victory_road | October Catch All

It was around fall when he and the Abaroas first met - that gentle crispness of the day that turned into freezing cold during the night. Dimitri can remember the traveling aspects of those days well, funnily enough. Back then, while Chip had been excited for the journey, not they nor their father were really experienced in such things. It had fallen solely to Dimitri to prepare proper camping spots for them, so that they could survive the nights, although Dean's own heat and fire making capabilities were invaluable.

Back then... Dimitri can recall undoing the clasps of his cloak more than a few times, laying them over Chip's gently sleeping form near the campfire. He was Faerghus-born, used to far more freezing temperatures than whatever Johto had to offer. Surely a child would find the heat of his cloak far more valuable.

In Vermillion, he can smell that crispness in the air, and it's even familiar to what he smelled on Route 29 - both places being near to the sea. And that has him realize something.

It's why he goes to search out Chip one day, a bundle in his arms. "Chip? Are you busy right now? I have something I'd like to give you."

[I. A Special Day!]

Ashe woke up to Ky, Loog, and his Growlithe on his bed with Marshmallow in the back chirping around him. He groaned softly as he sat up and ran a hand through his hair

"I must have overslept this morning. Sorry guys, let me go get your food."

Ashe grabbed his hoodie on his way out of his room. He had a feeling that there was something else happening today. He tried to get his sleepy mind working so he could figure out today. He walked to the kitchen with his pokemon behind him. He reached for their food when he noticed the day on the calendar. Oh! That's the nagging thought in the back of his head. It's his birthday today! It's been awhile since he celebrated his birthday without him trying to juggle five things at once, especially when the war started. He missed his siblings attempt to make him breakfast along with their gifts. He hoped they were doing alright, he didn't dwell on it for long since he didn't want to be too unhappy on his birthday. Well, he didn't have a lot to do besides his normal chores, so he had time to go somewhere today. Ashe wasn't sure where he wanted to go, but he would think of something!

He looked down at Ky when he chirped and flapped his flippers at him. He chuckled as he pulled out his bowl.

"I'm coming Ky, I'm coming."

[II. Working to Relax]

Ashe found that one of the harder things about being in this new world was being able to relax. Back home he grew used to working through everything, including his birthday, that now he had options he wasn't sure what to do with them. Should he buy a cake or make it? If he buys it should it be an expensive one? He was going to buy the last book in his latest series, but should he buy something else? He wondered if he should make dinner tonight or go out. He can't remember a time he had so many options that he didn't know which one to choose.

Ashe hummed as he rubbed Ky's head on the couch in the living room. "What do you think I should do for my birthday today, Ky?"

This also counts as his announcement of the day to anyone in the house since he wasn't the type to shout about the day.

[C. Wildcard]

Anything anyone wanted to do on his birthday go for it!

Even as Ashe starts to make his way towards the kitchen, the smell of something baking starts to become quickly apparent. It's a sweet smell, and gentle. The culprit is crouched down in front of the oven, watching it intently even as Silkie the Indeedee just stands patiently by. Dimitri's cloak is wrapped around something large and bulky that is on the other side of the table, in an awkward attempt to keep it out of the way.

When he hears the sound of Ashe's footsteps and the little patter of Ky's feet, Dimitri looks up. "Ah, Ashe. Good morning. Happy Birthday."

Felix has absolutely no desire to come anywhere near the contest this time around, despite the participation of Dimitri, Claude, and several other people he knows. He knows exactly what love means to him, thanks very much, and doesn't need the bittersweet reminder.

So he's a little surprised to receive a message from the others inviting him to come drinking with them. It's not something any of them do that often, but apparently those two rich morons are providing free alcohol and Claude won the contest, so they want to celebrate with some kind of drinking game. Or several? Felix isn't totally clear on the specifics, but Claude won and Dimitri placed, and that's certainly worth celebrating.

So, for them, Felix agrees and meets them there at the bar. He's not sure he plans to engage in any games, whatever they might be, but he's here and drinking regardless. Sake, currently, and he's seated in between Claude and Dimitri.

"Fine, tell me about this game of yours. But I doubt I'll play."

"Now that's the silliest thing you've ever said, Felix," Claude says with a sidelong smile. Another day, that statement might have been accompanied by a laugh, but his entry for the contest...well, it had been an ode to his relationship with Sylvain, if not a requiem, and that had understandably put him in a somber mood. Unexpectedly winning the contest has counteracted that somewhat, but he's still a little quieter than his usual self. "A drinking game is usually a competition, isn't it? And you really only know one way to respond to anything competitive."

