huntersoath

[huntersoath]

It doesn't surprise her that Yelan's able to pull off a stunt like that, considering her ability was overly fitting for a topic like espionage. She supposed that's exactly why she was put in charge of Liyue's undercover operations and worked directly with the Tianquan, and Clorinde can't help but chuckle under her breath as she's whisked away by her fake betrothed, heels clicking against the hard surface of the stairs. For a brief moment, she's thankful that her usual choice of attire involved such shoes, as it made it easy for her to move quickly and efficiently. A single hand moved to reach into a cup of her dress (unfortunately, it's the only way she could store much of anything), pulling out a hairpin that she waved briefly. "Despite my status as a Champion Duelist, I've picked up several skills during my time in the Court," Clorinde muses as she hunches over slightly, swiftly maneuvering the pin into the lock until she hears a click. Thankfully, it's not difficult- she's almost afraid that someone will spot them... but judging by the raucous shouts and commotion coming from the dancefloor, she supposes that the guards have enough on their hands for the time being. She pushes open the door before motioning for Yelan to step through, glancing over her shoulder before following suit and carefully shutting them off from the grandeur of the party. She lets out a long sigh of relief before returning the pin to its rightful place at her bosom, violet eyes glancing at their newfound surroundings. It's a long hallway full of garish decorations: portraits of what she assumes to be members of his family, intricate curtains that mostly toss a shadow across the expanse of the path-- the moonlight is their only companion for lighting, and Clorinde doesn't dare to attempt to provide anything more. The darkness will be their friend, and she briefly glances to her partner as she smooths down the front of her dress. "I studied the vague map given to us," She begins, setting off at a brisk pace as she glances around, looking for any signs of tampering that could lead them to evidence. "It wasn't complete, so we're going to have to do some digging ourselves. We don't have a lot of time, though- we'll have to move quickly." It's only a matter of time before the party returns to normalcy, and they don't have all night. She motions to a doorway only a few feet further down, squinting in the darkness. "I suppose we'll start here and see what we can find."

@muscle-blues

let the sky fall

hotel debord banquet | starter for @huntersoath

[huntersoath]

Clorinde's sword is already bared and ready for use as she quickly directs the efforts of several Melusine affiliated with the Marechaussee Phantom-- her orders are clear and concise: focus on evacuating civilians and engage in combat only if it is absolutely necessary to secure the safety of others. While the threat has not yet broached the walls of the city, she prefers to play things safe when everything is balanced in such a fragile state... a risk that she's unwilling to take, when she is tasked with protecting not only Fontaine's justice, but also her citizens. Once assured in the Melusines' efforts, she draws her pistol before a familiar voice breaks out amongst the crowd, and her head turns just in time to see Lyney sprinting in her direction. Of course, with the House of the Hearth's network of information, it makes perfect sense that he's aware of the situation brewing at their doorstep. A curt nod is her initial response before she sets out on foot, keeping a brisk pace while ensuring that he keeps up with her steps. "I am. Your assistance would be appreciated-- I've yet to have the pleasure of fully enjoying one of your shows." That's a half-true statement. She has been present as Lady Furina's guard when the twins performed, but her focus was usually elsewhere, focused on ascertaining threats and monitoring the crowds stuffed into the Opera Epiclese. "With that being said... Do be cautious. We don't know exactly what we're dealing with." "Regardless, I will have your back, as I have before."

It's thankfully a short trek to the largest entrance to the Court, and there's several Gardes already gathered. Some look a bit worse for wear, dirt and debris scattered across their uniforms and sweat dripping from their brows-- sure enough signs of a conflict. Most of them perk up slightly when they see the pair's arrival, sighs of relief evident in the small group. "Mademoiselle Clorinde!" One of the younger Gardes shouts, hurrying over to her side with eyes widened in a mixture of adrenaline and fear. "Good timing. We've pushed back one wave of these .... these things, but I'm sure it won't be long until they decide to come back. It seems like it's never ending." "I see. How many injured? Or have you fared well so far?" "Only a few, and it's minor scrapes at best. We're lucky, though... they all peeled away for whatever reason before they had a chance to really overwhelm us. This next time, though, I'm not too certain."

