asperants

[asperants]

It is wrong and selfish of her to think that the monastery is boring when people like her sister Ivy and King Diamant are out there risking their lives in other lands, Hortensia knows that.

But if she's going to be wrong and selfish... might as well be when Ivy's away.

Her hair kept frizzing today and that combined with an out of structure month has her in a tizzy; not that she'd say so, but she definitely would say she needs some extracurricular time with her pegasus and so to the stables she goes.

But then she sees someone who looks absolutely miserable. And worse, unlike Hortensia they aren't even trying to hide it!

Hortensia walks past her clack, clack, clack. And then stops. Turns. Goes back and sits right down in the courtyard with her because really what's there to lose? She glances over at the taller girl, noting that one - she doesn't think they've met since Hortensia has enrolled and two - her hair isn't frizzy at all.

"Soooo," Hortensia says, drawing the word out, "what's up? You clearly want something sitting like this out here. I would have seen you here before, otherwise, and from one connoisseur of cute to another you take way too good care of your skin and hair to be someone who just lays around in the grass all the time."

Hortensia thinks she is quite polite not to mention the risk of stains on the other's (cleric?) robes, choosing instead to play with a bud she recognizes on a nearby bush. So hydrangeas bloomed late into the summer here... different from Elusia. She picks the blue one, careful so that she can rebud it later if need be and waves it in the girl's face.

"Come on, tell your new friend Hortensia all about it!"

A birthday, you know, is a very precious thing. It doesn’t come every day, of course. And though you may believe otherwise at first glance, it’s not something everyone so innately has.

Let me explain. For all the years of her life, Serra’s “birthday” was the first day of the year, just like all the rest of the orphans in the abbey. There were no celebrations to be had. She would simply be known, henceforth from the first of the year, as a year older. There was no fanfare, no excitement, no mere mention.

In fact, she’d only learned about birthdays when she was around nine years of age, and overheard townschildren plan exactly about theirs. Voracious as ever, she’d approached them and asked them what they were talking about. Of course, she’d only been mocked for her ignorance, but through their teases, she learned: it was a celebration that children with a family had, to celebrate them getting older.

“When’s my birthday, Sister Agatha?” she’d asked one day while walking back from morning prayer.

She’d been hit upside the head. “Foolish child, asking foolish questions. Of course we don’t know! You were dropped on our doorstep as a baby.”

“When?”

“When? When? It’s not enough that we feed and clothe you, we have to remember every minute detail about you, too? You’re clearly not grateful enough to Saint Elimine for what she’s given you. Go back and do your prayers over again.”

So, Serra thought, half-skipping back to the chapel, she didn’t have a birthday that anyone knew about. (After all, Sister Agatha was the nicest of all the nuns, and the one most prone to remember such silly little things.) ... Well, her parents knew, she was sure. Wherever they were, they celebrated it every year, and their hearts ached that they could not be with her. But until then, she had no day of her own, to set her apart, just like the other children did.

Serra was never one that could stand not having what everyone else had.

So, not content to suffer, she’d picked a day at random — that very day, in fact. Back then, it was a small secret, fostered in her heart and kept close, something to silently celebrate. But since she left the abbey and started her life, she’d done everything she could to make sure people around her knew of her day of birth.

Here in Fódlan, it’d be known as Verdant Rain Moon the 2nd.

This year on her birthday, though, she’d been too ill to do anything. She’d watched the day come and go from her infirmary bed, and now it was nearly the end of Verdant Rain Moon, and no one had celebrated her birthday at all. Not a candy, not a nice word, nothing.

So here she sits, in the courtyard of the monastery, sulking. She’s just about in the dourest mood possible. Not even the beautiful day can cheer her up.

[asperants]

Ingrid's frown isn't much better than her glare (both very intense, er, knightly? she'd probably prefer knightly yeah), but Hortensia will take it as progress especially as it seems she's actually thinking over her suggestion.

"Well, what are we waiting for – let's go then!”

