[As the month goes on, Alear manages to get a little more used to leading the class; there's apparently a lot she has to learn about leadership, but much like a sponge, Alear is eager to absorb anything she can. She's having a lot of fun! Byleth is a surprisingly good teacher, given that they seem to have no other experience with this otherwise; Alear's swordplay and authority has definitely improved if nothing else. Learning the strengths of her classmates and their weaknesses to try and see how they can all make each other shine is...
Well, it gives Alear something to do that isn't sticking by the side of the people of the church. Even if some of them become something like family to her, given they're all she knows. She's even getting to know some of her classmates too, building up those supports and getting to understand her fellow friends.
Sure, she can't really relate to them all that well; Dorothea in particular had seemed shocked at how trusting she was, given the circumstances she claims to have faced. She nearly ended up in a brush with some unsavory characters because she thought they were trustworthy, since they could enter the walls of the monastery, and Dorothea gave her a bit of a dressing down for that. But she seemed more...confused, than anything? And she at least didn't tell Miss Rhea about it! If this really was as bad as Dorothea claimed it could be, then she imagines Miss Rhea wouldn't be pleased at all.
Still, some of those words stick with her.
"Allie, don't you know better than to talk to strangers?"
"...No? Am I supposed to?"
Dorothea's look had gone a little wide eyed before the girl started to shake her head. "...Allie, come on, cut it out. Every little kid learns that, one way or another. You'd think the Church would have at least taught you that much, if they're so protective over you...?"
There had been an awkward silence afterward, and Alear simply begged Dorothea to not tell anyone from the Church about this. She said she wouldn't. Maybe she should've told her not to tell their classmates, too, but she trusts Dorothea. Surely she won't tell anyone.
But that isn't important; what is important is that today was their first mission all together. Just taking care of some bandits, really, but Alear saw it fit to rise to the occasion and make sure that they could all make it through okay. And to Alear's credit, they did come out triumphant over the bandits with an ease that seemed professional. Byleth's commands were clear and easy to follow, and Alear took the lead and carved a path forward as needed alongside her classmates. It really should have been perfect.
And then Alear saw what happened to Griss. The medically inclined had obviously tended to him already, but he truly wasn't lying about his enjoyment of pain, it seemed.
They're back at the Academy now, and it's Alear's curiosity that drives her to find where Griss is; even if he's kept in the infirmary, being a ward of the Church at least means that Alear can sneak in to see him. But regardless of where he is...Griss, have a knock at the door. Or wall--]
[In the blink of an eye, it's been a month. It doesn't feel like it has, in all honesty. Maybe it's because he's been busier than anticipated, or maybe it's because he's actually... sort of enjoying himself. Not that Griss would ever dream of letting anyone know that, though. Zephia seems to have caught on anyway; whenever they meet, she's always smiling as if she knows something he doesn't.
Byleth's not a bad teacher. They're by no means an expert in magic, but they at least understand how to help guide the magically-inclined Black Eagles. Hubert only occasionally studies with them, but given he's wielding dark magic instead of the typical Reason spells... well, maybe that makes sense. Instead, it's usually just Dorothea, Linhardt, and Griss, and surprisingly the three of them actually get along decently well? There's usually some off-color joke that gets them all snickering despite Dorothea's attempts to pretend she's better than that and Linhardt's usual dispassionate demeanor.
...He's actually sort of warming up to them. Which is crazy to think, because the only person Griss has ever needed - has ever had in his life - is Zephia. He's not sure how to feel about it.
All of this leads to a confrontation with some bandits. Nothing truly noteworthy for Griss; he's fought bandits before with Zephia's guidance. But some of these kids have never seen battle, and certainly never killed before - it isn't really a surprise that some of them are shaken by it. Couldn't be him, though, because Griss is living it up.
Granted, he hadn't exactly meant to take a near fatal hit, but when your speed is this low and you get smacked by a 3% crit... well, at least he's still alive, right? Though that's absolutely secondary to the sheer bliss that comes with a near-fatal injury. The blade had cut so deeply against his ribs he was sure he was going to see more than just his own blood, and he's pretty sure he just ended up laughing - half out of delirium and half out of joy, and either way was probably pretty fucked up for anyone else to witness. He probably owes Linhardt and Dorothea several apologies. Not that he's going to give them any, though.
