divineimpulse | OTOME CATCHALL

Oh? [ She casts her an inquisitive glance. ]

Who told you that?

Lan Wangji.

I met with him to discuss the questions we posed to the Principal near the end of the trial.

[voting for yourself, or voting for no one.]

[ She sighs, a little tiredly. ]

I suppose I didn't ask him to keep it a secret. [ So she can't even be too dismayed by it. ]

[...]

What happened?

It's as he said. I voted for myself.

[ She glances down at her sandwich. ]

And I lost hearing in one ear.

[there's a beat of surprise—and she nods, finally taking a bite of her sandwich.

...]

So it's like that.

I don't know if it's the same for anyone else who voted for themselves... but I think it's safe to assume that doing so will take away some manner of function.

[ And pretty swiftly, at that. Granted, she sounds rather calm about this, but. It's been a lot to process. ]

[she lets out a breath, slow and quiet, letting a silence fall between them for a moment.

there was nothing to say to that, except hold her in quiet reverence for her actions.

it's a long moment and a few bites before she finally says something again.]

I used the skills you taught me.

[ The silence persists enough that Otome glances towards her, almost irrationally concerned that her hearing has just belatedly fled entirely. When Byleth speaks, it's almost a relief. ]

How is he?