The fresh night air was an extremely welcome balm to Byleth's flushed temperature as she hurried back to her room, hoping beyond hope that she didn't bump into Jeritza on one of his nocturnal wanderings on her way. She wasn't entirely sure how much restraint she would be able to muster if she did. It seemed that her contact with Seteth had stimulated her much more than she had realised.

With a sigh of relief, Byleth made it to her room without bumping into anyone, but as soon as her door was opened, she groaned in despair when she found Claude, Bernadetta and Hubert congregated inside waiting for her.

'Why do I even bother locking my door?' She whined, mostly to herself.

'P... P... Professor!' Bernadetta jumped off of the bed where she had been sat sandwiched between the two lad's, sending Colin flying in her wake. She reached Byleth, flinging her arms around the Professor's waist and crying so hard that her entire body shook uncontrollably.

'Hey there..!' Byleth's tone was immediately gentle, as her eyes looked quizzically at the boys, both of whom had serious expressions. 'What's happened, Bernie? Are you hurt?' She managed to manoeuvre herself and Bernadaetta far enough into the room that she was able to close the door, stroking the distraught girl's hair as she did so and trying to make sense of her heaving and incoherent attempts to explain.

Byleth signalled to Hubert to put on the kettle as she brought Bernadetta to the comfortable chair by the fire. Byleth sat and pulled Bernadetta onto her lap - wrapping her arms around the girl in a manner so similar to how Seteth had been holding her just a short time ago that it caused her breath to hitch unexpectedly as a shiver of pleasure at the memory ran down her spine.

Bernadetta's wails had lessened, but she was still sobbing. 'I...tried to find you...' She gulped out. 'Y...y...you ran away too fast...'

'I'm sorry...' Byleth murmured, looking over Bernadetta's head towards Claude who was still seated on the bed, her brow creased in query.

'Bernie showed up late to archery practice and in a bit of a state, Teach.' Claude supplied quietly. 'It took me a while, but I eventually got the gist of what had happened.'

'Seems that some villain purposefully tore up one of Bernadetta's speciality plants in the greenhouse.' Hubert added as he thumbed through Byleth's tea options and selected the camomile blend. 'To make matters worse, Bernadetta witnessed the whole atrocity while hidden in a bush close to where it happened.'

'He wasn't even careful... he just tore it right from the earth like it was a weed...' Bernie mumbled miserably into Byleth's shoulder.

'Did you see who it was? Did you know them?' Byleth asked gently, stroking the tears from Bernadetta's cheek.

'I saw him, but I didn't know him. He was wearing priest's robes...' Bernadetta mumbled through her sobs.

'There is something a little more to the situation.' Claude said gravely. 'Bernie was smart enough to remember that she had read a warning somewhere about the particular plant that this man had taken. Her botanical book states that if the plant is burned, it lets off a potent toxic fume that can cause confusion or even hallucination in humans.'

'Bad... so dangerous... Naughty plant!' Bernadetta moaned.

'I'd never heard of anything that might work in that way.' Claude admitted. 'Since we couldn't find you, Teach... I suggested to Bernie that we speak to Hubie here. Figured that if anyone might know just how much of a risk this plant might be in the wrong hands... it would be him. Also figured he might know where you had gone...'

'Just imagine my surprise when these two turned up on my doorstep.' Hubert murmured, although he was unable to completely mask his obvious pleasure at being sought out.

'Do you know anything about the plant?' Byleth queried intensely as he poured them all tea.

'Actually, I'd heard rumours of the effect that it has - although I wouldn't have been able to name the plant specifically, let alone have suspected that there was a specimen here at the Monastery. It's very rare and exceptionally challenging to cultivate and grow by all accounts.' Hubert looked thoughtful as he seated himself back down next to Claude. 'What I do know is that the warning about it in Bernie's book was not exaggerating if the talk is to believed. In an enclosed space, just the smallest introduction to its smoke will foster the confusion effect. It's a natural high, though... you wouldn't necessarily notice that you have been compromised unless you get a direct faceful, which is when your mind can summon up all kinds of visual abnormalities.'