Hortensia leads the way in a flutter of skirts, knowing already which of the trees in the garden she should point out to emphasize her “interesting” point – it’s the biggest one with several saplings (really more like full grown trees from the size) growing from its winding trunk and despite her own unsuited shoes Hortensia has been dying to explore it.

Not that she was going to climb it – that wasn’t something princesses did still she remembered to say: “okay, watch your step! Wow, almost feels like this thing could come alive any second.”

They both pause at that, Hortensia nibbling the inside of her cheek half-wondering if she’s cursed them somehow.

No curse so far, so good she supposes.

“Hmm… this would be a lot easier if my pegasus Sleippi were here but you said you wanted fruit and as your escort I refuse to disappoint!”

She crawls up a bit further so she has a better range and looking down at the brand on her hand she thinks on the lively surge of energy she usually feels when casting an Elwind spell and sees before anything else the Air sigil respond in kind.

Reaching up a torrent of that element spirals from her hand and, okay just another inch over and  – yes! The sparkling fruit that seemed to change color from mauve to deep red landed in her hands, and oops, considering it was as big as her head it was a miracle she caught it, still she gives Ingrid a peace sign once it’s cradled under one arm like she totally had calculated this.

“So, ready to split it? Oh, I guess we should clean it off by that river first huh… here, take it! I can lead the way again.”

enchanted

[asperants]

lionheartedsunflower: 🌼🌻🌼

𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 been an aficionado of stews or soups~~~~what a hassle it had been for Nordion's caretakers to ease her illnesses come winter with chicken broth and the like; she couldn't quite enjoy the taste of a mere liquid~~~~a beverage. Perhaps she had thought that, with age, she would learn to enjoy offered meals....despite their lackluster appeal to a tongue that learned to strive from bread and cheese for many years. Yet, only in this enchanted place would her attempts be forsaken.

Her mature attempt had rendered her petite and frail of limb: chairs now behemoths, tables a grandiose cliff of cover from falling assailants, rats a petrifying present assailant that quickly prompted a gloved hand to hover atop her precious Earth Sword.

"Princess Hortensia, behind me! I have a talent in rendering human vermin askance; they are not too different from true vermin." And she unsheathes her beloved blade, fortifying herself in royalty's presence. "Allow me."

She assails their foe, blade in hand, with a myriad of slashes and gestures honed in her time in Lord Sigurd's company. And her mighty warcry resounds~~~~a trumpet of war, and their foe flees; humor tumults her heart, and a hearty chuckle falls from pink lips.

"I must say, seldom am I hardpressed to scream," She mused. "But there is a reason no creature dares impede upon the echoed lands of a lion's roar."

Swift strides permit her to collect the breadcrumb, and she offers it to her company; she could do without it, despite her past necessities prompting any food permissible to her weakened stomach.

"There's no reason to give up merely because a long journey awaits us," She spoke. "I once journeyed Jugdral's~~~~my home's~~~~many lands on foot before I was deemed strategically adept enough to ride stallion-back." A gloved hand befalls the girl's shoulder, and Lachesis consoles her as she would the many children of pervaded towns she'd defended. "Let us attempt that trek to the gardens afoot, hm?"

The whole process would be swoon-worthy if it weren’t for the fact it was a rodent the lady Lachesis struck down in Hortensia’s name; though, hm, the way she collects herself after those sword strikes and generously bestows Hortensia with her token still gets her heart racing.

Now this was a heroine!

“Hm, yeah! You’re right! I travelled all across Elyos too and that was something I have never imagined before joining up with the Divine One. If we’re together we can definitely make it!”

So saying she accepts the bread crumb and leads the way in what she hopes is the correct direction, at least – having Lachesis correct her whenever they seem off course, and oh, she is certainly happy for small blessings because she can’t imagine how much more difficult this would be if there was a strong wind blowing?

Usually that wouldn’t be a problem her stead Slippi… speaking of,

“You ride horses Lady Lachesis? I suppose that’s not surprise for a noblewoman but I’m impressed! Being able to travel far distances on them shows they must trust you a lot… and animals are good at seeing through intentions.”

