People seem to like them. Hence the complaints about my directness. I agree that things would be better if we were more open with one another and I too would want to know if people were considering keeping a secret about me. I do not need them to hide information that I might not like.

[It's fine to hate Linhardt. He just wishes people would tell him that instead of pretending otherwise. Then he can avoid them and unpleasant interactions can be minimized or avoided. Most secrets seem to stem from either a worry about possible danger or a desire to spare someone's feelings. Linhardt isn't a threat and he doesn't care if people spare his feelings.

Feelings that for some reason he is experiencing right now even though it is not a good time. Linhardt does what he usually does - he ignores the statement about 'being there for each other'. At least initially. He opts to respond to Hilda's mental message first.]

You are. Everybody smiles after they talk to you.

Hm. If there is a professor who taught me ever present, you will need to ask them about diligent I am about homework.

[He isn't. At all. Linhardt didn't go to class, he certainly didn't do homework. And Linhardt likes Byleth.

The healer takes another sip of his tea. Maybe he didn't have to talk to Hilda. More words float in her direction: It's easier for Linhardt to 'talk' about things this way than in actual conversation. Mental conversations are more private, and he can think about what he wants to say.]

I said I am boring because most people consider me so. I don't consider myself boring - I think it's the rest of you who are boring. I think the war is terrible and we should all have some respite. I thought that for Sylvain such a respite is likely to be found in bed with women and not with me.

[...]

I do not like people noticing me. It does not feel safe to me. In my experience when people approach me, they want me to do things for them and have expectations for me to meet. They also try to change me. Having too much attention on you is dangerous - being noticeable means being one of the pieces on someone's chessboard. I cannot believe that you have a genuine interest in my emotional wellbeing. I also have a strong desire to run out of this tea shop and return to Thorne's library.

Normally, I would have lied about this but you indicated you do not prefer that. If you changed your mind, tell me.

[Linhardt doesn't have much open reaction to go with the words he is floating in Hilda's direction - his facial expression doesn't really change and his posture remains as usual. He's describing his feelings, not actually feeling them. The use of the word 'cannot' instead of 'won't' is purposeful: There is a small Linhardt inside demanding that he run away immediately.]

Is there a distance limit to this form of communication?

[Talking with Linhardt is nothing if not tonal whiplash. Natural conversation flow? What's that?]