of the lake.

That's what that unfamiliar voice had claimed as their aid before the fighting began. It was no longer surprising, nor a cause for anxiety. Not after so long. And yet, that didn't mean his body didn't still react to the threats as it always had, didn't make the situation any less dire even with the knowledge of the intricacies of this island. Such was the way, and it needn't be more. The short experience in the other area had been a decent enough introduction to what awaited, the even playing field of copied abilities and whatever else the organic parts of the creatures provided as an advantage.

Kingu could handle himself, he knew that, but the external factors would surely affect the tides. He was no singer, he was made for battle, but he also wasn't entirely unfamiliar with the concept. "AAAaaaa..." He first knew song as his Mother's sorrowful siren's call, and that simple harmonizing came easily enough. It had served its purpose for a time, to deal with the mechanical chimeras that drew close enough for his voice to affect, but when the creatures attacking the structures started to dwarf him and those around in size? A change of strategy was required, and displaying more power meant a higher risk with those copied skills.

Well, he knew a proper song, he supposed.

"You are the ocean's gray waves, destined to seek Life beyond the shore just out of reach"

He's no singer, he has no intention of stepping onto the stage, but there's a certain range that, at least, serves its purpose of weakening the enemies in the area. A voice clearly untrained, a little flat and bordering on bashful, but still... pleasant to hear. The tone strays a little too close to their voice at moments, but he'll bear with it. Standing still for a moment, Kingu lets his voice rise, his chains doing most of the attacking as he waves a hand around to direct them.

"Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time The path is yours to climb..."

"Sing with me a song of birthrights and love The light scatters to the sky above,"

She sings, continuing the verse of the song she had heard moments prior. Stunned at first, though quickly calmed upon seeing just who was singing it. Kingu had heard it enough to remember, so that didn't surprise her. What moves her is that he would use it in a situation such as this. The creatures shrink back even further with Azura's vocals added to the mix, powerful, resounding. She lets Kingu do most of the heavy lifting, preferring to act as support for the moment.

"Dawn breaks through the gloom, white as a bone Lost in thoughts all alone…"

I should have never let you go.

He understands quickly, then, what moment she speaks of. A farewell, a surprising reunion, and the feelings that had been thrown around in the midst of it all. You're very dear to me had been the only way he'd had to articulate what he felt. It held true, even now, but he knew better, too. It had been well-meaning, that rejection, but also born out of fear. Kingu would never describe himself as kind, and kindness is what she'd claimed to have fallen for. That he couldn't live up to it, after what his life had been like, had been such a real possibility...

He twirls her then, stopping with her back to his chest as he pulls her closer, his fingers intertwining with hers. She's certain, she says, and he can't help the playful scoff that escapes him. That they had both been afraid now seemed so wasteful, though perhaps necessary. He gives them both a moment to steel themselves, away from each other's gaze, as he leans down slightly to whisper in her ear.

"Will you speak it, then? This truth you're certain of, but were afraid to voice?" His own voice is quiet, gentle, reassuring even. She's being brave, Kingu recognizes that, and maybe that's why he speaks up in kind. "I told you then, that I did not wish for your feelings to not be reciprocated in full. I must admit, I did not understand. The depths of your feelings, or mine, so please..." Perhaps he could say more, but Azura has taken the spotlight, and he will not take it from her. His one hope is that his words quell what little unease might remain in her.

"I loved you when you simply left gifts at my door…" There's a chuckle that follows after saying that, as she continued to lean into his touch, eyes closing. "I loved you even when I departed this city," So suddenly, too. Her last thought that she could remember had been of everyone she stood to lose, that she had lost and would never see again…and he had been at the forefront there, too. "I knew when I saw you for the first time again, that I still loved you just as much, if not more." Those old feelings reignited in an instant, never once faltering.

"And still, now, I love you, Kingu." A quiet exhale, it feels as though she had been holding her breath this entire time. Part of her still feels that way as she waits for his answer, finally opening her eyes again. "I wanted to tell you," she says, voice hushed, as though it's some secret only he could be privy to. "Because…you deserve to know that someone does." Her nerves about her confession are starting to settle in, but she does her best not to let them show. The color rising to her cheeks should be enough of an indication, along with the nervous laughter that comes with her eyes rising against to meet his gaze.

Truthfully, he'd expected Azura to hang back at first, if only for a time. To feel himself being lead to the dance floor comes as a surprise, not that he would've put up much resistance. It is a ball, after all.

"I do regret to inform you I have not." He replies, albeit a little playfully. "I'd lost my one dance partner, you see." It's not a lie, he's not really engaged in the activity with any else besides herself, though he's never quite admitted openly to it. Still he remembers how this goes, and the motion of her leaving his hand on her upper back clashes a little with the memories. He'd ask, but the brief moment her eyes met his, Azura had looked away.

He can work with this, however. At the slight trembling of her hand, nervousness he guesses from her previous laugh, his hold tightens just enough to steady her, carefully pulling her closer by that same hand. "Fear not, though. My muscle memory is plenty enough to prevent that." And it is, thankfully. Though this isn't something he's done in a long time, leading them through the slower dances is easy enough.