(Un)fortunately(?) he's been healed up, not only patched by his fellow healers and several vulneraries, but also properly seen by Manuela at this point. Hell, Zephia's even been by to check on him, which is the worst punishment of all. She hadn't even looked disappointed (though that too would've been a terrible punishment), instead she'd looked... worried, maybe. He's never seen her face do that before. She told him to be more careful; that she didn't put all this time and effort into him just for him to die so suddenly.
So he's much calmer now, the sting of his still-healing wounds actually not in the forefront of his mind, for once. Griss is sitting up, staring off into space in the infirmary, and only comes back to reality when he hears the knock on the wall by the entrance.]
Oh, it's you. Came to make sure I didn't up and die?
[It should be a joke, but it isn't delivered with the tone of one. It just... feels sort of weird to joke about it when Zephia seemed to take it seriously...
(Would it have really mattered? He can't help but wonder. He's just some damn commoner. There's nothing really special about him. So who would care even if he did die? Would Zephia really be bothered by it?
—Ugh, it doesn't matter, he tells himself. He's not dead, so it's fine.)]
Hey, come on, that just makes it sound like I pity you or something...
[She's trying not to sound as put out by that as she is. Unfortunately, Alear wears her heart on her sleeve and that means any negative emotions too, rip.]
I did at least want to make sure you were faring alright. [...] And...maybe make sure you didn't get chewed out too badly. Are you at least recovering alright? You look like you had fun today, at least...
[Griss inclines his head a bit as if to say "you don't?" because he's pretty sure that's the only reason she'd be checking in on him. Either that or a lecture. He's been tuning out all sorts of lectures since waking up in the infirmary. Though then again, maybe Alear already gave him one out on the field; he doesn't really remember a ton about what happened after he was injured.]
"Faring alright" in that I'm all patched up with no risk of infection or further injury, sure. Less so in that that was fun.
[Sigh!!!]
And yeah, I've been chewed out by damn near every healer who's set foot in here. Manuela told me I've gotta be responsible with my kinks, like I did it on purpose.
[He is responsible with his kinks!!! Smh.]
Surprised you aren't here to give me an earful too, y'know.
Well for starters, I already gave you one. [Beat.] You were mostly out of it by that point and Professor Byleth asked me to check on the others, so Dorothea and Linhardt could check you over.
[Alear sighs a bit at that, shaking her head.]
But no. I at least wanted to come by and see you. I imagine it's pretty boring in here without someone to talk to.
[Alear would unfortunately know...]
...Besides, I had a feeling you didn't do that on purpose. [...] I didn't really like hearing some of the things that got said about you. Even if I don't know what they're really talking about, I at least wanted to just...I don't know. I guess make sure you weren't all by yourself here.
[The first part gets a roll of his eyes, but Alear continues and Griss settles a bit. It's... weird that she'd want to come check on him now, but she probably thinks of him as her responsibility since they're classmates. Even if she's framing it like that, it's probably not really about him at all.
...Though given what he's seen of her, she does seem to be the sort of bleeding heart to really care about everyone. Maybe he's doing her a disservice in assuming the worst.]
...Eh. [A half-shrug.] I don't really care what anyone thinks of me.
[As long as it doesn't upset Zephia, that is.]
Guess it's good of you to drop by now that I'm up; better than studying.
[He inclines his head a bit to indicate the books that were brought to "entertain" him. Yes, they are indeed dry books on magic that are not entertaining in the slightest. Griss doesn't even have a problem with studying, but really?? Right after a (blissful) near-death injury?? Thanks, Byleth.]
[...Man, she wishes she could live like that. Alear brushes that thought out of her head, though--she needs to make Miss Rhea and the Black Eagles proud.]
That's Professor Byleth for you; I don't think I've seen them do a single thing that isn't work in some way or another...
[Alear pauses once that's out there, though, looking to Griss.]
Is it just stuff that you already know that they're trying to get you to read over? Or is it just boring?
[Griss scoffs, but yeah, Alear's right... The professor really is something else.]
Just dull as hell. It's not like I even mind studyin', but I think I deserve a break after today.
'Sides, I'd rather talk to someone than bury myself in dry books.
