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𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐'𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺.
[ She's just going to pretend Kyle didn't imply she was strong or anything. ]
𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩?
[ She's just going to pretend Kyle didn't imply she was strong or anything. ]
𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩?
[ There's no response from Claude on the first part but a grumble, since - that probably sums up any and all complaining he could've done aloud between that and the blank Teach-like expression he'd received to go along with it. As Hilda tugs on his hands he promptly goes as limp as possible purely for the sake of being difficult. The grin on his face probably says as much when they barely move. ]
Maybe, but maybe I don't trust myself to not end up sprawled out on the ice if I move any more than this.
[ Or some other such nonsense; playfully he wiggles his fingers in her grasp as if that's all the help ("help") he's really going to provide. Something Hilda's well familiar with from many times before, and it's not lost on Claude that even if he's laying down on this ice like it's any old field where he might've gone to take a nap once upon a time that all of this comes with familiar comfort. That's the right word for it with Hilda's laughter warmer than any forty-five layers he might put on to ward off the cold. That could do it all on its own and then some.
Not a second later Claude frees one of his hands to not take Hilda down with him as he rolls over onto his stomach before grabbing her hand in his again. ]
Alright, now what? Don't tell me I'm gonna have to jump up onto my feet from here or something.
[ He could probably do it if he really tried, but where's the fun in doing that immediately? ]
Maybe, but maybe I don't trust myself to not end up sprawled out on the ice if I move any more than this.
[ Or some other such nonsense; playfully he wiggles his fingers in her grasp as if that's all the help ("help") he's really going to provide. Something Hilda's well familiar with from many times before, and it's not lost on Claude that even if he's laying down on this ice like it's any old field where he might've gone to take a nap once upon a time that all of this comes with familiar comfort. That's the right word for it with Hilda's laughter warmer than any forty-five layers he might put on to ward off the cold. That could do it all on its own and then some.
Not a second later Claude frees one of his hands to not take Hilda down with him as he rolls over onto his stomach before grabbing her hand in his again. ]
Alright, now what? Don't tell me I'm gonna have to jump up onto my feet from here or something.
[ He could probably do it if he really tried, but where's the fun in doing that immediately? ]
[ Claude immediately going limp is something she's somewhat prepared for, if only because she would have and has done the same when their positions had been reversed. As much as she'd like to whine about him spoiling her fun - is he really? Another round of laughter leaves her lips instead. Even as Claude wriggles his hand free, years of ice skating and a surprising amount of balance keep her upright even as they come to grinding halt and he flips over onto his belly.
Whether he had intended or not, this is a far easier position to continue gliding across the ice. Soon the sound of her skates cutting into the ice mingles with the sound of Claude being dragged fills the air around them in an oddly soothing way. ]
I don't why I ever thought you were a lazy student. That's exactly what someone like Holst would do. But I guess we could start by you just getting up onto your hands and knees - everyone has to start somewhere.
Whether he had intended or not, this is a far easier position to continue gliding across the ice. Soon the sound of her skates cutting into the ice mingles with the sound of Claude being dragged fills the air around them in an oddly soothing way. ]
I don't why I ever thought you were a lazy student. That's exactly what someone like Holst would do. But I guess we could start by you just getting up onto your hands and knees - everyone has to start somewhere.
[ One morning in December after Claude's slipped out of bed to leave its slumbering occupant(s) behind, some packages will appear at the foot of Hilda's bed. They aren't easy to miss in their bright wrapping paper of pinks and deep reds with sparkles engrained within the paper and the ribbons around it all.
When picked up, the first box might make a small noise like glass clinking together. Which is fitting considering what it contains: various vials of different flowers preserved in oils, with what's in them being a variety of highly scented ones from around Abraxas. There's ones from the Free Cities, ones from Solvunn, and quite a few from Nocwich - all which were cultivated in their own rooftop garden amidst Claude's other plants. Along with those are empty perfume bottles should Hilda like to try creating her own.
The next package is a box which when opened contains a couple of finely bound journals and sketchbooks in different sizes, including one small enough to be slipped into a pocket for quick notes and ones large enough for detailed plans to be drawn with room for notes. A set of stationary also awaits, and a set of crystal-handled wax stamps embossed with her initials for any and all notes or letters she might like to send.
But what awaits atop it all is a blown glass transparent and lightly tinted pink vase, and what's in it isn't flowers. Instead it's bundles of pencils, markers, charcoals, pastels, and pencils; each have been separated out by colors and bound together, and each splayed slightly to resemble flowers as they form a rainbow of blooms of different heights and sizes within. Green ribbons curl around the base of each and spill out of the vase in the illusion of leaves.
