#toablinddate2022

[geniusmageknight]

Dog Date Discussion

Continued from here with @velouriavonwolfchild

With his offer of companionship accepted, Kempf was more than happy to take Velouria down to the mess hall and have a meal with her. As it turned out, she was much better behaved than he had initially anticipated. He didn’t even need a leash to have her follow along! Once seated, Kempf’s curiosity started to get the better of him. Sure, they were supposed to have a nice, frilly discussion about the impending Ethereal Ball, but Velouria is far from your average date! There’s just so much Kempf wanted to know about her! While taking the time to interrogate her may be rude, Friege’s finest general would never forgive himself if he squandered this opportunity.

“I’m not sure of a polite way to phrase these questions so I won’t even bother to try. What exactly ARE you? Are you just from a different country where everyone has this whole wolf thing going on? Is this some sort of genetic condition? Did a wolf bite you and cause this? Is your whole family like this? Do you ever walk around on all fours when nobody’s watching? Can you track a person down by just their scent? Are there similar people who look like cats, and if so, do you hold resentment towards them? I know I may be asking a lot, but I’d rather get these questions out of the way ahead of time! Geniuses like myself have an insatiable thirst for knowledge. You can ask me anything too!”

Pulling out a pen and paper, Kempf eagerly awaited her response. Should she give enough info, perhaps he could write a book about her kind in the future. All proceeds would go directly to him, of course.

[frauleindermorgen]

Lysithea wandered around the courtyard where the two had arranged to meet, head facing down, clearly a bit less-than-amused. Her hands were slightly bent, held together, fidgeting. She perhaps mutters a little bit about how stupid this whole game was, and definitely something about needing to study. But when she spots Micaiah, she races over with the letter, clearly relieved to get this over with. "Micaiah! Thank the Goddess you came. Please, I need to know. Are you my... "blind date"?".

Most of Micaiah's experience with this blind date event had been reading the hints she could find and putting together who were the other participants rather than meeting them herself but, she had to admit that had been a lot of fun too. It was especially amusing to see all the pieces fall into place for some pairs in particular, so even as an onlooker Micaiah had already found the event quite enjoyable.

As the end of things came into swing she had a feeling who her partner might be and it brought a smile to her face. To think Lysithea would take part in something like this! She would do her best not to tease her too much.

"Lysithea, hello," Micaiah chirped as the pale haired girl came around a corner. Sitting in the windowsill as she was they were about the same height and as Lysithea produced her letter Micaiah made a show of hemming and hawing before finally producing her own piece of paper.

"Hmm, I think.... yes! If this is what you have in that letter you've found your date to the ball."

WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT DATE TO THE ETHEREAL BALL?  Though I have been to a coronation ball this will be my first time attending another. It is a new experience for me and I am quite excited and hope to share that excitement with someone.

[ulircursed]

One person off her list. The process of elimination could be a laborious task with how many people were on campus grounds. Not to mention she had no recollection of whoever's handwriting this was.

Once more, Petra finds herself in the middle of the courtyard watching as others get paired and find their anonymous sender. The hint she had received hadn't been much more helpful than the first. Ferdinand, she thinks at first, but she had seen him earlier with a tall woman. A good majority of participants seemed to be noble as well.

By chance, she approaches a blond man from behind. She studies the note and looks back up at him. Well, he sort of looked like the… hoity toity type. Noble… She supposed there was still time to figure out who it was if this were wrong as well.

"Excuse me, do you have recognition?" She asks, taking a moment to look at the note once more before presenting it before him.

WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT DATE TO THE ETHEREAL BALL? "I'm hoity toity and stuck up so I've been to balls before." WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A DATE? “Someone as obsessed with nobility as I am.”

     After the odd beast-eared girl approached him, Andrei made a valiant effort to put the entire 'blind date' affair from his mind entirely. Whatever Ethlyn had written, it was possible that its receiver (rightfully) passed it off as a jest of poor taste, and gave up the matter.

     This hopeful train of thought only lasted until a voice behind him halted his walk through the courtyard, and a series of two questions and answers shown to him. While he obviously hadn't seen what had been written for him beforehand, he did recognize the handwriting as that of the younger Chalphy's, which irked him almost as much as the words themselves. How predictable these answers were, for someone like her to come up with.

     "...Unfortunately," Andrei ground out, crushing the paper in his hand without a second thought and hoping its contents will soon be forgotten by the other. At the earliest opportunity, he'd have to give Ethlyn another piece of his mind.

     For the moment, he turned his attention back to his designated partner. It would be poor etiquette to take out his anger on some random stranger who had done him no wrong, and thus, somehow, he managed to refrain from glaring.

     Still, he felt the need to clarify an important matter. "I did not write those answers, in case you couldn't tell," he said pointedly, "The only piece of truth contained within them is that I do have experience with events as these." Perhaps he even would've shown up of his own accord, even if he hadn't intended for the presence of a date.

     "I will accompany you if it is a requirement, but do not expect me to entertain you like some lovestruck, courting youth."