Felix has been clingy with Claude in particular since Sylvain left - perhaps because his relationship with Claude is less complicated than Dimitri's, or perhaps because Claude understands him the best. ~~Maybe even, perhaps, that Claude has some faint echoes of Sylvain in him, the same ones Ingrid saw, though Claude would never expect Felix to find him any kind of substitute.~~ Claude doesn't know which, and it's one of the few things in life he doesn't feel the need to pry into. All that he needs to know is that Felix likes having him close right now, maybe needs it, and that's enough. So he's settled himself on the seat beside Felix, and leans against him slightly as he continues speaking. "Anyway, my understanding of the game is something like...one person names something they haven't done, and anyone playing the game who has done it takes a drink. If no one's done it, then the person who suggested it has to drink." He glances at Grant. "Did I get that right?"

Honestly, Dimitri is genuinely glad that Felix came back to join all of them for a bout of drinking - even if Dimitri doesn't really plan on partaking himself. But this particular contest had drawn out a great deal of emotion. More than Dimitri ever thought would show up for such an event, honestly.

Everyone had their own feelings to say on the matter... him and Claude especially, both wanting to tell their own stories through their Pokemon. Dimitri isn't entirely sure how he was able to go onto stage after Claude's own heartfelt performance, really. It hadn't escaped him what it had meant to use Sylvain's starting companion, and the miserable feeling of calling out with no one to call back. Maybe just the time that had passed between their performances, and the focus on his own rats to draw his mind away.

But now, they're all together again, and Dimitri is holding onto Grant's hand even as he leans against Felix's other side as they all settle down. Like this, it feels as though... Things don't hurt quite as much. His free hand, the one nearest to Felix, is holding a simple glass of soda. What can he say? Dimitri likes the bubbly.

"Even you can find a simple joy in drinking along when something is said, I would think," Dimitri says encouragingly. "Although, Grant, if you could demonstrate, I am sure that would help a good deal."

Ashe walked in and stopped at Dimitri in front of the oven. He looked around to see something on the other side of the table before he looked back at the oven. Whatever was in there smelled sweet, he was curious how it would come out. Ashe wanted to ask what he was doing, but the words stopped when Dimitri greeted him.

Wait, Dimitri remembered his birthday? Did he ever tell him the date? Did Lonato tell him? The professor? He remembered!?

Ashe stared for awhile, until Ky chirped at him and Growlithe nudged him. He blinked out of his haze with a sheepish smile. "Oh, thank you, I'll admit I was expecting this. Not that I don't appreciate it! I just wasn't expecting anyone else to know except the pro...Byleth. Um, what's that at the table?"

Ashe decided not to join the contest he looked at the entries instead. Dimitri and Claude had such heartfelt entries not to say that everyone who submitted something wasn't good. Everyone involved in the contest had such wonderful entries. He probably could have talked about his feelings for Lysithea, but he decided it was best to keep it quiet. Besides, Claude win gave them something else to focus on. Ashe didn't drink often, but he was used to playing drinking games with Yuri so it was probably the same rules. Then again doing anything with Yuri always had a twist to it, so it would be different now.

Ashe sat on the other side of Grant as he placed his Gear back in his pocket. "Yeah I'm interested in the game that we can play. Have you played this before, Grant?"

Grant nods as Claude goes over the rules, rubbing a thumb idly over Dimitri's knuckles. "I've played it, yeah - and Claude's got it about right, both in terms of it being kind of a competition, and the basic rules.

"So, as an example: If it were my turn and I said... 'never have I ever ridden a wyvern', any of you that had - I dunno whether that'd be anyone other than Claude or not - would have to drink. But if I said, uh... let's say 'never have I ever been on an airplane', I would have to drink."

He pauses, briefly, before adding, "Which is why I, for one, will probably be trying to avoid world-specific experiences like those."

Dedue had, of course, attended the performance because Dimitri was participating; how could he not be there as a show of support for him? There were many excellent performances, but he was gratified to see that Claude won and His Highness placed highly. They were emotional and evocative pieces that deserve nothing but the highest praise.

He is, however, surprised that he’s extended an invitation for drinking afterwards. Dedue is generally aware that he’s no one’s first choice when it comes to a fun night out; it would perhaps be generous to call him dour and stern, which are hardly good qualities for a celebratory party. And he also isn’t really much of a drinker, despite his size. But he accepts and goes along, though he limits himself to drinking beer rather than any kind of harder liquors.

A game is suggested, and Dedue listens attentively to the explanation. It seems simple enough.

“How does one win this game, exactly?”

