#⸙ ⌇ ❛ TAKUMI ﹏ EH ? JEEZ .. GUESS I’LL ANSWER .. → INBOX . ×

[astoldbyfolkslore]

[ Hoshido ] - A synchronized dance that must be done by two people. To a slow and gentle melody, the pair moves with fluid purpose, evoking the image of a crane in flight.

It would be impossible to participate in every dance of the night, nor does Andrei exactly wish to. As such, as one dance comes to an end, he retires to the sidelines where several others already stood, sipping a drink while watching those remaining in the center.

The next song is a slow one, the dancers matching each others' movements as they raise their arms in delicate motions, traveling in a circular motion across the dance floor.

"It is quite an elegant dance, is it not?" he remarks to the young man beside him, "I do wonder how much these movements take inspiration from the culture from whence this piece comes."

He glances at his conversational partner as he speaks, but ultimately doesn't expect an answer to what amounts to empty small-talk. What are the odds that this man would know anything about one of the many dances seen tonight, after all?

Standing on the sidelines, for the majority of the night, Takumi had stood to the side. For a the fact that he either didn’t know them, or .. he didn’t want to possibly embarrass himself in front of dozens of others he doesn’t know. Just the mere thought, made him panic internally and nearly leave the party as a whole.

Watching the next dance with grave interest, his eyes seemed to have lighten up. Without a doubt, he could tell what dance was starting just by the slow movements, a slight smile forming upon his lips. It .. reminded him of home, more than anything else.

“ Indeed. It’s .. a very important, and .. meaningful dance. You’d be surprised … the hoshidan dance .. has several meanings behind it, actually. From .. the dancing itself, to the song choice, to even the sways. “

He couldn’t help but speak, a slight smile upon his lips, as he glanced at the follow patron. A small hum of amusement escaping from his lips, before resting a hand on his own hip. “ I haven’t done that dance in ages. “ Takumi spoke, before sighing for a moment, when an idea partly struck in his mind, turning to looking at the other. “ Want to learn it? It’s pretty easy. “ Between wanting to spread his culture, and dance himself, Takumi was torn.

[astoldbyfolkslore]

[ sick ] sender cares for receiver while they are sick "Don't worry, I'm here for you!" she chirped, while she gently passed a wet cloth on his forehead. "You'll be fine brother"

A groan could be heard from the archer , rather reluctant to accept the care . He was fine , truly ! Even if .. every other sign was against him. In truth, he just hated being out of commission, considering there were so many other things that could be done, and yet, here was stuck in his bed due to a cold. In a sense to him .. it was humiliating. Yet, despite all of his huffing and puffing, he wasn’t alone in this.

Takumi had his younger sister! Which made it feel as if this dreaded sickness was somewhat easier. " Thank you, Sakura .. " Would he softly mumble, eyes closing feeling the cloth upon his head. A soft hum at the coolness upon his forehead made the room feel as it were a bit cooler.

" Be careful though .. I don’t want you to get sick .. cause of looking after me. “ He grumbled, tired hues peeking from underneath closed slits. Not to mention that he would feel guilty for getting her sick, from taking care of him. A tad bothered by how bright the light was, yet far too tired to properly make a complaint about it. Only refuting it by closing his eyes once more. Throat rather scratchy, Takumi would let out a small cough to try and soothe it. Though .. it didn’t have to much of the result he had expected.

[astoldbyfolkslore]

"Oh my you're getting into the game a little late aren't you?" Camilla gave the hauntingly familiar archer a tense smile as she handed him a black feather. "Left your big sister behind? No worries, I'm available to lend an ear if you need it. Say hi to your brother for me."

Having stirring a drink within his hand, he would look up for a moment, upon noticing the nohrian approach. His first instinct was to reach for his bow, only to .. recall that he didn’t have it on him at the moment. Quietly cursing underneath his breath, attention quickly focusing back onto her.

Taking the feather from her, she would stare at it for a moment. Only to realize, it was one of the things he needed to obtain for the prize! Gnawing on the inside of his cheek, ultimately letting out a soft sigh. At the very least, the prince needed to act politely.

She .. gave him her brooch after all. “ Right .. you’re kind for that. I .. err , same for you .. if you need, to talk to someone .. “ He’d mumble, before looking at her once more, reaching with one his hands, taking hers into his own. While the other pocketed the feather, pulling off his own brooch, carefully placing it into her hand.

“ I’ll be sure to. But .. here, since you gave me yours — t .. that’s how this is s .. supposed to work, right? “ A tad awkward, before adverting his gaze elsewhere. At the very least, he was trying to be kind and go about it in a .. much smoother way, than if the situation was different. If .. change was going to happen somewhere, then he mine as well let it start with the party. Besides, if she was here .. it was reasonable to assume that the other Nohrian siblings were here as well, yeah? With his luck, he’s bound to run into the rest of them as well.

[astoldbyfolkslore]

She sees him. The Hoshidan prince that she nursed to health back in the villa. One of the lead members of the Hoshidan platoon that she was assigned to end, and ultimately failed in doing so.

