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

[ 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.

She says you're welcome. [ Sothis is preening, of course, and Byleth leaves her to it. The little goddess is a needy thing, sometimes, but she deserves thanks for what she's done, so Byleth doesn't give her a hard time about it.

When Claude's arm wraps around her, she takes the opportunity to rest her head against his shoulder, exhaling softly. There's relief in her voice when she asks: ] You believe me, then?

Yeah, I believe you. And I'm sorry I needed some convincing.

[Like he said before, though, it wasn't because he didn't trust her. It's just in his nature to question, especially when there's so much she already does't fully understand about herself. Better to be sure and understand what she's telling him than get more unexpected surprises further down the line.

Reaching with the arm around her, he twines his fingers though hers.]

Now I want to help you figure out the truth more than ever, and what Rhea knows, but we'll have to be patient. In the meantime, if you ever need to get away from the monastery, for any reason... You should know you're always safe and welcome here in Derdriu.

You don't have to apologize. [ Her thumb runs over his fingers gently once they're twined together. ] It's hard to believe, and someone more devout than you might call it blasphemy, but... Sothis doesn't trust Rhea either, you know. I haven't told her about this ability, or about my connection to Sothis. Even so, sometimes she looks at me and I can't help but wonder what she knows.

[ Claude's offer of safety in his home makes her smile--just the barest upturn of her lips, but even that is a feat compared to how much she was able to emote only a few months before. ]

I won't forget it, though I hardly fit in here. It's like you said, we're both outsiders. I can learn, though. I'll learn how the roundtable works, and all about the Alliance. I'll be your right hand.

The goddess doesn't trust her own Archbishop? Now that is interesting. I wonder how much Sothis knows.

[He'd love to have a conversation with her himself, but he can settle for picking Byleth's brains about her all the same.]

If you're really so determined to stick with me, learning how the Alliance works will be inevitable, whether you fit in or not. I'm still learning myself, since I was only recognised as an heir so recently, but I can still teach you what I've picked up.

Sothis' memories are spottier than my own, unfortunately. There are things she knows innately, and feelings and instincts, but she remembers very little of the time before we were together.

[ And of course, if Claude really wanted to talk to her, Byleth would be happy to act as a go-between for them. It's a shame that he can't really meet and speak with her, though--she's sure the little goddess would love having more friends to chat with. ]

Determined... yes. I'm determined. Teach me everything you know. I'm not sure how qualified I am to lead, but I'll always do my best for you.

[He'll definitely have to say hi to Sothis sometime, but for now, he just wants tonight to be between him and Byleth. He doesn't want to dwell too much on the fact there's some amnesiac entity observing what should be a private, precious moment between them.]

Who'd have thought I'd wind up being your teacher? [He laughs. Though it's not that hard to believe, really, given how often he and the other Golden Deer have had to explain what seem like very basic concepts about Fodlan to her. This is just a level above anything they've covered before.

They while away the time a little longer in the privacy of the gardens, and the next day, agree to rise bright and early so he can show her around Derdriu. He meets her in the entrance hall dressed in -- by his standards, anyway -- a fairly casual outfit designed both to draw and deflect attention. No one in town will suspect he's the heir to House Riegan just from his appearance, and at the same time, a neutral outfit compared to the bright colours he usually favours will make it a little easier to blend in.

When Byleth meets him in the entrance hall at the appointed time, he smiles brightly.]

All right, time to head out. I've arranged for a boat to collect us from the estate to take us into town, then we'll have each other all to ourselves for the day.

[ It seems that the Duke has sent one of his retainers shopping in anticipation of Byleth’s arrival, as she’d been presented with a dress and a set of accessories earlier in the morning. Like Claude’s attire, it was both fashionable but discreet, which suits her just fine. While she doesn’t love the limited mobility, she doubts that she’ll need to fight anyone on the street in Derdriu.

She offers Claude a small smile and a nod, following him down to the waterfront. It’s a cool morning, a pleasant breeze blowing in from the bay, and she scans the canal with interest, watching people come and go in the gondolas as they pass.

Once they step down into the boat that Claude hired for them, Byleth let’s her fingers dip into the water as she waits for him to join her. ]

I’ve never been in a boat like this before. Derdriu is unlike anywhere we traveled for our contracts with my father’s company.

Edited 2021-04-13 16:04 (UTC)

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

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