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[ Following the quite hectic meeting they had attended, Yuri tugged Byleth aside on the way out. He didn't know the man terribly well, but he did know this place, and that was enough to be concerned. ]
...You should be careful of the locals. They may well be in on all this, considering the casual mentions of doing us harm.
[ Ala, frequently, did just this. Byleth had stopped her from going around breaking fingers, but given how some of the others were attached to her despite the things she said, Yuri had concerns.
Did Jeralt have to spot the red flags for him back home? ]
...You should be careful of the locals. They may well be in on all this, considering the casual mentions of doing us harm.
[ Ala, frequently, did just this. Byleth had stopped her from going around breaking fingers, but given how some of the others were attached to her despite the things she said, Yuri had concerns.
Did Jeralt have to spot the red flags for him back home? ]
Yes, the locals are a little odd.
[The girl - he can't remember her name - who had been overly eager to break fingers had been mildly alarming, but he didn't consider her dangerous. She hadn't tried very hard to hurt anyone, and Byleth had easily disrupted her impulsive scheme just by holding her hands captive.]
But, most mercenaries are strange like that. It didn't strike me as anything out of the ordinary, really.
[The girl - he can't remember her name - who had been overly eager to break fingers had been mildly alarming, but he didn't consider her dangerous. She hadn't tried very hard to hurt anyone, and Byleth had easily disrupted her impulsive scheme just by holding her hands captive.]
But, most mercenaries are strange like that. It didn't strike me as anything out of the ordinary, really.
A little.
[ He huffed out some brittle little excuse for a laugh, more surprised than amused by the assessment. ]
Keep in mind that they never volunteer useful information, unless pressed for it, if even then. They make no active efforts to help, yet one collects our blood and another summons demons. Despite there being a barrier barring escape, Ala vanished for weeks and reappeared unscathed. Do they sound like they're on our side to you? Like they share our circumstances?
[ Surely, if Jeralt were here, he'd see it. Yuri found it impossible not to, even as others got attached and took things like promises of violence as charming quirks. ]
We may well be a means to an end for them. They may have brought us here, or at the very least, are complicit. You can't go around trusting just anybody.
[ He huffed out some brittle little excuse for a laugh, more surprised than amused by the assessment. ]
Keep in mind that they never volunteer useful information, unless pressed for it, if even then. They make no active efforts to help, yet one collects our blood and another summons demons. Despite there being a barrier barring escape, Ala vanished for weeks and reappeared unscathed. Do they sound like they're on our side to you? Like they share our circumstances?
[ Surely, if Jeralt were here, he'd see it. Yuri found it impossible not to, even as others got attached and took things like promises of violence as charming quirks. ]
We may well be a means to an end for them. They may have brought us here, or at the very least, are complicit. You can't go around trusting just anybody.
[Byleth hummed quietly at the end of Yuri's speech. He appeared unaffected, but he was taking his warning into consideration. Yuri had been here longer than he, after all, and he was a very shrewd man, from what little Byleth had observed.
However, he needed to correct something.]
But I don't trust them. I don't trust anyone who isn't Jeralt.
[He can place trust in his allies, like Yuri, that they would watch his back in combat, and to, perhaps, support him outside of it... but he didn't trust them. He wasn't sure if he could trust anyone that wasn't Jeralt. Not with everything he had. Maybe if he made a friend, he'd change his mind, but for now... Yuri had pragmatic trust, and everyone else had nothing.]
However, I see no need to be actively hostile or distant. For better or for worse, we're trapped here with them. Better to have them view us favourably - or as gullible fools. They're more likely to lower their guard, or say things they otherwise wouldn't, no?
[That's what Jeralt said, at least, that with clients you couldn't quite figure out, it was better to appear genial and accommodating. If they thought you blithely obeyed them, they tended to say a lot of things they otherwise would've kept to themselves. Byleth wasn't good at lying or tricking people, but he was fairly good at being passive and blank-faced, and letting people assume whatever it was they wished from that.
Though, usually, he passed on what he had learned onto Jeralt, who did all the actual tricky, sneaky stuff. Here, Byleth would just have to stay on his toes, and try to see how much he could trust Yuri here. If it came to it, it may just be them against everyone in this strange, alien place, and he'd see if he could upgrade Yuri from pragmatic trust, to actual trust.]
However, he needed to correct something.]
But I don't trust them. I don't trust anyone who isn't Jeralt.
