#floreix

[stalwaria]

@floreix

"Etie, it's great to see you're still here! Seems like someone here is showing the power of Firene's muscles." A sentence spoken with the brightest smile for a retainer he was happy to still have standing close but suddenly fell at the reminder of what this week led to. Overall it hadn't been that bad, his time spent with Lapis and Yunaka had proved to be enjoyable outside of the small doubt the first Brodian had about his genuine happiness for her and the teasing that came from the latter towards his own feelings. But the disappointment on someone he had gotten a good impression of with a fight led by a disagreement and a conversation waiting to happen with a Fell Dragon made the scale lean to not being the most pleasant one. It was fine though, surely the next would go better...! "I like the sound of that! I think we both need to feel like home for a little bit," Teatime only missed Céline to be perfect but a jog leading to it was the way prince and retainer would've chosen to deal with this anyway. With a quick gesture of the head he pointed for her to follow. "Let's jog first, even if we are on an island we can't stop our search for strength. If we did how would we show how amazing Firene's muscles are?" Before he began running he chuckled. "As for what i did this week....well, i'll tell you once we are sitting down for tea." But maybe not all of it.

"Honestly? I wish I'd done a better job of it in my last game, but at least I've got endurance." Or some sense of fortune on her side. Etie feels she hadn't done much in the battle, after those first couple of shots... why Duessel chose to keep her in the game over Camilla was a mystery.

Hadn't he been a Snake, too? Wasn't there some kind of Snake-Sheep, hiss-baaa, sort of rivalry going on?

She hadn't really bothered to think much of the social dynamics going on around them, instead putting her focus on the games. But even she can tell there's something off in Alfred's chuckle—a little more sheepish than joyous, not quite as bright as it usually is.

"Hm? We don't have to wait that long. You can just say it now. Running's never stopped me from having long conversations before..." But then she thinks about it, how he might feel, or the tax spending so much breath during a run could have on him. His condition was better now, but...

"B-but if you want to wait for the tea, we'll wait for the tea! Let's go." With that, Etie starts to run alongside him. After a moment of pause, she adds, "If there's anything you need to talk about, I'm here. It's not just your body I'm here to protect—it's your heart, too."

A laugh, "Though, Boucheron is much better at the emotional thing than I am."

[rozyrne]

continued.

ETIE, HUH? THE NAME BRINGS TO MIND the muscular girl he'd usually spot in the training grounds, serious expression on her face and making two-hundred squats look like a walk in the park. he'd always regarded her with some mixture of admiration and envy, as a fellow retainer for a royal family. . . and maybe just a little bit of anxiety. hard to ignore the impression she gave off, after all.

so turns out she was really good at flowers, huh. . . he'd never've thought.

as they start walking toward the meadows that strew the island on its south-facing side, he listens happily to alfred's gentle answers. roses are a pretty standard pick, but they make plenty of sense for someone like him——he's sure he's seen one or two pinned to the prince's outfit before, both in and out of battle. and red ones are supposed to be the most heartfelt expression of emotions to match their deep and vibrant color, right? prince alfred's always seemed like the sincere and honest kind.

there's a piece taking shape in his head at the thought, and he almost misses the other's return question; though it's not much of an issue when the prince continues onto the second part of what he'd asked a beat later.

" ' outside of what we're given? ' " rosado suddenly parrots, confusion clouding interest for a second as steps slow. "what do you mean?" the ' if ' statement wasn't what he'd been expecting ; the thought that this could be anything but a fun getaway hadn't even crossed his mind.　/　@floreix

[dcggersedge]

@floreix

There she was! Hopefully he wasn't late. "Yunaka! I want to thank you for being my roommate for a night but also," Eyes avoided her and where color would be found on his face at the topic at hand, there were none. Instead he offered a nervous sigh. "Since you told me that night about talking to Lord Rafal…Can i ask if could you keep our own talk about my feelings for him under lock and key?" The dragon already knew how he felt but having offered him an invitation to talk, he didn't want to ruin it before it even happened. Not that Yunaka would ruin it, he trusted her, but he was worried that if she spoke a little too much it would make what he wanted to say come off as awkward above anything else. Whatever the case, he smiled tiredly at her once decorative stars welcomed him. "I told him i wanted to talk once we had the time or when everything was over, that's why i'd appreciate if you don't mention anything i said about him yet." A soft chuckle as he played with the cloth on his wrist, a calming habit he had found over the past weeks. "I just want to tell what i have in mind myself."

