BLOSSOM.

In any case, the young lady’s question brings his attention back to her. “Oh, the glass trick, you mean? Well, it does take a bit more setup - you need sand, limestone and some other minerals, and then by applying high temperature via the Fire spell, you can melt them and create glass. The student I remember - he would sometimes open a little booth where he had all materials prepared, and there, he would hold demonstrations, as well as create glass items, baubles and whatnot upon request.” He smiles at the memory of watching him at work on a few occasions. “As his studies progressed, he became more and more skilled, and he could create more and more complicated and beautiful things.”

In that moment, his smile grows a hint sad as he looks off to the distance and falls silent for a moment, before finishing the story in a way truthful, but unwanted.

“He could have become a great artisan… had the war not claimed him.” He shakes his head, turning to Céline again. “It’s especially stories like his that remind me how pointless and harmful wars are, and how important it is to cherish peace.”

"I am sorry to hear of that hardship," she says softly. Her now interlaced fingers fall to her sides and skirt the ends of her hair. "There is never any telling what the future might hold. But.. I'm glad you told me this. And I am just as happy to share the interest. While I am unable to see his demonstrations, I enjoy seeing yours." Céline's eyes flicker towards the blue hues in the sky, sauntering towards a stray cloud. Brief, snapping away at her words: "—May I say something, Professor? It was a thought I had just now, hearing you speak."

Her straight-lined lips form to match those around her, even if only slight. "I worry of similar things, myself. That.. In the wake of uncertainties, only a mantle remains. But I am not going to turn away from anything. Even so, you speak this story to me fondly. I wish I could have met your student. To pass that tale along is a wonderful thing. I should like to do the same, one day." She is content waiting for the proper opportunity— It gives her another lesson she can add to her growing journey. Céline offers a nod in agreement

While the group discusses their job here, Yunaka hears the sound of fading footsteps under the voices. From the corner of her eye, she can see a familiar head of blond walking away. Yunaka closes her eyes, sighs, and then slips after her when the group isn't looking.

It doesn't take long to catch up, and she's all smiles again when she does. "No prob', Bob. Thooough I can't say I ever imagined sneaking out on your own to be a royal habit." Just as reckless as her older brother...

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, it's real pretty!" It sort of reminds her of the big, autumnal trees back in Brodian, fighting to survive among the cliffs and mountains. She remembers once, when she was really young, one of the trees raining a storm of leaves early in the year, and all the children in her little town running and spinning beneath it, trying to catch as many as they could.

...Yunaka plucks a petal from the sky.

Still, Céline is happy to hear of the knowledge she might have had— Big or small, what mattered is what they are looking at now. "How wonderful. Then, I am certain Etie said much of what you need to know. There are times she has even taught me things I knew not of..!" A smile sits on Céline's face, fingers intertwining around the petal she holds.

"I understand well of our reason for being here. No matter how much their blossoms draw attention..," she begins to muse. A breath leaves her lips. "Might I ask you something, Yunaka? Do you think there will be anything to replace them? The trees, I mean." She did not expect a thorough answer, for even she would never know unless she opted to return one day.

Etie peers curiously at the doll she and the princess were tasked to care for over the next few days, a finely trimmed brow quirked as she pokes at the 'baby's' cheek. It sits motionless, making no noise. Though she heard that wouldn't be the case for long...

For as much as Firene hammered into its women that their role was to be the domestic pillars of their households, instructions on parenthood usually consisted of sewing and cooking lessons—things to make a household into a home for the husband and child, rather than the actual rearing of the children.

Much like her older sister, Etie knew her parents expected her to marry and have kids one day (and were probably angling for that partner to be Prince Alfred...), but something like this? She was wholly unprepared for.

Princess Céline, though...

"Between your smarts and my enthusiasm, this child is in great hands." She rises, smiling at her best friend. "It won't want for a thing—"

A piercing wail suddenly explodes from the doll, causing Etie to jump and wince. Dragons. Were babies always this loud? The poor thing sounded like it was dying!