@feliscus

　🌢　when the fire begins to fade.

crystallize , the antimatter legion.　⸻　clorinde & lyney

[huntersoath]

Perhaps she's bitten off more than she can chew. Despite the fact that Chiori makes a show of her craft in a quick and clean demonstration, Clorinde finds that she can... barely follow the folds. Sure, it looks simple enough-- yet her own fingers still fumble clumsily with the paper provided to her. While it's true that these things can't be learned in a day, she also can't help but feel a tiny hint of incompetence. The seamstress is a friend, and a reliable one at that... but inside the Court, Clorinde is still touted as an undefeated Champion Duelist. And here she is, being defeated by paper, of all things. A grimace of discontent settles on her face as she struggles to make accurate folds in similar shapes to what was demonstrated. Children were able to make these creations? And in such a speedy manner? When she was 5, she was learning how to swing a shortsword. Not any sort of arts and crafts, and certainly not anything that required a more delicate touch. A lopsided, slightly crinkled unknown shape is all that she can manage in this moment, and she sheepishly slides the.... thing to the center of the table as she closes her eyes in sheer embarrassment. Yet Chiori is right. This is something she's never once dipped into and has no experience with; she can't begin to hold herself to a high standard. If she made it this far in the ranks of the Duelists when she started as nothing more than a scraggly child with a dagger, then she can master this throwing star. "Perhaps we should start over again." A cough follows, alongside the motion to peel her gloves from her hands before neatly placing them on the table's surface.

"One more time. I'm watching." @cisoriaseams

art is in the eye of the beholder (i hope)

learning origami with @cisoriaseams

[huntersoath]

It's hard, playing any sort of an antagonist-- it's one thing to simply be providing a script for their words as the driving force of a story... but it's another to attempt to force vitriol into her words that would otherwise never surface. She doesn't miss the shift in his expression, however subtle, and a hint of apology flashes in the depths of her eyes; maybe she's taking things a bit too seriously, fingers tapping idly on the hilt of her fake sword. She doesn't have a chance to respond before the director jumps in, and Clorinde breathes a long sigh of relief. Her free hand raises to run through her messy bangs, not particularly caring about the critique of "too stiff". There's another facet to this performance that she knows will come easily, and though they've provided choreography for the combat itself... the Duelist is certain that the two of them can give a better show than what's been written. "Hm... Monsieur," Clorinde tests the silence between them, eyes flickering to the side. She's not one to pry, nor is she one to bring up a topic that provides bitter memories-- and though she feels the need to utter an apology, none comes. Perhaps another time... and perhaps he will show her that none is needed in the first place. "Forgive me if this is overstepping my bounds... but I believe that we should have free reign over how we choose to execute this combat scene." The director's brows shoot upwards so quickly that it's almost comical, arms crossed over his chest. He seems to chew on the idea for a few moments before speaking, halfway caught between being defensive and genuinely curious. "... And why is that, Miss Clorinde?" "Judging by that stance, he's just as experienced in combat as I am. If we're allowed to act in our own styles... I believe it would be far more realistic and far less 'stiff' than what's been predetermined. Surely you can agree with that." She nods her head in Kevin's direction as a means of acknowledgment, itching to get away from the stuffiness of this situation as a whole. "If you decide that it's not to your tastes, we can return to what you originally wrote." Did the room get colder? A shiver runs through her arms, shaking them in an attempt to get the chill out. "I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised. Wouldn't you agree, Monsieur Kevin?"

@jxrmngxndr

LARPing

nobody saw anything. w/ @jxrmngxndr

[huntersoath]

