p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The forest itself is absolutely gorgeous, redwoods and oaks forming a vibrant, leafy green canopy overhead. The dirt path is a sturdy, well-trodden road that's nowhere near neat, the path littered with rocks interred in the ground. Idle chatter between the company simple and made to pass the time, others busying themselves with admiring the scenery. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Seren's hoofbeats thud beside me, her head occasionally butting into someone as if demanding to be pet. I run my hand across her neck, making sure to lightly scratch behind her ear, a breathy chuckle accompanying her satisfied snort. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"That mare is such a needy thing; I still love her, though. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Alma?" Edelgard's voice sounds off from behind me, her stentorian tone silencing everyone. I turn to face her, hands pressed against the back of my head with my fingers laced between each other. My gait is a little shakier than usual, but then again, I don't have eyes in the back of my head./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Yeah?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She raises her thin brow in question, her curiosity thinly veiled with her usual royal composure: "You regarded Alois earlier with quite a bit of familiarity."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Yeah, we've known each other for about three years now." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"This time, Claude's voice pipes up, the lad clearly interested in more than just questioning me: "Then how come we haven't seen you at the monastery?" The question comes almost out of nowhere, my foot missing its mark and slipping on a small rock embedded in the dirt path as my shock makes me lose focus. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The fall's not graceful, to say the least./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Alma, for goodness sakes could you get any clumsier?" Jack's chiding prompts multiple chuckles to start up from the group, the sovereign duke-to-be not even having the decency to look abashed. I glower at the young man as Jack helps me up, not missing the rare cocky smile on his face. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I raise a challenging brow, relishing how his face turned pale. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Jack, don't make me tell them about the time you and dad both almost fe-" At this point, everyone is staring at me, ears almost perked, waiting for the punchline. However, my brother squawks in protest with a quick: "Point made!" His face is flushed tomato-red, hands quickly covering his face in embarrassment. Alma 1, Jack 0!/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"As I chuckle to my brother's dismay, Alois laughing loudly along with me. In the corner of my eye, Jeralt sighs while shaking his head. Though, the slight smile of amusement doesn't escape my notice. That man's Jack, finally shaking off his nerves, returns to a relatively normal state: "Ah... milord, you asked if we have been inside the monastery?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The future alliance leader nods, the young lord wrapping an arm 'round my shoulders as we begin to walk again: "Yeah, you mind us bending your ear?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"As if to make a point, he bends my ear with a false smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. I slap his hand away, much to the amusement of his fellow Golden Deer./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Not at all, milord. It is no secret!" Jack's declaration is ultimately valid, though vague enough to keep it impersonal. "Yep, nothin' special. We've just been busy with stuff outside the monastery." Jack pipes up from behind me, with a minor: "Our prolonged absences probably explain our paths never crossing." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I see..." The prince trails off, his armored fingers lightly tapping his chin in thought. His aquamarine eyes hold a blank gaze, just enough to keep himself from tripping as he collects his thoughts. I hum, nodding as he wordlessly looks at me with a questioning expression./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Go ahead, your highness."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"His generally pleasant expression sours uncomfortable as he speaks: "Are you both Knights of Seiros? You're very skilled."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I chuckle at his question, shaking my head. Alois's voice booms through the group, boisterous as ever: "They both are wards of the church!"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Jack nods at this, looking at the man who found us on the border of Almyra three years ago: "We simply enjoy helping the knights, as payment for the church's kindness."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Edelgard lets out a breath, annoyed at nothing in particular. I shoot her a pitying look, only to have my ear ring from Claude's yelp, the weight of Claude's arm being lifted as Seren pushes him away from me. She instead replaces it with her head, the big thing pressing at my shoulder once again./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I lean my head against her neck, humming calmly until I notice Byleth's blank gaze on the back of my head. "She's very affectionate." Jeralt's offhanded comment makes said creature whinny indignantly./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Now you've done it." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"strongspan style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"-000-/span/strong/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You really are an ass, you know that?