#princessmacedon

[rafent]

Fingers delicately dot and frame the young princess's face as she sits on the steps of one of the small huts in, ah, 'Weasel territory.' The thought scrunches her face with a particularly amused little giggle, lingering in crescent shape upon her lips long after the sound has faded.

It is this smile with which she greets one of her teammates as they come and go, waving from her perch quite happily. Though, she does pause a moment after catching their eye -- and then breaks from smile to grin, fuller and brighter, turning the points of each index finger to press lightly against her cheekbones. Whether or not he notices the vague similarities in their current hairstyles, Maria certainly has.

"Your hair is really pretty!" Her laughter rings with sincerity -- she knows full well he wears it better. Cupping her hands together, she presses her chin into their cradle, though that does not stop her from waving with her pinkies. "Hee hee... See you around, teammate!"

Screaming seagulls. Roaring waves. Blistering sunlight.

Oh so blistering sunlight.

Gradlon though far hotter was still his kingdom two millennia lost to the past. Rafal couldn't recall the last aeon where he'd stepped foot into a place so scorching. So distinctly. . .summery. Grumbling and grousing, half the time spent roaming the outdoor precinct was done with a hand shaded over his eyes. The other half wondering if he ought to invest in a cap or a visor to ward off sunburn. Bleary of eye, he glanced up as a hut came within viewing distance. There his gaze shortly stayed.

The coltish shape seated on its steps amounted to a dark smudge, twisted and contorted by heat wave. Only closer inspection yielded that it was a giggling, smiling, all-too-happy girl. What she could possibly be so happy about too was beyond his understanding. She said something - he knew only because she mouthed the words. Something barely perceptible over the roar of seaside wind and wave. Along the lines of 'pretty', and 'see you', and 'teammate', little fingers waggling like the tails and heads of worms. One could surmise the display to be greeting, and if unsure, even think to request for clarity.

Unfortunately, Rafal could hardly be considered sociable. What strange human custom, he thought only, as idly as noting an interesting rock or uniquely shaped cloud, and passed his presumed teammate. He returned to his silent mantra in search of the correct dorm and the next hut:

Screaming seagulls. Roaring waves. Blistering sunlight.

Oh so blistering sunlight.

[reddragonprincess]

"Wow!" Hands clasp together in absolute, unmitigated delight, tucked beneath her chin, rosy eyes set all a-sparkle. She has always known that her sister is wonderful and radiant, of course, but it is nonetheless a joy to see her shine off the battlefield. "Minerva, you look amazing today!"

Unpinning her brooch from her sash, she holds up her black feather, parted now from its two golden companions... achingly familiar, that, but still she smiles as she holds it up.

"Did you know? If you meet lots of people and trade-- decorations, this year!-- then they'll send you home with a treat! Oh, Sister, you'll trade with me, won't you? Please?" After all, though she keeps the heart of the wish to herself, she has long dreamed of sharing these festive, joyous celebrations with her siblings -- brother and sister both. The stamp cards and vines of yesteryear remain preciously held in her box of treasures; this memory, too, she will cherish.

The sound of her voice was unmistakable –soft, a bit chirpy and unbelievably strong. Minerva knew it was her and as she turned to face her, she was surprised to see her little sister in a long dress, actually making her seem older than she actually was and remarkably beautiful, but that was already known by the red-haired Macedon princess. She bowed her head, sketched a smile and she caressed Maria's cheek with the back of her index finger, catching the enthusiasm of her tiny body.

“You look wonderful, like you always do, my little one” she softened her tone, observing the brooch in her hands: the black feather, a very curious combination for her, but in some way, it actually fit her quite well. She listened to her request and with a murmured laugh, she gently unhook the string of pearls from her dress, inspecting it for a short moment, before turning her gaze to Maria.

“How could I say no to you?” she chuckled with a soft smirk upon her lips, handing over the brooch with care and placing a hand over hers. “Here, I’m sure you already met so many people from the monastery” she nodded, leaving her hand rest for a little longer, “Your deserved treat will come very soon!” she teased her with  mocking expression, noticing a familiar figure looming around the dance area.