But she is its princess— One of its heralding faces for the future, even if not rising to be Queen. There was always much she must consider.

To do this task alongside her best friend was enough to draw her attention equally between the now-yelling doll and Etie herself. She held no doubt that they would prove fruitful in this endeavor, but first things first:

The doll's quickened cries brought green eyes to a widened stance, hovering a hand over her mouth in surprise. "My, so soon.. Then again, this is something that can't be timed." Her words were quieter than intended as she took a step closer and leaned forward. Raising her voice to match the baby's would not be a wise course of action. Could it even hear? She supposed they would find out.

It’s a foreign sight for the traveling samurai. What purpose would the monastery have in adopting a litter of bigger dogs? The premises were not shy of the occasional cat or pet wandering about. Wolves, however? Those are a different breed entirely…

…though at the same time, one of the pups notices Yuzu standing back. It stares at her with large eyes, and with a fluffy covering of light grey fur. So cute… How could she not resist the temptation to approach at once?!

Yuzu trudges forward with one hand outstretched, practically in a daze. Before she can make contact with the fluffy being, though, the corner of her gaze notices another woman surrounded by even more balls of fur. It takes the Hoshidan a moment to recognize her, but her light blonde, flowing hair makes her appearance quick to remember.

“Lady Céline?” Yuzu asks with a hint of excitement in her voice. She could never forget a trustworthy classmate, let alone one who excelled in their arena bouts. “It is an honor to see you today. Um…have you taken to raising these cubs?”

The familiar voice of Yuzu is what catches her attention, straightening her back at the call of her name accompanied by a wave of her right hand: "What a pleasurable way to cross paths once more," she says kindly in greeting to Yuzu. "But yes, I have..! These sort of wolves frequent certain parts of Elyos. When I heard they were in need of assistance, well.. I felt as if I must do something."

Céline's left hand touches the head of a small wolf with its paws on her leg, she pats it gently to usher it off her person. "They seem to feel fondly towards you, as well!" A giggle slips past her lips as she gestures towards the tiny creature nearest her classmate.

Knees grazing the soil turned in a slight movement back into buttocks making nature his seat. Flying horses or not, he wouldn't doubt that this had been a magical experience that the tale they searched could not match. Sometimes chasing fairy-tales reminded one of how beautiful reality was with all it could give by simply looking around.

"It's a shame i didn't bring my flute, it would've made the experience just a little more magical." Alfred chuckled as she closed his eyes. After a moment of silence he began to hum a tune he heard since he was a child, nostalgic music at a beautiful place that made him think of a miniature Firene—a return to home without stepping out of Fódlan. How lucky had they gotten with this?

Happiness was an emotion that took great part of his life, he always searched for it wherever he could find it and he found it in simple moments such as this one or whenever one of his loved ones showed a smile unmatched in beauty. The nostalgic tune shifted to a simple Firenese song, he could play it with his flute but without the instrument at hand, the decision of playing it with his own voice was the least he could do.

Still, the thoughts in her mind were accompanied by familiar sound. Flute or not, Céline found herself unbothered by its absence. Instead, she was attentive to the music of memorable hums. Her head shook at the proposition to follow, bringing her hands back to her person: "I must not. I should remain vigilant. Besides, I'm hardly tired just yet." Her words hung in the air with as much weight as she allowed while the swift crisp air blew blonde locks over her shoulders.

"If someone should rest here, let it be you. But.. If you'd rather continue in song, I will listen." Green irises glanced up towards the clouds, full and prominent.

There is joy in spending this precious time away from the difficulties of the world— Of the knowledge that the flowers bloom willingly around their feet with a scent of fondness embracing the air. When she looked back towards her brother, the illustration on her face was only that of peace. It was a smile— Relaxed shoulders and widened eyes.

