shaft | school: byleth

[ It is quite nice. Claude had stolen one of the blankets from the bonfire the previous night, and made himself quite cozy as he relaxes under the sun.

But not so relaxed that he doesn't notice Byleth's approach, though he doesn't open his eyes even as she sits down. ]

Skipping class, teach? How unlike you.

Class time just finished. [her mind is overflowing with gay subtext.]

Would you like to attend the next one with me?

[go to our weird classes claude]

I think I've attended enough class in my life. [ Even if he's technically a dropout. ] Did you enjoy being on the other side?

[there's a good-natured exhale of amused air at his cheek, and she folds her hands on her lap, legs out to the side.]

It's interesting. Certainly different.

[but so is like, literally everything.

...]

Have you spoken much with your dormitory head?

[ She's not wrong, and he does crack an eye open to give her a smile. ]

Chad? Just that first day they introduced themselves. He's not very talkative.

Have you?

Not with Chad.

Just Sally and Viola.

What do you make of them?

They seem nice enough. But...

[she trails off. as they discussed in their texts, anyone can lie. how much trust do they deserve?]

...I'd like to talk with the principal.

Me too. Though he seems elusive... And I'm not sure how much of their clueless act I buy.

[ He frowns. ]

What about the tasks? Have you bared your soul?

[she nods easily as he speaks. certainly, she's had her share of students who suddenly came down with amnesia or cluelessness just as an assignment was due—why should an otherworldly dormitory leader dealing with what they viewed as troublemakers be any different?]

I've been asking other people.

[speaking of which:]

Would you like to do one?

Sure, but it seems you're due to answer a couple questions yourself.

[ You don't get a choice! ]

So, how far would you go to reach your goal?

[there's a quiet amused sound, but she doesn't object.]

...To the edge of the world.

[ A very typical, Byleth answer. ]

As formidable as always. Where does that extend anyway? To the Throat? Fódlan's Fangs? Whatever other body part they have in Faerghus?

[she shoots him a sly Look, good-natured humor flickering in her eyes.]

From where the sun rises to where it sets.

[ He holds her gaze for a moment before laughing and looking away with a shake of his head. ]

Very poetic.

"From Fódlan to Almyra" might not be enough.

[she's hedging her bets]

[ ...

His expression doesn't give anything away, but he assumes it doesn't need to. ]

I wouldn't think so. There's a much bigger world out there than those two countries. I wouldn't mind seeing it some day.

[she watches his face for a moment, then looks off into the middle distance, nodding.]

I'd like to see how far it goes.

[she tilts her head.]

My turn.

[ He doesn't want it to be her turn, but there's no helping it. ]

Ask away.

Tell me about a conflict you're dealing with.

[ Ugh, he doesn't want to. ]

You mean it isn't obvious? [ He glances at her, a little helplessly. ] But if I had to put it into words, I... worry I've lost sight of all the change I once wanted so desperately to see.

[an interesting interpretation of the question. she tucks her legs further under her, adjusting the hair around her headband.]

Do you feel as if you're just surviving, rather than advancing?

[ hmmm byleth did answer a follow up question so maybe he can too ]

In some sense. It's a feeling of impotence.

[she nods, and looks back out, at the middle distance.]

I think that's a shared feeling, right now.

I'd imagine so. We're all a little helpless here.

[ Closing his eyes, he sighs. ]

It's frustrating what few leads we have.

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