“Have you seen Michalis too?”

[sereneshymn]

Oblivious to the psychic damage her old comrade turned competitor might take from a certain other Macedonian, Maria happily waves as she approaches the man, lemonade in hand.

“Sir Rafiel!” He was part of the faculty, wasn’t he? Or… wasn’t he? She turns the title over on her tongue, briefly contemplating forms of address before abandoning the thought altogether. What matters is that she recognizes him, and recognizes the color of his bandana.

“Hee hee… here, take this! It’s light and refreshing — it reminds me of you!” Smiling, she passes the drink into his hands. “And you’re on the… sheep team, aren’t you?” A finger raises to tap her own blue bandana, tied into a bow on her head. “We’re not teammates this time, but you and my brother are! He’s kind of grouchy, but he’s really strong! So…” Another laugh. “…good luck! I’m rooting for all of us!”

A little star twinkles in the corner of his mind, and before he even turns his face towards her fully, it is already adorned with a warm smile ready to greet her. Amidst this confusion born of an unfamiliar situation, few comforts offer him as much solace as the knowledge that he is not alone in it all.

"Little Maria," he greets, light laughter bubbling behind his words. "Please, just call me Rafiel. There is no need to be so formal with me - I'm just an infirmary helper. I'd like it if you could think of me as little more than a friend."

The drink she offers him is accepted with gratitude and a smile brighter still than it was a moment ago. "That does seem to be the case," he says. He still doesn't quite understand what is going on, so the words lack confidence behind them, but his expression remains calm and serene. "Your brother, you say? I will be glad to become acquainted with him. No worries about the character - I have some experience in this field." Well, that's what he says, anyway. The exactly nature of this experience he chooses not to go into.

Her laugh is joined by his, for friendship is one of life's greatest joys and treasures that he always wishes to partake in together with others. "Haha, I will do my best. Good luck to you and your team too, of course! I'll be cheering for you."

[renaisguy]

Perched on the steps leading into the hut that will be her temporary home, Maria perks up as another weasel makes their way over. She's greeted a couple of them already, but this one seems to be coming straight for the very same hut -- one of her new roommates, maybe?

"Hello!" She leans forward, bracing her palms against her chosen perch. "--you're a weasel too, aren't you? Hee hee!" The blue bandana marks him as such, at least, and she hops to her feet, waving as she hops onto the ground and out of his way. "My name's Maria! I think we're roommates!"

"Hello!" He waves back. "I'm Forde, nice to meet you." So this is his final roommate, huh? She's... younger than he expected. (By now he really should know better, this is a school trip after all).

"Or maybe I should say... it's weasel nice to meet you." Not the best pun in the world, but it's hard to come up with weasel puns at short notice. If he were on another team... it'd be stoatally different.

"I settled in earlier, took one of the lower bunks. Hope that's alright." He leans against the railing of the steps for a moment. "Lovely place, isn't it? I've already found three good nap spots!" He chuckles. "So if you ever want the room to yourself for a bit, just let me know, ok?"

[frauleindermorgen]

@princessmacedon sent:

[ Forestberry Jamwich ] "Oh, Micaiah!" It has been such a long time since they last spoke, but Maria's eyes light up in an instant at the sight of her. A walk hastens into a trot, and she lands at her side soon after, separating the cleanly cut halves of her snack. A few new bracelets dangle from her wrist as she shifts one half up for Micaiah to take, if she wishes. "Do you want to split this with me? Hee hee, I'm getting a little full... but I really wanted to try it!" Raising her half of her sandwich to her mouth, she takes a small bite, her gaze turning toward her wrist as she chews. A beat passes, and then she gently taps one of the bracelets with her fingertip.

