sranks | locked to darkseal

No, no, I insist!

[Linhardt's eyes seem to light up at that, and he actually takes a step closer to Hubert in somewhat ecstatic glee, practically a living exclamation mark in this moment--]

After all, it would be an effort put forth in my wish--to say nothing of being able to go out of my way for your sake, my friend. I would quite like to be able to do that.

[there's that forwardness again oh my god LIN]

[It's a bit hard to find such excitement annoying, even though he probably should. Instead, it gets a short, sharp laugh out of him. It's a bit overwhelming, if he's honest, but there's nothing about it he really dislikes.]

I imagine nothing will change your mind, then. Very well, I won't stop you if that's what you wish to do. There isn't anything I need your assistance in now, but I suspect you'll find some way to help when I least expect it.

[It's almost fond. Almost.]

Oh, just you wait. I will find some way to help you and repay your efforts.

[lin. lin that's gay as hell.]

For now, however...I do want to say that I forgive you for what transpired. Just so we are clear.

[It's hard not to forgive when he's snuggling a cute teddybear and eating enough sweets to kill a man, jesus christ?]

[He nods at that.]

I'm pleased to hear it. It will not happen again.

[He's not even sure he could explain what happened even if he tried... But at least things with Linhardt are settled. It almost feels like a weight has been lifted from him, though he hadn't thought it was worrying him that badly...]

You have my thanks for that, and agreeing to meet me in the first place.

It truly isn't any trouble. I hadn't known what to expect, but I am glad to have come to see you.

[He almost wants an excuse to stay longer, if he's being completely honest--but that's threatening to make those feelings start up again...]

Should I take my leave?

[He doesn't make to leave yet, but rather, he's asking. He knows Hubert will likely shoo him out, but...]

[Ah, that's... a good question, isn't it...

He doesn't have any reason for Linhardt to stay. There isn't anything else he needs to address, and he has no reason to keep Linhardt here when he could be working and Linhardt could be napping. So even though there isn't any reason for it, he hesitates.]

Feel free. I do have some work to get back to.

[The words come anyway, and he can feel something in him sink at them. They're as poised as always, no hint of this strange feeling. He should be glad about that, and yet for some reason, he isn't.

Whatever this is really must be dire.]

It goes without saying, but make sure you get some rest. Perhaps you'll be able to sleep easier now.

I'll see if I can't get some rest, then.

[He feels some sort of weird, sinking feeling at that...maybe the hex is powered by proximity to Hubert, then?

Hm. He'll have to study this. Either way, he will take a bow before making sure the rest of the sweets are secured, along with the bear that he literally has not stopped essentially cuddling with all of this time.

But before he goes, he turns back to Hubert before he opens the door--]

Let's meet up again soon, yes? Under less stressful circumstances.

[...That helps a bit, but it really depends on Hubert's answer, at this point.]

[Linhardt's words are almost comforting, in some strange way. Perhaps it's the reassurance that everything really is all right? It's not like he needed something like that, though...]

Of course. Should you need something, I'm sure I can make time for it.

[It's not quite sarcastic, but it is a wry acknowledgement of just how busy he is. The corners of his mouth twitch upward into something that might have been a smile on anyone else.]

[It's been a rather nice month since Linhardt and Hubert made up; Linhardt's gone back to a more normal level of slacking off and Hubert's still his very broody, very shady self, but things are nice, honestly. The two of them tend to have time to spend together (though it's mostly dependent on Hubert's free time, more than anything, because gods only know that Linhardt's not doing much), and it's nice; Linhardt does enjoy the man's company around the monastery, and it does at least seem to help that odd hex that's been placed on him stay at bay for a little while longer.

Even with their missions, and with things around the monastery continuing to go in some weird directions...it's nice, honestly.

...Even despite all of the weird looks Linhardt sees from time to time from the other students. Knowing glances between certain ones, chattering just barely out of earshot, he's certain he heard something about a bet from Caspar but the boy's been utterly tight lipped on it outside of that and it's confusing? It's confusing. But other than that, things are good, and Linhardt is starting to find himself getting fonder of spending time with Hubert, and he's even at least trying to put forth and effort so that he can be...well, slightly less of an active burden. Outside of focusing on his faith magic, at least.

