LUMINOUS RIDER

While they have been growing closer, it still feels like an almost impossible dream that they might form a bond as strong as some of the other sibling sets that they know.

"I'll have to use almonds for his then," she nods, corners of her lips pricking back up the slightest bit. It really is hard to remain dour around Maria, especially when she gives the opportunity to talk about family.

A short series of claps cuts through the air, and the little cleric looks up as her fingers still sift through the goodies. She takes precisely four almonds and only that, leaving the lion's share of them to Altena. There are plenty of other goodies, besides, and she has just placed a spoon next to a small jar of jam when their instructor begins speaking.

"Given your disparate goals," he begins, hands pressed together, "We won't be going through the steps together as a class. Instead, you'll find the instructions at your tables. You may work at your own pace and, if you need any help, do raise a hand and fetch the attention of myself or one of my aides."

"Yes!" Maria answers alongside the rest of the class, reaching for their written instructions and holding it slightly higher for Altena to look as well. "Hmm... Cut the chocolates into small, uniform-size pieces...

"Silly brothers, huh?" But she smiles so gently as she places blocks of chocolate in front of both Altena and herself. "Hee hee... well, I'll still make him some when he comes home, so it's okay." At least she still gets to spend time with Minerva, and for once Minerva gets to just be Minerva. Her world has grown beyond the Whitewings, a traitorous brother, and an imprisoned sister -- now she has Leif, who Maria's lucky enough to know now, and that girl who makes her smile--

She gets to work on her half of the chocolate, keeping her cuts as even as she can. "Maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both get to see our brothers again in time to give them this chocolate." It's wishful thinking and thinking she doesn't actually think will happen, at least on her end. But there is something about Maria, too, that inspires a little bit of hope.

"You could come with me, if you wanted, when I give these to Leif. It's only fair that you get to take credit for knowing what he might like." She wonders what it would be like to spend time with Leif if Maria was there, too. If the young girl's sunny warmth might be able to cut through the awkwardness that still lingers between the two siblings.

"You did this!" a young woman that Altena recognizes as a student from the Academy waves an accusing finger at her. "My whole pack is ruined! Ruined!" The pack is tossed at Altena's feet and it is very clearly as ruined as she claims.

Altena has no idea, however what could have possibly happened to it. She's never spoken to this woman. She is pretty certain she flies a pegasus but she isn't even sure which house she's part of. Why she so aggressively thinks the Thracian is the one to have messed with her things is completely beyond Altena.

"What are you talking about?" Altena's scowl deepens. She doesn't like being accused like this. Going behind someone's back is dishonest and cowardly. She's better than that.

"Don't play innocent!" the other woman hisses. "You wyvern riders are all the same!"

She pauses for a moment to consider it. It also seems odd that Leif would ask this. What would Finn need to be suspicious about? But it dawns on her and her eyes widen.

"Wait, you don't think..." Altena leans a little closer so she can keep her voice hushed. "You don't really think he was trying to prank me do you?"

She'll be the first to admit that she doesn't really know Finn all that well outside of being an extension of Quan. Leif would know far better than she ever would if the knight was even capable of something fun like this. It's pretty hard to believe but she supposes it's possible.

Especially not as the daughter who carried Prince Quan's blood most strongly of all the people in the world. Leif imagines it'd be so great a sin on Finn's conscience that he would immediately prostrate himself before her for a flogging.

“But he did seem like he was trying to trap me,” Leif adds, not recognizing the potential overlap between what constitutes as 'trapping' and 'pranking.' “When I took them, he started taking it as a declaration that I was going to get some.”

A pause as he realizes what he just let himself say in front of his sister. Every nerve in his body flares to life, rendering him stiff and awkward.

She barely has a moment to consider reacting to Leif's admission about his own experience with the Finn Mints when he abruptly turns the spotlight right back onto her. A brutal tactic that heats color into her cheeks.