'That's not good.' Byleth admitted gruffly.

'If we were to speculate what use it might be put to in light of the threat to Lady Rhea...' Hubert continued, steepling his fingers. '... I would doubt that it would have an effect at all if it was used in the Goddess Tower during the ceremony...'

'It's way too open to the elements up there. The smoke would likely disperse before it did any damage.' Claude agreed, nodding at Hubert.

'How do you know that?' Hubert raised a brow. 'The Goddes Tower is strictly off-limits to students.'

'I've snuck up there a few times. Same as you I expect.' Claude smirked.

'Well, obviously.' Hubert conceded.

'How long would the effects last, once you were out of contact?' Byleth asked, cutting across their banter impatiently.

'I don't know, but that kind of toxin is most usually reliant on continued exposure. What would your thoughts be Claude?' Hubert turned to his companion, who looked amazed at being asked his opinion.

'I suppose it would depend on the amount of smoke you were affected with in the first place... but although Bernie says its quite a big plant, I can't see that burning it can possibly produce that large a cloud or indeed one that would last very long.' Claude considered seriously for a second. 'If it was me, I'd try and press it into a form that might be much less potent, but that would have a longer life...'

'A good point.' Hubert nodded. 'You mean something like the incense that the church insists on burning at all of their ceremonial jollies?'

'Exactly like that.' Claude agreed.

'Clever. It would take a little bit of knowledge to achieve such a transformation – but I don't think that it would be impossible. I suspect either you or I could do it – even with our limited knowledge about the plant itself.' Hubert eyed Claude with interest. 'It would be quite educational to try it out actually. As a method of delivery, it would be virtually undetectable in any number of situations and could very well work with a vast array of different toxins' He added enthusiastically.

'I don't want to hear this...' Byleth groaned, rolling her eyes.

'Bad!' Bernadetta was looking at them both incredulously. 'You are very bad men!' She said severely with a large sniff.

'I guess we can only speculate on the potential risk that this development presents.' Hubert grinned evilly at the ladies. 'I do think we can all agree though that Bernie was completely correct in bringing this situation to our attention. It is an anomaly... and one that must be taken seriously as a threat.'

'I agree.' Byleth nodded.

'Bernie has done well?' The girl asked querulously.

'Very well.' Byleth squeezed her tight. 'You have been very brave. I am so sorry that I ran off after class today. I had no idea...'

'I did follow you when you bolted away so intently...' Hubert admitted without a shred of embarrassment. 'When you started out of the Monastery though, I decided there was no way I'd manage to keep up with you...'

'I had to pick up something from the village.' Byleth muttered. 'Then I had a meeting with Seteth...' She flushed hotly. '... And Flayn.' She added. 'I thought it a good idea to find out what actually was involved in the Rite of Rebirth.'

'Did you learn anything useful?' Claude asked. Byleth's blush deepened, and she was unable to meet his eyes.

'Some interesting things came up.' She said weakly but didn't elaborate.

'Um...' Bernadetta tugged on Byleth's arm when a short silence fell. 'What happens now?' She asked.

Byleth pulled her wandering thoughts sharply back in line.

'Do you think you would recognise the person who took the plant if you were to see him again?' She asked.

'I... think so.' Bernadetta frowned worriedly. 'Yes!' She decided more confidently.

'Well, then. Tomorrow before class, I will hunt down Jeralt and tell him what's occurred.' Byleth rested her weary head against Bernadetta's. 'I guess we should take a tour around the Monastery after that to see if you can spot the miscreant. Identifying him needs to be our first priority.'

'With respect, Professor... I don't think it would be a good idea for you to accompany Bernie on that particular task.' Hubert spoke up.

'Oh?' Byleth's brow raised. 'Why not?'

'Hmm.' Hubert stood and started pacing thoughtfully. 'If we were to consider that the gentleman in question is not aware that his crime had been witnessed, and yet he is here with a nefarious intention... I would suggest that he would stay well out of the way of certain people's attention.'

