abraxaslogs | [ OPEN ] hide your love, don't be shy

Entry tags:

[ OPEN ] hide your love, don't be shy

Who: Claude and you!
When: all throughout August and September
Where: Cadens (pre-Nocwich), the Horizon (any time), and Libertas (post-Nocwich)
What: Catch all for both months
Warnings: For anything referencing Libertas: death, violence, and war

( Open and closed starters in the comments! Also good with prose or brackets and if you'd like to plot something more specific, you can find me at

indech, arboria#1862, or by PM at any time. )

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[ Sylvain glances back over his shoulder at the sound of her voice with a grin, and then turns to wait for her to join them. Although Claude's observation gets a snicker from him. ]

Please. You ditched Derdriu for this even faster than she did! [ But he casts a curious glance at the thick vegetation behind the paddock now, curious. ] Wait, your domain is in there?

....Damn, I really am gonna have to learn how to speak squirrel, aren't I?

[ Claude's starting to feel like his assessment of Wilhelm matching up to Marianne's past behaviors might've been more spot on than even his first assumption. Not much is volunteered past the basics needed to answer a question, and in a way he can't quite tell is because of shyness or because Wilhelm, understandably, perhaps doesn't want to answer four thousand questions from someone he doesn't know. Patience was the key then and very well could be now. Something to think about, anyway, as he offers the teen a smile while they walk to the inner courtyard.

Despite his own never ending curiosity, Claude will stick to his word in minding his business, mostly, as he holds the door open for Wilhelm to pass through to back 'outside' or as outside as one gets in the Horizon. The conversation pivots back to him in a way he expects, so he's quick to nod and move it away from making Wilhelm feel like he's required to share anything past his comfort level. ]

Yes, but a wyvern. They're a little bit different in that their front legs are their arms, whereas dragons - where I'm from - have four legs total plus the wings. Mine is - [ Claude casts a quick gaze up to the sky where a small white shape can be seen soaring high above them - ] full grown to where I can ride on her back like one would a pegasus, but she looked like this when she was growing. It's beyond me why I choose to make her this age here, but.

[ He doesn't actually have a way to finish that sentence. Fortunately, Claude's saved from having to find one (in his mind, at least), by holding a hand out to a cushioned chaise for Wilhelm to be seated there or somewhere on the rest of the couch it's attached to if he'd prefer. Claude takes a seat in a chair himself and leans back in it to contemplate the fragments he's learned so far. ] I'm guessing I wouldn't be too far off if I asked whether dragons and wyverns don't exist where you're from? One, or both, or either.

Edited 2022-08-29 18:33 (UTC)

[She comes to a pause beside them, flushed but not out of breath, and braces both hands against her hips.]

I was heading for Derdriu first, but when I saw the monastery, I was thinking that perhaps the two of you might have been drawn here— and it looks like I was being correct.

[As Sylvain had mentioned, Claude had made it here even before her, and she gives the archer a knowing smile before addressing Sylvain's question.]

It is appearing our domains are connected. I will say, I did not see any squirrels on my way through. I think you are being safe for now.

[ When it's pointed out - twice - that even he ditched Derdriu, Claude just lets out something between a huff and a scoff at being proven wrong. Which, fine. He'll live, dramatically or not. He follows Sylvain's line of sight back to the vegetation and realizes it isn't what he remembers from Garreg Mach. What with all the memories this pulled forth for him he'd simply assumed it was, and he casts a curious glance at Petra next before immediately shifting his expression to something Serious. ]

If not squirrels, then what about the rabbits? Don't leave us hanging, Petra.

[ He's got more jokes to go with that until a wyvern screech from overhead catches his attention and Claude looks up to see his wyvern veering into the monastery grounds proper and out of sight. It's not unlike a move her real-life counterpart would also make, so that gets him to smile while looking back to Sylvain next. ]

Well, since she's invited herself in, do Petra and I get to do the same? Or... is there an inside? Maybe I should start with that.