At the base of it rests an envelope with Hilda's name on it, and a letter inside:
When picked up, the first box might make a small noise like glass clinking together. Which is fitting considering what it contains: various vials of different flowers preserved in oils, with what's in them being a variety of highly scented ones from around Abraxas. There's ones from the Free Cities, ones from Solvunn, and quite a few from Nocwich - all which were cultivated in their own rooftop garden amidst Claude's other plants. Along with those are empty perfume bottles should Hilda like to try creating her own.
![vials of different flowers](https://i.pinimg.com/564x/71/36/43/713643173faa927fd6087e71a1428f27.jpg"){kind=link}
The next package is a box which when opened contains a couple of finely bound journals and sketchbooks in different sizes, including one small enough to be slipped into a pocket for quick notes and ones large enough for detailed plans to be drawn with room for notes. A set of stationary also awaits, and a set of crystal-handled wax stamps embossed with her initials for any and all notes or letters she might like to send.
But what awaits atop it all is a blown glass transparent and lightly tinted pink vase, and what's in it isn't flowers. Instead it's bundles of pencils, markers, charcoals, pastels, and pencils; each have been separated out by colors and bound together, and each splayed slightly to resemble flowers as they form a rainbow of blooms of different heights and sizes within. Green ribbons curl around the base of each and spill out of the vase in the illusion of leaves.
At the base of it rests an envelope with Hilda's name on it, and a letter inside:
Hilda—In addition to that, when Hilda walks into her bathroom next she'll find a basket full of freshly laundered towels, her robes the same, and a vibrantly flowering desert flower in the window. Just because. ]
I don't think there will ever be enough words for what this year has been. For what it's meant, through all of the lowest times and the far better ones, and for the fact that at the end of it all I find you still here all the same. Something that which I'm not always convinced I deserve, but something I'll strive to make it certain that I do.
There was a long time in my life before I met you that I'd convinced myself of that being alone would be worth it if it meant accomplishing what I'd set out to do. I meant to keep to that because I'd told myself over and over it was easier. To say that you changed that is an understatement of the highest degree, and there's no more picturing doing any of those things on my own. Not for years now, and hopefully not for the years to come.
In the meantime, at least, there's this as a fraction of what you deserve and more. And the more - that I intend to deliver on yet.
—Claude.
𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘝𝘪𝘬𝘬𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺! 𝘐'𝘮 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘳.
𝘐 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘴.
[ There he goes, pedalling away with her heart. ]
[ On the morning of Hilda's birthday, there won't be any waking up early or accidently jostling her into wakefulness before she's ready to wake up. And when she does, there'll be a mug of her favorite tea waiting on her nightstand sitting on a coaster, one of a set enchanted to keep whatever is placed on them at the perfect temperature for drinking without burning one's mouth. A plate with a few of her favorite pastries from a bakery nearby is next to the tea, along with the teapot itself ready for refills for her breakfast.
A bouquet of anemones from Claire's plants growing in their garden supplemented with more of Cadens' own flowers interspersed between the familiar from Fodlan blooms rests on her desk along with two bundles. The first is a luxurious bathrobe slightly oversized and perfect for lounging in. The second is a matching set of plush slippers with considerable cushion - perfect for wearing around on chilly mornings or while enjoying some of her own spa treatments at home.
Possibly predictably, there's also a couple of envelopes. One contains an ornate piece of parchment embossed and detailed with silvers and golds to look like a very expensive ticket. Curiously, however, it's mostly blank aside from having Hilda's name written on it but as for what it's for? That might require a question or two. The other envelope contains a letter in neat script:
A bouquet of anemones from Claire's plants growing in their garden supplemented with more of Cadens' own flowers interspersed between the familiar from Fodlan blooms rests on her desk along with two bundles. The first is a luxurious bathrobe slightly oversized and perfect for lounging in. The second is a matching set of plush slippers with considerable cushion - perfect for wearing around on chilly mornings or while enjoying some of her own spa treatments at home.
Possibly predictably, there's also a couple of envelopes. One contains an ornate piece of parchment embossed and detailed with silvers and golds to look like a very expensive ticket. Curiously, however, it's mostly blank aside from having Hilda's name written on it but as for what it's for? That might require a question or two. The other envelope contains a letter in neat script:
Happy Birthday, Hilda—At the promised time he'll return to the loft in time to find Hilda getting ready with a greeting of a kiss on the cheek before seeking out an actual kiss that's equal parts affection and distraction. The distraction's for one less surprise present he has left: enough time to withdraw a necklace from his pocket and to drape it around her neck to fasten it with a grin at her in the mirror. With it might come with an apology for getting a necklace from another jeweler so as to not have her create her own birthday present, but it's the thought that counts. Right? ]
Another year in Abraxas, and in some ways it feels like I was writing a birthday message for you like this one far more recently than it really was. A lot's happened since then - some of it not so great, but lately it's been anything but that. You're a bright spot in my life, and one I hope shines forever.
