victory_road | March Catchall [closed]

It was good for plenty.

They are. They often include things like fruit, or tiny umbrellas. Not sure about the umbrellas but hey. Free fruit.

As long as you think so, Professor, then I will be thankful for it.

I know that some fruits are paired with wines, and the like. That was a large part of my education, in matching them perfectly, or getting someone who could. I wouldn't have thought to include them automatically with a drink, but it is nice that they were. Free fruit is indeed nice.

I wonder why the small umbrellas are included?

[Well, the coughing fit isn't the most romantic response, but that's just a side effect of being close with someone who has a lot of health problems. He reaches out to gently steady Lorenz with a hand on his elbow, but beyond that he simply waits for the coughing fit to subside, smiling back at Lorenz once the other man's capable of it.]

The fact that I didn't have a terrible teacher to shove a lot of lessons I'd have to unlearn on me is pure luck. Don't act like that's some kind of failing of yours, Lorenz. I've told you before that the reason you mean so much to us is because the person you are in yourself, beneath all the things your father piled on you, is a great person. It's why you're willing and able to toss the things you thought you knew aside in favor of making yourself better, even if it's hard. There are a lot of people who'd refuse to listen, refuse to change - like your father. But despite everything he tried to do, everything he tried to make you into...you're not like him.

[It's not fair, really, how good Claude is at knowing precisely what he needs to hear at any given time. For once Lorenz doesn't even bother trying to hide how the compliments and reassurance makes him blush, ducking his head a little and giving Claude a shy, uncertain smile.]

Well... I have to keep up with you somehow don't I?

[His tone is a lot more self assured than he feels at the moment but that's nothing new and they both know it. Despite the uncertainty though he does shuffle a little closer to Claude, threading their fingers together and giving Claude's hand a gentle squeeze.]

You are speaking of one of the psychology professionals Grant has mentioned, then? I must admit I worry that, given how peaceful this place is, I wonder that the things that come from our own world are.....

more than they may be prepared to deal with.

That said, I do not know that there is any fixing that needs to be done. Not beyond what the doctors are already doing to correct my physical issues. Though I appreciate your concern for Claude's well-being I suspect you know as well as I that he is not so prone as... certain others to accept fault for things which are not his responsibility.

[Because clearly he's worried about Claude's need to fuss over him. Certainly not something he himself would be prone to doing. Why on earth would Dimitri worry about him?]

"Yet you're still here. Dealing with how insufferable I am." Sylvain points it out with that 'gotcha!' air. He's wearing his smugness in such a grin, a brow arched like he's daring Lorenz to keep digging this hole. Never mind the fact they're living in the same house and Lorenz can't really escape-

Sylvain leans in a little, "so which is it? Am I insufferable or not?"

"Ugh!" How dare he be so smug! ~~How dare he be so hot when he's smug~~

"You're as bad as Khalid, maybe even worse." Lorenz does his best to wiggle his way out of Sylvain's direct vicinity to go search out the dainty purple mug Ashe had, inadvertently, assigned to him. Just to buy a little space for him to turn his back toward the redhead and hopefully let his blush subside a little.

Not that he really trusts Sylvain to allow him more than a moment.

I suppose the therapists are one option. While our exact circumstances may be strange and perhaps worrying, I am certain that as professionals they would know how to handle it.

However, I was offering myself. I know the kinds of things which happen in Fodlan, and have experienced tragedy myself. I am more than prepared.

[It would probably be totally fine, even!!!!!!]

I care for both you and Claude's well being.

Yeah, it's less of a pairing thing and more of a whole

fruit

situation?

The umbrellas? Maybe to make it cute? Novelty? I gave one to Felim and he liked it.

[Claude laughs, squeezing Lorenz's hand in return.] I mean, I guess if that's what you want to call it...but don't give me too much credit. Not to minimize my own hurdles or anything, but I think you started even farther back than I did, being saddled with someone as awful as Count Gloucester. The fact that you've caught up with me even with that much of a handicap...I won't be surprised if you outpace me soon enough. The more of your father's influence you leave behind, the faster and higher you're going to climb; that's all that's been holding you back, after all.

[Well as much as he was trying not to get too flustered Claude's insistence on reinforcing this praise just... Makes him flush darker. He lifts his other hand as though he might cover Claude's mouth but stops just shy of it. Somehow even more flustered for the attempt. ]

Enough.

