With the night winding down near its end, she really should be getting back to her station… But the energetic ones really are the most fun of all dances, and it would just be cruel of her to deny a student such a simple wish! Just one more moment couldn’t hurt. For the student’s sake, of course. 

“Festivities are all well and good, but do try not to get carried away with the stomping, hm? I am at the disadvantage of lacking shoes, after all.” Sothis makes a point of gesturing down at her own feet as the pair makes their way further into the crowd of dancers. It’s a bit of an odd choice to forgo shoes in a setting like this, yes, but she forgoes them in all settings. Changing clothes already feels strange enough, to change now even that would just be a step too far from ‘fun new’ into ‘uncomfortably new’. 

Besides, it’s not as though her dance partner has much room to judge. Respectful of the new trend though she may be, wearing rabbit ears and tail to a ball are equally strange from an objective standpoint. To insult her choices would be simply hypocritical. Even if one carries more risk of pain than the other in this exact situation.

Ah...he shouldn't be surprised to be approached by his dance partner, but that feeling lingers all the same.

"I should be thanking you. I found myself at a loss at the start of this. Even if I was not your partner by choice, I am grateful to you for accepting me anyway."

The results had never really mattered to him. He would have preferred the option to bow out gracefully in the third round, to be honest, but the weight of her hopes had kept him from doing so. He is only disappointed that he had not been capable of escorting her farther.

She isn't wrong that it's a sight most captivating. Pop, pop, pop...! First they're just little kernels, tiny seed-looking-things that seem like they'd not amount to much of a meal at all even if you ate a couple handfuls of 'em, and then, pop, pop...! They've literally exploded in size, shedding their yellows, oranges, and brows for a striking white--

There's something about the transformation that takes awhile to get old.

And yet, for as much as the 'making of' proves spectacle enough on its own... It's always people Matthew's preferred to look on. It doesn't take him long to find another face or two enraptured by the process, and he smiles. There's just something about the wonder in humans - or rabbit girls, as it were - that's worthy of study all on its own.

Ah. But.

The number one rule Matthew's always known: he shouldn't let folks catch him staring.

So when she does at last notice him, he's long since schooled his attention elsewhere. He's never far removed from his immediate surrounds, mind.

"No, no, you're quite fine, I assure you. That said, I couldn't help but overhear." He steps just slightly past, taking hold of one shaker and a bowl, shake, shake, shake...! before turning around to face her, and holding out a prize: that which she had been eyeing.

If Panette shall bare witness to people all over the Ethereal Ball consuming popcorn, she shall make sure they are doing it quite properly!

That is how she finds herself approaching a sharply dressed woman wearing some quite adorable ears!

"They are quite a lot better if you season them with salt, and pour some melted butter on top." She says, offering up a smile as she hands over her own bag of popcorn for a taste.

Mauvier has had just about enough of these scouts' antics.

"It won't cost you anything," he overhears as he approaches the young woman. She dons the ears of a rabbit - Mauvier first assumes it's a costume, but of all of the kinds of people he's met, they could very well be real. "You would only be asked to pay a small portion of your earnings from our sales..."

"Pardon me," says Mauvier, finding it much easier to stand up for another than himself. "I believe I heard her say she's not interested. You will take your leave now, yes?"

For once, Mauvier's imposing size works in his favor outside of battle; the man flits away with his proverbial tail between his legs.

Deimne had heard good things about the Stefanelli chocolatier, even if they hadn't grabbed his own personal interest. But here, free in front of him, is the best opportunity to try it for himself. Taking one of the boxes, Deimne gingerly opened the lid.

...well, that's a bit of a letdown.

As he was about to put it back, Deimne spots another person close by. Maybe she'd enjoy it? Even if it's only half full?

Oh it had been so long since she had last participated in this dance! It felt like so long ago that she had been a young girl, attending balls, dancing to music from both Aytolis and Gristonne. She'd had so much fun then. Despite the combat-like nature of the dance though, Lianna had always found it a fun challenge, trying to keep up with Darios, and now she was here in Garreg Mach, dancing at the Ethereal Ball.

"Your steps are so sure footed," she complimented. "Are you sure this is your first time doing this dance, Estel?"

"Hrrrnnn.... no, this still doesn't look right," Hinoka said, staring at the bouquet that she and a fellow ball goer were looking at. It... was reminding her terribly of the broach she had given Ryoma for his birthday. Maybe she should apologise for how she spoke to him as they entered the ball.... The queen looked at her rabbit-earred companion and sheepishly offered the bouquet.

"I'm sorry, I am afraid I am not too well versed in making these things," she admitted. "What would you suggest?"