[Felix doesn't reply at all at first, choosing to finish out his current sequence by delivering a final, powerful thrust to the training dummy with a clipped shout before he pauses to bring his sword down and brush a few stray strands of hair out of his face.]
Fine, talk. But I didn't join your house so we could be friends, and I'm not looking for any. So keep it to class business and we'll get along fine.
Then I'd say you're in for a pretty hard time with the Golden Deer.
(They're a friendly bunch, knowing for getting along well with others. It's a house where even nobles and commoners can get along. But he won't press the matter anymore. Instead, he reaches for some papers that he's brought with him and begins to hand them out to Felix,)
This is our schedule. When our classes are, when we train together, and all that. You can see who's already signed up for what and choose which ones you want to do. (Pretty standard! Leonie seems to have signed up for almost every physical class with the professor, Lysithea is dedicated herself to her magic lessons, and Hilda is unsurprisingly sparse, though, she does seem to have a whole week dedicated to dance practice later in the month. As for Claude, it looks like he's dabbling in different lessons: Archery, swordsmanship, horseback riding, and... flying? In general, everything seems to be a little less organized with the Golden Deer. Training isn't always on the same day, it looks like things get moved around except for a few constants:) We usually eat dinner together on these days. You should come. I think everyone would like it if they could meet you before class.
(He points to the middle and end of the weeks which are marked in colored ink.)
Lucky for you, Teach has already chosen a dancer for the White Heron Cup but that means we have a few days off here while she helps Hilda.
Hmph. Maybe it's the Golden Deer who should be spending more time on training and less on frivolous socializing.
[Felix takes the papers, though, and looks them over as Claude explains. Getting a chance to train more often with Leonie is a plus, at least. He gives Claude a flat look at this talk of dinner.]
Swords, brawling, and archery are all the classes I need. I can eat on my own.
[Hilda, huh? Good, that means Felix doesn't have to concern himself with it. He feels a slight pang at the thought that Annette will be competing for an opposing class now, but shakes it off quickly. What does it matter?]
You say that but communication is just as important as any physical training.
(Oh, boy, how is he going to get this through to Felix? He can tell force isn't the best way already (not that it's really his style).)
Per regional tradition, most of us are archers. You aren't going to catch us on the frontlines or in the thick of a battle but that doesn't stop us from having each other's backs. It's important that we understand each other so we can help each other and not get in the way.
(And socializing? Helps. Those dinner dates? Perfect for bonding.)
... You should get to know everyone, Felix. We're an alliance here and an alliance is nothing worthless if we don't work together.
(He points to the first dinner they're supposed to have together on the calender.)
Give it a try, at least. And if you end up not liking it? No one can say you didn't try. We can figure out something else for both of us after that.
Hmph. 'To defeat your enemies, you must have dependable allies,' is it? You sound like my old man.
[Felix shakes his head.]
I fight alone. I don't need to 'understand' my classmates. Especially when they're all far behind me on the battlefield. In the thick of a battle is where I belong.
[He glances back down at the calendar again, at Claude's insistence.]
This isn't politics, Riegan. It's a classroom, nothing more. It's not like I'm joining the Alliance.
[He sighs, irritated.]
But fine. If it will end your squawking, I'll join you for dinner. Once.
(One doesn't become the shield of the kingdom for nothing. Which, again, makes him wonder more about Felix in a way. As his son, he'd be expected to carry on that title and yet...
He laughs lightly, finding something amusing in what Felix has said. One doesn't gather all of Fodlan's elite in one place and expect it to just be an ordinary school.)
Right, right. (He holds up his hands as if to show he means no harm and to placate him,) I wouldn't expect you to pick up and move. It isn't easy leaving home.
(But he's content for now. He's convinced Felix to have dinner with them this time. He thinks that will please some of the others,)
Good. I'll see you there.
(He stretches and folds his hands behind his neck. It looks like he's finished here. Yes, he's done the leader thing. He's checked in on his newest classmate, given him all of the information and invitations for now...)
