#fatedsteps

But Lene was curious. Something pulled her to watch the student. Maybe she was even tempted to talk to her. She waited for a moment when the girl was by herself. 

"Hey," she called. "I just wanted to tell you how beautiful you look. Your dress is like a---ma--zing. I'm Lene, by the way."

 Well, she got that out of the way.

"Anyways, I just wanted to say hi. What do you say to a dance? I bet nobody's ever seen a pair as talented and brilliant as us on the ballroom floor." Lene flashed a smile. Somehow, she felt like they could be friends. 

𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋 2025

the stranger who calls out cuts a pretty figure herself, with the way her mossy hair is piled delicately upon her head, and her gown, fashioned of voluminous pink fabric that trails behind, renders this lene the closest thing dorothea has seen to a rose garden tonight.  

"aren't you sweet? thank you! i'll admit that i'm adamant about this sort of thing," she quips. "if you don't dress for the occasion, no one will take you seriously. so, i do what i can."  

a loose strand of hair is tucked behind her own ear as she leans in closer, the hint of a smile overshadowing her lips before it grows into a full-fledged one. "i'm dorothea. i'd love nothing more than to share a dance with you, but first—"  

Lene waits anxiously to be taken to the ball. She wasn't exactly used to a carriage, being a commoner and all, but it would have to do. There was also the whole deal of being nervous about the ball itself. 

She turns to the group while waiting. There was a decent number of others who were seeking out a valet. No familiar faces abounded. Well, that was just the time to pull out the socialite in herself and make some friends. Green eyes scan the crowd.

"Oh, I think I've seen you around before," Lene proclaims. "I'm Lene, by the way!"

Wow, the shape of her dress was so pretty. She had a really nice energy, too. Sort of soft and soothing. "Do you want to stick together until we get to the ball? Only if you want to!" Lene pauses for a moment. "What do you think the ball is going to be like?"

((SUPER sorry I never got a notification and only found this bc I got a different ask today!!!))

"Oh, good evening! I think I've seen you around too! I'm thrilled to finally make your acquaintance," her hands reach out, clasping the other woman's lightly enough that the green-eyed beauty could easily step away if she chose. It takes Mercedes a moment or two to recall her name - she makes a point of knowing the faces of her classmates well enough to greet them. To make sure no one feels invisible at Garreg Mach. But there are plenty of exchange students around and even once she recalls the lady's name, she hesitates slightly. "It's Lee- ah, Lene, am I correct? I was admiring your gown earlier in the crowd."

"Oh, I'm Mercedes by the way! I'd be grateful for the company, truly. It's been lonely, we can share a carriage," Mercedes offers her arm to help her companion up. Their carriage is small but plenty cozy with plush, crimson seating. "There's no need to run from me once we arrive though. I'd be delighted to share a dance or grab a bite to eat before we part ways."

Lene sucked in her courage. She'd need all of it to say hello. And how could she not? Nanna was vitally important to Jugdral's politics. Meanwhile, she was just a girl with little to no power. 

It wasn't difficult to spot her in the crowd. Nanna was a flower that stood out, not merely by how colorful or flashy she was, but how she drew people in and carried herself as a princess. Lene, on the other hand, could dress in colorful gowns for the night but would always, always be a dancer.

It hurt, knowing that her station at birth defined how she would be, but there was nothing she could do. Tonight was about being happy, being free. And so she approached Nanna to make her greetings.

"Good evening, Lady Nanna," Lene started. "I hope you're enjoying the ball." Of course, she was. She was Nanna. 

"You look beautiful." Of course she did. "I hope this evening is one to remember."

Nanna turned at the sound of her name, smile already in bloom before she even registered who had spoken. “Lene!” she greeted, her voice airy, soft with delight. She always said Lene's name like it was something held fondly between two hands. “How lovely to see you.”

And truly, it was. The crowd stirred like a sea of lanterns, but Lene shone differently. Her gown was charming—playful pinks and curling ribbons, a dance in fabric even while standing still. Nanna’s gaze lingered with honest admiration. “You look radiant tonight,” she said sincerely, drawing close enough that her words might feel less like pleasantries and more like confidences. “Like you were meant to be part of all this light.”

She hesitated a beat, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before adding, “I was just thinking the music is even more beautiful when someone who understands rhythm is nearby. If you have a favorite, you must tell me—I’d like to try dancing it. That is, if you’d be willing to teach me sometime.”

The dancer approached. "Hey, Tine. Just sayin' hi. You know how it is. Anyway, you look real nice. I hope you have a great ball."

There wasn't much to say beyond that. They didn't really have anything in common. It almost felt bad. But this was a time of the year when girls should rally together, Lene thought.

"On second thought," she adds. "If ya wanna dance, just let me know. I'd be glad to take ya for a spin." "Anyways....." Why was it so awkward? "Hope you have a great time!"

Lene certainly wasn't someone Tine expected to approach her.

