Chapter Text
"I have to be seeing things." Ashe says as he swallows thickly. "That can't be Prince Dimitri. Can it?"
The boy knew there would be nobles here. Garreg Mach is well known for providing education from royalty and nobility from all three major factions of Fodlan. He wasn't expecting to see the prince himself though!
"Woah, he looks so noble…" Ashe thinks to himself. "Like a proper knight! Though, uh, he's the prince, so he wouldn't be a knight himself… but he'd have knights serving him right? Maybe he even follows a knightly code."
There's also a dark-skinned man, likely from Duscur judging by his appearance, by the prince's side. He seems like a bodyguard of some sort, and has harshly-set eyebrows. Ashe makes sure to avert his gaze when the man looks his way.
Ashe was planning on introducing himself, but with the scary bodyguard around, maybe he'll try talking to someone else first. Someone like… the orange haired girl. She looks approachable, and not like she could smash his head in if she felt like it. She's also smaller than him, which does a lot to make her less intimidating to him. Ashe is on the younger side of people here, so he hopes she's in the same boat as him.
"But what if she's someone important? She's probably someone important! I represent Lord Lonato, I don't want to offend her and make an enemy for him." Ashe frets. He then shakes his head. "No! Don't think like that. Just go!"
Taking a deep breath, Ashe rises from his seat, and walks over to her. "Hey there! I'm Ashe! I guess we're in the same class, huh?"
"I'd hope so, or else one of us is in the wrong classroom!" She quips back, and turns in her seat to face him. "I'm Annette! Annette Fatrine Dominic!"
"I'm Ashe Ubert." The boy replies. He's well aware how unimpressive that is. His family name is a commoner's. He could call himself Ashe Gaspard, but it doesn't feel right to take his adoptive father's surname until he's earned it by becoming a knight. "I'm hoping to learn how to be a proper knight!"
"And I am trying to become a competent mage, as well as looking for my father." Annette replies. "He's a knight actually."
"Really!?" Ashe asks excitedly. Then, realizing how weird his sudden excitement probably looks, he makes a conscious effort to tone it down. "Uh, I mean, that's cool…"
Annette raises an eyebrow; thankfully seeming more amused or curious than put off. "You really like knights don't you?"
"Maybe… yes."
The girl cracks a smile. "You should talk to Ingrid."
"Okay… um… who's that?" He asks weakly. It's probably someone important he doesn't know about. Lonato tried to teach him about the important lineages in the Kingdom, but it's a lot to remember.
"She's got blonde hair, and usually hangs around Sylvain, Felix, and his Highness." Annette offers. "She's rather enamoured with knights as well. I think you'd get along."
"Really!?" Ashe asks giddily. "Th-Thanks for telling me! I'll be sure to go introduce myself to her next!"
"No problem. Glad to help!"
As much as Ashe now wants to go talk to this Ingrid person, he also realizes he's perhaps been a bit rude. He introduced himself to Annette, only to immediately get distracted by his interest in becoming a knight. That's no way to talk with a new acquaintance. He's completely ignored her thus far. "But, uh, I can do that later. You said you're a mage, right? My father didn't use it and neither of us really considered it for me. How does it work? What are you hoping to learn here?"
It's hard to miss the way Annette's eyes light up. Giving someone an opportunity to talk about something they love is usually the fast track to getting in someone's good graces. "Well, you see, reason magic is based in math and physics..."
###
Ashe was expecting to have to search for Ingrid, not to run into her when both of them attempted to grab the same book of the library shelf.
"Oh, sorry." Ashe apologizes immediately, and backs off from the book. "You can take it."
"No no, I don't need it." The blonde lady replies quickly. "I just recognized it, so I thought I'd look."
"Well, that is much the case with me as well. I isn't as if I haven't read these tales dozens of times." Ashe says with a sheepish smile. "So please, take it."
"You're fond of these old stories as well?" The lady asks.
"Yes, quite!" Ashe nods. "Do you have an interest? I could probably direct you towards some good ones."
"That's quite unnecessary. I'm rather fluent in old tales myself." She replies with a grin. "I'm Ingrid, by the way. Ingrid Brandl Galatea, if you're one for full names."
"Ah, I'm Ashe Ubert." He says, and gives her an awkward and quick bow. "By 'fluent', quite how much do you mean…?"
"Name an old tale, and I probably know it." She brags.
"Alright…" Ashe picks his brain for an obscure one. "How about… The Tale of the Tactician and the Prince?"
"The one about Prince Chrom and the High Deliverer?"
Ooh, she's good. "Okay, how about something more historical. Hmm… The Wicked War of-"
"-the Jungle Dread?" Ingrid finishes. "I'm familiar. I'd hardly call that historical though. We don't even have proof that the jungle mentioned there even existed, because no surviving records from the time mention it. Most people who study old tales think it's actually a part of the Ylissian mythos, and not based in history at all."
"Ah, so you do know it." Ashe grins. "I said it was historical hoping I could throw you off, but you really do know what you're talking about."