"I got this one for Aphie," she explains with a smile soft upon her face. I bet she'd be causing so much trouble. I wish I could have given her a crepe. I think she'd have really liked it here. -- all thoughts she leaves unspoken; the ball is meant to be enjoyed, and she still has mischief to get into on someone's behalf. "It's pretty, isn't it? Hee hee... and the sandwich -- oh, jamwich! -- is tasty too!"

Maria's confident steps reminds her of the first time they met, before that mission. They have not spoken of it since, and she has not at all spoken of her second meeting with Aphea — and she thinks for the first time, perhaps she can share in Maria's bravery and do so, one day.

Today and in the now she takes the half of the sandwich offered to her, saying she would of course love to; deftly, she splits it in two and offers it back to Maria; "oh," she says covering her mouth, "it is quite good isn't it! I wonder what is in the jam. Perhaps I can try and make my own?"

Maria's pure thoughts of Aphie chorus around her even without words, and Micaiah takes a moment to really examine the bracelet the princess has indicated. "I think... that's a wonderful idea." She looks at her own accessories - just the standard brooches given out to and for others at the ball but her eyes stay on the black and a white feather, and she thinks of all the other plumage of birds. The animals the Aphie in the desert, and Aphie in the cave never got to see.

"I think I will make her something too. A bracelet of feathers. There are so many pretty birds around here; after all, and I am always finding fallen ones on my walks. Would you like to come with me on one Maria? We can eat jam sandwiches and search for feathers together."

[godofclosure]

From a distance, Maria sees someone she hadn't expected to see: Miss Embla, who had seemed to disdain most things light and bright and especially festive in the little time she had known her. Which made her presence here all the more curious, and especially worrying. What was Happyland so far if not a surfeit of light, bright, and festive?

So she circles around, returning a few minutes later with a simple flask of water. The heat and sunshine could be brutal, especially for those less accustomed to it.

"Hi, Miss Embla!" Maria smiles as she approaches, but keeps the exuberance of her voice to a gentle minimum, holding out the glass for the other to take. "It's pretty bright out here, huh? Here's some water, just in case."

The girl from the illusion… Maria, she believes it was? Strange, she can never seem to recall the name of mortals, nor does she ever care to, and yet… The sun must truly be getting to her.

Embla had of course noticed her amongst the crowd (as well as how she unfortunately wears a color different from her own this time, disappointingly), but she hadn’t expected she to be noticed. Or approached, for that matter. And to be given an offering no less, on such a thoughtful premise…

“Hmph. Do not worry yourself over me. I am fine.” Slightly-less-clawed hand takes the glass, only a slight hesitation in it, for once. This mortal doesn’t strike her as the type to poison such a thing as water. When was the last time she had water, anyway? Yesterday? A week ago? Centuries ago? Time is a blur.

“I should hope you have been… ‘hydrating’ as well. It would be inconvenient to your team if you were to pass out. Or worse.” It feels odd, advocating against ill will befalling her ‘enemies’. By all accounts, she should want them to pass out, or away. It would make winning easier, should their numbers thin. Still, she would prefer it happen to another, instead of her water source.

[aubins]

"Yuri!" The shape of their name lends itself too easily to a smile as Maria trots along the sands, both waving and laughing brightly as can be. Yet as her hand darts into her pockets and fishes, she comes to the dismaying realization that she has quite run out of gifts, snacks, and trinkets -- terrible, indeed.

"Oh, no..." She pauses, purses her lips, then frowns, though all of this is done without particular gravitas. "Hmm... I think I already ran out of treats. But I still have something for you! Here, hold out your hand!"

With her hand held in a fist, she waits, hoping they'll oblige her. Bring her hand over theirs, she opens her palm in splayed fingers and drops -- the point of her index finger, lightly tracing a flower on their hand.

"Hee hee... it's a promise! I know we're on different teams, but if you ever need me, just tell me, okay? I brought lots of medicine with me!" Rose red eyes glance toward the bandana denoting their team, a familiar, golden color she had just earlier tied into her brother's hair. It wouldn't be so bad, she thinks, if their team wins... Her hand retreats, catching a sparkling laugh.

