Twilight set the Crimean sky on fire. Trumpets blared, a herald shouted something about the Birthday Party commencing, people clapped. Lucia and Elinica smiled at the populace, the queen, with tears in her eyes, thanked them all for attending. The dancing began then, with Reyson and Leanne singing a soft duet.

"Is that the Serenes' Birthday hymn?" Ike asked Soren who gave him a strange look.
"Indeed." Ranulf laughed from nearby. He gave Lucia a respectful head-bob as the Crimean noble walked by. The music, enchanting as it was, wove no spell around the heartbroken swordmaster.

Standing alone, she lifted her eyes heavenward, watching, praying that Janaff would magically appear.
"Watching the heaven's Mi'lady?" Count Bastian's voice slid into her ear. Lucia tore her gaze from the majestic sky and focused her eyes on the Sage's.
"Yes, How are you Count?" She asked, doing her best to keep the heart-wrenching feelings inside her from her voice.
"I fear that the sky is dark in my eyes and even the herons' song a sour note." Bastain said in his normal flourish. Just once, Lucia groaned mentally, I'd like him to be straight with me. Instead, she gave him a concerned look.
"Why?" She asked, because, despite how aggravating she found his affections, she couldn't help but care for Bastian. They had, after all, grown up together, and he was one of the most reliable members of the court. And, though she'd never admit it to his face, Bastian was terribly endearing.
"You, my angel, are unhappy." He stated, brushing a gentle hand against her cheek, "And unless you smile, my world is without sunlight."
"I'm fine Bastian." She said with a smile, "I was just thinking." He gave her the ever-familar look that said simply "yeah, right, of course you were."
"What unpleasant thoughts transgress upon your mind, my rose? Perhaps a sympathetic ear might ease their weight."
"Nothing important." She said, turning to leave. She didn't want anyone to guess that she was heartbroken over a laguz she had spoken with but a handful of times. Bastian, ever the noble courtier, loving suitor and loyal friend, did not push the matter. Though from his eyes it was evident that he wanted to. He smiled a little sadly and decided that, rather than get to the heart of the matter as he would like, he would simply try to take her mind off it.
"My Lady," he said softly, taking her hand in his own, "Wouldst thou be my dance partner for a short while. It has been ages since thou hast graced the dance floor in mine arms."
"One song." She said, a smile easing its way onto her face.
"One song then. And I shall treasure it more than all the riches of the Earth." he smiled. Lucia rolled her eyes but allowed the Count to lead her to the dance floor.

From where she spun in Bastian's arms, Lucia could clearly make out the positions of her friends and the other emissaries. Soren was watching Ike jealously as the blue-haired commander danced with some noble woman. Titania was trying to teach Boyd to dance. She spun again to see Elincia and Geoffrey dancing a few feet off, oblivious to anyone but the person in their arms. Geoffrey was red in the face and Elincia was positively glowing. Lucia shook her head softly and smiled.

"Spy a pleasant sight, Angel?" Bastian's voice was low and soft, a lover's whisper.
"Just the two love birds to our left," She giggled softly. Bastian nodded wisely and looked over her head at the two in question.
"Will the General ask our sweet and beloved Queen to wed?"
"Tonight, if he doesn't get cold feet."
"Are you implying that our fearless general is frightened? That he, who has conquered numerous foe men, trembles at the idea of asking a woman, clearly in love with him, to wed?"
"Not implying, Bastian, stating outright." The count gave a hearty laugh and twirled Lucia around. She laughed with glee, spinning in a circle, her hair following her like a twisting stream.

The song ended, Lucia curtsied prettily to Bastain and walked away towards where her brother was sitting, drinking some water and watching as Elincia and Mist danced together.
"So, are you granting our dear count's fondest wish?" Geoffrey asked. Lucia gave him a light, sad smile.
"I can't give him what he wants brother. You know that."
"I figured as much." The General set down his glass and looked at his sister, "Who is he?"
"Who is who?" Lucia asked, allowing the confusion to show on her delicate face.
"The reason you won't marry Bastian."
"Oh...that..." Lucia fumbled for the best way to tell her younger brother. Geoffrey wouldn't be pleased with her choice. Not that he had anything against Laguz or Janaff in general, but he wouldn't want her to leave Crimea. It would be the same if she had fallen in love with a Daein or Begignon noble. He looked at her questioningly, his eyes searching her face.
"You don't want to tell me."
"I'm worried you'll be angry."
"How could I be? Did you know it goes without saying that Her Majesty,"
"Elincia, Geoffrey. You're going to marry her. That means you use her name."
"Yes...sorry. Anyway, Elincia and I should not be together. I'm a knight in her service, it is my duty to protect her and serve Crimea. But...I'm going to ask her to marry me instead."
"I still can't see why the two are mutually exclusive."
"They aren't, really, but the other Courtiers would have us believe so." Lucia nodded. She took a deep breath.
"Janaff."
"Pardon?" Her brother asked, "What about Janaff?"
"He's the one." Lucia looked down at the table cloth, "I've fallen in love with him."
"The Laguz?"
"Yes."
"The Hawk King's 'Eyes'? Is that the Janaff we're discussing?"
"Er...yes..." she said, raising her eyes to meet her younger brother's, "Do we know a different one?" An unreadable look flew across his face. But finally he smiled.
"Huh. I owe Elincia money..." he said with a bit of a sigh.
"What?" Lucia stared at him in disbelief.
"We took a bet. I said it was someone in Crimea, she said otherwise."
"You bet on it?"
"Yes. Her idea." He looked at her and smiled, "We both want you to be happy. And its not like you weren't obviously in love."
"I was not."
"You've been sighing to yourself." Lucia beamed sheepishly at her brother.
"Thank you." She stood up and wandered off.

"Lady Lucia." A voice called to her. Lucia spun on her heel and found herself face to face with Tibarn, the hawk-king.
"Your Majesty." She bowed, Tibarn laughed.
"I'll never understand you Beorc and the bowing." He said with a laid-back smile, "Anyway, I wanted to ask, is there anything between you and the blonde Sage? The one with the flowery speech and blatant flattery?"
"Oh, Count Bastian. No...nothing more than camaraderie." She answered honestly.
"Good." He smiled, "In that case, would you go tell Janaff to stop sulking?" He gestured in the direction of the tower and walked away. Lucia's heart pounded faster. She cast puzzled, eager glances between the tower and the departing Laguz Royal.

"Wait!" She shouted, it was uncharacteristic of her and caught the attention of the rest of the party, "King Tibarn," she said, the Laguz turned around, "How...How did you know?" she asked, oblivious to the attention. Tibarn's response was a hooting laugh.
"My 'Eyes' might be blind to this matter. But my 'Ears' are still razor sharp." She looked over at Ulki who responded with a nod before returning to his conversation with Rhys. Lucia picked up her skirts and ran towards the tower.

Geoffrey looked over at Bastian, who was slightly crestfallen. The sage smiled sadly as he watched the woman he loved rush to another man.
"I'm sorry Bastian..." Elincia said, putting her hand on the Sage's shoulder. Bastian smiled at her.
"My world is sun-lit so long as she smiles, My Queen. I knew in my heart of hearts she loved another."
"Didn't hurt things that you have a shadow." Volke said from some corner. Bastian smiled,
"No, no it didn't, never does."