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Seren was a mare possessed the rest of the way back, her ceaseless stubbornness and angry hoofbeats making it near impossible to move her without forcefully shoving the pegasus. It got to the point that I smacked her rear lightly, just enough to make her canter back into her pen. Where she promptly fell asleep without so much as a nicker in apology./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I have never been around toddlers, but the mare's behavior speaks for itself. And, even after tirelessly wrestling with a 1,200-pound mare for half a day, I can't even sit down to eat something!/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I would prefer if you would watch your tongue around the students." Seteth's drawl was instantly recognizable, the suddenness of his appearance making me yelp and spin around fast enough to give me whiplash./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I scowl at him. "Don't you know it's rude to sneak up on people yet?" He gives me a grunt, a slight smirk, and raised brow showing his amusement. His face eventually returns to its usual expression, despite his mirthful voice: "You are familiar with Byleth, yes?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Yeah... wait. What's this about?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Seteth's face contorted in frustration, his wary (borderline paranoid) disposition evident as he firmly crossed his arm. "You look... unhappy."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Moreso concerned. Lady Rhea just recently appointed him as the academy's new professor and re-instated Jeralt as Captain of the Knights of Seiros." A vile unease settled into my stomach. What could the Archbishop possibly want with these two? /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He's the very picture of apprehensive distrust, and I nod in understanding./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You don't trust them, do you Seteth?" The man purses his lips, debating what to say: "Don't bother lying, it's written all over your face." I tease, and in turn, he concedes a nod of confirmation. I put a hand on his arm, smiling softly: "If you'd like I can try to keep an eye on him? Maybe I could become an aide of sorts?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Seteth mulls the thought over for a few moments, brows remaining furrowed all the while. He nods, a soft smile gracing his face: "I would very much appreciate that. But, nonetheless I must speak to the Archbishop of the matter." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Right... They're in the classroom right now? The lions?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He nods. "Have Jack go along with you, Alma. It would do him well to speak to his peers, especially the men."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I burst out laughing, knowing exactly how awkward my brother can be in social situations. The lad will melt before any man, and considering he's gay, it makes it even funnier when he flounders in those conversations./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I nod after the spasms in my gut calm, "He may be a brilliant tactician, but is just about as socially competent as a slug."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You shouldn't speak so harshly of your brother." He grumbles though the smile doesn't leave his face. Chuckling, I nudge the man in farewell: "What I should do is get over there before Jack pulls his dissapearing act on me again. See ya, Seteth." I wave farewell, bolting off to the south with a breathy chuckle escape the stalwart man as he sees me off./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"strongspan style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"-000-/span/strong/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Jack, enough with the muttering! You'll be fine!"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The classroom itself isn't anything particularly grand, actually quite a humble room in size. The Blue Lion standard is proudly hung on metallic hooks nailed to the carved stone wall. Polished wooden floors and furniture are treated with care, with tools and bottled ink placed in all kinds of disorganized arrays on the desks. Blue velvet framed the window in the back of the room, the golden trim shimmering in the filtered sunlight. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The man of the hour was speaking with his new students, body tense and eyes a tad unsure. His desk was clean, a few pieces of parchment and other such materials neatly stacked on the desktop. The chalkboard was blank, not to anyone's surprise, the warm light from the fireplace off to the side reflecting off the black slate. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"With Jack behind me, looking almost more nervous than the new professor, I call out to the young man: "So, they made you the new proffessor huh?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"An expressionless nod is the only answer I get, "How's it feel? I know it's a lot different than your previous line of work."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It is a new path to tred." He responds, voice soft. I nod, and I stretch my hand out to him: "My name's Alma, and this is my little brother Jack. It'll be fun to work wit-"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Excuse me, what? Why wasn't I informed?!" Jack spats out indignantly, roughly nudging me as if to push the explanation out of me. "Hey, in my defense it's not even official!"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"A scoff stops our squabble in its tracks, both of us looking towards the source of the voice disdainfully. There stands a man about my age, unruly raven-black hair brought back into a high bun. His orange-amber eyes are piercing, brows furrowed, and pale pink lips pursed in distaste. "Would you two quit shouting? It's annoying."