ahahaha

Sigismund beams a smile her way before he blinks, his gaze lowering to the floor. Downcast would be the word.

"Ah, yes. Sadly, I am- was only in the possession of one pair of working eyes. Charlotte's condition could maybe be improved seeing as how she has hers still. Mine however are gone."

Burned out of their sockets as he traded them to give a boy hope. At least, he hoped he did.
(Sigismund cos Gardios)

Ashlynn nodded. "Apologies if that brought about some bad feelings. I am ever so curious, and unfortunately quite blunt." She'd admit, "I am working on my social skills, because I certainly do not... have much of it."

The girl slightly exhaled, feeling incredibly bad over having brought up what was likely a traumatic memory. She nervously gripped at her own fingers, clenching them tightly to get the odd feeling out.
(Ashlynn Belmonte)

Attempting to examine Ashlynn Belmonte's injuries...

Ashlynn Belmonte does not have any injuries that can be examined.

Sigismund couldn't resist the urge to place that palm upon her head. He doesn't move it however, seeing as how the action was more sudden than something planned. "Not at all. And as I said, you don't need to apologize, Ashlynn. There is nothing wrong with being curious or honest. The truth hurts as they say. While I am not one to condone lies, sometimes we have to, if only to reassure others. There's a reason why some lies are called White ones."

He smiles, bright and warm as if the topic of his disability was nothing to him. Which to him, it wasn't.

"You're a bright girl so don't let that hang on you. Making friends is hard, especially if you truly want to be friends. It's a give and take relationship, you know? True friends are the kind that can argue but also make. The kind that would willingly step into the pits of Hel with you and at the same time, tell you your jokes suck."

The last example was perhaps a bit too weird, but he hoped he made his point across.

"And it's why the Academy exists. You learn not only magic or about the world and everything in it here but also form bonds that can last a lifetime. You may have come here out of duty, but I truly hope that you also make some unforgettable memories."
(Sigismund cos Gardios)

Ashlynn felt the sudden palm on her head. It was her that generally did the head patting, but being on this end of the stick was a new feeling to her. Her eyes lit up brightly, widening in happiness as a slight curl to her formerly strained lips formed. Hearing the words pulled on some heartstrings for sure, and with that, she'd give a nod. At least now, Sigismund would be able to feel it, that she understood his words.

She had always hated herself for not being able to make friends, because of her blunt nature. She never had the nerves to go up to people, and say hello, and was awkward generally because of it. It made her want to throw up on the spot, due to her high anxiety, and most people who had met her eventually stray away eventually.

The difference in cultures certainly didn't help, seeing as the people in her home were outward and tended to be blunt as well, something that rubbed off onto her a little too much. She had been raised her entire life to be in servitude, seeing as her family trained her to be a maid prior to sending her off. She never had the time to make friends and form emotionally the way she wished she wanted to.

Everyone had been at a walking pace, laughing and talking to each other, whilst she sprinted and it felt like, to her at least, that even her sprinting speed was not nearly as quick as the leisurely pace that others took. So hearing the words coming from Sigismund warmed her up inside, to the point she felt a few tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Thank you, Sigismund." She'd say, "I truly needed that. It had been remarkably difficult, and I believe I am making some 'unforgettable memories' as you put it." The girl swallowed her spit hard as she felt a lump in her throat.

"I wish for many of these things, a true friend, and these bonds you speak of, but it is far more difficult than any magic I have learned." She'd say.
(Ashlynn Belmonte)

His hand slips down, brushing away at her tears. How'd he know? He just did, as if he could sense her feelings. How or why did not matter, only that he did. His smile softened and even the blindfold on his face seemed to twist slightly, as his entire self was smiling.

"You don't need to thank me, Ashlynn. It's a pleasure to help you all. I was never the most bravest or confident child myself." He wasn't even ten years their senior, so remembering such things was easy and clear for him. In fact, most if not all of the children here were probably all way stronger and more mature than he was at their age.

But they also had different trials than him. He had the threat of the Ebonblooded, education as a Knight and to face a Lich and his servants. They instead had the threats of Ogres, random Occultists and other things. They did not have the same upbringing and were fundamentally different people.

Still. They were all Human. In possession of hearts, of souls, of the capacity to make mistakes and to right those wrongs. They were not all that different in the end.

"And that is why you must work for it. Nothing truly important or precious in this life is ever free or easy, no matter what other people say. It is through our constant struggle, through trials and tribulations that we forge a bright future for ourselves and those around us."

The hand is then returned to the top of her head and he tousles her hair with a chuckle.

