Open [Seasonal Event] The Winter Ball

[Adnaj]

Adnaj stood along the wall of the Main hall. Tonight, he would be content to fade into the background and watch the events of the party unfold on their own. In fact, he usually avoided such large social gatherings. Tonight, however was different. The benefit of a mask and the opportunity to see the inside of Zeltiva's great university? Absolutely, Adnaj wasn't going to miss this.

He leaned against a wall and looked around. Truth be told, he was more focused on the beautiful hall than anything else. He had spent most of his time, thus far, imagining himself casually strolling through the halls of this building. He imagined himself as an anatomy professor, guiding an entire cohort of would-be physicians. When he did manage to look around and engage in more social thoughts, he was scanning the crowd, wondering who might be just another citizen and who, here tonight, was actually affiliated with the university.

He had taken a grim sort of satisfaction, earlier that night, as he took his deathly, pale white masquerade mask and walked into the hall. Now, it provided him a good deal of comfort as he used it to blend into the crowd. He didn't have an incredibly large sphere of influence in Zeltiva, anyway, but tonight showed him just how small an amount of contacts that he really had in Zeltiva. This didn't bother him, he was just surprised by the large number of strangers in the room. He did recognize one man. It didn't come to him at first, but he had met him years back. Yes, Ricky. The name finally came to him. He hadn't seen him since first getting settled in Zeltiva. The momentary lapse was due to the fact that Adnaj's memory of him had always featured his dog, Odis. Adnaj chuckled to himself at the thought of hoping Odis could remain calm at a lively event like this. Ricky was right to leave him at home, tonight, Adnaj thought.

He held a drink, for the sake of looking casual, but in truth, he had maybe taken three sips. No longer was their any condensation to be found on his glass and the ice had melted long ago. For now, he mocked a sip to his lips once again and continued marveling at the chance to witness the inside of this great University hall.

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky's mind was at ease as he listened to Sebastian, and laughed as his friend made his little exaguration. It was a good time that was rather short when Sebastian decided to leave Ricky with Lady Inkanta, only to go over to take another lady's hand for a dance. Ricky laughed a hit more and grinned to the fair lady, placing his wine glass onto the table and taking her hand with a how. "I myself haven't the art of dance down, but for ye fair lady I'll try." He humbly stated with his friendly smile, Lady Inkanta giggled in delight at his polite request. "Oh Ricky of course you may." She said as Ricky guided her to the dance floor. She was indeed a fair beauty indeed with her golden brown hair and gray colored eyes, no doubt underneath her mask a beautiful face and mind awaited within. The two were suited well for the occasion, for her blue dress was complimented with his cerulean outfit. When they had began their steps Ricky took a chime of a few starts, and he was finally beginning to get in sync with the crowd. "You sure this isn't your first time?" She quizzed him as he twirled her under his hand, following up with a gentle pull to reel her in. Their eyes locked for a minute while their faces now close, Ricky held his smile as he tried to keep his movements timed with the crowd. "Dear lady I can assure ya this is the only time I've ever danced." He held his grin as she spun out with grace, her hands meeting as they continued once more. She giggled once more as she enjoyed herself. "Either you are a natural, or a very fast learner." She joked as they continued the steps, Ricky missed a couple due to bad memory. After watching the crowd he had thought he'd gather enough from observing, but watching and acting are two different things. "I try madam." He sneered as he glanced to see his favored comrade, it looked as though Sebastian was bound to dance as well. Adnaj was here as well, though Ricky only caught a glimpse of the man. It had been a long while since he had seen the good doc as Ricky would refer to him, after tonight he would have to catch up with him for sure. Tonight though was a night of fun and Ricky intended to have it, for too long he had been out of the weather and it was high time he settle in. "So tell me Ricky, what exactly happened that night? Sebastian has indeed told me much, but Id like to hear your part in it." She mused with a smile as her eyes showed curiosity, yet there was something more to it; something Ricky couldn't quite put his mind on. "Well," Ricky shrugged as they finally began to slow their pace, "I couldn't honestly tell ya my lady for not even I know how to tell it. I can assure ya this though, Sebastian is indeed a good capable fellow and were it not for him... well I can certainly agree that I wouldn't be here." He said it with compassion and honesty as his eyes were mirrors the truth in his voice, intriguing Inkanta even more now. "It sounds like you value him as a close friend." She conveyed to him as she went into another graceful twirl, Ricky held his humble smile as he glanced once more to his fellow pirate hunter. "That I do."

