victory_road | Network | [Text] --> [Video] Enter the Professor

Entry tags:

Network | [Text] --> [Video] Enter the Professor

Greetings friends, my name is bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

there appears to be an issue with the key...

bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

I aaa.;iiiooo

[ The feed suddenly cuts on and you can see the sky, and a bit of minty green hair. Forgive him he's not fantastic with technology. ]

Hello- apologies. I am Byleth Eisner. I do hope this ah- this message finds you all well. I would like to possibly request a bit of help as I believe I may be slightly-

[ It shifts and you can finally see his face! Wait- no. That's an Espurr who's soul-piercing eyes strare into the camera. ]

Espurr!

Breakfast, please! I know you must be hungry, but once we find our way to civilization, I promise we can eat-

Wait- don't d- [ The last thing the video shows are some Espurr beans before the feed cuts. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah... Then I will do my best not to disappoint you.

[Which is honestly kind of stressful, all things considered... But at least around this time, there are a great many lunch places open, so he supposes this should be able to work out. Perhaps anything new...?]

[Oh, he has an idea. It is good that Cherrygrove is so close to a body of water, although Dimitri has never seen people fish, like...... normal fish. But it feels like normal fish, when he's eaten anything, so he's just going to trust that Johto isn't out to poison any of them.]

[That is why he goes over to a small sushi restaurant, the bell dingling as he opens the door to usher the Professor in. On one hand is clearly more of a dining room area, and a small bar where one can watch the sushi chefs make.... presumably, fish, although Dimitri has never been able to see their work properly.]

[Yet to the other side, nearer to the cash register, is a small cooler filled with various little boxes displaying fine rolls of sushi, and Dimitri gestures to them.]

Pick whichever you like, Professor. This style of food tends to use fish, and other sealife.

[Well, he presumes it's fish, but he doesn't... know...??]

Oh... would you look at that.

[ Oh yes. Fish. Real fish (allegedly). He leans over the cooler, eagerly examining all the options. ]

All of this looks delicious. How interesting to have it made up in such neat little bites. Do we order up here or should we sit down?

[ He's got the look in his eyes. The I'm-About-To-Eat-An-Uncomfortable-Amount-Of-Things look. ]

[Ah yes... His Professor's impressive appetite. He wonders how much of the funds from last time had gone to food...? Dimitri will never know, but he might know this time around.]

We could sit down and either eat the pre-prepared food they have here, or order things fresh. Of course, if we want to make good time traveling, taking things with us through the air may work out best, but...

[Nnnngh he can't resist his Professor]

I will oblige you however you wish, Professor.

Hmm. Well, it would make sense to take something to go with us but...

[ Look at those deadpan, sleepy looking eyes, Dimitri. ]

It has been so long since we have shared a proper meal together. Perhaps we can be quick about it? Is that all right?

It could be just like old times.

[Nnnnnnnngh, he can't resist the deadpan sleepy eyes]

I do suppose you deserve a break after such rigorous riding, Professor... Then, as you wish.

[Embodying the meaning of "whipped" and not even knowing it, Dimitri goes over to let the woman at the register know that they'd like a little booth for two, and the two of them are promptly taken over to a nice little booth that has a good view of the beach that Cherrygrove is often known for. Dimitri puts some of his packs down on the spare seating space besides him; Elshot can probably watch over the rest where he's waiting outside.]

[As the menus are placed down in front of him, Dimitri clasps his hands together and looks across the Byleth.]

Please, order whatever you like, Professor. The tea they have is not quite common to Fodlan, but, they do have variants of tea... And of course take whatever you would like to eat.

Ah, within reason... We still have more flying to do, after all.

[Don't get motion sick, Professor-]

[ He carefully looks over the menu as Dimitri explains. Right. Don't eat too much. That's a tall order for Byleth, and while he doesn't go for the heinous amount he would usually eat, he does definitely end up with several things.

The green tea is a new taste that he finds he quite likes. Sushi has quickly become a top-tier food in his book. It's like watching a slow-motion trainwreck the way he eats. He's not terribly rude but just the sheer volume he can put away and consider that 'moderation' is frightening by most standards.

As he's about to call it quits, he notices a small container at the side of the table.

Huh. What's that? It's green, it must be some kind of seasoning or something. Opening it, it comes with a small spoon inside. Interesting. It has an odd smell he can't quite place. Without any prompting, he takes a generous spoonful of it and just. Pops it in his mouth.

