#seefirc

"What's a nap."

“ papa ? ” pleading brown eyes stare gerome, a nervous smile on soleil’s lips- as it becomes clear that she’s looking for something from him. “ do you have any money ? say ... about 15 gold or so ? ”

At any other time, such a comment would have pink flooding Ashe’s face, but for the moment his eyebrows furrowed. Just how bad was Gerome’s fever? He was pretty flushed, his skin heated and he truly looked out of sorts.

Thankfully, Ashe had plenty of experience with sickness, having taken care of his ailing siblings many times before.

“Sounds like a pretty crappy bet to me,” Nah replied with a shake of her head. “Seriously, what’s with you Gryffindors and doing such reckless things? What if you actually get chosen? I mean, I’m pretty sure I’ve heard people have actually died in this tournament.”

“You’ve done exceedingly well thus far, Sir Gerard.” The prince of Nohr began, cool as ever. “I must say that while I trust Laslow to be my retainer, I held my doubts when he recommended that we hire you, as well. It is one thing to speak of a man, another to see how his actions speak for himself.”

But while he had passed the initial tests demanded by his father to make sure he was capable as a protector with flying colors, Xander took it upon his shoulders to see to it where he was assigned. On par with Laslow, yes, but Xander could care for himself well enough, Laslow and Peri could keep up with what remained. It was time to ensure those behind him were reasonably fortified, as well.

Perhaps Leo? He was a more ranged fighter, to have someone in who worked in closer range would do him well. “Have a seat, have some tea. Tell me about yourself.”

          “Go away.” The words are practically a grumble as Dimitri realizes there’s another beside him. A quick glance to his side had confirmed as much even if it was only out of the corner of his eye. Gerome wouldn’t be the first to come up to him, and he was sure he wouldn’t be the last either. But regardless, the prince found his reaction to remain the same. Behind the anger it felt like someone had hallowed out his chest leaving nothing but the numbness that would follow in calmer moments. No one could break through the impenetrable wall that he had put up around himself, because instead of falling away it felt like the bricks were just caving in.