#hresvelged

[encantresse]

@hresvelged sent: [ GODDESS TOWER ] - No effort has been spared in surveillance or suspicion this year, and you know as much now that you find yourself alongside another answering to an ornery guard the moment you entered its vicinity.

"And here I was hoping I'd be able to speak with you away from the ruckus of the ballroom floor." With a shake of the head, Edelgard gestures to the quiet courtyard instead and leaves the Goddess Tower behind her. "No matter. Have you been enjoying yourself? I hope so. Your dress suits you."

"you can speak with me wherever you'd like, edie," she says pointedly, loud enough for the surly guard to hear after that little outburst of his. oh, but it doesn't end there—dorothea shoots the man an irked look over her shoulder, vexed by the notion that a person would address anyone in such a manner. let alone darling edelgard, who has always been nothing but courteous! tactful! sweet! dignified! "he won't be posted there forever. rotation's in an hour."

hmph!

if he retorts, the swift distance put between them drowns any sign of it. no muttering, no hissing. just the sound of their heels clacking against the stone pathways and the distant thrum of swelling instrumentals.

"never mind him. we'll find our own way." a hand brushes at her skirts subconsciously at edelgard's compliment, a smile already beginning to overtake the scowl she'd just sported. "you look like a dream yourself. really! every time the ethereal ball rolls around, you're easily one of the most eye-catching people in the room."

stride-in-stride does princess and commoner walk, equal in their standing.

"i am. more than i have in the past years, actually." dorothea's expression warms furthermore, her words laced with a fond remembrance. "it's funny. you know how you once told me that you were confident the future would be brighter for us? it actually feels like that for once."

her gaze turns to study edelgard in turn. equally as hopeful, and twice as inquisitive. "does it for you, too?"

[florages]

[ PHOTO-ARTIFEX ] - The ever-popular photo-artifex makes its annual return, allowing users to capture pictures in as little as a flash of light and a moment. Take home something to remember the event by! ----- "What would you say to using our bouquets for a portrait? Here." Edelgard hands over one of her orchids with a cool smile: "I've no doubt they'd add to the memory of it, if nothing else."

"Lady Edelgard! Why, I would be honored."

When Céline looks at the other girl, she sees the Emblem. She knows the level-headed woman that balanced out the trio of Rivals, who often accompanied the princess during her tea times, telling tales of the Officer's Academy and the classmates she bonded with there.

In fact, it had been those stories that partly inspired Céline to look into it herself. An educational establishment for nobles, royals, and commoners... all of them given a chance to befriend each other, understand one another, and prevent the misunderstandings and dissatisfaction that led to war.

But the person who stood before her now is not that same, wise Emblem... just another young woman, also learning her way through the world. Smiling, Céline takes one of her lilies, exchanging it for Edelgard's orchid. "And what a lovely memory it should make, I think."

She looks out toward the venue, to the bustle of the partygoers. "This academy seems rather filled with them, wouldn't you say?"

@hresvelged

[ahnenstolz]

[ MOVIE - OPERA ] - A techno-magical reproduction of a famous opera following a young soldier seduced by a fiery woman, through which his downfall is ensured.

By all means, it's a tragedy. A soldier falls in love, and he is told that he shouldn't. Yet in his youth, in his willfulness, and in his understanding that love is that which burns ever-bright, he falls—and falls, and falls, until ruin greets him in the cold ashes of everything he has thrown away.

The reproduction ends with a laugh, almost manic, almost sad, and a cry of the woman's name. Some say it is proof that he regretted loving, in the end; others, that he did not regret love itself, but recipient of his affections. There are also discussions about the differences between love and passion, and whether those who had seated themselves to watch the opera might have chosen to do the same.

Siegbert turns all their questions over in his head, slow and methodical, as if there might be a correct answer rather than a simple matter of opinion.

"...What say you, Princess Edelgard?" he asks, turning to her—maybe not for advice, but certainly out of curiosity. She is a princess of the Adrestian Empire; he has no doubt that whatever her insight, it's bound to resonate with him, either in agreement or in a way that provokes further thought.

"I would never dare to presume we would have the luxury of such a choice—" to love so recklessly, to love so fiercely, to love so ruinously, "—but... I would love to hear your thoughts on what it was that he regretted, in the end. I often hear it is better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all, but..."

...but, seeing the soldier kneeling, hearing him scream—it certainly does make one wonder.

[jasperblion]

[SPIN THE BOTTLE] She feels strange sitting in this oddly formed circle. Edelgard watches as the bottle spins once, then twice. The longer she stares into its glass as it lands on person after person, the more her arms fiddle and cross.

