soulsaligned

[soulsaligned]

Chrom, despite being accustomed to such parlays in social circles, still struggled with words at the most opportune of times. It was evident to him that Dorothea had been someone rather outgoing, extroverted. She exuded the aura of a woman most eager to impress, not because she gained anything in doing so, but simply because she appreciated putting a smile on for those before her.

It was something that, unsurprisingly, put Chrom at ease. A Chrom who appreciated bonds forged with others, appreciated a person who seemed to exude a natural charisma, a natural friendliness that seemed unquestionable in nature. 

She speaks, jokingly as Chrom could figure by her tone, of hunting him down and the Exalt simply laughs in response, unsure of the words to give. Yet, the joke hadn't made the young Exalt uncomfortable -- no, he found appreciation in it. It was funny, cut through tension that Chrom was sure he'd build up, and allowed for him to understand that a student was eager to make their acquaintence. The latter, of course, Chrom found appreciation in; this was his first time being a teacher proper, after all. 

Chrom takes Dorothea's hand into his as she offers affirmation. " Then allow me to lead us in a waltz. And...thank you for being interested in my country and countrymen. I would like to learn more of where you hail as well, as we trade our charms. " 

And, in a practiced motion, Chrom begins to dance with Dorothea in hand. This dance is practiced, as though it were learned from sunrise to sunset. This dance is regal, as though the one leading it had belonged to a court of nobles- no, a court of royalty. It is, however, unmistakably cultural. Chrom, a man of action, is a man who opts to share his culture not through words, but through song and dance, through the practiced footwork Chrom had studied in his chambers when he was a young Prince. He hated the movement, hated having to do the dance, but found appreciation for it in his adulthood.

It is this practiced footwork that aided him on the battlefield, allowed for him to be as capable a swordsman as any other. And, it is this practiced footwork that allows him to even the social playing field, where he has oh so distinct a disadvantage in his communication. 

@encantresse

go white boy go.

chrom and dorothea go dancing (toa ball) | cont. from here

[soulsaligned]

Anger, expressed at the idea of those least deserving having their hard earned money stolen. Anger, expressed toward the mere thought of someone being scammed undeservedly out of the wages earned at their day to day. 

Chrom was someone who had to act first and ask questions later. The moment he caught wind of the wrongdoings occurring in the Main Street of Pearl Shoals, Chrom felt his expression darken as he went on the move. His gaze, his stride, and each breath he took each moment his foot hit the ground, all indicative of his roiling anger. He would find his way to the nearest business setup on Main Street that he could, and he would demand to know who started this trend.

On behalf of The Church, and for the safety of the many students under his tutelage, Chrom would dismantle this operation with just his hands alone.

He found himself on Main Street, and stood outside a boutique. All things considered, the boutique had appeared unassuming; an honest business, with honest people trying to make an honest living. Yet, despite that, knowing the goings-on in the shadows of the Pearl Shoals, Chrom’s anger burned brightly. How dare they, he thought, putting up an affront while lining their pockets with ill-gotten gains…!

He stormed, oh how he stormed – nary a passerby could ignore the anger written so painfully clear on Chrom’s face. Though, many a same passerby had assumed he’d been another angry customer, a Karen, as some would call him, trying to gain money back on the most minute of errors on a clothing order.

Oh how wrong they had been. “Excuse me!” Chrom shouted as he opened the doors to this little boutique, “may I have a word with this establishment’s owner?!”

@rafent

in your eyes, am i merely a weapon?

mission board: pearlescent | faith +1 | chrom + rafal

[soulsaligned]

Chrom had begun to think. He and Alfred had many an avenue to go down if it meant finding the right tea set for the Viscount. He found comfort in the laugh of a new friend, especially as they shared a plight in the name of a last minute gift.

Still though, Chrom kept up a smile of his own, one he normally held to provide comfort to his allies when times seemed most dire. “I do not have a means of acquiring a tea set from my home country either…especially at the last minute.” He did, however, wonder what sorts of Ylissean tea sets would appeal to the Viscount. Chrom hadn’t been a man to hold out a particularly keen eye for such a thing himself. “But surely the merchants in the surrounding town would be…I don’t know, friendly?” Chrom too had been someone to place a lot of faith in the hands of another.

It was most definitely a fatal flaw of his. However, that fatal flaw had been one he would continue to trust time and time again – after all, it was what brought him his greatest ally when it came to times of dire straits. 

