Indrau glanced over his shoulder at the altercation and shrugged. "She may be but I admire her restraint." He lowered his voice a fraction. "Had I been in her position and vexed so, I might have called the man out and shown either his cowardice or his blood to the world."

He turned to face the front of the room as the princess was announced. Indrau tossed back the last mouthful of the drink, slightly disappointed by the small size of the glass before placing it onto a table for a servant to collect.

"I suppose I should put in my appearance sooner instead of later."

He glanced towards the princess again and reached into his shirt, pulling out a Mayonite symbol on a fine silver chain. It matched well with his blue and white outfit. He switched his cane into his left hand, anticipating the need to shake hands and started off in that direction.

@jdh97

Fleuri picked up his glass and took another drink. "And if anyone here disparages you, they're a fool. It is because of the valor of knights like yourself that they, not Phoran Cal and his treacherous cronies, celebrate tonight within the Crown of Thaln. Granted, not everyone who sided with the monarchy did so for unselfish reasons, but they all gained from the efforts of those who took up arms against those traitors."

"Oh I'm well aware of that. It just gets tiring after a while. All the staring and whispering." The Naga shrugs again, opting to eat more of the meal they'd been provided with than to engage in idle chatter; seemingly at ease in their bubble of silence. When the Princess made her entrance, Mari offers Fleuri an amused grin. "It would appear that we have been summoned." Taking a brief glance around the hall, Mari catches sight of Jarde making for one of the exits. Frowning slightly, the Naga turns back toward Fleuri. "If you'll excuse me a moment, It appears I'll be taking a brief detour before joining the rest of the party at the head of the hall."

With that, Mari trades her half finished palate for her quarterstaff and slips through the crowd towards Jarde. Gently tapping him on the shoulder, Mari speaks quietly to the younger knight. "Turning down a royal summons? That is kind of bad form you know." The Naga says, grinning slightly.

"Turning down a royal summons? That is kind of bad form you know."

Jarde was tapped on the shoulder by Dame Maritza. He smiled back at the Naga, a goofy grin. "That's true, technically. But I think it's more bad form to assume that I'm one of the Iron Rose Knights the princess is looking for."

"I'm new to the order, I have no stories to tell. I don't even look the part." Jarde explained himself with a self-deprecating chuckle. "And I don't know social cues or etiquettes or things like that, especially here in the world of nobility. What if the princess asks me a question I couldn't answer or answer incorrectly? I don't want the Iron Roses to look bad by fumbling and messing up right in front of the heir herself." He shrugged. "I think it's for the best that I'm nowhere near her."

Glancing at the princess, Jarde had a curious thought. "Although, I'm not really sure why she wants to meet the Iron Roses right now. I'm pretty sure she met the Iron Roses before." He wondered aloud. "Do you think she just wants to talk to the Captain? She is the new captain after all."

There was a certain atmosphere in the air. Whether it be the peering lights filtering through the glass windows of the castle's walls. The myriad of men and woman of all kinds standing in awe of their presence, or simply the wealthy air of aristocracy, Rowan felt this place was different. Among comrades and strangers alike, The Knight of Iron Roses were summoned before royalty to demonstrate themselves before a crowd of people. Much like trophies or paintings in an art gallery. Physical attributes of displaying strength, shields and protectors of men and women a like. It was almost as if history wrote itself on a fairy-tale. Rowan's smile demonstrated a child-like glee to it, almost as if he was standing on what was at one point something so distant. Stretching his gaze towards the distance where he stood above a podium before the guests, at the throne room of Aimlenn Castle. It was a match lit in heaven... Was that how the saying went? A country bumpkin such as himself in these walls would make any parent proud, and so his thought drew to his family. Of course, only momentarily. There were no stories to tell, no shows to boast about, but plenty to be grateful for.

The other's stood their ground, other decided to remove themselves from the limelight. Ironically, Rowan thought the same for the time, thinking it be best to not stick his nose where he thought it didn't belong. But he worked himself to the bone, he bleed and shed tears reaching this path. Some said it was as if it was destiny, he says it's because he decided to defy it. Strong of body, soft of soul, perhaps there were traits he lived by, even though it is subconscious. The princess, Eliabelle herself said to greet her, approach her and demonstrate their prescience. Some felt unworthy of the title, Rowan on the other hand, felt the need to prove he was capable of upholding it.

The softness of his stare, the raise of the lips followed by a gentle bow before the princess and the blonde girls. "To meet us? Such would prove difficult your Majesty, for as beaming as we may be, The Iron Roses will never glimmer as bright as Aimlenn castle and yourself. The guest would attest to my claim." A glint of jesting in the midst of his words. Of course, he knew and understood fully the responsibility and weight of their craft. He stood strait once more linking his gaze with hers, demonstrating all forms of etiquette he had to almost forcibly swallow during his growth. "Yet I swear to uphold the name with duty and respect. I am Rowan Balthier. Proud spearman of the Iron Roses. Although I hold no esteem title, no stories of wonder to tell-" He peered for a moment towards the blondes and smiled softly, eyes and all, "-And no dragons yet slain, I can assure you that I will not falter in my duties as a Knight. With aid of Captain and team, I am proud to hold the title of knight."

There were many in this ball, perhaps he got entranced by its grandeur, the sonata which shifted its atmosphere through the crescendo's of its tune. Tonight was a night for them, perhaps some saw it differently. Maybe others were merely here because of a summons. But it mattered not, Rowan wanted to bask in this appreciation and once it came to uphold his end of the bargain, his spear would plunge itself to the enemies which would shift the foundation of their peace. "It's been an honor, truly." He took a few steps back, behind Captain and team. "Hopefully this meeting would be one that garnished not only trust between us, but blossoms into fruition for our futures. In the mean time, I must now acquaint myself with the rest of the members of the ball. If there is need of me, kindly do not hesitate to summon me once more. If you would excuse me then."

