sranks | two dumbasses get voluntold into adopting a child

[Don't shame him over there!! Linhardt knows what he's saying!!]

Yes; allow me to thank you as well, Mother. Your teachings will certainly not go to waste, I'm sure.

[Octavia seems more than happy, though, removing her hands from her face and clapping them with delight.]

I'm so very glad that the both of you had so much fun with them! Oh, it brings me such joy to be able to teach you all such wonderful, exquisite crafts--you're all quite welcome!

[At any rate, now that they're done...]

We should probably turn in very soon, however...we're going to have to be up quite early, if we want to make it to Enbarr with the haste Her Majesty wishes. Shall we prepare for bed?

[one may look at linhardt, who napped most of a day away, and wonder how the fuck he is going to sleep

and those people would be shocked that this boy is still more than happy and ready to go the hell to bed]

[Oh no. Hubert isn't at all surprised that Linhardt's ready for bed despite napping for most of the day, and there really isn't any hiding his wry grin.]

Yes, we should. We do have to pack, after all. Come, Cassandra. Let's get you ready for bed.

[She frowns at that. "But I don't want to go to bed..."]

We have to get up very early tomorrow. Besides, we have to pack first. Don't you want to help us pick out your clothes?

[She scuffs her shoe against the floor, still pouting. "Fine..." She does approach and offer both of them her hands, as usual. Hubert doesn't think twice about taking hers and leading the way back to her bedroom.

He does pause to address Octavia, however.]

Thank you again, Octavia. We'll see you tomorrow morning.

[Because of course she'll see them off.]

[Cassandra...well, Linhardt smiles, at the very least, though it's a tiny bit exasperated. Even so, Hubert's at least able to convince her that getting to bed would be for the best, and Linhardt happily takes her other hand, as per usual.

Octavia smiles, though, going to clean up a bit while addressing Hubert.]

It's no trouble, Huey; I'm happy to have helped all of you. I'll see you wonderful darlings off tomorrow morning! Sleep well, and sweet dreams!

[Linhardt watches as his Mother wave to them, and he waves back to her before they're off. He's already yawning a bit by the time they're out of the room and en route to Cassandra's to get her to bed.]

I must admit, I wasn't expecting Mother's flight of fancy to be such an enjoyable little activity...I'm quite glad she decided to get us involved. It was quite nice.

[He'll look to Cassandra, after he says that.]

...I suppose it would be prudent to ask; is there anything you'll be needing assistance with before you to sleep, Cassandra?

[He imagines she could get out of her clothes and back into her nightgown easily enough, but she might not be able to sleep so easily.]

It was nice.

[Cassandra looks up at him dubiously at that, as though she's not sure "nice" is really the right word to describe it. He supposes it probably isn't; it really was enjoyable and sort of fun, in a strange way.

Linhardt's question gets her gaze to turn to him and she frowns a bit. "Can you help me wash my hair?" A brief pause. "Oh, and read me stories!"

Hubert glances at Linhardt over Cassandra's head. The second is easy enough, and he can handle that if Linhardt's too tired, but the first... Well, it's a bit awkward. Octavia's probably been helping her with it, or the servants. She's old enough to be able to handle bathing on her own, but he can see where managing that much hair might be a bit much for a child her age.]

...Of course, I can assist you.

[Better to offer himself for the task, especially if Linhardt finds it a bit awkward.]

[It probably isn't the right word for the situation, but going any deeper into it is more than likely gonna involve thinking too hard about the possibility that Cassandra is becoming like a daughter to them, which is. Not something Linhardt wants to think about right this second!

...Which of course means that he's gonna be immediately smacked in the face with that sort of thought process when Cassandra asks them those things. Linhardt winds up glancing right at Hubert when she asks that, clearly just. Kind of awkward at the idea of both? The more he thinks about it, the awkwarder it gets, and it's certainly a bit of an awkward request, but...

Well, there's no reason not to help her, is there?]

I can assist as well. [The words come easy, despite Linhardt's clear unease, but he's trying to cast that off. It'll be better for Cassandra's sake.] We can both help you out, Cassandra.

[She's likely got stuff in her room, after all, so they won't need to gather much...

Either way, Cassandra seems happy at the prospect, smiling at them both as they come upon her room. They're probably going to need to draw a bath in order to make sure her hair is nice and washed, and Linhardt's actually going to take an opportunity to escape the awkwardness for a moment--]

Give us a moment, Cassandra; I'm going to gather a few books so that we might be able to read you something new. Hubert, would you come along with me?

[He's hoping Hubert understands...]

Of course. We'll be right back.

[He inclines his head to indicate that Linhardt should follow him out into the hallway. He carefully shuts the door behind them and then looks to his husband.]

