The morning of the first real birthday that Byleth had ever known began by awaking into early morning darkness, aware that the excursion her father had planned would set out at first light.
'You are sleeping extremely deeply at the moment.' Jeritza noted making her startle alarmedly. 'I admit, I even checked to make sure you were still breathing. Your lack of a heartbeat is somewhat disconcerting in that kind of situation, you know...' He was sat at her table, breakfast already laid out and a pot of tea steeping aromatically.
'Urghh...' Byleth's mind was too foggy from for coherent speech. Sothis was still slumbering heavily in her mind.
'I don't believe such inertness is your usual state...' Jeritza continued conversationally as he came around the table to pull out a chair for her and pour her tea. 'I doubt that complacency in your surroundings is the issue either. I can only conclude that the problem you have been seeking control over is the reasoning behind it. Um... Byleth... what are you doing?' He looked at her perplexedly as she pinched at the skin of her arm hard.
'I think I'm still sleeping...' She mumbled, mostly to herself. 'Somehow, I appear to be dreaming myself into the opening chapter of one of my romance novels...' She stopped pinching and blushed heavily as her mind took her straight to the usual conclusion of such story scenarios.'
Jeritza snorted an amused laugh and handed her a blood-red rose. 'It is your birthday, is it not?' He chuckled.
'So Myles tells me...'
'Then this is a day for being spoiled.' Jeritza said firmly, planting a kiss to the top of her head and then seating himself opposite her and resting his elbows on the table, propping his chin on his hands to observe her unashamedly.
Byleth took a few moments to run through the calming exercises that Jeritza had imparted on their last evening together. Once she had her runaway thoughts and her flush under better control, she managed to meet his thoroughly entertained gaze.
'You are definitely enjoying yourself way too much for my liking.' She grouched. 'Why are you even here?' She added, picking up her knife and cutting into the sausages on her plate with gusto.
'Now, now...my intentions are purely honourable.' Jeritza chided affectionately. 'I am here because you are simply a nightmare to provide an appropriate gift for. You have no interest in jewels or adornments, you have no particular passion in weaponry beyond their use as a tool, and you eat every foodstuff with the same level of regard whatever it happens to be. Therefore I reached the conclusion that the only worthwhile offering I could make as a homage to your birth was myself...'
Byleth half-choked on her mouthful of meat.
'I am at your service entirely Byleth. You may use me as you will.' He grinned.
'Y... y... you know I'm going out on a fishing trip, right?' She stuttered weakly.
'Of course!' Jeritza laughed. 'What? You think I'd make so foolish an offer if I thought you'd actually be here all day to abuse it? Providing you breakfast and later-on your supper is pretty much the limit to my largess - no matter how fond of you I am...'
Byleth shook her head hard. 'You are going to be the death of me...' She muttered, uncomfortably aware how heavy her breath was coming.
'No...' A sudden sadness fleeted across Jeritza's face. 'Your demise would only ever be lauded by him... never me.'
'I didn't mean...'
Jeritza waved a hand to ward off her words. 'I am sure you are aware that my offering is not without its personal limitations.' He said quietly. 'I must maintain my own control just as rigidly as you are attempting to manage yours. Moreso, in fact, for if I were tosuccumb to any intensity of desire, I would assuredly unleash the monster within. Neither of us wants that.'
'Well that's depressing.' Sothis yawned. 'Guess you will have to look elsewherefor some decent physical relief then darling...' She added smugly.
'We will both ably manage our control...' Byleth reassured gently, although the mental slap she sent toward Sothis was anything but.
'Of course!' Jeritza's smile returned. 'I wouldn't be here if I didn't know that. Now you need to eat up quickly. Myles insisted that I have you out at the rookery in thirty minutes from now.'
'Ah, I see.' Byleth groaned. 'I was wondering how you knew everything about today when I have been trying to keep my birthday as low profile as possible. My brother is the traitor!'
'It was Myles who sought me out yesterday.' Jeritza nodded. 'He was insistent that you would be pleased by my company. Mercedes had already suggested the same.'
'Perhaps we should be wondering if our siblings are conspiring...' Byleth grumbled.
'I don't mind, though...' Jeritza admitted.
'No, they weren't wrong in their assessment...' Byleth agreed shyly.
'Well then... good.' Jeritza took hold of her hand and squeezed it. 'I will take the breakfast things back to the kitchen while you dress, then I'll walk you over to meet your party.' He grinned broadly. 'I understand you have never flown on a Wyvern before. I wonder if your breakfast will make a reappearance when you do... all over Seteth...'
'Mean!'
