victory_road | [closed] February Catch All

"Annette doesn't weigh much."

It's a weak argument, though, and he knows it. He just doesn't want Claude to see how uncomfortable flying makes him or how bad at it he is. And giving the reins to Annette would just be a nightmare.

"You made me tackle Dimitri to stop him from flying off without experience."

"If you're worried about your flying experience, sunshine, we can practice before we go." Claude smiles at him. "I wouldn't have you fly if I wasn't confident you'd be safe doing it, okay? But if you need a flying lesson before we even get moving...then yeah, you're right, we should get started right now."

Felix groans, rubbing his face with a hand. He does not want to learn to fly. He doesn't even actually want to fly at all, but it's a necessity. And he doesn't want to put off seeing Annette any longer than he has to.

Still...he would be a gigantic hypocrite if he refused a lesson after the whole Dimitri fiasco.

"Ugh, fine. One lesson. But I warn you, mounts don't like me." Mostly because he doesn't really like them, either, probably.

"You know, the other option - the smart one - would be for me to fly out alone to pick her up," Claude points out, cocking an eyebrow at Felix. "That way I could carry her back no problem, and you wouldn't have to worry about flying at all."

"No." Felix scowls. "I'm going. With or without you."

"Just like Dimitri," Claude says with a sigh and a smile. "Okay then, let's go give you a flying lesson."

Felix grumbles, but he's really running out of arguments, here.

As it turns out, he was right: he doesn't like flying. But this is the sacrifice he's willing to make for Annette, so he grits his teeth and soldiers on. At least Claude makes it easy to do his best--learning from a master is always the best way to learn anything. He doesn't think Arbiter likes him much, but it's possible this bird just has resting murder face and Felix is reading too much into it. Maybe.

He runs out of patience before too long, though, and soon enough they're warping back to Cherrygrove and flying the rest of the way to New Bark Town. This, he thinks, must be the same journey Sylvain made when he came to pick Felix up. Somehow, it simultaneously feels like it was years ago and yesterday. An awful lot has happened since then, but sometimes Felix still wakes up before dawn expecting to be huddled under a tent in an army encampment.

For this shorter trip, he opts to fly with Claude and Blitz--which is still unpleasant, but made much more palatable by the fact that he gets to basically hold Claude close the whole way there. It doesn't occur to him until they're already touching down near the place where he'd agreed to meet Annette that she might be able to see that from the ground...oh well. It's not like she won't find out about the polycule soon enough anyway.

Still embarrassing, though.

Edited 2021-02-17 06:48 (UTC)

"Felix! Claude! Hello! It's so good to--oh no!"

[She comes running up to Blitz but stumbles in her excitement. By a stroke of fortune, or quick thinking, she catches her balance before she tumbles head over heels, but drops something she'd had under her arm.

The pink, round thing emits an enthusiastic squeal, and begins to bounce away, squeaking out "buff!" with every bounce.]

No, not again...! Tritz, come back! Triiiiiitz!

[Just as quick as she appeared, she dashes off again, after the thoroughly amused Igglybuff. "Buff, buff, buff, buff..."]

[Claude blinks as Blitz lands and Annette comes running up...only to immediately stumble and drop her pokémon, who seems absolutely delighted by this turn of events and bounces off like a big rubber ball. Annette runs off after her in her absolutely authentic frazzled Annette way, and Claude can't help bursting into laughter. It's almost more joyful than amused.

Mere seconds into seeing her again, and it feels just like old times. It's precious beyond words - precious in the way jewels are precious, rather than simply cute(even if it's also that) - how nothing, not even war, can change Annette. It means everything for Claude to see that.]

Need any help wrangling her, Annette? [He calls after her retreating back.] Only it looks like she's enjoying the exercise!

[The second they're close enough to the ground, Felix jumps off the Noivern's back and starts ~~running~~ briskly walking to close the distance between them and Annette. Seeing her on the video was one thing, but seeing her in person again after all these weeks, in a place that isn't constantly testing her sunny smile with death and pain...it feels like he's been carrying around a lead weight inside his chest all this time and only just now has it gone away. Just the sight of her has him smiling--

--until she stumbles, and his instincts kick in and he's lunging toward her--oh. No, she's fine, she caught herself.]

Are you--oh.

