wings of love

wherefore we move on

⤷ ethereal ball 2026: cont. from here. ( second half )

At the mention of her wings, Joachim gives a nod. Though he didn't have wings himself, he could imagine the ease of movement they must give, or at least he has definitely wondered about the experience flight must grant— how it must change the shape of the world for those who are given the means to wield it.

But any fanciful thoughts he has on the topic die in his head, completely buried by Rose's introduction and the way it makes his eyes practically bulge from his skull.

Suddenly, the handkerchief in his hand seems all the more delicate.

“A princess... Holtz is a kingdom to the south, isn't it?” Realizing he's mumbling to himself, speaking without proper context, he flusters to rush to remedy this. “I'm Joachim. I used to live in a village in the mountains of Tournu.”

He awkwardly tries to curtsy in return, not sure what else to do but belatedly mirror her action. How does one interact with a princess? He can't say he'd ever expected to have to.

“But... well, I'm a student here for now.”

Another thought enters his head: if she's from Holtz, then there's no way she doesn't know about the Demon Wolf Fenris. A pinprick of tension enters his spine, straightening it as he finds himself reflecting on all that she's done for him this meeting.

She did all that... and treats him to such warmth of saying this is a pleasure to meet him... despite his lupine features?

It means a lot to me that you would, he'd told her. Now, he knows, just how much more it means.

#thread : 𐔌 wherefore we move on ꒱#toaball2026 #floweringlove

Ah, she’d grown far too used to the calm with Prince Kurt’s friends. The surprise etched onto Joachim’s face served only another reminder of that as did the slight tilting of her head. Fortunately, for them both, he did not stay in such a state for long. She nodded, a smile gracing her lips as she recalled her home.

“Oh, Tournu, rather north, isn’t it? Even luckier then, are we, to meet when we were once so far from each other.”

The clumsy curtsy was met with only a brightened smile. Clumsy, sure, but kind nonetheless. Here, in the Academy, he did not have such an obligation to her. Yet still he tried to do as she might have expected.

“As am I! So there is no need to worry about formalities, Joachim. I promise.”

She was near certain that was why he straightened up so suddenly. Still, a part of her was not so naive. His lupine ears were easy to see and his familiarity with Holtz only further meant he knew of the Shadow Fenris well. However! They were still students and if he did not show any will to harm, why should she?

“You wouldn’t also happen to be of the Golden Deers? I don’t believe I’ve seen you in the dormitories but, well, my arrival here was quite recent. Apologies if I missed you entirely.”

wherefore we move on

⤷ ethereal ball 2026: cont. from here. ( second half )

“Huh? Oh, I...” It's not until someone else approaches him, handkerchief in hand with a kind yet discreet word, that Joachim even realizes he'd been moved to tears. How odd. He didn't think he was the type to be moved by stories, but the stories he's known up until this point were just mere fanciful pages from books recited to children.

There's something different between words on a page versus delivered by people you can actually see. The little creatures scribbled on parchment feel like nothing more than mere dreams and hopes, symbols more than anything. His friend yearned for such things but flushed in embarrassment of being called out for it, presumably because of this distance.

But when he sees humans recite these lies? It feels all too real suddenly— even when he knows it's not.

“...Thanks. Sorry you had to see me like this.” He takes the handkerchief at last, roughly wiping at his eyes. As he does so, the woman beside him prays ardently. In this way, she reminds him of his teacher. Oh, how easy she was to be brought to tears too...

Even as the movie comes to its darker scenes, one of the leads about to take poison...

“Your wish is beautiful. I think my Teacher would think so too. Here, I'll pray for it too.”

Joachim clasps his hands just as the princess beside him does. It's all for naught though. By the end, both leads end up dead for real, and as the lights come back up to allow everyone to filter out at the performance's end, Joachim turns back to his newfound companion.