[Felix scoffs with disgust, hearing praise for Rodrigue, but apparently he has nothing else to say about the man for now. He does give Claude a vaguely curious look at that bit about leaving home, though. Maybe he should have paid a little more attention to the circumstances surrounding the heir to the leading Alliance house. All he remembers is that House Riegan was on the brink of collapse, and then it suddenly wasn't. Hm.
...whatever. He doesn't have to care about any of that for years yet. Rodrigue's hardly about to kick the bucket anytime soon. And Felix obviously has no reason to care about what home Claude might have left.
Finally, Claude looks like he's going to leave - but of course, he has to get one last question in.]
Yes. Does my new house leader have a problem with that?
(Well, Felix wouldn't be the first person with parent problems in Garreg Mach. It seems like most of Fodlan's aristocracy has family troubles.
He cants his head just slightly to the side and smiles that same, practiced smile of his; friendly, warm, carefree... and not quite right if you're really paying attention.)
None at all. In fact, I'm happy to have such a hardworking new member among us.
[Felix isn't paying particularly close attention to Claude's expression; in fact, he doesn't like to make eye contact much at all. He does glance over, though, with a bit of suspicion. Was that sarcastic? Is Claude mocking him? ...hard to tell. Felix doesn't like how difficult this guy is to read.
Following Claude's glance, he lifts his sword a little by way of response.]
Swords, primarily. But archery and brawling can be useful, as well. An effective warrior makes use of as many of the options at their disposal as they can.
(Crossing his arms in front of him, raising a hand to tap at his chin thoughtfully,)
There aren't many studying swords here.
(Ignatz and Marianne, interestingly enough but just imagining either of them against Felix in the training hall... He can't imagine Felix not scaring them off to other lessons. Even their other Blue Lions recruit, Sylvain, is more likely to train with the lance or axe while Leonie prefers the lance and bow.)
It's mostly Teach and myself...
(Frowning and he wonders if Felix can follow where his thoughts are going. While it's entirely possible to practice with their dear professor, it's more likely now that another student has come along, she'll put them against each other during lessons.
He looks at Felix, regarding him up and down for a moment and then--)Oof.
[Felix watches Claude with annoyance, following nothing at all. What is he prattling on about? Why is he looking at him like that?]
There aren't many studying the sword among the Lions either, what's your point?
[Felix decides he hates the way Claude is studying him. He feels weirdly exposed, and whatever this nonsense is, it's confusing him. When he replies, his tone is flat.]
(Felix... Sweet, Felix who is direct and doesn't have time for schemes and plans. He'll just have to spell it out for him, won't he?)
I wouldn't be surprised if Teach paired us together for the next few lessons. (Easier than tossing Ignatz or Marianne into the fray and undoing months of building up their confidence,) I have an exam to train for, you know?
(Every young Lord is expected to master Fodlan's swordstyle. He's on the same path as Dimitri and Edelgard in that respect,)
[Felix watches Claude warily, and the punch line has him narrowing his eyes. Great. Just what he needs, getting partnered up with the mysterious house leader who wants to be friends for some reason.
But after a moment, his expression slips into a smirk.]
In that case, I'd suggest putting in some extra training time yourself. You'll need it.
(Just...... makes a face.... He's a slacker, a lazy, good for nothing noble that draws the ire of those more dutiful than him.)
Right.
(He sounds uncertain but there is a part of him that migtht be looking forward to the new challenge... that is until he remembers he isn't a melee fighter and can really only take so many hits before he has to call for mercy.)
I'll see if I can squeeze it in.
(He says like he didn't just give Felix a calendar showing how available he really is.)
[Oh, Felix knows this song and dance well. It's the same one he gets from Sylvain all the time. He arches a brow and glances at the papers in the house leader's hand.]
Your schedule looks pretty open to me.
[He lifts his sword and points it at Claude's chest.]
In fact, you don't look very busy at all right now. Spar with me.
Fine. Take your break, then. But if we're going to be partnered, I expect your swordsmanship to be worth my time. It's pointless for me to train with you if you can't even come close to keeping up.