Considering how Tine's attempts at exchanging went…

Wouldn't that make it all the more important ?

Or she's just getting up false hope right now.

"Thank you for your offer, but I can't imagine you will have much time left for me with how many people will ask you for a dance.

"Sakura!!!" Lene calls. She's been twirled around on the ballroom floor a few times, but she's not nearly done. It's only when the dancer spots her familiar petal-haired friend that her face turns into a smile.  "Dance with me, Sakura!" Lene says. Lene doesn't know if Sakura dances, but she's willing to lead. If she's put this much effort into coming to the ball, then she might as well enjoy it. 

"Don't worry, I'll go slowly." The next dance was supposed to be fast, but she had no problem going slowly. The dancer also looks at the sweet pastel gown that her priestess friend adorns. "You look so pretty! That dress really suits you."

The ocean pushes and pulls with the rhythm of the song as Lene waits for her friend. This would be a great night. She just knew it. 

The Ethereal Ball was famous for a main reason –the ball, of course – and despite Sakura wasn’t what you could call a dancer, she definitely enjoyed practicing in something that she never actually deepen to learn, even during her time at the castle, in Hoshido. She was a princess and it was part of the etiquette a common knowledge of the main dances, but this year, new music made their entrance in the ballroom and the petite priestess couldn’t help but stare with amazed eyes at the couples already twirling on the dancefloor.

But the wait didn’t long and a familiar voice called out her name, quickly followed by a warm and gentle invitation to dance.

“Miss Lene!” she chirped her name, enthusiasm crippling out of her lips as she nodded in agreement, “I’d love to share a dance with you –my utter pleasure!” she tilted her head, blushing slightly at her boldness, but she then trusted her hands in hers, as they started to move.

●●●●○ | ATTRACTION

●●●○○ | AFFECTION

●●●●○ | INTEREST

●●●●○ | LOYALTY

●●○○○ | TRUST

[Tine is quick to crushes and quick to envy but its a cocktail that made her reluctant to forge sincere connections thoughout the war.

She knows the life of a dancer is hardly glamorous but it is free and that freedom is what Tine envies the most.

"Yuzu!" Lene called. She hadn't seen the girl all evening. "Want to have a snack with me? These look pretty fancy," Then again, the dancer didn't know if crane's wings liked sweets. They were more or less acquainted but Yuzu was somewhat elusive. The least she could do, Lene thought, was say hello. Right? "Come on!" the dancer added, grabbing one of her arms. "It'll be fun. This ball is for making memories, after all. If you want, I'll even give you one of my brooches!" That's right. Fun. That's what she was here for, right?

"Lene!" Yuzu calls back with light rejoice in her voice. The sight of a familiar face, even one she admittedly knows little of in comparison to her closer confidants, is always welcome on this battlefield of a ballroom. The green dancer even comes holding a plate of food.

And...it looks like even more sweet stuff. How much sugar has Yuzu feasted on this night alone? A multitude of buns, chocolate-covered baked goods, and now...crepes? Any other night, she would have to scold herself for such piggish behavior...

Yet in her time of mental turmoil, Lene energetically moves up to wrap around one of Yuzu's arms. Her promises of fun...she cannot help but be reminded of another friend out there today, likely looking for the same enjoyment. "Ah, I...of course, I would. Tonight's memories should be no less than stellar with you around."

"Here," Yuzu uses her free arm to loosen a teardrop crystal to give to Lene, "no need to wait for exchange. Consider this payment for the meal, if you will."

Keeping up such a high profile, the manners, the etiquette, the dresses - all of it! She was more than excited to return to her dorm room and throw on whatever ratty clothes she had in her drawers. As much as this dress was gorgeous, you couldn't beat commoner clothes. Lene glanced to a boy sitting a few paces away. His fiery hair was unmistakable, but the dancer guessed they were in different classes. Maybe he was saving the spot for his friends. "Hey!" Lene waved. "What'cha doing over there? Count me in? I could use some fun."

Between all the dancing and eating and dancing and more eating.. Ewan was having a blast, of course! But he couldn’t say he wasn’t in the mood for something else. He loved being dressed all fancy, but he missed his regular ol mage robes, as those were more comfy and breathable. And hid his lacking physicque better-

Finding a nice and comfortable spot next to a tree, he decided to turn his gaze upwards to the many stars twinkling in the night sky. They were so beautiful, and so clear! Maybe if he was lucky he could see a shooting star! Wait… why leave it up to luck?

An idea struck him. He already knew how to create small shooting stars, what if he tried to increase the size? Yeah.. something like that could be fun! From his pocket he grabbed a small notebook, one he always used to write down new magic ideas, and began to scribble it down.

It was then that an unfamiliar girl approached him. He greeted her with a big smile. “Oh hi Miss! I’m just writing an idea for a magic trick.. I love using magic for spectacle more than battle! With this idea, I might be able to create my own shooting stars! Doesn’t that sound fun?”