#azurelunae

[renaisguy]

"Forde! You wielded Sieglinde expertly." Though Eirika had not participated, she had watched alongside her husband. Any hopes Forde had of her not finding out about his performance had long since been dashed. "And you looked quite fetching." She stifles a giggle but is unable to hide her teasing smile. "Did you enjoy the dress as much as I did? I found it difficult to move in, let alone wield a blade. I would welcome any tips you have."

"Ah... you were watching with General Seth, I take it?" It seems his embarrassment will not fade so easily, but he is able to keep a smile on his face through this conversation. At least she seems pleased, instead of completely baffled like Seth was.

"When you tell Ephraim about my glorious battles today, as I'm sure you will, you can leave out the part where I was in a wedding dress." And the part where they lost their final round, for that matter.

"It was fun to wear." He admits. "But as you say, difficult to move in. I see why you like your usual armour, it gave a lot more freedom." And in the heat of battle, Forde hadn't given any thought to how unladylike his movements might be. He understood Eirika better now, he thought.

"And I did a fine job with Sieglinde. When we return to Renais, you should let me borrow it more often, I think!"

[bltgang]

You seem different…‎ ‎ Overcoming weaknesses…‎ ‎ School days…‎ ‎

"Oh, you're a fellow Golden Deer!" Eirika clasps her hands together in delight. "I'm Eirika, Queen of Renais, but merely a student here at the academy. I do hope to become friends."

It has been her goal to become acquainted with her fellow students, especially those of her house. She offers Marianne the plate of miniature cupcakes that's shared between them.

"My brother and I were tutored privately at a young age. We would sometimes sneak out with our friend." She smiles fondly at the memory. "I loved being able to see the town and all the people that lived there. Is there anywhere nearby that you like to visit?"

Her enthusiasm surprised Marianne — she doesn't recall anyone ever being so excited about meeting her. It left her a bit unsure how to act. Be happy ? Smile ? Return her enthusiasm ?

A moment passed before realizing the one opposite her is a Queen, causing her to quickly bow her head in respect. " Um, I'm not sure if a queen should talk to someone like me.. " It was a mumble mainly to herself, her nerves growing. Yet despite that, she returned her greeting: " Oh, um, I'm Marianne. It's nice to meet you. Can I, um, just call you Eirika ? " The least she'd wanted to do was offend a Queen, but since she insisted on being just a student..

A surprised blink of her eyes followed as a plate of miniature cupcakes was offered to her. " Oh, um, thank you. " The tiniest smile of gratitude was given as she reached over and took hold of chocolate covered cupcake, sugar sprinkled on top.

Listening to Eirika's words, she cannot help but imagine a young queen sneaking out. How brave and daring of her..

Taking a bite out of the small cupcake before setting it upon the plate before her, she'd finished chewing before replying: " Um.. I really like the stables. " A foolish response, perhaps. Maybe she meant somewhere outside of the Monastery Grounds. But even then, she was always confined to her room. " Or, well, anywhere with animals, really. " She corrected herself. " Also, the church. It.. gives me hope to go and pray there daily. " Marianne glanced downwards as she spoke. " I'm not really adventurous.. I prefer being in familiar places over discovering new things. " More like she didn't dare to.

" Um.. what's your most favorite place ? "

[nagaficat]

[ GRANNVALE ] - An old waltz from before the rise of Emperor Arvis. It was popular during its time in the 750s but has now become a relic of the past, one that may not be as appreciated by the newer generation.

"Oh this song!" Deirdre looks past Eirika a moment, caught up in her nostalgia. She remembers, now, the first time she had ever heard it. It was a song all of her friends had been all too familiar with but one she had never heard before. Growing up in Verdane and away from other people did not create an environment where Grannvalian court dances were necessary!

"Lord Sigurd taught me to dance it when we were first married. I do not know how good of a teacher I will be but the steps were easy enough that I was able to learn so you have my full confidence!"

[fluxrspar]

[ WATER ] - The liquid of life, the quencher of thirst. Served in crystalline glasses. And what’s more dramatic than throwing water at someone’s face!

"Professor." Eirika offers her a glass of water. "Are you enjoying yourself? I have not had this much fun in some time. Though it would be better without the appearance of certain others." She is sure the Grado general knows who she alludes to. His name is best lest unsaid around polite company.

"I have been practicing as well. Before the tournament, in fact, I used a bouquet that swapped between different elemental magics. It was quite fascinating, though I am glad our bouquets do not do that." She laughs.

“I am.”

An honest answer, though Selena likely would’ve responded the same regardless of its veracity. (She was not to burden others with her problems; certainly not her students, and certainly not the nobility of foreign nations.) The answer is practiced, smooth in delivery, the sort to soothe instead of worrying, but in this instance—honest as well. (A glad thing it is, then.)

Certainly, she had not always been greeted with the kindest reception (Prince Innes had brushed her off; Princess L’Arachel said upfront that it was not pleasant to see her), but there had also been warmth. Katarina said hello. She got to speak with Miss Lapis. Prince Innes had wished her a pleasant ball, and Princess L’Arachel had given her another chance.

So, her night has been well, Selena thinks. (Better than it could’ve been.)

