[center][h2]-Livia Fiore, Katherine Lindall-[/h2]
[h3]~Beginning the ball, and Opening Announcements~[/h3][/center]

Ugh. Stopping two powerful beings like Sorcha and Arata had taken a bit more out of her than she honestly thought it would. Plus, making sure the dragon didn't die afterwards. Ugh, really. Maybe she should look into records about a fire curse or something. There should be something there on how to heal it. A sanctus mage of her level should be able to heal any soul related curse with ease, but this? This was beyond even her. Perhaps it was because it was the curse of a so called goddess. If that was the case though, then it would only be a matter of time before she was able to lif it.

After all, what is a god to a nonbeliever?

Her thoughts didn't linger on the subject for long. Tonight was supposed to be fun for her precious little students. They already got a rather splendid treat, if she did say so herself. A fight of the ages, some would say. Not that it was her cup of tea, so to speak - she wasn't really one for such barbaric spectacles. Soiree's such as the one she was currently hosting was more her style. Dancing. Music. A feast. A place for people to enjoy their youth, make friends! Get to know one another. Possibly have a little love bloom.

Which was what this ball was for.

After talking to a few of the event planners, the headmistress made her way to the table where she, the other teachers, and her newest little...student, Katherine would be sitting. At least, for the start of the ball anyways. She had to be introduced, after all, since she was going to be keeping the students more or less in line. It was only fair to introduce her to the studens and give them fair warning. Perhaps a few of them would also wish to help in this endeavor. It certainly would help her with keeping order on her campus. A thought for later perhaps. For now, Livia observed the event hall from her seat at the center of one of the tables.

It was a finely decorated room. Big chandeliers hung overhead, illuminating the carpeted floor. One one side, countless tables filled the large space, ensuring there was enough room for all of the students to seat. In the center, an elegant fountain was located. On the other, several tables filled with a feast that the gods themselves would be envious of. In one spot on the floor, the carpet gave way to a tiled dance floor where the students would be able to dance later, should they desire. Against a far wall, a stage was located where musicians would play music. Generally the mood was kept slow for the first part of the evening, but by the time it was over with, everyone was generally well and good drunk. A good thing the event was usually held on a friday or a weekend. 

She took a seat, and waited for Katherine. She had asked the other girl to arrive more or less early. A few students were trickling in, but for the most part things had yet to get started.

And Katherine just so happened to be one of those students who happened to trickle in.  Between the time she got to school and the ball, she happened to come across a nice, blue, yet somewhat plain dress.  If nothing else it complimented the similar dresses her three dolls were wearing.  After a quick look around she rapidly found her benefactor in the uncrowded room.  [color=green]"Greetings, Headmistress.  Ravishing as always I see."[/color] The Puppeteer said taking a seat near the woman.  She figured it never hurt to butter up a prideful woman, and it's not as if she were lying either.  

[color=662d91]“Ah, Katherine.”[/color] Livia greeted her student with a smile. [color=662d91]“My, thank you dear. That dress looks quite…enchanting on you as well.”[/color] She chuckled. The girls dress was indeed somewhat plain, but sometimes there was a certain elegance to such simplicity. In her opinion, Katherine had done quite well. [color=662d91]“You’ll probably have the eye of quite a few students in it.”[/color] She called over one of the servers, and had him pour them both a glass of wine.

[color=662d91]“So, has there been any problems with the students I should know about? Aside from the obvious…engagement on the tower earlier?”[/color]

[color=green]"Thank you, Headmistress.  Though I'm sure I'll have little interest in the eyes I catch."[/color] Katherine replied before Livia brought up the tower incident.  Truthfully, Katherine was quite glad that the Headmistress had taken care of that.  She was sure there was a snowball's chance in hell of actually stopping them otherwise.  Her power was nowhere near enough to stop both.  

[color=green]"None that have stayed a problem.  I've found a few students and had dolls give them notes telling them something along the lines of 'Make sure you attend class or face the wrath of the Headmistress.'"[/color]  She'd rather take care of problems herself, but she needed to attend classes herself.  Grabbing her glass of wine, she tasted it but recoiled at its harsh bite. She'd never drank before and her first experience was. . . Disappointing.

Livia laughed at her displeasure for the wine.

[color=662d91]“Not to your liking?”[/color] She said. [color=662d91]“Well, feel free to ask for anything. The servers here will bring whatever you want.”[/color] She took a sip of her own wine, immediately feeling much more relaxed upon the liquid passing her lips. Hopefully the Oni and Sorcha would behave themselves for now. She would not be giving either of them a second chance.

[color=662d91]“But thank you for doing that, Katherine.”[/color] She continued in response to her statement. [color=662d91]“The students here need a certain…motivation to keep them in line, after all. After tonight is over, hopefully most will recognize you as the person who…makes sure they stay in line.”[/color]

[color=green]"That's hoping most are not like that Oni and Dragon, which, likely they are not."[/color]  She pushed her glass of wine towards the Headmistress.  No point in letting it go to waste, well, if the woman was to drink after her anyways. [color=green]"Server."[/color]  The Doll-Master called to a nearby server.  [color=green]"A cup of coffee if you would.  Sugar and cream and a tiny bit of vanilla if you have it."[/color]  The man nodded at the request and walked away. 