[He can place trust in his allies, like Yuri, that they would watch his back in combat, and to, perhaps, support him outside of it... but he didn't trust them. He wasn't sure if he could trust anyone that wasn't Jeralt. Not with everything he had. Maybe if he made a friend, he'd change his mind, but for now... Yuri had pragmatic trust, and everyone else had nothing.]
However, I see no need to be actively hostile or distant. For better or for worse, we're trapped here with them. Better to have them view us favourably - or as gullible fools. They're more likely to lower their guard, or say things they otherwise wouldn't, no?
[That's what Jeralt said, at least, that with clients you couldn't quite figure out, it was better to appear genial and accommodating. If they thought you blithely obeyed them, they tended to say a lot of things they otherwise would've kept to themselves. Byleth wasn't good at lying or tricking people, but he was fairly good at being passive and blank-faced, and letting people assume whatever it was they wished from that.
Though, usually, he passed on what he had learned onto Jeralt, who did all the actual tricky, sneaky stuff. Here, Byleth would just have to stay on his toes, and try to see how much he could trust Yuri here. If it came to it, it may just be them against everyone in this strange, alien place, and he'd see if he could upgrade Yuri from pragmatic trust, to actual trust.]
So that's your angle?
[ Alright, fair enough. Yuri didn't know Byleth well enough to be sure whether he was as shrewd off the battlefield as on it... He'd often seen him rather earnestly offering his assistance around camp, and it was difficult to get a read on the man from a distance.
Or even up close, as Yuri was finding. ]
Well, that's a load off my mind.
[ Not that Yuri was personally responsible for Byleth, a man who could crush him like a grape if he felt so inclined and Yuri wasn't quick enough to escape, but he couldn't help a little worry. This was someone from home, who had only just gotten here... Someone who hadn't seen months of this sheer lunacy for himself.
Yuri had rather hoped that no one he knew would be dragged into this. Let it be only him, he thought, for he'd always been more of a lone wolf anyway. As it turned out, whoever had run of this place either had a mad sense of humor or a death wish, abducting the Ashen Demon. ]
[ Alright, fair enough. Yuri didn't know Byleth well enough to be sure whether he was as shrewd off the battlefield as on it... He'd often seen him rather earnestly offering his assistance around camp, and it was difficult to get a read on the man from a distance.
Or even up close, as Yuri was finding. ]
Well, that's a load off my mind.
[ Not that Yuri was personally responsible for Byleth, a man who could crush him like a grape if he felt so inclined and Yuri wasn't quick enough to escape, but he couldn't help a little worry. This was someone from home, who had only just gotten here... Someone who hadn't seen months of this sheer lunacy for himself.
Yuri had rather hoped that no one he knew would be dragged into this. Let it be only him, he thought, for he'd always been more of a lone wolf anyway. As it turned out, whoever had run of this place either had a mad sense of humor or a death wish, abducting the Ashen Demon. ]
Edited 2023-01-26 22:13 (UTC)
I'm glad to have assuaged your concerns.
[Actually, now that the topic has been brought up...]
You reminded me, however. In this strange land, we're the only ones from Fodlan. We both wish to return home, and I'm certain you feel as invested in my welfare as I am in yours: you're a valuable asset, and you're more useful alive and functional than pointlessly dead.
[He wasn't mincing his words. Byleth wanted to show all of his cards here, because:]
As my contract to King Dimitri is on hold - for obvious reasons - it would mean that we are no longer allies through our shared employer. Therefore, I suggest that we form an alliance of convenience. Provided I survive this island's destruction, it would benefit us to work together to return to our homeland. Or, at the very least, watch each other's backs in a place where anyone could be some sort of... heart-stealing murderer, apparently.
[The heart-stealing, especially, had Byleth twitchy. His heart didn't beat, so... what actually was in his chest cavity, he didn't know. He had a pulse, so something was pumping his blood around his body.]
[Actually, now that the topic has been brought up...]
You reminded me, however. In this strange land, we're the only ones from Fodlan. We both wish to return home, and I'm certain you feel as invested in my welfare as I am in yours: you're a valuable asset, and you're more useful alive and functional than pointlessly dead.
