[boundlesschaos]

OOC - Ball Plans

((Hello! just putting here that I've officially unbolded Niamh's name. I'll be continuing to focus on replying to minis for the rest of ball.

I also will be keeping Hugh's inbox open a lil longer - I haven't checked it for this weekend yet, but I'm hoping to get to it soon!! )

[boundlesschaos]

Update: I've finished replying to what I have for Niamh, so this will be end of ball for her!

If you have an ask in your inbox from me, make sure to answer it in a way where you can claim the flower, because I will not reply to it in time

Any asks that want/have been turned into minis (and want to explore post-ball) will not be replied to by me until after 6/15

I will not be answering any new ball asks that are sent her way

Thank you everyone again for an awesome ball this year!

[viridescent-lance]

[ MOVIE - COMEDY ] - A techno-magical reproduction of a fantastical comedy about four young lovers who find themselves in a forest that calls itself home to curious spirits.

Across the theater, there is laughter that arises whenever the characters make a funny quip. Some of it is met with more of a chuckle than others - but one person in the crowd hasn't laughed at all. She's focused. Almost a little too focused, as she watches the performance go on...

And then, when the shows calls for an intermission, she glances over to the person seated next to her. "When....is the cue to speak up?" She asks. To laugh? It's an odd question, but she seems genuine about it.

Forsyth has a sense of humor, unlike what some people may think. He laughs strongly and freely when it strikes him, and it has struck him several times over this comedic moving picture! It's just...not quite his scene, perhaps. The dialogue feels inauthentic, and the laughter from the crowd synchronizing with laughter in the reproduction does not help matters.

He is weighing whether to leave early or stick it out when the woman sitting next to him poses aloud a question he's been pondering. That elicits a chuckle from him, the most genuine since he took his seat.

"I've wondered that myself, my friend." Forsyth may not have an easy answer for her, but it seems fate has brought two kindred spirits in this together. "I believe we are supposed to recognize the jokes as they happen. They sometimes provide us with laughter within the replicated soundscape, which I believe is meant to prompt a similar reaction?"

The person seated to the right of Forsyth looks at him like he has two heads before getting up to refill their aerated corn, but Forsyth pays them no heed. Finally, there's someone who gets it.

"It isn't a traditional form of audience participation, especially given it is a reproduction, but I've always found it odd. Should comedy not stand on its own merits?"

[boundlesschaos]

Niamh stares long and hard at the stage, taking Forsyth's words and going over them in her head. Her eyes wander, searching for something on the stage - whether she finds it or not is not important.

Though she remains looking off at the stage, her attention is actually towards Forsyth. "So the sound that's made during the presentation is a signal to repeat the laugh they're making. I suppose that makes sense..."

If people did not know when to laugh, those in the know would be able to tell when to laugh. But if you're not in the know, what then? Niamh didn't know about this. "...how do you know, if you don't..." She mumbles out, more to herself than for Forsyth to answer. "It's odd." She eventually speaks up, agreeing with the other's conclusion. "...the explanation does help, but it's strange to enforce laughter like this. What if I don't find it funny....what if I think something different is funny..."

As she mulls over it a bit more, she removes one of the Tulips that she has on her person. A yellow one, which she shows to the other person. "Here....I might still need assistance, but this has been very informative..."

[boundlesschaos]

[ SNEAK ] - The Goddess Tower was a no-go before, but with flashy distractions at a high and visibility at a low, now is a better opportunity than you will get the rest of the night. The monastery staff have promised a very unforgiving punishment for those caught in forbidden grounds, but that only goes for those caught, right?

Poe herself traipses through the hallways of the Goddess Tower this very eve.

Being a member of the staff offers her some more flexibility to do so, especially under the justification that she's on the hunt for those who are where they ought not be. She soften her steps so that her heels won't click against stone. A floral scent already drifts through the air tonight, not just in her wake. Her dress trails behind her as she rounds the corner—

"Oh!" The sound that escapes her reflexively seems almost joyous. "I would recognize that silhouette anywhere!"

Throughout the night, she had wondered about the tower. For this year to have it barred away, protected and watched to ensure that no one heads up there? There had to be another reason for such extreme measures, and it bothered Niamh that she did not have the answers.

