Work Text:
“I can’t believe Professor Hanneman won’t join our Battle of the Eagle and Lion, JUST because Professor Manuela isn’t!” exclaimed Annette, over dinner that evening. “What does it all mean!” she punctuated her statement with small fist slamming into the table, rattling a few plates. “I must KNOW Mercie!”
Mercedes, who was seated beside her, looked around rather sheepishly. Her best friend had gotten a little too interested in the interactions between the professors lately, ever since the two had conducted a seminar together on magic the other week. Annette had nearly died from keeping her laughter inside. To make matters funnier for the young mage, Hanneman had thought she was just quietly weeping and wished her well on the way out.
“Annie, keep your voice down a little, people are staring at us, “ she said softly. “We shouldn’t even have overheard that conversation-”
“You must not have the shame, Mercedes.” Petra suddenly interjected, making Mercedes jump a little in surprise. “For our house also knows of the conversation. Also, it is not a difficult conclusion of the two Professors natures.”
Dorothea nodded. “Quite so, Petra! It’s obvious that without having Manuela- Professor Manuela on the battlefield, it’s just no fun for Professor Hanneman. He needs her, it's not surprising, she is the perfect songstress to fill in the gaps in his verses ~” She laughed, her eyes shimmering with suggestion.
Petra shook her head, embarrassed a little. “Dorothea, you are always having the thoughts most unproper. I want not to be over the hear by the Professors. I mean- be overheard by them. Forgive my errors.”
Dorothea laid a hand on Petra’s shoulder, smiling. “You’re doing great. And they won’t hear, they’re too busy having a squabble over there, look…”
Annette smiled triumphantly, pumping her fist into the air, “see Mercie! I TOLD you it would be the talk of the dining hall!”
“Oh goddess, forgive us …” Mercedes sighed, putting her face into her hands.
--
The two professors where indeed engaging in their usual verbal sparring, making for an awkward mealtime for those around them.
“Let’s all get along.” Byleth sighed, a phrase they’d come to repeat in these situations.
Manulea’s eyes widened a little, looking to Byleth with pursed lips, as if she hadn’t even noticed she’d been arguing with Hanneman herself. “Oh, sorry professor, you’re right.”
“Yes, our bad.” Hanneman said, rubbing the back of his neck and looking down.
“So, I was thinking of the issue of security.” Gilbert continued, his irritation barely veiled.
Manulea and Hanneman had the expressions of guilty children, quietly eating their food for the time being. They exchanged brief glances, but said no more to each other. The others cautiously let down their guard, paying full attention to Gilbert.
“It seems as if it’s too easy for intruders to come in under the guise of clergy.” He said, his hardened brow seeming even harder in his concern. “I would hate to compromise the student’s safety.” He added, his eyes flickering momentarily toward Annette, who was sat at a table nearby.
“A valid point, Gilbert!” Alois replied. “But how can we tell who has ill intentions…”
“Well, I suppose we could ask everyone to look out for suspicious actions.” Manuela suggested. “At the opera house, scandals where always alight, and I was often in danger. I could hold a seminar on what to look out for.”
Hanneman looked at her, shocked. “You where often in danger, Manuela? I never knew.”
“Why, yes Hanneman, I would have thought I had mentioned it by now...”
“I have many things to think of Manuela, but I would not have forgotten something like that. Perhaps you are mistaken, and simply forgot to tell me of such things. It would not be out of character of you to be so disordered.”
“… Hanneman,” Manuela began, giving him a sharp look. “I think you’re the one who is mistaken. Or is it always just me who messes up? Goddess forbid I suggest a renowned researcher had forgotten something.”
“My academic status has nothing to do with this conversation Manuela. I was simply stating that, due to your slovenly lifestyle, your thoughts may be disorganised.”
“My thoughts may be disorganised?! What am I, a specimen!?”
“Well, you are a rather interesting women, I am sure papers could be written on your conduct. However, I am professor of Crestology, it is beyond my scope of research. I have other important matters to pursue.”
At this, one could almost see the vein popping in Manuela’s head. What exactly had bothered her about his statement was not obvious, but no onlooker had the time to consider it in such a fast-paced conversation. They simply looked back and forth between the professors, as if watching a tennis match.
“Yes, yes, save it would you. We all know about your oh so importance, Mr. ‘Father of Crestology.’ Yet, for something so beyond your superior scope of interest, you still insist on studying me at every turn.” Manuela retorted slyly.
“Well, I- I cannot deny different subjects do catch my attention at times-” Hanneman stuttered, rather taken aback by her disarming look. Damn women knew how to use her eyes, and he once again became irritated at this thought.
“Perhaps you pursued the wrong field then, and your incessant lectures are cries of help to free you from the sad career you have trapped yourself in at such an old age.”
“Why, you- I- I am not trapped in any such ‘sad’ career! You twist my words every time we speak, Maneula. Are you sure your hearing is well?“
“My hearing is excellent Hanneman, perhaps it is your thoughts that are too disorganised that you cannot hear the sound of your own voice.”
“You are being so childish Infront of everyone! Do you have no concern for others?! You always are so over emotional,” Hanneman replied, not once sparing a glance at any other member as he so ardently stated this.
