Chapter 141: The Fit is not mid

When he had informed Dorothea that he would be selecting individuals to accompany him on the outing to the town, perhaps he should have been clearer in how many he would be bringing?

No, he had not known at the time.

Yet as he found himself standing in front of four different individuals while expecting a fifth one to appear momentarily, he was certain that there would be some small sense of disagreement from Dorothea.

Mostly on account of one he had selected.

"I confess, this is not the sort of outing I expected to be invited on."

Goetia glanced at them. "Are you complaining?"

"No." Ferdinand shook his head. "But the surprise remains all the same, yet I shall endeavor to comport myself in the manners expected of a noble."

As expected of him.

Yet they were words greeted with a muffled noise of acceptance, or perhaps irritation, as Lysithea folded her arms over and blinked very slowly and unimpressed.

"We go shopping for clothes and little else, for that matter I am bewildered as to why I was asked to come here at all."

Clearly she was surprised if she was going to use such a tone with him.

Very well, he could acknowledge her words.

"I learned long ago that it is customary for adolescents to search out new attire when there is an upcoming festival. The passtime is often more popular with those of the female sex than those of the male. Yet if I am to accompany you on this expedition down into the town for clothes, I saw little reason why I would be forbidden from alerting another to this affair who would be equally interested."

"And I was delighted to be thought of as a first choice!" Ferdinand lept in not even a second after he had finished, hands on his hips and a smile on his face.

The enthusiasm was rather surprising, but it was welcome.

"Indeed, there is little reason for me to not attend and I would be more than willing to accompany all of you down on this venture and offer my own thoughts on the clothes of your choosing."

…Perhaps that was not something that should have been said?

But Goetia could not think of a reason for why that might have been, yet as he examined the expressions of Marianne, Bernadetta and Lysithea, it was clear the three of them had found some curious common ground as they traded glances between one another before Lysithea - as expected - conveyed their combined thoughts.

"So your contribution is to stand there and critique our clothes?"

Was that her understanding of the situation?

That was rather more cynical than he had expected, certainly more than Ferdinand had been prepared for as he blinked and recoiled as though physically struck.

"T-that was not what I was intending to convey…" The flame haired youth rolled his lips. "Certainly not to critique but…uhm…compliments?"

Lysithea's expression only further soured. "Compliments? Much like that flirt Sylvain?"

"No! No!"

Ferdinand now looked stricken with panic in the face of these accusations.

But Goetia would remain with his choice to have the young man accompany them, if only for the benefit of allowing Ferdinand and Dorothea to have close proximity to one another in a venture that would appeal to them.

While he would do nothing to directly aid Ferdinand, that did not prevent him from putting them in a position where they would be met with better chances of obtaining their shared understanding.

Or it would further destroy any chances of a repertoire between them.

Hmph.

His brows pinched slightly at the thought.

That was an unpleasant notion he would rather avoid.

Were they still engaged in that conversation?

"I am curious as to why you are against this outing, Lysithea."

Looking back down at her, she ended her conversation with Ferdinand immediately and turned her full attention onto him.

"That-I would not say I am against it…" Trailing off, even without reading her emotions of discomfort, it was plain to see on her strained expression that she was stalling in order to find the right words for whatever it was she was making an effort to say.

He had little patience for stalling tactics.

"These are, by my understanding, the activities that the youths are engaged in, are they not?"

None of the three girls replied to him.

…That was not what he expected, he did not believe he had misjudged.

Even of a matching time period as this within the human history he was more familiar with, it was common for women and girls of noble families to be found in outings such as these where they would purchase attire they would wear for no more than a handful of outings - if that - before being forgotten.

"It stands only for the White Heron Cup." He added on, with the expectation that they would be more motivated with that.

Their faces twisted just a little bit further and their emotions rolled off clear signals of discomfort and unease in varying levels.

"...Has there been some development with the White Heron Cup that has eluded my understanding or have I been neglected in the education of some unspoken cultural stigma surrounding the event?"

Both were impossible.

Yet he was compelled to ask in the face of this discomfort.

Even with Marianne and Bernadetta were uncomfortable with public outings - as were within his expectations - they would both have been aware that missing the attendance would draw greater attention to them. It was logical to assume they would both attend and then find a place where they would not attract attention.

A quiet corner in the room, cast away in shadow, perhaps.

Their discomfort was expected.

Lysithea's was not.

So it was to her he asked his questions.

With arms crossed, she closed her eyes and sucked in a breath. "I've…never had much of an interest in this sort of thing."

"Have you been in attendance of them before?"

Her eyes opened, expression souring. "It was hardly as though I had the time-"

"Then it is little wonder you have small interest in them," Ferdinand gave voice to his own thoughts.

It was refreshing to have someone speak on his behalf so that he need not waste the energy in pointing out the obvious.

"Rather, I find myself almost shocked that you have never attended a small and informal gathering before…now I am puzzled as to what it is you intended to do for the White Heron Cup in the first place?"

Lysithea sighed, short and curt.

"I was still planning on attending it."

Well, that eliminated whatever doubts he held.

"It was just that, fun as it might have sounded, I could hardly think of this as the right time to be engaging in song and dance."

Truly?

Goetia raised a brow. "I would hardly consider this unusual timing, during the tenure of Ritsuka - and by extension, Chaldea - as my enemies, they would be frequently drawn away from engaging my forces to partake in a rather wide variety of puzzling scenarios which would have otherwise never crossed the mind of any logical individual."

He could list several examples at this moment.

Truthfully, he could list all of them.

"A race across an entire continent being one of the most blatant, several related to holidays and. On two separate occasions they were instigated by a murderous countess who found some strange attachment to the festival commonly known as Halloween."

He went silent, then glanced at the faces.

All were looking at him with varying levels of confusion.

Hmm.

Perhaps without the proper context, he had done little more than hurl drivel towards them.

The fault was not his, in any case.

