"Welcome, welcome~! Enjoy yourself, alright?"

The doors have opened to the Askran ball room, and it's already brimming with life. A magic barrier covers the space, keeping it warm despite Ragnarök's invasion.

Eve's own heroes were the first to arrive, milling about to enjoy the fruit of their labors. To look up is to get assaulted by effort. The amount of streamers, flowers, banners, and freshly polished chandeliers coloring the sky.

To look back to the floor, tables and seating line two opposite sides of the room, just enough to sit as needed for guests. Along the same wall the reader entered from, Hunter's Hearth has been set up to feed all*. There's a few other tables of food, for those who are interested in something else*.

*Hunter's Hearth's contract states they can deny food to those they choose (within a reasonable limit), and as such the other tables of food would be that guests options. Eve and Eden have worked hard with the cooking-loving heroes to make this a pleasing option.

The final wall of the ballroom is left only partially decorated- the curtains covering the glass balcony windows changed to white ones, changing to a dark blue where they meet the flooring. If one were to go out on the balconies, they'd find they're not as heated as the ballroom yet warm enough to take a moment of respite.

The first night of the Dame Ball has begun, and for the moment it feels like a place untouched by Alfaðör's will.

The ballroom is at it's busiest in the evening hours during more traditional party hours, but with the cold being chased away by the barrier Eve prepared it finds itself a casual space to linger.

Heroes and staff run around cleaning and setting up for the evening. Eve herself currently looks exhausted, a stern Alfonse letting his dress shift with his weight and revealing the sword underneath as he talks to her.

She gestures towards the ceiling as she replies, then fixes his dress for him. The prince's face reddens and she winks in return. More seriously, she says one last thing before turning back to the room with the air of a happy hostess wrapping around her once more. Their words were nothing for guests to worry over.

Linhardt seems overly excited, explaining something to a classmate of his with frenzy. You listen in.

'...Clearly, our Summoner was replaced.'

'....You of all heroes should remember how she used to be, correct? Back when she wouldn't show her face, and...'

'...Whatever she might claim, it's just too drastic to be a mere change of heart. From a calculating, harsh tactician to /this/? It's just too much...'

'...And why open the gates to other Askrs? Or host parties like this at all...'

'...She never did anything like this before. She hardly wanted to spend more time than necessary with anyone, let alone other Summoners...'

'...Really, all those excuses for her memory lapses can't be genuine. They change every time she tells them...'

'...And her constitution! Hale and hearty for four years, and then suddenly falling ill right around the time of our Summoner's 'change of heart'? Suspicious, if you ask me...'

'...Why would she lie about that? It's hard to say. Perhaps she doesn't want to say what befell our Summoner...'

'...Of course, that gaff with that child shouting about how she likes messing with minors was telling, too. Not because of the actual statement, mind you, I'm not implying anything untoward. I'm talking about the context. Approaching strangers, provoking them, /teasing/ them? A mischievous streak? Perhaps occasionally to a hero or two, but nothing like that...'

'...Proof? Haven't you noticed? Oh, right. You've got next-to-no magical ability. Of course you can't tell...'

'...I borrowed (stole) this from Camilla. A gift from the Summoner, long ago. She has a tendency to pour magic into any gift she gives. Like those glasses Commander Anna wears--they're /doused/ in it, and always accumulating more. This one from Camilla... How to put it... '

'...The magic is older. There hasn't been any new flow into it in a long, long time. And not only that, but the magic itself /feels/ different. Like...the difference between different elements of black magic.

Hm?

...Ugh, you really are hopeless. Listen, it's like this:

The flow is the same, but the sensation is drastically different. Like the difference between wind and fire magic. Can you sense it--no, of course not. Your magical aptitude is worse than Caspar's, I swear. Do you understand at least...?'

It seems Linhardt's excitement is infectious. Word is spreading fast along the ballroom floor. When it hits Eve's ears, all the hostess does is sniff and turn her nose up to it. Her mannerisms won't reveal the truth by themselves, unless the gossipers decide that not halting the rumors is a sin of its own. Wine glass in hand, she takes up innocent topics with guests instead.

It's time.

