Midwinter Masquerade

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn @Rillewen

Ziranphel

Ziran nodded in agreement with Hawk’s pronouncement that Macardil was very good, while keeping her eyes on her husband. She quite agreed.

She shifted her attention when Seashell asked with seeming surprise whether she played an instrument as well. “Yes, I play, although perhaps with less devotion than the gentlemen. My main instrument is my voice, but I also enjoy playing the flute or the drum, or a variety of other instruments. The breadth of my interests seems to lend to less overall skill with a particular one, but I enjoy music too much to limit them.” Ziran tilted her head towards Seashell. “You sang very well earlier. I assume you love music as well to sing with such control.”

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel

The Butterfly aka Kaylin

When he asked her what she thought was the most likely option, Kaylin laughed quietly. "Well... If they see us... Those among them who feel no desire to dance like this with anyone, will gasp and chatter," she shrugged. "Those who would want to, with the right person, and fear they never will be able to due to the social scrutiny in their circles, will either be jealous or quietly hopeful. Possibly both," she added with a flash of a grin. "I have no idea if any of them would be brave enough to follow our example, though, herven. Perhaps if their disguise is so good that even their own friends and family present do not know who they are."

She obviously no longer cared who saw them, now that she'd freed her firey mane. Her hand on his shoulder slipped into the short curls above his neck. "I saw you earlier. With the woman in the red dress."

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn

The Wolf

Thûllir grinned back at Kaylin when she answered with her own assessment. “Mhmm.” He murmured in agreement about those most likely to be brave. The slide of her hand to twine through the curls at the back of his head distracted him for a moment, but his lips held a slight smirk along with serious lines once he registered what she asked. Thûllir looked at her closely. Why was she bringing it up again? Had it in truth bothered her that much? “Aye. So you said.” His tone was quietly matter-of-fact.

Two more gliding steps past before he added. “What of it?”

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel

The Butterfly aka Kaylin

She didn't miss how uninterested he sounded. Earlier - he had basically said the Lady in Red lost his interest the moment he knew she did not hold the fire her dress seemed to promise. And Kaylin believed him. But that didn't change how difficult it had been to watch them. It also didn't change that Kaylin wanted to slap the woman for making suggestions to an obviously married man.

Her grey-blue eyes did not hold any anger toward him, though, as they gazed into his. "It made me jealous." Unreasonably jealous. She'd had to focus on other things not to get visibly annoyed. Or worse. Even if her own game had implied he would be dancing with others. But the woman in red was too... her mind struggled to find the right words. It wasn't just that she was gorgeous - which she obviously was. It was something else about her, something too... sensual. Too brazen. Too unapologetic. "I didn't care for her hands on you."

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn

The Wolf

Thûllir couldn’t help the curling glow of satisfaction that lit hearing her say that it had made her jealous. That hadn’t been his intent at all, but that she had felt thus regarding that interaction was oddly affirming. He wasn’t accustomed to Kaylin openly expressing feelings of possessiveness when it came down to it. He was normally the one needing to calm that feeling by talking to himself rationally.

When she went on to explain why, however, his smirk slipped away. “Ah.” His blue-grey eyes turned serious. “It did make me question my senses for a while, as I wrongly assumed only you would be so bold when I was not hiding my identity.” His chin dipped, as he would rather focus on the lady in his arms than the one in red, but he wanted to acknowledge her concerns. “She does seem to have made a habit of being overly bold and forward.” Not that he had observed the woman overly long, but he had caught some of her interactions with others as well while he was watching the dance floor earlier.

[Isolde Alarion]

Embers w/ Snowflake

He was pleased when she took his offered arm and they made their way to the dance floor. He carefully led her to a clear spot and turned to look at her and offer his right hand to her. "May I?" He asked her, a slight smile upturned the corners of his lips. Once permitted he took her into his arms and settled his left hand at the small of her back, tucking her in closer than she'd ever been before. When the music started, he guided her to take their first steps together.

He watched her for any clues she may change her mind or wish to exit the dance floor. He would never hold her against her will if she were uncomfortable or not enjoying herself. That was the whole point after all.
"Are you enjoying yourself this evening Snowflake?" He genuinely hoped she was. "I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be." He offered her a soft smile as they slowly made a turn.

@Rillewen

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn

Black Lips

Black Lips was glad to find that she was not the only one with the thought that too much silliness would be just... too much. So she almost too eagerly let Fairy lead her away back towards the bar. She could not shake off the feeling that she should know who the woman was, but before she could come up with a smart and subtle way to figure it out, the Golden approached them and chose to invite her for a dance.

She glanced sideways to see that Fairy truly did not mind - and it seemed it did not by that smile - and then turned her attention to the Golden.

"I know of no reason to refuse you," Black Lips said lightly, a spark of amusement lit up her blue eyes when she remembered that this was the man Meadow seemed to be swooning over and had insisted that she should dance with. Now she could indeed see for herself what it was that her sister had discovered. "There can never be too much dancing at an event like this." Unless it involved jumping around like foals just let out of stables, like those silly ideas Meadow had drawn her into.

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel

The Butterfly aka Kaylin

When that little smirk remained at her words, when she saw that flicker in his eyes... Behind her butterfly mask, her eyebrows lifted. He liked it. He liked her jealousy. Her eyes narrowed at him, right when his expression got more serious and the smirk faded. He had assumed only she would be so bold? Kaylin was trying to unpack that thought as she assessed the look in his eyes. She reminded herself, however, that she had already decided that he was blameless and all fault was to be found with that woman in red.

"Too bold," Kaylin half-growled in reference to the woman, the set of her lips and the way the words came from her mouth a stark contrast to her innocent mask and dress. The one in red had been too bold this evening - with more than one man. "She pulled some kind of number on the Dragon, too," Butterfly mused, her eyes sorting through the collected guests of the masquerade, searching for that red dress. "And she danced even closer than we are dancing now with the man in the red plumage. All before she set her sights on you. I do not doubt your manner would have intrigued her. Nor could I blame her for that much, I suppose," she admitted the last begrudgingly. "But the ring on your finger..." Kaylin shook her head, frowning. "She is treating the men here like toys." An offense. "And she tried to treat you like one, too." The greatest offence of all.

@Pele Alarion

Golden Sunbeam

Her words were not a refusal, if also not a clear acceptance. Yet what she meant was obvious enough, combined with the amused look in those blue eyes. He swooped down into a bow from the waist, and then held out his hand gallantly. Once the lady had accepted it, he smoothly led her onto the dancefloor. "You have chosen a dark disguise, my lady - right up to your lips. It is a marvel that black has not yet smudged, it seems. We are no longer at the beginning of the evening." On the dancefloor now, he turned her toward him into a polite - yet somehow casual - position, and started them off with effortless, sweeping movements. "If you wished to scare the men away, I do apologize for ruining your fun." He chuckled lightly.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen

The Gilded

“It might have been a bit boring if you hadn’t come either,” Gilded returned the compliment with a hearty smile. While she would have been likely to find ways of entertaining herself, it was a whole different matter with Teal here to share it with.

When he dared her to sing a song, she lowered her chin slightly and stared at him from under her eyebrows.

“And who would take responsibility for consequences if I did sing and scare off most of the guests?” she eventually laughed. “I do not exactly own what would be called a singing voice.”

Red Rooster

“Sometimes stolen apples taste especially delicious. Well, they did for me,” Rooster admitted with a lopsided grin. “Especially from the gardens which posed the most difficulty. The apples which were readily available without whatsoever challenge were of no interest. Though I would like to think that I have now grown out of this habit. I figure your friend has also outgrown the stage of being willing to join a band of lads looking for hard-to-get apples?”

When Orchid asked him what he enjoyed doing, Rooster scratched his chin in thought. While the question in itself was simple enough, he had been so engrossed in idling away his days – or his attempts of late to change his reputation of being totally lazy that he was not truly sure what he liked.

“I don’t know, Miss Orchid,” he eventually admitted with a shrug. “Just hanging out with friends. And this ball is cool too. But say…” he tried to divert the conversation away from himself, “Can you tell me more of your own interests? Without giving away too many specifics if you want to maintain your disguise that is. Though I doubt I’d recognise you either way.”

@Rillewen

Meadow

Meadow glanced after the two departing ladies and half considered pulling them back into the fray, but perhaps she should not execute plans that were too far-fetching. Instead she focused on Forest Nymph.

“No need for a scene, no,” she agreed with a quiet laugh. “I think it would be me who’d get into trouble if your parents thought you were misbehaving. Supposedly they are all into you behaving ladylike, hmm?”

She tried to follow Nymph’s glance to figure out where her parents were, but there were many people in that direction and she was not sure which were which.

“What do you say to having a bit more of a… more usual dance without a silly song? We might see if there’s anyone else we could involve,” she suggested to the girl.

@Arnyn

Black Lips

Black Lips gracefully accepted Golden’s hand and let him lead her off for a dance. At least this would keep her away from being pestered by her sister if nothing else, though she was rather confident that the man could dance well if Meadow had said so.

“It was meant to hold for a good long while,” she admitted to Golden when he commented on the colour of her lips. “Though I hope I would be able to get rid of it sooner rather than later once the event is over.” She had experimented with some ingredients that were not easily obtained, though she was not sure now that it wouldn’t mean that she’d be stuck with black lips – or at least darker ones – for who knew how long.

Black Lips easily followed the movements Golden guided her into, allowing herself to enjoy the dance. Yet she laughed gently when her dance partner guessed that she was trying to scare the men away. “No, no. It was not meant as a scare, perhaps an attempt to see who’d be brave enough to dance with someone dressed in rather joyless colours,” she said and would have shrugged if it did not interfere with the dancing.

@Lantaelen, @Arnyn

Amethyst

She was glad that Aragorn approached them before someone else could ask her for a dance, and she watched with a small smile as he named her dance partner without much hesitation. Amethyst watched the departing knight only for a moment before she turned towards her husband.

“If you walked around naming people who think they are hidden well by their masks you might leave some of them quite flabbergasted, my love,” she commented with a soft chuckle, stepping in closer to him and gently touching her fingers to the top of his hand.

“I am so glad you came,” she confessed quietly, looking sincerely in his eyes.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Aragorn

There might have been a gleam of amusement in his grey eyes, as the younger Lord Dimaethor looked at him with that small smile. "Yes, she is," Aragorn firmly agreed with the other man as the latter complimented the Lady. He nodded at the knight's bow, watching the man removing himself politely. He turned his head to his Queen the moment she turned hers to him. Upon the touch of her fingers to his hand, he lifted his hand to catch hers easily. Her hand - though infinitely more graceful and devastatingly more beautiful - had always fit in his own so well.

"Let them be flabbergasted," he said quietly, drawing her into a dancer's embrace, smiling at her with his eyes as he started them off into a slow sweep. "Though I dare venture they will be more stunned by having danced or conversed with Queen Arwen Undomiel, than by being recognized by their King. Even in disguise the Evenstar outshines everyone else." His fingers at the small of her back gave a slow caress. "I am so glad you made me." The smile in his eyes briefly flashed to his lips.

@Pele Alarion

Golden Sunbeam

"If you do not manage to part with them," he laughed at the pun tthat played thorugh his own head at that, "everyone who has seen you here and also sees you with them afterward, will have known who the lady with the black lips was." He looked thoughtful, though he was clearly in the mood to make light of the situation. "Which should not be too much of a problem, I imagine - unless you have used your anonimity to stir up some kind of trouble?" He twirled her out of his arm and back into him - smoothly, as if he spent none of his days doing anything else. "As for seeing who is brave enough to dance with someone dressed in joyless colours - did you ever consider you might attract someone who rather enjoys bringing joy to people?" His eyes sparkled. "What would it require in order for you to dress more joyfully tomorrow?"

[Rillewen]

@Isolde Alarion

Snowflake

She was a bit surprised that he held her so much closer than before, and yet somehow, she felt comfortable enough not to object. When he asked whether she was enjoying herself, Snowflake hesitated slightly and considered the best way to answer that. "I wasn't," She admitted. "At first, I was nervous, and.. I felt really out of place." She bit her lip lightly. "I almost left, but.. someone wouldn't let me." She smiled slightly, rather glad that her brothers had both worked so hard to keep her from leaving so early.

"I'm glad you came." She added. "I was starting to feel like I was keeping them from having fun, because they didn't want to leave me alone." She smiled then. "I'm enjoying the evening, now." There were a few things she didn't mention, partly because she didn't want to remind herself about some things. "I haven't seen you very much since you got back from that mission.. I hope it all went well. I mean.. I guess, since you're here, it must have went alright for you. But.. you know what I mean." Shrugging, she smiled slightly at him as they danced. "If you can't talk about it, that's alright."

---

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel

The Hawk & Seashell

"Oh, thank you." Seashell smiled at the compliment to her singing. "I like singing, but I don't really play any instruments." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "I hadn't thought about my voice being an instrument, before. Usually, I sing while he plays," She nodded toward Hawk with a little smile before looking back at her. "I think he may have more love for music than I do, but I do enjoy singing."

"She played some notes on a seashell, once." Hawk mentioned with a grin. "That could be considered an instrument, too."

"Oh.. yeah." She laughed. "But that was just a one time thing, and I don't really think you can really.. play a seashell. Can you?"

"I don't know.. but it was interesting. It added a different sort of sound to the song." He shrugged, then smiled at Seashell. "But personally, I like to hear you sing more." He smiled at her, then turned back to Ziranphel. "I heard you play the flute, back at midsummer. In fact, that was what encouraged me to play along with them. I had been a little hesitant, because I didn't know if it was alright. Anyway, I thought you played very well."

---

@Pele Alarion

Teal

He gave a little laugh. "Surely, you would've found someone to talk to. It looked like you were already having fun before I found you." He mentioned. "I'm sure if I wasn't here, you'd be busy dancing with plenty of fellows. I'd be the bored one, if I hadn't come." He shrugged. Because if he hadn't come, he probably would have just been sitting around in his room with nothing to do.

He grinned as she asked about the consequences. "What, you think you'd be that terrible? Well, I suppose I wouldn't know." he realized. "I don't believe I've ever heard you sing. Are you bad at it? Or is that just your own opinion?" He tilted his head curiously. "Perhaps I'll have to hear you sing sometime, so I can tell you whether you're good or bad."

---

Yellow Orchid

She giggled softly as he declared that stolen apples tasted better, and especially the ones that were harder to get. "Maybe it's simply the fact that you had to work to get them?" She suggested, raising an eyebrow teasingly. "Whereas, if you put in the work that the farmers did, to grow them, maybe you would think those tasted better." She shrugged, then went quiet as he asked about her friend having outgrown the 'stage'. She couldn't quite think of how to answer that, and so, she didn't. Hoping he wouldn't notice the lack of response there, she took a sip of her drink instead.

Fortunately, the topic had moved to the matter of things that he liked to do, and then he redirected that back toward her. She lowered her glass, trying to think how to answer that. "I.. um, well. I like reading, and.. riding horses." She almost mentioned some of the things she tended to do on a regular basis at home, but then decided, no.. he had asked what she was interested in. She bit her lower lip lightly as she considered whether to speak about that, and then decided, why not? "I know this probably sounds odd, but.. I would like to learn to use a sword, and to learn to shoot a bow. But that seems.. very unlikely. Some of my friends and I tried to do a bit with bows and arrows, a couple of months ago, but it um, didn't really work out so well." She looked down at her glass, feeling quite shy to admit these things. "It's rather silly, I'm sure."

---

Forest Nymph

"Something like that." She nodded, sighing. "And I don't know if you would get into trouble. They would say that I should know better and I don't know what else." She rolled her eyes. "I don't see why a person can't behave ladylike and still have fun and be silly." She frowned, thinking it wasn't fair, all the strict codes of behavioral conduct that were expected to be followed.

"Yes, that might be better," She laughed when Meadow suggested a more usual dance without silly songs. "I feel a bit bad that the other two ladies ran off though. I didn't talk to your friend with the dark dress, but the Fairy was very nice. Maybe she could come join us again?" She suggested, noticing that she was off to the side without the black and red lady. "Also," She turned back to Meadow, suddenly remembering something she'd wanted to tell her, "I think your dress and everything is really lovely! So bright and cheery." She smiled. "It looks very nice on you too. You seem so cheery, it's like a perfect match."

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn

The Wolf

Humming lightly and thoughtfully in acknowledgement of her comments, Thûllir recalled the glimpses he had caught of the encounters Kaylin mentioned, and recognized that she had gotten more information out to the Dragon during their dance previously. Her gaze seemed to be searching the crowd for someone as she no longer looked at him, and he half-wondered if it was for the topic of their conversation or another that she was seeking.

His lips twitched up again in brief amusement at her grudging admission that his manner may have been part of the reason the woman in red had been tempted to toy with him, but it quickly slipped away as his face set in serious lines once more. “Aye. But I am not easily toyed with, as she discovered.” Their gliding steps wove them through the other couples as Thûllir kept his own attention on Kaylin. “What do you wish to do?” His own preference would be to forget the woman in red, but it didn’t appear to be an option for Kaylin as yet.

@Rillewen

Ziranphel

Smiling with faint amusement as the two discussed playing seashells, Ziran lifted her glass to finish the last of the drink it contained and replaced it, only to turn the stem slowly between her fingers. She was slightly surprised to hear Hawk address her suddenly and bring up their passing meeting at the Midsummer festivities. She gave him a steady look and then dipped her head in acknowledgement. Since he had never acknowledged it before she wasn’t sure what to think of it, but decided to take the compliment at face value. “Thank you. I am glad it worked out. You likewise, although that is no great surprise, as I hear you often play in public.”

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Lady Swan

Wide, sea-grey eyes showed through her masque as Green Dragon explained to her a number of tales, stories, history to her. It was all new to her, none of it never ever having figured into her world view or perspective. Dragons and halflings and that he could speak Westron, Sindarin and Rohirric too apparently. Who was this mystery man? Her first experience of a masquerade ball gave her so much more questions and riddles then they answered about the adult world. It left her wanting to crave the next big function, the next great social event, the next interesting and enigmatic person she might meet!

She brought into a twirl and that only jumbled the mix of questions queries and interrogatives she had. But alas, there was the growing and gnaw realization that there wouldn’t be enough time to experience even a fraction of what Green Dragon had to tell, as she knew the night was late and she had other obligations. ”A friend has promised to show me and another companion around the city in the coming days. I have quite the full itinerary! I can see about adding the library to the list but then I fear I would be lost for days and never emerge.” She could only envy Green Dragon’s brother and friend.

”Oh, from the fabled North Kingdom? Are you..a dunedain of Arnor yourself?” Now if that was true, she would really be living inside of a legend. The North Kingdom was destroyed centuries ago, but their King come again was of that bloodline! It should only be natural, and make sense, if there were some others there as well. Healers and warriors and lore-masters too even. She made a note to ask her brother about it.

Bree seemed more of a dream then a reality, the more Dragon spoke about it. A meeting place of men, hobbits, elves, dwarves, all living in peace and harmony. And what feasibility was there in Swan ever getting to go there? Probably next to none. This was the closest she would get to experiencing that world and she absorbed every word he had to say about Bree and the Shire. Her brother must have met some of the Shire folk, after the War and during the coronation. She would never live it down with herself that she missed out on that.

”I would love to hear more about this land and this battle! The Little Folk must be doughty and strong indeed to keep their land with so much danger about. I would really love to visit and explore, to see for myself, especially if they say Peace is about to come for all of Middle-Earth after the War. But-“ Swan was saying, before the sudden ending of the song brought all to a pause and halt, the dancing couples coming to a falter around them, mingling, chatting, laughing, dispersing. Swan recalled her other obligation – with Sir Fox – and knew she had to step away.

”Thank you Sir for the lovely dance. And for indulging the child within me of your stories and adventures. For those precious seconds, I was able to forget that I was even in this wonderful, magical place. Thank you.” She said courteously, stepping back and performing a curtsey for him, elegant and well-practiced. ”I hope I shall get to see you again soon, to hear more of what you have to tell, but I am afraid I am promised to another for the final few dances of the night. Farewell, Dragon. Fly high and proud.” She said with a giggle and gave him another curtsey and with his final, parting words, she turned and made her way back to the table.

