[Quick, then. Very well. He listens attentively, but once the White Heron Cup is brought up, he suspects he knows where this is going.
...Except he's completely wrong. He had figured she'd express fear and uncertainty, wanting to get out of it. It would be easy enough for him to threaten Professor Byleth until they complied (never mind that they have never once given any indication that they're bothered by his threats, that's not important) but instead she asks something else entirely of him.
His expression is openly confused for a moment before he recovers himself.]
I cannot guarantee that I will be a better teacher than the professor, but I don't mind helping you.
[Dancing. Why does it have to be dancing...
It's not that he's bad at it - quite the opposite, really. He knows exactly how to play his role and look good doing it. They were some of the easiest lessons he was taught. But even though it's easy, it isn't something he knows how to teach, or even something he particularly likes. This ball isn't something he's looking forward to at all because he'll be expected to attend and not cling to the shadows the entire time. Dancing just makes things complicated.
So for her to come to him for help... Honestly, he wonders why she chose him over someone like Ferdinand. And then he immediately remembers everything Ferdinand has decided to be and rescinds that thought. Never mind, of course she wouldn't ask Ferdinand. He's entirely too much, even when he's at his best (which isn't often at all).
Very well. He'll do what he can to help her, and hopefully not want to die the entire time because he'll be dancing with Marianne.]
Where would you... prefer to do this?
[There aren't many places that will be completely abandoned at this time of day...]
no subject
...Except he's completely wrong. He had figured she'd express fear and uncertainty, wanting to get out of it. It would be easy enough for him to threaten Professor Byleth until they complied (never mind that they have never once given any indication that they're bothered by his threats, that's not important) but instead she asks something else entirely of him.
His expression is openly confused for a moment before he recovers himself.]
I cannot guarantee that I will be a better teacher than the professor, but I don't mind helping you.
[Dancing. Why does it have to be dancing...
It's not that he's bad at it - quite the opposite, really. He knows exactly how to play his role and look good doing it. They were some of the easiest lessons he was taught. But even though it's easy, it isn't something he knows how to teach, or even something he particularly likes. This ball isn't something he's looking forward to at all because he'll be expected to attend and not cling to the shadows the entire time. Dancing just makes things complicated.
So for her to come to him for help... Honestly, he wonders why she chose him over someone like Ferdinand. And then he immediately remembers everything Ferdinand has decided to be and rescinds that thought. Never mind, of course she wouldn't ask Ferdinand. He's entirely too much, even when he's at his best (which isn't often at all).
Very well. He'll do what he can to help her, and hopefully not want to die the entire time because he'll be dancing with Marianne.]
Where would you... prefer to do this?
[There aren't many places that will be completely abandoned at this time of day...]