“I’ve only recently moved to Fodlan as well, so to say that I don’t know the state of things from a mercantile view is…well, an understatement. But lead the way, friend. Surely that shopping street you mention could be of good use?” It would, at least, not hurt to give it a one over. Chrom felt optimistic, the duo had begun to problem solve, there was hope in attaining a good present. It didn’t have to be perfect, as nothing at such short notice could ever be, but to be good for the standard of Exalt and his friend…that much appeased Chrom’s heart. 

“You’ve spearheaded a lot of the ideas on this one – and even have the teas to package with our yet-to-be-acquired set, so please allow me to repay you in some way when all’s said and done here. Is that fine with you, friend?” 

is my presence not a gift itself?

mission board - excavation | alfred and chrom

[soulsaligned]

go white boy go.

chrom and dorothea go dancing (toa ball) | cont. from here

[soulsaligned]

  The busying sounds of maids, butlers and other common staff had clouded the years of Chrom. He had chosen to become one himself, to become a servant of a noble house within the township, not for a reason of curiosity that had struck him like lightning to a rod. No, he became one simply to provide help to the families still in recovery from the losses of the recent war.

The war hadn’t been one he was wholly aware of – after all, Chrom had only arrived within the township rather recently. Still, having seen the effects of war on many a house – those of noble blood or otherwise – in his own country, Chrom had wanted to provide help in any way he could. He did wonder, though, if it would be taboo for an Exalt to act as nothing more than a servant to another.

Anyone who would seek to lecture me on this isn’t here…so…

He picked up cleaning supplies, as he had been tasked in doing so, and began to go to one of the many areas within the house he had been instructed to clean. Thankfully, he hadn’t been alone in this matter. Chrom, despite his status, had not always been the best at keeping himself together. Mayhaps a consequence of his upbringing. He had, however, been paired with another – a man he recognized from the recent ball, one he recognized as once wearing a dress of his betrothed. 

Chrom wanted to say hi, properly offer introduction but…their last interaction had been regarding the dress the latter had borrowed from his betrothed, who had now passed away. Chrom wasn’t the greatest when it came to social interaction, so to navigate this one was…difficult, to put it lightly. 

But, as any good coworker may (and in this situation, the two had been assigned as coworkers for sure), Chrom offered his greetings. “Hello, I do not believe we introduced ourselves to the other last we met. I’m Chrom, sir, how about you?” 

A throat clear, “and…how do you wanna portion off the cleaning?” 

@yukyunotabibito

an episode of gossip girl.

mission board: pearlescent | chrom & nasir (any skill +1)

[soulsaligned]

Since moving into the Monastery, Chrom had begun to wonder who he’d see out of those he knew. Stahl offered recommendation for the teaching position, yet despite that he hadn’t seen many of his old friends and allies as he gradually moved into the faculty housing of Garreg Mach Monastery. 

It would be quite funny, he thought, if one of those many friends had been my partner for this task. Chrom, hoping to provide help as a new resident of the township, agreed to partner up with someone from one of the other Three Houses to provide aid to those who required it. Of course, he expected to be met with a lot of random tasks here and there, but it was fine, so long as it meant another would be helped by his actions.

What he hadn’t expected, though, was for his thought to be correct.

He felt the arms of another wrap around his being, before he could process who had embraced him so suddenly. Then, his eyes drew to the deep blue hair – hair as blue as his own – of his assailant as recognition filled his gaze. On instinct, without uttering a word of his own, Chrom hugged back, as he felt struck by a myriad of different emotions at the nature of this unexpected reunion. 

Lucina…his daughter, his daughter who had come to his aid unexpectedly as an ally of war, an ally from the distant future in an attempt to prevent the past from meeting a familiar fate. He had expected to see a friend at one point or another, but to see his daughter once again itself had been…Gods, how long had it been since I’ve seen her…?

Her words brought Chrom to a struggling chuckle, as he fought back the emotions that began to creep onto his eyes. “Lucina…you don’t need to apologize…had I known you were here I would’ve gone through every system in my hands to find you.”

So much they needed to catch up on, so much Chrom wondered regarding how she had been, about the friends Lucina made in the Monastery…so much he had missed. It all briefly made him forget about the reason for his arrival to the gates. Then, a realization came to mind.

