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we're flying through the night
[There are a lot of things Hubert knows for certain.
He knows that Lady Edelgard will take the throne and usher in a new era for Fódlan. He knows that his duty is to serve Lady Edelgard, regardless of personal cost. He knows that he would do anything and everything for her. He knows that his entire being is devoted to her, completely. He knows that nothing can stand in the way of her conquest or of his devotion.
He also knows that he's been coughing up flower petals for exactly a week now.
Hanahaki Disease is certainly not uncommon in the monastery; most of them are a bunch of stupid teenagers, it certainly isn't surprising that several of them have managed to find themselves developing feelings for someone. Such a stupid, pointless thing should have been limited to the dumb teenagers who have nothing to worry about but grades and their stupid, pointless feelings for one another.
This shouldn't be happening to someone like him. Perhaps he would be taking the situation more seriously if his feelings were for Lady Edelgard - although a situation like that is a bit horrifying to imagine. He would never betray her trust in such a way. He loves her, certainly. But not like that. That would only cause problems.
No, these feelings have come from someone else; someone entirely unexpected.
Marianne.
It's been four months since they met. In truth, he doesn't recall much of their first interaction. Claude had called Lady Edelgard over (which meant he had come with her) to introduce the others in his house as they ate breakfast. All he can remember is assessing the individuals to see if any of them could potentially be useful to the future Empress or if they could pose a threat. Marianne hadn't stood out at the time.
She hadn't stood out much when they'd first ended up talking either. It had been during some downtime, when she was tending to the animals and he was doing his usual patrols around the grounds. He'd startled the horses she was tending to so badly it had taken her quite a long time to calm them down. He had lingered a bit - curiosity compelling him to stay and watch - but he doesn't recall much of their conversation that day. Marianne was just as quiet as he had figured.
They met a few times like that, where she took care of the horses and pegasi and he watched. Despite being the most intimidating student in the academy (because he was certainly more intimidating than Dedue), she had let him remain there without much in the way of commentary.
Eventually, she ended up joining their class. Professor Byleth is certainly a skilled instructor (despite their lack of experience in teaching), so it was no surprise that Marianne had eventually left the Golden Deer to join up with them. Not that he's really aware why Marianne had joined - he hasn't asked her. It's the most logical conclusion, though.
From there, they were set to stable duty together. He'd tried to get the professor to change their mind and stick him with Lady Edelgard, but they had refused to budge. Lady Edelgard also seems to be fine with her current job with Dorothea, so he supposes he can't complain too much... Even so, it's left him with a lot of time to get to know Marianne.
Oh, sure, they don't really talk that much. At first, it was difficult to work with her. She was so quiet and he was completely inexperienced at tending to animals, and the whole thing was a mess. But eventually she started explaining how and why she was doing things to help calm the animals, and while they certainly don't like him, they're beginning to warm up a bit.
He would have just left it at that, and maybe this whole Hanahaki disaster wouldn't have happened. But instead, he decided he needed to be three steps ahead - as always - and asked Marianne to teach him to ride. A horse, of course, he wouldn't dare get near a wyvern or a pegasus. Hopefully no one was aware of that little problem.
Marianne had agreed, and riding lessons have been going surprisingly smoothly. Hubert was taught to ride as a child, but his mastery of horses is... lacking. Desperately lacking. If he has to fight on horseback, he'll definitely die. So learning to train a horse and teach it to respond to his commands is important, and Marianne has been helping tremendously.
Well, she was helping. Before the whole Hanahaki disaster thing.
He hasn't seen her in three days. Not that he's avoiding her. Or keeping track of the days. No, that isn't it at all. It's just that he's been terribly busy with Lady Edelgard's plans - they still can't do anything just yet, but every step is another one closer to her victory. It's slow-going, but it's a necessity.
In truth, he's been distant from everyone, even her. He has work to do, certainly. But he also has to keep these stupid petals to himself so no one finds out. Admitting that he has a problem sounds like a horrible idea. It would just cause Lady Edelgard to worry and the other students of the Black Eagles house to tease him mercilessly. So no, he won't do that. Once he has the time, he'll simply track down Professor Manuela and make her remove this stupid thing. The memories he'll lose don't matter to him.