(Sooooo definitely keeping him away from Marianne and Ignatz. Yes.)
You know, I'm not the only one studying here. And it's true, we might not have much to offer right now... but consider all we could learn while we work together.
(No doubt, Felix will knock him on his bottom in their matches and though it pains him to think about it, he knows he'll come out stronger and better for it.
(Just like back home, he thinks. Hah, training with Felix might make him nostalgic...))
[He turns his back on Claude to return to his training, although he half-expects to be interrupted again. This man talks too much and says too little.]
(He turns his back and resumes his training. There are more things Claude could say right now. He could invite Felix to join him for archery practice another day or talk to him about their professor. But he knows better than to push his luck any more than he already has. )
We will.
(Claude is certain of it.)
Welcome to the Golden Deer, Felix.
(And he excuses himself, slipping away to do whatever it is Claude von Riegan does on his day off.)
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no subject
Fine, talk. But I didn't join your house so we could be friends, and I'm not looking for any. So keep it to class business and we'll get along fine.
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Then I'd say you're in for a pretty hard time with the Golden Deer.
(They're a friendly bunch, knowing for getting along well with others. It's a house where even nobles and commoners can get along. But he won't press the matter anymore. Instead, he reaches for some papers that he's brought with him and begins to hand them out to Felix,)
This is our schedule. When our classes are, when we train together, and all that. You can see who's already signed up for what and choose which ones you want to do. (Pretty standard! Leonie seems to have signed up for almost every physical class with the professor, Lysithea is dedicated herself to her magic lessons, and Hilda is unsurprisingly sparse, though, she does seem to have a whole week dedicated to dance practice later in the month. As for Claude, it looks like he's dabbling in different lessons: Archery, swordsmanship, horseback riding, and... flying? In general, everything seems to be a little less organized with the Golden Deer. Training isn't always on the same day, it looks like things get moved around except for a few constants:) We usually eat dinner together on these days. You should come. I think everyone would like it if they could meet you before class.
(He points to the middle and end of the weeks which are marked in colored ink.)
Lucky for you, Teach has already chosen a dancer for the White Heron Cup but that means we have a few days off here while she helps Hilda.
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[Felix takes the papers, though, and looks them over as Claude explains. Getting a chance to train more often with Leonie is a plus, at least. He gives Claude a flat look at this talk of dinner.]
Swords, brawling, and archery are all the classes I need. I can eat on my own.
[Hilda, huh? Good, that means Felix doesn't have to concern himself with it. He feels a slight pang at the thought that Annette will be competing for an opposing class now, but shakes it off quickly. What does it matter?]
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(Oh, boy, how is he going to get this through to Felix? He can tell force isn't the best way already (not that it's really his style).)
Per regional tradition, most of us are archers. You aren't going to catch us on the frontlines or in the thick of a battle but that doesn't stop us from having each other's backs. It's important that we understand each other so we can help each other and not get in the way.
(And socializing? Helps. Those dinner dates? Perfect for bonding.)
... You should get to know everyone, Felix. We're an alliance here and an alliance is nothing worthless if we don't work together.
(He points to the first dinner they're supposed to have together on the calender.)
Give it a try, at least. And if you end up not liking it? No one can say you didn't try. We can figure out something else for both of us after that.
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[Felix shakes his head.]
I fight alone. I don't need to 'understand' my classmates. Especially when they're all far behind me on the battlefield. In the thick of a battle is where I belong.
[He glances back down at the calendar again, at Claude's insistence.]
This isn't politics, Riegan. It's a classroom, nothing more. It's not like I'm joining the Alliance.
[He sighs, irritated.]
But fine. If it will end your squawking, I'll join you for dinner. Once.
no subject
(One doesn't become the shield of the kingdom for nothing. Which, again, makes him wonder more about Felix in a way. As his son, he'd be expected to carry on that title and yet...
He laughs lightly, finding something amusing in what Felix has said. One doesn't gather all of Fodlan's elite in one place and expect it to just be an ordinary school.)
