Bakhtuh arrives from the west.

Eleanor fiddles absently with one of her sleeves. "The best leader is one that
doesn't want it," she chips in.

Moirean turns, gesturing to an elegant mahogany banquet table. "Help yourself to
refreshments as people trickle in," she insists. "I have to slip out for some
last minute preparations, but after that will be some speeching and musicing and
dancing and...you know. Ball stuff."

Menelaus's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.

Ducaulle sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Akaryuterra says, "Right, ball stuff."

Bakhtuh quietly makes his way to a corner of the room, stopping only to throw a
salute at the Carnifex gathered.

Kelliara inclines her head politely to those around her.

Menelaus inclines his head politely to Kelliara.

Zaephlyn gives a light smirk as he finds a comfortable, non crowded part of the
wall, and leans against it.

Xenia makes her way over to an elegant mahogany banquet table eyeing the
refreshments with interest.

Kallah inclines her head politely to Kelliara.

Akaryuterra wanders over to the table Moirean indicated.

Kelliara inclines her head politely to Kallah.

Meskhenet snickers and leans up from the wall she is leaning against. "Ball stuff. So descriptive."

Arbre folds her hands in front of her, standing where Moirean left her and
looking around the crowd anxiously.

Eleanor keeps by Akaryuterra, as yet apparently content just to spectate.

Menelaus stares at the ground while chugging from a green glass jug with traces
of rum.

Akaryuterra shrugs, standing before the crowded table and surveying its
assortment of refreshments. "Well, it's a ball, so there're probably a few
things guaranteed ta go on, right?"


Bakhtuh nods his head emphatically.

Xenia catches Bakhtuh's eye from across the room, and walks over to join him.


With a wrinkled nose, you say, "Long as it is not like that Lunare ball."

Rou sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Bakhtuh sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Kallah creases her brow in a frown.

Menelaus smiles at a cloaked figure.

Eleanor says, "Most of that ball was alright."

Ducaulle murmurs to Moirean, "You wouldn't happen to have any woodwinds would
you, Commander?"

You say to Kallah, "That..drinking contest was messy. I was more referring to
that part."

Eleanor says, "It just could have done with less digestive fluids."

With nary a whisper nor a sigh, rosy-fingered dawn creeps into the land,
stealing the soul of the night.

Bakhtuh throws a nod at Xenia, nervously turning the wine glass in his hand.

Moirean raises an eyebrow at Ducaulle.

Curiously, Moirean says to Ducaulle, "You play? I can make what you need."


Kallah nods her head at you.

Arbre looks over at the sound of Moirean's voice, making her way over to her
quietly.

Akaryuterra says, "Yeah, lets not do the drinkin' contest again."

Setne arrives from the west.

Menelaus inclines his head politely to Setne.

"Agreed," Akaryuterra says, practically under his breath.

Moirean mumbles a quiet apology. "A moment," she says to nobody in particular
and slips out from the crowd again.

Moirean leaves to the west.

Bakhtuh sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Akaryuterra picks up a crimson and white lion cookie.

Kallah gives a pained sigh.

Kallah inclines her head politely to those around her.


Menelaus gulps from a green glass jug with traces of rum.

Meskhenet moves over to Zaephlyn, nudging the man in the arm.
"Hey you."

Menelaus stares stonily at the ground, his face dark and forbidding.

A beam of prismatic light suddenly shoots into the room.

Akaryuterra finally decides on a cookie, plucking one up from the table and
turning to face the mingling crowd. Leaning in Eleanor's direction, he says
murmurs quietly to her.

Kiershu suddenly appears, having travelled down the beam of prismatic light.

Menelaus smiles at Kiershu.

Akaryuterra murmurs to Eleanor, "Seems like he's havin' 'is own little contest."

Zaephlyn smiles to Rou as $rou_he gives him a glass. He turns his attention as
he's nudged to you and offers you a light smile, "Hey there."

Kiershu takes a long drag from a lit rank-smelling blunt.

Zaephlyn coughs softly.

Demitris arrives from the west.

Demitris gives the world a smart salute.

Menelaus gives the world a smart salute.


Bakhtuh gives Demitris a respectful salute.


You have emoted: Meskhenet pats Zaephlyn on the arm. "Glad to see you decided to
get out some. You should!"

Eleanor snorts quietly, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"Apparently," she returns softly.

Menelaus ponders a rank-smelling blunt's profile, deep in consideration.

Arbre picks up a delicate silver goblet.

Rou sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Bakhtuh sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Zaephlyn narrows his eyes at you quietly for a long moment, "I'm always out!"

Xenia sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Meskhenet rolls her eyes. "Where you can be seen!"

Zaephlyn gives a pained sigh.

A cloaked figure chews thoughtfully on a rank-smelling blunt.

Menelaus chants a brief spell and a flash of revealing light floods the room.

Setne says to Zaephlyn, "What you do is build a house and let people watch you
through the windows."

Arbre lifts a delicate silver goblet full of gold-flecked champagne to her lips,
taking a sip as she remains out of the way, not far from the table.

Arbre drinks from a delicate silver goblet full of gold-flecked champagne.

Noelle steps in quietly, glancing around for a brief moment before quickly
making her way towards Xenia, tail slithering behind her.

Menelaus picks up a battered iron cup.

Your skin crawls as Menelaus's focus turns inward, and after a few short moments
you feel inexplicably bolstered against harm.

Eleanor takes a slender cigar from her sleeve. She taps it against the fingers
of the opposite hand, and without apparent need for tinder it flickers to life
with a magnesium-white glow at the end.

A frown wrinkles Menelaus's brow as he articulates a "Hrm...."

Setne inclines his head politely to Arbre.

Rou deftly lowers the hood of a cloak of obscurity, revealing his identity.

Menelaus drinks from a battered iron cup of holy water.

Rising higher in the sky, the sun illuminates the land, confining darkness to
the shadows.

Arbre gives Setne a faint smile, raising a few fingers in greeting.

Xenia gives Noelle a warm smile, touching her arm in greeting.

Setne sips from a battered iron cup with traces of "Spirean Select" winter brew.

Menelaus greets Atraya with a sincere smile.

Atraya performs a graceful curtsey.

Bakhtuh sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Zaephlyn raises his glass to his mouth, sinking back into the wall as he takes a
small sip.

"Cause that's not creepy at all." Akaryuterra comments.

Arbre drinks from a delicate silver goblet of gold-flecked champagne.

Demitris leaves to the west.

Rou carefully lights a rank-smelling blunt.

Moirean arrives from the west.

Moirean pants a moment, sucking in greatly needed breaths of air.

Moirean gives a carved, slender oboe to Ducaulle.

Akaryuterra wraps his arm around Eleanor.

Rou takes a long drag from a lit rank-smelling blunt.

Moirean gives a simple polished violin to Kiershu.

Akaryuterra eats a crimson and white lion cookie.

Zaephlyn utters a series of foreign words in a rich, melodic tongue.

Moirean gives a curved wooden bow to Kiershu.

Menelaus casts a look of concern at Moirean.

Zaephlyn chuckles at Rou.

Rou exhales a lingering cloud of smoke, redolent with pungent scents.

Menelaus drinks from a battered iron cup with traces of holy water.

Rou grins mischievously at Zaephlyn.

Atraya tilts her head curiously at Zaephlyn.

Ducaulle ceases to wield a long-hafted Carnifex battlehammer.

Ducaulle starts to wield a carved, slender oboe in his hands.

Zaephlyn gives Atraya a respectful salute.

Moirean claps her hands together and steps into the center of the room. She
clears her throat loudly, attempting to grab the room's attention.

Rou pauses to grind the life out of a lit rank-smelling blunt, saving it for
later.

Noelle mirrors Xenia's smile, before her attention snaps to Moirean.

Xenia asks, "Which?"

Eleanor turns her gaze in Moirean's direction.

Akaryuterra looks to Moirean.

Arbre looks over to Moirean with interest.

Xenia asks, "Which?"

Zaephlyn says to Atraya, "I was just telling him that it smelled gross."

Menelaus's focus shifts to Moirean.

Meskhenet lifts her head from the lute in her hands up to
Moirean, listening intently.

Moirean raises her voice enough to carry across the chamber without quite
shouting and proudly states, "Welcome to the Spirean Ball!" If her tone is
overly cheerful and slightly forced, her emphatic volume makes up for it, and
she quickly begins to launch into a short speech.

Kiershu sinks into the background, grabbing her violin out of her pack as she
rushes past the group. Finding a suitable corner of the banquet table, leaning
against it she takes her form, placing the bow to the strings she slowly goes
over each string, tuning the violin quickly as she prepares her instrument.

Kiershu shifts her stance, seeming to become more nimble on her feet.

Clearly drained by her nimble maneuvers, Kiershu appears to slow down somewhat,
breathing heavily.

Coribhell's convulsions have broken her own back, killing her.

Demitris arrives from the west.

Demitris gives the world a smart salute.

Xenia nods her head at Demitris.

Moirean says, "The ball concludes the year long celebration of the city festival
- we've seen brawls, training, games, lectures. We've made new friends and
rediscovered old ones. We've eaten and drank and, most importantly, we've
learned more about each other and the city."

Arbre tugs at her hair with one hand, trying to brush it down.


Moirean's voice drops a bit and a serious note enters her words. "The city has
struggled very recently. We have seen citizens depart and ministers abandon
office," she begins, but then lifts her chin, and a steely thread reinforces her
voice. "But these are merely small setbacks. The city WILL recover and WILL
become stronger and more vibrant."

"Hear, hear!" Eleanor agrees, nodding.

Kiershu throws up her hands and cheers wildly!

Menelaus picks up a delicately etched Spirean wine glass.

Menelaus begins to wield a glass of neverending eggnog in his left hand.

Menelaus raises a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red in a toast to Moirean.

Rou sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Akaryuterra turns around and grabs a glass for the purpose of raising it.

Her tone growing bright and enthusiastic, Moirean says, "Let this ball be a
turning point - a celebration of the next page in the Spires. From here...from
here we go forwards and onwards. From here we progress."

Akaryuterra picks up a delicately etched Spirean wine glass.

Menelaus ceases to wield a glass of neverending eggnog in his left hand.

Arbre gives a faint smile at the speech, but doesn't otherwise react.

Menelaus gulps from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Bakhtuh sips the last drops from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with
traces of North Terrace Red.

Moirean steps back to pick up a glass as well. "So let me propose a toast,
Spireans and guests," she offers, lifting her glass aloft. "To the future!"

Moirean picks up a delicately etched Spirean wine glass.

Moirean raises a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red in a toast to Varian.

Akaryuterra nods emphatically, "To the future."

Zaephlyn raises his glass to Moirean, "Aye! To the Future!"

Eleanor has a flagon in hand, joining in the toast. "To the future, indeed."

Menelaus nods his head in agreement.

You have emoted: Meskhenet raises her own glass, "To the future."

Bakhtuh raises his empty glass, softly echoing, "The future."

You sip from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North Terrace
Red, the rich and complex flavours tinged with black currant and hints of oak
washing over your palate.

Akaryuterra raises his voice, calling to Moirean, "Well said."

Rou morphs before your eyes, taking on the form of Keegan.