Felix scoffs at Claude. "You're making it sound like I would do anything, no matter how stupid, if it was a competition." A pause. "But if I were going to play, I'd say you're not very likely to win. You need a strong constitution to survive in Faerghus. And when you're snowed in for a month, the wine and ale tend to start flowing freely by the end of the first week."

He couldn't easily articulate his reasons for sticking close to Claude lately, and wouldn't want to try, so it's a good thing Claude isn't asking. He couldn't easily articulate why he's letting Dimitri and Claude both lean on him in public, either, but if anyone makes fun of him for it he'll probably tell them to go to hell and take their asinine remarks with them, because he's not moving.

He rolls his eyes at Dimitri's backhanded encouragement, and then snorts quietly at Dedue's question. "Be the last one still conscious, I would assume. Or at least the only one left who can still form coherent sentences. Dimitri's out of the running, obviously."

Felix regards his glass for a moment, then decides that yes, he'll play after all - though he forgoes Grant's weirdly specific wording.

"Fine. I'll go first. I've never been thrown from the back of a mount."

And he doesn't drink. It's partially because he doesn't ride much, but mostly he's curious to see whether Claude has ever fallen off a wyvern with his nonsense.

"Huh?" Chip looks up from where they'd been lying reading a comic, blinking owlishly for a moment or two. "Um, just reading."

They scoot up to their feet and quickly hurry over, trying to get a better look at the bundle. "What is it?"

"It's... a gift for you." As Chip rushes over, Dimitri takes care to kneel down on the ground so that this is at least a little easier to get a hold of. You know. When it's time. Speaking of time- "It is not your birthday gift," Dimitri adds hastily. "I will give that to you later."

You know, when it is the proper birthday time.

This is something different, after all, and Dimitri slowly begins to unbundle what he has in his arms. "You know... It was roughly around this time that we first met," he says, a small and fond smile on his lips. "Back then... I thought I would be fine if I simply chose a direction and went in a straight line. But that you took my hand and accepted me on this important journey of yours, Chip, has done so much.

"Meeting you was one of the best things in my life, Chip. I wanted to celebrate that."

With that, he holds up what he's had in his arms: a long coat of some sort, the same kind of deep blue that matches Dimitri's own cloak, and with a very similar fur trim around the hood. It's probably a hood. It certainly looks warm. And right there on the inside, along the back... is what looks like a star, a little wobbly, but still firmly in there.

"I understand that, in your homeland, symbols can do a great deal," Dimitri says. "It is a little different in Fodlan, but... This is the crest of Blaiddyd. My family's Crest that, in even this way, I would like to share with you."

Grant would be the first to admit, his attention span can be... unpredictable. Which is probably how he ended up, after finding out about Ashe's upcoming birthday from Dimitri, making sure to get a gift as soon as possible, get it all wrapped up and ready. He's been missing so many people's birthdays, with how distracted he's been and how much has been going on, he wants to get that fixed!! And making sure to get Ashe something seems like a good place to start.

...Especially since, given Ashe's personality, he doesn't know how much to expect him to do for his own birthday.

And yet, after all that, Grant finds himself perking up when Ashe says that on the actual day, almost dropping the notepad he's been scribbling breeding plans on as he remembers that carefully prepared-ahead-of-time present.

He doesn't say anything as he darts out of the room, but he's back less than a minute later, carrying a rectangular box wrapped in silver paper. "Hey, actually, speaking of which - happy birthday, Ashe!"

Is this really such a surprise...? Dimitri supposes it could be. He knows he was caught off guard when people recalled his own birthday last year. For now, he lets Ashe have a moment to himself, just focusing on what he has baking.

"I once made an effort to recall everyone's birthdays, back when we attended school together," Dimitri says. "I suppose my efforts paid off, if I can still remember things properly after so many years. As for the thing at the table..." Dimitri resists the urge to fidget. "It is my attempt to make a gift for you, although I do not know how well it truly came out."

To his misfortune, Felix is probably very aware of Dimitri's Quiladin. After all, Dimitri first got him many months ago - all the way back when they were first making their way through the forest, to Goldenrod. Dimitri had picked up the scrappy little creature from the snow, and the evolution into a Quiladin had happened almost instantaneously.

But more noteworthy to Felix, probably, is that the Quiladin had gotten the name Hugo.

Noteworthy because of the embarrassment, probably, although Dimitri had kept quiet on the fact that Felix had no room to talk on the matter.

Still, one of the good things is that Hugo is a determined trainer and fighter, with the only thing in his way being that Dimitri has had to juggle a great deal of Pokemon to try and train them fairly. But still, they've made some effort at it...

