"It's the same sort of ball as any other," Tyaethe said, shrugging, "Or any other social event where the nobility and knights have to mingle. Vultures endlessly searching for something to pick at, in the hope that they can pull the knights a little bit more under their control and try to get a new way to show their prestige by flaunting control of a saint's relics and the kingdom's most famous order of knights."

Snagging some pastry or other from a passing servant, the white-haired paladin scanned the crowd once more for something going wrong, or about to go wrong, "Most of the knights have no idea something like this is happening; they lack the experience with the higher strata of the nobility to recognise it. It never helps that the searching only back down for a while when reminded of how strong we have to be to keep Thaln safe and how easily it could backfire... but Mayon would never accept knocking some sense into their heads every time we attend a social event."

Swallowing the pastry, she looked properly at Jerel, "Shouldn't you be enjoying this, anyway? There's only so many royal balls you can attend in a lifetime."

@jdh97

Indrau made his way carefully over to the group around the princess. One of the few positive points to walking with a can that he grudgingly acknowledged was that in a setting such as this party nobody ever typically asked him to dance. It was something that, even as a younger man in his fathers household, he had little patience for. So often there was some political motivation or some real or imagined hidden meaning with such actions. Leave that to his brother, Indrau much preferred things be taken at face value.

He stopped a respectful distance away from her highness, bracing both hands on the head of his cane. The captain was speaking with her now so her drummed his fingers thoughtfully on the head of his cane and thought of what to say.

---

---

Elwen’s hint of a smile vanished immediately when she wasn’t acknowledged by either the princess or Captain. Perhaps she was indeed rude for interrupting… through the captain did seem to appreciate the moment she was given. She squared her shoulders and closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath. She certainly was out of practice when it came to dealing with nobles and royalty. She resigned herself to wait her turn by standing silently with her eyes closed, her desire for some of the royal wine starting to increase drastically. Her left hand unconsciously gripping her pendant once again.

Her eyes popped open when she heard a familiar voice. She turned her head slightly till her eyes rested upon Rowan’s face. Her hand fell from her pendent as She was in a slight state of shock, as she thought he wouldn’t certainly come up to her. Her eyes dropped to his arms, though relaxed she immediately felt judgement coming from him. His words were kind. He was probably just being polite in front of the princess.

She looked back at him, her expression blank and a bit cold. She said softly with a head nod. ”It's good to see you’re alright as well Rowan. She didn’t know what else to say… thankfully the other knight spoke up, drawing her attention to him.

Catching the added sentence he slipped in when she spoke briefly with Rowan, she figured he was brand new with his wording. Introducing himself as Nicomede. She blinked once, the fact he introduced himself just by his first name was odd. It wasn’t normal for knights to do that...perhaps he was a commoner beforehand? Unlikely with his clothing and accent.

She nodded to him as well. Saying softly. ”I am Lady Gela. ” Her eyes didn’t leave his as She spoke in a way that she half expected the man to suddenly move away...as most did when they realized who they were speaking to. A woman was rumored to be engaged with death itself...a witch. It was all too common for her for the past 5 years or so.

She did look back up to Rowan and asked. “You’ve seem to grow even taller...are you still terrorising the female recruits? Depsite his anger towards her, she guessed she had to make some sort of small talk...at least till the princess was ready to speak to her. She started to count the seconds before that large bottle of unopened wine was hers.

She glanced over to make sure it was still there, however she saw an older man with a cane waiting pateintly. She looked away a moment later and back towards the two men infront of her. Keeping her ear open for the princes.

@VitaVitaAR@Krayzikk@Sync

Gillian chuffed as Velbrance skulked away, back to whatever dark plotting corner of the party he'd slithered from. He almost wished Tyathe had gone a little further, but made no mention of it. But orders were, regretfully, orders. If the Captain said that reducing the high born punk to a red smear wasn't allowed, then both of them would have to suck it up and let him go. He gave a vague wave in Tyathe's direction as she fired off her parting words. "Horse's and water Radistirin. Horse's and water." he rebutted pointlessly, knowing full well the vampire likely wouldn't have listened if she DID hear him.

He leaned against the buffet table for a while, letting the room drift over him as he cleared his head. The princess was here, which meant Alisha wasn't far off. And with the offer of a dance still hovering at a definite 'maybe' he really didn't want to hurt his chances by talking to royalty while in a bad mood...oh. And that said princess could probably have him executed on the spot. That was also good incentive.

