Lady Clair

˚₊‧꒰ა ✦ Golden Deer Student at the Officers Academy ✦ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

[cloudyknightskies]

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Closed Clair from Fire Emblem rp

❀࿐Affiliated with @theofficersacademy 

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Key Links

❀࿐Stats ❀࿐Mun ❀࿐Muse ❀࿐App ❀࿐Plotting

❀࿐Thread Nav ❀࿐Flower Tracker

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Tags Guide

❀࿐#skysdescent <— in character tag

❀࿐#airatalks <— out of character tag

❀࿐#salutations <— ask tag

❀࿐thread tags will change depending on the thread <3

[cloudyknightskies]

salutations! let us convene!

More Clair ! I’ll be limiting myself on threads with Clair to keep up with her current threads but here are some options if you’re interested in a new one with her ! Shoot me a dm if anything strikes your fancy on here or otherwise <3

・┆✦ ᭝ ᨳଓ࿔*・᯽ MISSION TASK BOARD ᯽ ᭝ ᨳଓ࿔* ✦ ┆・

❀࿐Her second foray into searching for flowers and, this time, she may actually fly with her dearest Pegasus! Ah, what a relief that is… Unfortunate, then, that misfortune cast itself upon her unit. Whispers of pettiness, a rather crude act, float about but a quick decision must be made. Oh, what is a lady to do… [ flying / riding +1 ] [ faculty & staff member req ]

・┆✦ ᭝ ᨳଓ࿔*・᯽ NON-MISSION TASK BOARD ᯽ ᭝ ᨳଓ࿔* ✦ ┆・

❀࿐To entice a lady with promises of rare items only to keep them out of reach… why, such cruelty could not last! And so, Clair found herself in quite the predicament. Was she so intrigued as to delve into the desperation of deceit or would she simply have to let go of these fleeting thoughts… asking another couldn’t hurt, though, could it?

[cloudyknightskies]

lady’s diary

・┆✦ ᭝ ᨳଓ࿔*・᯽ MAY ACTIVITY CHECK ᯽ ᭝ ᨳଓ࿔* ✦ ┆・

・┆✦ ᭝ ᨳଓ࿔*・᯽ ONGOING THREADS ᯽ ᭝ ᨳଓ࿔* ✦ ┆・

❀࿐3 replies pending — 2 threads completed at present ꫂ❁ Yuri — the last day of childhood ꫂ❁ Siegbert — the elegance of dance ꫂ❁ Eirika — treat yo self! …no no like that

❀࿐15 threads ꫂ❁ 4 new threads

・┆✦ ᭝ ᨳଓ࿔*・᯽ SKILL ALLOCATION ᯽ ᭝ ᨳଓ࿔* ✦ ┆・

❀࿐[any +1] ꫂ❁ 28 IC posts (3 starters, 11 replies, 13 asks) ꫂ❁ flying [D ᯓ✿ D+]

[diadic]

    Though Leif might've looked out for the girl, he can't say he expected her to volunteer to lend an ear. “As a lady...” he repeats after her, a mumble as he considers it. Was that what he was missing? A woman's perspective?

...He supposes it's possible? Most of the people he's upset at balls HAVE been women...

“OK. If you're willing to try and help me, I'll try and think. A flower as my thanks.” He offers one of his lilies to the blonde then as he tries to sort his thoughts.

“...Well, one time I tried to figure out what the relationship was between a rough friend of mine and this lady he spent a lot of time with, but she got upset when I described him as I saw him... but she took the blame for it and apologized to me, so I didn't really know what to do... Then another time, a girl I knew bumped into me, but when I tried to tell her it was fine, she didn't seem to believe me...”

He'd been speaking more nebulously when he'd first admitted his reason for coming here, but now that he started going down all these memories, he starts to cringe speaking them back. His words start spacing out farther apart as he ponders each moment of the past.