[color=green]"Though now I'm wondering if it'll bring respect or disdain.  I imagine a lot of the students here enjoy disorder, as do I every now and then.  This party for example."[/color]  She mentioned with a slight chuckle.  [color=green]"Not that it really matters.  It'll be my job to bust these students into shape, isn't it?"[/color] She asked as the server returned with her requested drink which she took a very satisfying sip of.

[color=662d91]“Disorder is indeed something humans tend to love.”[/color] Livia continued, accepting the wine from the girl. [color=662d91]“Which is why this little…soiree, exists.”[/color] She watched as other students managed to find their way to the event hall. She had to wonder if her little Roux would be attending. It could go either way, if she had to be honest. She might just not come to spite her.

Or on the off chance Iravis spotted Sorcha fighting.

Well, she’d have other problems to deal with later.

[color=662d91]“Not to mention the tournament that will be at the end of next week.”[/color] She continued, taking a sip of her wine again, a few teachers finding their seats at the table. [color=662d91]“And as soon as we get all the paperwork sorted for this year, we’ll have certain…jobs, the students will be able to undertake, should they wish. I believe that will be enough for any disorder they desire.”[/color]

[color=green]"Oh, I didn't know about a Tournament."[/color] Katherine mentioned before taking another sip of her drink and then setting it down while a doll hopped up on the table and started to stir the coffee with a nearby spoon.  Considering how this academy was, it wouldn't be too much a surprise for something like a tournament. [color=green]"Might as well participate in it.  See where I really am ranked against the other students.  It wouldn't look all too well for the person who keeps order to be weak."[/color]  The Puppeteer smiled at Livia and continued, [color=green]"I don't want to disappoint anyone either."[/color]  

[color=662d91]“Indeed, we hold the tournament yearly, though the dates change sometimes. It was a week later, last year.”[/color] Occasionally they held off the tournament for a few weeks for whatever reason. It depended, really. Mostly on what the board decided. She had final say in most thing, but when a majority of the schools expenses were on the line she couldn’t make her own decisions recklessly without upsetting quite a few people in the process.

[color=662d91]“So please, do join.”[/color] Livia continued, offering a small smile to Katherine. [color=662d91]“It would be rather…shameful indeed for you to be considered a weak mage.”[/color] She took a sip of her wine before adding. [color=662d91]“But do not worry, my precious little student. I am quite difficult to disappoint and I am quite sure my judgement is…correct. The tournament isn’t just all about who is the strongest, after all. It would be unfair, otherwise. Sometimes a clever or manipulative mind is much more...effective.”[/color]

[color=green]"True, true."[/color] Katherine replied with a slight chuckle.  [color=green]"Sometimes you just learn about your opponent and use their weaknesses against them."[/color]  The girl thought someone was trying to feed her ego, and well, it was working.  [color=green]"I guess my dolls and I shall teach those against us to think inside a fight."[/color]  

The Doll-Master reached for her coffee again and pulled it up to her mouth with the doll stirring it taking the spoon out.  There really wasn't much left so she ended up finishing the drink off and setting it back down.  [color=green]"Still, that's in the future still, and discussing it now feels like it'll ruin the spirit of this disorderly event we currently attend."[/color]

[color=662d91]“Haha, indeed.”[/color] Livia chuckled, taking a sip of her own wine, having now finished around half of the glass. [color=662d91]“That is not what tonight is for, is it?”[/color] The headmistress continued, looking at the floor in front of them. By now, quite a few other students had come in. Most of the students of the school were probably here, not to mention the students. [color=662d91]“Tonight is for getting to know your fellow students, drinking, and revelry as some might say.”[/color]

Livia sat her glass on the table, giving Katherine a small smile.

[color=662d91]“Perhaps some little students are getting to know their teachers a bit more though, hmm?~”[/color] She chuckled quietly, though before Katherine could reply, she continued. [color=662d91]“Before I get started officially with tonights festivities and introduce you, I would like to ask if you would like to say a few words to your fellow students? If not, I understand. I will simply introduce you and you may continue doing what you wish.”[/color]

The Headmistress was obviously implying something with that comment, but Katherine couldn't really reply to that before the subject got changed.  [color=green]"Of course I will say something.  Who would respect a person that stands to the side as they are introduced?  At least into the role I have been granted.  I'll just say somethings and just how I expect them to behave at the least with adequate behavior."[/color]  She shrugged lightly before continuing. [color=green]"Can't say I didn't warn them, right?"[/color]   At least, the students attending couldn't say that and mean it at a later date.  

