sworndevotion | karteria inbox

[ Ah, Dedue has changed his username — Yesod is curious as to its meaning, but that seems a topic best left for another time. Dedue's response takes precedence, confirming his suspicions. It was, of course, impossible that recent events spared anyone, be it because of what they were forced to endure firsthand or otherwise. ]

I am relieved that you're recovering, in that case.

[ Physically, he assumes. He won't ask Dedue to elaborate via the Syntrofos, nor does he think that it would be appropriate for him to request the details, but it's the unseen harm that tends to take far longer to heal, and even suppressed memories resurface. ]

I suppose I'd simply like to mention that if I can be of assistance in some form, you're welcome to contact me.

[ Though he imagines that Dedue has no shortage of friends to turn to. ]

Oh, that is very kind of you to offer.

[He tries to think of something. Minutes pass, as his thoughts are slow to come. It's not that he doesn't need help— he is struggling, but he can't quite figure out what would be appropriate to ask for.]

It has been difficult to leave my room. I

[Wow, this is very difficult. He is not used to asking for help.]

It is helpful for food to be brought by, if that is convenient. You are under no obligation.

[ The hesitation might indicate that Dedue is reluctant to accept the offer, Yesod surmises. Perhaps it's out of a belief that he would impose on others, accustomed to taking care of them instead.

It must be distressing to find himself confined to his room. ]

That would hardly cause me any inconvenience. Do you have any particular preferences?

[Yes, yes, and yes. It is also highly distressing not to be useful to others, at the moment.]

I like fish in particular, but I am not picky. I am... Also beginning to crave metals, though I do not know where to source it from.

I'll keep both in mind. I'm afraid that as my culinary skills do not match yours, the food would be prepared by the Valentia's staff. I may be able to learn more to address your newer preferences, however.

[ That developing change, in addition to the physical ones, is probably quite unsettling. That said, cooking is clearly among Dedue's talents, and he might enjoy the prospect of even preparing dishes to meet the needs of Golem-type Augmented. ]

For now, which room number is yours?

There is no need to cook for me yourself. I will appreciate anything you bring.

[He does appreciate the challenge of creating meals to suit the nutritional needs of golem-types, as well as other soul-types. He wishes he had the capacity to explore that in his cooking right now, alas.

He sends along his room number.]

Thank you. Then I'll visit your room in approximately half an hour.

Dedue might be content to accept anything readily available, presumably in part to avoid burdening anyone, but Yesod finds himself wishing that he could procure a customized meal to bring with him. For one, he would prefer to be able to guarantee that the ingredients used are safe to consume, and considering that Dedue regularly cooked for others, he'd like to return the favor at least to some extent. Moreover, perhaps dishes that one anticipates would be pleasant even during a difficult time. The recipes found in Karteria's cookbooks are not especially appealing on the whole, however, nor has he had enough practice in the kitchen to improvise, whether in his first life or more recently.

Yesod settles for presenting the Valentia's staff with his requirements, though it seems that seafood remains scarce, generally not favored as a result of its associations and possible risks. In the end, the meal prepared is their menu's standard fare.

Tray in hand, Yesod makes his way to Dedue's room, where he knocks once before waiting for a response. He does wonder how severe the impact of Patho-Gen's actions has been. These small rooms may be no better than a cage themselves.

Upon receipt of this message, Dedue intends to rouse himself and make himself presentable for his kind visitor, but... He can't. Try as he might to make himself get out of bed, he can only lay there, staring at the sink across the room. His other soul seems to have the control over his body, trying to shut it down, and it takes all of his willpower just to stay awake and fight against that urge.

It's the knock and the urgent feeling that follows it that finally kicks his body into gear. He pushes himself to sit and then slowly stands, trying to smooth back long unwashed white hair that has long since fallen out of its usual neat tie. He limps to the door and opens it, but not fully, trying to hide the fact that he's in bedclothes. He speaks low and quiet.

"Yesod. Hello. My deepest apologies for my appearance."

Yesod hears the sound of Dedue's steps on the other side of the door — based on their cadence, an uneven gait, there are conclusions to draw about the man's likely injuries. Dedue, barely coming into view behind the door, also seems ashamed to be seen in his current condition at all. Yesod's brow furrows. He can certainly understand the discomfort of appearing disheveled, regardless of the reasons, but even he wouldn't deem that a priority in this instance.

"That isn't an issue, as far as I'm concerned." Or rather, it is an issue only in the sense that it's troubling, further proof that Dedue hasn't been faring well.

Yesod raises the tray of food, holding it steady near the doorway. "Nevertheless, would you prefer your privacy? If so, I'll wait here to collect the dishware."

"Ah..." He casts a wary glance back into his disheveled room. It is not fit for guests in the slightest, in his mind, but it feels much more rude to make Yesod wait in the hall.

"You may come in, if you won't mind the mess." He opens the door fully, stepping politely to the side to let Yesod enter.

Dedue's standards of cleanliness are high, so his idea of a 'mess' is mostly that there is some clothing on the floor and his bed is not made (because he was just in it).

"I hope you brought some for yourself as well." If Yesod was eating with him, that might assuage some of his guilt.