"Returning to my original point-"

Ferdinand was still mouthing the words 'murderous countess' with a disturbed expression.

"-I would put forth through empirical evidence that engaging in recreational activities during a state of crisis is far from unordinary. If those of Chaldea would do so during far more dire circumstances that we currently face, then I find little reason to postpone the White Heron Cup unless directly threatened."

And he had seen no evidence of that.

The people of the Monastery were due their entertainment and it would be of greater value to the morale of the Academy if they were granted their festivals.

Lysithea blinked very slowly at him, still looking rather lost, before then coughing into her raised fist and nodding her head up and down.

"We-well, if you are saying that it is fine then I shall…defer to your judgement…"

She did not sound sure.

"Then what has you concerned?"

Fidgeting for but a moment, she dropped her arms down to her side.

"I simply do not see a reason for why this warranted me getting another set of clothes, none of the sets I have are unsuitable."

A logical answer.

So he provided an illogical one.

"Just because you do not have a reason to go out, does not mean there is a reason to reject it."

Expectedly, she just shot him a bemused look and did not appear to understand what it was that he was saying.

Or perhaps she did and was still puzzled by it.

"There are other elements at play here beyond the individual. Perhaps an effort to coordinate outfits or create a matching theme with those you would consider to be on friendly terms with, or seek to do so? There is the capacity for learning as you examine how one presents themselves."

Something Dorothea had made clear to him.

"It is possible to understand something about an individual by the level of care they take when selecting their attire for events. Whether they are a pragmatic individual who sees no reason to discard existing dresses or clothes, or whether they are the type who will search out a new outfit purely for their own benefit."

There was another element.

"I am also working under the assumption that whatever outfits you previously purchased have not had use in some time, therefore might no longer be proportionally accurate to the dimensions of your person."

He was attempting to be diplomatic with his words, but that bred confusion.

It seemed blunt force was the way to go, once again.

"Your dresses might no longer fit you. After all, you are consistently aging and growing."

Presumably, in the case of Lysithea.

And none of those before him seemed to be the sort to regularly change their dresses if he was asked his honest opinion.

"Consider it a chance to take command of your own fashion sensibilities and decide how you wish to appear."

Bernadetta mumbled something under her breath.

Pity for her that his hearing was impeccable.

"If you wish to wear your school uniform, I doubt any will prevent you from doing so, nor will they be likely to offer complaints on the matter."

She stiffened, eyes widening and snapping up in shock.

Internally sighing, he brought forth Flauros from their spot behind his neck and from in between his hair, the finch hopped along his shoulder and then plunged down and cleared the distance, plopping themselves in a comfortable position upon her shoulder but still on the side that made them easily accessible to Marianne.

"There is, of course, a much simpler reason for why I doubt that would be possible."

Bernadetta inclined her head with a nervous tinge about her, visible unease building.

"You are here now and Dorothea is persuasive."

"Oh."

Her shoulders dropped and she looked down in resignation.

Yes, he was not the only one to be aware of such things, it seemed.

"I would hardly consider it a tragic affair, Bernadetta."

Ferdinand reassured, hands waving and advancing on the girl with confident steps.

"I, for one, am rather certain that you shall positively stun the many guests with the right outfit."

That was likely not what she wanted to hear.

"...All those eyes…" Fearful whispers and a sudden paling skin was proof of that.

"Or you may find clothes that would allow you to blend into your surroundings."

It was more for her benefit that he offered the comment.

"Consider it a form of camouflage, if you wish to avoid catching the eye of those in attendance."

Quite understandably, that was far more appealing to her from the way her head rapidly bobbed up and down. Though she spoke no words, it was blatantly obvious to him that she was already enticed with the option of hiding and was going to be hunting for clothes which would be mundane or otherwise lacking in brilliance.

Lysithea and Bernadetta appeared convinced, which left only Marianne.

His eyes dropped towards her.

Gaze pointed down, one arm reaching across and holding her other at the elbow, she appeared to be the most discomforted.

Worse, her emotions were…

…Unpleasant.

Flauros jumped from Bernadetta and onto her shoulder, Goetia whispered through the bird and delivered his words.

"The event is not mandatory for attendance, despite the popularity that surrounds it."

Marianne stiffened, but gave no further visible reaction to his words.

Meanwhile, the others were already embroiled with a conversation of their own, with Lysithea questioning fashion and the sort.

Partitioning his mind, he approached them and started speaking all while his present self was in the place of Flauros.

"But I believe it would be more beneficial if you were also in attendance."

Marianne swallowed, then whispered. "I'm…not sure…"

So quiet that only through Flauros could he hear her.

Her despair was stronger, as was her self-hatred.

Revolting.

"Would your friends not wish for you to be in attendance?"

"...Hilda will ask."

He expected that.

Marianne sounded resigned to it, but also saddened as well.

For what reason would she feel such things?

What was it about that which brought such misery to her?

"Do you truly not wish to attend?"

To that, she gave him no answer.

Her mind was clearly at odds, some level of self-hatred and a desire to go.

A most vexing concoction which he was growing more irritated with as the seconds passed him by. If she wished to go, then that was all there was to the matter. There was no reason for her to deny herself the opportunity to engage in recreation with her friends and peers.

"It is known to me that such events are considered enjoyable for those in attendance."

He said, then waited for a moment as he figured how best to phrase this.

"It would be…of great value to my peace of mind if you were also in attendance."

Yes, that was it.

So long as she attended, then he would rest well with the knowledge that she was also benefiting from such a gathering, it similarly meant there was further opportunity for her despair to be ground down into nothing.

It was of value to his peace of mind.

It meant he would not need to endure her misery.

"I…" Marianne sharply turned her head a bit further from Flauros and went silent, whereas her emotions were positively bubbling. "...I'll go!"

That part she blurted out rather loudly.