Right, right. (He holds up his hands as if to show he means no harm and to placate him,) I wouldn't expect you to pick up and move. It isn't easy leaving home.
(But he's content for now. He's convinced Felix to have dinner with them this time. He thinks that will please some of the others,)
Good. I'll see you there.
(He stretches and folds his hands behind his neck. It looks like he's finished here. Yes, he's done the leader thing. He's checked in on his newest classmate, given him all of the information and invitations for now...)
Going to keep training?
(Even though it's their off day?)
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...whatever. He doesn't have to care about any of that for years yet. Rodrigue's hardly about to kick the bucket anytime soon. And Felix obviously has no reason to care about what home Claude might have left.
Finally, Claude looks like he's going to leave - but of course, he has to get one last question in.]
Yes. Does my new house leader have a problem with that?
no subject
He cants his head just slightly to the side and smiles that same, practiced smile of his; friendly, warm, carefree... and not quite right if you're really paying attention.)
None at all. In fact, I'm happy to have such a hardworking new member among us.
(A glance at Felix's sword,)
Archery and swords, right?
(That's what he mentioned practicing earlier...)
no subject
Following Claude's glance, he lifts his sword a little by way of response.]
Swords, primarily. But archery and brawling can be useful, as well. An effective warrior makes use of as many of the options at their disposal as they can.
no subject
There aren't many studying swords here.
(Ignatz and Marianne, interestingly enough but just imagining either of them against Felix in the training hall... He can't imagine Felix not scaring them off to other lessons. Even their other Blue Lions recruit, Sylvain, is more likely to train with the lance or axe while Leonie prefers the lance and bow.)
It's mostly Teach and myself...
(Frowning and he wonders if Felix can follow where his thoughts are going. While it's entirely possible to practice with their dear professor, it's more likely now that another student has come along, she'll put them against each other during lessons.
He looks at Felix, regarding him up and down for a moment and then--) Oof.
Oof.
no subject
There aren't many studying the sword among the Lions either, what's your point?
[Felix decides he hates the way Claude is studying him. He feels weirdly exposed, and whatever this nonsense is, it's confusing him. When he replies, his tone is flat.]
What. If you have something to say, just say it.
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I wouldn't be surprised if Teach paired us together for the next few lessons. (Easier than tossing Ignatz or Marianne into the fray and undoing months of building up their confidence,) I have an exam to train for, you know?
(Every young Lord is expected to master Fodlan's swordstyle. He's on the same path as Dimitri and Edelgard in that respect,)
I get a feeling we're going to be partners.
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But after a moment, his expression slips into a smirk.]
In that case, I'd suggest putting in some extra training time yourself. You'll need it.
no subject
Right.
(He sounds uncertain but there is a part of him that migtht be looking forward to the new challenge... that is until he remembers he isn't a melee fighter and can really only take so many hits before he has to call for mercy.)
I'll see if I can squeeze it in.
(He says like he didn't just give Felix a calendar showing how available he really is.)
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Your schedule looks pretty open to me.
[He lifts his sword and points it at Claude's chest.]
In fact, you don't look very busy at all right now. Spar with me.
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That's kind of the point.
(That he looks free?)
It is our day off, after all. You know... a break from studying and training?
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[Felix lowers his blade again.]
Fine. Take your break, then. But if we're going to be partnered, I expect your swordsmanship to be worth my time. It's pointless for me to train with you if you can't even come close to keeping up.
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You know, I'm not the only one studying here. And it's true, we might not have much to offer right now... but consider all we could learn while we work together.
(No doubt, Felix will knock him on his bottom in their matches and though it pains him to think about it, he knows he'll come out stronger and better for it.
(Just like back home, he thinks. Hah, training with Felix might make him nostalgic...))
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[He turns his back on Claude to return to his training, although he half-expects to be interrupted again. This man talks too much and says too little.]
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We will.
(Claude is certain of it.)
Welcome to the Golden Deer, Felix.
(And he excuses himself, slipping away to do whatever it is Claude von Riegan does on his day off.)