abraxaslogs | [ CLOSED ] into an ocean

You guess, huh.

[ Said dryly and with no small amounts of disbelief of his own there in partial return for what he'd just been given himself, even if it's probably offset by the smile fleeting across his face at the kiss, though before he can settle her against him a little more Hilda's turning around. The look on her face is one easy to read from where he's seen it a thousand times before in possibly that many different capacities, and while he's no stranger to having it sent his way - it feels different now.

Different because it feels like there's less to question about it now that he knows the heart of what it means no matter what else, and as Claude shifts his arms around her to keep her close he doesn't have to question what's on his own face as he looks back at her. It's the same one, the same sentiment, and once he feels he has to hide less and less for fear of it being unrequited. ]

A good idea considering he might actually find this decent beach weather instead of getting sunburned into oblivion like during the summer.

[ That's about the only part of their visit to Aquila in the summer Claude wants to recall, what with the undercurrent of (or blatant) hostility between the two of them running through that whole trip. But they can at least rewrite over them with things far better, and that goes for the three of them every bit as much, too.

Regret's not something he wants to let filter in for as much as he still feels about all of last summer, so instead Claude grins when there's a better topic to focus on while letting a hand trail up and down her side. ]

Are you saying I should be prepared to carry another bag just as heavy tomorrow because there's going to be even more outfit changes in there if the mood strikes? I'll be sure to pack lightly myself then.

[ A singsong hum vibrates from her lips as she presses another chaste kiss to his cheek.

The way the winter sun sets Claude's eyes alight is a sight she could never tire of. She's so distracted by the way they dance that she almost doesn't think to recognize the rest of his expression. One so fond and full of affection that it almost doesn't seem well placed on his face for this particular situation. Trying to unlearn how she'd been thinking not just this past year but long before that takes constant repetition and practice; she has to remind herself that she was somehow desirable in his eyes not just from a physical perspective but from an emotional one too.

It catches her off guard but she doesn't pull her gaze away immediately. Instead she allows them to bask in the glow of one another as her hands idly play with the hair at the nape of his neck. ]

You should absolutely be prepared to carry another heavy bag tomorrow. It isn't a picnic with food and drink, right? How else is it going to get there?

[ Perry is an obvious answer. Hilda has no qualms about utilizing her unseen servant to help with some of the heavy lifting around the loft and that included bags of all functions. Her heels raise off the ground so she can rub her nose affectionately against his. ]

And as a reward and thank you for doing that today, I'll even give you a massage if you want.

[ That Hilda stays close isn't something he takes for granted. If anything, Claude finds small ways to pull her closer still. It wasn't that long ago he'd resigned himself to the painful absence of ever having this again, and it wasn't that long before that he'd quietly second guessed these moments instead of believing in what they were: an unspoken way for each of them to say the words ever lurking about the edges of his mind with Hilda around, or nearby, or in his arms with the truth of them as steady as a heartbeat.

When she rises closer yet, it's tempting to let his eyes fall shut rather than meeting her gaze as he is to enjoy having her here in his arms. It's far more tempting yet to murmur something matching that thrum of his pulse as it grows louder from that look in his eyes. A novelty to know what it means, he reminds himself again, as a too affectionate smile curves its way onto his mouth as Hilda piles more tasks onto him in the name of vacation plans. He could say something now; it's also a thought he's had for years upon years of how there's not much he wouldn't do if only she asked.

One he swallows back for now, instead letting open amusement take back over with a reward now waiting in front of him. ]

A massage? You should've led with that since I could've carried three more bags on top of the ones you already had.

[ While talking Claude lets his hands slide down from their current grasp and along until he grasps the back of her thighs, and in one motion and with the benefit of their current position and Hilda's arms around his neck he lifts her to wrap her legs around his waist instead. All the better to move them away from the view for now and back towards the door to head inside, and of course grinning all the while. ]

If there's a loophole in there by not mentioning the kind of massage, I'd like to formally request something more than, say, a hand massage right now before it's too late.