“Sorry that your wish didn't come true in the end. I know it's not enough to make up for the lives lost, but... here.” He pulls one of his hyacinths and offers it to her. He sheepishly scratches the side of his cheek with his other hand as he adds, “Before you came up to me, I didn't even realize I'd been crying. I appreciate you coming to look out for me too. You didn't have to... but you did. It means a lot to me that you would.”

@lovelyflight !!

#thread : 𐔌 wherefore we move on ꒱#toaball2026 #floweringlove #// hehe thank you ! glad you had fun writing this up #// thought it could be fun to go in a different direction for that ask ! I just like thinking about the effects of different mediums haha #// I’d be happy to continue this as a mini thread ! thanks for setting it up <3

At his gratitude mixed with apologies, Rose shook her head. “Nothing to apologise for, it only means the actors and playwrights are doing a wonderful job.” Yes, their tears were a compliment in and of themselves. And, in a room where throwing flowers upon the stage was no longer an option, that suited her well.

Their shared wish remained just that, a wish. A fanciful dream. Even so, she hadn’t regretted it. Perhaps in the same way these characters hadn’t regretted their romance even if it led them to their demise. Destinies intertwined… ah, her handkerchief was needed once more. She glanced over at her new companion only seconds after he had done the same.

Putting her handkerchief away, she smiled at him. A flower, hm? Ah, he was kind and kindness should always be rewarded! Without hesitation, she offered one of her tulips in turn. “Thank you, for the flowers and for wishing with me. These performances are always so enjoyable with company.”

Still, she tilted her head slightly. Of course, there was choice in the matter as there was in everything but… to be thanked for something that felt as natural as smiling… Odd. Enough so that it took a few seconds for her to reply in kind. “Oh, of course, my wings make the task too easy not to do.”

Fortunately, she found her footing soon enough once more. Or perhaps she should say she found her balance? Curtseying, she introduced herself.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, friend. My name is Rose, princess of Holtz. What is yours?”

A Dance of Envy.

lobeiro

At the end of it all, two people move onward and one is left behind. It's unfair, one could say, that in order for someone to succeed, someone else has to fail. There wouldn't be much point in a competition if nothing was being judged, but it still fills him with a complicated feeling to watch groups of people disappear back into the crowds, away from the almost blinding spotlight.

What a bittersweet thing, victory.

"Thank you." Kindness should be repaid in turn, so Kurt bows back. "Although I am lacking in many ways, it's thanks to my fiancée's support that I've made it this far."

Not just here on the dance floor, but throughout his whole life. He doubts he would have even been able to make it to Fódlan without Holtz opening their doors to him. Berkut is entirely correct. Kurt is lucky to have Rose by his side.

"I hope you'll compete against us again next year with a partner by your side, Berkut. Although I do hope my own footwork will have improved by then or you may surely best us next time..."

At first it seemed like this would end amicably, if a bit disappointing for himself. However as Kurt spoke, the last things he said. Any trace of a smile was wiped off his face. Eyes hardening, a scowl formed, even as he glared at the other man.

"Unlikely. I may simple avoid the competition entirely." Scoffing, he though about leaving, though his anger was still rising. Attend with a partner. As if anyone could replace-

"I don't think I could trust having a partner by my side. You should consider yourself lucky." There was no one, none who he could even imagine being by his side. It would be an insult, especially after what he had done. For a moment he swore he could feel fire, wrapped around him in a burning, deadly embrace.

A sneer crossed his face, and he turned around, already starting to leave. However he looked back, one last look towards the couple. So loving, so trusting in one another. "After all, you two hopefully won't know what it means to utterly lose your partner to betrayal. To weakness and desperation that forces you apart. Hopefully for both your sakes."

Even as he left, the sensations still danced across his skin. A just punishment for his own weakness.

#thread : 𐔌 a dance of envy ꒱#toaball2026 #whiteheroncup2026 #floweringlove #flights end (thread end)

Prince Kurt and Berkut’s efforts for an amiable end seemed to go astray as the prince wished him well. Strange, was that hurt she saw? Or was the anger so burning she thought no other cause for it? Her gentle smile did not falter though she did squeeze her beloved’s hand to support him.