Eleanor sips from a carved flagon of the Spires full of New Republic red ale.

Menelaus says, "For the Future."

Zaephlyn sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of Tarean
White.

Menelaus drinks from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Ducaulle sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Ducaulle launches into a celebratory tune littered with cheerful high notes, his
fingers almost a blur, as sound pours forth from his oboe.

Arbre drinks from a delicate silver goblet of gold-flecked champagne.

Moirean nods emphatically and take a drink from her glass, dabbing at her lips
as she swallows. "And now on with the ball!" she says, arm sweeping out to
indicate Ducaulle. "Our first entertainment will be oboe music by a young
Carnifex recruit!"

Menelaus smiles pleasantly and gives Ducaulle his attention.


Ducaulle slows his playing into something resembling a waltz, swaying side to
side with his melody.

Bakhtuh picks up a delicate silver goblet.

Menelaus begins to wield a rank-smelling blunt in his left hand.

Menelaus carefully lights a rank-smelling blunt.

Menelaus takes a long drag from a lit rank-smelling blunt.

Kiershu ceases to wield a lit rank-smelling blunt in her right hand.

Noelle begins to intensify slowly until she appears flesh and blood once more.

Noelle projects a net of light about herself, and you watch as her image becomes
faded and ghostly.

Noelle leaves Xenia's side briefly to get herself a glass from the table.

Zaephlyn slowly fades into view, returning to the realm of perception.

Eleanor curls her fingers around Akaryuterra's, quietly listening along to the
music.

Ducaulle continues on with his tune as he strolls himself out to the middle of
the floor and begin to perform a graceful waltz, his oboe his partner.

Arbre steps up beside Moirean, murmuring quietly to her, "A bit tense?"

Meskhenet sways along to the music, closing her eyes and
leaning her head against the wall, listening.

The sun begins her downward journey towards eventual sleep, casting even, full
light upon the land.

Rou leans back into the wall near Zaephlyn, attention to the music while nursing
his drink.

Rou sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Menelaus seems to lose him self in the music and inebriation.

Menelaus takes a long drag from a lit rank-smelling blunt.

Menelaus drinks from a green glass jug with traces of rum.

Moirean says, "To arbe (relaxing a bit now that she is out of the spotlight)
There has been...a lot to do lately. Politics come at the most inconvenient
times."

Relaxing a bit now that she is out of the spotlight, Moirean says to Arbre,
"There has been...a lot to do lately. Politics come at the most inconvenient
times."

Zaephlyn smiles to Rou lightly as he raises his glass, taking a small sip from
it as well.

Aoiveae yawns suddenly and mightily.

Moirean retreats a bit more, approaching the table. She retrieves a drink, while
she walks over to Arbre. With a slight smirk, she quietly says, "I have to
intoxicate my date, I believe. This is how it works, right?"

Ducaulle twirls about the floor with amusing grace for his size, though rather
solitary, his slow melody playing seemingly without pause.

Menelaus takes a thin black band from an emerald and black Indorani backpack.

Menelaus takes a masculine, polished golden band from an emerald and black
Indorani backpack.

Moirean picks up a delicate silver goblet.

Arbre nods to Moirean. "I was Feral Will long enough to ruin relationships
between the Council, Enorian, and three guilds before Kiyotan dur Naya came
about to take it from me," she says with a smile, "I rather think you will do
fine."

Menelaus puts a thin black band into a draconic egg chest.

Moirean gives a delicate silver goblet to Arbre.

Menelaus puts on a masculine, polished golden band.

Aoiveae dips her head in a respectful bow, her expression hidden as she slightly
drifts through shadow to tap Moirean on the shoulder gently.

Noelle steps back to Xenia's side, glancing at the others gathered with faint
interes.

Noelle sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Zaephlyn sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of Tarean
White.

Aoiveae murmurs to Moirean, "I merely wanted to bring you something, Senator.
Cannot stay long.."

"I actually came originally with a purpose," Arbre says with a grin, accepting
the goblet without complaint.

Arbre drinks from a delicate silver goblet with traces of gold-flecked
champagne.

Xenia inclines her head to Aoiveae.

Noelle nods her head at Aoiveae.

Moirean turns in surprise at the tap, expression brightening. "Aoiveae!" she
exclaims.

Menelaus sighs forlornly as he fidgets with a masculine, polished golden band
absent-mindedly.

Menelaus drinks from a green glass jug with traces of rum.

Menelaus takes a long drag from a lit rank-smelling blunt.

Setne sits down on a simple rocking chair.

Akaryuterra smiles and looks over at Eleanor when she takes hold of his hand and
brings it to his lips to press a gentle kiss to the back.

The ringing clang of some relentless forger's hammer sings out through the air.

Aoiveae yawns suddenly and mightily.

Bakhtuh sips from a delicate silver goblet full of gold-flecked champagne.

Aoiveae winces as she's greeted, a blush hidden behind her mask as she nods,
"Moirean." she muses softly, passing Moirean a lavish bouquet of purple orchids.

Ducaulle dances himself to the edge of the floor before finishing off the melody
with a soft, sustained note.

Ducaulle ceases to wield a carved, slender oboe.

Ducaulle inclines his head politely to those around him.

Eleanor directs a smile at Akaryuterra before looking across to Ducaulle and
applauding politely as the music comes to an end.

Meskhenet raises her head up from the wall, bringing her hands
together in a quiet clap. "Was lovely."

Zaephlyn gives a light smirk as he looks to Rou and motions his head towards
Aoiveae.

Arbre watches Moirean's interaction with quiet interest.

Menelaus congratulates Ducaulle with some wild clapping.

Arbre drinks the last drops from a delicate silver goblet with traces of
gold-flecked champagne.

Menelaus says, "Some one bring me a Daemon corpse please?"

Moirean blinks at the gift, blushing faintly. She politely raises the flowers to
her nose, inhaling their fragrance, before she gives Aoiveae a wide smile. "They
are lovely," she says. One eyebrow twitches and she remarks, "...although, not
nearly as nice as your return would be..."

Bakhtuh starts to applaud before realising he still has a goblet in his hand. He
hurriedly stows it away on the table before clapping.

Aoiveae yawns suddenly and mightily.

Menelaus nods his head at Moirean sagely.

Noelle sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Arbre puts a delicate silver goblet into a durable kitbag of fiery hues.

Arbre drinks from a delicate silver goblet full of gold-flecked champagne.

Glancing towards the center of the room and lightly clapping one hand against
her wrist, Moirean says to Aoiveae, "But that is a discussion for another time."

The deepening dusk yields to impenetrable darkness as night claims the land.

Tendrils of shadow creep toward Kiershu's feet and legs, softening her
footsteps.

Tendrils of shadow creep toward Moirean's feet and legs, softening her
footsteps.

Tendrils of shadow creep toward Rou's feet and legs, softening his footsteps.

Kiershu shifts her stance, seeming to become more nimble on her feet.

Eleanor casts her gaze across the room, and it settles on Bakhtuh. "Ahh, well!
Fancy seeing you here," she greets him.

Xenia nods to Ducaulle "Good performance, Initiate."

Aoiveae hides a wry grin, shaking her head. "I cannot do.." she pulls a tangled
mask of tendons and bones back, revealing her black eyes and blushed cheeks.
"Not today." she adds in agreement to Moirean, her wings folding behind her.

Clearly drained by her nimble maneuvers, Kiershu appears to slow down somewhat,
breathing heavily.

Setne sips at a battered iron cup with traces of "Spirean Select" winter brew
slowly, nursing the drink while observing the assorted group from a corner.

Coribhell has been sliced apart by a crazed Nazetu cutter.

Bakhtuh looks up and smiles faintly at Eleanor, "Greetings, Director."

Noelle slowly fades into view, returning to the realm of perception.

Noelle tosses a sparkling cloud of dust over herself, and vanishes little by
little into invisibility.

Coribhell has bled to death.

Menelaus inhales deeply from his lit rank-smelling blunt.

Aoiveae yawns suddenly and mightily.

Menelaus takes a long drag from a lit rank-smelling blunt.

Xenia sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Menelaus drinks from a green glass jug with traces of rum.

The body of Zaephlyn appears in a flash and his soul descends to fill it,
causing the previously expressionless face to fill with emotion.


Akaryuterra eyes the young Grecht, looking Bakhtuh over for a moment.


Eleanor smiles as well. "Enjoying the, ah, to-do?" She waves a hand vaguely,
gesturing to the ballroom.


Moirean glances sidelong at Arbre, giving her a nudge with her elbow. "I thought
I might be the man on our date," she explains. "But it seems I'm the one getting
flowers." She carefully cradles a lavish bouquet of purple orchids for display.

Kiershu smirks.

Menelaus snickers under his breath.

Menelaus coughs softly.

Noelle watches Moirean and Arbre, giving a smirk at the Commander's words.

Bakhtuh looks around with a bemused smile, "Ah...it is alright, yes." He coughs,
"That was some good...music by the Initiate."

Arbre focuses, giving Moirean a smile. "It is well, because I am terrible at
being a man," she says, "Although I have never been with one in a.." She pauses,
eyeing Moirean up and down pointedly.

Menelaus urges Kiershu onward.

A deep, resonant note echoes from all throughout the corridors of the Citadel,
creating a tremulous sound that seems to rattle the sky itself. In its wake, a
chill wind bellows across the firmament, embracing the twilight of a new dusk.

Jayke has had his life snuffed out by a large smoke elemental.

Moirean raises her eyebrow, head tilting. "In a what?" she asks blankly.


Aoiveae smiles softly, eyes blinking a few times while she claps her hands
together at her waist with a slight slouched position. Her smile broadens at the
suggestions between Arbre and Moirean before she glances towards Noelle,
relaxing further at the familiarity after a long moment.

Eleanor glances sideways. "Not an instrument I've heard played alone," she
admits. "Still, a good show of it. You see something new every day."

"Dress," Arbre finishes.

Setne glances briefly between Moirean and Arbre, a fleeting smirk gracing his
lips before disappearing.

Akaryuterra tilts his head and angles it toward Eleanor, a thoughtful expression
spreading over his countenance.

Rou grins at Zaephlyn, tapping his nose lightly.

Noelle returns Aoiveae's glance, briefly raising her glass in greeting, her
smile softening.

Bakhtuh nods emphatically before taking a sip from his goblet, "Always new
things to see, yes. Always."

Softly, Aoiveae says to Noelle, "Enjoying yourself, then? Its been some time.."

Rou sips the last drops from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces
of North Terrace Red.

Moirean shifts her weight with a click of heels, a track of awkwardness entering
her movements as she smooths down the sides of her skirts again. "Perhaps I'm
wearing trousers underneath," she murmurs, waggling her eyebrows.

Rou places a delicately etched Spirean wine glass on an elegant mahogany banquet
table.

Aoiveae's eyes sparkle with amusement as she gazes upon a crimson and white lion
cookie.

Kelliara brings a smooth, ice-blue cigar to her lips and takes a long drag.

Zaephlyn chuckles a bit and stays leaned against the wall, his hand
instinctively settling on the whip fastened to his belt.

