vergeltung | 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭

(Continued.)

It came to mind 'mysteriously' due to remembering similar pranks pulled in the dormitories depending on which of my classmates decided they were bored.

Edited 2022-09-25 19:09 (UTC)

I am not entirely sure I would call a move quite so devilish a reasonable prank. Unless you are willing to invoke the wrath of anyone whom you so attempted to trick.

[ That said, as a revenge plan, it's something magnificent. ]

Were there perhaps other such boredom-driven adventures?

Asking for a friend.

[ She's not. ]

Edited 2022-09-28 16:52 (UTC)

Mm... sheets went missing, sometimes food was changed for not being what we had previously, books also were swapped for more adult variants, and I believe on occasion some of the more rowdy of us have broke beds.

One of those instances was bed sliding also, though I believe some of us wound up floating on our mattresses on occasion; I was amongst the lucky few to not.

(Mainly because who in their right minds would do such things to Dimitri of all people? Not even Felix was that foolish and he disliked him for quite some time until recently.)

There was also magical traps set on shoes and curtains; I believe I once was asked to break a few doors into certain rooms so they could change the rooms aesthetics though I refused.

[ Curious. "Bed sliding" is a term with which she's unfamiliar, and how his cohort were able to float on their mattresses is something she's not sure she wishes to know. Still, utilization of magic aside, there are perhaps some useful ideas here.

(Including possibly using her Vision to layer ice under somebody's bed. If that's not bed sliding, what is?) ]

I am not versed enough in magic to do some of these things myself, although the idea of switching out items is intriguing.

[ Not food and books, though. Such things are too small. Too petty. ]

I should thank you. I have some new ideas to consider.

Maybe you can utilize other means of setting up traps then. Although I am not someone to ask for assistance in magic either; I am more fit for physical fights than that.

(He never had an aptitude for it to begin with as well, his crest was meant for physical strength and more, not mana and magic based tasks. He had to wonder almost just what this man did to her to deserve it.

Almost anyway since learning the details likely is more difficult based off her demeanor.)

You might ought to be able to ask mages on my end perhaps if necessary if something needs one; though I can make an exception for forcing entry as well.

As am I. There are certainly those around me with more talent in that area, so I will consider that, and your mages also.

[ That said, an exception for forcing entry, hmm? Dimitri might actually have a chance of getting on Eula's good side, like this. At this rate, she might even be willing to tell him about the heinous thing that sparked this whole revenge plot in the first place. ]

If I may ask, what inspires you to consider an exception?

Let us just say that I've had my fair share of er... revenge plots though mine was more open.

I wanted to behead my step-sister before I came back to my senses, obviously I still want her to answer for things but perhaps less murder and more getting answers.

(Or so he hoped in Edelgard's case; he didn't know what she may do in response to him wanting answers or really anything. He didn't want to kill her at least which is a start in comparison to his previous state.)

Though I doubt Edelgard will let me get far enough to ask her anything to begin with. So yes, I know the feeling too well.

[ Hmm, interesting.

She may know Dimitri on a surface level, but there's still a lot she doesn't know about his situation— and right now, she's surprised to hear that they have one particular thing very much in common. ]

I was not aware that you had issues with family members.

...Perhaps it's something we could discuss sometime.

[ After all, when it comes to her own family, stolen half-pairs will never be enough for the retribution they must face. ]

Perhaps. Though a lot of it is a long story for my end.

There's multiple parts even, me discovering she was leading an attack on the monastery with a unknown army she was aligned with. Me being thrown in the dungeon over fabricated evidence declaring I had murdered my uncle and ordered for execution until Dedue freed me and had me leave while he gave himself up for a time... a lot of it would take longer than this to explain.

(And he knew that much; his own situation was complicated further by the fact he is of royalty at that though he mentioned to her she did not have to call him by title. There wasn't any need to do so in Mondstadt despite him being foreign royalty one could say.

For the time being he only wanted a low profile, finding Edelgard and really the others that were still missing was not going to be easy if he drew too much attention for it.)