“L…Lucina? Are you my partner for this task??”

Questception

Mission board, Authority +1 Lucina & Chrom

[soulsaligned]

  “Ah, yes! A plan! I believe another faculty member on behalf of the Church should be here any moment –”

As she spoke, Chrom had entered the building, offering a light bow as he had approached the two women. 

Babysitting, the concept of watching over children on behalf of another, on behalf of a parent that could not right away be there. Chrom had been at the mercy of a few babysitters (though they mainly had been trusted retainers) in his time, after all how could he ensure little Lucina’s safety when he hadn’t been present to watch her? Fatherhood is rough, especially in times of war. 

But those times had long since passed, and now Chrom wished to play it forward through babysitting some of the children within the town of Garreg Mach. He wondered if it would be taboo for an exalt to act as babysitter in this case, and if he would be chastised for considering such a fact – however no one who could chastise him had been present, so why should he care? 

To the older woman, one that Chrom had assumed to be in charge of the children, he offered a full bow this time, providing a “hello, ma’am” as he had. Then he looked at the young lady she spoke to with slight confusion alit in his eyes. She looked no older than the kids that Chrom would be in charge of on this day, yet she still had an air of authority about her. 

It honestly felt easier to assume that this young lady would be a caretaker as well, so he offered a bow to her too. “Hello,” he started, “I’m Chrom, I do not believe we met? But I’m also here to help with babysitting duties.”

The woman that stood between Sothis and Chrom clapped her hands appeased – “Incredible! Sothis, Chrom, I would hope to be able to have you both here longer term, hopefully as a teacher to these children. However, for today I would like to ask for you to introduce yourself with the kids, play with them, et cetera, for I have to step out to run a few errands. Would that be okay with the both of you?”

how do you do fellow moms

[soulsaligned]

the plot calls this month

current mission board: pearlescent | affiliation: black eagles faculty

hey toasters! on this lovely june (happy pride) i have come to drop my plot call for chrom!

outside of the mission board threads for this month, i am down for writing anything you may want (even the threads missions unlisted heh)! you can always shoot me a dm here or on discord, or even tag me in the plotting channel in the server! as for the specific mission board threads i'm interested in --

Faculty and Staff Mission Task Board

[Any Skill +1] | I actually thoroughly believe that Chrom is just here for the sake of helping out the Pearl Shoals. He's just picking up on all of the gossip casually simply because he's been that friendly to them. | with Nasir

[Faith +1] | There is no chance that Chrom would allow for people to steal hard earned money from the layperson without any sort of justice for doing so. Chrom is the vigilante friend in question, and I think someone should probably stop him before he yells at the wrong person.

Non-Mission Task Board

[Sword +1] | Ah...young love...Chrom wishes to support the lovebids as best as he can, and if that means acting as a sort of guard for them, then he would raise his sword in their name. Though, he's honestly more confused on why they would even...be in danger?

[Perpetual Stew] | Put a man who can't cook in front of a pot of neverending stew and i think you come out with the funniest result ever. Realistically though I think he would be excited to be able to eat such an endless stew. Imagine how capably he could exercise if he had that... | with THE Vaike (tm)

[soulsaligned]

Chrom began his dance to the tune of the song, even beginning to sing it himself alongside Lewyn's instrument.

"Country roadssss, take me hooooooome to the plaaaaace where I beloooooong! West Ylisstol! Mountain mamaaaaa! Country roaaaaaadssssss, take me home!!"

A clap had ensued as the song continued. Chrom was not exceptional at singing, unsurprisingly, but he had enjoyed the song so much that he still sang along.

As he finished his singing, and clapping for the tune, he gave Lewyn a good look of confidence and appreciation. "Thank you, friend! The countrymen of Ylisse would sing that and I appreciate hearing it even if I'm far from home. As for my name..."

He stuck out a hand, hoping to shake Lewyn's -- "Chrom, Shepherd of Ylisse and instructor of the Black Eagles. It's good to meet you properly, friend."

[REQUEST]

Chrom, having been on the dance floor for a little while now, and hearing the same song played twice in a row, followed by another...unique song of sorts, Chrom wished to request a new song. Maybe his consideration would be heard.

So he followed the source of the sound, only to find that the same green-haired man who had teased his outfit earlier to be the cause. Interesting, so he can play music as well? Then perfect!