"Be brave but not arrogant. Trust but do not be naive. Be kind but be ever vigilant. Do not take others for granted so that you too, would not be. But do not let anyone walk over you, either."

Then he paused before shaking his head with the same smile as always.

"Or don't do any of this. It is your life to lead and you shall lead it as you wish. All actions have consequences, whether positive or negative, Ashlynn. Your happiness and the happiness of those that you love, that you care for is paramount above all else. Not everyone is me and if the World was like so, then it couldn't function."

He was patient to a fault, willing to forgive and forget any that make a truly soulful wish to repent. At the same time however, he cared not about the wishes and feelings of monsters. Perhaps there were good Ogres. Perhaps there were Vampires that just wanted to be left alone. And the less he said about the Demonic and Witch the better.

But they were monsters, their mere existences causing harm to those around them and the very Lifestream itself. He was far from a perfect being afterall, for all mortals were imperfect. A hypocrite in every sense of the word but he forged onwards.

For he truly believed that if Humanity and it's various sub-species could unite on Esshar, then they could finally and truly vanquish all threats that their wonderful land held.

"All that I wish for all of you is to be happy."
(Sigismund cos Gardios)

Ashlynn felt the hand touching her face, wiping away at the tears that had managed to roll down her cheek, staining everything in its path until the droplets fell off her chin and onto the ground. Even if Sigismund had told her not to thank her, she truly felt it, and these days she had felt little to nothing. She had been cold, distant and certainly away from most people, as she was still dealing with the trauma of sent far away from her home.

Although her home life was not the greatest, filled with abuses from all corners, it was still where she was from, and the only home she had known, and servants that she had gotten to know. But those 'friendships' felt more like an obligation on their end, and less so a bond that had been aforementioned.

Just a bit prior to coming to this room, she had lied to Alexander that she did not feel alone due to the presence of others. But being in a foreign land, thousands of miles away from home, and across many seas no less, she had felt more alone than she ever has. She had had no one to fall back to, and certainly no one to confide in beyond a master who did not always treat her well.

But if she had decided to leave, where would she go? There was no place to go. So she felt trapped and alone, but her she was, finally letting a bit of it out. Any more of this feeling of severe loneliness, and she would've likely broken, and here was Sigismund, saving her before it was too late.

With a deep breath from escaping her lips, every word she heard burnt into her like a hot brand. It was truly what she needed, and with those simple few words that she had never heard before, whether it be in this land or her last, she truly looked up to Sigismund.

A little sniffle was heard, as she lunged forward for a well needed hug. Sigismund had been so helpful to her, assisting her with only good intents in mind. She had been suspicious of the man, warned to never trust someone, since a child, to never trust someone who claimed it. For it was always something that they wanted, but this man had seemed so genuine that all of her childhood beliefs began breaking down in front of her.

She'd squeeze tightly around him, placing her face into his chest considering the likely height difference, as she began to ugly cry, and even more so when he made mention of just wanting her to be happy.

Ashlynn had no words to speak, seemingly unable to her as the only thing that came out were loud cries.
(Ashlynn Belmonte)

Sigismund was not used to crying children. Or at least, this openly but any sense of awkwardness was dispelled the moment she hugged him and he just squeezed back, one hand stroking her head and the other patting her back. What else could he do here but comfort a crying lass?

He wore his heart on his sleeve, despite how calm and composed he might look all the time. He just never allowed his emotions to overwhelm him save, as practitioner of the Art of War, losing one's calm was a good way to lose in battle.

He didn't tell her to stop crying. He didn't tell her to do anything- the only things that left his mouth during this period of silence would just be hushed words of encouragement.

If she wished to let it out all, then he'd accept it. For he was not a being capable of judging others because that was the realm of the Divine. His was to accept it.

She must have a lot of bottled up emotions and it was better for her to release that flood before it broke up at a wrong time.
(Sigismund cos Gardios)

Ashlynn was definitely not too used to crying children either. She, herself, since young had been taught to never show emotion or weakness, especially while under the presence of her lord. Things like that tended to bother people a lot, or so it seemed, but it didn't seem to bother Sigismund. These feelings were alien to her, something she never really confronted or anything close to that. But she was still a hormonal teenager, and her feelings were extremely inflated, especially at these ages.

The patting of her back calmed her, a slight reminder of her time at home when things would get bad, and the patting of her head certainly helped too. Soon, her crying would halt to a stop, replaced entirely by quiet sniffles. She would stay there, hugged up on Sigismund for a few silent moments, before pulling back, her senses finally returning.

