[ Claire can appreciate the note of wonder in his voice; she's met people from all sorts of places by now, and it's always a surprise to know what their home worlds have in common. ]
That we do, though we call it Earl Grey tea. There was a Prime Minister once, and it was his all he drank to the point it's what he was known for more than his politics. 'Bergamot' doesn't exactly roll off the tongue and so, the tea was named after him. It's one of my favorites, especially to add other things to.
[ She's pleased that he's happy with it and sits with him contently to chat. ]
There's nothing wrong with a bit of good-natured rivalry. Is it a battle of wits, then? Forgive me; I haven't asked Hilda much of this because we tend to get ourselves into conversations that veer in directions I didn't anticipate.
[ Claire says that with a fond smile, taking a sip of her tea. ]
Well, I guess if he had to be known for something, there's worse things to be remembered for. [ His tone is a little dry at that, because boy does he know that firsthand.
He moves to sit with her, easily cradling the teacup and taking a sip. Enjoying it, because it does taste like home. He hasn't had a chance to really enjoy this since before the war, which has been a long time now. And he hadn't found a flavor close enough to mimic it in Cadens just yet. ]
It's always been my favorite, too. It's been a long time since I've gotten to enjoy it, though. [ He gives a quiet laugh at the mention of Hilda's conversations, grinning in amusement. ] Yeah, that tends to happen with her, too. I think she just likes to keep everyone guessing.
And something like that, sort of. Or it was, anyway. [ He pauses to make a face. ] Fodlan, the country we're from, is divided up into three separate kingdoms, similar to how the Factions work here. The Adrestian Empire, to the south, is a very old dynasty and they follows a lot of the old ways from back when we were all one nation. The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus - where I'm from - is in the north and ruled by a king and his lords and is closely allied with the church. And then there's the Leicester Alliance, where Hilda's from, off to the east and they refused to bow to any king or emperor. Instead, they work as a confederacy of sorts, the lords jointly ruling the territories within their borders.
Needless to say, each of the three nations have very distinct ways of doing things, so the rivalry springs up more from that than anything. Honestly, coming here and dealing with all the politics and conflicts between the Factions has been very familiar for all of us.
[ That gets a snort of laughter from her, because Claire knows a thing or two about that as well. A certain prince comes to mind, but she shoves that out of her mind. ]
Hilda's a breath of fresh air, especially after some of the more serious things.
[ No need to get into those things though, not right now. Instead, she's happy to listen for a while, and she does, taking his words in. In truth, while it does sound like the Factions, it all sounds like every place and time she's lived. Nothing terribly new, just different names and politics, and so she follows along just fine. ]
It's wonderful that despite the differences, you three are so close. I've been in a few complex relationships, but I've never been in a position quite like that before. And I suppose that would make living here that much easier. You're all in the same faction here, is that right?
Yeah, the Free Cities seems real fond of summoning from our world. [ He pauses to take another sip of tea, relishing the flavor. Although remembering something Claude said a while back, he chuckles. ] Although we've heard Thorne might have summoned one or two, back before any of us got here. Guess they figured out that was a terrible idea and didn't try again. I'm not sure Thorne would know how to handle getting someone like Claude or Hilda or Petra on their doorstep.
[ He pauses again to glance over at her this time, his expression softening a little. ] Are you the only one from your world here? Or are there others?
[ Claire smiles softly at the way he speaks of his friends, the way he seems to know them well. She never had that growing up, never lived anywhere long enough to. It's what she's glad she could give to Bree by sacrificing her marriage with Jamie: roots.
Tracing the rim of her teacup with her thumb absently, she nods before taking a sip of her tea. ]
Yes, someone else is here, but only recently. I don't know him well, so I'm at a bit of a disadvantage. He knows ten years' worth of my future.
Ten years is a long time. Claude and Petra have over a year on me. And Hilda too, I think? We came from a similar point in time, at least, although the other two are from after the war ends. Which, I guess, is nice to know happens.
[ Even if he's not sure he survived it in either of their timelines. Or his own, for that matter. He knows Hilda struggles with a similar fear. ]
I suppose he knows you a little better if he's got ten additional years of memories to fall back on. [ A pause, as he considers that. Considers who he'd been ten years ago and who he'd known. ] That's got to be really weird for both of you.
I would love for someone to come here and tell me I have no wars at all to look forward to.
[ Unfortunately for her, John did the exact opposite. ]
It's one of the oddest experiences I've had, and that's a feat in and of itself. The good news he did bring is that after thinking I would never see my daughter again, she's living with us. And I'm a grandmother more times over than I remember him saying.
