[color=e0faac][center][h2]Hollyhock[/h2][hr][/center][sup][@Hero][/sup][/color]
The weeks after their ordeal were different. Both Hollyhock and Jannick knew it. Neither wanted to acknowledge the lest they break the silent trust and acceptance Scions and Templars had for each other. Previously, Hollyhock made little effort in hiding her hobbies. She'd move from famous restaurant to famous restaurant, only settling down for long enough to digest. She accepted any and all menu samplings she could, so long as it was a private event.

Now, she moved much slower, never telling anyone beyond the church where she was. The meals she sampled across the nations had been considerably less known. There were no reservations or dining; church officials had brought her meals to Jannick who in turn gave them to Hollyhock. Invitations were now met with flowers from a nearby florist. Besides her pious participation in church and national events, Hollyhock had become even more reclusive than what she once was.

Of course, she wasn't reclusive enough to refuse the events related to her duty as a Scion. Though, it was difficult to say that she was an active participant during those events. She was more of a witness who had left immediately, not even spending time socializing. This time, she was invited to Lucas' home. It would be the first time she'd gone. After all, she wasn't close to Lucas. She, with a muted excitement brought forth by the future new experience, had decided to get Lucas a gift. It was always custom to give the host a gift. Of course, she didn't exactly know about the sordid Scion's interests. Wine was blasé, so Hollyhock had some other ideas on what to get him.

She had arrived at Lucania Castle with Jannick. There wasn't much fuss involved in her travels, besides the large bag she carried. In fact, the security process gave her peace of mind. What didn't give her peace of mind was what she had arrived to. Her second cousin (she thought--Hollyhock could never really understand the entire ranking and removals that cousins had) had immediately been arguing with Lucas and discussing war. Meanwhile, Rosemary had filled the room with her laughter as she half-heard their vitriol.

It certainly was a meeting. One that was discussing something Hollyhock had been trying to avoid for the past two months.

Unlike the previous events and functions, Hollyhock hadn't been wearing a veil nor wide-brimmed hat. She had since removed them once they passed through the barrier. Now, she wore a billowing and layered top, its soft vanilla-speckled white fabric fluttering against itself as she moved. A charcoal pair of palazzo-style pants gave an element of formality, especially with her top tucked into the waistband.

Of course, the formality of her outfit had been betrayed by a set of purple and orange gradient Rosaria Force Twos.

She briefly met eyes with Sonia. Hollyhock couldn't help but feel as though the Templar of Light would crack her Scion-skull with a rock if she didn't try to change the topic. Though, it was difficult to tell how much was Sonia actually thinking that and how much was Hollyhock's delusions caused by her reclusive withering of social understanding.

[color=e0faac]"S-speaking of butt,"[/color] she said unable to think of any sort of natural bridge. She had placed the bag on the ground, reached inside, and pulled out a large foil-wrapped object. Were it not for its iconic drumstick-like shape and cloven hoof, it would have been hard to identify. What Hollyhock had brought in that gift bag was unmistakably a... 

[color=e0faac]"Gift ham!"[/color]