[ While their years together hadn't made her a mind reader, she had known enough about him to puzzle out the things left unsaid whether they were aimed at her or not. It's true she had worried that during their last year here that that wouldn't be the case anymore. All the second guessing, all the strife about this rift between them had made her wonder if she had been delusionally naive to think that it would be like that forever. That all it had taken to unravel their bond had been a year and then some of being apart. She hadn't even realized it had been a fear until she had self-destructed what little they'd had left in a poorly thought out way of trying to salvage it.

But dwelling on the past and doing nothing about it wasn't going to help her, help them, move on. She tries to start here and now by reminding herself that the affection on his face is the same she sees when he looks at Sylvain. And she had to be okay with that. She was okay with that. She was learning to be okay with that. That's where she lets her thoughts stop for now: there is affection and there's warmth. Isn't that all she needs?

There's a soft, pleased giggle as Claude urges her legs around his waist as they step back into the room. Wiggling her hips she pulls herself a little closer by wrapping her legs a little tighter around him - less for stability's sake and more to be closer to him. A pretence of contemplation crosses her face. ]

I'll grant a suggestion. And depending on the suggestion, I might even throw in a hand massage for free.

[ Unsurprisingly, an exaggerated gasp follows at that notion of something for free as he carries her in through the door though it's only a mildly believable one even on the scale of reactions he always has ready to go at any time. It's also an entirely unsubtle method of fishing for another giggle from her - though that's only just getting started. ]

My mentioning that the massage better not just be a hand massage doesn't count as suggestion? Maybe you've spent too much time around me when it comes to wanting the specifics in everything and this is it coming back to haunt me finally.

[ A contemplative hum follows as they make their way through the suite, though it's only for show and for entertaining her. Claude doesn't think for an instant that Hilda believes he doesn't have one, two, five, ten things in mind at any given time. But this is enough for now as he tilts his chin up as if to go in for a kiss - at least until they turn the corner into the main bedroom and he pulls back with a teasing grin at the last second to lean over the bed and lay Hilda back on it before bracing his hands on the bed on either side of her. ]

Then again, I seem to remember this massage being your idea so maybe you should be telling me what you have planned.

[ There's an insinuation in there, probably, if only because he's leaning ever closer again to lessen that gap between then. This time Claude doesn't pull away and though it's tempting to hover and to just ghost over her lips with his, it's far better to close the distance for a gentle kiss. Though in true Claude fashion, he doesn't let it linger for long before pulling back for a look of faux thought with plenty of amusement in the edges of it. ]

Maybe a shoulder massage?

[ It's almost prescriptive now this back and forth between them. Claude's dramatic gasps are usually met with one of several options, a laugh being one of them. And that's exactly what she gives him in response. ]

You know I need a little more than that.

[ Perhaps it shows some level of growth that she's asking for specifics at all. Five years ago she would have happily given him the bare minimum )(or nothing at all depending on who was asking). ]

Massages require energy you know. If I want to give you a good one then I have to know what I'm signing myself up for.

[ Said like he wasn't one of the few people that she might give 110% of her best effort for. Her laugh lingers on her face all the same even though his performative thinking. Warmth fills her expression in a way that is so common in these quieter moments between them. Even when he teases her with a kiss and she pouts, that warmth still remains unchanged as she's laid down on the bed so that the only thing she can see is him. Her pout dispels the moment his lips meet hers and when he pulls away, it's her to feign thought as her hands slide down his neck so they can rest on his shoulders. ]

I could give you a shoulder massage. But if we're working on your shoulders we may as well work on your back too, right?

[ Her legs, still partially wrapped around his waist, loosen but still tug him closer so she can press a featherlight kiss to his lips. ]

[ There's a huff of a teasing laugh which goes with that comment about energy and the implication of preserving it, and the only reason it's not something louder is to not interrupt the closeness between them by (rightly) earning himself a swat for riling her up... too much. Something as familiar as this bargaining between them where it's just as often as been Claude himself looking for more in whatever it is they're holding out before the other, and a smile finds its way across his face even as he's already calculating more ways to comply with his end of this deal they're figuring out.