[ Sylvain's gaze is drawn upwards at the wyvern's screech and he can't help but smile at the sight. One hand lifts, shading his eyes from the sun's glare, before he nods and gestures towards the monastery. ]

Well, now there's a wyvern so it will really feel like home. Let's go see. I know at least the marketplace is here besides the stables. But who knows how active my imagination was when I was here last? That's how these work you said, right?

[ And he'll start the trek across the paddock towards the towering buildings ahead. ]

[It's part shyness, part guarded secrecy that keeps his answers short and shallow. One is his nature, and the other he's learned from life in an unwanted spotlight. His time here has, in many ways, been a break from reality — and from himself. He's perfectly content with being nobody in particular.

When Claude dives into a dissertation on the difference between wyverns and dragons, Wilhelm starts wondering if there's going to be a test at the conclusion of his visit. He's mostly listening, though his attention floats upward to where the dragon — uh, wyvern — makes circles in the sky. At Claude's invitation, he takes a seat on the couch, posture perfectly upright, hands folding and fidgeting in his lap.]

No, only in books and movies and stuff like that. They're not real.

Oh, so you're the sneaky type... No, I definitely get that vibe.

( it's said in such a cheerful, speculative voice that it's obvious she doesn't mean offense by it--but it is an observation, one that she makes where she's propped an elbow up on the table, now, dangerously close to the edge of the chessboard. she takes care not to bump it; as much as her gaze moves between the pieces and the man in front of her, she's not entirely sure she could recreate the positioning from memory, and there's only so far her bluffs can take her, especially a second time.

for now, she sets her chin in her hands, watching his hand move across the board. his fingers pluck at one of the front pieces: she imagines that those are like some line of defense, and honestly, in some ways, the man before her talks like someone who knows their way with military and the like. or maybe he just reads a lot of books. it's hard to say.

she considers his request with lips that press together--with a soft hum, she lifts her chin up from her palm, dances fingers across the board, and plucks one of her own little defense pieces from the front row, meeting the stranger's little defense piece head to head.

she seems to stare at them both for a moment, before nodding to herself, as if securing the place of the piece. )

...Hmm, I suppose that's fair. I'm from Solvunn. I don't think you are. ( her hands fold down into her lap, playfully demure. ) Your turn, Prince Bluepiecer.

[ Not real is an assessment (fact) that seems rather unfortunate in Claude's book, though Wilhelm's far from the first Summoned to inform him any of those animals don't exist where they're from. In lieu of commenting further on that, though, he studies Wilhelm's posture.

First with a slight smile to acknowledge he heard what was said, and then far more subtly as he draws upon that oh-so-handy Horizon magic to summon forth a tea tray in front of them. It's complete with cups, a box of different loose teas, and a teapot of hot water, though as he pours some first into a cup for Wilhelm Claude's quick to add: ] Tea's a favorite where I'm from so it's what I tend to default to serving. If you don't enjoy it, feel free to have something else of your choice as my knowledge of what's served elsewhere is rather limited. No hurt feelings here, I promise.

[ He drops a sachet of pine needle tea into his own cup, a favorite of his from Fodlan and farther away, though the box contains other types more known: ginger, different berry blends, chamomile, and so forth. While it steeps Claude lets the cup and saucer rest in his lap, partially in hopes it might convince Wilhelm to also relax. Just a little. ]

You remind me a bit of someone I used to know. He was a prince of a kingdom that neighbored where I lived, and... very formal. Great posture, impeccable manners, all that. [ A slight smile that's rueful at the edges appears on Claude's face. ] Especially for the age we were, which was just teenagers ourselves.

Well, it's a rather apt vibe if I do say so myself. One might even say my specialty is that sneakiness in so many ways.

[ Not that he's patting himself on the back here or anything. Or - he is just a little since that craftiness led to all kinds of small triumphs he's yet to replicate in Abraxas, so no need to make it his reputation here just yet past what could be easily dismissed as a joking tone and nothing more.