[Though the professor isn't exactly the most talkative person anyway... So maybe it's for the best that Alear's here. It staves off boredom, means he has an excuse not to study, and...
Well, if all you're getting taught is the stuff you already know, then of course it's gonna be boring! [Do note that she's not disagreeing with him in the slightest; if anything, some gears seem to be turning in her head...] But I get it. It can get pretty lonely without anyone else to talk to; it was like that here for a little while...
But once you make some real friends you can count on, you'll never have to worry about that again!
[...she is still entirely too :D for this--
Alear is going to sit on the ground though, and if he's not gonna read those books, she's gonna try to! ...And promptly look at it like she's reading a whole different language for a moment, but--]
What did you end up doing before coming here, anyway?
[Griss rolls his eyes and scoffs at the idea of "real friends". Come on now, Alear, just how many friends do you think he's going to be making after today??? It's not happening. He doesn't need friends anyway!!
Anyway, he watches her take a seat on the ground and scoffs again at her expression; makes sense that she wouldn't get it, given she's probably never had much experience with using magic, but this isn't exactly the most complicated stuff in the world.]
Eh. It's kinda a long story.
[How does he even begin to explain any of what happened before he arrived here...]
Short version's that my life sucked, I was taken in by a woman who wanted better for me and started teachin' me magic, and she pushed me to go here to learn more.
[Alear listens to that and turns it all over in her head for a moment. Just like her...or what she's supposed to tell people, anyway. No wonder Miss Rhea told her to use this sort of story; it happens to people all the time.
...It doesn't mean she can't be a little sad about it, but--]
Yeah? She must be a really great woman, if she let you come here. People don't really get into the Officer's Academy very easily...I think.
[Let's just ignore that--]
What do you want to do with yourself, you think? Are you thinking about becoming a knight of some sort?
[He says it like it's the most obvious thing in the world, like there couldn't ever be any other option. Griss doesn't bother to elaborate any further, though; no sense in bringing up that it's a member of the staff. It's not like Zephia's their professor, so there's no obvious bias from her that's causing problems or anything, but it isn't really any of Alear's business, so he's just not going to say anything about it.
Besides, she's asked him a question that is truly baffling.]
A knight? Me? Did you hit your head in that battle? No way.
[That also... isn't an answer to the other question...]
[Hahaha, conveniently an excuse to side-step that first part!!]
I mean, maybe it isn't? But it sure as hell ain't for me, of all people. You kiddin' me? What kind of impression have I given you that I'd ever wanna be a knight?
[It comes out a little sharper than intended, but Alear tenses up a bit at that as she honestly seems to struggle to wrap her head around that.]
Miss Rhea and everyone else said that's what the people who come here usually go on to become, if they're not from some sort of noble territory. Or a soldier, maybe. It's not like you strike me as a type to want to join the Church, anyway.
[But anyway--]
What do you actually want to do with yourself, then?
[Griss blinks as Alear snaps, and she redirects back to her initial question that makes him feel prickly. On edge. Because...]
...I don't really have any plans.
[It's been difficult to imagine a future at all, frankly. He spent so much time just trying to make it to the next day, and maybe he's never really learned how to think about something as far-off as the future. He lives in the moment. He doesn't like thinking too hard about anything, after all.]
You're right that I ain't interested in joinin' the Church, though. I'm not really the most religious.
[Faith magic works just as well as long as you believe in something else, after all! Griss lifts his shoulders a bit, but it isn't really a proper shrug.]
I just take it one day at a time. I'll figure it out when I get there.
[...Maybe she shouldn't have reacted like that. But it frustrates her sometimes, when people ask stuff like that--when they ask such simple questions that she should know the answer to, and she just...doesn't. Miss Rhea has done an incredible lot for her, but in the face of something like this...
Maybe she doesn't know the world nearly as much as she thinks she does. Alear doesn't want to say she wasn't taught enough, because Miss Rhea simply is so busy, but...]
...Was that really so hard to admit? I mean. It's okay if you don't know what you want out of life. I think, anyway.
[Alear rubs the back of her head.]
I shouldn't have snapped off at you; I'm sorry about that. But...I don't know. Miss Rhea always said that most people who do come to this Academy end up serving the knights, and I didn't really think there was much else people could do, I guess.