"Heya Big Bird!" Though she turns to him with a grin, Alfred doesn't meet her. Immediately, the smile is thrown away for worry as Yunaka inspects him. Nothing physically wrong, which means...

...oh shit.

"Oh." Of course, why wouldn't he want that kept between them? Alfred was an open book, but that didn't mean he was one that you could go around reading out loud. Yunaka swallows around the newly formed lump in her throat. "Right. About that..."

"So...Rafal already came around to yell at me some more." And point out how shitty she looks, which she should. Probably do something about. At least Alfred was polite enough to ignore it. "And I um. I kind of mentioned that we talked? And that you, uh...you'd been kinda bummed and that also you told me about how he rejected you twice."

"B-but that's all I said about our conversation! I-I didn't say anything else about what you said, I promise!" She doesn't think she did, anyway, but...shit, she really ran her stupid mouth on this one. "I-I'm sorry, Alfred, I should have realized..."

Ever since they arrived at this island, it felt like she'd been fucking up left, right, and center. The others all felt just as bad but, with her and Lapis having at least talked about what happened, this new one definitely the worst. "I...I just wanted to help."

[firelles]

[ 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐭𝐡 ] : sender drapes a coat / cape / etc. around receiver's shoulders.

Even the freshest of air held an immovable force. The winds' strong gusts only further exemplified with each passing step; the trees and leaves followed. A shiver ran up the princess's back— Much as she tried to merely ignore it, there was no doubt Alfred had noticed the way she shook. Rather, it appeared he already had a plan in mind.

"Alfred..? You are offering me your coat? If you give this to me, you will no longer have one. I do not think that is the wisest," she protested. Even so, she knew her brother well— No matter how much she may have tried to refute or convince otherwise, it seemed his mind was set. Inevitably, she took the carefully crafted apparel into her own hands and draped it over her shoulders. She held it tightly with her fingertips, ensuring it remained in place.

Céline moved her gaze from Alfred and back towards the vast field in front of them as her feet remained firmly in place. She was Céline. She was Firene's princess; she was a sister with a strong will. "I do feel warmer now, but what of yourself?" She paused amidst her thoughts, taking a step forward as the wind pushed forward yet another strong breeze. "The walk back towards the monastery dorms isn't terribly far from here. Let us return before the weather increases in intensity."

[starrook]

continued from here @floreix

"S-Sorry... I hope I didn't offend you Prince Alfred. I promised myself that I'd pace myself with the drinking, and I just had one..."

Though maybe Alcryst should shut up before he makes things worse. Prince Alfred wants to toast—all Alcryst is doing at this point is delaying what he came here for. "I-I'll be back quickly! So that I don't waste any more of your time...!"

The sparkling water table looks rather dire: syrup stains the white tablecloth and drips onto the floor, and the students seem to crowd around the same bottles. Alcryst finds himself gravitating towards the end of the table, where the less-appreciated flavors reside. His eyes catch upon "blood orange." A strange name... but at the same time, kind of cool right? Feeling sponatenous, Alcryst adds a few pumps to his water and returns to Alfred.

"...It's a cool color, isn't it?" Alcryst asks, looking over at the prince in hopes that he agrees. With the syrup, his water has become a bright cherry red. "So, a toast... ah, there's so many things I want to toast to. Friendship, Firene-Brodia relations..."

[optimismxmagicism]

"Ewan, now that this is all over. What on the Divine One's name is a meast?" The prince raised his eyebrow as he attempted to imagine what it was, a food? An animal? An experience only felt in in certain occasions??? He had no clue if it even was a thing. "If you've messed up and don't want to admit it to others, we can keep it a secret though."

Oh Latona who watches from above, again? Ewan had to use every ounce of will power to not bury his face in his hands and sob. He misspoke once why do multiple people ask him about it..

Instead he turned and faced Alfred with an expression that combined a smile and a grimace. “Oh, that. Well, it’s..” He couldn’t make the same joke as he did with Yuri…

“I can’t actually talk about it. It’s a meaning that holds the fabric of reality together.. if I even dare utter the truth, it could cause space-time to be torn apart! It’s one of those things where if you know it, you know it. If you don’t, nobody can tell you..” As he explained he made all kinds of dramatic hand and arm movements.