Kiershu brings her violin up to her chin, placing the bow over the strings she
nods to the crowd. Without hesitation, her hands begin swaying back and forth,
creating a sharp fiddle, her right boot begins stomping the floor, creating a
beat behind the rhythm. Her fiddling becomes quicker, the fast melody beckoning
to the onlookers. Giggling she begins twirling herself back and forth, hopping
back and forth from foot to foot.

Noelle says to Aoiveae, "Indeed, been busy, then you weren't there anymore, I
suppose..."

Arbre murmurs to Moirean, "Perhaps I prefer you wearing nothing underneath."

Eleanor says to Akaryuterra, "Have you boys met this lad? Associate Bakhtuh,
he's been quite productive in the Society lately."

Kelliara exhales a cloud of shifting white smoke that expands hugely, coiling
and eddying hungrily in the air. The mass of smoke almost seems to rage, boiling
and disturbed, before finally dispersing.

Menelaus grabs you and sweeps you around and around in a joyful dance.



Moirean's earlier blush deepens - even her ears go red - and she abruptly pipes
up, "And next! Next! Next, we have Kiershu! With...uhh. Violin!"

Xenia watches the interactions around her with interest, bringing her glass to
her lips.

Faint whispers slip around the room nearby as the cold of night wraps itself
around the building.

Biting her bottom lip thoughtfully, Aoiveae says to Noelle, "Mm... I've been
somewhere, rest assured."

The stars wink into existence, familiar constellations illuminating the night
with tales of myth and legend.

The aura about you fades, leaving you somewhat more vulnerable again.
sjkhg

I'm afraid you'll have to clarify.

Aoiveae smiles at Kiershu.
emote slaps at $Menelaus's arm, shaking her head and moving back to where she was stationed. "No

dancing right now!"

You have emoted: Meskhenet slaps at Menelaus's arm, shaking her head and moving
back to where she was stationed. "No dancing right now!"
H:4810 M:2272 E:22950 W:12454 B:100% XP:14% [e-]
You have recovered balance on all limbs.

Xenia sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Menelaus sways back and forth.

Bakhtuh takes a step back at the frenzied violen music. He turns distractedly at
the mention of his name and inclines his head towards Akaryuterra, "I think we
have met, yes?"

Akaryuterra's attention is torn away from Eleanor and drifts back to Bakhtuh,
"Can't say I r'member if'n we did." "Unfortunately, nor can I." Scrutinizing the
boy once again, they shake their head, "No. No memory of him."

Rou morphs before your eyes, taking on the form of Elisicia.

Arbre gives a bemused smile, raising her glass to her lips.

Noelle nods sharply, "I know that, I just didn't truly bother to go check...
Your fiance has been waking much less too, feels like." She comments, quietly.

Arbre drinks from a delicate silver goblet of gold-flecked champagne.

Akaryuterra blinks.

Menelaus says to you, "Yes'm... just Kiershu's music got me goin'"

Menelaus drinks from a green glass jug with traces of rum.

Zaephlyn looks to you as you settles on the wall near him again, "Welcome back."
He says lightly.

Akaryuterra cockes his head to the side, "Have we?"

Menelaus takes a long drag from a lit rank-smelling blunt.

Moirean takes a quick sip of her drink, cheeks still flaming.

Moirean drinks from a delicate silver goblet full of gold-flecked champagne.

Akaryuterra looks a little worried as he scratches his chin and tries to drag up
some recollection of the boy's face.

Bakhtuh grins widely and nods, "Yes, you are the one that drew on my hand that
time when..." He trails off with a cough.

Aoiveae's fingers nervously go to her lips, nodding to Noelle, "I know.. Um. He
probably won't come back, admittedly." she shrugs slightly. "Are your
obligations enjoyable?"

Aoiveae yawns suddenly and mightily.

Akaryuterra says, "Well shit."

Bakhtuh picks up a crimson and white lion cookie.

Raka has been sliced apart by a commanding lich scientist.

Akaryuterra says, "That's it."

Bakhtuh eats a crimson and white lion cookie.

Demitris is enveloped in translucent fire for a moment and is gone, his soul
safe until he returns to Aetolia.
emote snorts at $Zaephlyn, fiddling with @lute in her hands.

You have emoted: Meskhenet snorts at Zaephlyn, fiddling with a simple wooden
lute in her hands.
H:4810 M:2272 E:22950 W:12454 B:100% XP:14% [e-]
You have recovered balance on all limbs.

Moirean's attention is caught by the conversation between Bakhtuh and
Akaryuterra. She taps Arbre on the elbow, gesturing towards the men with her
drink.

Akaryuterra says, "Ah, yes, pardon my memory. I was much more focused on the
other matter at hand."

Akaryuterra reaches up and scratches the side of his neck as he gives a sheepish
smile.

The corners of Menelaus's mouth turn up as he grins mischievously.

Zaephlyn snickers softly, eyeing you.

Kiershu Sings along as her violin creeks out notes from high to low "Grab your
date and swing em round and round!" . Sharp notes wafting throughout the
ballroom . With a leap, she gracefully lands ontop of the table, never missing a
beat with her boot. Smiling as she see's couples begin to join in. Her arms now
sway at unnatural speeds, the tempo of the song rising to a sharp trill. Pausing
a moment she sends a smile towards the commander as she dances along the table
with her violin.

Kiershu shifts her stance, seeming to become more nimble on her feet.

Bakhtuh waves his hand casually, looking at the floor at his feet, "Eh, it was
not a day that should be remembered any way. It is nothing."

The body of Demitris appears in a flash and his soul descends to fill it,
causing the previously expressionless face to fill with emotion.

Setne cocks his head slightly in the direction of Kiershu, head swaying slightly
to the rhythm of her tune.

Clearly drained by her nimble maneuvers, Kiershu appears to slow down somewhat,
breathing heavily.

Arbre looks where indicated, to Moirean, and back to Akaryuterra and Bakhtuh.

Noelle begins to intensify slowly until she appears flesh and blood once more.

Noelle projects a net of light about herself, and you watch as her image becomes
faded and ghostly.
sjkhg

Akaryuterra offers his hand to the boy now, "Ryotega." A split second later, he
inclines his head, "Akaryuterra."

Demitris eats a stomach slice.

I cannot fathom your meaning.

Demitris eats a heart slice.

Noelle nods slowly, her tail moving to rest against her feet, "That's a shame."
She says, then glances sidelong at Xenia, before adding, "I suppose."

Demitris eats a heart slice.

Eleanor gives a sheepish grin. "I think everyone can be forgiven for, ah.
Muddled memories of that day."

Demitris touches a mindseye tattoo.

Demitris quickly applies the marrow from a slice of bone to his skin.

Demitris eats a spleen slice.

Demitris eats a pineal gland slice.

Demitris eats a sulphurite gland slice.

A thick, hardened shell of bone marrow has formed around Demitris.

Demitris sticks himself with a long needle.

Demitris sticks himself with a long needle.

Demitris sticks himself with a long needle.

Demitris presses a bandage against his skin, rubbing the poultice into his
flesh.

Akaryuterra takes a long drag from a lit slender white cigarette.

Bakhtuh blinks at the offered hand. He says cautiously, "Nice...nice to meet
you, yes. I am Bakhtuh."

Moirean gives Arbre a long stare and then rolls her eyes, tugging on her elbow.
She takes a few steps towards the men, doing her best to lightly steer her
"date" towards the conversation.

Demitris breathes inward, hissing loudly.

Xenia meets Noelle's eyes, quietly watching the interaction.

Flapping his wings gently, Demitris begins to hover above the ground.

Demitris touches a cloak tattoo.

Stepping back in search of shadow, Aoiveae gives a warm smile, "This was
beautiful. Farewell." she murmurs, quietly making her departure.

Arbre widens her eyes for a moment and then blushes herself, taking a few
hurried steps on the balls of her feet to catch up to Moirean.

Demitris's knuckles grow momentarily white as he strengthens his grip.

Ducaulle murmurs to Noelle, "Need rescuing, Your Grace?"

Rou stretches languidly.

Eleanor takes a short drag from her cigar, only enough for a small thread of
oddly twisting and coruscating smoke when she exhales.

Kiershu finishes off the song with a single long note, her thumb tweaking the
strings back and forth to create a wavering ending note. She curtsies atop the
table to the crowd then casually jumps down softly from the table, the heels of
her boots clicking against the ballroom floor.

Setne begins to intensify slowly until he appears flesh and blood once more.

Moirean beams briefly at Arbre and then grandly approaches Bakhtuh and
Akaryuterra. "Bakhtuh has a remarkably keen mind for ritual," she states,
worming her way into the conversation.

Zaephlyn reaches up and rubs the side of his neck quietly, before raising his
glass up to his lips again and taking another small sip.

Zaephlyn sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of Tarean
White.

Noelle glances at Ducaulle briefly, shaking her head at the words before she
turns fully towards Xenia, mustering a smile.

Menelaus throws up his hands and cheers wildly for Kiershu!


Akaryuterra glances between Moirean and the boy, looking a tad more interested
now, "Oh?"

Deepest Stygian night steals over the land as the symbolic hourglass empties and
turns, ready to begin a new day.
It is now the 18th of Lanosian, year 391 of the Midnight Age.

Eleanor pauses to applaud again, distracted largely by the sudden addition to
the conversation.

Arbre follows closely beside Moirean once she's reached her side, looking at the
group speaking with interest.

A violent shriek of steam escapes from within the Citadel, streaming into the
night sky and signalling the coming of midnight.

Kiershu ceases to wield a black polished violin in her left hand.

"Uh," says Setne with little discernible meaning.

Moirean glances up from the conversation she's only just joined to raise her
glass. "Well done, Lady Kiershu!" she exclaims, before turning back to the
group. "Aye," she replies.

Setne coughs softly.

Bakhtuh starts at Moirean's entrance, shifting abruptly a step to his left. He
covers for it by settling his glass on the floor and clapping for the
performance.

Akaryuterra applaudes Kiershu politely, breaking eye contact from the immediate
company briefly to glance in the musician's direction.

Noelle sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Xenia smiles at Noelle, stepping closer and takes her hand.

Bakhtuh sips from a delicate silver goblet of gold-flecked champagne.

Xenia sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Setne gives Kiershu a tempered round of applause, nodding slightly in her
direction before returning to his drink.

Ducaulle sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Moirean stares at Bakhtuh with an appraising, faintly approving expression,
elaborating, "We have a work room and library in the Keep, for the more
intricate studies of Deathlore. Currently, he's the only member aside from the
Officers who has earned a key."

Demitris grows still and his lips begin to move silently.

Demitris is enveloped in translucent fire for a moment and is gone, his soul
safe until he returns to Aetolia.

Meskhenet breaks into a roudy applause for Kiershu, smiling
broadly from behind a roped veil with coral.

Akaryuterra's cigarette glows brightly as his gaze settles on Moirean, "Well
then, good work." With a smile, he says to Bakhtuh, "Are you finding further
exploration to be a rewarding experience?"

Noelle takes Xenia's hand, bending down as to press her muzzle atop it, in her
own form of peck, before rising properly, murmuring to the Atavian as she does
so.

Akaryuterra says, "I find the theory and research routes do not appeal to a
great many."

Shifting her glass into her right hand, Arbre gently reaches up to curl her free
arm around Moirean's.

