And at this point I’m afraid to ask

[enya]

the personal questions meme Because nothing's off-limits! how to play - comment with your character. - in roll the...personal questions. you knew what was coming. you read the title. - tell the truth. lie. deflect. get mad, sad, glad, or creeped out. get personal. - be nosy to others!

Comments

[noblepride]

[ The compliment — of which he believes he certainly deserves — is a much needed boost! ...but he quickly wonders why he would even need some kind of recognition, even if it's from someone as important as Claude. He nearly recognizes his insecurity, but...

Claude is friendly! Yes, Ferdinand knows he shouldn't be so quick to trust the man in the slightest, but still, how can he not at least be... at least a little affable in return? ]

I should hope she realizes she can be rather unapproachable, but I understand your caution. My lips are sealed! [ He understands that the Emperor cannot be warm and inviting. But that doesn't mean he won't be quick to accept this form of small praise towards himself and against Edelgard. ]

Though I am certainly open to a correspondence, I am curious — is there a reason for the secrecy?

[ His smile remains, though there is evident, slight confusion in his eyes. ]

[cunningschemer]

[From what Claude remembers of Ferdinand back at the academy, and what he believes he recognizes now, he has little reason to doubt his sincerity. Of course, that doesn't mean Claude has even the slightest amount of trust that Ferdinand would keep any promises, but he isn't going to try to ask for anything potentially dangerous, either.]

Thank you.

[His request is less about insulting Edelgard, and more about urging Ferdinand to keep their talks between the two of them.]

It's not secrecy, but privacy. I feel much more comfortable writing to others when I know my letters won't be read by anyone else. Call it a quirk, but I'm sure you can understand how I feel.

[There's no way to guarantee anyone will keep correspondence private, but there are ways to check if they've shared information or not after the fact. Claude is good at working out whether or not someone can keep secrets after a few letters back and forth.]

[noblepride]

[ His competitive spirit never fails to flare up at mentions of Edelgard, even though he should have settled down on that by now. Given his somewhat... injured pride, he's more susceptible to any perceived compliments at the moment!

Ferdinand nods with his usual vigor, but his tone does take a more serious turn. ]

Indeed. I most certainly can understand that, especially considering privacy is not exactly common given our positions. [ Perhaps it really is a quirk of Claude's but he does need to remind himself that he shouldn't take everything the man says at face value. ] Oh, but there is an important question I must ask regarding the matter.

[ He glances around briefly, ascertaining there is privacy right now - it would be difficult to keep any incoming letters to himself if anyone overheard. ]

Why do you wish for us to begin a correspondence? I imagine it is not merely for friendly banter.