[Gale Austin McCenry]

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[Wrenmae]

He heard Ignotus clearly, but his eyes were elsewhere. They traveled on the backs of the lords and ladies, students and teachers, paupers and guards. Such bright and colored personas, all wreathed in their own agendas and goals. Brightly colored paper, caught and scattered by the breeze, left to waft delicately in this eternal moment, followed by the next, and the next.

"A man granted me a disservice," He answered his companion with a guarded smile, "And I set some measures into place to repay the favor one day." He regarded Ignotus with a slight smirk, glancing over his shoulder at the men who cornered the Lady Maria. Well. Let them. Trente would be his charismatic self, always playing his cards out and on the table. To think he had inferred Wrenmae dance this evening...absurd. The thought alone was enough to shake his confidence, at least enough to reflect on his past. As a street rat in Alvadas, a thug in Sunberth, a survivor in the wilds, and a Waveguard in Zeltiva he had never learned the finer points of dance. How well his movements in battle would translate to such an event was equally obscure.

Let the other take Maria to dance, he needed no ballroom acrobatics to sway her.

"I did not send Hound to you," the hypnotist said "I sent a letter ahead, informing him of your arrival. Whether he was to meet with you or not was his decision. I've had Hound in the city since about midseason in Spring, keeping his ear to the ground...I imagine he has come to be familiar with Zeltiva by now...I'm elated you find him useful, I did the same."

He swallowed his words quickly when a young man stepped in to ask if they needed another drink.

No...not young man, young woman. What at first appeared to be a lithe male hinted just enough suggestion at the curve of his figure to admit another physiology entirely. He swallowed his initial line of dialogue and coughed.

"Why yes, lady..." He let it hang, waiting for her to insert an introduction for herself. "I would love another beverage. Might I add that your dedication to volunteer in such a festivity has not gone overlooked. Tell me, what is your purpose here in Zeltiva...personal? Or are you perhaps a native?"

Djed in his eyes, Auristics held her aura in a scrutinizing light. There was a bit of blood about her, not much, but a little and a certain confidence held about her shoulders and back. He couldn't receive much from the impromptu reading, only a notion of some deeper facet to her.

Smiling at Weylin, he turned back to Ignotus and nodded to the Lady Maria, flanked by two already.

"What do you say we cut in after the gentlemen have their fun, reacquaint ourselves, hmm?"

[Sebastian Stalinsa]

Sebastian couldn’t conceal the pleased look upon his face at the lady’s fluster in having two suitors clamoring for her attention at once. Every woman deserved to feel wanted, to have a string of adoring men at her beck and call. Though she hid her face with a bold mask of jagged strips she commanded plenty of other womanly charms that, Sebastian felt, by this night’s end would award her with no few admirers. Absently he perceived the amused vex of her eye as she weighed the two men; the show of fluster springing from a gentle heart wishing to leave as few scars as she could manage upon her suitor’s pride. Such a thoughtful nature instantly endeared her to him and Sebastian felt incredibly blessed when her lithe arm twined around his own. “You honor me beyond the stars.” He professed in no little sincerity. Sebastian gave a neutral smile and nod of the head towards the other man hoping this unexpected introduction hadn’t soiled a possible friendship. He honestly hadn’t see the fellow and there was a brief spark of guilt at having stolen another man’s prize. Leading the lady onto the dance floor however any passing regret was instantly forgotten as he took her soft feminine hand in his and placed the other upon the small of her back. It’d been some years since Sebastian’s last dance but, within that time not much seemed to have changed, or perhaps the old scores of Syliras were just now reaching popularity in Zeltiva. The idea caused a chuckle to escape his throat as he carefully laid out the old measure. It became obvious quite quickly that neither of them possessed the temperament or finesse for such a stiff courtly dance. And their many enthusiastic blunders soon had Sebastian in stitches of laughter. With a decisive flourish he threw tradition to the winds and swept the lady up in an improvised waltz that played much more towards their strengths and set them whizzing whimsically about the room. Flying past other couples he kept his word and not once tread upon his partners toes, even scooping her up in a ruffle of skirts to avoid a puddle of spilt drink and the poor servant attending it. Around and around they went covering the floor at least half a dozen times before the music’s change in tempo forced them to slow. Giddy with dizziness Sebastian blinked mirthful tears from his eyes and encouraged her closer to him with the inviting guide of his hands so as to better savor their closeness. The heat of their exertion heightened his partner’s natural musk which seemed infused with a thoughtful assortment of perfumes. The result was an aroma Sebastian found most pleasing. Gazing into her deep liquid eyes he couldn’t help but feel a connection to this woman. There was a familiarity about her that tugged at the edge of him mind but, much deeper within his heart. No sooner had he realized the thought then it spurted forth. “Have we met before?” He’d only arrived in Zeltiva less than a season ago, and while the city currently felt under populated the vast majority he certainly had yet to meet. But surely he would’ve remembered a lovely woman such as this? Could the mask truly hide her memory so well or perhaps it was a ghost from his past that churned such feelings inside him? “You seem very familiar.” He mused trying to tamper earnestly with jest. “I’ve never forgotten a women’s name dear lady. So if it’s true that we have known each other in the past, then please remove your mask and I’ll soon be begging at your feet for forgiveness.” He declared resisting the urge to untie the delicate treads himself.

