[ He goes quiet at that, an instinctive reaction because he very much wishes that Molly hadn't asked. He can't wrestle with wondering whether to lie or tell the truth for too long without giving himself away.
But then again, Byleth already knows so. ]
No. I don't. At first I wondered if there were gaps in my memory, but I'm beginning to think it's something else entirely. [ He glances over at Molly. ] I'm guessing you're asking because you had a similar experience?
[You know what? A very, very similar reaction goes on in Molly's expression. So at least he's in good company. He reaches up to toy with the piercing in his lip though, and after a second.]
Something along those lines. Ach. [And then he leans back on his hands.] 'Course, knowing myself, it's entirely possible I've just hit my head too hard and lost something.
[ Claude snorts, doing the opposite as he leans forward to set his elbows on his knees, looking down into the water. ]
That might be the case with me as well, but it still doesn't make sense. [ He glances over. ] What frightens you more? That your mind is unreliable or that there might be parallel worlds out there?
[He clicks his tongue while he thinks it over, kicking his feet a little.]
I suppose no one likes to think of their own mind as the enemy. So I'm going to have to go with that one. Other worlds, we can chalk up to the mysteries of the universe, but this? [He taps his head.] I have to live with as a very close friend.
We're in agreement there. [ Claude leads his chin against his fist, thinking it over. ] I'd much rather deal with some doppelganger version of myself than have to worry that I can't trust my own mind.
[ He rubs his temple. ]
Just another thing to consider in addition to our mysterious arrival here.
[He looks at his hands for a minute. Maybe thinking about how he'd fight his doppleganger? But he flexes the hand where the snake tattoo winds down, ending in the red eye on the back and palm of it.]
Fair enough. Personally wouldn't be into the fight either - think I'd avoid him if I saw him. Might be a real weirdo.
Everyone was being a nosy customer and I want to flick them in the face a little. As a lover of flicking a good busybody in the face, you'd surely agree with me on this.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
But then again, Byleth already knows so. ]
No. I don't. At first I wondered if there were gaps in my memory, but I'm beginning to think it's something else entirely. [ He glances over at Molly. ] I'm guessing you're asking because you had a similar experience?
no subject
Something along those lines. Ach. [And then he leans back on his hands.] 'Course, knowing myself, it's entirely possible I've just hit my head too hard and lost something.
no subject
That might be the case with me as well, but it still doesn't make sense. [ He glances over. ] What frightens you more? That your mind is unreliable or that there might be parallel worlds out there?
no subject
[He clicks his tongue while he thinks it over, kicking his feet a little.]
I suppose no one likes to think of their own mind as the enemy. So I'm going to have to go with that one. Other worlds, we can chalk up to the mysteries of the universe, but this? [He taps his head.] I have to live with as a very close friend.
no subject
[ He rubs his temple. ]
Just another thing to consider in addition to our mysterious arrival here.
no subject
[He laughs at. His own joke.]
no subject
And he'll know yours. I'll be honest, I would hate to fight against myself. I don't think I could handle a taste of my own medicine.
no subject
Fair enough. Personally wouldn't be into the fight either - think I'd avoid him if I saw him. Might be a real weirdo.
no subject
no subject
[But there's. No follow-up to that.]
no subject
Then I guess the classes are going to be a breeze for you.
no subject
[At least he admits it.]
The speaking was easy, I was always good at that. Swords? Sure, picked that quick. Lying? Quick as you please. Everything else? Very annoying.
no subject
no subject
no subject
The dorm heads seem very insistent that we get to know each other.
no subject
[His profile . . . . . . the doxxing of his two-year-old-ness.]
So, let's get to know each other. Pretend I've never seen your profile. What's your name?
no subject
[ He grins, teasing. ]
no subject
[He twists to turn and give a little bow with a dramatic arm flourish. While still sitting down with his feet in the pool.]
You'll forgive the brief borrowing of your identity, but it was an emergency situation. I'm sure you understand.
no subject
[ Claude kicks his feet slightly in the pool, the water splashing as he watches Molly with an amused smile. ]
Explain how, and I'll see how forgiving I feel.
no subject
Also, it was funny.
no subject
Then, what is your real name?
no subject
[Now he's just playing coy on purpose.]
Mollymauk Tealeaf. Molly to my friends.
no subject
[ He makes a show at holding a hand to his heart. ]
You can ask me one question in return.
no subject
Sure. How far are you [putting on a snooty school voice.] willing to go to reach your goal?
[It doesn't seem like he's expecting a serious answer.]
no subject
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)