Bakhtuh coughs softly, a pensive frown settling across his features. He looks up
at Akaryuterra's question, "More frustrating than rewarding, but there must be
results, so it is all worth it."

Zaephlyn says to you, "Glad to see what became of that coral."

Eleanor gives a wistful sigh. "You'd make a magnificent Cabalist," she sighs.

Meskhenet flashes a grin at Zaephlyn, reaching up to adjust the
veil as it is mentioned.

Xenia gives Noelle grin as she withdraws her hand, making her way over to
Eleanor. Silently she stands at the woman's side, awaiting a moment to speak.

Kiershu thrusts a few stray curls out of her face, bending over slightly to
place her violin within it's case. As soon as the box shuts, She reaches quickly
for a glass and before swallowing the shot yells "Thank you! Long live the
Republic!" Raising her glass back up again as small toast to the group.

Kiershu shifts her stance, seeming to become more nimble on her feet.

Bakhtuh takes a long sip from his goblet and chuckles, "I would be happy to be a
passable Carnifex, Director. But thank you."

Moirean stiffens for a moment at the touch, but then exhales and smiles faintly,
shifting her weight as she links her arm with Arbre. "No stealing my soldiers!"
she laughs, her voice only a touch too loud.

Menelaus gives Kiershu a respectful salute.

Clearly drained by her nimble maneuvers, Kiershu appears to slow down somewhat,
breathing heavily.

Zaephlyn gives a light nod to you, "It suits you quite well."

Rou sips from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Eleanor flaps a hand. "I wouldn't dare," she reassures Moirean. "Good men are
hard to come by, it wouldn't be sporting to filch yours."

Noelle moves as to lean against a wall, watching the gathering quietly.

Arbre keeps her eyes on Moirean until she seems to calm, then looks back to
Bakhtuh, Eleanor, and Akaryuterra, sipping on her wine.

Akaryuterra says, "Well, sometimes it can be a little more exciting. Occasional
explosi- actually, come to think, I know very little about the art. Would it be
more appropriate to say occasional hauntings? It would seem to me that there is
not a great deal of volatility in Deathlore."

Ducaulle murmurs to Bakhtuh, "Perhaps at some point you could instruct me in
such matters? Best way to learn is to teach, they say, Postulant."

A baleful horn resounds from the depths of the Hunting Grounds as Illidan
enters.

Noelle sips the last drops from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with
traces of North Terrace Red.

Zaephlyn sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of Tarean
White.

The Rowan Box has been claimed in the Hunting Grounds by Illidan.

With a short laugh, Bakhtuh says to Akaryuterra, "There is...volatility some
times. I spent quite some time today, stunned from...an experimental attempt at
doing something."

As the other performers have finished, Meskhenet seems
increasingly anxious, only giving a faint smile and nod towards Zaephyln.

Xenia considers Akaryuterra's words, adding to Bakhtuh's response, "Well, there
is certainly something like that when we're gathering the souls. You ignore them
for a more than a minute and it can get grisly."

"Speaking of things suiting well," Rou says to Zaephlyn, "What do you think
you'll do with those two rings?"

Kiershu picks up a heavy glass bottle.

Kiershu drinks from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Setne slowly fades into view, returning to the realm of perception.

Moirean purses her lips and comments, "Summonings. Links. An odd affinity and
melding with forging - my hamm-" She coughs, amending, "Ser Toz finds remarkably
ways to meld the skills."

Kiershu removes a slender white cigarette.

Kiershu begins to wield a slender white cigarette in her left hand.

Kiershu carefully lights a slender white cigarette.

Speaking up finally, Arbre says, "It is funny how ritual work does not -really-
change, no matter where you are and doing it for what."

Kelliara brings a smooth, ice-blue cigar to her lips and takes a long drag.

Kiershu begins to wield a slender white cigarette in her right hand.

Zaephlyn looks to Rou quietly for a moment, "As I said, I need to borrow your
sewing needle. They currently have no place to go."

Kelliara exhales a cloud of shifting white smoke that expands hugely, coiling
and eddying hungrily in the air. The mass of smoke almost seems to rage, boiling
and disturbed, before finally dispersing.

Bakhtuh murmurs to Ducaulle, "Instruct you how, Initiate? I myself know little
to nothing. It is all blind flailing and failing, that is all. But...if you are
interested in such things, we will talk later, yes. Perhaps you have a keener
mind than mine for such things."

Comprehension flashes across Rou's face.

Xenia turns to Eleanor, giving the woman a friendly grin. "Greetings, I was
wondering if you'd had a chance to take into consideration my request to be an
aide to culture."

Akaryuterra smiles and offer a slight bow of his head, "I stand corrected."

Menelaus thanks Carthenian sincerely.

Ducaulle murmurs to Bakhtuh, "Can't say my mind is all that keen, but my hammer
is tireless."

Carthenian says, "Duanathar."

Ducaulle starts to wield a long-hafted Carnifex battlehammer in his hands.

Bakhtuh nods at Xenia, "Let us not forget the messier parts of it, the lost
souls passing through, the pain of their deaths..." He trails off when he
notices Xenia addressing Eleanor.

Kiershu takes a long drag from a lit slender white cigarette.

Eleanor looks across to Xenia, shifting her attention from the other
conversation. "Hm? Ah- hello. Well, I hadn't had time to look into how your
event went- I've been awfully busy lately- but I don't imagine it went badly or
anything like that, hm?"

Moirean turns her head towards Arbre and says, "Ah, Macian mentioned that the
Shamans have rituals of their own. It strikes me that they have some
similarities to deathlore. Spirits and souls - not so far apart, though not
quite the same."

Kiershu exhales a white cloud of smoke, redolent with pungent scents, into
Menelaus's face.
Kiershu turns her eyes towards the heavens and the look of innocence on her face
is almost enough to imply a gentle halo around her head.

Akaryuterra says, "I suppose that is understandable. Not explosions so much, but
certainly other consquences that can be a danger to personal well being.

Faint whispers slip around the room nearby as the cold of night wraps itself
around the building.

Zaephlyn smiles wryly at Rou.

A vibrant note echoes through the air, emanating from the central spire. Brief
seconds later, a cold gust of wind bellows in, heralding the arrival of dawn's
waking breath.

Akaryuterra gives a shrug, declaring, "If it can't hurt ya somehow, what's the
fun in it?"

Rou morphs before your eyes, taking on the form of Arin.

Bakhtuh says to Akaryuterra, "Of course, I am little more than a child playing
at things I do not completely understand. And yes...consequences to well being
are a danger, very exciting danger, yes."

Xenia's eyes brighten, shaking her head, "No, I'd say it went well all in all.
However, Bakhtuh could also probably say a few words about the other event I
hosted, Artifice." She smirks at Bakhtuh, adding, "I think he had more than his
fair share of fun."

Kiershu gives a slender white cigarette to Rou.

Menelaus puts the corpse of a lava daemon into a cast-iron cooking pot.

A frown wrinkles Menelaus's brow as he articulates a "Hrm...."

Kiershu murmurs to Rou, "Could induce happiness and smiles."

Zaephlyn chuckles long and heartily.

Menelaus mutters, ".... be missing some th...."

Arbre gives a slow nod. "Yes," she says slowly, "We commune with the animal
spirits moreso than, ah, trap them, but your logic is sound enough."

Rou sniffs a slender white cigarette, trying to decipher just what that smell
emanating from it is.

Ducaulle turns to Bakhtuh saying, "Swords don't make themselves, gotta hammer
'em into submission, I'm sure it works in much the same fashion."

Zaephlyn digs his elbow into Rou's ribs overhearing Kiershu's words.

Setne begins to splutter quietly in his chair at the mention of the Artifice
game.

Setne coughs softly.

Kiershu says to Rou, "Enjoy!"

Ducaulle picks up a decorative red and white layer cake.

Ducaulle picks up a decorative red and white layer cake.

Menelaus takes the corpse of a lava daemon from a cast-iron cooking pot.


Ducaulle eats a decorative red and white layer cake.

Ducaulle eats a decorative red and white layer cake.

Rou coughs softly at a slender white cigarette.

Bakhtuh blinks at Xenia before latching on to the word "spirits". He turns to
Arbre, "Ah, pardon me. Animal spirits?"

Rou tucks a cigarette behind his ear.

Ducaulle picks up a heavy glass bottle.

Riding her chariot of light, the great life-giver rises from her long sleep and
shoots a timorous ray over the horizon.

Arbre gives Bakhtuh a nod. "The animal spirits of Dendara," she says, "Though I
imagine I am speaking a foreign language here."

Kiershu shifts her stance, seeming to become more nimble on her feet.

Ducaulle cheers to himself a moment before turning the bottle of the rum
skyward.

Smirking, Moirean says to Arbre, "You forgot that before I was Commander, I led
the Pride."

Kiershu calls upon the Divine to grant her the grace of speed and is answered
with a ripple of energy flooding her body.

Clearly drained by her nimble maneuvers, Kiershu appears to slow down somewhat,
breathing heavily.

Lightly, Moirean says, "One does not easily forget a century of embracing the
animal spirits."

Meskhenet stepping up to Moirean, she murmurs something in the
woman's ear.

Kiershu nods her head at Moirean sagely.

Laying out some tools, Menelaus goes about crafting a cup.

You murmur to Moirean, "Whenever you want me to perform, I will. I did not want
to interrupt conversation."

Kiershu sips from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Zaephlyn sips the last drops from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with
traces of Tarean White.

Menelaus sticks out his lower lip, pouting at a cast-iron cooking pot
childishly.

Menelaus mumbles incoherently.

Menelaus gives a tall obsidian chalice to Ducaulle.

Moirean's attention is drawn to you and she nods, murmuring a soft reply back.

Bakhtuh scratches his chin and shakes his head, "Well, it is just...animals do
not have harvestable souls." He pauses a moment before continuing, "So...these
Dendara spirits..." He trails off, frowning at the goblet in his hand.

Moirean murmurs to you, "Aye, I was just thinking when would be good. Soon, I
think. Let the chatter die down a bit."

"The Pride is so different now, with their dhurives, I forget if you were still
about or no when the spirits abandoned them," Arbre says casually, raising a
brow at Moirean.

Akaryuterra takes notice of the glass in his hand. "Where'd we get this?" "The
table." Looking to the refreshments, he questions, "Why? I don't want it." As he
shakes his head, he responds, "Because we needed something to toast with, after
Moirean's speech. We can put it back."

Menelaus murmurs to Ducaulle, "You mentioned you wanted to try some right? It's
not ..addictive..nope..not at all..."

"Perhaps not in quantity that can be considered useable for your arts," Eleanor
suggests.

Akaryuterra says, "Fine."

Zaephlyn says quietly to Rou, "Would you like me to get rid of that empty glass
for you?"

Bakhtuh nods his head at Eleanor.

Akaryuterra inclines his head, "A moment."

Meskhenet nods towards Moirean and moves towards the table,
looking over the refreshments.

Moirean blinks at Arbre, staring at the woman in shock. After a moment, she
tilts her head back and begins to laugh in a long hearty chuckle.

Akaryuterra makes his way to the table to find a space for his glass.