He proceeded to move away from the throne and into the mix of people. Making acquaintances was part of the job, after all... right?

Indeed, the Princess was in quite a hurry to approach the crowd, eyes clearly on the lookout for any of those among the ranks of the Iron Rose Knights.

And when one had approached her...

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Rowan," she said, brightly. "I'm so glad you're enjoying yourselves. I'll admit, I expected the Captain to approach first, however... though it seems like she must be a little busy. I think I saw her speaking to a nobleman...?"

Eliabelle peered through the crowds, attempting to pick up the Knight-Captain in her vision as she did. "As long as I get to speak to her tonight, I'll be happy."

After a moment's pause, she continued.

"I heard you defeated that band of criminals that had been raiding towns," she spoke, lightly tilting her head to the side, "You have my deepest gratitude. It was awful knowing that the citizens of Thaln were in danger, and I'm glad that father listened when I asked for you to be sent after them."

Given Lord Velbrance had fled almost immediately after being released, Fanilly was quite relieved to have some excuse to flee as well before any others such as himself chose to approach her. She'd barely spoken to him when they were children, but now it seemed as if he... well, it was clear he didn't approve of her, somehow. But regardless, the princess had wanted to talk to her...

"Oh, Knight-Captain!"

And had evidently seen her.

"At your service, your highness," Fanilly began, bowing with one hand tucked over her chest as she did. It was of course to behave appropriately and treat the princess properly.

"Ah, I'm ever so excited to speak with you! And your knights!" declared the princess, smiling cheerfully.

---

Violette's shoulder's sagged.

"... I... didn't mean..."

She trailed off. One of the knights had left... she just... she'd been frustrated. She wasn't too excited about tales of battle in the first place, and these knights had been too green to tell anything more then beyond clashes with bandits. It wasn't as if that was a bad thing, but in terms of hearing stories...

Now one of them had left...

"..."

"Er... I apologize, sir knight," Angenese said, bowing her head, the other blonde doing the same. Violette averted her eyes.

---

Most people hadn't yet noticed her.

And yet, her presence was undeniable.

It was a little girl, no older than nine or ten, seemingly alone as she wandered through the crowds. Her hair was long, past her waist, and raven black, her large green eyes bright and full of life. Her features were soft, rounded, perhaps the epitome of what one would consider an adorable child, though her skin was incredibly pale.

The strangest thing about her was perhaps her outfit. On her head was a wide-brimmed, pointed travelling hat, and her body was dressed in a vest and long skirt, and a shirt with sleeves too long for her hands. It wasn't exactly party wear, really.

She reached out and suddenly tugged the sleeve of the nearest Iron Rose.

"I can't find the sweets... there's so many people here, I keep getting turned around!" she declared, quite clearly not seeming to understand she was talking to a knight, "Can you help me?"

@Sync@HereComesTheSnow@Asuras@jdh97@Animal@TheFake@Crimson Paladin@PaulHaynek@FlappyTheSpybot@Raineh Daze@ghastlyinc

Fleuri Jodeau

It was during the conversation with Martiza that the hostess of the ball, Princess Eliabelle, made her appearance. Maritza proceeded to slither off to retrieve Jarde, who seemed to have made an attempt to slip away, leaving Fleuri to turn his attention to the princess. It was, to his knowledge, the first time he had seen her in person. He was unsure if she had been present at any of the tournaments he had fought at, and he secretly hoped she wouldn't remember him from them, because he'd rather not be reminded of the chapter of his life where he was a materialistic glory hound.

From what Fleuri knew of the princess, she was approximately the same age as Fanilly, and had a reputation as an affable, well-liked figure. She clearly had an interest in the Iron Roses, as evidenced by both her act of inviting them to her ball at the last minute, and by her present request for them to meet her. Sir Rowan Balthier was the first Iron Rose to respond to Eliabelle, during which Fleuri samppled the food on his plate and silently contemplated whether he should approach in kind or stay put unless singled out. He didn't want to cast the impression of refusing her, but to deal with royalty was to walk on eggshells, and he feared that any misstep on his part could bring shame to House Jodeau.

Fleuri's silent deliberations were interrupted when he felt a tug on his sleeve. Fleuri looked down to see a young girl, dressed quite oddly for the occasion.

"I can't find the sweets... there's so many people here, I keep getting turned around! Can you help me?" she asked the knight.

"Certainly," Fleuri replied, somewhat relieved at the distraction. He glanced at the nearby tables where Martiza had been filling her plate, looking over the contents of each table, until his gaze was upon the impressive cake at the table at the far end. "Looks like the sweets are over there, at the far table. Come on, I'll lead you to it," he said, as he begun to make his way to the sweets table, moving with utmost care as to not spill his plate or glass.

Strange outfit she's wearing for a ball. Probably some noble's child going through a dress-up phase.

Gerard Segremors

It was as though she had walked right out of a painting.

There was scarce little Gerard knew about Princess Eliabelle beyond what passed for "common knowledge" amongst a knightly order in nearly her direct service— that she was roughly the captain's age, for instance. It amazed him that someone so young could carry themselves with such an elegance and grace... her storied beauty certainly lent itself to that, but it also showed in the lightness of her stride, the read of her room, and how she held her head, wearing that beaming smile.

Assuredness and propriety oozed through her every movement, even beneath her eagerness to meet her honored guests. Never a gilded hair on her head out of place. It was easy to tell why she was so well-regarded, in that respect. As far as passing judgement upon royalty went, even a lowlife like he could certainly ascertain that she looked the part.

That dress alone is probably worth enough to feed my home for a month, he mused, watching its ornate porcelain-colored frills and folds and golden beads shimmer as she walked. Something about elven tailoring, was it? I've never met an elf, but they certainly didn't hold back.