“...Even when I try to compliment a girl, she takes it as me not really noticing things about her. I get my mistakes sometimes but not others... but it's not like I can stop talking if it's a social event...”

[cloudyknightskies]

Ever patient, as any lady would be, Clair awaited his reply. It came rather quickly, all things considered, taking the lily with a smile on her face. “You are most welcome. You may have one of my hyacinths should we return with nary a single scolding.”

Whether she meant it for the guard or the other was up to his interpretation. Ambiguity served a lady well in these circumstances, after all! Still, the more he spoke, the more confusion swirled in her eyes. She furrowed her brows.

In some ways, it was as if she had opened the floodgates to his concerns. In other ways… had he truly not thought of the consequences of his actions? Perhaps he truly was simply dense to the emotions of others. 

“I see… With the first, if you spoke negatively of her desired suitor or friend, I believe it may be obvious why she may take offense. If she had apologised, you should have shared the blame to lessen its impact upon her. You would not be so callous as to make her feel worse in this situation, would you?”

Though she had approached this rather humbly, it seemed as though Clair’s thoughts on the matter had grown in confidence. A sure sign of her grand understanding as a lady! 

“In regards to the other two, perhaps it is not quite what you say but how you say them. Compliment me so I may understand what you have been saying to them.”

She straightened up ever so slightly. Of course, she would give him some leniency. This was, after all, their first meeting. Still, any decent man would be able to pinpoint three things to compliment about any lady he came across. Anything less and she would consider him in dire need of aid. Perhaps she could get him in touch with one of her instructors… 

[cloudyknightskies]

familiar steps & familiar smiles

ꫂ❁ continued from here !

[cloudyknightskies]

It was only now that Clair realised how little either of them had seen each other outside of the war. Ah, what a tragedy! The many balls Lady Silque was sure to have missed… They must make up for it now, that was the only suitable course of action.

“Of course! A lady must be attuned to any environment while dancing,” she declared with the kind of certainty only she held. It was most certainly not because she wished to dance with a friend and rushed ahead. No, no, a lady would never be so impatient. Ahem. Still, she led her friend in the dance, excitement thrumming in each step. As always with Clair.

As Lady Silque spoke, her bright smile faded into something just as fond but with some more… grace, she would say. “My brother has been faring well, of course. He is not here but I have been corresponding with him in letters. Of the Deliverance, I have seen a few here and they, too, seem to be faring well. Forsyth, Lucas and Python… Do inform me if he has done anything less than knightly, a sure eventuality with him.” A sigh as she shook her head, even if slightly fond. 

Still, it soured at the memory of one she had much, much, much preferred to forget. However… it would be cruel to keep this from a friend lest they be startled by his appearance. Perhaps they could avoid him together. “I have seen the much less desired sight of Lord Berkut. Mila willing I will not see him ever again… still, he is a student, so do be wary should you catch sight of him.” 

As the music went on, Clair’s expression returned to a smile. “And yourself? I hope you have been faring well, my lady.”

ꫂ❁ @milafaithful 

[cloudyknightskies]

a dance tells a thousand stories

ꫂ❁ continued from here !

[heriteur]

"Oh, my apologies. I certainly don't doubt that they are different." He chuckles, "But that's kind of you to offer. I'll consider it, and keep it in mind if the desire strikes me one day."

Faintly, he notices the song starting to wind down, heralding the end of this dance, and the coming start of a new one. She compliments him in the meanwhile, and though it's praise he's heard countless times before, he's no less appreciative of her sentiment.

Standing tall and fighting threats wasn't something he did for admiration. He did it because it was what needed to be done, to protect those who couldn't do the same.

"Thank you," he says sincerely, gently stepping out of her hold as the music slows, "it takes just as much courage to fight for your homeland as a soldier, if not more. Commanders are prioritized and protected. You are the ones risking your lives, with no guarantee for safety or return—yet you make the choice to fight anyway. To me, that's admirable."