[She's already running away, and even though it's ridiculous because she's still right there and can't possibly run that far before she catches her Pokemon, there's a part of him that immediately hates the sight of her leaving, as though her being here was merely some illusion that will never actually come to pass. Still, this is all so familiar that he can't help but feel...comfortable.

He shakes his head, but he's smiling widely--which may look strange to Claude's eyes. Even when Felix does smile, it's rarely like this.]

While we were setting up camp one evening on the way to Gronder Field, she spotted a rabbit by the side of the road and chased after it just like this. We were concerned she might get lost in the woods after nightfall, so Mercedes and I went after her. It turned out that she didn't even want to cook the rabbit. She shouted at me when I suggested it. I don't think I'll ever understand her...but that's all right. I don't need to.

[As she chases after the errant Igglybuff, she suddenly calls out to her in what seems like a warning.]

Tritz! Tree! Treee!

[If it was meant to be a warning, Tritz does not seem to be paying it any mind. In fact, she seems to be deliberately steering her maniacal bouncing directly towards the tree, until she inevitably crashes squarely into it...and bounces directly off, flying backwards into Annette's waiting arms.

She holds the small pokemon close, giving it a hug and a quick nuzzle before hastily making her way back to Felix and Claude.]

...and that was very good, you're getting so much better at that! And I even caught you this time, so I'm getting better too! But still, did you have to do it right now? These are my friends I was telling you about, Felix and Claude!

[As she finally returns, at a much more sedate pace, it's hard to tell if her face is glowing from the sudden exertion, or from mild embarrassment over the unexpected incident. But it's not hard to tell that she beams from ear to ear as she draws near.]

I am so, so very happy to see you both! Thank you for coming all this way...and also thank you for pretending all that just didn't happen.

[She finally draws up close and pauses to catch her breath, and take in both of their faces.

Oh no, Claude is laughing, and Felix is...grinning! They're never going to let her hear the end of it, are they? They're going to remember, and they're going to...she starts laughing herself, the tension of finding herself in this strange, if mostly peaceful land melting away in the face of being reunited with her friends again, and seeing them happy. She doesn't remember how long it's been since she's seen that.]

Felix, you look well! And Claude, you look so grown up!

[Honestly, Claude has a hard time deciding who he should be watching as he hops down off of Blitz's back - Felix or Annette. He's never seen Felix so unabashedly happy about anything. Honestly, if he were a jealous kind of guy, it might sting a little. He's definitely never gotten a smile like that out of Felix. But then again, Claude doesn't think Sylvain has gotten a smile like that out of Felix in the entire time he's known them. Annette might just be a special case.

Well, Claude thinks she deserves to be, so he's got no complaints to make there.

(He also muses, internally, if there's something about singers and Igglybuffs. Jaskier started with one of those, too...musical pokémon seem to find musical people. Interesting...and boy, wouldn't Felix hate Claude for drawing that parallel. He might have to keep it in mind for the next time he wants to aggravate Felix.)]

Aww, do we really have to forget it? It wasn't even that embarrassing! She was the one who crashed into the tree, not you. [Claude folds his arms behind his head. It's rather reminiscent of Sylvain's similar casual pose, something Felix is already aware of but which Annette may or may not have observed before. It'll certainly become more apparent when they go back and Annette gets to see Claude and Sylvain in close quarters at the same time for comparison.] And these little guys can be kind of unruly sometimes. I kind of lucked out in that Sturm was a real chill little guy until he evolved, but you having an energetic one that you don't quite know how to wrangle yet doesn't reflect badly on you, y'know.

[He winks at Annette's compliment.] So this is your first time seeing me in the flesh since our school days ended, huh? Glad the changes meet your approval. It's the facial hair, right? But hey, what about you? You've grown up into a real lady. I definitely like your hair down. Now if only Felix could be convinced to do the same with his hair...

[Felix nods in agreement with Claude.] And I don't pretend. Besides, it sounds like you've been practicing that maneuver with her. I would think you'd be glad to get it right. At the beginning, my first cat was constantly stealing my things, so this is already an improvement over that.

[His smile doesn't go anywhere after that, either. She's laughing, and it isn't strained or done for anyone else's benefit, the way it usually is at home. She's just laughing because she's happy, and even that sounds like music to him. Goddess, he never realized just how badly war had beaten them all down until they got here and he was reminded of the difference.

Then he elbows Claude.]

