we are the cursed we came from fire and ice

[advancements]

(catchall for camilla's and xander's adventures through fódlan!)

Comments

[anythingforyou]

[Camilla is gladly going to take that as an unconscious request to play spy for a while. Not that she wasn't going to anyway, really, but now she's going to redouble her efforts...

Camilla's eyes widen a bit at Lorenz's words, though, gasping.]

She did? Oh, that poor girl! She told me that she injured her ankle a few days ago before it was time to clean the stables...I gladly took over the work for her. Lady Hilda's life is plagued by so much misfortune...it's truly most unfair.

[oh hey, same hat??? same hat.

Camilla takes another sip of tea in contemplation.]

Perhaps we should look out for her, my lord. It would be most prudent to ensure that she is well, for all of our sake's--she is such a wonderful young woman, after all. I would hate to see her deteriorate any further!

[nobiliteased]

Did she? Poor thing. Yes, we simply must do what we can to help her out. It is my duty as a noble to look out for those who need my assistance, after all!

[And also Hilda's cute and from a noble family so like, there's no harm in befriending her?? That's kind of an awful thought, but he would definitely help her even if she was a commoner!!]

Together I'm certain we can make her life at least a bit easier!

[anythingforyou]

Yes, we must! Let us do all we can to keep Lady Hilda out of future harm. If her life can be made easier by the two of us, then I am certain she will be able to prosper.

[Camilla sees nothing wrong with this!! They're just two idiots helping a cute girl, what's wrong with that?]

Perhaps we might be able to help Lady Marianne as well, however...oh, that poor girl is simply so timid. Have you had any luck with talking to her, my lord?

[nobiliteased]

I've tried to speak with her a few times now, but it seems she's so timid... In truth, I'm not entirely sure how to approach her without overwhelming her.

[At least he's aware that he's kind of Like This??]

Of course, I will figure it out eventually. It wouldn't do to ignore her! She is a member of our house, after all.

What about you, have you managed to speak with her?

[anythingforyou]

I have tried, but I do fear that I have had the same result. She and I were assigned to clean the library out, you see, and that poor girl was having so much trouble.

Really, I do worry for her. Lady Marianne's self esteem seems so utterly low, and it's disheartening to hear her speak about herself so unkindly...

[They're both just kind of bad at this. It sucks? She's a sweetie, Marianne does not deserve.]

Perhaps we ought to ask one of our other housemates for advice?

[nobiliteased]

Hmm. [It's an assenting noise, one of commiseration.] I do wonder if any of them have gotten through to her. Many of our fellow housemates are very...

[...they're A Lot.]

They can be a bit much, I suppose. I do think it would be good to see what we can do to try to assist her, however.

[anythingforyou]

Yes, I do agree with that. All of that, really. If we can befriend her, perhaps she will be able to open up a touch easier.

[Camilla will agree to that much, taking a sip of tea while she listens.]

...Most of them are quite good people, I've found. Despite their oddities and clashing personalities...they do seem to work together to try to lift one another up.

[It's...certainly something, at any rate.]

[nobiliteased]

Certainly. I don't have many complaints about them, excluding Claude, of course.

[It's still kind of strange, in all honesty. He's spent so much of his time around nobles or servants so seeing commoners mingle with them as classmates is... well, it's not bad, just very odd.]

Have you gotten to know anyone from the other houses?

[anythingforyou]

Nor do I, all be told. I quite like most of them, excluding our pesky...Claudehopper, if you will.

[...She is almost sorry for that pun.

Almost.

Either way, Camilla's eyes light up a bit at the question.]

Why, yes, yes I have! I met one of the Blue Lions alumni at the training grounds. A young man by the name of Felix sparred with me. He was simply the most delightful match I've had before. I'm looking quite forward to clashing with him again...

[Camilla sounds so excited!! Sure she knows nothing about the boy outside of the fact he Likes To Fight, but honestly? Mood???]

[nobiliteased]

[That absolutely gets a snicker out of him, which is only partially hidden by a hand in front of his mouth. It's not really dignified at all, but it's absolutely what Claude deserves, so!!

His look goes contemplative at that, though.]

