logs | (catchall / open)

[ he committed no crimes that would justify either the branding on his arm or the imprisonment that he now faced.

nonetheless, vincent came to the gallows without resistance or protest, aware that many of the other restless have been caught and arrested as well. he would be able to do more once inside than he would on the outside. his compliance was rewarded with less brutality than those who'd fought back.

besides, his shadow reminds him that he did shed blood last month, did he not? he spilt unnecessary blood when he could have very much used his own.

it had a good laugh when it noticed who he was confined with — the very one whose palm he'd cut. ]

How are you feeling? [ he ignores the question. ]

[ Even if he's only met him the one time, it's obvious that Vincent is a reserved man. Stoicism can intimidate some, but Dimitri's spent too much time side-by-side with Dedue to be affected by it; if anything, there's some small comfort in quiet people that can't be found in a bustling conversation.

And Vincent hadn't leapt at the first opportunity to attack Puck. Dimitri's inclined to believe he's a decent fellow. Which makes him frown, small and tight. ]

That is a rather obvious deflection...

[ Which he understands, because he employs the same tactic often. There's no need to masterfully weave into another topic when you can simply make it very clear you're shutting one down. He understands, and hypocritically, would rather not allow it. ]

That's because it was a deflection.

[ is that a vague smile? who knows, because his expression is as impassive as ever by the time he speaks his next words. ] They're imprisoning those who've spilt blood. [ he lowers his gaze to dimitri's hand. ] The only blood I've spilt was yours.

[ the hierarchy don't seem to be too picky about who they're rounding up. ]

Perhaps, I've committed a crime I'm not aware of. [ no need to feel bad about it. ]

[ Well! At least he's honest, even if all it earns is a faint look of exasperation on Dimitri's part.

One that morphs quickly into frustration, his hand clenched into a fist over the fading white scars on his palm, visible only because he's had his gloves taken away. ]

That was clearly at my behest, and for the good of everyone who travels the woods. I will explain this to the guards—if they've a single shred of decency amongst them, they'll let you free.

[ What would've happened if they hadn't fed the lantern? Besides, Dimitri requested it expressly. What crime is there to be judged? It strikes him in a pang of guilt, but also vivid, growing agitation. ] Even then, you shouldn't have to conjecture about this. [ They at least deserve to be told what they're being sentenced over—there's not a mote of justice in this entire system. He doesn't even expect that anything would change if he defended Vincent, though he'd try regardless. ]

No need.

[ he appreciates the willingness to speak on his behalf, but he doubts that the guards will be swayed. they didn't seem to care much for testimonies or else they wouldn't have rounded them all up and branded them like cattle. besides, he wouldn't have been caught by them if he hadn't wanted them to. ]

We'll get out of here. [ he's remarkably calm about all of this. ] When the time is right.

[ he doesn't plan to escape on his own without first freeing others. ]

[ Breaking out of jail hadn't been incredibly high on his priority list. Figuring out who actually deserved to be here was a separate issue; for how content (or at least calm) Vincent is about his situation, there's a bristling quality to Dimitri now that wasn't there before, his foot tapping briefly in impatience when his offer is gently declined. ]

And when will that be?

[ The guard here never care enough to listen in on their conversations; he's not worried about being overheard, even when asking after open rebellion. ]

When I get a better sense of their rotation.

[ he has been keeping track of the guards' movements — how many of them there are, how long it takes for them to cycle back to their cell and how often they change shifts. it's going to take some more time before he can get the schedule pinned down.

leaning back against the stone wall, vincent raises his right arm, coughing as quietly as he can into his elbow. he isn't too keen on what's happening to his body, given the peculiar affliction that has been spreading amongst the restless as of late.

he shouldn't be able to get sick, but... new worlds come with new rules. ]

[ Waiting, biding time, and acting with prudence isn't a bad idea; the guards are sloppy, but there's no sense in taking unnecessary risk. He sees as much and nods. ]

Then let me assist you.

[ Whenever there's an opening. It sounds like an offer, but verges on a demand. After, his brow furrows faintly. ]

...Though if you're feeling ill, I would urge swiftness.