She arrived and noticing both Sir Fox and Foxglove returning from the dance floor as well. Their similar nicknames made her chuckle to herself, and stood by the table waiting to receive her new friends, when…

---

@Rillewen

King Cheddar & Lady Swan

Cheddar walked in a daze, still shook by his experiences and encounter with the King and Queen of Gondor. He had just danced with an elf, was name dropped by the King, a mighty and great captain. His heart was beating in his chest like it might pop out and blossom like a flower in springtime. He needed a cool drink or something. Or maybe he had enough for the night, play-acting as he was with a masque. Not that he tried very hard in the beginning but being recognized by the King was just so final. What else could top that?

Then he spotted a familiar figure by herself at a whole table and made his approach, reaching her before her two friends did.

”Sister,” he said to call her attention, before laughing at how she twitched and jumped at his acknowledgement. She must have been deep in a reprieve. She looked at him with a pout and he chuckled even more.

”Do not scare me like that!” She snapped at him, half frowning and half cheery, as her mood was too uplifted to be too bothered.

”Are you having fun?” He asked her, folding his hands behind his back and standing next to her, looking about the crowd. Swan kept her eyes on Sir Fox especially, but Cheddar continued. ”Looks like father and mother already departed for the night. I…just had an encounter that shall likely not be topped. Well, a few of them, I might say, but this one was…otherworldly.” He explained. ”So, I figure, perhaps we ought to bow out as well…?”

But that query absolutely tore a change in his sister’s demeanor. ”No! No, not yet, I am not ready. You go…and dance with someone. Here, dance with my friend, or-“ She was saying to him, rapidly, urgently, with a demanding tone that surprised even him. He reeled back with very amused eyebrows lifted in utter hilarity, before watching as Swan turned to the newcomers, Sir Fox and Foxglove.

”Hello!” She beckoned to them with a smile. ”Did you both have a pleasant dance? I happened to meet a dragon.” She grinned, though she did a quick, almost angry side glance at Cheddar, who was observing the others coolly. ”This is my brother-“ She started to introduce, not wanting Sir Fox to be put off of all people. This was not a contender for Swan’s dance card! But only a brief interruption, only as siblings could be.

”I’ve been dubbed Cheddar by some, nice to meet you two.” Cheddar cut in, introducing himself with a smile.

”These are my friends, Foxglove and…Sir Fox.” Swan gestured to each in turn.

”Ah, Master Fox, Madam Fox, pleasure to meet you both.” Cheddar dipped his head graciously to each in turn. They did seem like a pair of youthful personalities that seemed to fit his sister’s sort of crowd. He never knew how to act around them. ”You two are also siblings…?” He inquired, guessing by the similar aliases they have.

”No, just a complete coincidence.” Swan answered for her brother, the two often talking over one another. As siblings often did. ”How was your dance? My brother was just leaving…” She said, pushing at Cheddar’s shoulder, who laughed, bow, and took his dismissal in good form, her eyes darting between the two, Sir Fox and Foxglove.

---

@Rillewen

King Cheddar

His sister wanted to stay longer, that was no problem at all with Cheddar, who departed her table and moved back to the bar, where he requested…a stiff drink of red wine. After all that happened tonight, the indulgences and the encounters, he needed something strong. But he could seemingly not escape that particular encounter though. He replayed several times in his mind and he cursed himself mentally for all the things he could have done, now that he retroactively pondered it.

He could have stood taller. Looked more boldly in the eye. Been more charming with his words. Or…less charming. He had been praising and dancing with the Queen herself. Dear Valar above, what had he done or said? Well, now he had to live with it. Maybe he could sneak by like a worm in the grass. After all, he was just a simple knight from the distant province of Dol Amroth. What ever reason would he be brought before the throne of the King, who knew his name, and-

His thoughts were interrupted, and of course it had to do with that encounter still. A lady in a cat like appearance nudged to his side, asking his pardon and inquiring if he had been dancing with a certain Lady in purple. And if they were who the Cat lady assumed they were. Cheddar though was distracted by her…ears? His brow furrowed as he looked at them in both astonishment and appeal. They looked so real. Could he…touch them?

But first he caught hold of himself and drank deeply from his wine before putting it aside and giving Lady Cat a smile. ”What is it they say about cats and curiosity? Ah, but the satisfaction of knowing will bring you back. You are…correct.” He teased at first, before admitting to her assumption about who the Lady in purple and Man in green were. ”And I hope you understand why I need something a little stiff.” He raised his goblet of wine in reference. ”I didn’t know until it was too late.” He finished off the wine and put the empty cup aside, before turning to face Lady Cat with a grin.

”Care for a closer inspection, my Lady Cat?” He then offered her, extending a gloved hand in offer of a dance. And possible nearness to those people.

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel

The Butterfly aka Kaylin

A little, wicked grin took shape on her face when Thûllir said he was not easily toyed with. "No?" she asked him, taking every opportunity she could to tease him. "But yes -" she soon added, even if that grin still played about her lips. "You do not just let anyone play with you." Rightfully so. He asked her what she wanted to do. "My Wolf of the Blue Moon," she said affectionately, sweeping a finger along his jaw. "He knows his lady so well."

"Part of me would like to give her no more attention. That is probably what she thrives on, anyway." Her grin slipped away. She'd been distracted, earlier, but now she noticed that look in his eyes. Eyes more grey than blue now - while she wanted the opposite, this evening. "I want to enjoy myself," she stated, focusing more intently on him. "I want to have a good time with you." Maybe... she could ignore the woman in red. "I want to talk with you, dance with you." A smile returned as she moved even closer to whisper in his ear. "Make you regret the choice of that cumbersome mask." She laughed - a quiet, low sound against his neck. "Want to play, Bregedyr?" Her finger traced lazy circles down the back of his neck.

---

@Karis Ziranphel @Rillewen

Macardil

His eyes had lingered on hers when Ziran said it was special to dance together to music. Was that a hint? He investigated the words, the tone, while Renia and Ziran spoke some more of music and singing.

Only when Renia asked his friend: 'I don't think you can really play a seashell... Can you?' Macardil nearly choked, but managed not to at the very last second. The young lady had obviously not meant it that way, but he couldn't help his wild amusement, even more so since the others just glanced over it. Mentally, he frowned at himself before glancing back at his wife. Considering.

Self knowledge was the beginning of wisdom. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep a straight face and talk about instruments for a bit, so he needed to weigh his words carefully.

Macardil resisted the urge to clear his throat. "You should go listen to him some evening, Lady Seashell," he suggested to Renia. "It will be well worth it. Did you know that is why we met, he and I? I heard the music coming from that pub in Harlond and was curious to hear more." He smiled amusedly at Hawk. "Whether or not it was good timing..." In the end, it had been, in more ways than one.

His azure eyes returned to Ziran, his hand shifting from over to under hers. "Would you do me the honour of another dance, my Lady?" he asked her. It had been a hint, earlier. He was sure of it.

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn

The Wolf

It was always a delight when Kaylin’s mood turned playful, and as much as her tempers often amused him as long as they weren’t aimed at him, he enjoyed her playfulness much more. He grinned back at her teasing, although maintaining some of his seriousness. “Exactly.” He murmured before she swept her finger along his jaw with those words of affection. Her Wolf of the Blue Moon, he rather liked that appellation and all the meaning it held.

Thûllir listened carefully as she continued more seriously, and his grin disappeared, but it seemed her focus had shifted. He was glad that she seemed to be letting go of her ire against the other woman, for now at least. His smile grew when she continued by describing all the things she wanted instead while focusing on him in that manner.

Chuckling when she whispered she would make him regret his choice of mask, Thûllir tipped his head in acknowledgement to graze Kaylin’s neck lightly with the muzzle of the mask. He wasn’t tempted to close his eyes when she continued with word and action; quite the contrary. “Most decidedly.” He answered her whisper with a low almost growl that held a thread of amusement. Lifting his gaze past her shoulder briefly to ensure that they wouldn’t bump into anyone else, his hand on her back and hip directed her through another gliding turn before he drew his head back slightly to look at her again. “This mask helps me maintain some decorum when it is in place, but I will be both grateful and annoyed at my purchase until we leave for the evening.” He paused. “But since the King has graced the floor with his Queen, it is likely still for the best.” Amusement now more fully colored his tone.

@Arnyn @Rillewen

Ziranphel

It had been pleasant to see Hawk again and get to know Seashell a little bit, learning her name and some of her background while they shared their respite from dancing, but Ziranphel had not been exaggerating when she had said that her main reason for attending was to enjoy dancing with her husband. She had “sat-out” many a ball in years past while performing the duties of host and officer in charge, and she fully enjoyed having no responsibilities other than being polite and showing her appreciation of the evening by spending as much time on the dance floor as possible.

It appeared that Macardil read her mind, when after a moment he turned her hand in his and asked her to join him on the dance floor once more. “It would be my delight, M’Lord.” A glimmering smile appeared as she answered him, before she turned briefly to the other couple at the table. “It was wonderful to spend some time with you, and I hope to see you again sometime while you are in the city Renia. Pardon us, but the dance is calling.” With those words, she moved to stand and join Macardil in moving back toward the swirling pairs and the center of the music.

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel

The Butterfly aka Kaylin

He was game to play. His smile, his chuckle, that graze along her neck. Those few words of definite agreement. That little growl. Kaylin breathed out a little laugh at it all. "I suppose the mask has its upsides when it comes to decorum," she said with a little shrug. When Thûllir mentioned the King and Queen, she blinked. "They have?" She... hadn't noticed. When Thûllir turned them so she might spot them in her line of sight without having to twist around, it didn't take long to find the figure that should be Aragorn Elessar - the height alone was telling, but the King hadn't really bothered to disguise himself all that properly. "Oh. I see." Curiosity flared up as she watched them, but she wondered if she shouldn't feel something else. Shouldn't she feel more excited? Or impressed, or something? Sure, it was special seeing them here, but it wasn't like she expected either of them to get very close-- Oh.. hold on!

"Weren't you speaking with her earlier?" she asked, her grey-blue eyes widening as they focused back on Thûllir. "Did you know she was the Queen?"

---

@Karis Ziranphel @Rillewen

Macardil

He loved the way he could make her smile. With a smile of his own, he turned to Seashell and Hawk. "I am sorry to cut this short. I do enjoy the conversation." He rose from his chair smoothly, never letting go of Ziran's hand as he did so, nor tugging on it. He gave his friend and his companion a small bow. "Perhaps we could all go listen to his music together, if you are staying in the city a while, lady Seashell."

Then he turned his attention to the one and only reason he had been looking forward to attending this evening, and helped her out of her chair. Not because she needed him to. But because he could. He guided her to the dancefloor, paying special attention to how she moved in that dress. "Did I mention already," he started as he placed his hand on her waist and started them off in the dance, "how well you are wearing that dress, lady Ziranphel?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel

The Hawk & Seashell

Hawk nodded as Ziranphel mentioned having heard that he plays often in public. "Thank you. That's right, I do, whenever I get the chance, at least." He smiled, wishing it was a bit more often, but at least he was doing better now than when he was in Harlond.

"So I've heard," Seashell smiled slightly as it was mentioned about Hawk playing in public. She couldn't help thinking briefly about meeting that woman at the Guesthouse, and that little mix-up. She was beyond relieved that the unfortunate musician was not her musician, but it did take a little effort not to let that recollection dampen her mood, now. "You'll have to let me know when and where you'll be playing next," She smiled at Hawk.

"When I know when and where, I'll do that." He grinned, quite liking the idea of her being around to join him the next time he got a job playing somewhere. He still could hardly believe she had managed to find her way here, against all odds. He even wondered if perhaps they might manage to get a job together, singing and playing somewhere. That might be fun, and might give her more reason to stay around longer.. he hoped she wasn't planning to go off back to her ship again soon. As Macardil suggested all of them going to listen, his smile grew a little. "That would be nice, I'll be sure to let you know, also." He added.

As it seemed the other couple were about to set off for the dance floor, Seashell smiled as they excused themselves. "Of course, I hope you have fun." She answered Ziranphel. "It's been very nice meeting you both." She added.

"Yeah, maybe we'll see you around later." Hawk added, completely understanding. After they had gone off to the dance floor, he turned to Seashell with a smile. "Dancing seems like a great idea, actually. Would you like to dance again?" He offered his hand to her.

"Absolutely." She smiled happily and took his offered hand. It was nice to meet some of his friends, but she figured the others were probably all busy dancing with their own dance partners at the moment. Since he had mentioned enough to let her know that all of his friends and family were either here, or someplace safe, she had little cause to worry about them, so she was able to relax and not feel too concerned about letting him know about her news just yet. She wasn't quite sure when would be a good time to tell him about what she'd overheard, but for now she thought it would be best to just let him enjoy this evening.. it was so rare for him to be so happy without her having to cheer him up first. She smiled at that thought as they went off together to find another open spot on the dance floor.

---

@Lantaelen

Green Dragon

It took some effort not to snort in amusement as the girl spoke of how she could get lost in the library for days. He managed to maintain a polite smile and nodded, though he couldn't help being quite amused. "You would probably get along well with our young lady friend, whom my brother escorted to the library." He explained. "She's absolutely obsessed with books.. she could hardly wait to rush off to the library the moment we set foot in town." He smiled in amusement, but not in a way that seemed to be making fun, rather a way that made it clear he was fond of the young lady in question.

When she asked whether he was from the fabled North Kingdom, he was a bit caught off guard by that question. "Fabled?" He smiled in amusement. "I can assure you miss, it is no fable. The Northern lands are quite real, but yes.. that is where I am from." He smiled. "And.. yes, or at least, my father was a Dunedain. Which makes me half..I guess." He shrugged, then smiled as he listened to her speak with excitement about the thought of hearing about the battle and the Little Folk and their land.

But, suddenly, the song came to an end, quite unexpectedly. Or at least, he hadn't realized how long it had been going on, or that it would be ending soon. He glanced around in some surprise, then turned back to the young lady. "Ah, it was no trouble." He smiled. "It was a joy to dance with you, miss." He grinned as she said for him to fly high and proud. Bowing to her, he replied, "And may you, Lady Swan, fly gracefully in beauty." He said, trying to match her parting words with something similar.

After she had parted from him, he left the dance floor and took a look around before deciding to grab another small snack from the bar. The food was definitely delicious, and this would give him a chance to take a look around and decide who to ask for a dance with, next. He sort of wanted to tell his new friend in the white and gold what he had found out concerning Lady Fairy, but he was dancing with someone now, so he'd have to wait. For a little while, he just stood over by the buffet table, with a plate of snacks, watching the dancers twirl by.

---

@Lantaelen

|
Sir Fox & Lady Foxglove

After waiting at the table and chatting for a couple minutes, the two had decided to return to the dance floor for the remainder of that song, since both Nymph and Swan were off dancing. Because Fox could tell that miss Foxglove was.. almost pining to go back out on the dance floor, and he didn't mind giving the young girl a few more twirls about the floor. As that song ended, they returned to the table to find that Swan had beaten them there, this time.

She seemed to be almost arguing with a gentleman, Fox noticed with a slight frown, as they approached. He mentally debated if he was going to need to defend the lady, which wasn't exactly ideal, considering the other fellow was bigger and looked stronger. Also, slightly familiar.

"Hello!" Foxglove greeted the man cheerily, curious about the name 'Cheddar'. "Pleased to meet you, sir." She smiled with a little curtsy, then shook her head with a little giggle when asked if she and Fox were siblings. But Swan explained that it was merely a coincidence, and so there was no need for her to explain it, too.

"Oh, it was so much fun!" She answered Swan happily. "Well, we actually had one and a half dance, sort of," She went on. "We came back here a little bit ago, but you and Nymph were gone, so we went back out to dance through the rest of that song.. and that was fun too." She grinned.

Meanwhile, Fox's attention had been caught briefly by a couple dressed in black and silver passing through the room. They had paused near the dance floor, and were now speaking with miss Forest Nymph. Even from across the room, he realized who they were. The way the lady stood, holding her head up proudly even though she clung to her husband's arm for support, as if she were weary. As if defying anyone to accuse her of being in poor health, he thought with vague amusement, mingled with sorrow at the fact she was actually in poor health. And the fact that they had called Nymph away from her dance, he knew it had to be her parents. This was much harder than he had expected. His mother stood just a few yards away, and he couldn't even go and say hello to her. But his stepfather was also standing just a few yards away. And that was the last person he wanted to have recognize him.

He only let his gaze linger for a couple of fleeting seconds, but it was enough to miss part of what the others had said. Particularly, the detail that Cheddar was Swan's brother. As he turned back to smile and dip his head in return to Sir Cheddar, his mind was a million miles away. "Evening." He greeted him, struggling to bring his focus back to the present company. He couldn't help but recognize this fellow. But if he was there, than that meant.. Fox found it difficult to swallow for a moment. Was she here, then? But he wouldn't have any idea who or where his sister might be. Or if she had even come.

As Sir Cheddar left, Fox shifted his gaze toward Lady Swan, wondering about her. She had been hanging out with Nymph, after all.. Could it be? He blinked as the possibility hit him, and he felt a little.. unsure how to feel about that. It took him a moment to remember that he was simply standing there, slightly stunned. Snap out of it, he told himself, and cleared his throat softly. "I'm glad you enjoyed the dances, miss Foxglove," He smiled politely, careful to maintain the Linhir accent as he pulled out her chair for her. "Would you like some help with your chair?" He offered, realizing the girl was still standing.

"Oh, yes, thank you." She beamed at him and slid into the chair, still a little amazed how polite the gentlemen here all seemed to be.. not that she'd met very many of them. Just this one, actually, but she had seen several of them doing things like that and it was very nice to see.

He smiled, then turned to Lady Swan, suddenly feeling his stomach full of butterflies. What if it was her? He wasn't sure what to think about that.. but he had said earlier that he'd like to have another dance with her, he recalled. Mainly because he'd wanted to apologize.. and explain something. He drew in a slow breath, trying to calm himself. He didn't even know if it was her. "Lady Swan, would you allow me another dance?" He asked, now that he had fulfilled her request to dance with her friends. And because he had no real excuse not to ask.

---

@Lantaelen

Lady Cat

An amused smile spread across her face as the gentleman responded by bringing up that saying about curious cats. He was not the first one to mention it tonight, and probably not the last. "Indeed, that satisfaction is quite a miraculous cure." She smiled playfully as she leaned her side against the bar casually, wondering how many other times she might hear that joke made tonight. Not that she was tired of it, but it was amusing to hear how many different ways that phrase could be applied to various situations.

As the gentleman confirmed that it was, indeed, the king and queen, Lady Cat's eyebrows rose slightly with surprise and interest. The fact that he needed a stiff drink brought a little nod from her. "I can understand that perfectly," She answered, letting her gaze follow the royal couple with curiosity. "I hope you haven't suffered too great a shock, sir?" She smiled slightly as she glanced sidelong at him. "You didn't say anything offensive or crude to the lady, I hope?" She teased.

"In fact, I am just as surprised as you are, sir." She added, looking again toward them. "I shared a table with Lady Amethyst a little while ago, and engaged in a bit of idle chatter, you might say." She mentioned thoughtfully. "I had no idea.." Shaking her head slightly in amazement, Lady Cat wondered at this unexpected reveal. That she had sat with, and spoken with the elven queen of Gondor, as one might sit and chat with a friend.. it was quite a strange feeling.

She turned toward him as he asked about getting a closer inspection. Was that an invitation to dance? She glanced at his gloved hand with her head tilted thoughtfully, considering for a brief moment. Her gloves weren't full gloves, but rather made of the same black, needle-tatted lace as her choker, mask, and ears. "Why not?" She smiled and took another drink from her fruit water before taking his offered hand with a little smile.

---

@Pele Alarion

Black & Silver couple and Forest Nymph

Forest Nymph had barely finished what she was saying to Meadow, when a gentleman in a black and silver mask caught her attention, beckoning to her. A lady in a matching black and silver outfit was beside him, hanging onto his arm.