An all too visible reminder of the type of world Knighthood meant stepping into. Seeing genuine royalty in person, being called to attendance of this celebration of extravagance by her, even perhaps exchanging a few words face-to-face...

The mind boggled. Intellectually, he knew such things were supposed to come with the territory. His head had filled itself with enough dreaming for that, but knowing and doing, as it so often was, were two very different things. Now that it faced him, it was was as though he was staring down—

"I'll be outside to look at the pretty gardens. You guys have fun with the princess, alright?"

"Ah—"

Before he could rebound and make a proper response, his compatriot had slunk away. Though he'd disguised his exit as he so often liked to, with an airy laugh and a wry sentence, Sagramore could feel that Lady Violette's dissatisfaction had hit home. The silence from him before the princess's entrance, before he took his leave, was telling enough. It wasn't like him to let the air hang where it had for so long. It drew a plain grimace from the swordsman as he belatedly realized what had transpired while he was trying to count golden beads.

"... I... didn't mean..."

His eyes flitted over to the Lady in question, tearing themselves from Jarde's wake to rest upon her sagging form. Haughty as she had been moments prior, now she seemed to begin to understand the weight her venting could have upon someone. That there were bridges one could burn by doing such a thing.

He'd hoped as much. She'd been all but smacked in the face with them; if not by Gerard himself, then certainly by this departure. They were socialites, weren't they? Women whose whole lives revolved around reading cues and piercing facades. To simply exist within court, noble trappings or otherwise, wasn't that much necessary?

...Is this not very similar, though, to what she believes of us?

"Er... I apologize, sir knight," Angenese said, bowing her head, the other blonde doing the same. Violette averted her eyes.

Gerard exhaled through his nose, clearing his breath as he gazed upon the three...

"Don't."

His stance was simple, and his position honest. For all he had worried about maintaining a knightly image, he couldn't allow this to be swept beneath the rug. It disagreed with him. It would simply stew, fester, and poison his friend's mind. His confidence would be shot to hell, and that could prove fatal. Moreover...

That Violette couldn't meet his gaze told him that she needed this just as much.

"At least, don't apologize to me. That's not going to solve anything." he continued, folding his arms with the sound of metal sliding against metal. "I'm not the one who got hurt."

This was definitely presumptuous of him. His tone had firmed now, and his words were getting freer by the minute. Certainly not a way to ingratiate oneself to somebody he had just moments ago pegged (rightfully or not) as coddled by the luxuries of nobility.

But even so. One needed to own what they said and did.

"I'm not the one who needs to hear it, though I thank you for your courtesy. Just as I said, you've merely lit a fire in me to excel. More importantly— You're not the one who should be apologizing either, Lady Angenese." his eyes locked with hers for a moment, before falling back on the girl in black. "The antagonist should be making amends with the antagonized."

Though his voice remained resolute, his face softened somewhat as he looked upon the clear shame she carried.

"Lady Violette."

That meant she knew she had made a mistake, and that meant there was still hope. For this, and for her. He just needed to address her directly— and she just needed to address this directly.

"We come from worlds alien to eachother. Where you've seen enough parties like this to be bored out of your skull, if I were to guess— I've spent seven and a half years living my life on the edge of a sword. That's a huge gap to cross when we try to make conversation. I can't speak for his background, but I feel safe saying it's just as removed from yours as mine."

His assumptions laid themselves bare before his mind's eye once again, even as he spoke. Everything he was saying wasn't exclusive to these girls trying to understand the knights, after all.

"It's hard to bridge a void like that flawlessly, I know. Missteps happen— I've probably already made plenty just by saying what I am. Saying it in the way I am, too." he admitted. "There's no way it's proper, for certain."

It was rather austere and stern compared to the eggshells he had danced upon prior, but he felt he was still being fair to her. Acknowledging the mistake rather than saying it was malice was far from an attack upon her, when paired with an offered solution to the problem it had created. Hopefully he could get that much across.

"This wasn't unavoidable, I'm not saying that. But for what it's worth, I think I can understand it. I can get it, and I can forgive it. I'm certain Jarde can too. Enough that you won't be hated, at the very least. But the apology needs to be one-to-one. You to him, saying exactly what you mean to."

On this, he would stand firm.

Mayon, parties like this didn’t used to be so hard.

It would have been nice to lay the blame on simple rust, he hadn’t been involved in such a gathering for years. But that wasn’t really right, either. The proper protocol, the understanding of the different forces in play came as easily tonight as they ever had. Or perhaps he could blame his attire, despite a thorough cleaning his mother would have been appalled at the state of him. That hit closer to the mark but the truth was more fundamental; he couldn’t quite decide how to comport himself. This was his first time in such an esteemed venue since his fall from grace, though truthfully he had never been in one quite so esteemed. It was difficult and it was uncomfortable.

Hardly a thing a sellsword should admit let alone a knight, now should they?

Mingle, Nicomede. Mingle.

So he wove through the crowd, chatting, observing all the proper niceties and wearing a smile much more genuine than it felt. It gave him a little time to think about what to do. Being among the first to greet the princess was thoroughly out of the question, both in terms of seniority and prior reputation. He would not avoid her, that would be rude whether she was the princess or not. But he wouldn’t go out of the way to greet her, either. Not yet. His fellow knights he had met very little, he hadn’t been around long enough to properly introduce himself to any of them yet. Tonight would probably be the best time to get a head start on doing that. Who could say when he would have so many of them in the same place again?

Or perhaps…

It would be rude to intrude on peers already occupied, as many of them were. One-(Sagramore, he thought?) had managed to land himself in some particularly hot water indeed, Nicomede grinned to himself. Court manners were hard learned for someone elevated, but it would do the young ladies he spoke to good to meet a little reality from what he could hear.