Hmm.

It sounds as if this Edelgard is as much of a problem as some members of my family have been known to be.

What changed your mind about ending her life?

[ It's a serious question, and one probably not asked for the reason he thinks it is. After all, if her family were to put one foot out of line in regards to Mondstadt, she would destroy them in whatever way necessary. And she was hardly exaggerating when she expressed that Edelgard sounds equally as problematic... ]

... truthfully it was in part because I wished to know why she did it. I wanted to ask her if she had hand in the Tragedy, the events that killed my step-mother, her mother, and my father.

And I wanted to simply know if she wasn't as far as gone as I once thought she was. As she perhaps thought I must have been since I told you about the mindless slaughter I did before and how I carried those scars as my atonement. It was her that took my eye as well, Eula.

(But he knew that this was serious, he was never one to hold back his answers and his sense of justice often times shined brightest knowing that he would follow through with what he must to the end. It was always how he had seen it.)

... though getting answers is easier said than done regardless. I do believe she would not let me despite my desire for her to survive if anything herself in the end.

Edited 2022-10-06 15:47 (UTC)

I see.

[ And she really does. Her words are short, but the intent behind them is genuine nonetheless. ]

Do not answer this if it's uncomfortable, but what are your plans in the event she gives the answers you seek, and they confirm your fears?

[ She understands well the need to atone. But from her understanding of the story, Edelgard deserves a lot more than a simple questioning. ]

... then reluctantly I would give her as she wants. Her death if she desires it while wondering what I could have done before.

(Even he's not certain how else he'd react, he did in some form hope she didn't have hand in any of it. That her only part of it involved really the Monastery being under attack, artifacts being stolen if he had heard correctly as well.)

I do not consider it a good thing that I have to do such a thing but if I must, I must. I will obtain justice however must be done, even if it means I would not like how I obtained it.

(no subject)

vergeltung - 2022-10-22 09:53 (UTC) - Expand

(Continued.)

(Though he did seem to take notice that she was uncomfortable like he is in their current situation, (which is why he was speaking of other things), he did seem to notice her amusement to his comment about Kaeya and him fighting originally. He must have gone around claiming that he was of a pirate's lineage again right as she said it herself, figures, he always did that.

Though the two were nowhere near as close anymore he knew Kaeya; it was why he often times argued with him about his actions in general if he disagreed with them pertaining to their late father's legacy. Ironically he did keep the vase he used to pass back his clothes and vision, though he never told him willingly.

Even if he is Mondstadt's most eligible and unobtainable bachelor, he always saw it as he would much prefer to choose a partner that saw him as a person not as a trophy. Though he would have lied for her sake on the circumstances of this if anyone were to find out.

Regardless. He knew the feeling she was trying to ignore too, affection, physical touch... it was hellish to keep ignoring it yet he was making himself do it for the sake of not making this more awkward.

That is until the blizzard had began and her words died down immediately.)

Damn it...!

(Wonderful. He hated he would have to do this and yet he saw no choice, the glance he gave her was an apologetic one as those arms of his wrapped around her body to enable more warmth to spread throughout her.

He hated it, he wanted to burn himself alive, his body wanted more of it but he himself despised what he was doing after telling himself about this angry cat of a woman that he wouldn't dare touch her on purpose but alas, the Seven said otherwise.)

Hate me later, but not a single word, got it? (It's unbearable enough as is.)

Edited 2022-10-25 04:33 (UTC)

[ No.

No, no, no—

Any protest she may have when his arms lift to wrap around her dies behind her lips; she knows she should push him away from him, break herself free and tell him off, threaten him with vengeance for daring to lay a hand on her at all, much less wrap his arms around her as if they're a pair of lovers, warming each other by the fireplace after a long day—

And that's a thought she instantly regrets, because her cheeks color again, stealing the little heat in her body to warm her cheeks, and she ducks her head, scowling— an expression meant half for him, and half for her stupid, stupid brain for even letting that thought slip in there to make this situation even worse than it already is.

