#danciingduelist

He offers his teammate the open box, hoping to break the ice. Eyes dart to the camera casually resting in one ceiling corner. Being constantly watched grates on his nerves. Still, he's grateful there will be witnesses this time around. It wouldn't do to ruin his singing voice by being strangled again. (Ah, the things he does for love!)

"You know Delancey far better than I. Does she like tea? Just because we're competing doesn't mean I can't spend some quality time with her!" Eyes crinkle at the corners as he grins. "I even thought of the perfect pick-up line. I wish half of the stars in the sky would shine as brightly as your eyes."

One shoulder bumps into Julian's. "Not bad, eh?"

Julian silently glares at Laslow for as long as he can bear, beyond a comfortable amount of time. "Seriously, man...?" This one is my least favorite.

-

"No, not too bad." Delancey would never ignore a conversation with her name in it, and so she makes her entrance into the dining room, grinning at the sight of Laslow's grand smile and Julian's pouty-face. "A little dated i-m-o, but I have a soft spot for old souls."

"That was beginner's luck, Azama," Laslow says sourly, already starting up another game. "I swear I've got the hang of this thing!"

Azama smiles devilishly.

"Sure, sure." Beginner's luck, he says. They're all beginners, though. That aside... "Care to put your money where your mouth is, then?"

He waves his controller slightly.

He's finally managed to figure out all the buttons and wires on the karaoke machine when Ingrid chances by. "Hey, Ingrid! No better way to practice, eh?"

Send 🎤 for a karaoke battle

Ingrid had at first been, well not afraid but hesitant around this device by the name of "karaoke" - especially, after Delancey had mentioned there were larger, room-sized ones.

But it turned out to only be a singing box. And one with several tunes she recognized from the operas popular in Fhirdiad when she was a girl, albeit with some changes to them.

"It would be nice to sing something with a bit more substance than what we need to for Fiery Emblems," she says, nodding in time with the professor.

Laslow waves around his phone. What is this thing?

Laslow always liked the Crimean Queen--she is kind, softspoken, and incredibly talented with a blade. Strange how they were once students together, a mere month or so ago in Fodlan time. Now, while years have passed for him, here they are as teachers.

It makes his head hurt just thinking about it.

So naturally, instead of pondering the flow of time, he purchases a large bouquet of yellow roses in town. (If one or two end up in a maiden's hands before he's soundly rejected and tossed out of the shop, Elincia doesn't need to know!)

"Hel-lo, Elincia! My, you're looking lovely today!" Laslow grins behind his bouquet. "A welcome gift for you. They brighten the space, though I must say your smile brightens it all the more," he continues, setting the vase down on a nearby table.

Gloved fingers reach for her hand, daring to kiss the back of it. "I look forward to working with you, my darling!"

Opening her door to another familiar face brings a bright, cheerful smile to Elincia's face. They had gotten along well as students, in these very same classrooms. Mere months ago. The sands of time however continue to flow in full force, leaving no time for either of them to stand still.

"Good morning, Ini- Laslow! What a wonderful surprise," she accepts the bright yellow blooms gratefully. Such a shower of sunlight on an otherwise ordinary day. Grand displays of affection like this are a rarity in her day to day life. She has seen countless examples and attempts at Crimea's royal court of course, but each one had been insincere and shallow. A power grab, rather than genuine affection. "They're beautiful, thank you so much. I'm sure they'll lift my student's spirits just as much."

Yellow roses - a symbol of joy and friendship. Cheerful and heartwarming, each golden petal honest in it's affection.

Laslow might kiss her hand and call her darling but Elincia sees his words for what they are. A kindness. A hand extended in friendship, one she takes with a smile. Understands as heartfelt camraderie.