Hah! Derdriu doesn't need me to show anything off.
(He can say that warmly and with pride. It's true! He'll never forget the first time he laid eyes on Derdriu. He'd arrived in the earliest morning hours when it was still dark. The city was sparkling, lights reflecting on the water, and making it look like it was floating. It was different from where he'd grown up before. He'd been mesmerized. This was where he was going to live? He'd never felt so lucky before.)
But since you asked... (He's clearly teasing, his voice trailing cheerily,) I can give you the grand tour. Though, it might be a bit... unconventional.
(Of course. Would anyone expect anything else from Claude? No doubt, he would show her something unexpected. It isn't like Claude to do things as expected.
Her offer to share perspective though? He immediately looks thoughtful, considering the offer very seriously before replying,)
I'd like that. In fact, I'm looking forward to it.
[ Some small part of Dorothea wishes she could be proud of Enbarr in the way that Claude is clearly proud of Derdriu, but she's seen too many of its dark and dingy corners. Perhaps that's a point of pride, in its own way--she'd haunted those streets and survived--but no, not the same kind of pride as his. She's proud of the Mittelfrank, but again, that isn't quite the same. Maybe one day she'll live somewhere that elicits the same emotion.
When Claude agrees to show her around the aquatic city, Dorothea shoots him one of her most brilliant smiles. ]
I'd be disappointed if any tour you give is a conventional one. I fully expect you to show me all the fun little nooks and crannies that a tourist would never find. I can't wait.
[ His interest in her opinions is pleasing, too, making her grin even wider.
They chat a bit longer, until Dorothea realizes the position of the sun has shifted enough in the sky to have changed the tone of the lighting in her room. The dinner bell will be ringing soon. ]
Oh, goodness, look how long I've kept you. I don't mean to monopolize your time. I know how busy you are.
[ The book is still in his hands, though, and when she looks at the way he's so carefully holding it, she waves her hands once in a small gesture. ]
Do you want to borrow it? I know how much you love books so I'm sure you'd take care of it.
Oh, a tourist would never find these places. That's why you need a friendly local to guide you.
(A tourist would never find the little coffee shop in the market, hidden behind all of the stalls selling cloth and tapestries. A tourist would never know the tavern by the sea actually has a private room with a perfect view of the canals. But then again, most of the Derdriu natives were unaware of these places, too. In the end, it all came down to the special circles you ran into, the people you spoke to, and who was willing to share their secrets or brag to anyone who would listen...
He doesn't notice the time and he looks out at the window at the lowering sun. Ah.)
Right, I still have to speak to Cyril.
(Cyril. One of their newest members. Who would have thought an Almyran would be welcomed into the Golden Deer of all houses, right? It was no secret that Claude had a special interest in the younger boy, too. It was just too bad that Cyril, in turn, seemed to want nothing to do with him.
What he doesn't expect, however, is for Dorothea to offer her book to him. He looks surprised for a moment and then lets out a laugh,)
Are you sure? I mean... this is your secret treasure. And you're really trusting me?
(He's teasing. Of course, by now, he's aware that there are quite a few people who trust him for one reason or another. For all of his schemes and all of his secrets, he was reliable when it mattered most. In a few months, he'd established himself as a worthy leader to his classmates.
He feels like he knows her answer though and he looks down at the book,)
... I wonder if Cyril would know any of these.
(Or if he would even care. Sometimes he wonders if it's really worth trying to get Cyril to care about his-- no, their-- homeland again. Every time he tries to bring it up, he only seems to get more irritated.)
Some secret treasures are meant to be shared with people who know how to appreciate them.
[ No, she didn't intend for that to sound as incredibly suggestive as it did, but here they are. Dorothea laughs and shakes her head, though she sighs at Claude's comment about Cyril. ]
Sad to say, but Cyril seems like the kind of person who wouldn't have any interest in poetry unless Lady Rhea told him he should have it. I wish he wasn't so devoted to her, but I suppose he's still very young. When I was his age, there wasn't much I wouldn't have done for Manuela if she'd asked, so I understand where he's coming from. Maybe he'll grow out of it.
