[ The man’s explanation is not at all what he expects and Dimitri’s eyebrows knit in concentration as he goes on. He was expecting a mere note of how the other enjoyed this or that of each season, but how he ultimately found spring to be best. Although, Dimitri supposes, he did say ‘loveliest’ and not best. ]

I see. So, you subvert the usual way of thinking where life is young in the spring and by fall has grown old and withered.

[ He considers all the man said, crooking a finger under his chin as his eyes go a little distant. Was his life cyclical? True, twice now he has had his life ripped away from him by violence and fire, but that would mean what comes next is capture and solitude, not the continental warfare coming to him. Not Dimitri hunting her down and tearing her head from her shoulders.

Don’t think of that. Dimitri suppresses his anger still again and pushes thoughts of her away, but not before it showed on his face for a brief moment. A twitch of the nostril, the deepening glare of the eyebrows- quickly tucked away to make himself presentable.

Dimitri may be misunderstanding what the man means though. He’s probably going to be thinking about this for awhile yet. ]

… I cannot say I agree with your assessment of it all being inevitable, but I do see wisdom in your words. Have you thought long on this, or did you merely come up with it as an example of an intellectual way of thinking on it?

[ He’s genuinely curious and seeks to understand better. ]