With a sense of familiarity, Chrom had walked up to the green-haired man, hands clasped together. "Hello, friend! Nice to see you again," he said with cheer in his tone, "I would like to make another request of you...would you be able to play...hm."

And, as if from memory, Chrom began to hum the words of a song, lightly clapping along as he had.

"Sorry if that wasn't a good enough description...but..."

“Certainly, my friend!” Familiarity is returned with familiarity, Lewyn��s voice as lilting as it was in song just moments prior. He shifts, stretching a little, growing dangerously close to falling off his perch- but without anyone to surprise him this time, he remains balanced.

Eyes peer down at the arrival, still clad in armor. Even after it's rained? There's no way he's not a knightly type, then~.

He doesn’t recognize this tune either, but he supposes it’s gotta be something popular, like the prior songs. …Is he really getting old? No, no, it must just be because he hasn’t been around for a while. He’s only twenty! 

“I’ll do my best, but I don’t know the words~.” Lewyn tests a few chords, before pausing. “Ah, but first. My payment- why don’t you tell me your name?”

[soulsaligned]

There was a silence as Chrom listened to the words given to him. To be told that Emmeryn would’ve been proud of him by someone who had been no more than a stranger mere days ago…it gave pause to an Exalt who hadn’t fully processed the loneliness of a world without his elder sister.

It also gave him a comfort that nearly brought a tear to his eye. A comfort that had been disrupted by a concern for the stillness Alfred showed in that moment.

“Are you alright, friend?” Chrom pressed the back of his hand against Alfred’s forehead, feeling for warmth, a fever. He leaned in slightly, trying to check for any signs of sickness, likening himself to a doctor, though Chrom had none of the experience of one. He had merely felt himself somewhat regressing into the role of Commander, of Leader of the Shepherds, ensuring the safety of his allies. There was comfort in such a regression, especially since it hadn’t been all that bad of one.

Plus, skills you pick up from commanding others can be applied when caring for friends. “Let’s sit down for a bit, collect ourselves. You’re breathless, Alfred.” Chrom lets out a gentle laugh, “I don’t think I have to tell you the importance of rest when exercising. I’m sure that’s something you’ve been told many times before.” 

In a practiced motion, Chrom had put Alfred’s arm over his own shoulder and began to guide him outside. Breaths of fresh air were a necessity after dancing in such a stuffy room, and with how crowded this hall had been, some time alone would do them good. Surely two breathless men who danced with such an intimate rhythm suddenly leaving together wouldn’t raise suspicion, right?

Soon the two find themselves outside, and Chrom takes a deep breath, taking in the fresh air. He still held Alfred close, concerned that he may fall to slumber the moment he had let him go. With freedom from the confinement of the Hall, then did Chrom finally answer Alfred’s question (after all, priority was safety, rather than confirmation of a charm.)

“We hadn’t exchanged charms, I believe! Would you like to now? Now that we’re away and alone from the ball?”

@fleurfr

is it gay when the homies?

cont from here | chrom and alfred shenanigans

[soulsaligned]

[ FASHION POLICE ]

“Haha, what are you wearing?” A tease, from a man who sweeps in to get a closer look. Despite his statement, Lewyn's voice is less judgemental and more simply amused, the wind itself laughing alongside him. “Isn’t it going to be hot in all that metal?”

“You don’t look like one of those stiff knight-types, so why’d you go through all the trouble?” He dances backward a few steps, anyway, as if to be out of reach of a sword. “Unless you are, and all your niceties are deceiving?”

Another laugh. “I jest. Do you want a charm?”

Chrom rolled his eyes as the laughter fell upon his ears.

Is my outfit really that bad? He wondered, though the answer had very clearly been a yes, and Chrom knew that. If I attend the next Ball, maybe I should have an outfit prepared…

“If you must know,” he started, facing this stranger properly. His tone had been considerably light and playful, much like this stranger’s, “this was put together last minute.” As he said it out loud, his face flushed, embarrassed. He was an Exalt, to be so under-prepared is considerably sad…no matter how many excuses he wished to form.

He wanted to speak on the stranger’s outfit, but even Chrom had to admit that he pulled it off well. Plus, any comments he could make would ultimately fall on deaf ears, especially after admittance of his own being last minute. “A-Anyways!” Chrom’s embarrassment could be heard in his voice, now. “A charm you say, yes? Which do you have, friend?”

