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You've got me there. I do need to think in a broader sense, you're right. Thank you, Claude. You've always been able to see the bigger picture, haven't you?

Ah... [ Well. No use in denying it. ] It has. Tremendously. Trust me, no amount of spending time with everyone will ever drive me crazy. The past year has made me truly appreciate how much you all mean to me. I'll not be forgetting it any time soon.

I suppose we ought to- [ He gives a little amused huff. About as close as he ever gets to a laugh. ] Well then, will you accompany me on this tea-discovery adventure then?

To be fair, growing up in Fodlan puts you at a bit of a disadvantage there, y'know? Hardly anyone there looks at the bigger picture, at least as far as outside of Fodlan is considered. So people grow up never thinking to do it because they never see anyone else doing it. Growing up in Almyra, a place that for better or worse is always looking beyond its own borders...well, naturally I'd develop eyes that can see a little further than yours. [He winks.] Of course, being an archer, I can't afford to let anything escape my notice...and flying gives you a whole new perspective, too. I really had everything going for me!

[Those earnest compliments from Byleth, who's always seemed so remote and unreadable to Claude - perhaps because he's never gotten as close to Byleth as the others - is as flattering as it is surprising, and he chuckles.] Oh, c'mon, Teach, you're gonna make me blush. But I'm definitely holding you to that statement about us never being able to drive you crazy. I think we're gonna make you eat those words sooner or later, and you know how I love a good feast.

And c'mon, Teach, do you even need to ask? When it comes to interesting new experiences, I'll never say no.

Come on now, you don't give yourself enough credit.

[ He huffs at the comment about making him blush. ] Consider it payback for the dance.

Oh, is that so? You're making it a challenge then? You intend to drive me to distraction?

[ His reputation for being unflappable is not entirely accurate, but accurate enough in most scenarios. ]

I'll be looking forward to it then.

On the contrary, I'm trying to avoid giving myself too much. The stuff about the wyvern-riding and the being an archer was a joke, but Fodlan and anyone living in it really is at a disadvantage when it comes to thinking outside of Fodlan's own borders. Between the church and the three countries being so concerned with their own and each other's business, and the goddess most people believe in never bothering to turn her attention to anyone or anything beyond Fodlan...people never think to look abroad on their own, and no one really teaches them to. The closest anyone ever comes is the attention they pay to the border threats, like Almyra and Sreng, and that attention's confined to holding off the enemy. No one asks if they have to be enemies forever, or what could be done to change things - things are one way, so let it be that way for the rest of time.

[He shakes his head.] I think I'm getting a little off-topic, but the point is that I come from a land that looks outward, and you come from a land that looks inward. It wouldn't be any fairer to ignore my own advantages, as a result, to learning to think a certain way, any more than it'd be fair to ignore the barriers in your way to arriving at the same place.

[At the comment about the dance, though, Claude's eyes sparkle.] Oh, and are you telling me all these years later that you're still thinking about that dance, Teach? I'm even more flattered now. [He bats his eyelashes.] But did you actually blush back then? I feel like I'd remember it if you had...

As for driving you crazy, I don't think I need to make any actual effort for that. All I need to do is put you in the same room as Dimitri and Felix while they're having the Bellsprout argument for five minutes...oooh, or maybe I could have you try to talk to Dimitri about his weed-eating habit. You'll be pulling your hair out in no time.

Either way, that's very gracious of you, but I encourage you to continue to lean into those differences. It's part of what makes you so...

So Claude. [ There are several adjectives but he's really not very loquacious on a good day so. Claude. He's such a memorable person that just his name carries the implications and descriptions he needs. ]

I did. I blush from the ears first. At least so I'm told. What was I supposed to do? You winked at me. [ He admits all of this fully deadpan as always. ] Of course I think of it. It was the first time someone had asked me to dance that wasn't around a campfire or ending in a bar fight.

Bellsprout... argument?