'Good point!' Claude agreed. 'People like Jeralt, Rhea, Seteth... and yeah... probably Teach too, if he has learned that she will be co-ordinating the security of the grounds on the day of the Rite.'

'Precisely!' Hubert agreed. 'I believe that the best possible escort for Bernadetta would be Claude.'

'Me?' Claude queried.

'Indeed.' Hubert smirked at him. 'You have a reputation for being a complete idiot after all. Nobody is going to see you as any kind of threat.'

'Thanks...'

'Oh. Come now Claude! We both know that you give that impression on purpose and that you positively encourage people to believe the misconception.' Hubert smiled, almost genuinely. 'It's quite a compelling performance.' He critiqued.

'Should I comment on your reputation for being a complete arsehole then?' Claude grinned cheekily.

'No need... That one is utterly true.' Hubert grinned back.

'Can you two please flirt on your own time?' Byleth grouched irritably.

'Jealous?' They both challenged her simultaneously, then eyed each other and started to laugh.

'They have both gone mad!'' Bernadetta whispered, her eyes wide.

'Heh... I suppose we should get back to the matter in hand.' Hubert stifled his chuckles and aimed for a serious look. 'Are you okay with being accompanied by Claude, Bernadetta? I believe he will be most capable of looking after you.'

'I... guess so.' Bernadetta nodded, looking shyly at Claude who winked at her. 'I am still a bit scared, though...' She added.

'I know sweetheart.' Byleth murmured encouragingly. 'You have already been so wonderful. We just need this extra little push now...'

'I admit that I have been very impressed with your bravery too.' Hubert agreed.

'Really?' Bernadetta gulped and smiled weakly. 'Bernie can do it.' She promised. 'Bernie can be brave!'

'I never even doubted it!' Claude cheered.

'So, then...' Byleth's mind was working overtime. 'I'll speak to Jeralt, get his and probably Seteth's input, then I'll let Manuela know that you will be helping me out tomorrow Claude.'

'No problem.' Claude sat back, finally relaxing.

'If you give me your notes, I can get the morning class started until you are sorted, Professor.' Hubert offered. 'Then you won't have to rush unnecessarily.'

'Thanks.'

'I'll pick you up before breakfast, Bernie.' Claude decided. 'That way, we can check out the early crowd in the dining hall.'

Bernie nodded at him.

'One more thing.' Byleth added. 'If you don't manage to locate this fellow tomorrow daytime, I was planning a trip to the Abyss in the evening, with Jeritza – just to get an update on their situation. We can't discount that the person we are looking for is residing down there...'

Bernie looked confused.

'It's a sanctuary that exisits under the Monastery itself.' Hubert explained.

'Oh!'

'Would you accompany me there if we are still looking for the guy?' Byleth asked gently.

'I...I... guess so.' Bernadetta looked faint.

'Actually, I'd like to come along.' Claude said. 'Can't break up team Claude and Bernie, Teach!'

'Okay.' Byleth nodded.

'I'll come too.' Hubert decided. 'The more, the merrier.' He stated when Byleth stared at him. She stared harder. 'Oh, alright...' He grumbled. 'It will save me having to sneak after you if I just accompany you upfront.'

'We have a plan then.' Byleth said, satisfied. 'I will let you know if Jeralt wants to change up our response, but I honestly can't see him having any reason to. Now, I suggest that we get to bed. Tomorrow may very well be a long day for us all.'

Bernadetta mewled quietly and dug herself further into Byleth's chest.

'Do you want to stay here with me tonight, Bernie?' Byleth asked, trying not to sigh.

'Would you come to my room Professor?' Bernadetta asked quietly. 'It's safer there.'

'Let me get together my bedroll and a change of clothes.' Byleth agreed.

'Slumber party!' Claude exclaimed, punching the air.

'No, Claude.' Byleth said with finality.

'Aww, go on Teach, it'll be fun!'

'No, Claude!' Byleth repeated firmly.

'Man, you are such a killjoy.' Claude accused with a playful pout.