[ As students, they spent many afternoons (and mornings. and evenings. linhardt takes a lot of naps.) like this, with Linhardt curled around Ferdinand while he made an effort to work on his assignments for the next day. So it's... nostalgic, the way his soulmate tucks into him and speaks so casually, like everything's normal and the world isn't actively burning around them.

Idly, he brushes back more strands of hair. ] Of course she is not a good guard dog - after all, Duchess Marigold is a horse. [ He chuckles softly at his own joke. ] But truthfully, I did not intend to fall asleep here. I had only intended on taking a short break before making my way across Gronder Field.

[ With anyone else, he might think twice about being so... openly affectionate in a public place. But this is Linhardt - his soulmate - whom he's missed so terribly, so he leans his head against his with a soft sigh. ] So, indeed, I am lucky that it was you who found me here. [ So very, very lucky. ] Are you returning to the monastery for the Millennium Festival as well? Or did some other matter bring you here?