He then stood on his toes and put a hand on Alfred’s shoulder. “I’m sure you can find the meaning, it just can’t come from the lips of a mere mortal like myself.”

[rafent]

Without giving prior warning Alfred's hand rested on Rafal's shoulder, a pleased hum and a smile from ear to ear as verdant eyes met crimson. With his presence known, the prince chose to speak with care over anything else. "Are you settling down well Lord Rafal?"

It was a little upsetting that they got separated and selfish of a thought as it was, he wanted to work together side by side instead of having to compete. At the same time, letting himself be upset on the matter would do nothing for either of them, so he chose to remain positive instead.

"I know we are not on the same team and all, but i wish you a lot of luck and that you're well for the enterity of this," He chuckled as the hand that found warmth against the dragon gave the shoulder a light rub, as long as Rafal knew he wanted to best for him he was satisfied even if they got separated. And if Alfred were to lose, well he wouldn't be mad, having fun was important too. "I'm confident in both of us but don't forget to have fun, alright? Doesn't matter if we do that together or not."

Perhaps something of Rafal were changing. Thawing slowly and inevitably as even the most primordial glaciers did. No matter how cold or solid or impervious to time, never could one's nature remain as it did forever. Centuries upon centuries of solitude had once seen the Fell Heir immovable as stone, mind and body alike. So what of a measly month long separation from certain individuals was different? A matter so insignificant and small in scale would predispose him to. . .to—

Irritable, he fiddled with the blue scarf across his lap, plucking at the edges. And then plucking at them some more. A repugnant dowry of false festivity in his mind, yet to be worn in any way. Yet to gain its owner's acceptance. In its place, sullen displeasure weighed the thoughts, and lifted only by distraction. Clapped hand attached to wrist attached to arm; he trailed it to the end, gazing ultimately into the beaming face of the Firenese prince. A sunny spirit by his nightly comparison.

"I am settling as well as can be." Hackles forced to flatten, words darkly muttered, and concerns waived - which was to say, not very well at all. But it wouldn't do to worry the other man. "Fun." Disbelieving echo. But lighter. "Frankly, I haven't the faintest clue what that ought to entail. But your good intentions are well received."

Yes, it hadn't escaped Rafal. Those good intentions. He eased and at last left his miserly scarf alone. Alfred was truly exceptional of character, no doubt host to his own parasites of feeling and reservation at severance, and still he found it in himself to reassure another. An example surely to follow at least in the aspect of composure. Bitterness pushed out with his sigh and it was far from his only burden dissolved.

"If such is your task to me, then I shall accept. I will make an effort to 'have fun' on the condition that you do the same. And—" A sobering return to regularity with Alfred to thank. ". . .you have my gratitude."

[lordleonster]

"Leif..." He spoke under his breath, a sound only the prince could hear. That name popped on his mind the moment Alfred saw the man before him—They looked quite alike didn't they? Maybe it was his imagination and his mind missing an old friend lost at war and a new one made during the ball, but this man gave him a sense of familiarity he couldn't shake.

But he pushed those thoughts aside at the realization he had been staring, a smile followed to correct that mistake.

"Ah—I'm so sorry for staring, your face reminded me a bit of a friend. I'm Alfred from the Kingdom of Firene, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Limb extended in invitation for a handshake, formality that maybe was unnecessary but felt right at the moment. "Since we are going to be teammates, please, feel free to rely on me for anything you need. I'm always happy to help."

He clasped the hand before him, firmly entwining their newfound connection with welcoming strength. "It's fine, my good man. Alfred, is it? Should I go off on a limb and ask if you've met my daughter Altena or my son Leif, out and about? They do share quite the resemblance." Incidentally, he found himself holding out his chest proudly at the mere mention of them. Patting the young man on the arm, he grinned curtly in a round of comradery.

"It is my first time hearing of Firene Kingdom, but I shall cherish the fact that you represent it with such kindness." Civility was a treasured aspect of diplomacy. "I will call you, if you would do the same for me." Thumping his fist over his chest, he leaves it to rest on his heart as one would by creed.

"I hail from Leonster myself, so perhaps we can stay in touch. If you enjoy a bit of sportsmanship, I'd invite you to an outing or three to get our blood pumping." A glint of good old fashioned competitiveness brushed over his gaze. "My old friends and I used to compete in just about everything to test our mettle."

