Dorothea was beginning to regret her offer to ensure that all of the messages for the Professor were collected ready to be added in the student's tea-chest gift. Since it was Saturday, people were spread out everywhere across the Monastery and tracking them all down was proving to be a trial.
'If only everyone were as reliable as you, dear!' Dorothea moaned to Dedue, when the Duscur man found her instead, providing not only the flowers with which to adorn Byleth's room but also his and Ashe's notes. 'I swear my feet will be nothing more than bleeding stumps before I am done!'
'I am sure the others would seek you out themselves if you gave them a bit of time.' Dedue advised kindly. 'Nobody wants to miss out on the opportunity to do something nice for the Professor after all.'
'While that is undoubtedly true, it doesn't automatically mean that their time management skills are up to the task.' Dorothea grouched. 'I have reminded Felix twice now, and he still hasn't got a single line down on paper.'
Dedue chuckled. 'I would likely not have been quite so timely either were it not for the fact I am accompanying Ashe down to the village for tea with his siblings.'
'How lovely! Those children are quite the cuties aren't they...' Dorothea beamed at the big man. 'I suppose we still being required to pair up if we venture outside the Monastery then?' She added. 'I haven't had a reason to leave the grounds for a few weeks now, so it hasn't come up for me...'
Dedue nodded seriously. 'There have been numerous sightings of the so-called Death Knight in the local area.' He murmured. 'He has managed to elude our own Knight's quite effectively, which is causing no end of consternation on their part. It is simple wisdom to be on guard and support each other.'
'Well, Ashe couldn't hope for a better companion to scare off a mean, scary bully.' Dorothea patted Dedue on the arm. 'Perhaps I will look you up too, the next time I wish to take an excursion.'
'I believe there are numerous young Knights who would fight for the opportunity of protecting you.' Dedue looked amused. 'It would be a shame to disappoint them all.'
'Stop it now, you'll make me blush!' Dorothea laughed. 'By the way, if you see Dimitri, could you please put some pressure on to finish his message. I am a little surprised to have to chase him for it actually. He is usually dependable!'
'Between the two of us, His Highness is having some trouble in composing his missive...' Dedue said stoically although his eyes were twinkling. 'I have counted at least twenty attempts that he has so far discarded.'
'Oh! How utterly adorable!' Dorothea chuckled. 'Perhaps I should have wagered on him then if his feelings lie that way... after all, who could refuse so perfect a little princeling!' She observed with a perfectly raised eyebrow.
'My loyalty did compel me to place my gold on his budding infatuation...' Dedue noted. 'You?'
'Mercedes...' Dorothea's eyes flashed wickedly.
'Huh. An interesting choice.'
'Look at us gossiping like old women!' Dorothea smiled, then laughed loudly when Dedue coloured in embarrassment. 'Don't take it like that Dedue!' She chided him merrily. 'It is so good to shoot the breeze with someone possessed of a bit of maturity for a change. I do have Ferdinand and Caspar to contend with on a daily basis after all...' She added with an exasperated roll of the eyes.
'Nonetheless, I must get on. Ashe is awaiting me, and as you have observed, I do like to be reliable.' Dedue bowed quickly and turned, almost running in his desire to extract himself.
'I am definitely losing it...' Dorothea murmured to herself watching the big man flee in consternation.
The one person that Dorothea knew she would have no problem in locating was Bernadetta who she decided to call upon next. True to form when she knocked at the reclusive woman's door, it was slowly opened, and Dorothea was pulled inside - the door slamming shut again as soon as it was possible. What Dorothea wasn't expecting was for Claude to be lounging in one of the chairs by the hearth, a pair of knitting needles in his hands and a concentrated frown on his face.
'You knit Claude?' Dorothea sounded so astonished that Bernadetta giggled.
'Apparently not very well...' Claude grumbled casting a glance at Bernadetta who grinned back at him. He threw down the monstrosity that he had been working on and sighed. 'We were actually just about to come and find you. Here...' He handed over his completed envelope while Bernadetta fussed about getting together a handmade Colin'esque plushie and her own note to add to the stock.
'Do you need me to unlock Teach's door?' Claude inquired once Dorothea had stashed the items in her bag, noting that it was already bulging at the seams. 'Bernie and I have some reconnaissance we need to do this afternoon, so if you want to take advantage of my more dubious services, it will have to be now.'
