( He’s a good student and a fast learner, following along with Dorothea’s instruction easily. Though he trips at times, he takes it in stride, making sure to not make the same mistake again. This dance is close he thinks, one that requires him actually hold her in his arms instead of the measured distance of the waltzes he’s been taught. He sees Seteth and some of the other nobles balk at them but he doesn’t mind. Hilda, ever the good friend, lets out a squeal of delight and also joins and soon, he and Dorothea aren’t the only ones dancing like this.
But no one else looks as good.
The music ends and Claude’s expression is alight, smiling and bright eyed. He bows, shoulders shaking as he laughs with joy, )
I should be thanking you. You’re amazing.
( Somewhere, someone yells at the band to “do it again!” The mood on the floor has shifted, something has broken in the air. There’s a new life to the party.
He turns slightly, offering his arm to her, )
Shall we take a break? Give the others a chance to shine?
( In the background, Leonie barks orders to Lorenz, telling him to relax so they can dance properly. Lysithea makes some observation out loud about how she should raise her arms this way so she doesn’t hit Ignatz the next time they spin. Cyril mutters to Hilda that he doesn’t really remember the dances back in Almyra; that he didn’t really have much reason to dance back home. Marianne squeaks when Raphael turns her a little too quickly and he apologizes with a laugh.
... Interestingly, it’s the Golden Deer class that seems to dominate the floor right now. Though, it makes sense when one considers it’s the house with the most commoners. Nearly half of them are commoners and when everyone is studying and fighting alongside each other, it seems that the Leicester aristocracy is more receptive to mingling.
Claude will lead Dorothea away from the crowd, past the more uptight nobles and more nervous commoners. Over towards the wall, by one of the arched doorways leading to the gardens. It’s quieter, they can observe the ball, and they can talk without fighting against the music, )
It looks like people are really starting to have fun now.
[ Claude's praise is enough to widen her grin, but she gives a wave of her hand, graciously deflecting as another upbeat song begins and a handful of students attempting to emulate the far less-dignified dance push to the front and center of the dance floor. There's something viscerally satisfying about watching the orderly ball morph, at least for a few moments, into something much closer to the sort of party one might stumble upon in Enbarr's poorest quarters. ]
A break sounds perfect. I could use another drink, too.
[ Dorothea snags two tall glasses off a passing tray as she follows Claude to a more quiet corner of the room. Handing off one of the glasses to him, she clinks them together before taking a sip. ]
You're a fast learner, but that's not that surprising. I know you're one of those eternally-curious types.
[ Leaning casually against the wall, a warmth fills her expression as she takes in the sight of the students froclicking about, even though most of them are making a complete mess of things--they're obviously having fun, and that's really the point of a ball, isn't it? Unsurprisingly, Leonie seems to have the best handle on the steps, though she introduces whatever variations are most common in Liecester. ]
Even nobles can figure it out if someone shows them how, apparently. Having fun isn't something they teach at a military academy, sadly. [ She chuckles. ] The Golden Deer has rather a different atmosphere than the Black Eagles, I think. Look over there--I think Linhardt figured out how to sleep standing up.
[ Hubert was lurking around, too, visible looming in some dark corner. On the other hand, Petra had joined in with the dances, dragging a scandalized Ferdinand onto the floor with her and demonstrating the steps of a dance that must be Brigidian in origin. Caspar has done the same with Bernadetta, though Dorothea isn't sure if what they're doing could rightfully be called dancing. ]
Oh? (Claude smiles, canting his head just slightly to one side and feigns ignorance. ) I'm just lucky to have good teachers, that's all.
(But she's right. He's curious, much smarter than he lets on, and much brighter than anyone really gives him credit for.)
I was pretty excited about the ball. I thought we'd finally get to have some fun... (Another sip and a glance at Dorothea,) It looks like things are picking up now, though.
(He watches the ball shift from coordinated and practiced to what he might even consider a real party. Mercedes and Sylvain have taken to the floor and they can probably hear Dimitri stammer objections to Annette who begs him to come join them. Still, it's the Golden Deer that outnumber the other classes by far.)
Between the three houses, we have the most commoners. And while we have noble houses we aren't as... refined as the Empire or Kingdom.
(They're a mixed bunch, always quarreling with each other, relying on House Riegan to mediate and keep them together. Houses fall from favor and gain favor. While they have their own militaries and a sort of knight class, they have their equal share of mercenaries and militias in their number.)
Honestly, we're kind of a mess. It's a wonder we're even together sometimes. (And he laughs fondly,) But we make it work and I'm glad. It's more fun, don't you think?
[ In the face of Claude's modesty, Dorothea simply hums and sips from her glass. She's not fooled, but there's no point in pressing. They're all here to have fun, after all. ]
The winter ball is the social highlight of the year at Garreg Mach, or so I'd heard. I've been looking forward to it since I arrived. It's not quite what I expected, but I'm having a good time.
[ It isn't always easy to walk that line between being her most genuine self and being someone that the upper-crust students at the Academy could find agreeable, desirable... Tonight she'd intended to be more of the latter, but the former keeps peeking through.