"For now, however, I shall count on you!"

[deathsdue]

What an interesting appearance this man had! Or rather, an interesting fashion choice—the mask he wore was eye catching to say the least. It gave him a very mysterious feel, as if the person behind it was to remain a secret from the world...or well, there was a chance he simply had a different style, which would be more than fair.

Just like he sometimes wore flowercrowns—although not as much lately—some liked masks.

"Hello, i like your mask," The prince spoke with friendliness on his tone. It was a compliment founded in truth but also it failed to say who Alfred himself was. He chuckled at that mistake. "Oh—Sorry forgot to introduce myself, i'm Alfred from the kingdom of Firene! I'm also a professor for the Blue Lions and i'm very pleased to meet you. Hope the time we work together as teammates is a pleasant one."

Everyone always had a comment on the mask. Even if it was a positive one, Gerome ignored Alfred's comment regarding his choice of attire, and only nodded when he introduced himself.

"I'm Gerome," he answered, "from nowhere." He'd noticed a tendency of people introducing where they were from, naming these kingdoms he had never heard of. For him, his timeline was surely destroyed by now, swallowed by Grima's army, so he was effectively from nowhere.

This was about where his social graces, little as they were, ran their course. "If you need a sparring partner, let me know."

[lilailes]

There was something about her that made Alfred feel fond instantly, he couldn't name what it was but from sight alone he had a good feeling about her. Lavender hair, a sweet face matched with kind eyes... as the prince put more thought on it she reminded him of a little flower—a gentle sight.

"Hello there! We don't know each other yet, right?" Alfred saluted and presented a question with an obvious answer as he stepped closer. The Firenese smiled as he extended one arm for a quick handshake. "I'm Alfred from the Kingdom of Firene, i'm also a lance and riding instructor for the Blue Lions. It's a pleasure to meet and work with you, if you're ever in need of anything here or in the academy, please feel free to reach out."

She has been on edge since her first male encounter, kicking herself over how it went and replaying every detail back in her head. She sees the next one coming from a distance and she pivots away as he nears. 

No... It couldn’t be. Another blond, shirtless man? It isn't possible that this one and the previous were...? Anyway...

Deep breaths Florina, deep breaths. 

Though, the first interaction at least prepared her so the second time around doesn’t come as quite a shock. He is an instructor too. Riding, so he has some experience with animals, maybe owns one himself. Her thoughts run past the kingdom part, and deliberately so as not to think too hard on that part. 

She spins around to face him proper and blurts, “H-Hello, um, Alfred!” Maybe a bit too strong. Back down to her usual volume, she focuses on his eyes with a furrowed brow concentration. Her gaze flickers down to his still extended hand and she takes it gingerly. 

“Um, my name is… Florina. I’m um... I’m part of the… the flying faculty but…” she trails off and catches sight of the bandana tied around his wrist. Of course he was part of the team, why else would he seek her out? “It seems we… we’re part of the same team so… I-I’ll do my best!”

[machiot]

@floreix sent:

If it wasn't for the fact the former King of Brodia who died was very much alive and the prince had talked to him, Alfred would have been shocked at the sight of Marni altogether. But due the former having happened, he was not surprised by that but more on the fact they got put on the same team.

How did one approach someone who used to be an enemy but died but was very much alive again?? "Hello Marni, seems we are on the same team." Ultimately he chose casual but a little distant, they weren't friends after all. Still as lacking in platonic as their bond was, they were teammates and so he decided to act as such. "Being able to carry a heavy shield i know you can hold on your own," He smiled, she was shorter than him but still clearly strong. "But we are teammates, so if you need help with anything i'll help you gladly."

Marni grimaces when she sees a certain blond haired and green eyed prince approach. She expects admonishment, maybe a little bit of screaming, maybe even a little accusation of being Corrupted. None of that happens. Perhaps it would've happened a few months ago when barely any people knew she was here, but now she had been in this foreign land long enough that people were no longer surprised to see her alive and well. Word travels fast up on the surface.

(She got a little kick out of watching people freak out, to be honest. It's no fun if no one reacts anymore. What's the use in getting shanked in front of a bunch of people if no one cares?)

"Spare me the pleasantries, Your Highness," she waves dismissively. "It's gross. You don't like me and I don't like you. If you're here to try to threaten me into behaving, don't bother. See, Lady Veyle told me to have fun and my idea of fun is winning! So lucky for you, the temporary truce is back on for now. I won't even try to kill you! ...Probably."