He poured himself a glass of wine while he cold down, watching as various knights drifted towards her Highness. Not that he didn't blame them. Lady Eliabelle was undeniably magnetic; as gentle in demeanor as the rumors suggested and beautiful. Well...in a sense. If pressed, Gill would openly admit she was easily up there with one of the most attractive people he'd ever seen, but was hard pressed to care. As if his mind had written off the prospect of being anything more than a guest from the word go and (in an effort to keep his hopes down) had reduced the girl to...decoration.

Gillian scowled down at his wine, not enjoying that line of thought and more than a little ashamed for having stumbled through it. He'd FELT like a thing in the eyes of more than a few people. With enemies it was fine, hell preferable at times. But it had taken a few years to get used to civilians doing it."Admiration and ignorance make for good poison..." He grumbled to himself, draining his drink quickly.

He silently grabbed the wine bottle and a few spare glasses before making his way to the group hovering near the Princess. He held off approaching the girl for the moment, content to let her indulge herself on the mini-captain. Selfish as it maybe, he'd feel like a sack of shit if he didn't at least ATTEMPT to treat her like a person before the night was out, but it was probably the wiser choice to let her approach him.

He eyed the knights as he approached, putting names to faces. Rowan and Nicomede were easy picks, being contemporary knights (if slightly older). He'd spared with both more than once, though admittedly had a preference to Rowan. Rowan was challenging, matching Gill's obscene strength with enduring patience. Gill had rarely not learned something when they had spared, even when he won.

Nico, on the other had, was simply infuriating to fight. If Gill didn't make it a point to try and over power him as quickly as possible, the wormy tactician would almost always win. Not to say he hated the man. He rarely spoke to any of his fellow knights, and the fact he'd bothered to actually LEARN their names was paying greater respect to them than most. But Sparring with Nicomede? Yeah. It was the worst.

The woman took him longer to recognize, if only because she had left before he'd become a knight proper. Parnella had spoken highly of Elwen Gela during his time training under her. And given that Seige Parnella was largely (and wholly justifiably) considered to be the most sadistic and dangerous Living Reliquary alive at the moment, that was reason enough to commit the woman's face to memory. Gillian honestly shuddered to think what the hell Elwen did to actually impress a senior Rose like her.

"Generally speaking...we keep them too tired to be terrorized by a flock of dragons, much less Rowan." Gillian chuckled, offering an empty glass to his companions and waggling the wine bottle with his free hand. The glass rattling brightly as it clinked against the metal of his arms. "We make them do squats in full kit whenever they get caught checking out an instructor. We had Nico take off his shirt after the cool down one time. You could hear their knees popping for two days straight." He adds in a whisper, chuckling as he refilled his glass before moving on to the others.

@Heartfillia@VitaVitaAR @Krayzikk @Sync

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Gela."

The Knight didn't flinch or let his smile waver a degree. Far from fear, a light of... Perhaps challenge flickered behind his eyes. 'Reaper's Bride" wasn't as overwrought a name as some but it was certainly descriptive, and with it carried a reputation that Nicomede would have liked to test. Find out how much of it was reality and how much had been exaggerated in the telling. And of course, whether or not he could beat her. He was pretty sure he knew the answer.

And he saw the line of questioning in her eyes when he introduced himself, his mouth taking on a wry quirk at one side. It was a little odd to omit even the title he was owed, but he was out of practice. 'Nicomede' had been all that needed to be said for so long it was odd to try and introduce himself as 'Sir Nicomede'. At least having no surname at all made connections harder to draw. Any rumination was swiftly interrupted by another arrival, though, and his smile became genuinely wider.

"Gillian," He greeted more warmly, taking the proferred wine glass and laughing at the younger Knight's remark. Almost against his will he puffed up a little to make himself seem even taller, pushing his chest out in an exaggerated pose. Gillian Reynauld was one of the Knights he had already had the chance to meet and get to know, at least a little. The younger man wasn't perfect but he had a decent heart. And with a few more years he would be a truly fearsome opponent, more so if he could ever be cajoled into learning a little more finesse. Strength was all well and good but only most dangerous when used intelligently in conjunction with a good plan. His arms had taken a little getting used to, Nicomede admitted. Not out of any prejudice, or disgust, or anything of the sort. They had just looked a little strange. And they threw off his estimate of where a man Gillian's size could reach in a fight which was actually much more exasperating than anything else. All of it had faded quickly, though, once he properly met the man. "Always a clever strategy to offer drinks when you enter a conversation, young Sir Reynauld, you will always be made to feel more welcome when bearing gifts. Especially in high society."