With a sigh, Edelgard places her right hand on the bottle and gives it a strong spin— So impactful that, were it to spin any more times, it may have shattered then and there. While their last encounter ended in awkwardness, this one is no less strange. The princess stares intently at Alm, if only to try and make a judgment on his expression for herself. Removing her hand, she draws it to tuck away white locks neutrally: "Ah.. Very well. You did leave me to my lonesome not so long ago. I didn't forget." A jest. She wasn't truly bothered, but she did recall it vividly enough.

Scooting herself closer, lilacs meet the greens of her classmate. She squints. "What do you make of this.. game?" Oh, she makes her own obvious enough with the awkward shuffle forward and intensity she seldom diminishes. "I feel as if we're being stared at. Therefore.." Keeping the gaze constant, she leaned and pressed a quick kiss to his own lips.

When she backs away, she removes her hues and looks to the right of his shoulder. "I'd prefer for our next encounter to be less.. embarrassing. This is not a request, but an order."

cupido bash 2025 | speen the bottle

“I…I sure did, yeah,” Alm confirms the princess’ accusation with guilt, already knowing there was nowhere to run after the hosts had made their arrangements. Honestly? It might’ve been for the best that the bottle swings his way once more on Edelgard’s turn. It makes for an immediate second chance for redemption - though one that, as she makes clear with colder expression, isn’t the greatest for reconciliation.

She makes some quick, passing statements, but otherwise the moment is silent even in its shortness. Perhaps it is due to Hilda’s “palette cleanser,” but…somehow, Alm feels less awkward staring down his house leader? It’s a lot more serious in nature, making the awkwardness less upfront.

And just as he is pondering over what the mood of the night truly is, Edelgard swoops in for the engagement. It’s a much, much shorter one than with the playful Hilda, but once more it makes things feel more natural, more practical. It allows him to avoid thinking of the consequences of embracing the political figure of this foreign continent.

He finally finds the chance for words upon her backing off. “An order, huh? I’m used to taking those. I’ll make sure to follow, then.”

Feeling a bit more comfortable around her noble air, Alm quickly rushes in one more remark. “Oh! And the name’s Alm. A pleasure to be working alongside you…flirtatious parties or otherwise.”

Kiss received! 2 for 2.

[hermidetta]

"Bernadetta," she says as she rounds the corner from a rising sun to find her classmate— Her friend. "I have something for you." Edelgard reaches into her bag and pulls out a small, white box. It is topped with a red bow and adorned with miscellaneous drawings of flowers. Inside sits a beaded purple bracelet, each one carefully chosen to craft a colorful piece. "I chose the beads. I must admit.. I spent far too long pondering such things. What do you think?"

The house leader gestures towards the gardens and pushes her hair out of her face. No matter how many moons may pass, it is people like her that remind her of what friendship means.

"I was hoping you'd join me for tea, as well. It is your birthday. I'd enjoy speaking with you. Do consider it."

— birthdaydetta 2k25, dawn.

"lady edelgard!" bernadetta squeaks, ever the jumpy one, spine snapping stiff to present all 149 centimeters of her to adrestia's future emperor. the flutter of crimson and snow comes tailored with something commanding, but not overbearing. not like at first.

one day she hopes to understand why lady edelgard bothers. there aren't many who will with bernadetta—even fewer who would stay after knowing her—but from the time she had opened her eyes in that carriage to tall spires on the horizon, she had reaffirmed that many was never what she wanted. bernadetta had mumbled as much into the matted fluff of her then-only friend.

(it's still hard to believe, in the very best way, but maybe edelgard really does see her as a friend. bernadetta really, really hopes edelgard might see her as a friend. at the very least, bernadetta is trying not to be another responsibility.)

"i-it's my—" she parrots and stammers down at the box, accepted in her palms and cradled like a precious bouquet. "for me?"

for her. and what does bernadetta think? well, she slips the bracelet on right away, jaw hanging in awe at the beads. "wow... i love it! thank you! it's really pretty. i can't believe you made this yourself. i, i mean— not because i don't think you could have made something this nice! i just mean because it's really sweet! and that you're just so nice to bernie! even though bernie's just, um... never mind."

the white box, now hugged to her chest, sways with her as she rocks her weight between each foot. bernadetta trails off, cheeks flushed pink. her gaze follows edelgard's gesture, toward the gardens and landing on the vacant gazebo amidst them.

