candybox | OPEN POST: Claude von Riegan - Fire Emblem: Three Houses

[Claude had tried to keep her nerves at bay on the journey with his usual chatter and joking around, and the closer he got to Derdriu, the more he filled her in on the Aquatic Capital's unique location ("did you know it was built on wooden stakes shoved into the water, and somehow the whole thing has stayed standing for centuries?"), but even he can't distract her once they've arrived. Servants and retainers are staring openly at the pair of them, and Claude is sure they're curious about him as much as her. He wasn't kidding when he'd told her before that he's as much an outsider as she is, but he doesn't react to it except to roll his eyes when they're not looking.

To her question, he keep his voice low, but he can't resist offering a cheeky wink when he replies.]

You're a fantastic warrior, you have the Sword of the Creator, and you're knockout gorgeous. Plus, you have a way of getting most anyone to follow you. He'd be crazy not to like you.

[And if he doesn't, it's not like he has much of a say in the matter anyway, but Claude doesn't voice that part aloud. Once they're shown inside, they're ushered through the rather opulent entrance hall to a side chamber, and asked to wait while Duke Riegan is summoned from his chambers.

Even inside, Claude looks for all the world like he's also a guest rather than someone who belongs there, glancing around at the portraits of previous dukes and duchesses watching them solemnly from the walls, before picking a plush mahogany chair and plopping himself down.]

Pretty different from Garreg Mach, right? Things in the monastery are so... austere. Further afield, though, Fodlan nobles are all about the fancy life. [It almost seems like a contradiction, given how most nobles put on airs of being pious, but... that's Fodlan.]

[ Byleth chooses to remain standing, not quite ready yet to take a seat. There’s no danger here, but she prefers to stay at the ready in unknown situations, and this qualifies in more ways than one. It gives her the opportunity to peruse the portraits, looking for familiar features in the likenesses of Claude’s relatives and ancestors. Safe to say he stands out among the rows of pale faces, but he’s beautiful to her. Just the thought of him fills her chest with warmth.

She’s about to turn back to him when a pair of striking green eyes catches her attention. The woman in the portrait is lovely, seated beside a handsome young man, the both of them sharing the same green eyes and auburn hair. Those keen eyes, though—Byleth is sure she’d recognize them anywhere. Before she can ask him about the painting, however, a retainer steps into the room to announce the arrival of the Grand Duke. Byleth turns, at attention, stepping closer to the center of the room as he enters it.

Oswald von Riegan isn’t what she was expecting. She’s not sure what she was expecting, in truth. A man in his seventies, back straight and proud in spite of the cane he uses to walk, a head of graying red hair—he cuts an imposing figure, though he’s not the tallest or broadest man Byleth has ever seen. He has the look of a man secure in his position, in his intellect and political power.

Byleth doesn’t even attempt to play at proper courtly manners, instead opting to bow as warriors do when he is announced to the room. She can be nothing but herself, and hope that is sufficient. ]

[By contrast, Claude's suppressing a yawn and looking about ready to take a nap when the duke's arrival is announced. Only then does he fumble to get out of his seat, and offers Duke Riegan a bow as he enters.]

Hi Grandpa! Thanks for letting your favourite little grandkid stop over. [The mangled mixture of formality and casualness continues as he glances across.] This is Professor Byleth Eisner, my teacher.

[In contrast to Claude, Oswald is a stern and comparatively humourless figure, his gaze appraising as he looks Byleth over.]

I know who she is. Please sit, both of you, and we'll talk over tea.

Oh! Uh, okay. [Claude seems a little flummoxed, like he's struggling to figure out the correct protocol here, but he's more than happy to have tea. So he heads over to the table, pulling out a chair for his grandfather to ease himself into, before taking a seat himself.] I'm glad to see you're looking better. Is it possible you've gotten younger? You're really--

[Duke Riegan holds up a hand, and the gesture alone is enough to quell Claude's chatter for Byleth to actually get a word in edgeways.]

[ Byleth isn’t exactly surprised that the duke knows who she is. The fact that she possessed the legendary Sword of the Creator is enough to make her a person of note to the nobility in Fódlan, if not someone to factor into their plans for the future. She is a little surprised and how quickly Claude falls silent at the merest wave of the duke’s hand, though. That’s not a feat that just anyone can accomplish.

At his request, she too takes a seat at the table, hands folded politely in her lap rather than braced on the table as is her wont at times. The Duke gives her what can only be described as an appraising look, but she meets his eyes with her usual stoicism. ]

Thank you for agreeing to host me on such short notice, your grace.

[ Oswald waves away her thanks while a handful of servants bustle in to begin setting the table, carrying in two tiered service trays laden with finger foods, pastries, and tiny cakes. ]

Claude’s visits aren’t so unusual, but he’s never brought a guest to visit before. I can only assume you have some favor to ask of me, though I’ll refrain from hazarding a guess.

