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[There are a lot of things Hubert was expecting during his time at Garreg Mach, but this is undoubtedly something he never could have prepared himself for.

Sure, he'd heard about the White Heron Cup, but he hadn't given it a second thought. It seems like the sort of thing that Dorothea and Ferdinand would find interesting, which means it's completely pointless.

When Professor Byleth stopped by to talk to him, he had asked if he'd be picked as the representative. Of course he wouldn't; in a class with Dorothea and Ferdinand and several other nobles, it wouldn't make sense to pick him of all people.

So naturally, the professor had done just that. Despite his confusion, he'd agreed and asked the professor for extra lessons. If he's going to do this (and it seems like he doesn't have much of a choice), then he's going to do his best to win. He isn't just representing the Black Eagles, he's representing Lady Edelgard, after all.

That's why he's out here in front of the Black Eagles classroom with Professor Byleth watching his dance moves. This is admittedly much harder than it would be with a partner, but even that couldn't get his movements to be any less stiff. They're precise and technically sound, but it's almost like there's nothing else to them, just steps following a silent beat. Hubert isn't really terrible, but he's certainly not going to be winning the cup like this.

...It would probably be easier if they weren't doing this in public. Obviously that's a bit of a stupid complaint, considering that the White Heron Cup will be held in front of a panel of judges and the entire monastery, but it certainly would be easier to get this practice session out of the way if he didn't feel like everyone's eyes were on him...

Oh well. There's really no fighting it, is there? Professor Byleth motions for him to run through the routine again, so he does without complaint. Eventually he'll get it; anything less than perfection would be unacceptable, after all.

Though really, this would have been much better if it had been left to someone else...]

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[Oh dear, it looks like that was the limit of Ferdinand's patience. Under any other circumstances he would have considered that a win, not that this is a game they're playing, and not that he's been keeping score. Had this happened at any other point in time, he would have left Ferdinand to pout without a second thought.

But in this unique set of circumstances, Ferdinand's refusal to cooperate only serves to hurt Hubert's own chances at winning the White Heron Cup, which in turn will look badly on all the Black Eagles and especially on Lady Edelgard. The best thing to do would be to swallow his pride and apologize, though that's far easier said than done with Ferdinand von Aegir.

Hubert's temptation is to leave it; they will have more chances for this, after all. Ferdinand is the sort to bounce back quickly. Even if he's irritated now, he'll seek Hubert out later to arrange another time for these lessons, because Ferdinand is just as competitive and he certainly won't give up so easily. So really, there's no reason to hang around.

And yet he finds it more difficult than it should be to leave. It should be simple enough to slip back into the shadows and leave Ferdinand with a parting blow, and yet...

Perhaps he's still feeling a bit flustered from the proximity. Strange.]

I will attempt to avoid irritating you as badly next time.

[The words leave him before he can think twice about them, which is just more proof that something about this has thrown him off in a way he doesn't like. He's able to keep his expression neutral, but the words themselves are... a bit stiff, at best, and lacking in their usual bite at worst. It's almost like he's being sincere.

(Is he?)

As if to make up for it, he settles back into his usual tone immediately after.]

I make no promises, however.

[ Based on past experience, Ferdinand fully expects Hubert to either continue laughing at him or slink away without another word, so he is surprised when he...apologizes? As close to an apology as one can get from Hubert von Vestra, anyway.

Ferdinand blinks at him for a moment, brows raised, before he manages to collect himself. ]

I... appreciate the effort.

[ Slowly, as though he is certain Hubert will rescind his words the moment Ferdinand acknowledges them. Ferdinand is also sincere, however, and Hubert's attempt is enough to placate him, his irritation and embarrassment falling away for the moment. It doesn't take much, really; his anger is quick to rise, when provoked, but equally quick to dissipate. ]

Shall we plan on the same time tomorrow, then?

[He doesn't rescind his words, but he does watch Ferdinand carefully for his reaction. He's aware that Ferdinand tends to puff himself up but deflates easily once he's no longer irritated, and it's good to see that this has settled him a bit. Still, it's sort of strange to watch it happen in regards to something he's said. Usually they agitate each other so badly that someone leaves the conversation. This is the first time they've ever managed to settle back into normalcy (for a given degree of "normalcy"), isn't it?

Strange.]

Yes, that's acceptable. Here, I assume?

[It's certainly easier for them both to be away from prying eyes.]