[He doesn't know what else he might say that isn't going to make Claude just keep going. ]

Must you? Good heavens.

Do they give you the entirety of the fruit or just a slice of it?

A slice usually, but its a pretty decent sized slice. Like, the ones with the "pineapple" are very big.

I think they could add more fruit, then.

[Just stick a whole pineapple on a skewer and shove it in there, that should be fine]

There's something to be said for the logistics of that, but... I really can't disagree. They should.

[Claude laughs. That response is just so Lorenz that it's charming all on its own.] Ah, there's the Lorenz I know and love. [Is that...just the phrase, or does Claude mean something deeper by that? TIME FOR LORENZ TO SWEAT ON IT.] But yeah, that's definitely a must.

[Just as Claude knew immediately that Lorenz wouldn't do something so inherently romantic without being keenly aware of just how telling it was.... Lorenz knows for all his flippant attitude Claude would never say something like that so casually after what's just been said between them. So his eyes widen slightly, his breath catching and all at once he's afraid he's going to cry again.

His lip quivers and before he can breakdown all over again he steps in close to pull Claude into a desperately tight hug. Fingers clenching in his shirt, face buried in his shoulder no matter how awkward it might be with the height difference. He just...clings to the other man for as long as Claude will let him.]

I will have to see what I can do with fruit when I try to recreate the drink for Dedue.

Was there any particular beverage that you enjoyed as well, Professor?

Yeah, you can just go for it if you'd rather not have that conversation.

It is precisely the fact that horses— and thus creatures like Yuzu— are herd animals that prompted Dedue to do as he is, and try to remain as still and quiet as possible. Quick movements would certainly be seen as threatening by such creatures, so the logical option then is to do the opposite. And Dedue is, at least, quite disposed towards being silent; it should have been an easy solution.

Apparently, it is not. Horses can do what most humans cannot, according to Lorenz, and discern discomfort from even his stoic face and stony body language. It makes things difficult, as he is unsure as to how to become less tense in this situation. Nor is he sure what to make of the idea that this animal would look to him as a guard against danger, rather than as the danger itself.

Lorenz squeezes gently at his arm, likely in some form of comfort. His hand can barely span half the width of Dedue’s bicep.

“I am unsure of how to rectify this situation.”

What conversation needs to be had?

[Guess who hasn't actually looked at those pictures?]

Edited 2022-04-17 18:05 (UTC)

Yourhi

Dimitri. I appreciate the offer but you have your own burdens to bear and I would be loathe to add to that.

[The idea that Dimitri is concerned about him for his own sake and not simply by virtue of being someone important to his lover is.... a little bit mind boggling, honestly? And why he earns a first name instead of a title.]

I will keep that offer in mind though, if it helps ease your worries.

"The simplest way would be to relax but... I imagine if you are this concerned over his presence and well being that won't be so easy." Lorenz shifts his touch from a squeeze to an, admitedly awkward, sort of pat. Just to be able to lower his hand and try to shove the realization that even his long fingers cannot even come close to the span of Dedue's-

oh heavens. No. Stop thinking like that.

Ahem

"Perhaps if we simply carry on, discussing your plans, and let Yuzu meander as he will. You know, horses are actually very curious. Sometimes ignoring them is the fastest way to get their attention."

Ashe had some lingering thoughts when it came to certain guys in their class with Yuri pushing those feelings more into the open, but he stopped thinking about it once the war started. Ashe figured he would have to settle down with a wife so he could take over the lands Lonato left him that he didn't think another option was available, until Felix's dance. Now he could accept that other side he tried to push down for so long. It felt nice, though since it came around to tension in the house he felt it was better in the long run for him. However, something Lorenz pointed out made him stop playing with his strawberry.

"I...I hadn't really thought about that. I guess I just got used to them having their talks and tension in the home that I never noticed how much I either stayed in the garden, the kitchen, or my room...but if I bring it up wouldn't that be a problem? I have no problem letting them have their discussion I just feel like I shouldn't listen in anymore, you know?"

Me? I liked the ones that they blended up with ice and they tasted of strawberries. Honestly though I like just about anything when it comes to drink.

Except scotch. Not a scotch fan.

March Catchall [closed]

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