'Hmph. If that man has to hold you, then I'd prefer it if you covered him in vomit rather than allow your distraction to be topmost in your thoughts!' Jeritza admitted.
Byleth's blush was back... she was beginning to get tired of the blood rushing to her cheeks so quickly.
'Jealous Jeritza?' She challenged, trying to cover her fluster as she stood and headed towards her wardrobe.
'Yes!' Jeritza declared, racing to grab her into a hug that lifted her entirely of her feet. 'Mine!'
'Do you want me to kick your arse?' She groaned.
'Isuppose I could let you... It is your birthday, after all...'
'Put me down. Now!' Byleth ordered imperiously. 'Oh... and since you have decided to do my bidding today, I expect you to be wearing a maid's outfit when you serve me supper this evening. With your hair tied up into cute little plaits...' She added with a smirk.
'You realise if you throw down a gauntlet... I am rather competitive...' Jeritza put her gently back on her feet and eyed her speculatively. 'Be careful what you wish for...'
'I was absolutely joking!' She squeaked in alarm.
'We'll see...' Jeritza chuckled, gathering up the plates and throwing some leftover sausage to Colin. 'Hurry up now... I'll be back in a moment!'
Byleth dressed quickly, and the sun was only just beginning to turn the sky a beautiful pink hue when Jeritza took her by the hand and escorted her to the rookery, where Myles was waiting for them by the entrance.
'You made it right on time!' Myles clapped Jeritza on the shoulder warmly, then caught his sister in a massive bearhug. 'Happy birthday sis!' He grinned.
'I'll take my leave then.' Jeritza bowed to them both and lifted Byleth's hand to press his lips to her knuckles. 'I want your fish-heads...' He reminded her.
'I hope that's not going to be my supper...'
Jeritza chuckled. 'Have a good time. I'll be here, awaiting your return.' He promised before sauntering away with a cheery wave.
'So, I'm guessing that you wagered your gold on Jeritza then...' Byleth commented as she walked with Myles to the yard where the others were waiting with their mounts.'
'Well, duh! I had the insight of your little chess-night to base my bet on.' Myles smirked. 'Although I do believe that talking him into bringing you breakfast this morning was a stroke of genius on my part!' He added merrily.
'Donkey!' Byleth accused affectionately poking his shoulder. 'It's becoming hard to know if Jeritza's attention is actually genuine at all, considering that he is being bullied into submission by both Mercedes and you as well!'
'You're kidding, right? He's totally smitten!' Myles threw an arm around her shoulders. 'You didn't know him the first year he was here. Never said a word to anyone, definitely never saw him even attempt an expression other than disdain.'
'There you are!' Flayn came running up excitedly, dressed informally in loose trousers and tunic and wearing a large beaming smile. 'Happy birthday Byleth.' She flung herself into the Professor's arms, squeezing her tight. 'We are all ready to fly... come on! Hurry!' she added once she was done. 'You haven't met my Pegasus yet have you?' Flayn continued babbling excitedly as she led the siblings into the yard to where three beasts, Jeralt and Seteth were awaiting them.
'Who is doing the actual flying?' Byleth questioned, looking at the mounts in confusion.
'You didn't know that I fly then, I guess.' Myles grinned. 'I'm gonna be transporting our Da. Won't that be fun!'
'Yeah, I'm so looking forward to it.' Jeralt grouched, giving Byleth an enthusiastic ruffle on the head. 'Not used to this at all...' He muttered when she pushed his hand away and hugged him instead.
'You can travel with me if you prefer Jeralt!' Seteth offered. 'My mount might struggle under the weight of your fat arse though.'
'Brother!' Flayn's hand had flown to her mouth in shock, but she was giggling through her fingers. 'I swear that Sir Jeralt brings out quite the worst in you!' She accused.
'If you go with Seteth than I can carry By...' Myles agreed eagerly. 'Show her how a Wyvern should be ridden!'
'I agree.' Byleth smirked. 'Jeritza did point out I'd likely puke up the rather heavy breakfast he provided since it's my first flight. If I'm gonna be sick on anyone – my choice would obviously be my brother!'
'Jeritza provided you breakfast?' Jeralt's brow had raised.
'Of course...' Myles was laughing. 'Who the hell did you waste your gold wagering on?' He queried
'You didn't!' Byleth groaned disappointedly at her father.
'Err... Of course not!' Jeralt agreed just a little too quickly.
'I know where he laid his money...' Flayn piped up wickedly... 'We pooled our resources...'
'Err... What am I missing?' Seteth looked confused.
'Nothing!' Byleth replied firmly. 'They are just being mean to me is all.'
'That is not allowed on your birthday.' Seteth declared firmly. 'If you want to go with Myles, I'm sure my mount will manage lard arse over there...' He pulled Byleth into a quick hug.
