#seashell charm 1

[sunncutter]

[STABLES] - There was something soothing about the quiet clatter of hooves against straw, the rhythmic snorts and low murmurs of caretakers moving from stall to stall. Nanna had tucked a curl behind one ear as she leaned against the stable door, humming a lullaby too old for the festival and too soft for the ball. Her steed, Wynn, blinked slowly, already half-dozing under her gentle touch, and she found herself wishing she could do the same.

“Peace suits you better, does it not Wynn? Better balls than the red of war in the sky,” she mused aloud. She traced a small circle along the curve of the saddle. “I shall go have my turn at dancing, but…” Her smile turned wistful. “Sometimes this feels more like me.” She paused, then looked over her shoulder, realizing someone else had heard her.“Ah! My apologies, I hadn’t realized there was someone else in here.”

She had wanted to check on the horses, predominantly - she knew from these noble types back at home that they were more neglected, not as respected as her people in the Sacae treated them, as though they were their own family. Here, they seemed to be more tools, pets, relegated to some quiet forgotten place while their masters enjoyed leisure.

And, in part, the quiet was appreciated, being able to hear the sea outside, and see the sky above, and to smell the warm hay as claws and hooves gently ground it into the earth.

Lyn passed through the space quietly, fondly pressing a hand to a curious nose when an animal seemed to want her attention, and leaving a small treat for when they didn't, and cocked her head at the sound of a low, murmured voice.

A gentle smile dawned over her face at the girl's surprise, and she shook her head, braid swinging behind her. "No need to apologize. You're a student, aren't you? For the Golden Deer? I believe I've seen you in class, although never directly. Perhaps soon we'll have the opportunity more directly. I'm Lyn," she added, extending a hand to clasp, the starfish offered as much as the greeting.

"I much thought the same. It...feels more like me, too," she admitted, eyes creasing, friendly. "I'm not so used to these grand events yet that I don't feel the need to escape for a few minutes. It is a relief to know that I'm not so alone in this."

[blaiddllodi]

[ FASHION POLICE ]

“Your Highness, there you are!” It’s difficult enough to navigate the venue with the crowds at the entrance, many searching for partners or friends amongst the crowd. Made worse by the noise, the constant bustling, and the fact that this time, Elffin had even less familiarity with the location than before. “Have you had any trouble with what I picked out?”

It may sound fussy to another, but it was genuine concern that he had brought. He knows how appearance, despite what others may say, could make or break an impression- and for royalty, that could fall from a faux paus to genuinely dangerous. 

Then, once he calms himself a little more, “Ah, and here. I believe the purpose is to trade these charms with others…”

“Are you familiar with any of the dances of Fodlan? I may ask you to teach me one later, if you have time…”

It took him a while to force his steps into the light, into the crowd of waiting peers and knights and professors, those of standing and those without, and although it was only a handful of eyes that turned to see him do so, Dimitri felt every one of them, feather by feather of weight added to his shoulders.

It was enough putting it off - he needed to make himself known, and he could only be thankful that the first to approach was Elffin.

His smile cracked the facade of seriousness gently, pressing a palm to his friend's shoulder - to ground him, and himself, tethering one another in the churn and tide of the crowd. "Here I am," he confirmed.

The flow of his garb had...bothered him, a touch, at first, feeling at once too light and too oppressive, but he had said he trusted his friend upon acquisition, and he intended to mean it. He spread his arms wide for Elffin to get a look of his handiwork, the seashell charm at his wrist tinking.

"I believe it is appropriate for the setting. You've done me well, I could not have expected better, and I have to thank you for it. Without you I may have appeared in something unsuited."

Gently, he unclipped a seashell form his wrist, and attached it to Elffin's, taking one for himself in turn. "Ah, there. It cannot convey my thanks entirely, but perhaps if it's a dance you're looking for, you can seek me out. I...do know the steps to a few of them, having been taught as a child. Perhaps I can teach you one, in turn."