No, no. Fortune favored the bold, and he had a suspicion the princess would not permit the knights in attendance to leave without speaking with them all. And both the Knight-Captain and Sir Balthier were in that direction, though his fellow knight was moving away. But if he moved quickly....

Nicomede navigated the crowd unaccosted with a grace that belied his own discomfort, slipping easily and politely between partygoers to intercept Balthier before he moved too far from the Captain and the Princess for his presence to seem natural and coincidental. There was an art to such things, a little social pretense in the presence of one’s betters. Most importantly, it gave them the chance to dismiss a subordinate without impropriety or conflict. And here he thought he had forgotten how to handle himself at a ball?

”Sir Balthier,” He greeted, standing halfway between the Knight moving to mingle and the Captain and Princess he had just left. It was the latter two to which he aimed a polite nod and smile, an open invitation to his political betters to speak with him or let it stand at nothing more than acknowledgement. But it was to the former that he offered his hand to shake, an easy, casual movement. “I don’t believe we’ve had the chance to speak. Nor I with you, ma’am.”

Chuckling, the Naga shakes her head. "You're thinking about this in the wrong way. The fact that we don't really fit in here is... irrelevant. We never have and probably never will. No, what's important is why the princess invited us. While I can't be certain, I've got an idea. Despite having everything, her position prevents her from getting out much, so the best way for her to see the world is through the eyes of others and who better to ask than a group as diverse as ours?"

Pausing for a moment, Mari sighs and shrugs. "Of course, I could be wrong. Still, go introduce yourself. Just say something formal sounding and bow. If you really have no idea what to do, follow behind one of the senior knights and follow their lead. Sir Indrau wouldn't be a bad choice." She says, nodding in the older knights direction.

Lowering her voice, the Naga continues in a more serious tone. "On less pleasant note, I'd recommend not wandering off alone. We aren't exactly popular with all of the nobility. I'd like to think I'm just being paranoid, but the young noble who was harassing the Captain earlier didn't ease my concerns. While I'm not worried about your ability to fend off some pompous jackass and their flunkies; what does worry me is the potential problems that could arise as a result of an altercation without any witnesses."

"Ah, a pleasure to meet you as well, sir,"

With a smile, the Princess curtsied towards the other knight who had approached. Indeed, it was the entirety of the Iron Rose Knights she was enamored with. It was common knowledge among the nobility of Thaln that Princess Eliabelle had been raised on legendary stories of chivalry and heroism. She was well-versed in Thaln's history, especially in relation to the exploits of the knights across the ages. It was possible she was even more versed in the history of the knights then some of the modern knights were.

"Ah, Sir... Nicomede, was it? I... er, I apologize," Fanilly reached back scratching the back of her head in embarrassment. She wasn't entirely familiar with all the knights yet, even if she did recognize him after a moment. Ah, the fact that she had invited him made all of this even worse... How was it that she even took a moment to recognize one of the people she had personally invited to come with her to the ball? Aah, but she was in the presence of the Princess, she couldn't allow herself to falter like this...

"I am so very eager to hear more from you, Knight-Captain... ah, and you as well, Sir Nicomede! I should like to hear from all the knights, in fact!" declared Princess Eliabelle, excitedly, "But first, Knight-Captain, what is it like to be the Captain of the Iron Rose Knights?"

Fanilly hesitated for a moment, shifting uncertainly. How did she respond...? Of course, she was honored to have the opportunity, but... ah, she didn't know, she didn't think she had done a very good job... had she? And the Princess, the heir to the throne, was looking at her so expectantly...

---

"... Ah, Violette never ap-ah?"

The black-haired girl was slowly nodding in response to the knight's words, to the apparent awe of the two older girls. By context, it was easy to tell that the taciturn and sarcastic girl was likely not the type to usually consider apologizing to anyone. But perhaps it was the situation, or the fact that these knights had put their lives on the line for the safety of the people. Perhaps it was another matter entirely. Regardless of what the case may have been, the fact was that the black-haired young girl was averting her eyes and slowly nodding along to Gerard's words.

The two blonde girls still seemed rather awestruck as she slowly made her way in the direction that Sir Jarde had departed in, towards the outside and the gardens.

"..." for a few moments, Angenese stared blankly after the younger girl, then turned towards Gerard.

"... Sir Knight, are you certain you aren't a mage? Or some kind of Mayon-blessed Priest?" she asked, with only the slightest hint of irony in her tone.

"I've known Violette for most of my life, and I've never heard her apologize to anyone even once," added the drill-haired girl, just as awestruck as her friend, "Normally she dismisses anyone who takes issue with her words completely."

"Her bluntness is actually rather charming at times, but... well, I can see it isn't for everyone and she went too far today, certainly," elaborated Angenese, "... I... still feel as if I should apologize as well, Sir Knight, I'm certain you and your fellows are only trying to enjoy the party..."

She gave an apologetic laugh, clearly uncertain of what to next, and perhaps having realized her and her friends had been rather pushy in the first place.

---

The little girl's large green eyes shone brightly with excitement when Fleuri revealed he was indeed capable of showing her exactly where the sweets were. Still holding his sleeve, she followed along behind him, cheerfully humming a tune to herself as she did. After a few moments, it would be possible to recognize it as a piece popular among children, the 'Milk Bunny Song'.

It was perhaps somewhat strange when the Fleuri's plate suddenly tilted rather sharply as he made his way through the crowd, and yet he failed to lose even a single piece of food, but maybe it was just luck.

Indeed, it was not long before the reached the table with the most sweets. It was adorned with a variety of different pastries, from small puffy cream-filled treats to a rather impressive blue and white-frosted cake, towering above the rest of the items on the table.

"Uwaaah~ so many..." the little girl's eyes were sparkling as she leaned closer... "Thank you! Come here, Sir Knight! I need to tell you something important~"

She waved her hand to indicate for Fleuri to lean down closer...

