#obragi

[alfvangr]

@obragi sent:

“ So you're avoiding the photo-artifex too? ” At least, that's what it looks like from Coirpre's point of view, but he can never be too sure of another, especially a stranger's, intentions. All he can do is look at the man's eyes and guess based on his distance away from the popular contraption, drawing a crowd in on the other side of the room. “ I can't help you much, but if you want to look busy for just a bit, we can trade stamps. If you don't care, that's fine too. ”

          “Hm? I wouldn’t say I am avoiding it, but...” Having observed the device at work from afar as well as the gathering of people all vying for a turn at it, to Alfonse the prospect of being subjected to faux cat ears or what-have-you is... a bit embarrassing for his liking. Much like how he would gladly forget about the costume he’d been made to wear for a festival once if he could. The provided accessories and props are a far cry from that at the least, though regardless he won’t find a better deterrent to so much as entertaining the idea than the presence of a certain professor at the ball. His dignity would never recover.

          ( It is still difficult to believe, even with the initial shock having since passed. He keeps stealing glances at the man’s visage as if the illusion could break at any moment. )

          At the mention of stamps, azure gaze falls to the signet ring in his possession; shining metal stark against the dark gloves worn over his hands. The initials A.M.S. stare back, having yet to fulfill their intended purpose even once; his list of engagements similarly still largely blank. No reason not to accept his peer’s offer, Alfonse admits to himself before responding aloud. “I’m amenable to trading stamps, actually. Might I borrow your card for a moment?”

[illeoneardito]

There's one person that seems to return frequently to write something in the book of signatures and notes open to all, Coirpre notes. Curiosity has him wondering what could be so fascinating about it to inspire such behavior; after all, Coirpre had thought little of the book himself after he had signed it and then went on his way to try and collect initials.

Which, speaking of, this mysterious stranger could probably help him out on, he figures. Sure enough, when Coirpre looks back to the book, there the redhead is again.

When Coirpre comes with his engagements card in hand, he can't help but peer down at what it is that the person was writing only to find out it wasn't writing at all. A picture (perhaps created from the photo-artifex?) sits on there with a game of tic-tac-toe on the man in the picture's forehead, the redhead drawing his moves on it.

Coirpre can't help but laugh a little to see it. It's so juvenile of behavior, it reminds him of some of the men who would have done the same if given the means to do so in his father's manse.

Roy is, on a daily basis, not one for fooling around and playing tricks on people, or ridiculing them in any fashion. A rival student, a political opponent and an enemy commander on the other side of the battlefield - generally speaking, all are approached with respect and courtesy, even if none is offered in return. That is how he was raised, and that is the sort of person he is - amicable, polite, well aware that for one such as himself, his reputation is never only his own.

So, that little bout of mischief he just committed feels very out place to him, and he almost wants someone to criticize him for this.

Which he might just get; a fellow student approaches him, takes note of the game he had played, and does not hold back his laughter. Roy smiles, a solid dose of embarrassment in his expression.

"It's fine, you can laugh. A pretty childish thing, isn't it? That knight's friend invited me to it, but that's no excuse, of course."

With a sigh, he turns away from the book of engagements, not even attempting to flip the page or otherwise hide the damning proof of his brief moment of immaturity. "Is there something you need? Ah... I see you're collecting stamps as well?"

[constancevonnuvelle]

“ Miss Constance, yes? Or should I call you Lady Constance? ” Coirpre catches up to his fellow blonde. He holds up his card, continuing on, “ Are you interested in these stamps? I can give you mine if you give me yours. If the Church says we're to be dates and collect stamps, then us swapping first would fit both expectations. ”

Constance was a bit surprised to see Coirpre running up to her. She had somehow managed to have already forgotten the previous event entirely. Regardless, it was beneficial in the end, apparently. Full stamp card, here she comes.

“Just Constance is perfectly fine. I am, regrettably, not a noble after at…” Constance sighed, she doesn’t miss formalities, but it’s still disappointing to reject them. “Only temporarily though, of course! Ahaha! Indeed, swapping cards is a splendid idea!”

