heaven-sent;

“…” The other did have a good point, Athene was her name, she remembered seeing the other woman teaching some of the other classes as a substitute sometimes when she was not teaching the younger children. Such a kind woman.

The blonde took a deep breath then nodded her head. “Of course…” she took a seat at the table and took the cup of tea, staring into it briefly before looking back up at the white haired woman with her blank expression.

“..but have you ever just felt…empty….like nothing really has any meaning…?”

Ah, so it was one of those feelings. She knew that Constance just needed someone's ear; since Garreg Mach, Athene had become much more social, though not of her own volition. Especially when she worked around older students, she’d been able to pick up subtleties that pointed to something deeper -- and usually, she was able to poke around to see if her thoughts had any weight.

“ I’m no stranger to that . It’s an odd sensation, isn’t it ? “ A silver spoon stirred a single sugar cube into her tea. “ It’s most certainly something, but nothing at the same time. The absence of purpose, the absence of emotion. It doesn’t hurt, but it’s extremely unpleasant. “

// like she decides 2 go to the forest to learn magic in solitude and the villagers r like “oh her? yeah, thats just The Bog Witch. we have no idea where she came from, but she’s quiet and scares us, so we don’t bother her “

// meanwhile The Bog Witch is just. chilling in the woods, reading books, talking 2 animals, becoming absolutely feral

@fatedsummoner​​​​ said: “ Who is that? “ // original meme.

“ Speak up, please. What is it that you asked ? “

Her voice was smooth, noble-like, and intense in wording. On the outside, she looked like most ladies who held a title, flaunting her elegant dress and her platinum hair, tied into an elaborate updo. But the way she spoke was much more intense than most of the other noblewomen. There was a fine line between being high-class and being insulting, and it would seem as though she were an expert at treading it.

@cursedcrest​​​ said: ❝ i can think of nothing less appealing than an evening of watching other people dance. ❞ // original meme.

" Well luckily, you’re a student -- this event is held for you, after all. Having fun should be your main priority. "

Athene didn’t mind it as much, seeing as it was mostly younger folks. Occasionally teachers and other staff, but the majority of the dancers were kids she’d recognized from classes she’d substituted for. All so bright, so warm, so at ease... it put her mind at ease, too. Maybe made her feel a bit young herself.

@yarkly​​ said: with a wink and a florid bow, he offers his hand. "may i have a waltz? promise not to step on your toes." // original meme.

Saying Athene was surprised to receive such an offer was a gross understatement. She couldn’t even speak for a moment, as she had to process what he’d just said. Waltz ? With her, out of all these other lovely ladies and men amongst them ?

No, no. That’s just what people did at these sorts of functions.

@crestologies​​ said: ❝  oh, dear me, i’m no dancer, let me find a better partner for you.  ❞ // original meme.

" What ? Oh, you really need not do that -- “

She’s quick to combat his attempts to find her a new partner, becoming flustered almost immediately. The idea of dancing with some random student was unnerving her to no end -- some of these kids were from noble families. Noble families ! They weren’t going to dance with some run-of-the-mill primary school teacher. Especially not one as awkward as herself.

... What had she been thinking, asking someone to dance ?

“ You couldn’t be worse than me, after all. I think I’m the worst dancer in this room, in fact. “