'You simply couldn't stay away from me, could you my friend...' Yuri's amused and playful voice drifted out of nowhere in the dark entrance passage that led down into the Abyss. A second later, he was landing with a bounce directly in front of Byleth, taking her hand and raising it to his lips. 'Adorable!' He murmured.
'Knock it off, Yuri.' Byleth grabbed her hand back with a wicked scowl although she was red to the tips of her ears. Grateful for the dim light Byleth took a step backwards bumping into Jeritza who was right behind her. 'Something's come up... ' She added in a shaky voice. 'We need to talk.'
'And here I was hoping this was just a social call...' Yuri pouted. 'Claude...' He sketched an ironic bow in the House Leader's direction and nodded briefly at Hubert. 'Let us get to somewhere more hospitable so that you can introduce us to your other companions.' He suggested and turned to lead the way, confident that they would follow.
'Hey! We got more visitors!' Balthus smiled up from the game of chess he was playing with Hapi when the group were led into the sitting room that the Ashen Wolves appeared to favour.
'More visitors?' Byleth was quickly on his comment.
'Well, yeah.' Balthus stood to come and clap the Professor on the shoulder in welcome. 'Linhardt has been down several times already to use our library.'
'He has been looking over a few people's injuries for us too.' Hapi added. 'Coco's with him at the moment. One of our orphan's had a fall and broke his wrist .'
'Normally, Aelfric sees to our more severe hurts.' Yuri had gone forward to stoke the fire as soon as they had entered. He rose back up and turned to cast a glance over the assembled guests.
'No...no...no...' Bernadetta moaned and dropped like a stone, although Claude was quick enough to catch her before she hit the floor.
'Bernie? You okay?' He asked in concern. She was shaking hard but she pushed herself roughly away from Claude disappeared under a nearby table, curling herself up tightly.
'Do you need to leave sweetheart?' Byleth was instantly at the girl's side on the ground, rubbing reassuringly at her back as Hubert moved the others away, giving them some space.
'Some people don't like the underground much...' Hapi was saying quietly. 'It can be claustrophobic to anyone.'
'Bernadetta is anxious at the best of times.' Hubert replied softly. 'Please, stay back...' He requested as Yuri jolted and pushed forward to stare intently. 'The Professor is extremely capable.'
'I don't doubt that.' Yuri murmured, but his eyes were on Bernadetta, his face a mask.
'Bernie is okay!' She had stopped shaking almost as soon as Byleth had reached out to her, although she was clinging on tightly with her face buried in the Professor's thigh. 'Nothing to see here. Just Bernie making friends with the floor!'
'You don't have to do this right now, you know... we can come back another time.' Byleth's voice was firm. 'You have already had a long day out of your room.'
'No.' Bernadetta looked up into the Professor's face and smiled wanly. 'Bernie is just being an idiot! It's not even possible... it all in my head like a wriggling worm.'
'Shall we take a few minutes to clear our heads then? Just us?' Byleth helped Bernadetta to her feet, smiling at her encouragingly. Bernadetta nodded gratefully, refusing to relinquish her hold on the Professor. 'Could you explain our situation while we're gone?' Byleth requested Hubert as she led Bernadetta to the door, followed at a respectful distance by Jeritza.
'Of course, Professor.' Hubert agreed.
Once they were gone, Hapi whistled to herself in surprise. 'I did not expect that kind of compassion from the Ashen Demon.' She admitted. 'Your Professor is genuinely full of surprises.'
'Isn't she just...' Yuri muttered, then turned to Hubert with an utterly blank face. 'More problems then?' He surmised.
'Bernadetta witnessed something rather worrying, and we are trying to identify the perpetrator of the act.' Hubert explained.
'We spent today checking around the Monastery, but with no luck.' Claude added. 'Teach was planning a visit to the Abyss this evening anyway so she suggested we brought Bernie along to see if she could spy the guy we're looking for here.'
Hubert nodded at Claude's explanation. 'Do you happen to know if anyone new has turned up down here in the last few weeks?' He asked their hosts politely.
'We don't get that many new people.' Balthus answered. 'The residency can be kinda fluid, but it's mainly the same faces. Aside from you lot, the last time we had someone completely unknown come in was...' He paused - considering.
'It's gotta be at least five or six months.' Hapi supplied. 'Right, Yuri-bird?'
'Hmm, what?' Yuri was staring at the door with a thoughtful look on his face.
'New faces...' Hapi said impatiently.
'Oh. None for a good while.' Yuri supplied. 'What was it exactly that... Bernadetta... saw?' He asked intently.
'Ah, well..' Hubert sat himself down on the arm of one of the chairs. 'Bernie has quite the passion for carnivorous plants...'