Are you alright?

[He certainly hasn't missed how awkward Linhardt looks...]

[Linhardt will gladly follow Hubert out, clearly relieved to not be dealing with...that...well, until Hubert asks the question that he's dreading answering. Linhardt sighs a bit, running his hand through his hair as he tries to work out how to respond...]

I'm...well, I suppose it is a bit awkward to be doing such things for Cassandra. I did ask, and yet...I wasn't expecting her to ask this of us.

[...]

You feel the same way, don't you? That this is perhaps...entirely too close to considering us...

[Linhardt doesn't wanna say the dreaded 'f' word. But. It's there, somewhere.]

[Family, right? That's how he finishes that thought and his eyes dart as he considers it.]

I feel the same way. I suppose it's natural for her to come to rely on us, but even so, it's... strange.

[A bit uncomfortable, perhaps. Unnerving, maybe. There are plenty of ways to describe it and he isn't really sure what fits best.]

If it's too much for you, I can handle it. It's a bit awkward, but nothing I cannot handle.

[He's better at keeping his distance - it's what he's done for nearly his entire life. It will be easier for him to avoid thinking of Cassandra as family.

Hubert reaches out instinctively for Linhardt's hand, rubbing gentle circles into it as if to reassure his husband.]

I don't ever want this to be too much for you. All of this was thrust onto us without our say, and I certainly don't want anything to hurt you because of it.

[Considering Cassandra as family would hurt, he thinks.]

[It's good to hear that Hubert's been having the same sort of thoughts...well, not good, but comforting, perhaps. Even if it's certainly something that's not going to get easier as time goes on, as they get more attached to this girl, and--

Hubert takes his hand, and it's a grounding weight. Even so, as Hubert speaks about taking this on his own and protecting him, Linhardt shakes his head.]

It isn't too much, Hubert, and...I doubt this will hurt me. [That first part is certain, but the second...well, he's not sure about that, but he's not sure if distance will help at all.] Even if this has been something we've been thrust into, it doesn't feel fair keep my distance because it makes me uncomfortable. I certainly won't expect you to take all of this upon yourself.

And...it isn't fair to her, either. [Linhardt looks away at that, his grip tightening on his husband's hand.] ...I can hardly believe I'm considering such a thing, really. But we're some of the first few people she's come to know in this world, and I don't want to distance myself from her.

[...]

I suppose I...don't know how much I would mind it. And that scares me.

[There's a whole lot about this situation that scares him, just as falling in love did all of those years ago did to him. Opening his heart again seems like it's a recipe for disaster, when there's so much in the air. It's enough to make a lesser man sick.]

[He exhales slowly, letting his eyes fall closed for a moment.]

...You're right. It isn't fair to her. She relies on us because she must - she's just a child, and she doesn't know anyone else. She's very fond of your mother, but it's our task to look after and raise her, and it is never something I would burden your mother with.

[He considers that for a moment. That's the right sentiment, but wording it like that is kind of... weird...]

Not to say she is a burden, because I haven't found her to be. I... fear I may be growing more fond of her than I would have thought, especially so early on.

I understand, Linhardt. I could easily see myself becoming all too attached to her. Thinking of her as...

[Family. His daughter. Their daughter.]

It isn't fair to refuse to allow ourselves to grow close to her, but it's difficult to know how to proceed. I had a hard time learning to open up to you, and I'm still learning to accept your family's support. I'm not sure I'm ready for Cassandra's as well, and she'll be looking to us for guidance on top of that.

I'm afraid. But we don't have much of a choice, and I... don't want to hurt her.

[His gaze darts. It isn't often he dwells on how much pain he caused Linhardt, but it's hard not to when staring at something like this.]

[Linhardt nods his head as he listens to Hubert, in agreement. As much as Mother would probably prosper under such circumstances, it isn't exactly fair to her to expect her to raise this child from the goddess. It falls onto them because she does need to be trained for the day that Those That Slither rise again, and he doubts his mother would do that much, but...also because they are what she knows. They're people she wants to be painted with, to spend her time with, and...

Well, it's cruel to deny her that, isn't it? Just as it's cruel to have had the goddess force them into this position to begin with.]

...I understand. I feel much the same about her, really. I can hardly believe that I do, and yet as the days go by...the less I feel so terribly about her being forced upon us. It's only been days, and yet...

[Linhardt trails off there, and Hubert is honestly right. It is difficult to know how to proceed, and Linhardt knows better than anyone that Hubert's had a hard time of it too. They've spent years trying to tear down those walls between Hubert and everyone else, and he's come such a long way in making progress too.]