He takes a hyacinth from his bouquet, and offers it to her. "For the dance, and enjoyable company. My name is Diamant, by the way. It was an honor to make your acquaintance."

[cloudyknightskies]

Dances always seemed to get the best of her, flowing away like grains of sand in her hands. Still, she does smile as the music winded down. As time moved on to the next dance (a wonderful one that was sure!).

A second or maybe two after the other seemed to loosen out of her hold, she stepped back as well. A curtsy to end the dance, of course, her instructors would simply faint if she did not. Besides that, it was most expected of a lady!

The praise of her conviction, admiration turned around upon her, it was a strange sort of delight. One mixed with pride. “Why, thank you! It is the duty of a knight to take charge in battle, to strike with full faith in their leader’s command, and mine was quite exceptional.” Both of them. She spoke it as if it were as true as the sky being blue, the clouds being above, the sun shining only in the day. A natural truth like any other. Maybe even more true.

“Likewise, Your Highness. I am Clair, you may refer to me as ‘Lady Clair’! A hyacinth for you, as well, it was quite the lovely dance.”

[cloudyknightskies]

[ MOVIE - TRAGEDY ] He really shouldn't be laughing at a performance like this, but there was a specific line delivery that caught him so off guard he can't help but chortle every time he remembers it. "Sorry, sorry." He apologises to the person next to him, he must look crazy.

A lady must always be aware of the latest trends, a reality that allowed Clair to be one of the first to watch this ‘movie’. A strange name for a performance but she did find the experience to be most delightful. Well, as delightful as one could find a tragic story like this. Lightly, she used her handkerchief to do away with her tears. It made for a rather inelegant viewing expe—hm?

Momentarily, Clair wondered if she had simply mistaken the sound from the movie to come from beside her. A quick glance at the movie was all it took see that, indeed, the somber tone had yet to pass for any laughter. So then… Ah, indeed, it was the one seated beside her. How peculiar.

“… You are forgiven. Did you recall something particularly humorous?”

Oh, but to speak during such a performance would be such a disservice to the actors! No, no, she would not put their hard work to waste! Instead, she placed a hyacinth on the other’s lap.

“A promise, you will inform me of the humorous matter after the movie. Please try to refrain from laughing further.”

She placed a finger upon her lips to further emphasise the point.

[cloudyknightskies]

"Lady Clair!" Silque waves wildly, like she used to at Clair's pegasus, flying high in mila's blue sky. "Lady Clair!!!"

Hiking up her skirt without a care in the world, Silque starts running towards her friend as fast as she can. What a joy it is for their paths to cross again, after so many long years apart, and on such a fine night as this one! Lady Clair, always as fierce in the air as she is dazzling in the ballroom---and so it was never any surprise to Silque, that so many boys vy for her hand, hehe.

With a breathless laugh, Silque stumbles to a stop and drops into a clumsy bow. "Ah, I'm so glad to see you! Your dress is absolutely beautiful, by the way. In this light, it almost looks like the butterflies are settling atop the flowers…"

As a display, Silque hovers one of her own tulips beneath a fluttering mirage, before extending the flower to the lady with a smile.

A familiar voice could be heard from the left—oh! A fond smile painted itself upon Clair’s face as she turned to see Lady Silque. The sight was familiar, the same she’d see up in the skies. Enough so that it was… almost confusing? Lady Silque rushed towards her in a rather unladylike manner, if she were to be cruel, but so very her. It was hard to find fault with such a case.

She waited for the other to be some steps away from her before curtsying. “Salutations! A pleasure to see you here as well, Lady Silque.” As she rose, it was easier to see Lady Silque’s dress. Simple yet elegant, she approved.

“Your dress is quite lovely as well! I do love the ribbons especially, they suit you well.”

A tulip placed just above her dress, a hyacinth placed beside Lady Silque’s hair. “In this lighting, it seems to match you perfectly. Won’t you take it from me?” Her gaze drifted to the dance floor only some steps away. A brightness to her eyes as she turned back to Lady Silque.