On top of that, as the highlight of the ball had started, and the curtains had rose on the shows, she found quite a number of people collecting around the various performances made with moving pictures. It was crowded, busy, and above all, noisy - she'd have to return to one of the later showings and take a look at the performance's magic then.

So, she ventures towards the tower. She uses the darkness to her advantage, tip-toeing towards the stairs...

Only to hear her voice.

"...no you don't." She reflexively responds. She ducks down, but she knows that she doesn't have the means to hide if the darkness does not aide her. Especially not if someone like her spots her.

Does she run? No, not yet.

Her curiosity beats her need to survive. She wants to know why she's here, too.

[oflowersandlight]

Unabated, Poe continues her approach; Niamh may withdraw, but she unfortunately makes herself all the more clear in other ways. "And that voice," She confirms, self-assured. "You blend in surprisingly well at events like these, you know. I can hardly believe it took me until they lowered the lights to find you."

Though, maybe it's better that way. It always feels more serendipitous when the odds are against her. A challenge well won, and all that entailed.

The joyous sounds of the ball are distant enough from here that they hardly register above the sound of the Ethereal Moon's wind, waxing and waning as though at a whim. All else is quiet, and with plenty of reason; with the lights low as they are, remaining undetected at the Goddess Tower was one part luck, three parts silence.

The priestess shakes her head, as though resigned. "You are awfully fortunate I found you, you know. The Goddess Tower is off limits." Her eyes narrow, which would be difficult to glean in the low light if not for the way that it makes it way into her tone. "You wouldn't want to be caught trespassing, would you?"

[boundlesschaos]

Though Poe speaks this as a warning, Niamh can feel the space she has to roam tightening. She has a hold on Niamh through use of words alone, a snare that, by fleeing too hastily, will grip onto Niamh and bring Poe closer to victory.

It feels correct, too, that she chose now to seek Niamh. The girl curses under her breath - she should have seen it coming. How obvious had she been? Was her hand becoming too easy to read?

Niamh could not run. If she wishes to escape, she has to watch the other carefully. Was there anything she could use as a distraction?

"I'm not trespassing." A lie, or in Niamh's case? She simply doesn't believe she was. She hasn't actually taken a proper step onto the stairs yet. "What about you?"

"You're here too..." She points out, "So, if you really think I'm trespassing, so are you..."

It doesn't quite work that way, given the difference in Poe's position versus Niamh's. This is intentional - she's trying to rile Poe up.

[boundlesschaos]

OOC - Ball Plans

((Hello! just putting here that I've officially unbolded Niamh's name. I'll be continuing to focus on replying to minis for the rest of ball.

I also will be keeping Hugh's inbox open a lil longer - I haven't checked it for this weekend yet, but I'm hoping to get to it soon!! )

[dolusol]

[ FLOWER ARRANGEMENT ] No matter how many flowers you gather, your bouquet won’t look its best unless you have the skill to make it so. A couple of students have taken upon itself to imbue their peers with the knowledge of flower language and the art of flower arrangement, and as a result the garden has become something of a workshop.

There's a lot of places that flowers can be placed. In one's hair, on the outfit, arranged neat in the bouquets - but Niamh can't help but stare when she spots someone who has flowers adorning her horns.

Not long ago, she had a conversation regarding dragons, and the differences between the kinds out there. Still fresh in her mind, she can't help but ask: "They don't bother you...?"

Niamh points at where her mask's horns would have been, if she were wearing the mask that had them.

#TOABall2026 — Week 1

There are many things that do bother Yuni—when the sun is too hot, when her sandals give her feet blisters, when people are too stubborn to tell her anything—but her horns have never been one of them. Even as the years have passed and they have grown longer and heavier with age, there rarely ever is an occasion where she comes to rue them. Quite the opposite in fact; she likes these horns. They curl in the same way her sister's did.

"No, they don't bother me," Yuni tells the masked stranger, "I think I've gotten used to the weight of having them around."