[ Ferdinand still feels awkward in the face of Hubert's apology, and he has never been particularly good at schooling his expressions, so he looks a little bit--chagrined, maybe. Mostly he is now embarrassed that he's the one responsible for cutting their practice short, but despite his generally boundless energy and enthusiasm Ferdinand feels that he does, in fact, need to call it a day. Possibly to process the events of the past hour.

He clears his throat, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. ]

If you are not opposed, then yes. I will see you here.

[A brief nod.]

Very well. I will see you then.

[With no more reason to stay, Hubert's quick to turn on his heel and... okay, escape is not quite the right word, but he does move quickly. It's partially because he doesn't like the chapel, but there's something weird about all of this that he can't put his finger on. It was too... civil, perhaps? Not that that's a bad thing, it's just... very strange.

But true to his word, he'll be back tomorrow at the appointed time. Of course, he's hanging out in the shadows, but it's not like there's anywhere else he'd be. Are you still showing up on time, Ferdinand?]

[ Ferdinand is punctual, but not so early that he arrives before Hubert tonight. Despite the fact that they have chosen a discreet spot for their evening meetings there is, of course, some general tittering across Garreg Mach about Professor Byleth's choice of dancer, as well as their display in the courtyard the other day.

The gossip does not particularly bother him; it's mostly harmless. But he does feel bothered by the fact that they could be much further along by now, and so the moment Ferdinand spots Hubert he gets right down to it. ]

Hubert. I wanted to apologize for cutting our practice short yesterday.

[ An apology for an apology, so now they are even. ]

[It's hard not to overhear the rumors. Sure, Hubert tends to keep a close eye on everyone and makes it his business to pay attention to things like this despite his disinterest in idle gossip, but it's honestly a bit embarrassing...

Not that he'd ever admit that, of course. The professor chose him for this so it's his duty to win. For Lady Edelgard's sake. He won't have the Black Eagles class look bad, regardless of his personal feelings toward dancing. Or his dance instructor.

He's not surprised Ferdinand's on time, and he nods in greeting. He's certainly not expecting the apology, and his visible eyebrow arches at it.]

You don't need to apologize.

[It's true, as far as he's concerned. It's not as though Ferdinand did anything wrong. Getting riled up so easily is hardly a good thing, but it isn't as though it's something warranting an apology.

But for whatever reason, Ferdinand has decided to apologize. Hubert can't claim to understand how Ferdinand's mind works, so perhaps the best thing to do would be...]

If you're that concerned about it, we can practice for longer today. Will that do?

[It's what's necessary in order to ensure his victory, that's all. It isn't as though he genuinely wouldn't mind, because it's not like Ferdinand has been surprisingly tolerable through all this. No. It's just because it will help him win.]

[ The prospect of spending additional time with Hubert doesn't exactly fill Ferdinand's heart with joy, but he also doesn't feel an immediate sense of dread, for once. That, he supposes, is some sort of progress.

He can't help but wonder if the feeling is mutual, but tucks that thought away, for the moment. He also wonders if this may have been part of their professor's goals; she and Edelgard value cooperation and teamwork, and Ferdinand certainly agrees on principle, though it is not always so simple in practice. ]

I suppose that is reasonable.

[ The evening air is brisk, but not unpleasant, and Ferdinand is glad at least to have an excuse to warm up a bit.

Through movement, of course. Not by being close to Hubert. ]

I'll let you lead tonight, if you wish.

[He nods at that and considers throwing a jab out there. At this point it's almost second-nature to try to rile Ferdinand up, even when there's no reason for it and it can only be detrimental. But he catches himself, and silently vows not to be particularly rude until at least the halfway point in their session. He can do that much, at least.

Maybe if he stopped and thought about it, he'd at least come to some understanding of why Ferdinand irritates him far more than any of the rest of their class. Even Caspar and Linhardt don't grate on his nerves as badly, and both of them are highly annoying. But of course, Hubert doesn't bother with it, because whatever it is clearly can't be that big of a concern.

And besides, the primary goal here is to win the White Heron Cup. So he'll play nice with Ferdinand for now, because that's what's necessary.

He offers his hand, and once Ferdinand's ready, he'll begin.]

Instruct me as you see fit. I'm aware I still have plenty of flaws left to work on.

[It's true, he does. While everything is still mechanically sound and he can keep to the beat perfectly, even without music, he still leaves much to be desired. He's danced with Ferdinand enough to pick up on the embellishments and flourishes that Ferdinand adds and can accommodate for and copy them well enough, but there's still a sense of rigidity behind every movement. Almost like he isn't relaxed - and perhaps doesn't even know how to.]

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