“Oh! Have you danced yet? Come, I believe I know this dance well.” For what was a ball without a dance?

[diadic]

    “Save...” Leif repeats after her quietly, tossing the word around within his mind. Did he come across that way? Looking back over this encounter from her perspective, it must be so...

Could he really say anything to the contrary then?

Still, despite feeling the futility in such action, he shakes his head. “That wasn't my intention... But I won't deny when I saw you, I did want to save you.

“I came here for some guidance,” he starts to try to explain. He turns towards the statues in the cathedral, gesturing towards them. “These aren't my saints or deities, but all religious figures uphold virtue, don't they??”

He glances back to the opening, hearing and seeing the guard still going at it, giving Leif more room to continue himself.

“I socialize a lot at these balls, but there's usually at least one person whose feelings I hurt without trying. So I thought carving out some time to clear myself might help... but, well, I forgot what tower this place is right next to.”

A sardonic grin lifts Leif's lips then.

“I haven't done a lot of praying as a result. I'm wondering if it's a lost cause if they're going to keep making such a racket...”

[cloudyknightskies]

A matter of guidance, hm…? Though Clair was rather outspoken in nature, she knew when it was best to lend a listening ear. Not that she held much choice in this situation—they couldn’t exactly leave their spot without being revealed. A good thing, then, that Clair enjoyed conversation so very much.

She glanced over, almost mistaking the knight to have moved towards them. So loud… did such a racket not warrant his voice to go hoarse? How unwise. Still, it did veil them quite well (another strike against him).

“Pardon me if I am mistaken, however, it sounds as if the problem lies in miscommunication.”

She wasn’t quite sure who specifically he has hurt through his words. Still, she couldn’t quite leave him in this state—if she could bring him any sort of aid, would it not be dishonourable to simply leave it as it were?

“In what manner do you harm their hearts? As a lady, if any of your concerns have to with another lady, I may be able to shed some light as to why it continues to occur.”

She was no deity but perhaps she would do for the time being.

[diadic]

@cloudyknightskies sent: [ GODDESS TOWER ] - No effort has been spared in surveillance or suspicion this year, and you know as much now that you find yourself alongside another answering to an ornery guard the moment you entered its vicinity. ( ethereal ball — first half. )

    “...and so do I make myself clear?!” the guard shouts out to two poor saps with their heads held low. The two saps? Decidedly not Leif nor Clair. The reason for that lies in just a little bit ago...

“Hey!”

A flash of blonde hair and cyan fabric moves at a brisk pace past Leif who'd come outside for a break from the ball, having made it to the cathedral. The woman moves alone, and he hardly recognizes her, but what he does recognize is the direction she heads: north towards the Goddess Tower.

Was it mere coincidence? Or was it entirely intentional? Leif can't be sure, but if he's noticed her, then he's sure he won't be the only one.

So without much more warning than that call, he makes the decision to rush and reach out to catch her by her wrist, pulling her against his body as he hides the both of them behind one of the cathedral walls. From there, they're close enough to the path to the Goddess Tower from there, and the sound of pegasus wings outside flap with great ferocity.

“You two! Have you conveniently forgotten that the Goddess Tower is off limits?!” the pegasus knight calls out with a booming voice, stopping two other students dead in their tracks, dashing their hopes. Their lecture continues, the guard's voice so loud it makes them deaf to the quiet conversation Leif holds with the Valentian:

“That was close.” He pulls himself away from Clair but remains rooted in their spot hidden in plain sight. “...Were you expecting someone to meet with you here? Or did you not know that direction's trapped?”

[cloudyknightskies]

To dance and dance and dance was a lovely affair, however… moments of calm were sparse to nonexistent. As such, she found herself wandering alone outside. There was no specific direction for she simply needed a moment’s breather (and to hear her thoughts).