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Felix, come on! You can't tell a pretty lady like that to shut up." The taller redhead comes to a stop next to me, an amber eye shimmering at me as he winks all flirty-like. I internally groan as he puts his arm around my shoulders, his lightly tanned hands rough with callouses. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Sylvain!" A woman's stern voice rings out as the man quickly releases me, the owner being around Jack's height and of similar features. Her long blonde hair is braided back loosely, sky blue eyes glaring at the man. She's lithe and sports a small frame. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Ingrid's right, Sylvain! You need to stop!" The other redhead in the room yelled in my stead, her short self apparently sporting a massive pair of lungs judging by how loud she got. You could almost confuse the two redheads for siblings save for the girl's cobalt-colored eyes and petite stature./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's alright Annette, he's learned his lesson right?" The older woman smiles sweetly at the boy, though its sweetness coats its underlying edge. She breathily giggles at Sylvain's stiff nod, her flaxen-colored curls bouncing as she does. Her chest is covered by a modest shawl, tied shut in the middle near where her hands gently held each other./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I suppose you're right for now, Mercedes. For now..." A familiar voice sounds off from behind the woman, his unruly mop of silvery-white hair giving him away without much thought: Ashe. The very same I had met back at the camp. His pale, freckled face expresses his skepticism plainly, his jade eyes veiled with concern./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"A man with dark skin nods silently, sending the man in question a look. His hulking form towers over me, stalwart features imposing, to say the very least, though he seems to have a gentle disposition regardless. A golden earring hangs from one of his ears, Duscurian in design. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I am Dudue. Thank you for protecting his Highness when I could not." He bows graciously, and my face warms. "O-Oh it's nothing! It was our pleasure!" /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Jack nods behind me as the others give their thanks, both our faces going red. Dimitri looks explicitly to Jack with a beholden expression, probably remembering my brother's thoron that kept a thug's axe from digging into the prince's spine. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I shiver from the number of eyes on us, Jack pressing himself against my back nervously before muttering: "I-Indeed, you owe us n-no thanks. It w/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"-was our honor."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"By the mercy of the goddess herself, Byleth seemed to notice our predicament and clears his throat loudly, looking to his students with a slight smirk adorning his face:/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Let the lesson begin."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Seren's hoofbeats thud beside me, her head occasionally butting into someone as if demanding to be pet. I run my hand across her neck, making sure to lightly scratch behind her ear, a breathy chuckle accompanying her satisfied snort. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"That mare is such a needy thing; I still love her, though. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Alma?" Edelgard's voice sounds off from behind me, her stentorian tone silencing everyone. I turn to face her, hands pressed against the back of my head with my fingers laced between each other. My gait is a little shakier than usual, but then again, I don't have eyes in the back of my head./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Yeah?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She raises her thin brow in question, her curiosity thinly veiled with her usual royal composure: "You regarded Alois earlier with quite a bit of familiarity."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Yeah, we've known each other for about three years now." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"This time, Claude's voice pipes up, the lad clearly interested in more than just questioning me: "Then how come we haven't seen you at the monastery?" The question comes almost out of nowhere, my foot missing its mark and slipping on a small rock embedded in the dirt path as my shock makes me lose focus. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The fall's not graceful, to say the least./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Alma, for goodness sakes could you get any clumsier?" Jack's chiding prompts multiple chuckles to start up from the group, the sovereign duke-to-be not even having the decency to look abashed. I glower at the young man as Jack helps me up, not missing the rare cocky smile on his face. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I raise a challenging brow, relishing how his face turned pale. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Jack, don't make me tell them about the time you and dad both almost fe-" At this point, everyone is staring at me, ears almost perked, waiting for the punchline. However, my brother squawks in protest with a quick: "Point made!" His face is flushed tomato-red, hands quickly covering his face in embarrassment. Alma 1, Jack 0!/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"As I chuckle to my brother's dismay, Alois laughing loudly along with me. In the corner of my eye, Jeralt sighs while shaking his head. Though, the slight smile of amusement doesn't escape my notice. That man's Jack, finally shaking off his nerves, returns to a relatively normal state: "Ah... milord, you asked if we have been inside the monastery?