Fantasy Festival of Fantasy (Revamped)

[temporarybliss]

Romance is a tricky topic, especially when it comes to royalty. Royals are expected to marry other royals and yet can’t marry certain royals due to their own duties to their own kingdoms. The entire thing is beyond complicated. This is why the Festival of Fantasy was created. Even though some rulers aren’t the biggest fans of the idea, others don’t mind as long as their children leave happy. It doesn’t matter what they think though, as the Garene Emperor, who rules over them all, has made it a custom no one can escape.

It’s an event where anyone and everyone has a chance to find love, whether you are the eldest Prince about to ascend the throne or a young seamstress just dreaming of a way out of your debts. Today the festival begins. Today each guest has the chance to find love among the other royals and commoners. It’s a long-running tradition, one that no one should want to spoil. After all, everyone seeks some kind of love and acceptance, whether it be romantic or platonic. Of course, the end goal is to find a husband or wife to help lead your kingdom or vice versa, but other great partnerships have come from the festival as well.

The first event of the Festival has officially begun with everyone receiving a flower on their pillow the night prior along with a note, ‘Flowers bloom and so will you, at the festival of flowers find your match and open the hatch to get to know one another.’ The goal is to find the person wearing the same flower as you, whether it’s in their hair, on their wrist or pinned to a suit, the goal is the same. It’s an introductory event at most, so no one should feel any pressure. Not yet anyway.

Flower Fest

/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.

 

[SilverFlight]

PRINCE OF TAIRIS

MOOD.

Thoughtful, but worried.

OUTFIT.

TAGS.

Fluffy-Kat Terrier B Historia Calamatium

Keenan adjusted the cuff-links on his sleeves. He hadn't detected the servant coming in to place the flower, and now it sat on a side table, delicate petals of vibrant orange against cool marble. His stomach was in knots, of all the traditions of the empire to which he belonged, he had dreaded this one the most. How could one expect to make bonds so quickly? And under this sort of pressure?

Keenan was no stranger to pressure, he had learned from a very young age how to place it upon himself. Still, law was law, and Keenan wouldn't disgrace his family or his kingdom by defying it.
He drew a long, deep breath and glanced at the table before reaching down and taking the living symbol of this event. Marigold. A burst of sunset against the evening-blue of his coat. It rested in the central link of the golden chain that held his cloak over broad shoulders.

"All right Keen." He told his reflection in the stand mirror by the bed. "You're going to make the most of this, now get out there."
He did not feel the confidence in his voice, still, he steeled himself, and opened the door.

It took him only a little wandering to make his way down to the festival grounds, the wonderful gardens that had been prepared so carefully just for this event. The trees, hedges and beds were utter perfection and the sweet scent of the blooms accosted his nose in the gentlest way. Keenan cleared his throat and straightened, attempting to cut the royal figure everyone expected of him. He began to scan the scene, but for the moment, he wasn't looking for the other marigold, no, Keenan was looking for his siblings. He would never say it, but he desperately wanted reassurance from a familiar face, before he launched himself into the emperor's little game.

"It'll be alright, you have this Keenan. You're the crown prince of Tairis for Imerium's sake. You can handle yourself."
Perhaps talking to himself wasn't a habit he should encourage, still, presently it gave him just that little sliver of confidence he needed.

Prince Keenan

/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.

 

[Fluffy-Kat]

Noblesse, Princess of Tairis​

"God..." Filled to the brim with disdain, a much too familiar face stared back in the gold-framed mirror. Noblesse's reflection certainly looked like herself, but the clothing this doppelgänger wore seemed alien, or perhaps it was the reasoning behind this get up that made her uncomfortable in this skin of imported silks and fine jewels. Indeed she was used to this sort of fancy, and often loved an excuse to dress this exquisitely, but this day was different. This day it was out of requirement, it was expected of her, "I feel like a trussed up calf at the county fair...." she couldn't help but continue to stare at the woman she saw in the mirror, unable to blink due to sheer disbelief. Noblesse struggled for a breath, grasping for an ounce of air (or lack of) in her laced corset, still adjusting to its constriction. A shakey hand moved to her abdomen as she wheezed, tilting her head to the side slowly, stare still unbroken. As if a different angle would get rid of the dread she suffered from this sore sight before her.