Please don't tell me Dimitri has been trying to eat dandelions again?

Tell me, Teach - have you ever known me to be afraid of being different? I admit I did go kind of native later on, but most of that was to gain an edge. The more I fit in, the more I could get the troublesome nobles of the Alliance to be just a smidge more cooperative. Or at least less cantankerous. And believe me, anything to take the edge of that was worth doing, at least temporarily. I think dealing with the council was probably more trouble than all us students at Garreg Mach put together ever could've been.

[At the revelation that Claude, in fact, got Byleth - their stoic Teach - to blush, he actually sits up in his chair, fascination written all over his face. If he had cat ears, they'd have perked straight up.] Really? [There's definitely a thread of wicked delight there, of the "I will never let you live this down" variety, but it's interwoven with a thread of intrigue.] You're too good at hiding things, Teach. I never would've realized I got to you like that...maybe I'll have to check your ears from now on. Is that why you wear your hair long enough to cover them?

[He grins. Felix might be the undisputed cat of their group, but at times like this, one can almost see the lashing tail on Claude.] I think I need to see this one for myself, though. Maybe I'll have to steal another dance with you...and this time I'll know what to look for.

[Felix is probably going to kill him. How many boyfriends can he or Dimitri reasonably acquire? But at the same time...well, one, it's Teach, Claude thinks Felix would absolutely date him himself if Byleth showed interest in that direction, and two, how can he not follow this up?

Fortunately, even as he's mulling over whether Felix's jealousy issues might be stretched to their breaking point by Claude's flirting with Byleth, Claude is able to dish on his boyfriends' loveable but extremely stupid habits in his sleep.]

There's a big tower here in one of the cities that people say was created by a small plant pokémon that grew huge. Dimitri and Felix have been arguing for ages over whether or not that's a real thing that could've happened. Or maybe they've finally stopped, I don't know. They have lots of weird dumb arguments. [He grins, even with his mind still elsewhere.] They finally made up, you know. Having to listen to the stupidest debates ever is a small price to pay for that.

That's fair. Regardless, I want you to know that you have my support Claude. Always.

[ He has a feeling he may have made a mistake admitting that. ]

No... I don't blush often. It's just how dad used to cut it.

I will be ready for it this time, you'll have to do better than that. [ Another thing he will likely regret saying. He knows Claude loves a good challenging game, and this certainly counts as a challenge. ]

... Though I would not decline to dance with you again. It was fun.

[ The whole bellsprout argument story gets a soft little chuff of amusement. Oh he could absolutely see that happening. ]

Oh my... well strange things happen all the time. Who's to say something couldn't grow that big?

Except when it comes to picking us Deer over the Lions, right? [Claude winks, then laughs.] I'm teasing, Teach. I know that doesn't mean you love me any less~. How could you, right?

I was gonna offer my own services if you needed them, since I've gotten pretty good at cutting my own hair, but then I remembered you've been off with the church on your own for a year or so. I guess you must've learned how to do it for yourself already, huh? [Really, Claude had just felt a pang of sympathy for Byleth at hearing the haircut is something left over from Captain Jeralt. His death had really hit Teach hard...Claude hasn't forgotten. And since Byleth hasn't cut his hair any differently since...Claude thinks maybe he's holding onto that small piece of his father. (Or maybe Byleth just likes his hair that way...or doesn't much care what his hair looks like and goes for the familiar. With Teach, it's hard to say.)

Either way, Claude's first thought had been to offer to step in, never have Byleth experience that extra little kick of desolation of not having his father there to cut his hair anymore...until he'd remembered he's roughly a year too late. Heck, Byleth might've had his hair cut during the war, even...Claude's really getting ahead of himself.

But he's always been fond of Teach, and he'd hoped for a second he could do something for him. Especially remembering that painful time after Jeralt's death, and seeing Byleth so downcast for so long...