What I do with my hair is my business. I don't want it getting in my way.

I think Felix's hair is fine the way it is. Though you know, back in Fhirdiad I remember a student trying to modify a Wind spell to keep their hair out of their face at all times, but I don't think they ever figured it out. Not that it would be much help here...

[It's probably just a trick of the light, but for a fraction of a second, it almost looks like her smile slips a degree. But no, it's already passed. She winks and continues in a confidential tone, pretending to cover the Igglybuff's ears, if she had any.]

We actually have been practicing the Bouncy-Tree Technique, so I don't have to run quite as long when she gets away...she's better at bouncing than I am at catching, but don't tell her that!

Oh, and this is Tritz. Tritz, this is Felix, and this is Claude.

[Pronounced "treats". Suddenly she hops a little in excitement, a motion that seems to please the pink pokemon in her arms.]

I can't believe it's really you, guys!

The Bouncy-Tree technique, huh? [Claude grins broadly. What a perfectly Annette name for something. Man, he really has missed her; the longer they talk, the more he appreciates it.] She seems to enjoy it, for all that she's slamming herself into bark...

[He reaches out to lightly pat Tritz's head. This is part friendliness, part curiosity; he's never actually touched an Igglybuff before and he's wondering about the texture now that he's seen just how bouncy Tritz is. In fact, he decides upon patting, she feels kind of like the marshmallows Chip introduced them all to...only springier. No wonder she bounces.] Nice to meet you, Tritz! As far as introductions go, let me introduce our rides today.

[He sweeps a hand back to indicate the nearby Corviknight and Noivern.] This here is Arbiter - he's kind of intimidating and huffy, but he's kind of like Felix in that most of it is just grumpiness. And the Noivern is Blitz! He's friendly enough, although he can be a little shy until he gets to know you. Both of them are mine; Felix doesn't actually have any flying pokémon ready to go yet. You'll have to double up with one of us on them - I'd personally suggest riding with me and Blitz since I'm a more experienced flier, but I'm kind of expecting Felix to argue with me about it.

[He grins at Annette.] Although I have to ask - why are you having such a hard time believing we're here? I know you haven't seen me for awhile, but it can't have been too long since you saw Felix last, right?

Tch. I'm not grumpy.

[Especially not now. Only when Claude suggests she fly with him does Felix's smile reverse into a stubborn frown.]

As if I would ever let Annette fall. I wouldn't and you know it. [Then, to her,] You can ride with me. I've practiced. It's fine. Oh--

[Felix reaches into his bag and pulls out a pokeball with his left hand, holding it out to Annette. If she's paying attention, she might catch the glint of sunlight reflecting from something in--no, on--his hand. On his finger, specifically.]

Here.

[His brows lift a little at Claude's question, and he turns to look at Annette too. She...can't just be that happy to see Felix...can she? No, that makes no sense. It's just the disorientation of being in a strange new world, that's all.]

[She gives a small head-bow to Blitz and Arbiter upon introduction. She doesn't seem especially flustered by Arbiter, though that might be because of who he was compared to.]

It hasn't been that long, no, I did just see Felix at dinner, but...the first few hours after waking up in this world, when I thought I was stranded here all by myself with no idea of how to get home? Before Felix talked to me on the...Gear, right?

Those were a very, very long few hours.

[Her expression barely dims though, since Felix and Claude are both right here! It also brightens further as Felix extends his hand to her. Her eyes widen. Was that--? She gently sets Tritz down at her feet, with a quiet appeal to remain still and behave.

She then gratefully accepts the proffered pokeball with one hand, then deftly snatches his wrist in the other, drawing it closer hopefully before he has time to react. She gasps.]

Felix Hugo Fraldarius! When were you planning on telling me you got married??

[She beams with unfettered glee, and her excited bouncing threatens to set off the Igglybuff, but to Tritz's credit she remains calm, though possibly a bit put out about the hypocrisy of it all.]

Tell me, tell me, tell me! Or I'll ask Claude, and believe everything he tells me!

Hey--

[Felix startles when she grabs him and instinctively tries to pull his hand back, but he quickly aborts the motion, not wanting to knock Annette over. When he registers what she's saying, his face ignites from zero to bright red so fast it rivals things she's set on fire in the kitchen. It takes him a few seconds to find his words--in fact, he's still searching for them right up until she mentions asking Claude.]

