I hope nobody ever finds my search history. It's been quite… unusual the past two weeks. I'm sure Big Brother will love the search terms: how to track a human in the woods, steel dagger coatings, how to cover your tracks, most vulnerable arteries and sign language… :(

Anyhow, I always love to hear from my readers, what do YOU guys want to see happen? *clears search history*

To kreeft123xx - you're absolutely right, I might go back and rewrite that scene… however, I did plan for the inevitable event of Monica telling her superiors everything. Kind of starting to diverge from the game quite a bit at this point :D and thanks for the input! I welcome criticisms as well as it only helps me be a stronger writer!

"Hopefully they'll find Tomas soon, and unharmed," Manuela sipped her tea.

Byleth ensured he made no movement to betray his outwardly concerned demeanor.

Hanneman agreed with a zealous nod, "indeed. I can't imagine who would want to take such a sweet old man."

"Well they left you behind," Manuela quipped. "So being sweet must have been a requirement."

"Must we always engage, Manuela?" Hanneman forcefully put his cup on his saucer.

"Not in a million years," she returned as she waved her hand dismissively.

Byleth took a sip from his own cup as the two bickered under the hedge garden gazebo. He learned a long time ago it was best to leave a swarming hornet's nest alone. They would eventually tire themselves out.

He was very good at reading people, it's one of the traits that had made him such an effective mercenary. Byleth knew there was a spark of attraction in each of his colleagues that neither wanted to admit.

"How are you feeling, my dear Byleth?" Manuela interrupted his thoughts.

Byleth brought his right hand up and curled and extended his fingers a few times, "much better, thank you."

"No loss of feeling in your hand?" She tilted her head in genuine concern.

He shook his head and gave her a smile.

"Good, but while we're on the topic," Manuela leaned her belows on the table. "I have a disturbing matter to discuss with you."

Byleth furrowed his brow and waited for her to continue.

"I studied the serrations of your knife wounds quite extensively," she explained. "And they match my own almost exactly."

Byleth widened his eyes, feigning surprise. He never took the Death Knight for a knife-wielder, not with his outrageous scythe. He knew who had attempted to silence Manuela right before they pretended to be passed out.

"Goodness!" Hanneman exclaimed as his mustache twitched. "Do you mean to say-"

"That little miss Monica had a victim before, Byleth?" Manuela sighed. "Do try to keep up, Hanneman."

"What is this world coming to," Hanneman shook his head as he ignored Manuela's bait. "I remember when Garreg Mach used to be a safe retreat."

"You're so old you probably remember the War of Heroes," she would not let up.

"And what's more," Hanneman leaned closer to his colleagues. Byleth had to give him credit for letting her quips slide. "There are horrible rumors of a face that suddenly appeared on the floor of our hunting grounds. As if burned into the dirt by dark magic."

"Silly speculation," Manuela clicked her tongue.

"True enough for the Knights of Seiros to express their concerns over patrolling the area," he nodded. "These are hardened knights, need I remind you."

"I'll admit, the air surrounding the monastery has certainly changed," Manuela sipped her tea. "I don't know about faces in the ground, but I know there's been two attempted assassinations and multiple kidnappings."

"Quite right," Hanneman tightened his lips, at least, as far as Byleth could tell. "Let's hope these are not omens for things to come."

It wasn't over. Not by a long shot. Byleth had only succeeded in banishing Solon and Monica from the monastery.

"Speaking of horrible rumors," Byleth saw his opening. "Hanneman, when we last spoke, we talked about crest experimentation-"

"Alleged crest experimentation," Hanneman corrected him.

"Alleged," Byleth nodded. It was clearly an uncomfortable topic for his colleague. "Have there been any rumors regarding… let's say, crest-removal?"

The older man's eyes widened, "removal? Why would one want to remove a crest?"

"Should someone desire to no longer bear a crest," Byleth offered his weak excuse.

"I certainly hope you don't mean yours, there's much I've yet to study regarding the Crest of Flames."

"He's not some test subject, Hanneman," Manuela rolled her eyes. "He's a strapping young man."

"Nor is he some toy, Manuela," Hanneman shot back.

