[Hubert's been called many things in his life, but it's safe to say onion was not one of them. Goddess, this has been a strange month. And did she say vows? Plural? Hubert's stunned long enough that, before he could respond to any one piece of that, Bernadetta was gone. He's left in flabberghasted silence, staring out the open door.]
[What did he get himself into?]
---
[Hubert hadn't exactly imagined himself forging another Bond so soon, even if... "soon" has been several months. Still, he'd been serious in his offer to anchor Bernadetta against the Monsters' influence, whatever she might turn out to be, and it would increase his magical ability. That it seemed to make Bernadetta happy was no small detail, either. That still puzzled him.]
[He'd arrived early, waiting patiently at the Coven in the hallway outside the chamber. Spotting her approach, Hubert stands from the bench and offers her a prim bow in greeting.]
[She's worked hard on her vows for the bond. Honestly she's wondering if maybe she worked too hard on them. Still, it feels right to put extra effort in when it comes to doing anything with someone like Hubert. He constantly gives all or nothing so she feels she should do the same.
But she's ready. She's got this. Though she's kind of wondering if she's losing weight because her clothes are ever so slightly looser. It's nothing really that noticeable to the outside eye so she thinks nothing of it. Maybe it's just the stress she had coming here.
Yep. Definitely it.
Anyway, she offers a little smile when he bows and even gives a bow back. It's not nearly as prim as his, she's not as practiced since that kind of thing was tossed out the window awhile ago. Still, she does try to make it look nice for him!]
Yes! I think so. I hope so. Maybe you could say yours first? But I'm ready!
[He nods, even offering a faint smile back. She seems steady today. That's good.]
Of course; a simple matter.
[He turns, opening the door for her, and entering into the chamber. A harried Coven Witch startles up from a desk, adjusting her glasses and ushering them both in.]
[Further in the room opens up to a chamber, an intricate magic circle etched into the floor. Hubert begins removing his gloves as the Witch launches into an explanation of the ritual, not dissimilar from Hubert's prior one: they stand in the circle; they hold hands; they say their vow. A simple and quick procedure.]
[Hubert makes his way to his spot in the center of the large sigil, calmly offering both his uncovered hands out for Bernadetta.]
It feels strange, the first time—not unlike developing an extra sense. You should adapt to the Bond within a week or two, I would think.
[Right. Because of the magical empathy...thing. She's still not entirely sure how that will work but she's ready for it. She thinks. No, she definitely is. If she doesn't think about it then she's definitely ready.
Taking her gloves off, she looks around as the explanation is given.]
Mm. Like you're never quite alone, even if no one's there. To feel another's emotions as your own... if you aren't vigilant, there may be times you may not even notice they aren't yours.
[He... didn't expect that to be an issue with Bernadetta, given how different they were as people and in mindset. It's the similar emotions that threatened to bleed together, in his experience. Gently, he takes her hands in his.]
And times, the Bond is... trying. It is possible to hide things, but it's difficult to do so, and unhealthy for the Bond itself in long term. Sometimes, the level of honesty demanded by it is intimidating.
[But then, Hubert was a stoic and secretive person. Others' mileage may vary.]
[She's been so alone for most of her life that this sort of sounds...comforting? It's hard for her to find the right word for it but she supposes that's the best one. She doesn't think on it too hard as she curls her hands around his.
Still so warm. So soft. They're so unlike the man they belong to but honestly she thinks that's what makes it so special. Because only a choice few get to know about the tenderness to him.
It means a lot that she gets to be one of them.]
I'm not very good at hiding how I feel. But I'll try to make it not so stressful for you.
[It's the best she can do really. Okay, deep breath in.]
[The Coven Witch takes her cue, and spreads her hands and begins to chant something.
Then I offer this to you, Berndetta: I vow to safeguard you to the best of my ability, as any Bonded should. It is my hope that I might be a grounding force in the face of your many fears. We will stand together, and both be stronger for it.
[With his words, Hubert feels power beginning to run through the lines of the circle. The ritual's magic gathers in his fingertips like static, waiting for a circuit to close. The spell gently plucks out invisible, ghostly threads from his soul, ready to weave them through another's.]
[That vow is so nice. It's one that says he'll be there and that he will protect her. But that he will stand with her too. There's so much faith in that it makes her smile as she looks down at their hands.]
Hubert, I vow to make myself as useful to you as I can be. By being bonded to you, I hope to become stronger so I won't disappoint you. Maybe even so you can be proud to be with me.
[Her cheeks color and she adds one more thing. Something she didn't write but something she suddenly feels inspired to add.]
I vow to protect you when you don't feel strong. No matter what.
[She gasps a little as the feeling of the ritual causes the circuit to close between them. Tying them together and making them become as one. Basically. She doesn't know if it's really quite like that but it... It feels like that?
But it also feels really good. Comforting somehow.]