"I must despair, though," The grin he flashed the younger man over his wine glass just before he took a sip removed any severity that his words might have had at all. "At your clear irreverence for our poor trainees' wellbeing. They had been exercised more than enough before my shirtless visage terrified them. They weren't checking me out, Sir Reynauld, they were horrified. Further punishment had been wholly unnecessary."

"You'll horrify Lady Gela with such pictures. Not to mention that the shirt was half off already, you burned it!"

Their eyes locked for a moment, fleeting, however... Soon she escaped his gaze as quickly as they shared it. Why? Was he so unbearable to her, did she think he held any sense of contempt over her decision way back so many years ago? He attempted to extend his hand, but there was a weight there, something that told him that now wasn't the moment. The wasn't any sort of contempt his him, there wasn't any anger in the slightest. Right now there wasn't a shred of negativity coursing through his veins, there was only a relief to know she was alive and well. Why hasn't she reached for him prior? He wanted to ask as quickly as he could, but soon Nicomede intercepted. "Sir Durante, it's good to see you once more. I hope the delights of the ball are to your liking?" He spoke, a bit disappointed that he wasn't as quick to the draw to pull Elwen away to get to see what her life has amounted to. But perhaps it was best to be kept in the dark. A smile formed naturally upon his mien and he couldn't help but recall all those moments in the Iron Roses where he and Elwen would ultimately find themselves in disputes over his flirting with the females recruits. A grin demonstrates itself on his lips the moment Elwen questions him about it.

And like clockwork, it wasn't long until Sir Gillian Reynaud made his appearance with wine and glass in hand. Without much of a pause he delivered his aura towards the circle of people who have seemed to have gathered in this instance. Sharing tales of the three without much pause, perhaps the alcohol had much to do with that. But Rowan wasn't one to decline, a swing of a bit of wine would always help the heart mellow. And he followed suit without much repose. "I see your concern about my height are still as clear as day, El-- Lady Gela." Perhaps it wasn't the moment to act too familiar with her. She seemed to have made a gap between the two, a metaphorical wall between the them, separating their know-hows of each other. She was a close friend, but perhaps for now, they should just act like comrades. "Terror was the least of their worries, after all their knees would buckle at their behest of their exhaustion before ever registering my intentions, however clear they might have been." A hefty laugh "Nicomede trampled into Gillian's obtuse, yet clever ruse would land him with a burnt tee. The girls face would either gleam from terror or excitement. Had to discipline him thoroughly after, yet similarly shared a mead as it was ingenious to even be able to catch Sir Nicomede Durante off guard."

He had nothing but praise for the two. These knights were monster's in their own right. Gillian's strength was not one to be trifled with and Nicomede's mind was sharper than a sword freshly honed with whetstone. Gillian was slightly younger than himself, but still he would consider him one of the most genuine men he has ever met. And Nicomede did not falter behind, their union would trifle that of heroes in legend. But that would be a story to tell for the future. "But never like the past, Lady Gela. I remember attempting to my wits end to sweep you off your feet. With even song and dance at that other ball so many years ago. Sadly, your rejection pierced fiercer than any blade would. Fate would have it, though that we were meant to be in the same team. Hell, you couldn't even imagine my embarrassment!" He was saying such jokingly, of course. He was happy in the time they spent together so many years ago. "Relax your shoulders. And try to wear that smile often. You are never completely dressed without it... Elwen."

Sir Jerel Ban

Meeting the Paladin’s eyes was a mistake. There was no chance to have hid the surprise that flashed across his face.

His heart thumped. Of all the members of the Order, Tyaethe intimidated him most. An ironic fact, but that made no difference when she stared through you.

Can she tell, I wonder?

“What makes you think I am not enjoying this? I am surrounded by ravens most days. Vultures are a rare treat.”

For a moment, he remained expressionless. Then he sighed, casting his gaze slowly across one side of the room as he tried to collect his thoughts. Blood still pounded his veins.

“The knowledge that something is finite is rarely as comforting as it should be, and leads to fear instead of savour. I suspect you speak truth, that I should make the most of this honour. Yet when I look around, when I speak with these people, none seem genuine; they barely seem real. It’s all a fabrication. A pleasant one, but a lie remains a lie.”