[ Byleth doesn’t even let her eyes slide towards Claude before shaking her head, though she waits until the staff has finished setting tea lights and pots of what she recognizes by the aroma as a Cortania blend before speaking. ]

My purpose for coming here is to make your acquaintance. [ Though she won’t claim there’s no motive behind that desire. The full explanation is best left to Claude. ]

Right. There's a reason for that more than that she's just curious, too. So, um...

[Whew, now it's Claude's turn to be nervous. He checks the tea is sufficiently steeped before pouring them each a cup, the sweet and spicy aroma of the blend filling the air. When he sets the pot down again, it seems to have bought him enough time to continue under the Duke's expectant gaze.]

I know she's my teacher, but we're practically the same age. We've become good friends, not just teacher and student. And now, uh-- Byleth and I are... courting. [It sounds so serious when he puts it like that, even if he's never really thought of it in those terms himself. More like two lovestruck idiots messing around in secret, which accidentally became serious.] Her father is okay with it, so we wanted your blessing, too.

[Oswald had been lifting his cup to his lips when he pauses, the blood draining from his already-pale face. Claude can't tell if he's angry or mortified.]

This had best not be one of your jokes, Claude.

[Uh oh.]

It isn’t a joke.

[ Byleth decides to step in, here, her tea untouched for the moment. Oswald sets his cup down, rather than attempting to drink when he might be given yet another shock, and she carries on with her straightforward delivery. ]

When I first came to Garreg Mach, I was given my choice of the houses to lead as their professor. I chose the Golden Deer because Claude intrigued me—I’d never had a friend my own age before, and I thought, of all the house leaders... he’s the one I’d want to be my first friend.

[ She does finally allow her gaze to rest on Claude for a moment, her expression softening considerably for a few seconds before she turns to Oswald again. ]

Claude has become very special to me, to the point I can’t imagine my future without him at my side. I’m not from a noble house but—

But you carry a crest that hasn’t manifested in a thousand years, not to mention the Archbishop favors you to an unreasonable degree in spite of your mercenary upbringing. Is that right?

... Yes, your grace.

[ Oswald pins Claude with a firm look. ]

And do you have anything to add to that?

Edited 2021-04-07 18:33 (UTC)

Only that whatever you say, I'm following what my heart decided. I just didn't want to keep it a secret and go behind your back, after...

[He trails off, and he looks over to the portrait of the woman Byleth had been eyeing earlier. The Duke seems to understand the implication instantly, and his expression looks weary.]

You're saying you don't need my blessing.

Right. But I'm doing it anyway, because I respect you, and maybe it'd be nice to patch things up, even a little. Don't you think?

[Claude's evidently struck a nerve, because the aging Duke sips his tea as he mulls it over. Under the table, Claude reaches for Byleth's hand and holds it tight. Sure, it's emotional blackmail, but he can't feel too bad about it when, in typical Claude style, it's deployed with good intentions.]

[ Claude is all good intentions, of course. That’s part of why Byleth cares about him so much. Why she loves him. It’s strange to sit here now, holding his hand just as tightly as he’s holding hers, asking for his grandfather’s blessing, and only now be putting such solid terms as love and courtship on their relationship, but she’s always had a hard time labeling her emotions.

Oswald eventually sets his teacup down, a contemplative look on his face. Byleth can’t guess at the mental calculations the duke must be making, the coats and benefits, considerations of both the past and the future. Eventually he sighs, and for the first time since they arrived, there’s something patronly in his bearing. ]

Even if I fancied that I could stop you from doing as you damn well please, I won’t. You come by it honestly enough—I certainly couldn’t stop your mother, either. If you truly love this girl then I have no objections. If she can put up with you, all the better.

[ Byleth arches her brows, biting back a sigh of relief as she finally allows herself to relax in her chair. This is what they wanted, and whether he likes her or not, the duke won’t stand in their way. It’s a start, but even so, she hopes to win him over in the coming week. ]

Really? [Persuasive as he can be, Claude had been expecting stubbornness and confrontation, so to hear that has him almost leaping out of his seat to go hug him. He manages to restrain himself and keep to decorum, but he does squeeze Byleth's hand and shoot her a happy grin, before looking back at Oswald and coughing.]

I mean, uh-- thank you for being so understanding. I think Mother would be happy to hear you say that, too. But, um... Let's keep this little discussion between us for now, shall we? I need to graduate the Academy before we can make any public announcements.

[He doubts he needs to point out that much; his grandfather has been the model of discretion as regards to pretty much anything about Claude. But it bears saying, all the same.]