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The future alliance leader nods, the young lord wrapping an arm 'round my shoulders as we begin to walk again: "Yeah, you mind us bending your ear?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"As if to make a point, he bends my ear with a false smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. I slap his hand away, much to the amusement of his fellow Golden Deer./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Not at all, milord. It is no secret!" Jack's declaration is ultimately valid, though vague enough to keep it impersonal. "Yep, nothin' special. We've just been busy with stuff outside the monastery." Jack pipes up from behind me, with a minor: "Our prolonged absences probably explain our paths never crossing." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I see..." The prince trails off, his armored fingers lightly tapping his chin in thought. His aquamarine eyes hold a blank gaze, just enough to keep himself from tripping as he collects his thoughts. I hum, nodding as he wordlessly looks at me with a questioning expression./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Go ahead, your highness."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"His generally pleasant expression sours uncomfortable as he speaks: "Are you both Knights of Seiros? You're very skilled."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I chuckle at his question, shaking my head. Alois's voice booms through the group, boisterous as ever: "They both are wards of the church!"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Jack nods at this, looking at the man who found us on the border of Almyra three years ago: "We simply enjoy helping the knights, as payment for the church's kindness."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Edelgard lets out a breath, annoyed at nothing in particular. I shoot her a pitying look, only to have my ear ring from Claude's yelp, the weight of Claude's arm being lifted as Seren pushes him away from me. She instead replaces it with her head, the big thing pressing at my shoulder once again./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I lean my head against her neck, humming calmly until I notice Byleth's blank gaze on the back of my head. "She's very affectionate." Jeralt's offhanded comment makes said creature whinny indignantly./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Now you've done it." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"strongspan style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"-000-/span/strong/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You really are an ass, you know that?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Seren was a mare possessed the rest of the way back, her ceaseless stubbornness and angry hoofbeats making it near impossible to move her without forcefully shoving the pegasus. It got to the point that I smacked her rear lightly, just enough to make her canter back into her pen. Where she promptly fell asleep without so much as a nicker in apology./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I have never been around toddlers, but the mare's behavior speaks for itself. And, even after tirelessly wrestling with a 1,200-pound mare for half a day, I can't even sit down to eat something!/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I would prefer if you would watch your tongue around the students." Seteth's drawl was instantly recognizable, the suddenness of his appearance making me yelp and spin around fast enough to give me whiplash./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I scowl at him. "Don't you know it's rude to sneak up on people yet?" He gives me a grunt, a slight smirk, and raised brow showing his amusement. His face eventually returns to its usual expression, despite his mirthful voice: "You are familiar with Byleth, yes?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Yeah... wait. What's this about?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Seteth's face contorted in frustration, his wary (borderline paranoid) disposition evident as he firmly crossed his arm. "You look... unhappy."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Moreso concerned. Lady Rhea just recently appointed him as the academy's new professor and re-instated Jeralt as Captain of the Knights of Seiros." A vile unease settled into my stomach. What could the Archbishop possibly want with these two? /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He's the very picture of apprehensive distrust, and I nod in understanding./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You don't trust them, do you Seteth?" The man purses his lips, debating what to say: "Don't bother lying, it's written all over your face." I tease, and in turn, he concedes a nod of confirmation. I put a hand on his arm, smiling softly: "If you'd like I can try to keep an eye on him? Maybe I could become an aide of sorts?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Seteth mulls the thought over for a few moments, brows remaining furrowed all the while. He nods, a soft smile gracing his face: "I would very much appreciate that. But, nonetheless I must speak to the Archbishop of the matter." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Right... They're in the classroom right now? The lions?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He nods. "Have Jack go along with you, Alma. It would do him well to speak to his peers, especially the men."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I burst out laughing, knowing exactly how awkward my brother can be in social situations. The lad will melt before any man, and considering he's gay, it makes it even funnier when he flounders in those conversations./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I nod after the spasms in my gut calm, "He may be a brilliant tactician, but is just about as socially competent as a slug."