It's actually why he decides to take up Ferdinand's invitation to a ball hosted by his family for the nobility; Linhardt certainly wouldn't have done this on his own, despite many of his classmates going, because...honestly, balls are too much work, even the school hosted one was too much work to deal with and he was simply sure he'd be bored to tears, there.

That changed when it was mentioned that Hubert was going. He's not sure why there was some sort of weirdly knowing look going on there when he changed his mind, but...he wasn't going to question it.

The ball is currently rather lovely, after all, and even if Linhardt feels out of place, he's doing his best to enjoy himself. Dance with noblewomen if they ask for it, attempt to be polite, and more or less trying not to utterly die of boredom while he adjusts his outfit and hair a bit from time to time. He's got the little ponytail styled a little different since it's grown out, tied more off into a tiny bun; it's a look that will undoubtedly look better if he grows his hair out more, and his deep green outfit compliments everything rather nicely.

He's kind of glad that he put forth the effort, even if he's had yet to see Hubert. He's sticking more toward the walls in the hopes of finding him, but he's hoping another noble doesn't come up and try to ask him to dance again...he's really not sure how much more of this he can deal with without feeling like escaping again. And this time there wasn't anywhere to escape to...]

[In some ways, it's hard to believe it's been a month since his discussion with Linhardt. Perhaps it's because he's so busy, or perhaps it's because it seems like Linhardt has become a fixture in his life.

He's still working just as hard for Lady Edelgard, but he's found spare time to spend with Linhardt multiple days a week, even when he'd usually try to spend that time on something he'd deem more "useful". His personal studies in reason magic haven't been slacking, but things he would normally do to fill the rest of his day (like listen in on almost everyone in the monastery) have fallen by the wayside in favor of spending time with Linhardt. He was a bit apprehensive about it at first, but he hasn't noticed any downsides. If anything, spending more time with Linhardt has proved useful - the man seems to be doing more now, pushing himself harder than he has in the past. It isn't much, but considering Linhardt's intellect, it certainly could prove useful.

That doesn't mean he's been blind to the others in the monastery. It almost feels like they're all in on some private joke given the way they huddle together and talk when he passes. But surely it's just his imagination, there's simply no way they could all be in on something like that.

...He does have to admit that something seems up with Lady Edelgard, though... Occasionally she gives him these looks that he can't place. They seem knowing. He'll have to ask her about it later, but he's not sure he knows how to approach it. He certainly wouldn't want to accuse her of anything.

Anyway, that's not important right now. What is important is the ball Ferdinand's father is hosting. It's the sort of grand affair that all important nobles of the empire are required to attend, and Lady Edelgard wouldn't miss it for the world.

Not that either of them want to go, of course. But it is vital for gathering more information and learning who will support Lady Edelgard when the time comes. It's absolutely vital, so neither of them can stand around and be bored like at the school ball.

In fact, he's scarcely seen Lady Edelgard since they arrived. She swept off to deal with one set of nobles while he handles the other, and they'll met once they're done to compare notes. It's all laid out, a tactical battle of wits that's far more interesting than the dancing the others are doing.

He's finished up with the nobles he was tasked with examining already, which is severely disappointing. Not a single one worthy of assisting Lady Edelgard... Unless she's had any luck, this might have been the worst outcome. He's learned something, so it certainly wasn't useless, but it's frustrating nonetheless.

Perhaps he was being too intimidating or otherwise hugging the walls too much, because much to his chagrin, Ferdinand approaches. He's unable to escape the conversation, but thankfully, Ferdinand doesn't seem inclined to hold him captive for long - instead he directs his attention to Linhardt with a bright smile.

Linhardt is here? He hadn't heard that Linhardt was planning on coming. Hmm. What on earth could Linhardt possibly want to do here? This seems like the sort of trouble Linhardt would want to avoid. Well, it would be rude not to greet him, so Hubert thanks Ferdinand (as carefully as he can without letting any sort of genuine interest in the conversation slip) and excuses himself.

