Maybe she should be a little more concerned, what with the whole pirate fiasco that happened before they left port, but...well, they'd dealt with that, right? There was definitely no way that anything bad would happen to them before this trip's end, right?

"Hey, have you gone sailing before? You used to do all kinds of stuff as a mercenary before you became a professor, right?"

Byleth boarded the ship heading off in the big mission alongside the other professors and students. As they hopped aboard they heard someone shout their name.

The familiar red starry hair of Yunaka was hailing them from the deck. The professor weaved their way over to stand next to her.

“It is now those pirates have been dealt with” Byleth answered referencing the recent scuffle in the port town. “I’ve heard many tales of pirates attacking ships from Valencians. However I’m sure we’re more than well equipped to deal with any mishaps”

Personally the former mercenary thought any bandit mad enough to attack a ship full of armed and capable combatants deserved what they got.

Thinking about their previous trip on a boat and the shenanigans they got up to with their best friend in the water…

“It wasn’t until I joined the academy I travelled on sea by boat. I didn’t leave the continent as a mercenary but I did do smaller river crossings. It’s fine as long as you don’t get seasick;

They haven’t spoken much with each other since the Ethereal Ball. Byleth had their own life now, and it certainly isn’t easy for Jeralt to squeeze out any leisure time for the both of them with how their duties and schedules are. But, he’d surely regret it if he didn’t at least try to make an effort, especially when it was their special day. 

Celebrating their birthday in Garreg Mach of all places… The Jeralt from their mercenary life wouldn’t think it to be possible. He isn’t a believer of ghosts and spirits, although he wonders if their mother would be happy, being able to watch over them and see them grow into the person they are today.

“Why don’t you tell me all about your time as a professor while we fish? I’m sure you’ve got plenty of stories to tell. We can even cook our catch together, if all goes well.”

It was little surprise when Jeralt knocked on their door early this morning. Byleth was already up and ready to go, fishing gear at the ready. They desired little more than to go fishing with their old man to celebrate such a day.

Byleth resists the urge to roll their eyes at his statement and gives him an unimpressed stare until he cracks. "Thanks dad" they say. It's not often they refer to Jeralt in such manner but today warranted the occasion. Holding up their gear they asked "Ready to go?"

It wasn't often they got to spend time with him between the Church sending him on missions all the time and their own duties teaching. Compared to their previous lives where they were consistently round one another, it made Byleth momentarily regret coming to the monastery but the benefits did outweigh the cons. No matter where they were, Jeralt always made time to spend the day with Byleth on their birthday.

Byleth wondered if they could go visit their mother's grave later. Their first birthday as a 'complete family'

It needs no introduction, of course, the reason she approaches them now with hands clasped tightly in front of her person. It was one of the very first things they had learned of each other besides their names, after all. Regardless of how foolish the professor may be when it comes to disregard of their own being, even they could not be foolish enough to forget such an important day.

“I am only going to say this once, so listen well.” Stepping forward, the girls hands tighten further on the object in their center, trying to force out the nerves of vulnerability into the object in her stead. No matter how long they have known each other, still, baring her true feelings like this… she can’t bring herself to look at that familiar lack of expression as she speaks what she’s spent so long to rehearse. It’s far too embarrassing.

“…I may not have many memories to call my own, but… the ones I have with you? Hehe… Be it a hundred years that pass, or a thousand, it is those that which I will treasure most of all. I know in my heart this shall always be true.”

Sothis takes a deep breath, gathering the will to open her eyes as she lifts her palms up to her friend, revealing a small golden disk, with an even smaller hole in its top for the purpose of being used to connect it to whatever sort of trinket the recipient may want. Littered with imperfections though it may be, the Crest of Flames engraved in it’s center by her own hand is clear as day, cut just deep enough to withstand the test of time for years to come. For of course, a symbol of friendship such as it should stand for as long as their bond.

And true friendship such as theirs? That is something time can never erode. At the thought of it, she can’t help but smile.

“May this day we share be one of many more to come. Happy birthday, Byleth.”

Byleth was well aware what day it was, it just ranked very low in the hierarchy of importance. There were more important things going on than thinking about something as trivial as a birthday. They had assumed that Sothis would think the same, given their focus on the Professor's state of aliveness over all else.

They waited patiently as Sothis floated nearer. What could the goddess be wanting to say, they were unused to to seeing her nervous. Bored, annoyed yes, nervous no. There wasn't many with her level of confidence.

The words were beautiful and Byleth could tell that they were heartfelt. It touched them to hear such sentiments from their companion, no their friend.

He’d spent a while gathering his bearings after facing the brunt of the storm. His outfit had been properly soaked all over, so when the Knight finally makes it back onto estate land, he must wear whatever clothes the Viscount is willing to spare. 

… A basic tunic and pants. Jeralt is a bit surprised that a noble would store something this simple, but he’s not complaining.

What he could use now is some water. He hadn’t gotten much to drink since arriving here–not counting the seawater that previously threatened his mouth and nose when he was stranded at sea. When he heads over to the drinks table, he spots a familiar face. How could he not approach them after all that’s happened tonight?

“Hey, kid. Enjoying the ball?” Jeralt greets them with a slight smile, as he always does when bumping into them. “I admit, I was worried about whether you and your mother would be safe in all the rain.”

