[ 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.
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.”