As she moves her own pawn forward to meet his, he glances down at the pieces now facing each other as if having their own conversation while they conduct theirs above it. The nod she gives the board as if wishing it well or good luck causes Claude to hide a smile to himself before she looks up. It's not very successful, mostly since it reappears at the title she bestows on him. ]

I'm royalty now, am I? [ There's more than a little amusement in his tone thanks to that being more entertaining on his end than it has any right to be, but he'll save acting formal for sometime later. Maybe. ] I haven't met many from Solvunn yet as you're right, I'm not from there. The Free Cities are who summoned me here at their whims, though more specifically I'm in Cadens. That makes us as close to neighbors as Abraxas allows for given the state of things.

[ While talking Claude continues to evaluate moves out of chess habits built up from a lifetime of playing and watching others do it. Now, however, he shifts another pawn less in any specific plan and more because it allows him to do the following that much sooner. And purely to entertain himself and with no small amount of mischief present, he'll bow as much as being seated allows him to do with all the flourish of royalty along with, ] I believe it's your turn now, my lady in pink. And perhaps you can tell me a bit about Solvunn as well, though you choose what you'd like that to be.

Edited 2022-09-02 16:58 (UTC)

[She'll get back to you both on the rabbits— Claude's wyvern commands everyone's attention at once as she sails in overhead and calls out, and Petra's expression brightens as she looks upwards. She's never ridden a wyvern herself, but she'd spent enough time watching the riders doing training drills that she has a certain fondness for them. They're as much a part of Garreg Mach as any of the staff or students, just like all the other animals.]

There is only one way to be finding out, yes?

[She looks between the both of them and smiles before launching into motion, following closely behind Sylvain.]

Shall we see if the Officer's Academy is being where we remember?

It's something like memories from what I know. That was how it was explained to me, anyway, and it seems to be pretty consistent with what I ended up creating, though I think you've both outdone me.

[ While they walk Claude can't help but marvel over the sheer amount of detail. It helps this is somewhere they all know since the same can likely be said for his cross section of Derdriu given that he's become used to looking at all of it, and that this is still new. When they reach the juncture to the marketplace, Claude glances down the stretch of stone pathway leading to it. ]

If the same loose tile I used to trip on every time on my way to the marketplace made it in here too, I'm gonna laugh. I've lost track of how many times I nearly fell on my face because I forgot it was there until I'd hit it at just the right angle. Surely I'm not the only one that's happened to?

[ Then again, it was also when he tended to be running from one place to the next - or running to avoid Seteth - which might've factored into that experience. Something he can investigate later since Petra's idea of finding the academy and what it would've looked like while they were attending is more intriguing and so Claude once more catches up with his friends to where they've gone. ]

Academy it is so lead the way, Petra. I bet we can even make sure the fireplaces are going for maximum memories of sitting in there, just as long as it doesn't start snowing next.

[ He's looking at you, Gautier. ]

[He accepts the cup automatically.]

Tea's fine, thanks.

[Studying the tea chest, Wilhelm settles on something that's just a small step away from basic black — it's supposed to taste like cinnamon. He's just plopped the bag into the steaming water when Claude compares him to an old friend, and the word prince causes him to wobble his saucer involuntarily. His attempt to steady the cup results in some of the soon-to-be-tea splashing out. Smooth.]

Oh, really? [What the hell is he supposed to say to that? He scratches at his temple, idly twisting a strand of hair.] My mom was always big on manners. I guess I just do it without really thinking about it sometimes.

[Anyway. Now that Claude's pointed it out, he does try to relax his posture a notch.]

So how did you meet? Your friend.

I never thought of putting it that way... ( --comes the sudden admission, thoughtful, as though his words have some impact on her. ) That the places themselves chose us, rather than us choosing them.

( but it's true, isn't it? perhaps her way of thinking has just been backwards, in some respects; she's never really thought to call the settlements in solvunn home, and perhaps part of that is due to the fact that it always feels like she's drifting between them for jobs or tasks or whatever she can manage to do to help. if solvunn itself is the one that called her, did it do it for some sort of purpose? she's always just assumed that this place was some sort of happenstance, a mistake in the great wheel of fate that they had spun at a whim at the edge of midgar and beyond.

curious, her lips perk up into a smile; there's something contented about the thought, and she appreciates that the stranger himself is the one that brought it up to life. patiently, she waits for him to move a piece--and though she accepts his bow, it's accompanied by a playful seated curtsey, her hands gripping the edges of the skirt of her dress to fan it out as she dips her shoulders down with little movement. )

Why thank you, my lord. ( is that how royalty talks? it makes her laugh, tickled by it, before she reaches her hand to stretch across the board--and with a forlorn sigh, she picks up another pawn. rather than deposit it where it belongs, however, she lifts up one of claude's pawns as well, holding them between her knuckles; the pieces knock together. ) A terrible play on your part, though. By the rules of the Dance Duel, your piece is now mine. He broke his ankle and has to be retired to the castle.

