Word count: 424 words.
.90 - Byleth and Sothis and Atrophy
Interest in Byleth's faculties wane as the week progresses. What begins as the collective concern of many gradually diminishes to a select few with each passing day, something moreso the result of human nature than any willful ignorance or disdain. The personal plight of a lone professor can only hold sway over others for so long, and just as time marches ever forward, life resumes at Garreg Mach to the best of its ability.
Business as usual, save for the conspicuous absence among the staff.
Rumormongers are among the first to give way—faceless students from other houses who have never referred to Byleth as 'Professor' gathering to answer the call of the grapevine. Seteth dispels the unwanted masses on the first day with little more than crossed arms and routine lecture, but hesitates upon taking leave himself. The flashes of empathy in his eyes and pangs in his chest somehow betray his dutiful disposition, and the man that ends up rapping on his door is not so much Rhea's aide as Seteth. He announces the dispersing of the crowd, as well as his sincerest condolences, before withdrawing.
The rest of Byleth's colleagues follow suit, coping with the futility of their efforts to varying degrees. Hanneman reaffirms his vow to shoulder the week's workload, while Manuela offers her literal shoulder for him to lean on—should he ever need the comfort. Shamir, by contrast, simply tells him that the only person that can get him out of his room is himself. She thanks him for their ballroom encounter under her breath before departing.
The only students still persistent enough to check up on Byleth long after the craze are his own; stubborn eaglets till the end. With the exception of Edelgard, at least one of them makes an effort to stop by his door each evening. Marianne and Bernadetta leave words of encouragement and small handcrafted gifts, while Petra and Dorothea recount their day and any funny or curious sights that may have caught their eye. Ferdinand and Caspar boast of defending their teacher's name within the academy's rumor mill, while Linhardt and Lysithea talk of their work with Hanneman in reducing his mountainous workload.
The one person concerted enough to visit him every day, however, is Hubert. His presence never lasts, never lingers, never makes itself known. He stays just long enough to survey the shuttered dorm with an unreadable passing glance, before leaving just as quickly.
Consumed by thoughts of uncertainty, Sothis tightens her hold around Byleth as minutes blur into hours.