"That I promise."

𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇.

[ 𝐒𝐎𝐅𝐓 ] ― sender wraps a soft blanket around receiver’s shoulders [ 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐊 ] ― sender and receiver fall into bed together on silk sheets [ 𝐏𝐔𝐋𝐋 ] ― sender pulls receiver’s hair ( gently / hard ) [ 𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑 ] ― sender strokes receiver’s hair [ 𝐁𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇 ] ― sender brushes receiver’s hair [ 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓 ] ― sender paints a picture onto part of receiver’s body ( specify what & where ) [ 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄 ] ― sender traces their fingertips over receiver’s body [ 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑 ] ― sender traces a scar on receiver’s body [ 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃 ] ― sender reaches out to hold receiver’s hand [ 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 ] ― sender worships receiver’s body

𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄.

[ 𝐔𝐍𝐔𝐒𝐔𝐀𝐋 ] ― sender feeds receiver something they’ve never tried before ( specify what ) [ 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐑 ] ― sender feeds receiver something sour ( specify what ) [ 𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓 ] ― sender feeds receiver something sweet ( specify what ) [ 𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 ] ― sender feeds receiver something spicy ( specify what ) [ 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 ] ― sender kisses receiver to taste the lingering flavour of what they ate or drank on their lips ( specify what ) [ 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑 ] ― sender bites receiver hard enough to draw blood [ 𝐔𝐍𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐋 ] ― sender feeds receiver soup when they’ve fallen ill [ 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐊 ] ― sender makes receiver a cocktail to try [ 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐇 ] ― sender cooks receiver their favourite meal [ 𝐓𝐑𝐘 ] ―  sender gives receiver a taste of what they’re cooking / baking for their opinion

𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓.

[ 𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐃 ] ― sender blindfolds receiver [ 𝐑𝐄𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄 ] ― sender and receiver see each other again after a period of being apart [ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄 ] ― sender notices something different about receiver ( injury / haircut / tattoo / piercing / etc ) [ 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐋 ] ― sender greets receiver in formal partywear ( feel free to add detail ) [ 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐒 ] ― sender takes receiver to see lanterns in the sky [ 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 ] ― sender and receiver lay under the stars to stargaze [ 𝐆𝐀𝐙𝐄 ] ― sender and receiver lock eyes across the room [ 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖 ] ― sender and receiver see a shadow move out the corner of their eye [ 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍 ] ― sender and receive watch as something burns ( candles / a building / a campfire / etc ) [ 𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇 ] ― sender takes receiver to the aquarium to watch the sea life [ 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐊 ] ― sender recognises receiver at a masquerade party

𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃.

[ 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂 ] ― sender puts on the radio to listen to music with receiver [ 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘 ] ― sender plays receiver their favourite song on an instrument ( specify what ) [ 𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 ] ― sender and receiver are in bed together while rain lashes against the windows / tent / etc [ 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑 ] ― sender whispers something in receiver’s ear ( specify what ) [ 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 ] ― sender asks receiver for a dance upon hearing a song [ 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐘 ] ― sender and receiver hear a sound when they should be alone ( footsteps / creaking floorboards / a scream / etc ) [ 𝐇𝐔𝐌 ] ― sender hums a lullaby to lull receiver to sleep [ 𝐌𝐔𝐅𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐃 ] ― sender comforts a temporally deaf receiver after a loud sound ( gunshot / explosion / etc ) [ 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐌 ] ― sender calms receiver down from a panic attack in a loud place [ 𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐑 ] ― sender and receiver hear a muffled sound from another room / outside ( music / people / creature / etc ) [ 𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖 ] ― sender hears receiver crying and approaches comfort them

𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐋.

Her petite stature stands tiny against the large field to her rightmost. Her silhouette is drowned away, taking a breath against the solace. "If only..,—" she muses softly to herself. As her shoulders lift and fingers interlace, Firene's princess turns on her heel to the familiar visage of Yunaka.