( the bluff sounds believable enough if only because it's so ridiculous--with a shake of her head, she plops her pawn down where claude's piece had been, and she neatly sets his pawn down at the side of the table.

mischievous, her green eyes glint up at him, as though waiting for some sort of reprimand--she imagines this is absolutely not how the game is played at all, but--local rules? )

[ Sylvain, at least, can be reliable in having a very vivid imagination. Not everything is absolutely perfect and he's sure there are others who have memories of certain places that differ than what he had, or just never paid much attention to. But for the front sections of the Monastery seem eerily spot on, hinting at just how much time Sylvain used to spend out here. Possibly far more than anywhere else on school grounds.

And Claude? You'll definitely want to watch your step. Sylvain absolutely tripped over that tile more than a few times himself and even if he didn't consciously put it here, his memory certainly remembers it being there and probably filled in the blanks accordingly. ]

No, I remember it. I once watched one of the merchants go flying with an entire bushel of cabbages. They were everywhere. Pretty sure one hit the gate guard in the head. Helmet. You know what I mean.

[ Stretching his arms back behind his head, he flashes an amused grin as he wanders in from the direction of the stables, heading down and around towards the front entrance to see what they could find. Although Claude's comment has him laughing, mischief in his gaze. ]

What was that? You wanted snow, Riegan? I'm sure I have plenty of memories to choose from for that. [ A smirk, but he casts a wink in Petra's direction. ] Although Petra's really not dressed for it. So I'll hold off for now.

[ If Wilhelm was hoping Claude wouldn't note that rattle of the tea and saucer - well. That catches his attention though he's still projecting the illusion of being busy with his own tea, and it takes only a second to connect it to being timed with the mention of a prince. Interesting. ]

I've found nobility tends to pride itself on sticking to manners, etiquette, whatever you want to call it. Seems to be a cornerstone of high society, if you will.

[ Absolutely some subtext of his own, though Claude hides a smile in his cup as he takes a sip. Still more brewing time needed, so he sets it back in his lap while shrugging one shoulder. What he's alluded to won't remain a mystery for long since even if he's stepped back from asking direct questions, sharing his own experiences may accomplish the same thing. ]

I never was very good at sticking to all of those rules myself. Life's more interesting when you break away from them or what you know.

[ With that trail of clues (or truths) dispersed, all that's left to see is whether Wilhelm chooses to follow them. Or if he doesn't, which would also answer his question. The relaxing gets another half-smile from him before it's on to slightly more somber topics. ]

As for the prince, I met him when I attended an academy meant for what you could say was leadership training. There were plenty of nobles, myself included, but there were also just as many commoners attending. It was meant to encourage us all to work together and succeeded, for the most part.

[ At what she says about the places choosing them and not the other way around, Claude shifts to studying her from the corner of his gaze despite the illusion projected of still studying the board post-quasi-bow. An interesting way to phrase that, he thinks, given that none of them chose to be here. Or so he's thought based on what he's heard; perhaps there's more to that than he knows or what he experienced himself that he's centered so much on while finding his way in the Free Cities.

A familiar enough feeling to go through again, not having much idea or in this case, zero, of where he's going or what he'll find. This time he'd been prepared after arriving and that there were others there who knew exactly what it felt like helped immensely. It seems each faction is different, however, so Solvunn could be something else entirely. He'll have to set that line of thought aside for now as her laugh causes a genuine smile to appear on his face despite his usual rules of filtering reactions through something (or multiple somethings) else, and so does the casual rewriting of chess rules and his pawn meeting a quick end before being swept away.