She considers the students on the dance floor, thinking about the Deer and the Eagles, how she's the only commoner in her house, how exhausting that can be. Would it hurt her chances of finding a spouse if she wasn't surrounded by the nobility at all hours? ]
It does seem fun.
[ Her voice is pensive as the seed of an idea takes root in her mind. ]
(He catches her tone and chances a glance at her as she watches the floor. He knows that look. She's thinking about something and given their conversation...
Looking back at the floor,)
It is. (He can say that certainly, with confidence.) Why don't you join us some time?
(Attention on her, a friendly smile,)
Teach won't mind. (And he wouldn't either but that much should be a given considering he's the one inviting her,) And hey, you might even like it. In fact, I know you will.
[ She's a little surprised he would just come out and ask her, but it's really not that surprising, is it? She did just win the White Heron Cup, and having a dancer on the field could make a huge difference in combat.
Even if he only wanted to recruit her for her skills, she was still having fun, wasn't she? A little change of scenery couldn't hurt.
But, she isn't going to jump to accept his invitation immediately. There are other factors to consider; Edelgard wouldn't take it well, she imagines, even if the younger girl would pretend it didn't sting that one of her Eagles was leaving the nest. ]
I'll think about it.
[ She winks at him, then, just the same way he winks at people when he talks to them. It's a noncommittal answer, but it isn't an outright no, and there's a grin tucked into the corners of her lips that makes it seem more favorable than that. ]
Why not? Try us out! Commitment free. You can come and go whenever you want.
(He says, sounding more like a merchant than a nobleman trying to promote his house. )
And if you want, I can even talk to the princess for you.
(He already has a plan; the perfect way to frame it. Call it culture exchange, a way to promote good relations between their classes... he feels like framing it that way would appeal to the ever serious Edelgard. Who would he offer in exchange though, he wonders? Well, he'll think about that later if (if he even has to).
Meanwhile, something has caught his eye across the dance floor. A certain dark haired mercenary finally gets a moment to herself and slips out the exit...
Ah.)
Hey, sorry, but I gotta go. (He gives Dorothea an apologetic smile, something that almost looks... a little sheepish? They'd been having a good conversation and now he's ending it to follow someone else. Even he knows how that looks, especially after he'd just tried to bring Dorothea over to his side,) But I mean it! If you want to try us out some time, we'd gladly welcome you.
(He passes his empty glass off to a servant making the rounds and takes a few steps backwards,)
Oh and-- (A skip and a bow,) Thanks for the dance.
(Before he turns on his heel to follow after Byleth, he raises a finger to his lips. Don't tell anyone where he's going. He can trust her to keep a secret. Right...? )
[ It's an interesting thought--one she hadn't yet entertained before now. She could transfer over, maybe experience a different way of doing things than the arm-length cordiality of the Black Eagles. As much as she likes Edie and a few of her other classmates, she's not especially bound to Adrestia in the way someone like Ferdinand is--the Empire is her homeland, but that means very little to an orphan like her. ]
Edie might take it better coming from me, but if you'd like to talk it over with her, be my guest.
[ It isn't difficult in the next moment to follow his eyes to the Professor, and she nods in understanding. Looks like someone has a little crush, but she won't tease him for it. ]
I'll come for a visit, I promise. But you promise to dance with me again, sometime.
[ She mimics the gesture, pressing her finger to her lips and winking at him. She's a veritable vault of secrets. No one will find out from her. ]
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no subject
But no one else looks as good.
The music ends and Claude’s expression is alight, smiling and bright eyed. He bows, shoulders shaking as he laughs with joy, )
I should be thanking you. You’re amazing.
( Somewhere, someone yells at the band to “do it again!” The mood on the floor has shifted, something has broken in the air. There’s a new life to the party.
He turns slightly, offering his arm to her, )
Shall we take a break? Give the others a chance to shine?
( In the background, Leonie barks orders to Lorenz, telling him to relax so they can dance properly. Lysithea makes some observation out loud about how she should raise her arms this way so she doesn’t hit Ignatz the next time they spin. Cyril mutters to Hilda that he doesn’t really remember the dances back in Almyra; that he didn’t really have much reason to dance back home. Marianne squeaks when Raphael turns her a little too quickly and he apologizes with a laugh.
... Interestingly, it’s the Golden Deer class that seems to dominate the floor right now. Though, it makes sense when one considers it’s the house with the most commoners. Nearly half of them are commoners and when everyone is studying and fighting alongside each other, it seems that the Leicester aristocracy is more receptive to mingling.
Claude will lead Dorothea away from the crowd, past the more uptight nobles and more nervous commoners. Over towards the wall, by one of the arched doorways leading to the gardens. It’s quieter, they can observe the ball, and they can talk without fighting against the music, )
It looks like people are really starting to have fun now.
no subject
A break sounds perfect. I could use another drink, too.
[ Dorothea snags two tall glasses off a passing tray as she follows Claude to a more quiet corner of the room. Handing off one of the glasses to him, she clinks them together before taking a sip. ]
You're a fast learner, but that's not that surprising. I know you're one of those eternally-curious types.
