#fe hubert

Without questioning her, Hubert did as she said. He went through the whole incantation-- this time with the minor change-- and flung out his hands again. The spell shot out twice as fast, the smoke crackling with lightning this time instead of simply mimicking it. Annette cheered and Hubert grinned as the magic spun away into the air.

Annette practically bounced up to Hubert. "That was a great one! Okay, your turn to pick a spell," she said, pressing the book into Hubert's hands.

Hubert snapped the book shut. "Let us take a break first. Perhaps have some water."

Now that he mentioned it, Annette's mouth was rather dry. Her palms stung slightly with all the magic she had used already. But the book was full of so many good spells... "Alright then," she agreed in a sigh.

Hubert lead them to the edge of their clearing where some sizable boulders provided a nice enough place to sit. He pulled out a water skin and took careful sips, opening the book in his lap as he did so. Annette sat and began rotating her wrists to ease the soreness.

The silence was comfortable, practiced. It had been common in school for the pair to work on spells together-- combing schools of magic, debating Kingdom and Empire styles, even a brief dabble in remedy experiments. They had ended up in the infirmary a few times, each stay followed by a lecture from Edelgard.

Yet they kept at it. Annette wanted to thoroughly explore what magic could do, and Hubert was just macabre enough to recklessly push past limits with her. In the beginhing he had said it was all in an effort to grow strong and help Lady Edelgard however possible-- but he had stopped using that excuse long ago.

The war had taken them to different parts of Foldan, and even now that they were back at Garreg Mach with the Professor it had taken months to have this time together.

Annette looked over at Hubert. He seemed to have picked out a spell already, judging from his expression as he read his current page. "I didn't think you would actually come out here with me," she said with a small smile.

Hubert didn't lift his head. "Why not? These spells are just as interesting as you said. Thunder and dark magic do not usually mix this way."

"It's been so busy since we defeated the Alliance. And you're busier than the rest of us combined! I wouldn't be surprised if you slept in your office."

"I have, some nights."

Annette crossed her arms over her knees. "Exactly! I thought you... wouldn't have time for me anymore."

Hubert set his water down. "Truth be told, I'm glad you came by this morning to ask me to experiment again. I have missed it."

"Y-You have?"

"I also think I needed a break," Hubert went on, getting to his feet. "It feels like we are so close to ending this war at long last. I want to work as hard as I can to make it happen. But I believe spending so much time cooped up was only to my detriment." He held up the book with a smirk. "This is exactly the break I needed."

Annette beamed at him. Before she could think better of it, she jumped up and grabbed him in a hug. "I missed you too!" She pulled away quickly-- ignoring the stunned look on his face-- to take a few big gulps of her own water. Their break was over. It was time to have more fun.

"What spell should I do next?" Annette raced back to the middle of the clearing. She aimed a grin over her shoulder at Hubert, who still hadn't moved. "I want a big one this time! A flash and then a big boom!"