[Calen]

A man of maturity and experience, of class and grace, of any number of difficultly gained but nonetheless, necessary personality traits would have taken note of what was going on and made a logical, concise and perhaps even accurate conclusion on what was going to happen next. He would have taken note that one needed to be assertive and yet gentle when dealing with a young woman. He would know that appearing sure of both oneself and their actions was of grave importance when approaching a woman. Unfortunately, Calen was not a man of maturity, experience, class, grace or of any of the aforementioned necessary personality traits. Nor had Calen learned of any of those, ever crucial life lessons that one learned through years spent venturing from place to place meeting people by the dozens. Calen was an eighteen year old boy who was just as nervous as he seemed and was desperately hoping that the woman he had just approached would pick him over the larger, burlier, and, honestly, scarier man who had spoken to her; seriously, the guy looked like he ate guys like Calen for breakfast along with a side of shark steak and bear pudding. However, much to Calen's dismay, it appeared that the woman, whose comment about her sudden popularity had drawn a smile and a blush from Calen, was not as interested in him as he was in her. Physically deflating, his shoulders suddenly, his smile dissipating and his head drooping, Calen managed to miss as the woman threw what anyone would consider an apologetic smile at him. Choosing to walk away before the people around caught wind of what had just transpired, Calen began to shuffle away, his gaze still rather low and his gait anything but energetic. "Okay. Didn't see that one coming" he thought to himself, his thoughts more on what had just transpired between the potentially-attractive young lady, her preferred suitor and himself rather than the rather rotund woman who seemed to leap into his way so that he had to do a sort of duck-step to avoid her. Needless to say, his rejection had thrown a remarkably potent damper on his night. As such, Calen made his way towards one of the first tables he saw with drinks with no obvious owners on it and began to knock em back; if there was one thing his Uncle Ray had taught him, it was that drinking in copious amounts had a tendency to make things more enjoyable. Of course, Uncle Ray had been an alcoholic, but Calen didn't let that slow him down.

[Weylin Quickshot]

Weylin smiled when the man accepted the offer of a drink, and so present the tray before him. She watched him ponder for a bit, before glasses were exchanged and a new beverage was in his hands. When he began to talk to her, she focused on his words, translating them in her mind before she began to understand. She was indeed slightly surprised when addressed as 'Lady', and swallowed slightly in an attempt to regain a little more composure.

"Thank you sir," she paused for a moment as his eyes studied her "I am just a visitor to these parts, and perhaps yes, personal reasons are due to my visit. Now if you excuse me sir."

Clean, crisp, and to the point. She gave a small nod of respect, before turning away, keeping her eyes mostly sharp. Her eyes darted about, hunting through the crowd for fresh 'prey' that may be in need of a drink. She kept herself out of the path of the dancers, and weaved carefully around those observing, offering new glasses to those who wanted them. On times she had to collect discarded glasses, taking them quickly out the back to be cleaned, before picking up a fresh batch of drinks. It kept her busy, and watching the enjoyment the people were experiencing. Weylin floated around the tables this time, watching small groups gather around some, and leave others. She kept a constant count on them, occasionally approaching and asking if they required anything. It was important, she remembered, to tend to the needs of a guest. Many were grateful, a small handful were however becoming too intoxicated to understand. Weylin at that point proceeded with placing water at various points, perhaps before the ball became to drunk to dance.

She slid up to a table with a single guest upon it, one who had seemed to divulge himself in the alcohol that had been presently there. She placed down the jug of water before collecting the empty glasses.

"Another Sir? Or perhaps a bottle instead?"