[ Leaning casually against the wall, a warmth fills her expression as she takes in the sight of the students froclicking about, even though most of them are making a complete mess of things--they're obviously having fun, and that's really the point of a ball, isn't it? Unsurprisingly, Leonie seems to have the best handle on the steps, though she introduces whatever variations are most common in Liecester. ]
Even nobles can figure it out if someone shows them how, apparently. Having fun isn't something they teach at a military academy, sadly. [ She chuckles. ] The Golden Deer has rather a different atmosphere than the Black Eagles, I think. Look over there--I think Linhardt figured out how to sleep standing up.
[ Hubert was lurking around, too, visible looming in some dark corner. On the other hand, Petra had joined in with the dances, dragging a scandalized Ferdinand onto the floor with her and demonstrating the steps of a dance that must be Brigidian in origin. Caspar has done the same with Bernadetta, though Dorothea isn't sure if what they're doing could rightfully be called dancing. ]
no subject
(But she's right. He's curious, much smarter than he lets on, and much brighter than anyone really gives him credit for.)
I was pretty excited about the ball. I thought we'd finally get to have some fun... (Another sip and a glance at Dorothea,) It looks like things are picking up now, though.
(He watches the ball shift from coordinated and practiced to what he might even consider a real party. Mercedes and Sylvain have taken to the floor and they can probably hear Dimitri stammer objections to Annette who begs him to come join them. Still, it's the Golden Deer that outnumber the other classes by far.)
Between the three houses, we have the most commoners. And while we have noble houses we aren't as... refined as the Empire or Kingdom.
(They're a mixed bunch, always quarreling with each other, relying on House Riegan to mediate and keep them together. Houses fall from favor and gain favor. While they have their own militaries and a sort of knight class, they have their equal share of mercenaries and militias in their number.)
Honestly, we're kind of a mess. It's a wonder we're even together sometimes. (And he laughs fondly,) But we make it work and I'm glad. It's more fun, don't you think?
no subject
The winter ball is the social highlight of the year at Garreg Mach, or so I'd heard. I've been looking forward to it since I arrived. It's not quite what I expected, but I'm having a good time.
[ It isn't always easy to walk that line between being her most genuine self and being someone that the upper-crust students at the Academy could find agreeable, desirable... Tonight she'd intended to be more of the latter, but the former keeps peeking through.
She considers the students on the dance floor, thinking about the Deer and the Eagles, how she's the only commoner in her house, how exhausting that can be. Would it hurt her chances of finding a spouse if she wasn't surrounded by the nobility at all hours? ]
It does seem fun.
[ Her voice is pensive as the seed of an idea takes root in her mind. ]
no subject
Looking back at the floor,)
It is. (He can say that certainly, with confidence.) Why don't you join us some time?
(Attention on her, a friendly smile,)
Teach won't mind. (And he wouldn't either but that much should be a given considering he's the one inviting her,) And hey, you might even like it. In fact, I know you will.
no subject
[ She's a little surprised he would just come out and ask her, but it's really not that surprising, is it? She did just win the White Heron Cup, and having a dancer on the field could make a huge difference in combat.
Even if he only wanted to recruit her for her skills, she was still having fun, wasn't she? A little change of scenery couldn't hurt.
But, she isn't going to jump to accept his invitation immediately. There are other factors to consider; Edelgard wouldn't take it well, she imagines, even if the younger girl would pretend it didn't sting that one of her Eagles was leaving the nest. ]
I'll think about it.
[ She winks at him, then, just the same way he winks at people when he talks to them. It's a noncommittal answer, but it isn't an outright no, and there's a grin tucked into the corners of her lips that makes it seem more favorable than that. ]
no subject
(He says, sounding more like a merchant than a nobleman trying to promote his house. )
And if you want, I can even talk to the princess for you.
(He already has a plan; the perfect way to frame it. Call it culture exchange, a way to promote good relations between their classes... he feels like framing it that way would appeal to the ever serious Edelgard. Who would he offer in exchange though, he wonders? Well, he'll think about that later if (if he even has to).
Meanwhile, something has caught his eye across the dance floor. A certain dark haired mercenary finally gets a moment to herself and slips out the exit...
Ah.)
Hey, sorry, but I gotta go. (He gives Dorothea an apologetic smile, something that almost looks... a little sheepish? They'd been having a good conversation and now he's ending it to follow someone else. Even he knows how that looks, especially after he'd just tried to bring Dorothea over to his side,) But I mean it! If you want to try us out some time, we'd gladly welcome you.
(He passes his empty glass off to a servant making the rounds and takes a few steps backwards,)
Oh and-- (A skip and a bow,) Thanks for the dance.
(Before he turns on his heel to follow after Byleth, he raises a finger to his lips. Don't tell anyone where he's going. He can trust her to keep a secret. Right...? )
no subject
Edie might take it better coming from me, but if you'd like to talk it over with her, be my guest.
[ It isn't difficult in the next moment to follow his eyes to the Professor, and she nods in understanding. Looks like someone has a little crush, but she won't tease him for it. ]
I'll come for a visit, I promise. But you promise to dance with me again, sometime.
[ She mimics the gesture, pressing her finger to her lips and winking at him. She's a veritable vault of secrets. No one will find out from her. ]