[ Or maybe he'll become one more zealot in the church's ranks. She'd rather not see that happen to him, but in the end it's up to Cyril to choose what path he takes. Maybe being part of the Golden Deer class can be a positive influence on his outlook. ]
Oh, or maybe if we got Lysithea to introduce him to it. He seems to have a soft spot for her, don't you think?
(The other meaning isn't lost on him. He knows how it sounds and he gives her a smile, playful and probably more flirty than he meant for it to come off as considering the situation. Really, it's times like this for just a moment he wonders...
No, he can't let himself get distracted. He bottles up the thought and puts it away for another time. He's not oblivious or naive in the way some of the others can be. Maybe someday he'll be able to squeeze something like romance into his careful plans but that day isn't now.
Maybe that's why he's so interested in Cyril and Lysithea's budding relationship. The two had certainly hit it off well and she was helping him with his studies so he could keep up even with those that had been in the class far longer than him. )
Rhea's his world. (It's no secret and there's something not quite cold but cool in the way he speaks about her,a) And Rhea doesn't want any of this in Fodlan.
(This book from outside Fodlan is forbidden and it's because Rhea refuses to allow it. Shes' the one who could change all of these things but it's the church that still influences their politics and relations. If he wanted his dreams to come true, he would have to work beyond reforming just Leicester. All of his work there would mean nothing as long as Rhea was in the way and he'll have to find a way to change things.)
But you might be onto something. (Cyril's fondness for Lysithea was obvious to him and he found it cute and endearing.) We'll just have to... create some opportunities for it to come up.
[ Claude declines to keep up the thread of flirtation in their conversation, which is a little disappointing, but there's no use in forcing it. Yes, she can admit she likes him: he's cute and smart and ambitious, even if he tries to hide so much of himself. It's fine; there will be time to test the waters again later. ]
Yes, Rhea seems to inspire a great deal of devotion, for some reason. [ Spoken in that same cool tone that Claude employed. It's obvious that Dorothea holds no love for the church, or those who helm it, given that the crest system they enforce so dogmatically is the cause of all of her life's worst traumas. That isn't the subject of their conversation, though, and she's happy too leave it an unspoken truth until she feels ready to tell him about that part of her history.
She leans in a little at the prospect of "creating" opportunities for a conversation between Cyril and Lysithea, her face lighting up. ]
I'll have you know, I'm an excellent matchmaker. I have a sense for these things. How are we going to do it? Arrange little tea dates for them...? No, no, I can hardly imagine Cyril sitting still long enough to really enjoy a proper tea service. Maybe a picnic instead, outside the monastery so he doesn't feel as pressured to do work.
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no subject
(He can say that warmly and with pride. It's true! He'll never forget the first time he laid eyes on Derdriu. He'd arrived in the earliest morning hours when it was still dark. The city was sparkling, lights reflecting on the water, and making it look like it was floating. It was different from where he'd grown up before. He'd been mesmerized. This was where he was going to live? He'd never felt so lucky before.)
But since you asked... (He's clearly teasing, his voice trailing cheerily,) I can give you the grand tour. Though, it might be a bit... unconventional.
(Of course. Would anyone expect anything else from Claude? No doubt, he would show her something unexpected. It isn't like Claude to do things as expected.
Her offer to share perspective though? He immediately looks thoughtful, considering the offer very seriously before replying,)
I'd like that. In fact, I'm looking forward to it.
no subject
When Claude agrees to show her around the aquatic city, Dorothea shoots him one of her most brilliant smiles. ]
I'd be disappointed if any tour you give is a conventional one. I fully expect you to show me all the fun little nooks and crannies that a tourist would never find. I can't wait.
[ His interest in her opinions is pleasing, too, making her grin even wider.
They chat a bit longer, until Dorothea realizes the position of the sun has shifted enough in the sky to have changed the tone of the lighting in her room. The dinner bell will be ringing soon. ]
Oh, goodness, look how long I've kept you. I don't mean to monopolize your time. I know how busy you are.
