Three Houses Supports/Dimitri Mercedes

C Support

Mercedes: My goodness. Sword training again today? Don't overdo it, all right?

Dimitri: I certainly won't, but thanks for your concern, Mercedes. It's more of a hobby than anything, so don't worry too much.

Mercedes: A hobby? How wonderful! I would probably get tired of it, but that's just me.

Dimitri: Hmm... Didn't you say you hoped to take the sword test soon?

Mercedes: ... You're right! I completely forgot that's coming up! What should I do?

Dimitri: To be honest, I've been a bit worried, as I haven't seen you at the training ground much.

Mercedes: Why didn't you say something sooner if you were so worried about me?

Dimitri: It didn't occur to me that you could have forgotten... But you're right, I should have mentioned it. As an apology, why don't you let me help you with your swordsmanship?

Mercedes: You would do that for me? I'd really appreciate your help!

Dimitri: OK, but keep in mind that since we're short on time...we may have to "overdo it" a little.

Mercedes: I don't like to overdo it, but if we must. I'll try my best.

Dimitri: It's settled. Let's begin! Don't tell me you've forgotten how to hold a sword! We have our work cut out for us...

Mercedes: I usually just hold the sword without thinking about my grip, you know? Let's see what happens now that you've shown me the proper way to handle it. I was nervous at first, but just look at me now! Hya!

Dimitri: Ugh... Well. I didn't realize offering to help you would mean risking my life.

Mercedes: I-I'm so sorry! I don't know what happened! I just meant to swing the sword. I didn't think it would go flying like that! I'm impressed with how quickly you can dodge!

Dimitri: Yes... I know you didn't intend to murder me. Though that scare likely took years off my life...

Mercedes: Maybe I'm not cut out for this whole sword fighting thing.

Dimitri: Nonsense. It's far too early to give up. The first time I picked up a sword, I was much like you. It's true that different people are better suited to different things, but if you keep at it and refuse to give up, you're certain to improve.

Mercedes: Do you really think so? Thank you, Dimitri. It's very kind of you to-- Oh! There's a rip in your cuff, Dimitri. How do you think--

Dimitri: Hm, it seems I didn't dodge your sword fast enough. Don't worry, I can easily repair it.

Mercedes: I'm the one who tore it, so I'll be the one who mends it. How does that sound?

Dimitri: No, please don't worry yourself over it. Just focus on your exam.

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B Support

Dimitri: Mercedes. I'm sorry to ask this of you, but...will you lend me a hand?

Mercedes: What can I do for you? Oh, is the cuff of your overcoat still torn? Mending that shouldn't be a problem at all.

Dimitri: It's pathetic, I know, but I fear my sewing skills are... Well, as you can see, they're just about nonexistent.

Mercedes: Goodness! You must have been concerned when I tore your cuff.

Dimitri: Ah, well... That is to say...

Would you please teach me to sew? I

hear you're rather amazing at it.

Mercedes: Of course I'll teach you! Don't look so heartbroken.

Dimitri: You will? Thank you! I owe you for this.

Mercedes: I'll go get my sewing kit. You wait here. I'm so sorry, Dimitri. I've never seen, um... Well, it's just a bit...

Dimitri: No need to dance around the issue. You're fed up with my clumsy efforts, aren't you?

Mercedes: I thought you might end up bending some needles if you tried mending this on your own, but... How did you manage to break a pair of scissors?

Dimitri: I-I'm just... I'm so sorry. Really. I try to be careful, but with delicate work like this, I just can't seem to manage.

Mercedes: There's no need to apologize! But you must have been uncomfortable making your way here with this tear.

Dimitri: My inability to control my own strength is humiliating. Of course I'm useless at needlework.

Mercedes: No giving up on yourself. You just have to practice, that's all. No matter how difficult something is, if you keep at it and don't give up, then you're sure to improve. Isn't that what you told me?

Dimitri: Right you are. To give into despair isn't like me. Thank you for the reminder. OK... I'm ready to give it another go.

Mercedes: Great! I'm glad to hear it! First things first, let's make sure the needle is actually threaded this time.

Dimitri: No! I bent another one!