Goetia ended the partition and turned his head, it seemed she realised that she had said it louder than she should have when the combined gaze of the group turned on her.

"Good." He said. "Your attendance makes this outing more relevant to you."

Of all the people, he suspected she would benefit from this the most.

Physical appearance was important to humans, as Dorothea would argue.

So he would leave it in her hands to ensure Marianne would be displayed in a manner she was comfortable with.

Was it an admittance of inadequacy?

No.

He was merely delegating.

That was the reason he was using because it was the correct one.

The more bonds that Marianne established, the greater her support base would be for future emotional troubles.

Human beings were social animals.

They operated better when in packs than alone and isolated.

…The same had been true of him, he supposed.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, there was a twitch upon his senses, head turning rather swiftly towards the direction of the disturbance.

Was he surprised by the feeling?

No, but he did consider it unexpected.

Their arrival was not guaranteed but he would have also not have said it was an impossibility either.

He watched through the crowd of humans as they parted just enough for the familiar shade of green hair to emerge from within them. Stepping forth with barely a turn of the body needed to avoid the crowd, certainly it was a demonstration of skillful avoidance on her part.

Goetia broke away from the others and started his own advance, leaving them to their conversations as he moved onwards.

A conversation better suited for the two of them without an audience.

The fewer who heard his uncertainty the better.

His pride would not allow it.

Flayn was one of the few exceptions who had already seen him at his worst.

The two of them stopped before one another, Flayn in her usual attire which he rarely saw her not dressed in, if at all.

Clearly she would benefit from this outing.

"Flayn." Nodding his head in greeting.

"Goetia." Flayn reciprocated the gesture, placing her tone as cordial but it was difficult to tell whether it had been forced or not.

Reading her emotions was challenging.

"I was not certain you would arrive."

His words prompted a frown on her face, but just as quickly it melted away into a slight hint of exasperation. Emotions bled through and he could clearly see her shift in feelings as her shoulders dropped down.

"Goetia…I have disagreed with my Father many a time in the past and if I were to ignore his requests every time we held an argument, then I would never spend more than a few seconds with him."

"I am not your father."

"No, but you are my friend."

She started forwards once again, eyes open and a small smile on her lips.

"Though we do have our differences of opinions on this matter, that is not what today is about…is it? So for now I would…appreciate being able to live in this moment. No further discussions on the topic of work or…"

Visibly swallowing, he saw the darkness of her thoughts and that hideous shade of grief emerge once more.

"I shall not speak of the matter and can, if need be, enforce a field of influence upon the others so that they will subconsciously avoiding mentioning any negative topics."

Flayn sent him a dry look. "Sometimes you can say such terrifying things, Goetia. Fun cannot be enforced."

"It can."

"No it cannot."

"It is basic science." Goetia dismissed. "I could easily influence the dopamine levels within the brain of a human…but that would not be natural. Hmph. We shall leave the matter here before we form another argument."

Her smile lost its strain. "I believe that would be for the best."

Then she looked past him and raised a brow.

A curious expression.

"Are you sure you would not like to invite more people? I believe there are still one or two others left in the three classes who have not been invited to come along."

There was a faint smirk on her lips.

Was she making an effort to draw upon some humour?

"You jest, but it is correct that there are others yet to arrive."

Huffing some amusement, she leaned back and folded her arms. "I had not thought you to be such a social person, Goetia? I'm surprised and rather impressed at the same time. Or are you summoning so many people so that they might act as shields to prevent you from engaging in more social interactions than you wish to do so?"

"Hiding in plain sight, is it?" A novel strategy, he supposed.

It was incorrect, but novel all the same.

"I was not the one who created this outing to begin with. I was invited along and exercised by confirmed right to bring along whomever else I wished."

Flayn dropped her hands onto her hips.

Now her expression looked a mixture of surprise and disapproval.

"Dare I ask whether you gave any indication to the person who you were invited by how many 'extras' you intended to bring alone with you?"

He was unsure where in his actions there was cause for disapproval.

Clearly this was a misunderstanding. Though how, he could not say.

"Dorothea did not make it clear how many I was permitted to invite, so I made the selection of those I felt would benefit from a group outing."

Flayn raised a brow.

"...So you invited along those who we shall say are…"

Glancing past him once more, she visibly struggled for the right words.

Or perhaps she struggled for the words which would not cause offence to the intended?

The latter was more likely.

"Socially inept."

Flayn's brow twitched ever so slightly, she looked up with rather clear disapproval that he had anticipated this time.

"You can chastise me for the wording, but that does not make it incorrect. Be content that I was the one to say it and save you the guilt of doing so."

"You did me no favours here."

"Hmph."

If she took comfort with that belief, then he could not change it.

"But they are not the most extroverted individuals that spring to mind, you are right." Flayn nodded her head, altering his wording in a rather blatant manner as well.

He would allow it.

"So you invited them along with the hopes they would open up some more?"

It was the most logical answer, so her perception of it was far from impressive.

But it did save him the explanation.

"Yes."

Flayn nodded, her emotions turning more approving. "Though I do see this being a rather interesting little outing, I will confess. Now I am more than a little excited about it."

Yes, she was excited.

Though not nearly as much as her emotions would demonstrate on her expression.

Apparently she was not quite as detached from her pain as she wished to present.

…Unfortunate.

"Ah, Flayn!"

Ferdinand's voice was a welcome influence on the conversation before his thoughts were allowed to linger on that topic. The pair of them turned as he approached, hand raised and waving in greeting.

"I see that you are also going to be joining us then? I am glad to see it."

"Are you?" Flayn looked moderately surprised.

"Of course! We have hardly had the chance to meet with one another since you first began and outside of competition between classes, I have had few opportunities to speak with you."

Flayn looked bemused. "I…was not aware there was a pressing desire to speak with me?"

Ferdinand blinked. "Does there need to be anything more than the chance to speak with one another in good faith? We are both students of the officers academy, I believe that is more than enough reason for us to have the chance to speak with one another. Is that not the case?"