I'm not a fool, boy. I know the church would censure the both of you if they caught wind of this. I want what's best for Leicester as much as I want what's best for you, and being disgraced in such a way would benefit no one.

[ Oswald scoffs under his breath, his eyes drifting back to the portrait of Tiana on the far wall. Byleth, who's been quiet for a while now, nods her head. ]

Thank you, Duke Riegan. We'll be discreet.

See that you are, young lady.

[ There seems to be more that the Duke wants to say, but for now he lets the matter drop (though he'll definitely be cornering Claude later to grill him on how all of this came about). For the meantime, the tea is pleasant, and once it's taken, the pair are dismissed for the evening.

A guest room has been prepared for Byleth, complete with robes and a night gown. She'd packed light, but the provided garments are far more luxurious than anything she's ever owned, so she slips into them after taking a warm bath. Her father's company often dealt with noble clients, and she's seen and even been inside their estates and manors before, but never as a guest allowed to enjoy the amenities; it's a refreshing change of pace, though she wonders if she'll ever get used to being catered to in such a way.

Before going to bed, she knocks on Claude's door, hoping that he's not asleep yet either. ]

[Claude's already mentally preparing for round two of that conversation, but for now he's mostly just relieved and tired from the journey that he takes the time to enjoy the rest of the evening, his grandfather's response putting him in a brighter mood before. Sure, he'd backed him into a corner over it, but it worked out for the best for everyone involved in the end.

He'd dressed in his night clothes and just finished his evening meditation when he hears a knock on his door. He gets to his feet, moving over to open it a crack, then grins and opens it fully when he sees who it is.]

Hey, Teach! It's a little forward to just show up at my room like this, you know.

A teacher is allowed to check up on her student.

[ The halls are largely deserted, at any rate; there's no one around to see her being forward, or she would have gone straight to bed. ]

Besides, I thought you might like to take a walk with me in the garden. I saw it when we were descending earlier in the evening and wanted a closer look. The moon is almost full tonight.

Curiosity getting the better of you, is it? Fine by me.

[He disappears behind the door to grab his shoes, and pulls on a robe over his nightclothes to ward off the evening chill.]

Good to go. As long as we're staying on the grounds, no one will mind. [It's a refreshing change from the monastery, where they're strict about students sneaking out after curfew. (Not that Claude ever gets caught when he does it, but still.)]

[ She doesn't reach out for his hand, since there is still the possibility that they'll cross paths with someone between his room and the garden, but once they're out under the moonlight, it's a different story. Her hand slides into his, and he'll feel the warmth of her body at his side as she steps in that much closer.

The estate gardens are impeccably manicured, sporting some of the most beautiful flowers Byleth has ever seen. They meander through a maze of winding hedges until they reach a little courtyard with a fountain in the center, and when the two of them take a seat, they're close enough to lean against one another as lovers do.

Byleth is silent for a while, looking up at the stars and the bright moon. Eventually, she collects her thoughts and turns to press a kiss to Claude's cheek. ]

I have something for you. And... some things I want to tell you.

[Claude knows the gardens well enough, though in the past it was mostly to explore and satiate his curiosity about House Riegan and its lands more than for any romantic purpose. Still, he'd be able to guide them through if they get lost, though the bright moonlight spilling over the plants and water visibility simple enough.

Once they're seated, Claude is happy to remain in companionable silence, listening to the soft babble of running water and looking up at the sky with Byleth right beside him. Warm lips against his cheek finally drag his attention away, and he can feel his face heating up a little. Who would have guessed when they first met that she could be so sweet? He can't hide the fond, gentle smile tugging at his lips.]

Okay. [He tries to sound as casual as ever, squeezing her hand in his, but he feels like his heart just leapt in his chest.] You know you can tell me anything.

[ The first thing she does is reach to her neck, pulling a silver chain out from under the neckline of her gown. A small ring dangles from the end of the chain, amethysts flashing in the moonlight. It’s dainty, too small for Claude’s strong fingers, but she takes his hand and sets it in his palm. ]

This is for you. It was my mother’s ring. Dad gave it to me after we talked to him, but he’d showed it to me before. He told me then that he wanted for me to give it to someone I love as much as he loves her.

[ Loves, not loved, because even twenty years later, Jeralt still treasures his wife’s memory above the comfort of a new companion.

Byleth takes another moment to contemplate how she’s going to reveal her secrets to him, wondering how much it will change how he sees her once he knows the truth. ]

You’ve asked me questions about myself before... about my history. There’s still so much I don’t know, but there are things I do know about myself now that I want to share with you. The first of those things is that... well, the Goddess lives in me. Sothis. And not... not metaphorically. We’re friends. We have conversations. She’s actually here right now.

Byleth, I...

[He's stunned, but accepts the ring reverently, turning it in his palm to admire its shine in the moonlight. It's beautiful, but most of all because it came from her.

