[ Hilda's initial reaction probably isn't exactly how he would've put it, but - it's absolutely effective in pointing out what a ridiculous thought process that is in the very brutal way only Hilda can manage and he's been long acquainted with. If it wasn't for the subject matter and how misplaced it'd be to do so in this moment, Claude might've even smiled. Fortunately, he's saved from any risk of it by his expression immediately flattening out. Not because he's actually expressionless, but because it's something safer to default to than the growing anger in hearing Sylvain still somewhat defend this as logical.
None of it's directed at Sylvain himself since Claude recognizes how easily he might've thought the same things had he had not refused such a thing, and even though refusals came with their own costs just as much as shouldering those burdens had. Though it's easy for both of them to be upset - and it's certainly justified to be even if Sylvain seems to accept this, all of it, in his own way. In what must have felt like the only option, Claude thinks.
That doesn't also mean he doesn't join Hilda in glaring for good measure until it also fades at what she says. More truths, if Sylvain would only believe them. ]
The Crest is the least worthwhile thing about you, actually. And by that I mean it's meaningless to who you are, because you aren't your Crest. Not even close, Sylvain. You're so much more than that.
[ It's Claude's turn to move without thinking as a bookend to the same moment Hilda does, though this time rather than in agitation it's a small show of affection in reaching out to brush some dirt off Sylvain's cheek with the back of one hand, a souvenir from the now abandoned gardening relaxation that's been thoroughly interrupted by revelations to be had. ]
Don't try to convince us otherwise either because it won't work. [ And there's the cheekiness back again, not just for levity but to also give Sylvain a bit of a reprieve from more equally heavy things. ] You're stuck with us thinking highly of you no matter whatever denial I'm sure you're working on while I'm still talking.
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None of it's directed at Sylvain himself since Claude recognizes how easily he might've thought the same things had he had not refused such a thing, and even though refusals came with their own costs just as much as shouldering those burdens had. Though it's easy for both of them to be upset - and it's certainly justified to be even if Sylvain seems to accept this, all of it, in his own way. In what must have felt like the only option, Claude thinks.
That doesn't also mean he doesn't join Hilda in glaring for good measure until it also fades at what she says. More truths, if Sylvain would only believe them. ]
The Crest is the least worthwhile thing about you, actually. And by that I mean it's meaningless to who you are, because you aren't your Crest. Not even close, Sylvain. You're so much more than that.
[ It's Claude's turn to move without thinking as a bookend to the same moment Hilda does, though this time rather than in agitation it's a small show of affection in reaching out to brush some dirt off Sylvain's cheek with the back of one hand, a souvenir from the now abandoned gardening relaxation that's been thoroughly interrupted by revelations to be had. ]
Don't try to convince us otherwise either because it won't work. [ And there's the cheekiness back again, not just for levity but to also give Sylvain a bit of a reprieve from more equally heavy things. ] You're stuck with us thinking highly of you no matter whatever denial I'm sure you're working on while I'm still talking.