She says this as if she's doing him a favor and this isn't just the baseline expectation of being on the same team.

The grimace disappears from her face, replaced by a cheeky grin. Marni swings her arms, looking up at Alfred mischeviously.

"I don't need help from someone like you, but I guess I can lend you my strength if you ask me reeeeeeally nicely."

[rozyrne]

Another companion of the war and another face he was overjoyed to see! Back then, just like Lapis, he hadn't gotten much of a chance to chat and bond with Rosado but if he got to bond with the Brodian then he would get the same chance with the cute Elusian too—or so he hoped.

"Rosado! It's wonderful to see you!" Time apart after the war alongside not having gotten to see him around were recipe for missing people he had lived under the same roof with a while ago. Joy painted on his lips and eyes were followed by sweet words. "I've always found impressive your focus on cuteness, all of you show it perfectly. But now that we are here, maybe we can find you a flower that's very cute too."

He spoke with a chuckle, in his eyes flowers were equally beautiful as they were cute—and of course a reminder of peace too—surely Rosado would find one greatly fitting.

"That said, this offer goes to everyone in our team but if you need anything, let me know! I'm here to support you in any way i can."

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL AND HE SHALL COME! though in this case, really it should be more like an angel.

rosado pivots around on his heels to greet the firenese prince with just as sparkling a smile, cheeks lighting with a blooming glow at the familiar compliment. not everyone was a-hundred-percent sincere about it, but he'd never had any reason to doubt with him. "that's so nice of you say, prince alfred——thank you."

a little flare of the striped plaid half-skirt at his hips in both hands shows off that perfect cuteness on display today: a variation on the comfortable black and bold statement he'd often worn around on the somniel back in the war, complimenting his complexion and bringing out the color of his hair and eyes.

"i'd absolutely love to go flower-picking with you—we can try to see if there's one that matches me in cuteness." not super likely, but he never knows! he's definitely seen some pretty incredible ones before, and especially in firene.

"you'd have an eye for that kind of thing, huh? don't they call you the prince of flowers?"

"actually, while we're on the way, why don't you tell me all about it? your favorite flower, and what you think about all this competition stuff we're getting into. i'd love to hear it."

[stalwaria]

At first he's unsure if his eyes are failing him, then surprise painted itself in his visage and lastly joy stirred his movements and heart as he ran towards his retainer. How lucky had she had arrived in time for the ball!

"Etie!" Alfred chirped as he unclasped from his brooch a white feather and offered it to her without doubt or need for deeper bonds to be forged between them. Lips curved up and eyes crinckled in the softest of expressions and then, the prince continued speaking. "I didn't expect to you here at all! I'm so happy to see you and Céline will be too—if you haven't seen her yet. Is everything well back at home? Have you been well?"

But despite the gesture of exchanging born from the ball, he fell back to part of their bond's nature. "Now that you're here, we have to start training together again!" A laugh. "I missed your company and our jogs a lot."

It should have been surprising to have her prince approach her not even a moment after she steps into the ballroom—with this crowd, she didn't expect their reunion to happen so fast!—but it isn't.

Having him in her life, and seeing him smile and stroll about the place, felt like the most natural thing in the world.

"Prince Alfred! Didn't expect to see you so soon." He's already plucking a feather off his brooch, and Etie removes her crystal in turn. Straight and to the point. She appreciated that.

"Did you like my surprise? I wanted to come see this place for myself, and see if I could become even stronger, for you and Céline... and Firene, of course." She smiles, "Queen Eve's been handling the reconstruction efforts wonderfully. Florra Port looks almost like it did before..." Smile falters. "Well, you know."

"But training?" She perks right up again. "That sounds like my kind of party. I can slip these heels off and we can do a few laps around the garden! How about 10? Maybe 20? 30's not too much, is it?"

[dcggersedge]

[ 𝐇𝐔𝐌 ] ― sender hums a lullaby to lull receiver to sleep

five senses | Accepting!

She doesn't know the song.

Yunaka's back is pressed to the wall so that she doesn't have to toss and turn at the feeling of imaginary needles pricking across her skin from unseen eyes. As a result, she has no choice but to look at Alfred, lying in the same room as her, softly humming a song she doesn't know.