"Don't say such things, Your Royal Highness, you look lovely!" A younger woman approached the princess' side in the mirror, admiring her work of dressing the princess in a beautiful green gown with equally beautiful beading. "And before you ask, no, you may not leave this room without that corset," she scolded light-heartedly, moving the princess' hand back down at her side gently.

Noblesse huffed, "Who ever invented this....cage for the 'fairer sex'...should be hung" she mocked, earning a disapproved glare from her lady's maid. "Publicly," she added. "And if they're already dead, I'll hang their remains over the mantle myself..."

"Nonsense, do not speak of such awful ideas. Besides, if every woman can wear one, then I'm afraid Her Royal Highness is no exception." Noblesse flashed a defeated look, complete with a pout of her rosy lower lip and a pinch of her eyebrows. Her maid, who went by the name of Alice, chuckled at the childish reaction, "It's not as bad as you make it seem, m'lady. You get used to it the more you wear it," she tried to convince the defiant princess. "Make sure this subject leaves your thoughts if a man is to approach you tonight. They don't often take a liking to conversing about women's things," she added. Courtship advice from a virgin maid that was younger than herself, how comedic. As was this whole event; nothing but a humorous show to the unenthused princess. Noblesse finally broke eye contact with the mirror to roll her eyes. The kind faced girl beside her took a double take at the clock on the mantle of the guest room and gasped, "Princess! You should make haste, your siblings will be waiting," with swift steps the girl crossed the floor and opened the bedroom door, awaiting the exit of her princess with a bowed head and a curtsy.

Noblesse sighed, her gaze taking in one last look of the unrecognizable woman before her. She gathered her skirts to move more freely, "And first prize goes to...." she muttered under her breath, and entered the corridor.

"Oh! Don't forget this," Alice reached into her pocket and produced a folded cloth. Unwrapped, she revealed a single, white primrose flower. The princess picked up the delicate bloom by the stem and twisted it with her thumb and finger, "Right," she sighed, and tucked the stem behind her left ear.

The faint melody of music was just a whisper in the hallway. With Alice in tow, Noblesse reached a mezzanine that worked as an intersection of other corridors on the upper floor. Quietly, trying to go unnoticed, she placed her hands on the rail and leaned over to observe the movement below. Royals, their attendants, and other people of importance were beginning to make their way in, and all headed toward the same destination -- the gardens. Noblesse descended down the staircase and joined a small crowd dressed just as exquisitely as she. She turned a closed hand fan over and over with her fingers restlessly. Her amber-brown eyes, in a golden glow from the surrounding candle light, scanned the heads that bobbed up and down in a kaleidoscopic sea of rich-colored fabrics and precious stones. Stones of her own, fashioned as a tiara, twinkled on the top of her head while she fluidly snaked through this parade of snobbery and high society. Eager to find any of her three siblings, Noblesse bee-lined for the double doors leading to the gardens, ignoring the greetings and respectfully bowed heads as she brushed passed the festival's participants, "Princess! Slow down," Alice called behind her, some three or four people between them. She apologized and politely excused herself to others around her as she struggled to keep up, tripping over own dress occasionally, "Princess!"

