#rhys support

Style: 4 Choreography: 2 Technique: 4 Total: 10

This was an absolute, colossal, complete and utter mistake and Bernadetta didn’t know why she thought she could ever do this.

It had been a moment of panic that prompted her in asking Hubert to be her panic. She had been (and still was!) incredibly thankful when he said yes and she knew she wouldn’t have to be facing this alone. That didn’t make any of this any easier.

The dance had been incredibly stiff and awkward, even Bernadetta could tell as she did her best to follow along Hubert’s lead. They weren’t horrible at the basics; they both had enough practice between them to be passable at the very least, but that was it. Their entire dance was stiff and basic and Bernadetta wasn’t sure if she felt worse for herself, Hubert for being dragged down with her, or the judges for having to stand there and watch them.

As soon as they finished, Bernadetta wished she could go running off the dance floor and find somewhere to hide before anyone in the school had the misfortune of looking at her again, but they had to wait for their scores.

A ten. Bernadetta groaned. No way they would win...

Waiting for the other team’s results, Bernadetta ducked her way under Hubert’s cape. Too many eyes, too many eyes... “Tell me when it’s over.” She whimpered, covering her face as she waited.

Rhys: Oh, you're finally awake!

Rhys: Are you okay?

Soren:

Rhys: Um, sorry... right. Well. I imagine your head and your left... everything hurts. Listen, you need to rest, oh I was so worried—

Soren: Rhys.

Rhys: Yes!

Soren: You're wasting your energy. This was sparring. There was no need for this fretting.

Rhys: But I was right to! I used a couple Heal spells but you'll be out of commission for a few days at the very least. You got injured, and badly at that! I wouldn't even sit up if I were you!

Soren: You can't care about people like this all the time when they aren't in grave danger. No one has the energy to.

Rhys: But I can't help it. You're like family, remember? Oh Goddess, you DO remember right?! I—

Soren: Ugh, quieter.

Rhys: Sorry. Whispering.

Soren: Your nature is something you can't help, I suppose.

Rhys: Nor would I want to change it.

Soren: Alright... well. Thank you. My left clavicle in particular thanks you for the healing.

Rhys: Anytime. I'm glad you seem yourself.

Soren: Hm.

Soren: Zzzz.

"Huh?" Oh geez, the professor guy. Was she seriously getting asked to do shit already?

Annoyance aside, Charlotte smiled in return as he approached her. "Oh, it's not any trouble at all, really." Like she had a choice in the matter, she was here because the ones paying her were telling her to come. Did he think she wouldn't be sitting comfortably on her ass if she had that option? "It's my job after all! I'm not sure how much help I will be, but I'm happy to do what I can to keep everyone safe."

She doubted this guy had any money to his name. Most nobles didn't go around openly talking about their weakness, and he seemed more than happy to. Ah well. Holy types sometimes had connections that could be useful, and it wouldn't hurt to have a generous sap in her back pocket just in case.

Soren: I hear you have an affinity for flying. Is that correct?

Rhys: Well- I think so, it's great, but I don't have my own mount. I can't decide between a wyvern or a pegasus.

Soren: Hmm, that's fine. I was looking for someone to practice sharing a mount with. Should the situation ever arise that I have to fly with company, it would be better to have already-

Rhys: You want to go flying with me?

Soren: Yes.

Rhys: Of course I'd like to go!

-up in the air-

Rhys: WAHOOO!

Soren:

Rhys: Isn't it fun?! And your pegasus is so beautiful!

Soren: I was just pondering how well she behaves with a witness around, is all.

Rhys: Thank you.

Soren: For what?

Rhys: Taking me up here! I'd almost forgotten how much I love flying.

Soren: ...you're welcome.

Soren: You've been burning yourself out lately. You need to be well for whatever's ahead.

Rhys: I know... you're right. I'll try to make time away from working so much. I'm not the only healer around anymore, after all. I'm still getting used to it.

Soren: Focus on one thing is commendable, but so is having a variety of strengths once you've mastered one thing. Even I've taken up new skills in the past year.

Rhys: Like flying!

Rhys: Soren! Happy birthday.

Soren: I suppose it is my birthday.

Rhys: Is something wrong?

Soren: Surely after all these years, even you’ve noticed a birthday for me is of little consequence.

Rhys: Well… yes. Though it’s rude to comment on someone’s age, isn’t it? For whatever reason, you’re likely have more birthdays than I ever will, but that’s the case for most people.

Soren: Yes… I see. That is a fact you have to live with.

Rhys: Listen, enough about me on your day- I got this for you. You don’t seem to like cake or anything like it so I thought you’d like something useful.

Soren: They’re robes, but this material is oddly light and sleek. Waterproof?

Rhys: Yes! I have a set that matches, mine are blue and white, and it’s quite comfortable for the beach.

Soren: These are mostly black. Is that wise for hot weather?

Rhys: Had I chosen a different color, would you have worn them?

Soren: Hm. Fair enough. Thank you.

Rhys: We may never have been close, Soren, but I’d like to think our time together and all we went through counts for something.

Soren: That is an idealistic wish, in a world rife with betrayals. You were a mercenary, and even though Greil’s company might’ve been exceptional, you should’ve seen by now that life doesn’t work how you think it does.

Rhys: I would rather care too little than too much. You look after your comrades in your own way too, you know.

Soren: I have a sudden urge to go to a beach very far from this conversation.

Rhys: Ha, alright, I’ll take my leave. Enjoy your day as best you know how.

Rhys: Soren!

Soren: Rhys.

Rhys: It’s great to see you! The more of us Greil Mercenaries there are together, the better. And- you’re a student here? Ah, it’ll be awfully weird if you start calling me Professor.

Soren: You’d better get used to it, Professor. I’m enrolled in your class.

Rhys: Oh? I mean, I’m glad—

Soren: Do you think you can’t teach me? Surely you were hired for a reason.

Rhys: No, not that. It’s just, well, maybe as far as scholarly interests go, I hardly seem qualified to instruct you.

Soren: I don’t know what I expected… If I didn’t deem you useful from the time we met, I wouldn’t have spent so much effort devising ways to keep the both of us protected behind our defenses.

Rhys: Yes… sorry about that.

Soren: Don’t be. Listen. If you cannot assess yourself, I don’t know how you can manage to effectively evaluate your students, but that’s another matter. The sheer amount of information I’ve consumed has no bearing on topics outside my range of study. You are a teacher. I expect my time to not be wasted. 

Rhys: You’re right, that was silly of me. I’ll do my best to teach you all I can about my profession just the same as any other student.

Soren: Very well. And don’t be so quick to doubt your position. It’s a paid one.

-Exit Soren-