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[shootyourshot]

« ARROW.OF.JUSTICE » TEXT ✧ AUDIO ✧ VIDEO ✧ ACTION ASHE UBERT ✦ FIRE EMBLEM: THREE HOUSES
RESIDENCE ✦ Residency
GEMBOND ✦ Emerald

Ashe here! Sorry I missed you! Leave me a message please so I can get back to you.

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Video: done

[bottomless_bowl]

.... What?

[Utterly flabbergasted. What the fuck?]

[shootyourshot]

I don't think you're right about His Highness and the Professor at all. I think, in fact, you need to reexamine everything you know about other people. What motivates us. What makes us people. What we love, who we love.

And here, there isn't a war. You should remember that, too.

Good luck with everything, Claude. And maybe there'll be a time you decide that you can let people in more. And just know them as people.

[bottomless_bowl]

[The reply does, in fact, come a few days later.]

Okay I feel like I made you upset again and I can't figure out what I said to do that.

Making assumptions is part of what got things so messed up in the first place so instead of letting my brain twist it around even more I'm just... going to ask.

What did I do to make you upset?

[shootyourshot]

[Oh. Well, this is a pleasant surprise.]

Please let me say first that I'm actually really glad you're reaching out to get clarification. I wish I could emphasize that better over text, but please know I'm smiling. I'm really proud of you.

In any case, I was upset about a couple of things, but mostly your assertion about His Highness and the Professor just felt wrong to me. It's why I said you need to know others as people. That is, if you want to get closer to them. Quick assumptions might help for strategies, but if you want to befriend other people that's going to be a big mess, as we've both experienced.

I was also kind of upset by your first letter. I think I understand what you were trying to say, but it felt like you were looking for a way to not apologize. That's why I asked if you actually felt bad about any of it. I more or less get it now, but I was mad initially about that.

[bottomless_bowl]

[A little time curled up on Ferdinand is a miracle for emotional regulation, imagine that.]

I think maybe that's also a little bit of timelines confusing things. It was less Byleth and more... well... I think the people from my timeline have seen sort of the furthest extreme of where his Kingliness can go with his determination. In the worst possible way and I'm so glad he's not there anymore, not here at least. But it's... a bit of a different perspective?

Which isn't fair to our Dimitri, you're right. One more thing to add to the list.

I didn't think it was fair to ask your forgiveness when I had hurt you like that. That's why I didn't (and still don't) feel like I could apologize. It doesn't mean anything if it's only words and not actions.

[shootyourshot]

That's something I should keep in better mind. I can only imagine what he would have done if we didn't stick by him. More importantly, if the Professor wasn't there with him. The Professor is the kind of person who can bring out the best in people, despite all odds.

His Highness had a lot to work through. He still does, I think, but he has a chance to heal more here even if this place can muddle things up. Still, he is the kind of man who wants to do well by others. Those who need protection, those who need help. If not for him and the Professor, I'd always wondered if I'd have been at Ailell along with Sir Gwendal. What a mess that would have been, I bet.

Anyway. I understand what you're saying, but I still would have appreciated it at the time. However, I also won't rush you. This should be at your pace, and I can meet you there with that.

[bottomless_bowl]

Everyone keeps talking about taking some time to heal here. It's hard not to focus on the "what if"s though. Is it really worth it if it's just going to get you killed when we inevitably go home?

You being at Ailell with Gwendal was definitely a mess. I'm just glad you listened to Teach.

Thank you.

[shootyourshot]

If you think the worst about those "what ifs", then you aren't going to find the things worth celebrating. Most of us have been through the worst of it. Why not build something good out of it? There's no war here. We can make the best out of that.

I suppose if I were to listen to anyone, it would've been the Professor.

[bottomless_bowl]

That's.... a very optimistic outlook.

[That's it. That's all he can bring himself to say. Like... the very idea goes against everything he is.]

[shootyourshot]

If you go looking for nothing but darkest shadows, you're never going to find the sun. All I had once was focusing on the things I could do. The things I could get through to survive, and think about what made me happy.

It's hard. I know it is. But if I didn't, I'd... well, I'd probably be no better than any bandit we've ever killed.

[bottomless_bowl]

There have been a lot of times where planning for the absolute worst case scenario is the only reason I made it through something alive... it's really hard not to plan for the worst, even if I do hope things come out better than that.

[shootyourshot]

I'm not saying don't be prepared. I'm saying that you can also look forward to certain things. Bernadetta's smile, a good meal, tea with a friend. Even just simple things like that can be enough to keep someone going.

[bottomless_bowl]

I guess I'm just used to having so many things to do and plan for there's never really been time to dwell on little things like that.

[shootyourshot]

And how much planning do you really need to do here?

[bottomless_bowl]

I don't know if you want that answer and it's not one I'm giving over the net, even on a locked message.

[shootyourshot]

Yeah, I think maybe I don't.

But think about what I said, okay? The little things, they really do build up into a good foundation.

[bottomless_bowl]

I will try. I've got a list of things to try to keep in mind.