[And that sharpness returns to her gaze at that, expression...well, a little closer to her usual. Sayaka chuckles a bit, perhaps surprisingly light natured for the situation at hand, though still a little shaky. She's trying so hard to get that facade back up, but it comes off more humorless than anything.]
Lord Hubert, you have seen me, haven't you? I'm dirty enough. A little more on top of that can't hurt, I suppose. I ought to at least try and return the favor you're offering.
[And she doesn't trust him to keep his word. Better to keep an eye on him like this and make sure it's actually taken care of right? Right. That's what she tells herself.
...She'd back off if he said he would take it back--she really does need to take a dip in the river before all of the blood sets in, but her anxiety persists. She can't take the easy road. If she lets herself get complacent for even a moment, it could backfire.]
[Well, that certainly seems more like the Sayaka he's come to expect, so it would seem she's calming down. Either that, or that act of hers truly is quite impressive.
Regardless, it isn't the answer he wanted to hear. It certainly is nice to have someone wanting to shoulder their own burdens - and not what he was expecting from her - but this puts Hubert in a rather difficult position.
After all, he usually makes his way through Abyss to dispose of bodies. It's far easier to keep the people down there quiet should they spot something incriminating. But with Sayaka in tow...
Well, Hubert doesn't have time to stand here and deliberate. There's nothing for it; Sayaka will have to learn about the existence of Abyss. Perhaps it's a show of trust... though mostly it's simply out of necessity.]
Very well. You may accompany me, however... when I give you orders, you follow them. Understood?
[It's back to business as usual with him right away; Hubert's already moving to pick up the corpse. Good thing this boy wasn't built like Raphael or he'd really be in trouble.]
[Sayaka isn't stupid to think that this could go well; a part of her is still genuinely prepared, if necessary, to strike back and protect herself if necessary, setting up a story in her mind of having to protect her lover and gaining all the sympathy in the world.
And yet, Sayaka finds herself nodding, moving to pick up her weapon quickly and put it back in one of her sleeves. The cold steel is familiar, and thankfully the blood is dried; Sayaka's pretty sure it's not lady-like to keep weapons on her like this, but a girl has to defend herself, right?]
Of course, Lord Hubert. I will follow them to the utmost.
[If Hubert doesn't already have the corpse taken care of, she'll move to pick up one end of it to assist. Surely they're just going to find a place to bury the body, right?
...Right?
Sayaka is blatantly unaware of what's gonna happen next.]
[If Sayaka wants to help with the corpse, Hubert certainly won't complain. He hadn't expected this either, but it would seem Sayaka is determined to do her part.
It would make sense for them to leave the monastery grounds to bury a corpse, but instead Hubert guides her to a little-known passage leading underground.]
Keep quiet and try not to stare. Don't speak to anyone and stay close.
[That's all the warning he gives before they enter Abyss. At this time of night things are mercifully quiet, but it's likely not what Sayaka was expecting at all.]
For a moment, Sayaka wonders if Hubert intends to keep his word at all, and she follows with a wary quietness as she follows him. It becomes clear in time that this is certainly rather far out of the way, though, and Sayaka's confusion grows. What is this place they're walking towards? Sayaka can't even fathom what she's looking at, and...]
What is... [this place, but Hubert's orders come through first and she quiets herself. Alright. Just act invisible, get in and get out in short order, and don't make a scene. Keep calm, head down, be invisible. Seems like an easy enough task.] ...Very well, Lord Hubert. Lead the way.
[True to her word, she will keep quiet as they walk, attempting to keep her gaze as low to the ground as possible. Of course, she still watches where she's going; her ears pick up on anyone around, and she's more tense than she's ever been in her life right now.
But it's fine. It's fine. It's fine it's fine it's fine it's fine it's fine. She's just teeming out of her own skin.]
[Good. The important thing is that she's listening, even though he's certain she's confused and possibly frightened.
Thankfully, they don't have to go far. There's a dark alleyway up ahead that is almost eerily silent and empty... except for a woman wearing robes with her face covered.
Hubert exchanges a few quick words with her - it's obvious they know each other and have had some dealings before, even if this seems to be a bit odd for her - and then she moves to take the corpse. Hubert gestures for Sayaka to let her.]
The more she looks at this, the more questions she has. Does he just. Is this how the Vestras operate? Should she say anything? Her orders are to say nothing but there's a woman with a mask and--
Without thinking, Sayaka lets her take the corpse easily, and she keeps her look averted away from the woman. Her face has gone white as a sheet and she wouldn't be surprised if the woman starts fucking laughing or something, but Sayaka cooperates because? What else is there to do??? She has so many questions and so little time at this point.