"Ah, Yunaka..! My apologies. I was drawn towards this plant all by its lonesome." A smile sits atop her lips as she gestures towards the shadow behind her. "The tree's blooms.. It makes for a wonderful display. Wouldn't you agree?" Céline turns around from her brief moment of respite to place a palm atop its bark. "The pink buds atop this very one itself.. They remind me of blossoms scattered not so far from Firene Castle."

As a fallen petal grazes her fingertips and plummets onto the ground, Céline removes her hand to bend forward and place it into her palm; fingers curl around it wordlessly.

unabashedly now, the lad watched each move carefully until she brought his attention to several bags. none of their labels rang any bells for him, in fact, he couldn't even remember a beverage being made this way. if morgan was even able to drag himself away from his tomes, water was his first pick.

"uhm," the lad pondered his choices for several moments before landing on one at random, "let's try this one here!" of course, the princess had asked for his preference, but without any memory of the drink... how was he to know? did he like them all, would he like none of them? something about the gamble excited him, even if it was only just a drink.

maybe, drinking it would revive the lost memories he had given up on long ago?

regardless, if she was offering... "or how about all of them? i don't mean to be greedy, but i'd very much like to taste them all." of course, he'd have to reimburse her for all the leaves used in this experiment. should he even hand her gold for the time spent..? that would maybe be too much. "if you make it, i'll be sure to drink every drop! of course, i'll be paying attention too- oh, and I can help if you'd like!"

A lightness swept atop her lips, nodding in agreement. "I would be happy to accept the help. We must steep it and ensure our water is heated adequately. Could you measure out the tea leaves? For our purposes, we need but smaller amounts." Céline opened one palm and drew a petite circle in demonstration, her finger tracing itself twice over before resigning itself back to her side.

...Ah, well. Perhaps it could serve as motivation for the others.

"Don't mind if I do." He steps onto the podium and stops to do a few arm stretches, warming his muscles in preparation. With how difficult the sword was to pick up for everyone else, it must have been crafted with a heavy metal.

Fingers circle the hilt, and after an experimental tug, the sword remains firmly in place. Diamant hums, grip tightening; he puts far more strength into his next pull, and half of the blade comes out of its groove with a loud grinding sound. The crowd erupts in gasps, and the Brodian king can't help his own self-satisfied smirk. This could be done in his sleep.

He gives the sword one more tug, and the blade partially comes out... only to stop about a fourth of the way there. Diamant arches a brow, and pulls again—part of the sword remains lodged in the stone, and doesn't give.

"Having trouble?" The merchant asks, "Don't feel bad. You were doing pretty good for yourself! I don't think anyone's managed to get it out as far as you have."

Diamant grunts and tries one more pull, to no avail. Suddenly, it felt as if the sword had gotten heavier, or perhaps there was a part of the rock the blade had gotten stuck on. But in the interest of not embarrassing himself further, he lets the hilt go with a furrowed brow. "...I suppose so."

Firene's princess stands frontward, green eyes deviating between the crowd and King Diamant. She plants her feet on the ground and leans slightly forward to wrap her fingers. A breath. Another. Then a third. The first tug results in nothingness but a wobble of mere centimeters. Her forehead wrinkles, but her eyes of steel urge her to try again. "Once more," she says in a whisper that only those nearest to her can hear. Céline draws her shoulders back and tugs stronger than before. The sword squeaks loudly against the rock as the sun hits its blade after an insistent struggle.

The crowd roars. Her lips part into surprise as she turns towards the king with sword in hand: "I.. — My, the sword! I must say.. It is with your efforts that we were able to succeed. I am grateful, King Diamant." Céline lowers the item from its upwards position and points it back towards the ground. She holds it tightly in her grip as the merchant moves with a round of applause: "Would you look at that! I was starting to wonder if anyone would be able to do it. Good job, you two! So—" He points at the sword sitting alongside the girl and displays a cheeky grin. "The prize is yours."