"Oh.." She turned to Meadow, feeling sure that this must be some sort of indication that she was about to be in some sort of trouble. "Sorry, that's my parents. I'd better go and see what they want." She stepped away, clear of the dance floor, to join them.

"Your mother is ready to go," Her father informed her, once she had come within speaking distance.

"You probably should go and say goodbye to your new friends now," Her mother suggested.

"Aw.. couldn't I stay just a little longer?" She begged, not really ready to go yet. "Please, Father? I'm having fun now.. and it's my very first ball. Do I really have to go just because you and Mother are leaving?" She had a hard time not pouting, but it was so unfair!

"How would you get back to the inn? Even if it wasn't improper for a lady to walk unchaperoned, you are far too young walk through a city alone." Mother pointed out, frowning. "I'll not allow any strangers to walk you back.."

"Her brother could walk her back," Father mentioned quietly. "he is here, too."

"Somewhere," Mother huffed. "We don't even know where he's at, nor which of these gentleman is he. Therefore, we couldn't find him to ask if he would walk her home."

"What about Lady Swan? She and her brother are here," She motioned toward where they were standing together at the table, so her parents would know who Swan was. "Perhaps.." She began, then lit up with a sudden idea. "Ohh, would it be alright if I go back with her when she leaves? They've bought a house in the Pelennor to stay in, remember? Perhaps I could stay the night with her, instead of at the inn?" She asked hopefully.

Mother frowned, doubtful about that. It would involve asking their friends if they minded this change of plans, and they had left just a few minutes ago.

Father, however, actually gave the idea some consideration. "I'm sure we could probably work that out with them. I believe they've only had time to request their coats." He seemed surprisingly more optimistic about the plan than his wife. "If she and her parents are alright with it, then I have no objections." He declared. "It might be fun for her," he added to his wife, shrugging. "We can probably still catch them before they leave, to make sure. But I don't know why they would mind." He decided.

"Well.. then I suppose, if Swan and her parents don't mind, then it would be alright.." Mother decided. "But, if anyone has a problem with it, then you will have to ask Miss Swan's brother to escort you back to the inn when they leave."

"Yes, mother!" Nymph smiled happily, as she couldn't believe they actually agreed to this. And she also couldn't imagine Swan's parents minding. "Thank you!" She grinned at both of them and then turned back to rejoin her new friend Meadow, if she was still there, while her parents continued on to the door to request their coats from the attendants.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen

The Gilded

“Well, maybe you are right,” Gilded laughed lightly. “There might be a plenty of things to do here… but it is good that you did come and did not end up bored.”

The laughter remained in her eyes, though she managed to school her mouth into a thin line for a few quiet moments before she responded to the matter of singing.

“Well, I sing around horses, but then again I doubt they would tell me if I sang well or completely off key,” she said seriously, and then laughed again. “I haven’t dared to sing for any people. And I do think that my voice is not that great. You might agree if you heard me. Or not.” Though she did not intend to sing right away, and he would have to convince her really hard if he ever wanted to hear her sing. Unless he came on her unawares.

Red Rooster

“I suppose apples would taste sweet if I grew them in my own backyard, but I don’t think the tree would like to be confined there,” Rooster said with a smile. “Then again, I would like to think that I would not steal apples these days but rather offer to buy them from the farmer. My parents never forget to tell me that I should act all grown-up, so there is that.”

He listened carefully while she tackled the question he had addressed back to her, and at the same time tried to figure out what he could say about his hobbies and interests.

“Reading and riding horses sounds excellent,” he admitted, smiling encouragingly at Orchid. “Perhaps even I might enjoy those, the latter more so rather than the former.”

When she mentioned learning to use weapons, Rooster tilted his head slightly, keen interest in his eyes. “Silly? No. But why would you want to learn swords and bows? Is there a need or do you simply find it interesting?”

@Rillewen

Meadow

Meadow was about to comment happily on Nymph’s ability to compliment and already opened her mouth, but it turned out that the girl was wanted by her parents, so she wondered if there’d be another chance to speak with the little forest maiden.

She looked towards the bar, seeking out the two that had escaped her trap of silly and found that her sister had already gone off to dance. Satisfaction was almost palpable on her face when she saw who the dance partner was. Now they’d have something to discuss after.

She began to make her way off the dance floor slowly, but then saw that Nymph was returning. Meadow waved her hand and smiled, wondering if the girl would be up to more conversation if not silly dances.

@Arnyn

Black Lips

“I suppose you might be right,” Black Lips agreed with the Golden, laughing lightly. “It might not matter if people figured out who I was – I have not yet managed to embarrass myself too badly or cause too much trouble. Though evening is not yet over…” Her blue eyes glinted with merriment as she spun out into a twirl and back again, enjoying the ease with which her dance partner guided her.

“Why, I think it would be a success to attract joy-bringers,” she confessed. “Are you one of them? It certainly seems so to me. As for wearing something joyful tomorrow, I’m afraid it will be back to business as usual. Would a smile to go with the usual garb count as a joyful accent in your books?”

@Arnyn

Amethyst

“I must confess…” Amethyst said, inching slightly closer to her husband within the embrace. “That this far I’ve enjoyed a few conversations and dances, with people mostly not too aware of my identity. Though it would also be amusing if they realised after seeing us together. No doubt they could recognise you more easily.”

“You should smile more,” she mentioned in whisper after a pause during which she basked in the smile he offered her. “It fits you so well.” She had observed how the cares for Gondor had only added more seriousness and more lines to his face, and now she resisted reaching up to trace her fingers along this same face that she loved so much.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Aragorn

He smiled gently as he looked at her. "I am glad you have been enjoying yourself, My Lady. I would agree to throw an entire ball for no more than that alone." He brought their clasped hands closer to her face, reaching out with his thumb to feather a touch along the side of her cheek. "To that end, I shall hold onto my smile then." For the evening, at least. "And to you."

How long ago had it been since he had simply been able to dance with her like this? Letting himself just still. Allowing himself to simply watch her. Her, and her alone. Yet he knew she would want to know about that one other person, who mattered to them both the most of all. "Eldarion was sleeping soundly in his chamber when I left," he told her quietly, still wearing his smile. An unrequested reassurance, yet one he was glad to offer.

"I take it everyone was pleasant to you?" An assumption, for the most part - for who could not be, in the presence of such a lady?

@Pele Alarion

Golden Sunbeam

"Not over, indeed!" he agreed. "I do try and bring joy where I may... It is second nature to me, rather than a task, I suppose." He smiled down at her. "Business as usual sounds so... bland, my lady," he said, as if trying to coax her toward something more interesting. "But yes. A smile surely counts," he agreed firmly. "A smile might be the very best way, in fact." He had them weaving through the other couples, turning the Lady with the Black Lips this way and that as if he were doing nothing more than following her, showing her off, while he was in fact in the lead the whole time. "A smile can brighten up the day of a stranger merely passing by. A smile can bring joy into the hearts of your friends and family. Pure happiness into the soul of a lover." He twirled her again, meaning no innuendo.
"Even if whatever constitutes your usual garb might be as joyless as blacks and greys," he mused, thinking of what he found to be the most lifeless of colours, "please tell me that your 'business as usual' does not prohibit you from smiling!" When she returned to his arms, he gave her one of his very best ones. As if to prove a point.

[Ercassie]

Night Sky Courtier 2 - Bearded, near the Bar.
Evading the Lilac Plume and the Damson Bouquet
but eventually bumping into Blossom. (@Rillewen)

The mysterious Lady cat may have observed the two similarly bearded, and dressed gentleman around the bar, but only one of those two was aware of her in return. He did not approach the woman since departing from their dance. He meandered however, throughout the hive of activity which amassed the room; often drawing close toward those of his party who resembled him in look, if little else. There were no words shared, though it would have been all to easy to signal any one of them at need. And thus it was made abundantly clear to the lady that she was outnumbered, if she should turn out to be what he suspected. By the time he had orbited the room enough to return to the bar again, the lady in question had resumed dancing with the golden haired stranger whom she had already taken a spin once at least before. The most curious Midnight Sky Courtier had just begun to wonder if those two were thus, previously known to one another, or simply keen to know each other better from now onwards.

Before he had come to any conclusion, the watcher found himself to be surrounded, with the Lilac Plume at his left side and the Damson Bouquet to his right. He surveyed their dual assault with a blend of amusement and uncertainty, for surely both the young ladies in question were considerably younger than he. Not to mention .. overly enthusiastic. Their efforts to showcase each other’s twirls and frills had yet though to entice any man brave enough to choose one over the other, let alone take on the pair at once !

Catching a purposely slow shake of the Dove’s head, as she sailed in her own rotation about the dance floor with the White Stag, the Bearded Courtier could not ignore the obvious danger here. The man thus broke away from where he had been leaning with each elbow on the bar behind him. The protests from his sudden swarm of young admirers followed him a pace or two, each clamouring for their own sake, each to no avail.

“Oh, sir, do let us have a turn around the floor ..”

“I asked first ! I mean, it’s only fair that ..”


“Ladies, there is a simple way to resolve this,” the man decided, aloud, casting warm brown eyes one way and then the other. The multitude of fluttering eyelashes and deafening giggles did their best to sway his intention, and he struggled not to laugh aloud himself. “I must dance first with the lady I made promise to before either of you,” he explained, very sincerely despite the smile. And as the young maids both demanded of him to name this rival, the Bearded gentleman bowed and strode swiftly from them with no clear plan, into the path of a lovely vision in Pink. A lady somewhat closer to his age-range and apparently unclaimed, astounding as that fact (and she) was.

“Quick, pretend that you are dancing with me,” he leaned in close and muttered toward his saviour. Even as he took the woman in hold, and commenced to actually dance with her, regardless. “My very life depends upon it,” he shared and, catching proper glance about the lady's eyes, forewent all thoughts of glancing back, even to see if the ruse had been bought by the now sighful twosome back at the bar.

---

Night Sky Courtier 4 – Besotted, with the Midnight Sun
at the Bar. (@Isolde Alarion)

As the striking green eyes of his Midnight Sun observed the modest offering, the Besotted Night Sky could not keep his own gaze from her. There was no fear that she might laugh at the gesture, She seemed to speak the language of his heart, so fluently, that he had never a need to explain. She saw him. And he had never felt so at home, somehow, wherever they happened to be at. When she was there, that was the difference. Whatever his heart called for him to do, she was already doing.

Before he could express his joy, at witnessing her own, his lady had stole in .. close. Her smile arrested his every thought or move then, as she followed with a promise that she loved it. And a coming together, quite unexpected, still most welcome, of their lips. They shared a breath in that moment, and his one hand rose on instinct, not to halt her but to cup the gentle contour of her cheek. No force sought to retain the contact, no more than the last fleeting embrace of a subtle wind. There was only support, a gesture to ascertain that her advance was welcome.


It had to end sometime, though it seemed as though a beginning, rather than any sort of conclusion. Her eyes rose as his hand fell free, and the man found the floor suddenly aneath his tread. It scarcely grounded him. One hand now extended toward hers, the man dressed for the Night Sky did not break gaze from his Midnight Sun. She did not deserve to spend another evening wasted in the wings, watching.

“Come. Take to the floor with me,” he made the invitation. For the music had begun to favour a less wild, more poignant, strain of melodies most recently. For he felt unafraid, with her. He might have flown, in fact. His heart already seemed as though awing. “The drinks can wait. But I can .. no more. This is our time.”

[Isolde Alarion]

Embers with Snowflake

Her hesitation at his question caused a moment of concern but as she continued if melted away, a smile of his own joined hers at hearing she wasn't allowed to leave. He was grateful for that as they moved over the dance floor. His smile widened slightly at hearing she was glad he came and that she was enjoying herself now. "I'm glad I changed my mind about coming too, I have someone to thank for that also." He didn't tell her it was Trev that encouraged him, before speaking to him he was set against coming.

She then brought up the recent mission and he looked away momentarily then back to her. He gave her a small reassuring smile. He led with. "I'm sorry about that." He thought about telling her about it but thought better. There was no need to ruin their nice evening with the ugly, sorted details of their mission. It would only ruin the mood he figured. "It ended well, and I suppose that's what we wanted. Luckily I have no new scars to report." He chuckled and tried to lighten the mood as he turned them once again, holding her close as he did so. Gently guiding her with his hand.

Their closeness caused him to simply look at her for a moment, she was beautiful. Yes, he was attracted to the shape of her eyes, the fullness of her lips and the soft angle of her neck but there was more then just these physical attributes. She was fierce in the protection of those she loved yet there was kindness there too. Strong yet still so vulnerable. Occasionally he would glance sadness in her eyes when she thought no one was looking. He wanted nothing more than to chase it away and replace it with happiness. He wasn't sure how to do that though. Trevs voice flitted through his head. Tell her how you feel. Those words made him feel he was standing with his toes on the edge of a precipice, and it was time to take that step or turn around and never come back.

"Cali," He didn't use her masquerade name, there was a more serious tone to his already deep voice as he looked beyond her mask and into her eyes. "I wish to tell you something." There was a momentary pause. Perhaps to give her a moment but more so to garner the courage to continue, his words for their ears only. "I care for you." He lightly shook his head. "Not as a brother or a dear friend would, it's more than that. Deeper than that. Knowing that, I wish to ask your permission to court you. My hope is with time you'll come to feel the same about me. Perhaps, when you're ready and I'm worthy, you'll come to love me as I love you." He stopped there, letting her have time to take in all he'd said. He still moved them with the music, searching her eyes for any sign of how she was taking his revelation. He risks losing her by telling her, but he would never take his words back. She deserved his honesty, even if it came at a price.

@Rillewen

[Rillewen]

@Pele Alarion

Green Dragon

After nibbling at some snacks, he took another look around the room. And, now he saw a lady who seemed to be available, or at least she was standing along. And he remembered that he had promised her another dance. So, figuring he probably should keep that promise, he made his way toward the lady. She seemed to be making her way off the dance floor, so he stepped up with a smile. "Greetings again, Lady Meadow." He bowed politely. "Would you be free for that second dance now, or are you occupied at the moment?" He asked, checking he wasn't wrong about that.

---

@Pele Alarion

Forest Nymph

She waved back at Meadow with a smile, but before she had quite reached the lady, a fellow in a dragon mask had approached her. Nymph paused, thinking for a moment. She sure didn't want to hinder the nice lady from getting to dance with a fellow. She was sure that she had probably come to the dance for that reason, not to entertain young girls. So she smiled and took the last few steps to reach Meadow. "I get to stay longer," She let her know. "But I need to go find my friend and tell her something." She smiled at the gentleman and did a little cutesy, then smiled back at Meadow. "Have fun." She waved before setting off to go back to the table where she'd been sitting with Foxglove and Swan, so she could let the latter know about what she'd managed to arrange with her parents.


(the others will hopefully be posted tomorrow)

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lady in Red

Quite bored at the moment, Red had seen many things unfolding on and around the dance floor, even since the man in white and gold had turned her down. The most recent of which being the little Forest Nymph speaking to her parents. For the man had revealed himself as her father earlier, and the woman clinging to his arm would therefore be her mother. Red watched the parents leaving with muted interest, her eyes shifting between the couple and the daughter. The Fox had danced with the girl, earlier, too. Red frowned in thought. If the Fox did turn out to be her target, then... then he had just danced with his baby sister. And the stepfather had been none the wiser.

Amusement nipped at her as she watched the Nymph appraoching a woman (Meadow) she'd been talking to earlier, before her parents had come into the picture. The woman, though, had been approached by the Dragon. Red rolled her eyes, but she felt a little twinge of irritation, too. If the Dragon had given up on the Fairy and had now approached this other woman - then had it only been her he was rejecting? With a quiet snort, she watched the Nymph heading away from the woman and Dragon again. Red decided to intercept her. If the girl didn't prove all that interesting, she could always head back to that small group of men near the bar. The ones who'd been ogling her earlier. She hadn't felt like it earlier, but as time passed, turning the tables around on men like that was looking like an increasingly appealing way to spend the rest of her evening. It was generally fun to watch their response when they were expecting her to be embarrassed, shy or shocked, and she could make them feel self-conscious and uneasy instead.

"Ah, Miss Forest Nymph," Red addressed the girl, her tone befitting of a lady who'd just happened to pass her by. "We meet again!" Red gave her a friendly smile. One that reached her eyes. "Have you been enjoying your evening?"

[Rillewen]

@Isolde Alarion

Snowflake

Hearing that someone had changed his mind about going, Snowflake smiled. "Well, I'm glad you had a friend like mine." She said, without knowing who it might have been. Probably one of his roommates, she guessed, and she knew he was closer friends with one than the others, so he seemed like the most likely choice for a guess. But she also didn't know if he might have other friends she didn't know about, so she supposed it could've been anyone.

After seeing how his face changed when she brought up the mission, she sort of wished she hadn't, but she was glad to hear that there were no new scars, at least. "It's alright," She answered quietly. "I know you had to go, and I figured you were busy, after." Snowflake wasn't unused to rangers or soldiers having duties, but she wasn't sure what to think about it all when it came to him. She'd been worried about him while he was gone, partly because she'd heard that they had been taking a ship for part of the trip. And thanks to a certain friend, she knew the sort of dangers could befall a person traveling by ship...

Snowflake went quiet for a few moments as they danced, and enjoyed a companionable silence with him, as he also remained quiet for a bit. She couldn't help thinking about some of the things her friends had been telling her, about how they believed Mourgan liked her, and she wondered if they were just kidding her or reading more into this than was there. And she wasn't really sure what to think about it, anyway.

When he began to speak up again, starting with her name, Snowflake/Cali was a little surprised, but listened with curiosity as he said he had something to tell her. "What is it?" She asked softly, as he paused. What could it be? Various possibilities flashed through her thoughts during those few seconds, before he began to speak again. She would have stopped in her tracks, except he kept guiding her through the dancing, so she couldn't really do that. Instead, she caught her breath and stared at him, her brown eyes gazing up into his as he went on, saying things she had not expected to hear.

Her lips parted slightly in mild surprise as he continued, saying that he wanted to court her.. and that he loved her. Temporarily at a loss for words, her mind raced as she continued to gaze up at him while he spoke, allowing him to finish what he was saying. After what felt like far too long, she recalled she was holding her breath, and let it out slowly.

He was waiting on a reply, she realized, but it was difficult. It was the sort of thing she might have asked for a few days to think about and figure out. But it was also the sort of thing that sort of needed a reply right now. "I.." She cleared her throat softly, looked down and hesitated as she tried to figure out what to say. He had confessed his feelings with such honesty, she felt that he deserved the most honest answer she could give, in return. But that was where it got harder.

Finally, she looked up at him, her eyes finding his again as she drew in a deep breath. "I never thought I would let myself come to care so much for anyone who does what you do." She answered quietly, trying to make him understand why the answer came so difficultly for her. "Being a ranger, I mean. That last mission, I don't know how dangerous it was. I know you said you didn't get any new scars. But you can't always say the same, and I know that." She bit her lip, hesitating. Thinking about that day in the mess hall.. when he nearly died. "I always told myself, I.. wouldn't get too close with anyone who's.. bound by duty. A soldier, or ranger, or whatever. Someone who could.. go off on a mission, and not come back." She frowned and let her gaze drift downward. "All three of my brothers died in the line of duty, you know. And that loss... I don't know if I could handle another one like that." She frowned, feeling a little troubled by that thought. The logical part of her was saying she should say no to his request to court her.

She looked up again. "But, somehow.. I.. can't bring myself to say no." She said quietly, unable to explain it. "And.. I'm not sure why I feel so glad to hear you say those things." She bit her lip in uncertainty before continuing. "I'll worry about you every time you go to do something dangerous.. but then, I already do that..." She considered for a moment while they continued moving across the dance floor. "If you'd asked me this months ago, I think I would've said no." She let out soft laugh. "But now? I think I'm too far gone for that. I care about you too much, now. I'd worry anyway, as I did when you were away that last time. So..." She hesitated.

