Garreg Mach-Muses

Sorey stared at the blade in his hand, it felt light but a bit uneasy in his hand, it was much more different than the dagger he had been given when his village had been attacked. It was sharper, bigger and overall different. He felt nervous. What if he cut himself? Or someone else?

“You aren’t going to hurt anyone. It’s just a wooden dummy” he told himself out loud, focusing on taking the stance he had seen adopted father do many times. However, he was at a loss of what to do next. Stances were one thing but his father had never shown him how to actually use a sword.

“Oh, but its the elusive ones that are the most interesting to study, there’s just so much I hope to learn about these Saints. Can you imageine just what he was like, what he did, who he met? His skils?” His eyes lit up with enthusiam, however, slowly the golden deer realized he was starting to ramble. Slowly, he placed a hand behind his neck and gave an uneasy laugh. “Sorry, I tend to ramble about things like this…” His gaze went to the books around him. “I’ve read through these a couple of times, I think I have most of them memorized because of that…” the smile remained but maybe he should return some of the books. “What exactly are you looking into…perhaps I could help?”

“ And yet… One must wonder why Macuil has faded almost to obscurity, while his three fellows enjoy notably more renown, surely? ” There is a peculiar purposefulness with which Edelgard returns the question, her brow furrowed and eyes gently alight: with similar intrigue, yes, but beneath the surface, something yet concerns her. By her own admission, it is not that she wishes to spark debate; it is her hope that he merely considers the purpose with which history - any history - might well have been concealed, altered. She does toss her head slightly to the side in dismissal soon thereafter, in any case— It is nothing he need concern himself about too much.

“ Anyway, however extensive themselves, the Imperial archives housed Enbarr yet hold a finite amount of information concerning Seiros and her Saints. It would have simply been…a waste to not make use of the historical literature of Garreg Mach while attending the Officers Academy. 

Sorey nodded, thankful that he hadn’t made a big fool of himself and say something silly (which often happened when he was so focused in his studies.) He shuffled through the books, remembering the book fairly well, it was easy to find. “Here you are.” he said smiling as he handed over the book to the house leader. “That one is quite a read. I find myself coming back to it a few times in a day.” He blinked in surprise, most wouldn’t recognize the drawing as such (only maybe fellow artists or someone like Seteth). “That’s right. I am trying to get a good image in my head of what he might have looked like..there is only so much that I can work with based on what others have said.” It was silly to be embarrased on his own artwork but so far Edglegard and possibly Claude had seen his work (though Sorey was sure that Claude had done so without his knowledge), he was no artist but there was pride that the Empress in training had recognized the work.

“ Is that so? ” She receives the book with a slight, modest bow of her head in gratitude, her eyes soon thereafter falling to the volume as she idly runs a hand over its cover. Edelgard has her own interests in seeking out such a title, of which she will wisely not speak in this Church’s library. That the young fellow’s eyes shine so as he offers her his recommendation, however, inspires her somewhat: part amusement, yes, but just as well, in part that same intrigue which had her recognise the lesser-known saint in his work. 

His enthusiasm for knowledge ( however misguided ) is a sight. 

Sorey glaned up a bit surprised to find someone else in the library. He had been so focused on the whole research that he hadn’t even heard anyone come in. His green eyes met with the leader of the Black Eagle house. If he recalled correctly she was to be the heir to the empire and had had a rather intemidating bodyguard, his eyes darted around to see if the black haired man was hanging around but found no one. At her inquiry, Sorey felt his cheeks go hot and he set his pencil down. “Oh, um, of course, I’m sorry about that.” he said, trying to hide his flustered nervouness. “I get so caught up in things, which one is the one you are looking for.”

As the young man hurries to excuse himself, Edelgard finds herself concealing a small smile, a gloved hand curling at her mouth. There’s something rather— endearing, truthfully, about his haste to return to reality — a far cry ( and quiet relief ) from the insistent isolation of the student scholar she knows. “ On the contrary, I am sorry to interrupt. Your hard work is something to be admired than to apologise for, if anything. ” Her expression returns to rest as she lowers her hand, which neatly rests behind her back once more, “ The book is ‘ The Four Saints: The Lives of the Apostles of the Goddess ’, if you no longer need it as reference. ” 

Sorey’s eyes had widened like saucers at the sight of the stalls that lined the marketplace at that moment. He had small shops at his village but nothing like this. This had everything from school supplies to cooking stuff. He knew right away he was not into cooking. Mikleo had always done that, and according to both the other boy and his adopted father, Sorey was not a cook at all. He glanced at the small amount of money that he had brought. He didn’t have a lot since he wanted to save but what could he get if that was the case. He was no way good at shopping like others. “This is going to be a lot harder than it looks..” he chuckled as he looked over at the stuff beside the blonde and smiled. “Too much good stuff huh?”

