#renegadeofmacedon

[princessmacedon]

[ Lift ] - For the photo, the sender boldly lifts the receiver up in their arms. Whether or not they can hold them long enough for the photo may be another story…

Woe betide any who might dare to think the kindest, warmest, best big sister in all of Macedon could fail to lift her little sister; there is only familiarity to be found in the way that she rises from the ground, swept away in a rush of affection her heart could never forget.

"Sister!" She laughs brightly, arms unquestioningly looped around the dragoon's neck. Fingers thread together as her hands sit on their favorite perch, and she cannot help it; she kicks her feet juuuust a little bit, giggling as they dangle midair. "You're just as strong as always, hee hee."

Indeed, if ever her weight was a burden, as she knows it has been, Minerva has never even hinted as much to her. No matter the ignominy that was suffered to keep Maria safe, the eldest daughter of Macedon only ever returns to her with love. And so, Maria loves her back, not only for this but for all the other beautiful, lovable pieces that make her sister who she is. Oh, yes, she has reasons aplenty, but who needs those? Minerva is Minerva; that is enough.

The artificer attempts, vainly, to draw the little cleric's attention back to their funny little box. There comes a sigh, and then a snap, and concurrently a-- a smek? Maria's lips land squarely on her sister's cheek as time freezes, forever, on one sliver of paper.

"Do you have all your stamps, Minerva?" Maria asks as she floats back down to earth. The fingers of one hand splay as she uses the other to point with beaming pride at the ring adorning her finger. MvM, just like the people she loves most. "Can we trade? Please? I saved a spot just for you!"

[atypicalsenerio]

Round 1- White Heron Cup

Dancing with @aethertine

Style: 4

Choreography: 7

Technique: 5

Total: 16

It honestly went better than Soren was expecting. Neither of them were experts, yet they somehow moved mostly in sync. Crimea’s traditional dance was too strenuous for Soren to attempt, so they tried a ballroom dance, swaying and stepping generally in time.

Soren mostly had eyes for Ike rather than the competition anyway.

“Apologies,” he muttered, stepping on Ike’s foot. They lasted their entire song, but Soren was eager to flee the stage and enjoy the rest of the night elsewhere.

When the judges held their signs up, Soren openly scowled at the one holding the 4. The sign wavered in the air from the intensity of his glare and the judge glanced away.

“Hm. It’s just fine with me that nobles can’t appreciate our styles. It doesn’t matter to me anyway.”

@fjalarspark and @renegadeofmacedon

[arcstral]

[ 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.

"I hesitate to admit this, but I don't really know how to dance? With Macedon being so bent on war, I never had the time to indulge in... Frivolities. I know my siblings learned, but I never had the time. All I can do is shuffle to the rhythm."

He had wondered at the seemingly fond attachment that the former commander of the Whitewings held to the ballroom outskirts.

Where many of the students from their continent who were present for the occasion danced and frolicked to an indigenous tune they recognized, she alone derived from it no familiarity... Or joy. Were it one of his own temple knights, the king would have chalked it up to preference and left the matter well enough alone. But here the concerned spirit of a friend compelled him to conduct his investigation, questions raised to his Macedonian contact over the rim of a glass. Soon enough found with an answer.

“I can certainly understand your circumstances, Minerva. Thank you for your honesty,” Marth smiled, and for a moment he simply stood in companionable silence beside the woman - close enough in height to bump shoulders - as his gaze traversed over the merrymakers. He wasn’t left blankly without words, however; after a brief respite to wet his lips, he continued on his line of thought:

“But even such ‘frivolities’ as you say can hold immeasurable value. To me, this ballroom is a smaller miniature of the world Archanea will one day become. The unified kingdom will slowly turn to a place where values of hard power and martial talent hold less precedence to the arts. Where people need no longer to wield their swords and axes - tools like your Hauteclare and my Falchion - instead honing themselves in the various pursuits of knowledge. Dance and song among them.”

At that moment, he pushed himself off from the wall and placed his empty glass upon a vacant tray. So gracefully the base of the crystalware scarcely produced a noise.

“...And in preparation for that day, it seems we will need to begin your dancing lessons immediately.”

The purity of an unsullied white glove, the earnest appeal illuminated behind two bright blue eyes - the cast light of the chandeliers reflected them all. Marth offered her his hand. “A dance, commander. I’ve imposed upon you this request so naturally I will provide guidance.”

[hresvelged]

[ Lift ] - For the photo, the sender boldly lifts the receiver up in their arms. Whether or not they can hold them long enough for the photo may be another story…

She can't say this happens to her all too often- Or at all, rather. She cannot think of anyone off the top of her head who would try lifting her off the ground with their arms like this, but there is a first for everything. Before she can say much or attempt to protest, the princess finds herself moved off her feet by Minerva. It’s true that she is taller than Edelgard, but she can’t help and find herself embarrassed.

"I-Is this necessary?" She swivels her head around to make eye contact with Minerva, glare widened. “I..-- Ugh.” She moves her shoes in a slight back and forth motion before settling with staying still. At the very least, she doubts she will be elevated like this for very long. Or so she hopes, feeling her cheeks slightly reddening. “I fail to see what this adds to the photo.”

She is silent for a moment, lowering her tone into a whisper as she adds, “I’d.. Rather be on the ground.”