[There it is again, that complete awareness of another person, settling next to Edelgard's in his mind. Looking down as Bernadetta was, Hubert couldn't see her blush, but he felt the sentiment behind it.]
[And as the ritual closes, magic begins to move between them like a gentle current, flowing from Hubert's hands as he'd demonstrated before—but now automatically, a give and take, that same magic passing through his new Bonded and returning to him cleaner, purer. It's refreshing, like a drink of water he hadn't realized he'd needed.]
[Hubert chuckles, shaking his head slightly. His emotions, even with the effects of the Bond, feel vaguely distant, as if he held his own emotions at arm's length from himself. Somewhat amused, but also pleased.]
Again with this talk of usefulness and disappointment. There is something I once had to clarify with Petra, and I think it would do as much good here—I consider you a friend, Bernadetta. And I value that friendship, though I realize I am poor at expressing such. As much as I appreciate your drive to be useful to me—and Lady Edelgard—that is not the sole factor by which I consider you.
[He valued the friendship of all of the Eagles, at this point, and Hubert was beginning to realize to how many that wasn't readily apparent.]
[But most of all, their new Bond carried nothing but the sincerity of his words. Hubert meant that.]
[She doesn't feel alone like this. There's always someone there and it's a friend. It's Hubert. Bernadetta is a little moved by how protected it makes her feel. Smiling, she looks down at the hands she's still holding.]
I'm sorry for doubting it. That wasn't fair to you.
[Lifting her head, she offers him a smile.]
It's still hard for me to figure out how to be a friend since it's still new to me. I guess I just thought being useful would mean I was doing well.
[A little giggle and she looks at the flower that he wears for her. She's not scared of him anymore, something he can easily feel now that they're bonded. Bernadetta has always been a more emotional young woman compared to some. It's not easy for her to hide any of what she feels.]
If that is something you would like me to hold you to, then I shall.
[This is quite a different experience than it was with Edelgard. Her emotions were more tightly controlled, if not to the same degree as Hubert's. In the dream, he'd doubted her in turn, when she'd said he was safe. Bernadetta really did feel that way, didn't she?]
But, I wouldn't worry too much; it seems you are in good company, Bernadetta. There are a great deal of things I need to learn, myself.
[She opens her mouth like she's thinking of arguing. He can probably feel that for a second she's thinking about it. But then she changes her mind. Instead, determination rushes in.]
Yes. I can't change or get better if people don't hold me to it!
[And who better than Hubert to hold her to it? He's her bond mate now so he'll know for sure if she's falling short!]
Maybe I could hold you to it too? To getting better and learning?
[He tugs on her hands gently in a subtle gesture to start moving. They're still standing in the middle of the ritual circle, after all; the presiding Witch is still standing there patiently, but she also seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. Newly Bonded always did seem to forget everything else and have a moment.]
[But Hubert also gives a small nod of approval; that rush of determination was a good thing. But... a vague hesitation follows it. He hadn't meant learning spellcraft, though that'd be the easiest assumption to make.]
[Hubert wasn't in a hurry to clarify. It was something he was still unsure of, himself.] That would be fair, yes. We are equal partners in this link we share. Should we consider that woven into our vows?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bloodypath) wrote2019-10-03 11:06 am
And then a day or two later...
[An... onion...?]
[Hubert's been called many things in his life, but it's safe to say onion was not one of them. Goddess, this has been a strange month. And did she say vows? Plural? Hubert's stunned long enough that, before he could respond to any one piece of that, Bernadetta was gone. He's left in flabberghasted silence, staring out the open door.]
[What did he get himself into?]
---
[Hubert hadn't exactly imagined himself forging another Bond so soon, even if... "soon" has been several months. Still, he'd been serious in his offer to anchor Bernadetta against the Monsters' influence, whatever she might turn out to be, and it would increase his magical ability. That it seemed to make Bernadetta happy was no small detail, either. That still puzzled him.]
[He'd arrived early, waiting patiently at the Coven in the hallway outside the chamber. Spotting her approach, Hubert stands from the bench and offers her a prim bow in greeting.]
Good day, Bernadetta. Are you prepared?
no subject
But she's ready. She's got this. Though she's kind of wondering if she's losing weight because her clothes are ever so slightly looser. It's nothing really that noticeable to the outside eye so she thinks nothing of it. Maybe it's just the stress she had coming here.
Yep. Definitely it.
Anyway, she offers a little smile when he bows and even gives a bow back. It's not nearly as prim as his, she's not as practiced since that kind of thing was tossed out the window awhile ago. Still, she does try to make it look nice for him!]
Yes! I think so. I hope so. Maybe you could say yours first? But I'm ready!
no subject
Of course; a simple matter.
[He turns, opening the door for her, and entering into the chamber. A harried Coven Witch startles up from a desk, adjusting her glasses and ushering them both in.]
[Further in the room opens up to a chamber, an intricate magic circle etched into the floor. Hubert begins removing his gloves as the Witch launches into an explanation of the ritual, not dissimilar from Hubert's prior one: they stand in the circle; they hold hands; they say their vow. A simple and quick procedure.]