[He wasn't mincing his words. Byleth wanted to show all of his cards here, because:]
As my contract to King Dimitri is on hold - for obvious reasons - it would mean that we are no longer allies through our shared employer. Therefore, I suggest that we form an alliance of convenience. Provided I survive this island's destruction, it would benefit us to work together to return to our homeland. Or, at the very least, watch each other's backs in a place where anyone could be some sort of... heart-stealing murderer, apparently.
[The heart-stealing, especially, had Byleth twitchy. His heart didn't beat, so... what actually was in his chest cavity, he didn't know. He had a pulse, so something was pumping his blood around his body.]
[ Byleth had more to say than Yuri had anticipated, but it was all fairly straightforward. And it was sensible: they weren't close comrades, but they both hailed from Fódlan, and that was unique unto them. Their particular circumstances and interests aligned, regardless of being taken away from the war, so it made good sense to continue working together.
Yuri realized, in that moment, that for him that had gone without saying. He was already determined to help Byleth escape this island, and that they were going to get home. It would be a delightful bonus of course if they could show their appreciation to whoever put them through this hell to start with, but as a baseline, they were getting out of here alive.
So he had no objections to that proposal. ]
I'd be a fool to decline the help, wouldn't I? Besides, that house I mentioned before's got a spare room... And I've had more time and means than you to gather supplies.
[ Ones that didn't up and vanish, what's more. ]
Just a matter of how we get you off of this island, first.
Yuri realized, in that moment, that for him that had gone without saying. He was already determined to help Byleth escape this island, and that they were going to get home. It would be a delightful bonus of course if they could show their appreciation to whoever put them through this hell to start with, but as a baseline, they were getting out of here alive.
So he had no objections to that proposal. ]
I'd be a fool to decline the help, wouldn't I? Besides, that house I mentioned before's got a spare room... And I've had more time and means than you to gather supplies.
[ Ones that didn't up and vanish, what's more. ]
Just a matter of how we get you off of this island, first.
[Byleth relaxed at their alliance being confirmed. Not that he doubted Yuri - he was a very pragmatic man - but it was nice to hear it stated outloud. From now on, he and Yuri were allies in this strange, hostile land.]
Thank you. And yes, I would like to escape this island before its inevitable destruction. I had hoped to have a few more years before death claimed me.
[He lapsed into a brief, considering silence, before saying carefully:] Speaking of... I always thought I would die on the battlefield, when I inevitably ran out of luck. Never would I have thought it'd be in a scenario as bizarre as this. It's almost funny.
Thank you. And yes, I would like to escape this island before its inevitable destruction. I had hoped to have a few more years before death claimed me.
[He lapsed into a brief, considering silence, before saying carefully:] Speaking of... I always thought I would die on the battlefield, when I inevitably ran out of luck. Never would I have thought it'd be in a scenario as bizarre as this. It's almost funny.
A few...? Have a little more ambition than that, would you?
[ At the very least, Yuri suspected that Jeralt wouldn't be able to handle outliving his child. The two of them were thick as thieves, and he doubted anything came close to mattering as much to the old mercenary as his son. ]
Can't say I expected my luck to bend in this direction either, for what it's worth.
[ Then again, who would ancitipate madness such as this? ]
[ At the very least, Yuri suspected that Jeralt wouldn't be able to handle outliving his child. The two of them were thick as thieves, and he doubted anything came close to mattering as much to the old mercenary as his son. ]
Can't say I expected my luck to bend in this direction either, for what it's worth.
[ Then again, who would ancitipate madness such as this? ]
I don't think anyone would.
[Byleth abruptly sighed, and though it was minute, his expression shifted into something almost downcast.]
I really do dislike being trapped on this island, though. Everyone else speaks about this other location where they have some level of stability. Or, as much stability as you have in this place. There's nowhere you can truly settle here on the island.
[He was, dare he say it, lonely. Jeralt wasn't here, and neither were any of his men. Yuri, understandably, couldn't stay on the island 24/7 with him, so it left Byleth kicking rocks in the long stretches of time left to him. It was honestly eating at him. Never before had he felt so restless and ready to claw at the walls.]
[Byleth abruptly sighed, and though it was minute, his expression shifted into something almost downcast.]
I really do dislike being trapped on this island, though. Everyone else speaks about this other location where they have some level of stability. Or, as much stability as you have in this place. There's nowhere you can truly settle here on the island.
[He was, dare he say it, lonely. Jeralt wasn't here, and neither were any of his men. Yuri, understandably, couldn't stay on the island 24/7 with him, so it left Byleth kicking rocks in the long stretches of time left to him. It was honestly eating at him. Never before had he felt so restless and ready to claw at the walls.]
