this is my stage now.

          Once Dorothea had decided on her own blooms, Edelgard directed her gaze towards a potted plant with lush purple petals sprouting from the top. According to its tag, it was a crocus — and it was much more aesthetically pleasing than its name might have suggested. “I couldn’t ask for one of yours, Dorothea. I do find this one very beautiful…”

        She picked the plant up from its shelf, cradling it safely in her arms. “I’ve got an idea. Now that we’ve both found something suitable, why don’t we use these flowers as an opportunity to measure our time here? As we take care of them and they grow, we can make sure to visit one another often and check in on their progress.” It sounded a little bit silly now that she’d said it — Edelgard was not used to having the time to indulge in such a leisurely activity as raising potted plants. But out of all the people she’d yet encountered here, it was clear she was most comfortable sharing such an idea with Dorothea, someone she’d called a friend for so long now.

❛ Edie, those purple are almost like the color of your eyes. They’re stunning, of course. ❜

There’s no question that her best friend would have exceptional taste. Dorothea was almost a little bit jealous that even she didn’t think of picking them for her. Perhaps she could even look up some flower meanings later, too. The songstress peered at the tag dangling from the bouquet in Edelgard’s arms. Crocus... Interesting.

“I may have gotten carried away while practicing around the kitchen, yet again”

“I’ve come up with different recipes for chocolate milkshake, …and no decision on which one’s best.”

❛ Have you thought to give out samples? I’d be willing to try them. ❜

He heard the sound of the door opening accompanied by the rustle of bags. Oh, she must have just gotten back from some shopping. He caught eyes with her when she stepped into view. For some reason he didn’t expect to see such rose red hair. He blinked for a second.  “Oh, of course.” He stepped closer, grasping into the heavy bag and lifting it with ease. Proof that those muscles he had weren’t just for show. “Welcome home. Oh and, uh.. My name’s Desaran, it’s nice to finally meet you.” He spoke, reminding himself that the only reason he hadn’t met her until now was that he had a tendency of sleeping outside. 

Either way, the rabbit man shot her a smile and held out a free hand towards her to shake.

❛ Thank you! ❜ 

Clearly, he seemed more than willing to help out around here. Which would be good, Dorothea’s a little messy considering all the objects she had laying around her room back in the monastery. 

❛ It’s nice to meet you, Desaran. I’m Dorothea! I guess both our names start with a D. ❜

She led the way into the kitchen, placing the bag filled with vegetables on the counter and gently taking his hand to shake. Proper too.. Hopefully not a noble?

The mess is hardly anything, if taken into realistic consideration - Sylvain is a neat person by nature, organized and the furthest thing from messy you might expect from someone with his usual laid-back attitude. There’s not a lot of flour, even if he was taking extra time to be precise about the ingredients he gets his hands on to measure.

Brown eyes lift from the measuring cup and his head tilts before he offers Dorothea a charming smile - the most showy one he can manage, at that. “Most people think the same thing, you know!” Sylvain’s response is easy, even as he looks back down to the bowl he’s trying to mix, “Girls are already all over me, Dorothea. As if I need to give them another reason to be?” That, however, is just the worst. Awul words, and Sylvain knows it.

He doesn’t linger on that, though. “Positive! I was gonna handle this part - you seem like you’d enjoy decorating them more than anything else, am I right? Creative and artistic freedom! Very you.”

Dorothea watches as the spoon moves in the batter, wondering just how the cookies would take. Gingerbread, was it? Too sweet of a cookie was hardly her thing. If she opted for something on the sugary side, she paired it with a nice cup of tea. Despite the sugar she saw poured in – with precision, she noticed – perhaps it would be different.

❛ I see. It must be so hard for you.. Good at cooking and good looking too. ❜

Her voice absolutely drips with faux sadness. She’s teasing, of course, and she would be jealous of the attention – not that she would ever admit it – if she didn’t know it was a sham. Sylvain never changes, of course.

❛kya!?❜ not quite accustomed to physical intimacy (she was the goddess of the underworld after all), she couldn’t help but squeak as her arm was suddenly taken. it lasted but a moment though. she had to be convincing so that these guys wouldn’t tail her! ereshkigal was just glad the stranger had been nice enough to go along with it. 

❛n-no! but i think they were actually just leaving. um… right?❜ trying to sell that they were a couple, she had no choice but to do her best to snuggle up to the woman in turn. they seemed to get the hint thankfully and eventually wandered off, complaining amongst themselves. ❛umm… thank you.❜

Dorothea nuzzles the other’s arm, while staring at the men who were still standing there, looking awfully dumbstruck. The tiniest bit of satisfaction shone through, as she continued acting – she was a quick study after all! 