He carefully doesn't bring any of this up. If mentioning Jeralt wasn't enough to sadden Byleth, then Claude's not going to invite any further opportunities.]

Oh, I can definitely do better than that. [Claude laces his fingers together, resting his chin on his folded hands and smiling like the world,s most evil cat.] I had to wear my school uniform to the ball. I can dress up here, you know.

[Like in the outfit he and Felix danced in, where he got Felix so worked up that he'd dragged Claude off for sex afterwards. Definitely the best moment of the masquerade.]

Dimitri will be thrilled to hear you say that~. Felix took the other side of that argument.

[ That does actually earn a faint, fussy frown from Byleth. ] You know I regard you as one of my own.

[ Ah, yeah he really hasn't thought much about a haircut, but it is starting to get long in the back again. He hums, thinking about it. ]

That's very kind of you. I did cut it once early in the year, just with my dagger. I might actually let it grow out... do you think I would look silly with long hair?

[ Admittedly, it is something that dredges up memories, which is why he hadn't done it a second time after that. He remembers Jeralt's large form behind him, and how he'd affectionately ruffle his hair to earn a little smile. All the way up until he died. You're getting pretty handsome, kid. Better watch out for the girls. He'd say when he was done. Byleth would roll his eyes and Jeralt would laugh.

Yeah. Maybe growing it out would be better. The change of subject is a welcome distraction. ]

Ah... dress up? There's really no need for that you know. Unless you're trying to impress me, or- well. Now I'm actually rather curious. I'm afraid if we were to put on fineries and the like, I don't have much outside of the archbishop garb which is... mmm. Cumbersome.

[ Oh geez. ]

Oh I do not want to be in the middle of those two. [ Haha... unless. ]

I know, I know, I was just kidding! I'm allowed to hassle you a little over not taking my super charming and eloquent offer, aren't I? I mean, not that Dimitri isn't hard to resist. I can't fault your taste.

[At Byleth's question, Claude taps a finger to his lip.] Hmm...honestly, Teach, you'd probably look good no matter what. But I can't think of anyone we know who didn't look better with longer hair, can you? Ferdinand and Lorenz certainly had their looks improved when they grew theirs out...even Balthus looked better, and he looked like a dirty mop crawled onto his head to die.

[Yeah, Claude's not a fan of Balthus. He's very subtle about letting on about this.]

Well, clearly this just means that we need to go out clothes shopping before our date, right? [Apparently this is a date now, Byleth. You're just going to have to live with Claude casually upping the stakes on you.]

That's- [ No. No... he's just teasing. It's Claude, after all. ]

... Anyways. Yes the- hmm. Maybe I really should grow it out. Still, if it ends up looking terrible I may take you up on the offer to cut it, if that's all right with you.

[ He clears his throat. ]

Oh it's a date now, is it? Careful now, I might begin to think you truly are trying to woo me.

[Teasing, and also telling on himself a little. Of course, Byleth is too busy sweating about his own attraction to Dimitri to realize Claude is referencing his. Maybe just as well, for the moment.]

I have a hard time picturing your hair looking terrible, Teach. But hey, the offer's open for whenever you might feel like cashing it in. If you want to grow it out, that's fine too.

[At the question about the date, Claude just grins.] I mean, really, what else do you call it when you take someone out dancing? Especially if my aim is to see if I can make you blush again? Regardless of any more ulterior motives than that, I don't think any other word really applies. Although it'd probably be considered kind of scandalous, a student dating their former professor...never mind a king dating - [He pauses, thoughtful.]

Y'know, I don't actually know what you ended up doing after the war? I never asked. I'd have assumed you'd end up Dimitri's advisor, but you said you've been away from everyone else...and that getup's a lot fancier than I think you'd wear if it wasn't a badge of office. You definitely didn't just go back to mercenary work. So just what have you been up to the past year, Teach?