"NO!" She answers too loud and too quickly. "It was just one dance. That's it."

Their uncle had called her out on it, too. Had that been before or after Finn approached her. Had she even danced with Minerva at that point? The events of the evening blur in her memory as she tries to piece everything together to figure out Finn's motivations. Had he seen it? Had Sigurd told him about it? Both options are equally horrifying.

Not that she's complaining or anything...

But she's definitely staring. And oh shit he's noticed. Where is she supposed to put her eyes when his abs are fully out and glorious like that?

"You..."

She's got to say something or else she's going to seem like a total freak.

"You...must train a lot."

Oh! Balthus pulls his punch halfway through a swing, the badly-beaten training dummy in front of him shuddering almost as if it were sentient and had been expecting to be pummeled. All it takes is a hop to adjust his stance, wiping rivulets of sweat off of her cheek with a quick rub of his sleeve-- and the girl that had approached him? Damn, she's cute. Looks like she can hold her own in a fight, too; but he thinks he'd rather hold her. (Hah. Smooth. Yeah, baby!) It's a rare moment of victory that he's approached first, and following her sight... At least SOMEONE at the Monastery has good taste. Casually lifting up one side of his coat, he winks before flexing enough to show off the dip of his abs and the slant of his hip-- maybe talking to someone down in Abyss would make it to where he can make this coat sleeveless or something, too. She's missing out on the guns! The pythons! How he's jacked! "Hah, you've got a good eye, lady!" Balthus runs his hands through his hair before shaking his head, damp locks making him look like nothing short of a model seductively coming out of a swimming pool. (Or so he thinks it does.) "It takes a lotta liftin' to become the undefeated King of Grappling. Can't slack off for even a day." Low chuckle and a tilt of his head has him flashing his most dashing smile, and for those close enough, maybe they'd even think they saw a little twinkle from it. "Name's Balthus. You interested in throwin' some blows, too? I'd be a fool to say no to sparrin' with a girl as pretty as you. Whaddya say?"

Now she has to do whatever she can to keep her eyes on his. And that certainly isn't easy considering how tall he is. He's taller than both Arion and Father. He might even be taller than General Hannibal. And it's difficult to keep her head lifted up but if she doesn't, her eyes are directly at chest level.

But he's impressive! It takes dedication and hard work to achieve muscle like that! It can't be so terrible to admire the time and effort he's put in, can it?

"No, you can't slack off," she agrees with a nod. It's why she's here at the training hall, too. There's always more work to put in. "I'm Altena. I've been wanting to improve my skill with gauntlets." Did he just call her pretty? "It would be foolish to pass up an opportunity to learn from someone so expert."

And he wants to go to dinner. Altena remembers the last time she indulged a little with someone else. How her uncle made a point to insert himself right into the middle of it. She would hate a repeat of something like that but she can't just say no either. She'll look like a coward.

She's not entirely sure what she should do with her own hands but, thankfully, there are enough other couples dancing that she's able to look around and figure it out from their example. Shoulders then. That's doable. Her hands hover awkwardly a moment over Minerva's before she commits to it.

And she's not entirely sure where she should look either. When she looks around to see what others are doing for that, the inspiration is less helpful. That person has their head leaning against their partner's shoulder. And over there is someone looking deep into the other's eyes. Both options feel way too bold. Awkwardly over the shoulder it is then.

“Don’t worry… we don’t need words” she simple said as she delicately felt the head of the young woman placing over her shoulders, a soft touch that Minerva enjoyed with guilty pleasure. In all response, she simply twiirled around with her, moving along the ballroom with slow pace, but steady, until the music eventually finished –dancing, enjoying each other company, feeling each other bodies, hearts, feelings. As most couples bowed in gratitude to their partners, the two of them were still there, together.