We don't, certainly. But I'm not going to let you do this alone. I know better than most that you've had a hard time opening up to anyone, and that you still do. It's much to get used to, but...

[Linhardt adjusts their hands so that he can rub his thumb against Hubert's as a comforting gesture.]

...It is simply something we may both need to take our time with, so that neither of us hurt her. She deserves that much.

[His gaze drops to their hands and he finds himself smiling. This isn't going to be easy, and he's certain they will make mistakes. But they have Octavia and Cadmus to help them, and he's certain their friends will pitch in as well, even though none of them know how to handle a child either, probably.

Hubert's grip tightens on Linhardt's hand and he moves to rest his free hand against the side of Linhardt's face.]

I agree. I don't know where we'll be in eight years, but we'll be careful with her. We'll do all we can for her.

Thank you, my love. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you.

[As always, Linhardt manages to calm him and bolster him, and it feels like he really will be able to handle this just fine.]

We will. We'll ensure that she's all that she needs to be, but...also that she can be happy. I'm sure we can do that much, if nothing else.

[Linhardt smiles a bit, and gestures for Hubert to follow him--he does want to keep his promise of getting books for Cassandra, after all, and he at least has a few in their room that they could read.

...Sure, it's mostly research and stuff, but she's interested in flowers and knowledge about them, right?? She might appreciate knowledge more than she appreciates fiction, which is. Probably not true, she's just a kid Linhardt oh my god.]

I don't know what I'd do without you either, you know. I certainly wouldn't have you by my side like this, and that in and of itself is a crime.

[Alright, we're here. Come on, lets pick some books out!!]

[He follows, of course, and laughs at Linhardt's words as they reach their room.]

I'm pleased I can be here for you, then. Now let's see what we can find...

[His entire collection of books is nonfiction - history books, tactics, dark magic... all sorts of things that a child wouldn't want to read. He considers for a moment before picking up a few of the history books. At the very least he can probably tell her a few stories without reading directly from the text. That might work?? He really doesn't have many options here, huh...]

This may be more difficult than I thought. I don't have much that will work. What about you?

[A book on faith magic, a history book, an old book about crests...Linhardt's own little library isn't anything to write home about either, and he's not exactly thinking about what a child would want to read. Surely a little bit of knowledge before bed would be swell, wouldn't it???

Of course, Linhardt looks at Hubert when he speaks up, promptly showing off all three books with a too easy smile that may be a hint that he's missing the point entirely.]

Really? Your vast library should have something in there that she might wish to learn about...I've found a few things in here that may interest her, or at least put her to sleep.

[...honey help, he's bad at this]

[Oh no...]

While I'm sure you aren't wrong about that, I think she'll want something that will entertain her, but not make her think too hard. Children tend to like stories - adventures and excitement, something fun to think about as they drift off.

Lady Edelgard was very fond of such things when we were children. It wasn't often I was permitted to stay with her that late at night, but sometimes we did spend hours in the library finding books she would want to be read. I used to be fond of it too.

[Which is saying a lot, considering he doesn't really care for fiction anymore.]

Ah...

[...Well shit, there goes his entire collection. Linhardt winds up sheepishly looking away, not actually sure if he could do something like that. Adventures and the like...the closest he can think of is old stories from the academy, but he doubts that would be of interest to her.]

...I really don't know if I have anything that could be truly entertaining for her, then. Unless we were to...I don't know, adapt a history lesson into a story or tell one of our own adventures...

[Linhardt is not exactly the most creative man, this is. Daunting, honestly.]

...Next time we go into town, let us pick up some stories. But for now, ah... [.........] What should we do?

That's what I was thinking. It would be easy enough to adapt a tale from history into something that will suit her.

[He pauses, considering.]

Though perhaps it would be best to stick to what we know best - with a few alterations, it would be fairly easy to tell her of Her Majesty's victory.

[There are things Cassandra never needs to hear about it. But turning it into a tale she'll like would be easy enough.]

I do agree that we should pick up some books for her while we're in Enbarr, but for tonight... I think I can manage this much.

[Linhardt nods his head in agreement as he goes to put some of the books back. If she needs more than one story he can use the history book, but otherwise...well.]

...I think that I agree with you, yes. I'm sure that she'll find such a story riveting, and enough to entertain her to sleep.

But we do need to wash her hair first. It'll give us plenty of time to think about how we want to spin this.

[...And that's going to be interesting but you know what, two heads are better than one and they both know about haircare if in entirely different directions.]

Shall we be off, then?

Precisely. Let's take care of that first.

[He nods and takes the one history book he picked out with him. It doesn't tell of Her Majesty's rise to power and their conquest, but there aren't many books on that just yet, anyway.

