I always took it for granted that Ryoma would eventually be king

₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚ Hinoka RP Blog - Diplomatic Visitor residing at The Officers Academy ₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚

[scarletfireblossom]

Closed RP blog for Hinoka from Fire Emblem Fates - Affiliated with the Officer's Academy - penned by Taelsong

Hi, welcome to my Hinoka blog! Dragging her in here from the end of the Conquest path, she has a lot of emotional trauma. This is the Hinoka that lost a war, lost her brothers and became Queen. She wears an outfit much like Queen Mikoto, her mother.

muse | stats | interview | thread tracker

I write primarily on mobile using Firefox browser for the xkit extension. Because of this, I don't see Tumblr messages or get notifications about them, please reach out to me on Discord if you need to contact me about anything to do with threads or plotting or stuff @ sekhmet

[scarletfireblossom]

Agony Begets Company || Hinoka & Izana

[izanagifortune]

Izana is having a totally great day. Well, like, he's always having a totally great day but this day is extra cool and totally great. Until it isn't.

Someone always has to come and harsh up his vibe around these parts; don't they? And it's not that he hates Hinoka or anything, he doesn't hate anyone. But, like, this was totally kind of awkward; wasn't it? They'd fought on opposite sides of the war after all. Izana wasn't really about all that, but in the end he had to make a decision that was best for him and for Izumo. He reallyyyyyy didn't want to get all beat up by the Nohrians, who were totally going to win, sooooo like...

He'd kind of wound up on their side, or whatever. Something like that. Damn, he can't quite seem to recall how it went anymore. How sad! Too bad! Guess no one could ask him about it!

"Ohhh heyyyy, Queen Hinoka," Yeah that totally came off all casuallike, didn't it? Bummer! This was so awkward! "I mean, I'm definitely down, but... like; whatever do we have to talk about? This isn't a late execution for dropping neutrality or anything is it? I'm too beautiful to die!"

[scarletfireblossom]

Lips pressed together tightly. She had to force down the remembrance of Zola. Hinoka allowed herself a moment to calm herself before she replied. Maybe she should have left the conversation be. She could have avoided Izana easily enough right? His words seem to imply he might have avoided her too.

She had already instigated the conversation now, there was no backing out.

"Nothing of the sort," she replied. "The war is over, isn't it? I simply wished to see how you we're going. As the Queen of the loosing side of the war, I can hardly order your execution, now can I? You aren't one of my subjects either."

....... and thank the heavens for that. She wasn't sure if she could imagine Izana as one of her subjects. Very likely he'd have somehow wormed his way into being an advisor.... Hinoka shivered at the thought.

[scarletfireblossom]

Maybe Literally Spilling the Tea Would Have Hurt Less || M!Corrin & Hinoka

[duskofendflame]

"Of course!" Corrin chirps, immediately moving to sit beside her. He can't help but to wonder what that pain in her eyes is. He... hasn't ever seen such a distinct sorrow on Hinoka before, it feels odd to even notice. He does not want her to feel sorrow, not if he can prevent it.

And if sitting down and having a cup of tea or two would help her feel a little happier, then he would sit here all day if he had to. Anything for the people that he loved most in this world.

"It feels like it's been forever," He can't know how long it has been since she has last seen him, but he remembers it being some time for him since he had last been able to see his Hoshidan siblings. Being the ruler of a kingdom - and a loving father to his darling baby daughter - made him a very busy man after all.

"How have you been, dearest sister?"

[scarletfireblossom]

Perhaps the only thing she had retained from her childhood years was pouring tea... Hinoka set out a second teacup and elegantly poured the hot liquid from the pot into it. Perhaps her actions were to delay her own reply to Corrin... With effort she kept the smile on her face as she set the tea in front of him.

Unfortunately that meant she now had to consider her answer. A small sigh escaped her, despite her best efforts. But at the end of the day, this was one of her little brothers, and she loved him. Her smile became less forced.

