[ sylvain's eyes widen in shock, and he crumples forward a little, as if he'd been struck though the chest.
his mind is reeling, because it isn't at all the memory that he remembers. what he knows of derdriu goes like this:
You march into the Aquatic Capital to battle in empty streets. It's a beautiful city, and it's a shame to wash it in blood, you think.
You're wearied from a long march, the army moving at breakneck pace to reach Derdriu in time. Your former schoolmates and friends are in danger, under the same threat of the Empire which threatens to subjugate your home.
You throw yourself into battle, anyway, driven forward with purpose and a sense of urgency. Like Gautier, like Gronder... it's all you can do. Fight against impossible odds, and hope you live to see another day.
For once, though, the odds are finally turning in your favor.
And at the end of this battle, you win. While Byleth speaks with Dimitri and Claude off to the side (32:21 - 35:57), you find Hilda.
She's as vivacious as ever, even after singlehandedly wiping out several battalion of men, and she greets you with a smile, her voice lilting with surprise. You're quickly reminded how you've always liked her, cute as a button and clever enough to see through your act. Birds of a feather, in some ways.
Everyone celebrates together that evening, deer and lion alike. You've heard rumors that Claude is stepping down from the Alliance, and you see him across the room. You're curious where he's headed next, but you never do get a chance to ask. ]
That's... [ sylvain frowns, deeply ] Why did things turn out so differently...?
[ byleth, he immediately thinks, but even so, the question remains. his voice is quiet, somber. ]
I guess what I'm tryna say is, Dimitri takes on everything as his burden, both the dead and the living. I don't have half as many ghosts to account for, or at least I'm able to set them aside.
...So unfortunately, he works himself to the bone. Tries to atone for anything and everything that's ever been wrong, even if it wasn't necessarily his fault.
Maybe I'm getting a little off track, here. If you're talking about our goals, they're the same despite how we approach them. Everyone's doing their best to help rebuild Fódlan from the ground up. It's far from a fresh start, and there's a lot of political fallout to navigate along with the usual business of providing basic necessities for the people.
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his mind is reeling, because it isn't at all the memory that he remembers. what he knows of derdriu goes like this:
You march into the Aquatic Capital to battle in empty streets. It's a beautiful city, and it's a shame to wash it in blood, you think.
That's... [ sylvain frowns, deeply ] Why did things turn out so differently...?You're wearied from a long march, the army moving at breakneck pace to reach Derdriu in time. Your former schoolmates and friends are in danger, under the same threat of the Empire which threatens to subjugate your home.
You throw yourself into battle, anyway, driven forward with purpose and a sense of urgency. Like Gautier, like Gronder... it's all you can do. Fight against impossible odds, and hope you live to see another day.
For once, though, the odds are finally turning in your favor.
And at the end of this battle, you win. While Byleth speaks with Dimitri and Claude off to the side (32:21 - 35:57), you find Hilda.
She's as vivacious as ever, even after singlehandedly wiping out several battalion of men, and she greets you with a smile, her voice lilting with surprise. You're quickly reminded how you've always liked her, cute as a button and clever enough to see through your act. Birds of a feather, in some ways.
Everyone celebrates together that evening, deer and lion alike. You've heard rumors that Claude is stepping down from the Alliance, and you see him across the room. You're curious where he's headed next, but you never do get a chance to ask. ]
[ byleth, he immediately thinks, but even so, the question remains. his voice is quiet, somber. ]
Why couldn't we save you in time...?
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We weren't allies. And I doubt you had troops to spare given that the majority of the Empire's attacks were against your borders.
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And it definitely wasn't an easy war.
...I really am sorry, though. [ for a second time, for different reason. ]
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We all have our burdens. Some days they're heavier than others, but I've gotten to the point where it doesn't weigh on me any longer.
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I do wonder about it sometimes. What's the penance for taking so many lives?
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I'd say this is penance enough.
[ ... ] I dunno. Trying to make things better, for those who are left behind. Making sure the rest of your life doesn't go to waste.
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So... like Dimitri? Living for those lost?
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Not quite. Nothing wrong with honoring the dead, but I'd rather set my sights on the future, y'know?
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[ like, genuinely curious ]
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I guess what I'm tryna say is, Dimitri takes on everything as his burden, both the dead and the living. I don't have half as many ghosts to account for, or at least I'm able to set them aside.
...So unfortunately, he works himself to the bone. Tries to atone for anything and everything that's ever been wrong, even if it wasn't necessarily his fault.
Maybe I'm getting a little off track, here. If you're talking about our goals, they're the same despite how we approach them. Everyone's doing their best to help rebuild Fódlan from the ground up. It's far from a fresh start, and there's a lot of political fallout to navigate along with the usual business of providing basic necessities for the people.
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You need to help yourself to help others, right? Is that a selfish perspective?
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[ not that. anyone in faerghus knows what emotional/mental health means. ]
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I hope you know it well enough to practice it.
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Don't worry, I'm no Dimitri.
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