Chapter Text
“Ashe, for now on you shall be taught by me in the Golden Deer house.”
It was words spoken by the professor that had sent Ashe into a turmoil. Who wouldn't be shocked by that? Getting suddenly thrust into a new house was a huge deal at the monastery, considering you were placed in the house from which land you came from. He's not even sure he has the courage to write to Lord Lonato about this sudden change..
It's not as if Byleth or anyone had forced him into it. No one wanted him out of his own house either, but he did have some say on the matter. As quiet as the professor tended to be he still had quite the charisma, not to mention he was pretty skilled with a bow from what he's heard.
But why would Byleth want him? He had the
best
archer already in his class! How could he compare himself to someone well trained like Claude was? A house leader
and
a noble!
And then looking at himself he.. He was just a former thief adopted into a minor noble family. Nothing but a mere commoner to the eyes of many, including himself. Even so it won't stop for what he has planned for the future.
Not that he knows what lies ahead for his path now.. He barely got a wink of sleep; tossing and turning with his mind filled with worry. What if his new classmates disliked him for being in another house? What if they disliked him for being a commoner?
There were too many things they could dislike about him!
“Ashe?” A soft, yet firm voice pierces his internal struggle from outside the door. Still, it's enough to startle him from the yelp that's heard.
“O-one second, professor!” Gods, what a start. He wasn't late was he? No, the professor had offered to walk him to class the day before..
.. To introduce him to his new life.
***
The walk is rather peaceful, yet Ashe finds the quietness to be bothersome. It did nothing to calm his nerves nor was the professor one for small talk either. Did Byleth always have to look so bored? Ashe had no right to complain considering it was the professor’s usual expression..
Ashe cringes inwardly. He really was a pessimist today.
With each step his heart hammers against his chest especially when the Golden Deer banners come into view. This was it, it was time..
Byleth opens the door and nods for Ashe to enter, who does so with led legs. The sound of idle chatter was heard, indicating everything was already lively for such an early hour. It would have brought a smile to his face if he hadn't been so nervous.
Despite that, the Golden Deer house wasn't much different than the Blue Lions. They at least had the same layout, the only obvious changes being the colors and classmates.
“I am
not
a child! Are you sure you're supposed to be the house leader? Your ignorance has me astounded!”
The outburst halts Ashe in his steps by the door frame watching his new classmates surround the small, white haired girl. She actually looked familiar to him.. Perhaps he's seen her in the library before? It's not an unusual place to find other students after all.
‘If anyone had scolded me like that I fear I wouldn't leave my room for days.’
Ashe almost feels bad at whoever got such poor treatment, but.. Laughter is all he hears. Were his ears deceiving him?
“I was just thinking it wouldn't be wise for you to stay that late in the study hall is all. Especially when it's past your bedtime.” Oh Gods, she was arguing with Claude . Her own house leader! Well.. Their leader now. But he wasn't even phased by it. Perhaps Claude was used to it, but his humorous tone suggests such harsh insults don't pierce his armor so to speak.
“You're certainly one to talk! You're almost always in the library at night!”
“There's nothing wrong with being a fellow bookworm, princess.”
Byleth chooses the right time to clear his throat gathering the attention of all his students. It makes Ashe wonder if Byleth witnessed this many other times or was just now new to it like he was. It was hard to get a read on the guy.
“Oh! Hey teach, whatcha got there?” The question was directed towards Byleth yet Claude's gaze remained on him. Why did he have to look so fascinated? Nah, maybe he was mistaken. There wasn't anything too interesting about himself that would stand out.
“.. Like I mentioned to you all a few days prior to today, Ashe here will be in our house. Despite coming from a different house please treat him as one of your own. After all, he'll be in the Golden Deer for now on.”
Byleth doesn't bother sticking around after the introduction, most likely getting their assignments ready for the rest of the week. The absence of the professor doesn't help him, especially with all eyes on him.
“Welcome to the Golden Deer! I'm sure you'll fit in just fine with this group of misfits.” Claude smiles with his hands resting behind his head. He was rather laid back and carefree for a leader, but at least he appeared to be friendly.
Either way it has Ashe smiling.
“T-thank you, I'll do my best for our house.”
“That's a relief to hear! Laying back and cheering from the sidelines is kinda my thing.” A pink haired girls says rather happily. Was that something to be proud of..?
“Hilda, isn't that just called being lazy?” Another new face, a girl with fairly short orange hair questions. So many new faces he has yet to learn about..
“Is it? Oops, well.. Call it what you must Leonie, I still do my fair share.”
“Anyway, Ashe,” Claude walks over to him, alarming Ashe about his personal space being invaded and it most certainly doesn't ease him with how Claude throws an arm over his shoulders gesturing to the others.
“Lemme introduce you to everyone, I’ll try to keep it short.” Claude gestures to the rather tall purple haired man who seems none too eager about the introduction. “That’s Lorenz, I wouldn’t ask about his noble obligations or his love life.”
Lorenz scuffs. “Nothing is wrong with my love life, thank you! The ladies are simply fighting amongst themselves to be with someone of such-”
Claude interrupts, continuing without missing a beat. “The shorter guy with the glasses next to him? That’s Ignatz. He’s training to become a knight.” Now that certainly caught Ashe’s attention. A fellow knight-in-training! Perhaps he’d get along well with him.
..Though Ignatz didn’t seem too pleased by the mention of becoming a knight, judging by the almost sullen look.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Ignatz bows. Ah, he was pretty mannerized at least.
“The even shorter one there is Lysithea. She’s the youngest out of all of us, but don’t treat her like a child or she’ll get
really
angry.”
“Yet you, and most of the others, insist on doing so anyway.” Lysithea rolls her eyes which once again does nothing to phase Claude. More-so it wasn’t directed at him, but it didn’t look like much would bother the house leader.
“The big strong guy is Raphael, he likes eating and training. Probably the most cheerful guy you’ll ever meet. I believe that’s about it! Unless you wanna add anything in, Raph?” That has Ashe laughing softly. Right to the point with this one, huh?
“Nope! You got me down perfectly! If you ever need any help just ask! But not with studying, heavy lifting is what I’m best at.” Maybe he could train sometime with Raphael, it’d be good for him and the big guy was eager about helping out. A blue haired girl next to Raphael shifted uncomfortably catching both the archer’s eyes. She seemed rather shy. Or tired? Maybe both.
“Marianne there doesn’t speak that much, Hilda is, as you already know, lazy, which isn’t too unusual for a noble. Leonie wants to be a mercenary. She’s pretty blunt and stingy as they come.”
Marianne merely looks away as for Hilda and Leonie, they only shrug at the descriptions. Seems like they didn’t find much a problem with it. That’s.. Good, he guesses?
“And then there's me! Your courageous leader! I'm pretty handy with a bow too if you ever wanna train together. I wanna get to know you, freckles.” And with a wink Claude releases Ashe from his hold. Not that it was an unwelcome gesture, it was just different to get such attention from a house leader.
“Don't you mean our foolish scheming leader?” Lorenz retorts with annoyance. It appeared not everyone appreciated their house leader like so many did in the Blue Lions.
What a strange, yet intriguing bunch..
However one question did come to mind. How did Claude already know he's an archer?