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[ the way he returns her gesture of affection makes her sigh in relief. she wasn't expecting it. not in the least. she would've had no problem dishing out affection towards him for the sake of comfort. and so she remains. when the minutes blend together, she doesn't mind. her thoughts begin to drift about the circumstances of Hubert's health while enduring this. did he have somewhere to stay? food to eat? was he bathing at all?

she breaks the silence with a soft, gentle statement after a good long while of holding him. ]

You can stay here if you don't want to be alone tonight.

Edited 2022-06-28 00:34 (UTC)

[Staying here feels like such a terrible idea. A very good way to give Felix a reason to kill him again or any of the others really. He brings his free hand up to wipe at his eyes. Such draining things emotions. And though he is not without them it is nevertheless quite taxing to feel them quite so deeply.]

I would think it unwise for someone like you to have someone unsavory like myself in your home... to say nothing of spending the night.

[His voice is much more hoarse and scratchy than he would like it to be. Such is the way of it.]

I really should finish my drink and get out of your hair. [He removes his arm from around her to pick up his cup once more. Everything still feels shaky and fragile but... The few tears shed have, at the very least, ceased for now.] It's quite good... your coffee. [It should be noted. He should say it.] It's been a very long time since I had one that tasted quite so good. Everyone was so infatuated with tea at the monastery...

[ Annette notices that he is struggling to dry his eyes and would probably like to remedy that ... she steps to her feet once he releases her from his hold and walks over to the kitchen counter, where she plucks a few tissues from a tissue box. after a moment's consideration, she decides to bring the entire box and places it down on the coffee table, handing the stray tissues so that Hubert can properly dry his eyes. ]

Now that's just nonsense, Hubert. You aren't unsavoury. You're a person going through a tough ordeal, and it's not something you have to face alone. Even though the temptation to resist is pretty strong, I'll bet. [ she returns to sitting next to him. ] I wouldn't offer you something I didn't mean. If I could use my magic to take your pain away, I would in a heartbeat. But the next best thing I can offer is company and care. It's no trouble at all, really.

[ the compliment makes her smile. honestly, she's ... not the most confident in herself across all avenues in her life, so hearing praise like this from an unexpected source really tickles her. ]

Thank you. My door is always open if you'd like another, any time.

[Again, he thanks her softly for the tissues taking the few that she offered. He dabs away the rest of the remnants of this breakdown and lets out a soft sigh.]

You are either trying to flatter me, which is most unnecessary, or are naive about the kind of person I am. [And what her friends think of him.] For what it's worth I don't doubt your sincerity... But all the same, I should take my leave of your home sooner rather than later.

[He sips at the coffee once more the taste still impeccable now that it's not quite so searing hot.]

Mercie... That was the the tall pale haired one at the Academy, yes? [He remembers her because she was always exceptionally friendly. And offered him baked goods on more than one occasion.] While I often do tend to come off as callous as possible... That was not my intention this particular time. I am sorry about your own losses. I am sure you two will meet again.

[ she folds her arms. ]

I'm far from naïve. I know plenty. But I'm not here to berate anyone over past grievances, especially not you. We all lived such different lives across many timelines, and I know that His Highness wants to keep the peace here.

[ a pause. ]

One of the Felixes here left the Lions to side with the Empire, you know. The other one stayed with His Highness. [ a soft breath. Annette has had strong feelings for Felix for a long time. it introduced a new area of conflict to her that she never thought possible. and yet: ] ... It would be a waste of my energy to belittle him for what he chose, even if I don't understand it. Everyone had a reason for the choice they made back then. The war was brutal. It scattered us across time. But it's over. We're here now. And I am offering you the same kindness that I offer the Felix who chose the Empire. I am an informed woman who will not turn her heart away from helping someone in a dark place when the boundaries we had earlier are no more.

[ ah ... yes. time to reminisce a little here. ]

Mercedes. Yes. Mercie is my nickname for her. We went to sorcery school together. We go waaaaaay back. She was- is- [ she corrects herself, ] my best friend. At first I felt so lost here without her. I've really... needed her here. But the more I thought about it, the more I realised that if Felix and Sylvain can appear here twice, then she can too. And I know she'll be my best friend still no matter where she's from. It doesn't feel like naïve optimism when I've seen firsthand what it looks like when this realm pulls people from other places.

I am sad without her, but I will always hang onto hope that I will see her again. Thank you for seeing it this way, too.