He's not in any rush to move as her hands track across him and he pauses in running his mouth to enjoy the touch. At least until Hilda pulls him closer and he gladly doesn't resist it or the kiss following. It gets a small noise from him when it's as light as the one he'd given her moments before, and Claude brings over one of his hands to cradle her jaw while obeying that quiet request to come closer as he kisses her again, this time one longer and lingering.

It might be risking derailing any massage, but: well worth it as he breaks it to lean his forehead against hers. ]

I'm certainly not going to protest anywhere your hands want to go. [ Which is not at all what Hilda was saying and he knows it, but - that's also true enough as he presses another kiss to the corner of her mouth while trying to not grin. Too much. ] What about the day at the beach tomorrow? Surely that counts for all the relaxation and energy restoration we could need on a getaway.

[ Who said he was going to get a massage then and there anyway? Presumptuous of him to assume. But it might not be the most presumptuous thing he's thought, especially when he kisses her like that. She leans into it, pressing close to him until he breaks the kiss first. The taste of him lingers there, distracting her somewhat from the topic at hand.

Absently she brushes her nose against his with a hum. ]

A day at a slightly secluded beach with you sounds perfect. Are you also asking for a massage there or is that just exclusive to behind closed doors?

That depends, if a massage at the beach gets sand everywhere are you going to tell me it's just a really great exfoliation method?

[ It's partially a joke - though it certainly does sound possible as something either one of them might suggest as a solution to far too much sand. Maybe he'd take it further if the way she'd pressed against him hadn't narrowed down their surroundings that much further to where Aquila, despite being right outside those balcony doors, and their plans for this trip feel all the more distant.

With a small shift Claude leaves his hand where it is to keep their faces together while letting his other trail down her side with a grin. ]

Something tells me you might be about to tell me that's a bonus I hadn't considered before now, though.

[ Half a joke is enough to draw a laugh out of her, bright and sweet even if the reality is that she would absolutely hate sand everywhere. Hilda's fingers curl into his hair as she gives him a brief, lingering kiss. ]

You say that like it's a bad thing. You love the spa.

[ As his hand trails down her sides she leans into his touch, soaking the attention up. ]

Luckily for you, we can take a dip in the water after. Or if you're patient we could have a bath. Did you really think that I'd let you come back into bed covered in sand?

Oh, now we're moving onto baths, are we? This is sounding more and more like an elaborate plot by the minute.

[ Certainly not because he's spiraling it out into one. Definitely not. It's also absolutely not fueled in any way by Hilda's laugh, her fingers in her hair sending a barely there shiver down his spine as they always do without fail. Her lean into his touch as it skims over her clothes, and what has him toying with her hem to brush the skin beneath it lightly as if in thought. As if it was an accidental touch and that moving it farther beneath isn't occupying his thoughts. ]

I'll allow it. You know I never say no to a little spoiling.

[ For himself, for others - for Hilda beneath him to be paired with that thought from before as he tilts his head to kiss the corner of her mouth, her chin, then the potential start of a path down to her jaw as he tests her grip in his hair in the process to see if she'll hold it. ]

[ The way she bats her eyelashes says everything she doesn't say, which is that she doesn't have the faintest idea what he's talking about.

At his agreement she dramatically she gasps - although there's still laughter laced in that sound and in her words. ]

What really? I never would have guessed.

[ The way his hands "accidentally" skim her thigh makes her smile knowingly into the kiss, breathing him in as much as she can until he breaks it. As he makes his way further down her neck she tightens her grip for a brief moment. Her eyes flash mischievously holding his gaze before flipping him onto his back.

Hilda's thighs tighten against his sides. Fingers tangle together with his, pulling his hands above his head before transferring her grip to clasp his wrists. Slowly she descends so that her breath ghosts his lips, the shell of his ear, his neck. Sweetly she murmurs into his warm skin that smells so comfortingly of pine. ]

It's only fair that I spoil you a little more before you spoil me then, right?

