[Well, we've definitely attracted some attention. Dorothea is whispering to Petra from the desks in front of us, and Caspar's looking over curiously from across the aisle...]
Hah, you that cocky 'bout it? Sure. Let's see how you fare by... oh, that big festival toward the end of the year? Ethereal Moon.
[Specifically around the White Heron Cup and the dance... But Zephia only mentioned such things in passing so he doesn't remember the names of them.]
If you've managed to impress me by then, I'll owe you a favor. And if you haven't lived up to those lofty dreams of yours... you owe me one. How's that?
[Alear seems to smirk just a bit at that, confidence entering her expression as she straightens up, straightening her hair out too--peering at him with both of her differently colored eyes.
...Feel free to ignore how unlike her red and blue hair, she seems to have a set of blue and green eyes instead. A green that even seems to match Rhea, almost--]
You've got yourself a deal. Anything you ask of me will be yours if you win, but I'm not going to let you off easily when I do! I'll show you that I'll be the best house leader that's been seen in years--!
["Alear."
The Professor's voice cuts through all of the whispering and chatter, and Alear jumps like she's been caught--straightening out her wild mane a bit more and running her hands through it as Professor Byleth speaks up, their voice relatively neutral despite the chaos. Once they have her attention, they gesture her to the front of the class.
"Would you come up here and introduce yourself to your classmates?"]
Y--Yes! Yes, of course, Professor Byleth! My apologies.
[Alear doesn't quite dart to the front, but she manages to stand dignified--her hair a little all over the place still, but coming to the front easily and introducing herself to the class. She's just as peppy as one might expect, trying to play the role that Miss Rhea has asked of her, but there's a genuine fire in her eyes as she introduces herself and hopes that they can all get along and bring out the best in each other.
Sure, it may take some time for her to truly come into her own...but she'll make them believe in her somehow, dangit.]
[What a weirdo. Not just her strangely colored hair and oddly mismatched eyes, but her passion for something so silly and pointless, her eagerness to prove herself. Couldn't be him. But there's something almost endearing about it anyway, in the same sort of way that a big-headed puppy is endearing even though you know you could knock it over with ease. Or maybe that's just him.
Regardless, the lesson continues and Griss manages to keep his snickering restrained. For now. Wouldn't want to upset Zephia on the first day, right?
It isn't long before they're ushered out to the training fields - a test of what they already know and a means for Byleth to get an idea of what to focus on for each of their lessons. The Black Eagles house is home to quite a few casters, so Griss is among like company... though most of them don't use any sort of foci to cast, which makes him feel a little pathetic needing to use a tome. He tries not to let it bother him. Most of them probably have Crests too, so why should he compare himself to them?
The battle is... really boring, actually. Griss has seen actual combat before - Zephia is a tough teacher and thought the best way to toughen him up was trial by fire. Considering he survived, Griss is inclined to agree. So a training battle against the other houses is dull as hell.
The only really interesting thing about it is... Alear. Not her fighting style or anything, but the fact that she's actually got some skill with directing her classmates and figuring out how to approach their "enemies". This doesn't seem like the sort of thing she would've learned as a ward of the Church? Someone like Edelgard, sure, combat tactics seem like the sort of thing those uppity nobles would be taught. But Alear? Faith magic and Church doctrine is what he was expecting.
Griss's eyes remain on her more than on the others, and when the Black Eagles manage a win, he can't help but feel... pleased, maybe. Like maybe that dumbass challenge of his was actually a more interesting idea than he thought it'd be.
He doesn't seek her out immediately - she's probably going to want to talk with the other members of their house, so instead Griss wanders off. With classes over for the day and nothing pressing left to do, he's free to roam the monastery grounds as he sees fit. If Alear goes looking for him at any point, she'll find him in the training grounds, of all places. That might be a bit odd, considering how he rejected taking a practice weapon and only used his healing and offensive Reason magic, but...
Well. He seems to have been waiting for her, since he tosses a practice sword her way when she enters.]
Spar with me.
[An unprompted invitation, and given the grin and intense look, he doesn't want to hear "no" as an answer.]