Trapped as I felt on the other side, I get that.
[ Yuri had stalked around the place like a caged beast for days before it sunk in that there was no simple option of escape, and if there was a weakness in the barrier around the town, he had still yet to find it.
That didn't stop him from looking, though. ]
Makes a man feel powerless... Yet if we don't pull through this, where's that leave us?
[ Yuri had stalked around the place like a caged beast for days before it sunk in that there was no simple option of escape, and if there was a weakness in the barrier around the town, he had still yet to find it.
That didn't stop him from looking, though. ]
Makes a man feel powerless... Yet if we don't pull through this, where's that leave us?
Dead, I assume.
[Byleth's tone was blunt. Not pessimistic, but not optimistic, either. He had long since come to terms with his mortality after his first near-miss on the battlefield, and was somewhat desensitised to his eventual death - whenever that may be in a week or years after. If he was even properly 'alive', considering...
He fought the urge to press his hand over his unbeating chest. He couldn't help but feel like he was forgetting something vitally important regarding that, but the fact of the matter was: his heart did not beat, he couldn't recall why, yet he still breathed and he still had a pulse. How was life measured in his circumstances?]
[Byleth's tone was blunt. Not pessimistic, but not optimistic, either. He had long since come to terms with his mortality after his first near-miss on the battlefield, and was somewhat desensitised to his eventual death - whenever that may be in a week or years after. If he was even properly 'alive', considering...
He fought the urge to press his hand over his unbeating chest. He couldn't help but feel like he was forgetting something vitally important regarding that, but the fact of the matter was: his heart did not beat, he couldn't recall why, yet he still breathed and he still had a pulse. How was life measured in his circumstances?]
...That was rhetorical.
[ He huffed out a soft sigh. Not that Byleth was wrong by any means, but it was the sort of truth that went without saying. If they didn't find a way to escape all this, the likely eventuality would be that they wouldn't survive.
The difficulty was that there was so little they had to go on, and this place was downright bizarre. How it all worked was something the lot of them could only guess at, and information was hard to come by. It was what they had to deal with, though. ]
In the end...we'll just have to overcome this. Whatever that takes.
[ He huffed out a soft sigh. Not that Byleth was wrong by any means, but it was the sort of truth that went without saying. If they didn't find a way to escape all this, the likely eventuality would be that they wouldn't survive.
The difficulty was that there was so little they had to go on, and this place was downright bizarre. How it all worked was something the lot of them could only guess at, and information was hard to come by. It was what they had to deal with, though. ]
In the end...we'll just have to overcome this. Whatever that takes.
[After the brief interaction on Dextera's post, Claude decides to contact Byleth more privately. He sounds like he needs it, and not somewhere where others can butt in and make things even more overwhelming for him.]
Hey, Te-- uh, Byleth. Everything okay?
Hey, Te-- uh, Byleth. Everything okay?
[Byleth is both accustomed yet not to this communion business. It bared similarity to how he spoke with Sothis, but in the same vein, the onslaught of foreign emotions and quick thoughts made him want to curl up like a hedgehog. One-on-one communion was far... easier.]
Fine. They were just too loud.
[Not just in volume, but in... everything.]
Fine. They were just too loud.
[Not just in volume, but in... everything.]
[Luckily for Byleth, Claude is well-acquainted with communion at this point, and knows how to keep most of his stray thoughts and emotions at bay to project only Good Vibes. He knows how uncomfortable the experience can be for those unused to it.]
Noisier than my war councils, and about as productive as a roundtable conference. [A beat, then he realises:] Not that you'd know that, but, you know.
[This still needs a lot of getting used to... He elaborates a little more.]
Leicester nobles are always bickering and getting at each others' throats, instead of looking at any real threats. Meridian feels like that, right now.
Noisier than my war councils, and about as productive as a roundtable conference. [A beat, then he realises:] Not that you'd know that, but, you know.
[This still needs a lot of getting used to... He elaborates a little more.]
Leicester nobles are always bickering and getting at each others' throats, instead of looking at any real threats. Meridian feels like that, right now.
[Byleth's ability to restrain his thoughts and emotions during communion was... odd; in that they were notably there, but gave off the impression that they were neatly compartmentalised into unlabelled boxes that weren't quite big enough to contain them. Well-organised yet ill-understood... and feeling a little powder-keggy.]