While Yesod may have exacting standards of cleanliness himself, and he would ordinarily agree that items on the floor and an unmade bed make for a room in unacceptable disarray, these circumstances are far from ordinary. Besides, an objective assessment would acknowledge that Dedue's room is in fact relatively tidy even now. Rather than focusing on its interior upon entering, Yesod regards Dedue, whose appearance has become properly visible.

If the main factor interfering with Dedue's customary daily routine were physical pain, that might be easier to overcome than other challenges — including the desire to conceal one's pain in any form. His friends must be willing to offer their assistance wherever needed.

In response to Dedue's remark, Yesod's gaze flicks down to the tray in his hands. Though he hadn't necessarily expected entry to Dedue's room, let alone that they would share the food, there should be enough for him to join Dedue. Alongside the sandwiches and muffins, there is a bowl of soup and a glass of water.

"Let us eat together, then." Hopefully that will allow Dedue to feel less self-conscious. "Where would you like to do so?"

Upon regarding Dedue, there is some evidence of what he's been through: a healing ring around his neck that most everyone who was taken has, plus a couple of other lacerations above his shirt collar. His left hand is wrapped in gauze, and only three fingers and his thumb stick out of it. On the back of his other hand is a plate of warped steel, brittle and full of holes.

Dedue considers the question in silence for a while, his mind taking extra time to process. Looking over his room, there really isn't much space, not even a desk they could use for a surface.

"I suppose the bed will have to do."

His limp is pronounced as he moves back to his bed, his movements stiff and slow as he moves the lamp carefully off of his nightstand and onto the windowsill. He puts the gold jewelry on its surface into the drawer and moves the little table to the middle of the bed's long edge, so Yesod can place the tray on it. He pulls up and straightens the bed covers before sitting.

Studying Dedue too closely will undoubtedly worsen his discomfort, Yesod thinks, but even what little he can see exposed is troubling, too. He can't help but recall the various accounts shared during the recent encrypted discussion, the mention of lost limbs and the extent of the targeted experiments that took place. It's despicable, no less intolerable than the City, no matter the justification.

Yet despite his body's limitations, Dedue rearranges his room to create a temporary dining table; Yesod waits until the other man is seated, setting the tray down atop the nightstand then. Finally, he takes a seat on the edge of the bed beside Dedue himself, where he intends to reach for one of the muffins.

It does occur to him that some of the food may be difficult to hold, which isn't ideal...

For the moment, he opts to make an attempt to mitigate the likelihood that Dedue indeed feels that he is inconveniencing others. "I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you in person again, Dedue. Particularly as I will be leaving the Valentia's accommodations soon."

As he looks at the food, he's disappointed to find that he has little appetite for it. Likely a mixture of his current condition, his soul's progression, and the general poor quality of the food in the Valentia. He's spoiled himself with his own cooking. The meatloaf seems most appealing, perhaps because it may have traces of iron in it, so he gingerly picks up the fork with his better hand and cuts into it.

"Is that so?"

His response comes slowly, as does his chewing, and there's a few long moments before he continues.

"I believe I am overstaying my welcome currently, but I cannot fathom moving at the moment. Do you have friends to move in with?"

No doubt eating at all, recognizing that managing it is advisable, is easier said than done when one's mind and body object. All the same, once Dedue begins, Yesod lowers his gaze to his own food to afford the man some semblance of privacy, as well as ensure that no crumbs land anywhere but the plate. He hopes that enough of the available options will suit Dedue's nutritional needs and prove reasonably palatable until a better meal can be provided, at least.

When Dedue's answer comes, Yesod pauses between bites to look back up at him, replying in turn after swallowing his mouthful of muffin.

"Yes, the three of us have known one another for quite some time." Though it's considerably less straightforward than summarizing it in these words might imply. "Perhaps you've already met them: Malkuth and Angela." The plans to reside in a shared space again are part of the reason why Yesod has endeavored to familiarize himself with a variety of recipes, to tell the truth.

"I would hope that the arrangement with the Valentia will remain in place while you recover, but you and your friends will presumably also seek housing elsewhere in the city at a later date?"

He chews mechanically, finding little joy in eating due to his lack of appetite and the poor options here at the Valentia, but he is grateful for any sort of food after being starved at that facility.

"Hm..." He ponders this for a long moment. "It is possible Malkuth helped at the dinner I hosted some time ago. The name is familiar." He made an effort to learn and memorize the name of each person who offered to help, but it has been a few months, and his memory is spotty these days.

"In any case, I am glad you found a favorable arrangement. I will ask my... Friend, Dimitri, once I feel ready." He almost calls him his liege or something similar before remembering that Dimitri wants to simply be his friend, especially here. "We have lived close to one another for the better part of a decade, so I cannot imagine he would say no."

A small smile settles across Yesod's lips then. Knowing Malkuth, it isn't surprising that she might have volunteered to assist, quick to lend a hand wherever she could upon arriving in this world. He's certain that Dedue's dinner was a success — both because of the man's skill in the kitchen, and because it must have brought many people together to enjoy the gathering.

It's good to know, too, that Dedue has a trustworthy companion to rely on here. Perhaps the term "friend" doesn't encompass the relationship precisely, judging by his brief pause, but he and Dimitri are close, by the sound of it. Any location might gain the association of home, in that case.

"Then I'm pleased to hear it." There should be some improved safety in numbers. "Until then, are you amenable to occasional visits?" Yesod glances at the tray. "Ideally, that would come to include a more appetizing menu."

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