Acting was not a talent that had been innate in someone like Clorinde. It was learned, tailored and fine-tuned by watching others who had been quite proficient in their improvisation-- Master Callas had been one to assist in matters such as these for all of the times he sat in as the designated Game Master for the various scripts she and Navia participated in as children. Were it not for that exposure... the Duelist was certain that she'd be a bit too straightforward and much more squirrely about the idea of "going undercover". Especially in a situation like this. High stakes and a lot of pressure. Easy to slip up, and one false move would get them both into a problem that wouldn't be easy to escape. Not that Clorinde had any doubt in their ability to actually pull it off-- and they both were strong enough to blast their way out of any dire circumstance. She'd just prefer if that wouldn't happen at all. Clorinde's arm carefully slipped away from Yelan's before her hands gently took the other's within her own; a soft smile and a tilt of her head was her only communication as she led them both towards the throngs of patrons swaying lazily in time to a tune she'd never heard before. A more insistent tug and the Duelist remained only a few inches away from the assassin, shifting their position to rest one of Yelan's hands on her waist-- of course, trying to do this subtly... it's a little bit harder than she thought. One hand rests against the front of her chest, smoothing down a wrinkle in her top. Her voice dips, inaudible to anyone but the two of them as she helps ease them into a rhythm that matches the orchestra in the background. "I'm not much for dancing," She practically hisses, violet eyes darting around the fringes of the ballroom. There's several exits she can identify.... and only a few doors that lead further into the mansion's grounds-- all of which are, of course, heavily guarded. "But bear with me for a moment. There's a large doorway up the stairs and to the left.... another in the back of the room, mostly obscured by decorations and several armed guards." "There's too much security to easily get to any of those." Clorinde huffed at that point, dark brows furrowing slightly and a frown becoming more evident in her features. It's exactly what she expected, truthfully; a man like Auguste certainly had much to lose, and leaving his assets unattended would only invite catastrophe upon him. It had been wishful thinking for this to go entirely quietly... "Two options. A distraction... or we see if there's another entrance outside. There's likely guards in the gardens as well-- either way, we're risking it. If I remember correctly, though..." Her eyes finally settled on Yelan's face, brow quirked in an expression that almost mirrored a challenge. "I do believe you like it when the stakes are high, no?" @muscle-blues

let the sky fall

hotel debord banquet | starter for @huntersoath

[huntersoath]

Working incognito was generally not an aspect of Clorinde's job description-- a Duelist rarely required intervention into matters such as these, which were usually left in the hands of the Maison Gardennaige. Yet with a foreign nation involved, it complicated the intricacies of this investigation between Liyue and Fontaine: as such, her assistance had been volunteered to assist in order to provide surveillance in an attempt to gather what evidence she possibly could for the case against a popular philanthrope with ties to both governments in question. It's how she ended up conscripted into playing the role of another agent's "wife." The smooth, unblemished surface of Yelan's hand brushing against various scars across her body caused her skin to prickle and her face to heat: it's not like she's used to this sort of treatment, and she normally isn't a fan of such close proximity. This was a necessity, she had to remind herself, twitching nearly every time fingers brushed against another blemish on her skin's surface. It wasn't from nerves. She wished it was. By the time Yelan's hands fall away, Clorinde releases a breath that she never realized she had been holding from the beginning. Her partner has a striking figure in the outfit she's chosen, no doubt able to attract plenty of stares for a handsome woman. It would be a great distraction in the event that they need one. "Yes. Of course. We're on a tight schedule, after all," Clorinde mumbles before pushing herself to her feet. Her dress is rather exquisite, provided by the Liyue Qixing with no cost-- Chiori would certainly love to see such an elegant gown, its form-fitting silhouette tailored to absolute perfection, hugging Clorinde's figure just enough to suggest a healthy mixture of both strength and grace. The polished black stiletto heels that click with precise rhythm against the marble floor add to the ambiance of the party below, and she steels herself for braving the crowds that they'll both soon face. Her long, dark hair is swept up into a sophisticated chignon, the usual strands escaping to frame her face-- it's different enough from her normal visage that Clorinde believes it'll be enough to keep suspicion from being raised at her appearance. "Shall we? Our fake IDs should be in the wallet I provided you with. We're to present ourselves as wealthy investors from Fontaine, specializing in prototype Gardemek equipment. For any technical questions, I should be able to handle them with ease." "It's believed that Mister Auguste may be responsible for tampering with Gardemeks in order to loosen security around key institutes within the Court. Various high-ticket items have gone missing from museums, historical monuments, and even shops with large amounts of Mora flowing through its economy. Several of the artifacts have seemingly found their way to his auctions, though there's no concrete way for us to trace the channels from which they came." "In a court of law, it could easily be said that the person he bought them from was responsible for their theft, and not Mister Auguste himself. That's what we're here for."