Perhaps it's silly, but somehow it hadn't occurred to him that Linhardt would be dressed up for the dance. As he approaches, he's suddenly struck with that knowledge, and with the absolutely bizarre sensation of feeling as though his heart has stopped.

With his hair pulled back like that, he looks rather cute. Objectively speaking. It's no wonder he's been asked to dance tonight. The outfit compliments his unique hair color nicely, and he looks surprisingly... well, noble.

It's something Hubert sometimes forgets, that Linhardt is indeed the son of a nobleman.

Of course, Hubert has also dressed up tonight. His hair is exactly the same as always (because of course it is, do you really think he'd go to a ball and not look like an emo kid) but he's swapped out the uniform for a proper suit, though perhaps surprisingly it isn't entirely in blacks, grays, and whites. Lady Edelgard had disapproved so strongly of his first outfit that she chose this one; there's more of an emphasis on deep reds and light gold - nothing gaudy, of course, but covered in the usual dark colored suit. It's a bit much for him personally, but Lady Edelgard had insisted that he needed to look good. For the noble women, of course.

He approaches Linhardt, feeling strangely tongue-tied as he tries not to openly stare at his classmate.]

Good evening. I hadn't realized you would be attending this event.

[No judgment about Linhardt attending, and no judgment about the event either, even though he certainly has plenty of that to spare.]

[Well, if there was any way to bring him to alertness in this bore of a ball, Hubert certainly found it the very second he opened his mouth. Linhardt's gaze darts to Hubert when he hears him speak, and...

Oh.

Linhardt has never been one to really...well, realize people can look attractive with the right combination of colors, the right look, or anything like that. He usually didn't care about such things; he had things to focus on that didn't involve that, and as far as he was concerned, he couldn't care less.

Despite all of that, it takes a surprising amount of time for Linhardt to get his bearing; he would have expected Hubert to be dressed all in black like the creature of the night he attempts to emulate every day of his life, but those reds and the golds...they're doing something flattering to Hubert, and he's pretty sure that hex is going absolutely haywire right now. Where Hubert's heart has stopped, Linhardt's is picking up the slack by beating a million miles a minute as he finds himself simply staring at this surprisingly attractive ensemble on his friend. It's...lovely, really, and he's not quite sure when that word entered his vocabulary to describe Hubert.

(He's also not sure if he truly minds it being there, because it's at least truthful.)

It takes him a small while to realize he's just been staring--something he hopes Hubert doesn't call him on, or that nobody was paying attention to. Once his bearings are gathered, however, Linhardt gives Hubert an all too practiced, but rather elegant bow.]

I cannot simply shirk my noble duties forever, as much as I would truly prefer to. Perhaps embracing some of these responsibilities will ensure I can avoid some at a later date... [Linhardt seems to chuckle a bit, raising himself up and straightening himself out.] It's quite good to see you here, Hubert. Have the festivities proven entertaining for you, thus far?

[He's doing his best to keep a somewhat noble bearing, but oh my god. This is hard. Save him, Hubie.]

Edited 2019-08-11 04:01 (UTC)

[He does notice the pause, but he can't really say he minds it. It isn't as though he's waiting on Linhardt to reply with no other distractions, because Linhardt himself is certainly enough of one as is. So the pause is noticed, but not something he dwells on, and he's perfectly content to move on when Linhardt speaks.

...Well, mostly content.]

Of course. Come with me.

[He steps closer and lowers his voice.]

You sound like you're about to die. I know of somewhere you can speak freely.

[He's smirking when he pulls back, and inclines his head so Linhardt will follow him.]

[...Hubert, you are literally the only valid person in this room.

Besides himself, of course. And...maybe even Edelgard, where ever she is, she's been odd but surprisingly okay lately but that is beside the point when his voice drops to that whisper (that's...doing something he doesn't wanna think about to him)--]

Oh, thank you. You're the best.