Now Flayn was looking at him with the most curious of expressions.

As if she was expecting him to intervene in this conversation.

He was unaware if there was anything that required his intervention at all.

"I suppose you are right." Smiling, Flayn turned her head towards the young man. "In which case, I am pleased to make your formal acquaintance, even if it should be long overdue."

"Wonderful." Ferdinand smiled, then stepped back and right beside Bernadetta. She went stiff at the proximity. Not that he seemed to notice.

"Dorothea and Ingrid approach."

He announced for the benefit of others - primarily Ferdinand - so that they were forewarned.

Turning his head, they were less than fifty metres and closing on their present location.

He anticipated that it would be within the next few seconds they would meet with one another.

Dorothea was a little excited, if she was honest.

Ingrid could probably tell, she had seen the way she had been sending her one or two little stares and she had been tensing her body. Like she was expecting the need to break out into a run any second.

Dorothea liked to think she was not quite that excitable.

But she was excited.

This was Goetia asking to bring people along.

It almost brought a tear to her eye to think of how far the little introverted librarian had come.

…Alright, perhaps she exaggerated a bit, but the point remained that she was invested in his personal life because she was a friend.

Or she thought of herself as such and was sure that Goetia likely regarded her with positive feelings, even if he did not directly call her a friend.

That was just his own little shy way of not admitting his feelings, she'd seen his type before.

The 'not at all honest about the way they felt' type of person.

But she couldn't let herself be distracted.

Not only was this about making sure Goetia was stunning in the White Heron Cup, but also to make sure that both she and Ingrid would wow anyone who looked at them. For that, they needed to be complementary to one another. That was the best way forward, or so she was in the process of convincing Ingrid.

It was not easy.

"Goetia is going to be there. He's punctual."

Hm?

"Did you say something?"

Ingrid let out a sigh and shook her head, stepping aside to avoid walking into someone.

"Goetia. He is a punctual individual and this is around the time he said he would meet us. Whether you run off to meet him-"

"I am not going to run off, Ingie." She waved a hand. "You're exaggerating it."

"Uh-huh."

She didn't sound all that convinced, Dorothea pouted at this lack of faith she was being shown.

Oh well.

Ingrid continued on. "And I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel at the fact you're showing such an investment in his personal life."

"Why? Are you jealous?~" Leaning towards her, she nudged the girl with her elbow.

The teasing rolled off the girl like rain slipped off the back of a leaf.

"It's strange."

"No it isn't." Dorothea replied as she leaned back. "No more strange than the two of us hanging out and me asking after your personal details."

"...Alright, it's strange because I thought you were…well…"

Dorothea raised a brow very slowly.

"Go on."

She had quite the strong feeling she knew what Ingrid wanted to say, but she would also like to hear the girl come out and say it.

Working her jaw from side to side, the blonde dropped her shoulders with a huff. "I was under the impression, from the way you two act around one another, that this was some manner of courtship."

"Courtship?"

Was that how they looked?

"Well, we have been on a couple dates, I suppose."

"Exac-wait, what?"

"But they could also be outings between friends." Dorothea shrugged, then flashed her a smile. "You know me, I like to keep some options out there."

Ingrid squinted. "Then…he is an option?"

"Now who's curious?"

Ingrid only crossed her arms and looked on, unimpressed.

Well, someone was being stubborn about it.

She must care an awful lot then.

"Whether or not I am interested in Goetia in that way, I still think of him as a friend and am doing my best to watch out for him as well. That includes his relationships and being there for any needed advice on the matter."

Because that is what friends did.

Goetia was an interesting person, but Dorothea was - as she said - keeping her options open.

…But he was a very tempting option.

He had an alluring confidence to him, as well as a sense of detachment.

But then once you got past all of that and found the big softie underneath, then it was blatantly clear that Gotie was just the sort of person who cared about honesty above all else and really was terrible at not caring for people. Despite the fact he said he didn't care, more often than not.

It was cute how innocent he could be in his own blunt way.

Rounding the corner to the top of the stairs, she looked down and-

"That's…quite a bit more than I expected."

Ingrid gave voice to her thoughts, at least the polite ones.

Was Dorothea still smiling? Yes, she was.

But she was also a little disappointed at what greeted her, mainly because she had expected to be greeted with a single person.

Yet this was fine, she could already spy-was that Bernie? How in the name of the Goddess did he manage to get her down here?

This was already looking to be rather worth it if she could manage to get Bernie into trying on some outfits. Looking for ways to bond with the girl had been few and far between, but this was definitely one of the easiest.

And…Marianne?

Admittedly, she did not know much about her.

But this was a good chance to get to know her better.

Lysithea and Flayn she already knew about rather well and-

Her smile slipped off her face immediately.

"Dorothea? What's wrong?"

Ah, that must have looked strange.

She turned back to Ingrid. "Nothing, I just thought I spotted a bee for a moment there. Just my imagination."

Ingrid didn't look all that convinced there was nothing wrong, but it wasn't like she could just come out and say she had spotted Ferdinand and felt her good humour turn and walk back the way they had come. So in the interest of not spoiling the mood, she continued on her way and mentally prepared herself for the interactions with him.

…Well, she could probably avoid him during the actual shopping, she supposed.

Though quite why Gotie decided to bring him along was going to remain a mystery to her.

"Ah, Dorothea! You made it!"

Ah, Ferdinand's chipper voice.

Ever the charmer, it seemed, with that smile of pearly white teeth.

Truly, the image of a rather dashing and gallant noble.

…

"Ferdinand." Her words were kept flat, even if her expression remained polite.

Goetia raised an eyebrow at her but said nothing, though he didn't look surprised in the least.

"Is everyone ready?"

Flayn cleared her throat. "Is this number alright with you? I certainly hope I am not intruding-"

""You aren't/You are not.""