@Sync@HereComesTheSnow@Asuras@jdh97@Animal@TheFake@Crimson Paladin@PaulHaynek@FlappyTheSpybot@Raineh Daze@ghastlyinc@Krayzikk

---

---

Elwen sighed as she slowly walked through the halls of the palace towards the throne room. She looked clearly uncomfortable wearing her old formal armor and tunic she used to wear for special occasions like this. She never needed it during her travels, and with the sudden invite she didn't have time to have something made or tailor this to fit.

While her steps were loud and clear on the hard stone floor, there was a clear dragging of her feet to her gait. She bit the inside of her lip as she grew annoyed with herself. She had no issue running into a battle out numbered. Yet the very thought of walking back into the throne room with members of her order...after throwing her vows away five years before for a selfish reason. Is what scared her. She already knew for a fact Tyaethe wasn't too pleased with her.

She reached behind her and pressed her hand against her back, rubbing it. Still feeling a massive knot left over from Elwen being stupid enough to even challenge her a few days ago. Thankfully no one saw how thoroughly she was beaten down by the little old hag of a squirt. Even if she deserved it...

It had only been a day or two since she returned. She didn't know why she was here. Well She knew...but the fact is she never thought she would ever be here again. She stopped suddenly realizing now she was in the throne room within a few paces of the door. She looked around, seeing nobles look at her and whisper to whom ever were next to them as they stared at her. A few of the Iron Rose knights were there, but only Tyaethe was one she recognized. who was currently speaking with some people from the church. Which was fine, she wasn't in a real mood to speak to her, not that Tyaethe would like to speak with her either at the moment but she would if needed.

She suddenly felt Very alone. She didn't know what to do, or why the new Knight Captain invited her so soon after joining. She reached up and gripped the wolf pendent that she wore around her neck tightly, gleaning strength somehow from it as she looked around. She would speak with the Princess, and Knight Captain then get out of here...with a few bottles of wine of course. She nodded with the attempt to steel her self before walking towards the the princess and Knight Captian.

Her eyes flicked from person to person as she passed by them. Her face cold, lips tight. Only giving a nod if someone gave a nod to her first. She soon came close enough to hear the Knight Captain speak to Sir Nicomede and having the Princess ask the captain how it felt to be one. Elwens deep blue eyes looked to the tiny girl in front of her. She could see clearly that her captain was overwhelmed.

A memory of the previous Knight captain taking a young overwhelmed white haired initiate under her wing popped into her mind. Lady Fanilly was even younger than she was when she joined.

She glanced between the princess, Sir Nicomede, Lady Fanilly and finally on Rowen. She hesitated for a moment her eyes locked on him but he didn't see her yet from where she stood. Memories of them fighting together on the battlefield covering each others backs. and the laughs and fights they shared during the downtime. For the short time they worked together as partners. She bit her lip hard... she knew he would hate her for just suddenly leaving...so she said nothing. Instead looking back to the princess.

"I'm sure she is quite overwhelmed, Your Royal Highness." She suddenly spoke up. Immediately bowing her head to the princess. "As every previous Knight captain has, and I would have been if I were placed in her situation. "

Elwen looked to the captain. "From what I've heard, I Know you will do just fine." She finished with a a small bow of her head and a ever so feint smile.

Hopefully, this interruption would give the poor girl time to compose herself and answer for herself...even if Elwen came off rude for being presumptuous.

Gerard Segremors

Gerard could only smile as the formerly abrasive young woman began to start off. It seemed his instincts hadn't failed him— Violette wasn't so bullheaded as to never admit fault. Forget being nobility— simply as a girl, as practically still a child, this was testament to her true character. Despite the lost face, despite it being evidently against her nature, despite the vulnerability of guilt, she had gathered the courage to set this right.

"Good luck."

He watched her go with pride, before Angenese's only half-joking question drew a soft, yet hearty chuckle from his lungs as he returned his gaze to the two that remained. Their eyes were wide as saucers... they really were young, weren't they?

"That would be something, wouldn't it?" he mused, through the stubborn remnants of a snicker. "But no, I couldn't be further from either. I've never had schooling or talent for magecraft, and I'm actually more a Reonite."

For a moment, he remembered a young woman, just a few years their senior, taking hold of the spear he had given her.

"Nah, I'm just a swordsman. Before I was a knight, I was a mercenary, and before that, a simple farmboy. I'd have been torn apart if I couldn't handle bluntness. Though I must admit, you three did somewhat overwhelm me at first." he inclined his head to Angenese, acknowledging her fears. "I was worried I'd make a fool of myself, or slight you unwittingly. I can be too blunt in my own right, too harsh. If I was, I'm sorry as well."

He had always considered nobility to look less rustic by simple nature than those of rural background, and when they'd approached him with such refined mannerisms and autonomy, he'd honestly misjudged their youth. Younger than him? Without question. Younger than Sir Jarde? Maybe. Their Captain certainly looked quite young in her own right even when one knew her age, especially compared to the Princess— Perhaps they could have been similarly youthful in countenance, and perhaps their stress-free lives had simply compounded it. Such was his hasty conclusion.

But now, as he spoke honestly with them rather than fearful of tripping over his own feet, he saw his error plain as day. This felt almost... mentorly. Less like he was speaking to social superiors, less like peers, and more like brotherhood. Like he needed to guide. It had certainly sprung forth in his lecture to Violette.

"But hey, chin up." he followed the chord of emotion after a moment, patting the girl on the shoulder with a palm clad in polished metal. "If she needed to hear my words to learn to apologize as you say, then I needed to experience all this, too. It's my first Royal Ball, you know? I've never had to deal with anything like it before. But sure as the Sun rises, there's going to be more to come now that I'm in the Order."

He retracted his hand, bringing it back to tap at his skull with a finger with wry edge to his grin.