The crisp, evening air was much needed for her desperate lungs, and it didn't take long for the princess to spot the firey red hair of her eldest brother Keenan, to which her very own hair matched the same shade -- long and curled, half up in a braided bun, while the other half draped down to the small of her back. That red hair was trademark to the Tairis children. Not only was the color a symbol of their kingdom, but it well represented the passion and audaciousness the siblings shared. Noblesse thanked Alice, once she caught up, for escorting her and granted her leave to stand with the other lady's maids that lined the perimeter of the gardens like pretty wall flowers. Noblesse approached her brother's back and tapped him on the shoulder with two fingers, "I had hoped to have a decent conversation with my brother to calm my nerves, but if I'm interrupting something I can always make my rounds and circle back later," she raised her eyebrows and smiled. "Although I'm afraid if I entertain anyone with conversation I'll get bored of what ever subject they manage to strike up," her eyes scanned the party attendants and could imagine what frivolous and shallow conversations were taking place around them. The young princess has had the pleasure of meeting other noblechildren in her child years and even at that age most were already spoiled and pompous, she wanted no relation with them at that age and still didn't care much for it now. The princess waved down a young servant, dressed in a nice suit with a tight bow-tie around his neck. She plucked a flute glass from the tray he held in one hand, and flashed a smile as thanks before he left with a bow. Pressing the glass to her lips for a sip she turned to her brother again, crinkling her nose from the fizz in her drink, "Forget death by disease or illness, I suspect death by conversation to get me before the age of forty," she scoffed before taking another sip. Noblesse was not known for her cynicism, but taking part in an event out of obligation rather than choice can bring that out in a person.




SilverFlight

 

[.chxrryette.]

mood.

Nervous, yet excited all the same

outfit.

tag.

Maia weldherwings

The entire night, Eridanus listened to the beating of his heart. Initially, he might have misconstrued this feeling as excitement, but the dread that followed only reinforced his suspicions; he was anxious. Even though the Festival of Fantasy was already upon him, he still felt uneasy. Despite practicing his introduction and memorizing topics to discuss with potential matches in the weeks leading up to the event, he felt woefully unprepared.

However, a sense of curiosity accompanied the anxiety that festered within him. This event will mark the very first time that many kingdoms will visit Solstice, and it was exciting, to say the least. The prospect of meeting other princes and princesses from far and wide gave him a sense of novelty. Having always been curious about the world beyond Solstice, he was delighted to finally have the opportunity to indulge his curiosity.

Even so, he could not shake that vile feeling of dread regardless of how enthusiastic he thought he was. Many intrusive thoughts materialized in his mind throughout the night, occupying his conscience with endless questions. What if you make a fool of yourself? What if you never find your future queen? What if the other royals consider you a disappointment? What if, what if, what if. His sleepless nights before the festival were the consequences of these worries.

His gaze was fixed on his bedroom's ceiling, unmoved, despite the fact that the festival would begin in two hours. It was very unusual for him to act this way. Usually, he would be the first in attendance at these types of events, but these worrying thoughts made him sluggish. At this point, he might as well consider himself late. He dragged a hand down his face as he lay in bed for a few minutes, whispering to himself, "I don't need this. Any of this."

Looking to his left, he examined the flower he had received the night before. A tulip was assigned to Eridanus, and he imagined the other recipient’s appearance, personality, and voice. While this was only speculation, imagining a kind and sweet princess helped alleviate some of his anxiety. Taking the tulip gently in his hands, he twirled it slowly, admired its shape and petals. His focus then switched to the warm golden light streaming through the bedroom's two large windows and opulent curtains. He was still in bed even though it was already morning. What are you doing to yourself, Eridanus?

“I need to get up,” Eridanus said to himself, much louder than before.

As Eridanus placed the tulip back down, he forcibly hauled himself out of bed and to his dressing room.

- - -

Eridanus' confidence would benefit greatly from having someone accompany him to the festival. Unfortunately, he was certain Esme would already be on her way to the gardens, but Maia on the other hand…

Eridanus shook his head in annoyance, already picturing his sister lying in bed and fast asleep. Or perhaps, she would be preparing herself to leave for the festival as well? The more Eridanus thought about it, the more he realized that was more of a dream than a reality.

Observing himself in the mirror, he pulled his silk waistband taut with the tulip stem caught in the center knot. His attention was drawn to trivial details of his garment, hair, and face after a few seconds. In order to best represent Solstice, he made certain every angle of him was perfect. First impressions mattered, and he was determined to do the job right. After he smiled at himself in the mirror, he was greeted with an equally as dashing smile in return.