In the past year I've watched you take on a multitude of things and created all sorts of projects to further what you want to build, and that's before getting into everything you've been doing with the Hall. You lead with knowledge and ambition even when you insist you don't (and don't think I can't imagine you wrinkling your brows and protesting this even while reading it) and you've inspired so many others to take part in what you do. They believe in you as much as I do, and there's no limit to what you'll accomplish next when you set your mind to it.
That includes whatever we might come up with next, of course, since I'm counting on there being all sorts for which we might have some lost time to make up for. Again I'm fortunate to call you my best friend and now more, and lucky to get to stand by your side.
Here's to another year and all the things you'll do. I look forward to seeing them all.
—Claude.
PS — If you're wondering what the ticket is for, it's for you to choose exactly what you want it to be for whether that's dinner somewhere, a show in any of the cities, or another weekend getaway. Or anything else since that's why it's blank: you name what you want to use it for and consider your wish granted.
PPS — save your lunch hour for me as I've got a plan to take you out somewhere nicer than our usual cafes.
Well, why didn't you say there was a book? You know that's a way to get me into doing anything.
As is a nap with you, and always far more so than any book could ever be a lure. I'll see if I can get everything done earlier than originally planned if it won't put your afternoon too far behind to wait a little bit.
As is a nap with you, and always far more so than any book could ever be a lure. I'll see if I can get everything done earlier than originally planned if it won't put your afternoon too far behind to wait a little bit.
𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬.
𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮.
𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮.
[ It really shouldn't be so much of a surprise that someone hasn't thought twice about planning their wedding. Not everyone was as infatuated with the idea like Hilda is.
But that's not what has her grinding to a halt. ]
𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦. 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴?
But that's not what has her grinding to a halt. ]
𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦. 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴?
[ Meanwhile, Claude's kind of enjoying his unintentional full body skating across the ice thanks to Hilda propelling them both. It's better than most ways he's been dragged, even if he dramatically sputters a bit when there's a small spray of ice from the skates which (barely) hits him in the face. Well. That might be a motivator to get up if nothing else. ]
Is being compared to Holst supposed to be a motivation for me? [ There's an attempt to ask this seriously but it fades out pretty quickly considering the amount of times he's worked with Holst. Some more serious than others, though there's also one particular time he has in mind. That thought can wait a minute. ] Alright, alright. Don't threaten me with any mushrooms next.
[ This time Claude lets go of Hilda's hands to remain here he is, and it takes all of a second to push himself up onto his knees. The easy part, of course, since it's the next part which gives him some pause. Time to distract Hilda a bit while he evaluates the best way to move to standing. ]
By the way, did I ever tell you Holst and Nader become best friends during the war? Nader as in Nader the Undefeated since I'm sure he'll be frowning wherever he is if I leave off the title.
[ He knows he hasn't told her - not to mention he's pretty sure he hasn't mentioned 'Nardel' is Nader, so this harmless reveal just might also be to entertain himself, too. ]
Is being compared to Holst supposed to be a motivation for me? [ There's an attempt to ask this seriously but it fades out pretty quickly considering the amount of times he's worked with Holst. Some more serious than others, though there's also one particular time he has in mind. That thought can wait a minute. ] Alright, alright. Don't threaten me with any mushrooms next.
[ This time Claude lets go of Hilda's hands to remain here he is, and it takes all of a second to push himself up onto his knees. The easy part, of course, since it's the next part which gives him some pause. Time to distract Hilda a bit while he evaluates the best way to move to standing. ]
By the way, did I ever tell you Holst and Nader become best friends during the war? Nader as in Nader the Undefeated since I'm sure he'll be frowning wherever he is if I leave off the title.
[ He knows he hasn't told her - not to mention he's pretty sure he hasn't mentioned 'Nardel' is Nader, so this harmless reveal just might also be to entertain himself, too. ]
𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵?! 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘈 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦!
[ Also what is it with everyone in her life climbing out the woodwork with royal blood in them? ]
𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴.
[ Also what is it with everyone in her life climbing out the woodwork with royal blood in them? ]
𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴.
Not as big a part as you may be imagining. It truly is inconsequential.
( Hilda just attracts all the hidden royalty. But for Jill she stopped being a princess of the North when she was six, when she became a political hostage to Rosaria. And, with the years that have passed since then and all that has happened to her, it feels wrong to claim such a title when she is so far removed from the North as one could be.
Not that there is anything of it left. There is just her, and Gav, and whoever might have successfully fled south and survived. )
[ Gotta collect all the Abraxas Royals like a trading card game I guess.