Yes. Their discussion is pointless, and was initiated due to hurt emotion. Nothing productive can come of that.
[Byleth was no stranger to failure - it was the whole reason why their contract had switched from the Emperor to King Dimitri - but he knew that quibbling over 'what ifs' and dwelling in self-pity and anger over the failure would serve no purpose.
Anyway, the mission had been rigged against them from the start: the methods of acquiring an Oracle were unclear, and Zenith had only won due to blind, dumb luck. There was no real navel-gazing to be had.]
This loss should be put behind us so we may focus on more immediate concerns: such as the fallout and what comes next.
Yes. Their discussion is pointless, and was initiated due to hurt emotion. Nothing productive can come of that.
[Byleth was no stranger to failure - it was the whole reason why their contract had switched from the Emperor to King Dimitri - but he knew that quibbling over 'what ifs' and dwelling in self-pity and anger over the failure would serve no purpose.
Anyway, the mission had been rigged against them from the start: the methods of acquiring an Oracle were unclear, and Zenith had only won due to blind, dumb luck. There was no real navel-gazing to be had.]
This loss should be put behind us so we may focus on more immediate concerns: such as the fallout and what comes next.
It's not... pointless. Not everyone is as pragmatic as you, and some people take things more personally. They just need time to vent, rest, and figure things out.
[It's just all a natural part of processing emotions. They're people, not war machines.]
The best thing we can do is support them and offer encouragement, not berate them for it. That way we keep up morale, and no one gets left behind when it's time to move on.
[It's just all a natural part of processing emotions. They're people, not war machines.]
The best thing we can do is support them and offer encouragement, not berate them for it. That way we keep up morale, and no one gets left behind when it's time to move on.
I see. You feel that we should lend support to the more emotionally fragile members to ensure they remain effective for upcoming missions. I understand.
[It was a concept he could understand and agree to. He just wasn't used to it. Jeralt was unflappable, nothing got under his skin and he rolled with even the direst of setbacks. His mercs were just the same: grizzled, hardened veterans, who vented their frustrations in their cups or in the fighting ring during downtime, rather than sitting in a circle yelling pointlessly at each other. Even the Kingdom generals were far more composed - unless they were yelling at King Dimitri for taking poor care of his health, but that was necessary, as King Dimitri needed frequent reminding of that lesson.
(...he made a mental note to check on this Dimitri. While they were both bizarrely different yet similar, Byleth had a feeling they both shared that near crippling guilt that looked as if it was crushing them from the inside out.)]
How long does this venting process take? Two to three days?
[It was a concept he could understand and agree to. He just wasn't used to it. Jeralt was unflappable, nothing got under his skin and he rolled with even the direst of setbacks. His mercs were just the same: grizzled, hardened veterans, who vented their frustrations in their cups or in the fighting ring during downtime, rather than sitting in a circle yelling pointlessly at each other. Even the Kingdom generals were far more composed - unless they were yelling at King Dimitri for taking poor care of his health, but that was necessary, as King Dimitri needed frequent reminding of that lesson.
(...he made a mental note to check on this Dimitri. While they were both bizarrely different yet similar, Byleth had a feeling they both shared that near crippling guilt that looked as if it was crushing them from the inside out.)]
How long does this venting process take? Two to three days?
Well, it's not the kind of thing you can quantify. Everyone's different and copes with loss in different ways. [He thinks of an example, and the obvious one springs to mind:] Dextera -- the guy who made the original communion to us all -- is sensitive and needs people he can lean on.
[Or, as Byleth more bluntly put it, he's emotionally fragile.]
Then there's someone like Hayame. Have you met her yet? She has a hard time, I guess because she's not human and sees herself as an outsider. So at times like this she isolates herself even more, not that it does her any favours.
[Or, as Byleth more bluntly put it, he's emotionally fragile.]
Then there's someone like Hayame. Have you met her yet? She has a hard time, I guess because she's not human and sees herself as an outsider. So at times like this she isolates herself even more, not that it does her any favours.
[Byleth was quiet as he mulled over this.]
It sounds difficult to keep track of, and to accommodate, each individual's unique needs.
[His tone was... very mildly frustrated. If this had been back in their realm, he would've been more receptive to this information, and probably used it as a means to improve his socialising skills. Here, however, he found his tolerance for complex interaction massively reduced, edged with a sort of aimless depression he couldn't put into words. He just felt tired.]