She swallows hard, nods from where her head is now, almost buried into his shoulder or chest, she doesn't want to know which. Yes, she should break away, but the air around them is frightfully cold, too much even for her icy veins, and he's warm, so warm that it's sinking into her skin even through their clothes and the bedroll she has still cocooned around most of her body. ]

Right. Not a word.

[ It's as much an agreement as it is her seeking for him to agree to it too, even though his words have already done so. Word of this spreading around Mondstadt is the last thing they need.

But he seems to understand that. She can tell he's as reluctant to do this as she is... and it's for that reason that she squares her shoulders, summons the courage to add one more word: ]

Thanks.

(The thought of them being like lovers in this position had struck him too, the part of him that spoke with logic was screaming again that he shouldn't dare think that way. His own cheeks reddened just a little though he can pass it off as nothing in itself.

He was already apologetic. He could have separated from her, he could have ignored her, he could have left at any time and yet he stayed. His warmth as fire personified burying into her as if it were attempting to shield her from the blizzard.

He isn't sure if he can even make it out of there to get help if they had to with this turn of events. Diluc may have prepared but the realization did creep in that if he didn't make it in time she'd have froze. The thought in itself angering him more for daring thinking he should have left her earlier.

She's cold, ice in the form of a woman, not immortal and capable of staving off her own element.)

I don't know how long it will last... I have something I brought for food if it push comes to shove.

(Is he...)

I can go without it since I'm normally warm enough for most things. (He is in fact, his own food, warm and tucked away to be given to her so she can muster up the strength and warmth to get away and find help if it comes to that. The former knight can live without the intel he wanted for now if it meant that they both got out safely.)

[ There's a few moments, at least, where she sits against him in silence. She's strangely comfortable in his hold, despite the fact that she's so incredibly uncomfortable with this whole thing, and for a moment in fact she considers freeing her arms from where they're wrapped in her bedroll to hold him in return—

(although even if she were to force herself to analyze the reason for such an instinct, she'd conclude— truthfully or not— that it comes from a need to stabilize the embrace in which they've found themselves)

—but then he speaks, and somehow she's irritated again, and maybe it's more at herself than anything for letting herself give into him so easily, but it's as simple as breathing to direct it at him, to blame him for it as she shoves away from him instead, standing up and pacing a few steps away.

The cold hits her like a slap in the face, and it doesn't take long at all before she's trembling, even as she paces back and forth with purple-yellow eyes narrowed right at him through the dark. ]

Do you take me for an idiot, Ragnvindr? You know I was sent here on a mission; do you truly think I wouldn't have packed rations for myself?

[ Her tone is acid, but the chattering of her teeth make the words stutter their way from between her lips, ruining the effect somewhat. ]

I do not need your food.

[ She may, however, be regretting rejecting his warmth right about now. ]

And does it look like that can help warm you whenever it blew out your fire, give you enough strength to go find help knowing that if I did it I may not be able to find you again?

(His words for once was angry. He wasn't the type to be mad with ease unless it truly came down to it due to knowing what happened the last time he was so angry. All with Kaeya's eye, all with what he said. He may not like their similarities but he could not help but be mad.

He wasn't shivering fully, but it was clear the cold was starting to get to him now too despite what he was saying about all of it. He knew he can last if he had a means of warming himself more and yet that part of him that longed for touch was begging him to not repress it again.

Not after it felt her in his arms.)

I am not doing this to get either of us killed! I am not even suggesting that you be the one to eat it if the blizzard doesn't ease because tell me, how would I be able to find you in it?! I'm no fool and I'm certainly not taking you for one.

(Those fire filled eyes of his were so angry, so full of life that he didn't have as of late from his own actions and his own whims stopping him in that regard from living past chasing those who killed his father.

And really he who drove off his own brother.)

If you're so willing to die then so be it; I have no reason to stop you despite trying to keep us both alive, but to think you'd be so willing to reject all of it to fight, snarl, and bare your fangs at me for daring think I should send you to get help knowing I can at least signal you in comparison.

