[center][h3]Punchbowl Drama[/h3][/center] Nobles were supposed to be on time. But after a rather hectic morning of running around the town desperatly in his pajamas, he finally managed to acquire what he needed. Proof. Although he had initially headed back to his room in frustration when that demon resulted in rejection. The more he thought about it the further he realized that Meriun's thoughts had made sense. Some research into the demon's sword revealed that the other Prince, Avarice, had not been lying either. He'd shown up a little late, a few of the earlier couples already on the floor. An older red head and pink haired girl were dancing rather ... closely, which raised a point of curiousity. He could ask around and figure out what was going on later. Waiting for the next dance, the young lord headed over to the table for refreshments, his formal black suit and grey mage's robes appropriate for the occasion. While the young wizard hoped for the opportunity to explain himself, he looked towards the entryway. Luckily, the dance hall had sound magic to ensure loud and noisy familiars like his golem would avoid disturbing those out on the floor. [color=gray]"Ritter, avoid running over people."[/color] Ritter tilted his head to the right and kept it at that angle for a moment as it thought what Swen’s request meant. When the golem had figured it out, it straightened its head. The stone grinded together while Ritter nodded its acknowledgement to its master. The golem stared at Swen like always. Though occasionally Ritter would stare intensely at a random person. [hr] Chen waited outside for a while after figuring out a good place to leave his belongings and was now changed into some expensive suit with uncomfortable shoes and an uncomfortable bowtie. He was wearing a pair of white silk gloves with black skulls on them, this was the only piece of formal wear he could get past his dad's stifling sense of formality. He was sweating slightly, he kept gripping for his sword which he had also left with his belongings, and he was cursing like a sailor under his breath. God he hated formal events. They were always boring and involved political talk to make his dad look good. Luckily his dad wasn't around, so no need to worry about that at least. [color=crimson]"Alright, no more dicking around. Let's get this bullshit over with."[/color] With that being said, Chen entered the ballroom and headed straight for the punch table, the safe haven for the socially awkward. He bumped into something solid and heavy in his rush, nearly tripping over nothing. [color=crimson]"Watch where you're going assho-"[/color] Chen turned towards the object in question and stopped as he stared at the massive stone golem. [color=crimson]"Who the fuck brings a golem to a formal ball?"[/color] He then noticed Swen and sighed. [color=crimson]"I see my earlier lecture went over your head Zauberbuch. You'd think that a fellow noble would have a bit more common sense than this."[/color] Ritter looked down at Chen and stared at him for a moment. The golem then looked at Swen and cocked his head to the left as if asking what to do. Swen looked over as the first dance came to an end. Firstly, Chen had run into his familiar. Secondly, the dance was specifically designed to prevent ineruptions from large presences like Ritters. Thirdly, he simply didn't like the guy. But he didn't want to put any diplomatic pressure between their households in the future, especially since the older kid would end up inheriting a larger territory than his own hereditary lands. [color=gray]"With all respect Lord Avarice, if you hope to dance with a lady I pray next time you'll be able to notice a wall before you run into it. However, he's only been mine since this morning and I consider it important to bond closely with him early on."[/color] The nobleman forced himself to stop before he made things worse. [color=gray]"I will be taking my leave. May you reign long, your highness."[/color] The nobleman left Chen's prescence, wanting to avoid the bully. If Ritter was acting up, he'd tell his golem to avoid running people over. Chen's eyes widened as Swen smoothly insulted him and then left without a second glance. His mouth opened as he attempted to come up with a comeback, but he closed it quietly instead. Actions speak louder than words. Chen shook his head and walked off as well. There were better things to do than to insult a young noble. [hr] What a luxurious event. Arata raised a glass, downed it in one motion, and slammed it down onto the table. A small pyramid was already building up before the raven-cloaked oni. The cloth was a fine material, but like most, it probably wouldn't last a second of actual fighting. Though it pained him to admit it, the oni would probably have to find some magical clothing that didn't disintegrate whenever he started trading blows enemies of his own caliber. Nevertheless, the longer he stuck around in the grand hall, the more he was sorely tempted to simply get out of this goddamned cesspool of teenage romances and weak-stomached plebians. Like, god damn, why was that baby-faced fuck over there reciting inelegant rhymes? Why were those two freckled little shits blushing furiously while ONLY holding each other's hands? Made his stomach sick...though it might also have been the fact he ate those fried scarabs a few minutes ago. They were crunchy, of course, and the meat was rather sublime, but it wasn't anything the oni was accustomed to, and his stomach would have been rioting if not for his demonic stomach acids. Boring little event, though next week's tournament was going to be fun. He had no idea what a catalyst was, of course, but hey, who cares? Would be nice to butt heads with Sorcha again. He chugged down a flute of bubbly champagne, wondered how the fuck anyone could get drunk off this, before letting out a long, alcohol-filled sigh. This dance really was devoid of excitement, huh? [b]"Little kids just circling around each other in clothes too fancy for their disposition,"[/b] he muttered. [b]"Not even that good."[/b] Perhaps he'll show them what a real dance looked like. Chen walked over to the Oni who was consuming copious amounts of alcohol and smiled. [color=crimson]"Glad to see your thrashing from earlier hasn't ruined your mood. Impressive fight by the way. The light show near the end was a plus."[/color] Chen snickered with that statement and tugged at his collar. [color=crimson]"Stupid fucking monkey suit."[/color] He muttered under his breath. He focused on Arata once again and smiled. [color=crimson]"You know, I never got a formal introduction from you Mr. Oni. Don't you think I deserve at least that much considering that really expensive bed sheet you're wearing right now?"[/color] Oh, the same midget that gifted him his current robes. Patting the ground beside him, Arata said, [b]"Yes, you're very welcome, kid. And no...you don't deserve it." "Guess I'll chalk this up as me being too drunk to know any better, huh?"[/b] With that, the oni got up, placed a bottle of wine down, and smiled at the demon boy. [b]"Please, don't assume that talking under your foul breath means that no one can hear."[/b] With that, Arata grabbed the smirking little imp by the face, frowned slightly at how drastically his strength was suddenly decreased by, and tossed him skywards. Whatever's going to happen to him was out of the oni's hands now. Hopefully this pisses the kid off though, if it doesn't break a bone first. This party has been far too...modest. He took another drink from a waiter, and added a finishing touch to his hazardously-designed pyramid of assorted cups and glasses. Guess he should find something else to do now, huh? Maybe something in regards to fried chicken... Chen's eyes suddenly widened as Arata grabbed his face. [color=crimson][i]'This will either be very fun or very painful.'[/i][/color] With that one thought, Chen went flying into the air, courtesy of Arata and his unstable drunken mood. Chen flew into the air, hitting what appeared to be a chandelier, and descended straight through the punch table which left a few bruises all over his body. He lay there for a second as he moved his arms and legs around to see if anything was broken. After a quick check, he got up and stared at the Oni. [color=crimson]"Ungrateful son of a bitch."[/color] Chen brushed off some snacks that were on him and walked away to go find something that didn't ruin his day. Maybe if he was lucky, it might even be safe.