Perhaps it was because more scholarly hobbies lent themselves to the quieter, more even-tempered type, but it was never an argument with Bethen. Certainly, the two of them had their occasional disagreements, which was only natural given what they were, and how often they spoke to each other. Yet, they were always minor, and almost always about their shared interest in books, study, things of that nature. They were nothing at all like the petty, vitriol-laced spats that broke out so often with the others in the Tower -- something Alderic was eternally grateful for.
It had been one of those days, where the Tower was just quiet and still enough that Alderic had allowed himself to take a seat across from Bethen, to exchange differing opinions on Genetivi's work. He'd offered his own thoughts, and was leaning forward with his hands folded to listen to her intently, when the two young Mages approached. Their arrival brought the Templar out of the moment and sent alarm bells off loudly in his mind.
"Ah, hello Ashya, Seth," he replied, distractedly. At once, he was keenly aware of just what the situation must look like, he and Bethen tucked away in a corner of the Library like that. Entirely innocent though it was, their friendship was already something likely to get him in trouble with his superiors, without two Magelings running off to spin wild and untrue stories about them. Knowing those two particular young Mages, it was a distinct possibility.
In a too-late effort to do some damage control, Alderic pushed back in his chair to stand, and rubbed the back of his neck as he moved a few feet away. Once there, he pressed his back against the wall and took up the usual Templar position. The one you should have been in to start with, he scolded himself mentally. He really should have known better.
Of course, he realized only afterwards that he'd left his helm sitting on the table where he'd set it down earlier, and he clenched his jaw irritably, but stayed put. Once settled, he turned his attention back to the question the two Mages had asked.
"If I can help, I certainly wouldn't mind," he answered finally, with a nod. His nerves calming back down, he finally really considered the two standing before them, and his eyes followed the line of their arms down to where they were holding hands. He knew the both of them well enough -- one of many Templar duties was to stand in on classes with the younger apprentices, to ensure they didn't accidentally tear through the Veil in their enthusiasm. Ashya's antics had certainly made her stand out among the others, and Seth's unhappy and all-too-familiar arrival had come at a time that it had struck a still-sensitive chord with Alderic. Where one went, the other followed, an inseparable pair.
Still, looking at their small, clasped hands, he couldn't help but wonder what exactly the two needed help with.