( It's the reaction Yuri wants. Dimitri's hands curl around his hips, his teeth glint in the low light, and Yuri swallows a curling smile at how receptive the young prince is to being nudged in the direction of his choosing. Those traditions that would otherwise warn Dimitri from getting too closely involved with him weren't necessarily incorrect. )

I was born there, you know. In the Kingdom.

( Yuri replies thoughtfully, his grinding slowing to a halt as he feigns turning the idea of heading back there over in his mind. )

A little village up north, where the winters were especially cold.

( It's true, too. His mother still lives there to this day - not that Yuri has the kind of time on his hands any more to make the trip there very often. It weighs heavy on his heart that he can't spend the kind of time with her he'd like, but then when the choice is stay in Abyss and keep her fed and warm or head back home and have her go hungry ...

Yeah. It's really no choice at all - not with Aelfric's threats in the mix. )

But, I've already seen what the Kingdom has to offer. The Empire, too. It's only fair to give the Alliance that same chance, right?