"I'm still going to bring you something tasty later, though! Look forward to it, okay? Hee hee!"

“Maria.” And as the call of their name in her voice is so often accompanied by her smile and laughter, so is her name in theirs followed by a crease at the corner of their eyes, the faintest uptilt of their lip. A hand raises, waves and sends the yellow bandana tied around their wrist fluttering in the wind as lilacs dart to her own. They're not allies this time around, it seems. “Just my luck— I was about to go looking for you.”

“You don't owe me anything, you know.” If anything, their debts to her are the ones mounting. There's plenty of little trinkets and charms they must repay from over the years. But still they oblige, hand lowering from its wave to be held out, and the flower she traces there earns a faint laugh from the mockingbird.

Their other hand, which had been tucked behind their back thus far raises now to plop a flower crown onto her head, though the way it settles is a little lopsided. “Well, while we're on the topic— here. You're always giving me little gifts so I thought it's about time I returned the favor. I used to make them as a kid to keep my hands busy. Maybe it'll bring you good luck in the competition.” Someone ought to find fortune in flowers, when Yuri is so often used to the memory of them being bathed in blood.

Hands carefully reach over to straighten the crown atop her head, stepping back with a small smile once they're satisfied. “And I guess it's a promise too. I don't have any medicine with me, but I'm handy in plenty of other ways. If you need anything at all, just give me a shout. I'll be there.”

Because maybe the innocent wishes of a boy have been hidden in the petals of those flowers too. Be careful, Maria. Keep yourself safe.

But all Yuri voices with a pat to her shoulder in parting is, “I'll see you later, yeah?”

[ashenprofessor]

The next time she meanders into their hut, she finds someone else newly settled in. Like a light, Maria's expression brightens, a sizable bounce springing into her step as she trots over.

"Professor!" She pops onto her toes, clapping her hands together with delight. "You're a weasel, too? Hee hee! It looks like we're roommates!" With both Byleth and Edward on her team, and who knows how many future friends, the little princess can't help but feel that the Weasels' prospects are absolutely sunny.

Holding a finger to her lips, Maria grins, cutting her conspiratorial grin to halves.

"We should have a summer tea party while we're here! Oh, do you think they have any marshmallows? I heard you can toast them, and they get all puffy when you do!" Laughing, she pulls back again. "Oh, it's going to be so much fun! Don't you think?"

Byleth was lounging on their bed when the door opened. They sat up when they saw the familiar red hair of a certain Macedoneon princess entering. They hadn't realised they'd be sharing with her, their recent adventures into finding fairies popping into their mind. It had been a fun adventure in the wood which had even ended with some unexpected rewards.

"I am" Byleth agrees "Metaphorically of course" Though the image of Maria as a small red weasel was rather cute. "I've met Forde so far one of our other roommates. Seems like a nice guy, very polite. It's a good dorm we've got here"

A good team even, as they'd spotted their bestie Lincie and Hilda among those heading towards this cabin. Plus there were all the new allies to get to know.

"I'm sure we could find some. Building a bonfire on the beach would be the traditional way to do it. I recall that Jeralt got some for the troop one summer to celebrate a successful job." The melty sweetness of the gooey marshmallows had been heavenly. "I've heard they're even nicer andwiched between biscuits once melted"

[ulircursed]

Now that's someone she hasn't seen in a while! In milling closer to the center of population for a spell, Maria spies the man who had doggedly insisted she hate him on Gronder Field. It is a playful sort of defiance, then, that leads her to set down a half of a coconut with a loopy straw in it. Right beside him, as it were.

"They say coconut water is good for you! Have you tried it?" Hopping back a step or few like an inquisitive sparrow, Maria giggles and half-turns, torso twisting as she points to a distant gathering of people equipped with similar drinks.

"They'll take it back if you don't want to try it, okay? Hee hee!" And so she takes flight, eager not to overstay her welcome (if indeed she'd ever had one). "Bye-bye!"