"Not me, but if someone would want to…" Byleth desperately tried to steer the conversation back on track."

Hanneman's eyes darted across the table in front of them for several moments, "I can't say that I've ever read or heard anything regarding removal of one's crest. I suppose none have had the desire to try."

"Humor me for a moment," Byleth leaned over the table to accentuate his concern. "Let's say these experimentations had succeeded, at least with a few that were subjected to them."

"It's impossible," he shook his head and reached for his teacup.

"I know it is," Byleth had to tread carefully, Hanneman was beginning to shut down. "But theoretically, if it did, what would that do to someone?"

"Ha!" Manuela laughed. It seemed his hypothetical question had garnered her attention as well. "I wouldn't envy them, I'll tell you that much."

"I imagine their bodies would collapse under such intense strain," Hanneman lowered his brow. "We were built to handle one crest, at most. A second would simply… be too much. The body would have to exert an exponential amount of energy just to avoid caving in on itself."

"And that amount of energy expended would no doubt shorten one's lifespan," he succeeded in getting the crest-scholar talking.

"Most definitely," Hanneman bobbed his head up and down.

"And if those crests were simply… removed?" Byleth finally reached his point.

"Well," he took a thoughtful moment of silence. "They'd certainly never gain back the years they had already lost."

"But would their lifespans then increase?" Byleth pushed. "Could they live a normal life after that?"

"Yes," he replied. "I would think the body would sort itself out and return to normal, greatly extending their lives."

"Sounds like an odd topic, even for Hanneman," Manuela scrunched her face. "Have you been frequenting the fiction section of the library, honey?"

"Actually, I have," Byleth gave her a warm smile as he brought his cup to his lips.

For now, theoretical answers to hypothetical questions would have to do. But of course, it was a far cry from him knowing how to actually remove a crest from someone's body. Fodlan had been so obsessed with obtaining such a coveted object that no one had even considered the possibility of extracting the precious commodity.

One step at a time.

"I grow tired of all this 'doom and gloom,'" Manuela waved her hand. "The upcoming ball will certainly prove to be a rare ray of sunshine, one that I know I could use."

Byleth was surprised. The ball seemed to be all anyone could talk about, "I thought it was meant for students."

"Nonsense," Manuela scoffed. "We professors teach all day, all year. We deserve to have some fun, too."

"You're going, as well?" Byleth turned his gaze to the older man. Hanneman did not seem the type who would willingly tear himself away from his research to attend an event like this.

"Someone needs to keep Manuela away from the wine cabinet," Hanneman quipped, and then began to chortle at his own joke.

"Oh hush, you," she shot him a scowl. "With your two left feet, I have a feeling it'll be me picking you up off the dance floor."

"Now see here!" He threw his serviette into his lap. "I am a fine dancer."

"Can you dance, my dear?" Manuela ignored him as she waved her hand toward Byleth.

His mind quickly revisited the only dance lesson he had, though he felt Edelgard embellished his ability.

Byleth shook his head, "I'm not… very good."

"We'll see about that," she gave him a mischievous grin. "You'll be sure to save a dance for me, won't you?"

"If I go," Byleth nodded.

"Why wouldn't you go?" She lifted her brow. "What a better chance to spend time with your esteemed colleagues. Off-hours, of course."

"I agree," Hanneman pursed his lips. "You'll join us and I won't hear another word about the matter."

It seemed with Edelgard's persistence and the two professors' joining in her resolve, there would be no talking his way out of this one.

He would not vocalize a promise, however. Instead he only nodded.

Byleth heard the soft clinking of the gate opening behind him.

"Professors?" He recognized that voice. "I wondered if I might have a brief word."

"Lysithea!" Manuela gushed. "Of course, honey. What can we do for you?"

Lysithea had just been on Byleth's mind just a few minutes before. Surely, she had not overheard their conversation.

The young girl approached their table, her stance as confident as ever, "I find myself wanting to challenge the limits of my ability. I've heard the Black Eagles have the most rigorous physical program in all the monastery-"

"Didn't I tell you, Manuela?" Hanneman released a hearty laugh.

"Oh, hush you," she scowled. "Please, go on dear."

