devoted.

Bristling slightly at the other’s voice through the phone, her response was almost immediate. Luckily, or rather, hopefully, Lucina wouldn’t realize the reason for her insistence on avoiding the mall at all costs when she spoke, since she wasn’t exactly good at confronting even the littlest of white lies.

"Hey, come on… Senpai…” Would returning the respective title the other girl held maybe increase her chances? She hoped so, even though the word rolled off her tongue so awkwardly. “I’m only a block away, so pleeeeease give me another chance? I thought we were going to go skating and stuff.”

Lucina was one who could not be easily swayed so of course as the female tried her best to call her the title that was given to upperclassman, she did not cave. "Now who's fault was it for being late! I shall not allow you to take this victorious day from me, I will take my bearings like a champion." Her free hand balled into a fist as she placed it upon her chest, a smile on her facial features as she took this in. This was the taste of victory, defeat that was not hers but the young had chose something much more wild that was always her taste.

Now between the two, the older was willing to try new things and from time to time, she did enjoy them. Skating wasn't something she tried ever so often that would be in Cynthia's wildcard taste. They were all like a deck in their own way, Lissa who held all the different activities, being a Wild Draw 4 card in her own right. Deadly little thing. Then Lucina was left as the Blank Card.

Blank Card - This is a special card that you may use in one of two ways. If a card from your UNO deck is lost or damaged you may use the Blank Card as a replacement.

The replacement that would take things as they came and take that role unless needing to be changed. Of course, she would change it to how she felt. So a click of her tongue as she thought on the matter, speaking into the receiver.

The young chef gives out a sigh of relief. At least that whole embarrassing episode was over. Now they could focus on the task at hand and hopefully, with him in on this, they’ll get to avoid anymore suspicious looking dresses. Seriously, why did this store have such things?

“Lucina?" he echoed, smiling at the mention of her name. "That’s a really pretty name. Alright, I’m not that good with dresses but we can definitely do better than the one you just pulled out earlier." The comment is topped with a nervous laugh, perhaps as an attempt to erase the image of older women staring at them with leery eyes off from his head. Despite that little hiccup, this girl seemed to carry herself with an air of royalty. Or at least, that’s how Ludger saw it.

He watched her pocket that picture, and Ludger gave another warm smile. She must love her sister very much if she’s going out of her way to get her a fine dress, even though her choices had been… less than what could be considered actual dress attires. That said, Ludger understood. He too, had a sibling he loved very much. An older brother, in fact although, sadly he had gone missing a few years prior to moving to Kairos. But Ludger knows his brother is fine. It was him that taught Ludger all he knew, after all.

“Oh, me?" Ludger blinked, placing his hands on his hip as he shook his head. "Aha, no, I’m not shopping here for myself. I’m actually here to find something for a friend. I kind of owe her… so I wanted to give her something she might like." Though, it was proving much more difficult than he realized. Is this how girls feel when they say it’s hard finding presents for boys?

Practically astounded by the fact the other liked her name, she gave a nod to show that she agreed. It was different, she didn't believe anyone had anything like it but each and every person was unique. "Your name is quite something as well, it reminds of me.. lugging woods." Not lying, she was proud of her assessment on his name, it was truly different. Well, somewhat normal like Cynthia's, but he was the first Ludger that she had ever met. So taking this meeting as something grand, the female spoke once more.

"A friend? And what would her name be, if I am allowed to pry." She included, not wanting to get into anyone's business if she wasn't able. She wasn't like Cynthia, who would go into things without a care and only keep a smile on those features. It was scary the female was able to do something like that, she must have no been scared of what was to happen if she was to get in trouble. She took everything tenfold and this worried Lucina, it worried her so much that the thought allowed her to release a very deep breath.

Becoming at ease after telling herself that nothing bad would happen for asking,

     If there was one good thing Sion had an eye for, it was beauty. Beauty lead to many wonderful paths such as peace, and happiness. An ugly world isn’t a happy one to be living in after all, and there wouldn’t be any peace in a world like that. While some would disagree that it really was important, Sion would have to disagree with them.

     Twirling his finger around some stray strands of hair, he paused and looked at what appeared to be a confused young woman. His eyes drifted to the shop she was staring at and raised a brow. Perhaps she was going to get a hair cut or something.

     There was something she said that caught his attention.

     By now he would have walked away because it didn’t matter to him what people did, he didn’t have the right to tell them otherwise and he barely knew what she was planning. Until she had spoken, or rather just been mumbling to herself.

     Taking a few long strides over to her, Sion’s lips curved into a small smile and he took some strands of her hand into his hand. After that, he gently pressed his lips against them all romantic like, and looked up at her.