(He really hated being angry if he were honest, it took longer for him to come down when he was and he hated the feeling. The feeling of his blood boiling like it needed him to let out all of it on something.)

[ The anger in his voice has an immediate effect: the raging boil of her own blood in response, a heat churning in her veins that freezes into a solid, freezing cold glare as it surfaces, leaving her skin prickling all over with gooseflesh, her folded arms tightening around her chest as if she can somehow warm up by hugging herself. In the next moment, though, what follows it is embarrassed shame as his words settle, as she is forced to remember that he is not here trying to embarrass her, nor even to make her life more difficult; he stumbled across her by chance and is, despite their differences, trying to help. And in his anger, he asks a question that cuts to her core: is she really choosing potential death over letting him help her? Is she truly that stubborn, that determined to keep him at arm's length just because he chose a different path than she?

And then, underscoring that, a different feeling but borne of the same moment, the feeling not just of cold but of loss. His arms around her felt safe, not just warm but secure; despite herself, she liked it.

(That makes her angry in an entirely different way... but this is neither the time nor the place for it.)

She sighs. ]

...I'm sorry.

[ They're hard words to say; under any other circumstance she'd probably be swearing vengeance on him for making her feel as if she had to say them; as it is, though, she feels tired, defeated by the cold and by the anger she knows he's entirely justified for feeling.

By now, her lips are starting to turn blue, her skin paler than usual, and her arms tighten once more across her chest. She takes a step toward him, and then another; trembling, she gestures toward him, to her abandoned bedroll. ]

May I?

(The thought that she was willing to listen was enough to help subside his anger a little. He wasn't attempting to make it worse on her, that wasn't the point of his actions. Really he had been hoping that the storm was not that close so that she could be on her way with him; both having had sworn in a sense to secrecy on their parts about this and not speaking once more of it despite their actions. He wouldn't speak of it for her sake not for his own but for her. Her troubles, her path... he had no right to stop her from following that so he would if he must simply make certain that she knows he didn't hate her for her name.

He wouldn't dare tell her the rest as he often times reminded himself on, it was why he truthfully was mad at himself for liking the feeling of her in his arms. The comforting chill in comparison to his fire.

She'll never have to know anyway or so he had thought.)

... I am sorry for coming off poorly if I have been as well despite it. (That was a rarity in itself.)

You can, though you don't have to ask. (He can deal with being flustered later while attempting to drag himself back into his usual. He's near shivering despite himself by how his own lips had a tinge of blue, his skin had yet to grow paler than he normally is but it was clear even he cannot last a blizzard in Dragonspine alone no matter his vision.

Perhaps it's why his body, as tired as it was, had been just telling him to make up with her instead of allowing himself to freeze... though this was him ignoring the side of himself that he neglected so willingly. He didn't want to be snappy by more than is needed about it.)

[ Like Diluc, neither will Eula tell her temporary companion of the strange comfort and security that came from his hold on her, of the fact that she enjoyed it somehow— it's a fact she's barely willing to admit to herself as it is. But with his permission, she is quick to cross the space between them again, lifting her bedroll— and then pausing, now that she's closer, upon seeing the tinge of blue upon his lips.

So he is not immune to the effects of the blizzard either.

Another shudder of cold trips down her spine, her arms visibly trembling even as she stands with her bedroll held between both hands, but for the time being she doesn't sit with him once more. After all, if he's cold now, there's a chance that it'll get worse for him as the night stretches out and continues on; Eula may find him frustrating at the best of times, but she doesn't at all relish the idea of finding a frozen corpse at her side in this cave come morning.

Her voice shudders as she speaks. ]

You have a bedroll too, right? I have— have an idea that will help us both.

[ And she reaches out a hand, hoping he'll trust her enough to hand her whatever bedding he packed for himself for his own journey up the mountain. ]

I do, yes.