[Arianthe Swansong]

“You honour me beyond the stars.” Arianthe was amused by the reflection, but no less certain that he was not sincere in his expressing of it. She was also still feeling that she had not dealt with the situation between the two men as well as she should have. She had not been able to remember who had approached her first and that was the true issue and the reason why it had disconcerted her. She bitterly thought that she really cared too much about social convention.

She allowed herself to be spun around the floor by Sebastian, though 'allowed' was far from the right words in regards to Arianthe's petite height and her lack of control in the matter, a lack of control which she rather liked. Far from treading on her toes, he pulled her around with ease.
She also discerned that, to her, there was a certain arrogance in his way of holding her, almost presumptuous, something which should not have surprised her really - bearing in mind the closeness of the dance in question. It occurred to her that this was very much a new fashion, the waltz, at least to Zeltiva. When she had been taught to dance as a child, they had never demanded such proximity.

"Have we met before? You seem very familiar. I’ve never forgotten a women’s name dear lady. So if it’s true that we have known each other in the past, then please remove your mask and I’ll soon be begging at your feet for forgiveness.”

Arianthe could not dispel the feeling that he was mocking her slightly. She simply smiled enigmatically and turned her head to the side so that he would not be able to govern what she was thinking in her dark eyes which, she well knew since she had been told it numerous times, were all too easy to read. She noted that he expected an answer, and was quick to reply.

"A forgotten name is of less consequence than a forgotten face. I was always told mine was quite striking, though perhaps that was merely an endorsement of my vanity..." she paused, "Do you think we have met before?"

[Bianca]

Late again...

It seemed that Bianca was late everywhere she went these days. And some might say that a young woman who's head was filled with all kinds of nonsense, would be entitled to arriving only when the party was in full swing. But a sudden shyness overcame her as she entered the hall, disguised by an ivory white mask, adorned with lace trim and hand painted silver detailing. A hall filled with unfamiliar faces, beautiful ladies and handsome gentlemen; and all such strangers to the young Svefra.

It was only last week that she arrived in Zeltiva after a somewhat long and tiring journey from Ravok. A city she had wasted a good year in, which could never provide her with true happiness. Zeltiva was different though and the Winter Ball was a magnificent statement to that. Such exquisiteness emanated from this place, joy and flamboyance filled every corner where women and men alike would gossip, dance and enjoy them selves. What a better way to formally introduce her self to the very fabric of the city which were it's people, than during such a magnificent event indeed. There were sparks in her eyes for the first time in a long time, as she gazed with awe at everything around her.

Upon her arrival in Zeltiva, she decided to treat her self in preparation for this event. A token signifying her new life, a fine dress which now clung to her slender frame in all the right places. It was the colour of the dress that made Bianca desire the garment, a delicate light blue, the colour of the Suvan Sea in the morning. A misty morning when the waters bathe in the soft rays of the sleeping sun. The structured bodice cinched in her waist and exaggerated her curves just the right amount, giving her a fairy like posture. There were blue and silver ribbons in her hair which tied them back into an elaborate weave. Such a fragile doll she was. Very very pale, like porcelain with a line of blush where the frost had pinched at her cheeks. And eyes so very blue that one might mistake them for the sea alone. But such was the charm of a Svefra.

[Valo]

Oh yes Valo did remember that strange meeting he had briefly shared with the man. Though it was only after he had mentioned it, that Valo truly recalled it. And what a bad taste it left in his mouth indeed. Perhaps it was for the better that he had quickly escaped to win the favour of some young blonde. But at a closer glance Valo realised that it wasn't just any blonde woman he had approached. It was Arianthe Swansong in flesh and blood, talking merrily, dressed is a luxurious gown.

A crescent of a smile appeared across Valo's handsome face. of course she was going to be here, after all social convention would not allow her to miss such an event. And here she was to play with the hearts and pride of unsuspecting men who flew to her like moths to fire. Unaware of the possibility of becoming engulfed by the flames.

Valo wasn't happy to see the poor youth turned down at the prospect of an older, more mature man. Though a part of him was greatly amused. After all Valo had many times known what it was like to be rejected by Arianthe Swansong. A bitterness he wouldn't wish upon anyone.

However another lady had caught his eye. One much unlike anyone else in the whole crowd. And perhaps this very uniqueness had caught the artist's attention, for his love of oddity was unmatched. There was something clearly androgynous about her and the way she was dressed; and perhaps one might have mistaken her for a boy. But Valo's keen eyes saw unmatched beauty in her and if she was not so busy with her work, he'd love to have the chance for a brief acquittance at least. Perhaps a quick dance. A chance to truly admire her.