[Those words are whispered while he follows along, absolutely unhesitating. He's at least slightly thankful nobody seems to stare or do anything, though he's not entirely sure. Did Ferdinand just catch a glimpse and smile...?

Linhardt's not sure, but either way, lead the way Hubert. He is so here to not be dying.]

[The place he leads Linhardt to is a balcony up a flight of stairs. It overlooks the ballroom where everyone is gathered, but it's tucked back far enough not to let their voices carry or risk having them stared at by everyone below. There are curtains that can be drawn as well if necessary, but that's hardly the sort of thing they'll need. There are also a couple of chairs up here and a small table between them, should they decide they don't want to stand.]

This is hardly the first time I've attended an event here. Ferdinand was kind enough to show us this spot once.

["Us" meaning himself and Lady Edelgard, of course.]

[He tries not to look too visibly relieved once they're out of the room and finally on the balcony, allowing himself to finally breathe and ease himself a bit. He does still straighten himself up a bit, but mostly so it doesn't look weird to anyone else. Linhardt's so, so glad to be out of the range of everyone else, though, the relief is almost palpable.........]

I suppose that man is useful for something other than spouting hot air...

[JESUS LIN, THAT MAN HAS A FAMILY?]

I truly don't know how you and Edelgard do this all of the time. This is a far bigger hassle than the school dance...at this point, I almost feel like I understand Bernadetta's desire to stay in one place and never leave.

[...He's a little less willing to drag poor Bernie, he sounds more understanding there but he does look up at Hubert with something of a smile.]

...It is quite nice, however, to finally spend some time in good company.

[The first one earns a laugh, any excuse to make fun of Ferdinand is always accepted and wonderful, thanks!!]

It is incredibly important to get to know the nobles Lady Edelgard will be working with eventually. There's plenty to be learned here, though I can't say it's particularly interesting or enjoyable.

[The last part, though... Is it just him, or is it a bit too warm up here?]

It's a good thing I found you when I did, then.

That is a tactically viable decision, though I must admit it sounds terribly boring. I don't envy you, though I certainly see the benefits.

[Oh. Linhardt's chest does...something at that, and he has to look away for a moment, though the feelings cause a chuckle to bubble out of him.]

It truly is, you know. [Beat.] I was hoping I would find you here, after all.

You're lucky I wasn't particularly busy tonight, then.

[A smirk, maybe the slightest bit of arrogance, but intended as a joke.]

...I hadn't thought you cared much for your obligations as a noble. Still, it's... [a pause, just a bit too long] good to see you here. I haven't had an interesting or intellectual conversation all night.

I suppose I should consider myself honored, then, shouldn't I? I wouldn't have bothered with this, otherwise.

[Well, that's remarkably honest. Linhardt looks back at Hubert when he says that much, a little bit of confidence back in him, though...

The pause in those words sees him blink a little bit, before attempting to stand a little straighter. A little less confident, but...honest, as honest as he usually tends to be. His nods his head in agreement when he says it's good to see him (his heart thumps rather hard at that, startling him some), but--]

Far too many of these nobles preening about like peacocks, I take it? [It's a bit snarkily said.] My condolences; they seem to be out in full force tonight. And with nary a single thought in their head.

I am more than happy to provide some reprieve from this boredom, however. [...oh!] Would you quite like to hear about what I have been studying?

[That earns a smirk, but Linhardt switches to a different topic and Hubert's expression relaxes. He moves to lean against the wall, inclining his head a bit in an indication for Linhardt to continue.]

Of course. Go ahead.

[He imagines it'll be about crests which is... a little awkward, in all honesty. He has no interest in them, and given everything Lady Edelgard is trying to do, the subject is a bit of a strange one. Still, he cannot deny that Linhardt is incredibly bright, and if this is where his interest lies for now then there's no harm in listening. Perhaps someday he'll be able to point Linhardt in the direction of something more worthwhile, something that will strengthen the Empire and Lady Edelgard's rule.