Hm.

... Ah. ]

I see.

[ He says this very calmly, but everything in his body is extremely unhappy right now. His face is bright red, and he's sweating bullets.

He has no choice. He calls on his Divine Pulse.

And nothing happens. Time doesn't stop or reverse, and his whole face is still on fire. He attempts again to the same effect, leaving him awkwardly clutching the table.

So this is it. This is his fate.

Turning to Dimitri, expression unchanging despite it all. ]

I am going to die.

[Even if it might be a ridiculous amount of food for someone, especially under their apparent restraint, Dimitri doesn't think twice about the different rolls of sushi and types of sashimi. It's nice to just... see the Professor enjoy himself.]

[Dimitri has felt that sort of thing often, since coming to Johto. Since seeing Annette skip about in a place where she doesn't have to worry about if she can form her magic in time. Since watching Felix smile on a beach, clad in Fraldarius teal and wedding happiness. Since laying against Claude, and listening to each other breathe gently.]

[He used to think that the war was all he would live through. That he would see it to its bitter and bloody end, and then, well, then that would be the end of him. What other future could he imagine?]

[So to see this kinder future play out, to see his dear companions able to be happy without any threat...]

[Lost as he is in the feeling of adoration and compassion for those he feels deserve better, Dimitri doesn't realize what Byleth is doing when he goes for the small container of wasabi. At least, he doesn't realize what's going on before it is far too late.]

Professor!

[OH NO OH NO OH NO]

[Dimitri promptly gets up, offering the tea to him frantically. He also remembers his experience with wasabi, although he hadn't quite swallowed a whole spoonful. Dimitri hadn't cared for the texture he suspect it would have, after all, not on its own. Thus, his experience had been a little more mild.]

Quick, drink! Ah, waiter, please, could we get some milk-!

[ This is probably not the first rodeo for the waitstaff because they do have milk on hand and one of them comes to provide Byleth with a few glasses, which he puts away in quick succession until finally at long last the sputtering and coughing stop, and his mouth is left with a numb tingling.

Fortunately, they are given a discount for the meal on account of Byleth's foolish decision to eat something that he didn't recognize. He's left no worse for the wear outside of perhaps a hatred for wasabi. Breathing a sigh as he deflates a little, stepping out into the cold air again. ]

Ah. Sorry about that, Dimitri. I ought to be more cautious. The meal was delicious though, so thank you for treating me.

I don't have much money here, but is there a way I could pay you back?

[Byleth is never going to get rid of him now, as Dimitri hovers over his shoulder even as he escorts him down the street. It looks as though he's recovered at least a little bit, but Dimitri is still worried about taking him out on Elshot so soon... Which is why he takes him into a small thrift store, with plenty of clothing that they can get which will surely help with the flight.]

It is fine... One could not have imagined wasabi would have such an effect if they did not know of it, and did not think to try it with small amounts first.

[Granted, other people don't just take giant spoonfuls of condiments to shove int heir mouths, but.... Dimitri guides Byleth over to where some pants are on display.]

Do not worry in the slightest about paying me back, Professor. Just getting to see you makes me glad beyond words.

[ Byleth is happy to take his arm. Does he need to? No. But he wants to, and so he's going to. It's been a long time and he can have a little physical contact, as a treat. It also lets him leech off more of Dimitri's warmth. ]

I'm not worried about it, I just want to. I like doing things for you. [ A soft amused huff. ] Seeing me truly makes you that happy? Well. The feeling is mutual, and if I have anything to say about it, you'll be seeing a lot of me now.

[ It's easy to find things that fit him here thankfully, and he comes away with a few changes of clothes. More modern and basic, but he's happy to change into them in favor of the elaborate archbishop garb. The sweater though, remains on his person as they leave. He looks a fair bit more cozy at least, and he lets himself lean on the man a little more now that he's settled, starting to feel just how tired he really is from the whole ordeal. ]

[Of course seeing the Professor always makes him feel happy.... Well. Perhaps that is a slight exaggeration; there are circumstances where nothing gave him any real pleasure or joy.]

[Yet right now, in a state of mind where he isn't haunted by his own failures and the voices of what he thought were his loved ones...]

[He really is absolutely happy to see Byleth.]

