#s:lene

A smirk tugs at his lips. He's never been one to turn down a beautiful woman, it would be a crying shame to start now.

"Sure, I'll play. It's Sylvain by the way, the pleasure is all mine."

Sylvain has played this game enough times to know he can pull out a win in a single move if he wants to. But why would he want to when the prize was a kiss from a gorgeous young lady? He'd have to be stupid to play to win here. So instead he takes it slow, eyes hawkishly watching her every move to match pace perfectly. They meet in the middle.

Of course he lingers at her lips. That is the whole point of the game, right? They're soft as rose petals and she smells faintly of strawberries. He pulls back just before giving in to the urge to deepen the kiss. Better save something for later, right?

His hand reaches to her hair, tucking an errant verdant lock back away from her face.

He hadn’t been looking for her. Heading to the training grounds had simply become part of his morning routine. A military academy was the last place Ares would expect to find her. Lene was kind and bright, possessing a gentleness that he cherished. When they last parted, he’d expected her to find a stage to dance upon, or orphans in need of aid. If he’d known she was coming here he’d have welcomed her appropriately, instead of nearly knocking her over on his way to try and squeeze in some sword practice before classes started.

“Lene?” he sounded as though he didn’t believe his own eyes. Part of him truly didn’t - Lene abhorred war and violence. Whilst she was strong and clever, understanding it’s necessity, he had thought she’d put her sword down for good after their travels.

Regardless, he was thrilled to see her. Ecstatic, even. It had been far too long.

Thoughts of training drills and practice dummies left his head in an instant. Nothing was more important than their reunion. The morning sunlight bathed her in an array of colour and Ares couldn’t help but break into a wide smile. She’d always had that effect on him, always brightened the world around her.

“I didn’t know you were here, I-” he isn’t sure what to say. Words have never really been his strong suit. Should he ask what brought her here? When she arrived? Tell her he would have come to greet her at the gates if he’d known to expect her arrival? Where to even start, there was so much to say, so much to share. “I’m happy to see you.” He lands on sheepishly, wringing his hands behind his back. His face felt warm but the grin on his face didn’t falter.

“Have you had breakfast yet? Or could I walk with you for a while?”

"You see a little nervous ma'am..." Lene asked, finally looking at the woman with a sincere smile "I understand- going somewhere new is... overwhelming" Especially here- this place may be home, but it's been through so much hell.

Lene shakes her head "I could ease your nerves, y'know! My dance could be considered the best there ever was" she winks, a playful tease never hurt anyone.

“Ma’am? Goodness, I don’t look that old yet now do I? Forgive me for worrying you, dear lady, I’m not quite nervous…” Elincia trails off with a soft sigh. Her countenance must be especially solemn to draw such attention. It isn’t anxiety that churns in her stomach though, instead it’s something far more nostalgic. “Simply contemplative. It’s easy to get lost in one’s own thoughts with only the waves for company.”

She smiles, not quite sincerely but not entirely forced. The woman besides her shines brightly, warmth and mirth mixed into her guile expressions. Elincia laughs quietly, immediately feeling more at ease.

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."

"Um, hi... can I just say that your dress is AMAZING? Like, I hope that's not too strange to say?" The dancer laughs, almost sheepishly. "I'd love it if you would share a dance with me too, but only if you'd like! I can also stamp your card, if you need?"

Her face is aflame at the young woman's compliment but Elincia can do naught but smile in response. She holds her hand out for her companion to take, listening intently to the beautiful melody of her laugh.

“You flatter me, truly. Such a compliment is far too kind, especially for one as beautiful as yourself,” Elincia allows herself to be guided onto the dancefloor, enchanted by both the stranger who takes her hand and the melody that plays for them both. It’s an easy, slightly jaunty tune. Nothing too grave or proper, rather a song intended to be danced to with joy and lightness in one’s heart. “I’d love to dance with you, although I apologise. I’m not well-trained in ballroom styles. Still, isn’t dancing supposed to be fun?”

"If I run at Ares, he will most certainly catch me in his arms." The idea suddenly comes to mind when Lene spots her favorite brooding knight standing in front of one of those photo-artifex machines, nudging a random classmate as she makes her bet. They're incredulous, of course, but they also didn't know Ares. No matter what came his way, he was always as sharp as a tack.

And maaaybe she also liked messing with him. Just a little.

"Yoo-hoo, Areeeees!" Lene breaks out into a run towards Nordion's heir, leaping for him just as a brilliant flash flares from the machine.

Cheese plate in hand, Ares enjoys a brief moment of peace during the knight's festivities. Of course it had been quiet for far too long. He was beginning to get suspicious that something was afoot.

"Yoo-hoo, Areeeees!" Ah, there we go. The tranquility is broken by Lene’s cheerful voice reverberating around the room. She really has a pair of lungs on her. Ares turns, a half smile on his face ready to tease her for being so loud when.

Gods, she was charging straight at him! Lene leaps into the air and, entirely instinctively, Ares drops the plate, letting it fall to the floor as he prepares to catch her.

Click!

He holds her close to his chest in a princess carry, expression blank with shock. Then his brows knit together - she could have been seriously hurt if he hadn’t caught her. If he’d been carrying glass, someone else could have slipped and fallen face first into it. Stern and stony faced, Ares scolds her.

“Don’t you think that was reckl--” or well, he tries to. Lene’s eyes are bright with delight, her smile putting laughter-loving Aphrodite to shame. His shoulders fall. No one was hurt, so he supposes that just this once, it’s fine. When Lene is so alight with laughter, he can’t really resist a grin of his own. She knew him like the back of her own had, had him wrapped around her finger. Of course he’d catch her - he always would. “Okay, I admit it was a little funny. Just be careful.”