Edited 2022-06-28 15:27 (UTC)

[Well, unsurprisingly, she’s a bigger person than he because he absolutely takes issues with traitorous classmates. He also has to withhold a scathing remark about the feral prince wanting to keep the peace. All he can do is take a deeper sip of coffee and listen.

Keep the peace indeed. The same prince who was screaming for his Lady’s head so he could wear it as his own or some such? That prince wants peace? Nonsensical.

However… Lady Edelgard had also desired peace. His very being rebels against the idea to offer peace to his killers and simply rollover for them. But to go against her command, especially when it would not be to her benefit was also something he could not do. So in silence he must continue to suffer.]

I am aware of the Felix situation though I am disinclined to speak to either of them… It’s no easy thing to look upon your killer and play nice. [The blade cutting through him so easily is mostly what he remembers. The buzz of power at his fingertips slowly fading. And his concern for Edelgard turning into deep despair as the word grew colder and darker. And then he was here.] I am of the mind that there are things that cannot be forgiven or reconciled. Not everyone is worthy of your forgiveness or acceptance.

I am one such person. And I would argue that it is naïve to allow me into your home. Much less stay. Without Lady Edelgard here to keep me on that much talked about leash who knows what manner of things I am capable of. Or what I might do.

Just because you don’t believe in the barriers that seperated us doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I feel them so very keenly… these great walls that cannot be breached.

It is most unwise to grant me anything other than your disdain. Such things will keep you safer.

[Perhaps a much more compelling argument had he not been brought to tears on her sofa moments ago. But the hope is to spook her enough that she just tells him to leave.]

Felix killed you? [ so that's something new she's learnt about Hubert today. ] I died in the war too. It happened so fast I didn't see where the blow came from. Ironically it was ... to save Felix's life.

[ without hesitation, really. that statement can speak for itself on how she feels about the angry cat man. ]

Pfft. I'm more afraid of the dark than I am of you, Hubert. [ she's smiling when she says this. how does she have more confidence in her own optimism than the fear he's trying to instil in her? probably because she knows with her own magic she could take him on tome to tome. or the lions would chew him apart and leave not a hair from his head if he dared to harm her. but still. ] Besides, I'm already dead. We all are. You may live your life with walls high up, and granted - I can very much see why this would be. I can understand this even from the very limited things that I know about you. But whether you like it or not, I'm going to treat you with kindness and give you a safe space to process things however you may need to. That's final.

[She died to save Felix's life? If he wasn't so acutely aware of how slightly different everyone's own path was right down to the gender of the professor he might have a similar vendetta against her. It could be that her actions that ultimately led to his death. But... the infinite possibilities make it too tiresome to accuse her of any wrong doing. Especially when he cannot remember if he saw Annette during the invasion to begin with.

And realistically... if it hadn't been Felix's sword it would have been Dimitri's spear or Byleth's unforgiving weapon. Better Felix than any of the above to be honest. The thought of having his insides torn to shreds by the Sword of the Creator is a most unpleasant thought indeed.

Regardless he has something far more indignant to speak up over.]

More afraid of the dark than of me? [He huffs unhappily at this.] Then I have not been doing a very good job of upholding my reputation. All I had to do was laugh and Bernadetta would be scampering off of the monastery ground before you could blink. [His fingers tap at his cup idly. He has become too domesticated in too short a time. Too complacent in the company of the Emperor.] I'll have to work on all that...

[It's a lost cause with Annette now, he knows. She's seen him at about the lowest he can be. There's certainly still room to fall and he'll likely get there upon his return home. But...]

Fine. Fine. I will stay. If only because it is a long walk home and it's already quite late. But I will be out at first light.

[ oh, that statement just tickles her to the core! she brings a hand to her mouth while she giggles! ]

Heeheehee! But if you did keep that up, then you wouldn't have any friends! And friends are good to have around, you know. For instance ... [ she gestures at he coffee cup with both hands ] ... some friends can make you a good cup of coffee, whenever you want! And now that I know you like coffee, I'll make you a tasty coffee cake to enjoy alongside it the next time I brew you one. [ because there WILL be a next time, Hubert! ]

Plus there's the whole "being there for you emotionally" part of friendship ... that's pretty great too. Even if you think you can live your life running away from how you feel, it will catch up to you. You're a human being with emotions. And that's okay.