[ It makes her laugh softly, an actual genuine happiness crinkling her eyes. ]
As if I needed any reminding of what an old lady I am.
[ That's sort of a tease. Claire is vain, but she also knows she isn't ancient. Ten years from now she'll be 62, that's not so bad for dozens of grandchildren. ]
[ That news would have certainly been more comforting, if he'd survived the war in either of their timelines. Instead, the battlefield he'd been kidnapped away from is likely the one he'll die on. Making a return home even more distasteful than it would be otherwise.
But her comment from her gets a blink from him, and then a warm laugh as he shakes his head. ] You are hardly that. You certainly don't look as if you're a grandmother several times over. Or at all.
I'm glad he brought you good news, though. Even if here's still pretty far from home. You must miss them.
[ Claire's only a little vain and Sylvain's comment makes her smile; perhaps the gray isn't as imposing as she feared. ]
You certainly know how to flatter. And I do; I miss them all as if a limb were cut from me. But the people I've met here, and the company I've kept [ she smiles at him widely here ] have both been fantastic so far.
[ They really could have done without Jocelyn being a total fucking lunatic, but the actual summoned have been kind in her experience. ]
[ There's the faintest pause from him when she mentions his flattery, a hesitation, almost, as if he mentally stumbled over something. Then again, being a lady's man has defined most of his life since he was a teenager now - something he was purposefully stepping away from now that he was here in a new world. Where his Crest didn't matter. Where he could be himself for once. Where he could actually choose to do that.
So the offhand comment still catches him off-guard for the briefest of moments before he chuckles and takes another sip of tea. At least it hadn't been purposeful - or malicious, really. He'd just told her his honest thought. Claire seemed kind. ]
I'm glad you've found that here, too. I wasn't sure if it was the same in the other Factions. There's been tension a time or two in Cadens but for the most part, they've been exceedingly welcome to all of us. And the other Summoned... it's easy to feel like a different sort of family here, I guess.
[ He didn't have a lot of positive connotations there, personally, but he knew what family was meant to be, in theory. ]
[ His comment sparks curiosity in her and she gives a soft hum. ]
At the very least, it feels like we all have one very big thing in common, and we all relate to being pulled out of our worlds nude and confused.
[ She huffs out a soft laugh before taking a sip of her tea and circling back to her question. ]
Has it ever been allowed since you've been here, that you could ever visit other factions? It honestly seems almost cruel to keep people apart who may know one another. Especially if they're alone otherwise.
[ Sure, there's the horizon. But that isn't the same. And say Jamie does arrive but he's in another faction? She'd never leave the Horizon. It's all bridges to be crossed on the very slim chance anyone else she knows arrives, but she still wonders. ]
[ Considering this had been a topic he'd spoken with someone else about not long ago, he has an answer for that - sort of. ]
I know there was a big group of Summoned who originally left Thorne - apparently they were the Faction that started the summoning, but apparently things went to shit and a bunch of them jumped ship to go settle in the other Factions. That's the only instance I know of actually being successful.
But recently, there was an incident, when everyone came back from the Pit. There's two lovers - one in Thorne and one in Cadens, who want to be together. There was a big ruckus over them splitting up again and apparently Thorne came forward and said they'd be willing to let their Summoned leave, since they claim they're not holding anyone prisoner. No exchange has happened yet, but apparently it's an option? I'm not sure if anyone else has tried, though.
[ Claire shakes her head, not expecting him to know the Shaeksperian reference. None of it makes sense to her, how it all connects, what they have to do with it, and why it's so important they're brought here to begin with. ]
It doesn't sound like much of an option if they've frightened people into not exploring their freedom. Why else wouldn't anyone try?
[ Sylvain blinks at her, because no, that's not familiar in the least. ] Who?
And I'm not sure they've specifically frightened them for that reason. I think all of us are pretty aware of the tensions between our factions at times. Especially when it comes to the Free Cities and Thorne. And from what I understand, the Thorne Summoned have to be pretty careful in what they do and say in general there, so maybe this is just more of the same. Then again, with as volatile as their Queen seems to be, I'm not sure I'd want to be on Thorne's bad side if I were stuck within its borders, either.
[ Everything he heard about Thorne just made him really grateful he'd landed in Cadens with Claude instead. ]
It's the title of a tragic love story. Essentially it's about two young lovers who are from families that oppose one another, violently.
[ No need to get into Shakespeare. She listens patiently, knowing she has a lot to learn about a place she never expected to be (again) and a fight that isn't hers (again). ]
Thank you for taking the time to talk it out, I hope you don't have to go through this often with people, it might get tedious.