Edited 2024-03-24 06:38 (UTC)

It's like you're reading my mind. Someone might think you're rather good at that, you know.

[ If his hands weren't (rather delightfully) pinned this would be the time that he'd pull her in for a kiss, but with no way to do that - and no wish to interrupt her - Claude closes his eyes to focus on the feeling of her breath skimming over his skin. Anticipation builds from there in the way they've become so good at stoking it within each other and drawing it out until there's nothing left to do but enjoy those spoils lavished until well spent.

When the next morning comes around, Claude wakes to the mid-morning sun streaming through the nearest window directly into his face. Even as someone who enjoys rising with the sun it's a bit much, really. Upon grumbling when it seems to shine all the brighter now that he's awake he does find it comes with another benefit: Hilda's waking up at the same time when this sunbeam's served as their personal alarm clock. One more squint outside reveals it's much later than sunrise, at least, which is all the motivation Claude needs to rouse them out of bed. After a bit, anyway; even with their plans for the day there's still some time required to enjoy the simple luxury of being curled up together.

By the time they make it to the markets with their bags for that beach in tow as he carries his own, dutifully has Hilda's slung over one shoulder, and her hand laced through his free one, the crowds are bustling past as Claude peers down one row of the market stalls and then the opposite direction next. ]

It shouldn't be too hard to find what we want to bring for that picnic, right? There's surely a merchant around here somewhere with some options we can take with us and ways to package it to keep the sand out before you're ready to show off your newest exfoliation techniques.

[ As much as they can both agree that the rift between them had been less than ideal, the efforts to repair the space in between them had also brought reminders of things that she had forgotten about. One of which is being able to wake up beside him again. After a myriad of complaints aimed at both Claude and the sun, and asking for 'just a couple more minutes' to be dressed, they eventually make it out the door.

From beneath her floppy sun hat she offers him a bright grin. ]

Aquila has a little bit of everything. I'm sure there's something that pairs well with the all natural sand exfoliation package.

[ Outside of the beach day that Jesper had held last year (some of which she's purposefully tried to forget), she's spent just as much time here in the markets as she has the Cadens ones. ]

How do sandwiches sound? And maybe a cheese board with whatever fruit is in season? Those should be easy to carry and not too heavy to carry.

[ Is that an allusion that Claude will also be carrying their lunch? No, not at all. In fact, she might be even entertaining carrying it because the cute little picnic basket she's carrying goes incredibly well with her outfit. ]

I think anything might be lighter than this bag, you know.

[ That's complete with, of course, dropping his shoulder where her bag's slung like it suddenly contains the weight of the world within it and gravity was summoned by just thinking about it now. There's also a sigh as Claude shrugs it back up to where it belongs - false complaint or not, he's still carrying it - and tugs lightly on Hilda's hand to bring her along as he turns in the direction of a nearby sandwich shop. ]

But we'll manage! Since all of those things you listed off might as well be required in my eyes, and we should probably find some drinks to go with it. There's a good cafe nearby with sandwiches I usually grab when I'm here for the workshop where we can start.

[ Or so he means to, but of course there's distractions to be had on the way. The first is a fruit stand which is rather fortuitous given it was something on the list, and this particular stand also has cups and flagons meant for travel to hold what's a particularly enticing offering here: fresh juice from a buyer's choice of fruit to be turn into that juice. It's enough to get Claude to browse for something beyond things to go onto the board, and not without a smile. ]

These markets remind me of the ones I grew up going to as a kid. Almyra's ports had all kinds of things from everywhere and I used to spend a lot of time browsing around. Sometimes when I was supposed to be doing something else, much to my tutors' chagrin.

[ Her voice takes a hopeful turn as they begin to head towards their destination. ]

Does that mean you'll carry me the rest of the way to the beach?

[ Because surely she's lighter than her bag. Surely. While it may sound like a trap to anyone that isn't familiar with their brand of playful banter, it couldn't be farther from the truth.