Andrei truly cannot fathom why someone of her disposition would seek him out again, after their less than ideal first meeting. Surely, someone so relentlessly, almost stubbornly in good cheer does not lack for friends who are happy to see and spend time with her. Which made the fruit beverage and friendly chatter all the more baffling, when offered to him.

"I didn't ask—" But the defensive, barbed words are much less appropriate, now that they seem to be so far away from conflict, and really, it would merely be childish to hang onto battlefield banter long after the fight is over. Still, he falls silent, looking away with crossed arms instead of thanking her as she takes her leave, as cheerful and vivacious as she'd come.

When he is certain she'd gone, Andrei turns his gaze skeptically to the coconut, left beside him. To the straw, so illogically shaped as to almost be mocking. To the contents (is that not just slightly cloudy water?) within. He picks it up, inspecting it thoroughly.

Then he takes a sip.

...It has a refreshing, sweet aftertaste, like nothing he'd ever had before.

... ...It's good.

Hopefully out of the presence of any prying eyes, Andrei drains the contents of his undeserved gift, thoughts swirling a little off-kilter from the interaction.

Truly, he doesn't understand her at all.

[stalwaria]

Her chat with Alfred had left her in a bright mood. Maria hums as she leafs (hee hee!) through the blooms before her, straying from the orange blooms but picking all the flowers that look the prettiest beside them. That was what he'd told her, after all: she would likely love to meet Etie, who has orange hair and green eyes. In time she weaves another crown of flowers, and carries it gently in her search.

As far as she can tell, there's only one girl here with orange hair. "Hello!" Maria calls out, wiggling the fingers not occupied with holding her greeting-gift in lieu of a greeting-wave. And -- yes! Green eyes!

"Are you Etie?" Her head tilts slightly to one side, her smile inquisitive but warm. "Hee hee... it's nice to meet you! My name is Maria -- my friend Alfred was telling me about you! I gave him some flowers, and he said I'd probably like to meet you. So I wanted to say hi!" Holding out the flower crown, she beams. "Here -- I made one for you, too! It's really nice to meet you!"

The girl that approaches her is unfamiliar. But with a longer glance and bit of memory, Etie thinks she can recall seeing her amongst the other faces in her classes shared with the Lions. But classmate or no, she's always happy to welcome a friendly face.

Especially one bearing gifts.

"Yes, that's me. You're a friend of Prince Alfred's, then?" Made sense. Alfred was great at making friends. The man could charm a broomstick, if he wanted to. "Huh. He said that, did he...?" What was this, some sort of attempt at... friendship matchmaking? "Well, he'd be right about that. I love flowers, and I LOVE new friends. It's wonderful to meet you, Maria."

There's something calming in the flower crown Maria offers her, Etie smiling as she accepts the gift. Flowers were the most beautiful and fondest form of expression—to receive a gift so lovely, purely out of the kindness of a stranger's heart, was something so touching and precious.

"Thank you. These are gorgeous! And the craftsmanship? Immaculate." She smiles, "If you don't mind, could you tell me where you found these? I'd love to pick a few of my own. These rooms set out for us are nice and all, but I think they could do with a bit more color, don't you?"

[hresvelged]

In the calm before the inevitable storm, one red-headed girl sips from a glass until she spies a girl clad in red. Recognition is palpable; her posture straightens from its easy rest, chin lifted from its perch on the back of her hands, a straw with loops (Loops! Plural!) slipping from her lips as she grins. And, most obviously of all, she waves at her friend with fingers splayed.

"Edelgard," she calls, "Over here!" --over here, she says, yet the little princess slips from her seat with drink in hand to meet her. As the distance between them shrinks, she holds up her glass for the other to see. The drink itself is a pastel orange, a couple small slices of the fruit sitting on top. Like as not they were neatly set at first, though they have slowly begun to sink.

"They said it was orange... creamsicle? It's really yummy! You can try some of mine if you want!" Head tipping to the side, she giggles playfully. "If you want, we can even find one of these loopy straws -- look! Hee hee!"