“We can do another round, if you wish” and she let go of her sumptuous body, her hand handed her one of his flowers, a hyacinth. “For you and for your boldness in dancing with me”

Altena offers a huff of a laugh and shakes her head. "You're so much better at this than I am..." Whether she means dancing or socializing in general, Altena isn't sure but she's glad Minerva was willing to put herself out there.

Maybe she should try being a little bolder.

"Me? I came here originally to study." That's an easy answer and a truthful one. There was more to it, of course, but ultimately, she did come here to try to learn.

"I suppose if you're wondering why I stay, well, there is good money to be made as a mercenary." That answer is more complicated. She's created connections here and, as much as she aches to return to the home she loves, she doesn't want to just sever them. Not yet.

When the topic switches to him, he thinks back. "I'm from abroad." Not worlds apart like he once thought considering Rowan and Lianna made their way here, but certainly far considering all he'd gone through before winding up here.

"It's quite the blur honestly, but I owe my life to some people who live in Adrestia and took me in... being a knight-" Is his way to atone. "It was something they suggested to me. I somewhat understand why now."

It's a bit stiff but he smiles. "We're coming up closer on their camp," he says looking forward. In spite of that, he continues speaking.

"Mercenaries definitely have it easier." A particular one who's torn a hole in his pocket comes to mind. "But I kind of like the monotony of the knights, some days you feel like your mind really will just run whilst you stand guard and watch nothing happen."

"I don't mind working with the knights but I could never join them officially." As a mercenary under her own employ, Altena is able to choose jobs that mean something to her. As naive as it might sound, she enjoys being able to follow her heart. And besides, it's what she's always grown up around.

The fillings aren't the only choices for variety in flavor. Altena is also impressed with the different types of chocolate. Even the molds all have different shapes. She imagines it must be difficult for each soon to be chocolatier to create the exact same candies as someone else. It's nice to know that whatever she makes will be something truly personal.

"That's what I thought I'd make for my older brother, at least. Maybe my father, too. I want to make something for my younger brother but I still don't really know what it is that he likes." Altena huffs a laugh. "I guess a variety box would be good for him, too."

She didn't know Maria had a sister. It's nice knowing they both have a similar motive for coming here. At first, it seemed everything this time of year was themed toward romance but at least Maria is on the same page she is.

Still her smile warms and grows as she listens to Altena ponder, how she considers what to make and for who. Had any of the other people she thinks of so fondly now been on that expedition? Maybe she might have even run into them! And of course, she knows Leif. But is he the older brother or the younger brother?

(...Probably the younger one, right? It feels like Altena is a little bit taller.)

"When I went to Iz with Leif and Ronan," she begins, already excitedly sifting through fillings and imagining what, how many, for who, "He got some almonds at the general store! He told us--" Oh! That he used to sneak them between meals, actually, but should she go telling that to his sister...? "--that he used to like eating them. It might not be the same kind, but it's probably a good bet, right?"

At Altena's reassurance, however, she pauses in her many contemplations to look back at her and beam.

While they have been growing closer, it still feels like an almost impossible dream that they might form a bond as strong as some of the other sibling sets that they know.

"I'll have to use almonds for his then," she nods, corners of her lips pricking back up the slightest bit. It really is hard to remain dour around Maria, especially when she gives the opportunity to talk about family.

It is. She knows it is. She hasn't heard from her brother since the end of the war. No one has. Far too many rumors are spread around that he died but Altena wants so desperately to believe that Arion is stronger than that. As naive and foolish as it might be, she still hangs onto the hope that he might return home one day. He'll find the letters she's been sending and know where to find her and that she hasn't forgotten him.

"I tell Arion everything."

She always has. From the moment she stepped into Castle Thracia and was introduced to the little boy she'd call her brother, Altena adored him. Whatever fear she had felt dissolved immediately and they became instant friends. Even if he'd been willing to keep secrets from her, there's nothing she wouldn't share with him.

Not Leif. 

There was a pinch in his brow and a moment of silence longer than perhaps Sigurd had noticed or intended before he tilted his head and said, simply, "Ah." 