"Well, I.. I'm not really very good at this sort of thing. No one's ever asked to court me," She felt like she might be blushing a little. "My father would've demanded to meet any suitors coming to call on me," She smiled sadly but let out a little laugh. So would her brothers. And they surely would've given him a hard time about calling on their sister. Now, she only had her 'adopted' brothers to do that. "I'm nervous, but.. not opposed." She concluded, trying to make sure it was clear what her answer was. "Meaning.. you have my permission."

---

@Pele Alarion

Teal

Teal smiled as he saw the laughter lingering in her eyes, even if she wasn't letting her mouth smile. He was glad he'd come, too. Even if he hadn't come across either of their other friends, or anyone else that he had met here in Minas Tirith, he was glad to have found her, who had come all the way from Rohan with him. And he was glad too, that she had done so.

"Ah.. so does that mean I should ask the horses whether they appreciate your singing, or if they'd rather kick you to stop the caterwauling?" He teased with a little grin. "Then if the horses are favorable to your singing, then I might try to sneak into the barn sometime and listen." He tentatively raised his arm to offer her a chance to twirl, since she'd seemed to enjoy that.

---

Yellow Orchid

She thought curiously about the tree as she sipped her drink. "I don't know. I always thought a tree would enjoy growing anywhere that it can. Haven't you ever seen one growing off the side of a rocky cliff, clinging to whatever tiny bit of dirt it can reach with its roots? Or.. how they cluster together at the river's edges, crowding each other to try and get to the water? They want to survive wherever they can, same as us people do." She shrugged. "Maybe I'm silly, thinking like that. I've heard there are lovely little gardens here, and parks, filled with trees. I'd think an apple tree would be lovely in some back yard."

As sir Rooster responded about the hobbies she had mentioned, she was a little surprised he didn't tell her it was silly. But his question about why made her think for a moment. "Well.. I'm not sure exactly. Perhaps it's simply because.. it's not allowed." She looked down at her glass. "Not for me, anyway. But I also.. well, wouldn't it be a good skill, to be able to defend one's self at need? I.. I guess perhaps I envy my friend, who knows how to fight. I want to be bold and brave like that, but I'm just.. too shy, I guess."

She paused as she considered whether to tell him anything about the archery, then decided, why not? "I used to have a little bow, and some arrows, when I was a child. Before I came to live with my uncle. I used to try and hunt for food sometimes, when we didn't have much." She smiled faintly at the memories. "Now that I live with my uncle and aunt and cousins, there's no need for that. And.. it's supposedly not proper or something.. though I'm not sure why." She shrugged and took another sip of her drink.

---

@Arnyn

Forest Nymph

She was halfway to the table when she heard someone addressing her. Pausing, Nymph glanced over and spotted the lady from earlier that she had spoken with. "Oh, hello again!" She greeted her cheerily. "I am, yes ma'am." She answered the lady's question, smiling. "My friend convinced a nice gentleman to dance with me and then with our other friend," She laughed. "He was very polite and kind to me, although I'm sure he would've preferred to dance with someone his own age.. like my friend." She grinned knowingly. "And then I met some nice ladies and we had a bit of fun together."

"And you? Have you been enjoying your dances?" She couldn't imagine the lady not getting plenty of gentlemen asking her to dance. She may be young, but she could see that the lady was very pretty and that plenty of men were giving her interested looks, even from afar.

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Lady Swan

How was your dance? My brother was just leaving…

The music swelled and couples twirled on the dance floor and there was a great din of conversation about them, but it seemed their particular moment had drilled to a sudden halt. She asked her question and the silence seemed to stretch out, as she noticed Sir Fox’s eyes were…well, they were rather blank. The look of a man who was far off in his own thoughts. Swan tilted her head as if she might look into those orbs from a different angle and catch some sight or sense of what was on his mind. Was he okay? Or worse, was he bored of her?

Her heart began to beat terrifyingly with the prospect for some reason. But whatever it was on his mind eventually passed as Sir Fox returned his attention to the present moment. He and Foxglove had a lovely dance it seemed, with the other girl now taking a seat as Sir Fox obliged Swan with the offer of another dance, to which she replied silently by offering her hand for him to take and lead her away.

”Talk soon!” She beckoned to Foxglove and waved with her free hand, before tucking in close to Sir Fox’s side and allowing herself to be led away. She peered up at him – he was a full head taller than she was – and wondered what might be on his mind. Something seemed to be bothered him.

And taking a risk, she reached up with her hand and put the back of her palm to the side of his brow and cheek. ”Are you well, Sir Fox? Taken ill?” She inquired, removing her hand after a brief inspection, as she seen her mother do sometimes with her and her siblings. He didn’t feel like he was burning up or anything. ”Perhaps you have drank too much.” She teased, remembering the effect it could have on her brother.

It must be something else. Perhaps she had crossed him somehow. He had thought the same after their first bout on the dance floor. These concealed identities sometimes made it hard to communicate or understand effectively. There was a lot of verbal cues that were blocked by these masques. ”Thank you for dancing with my friends. You are indeed a gentleman. They are young and I wanted them to know the amazing sensation I have had, at the hands of such men like you. I hope you will not begrudge me for having volunteered you so.” She spoke softly to him.

---

@Rillewen

King Cheddar

”Don’t I know it.” He chuckled at her statement of satisfaction being a miracle cure. There were many satisfying encounters tonight, but the one with the Queen, and then the King, seemed most grandiose of all. She understood his trepidation and her pointing out the crux of the matter had him grinning from ear to ear. He wasn’t bothered by the direct questioning. He needed to hear it. It helped ground him back in the moment.

”Most certainly not. But perhaps I could have said more to the opposite effect, courteously or flattering. She was the Queen. And an elf! How could I have missed the ears? My pride and intelligence will never recover from this.” He jested of himself, shaking his head but still wearing his smile. The more he thought about it, he was sure he had done nothing untoward or foolish. Now he just wished he handled that more smoothly. But it had been centuries in Gondor with no King or Queen. Awareness of customs and decorum in how to interact around them were sorely lacking in his pool of knowledge.

He held his hand out and Lady Cat held him in suspense, weighing up his offer. Eventually her hand was placed in his, granting her consent along with a carefree statement. Why not indeed! He mimicked her gesture of taking a final sip of his drink, before putting it aside and leading her towards the dance floor. It seemed the King and Queen were making waves and others were becoming aware, with a strong cordon of other dancing couples in the way.

His sister was there too, dancing with the Fox boy, but he ignored that. He brought Lady Cat to the edges and twirled her around to face him, his other hand catching her side and holding her steady, as they joined in the dance. It only took a moment for Cheddar to elegantly weave them in amongst the dancers, drawing closer to the King in green and the Queen in purple.

Cheddar could hardly believe his eyes at the sight of them. And said as much to Lady Cat. ”There they are. Now that I look at them…it becomes more evident. The King is very tall! And the Queen, her beauty just radiates and seems so otherworldly. Wouldn’t you agree, my Lady?” He said, stealing a glance at the royals, before turning his eyes to his dance partner, still trying to weave them through the throng of dancers and come nearer to catch a closer, better look, for himself and for her. And yet despite their high standing, the King and Queen seemed so…welcoming and polite. Not like the old Steward, so grounded in decorum and aloofness. The King and Queen of Gondor were amongst their people and vassals and made it seem so easy.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lady in Red

"I have," she acknowledged her enjoyment of the evening. Despite having struck out with the Dragon and the man in Gold and White, it was still true. "I've definitely had some good dances, and a good time, and I plan on just a little more of it in one way or another before calling it a night." She nodded toward the entrance. "Your parents have left, if I may assume that was them? Do you have anyone here who is looking out for you?" The girl was a little young to be left alone, after all. Even in the City of Kings. You never knew what kind of shady individual she might run into.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Blossom

Lady Blossom had grown a little bored whilst her friend, Dragon, was talking to the other two in a foreign language. Knowing which ones he knew, she had guessed it to be Rohirric, but it was the first time she had heard the language spoken by anyone, and so she could only guess at that. And she had no idea what he was saying. Therefore, when an unknown gentleman approached her and began chatting, she was glad for a bit of a distraction. She was also happy to accept his invitation to come to the dance floor with him. But she found little interest in this stranger, and after ending the dance, she ventured back toward the bar with the intention of asking for some water to sip on.

On her way there, Blossom was unexpectedly found another stranger appear suddenly in front of her, one whom she was certain she'd seen loitering near the bar just a moment ago.. or wait, hadn't she seen this fellow on the dance floor? But no, that one hadn't had a beard.. she was briefly confused and distracted by that thought, but when he spoke, all of her attention suddenly focused on him. On his face.

Her brown eyes widened slightly. That voice.. she had never heard anyone speak like that.. except for one man. She was so stunned by the suddenness of his approach, as well as the shock of hearing that voice, she made no protest as he began to dance with her after requesting that she play along. But how could this be? Could she really be so lucky? "Say something else?" She requested softly, almost breathlessly, as if perhaps she had misheard his voice. Maybe she'd only heard what she had been longing to hear for months now.. and she was wrong. The chances of running into him here, of all places... those chances couldn't be very high, right?

Yet, when he had spoken again, her doubt disappeared, and she stared in amazement up at him. At his eyes. Yes.. those were the warm brown eyes she had come to know so well. A smile of disbelief mingled with joy lit up her face. "Gwa.." She stopped herself from uttering the rest of the name, in case he was not wishing to have it announced. But she couldn't help the next bit to escape from her. "It is you!"

---

@Lantaelen

Sir Fox

Sir Fox tried his best not to let himself remain too distracted by the fact he had just spotted the man who wanted to kill him.. the man who had killed his brother. Nor the fact that he had had to pass up a chance to speak to his mother, after all these years. It was hard, and it left a little ache of longing in his heart. He may not get along with her that well, but he did love his mother and he missed her. Even if he was sure she wouldn't believe him if he told her about her husband.

Lady Swan's voice drew him back out of his thoughts, asking if he was well. He smiled toward her, then let out a soft laugh when she put her hand to his cheek as if to check for fever. Although his mask prevented her from doing so properly, it was a kind gesture. "I'm alright, thank you." He assured her. "I just uh, thought I saw someone I knew." He explained. "My apologies.. with these masks, it's difficult to tell, you know."

It was with a bit of surprise to hear her thank him for taking her friends out to the dance floor. "Oh no, it was a pleasure." He assured her with a smile, as he found them a spot to begin dancing. "I enjoyed talking with them both, and I am glad they both seemed to enjoy the dance." He thought for a moment while he led her through a twirl, and brought her back to face him. "I wanted to uh.. say, first of all, before.. I hope I didn't offend you with anything I said." He cleared his throat, a little awkward about how to go about that. "If I did, I apologize."

---

@Lantaelen

Lady Cat

Lady Cat smiled when he denied having spoken crudely to the queen. "Well, I should hope not," She laughed lightly, carefully maintaining a lack of any particular accent, in order to keep up her disguise and keep people guessing about who she might be. "Hmm," She tilted her head, considering his comments about being more courteous or flattering. "I couldn't say," She shrugged lightly, then refrained from rolling her eyes as he wondered how he'd missed seeing the lady's ears.

"Well, she does have them hidden under her hair," She pointed out. "Which, if I'm right.. it might even be a wig." She wasn't certain, but she had thought lady elf would have had darker hair. Either way, the ears were most definitely concealed beneath those dark locks. "I couldn't tell, either. Else I would certainly have made some guess as to who she is."

As she set off toward the dance floor with the man, she was curious how his dancing skills would compare with the Golden Woodsman. He started out with a twirl, which made her smile. She easily followed along with his lead, noticing the way he led with strong confidence. He wasted no time in bringing them quite close to the royal couple. Almost a little too boldly. She was just a bit surprised there were not any obvious guards around them, to prevent people from getting too close like that. She cast her glance around briefly, wondering about that man she'd felt seemed suspicious.

Sir Cheddar's comments drew her gaze back to the royal couple, then to him. The man was obviously quite awestruck by the elven queen. She supposed there was something intriguing and mysterious about that, but she had thought elves were not too uncommon in Gondorian history, and weren't there supposedly elves and dwarves who had come to help rebuild this city? She thought she'd heard something about that. Lady Cat cast a faint smile in the direction of Lady Amethyst, recalling the other woman's friendliness during their chat earlier. Looking back at the man she was dancing with, Lady Cat tilted her head with curiosity at him. "From where do you hail, sir?" She asked curiously. "Is the sight of your queen so rare to you, that you cannot take your eyes off her?" She glanced toward the royal couple again, then leaned a bit closer to him, speaking softly for his ears alone, almost in a daring sort of tone, "Perhaps you'd you like to ask to cut in, so you may dance with her again?"

---

@Arnyn

Forest Nymph

Nymph was glad to hear the lady was having a good evening. It would be sad if someone wasn't! For herself, she was mostly happy to have made a few new friends, and made some plans with those friends. She could hardly wait for tomorrow, even if she wasn't quite ready for this evening to be over.

She was a bit surprised the lady had noticed her parents taking their leave. "Oh, yes, of course." She assured her, however. "I have a friend that I'm going to stay with tonight, and her older brother is going to escort us both to where they are staying while they're in town." She explained. "No need to worry, ma'am. He's a swan knight, so he can keep us both very safe." She smiled, figuring something like that would be quite impressive. "And.. my older brother's here too, somewhere..." She added, without going into much more detail about that. "I was just going to tell my friend that my parents said I could go home with her, but now I see that she's dancing with someone. So, I suppose it can wait."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lady in Red

"A Swan Knight?" she repeated, surprised. "Well, then you should be in good hands. My mind is set at ease. Will your brother be joining you then, to your friend's place? Or is he old enough to return to wherever your parents are staying alone?"

Red smiled in understanding when Nymph explained her friend was dancing, so she couldn't approach her presently. "I'm sure it can wait," she agreed kindly. "She is your friend. She will simply be happy for the two of you to get to spend more time together, yes?" Her brown eyes scanned the dancefloor. "Which one is your friend then, Miss Nymph?"

The Fairy

While people-watching, she couldn't help but being drawn to the people she could indentify. Kaylin and Thûllir. Macardil and Karis. Cali. Taras. Abrazimir. But... especially Taras. For if Abrazimir were here, then who else might be from that area? The Fairy wet her lips, thinking. She'd seen Abrazimir talking to a young lady with a white feather. And she was now dancing with Trastion. As she sipped her water, the Fairy tried to calculate the threat, if any. Tras' disguise was excellent. If Abrazimir had not recognized him, months ago, without the disguise, surely he would not recognize him now. But who was this young lady Tras was dancing with now, to the Swan Knight? Their earlier conversation had looked easy. Familiar. She almost snorted with a wry kind of amusement as she considered one possibility. Surely... no. That would just be too bizarre.

With a little sigh, she put her empty glass onto the bar. All those pins in her hair were getting uncomfortable. A big part of her just wanted to pull them out. But that would take away a good deal of her disguise. How many women around here had hair like hers, after all? Turning her gaze back to the dancefloor, she considered whether it would really be so bad for people to recognize her. The evening was well underway. She'd had her chance at anonomity, and had enjoyed it thoroughly. What was the worst she'd done? Alright. She'd thrown that wine at that one man. That was... unfortunate. Some ladies had done a silly dance around her. Her eyes narrowed minutely behind the masks's veils. Maybe the pins should stay in.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Pink Wildflower

A little smile returned his rhetorical question, concerning 'who doesn't like berries?' Had she known that he had pockets full of them at this very moment, she would have laughed. Alas, he did not let her in on that secret, so she remained unaware of the fact. While it wasn't the same fast-paced, spinning, twirling sort of dance she had enjoyed with the stranger in white and gold, she was enjoying this one far more, due to the fact she was dancing with.. the person she was dancing with. The one person in the world she had wanted to dance with most this evening.

When he assured her that she was 'all sorts of pretty' and then went on to say she had 'buckets full of pretty', the Wildflower let out a little laugh, her face brightening with a smile. When he let her know that many guys had to work up the courage to ask the prettiest girls to dance, the Wildflower looked up at him with a softened smile. "Thank you." She answered sincerely. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, a new thought was born. Would he have said the same, if she had appeared the way that she normally did? Blinking as that thought poked its head up, she swiftly tried to push it back wherever it came from, and instead focused on Young Night Sky, and what he was saying.

Though her gloves felt very odd on her hands, she was glad that she had chosen to wear them. She was certain that her hands would have been far too obvious of a giveaway, what with archery callouses and freckles that were too easily recognizable, and so forth. As her dance partner attempted to lace his fingers in with hers, she opened her fingers out so that his hand and hers fitted together easily, as she looked up at him. She had hardly noticed how closely they'd been dancing before, until he shifted his hand to her waist. She had hardly thought about it, being so caught up with the thrill of actually dancing with him, and all. Now, she wondered whether she ought to have been more mindful about their proximity, since she was supposed to be a stranger to him.

Rather than get caught up with that thought, the Wildflower was glad for his question, to give her something to focus on. "Oh, this?" She indicated the paint with a little smile, and shook her head. "No, a friend did that." She answered. "But I was sworn to secrecy concerning the identity of that friend, so I'm afraid that is all I can share." She told him apologetically. "Is it.. odd?" She wondered, hesitant. "I see that no one else did anything of the sort.. and I've never been to a ball before, so I hope it's alright." She added, a little concerned about that.

---

@Arnyn

Forest Nymph

Nymph smiled. "It was very good of you to be concerned, ma'am." She told her. In reply to the next question, she shook her head. "No, at least, I should hope not." She answered. "I mean," She hesitated, unsure how much to say. But this lady wouldn't know who they were, so it was harmless enough to explain this bit. "my brother is betrothed to my friend, so I don't think it would be appropriate for him to spend the night there, and anyway.. he is certainly old enough to find his own way back to the inn." She shrugged.

When the lady in red agreed that the news could wait, Nymph nodded her own agreement that her friend would be happy to hear it, when she did get to tell her. She took a glance toward the dance floor, and motioned toward the lady in the white dress. "She's there, in the white. We're calling her Lady Swan, this evening." She explained. "Oh, but it looks like my other friend is all alone." She noticed, spotting Foxglove sitting at the table, watching everyone else. "Would you like to join us?" She offered, as it only seemed polite to offer. The lady could turn her down if she had other plans or interests.

---

@Arnyn

Introducing...
Sir Lion

He slipped in through a back door, unobserved as far as he was aware, and integrated himself into the room without drawing attention to himself as he mingled easily with a small cluster of folks who were by the buffet table. After using the tongs to select a tiny quiche from the tray, his gloved hand fed it to his mouth as he wandered away from the table and came to stand at the edges of the room for a moment. The first part of the evening had been largely wasted in his opinion, having spent it mostly sitting off to the side, watching and not enjoying. He had watched many lovely ladies going by, some swirling across the dance floor, smiling and laughing with their dance partners, others roaming around without partners, loitering by the bar or food, or engaged in conversation with others. That was a shame, he thought, and hoped to remedy that soon, now.

His gaze sought one particularly gorgeous woman that had caught his eye earlier. When he located her, however, he noticed she was speaking with a young girl. He decided not to go over to her, then. Not now. Instead, he sought another lady that he had noticed before. Another quite beautiful woman, who as yet seemed unclaimed. Finding her lingering by the bar, he smiled and decided to find out whether she might prefer to take to the dance floor.

The lion weaved his way through around some chairs and tables that separated him from the bar, and approached the lady in question. Earlier, while he had been watching everyone else enjoy the ball, he had taken notice of the wings attached to her dress, and thought it was a nice touch. He drew up near to where she stood and asked for a drink before turning toward her. "Good evening, my lady." He greeted the Fairy cordially. "Are you enjoying yourself this evening?"

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lady in Red

"Ah, yes," she agreed pensively. "If they are betrothed, it would not be proper." A smile tugged at her lips, one the girl might see as understanding. In reality, it was more ironic. How could it be that the one girl's virtue was so well protected, when that of the next girl was simply thrown to the wind? Were they not all citizens of Gondor? Her brown eyes found the Swan. The young lady of whom she now almost felt... jealous.