This is probably a good sign it's not for the best to get mired down in too many thoughts hardly given a chance to begin. ]

That's unfortunate, because I hear as part of the duels there is an actual dance they're all invited to later. Some sort of ball or something close to it - very formal and well-regarded - but maybe there'll be a chair he can sit in to not be left out. [ Claude shrugs with his hands turned up towards the sky as if to say, how unfortunate, as he sits up from slouching back in his chair. ] Though if that's the case, it'd probably also be a kindness to make sure he has some company. Wouldn't want him to feel left out all by his lonesome since that can make it difficult to properly enjoy a party.

[ He is, shamelessly, immediately going to copy her move by bringing a pawn forward to capture hers. But true to his words, Claude places it next to his captured piece much as two wallflowers on the edge of a ballroom floor might stick together. There is something else important to mention, since - ]

I'll leave it up to you to decide whether that earns me getting to know your name, what with copying your pro piecer strategies but I have to say I've always liked collecting chess moves I admire. And if it's not enough, then maybe it can be swapped out for telling me about Solvunn instead. Only whatever you'd like to say about it, that is.

( it shouldn’t surprise her that he seeks to copy her move—especially since she’s almost positive it’s not even a proper move, not even something standard to the game. her hands sit in her lap, poised on her thighs, and she stares at the board, then at the two pieces, as though trying to puzzle out a way to save her own; but it is what it is, and their two pawns sit on the sidelines now, the perfect company for two wallflowers hoping to pass an evening by observation only. so she does the only thing she can do: and laughs, wrinkling her nose slightly as she shakes her head. )

What a marvelous play. I should have prepared for it!

( her lips press out, as though half-disappointed with herself, but a deal is a deal, and before she can lift her hands to inquire about moving another piece, she decides to relent by the terms of their deal. )

But, I guess you’re just as pro as me, huh? Just remember that names have power, your lordship, or whatever I should call you. ( she’s beaming a little, as she lifts up one arm. ) My name is Aerith. Last name, Gainsborough. It’s okay to just call me Aerith, though.

( her hand stretches out across the length of the board: she’s holding it patiently over his pieces, her slender fingers pressed together to offer him a handshake. it isn’t the sort that might be done at the end of a game, as though conceding the victory, but more that it seems polite to introduce herself with proper manners, instead of continuing on with her next play, first. )

Since I won a piece, too, you have to return the favor, right? Or should we just use royal names instead? I kind of like that.

No Lady Gainsborough as a title, then?

[ He's teasing, ever so slightly, all based upon what feels like a polite insistence that first names are more than acceptable. Something which suits him fine considering even made up titles can be unwieldy after a while, and the lack of formality and all its guidelines here has been a welcome change for him. Still, Claude leans forward in his chair to grasp her hand in a firm handshake with a smile. ]

Regardless, you're right that fair's fair - even more so because you won your piece outright whereas I merely borrowed your method to ensure I'd get to know your name. Which is, perhaps, not the best demonstration of fairness on my end. [ As he lets go of Aerith's hand he lifts one shoulder in a vague shrug, unrepentant about that copying as a method to get them to here. ] I'm Claude von Riegan. It's very nice to meet you, Aerith.

[ Claude turns in his seat then like he's recalled something abruptly, as if it isn't just the Horizon's malleable nature at work when he reaches for the tea tray at the edge of the table their chessboard rests on. Somewhere, he thinks wryly, he can hear his mother admonishing him in an echo of lectures from ages ago. There's a chance to make up for it now with offering her something to drink with her choice of Fodlan's teas waiting in the different compartments inside the box. ]

You'll have to forgive me for not offering any tea sooner as I may have been a little too distracted by having someone to finally play chess with to think of it right away. This is all assuming you also drink tea, but you're also welcome to have something else if you'd prefer.

[After all those hints Claude has tossed out like breadcrumbs, Wilhelm's not surprised by the confirmation of his noble status. Slowly, he's starting to see the outline of this man's life. Although he was born into the wealth and privilege granted by a title, he seems to shrug off the pomp and circumstance that marks his social stratum. As someone who has always thought there's too much fuss surrounding his general existence, Wilhelm respects that. So he makes sure to clarify:]

Trust me, my parents wish I was better at sticking to the rules.

