[If Gustav could see him awake right now, he's pretty sure his father would be scolding him for being up so late. A prince and soldier needs their rest in order to keep fighting at their best, and if they want to win this war against Hel, Alfonse can accept being at no less than his best.
It's a shame Gustav is dead and that their foe shows no signs of stopping in the slightest.
Alfonse paces the library, grabbing every tactical tome he can pour over to try and plan their next move. If he doesn't do something, Askr and Embla will fall; he knows that much. He can't afford a single second of idling, no matter how much Sharena insists he needs to rest in their father's stead, or any of the other heroes insist on such things. They've been backed into a corner--how exactly can you out maneuver an enemy who legitimately cannot die? That's been the question on Alfonse's increasingly frayed and stressed mind as he studies well into the night.
Even with Veronica looking into anything that the Embla family line could have used to try and ensure Hel won't be a problem, they still have to try and deal with her now. It could be worse; it could be so much worse, and Alfonse knows it. But they need to do something now, while there's still time.
He knows, better than anyone, that if worst comes to worst, they need to send the summoner and their heroes back. But at least for now, guilty as Alfonse feels for asking for every bit of help they can get, they have assistance. And Alfonse is ever thankful for it; despite his insistence on not getting close to heroes, not even he's immune to kinship. It at least helps that they have reliable people around, and his mind drifts to one of them as he pours over his studies.
He wonders if Hubert is out this late, and just what the other man would say if he saw him in here again. It almost makes Alfonse chuckle; it's not as though Hubert could judge, considering his own habits. But Hubert has been a stalwart ally for quite some time, and Alfonse has always appreciated having the rather cold and calculating man around. He's helped Alfonse with tactics several times throughout their battles, and his council has always helped the prince in his times of need. He may not know everything of Princess Edelgard other than what Hubert has told him, but he imagines that she appreciates him just as much, if not moreso.
...What he would do for a good cup of coffee right about now, he muses. He's letting himself drift off too much; back to tactical work. It's not like anyone else is awake at this hour.]
[Thankfully, a good cup of coffee is on its way, and with it, one Hubert von Vestra.
Though Askr is a far cry from Adrestia and Alfonse is certainly not a replacement for Lady Edelgard, Hubert would be lying if he said he didn't find his experiences here enjoyable. What had started as an attempt to get close to the leadership to learn more about the conflict had quickly morphed into something else entirely. Alfonse is every inch as genuine as he presents himself, and in some ways it's... almost charming in its sincerity. Perhaps it's because Lady Edelgard understands she has to present a front and does so quite well, but seeing someone in a position of power who is truly so straightforward and forthright is something Hubert isn't quite sure he knows how to handle.
That's what drew him to Alfonse initially, and while he attempted to slot himself into the same role he served with Lady Edelgard at first, he quickly realized that he couldn't do the same thing here. Alfonse is not Lady Edelgard, and he can't expect to serve Alfonse in the same way. So he's had to change and adapt here, and while that hasn't been the easiest thing, it has certainly proved an invaluable lesson.
And besides, there's something nice about being treated as Alfonse's equal. While Hubert may have his doubts about the "Hero" title that those summoned to this world have been given, he can acknowledge that they are valuable members of the Askran force in this war.
A war that they will be no closer to winning if they don't put their all into their research, and right around now he assumes Alfonse will be hard at work, but beginning to long for bed. Thus the coffee and thus his presence; two sets of hands will make the work go by quicker.]
I see I was right in assuming you'd be here this late.
[The remark is as wryly pleased as usual, and Hubert offers Alfonse one cup of coffee. The other is of course, for himself.]
[It probably says something about Alfonse that he doesn't startle at the sound of footsteps; Hel could easily send an assassin to take him in the night. Or she could just eradicate them while they're at their clear weakest. But for a being as cold and objective as Hel seems to be, she seems to have a sadistic side to her for sure.
It's only when it becomes obvious who it is that Alfonse allows himself to perk up, and ah...he supposes he should've expected company at this hour. But Alfonse certainly isn't opposed to who joins him; Hubert is a stalwart friend and equal, and knowing that the man has come by in his time of need is...
...It's nice, really. Alfonse's smile is warm when he regards the other man.]
Aha...my apologies. I suppose I have become a little bit more predictable, over time.
[Alfonse will gladly take that coffee like it's an elixir, though, good lord--give him the strength to get through this.]