I cannot be the only one in armor here, right? Gods, what if another in armor is the stiffly knight type that this stranger speaks of…

[soulsaligned]

Lucina barely caught the end of her father's stint in the game he was in, a tangle of limbs that resulted in him falling spectacularly to the ground. Laughing, she rushes forward to help him up, taking his arm in hers and dusting sand off his clothes. "I didn't know you were one for these types of games, father," she says with a grin. Her heels sink a bit into the sand, but the boots are tall enough around her ankles that sand doesn't really make it inside of them.

"I'm glad I finally found you. I was beginning to wonder if you'd actually made it! Do you want to go get a drink and relax for a bit? It might not be swordfighting, but that looked strenuous." Fun, though, and she's a little sad she missed so much of the game, but she did still get to see him fall after such a delightful game.

Chrom, after recovering from his game of twister, seemed to handle himself with care. He had still been dusting off excess sand from his armor when he heard Lucina approach. 

Her laughter…Even if it had been directed at him, it still felt warm to hear Lucina’s laughter in a moment like this. Every time Chrom thought about it, about the fact that he had been reunited with his daughter once more – even if they had been in rival Houses in this Monastery – something tugged at his heartstrings. They never had been able to share many little moments -- the War had prevented that dire circumstances prevented that -- but that made every single moment they did share that much more worthwhile to cherish.

Chrom wondered, oh how he wondered, if the Lucina of his timeline would grow up to laugh at his shenanigans, much as his daughter of another time had. 

“Oh ha ha,” he said sarcastically, smiling as he went along with Lucina’s jabs “very funny to see your old man fall, I wager?” He turned to face Lucina properly, getting a good look at her outfit for the ball. Chrom tried to speak further, but felt a hitch in his throat.

His daughter looked beautiful, and that gave Chrom pause. To be able to see his little girl grown up, to see his little girl able to attend a proper Ball such as this. Gods how this moment brought him such peace of mind. How this sort of moment had been the very dream scenario of any aspiring father. He opened his mouth once more, an attempt to speak, that ultimately came to nothing. A stunned silence, at the face of his very own daughter.

He wanted to tell Lucina his thoughts, his pride, how much she resembled him when he was younger, how happy that made him feel. But he couldn’t. Instead, the words he did find were regarding her offer.

“I-” he coughed into his hand, regaining composure, “-I’d love to get a drink with you. I need it, after that damned fall…” He laughs, an attempt at hiding the brewing emotions within him. He couldn’t make his daughter sad in a moment like this.

“Lead the way, Lucina, I’ll follow.”

[soulsaligned]

Chrom watched Say’ri fall first. It felt a bit funny for him, sort of like a karmic justice. Even out of the corner of his eye he witnessed her struggle not to laugh at his predicament, and yet Say’ri found herself being taken out by a crab. Hah, imagine that! He thought, daring not to say anything aloud. Karma can’t bite (or snip?) him in the ass too. 

Then, after Darios took his turn, he watched Camilla fall next. Her gown had faced a rather unfortunate malfunction in her fall, and Chrom – feeling embarrassed – looked away, and shut his eyes. That would soon be his grave mistake. 

He didn’t know when Niles went, when it had become his own turn, but before he could realize it, the announcer called out his name. Embarrassed, not wanting to open his eyes, Chrom had begun to try and tuck his legs into his stomach, trying to do a backflip from his headstand, onto another spot. 

Chrom rolls 1d20 for balance = 4. OUT!

But why would he do that? While embarrassed? While fully armored? Is he stupid? Evidently yes, for Chrom’s legs barely even made their movement before all the blood flowing to his head brought him to a dizzy spell. 

And then he fell. Of course he fell, even armored titans fall. 

And then his face – oh his face – found itself on a date with the mat. Then, the rest of his body soon came to follow, oh how lucky Chrom had been to be on the sand. 

Groggily, Chrom found himself standing up again, going to sit on the sidelines. There was embarrassment that told him to stay (but also, he wished to see if Takumi would etch out his victory within the grains of this sand, and even more curious on how the rather tall (and bald, Chrom wished he would've taken a headstand too) man would fair in this competition too.)

He gave a weak thumbs up, as he tried to mutter a "good luck" in his friend's direction, the words barely comprehensible and even less audible from his dizziness.

