#hresvelged

[dcggersedge]

"Hello, Professor," Edelgard greets with the setting sun's silhouette draping behind her. With students fizzling out of the courtyard, the anchor-shaped axe sits upon her shoulders noticeably. "I wanted to extend my regards for your birthday. Of course, I didn't come empty-handed."

Edelgard eases the weaponry into her professor's grasp and clears her hands with a clap. "In my time here, I've acquired many axes. Fond as I am of an ever-growing collection, an idea came to mind. In the hopes you will continue pursuing this weaponry, I've decided to gift you one. Before you ask— You won't find any like this in the training hall."

The House Leader's fingers saunter to rest on her hips, lips neutral: "Who's to say what the future may hold? The more you become accustomed to it, the further you may find yourself intrigued."

"Hello, Edelgard." The classroom has already emptied out for the day in a flood of students eager to get anywhere else but another lesson. Edelgard's approach is unusual in that way, but not unexpected. While the silent and indirect approach has always been preferable for Yunaka, her student isn't exactly one to back down when there's something she wants to do.

Apparently, that includes marching in on her alone with an axe in tow. Yunaka eyes it quietly, but gives no ground for where she's currently standing. "I can see that. So is showing off you collection your idea of a gift?"

She's playing, obviously. Edelgard makes her intent clear when she places the weapon into Yunaka's hands for inspection. It's gorgeous, of course. She whistles appreciatively, running her thumb along the length of it as she listens to Edelgard talk.

Not one to back down and persistent, she'll give her that.

Yunaka laughs and adjusts her grip on the axe, until she's the one who's resting it casually on her shoulder. "Payment up front doesn't change the fact I've still got no interest in working for hire, Emperor. I'll keep the gift though. Consider it another lesson from your professor; get your contracts in order first next time."

Even if she's got no intention of being a part of whatever Edelgard's planning, she can appreciate the thought of the gesture. Plus, she's got a spot in her collection that she's been dying to fill. Yunaka raises a hand and wiggles her fingers Edelgard's way. "Alright, come on. You'll be late to dinner if you spend too much time worrying about your professor."

[verseandrhyme]

"I began reading the book you gave me," she greets as calmly as her arrival. "I can't speak my proper findings just yet, but the storyteller's depiction of love compels me to think it's written with personal experience in mind." She'd be surprised if that is not the case, but the topic is nowhere near her area of expertise.

The book tucked in Edelgard's hands is a completely different piece for Mitama. Its front is adorned in red patterning; the title in elaborate writing takes up the entire center. When the book is opened, its readers are first shown an illustration of two silhouette's dancing under an archway in the middle of the night.

She sits down once more and hands it over, freeing her palms: "It's only natural I extend to you a tale of romance from Adrestia. There is a certain allure to this particular piece. I hope you come to your own conclusions. Enjoy your birthday."

"That is alright, there is no deadline on your thoughts." In fact, Mitama is tickled that the busy, imposing head of the Black Eagles might have indulged her by partaking in her silly little gift at all. That is not to say that she is not pleased to hear that she had attempted reading it. "I find that the opinions formed midway through the journey are just as relevant to the picture as the final conclusion."

The book that Edelgard brings with her catches Mitama's attention before its introduction, but it is the unfamiliar cover that brings surprise out of her. A smile quickly spreads across her face as she takes the offered book and runs her fingers along the cover.

"I look forward to it. I have heard many a tale of the great operas that Adrestia is known for, but I admit that I sometimes struggle when it comes to remaining awake for stretches of time that long. I do not doubt that something like this will be far better suited to my taste."

It is a lovely thing to be thought of. Mitama hums and leans back in her seat to face the other student properly. "Thank you. I will let you know my thoughts as soon as I have any."

[sublimeflowoftime]

[ 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.

“Oh, Edelgard! What a pleasant surprise!” Sothis cannot help but beam at finding herself beside the house leader. She cares for all the students in Byleth’s classes equally — hard as that may be with the sheer volume of them, as of recent years. Wherever are they call coming from? — but the ones with capes have always been some of her favorites to watch.

…Or, wait, she wouldn’t know about that, would she? Have they ever actually… spoken like this before? She feels they must have, but she can’t seem to recall a single time… She can’t recall much at all, really, but that usually extends to before the academy, in a time which they most definitely have not met.

Ah, well. Better to accidentally introduce oneself twice than come off a stalker. She can blame her poor memory for the slip if she had. 

“Forgive me, I fear my mouth took hold before my brain — I do not believe we have actually been properly introduced. How rude of me.” Sothis turns in a short yet polite bow, as one should when greeting the imperial princess. Even if it feels more than a tad awkward to bow to one she feels so familiar… Not as though the familiarity is likely shared. “My name is Sothis. I fought under the banner of the Black Eagles during the most recent Battle of the Eagle and Lion. It is most delightful to meet face-to-face that whose is behind the banner at long last.”

Introductions finished, the girl turns her attention to the bouquets they both carry — a match in their base of orchids, though one is quite clearly larger and more diverse in color than the other. “Quite the assortment of flowers you have accrued already! Very impressive. Though I suppose as to be expected of one as highly regarded amongst your peers as you.”

Sothis smiles as she plucks a matching orchid from her own little bundle — as close to similar color and size as she can manage despite their being from a different batch — hovering the stem over a small, almost unnoticeable gap between the petals of its twin. “May I?”

[aurelianwolf]

[ 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!

