[ the abyss has already stolen too much from him, but Dainsleif would argue that it's Celestia that has taken way more. not just from himself, but from the people of Khaenri'ah too, its royal family and those he failed to protect when they needed him the most. there are memories he can no longer remember, ones that were precious and fragile back when he could replay them night after night ever since the fall of the godless nation. they brought him comfort when nothing else could, when he had nothing left to hold onto but the grim reminder of his own failures. these memories are now faded around the edges, rotten to the core, lost to a curse that continues to eat away at whatever he has left.
Celestia has stolen too much from him, and yet somehow, they have failed to take this away—
(when their hands touched, he was brought back to a faraway land that glittered in gold and starlight. they both stood in the middle of a glorious chamber, surrounded by others with starry eyes and brilliant smiles. the crowd remained silent as the honourable knight knelt in front of the young prince, gaze downcast as he forgot what it was like to simply breathe.
this was an important moment in his life, and here he was about to make a fool of himself, but when he looked up, he watched as something warm, something innocent and yearning, bloomed on the prince's face.
that was all the encouragement he needed.) ]
... Dainsleif.
[ As Sir Dainsleif of the Black Serpent Knights, all that I am is yours to command.
—Celestia's curse couldn't diminish how important it was to him, to remember the vow he once swore, despite how it all ended. the event remains vivid in his mind, down to the vow he swore to keep on that day. he remembers it so well that he almost forgets where he is. the tavern's local patrons barely pay them any attention, and the innkeeper has already left them to their own devices, serving her next customers with a pretty smile and hearty laugh. there are snippets of conversation floating around about a strange phenomenon that made too many hilichurls suffer for no reason at all.
his own hand retreats once Kaeya's pulls away, almost apologetic for how things are turning out. he wonders if the coin will ever fall on a side that will be favourable to either of them. ]
I hail from a land far away from here. [ an outlander in every sense of the word. an outcast. ] I have been trying to find my way back, but... it has proven to be a difficult task lately.
[ he can only say it in so many different ways, but he has a feeling that the other man will understand. ]
no subject
Celestia has stolen too much from him, and yet somehow, they have failed to take this away—
(when their hands touched, he was brought back to a faraway land that glittered in gold and starlight. they both stood in the middle of a glorious chamber, surrounded by others with starry eyes and brilliant smiles. the crowd remained silent as the honourable knight knelt in front of the young prince, gaze downcast as he forgot what it was like to simply breathe.
this was an important moment in his life, and here he was about to make a fool of himself, but when he looked up, he watched as something warm, something innocent and yearning, bloomed on the prince's face.
that was all the encouragement he needed.) ]
... Dainsleif.
[ As Sir Dainsleif of the Black Serpent Knights, all that I am is yours to command.
—Celestia's curse couldn't diminish how important it was to him, to remember the vow he once swore, despite how it all ended. the event remains vivid in his mind, down to the vow he swore to keep on that day. he remembers it so well that he almost forgets where he is. the tavern's local patrons barely pay them any attention, and the innkeeper has already left them to their own devices, serving her next customers with a pretty smile and hearty laugh. there are snippets of conversation floating around about a strange phenomenon that made too many hilichurls suffer for no reason at all.
his own hand retreats once Kaeya's pulls away, almost apologetic for how things are turning out. he wonders if the coin will ever fall on a side that will be favourable to either of them. ]
I hail from a land far away from here. [ an outlander in every sense of the word. an outcast. ] I have been trying to find my way back, but... it has proven to be a difficult task lately.
[ he can only say it in so many different ways, but he has a feeling that the other man will understand. ]
My memory is not quite what it used to be.