Felix... Let's see, that would be... Ah, from House Fraldarius. They're a very powerful noble family in Faerghus. From what I've seen of him he's a bit... [What's the nice way to word this.] ...irritable at times. I'm pleased you enjoyed your sparring match with him, though.

[Camilla likes to Fight, so please let her Fight!!]

[anythingforyou]

[...You know, Camilla was taking a drink of tea when he started talking. She was more than content to listen carefully, if he knew anything.

Camilla nearly chokes on her tea when the words sink in, give her a moment--]

Ah--my lord, do excuse me but--might you repeat that? I do hope I did indeed hear you correctly, but...he's from that powerful a family?

[DID SHE. DID SHE NEARLY BREAK A DUKE'S SON'S LEG???]

[nobiliteased]

Oh, yes, the Fraldarius family might be one of the most powerful noble families after House Blaiddyd...

[Assuming his knowledge of Faerghus nobility is correct, which is should be. He gives Camilla a curious look.]

Are you quite alright?

[That reaction was a little... much...]

[anythingforyou]

[i n t e r n a l s c r e a m i n g

You know what, Camilla is just. Going to take another sip of tea while she realizes how improper she was. Give her a moment, Lorenz.]

...I'm afraid I did not know my own strength, and Lord Felix is in a splint because of that.

[Camilla is just. Trying not to die.]

He told me that he didn't care about such things and he just wants a rematch when he's healed, but I...am afraid I had very little idea of who he truly was...

[nobiliteased]

...Oh.

[Oh dear.]

Well, he doesn't seem to care much for nobility or his future title... He might very well mean that. Still, it couldn't hurt to keep an eye on him, just in case...

[CAMILLA NO????]

[anythingforyou]

He never did introduce himself in a proper manner, so I had assumed... [Camilla shakes her head a bit.] You may very well be right, my lord. I shall endeavor to do so.

[...]

All be told, I wasn't...quite expecting to cause that much damage with a training axe...

[...CAMILLA IS JUST GOING TO AVOID THE PART WHERE SHE THREATENED HIM IN ORDER TO ACTUALLY GET HIM IN THE SPLINT. IT'S FINE? IT'S TOTALLY FINE.]

[nobiliteased]

[IT'S FINE???? IT'S TOTALLY FINE...]

Your strength certainly is incredible... Perhaps our teachers can instruct you on ways to better utilize it so as not to cause damage to the equipment? Or our fellow classmates, for that matter.

[Honestly, he's terrified of the day he has to spar with Camilla. He's gonna fucking die. RIP in fuck, Lorenz.]

[anythingforyou]

[At least Lorenz has...something resembling a defense stat? Surely he'll be fine. Surely.

Of course, Camilla sputters and flushes in embarrassment at that first portion--that was one time, okay--but she nods her head in an acquiescing manner at the rest.]

That would be beneficial, yes. [Beat.] I've never truly learned how to hold back, so that may be beneficial for everyone involved. I will speak to Professor Byleth about it, when I see them next.

[nobiliteased]

Of course. I do believe your strength is an amazing asset, but having a bit more control could only be beneficial.

[He nods at that, as if decided.]

If there's anything I can do to assist you, please let me know.

[anythingforyou]

I shall, my lord. You have my word.

[...Actually, now that she thinks of it--]

Oh, actually, there is something. [Camilla rubs the back of her head.] It's to do with an assignment from Professor Hanneman...a magic-based assignment.

[...He can likely already see where she's going with this.]

[nobiliteased]

[...Oh dear. That doesn't sound promising.]

Professor Hanneman...? I'm not sure I like the sound of that. What sort of assignment did he give you?

[anythingforyou]

[It's not. It's really not.]

I'm not sure why exactly he has reason to suspect I am lying about my 'inability to use magic', but... [She sighs, shaking her head a bit.] I'm afraid he hasn't given up. He has assigned me to attempt to learn reason magic, and he wishes to oversee it so that he might be able to critique me.

[Camilla has rather staunchly attempted to avoid any and all magic for very, very obvious reasons, as Lorenz knows. The fact that she can't really escape this one is...stressful, to say the least.]