"anyway, do you want to go right now?" for all its quiescence the hour is perfect, just after the break of dawn—just as edelgard had come to her last year, and bernadetta wonders if she times these visits on purpose. she nurses the thought with a tiny smile. before she knows it she gravitates to edelgard's side, almost huddling, waiting for her to lead the way. "o-okay. we can sit over there."

lilac eyes, sharpened at their corners by hardship, cunning, and ambition. a gentleness tucked away in them that still makes her think of flowers. these are the things the leaders in her life share. these are the things she might learn enough to overwrite what she knew before. yes, no matter how many moons pass, it is people like edelgard who remind her of all the things worth emerging from her room for.

[doyouevenliftbrooo]

"You fought well."

It is those simple yet strong words she says in greeting to Etie as she smooths away stray white hairs. She means what she says— It takes a keen eye to notice gaps in armor as much as it does to understand how and where to use an arrow.

"I have a question for you, if you don't mind my asking. Consider it self-indulgence." A hand places itself over where the other girl had struck her. Edelgard continues. "It's evident to me you have mastered the art of archery. Using a bow on the battlefield, I wondered.. Once you find where to aim, how do you ensure precision?"

And then, a beat. "Show me sometime. Again. Although, for our next encounter.. Let your target be someone other than myself." There is a tiny laugh, emphasizing her jest.

While she's glad her head remained sufficiently un-thwacked, her ribs seem to throb with every movement of her arms-- It's nothing to take personal, of course, and it wasn't done with ill intent; it just turns out that taking the brunt of an unstoppable force with your body didn't tend to end well. There's no broken bones, and Etie's well aware of the fact that it's only because Edelgard chose to take care with her strikes. A courtesy that isn't lost on her. Yet that smooth, commanding tone catches her attention immediately, and Etie raises her gaze to settle on Edelgard's face. It's almost strange to believe that they seem to be close in age with how she carries herself as a true ruler, back straight and pride evident in everything she does. There's few people she can attribute that boldness to-- it seems that she's quickly risen to the top of the list. Where Etie is a trained soldier on the field, eyes calculating and narrowed in search of the next opportunity, she offers nothing but a fond warmth and beaming smile in her former opponent's direction now that she's off the field. "Hah, says you! It's amazing how quick you are in that armor- even with how much I work out, I don't think I could ever manage something like that." She tilts her head slightly as Edelgard continues, bringing a hand to her own chin. Archery has always been second nature to her, having wielded a bow for as long as she could remember. Hours spent in the gardens of Firene Castle, practicing on makeshift targets that she and Alfred managed to sloppily throw together; the grueling days where she tugged on her bowstring until her fingers bled; the adrenaline that brought everything in her vision to a near standstill as she focused on the next shot. "How do I put it... I think about everyone that I fight for, as weird as it sounds. I take those shots as if they were standing right behind me, and it means that I just can't miss." She's seen enough war to remember what it feels like for her heart to stop from fear coursing through her veins. When the Corrupted raised their blade against the Divine One, ready to strike him down without care-- and how she would do anything and everything to ensure he remained safe. "I don't doubt you have plenty of things you fight for, too. I'll be glad to stand shoulder to shoulder with you at any time, Lady Edelgard."

[warpaway]

🎲!

a kiss in greeting

maybe it was four years ago, that linhardt stood exactly where he stands now. he'd been eager to please, nervous and worried about all the adults' eyes on him. he had to greet each of the emperor's children in order - a bow for the boys, a kiss on the hand for the girls. considering all the atmosphere in the room, it was the sort of pivotal moment that could have lead to an arranged marriage (good, back then) or becoming a pariah (bad, back then).

it's only taken four years for the emperor's parade of children to be whittled down into a single girl. as for linhardt, they've been carved into a bit of a rebel.

their eyes aren't darting in between all the adults watching them perform this ridiculous little ritual, they're fixated on edelgard, and wondering how her hair changed color. they stand taller, both as they've grown, but also with a sense of confidence that can only be gained by knowledge that the opinions formed of them are already unchanging.

exiled. by personal choice, or otherwise, linhardt no longer cares if he appears the good little heir that his birth condemned him to. maybe being so singular is similar to edelgard.

still, she's awaiting them. they have to cross the room, take a knee, press their lips to her hand, pledge their little loyalties to their future emperor, and whatever.

there's a feeling of contempt in the great hall. he's not sure if it's of adults for him, or him for adults, or edelgard for him, or him for edelgard. it's too much, too diffuse to place properly. but he feels it.

they step forward, bring themselves too close to edelgard. there's not enough room for her arm to extend in that same ritual-angle.

linhardt leans down to take her hands in a more familiar gesture, kissing her on the cheeks in turn as the girls might do in greeting.

"no offense meant, edelgard," he murmurs to her as he pulls away. "i'm sick of the whole act."

[princeofopenness]

Okay Maybe I Messed Up Slightly