Hm. She is about to break the bread crumb apart for both of them when she notices a chipmunk nosing its way through the grass to them, that hasn’t yet seemed to have sniffed them out. She should be ready for another fight, maybe, but now that she’s really looking she’s near sure the thing could fit both of them on its back (no saddle though, boo).

“Hey,” she whispers, handing one half of the bread to Lachesis as she gestures in the creatures direction, “think you can work your charms on this guy?”

not very fabumouse

[asperants]

not very fabumouse

[asperants]

Hortensia had never met the Dragon Monarch Lumera but she had heard about her, all of Elyos had – though, presumably the stories not told by the Fell church in Elusia focused more on her international outreach and charity rather than the fearsome size she could take and how blinding the light upon her razor sharp scales shone (take heed lest it turn your eyes away from your true dragon god).

Bleh, worst sermons ever; still, Hortensia had always wondered what it would be like to fly like that, really fly with wings of your own, and she wondered if Veyle did too. Especially since... well. No point in bringing that up; she didn't know Veyle well but bringing up what it was like to equally revere and envy an older sibling wasn't the kind of ice breaker she was into right now. Or you know, ever. "Hehe, I actually prefer pegasi. Ivy was always better with the wyverns –  had them all eating out of her hand, whereas Slippi - oh that's my pegasus - he threw me to the dirt so many times before I finally was able to get a bridal on him. So like… that’s the thing about confidence. You have to fall down a lot before you can get back up in the air, and as for being pretty? It's all about finding what looks good on you which is also accepting all the stuff that just doesn't Fit. At. All."

Something she hasn't told even Rosado or Goldmary is she hates mirrors. They remind her of the stained glass of Elusia's cathedral, sure, but they were also the subject of some of the worst moments of her adolescence just standing before them - staring at herself, and looking for any crack the court might find there. Hating that she seemed so far away from her mother. Finally accepting that if she couldn't be Iris she would simply have to make a name for herself and a flawless performance of her own.

"We could do that some time. Try on clothes together or, uh... fly. Though I guess me talking about falling in the dirt probably makes that seem unattractive huh?"

Café au lait

[asperants]

This most recent run of the Arena results in more injuries than usual, and with resources scarce as-is, the infirmary turns to lesser-used remedies and ancient herbs to try to treat these wounds. Few people want to try them, for good reason: the list of potential side-effects is almost as long as your final essay in history class. Yet the nurses are in grave need of test subjects willing to test out these new cures. Will you help them out? [Grants Faith +1]

@vyndicta

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice… yeah, she knew how the old adage went.

But, look. Last time she had been caught completely unaware with that hideous shrinking stew, this time… well, if Hortensia wasn’t in her element she could at least do some research on what she was about to ingest before doing so.

“Huh…” She says, eyeing the table in the infirmary covered in all manner of herbs, crushed flowers, and other greenery alongside the already prepared potion or two. “So all of this can be used in magic, huh? Staves and runes sure are a lot easier.”

She hadn’t come completely empty handed though, turning to her partner in this exercise she shows him the book she’d taken from the library just recently. “Says here herbs were a part of black magic practices too, once. Or thought to be. That or dark magic, honestly not sure what the distinction is but hey that’s your area! Got any idea where to start?”

cantarella

[asperants]

alcrystallize

⌜ ✥。.:*: – despite the hostile beginning to their relationship, alcryst always admired - albeit not without reluctance - how hortensia can effortlessly command a room without as much as lifting a finger. the confidence she exuded seemed innate to her being, whereas it was another lost cause for the pitiful prince; nevertheless, it was from that respect for her disposition did he wish to emanate for himself. but it was apparent from the start that she was in control of the conversation, and he was more than willing to let her take the reins because - well, he would never confess to this (unless waterboarded or otherwise coerced), but she was intimidating.

"yes, princess -- i mean, yes, hortensia, i understand. my apologies for the formalities, given neither of us is within our respective jurisdictions." falling back on how he addressed prominent guests or others of elite status was a safety net for him, especially when he was nervous or uncertain of how to acknowledge someone - but it would seem that he would have to relent his official demeanor when speaking with hortensia over time. then, as if a switch was turned, her tone shifted toward him, causing him to quickly be on the defense until she spoke up again and clarified her intention. it was just another virtue of hers that not only was she confident but could strategically predict his next move - no wonder fighting her in the past was a tribulation to overcome.