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B+ Support

Dimitri: You've been spending a lot of time at the training ground, Mercedes. As far as swordsmanship goes, you're like a whole new person.

Mercedes: Thank you! I have such a great time when you teach me that improving comes naturally!

Dimitri: It's all because of your own hard work. Compared to you, I...

Mercedes: You shouldn't be so disappointed in yourself. You're improving too, you just need to keep at it.

Dimitri: Well, I can hold a needle and thread without breaking anything now. That's...something.

Mercedes: That's a big step! When we started, you couldn't even hold a pair of scissors without twisting them apart.

Dimitri: True... I'm sorry for being such a burden.

Mercedes: You're no bother at all! I like sewing with you. It reminds me of when I was young and my mother taught me how to sew. My mother would sit with my brother and me and we'd all sew together. Ah, I really miss it. Even though I was barely better than you when I started. Did your mother like to sew, Dimitri?

Dimitri: My birth mother? From my father's accounts, she wasn't great at it either.

Mercedes: Oh, of course. I forgot that the queen of Faerghus passed away long ago.

Dimitri: Yes. I don't really remember what she was like. But I remember my stepmother...always sitting by the window, sewing away.

Mercedes: I'm sure she would have been happy to teach you if you had asked.

Dimitri: She always looked so lonely when she was sewing. So unreachable... She was kind to me, yes. But when she was like that, it was hard to talk to her. I'm not certain she would have wished to teach me.

Mercedes: I'm so sorry, Dimitri. I didn't mean to bring up such difficult memories.

Dimitri: Don't worry about it. If I don't talk about those things sometimes, I'll risk forgetting them altogether. And that would truly be a shame.

Mercedes: I see...

Dimitri: Ah, but now I'm just going on and on about myself. Why don't you tell me more about you?

Mercedes: More about me? Oh, goodness. I don't even know what to say. It's hard to think of something on the spot, isn't it?

Dimitri: You could speak of your family, I suppose.

Mercedes: You want to know more about my family? On that topic, I'm happy to oblige. In fact, I'm so glad you asked.

Dimitri: It's important to think about your past and share it every now and then.

Mercedes: This might take a while, but would you be willing to stay and listen?

Dimitri: Of course. I will listen for as long as you wish.

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A Support

Mercedes: Good evening, Dimitri. Have you come to pray?

Dimitri: Something like that. And you?

Mercedes: Oh yes, that's why I'm here. I love how calm and peaceful the cathedral is this late at night.

Dimitri: It really is... Coming here on a quiet night always makes me think of those who aren't with us anymore.

Mercedes: We've lost so many in this war. Too many to count. I hope they all get to live in eternal happiness at the goddess's side... These prayers are all I have to offer.

Dimitri: You are a kind soul, Mercedes.

Mercedes: I think you're kind too, Dimitri. Sometimes to a fault.

Dimitri: Kind? Me? No, not at all. I am just...a killer. A disgusting monster.

Mercedes: But why do you kill? For the sake of your loved ones? Those who have passed? Real monsters kill for selfish reasons. They're incapable of expressing sorrow when they kill. So please...don't call yourself a monster.

Dimitri: Mercedes... I... I am scared...so scared that I will forget their faces. The people who have died...who I have killed. I cannot let myself forget them. I know that, and yet... Whatever my feelings, it is all the act of a monster. It's sad, but the truth is that people forget.

Mercedes: You may be afraid to forget your past, but you'll never be able to revisit it. Living in the present is the best we can do. We owe it to those who can't come back.

Dimitri: If someone had said those words to me five years ago, I would be a different man today.

Mercedes: What do you want to do now, Dimitri? Continue fighting for those who have died? Not as a king, but as my classmate. What do you want to do?

Dimitri: My own dreams... I have never given it any thought. What about you? What do you want, Mercedes?

Mercedes: I want to keep sewing and training with you, even after you've become king. I want to be your friend.

Dimitri: But... I have no right to stand beside you.

Mercedes: Please, I can't hear any more of this self-deprecation! I just want to be by your side. Is that so much to ask?

Dimitri: Mercedes... I want the same thing. If you allow it... I wish to stay by your side.

Mercedes: I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way. Let's spend a little more time here together. Just the two of us.