Unconsciously, she sways her head a little. The flowers that she had meticulously wrapped around the chitin of her horn dance in the ensuing wind. She can understand how it might look heavy to someone unused to seeing horns and ears and tails—the people of this academy in general seemed unused to seeing such animal features.

"You're not used to seeing horns like this, are you?" There's no condescension in her tone, just plain curiosity. For in her continent, these things were like eye color and hair color—different, but completely natural.

[boundlesschaos]

Niamh shakes her head at the inquiry. Yuni is correct in that assumption, and it is evident by how she notes the flowers' behavior when they sway to and fro on Yuni's horns. She has not seen someone this before. But she has been mistaken for the same.

So, she decides to point at the horn-like fixtures on her mask. "I was told that sometimes, they can be sensitive..." But, as Niamh can easily tell from a glance, the flowers were not bothering Yuni.

Niamh's the one to tilt her head this time. If it's not the case, then perhaps it's something to do with the heat or the cold? She doesn't want to ask too many questions from Yuni, not now, but she can't help but consider the possibilities.

Instead, she locates the tulips, colored in whites, reds, and yellows. She collects one of each, and holds them out to Yuni, quietly comparing the colors of the flowers on her horns to the colors of these flowers.

In the end, she decides that the red tulip might add a nice pop to the flowers, as well as the outfit. Still, she decides to confirm - "What do you think...? Is there room for another?"

[lobeiro]

@boundlesschaos sent:

[ CORN ] A new strain of corn has been bred in Bergliez with a curious trait—it pops when exposed to heat, becoming light and fluffy! Help yourself to a bag; it’s a little bland on its own, but you get the feeling you could find something to spice it up.

"The way the shape changes is so fascinating, no matter how many times I see it happen."

Kurt rolls an unpopped kernel around in the palm of his hand. The kernel is hard, round, and a light golden; a far cry from the fluffy and white final product. If he concentrates just the tiniest bit of fire magic to his fingers, then—

—POP!

The kernel pops up into the air and when it lands back in his palm, it has bloomed like a flower.

"I can't help but think they look like tiny flowers." Kurt pulls a white rose from his bouquet as a point of comparison. "It looks a bit like a tiny rose, don't you think? Haha, maybe a little misshapen, but it's that subtle variation I find so interesting."

Every one a slightly different shape; people are like that, too.

[boundlesschaos]

From the moment the corn had changed shape, Niamh could not look away. The demonstration had fascinated her, and further curiosity had blossomed when the comparison had been made to the roses that Kurt had. Niamh had questions - so many questions that she wanted to ask regarding the corn. Not all of these could be answered by the person before her, though. She's not sure how much he knows of their source.

So, she focuses instead on the means that changed the kernels into white, fluffy looking flowers. "How did you do that..." She inquires, taking one of the kernels and letting it rest on top of her outstretched hand. When nothing immediately happens, she looks to the white roses, then to the kernel again.

"Do you think...it's possible to make one look more like this?" Placing the kernel back, Niamh brings out one of her own flowers. A white tulip, far more rounded than Kurt's roses. "Maybe...it already looks a lot like one now..."

It's not the same color as the kernels, but it does kind of look like one. She stares at the flower a little longer, and then holds it out to Kurt, curious if he has his own opinion on the flower's shape.

[boundlesschaos]

[ SPARKLING WATER ] - Fresh spring water that has been magically carbonated. Served with a squeeze of lime or a dash of one of the many fruit syrups available at the bartender’s disposal.

"You look quite marvelous!" L'Arachel says with a smile as she approaches the masked woman. "I am reminded of some theatrical performances I was quite fond of when I was younger."

She holds out one of the two glasses of sparkling water she has, one of her lilies at its side as well. "Care to have some of this delightfully energetic water? Some peach flavouring has been added as well to make it exceptionally refreshing. I was going to seek out one of my companions to share it with, but after seeing you, I figured I ought to pay my respects to such a fabulous outfit!" She chuckles, before taking a sip of her own drink.

When the lights had dimmed, not all had lost their color to the darkened halls. The person before her wore her excitement and awe on her sleeve. Wonder and awe towards the food, the event, and...her outfit?