"I might, for a while," she agreed. "If my presence would not be too much of an imposition, young lady? I promise I will not hover overlong." What was visible of her beautiful expression, of her eyes, was lit with the joy of the evening. "Since your friend, the Lady Swan, is betrothed to your brother - might I assume that is him? The young man with whom she is now dancing?"

The Fairy

The man in the lion's mask, a new arrival to the bar, addressed her. The Fairy blinked behind her veils, safe to do so without him knowing. She assessed him quickly, but could not identify him. Or at the very least, not yet - that is, if she were to know him. Which she may as well not!
However, he was polite, and friendly. And even if the frills on his frock were a bit much for her taste, she did appreciate the craftsmanship of his lion mask.

"Good evening... Sir Lion." It was the only possible appellation, was it not? The Fairy returned his cordial tone. "The evening has had some wonderful highlights," she replied, amusement and honesty two strong sentiments behind her words. "Both off and on the dancefloor." The Fairy smiled, recollecting a few of those highlights. The flying wine. Kaylin's little ruse. Meeting Blossom. Discovering Dragon here. Dancing with her brother. And Tras. Dragging Black Lips onto the dancefloor along with that other lady.

"Have you been enjoying yourself as well, sir?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Forest Nymph

"Oh, I'm sure it won't be an imposition." Nymph assured the lady in Red with a smile. "We are mainly just socializing with others. I've made a couple of new friends this evening, so that's nice." She smiled and began to move toward the table where Foxglove was sitting.

She then looked in surprise at Red when she asked whether the young man dancing with Swan was her brother. A little laugh escaped her at that idea. "Sir Fox?" She giggled, shaking her head. "I wish." She sighed, glancing around. "No, I have no idea where my brother is. He's around somewhere, but I haven't seen him. Nor do I want to. He's not very nice to me," She explained, and couldn't help thinking, why couldn't he be the one who had went off and left? "Sir Fox is from Linhir, and I don't know very much else about him, but he's very polite and kind."

She approached the table where Foxglove was watching the dancers. "Hello again!" She greeted her cheerily, then turned to Red. "I'd like you to meet my friend, Foxglove," She giggled at the silly names they had all taken on for the evening.

"Pleased to meet you!" Foxglove greeted the newcomer with a friendly smile. "Would you like to sit with us?" She motioned around the table, which had three open seats.

Nymph then from continuing the introduction the other way, realizing something. "I don't think I learned what your masquerade name is, ma'am?"

---

@Arnyn

Sir Lion

As the bartender slid the requested drink toward him, Sir Lion's attention was more focused on the lady in wings even as he took a small sip. Setting the glass down, he smiled when the lady replied that the evening had had some wonderful highlights. "I'm pleased to hear that," He responded. Perhaps another dance would add to those, he thought with an inner smile. While he had no idea who this lady might be, he could detect an accent of Belfalas in her voice, and he was rather intrigued by wondering if it could be anyone he knew, while also trying to mentally go through all of the females he knew of in the nobility who would have golden hair.

At her return question, he gave a sad little shake of his head. "Not yet, alas." He sighed. "Would you, perhaps, be willing to help me alter that, my lady?" He asked in a hopeful sort of tone, wearing a little smile. "If you would accept my invitation to dance, it would delight me to share a dance with a lady so lovely as yourself."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lady in Red

Red stepped along with Miss Nymph, wondering at how sad the girl would be once the contract weighing on Red's shoulders was completed. It was too bad the girl couldn't point out her brother. But perhaps it was better this way. If Nymph helped Red now, and would ever learn of the fact that it had helped with her brother's demise... On their way to the table, as Nymph was telling her about the impression the Fox had left on her, Red glanced at him again. Could it really all be a coincidence? It had been, the first time, she reminded herself. And there was no more room for error.

"Good evening, Miss Foxglove," Red greeted Nymph's friend with a nod of her head and a friendly smile. "Thank you, I would," she graciously accepted Foxglove's invitation. Before sitting down, though, the question about her alias made Red's smile more amused. "It is nowhere near as creative as Forest Nymph or Foxglove, I'm afraid. You can call me Red." She pointedly brushed at her red skirt before claiming one of the seats, sliding into it with a grace people might dub sensual.

"Miss Nymph and I were just talking about her brother," Red informed the other young lady. She was clearly older than Nymph - perhaps on the cusp of adulthood? "I'm sorry your brother is not kind to you," she told Nymph. "Do you have to see him very often?" The inquiry was casual. Red was just making conversation, after all. Then she turned to Foxglove. "And you,miss? Do you have any siblings?"

The Fairy

She slanted her head in sympathy when she heard he had not enjoyed himself so far. A little surprised that he would use that to segue into an invitation to dance, her lips parted, before curving into a little smile. "I would," she accepted with a slow nod of her head. "Yet, while I indeed finished my drink just a moment ago, you have only just ordered yours. Are you planning on making a lady wait?" she asked, her amusement quite clear in her tone. "Or would you abandon a good drink instead?" The Fairy turned more fully toward him, wondering how he might respond to her little challenge.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Forest Nymph & Foxglove

"Very pleased to meet you, Lady Red." Nymph replied with a smile, as she claimed one of the remaining two seats.

"Oh, I can't take credit for 'Foxglove'," The girl laughed softly. "It was miss Nymph and Swan who decided that should be my name for the evening." She explained, blushing ever so lightly. "But Red works quite well for you, anyway. And your dress is so.. wow." The girl was a little amazed, feeling somewhat inferior to the beautiful lady who was joining them. And wondering why she would deign to sit with she and Nymph, who were practically little girls by comparison.

As Red returned to the topic of Nymph's brother, the younger girl smiled at her expressed sympathy. "Yes, just about every day." She sighed. "He thinks he's so.. important or something, just because he's older." She rolled her eyes. "Big deal. When my other brother comes home, he won't let him pick on me anymore." She declared with a little nod of satisfaction at that thought. "I can't wait for that."

Foxglove smiled at the last sentence from Nymph. "That'll be nice, I'll bet." She shook her head in answer to Red's question to her. "No, none for me. After hearing about her brother, I think maybe it's not such a bad thing, though." She laughed, then glanced toward the dance floor, and back to Red. "What about you, since we're asking?" She asked, curious about the lady.

---

@Arnyn

Sir Lion

His smile increased a little as she agreed, but then he blinked when she pointed out that he had only just begun on his drink. He glanced at it, briefly debating whether to actually drink it or to tell her he had only asked for a drink as an excuse to come over to the bar where she was. He turned back with a little grin. "I can ask for another drink." He shrugged, offering his hand to her. "Drinks are easy to replace, whereas an opportunity to dance with a beautiful lady.. is not."

As he led the way toward the dance floor with the lady fairy, he added, "In truth, I was far less interested in acquiring the drink than I was in having an excuse to approach the bar, so that I might speak to you to ask for this dance." he admitted, finding an open spot on the floor. He smiled as he turned toward her, and placed one hand comfortably at her back and the other holding her hand up, and set off to join in with the many other couples dancing.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lady in Red

The compliment was flattering, of course. Red nodded her head in thanks. "The dress does do most of the work for me," she said with a smile. The information Nymph dropped about her brother told Red that she was not talking about the brother Red was trying to find. Then... then the Fox might still be her target. After all, would Nymph even tell anyone if she had recognized the Fox as her runaway brother? Mmhm. "Your other brother is away? Does he travel for work perhaps? Or is he getting an education elsewhere? I hope he returns to you soon, Miss Nymph." No, she didn't. But the lie fell as effortlessly from her lips as everything else she had said.

She joined Foxglove in her brief laugh. "None for me, either. I wouldn't have minded an older sibling looking out for me... Though if he or she decided to torment me instead, I'd rather not have any at all. At least, when you're alone, you can't put expectations on someone that they call fall short of."

The Fairy

The blinking amused her. Not a question he had expected, clearly. He seemed to need little time too make up his mind, though, and she could not fault his reasoning. So she put her hand in his when he held it out, and let him guide her to the dancefloor. His admission on the way made her blink. Surely, he was just being polite or trying to be charming by saying that. As if anyone would look at her from a distance and decide to approach her - over everyone else at this event. The thought alone was ridiculous.

"In truth?" she repeated as they started dancing, the fact that it was clearly a question instantly betraying her scepticism. Well, at least he was trying to be charming- or something to that effect, she supposed. "How many times have you used such a line with a lady?" she finally decided to ask, though her smile softened her words, and her tone would tell him she was mostly teasing. He was a good dancer, a confident lead that allowed his dancing partner to feel secure while following. It kept the smile on her face. "You lead well, Sir Lion," she complimented him. "The ball surely seems to have drawn in quite a few skilled dancers."

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

King Cheddar

Well, she does have them hidden under her hair. Which, if I’m right.. it might even be a wig.

”Perhaps I overestimate their size,” Cheddar did muse in reply. ”I only know they had prominent ears from the tales. I hadn’t actually seen an elf until the Great Battle here and even then it was difficult to miss.” It could indeed be a wig, as many here had chosen to wear one as a prop in their outfit or so. But he could not believe that the fair and ethereal elven Queen would require a wig.

The pair danced amongst the crowd, not being the only ones seeking a view. The King and Queen were so collected in the presence and attention of so many, to whom they had all been strangers up until a few years prior. Though, Cheddar had heard some anecdote from his own father that the King had been in Gondor before. But that would make the King of a similar age to the old Steward before. And He looked younger than Cheddar’s father! His blood then…must truly be the blood of the Ship-Kings of old.

But Lady Cat’s next query drew his head back out of the clouds and memories. ”Dol Amroth, my Lady. While I have been a visitor to the White City in the past, those opportunities have actually become less frequent since the War ended in fact.” He used to run messages between Dol Amroth and Minas Tirith, between the Prince and the Steward. Then, he had been garrisoned here, in the lead up to the War. ”The Queen, and the King as well, are both rarities to me. If you are of Gondor yourself, you must surely understand the miracle and amazing realization of the Return of the King.” Cheddar said, his eyes so aglow with pride and hope at what it all represented.

Then Lady Cat’s next query had him dumbstruck, before a smile fitted over his face. ”I am not brave enough to try again, my Lady. He knew who I was, somehow. Even though I never met Him, only having seen Him from afar. My luck has been pressed enough all night. I dare not press it further. Dancing with a Lady as fair as you might just be the end of it. We shall see.” He said, flashing her a most charming smile.

”So where might you hail from, Lady Cat?” He inquired as he gave her another twirl and recaptured her with his hand at her side again.

---

@Rillewen

Lady Swan

”Oh!” Swan said, glancing around as if she might notice just who Sir Fox had noticed. She herself did notice Nymph with her parents. She prayed it wasn’t a signal that they were soon to depart. And with Swan in a dance! She wanted to say goodnight to her friend if their evening was being cut short, along with a few other schemes unfortunately. She saw Nymph’s parents begin to walk towards her own parents and it seemed her assumption was confirmed. They were bidding goodnight and farewell.

Which reminded her. She had asked Sir Fox where he had come from. He asked what her hobbies were. But she never asked if he was indeed here with anyone, family or otherwise. But she had noticed him almost always alone, if not seeking a partner or engaged in brief discussions.

Swan didn’t have much time to ponder as Sir Fox called dancing with her friends a pleasure and that her friends seemed to have enjoyed it. She smiled broadly, loving to hear it. A twirl was given and her stomach had butterflies as it was completed, once more in his hands, her own gripping a little more firmly than what might be considered polite. Maybe it was that glass of wine they shared earlier finally kicking in. Though strangely, Sir Fox brought up the idea that she was offended somehow. And that he wished to apologize.

Her expression changed to a more solemn one and she tilted her head to the side, regarding him curiously. ”Are you afraid,” she said slowly in the elven tongue, ”that this swan might deliver a nasty bite and you wish to absolve yourself of any possible justification for such?” She mused at him with a steady look. She was joking around, but it was the first time, ever, in her life where she wasn’t foolishly grinning and giving away the jest so easily. A sudden, wicked idea came to her mind…but she put it aside for now. To cultivate.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen

The Gilded

“You could ask the horses,” the smile returned to Gilded’s face fully. “This far they have not kicked me, though I could not say whether that is because I take good care of them or because of my good singing. Or perhaps I will not be too shy to sing if I spotted you – never know though.”

As soon as Teal raised the arm, the girl took advantage of it and twirled with more confidence than before; she found that doing it more and more made it easier every next time. Not that she had done that many twirls yet.

“I think this is beginning to come off pretty good, eh?” she asked when she came around to face Teal again.

Red Rooster

“There is a small garden in our yard,” Rooster explained. “Though the soil might not be deep enough for a tree to spread roots deeply; we haven’t tried to grow one to say for sure. There are some veggies and flowers.” He was quiet for a few moments, and a dreamy look touched his brown eyes. “Oh. You describe the will to live of trees so wonderfully,” he eventually said. “I can almost see it!”

“Hmmm,” he hummed thoughtfully when Orchid described the reasons for why she would want to learn fighting. “They say bravery comes in many shapes, Miss,” he then said with a small smile. “I do hope that you wouldn’t need to fight even if you did manage to learn how.”

His eyes widened when Orchid mentioned that she had to hunt for food; and he would never have guessed from her expensive-looking attire. “It takes quite some skill to hunt,” he chose to skip that fact and comment on her skill. “So you apparently do have archery skills even if rusty from disuse. You did manage to hunt something down, yes?”

@Rillewen

Meadow

Meadow was waiting for Nymph, but it appeared that Dragon reached her first. “Sir Dragon, nice to see you again,” she smiled at him. “I was just waiting… so a dance would be lovely!”

Then also Nymph found her to announce that she could stay for a bit longer.

“Very good that you can stay!” she replied. “I hope you’ll enjoy as much of the evening as you can before you have to leave!”

Then she looked back to Dragon with glad expectation.

@Arnyn

Black Lips

“It is a good nature to have, Sir…” Black Lips left the Golden opportunity to introduce himself with any possible name he had chosen or had been given this evening. “Joy is a treasure to cherish."

She could see herself engaging with a smile to bring joy to the people Golden listed, but the last one on the said list made her eyes darken with a tinge of pain and longing only for a moment. She was not sure she would ever be open to that option again. Luckily she found herself in one of the twirls again which gave her a moment or two to collect herself again.

“Black and grey might be a bit boring,” she said, willing herself to smile in return for Golden’s beaming one. “But not necessarily joyless. A touch of additional accessory or two can make everything better. And no, smiling is not necessarily forbidden even if not always appropriate.”

“Should I have chosen something more colourful tonight?” she asked, her smile turning into a somewhat impish grin.

@Arnyn

Amethyst

“A ball now and then… perhaps…” she said with a small smile, her grey eyes speaking volumes as she looked at Aragorn. “If it meant a chance to have you all to myself for a bit, to dance with no less.”

Amethyst drew yet another inch closer to her husband yet leaving reasonable enough space between them. “It is good that Eldarion was sleeping; hopefully he won’t wake to look for us… yet.”

“Yes, yes… everyone has been nice this far,” Amethyst laughed gently. “I have not given them any reason to be otherwise, I hope.”

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Forest Nymph & Foxglove

"It does look nice on you." Foxglove replied, wondering if the lady owned it or had rented or borrowed it, like she'd done with the one she was wearing. But it didn't seem like something she ought to ask about that.

Nymph had little to comment about the dresses, but when the topic returned to her brother, she had to think for a moment about what she could say in answer to the lady. It was a simple enough question, of course, and Nymph didn't think she had any purpose for asking outside of mere curiosity and for conversation. But the girl had to think about what she was allowed to say, with what she had promised to her brother. "No," She answered, concerning work or education. "He''s just.. away, but he promised he'd be back when he could. That's all I know, really." She shrugged and then smiled the lady said she hoped he returned soon. "Thank you. Me too." She really did hope so, more than anything.

She smiled as the other two talked about siblings. "I'm the youngest of all my siblings. Two of my brothers were nice, but the other one.. who's here tonight.." She sighed, shaking her head a little. "If he was my only brother, I'd say you're better off having none." She informed the other two, then grinned. "But the other two change my opinion entirely. Oh, and Lady Swan is almost like my big sister, so that's very nice."

Foxglove smiled slightly, nodding. "Yeah, I thought they were sisters at first," She told Red with a little grin. "They do seem a bit like it." She confirmed. After a little hesitation, she asked a question that had been on the tip of her tongue. "May I ask.. I mean, how.. how'd you get asked to dance so much? Is it because of your dress, or..?" She blushed lightly, unsure quite how else to ask. "I mean, I noticed you danced with several of the men, and I just.. I only had one dance, and that was only because Swan almost pushed him to ask me," She explained. "I've never been to anything like this, but I so love dancing.. but I don't really know anyone that'd ask me. I dont suppose dancing by myself is really acceptable at a ball like this, is it?"

---

@Arnyn

Sir Lion

He smiled slightly at the lady's skepticism. "You sound as if you do not believe me, my lady." He commented. "Do you think I would lie about such a thing?" When she added on, asking how many other times he'd said such a thing to a lady, he shook his head. "Never before, I assure you." He actually had no idea whether he had or not, as he didn't really keep up with everything he said to every lady he interacted with.

Her own compliment to his dancing widened his smile a bit. "Thank you. You're quite an exceptional dancer, yourself." Having watched her dancing with a couple of fellows before now, he recalled that she had appeared like a skilled dancer, and so he knew he didn't need to tone down his own abilities. Stepping back slightly, he raised their arms and gave her a twirl, and stepped a bit closer than before after bringing her back around to face him. "It is quite enjoyable to dance with someone who knows how to do it well, don't you agree?" He asked quietly with a small smile.

---

@Lantaelen

Sir Fox

"I don't think it was my friend after all," He mentioned, when Swan glanced around as if to try and see whoever he was talking about. Just in case she had any thoughts about who he had been looking at. He tried to be extra careful, then, about letting his gaze stray in the direction of the couple in silver in black. Then they were gone. Yet, he noticed that Nymph was still there. He wondered about that, curious whether they had arranged plans with her or what. He was a little worried about that, but he figured his mother would have insisted on some arrangement for her. But was that based on Togg being at the dance somewhere? Nymph had said something about not knowing whre he was, and he'd gotten the impression that she had no idea he had already left. It seemed that Fox was the only one aware of that detail.

Trying not to worry too much about it, he focused his attention on Lady Swan, now. Her answer left him briefly confused, but he considered it thoughtfully while keeping a faint smile lingering on his face. "I'm sure I would not wish to be bitten, my lady," He answered with a little laugh. "No.. I just, well you departed so abruptly before, I wasn't sure whether I had offended you by suggesting we shouldn't spend the entire night dancing with one another." He explained, trying not to be too awkward as he did so, but.. he did feel a bit awkward about proceeding. Still, he felt he needed to clear the matter up.

He cleared his throat softly and kept to the common language despite her having spoken in Sindarion. It just seemed easier to him to speak in this one. "I don't know if you were upset or not, but just in case you were.. I felt that I owed you an apology, as well as an explanation." He hesitated. "I have enjoyed dancing with you this evening, miss Swan, but I would not want anyone observing us to get any wrong ideas, after seeing us in dance after dance after dance, you know." He shrugged slightly. She ought to be as aware as him about how some people would perceive such a thing, if she was from Belfalas as her accent seemed to imply.

"The thing is.." He hesitated again, reluctant to share this bit of information, especially with a stranger. But then, he also felt liberated to speak about some things, because no one knew who he was. And he felt that she deserved to know as much of the truth as he could offer. "You see, I didn't want to give anyone, including you, the idea that you and I were getting too.. interested in one another, for I am not free to court whomever I wish. I am betrothed to someone... and I have no idea if she is here tonight or not, but.. I would not wish for you to get the idea that I was... hoping for anything more than simply a dance." He tried to explain as honestly as he could manage. "And.. I would not want anyone else to think I was pursuing someone else on the side, because I would never do that." He drew in a slow breath, trying to watch what he could see of her face, to see if she was upset about any of this information. "I would never wish to hurt her, wherever she is, but I also would not want to mislead anyone else, such as you." There, he had said what he needed to say, now he hoped lady Swan wouldn't be upset.