[That can't be something that blinds him, however. As Dimitri carefully observes Byleth while his professor leans against him, he can't help but notice that Byleth still feels a bit unsteady. He thought that food and warm clothes would perk him up again, but... Well, it really is a lot to take in. Dimitri knows that, objectively, even if it never really hit him in the same way.]

[Then again, he can also barely remember his first few days along Route 29.]

Professor... I was hoping to get us to the central city in Johto, where you could rest and recuperate.... Do you think you would be able to rest properly, if we kept flying? I could get you some headphones, to help block out the sound of the wind, and we did get a scarf that could wrap around your face well enough... I am certain that, if you rode in front of him, I could keep you on Elshot quite securely.

But... I do not want to push you if you feel unwell, or are not confident in such a thing.

[ Ahh Dimitri. The questions earn him a soft, fond look from the professor. ]

Dimitri, please. I'm fine. I've got gone soft just yet. [ The admonishment, if one could even call it that, is mostly mild amusement, and he nudges the man faintly. ] You don't need to fuss over me. I'm just a little sleepy, that's all.

I'm sure I can rest fine while we fly... but I will take you up on riding in front. If I do end up nodding off. I'm sure you wouldn't let me fall. I trust you.

[ He nods firmly. ] I've been through quite a bit worse than being a touch sleepy.

Edited 2022-01-09 05:04 (UTC)

Even so.... I do not want you to go through anything bad, Professor.

[It doesn't matter if Byleth has been through worse. Dimitri only wants him to be happy.... There should never again be hardship on the Professor's path. Especially not if he can actually help against it, instead of making it worse.]

[At least, with the time spent eating and shopping, Elshot has recovered more than well enough for another bout of flying. Dimitri makes sure that Byleth is perfectly prepared right there in front of him, making sure he's braced solidly inbetween his arms. Maybe this would have been better if he'd brought another flier to take Byleth, but... It feels more secure to keep him on the same creature like this.]

[It really is a good thing that they stopped off to get some warmer clothes. Combined with the season and the high elevation, it's rather freezing up in the sky. Even for Byleth, maybe that is something difficult to deal with, combined with all the other new experiences that come with having a real heart.]

[Fortunately, they don't have to be in the air constantly. For bathroom breaks, or anything else, Dimitri makes sure they get back down to the ground here and there. He also switches out Elshot for a different Pokemon at some point - Adarllwchgwin, a large Altaria whose cloud-like body doesn't seem as sturdy as it actually is. And he's just as capable of carrying all the packs as Elshot was, too.]

[Dimitri is more than happy to let Byleth sleep for most of the way there, if he can manage it... but there is one thing that he wants to show them, as they draw ever nearer to the bustling hub that is Goldenrod. And so, eventually, with the night having drawn over them from the long flight, he gently nudges Byleth to make sure he's awake.]

[....Even if that gentleness is a little ruined by how loudly he has to speak over the sound of rushing wind.]

Professor! Look! We're reaching Goldenrod City!

[And at night... The city is aglow. Felix once complained about it, when they had to stay in the hotels there, and then with Jane, that it made the city seem like it was day, and that it was frustrating to deal with.]

[Dimitri sort of agrees, honestly... While it is a city of convenience and amazement in many ways, all the light sometimes put him on edge - both for having too much light, and for casting too much shadows.]

[Being stalked by fangirls who thought they were in a boyband probably didn't help the experience.]

[But from a distance, high up in the air, seeing the city glitter like a jewel....]

[It's incredible.]

[ The trip is actually quite pleasant besides the chill. Still, Dimitri is like a furnace to him, so being neatly tucked up against him proves to be the perfect remedy. And a bit of a sedative. He likes being able to feel someone breathe against him. Feel a heartbeat. An assurance that Dimitri is there and he's alive and safe. An odd kind of thing, but something that brings solace. After you have watched someone die countless times, it becomes tiring for the soul. Having that assurance is more than enough to lull him. He sleeps with his head tucked up against the man's neck, sleeping off and on as they take breaks and occasionally waking up to hide his nose from the cold.

He does wake when Dimitri nudges him, becoming more alert at the exclamation. It takes a moment for his eyes to focus, but he does see below them a glittering sea of lights. ]

Oh!

Oh... that's beautiful. It looks like stars. What's it like?

[ He'd like to see it sometime, but right now he's quite cozy right where he is. Dimitri is... well. It's Dimitri. Who wouldn't want to be snuggled against this man? ]

Are we far off now? I'm not sure how long I've been asleep.