Yes, this will do.

If he continues to make these incessant adjustments, he will be late, and his chances of making a good first impression will be ruined. If he stayed, he might discover yet another flaw in his appearance.

The clock in his main bedroom caught his eye as he exited his dressing room. With only an hour until the festival's start, he had to check on his sister, Maia. In no time at all, he left his bedroom and began walking quickly down the hall towards her room. In response to his subsequent thoughts, Eridanus furrowed his eyebrows and compressed his lips to form a frown.

“Maia is getting ready right now. Yes, she will be getting ready right at this moment.” Eridanus thought, trying to fool himself into believing the impossible and further delaying the inevitable.

It seemed like the brainwashing worked since Eridanus was surprised to see Maia still fast asleep with little to no movement. He was about to physically throw her out of her bed, but he could not muster the gall or the energy to do so. Instead, he reached her bedside, leaned in slightly, and vigorously shook her.

“Maia, wake up! The festival starts in an hour. You need to get up right now!” Eridanus would not allow her to be late, much less appear at that festival in such a disheveled look.

✦ Prince Eridanus of Solstice ✦

/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.

© weldherwings.​

 

[weldherwings]

mood.

let me sleeeeeeeeeeep please!!!

outfit.

tag.

.chxrryette.

Princess Maia of Solstice

The cold, crisp morning dew tickled her bare feet as she wandered into the thick fog enveloping her surroundings. Her dress dragged along the forest floor, staining its ivory fabric and tearing at the slightest touch. A shaky exhale revealed her breath before her in the icy air not before a shiver took over her body. Such a large, elaborate dress laid firmly and snuck upon her body, but nothing to catch or throw out the chill that whipped up against her bare skin. The forest before her was breathtaking; the trees were tall and towering, the grass was fresh, green and inviting enough to roll down their hills, and the river’s water glistened in delight. Her scenery was quite calming and relaxing, but there was… something.

She didn’t know what it was, but it was there. Lurking.

Taking short, stagnant steps, Maia made her way around her surroundings. Taking in every scent, touch, and sight, wanting to explore this sensation of peace and tranquillity. But the ruffling of the nearby bushes caught her attention. The sensation of a breath running down her spine shook her scared. She was not alone; as she felt before, there was someone lurking. Without even a gaze around, Maia knew what she had to do. She had to run, and quickly. Her feet were numb from the frosty Earth beneath her, and the air around her was causing sharp, piercing aches to her lungs as she sprinted through the forest.

“You can run Princess,” a voice echoed behind her ”But it’s all useless. You will be mine.”

Maia released an exacerbated welp entangled in a cry for help. The further she ran into the forest, the thicker the fog emerged. Her feet were on fire, and the roots of each tree clawed the hem of her dress, aiming to take her down. Finally, gravity was the one to sell her out. A lifted root stood in the way of her impaired pathway and her foot hooked it causing her to fall into a pit of roses. Maia was full of willpower, but here she laid covered in mud, exhausted, aching, and with thorns piercing into her skin. She tried to hold it all together, pushing away the vines of roses that began to wrap her figure. Alas, she was failing as she began to hyperventilate through the tears.

“You will be mine, Maia” the voice said once more. Wide, emerald panicked eyes gazed from the luscious roses that began to take her deeper into pits to the direction of the voice. There stood a tall, dark figure; nothing more than a silhouette with soul-piercing illuminated eyes. “Maia… Maia… Maia…”

---​

“Maia, wake up! The festival starts in an hour. You need to get up right now!”

Only half of the sentence met the sleeping girl’s ear. In her classical, oh so typical Maia way, she had fallen asleep on her stomach, mouth wide open, legs sprawled and hair amess. Deep in a translucent dream, it was the voice of her dear brother that had brought her back into existence. Well, sort of. One second she was dead to the world, and other… well…

“Piss off, you demon!” bellowed the voice of a half-asleep Maia, raising her arm with great force to meet with her ‘demon’s’ face. To assist with the motion and to put full force into her movement, Maia had put her whole body into it, landing her into a half upright position. Her blonde locks sprawled over her face, causing quite a mission to see the face of her attacker. Maia pushed back her hair from her eyes to see just exactly who had been chasing her through the forest and into her doom.