---

@Lantaelen

Lady Cat

With a little shrug, Lady Cat dismissed the topic of the Queen and her ears. She didn't know whether the woman was wearing a wig or not, but if she were in her place, going to a masquerade, and didn't want everyone to instantly know who she was, then she would disguise herself in whatever way she needed. So it made sense to the Cat lady to assume she might have on a wig, to both cover up her tell-tale ears, and also make herself look just enough different that no one would guess straight off that it was her.

The information that sir Cheddar came from Dol Amroth did not surprise her tremendously. She looked up at him as he spoke more about the king and queen, and gave a faint smile at the comment he made, 'If you are of Gondor yourself, you must surely understand the miracle and amazing realization of the Return of the King.'

"I am not." She replied with a little shake of her head. And while she could not deny that the king was tall, she had seen plenty of men quite close to him in height, including Cheddar himself. Sir Golden was quite tall, too, she recalled. Many of the men she'd seen here tonight were rather tall, in fact, and therefore, she didn't really find it all that impressive. So what if the king was a couple of inches taller than everyone else? What she was more curious about was what sort of king he would be, and what he would be doing as king, now that he had returned. Would it be as wonderful for everyone as they had hoped?

The news that he had 'somehow' known who Sir Cheddar was, however, made her arch an eyebrow slightly with intrigue. Did that mean the rumors were true, that this king could read the thoughts of others? Or was it something far more simple.. that he had recognized sir Cheddar because he'd simply seen him before? If he was a Dom Amrothian, and a noble, as she believed, then it would make sense to her that the king would know who he was, even if the other fellow had not personally met him before. It was a ruler's business to know who his subjects were, after all. Right?

Amid her mental theorizing and analyzing, Lady Cat caught the comment the man had made about his luck. And that dancing with a lady as fair as her might be the last of it. A compliment toward her, at last. She felt somewhat satisfied to hear him say it. Yes, that was much better. She tilted her head slightly as she gave a slightly coy smile. "Perhaps each person make their own luck?" She suggested, with a one-shouldered shrug. His luck might have run out if he had continued ignoring the woman he was dancing with, while admiring and complimenting another woman, for instance. Lady Cat had come close to walking away or retaliating in some way, and she would have done just that, if he had carried on doing so.

When he asked her where she hailed from, she smiled mysteriously. "I might be from anywhere," She answered vaguely, turning his own phrasing around a bit, unwilling to give up any of the mystery about herself. "All I will say, is that where I am from.. is far from here."

---

@Pele Alarion

Teal

He laughed. "Glad to hear they haven't kicked you." He hadn't suspected that they would have, since she seemed to be pretty good with horses, but it was always nice to hear it confirmed. "I'll ask Dusty sometime. Or maybe Sugar would be more likely to tell me," He looked thoughtful, then shrugged.

As she twirled with more ease, he smiled more happily. It seemed like they were getting the hang of it, right? It seemed easy enough. "Yeah, it seems like we're getting good at it," He replied, although really it was more like that she was getting the hang of it, as he didn't seem to have a lot to do with the process, other than just raising their arms up, although he still felt that maybe there was supposed to be more to it. "After this song ends, do you want to get some drinks or food, or anything else?" He asked, checking what she wanted to do.

---

Yellow Orchid

She nodded in understanding, sipping her drink. "We have a garden as well, but it might be a bit larger than yours, as we do have a few small trees in it. Mostly flowering trees that my aunt likes," She explained. As he spoke of her describing the trees' will to live so well, Orchid blushed lightly but smiled. "Well.. I do like flowers and trees." She answered. "I suppose that's a good thing, if I described it so well you can almost see it." She laughed softly.

As for his comment about bravery, she shrugged slightly and looked down at her drink. "I don't know about that. I only think it would be nice to know how. Perhaps.. it's only because that's something that is sort of.. off limits to me." She wasn't entirely sure what it was that made her so intrigued about these things.

Seeing that the young man looked surprised, or possibly even impressed, to hear that she had hunted, Orchid blushed yet again. "Oh... I wasn't very skilled," she hastened to assure him, a little embarrassed. " I mean that.. I tried, but, I wasn't very successful." She explained. She hesitated, thinking back. "My mother gave me a bow and some arrows when I was very young, and told me how to use them... and I suppose I got by well enough whenever she was away, but.. I haven't tried to do anything like that since I was about ten." She explained, looking down shyly.

---

@Pele Alarion

Green Dragon

He smiled when Lady Meadow said that a dance would be lovely. When a young girl approached with some news for Meadow, he waited with a little smile toward the girl. He wondered if she might be a younger sister or neice or some such relative to Meadow, but he kept such wonderings to himself for now, and simply waited while they spoke together. He did find it interesting that one was dressed in colors of a sunny meadow filled with flowers, while another was dressed in a foresty look.

Once the girl had gone on her way, Dragon held out his arm to Meadow and smiled as he led the way toward the dance floor. "A relative of yours?" He guessed curiously, with a little nod toward where the girl had gone. She had mentioned having sisters, he thought, so it seemed quite possible. His smile faded slightly when he noticed who had approached the young girl, but he tried not to worry too much about that. It was not really any of his business, and he doubted the girl was in any danger from Red, except perhaps by influence. He returned his attention to Meadow as they began dancing together.

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

King Cheddar

Lady Cat revealed that she was not of Gondor, which was not very shocking, as it seemed quite a number of people here were not of this country. But that was one of the boons of the Return of the King, that visitors from far off nations and lands would once more grace this Realm, building bonds of friendship and ties that only brought Middle-Earth together. Only a King could bring such unity and stability. It swelled Cheddar’s chest to imagine it so.

Perhaps each person make their own luck? ”Then it would not be called luck then. And I do not believe I could have danced with someone as fair as you without a little bit of…shall we say divine luck?” He wiggled his eyebrows in jest and gave her a twirl, allowing Lady Cat to show off her own divine grace and beauty, as he saw it. So what if there was a King and Queen again? There were many present here who could have fit the description of a beautiful Queen all the same, Lady Cat certainly not the least of them.

She knew how to play the game too. That was amusing. Cheddar did not mind that she had several points over him, knowing his background and place of origin. Her own was far from here she claimed. ”North? West?” He inquired of her, seeking a clue to put him on a right path. She could be from a northernly direction, such as Rohan or Dale. Maybe she could even be an elf. His eyes darted to her ears but what could he really tell? He barely seen elven ears to know the difference from human ears. What did pointed ears really even mean? He knew lots of men and women who could fit that description all the same and they were mortal like him.

---

@Rillewen

Lady Swan

Swan had a moment of disappointment, when Sir Fox declared it was not his friend at all. He had friends though? She would not have minded meeting them, if they were all as gallant and courteous as he was. He did reveal why he seemed so eager to keep apologizing to Swan. It was rather flattering. She rushed away hastily? Why was that a problem? Did he want to spend more time with Swan? She kept her expression attentively but colour flushed up her neck and into her cheeks. But she managed to gulp and then return a very sly and devious expression.

I wasn’t sure whether I had offended you by suggesting we shouldn’t spend the entire night dancing with one another…

”Of course not. A lady has standards to maintain, after all.” She said and gave a quirk of one fine slender eyebrow along with a half-smirk, as she often seen her older sister do. Always good to leave them wanting more. But it was tough to act so aloof, when she wanted to give so much to this handsome and clever fox. He was indeed so clever with his words. Yet now she saw…a most serious and grave tone come into his eyes and into his voice. And soon her smile and playful arrogance vanished as he explained a most dreadful circumstance to her.

And suddenly, the party didn’t feel so surreal or grandiose anymore.

He admitted that he was betrothed to someone. Who might even be here. Swan felt her heart drop and she did not know why. All her childish delusions were shattered in an instance. What was she doing? She too was betrothed to someone. She ought to be more behaved and responsible as well. The excitement had gotten to her. She felt like a young girl all over again. But those days were gone. She was a young woman now, in adulthood, and there were great expectations and standards expected of her. She may have been to careless and reckless this evening already. She continued dancing with Sir Fox, but a lot of her enthusiasm had fizzled away. Her grip of his hand and shoulder were not as firm anymore. And her eyes no longer monopolized his stature and expression, but roamed elsewhere now. Often.

When he finished speaking his truths, only then did her sea-grey eyes come back to him. And no longer did she speak the elven tongue, but fell back into the common speech. ”You are…I…" she stumbled a moment to find her words "Thank you for informing me. We all got a little carried away by the festivities and atmosphere. I do not begrudge you this. I had a magnificent time and…well, once the evening is over, we probably will not see one another again, so perhaps any harm done will be minimal and soon forgotten. Remembered only, with passing interest or laughter.” She said, dismissing his need for an apology. He did nothing wrong, she figured. It was all her, and her foolish naivety and excitement.

”I hope I do not get you into any sort of trouble or hot water, Sir Fox. Least of all with your intended. I am sure she is a very beautiful woman who will be lucky to have you. I too am betrothed but…if he is here, he has done all to avoid me.” She gave a sad smile, but shrugged and continued to go through the motions of their dance.

”No matter. I am learning that I need not rely on him or others to help me find my joys and delights. I have a family who loves me greatly and friends I can rely on. I will be well, Sir Fox. No matter what happens. I will pray that you will be too, in your own way.” Swan said, her smile increasing and finding it’s usual demeanor, a flash of her pearl white teeth soon showing as well.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Aragorn

"For yourself?" This amused him. He subtly nodded to either side. "I would agree with you, Arwen - were it not for the many pairs of eyes already staring and watching, even while we are masked and you are wearing your disguise. The moment the crowd identifies us, do you really still see it as having me 'all to yourself'?" He questioned her. "If you don't mind, we could frequent the Tarven of the Seven Stars more often. I am sure the proprietors would be all too happy with a more regular yet unpredictable patronage of their King and Queen. It will probably draw in more people, hoping for our appearance." Aragorn brushed a kiss against her cheek. "If that will make you happy, it will make me happy as well."

---

@Pele Alarion

Golden Sunbeam

"Sunbeam," he grinned, choosing that particular appellation that had been bestowed upin him by another, since it fit the concept of joy perfectly in his mind. "Not necessarily joyless, no... Will you wear colourful flowers in your hair?" He teased, figuring that was probably not what Black Lips was thinking of either. "What is it that you do for a living, Lady? Am I permitted to ask? You do not need to tell me who you are just by revealing a profession?" If she had one. But he had learned it was best to assume people had one, than to assume they did not.

"Should you have chosen something more colourful?" He shook his head slowly, pensively. "Not necessarily. It is debatable whether I myself am colourful in white and gold, I suppose. Maybe it is the intent that matters more. If your plan was not to keep people away, but rather to intrige them, then I am all for it," he declared with a soft smile. "Now... how would you like some more joy, this evening? Spinning until you are dizzy? Jokes until you cannot help but laugh? Or perhaps by now you are thinking some silence might be preferable to my incessant blabbing? I will not be offended if the latter is what might please you the most?"

---

@Rillewen

Lady in Red

Just away, the girl said. "Oh, I'm sorry. Are you two not in touch at all?" Red smiled kindly. "I get the impression you miss him." She flashed some teeth in a brief grin when Foxglove said Nymph and Swan seemed like sisters. "Listening to you speak now, I think I would have liked a sister," she mused. "Either an older sister, who could tell me about the world and prepare me. Or a younger sister, for me to take care of." Though, if she had had either, there was no telling what might have happened to them the night her parents were... removed. Perhaps it was best to let such wonderings lie where any sister might have ended up. In a ditch somewhere, discarded.

Red slanted her head when Foxglove asked how she got so many dance invitations. Had she gotten that many, Red wondered? Best not say she did not think she had danced all that much, yet. Not when the girls seemed to think she had been dancing a lot. It might not go over well. Red shrugged a bare shoulder, with a faint smile. "It is probably a combination of the dress, the men's preferences and..." She considered. "Looking approachable?" she attempted to put words to the thought. "I would not dance by myself, no," Red advised. "It doesn't look great in a setting like this." She reconsidered Foxglove's question about dance offers. "Also - I'm at that interesting age where I am definitely old enough for 'proper adult men' to ask me for a dance, but still young enough for the men on the cusp of adulthood to ask me, too. Many of the men here might have reservations about asking a younger woman such as yourself," she indicated. "I would guess you are... eighteen? The men in their late twenties, thirties, fourties - they would hesitate with such a young lady as yourself. And the younger men are usually still more shy about asking ladies for a dance." Red winked. "They still have a lack of experience with these things. They are just about as shy about asking you for a dance as you would be about asking them."

---

The Fairy

"Then it sounds like it was intended," she said with a quiet laugh. "I would not know," she answered his first question, about whether she thought he would lie. "For I do not know you and therefore cannot be a judge of your character," she pointed out, though her tone was friendly. "I would hope you would not lie at all, but the claim just seems so unlikely."

Dancing seemed like a better subject. Definitely a safer one. This compliment, she had less trouble believing. "Thank you," she said with a small nod of her head and a soft smile, before he sent her into a twirl which she completed smoothly before putting her hand back on his shoulder, her arm resting on his. She should thank her brother again at some point, for teaching her beyond what their parents had taught them. "It is enjoyable," she agreed. "Does that mean your evening is looking up?" she asked, some humor tugging at her lips.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen

The Gilded

“Ha! If you asked Sugar, she’d have a plenty of things to tell about me, most likely,” a louder laugh escaped Gilded and she flashed a grin at Teal. “Though she is a very gentle and patient horse and puts up with a lot of my antics. Singing might not be the worst.” She paused and then added: “I try not to be too outlandish in my actions though, horses or no.”

She thought on the offer of food or drinks, or something else – whatever that could entail, and then answered: “Perhaps a drink of something refreshing might not be amiss. Unless you have a mind for something else.”

Red Rooster

“Then your garden is not squeezed in among lots and lots of stone at least, no matter how beautiful that stone is,” Rooster commented, a small smile settling on his lips when he saw a touch of blush on the part of cheeks what was not covered by Orchid’s mask. “Flowers and trees, and you have a way with words too. But it must come from reading lots, no?”

He paused in considering the fact that Orchid was not allowed to do archery and sword, and then shrugged. It certainly seemed that being a lady included many more rules and manners than being a proper gentleman. A sudden thought made him lift his eyebrow, but he said nothing of what was on his mind.

“It must be a while since you were ten,” he eventually said, and then stretched out one word to emphasise: “Though I doubt it was thaaaaaaaat long ago. You certainly do not look ancient to me. Who knows… Your muscles might have a good memory of those movements yet.”

@Rillewen

Meadow

Meadow happily accepted Dragon’s arm to return to the dance floor with less silliness and more enjoyment of dancing with a gentleman.

“Oh no,” she responded to the question with a smile. “Just a girl I met here when we engaged in some fun. Have you danced with her this evening?” The return question was more of a curiosity not so much aimed at finding out who all Dragon had been dancing with. She was sure that he had not been standing around idly, though.

“How many different food items and beverages have you tasted tonight?” she asked just to make some small talk.

@Arnyn

Black Lips

“Sunbeam seems to fit you well,” Black Lips acknowledged with a barely perceptible nod. She did not reply right away to Sunbeam’s asking on what she was doing. Then she laughed softly and said: “I wear those boring blacks and greys for a living, most of the days. Not sure if I would use colourful flowers, but… perhaps in the shape of shiny, pointy stuff – why not. With a gem here and there, if that is still boring enough.”

“I certainly did not mean to scare people away; an application of blacks in combination with dark red rather than grey to see how it would work out maybe. A bit of anonymity, perhaps. Though I doubt I’d be able to trick some people with this…” she mused, and then tilted her head slightly at the options offered by Sunbeam.

“More joy tonight – bring it on, Sir Sunbeam! But not sure if I want to get dizzy enough to topple over and count any possible cracks in the ceiling,” she commented, amusement lighting up her eyes though she did let it spread into an actual laugh this time. “And no, I don’t mind having a light-hearted conversation with you, even if you did end up speaking more so than I.”

@Arnyn

Amethyst

“Yes, for myself,” Amethyst insisted gently, smiling at her husband. “Let the others stare; I doubt any of the ladies would dare come and interfere to pull you away…. Hence you are mine, all mine.”

Her smile grew even more at his light kiss. “I think it would be awesome if we did visit occasionally,” she agreed to his idea. “It seems to me that it is important to slip in among people now and then and not dwell in the haughty citadel alone.”

She was aware that any such going out meant also possibly increase in risks and dangers, but then again there was danger even when cooped up in a single fortified room.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Forest Nymph & Foxglove

"I miss him very much," Nymph replied softly. She smiled though as the topic turned to sisters and dancing. She preferred not to answer as to whether they had been in touch.. because they had been, briefly, and then.. he had stopped writing. She wasn't sure why, and kept hoping it was not because something had happened to him, but rather that.. maybe he was busy, or had gone elsewhere and was unable to write her anymore. She smiled, however, at the comment that she and Swan seemed like sisters.

Foxglove listened with curiosity as Lady Red answered her question, and nodded slowly as the answer confirmed some of her suspicious. Although she wasn't really sure how to go about 'looking approachable'. Wasn't she friendly-looking? She was a little unsure what the other lady meant about that, but didn't know if she wanted to ask. When she was guessed at being as much as eighteen, she blushed lightly but shook her head with a little smile. "No.. not yet, but thank you." She answered, grinning slightly. There might be hope yet then.. if she appeared a bit older, then maybe someone would eventually ask her to dance. She hoped so, anyway. But as the lady in red continued, Foxglove nodded and sighed softly. "Hmm, yes. I suppose that makes sense," She added, recalling how many of the boys her age that she knew were still mostly just that; boys.

---

@Arnyn

Sir Lion

"Unlikely?" He tilted his head in curiosity, that she would either not believe or not be aware of her loveliness. He grinned as they continued dancing. "It was no lie, I promise. In fact, I don't even recall what drink I asked for, it was of such little importance to me." He shrugged as they continued their dance.

"It most certainly is looking up," He grinned, pleased that he could enjoy the ball now. "I am already enjoying the evening significantly more than I was before." He smiled. "Although I am curious why you have your eyes concealed, my lady? Does that not make it difficult to see?" He asked. "You seem to be a rather intriguing lady.. would I be correct in guessing that you are from Befalas, perhaps?"

---

@Lantaelen

Sir Fox

It was a relief to hear that he had not offended her, at least. He nodded with a little smile as she pointed out that ladies also had standards to maintain. Of course, he knew that, and yet.. perhaps he had imagined it, before. He wasn't sure why it had bothered him so much, but he was glad she didn't seem to mind.

Yet, he could see and sense a change in his dance partner when he informed her that he was betrothed. He couldn't blame her.. he'd begun to worry she might be a little too caught up and interested in him, and if that was true, maybe she was experiencing disappointment. He really hoped not.. that it was only in his imagination. Of course, he also hoped he wasn't so vain and arrogant to mistakenly think that a young lady would be so caught up with him.. but.. well, he tried not to let himself read too much into the matter.

As she turned her sea-gray eyes up to him again, he almost held his breath, waiting.. nervous. Would she be upset? It sounded for a moment like she might be, but then.. she thanked him for telling her. He breathed again, nodding slightly. "I'm glad you've enjoyed the evening." he smiled genuinely. "I have, as well." And not simply because of dancing with this young lady... but also because of other occurrences that had taken place tonight.

As she mentioned his intended, and made a guess as to the beauty of the woman in question, Fox merely smiled. "I can only guess at that, myself." He answered with a little shrug. "I think.. for myself, my main hope is that she and I will enjoy one another's company, at least half as much as I have enjoyed your company, miss." He had no idea what she might be like, and he was a little worried about that. But if he could talk with her and spend time with her as easily as he had with Lady Swan, then he figured there was some hope in the matter.

Hearing that she was also betrothed brought a little frown to his face. Not so much because of that fact, but because of what she said after. That he had avoided her. What? He found that strange and surprising. "I'm sorry to hear that." He answered sincerely. "If he is deliberately avoiding you, then I shall have to conclude that he is a fool. For why would he not make it his goal to seek you out?" He shrugged. "Although, is it possible maybe that he has simply not managed to locate you, with all the disguises? Or perhaps he didn't even come? Does he live far away? Perhaps he was unable to make the trip?"

