#firelles

Elincia heads to the field of battle once more, a spring in her step. The number of competitors had thinned out considerably and she considered herself blessed to have made it this far. For the third time that day she fought alongside Caspar, his cheer infectious and enthusiasm boundless.

"I couldn't ask for a better partner. Shall we try and make it three for three?" Elincia asks him as they approach their opponents. It will be a hard fought battle, of that much she is sure before they begin. Yet the pair had made a fantastic team so far. "No matter what happens, I'm proud to have fought by your side today."

She stands across from Princess Céline of Firene and a knight named Lloyd who appeared somewhat familiar. Humming, she tries to put her finger on how so whilst she assesses the battlefield before her, searching for an advantageous opening move. Elincia makes her decision, grabbing the bow strapped to her back when it hits her. "Lloyd Reed? As in Linus' brother? He's a lovely fellow, isn't he? It's a pleasure to finally meet you!" Perhaps some may titter and say this was hardly the place for pleasantries but Elincia did not care. They were not enemies in war but rivals in a friendly competition, hardly a reason not to be polite and amicable to their opponents. Her smile is broad as she turns to Céline, inclining her head to the young royal. "You must be Lady Céline, it's lovely to make your acquaintance too."

"Shall I get us started then? May we all have a fair fight, in the spirit of good fun!" She draws her arrow back, allowing it to fly towards Lloyd. The knight, armed with only a sword, will have to make a choice of his own - to forfeit his turn or move into Caspar's line of attack. Either way, this should secure them an advantage, albeit briefly. If her arrow lands, that is.

Elincia 5/5 HP attacks Lloyd 5/5 HP with Steel Bow Roll d20: 15! Hit -2 damage Lloyd has 3/5 HP remaining

A sigh of relief escapes her lips when the point of her arrow finds it's target. She'd been far too inconsistent for her own liking today, relying far too much on Caspar. After all - they were supposed to be a team and she was determined to pull her weight.

Resting her hands on her knees (or an attempt thereof), she lowers herself closer to a dazzling blue flower growing in their midst. She dares not pluck it, nor touch it— Only admire. "The flowers here are lovely.." She trails off, eyes lingering between the flower and Niamh as she uprises once more with a soft smile. "How are you finding the festivities?"

The retreat to the gardens, Niamh has found, has been a welcome one. It had become a cycle for her, in order to maintain her stamina, to dip into the ballroom, and into the masquerade. To delight in the adventures in there, yet have an escape.

Each time, the gardens have greeted her with flora that Niamh can't help but observe - this time is no different. She is enamored with the brilliant blue of the flower her eyes catch sight of. She wonders how it came to be, whether the garden's soil plays a part in the hue. The medicinal properties could be considered as well, though she'd want to see if there were other of it's kind, first.

But what she finds instead surprises her. The person who kneels down to briefly examine the floor herself is familiar to Niamh, very much so. And more than that...

"It's fun..." she informs Céline with a small nod. "Different from last year..." and for a wide number of reasons. Niamh recalls the plantlife last year to be far more dangerous - but lovely in their own ways, too. There are treats, both new and old, to be had here. And of course, there is the masquerade...

There's a small gasp. "I was informed that we can exchange these..." she carefully brings forth the string of pearls that have been assigned for her to give out. "I've kept note of what I learned last year. I've been able to try tea in many ways..."

Water- While she cannot say the ball is up to the ideals she had been expecting, she has at least found the endeavor fruitful. The choice of music is certainly strange, albeit the circumstances seem to be in favor of it. As she leaves the dance floor, she heads towards the refreshments table and grabs a cup of water. The heels of her shoes follow each step with poise.

When she reaches the space, she turns to her right. Then left. Céline takes hold of two cups, extending a hand out in anticipation of giving one away. A sudden gesture, she is aware. Yet, what are balls if not a time to socialize and learn of one another? "Perhaps I am over-stepping, but it is important for us all to take care of our health. Have you had any water? Do join me."

Kurth, despite how many events he has attended in his lifetime, is still not quite used to strangers coming up to him, especially with the circumstances that everyone now finds themselves in. But the girl before him now seems kind enough, and he takes the cup of water gingerly from her hand into his own.

"That is very kind of you, to worry about the health of others even when you have not met them before." He smiles softly, not wanting to seem to terribly rude. He hopes that the way he startled upon her approach was not too damning for them to not continue speaking. He was curious about many of the people here that he had not yet met, after all. About the land that they had come from, about things that he did not know, things that he wished to learn.

Céline's eyes flicker from the scene back forward, a sparkle of readiness apparent. "However, I would find it a shame were we not to do any dancing at all. Do you know of a dance that can match the tune of this song? I would be delighted to learn a new piece." A pause. "Ah, you may call me Céline. I am delighted to make your acquaintance."

"Is it?" Altena tilts her head curiously as she, too, observes the cricket musicians. "I've never actually been to anything like this before--even normal-sized--so I'm not entirely sure what it's supposed to be like. What I'd really like to know is how they manage to play their instruments without any fingers." A small smile curls at the corners of her lips and she glances over at Celine.

Céline moved her finger forward with a smile perched upon her face: "Would you care to make a wish of your own?" As the firefly left the princess's side, she took off her string of pearls and placed it in her other hand: "They say wishes do not come true if you speak of them. However.. My wish was already granted. I wanted to remember this moment. As such.. I would be honored if you were to trade decorations with myself. I am Princess Céline."

"You know," Ethlyn smiles at Céline, "I actually think my wish has already been granted, too." Quan, Leif, and Altena are all here. They agreed to humor her with a photo from the artifex box and she was finally able to spend time with the three of them all at once. Really, she can't think of a whole lot more than she might ask for. Anything else just feels selfish at this point. "It's nice though, I think, especially knowing that yours was granted too."

She doesn't know Céline but that doesn't matter. She's happy to share in her happiness and share her own as well. It's just nice to know that maybe wishes can come true.

from here @firelles

As the other petite girl accepted her invitation, Sakura burst into a soft giggle as the two of them began to twirl in the middle of the room; they were so delicate and so light, emanating a radiant aura all around them.

“Actually, no” she shook her head, but her smile never disappeared, “But I’m sure we can figure it out together” and she softly made her grip a little sturdier on Céline’s body, hoping that the rhythm of the music would lead the two of them to understand the dance steps more easily.

Alcryst is much more particular with his teas than he’d like to admit. His favorite blends are full-bodied, spiced with cinnamon and cloves or have a pleasant nutty aroma. Bold flavors that should linger on the tongue. Weak teas are no better than water, and yet one had to be careful not to let it steep too long…

That’s what makes these tea tastings with Céline that much more special. Who better to sample the best teas with than a true connoisseur of the art? Recently they’ve been trying Fódlan blends. Today’s is an oddly-named one, ‘Crescent Moon Tea’, with a variety of seeds blended amongst the tea leaves. It has a light aroma, which generally indicates a light tea. Not among Alcryst’s favorites, but he gives it a try regardless and takes a sip.

The princess turns to her right, gaze shifting upwards with a content face of satisfaction. "Are you looking to enjoy the tea, as well? Might you have a preferred flavor?" She takes a moment for the silence to absorb, letting the fresh scent of tea encompass the two. While a ball is different than a chat in the gardens, she knows its value all very well. "Would you like to enjoy some with me? I would be pleased to have the company." Tea is a wondrous way to grant respite, she has learned over the years.

"Oh, uhm." Niamh catches the glance from the stranger, and her brow furrows as she takes in the situation once more. She had ventured to this location seeking the source of a curious aroma, but now that she found it? If she had to be honest...