“Oh! Eri!” she spoke in slight shock, her eyes wide and her lips partly ajar. She reached out her hand towards her dear brother, attempting to show some sort of care and comfort towards him “Are you o- yeah, you’re okay. Suck it up, buddy.” She didn’t even bother finishing asking if he was okay, and went straight to manifesting it along with a pat on the side of his arm. And right back down she went; flat onto her stomach, head buried into her pillow and snuggled under her blanket. Who needed fancy dresses when you could spend the rest of your life caccooned in your nightgown?

It had taken Princess Maia far too long to fall asleep last night. Anxiety riddled her helpless as she stared at the walls of her bedroom, replaying moments over and over like an overworked film projector. Her father addressing her in the late hours, pleading with her to be on her best behaviour today, was embedded into her mind. What if she ruined everything today? What if the person she was paired up with didn’t like her and thought she was weird? What if… what if her family ended up being completely and utterly disappointed in her? And then, at a certain point of the night, her anxiety was fuelled by a new overwhelming sense of dread. She had to be perfect. She had to wake up on time. She had to be this princess that every kingdom expected her to be.

Which now left her with only three or so hours to sleep. Considering Maia was well known throughout the castle for her amazing abilities to sleep like the dead, she was in danger. And right now, was a prime example of the danger of which she was in. An hour until the festival and she was without her make-up, hair or dress. Forget breakfast because that was only going to make her look bloated, and with that corset pressed up against her stomach, it was probably going to make her want to crap herself.

“Erriii” she groaned from her lovely, comfortable, warm bed, pressing her eyes closed to avoid the morning shine “I’ve already messed up today. Go on without me. Find a beautiful partner to rule the kingdom. Just don’t find someone smarter than me. I want to be able to talk to whoever you marry without having to carry around a dictionary.”

/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.

 

[Terrier B]

LEONINE of TAIRIS
The beginnings of it all,

MOOD - Admittedly, a little nervy.
Palms Sweaty, Moms spaghetti.
TAGS - SilverFlight & Fluffy-Kat
The Tairisian Kids.

ATTIRE

Spoiler: Leo's 'Flower Fit'

---

What does, or rather, 'would', it really mean to be married?
Should she fear it still? Or had she finally resided in solitary dread for long enough.
She had known love before, known it well. Was something like marriage all that different? ​

---

Leonine had awoken in the small hours.​

Long before the first light of day had crept its way along and over the Palace walls, but still technically within the realm of early morning. She had dreamt of her Mother in the night, of being a child again, and a conversation held so long ago she could no longer be certain if it ever truly happened at all. The dream had rattled her thoughts thoroughly, as if they had needed more provocation to begin with. And although her body had to drag itself reluctantly kicking and screaming into waking, she simply could not settle her mind into resting further. If she must be awake, her time could still be put to good use though. So instead of wasting it tossing and turning for another handful of hours, Leo set herself to wandering in earnest.
A rather keen hobby of hers as of late .​