The hostess looks up and sees the maids quietly pulling the curtains open, exposing the night sky beyond them. She makes a show of finding Bragi and taking her hand, pulling her over to the windows as she calls her guests to attention.

With all eyes on her, Eve takes a bow, her tail curling behind her like a proper dragon.

"Thank you everyone, for your attendance to the Dame Ball. I hope taking the time to dance and eat your fill has lifted each of your spirits. While many of us don't see eye to eye on life, work, or love- perhaps now some may take away a new meaning when I suggest life will thrive no matter the circumstance."

Straightening, she spots Gunter in the crowd, shooting her a sign that everything will be starting promptly. Perfect.

"To round out our time together, please join me either out on the balcony, in the gardens, or near a west facing window. Whatever suits your fancy. We'll begin shortly~!"

Another bow followed by a twirl as she takes Bragi to the balcony to whisper in her ear as they stare up into the night sky.

The Summoner came prepared, having worked with the talented section of heroes at her disposal to get this many fireworks set up. They light up the night sky in a colorful spectacle, dulling conversation with it's volume.

Yet a booming voice breaks through the noise, turning heads.

It's good to see that instead of fearing my arrival, you've chosen to welcome it wholeheartedly! Yes, a day of justice such as this is to be celebrated for certain. I commend you for taking heed, Summoner Eve!"

From within the crowd, Sharena and Alfonse are pulling weapons out from under dresses, while their Summoner lifts her hand and calls for Breidablik.

A banner above the guests falls, revealing where the gun had been stashed for the event length as it flies to her hand.

"Three days of dancing and you still wish to fight? No, upon my notice, you would have cancelled if you didn't want to partake! Let's finish what we started, mortals."

The goddess may no longer have the protection of Zenith, but her mechanical wings still function fine. Flying above in a ball-appropriate dress, the woman is backed by the fireworks.

Gunter is rushing to tell them to stop, but it's not gnoing to be as quick as Eve would like.

The Summoner holds her weapon limply, making no show of preparing to use it. It wouldn't take much to shoot the goddess from the sky these days, but what's the point? It seems like it'd only make everything more chaotic.

"Really Baldr, you've already made your judgement, haven't you? I thought our stage play was through."

Laughter dances with the pop of fireworks, circling the room.

"Judgement, perhaps, but the consequences must still be faced. Take notice, the stakes may be high, but that is not a pass to do whatever you please."

Before she could be sassed, Baldr flashes an invite. She is dressed and, somehow, invited. There are no issues to present. Alfonse sighs, him and his sister moving closer should the price be too much.

Eve makes eye contact with Anna, shaking her head with a shrug. Anna in turn rolls her eyes and replies with a hand motion normally muffled by her uniform's mittens.

"Fine, fine. Come join the party of mortals and gods and let's hash this out then~."

"Join the party? Perhaps, Summoner, your network of ears goes far wider than you let on."

. . .

It was just a way to tell her to stop flying in the air shouting. There's little downside to easily agreeing.

"It tends to be that way~! Now enough of the jests, unless a /guest/ is attempting to overthrow everything even more?"

"I may have an invitation, but I am no mere guest." She protests, but lowers herself to the floor anyway. Strutting into the crowd and turning back to Eve, "Let us go over your crimes a final time Eve Lavrenti, so that it's clear."

In public? Last time was already a trial in pride swallowing, but this... Fine. Back straight, tail swishing side to side-this time on purpose, to appear more amused than anything-and her eyes right on her conversational partner.

"Ooh, a summary~? Alright Baldr, Celestial Sun God, let's hear it! But if you're going to give a show, try not to impress, okay?"

Back straight, tail swishing side to side-this time on purpose, to appear more amused than anything-and her eyes right on her conversational partner.

"Ooh, a summary~? Alright Baldr, Celestial Sun God, let's hear it! But if you're going to give a show, try not to impress, okay?"

"Eve Lavrenti, Summoner of Askr, you selfishly chose to burn down Yggdrasil. You've already acknowledged in front of friend and foe the tree's importance and your ill judgement, but continue to foolishly fail to take responsibility for that judgement call."

Hm?

Did she not do that last time they saw each other? Baldr had said consequences would come, and she assumed that's what this was, but now she's bringing up this?