"pardon? for tea? with me?" alcryst squeaked, pointing to himself as if she were speaking to multiple people at the same time. spending time alone with the princess was not a common endeavor of his, especially not for tea - but before he could hesitate and offer an alternative guest more worthy of her time, she proceeded onward with what she was talking about in the first place. whether he liked it or not, he suspected that she would not take 'no' for an answer. not again.

"over by the rose garden? sure, hortensia, but may i say that you are far too kind to offer me tea when accompaniment by me is one wasted on your time." he followed her lead, leaving his argument behind as he transfixed his attention from the bizarreness of their meeting here to her answer to his question in the first place. "it is refreshing to see so much greenery compared to back home, but a part of me misses the barrenness of the landscape in brodia. though, i feel that being here is a spot taken for another student of more strength or higher status that would be more beneficial to the academy. i hardly meet that standard, let alone as the prince back in elyos."

"It's tea time, after all," Hortensia declares with an air of finality (as far as she can tell any time outside of class and extracurriculars was tea time in Fodlan but technicalities!), trusting Alcryst to follow as he had been - excuses aside - this whole time.

Hmm... She knew they had quite a few blends in the dining hall. What type would the second prince of Brodia like? Something calming maybe.

"I can hardly decide if it's a waste of time if I've never done it," she points out, making her way over to a table already decorated with a teaset. "Ah, next time we should get scones or sandwiches. Which do you prefer?"

She's able to collect a few tea leaves from the pantry (hey, it was her turn on duty so who cared if she kept the key a little longer, she thought) and made a place for them with the speed and determination of a small pink tornado, listening to Alcryst mull over her words all the while.

"Here," she says, pushing a teacup toward him, "let the lavender steep for a bit." And then says almost despite herself, "is that what you're worried about? Classes? If you need help you could just ask." Hortensia certainly never minded tutoring others and there were plenty of resources in the library; hm, she should ask Alcryst if he'd been there much - it seemed like a place he might like. "Oh, I get being homesick though," Hortensia says, opening the top of the teapot and letting the scent of lavender waft out, "it's pretty here but the wildlife is different from home. The food too, though it is good."

Once she's decided the tea has sat enough she begins to pour, careful in her movements despite the many times she's practiced for parties back home and then here, in the privacy of her dorm room when she found out how important tea was at the academy. "My classes are going great, of course! The Golden Deer professors are really... diverse. Theirs a prince from another kingdom who teaches Authority and Axe skills, you know! And Professor Oberon doesn't act like any mage I know but he sure knows his stuff. Honestly, I don't know if you've seen the magic here but there's a lot to study up on." She stops for a moment and takes a sip of her tea, wondering if admitting a weakness like that even in such exuberant tones was a good thing. Well. She was trying to make friends here. "Hehe, Ivy and Rosado are more into wyvern riding than me! But I do plan on trying. Flying's another subject I want to learn all about, after all. What about you? Are you mostly sticking to archery then?" @alcrystallize

rose poems

[asperants]

activity check

june activity; passed! 1 skill point gained. 8 -> 9 allocated to faith. Faith at C!

to be processed: white magic avoid claim

[asperants]

Usually Hortensia takes her coffee with two cups of milk and one sugar in the afternoon, after most of her more intensive classes have ended; it's a left over habit from her time at Elusia's academy and a time she's used to utilizing for a chance to relax and unwind.

Relaxing beside Veyle is odd, not to the point of discomfort; but different nonetheless.

"Mm... yeah, I guess," she says, sipping at her drink longer than necessary perhaps; it was for the best Veyle thought that way she supposed, no one could change who their parents were after all. Hortensia knew that well enough.

"So long as it doesn't bother you," Hortensia decides. Another olive leaf extended though perhaps unintentionally this time.