I would most certainly have to note down the many times Zofia’s dance played. It is sure to be a point of pride for Clive—or maybe I should mention it to Mathilda firs—hm?

Blinking, she was entirely too late to notice the other pull her away from her path and against someone else. A stranger she did not know. Good heavens! What a brutish—

“You two! Have you conveniently forgotten that the Goddess Tower is off limits?!”

The cathedral walls protected them from the sight of a knight who flew down to lecture another pair of students. Ah. So that was the cause. Even so… did he not have the grace to handle a lady properly? Clair shifted a bit away from the other.

The guard’s rather loud, almost infernally so, lecture kept their words hidden as if they were naught but the wind. Fortunate for them.

“… I simply lost track of where I was headed. Pay it no mind. You have my gratitude for the rescue even if it was rather… sudden.”

She sighed, patting her dress down. Any stray dirt or dust would not hold a home in her ruffles. She had spent far too long simply picking this out of her many, many dresses. It would not be ruined by such a dismal thing.

“If I might inquire, why are you here? Present to save any maiden from certain punishment?” It was only partially a jest.

[estelular]

[ ZOFIA ] - Modeled after an Archanean court dance, but with an energetic twist. The entire body is engaged with the dance, creating a spectacle that is enjoyable to watch.

estel may not get every step right, but what she lacks in finesse is more than made up for in her enthusiasm. energy is something the rabbit has in spades, a product of a childhood spent running to and fro—then, later, days whiled away hunting for the next big catch to feed the orphanage. dancing isn’t quite the same, but there’s a liveliness to the act that she still enjoys.

especially with a good partner! estel hadn’t thought that she was terrible at it herself, but dancing across from someone clearly skilled at it makes the difference clear. what should she do, then, but double her efforts in turn?

“wow... you’re good...!” she manages between catching her breath as the song finally winds down. raising her head to meet her partner’s gaze, she grins. “i did my best to keep up, but i only learned to dance recently. and it wasn’t anything like that! have you danced to this song before?”

[cloudyknightskies]

While Clair, herself, was quite well versed in her homeland’s dances, she would never miss an opportunity to show it to another. Especially one so as enthusiastic as this! It was always a delight for another to be as excitable as she and Clair would not waste a second of the other’s efforts.

“You have my gratitude for your compliment! Though, I will admit, I have quite the headstart on you. After all, this is the dance of my homeland. Wonderful, is it not?”

As the song winded down, Clair curtseyed, bright with joy. For her efforts, the least she could do was reward her with a flower! It might be the same hyacinths but selecting a rather beautiful one would make up the difference?

“A hyacinth for your efforts! And an introduction so that we might meet once more. My name is Clair, you may refer to me as Lady Clair. Thank you for giving me such a delightful dance!”

[cloudyknightskies]

[ MORFISIAN ] - A sophisticated dance that celebrates the wondrous beauty of fire magic. In lieu of the Elementals gifting you the ability to perform this dance as intended, the club BOOMS has stepped in offering to help out. Fire magic dances upon your fingers and gives your face an ethereal glow.

Observing the display of a dance accompanied by fire could only ignite intrigue within Clair’s heart. And so, without hesitation, she rushed to participate. Her dance partner, on this occasion, happened to be one she was familiar with. Not enough to know intricately but enough to brighten her gaze with recognition.

“Salutations! It seems we are dance partners once more. Are you familiar with this dance?”

She glanced at her fingers, glowing with a fire bright enough to light up her face. Quite the interesting use of magic. She would most certainly have to inform Clive of this! Oh, but could her letters do this experience justice? I will have to memorise in its entirety.

“I must confess, this is the first time I have done such a dance. It is rather exhilarating, is it not? The fire shines a light that none can hide behind!”

Some might find that concerning, Clair, however? She found it to be the perfect addition to this dance. It played well with the ball’s atmosphere as well. Perhaps she could find some way to do this again even after the ball came to a close…

[cloudyknightskies]

a dance tells a thousand stories

ꫂ❁ continued from here !