“It disgusts me. And it frightens me, I think.”

“It’s enough to make you want to reach out a shake one, ruffle those vulture feathers, if only to provoke something real.”

The look he gave Tyaethe made the implication clear, “Would that not be dangerous?”

“You’ve had vastly more experience at this than me, so I speak seeking wisdom.”

“Scorning a lord, breaking their illusion, would that not serve to place them against us?”

He shrugged, trying to look only vaguely interested, “Perhaps that’s why I’m not enjoying this surreality. There is too much to think about."

@Raineh Daze

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

Gone was the sarcastic and uninterested noble girl that thought little of Jarde and Sir Gerard. In her place was this meek-looking awkward girl that visibly struggled to apologize to Jarde, her gaze could not even meet that of the Iron Rose knight. But that fact that she was here meant she was determined to do this, likely convinced by Sir Gerard. Jarde regretted leaving him alone but he seemed to be able to handle the nobles better than Jarde could.

As Violette turned away blushing, Jarde wondered. Was she genuinely remorseful? Or was she just shamed or forced into apologizing?

"Pfffft!" Jarde could not help it. The sheer determination of the noble girl made it hilarious to the young knight. "Ahahahaha!"

The hearty laugh was loud and the young knight did not care if the entire court heard it. She had hurt him with words, sure, but he had already forgiven her for that. She was simply telling the truth, albeit coldly. He placed a hand on Violette's shoulder with a playful smile on his face. "Ma'am, no need to apologize. You are speaking the truth, you should not be ashamed of it. Say, were you talked into this by my friend there? If so then worry not, I'll make him apologize to you for making you apologize to me."

"Oh and this is Lady Maritza. Our very own Naga knight" He introduced the Knight Serpenta. "Maybe she's seen dragons before?"

"Well, you came over and talked to me, which you could do any day of the week," the vampire pointed out, sighing at the look of fear in his eyes. It wasn't an unfamiliar sight, one all too inevitable with the many who saw a monster before they saw the paladin. It was more than a little disappointing when it was one of the knights though; when had she ever done anything to harm them? "I have some basic advice in future: if you don't want to deal with the politics, look for the children and the young adults and avoid anyone with titles. Even if they're trying, it won't be very good."

All this between the lines talking was getting annoying, though. She could understand it through experience but... really, couldn't people be a little more blunt? "Don't worry about Velbrance. He was just another idiot looking to trap the captain into claiming she was stronger than Elionne and it's not the first time something like this has been tried. The nobility is always trying to find a way to have one of their puppets installed in the position."

"If he wants to get back at me for a little roughness, he's welcome to try. Nobody is going to back him up against the entire order for being made to look stupid and none of these people scare me."

@jdh97

---

---

Elwen only blinked a few times as Nicomede said he was pleased to meet her. She could see he recognized her name and the glint in his eyes. What it was for she didn’t know. Her attention was pulled suddenly as another joined them. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw what was in his hands. She looked up at the man who barged in and jumped onto her last sentence, explaining what they did to the new recruits. She felt a slight irritation deep inside, she always took the new girls underwing...But she didn’t show it, she did gratefully accept the wine glass, Draining it instantly, holding it out for another in silence. While waiting she recognized his reliquary arms. So this was parnella’s ‘apprentice’.

After his short story, with it ending it on Nicomede taking his shirt off, she raised an eyebrow. They punished them for looking at an instructor then treat them to taking a shirt off of him? It seemed really odd… yet made sense. It would seem that Gillian may have gained a bit of his mentor’s sadistic side.

Nicomede explained more, even going as far to say he terrified them with his looks. But the fact his shirt was half burnt off was what pulled it together. She took a “smaller sip of her newly filled drink. ”Yes please, I still wish to have something to eat tonight. “ She added with a matter of factly tone after Nicomede said not to horrify her with that image.

With Rowan jumping in on the storying and answering her question at the same time. Sure enough he still was chasing girls. She was slightly shocked when he called her lady Gela...almost as proof he was pushing her away. She sighed slightly and looked at the dark red liquid in her glass. It was clear that these three men shared a close bond, It had been so long since she even felt comradery like this before...obviously over five years ago.