"You claimed you thought it best, but was that your true reason?"

Are her drills curled too tight?

The goddess had placed herself with intention, the confusion blooming on her face visible to anyone. Ah, this stage may have been set by the dragon but justice has worked it well.

"Don't tell me you're about to hop onto the 'the mercenary made me do it' bandwagon or something."

"Don't be daft. You alone are responsible for your own actions. He wouldn't have done it without your approval, it's clear. ...That is an issue for another time."

Oh, she found Váli. That much is clear from tone alone. Oops.

"You admitted your reason last time we spoke. What you referred to as 'mental duress' at the time was clearly draconic madness threatening to overtake you. So, selfishly, instead of seeking the aid of mortals around you, you lashed out at the realm you found yourself in."

"Wha--"

"If it seems like the realm is causing it, retaliation is okay? You may be a young dragon, but you've made it clear through besting me you're wiser than that."

...

"But I fixed it."

Even she hears how weak that sounds, disarmed by confusion. Selfishness?

Would selfishness not have been destroying it and seeing what happens? Leaving? What about this was selfish, did she get too close to the god's domains?

"You fixed things to your own liking. Take notice, you've acknowledged to others that Yggdrasil is different now."

"Now, a young tree faces Ragnarök."

"And it's holding it's own as well as it's supposed to."

A laugh from the goddess, "It has just begun! It's growth may be accelerated, but what do you expect of it? Or perhaps you've yet to realize how much the tree is leaning on you?"

The dragon frowns, running a hand up through her slicked back hair.

"I'm aware it's been using my magic to support itself, I'm not blind."

"And you think the tree's growth rate is normal?"

...

She grit her teeth. Perhaps she'd just got really good at tending to it, Baldr. What is this?

"...I'll admit to not knowing the normal growth rate of a being such as Yggdrasil."

Baldr twirls in her dress, boldly turning to the crowd. Holding out her hand, she displays a projection for all to see.

Summoners and heroes who journeyed into the tree initially can tell what's wrong quickly.

It's in the same perilous position as any other Zenith facing Ragnarök, but if there's any difference...

The tree is only a tad smaller. It's far too big for having been burned last year. It looks only a few hundred years younger- ignoring the ice encasing it's roots.

". . ."

Baldr peers over her shoulder and looks far more smug.

"Your face tells me you're starting to see. Now tell me, what do you think will happen if you were to follow after your predecessor and leave?"

"I've already said I will not leave until the tree is fully healed."

The goddess turns to face her fully again.

"Because you know."

"That it cannot stand on it's own, yes. That it's unable to supply Zenith the magic it needs on it's own. Instead it's borrowing mine to supplement."

A finger points to the Summoner.

"Your fate has been tied to Yggdrasil as well as this twilight of the gods that has been brought forth."

"It seems to me Alfaðör always planned to have my fate tied to Ragnarök."

Not the answer justice sought, apparently, as she shakes her head.

"This selfish behavior of yours will continue to put Zenith in dire straits if it's not corrected. It does not matter what the Creator might've planned for you, or if it is by chance that your actions benefit Askr."

She steps closer, red dress sparkling dangerously.

"You must remember, Summoner of Askr, that you only have one role to fulfill here."

What...? Sharena's traded with a guard, taking their lance and approaching.

"Your selfishness will not win your upcoming trials, and my justice won't be fooled twice, nor brushed aside."

The fireworks have long since quieted, waiting to see what's to come.

"You may be capable of handling what is in store for Askr, but such selfishness must be assuredly removed from the battlefield."

"You keep calling me selfish, but isn't thi-"

"I see only one suitable option. Höðr will take care of my busy schedule, and I will be joining your Order in Nifl and beyond. It's clear to anyone with eyes that you are in need of a mortalsitter."

Huh?

The goddess may be surrounded by Alfonse and Sharena now, but...

Everyone's stuck frozen. What did she say?

Mortalsitter?

"Ohoho~. Eve, I know there's no greater honor than a goddess such as myself by your side. Take heed, this is to assure you do not leave others to rot."

"After all, we don't need anymore goddesses burnt by your greed hm?"