[frauleindermorgen]

Sothis floated over to her next guess, still equally unsure as to the accuracy of her assumption as she was last time. She didn’t really care all that much though. She just wanted this to be over with so she could do something else. Like nap. Yeah, that sounds good.

“You are also participating in this… event… game… thing… correct? Is this you?” Waiting again, with nothing happening, Sothis glanced back. The guard was running over from a bit away. “Oh my. It seems I was too fast. Oops.” The silence stretched on for a moment longer. “…Give him a moment.”

The guard eventually caught up, tiredly handing over the two notes he was holding onto for Sothis while catching his breath.

WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT DATE TO THE ETHEREAL BALL? I'm a terrible date, but I'm always open to make new friends! Let's go eat something nice at the table, let's laugh at how silly some people will look, let's have fun!

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A DATE? I just want to have some fun with friends.

Micaiah had signed up for the blind “dating” event specifically so she might meet new people at the academy and, well, here one was already! She was certainly interesting too and Micaiah was thankful that it took a moment for the Seiros staff to catch up to them both as she needed to go back over the woman’s words once Micaiah realized that, yes, she really was floating.

(Such an oddly nostalgic sight.)

“Yes, that’s right,” she nodded, “my name is Micaiah by the way. A pleasure to meet you.”

She turned to the guard and read over the two notes carefully before turning back to the other. “I am sorry, but this is not my application.” She smiled. The sender did seem to be quite a sweet person, however!

“Let me see if I can find you another hint... oh, here we go!”

WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS? My favorite spear, my military uniform, and if I can say living things, my horse.

“Good luck, miss! I hope to see you again at the ball.”

[braveryinblue]

Ethlyn blinks as she is handed a clue for the dating game. She didn't sign herself up. Sure, she may have signed up Andrei thinking it would be hilarious trying to watch him try to remain composed through the entire thing but it wasn't something she was about to participate in. Perhaps Sigurd signed her up after things got a little heated between the two of them? The messenger is gone before she has the chance to refuse and she isn't exactly someone to back down from a challenge. She will just have to find this mystery person and find them better than anyone else does!

… I can beat up any creeps giving you unwanted attention.

Well, that's actually pretty swell. Ethlyn wouldn't mind someone like that hanging around. She looks at the list of options for her to guess from and snickers when she sees Andrei's name. Her eyes land on the name Hector. He hangs around the training room often enough and seems like a guy who enjoys a good fight.

"Hey, Hector!" Ethlyn waves the note at him. "Is this you?"

When Hector hears his name, his step quickens - if only to hide the red threatening to stain the tips of his ears. He's no coward, perish the thought, and yet...

Something about this whole bloody 'blind date' event chills Hector to the bone. Sure, he'd signed himself up, but it had been on a whim. A decision born of frustration after one too many letters from the council opened at his desk, letters bearing contents of little sustenance. Nag, nag, nag, that's all they knew how to do.

Couldn't Uther have taught them to piss off before he went and croaked? Seriously...

'But you must think to the future!' they whined. 'Ostia is in need of an heir!'

Senile old men...

His potential 'date' does not allow for escape, and so Hector whirls on his heel-"Give me that"-yanking the note before she can wave it about much longer for everyone to see. (Okay, it's a dumb thought, not realistic at all really, but...) He reads it and yup, that's his nonsense scrawled on paper.

"Oho, you got it! That's me, all right!" And he flexes, mocking himself with a roll of his eyes. "I meant it, too. Anyone looks at you funny, I'll knock 'em flat if you need."

It's the first good look he's really getting of this lady, in truth, and she doesn't look bad but... he shudders. Pink hair calls to mind a certain pest back home. . .

"Ethlyn, right? Good job!" And then he shoves the note in his pocket. Outta sight outta mind... "I heard they have food in the knight's hall, yeah? Shall we celebrate your victory?"

[geniusmageknight]

Velouria, completly fed up with this game by now, marched up to the person she best figured as her final guess, slamming the papers into him. If it wasn't him, she was going to eat these damn papers and then run away to go live in a cave in shame.

"Is this you?!"

WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT DATE FOR THE BALL? Where to begin? I'm extremely well versed in the art of dance, and have considerable experience in attending fancy events similar to this one. Unlike other so-called nobles, I am not some pathetic excuse for a man that will spend the night trying to woo every girl they see. Anyone who's my date will receive the respect they are properly owed, and I only ask for the same in return! Trust me, you'll receive the VIP treatment with me as your companion, as nobody would dare to give you anything less in my presence! I really could go on about all the other benefits I provide, but we'll have all night for that, won't we?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A DATE? Looking for someone who isn't afraid to think outside the box. The sort of person who doesn't just mindlessly follow what's considered "trendy", or "popular", or "legal". I can find someone like that anywhere! What I truly want is someone who can show me something I haven't seen before. I've been to balls with a boring date before, and its just awful. Can't recommend.

WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR FAVOURITE THINGS? A good wit, a sense of humor, and a nice home-cooked meal.

HOW TALL ARE YOU? Tall enough. What are you gonna do, bring a measuring tool to prove me wrong?

AFFILIATION Unaffliated.

Kempf was a bit shocked to be approached by some sort of wolf-woman, and even moreso when he realized that she was somehow going to be his partner for the ball.

I thought this was about getting a date, not adopting a pet! This is not the sort of date I was looking for! How could anyone believe she’s a suitable match for me? Didn’t the idiots behind this pay attention to what I wanted in a partner?!

Upon reading back the dating profile in Velouria’s hands(do they qualify as paws?), Kempf started to realize his initial impression of her was perhaps a bit too harsh.

Well, I suppose a wolf girl does qualify as someone non-conventional and non-boring, which I did specifically request. Canines are also known for their loyalty, and I do appreciate that as well. Going to the ball with someone from a different species also fulfills my request for something I’ve never seen or done before. Well I’ll be damned, maybe she IS the perfect date!

Kempf accepted the list from Velouria and proudly announced himself as her date-to-be.

“It may have taken you some time to find me, but your effort shall finally be rewarded! I am indeed the mysterious bachelor behind these writings, and I will be happy to take you to the Ethereal Ball as my personal date! You’ll have everything a girl like yourself could possibly want! I’m not entirely sure what a girl like yourself wants, but I’m sure I’ll figure that out along the way! You’ll have a fantastic time at the Ethereal Ball with me around. Your friends will be green with envy! So, how about we find a place to sit down and eat? We have some planning to do, after all!”

She isn’t going to say no, right?

[geniusmageknight]

Petra had been mulling over the note since the owl had dropped it off a while ago. She could rule out some candidates, but others… She stares at the campus of students and staff alike whom she had spoken to. Her eyes land on a silver haired man and she hesitates at first, but if she was wrong, she could find the next person.

"Excuse me, but are you recognizing this note?" She asks and holds the paper out to him.

WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT DATE TO THE ETHEREAL BALL? I'm hoity toity and stuck up so I've been to balls before.

Kempf’s excitement at a potential date turned to confusion when reading the hint Petra provided.

Is this some sort of insult? How could she possibly think of me as “hoity toity” or stuck up? Is she just guessing at complete random? Or perhaps she was desperately hoping to be matched with me to the point where she’s ignoring the hints entirely! In that case, too bad.

“I must unfortunately let you know that I am not the person who wrote this. I would also like to let you know that this sounds nothing like me at all. Please don’t be too disappointed! While the real writer of this does seem to be a bit…. odd, I’m sure they’re just not used to this whole dating profile thing. In fact, I actually have a hint for you that should help narrow down who this mysterious fellow is.”

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A DATE? “Someone as obsessed with nobility as I am”

“Wow. Uh, sounds like a real winner. Best of luck?”

Kempf was shocked that the academy would even allow someone so obnoxious to roam its halls. Poor Petra. Kempf supposed she could use her idiotic date as target practice should things get too unbearable.

[premiersoleil]

To be completely honest, the letter is … not what Dagr had been expecting.

Dagr isn’t even sure why she signed up for this ‘ blind dating ’ thing in the first place. Originally, she thought it was going to be some kind of tourney — a match to find your partner in strength for the ball! But it turns out it’s just some wild goose chase for the writer. 

Whatever. It isn’t like Dagr expected to find true love with this, anyways. She puts her hands on her hips. Well, if the writer of the letter turned out to be a sexy older lady … Dagr decides she’ll cross that bridge when she gets there.

The writer of her letter in particular seems to be the hoity-toity type, using big words like etiquette and fret. With a school so jampacked with noble popinjays, Dagr thinks she better just start asking around …

“Hey! Orangeade!” Dagr shouts, jogging up to an important-looking student from the Black Eagles. Maybe her secret sender was this guy, and if it wasn’t, maybe he’d know her real sender.

Dagr shoves the letter into Ferdinand’s face without any preamble.

“This you?"

Of all the people to inquire about whether he is their selected date for the ball, Ferdinand does not expect Dagr to approach him next and ask if he is the original author behind her clue. "Orangeade?" he murmurs in response to her... rather bizarre nickname. With furrowed brow, he takes the proffered letter and peruses its contents. Ah! I recognize this clue! This is indeed the answer I gave to that particular question on my application!

"Well done, Princess Dagr!" the ginger responds, returning the letter to her. "You have indeed guessed correctly; it appears I, Ferdinand von Aegir, am to be your date for the Ethereal Ball! I look forward to providing you with an experience as stellar and magnificent as myself!” Good Goddess, she is tremendously tall. I suppose I look tiny compared to her... well, at least we are both taller than Lady Edelgard. I am curious to know just how this woman measures up to the Imperial princess. With a bright smile and a polite bow, Ferdinand asks, “If it pleases you, would it be all right to engage in a spar? I am of the opinion that one can measure another’s strength through fighting!”