She is looking directly at Hubert, though. No rule against looking at him, with quite possibly the most demanding of answers look she can give. Do they...need to do anything else...]
[He is going to have so many questions to answer once they're back above ground. Oh well, he knew that was coming.
Anyway, Hubert thanks the woman and gestures for Sayaka to follow him. The trip back to the monastery is uneventful and they return without any wandering eyes to worry about. As they make their way back toward the dormitories, Hubert heads off the first of Sayaka's questions.]
That place is called Abyss. You shouldn't speak of it to anyone as it is not very well-known.
[He pauses, folding his arms and glancing at her.]
Go ahead. I'm sure you have plenty of other questions for me.
[A part of her wants to at least change before asking a barrage of questions--she's still covered in blood unless someone did something about that without her knowledge too. But really, it's taking all of Sayaka's willpower to not go into a panic attack at all of this. This is so much to process, so much to not know, but--]
I--I see. I don't have any intention of it.
[Let's just. Get that out of the way, alright. Sayaka's shaking, her own arms crossed mostly as a means to will down her shaking, but this is--all of this is--]
Who was she? What does she even do? [Breathe, girl, breathe.] How--how do you even know about this place? Does the monastery even know? Why did you just--I--
[...Give her a bit, there's some questions to start but she is so damn lost.]
[rip sayaka stuck in bloody clothes because hubert is a disaster.
Anyway, Hubert nods at her initial response before getting to the questions.]
Abyss is known to the Church, though I'm not certain as to the specifics behind its creation or purpose.
I happened to stumble on it while exploring the monastery, and sent one of House Vestra's own down there to learn more. She is trained to handle anything, and she has no qualms about cleaning up.
[Not that there's been a ton of strange disappearances like this nobleman, but sometimes these things happen.]
[She hates how certain he sounds. She hates how this just seems so...simple to him, like he didn't just cover up her murder and like no one's going to question what happened to her boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend, now, but--]
...Does she just...live down there, or something? I--I don't--
[Sayaka can't will her shaking to stop. She has to live with this, with all of this knowledge, with everything that's happened today--]
Why did you do any of this? Why do you do any of this?
[That much has always been obvious, but perhaps Sayaka will finally understand just what Hubert means by it. This won't be the last time he covers up a murder, though hopefully Sayaka won't kill anyone else.]
I told you that this would cause problems for Lady Edelgard if it was not handled properly. I won't allow that to happen. As long as you're a member of the Black Eagles, I will do what I can for you as well.
[Because it directly effects Lady Edelgard, of course.]
[As long as you're a member of the Black Eagles, I will do what I can for you as well.
Oh, that gets Sayaka to tense up. No, no, no, she may not know all of the games that nobles play but this one sounds like some absolute horse dung. How could she possibly believe something like that?]
And it wouldn't benefit her more if you just got rid of me right now?
[There's that intensity again, and no attempt at being a proper young lady in the slightest.]
I don't understand you. I don't understand any of you. Any of this--anything. I'm not...
[It's an admission that stops short. Stops short of revealing something that could ruin her, this 'family', and everything that she doesn't want to admit.]
...I don't expect you to forgive me, but I simply find it very unbelievable, Lord Hubert. Any of it, really. I just want it to make sense.
[Hubert remains still, arms folded as Sayaka works that out of her system. Sure, Hubert could try to explain why politically, she's better to Lady Edelgard alive, but that doesn't seem to be what Sayaka wants to hear.]
Perhaps this will make more sense, then: I find you interesting. You aren't what you appear and I find that refreshing. I've had far too many dealings with detestable nobles, so I find this side of you to be far preferable.
[His distaste for those nobles should be obvious in his words. While this isn't exactly what he planned to say to Sayaka, that doesn't mean it's a lie.]
[There's a pause, as Sayaka processes that. A little less disbelieving but more...confused, than anything. It's less confusing than the answers he'd given prior, that feel like things she doesn't understand.
Even so, she doesn't lose that wariness. But a brow quirks, and she seems less tense when she speaks up next.]
...You find this side preferable. [okay, no, she. she still sounds a little incredulous. but it at least gets a laugh out of her?] Well, I appreciate the honesty, Lord Hubert. I can't say I like having to pretend to be perfect all the time, but when you're in a position like mine, you have to play to those detestable nobles, you know? Awful as they are, they are the ones who control this world.