[ Her words get a thoughtful hum from him and he pauses to think, for a moment, of Dimitri. But that just makes him sad so he pushes those thoughts away for now, focusing on the present instead. There's nothing he can do for his Prince here and now anyway.
Instead, he just chuckles at her thanks, waving it off as he takes another sip of tea. ]
Considering you've given me a taste of home I haven't really gotten to indulge in in far too long, I'm the one that should be thanking you. But nah, it hasn't come up too often. Besides, I wasn't here for most of that so I can just shoo them off to someone who was, at least back in Cadens. There's still a couple of the Summoned there who were among the initial group first summoned to Thorne when this all started.
I only have one more question then, and it's more about what you specifically know. What's the longest and shortest amount of time you've heard of anyone being stuck here?
[ She's heard two years, that's the longest time frame so far, and all that she wants, is to know that no Summond has been here decades or more. She needs to know that people leave and haven't been stuck indefinitely. ]
I know it doesn't mean there's a time limit on our being here, but I'm curious.
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no subject
That we do, though we call it Earl Grey tea. There was a Prime Minister once, and it was his all he drank to the point it's what he was known for more than his politics. 'Bergamot' doesn't exactly roll off the tongue and so, the tea was named after him. It's one of my favorites, especially to add other things to.
[ She's pleased that he's happy with it and sits with him contently to chat. ]
There's nothing wrong with a bit of good-natured rivalry. Is it a battle of wits, then? Forgive me; I haven't asked Hilda much of this because we tend to get ourselves into conversations that veer in directions I didn't anticipate.
[ Claire says that with a fond smile, taking a sip of her tea. ]
no subject
He moves to sit with her, easily cradling the teacup and taking a sip. Enjoying it, because it does taste like home. He hasn't had a chance to really enjoy this since before the war, which has been a long time now. And he hadn't found a flavor close enough to mimic it in Cadens just yet. ]
It's always been my favorite, too. It's been a long time since I've gotten to enjoy it, though. [ He gives a quiet laugh at the mention of Hilda's conversations, grinning in amusement. ] Yeah, that tends to happen with her, too. I think she just likes to keep everyone guessing.
And something like that, sort of. Or it was, anyway. [ He pauses to make a face. ] Fodlan, the country we're from, is divided up into three separate kingdoms, similar to how the Factions work here. The Adrestian Empire, to the south, is a very old dynasty and they follows a lot of the old ways from back when we were all one nation. The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus - where I'm from - is in the north and ruled by a king and his lords and is closely allied with the church. And then there's the Leicester Alliance, where Hilda's from, off to the east and they refused to bow to any king or emperor. Instead, they work as a confederacy of sorts, the lords jointly ruling the territories within their borders.
Needless to say, each of the three nations have very distinct ways of doing things, so the rivalry springs up more from that than anything. Honestly, coming here and dealing with all the politics and conflicts between the Factions has been very familiar for all of us.
no subject
Hilda's a breath of fresh air, especially after some of the more serious things.
[ No need to get into those things though, not right now. Instead, she's happy to listen for a while, and she does, taking his words in. In truth, while it does sound like the Factions, it all sounds like every place and time she's lived. Nothing terribly new, just different names and politics, and so she follows along just fine. ]
It's wonderful that despite the differences, you three are so close. I've been in a few complex relationships, but I've never been in a position quite like that before. And I suppose that would make living here that much easier. You're all in the same faction here, is that right?
no subject
[ He pauses again to glance over at her this time, his expression softening a little. ] Are you the only one from your world here? Or are there others?
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Tracing the rim of her teacup with her thumb absently, she nods before taking a sip of her tea. ]
Yes, someone else is here, but only recently. I don't know him well, so I'm at a bit of a disadvantage. He knows ten years' worth of my future.
[ It's unnerving, to say the least. ]
no subject
Ten years is a long time. Claude and Petra have over a year on me. And Hilda too, I think? We came from a similar point in time, at least, although the other two are from after the war ends. Which, I guess, is nice to know happens.
[ Even if he's not sure he survived it in either of their timelines. Or his own, for that matter. He knows Hilda struggles with a similar fear. ]
I suppose he knows you a little better if he's got ten additional years of memories to fall back on. [ A pause, as he considers that. Considers who he'd been ten years ago and who he'd known. ] That's got to be really weird for both of you.
no subject
[ Unfortunately for her, John did the exact opposite. ]
It's one of the oddest experiences I've had, and that's a feat in and of itself. The good news he did bring is that after thinking I would never see my daughter again, she's living with us. And I'm a grandmother more times over than I remember him saying.