Her eyes gleam at the selection of fruit piled high atop of each other and she wastes no time picking several out for their board and the juice. Once they've made their selection she takes a hold of the bag being offered while they wait. A fond smile flits to her face at the thought of a young Claude darting through various legs and stalls in an effort to throw off an exasperated tutor. ]

I'm jealous. Goneril had markets but nothing like this. The closest thing was Derdriu - and even then, my parents wouldn't let me go alone. I wasn't allowed anywhere without supervision. [ The thought makes her sigh. ] And that was normally Holst which meant he never let me out of his sight.

Only if Holst was the one to carry you around Derdriu.

[ He's kidding, but also - it does sound like something that might happen. As does carrying Hilda here despite how he's skipped past that beyond a squeeze to her hand in his, considering they both know there's a chance that might happen as it is. ]

I'm not so sure I was really meant to be out of anyone's sight for a variety of reasons, but that didn't stop me from managing it most of the time. Nader at least found it entertaining though I always paid for it in training later.

[ That comes with a familiar grumble, the beginning refrain of a complaint, though there's no denying the fondness within it. In the same breath and at the moment their canister of juice is handed over and they move onto their next task, something else occurs to him. ]

Huh. Strange to think this is the longest I've gone without seeing him even accounting for me leaving for Fodlan, considering he showed up as my supposed retainer not long after I became duke. [ A brief pause as yet another tangent pops into his mind - this one of course with mischief behind it as Claude pairs it with a sidelong look of amusement sent towards Hilda. ] Well, I suppose there's always a chance he could be summoned here with the rest of us and then he'd really adopt you after all.

Of course he carried me around Derdriu.

[ Now it's her turn to grumble and groan as if reliving the embarrassment of being flung over his shoulder as a means of punishment after finally catching up to her. Being smaller and having the ability to slip through the spaces in the crowd didn't make up for the fact that she had far shorter legs than Holst.

Hilda can't help but think that if she shouldn't have been wandering around, then Claude definitely shouldn't have been. An only daughter who wasn't going to inherit anything was hardly as important as a potential future king - but she lets that go unsaid. Instead her thoughts drift to how they both had shared a penchant for breaking the rules even at a young age.

Whatever fondness that might appear on her face is momentarily stolen away by the horror of Nader appearing here in Abraxas. Even if he's joking she offers him a quick elbow to the side. ]

Take that back! And besides, if he's anything like you told me he probably wouldn't bother trying to adopt me before he lectured you.

[ Mild horror aside she huffs, she rests her head against his arm. ]

Speaking retainers...did you take a retainer after the war? Was it Lorenz?

[ Of course he did; Claude does an exceptionally poor job of smothering the wide smile on his face as Hilda confirms a suspicion he was pretty sure was true already. Just like the reaction regarding Nader suddenly appearing here at which he holds back absolutely zero laughter no matter what her reaction might be to that. It's something light to think about - sort of - as they wander their way through the rest of the market picking up this or that to add to the picnic basket considering there's truly no end to the lecturing Nader would do here.

With Hilda's head leaned against him he leans down to press a kiss to her forehead while waiting for a merchant to bag up the last of their supplies, though when she asks a question he's not expecting Claude pauses to shift his gaze to her as they turn to leave. ]

A retainer? No, I was as good as one myself after ceding the Alliance back into making Fodlan one united nation and resigning as its leader after. Lorenz would've resented being a somehow even lower rank than he already felt like at the start of the war if that were the case. I'm sure Teach will put him in charge of something worthwhile, though.

[ A thought which might have been bitter once, but they'd covered too much ground during the war for that supposed rivalry Lorenz believed they were in to last throughout it. Something he wonders if Hilda's seen fully or if he should fill in the blanks there, then decides it's a less important detail than the ones surrounding the rest of what she's asking. They'll get there. But not without a little teasing first, naturally. ]

Of course, I could always tell Teach to assign it to you instead. I think you could have all those misbehaving lords looking sheepish while Lorenz would still be busy blustering about diplomacy and on the first paragraph on the first page of his ten page speech written just for the occasion.