[heriteur]

A pegasus knight. Now that she says so, it seems incredibly fitting.

"Ah. Is that so? I'm no flier, but I can imagine how freeing flying through the sky must feel. I certainly appreciate a nice horse ride along the roads, myself..." Diamant didn't ride much, but he'd always been fond of horses, and the times he did go out riding were quite soothing.

"And I'm not exactly a knight. I'm pri—rather, king now, of Brodia. Taking command of the troops was an expected duty for one of my station." He hums, "Though I'm far from one of those commanders that simply sat back and barked orders. I was right out on the battlefield, fighting alongside my soldiers."

[cloudyknightskies]

Though she knew well that the other may be unaware of the wonders of flight, perhaps none had flown with him before, it still bore mention their many differences. It was a disservice to both horse riding and flying!

“Yes, both can, indeed, be very soothing. However, I would say they hold quite the different experience—belief lies in experience. Should you wish, I would be delighted to show the difference by flying together. I would be remiss to keep you in ignorance!”

Yes, that would do. Nothing was quite like experiencing the skies firsthand—why, she recalled the absolute delight she felt upon her first time. There was, of course, some fear but nothing could deter her from feeling the wind rush past her, seeing all that was below as if it were her own personal daydream.

“I see, then, Your Highness, I do believe you are of a noble sort. A commander with the courage to brave the same dangers as his soldiers is one to admire, in my mind.”

[cloudyknightskies]

[ ZOFIA ] - Modeled after an Archanean court dance, but with an energetic twist. The entire body is engaged with the dance, creating a spectacle that is enjoyable to watch.

“Salutations! Would you be so gracious as to dance with me?”

One might assume Clair had long grown weary after her many dances of Zofia. One would assume wrong! Would she truly be Clair if this was all it took to wear her down? To exhaust her? No, no! Why, she’d would be an entirely different lady if that were so!

“The knight may accept the lady’s hand now!”

And it was with this new dance partner’s acceptance that she could continue her energetic dancing.

Perhaps it was not only pride that caused her to dance this very waltz, but a reminder of home. Very few opportunities came to dance as she would back in the One Kingdom. Even fewer with a new partner. A lot could be learnt of another in a dance just as a lot could be learnt through battle.

In some ways, the dance floor was another battlefield. She wondered what he might consider it himself.

“For this dance! I shall grant you a hyacinth, I do believe the blue suits you quite well.”

[cloudyknightskies]

a dance tells a thousand stories

ꫂ❁ continued from here !

[heriteur]

Diamant's eyes widen slightly. That wasn't at all where he expected a lady like her to start. "Battlefield? Yes... yes, I have. I've taken command of my country's troops countless times—Brodia prides itself on its military strength, you see."

The particulars of the dance are left momentarily forgotten, the king simply being guided through the steps as he hums. "You say you've also been on your homeland's battlefield..."

Looks were deceiving. The woman looked more attuned to shopping trips and tea parties than open combat. Of course, that didn't stop the Firenese from being strong. And there was the athleticism she's already shown, just in this energetic dance alone.

"I take it you're a knight, then?" He muses.

[cloudyknightskies]

Ah, yes, that shock of surprise! It mirrored her father’s near exactly. Quite curious, all things considered. This was a school for combat training, after all. Still, as any lady would, she granted him the grace of not calling it out. Strong military capabilities, hm?

“Yes, I am! A Pegasus Knight, to be exact. There is nothing quite like flying through the skies, lance in hand. What about you?”

The dance itself was an absentminded affair now that he followed her steps near exactly. Not a boring one, of course! Simply one she could fall into without much thought. Second nature, if you would.

“Are you a knight as well?”