I mean, except for the nobles. But nobility may as well be a foreign language to me.
You don't gotta apologize for that. You're right - if you ain't a noble and you've managed to make your way here, chances are you're workin' for the Church or becomin' a knight to put that martial trainin' to good use.
[Griss shrugs properly this time.]
But that ain't for me. It feels weird not knowin' what it is I want when so many of our classmates seem dead-set on whatever it is they're gonna end up doin', y'know?
[And maybe it's also kind of concerning because his role model is Zephia, who is always so certain in whatever it is she does.]
[Alear has to think about that for a moment, pausing, but eventually nodding. This has admittedly been her normal for a while, but...]
I get it. Makes you...I don't know. Makes you think you're missing something that they have, when they're all so certain, right?
[...]
I don't think that's a bad thing, though; think of it like this! You're keeping your options open rather than just tying yourself down to one thing. I mean, graduating from here, that's gonna look impressive to almost anyone, right?
It means they'll take you more seriously, when you do want to find something for yourself.
[It's almost cute of her to worry after him like this. To try to bolster him, when he doesn't really need it at all. Thankfully, it doesn't really matter what it is he ends up doing, because Zephia will always be here to guide him. He doesn't have to think too hard about it.]
Yeah, you're right. Just gotta try not to get myself killed before then, I guess.
[He stretches, wincing a little at the strain, but it's with a grin, naturally.]
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Well, it gives Alear something to do that isn't sticking by the side of the people of the church. Even if some of them become something like family to her, given they're all she knows. She's even getting to know some of her classmates too, building up those supports and getting to understand her fellow friends.
Sure, she can't really relate to them all that well; Dorothea in particular had seemed shocked at how trusting she was, given the circumstances she claims to have faced. She nearly ended up in a brush with some unsavory characters because she thought they were trustworthy, since they could enter the walls of the monastery, and Dorothea gave her a bit of a dressing down for that. But she seemed more...confused, than anything? And she at least didn't tell Miss Rhea about it! If this really was as bad as Dorothea claimed it could be, then she imagines Miss Rhea wouldn't be pleased at all.
Still, some of those words stick with her.
"Allie, don't you know better than to talk to strangers?"
"...No? Am I supposed to?"
Dorothea's look had gone a little wide eyed before the girl started to shake her head. "...Allie, come on, cut it out. Every little kid learns that, one way or another. You'd think the Church would have at least taught you that much, if they're so protective over you...?"
There had been an awkward silence afterward, and Alear simply begged Dorothea to not tell anyone from the Church about this. She said she wouldn't. Maybe she should've told her not to tell their classmates, too, but she trusts Dorothea. Surely she won't tell anyone.
But that isn't important; what is important is that today was their first mission all together. Just taking care of some bandits, really, but Alear saw it fit to rise to the occasion and make sure that they could all make it through okay. And to Alear's credit, they did come out triumphant over the bandits with an ease that seemed professional. Byleth's commands were clear and easy to follow, and Alear took the lead and carved a path forward as needed alongside her classmates. It really should have been perfect.
And then Alear saw what happened to Griss. The medically inclined had obviously tended to him already, but he truly wasn't lying about his enjoyment of pain, it seemed.
They're back at the Academy now, and it's Alear's curiosity that drives her to find where Griss is; even if he's kept in the infirmary, being a ward of the Church at least means that Alear can sneak in to see him. But regardless of where he is...Griss, have a knock at the door. Or wall--]
Griss? Are you in there? It's Alear.
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Byleth's not a bad teacher. They're by no means an expert in magic, but they at least understand how to help guide the magically-inclined Black Eagles. Hubert only occasionally studies with them, but given he's wielding dark magic instead of the typical Reason spells... well, maybe that makes sense. Instead, it's usually just Dorothea, Linhardt, and Griss, and surprisingly the three of them actually get along decently well? There's usually some off-color joke that gets them all snickering despite Dorothea's attempts to pretend she's better than that and Linhardt's usual dispassionate demeanor.
...He's actually sort of warming up to them. Which is crazy to think, because the only person Griss has ever needed - has ever had in his life - is Zephia. He's not sure how to feel about it.