[Thankfully, the introduction goes over...well enough, at least. Alear obviously can't say much after all is said and done, but she sits down afterward like a model student that she can hopefully be, and it isn't long before Professor Byleth takes them all out to the training fields. It's...a bit of a shock to Alear, who's only real experience with an actual fight is training off of Miss Catherine. It means she has to hold back to an extent, since Miss Catherine did train her quite well--her swordplay is still inexperienced to some extent, but she wields her blade with a surprising amount of vigor and grace. It's just like the chess matches that Miss Rhea would have her do sometimes. Focus on your strengths, find weak points in your opponent's formation, and strike them most effectively.
It comes so easily to Alear. Maybe not perfectly, as she's still pretty nervous deep down...but the Black Eagles score their first win, and Alear has to be reminded by Edelgard and Hubert to not be so nervous. They...seem colder, almost, but it has to be her imagination, right? They don't tell her whether she did good or bad, but Professor Byleth at least tells her that she's done well. She just needs to do better. She has to, she has to.
Alear ends up going to see Miss Rhea and some of the others once classes let out, enthusiastically telling them about her day--Miss Catherine seems outright pumped, and Miss Rhea even praises her for a job well done and pats her head, causing her to beam brightly. Miss Zephia even seems a little happy, though the woman often isn't interested in much. In truth, getting the opportunity to actually use the training fields for once makes Alear excited, and she practically skips to them, ready to practice her drills alone--
She doesn't expect company.
She, moreover, doesn't expect the company of the man who'd rather use his magic than any sort of weapon. Alear startles, briefly, but she--]
Griss? [...why does he look so intense, what the--] I mean--sure, I guess! Come to me!
[And Alear will gladly pick up that practice sword and spar with him, fighting just as fiercely as she had earlier. How's Griss doing in this...?]
[Griss opts for a blade - one of the usual practice ones, that he wields with... barely passable results. He understands the fundamentals and seems to have some idea of how to swing, parry, block, and dodge, but it's obvious that melee combat is not his forte and certainly not something that will truly pose a challenge to Alear.
But the point isn't to pose a challenge. The point is to hurt.
After the first battle Zephia had thrown him into, he'd come out a bloody, battered mess. His own Faith magic had been particularly weak back then, and the most he could do was stop the worst of the bleeding. Zephia had tended to him afterwards, gentle with his injuries as she praised him. She was proud he was so strong. She was certain he would become even stronger with more practice. And those injuries would be a sign of how far he'd come, when he could leave a battle without a scratch on him.
Rather unfortunately for her, this awoke something in him, and Griss has been a horrible sadomasochist ever since.
(Well, maybe it wasn't solely because of that, but the less said about his time before meeting Zephia, the better.)
So he fights Alear not to try to win against her or even to improve his swordplay. He fights her because he didn't get a single injury in that battle because she kept the mages safe. He wants to hurt. A battle isn't truly won if he's walking out without inflicting pain or being hurt.
One rather short, one-sided training session later...]
Hah, that smarts. [She got him good in the ribs, and he presses his fingers against the forming bruise with a pleased hiss.] Gotta admit, you did better than I was expectin'. Wanted to see it up close and personal, y'know? Keepin' the mages safe is great and all, but it's more fun to be involved.
[Alear fights as she always does, as Miss Catherine taught her. To grant any opponent quarter, even in practice, would be weakness. And it seems that Griss has a lot to learn; he's so sloppy with that sword, and she almost seems sort of frustrated at his holding back against her. Why? Why is he doing this?
By the time they're done, Alear barely feels like she's broken a sweat as she stares down at Griss, disappointed.]
I don't think you should have any involvement in a physical fight at all, actually. If your performance is this poor, you'll die out there.
[It's a contrast to her usual cheer, but Miss Shamir would always word it like this--she's probably the best to emulate in a situation like this. Miss Catherine was prone to yelling, and Miss Rhea...well, the less said of her disappointment the better.]
Still, glad to clear up any misconceptions you had about my strength. I'd be really in for it from Miss Catherine if I didn't show off what she taught me well! [Alear smiles, and it's bright as ever.] I didn't think you'd be so interested. Finally starting to see me as someone to keep an eye out for?
All the more reason to make sure teach's got me focused on magic, yeah?