(Never mind that he could do this at any point and waiting only makes it worse.)
Today isn't really any better than any of the days before it. He can usually get through the days with only two coughing jags, and he's been lucky enough to hide it from everyone. Today continues that trend - but only barely.
It strikes him when he's in the library, searching through financial records for information that could assist Lady Edelgard. The near-choking feeling hits him suddenly, and he coughs up more than a handful of delicate, white petals. The fact that they're still white is good - it hasn't been long enough to risk staining them red. Perhaps that's the one good thing about this - at least he's coughing up light-colored petals.
Linhardt is in the library, but even the rough, nearly-pained sounds of coughing up flower petals isn't enough to wake him. Hubert can be thankful of that much, but he's certainly not wasting any more time in here. He puts the books away, grabs the petals, and leaves. Hubert heads back to his room in a hurry, those petals clutched tightly in hand so no one will see them. No one can know about this.
...He's missed a single petal, but surely that isn't important.]
He knows that Lady Edelgard will take the throne and usher in a new era for Fódlan. He knows that his duty is to serve Lady Edelgard, regardless of personal cost. He knows that he would do anything and everything for her. He knows that his entire being is devoted to her, completely. He knows that nothing can stand in the way of her conquest or of his devotion.
He also knows that he's been coughing up flower petals for exactly a week now.
Hanahaki Disease is certainly not uncommon in the monastery; most of them are a bunch of stupid teenagers, it certainly isn't surprising that several of them have managed to find themselves developing feelings for someone. Such a stupid, pointless thing should have been limited to the dumb teenagers who have nothing to worry about but grades and their stupid, pointless feelings for one another.
This shouldn't be happening to someone like him. Perhaps he would be taking the situation more seriously if his feelings were for Lady Edelgard - although a situation like that is a bit horrifying to imagine. He would never betray her trust in such a way. He loves her, certainly. But not like that. That would only cause problems.
No, these feelings have come from someone else; someone entirely unexpected.
Marianne.
It's been four months since they met. In truth, he doesn't recall much of their first interaction. Claude had called Lady Edelgard over (which meant he had come with her) to introduce the others in his house as they ate breakfast. All he can remember is assessing the individuals to see if any of them could potentially be useful to the future Empress or if they could pose a threat. Marianne hadn't stood out at the time.
She hadn't stood out much when they'd first ended up talking either. It had been during some downtime, when she was tending to the animals and he was doing his usual patrols around the grounds. He'd startled the horses she was tending to so badly it had taken her quite a long time to calm them down. He had lingered a bit - curiosity compelling him to stay and watch - but he doesn't recall much of their conversation that day. Marianne was just as quiet as he had figured.
They met a few times like that, where she took care of the horses and pegasi and he watched. Despite being the most intimidating student in the academy (because he was certainly more intimidating than Dedue), she had let him remain there without much in the way of commentary.
Eventually, she ended up joining their class. Professor Byleth is certainly a skilled instructor (despite their lack of experience in teaching), so it was no surprise that Marianne had eventually left the Golden Deer to join up with them. Not that he's really aware why Marianne had joined - he hasn't asked her. It's the most logical conclusion, though.
From there, they were set to stable duty together. He'd tried to get the professor to change their mind and stick him with Lady Edelgard, but they had refused to budge. Lady Edelgard also seems to be fine with her current job with Dorothea, so he supposes he can't complain too much... Even so, it's left him with a lot of time to get to know Marianne.
Oh, sure, they don't really talk that much. At first, it was difficult to work with her. She was so quiet and he was completely inexperienced at tending to animals, and the whole thing was a mess. But eventually she started explaining how and why she was doing things to help calm the animals, and while they certainly don't like him, they're beginning to warm up a bit.