[hermidetta]

*⚘ i can shooow you the wooorld

⠀ aphotic ⚘ flying +1 ⠀

[hermidetta]

the sooner these pirates sink, the sooner she can go home. this is the single affirmation she grips like a lifeline, quivering lips shaping it into a mantra just as the next blast comes, cutting another shriek out of her lungs instead. to the right clair steers them, though, the point of the cannon following their lead; and true to bernadetta's suspicions, the barrel can only halt mid-turn, its range hampered by the bolting of the machine. perfect. she and clair were out of its window. now—

“i think i’m gonna be sick,”  the feebler stomach of the two croaks from behind clair. but even through her airborne delirium, bernadetta’s harmless bleating is just that. her arms are already in position with a form that would offend any archer worth their salt, gray eyes squinting through her fringe to peer haggardly at the second ship, but her arrow cuts through the air with purpose as soon as she releases the string. it strikes true despite everything, disgustingly so, that it really ought to be studied. 

“ohh, goddess, whyyy-hy-hyyy? whyyyy? why?”  one more arrow for each of these rhetorical whys, another four in total—her golden number it seemed. when all is done, and bernadetta finally gets a clearer view of the deck, she counts four arrows and three downed pirates. oops. well, one more never really hurt anybody. else, that was.

her face plants into clair’s back with a wheeze.  “h-how many of them are left? zero? please be zero. zero! it’s not zero, is it?”

[cloudyknightskies]

Sympathy blossomed within Clair’s chest with ease when it came to a friend such as Bernadetta. While Clair was in her element, unable to stop the shine in her eyes from flying, Bernadetta seemed… ill by the very prospect. Perhaps it was the situation itself. In that case, they must hurry this up to reward her with a joyous venture in the skies. 

“Ah! Please do not… it takes rather long to get the stains out…”

She would know. Once, she had mistakenly taken her maid out to the skies only to be met with a day’s worth of cleaning… At such a feeble age too! Even with her dear friend’s protests, she struck each down with a precision Clair could only admire. It certainly made her duty quite a bit easier.

With Bernadetta’s sorrowful state, Clair took it upon herself to locate the targets remaining. One… two… oh, that’s all? How delightful!

“My sincere apologies to be the one to state it so, but I fear there are still a couple remaining. Shall we teach them the futility of their appr—”

Another canon misfired. Fortunately for them both, Clair guided her dear Pegasus away. Only a few strands of her own hair had been offended by the altercation. That and her soul but… she could make do… Unfortunately for Bernadetta, the movement was quite sudden in nature. 

“—roach. How do you fare? I shall take us to the remaining fiends or grant you some time to recover. Which would you prefer?”

[cloudyknightskies]

[ REVIEW AND REVISE ? ] "Do you know much about dancing...?"

The question is as quiet and as sudden as her presence beside the other. Seeming to realize this, if a beat too late, Katarina tucks a hand close to her chest and bows her head slightly, apologetic.

"Sorry... I saw you watching the dancers. Um, my name is Katarina... it's nice to meet you."

Ah, to be caught in the act. So quickly too! Why, Clair had only begun watching—entranced, others may say—the dancers when another spoke to her. Of course, every lady would be unbothered, dignified in such a surprise. Clair did not, in any sense, startle herself straight and look at the other with the same guilt a child would after finding and eating far too much sugar. No, no, she was the picture of elegance.

At the other’s bow, Clair’s senses finally returned to her. A curtsy in turn, she smiled, shaking her head. “Nothing to apologise for, my lady. I should be more aware of my surroundings, in fact, I’d wager you granted me a favour! Lovely to meet you as well, I am Clair. You may refer to me as ‘Lady Clair’!”

Her gaze returned to the dancers, then to Katarina. After a beat, deliberating in her head whether this was wise or simply her whims getting the best of her, she held out her hand for Katarina to take. Hopefully, her expression was welcoming. If it wasn’t… Clair wouldn’t quite be able to recover.

“To answer your question, I do. My dancing lessons were some of my favourites of the day. If you so wish, I could show you. In exchange, would a hyacinth of mine do?”