"You could say you're helping me learn how to be a real knight. We're all growing, bit by bit. Sometimes it's awkward or painful. Sharpening a sword grinds away at the steel, but in the end it cuts a little better than before. So long as you can say the same, and move forward remembering what you learned from this, then it's all the atonement I'll need."

Before taking his steps away from the limelight, Sir Nicomede Durante took the initiative as well to present himself towards her highness. A simple exchange occurred the moment the two's eyes met. Sir Nicomede exchanged a simple nod, one which Rowan replied to with a similar gesture. The folks around were kind, but perhaps it was the atmosphere which made it seem almost fabricated. Their interest was genuine and their words kind, yet this was no different from visiting a museum. Except he was the one behind the glass, people approach and spoke with deliberation and interest, delving deeper into his character and personality. Like attempting to take a piece of him and staple it onto their wall. It was almost disturbing how nobles reacted to the Iron Roses, even her highness saw them as something of worship, perhaps something more inclined to celebrities.

Rowan knew his role well, and so he took it in stride, that was until his eyes began to wonder and then locked themselves into the stare of someone not so distant from himself. Eyes which rivaled his own in strength, yet were the polar opposite in their iris. Blue like sapphire stones, and hair long and fair, white as the winter snow. Rowan was confused at first, but ultimately he knew who this woman was. A memory began to surface the moment their eyes link, her step grew faster as she widen the gap between the two. Rowan stood gazing at her direction, pondering, remembering the time the two went into battle. Pinned against all odd, many fell at their behest, but suddenly upon greeting the morning's rays, this woman had disappeared.

Like a phantom in the night, she left no trace of her behind. There was suddenly a sense of loss, of dread that encompassed Rowan. She selfishly decided upon her own self to follow whatever demons had taken possession of her happiness. They were close, friends even, his shenanigans were her undoing, and her strict nature was his. But they got along well enough to make those moment important. And so, Rowan dismissed himself from the nobles who surrounded him, and decided to move past all of them and right towards Elwen, the Princess and Sir Durante.

Without much pause "Maybe saying this was fate is a bit presumptuous." A smile in tow, he stands now in front of a former colleague. "Your vanishing act was impressive. But your re-appearance is equally as astonishing Elwen." He crossed his arms, relaxed as always, even his eyes show a sense of tranquility. "Of all the places-- It's good to see you're alright."

"You're thinking about this in the wrong way. The fact that we don't really fit in here is... irrelevant. We never have and probably never will. No, what's important is why the princess invited us. While I can't be certain, I've got an idea. Despite having everything, her position prevents her from getting out much, so the best way for her to see the world is through the eyes of others and who better to ask than a group as diverse as ours?"

That made sense. The Princess may be a powerful figure in all the land but that meant she was also burdened with responsibility. She may want to see the kingdom beyond the capital but her duties perhaps shackled her, needing others to tell her what was going on in Thaln.

Still, Jarde did not know what to tell the Princess. Others could tell the tale of the Bandit King's downfall better than he did and he seriously doubted that the Princess wanted to know about his hometown, an average village in Thaln that Jarde doubted anyone in this castle knew existed.

"Of course, I could be wrong. Still, go introduce yourself. Just say something formal sounding and bow. If you really have no idea what to do, follow behind one of the senior knights and follow their lead. Sir Indrau wouldn't be a bad choice."

There was no avoiding it, wasn't there? It felt like Jarde's fellow knights want him to be in the center stage, seeing him as equal to them despite the cold, hard truth of it. He supposed he should just suck it up and act like he belonged there. At least if things go south because of him, he would show the others that he tried.

"On less pleasant note, I'd recommend not wandering off alone. We aren't exactly popular with all of the nobility. I'd like to think I'm just being paranoid, but the young noble who was harassing the Captain earlier didn't ease my concerns. While I'm not worried about your ability to fend off some pompous jackass and their flunkies; what does worry me is the potential problems that could arise as a result of an altercation without any witnesses."

\

That made Jarde raise an eyebrow. "You think we might get attacked?" Maritza's scenario was unbelievable, at least to Jarde. Thinking about it, he supposed it could be possible. Some noble might attempt to assassinate an Iron Rose only to get killed. But if there were no witnesses, then it will look like it was the Iron Rose that did the assassination. "Well if that happens, I'll just let myself get killed to save the Iron Rose's face. Good plan, right? Hahaha!" The joke was morbid but Jarde could not resist.

He noticed the approach of a familiar noble girl. It was one of the three nobles he was talking with Sir Gerard earlier, Violette. She was heading straight at him and Jarde quickly wondered why. Did she have some more... remarkable words she wanted to say to him? He doubted it. There was only one way to find out. "Oh hey, miss. Uhh, do you need something?"

"I would be happy to tell you anything you'd like to know, your Highness." Nicomede said with a genuine, easy smile. The Princess didn't seem to recall, or perhaps know, a thing about his circumstances. That was fine in his books. Actually it was a relief. Much, much better to be an unknown than to be remembered poorly. Easier to make a good first impression than to repair a bad one even with someone as cheerful as the Princess seemed to be. "But I don't have any particularly fascinating tales, lately. Plenty of tournament bouts I could talk about but you could hear about those from anyone."

"No, if you want to hear true tales of daring the Knights most recently deployed will have them. Actually, I haven't yet made his acquaintance but I think one of them could even stand in for my charming regional dialect." He nodded again in the Knight-Captain's direction, a little more at ease than he'd been a moment ago. The newcomer in their midst had already covered for Fanilly's indecision but he could give her a moment or two more to decide upon her answer with ease.

"No apology needed, Knight-Captain," he continued with a nod in acknowledgement. "You can't know everyone. Not when some of us are so new, especially. I was honored to be invited."

