Work Text:
Dorothea & Ingrid C
Dorothea is walking through the halls of the monastery, she walks into the entrance hall where she hands out flyers to passing students, teachers, and staff.
“There is an opera in town… I know that it’s short notice but I would love to see you there” she said, handing flyers out to a row of students.
They took them from her hands and continued walking, Dorothea smiled at them, they kept their eyes forward as they passed her by, taking the flyers and then crushing them in their grip, they don’t meet her eyes, Dorothea sighed. She turned, Ingrid was standing across the room, “INGRID!” Dorothea squealed running to her side.
Ingrid stood stiff as Dorothea approached, keeping a polite smile as Dorothea started to speak. “Have you ever been to an opera-?“
“I can’t say I have…”
“Are you serious?! Would you like to see one? I know that it is short notice but if you have a little time to spare-“
“Will you be on stage?” said Ingrid
Dorothea nodded “I am the leading lady…” she said straightening her posture and lifting her head-
“What an honor… I assume…” Ingrid said, keeping her smile in place “I- what usually happens in an opera-?”
“Well this one is about a noble woman who falls hopelessly in love with a commoner… it is tragic, I think you would really enjoy it-“ Dorothea said
Ingrid nodded “so then you play the noble woman?”
“Yes! She is a lady bound by honor to marry for wealth and status… but she feels true passion for one of the soldiers that guards her family’s estate… though circumstances keep her from expressing her feelings openly, one night she confesses to the commoner, carefully coding her language so that only the commoner would know of her love-“
Ingrid watched Dorothea as she finished, their was a pause “…what does the commoner say?” said Ingrid
Dorothea smiled “Well… at first he rejects her- he sings a beautiful song about duty and the selfishness of love and then-“ Dorothea stopped
Ingrid's smile was broader then before
Dorothea grinned back “I shouldn’t spoil the ending- will you come and see it? You could be my guest-!”
“I would love to… but I… assume that this is a formal event-“
“Of corse!”
“I don’t think that I have anything… appropriate to wear…”
“Oh thats no trouble, you can borrow something of mine… I’ll help you - it would be my pleasure-“
“thank you Dorothea, I look forward to it.”
Dorothea & Ingrid B
Dorothea and Ingrid are in Dorothea’s room, Dorothea is kneeling on the floor in front of Ingrid and applying powder to her face, Ingrid’s hair has been styled in a complex cascade of curls, they are both in their school uniforms, there are two formal gowns hanging on the door of Dorothea’s closet. Dorothea is leaning from side to side to look over Ingrid’s face.
“Lovely, just lovely… if I may say so-“ said Dorothea
Ingrid twitches a smile “May I open my eyes?”
“Yes, its all finished” said Dorothea, she reached for the mirror on the desk and holds it up for Ingrid to see.
Ingrid pulls away. “Oh my… I-“ she pauses and turns her face, watching it from each angle as it turns in the mirror, and then she lets out a short breath that ends in a smile “It is very nice…” she said softly
Dorothea leans closer to her and reaches up and lightly touches Ingrid’s cheek, wiping away a smudge. “Flawless” Dorothea says, she pauses, standing close to Ingrid.
Ingrid casts her eyes away. “I appreciate you taking the time-“ said Ingrid to the wall before standing up.
Dorothea stands with her. “It was no trouble… and you are stunning… I mean… even without all of this… you’re stunning…” Dorothea said, a blush rising in her fcae, she starred at Ingrid.
Ingrid clenched her teeth.
“Would you like some help with your dress?” Dorothea asked, she crossed the room toward the gowns on the dresser
Ingrid’s eyes shifted back to the door. “I um-“ Ingrid quartered toward Dorothea
Dorothea was unbuttoning her uniform and throwing it back off her shoulders
Ingird threw her eyes to the floor. “I’ll get dressed- dressed in my room-“ she stuttered and reached for the door handle.
Dorothea rushed to her side “wait wait-“ she slammed her hand against the door to keep it closed. Ingrid was trapped between Dorothea and closed door. “Don’t open the door while a lady is changing-“ Dorothea giggled, she took a step back. “And besides, you can get dressed here” Dorothea said.
Ingrid kept her eyes on the wall, on the ceiling, Dorothea’s shoulders flashed in view as Ingrid’s eyes passed, Ingrid lowered her gaze but stopped when she could see the thin straps and low v-neck of Dorothea’s undergarment. Ingrid’s eyes stayed frozen on Dorothea until she spoke.
“Like what you see?” Dorothea hummed with a sweet smile. Ingrid turned on the door, ripped it open and jumped out into the hall.
“Ingr-“
SLAM!
Ingrid closed the door on Dorothea, pressing her back against the door, she took several breaths in place.
“Ingrid- wait Ingrid- I’m sorry… I didn’t realize that you were- Hey Ingrid!?”