'Aww... come with me sis...' Myles smirked.
'Seteth!' Sothis voted.
'Me?' Seteth looked even more confused.
Flayn giggled. 'Just ride with my brother, Byleth. If you decide you wish to take up flying he will be the one assessing you after all.'
'An excellent point!' Jeralt encouraged.
'Cheaters...' Myles moaned under his breath.
They took to the skies together, Jeralts loud complaints about Myles's driving audible even given the distance between them. Byleth found the initial ascent to be stomach-churning, but between Seteth's firm grip around her waist and the newness of the experience, she was able to hold onto her panic and reflexes. Once they levelled out at just below the cloud level, her mind was soaring along with the graceful motion of their mount. She leaned herself as far forward as she could manage to take in the magnificent sight around her.
'All good?' Seteth asked as she whooped in pure delight.
'Wonderful!' She agreed heartily. 'Look at how fast the ground below us is being eaten up!' She exclaimed in wonder.
Seteth chuckled. 'I should have guessed that you wouldn't be afraid.'
'Oh. I'm actually quite terrified!' Byleth turned her head slightly to grin at him. 'Only a bloody fool wouldn't be scared when they have no experience in such an extreme situation. If something goes wrong, you have a wealth of knowledge and skill to draw upon which I lack completely!'
'True of course.' Seteth agreed.
'I can enjoy it though because I trust in you... just be aware I will be cursing your name in at least four different languages if I end up plummeting to the earth...'
The arm around her waist tightened. 'Now you have made me nervous!' He groaned. Byleth's merry laugher was lost to the wind.
The journey seemed to take no time at all. The location that Jeralt had picked was a green and vibrant plateau surrounded by towering rocky outcrops and a breathtaking waterfall that pounded down into a large pool of vibrant blue. The river moved on from their location winding downwards for as far as the eye could see.
'We have been here before with Jeralt.' Sothis observed although she seemed distant, much less stable in Byleth's head. 'Do you remember it, child? He appears to be looking at you as if he is hoping for your memory.'
'I don't.' Byleth admitted sadly.
'Pretend you do.' Sothis demanded.
Byleth smiled shyly at her father. 'We have been here before I think...'
Jeralt's face burst into a happy smile. 'You remember?' He laughed.
'Oh...' Sothis also started to chuckle. 'He brought you here for the fishing, but he annoyed you, and you pushed him into the river. It was the first time he remembers any proper emotion from you!'
Byleth raised her brow. 'Fancy going swimming again, old man?' She queried.
Jeralt chortled, and this time it was him that drew her into a hug. 'I know better than to challenge your fishing skills these days kiddo.' He promised.
'Well, you know... for old times sake?' Byleth was mentally gauging the distance to the water's edge.
'Don't you bloody dare you hellcat!'
'Do it!' Flayn was dancing and clapping.
'Traitor!' Jeralt accused, sitting himself firmly down on the ground and crossing his arms sullenly.
'I'll only manage it if I do it unawares...' Byleth commented to Flayn.
'Well, I am going swimming!' Flayn declared. 'C'mon Myles.' She insisted.
'Let's get the rods set up first.' Seteth had been fastidiously unpacking their supplies from the mounts before allowing them to fly away together as a trio.
'We'll need a spot a bit further down the river.' Jeralt grunted, keeping a suspicious eye on Byleth who was still grinning at him. 'If I get even the slightest bit wet – you aren't getting your present.' He threatened.
'I'll get you an extra one to make up for it.' Seteth promised her.
'Seteth... Whose side are you on?' Jeralt demanded.
'Guess.' Seteth grinned.
'Thanks, Sothis.' Byleth's thoughts turned inward.
'It seemed to mean a lot to Jeralt that you remembered.' Sothis sounded thoughtful. 'You forget that he is the closest thing I have ever had to a father too. It pleases me to see him so happy and relaxed for a change.'
'You seem to be growing quite distant in my mind.' Byleth noted regretfully. 'It's been noticeable since we left the Monastery.'
'Yes... I believe we were correct in assuming that the place itself intensifies our connection. It is reassuring to know that you can take a break from the power of our joining if you need to... simply by putting some miles between us and the nexus of faith.' Sothis sighed. 'I, however, am feeling terribly tired. I did want to enjoy this day as much as you, but I think I will sleep now.'
'Don't worry, I will provide all the memories of today then. When we go home.' Byleth promised.
'I don't trust you in the slightest to share ALL of the juicy gossip or a proper telling of your own idiot actions.' Sothis accused.
'I'm praying there won't be any!' Byleth laughed.