Edelgard's solace is the crisp air, washing away her thoughts as she hears the sound of her name calling out to her. The kind familiarity of Maria meets her after only a few steps of her own, greeting her in kind with an up-wave of her right palm.

She can't help and loosen the tightly wound demeanor she tends to don— That, for but a moment, she can simply enjoy time with a friend as she carries a colorful drink on her person. "Orange creamsicle.. That does sound delightful."

Her tensed shoulders drop as she eyes the beverage from the lively display itself to the accompanying fruits only inches away. "Thank you, Maria. You found me at an excellent time. I would be happy to give it a try." Edelgard moves a finger towards the middle of the straw and light taps it, watching as it swirls gracefully within the cup.

A laugh escapes her pale lips as she moves the hand nearest her mouth to hide away her giggle. "I can't say I've ever used a.. loopy straw, was it? It certainly is befitting of its name." The resting smile looks past Maria, albeit brief, in wonderance of where she acquired it from. "Does it come in different colors? If so, I'll have to choose carefully."

[rafent]

In their trek back from the eastern island, Maria hastens her steps, struggling slightly as she attempts to catch up to a certain sunburnt someone.

"Rafal!" The little sister in her nearly moves to tug at his shirt, but she thinks better of it in the same breath. Instead she only trots alongside him, her expression brightening, grin widening, should he deign to favor her with his attention. "Could I ask you something real quick?"

Her chin tilts upward by a hair as rosy-hued eyes scan his face for any sign of an angry flush to his skin. Leaning over slightly, she cups a hand to her mouth, a secret for the two of them.

"Are you feeling alright?" She whispers, blinking at him with concern. "You looked a little woozy when I saw you before the game. Hee hee... if you drink some extra water, I'll share some of my candy with you when we get back, okay?"

Thudding heel and exerting breath arrived at the fore of his attention, belonging to an even smaller and weaker human than the average. Maria, provided his realization, and curiously not with great distaste. For her, powerful strides curtailed to a manageable pace; not for his consideration toward shorter legs, of course, but the mystery to be unearthed of their owner's presence. Ally the girl was, unimaginably naive she was also. Much too like a kindly Divine One known once before, and known again now.

"What is it." Cynical per norm, friendly never. Question, she sought to ask, and Rafal could imagine a dozen on his own, thoroughly aligned with topics of their defeat, disappointed reflection over the outcome, and even favor. Not a single one of those considerations encompassed well-meaning inquiry over his condition.

Exasperation released on a quiet sigh, her choice somehow expected but unbelievable all the same: "So you remembered? Observant, I shall say—in addition to guileless. It was not I who was first to fall among our party, and unlike yourself, I do not suffer from fallible human weaknesses either. In that way, it is your own well being that you should concern yourself with."

With that counsel his advance resumed, taken to seeming normalcy and then some; long, forward steps without hesitation, self-assured tone with commanding resonance; only an air of nonchalance remotely out of sorts. Very important reminder that he would not forget the very important offer made.

". . .As for your candy. Whether it is worthy, I shall be the judge of that.

[arcstral]

Ever the busy bee, some time passes before Maria presents herself before the Hero-King, though he might not have missed her peeking at him every time she passed by. Then finally, once she's certain he isn't busy, and with her own preparations seemingly complete, the little cleric skitters over happily.

"Prince Marth!" Holding up two juice boxes, one to either side of a toothy grin, Maria then places the drinks beside him. Rising with middle and index fingers newly upheld, there comes a conspiratorial giggle before she shifts her number into a wall, cupping the corner of her mouth.

"Two juice boxes, just for you!" Not that it's anything to be ashamed of -- there's no rule about how much juice someone can have, and Maria wouldn't break the rules if there was -- but the point of it all is the fun of a shared secret. When she retreats, it's with a smile, a wink, and then a freely flowing laugh.

"Don't tell anyone, okay? Oh, and good work out there! Hee hee."