@muscle-blues

let the sky fall

hotel debord banquet | starter for @huntersoath

[huntersoath]

Frostarm Lawachurl? The name alone brings a frown to her face, vague memories of facing various types of larger hilichurls flashing before her mind's eye-- any beast here that holds an immunity to the freezing temperatures automatically gains an advantage over either of them, though Neuvillette seems significantly less affected by the adverse conditions than Clorinde is. Despite her gloves, her fingers are already beginning to turn numb, and she needs full control of her faculties in the event that a threat is posed... and to that end, she offers a curt nod of agreement to set out for the nearest cover. Every step is a monumental effort at this point, the snow easily coming halfway up her calves. It doesn't show any signs of letting up, and her boots crunch in the icy terrain that she traverses in order to finally make it to the cave's entrance. There's plenty of howling coming from within its depths, though she knows it to be an effect of the gusts whipping past the entrance. As ordered, her eyes remain peeled for abnormalities in their environment... but there's little that she can ascertain from their surroundings. Regardless, Clorinde takes care for anything underfoot as she ducks her head to slip into the dark orifice of the cave system. There's not much here, except for a pile of scrawny sticks that seem to have been burned. She immediately motions for the Iudex's attention, gesturing to the makeshift campfire. "I would think that's our first evidence of the expedition members remaining alive," Clorinde muses, stepping around to inspect any disturbed earth around its perimeter. There's nothing that she can discern so far, though, and she brings a gloved hand to rub at the bridge of her nose. "They don't have much time. Without a heat source, they won't last more than an hour." There are, however, a set of footprints that lead down a steep slope-- along with a splatter of red and a few drops that follow the trail down into complete darkness. Clorinde lets out a hum of acknowledgment, her free hand resting on the hilt of her rapier. "I suppose the Abyss Order is now aware of trespassers in their domain. Shall we follow?"

ice ice baby

swirl: dragonspine with @iustitians

[huntersoath]

Where one gives, the other takes-- that balance is what brings the tiniest hint of a satisfied smirk to Clorinde's face. Regardless of what she proffers to the other, she knows that it will be received in kind; the unpredictability of the man across from her piques her interest in a way that warrants a bit of caution... and perhaps a bit of recklessness as well. After all, the Fortress was a no man's land, simply put. If the Duke himself cannot roll with the punches sent in his direction, is he truly fit to lead? "I can't say I'm surprised. To summarize, it's a role-playing game." The Duelist shifts her position there, leaning forward as indigo eyes settle on Wriothesley's face in an attempt to judge his reaction. He always has been a hard one to read. "It recently gained more traction within the Court. You create your own character, and you act out the story according to what your character would choose instead of what you, yourself, would choose." There's a light chuckle that follows, brow arching in a near challenge. "You're quite proficient in improvisation. I don't believe that you would be bad at it. There's several others, including Navia and Lady Furina, who have taken an interest in it." "Regardless, the terms remain on the table. You indulge me, and I acquiesce to your request." There's a whole lot of uncertainty that's going into this entire endeavor-- while Clorinde has been a master of arms for as long as she can remember, it's rare that she fights in a style akin to boxing. Her confidence is not shaken at the prospect of stepping into the Ring, as she's fully capable of winning any Duel in the event she's disarmed... but perhaps this is an opportunity she would otherwise miss out on. "As for the rules of the Ring, I believe you'll have to tell me more. I need time and space to practice-- and your guidance would be invaluable. We haven't had a proper spar, have we?" @dukemeropide

identifying as a Threat

╰┈➤ Learning to box was never high on Clorinde's list of things to do, but... The recent competition rumored to be taking place in the Fortress of Meropide warrants an overhaul of her combat style. Who better to teach her than the illustrious Duke himself? With @dukemeropide

[huntersoath]

kiss roulette

inspired by the infamous "i want the k" meme by deactivated tumblr user tastcful. send 🎲 to generate a kiss! potential suggestive/nsf.w themes may appear