While his jibing had been in the spirit of familiarity, all good fun, there was something unsettling about hearing a name he could put no face to and knowing that she called him brother. Was he older? Younger? 

No, Ethlyn could not have had- 

"Infuriating is certainly a word I've heard associated with my presence," he conceded, forcing a smile. "In fact, by my sister, more than anyone. She could not best me during training, either," he added idly, tilting his head, the edges of his smile turning softer. 

But she can't ignore Sigurd's ramblings completely. Not when the fondness with which he speaks of his sister mirrors her own feelings of her brother so well. Infuriating. She feels infuriated again when she realizes this similarity between the two of them.

    “He did,” Leif answers simply at first, seeing no reason to hide it. “He said he took them because there were a lot, so it's his way of helping us since he assumes that's what they're there for.

“...but if you're asking me, that answer isn't what you're asking for, is it?” the prince wagers a guess. She must not think it innocuous... or something happened. After all, it's not like this is her first year at the Ethereal Ball either, and thus with it, it's not the first year she's encountered those very same candies in this hall.

She pauses for a moment to consider it. It also seems odd that Leif would ask this. What would Finn need to be suspicious about? But it dawns on her and her eyes widen.

"Wait, you don't think..." Altena leans a little closer so she can keep her voice hushed. "You don't really think he was trying to prank me do you?"

She'll be the first to admit that she doesn't really know Finn all that well outside of being an extension of Quan. Leif would know far better than she ever would if the knight was even capable of something fun like this. It's pretty hard to believe but she supposes it's possible.

Arms crossed, Hector leans against the wall. As he watches pairs of dancers twirl and step in tightly prescribed patterns, he wonders what on earth the appeal is. Turning to see if the woman beside him is on the same page, or waiting her turn, he realizes she's—

"Altena." He nods, first in greeting, then at her shimmering dress. "That fits you way better than my clothes."

Then, turning back to the dance floor, he asks "Does this number look as ridiculous to you as it does to me?"

He looks different when his clothes fit. It's easier to figure out where to put her eyes at least.

"You look...covered." Who even talks like that? "Not that you looked bad." That's worse. Altena is ready to kick herself for sounding so dumb. She's grateful for the change of subject and looks out at the couples dancing together.

Brothers. What would Uther think of his showing here so far? A poor representative, Lachesis had called him. But he hadn't blown off the event entirely, and he hadn't been thrown out yet, which had to count for something. Right?

"My little brother is here somewhere, I'm sure. He's a student in the Golden Deer house."

She looks up at Hector rather curiously. Something about the way he thought to ask if her brother was older or younger and how he also would prefer to escape to the training grounds. She knows she has to be right.

“Me neither” she simply replied, the smirk on her face slowly grew wider, into a genuine smile, a somewhat allusive expression, but she just picked her hands and placed them on her shoulders, then she gradually let her hands slide along Altena's bare arms, brushing the petals of the tulips, which were placed together with the hyacinths between their bodies, wisely put as if they couldn’t fully became that close to each other. Then, Minerva’s hands lastly landed on her hips, slightly above them, she didn't want to appear too intrusive in front of her.

She accepted the compliment with a glance, her response was not long in coming, “You shine like a diamond in the night sky, Altena” she actually admired her dress a lot, her boldness in choosing that was somewhat attractive to the Macedon princess, who considered it a trait of beauty and strength.

She's not entirely sure what she should do with her own hands but, thankfully, there are enough other couples dancing that she's able to look around and figure it out from their example. Shoulders then. That's doable. Her hands hover awkwardly a moment over Minerva's before she commits to it.

And she's not entirely sure where she should look either. When she looks around to see what others are doing for that, the inspiration is less helpful. That person has their head leaning against their partner's shoulder. And over there is someone looking deep into the other's eyes. Both options feel way too bold. Awkwardly over the shoulder it is then.