He scarcely has a chance to collect himself when she surprises him with a bigger curveball. Still clutching the ring, he stares at her, eyes wide.]

Sothis is inside you? [He laughs, and then does a weak imitation of his grandfather:] This had best not be one of your jokes, young lady.

It’s not—why would I joke about that?

[ She understands it’s a lot to hear, much less accept as fact. Sothis huffs in her peripheral vision, offended by Claude’s lack of faith and giving Byleth instructions to convey the sentiment. ]

She says that she’s disappointed but not surprised. She’s also pretending not to know your name again. [ Okay, that takes some explanation... ] When she’s pleased with you, or any of the other students, she calls you by your names. When any of you do something she doesn’t like, she generally calls you by a nickname based on some identifying feature. You’re “the yellow one.”

Edited 2021-04-08 14:41 (UTC)

[Claude slips the ring around his neck and tucks it under his shirt for safekeeping; if she throws any more curveballs at him, he's definitely going to drop it in surprise otherwise.]

I-- sorry, but I'm just finding it hard to believe. Sure, you have the Sword of the Creator, and there's always been something different about you, but I never thought the goddess actually existed.

[He's naturally sceptical about... well, everything, so without proof he's mostly just concerned for her.]

I’ve dreamed about her for a long time, but she’s been asleep most of my life. The first time I actually spoke with her was the day I met you, in fact.

[ So he’s having a hard time believing her. It’s a little disappointing, but it’s in line with his character, and really, it was what she’d expected from the beginning. Sadly, there’s no way to prove that the voice in her head is a separate entity from her and not some facet of her own fragmented mind.

The other part of the secret is easier to prove, though. ]

There’s more, but I have a feeling you won’t believe it either. Sothis gifted me with some of her power, so I can... manipulate time.

[ Yeah, she gives a moment for that to sink in. ]

Not by much. I use the power in battle to protect you—to protect all of you. It’s how I know when we’re about to be ambushed, or how to direct you out of the most dangerous situations. It’s how I saved Edelgard the day we met.

[ Licking her lips, Byleth takes Claude’s hand in hers, squeezing it gently. There’s no hint on her face that she’s being anything less than sincere. ]

I can prove it. Tell me something—some fact that I would have no way of knowing otherwise. [ Please trust me, she does not say. ]

Edited 2021-04-08 16:16 (UTC)

It's not that I want to doubt you, you know?

[He just can't believe things on blind faith alone. The Church may operate that way, but he does not. Although having some power to control time would explain some of her more brilliant predictions, it's still...]

Okay, something you don't know... [Well, given the events of the day, and since they're being honest with each other, he supposes he can tell her. He squeezes her hand in return, meeting her gaze.] My mother's name is Tiana.

[ Of course she knows, and he wouldn't be himself if he was more willing to accept things at face value without proof. When he offers her that tidbit of information, she nods. In her mind's eye, she can see the flow of time; it's not a clock, there are no hands, but it's easy enough to step back upstream a few seconds.

It's not that I want to doubt you, Claude is saying, and she holds up a hand to prevent him from speaking further. ]

Your mother's name is Tiana. That's what you were about to tell me.

Huh? [He's visibly startled; to him, with no inkling she'd just altered time, it seems more like she'd just read his mind.]

Yeah, that's right. That's... a really amazing power, Teach. I don't know what to say, but I'm full of questions at the same time... How often have you used it?

[Does she use it often in every day life or just reserve it for emergencies, he wonders? It's a little unsettling to think how many things she could've repeated and done over.]

[ Oh, good. He seems to be accepting of it. That's a relief, at least. ]

I'm... not entirely sure. The memories of those times begin to fade after a while. Sothis explained it to me by saying that the future doesn't really exist--only the present does. When I turn back the hands of time, that moment ceases to exist as well. I keep impressions of events, but in truth, I'm glad it's no more than that. Some of the things I've seen...

[ A haunted look briefly crosses her face, and she turns from him to gaze up at the stars. ]

There's a limit to the power, as well. I reserve it for dire circumstances as much as possible. I've restarted entire battles, but it's hard to move back more than a few hours.

Then... I suppose I should be thanking the goddess? [He lets out a slightly incredulous laugh. That's a sentence he never thought he'd hear himself say.

Still, that haunted look doesn't escape his notice either. He loops an arm around her, so she can rest against him if she wants to.]

But I should thank you most of all. Powers of the goddess or not, none of it would mean a thing if you weren't you. Always so kind and selfless, always making sure you're keeping us all safe... It's a big responsibility, but it's why we all love you so much. [Then he adds with a slight smile,] Me most of all, of course.

OPEN POST: Claude von Riegan - Fire Emblem: Three Houses

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