"It almost has been forever," she laughed softly. "I've been busy."

Ignoring many things in Garreg Mach. Like the living ghosts that haunted it. There were so many things that the Monastery and Fodlán had to offer her. She could focus on things beyond the war and the aftermath of it. So why was she still haunted by it.

[gentlenekomata]

Folded petals, tangled laundry | Sakura & Hinoka

⤷ Infamous

[gentlenekomata]

starter for @scarletfireblossom <3

The fresh scent of laundry pervaded Sakura’s pinky nose as she swirled among the long hanging cloths, hands delicately touching each fabric, excited at the thought of her surprise: as a matter of facts, the petite priestess was savouring the idea of doing a kindness to her big sister, Hinoka, who finally managed to partake at the academy and to celebrate her reunion, she decided to collect the laundry for her as well.

I wonder how she would react when I’ll bring her the laundry, she thought to herself as she gloated around, while picking up her own clothes and Hinoka’s clothes: she tried to put them separately, packing two different bags and carefully folding each piece with care and attention. She also put some petals inside, in between each layer of clothes, in order to make them fragrant and pleasant to the touch. Oh, I really hope she’ll like it! she lastly thought to herself as she packed the last piece and after she picked up the bags, she rushed towards Hinoka’s apartment, already wearing her bast smile to approach the bigger sister.

A single knock, then she patiently waited for her sister to open the door. “A surprise for you, my dear sister!” the petite priestess announced as she showed one of the two bags, hanging from her pale hand. “I was doing the laundry and since I saw your clothes there.. I thought that you might like to find your clothes ready and smelling nice, hehe” she giggled in excitement, as she offered the bag to her sister. “If you want, I’ll prepare some tea in the afternoon, you’re welcome to pass by!” and she bowed her head in sign of respect, “Only if you have time, of course. Have a wonderful day” and she left, merrily happy to what she just achieved and ready to pull out fresh clothes to put on for the occasion.

A few moments later, Sakura finally entered her apartment and as she placed the bag of the table, she immediately rummaged inside, eager to wear clean and comfy clothes, this, until she pulled out the first piece…

“Have the sleeves of my uniform always been this long?” she pondered as she talked to herself, staring at the clothes with perplexed eyes. She put it aside, then she pulled out another piece. Something was wrong. “Is this… from Hinoka’s closet?!”

[scarletfireblossom]

"Thank-you, Sakura," she said with a smile as her sister dropped off her laundry. She hadn't needed to, Hinoka would have been happy to grab it herself later, but she wasn't going to brush off Sakura's kindness either. As ever, seeing her sister was a breath of fresh air in the chaotic path her life had taken. The young queen truly thought nothing wrong as she bade her sister farewell and brought her laundry inside.

She also didn't deal with putting it away immediately either, as she went back to sorting her pages, trying to create a simulacrum of order first. Only after she had done that did she even think of changing her clothes. It was her mind's focus on other things that made her fail to notice anything wrong as she picked out something from the clean laundry and went to change.

She noticed when the clothes she picked out didn't quite fit her. This wasn't her dress. Looking at it closer... Had Sakura accidentally mixed up their laundry? Hinoka quickly looked around and bit her lip. She didn't particularly want to get back into the clothes she had just abandoned... it was a little complicated to put on.... she could survive... getting to Sakura's appartment...

...... right?

You don't know where her appartment is yet. As good a time as any to learn. Hinoka inhaled softly and then picked up the laundry bag. Right. She wasn't that much bigger than her little sister.

Thankfully, asking where Sakura lived while at Garreg Mach was easy... Hinoka knocked on her sister’s door.

"Sakura," she called. "Have you a moment?"

[licehn]

a spot of tea

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

[licehn]

    “I'm Joachim,” he introduces himself in turn. “I don't know you very well, so I could be wrong, but... you seemed a little more relaxed than when you first came up to me. I'm glad.”