She met the eyes of Goetia and smiled a bit more genuinely this time.

Flayn, meanwhile, looked rather shocked at being caught between the two of them in such a way.

"It's fine, Flayn. This is to be a nice and peaceful shopping trip for all of us."

Stepping closer, she moved towards the girls and away from Ferdinand and Goetia, stepping up behind them and standing just over their shoulders.

"It is going to be so much fun! A lovely little bonding exercise, wouldn't you say?"

Lysithea squinted. "...Well…it'll be an experience, at least."

"That doesn't sound like a lack of excitement to me~"

She was getting pouted at now.

How adorable.

Well, even if Ferdie was here, she supposed that there was still something that could be done to make the shopping trip enjoyable.

Probably.

"I have only a single arm."

"Yes, but it would look rather peculiar if you were to make an appearance with cufflinks on only a single sleeve."

Goetia pointedly looked at the sleeve in question, what amounted to nothing more than a loose scrap of fabric hanging down off his right side.

"I had not intended to make use of the second sleeve in any true capacity."

Rather, now he was having an additional thought as he realised there was a curious trend he had made note of.

"What if I were to wear the coat over my shoulders instead? Would that not erase the problem you are suggesting and forgoing the need for cufflinks?"

Ferdinand went silent upon his suggestion.

Clearly they had not accounted for it and were now deep in thought, cupping their chin and with eyes slightly narrowed.

"I…Yes, I believe that such an appearance would certainly work even if you had no arm to fit the sleeve in question. Though it would be rather cumbersome when it came to dancing, would it not?"

That would imply he would be dancing.

Yet it was a dance.

"I could simply remove the coat."

Ferdinand inclined his head in a short nod. "True, but then what of the shirt?"

Goetia thinned his lips and turned back to look at the shirt which floated close to his person, examining it once more.

Removing the sleeve had crossed his mind, as he had done with the other he purchased in Enbarr, but that was a task he could now accomplish himself and could just as easily restore if he ever had the desire to do so.

Quite where that desire would come from, he left as an unanswered question.

"What of it?"

"Well, what about having cufflinks on that?"

This was rather strange.

"You have a fixation on cufflinks."

Ferdinand blinked and tilted his head, looking somewhat shocked at the accusation.

No, not an accusation.

Observation.

"I do not think I am any more or less interested in them than another person. It is merely an accessory which accentuates the appearance. A harmless additional detail."

Not harmless to his budget.

Goetia narrowed his eyes as he considered something else.

"What if I were to forgo the coat?"

Ferdinand blinked. "You would remove it entirely?"

He nodded his head, a thought was occurring to him.

"Are you familiar with mantles that cover only a single part of the body?"

There was a small pause, then Ferdinand's eyes roamed over his right side for a few moments before his eyes widened considerably. There was a flash of understanding as he snapped his fingers. "You mean of the sort that the house leaders wear?"

"In principle, but less a mere scrap of cloth bolted onto a shirt."

Ferdinand made a small noise of protest at the comparison, but Goetia would not be called incorrect.

"I envision something of greater aethstetic."

"Such as?"

"Are you familiar with epaulettes?"

He assumed the word would translate over and they would have something similar or equal to.

"The parade uniform decorations?"

And his assumption was proven genuine.

"Consider a cloak long enough to cover my right side mounted under something of a similar design. Would that not forgo the need for a coat while also removing none of the visual appeal of fashion?"

"That…that does sound rather intriguing." Ferdinand accepted the idea, then frowned. "But I have not seen those worn outside of military parades and they are usually worn only by the officers."

Goetia stared at him. "I was a King, Ferdinand. I am certain I would qualify."

"...Well, when you put it like that…"

Hmm, yes.

This was a rather intriguing idea.

Visualising the style in his mind's eyes, he could see something different entirely to his usual attire. Perhaps a dash of deep gold, not far removed from the skin tone of his old form? Acquiring the fabric would be simple enough and making the additions would be no more than a mere wave of the hand.

Though the rest of the outfit he would acquire.

Perhaps a style not far removed from the dress attire of the academy?

It was, as he saw it, something that could still be worn at most noble functions so the design was tried and tested.

All he needed to change was the colouration to more suit his own tastes.

"You appear deep in thought."

"I am making considerations." Goetia announced as he moved the shirt back across the room and to the rack he had taken it from in the first place.

"Though while I am making my own choices, how fair our female compatriots?"

He turned his head and swept his gaze across the store.

Locating them was a simple enough manner, but they seemed to be slower of progress than himself or Ferdinand.

"Do you think we should see how they do?"

Goetia deliberated.

Then decided against it for the time being.

"Perhaps in another two minutes."

Returning his eyes to Ferdinand, he raised a brow. "What have you discovered so far?"

Ferdinand's expression brightened. "Well!"

And then he revealed it.

Goetia stared for a moment, then tilted his head.

"...A curious mix of colours."

Ferdinand's expression dropped ever so slightly. "Do you not approve? I was quite taken with the design."

Approve?

Goetia would neither approve or disapprove.

"It is dependent on what you have combined it with, though I only noted the combination of colours was curious."

Why did Ferdinand not look relieved by his elaboration.

"You say such things, and yet your expression remains as cold as a winter morning."

"Would you prefer I laugh?"

"No, I fear that would be rather the opposite." Ferdinand exhaled and held the coat to himself before he turned to face the mirror beside them and frowned in thought.

"Hmmm, yes. I do see the colour combination and yet…I can see it compliments my hair, do you not agree?"

Complimenting his hair?

Goetia looked him up and down, then glanced at the mirror for another angle.

He supposed they were all a shade of orange, but the coat with inner blue lining was a deeper shade of orange on the outside. A mixture of where it would combine with maroon. The golden edges and floral pattern around the collar was at least distinct and easy to spot without dominating it.

Hmmmm.

"...It does appear to combine with your physical appearance."