Kiershu leans against the wall now, taking long drags of her cigarrete and quick
swigs of her bottle of rum. She listens intently to Arbre and Moirean. Smiling
as they continue on their conversation.

A cabalist of jherza glances momentarily around, as if revived from a deep
reverie, before relaxing into nonchalance once more.

Eleanor makes a fluttering gesture in the air. "Things like that tend to have
thresholds."

Almost wheezing as she forces her words out, Moirean says, "Why...why do...you
think...the spirits....abandoned them?"

Bakhtuh says to Eleanor, "Yes, I considered that. It is...something I have been
puzzling for some time now."

Kiershu takes a long drag from a lit slender white cigarette.

Rou smiles impishly and says to Zaephlyn, "I would if I still had it. I could
use another one though."

As Akaryuterra arrives at the table, he looks to you. "Drink?" he offers.

Kiershu sips from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

"I was not -there-," Arbre says, her voice almost a whine as she rolls her eyes
at Moirean, "I tried to pick up a lot of knowledge at once. You lost your ties
or some such, yes?"

Menelaus nudges Ducaulle suggestively.

Xenia sips her glass, retreating back to Noelle.

Bakhtuh murmurs to Eleanor, "If the Commander allows it, I would like to discuss
it in greater detail with your people. Maybe you already know the answers to all
my small questions."

Xenia murmurs to Noelle, "Too hard to figure out what they were talking about,
all very distracted!"

Eleanor nods to Bakhtuh. "Any time."

Noelle gives a quiet chuckle at Xenia's words.

Meskhenet raises up a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with
traces of North Terrace Red, smiling at Akaryuterra. "Got one, but thank you.
Have not seen you since the last ball I believe."

Bakhtuh nods his head at Eleanor.

Noelle murmurs to Xenia, "'m liking the talk..."

Zaephlyn nods as he moves to the basket near the refreshments and places his
empty glass in. After searching for a moment he picks up two glasses from the
table and makes his way back to the wall. Keeps ahold of both glasses and after
long moment finally looks to Rou, "Oh, you were wanting me to give you on of
mine.." He teases.

Xenia sips the last drops from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with
traces of North Terrace Red.

Zaephlyn puts a delicately etched Spirean wine glass into a plain wooden basket.

Zaephlyn picks up a delicately etched Spirean wine glass.

Zaephlyn picks up a delicately etched Spirean wine glass.

Xenia nods her head at Noelle.

Bakhtuh sips from a delicate silver goblet of gold-flecked champagne.

Akaryuterra places the glass on the surface of the table and gives a little
shrug. "I'm sure someone'll want it. Where's Korvok when ya need someone ta
drink booze?"

Zaephlyn coughs softly.

Zaephlyn says, "One."

Akaryuterra says, "Was it?"

Akaryuterra looks about himself, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Akaryuterra says, "Could'a been I guess."

Moirean nearly spills her drink as she shakes her head, still chuckling. "It's a
long story. Here's the brief version: I had cake with Chak. Duiran hated me for
it. The Hunter told me to reclaim the world for the wilds and said He would
welcome me back to Duiran Himself. I infiltrated my way into the armies of
Enorian and conquered Dun. He forgot about His promise and about me."

Akaryuterra places a tall glass on an elegant mahogany banquet table.

Eleanor picks up on Akaryuterra's thread of conversation. "Korvok wouldn't be
any good," she calls across. "What is this tiny cup you are giving me, eh? Is
fairy juice?" Her voice goes rough as she imitates the Ursal.

Akaryuterra says, "I am afraid I can not remember your name if we met."

Laying out some tools, Menelaus goes about crafting a cup.

Moirean shrugs, concluding, "And thought me a danger to the Pride when I took
over - after decades of Him gone and ignoring what I had done in His name, I
stopped caring about what He wished. So He abandoned the Sentinels. The spirits
fled shortly after. I was blamed."

Rising higher in the sky, the sun illuminates the land, confining darkness to
the shadows.

Arbre gives Moirean a sad smile. "Things are different now," she says quietly,
"Though I do not follow the Vinegiver for a reason."

Bakhtuh picks up a crimson and white lion cookie.

Bakhtuh eats a crimson and white lion cookie.

Meyvitch has been bludgeoned to death by a boisterous Nazetu child.

Her laughter stilled, though a faint, almost sour smile remains on her lips,
Moirean says to Arbre, "Many things change."

Menelaus drinks from a tall obsidian chalice full of acrid, daemon blood.

Meskhenet purses her lips in thought. "I don't believe names
where ever exchanged, I just remember you and your partner over there. And that
lovely puppet costume. Excellent idea, that." She offers out a pale hand towards
Akaryuterra, saying, "Meskhenet."

Kiershu takes a long drag from a lit slender white cigarette.

Kelliara inclines her head politely to those around her.

Rou says to Zaephlyn, "No, that's not it." Raising a green glass jug, he
continues, "I still have a bottle and then some, I was just biding my time."

Zaephlyn chuckles long and heartily.

Moirean bumps Arbre lightly with her hip and leans in to quietly murmur, "If
only you had changed sooner. I could have had a grandson better than the sour
wretch leading Enorian."

Xenia nod kelli.

Xenia nods her head emphatically.

Rou sips from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Noelle leans down, as her attention leaves the other conversations, and shifts
fully towards Xenia.

Zaephlyn shakes his head as he slips a glass into Rou's hand once it's free.

Zaephlyn gives a delicately etched Spirean wine glass to Rou.

"I- er-," Arbre says, furrowing her brow in clear confusion.


Noelle murmurs to Xenia, "A shame the music has mostly stopped, hm?"

Moirean takes a drink from her cup, smiling across its brim to Arbre.

Menelaus sips gingerly from a tall obsidian chalice of acrid, daemon blood.

Xenia glances up at Noelle, responding in a similar fashion.

Xenia murmurs to Noelle, "Yes, well there was a lot of trouble finding
musicians, it seems."

"I only know who one of your sons are, Miss Seirath, and I promise you I have no
intention of breeding with -him-," Arbre says with a frown.

Arbre says, "Who is even Vanguard anymore?"

Sudden realization dawns on Akaryuterra's face as the boys recall, "Oh, that
ball. You were there for that?" He smiles and nods- though the gesture comes
across as one of gratitude, "Thank you." In return he bows his head, "I am
Akaryuterra," he says, following the introduction with a second, "Ryotega."

Rou rumbles unknown phrases that resonate with earthen power.

Zaephlyn sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Noelle murmurs to Xenia, "I realize that, hm."

Akaryuterra's cheeks take a slight pink color, "I...I am not a great dancer, but
I certainly try sometimes, for her."

Moirean says to Arbre, "Daingean. He likes to pretend I do not exist."

A cloaked figure nudges Kiershu suggestively.

Xenia murmurs to Noelle, "Indeed. I think Tsvanni was supposed to sing as well,
but she's not around."

Rou sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Rou says to Zaephlyn, "Thanks!"

Zaephlyn nods his head at Rou.

Noelle snickers seemingly to herself, straightening her posture.

Ducaulle murmurs to Moirean, "I believe I'm about to take off, feeling fairly
odd."

Arbre shakes her head slowly. "Not certain I know that one. He is Albert's
then?") says, then cocks her head to the side curiously, "Do you know Rivas
Silverain?"

Meskhenet clears her throat and slips her hand back to her hip.
"You two were excellent. Much better than Dalton and I - especially when we
crashed into Piper and Zun," she adds wryly. "Well met, the two of you."

Arbre shakes her head slowly. "Not certain I know that one. He is Albert's
then?" she says, then cocks her head to the side curiously, "Do you know Rivas
Silverain?"

Beads of sweat gather on Menelaus's brow as he glances tentatively at Ducaulle.

Kiershu raises an eyebrow questioningly.

Menelaus says, "It certainly isn't from any drinks I gave him..."

Kallah deftly lowers the hood of a cloak of obscurity, revealing her identity.

Moirean murmurs to Ducaulle, "Oh? Don't really know many people, I suppose,
being so new."

Looking at Arbre intently, Kiershu quickly raises her hand high above her head.

Kallah murmurs to Kiershu, "Blind woman."

Kiershu says, "I do!"

Xenia's eyes shine with amusement.

Menelaus drinks from a tall obsidian chalice of acrid, daemon blood.

Zaephlyn sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Rou rumbles unknown phrases that resonate with earthen power.

Xenia says to Kiershu, "Great performance, by the way. I had no idea you could
play the violin."

Menelaus's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.

Menelaus says, "Kiershu is a woman of many talents."

Moirean nods, lips tightening into a tight line. "Albert's," she nearly spits.
She takes a short sip of her drink, inhaling and exhaling and gradually relaxing
before she finally replies, "Of course I know Rivas. Rivas is...Rivas."

With a sudden snicker, Moirean says to Arbre, "Has he shown you his bridges
yet?"

The ringing clang of some relentless forger's hammer sings out through the air.

Ducaulle grows still and his lips begin to move silently.

Arbre mutters, "That and more."

Kiershu says to Xenia, "Now you know! It was a pleasure..I must say I am abit
rusty. But thank you!"

Ducaulle is enveloped in translucent fire for a moment and is gone, his soul
safe until he returns to Aetolia.

Xenia nods her head at Kiershu.

Setne says to Kiershu, "You played wonderfully. I would be grateful for the
opportunity for some lessons one day."

Arbre clears her throat and says, "He and I have a son."

Noelle nods her head at Kiershu.

Attaining her fullest glory, the shining sun sits upon her throne at the apex of
her daily trek through the firmament.

Akaryuterra says, "All of those present danced well, I thought. It still takes
me a while to get used to walking, let alone dancing in this form. I was
expecting to stumble or fall at some point."

Akaryuterra plucks his cigarette from his lips, gesturing with it, "Was about
all 'e could do not ta fall."

Kiershu says to Setne, "Of course! We just need to find a luthier to get you all
setup!"

Moirean frowns at the answer, cheek twitching above a clenched jaw. Something
about the statement about a son visibly upsets her and she looks across the
room, clearly intent on changing the subject. "Another performance!" she
demands.

Double fisting drinks Menelaus drinks from his green glass jug with traces of
rum then a tall obsidian chalice of acrid, daemon blood and tries not to look at
Kallah. He then takes a few puffs off his lit rank-smelling blunt.

Akaryuterra says, "You were there too, you probably would have berated me for
making you look the fool."

Menelaus drinks from a tall obsidian chalice of acrid, daemon blood.

Akaryuterra says, "Lies."

Menelaus drinks from a green glass jug with traces of rum.

Menelaus takes a long drag from a lit rank-smelling blunt.

Akaryuterra snorts dismissively.

Akaryuterra says, "Of course."

Firmly, Moirean says to Menelaus, "Decorum. This is a ball, not a brothel."

You have emoted: Meskhenet lets out a quiet peal of laughter towards
Akaryuterra, her attention drawn towards Moirean. "I um. seems it is my turn."


Menelaus grunts a "Yes'm" and slows down at the behest of Moirean.

With a nod, Moirean says to you, "If you would!"

Arbre gives Moirean a strange look, closing her mouth to cut out whatever she
was about to say.

The ringing clang of some relentless forger's hammer sings out through the air.

