#beycndfates / marianne

[pathofemblems]

✶ · ⊰ @beycndfates || moving thread ⊱ · ✶

Suddenly, her insecurity was palpable, and for the briefest moment it felt as if they were back in school, the image of a young Marianne apologizing and avoiding any and all confrontation resurfacing. Hubert mentally reprimanded himself for remembering something so mundane, for the semblance of nostalgia of pre-war days, something he vehemently abhorred when it came from other people (no one ever said he wasn't an occasional hypocrite though). Yet aside from that slip-up, he reminded himself again just how far she'd come… and he was, without a doubt, a master at sniffing out lies. Her claim to loyalty, albeit shaking, was true. ❝ I wasn't insinuating that you would. If that wasn't evidently clear, then I humbly apologize for the confusion and potential discomfort, ❞ he affirmed, trying to reassure her despite the cold cadence. Apologies weren't Hubert's specialty, nor was offering comfort. If someone took offense by what he said, he wasn't one to care; that was their problem, not his. Even now, he still often disregarded people's feelings, especially when having to listen to the likes of Caspar yelling in his ear. But… he was trying. Sort of. In his own drawn out, strange way. ❝ At the end of the day, there is a war to be won. As the days continue onward, more must be done when it comes to establishing absolute control, ❞ he carefully articulated. Leaning back into his seat, he loosely crossed his arms over his chest in an attempt to relax in the late hour. In the brief silence that followed, he took note of the surrounding soldiers, their names and ages, their wounds and severity of, if they had family. One hand rose to shield his tired eyes which closed, squeezing at his temples. ❝ Point blank, we do not want you to be in the same position as the men and women here. Is that easier to understand? ❞

[cultesdesghoules]

『•• hubert & marianne ••』

When they were but classmates, her presence had been so meek, so passive, that Hubert, as astutely observant as he was, sometimes forgot she was there. Marianne posed such little threat to anything, always hiding in his peripheral. When she’d promised to return to the academy with the rest of their friends, Hubert hadn’t expected her to go through with it, instead staying absent in the midst of the war. Yet years later, here she was before him within the medical tent, near darkfall. Something about her presence now was gravitating. Marianne had seemingly found her voice, her strength, so much so that it caught him entirely off guard; a rare feat, for sure. When Hubert had witnessed how she magically silenced many of the enemy mages they’d come across on the battlefield, he too nearly fell into a stupor due to her elegant ferocity. Yet, just like with everyone else he’d come to care for, it was worrisome the way she now threw herself into danger. A war couldn’t be won when a prized soldier was gravely injured, or worse. ❝ Often people don’t realize when they’re becoming more of a hindrance than a help to their fellow allies, ❞ he interrupted the thick silence that blanketed the tent. They were seemingly the only two awake, the rest of the soldiers sleeping off wounds of varying severity. Despite how sharp his choice of words always was, the edge was now dulled, much softer than what was expected of a man with his frightening reputation. As he glanced up from his mended arm to peer up at her face, examining her expression, he continued. ❝ What I mean to say is, that you’re considered of utmost importance. ❞ A pause nearly settled in. ❝ Lady Edelgard sees you as one of our prime healers and someone who could greatly benefit the Empire. ❞ As if he’d ever admit he’d come to admire Marianne as an ally as well.

『•• @beycndfates ••』