[ him agreeing to stay delights her! she's already combing through her head some ideas on what she could make him for breakfast. ]

First light you may say, but I'm not letting you leave my home without a tasty, nutritious meal in your belly. And another cup of coffee, of course.

[He has nothing to say about that first part. He can only huff and drink his coffee. This is their first actual conversation to be fair. He's not going to give her the privilege of thinking she knows him. And there will be absolutely no next time. But as she's so delighted by the prospect he will keep some proclamations to himself.]

I've been quite adapt at it thus far, Lady Annette. I will continue to do so after this stumble. [He's not aware how unlikely it will be to get away from Annette now.] But I suppose the sentiment is appreciated.

And yes. First light. I would ask that you do not go through any more trouble on my account. I insist... I don't usually take food in the morning anyway.

If you say so. But my offer still stands.

[ no wonder he's looking so lithe and withered... but she won't say anything about that. ]

When you smell my cooking we'll see about that. [ she won't use magic this time. no explosions. ] Let me get you a blanket. I assume you'll be wanting the sofa.

[ she heads upstairs to look inside the cupboard to see if a spare blanket has spawned and lo and behold, there is one. she comes down the stairs with the blanket and two pillows, handing them to Hubert. ]

Please help yourself to anything you need. I'll just be upstairs. Sleep well, Hubert. Don't be afraid to wake me up if your mood drops or you need to talk.

[ and with that, she walks to the staircase and heads to bed, dimming the cottage lights but leaving a night light on upstairs for herself. she wasn't kidding about that scared in the dark thing. ]

Yes... the sofa will be just fine.

[Seems like that or the floor. Her bed is, of course, out of the question. And while he is still, technically, quite young he feels like his bones are sometimes a few decades older than him. Sleeping on the floor would be the end of him. There would be no recovery from that sort of abuse.

While she goes to collect extra bedding he undoes his coat draping it over the arm of the sofa for now. If she doesn't find extra blankets that will do just fine as well. there are some other odds and ends that he undoes like his cuff links on his dress shirt and the tie around his neck.

It's very... surreal being in here. Sleeping in the home of the enemy, technically. His instincts demand that he be weary. What if Felix just walked through or any of the others? His his body is too tired to worry about his potential demise. He just wants to sleep. He needs to.

Hubert waves Annette away, especially at her offer but gladly takes the bedding. He sets it up comfortably and falls asleep in relatively no time at all. Which is good. It needed to be that so thoughts didn't tumble about the present situation. Just sleep and relatively dreamless sleep at that.

Dawn certainly comes and goes. By quite a number of hours in fact. And Hubert only manages to awaken because of the smell of food. It takes him a moment to remember where he is because... Edelgard certainly doesn't cook breakfast. He'd never allow her to get up before him and even begin to try. Not to mention all the smells in here are different and unfamiliar. When he sits up hair tussled and mused he has to peer blearily around.]

Damn... [He overslept. How unlike him. But everything that's happened to him thus far has been very unlike him. His head feels all foggy from all that sleep but his thoughts are slwoly clearing up. She's making breakfast just like she said she wouldn't, isn't she? Hubert falls back onto the soft pillows and pulls the blanket back over himself. Those from the kingdom are going to flay him alive if they ever find out.]

[ when Annette sees him stirring from over her shoulder, she smiles with the wooden spoon in her hand. looks like he's finally up! she is relieved that he slept as long as he did, really, because it gave her time to experiment with the pancake flavour that she is making him. and in her humble opinion, they turned out super yummy! ]

Good morning! Or, well, good day if we're to be specific here. It seems your body really needed that sleep. [ she walks over. ]

How are you feeling?

[He can feel her sunshine aura looming over him as he hides himself back under the blanket. There's no escaping it.]

Unusually well rested. [Is his muffled response as he removes the blanket from back over his head and sits back up. He has only succeeded in ruffling up his hair all the more. She has once again... caught him in a state that he doesn't let himself be seen in. He was always up and put together before Edelgard woke up so he could make her breakfast and the like. She's doing the same for him... apparently.] And genuinely mortified that I slept this long.

[He peers around for a clock to see just how badly he's done it for himself, needing to rub his eyes to help with the blurriness of sleep. The house smells... very delicious. He can smell the coffee and a bunch of other flavorful spices in the air and he'd be a liar if it didn't all come across as a bit appealing.

Hubert peers up at her feeling... well, certainly something. He is all out of sorts on her sofa with the blankets pooled all around him and feeling more ruffled than he has ever been in his life. It's just... so strange. And bizarre.]