Then again, her thoughts were halted by someone holding onto the blue locks and she wasn't sure what was happening behind her. She was sure nothing bad was happening but feeling strands go up, Eyes looking to the side to catch sight of the act, she did not pull away but was only ever more confused by what had just happened. Speechless, Lucina tried to draw words from her mouth until the other spoke first.

The natural reaction was that she could only stand still, hearing how it was a shame she would cut it but allowing a deep breath and feeling as if she could speak. Words tried to form but their statement made her wonder would it truly be a shame, she could wait for it to grow back. She was pretty content and sure with that matter, but it would have seemed wrong if she allowed it. Hands raising so that her fingers ran through the locks of her hair, even where the male had placed a kiss.

Today, however, the male had not anticipated in finding himself smack dab in the middle of a gang conflict. The two gangs he sees on either side are none of his own but instead relatively small groups that hardly posed a threat to Misaki himself or his own group… Though, that’s subject to change seeing as he’s all alone and all eyes are on him, for some reason or another. With a roll of his shoulder and a crack of his neck, the auburn-haired male readies himself for the inevitable.

His eyes widen temporarily as he can’t help but see someone out of place in this entire mess, namely a rather refined looking female with a serious expression. Why… Is she here, of all places? It seems that Misaki just attracts unknowing females into danger, even when he doesn’t try, and for a moment he grimaces at that fact. His attention is snapped back to reality once more, however, as the conflict bubbles over and the first punch is thrown.

Great, just great.

Practically rolling his eyes, Misaki once again becomes concerned with the female in the premises, his eyebrows raising in surprise as she willingly comes to his side. For a moment, he blinks in confusion and almost stutters at the contact from the girl, though it quickly disappears for the time being as a male thug bumps into the stranger, causing Misaki’s anger to boil once more. Without another thought, he grabs the collar of the thug, clocking him straight in the jaw to knock him out before grabbing onto the girl’s hand with, surprisingly, no hesitation.

Following after him and trying her best not to lose his pace, one step after the other and making sure not to trip. She was surprised that he was more so on helping her than helping himself, "I could say the same for you as well." She had no idea which way the male wanted to go but she held no complaints, looking behind her from time to time in order to see how far away they were. Not seeing anyone in sight, she could surely hear them. Where were they hiding? Even the female didn't know as she took a deep breath in her run.

"What were you even doing in these parts, they are dangerous!" Their escape seeming really high, she was a bit worried for the other. It wasn't every day she seen an up close gang fight, because of the fact she was to stay away from shady areas such as this. Though to find someone who she believed to be respectively younger than her, caught in the amidst of this was too much. Her lecture would not go unheard as she noticed a small detour to the left, once the other seemed to had slow down just for  her as she pulled him into an alley at the time.

Finally stopping so she could catch her breath, the female laid her back against the brick wall. Sliding her back down against it, she finally set down on the ground. Looking up towards the brunette, "How can someone of your age allow this to happen! But.. I do thank you for what you have done.." They could have gotten into serious trouble, a smile finally finding a place on her features. "Though, let me--" Her words cut off by a bottle that was rolled her direction, paper sticking out from the top as it was lit from the end, some sort of dark liquid contained inside.

Around him the activity was truly comparable to the livelihood of a hive of bees, many such individuals flitting about with considerably less purpose than the insects themselves. One would think that an event which revolved so expressly around the concept of growth and revival would be something of interest to the Once-ler… Yet, the businessman couldn’t manage to feel more out of place.

This was, after all, beyond his expertise. The art of socialization was something which he had been known to avoid at all costs, if only to avoid the worst mistake he could manage to make before the public eye: being himself.

In lieu of a stony silence, appropriate thanks was instead offered to the young girl whom came before the Once-ler, promptly presenting him with a single blushing bud to accompany her jovial welcoming to the festival.

‘It wasn’t my idea.’       ‘I didn’t want to be here.’            ‘This is what’s expected of me.’

In vain he buried these sentiments with which he sought to fire back, instead adopting a picturesque smile which would serve as his mask for the day. After all, the green he preferred was considerably less…alive than the likes of which teemed about him on all sides. For, it had ever been the Once-ler’s misfortune that anything which customarily flourished with a life all its own would wither and die by his hand.

This blossom too would eventually expire…so the Once-ler couldn’t help but reflect as he rose once more to stand tall, tucking the pink bud snug upon his lapel. But there was no helping that. All he could manage to do now was play his part, for what would his image come to if so prominent a businessman of Kairos could not so much as spare the time for a little festival?

