[Truthfully, it's somewhat surprising that Lif offers an answer at all, though not nearly as surprising as that soft chuckle, something that sounds... familiar. Like he's gotten that exact same laugh from the man before somehow, though he's quite certain he's never heard Lif sound so amused. So then how? Is there truly more to all of this - the fact that he finds himself drawn to Lif, the fact that so much of this feels familiar, even that particular book? It's not something he really wants to consider, but Hubert's not going to be able to continue avoiding it for much longer.
Lif's answer is likewise something he knew, somehow. It isn't a surprise to hear it, despite the fact that it should be, given Hubert had no way of knowing such a thing.]
I wasn't aware of your fondness for tactics.
[Which... is sort of true, in that he hadn't realized it despite this weird sense of deja vu, as though somehow he did actually know this. Even as he says it, Hubert looks unsure, as if that isn't quite the response he wanted - or maybe it isn't the right response at all.
He shakes his head as if to clear it. This isn't getting him anywhere.]
Will it suitably occupy you until you're free to return to the battlefield?
[...which is probably the most stunted way he could have put that, but alright.]
[Lif's expression...it becomes unreadable for a moment. There's a lot of ways he could respond to this; a lot of ways he should. He should push Hubert away, he should make sure that he doesn't come back to bother him at all. If it weren't for the damned summoner's power, maybe he'd just kill Hubert to fix all of this malfunction. Then he could at least justify feeling responsible for all of this.]
And if it doesn't?
[And yet, those damning words leave him before he can take them back. His empty chest feels a phantom tightness, and his tone almost seems...amused.]
Do you intend to do anything more about it?
[He hopes Hubert doesn't. (He hopes Hubert does, gods, give him more of an excuse--)]
It isn't my responsibility to ensure you behave yourself. Should you continue to act in ways that are detrimental to your own health, you truly will meet your end someday.
[Though whether that's on the battlefield in the immediate future or not is up in the air.]
I thought it best to at least provide you with some form of entertainment, but I won't stop you, should you decide you know better than the healers.
[Perhaps if things were different, he would. Some small part of him wonders if this is the right call, if maybe he should intervene more - if not for their healers, then for Lif himself. But...
But nothing. Lif is hardly a replacement for Lady Edelgard (and such a thought is an insult to them both) and Hubert won't consider it any further. Lif will do what he wants in the end, and Hubert doubts he has the power to truly stop him even if he wanted to.]
[Lif pauses, at that. It's what he was expecting, really, and he holds no ill towards Hubert for it; it makes Lif push those thoughts out of his head, if only for a time. He could give the book back to Hubert and simply go on his way; he needs to become stronger, as strong as he can to lay the gods low who have toyed with him.
...And yet...]
Some might accuse you of growing soft-hearted, Vestra. [...] But...I suppose I can refrain, for the time being.
[He doesn't want to. But maybe getting caught up in sentiment, just this once, will actually benefit him. He'll at least start to struggle his way back, but...]
...Thank you. You did not have to go out of your way like that.
[The first part gets a scoff from him, but then Lif decides to play nice for the time being and that gets an expression that's actually somewhat close to a smile from Hubert.]
You don't need to thank me for that... but I'll accept it regardless.
[He watches Lif for a moment to make sure that he'll actually be able to make it back. You going to be okay, or do you need a hand...]
Just don't get into the--habit of it, lest you want everyone to think you've gone mad.
[It probably doesn't help that he doesn't have Éljúðnir to support himself--damn Sigurd for thinking to confiscate that from him. But while Lif can give thanks, asking for help is a whole different beast.
Please help, this is pathetic...the bed's at least several feet away, given that it was supposed to be a deterrent to keep him there.]
[It's an unintentionally startled voice that Hubert gets at that--rude, he's supposed to be the one who shocks and scares people??? He doesn't protest being helped back to bed, at least, though he just. Very pointedly is going to ignore how almost gallant that was of Hubert.
Dear gods, feelings are a mistake and that just proves it. Eternally. At the very least, Lif can get himself laid back down easily, but the glow on his face is certainly dulled from it's usual and he's not looking at Hubert.]
...Thank you. For your assistance. [...] Don't forget to get some rest yourself, Vestra.