For the watchful Marth who surveys his surroundings, the medical tent thrums with the coming and going of people, not all who enter mundanely in a featureless way identical to others come before them. A fact most gladdening at that, for what a bore such monotony would be! Instead, a familiar robin twitters and her familiar mischief glisters; peeking and passing for many instances, before trumping them all with her eventual approach. The commingling of these things springs an unthinking smile to the Hero-King's face before he can put a thought to its appearance.

When confined to bed rest and recovery the lack for things to do seeds a contrary state of unrest, but an eventful visitor or two is enough to split that spell in half. Welcoming her presence, cornflower eyes land expectantly upon Maria on the brink of greeting, then blink rapidly as not one but two drinks are posited in the space beside him. Testimony, of course, to the ways of a benevolent trickster.

"Oh? I am truly honored to be the target of such a mysterious benefactor."

He chuckles in immediate understanding at the secrecy, with one singular breathy laugh - not too loudly as to draw attention, either. A good and upright king might put in a word of reprimand, but Marth at least in this respect is not the spotless moralist that others think him to be. With Maria as the mastermind, and Marth as accomplice, they will both share in the most sinister, world-ending duplicity evocative of children stealing one too many treats from a midnight pantry.

"I would return the sentiments fully to you, dear Maria. Your work on and off the field is appreciatively observed." As she makes to leave, he raises his juice box in a playful gesture of toast, the other tucked with pantomimed secrecy behind his back; a pirate's plunder too selfishly guarded for viewing by any other eyes. Sealing the vow between them is a wink, returned in kind. "—and will not go told."

[reddragonprincess]

Between her exuberant gait, the delighted call of her sister’s name, and the fact that she loves her very, very much! It is nigh impossible to miss the advent of the littlest princess of Macedon as she attaches herself to the Red Dragoon’s side with all haste.

“Minerva!” She exclaims, wrapping her arms around the other’s waist affectionately, cheek pressed to her side. “Sister! Happy birthday!”

Though she has never forgotten a letter (just how many of them ever made it to her, though? The years she has lived no longer match the years of her body), it still feels too long since she has had the opportunity to tell her in person… or perhaps she has simply had too few chances.

“Happy birthday!” She repeats, for all the times she had to tell her by letter; and then, for good measure: “Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday!

Wriggling slightly, she peers up at her with a toothy grin, chin still brushing against Minerva’s side. It’s only when she manages to find and seize one of the dragoon’s hands that she pulls away just slightly, content— for the moment— to gently swing their joined hands instead.

“I have a surprise for you! Are you free? May I show you? Please?” Her other hand closes over the reverse side of Minerva’s, eyes shining as she bounces onto her tiptoes. “Oh, but only if you have enough time!”

And, should the elder have the time to indulge the younger in her whims and doting, Maria shall lead her— without letting go!— to the dining hall, where a familiar feast awaits. A slight excess of Minerva’s favorite Macedonian dishes sit waiting on a table, marked by a small vase with a little collection of hand-picked flowers. Then, when she has settled in and had her fill, Maria will fish something from her pocket (“Hee hee… close your eyes!”) and place it into her waiting hand.

A gem of resin, familiarly crimson, and perhaps a bit too large to be easily worn — better as a paperweight, like as not. How else was it to encompass the treasures within? Sitting all together, prettily, closely arranged: a wyvern’s scale, two pegasus feathers, and a sprightly daffodil.

Once again, that day of they year has eventually come and Minerva couldn't be happier to be in company, this time: she used to spend most of her birthdays alone, with any of her family members by her side (of the few remaining, just Maria probably was the most waited and the most desired, in her dreams); she had been exchanging letters, little poems, drawings and funny objects with her, but finally, all these things could be handed face to face, hands to hands, heart to heart.

She was expecting her, of course, but not with such switness and eaherness in manners and voice: her rapturing embrance was heart-warming, so long-desired that Minerva was almsot speechless as she tried to reply to her little sister Maria.

"Thank you so much Sis, you really are something, heh" she let a little laugh leaked from her lips as she surrender to her sister attentions, as well as her her delicate touch and tightening of her hand's grip; she gently took Maria's hand in hers, swinging a little as to mimic the cute movement of the little sister.