​

Still in half of her Night clothes, with a pair of old hunting boots and trousers hastily thrown on for supposed decencies sake, she quietly left the room, and set off towards her destination. Despite the ungodly hour, the Palace was already beginning to light aglow with activity. Preparations for the upcoming events of the day ahead began to take shape before her eyes. She garnered the odd look here and there from the occasional servant or party planner, but otherwise went undisturbed in her meanderings. She had studied what little of the Palace's layout that she could from the view her room provided, and from this knowledge managed to make her way to the exterior walls and ramparts without losing her bearings too badly. It was both her, and to a degree the whole Kingdom of Tairis', first occasion of permitted visitation to Solstice in years. She wanted to take in all that she could while the chance remained open to her. She studied the structure of the Palace's exterior protection carefully, arms behind her back and brow knitted together in studiously silent examination. She circuited the upper walls nearly eight times in total, all with long slow steps and careful consideration of every Turret, Merlon and Embrasure she saw. In truth, the somewhat nerd-like militarian within her found the whole thing intensely fascinating. It was intriguing to see where differences in construction and layout showed themselves comparatively between Solstice and Tairis. Just simple little changes, characteristics here and there, that could possibly alter the entire tone and personality of an offensive siege completely. If her mind had been less distracted before she set out from her room, she'd have brought a notebook or parchment of some kind to take a few notes. But thinking of it further, she wondered how accepting the Solstice officials would be of such a blatant transcribing. The Solstisians were in no way completely secretive, but it seemed they were indeed being purposefuly elusive with regards to certain elements of discussion and information.​

​

While atop the Palace walls, Leonine made small chit-chat with a handful of patrolling guards. Initially they seemed both surprised and wary of a rather immodestly dressed Tairisian Royal asking them how well or not well their particular style and fitting of armour faired them when the rains came down. But if Leo knew one thing well, it was soldiers, and once aware and comfortable with the Lieutenant's knowledge of basic military routine and service, conversation managed to flow about as naturally as it could be expected to. They told her what their armour was made of, but not where the metal was actually sourced, what certain crests on their weapons depicted, but not who they actually represented, etc. While friendly, it was a conversation of half answers. And when the Sun was at last well and truly situated in the heavens, Leonine politely excused herself, and made her way back to her room.​

​

An amiable chat between such like-minded acquaintances had done her good, it would seem. For she felt marginally calmer than the jittery restlessness of her initial waking. With the Flower Festival still a good few hours away though, she busied herself with other menial tasks. Anno was fed and seen to, a report about daily life back home replied to, and she even managed to squeeze in a bath for good measure. Time spent and wasted aptly as the Festival drew ever closer. One of the few perks of her powers in particular was that one never had to particularly worry about the water in a bath getting cold, so with this in mind, she had made it quite a long one. In fact, possibly too long. Despite it all, Leo had now managed to make herself borderline late to the Festival. A chorus of voices, chatting, singing and laughing had risen up through the floors and walls while she withered away within the tub. It was only upon hearing the official courtiers announcement of the genuine start of the Festival, that she had finally decided that it perhaps might just be a good idea to go ahead and get ready for the dreaded thing. And so she removed herself from the bath, draped herself in a towel and sat on the end of her bed glaring at nothing in particular for at least half an hour or so first for added good measure.​

---

Up to this point in time, Leonine had not employed the talents or skill of a personal Maid. Her own hobbies and interests had never really required the service of one, so why bother wasting the money had been her main course of reasoning thus far. However, upon the approach of the Festival, and in addition to the persistent nagging of her Father, Royal Advisors, and every single Courtier she had spoken to in the last few weeks, eventually she had relented and hired a young girl named Anise. Anise was actually the younger sister of a good friend and personal squire back home, and as of such (And at least in Leo's opinion), Anise ticked two boxes of assistance; General maid-ery, and occasional Armour-Bearer/ Equerry. Two for one, an absolute bargain really.
The two hadn't spent enough time together yet for Leo to form a fully cohesive opinion about her personally, but in a sense this was almost preferable. Anise acquired what was needed for each particular event, provided assistance when directly needed, but otherwise interfered with her routine little. Leo had personally guessed she was a little shy of her still in all honesty. But ultimately, for the time being, she was grateful for the temporary solitude, she'd have to do enough mingling and socialising here as it it. It seemed Anise had slinked in, tided the room, changed the sheets, taken her letters to deliver, and set out her attire for the day all while Leo had busied herself 'pruning'. With a long sigh, she lifted her gaze, and eyed the garment she was expected to wear that day.​

