Prince of Fire Emblem: Three-Ring Circus

[didntaxyou]

So, not how she expected to spend her day.

"We have to get this done by mid-afternoon if we're going to have time to eat afterward, and for me to still have tea with Maribelle..."

She's walking, but she stops short at the remembrance of her friend.

"Ooh, someone's gonna have to tell her, huh? She should hear it from me."

She glances back at Bunta, expecting him to be following her as she navigates the castle town. Several people recognize their princess and raise their hands or hats, which she acknowledges with cheerful return waves or personal calls as she goes, but plenty of others see no significance in the presence of a girl in a plain cleric's habit, walking down the street.

"Wait, what should she hear from me?" She gives him an almost pleading look. "Should I... be honest with Maribelle? Or not?"

Comments

[volleygenius]

Bunta keeps pace slightly behind Lissa, hands in his pockets save for the occasional wave to townfolk. The Heart is a familiar place, full of people he's known for years, and it's the throughway for reaching the jeweler.

Whatever the hell happened earlier, it's not really at the forefront of his mind anymore. After all, he's seen her own Sanada like that before; it's not like he didn't know she was capable of that kind of domination. He's just never been on the receiving end of it before.

To say it had no impact, though, that would be a lie. A gross lie. If he had any lingering sentiment of Lissa as a harmless and fun kid after St. Rudolph, it's gone now. Bunta has always given her respect on a level of human decency, but this is the first time she's ever commanded it from him. Maybe he got too accustomed to having her defer to him as a fun big brother type who held the authority simply thanks to his age. Seems it's not guaranteed to be his pace anymore. Lissa has recognized that a couple operates on partnership, with neither side having more authority than the other, and she's sent a loud and clear signal that their old dynamic is no longer appropriate. She's correct.

She's really not a kid anymore. She's a bright young woman with a promising future ahead of her. It makes him happy to realize. She's growing up just like she should.

He lifts his eyebrow when Lissa realizes their public status is going to, invariably, reach Maribelle's ears one way or another, and she has a decision to make in how much to tell her. Frankly, that conversation sounds like a landmine that Bunta would rather avoid stepping into.

"That's something you'll have to figure out with your brother." It was his plan and her friend. They needed to talk between themselves whether Maribelle was brought into the circle of trust. Being Lissa's best friend, it'd be pretty hard for her to keep a secret this big for that long, huh? Especially knowing how Maribelle was likely to take the news... Oof.

[didntaxyou]

"I'm not sure I want to go over it with him," she admitted, a little guiltily. "He's... weird about this. I don't want to start something."

Her eyes light up as she spots the jeweler, and she tugs Marui by the arm.

"I-I know it's not real or anything, but usually when I get something pretty, it's just for generic being-a-princessness. I'm kinda looking forward to seeing what will look pretty to me, not just matching the status The Princess."

[volleygenius]

He's been especially weird of late. Maybe the stress of all he just went through. Maybe trauma. He's still him, somewhere down in there. Bunta saw him earlier today, if only for a minute. At any rate, he can understand her reluctance.

Bunta lets himself be tugged along, content to let her set the pace for the afternoon (though he DOES hope to sneak a bite from one of the food stalls at some point...) and simply enjoy her anticipation. Her company in general.

"Oh? Let's look carefully here, then. Ishimitsu's an old friend. He'll definitely help you out!"

The jeweler has several tables and glass cases set out, mostly organized by piece type. The ring display takes up two cases, with engagement and wedding bands slightly separated from the others, and a few more each in the discounted case at the transaction desk and the featured items case in the central display.

[didntaxyou]

She giggled, step quickening as they approached the display.

"Gosh, it'd be nice if we don't have to go four million places today!"

She starts by waving to Ishimitsu, unsure if she'll be recognized but wanting to make a good impression.

"H-hi! How are you doing today? Can you help us find a ring, please? Is it better to start with the metal or the gemstone, do you find?"