[ It makes her laugh softly, an actual genuine happiness crinkling her eyes. ]
As if I needed any reminding of what an old lady I am.
[ That's sort of a tease. Claire is vain, but she also knows she isn't ancient. Ten years from now she'll be 62, that's not so bad for dozens of grandchildren. ]
no subject
But her comment from her gets a blink from him, and then a warm laugh as he shakes his head. ] You are hardly that. You certainly don't look as if you're a grandmother several times over. Or at all.
I'm glad he brought you good news, though. Even if here's still pretty far from home. You must miss them.
no subject
You certainly know how to flatter. And I do; I miss them all as if a limb were cut from me. But the people I've met here, and the company I've kept [ she smiles at him widely here ] have both been fantastic so far.
[ They really could have done without Jocelyn being a total fucking lunatic, but the actual summoned have been kind in her experience. ]
no subject
So the offhand comment still catches him off-guard for the briefest of moments before he chuckles and takes another sip of tea. At least it hadn't been purposeful - or malicious, really. He'd just told her his honest thought. Claire seemed kind. ]
I'm glad you've found that here, too. I wasn't sure if it was the same in the other Factions. There's been tension a time or two in Cadens but for the most part, they've been exceedingly welcome to all of us. And the other Summoned... it's easy to feel like a different sort of family here, I guess.
[ He didn't have a lot of positive connotations there, personally, but he knew what family was meant to be, in theory. ]
no subject
At the very least, it feels like we all have one very big thing in common, and we all relate to being pulled out of our worlds nude and confused.
[ She huffs out a soft laugh before taking a sip of her tea and circling back to her question. ]
Has it ever been allowed since you've been here, that you could ever visit other factions? It honestly seems almost cruel to keep people apart who may know one another. Especially if they're alone otherwise.
[ Sure, there's the horizon. But that isn't the same. And say Jamie does arrive but he's in another faction? She'd never leave the Horizon. It's all bridges to be crossed on the very slim chance anyone else she knows arrives, but she still wonders. ]
no subject
I know there was a big group of Summoned who originally left Thorne - apparently they were the Faction that started the summoning, but apparently things went to shit and a bunch of them jumped ship to go settle in the other Factions. That's the only instance I know of actually being successful.
But recently, there was an incident, when everyone came back from the Pit. There's two lovers - one in Thorne and one in Cadens, who want to be together. There was a big ruckus over them splitting up again and apparently Thorne came forward and said they'd be willing to let their Summoned leave, since they claim they're not holding anyone prisoner. No exchange has happened yet, but apparently it's an option? I'm not sure if anyone else has tried, though.
no subject
[ Claire shakes her head, not expecting him to know the Shaeksperian reference. None of it makes sense to her, how it all connects, what they have to do with it, and why it's so important they're brought here to begin with. ]
It doesn't sound like much of an option if they've frightened people into not exploring their freedom. Why else wouldn't anyone try?
no subject
And I'm not sure they've specifically frightened them for that reason. I think all of us are pretty aware of the tensions between our factions at times. Especially when it comes to the Free Cities and Thorne. And from what I understand, the Thorne Summoned have to be pretty careful in what they do and say in general there, so maybe this is just more of the same. Then again, with as volatile as their Queen seems to be, I'm not sure I'd want to be on Thorne's bad side if I were stuck within its borders, either.
[ Everything he heard about Thorne just made him really grateful he'd landed in Cadens with Claude instead. ]
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[ No need to get into Shakespeare. She listens patiently, knowing she has a lot to learn about a place she never expected to be (again) and a fight that isn't hers (again). ]
Thank you for taking the time to talk it out, I hope you don't have to go through this often with people, it might get tedious.
[ Claire smiles her gratitude at him. ]
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Instead, he just chuckles at her thanks, waving it off as he takes another sip of tea. ]
Considering you've given me a taste of home I haven't really gotten to indulge in in far too long, I'm the one that should be thanking you. But nah, it hasn't come up too often. Besides, I wasn't here for most of that so I can just shoo them off to someone who was, at least back in Cadens. There's still a couple of the Summoned there who were among the initial group first summoned to Thorne when this all started.
no subject
[ She's heard two years, that's the longest time frame so far, and all that she wants, is to know that no Summond has been here decades or more. She needs to know that people leave and haven't been stuck indefinitely. ]
I know it doesn't mean there's a time limit on our being here, but I'm curious.