He looks down at their bracelets. Right. The charms. He did a trade with Sitri, so he might as well do the same for the kid. “A starfish from me. If we get to keep these afterwards, it’ll be a nice memento, don't you think?”

It had been a mixed-bag of a night and by now Byleth was feeling quite hot and thirsty. Even without all the dancing. Leaving the general hubbub, they headed towards the buffet tables. Seeing the drinks table they made their way straight there and grabbed a glass of water to chug.

As they were drinking a familiar voice sounded next to their ear. It was their dad. Holding up a finger as they polished off their drink, Byleth placed the now empty glass back on the table.

"Hey dad. Managed to find some time off from mercenary work?" they ask "Or did Lady Rhea order you to be here..." A little tease at the end, knowing how dedicated he was to his work.

"You taught me well. I'm capable of looking after myself" They tell him, giving him a little nudge with their shoulder both touched by his care and indignant at his unnecessary worry. Byleth took the offered charm and added it to the bracelet to complete the set, fitting it was their dad who was the missing piece.

Despite all her complaining about it during their time sharing a body, now that they aren’t, she doesn’t know if she’ll ever grow accustomed to it…

“And already started quite the collection there. I can’t say I’m too surprised. Ever the popular one at these things, aren’t you?” …Too popular. Their collection already rivals her own — No, exceeds her own! In quantity and diversity! And they haven’t even been here the entire duration! Absolutely not. This cannot stand.

Fumbling with her own makeshift storage for a moment, she retrieves the smallest turtle she can, forcing it into the professor’s palm. Because NOW this is war, and therefore the biggest one must stay with her. So that she can win at turtle charm. Something that is both normal to want and possible to achieve. “Allow me to contribute. Now then, yours as well, hurry up! I can’t very well give you everything I have for free, can I?”

If Byleth was better at emoting, then they would have rolled their eyes at Sothis' comment. "Better late than never" they quip back. Having said that, it was good to see the goddess anywhere but the weird chamber they used to always meet in. "I hope you are enjoying the party so far. Bet it's been a while since you've been able to let loose and dance"

It was hard to imagine Sothis waltzing around an empty room in their mind somewhere (assuming that was how the whole body/mind share thing they had going on works). Byleth glanced down at their charm bracelet, the small charms glinting in the candle light. "What can I say, I work fast" Subtly checking out Sothis' own bracelet they spied a number of charms to match theirs. It was still missing a few but so was theirs so who's comparing.

It was surprising when Sothis rushed forwards and thrust something into their palm. Taking a closer look they saw a small turtle charm. Cute. Fumbling, they attached it to their bracelet and reached for the pouch containing their own charms.

"Here, a seashell just for you" They said handing over the small conch shell charm. "If this is not payment enough, let me offer you the next dance" This was bold on Byleth's part but could be fun. And at least with Sothis' floating they wasn't a danger of treading on her toes.

In the rush to arrive, despite being a bit late the entrance was still absolutely packed to the rafters. Plus there were even more people in the hall beyond. Byleth sighed in resigned annoyance to the delay.

"hey!" They shouted as someone pushed into them from behind, everyone being jostled and forced forwards. Unable to stop the momentum, Byleth felt themself bash into someone else.

"I'm so sorry" They apologised "Oh sweet sothis" They had hit a glamorous looking lady, knocking her to the floor. "Here let me help you up" Offering a hand to pull her to her feet.

Well, at least the first fall of the night came later than her earliest ball memories. And this one isn’t entirely her fault technicall. Even if it is Lachesis’s heel slipping upon her pinks that ultimately knocks her out, the physical contact of another spurred her into tripping up in the first place.

The fall does not hurt that greatly either, partially thanks to the great girth of her ballgown. It allows Lachesis to immediately flick her head around in search for the perpetrator with eyes slightly ignited deep inside. However, the fires are soon to cool when the culprit is upfront and honest for the misdeed. The princess felt like she heard the other lady’s voice earlier as well - and with the distraught shout from earlier she could piece things together.

“It’s alright. My own fault for crowding these already crowded halls,” she affirms. Before taking the sea-haired woman’s offered hand, Lachesis briefly reaches back and brushes her hair with a glove, bringing her small, blonde bangs back to the front. 

Then she doesn’t leave the idle hand waiting, releasing a proper “Thank you,” as she is pulled up back on her feet. Admittedly, the other lady had a stronger grip than she expected, but it made getting back up all the more efficient.

Once standing once more, Lachesis gives a light smile while staring back at her tripper-turned savior. For someone who sounded very sorry for the trouble, her face did not show it that well…

Hello Profesor

I just wanted to give you a little trinket

to celebrate womens day

Hope you have lovely rest of it ^^

Not looking for too many new threads but these tasks scream out to me.

Needs BL student:

Rebuilding (Heavy armour) byleth is strong and looking to build more muscle before the next combat situation. Plus they know how a building fits together - destroying building and building them is just the same thing in reverse right? DIMITRI

Poison 202 (reason) they were on the nasty end of this so keen to research it more. Possibly look for a way to resist it effects. And maybe work through some event trauma. EWAN

Non-mission:

Blacksmithing (axe) weapon upkeep is important. What use is your skills if you have a broken sword to fight with. CLAUDE