"Is that so...?" She had not intended to look the part of a performer. Yet, given the shows that had appeared after the lights were lowered, perhaps it has some logic behind it.

Niamh examines the outfit of the person who's complimented her. Despite the darkened atmosphere, the bright colors of L'Arachel's outfit shines through. There's a lot of patterns and decor that Niamh wonders how long it may have taken to make - or how expensive it may have been to hire someone to craft.

"You're matching..." she points a hand towards the flowery patterns. "It works well with the bouquet...I like it a lot..."

She takes another look. L'Arachel had white flowers in her hands, so she didn't want to give a white tulip. But, when she sees that there are some red flowers patterned on her pants, she finds a red tulip from her belongings. When the water is exchanged, she in turn hands her the bright, red flower.

"Here..." she offers. "For the energizing water...it'll keep you matching..."

She'll have to test and see in what ways the water will improve her energy, too.

[boundlesschaos]

[ SNEAK ] - The Goddess Tower was a no-go before, but with flashy distractions at a high and visibility at a low, now is a better opportunity than you will get the rest of the night. The monastery staff have promised a very unforgiving punishment for those caught in forbidden grounds, but that only goes for those caught, right?

Poe herself traipses through the hallways of the Goddess Tower this very eve.

Being a member of the staff offers her some more flexibility to do so, especially under the justification that she's on the hunt for those who are where they ought not be. She soften her steps so that her heels won't click against stone. A floral scent already drifts through the air tonight, not just in her wake. Her dress trails behind her as she rounds the corner—

"Oh!" The sound that escapes her reflexively seems almost joyous. "I would recognize that silhouette anywhere!"

Throughout the night, she had wondered about the tower. For this year to have it barred away, protected and watched to ensure that no one heads up there? There had to be another reason for such extreme measures, and it bothered Niamh that she did not have the answers.

On top of that, as the highlight of the ball had started, and the curtains had rose on the shows, she found quite a number of people collecting around the various performances made with moving pictures. It was crowded, busy, and above all, noisy - she'd have to return to one of the later showings and take a look at the performance's magic then.

So, she ventures towards the tower. She uses the darkness to her advantage, tip-toeing towards the stairs...

Only to hear her voice.

"...no you don't." She reflexively responds. She ducks down, but she knows that she doesn't have the means to hide if the darkness does not aide her. Especially not if someone like her spots her.

Does she run? No, not yet.

Her curiosity beats her need to survive. She wants to know why she's here, too.

[boundlesschaos]

(ready to watch in THREE D)

[boundlesschaos]

[ CHAOS ] - A dance that is difficult to define by virtue of its nature as a medley of popular dance moves across history that somehow come together to form an entertaining, if chaotic, whole.

Over the years, Niamh has taken note of the various dances that have been present in the ballrooms. Even when she is uncertain of the source for where the dance comes from, observation goes a long way, and Niamh is able to grasp a basic understanding after a few songs have finished.

There are dances where she needs to be quick on her feet. Those where timing the slow, graceful steps with the music was key to pulling it off, else the dance would look sloppy. Some required partners - others, she could dance alone.

But always, always, there was a pattern that she had to commit to memory.

Tonight's music starts no different. She counts the beat, and her footsteps follow in time, bringing her towards the center of the room. Others have taken the floor as well, familiar with the tune at first. But quickly, the tone of the melody shifts. She counts a 1-2-3 instead of a 1-2, 1-2. It's no easy feat to adapt, and the ball goers on the floor share the same trouble, some even stumbling over her feet.

But some stay, determined to see the dance through. Niamh meets eye to eye with one of them - her eyes briefly note the stars that adorn her hair. The music shifts again, but Niamh's able to adapt faster, this time, pivoting to the left of the person before her.

"It's fun..." she voices suddenly, counting the number of people left. Some have left the floor, but she still catches a glimpse of starry-haired one. "Can you make it to the end?"

A tulip, held throughout the dance so far, is extended towards her - an invitation to dance alongside Niamh, in the ever changing performance.

[boundlesschaos]

[ FLOWER ARRANGEMENT ]

"Would you like help in arranging your flowers?" Ready, as always, to offer his aid- this time for something he is far more confident in. "It seems you've found yourself with a fair share of them already."