'Might as well.' Dorothea nodded. 'I am nowhere near getting everyone's contributions together yet, but at least that would mean I won't have to carry around what I have gathered. I left the flower's outside her door too. Hilda's assured me that she is pretty much done with the box already, so things are coming together exactly as planned.'
'Any idea when the Professor will be back from fishing?' Bernadetta asked as they made their way towards Byleth's room. 'They left really early this morning if the time that Jeritza delivered her breakfast is anything to go by.'
'Jeritza?' Claude groaned.
'Mhmm.'
'Damn.' He lamented morosely.
'There surely isn't that many who would have wagered on the weaponsmaster?' Dorthea asked in surprise.
'I did.' Bernadetta said smugly. 'I considered betting on Dedue, but that might have just been wishful thinking on my part... Two of my favorite people together and in love...' She sighed lustily.
'Hey, aren't I one of your favourite people?' Claude moaned.
'Maybe...' Bernadetta blushed.
'So has there been any gossip-worthy betting?' Dorothea smirked as Claude bent to work swiftly and competently on the lock of Byleth's door.
'It would be completely bad form to reveal the wagers of my punters.' Claude admonished severely. 'Although...' He looked up at her with a wink. 'Lady Catherine bet on Rhea of all people. Sour grapes on her part I reckon... pure jealousy!'
'Honestly kids... is your teacher's love-life really that interesting a subject to you all? Academy training must be dreadfully dull if it is!' A new voice drawled behind them.
'Hey there Yuri, what are you doing out in the sun?' Claude straightened up and grinned at the Abyssian. 'Did they let you out for good behaviour?'
'Very droll...' Yuri grinned back. 'Hello Bernadetta...' He added softly, and a tiny frown crossed his face when she yelped and dived behind Claude.
'Well now...' Dorothea purred taking a long, lingering look up and down the newcomer. 'Aren't you quite the pretty one!'
'As I live and breath... it can't be!' Yuri smiled handsomely back at her and took her hand to his lips in a single fluid motion. 'Dorothea Arnault, the Mystical Songbird and undoubtedly the most beautiful songstress to ever grace the Mittelfrank Opera's stage...'
'Don't let Manuela hear you say that...' Dorothea smiled graciously. 'Do I know you?' She inquired. 'You look somewhat familiar, but I am sure I would remember so charming an individual if we had ever been properly introduced.'
'That's Yuri.' Claude interjected helpfully. 'The door is open, so Bernie and I will get to our mission and leave you two to flirt outrageously on your own time.' He winked again at Dorothea who giggled prettily. 'By the way Yuri, I'm organising a feast for my birthday on Tuesday evening. You want to come along with the other Wolves?' He offered.
'I'll ask them.' Yuri inclined his head.
'Great, be good if you can make it! I guess I'll catch you later then. Bernie? You ready?' Claude offered the cowering girl his arm. She nodded sharply in reply and grabbed onto him, pulling him away firmly.
Dorothea watched them depart for a second then cast a covert glance at Yuri who was also following their retreat with a reflective, but veiled expression. Without a word, she pushed her way into Byleth's room and was unsurprised when Yuri immediately followed her.
'Breaking and entering?' He questioned lightly.
'This is our Professor's room.' Dorothea murmured vaguely as she laid down her bag and started to unload the contents.
'Huh. Would that be Byleth then?'
'It would. You know her?' Dorothea paused what she was doing to look at him shrewdly. 'You never answered my earlier question by the way.' She pointed out determinedly. 'Who exactly are you?'
'You don't pull any punches, do you?' Yuri took a seat on the edge of the bed. 'I like that.'
'And I like to know who I'm dealing with.' Dorothea's voice had taken a harder edge at his continued obfuscation.
'You will have probably seen me around the Opera House in Enbarr.' Yuri's eyes never left her searching gaze. 'I have seen you perform more times than I can even remember.' He added.
Dorothea appraised him again carefully taking in his shaded eyes and coloured lips, but especially his languid and relaxed confidence. 'I suppose you were a professional then.' She threw out at him, but without rancour.
'You are as astute as you are beautiful.' Yuri inclined his head mockingly. 'You never failed to leave quite a crowd of broken hearts, and bruised noble ego's in your wake pretty bird... rich pickings for the likes of me.'