"Don't take me lightly when it comes to old tales." Ingrid smirks. "It's not fair I'm the only one being quizzed. Mind if I ask a few? I want to be sure you know something other than myths about Ylisse."
"Please do. I won't disappoint!" Ashe says confidently.
"Hmm… a young woman is forbidden to leave her house by her father, but she desperately wants to help protect her father's barony from bandits."
"The Steel Spirit Saga!" Ashe identifies. "Quite a classic! I love the heroine's first outing, where she leaps from her bedroom window, steals her father's armor as he sleeps, and goes to protect a nearby village from an impending attack. The saga as a whole seems to lack a sense of distance, as going from one village to another and back again after a lengthy battle might take quite a while, but it's a solid series overall."
"Okay, that was an easy one. How about… a pair of youngsters: a cocky young duchess-to-be and her level-headed male friend of common birth-"
"The Chronicles of Solis and Lune!" Ashe interrupts eagerly. "That's one of my favourites! Lune is the embodiment of a stoic warrior, unflinching in his resolve, and Solis is the quintessential compassionate and charismatic protector of the weak!"
Ingrid nods in approval. "You're no slouch either I see. I'm impressed. Are you busy at the moment? I presume not, since you're here. Perhaps you wouldn't mind if we sit down somewhere and compare notes?"
"W-Well I don't have notes on old stories, but I have a good memory! I'd be glad to chat!" Ashe chirps.
###
"Can I help you?" The black-haired man asks dryly.
"Yes! Are you training to be a knight?!" Ashe asks.
"No."
"Oh." The wind is taken out of his sails almost immediately, but it doesn't last long. "You remind me of this one knight. He's gruff, and-"
"I don't care." The swordsman snaps.
"He'd totally say that too!" Ashe says eagerly. "And you even use a longsword like he does!"
"It's a very common weapon." The man says.
"But it can't be coincidence!"
"Yes, it can."
"But it isn't!"
The man lets out a long, tired sigh. "Don't you have something better to do than watch me?"
"O-Oh, sorry, am I being a bother?"
"Yes."
"Sorry. I'll just go train over here then." Ashe says quietly, and backs away from Felix. "That's also totally something the knight would say…" He thinks to himself with a smile.
###
"Ah, the aspiring knight. I'm glad to finally have a chance to talk with you." The Prince says.
"I-It's an honor your Highness."
"Titles aren't necessary Ashe. We are all equals here at the academy." Dimitri says placatingly.
Ashe smiles politely, but he frankly doesn't feel comfortable with calling the Prince by anything other than a title. For once, this has nothing to do with him wanting to be a knight. it just doesn't feel right for him to be so casual with the prince. Ashe is basically still a commoner, and he's well aware of that fact. Then again, unless he's royalty himself, he doesn't think he should ever be calling the prince by his name.
"So, Ashe…" Dimitri says. "It has been about a week since class started, has school be kind to you so far?"
"Yes Sir."
"Just Dimitri is fine Ashe." The Prince coughs. "Are you fitting in well? Have you made friends?"
"Well… I am at least on speaking terms with Lady Galatea and Lady Dominique." Ashe offers tentatively.
"Ingrid and Annette? That's good to hear." Dimitri says with a smile. "Annette is quite intelligent despite being on the younger end of students here, and Ingrid in on the path to being a fine knight."
"I agree." Ashe says stiffly. "They are very impressive, and I've learned quite a bit from them even in this short time."
"Oh, you have?"
"Lady Dominique informed me on how the basics of anima magic works, and Lady Galatea's knowledge of old knightly tales is easily equal to my own, if not more due to her higher education." Ashe says. He's trying hard to sound fancy and remember his diction lessons. He needs to use proper titles, even for people who aren't here.
Wait, is he supposed to call them Lady or just Miss? Or was it Madame? Ashe hopes he's doing this right. It's been a while since he's had to put those lessons to use.
"Is that so? You are learning even outside of class I see. Quite impressive." Dimitri chuckles. "I heard from Felix you've taken to the training grounds several times as well. Your dedication towards your future is inspiring."
"I-I'm sure it's nothing compared to you Milord." Ashe replies modestly. He mustn't appear to be trying to outshine the prince. Maybe he should reduce his practice time a bit.
"Nonsense! You're quite impressive!" The Prince refutes. "And I told you to stop calling me by titles, please…"
Ashe is worried this is going to take a wrong turn at any moment. He feels like he's going to say something wrong at any moment. Yes, maybe the Prince wants him to be casual, but that's not appropriate for a commoner nor a knight, and he doesn't want to risk being too casual and accidentally saying something wrong.
He decides the best option is to just get out of the conversation as soon as he can. "Sorry your Highness. I should get going. I… have some work I still need to finish. That written assignment. By your leave…?"
"Oh, of course." Dimitri responds, seeming surprised. "Goodbye Ashe. I'll talk to you another time."
"Of course Milord."
###
"Woah… that smells amazing." Ashe breathes as he peers around Dedue's larger frame to look at the slab of beef the man just finished cooking. He doesn't know what spices the man used, but if the smell is anything to go by they must be amazing.