“That would be unfortunate—it would be a shame for your dance skills to be shown only this once.” A curtsy to him as he drifted away like a petal in the wind. Just as susceptible to burning too. She dearly hoped it wouldn’t burn him completely, until only ash remained. Scattered, lost to all.

Blinking, she watched him turn around and speak once more. So it was a kind of hurt, the kind she couldn’t quite grasp. Prince Kurt was here and that was enough for her. With each other by their sides, was there any need for doubt? Any need for anything but the comfort of love? Still, she felt her brows knit into sympathy, something approaching concern.

“Thank you for your heartfelt concerns, Lord Berkut. I hope you will accept mine in return. I hope there comes a time when you find the will to push past those weaknesses with the support of those you cherish. Good luck, Lord Berkut.”

Perhaps with some support—the kind that she and Prince Kurt had in spades from both each other and their friends—he could stop the fire’s hold entirely.

thread end !

sacrificialspear

the dance floor menagerie

White Heron Cup 2026 Match 11

lobeiro

They are matched against another pair this time, which feels apt than competing against a solo dancer. There's something both stressful and relieving to see a pair of rabbit ears sticking up from the other side. It is both a warm reminder of home, now further away than ever, and a grim reminder to be cautious of who knows his whereabouts.

(And the man she's been partnered with is a reminder to watch the expression on his face before it becomes too stern. That's part of the judging, too, isn't it?)

"She doesn't look like she's from the empire," Kurt whispers to Rose when he steps in close to begin their second dance.

But perhaps it was a mistake to let him lead, doubly so with this thought on his mind, because his very first step is a misstep that he corrects with a quick shuffling of his feet. It's messy, hardly the best start to the dance, but there is no undoing what has already been done.

One, two—he draws upon the choreography popular in Ast, hoping that his familiarity with the steps will hide how rusty he's become. A dance is only as good as the person leading it; any flaws here are his alone to bear.

He can't imagine they're scoring very well with him in the lead. His individual score from the judges can't be more than a few points higher than last time (a 14 or so, if he had to hazard a guess), but he lets out a clear, boyish laugh anyway.

"Haha, I really do need to practice more, don't I?"

@lovelyflight

#thread : 𐔌 the dance floor menagerie ꒱#toaball2026 #whiteheroncup2026 #floweringlove

With Prince Kurt taking the lead, Rose relaxed quite a bit. He might not have been as attuned to the dances as she but, well, it was hard not to fall into step with him. Trust him throughout it all, as always. Their opponents this time were a pair—one who might be from home and another from here. Still, she smiled at both with her usual sweet smile.

She hummed, glancing over at the other pair. “It doesn’t look like it.” She squeezed his hand in reassurance. “It will be alright, I know it.” Perhaps the certainty and sincerity of her words would be enough to assuage his doubts. Perhaps she was naive in that thought.

Still, she tried to focus on the dance. It wasn’t quite that she didn’t know the steps—it had been one of her favourites as it reminded her of her dearest—it was simply… well, who else would she dance with if not him? An oversight on her part, the steps come to her slowly, almost clumsily. Where her technique lacked, her joy shined.

Her score must’ve dropped significantly, though, she couldn’t find it in herself to care. A glimpse to the judges would show as much, her score dropping to match Prince Kurt’s in the last round—11 points—and there was a special kind of joy in that fact. Like the sweet aroma of a rose, she giggled as the dance came to an end.

“Looks like I do too. Let’s practice together sometime like we did before.”

A Dance of Envy.

Taking in a deep breath, Berkut stepped out for the competition. Surprisingly, the competitors were two people he was both familiar with. One from an assignment, and another he had danced with during this very ball. However, that was not important.

Eyes skipped over the more standout features. Wings, ears, none of that mattered. Instead it was the way the pair held each other. Standing so close, intertwined with one another. For a moment he heard a different kind of music. A voice calling out his name.