Are you going to make me eat breakfast?

Yes! Although I think at this point it probably counts as "brunch".

[ she places down a cup of coffee for him. ]

Don't be mortified. You clearly needed it. Your body will be very thankful for the rest it had. Also, it'll be especially thankful for these pancakes I've made you!

[ she goes to the counter to get the pancakes which were warming while she waited for him to wake. ] La la laaa ♪ [ she hums while she decorates the pancakes with fruit that she foraged herself, arranging them into a very .... unique sort of presentation that Hubert will enjoy. she made the most of the ingredients that cupboards spawned from the peaceful interactions she had in her home with Byleth and Felix: she made fluffy pancakes with strong bourbon notes, mixed with coffee grains to create a breakfast food so firey and sweet. they were a work of art! scrumptious tiramisu pancakes with a kick. she brings the plate of food over and places it down in front of him with some cutlery. ]

Bon appetit! I'm going to go clean my work area. [ Annette strolls to the kitchen area - her demeanour should illustrate clear as daylight just how much she adores making food for people. she sings while she cleans, humming various melodies with a spring in her step as she gets the job done. ]

What is happening?

[He whispers the words under his breath once she is out of earshot. This is all so... very strange. He has to remember that the only reason he was here in the first place was to look for Edelgard. Or see if anyone could contact her.

He breathes out slow. Alright. Breakfast. A novel concept for him. People don't cook for him often, or ever, so he might as well enjoy it if he can.

The coffee is delicious as it was last night. Full of spices and flavors that he can taste with still that ample bitterness he's accustomed to. It's very good. He has less hope for the pancakes, purposefully poking the blueberry eyes off. Removing the eyes from the face he then cuts into it taking a small bite. Flavors... So many. Rich and good with a bite to it. And it's then that he realizes he is really hungry. He has not been particularly good at taking care of himself. Especially so since his Emperor's disappearance.

Despite how good it is he does try to eat slowly and not like he hasn't had a meal in days. She's singing in the background and the sound of running water and dishes clinking together fills the air.

It's very...

He doesn't want to go home, he doesn't think. Not where it's empty and kind of cold. And she is no longer there. Where he will have to start the process of putting away her things like she's dead or something equally as grim. Imposing any longer would cause trouble for Annette. Trouble for him if he was to be found here, he thinks.

Despite trying to pace himself he does clean his plate, fruit and all, before she finishes doing her dishes. It was just... very good. He gathers his dishes and sets them on the counter where she's currently cleaning.]

Here... let me dry them as you finish so you can get through all of this a bit quicker.

[He's already rolling up his sleeves to assist. So he's clearly not taking no for an answer.]

Eek! [ she squeaks in surprise when he appears behind her, which is a testament to how sneaky he is, honestly. ] Hubert! You ... [ her eyes peer down at his empty plate. ] Oh my gosh! I'm so happy you liked them! I mean ... you did like them, right? Or were you just really hungry or trying to spare my feelings?

[ no matter his answer: she's clearly beaming with joy over his completed meal! she stands aside to allow him to enter her kitchen area. ]

You really don't have to, I love to clean! But ... [ aaaaand there he goes ] seems I can't stop you. Thanks!

[Pleased that he unintentionally startled her, since that's just how he be, he slides in beside her taking the freshly washed dish and drying it at once.]

I did enjoy it. Which surprised me... [He sets the dry dish aside and grabs the next wet one.] Not because I doubted your cooking but because... Well, dealing with a lot of alchemic substances as I do in my service to the Empire I had the misfortune of dulling my taste buds. Very immune to poison. And flavor. [He smiles wryly] In the monastery I really only enjoyed heavily flavored meals. Things that were very spicy or very bitter. It's why I enjoy coffee so much. And why I enjoyed yours in particular.

It was very good. I don't say this lightly or to flatter but... I haven't had anything that good in quite some time. Before the war was even happening in full force, I'd say. So... Thank you. Thank you for making it for me.

[ the praise makes her blush, and blush deeply. she can't help twirling one of her golden locks of hair in her finger shyly, unable to meet his eyes from how bashful she felt at his kind words. ]

Gracious, Hubert ... you're so very welcome! I'm delighted you enjoyed it. [ while he cleans the dishes, she takes the tea towel and starts drying them before putting them on the drying rack. ] If my cooking can impress a dark mage who has limited taste, I'm sure the sky's the limit!