Cassandra's flopped on her bed when they come back in, staring up at the ceiling and looking supremely bored. She doesn't seem very tired, though, and perks up when she hears the door.]

I'll get the bath started. Can the two of you start picking out clothes to pack?

[She nods cheerfully and skips over to the closet to get to work on that as Hubert slips into the bathroom to start running the water.]

[Linhardt nods his head, walking along with Hubert to Cassandra's room and smiling a bit when she perks up. Even with all of his doubts and worries, there's something about seeing her so pleased to see them that makes the doubts melt away even a bit.]

Of course, Hubert. We'll try to be done by the time you get the bath ready, hm?

[Linhardt winds up following her into the closet to help her pick out some clothes. Linhardt and her chatter for a bit while picking out some clothes, and it's...

"I like this one. Can we pack it?"]

Yes, I'm not opposed. But you should pick out some clothes that aren't black, too...

["But I like black." Cassandra replies with a bit of a pout at that, and Linhardt considers it for a moment.]

It's not bad that you like it. It simply shouldn't encompass everything you pack. Black does go well with just about any color, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to pick ten of the same flower. Would you?

["I guess so..." Cassandra starts looking a little more into the colorful clothes.]

Besides, you can mix and match them to make something pretty. May I show you?

["Okay." Cassandra does look at Linhardt with some interest as he demonstrates some good outfits with different colors and black, mixing them up and matching while they pack...they'll probably be only halfway done by the time Hubert comes out...whoops.]

[It isn't difficult to get the water in the tub to the perfect temperature, and once he's got that going, he sets about going through her soaps for the perfect ones... and reorganizing the towels... okay, listen, Hubert's kind of aggressively like this, but he has to keep an eye on the water level anyway, so it's fine.

Once the tub is full (but not too full), he turns off the faucets and heads out to check on his husband and Cassandra. Linhardt's clearly trying to convince her to wear other colors, which makes him smile. He won't argue in favor of her wearing all black, but it's kind of cute...]

Your bath is ready whenever you are, Cassandra. Are you two finding some outfits you like?

["Yes!" She's quick to draw his attention to a few that Linhardt's laid out, smiling brightly.]

[...Bless Hubert and his organizational habits, okay.

Linhardt looks up when Hubert comes out and tells them the bath is ready, and Linhardt smiles even more when Cassandra draws his attention to some of the outfits that he's picked out. He's actually kind of prideful about them??]

I'm quite happy that you like these outfits, Cassandra. Let's pick a few more out, and then you can hop into the bath.

["Okay!" Cassandra responds easily with a smile, and with newfound vigor, they both manage to pick out some wonderful outfits to at least sustain their stay in Enbarr for a good amount of time. Hopefully Her Majesty doesn't keep them long...

"I'm ready to hop in!" Cassandra pipes up happily, and she...literally hops up and Linhardt is shooting Hubert a bit of a worried look. He might have messed up by telling her to hop in, dear gods--]

Yes, yes, let's get you into the tub. But please don't actually hop--

[...Please tell him Cassandra can actually hear him before she goes skipping in, oh goddess above he fucked up, HE FUCKED UP.]

[He watches the two of them pick out outfits - Linhardt's certainly got an eye for what will look good on her, and what will look good with her unique hair color - and then she's off skipping to the bath and—

And in almost no time at all, there's a loud splash and Hubert bursts out laughing.]

Oh dear. It seems as though she did take it literally.

[He sweeps into the bathroom and picks up several of those towels he was organizing, moving to start mopping up the water left behind on the floor from where she jumped in. Her clothes were dropped on the floor as well, so he hangs those up to dry as he chides Cassandra.]

He didn't mean that literally you know. You've left quite a mess.

[She pouts and leans over the edge of the tub to look down at the towels and water. "Sorry..."]

It's alright, just make sure you learn from this. Splashing about will only cause trouble.

[Linhardt's honestly mentally preparing for the worst and he's almost ready to dart in after Cassandra, ready to at least ensure that she won't hit her head when she hops in, and when he hears that splash...

...It takes a few seconds, but Linhardt first sighs and then chuckles, a bit relieved that the bathroom floor seems to have been the only thing damaged in the process. It takes a moment or two for Linhardt to compose himself, and he winds up following Hubert in and shaking his head a little bit.]

I really should have told you to not take that so literally... [Linhardt winds up shaking his head a bit, chuckling easily.] Thank you for being as quick to act as ever, Hubert...

[And he's gonna look at Cassandra--]

And please don't take me so literally next time.

[Cassandra winds up nodding her head, clearly having understood now. Linhardt breathes another sigh of relief.]

Do let us know when you're ready for your hair to be washed, okay?

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