Constance takes the card held out by her church assigned date, stamping “CvN” in an empty space, before returning the card and offering hers.

“Here you are!”

[nagargent]

By virtue of being another one of the Liberation Army's healers, Coirpre had known Lady Julia as a peer to exchange information on about patients when a day's battle drew to a close and they would all be put to work, but there's another reason Coirpre recalls her quite well.

She was almost always there, standing near the person Coirpre couldn't help but look towards more often than he'd care to admit. It is by association that her visage is burned into his brain, and so when the two happen to be in the same place at the same time during the ball, Coirpre recognizes her right away and bows out of courtesy.

Though he doesn't typically care about making good impressions… it would be a good idea here, even if it shall amount to nothing.

“ Hi, Lady Julia. ” His greeting is by contrast not anything too overly special, perhaps even a bit too casual if one ignores the decision to address her by a more formal title at least than brazenly calling her by her name on its lonesome. He grips his card in his hand, not knowing how to broach the topic even though he hadn't thought he was having trouble earlier… “ It's me. Coirpre. I helped out with healing for Lord Seliph too. ”

He can hear his voice crack a bit, causing his face to twist into a somewhat bashful moue. Hardly the most powerful greeting of the evening…

"Hello Coirpre! It's lovely to see you again," Julia greets him warmly, like an old friend. Perhaps they were never quite so close but he was an important ally. Someone who she has admired for both his skill and willingness to fight for what is true and righteous. “Please call me Julia, if you would like. We are comrades in arms after all!”

Helped out with healing was definitely downplaying Coirpre’s role though. Alongside Lana, the pair had been the backbone of the Liberation Army, keeping everyone else whole and safe. Alive to fight another day. She and the others owe both of them a debt of gratitude she doubts can ever be repaid. Julia had helped when she could, as had Ced, Tine, Nanna and Fee, but without their two dedicated priests... she shudders to think how dire things would have been. If they’d all still be here, standing today at the precipice of a new dawn for Jugdral. Julia bows her head to him as a mark of respect.

“Your contribution in that regard was far greater than my own, Coirpre. I’d like to thank you, for everything you did for us. For keeping our friends and allies safe from harm. Especially when I was...” Manfroy’s puppet remains unsaid. Julia is certain that Coirpre is wise and astute enough to fill in her slience. It’s still difficult for her to talk about. Her heart clenches painfully when she pictures herself, out of her own mind and raining down magic like fury on the people who loved her. It makes her stomach turn. The only solace is they were spared the task of striking her down but it still leaves her shaken to the core. “Well, it doesn’t do to dwell on. You really are a hero though, my friend. It was an honour to work by your side.”

Her eyes catch sight of the card he fumbles with. It’s a wonderful diversion she thinks, from all this talk of warfare.

“Would you like to exchange stamps with me?” She reaches for her own, handing it over to him with a bright smile. “Thank you for coming to speak to me, Coirpre. I really appreciate it. I hope we can become friends in time.”

[constancevonnuvelle]

It takes a bit of asking around, recognizing few of the names of anyone, before he comes across Constance. There's an elegance to the way she holds herself, and her uniform doesn't quite match most everyone else's. She's the first person he's come across so far, he thinks, to truly match the description he's been looking for...

"Excuse me," he asks, holding out the card that the owl had given him earlier. "Is this yours?"

[ WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT DATE TO THE ETHEREAL BALL?  I am unmatched in style, grace, and charm! ]

Constance hadn’t expected someone to approach her so soon after the event had begun. Even so, she took the card from the strangers and to examine it for a moment, before looking back up with a smile.

“Ahaha! You are indeed correct!” Constance clapped in celebration of the game’s newfound success. She hadn’t really signed up for this whole thing for any reason beyond feeling like she had to, so she was a bit glad it was over so soon. 

“Now then, I have heard talk of various delights currently available in the knights hall for all who make it this far! After all the effort the staff has put into setting up, it is only proper that we should go relish in the spoils of your victory! One must show appreciation for such things. Ahaha!”