Zaephlyn wryly says to Kallah, "I rather enjoyed your dress earlier."

"Eh ... heh...." Kallah chuckles nervously at Zaephlyn, scratching the back of
her neck sheepishly.

Kallah says to Zaephlyn, "Sorry."

Moirean drinks from a delicate silver goblet of gold-flecked champagne.

Kallah says to Zaephlyn, "Entirely uncomfortable that thing."

Setne cocks his head in the direction of you, positioning himself to best listen
to $meskhenet_hers performance.

Menelaus turns his attention to your performance.

Rou morphs before your eyes, taking on the form of Escutcheon.

Zaephlyn offers a light shrug, "I'm not one to force women into being
uncomfortable to look nice." He gives Kallah a light smile, "You look lovely as
well now too."

Kiershu twirls Kallah in a circle in front of her.

Kiershu grabs Kallah and sweeps her around and around in a joyful dance.

Moirean murmurs to Arbre, "I am sorry. There is. Hmm. My son. Duiran. Gone. It's
complicated."

Akaryuterra says, "Oh, please, do not let me prevent you from playing your
part."

Akaryuterra's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.

Kallah smiles at Zaephlyn.

Kiershu murmurs to Kallah, "There now you gotta dance too!"
sjkhg

Akaryuterra urges you on, "I look forward to hearing you play."

I'm afraid you'll have to clarify.

Kallah murmurs to Kiershu, "Heh."

Moirean's gaze lifts to stare across the chamber at Kallah. She smiles and lifts
her glass in a silent toast of greeting.

Meskhenet steps away from the table and Akaryuterra, lute in
hand as she moves towards the center of the room. "I well, this is a little
different, but I hope you all enjoy it."

Akaryuterra makes his way back to Eleanor and the others, taking up a spot at
her side.

Zaephlyn turns his attention to you quietly, awaiting the performance.

Arbre squeezes her arm lightly in Moirean's. "I -actually- came to return your
key," she says, "I am uncertain how I started there and ended in a dress."

Menelaus raises a hand to his mouth, stifling a laugh.

Akaryuterra deposits his cigarette at the corner of his mouth and takes hold of
one of Eleanor's hands.

Kallah smiles at Arbre.

Menelaus takes a long drag from a lit rank-smelling blunt.

Yusri arrives from the west.

Menelaus inclines his head politely to Yusri.

A sly grin appears on Meskhenet's lips as she begins a light
melody on a simple wooden lute, an incessant beat that stirs you to tap your
foot to the beat. Clearing her throat lightly, she begins to sing, her typically
quiet voice bright and clear.

Setne inclines his head politely to Yusri.

Bakhtuh steps away from those gathered, with one long thoughtful look directed
at Akaryuterra. He walks to a relatively quiet corner, and sips from his goblet.

Eleanor smiles up at Akaryuterra, giving his hand a squeeze.

The ringing clang of some relentless forger's hammer sings out through the air.

Moirean blinks back at Arbre. "I had forgotten," she replies, falling silent as
the singing begins.

Akaryuterra raises his hand in greeting to Yusri, so as not to speak over the
music.

You conjure up the illusion: The ballroom before you empties, transforming into
a tavern. A few patrons are moving around, drinking and talking quietly. Upon
the stage, your singer has disappeared. Instead, a small human girl is there,
with hair the color of the night sky that flows past her shoulders, to her
waist.

Moirean murmurs to Arbre, "Keep it. The house is silent. I wouldn't mind
visitors."

You conjure up the illusion: Emerald eyes look out at the audience in the
tavern. The girl begins to dance to the beat, her hips swaying, the dark
cascading around her seeming as if almost a covering, shimmering in the dim
light of the tavern. Your attention is drawn to the corner of the room, where a
silent, non threatening figure watches the girl with avid interest.

Yusri directs a brief, assessing glance over the throng, nodding briefly to
Menelaus and Setne in reply. She sidles across the chamber to stand beside
Akaryuterra.

Carson arrives from the west.

Menelaus inclines his head politely to Carson.

Akaryuterra murmurs to Yusri, "Welcome to the performance, it seems you are just
in time."

Kallah begins to intensify slowly until she appears flesh and blood once more.

Kallah projects a net of light about herself, and you watch as her image becomes
faded and ghostly.

Zaephlyn keeps his back firmly planted against the wall as he closes his eyes,
listening to the music.

Setne takes a large sip of his drink, ears tilted towards you, listening
intently to your performance.

Arbre has the key in hand, beginning to hold it out to Moirean but she changes
direction, clutching it to her chest instead.

Menelaus takes a silver falcon pin from an emerald and black Indorani backpack.

Menelaus puts on a silver falcon pin.

You sing, "Got a big plan, this mindset maybe its right. At the right place and
right time, maybe tonight. And the whisper or handshake sending a sign. Wanna
make out and kiss hard, wait, nevermind."

Noelle smirks at Xenia.

You conjure up the illusion: The man watching twists his hand in nervous
movements, eyes still watching the dancer as the song ends and she moves off of
the stage. Standing, the man moves towards the girl and offers a hand towards
her to shake.

Moirean's attention is caught and transfixed by the illusory scene. Her eyes
widen and her lips part as she watches a scene shape from shadows and mist.

Xenia winks knowingly at Noelle.

You conjure up the illusion: The girl frowns, and offers her hand, trying to be
polite, but clearly indicating by her body language that she would rather be
elsewhere. They shake hands, and the man quickly runs to the door and leaves,
clutching his stomach.

Kallah shifts slowly through the crowd, moving towards Arbre.

Kallah taps her nose knowingly at Arbre.

You sing, "Late night, and passing, mention it flipped her. Best friend, who
knows saying maybe it slipped. But the slip turns to terror and a crush to
light. When she walked in, he throws up, believe its the fright."

Arbre gives Kallah a nod. "Thank you," she says quietly.

Kallah nods in reply towards Arbre, turning to watch the fascinating scene
before her.


You conjure up the illusion: The man rushes out the door, and leans against the
wall outside of the tavern, trying to catch his breath. A glimmer of red flashes
through the young mans eyes, and he lets out a low growl, sounding more beastly
than human.

The body of Setne appears in a flash and his soul descends to fill it, causing
the previously expressionless face to fill with emotion.

Setne grumbles angrily.

You sing, "Its cute in a way, till you cannot speak. And you leave to catch your
breath, your knees get weak. An escape is just a nod and a casual wave. Obsessed
about it, heavy for the next two days."

Yusri directs a faintly baffled look over the illusory performance, sipping at
her cup.

Menelaus drinks from a tall obsidian chalice with traces of acrid, daemon blood.

Menelaus puts a tall obsidian chalice into a draconic egg chest.

You conjure up the illusion: The scene fades, and then comes back to the same
Tavern, this time, more patrons roam around, and the same girl is dancing on the
stage. The man stands at the window outside, watching and pacing between the
sills of the window, obviously waiting.

Macavity tilts his head back, inhaling sharply several times.

Kallah inclines her head politely to those around her.

Menelaus inclines his head politely to a cloaked figure.

Menelaus chants a brief spell and a flash of revealing light floods the room.
sing It's only just a crush, it'll go away. It's just like all the others it'll go away. Or maybe this

is danger and you just don't know. You pray it all away but it continues to grow.

You sing, "It's only just a crush, it'll go away. It's just like all the others
it'll go away. Or maybe this is danger and you just don't know. You pray it all
away but it continues to grow."

A cloaked figure growls at Menelaus menacingly.

Menelaus picks up a heavy glass bottle.

Menelaus gives a heavy glass bottle to Macavity.

You conjure up the illusion: The man pacing pauses, seeing the dancer gathering
her belongings. He steps back into the shadows, and waits for the woman to
leave.  As she saunters down the street, obviously in no rush, the man moves up
behind her, glancing furtively around to ensure no one is watching.

Zaephlyn sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

You conjure up the illusion: The man grabs the woman from behind, and covers her
mouth with a rough, calloused hand, shoving her against the wall of a nearby
building, his body pressed against hers tight. He whispers raspily in her ear...

A cloaked figure says to Menelaus, "Do not give me anything or even speak to me,
this is your one and only warning."

You sing, "I want to hold you close. Skin pressed against me tight. Lie still,
and close your eyes girl. So lovely, it feels so right. I want to hold you
close. Soft breasts, beating heart. As I whisper in your ear. I want to fucking
tear you apart."

Yusri murmurs to Akaryuterra, "Perhaps there will be some blood sport."

Carson sifts his way through the crowd to a place somewhat near Arbre.

Rou sips from his drink before slowly turning to Zaephlyn and leaning in as if
to murmur something before pausing.

Xemnas arrives from the west.
He is followed by a serpent spirit.

Xemnas inclines his head politely to those around him.

You conjure up the illusion: The dancer struggles against the man, trying to
bite at the hand covering her mouth, but failing. Her muffled screams are muted
by the sounds coming from the nearby tavern, and the man begins to smile slyly,
now confident in his prey. His free hand grasps a hand full of hair and yanks
her head back, baring the girls neck to the moonlight. His eyes flash red again
and he smiles again, this time fangs showing clearly as he leans down to bite
the dancers neck.

Xemnas asks, "Apparently I'm missing some sort of party?"

Kallah inclines her head politely to Xemnas.

Xemnas gives Kallah a tight hug.

Rou murmurs to Zaephlyn, "Remind me to never be without my proper skills at
these things."

"Oof!", Kallah sputters weakly, gasping for air.

Kiershu watches closely she pushes off the wall intently watching as it unfold.
A gleam in her eye as the scene continues.

Kiershu shifts her stance, seeming to become more nimble on her feet.

Kallah smiles at Xemnas.

Kallah murmurs to Rou, "Why not?"

Akaryuterra murmurs to Yusri, "There might be."

Arbre drinks from a delicate silver goblet of gold-flecked champagne.

You sing, "Either way he wanted her and this was bad. He wanted to do things to
her it was making him crazy. Now a little crush turned into a like.And now he
wants to grab her by the hair and tell her."

Zaephlyn looks to Rou and gives a light sigh, responding in a similar fashion.

Zaephlyn murmurs to Rou, "Or, you could just trust me."

Zaephlyn's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.

Arbre steps forward slightly, an instinctive motion to move away from those
behind her though she keeps her arm linked with Moirean.

Rou smiles at Zaephlyn.

Rou rumbles unknown phrases that resonate with earthen power.

You conjure up the illusion: The dancer struggles heavily at first, only causing
blood to spray out from her neck and splatter against her clothes and the wall
in front of her. As the man drinks, the woman's struggles slow and eventually
stop, her body becoming limp against the wall. The mangasps as he pulls away
from the woman and snarls..

A cloaked figure rumbles unknown phrases that resonate with earthen power.

Rou bares his teeth in a feral grin.

You sing, "I want to hold you close. Skin pressed against me tight. Lie still,
and close your eyes girl. So lovely, it feels so right. I want to hold you
close. Soft breasts, beating heart. As I whisper in your ear. I want to fucking
tear you apart."

Setne slowly fades into view, returning to the realm of perception.

Yusri draws her eyebrows together, looking at you in consternation.

Moirean takes her cue from Arbre and navigates her way slowly to the edge of the
crowd, her gaze still on the illusions filling the center of the hall.

