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« ARROW.OF.JUSTICE » TEXT ✧ AUDIO ✧ VIDEO ✧ ACTION ASHE UBERT ✦ FIRE EMBLEM: THREE HOUSES
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GEMBOND ✦ Emerald

Ashe here! Sorry I missed you! Leave me a message please so I can get back to you.

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Yeah. I wasn't really worried about being lost. I was thinkin' about what'd happen when I was found. Getting found with or without Holst made a big difference.

[Now he's quiet for a long minute.]

It all went south when I got sent to the Officer's Academy. They screen for Crests, y'know, and that's when they found mine. Well — it's Fódlan nobility, yeah? There's no chance a Crestless younger son is gonna inherit a noble house when there's an elder with a Crest kicking around, questionable parentage or not. That's when the bitch got murderous. She had to; there was no chance of her son taking the barony any other way.

That makes sense.

[And it does add in the perspective. It wasn't just Balthus worried about his friend, it almost meant his own safety in a way.

Finally unable to help himself, he goes to put his hand over Balthus'. There's not really a sense of pity, but just frustration about the past he's endured. It does help bring some understanding, including the nightmare they shared. So, Ashe does what he instinctively desires, and that's to give comfort.]

Do you know what your brother thinks about any of it?

Oh, he's in a bad spot. We get along pretty well, he and I; I actually think he'll make a better Lord Albrecht than I would. He's got the head for it. You know, a numbers and books guy, not a soldier. But Albrecht's pretty tiny, he's taking over more forests and villages than he is armies.

[He sips his tea, seeming to realize that he's gotten off-track, and circles back around to it again.]

He knew he was getting the princely treatment while his mom was taking out all her frustrations on me. There just wasn't much he could do about it, aside from keeping his head down. He couldn't have stopped her.

[For a second, his expression darkens.]

My pops could've, maybe. If he'd tried.

[He had hoped that Balthus' brother would at least see the truth of it, which is at least something, even if he couldn't do anything about it. Gently, he squeezes Balthus' hand.]

Did your dad just look the other way?

[Which is frustrating. So frustrating. It isn't what a father should be.]

He needed my stepmom's money, I think. Albrecht's not all that big, and we're not all that rich, but we've got some land named after us and that's not nothing. My stepmom, she's just the opposite. Her family's got money, but no status, so they bankroll a lot of what goes on in Albrecht and, y'know, I guess she wanted her kid to get a title out of it for her trouble.

[He sighs, turning his hand over so that they're more properly holding each others', and so that he can give Ashe's a faint squeeze in return.]

My dad...is a guy being pulled in a lot of directions. Whatever his reasons, he doesn't pull back.

I can see why he might have just let her do as she pleased, but that still doesn't make it okay. You're his son. That's not-- fathers should do better to stand by their kids.

[He really is trying to not project much on that factor, but he certainly relates.]

I guess there's no changing it much now.

Hey, you're preaching to the choir on that one, pal. I'm sure not saying I forgive him for it. Just that...I guess, now that I'm older, I understand a little better? Like being tall enough to see over a wall. When you're a kid, you can only see up to the wall, but once you're grown up, you can see that much and what's on the other side of it. But it's still the same wall, no matter what you do.

[That metaphor probably makes sense on some planet. Probably.]

He loved my mom, you know. And she loved him. And he still let them do that to her. But that's never gonna be me, no sir. You won't catch me letting down somebody I love 'cause I'm too weak to stand up for 'em.

I guess that makes sense.

[A small laugh escapes him, and Ashe stands up, finally making good on his own instincts by reaching out and giving Balthus a hug.]

You're a good man, Balthus. And definitely a strong one, through and through. I know you'd do right by the people you love.

Hey, you're no slouch yourself, you know.

[He joins Ashe in a soft laugh, but there's something almost profoundly sad in it, something that escapes only once Ashe's arms are already around him.]

Thanks for listening, Ashe. For being there for me.

I appreciate that, but I'm not worried about me right now.

[He leans his head a little bit against Balthus' shoulder.]

Of course. You've been such a good friend to me. I only want to be just as good in return. And... if you're ever in the area and need a place to stay, you're welcome in Castle Gaspard. All right?

A place to stay, huh...?

[He smiles, mostly to himself, and it's a little melancholy and a little fond.]

Always handy to know where the good hiding spots are. I might just take you up on that, someday.

Good. You'll always be welcome. All my friends are.

Can I do anything else for you?

Well, now that you mention it, I could use a loan...

[He waits a beat, then laughs.]

I'm just kidding. How about you just let me stay here awhile? We'll let Growlst have the run of the house on his own for a while.

[That gets him for a second, and he is honestly ready to give what Balthus needs -- but as soon as he makes it clear it's a joke, Ashe does laugh, giving him a playful nudge.]

Of course. Stay as long as you'd like! I know the Professor wouldn't mind.

And thank you for trusting me with what you wanted to share. It means a lot.

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