Claude

Petra

Oh! I didn't actually think you'd be here.

You think I am not here, but you were calling for me?

It seemed best to call out as soon as I arrived. I can never tell when you're here and it wouldn't be good for my heart if you just dropped in from outta nowhere.

When I was arriving, I called out for Claude too. I was thinking it would give me joy if you were here.

Is that a fact? I'm honored. Anyway, I see you beat me here today. Say, Petra... Wouldn't it be great if, no matter bad the war gets, at least this place stayed peaceful?

Yes, I think so. I like this tree. It gives me calmness.

I like this tree too. It feels like it's always welcoming and reliable.

But... when the war has ended, I must be leaving this tree. I must be returning to Brigid. Claude... my grandfather has been saying that I must be... must find a husband of Fódlan.

Whoa! Where did that come from? You sly minx, have you been searching for a suitor all this time?

If Fódlan and Brigid become bound by marriage, it will give my grandfather great joy.

Well, you are a princess, so it makes sense that you have obligations.

I am not having an obligation. I will only be marrying if I find a good person.

So you just need to find a man who meets your expectations? That could be tricky...

No, I will be finding one. It will not be a problem.

It is my secret. I will not be telling him yet.

I see. Do you think he can give you the kind of future you deserve?

I am not knowing about the future. But my perfection... my perfect husband could be him. And if he gives refusal, I will be tying him up and dragging him home.

Tie up?! Well... I'm sure the lucky man will learn to accept his fate one way or another! Besides, I doubt any man would reject a proposal from a catch like you.

The training equipment needed maintenance, so I thought I'd give it a good cleaning and some oil.

If you intend to use something a lot, it's on you to take good care of it.

You are a noble who does not have fear of working with hardness or becoming dirty. And you can climb trees. I am... impressed.

Thanks, but to be honest, I don't think being a noble really has anything to do with anything. Nobles and commoners are all equal here. We're all buddies. Even you do chores, don't you? Social rank doesn't matter when you put your life in each other's hands. I like that about this place.

I have your same opinion. Status is something chosen by chance, not by a person. Everything became different when I came from Brigid to the Empire. Nobility does not stop life from surprising you.

I know just what you mean. It's not like the ancestors of the nobility or royalty were selected by the goddess herself, after all. What does origin or status matter? In the grand scheme of things, we're all just insignificant mortals. Nobility isn't a matter of birthright alone. At least, not in my eyes.

Claude, you are... very much strange for a noble.

Thanks, and same to you. You're a princess of Brigid, right? If I'm a strange noble, you are too!

I am normal in Brigid. In Fódlan, you are an... abnormality.

Ha! An abnormality, am I? Gentleman that I am, I'll go ahead and take that as a compliment.

I think also that your heart is kind. I am thinking that you will be a good king.

I'll remember that. But for now, this equipment isn't going to clean itself.

I will be helping you. We will join together our efforts.

You're an abnormality, Princess. A wonderful abnormality.

This looks like an ideal place to take a nap. Only one way to know for sure. Ahhh, and there's a nice breeze today too...

Why are you taking a sleep on the ground, Claude?

Were you up in that tree the whole time? I couldn't feel your presence at all! Amazing!

It is safe to take sleep in the tree's top. Why would you choose the dangerous ground instead?

Your logic is sound, I'll give you that. But how is one supposed to get up there without losing the sleepies from the effort?

I do not know what is meant by the sleepies, but getting in the tree's top is easy. And you will be using all of your energy, so that good sleep will find you up in the tree.

I see. That makes a certain kind of sense. But it's not as relaxing as a good ground sleep.

Give it some trying. And do not think with too much hardness when you return to the ground. Feel it. If you stop for thinking, your arms will get heavy.

That is way more thought than I had hoped to give this nap of mine. But I'm not one to give up before even trying. Here goes nothing!

I have not known a noble here who can climb trees. Is this a weakness of Fódlan nobles?

Nope, not a weakness... I just... How do I... ARGH!

You should be quitting. It is a danger to be falling from such a height.

I think that's enough for today. This might sound like an excuse, but we don't have a lot of tall trees where I grew up. This is all new to me.

You should take your sleep on the ground. I will take mine in the tree.

Where else? Wait, I'll meet you down there...

Claude! I thought you were not able to climb the trees?

True! Which is exactly why I worked like a madman to devise a new climbing technique.

I have much admiration for that! To climb is a skill with value.

What can I say, I just... OK, so I may have cheated a little. By using my bow to shoot a rope over a branch. Or a few branches. Or all of the branches. But once I got up there and hauled up the ropes, it was the same result as if I'd climbed it your way!

I am understanding. That costs more time though, so it is not the best thing for hunting. But you are not harming the tree, so that is... an advantage. I am liking this technique.

You're right. I didn't harm the tree at all. I'm surprised that impressed you.

The tree has a spirit. If you hurt the tree, you will give its spirit anger.

I see. I take it the people of Brigid have a close relationship with nature, then?

Trees give us food and also shelter. We are needing them, and they are needing us.

True. The people of Fódlan believe everything is a blessing from the goddess. They've forgotten to be grateful to nature too. Nature gives us life. Sustains us. Without it, we couldn't breathe. Couldn't live. It's everything. It's fine to pray to the goddess, but we have to respect nature too. Don't you think?

Yes. I do not know this goddess, but I know nature. That is the knowing I prefer to have.

Triangle Attack