"Ah, that is good news then."

Ferdinand lowered the coat.

"I was somewhat fearful for a moment, but I knew to trust my instinct on this matter. Rather, it was as if the coat spoke to me and beckoned me to take it into my hands. Though I am worried it might be, perhaps, too distinct."

Was that even an issue?

Meeting Ferdinand's eyes, he blinked. "I do not believe you have much to concern yourself with on that front."

Then he glanced past the young man and spotted something which met his criteria, at least in part.

Without warning, he advanced forwards and past them, the footsteps of Ferdinand soon following in his wake as he came upon the mannequin.

"That is certainly a striking shirt."

High praise indeed, but Goetia would agree with it.

The style was not far removed from the academy uniform, but it was within the same style without the same colouration. It was a simple enough shirt without it being tailor made. A band across the upper shoulders of a reflective navy blue while the main body was a pale white which bordered on a light grey.

As far as clothing went, he could ask for little better than distinctive.

So he would select that as his base and build up around it.

"Hmph."

Goetia frowned in thought and leaned back ever so slightly.

"I am presented with two options. Either trousers that would match the primary colouration of the shirt or a contrasting shade."

"Ah, you mean white or black trousers?"

"Yes."

If one wanted to make it simple.

Ferdinand let out a long hum. "I would personally approach the white pair, though I am a greater fan of dress clothing which is of a singular style…but the black trousers would also compliment it."

Hmmm.

"I shall deliberate on this while we see to the others."

And with that, he turned and strode across the length of the store with Ferdinand not far behind him.

His ears sharpened as he made out the conversations.

"It's a bit…tight…"

Marianne's gentle complaints met him.

Goetia advanced far enough that he could actually see them.

Or at least see her, the others had yet to make their appearance.

"Goodness me."

Ferdinand came up beside him and let out an awed breath.

Marianne twitched and looked up sharply, eyes wide.

"O-oh…uhm…"

Was she concerned with her physical appearance?

He could offer thoughts on that to reassure her.

"The outfit suits you."

She was rather silent at that, still looking at him with wide eyes before breaking contact and swiftly looking away.

Hmph.

Not the expected reaction.

And what was with this wave of embarrassment he felt from her?

That was the opposite of what he wanted.

"Goetia is quite right, Marianne, you look stunning."

The embarrassment only grew and her face was starting to turn an unhealthy shade of red.

It was, perhaps, a dress that was much too simple but in a way that was expected of her. The predominant colour was that of a bold shade of emerald. Which was a rather more attention grabbing colour than he expected for her to have, combined with the obsidian black sash tied across her waist.

Perhaps he had underestimated her confidence?

Or maybe this had been a flight of fancy for her which she now regretted.

A pity.

"Dorothea…"

Marianne mutely muttered out as she turned her head further from the two of them, raising a hand and playing with her hair.

Oh? She meant to say Dorothea obtained it for her?

Yes, that made rather more sense.

"Am I to assume she has absconded with the others as well?"

This time, Marianne only nodded her head up and down without words.

Clearly the compliments had been rather offensive to her and prevented a recovery of social skills.

He expected this of Bernadetta as well.

She was…

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he turned his head.

Hmph.

"Excuse me for a moment."

Alright, she could do this.

Sneaking out was easy now that they were all distracted.

Not to mention that the exit was right there.

Coming along hadn't really been something she wanted to do in the first place, but it had been Goetia who invited her along.

…and she was afraid to say no.

But there was a difference between saying no to his face and then running away when his back was turned. At least there were other people there to take away his attention while she was getting back out of here and to her room.

Going out and buying dresses for things she didn't want to attend.

…That brought back some unpleasant memories.

If he asked later, she would say she felt sick.

And that wouldn't be…far from the truth.

No, thinking about that was bad, Bernie.

It would make you terrified again and that would just make you want to run back and cry but if you went and did something like that, people would be staring at you and you'd get caught before you made it far.

So the best thing to do would be to just bottle it all up until-

She stiffened.

Until Goetia stepped out from behind a coat rack right in her path.

Her excuse of being ill suddenly felt very genuine.

"I…"

Her tongue felt like a weight in her mouth and her words caught in her throat.

Was she scared?

Absolutely.

But she was also expecting to see the same disappointment she always saw whenever this happened in the past.

Whenever she said she didn't want to attend, it was always the same result.

'You know better than that, Bernadetta!' and 'It would shame the family if you acted like this!' and so on and so forth.

Her eyes snapped shut and she looked down, clenching her hands into fists.

Maybe if she pretended to be asleep he would leave?

Or perhaps if she just passed out here and now he would go-

"Do you want to be here?"

…Was that a trick question?

Very slowly, she opened her eyes and looked him dead in the face, searching for any sign of deception.

Was this a trap? Was he trying to get her to admit it just so he could laugh at her futile attempts to escape?

Her original plan was already burnt to ash, so what else was there but shouting and humiliation?

"...no."

And despite it all, she admitted it.

Because of course she didn't want to be here.

Red eyes looked down at her, there was a twitch of something in them. For a moment she saw it for what it was.

Disappointment.

Here it-

"Did you come here merely because you feared what my response would be?"

-came?

…Was he really asking her that?

Very slowly, she nodded her head up and down.

"...I see."

He then slowly stepped to the side.

"Then you may return to the Monastery."

…Wait, what?

She squinted at him, and then towards the door.

"...Heracles isn't outside, is he?"

"Why would-?"

He looked actually shocked when she said that, it was the most emotion she had seen on him with the expression of actual confusion.

Then he closed his eyes and raised his hand, pinching his nose and sighing really loudly.

Was he upset?

It felt like he was and now she was more prepared than ever…no she wasn't, she wasn't prepared at all.

"Bernadetta…"

He lowered his hand down.

"...I would rather not force you to remain here. If you wish to leave, then you may do so without fear of reprisal."