[ Especially when it's off and on like that, though it does leave him feeling at least a little more rested. ]

How are you feeling by the way? Not too tired or worn out I hope?

Edited 2022-01-10 00:38 (UTC)

Always active, even in the dead of night! It is amazing! [But Byleth can see for himself in just a little while, because-] We will be landing in only a few more minutes, Professor!

[And, well... They can finish the rest of the questions when they're on the ground.]

[Despite how bustling it is, however, and how vibrant the nightlife, it's clear to see that Johto is built for Pokemon and those who work alongside them. The main streets and roads all seem more than wide enough for large Pokemon - especially when they're coming in for a landing. One of the most secure places tends to be around the Pokecenters, which is where Dimitri lands at long last.]

There... I am used to such long journeys now, Professor, so you have no need to worry. [He adjusts his hair, trying to see if he can get feeling back in his ears. They really do feel freezing...] I wonder if it's too late for me to go to the Christmas Market... Ah, that doesn't matter.

[Dimitri shakes his head.]

It would probably be for the best if we rented a room here in the city, Professor, and then continued on in the morning. Even if we could both handle it, you would feel better this way.

Although... You will want to go inside the Pokecenter first. Do you recall the place where I had you place the Pokegear, back in Cherrygrove?

[Because Dimitri absolutely made sure to log into the warp pad there for the Professor's convenience, even if it might be a while until they'd ever get to Violet...]

Oh! [ So they are. It is even more impressive close up it seems, and Byleth's eyes are wide as he takes in all the glowing lights and bustling activity, so many different kinds of Pokemon to see, too.

He notices Dimitri trying to warm his ears. Rubbing his hands together he places them over each in a small bid to help. ]

Christmas Market? I would like to see it as well. I have rested, so if you would like to go then I will gladly accompany you.

[ Once he's satisfied that Dimitri's ears have been sufficiently warmed, he stands back to look around again. What a fascinating place. ]

Ah, yes. A good night's sleep would do well for the both of us. Have you been sleeping well lately, by the way? Are you still having the night terrors and insomnia?

[ A question he doesn't strange to ask, after many of their talks back home, often late at night, and the sounds that would come from his chambers sometimes into the early hours... though he does nod to Dimitri in regards to the question of his Pokegear. ]

Ah, yes I do.

[Dimitri, honestly, isn't expecting to be touched. It's just something that he's so used to - dealing with his problems himself, ignoring minor little physical issues like this until he can just get somewhere else. Even with his lovers, and his travel group as a whole, it's something he's too in the habit of.]

[But it seems right as he's most unaware... that Byleth moves, those gentle hands coming to rest up over his.]

[They're warm. So warm. No doubt a result of not having to hold tightly onto the reins like Dimitri did, to help keep control of Elshot and stay on the Pidgeotto's back, but instead able to have the luxury of keeping them tucked away from the harsh wind. They're warm... and Dimitri can almost hear the pounding of Byleth's heart again, right up against his ears.]

[Frozen in place, he almost doesn't realize what Byleth has actually said for a moment, before he jolts a bit.]

Ah - yes, of course. If you would like. I can explain the holiday on the way... But, ah, you should go in, and check your Gear in with the warp pad.

[So that Dimitri can just... recover from this. And his own stupid fluttering heart.]

Oh yes. I'll be right back. [ And just like that he's off to the Pokemon center to do his check in. It only takes a few minutes before he's back, looking plenty lively again after the rest. Now, out of habit mostly, he takes Dimitri's arm in his own again. ]

Now. Tell me of this holiday as we go, won't you? [ Perhaps he is being a bit clingy, but it's just been so long. A year that felt like a lifetime. The constant full days and starkly quiet nights. He had told them he would visit Fhirdiad as soon as he could, but neither of them were ever not gratingly busy. Things needed attending to, and people needed organizing. That's just how it went. He just never imagined he would be drowning in people but still feel so lonely. He'd never needed for much before... but before there was always his father. Always. His father and often the other mercenaries. Not a conventional family, but it had been enough.

Now he feels this cloying, desperate want to be around all of them as much as possible. The undercurrent fear of having it ripped away again in the back of his mind, always. He must get as much as he can while he can. That... and knowing in the grand picture of it all, he will eventually be without them forever.

His grip on Dimitri's arm tightens a moment before he gives one of his gently vacant looks up to him again. ]

Christmas, was it? Yes, let me hear all about it.