[Hubert makes his way to his spot in the center of the large sigil, calmly offering both his uncovered hands out for Bernadetta.]
It feels strange, the first time—not unlike developing an extra sense. You should adapt to the Bond within a week or two, I would think.
no subject
Taking her gloves off, she looks around as the explanation is given.]
Does it really feel so different?
[He would know! Who better to ask?]
no subject
[He... didn't expect that to be an issue with Bernadetta, given how different they were as people and in mindset. It's the similar emotions that threatened to bleed together, in his experience. Gently, he takes her hands in his.]
And times, the Bond is... trying. It is possible to hide things, but it's difficult to do so, and unhealthy for the Bond itself in long term. Sometimes, the level of honesty demanded by it is intimidating.
[But then, Hubert was a stoic and secretive person. Others' mileage may vary.]
no subject
[She's been so alone for most of her life that this sort of sounds...comforting? It's hard for her to find the right word for it but she supposes that's the best one. She doesn't think on it too hard as she curls her hands around his.
Still so warm. So soft. They're so unlike the man they belong to but honestly she thinks that's what makes it so special. Because only a choice few get to know about the tenderness to him.
It means a lot that she gets to be one of them.]
I'm not very good at hiding how I feel. But I'll try to make it not so stressful for you.
[It's the best she can do really. Okay, deep breath in.]
Okay. Ready.
no subject
Then I offer this to you, Berndetta: I vow to safeguard you to the best of my ability, as any Bonded should. It is my hope that I might be a grounding force in the face of your many fears. We will stand together, and both be stronger for it.
[With his words, Hubert feels power beginning to run through the lines of the circle. The ritual's magic gathers in his fingertips like static, waiting for a circuit to close. The spell gently plucks out invisible, ghostly threads from his soul, ready to weave them through another's.]
no subject
Hubert, I vow to make myself as useful to you as I can be. By being bonded to you, I hope to become stronger so I won't disappoint you. Maybe even so you can be proud to be with me.
[Her cheeks color and she adds one more thing. Something she didn't write but something she suddenly feels inspired to add.]
I vow to protect you when you don't feel strong. No matter what.
[She gasps a little as the feeling of the ritual causes the circuit to close between them. Tying them together and making them become as one. Basically. She doesn't know if it's really quite like that but it... It feels like that?
But it also feels really good. Comforting somehow.]
no subject
[And as the ritual closes, magic begins to move between them like a gentle current, flowing from Hubert's hands as he'd demonstrated before—but now automatically, a give and take, that same magic passing through his new Bonded and returning to him cleaner, purer. It's refreshing, like a drink of water he hadn't realized he'd needed.]
[Hubert chuckles, shaking his head slightly. His emotions, even with the effects of the Bond, feel vaguely distant, as if he held his own emotions at arm's length from himself. Somewhat amused, but also pleased.]
Again with this talk of usefulness and disappointment. There is something I once had to clarify with Petra, and I think it would do as much good here—I consider you a friend, Bernadetta. And I value that friendship, though I realize I am poor at expressing such. As much as I appreciate your drive to be useful to me—and Lady Edelgard—that is not the sole factor by which I consider you.
[He valued the friendship of all of the Eagles, at this point, and Hubert was beginning to realize to how many that wasn't readily apparent.]
[But most of all, their new Bond carried nothing but the sincerity of his words. Hubert meant that.]
no subject
I'm sorry for doubting it. That wasn't fair to you.
[Lifting her head, she offers him a smile.]
It's still hard for me to figure out how to be a friend since it's still new to me. I guess I just thought being useful would mean I was doing well.
[A little giggle and she looks at the flower that he wears for her. She's not scared of him anymore, something he can easily feel now that they're bonded. Bernadetta has always been a more emotional young woman compared to some. It's not easy for her to hide any of what she feels.]
I'll try to get better. Promise.
no subject
[This is quite a different experience than it was with Edelgard. Her emotions were more tightly controlled, if not to the same degree as Hubert's. In the dream, he'd doubted her in turn, when she'd said he was safe. Bernadetta really did feel that way, didn't she?]
But, I wouldn't worry too much; it seems you are in good company, Bernadetta. There are a great deal of things I need to learn, myself.
no subject
Yes. I can't change or get better if people don't hold me to it!
[And who better than Hubert to hold her to it? He's her bond mate now so he'll know for sure if she's falling short!]
Maybe I could hold you to it too? To getting better and learning?
no subject
[But Hubert also gives a small nod of approval; that rush of determination was a good thing. But... a vague hesitation follows it. He hadn't meant learning spellcraft, though that'd be the easiest assumption to make.]
[Hubert wasn't in a hurry to clarify. It was something he was still unsure of, himself.] That would be fair, yes. We are equal partners in this link we share. Should we consider that woven into our vows?