All of this leads to a confrontation with some bandits. Nothing truly noteworthy for Griss; he's fought bandits before with Zephia's guidance. But some of these kids have never seen battle, and certainly never killed before - it isn't really a surprise that some of them are shaken by it. Couldn't be him, though, because Griss is living it up.
Granted, he hadn't exactly meant to take a near fatal hit, but when your speed is this low and you get smacked by a 3% crit... well, at least he's still alive, right? Though that's absolutely secondary to the sheer bliss that comes with a near-fatal injury. The blade had cut so deeply against his ribs he was sure he was going to see more than just his own blood, and he's pretty sure he just ended up laughing - half out of delirium and half out of joy, and either way was probably pretty fucked up for anyone else to witness. He probably owes Linhardt and Dorothea several apologies. Not that he's going to give them any, though.
(Un)fortunately(?) he's been healed up, not only patched by his fellow healers and several vulneraries, but also properly seen by Manuela at this point. Hell, Zephia's even been by to check on him, which is the worst punishment of all. She hadn't even looked disappointed (though that too would've been a terrible punishment), instead she'd looked... worried, maybe. He's never seen her face do that before. She told him to be more careful; that she didn't put all this time and effort into him just for him to die so suddenly.
So he's much calmer now, the sting of his still-healing wounds actually not in the forefront of his mind, for once. Griss is sitting up, staring off into space in the infirmary, and only comes back to reality when he hears the knock on the wall by the entrance.]
Oh, it's you. Came to make sure I didn't up and die?
[It should be a joke, but it isn't delivered with the tone of one. It just... feels sort of weird to joke about it when Zephia seemed to take it seriously...
(Would it have really mattered? He can't help but wonder. He's just some damn commoner. There's nothing really special about him. So who would care even if he did die? Would Zephia really be bothered by it?
—Ugh, it doesn't matter, he tells himself. He's not dead, so it's fine.)]
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[She's trying not to sound as put out by that as she is. Unfortunately, Alear wears her heart on her sleeve and that means any negative emotions too, rip.]
I did at least want to make sure you were faring alright. [...] And...maybe make sure you didn't get chewed out too badly. Are you at least recovering alright? You look like you had fun today, at least...
[while giving everyone a heart attack!!!]
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"Faring alright" in that I'm all patched up with no risk of infection or further injury, sure. Less so in that that was fun.
[Sigh!!!]
And yeah, I've been chewed out by damn near every healer who's set foot in here. Manuela told me I've gotta be responsible with my kinks, like I did it on purpose.
[He is responsible with his kinks!!! Smh.]
Surprised you aren't here to give me an earful too, y'know.
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[Alear sighs a bit at that, shaking her head.]
But no. I at least wanted to come by and see you. I imagine it's pretty boring in here without someone to talk to.
[Alear would unfortunately know...]
...Besides, I had a feeling you didn't do that on purpose. [...] I didn't really like hearing some of the things that got said about you. Even if I don't know what they're really talking about, I at least wanted to just...I don't know. I guess make sure you weren't all by yourself here.
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...Though given what he's seen of her, she does seem to be the sort of bleeding heart to really care about everyone. Maybe he's doing her a disservice in assuming the worst.]
...Eh. [A half-shrug.] I don't really care what anyone thinks of me.
[As long as it doesn't upset Zephia, that is.]
Guess it's good of you to drop by now that I'm up; better than studying.
[He inclines his head a bit to indicate the books that were brought to "entertain" him. Yes, they are indeed dry books on magic that are not entertaining in the slightest. Griss doesn't even have a problem with studying, but really?? Right after a (blissful) near-death injury?? Thanks, Byleth.]
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That's Professor Byleth for you; I don't think I've seen them do a single thing that isn't work in some way or another...
[Alear pauses once that's out there, though, looking to Griss.]
Is it just stuff that you already know that they're trying to get you to read over? Or is it just boring?
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Just dull as hell. It's not like I even mind studyin', but I think I deserve a break after today.
'Sides, I'd rather talk to someone than bury myself in dry books.
[Though the professor isn't exactly the most talkative person anyway... So maybe it's for the best that Alear's here. It staves off boredom, means he has an excuse not to study, and...
...maybe makes him feel a little less lonely.]
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But once you make some real friends you can count on, you'll never have to worry about that again!