His smile returned when she mentioned that she was learning to have fun by herself. "I'm glad for that." He answered with a smile. "I've always managed to find ways of having fun, with or without others around." The smile grew a bit when she said that she would also pray that he would be well in his own way. "Thank you, lady Swan. I appreciate that. I, too, have friends.. and family.. that I can rely on." He declared, thinking of certain non-related 'family members' that he knew. One of those, in particular, he had trusted with almost all of his deepest secrets. "But any and all prayers on my behalf are certainly welcome." He bowed his head slightly to her in gratitude for that. Although she couldn't possibly know that his life was in danger, he figured any prayers she might offer up, with hopes for him to be well, would certainly be a good thing.

---

@Lantaelen

Lady Cat

Lady Cat laughed softly when he argued it was not luck if you create it yourself. "That is a good point, I suppose." She smirked slightly in amusement as he suggested that it was divine luck which had given him the chance to dance with her. "By your own argument, I must disagree," She replied, shaking her head slightly. "You are dancing with me because you asked me to dance. Which means that if you caused it to happen, it was not luck." She grinned, then spun smoothly through the twirl, with all the grace of a feline. Her medium-length dark hair, flowing freely down her back, swirled about her shoulders as she did.

His inquiry, after she had come back to facing him, made her tilt her head as her dark brown eyes grew thoughtful. He was guessing at which direction she had come from? She debated for a moment about how to reply while not giving anything away. "You could say North, I suppose." She decided with a slight nod. Depending on how you looked at things, anyway. "You could also say West." She smiled mysteriously. "But is does it really matter where I have come from? I am here tonight, despite the length of my journey. And that is because I wished to dance and socialize.. perhaps even.. meet a friend whom I did not know before. What about you, sir? Is that why you have come?"

---

@Pele Alarion

Teal

Grinning, Teal laughed a little. "I'll bet she would," He answered. "She'd probably complain that she doesn't get enough apples, even if you give her one every day." He smirked. "Dusty probably would say that, if he could talk. I think I may have spoiled him, honestly." He shrugged.

Then he looked at her curiously. "What sort of outlandish actions?" He wondered. "You surely don't mean something as wild and crazy as pulling a kitten out of a prize thing? Or agreeing to take the longer, and potentially more dangerous, road to Minas Tirith.. simply for the sake of adventure?" He smirked with amusement.

As for the possibility of food or drink, she seemed more in favor of a drink. He nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. Probably best to stay hydrated if we're going to keep dancing all night." He decided to wait for the end of the current song though, before taking them over there.

---

Yellow Orchid

She smiled as she looked up at Rooster again. "I suppose it does." She answered, thinking about how often she read, whether it was reading to her cousin or reading alone, as she did often enough. "Our garden is large enough, of course," She added. "I'm sorry that yours is apparently so small, but at least you do have the whole of the Pelennor to explore, right?" She smiled at that thought. Of course, he'd mentioned before that he had become so used to the Pelennor, he found it less interesting to go and explore it anymore.

As he made a guess about her age, she let out a little giggle. "Close to half my life ago, if you're trying to guess how long ago it was." She answered with a bit of vagueness, smiling because that could go either way. She shrugged then about the muscles remembering. "I don't know. Maybe, but I doubt it. I wasn't very good at it or anything. I.." She hesitated. "I tried, a few months ago, with some other girls I know. But, it wasn't all that great." She shrugged slightly, then finished off her drink and set the cup down. "I only remembered a few basic things that my mother told me. You know.. things like.. never fire the bow without having an arrow on it, or it could break. That always scared me to think of it breaking and snapping back and hitting me or something."

---

@Pele Alarion

Green Dragon

"Ah, I see." He smiled. "Your costumes seemed just a bit similar, so I had to wonder." He explained, then shook his head. "No, I have not. I'm not sure whether it would be acceptable for a man of my age to ask such a young girl to a dance," He added a little hesitantly. "I'd worry that her parents might mistake my intentions, or whoever is her guardian." He shrugged. "If not for that, I wouldn't mind.. I'd guess her to be about the age of my youngest cousin."

As the lady asked about the different foods and drinks, he grinned, then let out a little laugh. "You ask that as if you already know how much I enjoy food." He said with amusement. "I didn't really count them, unfortunately, but I think I have tried just about everything on the buffet," He answered, trying to think. "Generally speaking. There might be multiple flavor options of something that I didn't try, I don't know. As for drinks.. I've had a few things.. a couple of cold drinks, as well as hot chocolate, as you know." He remembered that she had joined him for the first cup of that. "What about you, Lady Meadow?" He asked with a smile.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion

Aragorn

"I agree," he told her, when she said she thought it important to be among the people. "And it seems I do instill some kind of... trepidation." His grey eyes gleamed with humor. "I do hope the young Lord Dimaethor did not soil his breeches," he spoke more quietly, though his queen would know his amusement. "Perhaps people would be less intimidated if we did come out more. To be among them." To show them what love looked like.

"So, it is settled then. We will come and eat and dance here, once in a while. What else, pray tell, can a mortal man do to bring happiness to his Elven Queen?"

---

@Pele Alarion

Golden Sunbeam

"No flowers, but shiny and pointy stuff," he mused out loud. "Blades? Are you a warrior of Gondor then, Dark Lady? If so, your lot does seem to have a proclivity for gloom. Or at least, a lack of fun. I do not mean to offend - I respect those who protect us all very much. My sister is among these protectors! But she, too, should learn to have a bit more fun. Are you like her? Don't you think you are entitled to your share of it? At least every now and then? Or am I off the mark completely?"

He laughed lightly when she spoke of inspecting the ceiling. "Best not do that, no. I may not be able to promise a lack of spinning," he grinned, "but I can vouch I will not let you fall!" He twirled Black Lips around - once and then also a second time, before bringing her back to the steps of the dance. "How about a joke?" he smiled, having decided to try and make the lady laugh at least once. "Why was the wizard Mithrandir kind of hunched over? And stressed out?"

---

@Rillewen

Lady in Red

The girl did not quite look happy with her reply. But at least she looked slightly reassured. Red smiled sympathetically. "When all else fails, however, there is always another option open to you. Especially on nights like these - where people cannot recognize you," she offered, also casting a smile at Miss Nymph. "If the men are not asking you... you might consider asking the men."

---

@Rillewen

The Fairy

At his inquiries, the Fairy laughed quietly. "My eyes would give away too much to the people who know me well," she told Sir Lion. "I wanted to make it as difficult for them as I could to guess at my identity. Therefore I hid them. It does veil my sight, of course, but not as much as you might think." She gave him a half-smile. "Does it bother you? That you cannot look into my eyes for clues of my identity or clues of my thoughts and emotions?" She quite liked the veils for the latter functions, actually. It would make many interactions so much easier, wouldn't it?

"I might be from Belfalas," she answered the second question. "That surely is what my way of speaking implies, I imagine." She slanted her head. "But you? There are some hints of the more southern accent in your speech, but not as defined as I would expect from a Belfalasian. Then again, if you recognize the accent so easily, you cannot hail from very far away. Are you trying to find out whether I am someone you know, sir?"

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

King Cheddar

”Ah, but there you are somewhat incorrect, my Lady, if I may be so bold and foolish to point out,” Cheddar said, flashing his most charming smile, with a glimmer of playful apology. ”You stepped to me first. Now what luck was it that put such a pretty lady in my path to allow me to ask her to dance, hm?” He said, wiggling his eyebrows. The logic would be circular, and go nowhere, but he meant it only lightly and playfully, not really stressing the outcome if she had a counter argument that proved her point more. It was indeed like sparring with a cat. Who knew what stroke they had next.

”Perhaps I shall say…North-West next.” Cheddar joked further, but shrugged to her next retort of wondering if it really did matter. Mostly for curiosity, in a scholarly sort of way. There were many lands and realms outside Gondor and he got to see and hear so little of it. But he supposed this was a lesson in a sort of way, that he ought to go out there and see for himself, then know only of it by hearsay.

”An honorable trek, to journey for such things.” He nodded approvingly of her reasons. Now that the War is ended, they should all look for such a time to explore such arts as dancing and meetings. ”For myself, I would not attend, if it were not for familial obligations. And I had other business here too, in Minas Tirith, that was contemporaneous with this affair.” He explained, serious and grave for a moment, but did not linger on it. ”I would say tonight has been a tremendous boon to the making of new friends, despite the secrecy around our identities. It really allows one to wear their heart on their sleeve in a way. Or not.” He shrugged, still gracefully carrying her through the steps of their dance.

---

@Rillewen

Lady Swan

She found herself believing that Sir Fox and his betrothed would no doubt find enjoyment with one another, seeing how kind and gallant he was. But for herself, that remained a fantasy. She knew her intended all too well. She was holding on to hope of reform but…that seemed a long thread to grasp. To Sir Fox’s queries and apologies about hearing of the avoidance between Swan and her intended, she just gave a sad shrug and smile.

”It is not difficult to discover me. I am wearing a very noticeable token on my head.” She said, tilting her head to the side for a moment, causing her penhen white feather to hobble for a moment. It was some custom her father mentioned. And not to mention she shared her dress idea with her friend, who was her betrothed’s younger sister and she would have hinted to him…if he ever listened to her, that is. Which seemed proof that he would not listen to Swan either. ”He is here by all reckoning. I just haven’t seen where.” Now that was most puzzling. Here she was dancing with other men both old and young and he had not stepped in to claim what was his. And recalling some of his behavior from her familial joust a while back, he could be quite protective and jealous. So where was he?

Honestly, she hoped that question would go unanswered.

She was still having a lovely time, despite these revelations. She did not know why she told Sir Fox. He was just so easy to talk to. The communication didn’t feel strained or awkward. She perked up when Sir Fox spoke of his own support group, friends and family. She was glad for that. She was certain he had many, given how open and trusting he felt. Prayers on his behalf, huh? That reminded her of another young man she used to know, far off in the vales of the White Mountains out west. Praying for others was not unknown to her and she gave a most gracious nod and smile in return to his own.

”Most certainly, Sir Fox. And maybe one day I will get to meet your intended, and your friends and family. It must be a happy circle, seeing how you are.” Swan said and felt more lively for a time. Her wandering eyes though had seen a commotion nearby, a pair or couple that seemed to have captured the spotlight in a sense. She paused in their dancing to briefly go up on her toes and glance over Sir Fox’s shoulder, before resuming their dance and offering up an apologetic smile.

”Sorry, it’s just that…that man in green over there, and that woman in purple…they seem rather…” She couldn’t quite find the words to explain their…majesty. And dignity and gravity. ”Who are they?” She mused aloud, using her chin to direct Sir Fox’s attention to the couple behind him, who happened to be the King and Queen of Gondor themselves.

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen

Night Sky Courtier 2 - Bearded, dancing with Blossom

The delightful beauty who he’d taken up with did not miss a step, even as they evolved into a proper partnership of motion. And now that he beheld the lady up close, brown eyes narrowed almost in surprise as they traced what could be seen of the fair masked countenance. There was … a familiarity there. He knew this woman. He could not say for a fact as yet who she was, but the Bearded Night sky knew for certain, that he’d seen her before.

“Say ?” he surprised, at her request and then grinned as he complied with a deliberately deep-toned “Something else ..” One eyebrow rose behind the mask but it’s accompanying mischief was quite evident about one corner of the man’s mouth.

Whatever sort of a reaction he had been expecting, well there honestly had not been time to expect anything. So everything surpassed all hope and she .. the vision in pink and shimmer .. almost knew him in return. The man halted, held his dance partner suddenly at arm’s length and then drew her in for closer inspection, and threw his arms about her barely veiled shoulders, cloaking them both in great mirth.

“And .. is that .. e-ver .. you ?!!” he complimented the astounding Blossom with a slow shake of a dark head and a quietly amused curse in a foreign tongue. “How long have you been here ? How did you even GET here ? No, none of that matters.” Closing in, the tall man rocked them in a contented sway as he beheld the full of her form, and flowery attire. “You wear the city well, I must say.” he noted, gladly and gathered them closer toward a further embrace before he would consent to accept this was real.

---

Night Sky Courtier 1 - Youngest, dancing with the Pink-painted Wildflower

She was even more pretty when she smiled. He could not help but notice, and be quite relieved as well when she simply thanked him for the compliment. There was none of that nonsense about denying the kindness, after all but asking for it. Not with this one. He appreciated that. There were no silly games or confusion going on here. They were simply two strangers having a nice time. She was certainly very distracting. The young man had not put thoughts toward the Starlit Lady, or his siblings or his parent, or anything else really, since the young lady in pink had joined him on the dancefloor. The music had descended to a backdrop now. They might have danced to ten songs already or not even come close to completing one. It didn’t matter either way. As she eased her fingers, as he eased his .. they were feeling out a comfort in each other’s company.

‘This ?’, she said though, as though the face art was no thing at all. And the artist would remain a secret, along with almost every other detail. Perhaps that was not a bad thing. And he could scarcely be surprised that she would not give up her ‘friend’s name, since she would not allow him her own. Chances that he would even recognise the name of the mysterious artist of course, were rather minimal. Another out of town guest ? Someone whom this out of town guest trusted, clearly. So in that at least he could rest easier that, if someone had helped the Pink Wildflower to get ready for the masquerade, they would likely be at hand to see her home safely after as well.


“It is .. ,” he considered, when she asked if her showcasing were odd; “different” he concluded finally. “Like you wanted to be renown yet without any chance of being known,” he shrugged. “I danced with a lady earlier who had opted for something similar, as a matter of fact, although her efforts are not quite as striking as yours.” Of course, he was very much aware that the Starlit Lady had hoped that her subterfuge would not give her away, by virtue of a need for such measures to mask her rather memorable face. In that light, this young lady had done the other a good deal, by making the necessity seem more of a fashion statement. “Of course, for all I know, you may wear such a show on any and every day of the week,” the Youngest Night Sky smiled.

The young lady's concern for breaking the ‘rules’ of a ball, struck another chord of the self consciousness which he would see his partner liberated from with urgency. “I’m not much practiced in these official type dance things myself either. Surprising, I know,” he grinned. “Still I’m fairly sure that the Rules only say that you must wear a mask, and you do have one of those .. so, well, you’re covered. More than covered.” The young man made more a point of working through the small print and clauses in a rule, than to cater to their restrictions, as a rule. But hopefully the opinion might reassure the young lady. Particularly if she was now having belated costume remorse. “I promise,” he leaned in to whisper, “If anybody tries to throw you out, they will have to catch us first.”

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Forest Nymph & Foxglove

Hearing the lady's suggestion to Foxglove, Nymph looked a bit wide-eyed. "Wouldn't that be improper?" She asked, a bit unsure. "I mean... I thought a lady must wait for the gentleman to ask?" She frowned, wondering if perhaps that was only applicable at dances without masks.

Foxglove glanced from one to the other, thinking. "Could I?" She wondered. "I mean, it is true, no one knows who I am." She pointed out to Nymph. Even if they did know, it wasn't as if she was anyone of great importance that must act a certain way, as she believed Nymph and Swan might be. She was nobody of any significance.. yet. Perhaps someday, once she'd achieved her dream, but tonight, she was only a cleaning girl who could disappear and be as good as invisible in the background of the other, more important people.

Nymph thought about that a moment. "I suppose this dance may not be quite so strict as some of the others I've heard about. I had a couple of ladies ask me to dance with them in like a group, and that was fun." She smiled. "Perhaps it is alright?"

---

@Arnyn

Sir Lion

"Your eyes would?" He asked, intrigued by that. "I wondered if they were as lovely as the rest of you, but I suppose I will have to simply use my imagination." He let her twirl out to the end of his arm in a slow, controlled manner, before drawing her back in to how she was before.

He smiled to hear what, to him, sounded like an admission that she was from Belfalas. But who? He couldn't think of any lady who fit. And it somewhat slipped his mind that there were others who lived in that land besides the nobility, who might turn up at a ball. "Are you trying to decipher my own accent, my lady?" he asked with a little grin. He was not going to tell her that, for then she might pinpoint who he was. And he didn't want that.

Her other question made him shake his head. "No, I am quite certain I would remember you, if I had ever met you." He assured her. "Your golden hair is quite unique," He explained the comment, with a little smile. "And besides, fairies are quite rare, last I checked." He added with an amused grin.

---

@Lantaelen

Sir Fox

As lady Swan insisted that her betrothed was here, and that he should have known how to find her, he frowned a bit. "Well, then.. in that case, one can only conclude that, unless some unforeseen event has prevented him from actually arriving yet.. then he is a fool for not having claimed his right to dance with you." He shrugged, considering the matter settled.

As she expressed her hope to one day meet his friends, family, and his intended, Fox smiled slightly. A happy circle? He wished that were true. It would only be true once his stepfather had been dealt with. But she didn't need to know about any of that. "Thank you. I hope you will find your intended, and that he has a suitable excuse for his apparent absence." He added.

As he spoke, he became aware that her attention had become diverted to some point behind him. He took a quick glance when she asked about the couple dancing just a bit away. Everyone seemed to be stealing glances toward them. Fox paused, blinking as he realized who they must be. And of course.. there had been rumors that the king and queen would be here, but still... he hadn't quite expected to see them here, mingling among the other folks, without a guard or anything.

He turned back to Swan and resumed their dancing, having only paused for the briefest of moments to steal a glimpse. "I could be wrong, but I think they might be the royal couple," He murmured quietly, hoping not to cause too much of a disturbance. He had not really seen either of them all that closely before, but he figured, as many people as were looking at them and moving out of their way and all that.. who else could they be?

---

@Lantaelen

Lady Cat

The feline lady raised an eyebrow inquisitively as she was informed that she was wrong. His reasoning made her smile slightly as she considered whether to accept the argument or return something back. There had, of course, been other factors involved, but nothing which she intended to mention to this fellow. "I would not say divine luck, whatever it may have been," She shrugged one shoulder lightly. "Perhaps a bit of personal luck, on your part. First, you dance with your queen, which then drew me toward you out of curiosity, and now here we are, dancing." She pointed out with a little smile.

She let her smile curl up slightly more as he joked further about the directions, but she offered no other information as to where she might be from. Instead, she listened with curiosity as he spoke about his reasons for coming. So, not just for the pleasure of dancing. "Obligations and business," She repeated, thoughtful. "May I ask what it is that you do, or is that information confidential?" She asked with a lightly teasing tone.

---

@Ercassie

Pink Wildflower

She smiled with a bit of amusement when he mentioned that it appeared like she had wanted to be renowned without being known. As he mentioned the lady he had danced with earlier, she knew already exactly who that was, and had heard enough about said lady to know.. a few things, at least. Not sure what would be safe to say without making him realize that she knew things.. she said nothing. Not about that, anyway.

As he went on to suggest that she might wear something like this on her face all the time, the Pink Wildflower let out a laugh. "No," She assured him. "This is quite unusual for me." She shook her head. "Does that disappoint you?" She couldn't help wondering.. would he like that? It seemed like a strange thing. But considering how much he went on about that other lady, who wore stars on her face... well, it wasn't like she planned on making these flowers permanent, whether he might like them to be or not.

His declaration that he was not much practiced in these 'official dance type things', made her grin. She certainly knew that, but what he said next kept the smile on her face. "Alright, if you say so." She relented to his 'superior' knowledge, then as he leaned in to whisper a promise, she smiled at the excitement such a promise.. well, promised. She had to struggle not to giggle at the remembrance of that evening they had run down through the streets chasing the dog, after covering a certain lieutenant in mud, accidentally. That was one of the things she loved about him, the way he turned things into a game almost, and just.. all of the thrill of being around him.

A moment later, she remembered she was not supposed to know him, and she realized perhaps she ought to say something.. sophisticated. A part of her wanted to tell him who she was, but the other part worried that, if he should find out who she really was, he might just as quickly lose interest in dancing with her. Also, she recalled how interested he had been in that other woman, and well.. she was nothing like her. So he probably wasn't very interested in a girl who could keep up with him in running, and didn't care about getting a little dirty.. and all that. Right. She had to keep up her act. "Ah.. but these shoes are not meant for running," She informed him with a slightly apologetic shrug. "I'm afraid they would catch me far too easily."

