[center][color=#091A54][h3][u][b]Mordiir, [i]Magewright of Eaihsvaryhn[/i][/b][/u][/h3][/color][/center][hr]Walking towards the guards and ascending the stairs as if they were not there at all, something he would have done even if the Kaelmorhn had not given the signal, the Magewright stepped onto the balcony, facing the Queen of the Demons, as it were. [color=#091A54][b]"It has been some time, yes,"[/b][/color] he responded curtly, eyes giving her a once over, expression annoyed and serious as per the usual before he looked away and observed the crowd below. It was more as if he had taken stock of her, rather than taken in her form, as if uninterested in her...[i]charms.[/i]

After all, unlike most who would be intimidated, or caught in the allure of the demoness, Mordiir was utterly unaffected, or at least appeared to be. [color=#091A54][b]"I have been...decent, though as  usual my city could be better."[/b][/color] He glanced in her direction, [color=#091A54][b]"As it will be in the days to come."[/b][/color] His eyes turned to the crowd once more.

After a moment he spoke again.

[color=#091A54][b]"We are well fortified against this new...[i]threat,[/i] if you can call it that."[/b][/color] He made a face of displeasure at the thought of their enemy, the church. He hoped none of [i]their[/i] sort had been invited to the ball, though he hoped even more that they would not arrive uninvited. Granted, hope meant little to him, pessimistic as he was.

[color=#091A54][b]"What of you and yours Aldrai?"[/b][/color] His body turned half-way towards her, his strange, almost alien, swirling blue eyes meeting her brilliant red ones. As usual, it seemed he had little time, or patience, for pleasantries.

[center][color=#00C1EB][h3][u][b]Arrynei Sylvaer, Grand Vizier and Scholar of Eaihsvaryhn[/b][/u][/h3][/color]
[img]http://pre10.deviantart.net/e8f9/th/pre/i/2016/093/4/4/sketch_commission__shol_ashys_by_raikoart-d9xg95e.png[/img][/center][hr]
A small frown creasing her brow as she sat at the edge of the ballroom, on one of the few chairs that had been set out and away from the tables, Arrynei drummed her fingers on her thigh, the soft fabric of her white and gold dress rustling slightly each time she shifted her legs.

Why had he done that, she wondered, why did he always cause such a fuss? He had so many enemies, so many people who were afraid of him, but why? He was compassionate and intelligent. He cared for others more than he likely did himself, and yet...all he showed to the world through his attitude was rudeness and irritability.

Her eyes darting to the entrance to the ballroom, Arryn found her frown deepening as she noted just who had arrived. [i]Valla Craestiir,[/i] she thought, a hand rising to brush a strand of hair from her face even as she swallowed and rose to her feet, worry in her chest.

Cross the ballroom to intercept the woman, people parted for her, though they did not give her a wide berth such as they had the Magewright. Some of the men smiled at her and bowed, while the women either marveled at her, or glanced briefly, looks of jealousy in their eyes. Then, before she came into Valla's direct line of sight, she took a deep breath and steeled her nerves, donning a genial smile before exiting the crowd and approaching the woman.

[color=#00C1EB][b]"Valla,"[/b][/color] she said, her smile welcoming, eyes appearing surprised, [color=#00C1EB][b]"You were invited too?! It's been some time has it not?"[/b][/color] Her hands reached out to take one of Valla's in between them, the action a gesture of friendliness, meant to be harmless.

She hoped the woman wouldn't realize that she was trying to keep her attention [i]off[/i] of Mordiir. If she was not successful, this ball might quickly become less of a party and more of a disaster....