"I wondered if it might be alright with you, Professor Manuela," Lysithea was firm in her tone. "If I transferred to the Black Eagles' class?"

"He took two from me," Hanneman had not ceased his laughter. "It's only fair that he takes two from you."

"Your incessant cackling is going to scare the poor girl," Manuela clenched her jaw.

"I'm not scared," Lysithea lowered her brow.

"Of course not, dear," Manuela's smile beamed. "If it is okay with Professor Eisner, then I have no objections."

Byleth shook his head, "I'm fine with it."

It did feel a little awkward to have a student ask for a transfer in front of their former professor. Byleth didn't know if he should avoid eye contact so he averted his gaze.

"Thank you," Lysithea turned to him. "When may we get started?"

"Um…" Byleth searched for his words. "We'll be resuming after lunch."

"Great," her firm reply only added to her resolve. "Do I need to bring anything?"

"You may fetch an extra training sword from the supply room, if you wish," Byleth considered recommending starting with something a little easier, but decided against it. He already knew she did not like being pandered to.

"I will," She nodded her head toward the table. "Thank you, professors."

Hanneman took another sip of his tea, no doubt to hide the amused smile beneath his mustache.

He heard the soft clinking of the gate closing once again.

"Just know," Manuela pointed directly at Byleth, "that my dear Claude is off limits."

"Understood," Byleth didn't know what else to say.

"The female student body seems to flock toward this one," Hanneman moistened his lips.

"I can't say that I blame them," Manuela winked at him. "But a bit of advice, Lysithea has an insatiable fire within her. That girl can never get enough when it comes to learning."

"Perhaps a more physical program will help quell that thirst," Hanneman offered.

"It'll do her good," Manuela smiled as she returned her attention to her teacup. "You certainly won't see me jogging around Garreg Mach with weights strapped to my body."

"I've never seen you jog anywhere, weights or no," the older man quipped through his thick mustache.

Byleth let relief swirl through his body. He did have a few moments of concern that Manuela might take offense to Lysithea's request, but she seemed to be making light of the situation.

This was good. He now had both Edelgard and Lysithea under his keen eye. With a little more observation and a lot more research, he may very well be able to find a way to help them both.

Edelgard held a wooden sword in her hand, as did Dorothea and Hubert. Normally, she would have preferred an axe, but today she wanted to improve her speed.

"Everyone," she heard her teacher's voice approach them. He walked beside Lysithea, who carried a training weapon that appeared to be much too big for her. "Lysithea will be joining the Black Eagles starting today."

"Alright!" Leonie pumped her fist, "another former deer gets her wings!"

"Welcome, Lysithea," Ferdinand gave her a wide smile.

"She'll be on my team with Shamir," Byleth continued.

Edelgard watched as her teacher took the wooden sword from Lysithea. He leaned from one foot to the next and spoke to her, but she couldn't quite make out what he was saying. She recalled the last conversation she had with the young girl and couldn't help but to feel for her. After all, they shared much of the same past.

"Are we going to do this, or what?" Dorothea caught Edelgard's attention.

"Hmm?" Edelgard turned to face her friend. Dorothea lightly bounced with her training weapon firmly in her hand. "Oh, right."

She lifted her blade and swung it toward the mage. She swiftly spun to avoid her strike.

"What's wrong, Edie?" Dorothea questioned as she twirled her blade.

Edelgard had to take a moment to appreciate how much Dorothea had improved. While she still seemed more interested in the "dance" portion of the Dance of Water, her swordsmanship skills had swelled as of late.

"Nothing," Edelgard pivoted on her heel and thrusted her wooden weapon forward, Dorothea opted to dart backward to avoid it. Hubert had joined their dance and she had to quickly duck to avoid his blade and with a twirl she dodged Dorothea's. "Why do you ask?"

"You seem preoccupied is all," her friend replied as she cocked her arm over her shoulder.

"Hmph," she heard Hubert scoff.

"I'm not preoccupied," Edelgard flatly stated as she swung her sword across her body.

"Don't try to fool me," Dorothea hopped to her side. "I know what's really going on."

Though her friend seemed intent on holding a conversation during their training, Edelgard couldn't help but notice her body appeared to move on its own. She no longer had to put as much thought in her dodging as she used to. And judging by Dorothea's movements as she spoke, neither did she.

