I know... you must feel frustrated right now. Maybe conflicted or scared. And even though I'm a doctor, there are some things I can't treat with any kind of medicine.
... I can't make it hurt any less, Claude. And for that, I'm truly sorry. But if there's anything I can do, just even for a second, to help you, I'm more than willing to do it.
[ He just glances down at his hands, the anger and fatigue giving way to guilt. He doesn't want to be a cause of concern for her, though he's said that before only to have his sentiments rebuffed.
But he looks at a loss. ]
... I don't know what to do in the face of your kindness.
[ She gets that a lot. And she doesn't exactly want him to feel guilty, though all she can really do now is what he did for her this week and reach out to take his hands in hers for a firm squeeze. ]
What do you want to do? If there was absolutely nothing stopping you, just for right now, what would you want?
[ I think there is a ladder next to the Winter dorm, so he'll climb on up there! It might be a little snowy or icey, so he'll watch Otome to make sure she doesn't slip. ]
We're all trying to find the truth and support each other, in our own ways. [ And her gaze shifts over to Claude. ] Even with-- or maybe because of everything happening, I'm not too surprised that we'd come to care so much.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 3, saturday, outside
Also, he is punching a tree. Some people have no respect for nature. ]
no subject
And then she'd remembered that Claude and Byleth are very close and she is out of blankets and scarves right now but she heads out anyway.
... There he is, and she pauses for a moment to assess the situation before she moves forward. ]
... Claude. Please, stop.
no subject
It's Otome, so he just stops, though the bitterness in his expression remains. ]
Sorry. I think my emotions are a little unruly tonight.
no subject
[ She sees that bitterness loud and clear, and honestly, she's grateful that he's not just stomping off. She wouldn't blame him. ]
But punching a tree is going to badly damage your knuckles. I'd really not see anyone else hurt right now, as selfish as that is.
no subject
[ sorry, he's being a baby ]
no subject
[ Otome stop ]
no subject
That's not funny.
no subject
[ Though her smile fades. ]
I know... you must feel frustrated right now. Maybe conflicted or scared. And even though I'm a doctor, there are some things I can't treat with any kind of medicine.
... I can't make it hurt any less, Claude. And for that, I'm truly sorry. But if there's anything I can do, just even for a second, to help you, I'm more than willing to do it.
no subject
It's...
[ He just glances down at his hands, the anger and fatigue giving way to guilt. He doesn't want to be a cause of concern for her, though he's said that before only to have his sentiments rebuffed.
But he looks at a loss. ]
... I don't know what to do in the face of your kindness.
no subject
What do you want to do? If there was absolutely nothing stopping you, just for right now, what would you want?
[ Besides punching a tree. None of that. ]
no subject
... To escape, I guess. To somewhere where I don't have to think about any of this. Even for a little while.
[ If Otome wanted something realistic, she is not getting it. [
no subject
Hm. [ HMM. ]
... Well, we could try a rooftop and I could think of highly distracting methods in the meantime?
no subject
[ I assume she means the roof of the dorms, they can wander over to one of the ladders for those. ]
no subject
I'll give it my best effort, then.
no subject
Do you often come up here?
no subject
She's also trying to be careful, though it's definitely snowy and she'll slip a little on the ladder before catching herself. ]
no subject
A frequent visitor. I don't know why I haven't, it's nice to look at the stars.
no subject
[ She tilts her head back once she's settled (with his help), eyes fixed on the stars. ]
I hope it helps. We can still see something so beautiful, even in all of this mess.
no subject
There is a lot of beauty here... The way that a group of mostly strangers has grown to care so deeply about each other.
[ Looks pointedly at her. ]
no subject
We're all trying to find the truth and support each other, in our own ways. [ And her gaze shifts over to Claude. ] Even with-- or maybe because of everything happening, I'm not too surprised that we'd come to care so much.
no subject
I suppose that's what makes the betrayal that much more painful.
no subject
[ That's a lot of examining of his feelings they'd have to do. ]
no subject
[ He shrugs, not really having been referring to Byleth in that moment. ]
I think it was harder for Catra and the others today. I've already seen this side of Byleth.
no subject
[ The war? ]
no subject
That's just how it is.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)