Rowan suddenly switch gears and brought up his attempts to sweep her off her feet. Despite her cold features a small pained smile came on her lips. HIs attempts were...embarrassing to say the least. But with his last sentence that took her off guard.. She realized he wasn’t mad at her...well maybe not as much as she thought. She drained her drink once again, if she didn’t perhaps a smile would have slipped out.

She shook her head. For the love of the goddess’s Rowan... She raised her free hand to stop him as she held the empty grass close to her chest.Dont start singing please. I’m getting a major case of Deja’vu. She said in a warm tone. Being a talented warrior doesn’t mean you are a bard shorty..

She silently motioned for a third glass in a polite manner. At least let us have a chance to drink a few bottles.” She added with a tiny smirk.

Sir Jerel Ban

“No, I don’t suppose they do.”

The sigh had suckerpunched Jerel. He wanted to explain, but how could he? She was a Paladin and notoriously blunt. Questions of faith were best kept for musty cloisters and mustier priests.

Let her think I’m just a coward, it’ll save on derision.

And a hypocrite, complaining about the vexious court and then dancing to its tune with questions between lines.

“Children have precious little useful to say,” he sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his beard charms clattering, “But neither do most people here.” There was an irony there that made Jerel smile.

“I suppose I’m jumping a ghosts; not every noble is Phoran Cal," he paused, as if thinking over a question. He wasn't. He'd formed in not long into the night, spurned on by Velbrance. It was one of the reasons he'd hoped to speak to Tyaethe, just not so soon, so sober, "Did you ever meet him before he rebelled?”

@Raineh Daze

Sometimes, it was hard to tell if you were being insulted, particularly when people mentioned children... it didn't seem like it, but to the already-irritated vampire it was one of those times she wished that alcohol actually had any effect on her. Maybe it would make dealing with idiocy more pleasant.

"As a knight by birth and de facto most senior commander in Thaln's paladins," Tyaethe started, not that the role meant much given their low numbers, "I have to attend noble or royal balls far more than anyone should stomach.

"So yes, I met Phoran Cal before the rebellion as he attended court. I also met his father, grandmother, most other immediate relatives that didn't hold the title, and I even met his daughter a few times before he rebelled. It's safe to say that I probably met, in some capacity, the entire command structure of both sides of the rebellion. Why?"

@jdh97

Fleuri Jodeau

"Watch the crowds, that Princess isn't as safe as you might think," the girl whispered to Fleuri.

It was an odd thing for a child to say. It could be the playful imagination of a child, but when Fleuri glanced back at her, she was gone without a trace, and without a sound. This by itself was enough to unnerve the knight and lend credence to the idea that it wasn't just a little girl playing around, but what truly convinced Fleuri was when he heard a commotion around him and looked up at the dessert table.

By Reon, what is going on? The massive cake that once stood at the table had vanished into thin air in the time span of at most a few seconds! It couldn't have been moved, lest he'd still be able to spot it towering over the heads of the attendees, and he knew from experience that something of that size falling over would've caused enough noise and commotion to bring the entire ball to a screeching halt. The only explanation was that magic had to be involved, and that meant that the girl's warning could not simply be dismissed as a child's fantasy.

I don't know what's going on, but I must warn the others. Abandoning his plate and wine glass on the table, Fleuri weaved his way through the crowd to where the rest of the knights had more or less congregated. A few times he brushed past a guest and uttered a hasty apology, unconcerned with the consequences in his haste. Just a minute or two ago such a reckless disregard for etiquette and personal space would have mortified him, but what Fleuri had seen and heard had thoroughly spooked him beyond the ability to retain concern for such matters. The duty of the Iron Roses came before the dignity of House Jodeau. Once he reached where he could see the Princess and a few of the other knights, he stopped to compose himself and assess the situation.

The Captain is talking to the Princess. I can't directly approach them, not like this, he concluded. If he mishandled this it could create a panic or worse, an incident. Alright. Yes. That's what I need to do. Fleuri looked about the room, watching the crowds as the girl had suggested, and looking for the diminutive figure of Tyaethe and hoping she hadn't wandered far. Fortunately, even with her small stature, the First and Youngest was not difficult to pick out of a crowd. Fleuri made his way to the paladin, who was currently in a conversation with Sir Jerel Ban.

