Ike catches a flash of green. There's not many of those of that hair colour in his ball, and there's a good chance that he's on good terms with its holder.
So he turns to look, making a noise of pleasant surprise as it's a familiar face. He waves at her.
"Elincia! How's the night treating you? Want one of these?"
He drags a dish with him; the 'pomegranate seeds' that they were giving out at the snack table.
Crunch. Munch, munch.
Hmm. Kind of sour-sweet. Crunchy.
Ike decides that he doesn't quite dislike the taste of the fruit, and pops in another one.
He notes that his fingers are now stained cherry-red. Kind of like...
"Oh, right. Stamps. Do you need one?"
He has a feeling Elincia has a full board already; there's no way she wouldn't be popular. Nevertheless, it doesn't hurt to ask.
"I'd love some, Ike. Thank you very much!" Elincia takes a few and pops them in her mouth. She chews, savouring the bright and sour taste before speaking once more.
"I'm having a lovely time - I was worried the event might be a bit stiff, honestly." Elincia confessed and perhaps some of the attendees were enamoured with pomp and circumstance. However, most people she'd interacted with had been very friendly.
That said, she was well aware that others would see her status and that alone. That some would curry favour with her not because they cared about the person, Elincia, but that they wanted something from the queen of Crimea. She understood many people had far bigger problems in life, of course. It still left her feeling alone and isolated, even in crowds of people. Even when they paid attention to her every need.
For years now, she's known and trusted Ike - her stalwart friend. Garreg Mach has introduced her to more people than ever before and she's been pleasantly surprised. She has new friends, like Dorothea and Dimitri, Larcei and Maria - who all see her as simply Elincia. Beyond that, she's had the pleasure of meeting many people tonight whom she hopes to forge stronger bonds with in the future.
Despite this being a school typically for nobles, nearly everyone approached her kindly and without pretense.
"I've definitely been enjoying the dancing - I was practicing long and hard on the lead up to this event, you know," she says with a fond smile. Dancing truly was a gift - of passion and freedom.
"I don't need anymore stamps but I'll gladly accept yours, Ike. It would be an honour." Truly, she meant that from the bottom of her heart. She wouldn't even be here, alive and breathing if it hadn't been for him. There's no one she owes more too, or trusts as readily, in this world. "Do you need anymore? I'll be happy to stamp your card too!"