❛ Oh, they were just leaving? Good, I wanted to show you some place...! ❜

She stared at the men until they turned around, looking awfully a lot like dogs with their tails in between their legs. Serves them right for not taking a hint! Speak of, Dorothea gently detaches herself from the blonde, before offering a small, disarming smile.

          To skate with such skill so quickly was greatly impressive — Camilla had done so as well, but she’d had a bit of experience. She liked to think she was a graceful woman, but it was no secret that she was a bit uneasy on the ice herself. “Your very first time? That’s quite surprising. I’ve skated here and there in my past, but never made a habit of it.”

          “The way you’ve picked it up so quickly and with so much grace, you must be a performer of some sort, no? You certainly have the look for it.” Camilla’s compliment was mild, but she’d noticed the woman’s beauty from the outset. Even if this was her first time on the ice, Camilla found herself captivated. And when the princess appreciated something or someone aesthetically, she just couldn’t help herself from remarking on it. “My name is Camilla, by the way — I’d love to have yours.”

The sound of blades shaving off surrounded the pair, the sound of couples, families, friends skating around the them and on the perimeter of the rink. Though the temperature was quite cold, Dorothea always found it warming to be in enjoyable company. Not to mention, these skates were quite heavy.

❛ Is it really? I don’t think I’d mind making a habit of it. These shoes are quite stylish, don’t you think? ❜

She flashed the other her trademark smile as they made another loop around the rink. It surprised Dorothea just how quickly the lady other seem to pick up on her talents – though, to be fair, she didn’t think she hid them quite as well.

Many of the props they were provided had different histories to them. Some things, made specifically for them, carried the energy of the hands that made them. Others, antiques and thrift finds, felt more like a dozen restless energies hidden among the material. 

Admittedly, this was more the hobby and interest of Astrid than Amalie. Amalie’s mind tended towards science and precise creations, but their proximity meant that all three siblings would mingle among each other, thoughts and feelings and interests intermixed in a strange way. Shaking off her drawn out thoughts, Amalie tries once again to make sure the other is properly placated. 

“I promise I would never say something quite that rude out loud. I’m sure you’re fine, but I haven’t gotten a good look at you.” The scanning of her powers was good for that, prodding at energy and feelings, and bending things into view. “You have nice eyes. I can’t see you being terrible.” 

Amalie gestures towards the teapot. “I mean it just looks like something you’d expect a ghost to haunt. I don’t think that’s bad, though.” Her gaze goes back to it, slightly dreamy. “At this point, I don’t think I’d mind a house ghost.” 

Someone who could tell someone’s energies from just looking at him? That would’ve been extremely helpful back in the monastery, back when she was focused on finding a husband to take his money support her future. Not to say she wasn’t looking her – though it would be nice to have someone to spend her time with. This wasn’t Fodlan, this was somewhere where she could make a name for herself. Some place that didn’t rely on the random lottery of birth.

❛ Believe it or not, that wouldn’t be the rudest thing a complete stranger has said to me. ❜

That probably wasn’t the best way to continue the conversation, but then again, this conversation wasn’t your average way to talk to someone. Still, she hoped the other wouldn’t take too much offense at the unconventionality of their conversation. 

❛ You like my eyes? They do say the way to one’s soul is through their eyes.. I’m flattered, though! ❜

Speaking of eyes.. her own lower to the teapot. She tries to keep her voice neutral.

Bernadetta was quick to hug her friend back. Truly, a good friend…and even if Dorothea had made it clear that her commoner-hating father would be no match for her, it was still worrying to the oft-worried noblewoman. And now, far from the empire and her father, Bernadetta knew nothing could stop her from being friends with the songstress.

“No! I’m perfectly safe, actually!“ She laughed softly. “I was a little shaken up to end up here, I’ll admit! But I have a really nice room, and they even gave me a teddy bear!“

❛ Good, good. You know that I’d protect you wherever! ❜

And that also included when they went to different worlds, apparently. She strokes the other’s hair, hoping to comfort the archer, but also reassuring Dorothea that her good friend and classmate was actually with her. The only reason she pulls away is to properly talk to Bern.

      Dorothea’s voice drew her attention from one bouquet to another, its colors even brighter than the last. While Edelgard herself was admittedly partial to the color red, she had to admit that the orange hues somehow complemented Dorothea’s complexion — namely, the slight reddish tones in her hair. “Well it seems you were quite drawn to these. With excitement like that, I’d have to recommend the orange.” 