[His laugh takes on the edge of a scoff, while his smile tilts a degree guilty. He eyes his tea, but it's still too hot to drink.]

I think that's a great idea for a school. It's nice, bringing people together regardless of their background.

[Hillerska is free for anyone to attend — in terms of tuition, anyway. Room and board is another story. The prohibitive cost creates a barrier between non-residential students and boarding students, who naturally end up spending longer hours together.]

Yours and mine both. [ That gets a slight huff of a laugh from Claude to match Wilhelm's scoff, because it's true and it's good to see the other relax even if it's ever so slightly. ] Which, well. I can't say either of them were good role models when it came to following expectations since my father also likes to break them and my mother's always set her own. Really, I don't know what they expected of me.

[ Neither here nor there when in the end he'd chosen his own path, and here they all are in Abraxas all the same. Easier to focus on Garreg Mach, perhaps, where there's marginally less weight attached. ]

It was nice. Attending there opened all of our minds in a lot of ways beyond just the working together aspect. Where I lived - Fodlan - was once separated into three nations. Had I stayed with my grandfather, I probably would've never met others from the Empire or the Kingdom until we were sitting in a meeting or council together. Or on opposite sides of a war, as it turned out.

[ Enough about him, though. Claude idly stirs his tea by swirling the cup lightly while thoroughly ignoring the small spoons meant for that on the tray as he looks back to Wilhelm. ]

Anything like that exist where you're from, then? Someone else told me about the internet, kind of, so if that's something you use then I'd imagine it accomplishes the same.

[ Don't mind him; he's just been thinking about the internet ever since being told it exists. ]

I am remembering the cabbages!

[In fact, she's certain she's seen a number of people trip on that same loose tile herself, and she cannot help but smile as she thinks about how funny it is that they all share various memories of this one thing, something that most would deem insignificant— but it certainly wasn't, not if they remembered it so well.

She leads them towards the Officer's Academy with ease; Sylvain's domain is much more complex and detailed than her own at the moment, but given that they've all spent so much time in the original Garreg Mach, she has a feeling all three of them will be able to navigate it with their eyes closed, should they ever need to.]

I am thanking you for no snow— I have been to Faerghus, and that was being more than enough snow for me.

[She hugs herself as she leads them around a corner, giving a shiver at the very thought of it.]

I do not know how anyone can be living like that year-round!

[ The instant the portals to Libertas open, Claude's there in the first group of Summoned to go. Eventually, he'll volunteer to assist in escorting a supply run when the word gets out about that, but until then? He can be found just about anywhere, but in particular:

1) Assisting with the search and rescue efforts in Libertas. Even when not working on a patrol with one of the hounds assisting with locating survivors, he'll be walking where he can (and where there's slightly less danger if he's on his own) either bringing things requested to other Summoned on their own shifts, serving as a courier of sorts between groups, or just standing and staring at buildings that are in particularly rough shape.

If it's the latter, feel free to interrupt his thoughts. He could probably use it.

2) Working in any of the infirmaries around Libertas. Healing and/or being a healer is only something he's recently started wading into learning more about, so here Claude will be focusing on restocking supplies, tallying inventories of what's on hand versus what's needed, and organizing what he can to better assist those actively providing medical aid. If you're working with patients and need an assistant, just call for him and he'll be there to do whatever you need.

Those Summoned who are only minorly injured from their own missions and just need some basic assistance to get back out with whatever they were working on before are patients he can handle, between cleaning and bandaging wounds to keep them clean and dry or treating with small doses of healing magic. If you need a very quick patching up to get by until you can sit down with a better healer or a doctor, he can help with that.

3) Visiting the orphanages in Libertas or Cadens. With all that's going on - all of it too familiar from the war he'd just lived through, down to children being relocated somewhere else in the midst of it - the orphanages also get special attention from him. Claude can be found there when he isn't in Libertas doing his best to provide what little bit of normalcy he can for them. You might overhear him promise at ones in Cadens that he'll keep visiting even once things settle down. It's a promise he intends to keep.

