[ Most people believe him to be dead. Regicide, they had accused him of and had his head as the price for such treason against his nation. That was the only news that the kingdom had let release but there was no public execution. There was nobody to be found. It was as if Dimitri had simply vanished; and, in some ways, the Dimitri most knew was long gone.
Though there have been rumors of a 'one-eyed demon' haunting the halls of the now ruined Garreg Mach, there's no way to associate them with the once crown prince. This monster spots a familiar head of red hair but considers her, at first, a specter too. Surely, Rose wouldn't come all this way for... what? Not him, of course not, and not any true attachment to this place. ]
How had I disappointed you, that you would haunt me now...? [ His voice is quiet, almost forlorn. The voices in his head of the ones he'd loved often expressed their disappointment. Their demands for blood were rooted in the fact that he wasn't good enough, wasn't worthy enough to hold the mantle of king. Just a wild boar, after all, driven mad and left to kill until nothing remained. ]
['The one-eyed demon? Does she know? Does she dare to hope?]
[It's hard to say. When she eventually stumbles upon Dimitri, an expression of relief washes over her face. The relief only lasts a quick second, however; it takes time for her to actually process what she's seeing in front of her. The Dimitri she knew could be a little high strung, at times, and probably a little foolish for his own good, but he was always well kept.]
[She should be happy at the reunion, but instead, anger takes over. Anger over what, exactly?]
[ Ah. So she isn't just another vision of a past he's cast aside. This wasn't the way he imagined meeting her again; honestly, he hadn't imagined meeting anyone again. He hadn't forgotten his promise to see her once he was crowned king and the church held it's anniversary celebration but it feels so foolish now. He was a fool then, wasn't he? To not see plain as day Edelgard's plan already in motion?
His gaze falls down to his feet as he considers what she says in silence. ...Worried. It strikes him strange to hear it come from her lips of all people. It was just a job back then for her, wasn't it, to worry about his safety? But she hadn't been in his employ for years and so her concern falls on deaf ears.
He doesn't believe it. Worry for a boy long since dead means nothing to him now. The man steps forward, eyes narrowed dangerously as he scrutinizes Rose. Despite her small stature, even more pronounced now with the few inches he's gained, she always held herself with such strength. Some things haven't changed, at least. ]
[It had been just a job to start with, that much was true. But, over time, she’d grown to genuinely care for the prince. Dimitri may not have always been the best with words, but even she could see he had other people’s best interest at heart.]
[The man she sees before her how worried her—gone is that clumsy awkwardness she’d grown to appreciate. But somewhere, deep down, she knows that this person is her Dimitri, too. She might have to dig deep to find what remains, but he’s here.]
Yes, yes, I’ve spent more than enough time worrying for myself, thank you.
[She isn’t backing down.]
Do you really expect me to believe you’d let harm befall me, one of your citizens? Or, even worse, that you’d harm me yourself? I highly doubt it. The Dimitri I know wouldn’t ever allow these things to pass, and I doubt you’re any different.
[ He'd sooner die than show any glimpse that the Dimitri she remembers still lives. He's as much of a ghost to the man as the others that haunt him; a weak, spineless coward who couldn't do what it took when it mattered- He grits his teeth as his head throbs. ]
I'm not the Dimitri you know, [ he bites back, almost instinctually. He closes the distance between them and crosses his arms defensively. ] You wouldn't be the first kinsman I killed and I doubt you'd be the last. Even if indirectly, I will destroy you. Perhaps even in ways more painful than death.
[ For a moment, he looks- Dumbfounded, perhaps. That might be the best way to describe the way he simply stares at her declaration. Before long, the icy grip of apathy settles in again. He doesn't care. Not about her, about his friends, about anything- ]
Tch, [ he finally hisses, averting his gaze. She wins this round. Well. 'Win' might not be the best way to describe the outcome either. ]
You'll regret the decision or end up dead, like all the rest. [ And, maybe, him trying to shut her out is his way of saving himself from that inevitable pain. ]
[She doesn’t break from his gaze. To some extent, she understands why he’s like this. He’s lost so many things in the last few years, and it doesn’t look like life is going to be kind to him any time soon.]
[Which is why she’s not giving up. She’s going to get the Dimitri she knows back if it’s the last thing she does. She’s going to protect him if it’s the last thing she does.]