(Though he isn't sure what she intended to do, he did take out his own after a few minutes to reveal a well cared for but warm bedroll that he kept on his person for these trips. He didn't normally plan to stay the night up there either but it would seem that there was no choice for the two of them.

He rarely did allow himself to take the company of others for these things as well but that was another thing in itself entirely. Him becoming a corpse by circumstance would not help anything either; that was why he caved so easily on giving her the roll.

With that soon given to her, he took note that the cold outside was worsening enough that it was a good thing he opted to give up on the intel and stayed.

Having her become a corpse despite differences wouldn't sit well with him either.)

... I hope if Kaeya does have to report us as missing that he doesn't embellish it the way he does our fight. I didn't blind him, I only scarred his eye.

(Looks like he decided to mention what she was going to comment on earlier too in the end. He felt he should clarify that much despite the current situation.) Even if he does have pirate fantasies.

Thank you.

[ She takes the bedroll from him, and then crouches down to set to work unrolling it. Her actions are slow and shaky due to the cold, but stubbornness helps her cause as she proceeds to unbutton the length first of hers, and then his, opening each to the elements, and then inverting hers so that she can button them together; when she's done, she's left with one bedroll, twice the size on account of being each of theirs combined.

Despite the extremity of the cold, embarrassment brings a slight tinge of red to her pale cheeks as she finishes the task, the blue-haired woman looking back up at him even as she tries to figure out how to explain what she has just done and why— but thankfully he's talking, and his words make her brows lift, make her bark out a laugh of surprise and disbelief.

Surprise not in Kaeya's embellishment of the details— she'd kind of expected that, after all— but more in the way Diluc responds to it.

It's thankfully enough to calm her nerves, and she's able to spread the bedroll out on the ground, looking at him meaningfully as she moves to climb into her side of it, still sitting, but now cocooned on all but one side— the side left open for him. Her chattering teeth and trembling lips mean that she still sounds ridiculous, but her composure at least is secure. ]

Come on. Your Vision might help you, but you look about as cold as I feel right now— and it's going to get colder before it gets warmer. The way we were sitting was helpful, but... this will help too.

(She was right. He is in fact feeling colder than earlier once the blizzard had kicked up, it was why though reluctantly given he knew that part of him would crave more he stood up and climbed into his side of the bedroll. He half thought about wrapping his jacket around them but it'd put himself more at risk; he didn't wear anything too warming beneath it in his suit which was obvious.

The jacket itself kept him warm well enough with his gloves though he did seem a little glad that he got a laugh out of her. Even if it was at Kaeya's expense.

Not that he cared much to hold back whenever it came to his brother's comments and antics but Diluc did seem a little more at ease about it. The two of them would have to last through the evening whilst hoping the blizzard eased then, plus he needed to conserve his energy to make certain they both stayed warm enough for survival.

If he wasn't able to, it would be game over in a sense though he shook the thoughts off immediately.)

Right... I'm not certain how long it'll last, but perhaps if we do fall asleep it might be gone by then. If not, maybe it will have eased enough for one of us to try contacting the others.

(And... he was in fact getting comfortable like this just a little though every fiber of his being was screaming against it.)

[ Once he settles in to his side of the bedroll, she moves until she's sitting against him, not really in his lap like before now that they have the bedroll to cocoon them, but closer than she would usually feel comfortable— closer than she honestly feels comfortable now. And even though she got his permission before, once she's settled against him she looks up again, her expression serious, concerned. ]

Is this okay?

[ She sounds surprisingly composed, but the truth is that she's a mess, her cheeks a little too pink and her pulse a little too fast, because everything about this is mortifying. Every instinct she has is telling her to pull away, put distance between them—

Except, of course, for the instincts telling her to stay, to press closer, to allow herself to actually enjoy the warmth and the comfort and the niceness of just being held.

There are too many of that second kind of instinct for Eula's liking. ]

I— I know this is not exactly an ideal situation.

[ And she's stating the obvious, but it's better to have something to say than nothing at all. Right? ]