For now, he can be found reading storybooks to either a child that's climbed onto his lap or a group of them, complete with voices and all kinds of dramatic flair to dress up storytime a bit more when it's his turn on the schedule. If there's a tea party to be had with someone and their beloved stuffed animal, imaginary friend, or etc, he's there as a delighted participant. At some point he also pays for some art supplies for the children to be able to do some small art projects, so. He might also end up covered in paint from helping younger ones and won't be concerned about it as long as the kids are still having a good time.

Regardless of where he is, if you've met Claude before: you'll notice most of his good cheer is considerably dimmed when he's not 'on' for a crowd or someone's benefit, or if he doesn't realize he's not alone. If asked about it, he'll shrug it off or turn the conversation back around on the asker, but - it could be worth trying to ask about. ]

Edited 2022-09-12 22:21 (UTC)

[ See, that's all the confirmation Claude needs to hear that snow is a terrible idea. He holds out a hand to gesture both a thanks and to point out Petra's support in the form of that shiver in case Sylvain missed it. ]

Look, you're outnumbered on this snow thing. Far be it from me to tell you what to put in your domain, but I think I can safely say that we both appreciate not freezing while walking around here.

[ Faerghus being cold is, maybe, the extent of his knowledge about the weather there. The war had given the Alliance no reasons to go there. Unlike Petra and the Empire, which is something Claude makes note of as yet another possible difference, but he remembers the Lions talking about Faerghus winters enough to have collected what he feels are the important points about it: Long, cold, bleak if you're an Alliance resident who doesn't like blizzards. No thanks.

(He is, however, under no illusions that Sylvain won't make it snow the next time he stops by all because he can.) ]

All the more reason I'm glad Derdriu was just northern enough to be pretty mild during summers and also not have rough winters. The seas would get pretty cold, but--

[ Hold that thought. They turn a corner, and the academy and its courtyard stretches out before them. All in one piece, all once again exactly as he remembers; all the more reason for Claude to not continue running his mouth so they can appreciate it. ]

It doesn't snow in Faerghus all year round. [ Sylvain rolls his eyes at that, but he's still chuckling as he shakes his head at both of them. ] We have summer there, too, you know. [ A pause, before he just decides hell, why not? and joins in the teasing. ] It lasts a whole three weeks sometimes even!

[ Claude's suspicious assumption is probably spot on, however.

But as they turn the corner into the Courtyard, Sylvain has to stop, too. Taking in the familiar scene he hasn't seen look this way in so long. He gets hit with a pang of homesickness but hides it behind a crooked grin as he stretches his arms behind his head to take everything in.

The guard at the gate even spots them and gives them a friendly wave in greeting. A cat comes up to wind around first Petra and then Claude's ankles, purring loudly. ]

Well, damn.

[ There's still lots of work to be done, to the point that it almost feels like it will never end. Steve knows that this sort of rebuilding and recovery doesn't happen overnight, and that Libertas will be feeling the scars of this attack for months and years to come. Right now, all they can really do is focus on damage control.

At least he gets to do that much. So many times they had left a place in disarray following yet another cataclysmic fight and it was onto the next thing, with never enough time to breathe and help with the aftermath. Steve appreciates the opportunity to wade into things and offer aid, to use his abilities for what they've always been meant for.

Even outside of the more official work, he's been moving all throughout the most ruined parts of the city, jumping in wherever he sees he might be of assistance. It's getting late into the day now, not quite sunset but close to it, which means that the heat is coming down — but also that most people are too beat from a day of manual labor to keep going. As he walks the ruined streets it feels almost quiet, until he notes a lone figure near a collapsed building at the end of the street.

Through the haze of kicked-up dirt, he realizes that it's Claude and picks up his pace to meet him. As he approaches, he catches that worn-out look of contemplation on the younger man's face. He clears his throat to grab his attention. ]

Has this one been searched yet?

[ The building isn't standing anymore; it's just a piled of scorched debris, essentially. But that doesn't mean there could be someone trapped in there, holding on by a thread. ]

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[ OPEN ] hide your love, don't be shy

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libertas + a cadens option, post nocwich — open

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