Yes, on purpose. From what we were told and what we've seen of those who were brought here before us, shifting and eventually permanent transformation is all but inevitable. It may be wise to be prepared. It's unlike learning how to wield a sword or cast a spell. It is a skill and a tool, and we aught to be proficient at it.
Of course, I'd like to see it. I'm curious.
And I'd rather train with a partner rather than alone. I'll bring my spear, perhaps we can spar as well.
There is a large open field in the city with a few trees scattered throughout. I've seen others engaging in some kind of sport I didn't recognize there. I've also seen some augmented using the area to shift in. I think that would be a fine place. Or, if you'd prefer, we could venture outside the city. We should not need to go far.
[And then the silence starts to stretch as Dimitri clearly struggles with trying to hang up. First, fighting to get the screen to wake up, and then struggling to figure out how to end their communication. He finally manages to end the call, though.
A little less than an hour has passed when there's a knock on Dedue's door. Dimitri has foregone his armor and opted for clothing alone - more than adequate for some training and, eventually, a trial shift. He'd also brought along the plain lance that he'd ended up with in place of his relic. Again, it was perfect for practice.]
[Dedue hears the silence and gives Dimitri a hint for how to end the call before he hangs up. Then, he goes to don his armour, but realizes... Well, he won't need it once he shifts. He's at a loss for what to do with himself, so he gets dressed in looser-fitting clothing and polishes his axe while he waits for the knock.
He steps out promptly. Stifles the urge to make a formal greeting.]
Hello, Dimitri.
[A faint smile tugs his lip as he closes his door, bringing his shiny axe along. Karterians don't seem to like it much when you brandish a weapon in the streets, but he wants to see what wielding it is like while shifted. It's strapped to his back in a way he hopes is less threatening.]
How has your day been, aside from the frustrations of the Syntrofos?
Not a bad-looking axe you have there. Did you arrive with it, or did you procure it here?
[He doesn't remember seeing it on Dedue, but he'd been so out of it the day they'd arrived that it easily could've slipped his notice. But if he had bought it here, knowing where a weaponsmith was couldn't hurt.]
Fairly uneventful. I took my usual walk... And then couldn't resist a nap in mid-morning sun.
It is mine, from home. Once I arrived and checked into my room, it was waiting there for me. I suppose they do not want to give us weapons right away, understandably.
[Some people probably wake up here pretty upset, and disoriented besides. He could easily see the staff being attacked.
The corner of his mouth quirks ever-so-slightly at the mention of a sun-nap. He can't resist teasing.]
Ah, the very same with this. [He says, motioning with his lance. At least he knows better than to try to twirl it while still in the hotel hallway.] And you are probably right. [He chuckles softly at the thought of a bunch of them arriving with weapons. No... keeping the weapons from them until they'd at least gotten to the hotel was a much safer option.]
What?! No. Come now. You can't tell me that you don't sometimes nod off while reading in the sun. It's hardly my fault that the chair was comfortable and the sun was perfectly warm. [He's mostly teasing, but also feeling a little sheepish. He's still not sure what to think about these changes, and he certainly wasn't ready to embrace them just yet.]
It's not far to the park. [He offers up as they step outside, and he leads the way. It's a spot he often visits.] How are you feeling about potentially shifting? [The audio-only conversation had left him lacking in the details he felt he could only pick up while having a face-to-face conversation with Dedue. Even now, he glances in Dedue's direction, curious and trying to pick up on his many unspoken cues.]
[Dedue smiles faintly at the thought of Dimitri falling asleep like that. It's cute.]
I suppose. Where did you sleep?
[In a chair... He's glad Dimitri is getting more sleep, but hopes he did not leave himself too vulnerable by falling asleep in public.
He falls into step with Dimitri, taking his familiar place by his side.]
Hm... The first time I saw my corruption, I was quite disturbed. But now that I know what it is, I think it will be good to see what power it could bring.
[Damn. He hadn't thought Dedue would so quickly put two and two together and immediately realize he likely hadn't nodded off for his cat nap in his room, as there weren't really any chairs in there.]
