avalononline | voice | un: miraclemoon

[It's not often that Jade makes use of the network herself, preferring to respond to others, and she's been as preoccupied by the trials as many others have this past week. Even so, something troubling has come to her attention, and she would rather not sit and wonder and worry needlessly, if it indeed ends up being needless.]

I realize there's a great deal going on right now, and so I'll make this brief.

[Her tone is careful and refined, but there's certainly worry beneath all of that, thinly-veiled.]

Has anyone seen or heard from Dimitri recently? Even amidst the trials and current situation with Celliwig, it's unlike him to miss training or go silent.

[At least in her experience. She knows enough about his previous ghosting act to know that this doesn't feel right. If something has gone wrong, he can certainly take care of himself, but that doesn't keep concern from mounting.]

I know he has acquaintances here. If you hear anything, I would greatly appreciate if you would let me know.

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[Jade doesn't have to know all of the details of what sets Marianne's Fódlan apart to guess at what that means. She knew enough about the situation there, the war, and had heard enough about differing perspectives. Dimitri and Claude, she knew, had experienced certain events quite differently, and given that war was never anything short of a nightmare...

It wasn't terribly hard to guess.

She takes the offered handkerchief in one hand, then carefully takes hold of Marianne's other shoulder so that she can steer her towards one of the little dining chairs, some of the only furniture the room had to offer them. Once she's seated, Jade will take a seat beside her, and reach out to take her hand.]

I don't know your story, or what you've seen... but I think I can draw conclusions well enough.

[She won't make Marianne say it, and her own face falls as she looks down at their feet, side-by-side.]

This would have been a chance to say goodbye, in a way, wouldn't it? I don't know what the future holds for him... but I know he wanted to make things right. I have to hope that's enough to change his fate, as well as the fate of others.

[Thank the goddess that Jade is smart and sensitive about this. It's better not to say, especially with the horror of Gronder not all that far behind her. They'd barely had a moon to digest it before Merceus, and that ended up being almost worse.

And then Marianne arrived in Avalon. The other Deer, she realizes, have it a bit easier. For Claude, the war is won and he's preparing for another, greater enemy. For Lorenz and Flayn, it's all over. But Marianne's arrival has placed her in some sort of limbo, and while she's heartened to hear of future events it still doesn't change the fact that for her the war is still very much present tense.

She does her best not to let the war follow her here, but... it's difficult sometimes.]

I... I believe he will. And I'll pray for him, so that he can find strength within himself when he feels like he might falter.

[It's the absolute least she can do. It's the only thing she can do.]

Your faith is important to you.

[It's an observation, rather than a question, and Jade gives a careful nod in response. Though neither of them may be able to do much themselves, it's still something— something that would mean a great deal to many, certainly. Dimitri, she's sure, would appreciate it.]

I'm sure he would be glad to know you were praying for him. I hope that your faith will help you here, as well. Even far away from where the war is, these things stay with us, don't they? The fear and uncertainty.

[She exhales slowly, pressing her lips together. Of those from her own world, she's the furthest ahead, and as far as she knows, nothing gets better. From where she stands, they've only gotten worse.]

Hope is powerful.

It is.

[Despite all that she's learned since arriving here, that remains true.

She listens to Jade's words and allows them to sink in. It seems she understands more deeply than Marianne had first thought, which is both comforting and absolutely heartbreaking. But even as they suffer, there's a reason they each haven't totally given in to despair.]

You're right. It helps us to move forward, even when it's difficult to.

[That's a lesson she's only recently learned, and it's been very freeing.]

Let's finish packing up his things so that we don't linger and wallow.

I think that's an excellent idea.

[She looks up once more and offers a warm smile through the threat of tears, pushing them back before they ever have the chance to fall. She gives Marianne a gentle clout on the shoulder before pulling away to begin gathering the glass containers that have been left on the table, clean and waiting to be returned to their owner.]

We'll make short work of all of this, and maybe when it's safely stashed away, you'll allow me to treat you to tea?

[It's a small thing, but...]

It's the least I could do. I needed a friend today, and you certainly came through.

[Marianne returns the almost-watery smile with one of her own, still a bit teary from her own recently-finished bout of crying. But she stands by what she suggested, and once Jade rises she does the same and helps her finish backing up Dimitri's belongings.]

It wasn't any trouble at all, but... tea would be lovely. Thank you.

[When did Marianne become good at making friends like this? This is a nice change from how things used to be for her.

Between the two of them, they make short work of the rest of it. Marianne closes the bag and steps aside for Jade to take it--she's clearly the stronger of the two, plus she doesn't trust herself with some of its more fragile contents.]

Shall we?

voice | un: miraclemoon

we sure do

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setting us up for a wrap!

sounds good to me! ♥