She has the ones that she's collected from others spread out before her. There was a science to matching colors - that part she understood. But when it came to breaking those rules, going with what felt best? Niamh was not sure the decisions she was making would reflect whatever expression she was attempting to convey through flower arrangement.

So, when a familar face offers assistance, relief can be briefly witnessed from her otherwise firm expression. "That would help...you've found some too, it seems..."

Beside the number of flowers she has received is a bundle of flowers she has yet to give. Yellows, whites, and red, alongside some that are a mix of two, she glances towards this collection of Tulips before looking back at Sephiran.

"Yours are violet..." she says, staring with awe. She carefully takes a yellow Tulip from her pile. "Here...they're opposite colors, but that's what makes them work well together..."

She wonders where he might decide to place it, among the collection of flowers that he has.

[boundlesschaos]

[boundlesschaos]

[ SHAVED ICE ] - Served with a wide assortment of sweet, fruity syrups. Traditionally, it is served in bowls, but some are saying it makes for quite a refreshing sip when drank from a glass.

Unlike some years, Niamh does not spot any tea for her to have along with the snacks. It’s perfectly possible for them to roll them out further along the night, but what catches her eye as a possible substitute instead? The curious nature of shaved ice. It could be a drink, paired alongside a snack. But it could also be eaten from a bowl, treated like a snack in it’s own right. Would it truly be the correct kind of substitute?

As she ponders her options, there’s another person who has made their way over. Once she recognizes that he’s also here to try the shaved ice, she decides to ask; “which do you think…a bowl, or a glass…”

There’s no wrong answer, don’t worry. Niamh even has a bowl and a glass of the shaved ice prepared - while the bowl has bright, cherry red syrup, the ice in the glass is colored blue. What flavor is blue? It’s blue raspberry, of course. What flavor is blue raspberry? It’s blue flavor, isn’t it? 

“You can have whichever you like…” she follows up, clarifying that the offer is indeed for him. “And for your efforts, you’ll get a flower, too…” 

She’ll give Lyon a red flower for the bowl flavored with cherry, but for the blue raspberry glass? He’ll have to accept a white one, since Niamh herself has no blue Tulips on hand.

[boundlesschaos]

[ NETWORK ] - One of your fellow ball-goers is being accosted, and getting into earshot, you realize it's by someone who claims to be one of the scouts looking for talent. But they're being a little pushy, aren't they? And are you sure they're really who they say they are?

She had noticed them when she first walked in. Recruiters, scouts, those with a keen eye for talent. Whether or not this was true was something Niamh did not have the background to know. But, when she sees someone say No, she knows that it means No.

"Did you not hear...?" She asks, no obvious ire in her voice, yet holding an intimidating weight to it. "When someone says no, they mean it...I will repeat it until you understand..."

Were it anyone else, maybe they'd think the 'threat' of sorts is in name alone. But, true to who Niamh is, she does in fact repeat the word 'no' until the strange scout leaves.

"I think they understand now..."

Still, Niamh remains focused on the odd recruiter as they head further into the crowd. Almost as if expecting they'd pull something on her or their previous target if she looks away.

[landsbluod]

It did not really matter to her what they were here for - some dance competition, she supposed? Which in truth she might have been interested, if it were not for how pushy they were.

"Cut a pretty figure on the stage. You tied down to the monastery?"

"Excuse me, I am merely attempting to reach - "

"Could give you fame, if you wanted! Name in lights!"

"I said excuse me, although perhaps you didn't hear me over - "

"Music, cheering fans - !!"

"If you don't step away from me this instant - "

Loathe be it for Lachesis to desire the need for another person, where her own declination was insufficient, but that the other woman was willing to step in gave her a thrill of vicious solidarity as they both cut an intense and united stonewall for the purported scout, who paused before eventually skittering away to till different pastures.

Lachesis' eyes bored a hole into their back at the retreat, before glancing to meet the expression of the mysterious young woman.

"My apologies that you felt the need to get involved - what a persistent little rodent, a surprise for what is apparently quite a prestigious competition, at what is apparently an illustrious academy." Her tone was polite, though it held the weight of accusation that such a venue would invite these types to begin with.