Dorothea noticeably relaxed. 'So what are you doing here, Yurikins?' She inquired as she went back to her task of unloading her goods.
'Yurikins?' His brow raised but Dorothea just smirked annoyingly at him. 'I could ask the same question of you.' He challenged belligerently.
'In my case, it's an easy one to answer. I am seeking a husband.'
'Preying on the noble brats hey?' Yuri's sarcastic tone was dripping with amusement.
'Hardly...' Dorothea sniffed, her face cold. 'A knight perhaps, or an established guard at the very least. You have avoided my question yet again.' She accused.
'Unintentionally.' Yuri lied easily. 'I happen to find myself under the care of the Church at the moment, along with a couple of friends. I have just come from a meeting with the Lady Rhea and have secured an agreement that we can join in with some of the classes at the Academy.' He smiled at her barely concealed surprise. 'I believe we can thank your Professor for kindly interceding on our behalf.' He added.
'Well, that sounds just like her...' Dorothea grunted. 'What house are you planning on joining?'
'It will be a fluid arrangement.' Yuri dragged his gaze from the songstress and was now looking around Byleth's room in apparent interest. 'This week coming up, I understand that all of the houses will be joining together in their lesson time to begin preparations for their defensive duties during the Rite of Rebirth and that the normal schedule will be disrupted. After that... I guess we will see how things go as to how we will proceed.'
'Hmm... I'm sure that is going to please Eddie and Hubie no end.' Dorothea muttered.
'What are you doing in here?' Yuri suddenly asked, waving a hand at the packages that Dorothea was arranging.
'Oh... It's Byleth's birthday.' Dorothea finally cracked a small smile. 'She is actually pretty shy... for someone who can kill a man three times her size with one arm tied behind her back. While she would undoubtedly be uncomfortable with any direct attention being made - we still wanted to honour her and the day so we conspired to leave gifts here, so she doesn't have to face us all directly.'
'Cute.' Yuri smiled back, tentatively. 'I've previously met Lady Edelgard and Hubert by the way.' He told her, again amused by Dorothea's look of surprise at the revelation. 'I was seeking them out when I spied you, and my curiosity drove me over. I am planning to have a word with all of the house leaders, now that Rhea has decided to allow our inclusion in the Academy.'
'Interesting.' Dorothea said thoughtfully. 'Well, I need to hunt down Edie myself and get hold of her contribution to the Professor... so I suppose you could come along with me once I'm done here.'
'Out of the goodness of your heart or because you want to nosey in on her reaction?' Yuri smirked.
'Whatever...' Dorothea waved his question off dismissively. 'You did just miss out on talking with Claude, you realise.'
'Mmm. I couldn't help but note that Bernadetta is fearful of me.' Yuri said quietly. 'I didn't really wish to subject her to my company for any longer than necessary. I can catch Claude another time.'
'I wouldn't take it personally.' Dorothea indicated that she was done and for Yuri to follow her. 'Bernie is wary of any strangers... actually she is wary of most people, friend or foe.'
'She seems to have a good amount of support on her side though.' Yuri observed softly as he exited by Dorothea's side.
'Well, obviously.' Dorothea bit out at him. 'Bernadetta is quite possibly the sweetest of souls you could ever hope to meet and brave with it too. Despite whatever trauma she suffered to leave her as anxious as she is, she has not allowed it to completely destroy her spirit. I can't think of anyone who would even dream of treating her unkindly.' Suddenly she chuckled, taking her companion entirely by surprise. 'Of course, if anyone did try to mess with her, they would have to answer to the Professor, and she would likely destroy them.'
'Byleth is protective then?' Yuri asked lightly.
'To all of us.' Dorothea agreed. 'That will likely extend to you too - if you are to become one of her students.'
'I seriously doubt it.' Yuri remarked blandly. 'She doesn't appear to think very much of me so far.'
Dorothea laughed loudly. 'Did you perhaps attempt to charm her Yurikins?'
'Maybe...'
Dorothea patted him on the shoulder. 'Poor lad...' She commiserated gleefully. 'That would never work.' She explained. 'You are going to have to forget every lesson in seduction you have ever learned and try a bit of honesty instead - then you might get somewhat further!'
'Oh, is that all?' Yuri grouched.
'My word... This is going to be so much fun to watch!' Dorothea giggled.