A shallow breath would have to do to ready himself for the impending throng as the brunette made to step forth into the midst of the festivities—and atop one such discarded bloom. From where it had originated, the Once-ler couldn’t say, only knowing that beneath his weight it seemed quite unappealing to behold any longer. It was this then, and the feel of a pair of eyes upon him that prompted the man to look up from his unintentional misstep, honeyed words glowing with fabricated warmth. Things were already going so well.

Never had she believed to see such promising children, nor did she think she would see so many within Paralia. She knew that Kairos was such a busy place but here, it was serene and calm. Maybe she should have lived here but that could no be changed, she had siblings to take care of. Leaving them now to find such a peaceful place as this would have been unheard of and she was sure they enjoyed the place that they were living at now. A tidy house that she had to keep up with every day, she was lucky that their parents had money stashed away in the bank for them.

With the blow of the wind, she was shocked that the flower that rested in her hair had found it's way out. Optics watching as it fluttered within the breeze and found it's way onto the ground. Turning on her heel so that she could make her way on over before it found itself rolling off again. The petals would become dirtied and probably look not as nice in her hair as before, but it didn't matter as long as she still had it.

The moment that she knelt down was when a foot came crashing down on the flower, breaking it apart with that one step and crushing it with weight. A flinch for Lucina was not fast enough, she saw that she was noticed by the other, she's heard the voice before but she had yet to look up. "Aye, that was mine." Is was not the concept, it was destroyed and beyond repair as the female finally looked up to catch visage of her speaking companion.

That’s also the reason for his current excitement: as soon as he sees the girl  standing in front of two horses, he waves at her, lips curving into a wide smile.

“It’s good to see you, Lucina! Sorry for the delay, I got caught up in something— “ aka, pesky kids tried to stuff him full of flowers again, his pockets already overflowing. Well, it wasn’t too bad, but after a few hours, exhaustion from all the ruckus set in his bones. Lucina’s presence was calming enough to get rid of it in an instant, however.

Taking a short glance at the horses, he nods to answer her question, approaching one of them calmly.

"Grew up?" A hand raised to pat one of the head's of the animals, she could see how fine they were just from it. "Don't tell me you are disallowing yourself some fun just because of age, you seem like you could wave a few swords or two." Though, she has never done anything like that before though the idea did sound nice. Unsheathing weapons and playfully calling for war out towards the other, playing around and faking deaths to be King or Queen, she would have enjoyed.

It didn't take time until the sun over them were burning her up just a bit, sweating pearls and wheezing softly, she turned towards Metatron after fanning herself with her free hand. With one of the horses bothered, Lucina used that one free hand and pressed it against the nose of the horse that seemed to had been a nit nervous, probably. "Aw, what's wrong." She spoke softly, rubbing her hand up and down and for a bit, calming the horse if only just for that moment.

  Honestly, the only thing pushing Zelos to even move an inch off of his bed this morning was the promise of gorgeous flowers wearing gorgeous flowers. On the train ride over he could already tell the look of excitement most of the visitors had caked on their faces, not hesitating to flirt with some of the women on the train. Today was going to be spectacular, he felt it in his bones.

  After arriving and becoming more familiar with the area and local women, Zelos even received a flower bracelet accessory from a rather cheerful boy, waving goodbye to spectate the you know whats. There looked to be plenty to do, plenty of women to meet, plenty of women to woo. Some girls were already flocking around him, satisfying his want for their attention, but he felt like he wanted something..different.

  Thus began his search. He wandered around tirelessly for a couple hours, most reactions being the same as the last. That was until.. One woman in particular stood out to him. She was delicately holding a flower arrangement he assumed she obtained while wandering around the festival herself, sitting on one of the benches. Her form reminded him of royalty, the way she sat, the way her hair carefully laid on her shoulders. Her smile, gentle and caring, like it was only reserved for the arrangement and the arrangement alone. She looked to be having a rather nice time, though he felt she’d have an even better one with him. Dismissing his entourage and a promise he’d see them again—he wouldn’t, probably—he made his way over to the unsuspecting female. He’d be surprised if men hadn’t tried to advance on her before, amazed by the fact that she was even more astonishing up close.

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d have thought this festival was held in honor of your beauty." ..Hopefully that’d catch her attention. Beautiful flowers commemorating a beautiful girl, sounds about right. 

Holding the flower tightly in her hands as a smile formed on her features, maybe she was dreaming too hard. She wouldn't be able to find them by just sitting around, no, that didn't sound right at all but still it was nice to dream. Maybe she had became hopeless just like Cynthia and Morgan, how they never allowed anything to tear them away from a smile. This was probably an impact of dealing with them both, Lissa as well who stayed carefree. All these people and she knew of their importance, how much they meant to her. Maybe she could be fine without her parents just for a bit but though before that thought could be agreed with, she heard a voice ring into her ears.