"Tyaethe, Jerel, something's wrong," Fleuri interjected worriedly, speaking softly as to not draw too much attention. The change in his composure was as clear as night and day- up until now he had been one of the most comfortable of the attending knights, thoroughly in his element and quite formal in his interactions with others. "I don't know what I just saw, but someone- a mage, I reckon, warned me to 'watch the crowds', that the Princess isn't safe. Then she disappeared and somehow made...that...vanish with her," Fleuri whispered, pointing to where the cake once stood. "Look, I know this sounds flimsy, crazy perhaps, but I believe something is amiss."

Reon's mercy, I hope I didn't just make a massive fool of myself over nothing.

@VitaVitaAR@jdh97@Raineh Daze

"I'm afraid I haven't had the opportunity to try much of the food," Fanilly admitted. First there had been Velbrance, who had caught her up in his conversation before she was quite ready to handle any of it. Then the Princess had entered the room, and from that moment onward the smallish girl-knight was rather too caught up in conversation with her. Admittedly she was actually feeling quite hungry, but it would be rude to interrupt her conversation with Princess. In fact, saying it was simply 'rude' would have been a considerable understatement. But when directly asked, there was little she could do other then admit to the fact.

"Oh, that simply won't do," Eliabelle replied, folding her arms firmly across her chest, "Anyone I have invited should enjoy the food! Father hired chefs from local and foreign lands, to ensure we had plenty... of..."

The Princess trailed off as her eyes met the tables on which the food had been arranged. Following her gaze, Fanilly was confused to see that the largest single item on the dessert table was now entirely gone.

Who was responsible for that?

"... How rude, hording the whole cake..." commented Eliabelle with a frown, "It was made for everyone to enjoy, not to vanish when the ball has barely begun! ... Some... how..."

She trailed off once more, confused. Fanilly couldn't help but be at a loss, either. How did a cake that big just disappear? Did someone use magic to make it vanish completely?

"... I shall have to admonish the one responsible. So unfair to our guests," asserted the Princess, nodding to herself, "But come now, you must try the food!"

She smiled at Fanilly.

"Ah, er, yes!" the knight-captain nodded, as the Princess waved towards the other knights nearby, in a bid to get their attention to try some of the food as well.

"To be honest, I'm quite hungry myself, your highness," Fanilly added, now that it seemed more appropriate to do so. She hadn't wanted to sound as if she wasn't interested in talking to Princess Eliabelle, after all...

---

Violette was silent for several moments. It seemed as if the surly, sarcastic girl who had struggled to even make an apology was momentarily awestruck. It was possible, as a member of nobility, she had met a dwarf or even an elf before. Dealings with some such races wasn't unheard of in Thaln. But one of the monstrous races... Northwards, there were some countries where it wasn't so uncommon to see them working in some kind of position in the capital. But for the young noble girl in Thaln, a country where even the most common of nonhuman species was rarely seen(at least aside from fairies, who were likely to be spotted any time someone entered a forest), the sight of a naga in such a public place was a surprising one.

For several moments, the black-haired girl was speechless.

"Naga..." she trailed off for a moment.

"... Nevermind, it's not as if I care," she commented, looking away again and blushing. It was clear both the apology and her moment of genuine awe were embarrassing for her, but both of them had seemed quite genuine. "Simply because I have never seen someone of a certain kind before does not mean I would be so enthralled."

Meanwhile, closer to the edge of the gardens, there was a young girl with dark gray pigtails, seemingly around Violette's age as well. The more striking thing, perhaps, as she gazed out into the guardians, was the tall knight in entirely black armor that stood beside her...

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

Gerard Segremors

It seems I've been ignored.

Why?

That little joke wasn't that weird, was it?

Somewhat befuddled, the young man looked on as Fleuri began to stalk forward. Admittedly, Gerard did carry himself much more seriously when they usually spoke— but for the entirety of the bash, his senior Reonite had been nothing if not poised and affable. If any of them were at home in such a setting it was he— without inexperience to shackle his mind nor fear to dull his tongue, Segremors had been counting upon his guidance for further conduct. And here a simple greeting had gotten him blown off wholly.

Which, given his erstwhile support, made no sense.

Look closer, he told himself, he's made of sterner stuff than balking at jest, same as you.

Fleuri Jodeau, despite noble birth and respectable background, was indeed at the core much like Gerard Segremors— A man of the sword. A man of warfare. Though their reasons for taking up arms were, as he imagined it, wildly different, on that level they had been informed much the same. It was one of the reasons he had looked up to the man— and why he, perhaps presumptuously, believed he could read the man better than he could others.