Ingrid ran down the hall away from her room.
Dorothea & Ingrid A
In the church Ingrid is praying, she is sitting alone, it is dark and the church is lit only by the candles on the alter. Ingrid clasps her hands tightly and keeps her eyes closed. There is a small echo of tiny clicks when Dorothea enters the church, she is dressed for the opera, arriving after her performance earlier that night. Dorothea slowly approached the place where Ingrid was sitting, Dorothea sits in a chair several feet away from Ingrid, Dorothea sighs as she settles in her seat and folds her hands to pray, her eyes are open starring at her hands. After several long minutes in silence Dorothea speaks. “I’m sorry… that I scared you…” Dorothea said.
Ingrid was silent.
Dorothea took a long breath, lifting her eyes to the candles on the alter in front of her. It was silent again and Dorothea turned her eyes to Ingrid, watching from the corner of her eye, Ingrid was still praying, eyes shut. Dorothea pressed her lips together before she spoke. “I recognize that my actions may have seemed… disrespectful… to you or-“ Dorothea glanced at the alter, she sighed “It was never my intention…” Dorothea said to the alter, she unclasped her hands and began to twist a peace of her dress between them. “…I have always admired you…” Dorothea said, watching the cloth move in her hands “Your devotion to your work… to the goddess… to your friends… I wish that we could be friends Ingrid… I wish I knew how to apologize to you” Dorothea said, unlocking her hands and moving herself across the seat toward Ingrid, still keeping several feet of space between them. Dorothea leaning into Ingrid’s view as she opened her eyes.
Ingrid kept her eyes straight, “I do not think that this is appropriate to speak of these things… while in the church.” said Ingrid.
Dorothea turned away, letting her eyes sink to the floor.
Ingrid unfolded her hands to place them in her lap. “But… I feel that I need to apologize for the way I left you… I should have given you an explanation…” Ingrid met Dorothea’s eyes,
Dorothea leaned in fighting a smile.
Ingrid looked back at the alter “my family is poor… but because I was born with a crest and a noble name… my father believes that there is hope… if I can find a noble husband with enough wealth… our house would be restored…” Ingrid turned to Dorothea “Its all I can think about… its all I must think about.” said Ingrid, Dorothea nodded in silence “I must never do… or think anything that could put that responsibility at risk.”
“I understand” said Dorothea, “I know the same pressure, to marry a rich noble lord… but I pursued it by choice… I don’t have a family… I was orphaned at a young age…"
Ingrid closed her eyes, pressing her lips together.
Dorothea scooted herself closer to Ingrid “I know that my behavior… offended you… I assure you, it wont happen again.” said Dorothea.
Ingrid stood, fixing her eyes on Dorothea.
Dorothea followed her to a stand
“I apologize” said Ingrid “I overreacted… and besides… I should have liked to see you perform.” Ingrid said with a small smile.
Dorothea grinned “I would like that…”
Ingrid took her hand “Then let us be friends.” Said Ingrid.
Dorothea & Ingrid S (after time skip)
At the end of the war. The battle field is silent, Dorothea walks across an open field, there is no one is sight except the opponents that are scattered across the field. Dorothea speeds up, she walks past the bodies of fallen soldiers without looking. In the distance she sees a body rise from the field, Ingrid slowly rolls up to sit on the ground, she glances over every body surrounding her.
“Ingrid- INGRID!” Dorothea yelled, trampling through the field of fallen soldiers, she rushed toward Ingrid but as she ran she could see, the blood on her armor, the look on her face. her eyes were glazed her mouth hung open, she would bite her teeth together between breaths, breathing through her teeth. Her eyes found Dorothea and her expression lifted slightly before she sank a little where she sat. “Ingrid- we won…” Dorothea panted as she came to a stop.
Ingrid smiled and tried to stand, planting slow feet into the mud. There were blood stains that leaked from dents in her armer
“Ingrid” Dorothea started.
Ingrid shook her head “I’m alright…” ingrid took a slow step, but then collapsed to her knee
Dorothea reached for her, she followered Ingrid to the ground where she kneeled
“I just, need a minute…” Ingrid breathed she nodded to Dorothea. “Would you… stay with me?”
“Of corse” Dorothea said, placing a hand on Ingrid’s shoulder.
Ingrid let out harsh short breaths, she shuttered as she tried to stand and Dorothea took her arm to help lift her but Ingrid stayed on the ground. She looked at Dorothea and then back to the field of bodies surrounding them.
Dorothea took a long breath and swallowed, “Here… hold onto me-“ said Dorothea, moving in front of Ingrid to lift her onto her back.
