eachdraidh | memory + video // open to both courts

[Video of the memory here.]

[The memory opens in an empty throne room, dusty with disuse, with the light filtering through a stained glass window illuminating a young woman on the throne. To anyone who's seen her before Elincia is easily recognizable, though her face is softer and younger.

Ike's voice, too, is a little younger:] "What's wrong? Everyone's waiting. Is it okay if they don't even see your shadow?"

[Elincia answers without looking up.] "I'm nervous. My existence has been hidden ever since I was born. I never received the education of one who would be responsible for a country. Is it all right for someone like me to be crowned? The people, will they recognize me?"

"What's this foolishness?"

"But Lord Ike, I..."

"If that's so, then... did you receive an education on how to hire us mercenaries?"

"Huh? That's--"

"Or an education about how to gather your scattered retainers, or take back your lost country?"

"But that and this are--"

"They're not different."

[The view shifts as Ike kneels with one gauntleted hand braced on his leg, looking up at Elincia's anxious face from below.]

"Up until now, haven't you done wonderfully? And from here on out as well, you'll be able to make it work."

"... Yes."

"Well then, let's go. Everyone's waiting. If you're uncomfortable alone, let's go together."

[Ike rises again, extending his hand. After a moment's hesitation Elincia accepts and he pulls her up towards him, her weight slight. The memory lingers on her warm smile as she clasps his hand in both of hers.]

"Thank you, Lord Ike. It was truly wonderful to have been able to meet you."

[The only answer he gives is taking her hand firmly again as they turn to walk together towards the light of an entranceway. The decorative mirrors in the hall catch his reflection briefly, showing a young man barely taller than Elincia and considerably smaller in stature than the Ike anyone in the Drabwurld has spoken to.]

[Sometime later, Ike's usual vaguely frowning face will appear in the locket:]

Hm. Another one of these. Um... Sorry.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It sounds like quite a victory.

It was. Even though the cost was high.

That's too often the case.

[After a moment's consideration Ike decides it's just as easy to speak to the locket like this as it is to dictate.]

Well, I don't have any regrets. So I'd say I'm lucky.

[Masamori continues to favor text, even if it might be impolite.]

I'd say you did well.

I'm sorry for not introducing myself- Masamori Sumimura.

Don't worry, I don't stand much on manners. It's good to have a name, though.

[Masamori. He can remember that.]

These things-- [He gestures vaguely at the locket, trying to indicate the feed.] --have been everywhere lately. Did it happen to you, too?

[Belatedly it occurs to him that he probably shouldn't have asked; not many of the memories seemed to be pleasant ones.]

memory + video // open to both courts

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