With how much socializing and dancing Edelgard finds herself in during these events, she revels in moments to simply be. Two cups of water sit cold against her palms; she offers the second to Wolf. "Would you like one? I've hardly the need for both. Besides, I wanted to say hello."

"Thanks." Finally, some good fucking water. The coldness of the shaved ice had been pleasant, but getting others to believe he really just wanted the ice had been unnecessarily difficult. Certainly not a war worth raging at any rate; the syrup wasn't that bad. Then, subtly raising his glass in her direction: "Hello."

It's a bit of a dry joke, if Wolf could be accused of knowing humor. Still, after a good sip of his drink, he regards her contemplatively. It is tiring work, holding any sort of power, should one care enough to wield it well. Whatever beasts await her even in an academy's ballroom, he doesn't envy her.

"...Hm. How's the night?" Not the ball, and not herself -- just the night, somewhere in between the two and distant enough not to be as cloying. Well, one would hope. Pulling back the weight of at least one set of eyes from her shoulders, the bowman turns his attention toward his bouquet. Red banner, red dress, red rose. It only makes sense.

"Still need a rose?" The ones who inherit these struggles can never have enough tools at their disposal -- better to have too many than not enough.

[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.

[misericordel]

[ 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.

"Do you like tea, Veyle? I was hoping to share a cup with you." Turning to face the basket of tea bags, Edelgard lifts it by the handle and brings it to eye level. "Bergamot is my personal favorite."

“uhm.” she presses a finger to her bottom lip, tilting her head. edelgard had been so kind to share something she enjoyed with her— but tea has never really excited veyle. it was always too sweet for her taste, even if she’s only tried one or two blends.

she couldn't let edelgard’s good will go to waste, though. “... which one’s the most bitter? i’m not really that familiar with tea…. mm..” she frowns, brow furrowing as she squints down at the selection. “maybe i should just try the bergamot if it’s your favorite.”

[starrook]

[ 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.

The mere mention of the difficult Archanean minuet struck fear in the hearts of White Heron Cup hopefuls among the knights of Seiros. And now Alcryst must perform it, in front of EMBLEM MARTH IN THE FLESH, with his dance partner being none other than THE IMPERIAL PRINCESS OF THE ADRESTRIAN EMPIRE?????????

Alcryst cannot fathom how he managed to get himself into such a dire situation. It's because he talked to Diamant about settling down, isn't it? In that case, perhaps this terrible twist of fate is just what he deserves. Ough...

Ballroom dances in Brodia put an emphasis on core strength, flexibility, and endurance. Executing precise footwork while being burdened with heavy coats and furs is its own form of training back home. Alcryst falls back on those years of formal dance lessons to carry himself through these difficult moves. At the very least, he refuses to embarrass Princess Edelgard in front of all these people...

So when he notices a misstep from her, Alcryst is quick to provide some cover. A small deviation from the standard dance, but he tries to make it look intentional as he guides them back to the proper steps. Phew... Alcryst tries not to look so worried, but that doesn't go nearly as well.

[nobilisseoblige]

"Ferdinand," she says as fact. "Do you recall what I gifted you on your last birthday?" Of course he does. He had said himself he would take her advice. Edelgard didn't doubt this to be true. She feels it so.

"Those papers must be getting awfully full by now," she muses. Her free hand lulls atop her chin. "After all, I'd suspect you've learned plenty since then. What comes after is putting all that knowledge into practice."

Moving her other hand from behind her back, she presents an item forward. It is not wrapped, but there is red ribbon tied around its corners. The portable sized chalkboard is pristine. "You can borrow the necessary writing tools from our classroom. I've received permission. There are added benefits and differences. Use it wisely."

“hah! of course I do!” if there was any substitute for fondness, it was memory. Ferdinand did not think he would ever understand her in totality, but he wrote and wrote and wrote for all he was worth. for all she was worth. she had always seen further than him. but her visions were not omnipotent, as they were shrouded in an exceptional shade of authority that he was unsure she was ready to wield. still, the common tragedy was that the crown was sized for her head, and the common comedy was that she had the means to prove it was hers. “do you remember what I gifted for yours?” touchy. defensive. the gods knew he was too honest to live, too honest right up to the gates where he would wring the bars and ask to be let in. 

did she not want to see what he wrote? he even had it bounded! Ferdinand grinded at his molars, thinking about whether all that tooth and fairy dust of the year that had passed was worth the trouble. yes, of course it was. yes, all the frustrations and elations of yesterday were worth the trail they left behind. with one sharp exhale through his nose, he straightened his starched cravat and cleared his throat. presented before him was ribbon-adorned chalkboard, and the thought that perhaps the Edelgard Von Hresvelg was not very talented at sentimental presents. “... … …ehem.” 

still, the air was not so stale today. 

Edelgard was looking.

“thank you, this is very kind of you.” he stifled his own pleasure, but he was careless about it—his own noble presentation was lost the moment she touched on that second point. “you have received permission? ha! well, Edelgard, you really…”

“how thoughtful.” the thought of her strutting to the instructors, asking on his behalf for something. all the chalk in the classroom now formally his domain, he humored to himself. “can I ask,” do you think you are training a dog? “how do you think I have done this year?” 

“—rival to rival, that is!” 

“shall I give you a quick summary before you tell me?” his gloved hands reached over to cherish the board, fingers twisted around the edges like he was holding a lamb. “I shall go grab some chalk! oh, you better brace yourself, my fount of experience will astound you!”