[Win/win as far as he's concerned!! Griss moves to put the training sword back, stretching and hissing again at the pain from the bruise. How lovely... If only it were an actual cut. Here's hoping we'll see some actual action soon.]
How long have you been here? Gettin' training from some of the big-shots 'round here's pretty impressive.
Alear doesn't seem to visibly react at that question, though it seems almost...practiced, how she answers.]
I've been here for a few years now; back in the village I grew up in, I didn't really have anything or anyone to go back to. I was mostly just begging for scraps when we got attacked by bandits. It was after the Church's forces drove them out that I came up to thank them. They asked around the village for my parents, and...
Well, they decided to take me back here and teach me how to live. It's honestly pretty nice.
[The same exact story she was told to tell everyone. It's nothing to worry about, and it's not like anyone could trace the story either way. Besides, explaining waking up on an altar with no memories other than what Miss Rhea told her would be...
Unwise, she's sure. Even if Mr. Seteth has absolutely tried to understand who she really is...]
—Not that it matters. She's some goody two-shoes house leader who wants to prove herself, and he's just here for Zephia. Trying to compare their upbringings is laughable, because it doesn't matter. They aren't ever going to see eye-to-eye.]
So you've spent most of your life here? Why'd you end up in the Black Eagles? Sounds like you could've gone to any house.
I'm sorry, were you expecting an answer beyond that, because--]
Miss Rhea always gets the final say, one way or another. I don't mind it. It seemed like this class was the most interesting one, so it at least makes me happy that it worked out like this. It means I get to know you guys more!
It's really nice. Most other kids didn't want anything to do with me.
[Cover up, cover up, keep the story consistent. Better to let him think she came from nothing, right? And it's not entirely wrong; she and Cyril never really got along.]
[Alear's gaze averts briefly. If she's being honest, she doesn't really know why Cyril's so aggressive towards her...]
...I don't really know. Maybe they just all kind of thought less of me for it.
[Still, Alear smiles.]
It doesn't really matter now, when everyone's pretty nice here! It just means I've got the chance to show what I can do, and I don't want to fail you guys.
[Sheesh, so she isn't even off-putting in any tangible way like Griss is? Tough luck. Might make this whole leadership thing more of a pain in the ass for her than anyone's expecting. But that works in his favor anyway for their stupid little bet, so it's fine.]
Huh. Well, guess I'll wish you luck. 'Course, works out better for me if you do fail - so I'll be watchin' and seein' where you go.
[Alear seems to puff up just the slightest bit with pride, but as she looks down to the bruise she's given him...]
Well, good. Because I'm not gonna disappoint. Come on, though; we should go get that bruise looked at. We can't have one of our classes' best casters left with something like that.
[...Best?? Damn okay, butter him up, why don't you. The worst part is that it works, and he hates that it works. Is he really this starved for praise??]
It's just a bruise, it'll heal in... [he pauses, digging his fingers in again and earning another pleased hiss] less than a week. I'd give it four days, tops.
[Long enough to be felt, not long enough to be a liability.]
'Sides, no sense wasting anyone's healing magic on something like this. I like havin' a reminder of my loss, y'know.
[She said what she said!! She just hasn't gotten to know Griss enough to know she should maybe regret saying it. But he did do a good job in the battle, and people should always be praised for their hard work!
Still, uh, wait]
Griss, you shouldn't--
[Wait, hold on. Back up. Huh???]
...You do? Why? That just seems kind of counter-productive...?
[what, don't you want to make rhea die in real time???]
There is nothing fun about getting hurt in a fight! You could end up dying if you let yourself get too injured!
[You know what, no, talking about this is going to get us nowhere. Alear is going to try and grab at one of Griss' hands (because politeness is a virtue that Alear does not have--), and start to drag him elsewhere if he doesn't have anything to say about it--]
As your class leader, I cannot abide by such behaviors. We're going to Miss Manuela to get that healed.
Besides, I can heal! I am perfectly capable of tending to my own injuries! If it was gonna seriously put me in danger, I'd treat it enough that it wouldn't, it's not like I've gotta death wish!
[i mean the moment he nearly dies in combat it's all over and his kink will be fully unlocked,,, but it's fine,,, for now,,,]
[so i guess we know what's happening with our first bandit mission, huh.]