Still, perhaps the apparent distance nags at him a little. The shy, nervous, awkwardness that's been clinging them since they first spoke of this event. He's delicate about the shifts, mindful of any apparent discomfort, as he maneuvers them to the rhythm. Shifting closer, his hand settling ever so slightly lower with each adjustment after twirls or spins. It's, for the most part, natural; just his body letting the pieces fall into where they fit best.

That uneasy, shy distance between them is closed, but the princess can't help but feel that small bit of uncertainty on her part still tugs at her. His hand coming to settle on her waist doesn't go unnoticed, but it's not unwelcome either. She should be happy--and she is--but his words from many years ago still ring in her mind.

“….Is that enough?”

Back then, maybe it wasn't.

Those once feeble, yet earnest feelings had only grown in the time she had known him.

"Truthfully, a lot," she says, golden eyes finally rise to meet his own. Their dance continues, in perfect sync. "But…that often seems to be the case when you are involved." She's never shied away from her feelings; her years-long lapse in nerve only stemmed from his own reservations. As she looks at him now, eyes brimming with quiet resolve, she feels more certain of herself and of the tender feelings she holds close to her heart.

"I'm realizing that I should have said what I felt that night. And that I should have never let you go." She smiles, wistful, thinking of the past.

“Isn’t it…too little? Too feeble?”

He's proven wrong, however.

He notices her pause, the sweep of her eyes as she takes in his appearance, and he does the same in turn. The surprise in her voice is expected, and, dare he say, welcomed. He supposes it was part of the point of dressing up for the ball. There's the vaguest fluttering at his core at both the compliment and his own appraisal of her appearance, a light flush of his cheeks. Fashion is not his area of expertise, but there's no denying that her choice suits her brilliantly. A small smile tugs at his lips.

"Is that so?" He asks, voice light with a slightly bashful tone. He resists the urge to avert his gaze, to shy away from her second attempt at studying his choice of clothes. He hopes, uncharacteristically, that they fit together. "You look, ah," Kingu's eyes scan her over once more, a light cough escaping him as he tries to find the right word. "...Breathtaking." The word, though spoken softly, was, perhaps, a bit forward of him.

He feels an urge, suddenly, to search for one of her hands, to hold and kiss in some kind of greeting. What an odd and unprompted record that is. He's quite certain it's from that version of him that lived a mortal life in this city, something of a similar nature to what prompted his choice of flowers a few days ago. He pushes the urge back, glancing inside briefly, before looking back to his friend. His expression is more controlled as he holds out one of his hands, offering it to her. He supposes it's how he should accompany a partner.

Her true feelings, too, begin to seep through. The now rosy color on her cheeks says as much as she takes his hand. "Yes, let's," she says with a smile. And they finally walk through the doors of the castle, together this time.

The ballroom is impressive, as expected, and they're met with the usual vibrant atmosphere associated with what's supposed to be a joyful time. Plenty of people were dancing, whilst others remained by the walls or other tables to watch. Maybe if she weren't here with him, she'd have fallen into that usual comfortable wallflower feeling, too. "It has been a long while since I've been able to enjoy something so grand." Even so, she's still in what could be considered her element.

Azura doesn't waste time urging him forward, gently tugging him along to the dancefloor. "I hope you've practiced your dancing," she says, beginning to position them properly. Her hand moves to guide his free hand to her upper back whilst the other remains clasped with his own. "Like this, you see…"

It's, truthfully, of little consequence to him. The thoughts are serving only to distract him from the uncharacteristic uneasiness that's taken hold of him this evening, that he knows. Kingu is here with a purpose, and, for once, that's just a little more terrifying than the notion of simply letting things be. His Presence Detection alerts him of familiar signatures in the area, but not yet the one he seeks.

It's fine, the pause gives him time to try and settle. He has to admit he feels a little out of place, his hair adorned by thin twin braids in a crown and his formal attire. It's truly the first time he's worn anything other than his usual robes, as himself, but it was fitting. Necessary, even. The heels make a soft clicking sound as he taps them against the floor. He is nervous, it's no longer a question.

Still, he perks up when Azura's familiar presence slips into his awareness, and he waits with bated breath for her to reach the venue. Perhaps it's fortunate they'd agreed to meet here, if this is how his volatile emotions decided to respond. He moves to the entrance closer to her, assuming that's the one she'll use, and waits. At least, that'll make it easier for her to locate him, he hopes.

Maybe it was because of the way it happened—no, it was definitely because of the way it happened. An innocent invitation from a friend, colored by his previous gift of a special bouquet, left her feeling as though this night could be something special. Perhaps it was wrong to hope, foolish even, but it had to mean…something.

Didn't it?

As the venue comes into view, Azura can feel her nerves get the better of her, and for a moment she wonders if it'd be better to save herself the possible disappointment. The familiar visage of her friend awaiting her at the castle doors, however, briefly makes her pause before continuing on as she takes in his new appearance. "…Goodness," she says, sounding probably more surprised than she should. This was new and unexpected, but not at all unwelcome.

Wait, the entire-- There's no reason to grow flustered at that.

"No, you're not. It would be... nice, as you say." He hadn't meant to give her the impression that he was unwilling. Kingu knows it's a byproduct of his hesitation. "It's just..."

But considering the current standing of their relationship, or rather, the lack of definition it currently has… "If that's all, then you needn't worry."

"I'm..." not sure, is what he's about to say. Perhaps he'd ask if she was planning on attending herself, to know if there would be a familiar face there, but after a second of careful thought...