Hours ago, Flora would have let panic overcome her and dive off in the opposite direction. But her previous talk with Princess Camilla lets logic take over. The Nohrian nobles...at least the ones she has encountered tonight, do not see her as a traitor. Although Hoshido should find a Nohrian such as herself as even more hostile...

She has to try. One life has already been discarded. Perhaps in this second one, she can seek pardon from those she betrayed.

"Lord Takumi," Flora closes her eyes upon entering the prince's presence. "If...there is anything I may do to improve your experience tonight, please allow me to serve."

"And...please accept my portion of tonight's brooch exchange," Flora slips off a string of pearls and holds it out for Takumi. She is getting rather used to giving these out...though giving is all she was taught to do as a maid.

A soft yawn escaped from his lips, quick to attempt to reenergize himself by .. drinking some of his beverage. A small hum of contentment escaping from his lips, it was definitely different from what he was use to, that’s for certain.

Looking at her, a small glare was present upon his face. Before softly sighing, adverting his gaze elsewhere for a moment, play nice .. he needed to remind himself. Despite the feelings that were quelling within his body. The … slight anger, for the time being, he needed to .. quell it and be somewhat civil.

Before words could properly escape, he was taken aback by her sudden act, confusion written on his face. Staring slightly like a deer in the headlights, would he calm himself and .. attempt to properly respond.

“ Err .. thank you ? “ Blinking in surprise for a moment, before taking the string of pearls, before slipping them into the safety of the pocket, moving to take off his teardrop, holding it out to Flora in exchange. “ If that’s the case, then .. I believe I owe you mine in return? Not just that, but .. for .. coming in my time of aid, g .. granted, this doesn’t make up for much, but I’ll try to .. make it more grander. When I have a proper chance. “

Saying such, while trying to act somewhat nonchalant, turning his head off to the side—adverting his gaze elsewhere.

[astoldbyfolkslore]

“Takumi!”

With a bright smile on his face, Kamui approached his younger brother and threw his arms around him for a hug. “Goodness, you’ve grown even taller, haven’t you?” He noticed that despite being the older brother, Takumi was now taller than him by a few inches.

Finally deciding to let go after a little bit longer, he gave his brother a look-over. “It’s so nice to see you again, little brother. How’s everyone back home? How was the trip? Tell me you’ve been eating right!”

Gosh, listen to him. Perhaps he was more similar to Camilla than he realized. But something about his younger siblings, Both Hoshidan and Nohrian, just made him want to protect and maybe even coddle them, just a little. He and Takumi may have had their.. differences, in the beginning. But to Kamui that didn’t matter, he still loved his younger brother to bits. “Ahaha, Sorry, maybe that was a bit much. I’m just really happy you’re here.”

Wiping the sweat off of his brow, a soft breath escaped from the prince. Perhaps, it was appropriate time for .. a break. Considering how long he had practiced originally. Yeah. Now was certainly well due time for a proper break, that much he could say without question. Looking up upon hearing his voice called, before he could properly respond, he’d flinch in surprise from the sudden embrace.

“ E - eh ?! “ He still didn’t know how to handle affection properly. That much was evident by how he squirmed in the embrace for a moment. Having to glance down at Kamui, would the prince advert his gaze elsewhere.

A quiet sigh of relief escaped from him, once he was released, as he tilted his head a little bit. “ It’s good to see you too, hm? I’ve been fine .. “ Lips parting once more to speak, only to close his mouth to listen to Kamui. As much as he struggled to get his differences aside with his sibling, aside with the few struggles here and there, he was trying his best to better get along with him. “ The trip went well too, and everyone is doing well. They … miss you a lot. “ He wasn’t going to admit that he was part of it. Although, he avoided the last question, considering his eating habits were awful.

Waving a hand, before resting it upon his own hip. An amused expression on his face, here he was thinking that Kamui wouldn’t be so … overbearing wasn’t the word, but … affectionate? That seemed to be a good fitting of the word. “ You’re fine, you’re fine .. huh? Happy I’m here ? Why ? I’ve hardly .. hardly done anything. “

[astoldbyfolkslore]

It's been a long night, and the worst part is: it’s not even over. There has yet been zero inclination of the event starting to wind down, and, ugh... Couldn't the gods do him a teensy favour here... Pinching his brow, Azama reclines against a wall next to the refreshments table. With his free hand, he plucks up another lemon bar.

A fleeting salve, but solace nevertheless.

It's as Azama is chewing, pensively scanning the room for signs of further trouble, that he spots him:

yet another hoshidan royal come to grace Garreg Mach's halls.

A shiver courses the length of the monk's spine, and he can but bristle.

Could it be that...?

He sets off to find out, lest yet another happy surprise catch him off guard this eve.

* * * *

"Ah, Prince Takumi! Welcome to Fodlan." Strange to be hearing from Hinoka's wayward retainer, isn't it? But he's gained much motivation over the night in playing at his best behaviour here and now.

"Have you heard of the game they are playing? The exchange of tokens is a timeworn Ethereal Ball tradition. Would you care to partake?"