This didn't feel like a trick.

But then again, it wasn't like her father ever let her leave when she wanted to.

So why would she expect different now?

"...Really?"

"Do not make me repeat myself."

She shuffled a little bit forwards, eyes darting from the door and to him.

This was it?

She could just walk out of here and back there?

"Would it be possible for you to explain to me why?"

She stopped, then thinned her lips.

"...I just…"

No, she couldn't explain it.

That would be…

"...My father wouldn't approve."

"Your father."

His words sounded odd, no it was just her imagination.

She sent him a small glance.

She'd tried not to think about everything her father said about people from other lands, but it was hard not to when she saw Goetia. Nevermind the fact he was a intense and scary just like Hubert, but just talking to him when her father said all sorts of things.

…No, she couldn't say that.

"...Being near Dorothea, he…wouldn't approve."

She looked down.

"He dislikes the mingling of classes."

Bernadetta nodded her head.

"It was…nice being near Dorothea for a little bit but…Father wouldn't approve so…"

Goetia was still silent.

Then she felt something odd overcome here, like a strange silence.

It all felt…quiet.

She glanced around and noted the silence.

"We shall not be disturbed for the remainder of the conversation."

She flinched, looking back at him.

"I told Marianne this and I shall tell you this as well. It would put my mind at ease if you were to attend, but I will not force you to do so. That would defeat the purpose of this entire affair to begin with."

So…she was allowed to leave then?

"But."

Ah, there it was.

"Are you content with this?"

Blinking, she looked up at him.

That seemed a very easy thing to answer, and she opened her mouth to say as much.

"There is comfort in hiding away in your room, shut out from the world, but can you truly ignore all that you wish to do?"

He looked down at her, meeting her eyes.

"You spoke of Dorothea in positive terms, can you truly allow the chance to slip through your fingers to be on friendly terms with her, despite the words of your father?"

…It didn't matter what she wanted though.

She slowly looked away. "...He wouldn't-"

"The concerns of your father are not what I am asking of right now. What I want to know is what Bernadetta the human wants. What is the choice she wants, regardless of what it is that she believes will happen."

What?

That didn't make sense…did it?

She…

She knew what she wanted but it was impossible.

It didn't matter.

"If you would declare it impossible, then I would state much the opposite."

She squinted.

"Bernadetta."

He stepped forwards and she stepped back on instinct, but only a fraction, craning her neck up a little.

Goetia was looking down at her, eyes intense.

"Do you want to remain like this forever? Is that your honest wish?"

…

"But these are only my thoughts."

He stepped around her, the weight from before vanished and he was walking off.

"I would prefer you make your own choices based on your wants. I have come to hold that expectation for humans to strive for what they want, regardless of the impossible…I knew a commoner boy who strove for what I would call impossible."

Her head turned ever so slightly.

Oh, was he talking about…?

"The…the person who…?"

"Yes."

Goetia confirmed, "Fujimaru Ritsuka. Though perhaps I am unfair to compare the two of you. I forced their hand in the matter and left them no choice. You have that choice."

He started walking off.

"I am merely pained to see you bound by the wants of others, rather than your own."

…She was right.

He was disappointed.

Not in the way she expected though.

Doing what she wanted?

Could she even do that?

No, even if she did…would it last?

Goetia returned to…

…Something?

It was an event that was presently ongoing.

Flayn doing twirls on the spot was not within his expectations, but he would not place it out of character either.

"I see you are enjoying yourself."

She went stiff rather abruptly, then spun around to face him. "Ah, Goetia!"

He gave her outfit a brief overview then provided the comment before she could ask for it.

It was a pre-emptive move.

"The dress accommodates you well."

"Do you think so?" Flayn looked herself down, brushing out the frills and then back up. "I was of much the same thought, but then I was rather concerned it might have been a bit too much…at least for what Father might consider acceptable."

Goetia inclined his head.

He did not see much that was unacceptable.

A sky blue dress which extended just past her knees and no further, frilled along the base and towards her waist, it was a style not far removed from the dress of his other set of clothing. Though he supposed Seteth might have some thoughts in regards to the fact there did not appear to be any manner of shoulder placement in the least.

Rather, the dress began on the underside of her arms and went down from there.

Perhaps Seteth would be alarmed at the exposed skin?

Hmph.

That aside, Flayn clearly approved of the dress and that was enough for him to accept and allow.

So he would provide her with an argument.

"It is a unique occasion."

Looking up at his words, Goetia continued on.

"I believe that he could be convinced that it would allow for a brief exception of a single evening."

A moment of silence, then Flayn smiled.

"I dare say that he will still argue against it."

Hmph.

A failure?

No, he refused to believe so.

None of Flayn's enthusiasm had been lost, which left him with the impression that she would merely wear the dress regardless.

"And besides! Do I not suit the style of Marianne as well? It is as though we are co-ordinated!"

"Dorothea provided input into that as well, then?"

Flayn nodded her head, once more doing a spin.

"She did indeed! I must say that her eye for fashion is rather splendid, I feel very mature in this."

Goetia pondered the dilemma of whether someone who was mature would need to argue the case.

Then Flayn stopped spinning, turned about and squinted at him.

"...Why am I left with the strangest sense that you were thinking of something rude?"

"Where is Lysithea?"

"You will ignore me?"

"Ah, I have located her."

"Goetia. This is unbecoming."

"I said nothing that would bring about such an accusation and my thoughts are my own. I cannot defend myself against your imagination with words as you have clearly made up your mind that I have thought of something you disapprove of."

Flayn stopped for a moment, then lowered her hands.

"...Yes, perhaps that was beneath me."

"Hmph."

Goetia nodded his head, then strode past her.

"But you were correct. You are intuitive enough for that."

Leaving her sputtering in his wake, he advanced through the racks and narrowed his eyes.

The conversation was easy enough.

"It looks ridiculous."