The newest arrival, Bauthier had called her Elwen, looked to be around his age. Give or take, of course. She seemed to have some history with Sir Bauthier as well, nothing he wanted to intrude upon. But to introduce himself was a must for propriety's sake if nothing else. A formal party wasn't the place to get to know someone well but it was an excellent place for introductions.

"I haven't made your acquaintance, either. But I'm pleased to. I'm Nicomede."

Over with the religious delegation, Tyaethe had run dry of much to talk about--by and large, matters of ecclesiastical jurisdiction rarely concerned her, and she was hardly one for scholarly debates or determining which temple particularly needed renovating or if there was a pressing need for some facilities to be replaced. Tyaethe still held that it would be a good exercise to send some paladins in training to the Iron Roses for practical experience and to reaffirm the order's character; but as usual was countered with the Order's expertise being too great to allow such green recruits. Which was annoying, what did they think she planned to do, use them as dragon bait?

Once everyone involved had confirmed whether anything had happened regarding the order's erstwhile saint (as ever, nothing on a practical or revelatory front) or her numerous relics (all accounted for, Tyaethe probably needed to dust them when there was nothing more important to do), the vampire had returned to drinking and watching the party. The princess seemed to be making a good impression on her compatriots, and they weren't embarrassing the order--that was a step up.

Elwen... it was a strange choice to invite her to the party, but on the other hand it was nice to have her under direct supervision. So long as she didn't drink half the court's wine and start a drunken brawl with real weapons.

Fleuri Jodeau

Fleuri weaved through the crowd, with the child clinging to his sleeve and humming to herself all the way. It was easy enough for him to home in on the sweets, with the cake rising above the heads of the attendees like a beacon. His little journey nearly came to a disaster, however, when he briefly failed to keep his plate balanced and upright. Fortunately, the contents seemed to stay put long enough for him to correct it, and the knight gave out a sigh of relief that a potential disaster had been averted.

That could've been even worse than that red wine incident, he thought to himself. Spilling his plate at a formal gathering was bad enough, but if he had the misfortune to spill it on someone important, there could be consequences for him, House Jodeau, and the Iron Roses. After clearing those worries from his head, the two of them finally made it to the sweets table. The girl seemed happy with the selection, but before Fleuri could turn to return to the others, the girl spoke to him.

"Thank you! Come here, Sir Knight! I need to tell you something important," she said, leaning closer and gesturing for Fleuri to do the same. Fleuri complied, kneeling down to her level so she could speak to him. It was doubtful that whatever she had to say was important, but it was the courteous thing to do, and besides, Fleuri couldn't resist the opportunity to hear a little ballroom gossip.

"Alright, I'm listening" he whispered to her, "What do you need to tell me?"

@VitaVitaAR

Sir Jerel Ban

When the princess was announced Jerel watched her breeze into the room. Everyone did.

A dollop of frills and spun-sugar elegance, she drifted into this private world. Her feet may never have touched the floor.

So young, so innocent…

How much was an act?

He had kept his lips sealed with a smile at Indrau’s words, and nodded at his departure. Stubborn recklessness seemed a feature of the elder knights. Did they know more than him, or had they just stopped caring?

Tyaethe likely had her reasons.

“Better you than me,” he said as Indrau left.

Which meant he was alone. Yet the disturbance that rippled through the social clusters reassured him; a lone knight would go unnoticed for a few moments more.

He had seen the princess before, had even met her eyes at one function, though she likely would have forgotten his face by now. Either way, he was in no rush to greet her, so was relieved when she was beset by another knight whose name he could not remember.

Instead Jerel did as he was wont to do: he watched. He saw.

A child with clothes too-big tottered to Fleuri. He seemed pleased to humour her. Gerard was involved in a conversation with two ladies, far too intent to disturb. The Knight Serpenta was hard to miss.

For all Jerel saw, he could not find the slighted lord, Velbrance. Perhaps that was best; trying to soothe over such offense was best left for a better time and better people.

Quite by chance, his eyes fell to Tyaethe, unengaged in a section he had been ignoring. The religious contingent seemed able to accuse with just a look.

He had no intention of going over there. Not until he realised the spell the princess had cast with her entrance was slowly unwinding. Several oily and shrew-faced individuals eyed Jerel with a hunger only scavengers knew. He did not want to go, but he did not want to stay exposed.

“A moment of your time, Paladin Radistirin?” Jerel said, standing before her, saluting, careful to keep his eyes on her and not the priests and holy people around. He wouldn’t have admitted it then, the uncertainty, the fear, the guilt that confused his insides, nor confessed its source, even to himself.

“And a measure of your company? You haven’t seemed best pleased this ball. I take it everything is as it should be, or close enough?”

@Raineh Daze

Her heart felt somewhat eased, now. Not that she felt she was guaranteed to do a good job from now on, but rather at the fact that felt have been given some time to think, and though she still felt somewhat guilty at least it didn't seem bother Sir Nicomede.

"I see... er..."

Fanilly took a deep breath, and a smile returned to her lips.

"It's been a lot to get used to... but to be the Captain of the Iron Rose Knights is an honor, your highness," she managed, finally, "I never dreamed of serving such a position when I was younger."

It was true, even if she had been born under a full moon. To be serving as Captain of the Iron Rose Knights... she had never even thought she would be a knight, let alone the captain of the most prestigious order in Thaln. A noble's daughter to be sure, but a knight like this...

Trying to swallow her own self-doubts once more, Fanilly took a deep breath once more before speaking.

"How have affairs been for you, your highness?" the smallish blonde asked.

"Ah, it has been quite lovely, recently... I am still pleased father listened to my request to send you against those bandits," the Princess replied, "The pain they visited on the populace had to be stopped."