I have my suspicions about why he is trying such a thing, but...is there something we might be able to do about this?

[Camilla isn't exactly a slouch in the magical department--Lorenz knows that better than most, but Camilla is absolutely not compromising House Gloucester with this. She can't.]

[nobiliteased]

[Lorenz raises a hand to his chin, glancing down at the table as he considers.]

I can try talking to him, though I doubt my words will dissuade him. I could request for father to send a letter to insist that you shouldn't be taught magic which would most likely work... Though Professor Hanneman seems intent on studying every student with a crest. I heard Lysithea complaining about him the other day. It's likely that he won't let up easily.

[Hmm. It certainly is a bit difficult to know what to do in this situation...]

Another possibility is speaking to one of the other professors. From what I've heard and seen, Professor Hanneman doesn't seem to consider the more emotional side of things. It's possible one of the other professors will be more agreeable and will remove you from the lessons entirely.

[Faking magical ability simply isn't something one can do, but pretending not to have magical ability seems just as complicated...

He hesitates for a moment before looking up at Camilla again.]

Would you like to learn more about magic? I don't believe it's a good idea to let any of our professors know about your talent, but...

[He trails off there, frowning. It's important not to let anyone know of Camilla's talents, certainly, but it seems a shame to prevent her from pursuing it entirely.]

[anythingforyou]

I'm not altogether certain why he would suspect that I have a crest. I imagine he would have suspected me to be of Goneril descent before attempting to accuse me of being from a magic bearing house...

[Camilla's hands go back down to her skirt, fidgeting with it some. Really, either of those could work, but then Hanneman would have even more reason to suspect her of hiding something, wouldn't he?]

Hm...perhaps speaking to one of the professors could work, but I've heard his relationship with Professor Casagranda is not the best. He wouldn't listen to her. And Professor Byleth...I'm not altogether certain what they would do.

[That question, though--Camilla stops fidgeting with her dress and looks to Lorenz, shocked. He knows she can't compromise House Gloucester like this. If it came out that she was another bearer of the crest, everything would be thrown into chaos, and she couldn't do that to House Gloucester.

(She couldn't do that to him.)

Camilla hesitates, though. She is more than willing to learn every which method to defend her lord with, and if magic could be used for that purpose...]

...What are you suggesting, Lord Lorenz?

[She encourages him to continue, not saying yes, but not saying no either.]

[nobiliteased]

I do not have any intention of throwing House Gloucester into an unfavorable position. [He'll establish that first, even though he knows that Camilla's already aware of that.] But I do not think it fair for you to have to avoid learning more about something that you not only have a proficiency in, but a talent for.

[He pauses to take a sip of tea, to get his thoughts in order.]

I have been looking into learning reason magic to further hone my own skills. The crest of Gloucester is really only useful to a mage, and it would be a waste not to learn to utilize it myself. While I can't say my skill will compare with yours, it at least wouldn't be strange for me to bring several books on reason magic back to my room, even if what I'm reading about is a bit over my head for the time being.

[In other words, if you want to keep learning from books, he can at least make that happen. It's not nearly as good as having a professor to assist with it, but it's really the only thing he can think of that will at least allow her to pursue it, should she want to.]

Of course this is entirely optional, and you will still have to be careful about using magic during our battles.

[anythingforyou]

[Camilla considers that, as he says it. She'll take another sip of tea while he speaks, and she can see where he's going with this. If this was truly something she wanted to pursue, it would be so simple to disguise it. They would be able to learn together, as well, which would be all the more beneficial...]

I wouldn't go so far as to say that I am more skilled than yourself. [Camilla states that pretty quickly, once she has finished her cup of tea.] You could very well outshine me when you hone that talent of yours.

[There's a small smile on Camilla's face.]

I would quite like that, is what I am saying. It would be mutually beneficial, wouldn't it? To be learning all sorts of new magic alongside one another, to critique each other as needed, and to properly learn how to utilize it. Even if it takes both of us time, I would quite enjoy that...and it would allow me to have another method of which to keep you safe, if necessary to eradicate an enemy.

[CAMILLA, GOOD GODDESS ABOVE]