[ but that ... certainly is something. ]

... Honestly, I had no idea that dark magic users went to such lengths. I don't know if that's unique to you, or others, but ... in the school of sorcery we were driven away from doing things that may harm us physically to enhance our magic. I can see you were very dedicated through that alone.

[ she dries the last plate before setting it down. ]

I'm going to ensure my bakery is filled with a menu to tickle the tastebuds of even the darkest mages. [ she pokes him in the arm playfully, before walking over to the cupboards to stash the plates and cutlery away again. ]

Oh, no. While I do not doubt that there are some dark mages that go through such things it is my role as part of the Vestra House that put my taste buds to the grave. Being Lady Edelgard's shadow requires methods that are not magical and flashy in nature. It also requires me to be able to be survive things like poison for her sake. To shield her from her enemies is all well and good but it is far more useful to be a shield that can survive multiple hits rather than just the one.

[He steps out of her way so she can put her dishes where she sees fit.]

That's not to say that the toll of dark magic especially for one without a crest, such as myself, is great indeed. But we all do what we must.

[He adjusts his gloves as he speaks, watching her put things away.]

This is not the first time I've heard you speak of a bakery. Surely you must be nearly there in regards to obtaining it.

I'm sorry you went through such an ordeal. But it's good you can still enjoy tasty food.

[ she wants to comment on his services to Edelgard, but resists, taking into account that dwelling on his lady gone will dour his mood. her personal mission having him over here is to keep him in high spirits, after all. not that he knew of this. she is naturally very cheerful and kind, the behaviour may seem nothing out of the ordinary. ]

... Mmmmmm. [ a clink of one of the glasses being put away. ] It'll need a lot of stamps. Ten for the building then however many others for the ingredients ... I haven't got very many so far, in all honesty. Nowhere near enough that I need. [ sigh ] If you're wondering why I threw myself on the network at you, that's why. Asides from being completely blotto, my logic was, 'if I can sleep with as many people as quickly as possible, the sooner I can have my bakery.'

[ she steps to her feet from crouching on the floor, glaring at some of the high cupboards with two empty mugs in each hand. ]

... Hubert, could you put these away for me? I don't know why this place spawned cupboards so very far out of reach for me, but if you wouldn't mind, it saves me climbing on the counter.

[He takes the mugs without question and places them on the top shelf with little effort. Not even needing to push himself onto his toes.]

No apologies needed. All in service to the Empire and I regret none of it. My life has always had one purpose the rest is inconsequential.

[No need to worry Annette, he can bring that sort of thing up all on his own. The momentary dwelling on Edelgard passes quickly as Annette continues and he glances down at her.]

There's no shame in that, of course. I did much the same. I haven't my notes on me right this moment but I had a card where I wrote down the best way to achieve what I needed for a better home and other supplies for Lady Edelgard. Taking into account double points and what I was willing to do.

That being said... [He sees himself out of the kitchen to grab his jacket that's still resting on the sofa. He reaches into the inner breast pocket where he keeps all sorts of important information and knives, usually. But here it is only the stamps. Taking out the ones he needs for himself leaves him with an extra five. Of which he turns and offers to Annette.] Here. For you. Maybe that will help get you a little closer to your goals. Consider it... [he shrugs not sure what to say.] ...my thanks for all that you have done for me thus far.

What?!

[ well. she wasn't expecting that! ]

Y-You can't be serious! Surely you need those, Hubert! Food on your table? Clothes on your back!? You don't need to do something like this for me. Seriously. I-I can't accept this. My kindness needs no favour.

I have perfectly calculated just how much I need and what needed to be done to get them. I have a home. I have new clothing and I even got my spell book. Anything extra would have gone to someone who is not here at present.

[Edelgard's clothes, her axe whatever it is she may have liked.]

And I would rather have them be put to good use. If it puts your heart at ease you can get me something in turn when you have the means for it. But you need these now, do you not?

If you do not take them from my hand I'll simply leave them here. Or throw them away. Whichever suits my fancy when I depart from here.

[ ah ... right. and she figures him hanging onto them would be a painful reminder of them missing their purpose. ]

So I see ... [ it's this consideration which ultimately changes her mind. she looks up at him with a kind, appreciative smile. ] Thank you, Hubert. I'll take great care of them. You have a really kind heart, you know! I'm so very grateful. The first cake I bake in there will be all yours!

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