A kiss on the cheek

A kiss on the nose

A kiss on the forehead

A kiss to the top of the head

A firm kiss

A gentle peck

A romantic kiss

A platonic kiss

A kiss to the eyelid

A kiss along the jawline

A kiss to the neck

A kiss along the collar bone

A kiss on the chest

A kiss to the stomach

A kiss along the hips

A kiss in the rain

An upside-down "Spider-Man" kiss

A kiss while laughing

A kiss underwater

A rough kiss

WILDCARD! Dealer's choice :)

A french kiss/kiss with tongue

A kiss influenced by alcohol/other substances

A sleepy kiss

A kiss that's an accident

A kiss while one or both parties are crying

A kiss in greeting

A kiss in parting

A kiss to the back of the hand

A kiss to the palm of the hand

A kiss to the inner thigh

A kiss while someone watches

A kiss to a scar, birthmark, injury, or other marking

A kiss after a bite

A kiss against a wall

A kiss to the shoulder

A kiss to the back of the neck

A kiss while one party is carried

A tentative kiss

An impulsive kiss

A kiss out of spite

A clumsy kiss

A bloody kiss

[huntersoath]

Oh. That's less than ideal. While Albedo had made the decision to wander just a few steps away, the jiggly, voluptuous figure of a slime came crashing down right onto the little bear that was groveling at her feet-- and Clorinde winces as a final, drawn-out, whiny squeak comes from the creature before the slime is bounding off in Albedo's direction. There's a bit of coughing, sputtering, and gurgling. Should... should she do something about this? Is it in pain? Can it even feel pain? "H...... help....... me......." Apparently, it can. Clorinde quickly kneels next to it, her hands hovering over its mangled form as she carefully judges what her next move should be. It's not like she learned how to give first-aid to a TEDDY BEAR. "I-- it's okay. I'm here to help." Archons, this is ridiculous. "I don't.... I don't.... want to die...." The bear squeals, its weak paw(?) reaching to grab Clorinde's hand. She gingerly takes it, offering it a firm squeeze as she frowns. "We'll get you out of here. Stay with me," There's a hint of desperation in her tone that wasn't there earlier-- perhaps she's actually feeling a bit concerned for this thing. She already wasn't able to feed it chocolate, and now she has to watch it die? This place is fucked up. "you know what you have to do...... miss......" It pointedly looks at the revolver holstered at her hip... and there's a wordless understanding that passes between the two of them. Clorinde lowers her head slightly, reaching up to adjust her hat before slowly pulling her hand away from the bear as she stands at full height. "Clorinde. My name is Clorinde," It's the least she can offer in its final moments, deft fingers coming to brandish her pistol-- her hands shake, her heart pounds within her ears, and.... her breathing comes to a complete standstill. There's an awkward pause that follows before a single gunshot rings out throughout the clearing; it leaves her ears ringing in its thunderous wake. "Rest well. I'll ensure that you receive a proper burial." .... As an afterthought, she picks up the bear's other arm-- mangled and torn from its stuffed torso. It'll serve as a reminder of the innocent(?) life lost here. @spidergourmet

*✦ DOMAIN CHALLENGE: LUVORATORRRRRY!

⠀ scarlet strings ✦ albedo & clorinde ⠀

[huntersoath]

Clorinde knew better than to trust cute things. She had watched as Lynette's Bogglecat had mercilessly torn the satisfaction of an impressive kill from her hands, the feline construct joyously observing the life slowly draining from a hulking dragon's eyes in the last moments of battle. The Duelist is almost entirely certain that Rosseland has also committed war crimes in a similar fashion, with how both of the siblings operate in methods that complement each other.

So, no, this place does not spark joy. It does not instill in her the joy of love. It instills in her, instead, the joy of murder. "Ah, Monsieur Albedo," The name feels foreign on her tongue, but she swiftly engraves it into her subconscious. "I'll ensure your safety. Let's... get out of here sooner rather than later." There's various rustling noises emanating menacingly from the hedges that surround them, and she doesn't like it one bit. Nope. Gingerly, Clorinde takes Albedo's hand in her own before guiding him down a randomly selected hallway; there's no point in trying to strategize right now-- they need to find landmarks or something that can give any hint as to what direction they need to head. Yet as she rounds a corner, a yelp is torn from her lungs as she collides with... A child-sized bear. Well-- teddy bear. It falls onto its rear and looks up at her with big, wet, pleading eyes that are devoid of any life and love. Her skin crawls, and she stares back with the eyes of a killer. "Nnnhhhggg... I'm a hungry little bear... you have to feed me.... you have to use your chocolate..." Clorinde thinks: I ... am not going to do that. Clorinde also thinks: AND LET HIM FUCKING DIE? "Monsieur, I-- I don't ... have any chocolate."

