video; un: eisner

[hegemonwings]

Name: Byleth Eisner
Date: 5/10
Format: video

[ a dark-haired young woman in glasses and dark local fashion sits in front of the camera. she can't be older than 21, surely. anyway, byleth's been here for over a month and she's only posting to the network now. ]

I'm Byleth Eisner. I've met some of you already. I suppose you would call this an... interest check? [ she takes off her glasses, hanging them from the neckline of her shirt. ] Most of my recent work before coming here was in commanding my Emperor's army, but I'm an experienced teacher as well. Armed and unarmed combat, archery, strategy and tactics, riding, magic... rhetoric and composition. [ was that last one a joke? it's impossible to tell. her face gives no hints one way or another. ]

The Coven trains witches in magic, but that only does so much good. I'd like to work towards establishing a school where the Mirrorbound without martial skills can learn them. As it is, the Wilde is too dangerous for too many of us, and ad-hoc lessons aren't enough. [ she waves a hand. ] This is all... hypothetical, right now. But if this sounds something you'd like to either help with or learn from, please, let me know. In the meantime, I'm open to teaching one-on-one.

[ she seems to consider something, briefly, before: ]

... Also, firearms are new to me. I'm familiar with powder explosives, and I've seen cannons, but if anyone might help me to understand the use and maintenance of guns, I would appreciate it.

[ byleth pauses again. ]

That's all. [ and off it goes. nailed it? ]

[ ooc: open to fourth wall people! ]

Comments

video;

[bergamotrose]

You've gone full circle,

[Lorenz quipped over the video feed, laughter warming his voice as he regarded the General. His dark lenses, donned both for the brightening light of the season and to disarm people from unsettling appearance of the horizontal pupils in his eyes from his progressing transformation into a Faun, complimented the summery red and yellow flowers adorning his antlers. 'Blanket flowers' was one name for them from the local residents. 'Gaillardia' was what they were called in the books.]

When I first met the version of you in my memory, they were just starting their professorship after a colorful career as a mercenary. Then, the iteration that is you became a storied and strong wartime general. Now? I never dreamed that you would yourself become a headmaster.

You really enjoyed teaching that much?

[hegemonwings]

[ byleth huffs out a laugh, glancing away from the camera. ]

Storied is... a word for it. You didn't hear the names that the Church had for me. As for teaching... I enjoyed it more than my military career, [ she says that, at last ] even with the reasons for my appointment.

[ even with the things that they were made to do. ]

[bergamotrose]

Apologies if that stung.

[He didn't doubt that the Church had awful names for Byleth and everyone else she was surrounded by. Not even the Archbishop and leader of their society was immune to what ultimately amounted to propoganda.]

And...I apologize for making assumptions. Your counterpart... has always been difficult to read, you understand.

[A sigh.]

Bantering isn't why I replied, Byleth. I may not have the bones of a teacher like you do, but I am willing to help you on this endeavor. There's only so much the Coven can teach us, and there is quite a bit to be said about the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach.

[hegemonwings]

[ she nearly brings up that she's met the man and he's not much harder to read than she once was—but lets it go as lorenz proceeds. ]

You're more than capable. But aren't you spread thin as it is?

[bergamotrose]

[Surprise briefly painted his features at the question-- a glimpse at the vulnerability he rarely shared with others. With his home empty of other residents besides himself and his cat, Lorenz didn't feel like he was stretching himself too far.

Rather, perhaps it wasn't quite enough. This world had brought not one but two betrayals upon him: Both of them involved sending away the complicated individuals he was starting to call his friend.]

We really have come full circle if you're asking that,

[he commented wryly, remembering that cold winter's day when the Byleth he knew had approached him for conversation. The man had seemed unusually pallid and fatigued that day, but also kept that fact as close to his chest as possible. 'You should go rest in your quarters,' Lorenz had said. Clearly, the man wasn't well but was trying to hide it.

Lorenz wondered if this Byleth had experienced any similar conversations. It was an answer that only the Goddess could provide.]

I believe I'm doing all right, you needn't worry. It was merely an offer; I've been concerned about the general state of affairs here and I've been wondering how to help. Once again, it's been a case of not clearly seeing the bigger picture.

[hegemonwings]

[ byleth does remember a similar interaction, of course, and she doesn't appear confused at all when he makes that initial comment. evidently she's made a connection from that to something. ]

If you're sure. I'm not refusing your offer, and I do appreciate it. I'd just encourage you to... be sure that it wouldn't push you past your limits to dedicate time and energy to something like this.

[bergamotrose]

Byleth, I much prefer helping a greater cause over sitting in my quarters wallowing in the silence.

[He smiled. Yes, there was a sense of emotional fatigue hidden inbetween the warm lines, but it wasn't overt. Lorenz needed something to dig his hands into and feel useful again.

...It was the closest he had come to admitting that his Bonded, Lapis Lazuli, had vanished from this realm. While he still had Sylvain, their relationship was strained by the differences in their timelines and the trajectories their individual wars had taken.]

Helping you in this endeavor would be a great honor, and I will make time for it.

yells

[hegemonwings]

As you say. [ she nods. it's clear to her what's happening here, and she sees no reason to dissuade him. ]

I'll let you know once I've sorted out more of the details. Many of the logistical questions are still somewhat beyond me...