He doesn't recognize that having this kind of thing might potentially be embarrassing for someone else, nor does he realize the transgression of pointing out a flaw in a royal in particular. Even if he had known her status as a queen, that still wouldn't have registered to him.

The distance between a commoner and a monarch is as wide as an ocean, but in this moment, sitting at a table and sharing flowers over tea, it felt close enough.

“It's important to take breaks. I used to tell that to the little ones in my family. My teacher told me it too once I started working and trying to learn to hunt...” he speaks, filling the gap so as to not force someone he thought might've been on her feet until now to do so. He hopes not to be the dam bursting open but instead the gentle stream, words flowing lightly where they may naturally go. Nostalgia softens his face. “If I could share this smell with them, I'd have been happy, I think.”

[scarletfireblossom]

At the mention that she seemed to relax, Hinoka stiffened for a moment. Gods, had she been walking around as taut as a bowstring or something? Probably... the Queen sighed slightly. Especially as her current companion continued to speak. He seemed... sincere. Truly sincere, no... political manuvering, no... scheme. Just genuine empathy. The soldier in her smiled.

"Did I really seem that tense?" she asked quietly. "Well, I suppose tea is relaxing."

She elegantly took a sip to try maintain the elegance required of her as a Queen. It wasn’t... comfortable though. It didn't feel like her. Still... it was nice. More relaxed than a tea ceremony— she chuckled softly.

Important to take breaks huh? When was the last time Hinoka took a break? So, her new acquaintance was an older brother then? How sweet...

"What did you normally share with your siblings?" she asked curiously.

[failnaughted]

Flying Archer to Flying Archer Communication || Claude & Hinoka

Mission: Any Skill +1 || @scarletfireblossom || Mission Season: Epidemic

[failnaughted]

Her drawing technique was... interesting to watch, to say the least. Claude observed curiously the way she moved - the way he had not seen an archer move before.

The accuracy of the shot that followed left something to be desired, but the House Leader did not judge. To him, it was clear that - just as she had said - her hands were accustomed to a slightly but noticeably different type of weapon, and attempted to use that instead, no matter what she actually had in her hands.

There was something else that piqued his interest.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to have a natural tendency to aim slightly downwards," he noted. "Do you happen to be a mounted archer of some kind? I used to do that a lot myself, as well."

There was no confirmation yet, of course, but still, he smiled lightly as he posed the question. Mounted - especially flying - archers were few and far between, and he had precious few opportunities to exchange knowledge and experiences with any.

"... Either that, or you're used to something heavier than a standard bow," he continued after a moment of hesitation. He could always be wrong, of course. "Or maybe both?"

[scarletfireblossom]

Almost immediately she was caught, Hinoka smiled wryly as she brought the bow down to her side. Ruefully, her gaze went to where her arrow had hit for a moment before she focused back on Claude. First she listened to his comments, then she considered how best to answer. Might as well answer outright then.

"I trained as a Pegasus Knight," she replied. "I'm more used to a naginata, spear, not... a bow. But I have chosen to take up new weapons. I suppose... I am aiming with the consideration of my pegasus."

Then she looked down at the bow in her hand. With a hum she shifted her grip down the curved wood, now holding it three quarters down. Then she held it up and mimicked pulling it back again. She didn't actually pull the string though, not sure how the weapon would handle it.

"The yumi I was training with is desgined to be held more like this," she added. "It does make mounted archery easier, I'm told. I'm no master archer by any means but the yumi feels more.... balanced to use?"

She could hardly claim to know what she was talking about though, being new to archery. Hinoka straightened again, fixing her grip and letting her arms come back down to rest. She looked at Claude again.

[scarletfireblossom]

An Open Hand || Camilla & Hinoka

post ball | a lesson on etiquette ... or confidence

[scarletfireblossom]

starter for @malignantknight

Once upon a time she didn't care about things like etiquette. Like fancy parties and making connections. That was a world she had rejected. Her focus had been single minded towards one goal. Driven by hate, anger, grief and revenge. The world of nobles, of making appearances... Hinoka wasn't comfortable there. It wasn't her place. It didn't feel like her place. She didn't know what she was doing. She left her siblings to do that while she trained for war.

Well. She'd lost. And now she was Queen. Now it was her world, and Hinoka had not felt more out of place than she had when she attended the Ethereal Ball. A feeling which had haunted her the whole night. Encountering Camilla had amplified it. Hinoka didn't belong there. Princess Camilla did.

And that was no longer acceptable. She had to stop... stop being... whoever she was before and start being the Queen. She just didn't know how. So Hinoka had chosen to shove aside her pride, set aside harsh feelings, and ask for help from the one person who might possibly be able to help her and understand. Which was why she was here, at the door to Camilla's office.

She knocked to announce her presence.

"Pardon me, Princess Camilla," she said, her tone keeping it as a simple polite request. "Might you have a moment to talk?"

... or more. Depending on how she was received.

[carefreemonk]

a disturbance in the force

[carefreemonk]

What was that she'd said just now? Hinoka wouldn't escape her retainer's watchful eye quite so easily, not when she had just now brought herself within his reach anew. But what he thought he'd heard didn't make much sense, no, not unless--

Aha. There it was, out in the open. Glad though he was that the affair hadn't been indefinitely dragged on, Azama could but ache at the expression Lady Hinoka wore in the revelation's wake.

He'd been in Fodlan long enough to hear of these curious tales of other realities. He'd even witnessed one come to a crashing end not so long ago. But he had never anticipated it might come to affect him quite like this.

Well.

In the end, she was still his Lady Hinoka, even if their fates had apparently diverged many moons ago in this cursed other world, this dark mirror he'd be grateful never to see up close and personal.

"That would be correct. Will you tell me more? You… your spirit seems impossibly weary, my lady. Last I had parted ways with you, it had been burning brighter than ever before."

[scarletfireblossom]

Of course he perceived. Who else but the man who had saved the life of a young princess so angry at the world... Maybe she was still angry at the world some days. She just... never let it show. A world where she couldn't keep her brothers. A world where... Hinoka closed her eyes to hide the tears that threatened to fall. No. She was fine. Perfectly fine.

Azama wouldn't believe that.

"I'm the Queen of Hoshido now, Azama," she murmured. Her head tilted to the side as a pained smile crossed her face. "I know not what thread of fate you stumbled here from, but in mine, my brothers died, and so did the crown fall to me. If there was something in me that burned bright before, I do not know where to find it now. I know nothing about being a Queen, about ruling. I am a better soldier than I am royal, but I have no choice now."

Her hand came up to her chest and clenched cloth tightly as she thought about it. Her brothers. Who were here in Garreg Mach. One like Azama, unknowing of the pain. But the other. Ryoma....? Anger crossed her expression, mixed with pain. And oh how she wanted to scream into the winds until her voice cut out, but she couldn't. She wouldn't.

"So here I am, in Garreg Mach," she continued. "For diplomacy."

[scarletfireblossom]

May Activity Check — Passed

Total Skill Points: 6 -> 8 Allocations: ActCheck +1 to Flying - 0 -> 1 (E -> E+) Let's Not Poke Out Anyone's Eye (dropped) +1 Sword - 1 -> 2 (E+ -> D)

Claims: Iron Sword Wrath Strike

Events: Bouquet (magically pressed) Dancer Access Glass Arrows

Ongoing Threads: It Is a Tale Told By an Idiot (w Ryoma) Agony Begets Company (w Izana) convergence of fate (w Takumi) Flying Archer to Flying Archer Communication (w Claude) Just Dance 2014 (w Ryoma) leading the way (w Saizo @hoshidosflame) Maybe Literally Spilling the Tea Would Have Hurt Less (w M!Corrin) a disturbance in the force (w Asama) a throne in white heaven (w Azura) All's Well That Maxwell (Don't Starve AU) (w Chrom) Folded petals, tangled laundry (w Sakura) a spot of tea (w Joachim)

Unclaimed Open Starters: nil

[fujins-favored]

mince words

Hinoka & Takumi | Ethereal Ball | cont.

[fujins-favored]

Takumi frowned. After giving it some thought, maybe it was just him, but… this didn’t seem like it was just about the mints, was it? Hinoka didn’t look like she wanted to talk more about it, so he filed that thought away.

“Well, the ball’s going well so far,” he said. “A lot nicer than last time… Um, because we were outside, and a storm came halfway through.” Because that was the only thing that happened, of course. “And I’ve met a lot of people since then, so it doesn’t feel as awkward. Heh. To think I used to skip banquets and parties whenever I could, and now I’m willingly attending them…”

Maybe I’ve changed, he wanted to say. Maybe it’s easier to trust people now. Maybe the world is different when there are no wars.

He thought about how Hinoka looked when he found her by the archery range. Maybe the war wasn’t over for her yet.

“Anyway,” he said instead. “You should try to enjoy yourself. That game’s fun over there, with the spinner and the big dots—though Niles beat me out of a win last time,” he grumbled. “There’s the dancing, too. I might try a new one this time. Oh, and the bouquets, I almost forgot—”

As he had done with nearly everyone he happened upon, he loosened a rose from his own bouquet and handed it to Hinoka. “Here, this one’s for you.”

@scarletfireblossom

[scarletfireblossom]

Hearing about Takumi's time at this ball, hearing he had at least been here since the last one, it was a balm onto Hinoka's heart. Her frown gave way to a smile. Another version of her brother was at least doing well... perhaps that made her thoughts become a little bitter-sweet as she wondered what might have been if the war had gone differently for them.

"It sounds like you're doing better at these formal events than I," she replied. Without a weapon at her side, she felt...

Her thoughts were cut off as Takumi held a rose out to her. Hinoka's expression softened as she reached out to take it. Her hand cupped the bloom for a moment before she slipped it into her bouquet and offered her brother one of her lilies.

"Thank-you, Takumi," she hummed. "I will try to enjoy myself here."

[astrasword]

@scarletfireblossom sent: [ WATER ] A glass is held out towards the woman with dark hair. In her other hand she is offering a lily from her bouquet. Hinoka hums. "It's been a good night of dancing, don't you think?" she asked. This one had the vibe of a warrior as well...

A stranger coming up to her with a flower would have been one thing, seeing as they are expected to go around handing those out. The glass of water, though, and the comment on a good night of dancing...

Well, this could be exactly what it appears — a kind but unnecessary gesture, some meaningless talk to fill the silence — or it could be an insult, a subtle way to tell her she’s sweaty and gross. Even the lily could be either a token of goodwill or a part of the insult given its strong, masking scent.

Saint Od give her patience. She’s truly not made for glamorous events and their trite pleasantries... So much so that she levels this woman with an intense look, one brow lifted, in the precious seconds she wastes on these considerations.

“ Indeed, ” is the curt reply, pointedly not accompanied by an apology. Her gaze is no less intense, either. Ayra supposes it is to the stranger’s credit that she hasn’t left, although it would’ve been preferable if she had. “ My thanks. ”

Said thanks are given only for the bloom, which is taken and replaced with one from her own bundle in the blink of an eye. The water, she waves off afterwards.

“ I am in no need of attending, ” she adds, not unkindly despite her bluntness, “ least of all by a fellow ball-goer. If that’s all you came over for, you’ll excuse me. ”

[scarletfireblossom]

Certainly someone like her. Hinoka shrugged and set the glass down on a near table as she accepts the exchanged flower. The thanks for her lily was enough. Instead she smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, I'm rather new to events like this," she said. "I'm more used to the battlefield. I hope you have a wonderful evening."

The young Queen wasn't insulted. She understood, and honestly... this woman was dealing with this ball better than she was.

[scarletfireblossom]

And Then I Said "Wait, You're In The Wrong Timeline!" || Hinoka & Ryoma

ethereal ball 2026 — hinoka wasn't built for parties

[peerlesssamurai]

Ryoma was part chaperone, part enjoying the event. He was trying to mingle but, mostly, he kept an eye on the students. He also kept an eye on Hinoka. He saw how Hinoka seemed to be faring, and saw that Camilla had said something to dim Hinoka just enough.

Hinoka approached him again, with much less venom than their previous encounter. She held out her lily, and he took it gratefully. "Thank you, Hinoka. It's lovely." He tucked it away, before picking a tulip from his bouquet to hand over to her.

"My evening has been uneventful." Though his eyes scanned the floor for someone else, as if Ryoma would see him. Saizo would be seen when he wanted to be seen, no sooner. He looked back at his sister. "What about yours?"

He gestured for her to follow. "Come, we'll discuss it outside." He could tell she needed a break; her facade was wearing away quickly. "It's far too warm in here for me."

[scarletfireblossom]

Hinoka hid the cracks in her demeanour behind the tulip her brother handed her. She offered him a fragile smile and nodded graciously. All she needed was a moment to breathe, relax, and bring back the will to continue in the event she really didn't belong in.

"It has been mostly alright," she replied. "There are some lovely people here."

And then there were people that Hinoka would wish wouldn't talk to her. She was already out of her depth. Though Princess Camilla had a point. Hinoka would.... apologise for her reaction after the ball. Shaking her head, she stepped up beside her brother and grasped his arm. Squeezing it tightly.

"Lead on, Nii-san," she murmured. "Talking outside sounds lovely."

[fujins-favored]

((I'm sorry Takumi—)) [ GOSSIP ] - For those who don’t want to be the center of attention, sitting on the sidelines and observing those who do is a time-honored tradition. Exchanging thoughts with another while doing so is a rite of passage for a student—it is a slightly worse look for the staff to take part.

"Did you hear what Ryoma said? He offered me mints and said I needed one! How dare he!"

With ruffled feathers, Hinoka approached her little brother. There were too many complicated emotion to do with her older one. Her shoulders slumped a little as she deflated.

He’d just split off from Sakura, a sweet bun pilfered away to snack on later, when he spotted his older sister nearby.

Ah, her dress was red, too! A brighter red, sure, but it was close enough to Sakura’s (and to his), he noted with approval. Takumi raised his hand to wave to her, but faltered halfway as she strode towards him with a cross expression. Immediately, he tensed up—did someone say something? Do something? 

“Is everything okay—” he started, but Hinoka cut in before he could finish.

-

So, that ‘someone’ was Ryoma. Huh. Takumi was tempted to laugh at the absurdity of the situation, but he wouldn’t—lest Hinoka think he was making fun of her, too.

"Did he?" Takumi said, keeping his face perfectly even. "Just said it directly like that? Wow, that was pretty rude. He at least had the decency to do it in private and not in front of everyone, right?”

[scarletfireblossom]

"Exactly like that!" she huffed. Her arms crossed for a moment as Takumi continued though. Then she sighed quietly. "He did at least pull me aside before I entered..."

She conceded her little brother's point, but she was still frustrated at Ryoma! Like, a lot, and for a lot more than just the mints... Hinoka sighed and pressed a hand to her head for a moment.

"How are you, Takumi?" she asked, setting aside her frustration for later.

[scarletfireblossom]

[ SEQUESTER ] - Some rooms remain unused, and while by the padlocks on their doors you suspect they are meant to remain that way, some poor sap seems to have forgotten to make sure they were locked properly. They make for an excellent space away from the chaos of the rest of the ball—though you may not be the first one there.

All she needed was a space, a space to let go of her stress again. Ryoma wasn't with her again and socialising so much was getting to her. Whichever poor soul forgot to lock the door properly, blessings onto his future. Entering one of the rooms, Hinoka released a breath and slumped her shoulders. Could she, for just a moment, let go of her title and relax?