For instance: somewhere in these halls, Valter no doubt lurked—as he has in past years, and as he is persistent in daylight as well—and yet, Selena has yet to see him. (Unfortunately, it seems Eirika is not quite as lucky as she has been.) It comes as a somber recognition as Selena accepts the glass, the waters within a thing uninfluenced by the Moonstone. “I am glad you’ve been able to enjoy yourself regardless.” (She feels a narrowness stir—distaste mixed in with everything she could not name.) “If he appears again,” she continues, voice grave with the weight, “do not hesitate to let me know.”

I will deal with him myself.

“I’m glad to hear you’ve been practicing,” the professor then goes on, tone lighter—tinged with the frills of pride. “It likely is for the best that our blooms do not have those effects, but I would’ve loved to see it all the same.”

And, on the topic of blooms: “Here,” she adds, taking one of her roses and extending it to her student. “I know you already have your own, but I hope you’ll accept this one nonetheless.”

[aurelianwolf]

[ ARCHANEA ] - An old minuet originating from the Kingdom of Archanea, a true classic that has stood the test of time. Due to its difficulty, successfully executing the dance is an achievement in and of itself. "Would you honor me with a dance, Sir Wolf?" She offers him a rose from her colorful bouquet.

Eirika is as gracious as always. There is a part of him that grimaces, a slight, internal, selfish thing that chafes at the reminder of such raw emotion. Really, he could have lived the rest of his life without remembering that he has them.

But that would be unfair to her, and Wolf has already shamed himself in his treatment of others plenty tonight. Still, he accepts the rose first, diverting his attention to finding one to give to her in turn. (After all, the last time he'd danced had gone so poorly.) For a moment he considers blues, for despite the reds she often wears, that is how he thinks of her: calm and too serene with a fool coughing up flowers.

It would stick out sorely against her current attire, however, and after a another beat of thought he hands her something brighter: a yellow rose in exchange for her own.

...But that is a familiar song. Opening his eyes (when had they closed?), he finally holds out a hand.

"Alright. I know this song," he reassures her, as if she would somehow know to be worried, "So I won't embarrass myself here." And if he did? Well... "You can step on my foot if I do."

(So he will lead them under the chandelier lights, something in his bones aching even in the bitterness of a song he'd never wished to learn and would not ever forget; he will look past her because he knows she sees him, and the weight of that is more than he can bear tonight.)

[far-from-common]

[ LEICESTER ] - An expressive, rhythmic dance that is only well-known in its homeland. Sweeping, dramatic movements and making noise with clapping and foot-stomping are required for this passionate style.

"Come join me for a dance, Eirika!" L'Arachel excitedly beckons her good friend to the dance floor.

"This is quite the perfect song and dance for someone as grandiose as I, would you not say? Let us take the breath and attention of everyone who may be in the vicinity!" She lets out a hearty laugh as she begins to stomp her feet to the music.

At one point as the music swells, sweeping the room with its dramaturgy, L'Arachel takes the opportunity for some extra theatrics and gracefully gives one of her lilies to her dear friend.

[renaisguy]

[ RENAIS ] - A choreographed dance from rural Renais. Two rows of partners stand opposite of each other, dancing as they move closer and away from each other like waves upon a shore.

“I’ve been practicing my dancing the-“

“-past year, don’t you think I’ve gotten-“

“-better at this? Alsothatdresslookslovelyonyou.”

Forde doesn’t know how a dance, not even from Renais’s major cities, made its way over to Fodlan. But the concept of standing in two lines and walking towards each other wasn’t too difficult to pick up, even if he and Eirika were demonstrating the footwork was slightly more complicated than it would appear.

It also made conversations slightly more complicated than your average dance. Ah well.

[sacrificialspear]

“Sir Finn, I wish to express my gratitude for your actions on the battlefield today. I did not anticipate the battle becoming so out of control, or that such magic would be allowed on the field of a mock exam, but that is no excuse.” She will not berate herself in front of him, however, she will only do better. As is expected.

Eirika searches for his gaze. Her skirt and skin are burnt from the blaze but her azure eyes are resolute. “It was an honor to fight alongside you. I hope that I may rely upon you again in the future should we find ourselves in battle, and that I will be able to extend the same to you.”

As a princess and now queen, she has always been told to keep herself separate, to direct others in her stead. But like her brother, she finds it is something that she cannot do in good conscience. If she can protect someone, she will, and if she can fight, she must. And so she will continue to do better so long as there are those she cares about.

Whether by time or by force, Finn's nerves have settled again when Eirika does come to find him. He listens quietly as she speaks, fiddling with the hem of his gloves. They don't feel like they fit right, suddenly. He feels as though they're too short, and that they leave him too exposed.

He does his best to ignore the sensation. When her thanks are offered, he politely shakes his head. "Thank you for the sentiment, my lady, but I fear that your thanks are unnecessary. Had I performed today in a way worthy of thanking, we would have seen a different outcome on those fields today."

It is a disappointment twofold; that he should not only have failed to return to his lord, but that he has failed another as well. He finally releases his glove to rest a hand to his chest as he bows. "Should we ever find ourselves fighting together again, I hope that I might deliver a performance worthy of such thanks. Circumstances aside, you handled yourself quite gracefully. It is a great shame that you did not get to see your own performance to its conclusion."