     “But if you’re struggling to choose, it never hurts to get both — perhaps you could place them in different areas of your residence?” Edelgard herself was unsure what she even wanted from this excursion out. She couldn’t deny her own taste for crimson hues, but she was finding herself drawn to the lighter purples shades of flowers as well. 

Who would know Dorothea better than her best friend? She absolutely adored Edie, and knew that she would absolutely pick the best flowers for her. 

❛ Ooh, the orange? Those are very lively. 

But, you’re right.. Both would be nice. Maybe one in the gathering room and the other in my bedroom. These would be nice in the bathroom, too! ❜

She picks up both bouquets – one for each hand! – before turning to her flowerless companion. 

cantilenas liked your post:Woah I’ve been pretty absent for a while. But I…

Now this was all a pretty strange thing, now that he thought about it. He’s had a room mate for a good while now, but he’d never actually met them. Well. It’s really his fault. He tends to find himself sleeping outside during the night. That’s something you get used to when you tucker yourself out from running through the desert all day. 

Well today was going to be different! He was going to stay in this new apartment of his until he came across them! It’d be really weird if he kept going this long without knowing who he was actually living with. He took a seat in the living room of the apartment, simply waiting for whoever he was living with to appear. 

Oh. Wait, he’s kind of thirsty. He stepped up to get some water before returning to his seat. NOW he’s waiting to meet who was his room mate! .. sip. 

For the moment, Dorothea had gone out to get some food for dinner. Though her cooking was definitely a reason to react out of fear – something her classmates knew all too well – perhaps she took advantage of the fact that rumors didn’t follow her here. Regardless, she’d prepared a simple meat and vegetable dish; nothing too fancy and nothing that she thought she’d mess up terribly. Hopefully her roommate ate meat.

Sharing a living space wasn’t particularly new to her, it certainly wasn’t the first time rooming with strangers, and she hopes it won’t be the first time where she doesn’t get along with her roommates.

She comes into the apartment with the rustle of bags, clearly not expecting said roommate to be sitting in the common room and ... expecting her?

❛ Oh, hello! Do you mind giving me a hand? ❜

*          Familiar faces   kept popping up everywhere it seemed. It was a half comforting, half discomfiting thought. As glad as he was to see them unharmed, he couldn’t help but wonder whether something systematic was going on at this point. Were they all being abducted from their home? Even if, last he knew, some of them had died?

And… was that Dorothea being surrounded by dancing snowmen?

He vaguely recalls hearing something about the activity, but not much about the creations coming to life. His former peer looks about as confused as he does, and that’s his cue to help.

     “Okay, I’ve seen a lot of demonic beasts by now, but never ones that looked this… rhythmic?” The joke he’d meant to use to break their surprise falls flat, but oh well. “Forgive me for not formally reintroducing myself upon our reunion, Lady Dorothea, but I’m a little distracted by your friends.” That one was a bit better.

To be completely honest, Dorothea was out of a game plan. Given how quickly the snowman called its friends to encircle – surely it wasn’t meant to be malicious – she wasn’t exactly sure how to escape her own ring of icy hell. She wasn’t known for her dancing technique, that’s for sure.

Should she just go for it? They seemed harmless enough, except when they’re circling her much like she was on a battlefield once again. Maybe she should’ve learned fire magic instead.

❛ Claude! ❜

Relief seeped more into her voice than she was willing to admit. She should’ve been more shocked. The last time they met... Well. Let’s not get into that.

❛ Funny, I didn’t quite introduce myself to my “friends” either. They’ve taken a liking to me, regardless. ❜

❛p-p-p-pretty!? me!?❜ ah? this was an attack, wasn’t it? an attack! a bunch of boys had started hitting on her out of nowhere, and because she didn’t typically associate with mortals she wasn’t really sure how to cope with it all! desperately she looked around for a way out. ah! another woman! ❛u-uuuuhh… i’m here with my girlfriend, so please don’t waste my time!❜

she stared at the stranger with pleading eyes. go along with it! please!

@cantilenas

Dorothea was only passing through, but it really only took her a second to comprehend what was going on. Ugh, men really were awful – the same no matter where she went. Well, either way, she was going to rescue this girl, no matter what it took.

She quickly looped arms with the other woman, nuzzling up to her side.

❛ Oh, darling, I’ve been looking for you everywhere! I’m so glad I finally found you. Do you know these... people? ❜