victory_road | iv: let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

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iv: let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

[There's no pomp or circumstance that comes with today's video. It just flicks on, revealing a disheveled Sylvain burrowed in a heap of blankets. Judging by the bags under his eyes, he hasn't slept well. That's probably why the camera in his hands keeps shaking, too.

Probably.]

So. What do you guys do to distract yourselves on days like these? [The video flips around, revealing an incredibly snowed in Ilex Forest. Some members of Sylvain's travel group mill about, but he turns the camera away before they catch on.

When the camera focuses on him, it's clear that he's been joined by someone else. A shiny bounsweet has tucked under his chin, shooting concerned looks up at him as he continues to speak. Sylvain tries to smile to both her and the camera, but fails at both and ultimately ends up just grimacing.]

Normally I would try to stay busy, get a little training in. But that's not exactly possible like this.

So. Advice please?

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If you're on the road...hm, I'd say checking the network is a good way to spend time. You could try the internet, too, there's bound to be something interesting on StaryuTube. I think there's a 'gear app for it?

[Jane herself is probably in an enviable position - in a warm kitchen, smudged with flour, putting some cookies in a plastic tupperware for later.]

I would suggest going out and playing in the snow, but it's not worth trying to thaw yourself out in your tent later.

Edited 2021-01-05 23:54 (UTC)

StaryuTube. That's where those, ah -- Videos are, right? [He'd dabbled briefly after his date to the theater. Now that he understood the merit of these "moving pictures," he was growing more and more fascinated by the concept.

His gaze drifts toward the cookies, and then snaps back to Jane. She mentions playing in the snow, and he politely ignores that idea without even shuddering. Progress!]

Oh! I never said thank you for the gifts. I mean I am sure Dima did, but... Still. The cookies were wonderful. You really are talented. [A pause.] I trust you received my gift?

That's right, the videos! If you watch some of those, you'll find yourself having spent your time in...well, no time!

[Yeah no her whole lot are out in the yard having a blast.]

Shucks, that's alright - you're very welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed them! [Some blush to the cheeks at the mention of that gift.] Ah...I-I did, it's very lovely, thank you. I honestly hope you didn't spend too much on it...

[It's not worth it to go broke on mirrors Sylvain!]

That's exactly what I need. A way to kill several hours. [He casts a miserable glance outside.] Maybe even several days.

[But talking about the mirror is just the distraction he needs. He shrugs almost playfully.] I'm not using much money on the road. I only work in towns to stay busy, and to have something extra on hand to spend on my friends. Which is exactly what I did with that mirror.

[See, no problems here!]

Well, gosh...even so, you oughtn't break the bank on presents, you never know when you'll need some spare cash. Though it is fairly easy to keep your pockets full in this place...

[Literally just fight kids with your pets and ask for half their allowance]

You're telling me. I am pretty sure I saw the child we travel with just making money the other day. And now I think my boyfriend is getting into the habit, too.

Is that even legal?

It is. Though, if you lose, you'd have to reciprocate and give the winner some of your money. It's just how it works here.

[She'd say "it's game logic", but...well, that can be confusing to wrap one's head around.]

If I knew the weather was going to get so bad, I would have insisted you all stay an extra day or two. Are the tents holding up?

I would have taken you up on that offer in a heartbeat. [Sylvain allows a grimace to crack through.]

Looks like we're going to have to delay our shopping plans Just a little -- sorry, Kazuki. [He doesn't look very sorry. Really, he doesn't look anything more than miserable in general.]

You don't have to worry about me, shopping can always wait. Did you get the right coat back then? Sometimes it's hard to judge if you're not used to the cold.

I did, thank you. I am actually relatively used to the cold -- I lived in one of the Northern most regions of my home country. It was easy enough to find something suitable. And pretty, as well.

[Which is interesting, considering how miserable Sylvain looks. You'd think he'd be used to it!]

[Come on Sylvain, summon up some of that Faerghus fortitude!]

What's it like where you're from? Dimitri told me about the Monastery where the Officer's Academy is, did you go to the same school?

[Failed step one. Summoned Faerghus trauma instead!]

We did. Though the Monastery was a lot different than Faerghus itself, and even parts of Faerghus didn't compare much to Gautier lands.

For example, the monastery? It got pretty warm there during the summer, which was miserable for someone like me. At least it beat being somewhere to the south or east, though.

What do you mean by that? Does your family own land?

Heh, it can get pretty sticky in Japan during the summer too. Up past 33 degrees, easy, and sometimes with 100% humidity.

I guess you could call it that? We control the land, and are responsible for ensuring the King's rule is executed there. We also defend the border of the country from invasion.

I suppose it is a little like how Johto and Kanto are their own individual regions, but it's all part of the same system?

[Sylvain blinks. He doesn't really know what humidity is, or how temperature is measured in degrees but. He'll take Kazuki's word for it.]

Sounds miserable.

Oh yeah, I get it. Back in the day, our country had something called a "shogunate" where it was pretty much like that. One Shogun-- and an Emperor-- and a bunch of states underneath him formed of different land-owners.

But it's really nice in the autumn and spring. Just right! And then there's cherry blossoms in spring too, they're really beautiful.

Yeah, that sounds a lot like what we had going on. My father [He makes a face.] was a big part of it -- not as high as he could have been in terms of titles, but invaluable all the same. Or at least, he tried to think of himself like that. But he wasn't a duke like Felix's dad i-- [Ah, hell.] was. I don't even know if he was on that great of terms with the last king.

But hey, he had enough sway that I was able to be best friends with the prince, so... That's cool?

