#((they))

"More importantly, you fought to the best of your abilities. Today was not your day but," Elincia leans closer, hesitating as her cheeks flush. She forgets the juice in her hand. It's now or never. She pushes just slightly further, pressing her lips against Phina's for a brief, chaste but affectionate kiss. "I was incredibly proud of you. I only caught glimpses but I know you worked hard. A brilliant example for our students."

"I do hope you're feeling better, I'm sorry I could not be by your side. Your efforts however were wonderful to see, for myself and the Blue Lions students." Elincia's smile softens, fingertips pushing strands of excess hair out of Phina's eyes. "Winning is sweet but you are far sweeter my dear. Besides, the point of this mock battle is growth not victory."

There’s a certain comradery that comes with strolling out the doorway into the intricate, expansive halls of Garreg Mach and seeing another person’s profile against the backdrop. Perhaps it was just a natural compulsion, but Nanna felt drawn to her—and hoped their mutual exits would converge, one day, to a joyous beginning.

"I am Nanna Ragnheidr of House Nordion.” Her laughter bounces gently against the academy walls, filling the empty space with gold. “What a joy it is to meet you." 

“Oh—” Veyle pauses as she realizes that the soft voice is meant for her ears. It almost feels strange to be addressed just like that. This openness and friendliness, coming from people who know nothing of her and treat her as another new student and nothing more or less than that, may take her a while to get accustomed to.

Still, it is not unwelcome by any means - quite the opposite, of course! And so, she smiles, too.

@kitty-highball

A few small bags fumbled out of his hand as he lost balance, trying to shift their weight back. And failing miserably for a moment. Maybe Syla could have asked for help...but that wasn't terribly his style. Even if it meant making a small embarrassing ordeal out of it when he dropped them. The small bags on top of heavier boxes slid off...and were caught by another pair of hands.

Now that he could see further over them, Syla looked down to see the auri woman with her hands now clutching them. Holding them up, must have saved them from hitting the ground...Either by pure luck or she had been watching him struggle.

@toonsupe

It's rare that Noir's sudden appearance can actually make her jump any more, not unless he intends to. She's gotten used to him turning up unannounced, by now always half-expecting him to be in the vicinity - not that he always is, but it's a nice thought to know that he could be nearby.

No, now it's usually only when she's distracted or caught up in something else that he surprises her like this, the music playing from the kitchen speaker covering any noise his entrance might have made. It isn't until she catches sight of him mid-spin that she realises he's there, and Char is only grateful that the undignified squeak she lets out is probably covered by the song.

obscure feelings meme | closed

Even after her voyage back she’s kept the Hattari vestments she’d bought for the ease they give her. The dark headscarf and face covering provide a privacy she has not had in some time, and it is only when she reaches Goldoa that she removes them and enjoys the feel of the cold air on her cheeks reminding her suddenly and powerfully of her homeland.

The winter sky is different here, though, and Micaiah finds herself often wandering at night tracing the constellations in hope she might one day compare them with those of her home. It is a faint hope but so too is their light at times, and still she relies on it.

Still, it leads her down a road worn down by feet to a place where Soren sits. There is a house not far from them; there are more houses here in Goldoa than the last time she’d visited Kurth here and when she’d commented on it he had smiled, but it feels wrong to ask if it is Soren’s, it feels wrong to ask if Soren like her has yet to find home.

She sits next to him instead.

“I met Ena’s baby for the first time today, though I suppose they aren’t a baby anymore,” she says, her laugh trailing off into contemplative silence. “The people of the dragon tribe mature quickly, don’t they? It makes me wonder how my own so – ah, well, it makes me wonder a lot of things.”

hallomeme (not actually halloween themed)

Shiro was the last of their friends that she expected it from. She was content to provide company in exchange for time in the castle gardens, sitting comfortably under one of the trees while Shiro did...whatever it was Shiro did. He seldom needed much more than another presence, perfectly capable of amusing himself with what whimsies crossed his mind.

When he asked her to hold still, she thought nothing of it. Simply hummed her acknowledgment and continued scribbling in her notebook. He knew better than to bother her (even if he did not always listen to that knowledge).

His hand delicately brushing her hair makes her pause. She does not move until he does, looking up at him curiously. Shiro provides no answers, just smiles at her sweetly, so she reaches up to her ear. Soft flower petals, delicate against her fingertips meet her. Oh. Shiro's smile gets a little more smug.

She cannot help it. She laughs and manages to place her notebook to the side in time before her shaking jars the still drying ink. Shiro is blushing when next she looks at him, and pouting in place of his smile. Mitama holds a hand out to him.