Thank you. I'm afraid I simply cannot bring myself to sleep, when there is so much that needs to be done...and this will be a great help. I imagine it's the same for you, is it not?
[There's no judgement in his tone; it's simply objective, because he's the exact same way.]
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sranks2022-09-23 01:17 am
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It's a shame Gustav is dead and that their foe shows no signs of stopping in the slightest.
Alfonse paces the library, grabbing every tactical tome he can pour over to try and plan their next move. If he doesn't do something, Askr and Embla will fall; he knows that much. He can't afford a single second of idling, no matter how much Sharena insists he needs to rest in their father's stead, or any of the other heroes insist on such things. They've been backed into a corner--how exactly can you out maneuver an enemy who legitimately cannot die? That's been the question on Alfonse's increasingly frayed and stressed mind as he studies well into the night.
Even with Veronica looking into anything that the Embla family line could have used to try and ensure Hel won't be a problem, they still have to try and deal with her now. It could be worse; it could be so much worse, and Alfonse knows it. But they need to do something now, while there's still time.
He knows, better than anyone, that if worst comes to worst, they need to send the summoner and their heroes back. But at least for now, guilty as Alfonse feels for asking for every bit of help they can get, they have assistance. And Alfonse is ever thankful for it; despite his insistence on not getting close to heroes, not even he's immune to kinship. It at least helps that they have reliable people around, and his mind drifts to one of them as he pours over his studies.
He wonders if Hubert is out this late, and just what the other man would say if he saw him in here again. It almost makes Alfonse chuckle; it's not as though Hubert could judge, considering his own habits. But Hubert has been a stalwart ally for quite some time, and Alfonse has always appreciated having the rather cold and calculating man around. He's helped Alfonse with tactics several times throughout their battles, and his council has always helped the prince in his times of need. He may not know everything of Princess Edelgard other than what Hubert has told him, but he imagines that she appreciates him just as much, if not moreso.
...What he would do for a good cup of coffee right about now, he muses. He's letting himself drift off too much; back to tactical work. It's not like anyone else is awake at this hour.]
no subject
Though Askr is a far cry from Adrestia and Alfonse is certainly not a replacement for Lady Edelgard, Hubert would be lying if he said he didn't find his experiences here enjoyable. What had started as an attempt to get close to the leadership to learn more about the conflict had quickly morphed into something else entirely. Alfonse is every inch as genuine as he presents himself, and in some ways it's... almost charming in its sincerity. Perhaps it's because Lady Edelgard understands she has to present a front and does so quite well, but seeing someone in a position of power who is truly so straightforward and forthright is something Hubert isn't quite sure he knows how to handle.
That's what drew him to Alfonse initially, and while he attempted to slot himself into the same role he served with Lady Edelgard at first, he quickly realized that he couldn't do the same thing here. Alfonse is not Lady Edelgard, and he can't expect to serve Alfonse in the same way. So he's had to change and adapt here, and while that hasn't been the easiest thing, it has certainly proved an invaluable lesson.
And besides, there's something nice about being treated as Alfonse's equal. While Hubert may have his doubts about the "Hero" title that those summoned to this world have been given, he can acknowledge that they are valuable members of the Askran force in this war.
A war that they will be no closer to winning if they don't put their all into their research, and right around now he assumes Alfonse will be hard at work, but beginning to long for bed. Thus the coffee and thus his presence; two sets of hands will make the work go by quicker.]
I see I was right in assuming you'd be here this late.
[The remark is as wryly pleased as usual, and Hubert offers Alfonse one cup of coffee. The other is of course, for himself.]
no subject
It's only when it becomes obvious who it is that Alfonse allows himself to perk up, and ah...he supposes he should've expected company at this hour. But Alfonse certainly isn't opposed to who joins him; Hubert is a stalwart friend and equal, and knowing that the man has come by in his time of need is...
...It's nice, really. Alfonse's smile is warm when he regards the other man.]
Aha...my apologies. I suppose I have become a little bit more predictable, over time.
[Alfonse will gladly take that coffee like it's an elixir, though, good lord--give him the strength to get through this.]
Thank you. I'm afraid I simply cannot bring myself to sleep, when there is so much that needs to be done...and this will be a great help. I imagine it's the same for you, is it not?
[There's no judgement in his tone; it's simply objective, because he's the exact same way.]