So, were you all at the Officer's Academy to learn... I dunno, noble stuff? Like it's only for people with high status? [That was the impression Kazuki got from Dimitri.] Who was the prince?

More... Nobles and people with deep pockets. Or at least those with connections to deep pockets. But there were commoners, too. [He shrugs, smile small and eyes just a hint shadowed.] Most of what we learned was combat. Magic, swordsmanship, lancework. Nobles learned to be knights for their rulers, and the rulers learned how to lead.

[Placing a hand to his mouth, Sylvain laughs.]

He didn't tell you? I guess that does not surprise me. Dimitri is my prince.

Dimitri? Really? He sure didn't! A prince, huh...

[Kazuki pauses for a moment, thoughtfully.]

He... Wasn't always like... [He makes a general gesture at his face.] Sad? Depressed? He doesn't smile very much. But I feel like there's a different person underneath that.

[The question takes him by surprise. It isn't that it comes out of left-field. Anyone with at least one eye should have seen Dimitri's personality, and certainly been put off by it. But he's gotten used to traveling with people that mostly understood it.

He's gotten used to people who grew up with him.]

A long time ago, he was a very different man. But he's been haunted by a lot of bad things for a very large portion of his life. And... honestly, the man you're seeing now? Is leagues better than what we had back home.

[That's mostly conjecture on Sylvain's part. Last he had heard back home, Dimitri was dead. He'd never seen the monster of a man that Felix and Claude had described. He'd only seen the same vestigial remains that Kazuki was referring to.]

So he wasn't always like this. [Kazuki's face is sober and thoughtful.] That's what I thought, but... I could tell it went deep enough that I shouldn't pry. I can only really be kind to him in the moment, and hope that it helps.

I think that will. This world is good for him -- it isn't nearly as cruel as the one we came from. I have to hope that will help him a lot.

In any case, thank you for your consideration. Dimitri is... incredibly important to me. It's good to know that other people care for him just as much.

I can tell it's helping, at least a little. He's a bit brighter every time I talk to him.

It's not a problem, but you're welcome anyways. I'm glad he has so many of his friends here with him.

[ Mira's holed up in Ecruteak's inn, and there are a couple of things to note here. One: the two Growlithe cuddled up in her lap. They're smaller than your average Growlithe, and they're fast asleep. Two: She's wearing the hairclips he sent her. ]

Hmm... Usually, I find something to keep my hands busy. Drawing. Sometimes I write, or I read or do a puzzle. I make myself a warm drink, too.

[ She absentmindedly pets one of the Growlithe, who lets out a sleepy little sound and stretches. It's still fast asleep. ]

Maybe there are some puzzle apps on the 'gear? It's a great way to pass the time, too.

[The sight of the hairclips brings a smile to his face, weak though it is. He also makes a note of the two pups, to be brought up later.]

Drawing might not be so bad. I've always considered myself more of an admirer of the arts than someone who partakes but... It's never too late to try, right?

[Just as long as he doesn't have to paint the scenery!]

Do those ones spit fire? Or is that just limited to your Luvdisc? [He nods to the pups finally.]

It's never too late to try. Hopefully, your hands aren't too cold.

[ ... ah, she looks a little sheepish. ]

They do spit fire, but it's not very strong right now. Actually, they're more content just playing with each other before passing out in my lap.

[ What a difficult existence, being cute and small Growlithes. ]

They're cute. And you look cute with them. [Like with everything else so far, the attempt at flirtation is half-hearted on Sylvain's part.]

I can't imagine, such an exhausting life, though.

[ She does blush a little, but by now, she's gotten the idea that it's-- not quite wholehearted. Still, she laughs lightly. ]

Very difficult. Sleeping most of the day away, playing, eating treats... I can't imagine being so busy.

I taught myself to knit and sew, over the last few years. Even on the road, when I've nothing more pressing to do, I can work on a scarf or an egg pillow.

[Not that Cecil is doing either at the moment, if the kitchen that surrounds him is any indication.]

Admittedly, learning a new skill or hobby without supplies while in the middle of a forest is rather difficult. Perhaps you could list which of your belonging may need to be patched or replaced? If you previously bought some duct tape, you could even get started on that.

Most of my belongings are pretty new, so no need to worry about that. Also, I think my hands might be a little too big for sewing. I've seen the fine detail that goes into that, and I do not think these hands could ever manage that mess.

[He holds a hand up to the camera and wiggles his fingers.]

You'd be surprised! It would take months of practice, of course, and goodness knows needles are not nearly as easy to manipulate as swords or axes, but you might someday be able to hem a shirt.

[A beat, as his expression turns a bit less happy.]

Or to quickly repair a tent after two of your Pokémon decide to carelessly wrestle in the rain, right after you've used up most of your potential repair materials.

[Offscreen, a Pokémon snorts. Cecil ignores it.]

[That seems to sober up Sylvain more than anything. He glances toward something off screen, a hint of panic brewing in his eyes.]

I don't think I'll be letting them fight in the tent, playfully or otherwise.

A very optimistic decision, considering you'll generally be out-numbered six to one. ...But perhaps your team will be willing to cooperate.

[Maybe there are teams out there that obey their trainers perfectly, but Cecil has yet to meet them.]

Aw, Cecil. Have you not realized how charming I am?

[He flutters his eyelashes. The charm seems kind of diminished, though.]

What is the worth of a human's charm, against creatures that have learned to weaponize it? If that's your only strategy, they'll reflect it back at you tenfold and you will thank them for it.

[He does sound amused by the attempt, relatively weak as it is.]

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iv: let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

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