Eleanor wrinkles her nose in distaste.

Kallah quietly takes a few steps back, shuffling towards Rou and Zaephlyn.

Yusri murmurs, "How torrid."

You conjure up the illusion: The vision before you fades, leaving with the the
man casually dropping the dancer, and fading into the shadows.

Kallah says to Rou, "Hello there..."

Akaryuterra murmurs to Yusri, "Not quite as I expected when told there would be
music. A excellent execution of illusory display, however. I have considered
displays of this size for demonstration purposes in the past."

Kallah says, "The pair of you owe me tea! And soon!"

Kallah casts a stern glance at Rou.

Meskhenet clears her throat and steps back towards the table,
lute still in hand.

Yusri murmurs to Akaryuterra, "Hardly the subject matter one expects for a
festival."

A deep, resonant note echoes from all throughout the corridors of the Citadel,
creating a tremulous sound that seems to rattle the sky itself. In its wake, a
chill wind bellows across the firmament, embracing the twilight of a new dusk.

Akaryuterra gives a small shrug.

Rou smiles at Kallah.

Menelaus ceases to wield a lit rank-smelling blunt in his left hand.

Menelaus drinks from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

A cloaked figure spits something in an unknown tongue, their breath shimmering
with heat.

Macavity morphs before your eyes, taking on the form of Lilith.

Moirean lifts her hand and her other arm, still linked with Arbre. She frowns
for a moment, and then solves the problem by clapping her own hand against
Arbre's.

Yusri gives a thin, rather lopsided smile, lifting her cup to you in a brief
salute.

Kallah smiles at Rou.

Kallah smiles at Zaephlyn.

Zaephlyn sets his glass on the nearest table and applauds you, with a wide
smile.

Arbre flicks her eyes over to Moirean with a grin, easing the motion.

As the display fades and you returns to the table Akaryuterra lifts his hands up
and applauds your performance.

Kiershu claps for you, applauding in appreciation.

Menelaus claps lightly and absentmindedly.

Bakhtuh pauses for a while after the illusions have faded. At the sight of
others applauding, he proceeds to clap heartily.

Yusri takes a drink from a small black ceramic cup.

Eleanor once again applauds politely, before stopping to take a slow drag from
her cigar.

Zaephlyn grasps his glass and sinks back into the wall giving Kallah a light
smile, "If you wish." He says quietly, in a thick accent.

Yusri eyes a small black ceramic cup, giving it the once over.

Bakhtuh picks up a crimson and white lion cookie.

Bakhtuh eats a crimson and white lion cookie.

Kiershu sips the last drops from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Zaephlyn sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Bakhtuh sips from a delicate silver goblet with traces of gold-flecked
champagne.

Kallah places her hands behind her back, ears twitching as she nods in response.

Moirean speaks up from the back of the hall, "If Kiershu and Meskhenet would be
so kind as to play one more tune, we'll finish the night with a dance contest!"

Menelaus gulps the last drops from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with
traces of North Terrace Red.

The stars wink into existence, familiar constellations illuminating the night
with tales of myth and legend.

Menelaus puts a delicately etched Spirean wine glass into a draconic egg chest.

Bakhtuh sips the last drops from a delicate silver goblet with traces of
gold-flecked champagne.

Meskhenet steps over towards Kiershu, murmuring softly.

Moirean says, "Partner up or dance individually - it's up to you. Credits will
be awarded to the best performances!"

Arbre groans slightly at Moirean. "You will have to find yourself a new date to
participate in this."

Yusri takes a pointed step towards the back of the room.

Kiershu nods her head at you.

You murmur to Kiershu, "Let's try something a little more upbeat, since my
performance was too morbid for some."

Kallah deftly moves out of the way, reclaiming her position against the wall.

Rou slinks off towards the shadows.

Rou morphs before your eyes, taking on the form of Kip.

Moirean stares back at Arbre and innocently asks, "To participate in what? The
judging?"

Moirean smirks at Arbre.

Akaryuterra turns a hesitant glance Eleanor's direction.

Dryly, Arbre says, "Not certain I will be much help with -that- either."

Noelle glances sidelong at Xenia, sipping her drink.

Macavity's feet are drawn firmly down against the earth.

Kiershu murmurs to you, "Sounds good! I'll lead off then! A moment."

Kiershu begins to wield a black polished violin in her right hand.

Kiershu shifts her stance, seeming to become more nimble on her feet.

Moirean murmurs to Arbre, "Not sure if I will be either, to be honest."

Moirean smiles wryly.

Clearly drained by her nimble maneuvers, Kiershu appears to slow down somewhat,
breathing heavily.

You nod your head at Kiershu.

Arbre blinks, looking at Moirean in sudden confusion.

Xenia smirks, returning Noelle's look.

Xenia murmurs to Noelle, "Do you want to dance in the contest?"

Kiershu places the violin to her chin again, nodding to Meskhenet she begins
strumming an upbeat tempo as her elbow sways back and forth.

Moirean returns the stare, equally confused. "You don't have to judge," she
shrugs.

"Of course I will do it with you," Arbre replies, a faint smile coming to her
face.

Noelle nods slowly at Xenia, responding in the same low tone.

Meskhenet waits a moment to listen to the melody before she
begins playing on a simple wooden lute, her melody mirroring Kiershu's.

Noelle murmurs to Xenia, "Though, I doubt we'll win, I can't do much."

With a small cough, Kallah moves over to wrap her arm around Moirean's free arm,
murmuring softly.

Yusri takes a drink from a small black ceramic cup.

Kallah murmurs to Moirean, "If you wished to pariticipate I could help!"

Kallah taps her nose knowingly at Moirean.

Eleanor's fingers curl around Akaryuterra's. "Nobody warned me there'd be
dancing," she mumbles.

A cloaked figure grabs a clay golem and sweeps it around and around in a joyful
dance.

A cloaked figure exclaims, "I win!"

Xenia murmurs to Noelle, "S'long as we don't have to go first, I say."

"Tea sounds nice." Rou says to Kallah with a smile before nonchalantly bumping
into Zaephlyn.

Yusri eyes a cloaked figure, giving him the once over.

A cloaked figure peers at Yusri suspiciously.

Kallah offers a small nose tap in Rou' direction.

Akaryuterra says to Eleanor, "Indeed...though it is a ball, I suppose."

Moirean stares back at Kallah and shakes her head frantically. "Oh no, oh no,"
she replies. "No dancing from me."

Noelle chuckles softly, offering Xenia a hand.

Kallah smiles nodding to Moirean.

Arbre says to Moirean, "You should go."

Drily, Yusri says, "I had not expected cowardice from the Commander of the Black
Keep."

Kallah nods her head at Moirean.

Arbre murmurs to Moirean, "You look beautiful. No reason not to show it off."

Eleanor sighs, surveying the gathering, her free hand on her hip. "Looks like
nobody else wants to do so, th-" she stops herself, overhearing Yusri's
challenge and glancing toward Moirean.

Zaephlyn nods his head at Rou.

Yusri raises an eyebrow at Moirean.

Moirean awkwardly stumbles forward, squeaking out a protest of "But who will
judge, then!"

Kiershu moving her fingers lower on the bridge of the violin, the pitch of the
notes becoming higher as her index finger wiggles atop the last string again,
letting her melody pick up even faster as the next flow of music from their
instruments wafts across the room.

Deepest Stygian night steals over the land as the symbolic hourglass empties and
turns, ready to begin a new day.
It is now the 19th of Lanosian, year 391 of the Midnight Age.

Bakhtuh taps his foot to the rhythm, humming softly to himself.

A violent shriek of steam escapes from within the Citadel, streaming into the
night sky and signalling the coming of midnight.

Arbre drops her arms from Moirean to fold her hands at her lap, taking a step
back to lean against the wall as she watches the woman with an amused smile.

"We are a democratic republic, are we not?" Yusri replies.

Kallah raises an eyebrow questioningly.

Carson tosses off his cloak, letting it pool to the ground with a soft clatter
of bone.

Kallah coughs softly.

Kallah murmurs to Moirean, "I know I left and all, but go have fun dance and
show off that gorgeous outfit. I can assist with the judging if you like."

Moirean scowls, but nods in agreement. "Fine, fine," she says. "We'll all vote."
She mutters quietly to herself as she slips out of her shoes, abandoning them in
a corner of a hall, before she joins the dancers in the center of the chamber.

In contrast to Kiershu's high pitched notes Meskhenet drops her
fingers lower on the strings, playing a lower chord, with a slightly off melody
from the violin. She does so in an effort to add layers to the music, and depth
to what is being played.

Yusri gives a small, rather satisfied nod, folding her arms and watching
intently.

Moirean tugs at Bakhtuh as she passing, pulling on his arm to drag him towards
the floor. Her other hand reaches out to snag Setne - apparently, if she's to
dance, so is half the city.

Xenia takes Noelle's hand with a smile.

"That was smooth," Arbre says, just loudly enough for Yusri to hear.

Noelle nods, leading Xenia to the center of the chamber along with the other
dancers.

Menelaus snickers silently to him self watching the scene unfolding in the
ballroom.

Akaryuterra says to Yusri, "So hold on, ya can egg 'er on, but yer not dancin'?"

Yusri pales slightly.

Bakhtuh stumbles as he is pulled, but manages to find his step. He looks around
himself for a bewildered amount before awkwardly swaying to the music, taking
little hops every now and then.

With the center starting to fill, Carson makes his way over towards Yusri.
"Dance?" the man asks Yusri, just after Akaryuterra had spoken up.

Arbre blinks at the sight of Carson, her ears twisting back through a look of
slow understanding crosses her face.

Yusri slits her eyes, giving Akaryuterra a look that could cut glass. "I." She
begins haughtily. "Do not dance." A pause. "Except with ser Korvok, historically
speaking."

Setne glances around with a confused look on his face, before stumbling forward
into what only a crazy person would constitute as dancing.

Akaryuterra prods Yusri verbally, "Hypocrite."

Setne stands up and stretches his arms out wide.

Rou sips from a water gourd with traces of Starion Private Stock.

Yusri gives Carson a blatant once-over, looking up and down appraisingly.

Eleanor sighs shortly and steps out toward the floor, picking up on the tune and
settling her free hand at Akaryuterra's waist. "Come on, you," she murmurs,
picking up on the tempo and stepping backward into the flow of the dance.

Bakhtuh starts to sidle away from the crowd in the centre of the hall, trying
not to bump into anyone.

Meskhenet tries to stifle a laugh, easily set into the tune and
melody at this point.

Akaryuterra blinks and turns his attention, successfully distracted from Yusri
now. "Uh, right." He places his hand on Eleanor's hip and grips her hand. As
soon as she steps back, he follows, miming her movements as the two of them take
to dance.

Moirean stumbles to avoid missing Xenia and awkwardly begins to sway. She
clearly is fairly horrid at this but she resolutely continues, closing her eyes
and absently moving her hands in the air on either side of her. As the music
continues, she slowly seems to find the rhythm, and her hips shift from side to
side in a sudden injection of grace.

Noelle turns towards Xenia, tugging the woman closer with a sharp movement, her
hand quickly finding Xenia's waist as she guides the Atavian in a dance.