"Please, enlighten me," Edelgard swiveled her body as Hubert brought his blade down, "since you seem to know what I do not."

Dorothea twirled around Hubert as he dashed forward and turned to face her, "I see the way you look at him."

Edelgard hesitated. Hubert immediately lowered his weapon.

Dorothea didn't stop as she poked her sword forward. Edelgard jumped to her side but did not raise her blade, "I look at a lot of people, Dorothea, as I imagine you do as well."

"But I don't go to their quarters," Dorothea used the opportunity to take a giant step forward and swung her wooden weapon.

Edelgard stepped to her side and let the blade pass by her. She knew what her friend meant, she wasn't exactly stealthy the night she angrily confronted her teacher that somehow ended with a dance.

Edelgard didn't think, she raised her wrist and gave it a firm flick. Her sword whacked Dorothea in her arm.

"Ow!" Dorothea lowered her weapon and gripped her arm, "you're not supposed to hit me!"

"Oh the contrary," Edelgard replied. "I do believe it's your responsibility to avoid it."

She turned and began to leave their group, "stay here and practice, Hubert."

"Edie, wait," Dorothea called from behind her. But Edelgard did not turn to face her friend, instead, she quickened her pace.

"My teacher," she rapidly approached Byleth. "May I be excused? I've torn my shirt and I must change."

He gave her an uncertain nod as his eyes darted between herself and Dorothea, who had followed her.

"I'm going to go… help her change," Dorothea still held her arm tightly as she gave their professor a tightened grin.

Edelgard's steps were firm as she strided down the courtyard. She could hear Dorothea trailing behind.

"Edie, wait up," Dorothea's pleas grew frustrated. "Please, just talk to me."

"There's nothing to talk about, Dorothea," Edelgard turned on a dime to cut across the hedge garden, she could see the dormitories now.

"Obviously, there is," the mage galloped faster to catch up. She finally managed to walk side-by-side with Edelgard. "Of course, I was only teasing."

"I'm not easily offended," Edelgard didn't think it was a lie. It was just this particular subject matter that had struck a chord. She made another sharp turn as she walked down the line of the students' quarters.

Dorothea didn't miss a beat as she struggled to keep up with her, "there's more going on, clearly. Why don't you just tell me?"

"It's a private matter," Edelgard swallowed hard. She didn't know what else to say to satiate her persistent friend. She hastily climbed the steps to the second floor dormitories. Edelgard hoped if she could reach her room, the door would detract Dorothea.

"It's me, Edie," Dorothea sighed as she ascended the staircase.

Edelgard stopped. Her door was only a few meters away now, but somehow she knew hiding herself away would not put this matter to rest.

Dorothea stood silent beside her. Edelgard brought her gaze up and saw concern within her friend's eyes.

She exhaled deeply, "fine. Why don't you come in so that we may talk?"

Dorothea let a wide smile form from her lips.

Edelgard stepped through her door and held it open as Dorothea gleefully skipped inside. She took a moment to lean her head out to ensure there were no prying ears before closing it firmly behind her.

She turned the chair at her desk and sat. Edelgard didn't know what to say. Obviously, her friend had known more than Edelgard cared to admit publicly.

"Aw," Dorothea's attention was immediately drawn to her bed. She plopped down and grabbed the armored bear stuffy that rested near her pillow. "When did you get one of these?"

Edelgard paused and she felt her heart quicken at the memory of her teacher giving it to her. She had kept the stuffed animal by her pillow for several reasons.

It reminded her that she was no longer alone in her war with Those Who Slither in the Dark. When she would awake from a night terror, it comforted her to rest her eyes upon it and know that someone had accepted her despite her past.

Also, it smelled like him. Edelgard often found herself burying her face deep into the bear's stomach.

"It was a gift," she muttered as she cleared her throat.

"From him?" Dorothea lifted a single brow.

"What exactly is it you think you know?" Edelgard ignored her question. She wanted to be careful not to divulge more than necessary. Though Dorothea was her friend, she found there was only one person that she felt comfortable letting her guard down around.