But for now... Well, he can't say he's really opposed, even if he doesn't care much for the topic.]

[He appreciates Hubert in these trying times. He'll gladly talk about his crest research for sure, explaining what he's learned of their effects and origins and all of that happy stuff. Linhardt's genuinely happy to have a chance to show his intellectual chops in this regard--sure, he's got very little on Hanneman in that regard, but there's no doubt that he's more than enthusiastic on the subject, and that he's really just...happy that someone's willing to listen to all of his blathering.

...Besides Caspar, who does but doesn't get a damn thing about it. But the boy tries.

Still, Linhardt's look is kind of all over the place when he talks, really, though he's keeping himself level to a certain extent. There is a pretty common place he's looking, though; the dance floor. His look lingers there for certain spans of time, listening to the various swells of music that play out for those actually dancing. Though, he doesn't quite let it stop him from talking, because when would he ever.

He does stop after some time, however, pridefully smiling at what he's accomplished in his research.]

...I do believe that about sums everything I have learned, but there is still much more that needs to be discovered. Perhaps even other theories to be tested, once we have finished our education. [He smiles, though, inclining his head a touch.] I truly appreciate your willingness to listen. It's not often that one is willing to listen to me blather on...

[His look goes back to the dance for the umpteenth million time, seeming...contemplative. At this point it feels like he has something to ask, but seems...unsure.]

[Crests have never been Hubert's area of expertise. He has no reason to research them and absolutely no interest in them. The number of times he's has to politely find a way to escape from Professor Hanneman is a little alarming... It's almost like being a mage means he assumes one is interested in crest research...

Anyway, Linhardt's research is still above his own knowledge, but it's far easier to listen to him. The way he gets so excited about what he's learned and the things he hopes to work on and uncover is... his first thought was "kind of cute" but that's a little weird. Moving on...]

Some of your biggest breakthroughs can come in explaining it to someone who doesn't understand. I certainly don't mind listening.

[Something about that does bother him a bit, though. Linhardt is looking to work toward his theories and test them after they've completed their time at Garreg Mach... Things certainly won't go as he's expecting, and then...

Hmm. There's no point in thinking about it. Besides, it looks as though Linhardt has something else on his mind.]

Is there something else? You seem a bit distracted.

[Linhardt does wind up nodding his head in response to the first comment--that is incredibly true, after all, and he does feel like he's come a little closer to understanding them in putting them to practice with Hubert. Of course, his mind seems elsewhere, and as he watches the people below dance in merriment and seeming joy, he can't help but think he's never been able to--

Ah. Linhardt's look jolts back to Hubert when he calls him on his distraction, raising his hands a bit in front of him as he shakes his head, as if caught, honestly.]

Oh, no--nothing at all. It's nothing worth worrying about, at any rate. It's simply something rather inane, if I may be honest with you.

Edited (wording.......) 2019-08-11 06:01 (UTC)

[He arches an eyebrow (the visible one) and gestures for Linhardt to continue.]

I'll admit I'm curious. What is it?

[Ah, that's...

Well, when did the room start to get warm? He's not sure if this is an effect of that hex (or what he assumes is one), but his words kind of die in his throat--]

...This is going to sound incredibly asinine, I will forewarn you.

But...I suppose I was just thinking about how all of the other nobles seem so happy while they're dancing. [Linhardt doesn't look at Hubert when he talks, his look going back towards the floor.] They all seem delighted when they find someone who dances with them perfectly. It's as if they've found a perfect match for themselves, and they all make it look so effortless, while I... [Mnnnngh, he doesn't like admitting this, he's doing a Feeling and he's not sure what it is, but he Doesn't Like It.] I suppose I'm simply jealous that I haven't found something like that, even after being asked to dance so much...

[Once that's out there, he works to try to dismiss it quickly--his tone slightly rushed, and seeming forced back into something happier.]

It's nothing to worry over, however. Things like that are why I typically avoid such bothers...and this may be my last one unless my parents force me into it. These dances are more trouble than they're worth.

Edited 2019-08-11 06:12 (UTC)

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