Well then... all right. It's a date then. [ TAKE THAT, CLAUDE. You handsome suave fucker. ] I care not for what others would think in that kind of situation, as you well know. If that war has taught me anything, it's that life is far too fleeting to forego pursuing the ones you truly love.

Ah... I became the archbishop in Rhea's stead. I believe I can do some real good that way. Reform the church into something actually useful.

[Well, now it's Byleth's turn to throw Claude for a loop, and his startled gaze blinks at the screen for a moment before he recovers with an almost-too-casual laugh. He appears to be treating this like Byleth was teasing him, meant something other than what he actually said, or at the very least misspoke.] The ones you truly love? Jeez, Teach, now who's trying to woo who?

[Silly Claude, woohoo is for sims.

Apparently Byleth is a whole damn roller coaster today, because that's a second loop he's thrown Claude for. This one gets an admiring whistle.] Archbishop? Seriously? Okay, that upgrades the scandal from a scandalized gasp from Lorenz to laying him flat out on the floor. [He grins broadly regardless.] But 'into something actually useful'? Ah, Teach, four little words and I already know the church is in good hands. Maybe you can even convince Dimitri that he won't make the baby Sothis cry if he has impure thoughts...

[Claude almost ended that sentence with 'about his boyfriends', but realizes just in time that getting into the whole polycule would be a lot to unpack before Byleth is even properly settled. Besides, Dimitri has a raging crush on their beloved professor. He might want to break the news of his boyfriends to Byleth in such a way as to make sure not to scare the man off...]

Woo hoo? Are we celebrating something? [ Did. Did he just make a joke? Yes. He sure did. It sucks too. ]

Indeed. It is a... trying position given my background in just about anything but religious leadership. I'm just doing my best really. That said, I would much rather have gone to Faerghus or- ah. Anywhere else actually.

Ah, is he still worrying about things like that? Perhaps I could set his mind to ease.

Of course we are! Your arrival here, of course. I'm tempted to throw a feast, you know...but that requires you actually getting here first.

That said, I wouldn't worry about not having a religious background, or knowing much of anything about the Church of Seiros. The way things were going under Rhea...the church needed a complete overhaul anyway. I think the most important things you need to know are all the problems that have been plaguing Fodlan - problems the church either created or were at least ignoring - so that you can use your power and position to address them. And you learned a lot of that through all of us, didn't you? At the end of the day, the purpose of a church is to make people's lives better, to give them support and structure and guidance. You can do all of that without needing to know how the church was doing things before. You might be the best candidate for being the archbishop precisely because you're not caught up in the way things used to be done.

Oh, of course he is. I think part of it is just that he never gives himself a break, between all his survivor's guilt and depression and his intense regret over losing himself for those five years or so and the things he did then, but...I think a decent chunk of the foundation is in the church's more repressive teachings, too. He spends way too much time thinking he's sinful for completely natural feelings and thoughts, or insisting he's not good enough because he's not perfect, or punishing himself endlessly for the harm he's done in the past while acting like the good he does in the present isn't just as meaningful.

I'd say there's no need but... I do like food.

You do have a point. I am probably over-worrying, but I want to ensure the best chance at a future where people can be happier. I wish there were a way to do it all at once but- well. We've seen the demonstration of that, haven't we?

Ah... Dimitri. I can't say I'm surprised. He has spoken to you about such things? I should find some time to speak to him. There's much to be discussed. Is he okay? Is he eating well and looking after himself? For that matter, are you?

Edited 2022-02-09 03:17 (UTC)

And so do I! So it's perfect. And this world has so many different cuisines and new types of food to try, and so much access to food we'd consider rare and difficult to get or make or store here! The kinds of feasts you can have here are incredible. It's official - we're definitely going to have to have one. And by this point there's enough of us that it'll feel like a proper feast, too!