He would have just left it at that, and maybe this whole Hanahaki disaster wouldn't have happened. But instead, he decided he needed to be three steps ahead - as always - and asked Marianne to teach him to ride. A horse, of course, he wouldn't dare get near a wyvern or a pegasus. Hopefully no one was aware of that little problem.
Marianne had agreed, and riding lessons have been going surprisingly smoothly. Hubert was taught to ride as a child, but his mastery of horses is... lacking. Desperately lacking. If he has to fight on horseback, he'll definitely die. So learning to train a horse and teach it to respond to his commands is important, and Marianne has been helping tremendously.
Well, she was helping. Before the whole Hanahaki disaster thing.
He hasn't seen her in three days. Not that he's avoiding her. Or keeping track of the days. No, that isn't it at all. It's just that he's been terribly busy with Lady Edelgard's plans - they still can't do anything just yet, but every step is another one closer to her victory. It's slow-going, but it's a necessity.
In truth, he's been distant from everyone, even her. He has work to do, certainly. But he also has to keep these stupid petals to himself so no one finds out. Admitting that he has a problem sounds like a horrible idea. It would just cause Lady Edelgard to worry and the other students of the Black Eagles house to tease him mercilessly. So no, he won't do that. Once he has the time, he'll simply track down Professor Manuela and make her remove this stupid thing. The memories he'll lose don't matter to him.
(Never mind that he could do this at any point and waiting only makes it worse.)
Today isn't really any better than any of the days before it. He can usually get through the days with only two coughing jags, and he's been lucky enough to hide it from everyone. Today continues that trend - but only barely.
It strikes him when he's in the library, searching through financial records for information that could assist Lady Edelgard. The near-choking feeling hits him suddenly, and he coughs up more than a handful of delicate, white petals. The fact that they're still white is good - it hasn't been long enough to risk staining them red. Perhaps that's the one good thing about this - at least he's coughing up light-colored petals.
Linhardt is in the library, but even the rough, nearly-pained sounds of coughing up flower petals isn't enough to wake him. Hubert can be thankful of that much, but he's certainly not wasting any more time in here. He puts the books away, grabs the petals, and leaves. Hubert heads back to his room in a hurry, those petals clutched tightly in hand so no one will see them. No one can know about this.
...He's missed a single petal, but surely that isn't important.]
no subject
You don't have to try.
[With such a simple spell, there won't be a massive backlash. At worse, she'll end up with a headache for a few days, and that's only if she's able to tap into that power to begin with. It isn't easy to find it or to know how to use it if one can find it.
So he's not really expecting much, but he keeps a close eye on her just the same. There is a stir, something that sends pinpricks across his skin, almost like the beginning of casting one of his own spells.]
...It seems you do have a talent for it.
[Impressive, considering dark magic isn't particularly common or easy to learn. He actually sounds excited, and he moves closer. Hubert holds his hands out in front of him, palms upward.]
Place your hands under mine. I'll summon Miasma; if you can feel it, it may help you visualize how to call on it. There isn't any danger, I promise.
no subject
Really? You...you really think I do?
[Honestly, Marianne shouldn't be so excited about the possibility that she has aptitude for this stuff, but--she can't lie, the idea that she could be able to weaponize those thoughts is...actually something that Marianne could get used to.
Marianne does exactly as Hubert says, placing his hands under his, eyes widening and utterly inquisitive at the idea of exploring this.]
Okay, I'm...I'm ready, Hubert.
[She's honestly a little giddy at the idea of this, and she waits for him to summon it.]
no subject
Miasma is not a particularly threatening spell, but the advantage of it is its speed. It can be conjured very quickly, and cast repeatedly. If it feels as though your skin is tingling, that's a good sign. Dark magic can feel a bit like thunder magic, from what I understand, especially with such a weak spell.
Memorize what it feels like. This is what you'll need to call on when you attempt to summon it for yourself.
[He certainly wasn't lying about it feeling like something ancient; though Miasma isn't a particularly strong spell, it almost feels like tugging on it will awaken something immensely powerful. It's a fine line between conjuring the spell and pushing too far, but it is a very controlled feeling. Hubert definitely knows what he's doing.]
no subject
I see...I can feel it from here, and it feels... [Hm.] It feels like every hair of mine is standing up. I think I get it...it's sort of like casting Thoron, but you draw upon something else entirely...