@old-scalebag

twister? i hardly even know her

twister @ toaball2025. game start!

[soulsaligned]

Gaius’ speech of Chrom’s armor got a laugh out of the Exalt. “Yeah, I suppose this armor will be a bit stuffy to move in. As long as I don’t get into anything too extraneous, I should be fine…”

Speaking with Gaius again felt like relief for Chrom. Though they shared many differences with one another, that in itself had been a similarity. Chrom and Gaius were very different people, who ran in different circles, who had different upbringings. Yet Chrom still felt a comfort around him, an ability to let loose, to briefly forget of his duties as a Shepherd, as a Prince, and now, as an Exalt. 

He wanted Gaius to stay, to be a mainstay of the Shepherds. While Chrom didn’t see himself fitting, he wished that he could act as a mentor of sorts for Gaius. Maybe help set him on the right path of life, or something along those lines.

Though, as Gaius speaks, as he admits to being a student of the Monastery, Chrom smiles. I didn’t need to mentor him at all, Chrom thought, proudly, he’s finding his own way. 

“The Monastery is changing you then, Gaius. Sweets or no, showing up to a ball like this is something that’s just so unprecedented for you.” Even though Chrom says that, his looks betray his words. He’s unmistakably happy, there’s elation in his eyes and smile. He was happy to see Gaius again, happy to know that one of his Shepherds, despite his departure from his post, had been alive and well.

“Which house do you reside in? I’m still relatively new here, so maybe I’ll be your instructor. Or we can be rivals, if we’re in different houses. I'm with the Black Eagles, as their swordsmanship instructor.” Chrom smiles, putting his hand on Gaius’ shoulder. 

Chrom wants to give him a hug, wants to pull him in and tell Gaius all about how he and the others miss him, about how he’ll always have a place with the Shepherds no matter what, but…never does. They just ran into each other, and for all Chrom knows, Gaius hated his position in the Shepherds so, why should he put the waterworks on him? 

No, all that is needed to express affection is simply a hand on the shoulder.

Blue skies behind the rain

Gaius & Chrom, Ethereal Ball Reunion >>>🌌continued from here

[soulsaligned]

Chrom, watching everyone step up to the plate, gulps. He knew everyone who participated so far, which seemed to offer a moment of calm. However, watching some of the placements…he couldn’t help but look in concern.

He watched as Camilla put herself into a headstand, then eventually as Niles would do the same. In the back of his head, Chrom thought – hah, that looks rather uncomfortable. Hopefully I do not find myself in the same position.

So, he walks up to the wheel, giving a bashful grin and an even bashful wave as he looks to the crowd to announce himself – “Chrom, of Ylisse,” he says matter-of-factly, choosing to leave out his status as Exalt. Surely, such a title wouldn’t matter when it came to such silly games, right?

And thus, he spun the wheel…

Chrom spins the wheel!! Roll 1d5: 1, Head!

And gazes in horror as he watches the wheel land on the exact result he dreaded. His gaze shifted to Camilla, then to Niles, and then down to himself, as he wore his armor. There was a thought, a consideration of removing the armor. But that would only lead to further embarrassment. So, he stepped on the mat, placing himself into an awkward headstand as he felt the weight of his mistake at its fullest.

He glanced over, with much struggle, out of the corner of his eye, to Say’ri, who had been along the same line of red circles as he, but in a much more favorable opinion. Only one thought came to the surface of his mind, as he glanced at her.

Gods, how I wish I could be you right now.

twister? i hardly even know her

twister @ toaball2025. game start!

[soulsaligned]

This dance had been one Chrom found great appreciation in. It was a simple waltz, yet it was one he had known to no end. It helped too, of course, that he seemed to be on good terms with his dance partner.

One, two, three, four, the mantra played in his head, as he tried to maintain a steady pace between himself and Alfred. They shared close proximity, as Chrom held the other as close to his own frame as he could. He didn’t want to slip, or allow Alfred even the slightest possibility of falling from his grasp. He took careful care of the man he held in his arms as they took each step together.

“My muscles are…thriving?” Chrom spoke, confused at the terminology, but still smiling as he registers it a compliment. “Thank you, Alfred. You seem to stay in shape yourself, though maybe if you want to build more musculature, I could help? Can never be too strong, after all.” 