Ah. Well. The common room of the Valentia. Some of their chairs are very comfortable. [He doesn't mention safety. He doesn't need to. No doubt Dedue was already thinking about it.]
Unfortunately, as... unnatural as our natural souls feel, they are a part of us now. The way I see it, we have three options: try, in my opinion, uselessly, to fight our natural soul, ignore it, or embrace it. All of that to say, I'm also keen to see what power these souls hold.
[They pass into the park, some parts of it busy, especially around a fountain and benches, but as they make their way further from the landscaped portion, the park becomes mostly empty.] I think this would be a good spot, don't you? [A nice open field dotted with a few trees.]
[Dimitri turns away, feigning some interest in the treeline in order to hide his sheepish, but very amused smile as Dedue corrects himself, but does exactly as expected. Not only is it nice to hear him say his name, it's also strangely nice to have someone mother-hen him. While Dedue is probably someone who treats him with more respect than anyone else, he's also one of the only people who worries over him enough to scold him.]
That's hardly necessary, Dedue. The hotel is a safe enough place.
[He stabs the spear into the ground and glances around, seemingly satisfied when he doesn't see anyone else either.]
I'm not sure. The times I've somewhat shifted have been during times of danger and high stress, but there must be a way to do so without the need to put ourselves in danger. And... And our clothing does not shift with us, correct? [His face flushes slightly at what that means.] If you'd like to go first, perhaps go behind a tree? I can keep watch to make sure no one is around.
[His brow furrows deeper. He knows it is irrational to expect the sort of threats there would be in Fodlan toward the crown Prince of Faerghus when they are not in Fodlan and Dimitri is not known here as a Prince. Still, it makes him uncomfortable to think of his friend laying out in a public place so defenselessly.]
I would still like to watch over you.
[He flushes pink as Dimitri suggests he undress. Out here, in the park.]
Ah...
[He stares at the treeline, assessing the cover it provides, and who is around. They are alone, for now.]
Alright.
[He marches into the thicket of trees, meandering back until he finds a place of sufficient cover. His heart thudding like he's doing something illegal, he undresses and places his clothes as neatly on the ground as he can in his haste.
A few minutes later, Dimitri will see a ten-foot tall suit of armor lumber out of the trees. His steps are heavy and somewhat clumsy. He looks down at his hands... How strange. All his senses feel dulled, his emotions steady and calm despite how new and bizarre this is.
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On purpose? I suppose I would to protect you or others, but...
[He's a little afraid of what he will become, if what he is in Kelesis isn't even the full shift.]
You want to see it?
[Oh. Dimitri with the tail and ears of a lion... That sounds... Unfortunately adorable.]
Perhaps we could test it with each other.
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Of course, I'd like to see it. I'm curious.
And I'd rather train with a partner rather than alone. I'll bring my spear, perhaps we can spar as well.
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[These are powers they have been given. He should learn to wield it well so he can protect Dimitri.]
Very well. Where do you prefer to train?
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Would you be ready in an hour or so?
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Certainly. Knock on my door when you are ready.
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[And then the silence starts to stretch as Dimitri clearly struggles with trying to hang up. First, fighting to get the screen to wake up, and then struggling to figure out how to end their communication. He finally manages to end the call, though.
A little less than an hour has passed when there's a knock on Dedue's door. Dimitri has foregone his armor and opted for clothing alone - more than adequate for some training and, eventually, a trial shift. He'd also brought along the plain lance that he'd ended up with in place of his relic. Again, it was perfect for practice.]
no subject
He steps out promptly. Stifles the urge to make a formal greeting.]
Hello, Dimitri.
[A faint smile tugs his lip as he closes his door, bringing his shiny axe along. Karterians don't seem to like it much when you brandish a weapon in the streets, but he wants to see what wielding it is like while shifted. It's strapped to his back in a way he hopes is less threatening.]
How has your day been, aside from the frustrations of the Syntrofos?
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[He doesn't remember seeing it on Dedue, but he'd been so out of it the day they'd arrived that it easily could've slipped his notice. But if he had bought it here, knowing where a weaponsmith was couldn't hurt.]
