blanket at the foot of the cot, and she pulls it over them as she'd done the previous night, though nothing sexual is going to go on here tonight regardless of how much they might want to. With as closely as the tents are arranged in their camp, they would have an unfortunately large audience.

Even if that weren't the case, she's pretty certain that neither of them has the energy to get up to any trouble; once they're bundled up together under the thick wool blanket, Dorothea can practically feel the exhaustion weighing down on her.

"Would you like a song tonight, my love?" she asks, threading her fingers with Dimitri's.