Sorcery Incarnate

Skill Points 5 -> 6

Upped Reason D -> D+ (Activity)

"Anyway. What are you up to? I'm rather bored and want some entertainment" Hapi asked, tilted her head and leaning against her hand. Some company and boredom is better than no company and boredom after all!

She hadn't been up to especially much - considering on grabbing a bite to eat, perhaps, but otherwise letting her mind wander for a change. Just as she had determined her course of action, though, the sneak sneak sneaking of a long-time friend draws the other close to her, and when Hapi speaks -

"Wuuuahhh!" A gasp with a hand drawn upwards, she pivots towards the culprit. "Who-..."

Withdrawing her folding fan, she gives Hapi a bonk on the head. Playful at that - not actually doing any real harm. "Oh, you! You caused quite the fright out of me! What if someone saw?!" Her apparent scolding then settles. "...it's really nice to see you."

She then draws the fan back, tapping it against her chin. "You say you're bored, hmm? I'm sure we can put our heads together to solve such a dire predicament! Such as..." it's interrupted by a less-than-ladylike grumble from her stomach.

Skill Points 4 -> 5

Upped Faith E -> E+ (Activity)

Claimed from Ball: Seaside Parasol (pending)

First activity post! Here is her tracker - for ball asks, if anyone wants to turn them into a mini, please let me know!

Here's the threads I Owe VS not too:

"I've heard much about this particular coffee blend."

She stands in front of the snack table, a drink tower stacked with mugs before her, contents warm enough to be steaming. The label in front of them reads "Dagdan Chocolate Mocha - Almyran Blend". She doesn't reach for any handle in particular, but by how she lingers there, arms crossed and hand to her chin, she seems to be considering it deeply. She has always been a fan of both tea and coffee, but usually not quite so embellished.

Poe doesn't know the girl she is addressing, but never has that stopped her before. She holds out a charm, pretty and porcelain, with a coaxing smile. "A starfish for your thoughts: do you know if it's any good? Before I take one for myself—I wouldn't want to have to carry around a drink I don't like with me all night."

It had been quite the night. There had been a number of faces, both new and old, that she encountered. A sudden storm turned the venue upside down, stranding some, keeping others inside, and many more seeking shelter from the harsh rain. But, with some help prettying up, and a well-earned nap after a fierce battle, Constance decides to take what's left of the night to relax and have fun.

After some dancing, she opts for a snack, but does not expect to receive a question. She looks to the label, considering whether or not she's had such a blend. The pause sticks longer than she might have wanted.

"...it's got an acquired taste. Bitter, especially if you refrain from adding sugar or extra milk. But I've also heard it's easy to turn it cloyingly sweet, so I'd recommend only adding sugar in moderation."

"Constance! You look positively radiant," Mercedes beams, as she approaches her old friend. "Truly, you're the bell of this ball!"

"Hmm, would you care to dance together for old times sake?" she asks softly, already reaching for Constance's hand before she has the wherewithal to stop. Her cheeks colour slightly but her smile brightens as she takes in the young woman Constance has blossomed into. "I'll have to follow your lead, I think I may have forgotten most of the steps. You were always the sharp, clever one my friend."

A smile springs from behind the hand she raises. "You flatter me, dear Mercedes! Have you not looked upon yourself? You've picked a lovely outfit to wear tonight." Lovely, but simple, too. There's a charm to that - and she wouldn't want Mercedes to be outshone by the blinding jewelry that would obscure her natural beauty.

Her smile softens. Mercedes always reminded her of better times. Of a world before her standing had been stripped away. Before she lost contact with her (and Emile) for some time.

Here, on the dance floor, she accepts Mercedes' hand. For that brief time, it's just the two of them, without their responsibilities hanging over them. She doesn't mind if one steps on the other - if the dance isn't one to one to the steps she's supposed to know. "We can remember it together," she tells her. "I've even got just the thing to remind us of the night together, too."

"Constance!" Lene adds. "What's up? How are you?" She wonders if the ball is everything the girl has hoped for. "I'm so glad I found you!" "Your white dress is such an interesting choice, too," she adds. "So cute."

The dancer pulls on her arm. "C'mon, dance with me!!! It'll be fun!"

This was the one place she could show off her dancing skills to the full. Why not use it to help friends? Lene brings Costance to the ballroom floor and starts to whirl. "This one's a bit quick, I hear, but I got you. Just trust me."

The orchestra starts, and Lene's off, guiding Constance and leaping and spinning away. 

Gears shift and turn at the sudden entrance of Lene. Has she...? It does take a moment to backtrack, but once she's connected the dots, she goes to speak-

And is pulled along before she's able to make a witty remark! The song starts, and she thinks she's heard something about Lene mentioning that it's got a fast tempo. Sure enough, One step turns to five, and she picks up the pace, feet cambering to keep nearby the other.

But she puts her trust in Lene. If she's approached her after their time shopping, came seeking company and a good time? She decides not to disappoint.

He had come out of the blue - but it almost feels right, for him to appear from within the ever-moving crowds. She reserves a smile to greet him with. Or would, but it's fairly quickly exchanged with a furrowed brow.