[...]
Thanks. For helping me, and...being honest.
[It's a bit of a stilted thanks--really, she wants to continue this conversation because he's raised more than a few points she could pick his brain on, but she is so grimy right now. Last thing they need is company seeing this??]
[All too well, unfortunately. He can't tell her that someday things will change, that someday Lady Edelgard will ensure that no one will need to bow to those horrible nobles again.
But for one brief moment, he dearly wishes he could.]
You don't need to thank me, but you're welcome.
[...Oh, right, she probably should go change...]
Should you have any other questions, I'll be willing to answer them later. For the time being, it would be best for you to attempt to rest. Tomorrow it will be as though none of this happened.
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no subject
Lord Hubert, you have seen me, haven't you? I'm dirty enough. A little more on top of that can't hurt, I suppose. I ought to at least try and return the favor you're offering.
[And she doesn't trust him to keep his word. Better to keep an eye on him like this and make sure it's actually taken care of right? Right. That's what she tells herself.
...She'd back off if he said he would take it back--she really does need to take a dip in the river before all of the blood sets in, but her anxiety persists. She can't take the easy road. If she lets herself get complacent for even a moment, it could backfire.]
no subject
Regardless, it isn't the answer he wanted to hear. It certainly is nice to have someone wanting to shoulder their own burdens - and not what he was expecting from her - but this puts Hubert in a rather difficult position.
After all, he usually makes his way through Abyss to dispose of bodies. It's far easier to keep the people down there quiet should they spot something incriminating. But with Sayaka in tow...
Well, Hubert doesn't have time to stand here and deliberate. There's nothing for it; Sayaka will have to learn about the existence of Abyss. Perhaps it's a show of trust... though mostly it's simply out of necessity.]
Very well. You may accompany me, however... when I give you orders, you follow them. Understood?
[It's back to business as usual with him right away; Hubert's already moving to pick up the corpse. Good thing this boy wasn't built like Raphael or he'd really be in trouble.]
no subject
And yet, Sayaka finds herself nodding, moving to pick up her weapon quickly and put it back in one of her sleeves. The cold steel is familiar, and thankfully the blood is dried; Sayaka's pretty sure it's not lady-like to keep weapons on her like this, but a girl has to defend herself, right?]
Of course, Lord Hubert. I will follow them to the utmost.
[If Hubert doesn't already have the corpse taken care of, she'll move to pick up one end of it to assist. Surely they're just going to find a place to bury the body, right?
...Right?
Sayaka is blatantly unaware of what's gonna happen next.]
no subject
It would make sense for them to leave the monastery grounds to bury a corpse, but instead Hubert guides her to a little-known passage leading underground.]
Keep quiet and try not to stare. Don't speak to anyone and stay close.
[That's all the warning he gives before they enter Abyss. At this time of night things are mercifully quiet, but it's likely not what Sayaka was expecting at all.]
no subject
For a moment, Sayaka wonders if Hubert intends to keep his word at all, and she follows with a wary quietness as she follows him. It becomes clear in time that this is certainly rather far out of the way, though, and Sayaka's confusion grows. What is this place they're walking towards? Sayaka can't even fathom what she's looking at, and...]
What is... [this place, but Hubert's orders come through first and she quiets herself. Alright. Just act invisible, get in and get out in short order, and don't make a scene. Keep calm, head down, be invisible. Seems like an easy enough task.] ...Very well, Lord Hubert. Lead the way.
[True to her word, she will keep quiet as they walk, attempting to keep her gaze as low to the ground as possible. Of course, she still watches where she's going; her ears pick up on anyone around, and she's more tense than she's ever been in her life right now.
But it's fine. It's fine. It's fine it's fine it's fine it's fine it's fine. She's just teeming out of her own skin.]
no subject
Thankfully, they don't have to go far. There's a dark alleyway up ahead that is almost eerily silent and empty... except for a woman wearing robes with her face covered.
Hubert exchanges a few quick words with her - it's obvious they know each other and have had some dealings before, even if this seems to be a bit odd for her - and then she moves to take the corpse. Hubert gestures for Sayaka to let her.]
no subject
The more she looks at this, the more questions she has. Does he just. Is this how the Vestras operate? Should she say anything? Her orders are to say nothing but there's a woman with a mask and--
Without thinking, Sayaka lets her take the corpse easily, and she keeps her look averted away from the woman. Her face has gone white as a sheet and she wouldn't be surprised if the woman starts fucking laughing or something, but Sayaka cooperates because? What else is there to do??? She has so many questions and so little time at this point.