"Lord Berkut?"

Normally he would banish such thoughts. Instead, this time he let them inspire him. Gracefully, he began dancing. Arms were positioned as if he had a partner of his own. Moving carefully, the familiar steps of a dance he hadn't done since the days before everything went so wrong.

Yet still the memories lingered in his mind. Despite his training, they interfered with him. A small wailing through off his choreography, a smell of smoke causing his technique to falter. Yet the style, the pure expression of a lost love no longer in his arms was utterly flawless.

As he finished, he moved back. Knowing it wasn't perfect, even as the judges scored. 18 points, that was all his efforts had earned. Not even close to what would have been satisfactory, yet in that moment, lost in memory... he couldn't bring himself to care.

@lovelyflight @lobeiro

#thread : 𐔌 a dance of envy ꒱#toaball2026 #whiteheroncup2026 #floweringlove

The competition had been a bit of a last minute addition, considering she had only reunited with her fiance recently but! That would not deter her! After all, she knew him well enough to be in step even under such short notice. Now, all she had to do was recall her mandatory dance lessons. Their opponent was one she vaguely knew, the first to dance with her, if she recalled correctly. Ah, this would be formidable!

Taking her beloved’s hand in her own, she began to guide him forward. There were many dances she could choose from, many she had learnt the steps of today alone. Still, having so many choices only led to indecision on Rose’s part. And that would not do tonight. Instead, she allowed her heart to take hold. Surely, her love would be enough.

The steps themselves were improvised so it was only natural things did not go as planned but here, in the present, Rose did not mind. With Prince Kurt, how could she find it in herself to care? Soft smiles so close to giving away to giggles blossomed upon her visage as she guided her love through the steps. No matter the misstep, she would look upon this memory fondly.

Were you to ask Rose herself, she would not quite know when the dance ended, too entranced by the moment itself. Even still, she recalled the necessity for a curtsy. Her dance instructor would be so proud! If not of that, then her near perfect score—29 points in total. Ah, what a relief. It seemed only her technique was found to be lacking. A victory in and of itself.

➻❥ @lobeiro

by your side, always

lobeiro

Kurt hears her far before his eyes manage to catch sight of her in the crowd. The soft fluttering of wings is a sound as familiar to him as the beating of his own heart; a sound that has been with by his side since the softest days of his childhood all the way up until the darkest days of his present. The sound of her wings is ever so slightly different from Zasha's, a slight difference in sound that lets him know that nothing bad has happened.

"Rose!"

He calls not the name of the flowers in his other hand, but her name.

"If I had known you were here, I would have... Oh! Here, for you."

He has to stand on tiptoe to tuck a rose in her hair, but he doesn't mind much.

"Are you alright? The trip wasn't difficult? Holtz-" He shakes his head. "No, if you're here, then I can trust things are still well in your kingdom. Alberta and Carina would have come with you if the situation had deteriorated."

He trusted his knights, of course, and he trusts Rose more than anything, but it is no small relief to see her in front of him now instead of across the sea. Just knowing that she's here means that the tension he carries in his shoulders can relax the smallest bit.

"I missed you, too."

And he truly means it.

#thread : 𐔌 by your side always ꒱#toaball2026 #floweringlove #// yippieeeeeeee oh i adore themmmm

There was a special kind of joy at being called on by him—her beloved. It had not been that long since they’d seen each other, since she had heard her name on his lips. And yet, it felt as if it were the first time. As if she hadn’t heard him for centuries yet. Gentle giggles spilled out of her as he put a rose in her hair. The most precious flower of all in her, that much she was sure of.

“Thank you, Prince Kurt! Here, for you.”

She tucked a tulip in his hair, matching the position his rose was in her hair.

“I’m alright, don’t worry. How are you? I hope they have been treating you well here.”

Of course, there was little doubt in her mind that anyone would feel anything but admiration for her fiance. Still, worry festered as if it held hands with love itself. Flying down, her forehead touched his. Gentle and soft.