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You shouldn't speak so harshly of your brother." He grumbles though the smile doesn't leave his face. Chuckling, I nudge the man in farewell: "What I should do is get over there before Jack pulls his dissapearing act on me again. See ya, Seteth." I wave farewell, bolting off to the south with a breathy chuckle escape the stalwart man as he sees me off./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"strongspan style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"-000-/span/strong/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Jack, enough with the muttering! You'll be fine!"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The classroom itself isn't anything particularly grand, actually quite a humble room in size. The Blue Lion standard is proudly hung on metallic hooks nailed to the carved stone wall. Polished wooden floors and furniture are treated with care, with tools and bottled ink placed in all kinds of disorganized arrays on the desks. Blue velvet framed the window in the back of the room, the golden trim shimmering in the filtered sunlight. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The man of the hour was speaking with his new students, body tense and eyes a tad unsure. His desk was clean, a few pieces of parchment and other such materials neatly stacked on the desktop. The chalkboard was blank, not to anyone's surprise, the warm light from the fireplace off to the side reflecting off the black slate. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"With Jack behind me, looking almost more nervous than the new professor, I call out to the young man: "So, they made you the new proffessor huh?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"An expressionless nod is the only answer I get, "How's it feel? I know it's a lot different than your previous line of work."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It is a new path to tred." He responds, voice soft. I nod, and I stretch my hand out to him: "My name's Alma, and this is my little brother Jack. It'll be fun to work wit-"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Excuse me, what? Why wasn't I informed?!" Jack spats out indignantly, roughly nudging me as if to push the explanation out of me. "Hey, in my defense it's not even official!"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"A scoff stops our squabble in its tracks, both of us looking towards the source of the voice disdainfully. There stands a man about my age, unruly raven-black hair brought back into a high bun. His orange-amber eyes are piercing, brows furrowed, and pale pink lips pursed in distaste. "Would you two quit shouting? It's annoying."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Felix, come on! You can't tell a pretty lady like that to shut up." The taller redhead comes to a stop next to me, an amber eye shimmering at me as he winks all flirty-like. I internally groan as he puts his arm around my shoulders, his lightly tanned hands rough with callouses. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Sylvain!" A woman's stern voice rings out as the man quickly releases me, the owner being around Jack's height and of similar features. Her long blonde hair is braided back loosely, sky blue eyes glaring at the man. She's lithe and sports a small frame. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Ingrid's right, Sylvain! You need to stop!" The other redhead in the room yelled in my stead, her short self apparently sporting a massive pair of lungs judging by how loud she got. You could almost confuse the two redheads for siblings save for the girl's cobalt-colored eyes and petite stature./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's alright Annette, he's learned his lesson right?" The older woman smiles sweetly at the boy, though its sweetness coats its underlying edge. She breathily giggles at Sylvain's stiff nod, her flaxen-colored curls bouncing as she does. Her chest is covered by a modest shawl, tied shut in the middle near where her hands gently held each other./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I suppose you're right for now, Mercedes. For now..." A familiar voice sounds off from behind the woman, his unruly mop of silvery-white hair giving him away without much thought: Ashe. The very same I had met back at the camp. His pale, freckled face expresses his skepticism plainly, his jade eyes veiled with concern./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"A man with dark skin nods silently, sending the man in question a look. His hulking form towers over me, stalwart features imposing, to say the very least, though he seems to have a gentle disposition regardless. A golden earring hangs from one of his ears, Duscurian in design. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I am Dudue. Thank you for protecting his Highness when I could not." He bows graciously, and my face warms. "O-Oh it's nothing! It was our pleasure!" /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Jack nods behind me as the others give their thanks, both our faces going red. Dimitri looks explicitly to Jack with a beholden expression, probably remembering my brother's thoron that kept a thug's axe from digging into the prince's spine. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"I shiver from the number of eyes on us, Jack pressing himself against my back nervously before muttering: "I-Indeed, you owe us n-no thanks. It w/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"-was our honor."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"By the mercy of the goddess herself, Byleth seemed to notice our predicament and clears his throat loudly, looking to his students with a slight smirk adorning his face:/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Let the lesson begin."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p