"Oh, you know that's not the name I want to be called by!" Placed upon her face is a prominent pout, as she watches the turtle charm dangle from their hands. Being informed at the entrance about the goal of these charms, her scowl deepens as she reflects upon her options.

In the end, she lets out a sharp heave, searching her belongings to find...oh, that's right. They're matching. In one of her hands, a cute little turtle dangles from her fingertips now, too.

The setting sun means that She won't have to be dragged around too much, either. A relief on both of their parts, really. Still, the sun won't be down for a bit longer...she's glad to have brought an umbrella to keep the remaining rays away from her eyes.

That said...what's she to do with this turtle?

---

Constance is also doing ball this year! Here is her tracker:

Seashell - Dimitri

Starfish - Poe

Anchor - Eliwood, Mercedes

Turtle - Emma, Yuri, Darios

Pearl - Dorothea

And her outfit can be found below:

From under his cloak a book was revealed, the cover slightly faded but of gray leather and silver accents. It wasn’t a tome, but rather a compilation of records on many kinds of spells beyond just the realm of battle. “I am aware my less than ideal magic prowess results in me not being the most useful teacher for someone with your skillset, so allow this to at least make up for some of it. It was written by a scholar from the Fhirdiad School of Sorcery many years ago, and seems to contain quite an interesting collection of information.”

With a short sigh, he patted down his cloak. “That aside, how have you been doing?”

Silent eyes glance over the book. It's for...her? To say that her first few days were lively would be an understatement, surely!

Her smile spreads wide, one that doesn't require being made through practice. It's an honest smile, one that knows to hold the book tight against her chest as to ensure it's taken safely back to her room.

"How did..." No, she decides the where and when that he's obtained matters little. She clears her throat. "Aha, so you've noticed my talents! Yes, a book like this would most definitely aid in my studies."

She thinks back to her prior encounter and, oops. Now there's the forced smile. "...actually, this really lifted my mood quite a bit! Nothing too dire was bothering me, no no no, but...well, who doesn't like a surprise gift?"

"Ha! And to think, where we once hailed as the echelon of Adrestia's foremost houses, we may one day return in a fashion that even summers will crave." And a beat. "I am... glad, really." Really, truly. So much so, he leaned into it. Like a song off a gallery seat, elbows pressed against the balcony sidebox to crane his whole body in.

"That you went through a time so difficult and pulled yourself out of the wreckage."

Where one flame buried bright, the other laid dormant among the ashes, the stray embers flickering a feeble sign of life. Difficult, he says. Their meeting, a highlight to be praised and admired above all else! Her flame appears at first to have died out - but with a snap, it erupts into something far more deadly.

"Oh, ever so thankful for the reminder!" She scoffs; "That the single most dreadful, embarressing day of my entire life can be summed to you up as 'difficult.' Certainly, the 'noblest of nobles' has dived in plenty of valleys of his very own, and has quite an understanding about how deep they can surely get!"

Her sneer lowers, and exhaustion hides behind the more serious tone her expression takes. "…I lost everything, you know. My title. My place. My family."

Briefly, she meets eye to eye - just as quickly, she pulls away. "So, if all if you've come to do is remind me of those failings, then I hardly see the need for us to discuss any further."

((Hello!! With Constance here, and Niamh well overdue for some new threads, here's a list of Tasks for May that these characters are interested in (crossed out = taken; blue = starter exists)

Constance (honestly anything for her, but these are the main ones):

Authority (Needs GD) - let's go on a funny fetch quest together!

Reason (Needs GD) - Constance would absolutely want to whip up a solution - most likely with magic. Depending on the muse, you may be trying more to ensure she doesn't get caught testing her theories than coming up with a solution yourself. w/lachesis

Any Skill - Constance would be suspicious at first, but the promise of treasure would hook her in. (Depending on where the portals go, her sunny side might have a few words about it, though.) w/petra

Ice Skating - This one's just fun! Ideally best with someone who can provide a ton of optimism at the inevitable slip-ups. w/yuri

Birthday Gift - Of course she has a welcoming gift for the ball! Who doesn't? (She doesn't). Let's panic together. /w mercie (awaiting starter)

Heavy Armor - Constance might have fun with a muse who's manning the stall - possibly considering if there are any way to help lighten the weight of these oversized garments? But also, she's probably on a budget, so a shopping trip with another muse would be fun as well. w/lene

Niamh:

Reason (Needs GD) - Niamh would be more curious about the why over finding a solution to the problem - but would help sleuth with a partner if so desired.

Dye Prompt (Needs GD) - Niamh would be curious about the tradition, and especially given the number of plants she grows back at home, might take note of how they use them for her own use later.

Hidden pathway (Needs GD) - unexplored tunnels? Let's go! Niamh sees no reason why she can't go exploring, and is curious what flora grows where no one goes. w/nanna

Any Skill - Niamh wants to know how the portals work, and whether or not the monsters compare to the ones that were running about a few months back. Add a puzzle to this and she's more than happy to pull a suspicious or less willing person along for the ride. (Or are you running in to make sure she doesn't get herself hurt?)