"You know confidence is all about building it, right? If you want to be confident and pretty it just takes effort!"

Smiling, she warms to the subject; this was something that was true regardless of parentage. Her retainers were proof of it!

"Mm... I get you on the shoes, I think? Not sure what being connected to the ground means though; speaking of la - ah, Veyle, have you ever been flying before?"

Café au lait

[asperants]

Wow – that was some glare, and, really, Hortensia couldn’t remember the last time anyone had dared look at her that way; even back in court, the ladies tried to hide their disdain under false smiles and grating laughter.

So that was another thing Hortensia now knew about Ingrid: she was honest, to a fault maybe.

“Aw, come on! If not stiff then you’re definitely holding back, like I haven’t seen you on the dance floor at all tonight and I know you have moves, ‘least when it comes to the lance.”

Hortensia was great at making friends, thank you very much – and she’d prove it before the night was over too, phase one: magnanimously breeze over Ingrid’s totally off-the-mark declaration and focus on the first part, she’d accepted!

“But my feet are tired from dancing, myself. And there were some interesting trees in the garden with flowers and fruit high up. Wanna start there?”

enchanted

[asperants]

The story that Hortensia had told him during the ball had stuck with him, and so on the evening of her birthday, he sends a messenger owl to her, the creature carrying a thin wrapped package. Simply wrapped with nothing more than some packaging paper wrapped with a red ribbon to evoke the theme of a present, the contents reveal a picture.

Alongside the picture comes a separate note in near illegible handwriting, scrawled out to read out: "Happy birthday to the Queen whose smile makes everything come into bloom."

“Oh?”

She’s at her desk decorating a new planner she’d bought in town earlier when she first hears the peck, peck at the window, and opens it almost despite herself. The owl is quick to pass her its parcel before leaving and she stares after it, wondering; it seems kind of stiff for a message from a classmate and while she knew Ivy had messenger birds she was pretty sure it was only for official stuff.

Fanmail then?

Looking at it, she supposes it could be but the ribbon around it puts her in mind of a present rather than anything else – hm! How precious a present could it be if it was something thrown through the air? Still, it definitely had her curious and seeing as it was presumably for her it being her birthday and all, she doesn’t hesitate to unpackage the paper and proceed to unroll it.

She has to cover her mouth a second later. That portrait it was of her, right? It had to be and…

the Queen whose smile makes everything come into bloom

“Honestly!” She stands, pushing her chair to the side and flopping onto her bed, though even from her new vantage point on her side the picture is clearly her and those words couldn’t be from anyone other than the man she’d shared her favorite tale with in a childish attempt at comfort.

“I tell you all that, and you still send something that will make me cry?! Stupid…” Or maybe it was a test. In any case, the story hadn’t mentioned what would happen if the heroine both cried and smiled at the same time but Hortensia finds herself doing so. at least until the time she can pull herself together and find a proper place for Pelleas’ present.

[asperants]

“Happy birthday, Hortensia,” Alear smiles, holding out a medium-sized parcel for the Elusian princess to take; carefully wrapped in patterned paper to accentuate its intent as a present. Hortensia's tastes are straightforward, but the contents are no less thoughtful for it—if anything, they're congruent to the sorts of gifts he already knows she favors. Dried and pressed between the pages of a leather-bound volume are an assortment of colorful flowers, arranged for the hues and shapes to be complimentary. Among them even rests the lupine blossoms valued as her kingdom's national flower, preserved as if symbolizing how it has endured despite all that has happened. “I hope you like it—I wanted them to last longer than usual, this way.”

“Divine one!” Shopping was Hortensia’s favorite way to destress and bombastic ball or otherwise, being shrunk and playing around with by rogue elementals was definitely stress worthy – enough that she should at least get herself something extra for her birthday, she should think!

She hadn’t actually expected anyone else to remember it though, so Alear’s greeting brings an even brighter smile than usual to her face. “O-oh! Are you sure? I mean I guess we are both students and everything… still, you didn’t have to go to the trouble.” She takes the present without actually considering what such trouble might be – hard to imagine Alear buying cosmetics after all, but she never would have imagined him here at the academy either to be fair. After making sure it was alright to open then and there Hortensia finds herself turning the pages of the book with the enthusiasm only a few know she had when it came to tomes, but as she realizes the real gifts within the pages her actions become slower and more thoughtful.