​

It was a dress.​

Surprisingly.​

​

Made up of clarion golds and yellows, the gown danced and lit up in the sunshine of the room, akin to how the flame of a match might sway and flicker in the same fashion. In keeping with the theme too of course, various flowers and greenery had been stitched and embroidered to perfection across the bodice. It had actually been Anise herself who had eventually got around to asking Leo what she might like to wear for the Flower Festival. At the time, the Lieutenant far too busy with "Matters of genuine national importance Anise. Now hand be that bludgeon-". An conclusively vague, and uninterested response. So it rather astonished Leonine presently, that the Maid had acquired and understood so much of what she truly required. For the dress was conventionally elegant yes, but it was loose and limber too, she would be able to walk and move around in the way she wished and was used to. It accentuated her shape, and (few) good features, but didn't make too much of a loud song and dance about it.
​

And the true cherry on the cake, in Leonine's opinion anyway, was the train. It extended outward from the bottom of the dress in a small, but precise circle. Her own movement would remain uninterrupted, but the train acted as a physical barrier for any soul who wished to dare get perhaps just a bit too close. All in all, it was a charming garment, that might just manage to make her appear equally appealing too. Perhaps... It would make a nice change to be considered, possibly 'pretty', for once. Instead of the usual rough and scrubby countenance and notoriety she was used to. Anise certainly was proving to be a resourceful little soul. A small smile quirked at the corners of her lip as she toyed with the fabric in her hand mindlessly, "I'll have to up her wages some,"​

​

Luckily, the garment was equally simple to get into, thank the Gods, and Leo was capable of dressing herself solo on this particular occasion. Not much else to put the situation off any further now. Leo sighed deeply, and approached the awaiting blossom of consequence. The handkerchief was folded so neatly, and lay so flat and precisely upon the table, it was hard to tell from first glance that anything lay wrapped within it at all. Perhaps the flowers were all miniature? Or were in fact more metaphorical flowers, possibly made from glass, or a porcelain of some kind? Gingerly, and keeping her breath and hand as steady as she could manage, Leo tentatively unfolded the cloth. She half expected a pop of colour or cheeriness to jump out at her after the first initial layer of the hankie had been peeled away, but only after being unfolded two layers deep did her Flower reveal itself.​

​

The irony of it all nearly made her gag.
It was miniscule. Possibly the tiniest flower in existence, or at the very least, in her personal existence.
A single near needle-thin green stem, only a little longer than her index finger, blossomed into a solitary bright yellow flower. Star shaped, with pointed petals that burst outwards from the centre, reaching up towards the Sun. It seemed to her, a mind-numbingly dainty thing, an attribute she herself was blatantly not. Leo barely felt confident enough to breathe too strongly in its direction, let alone pick it up and carry it around for a whole day. Surely, this flower had not been chosen for her just because is happened to match the colour of her dress? No, someone was playing a game with her, a petty childish trick of sorts. Her fingers drummed against the tables edge, and she had to hold her teeth from grating in annoyance. Why couldn't it have been, I don't know, a Sunflower, or even a Dahlia or what have you. Just something with a bit more weight and stock to it would have done the job. A wisp of black smoke tickled her nose, and she-​

​

Wait.​

​

A gasp, and her hand was yanked harshly back and away from the table. A cindering scorch mark rested in its place, crackling away at the mahogany.
Fantastic. Just add that to the list of trivialities she'd have to concern herself with for the day.​

​

"Tits."​

​

On instinct she immediately went for the silk satchel in the top drawer of the dresser. Inside were a multitude of various pairs of gloves to suit all manner of occasions. There were her usual everyday favourites amidst the mix, as well as some new more formal pieces acquired especially for the Festival. Anise had been kind, and smart enough, to precisely label what pair matched with each particular Festival attire. It didn't take too much rummaging to guess which set went with the current Flowery Fit. Her face fell as she pulled out the corresponding pair of gloves. They may as well of given her something made from a fish net, it would have had about the same efficiency as the gentle tulle coverings that lay before her. The gloves were of course designed to blend with her dress first and foremost, with as little attention drawn to the fact that she actually had to wear such things made as possible. Ugh.​