“There you go, always putting others down for having reactions. Did you not patronise that poor student in our seminar the other day for crying? Some of us have feelings, Hanneman, not that you’d understand.”
A sigh interrupted the seamless exchange.
“That’s it. I’m eating in my room. If anyone needs me, you know where to find me.” Shamir stated before simply getting up and leaving.
“Look what you did, Manuela-“
“Me? I think that was you, old man.”
Catherine suddenly laughed nervously, the horror of being abandoned by Shamir evident on her face. She was unfortunately sat directly beside Manuela and could not bear another moment of this strange repartee, not at such close quarters.
“You guys are a strange pair, I gotta say. Why sit right by each other when you clearly hate each other’s guts!” Catherine ended up blurting out crassly. It was either that, or pulling out Thunderbrand and emitting a war cry. Too late did she notice Byleth making a discreet cut-throat motion indicating she should stop.
Silence engulfed the table as everyone looked at the professors, suddenly curious themselves.
“Well…” Manuela began, nervously touching her hair.
Hanneman adjusted his monocle, clearing his throat. “I wouldn’t say I hated her guts.” His eyes darted from one inquisitive face to another. “I’ve known Manuela a long time…”
“Actually…professor Hanneman,” began Alois, leaning across the table with a smile, “I overheard the students gossiping. Is it true you opted out of the upcoming mock battle JUST because Manuela isn’t joining? No fun without your rival eh? Haha! Reminds me of this old married couple I once met. Must be cathartic to throw a spell at her now and then, HA.”
“Alois, we are knights, conduct yourself as so!” Gilbert reminded him, shaking his head. “But… forgive me, but is... is it true? That is quite an accusation to make.”
“… I mean, he did just call her a subject to study.” Seteth piped up, out of absolutely nowhere. Byleth stared at him incredulously, but ever the stoic, Seteth simply shrugged unapologetically and went back to his meal. “Just saying. I find this matter quite tiresome, however. I should hope Flayn doesn’t get roped into mindless chatter thanks to you two.”
Everyone always felt rather scolded when Seteth spoke, which only darkened the atmosphere. Glancing at Manuela, Hanneman saw how embarrassed she was, and decided enough was enough. He cleared his throat once more.
“Well, Alois, Catherine, Professor… Seteth… and uh… Gilbert.” Addressing such a matter so formally was surreal, but Hanneman held fast.
“I am sure you are all aware, rumours do spread fast amongst students. I suppose it is only natural of you to ask directly. I can provide a clear answer, of course. Although it is true that as a scholar, I find fighting against a capable partner quite thrilling, this is not solely the case,” began Hanneman. Manuela visibly straightened her back, surprised. He could feel her intent stare on him as he continued.
“I think it is also simply the duty of an old friend and college to sit out with their injured comrade. I could not leave Manuela on her own whilst everyone else is on Gronder field. She suffered a traumatic experience at the hands of the Death Knight. Furthermore, I do not see any of you offering a word of concern, only embarrassing her at a table full of colleagues.”
Alois’ smile faltered, somehow not expecting such a deep and well thought out answer at all. His mistake poking fun at an academic, actually…
It was almost tender the way Hanneman was talking, and Manuela’s expression – a cross between amazement and gentleness - was something to behold. The knight had only been bantering, but now he shrunk back to sit properly in his seat. Damn he just noticed Gilberts small smirk too, that wasn’t making matters easier-
“A noble answer, professor.” He said with a nod, a softer smile now gracing his lips. “How very knightly of you. ”
“… Yes, I suppose it is.” Manuela mused, still staring at Hanneman, before seemingly catching herself. “Not that I could ever see you on a horse Hanneman, you’d break your back.”
“Manuela, riding a horse is not the only requirement for a knight. You should pay more attention. There are Pegasus’, Falcons, Wyverns, not to mention fortress knights with no steed at all-“
“Oh, for the love of- do you have to be so insufferable? You were doing so well a moment ago. I was nearly impressed. I said nearly Hanneman. Ugh, I can’t sit here much longer, these chairs are so uncomfortable.”
“Perhaps you should stop over-exerting yourself so emotionally, at your age-”
“Why you- hey, you don’t need to take my hand like so, you geezer! Honestly-
"You seemed to be struggling, I was simply- Manuela, stop shouting-"
"-I am agile and can stand alone, the wound just hurts sometimes-”
“Annnd there they go again…” Gilbert sighed, raising from the table as the rest of the faculty did too, effectively ending the meal. Manuela and Hanneman where too engaged in whatever their deal was to notice, anyway-
“GET A ROOM!” Annette exclaimed. Gilbert froze in his tracks, not noticing he was passing by his daughter until now. It seemed she had not seen him either, as her eyes suddenly grew wide as she looked up at him.
“Annette...” He said. “Forgive my forwardness, but have you been spreading rumours about professors.”
“Father, I-“ she began, becoming flustered. "Well- not just me- you see- In class-"
“No, no. It’s alright. You might as-well speed up the process.” He had already begun to walk away, when he turned back and added quite ominiously.
“For the sake of us all.”