You’re wrong. I’m going to save you, if it’s the last thing I do.
[ It isn't. It never was. And to survive, he had to cut out all the weakest, pitiful parts of himself. He doesn't like the way her saying she's going to save him twists inside. There's a longing that's painful and unpleasant. A pleading that some pathetic bit of his past self clings to even now. He does his best to crush it immediately. ]
It will be. [ He knows it to be true. It will be, if she sticks around- It always ends the same. ]
Now, leave me. I do not wish to speak of this anymore. There are other, more important matters to attend to.
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no subject
Though there have been rumors of a 'one-eyed demon' haunting the halls of the now ruined Garreg Mach, there's no way to associate them with the once crown prince. This monster spots a familiar head of red hair but considers her, at first, a specter too. Surely, Rose wouldn't come all this way for... what? Not him, of course not, and not any true attachment to this place. ]
How had I disappointed you, that you would haunt me now...? [ His voice is quiet, almost forlorn. The voices in his head of the ones he'd loved often expressed their disappointment. Their demands for blood were rooted in the fact that he wasn't good enough, wasn't worthy enough to hold the mantle of king. Just a wild boar, after all, driven mad and left to kill until nothing remained. ]
Leave. You have no place here.
no subject
[It's hard to say. When she eventually stumbles upon Dimitri, an expression of relief washes over her face. The relief only lasts a quick second, however; it takes time for her to actually process what she's seeing in front of her. The Dimitri she knew could be a little high strung, at times, and probably a little foolish for his own good, but he was always well kept.]
[She should be happy at the reunion, but instead, anger takes over. Anger over what, exactly?]
Disappointed? We were worried, you dolt!
no subject
His gaze falls down to his feet as he considers what she says in silence. ...Worried. It strikes him strange to hear it come from her lips of all people. It was just a job back then for her, wasn't it, to worry about his safety? But she hadn't been in his employ for years and so her concern falls on deaf ears.
He doesn't believe it. Worry for a boy long since dead means nothing to him now. The man steps forward, eyes narrowed dangerously as he scrutinizes Rose. Despite her small stature, even more pronounced now with the few inches he's gained, she always held herself with such strength. Some things haven't changed, at least. ]
Worry instead for yourself.
no subject
[The man she sees before her how worried her—gone is that clumsy awkwardness she’d grown to appreciate. But somewhere, deep down, she knows that this person is her Dimitri, too. She might have to dig deep to find what remains, but he’s here.]
Yes, yes, I’ve spent more than enough time worrying for myself, thank you.
[She isn’t backing down.]
Do you really expect me to believe you’d let harm befall me, one of your citizens? Or, even worse, that you’d harm me yourself? I highly doubt it. The Dimitri I know wouldn’t ever allow these things to pass, and I doubt you’re any different.
no subject
I'm not the Dimitri you know, [ he bites back, almost instinctually. He closes the distance between them and crosses his arms defensively. ] You wouldn't be the first kinsman I killed and I doubt you'd be the last. Even if indirectly, I will destroy you. Perhaps even in ways more painful than death.
no subject
[As aggressive as Dimitri is, Rose isn’t planning on backing down. She continues to hold his gaze, refusing to look away.]
If that’s the case, so be it. You were someone important to me, and I’m making the choice to stand beside you. Come what may.
no subject
Tch, [ he finally hisses, averting his gaze. She wins this round. Well. 'Win' might not be the best way to describe the outcome either. ]
You'll regret the decision or end up dead, like all the rest. [ And, maybe, him trying to shut her out is his way of saving himself from that inevitable pain. ]
no subject
[She doesn’t break from his gaze. To some extent, she understands why he’s like this. He’s lost so many things in the last few years, and it doesn’t look like life is going to be kind to him any time soon.]
[Which is why she’s not giving up. She’s going to get the Dimitri she knows back if it’s the last thing she does. She’s going to protect him if it’s the last thing she does.]
You’re wrong. I’m going to save you, if it’s the last thing I do.
no subject
It will be. [ He knows it to be true. It will be, if she sticks around- It always ends the same. ]
Now, leave me. I do not wish to speak of this anymore. There are other, more important matters to attend to.