Pulling a handkerchief from her satchel, she'd quickly wipe away at her face and nose in that order. Her normal stone-like emotionless face was seemingly gone, instead replaced by reddened eyes as she gave Sigismund a bow of her head.

"T-.. Ahem." She'd say before clearing her throat, her voice straining, "Thank you." Even if Sigismund had told her not to, she did it all the same.

Her lips broke out into a proper smile, seemingly happier than she was before after crying it out as she used her sleeve to wipe away at any excess tears.

Her emotions were definitely bottled up, and her flood gates were indeed released at the assist of Sigismund once more.

"Please do not tell Master Ulysses that I cried." She'd say, still worried about how she looked to others, "Or anyone really." The girl's upbringing was still strong, despite this moment of emotional outburst.
(Ashlynn Belmonte)

Any stray tears were brushed away and he mirrors her actions in pulling out a handkerchief, extending one her way as if to replace the one she used. "Help yourself. I've several." And it was only fitting, for while she may be young, she was still a lady and he wouldn't be a gentleman if he allowed such a thing.

He already sinned by letting a girl cry, afterall. Even if it was helpful for her overall. Proper manners, noble etiquette. He was a nobleman and a Knight, so he had to watch it even more.

"You're welcome, Ashlynn." If his smile grew any warmer, then he probably would start a fire with just it. His hand rose once again, giving one final gentle pat upon her head before he nodded. Her request has him chuckling. Not tell anyone or her employer?

"I will take it to my grave, Ashlynn, worry not." It was the usual promise he made for when others came to him for counseling. While this probably couldn't be counted as a session, he meant every word he said.

"Do you feel better?"
(Sigismund cos Gardios)

Ashlynn took the handkerchief from Sigismund, seemingly dirtying it up as she wiped away at her own face. "Thank you, Sigismund." She'd say again, unsure of what to say next as she took one deep breath to calm her nerves entirely. She had never cried this much, even since she was a small child. She was always conditioned to keep her nerves, and not usually through peaceful and kind ways.

But her she was, and large parts of her were grateful that Sigismund was incapable of seeing just how ugly she cried. It was unfit for a lady to cry like this, especially whilst in the company of an apparent gentleman. She definitely felt better, however, her nerves finally returning to her as that cheesy smile only grew with every word that was spoken to her.

"Indeed." She'd say clearly, "You have helped me so often, with nothing expected in return. But I am indeed indebted to you, and I refuse to believe you want nothing at all. If you require  anything  of me, Sigismund, I will come to your aid." She would give him one last bow, before glancing toward the doorway.

"But I will get out of your hair, Sigismund. I do not wish to take up more of your time." She'd say happily, the monotone in her voice seemingly gone for now.
(Ashlynn Belmonte)

Ashlynn Belmonte asks, "..And could you teach me how you make these potions sometime?"

"Of course. Likewise to you, Ashlynn. I am your instructor afterall." Even if he hadn't held a class for...well, a while. Perhaps he'd hold a Cosmic or Holy based one for those interested but he was sure that a lot of children had their medical license already. Still, who knows?

"And you're never a bother, Ashlynn. In fact, it makes me happy to be able to help you in any way I can." Whether she was ugly or not when she cried, wouldn't have mattered in the end. All that did was that she felt better from it.

"Hm? Of course, although the Alchemical Arts will require a good bit of raw materials to truly master." And that was putting it lightly. But if she had the will to find them or buy them and the will make them all.

The last stretch was the worst.

"Do have a great day, Ashlynn. Remember, if you need help or just someone to talk to, feel free." Or she could ask her peers. That might be one way to make friends down the line.
(Sigismund cos Gardios)

Ashlynn gave one final bow of the day. "Thank you, Sigismund." She'd say for the millionth time. It was then and there, that Sigismund was officially her favorite instructor, not that she had spoken to many on such a personal level. But Sigismund definitely rose to be the highest, and his reign likely would last a life time.

She wiped at her face for the final time, attempting to clean any possible sign of her tears other than the red eyes. She definitely felt better, probably the best she had been since her arrival in this foreign land. She was genuinely happy, and the smile unwavering as she gave him a wave. "I will, Sigismund, I will have a great day thanks to you, and I hope you have an even better day than I." She'd say, as she began to depart, nearly bouncing in her step.

Now she had goals, a reason to push on beyond her Master Ulysses, a reason to improve beyond the person that she was. She was excited, ecstatic even, as she finally left past the door. Conducting herself once more, she'd pat at her own cheeks, straightening out the smile to resume her emotionless face.
(Ashlynn Belmonte)