Ingrid didn’t move she stayed where she knelt beside Dorothea, she looked through Dorothea at the face of an ally soldier, eyes that were closed, a face that had been scraped and rolled in the mud. Ingrid starred at him, “He will never know that we won…” Ingrid breathed
Dorothea turned to the dead soldier and then quickly back to Ingrid. “Goddess rest his soul” Dorothea hissed under her breath, she squeezed her eyes shut and tried to lift Ingrid onto her back again.
Ingrid leaned forward into Dorothea, letting her lift her from the mud. Ingrid leaned her head against Dorothea. “I always thought it would be worse… to die without knowing victory… to go to the goddess without knowing if my friends… my family… would survive…”
Dorothea held Ingrid’s legs and shifted her weight as she slowly carried her over the field. “Lets not talk about this huh?” Dorothea panted.
Ingrid watched as Dorothea stepped past the soldier in the mud. “Perhaps it would be better to die in the midst of battle… not to know it happened… instead of… seeing the end… knowing victory… and knowing… that you will not live long enough to-“
“Ingrid-“ Dorothea snapped, stopping where she stood. Dorothea turned her head toward Ingrid, catching a few strands of Ingrid hair in her sight. “Hey-!?” Dorothea panted “You’re going to be alright… the others aren’t arn’t far-“ said Dorothea turned back, scanning the horizon.
Ingrid’s voice was softer, “Dorothea” she breathed “what’ll you do… now that its over?”
Dorothea clenched her teeth and lifted Ingrid higher on her back, taking broad steps across the field. “I- don’t know,” Dorothea huffed, keeping her eyes above the bodies at her feet.
“Will you sing?” Ingrid asked
Dorothea stepped over a horse that lay tangled with the bodies of several enemies. “The cities will need relief… I’ll help them” Dorothea hissed.
“Of corse you will… you have a good heart Dorothea-” Ingrid sighed.
Dorothea shook her slightly “I could use your help-“ Dorothea said sharply keeping her eyes ahead, the sun was setting, the horizon was lit by burning buildings, Dorothea stopped watching the smoke billow into the air.
“But what else will you do…?” Ingrid asked she breathed against Dorothea’s back, Dorothea could feel tears soaking into her back. “after the country has recovered… tell me what you will do?” Ingrid said.
Dorothea, straightened, watching further in the distance, where smoke rose from distant cities, Dorothea took a long breath “I- want to see the capital again… Mittelfrank opera…” Dorothea closed her eyes. Ingrid was breathing softly against her back, short breaths that sounded rougher, harsher, the longer they stood, the sky was dark, there were no voices, there was no sound, Dorothea felt Ingrid’s weight sink in her arms, she looked across the long field, in the last of the light, Dorothea could see a clearing, Dorothea lowered Ingrid to the ground of her back, Ingrid’s armor made a soft clink when it touched the ground. Dorothea panted as she sat up beside Ingrid and faced her.
Ingrid started to lean up toward Dorothea. reaching limp fingers after her.
“Its alright… I’m just… ” Dorothea breathed taking Ingrid’s hand and lowering it back to her side. “We’ll find them… I know they’re here… I’m sure they didn’t-“
“Dorothea?” Ingrid said,
Dorothea turned back to Ingrid. “I’m sorry… maybe if I clear the path ahead of us-“ Dorothea said looking out over the dark field, to the bodies they could no longer see. She bit her lip and turned back to Ingrid. “Maybe if we removed some of your armor… I can carry you-“ she said, reaching for Ingrids arm and working to unstrap the metal plats where she found them.
“Dorotea?”
“Hm?”
“You sing so beautifully” Ingrid said.
Dorothea stopped, Ingird was breathing softly with her eyes closed, she lay in the mud beside Dorothea. Dorothea took Ingrid's hand and squeezed it. “Hey, you’re not leaving me now… after everything you said about dying in battle…” Ingrid’s hand was cold, Dorothea squeezed her fingers. “Ingrid?”
Ingrid lay still, “Dorothea… do you remember the opera when you performed in town.”
Dorothea nodded, closing both her hands around Ingrid’s hand, Ingrid opened her eyes, they floated toward the black sky “I never told anyone… “ Ingrid whispered, “After I left your room… I saw you… in town…”
Dorothea starred at Ingrid, Ingrid’s eyes drifted to her, and she smiled, “You were beautiful on stage…”
Dorothea lifted her eyes to the horizon, the night was silent. “We need to go-“ said Dorothea, she pulled off Ingrid’s armor in sections. carefully lifting it away and piling it to her side.
Ingrid watched her "Can you forgive me Dorothea… for leaving you back then”
“Of coarse I can forgive you” Dorothea huffed tearing her armor away faster now and tossing it aside.
Ingrid smiled “back then… I just didn’t know what it felt like- to want someone“
Dorothea reached under Ingrid, siting her up and pulling at larger plates of armer that lay over her chest. “You don’t have to apologize Ingrid” Dorothea said “We were children.” Dorothea dropped the last plate from her back, and lifted Ingrid into her arms.