[ Claude's laughter at the expense of her horror at an imagined scenario would normally be met with another sharp elbow or whined protest. But her weakness for Claude's free, unabashed laughter would never fail to cut right through any of her pouting put on or not.

When his lips meet her forehead her eyes flutter closed a moment only to open again when she feels him turn to look down at her. Her question about it being Lorenz had been mostly a joke because she can imagine the Gloucester heir's reaction to it. But some of it is curiosity. After all, she didn't know how their friend's demeanour had changed after the war. But it's not like retainers were treated poorly - case in point Dedue and Hubert. One just had to overcome whatever ego one might have surrounding it.

The merchant holds out the bag towards them and she offers them coins in return and a smile before they begin on their way through the crowd. Her head still rests against his shoulder not particularly eager to be further from him. ]

Ugh, don't you dare. Just because I like putting grizzled old lords in their place doesn't mean I want to do it as a job. [ Never mind that they both know the thought of her having a job of any kind, even one that she liked is nothing more than a lofty dream. ] Besides, I probably won't have time if I'm supposed to look after some kind of household. Or maybe I'll convince someone to go traveling with me before I have to get married.

[ As Hilda keeps her head on his shoulder and after a few steps, Claude carefully shifts. Despite his best efforts there's a bit of jostling, not to move her out of a place he's always thought of as hers at his side but to move so he can wrap the arm she's leaning against around her instead with his hand resting on her hip after. All the better to idly let his fingers trace over her side as he's done a thousand times before in moments of closeness, never one to keep still even if they're still in motion at a leisurely speed to their destination.

More laughter escapes him at Hilda's protest about dealing with cantankerous lords - a complaint he understands well and especially when it comes to the Alliance's particularly obnoxious ones who insisted on being as difficult as possible on any given topic. Claude had, rather shamelessly, also involved Hilda in knocking a few of them back down and sending Lorenz after the others. An effective team, he'd always thought. Other quips about it rest on the tip of his tongue and ready to go in an instant about further teams since there's no reason that couldn't continue, right?

She reminds him of one in a way which quiets the joke he was about to make when it doesn't feel right. Because it sounds like that nebulously described future is one again which doesn't overlap with his own vague outline of one he'd placed before her; or does it? It could on a technicality, but it's the have to get married which doesn't. ]

Don't forget you'll have a trip to Almyra to make in there. [ With a pause to tug on the fabric beneath his fingertips like he has to get her attention and it's not already focused on him, and despite the uncertainty over what it is Hilda's envisioning for her future there's nothing but lightness in his voice. ] Or more like several since Almyra's a big place with lots to see, and because I know it'll completely surprise you if I say I plan on showing you all of it before you get to declare your trips done.

[ Or to ask her to stay, he thinks fleetingly, but instead of saying so he squeezes her closer as they turn towards the path to the waiting beach. ]

[ The slight jostling doesn't bother her because she knows that she'll easily find her place at his side. When she's settled, her arm snakes around his waist ensuring that anyone that is coming in the opposite direction will have to go around them because the likelihood of her separating from him is slim. ]

Well obviously I have to make a trip to Almyra. I thought that was a given.

[ It's even hard for her to say whether or not she means what she says about traveling Fodlan and the lands beyond it. She has no plans, ever, save for this nebulous fate that she knows will await her should she return home and survive the war. Daydreaming suits her fine and has proven an effective tool for providing solace in wartimes, just like knocking down lords too set in their ways does the same. But even the great pretender isn't blind to inevitability. Why not have as much fun as she can while she's still free of real responsibility and avoiding the fact that some day they'd be going their separate ways?

Speaking of - her gaze swings up towards him with a look. ]

But if we do go home, won't you have responsibilities? Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of an heir to the throne showing me around their home, but I feel like the point of a royal is that they're supposed to be running the affairs of their country. That's sort of hard to do when you're very far from the capital.