'She what?' Balthus burst out in a loud guffaw. 'Real word? Does anyone actually have a passion for that?'
'It can't be that different from liking plants in general...' Yuri pointed out.
'Oh no...' Hubert was grinning. 'The Professor once had us teach a class, on anything we wanted to... Bernie gave an incredibly detailed and wholly intriguing lecture on her speciality. In fact...' Hubert grin gave way to a sigh, '... The Professor insisted that the entire class run around like loons in the gardens for ages afterwards, trying to catch flies to feed to the damn specimen that Bernie had brought with her.'
'I'm sorry I missed out on that one!' Claude chuckled. '... Although, that has nothing on the day that Teach got so annoyed with one of the textbooks describing tactics for a particular battle that she threw the book at the wall then demanded that Lysithea burnt everybody's copies in a huge, sacrificial bonfire... I thought Seteth was going to explode when he came charging in thinking the training grounds were burning down...'
'Heh... so she's not exactly your usual type of teacher then?' Balthus chortled.
'Actually, her methods may be unusual, but her teaching is exceptionally invigorating.' Linhardt remarked, walking into the room with Constance in tow. 'I manage to stay awake for at least ninety-percent of her lessons.. which is really quite the recommendation!'
'I'd probably call it more like eighty...' Hubert corrected.
'That's by the by though...' Linhardt smirked. 'Um... did I just see Bernie down here with the Professor and Jeritza?' He queried. 'I'm not sure that's the best of idea's...'
'We are hunting a murderous priest.' Claude declared dramatically.
'Excuse me... what?' That grabbed Yuri's full attention.
'Never a dull day around the Professor...' Linhardt observed wryly.
Hubert filled Linhardt and the Wolves in on the situation in its entirety.
'I expect that Teach is doing a sweep with Bernie now.' Claude surmised once Hubert was done. 'They have been gone a while. Jeritza is with them though so between him and Teach, I don't doubt that they are fine.'
'The man in the mask?' Hapi asked. 'Is he another student?'
'No. He's staff. Our weaponsmaster.' Hubert said shortly.
'If I were one to gossip, I might also postulate that Jeritza and the Professor are... well, you know...' Linhardt tailed off with a knowing smile.
'You would?' Claude raised a doubtful eyebrow. 'I think she's more into Seteth personally... didn't you see them together at Flayn's party?'
'You fool!' Lindardt chuckled... 'Jeralt was stood there right with them, and if anything was going on between his daughter and Seteth then the man would likely be missing some teeth right now!'
'Do you fancy a small wager, Lin?' Claude grinned.
'Woah... what!' Balthus beamed. 'Can I play?'
'No gambling for you, big man. ' Hapi grumbled at him, pulling on his arm.
'Aww c'mon... If we are gonna bet on someone winning the fair Professor's heart I just gotta put some gold on it being Yuri... ain't that right boss?' Balthus looked around with a huge smirk, but Yuri was nowhere to be seen. 'Huh, where'd he get to?' Balthus grumbled.
'Probably out stalking his prey.' Hapi sighed. 'Reckon you might as well lay down your coin after all Balti, never known anyone that could resist the Yuri-bird if he's become invested in the chase...'
'Could I perhaps wager against him?' Hubert asked with a considered smile.
~0~
Byleth, Bernadetta and Jeritza were returning from a fruitless sweep of the common area's of the Abyss when Yuri caught up to them. Bernadetta spotted his approach first and turned immediately to run. She ended up colliding straight into Jeritza, who grabbed her gently by the shoulders and held her in place.
'Byleth would never allow any harm to come to you.' Jeritza observed calmly. 'You have no need to flee. It would not do well for you to get lost down here.' Bernadetta gulped but nodded. 'Good.' Jeritza let her go but looked prepared in case she tried to bolt again.
'I apologise if I startled you.' Yuri was gazing directly at Bernadetta who found herself stuck between him and Jeritza. She wilted in panic.
Byleth pushed past Yuri to grab a hold on Bernadetta. 'We were just heading back.' She said sharply. 'We've had a scout around but to no avail.'
'We were discussing with Hubert and Claude that we have had no new arrivals here in a good many months, so I actually think it unlikely that your villain is hiding out amongst us.' Yuri took Byleth's arm on the opposite side to Bernadetta. 'Nonetheless, I felt honour-bound to personally ensure the safety of two such beautiful ladies in my home.'
'Ooh... he is so smooth...' Sothis sighed.
'Please Sothis... I am barely holding myself together... don't make this any more difficult than it already is...'
'But just think about how beautiful your babies would be...' Sothis cooed.
Byleth shivered and tried to remove her arm from Yuri's grip. He noted her flush with a satisfied grin.
