leicesters | IC INBOX: isleofavalon

[He doesn't acknowledge the words at first, focusing on brushing the last of the tangles from Safrano's tail before he finally lets it slip from his fingers. His shoulders slump under Claude's hand and he tilts his head to rub his cheek lightly against the other man's knuckles, something that is quickly becoming a habit any time Claude touches his shoulder.]

Of course... I can wash up and make some tea...

[A weak smile before he moves around to lead Safrano into his stall, all too eager now because at this hour he knows it will be dinner time. It only takes a moment to get the gelding situated and to scoop feed into the other stalls as well. Then he crosses back over to Claude, starting to reach for his hand but stopping himself abruptly. No, he's filthy. He's not going to inflict his horse mess on Claude.]

Come on, then...

[Claude spots Lorenz reaching for his hand and shying away, so he loops an arm around Lorenz's shoulders and presses a kiss to his cheek as they head inside.]

Naira will stay outside to keep watch, and she'll tell us if she sees any sign of Marianne coming back. So you can relax a little, all right?

[Lorenz' steps falter slightly when Claude reaches up to kiss his cheek, surprised and a little embarrassed by how pleased he is for that little bit of affection. Even so he wrinkles his nose and squirms out of Claude's arm.]

I am going to be washing up and changing clothes. Unless you plan to do the same keep your hands to yourself, sir.

[Just because they care for horses hardly means the house is allowed to have all manner of mess from the stables tracked inside. There is, in fact, a little mud room attached to the entrance through the kitchen where he takes off his boots and gestures for Claude to do the same.]

Make yourself comfortable. I'll only be a moment.

[Normally he'd come in and shower, relax under the hot water a bit before dinner, but he will content himself the sort of quick wipe down that would have sufficed at home, when they were out in the field and did not have enough time or resources for such luxuries as baths. It does, however, mean that when he's done he slips out of the bathroom in a long silken robe in a deep plum color, tied neat and snug and something he'd never consider letting company see but...

Well... he's not company. He's Claude. And honestly, Lorenz is far too stressed at the moment to worry too much about that of all things.]

Yessir. [He says to Lorenz's grumbling, more than a little amused. He does take off his boots as directed, as well as his cloak and jacket. Claude may be less fussy about such things, but that doesn't mean he won't respect Lorenz and Marianne's space.

He's taken a seat and flicking through his phone for any updates from anyone who might've seen or heard from Marianne -- which turns out to be a whole load of nothing -- so he's a little distracted when he looks up to see Lorenz in very little save that fancy bathrobe.]

Dressing down just for me? You shouldn't have. [Even in the present circumstances, Lorenz isn't free from a little ribbing.]

[Lorenz huffs a little, part of him wanting to insist that now is not the time. But he still blushes brightly even as he scoffs and bustles over to start making tea, keeping his hands busy as though it will keep his mind from wandering as well. ]

I hope you don't mind chamomile? This late it is probably unwise to make anything stronger....

Fine by me! Chamomile's actually a fave of mine. [He gets to his feet with a smile, pocketing his phone; it's useless to keep checking it for now anyway, no matter how worried they are.]

Can I help with anything?

[Once he has water heating up Lorenz pauses, forcing himself to stop for a moment and take a steadying breath before he turns to face Claude. He offers an apologetic smile, reaching out to thread their fingers together so he can draw his hand up and brush a kiss to his knuckles. ]

Let me worry about the tea.

[He means it as an answer to the question, not just a polite gesture, and he hopes Claude will understand it as such. Because then he turns to sort out the tea tray, trading out Marianne's preferred cup for one for Claude. Even that is enough to make his heart ache with the idea that she might be gone entirely. ]

Do you take the chamomile plain as well?

[So smooth, Lorenz. Fortunately Claude manages to keep his mouth shut from teasing him this time, and truthfully, the gesture is endearing.]

Yeah, just plain is fine. No milk or honey or anything for me. [He doesn't mind leaving Lorenz to finish preparing it in that case, knowing how particular he is about tea, so he goes to sit back down.]

[The cottage is small, cozy even, so there's no real separation between the living area and the kitchen proper. It gives Claude the opportunity to watch Lorenz fuss over the tea for a few more minutes before he finally comes over to join him. The tea is set out on the coffee table and Lorenz curls himself snugly against Claude's side. ]

You're certain there's nothing?

[Not that he doubts Claude but hearing it again might help to ease the tension in his chest. ]

No, dear Lorenz! For you see, you're all the sweetness I need.

[He huffs out a laugh, sitting back and draping his arm around Lorenz as he joins him. It might be a losing battle to try and lighten the mood for Lorenz, but he'll try his best regardless.]

I meant-

[A vague gesture at his phone, information he knows won't be there but he still hopes. Even as he corrects him, though, he does smile softly at the endearment and the arm around his shoulders.]

I don't know that there are many that would call me sweet, however.

[A faint chuckle, shaking his head a little but leaning in to kiss Claude's cheek regardless. That done he leans forward to pour his cup, leaving the tea ball in the pot to continue steeping for this ridiculous man he loves so dearly. A hefty spoonful of honey and then he settles back in against Claude to cradle the warmth of the cup in his hands.]