Especially if they run counter to each other. In that communion, there were arguments. I don't see how that's helpful.
It sounds difficult to keep track of, and to accommodate, each individual's unique needs.
[His tone was... very mildly frustrated. If this had been back in their realm, he would've been more receptive to this information, and probably used it as a means to improve his socialising skills. Here, however, he found his tolerance for complex interaction massively reduced, edged with a sort of aimless depression he couldn't put into words. He just felt tired.]
Especially if they run counter to each other. In that communion, there were arguments. I don't see how that's helpful.
Most of them want to win, they just don't see eye to eye on how to do it. And not many people are going to be in a mood to compromise when tensions are running high, which leads to butting heads, even if it's counterproductive.
[But knowing all those peoples' individual needs, and how to unite them together, is the hallmark of a good leader. The Byleth that Claude knew implicitly understood that, but he can understand how much this Byleth must be floundering, away from everything he knew. At least when he was thrown in the deep end at the Academy, he still had Jeralt to lean on, but here...]
Hey... What are you up to right now? Are you busy?
[But knowing all those peoples' individual needs, and how to unite them together, is the hallmark of a good leader. The Byleth that Claude knew implicitly understood that, but he can understand how much this Byleth must be floundering, away from everything he knew. At least when he was thrown in the deep end at the Academy, he still had Jeralt to lean on, but here...]
Hey... What are you up to right now? Are you busy?
[Claude was truly insightful, Byleth couldn't help but think. He intrinsically understood people in a way Byleth could only dream of...]
...busy? No. I'm doing nothing.
[Literally. He's just been lying on his floor staring at the ceiling for this entire talk. Well. 'Talk'. He didn't like the idea of doing communion while out and about, since he found it incredibly distracting. He couldn't tolerate that level of vulnerability in such a strange, unknown land... with no trusted allies.]
Why do you ask?
...busy? No. I'm doing nothing.
[Literally. He's just been lying on his floor staring at the ceiling for this entire talk. Well. 'Talk'. He didn't like the idea of doing communion while out and about, since he found it incredibly distracting. He couldn't tolerate that level of vulnerability in such a strange, unknown land... with no trusted allies.]
Why do you ask?
Want to go for tea? I don't know about you, but the Byleth I knew liked relaxing with some good tea and good conversation.
[He doesn't want to assume this Byleth is all the same... But he can't be that different in terms of tastes and preferences, right?]
[He doesn't want to assume this Byleth is all the same... But he can't be that different in terms of tastes and preferences, right?]
...
[Good tea and conversation? The more he heard about this 'other Byleth', the more he sounded like some bizarre imposter who bore his face and name. Byleth knew nothing about tea, didn't really converse well, and was awkward with new company... mind, he enjoyed Jeralt's company, and Alois, a recent addition, was okay too. Byleth didn't understand his jokes half the time, but Alois's genuine friendliness more than made up for it - but even then, Byleth struggled to converse easily with him.
Perhaps, this 'other Byleth' just achieved that which he was failing at now? Claude was from further in time, even if his history had taken a vitally different path to his own. Maybe, in three more years, Byleth will enjoy good tea and conversation, and can interact with others without having to sneakily practice his smiles or small talk, yet flubbing it anyways when it came to the actual thing. He just had to keep putting in the work, no matter how disheartening the setbacks were.]
...I can't claim to be well-versed in tea, but I accept your offer. It's more productive than what I'm doing now.
[Good tea and conversation? The more he heard about this 'other Byleth', the more he sounded like some bizarre imposter who bore his face and name. Byleth knew nothing about tea, didn't really converse well, and was awkward with new company... mind, he enjoyed Jeralt's company, and Alois, a recent addition, was okay too. Byleth didn't understand his jokes half the time, but Alois's genuine friendliness more than made up for it - but even then, Byleth struggled to converse easily with him.
Perhaps, this 'other Byleth' just achieved that which he was failing at now? Claude was from further in time, even if his history had taken a vitally different path to his own. Maybe, in three more years, Byleth will enjoy good tea and conversation, and can interact with others without having to sneakily practice his smiles or small talk, yet flubbing it anyways when it came to the actual thing. He just had to keep putting in the work, no matter how disheartening the setbacks were.]
...I can't claim to be well-versed in tea, but I accept your offer. It's more productive than what I'm doing now.
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