Edited 2022-01-10 03:50 (UTC)

[Oh, okay - they're still doing this. Well, Dimitri supposes it only makes sense. It's been a long flight, and the Professor has had quite a day already. Just being transported into another world once again would be incredible... But to feel one's own heartbeat for the first time?]

[Well, he's gone through quite a lot. Dimitri tries to remember this, and not how warm Byleth's hands had felt along his ears, and brushing along his jaw.]

It is a winter holiday... [fucking obviously] People here celebrate the good done throughout the year, and how much they appreciate those around them that they love and adore. The most common way this is done is through an exchange of gifts.

Ah, but of course, the most incredible aspect of it all is the present of a saint called Santa Claus! [As they make their way through the busy city streets, all of it swept up in holiday chores and fun, Dimitri perks up excitedly.] He is an unbelievable man that continues to thrive to this day, judging what good people have done in the year. If you have been good, then he rewards you justly with gifts left for you in the middle of the night!

Through him, I was able to gift Felix something wondrous!

[ The description also perks Byleth right up too. He listens with rapt attention. Well, it's no more or less believable than anything else that has happened here so far. It sounds downright splendid. ]

What a wonderful holiday. I would like to participate if it's not too late- hmm. I will think about gifts for everyone... that sounds like fun. To be able to show everyone how much I appreciate them.

[ A nice way to settle in, he thinks. Being able to gift things to the people he loves. He's never had much of a way with words, but perhaps this will show them better, just how much he cares. ]

So this saint- do we get to meet him? How does he calculate goodness? How does he get in if you have your door locked? Surely that's a lot of people to visit in one night. Where does he procure all the gifts? Was Felix truly that well behaved?

[ All very important questions, here. He seems very invested in this though, intent on understanding. ]

I am sure that anyone would be glad to receive anything from you, Professor! Although, ah, even with the kind of deals that merchants will give during this season - [Merchants all over all love holidays, it seems, no matter the world.] - it may prove to be an expensive endeavor... Please let me know if you encounter any difficulty whatsoever.

[He knows that just accepting money from him would no doubt put Byleth in an awkward position, and make him feel even more indebted to him... But surely there have to be other ways he can help Byleth get what he'd like.]

[Even if all the other questions make him tilt his head to the side, trying to think carefully on the answers.]

Ah... I did not know it at the time that I met him, but apparently it is quite a rare occasion... The only reason he showed himself to us in the last year was because he required our help in fending off a group of bandits that sought to ruin such a joyous occasion. [To heck with Team Rocket.] And I can promise you that Felix was very good in regards to that!

[Probably? Dimitri admits that some of his memories are once again not as helpful as they could be... He got rather worked up during it all, especially when he came upon Sylvain being injured, even if Sylvain had simply hurt himself in running about. But... Felix had gone with them all.]

[So Felix had definitely been good.]

For how he decides on when someone has been good enough, or where he gets gifts, or makes the journey... I am not entirely sure. He had told me magic exists, but... It must surely be a different type of magic than what we know of in Fodlan.

...and no doubt his Palien companions helped.

[All things are possible though Psychic type Pokemon, so jot that down-]

I will, but I intend to make my own way when it comes to gifts. It wouldn't do to have you buy your own. [ He gives Dimitri a playful nudge. ] I will be fine, I promise. But you are appreciated nonetheless.

[ He listens carefully, indeed... what a perplexing turn of events. Especially Felix being well behaved. ]

Oh- that sounds terribly exciting. I wish I could have been there for it. Though I hope this year is more peaceful at any rate.

Hmm, well I shall endeavor to be awake for when he comes then. I intend to ask him a great deal of questions. I assume he will be coming to visit you and the rest of our friends? [ Because you are a Good Boy. ]

[ He watches a large group of people pass, chatting amongst themselves, awash in all the multicolored lights of the city and shops with holiday displays all decked out in the front windows. One catches his attention, and he grabs Dimitri's hand, pulling him over to it with him.

It's a toy shop, many different kinds of Pokemon plushes and toys arranged in the window, posed in little snowy scene. The thing that had caught his attention now clear as he points, breath fogging up the glass a little. ]

Look, Dimitri- it's Elshot!

[ There's a very nicely made Pidgeotto plush standing proudly with a little Christmas hat and scarf around it's neck. He seems pleased as punch for correctly identifying it. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Network | [Text] --> [Video] Enter the Professor

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject