'Till The End

Closed RP blog for Lucius, affiliated with the Church of Seiros at TOA

[semperiuvare]

Somehow, it was strange to see this particular holy man in this particular holy place. Although she supposed she knew almost nothing about the Church of Seiros, what she did know placed it somewhat in opposition with the teachings of Elimine - not that Lucius would have harbored those sorts of divisive feelings, but seeing the vestments of an Elimine monk did put him rather out of context.

"Lucius?! It is you, isn't it?" The name fell delighted from her lips regardless upon seeing that sleek head of blonde hair in the sunlight, and when she was before him she scooped his hands into hers and shared with him the fondest smile of an old friend.

It was the warmth of the sun rising on a cool night, seeing Lucius again, that sweet, calming presence that he had offered she - and all others in their army - time and again.

"What a surprise! There are so many of our friends here, aren't there? How did you come to be here, of all places - weren't you stable in Araphen after everything? Here, can I help you with anything? I haven't the slightest what your duties are in this place, but something always needs doing, doesn't it?"

“Oh? Lyn!” Surprise decorates his expression first, before fading into something gentler, and far more suited to greeting a friend. Delighted at the arrival of another familiar face, he sets aside what he had been focusing on to greet her fully. “Have you been well?”

Her hands were warm, full of life, just as he remembered. It was nostalgic, after having not even seen her for so long. It was as a surprise to see her here as it was to him, but understanding came soon after- this place seemed to draw many over. Someone as kind and free-spirited as Lyn will find her way here eventually.

“Oh- yes!” There were a good many he recognized here, though he had not had a chance to greet them all… being preoccupied with other matters. A flicker of shame runs through him, quickly overridden with a promise to meet them another time. “I’m sure you’ll find many of them around the monastery.”

“No, no, I couldn’t possibly impose… you’ve just arrived, haven’t you?” He waves his hands slightly. “I’d rather you enjoy the scenery before you set upon any work here! The grounds are beautiful at this time of day.”

“Ah, but if you have time right now, then I could show you around myself.” He smiles. “If you don’t mind, that is…”

[semperiuvare]

July Activity

Points Earned: 1

Check: Faith +1

Skill Changes:

Faith S -> Faith S (1)

[ulircursed]

if music be the food of love

[ulircursed]

Retreat.

Lucius mentions it so gently, so kindly, as if he were the one offering up a mercy instead of being forced on the defensive by Andrei’s attacks. Somehow, that hurts, to know that he is being offered a way out that he could never have taken.

(How often had a better choice been within reach, and he had refused it? If he had only reconsidered—)

No. It’s far, far too late now. Andrei lets out a cold laugh, allowing anger and cruelty to take over.

“When I have you exactly where I want you? Don’t be ridiculous!”

(It soothes the pain, somewhat.)

andrei attacks (8): 1.5 damage! lucius hp: 2/5

His next attack is less controlled, missing the clasp by several more inches, landing against the other’s shoulder. He realizes his hand has the bow in a tight, trembling grip, and loosens it.

“Fight, until one of us has fallen,” he says, “Nothing else will put an end to this!”

As much as he had ever wished otherwise, it’s an impossibility now.

[semperiuvare]

Ah, stubborn. There was no shortage of stubborn people in the world, a fact Lucius knew rather keenly. He was one of them himself.

He raises his arms, as if to catch someone that is falling, not even flinching at the arrow that misses his brooch again. “Are you certain? Only a few things have certain endings…”

Though, Lucius guessed that a play would be one of them. 

Lucius attacks (3): Miss! Andrei HP: 5/5

The attack he sends out, if it can even be called one, is pitiful, simply a warm light, akin to a lantern meant to pierce through the night. Even so, Lucius prays that it is no will o’ wisp.

“And what shall you do if I don’t fight?” Speak gently, kindly, as if to a spooked animal and not an assailant. “There are other ways to end this.”

[semperiuvare]

Sheep In Wolf's Clothing

[fangedjustice]

It takes a moment, then another, but the other slowly begins to calm down. He breathes, his hands eventually lower and he takes the offered seat upon the bench; seeming to focus on getting his breathing back under control. Lloyd relaxes some at the sight, waving off another apology as he goes to start cleaning up the shattered lantern--

Only for the other blond to blurt out again, bringing Lloyd to pause as he glanced back over his shoulder, eyebrow raised at the outburst.

"I know I may not look it, but I do know how to clean up," he remarked, his words coming in a more or less joking sort of tone though not so light as they might have been previously. He could understand being shaken up after an unexpected scare, but this sort of...nervousness was a little over the top for what appeared to be a simple bump in the dark by accident.

Of course, it wasn't out of the question for the lad to be easily frazzled...

"Would you have dropped it were you not startled?" Lloyd asked, returning his attention to the glass. "It was an accident, nothing more and nothing to martyr yourself over. Besides, I don't cut easily -- and if I do get nicked?" He ran the pads of his fingers over varying scars -- most little, faded and as insignificant as the foolish injuries they were born from -- that he'd accumulated over a lifetime of working with a sword.

"Well, the healers' halls aren't very far from here," he says instead, pulling the sash knotted at his waist loose and then free, "But, if it makes you feel better, we can bundle everything in this so neither of us walks away with glass in their skin, hm? Fair enough?"

Ah, now that made a bit more sense in regards to the reaction. If one was unused to seeing dead faces, to suddenly bump into someone that was close enough would be quite frightful.

"You know, if you keep bringing up not wanting me dead, I just might think you're lying," Lloyd hums, plucking up several chunks of glass and depositing them on the cloth he'd laid out. They clinked against each other, the younger man's quiet inquiry lingering in the air for a moment.

"You just did, but, ah -- Lloyd," he introduces himself, brushing his hand off on his trousers before offering it out, "And whom do I have the pleasure of unintentionally frightening this fair night?"

[semperiuvare]

Lloyd. This was Lloyd Reed for certain, now. Alive and well, though perhaps inconvenienced by him. But, with the initial shock wearing off, Lucius became more concerned over the various slips in basic etiquette he had made, rather than the knowledge that he had been wrong in the man’s fate. No matter who it was, they deserved to be treated kindly, yet he had only relied on the other’s kindness. No amount of shock would now overcome the shame he now felt, knowing what he had said and imposed upon the other man.

Yet, all the same, there was a fleeting thought- perhaps because they no longer stood on opposing ends of the battlefield, Lucius finds that Lloyd seemed more ordinary than he imagined. Then, just as quickly as it came, he scolds himself for making such assumptions of a man he barely knew.

“I-I’m sorry,” He begins again, ducking his head. Accepting that he would provide no help with the glass with his hands still trembling, he could only flutter about, doing his best not to get in the way. 

“Oh… I am Lucius,” He takes the offered hand carefully, knowing this would likely dispel the last of his concerns of the dead come to life. He finds it solid, with form- so definitely not a ghost- but cold. "It's- um, it's a pleasure to meet you."

A little too cold, in fact, even for how chilly the night was. It comes as a bit of a shock to his already nervous state, and so he briefly thinks that perhaps he was originally correct- that this was a dead man walking, that he had just shook the hand of a corpse. But, quickly, he reminds himself that there were far more ordinary reasons for such a phenomenon.

“Have I held you outside for too long?” Concerned, he leans down to help with cleaning the glass, to allow the other man to head inside sooner rather than later. Perhaps he was ill, or simply more prone to chill- both cases that Lucius was familiar with.

[blaiddllodi]

the turmoil and the noise

[blaiddllodi]

Almost instantly, Dimitri's demeanor shifted – there was surprise, first, that there might have been such disdain at the offer to earn what they asked, at the blatant aggression that the mercenary was displaying toward a brother of the faith; and then that surprise morphed into indignation, not of such a flashy or straightforward nature as the leader of this troupe was displaying, but chillier, and ultimately less refined. 

His shoulders stiffened, and his back straightened, and Dimitri stepped forward to meet the other man's eyes, hoping that the steel in his spine was just as solid. 

"It's a poor recommendation you'll have without the work to back it up." He sounded braver than he felt – he hoped - when all of those eyes swiveled to his direction as though seeing him for the first time. There was half a heartbeat where the attention might have made him shrink back, more boy than man, but he gripped a fist at his side and continued to breathe, lifting his chin. "I don't think that the archbishop would want in her ranks men whose only skill is to threaten the monks in her service, and... a skill not backed up by its own merits, at that." 

He didn't know what had made him say it, it was a dig that felt almost beneath him, but there was something small in these men's hearts that Dimitri found he could not tolerate, could not allow to foster in his presence. He might not have filled out his role entirely yet, had not the experience or presence of a proper king, but he was no mewling child either. 

Not so easily frightened as a man of the cloth. 

A ripple of unease skirted around the edges of the group, and the leader of the mercenaries seemed to ponder the situation for a moment, noticeably sizing Dimitri up, weighing the options in his mind, the cost versus the benefit. 

In the end, it seemed, single combat with the crown prince of Faerghus did not appear to be the optimal option for his paycheck – for which Dimitri was grateful. 

Unnecessarily, the man lifted a finger, jabbed it firmly in Dimitri's direction. "Ain't shoveling shit. But...if there's something you need lifted and carried...yeah. Yeah, I guess we can help out with that." 

[semperiuvare]

One day, Lucius hopes, that he would not require another to stand up for him before he could find that he holds his ground. Though he may physically take a step back, he did not intend to budge upon his offer- and with the House Leader’s support, that resolve only grew stronger. With a nervous smile, Lucius puts his hand on the outstretched finger and pushes it downward gently. “I-I have an idea of where you could start…”

It was almost as if he had cast a spell- almost instantly, the atmosphere had changed; the men had found the rope they were grasping for. But those who were more familiar with the monk’s expressions would find it was not filled with mere simple kindness.

 “Shit.”

It certainly was. While those who had not displayed such outright hostilities were given jobs with perhaps a little more dignity, the leader of the mercenaries- the aggressor who had so earned their ire was given the illustrious task of cleaning out the pegasus stables.

It was necessary, it was difficult, and, mostly importantly, it was a good way to show off his dedication to the cause in order to make up for his earlier hostility. Lucius was well-acquainted with which tasks would always require more hands, so he had simply assigned them to those who would suit it best!

Besides, he had run it by the House Leader before he had finalized anything, thankful for the help in dealing with them- and the two of them in agreement would make it all the more difficult to argue an assignment.

But, despite the man’s grumblings, there was a promise of pay- even if it were a meagre offering to what would sustain them for a long time, especially as the work was highly irregular. For the moment, it was enough to discourage any more disagreement, in tandem with the desire to avoid conflict with the student. So, Lucius turns back to Dimitri, speaking quietly so as to not disturb the men at work.

“Would a recommendation really help…? This feels like a temporary solution, at best.”

[semperiuvare]

June Activity

Points Earned:

Check: Faith +1

Skill Changes:

Faith A+ (2) -> Faith S

Claims:

White Magic Range+ (Faith S) (Pending) Live To Serve (Faith S) (Pending)

[peerlessscowl]

i'll pay any debt to your hands that i owe

[peerlessscowl]

It’s time to put all of your recent building experience to work toward a tried and true marvel in engineering: bridges, intended to connect all of the various islands in the archipelago. This job is a perfect workout for those itching to use their muscles, as there are tons of metal and wood to lug about. The supervisors in charge of the project, however, are a bit demanding. They drive you hard and have even begun prohibiting breaks! Will you write a formal complaint to the eccentric owner of these isles, or will you perhaps instead take matters into your own hands? [Grants Authority +1]  (starter for @semperiuvare)

"Do you need to stop?" 

It wasn't the first time that he'd asked, and considering their conditions it almost certainly wouldn't be the last. Under reasonable circumstances, the climate of the islands would have been considered ideal for a mid-winter getaway, and if they were here for a vacation Raven might even have agreed that the bright sun and clear skies might have done them some good. 

But they were here to work, and to labor, where that bright sun and those clear skies bore down oppressively and brought the air to a close feeling, their clothing sticking to them within moments. 

For he, there was some reprieve – the more difficult of the tasks better suited to someone of his build, wading into the water to ensure the foundations for the bridge were steady and level, and allowed him to strip to the waist and remove his boots, the better to move in the crystal clear waters. 

For Lucius, though... 

Raven's brow creased, and he sloshed up onto shore to approach his friend. "You're very red. Come on, sit in the shade for a little while." 

[semperiuvare]

All things considered, the tasks to which Lucius was assigned were not that difficult physically. He did not have the strength for them, after all. But no matter how physically easy the task was meant to be (though, on further thought, it wasn’t even that), working in the sun for hours was hardly good for someone of his constitution.

“I’m…” Fine. He is supposed to say, looking at the number of other wary workers pushing through despite the heat, but he felt a little dizzy already. Before he can finish his thought, before he even knew what thought that would be- Raym- Raven had already waded to shore, offering reprieve.

He nods wordlessly, feeling self-conscious as he leaves others to take over what he couldn’t do. With nothing to occupy his mind, he realizes what toll the sun had taken from him. Gratefully, he sits down in the shade, though it could only provide some protection from the heat.

“H-How,” Lucius clears his throat, realizing how dry it felt, “are you… feeling?”

[semperiuvare]

baklava - does your muse believe in true love? soulmates?

also asked by @laruarva and @anruraiocht

Love is love.

True love implies that there is a false love, and there is no false love, else it isn’t really love, is it?

Soulmates is a little more difficult. A soul is a deeply personal thing- to say that your soul is innately meant to match another’s, or that is incomplete without another’s, doesn’t seem correct.

Someone can complete you, but without them, you should still be yourself. That is your soul- so soulmates as a concept don’t make that much sense to him. Especially if it’s a pre-meeting someone else idea. He does understand that after meeting someone they can change you drastically, but that doesn’t seem to be an innate thing either.

So, no soulmates.

[ulircursed]

if music be the food of love

[ulircursed]

The wind picks up around them as his opponent responds, the intention to defend his lands clear. So this is how it will be. Him, playing the part of the aggressor, the villain.

Of course, the character choice is appropriate. Andrei raises his bow. "If you will not fear, then fall!" A few short notes, and then the draw of an arrow.

andrei attacks (15): 1.5 damage! lucius hp: 3.5/5

The arrow flies out, hitting the other squarely in the chest, and for a moment he sees blood, pictures the other falling to the ground, just as Father had, when he'd put an arrow through his chest, when he'd committed the unforgivable crime against the worthy descendant of Ullr, against family—

Except... no. The dulled prop arrow does nothing but glance off, careening in a sharp angle out of sight of the audience. He'd missed the mark he had been aiming for, Lucius' button, by several inches, but instead of frustration, it is only a numb shock that he feels.

(Why had he thought of Father, in that moment?)

The vision of blood had been so realistic that Andrei merely stands silent, rooted to the spot as he watches the other, unable to move himself back behind the cover of the thick forest.

[semperiuvare]

The arrow makes him stumble as it hits his chest- but not the clasp that was the purpose of the fight. For a brief moment he thinks he sees blood, coming from an imagined wound upon him.

But he feels no pain… so it must be the overly realistic atmosphere of the stage. The trees, meant to be wooden props, had dimensions that swayed in an imaginary world. If he focused, he could see sunlight coming from places with no sun.

Yet he was on a stage- there was an audience. No, there was no audience.

Lucius attacks (2): Miss! Andrei HP: 5/5

But it isn’t the visions that give him pause, but rather the look on the other man’s face. Frozen in… shock or horror, he had failed to even draw back into the cover of the trees. Even in a play, Lucius has no intention of attacking someone he isn’t certain will fight back.

He sends a blast of light magic past the other man’s head, hoping that it would snap him out of whatever stupor it was he was in.

“Would you not consider retreating?” He asks, gently, despite knowing the answer the play should provide.

[braveryinblue]

[ 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.

Oh, so he was alive. There is a part of him glad at this knowledge, and another part of him that was concerned that he had to be worried in the first place.

“Um… Lord Hector!” Oh, Saint Elimine, what if he didn’t remember? What if nothing happened? Lucius flounders for a cover, and ends with an offering of a drink and a question: “W-Would you be willing to swap tokens?”

"Oh! Uh..." It's the man of the cloth Hector suspected Serra sometimes stole looks at, probably that she might find grounds for some manner of raise or bonus in her work.

He takes the drink, though he doesn't take a sip immediately. Instead, he regards it with mild... curiosity, let's call it. Definitely not suspicion. (Is it sweet? He hopes it's not too sweet.)

Thankfully, in the short interim, his brain supplies a name to the face.

"Thanks, Lucius. And hey, sure thing." Hector sets the drink down - a trial for future him to deal with, maybe - and fishes for a pair of bells from his brooch. "This should do, yeah?"

It's odd, though. He doesn't remember the monk ever being particularly loud or outspoken by any means but...

"Say... Were you always this fidgety?" Brow raises. "You doing all right?"

[semperiuvare]

Lucius wrings his hands. It wasn’t as though he expected to get away with his approach, but he had failed to come up with a proper response in its place. He accepts the token with a quiet thanks, then hesitates before answering the question.

“Oh, um… I’m alright!” He takes a deep breath, then smiles. “Thank you for asking. I, um, had just heard something concerning but I’m glad you’re alright!”

With that said, he gives a flustered half-bow and hurries off before he says anything else.

[semperiuvare]

[ Pomegranate ] The kinds of foods that the ball serves are far from the usual treats that Niamh is accustomed to. It's where she's discovered the joys of tea, found foods with flavors worth investigating, and... Well, this is a new dish! There's simplicity in how the pomegranate seeds are arranged in a small bowl, but the method of consuming them is left...rather ambiguous. It has Niamh study the bowl for a few moments, then survey the crowd in search of anyone to reference from. Rather than finding someone who was also partaking in the mysterious snack, though, she does spot a familiar face. "You're here too..." She slowly wanders over, taking some care in order to avoid spilling the seeds. "Are you familiar with this...?"

“Oh, Niamh!” He had spotted her signature mask- several times now, actually now that he thought about it- in the ballroom, and simply hadn’t had the time to greet her yet. “It’s good to see you again!”

He pauses, looking over the bowl that she holds. Inside were the seeds of a strange fruit, one that he didn’t recognize. “No, I’m sorry… I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before.” 

He glances around, searching for someone who may seem familiar with the fruit, but comes up short. “I would assume that like other fruits, you can eat them straight…?”

But it looked like a few made a mess out of them… 

[boundlesschaos]

"It appears possible..." Niamh muses, as her eyes follow the direction that Lucius is looking in. Spotting the clear mess that some of the others have made with the treat, there's a surprising level of of hesitance from her. "...but the red colour...it appears capable of changing how an outfit looks..."

Under the lighting that the two of them are in, the dark blues and blacks of Niamh's dress are highlighted - and they are colors that likely would survive a possible stain or two. But yet she still holds a level of unease. It's strange for her, but perhaps there's a lot about Niamh that can be toted as such...?

For now, she decides to carefully try one with care. The taste is tart, and texture of the seeds are something Niamh hasn't decided if she likes or absolutely hates. So she instead focuses back on the familiar face she's encountered.

"I wonder..." she studies his face for a moment. "Are you playing in this game, too...? When everyone's under a mask, it provides all sorts of opportunities..." She can't help but wonder what the other would do, especially after the last game they found themselves in.

[semperiuvare]

Lucius understands the hesitance, wavering over the fruits himself before ultimately deciding not to touch them. The clothing he wore was too delicate and too precious for him to bring it into any possibility of damage or staining.

At her question he gives a smile and shakes his head. “I didn’t plan on participating in the masquerade… I’m not sure I’d be able to enjoy it!” 

He also didn’t know where to begin with a mask, but that was a secondary concern. After all, mask or no mask, the likelihood that he would simply act the same was very high. 

“I’m guessing you’re in the masquerade then…?”

[semperiuvare]

Ball Housekeeping

Same thing as Sephiran!

Niamh Ball Mini ( @boundlesschaos ) - I can end it in my response or we can have one or two more?

Hector Ball Mini ( @braveryinblue ) - I will probably respond to your ask, but there's no pressure to make it a full mini!

[semperiuvare]

May Activity

Points Earned: 1

Check: Faith +1

Skill Changes:

Faith A+ (1) -> Faith A+ (2)

Dropped Threads:

Yesterday's Sorrow is Today's Happiness (Lachesis) welcome to sword class! please run for your life (Lachesis) excuse me tea-se (Kinu)

Completed Threads:

wolf's bane, monk's hood (Raven)

Claims:

Dancer (Ethereal Ball 2024) Whisper of Ivy (Ethereal Ball 2024) Renewal (Bishop)

[semperiuvare]

Lux, Lucis [f.] Light

tw, child abuse. suicidal ideation

“The light of my life, Lucius.” The cooing voice of a mother remains at the edge of his memory, overshadowed by a whisper on the edge of death. “Come here.”

He heads over eagerly [nervously]. She puts her hand on his head [hand], and smiles. [He sees the tears she is no longer strong enough to shed.] “What a good child you are…”

[“I’m sorry.”]

What does she say next? [Nothing.] Cruelty leaves its mark on souls. Some of the marks are too deep to recover from, or wills are too weak to allow them to. 

You are broken. You are worthless. You already have a blight on the soul, and you have allowed it to stain.

You are lucky [that we kept you alive].

Lucius is a child without light in his eyes. He keeps his head down, he cries when there are loud noises, when the teachers are angry at him and when they are not. His tears are silent and unnoticed until someone searches for them. His hair is long and even when rimmed and red with tears, his eyes are like that of a doe’s. 

“Lucius is like a girl”, the children say, “He cries like one.”

Lucius counts his cracks like the drops of blood that fell so many years ago.

One. The knife tucked beneath his clothes. Two. The hair that goes past his shoulders. Three. The bruise on his leg that doesn’t go away. Four.

There is kindness in the world, Lucius. He says to himself, There will be hope.

“[We lost it when we lost your father, Lucius.]” His mother says back.

“Our doors are open to any in need.” 

Five. The tears that don’t stop flowing. Six. The fact that he’s still alive. Seven. Someone, please.  Eight.

Help me.

He reaches out his hand, one final time. Someone takes it. Is there kindness in this world?

“Yes, if you are willing to give it.”

Cruelty leaves marks on souls, but there were those willing to heal them. They tell him that it isn’t his fault. That sometimes tragedy occurs, that there are people in the world that take joy from others’ suffering. He is not the one to blame for falling victim to them.

He may be broken, but there will be those willing to help put him back together. In exchange, one day, he will do it to another. It is this kindness that helps others, and it is this service that will save himself. They tell him his name means light. He asks them why it took him so long to find it.

“Lucius, my little light, my darling. [Why didn’t you save me?]” “Does it matter? You’ve found it now.”

Lucius is a child with a staff in hand. He follows instructions dutifully, and greets people with a smile. He prays for his teacher’s salvation, he prays that the children in the orphanage are brought to loving homes and learn to protect themselves rather than harm others. He prays that the blood is washed from the edge of that blade and that the blight upon his soul may be purified.

“Count your blessings,” the Sister says, “And not your flaws.”

One. Warm food and a soft bed. Two. A lock of hair the same shade of his mother’s. Three. The kindness of the church. Four.

There is kindness in the world, and will be, as long as he remains in it. A gift must be repaid sevenfold, and for all that he has received, so too shall he give. One day, perhaps, he will become the light that he is meant to be.

Until then, he will merely help others as a man.

[semperiuvare]

[Lucky Charms] "Hmmm..." He's been at the stall for...longer than he honestly expects himself to be, but the number of options to choose from are daunting! If he picks wrong here, then it's going to be more coins from his wallet - and he's already running a bit low thanks to the festivities tonight.

He then notices that he's not alone in the silent dilemma. He turns to ask for a recommendation, but...oh! Actually, that works.

"Hey, mind if I have one of those?" Hugh asks, pointing at the white feather, then to the black feather he owns. "I was getting stuck on which of these to get, but...the feathers would complete the look, don't you think? I've got a few of them black if you'd like one, too."

“Oh!” Lucius had only walked by the stall of charms, not planning to make one himself. But, the idea delighted him nonetheless, so he eventually found himself standing there, offering help to anybody who came by. Mostly, he watched others make choices and searched for charms when prompted. “Certainly!”

He takes a feather off carefully, one that would be well suited to becoming a charm, and hands it over. “I’m not making any charms at the moment, but thank you for the offer…!”

[semperiuvare]

[ Chocolate fountain ] - glory be! what a prodigious invention, a wondrous idea! blessed be the ingenious man who dreamt of a magnificent fountain that spews forth the divine nectar known as chocolate!

don't mind odin, for he hath stashed a bounteous handful of treats in his arms — an assortment of sumptuous cakes, exquisite cookies, and delightful tarts to dunk into this flowing river of heavenly delectableness. he turns to the stranger besides him, a kindly looking man with flowing hair, and nods toward the stash in his arms.

" hoy there, friend! would you care for a treat? it would be a grievous shame to let such a magnificent opportunity pass. rare are the moments when we get to indulge in such pure, unadulterated, chocolatey bliss!"

odin grins. " and in the spirit of the festivities, i would be most delighted to trade my white feather with thee as well, though i fear you'll have to pluck it from my brooch yourself. as you can see, my hands are... well... thoroughly preoccupied at the moment. i'm sure you understand."

“U-Um.” Lucius knew all of the words that were coming from the man’s mouth, yet, somehow, he found that he could not understand them when they were spoken in that order. He was talking about the chocolate fountain… right? He was holding the cakes and biscuits that were supposed to be used in the chocolate fountain… 

“I-I, well… I would like to try it,” Chocolate, he means, wringing his hands as he tries to, unfortunately, retroactively parse what was said to him, “But it’s expensive, isn’t it? Maybe I should leave it for the students…”

“Oh! I can help with that…” Lucius turns to the table, grabbing a few spare plates. “T-Tell me where you’d like to place your things and I can bring them there! We can trade once you’re settled…”

[semperiuvare]

[ Say ‘Fromage’! ] - The alumna is already in town with her Photo-Artifex replica and, thanks to many of you, she’s done with her testing much earlier than anticipated! She promises a one-of-a-kind keepsake in the form of 'photos’ ranging from serious to silly, a variety of props to choose from included. If you’re feeling particularly daring, maybe you’ll even try out the artifex-box?

This is a stupid idea. This is so stupid they might actually do it. The night's been a thing of bravery, toeing the lines of temerity already, from mischievously flighty fingers and stolen glances to baring words even from behind masks.

Enter the Photo-Artifex. Some newfangled thing that can capture an image in a heartbeat, exactly the way it looks in real life. There's a difference in something like that and an image you've made with your own hands, naturally, but, well.

It's a memory, a new one, even if it's dancing around the point even more than a particularly frenetic waltz. Chad remembers a conversation— Appreciating the time given, taking it slow. In that, making new memories, maybe.

Take it slow. He bites back the reflexive greeting: One, two steps of mental distance, even as he closes the gap between them, casually. "Um. Mister Lucius. Hey,"

His hand lowers, unsure of when it raised to reach. Even gloved fingers itch for the feel of a gently tugged sleeve. "You saw that booth-thing over there too, yeah? I want to see how well it works, but I can't, uh, spot any of my friends to take with me."

He pauses, fidgets, tugs at his collar, missing his cloak. "So, uh, c-can you come take a photo with me? As a test. I can, ah, give you my brooch in exchange, too."

As the night wore on, Lucius’ nervousness ebbed with it, as he settled more comfortably into his place amongst the crowd. Not everyone, however, seemed to find their ease as time continued on. 

One such person was the student he remembered, from the wolves! Chad, his mind supplies- recalling the student as somewhat nervous, perhaps a bit aloof. He had worried, at the beginning, that his inexperience had lead to more trouble, but it had worked out in the end…

Lucius smiles, returning the… wave? At least he assumed it was a wave, the hand lowering before he could really decide what the gesture was meant to be. “Good evening, Chad.”

He scans over the crowd, searching for the student’s friends- as if he could find them, not knowing for whom he is searching for. If he were to be honest, he would not mind taking photos at the Artifex-box with any who asked! But it would probably mean more for them to take it with their friends, wouldn’t it?

Still, coming up short, he nods. “Of course! I would be glad to.” He takes a feather carefully from his brooch, handing it over. “There’s no need to just give me your brooch when we can trade. It’s the point of this exercise, anyway, isn’t it?”

The booth setup is a little strange, and so Lucius ends up insisting that they take multiple photos. He isn’t quite sure why, but if he is to help Chad test the photo booth, they should do it right! Or perhaps, he feels like even if he doesn’t know of the reason, he at least knows that he was chosen to accompany them to the Artifex-box, a device that stores memories on paper.

He can only hope he gives them some good ones.