Will you please just give me less reason to worry, so I don't have to worry you?
[Alear is. Not good at this. It comes from a very sincere place of concern, but she's never been made to deal with such blatant stubbornness before, because she simply cannot wrap her head around this man and what he's thinking. If you have something wrong, treat it??? Even if you like pain for some reason???]
I don't like the idea that I hurt you, okay? I don't like the idea that something I did could be the reason something happens.
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Hah, you that cocky 'bout it? Sure. Let's see how you fare by... oh, that big festival toward the end of the year? Ethereal Moon.
[Specifically around the White Heron Cup and the dance... But Zephia only mentioned such things in passing so he doesn't remember the names of them.]
If you've managed to impress me by then, I'll owe you a favor. And if you haven't lived up to those lofty dreams of yours... you owe me one. How's that?
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[Alear seems to smirk just a bit at that, confidence entering her expression as she straightens up, straightening her hair out too--peering at him with both of her differently colored eyes.
...Feel free to ignore how unlike her red and blue hair, she seems to have a set of blue and green eyes instead. A green that even seems to match Rhea, almost--]
You've got yourself a deal. Anything you ask of me will be yours if you win, but I'm not going to let you off easily when I do! I'll show you that I'll be the best house leader that's been seen in years--!
["Alear."
The Professor's voice cuts through all of the whispering and chatter, and Alear jumps like she's been caught--straightening out her wild mane a bit more and running her hands through it as Professor Byleth speaks up, their voice relatively neutral despite the chaos. Once they have her attention, they gesture her to the front of the class.
"Would you come up here and introduce yourself to your classmates?"]
Y--Yes! Yes, of course, Professor Byleth! My apologies.
[Alear doesn't quite dart to the front, but she manages to stand dignified--her hair a little all over the place still, but coming to the front easily and introducing herself to the class. She's just as peppy as one might expect, trying to play the role that Miss Rhea has asked of her, but there's a genuine fire in her eyes as she introduces herself and hopes that they can all get along and bring out the best in each other.
Sure, it may take some time for her to truly come into her own...but she'll make them believe in her somehow, dangit.]
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Regardless, the lesson continues and Griss manages to keep his snickering restrained. For now. Wouldn't want to upset Zephia on the first day, right?
It isn't long before they're ushered out to the training fields - a test of what they already know and a means for Byleth to get an idea of what to focus on for each of their lessons. The Black Eagles house is home to quite a few casters, so Griss is among like company... though most of them don't use any sort of foci to cast, which makes him feel a little pathetic needing to use a tome. He tries not to let it bother him. Most of them probably have Crests too, so why should he compare himself to them?
The battle is... really boring, actually. Griss has seen actual combat before - Zephia is a tough teacher and thought the best way to toughen him up was trial by fire. Considering he survived, Griss is inclined to agree. So a training battle against the other houses is dull as hell.
The only really interesting thing about it is... Alear. Not her fighting style or anything, but the fact that she's actually got some skill with directing her classmates and figuring out how to approach their "enemies". This doesn't seem like the sort of thing she would've learned as a ward of the Church? Someone like Edelgard, sure, combat tactics seem like the sort of thing those uppity nobles would be taught. But Alear? Faith magic and Church doctrine is what he was expecting.
Griss's eyes remain on her more than on the others, and when the Black Eagles manage a win, he can't help but feel... pleased, maybe. Like maybe that dumbass challenge of his was actually a more interesting idea than he thought it'd be.
He doesn't seek her out immediately - she's probably going to want to talk with the other members of their house, so instead Griss wanders off. With classes over for the day and nothing pressing left to do, he's free to roam the monastery grounds as he sees fit. If Alear goes looking for him at any point, she'll find him in the training grounds, of all places. That might be a bit odd, considering how he rejected taking a practice weapon and only used his healing and offensive Reason magic, but...
Well. He seems to have been waiting for her, since he tosses a practice sword her way when she enters.]
Spar with me.
[An unprompted invitation, and given the grin and intense look, he doesn't want to hear "no" as an answer.]