[Byleth's words cause Claude to sigh.] Yeah...man, I wish I knew what made Edelgard feel like she had to change the world like yanking a tablecloth out from under the cutlery, and damn the glasses she breaks. I got enough of her philosophy that she wanted to put an end to the problems and suffering she saw as quickly as possible by changing things for the better, but if your solution hurts people in the process, then is there actually a net gain? I think she really could make a great future, if she'd just gone about it a different way...worked with you and me and Dimitri, for instance, instead of declaring us enemies.

It's funny...wanting to take down the Church of Seiros might've been the best idea she had. Not that I think people should be told what to believe or not believe, but the church is really the bones of everything in Fodlan, and dismantling it completely probably would've been the only way to change all the systems it's tied into that affect all of Fodlan - like Crests. At least while Rhea was the one running the show. [Claude grins.] But in a weird way, Edelgard's war ended up leading to a second solution - putting you in charge of the church. It's not what she wanted, but I think it might be a better solution than what she wanted. The church continuing, providing structure and aid to the people who need it, but with someone who's willing to reform or even throw out its less savory aspects.

As for Dimitri...some of it's what he's talked to me about, and some of it's just what I can tell about him. But I know you know you can trust my read on things like this, especially when it comes to someone as open and easy to read as him. Thanks to a lot of effort and help, he's doing a lot better than he used to - he's got a pokémon that helps him sleep without dreaming, and between Ashe and Dedue his eating habits get fussed over plenty. Maybe not enough, but better than I could do. Mostly the only issues he's got are from holding himself to unreasonable standards of perfection...partly because he thinks there's some right way to be, and partly because he's still beating himself up over the awful things he did enough that he thinks he has to be perfect all the time, in all ways, to make up for them.

Perhaps we ought to plan one then. A nice picnic with everyone would be lovely. I really can't emphasize enough how much I value everyone's company. Especially after the last year.

Hm, you see this is exactly why I had wanted to steal you away to the Blue Lions. You have wildly sharp wits and a healthy, pragmatic approach to most things. Save for certain... experimental meal additives. [ AHEM. ]

Ah. I will be sure to help him any way I can, now that I'm here. I know things have always been a struggle for him on that front, and he's conditioned himself to attempt to take on everything alone.

Ah- but you didn't answer my question. How are you?

A picnic, huh? Those are harder to cater than simply going to a restaurant or ordering in...but it wouldn't be impossible. Especially with the right choice of food...

[Oh boy, he's already scheming.]

And hey, you know I would've loved to be in your class, Teach. But you couldn't exactly recruit everyone away from the Golden Deer, could you? At least the house leader had to stay put. [There's some mixed feelings there, that's for sure. The loneliness of his friends leaving his house while he had to stay behind, his genuine desire to join whatever class Teach was in and follow those friends that he hadn't been able to pursue, the quiet inferiority of not having been enough to hold onto the ones who left. Multipled, perhaps, by the knowledge Lysithea and the previous Teach had given him, that when Teach had been in his house he hadn't lost anyone at all - not even Lorenz to the Empire and Count Gloucester's demands during the war. He wonders what made Byleth choose the Golden Deer in that version of events. He wonders what he failed to do to make that happen.

He does his best to shake off those mixed feelings and the melancholy that comes with them, but he can't stop his gaze sliding away from Byleth to be Anywhere Else for a few moments. He also fails to respond to that dig at his cooking and/or his poisons(anyone who'd seen his performance at the cooking contest might declare them potentially indistinguishable), which for Claude is perhaps more telling than anything his eyes are doing.

It definitely puts him in an extra awkward spot when Byleth presses the question Claude had casually sidestepped.]

Me, Teach? I'm fine, obviously. Can't you tell? [He looks back at Byleth, flashing a smile.] You know me. Not a lot really gets me down.

Half the fun is making the food though, isn't it?

Ahh... I know. To be honest I wish I had simply bent the rules but- well. You ended up coming through for us all the same, but I feel like I missed out on getting to spend time with you. [ It wasn't for lack of wanting, surely.