[...she is still entirely too :D for this--
Alear is going to sit on the ground though, and if he's not gonna read those books, she's gonna try to! ...And promptly look at it like she's reading a whole different language for a moment, but--]
What did you end up doing before coming here, anyway?
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Anyway, he watches her take a seat on the ground and scoffs again at her expression; makes sense that she wouldn't get it, given she's probably never had much experience with using magic, but this isn't exactly the most complicated stuff in the world.]
Eh. It's kinda a long story.
[How does he even begin to explain any of what happened before he arrived here...]
Short version's that my life sucked, I was taken in by a woman who wanted better for me and started teachin' me magic, and she pushed me to go here to learn more.
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...It doesn't mean she can't be a little sad about it, but--]
Yeah? She must be a really great woman, if she let you come here. People don't really get into the Officer's Academy very easily...I think.
[Let's just ignore that--]
What do you want to do with yourself, you think? Are you thinking about becoming a knight of some sort?
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[He says it like it's the most obvious thing in the world, like there couldn't ever be any other option. Griss doesn't bother to elaborate any further, though; no sense in bringing up that it's a member of the staff. It's not like Zephia's their professor, so there's no obvious bias from her that's causing problems or anything, but it isn't really any of Alear's business, so he's just not going to say anything about it.
Besides, she's asked him a question that is truly baffling.]
A knight? Me? Did you hit your head in that battle? No way.
[That also... isn't an answer to the other question...]
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[--HEY, HEY, WOAH???]
Wh--What's that supposed to mean, huh? Being a knight can't possibly be that bad.
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I mean, maybe it isn't? But it sure as hell ain't for me, of all people. You kiddin' me? What kind of impression have I given you that I'd ever wanna be a knight?
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[It comes out a little sharper than intended, but Alear tenses up a bit at that as she honestly seems to struggle to wrap her head around that.]
Miss Rhea and everyone else said that's what the people who come here usually go on to become, if they're not from some sort of noble territory. Or a soldier, maybe. It's not like you strike me as a type to want to join the Church, anyway.
[But anyway--]
What do you actually want to do with yourself, then?
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...I don't really have any plans.
[It's been difficult to imagine a future at all, frankly. He spent so much time just trying to make it to the next day, and maybe he's never really learned how to think about something as far-off as the future. He lives in the moment. He doesn't like thinking too hard about anything, after all.]
You're right that I ain't interested in joinin' the Church, though. I'm not really the most religious.
[Faith magic works just as well as long as you believe in something else, after all! Griss lifts his shoulders a bit, but it isn't really a proper shrug.]
I just take it one day at a time. I'll figure it out when I get there.
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Maybe she doesn't know the world nearly as much as she thinks she does. Alear doesn't want to say she wasn't taught enough, because Miss Rhea simply is so busy, but...]
...Was that really so hard to admit? I mean. It's okay if you don't know what you want out of life. I think, anyway.
[Alear rubs the back of her head.]
I shouldn't have snapped off at you; I'm sorry about that. But...I don't know. Miss Rhea always said that most people who do come to this Academy end up serving the knights, and I didn't really think there was much else people could do, I guess.
I mean, except for the nobles. But nobility may as well be a foreign language to me.
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[Griss shrugs properly this time.]
But that ain't for me. It feels weird not knowin' what it is I want when so many of our classmates seem dead-set on whatever it is they're gonna end up doin', y'know?
[And maybe it's also kind of concerning because his role model is Zephia, who is always so certain in whatever it is she does.]
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[Alear has to think about that for a moment, pausing, but eventually nodding. This has admittedly been her normal for a while, but...]
I get it. Makes you...I don't know. Makes you think you're missing something that they have, when they're all so certain, right?
[...]
I don't think that's a bad thing, though; think of it like this! You're keeping your options open rather than just tying yourself down to one thing. I mean, graduating from here, that's gonna look impressive to almost anyone, right?
It means they'll take you more seriously, when you do want to find something for yourself.
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[It's almost cute of her to worry after him like this. To try to bolster him, when he doesn't really need it at all. Thankfully, it doesn't really matter what it is he ends up doing, because Zephia will always be here to guide him. He doesn't have to think too hard about it.]
Yeah, you're right. Just gotta try not to get myself killed before then, I guess.
[He stretches, wincing a little at the strain, but it's with a grin, naturally.]