[volleygenius]

If Ishimitsu does recognize the princess, he does a remarkable job of hiding any nerves from it, and approaches with a smile to begin his usual sales pitch.

"Good afternoon! Delighted to help. I've found it's best of all to start with your vision: what do you want this ring to do for you? What are you looking for?"

Marui's eyebrows raise a little, but he decides to stay out of the conversation and ducks over to browse the cases.

[didntaxyou]

"I-I've never thought about rings doing anything besides looking pretty," she admitted.

But she's clearly distracted by the gleams and sparkles cominb from the case and her eyes keep wandering.

"It's supposed to be an engagement ring. I don't know what you do with it besides show it to people who ask."

[volleygenius]

"How exciting! Then first of all, congratulations to you and your partner both. We have a special section for engagement rings, over here..."

Ishimitsu guides her towards the ring cases. "Are you looking for the ring for yourself or for your partner?"

[didntaxyou]

Her eyes light up and she leans into whisper. She isn't very subtle with body language and her voice might pitch up a little bit, even as she tries to hold down volume.

"I didn't even think about getting a ring for him! But I absolutely want to! He deserves to feel special, too."

[volleygenius]

"Well let me help with both of those, then! Women's rings are over here, the men's are on this side. You can generally tell them apart by looking at the band. A men's ring is thicker and wider, especially at the top when it has a stone. You'll also notice that any stones are usually set into the band of a men's ring, and for women's rings there is usually a basket holding a center stone on top of the ring. Diamonds are the classic choice for engagements, and they come in many shapes and sizes for different budgets. What do you think of these?" He asks, tracing a line under a row of moderately priced rings with a visible but modest diamond at the top.

Marui's perusing eventually takes him to the featured items case where his eyes catch the iridescence of a fire opal in the sunlight filtering through the window. The golden yellow circle serves as the centerpiece to a design surrounded by diamond flower petals. What a warm, cheerful ring. It kind of reminds him of a daisy.

Huh...

[didntaxyou]

Lissa concentrates on the rings on offer, she really does, but nothing grabs her just yet.

"Why don't guys want the basket elevating the ring?" she asked.

"But I guess another opinion... Bunta! Come see these okay? Ooh, you have to try them all on, okay? You probably haven't thought about what you want in jewelry!"

[volleygenius]

Uh oh, he's being summoned. With one last glance at the ring in the case, he strolls back towards Lissa and Ishimitsu.

"Bunta-kun!" Ishimitsu says in delighted surprise as two and two finally come together. "You're the lucky guy? Why didn't you say something?!"

"Well, it's a bit of a secret right now..."

"I see, I see! Not to worry. Well then, let's see what we have for you. Miss, to answer your question-- it's a mix of aesthetics and function. Women tend to like rings that are designed primarily to attract notice, and the basket helps the stone stand out more. Insetting the stone in the band makes for a ring that is not as flashy but that does not catch easily on things while working with the hands. This is usually the more attractive design choice for men."

1/2

[didntaxyou]

She squirms a little at the word 'lucky.' Lissa knows he's just saying that because that's what you say when you hear someone is getting married, but... well... maybe that's the problem. It's a form response, not knowing anything about the situation. Unless he does know who her brother is-- then it takes on all kinds of double and triple meanings. Maybe. Or maybe not; he already knows Bunta and presumably that means he knows what Bunta does for a living. Maybe he knows already that Bunta and Seiichi are personal friends and it's a sincere exclamation, not just the done thing.

She squishes her cheeks between her hands just to make herself think about something else.

Luckily, she's surrounded by lovely things to think about.

2/2

[didntaxyou]

"I think it has to be gold for you, at least. Not just because it's traditional, but because it's bright and flashy. I think Bunta-kun definitely wants something grabs attention, just like a lady!"

