It starts smoothly!

Byleth arrived in the mess hall, where some Garreg Mach Meat Pie was being served. Given the lack of people at the pond, he could safely assume that Flayn wasn't in the kitchen today. "Hello Professor!" Dorothea said cheerfully, waving him over as Manuela cheerfully sat next to her.

Byleth approached, and sat across from them. "How are you both doing?" he asked them, Sothis floating behind him, not even trying to hide the fact that she was gazing at Dorothea's and Manuela's cleavages.

"We're fine, we were just talking about our time in the Opera Company," Manuela remarked, noticing Sothis's gaze, and trying not to react, remembering Dorothea couldn't see her at the moment.

"Yes, Professor Manuela was just offering me some lessons, and asking me to join her for choir practice in the cathedral!" Dorothea replied. "How was your day so far?"

"... interesting," Byleth replied, deciding not to go into the fact that he had gone into Abyss. He ate a bite of his meat pie, and remarked, "Not bad."

"Certainly beats whatever you can prepare on the road as a mercenary, right?" Dorothea asked with a smirk. "...well, at least when it's not Flayn preparing it..."

"Has no one ever told her how bad of a cook she is?" he asked, and Manuela shrugged.

"She's just so kind and cheerful, most people don't have the heart to hurt her feelings," she answered. "And for those who do... Well, Seteth is rather intimidating, and protective of his sister..."

"Ah. Fair enough," Byleth nodded, grimacing at the whole conundrum.