Maybe you've just gotten a little sweeter lately.

[For no reason in particular, of course (...?). He leaves the tea to steep a little longer, as with most teas he prefers the stronger brew, before he leans forward just enough to pour himself a cup. He looks a little distracted as he does so, lost in thought.]

... Honestly, I kind of expected something like this would happen. Not to Marianne, necessarily, but in general. It's how this place works. So...

[He shrugs helplessly, sitting back with his own cup of tea in hand. It's hard to be shocked, when Claude is the type to hope for the best, but plan for the worst.]

Maybe you have only just noticed. Finally.

[Perhaps it is silly, finding some measure of comfort in the familiar banter, but sniping at Claude is the most distraction he's had from the looming sense of dread that has hovered over him all day. Even if it is from his place curled up beside the other man, snuggled into his side.

Lorenz sips his tea, head lolling to the side to rest on Claude's shoulder between drinks, pensive and tense. ]

Is it truly so common an occurrence? How is any progress to be made when people cannot rely on the others here?

Didn't we lose enough with Celliwig....

Yeah. It's... difficult. For a while, I started to wonder what the point was in relying on anyone here.

[He takes a sip of his tea, his free hand rubbing his thumb affectionately on Lorenz's shoulder.]

So if I was a bit distant with you for a while after you first got here, that's why. I'm sorry. [He sets his cup down, looking at Lorenz nestled against him.] People coming and going all the time, Teach of all people being so different... I guess it was just hard to figure out who to count on.

And yet you were so insistent when I said otherwise. [Lorenz gives him a Look. He hasn't forgotten about that, telling him to take chances and sieze every opportunity.

But it's hard to really understand the gravity of such losses until you experience them. The idea that it might be someone you would never see again, rather than knowing precisely when and where they were returning to? ]

I dare not imagine the sort of heartache you were going through then. I'm sorry if I made things more difficult... Especially blaming you for things you hadn't even done yet.

[Lorenz mimics Claude, taking a deep drink of his tea before setting it aside so he can wrap an arm around him as well. ]

At least we know she's safe if that is what's happened

Well, maybe I was giving you advice I needed to hear myself. [He laughs quietly. Sometimes it's easier not to practise what you preach.]

And you should apologise! What if my poor handsome face got a Lorenz handprint on it permanently!

[He's not actually mad about it, so he just grins slightly before stealing a kiss from Lorenz's forehead. When he settles back again, his expression becomes more serious once more.] As for Marianne -- it sounds like things shake out pretty good for us all at home, so I'm not worried on that front. But she'll be counting on us to see things through here, so it's important we don't get discouraged... No matter how hard that is now.

[He nods a little, that sounds more accurate. Advice they both needed to hear, yes, but... both of them had definitely needed it. Any sass he might have continued with is smothered by a smile when Claude kisses him and he does let an amused little hum linger on his lips.]

If I were intending to leave anything on you permanently it would not be a handprint.

[His hand slides up to brush over Claude's back where his own spirit mark was? is? he's not even sure precisely how much of Claude's had lingered.]

But you're right. Marianne needs us to take care of things on this end so she can see that dawn of yours~ [A gentle squeeze, nuzzling into his shoulder.] And it is a beautiful thing to behold... I don't know if I've actually said that. I think I was too busy being mad at you for leaving me.

[Unlike Lorenz's, Claude's own spirit mark had faded with time, after the spirit itself had disappeared.]

Beautiful... Already? I thought it might take years, decades to make that new dawn the sight I want to see. But if things have already begun to change, I'm glad.

[He holds Lorenz close, and lets out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding -- a sigh of relief. In some ways, it feels like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders, with how much has been on his mind lately.]

You mentioned there was a battle, but none of the good stuff. Can you tell me what it's like?

After so many years of war and generations worth before that of things far more insidious? Yes. We still have so much to do but being forthright and honest with the people alone has made great strides in a positive direction. We've had priests from small towns step forward to offer their assistance with education, in so many places there are no schools, no teachers, so the clergy was as close to it as the people knew.

Her Grace has largely put me in charge of the former Leicester territories, with Gloucester being such a large area we have had trade agreements with most of the other regions and so I've been in the best position to be at least familiar with the goods and resources available.

Those that are resistant to the changes we're trying to bring about are very swiftly being reminded that their positions are at the mercy of the people they have abused for far too long. Enough so that Father has not left the grounds of the estate in weeks now. It would be one thing to have had him executed during the war or early on but he is far too good and playing along in his own interests.

He wouldn't be able to bear going out into the city only to have people humiliate him. They know they needn't endure his... shall we say strict? methods any longer and, though he would never admit it, I do believe he's concerned he will be pelted with spoilt vegetables should he show his face.

[He tries not to smile too much at that idea but he has to press his face into Claude's shoulder to smother it. ]

If that alone is not beautiful enough we have been able to bring a great deal of relief to Fraldarius territory, The Duke and his younger brother, as you know, were the last holdout against the empire for years and we are fortunate to have come to an agreement with them.... Not made any easier by our illustrious leader vanishing from under our noses.