Apparently not as she became acutely aware of another presence in the room. She straightened and was about to apologise when she saw who it was. Niles. Nohrian retainer to Prince Leo. Who had just seen her show weakness. She should leave... but she did NOT want to seem rude.

"Apologies," she said quietly. "I was not aware someone else was here." It only to safe face, she held out a lily to Niles. "I can leave."

Pull all her masks tightly around herself again and force herself into the crowd.

[licehn]

a spot of tea

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

[licehn]

    At the sight of someone coming his way, Joachim hadn't naturally assumed that she was bound for him necessarily, even as he was a bit on his lonesome. It's hard to be fully alone in an event as bustling as this, but he'd put himself at least in a less populated corner of the venue, absorbing the atmosphere. But when she stops in front of him, teacup and a flower in hand, there's no more denying it or making up assumptions. She's not coming here to swerve, nor is she coming here to merely walk past.

He was her goal all along, and not only that, but she brings an actual genuine gift.

“If you'll have me, I would love to,” Joachim breaks out into a pleasant enough grin. “They moved most of the tables to make space, but there should be one not too far from here if you want to sit down and talk over it. Right... there!”

He guides her the short distance, pulling out a seat for her in his invitation. He takes the seat opposite of it, and when she takes her seat, he puts down one of his hyacinths on the table in the middle, nudging it closer to her.

“For you. The scent of fresh flowers alongside tea is nice, isn't it? That's something I didn't find out until I got to this monastery.”

@scarletfireblossom !!

[scarletfireblossom]

She was willing to follow her new acquaintance to the tables and sat in the seat he offered her. Such actions felt... nice, and she wasn't used to them, but... No, unimportant. The flower nudged towards her is picked up and nudged it into her bouquet.

"Thank-you," she hummed, looking at him. "And I agree, it helps the tea smell... sweeter. I didn't really notice before, but now that you mentioned it..."

Her life had been too focused on fight to explore the niceties of peace. As Queen she was too focused on trying to learn things she abandoned, too focused to notice something so small like how a flower smelled. This place... this ball, matched with a conversation partner who seemed easier to talk to than others...

It allowed Hinoka to relax.

"I am Hinoka, by the way," she introduced. Something she learned swiftly was to introduce herself early in a conversation, so that she didn't end up in a situation where she didn't know the other's name.

[scarletfireblossom]

[ TEA ] - Just what it says on the tin! The only teas offered are Mint, Bergamot, Sweet-Apple Blend, Albinean Berry Blend, and Southern Fruit Blend, wrapped in small tea bags. Some students, having anticipated a small selection, bought their own tea.

She had not, in fact, anticipated a small selection of tea like some of the students, but she also didn't dislike the options. She did have to admit to being unfamiliar with tea bags however, though the concept was easy enough to understand. So what Hinoka did was to make two cups of tea and find a random person.

This would achieve two things, first, networking. She would meet someone she didn't know. Secondly, blossom collecting. If she handed a lily to someone with the tea, perhaps they might offer one in return.

Thus that was why, when she met the young man with canine ears, the teacup of Sweet-Apple Blend was accompanied by one of her lilies.

"I hope you don't mind, but perhaps we might have time to talk?" she offered.

[scarletfireblossom]

[ 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.

"I'm not that skilled at this, Saizo," Hinoka sighed. "I had to ask someone else what the flowers meant when I ordered Ryoma's birthday gift..."

Still, she did her best. Though she didn't think her attempt was that good at all. Yet another sigh escaped her as she looked at her attempt of binding Saizo's bouquet together. She seemed to have made it less dense than before... with a small hum, she took one of her own lilies and placed it into the bunch before she handed it back to him.

"There, what do you think?"

She picked up one of the roses that had fallen from from the mess. A trophy of sorts from her horrific attempt...