[So I don't have to worry, Lif wants to say, but he won't. of course he won't say that much.]
[That's almost... cute his mind supplies, though that's not precisely what he was going for. At least he didn't voice such a ridiculous thought.]
You don't need to worry yourself over me.
[But with that said he does hold up a hand in farewell.]
Do try not to trouble the healers too much.
[And with that, he takes his leave; though this wasn't exactly what he was expecting when he entered the infirmary, he leaves it feeling satisfied. At the very least Lif will hopefully stay put for now... even if Hubert has more questions than answers at this point. Still, he doesn't intend to remain awake for much longer - so even though he didn't say it, he'll be sure to get some rest as well.]
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sranks2022-09-23 01:17 am
no subject
Lif's answer is likewise something he knew, somehow. It isn't a surprise to hear it, despite the fact that it should be, given Hubert had no way of knowing such a thing.]
I wasn't aware of your fondness for tactics.
[Which... is sort of true, in that he hadn't realized it despite this weird sense of deja vu, as though somehow he did actually know this. Even as he says it, Hubert looks unsure, as if that isn't quite the response he wanted - or maybe it isn't the right response at all.
He shakes his head as if to clear it. This isn't getting him anywhere.]
Will it suitably occupy you until you're free to return to the battlefield?
[...which is probably the most stunted way he could have put that, but alright.]
no subject
And if it doesn't?
[And yet, those damning words leave him before he can take them back. His empty chest feels a phantom tightness, and his tone almost seems...amused.]
Do you intend to do anything more about it?
[He hopes Hubert doesn't. (He hopes Hubert does, gods, give him more of an excuse--)]
no subject
[Though whether that's on the battlefield in the immediate future or not is up in the air.]
I thought it best to at least provide you with some form of entertainment, but I won't stop you, should you decide you know better than the healers.
[Perhaps if things were different, he would. Some small part of him wonders if this is the right call, if maybe he should intervene more - if not for their healers, then for Lif himself. But...
But nothing. Lif is hardly a replacement for Lady Edelgard (and such a thought is an insult to them both) and Hubert won't consider it any further. Lif will do what he wants in the end, and Hubert doubts he has the power to truly stop him even if he wanted to.]
no subject
...And yet...]
Some might accuse you of growing soft-hearted, Vestra. [...] But...I suppose I can refrain, for the time being.
[He doesn't want to. But maybe getting caught up in sentiment, just this once, will actually benefit him. He'll at least start to struggle his way back, but...]
...Thank you. You did not have to go out of your way like that.
no subject
You don't need to thank me for that... but I'll accept it regardless.
[He watches Lif for a moment to make sure that he'll actually be able to make it back. You going to be okay, or do you need a hand...]
no subject
[It probably doesn't help that he doesn't have Éljúðnir to support himself--damn Sigurd for thinking to confiscate that from him. But while Lif can give thanks, asking for help is a whole different beast.
Please help, this is pathetic...the bed's at least several feet away, given that it was supposed to be a deterrent to keep him there.]
no subject
Then they won't question this.
[C'mon, Lif, give him your arm. He is not accepting no for an answer. He's going to help you back to bed whether you want him to or not.]
no subject
W-What are you--
[It's an unintentionally startled voice that Hubert gets at that--rude, he's supposed to be the one who shocks and scares people??? He doesn't protest being helped back to bed, at least, though he just. Very pointedly is going to ignore how almost gallant that was of Hubert.
Dear gods, feelings are a mistake and that just proves it. Eternally. At the very least, Lif can get himself laid back down easily, but the glow on his face is certainly dulled from it's usual and he's not looking at Hubert.]
...Thank you. For your assistance. [...] Don't forget to get some rest yourself, Vestra.
[So I don't have to worry, Lif wants to say, but he won't. of course he won't say that much.]
no subject
You don't need to worry yourself over me.
[But with that said he does hold up a hand in farewell.]
Do try not to trouble the healers too much.
[And with that, he takes his leave; though this wasn't exactly what he was expecting when he entered the infirmary, he leaves it feeling satisfied. At the very least Lif will hopefully stay put for now... even if Hubert has more questions than answers at this point. Still, he doesn't intend to remain awake for much longer - so even though he didn't say it, he'll be sure to get some rest as well.]