#whiteheroncup2022

[thyrosus]

two to tango— white heron cup 2022 round 1.

HE HAS WAITED ALL YEAR FOR THIS.

Second place has never sat right with him. Last year, he came away only a runner-up to victory, and while there is no mark of shame for how far he came, it still left a chip upon his shoulder that has never quite gone away.

This year, it will be his year.

This year, he is not alone, and has twice the reason to succeed.

Anticipation may work itself quietly through his body before Lorenz and Maria step to the floor for their dance, but Lorenz reaches for Maria’s hand, gives it a light squeeze before the spotlight is at their backs and all the eyes in the room rest upon them.

“Let us show them our grace, and leave our competitors in the dust.” The words are not gentle, but assured, and Lorenz beams brightly at dear Maria before he starts them off.

He believes them to be the epitome of elegance. Their bond is strong, and in the moment, Lorenz feels as though it’s reflected in their dance—

The judges have a rather peculiar idea otherwise:

7, 3, 3.

—No, that can’t be right.

↳ @princessmacedon 🌹 next up: @concealedbybreeze & @supportingdancer!

[theofficersacademy]

Our competitors entered this competition with hope in their hearts. Where they may have lacked in technique, they made up for in flair and passion as they twirled and leapt across the dance floor.

In the final hours of the ball, two teams made it to the finals: Coirpre and Lene versus Byleth and Elincia, pitting passion against passion, skill against skill. Blood, sweat, and tears went into their performances, Their movements captured their audience and impressed the judges, but in the end, only one could prevail…

“And, without further ado, this year’s White Heron Cup victor is– well, I should say victors are….

Byleth and Elincia!”

Byleth and Elincia each obtained the Heron’s Garland! With the help of magic, frost coats this crown of blue-gray winter roses and downy heron feathers. This crown enjoys a long and storied history in chivalric tales as a grand prize at royal jousts, traditionally given by the winner to the person they intend to court.

“Let’s not neglect our runners up in the competition, who also made a strong showing tonight… Coirpre and Lene!”

Coirpre and Lene each obtained the Heron’s Silk! The embroidered scene on the silk handkerchief depicts a popular winter scene in Fódlan: a draconic heron as it alights on the branches of a barren tree in the midst of a flurry of snowflakes.

“And finally, our semi-finalists, who gave it their all in the final rounds of the competition: Maria and Lorenz and Rafiel and Nailah!”

Maria, Lorenz, Rafiel, and Nailah each obtained the Heron’s Brooch! This is an elegant silver brooch of a standing heron, holding a small garnet in its beak as a dragon’s tail curls around its feet.

“To everyone who has competed tonight, please, give yourselves a round of applause! It is your passion and dedication to dance that makes the White Heron Cup such a joy to hold each year. Thank you all, and have a great night!”

The White Heron Cup has concluded!

[ashenprofessor]

Apology Dance

There was an immediate tension between the pair of them, thick in the air when Byleth approached the Faerghas Prince. If she could turn back the wheel of time and at least discuss her decision with the house leader before switching alliance, she would in a heartbeat. It was regrettably how she'd left even if at the time she could justify it to herself. The Professor missed her old house and students but wanted to help the other houses too.

"Thank you" She said grateful that he'd accepted, bobbing in a small curtsey as she'd seen other noble women doing that evening. Dimitri's gaze was refusing to meet her own, only contributing to her feeling that the Blue Lion was angry with her decision. She considered backing out and sparing them both the awkwardness of interacting but felt committed now.

"It's been nice so far. That foto-artifix machine has been interesting to check out. What about yourself?" Simple questions, short answers. Byleth could do this. One dance, it was just one dance then she would leave. She didn't want him to hate her further.