The shift catches his attention, and while he may not have been Claude's primary teacher, he probably knows him better than he might like when he's trying to hide something. There's that smile. The same easy smile that never quite reaches his eyes, the one he puts on like armor. While Dimitri is like water, a crashing, unstoppable force, Claude is very much like the wind. He lets himself flow around things. ]

Claude, you know I won't demand anything of you, but I know you're lying to me. I understand you find it hard to be vulnerable. Just know that I will be here when you are ready to speak earnestly with me. Just don't think you're fooling me with that, though.

For picnics? I guess you've got a point. But at the same time, if you want to try the new dishes and cuisines this world has to offer, it'd be better to try them prepared by people who know what they're doing before we dive into trying to whip those up ourselves. Though we could always have a picnic with tried and true favorites from home, too.

Oh man...now I'm wondering if you'd like s'mores. Chip showed us how to make them. They're the kid of a guy we met here, Grant - both of them are great. You should ask them to show you how to make s'mores sometime.

[At the suggestion of Byleth bending the rules, Claude laughs.] Man, the rules being bent or broken for or by you back at Garreg Mach were kind of a regular thing, weren't they? But I think that one might've been above your head. I don't think Seteth or Rhea would've allowed it. Their whole house structure was a pretty big deal for the academy.

[Of course, then Byleth calls him out. More like draws and quarters him, really. Claude laughs, even if it's slightly uncomfortable.] Man, Teach, you still don't pull any punches, huh? But listen...the biggest thing eating at me right now isn't something I can really get into with you just yet, whether I want to be cagey or not. I haven't talked it over with the person it affects the most, so it'd feel wrong to gossip about it with somebody else before I can talk to them directly, y'know? Which I can't do just yet. There are factors at play forcing me to wait.

But even then, I'm honestly doing pretty okay. This is definitely nowhere near the worst off I've been here, or anywhere else. So you don't have to worry so much.

Ahh that is true. Perhaps a mix of old and new?

[ That gets a head tilt. ]

S'mores? Well, if it's food, I'm willing to give it a try. What is it made of?

[ Rules schmules. Rules are lame especially when they mean he can't steal Claude. He huffs in visible protest, just a touch of stubbornness coming out. ] That's stupid. I wanted you. They should have simply let me. [ This said out of spite rather than you know. Logic. ]

Hmm. All right. I'll respect that, but just know that if something is truly troubling you, you can always feel comfortable sharing with me if you so desire. It will always stay between us unless you ask otherwise.

I'll worry, but I will not press you. Just please let me know if I can support you in any way.

That could definitely work. And then everyone could pick a favorite food from home to make, and the people traveling with us who aren't from our world can try it. The rest can be catered.

[He grins.] Well, s'mores are made out of marshmallows and chocolate and crackers...but none of those things in this world are quite like they were in ours. This world is a lot more technologically advanced than ours, and as a result the processes for making a lot of things are very different than the ones we know because they're done by machines, in quantities that humans couldn't possibly keep up with. But they're really good. If you like sweets at all, I can't imagine you not liking these.

You wanted me, huh? [Claude laughs, giving Byleth a wink.] Well, you've got me now, for whatever that's worth. And most of the Lions, too. I just wish some of my Deer were here, too...

Anyway, as far as support goes, just having you around helps a lot, Teach. And once I get what's bugging me addressed...well, it can't really be kept a secret or anything after that, so you'll find out in due time anyway.

That sounds delicious. How fascinating, technology never ceases to amaze me. I only hope Fodlan will eventually reach this level of peace and prosperity. I will be doing my best to ensure that happens though.

I do love sweets. Well, any food actually. I don't think there's anything I have disliked as of yet.

I wish you had more of your classmates here too, but I am glad you are here with us at least.

[ He nods firmly. ]

Understood. I won't pry further. Just know that you can be genuine with me, even if you can't tell me what has you down, I will always be supportive and do my best to help in the ways I can. You need not feel that you must hide your feelings.

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