Dipping her chin, Lachesis attempted a smile. "My name is Lachesis. Please, if nothing else, we can swap names and flowers. Better to wipe the whole memory and start anew."

[boundlesschaos]

Niamh stares at the fleeing scout for a few seconds longer, before, certain that they have indeed fleed, she turns to face Lachesis. The person before her was saying sorry? This nets a curious tilt of Niamh’s head, as she now focuses that stare on her. “Why are you saying sorry…the person who bothered you should say that, not you…”

Wait, that person was a rodent? They didn’t look like someone with ears and a tail. Her head tilts in the other direction, attempting to recall that person’s features. They looked perfectly like a person, not like a mouse or a rat…

“I think…there’s always people here,” she eventually decides on, “that like to see what they can get away with…they don’t always understand when no actually means no…” It was new for here to see someone trying to search for talent, though. For the upcoming event? It had to be for that. 

“Oh…” the sight of the flowers reminds her. She’s got Tulips of her own to exchange, but before that, she places a hand over her chest. “I am Niamh…if someone else bothers you, then you can tell me…” It’s an offer more than a requirement, since Niamh can tell that Lachesis can probably handle things on her own, too. Still, with the number of people here, it doesn’t help to have the option just in case. 

Niamh then brings forth a couple of Tulips, all in various colors. “Here…you can swap one of mine for yours. Pick whichever color you like best…” Notably, Niamh seems to be carrying a lot of whites, yellows, and reds, with some being a mix of the colors. “You can pick whichever of yours for me to have…” 

[shystratagem]

[ SWEET BUN TRIO ] Three delicious, bite-sized buns from Faerghus. The first bun is filled with sweet cream and topped with icing and a candied cherry. The second is a sweet roll filled with almonds, pecans, and dried cranberries and glazed with honey. The third is a bun sliced in half, filled with almond paste and whipped cream, dusted with powdered sugar on top.

Mark probably needed to pace himself with the snacks. He desperately wanted to try all of them, but he knew his eyes were bigger than his stomach. He had never been much of a big eater. Stuffing his face too quickly would mean he didn't have room to sample everything he'd like to, and that would be a tragedy with so much on offer. Even something as small as these little sweet buns would probably be better off cut in half, just enough to sample them without taking up too much room. It would be a shame to just waste the other half, though...

Oh, there was someone else at the snack table, and she was clearly eyeing the sweet buns as well. How convenient. She certainly made herself easy to notice with that stunning outfit of hers. Black and white was a simple and classic color scheme, but it was an effective one; the contrast of light and dark made for an excellent visual. That mask of hers gave her an air of mystique, of intrigue. Whoever she was, she definitely knew how to make an appearance. Hopefully she wasn't too cool for someone like Mark to bother.

"Um, I don't think I can eat all three of these, but I want to try a bit of each," Mark greeted her, offering a weak attempt at a friendly smile. The anxieties plaguing him made it hard to smile too freely to someone he didn't know well. "If I cut them in half, would you want the other halves? I'd feel bad just letting them go to waste. Oh, uh, you can have a flower from my bouquet, too, if you'd like."

[boundlesschaos]

Niamh was always a fan of the different kinds of sweets at an event. No matter the venue, there were some mainstays that would be familiar to her at the ball in particular - mixed in with new and wonderful things to try for the first time. The triple bun dish was the former, but by no means a bad dish. In fact, it had to be one of Niamh’s favorites, due to the wide variety of flavors that the single dish provided. It could even be shared, if desired, allowing for multiple means of consumption. 

The person before her has the same idea in mind, at the least the sharing aspect of it. She tries to recall if she knows this face, but draws a blank. “You want to share…”

Her voice appears intimidating by how difficult it is to pick up any emotion. One with a poor read might even think that she’s judging the other for asking, but truth be told, it’s just her natural way of speaking. The continued stare is a touch unnerving, though, even if she doesn’t intend for it.