[Marianne studies it intently, memorizing every feeling it gives her to better understand it. It'll take a few minutes, or at least as long as he's willing to sustain the magic, before Marianne nods her head.]
Okay...I think I get it. I'm at least going to...to try it.
[Just let her get prepared for a little bit, just trying to get herself into that mindset again. She closes her eyes to draw upon what she needs to, to create that spark, and she feels her skin tingle as she concentrates that power into her hand--
It's not too long before there's something manifesting in the air--it's weaker than Hubert's, the mass slowly coming into being, but...]
Am I doing this right?
no subject
[He holds it until she gives him the signal, and he dissipates the magic easily. Hubert watches as Marianne prepares, closing her eyes and replicating the feelings and energy necessary for the spell.
It isn't surprising that she's able to do it, even if it is a weaker and less controlled version. His hands come up - not touching hers, but close enough where he can step in if need be.]
You're doing great. See, you've summoned it. Be careful, though; do not let it control you. You are the one who created it, and you are in control. Don't lose your focus.
[That's usually the trickiest part once someone manages to summon the spell, which is why his hands are here in case she does lose control. She's certainly not in any danger or he wouldn't have let her try to summon it, but he's here just in case.]
no subject
...Well, she does lose her focus for a brief moment and her head starts to hurt, Marianne winces before Hubert reminds her not to let it control her. Marianne gets herself and the magic back under control with a little bit of difficulty, but she does get there.]
I-I won't let it control me--I won't lose my focus. I...I am the one in control...
[Marianne keeps that in mind as she pours a little more power into that--weaponizing those negative thoughts and making it stronger, keeping her focus on it to ensure she doesn't lose control.]
I didn't know I could do this...I can hardly believe it's actually working.
no subject
[He watches as she pours more power into it, increasing the size of the Miasma blob between her hands. It's amazing to see her summon it so easily - but that does make him wonder how she's conjuring it. The darkness in her mind must be far greater than he thought.]
I'm impressed. It takes awhile to get used to it, but you're doing amazing.
no subject
[Marianne puts every bit of her focus into conjuring and sustaining the blob between her hands, breathing a bit to steady herself while it works. It's making her skin stand on edge, and it does put her on edge to try to think about all of the depressing things that have gone on in her life...]
Really? I...I guess that's a good thing then, isn't it? I wasn't expecting to be able to do it, much less do it well...
no subject
[His hands close on hers, gently guiding them closer together.]
Try to release it. To recall it, you need to slowly ease off. Do not let it take control, but don't allow it to rebound either. Force it back down into nothingness. I'm right here if you need me.
[Dismissing it isn't easy, but it certainly can be done.]
no subject
Okay. I'll...I'll try.
[...Of course, something like that is much easier said than done--Marianne does try to force it down, and it slowly begins to dissipate a little bit. It's a slow process, slower than expected, but...
It starts ebbing and flowing between dissipating and reappearing as Marianne's thoughts are at war with themselves--she dwelled for too long, entirely too long, and trying to replace those thoughts is harder than she's expecting, especially when it feels like something is trying to take control. It's definitely starting to rebound if Marianne's eyes jamming shut are any indication, her head starting to throb--]
Hubert, please, I'm--it's starting to hurt...
[It seems like summoning was the easy part, but the recalling process is a lot harder than Marianne was anticipating and she's having some trouble.]
no subject
Focus on the brightest moments of your life - things that have made you happy and confident.
[His hands move from pressed against Marianne's to above them where he can begin to take control of the magic. It isn't particularly easy to take over something he hasn't summoned, but he has enough experience to take over and carefully dispel the Miasma spell. It will be easier with her assistance, if she can manage it, but he can handle it himself if not.]
no subject
The magic intensifies before Hubert speaks up, and starts to take more control of the magic.]
Happy memories...okay. Okay, I can do that.
