sranks | we are the cursed we came from fire and ice

[...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?

[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.]

Edited 2019-09-28 06:45 (UTC)

[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.]

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.]

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.

[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]

[CAMILLA'S JUST... NATURALLY TERRIFYING...]

I certainly would hate to make an enemy of you.

[It's clearly a joke, though.]

I would like nothing more than to learn together. It shouldn't be particularly difficult to obtain whatever books you'd like, so feel free to request anything at any point. I'll ensure that Professor Hanneman starts teaching me more about reason magic soon.

[...]

Of course, that doesn't address the question of how to deal with your current assignment. It seems as though no matter what we do it will pique his curiosity further. I wonder if there's some way to keep him from prodding into the matter any further...

[Hmm. While House Gloucester is certainly rich enough to bribe the school into turning a blind eye, that sounds like it won't work on Hanneman. Lorenz frowns.]

My only other idea is admittedly a dreadful one. If Professor Hanneman were to believe you were abhorrent with magic, perhaps he would back off, but I cannot in good conscious suggest something that could injure you or others.

[Causing a magical backlash of some sort would technically be possible, but it's a terrible idea.]

I shall, my lord. I will certainly be looking forward to it.

[Of course, that doesn't solve their current problem of Hanneman Needs To Not, but Camilla is looking forward to honing her skills alongside him. She'll be unstoppable, surely!!

...Of course, when they finally do go back to that subject, Camilla...well, she hates to say she's actually considering it??? Look, desperate times call for desperate measures, and these measures are about as desperate as they get--]

...I hate to say that may be the only method I can think of. Certainly, it would be an incredible risk regardless, but it would quell any curiosity of his effectively, I wager. [It'd probably work?? But like, the damages caused would so not be worth it.] If only there was a way to temporarily seal my magic off for a day, then he'd back off with certainty...

A silence spell would work... but he'd likely be able to sense that. I can't think of anything else that would, but surely there must be something we can do to turn his interest elsewhere...

[Hmm...]

I suppose we could try distracting him with something else. It isn't likely that he'll forget, but if we can give him something else to focus on that would at least buy us some more time to come up with a better plan. Admittedly I'm not sure what to distract him with, but if he wishes to study Gloucester's crest then none are more fitting than I, Lorenz Hellman Gloucester!

[...is the plan seriously "get in Hanneman's face until he stops" because that sounds like it might be it.]

That man is far too adept for his own good...

[...Maybe the backfiring would be for the best, then, Camilla would certainly have to apologize and explain this to His Grace, but certainly he'll be lenient when he realizes just what else was at stake? She hopes--

But then Lorenz speaks up, and that--well, that makes perfect sense to Camilla.]

Yes--that would be completely sensible! His studies would flourish far more if you were his test subject instead of I--there would be no better way to research the effects of House Gloucester's crest for him. This plan is flawless, Lord Lorenz!

[YEP. THAT'S IT. THAT'S THE PLAN. WE'RE ACTUALLY DOING THIS.]

[Lorenz nods at that, smiling easily.]

Excellent! It won't be difficult to pull that off - my interest in reason magic is enough of a stepping stone for that much, at least! I can assure you, I'll keep him entirely too busy to keep hounding you, Camilla!

[THIS IS THE DUMBEST PLAN, BUT SURE, YOU GUYS GO FOR IT...]

[IT'S A GENIUS PLAN, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT???]

Oh, thank you. Honestly, I can barely stand that man as it is--this would be a wonderful weight off of my shoulders, and it'll be able to ensure that I can continue focusing on my own studies...as well as the studies I shall be taking with you.

[--Oh!]

Ah, and you'll be able to learn all sorts of new ways to utilize reason magic even better through him as well! Truly, this is flawless.

[y'all really think the man is that dumb huh]

Really, I'm most happy that I won't be missing my Sky Watch session--Lady Hilda allowed me to take over for her, and I am most excited.

[...camilla got played but it's fine, it's gonna be her first time actually flying after all of the studying she's been doing and she's hype!!]

[He nods at the first part, clearly pleased that their plan is 100% flawless and not at all going to end stupidly.]

Oh, it will be your first time flying, won't it?

[That's exciting! Of course there have been some classes on flying and the care and how to train your wyvern, but her first time...]

Do tell me how it goes, I'm eager to hear all about it! It was so kind of Hilda to allow you the chance to get started so early!

[guys.]

I absolutely will. Lady Hilda has given me this opportunity, and I shall not let it go to waste!

[Camilla practically beams, her bright smile all too obvious and genuinely overjoyed. Totally never gonna realize she's been played.]

I've already had a chance to get acquainted with the monastery's wyverns, so I'm certain it shall be a tale to remember. They've raised them quite well, and they're simply the most darling things, my lord...

[Camilla sighs, dreamily........]

I'm not surprised to hear you say that! You do seem so fond of them...

[It earns a soft laugh out of him and he smiles easily. It's really nice to be able to spend time with Camilla like this, and the rest of their conversation flows easily. Time spent with her is always a blessing, and certainly a welcome relief from dealing with Claude.]

we are the cursed we came from fire and ice

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