He's already fishing at the bells adorning his brooch, and so offers them up with a bow.

Whether Takumi takes them or not, Azama really doesn't care.

What he's after, after all, is no mere bauble.

"Say-"

Instead, he comes seeking information.

"-Milady Hinoka hasn't followed after you here, has she...?"

(welcome to toa!! ✨️

Upon walking in, the first thing Takumi noticed about how different everything was in comparison to .. what he was use to. In a way, it was overwhelming, as well as .. beautiful in a sense. A brief smile formed upon his lips as he glanced around, perhaps … this hadn’t been a bad idea at all, a small hum escaped from the prince as he walked further into the building. His first stop was to certainly go and grab something off of the refreshments table.

Walking by a few patrons, would the prince be polite, softly speaking to them. With a small greeting, pleasantries, before slipping out of the conversation and returning on his way, a small wave following suit. Looking around for the table, unbeknownst to him, he had already been spotted.

A tad astonished, as clear as it was upon his face. Relaxing his features, before scanning the man over, it was quite easy to recognize him, due to his elder sister speaking to him, about the monk, as well as walking or small encounters in passing. “ Hm? Oh — it’s .. pleasant to see you as well, Azama .. right? “ Silent cursing at himself, for possibly sounding so unprofessional at the moment, but regardless, he refused to let it show, as he put on his best polite smile. “ Thank you for the greeting .. this is .. definitely different from .. Hoshido. “

Head tilting a bit, oh ? It was a game? Well, that certainly made sense as to why they had given it to him.. well, he already had the brooch, right? And since it was tradition .. it would only be .. polite to participate in the event.

“ Sure — I don’t mind. It .. only makes sense — since we’re — you did that quick! I’m supposed to trade you mine in return, right? “ Reaching and carefully taking the bells from the other, swiftly pocketing the item for safe keeping, in return going to get the teardrop off of his own brooch. “ Hm? No. As far as I’m aware, anyways .. I haven’t seen her since I left the castle. “ A small shrug of his shoulders, before a faint grin appeared on his lips from amusement.

“ Why? Don’t tell me you’re trying to avoid, running into her, are you? “ Amusement laced within his time, as he held out the teardrop out to the other in return. “ Oh, you can stand up as well. Don’t tell me you did something wrong and hightailed, did you? “

[astoldbyfolkslore]

That seemed to make his glow all the more brighter, to be able to share and help someone else experience his culture. His was all the more happy, considering he was able to properly do the dance this time.

“ Pr — err , Takumi. It’s nice to meet you too. ” He replied with a small hum, blinking for a moment as he watched the other untie his brooch. Before it clicked in his mind, oh! He had almost forgotten! Hastily, going to take off his own tear drop brooch, reaching to gently take the others, while placing his own, into his hand in return. “ Here ! It’s … it’s only fair, yeah? ”

“ Right, right .. ” Pulling his hand away, with a small clear of his throat, before going and heading towards the edge of the dance floor, turning and holding his hand out to him. Gaze adverted elsewhere for a moment.

A bit bashful? But regardless, Takumi was more than ready to put his skills when it came to dancing to the test. Err. Even if dancing wasn’t his exact forte.

[ Hoshido ] - A synchronized dance that must be done by two people. To a slow and gentle melody, the pair moves with fluid purpose, evoking the image of a crane in flight.

It would be impossible to participate in every dance of the night, nor does Andrei exactly wish to. As such, as one dance comes to an end, he retires to the sidelines where several others already stood, sipping a drink while watching those remaining in the center.

The next song is a slow one, the dancers matching each others' movements as they raise their arms in delicate motions, traveling in a circular motion across the dance floor.

"It is quite an elegant dance, is it not?" he remarks to the young man beside him, "I do wonder how much these movements take inspiration from the culture from whence this piece comes."

He glances at his conversational partner as he speaks, but ultimately doesn't expect an answer to what amounts to empty small-talk. What are the odds that this man would know anything about one of the many dances seen tonight, after all?

Standing on the sidelines, for the majority of the night, Takumi had stood to the side. For a the fact that he either didn’t know them, or .. he didn’t want to possibly embarrass himself in front of dozens of others he doesn’t know. Just the mere thought, made him panic internally and nearly leave the party as a whole.

Watching the next dance with grave interest, his eyes seemed to have lighten up. Without a doubt, he could tell what dance was starting just by the slow movements, a slight smile forming upon his lips. It .. reminded him of home, more than anything else.

“ Indeed. It’s .. a very important, and .. meaningful dance. You’d be surprised … the hoshidan dance .. has several meanings behind it, actually. From .. the dancing itself, to the song choice, to even the sways. “

He couldn’t help but speak, a slight smile upon his lips, as he glanced at the follow patron. A small hum of amusement escaping from his lips, before resting a hand on his own hip. “ I haven’t done that dance in ages. “ Takumi spoke, before sighing for a moment, when an idea partly struck in his mind, turning to looking at the other. “ Want to learn it? It’s pretty easy. “ Between wanting to spread his culture, and dance himself, Takumi was torn.