*✦ DOMAIN CHALLENGE: LUVORATORRRRRY!

⠀ scarlet strings ✦ albedo & clorinde ⠀

[huntersoath]

[TEA TASTING] - Third-Round Knockout is once again bringing the new year on with plenty of new tea options for all those caffeinated connoisseurs that want to branch out. Including, for the first time in quite a while, specialty imports all the way from Natlan!

If there was one thing that could be counted on, it was the rich breadth of tea culture from all around the world. Liyue of course had its own deep history and intricate rituals, but the other nations were no strangers.

Diluc inclined his head at the woman seated, gesturing to the chair beside her and lifted the tray on his hands a few centimeters, the picture of a perfect server were it not for the fine cut of his clothing and the set of his features, distinctly Mondstadt in a sea of Liyuean.

"Madame Duelist," he greeted politely, "if I may join you? I understand that Fontaineans share a love for tea, and perhaps if you have the time you could point out some of the finer points of these new imports. I believe we do things differently in Mondstadt."

Not, of course, that they did not drink tea in Mondstadt, but if there was one thing the free city lived up to, it was their enjoyment of libations of a more free nature.

The bright, flaming locks of hair that stood out against the backdrops of venue attendees immediately caught her attention long before Diluc's voice broke into her concentration-- she's not sure that she expected to see many familiar faces during the duration of the celebration, but Clorinde certainly welcomes the camaraderie in a foreign nation. It certainly makes navigating things easier. A dip of her head is her initial greeting, and she eagerly scoots her own chair to the side in order to provide him room to step past. Wriothesley has (unfortunately) taught her that sometimes tea is better shared in the company of another, and she's slowly found herself beginning to pick out more nuances of the blends as she slowly makes her way through trying all of the myriad of flavors offered to the patrons. "Monsieur, a pleasure to see you. By all means- this is new to me, as well." She crosses one leg over the other as she brings her cup to her lips once again, eyes falling shut as she takes another sip of the warm amber liquid that heated her through to the bone. "I regret to inform you that I'm not as proficient at these things as others I know are. But rest assured that I'll do my best." "A cultural exchange, then?" A ghost of a smile tugs at the corners of her lips, violet eyes flickering up to settle on his face. "Consider my interest piqued, Monsieur Diluc. Mondstadt is a place I intend to visit more than I have; I've heard your nation is home to a very impressive swordswoman. Perhaps you can share some stories with me?"

[huntersoath]

[SNAKE PETTING]

The serpentine animals have attracted quite a lot of attention from visitors young and old alike. With this year having been dedicated to them, some come to simply pet and play with the snakes, while others, more devoted, wish to offer them their prayers and blessings.

For Dan Heng's part, he was simply curious, really. It was little more than one of the attractions prepared in Liyue for the celebration, and he wanted to check it out. It has proven quite entertaining, though; multiple snakes approached him, almost as though they sensed a kindred soul, and wrapped themselves around his arms.

As a young lady dressed in purple comes closer, however, a yellow snake resting around his right and stretches out its neck towards her. With a hint of amusement on his face, Dan Heng huffs quietly before stretching out his arm, to allow the animal to move towards the newcomer and wrap itself around her shoulder in turn.

"They're quite friendly," is all he says.