"No it doesn't-"

"You can get away with it because you have the body, I do not. I look like some child playing dress-up."

Dorothea released a faint sigh. "Children are made to attend gatherings as well and they also look their best. It is not something that is lost over the years, isn't that right Ingie?"

Ingrid herself sighed, he could spot her hair as he approached.

Rounding the corner and looking down at the trio.

They all looked back at him, his arrival being far from silent.

Was there a problem?

Then he glanced past them and further down where Ferdinand stood with a rather sheepish expression.

Goetia raised a brow. "Why are you standing so far away?"

Dorothea rolled her eyes in response and spoke before he could even get a word out.

"Because I was looking for some helpful commentary and saying that she looks stunning when she is clearly incredulous doesn't help."

It did not?

Ferdinand shared his confusion with a baffled shrug. "But I do not know what else I was to say! She is-"

"She is in need of more than throwaway comments, Ferdie."

That was rather cold.

But also expected, yet there was a palpable dislike.

Ferdinand was browbeaten and looked down, thoroughly confused.

So Goetia looked at Lysithea and stared at her for some long moments.

Was there a correct choice of wording to be made here?

Hmmm.

"Lysithea?"

The girl went stiff at his words and ignored the others completely.

"Y-yes, teac-I mean Goetia?"

"This manner of dress suits you."

He nodded his head once.

"You are are objectively pleasant to look upon and I am sure others will agree."

He was satisfied with his wording.

…Why was she blushing now and doing a remarkable impression of the final moments of a rabbit under the eyes of a hunter?

And why was Dorothea snickering?

This was unorthodox.

He traded a glance with Ferdinand who appeared just as lost as he felt.

"I fail to see what is so amusing."

That only prompted further giggling, this time he could spy Ingrid with a twitching smile.

Goetia was feeling distinctly uncomfortable with this turn of events, it was outside his expected predictions.

Tightening his features, he gave a final nod to Lysithea - and the midnight black dress in a style reminiscent of gothic - it was without sleeves and with lace gloves towards her elbow. The girl was still bright red as she stared at him before swiftly turning around and avoiding his gaze entirely.

His eyes swept towards Dorothea.

Her laughter faded away and she stood there now, with some expression of expectation.

As expected, her dress was of a brighter colouration than all others, a shade not far removed from ruby red and with a fitting golden corset to accentuate her body type. Then again, from what he knew of her personality, that was very likely the point.

Dorothea played to her strengths and her physical appearance was one of her most prominent.

The manner she puffed her chest slightly forwards was not missed on him either, visibly trying for some manner of pose.

"...Do you need for me to comment on the obvious?"

Dorothea's grin was his only response.

Hmph.

This was a mystery to him, one moment they laughed at his words and the next they demanded more of them?

Absurd.

Perhaps alteration to his wording would provide a differing result?

"You are beautiful."

Dorothea's smile slipped off her face and then she was staring at him with much the same expression as Lysithea.

Ingrid snorted and covered her face.

Goetia nodded to the blonde.

"You are also well dressed."

Ingrid lowered her hand and rolled her eyes.

There was a clear theme between herself and Dorothea, given their gowns were close enough in style but of a visibly different colouration. Ingrid's being of a deeper blue than Flayn's and the corset being a dull silver rather than gold.

With a shake of the head at the lack of suitable responses, he approached Ferdinand.

"I found that to be peculiar."

Ferdinand only shrugged. "I said much the same and was treated with scorn…"

"Perhaps it is because she does not like you and refused to admit that she appreciated your words?"

That was a potential answer and the only one he could think of.

The young man visibly pondered it, cupping his chin. "So…she would not take the compliment because it came from me…but she acknowledged it was a compliment in the first place?"

Goetia inclined his head. "Or she did not believe it was sincere."

"Throwaway comment…surely she does not believe I hand out such words on a whim?"

"How would she know otherwise?"

Ferdinand blinked, then made a small noise. "Ah, yes. She has doubtless heard many platitudes before and believes that they might not be wholly sincere, a rather tragic tale if you were to ask me…but I shall be firmer."

"As you were then."

"Dorothea!"

There was a stumbled noise and then a response. "Wha-oh, Ferdie. Yes?"

"I speak from the bottom of my heart when I say that you look truly radiant! Both you and Ingrid shall be upon the ball as flowers are upon a meadow. These are no idle words that I use and Lysithea? You are young woman with many charms and I am certain that those who attend shall be in awe to your dazzling visage."

Goetia nodded along very slowly with the words.

They were poetic.

And the responses were lacklustre.

Dorothea scoffed rather loudly. "Yes, very charming Ferdie."

Evidently she was not convinced.

Ingrid, at least, gave him a faint smile. "Thank you for the compliment, Ferdinand."

"...Ah, of course. You are most welcome."

Ferdinand approached him again as Lysithea was still unresponsive.

He looked somewhat crestfallen.

"I gave my honest thoughts but I am not sure they were truly received."

Goetia hummed.

"...So long as you are content they are spoken, that might be more important. There will always be times when your words are not understood."

Ferdinand only sighed, then nodded his head. "I fear you might be right…"

"Gotie?"

"Hmph?"

Dorothea was looking at him with slightly furrowed brows.

"Have you seen Bernie?"

"...I believe she is-"

"H-here…"

"-over there."

The girl emerged, shuffling ever so slightly and keeping her eyes low to the ground, but they did briefly glance up to his own.

It was a small thing, truly.

But he approved of the change, minute as it was.

For a short time, she was less painful for his senses to endure.

So he nodded his head, showing that she had made the choice that he considered the correct one.

Dorothea was already hurrying over to her with a flurry of words and suggestions, taking the girl by the shoulders with great enthusiasm.

He could read the emotions of Bernadetta well.

…For the first time, he did not feel like vomiting at them.

"...This has been a productive day."

Ferdinand made a small noise beside him. "Goetia? I believe…you are quite right."