Party ^__^ Day 51, Evening

[yuuri_maou]

Yuuri tried very hard when arranging the party. It was for Conrad, Yozak, and all the other people who risked their lives trying to get Conrad and Greta home. So it’s a lot of… well, it’s not fluffy food. There are huge turkey legs, tones of beef ribs, trays and trays of pork chops, cheese, bread, and beer. He promised music, but it’s nothing

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[originalmaiden]

Ulrike arrives at the party with a spring in her step and excitement in her eyes. So many people! And they all look very happy. The guests of honor have not arrived yet, but she's sure they will be here eventually. For now, she enjoys watching the revelers dance. She catches Heika's eye and waves excitedly. She doesn't recognize some of the women at the party, but one gives her a pat on the head, which makes her giggle. Perhaps at the next party she will attend in her adult form.

[super_seme]

Lady Ulrike's presence surprises Gwendal, who has not spoken to her since the day a month beforehand when she visited Murata's room. He knows, from the reports of the Sage's guards, that Murata has spent much of the intervening period at the Shrine, and that he often emerges looking more refreshed than when he had entered. Wanting to express his gratitude for the peace the tiny Maiden has offered the youth, he approaches and gives a low bow.

"Lady Ulrike," he says with a charming smile. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

[originalmaiden]

Ulrike hums to herself while eying the refreshments table. There are many brilliantly colored pitchers and bottles of things she would love to try... but she still remembers the last time she drank alcohol and that is probably not a good idea. However, there is no sheep this time...

The deep, familiar voice interrupts her internal debate, and she looks up to see one of the Sirs von Walde! Oh, he looks very handsome tonight! She curtsies and smiles widely. "Good evening Sir von Walde! I am having a wonderful time." *^____^*

[super_seme]

"I am glad to hear it." She is adorable, and really quite difficult to be afraid of. Perhaps in this instance, he can grasp the bull by the horns. "Would you do me the honour of permitting me to the escort you in the next dance?" he asks. A convoluted, overly-formal way of putting things, but casual conversation would be difficult under the circumstances.

[originalmaiden]

Ooooh, Sir von Walde is asking her to dance! The offer makes her very happy and she nods excitedly. "Oh, yes, Sir von Walde! I would be delighted!" She still isn't quite sure which Sir von Walde this is, but both are handsome and she would be happy to accompany either one. "I must confess that I am not that good of a dancer, but I do enjoy it."

[super_seme]

Ulrike's confession in sweetly disarming, and Gwendal can't hold back a deep, amused laugh. He sets his drink aside and takes her hands. "Then, my lady, you may stand on my feet if you prefer. I have some small expertise in this area."

[originalmaiden]

Step on his...? Oh! Yes yes, she understands now! That position will give her a bit more height and will make dancing much easier. How thoughtful! She holds his hands tightly and steps atop the shiny boots, she hopes she's not too heavy, oh my.

"Pardon me for getting your boots dirty, Sir von Walde," She giggles as the tall man begins a slow walz.

[super_seme]

"Not at all, my lady!" It is a little difficult to dance skilfully while leaning down, but Ulrike is so light that he hardly notices the extra weight. They move well together in spite of everything, and while they are far from the most graceful couple on the floor, they do not shame themselves.

For the first few minutes of the dance, Gwendal watches Ulrike focus on the steps with the intense concentration of a small child contemplating a new and complicated task. When she begins to relax, he decides that a little small talk would be appropriate. "It was my understanding that the Shrine Maidens were rarely permitted to attend such events," he says casually. "But I am sure we are all honoured and delighted that you could take the time to join us."

[originalmaiden]

Dancing this way is certainly less confusing. During the ball, she had been fortunate to dance with Aki-dono, but oh, so many spins! Sir von Walde -- she's beginning to think the gentleman is the visiting von Walde, because he certainly smiles more than the native one -- is very good to let her concentrate, until she discerns how to move while standing on someone's feet.

And his compliment makes her blush (again! :O). "I was not permitted to leave the Shrine for many years, Sir von Walde. Though it was often lonely, I endured for Shinou-heika's sake, for he was surely lonelier than I," she replies with no trace of regret. "But now, Shinou-heika has given me permission to venture outside whenever I wish." ^__^ She looks around conspiratorially, then rises up on her tip-toes. "However, I shall be honest... I believe I would only wish to visit the castle. It is so busy here!"

[super_seme]

Gwendal's booming laugh echoes through the hall once again. She is simply delightful. "Then we are lucky indeed, that you may walk among us more often. Although--" he smiles and bends to speak for her ears alone "--I understand that you have given one who is dear to me refuge in your Shrine of late, and I wished to thank you for your kindness to him."

[originalmaiden]

Her giddiness tempers a little as her dance partner speaks, though her mood does not change much. From what Hokka-Geika has told her, she sees no reason not to discuss his visits with Hokka-Sir von Walde. To some extent, anyway. Ulrike smiles gently. "It's been my pleasure to have him, Sir von Walde. He's managed to read through a good portion of the library already!"

[super_seme]

"That does sound like him." Gwendal smiles fondly, and not a little wistfully. "He is lucky to have you looking after him." He doesn't want to pry any further, or inadvertently let something slip, so he changes the subject again. "Is the library truly as grand as I have heard?"

[originalmaiden]

Ulrike giggles. "Geika is not very difficult to keep track of. More often than not we find him staying much longer than he's planned and asleep among his books." She nods eagerly at Sir von Walde's question. "Oh, it is very grand indeed! Our treasures are the older and rarer texts from all over Shin Makoku. To be honest, I am not even able to read most of them."

[super_seme]

"Those must be very old indeed - not that you are anything but the most delicate and youthful blossom, of course!" Gwendal winks at the tiny priestess.

[originalmaiden]

She is very glad Hokka-Sir von Walde is guiding the dance, because her fit of giggles would have surely caused them to stumble. "Why thank you," she manages. "I'm flattered such a young man doesn't find me old and unattractive."

[super_seme]

[Well, I may find you unattractive, but it is certainly through no flaw of your own.]

"My Lady is truly lovely," he says instead, leaving his personal feelings for her sex out of the matter. The music begins to draw to a close, and he bows almost double to kiss her hand. "And a far more charming partner than I have had in quite some time."