#[ GWUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH KATKAT :DUSTED: ]

[fluxrspar]

"... ...Professor Selena." The greeting comes with an understated dip of the head, and perhaps a beat too long of hesitance (the consequence of locking the address 'Dame' behind her teeth). Another empty beat passes as the Altean tries to gauge whether her appearance is tolerable, at the least; thinking that maybe it is, her posture eases slightly.

Fidgeting uselessly with her hands, she eventually turns up her brooch, the shape and sound of a bell: pure and gentle, and entirely unsuited to her. Earlier the mage had thought for a fleeting moment to bring her a glass of water, or perhaps even something to eat as a gesture of amicability in earnest, but given how they met... needless to say, she quickly reconsidered.

"If... if you're collecting these, too..." Her throat feels dry. "W, would you like to trade...?" A trade. The first she has asked for this night, rather than simply giving pieces of her away. Perhaps it is selfish of her, to ask for some sort of amicability, failing the courage to ask for friendship.

Selena remembers the girl who hid herself in shadows, who spoke quiet—like whispers—and who fought and outlived the Fluorspar (so she recalls, at least). Months ago, they had met in unreality, and they had not spoken again since.

“Yes, Katarina?”

All the same, they cross paths again, here in the monastery’s ballroom. There is no illusion, no deceit, no sacrifice or ultimatum. There is just people—including them—at a gathering, all with the intention of enjoying themselves.

The other has something to say, she can tell, and she waits patiently for her words (she remembers Andrei, how Katarina had backed down). With patience, the girl presents her bell, asking for a trade, and Selena smiles.

“Of course,”—and here, she accepts the bell, then taking her own string of pearls and placing it gently into the student’s hand. Selena has no way of knowing every thought in the other’s head, but as much as she is able, she would like to make things good for her; easier, at least. Her smile, though soft, is genuine.

“Thank you, Katarina.” I am wishing you the best.