[ This isn't a good place to be sick. And as muffled as the cough is, it clearly isn't as simple as a dry throat, not with how afflicted people have been as of late. He wouldn't be surprised to see some petals caught in the crook of Vincent's arm. ]

[ he can take care of the guards on his own, but he won't turn down such an adamant offer.

enough restless have been caught and imprisoned that it necessitates more than one helping hand. ]

I'm fine. [ he dismisses the concern readily. the illness won't impede on what he intends to do here. ] But you should keep your distance.

[ There's no telling exactly who "deserves" to be here or not; it's safer to help whoever they can for now, and that'll require some coordination. But for now, it's just the two of them, with Dimitri's mouth thinning into a line. ]

I can't stray very far regardless. And I don't get sick easily. So there's no reason to concern yourself.

[ The easy dismissal doesn't put him off, because he's quite possibly the most pigheaded person alive-dead. ]

How is your condition?

Keep your distance anyway.

[ it's better to be overtly cautious when it comes to an unknown disease, dimitri. ]

Mild cough. Nothing serious. [ nothing for anyone to be concerned over. ] How's your head?

[ Imagine being cautious with ones health. Couldn't be him. He keeps the chain's length away, but mostly out of consideration of Vincent's personal space than anything else, letting out a quiet sigh. ]

...It is fine.

[ A little tender, but he's had enough concussions to know this isn't serious. The more serious issue is, embarrassingly, that there's a crack in their cell where a tree's roots have pried into the moulding of the stone walls, vines and branches crawling across the ceiling. He keeps his gaze sharply averted, rubbing his temples to shield his eyes. ]

I wasn't expecting them to resort to such force without warning. I won't make the same mistake again.

[ fortunately for dimitri, vincent has yet to notice his apprehension towards the roots, instead positing his behavior as one that stems from his head injury. ]

Do you know why they came for you? [ he hasn't known the kid for long, but from what he has learned from observation thus far, he seems to be rather reckless and impulsive when his temper gets the best of him. traits that are susceptible to trouble's call. ]

[ Initially he shakes his head, staring at a particularly interesting spot on the ground before he frowns. ]

They didn't tell me, as it seems they told no one. But I can posit a guess. I have shed some blood since I arrived.

[ Between another run-in with Puck, and monsters here and there. In the dark of the woods, his Shadow had felt... empowered. But he won't sit and blame his darker half for all that he's done; they're two sides of the same coin, and a reason is not an excuse. ]

I'm willing to account for my actions. But that includes getting you out of here, as that blame lies with me as well. [ Even if recklessness is part of what got him in here, even if he isn't blameless, he's willing to act as necessary, when necessary, to right at least a fraction of the many wrongs committed here. ]

I made the decision to slice your palm when I could have used my own blood. The blame doesn't lie with you.

[ it was a well-intended act to salvage an unfavorable situation.

even if it was a result of dimitri's impulsiveness at the time, bloodshed for the sake of repairing a lantern is not due cause for punishment. ]

The Hierarchy are the ones who will have to answer to this.

[ Dimitri isn't blameless, even if Vincent is gracious about the situation. Still, he knows the core crux of the problem isn't on his head—that lies on the Hierarchy, and their decisions. ]

...At least we can agree on that.

[ That gives him some reason to want to escape, at least. ]

What will you do if you escape here? [ He doubts Vincent is as reckless as he is, not ready to charge up to the Hierarchy's doorstep and demand answers, but he's curious what his plan is all the same. ]

I suspect our sudden imprisonment is connected to the murders last month. Ten of their members were slain during the festival.

[ they wouldn't have taken such drastic measures otherwise, indiscriminately rounding up any restless who'd spilt even a drop of blood. ]

They most likely believe that the one responsible is among us. [ it's rather desperate and tactless, yet it seems befitting for a group in power that don't seem to hold much regard for those they lead. ] If my suspicions are— [ he pauses for a moment as he covers another round of coughs. ]

If they're correct, [ he clears his throat. ] then the opposition may be a group rather than an individual who has a vendetta against them and they're enough of a threat for the Hierarchy to respond in panic.

[ so what is he going to do? ]

I intend to look into it.

(catchall / open)

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