Firenese, she hopes. She's scared to ask. What if she's wrong, and it's something she should know? Something she only heard in another life, nearly a decade before they met? What if she's supposed to be remembering her mother's voice?

Yunaka closes her eyes. He doesn't have to do this. She told him when they first got here; she doesn't sleep a lot, she'll be awake on and off throughout the night, she'll do her best not to bother him. She opens her mouth, intending to say it again in the hopes that, for once, he'll just worry about himself.

When she opens her eyes, it's morning. The sunlight falling through the window lights up the room, and Alfred is already gone for a jog. Yunaka stares at the empty bed. In the quiet of the room, she can still hear the humming.

[firelles]

[ 𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖 ] ― sender hears receiver crying and approaches comfort them

Her recurring dreams follow her no matter where she may be resting; starry skies and crisp air never quite quell it. As her eyes widen and fingers tighten around the white blanket wrapped atop her, Céline propels herself upwards and saunters the empty halls until she finds the respite she so seeks amidst the flower-filled garden.

Perhaps her weeps are louder than she cares to admit; her cries for a thought she cannot erase sitting in her mind. As she bends forward to whisper to the flowers, she finds her tears dancing atop their petals. She takes a long breath; much more than she intends. The footsteps of her brother startle her into an upright position with a quiet sniffle and dismissal: "Alfred, why are you awake at this hour? Did I cause this? Forgive me, if so." Céline's eyes teeter between her brother and the rich sky peering through her sights.

Firene's princess uses the back of her hand to wipe away tears falling from her eyes. One falls quietly onto the ground near her feet as she inches herself to stand atop it. "I am fine. So, please.. There's no need to worry yourself over me. It's all but a restless night."

But she is not oblivious to the sight before her— To the concern atop Alfred's face. She looks down; towards her fingers knitting themselves against her person. "My dreams are nothing but that— A dream. If I remind myself of this, then.. I'll be alright. If you truly wish to comfort me, then.. Do rest."

[starrook]

[Champagne ] / i'm so sorry Alcryst he's a little. happy.

"Prince Alcryst, there you are!" The Firenese made his entrance with a half empty glass in hand, the liquid danced until his arm came to a halt close to his chest. Green eyes inspected the Brodian's outfit from head to toe and with an approving hum, he grinned. "Our outfits match a little bit, right?"

Alfred gestured at the cape and their boots, although the styles were completely different on the latter besides the length being similar, it didn't matter! Their suits' colors were the opposite, 'that's nice' Alfred thought and then jumped to talk about something else.

"I hope you're having fun! I sure am!" That was a thought he had shared with some people throughout the night, having fun was the most important of this! Alfred raised his glass and brought it up to his lips for a small sip. Then he took another and another one, lastly he looked at Alcryst. "Hm... hmmm... i wanted to bring you a glass to cheer, but they only gave me this one!"

Do they match? "I'm so sorry," Alcryst blurts out, though it becomes apparent that Alfred seems delighted by the coincidence. "Um... sorry, I shouldn't apologize. You're right... our capes match, don't they? They're different styles, but they're both blue." He notices the white and gold dominating Alfred's outfit, reminding him of the student uniforms but also of... "You sort of look like Emblem Sigurd, too," Alcryst adds with a small smile. "The blue, white and gold, I mean. It suits you."

The offer comes as a surprise. "Oh, because you're a student, right? So that's the only glass you can have for the night." Even thought Alcryst is younger, as a knight he isn't subject to the same restriction. "I already finished one earlier, but if you'd like to make a toast, I can get another one... as a knight, they can give it to me without much fuss."

There is some hesitation on Alcryst's part. He needs to remain clear-headed through the night if he's to perform his duties as a prince. If he gets drunk before the party is even half over, Diamant would never let him hear the end of it. At the same time... how bad can champagne be, really? Alcryst doesn't feel too bad after that glass he shared with his father. And he can't imagine it's that strong, considering how much it's used for parties. Maybe it would be fine to drink a second glass now...

The pressure Prince Alfred exudes is immense. To refuse a toast is out of the question. But would he see Alcryst as a child if he insisted on water or something instead? Would that kill the mood?

"...M-Maybe we can cheer with something else?" Alcryst suggests hesitantly. "Um, I wouldn't want you to waste your champagne on me... how about that sparkling water, instead? There's supposed to be a bunch of different flavors."