No! Stop shouting. I'm not--I didn't--it's not--ugh.

[He facepalms briefly with his free hand and then mumbles his response, looking anywhere but at her or Claude. He just knows the latter is probably laughing at his suffering.]

I'm not...married. ...yet. It's...

[Come on, Fraldarius, just spit it out.]

I'm engaged.

[A pause.]

To Sylvain.

[Claude, for the record, is grinning so broadly that the sun couldn't outshine him. He couldn't look more pleased if he were the one Felix was engaged to.]

I helped them both pick out their engagement rings. [He declares this knowing Annette will be absolutely delighted right down to her toes and will demand all the details, and he fully intends to give them to her.]

[Annette's fists jump to her mouth, and her eyes start to shine with obviously joyful tears.]

Eeeeeeeeeeeeee! I knew it! I knew it!

[She totally didn't, but it IS obvious in hindsight.

She casts a hilariously terrible attempt at a dirty look towards Claude. It's mostly spoiled by the fact that she can't stop grinning.]

Claude, I have never been more jealous of a person in my life. Make it up to me and tell me everything!

Oh Felix, I'm so happy for you! And Sylvain! And I didn't miss the wedding! You know I have to hug you now, right?

You're still shouting. Or...squealing.

[He somehow manages to look more embarrassed now. Did all of Faerghus know about him and Sylvain before they did themselves? Ugh.

Still, it's hard to stay irritated when Annette Dominic is smiling like that over something he said. It's contagious, apparently, because he finds himself smiling back at her, even when his expression shifts to something in between mortification and resignation.]

If...if you must.

Edited 2021-03-29 07:55 (UTC)

[She needs no further permission and literally jumps to hug Felix with both arms...unfortunately forgetting about the Igglybuff at her feet, causing her to stumble into her intended target.]

Oop..oof!

[Felix was planning to sort of stand there awkwardly and get hugged, maybe pat her on the back a few times. Secretly like it, but tell no one. Instead--]

Wh - Annette!

[Instead, she's crashing into him with her full weight and he's flailing and falling backwards, and then throwing his arms around her tightly to protect her from the fall without thinking about it, and landing on his back with a thump.]

OOF. What - how did you -

[And then his face is flushing red, at the realization of where they ended up, here on...on the ground.]

...uh. Are you...you're not hurt, are you?

[Claude can't help the laughter he bursts into. For all the time he's spent with Dimitri and Felix and Sylvain, nothing's brought him back to their days at Garreg Mach - where everything was still okay, and all his friends between all three houses were still on friendly terms - quite as much as this moment does. It feels...wonderful. This is the kind of silliness he's missed so much since the war began, the kind of silliness that - for all his best efforts - has mostly been provided by him up until now.

This lighthearted atmosphere, and even more than that its happening naturally, without Claude having to generate it for his more depressed boyfriends...it lifts a weight off of him.

Also, he's pretty sure he's never seen Felix be as cute with anyone as he is with Annette. Not even Sylvain, despite the fact that no one could begin to argue that Felix doesn't love Sylvain with his whole heart. It's a very different dynamic there, and Claude's quick eyes could pick that up from a mile away - never mind observing it as up close as this.]

Don't worry, Annette, I'll give you all the details later. [In the meantime, he bends down to pat Tritz. Felix is checking on Annette, so Claude figures he should check on the pokémon that just got tripped on. (It doesn't even occur to him to check on Felix, both because you'd probably need to hit Felix with a Meteor spell to the face to seriously inconvenience him and because Felix would be offended if Claude asked.)] You okay there?

[Annette is mortified. She just tackled Felix! Felix! And in front of Claude! She's pretty sure she's been less embarrassed in nightmares where she had to give a class report in Hilda's clothing!

She lifts her weight off of Felix with her arms, and looks at him with absolute embarrassment and concern.]

"Felix! I'm so, so sorry, are you ok? I just landed on you! I'm such a klutz, I'm sorry! I--stop laughing Claude, don't be so mean! This isn't funny, I could've hurt him!"

[Her face suddenly burns even more red, if possible, as she suddenly realizes that there is no way that Felix of all people couldn't have nimbly sidestepped her fall. He only fell because he tried to catch her. Oh, Goddess.]

[closed] February Catch All

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@kae we decided to switch the posting order for this one lol

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FELIX IS DYING I hope you're happy

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