---

@Ercassie

Blossom

There was absolutely no other accent she had ever heard like that one. The brothers who had escorted her to Minas Tirith had unique accents of their own, but theirs were nothing like his. And that smile hinting at mischief, just at the corner of his mouth.. yes, and those warm brown eyes. She couldn't believe it, but it was him!

And, it seemed, he had not yet realized that she was herself. And that raised a few questions in her mind, but for the moment she pushed those aside. She wanted only to focus on what was going on at this moment. As he held her at arm's length and actually took a proper look at her, Blossom let out a soft laugh when he realized who she was. Whatever he said in another language, she had no idea, but the rest, she understood. First, he had questions, then he said it didn't matter, and finally, he held her close in happiness. "I have come on the wings of dragons," She teased as she returned the embrace, even though he said it didn't matter. "Or, at least, in the company of a dragon," She smiled up at him, and nodded to direct his attention toward the young man dressed in a green and gold dragon masque, who was currently dancing with the young woman in matching colors, not far away.

"We only arrived yesterday evening, and that was when we learned that there was a dance happening, tonight." She added softly, in answer to his first question. "I wasn't going to go, but.. he talked me into it. Said it would be fun, and.. well, I'm very glad I did." She smiled up at him as they swayed together to the music. "I never expected to see you here. In fact.. I.. was wondering, I was getting worried, you know. Starting to think that something may have happened..."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lady in Red

"It would be considered improper in many a setting," Red agreed with the youngest at the table. "So proceed with caution. Especially in places that cling the hardest to tradition." That should be enough of a clue not to try it in Belfalas, Red figured. "But the City of Kings has become more progressive these past years. And this evening..." She shrugged one shoulder. "Well, since the man would not even recognize you tomorrow... The risk is null and void."

"And even if you would prefer not to ask someone outright, there are ways to suggest the dance but still make the gentleman ask you." She smiled softly. Innocently. And believably so. And turned to Miss Nymph. "In fact, I would imagine the ladies of the places that cling the hardest to tradition, would be the best versed in such a skill. Not the ladies just starting out, of course. But the more experienced ones. Those who know how to wrap a man around their finger. It is oft-times in those place where you believe that women are most restricted by rules, that they learn to play in the subtlest of manner." A lesson every mother should teach their child. "Ask your mother, dear."

---

@Rillewen

The Fairy

Unseen by him, she rolled her eyes at his compliment. But he performed the twirl well, and she was smiling when she returned to his arms. "Decipher your accent? Perhaps. Regardless, it seems like I will not be getting much information out of you in that regard." She tilted her head. "I am not bothered, for I share your inclination. We can both stay anonymous, enjoying the luxury this event provides." Besides, she was pretty certain she had already planted the idea that she was from Belfalas into his head. He was thinking in entirely the wrong direction. Which made her real identiy quite safe.

The Fairy tsk'ed softly at his continued praise. "You are a flirt, Sir Lion," she said, unruffled. She wondered if he had caught anyone calling her 'Lady Fairy' or something - because it just seemed so unlikely that too many people would dub her that, just because of her wings. "But a polite one," she smiled. Still, she was suddenly kind of grateful for not actually taking her hair down earlier. "I do wonder," she switched topics, "where did you get that lion mask? Was it here, in the White City? Or back at that mysterious home of yours?"

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen)

Night Sky Courtier 2 - Bearded, dancing with Blossom

As explanations went, arriving to a masked ball on the wings of a dragon seemed about as likely as anything else that had come about this eve. And, if it were possible the Bearded Night Sky did not seem utterly astounded at the notion. He took a moment to really, properly, imagine that sort of an entrance in his mind’s eye, and his smile spread. A formidable woman indeed. He could well picture it.

As Blossom steered his attention then toward a certain Dragon-masked young man,, her latest dance partner stalled some, and raised his chin to properly spy on this odd escort, making merry though the fellow was with someone else, across the way. “Seems as your pet has turned his eye to stalking some other treasure,” he supposed, with a careless shrug. There had been a lot of ‘we’s’ in the lady’s account. If he were a jealous sort of fellow he might have felt the need to ask more about this younger man .. Instead, he allowed for each hand to proceed from their hold, to find instead either side of her waist. So that he might raise Miss Blossom up a few inches from the floor, in a slow turn. “You don’t need his help to leave us mere mortals below,” he emphasised his point, bringing her slowly back to find the floor, in a fluid carry of the ride.

A safer sway gave anyone who’d witnessed the brief spectacle to blink and believe they might have imagined it. For the man looked a picture of innocence as he brought one palm with spreading fingers to cover his chest.


“See ?” he ascertained, of her claim. “Me ?” His free hand cupped his lantern jaw and smoothed down the more 'civilised' grooming which likely had thrown her off his scent for so long. “I am my brother this night,” he laughed, dispelling the very concept. But a slight turn to observe a Besotted Night Sky .. abandoning the bar for the dance floor, and the surprised out-of-towner might have thrown back his head with gladness if he did not concern that he should throw his sibling off track, somehow. It was as though surveying a miracle occur, that if one ventured even an inch closer to better enjoy the show .. it might give away his presence and shatter the illusion with reality. “What do you think ?”

“And what do you know ?” he remarked, feigning perhaps a more sober attitude. Though his hand took up hers and kissed it. As a more gentle man might. “Your timing is impeccable,” the man applauded her very convenient arrival in the city. “For here we both are. And much has, of course, .. happened.” One brown eye followed the vibrant relay of a snow white Dove and her attentive Stag as they veered about the backdrop, and the two men dropped their heads to one another. “More yet may ..” The man’s tone dropped an octave, and without full view of his expression, it was not easy to construe the rightful meaning behind the prophecy.

---

Night Sky Courtier 1 - Youngest, dancing with the Pink-painted Wildflower

“An unusual night then, altogether,” the Youngest Night Sky concluded, as his new acquaintance admitted another deviance from the norm. “You have been no source of disappointment for me I promise, quite the opposite in fact,” he let her know. Returning from the place where her musical laughter had just taken him. A certain and pronounced nod showed that yes, as she assumed, he did say so. And he was almost taken aback that she did not ask about this other woman he had danced with. Since he had brought it up. For the curious young lady had been tripping so swift over her interrogations earlier, he might have believed that she was the Lieutenant … But no, that would have been a most exceedingly good disguise !!

As it turned out of course, the young man was not utterly distraught at being spared from explanations. The Starlit Lady would ever be a part of his life, but what had brought them to know and trust one another .. was no fitting subject to languish on this night. So if he glanced aside, just as the lady in question drifted past them, caught up in her own encounter, with her husband .. the Youngest Night Sky took his time in returning to find the Pink Lady before him. It was more a silent acknowledgement to an actual disappointment he had earlier faced this evening. But things end to make room for the new. Like changing seasons, his Grandmother would have told him. And so the flicker of dejection dissolved, as though it had been only a trick of the light.


Their dance had paused though long enough for the mysterious stranger to remark upon her footwear. “You are probably correct,” he sighed at her regret. But before she might think it a criticism, he added, with a grin. “I am similarly disadvantaged myself tonight, if it comes to that.” This was not, of course, properly accurate. He was not in fact burdened by the same sort of delicate high heeled shoe which his dancing partner likely was ! But measures had been required for the Youngest Night Sky to adopt a little vertical advantage for the occasion. Forget that he would not have dreamed to have the Starlit Lady’s first dance in this public setting be marred by not meeting her in height – why did these Belfalasians in particular all have to be so tall ? – But there had also been the matter of the young man’s father also.

No sooner had that father insisted on arriving to this event, separate to the rest of their party .. but his concerned son had wondered if the excuse would inevitably lead to a quiet retreat from facing the public forum. His father did not dance, had not - if the tales were true - even before .. Of course, there had not been any cause to learn then, for the longest time. But it had been years since the son had first called his parent’s bluff, insisting that walking on wood was not half near so difficult as the elder sullenly claimed it was, on one particular ‘bad day’. It would have been ridiculous to wear the stilts that the young man had toyed with since to prove his point, not to this very proper occasion. But a subtle incline was not beyond his patriach’s skill, in adapting walk-wear. The alterations had of course called for more of the private dancing lessons which the young man had justifiably requested from the Starlit Lady, just to make sure that dancing so, would not prove any more unsteady than any other feat of balance he had so far explored. For either one of them. Solidarity then was the unconventional footwear which none would likely note, aneath long trousers. Far from the ideal foundations on which to try a swift escape, whether from the dance floor, or in general ..


“Did I say we should need to run ?” he enquired though, of his new found friend. “There is much to be said for simply sneaking aneath the tables, and hiding behind long draped tablecloths ..” he winked. And as a giggling pair of girls happened past them at that moment, incited to new fits of laughter, at some interpretation of the young man’s words .. “To massage sore feet !” he added rather deliberately and in his defence, at their fast fleeing backs. Somehow that did not entirely dispel the young ladies’ amusement.

“Massage ?” repeated one, lifting each hand to her face in an expression that her mask hid not.

“Me first ..” the other entreated. And laughed anew. And then, grasping at the close hand of her partner in crime, the Damson Bouquet and the Lilac Plume set about a new chapter of dance, showcasing each other's unguarded qualities, so that all too reserved gentlemen may see what they were missing.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Forest Nymph & Foxglove

The older lady seemed to know so much about these things. Both of the girls listened with curiosity, although really, Foxglove was far more interested. Not really that she was so interested in getting a guy to dance with her, but simply.. getting to dance. It had been much fun with Sir Fox, even if she knew he was really only dancing with her to be polite.

As Red turned to Nymph and spoke to her directly about how there were ways of being subtle and so forth, and suggested she should ask her mother, the girl frowned slightly. "But she's already gone for the evening," She pointed out, holding back a little sigh. Not that she resented that fact; her mother wasn't feeling well, after all.

Unseen, below the table, Foxglove toyed with the edge of the tablecloth, resting in her lap. She looked off toward the dance floor, preferring not to get drawn into any discussion about mothers or things that a daughter might learn from them. Most of the time, she could put such things from her mind and not let it trouble her, but when it came up in conversation, it could be harder.

"Maybe I ought to try something like that," Foxglove considered thoughtfully, taking a look around in hopes of seeing anyone close to her age who didn't look as if they were already claimed.

---

@Arnyn

Sir Lion

As the lady stated her preference to remain anonymous, Sir Lion nodded his agreement to that. "That suits me quite well, my lady." He smiled. The less she tried to guess who he might be, the better. He still couldn't really place who this could be, but he decided.. what did it matter? If he came across someone later who fit her description, then perhaps it might click. But hopefully, she would not realize who he had been, in the reverse.

As she accused him of being a flirt, he let out a little laugh, but did not try to deny it. "Well, thank you," He answered when she added 'a polite one'. Before he could think of anything else to say there, she had asked a question that caught him slightly by surprise. He stopped himself from answering too quickly, and mentally questioned why she would be asking that. "I brought my mask and suit from home. Why?" he asked with a little smile. In fact, he had bought this mask and suit from a shop here in the city, but he decided he would rather not say so. "Did you buy yours here, or from your own homeland?" He wondered in return. "It is quite remarkable, I must say."

---

@Ercassie

Pink Wildflower

A smile was all that could happen on her face, when the young man declared that she had been no disappointment to him. And quite the opposite! She struggled for a moment not to let that make her too giddy, and tried her best to stifle her want to grin with delight.

The brief distraction which drew his gaze away for a short moment, gave her a few seconds to re-compose herself. She couldn't help but take notice, however, that the distraction had come in the form of the very same lady he had made mention of only seconds ago. But she also noticed that his attention returned to her, and did not linger on the other.

As he declared her to be right, she had little time to think about that before he informed her that he had some disadvantages on his own feet, which unwisely drew her gaze downward, with renewed curiosity. Was that why he had seemed taller? She had begun to think it was some sort of illusion he had managed, but that comment made her wonder... however, she swiftly drew her gaze back up to his eyes before she could trip or step on his feet, by mistake. "Oh?" She asked, curiously. In fact, she really was intrigued about what he meant. "What sort of disadvantage?" All the while, she was making sure to maintain that accent, which was starting to feel almost natural. In fact, she sure hoped she would be able to shed it easily, after this night was over!

He was speaking of a different sort of plan besides running, now, and she was somewhat at a loss for how to reply to that, when some other girls passing by laughed, making teasing comments about what he had said. The Wildflower looked after them for a moment as they frolicked about with each other, as if not caring what anyone might think of them. She bit her lower lip lightly as she took a moment to remember to stay 'in character' with her chosen persona. Any other time, however, she might have said something to them, or rolled her eyes at the implications they had thrown out there, or scoffed and told him not to worry what they might think. She was trying to act like the sort of girl he seemed to prefer, and therefore, she did none of those things.

Turning back to him with a small smile, she didn't have to fake the light blush that had accompanied the flowers painted on. "I am sure you did not mean that the way they took it," She hoped not, anyway, considering.. well, he didn't even know her. Or he didn't know that he knew her, anyway. As far as he was concerned, the girl he was dancing with was a total stranger, unless he'd managed to figure her out and hadn't let on. "Although, I do suspect an action of that sort would surely start unwanted rumors such as we would not like, so.. perhaps it would be best to stick to the dance floor?" She suggested, quite happy to remain here with him, for as long as he wished to keep dancing.

---

@Ercassie

Blossom

"Well, he's welcome to dance with whomever as he pleases," She replied with an unconcerned shrug. She had no doubt as to the young man's character; that he would behave in a proper manner toward whichever lady he danced with. Although she was not his mother, she felt she knew him well enough to be.

She was debating whether to let the Night Sky courtier know that he knew that particular dragon, when she was unexpectedly lifted from the floor and glided around in a slow turn. A light laugh escaped her as she found herself raised a bit above him now, her own hands resting upon his shoulders for a little support. They remained there even after she had gracefully found her feet on the floor again. As did the smile, as her eyes were once again looking up, rather than down, to find his face.

As he playfully protested his being here, with the claim that he was his brother, tonight, Blossom took a glance in the direction he had looked, and noticed one of the others. "Ah! I thought I had seen more than one of you running around," She realized, glad to know that she had not been imagining things. "Then, things are well between you?" She checked, in hope that he had accomplished what he'd set out to do. Perhaps that was why it had taken him so long to return. Perhaps, things were even going so well here, that he had no more desire to come back North, where she would need to return to. She tried not to let that thought trouble her, however.

"I think.. you are better as yourself," She decided, in reply to his question. "But I cannot deny you look very much alike to him," She added, having spotted the other brother as he went by, with a lady of his own at his arm. "Well done," She grinned, congratulating him on the success of his 'disguise'. The kiss to her hand softened her smile as brown eyes met another, lighter set of brown eyes.

Then, perceiving a shift in his attention to some point beyond, she looked over her shoulder to follow his line of sight, and caught the subtle nod from the other fellow. Curious about the change in his tone, she tried to decide if that was a warning, or a hope, or something else. "How many people do you know here?" Blossom wondered, feeling a bit at a loss to figure out who was who. Aside from her newfound partner here, she knew only the Dragon.. not counting those whose acquaintances she had met this very evening. And so far it seemed as if the man dancing with her knew a fair number of the folks present.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lady in Red

"Maybe you should," Red agreed with Foxglove. Smiling softly, her eyes found the group of men by the bar who hadn't been able to stop staring at her earlier. An all too easy target, really. But they would do to make her point. "Men are waiting for the right lady to tell them what they can do." She would have wanted to add - 'and what they cannot do'. But who was she to make such a claim? In a setting like this, yes, she did as she pleased. But in her service to the Hand, she had no bargaining power to refuse anyone he sent her way. The words, therefore, would have felt... too hollow. Too cutting.

After one of them had made eye contact, Red didn't hide that she was looking at them. He poked one of his friends with his elbow. She smiled slyly. "Observe," she said quietly to the girls at the table, and rose from her seat. Slowly. And as if she had all the time in the world, headed over to the small cluster of men, three of whom were watching her by now. Nymph and Foxglove would see Red approaching them, then cutting right by them to order something from the bar. They would see her casting a single glance at them over one of her bare shoulders. And they would see one of the men stepping forward to interact. Red turned toward him just a little bit - not so much that she would seem eager, but enough to indicate she would not run too easily. She spoke - she smiled - and before five minutes had passed, the man was guiding Red toward the dance floor. Red gave Nymph and Foxglove the most subtle of waves before turning into his arms, and the dance.

---

@Rillewen

The Fairy

"Nothing more than simple curiosity, Sir," the Fairy replied with a smile. "Such craftsmanship would not be available in just any region, town, or city. Have you ever seen one? A lion. In the flesh?" It was as good a topic for superficial conversation as any, she supposed. And when did she ever get much of an opportunity at it, really? Chit chat was not something she particularly enjoyed with strangers - but it was so rare, that for the moment, she did.

At her dancing partner's question, her smile grew amused. "As for the dress, I did not buy it at all. A friend procured it for me, as a way to convince me to attend. I haven't the faintest idea of where she acquired it." Or how, really. And it looked so expensive... "All I did was secure my own mask. Which I bought here, in the White City." Deciding to channel a bit more of Kaylin's energy, she patted his shoulder. "Now. A little less chatty chat. A little more fancy dancing. I'm ready to be impressed," she said casually.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Forest Nymph & Foxglove

Both girls listened with curiosity as lady Red informed them that the men were waiting to be told what they could do. They exchanged a brief glance, each wondering if the other was also wondering what exactly that meant. When the older lady instructed them to observe, both Nymph and Foxglove watched with curiosity as she strolled, so casually and gracefully, over to the bar where some men were watching her. She didn't walk right up to the men, but just past them.

"What's she doing?" Nymph whispered curiously.

"It looks like.. she's trying to get them to talk to her?" Foxglove guessed, although she figured something like that would work better for Red than for a simple teenage girl like herself, much less an even younger girl like Nymph. As Red had said, they were a little young, and there were not that many of the gentlemen here who looked to be as young as they were.

"There, see?" Foxglove declared as she was proven right. "She got him to ask her to dance." She smiled when the lady looked their way, then rested her chin in her hand and propped her elbow on the table.

"What about that guy, over there?" Nymph nodded toward the food tables to a young man* who looked like he might be close to Foxglove's age, or not too much older. "Don't be scared," She smiled. "Remember, no one even knows who you are, and they won't recognize you later, so what have you got to lose, really?"

With her younger friend's encouragement, Foxglove hesitated, then smiled. "Alright.. I will, then." She stood up, taking a deep breath.

"Good luck!" Nymph whispered, watching hopefully as Foxglove set off toward the food tables on a course that would take her very near to young man. After watching them speak together for a few minutes, Nymph smiled in happiness for her friend when she watched them set off toward the dance floor together.

Now, she wasn't sure what to do with herself, since she hadn't seen anyone around here that was near to her own age. She searched the dance floor in hopes of spotting Swan, and then looked around for Swan's brother, and tried to spot anyone else she might know.


*just a random NPC

---

@Arnyn

Sir Lion

Had he ever seen a lion, the lady wanted to know. Sir Lion shook his head in a regretful manner. "Alas, I cannot say that I have." He answered. "Only in pictures, in books and the like," He shrugged. "Have you?" He wondered, curious whether the lady had actually seen something of the sort. It would be a remarkable thing, if she had. "There are many animals indigenous to distant lands which I have heard of, and seen drawings of, but have never seen personally." He explained.

The lady's response about her dress was interesting. So, it was borrowed? He took another look at the gown while they danced, nodding thoughtfully. "It looks excellent on you, my lady," He declared. "Or perhaps, it is you who make the dress look stunning?" He added with a little grin.

As she requested less talk and more dancing, the lion let out a little laugh. "As you wish, my lady." He grinned and obliged her, with a smooth and graceful twirl, followed by a spin in the opposite direction. After catching her, he switched from the dance steps they had been following, to something a bit more advanced which still fit with the current music. She wanted to be impressed, so he was quite happy to oblige her request.