“Would you have this dance with me?”

The words were soft, gentle as a whisper but she knew he heard her. He always did.

[ STEAL ] "Woah! Is this yours?" He holds up a white feather, then grins as he gestures to his own shoulders. "Do you like my wings?"

In the darkness of the room, it seemed like Rose hadn’t noticed another approaching and hadn’t noticed what he held in his hands. Oh! Her feather! A smile quickly formed on her face.

“Yes! It is! I’d fly to show you but I worry I would hurt someone. Later, then, I’ll show you later.”

With that decided, she looked over his shoulders to see the darker feathers—wings of his own. Though it was not the same as hers nor as Zasha’s, it didn’t stop her smile from growing evermore. Clapping her hands together, she nodded.

“Oh, I do like them. You must have taken a lot of care of these feathers to make them. Fine craftsmanship.” A gentle laugh as she took a tulip from her bouquet for him. “A tulip for your efforts! I quite like how they match the ball’s environment right now too.”

#floweringlove #flying #with henry #toaball2026 #// thank you for sending this in !!#// come henry lets fly together…#// something about the meticulousness of handmade wings makes rose smile i think

[ MOVIE - ROMANCE ] - A techno-magical reproduction of a star-crossed romance between two lovers not meant to be.

What a fascinating invention! It shouldn’t be much of a surprise to find Rose seated for this ‘movie’. A romance between two star-crossed lovers… how lovely! Tragic, yes, but lovely nonetheless. Her seating, as it were, was at the very back (her wings were sure to block the vision of anyone behind her! That would be so very unfair). On occasion, she found herself flying just a bit higher to get a better view.

It truly was wondrous seeing the actors perform, however… hm. She found herself missing the proximity gained from a play. Still, this was quite accessible and she was sure a lot of effort went into it so who was she to complain? More than that… the chill of a tear fell past her cheeks. The emotions themselves did not fail to reach her.

As she used her handkerchief to lessen her blurry vision, she noticed another in similar straits. Slowly and gently so as not to disturb anyone else, she flew beside him. Rose held out another of her handkerchiefs.

“Here, this performance—er, movie is quite wonderful, isn’t it? I do so hope they will find a way out of this…”

Even if the movie’s writing seemed against such a wish. A gentle sigh left her lips as her gaze returned to the movie itself. “Perhaps if I wish hard enough…” she clasped her hands together. Won’t the goddess bless these (fictional) souls in love?

#floweringlove #flying #with joachim #toaball2026 #// thank you for sending this in !!#// hope this is okay for the prompt ^-^#// rose the romance lover of all time nods nods

[ ADRESTIA ] - A court dance that has spread like wildfire through Fódlan ballrooms. This waltz is best known for a special move that calls for the partners to join hands, together forming the shape of a bird in flight.

As the music strummed for an Adrestian dance, Rose returned to the dance floor. Her steps light as a feather or as light as she could make them. This time she had some practice, enough for her steps to grow in confidence. Her dance partner seemed to be one she’d seen a few times—from a house she did not belong to here. The Black Eagles or so she recalled…?

Enjoining their hands, Rose hummed along to the band. “They’re doing a remarkable job, wouldn’t you say? I wonder how long they must have practiced for this occasion.”

Surely a long while. Long enough to make this event as enjoyable as it was. As she recalled, the song played was the same as previously. Matching the style of dance entirely. The skill needed to keep things up for the day while not forgetting or going off key… it was impressive, indeed.

“I must admit, I do not know each instrument they are playing. Though, it’s very pleasing to the ears.” Perhaps she should throw a tulip or so to them later. They deserved that much. “Are you familiar with them?”

The tips of her tulips quite matched the other well. “Here! For the dance.”

#floweringlove #flying #with yunaka #toaball2026 #// thank you for sending this in !!#// I like to think rose enjoys focusing on the background aspects of events like these #// even if she doesn’t quite understand them entirely

by your side, always