[ The book is still in his hands, though, and when she looks at the way he's so carefully holding it, she waves her hands once in a small gesture. ]
Do you want to borrow it? I know how much you love books so I'm sure you'd take care of it.
no subject
(A tourist would never find the little coffee shop in the market, hidden behind all of the stalls selling cloth and tapestries. A tourist would never know the tavern by the sea actually has a private room with a perfect view of the canals. But then again, most of the Derdriu natives were unaware of these places, too. In the end, it all came down to the special circles you ran into, the people you spoke to, and who was willing to share their secrets or brag to anyone who would listen...
He doesn't notice the time and he looks out at the window at the lowering sun. Ah.)
Right, I still have to speak to Cyril.
(Cyril. One of their newest members. Who would have thought an Almyran would be welcomed into the Golden Deer of all houses, right? It was no secret that Claude had a special interest in the younger boy, too. It was just too bad that Cyril, in turn, seemed to want nothing to do with him.
What he doesn't expect, however, is for Dorothea to offer her book to him. He looks surprised for a moment and then lets out a laugh,)
Are you sure? I mean... this is your secret treasure. And you're really trusting me?
(He's teasing. Of course, by now, he's aware that there are quite a few people who trust him for one reason or another. For all of his schemes and all of his secrets, he was reliable when it mattered most. In a few months, he'd established himself as a worthy leader to his classmates.
He feels like he knows her answer though and he looks down at the book,)
... I wonder if Cyril would know any of these.
(Or if he would even care. Sometimes he wonders if it's really worth trying to get Cyril to care about his-- no, their-- homeland again. Every time he tries to bring it up, he only seems to get more irritated.)
no subject
[ No, she didn't intend for that to sound as incredibly suggestive as it did, but here they are. Dorothea laughs and shakes her head, though she sighs at Claude's comment about Cyril. ]
Sad to say, but Cyril seems like the kind of person who wouldn't have any interest in poetry unless Lady Rhea told him he should have it. I wish he wasn't so devoted to her, but I suppose he's still very young. When I was his age, there wasn't much I wouldn't have done for Manuela if she'd asked, so I understand where he's coming from. Maybe he'll grow out of it.
[ Or maybe he'll become one more zealot in the church's ranks. She'd rather not see that happen to him, but in the end it's up to Cyril to choose what path he takes. Maybe being part of the Golden Deer class can be a positive influence on his outlook. ]
Oh, or maybe if we got Lysithea to introduce him to it. He seems to have a soft spot for her, don't you think?
no subject
No, he can't let himself get distracted. He bottles up the thought and puts it away for another time. He's not oblivious or naive in the way some of the others can be. Maybe someday he'll be able to squeeze something like romance into his careful plans but that day isn't now.
Maybe that's why he's so interested in Cyril and Lysithea's budding relationship. The two had certainly hit it off well and she was helping him with his studies so he could keep up even with those that had been in the class far longer than him. )
Rhea's his world. (It's no secret and there's something not quite cold but cool in the way he speaks about her,a) And Rhea doesn't want any of this in Fodlan.
(This book from outside Fodlan is forbidden and it's because Rhea refuses to allow it. Shes' the one who could change all of these things but it's the church that still influences their politics and relations. If he wanted his dreams to come true, he would have to work beyond reforming just Leicester. All of his work there would mean nothing as long as Rhea was in the way and he'll have to find a way to change things.)
But you might be onto something. (Cyril's fondness for Lysithea was obvious to him and he found it cute and endearing.) We'll just have to... create some opportunities for it to come up.
no subject
Yes, Rhea seems to inspire a great deal of devotion, for some reason. [ Spoken in that same cool tone that Claude employed. It's obvious that Dorothea holds no love for the church, or those who helm it, given that the crest system they enforce so dogmatically is the cause of all of her life's worst traumas. That isn't the subject of their conversation, though, and she's happy too leave it an unspoken truth until she feels ready to tell him about that part of her history.
She leans in a little at the prospect of "creating" opportunities for a conversation between Cyril and Lysithea, her face lighting up. ]
I'll have you know, I'm an excellent matchmaker. I have a sense for these things. How are we going to do it? Arrange little tea dates for them...? No, no, I can hardly imagine Cyril sitting still long enough to really enjoy a proper tea service. Maybe a picnic instead, outside the monastery so he doesn't feel as pressured to do work.