'Come now, my friend, whatever is bringing such a maidenly blush to your cheeks..?' He teased lightly. 'Surely you must be used to people commenting on your beauty by now!'
'I am far more accustomed to hearing death-screams and piteous begging from any poor soul who manages to get this close to me.' Byleth retorted.
There was a sharp snort of a laugh from Jeritza.
'You tell him Professor...' Bernie muttered.
'Ah, you are all intent on ganging up on me I see.' Yuri let go of Byleth's arm and raised his hands in surrender. 'Hubert did disclose that you had planned to come and visit with us before this other situation arose though. Was there something else that you wished to look into Professor?'
Byleth shrugged. 'Just checking up everything was okay with you guys.' She admitted. 'Jeralt is unusually busy with the Rite coming up, so he hasn't been able to dedicate as much time to your issue as he would have liked.'
'Oh, Professor... so you do care after all! Cute!' Yuri grinned.
'Okay he's laying it on a bit thick now - even for me...' Sothis observed.
'The students and I have been given the duty of protecting the Monastery grounds on the day of the Rite.' Byleth replied blankly ignoring Yuri's comment. 'To my mind, that includes the security of the Abyss.'
'I see. How dutiful of you.' Yuri gave a hugely dramatic sigh as he pushed the door open for them to rejoin their companions.
'Did you find anything?' Claude asked, jumping to his feet.
'I'm afraid not. We are back at square one.' Byleth replied.
'I think you can count out the Abyss though.' Hapi said genuinely. 'It is hard for an unknown face to hide in a place like this. We all literally live on top of one another.'
'It's nice... a room here would be nice.' Bernadetta said reflectively, then she glanced towards Yuri and shrank back slightly. 'Or maybe not...' She whispered.
Living in the darkness does have its advantages.' Constance moved forward and was checking out Bernadetta and Jeritza with interest. 'I am Constance von Nuvelle.' She added grandly.
Byleth felt a hand grip onto her shoulder.
'We are done here.' It was Jeritza, his voice determined.
'Oh no, please... won't you all stay for some company?' Yuri pressed.
'Yeah, Prof. You mentioned some sparring with me, last time we met!' Balthus grinned. 'The night is young yet!'
'I need to get Bernadetta back.' Byleth apologised to Balthus. 'I have put in a request to Rhea to see if it might be acceptable for you all to join some of our classes though. If you wanted to. If not, we can always work something out down here a few times a week maybe.'
'Professor... you are already working yourself half to death...' Hubert groaned. 'No offence.' He added to the Wolves. 'She just refuses to accept what is humanly possible to achieve...'
'You mean it?' Hapi asked querulously.
'Of course. I don't lie.'
'No... she really doesn't.' Claude confirmed although it didn't sound like he approved of the trait.
'Anyway... we will see what happens. Bernie, do you want to go back now?' Byleth asked.
Bernadetta nodded hard.
'I'm going to the Library.' Linhardt said with a giant yawn. 'I have already noted a few things you might find of interest Claude. You too Hubert...'
'Lead the way then, Professor Linhardt!' Claude grinned.
'That sounds... interesting.' Hubert agreed. 'You don't mind if I join you?'
'Not at all... as long as you leave your normal disapproving leer at the door...' Linhardt smiled.
'I can probably manage that. Just this once.' Hubert agreed with a grin.
'I guess I will walk you guys up to the entrance then...' Yuri indicated to Byleth as he jumped to his feet.
'There really isn't any need.' Byleth insisted.
'On the contrary, there is every need. I am obliged to make sure that you have actually left.'
'Do you have to be so rude, Yuri..?' Hapi sighed.
The walk back was made in complete silence with Yuri ahead of Byleth and Bernadetta and Jeritza at the rear. Once they reached the grating that led to the Monastery grounds, Yuri turned and bowed.
'I wish you luck in your hunt for the villain you seek.' He said formally to Bernadetta. 'I was very sorry to hear that you lost so precious a flower to his wrongdoings.'
'T... t... thanks...' Bernadetta was unable to meet his eye.
'I hope that you will come for a proper visit soon, Professor.' Yuri added to Byleth. 'One without any agenda or task - just for our company.'
'Find me the time...' Byleth moaned noncommittally.
Yuri smiled genuinely at her. 'I'll see what I can do for you!' He moved quicker than Byleth could have imagined possible, leaping in close and taking her hand for the second time that evening and raising it to his lips to bestow a gentle kiss. He then melted away into the darkness.
'That man is completely abhorrent.' Jeritza fumed angrily.
'How very soft are his lips?' Sothis sighed.
'He isn't real...' Bernadetta murmured obtusely.
Byleth's breath was coming much too hot and fast for her to manage a coherent reply.