@elegiac-boar

[baldramuste]

baby you light up my world

the routine they try for the second round is nothing the two have ever danced before, but sigurd wants to go big or go home. plus it didn't matter to him all that much that they executed their routine perfectly; it only mattered that the two of them had as much fun as they possibly could.

and it was safe to say that they did not do everything as perfectly as planned, as he thought they would. in fact they did quite terribly, missing the timing of turns and steps with sigurd even having to improvise at some point over forgotten steps in order to keep the routine from going off the rails.

but even amongst all that, deirdre still smiles and giggles and laughs with him, and sigurd does just the same with her. he loses himself in his wife's beauty, forgetting his surroundings. nothing else matters in this moment but her, and sigurd slowly stops to a halt to place a kiss on her lips with the competition all but forgotten about.

white heron cup starter for @nagaficat @amitieos @ashenprofessor

[hatariqueen]

Poise and Power- White Heron Cup Round 2

Dancing with @earthbound-chorister

Style: 10

Choreography: 5

Technique: 4

Total: 19

“With one victory under our belts, this should be less nerve wracking, right?” It wasn’t about winning, of course. It was about a night of dancing, joy, and beautiful amidst meeting new people.

It was also a little bit about winning. They had their home to represent, after all.

Nailah held Rafiel carefully as they danced in fluid motion with each other. They’d been married for longer than many students at the academy had even been alive, yet she still found herself appreciative of moments spent together like this.

She hoped it never changed.

They gradually spun to a stop, eyes on the judges. Nailah breathed a sigh of  relief, hand still on Rafiel’s shoulder. “We are stylish. As for the rest... I felt in sync with you, so don’t fret.” The true judge of a dance was one’s partner after all. “What did you think? Your opinion is really what I care about.”

@grimalealkin

[braveryinblue]

to us, treasure bestow~

The marquess wasn’t sure what had possessed him to ask the pegasus knight to partner up. Heavens knew he’d skipped out on his fair share of etiquette lessons back home - or he’d damn well tried, but insofar as matters of dance etiquette went... dance had been the one thing Uther would forcibly drag Hector back to class for, by the ear, time and again.

At least that way you can pretend at being a noble for some short period of time if ever you should have to, dear brother of mine, he’d chided with a chuckle.

Even still, out on the dancefloor, Hector felt woefully unprepared. What had he been thinking? It had been on a whim, after Farina had ambushed him at the photo-artifex. He’d surprised himself when asking - and had been doubly so upon hearing the knight - or prof, now, he supposed - had accepted. The knots in his stomach had started that very moment.

But whatever nerves or agitation Hector felt standing up on stage, Farina’s hand in his as they awaited the judges’ signal to begin... whatever trepidations he felt, the fire of competition incinerated from the moment they started until the very end.

It had all been a blur. Brows furrowed, Hector could but stare as the judges announced their scores. Had there been a mistake somewhere...?

[ Style - 9, Choreography - 10, and Technique - 7 ] [ Total score: 26 ]

He glanced to his partner, perplexed, and hissed in question: “Do they have the wrong duo or what?” A pause, nose crinkling. “We did that?”

Vaguely, he could recall a whirlwind phantom of their dance. She’d jumped at some point, and he’d caught her, right? A high tempo piece, risk weighed against reward - certainly, lessons had never taught him that, and yet...

Well. He could always blame Farina. From the first, he’d always found she had a way of sweeping people into her pace. Not like he was complaining though.

Next @making-dough ! VS @nagargent & @sharpscion

[ashenprofessor]

[ Embrace ] "Show me your skills, professor." Arvis coos, insisting Byleth lead

After their 'successful' trip on the lake for the last Academy event, Byleth was willing to accept Professor Arvis' smooth invite to a dance. "I hope you don't find them lacking" She responded, grasping his hand in hers and leading him out onto the floor. Once in position, Byleth waited for him to lead her through the dance but no such movement occurred. So it was going to be like that. Taking decisive action, the Professor took charge, pulling Arvis in close and directing his movement. Leaning in close, she whispered. "You owe me a stamp for this, darling"

[baldramuste]

cinderella waltz

the promised heron cup finally begins and sigurd can say with ease that he’s confident, with deirdre as his partner, that he’ll at the very least win a few of the matches. the music cues for the two of them to begin, and sigurd holds deirdre in a waltz form as natural as ever. it’s exactly as he remembers, dancing with her like this.

the smile on his face is almost unforgettable, showing how much he truly enjoyed himself with her. the twirls they pull off look especially stylish with deirdre’s dress, if just a bit tame in actual technique. all that mattered truly was how much fun they were having.

white heron cup starter for @nagaficat & @ylisseanstar !