[Lorenz nudges him with his elbow, attempting to give him a scolding look but too pleased to pull it off and instead he just ends up wrinkling his nose in something that is far too cute to be remotely discouraging.]

[Claude listens quietly, drinking his tea, punctuated only by the small snort he lets out at the mental image of Gloucester being pelted by rotting vegetables by the townspeople. He finally speaks up once he's sure Lorenz is finished.]

That "illustrious leader"-- [the air quotes are practically audible,] --knew that Leicester would be in safe hands if he had to vanish. We even talked about it, remember?

[And Lorenz had freaked out at the time and interpreted it in the most dramatic way possible, but at least he'd had a little warning.]

It sounds like everywhere is gradually starting to not just rebuild, but to remake the way things are done, so I'm glad. What's Hilda up to these days? House Goneril's going to be out of a job soon enough, if they aren't already.

[They had talked about it and Lorenz had... panicked, even then. It seems so stupidly obvious now, looking back on it. Both his feelings and what Claude meant but he'd been too stubborn to acknowledge either one.

Surely Claude wouldn't have left them willingly. He'd convinced himself of it even though he knew at that point that he was some manner of high ranking Almyran, what with calling in a significant portion of their army.

Thinking back on it he just shakes his head a little, almost... disappointed in himself. Not even a year ago and still so foolish. But he's here now and can lean in to press a kiss to Claude's cheek.]

I know, I was a fool... It still absolutely made it harder to convince Rodrigue of our reliability.

As for House Goneril... well we didn't expect you to be a King so I suppose more changes will be happening now but Holst has been doing his best to adapt and, more importantly, ensure his people are willing to adapt as well. His men have been very helpful in hunting out lingering Agarthan hide outs and ensuring there were no other survivors of Shambhala's collapse. Hilda on the other hand.....

[Lorenz sighs dramatically, leaning heavily against Claude. In fact, if he doesn't support him Lorenz will end up draped across his lap, head resting on the arm of the couch on the opposite side of him.]

She is acting as a liaison with the estranged Faerghus territories. Or rather she is assuring them they will be allowed to maintain their autonomy, their culture is respected and....... facilitating trade I suppose would the diplomatic way of saying it? We're orchestrating the reconstruction of an entire continent and she's shopping.

[They have had this argument a lot it seems. Though... he does have a gorgeous Srengi feathered hair piece in his armoire back home.]

Shopping! Of course. I should have guessed.

[Slacking off under the guise of work as always... Though Hilda had proved very dependable in the war, so he won't gripe on her for taking a little me time and relaxing.

...Although speaking of which, back here and now, he also doesn't mind Lorenz draping himself across him, smiling fondly and brushing a few stray strands from his face.]

Leicester still has plenty of food and wealth to go around that can be shared with Faerghus. And there's even more where that came from in Almyra. Even back when it was still the Kingdom, Faerghus suffered a great deal even before the war, so now is a great opportunity to prove how much better we are united.

Of course. Balthus insisted on accompanying her so she is well cared for should she run into any trouble. But as you said: Faerghus is a poor land, however skilled it's people. Most of what she has seen is suffering.

[Claude touches his hair and Lorenz immediately smiles, tilting into the touch no matter how light it may be. He will always encourage Claude playing with his hair. It is soothing in a way he had never realized. ]

Faerghus has suffered on many fronts from this war, they hardly have people left to protest our presence even if they wanted to. A sad fate for a proud people.

[Claude frowns, and shakes his head.] Well, they haven't quite met the harrowing fate they subjected the people of Duscur to. Faerghus will recover. Some houses will be more resistant than others at submitting to rule from Derdriu, but if they truly wish for their people to thrive, they'll see the sense in cooperation.

[And ultimately, ordinary people will simply be happy to see the end to the fighting. The manoeuvrings of the nobility won't concern them so long as there's food on the table.

Never one to dwell on the negatives for long, Claude smiles, his hand moving from Lorenz's hair to caress his cheek.]

Anyway, thanks for filling me in. It sounds like things are gonna shake out well, even if they're rough right now... And whatever happens, people will continue to rally around Teach, given everything she's done for Fódlan.

[Lorenz nods in agreement but he does cock a brow at Claude, the barest hint of the desire to roll his eyes. The look clearly says "you'd think" without him actually have to voice his doubts regarding the stubbornness of certain Faerghan Houses. Fraldarius and Dominic have been helpful so far but others have been far less accommodating. ]

The Professor is, as always, a beacon of hope and, as the people have come to learn, unerringly pragmatic above all else. Rather the opposite of her predecessors she is doing her best to remove any lingering air of mystery that might make people wary of trusting her. She is relatable to the common people and that has garnered her more support than any grand speeches might have.

He huffs a laugh, turning to press his face into Claude's hand and kiss his palm softly. ]

There is a lot I yet need to learn from her.

IC INBOX: isleofavalon

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lalalla making shit up as I go

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