Fleuri's posture had changed as he marched off. Where before he was placidly mingling, he now moved in a straight, direct line— bearing forward as if to lean into his stride. His eyes, every so often, leapt away from his destination to flit amongst the crowd that he was cutting through. His expression had firmed. Concerns of image and etiquette had fallen to the wayside now, that much was clear. His movement was filled with determination.

Purpose.

Urgency.

Something's up.

And if it had that composed man dropping the act to report to The First and Youngest with such immediacy, then Gerard considered himself spooked too. While the disappearing tower cake was a curiosity... he doubted that was the cause for alarm. He exhaled through his nose, mouth forming a hard line as his gaze fruitlessly danced through the throng. A fat noble there, an offered platter of hors d'oeuvres here...

Nothing's jumping out at me.

Gerard, after that moment's contemplation and search, began to follow. One thing was abundantly clear— this was no time for hesitation. He needed to get an ear on the situation. As he flowed through the mass of people, he could feel the tension beginning to settle into his mind as well as his frame. His shoulders tightened beneath the pauldrons he wore, and his gaze began to narrow.

"Excuse me."

Even his voice gained a firmer edge, approaching clipped. He hadn't noticed any ruffled feathers yet, but luckily those that had gathered in front of him didn't need much convincing to let him pass. Perhaps it was the armor that made the difference, he found himself musing. Or the blade upon his back? Tough to say. So long as he got through, though, he could be content with not knowing, at least for now. There were far more important things to establish.

He was forced to stop, however, and speak. As he exited the crowd, Segremors had basically stepped out right in front of the two most important people in attendance.

"Ah— Captain. Princess."

...Somewhere in the back of his mind, Gerard dully noted that for all his professed concerns, he had twice now ended up disregarding decorum. Perhaps propriety wasn't in his future. This time he hadn't even thought before he'd plainly greeted the two most important people in attendance.

No matter. He still knew better than to barge right through them, but he'd take a reprimand so long as he could ensure nothing went awry.

If something would. Just as luck would have it, they had through pure circumstance perfectly intercepted his path to Sir Fleuri, who was currently filling in Jerel and Tyaethe. Seemed like his curiosity would need to wait, at least for the moment. Glancing over the retinue of knights that had followed, he spoke again.

"Everyone well?"

The Knight Serpenta tried not to laugh; and much to her own surprise, managed to stifle most of it. The corner of her mouth twitching upwards in a smile, the Naga did her best to reply in as formal a manner as possible. "Enthralling?... That is perhaps the most endearing thing anyone of a courtly status has said of me." Mari says with a slight bow before continuing. "As for Jarde's question, no, I have not had the experience of encountering a dragon. Though I..."

Trailing off for a moment, the Naga catches sight, or lack there of, the cake. Blinking twice to confirm that her eyes weren't deceiving her, she also spots Fleuri in focused conversation with Jerel & Tyaethe. Something's amiss. Mari realizes in a heartbeat, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. If Tyaethe knows then that aught to ensure the Princess's safety from any surprise attacks. Best to act casual and not raise a panic. She thinks to herself before remembering the conversation she was in.

Ensuring a smile was on her face, Mari looks back towards the noble girl. "Sorry about that, just thought I saw something odd. Where was I? Ah yes, I have seen plenty of creatures in my youth to the east of Thaln that those from around here might consider to be exotic. Oh, I know, if it's stories of excitement and danger you're looking for, I did have a run in with a Manticore in my youth." The naga offers, arching a questioning eyebrow.

Nicomede placed his hand over his heart as though skewered at Elwen's remark, though he smiled and chuckled around his glass. Only someone with something to prove couldn't take a joke, especially not one he had invited himself. It was a more comfortable feeling than unmitigated praise too. His face faltered just a moment at Rowan's comment, the barest fraction of a freeze in his smile. But he covered it well, with as much grace as he had been raised.

"Very much to my liking, Sir Rowan. I haven't socialized like this in quite some time. I'm thankful to say I haven't forgotten how. And for such pleasant company. But Sir Rowan," He added gently in a lowered voice. No trace of irritability but no room for debate or discussion in his correction, either. "It's just Nicomede. Sir Nicomede, if you want to be formal. We're all entitled to that. But that surname is not mine."

