victory_road | Arrival; [Video]

The gear's feed flickers in to a rather disheveled looking redhead that clearly doesn't want to be doing this. Because goddess and all the saints, he does not want to be doing this. Asking for help is already a task. Asking for help within a brand new world he cannot even begin to comprehend? Nightmare scenario. He's clearly lost and disoriented, and there's music and a fire pony following him around. Really, the only good thing is the fire pony- ponyta- whatever.

"Okay, don't know what this is, where this is going, or who's on the other end, but I can read instructions well enough to get to this point. Hi, Sylvain here, no clue where I am besides a very unhelpful 'New Bark Town' sign a few paces back, and I found a horse on fire. A baby horse, err, or maybe a pony. So... help? Maybe? I'm not even sure what I'm asking here."

And the apparent cause of how much of a mess his red locks are becomes obvious as he sweeps a hand through it again like a nervous tick. Behind him, the camera is panned just enough for a ponyta to be seen running obviously bored laps back and forth. They're pretty clearly at the edge of town, the buildings of New Bark still somewhat visible. Sylvain didn't make it very far...

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A being. Not a person, not someone, but a being. Hm. He'd started to grow tired of beings and their whims a long time ago. Just another one he'll likely quietly hide his cynicism for... Arceus, huh?

"It's fine, some kind of answer is better than nothing. I appreciate it." Sylvain draws in a breath, and settles himself down before he lets it bother him too much. His gaze is a bit clearer after a moment, and he flashes Dedue an easy smile. "I'm glad nobody separated, and that I won't have to sleep under a tree. Everyone so far seems so... at home here. It gets better then?"

He doesn't know why he's asking it. He almost feels a little childish. Asking another grown man for vague reassurance, but, well- it is a lot. There's been so much input, so much stimuli.

A being. Apparently a being that exists and has been seen by people within recent memory, though Dedue refrains from trying to attach any other connotations to it other than acknowledging its confirmed presence. But, on to more important matters than the machinations of a mutated space llama.

"This place is a kinder world than what we are used to."

That's a low bar to pass, perhaps, since they'd spent the past five years locked in brutal war, but the fact remains that they're in a much gentler place than Fodlan. No wars, far less suffering than in even the most prosperous years in their world. It was a lot to get used to at first, between the culture shock and the... strange phenomena, but Dedue is confident that Sylvain will acclimatize, given the opportunity.

"The others have also been here for quite some time and have been able to adjust to this place and its oddities. I am the most recently arrived before you, and I have had four months to grow accustomed," he says. "Things will get better, and you are not alone."

And that's what will make it easier-- Sylvain has friends here that he can rely on, who will look out for him until he doesn't feel like he's been tossed into the metaphorical deep end.

The bar is basically at ground level, but Sylvain's grateful for even a brief reprieve. At least it's a relief the others have managed to blend in. Social chameleon that he can be, Sylvain's put at ease by the idea that maybe it doesn't have to be awful all the time. Maybe he'll have a chance to actually blend into a world that isn't constantly on fire, or feels like it is, anyway.

Sylvain breathes out a quiet sigh.

"Thanks, Dedue. Seriously," he says, and settles a hand on the back of his neck to idly rub at the tense muscle there. There is genuine comfort to be taken in someone as sturdy as Dedue, especially when life feels like it's constantly try to come out from under you. Or drop you in an alternate universe, whichever. "I'll be glad to see you and everyone else in person again."

"Of course, Sylvain."

Dedue could hardly leave Sylvain floundering in this strange world until Felix showed up to fetch him, after all. When he had arrived, Dedue hadn't had anyone who explained these things to him-- a fact that's mostly his own fault, since he spent the first week of his arrival on a cross-country march to Dimitri, believing it to be simpler and more appropriate to literally walk five hundred miles than to make a call. Also, he wasn't very good with the Pokegear technology then.

What's important right now, though, is making sure that Sylvain is informed enough to begin acclimatizing as painlessly as possible. Dedue would be a poor compatriot if he didn't facilitate that to the best of his ability.

"I shall be very glad to see you as well, and so will the rest of us. Is there anything else that I might answer for you before Felix arrives?"

It's a pretty safe bet that Felix is going to be flying out to get him as soon as he saw Sylvain's message on the network; he's probably already on his way.

"No, no- well, not yet anyway. I don't think I can handle any more information for today. I'm sure I'll still be as hopelessly lost tomorrow." The redhead leans his head into his hand, and if it was anyone other than Sylvain, he might have looked sheepish.

"This is all kind of a lot, which I'm sure isn't news to you in the slightest. Also seeing everyone through a device just makes me miss you guys all of a sudden. I'd rather bombard you with questions when I can actually see your ever-so-smiley face." Yeah, not sheepish anymore at all. He's grinning about the obvious tease instead.

Ah, Sylvain is teasing him. Well, if he's gotten over his shock enough to do that, he's well on his way to a full recovery. He'll be back to normal by the time Felix brings him along home.

"Very well. I am forewarned."

Truly, he wouldn't mind even if Sylvain did bombard him with questions the moment he stepped foot through the door. He's fond of Sylvain, despite his antics; it will be good to have him around again.

"Is there anything that you would like for me to have ready for you when you arrive?"

Food, maybe, or a hot cup of tea.

"Well, if you're offering I definitely wouldn't say no to a cup of bergamot tea." Really, what is more soothing than tea on a day like this? Byleth really did condition him to it as a cure for poor moods and a compliment to celebration. He's really not sure which he's dealing with more. Probably an even balance of both. For all the reasons he didn't suspect would ever be a thing: like winning a war, or getting teleported a world he has no memory of.

Whatever, he'll call it just a necessity to normalcy for now. Anything familiar is a comfort at this point.

Of course-- as was customary whenever something stressful has occurred, Sylvain requests a cup of tea. Bergamot, as is his usual preference. It's an easy and simple request, and one that Dedue would be glad to provide for him.

"I will be sure to have a pot ready for you."

And, of course, some small snacks to accompany it, because one cannot have tea without something to eat, as well. And after a few rounds of cooking lessons with Sylvain, he has a pretty good idea of the kinds of things that he likes.

"Are you comfortable where you are? I understand that it will be several hours before His Highness and Felix can reach you. If you require something, I may be able to arrange for a delivery."

Sylvain looks around. Well, he's not far from some kind of trail. There's a lot of trees, and he's sitting nestled in the roots of one. It's fairly brisk out, but that doesn't bother him much. All things considered, being lost in the woods in a new world may be the most comfortable he's been in awhile.

"Heh, yeah," he says after a moment, and nods. "Yeah, I'm as cozy as I can be. Besides, I've got her here too." He gets his arm around his ponyta, and she snuggles up against his side just in frame. "She's pretty warm. Fire, y'know. And don't worry about it, I promise I'm alright. Heh, sweet of you to fuss over me though. You haven't done that in awhile- err, in my time anyway."

Arrival; [Video]

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