​

Too late to do anything about it now I suppose. None of her other pairs even remotely tied in to her dress, or the theme of the event in general, and would only draw further attention. No longer any hope or purpose in putting off the inevitable. She donned the gloves, pushed her hair back with a Bronzed Laurel to hide the fact she hadn't combed it very well/at all that morning, and finally, very carefully picked up the flower. But where to put it? She didn't want anyone really looking at her face, so anywhere near there was out of the question. But the more obvious it was, the quicker the awkwardness might be over with. Hmm. Certainly nowhere near the hands of course, that would be far too risky, and she couldn't really reach to put in anywhere on her back either. That left only one place for it really. Using a knife from her collection, she dissected the handkerchief until she had a strong single thread. With it, she o so carefully placed the flower amongst the others decorating her torso. And in what she hoped appeared to be a subtle and unnoticeable addition to the present needlework, she tied a sturdy careful knot around the stem, holding the bloom in position. There. That should do it. Leonine took a look in the mirror.​

​

The First Lady of Tairis stared back at her.​

The person she saw reflected would be the first impression her name and reputation would make upon the world.​

​

She sighed again.​

The low cut of the dress had turned out to make a white prominent scar that ran horizontally across her chest incredibly visible.
And the placement of the flower, when now perceived from head on instead of somewhat upside down, drew the eye naturally to the centre of her torso and directly along the curved line of her-​

...well.​

​

"Oh sod it."​

​

She was past the realm of caring at this point to be honest. The way to get through this was to make it as accessible to her own logic as she possibly could. So Leo began her plotting. Lets say... Lets conjure in fact, that it wasn't actually just a silly little game, it was more akin tooo... a hunt. That's something she could do. Something she could manage, and was even nearly good at even. Out there, somewhere in this palace was prey, her prey, and all she had to do was hunt it down. She needed to track it, identify it, and then pounce.
Easy! Piece of piss even...​

​

---

Leonine prowled down the main staircase. Each step placed with perfect deliberation and direction. Her head was forward and centred, she knew perfectly well where she was going. The First Lady of Tairis had arrived, in all of her unruly and wayward splendour. Without hesitation or flinching, she reached out and plucked a flute filled with a liquid she prayed to the Gods was, if not somewhat, then highly, alcoholic in nature from a passing server. She downed it in two, and proceeded to grab a second for the road. Around her mingled every variety of Aristocrat, Noble, Monarch and distantly related royal one could ever dream of. The seniors of this assortment mingled and mixed along the upper reaches of the balconies that overlooked the gardens, while the young hopeful romantics had been forced encouraged to consort and generally hobnob in the Gardens courtyard below. It was like sheep at a cattle show really, proud shepherds watching from on high, hoping for either a high enough bid on their prized ewe, or for their ram to take enough of a liking to a suitable mare.​

​

Keenie was not difficult to spot amidst the herd. He walked sturdily, held his posture well, and (at least to her anyway) seemed to be making a perfectly suitable first impression. As for Noblesse, Leonine heard her arrive before actually spotting her. The matching red-head to the sibling match scurried over to meet Keenan as soon as she spotted him. They made for a sightly duo together like that, a strong looking pair. Their hair stood out proudly in the crowd, an immediate representation of the familial unity that bonded them all. A anxious hand toyed with her own hair.​

​

Well, nearly all of them. Ideally, she wished to join them too, to seek comfort in casual rapport. But these first few moments mattered greatly. She was not going to make herself, or her siblings appear uneasy with the situation at hand. So Leonine remained on high for the time being. As casually as she could appear to make it look, she glanced around at the attendees. She knew practically no-one, but then again that was the point of the whole thing I guess. There was the odd Courtier here and there from back home who had someone managed to obtain admittance to the event. Including... wait, was that...?​

​

Oh.
It was.​

Leonine groaned quietly to herself, and proceeded to down the rest of her drink.​