She is looking directly at Hubert, though. No rule against looking at him, with quite possibly the most demanding of answers look she can give. Do they...need to do anything else...]
no subject
Anyway, Hubert thanks the woman and gestures for Sayaka to follow him. The trip back to the monastery is uneventful and they return without any wandering eyes to worry about. As they make their way back toward the dormitories, Hubert heads off the first of Sayaka's questions.]
That place is called Abyss. You shouldn't speak of it to anyone as it is not very well-known.
[He pauses, folding his arms and glancing at her.]
Go ahead. I'm sure you have plenty of other questions for me.
no subject
I--I see. I don't have any intention of it.
[Let's just. Get that out of the way, alright. Sayaka's shaking, her own arms crossed mostly as a means to will down her shaking, but this is--all of this is--]
Who was she? What does she even do? [Breathe, girl, breathe.] How--how do you even know about this place? Does the monastery even know? Why did you just--I--
[...Give her a bit, there's some questions to start but she is so damn lost.]
no subject
Anyway, Hubert nods at her initial response before getting to the questions.]
Abyss is known to the Church, though I'm not certain as to the specifics behind its creation or purpose.
I happened to stumble on it while exploring the monastery, and sent one of House Vestra's own down there to learn more. She is trained to handle anything, and she has no qualms about cleaning up.
[Not that there's been a ton of strange disappearances like this nobleman, but sometimes these things happen.]
Any further questions?
no subject
...Does she just...live down there, or something? I--I don't--
[Sayaka can't will her shaking to stop. She has to live with this, with all of this knowledge, with everything that's happened today--]
Why did you do any of this? Why do you do any of this?
no subject
[That much has always been obvious, but perhaps Sayaka will finally understand just what Hubert means by it. This won't be the last time he covers up a murder, though hopefully Sayaka won't kill anyone else.]
I told you that this would cause problems for Lady Edelgard if it was not handled properly. I won't allow that to happen. As long as you're a member of the Black Eagles, I will do what I can for you as well.
[Because it directly effects Lady Edelgard, of course.]
no subject
Oh, that gets Sayaka to tense up. No, no, no, she may not know all of the games that nobles play but this one sounds like some absolute horse dung. How could she possibly believe something like that?]
And it wouldn't benefit her more if you just got rid of me right now?
[There's that intensity again, and no attempt at being a proper young lady in the slightest.]
I don't understand you. I don't understand any of you. Any of this--anything. I'm not...
[It's an admission that stops short. Stops short of revealing something that could ruin her, this 'family', and everything that she doesn't want to admit.]
...I don't expect you to forgive me, but I simply find it very unbelievable, Lord Hubert. Any of it, really. I just want it to make sense.
no subject
Perhaps this will make more sense, then: I find you interesting. You aren't what you appear and I find that refreshing. I've had far too many dealings with detestable nobles, so I find this side of you to be far preferable.
[His distaste for those nobles should be obvious in his words. While this isn't exactly what he planned to say to Sayaka, that doesn't mean it's a lie.]
no subject
Even so, she doesn't lose that wariness. But a brow quirks, and she seems less tense when she speaks up next.]
...You find this side preferable. [okay, no, she. she still sounds a little incredulous. but it at least gets a laugh out of her?] Well, I appreciate the honesty, Lord Hubert. I can't say I like having to pretend to be perfect all the time, but when you're in a position like mine, you have to play to those detestable nobles, you know? Awful as they are, they are the ones who control this world.
[...]
Thanks. For helping me, and...being honest.
[It's a bit of a stilted thanks--really, she wants to continue this conversation because he's raised more than a few points she could pick his brain on, but she is so grimy right now. Last thing they need is company seeing this??]
no subject
[All too well, unfortunately. He can't tell her that someday things will change, that someday Lady Edelgard will ensure that no one will need to bow to those horrible nobles again.
But for one brief moment, he dearly wishes he could.]
You don't need to thank me, but you're welcome.
[...Oh, right, she probably should go change...]
Should you have any other questions, I'll be willing to answer them later. For the time being, it would be best for you to attempt to rest. Tomorrow it will be as though none of this happened.
no subject
...I appreciate it. I'll try to find you again when you aren't busy. But...yes, I'd actually like that, sometime. And I'm holding you to all of that.
[Sayaka curtsies with practiced grace, before stepping off and into her room.]
Until next time, Lord Hubert.
[b support obtained(?)]