Hello, Goodbye

Three Houses

I woke the next morning with a pounding at my door. I turned too suddenly and fell into the floor. 'What the hell?'  I got up slowly and stumbled over to the door. I opened it and there stood Claude with a giddy grin on his face. I turned to the side to let him in my room. "Why were you still asleep Thal? This is no time to sleep." I gave him a gentle shove and went to sit on my bed. "What's got you in such a mess already today." He sat down next to me energetically, almost causing me to bounce up from the bed. "You are not going to believe what happened! So, we were resting at camp after our training exercise and then we were attacked by bandits. They chased us into Remire Village where we ran in to some mercenaries who saved us." Before he could ramble on any farther I put my hand on his shoulder. "Claude sweetie... it is way too early for this." I stood up and made my way to my dresser.

"Come on, Thal! You can't be a little excited for me? It was awesome. Not to mention those other two can fight." I laughed at the pure excitement that poured out from my friend. "Yes, yes I'm excited for you. Now get out so I can change clothes!" I shoved him out of my room quickly and began to change into my designated school uniform. I couldn't help but notice that it was rather flattering. More so than I was used to in clothing. I slipped on my boots and grabbed my key off the bedside table. I opened the door to see Claude still standing there,  but he was accompanied by a short girl with two bright pink pigtails. "Thalia this is Hilda. Hilda this is Thalia. She's been staying with us in Deirdriu." She nodded to me and the three of us began to walk out into the main corrder. "I think they said the main classrooms would be right...yup here they are!" Hilda's excitement would just about rival Claudes. 

"Wow this is actually kinda big for a classroom." I meant to say to myself but it came out loud instead. Claude only laughed. "It is a decent sized room I suppose." Hilda seemed kind but kind of uppity in a way too. I shook it off as I began to look around at the books the lined the shelves of the room. I picked one up and began to skim through its pages, when out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of blonde walking across the courtyard. I put the book back on the shelf and snuck out of the room, making my way towards the tall blonde. He stopped about two-thirds of the way down and looked at the flowers that were blooming there. I almost didn't speak for fear of spooking him. "Claude told me what happened yesterday. You're alright aren't you?" he turned to me suddenly but then his expression softened, a smile gracing his features. 

"Yes. Luckily nobody was injuried. Has anyone showed you around the monastery yet? If not I would be delighted to! If that's alright with you." I smiled and shook my head. "Not yet. So if your up for it, I would be grateful!" He only nodded. "Alright then. Shall we?" I nodded and we began walking. As we were walking he would point out every little place at the monastery and what you could do there. I was amazed at just how big this place was. I was also amazed at just how much Dimitri knew about the place. Our final stop was the dinning hall where we both sat down and ate. "Thank you so much for showing me around Dimitri. Really, it means a lot!" He nodded while continuing to eat slowly. "It was no problem really. So, Thalia... what's your family like." I froze for a split second. Unsure of what I could tell him and what I shouldn't. 

"I'm not for sure to be honest. I was orphaned when I was nine. Some soldiers who were guarding Fodlan's Throat found me one day and brought me to Duke Riegan. I've been with that family ever since." Dimitri only looked at me with sadness in his eyes. "My apologies Thalia. I did not mean to bring up..." I waved my hands in front of my face. "No no! It's fine. Don't berate yourself over it. Claude's family is my family. He's like a big brother to me." I wanted to ask him about his family as well, but I refrained. It was very subtle but I could sense some darkness lurking beneath Dimitri's eyes. I smiled softly and continued to eat my food. "Thalia! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you." Claude approached us with a frantic look in his eyes. I went to speak but Dimitri beat me to it. "Hello Claude. No need to worry. I was showing Thalia around the Monastery. My apologies for making you worry." Claude instantly began to calm down at Dimitri's words. "Oh. Well alright then. Care to walk with me for a bit Thal?" I nodded happily before getting up from the table.

"Thank you once again for your kindness Dimitri. It is greatly appreciated." I smiled to the boy before walking out of the dinning hall with Claude. "I'm sorry Claude. I didn't mean to worry you." A heavy sigh left his lips as he stopped walking. "It's fine Thalia. It's just next time you decide to run off with a prince from another country, at least let a guy know." I giggled and Claude just looked at me before he joined in the laughter as well. He wrapped his arm around my head and began to ruffle my hair. "Lets go ya dork." We then walked back to our dorm and spent the remainder of the afternoon drinking tea and talking about the various people we had encountered that day. "Go get some rest Thalia. I have a funny feeling that tomorrow is going to be a long day." I nodded before walking out of his room and closing his door behind me. My body felt restless, so I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. 

I walked past my room and down into the main courtyard. I wasn't quite sure where I was headed so I just let my feet carry me. I found myself at the stairwell outside the first floor dormitory, next to the sauna. There was a small bench beside the stairwell so I sat there and contemplated my thoughts. I couldn't believe that tomorrow would be the start of a new journey for me. If it wasn't for Claude I wouldn't be here right now. No words could ever express how greatful I was for that boy. I looked up and for some reason the sky was so much brighter tonight. I could see all my hopes and dreams in the night sky and they didn't feel all that far away either. "Is everything okay, Thalia." I was brought back down to earth as I noticed Dimitri standing in front of me. He had sweat trickling down from his forehead but a look of concern painted his face. "Oh yes. Everything's fine. I couldn't sleep and was just admiring the night sky that's all. Getting in some last minute training, I take it." He laughed softly before sitting down next to me.

"Yes, as I do most nights." I observed his features silently. I chose my next words carefully, unsure of what to say. "I know we only just met yesterday Dimitri. But... if you ever need to talk about anything and you don't know who to turn to. You can talk to me." A small gasp could be heard from beside me. Heat had rose to my face and I was sure he could see it under the moonlight, so I didn't turn to look at him. "Thalia I.... thank you." I smiled and got up from the bench, a yawn making its way from my lips. "It's not a problem at all. But I mean it. If you need to talk about anything at all, I'll be here. I'm going to turn in for the night. Goodnight Dimitri." I made my way back to my room leaving a very surprised and startled prince behind me.