A surprise..? She listened to her with perplexed eyes, though not really minding the fact that she actually did organize something for her: she wasn't used to this, not anymore, at least. With much curiosity and a hint of perplexity, Minerva made a little nod and then she swiftly followed the little sister along the way, until the two of them reached the main dining hall of the monastery: as soon as they entered, there was a gaudy buffet all well prepared in the middle of the room, on the tables all kind of delicacies from Macedon, most of them were actually Minerva's favourite, as Maria greatly knew the taste of her big sister. Yet, that wasn't just it, there was more.

With a kind whisper, Maria gestured Minerva to close her eyes and as the red-haired princess closed it - cupping her hands as Maria asked for - she suddenly felt something cold and of a peculiar form get in touch with her skin; she eagerly opened her eyes just to find out a beautuful gem made of resin gently placed in her hands, as well a line of cute treasures that she and Maria had used to search when they were little -all to remind the good old days spent together, in peace.

Shifting her gaze towards the little princess, she threw her arms around Maria's little silhuette, overwhelming her with affectione and sincere gratitude for all that she prepared just for her.

"I..couldn't be happier" she whispered to her ear, muffling the words with a tender kiss on the cheek of the sister, "Thank you for this wonderful surprise, Maria --I love you dearly" and she rested her head against hers, enjoying the sisterly moment she waited for so long.

[goldoanheart]

[ Street Crepe ] The food vendors seem to recognize her as the night drags on, but how can she help it? Their treats are too good not to be shared! And so that is what she does, this time wandering around in search of a specific someone.

And there he is! "Kurth!" As she picks up her pace by what measures she can, her hands curl protectively around the dessert she's brought him. "Hee hee... here, I brought you something! I hope you like it!"

Like an exact science or a particular art, she hands over the street crepe oh so carefully. Craning her neck to peer down at it, she explains: "I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I tried to get something that reminded me of you! This one's got apples and cinnamon, and a little bit of... I think he said it was a hazelnut spread?"

Falling back to her feet only to rock onto her heels, she grins, reaching for her waist to procure a black feather.

"And this one's from me!" A laugh, free and bright. "Do you want to trade?"

"Maria!!!" Kurthnaga would have picked her up right then and there, spinning her around until she was so dizzy that she couldn't stand up straight. That was, he would have done that, if she hadn't just handed him a terribly delicious looking crepe.

He is suddenly aware that he hasn't eaten much this evening, stomach growling loudly as he stared at the crepe now in his hands. How sweet of Maria to bring it to him!

Kurthnaga laughs softly as she offers her feather to him, struggling to hold his treat in his hand as he reaches for his own trinket, a small jingling bell that he offers in return to the small girl.

"It would be my honor, Maria," It was so nice to be able to talk to both friends new and old tonight. How could he not be excited?! Augh, if only he had a hand free to pat her head! "Thank you!"

[lionsword]

( a kiss after treating a wound )

“All better,” she hums, setting the roll of bandages on the ground beside her. Without so much as a moment’s hesitation, she plants a featherlight kiss against the newly-laid wrappings ‘round his knee, then to grin up at him with a toothy smile knocked askew in gentle affection. “And now it shouldn’t hurt anymore, either!”

It’s a bit of mischief on her part; she’s long, long past the age of spells like that which her father taught her. Dusting off her dress and standing back up, she leans forward a bit to impress her next point:

“But be careful with it for a little bit, okay?” And it melts into another smile. “You’re important, Roy.”

He should have expected such a sweet gesture from Maria, and it did make him want to awww at her. Did everyone who had something of a little older sister have one like this? He bet he was just really lucky.

"Thank you, Maria, it's better already. I swear I'll be careful." Nobody should think to cross a healer's orders.

Roy stood up and pulled Maria in for a hug, giving her a gentle squeeze. Her words stirred his heart and he made sure to let the hug last. "You're important too."