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It comes so easily to Alear. Maybe not perfectly, as she's still pretty nervous deep down...but the Black Eagles score their first win, and Alear has to be reminded by Edelgard and Hubert to not be so nervous. They...seem colder, almost, but it has to be her imagination, right? They don't tell her whether she did good or bad, but Professor Byleth at least tells her that she's done well. She just needs to do better. She has to, she has to.
Alear ends up going to see Miss Rhea and some of the others once classes let out, enthusiastically telling them about her day--Miss Catherine seems outright pumped, and Miss Rhea even praises her for a job well done and pats her head, causing her to beam brightly. Miss Zephia even seems a little happy, though the woman often isn't interested in much. In truth, getting the opportunity to actually use the training fields for once makes Alear excited, and she practically skips to them, ready to practice her drills alone--
She doesn't expect company.
She, moreover, doesn't expect the company of the man who'd rather use his magic than any sort of weapon. Alear startles, briefly, but she--]
Griss? [...why does he look so intense, what the--] I mean--sure, I guess! Come to me!
[And Alear will gladly pick up that practice sword and spar with him, fighting just as fiercely as she had earlier. How's Griss doing in this...?]
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But the point isn't to pose a challenge. The point is to hurt.
After the first battle Zephia had thrown him into, he'd come out a bloody, battered mess. His own Faith magic had been particularly weak back then, and the most he could do was stop the worst of the bleeding. Zephia had tended to him afterwards, gentle with his injuries as she praised him. She was proud he was so strong. She was certain he would become even stronger with more practice. And those injuries would be a sign of how far he'd come, when he could leave a battle without a scratch on him.
Rather unfortunately for her, this awoke something in him, and Griss has been a horrible sadomasochist ever since.
(Well, maybe it wasn't solely because of that, but the less said about his time before meeting Zephia, the better.)
So he fights Alear not to try to win against her or even to improve his swordplay. He fights her because he didn't get a single injury in that battle because she kept the mages safe. He wants to hurt. A battle isn't truly won if he's walking out without inflicting pain or being hurt.
One rather short, one-sided training session later...]
Hah, that smarts. [She got him good in the ribs, and he presses his fingers against the forming bruise with a pleased hiss.] Gotta admit, you did better than I was expectin'. Wanted to see it up close and personal, y'know? Keepin' the mages safe is great and all, but it's more fun to be involved.
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By the time they're done, Alear barely feels like she's broken a sweat as she stares down at Griss, disappointed.]
I don't think you should have any involvement in a physical fight at all, actually. If your performance is this poor, you'll die out there.
[It's a contrast to her usual cheer, but Miss Shamir would always word it like this--she's probably the best to emulate in a situation like this. Miss Catherine was prone to yelling, and Miss Rhea...well, the less said of her disappointment the better.]
Still, glad to clear up any misconceptions you had about my strength. I'd be really in for it from Miss Catherine if I didn't show off what she taught me well! [Alear smiles, and it's bright as ever.] I didn't think you'd be so interested. Finally starting to see me as someone to keep an eye out for?
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[Win/win as far as he's concerned!! Griss moves to put the training sword back, stretching and hissing again at the pain from the bruise. How lovely... If only it were an actual cut. Here's hoping we'll see some actual action soon.]
How long have you been here? Gettin' training from some of the big-shots 'round here's pretty impressive.
[He side-steps that latter question, though!!]
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Alear doesn't seem to visibly react at that question, though it seems almost...practiced, how she answers.]
I've been here for a few years now; back in the village I grew up in, I didn't really have anything or anyone to go back to. I was mostly just begging for scraps when we got attacked by bandits. It was after the Church's forces drove them out that I came up to thank them. They asked around the village for my parents, and...
Well, they decided to take me back here and teach me how to live. It's honestly pretty nice.
[The same exact story she was told to tell everyone. It's nothing to worry about, and it's not like anyone could trace the story either way. Besides, explaining waking up on an altar with no memories other than what Miss Rhea told her would be...
Unwise, she's sure. Even if Mr. Seteth has absolutely tried to understand who she really is...]
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[Are these people to her what Zephia is to him?
—Not that it matters. She's some goody two-shoes house leader who wants to prove herself, and he's just here for Zephia. Trying to compare their upbringings is laughable, because it doesn't matter. They aren't ever going to see eye-to-eye.]