"Thank you." The man grunts. "I used some of my personal stash of spices from Duscur."
"Those spices must be quite expensive now then. Not many people live in the area of Duscur anymore, and what people of Duscur remain make it dangerous to travel there." Ashe notes.
"Indeed." Dedue nods. "These were purchased at high price from a merchant. An Anna."
Ashe nods. If you want something unusual, difficult, or rare, Annas are the first people you should ask. It may be costly, but Annas can get their hands on virtually anything. "You have to teach me how to apply those spices, and how you cook the meat to best use them! Please?"
"I do not have much more to spare unfortunately. Perhaps, if I can obtain more of the spice, I can instruct you." He offers. "If you do not mind being seen with a man of Duscur."
"Of course not! I know what it's like to be an outsider. I was really poor when I was younger, and now I'm studying here with all these nobles, royals, and the kids of rich people. I'm pretty out of place myself. It would be hypocritical for me to be worried about associating with you."
"Being poor and being from Duscur are not the same thing."
"Oh I know, but we can still be friends, right?" Ashe asks eagerly. "You'll still teach me?"
Dedue eyes the enthusiastic boy who's looking at him with wide-eyed enthusiasm. What a strange person. He seems harmless however, so… "Yes, I will; provided I can find some more."
"Yay!"
###
Ashe eyes the plate of confections the blonde girl brings to the table Annette is sitting at. He's heard Mercedes is quite an expert at cooking sweets, and apparently most of the Blue Lions have already been treated to her cooking at some point already. He's never had any though. He doesn't know why. Maybe Mercedes sees him as below her notice?
It's not his place to protest though. A knight shouldn't complain about or dwell on such petty things. If it is an intentional slight, it's a minor one.
But… Ashe loves sweets! He wants to know if the ones Mercedes makes are as good as everyone claims. Those cupcakes look so fluffy, and those little candies look like they're made of honey. Ashe is salivating at the thought (and sight) of them.
He's supposed to be doing work right now. He's sitting in the classroom with his notebook and quill case, but he's more occupied glancing at the plate of treats sitting across the room from him between the two girls.
"Ah, Ashe. I see you are a man of taste as well." A voice chuckles, and Ashe turns his head to see Sylvain leaning against the table and grinning at him. Ashe isn't familiar with the man. They haven't really spoken all that much. All he knows is that he occasionally sees Sylvain at the training yard bugging Ingrid. "I've noticed your staring."
"I know!" Ashe groans. "They look so good…"
"Don't they?" Sylvain says with an amused sparkle in his eye. "Quite the catch would you say?"
"Definitely." Ashe agrees. He'd pay to try one of the cupcakes… "They look tasty."
Sylvain raises an eyebrow, and a grin crosses his face. "Tasty huh?"
"Yeah. Especially the fluffy white one…" He's referring to the small cake, looking soft, and covered with white icing, sitting in the middle of the tray.
"Ah, Marshmallow."
"It has marshmallows?" Ashe blinks. He didn't expect that. It can't be the icing, can it? Maybe the marshmallows are on the inside. That's unique. Now he wants to try it more than ever. "I wish I could just take a bite out of it…"
"A bite? Woah there." Sylvain laughs. "And people say I'm forward."
Ashe blinks again. "I mean, I'd ask first… if I planned on trying to get a bite in the first place."
"What do you mean?"
"I want to be a knight. I can't ask about something like this." Ashe sighs.
"That's ridiculous. You'll never know if you don't ask… though you might want to start with something more tame than a bite."
"Like a nibble? There's hardly a point then." The grey-haired boy sighs. "Besides, it would be petty to ask. I'm trying to be a knight, not a child…"
"Petty to ask? That's quite an entitled thing to say." Sylvain remarks. "You expect the opportunity to just be handed to you without effort?"
"No, I don't expect the opportunity at all, and as a knight I need to learn to be stoic and unfazed…"
"That sounds lonely."
"Lonely?" Ashe frowns. "What does that have to do with this?"
Sylvain looks confused now too. "What do you mean?"
"Why would I be lonely just because I can't have a slice of cake?"
"Cake?" Sylvain blinks rapidly. "Oh, oh, cake, right, sweets, yes, of course! That's what we were talking about, I knew that. I didn't mean lonely, I meant… uh… longing. You'd be filled with longing, never having tried the cake if you don't ask."
"What did you think I was talking about?" Ashe asks cautiously.
"Nothing, nothing! Just… uh…" Sylvian glances to the door. "Oh, sorry, I can see… uh… Ingrid, I need to go bothe- say hi to her, bye Ashe."
"Bye…?"
"Oh, and Mercedes!" Sylvain calls as he reaches the door, catching the attention of the two girls. "Ashe wants some of that cake!" He shoots Ashe a cheeky grin, and slips outside.
Now quite embarrassed by having his thoughts exposed, Ashe quickly packs up his things and flees the room. He thinks he hears Mercedes calling after him, but he books it to the safety of his room, and resolutely decides to never interact with Sylvain again.