Sapphire optics slowly raised up to meet with another's own, she could not place his face but his words were quite alarming. This brought the female to look both left and right, wondering if he was speaking to the correct person. She was sure no one had sat by her and retaining her words, she found that even she was wrong. Contemplation of what to say first, the female blinked as if trying to bat away her confusion. "Are you speaking to me?" To reassure herself, she allowed the other's flirt which he possibly used on other women to go over her head.

Due to the current festival taking place in Palaria, we have designed a list for all the fun things family and friends alike can do to occupy their time. Most of these are free, but be sure to bring some pocket change just in case.

Palaria seems to be thriving the most due to the change in season. Whether you live there or not, you hear how there are preparations for something soon. Someone gives you a flier telling you to come visit the smaller town’s square on March 20st for a special event. You do so, just because you’re curious. 

When you arrive on that day, the square is hardly recognizable. It is covered with brightly colored flowers and a large array of stalls line the sides of the roads. You watch as children with flowers weaved in their hair and looped through the holes in their clothes excitably run about. Women wear crowns and necklaces fashioned out of daisies and violets and the fresh smell of blossoms trail after them.

You are handed a single flower and told to enjoy the festival because it only happens once a year, on the first day of spring.

Though he felt quite internally embarrassed to admit that he, of all people, had gotten lost, especially in front of someone he respected in some small way as a friend - the fact was that Lucina probably knew as well as he did he knew the countryside of Paralia better then Kairos, any day. As such, it was likely natural for him to get befuddled by the city’s turns as he had here. His internal embarrassment suddenly slowly changed to more of an external one, despite a valiant attempt to keep a serious face, at the unexpected compliment.

"Ah…? Well, not many people of Kairos share that view, Lucina. Thank you."

He wasn’t sure why, but perhaps the deja vu had something to do with why even the simplest constructed of compliments that Lucina gave him lowered his ability to make as length and explanatory speech as he might like. Yes, it must do, because there was no other logical way why he’d lose some of his ability of speech.

"I could never replace this hat, you know. It’s something very important to me…granted, I know it must be older than I myself happen to be, yet - " However, his explanations of why he never would replace his beloved pointy hat were cut short at the next two dresses Lucina showed.

……….Oh dear. No.

That…wasn’t a lot better.

"The sweets-covered item is a dress meant only to be worn on Christmas times, actually, I am afraid to say."

Pausing to glance over the offending items, he sighed.

Clearly, hoping that the next dresses Lucina picked would be marginally less…well…was a futile battle, so - the most logical course of action was to just be honest with his friend, but be gentle as possible with the honesty: he didn’t wish to make his friend feel terrible.

"Lucina. I respect you a great deal as a friend. However, in this one area, I believe your judgement needs to have a bit of honesty directed at it, for your own sake. Most of the dresses you have picked, well, they’re only the sort of clothing one usually wears for…private occasions. Private intimate occasions, at that. What do you say I try suggesting something? Granted, I could end up picking something you find that your sister would not wear, but…perhaps if we team up together on this, I am sure with our thus combined effort and knowledge, we can pick something she will adore.”

Looking satsified with this logical conclusion, the male smiled. As…much as his serious face could, anyway.

Listening, she had a feeling that her next choice was one that would have been rejected. This happened all the time, almost to the point that she was getting use to it. Luckily she knew that these things were to happen which brought the female to hand up her options. She really did believe the one she chose last was something very ideal but there was a holiday barrier. It was a shame, but that didn't have to hold them back. A step forward, "But Cynthia is as cheery as Christmas." It was true, the female being happy twenty four-seven but that didn't seem to matter. Shaking her head as she felt defeated, she was lectured on the fact of her other choice.

"Are you saying that I'm not good at this shopping deal? No, that is exactly what you are saying but I thought Cynthia would want something more out there than what typical people wore. I didn't think something like the other outfits were for intimate times, they seemed fine to me. I've even seen others wear them but having my sister wear something like other's would make her the same as them, when in reality she is someone that I don't think anyone could try and copy. I should have thought of that before picking out any of these outfits, forgive me Laurent, I was not thinking."

The other had won the battle, but not the war! Though there wasn't exactly a war but she did bend to her defeat in allowing someone else to help her. Then again, it wasn't as if they were going against one another, even hearing that the other would gladly help with this for her. It sounded fine with her and she wouldn't knock the teamwork, besides, working alone was a very unfitting feeling for her.