The group had been pulled in the Knight-Captain and the Princess' wake as if by gravity, gentle in its suggestion but no less inexorable. He was thankful for it. Their course brought them into contact with more knights, some of whom he had not yet had the pleasure of speaking much with. One of them committed... A bit of a faux pas. It might well not have been his first for the night. The sight brought more warmth back into his smile, but with it...

Nicomede frowned slightly. Something had the younger man tense, more than the social obligations of the evening. Not something easily done if he had to guess. Enough to bring a little steel into his bearing, send his eyes to scanning the room casually.

"Quite well, Sir... Segremors, right?" He greeted pleasantly, nodding at the other knight. "How about you?

Jarde was glad that Violette had enjoyed meeting the Naga knight, though she may not admit it. Fortunately, Maritza indulged the noble girl's curiosities, telling of her time in the east and encountering all sorts of exotic creatures there. She even had an exciting tale about a run-in with a Manticore that she was willing to share. Jarde said nothing and let the conversation between Maritza and Violette talk uninterrupted.

Unlike the other knights, Jarde was oblivious to suspicious happenings in the ball. There was a feeling, a gut instinct tugging at the back of his head but the previous stress of earlier events buried all that. The anxiety of hidden danger had mixed with that of being a nobody in a ball of nobility.

However, Jarde did spot something shady. A pair of individuals. One was a young girl with blue pigtails, seemingly similar in age with Violette. She may not be suspicious alone but beside her was a tall knight with completely black armor. They did not appear to be normal nobles in this ball but what did Jarde know about that? He was wary of them, sparing glances at the duo, but he said nothing. Maybe they were nobles themselves, just not a typical one.

Sir Jerel Ban

Jerel nodded along. He did not balk at her irritation; he was not that stupid.

“I did not wish to presume, Tyaethe, I never doubted your standing,” his words were made from measured tones as he tried to sound earnest and not sycophantic, "Phoran Cal is an interesting figure; there’s so much written about him. That’s the trouble. I’ve never bothered searching any deeper, it’s not of great interest to me, but during this ball it struck me that there’d be no source quite so trusted as you, and I’d be a fool to…”

Over Tyaethe’s head he saw Fleuri approaching, tension and haste splinters in the once smooth grain of his composure. That alone was enough to put Jerel on edge.

Fleuri entered their orbit.

He shared a portent.

It might have sounded crazy, had it not come from another knight, and Fleuri at that. There was trust. Jerel believed Fleuri had seen a disappearing girl, and the cake was indeed gone, that much Jerel could see as certain. Exactly what that meant, Jerel did not know, but to disregard the warning seemed sheer lunacy. He spared only a brief glance, searching for something amiss as his mind raced to process, trying to pick out anything immediate from the crowds.

People were watching them. For an instant there was a flash of panic. There were so many. But of course; a knight had just strode through them all, some were bound to pick up on that openly. Others were likely more subtle.

Jerel clapped an arm around Fleuri’s shoulder and laughed, using this as a chance to manoeuvre his body and close the circle. The other knight didn’t reek of alcohol, another assurance.

“It may be an idea to look less concerned,” Jerel said with those same hushed tones, grinning broadly for whoever might be watching, “Unless you alert someone you shouldn’t.”

It had only taken a handful of seconds, but hopefully it would be enough to remove most of the curious gazes.

“What do you think?” He said to Tyaethe. Her authority here was absolute, and he tried to hide the urgency he felt for it.

Watch the crowds. That was the warning. Best heed it. He tried to do it discreetly, which meant that he was limited in what he could see.

It didn’t help. Smiles that might once have been cordial were now chiselled sharp by suspicion, malice-tipped and knowing. All movement held danger.

In a place where all were pretending how could you spot the imposter?

@VitaVitaAR@Raineh Daze@Crimson Paladin

"If you wanted to ask more about Cal, I'm sure I saw his daughter around, though I can't imagine anyone would want to talk about a traitor in the family," Tyaethe said off-handedly, cocking her head at the explanation of an assassination attempt--and then sighing deeply, body seeming to deflate in on itself until regaining her less-than intimidating figure. At least the dress she had worn to the occasion seemed to fit reasonably well.

"I think that you should keep an eye out for anyone making a sudden move for a crossbow, or magic, or anything else that can kill at a distance. I am going to make sure that any attack launched misses its mark. If you find the cake somehow, save me some."

Accordingly, the now-child was circling around the hall, moving between small groups but getting closer--and keeping an eye on--the princess and those around her.

@jdh97@Crimson Paladin