[It takes a bit to come across them, trying to think long and hard about the memories that have made her happy. They're...honestly few and far between--as she sorts through her thoughts it certainly manifests in her magic, nearing the point of getting worse and causing Marianne more pain, but...
Then she thinks back to her memories at the monastery. The ones she forged with the Golden Deer, Hilda's friendship--when she transferred to the Black Eagles shortly after, Dorothea's kindness shining through and helping her adjust, Edelgard being a kind but firm presence, Bernadetta being a shy but decent friend...the magic starts to fade slow but sure as Marianne fights it back.
But then her thoughts drift her relationship with Hubert, and it starts to get far more under control as her thoughts drift to them. How confident he made her feel--how she felt like she could take on anything by his side. How he lifted her up, gave her faith to face the future head on. How he could help her out of even the darkest of times, and how he adored her. How he's willing to let her fight by their side, and...
Well, it dissipates with far more control shortly after, though Marianne's eyes don't open.]
Is it...is it gone?
no subject
Hubert's hands go to hers as soon as it's gone.]
It is. You did very well. Are you in pain?
[It's certainly possible that she still has a headache, but perhaps she was able to gain enough control back to avoid that. Either way, he's studying her very carefully for any signs of anything lingering. It should just be the headache, if anything, but dark magic can be far more unpredictable than black magic.]
no subject
My head is...aching. Not as bad as it was earlier, but... [Marianne clutches Hubert's hands a bit as she tries to calm herself.] I-I should be alright, I think. This is...this is a lot better than it was.
[...]
Um...thank you. For helping me dispel it. And learn it, too. Even if it's only a little, I wouldn't mind trying again...
no subject
[One of his hands comes up without thinking, and he rests it against the side of her face.]
Do you need to go to the infirmary? I can take you to see Professor Manuela.
[The idea of hurting her, even like this, troubles him deeply; she can likely hear that in his words even if she isn't looking at his expression.]
You have my apologies. I should have warned you about how difficult it could be before you started.
no subject
[Marianne winds up leaning into Hubert's hand, honestly looking a little exhausted. She's not sure if it's physical or mental exhaustion; it may very well be both, but Hubert can probably see just how tired she is.]
No, it's...I'm fine. Just a little tired, is all... [It's nothing bad, at least, but a headache like that can at least be slept off.
...Even if it looks like she's honestly about to fall asleep right against him, but surely that's fine.]
It's okay. You didn't know I was interested--I didn't, either. You don't have to be sorry. I'll just have to keep that in mind for the future, if...if that's okay.
no subject
[More than pleased, really. Dark magic is dangerous and certainly not easy to master. He's never had the opportunity to teach someone before, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't interested in it for that reason. It isn't the only reason, though. They can spend more time together like this, and it will only make her a more powerful ally.
Of course, he's noticed just how tired she seems, so he drops his hand after a moment and pulls her close.]
Go ahead and rest. I'll be right here when you wake.
no subject
[Marianne's eyes flutter shut, and she leans into Hubert and rests her head against his chests while loosely wrapping her own arms around him. She's so exhausted, and she already feels herself starting to drift right off into sleep...]
I'll try not to sleep too long...I know you must have...a lot of work to do...
[Marianne's words trail off, and eventually she's left simply breathing against him as sleep takes her.]
no subject
Why? In truth, he's not sure. If she wishes to be useful to Lady Edelgard, then pursuing faith magic would be more beneficial. But she never once asked about that, so that doesn't seem likely. Perhaps she simply wants to learn because it's what he specializes in. But that's entirely too self-centered; she certainly isn't picking up something so dangerous just because of him. Perhaps something he said about it really resonated with her, and she did summon Miasma fairly easily...
Well, he can ask her about it later. For now, he's content to keep her in his arms, shifting a bit so he can rest his back against the bed as he picks up the book he was looking through and continues to read. Marianne isn't particularly heavy, and he can always move her if needed. But for now... For now, this is nice, and he's perfectly content to remain where he is, with her pressed against him.]