Eventually, she breaks eye contact, and collects a Tulip from her belongings. She decides to hand one colored white, hoping it’ll contract the greens of Mark’s outfit without being as overpowering as a red one might be. “Here…” she extends the hand with the flower out. “If we’re sharing snacks, the flowers should be shared, too…” She doesn’t want to take one of the Lillies without first providing a flower in turn.  

[breidatactics]

[ CHOCOLATE ] Stefanelli’s has partnered with the monastery to make the most of the supplies left in excess of their workshops earlier in the year by offering packages of sweet chocolates for attendees. The offerings appear generous… that is, until you open your box to find it only half full. It can't be intentional. Right? That's the main thing that's on her mind when she notices this, but she can't help but glance over at the person nearby opening theirs. "Half full....or half empty?"

What do you do when you’re given a random box of chocolates for free? Check which ones you got, of course! There were a ton of good options to choose from and even if these were ‘extras’, maybe Kiran would get some yummy treats—aaaand it was half empty. The selection itself was… fine enough but still!

As they pouted, someone else came on by. They got out of their mopey state to smile at her. Half full or half empty… good question. The answer didn’t really matter, Kiran would be eating these either way (free chocolate was free chocolate!). Instead of an exact answer, they held a chocolate for the other to take.

The box was held in the middle, in case she found anything she liked. Adding some kindness made any disappointment wayyyy better. For the most part. Oh! Right! Flowers! Popping the box down, Kiran messed around with their hyacinths until… tada! Now it was at least a lot prettier to look out. Pocketing some of the chocolates in their handy dandy random bag in their Summoner’s Cloak (how long had that been in there?? … better not to question it), they gave the box up to the other.

Maybe she’d have more fun with it! Or maybe they just didn’t want to have to hold the box the entiiiiiire time here. They had books to read after all.

Enjoy, they signed quickly. Maybe a bit too fast to be understood completely.

[boundlesschaos]

Niamh eyes the box, a box now adorned with a hyacinth. Though she wasn't too fussed with the amount of chocolate actually inside the box (ok, maybe a little), the thoughtful gesture does have Niamh linger on the sight for a touch longer.

Flowers...

Oh, that's right! She waves a hand out towards Kiran, clear in her eyes that she asks to Wait, Wait, don't go just yet! She then uses that free hand to bring forth a flower from her own collection - yellow, like the eyes of the person across from her.

"Here..." she offers a Tulip in turn. "We're supposed to collect them..." To what reason, they'll find out together once the ball has come its conclusion. But for now, she can't help but wonder how each bouquet will look at the end, and how each will arrange based on the colors they receive.

And for Niamh, she'll have to wonder how she'll add this Hyacinth to hers, once she's enjoyed the chocolates.

[boundlesschaos]

[ SWEET BUN TRIO ] - Three delicious, bite-sized buns from Faerghus. The first bun is filled with sweet cream and topped with icing and a candied cherry. The second is a sweet roll filled with almonds, pecans, and dried cranberries and glazed with honey. The third is a bun sliced in half, filled with almond paste and whipped cream, dusted with powdered sugar on top.

“You liked these when they served them a few years back too, right?” Elise smiles as she holds the plate up to Niamh this time instead of the other way around. “Look! They’re serving them again this year! I couldn’t find any tea to go with them this time unfortunately, but they should still be just as good! Do you wanna share them with me?”

It's a familiar face with a number of treats that she recalls from years before. It's true that they had tea in the past - but she doesn't mind the idea of having them on their own. It's a new way of having them, in her eyes, and she always find fun in that.

So, to Elise's offer, it's no question that Niamh returns with a small nod. "I would like that..."

She scans the area for a place for the two to sit, and to have the table space to divvy up the buns. Fortunately, it's not too crowded just yet, and finding a spot doesn't take an especially long time.

Before they're able to indulge on the tasty snacks, however, Niamh speaks up once more. "Did you see...this year, it's flowers..." She expects Elise to know, but she still can't help but show off the bouquet of Tulips that she has.

"There's a lot of colors to pick from..." For Niamh in particular, there's plenty of reds, yellows, and whites, some a mix of the colors. "What about yours...?"

And did you want one? Her eyes seem to read, though she doesn't openly speak the words.