Ingrid stopped her, they were face to face, Dorothea sitting in front of Ingrid, holding her where she sat. “What is it like to love someone?” Ingrid asked.
Dorothea froze, she watched Ingrid’s distant eyes, tired features that fell into Dorothea’s arms “What do you mean?”
“When you love someone how do you know?”
Dorothea shook her head “Ingrid- you’re going to be alright.” Dorothea, moved one arm under Ingrid’s knees to lift her. Ingrid leaned against her. Dorothea lifted Ingrid but then stumbled, one foot slid sideways against the ground, Ingrid and Dorothea dropped inches back to the ground. “Hold on, hold on” Dorothea repeated, repositioning her arms around Ingrid, they were face to face on the ground. Dorothea watched Ingrid beneath her.
Ingrid reached a hand up to touch the side of Dorothea’s face
“Ingrid…” Dorothea closed Ingrid's hand to her cheek.
“What does it feel like?” Ingrid said, Dorothea watched Ingrid’s features brighten as she spoke.
Dorothea sighed, one arm was still beneath Ingrid holding them together. “I don’t- I’ve never been in love…” Dorothea said shaking her head.
Ingrid's smile faded, her eyes fell.
“But-“ Dorothea blurted out “I imagine it feels like-“ Ingrids eyes brightened “It- feels like… friendship… and um… kindness… and hope… I think…” Dorothea said, Ingrid smiled at her and Dorothea smiled back, she sat up and drew Ingrid to a sitting position in front of her, Dorothea brushed Ingrid’s hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. “I suppose I imagine love like a song… that makes me feel… happy… and sad…” Dorothea’s hand lingered on the side of Ingrid’s face, running the back of her fingers down the side of her cheek. “Love songs are always happy and sad…”
“why?” said Ingrid, she wobbled in Dorothea’s arms.
Dorothea leaned Ingrid closer, “Because… love feels right…” Dorothea said, Ingrid was watching her, her smile faded, but her face was warm where Dorothea touched her “Love is something you want to hold on to… even when you know that its slipping away… you want to hold it tightly but you hold it gently…” Dorothea breathed
Ingrid leaned into her. “I think… you’re right” Ingrid said.
Dorothea could feel her breath on her lips, Dorothea cast her eyes away, Letting Ingrid sloppily lean against her, Dorothea swallowed. “You’ll fall in love Ingrid… you will know happiness…. you have your whole- ” said Dorothea, their eyes met.
Ingrid tilted her head and leaned closer to her.
Dorothea steadied Ingrid where she sat but Ingrid caught her, Dorothea froze when Ingrid fell into their kiss. Dorothea was stiff, feeling Ingrid’s lips move against hers. Dorothea pulled away and held Ingrid in front of her. “Ingrid?!” Dorothea said separating them but Ingrid was blushing, starring at Dorothea.
“Dorothea… I’ve always…” Ingrid started, her eyes darting away as a flush grew across her face “I’m sorry… ever since we met… I liked you… you always seemed so romantic… you had your duties… but you always made time for the things that you loved…”
“Ingrid-“
“It’s the one thing… I always denied myself…” Ingrid stared at Dorothea “If I could have done it over… I would have told you that I loved you-“ Ingrid fell into their embrace.
Dorothea paused before she clung to Ingrid, and buried her face into Ingrid’s shoulder
Ingrid placed a light hand on Dorothea’s back.
Dorothea squeezed her closer. “Ingrid” Dorothea breathed, before she pulled them apart “We’ll find them, I am going to get you out of here!” Dorothea said, lifting Ingrid with her to stand, before reaching her hand under Ingrid’s knees to lift her off her feet.
Ingrid leaned against Dorothea’s neck. “I love you Dorothea”
“I love you Ingrid”
Dorothea & Ingrid Ending Card
After the war, Ingrid recovered but was forced to end her career as a knight, Dorothea stayed by her side, the pair worked to provide relief to the country long after the war ended, eventually Ingrid’s family betrothed her again but Ingrid refused the match, Ingrid confessed to her father her feelings for Dorothea, Ingrid was rejected but she married Dorothea. After the capital was repaired and the county returned to relative peace Dorothea with Ingrid encouragement returned to her career as a songstress. She made a living performing in the capital, eventually convincing Ingrid to join her on the stage, Ingrid joined Dorothea’s opera company and the pair was cast together in many performances. Once they were cast opposite each other as lovers, in this performance Dorothea famously composed a song for Ingrid that she had added to the script. many of their performances funded the restoration of the cities in and outside of Fodlan and their careers provided a comfortable retirement for the both Dorothea and Ingrid in their old age.