[ Claude just gives a hum to the mention of it being a given, since - that's a pleased sort of feeling to know that much. Something to hold onto amidst everything else, and something he's reminded to hope for in the future when they return home: that leaving might not have to mean any kind of end, but rather a chance for something new in whatever form it takes. It's difficult to resist the temptation to take that and run with it, to start thinking of where all those visits could go if only they had the chance to take them first.

Though - there's a valid question which goes with that and as they keep walking, Claude takes a few moments to consider it before answering. ]

Well, probably, though I think it'll be some time before any coronation happens and the real responsibility begins. There'll be plenty for me to catch up on after having been gone for so long and perhaps a bit more time to do what I'd like in the meantime.

[ Assuming things work out the way he plans for them to, that is, but that's a topic for another time when they aren't headed to a beach for the rest of their day. It does, however, open the door to more to be talked about. ]

Almyra's a kingdom but it's not one run entirely by the monarchy like Faerghus was once. The capital's sprawling and diverse, just like the rest of the land around with lots of generals and nobility to match the different cultures. All the more reason to make trips wherever since that'll be helpful from the royalty standpoint, too. [ And that gets a bit of a grin and most definitely a wink to go with it as he looks back at her and adds, ] Don't think I'm above scheduling a vacation for multiple reasons to go along with the relaxing.

[ It's hard for Hilda not to get swept up in imagining futures that haven't yet come to pass just like it's equally difficult for her not to get excited about the prospect of a coronation. Being a democratic alliance, it should come as no surprise that she had never seen something like that before. And while it would probably be pomp and ceremony, there was always some kind of celebration after the fact. ]

You'll invite everyone else along, right? The other Deer I mean. I'm sure that they'd all love to be able to celebrate you. Even Lorenz if he'll put up a fuss about it.

[ They both knew that man way too well now. He cared for his friends - and any excuse to dress up wasn't about to go ignored by Lorenz Hellman Gloucester. Dreaming about a land she'd never been to is only furthered by Claude's description of it as they make their way further away from the crowds and the bustle. The path ahead turns lush with blessed shade as the trees stretch over the path that will lead them towards the beach.

The thought of Claude making a royal tour into something more akin to a vacation is exactly the sort of thing she'd expect from him. Luckily she's able to ]

Does that mean that Almyra has different territories similar to Fodlan that are ruled by various heads? [ She gasps, lips twitching in amusement. ] Don't tell me you're going to have to deal with an Almyran version of Count Gloucester.

[ If Nader was a version of Holst then it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to assume that right? ]

Maybe.

[ That's the best answer he can give her, for once not meant to be evasive but a truth. Maybe hinges upon many things neither one of them have lived yet. He follows that up with an apologetic smile since there's no need to guess whether it'll be a satisfactory answer. Perhaps it would've been better to attach a 'someday' to that even if it feels like stating the same thing.

Rather than getting lost in a long description of how it'd absolutely be worth not saying a word to anyone for the sheer of joy of watching Lorenz sputter at some future diplomatic meeting, Claude turns his consideration towards her next question though not without a groan meant for her entertainment first. ]

Please, as if anyone anywhere could ever hope to be more of something than Erwin Fritz Gloucester. [ The man in question's name is absolutely said in a faithful impression (mockery) of how that full name was frequently announced - a habit, Claude had realized quickly, passed on to Lorenz where both were deserving of many an eye roll. ] There'll be plenty of other nobles like him waiting for their chance to be just as irritating, I'm sure.

But I think the best comparison for how Almyra's organized would be to think of somewhere like Fodlan minus the borders and where each area has its own history, beliefs, possibly even a language and anything else which adds to Almyra itself overall with room for all of those things to exist as they should. Western Almyra even speaks the same language as Fodlan. My father knew it from growing up, but Nader had to learn it before they went on their great adventures of sneaking into the Alliance repeatedly.

[ Stories which had shaped his own penchant for mischief as he'd grown up hearing them, certainly, and now there's a grin on Claude's face as if to say he knows as much with the bridge to the beach approaching. ]

[ CLOSED ] into an ocean

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