Dorothea laid the bear gingerly next to Edelgard's pillow, "well, I know you like to look at our professor… a lot. And I know I saw you go to his quarters the other night. I don't know if you two are currently courting or-"

"We're not courting," Edelgard was quick to cut the root from that potential rumor. "There is no courting happening. He was having reservations about attending our upcoming ball, so I was merely trying to convince him to go."

"And that's all?" Dorothea scoffed. "I thought you invited me in to talk. Like, really talk."

"I need to ask you a favor," Edelgard dropped her eyes.

Dorothea hesitated. She scrunched her face in confusion, "of course, Edie. Anything."

"Should the class… date," she chose her words carefully, "not prove sufficient to make him comfortable in attending, then I need you to ask him to be your escort, formally."

"Wait," Dorothea grinned. "You want me to ask our professor to be my date?"

"Precisely," she nodded.

"You clearly want him to go, why don't you ask him yourself, or let him find his own if he truly doesn't want to attend by himself?" Dorothea chuckled.

"I-" Edelgard cut herself off. She frantically ran through possible reasons she could offer, "I thought it'd be best for him to be escorted by a fellow Black Eagle."

"Which you are," Dorothea rose from the bed and stepped toward her. "What are you afraid of, Edie?"

"I simply couldn't," Edelgard vigorously shook her head.

"But you don't want him to go with anyone else?" Dorothea closed the distance between the two of them, a mischievous grin on her face. "Except for me?"

"You're a dear friend, I would trust-" She couldn't finish her sentence. A hard lump began to form in the back of her throat.

"Trust what?" Dorothea laughed as she gazed down at her accusingly. "That I wouldn't whisk him away from the ball to elope?"

Edelgard didn't answer. She sat in her chair like a child being scorned.

Dorothea bent over and rested her hands on her knees to bring her eyes to meet Edelgard's, "it's clear you have very strong feelings for him."

It wasn't a question. Dorothea knew this to be fact.

"Class date or not," the mage continued. "You're going to ask him yourself to escort you to the ball."

"Oh, am I?" Edelgard desperately tried to regain her composure.

"Yes," Dorothea swiveled and leaned against her desk. "I simply won't let you let an opportunity such as this pass you by."

"And if he declines?" Edelgard knew she could no longer argue with her friend. When it came to romance, Dorothea was the expert. It was best she extracted as much advice as she could.

"He won't," Dorothea casually waved her hand. "He's been here less than a year and it's his first ball. You could tell him it's customary for class leaders to be escorted by their professors."

Edelgard shot her a look, "you give him too little credit. He is a bit smarter than that."

"Not if I start planting seeds now," she grinned.

"What seeds do you mean to plant?" Edelgard felt a wisp of hope rise within her. She felt foolish for trying to shut Dorothea out before. Clearly, if she ever intended to know if Byleth reciprocated her feelings she would need help as she was not exactly versed in the subject.

"You can leave that to me," Dorothea gave her a warm smile. "But if we're going to make this happen, we'll need to go to town."

"Why would we need to go-"

"We'll find you a beautiful black and red dress," Dorothea gushed, "to match our house colors, of course."

"Is there something wrong with my current attire?" Edelgard queried. Her hope had quickly turned to dread at the thought of her teacher seeing her in such a formal dress.

Dorothea shook her head as she eyed her from head to toe, "no, there's nothing wrong with that. But this will be the night! The night our professor looks at you and realizes there's no one else in the world he'd rather be with."

"That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?" She knew Dorothea was a hopeless romantic but she never imagined she'd protect her dreams onto her. "I do not wish to be overly dressed."

"You won't be," Dorothea replied. "I'm going to find a dress of my own, and I'm sure I can convince a few of our classmates to join us. Ferdinand never says no to formal wear. We Black Eagles have made quite the name for ourselves already as the most dangerous class. I say we also set a precedent for fashion."

Edelgard took a moment to think. Perhaps, if her classmates joined her in truly dressing up for the ball, she wouldn't feel so singled out. If they all pulled out the stops in their attire, then her teacher would have no reason to think Edelgard dressed up simply for him.

"Alright, Dorothea," Edelgard straightened her posture and gave her friend a firm nod. "I'll agree to that plan."