Fanilly paused for a moment. It had been the Princess's word that lead to the request from the crown? She hadn't known prior. While she knew that Princess Eliabelle was popular for many reasons, one being her concern for the people, such decision-making capacity when it came to military action as well came as a surprise.

"Ah, but I'm sure you don't want to hear more about that, er... and... I apologize," the Princess paused for a moment, then took a deep breath, "Have you been enjoying the food?"

---

"Ah? So we are knight's aids, and in return you are ours??" commented the drill-haired girl, a smile returning fully to her lips, "Do you hear that, Angenese?"

"I do indeed, Margarite," responded the other blonde, returning the smile, "Well, certainly, if we are assisting you in valuable training, then we are indeed a pair of nobleladies in service of the legend of a brave knight, being waited on by that very same knight!"

Some of their playfulness seemed to have returned with Gerard's more encouraging words.

"Ah... I'm happy that we haven't ruined your first ball, regardless," added Angenese, "A member of the Iron Rose Knights deserves to enjoy themselves!"

She smiled brightly.

"And... indeed, I should like to think we've all learned at least a little, then," the drill-haired girl added, "I hope you can enjoy the rest of your night."

---

"..."

The young black-haired girl averted her eyes, shifting awkwardly. This was quite a bit different then Jarde had last seen her, the small figure fidgeting as she looked away, hands clenching and un-clenching at her sides. That sarcastic, taciturn girl whose face conveyed a distinctly unimpressed expression was now looking quite awkward, failing to meet the knight's gaze entirely.

"... I... I..."

Violette trailed off for several moments. It was quite clear this was not something easy for her, given how much she was hesitating to even speak.

"... I-I'm sorry."

Immediately she turned fully away, blushing and pouting slightly as she did. Making an apology was quite difficult for someone who almost never apologized for anything.

---

The little girl smiled as Fleuri leaned down, whispering to her that he was listening. She looked around in a conspiratory fashion, right and left, before leaning into his ear and imparting her all-important message.

"Watch the crowds," she said, simply, "That Princess isn't as safe as you might think."

While it was delivered in a playful fashion, these words were most certainly not some sort of child's fantasy. It was a warning, delivered by a child but a warning nonetheless.

Somehow, it didn't seem like she was trying to play some kind of trick.

When Fleuri tried to look at her next, the little girl in the tall hat was gone.

As was, somehow, the massive cake.

@Sync@HereComesTheSnow@Asuras@jdh97@Animal@TheFake@Crimson Paladin@PaulHaynek@FlappyTheSpybot@Raineh Daze@ghastlyinc@Krayzikk@Heartfillia

Gerard Segremors

Seemed like things were tapering off here— and just as well, too. No disrespect to the young duo-formerly-trio, but he had other matters that needed attending to— such as being a live armaments display for the aforementioned Princess, and her expensive, exorbitant dress. Best not to linger if he could help it.

Besides, they'll need to find Violette sooner or later. An apology certainly can't take too long.

"Same to you three." he inclined his head, before raising a hand in parting. "It's been eye-opening. Hope you all have a nice night."

Angenese, Margarite, and Violette.

He'd remember those names— young as they were, he personally doubted that this would be their last meeting. Being knighted meant taking one's first step into the world of the nobility, and there would be nothing he'd need more than a friendly face. Even if they were practically still children, the endeavor would require help from both his order and people like them if he wanted to do so correctly.

And none more importantly so than the Princess that had called them all here. If she truly, sincerely wished to meet each Knight in attendance, then he'd not want to keep her waiting.

He turned, starting off towards the front of the hall. Eliabelle hadn't moved terribly far from it after her brief introduction and speech had concluded, which was helpful. Less so were the crowd that had gathered around her. Captain Fanilly was to be expected, it only being natural that introductions start with the acting Commander, but by his count there were one, two...

Three? I don't think I've at least seen the white-haired one before.

Three more knights speaking directly nearby, if not with her. At the very least, Sirs Balthier and Nicomede he was certain of. Honestly, he needed to meet them formally as well, knowing both only in passing and having had no opportunity to share the field of battle with either man...

"That'd be crowding." he muttered, stopping in his tracks as the opulent colors and titters of increasingly merry nobility milled around his armored frame, quite content to ignore him as long as he didn't block the roast pheasant. "Not yet. Can't interrupt the Captain."

So his amber eyes broke off to search for a fellow Knight to, for lack of a better term, wait around with. Somebody with a little more experience, ideally. As well as he and Jarde got along, the boy was as green as Gerard himself, and probably wouldn't be much help for timing this. The Knight Serpenta, last he'd seen, had taken him under her metaphorical wing and was more than likely overseeing an apology by Violette, so she was out too. Sir Jerel had approached Paladin Tyaethe, who seemed to have lost her cheek since Segremors had spoken with her in favor of a glower.

Good luck to you.

He'd probably be fine. No reason she'd be mad at him.

Finally, his eyes settled upon another familiar face, and he made the short walk over to a long table of desserts, where an elegant cake had once towered over the room at large, now absent. He had half a mind to question noble appetites or crack wise about some of the more rotund ones, but as he walked he couldn't help but notice that the crowd was very confused by the affair.

Weird... Certainly, that wouldn't help if it turned to tension.

"Sagramore Gellért, reporting, Sir Jodeau. How goes your mingling?" he asked snappily, hand over his breast in a pristine salute. Thankfully, he neither clacked his boots together nor belted the words out stiffly enough to draw more than one or two looks for the effort. He stared straight into the senior knight, tight and controlled.

...

Then he relaxed his shoulders and stance with a crooked grin, letting a beleaguered sigh pass through his teeth as he did so. "Because I've stumbled my way through surviving mine, somehow. It's more exhausting than I'd thought. Get a chance to speak with royalty yet?"

Fleuri Jodeau, though it was far too unreasonable to keep imposing upon him like this, was more than likely the exact type of person he'd want helping him read a room.