While Clorinde has had very limited experiences with snakes larger than her arm, she doesn't show any evidence of being shaken by their appearance. There's several patrons that squeal and duck out of the way, and there's others that simply observe from a few feet away-- but when a young man draws her attention to one of the serpents that's leaning towards her, she can't help but to step closer to allow it to continue its trek onto her shoulders. It's a weird feeling, but not unwelcome. Though she's a born and bred hunter, she holds an appreciation for animals that many wouldn't expect. A gloved hand raises to gently offer a finger to the snake, taking care not to move it too move lest she present herself as possible prey. "This is my first time holding one, actually," Clorinde murmurs, her voice halfway drawling simply because of the fact that the reptile controls all of her attention. "You seem to have experience, though. I... hope this means that it likes me." It's curled further around her shoulders now, its head drooping and leaning on her chest with what she assumes to be content. The small, forked tongue that flicks out is cute, in a strange kind of way... "Do you know its name, by chance?"

[huntersoath]

[RED ENVELOPES] A customized reddish envelope, decorated with stickers of Melusines. The lumpiness and semi-crumbled edges seems to indicate that it isn’t mora that’s pressed in, however… 

“Clorinde, here!” Burdened with a bag bursting with packaged red gifts, Sedene still seeks out the Champion Duelist first. Out of uniform, yet still as well-pressed, she waves before pulling out one envelope, this one purposefully marked with a neatly written name. “Happy Lantern Rite!”

The envelope is lumpy and barely sealed, and there are tell-tale signs of a mishap with glue in her attempts to decorate the entire thing. Should the duelist open it, she would find a woven luck charm inside, as per Liyue tradition- that, if one payed attention, matched the one that hung at the officer’s waist.

Large violet eyes blink up at Clorinde for her reaction.

It's impossible, truly, to keep a gentle smile from gracing her features when Sedene trots up to her so enthusiastically. Clorinde gingerly takes the envelope from her hands, as if it would shatter like it was made of glass-- such heartfelt gifts were always treasured, carefully placed in her quarters as a means of reminding herself of those that mattered to her. A proclamation to face every morning before donning her uniform and heading through the doorway: that no matter the cost, she swore to defend Fontaine on her honor as a Champion Duelist. Not only because it was her duty, but because it was her home. A home made whole by those that had welcomed her into their lives. "Ah, Sedene. You didn't have to do this," She chuckled lightly, gloved fingers running across the handwriting on the front of the envelope. "I appreciate it, truly. Let's see..." It's heartwarming to see the amount of care and effort put into even the tiniest details of this offering; she imagines that it's rather hard to do any sort of crafts without the same dexterity that human hands have, but regardless, it's just as beautiful to her as any piece of artwork would be. Prying it open, the charm inside rests in her palm and violet eyes widen slightly. Sure enough, her gaze flits down to the same design at Sedene's waist, and Clorinde can feel her heart squeeze with the fondness that strikes her in that moment. "Oh... this is beautiful. And you have the same one; that means that no matter what position I'm in, I'll have your strength pushing me onwards." Without hesitation, the Duelist quickly clips the charm onto her belt loop. She already knows the home it'll make on the inside of her cape, tucked away from any danger of being harmed-- and that it'll accompany her to every duel from this point forward, pressed close to her chest. "Thank you, Sedene. Shall we take in some of the festival sights together?"

[huntersoath]

The moment the word 'Action!' rings out through the studio, Clorinde's expression shifts into something more solemn-- the downward tilt of her brow, however, signifies a bit of feigned anger brewing beneath the surface. She was supposed to be a villain, right? In all of her years spent functioning as a Duelist for the courts, it was the most common emotion that she saw in the eyes of criminals who wanted nothing more than to be free. Anger at being caught, anger at the law for holding them accountable, and anger at Clorinde for being the one to stop them in their tracks. Wickedness had its way of showing in a myriad of different ways. When someone is backed into a corner and facing death in the same way a wounded animal would, their first instinct is to bite and claw at the threat. That involves sending harsh words, desperate attacks, and insults in her direction; none of which she allows to affect her, of course... but it gives her an insight into the darkness that lurks within many men's hearts. She paces in a circle around Kevin, almost as if she were a lioness circling her prey-- her 'sword' traces a line across the ground as if she were cordoning off the site in which his character would die, violet eyes glinting with murderous intent as she moves. Clorinde doesn't dare take a step closer, though, and merely aims to present herself as intimidating for the camera's sake. According to several Fontaine natives, she was good at that. Hopefully, it translated well to this setting. "Run? I'll do no such thing," The Duelist speaks in a voice lower than her normal tone, laced with something more... sinister. It certainly doesn't sound much like herself, other than the familiar lilt of her inflections. "Only one of us is leaving here alive. This will become a fitting enough grave for the other, alone and forgotten-- it's time to put this all to rest... Isn't it, brother?" Which is... honestly, pretty funny. Kevin's stark white hair versus her dark indigo....... they don't look even slightly related, but perhaps the aesthetic is a bit fitting for their roles. "You always did love playing the hero in our games, yet you have no one left to save. How does it feel...?" She pauses in her stalking, the closest thing to a sneer that she can manage donning her features. "Knowing that you weren't strong enough to save them all?"