“This is… wow! You picked these yourselves? You have a good eye. They’re way too pretty to just be used as bookmarks…. I think, um, if it’s okay maybe I can hang them up in my room here? It’ll be sure to make it more cheery and then when you come for tea sometime we can both remember home!”

Peaking up over the pages she declares, “hehe, like it? I love it! I’ll make sure they are with me for a long time, after all if they start sagging I can just heal ‘em!”

[asperants]

activity check

note: special toa!hortensia by aster beneath the cut!

april activity; passed! 1 skill point gained. 6 -> 7 Allocated to Flying. Flying at C+!

may activity; passed! 1 skill point gained. 7 -> 8 Allocated to Faith

[asperants]

Grinning ear to ear Hortensia continues to take in more of Rosado's outfit, and of course most importantly just him and his Rosadoness - elemental illusions or not, there really was no magic that could truly capture her friend other than what he himself made.

(oooh but she'll have to ask about the cute lil accessories later. That watch chain, so delicate!)

"Hehe," she glances down at the orange-ish bloom as Rosado looks at the one Air has gifted him in return. Earth... and all of its expansive beauty, she thought if fit Rosado even if from what she'd seen his actual elemental was a bit of brute.

"Oh, so your home had elementals too?" Hortensia asks, nodding along, "I wonder how similar they are then. The principles of anima magic are the same here as in Elyos so it would make sense if they had a similar system, hmm..."

Oh, she was getting a little technical there; and at Rosado's insistence it would be the academy but different she laughs and tucks one arm under his.

"It'll be even better, for sure! Did you see they have flying classes her? Oh, but that's for later. Let's not miss tonight's events - you've gotta be out for everyone's flower, yeah? I'm still a little miffed those Morfisians shrunk me before the ball even got started but with you here and events swinging into gear, hard to stay mad!"

without warning, hands clap down over hortensia's eyes. "got you!! hehe, i finally found you."

then they release, and the perpetrator appears around to the front to reveal sparkling opals and a cherubic face that brightens, if possible, even more as it trail down from the top of the princess to the rest of her. "oh. my gosh, hortensia, i adore your outfit. of course, leave it to elusia's cutest princess to look no less than the best on a day like this! the capelet is such a good touch, and the layering of these ruffles?"

attention lifts again to her face and a hand extends boldly and eagerly. "rosado here, reporting for duty! you'll give me your hand for my vine of course, won't you?"

"y–eeep!"

Between the emotional rollercoaster that had been speaking with King Diamant alongside finding out so many of her classmates had leveled up their cuteness score significantly maybe she was off her game? Oh, but the party was just getting started – as soon as her captor lets her spin around and speak her mind she will really let them have it.

Oh, it was just Rosado. That was fine and explained it then.

Wait.

"Rosado?! Omigosh, did you just get here? Right on time too since it seems this a first of a kind for Garreg Mach!"

She twirls around to give Rosado a better show of her outfit once he comments upon it, smiling all the while: "right?! The boutiques here are actually quite good, I was impressed. Oh but Rosado - you've out done yourself too, you know! Is that an original?"

Before they can get too distracted Rosado reminds her of the other aspect to this dance party. She'd nearly forgotten! It seemed like the type of game Rosado would enjoy though so she happily agrees, taking his hand in hers with a curtsy.

"But of course. This magic," she says, watching as earth and air intermingle before giving them each their respective bloom, "I've never seen anything like it before!"

[asperants]

Grinning ear to ear Hortensia continues to take in more of Rosado's outfit, and of course most importantly just him and his Rosadoness - elemental illusions or not, there really was no magic that could truly capture her friend other than what he himself made.

(oooh but she'll have to ask about the cute lil accessories later. That watch chain, so delicate!)