Glancing over toward the boy, she offers him a enthusiastic nod. Too much good stuff, but not enough Gold to spend on it. She had to efficient with it! And yet…

Marianne’s eyes widened slightly at the girl’s offer. That was a bad idea. “N-no that’s okay..really. You shouldn’t be seen with me.” A typical response that she had used on every classmate so far that had tried to get close to her. So far, it hadn’t worked too well on many of her classmates. Some of them were very stubborn, a talent but also one that Marianne hated to face. Deep in her heart though, Marianne felt that the other girl was very kind and appreciated the offer. She wanted to be friends, if only this crest was not in the way. “B-but I suppose that…you can point me in the right direction.” Maybe that would be enough to show that Marianne didn’t want to hurt her fellow deer.

“What do you mean? I don’t mind accompanying you. We’re classmates, after all…” Fiore couldn’t think of a reason why she couldn’t be seen with her. She would understand if Marianne felt shy and didn’t want to impose, but her choice of words didn’t fit that rationale…

The library was Sorey’s favorite place in the monastery, next to just being in the courtyard or the mess hall. There was just so much to read, and it felt like stepping into the past over and over again. The librarian Tomas certainly didn’t mind that the young man spent as much time with such things. ‘It’s always such a pleasure to see such a yearning for knowledge.’ He once laughed when he had seen the pile of books at the table. Right now, a few books were open, to help him add to the journal which was already full of so much information and his own theories. Concentration was hard to break as he focused on his drawing to add to the background. “Alright..almost done..” he frowned as he bit his lip to keep his concentration from breaking. “I hope i am doing this Saint justice..”

Ever-diligent, Edelgard had made time - between the day’s classes and her self-directed training in the sparring grounds - to visit the library in pursuit of her own extracurricular studies. It mattered little to her that the academic year had only just begun, knowing well not only the advantage of establishing a good work ethic early on, but, more particularly still, the wealth of information kept within the Church’s library at Garreg Mach. It is only after her overview of the pertinent shelves yields no success that she enquires after the title she seeks— And though it is of little surprise that the book had, in fact, already been withdrawn by another studious pupil, it is…nevertheless quite astounding to see for herself the young man at his desk, surrounded by many more books than the single one she requires. 

( No wonder the librarian had chuckled as he had, as though delighting in a joke she was not yet privy to, when he indicated towards him. )

“Both colors look agreeable. The first appears more…vibrant?”

Upon being asked for his opinion, Dimitri scrutinizes the articles in question as he would a war map. Only it would be easier if it were a war map, for despite a serious effort to evaluate the decor, in the end he feels as if he’s doing little more than stating the obvious. 

“O-oh, hello Fiore.” Marianne felt a little bit more at ease. At least this was one of her own housemates and not someone scary like Hubert from Black Eagles. Fiore always seemed to be eager to get to know her and while the other didn’t want to bring misfortune to such a warm figure in her own house, Marianne was actually wanting to make friends with the other. And others of her house. “U..um well, its just that there is..” she gestured to the crowds in worry. “So many people, I thought that m-maybe i could get some shopping done but maybe I will come back later..” Or never. She didn’t need new supplies.

Fiore listened and nodded, wondering how she could help Marianne ease into academy life. As the girl said, there was the option of returning later, however…

“Oh, I believe now is the ideal time to shop! Their best goods will be sold out before long!” Accenting her voice with enthusiasm, she tried subtly to encourage Marianne to seize the opportunity. It wouldn’t do for her classmate to hide in her shell all year. Perhaps what she needed was a helping hand.

“What were you thinking of purchasing? I can show you to the stalls. We’ll avoid the busier ones, what do you say?”  

“Wo~ow! Who would’ve thought!” Nana’s been lurking near one of the stalls that were less about that academics and more so for fun. There were a few pots and pans here that she could use for cooking, and also some sewing kits. But she’s been holding herself back because of the prices and for her necessacities instead causing her to bite her lip. 

Purchases in hand, Fiore was ready to depart the marketplace. With the number of students who’d gathered, weaving through the crowds was difficult for any person, so she didn’t fault her classmate at all for bumping into her.

“Oh, there’s no need to apologize.” Fiore reassured her, smiling gently. She had noticed Marianne’s downcast eyes in class. As the heir of a minor noble house, Fiore had glimpsed Count Edmund at an Alliance meeting before. In contrast, Marianne appeared so shy and quiet, so unlike the self-assured heirs of the other territories. Was she simply having difficulty adjusting to social life at the monastery, or was there something more? Fiore did not want to pry too much, but she did want to know if there was a way for her to ease the other’s worries.