Fairly uneventful. I took my usual walk... And then couldn't resist a nap in mid-morning sun.
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[Some people probably wake up here pretty upset, and disoriented besides. He could easily see the staff being attacked.
The corner of his mouth quirks ever-so-slightly at the mention of a sun-nap. He can't resist teasing.]
You really are becoming a cat.
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What?! No. Come now. You can't tell me that you don't sometimes nod off while reading in the sun. It's hardly my fault that the chair was comfortable and the sun was perfectly warm. [He's mostly teasing, but also feeling a little sheepish. He's still not sure what to think about these changes, and he certainly wasn't ready to embrace them just yet.]
It's not far to the park. [He offers up as they step outside, and he leads the way. It's a spot he often visits.] How are you feeling about potentially shifting? [The audio-only conversation had left him lacking in the details he felt he could only pick up while having a face-to-face conversation with Dedue. Even now, he glances in Dedue's direction, curious and trying to pick up on his many unspoken cues.]
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I suppose. Where did you sleep?
[In a chair... He's glad Dimitri is getting more sleep, but hopes he did not leave himself too vulnerable by falling asleep in public.
He falls into step with Dimitri, taking his familiar place by his side.]
Hm... The first time I saw my corruption, I was quite disturbed. But now that I know what it is, I think it will be good to see what power it could bring.
And you?
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Ah. Well. The common room of the Valentia. Some of their chairs are very comfortable. [He doesn't mention safety. He doesn't need to. No doubt Dedue was already thinking about it.]
Unfortunately, as... unnatural as our natural souls feel, they are a part of us now. The way I see it, we have three options: try, in my opinion, uselessly, to fight our natural soul, ignore it, or embrace it. All of that to say, I'm also keen to see what power these souls hold.
[They pass into the park, some parts of it busy, especially around a fountain and benches, but as they make their way further from the landscaped portion, the park becomes mostly empty.] I think this would be a good spot, don't you? [A nice open field dotted with a few trees.]
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[In his haste to scold him, he slips. He clears his throat and corrects himself, but is still scolding.]
Dimitri. You should not fall asleep in public like that. It leaves you vulnerable to nefarious acts.
[Even if violence isn't as commonplace here as it is in Faerghus, that doesn't mean there aren't pickpockets.]
Please at least call on me to watch over you, if you would like to sleep there.
[Clearly, Dimitri didn't need to mention safety. In any case, they're coming to their destination.
He's a little more self-conscious than Dimitri is, so he's relieved when they reach an area where there are no onlookers. He nods.]
Yes. How do we shift? Just... Close our eyes and think about it?
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That's hardly necessary, Dedue. The hotel is a safe enough place.
[He stabs the spear into the ground and glances around, seemingly satisfied when he doesn't see anyone else either.]
I'm not sure. The times I've somewhat shifted have been during times of danger and high stress, but there must be a way to do so without the need to put ourselves in danger. And... And our clothing does not shift with us, correct? [His face flushes slightly at what that means.] If you'd like to go first, perhaps go behind a tree? I can keep watch to make sure no one is around.
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[His brow furrows deeper. He knows it is irrational to expect the sort of threats there would be in Fodlan toward the crown Prince of Faerghus when they are not in Fodlan and Dimitri is not known here as a Prince. Still, it makes him uncomfortable to think of his friend laying out in a public place so defenselessly.]
I would still like to watch over you.
[He flushes pink as Dimitri suggests he undress. Out here, in the park.]
Ah...
[He stares at the treeline, assessing the cover it provides, and who is around. They are alone, for now.]
Alright.
[He marches into the thicket of trees, meandering back until he finds a place of sufficient cover. His heart thudding like he's doing something illegal, he undresses and places his clothes as neatly on the ground as he can in his haste.
A few minutes later, Dimitri will see a ten-foot tall suit of armor lumber out of the trees. His steps are heavy and somewhat clumsy. He looks down at his hands... How strange. All his senses feel dulled, his emotions steady and calm despite how new and bizarre this is.
He looks to Dimitri for his reaction.]