[volleygenius]

Bunta notices the little squirm and cheek squish. Adorable to see, not so happy a cause. She's pretty uncomfortable right now, huh? Is it the involuntary part of this relationship? Or is it more than that? Bunta knows she struggles with her sense of self-worth. Maybe someday, she'll see what a gem she is, and know that there are other people out there who see it for themselves, but in the meantime, there isn't anything he (or anyone else not named Lissa) can do to fix it. The most he can do is simply be her friend.

He smiles and laces his hands behind his head. "Gold is good. I like the warm color it has."

"I do agree, gold would be splendid on you," Ishimitsu says before running through a selection of gold men's rings. Most of them are simple bands, sometimes with a small, single inlaid diamond. Some of them are smooth, others textured or patterned. Bunta looks them over, but instead of identifying a standout for himself, his mind drifts back to that daisy ring in the central case.

All he can think about is how much he wants her to have it...

He shrugs. "I dunno... Lissa, which one do you like?"

[didntaxyou]

"Well, I dunno! I'm not the one who's gonna wear it," she answered quickly.

She waved to the jeweler. "I don't suppose you take commissions, if we're really hopeless at finding something? Or maybe you do modifications? I hate to ruin something already done so artfully, but just in case!"

[volleygenius]

"We do take custom orders, Miss! That's absolutely not a problem. This is an excellent choice for customers who want a piece truly tailored to them."

Really? She doesn't have any opinion at all? The quickness of the reply-- and her follow-up question to Ishimitsu-- makes him wonder if she's deflecting. Avoiding. She doesn't seem lacking in investment. Hm.

Well, he doesn't have any interest in picking out his own ring. Okay then.

"I dunno. Why don't you pick it, Ishimitsu? I don't mind."

[didntaxyou]

"Wh-what?! Now, hold on a just a minute!"

She grabs on to his arm (well, it helps their cover, but also it makes a point!).

"You can't ask him to be responsible for that! Do you know how many perfectionists you're going to be wearing it in front of? Imagine what Genichiro-kun will say if you do something like that!"

[volleygenius]

"Hm?" Bunta sounds as Lissa takes hold of his arm and appeals to, of all people, what Sanada might think.

...Okay, it's not as ludicrous as it sounds. Sanada has every capacity to make his life a living hell BUT. The principle! He frowns.

"But I'm not interested in the ring that makes Sanada happy...!"

[didntaxyou]

"Well, nothing will make him actually happy but... What about the ring that makes Genichiro-kun not follow you around for a week and lecture you about propriety and respectability and stuff?"

She pulled her hands back to put them on her hips.

"You have to take things a little more seriously, or did you forget about my perfect, perfect brother?"

[volleygenius]

At this, Bunta blows out a breath into a bubble of gum and matches her hand-on-hip gesture with one hand. No words. Just silently waiting for her to put two and two together here.

[didntaxyou]

"Oh, what are you looking at me like that for?!"

Her nose wrinkles almost into a pout; the math is not getting done.

"If you don't act right I'm just gonna make it embarrassing! Like, a pink stone right in the middle of it!"

[volleygenius]

Math may not be getting done, but she's just as cute as always. Bunta almost cracks and grants that they're going to need more time, but at the last moment, she pulls through with an idea. He can work with an idea.

"Really? Go on."

What else have you got?

[didntaxyou]

Nose wrinkling intensifies. Lissa is slightly affronted that he's so nonplussed by her threat, and the pressure to up the ante is on.

"It'll have my name on it, too. In fancy calligraphy."

[volleygenius]

If Lissa is hoping to deter him... it's not working. Instead of becoming uncomfortable, his interest only seems to increase.

"Oh, that's a good idea. We can get it engraved around the band."

[didntaxyou]

"On the OUTSIDE, where everyone can see it," she warned. "And, there will be flowers in the design. Big ones with lots of petals."

The lack of effect her words have on him is beginning to rankle... worse, she's running out of ideas to threaten him with.

"It'll say a bunch of other stuff, too."

Once she thinks of it, anyway.