So you've spent most of your life here? Why'd you end up in the Black Eagles? Sounds like you could've gone to any house.
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[...
I'm sorry, were you expecting an answer beyond that, because--]
Miss Rhea always gets the final say, one way or another. I don't mind it. It seemed like this class was the most interesting one, so it at least makes me happy that it worked out like this. It means I get to know you guys more!
It's really nice. Most other kids didn't want anything to do with me.
[Cover up, cover up, keep the story consistent. Better to let him think she came from nothing, right? And it's not entirely wrong; she and Cyril never really got along.]
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Still nothing, he tells himself. Stop it.
(Maybe some part of him is desperate for someone to get it.)]
Why not? Bubbly person like you seems like she'd have a ton of friends. What are you doin' that's drivin' 'em away?
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...I don't really know. Maybe they just all kind of thought less of me for it.
[Still, Alear smiles.]
It doesn't really matter now, when everyone's pretty nice here! It just means I've got the chance to show what I can do, and I don't want to fail you guys.
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Huh. Well, guess I'll wish you luck. 'Course, works out better for me if you do fail - so I'll be watchin' and seein' where you go.
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You're starting to take this seriously, huh?
[Alear seems to puff up just the slightest bit with pride, but as she looks down to the bruise she's given him...]
Well, good. Because I'm not gonna disappoint. Come on, though; we should go get that bruise looked at. We can't have one of our classes' best casters left with something like that.
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It's just a bruise, it'll heal in... [he pauses, digging his fingers in again and earning another pleased hiss] less than a week. I'd give it four days, tops.
[Long enough to be felt, not long enough to be a liability.]
'Sides, no sense wasting anyone's healing magic on something like this. I like havin' a reminder of my loss, y'know.
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Still, uh, wait]
Griss, you shouldn't--
[Wait, hold on. Back up. Huh???]
...You do? Why? That just seems kind of counter-productive...?
[hm. why does she hear boss music.]
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'Cause it's fun? I like pain, and your tactics left me without a single bruise. Figured you might as well make up for it!
[i am so sorry. griss, however, is not.]
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...I'm sorry?
[DUDE. Hang on a second, Alear is trying to process this because she's pretty sure she's going to have some questions for Miss Rhea tonight--]
Why do you enjoy pain so much? Being in pain is a bad thing, last I checked?
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[DO NOT MAKE HIM EXPLAIN KINKS TO YOU, GIRL,,,]
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There is nothing fun about getting hurt in a fight! You could end up dying if you let yourself get too injured!
[You know what, no, talking about this is going to get us nowhere. Alear is going to try and grab at one of Griss' hands (because politeness is a virtue that Alear does not have--), and start to drag him elsewhere if he doesn't have anything to say about it--]
As your class leader, I cannot abide by such behaviors. We're going to Miss Manuela to get that healed.
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[Too late, his speed stat is not high enough to avoid this, he's been grabbed!!! His strength stat is also not high enough to wriggle free.]
Lemme go! C'mon, it's just a bruise, it's not gonna cause any problems! The hell's gotten into you!?
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[DO NOT MAKE HER CARRY YOU TO THE NURSE'S OFFICE, GRISS, SHE WILL!!!]
If you're not going to go yourself, it falls on me to get you to!
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[THIS IS NOT AS BIG A DEAL AS YOU'RE MAKING IT—]
Besides, I can heal! I am perfectly capable of tending to my own injuries! If it was gonna seriously put me in danger, I'd treat it enough that it wouldn't, it's not like I've gotta death wish!
[i mean the moment he nearly dies in combat it's all over and his kink will be fully unlocked,,, but it's fine,,, for now,,,]
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Will you please just give me less reason to worry, so I don't have to worry you?
[Alear is. Not good at this. It comes from a very sincere place of concern, but she's never been made to deal with such blatant stubbornness before, because she simply cannot wrap her head around this man and what he's thinking. If you have something wrong, treat it??? Even if you like pain for some reason???]
I don't like the idea that I hurt you, okay? I don't like the idea that something I did could be the reason something happens.
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So, what, it'd be fine if I asked Edelgard to beat me up?
[THAT IS NOT FINE FOR OTHER REASONS, DUMBASS]
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