The words seem to flow through Chrom’s tongue without so much a wince, as though he didn’t seem to care – or even understand, for that matter – how that may sound. Especially, when he had found himself so close in hand with the very man he seemed to so brazenly admit to checking out (at least, that’s how it could be read.) 

One, two, three, four, their steps shared together, had continued as one. Their dance, hand in hand, could appear as beautiful, and even romantic, were you gazing upon the outside and looking into the home of an old couple. Though, Chrom didn't seem to realize how their close proximity might've looked to a passerby, as he continued his dance without so much a care in his soul.

“I too shared a similar dance with my sisters. In fact, my elder sister – may she rest in peace – taught me the waltz of my countrymen. She too had similar reasons, ‘learn this properly or else’, though maybe she held a much kinder tone when saying such words.” Chrom let out a laugh, as well as a serene sigh as he reminisced on memories shared with Emmeryn and Lissa.

One, two, three, four, “I can tell you’ve put in the practice. You’re quite the dancer, friend.” Chrom smiles down at Alfred, as they continue their waltz together.

cont. from here

"Oh, I can tell!" Alfred says enthusiastically, as though there was nothing odd at all about vigorously complimenting your homie's physique. "I can practically feel the strength radiating through that armor! You’ve clearly been putting in the reps—those muscles are thriving!"

Something a very normal, totally adjusted human person would say, surely.

It was Alfred's turn to flush as bright as a rose's petal. He was so accustomed to leading dances this evening that he had forgotten how nice it was to yield into the steps of another. Not to mention that Chrom's hand was absolutely massive in comparison to his own. He felt so... demure. Uncomfortably so, but perhaps that made their waltz even more enjoyable.

One, two, three, four...

His movements were graceful, even if this wasn't the role he typically took. It brought a smile to his features to see his friend having such fun, at least.

One, two, three, four...

"You know," He says without thinking. "I think I've only danced like this with my sister." Absolutely fucking nailed it.

"Not in a weird way, obviously, but in a 'you better learn how to do this properly or else' kind of way."

[soulsaligned]

[CROWDED] - She hadn’t meant to stumble—but that hadn’t stopped her from doing so rather spectacularly. One errant step, one nudge too many from the crowd, and Nanna found herself in a tangle of arms and apologies. Her gloved hands scrambled gently over the fallen stranger’s sleeve as she tried to help them upright again, her cheeks burning with mortification. “Oh, heavens! I’m so sorry—are you hurt?”

When their eyes finally met, she gave a bashful but earnest smile, smoothing her skirt with a brisk pat before dusting imaginary flecks off the other’s coat. “These crowds truly are something, aren’t they? I think I’ve been elbowed more in the last five minutes than I was during my last skirmish.” A beat, then she added more gently, “May I escort you to a quieter corner? I think we’ve both earned a bit of air.”

Chrom, in his rush of trying to find someone, hadn’t taken the time to pay attention where he was going. He soon bumped into another, as a result.

His gaze met that who he now bumped into. A young seeming woman, not much older than his own sister. Her hair and eyes had sported similar colors, much like her as well. That reminder of his sister, one so dear to him, as well as the earnest gaze of another, gave Chrom a brief moment to calm down. He took a deep breath, then another, and another. And then, he spoke, as he dusted himself off. 

“Apologies accepted, and I’m not hurt,” he laughs, “I was out of sorts for a moment as I am…let’s say, looking for someone right now? However, I do agree that I might need that moment to relax.” He then looked around, seeing how many people had been in the area – which there had been many – but more importantly, trying to find that head of white hair, accompanied by the eyes of a Fell. When he realized that such a figure hadn’t been spotted in his gaze of the crowd, Chrom had let out a sigh, then looking back to the lady before him.

He thought, would it be fair to take her up on her offer? What if I lose that Fell Dragon? But, even as Chrom wondered that, as he found himself calming down, so too did he realize that his heart had been beating faster than normal. Chrom knew he was scared, and stressed. This moment of respite was welcome, for it brought about the ability to think, to properly perceive. Maybe a brief break would be helpful? That Fell likely won’t leave…and if I approach him with fear, then I’ll only act irrationally.

So, he spoke again. “I would love to take you up on your offer.” He held out his hand, hoping for a shake. “I am Chrom, and you, Miss? Maybe we could find our way to the Cabana for a brief breather. But- I do have to resume my search after the fact."