And today, while the two of them are out training on their own while also together... Dimitri comes running back, a smile on his face. "Felix! Look at Hugo!"

Although maybe it's hard to hear him a little bit, with the heavy thudding footsteps of the massive shelled creature tromping after him.

A...a cape? for them?

Chip takes the coat when it's offered, staring dumbfounded when it's unfurled properly. The crest has their attention immediately, and when Dimitri explains what it is they look up at him in awe.

"You...made this for me?"

"Not on my own," Dimitri admits sheepishly, before chuckling. "I am not nearly a good enough tailor, although I tried to learn some things when I was younger." Hard to do when he breaks needles inbetween his fingers.

"So I had to enlist some help, especially in finding the right material, but... I made the design, and I sewed in my Crest. And look-" Reaching over, he nudges up some of the fur to reveal a few click-on buttons. "You can take off the sleeves."

One of the reasons he needed some help. That's a bit advanced for Dimitri.

Chip thumbs at the sleeve clasps in wonder, not hard enough to pop the buttons open, and it's a few moments before their shoulders go a little stiff and they throw themself at Dimitri, wrapping their arms around him in a very tight hug.

Words coming in a few moments, lads.

Ah. Dimitri wobbles a little bit, just from the surprise tackling of a child, before he smiles gently and wraps his arms around Chip in turn. He's going to take that as a sign he did that right, for all his lack of knowledge regarding magic.

"I'm glad you liked it," he says into Chip's hair.

"Y-you really..."

Chip sniffles, and scrubs their face against Dimitri's shirt, not wanting to let go. They know it's different where he's from, but that he's letting them wear his Crest--a symbol for his family, a symbol of their power, no less. Ritual or no, that's a powerful thing.

"I can wear it? It's okay?" He's really giving that right to them?

Claude gives Felix his most charming smile. "Well, sunshine," he says lightly, "if the shoe fits..."

He's borne witness to the Bellsprout argument. There isn't much in the way of competition or argument that Claude would put past Felix, no matter how stupid.

"And it's true that I might not win, but sometimes games are fun to play even if you don't win them. I think I've got a decent chance in terms of things done, though..." He winks. "And in terms of things I can challenge you guys on. There's some potential strategy you can use in this game, you know. So don't count me out just yet."

Of course, he is forced to drink at Felix's very first challenge, with a sigh. In a country with as much of a mounted tradition as Almyra, and where Claude in particular had taken some early risks with mounts he probably shouldn't have...well, it was inevitable. "Does that make it my turn now?" he asks, once he lowers his glass. "Because in that case...never have I ever been in a snowball fight."

He's pretty sure he just nailed every Faerghan. Possibly Grant and Dedue, too, if he's lucky.

"It is okay," Dimitri assures them, gently rubbing their back. For as long as they need or want to, they can cry against his shirt.

"If anything... I would be honored, and blessed, if you would accept it, Chip." And that word choice is very much intentional. Dimitri doesn't know a great deal about the kind of religion and life that Chip grew up with, before they were found by Grant... but he understands enough.

He understands they think themself evil, and bad luck.

Dimitri knows he can't change that with just a word, just a coat, not instantly at any rate. Still... He hopes even that slight drop adds up to something greater, one day.

Blessed. He says he'd be blessed, when they are what they are, when he knows what they are (and loves them, still loves them all the same). Chip's breath hitches and they bite back a sob, clinging to Dimitri and not trusting their voice for a minute or so.

"...I...I'll wear it every day!"

"You don't have to wear it when it gets too hot," Dimitri says, because he feels it's the proper adult thing to do. You know, make sure a child doesn't faint from heat exhaustion because they won't take off a coat. Children can be incredibly stubborn about such things.

He may or may not know this because he and Felix often do the kind of dumb shit they should have stopped doing as children.

"But that's why you can remove the sleeves, if you want." Maybe it will help. Maybe, with all the fur, it won't. Dimitri always wears his armor and cloak when traveling, so he's just succumbed to his fate. "I made it just a little bit larger than normal... I'm hoping that you'll grow into it, and be able to keep it longer."

Chip seems to be right at the age where they may start hitting some intense growth spurts... Best to be prepared. Dimitri recalls some of the newer castle tailors being quite vexed and exasperated when he and Dedue started hitting theirs, while the veterans seem merely resigned to it.

October Catch All

For Chip - around the anniversary

Ashe's birthday

1

Backdated to right after the last contest

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ii

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BACKDATED LIKE HELL god what is time - Felix, and his namesake

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