"Hehe," she glances down at the orange-ish bloom as Rosado looks at the one Air has gifted him in return. Earth... and all of its expansive beauty, she thought if fit Rosado even if from what she'd seen his actual elemental was a bit of brute.

"Oh, so your home had elementals too?" Hortensia asks, nodding along, "I wonder how similar they are then. The principles of anima magic are the same here as in Elyos so it would make sense if they had a similar system, hmm..."

Oh, she was getting a little technical there; and at Rosado's insistence it would be the academy but different she laughs and tucks one arm under his.

"It'll be even better, for sure! Did you see they have flying classes her? Oh, but that's for later. Let's not miss tonight's events - you've gotta be out for everyone's flower, yeah? I'm still a little miffed those Morfisians shrunk me before the ball even got started but with you here and events swinging into gear, hard to stay mad!"

delight brims from eye and smile to see his excitement mirrored in hortensia, a comfortable familiarity bowled over by the sudden realization of his arrival. hands on hips, he strikes a hair-swishing pose as if to say ' yep, that's me! ', only briefly removing the top hat to flourish it to his chest in a bow when she returns the compliment to him as well. in fact, it was an original — apparently, more than a few of the attendees tonight had gotten their outfits arranged by the boutique birds, but as soon as he'd heard that the academy would be hosting a ball in the coming weeks — well, of course he had to come prepared.

what can he say? no one puts on a look like the elusians.

playfully dainty curtsy is met with equally playful formality, spine straightening and a dignified frown passing his face for just long enough before it breaks into giggles when he lets her go. 　　　　　( he and hortensia; they had been classmates, friends, influences — 　　　　　before ever princess & retainer. )

"oh, really? this kind of thing is pretty common back in the village." another satisfied sway from side to side as he admires the new adornment on his chain of engagements, as softly green as the first shoots of spring. "i don't think that's where these elementals are from, but i dunno, they feel kind of similar."

enough about that though — he hasn't seen hortensia for a few whole months! hands ball into fists, beaming look returning full force. "anyway, i can't wait. it'll be just like at the academy! this time i'm not going to get carried away with the social stuff though."

probably. maybe. just once in a while.

[asperants]

engage younger royals sleepover..

[asperants]

He towers over her even slouching but when Pelleas admits so simply to what it was he yearned for as a noble there's something so vulnerable, so child-like to it that Hortensia finds herself wistful as well To just up and say it like that...

"Yeah, join the crowd buddy," she says, voice unusually soft, "that's probably what it means to be human."

Pelleas stumbles after her and just as clumsy as his earlier words now so too are his stilted movements. Hortensia had assumed he really was grade a prey for wearing his emotions like that but if something was making him —

"Leave him alone!" Hortensia declares, grabbing hold of his hand; the static that greets her then does not seem to be entirely natural but she leans into it, not to be intimidated by some snooping elemental. A breeze forms around her neck, purple bloom appearing there but she lets Pelleas go now that they've come to a halt and waves Air away just the same as she had the other.

"If I'm going to make someone tell me things, it'll because of my own undeniable charms not some stupid spirit magic! Seriously, this conversation is private so get out."

Arms crossed she waits for a rebuttal and when none comes she nods, deciding she's won this round. "How many of my questions were you answering cus they made you? Uh, don't answer that one. Let's stick to not questions for now."

She tugs on his sleeve again, swaying side to side the way she and Rosado sometimes do; it's not dancing, really, but it's fun and they're off to the side enough she doesn't think they'll bother anyone.

"Wanting to be loved is great and all but if there's not something loveable about you — well, kind of a moot point! Books though... that's a good start. There's a story I really love: about a girl, grew up a commoner like you, but when she smiles it makes everything come into bloom around her. When she cries the land goes barren and dries up. An evil mage tries to use her powers to ruin a neighboring country, but no matter what he or his lackeys do to her she just always smiles anyway, and instead of ruining the country she becomes its Queen."

Her expression becomes dream-like just going over the tale in her head, and she sways back and forth just thinking of that ideal before looking up to Pelleas again,

"so got any stories like that you can emulate?"

shadowplay