@jxrmngxndr

LARPing

nobody saw anything. w/ @jxrmngxndr

[huntersoath]

🎄 lynette and clorinde are standing there looking like the totoro movie poster at the bus stop

The amount of times she's been in this embarrassing position has quickly become too many. She's already popular enough with the tabloids, and the generous amount of Fontainian citizens that have approached her with mistletoe is astounding-- of course, she's been respectful every time, offering a chaste kiss on the knuckles and maintaining her personal distance. It's bad enough to give something like that, much less anything past that... It's certainly not her strong suit. Finally, as she's found a moment of peace, she finds herself outside Cafe Lutece. A familiar face is there to greet her, and her eyes widen for a second before she offers a polite greeting. "Mademoiselle Lynette, it's nice to see you. How are y--" A flash of green catches her sight, and Clorinde trails off as she glances above them both, her expression turning into something more akin to horror as yet another sprig of mistletoe greets her. This time, however, her face reddens slightly; it's one thing to offer a meaningless interaction with a stranger, and it's another to be caught in a situation like this with someone she loosely considers to be a friend. "My apologies, it's been like this all day," Clorinde mumbles under her breath, but it doesn't stop her from moving forward. She glances down at the shorter girl before placing her hands on her shoulders-- a small pause before she dips down to press a light kiss on the top of her head, between her two feline ears. The way one of them tickles the side of her face does draw a bit of a chuckle from her as she straightens, offering a look laced with fondness. If her face is even redder, well... She hopes that Lynette won't comment on it. "I hope you're enjoying your holiday. Don't hesitate to call should you want company."

[huntersoath]

Clorinde's brows furrow for the briefest moment, and though her lips remain closed, the flicker of surprise that dances across her features can't be mistaken for anything else but a crack in her normally unflappable composure. Wriothesley did have a knack for jabbing at the chinks in her armor, and he had a ... "talent" for keeping her on her toes with the ideas and comments he often sent in her direction. But this? A prisoner's uniform? Fighting in the Pankration Ring? As a Champion Duelist, her answer would be a cold, hard, unchangeable "no." It's outside the confines of her duty, and frankly, it would be a waste of her time that could be better spent ensuring that everything in the Court ran smoothly. The matters of the Fortress did little to infringe upon her job's description, and as such, she had no obligation to the Duke or his abode. As just Clorinde, though... A small chuckle breaks through her normally disciplined façade, eyes sparkling with a hint of troublesome intent. It wouldn't surprise anyone to know that she'll take a chance to spar and sharpen her skills-- what would surprise those who didn't know her, however, was her affinity for challenging herself with adjusting to chaos on the fly. Likely because of her childhood with a certain blonde someone that could be considered the human embodiment of chaos. By Clorinde's definition, anyways.

"Alright. I'll do it. Under one condition." Clorinde raises a gloved hand, using her index finger to symbolize a 'one'. She pauses for only a moment, leaning forward slightly to deposit her teacup on the saucer before her. "Even if you aren't enlisting me as a Duelist... my services aren't entirely free. If I win this tournament... You come to the surface for a day. Have you ever heard of 'Tabletop Troupe'?"

@dukemeropide

identifying as a Threat

╰┈➤ Learning to box was never high on Clorinde's list of things to do, but... The recent competition rumored to be taking place in the Fortress of Meropide warrants an overhaul of her combat style. Who better to teach her than the illustrious Duke himself? With @dukemeropide