Maybe it's because she isn't royalty so she can't understand it fully - but with everything she's found out recently about Claude and his past she can't help but think that she has her own reservations about how someone's upbringing affects their decisions in life. ]
𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭. 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩! 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘑𝘪𝘭𝘭, 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥.
𝘕𝘰𝘸...𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
Maybe it's because she isn't royalty so she can't understand it fully - but with everything she's found out recently about Claude and his past she can't help but think that she has her own reservations about how someone's upbringing affects their decisions in life. ]
𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭. 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩! 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘑𝘪𝘭𝘭, 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥.
𝘕𝘰𝘸...𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
( It might be easier for her to handle people knowing she's royalty if it didn't risk people looking at her differently, expecting her to be one way when she is just now finding the path she wants to walk. In the Hideaway Jill loathed bringing any unnecessary attention to herself, or risk have people treat her differently than the others. She might have been Clive's second-in-command, but when resources are thin, having people trying to give her special privilege because of a rank she hasn't had since she was six would weigh uncomfortably heavy on her shoulders.
She is a dominant, a princess, a monster, but she never asked to be any of those things, and the one she became because she was not strong enough eats at her even now, after Imreann lay run through with her sword. It's more important to be those things she can choose -- an outlaw, Clive's wife, Jill Warrick.
So there is a palpable relief that comes with Hilda's word to forget about it. )
She is a dominant, a princess, a monster, but she never asked to be any of those things, and the one she became because she was not strong enough eats at her even now, after Imreann lay run through with her sword. It's more important to be those things she can choose -- an outlaw, Clive's wife, Jill Warrick.
So there is a palpable relief that comes with Hilda's word to forget about it. )
Thank you.
We would love for all those we've come to know to be able to attend, so keeping the festivities to Thorne isn't particularly an option we wish to consider.
[ There's some benefit to Hilda being in Abraxas for as long as she's had. And perhaps, for not knowing that Claude was royalty himself over the course of their relationship. He didn't act anything like a prince, nevermind a Duke. Decorum is something she's been taught but had all but thrown out the window to some degree, at least when it came to being around the Deer at home and now here. But she'd understand Jill's intent and drive to strive to pave her own way. She'd admire it too and cheer her on in whatever way she needed.
Including forgetting that she knows Jill is a princess. ]
𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘕𝘰𝘤𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘰𝘯!
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘰 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘥! 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘸𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴?
Including forgetting that she knows Jill is a princess. ]
𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘕𝘰𝘤𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘰𝘯!
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘰 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘥! 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘸𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴?
[ The longer Hilda skates like this building momentum, dragging Claude around the ice becomes less of a chore and far more fun for her than originally anticipated. Some of that enjoyment might have to do with how silly Claude looks being dragged around the ice like a puffy yellow pillow. The rest of it has to do with the fact that each stride she takes seems to push the dreary thoughts she'd had before he arrived at her domain doorstep further away. ]
It's a motivation for some people. I've heard that a motivational speech from Holst is one of the biggest morale boosters amongst our men.
[ He'll never get up this way though so she releases her hold on him patiently waiting for him to puzzle how best to get to his feet. Maybe it's a good thing that she let go of him. Because what he says next might very well have resulted in him being flung across the ice or pushed back onto it.
It would be incredibly unrealistic, and perhaps unfair, of her to think that Claude was done telling her everything about a future she had yet to live (or maybe never live, although she staunchly squishes that thought before it has a chance to go any further). But that's certainly one of the things that she hadn't expected to hear. There's more to unpack in there of course now that she has context about Claude's heritage. She had met Nardel in passing and while 'Nader' was close enough of a name it wasn't the same name. And there's no way that they could be the same person. ...Right? ]
They what?! Claude von Riegan you know you didn't tell me that! How!?
It's a motivation for some people. I've heard that a motivational speech from Holst is one of the biggest morale boosters amongst our men.
[ He'll never get up this way though so she releases her hold on him patiently waiting for him to puzzle how best to get to his feet. Maybe it's a good thing that she let go of him. Because what he says next might very well have resulted in him being flung across the ice or pushed back onto it.
It would be incredibly unrealistic, and perhaps unfair, of her to think that Claude was done telling her everything about a future she had yet to live (or maybe never live, although she staunchly squishes that thought before it has a chance to go any further). But that's certainly one of the things that she hadn't expected to hear. There's more to unpack in there of course now that she has context about Claude's heritage. She had met Nardel in passing and while 'Nader' was close enough of a name it wasn't the same name. And there's no way that they could be the same person. ...Right? ]
They what?! Claude von Riegan you know you didn't tell me that! How!?
I had thought of Nocwich, but I believe it would be... difficult to hold it there, all things considered. I am not nearly as well established here in Abraxas as others might be, and nor do I have the influence to sway any resistance.
My domain within the Horizon should fit perfectly, with a few adjustments.
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