[Free for all] E~very February, you'll be my Valenti~ne

[its_game_time]

[Hope you all enjoyed recovering from injuries and/or humiliation and/or trauma your idle time since December. Yes?

Well, there's something of a treat this month. To celebrate the hard-to-ignore Valentine's Day, you'll find yourself suddenly and inexplicably in a very nice restaurant--you know the kind. Expensive. Foreign music. Covered tables and

Comments

[a_tiny_sunshine]

[...Oooooh, part of her wants to let Hilde know just what a meanie her brother really is--how he taunts and teases her, and picks fights with...with someone she can't quite remember, but who she knows was (is?) important to her--but she's too interested by the rest of what the other princess has to say to interject with something like that, and soon her focus has shifted entirely.]

I'm afraid I don't know that country, but it really does sound amazingly beautiful.

[She lowers her head a little, her expression slightly sad, because although she was young when her brother had to take the throne, she remembers her father very well, and knows how precious that father-daughter bond is. She doesn't know what's wrong with Hilde's father, or how bad it might be, but whether it's just a passing thing or something far worse, the basic sense of concern is the same.]

I'm sorry to hear about your father...but with someone as strong as you there to lead your people, he must know that he doesn't have to worry about your kingdom. I'm sure you'll be just as successful in a time of peace as you were in one of war, if not more so.

[swearbymyname]

[She smiles and nods appreciatively. She only hopes that the King will recover enough to recognize the deeds that his people have accomplished; there's been no change ever since he went mad all those years ago, driven to an incomprehensible state of mind to the point where he didn't even recognize Hilde's face -- and she hasn't returned home since Nightmare's fall, so she has no way of knowing how his recovery fares. 8\ But she's hopeful, as she's been for all this time.]

I thank you. I have believed for years that his recovery is possible; I only hope my absence does not last terribly long, although I have utmost faith in my steward in the meantime.

[And then she takes to her glass, breaking for a moment before shifting the subject. Her father certainly isn't a sensitive issue, but she imagines it's not very interesting talk for a non-Wolfkrone citizen aside from the basics.]

Might I ask--have you crossed paths with any companions in this place? That is, any from your world?

[a_tiny_sunshine]

I'm afraid not. I've been here for some time now, and although I've made...some very dear friends, I haven't seen any of my companions since I arrived. I haven't met anyone else from "Germany" or "Wolfkrone" either...um, at least, no one who volunteered that sort of information...

But I'm not too worried. One of the places my friends and I visited, two of our companions were separated from us, and while the time only seemed like a few days to us, we later learned that for them, an entire year had passed. But it wasn't an unpleasant year, and they eventually rejoined us with no promblems, and we continued on with our journey just like before.

WHOOPS, forgot to add--

[favoured_child]

[She gives a half-sheepish little laugh, though there's still the usual bubbly & encouraging quality to it, too.]

So...! I guess what I'm saying is, if you're really meant to be with the people you were traveling with, you'll find them again sometime! Maybe later rather than sooner, but...so long as the threads of your Fate are intertwined...they're still a part of you, part of your life, and part of your Story.

[swearbymyname]

Mm. [Hilde smiles again, nodding.] That is a wise point of view--and all too true.

You sound as though you have seen a lot for your years. [lol acting-Queen or not, Hilde's not really one to talk. |D;]

[a_tiny_sunshine]

[Sakura...takes that in a positive way, lol. 'Cause optimism is just how she rolls, even though she's well aware of the possible bad side of things.]

Mm! Lots of the worlds we've been to have been pretty incredible! At once place, one of my companions and I ended up staying with and performing in a traveling circus, and in another, the 'world' we were transported into wasn't real at all--it was actually some sort of game at an amusement park, where your body stayed in a special sort of chair while your...mind, I guess, was sent into the game-world. So if someone got hurt or killed there, they wouldn't really be getting hurt or killed.

But you sound like you've probably seen a lot, too, Hilde-san.

I'M COMING FOR YOU, TAG NIRVANA

[swearbymyname]

[All that gets a genuinely curious look amusement... park? Perhaps it is similar to a festival before she nods again.]

Nothing so outlandish, I am sure, but I have indeed had the honor of seeing many different lands in recent years. Only in battle, unfortunately, or while riding to it -- occasionally for the sake of political matters. Even so, I have come across many a strange creature that my own country has never seen the likes of: strange beasts, stranger men, and odd sorts of magic.

[And she won't elaborate, specifically on the mention of beasts and men, because that really isn't dinner talk -- nor would she want to push details of (sometimes) grave battle on another. That does tend to be more of a topic among men, from her experience.]

So while our current location is still a strange place, it is nonetheless... considerably more tame. And for that I am grateful.

/DENIED EVEN FURTHER, FUFUFU~

[a_tiny_sunshine]

It...it can be very peaceful here, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't warn you that it can be really dangerous sometimes, too. It's not like any other place I've ever been, really--sometimes things stay the same for months, but then they'll change without any sort of warning in minutes.

[...And WAUGH, they should be enjoying this dinner, and here Sakura is putting a damper on the fun they should be having! .__.||| However, she can't help adding one last thing.]

You seem like the type of person who can look after herself, though, but still...

[There's an unspoken please, be careful in Sakura's tone to match the shade of concern in her eyes. Because Hilde does look very strong physically--something Sakura envies her for just a little--but sometimes physical strength isn't enough, especially considering what this place is likely capable of...]

[2/2] DANGIT

[a_tiny_sunshine]

...Still, there's no use in worrying about it! That doesn't solve anything, and I think...it might only make things worse here...

[That's just a Feeling she's had, but...she doesn't have any real proof to back it up, so she won't expand on that.]

...So...! We should have fun while we can!

bwahaha karma for DENYING MY NIRVANA

[swearbymyname]

[Hilde would always prefer upfront honesty no matter what the circumstances -- and she notes that concern, observant as she is, so she nods again.] I understand. Thank you for the warning -- I will be sure to stay wary.

[And her nod ends in a slight bow of her head in agreement at that last part. "Fun" is a subjective term -- Hilde hasn't had much opportunity for it since she was eleven years old, but she still knows how to enjoy herself, and this simple meeting and meal are both quite pleasant.]

Indeed we should. As an introduction of sorts to this place, I could not have asked for a more enjoyable welcome. [And she raises her glass towards Sakura in a toast.]

[favoured_child]

[Sakura beams and raises her own glass in return. And after taking the necessary post-toast sip from it---]

If you don't mind, I'd love to hear more about Wolfkrone and "Germany," and about you yourself, Princess Hilde-san.

[It might sound like small-talk, but Sakura is 100% in earnest here; she wants to know more about the other girl, who she's already starting to think of as a friend.]

[swearbymyname]

[Hilde's smile grows a bit, still entirely genuine.] I would be more than pleased to do so -- but I beseech you, do tell me if I talk too long. I would hate to abuse your curiosity.

[Because as much as she loves her kingdom, it's the one thing she could go on and on about without realizing how much time has passed, much like a dedicated mother would about her children and she... actually would talk about her two children, were she currently updated to that canonpoint.]