[color=662d91]“Aha, true, true.”[/color] Livia said with a smile. [color=662d91]“Well, let us get this underway then, shall we?”[/color] With that, the headmistress stood, bringing a hand to her mouth, clearing her throat before speaking.

[color=662d91]“Welcome, Welcome!”[/color] She said with a smile, cheerily greeting all those who were currently attending. Her voice was loud, amplified by some unknown means. Likely some minor corm of Bratus magic involving sound. [color=662d91]“It is a pleasure to see all of you here this evening, my precious little students and my hardworking staff.”[/color] She greeted with a pleasant voice. [color=662d91]“Welcome to the annual Montagne academy ball. I do hope you will all enjoy yourselves tonight.”[/color] Now that she was certain to have everyone’s attention, she continued with the more important announcements.

[color=662d91]“Now, I’m sure you are all eager to get started eating if you haven’t already.”[/color] She laughed. [color=662d91]“But please, before we officially begin I have a few announcements to make. Some of you older students will know one of the announcements, but the newer ones perhaps have yet to hear of it.”[/color] She allowed a small moment of silence to let the students briefly murmur to themselves.

[color=662d91]“The official tournament here, will be held at the end of next week!”[/color] She continued. [color=662d91]“Now now, don’t get too excited yet. It’s still a week away, but do look forward to it! There is a [i]very[/i] special grand prize to go to the winner this year. A rare and equally powerful catalyst. What is it you ask?”[/color] She said, a small smile crossing her lips. [color=662d91]“Well, enter the tournament and find out! It’s not mandatory, of course, but it would definitely be a place to make a name for yourself and show off your skills.”[/color]

She allowed the students a moment to talk among themselves before continuing.

[color=662d91]“And in the coming weeks after that, we should have the usual jobs for you all of you wonderful little students. A certain reaper misplaced some paper work and it got sent in late this year, so we were unable to have them ready by the beginning of the year.”[/color] She shook her head with a slight chuckle. A few murmurs of disappointment were heard among some of the other members, but that quickly passed.

[color=662d91]“With those two more important announcements out of the way,”[/color] Livia continued making sure the students had quieted down. [color=662d91]“Just one more thing to add – Last year there was quite a few troublemakers in the campus.”[/color] She sighed, shaking her head. [color=662d91]“Theft of school property, breaking and entering into the kitchens,”[/color] She listed a few more offenses that were probably at least somewhat normal for a school like hers.

[color=662d91]“My little students. A little responsible fun is fine every now and then, but there is a time in place for everything.”[/color] She continued with a sigh. [color=662d91]“To rectify this, I have decided to assign someone…let’s call them a disciplinary officer. She will be making sure you behave and that you follow the rules.”[/color] She motioned towards Katherine. [color=662d91]“Please do introduce yourself.”[/color]

Katherine smiled as she stood to introduce herself, [color=green]"With Pleasure."[/color] The girl cleared her throat before continuing loud enough for all to hear.  [color=green]"Hello everyone.  My name is Katherine Lindall.  Some may have met me in class or on school grounds elsewhere, but as mentioned before I'll take up a role as a Discipline Officer.  At the very least, I expect you all to act with adaquately good behavior. Show up to class, respect the school, don't destroy towers.  I think it should be easy enough, though apparently there are some of those that would disagree. . ."[/color]  She mumbled that last part to herself more than anyone else but continued.  [color=green]"Regardless, I hope we can have a good year together."[/color]  She surrendered the floor back to Livia with a smile, hoping that won at least some of the student's attention.

[color=662d91]“Indeed. Do be on your best behavior students.”[/color] She replied. [color=662d91]“That said, however.”[/color] She picked up her wine glass, taking a small sip of it before continuing. [color=662d91]“This evening, eat! Drink! Be merry! Get to know your fellow students, and well, who knows! Maybe you’ll find something a bit more.”[/color] She chuckled. [color=662d91]“So, without further ado,”[/color] She motioned for the musicians standing at the stage. [color=662d91]“Let us feast and be merry!”[/color]

And with that, the ball officially began. The students that had arrived during the announcements quickly grabbed their food and drink. The ones that were here before, resumed what they were doing. Livia smiled, now that her announcements were over with. The headmistress returned to her seat with a sigh, finishing off her wine.

[color=662d91]“That was quite the decent little speech, Katherine.”[/color] She reached for the glass of wine that had been poured for her. [color=662d91]“At any rate, feel free to mingle with the students, if you wish now.”[/color] She took a sip of the wine, offering the girl a smile. [color=662d91]“Or stay here if you wish. I certainly don’t mind.”[/color]

Sitting at the teacher's table made Katherine feel a little more superior, really.  She could lord over all the small people intermingling, though it was mostly in her head.  [color=green]"That's all fine then.  I like sitting over here as well.  I'm sure there are plenty of things we could talk of."[/color]  She said with a smile, before she called over another server and ordered another cup of coffee.  It felt like it was going to be a long party, and coffee was great during long parties.