Barda arrives from the west.

Kallah inclines her head politely to Barda.

Eleanor moves smoothly into a brisk foxtrot, her skirts flaring as she keeps
close to Akaryuterra and turns them both sharply, twirling into the steps of the
dance.

Bakhtuh manages to find a spot at the edge of the crowd where he perches
himself, tapping his foot and clapping to the music.

Yusri offers a clipped sigh, directs Akaryuterra's back a dirty look, and steps
up to Carson, her head barely reaching his shoulder. Blinking waspishly up at
him, she takes his hand.

Yusri murmurs to Carson, "My apologies in advance."

Barda tips a tan fedora hat with gold trim respectfully.

Kiershu's mouth turns up as her face breaks into a smile.

Kiershu sips from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Menelaus snaps dramatically and conjures up a nebulous phantasmic illusion of a
stygian ethereal beauty. She has long flowing hair but most details are obscured
in a fog-like veil. She offers her hand to Menelaus and he takes it, placing his
hand on her shimmering hip. He leads her in a gentle and refine minuet waltz.

Arbre tears her eyes away from Carson to focus on Moirean, slowly smiling at her
effort.

Bakhtuh drinks from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Xenia lays a hand on Noelle's upper arm. Catching her eyes, she jerks her head
towards Moirean. "Careful we don't bump into her," she says softly to Noelle.

Setne glances around him, slowing down into a semblance of knowledgeable
dancing, moving with a modicum of grace and something that seems less likely to
end with everyone splayed upon the ground.

Noelle smirks down at Xenia, glancing at Moirean as she murmurs to her partner.

Noelle murmurs to Xenia, "We can have her join us."

Jayke has been sliced apart by a crazed Nazetu cutter.

A grin cracks Carson's lips, though just barely, and he leads Yusri a few steps
back into the near-center of the room. His free hand is on Yusri's waist without
a word and he begins to slowly direct Yusri about, somewhat in time with the
music.

Menelaus spins the ethereal phantasm before dipping her low, and then continues
back to the normal steps of the dance.

Xenia smirks at Noelle, and nods her head, responding in kind.

Syndor has been bludgeoned to death by Mirathade.

Xenia murmurs to Noelle, "Yes, it could be entertaining. An Imp, Atavian and a
Xoranni all dancing in some sort of freidnship circle."

A vibrant note echoes through the air, emanating from the central spire. Brief
seconds later, a cold gust of wind bellows in, heralding the arrival of dawn's
waking breath.

Noelle nods sharply, and leads Xenia towards Moirean, her tail moving as to tap
the imp's shoulder, her dance ceasing briefly as she tries to get Moirean's
attention.

Moirean steps backwards and brings her arms about in a rising motion, sweeping
them across her body. Again, her hips dip and twist, and there is now a clear
fluid motion to her movements. Her arms arc behind her and plunge downwards
again, mirrored with a torquing twist of her body. She spins as she swings,
something vaguely, oddly familiar about her dancing.

Barely two moments have passed before Yusri whips her head down, staring at her
own rather large feet as she attempts to avoid stepping on Carson, the other
dancers, or her own tail. She mutters irritably to herself in Idrethi, claws
digging into Carson's shoulder absently as she allows him to guide her steps.


Akaryuterra's movements mesh with the flow of Eleanor's, following in almost
perfect time, as though they'd spent a lifetime practicing the act. As she
spins, he does, his eyes locking to Eleanor's in silent communication. His tie
comes loose from his waistcoait, loosely trailing his motions as a green streak.
As they continue, his lips peel back to bare a toothy grin at her.

Rou morphs before your eyes, taking on the form of Libria.

Kiershu speeds up the rhythm of the song, returning her fingers to the middle of
the bridge, moving dazzlingly fast to match Meskhenet's melody again. The two
instruments blend together beautifully sending vibrant tones throughout the
hall.

Setne blushes slightly, an embarrassed look crossing his face. With a slight bow
and apology, he removes himself from the dance floor, throwing himself back into
his previously occupied seat.

Setne sits down on a simple rocking chair.

Arbre drinks from a delicate silver goblet with traces of gold-flecked
champagne.

Menelaus continues his somber dance with the illusion in a quite melancholic
fashion.

With nary a whisper nor a sigh, rosy-fingered dawn creeps into the land,
stealing the soul of the night.


Bakhtuh grips his bottle and steals his way towards Setne, dropping to a squat
beside his chair, watching the dancers with an abstract grin.

Xenia glances down at Moirean, tapping her shoulder. With an amused look she
extends a hand to the Imp.

Setne throws back his goblet, taking down a big gulp while watching the group
dance.

Eleanor's eyes twinkle as she returns the grin, not missing a step- the pair
sweep along the periphery of the dancefloor, stepping in time, turning
gracefully to allow one partner or the other to move forward, the other stepping
backward in synchronim. Her fingers curl at Akaryuterra's waist, crinkling the
pinstriped fabric of his coat slightly.

Bakhtuh picks up a crimson and white lion cookie.

Bakhtuh eats a crimson and white lion cookie.

Carson's movements pause momentarily, long enough for his hand to reach up and
try to lift Yusri's chin with a simple touch just under it before it is
redirected back to Yusri's waist. "Relax," he says under his breath, casting a
non-chalant smile at the others who move around himself and Yusri. While clearly
having some practice, Carson is by no means an expert and his wings brush
against Moirean at one point on accident as he'd gotten too close.

Barda backs himself against a nearby wall, he tips his fedora up a bit before
crossing his arms and watching the dancers intently.

Moirean pauses and peeks one eye open as she spins about, glancing at the other
dancers. Her movements shift, taking on a faster pace, as she lightly flings an
arm forward and back, delicately extending her hand in a series of quick,
flicking motions.

Bakhtuh sips from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Seeing the true passion of Akaryuterra and Eleanor, Menelaus finishes his steps
and then lets go of the nebulous phantasmic beauty, removing the one hand from
her hip. As he wanders away from her she begins to melt away to nothingness, his
fingertips that was holding her hand lightly brushing hers, the last piece of
her to disintegrate.

Arbre begins to hum lightly to herself along with the music, seemingly content
in her position.

Xenia shrugs at Noelle, taking the opportunity to spin under her arm.

Menelaus makes his way back to the shadows, a bit away from everyone else.

Meskhenet continues to maintain the beat, extending the song
along with Kiershu to let the couples continue dancing.

Noelle chuckles with the sudden movement, shrugging as she returns to her dance
with Xenia, her own movements practiced and neat, easily matching the music.

Menelaus drinks the last drops from a battered iron cup with traces of holy
water.

Moirean takes Xenia's offered hand and her "dancing" again changes pace, still
vaguely reminiscent of something seen outside of a ballroom. Her free arm swings
through the air in an overhand motion, slicing downwards in time with the beat.

Menelaus puts a battered iron cup into a draconic egg chest.

Menelaus drinks the last drops from a green glass jug with traces of rum.

Setne asks Bakhtuh, "They make us look the fools do they not?"

Menelaus puts a green glass jug into a draconic egg chest.

Menelaus drinks from a green glass jug with traces of rum.

"I am perfectly relaxed." Yusri asserts in a hissing undertone, slitting her
eyes at Carson. She exhales, sharply, and despite her declaration, the deathgrip
on Carson's shoulder grudgingly loosens, and she narrowly avoids smacking Xenia
in the back with her tail in passing.

Bakhtuh asks Setne, "They do?"

Setne says, "If not you, me at least. I was never good at dancing. More
flailing, less graceful movement. My dancing usually ended with someone losing
an eye or worse."

Bakhtuh says to Setne, "Those who can dance, let them dance. Those who cannot,
let them not. I do not see the foolery in this, Tyrant."

Atraya's eyes sparkle with amusement as she gazes upon Setne.

Zaephlyn gives a light chuckle as he watches the dancers and takes a sip from
his glass.

Zaephlyn sips the last drops from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with
traces of North Terrace Red.

Setne says to Bakhtuh, "Well said, but I feel there's never harm in trying.
Unless you're me of course."

Bakhtuh murmurs to Setne, "My own dancing has always been after a lot of
drinking and usually involves a warhammer being swung at some point, not exactly
fit for this ball."

Casting off her final fetters, the luminous lady awakens fully, shedding her
joyful light from horizon to horizon.

Xenia spins Moirean towards Noelle her eyes shining with amusement.

Kiershu murmurs to you, "I think this is just lovely! A tad different than a
Consanguinic ball..but still quite fun!"

Rou sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

At times, it seems more like Eleanor is in the lead and Akaryuterra is simply
following, but as they spin about and dance to the beat of the music, that
appearance shifts, each of them taking turns. His shoes tap against the floor in
rhythm as well, adding a frantic feel to the couple's pacing as they keep up
with the music and prolong the energetic dance. In a short time, his ties is
twisted and flipped up over his shoulder. Whether planned or not, he turns the
two of them into a spin and then dips Eleanor low, bending over her. As he does,
his tie slides back down to hang between them while they pause for a handful of
beats. In no time, they spring up to their feet again and resume as if they had
never stopped.

Rou slides over close to Zaephlyn and says with a nod, "You didn't want to
dance, right?"

Kallah peers at Rou suspiciously.

Bakhtuh says to Setne, "There is no harm in trying when you have evaluated the
situation and planned for it. Trying blindly at anything is a sure way to fail
horribly at it."

Kallah peers at Zaephlyn suspiciously.

Kallah says, "You two should."

Zaephlyn looks to Rou and promptly shakes his head. He looks at Kallah giving a
glare that might raise the dead from their coffins.

Menelaus murmurs to Rou, "You should dance with Kallah then."

Setne seems to think for a moment before nodding slowly at Bakhtuh.

Arbre drinks the last drops from a delicate silver goblet with traces of
gold-flecked champagne.

Arbre puts a delicate silver goblet into a durable kitbag of fiery hues.

Bakhtuh sips from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Kallah grins mischievously at Rou.

Noelle takes Moirean's free hand once the imp gets close, smirking, "Havin' fun,
Commander miss?" She asks, leading Moirean in yet another spin.

Meskhenet flashes a grin at Kiershu and nods, watching all of
the dancers with a sharp eye.

Carson's smile curls a bit more and he glances at Yusri, offering merely a nod.
He is content to keep with the slower pace than the music, choosing safety of
those around him whether by his wings or Yusri's tail.

Finding her drink empty, Arbre leans up off the wall and moves over to the
table.

Rou shakes his head at Menelaus.

Menelaus seems to think for a moment before nodding slowly.

Menelaus drinks from a green glass jug with traces of rum.

Arbre picks up a delicate silver goblet.

Eleanor manages to arch backward gracefully as Akaryuterra twirls her into the
dip, keeping her balance and twirling smoothly upright again as the momentum of
the dance continues. Her velvety skirts swirl and flare prettily about her legs
and Akaryuterra's as the dance tracks its way around the floor, giving each of
them ample chance both to see everyone around and also to be seen. She lifts a
hand from Akaryuterra's waist, briefly, catching his tie and straightening it
briefly, though it likely won't stay put for long given the continued sweep of
their dance.

Moirean nimbly maintains her balance as she is spun sideways, her body weaving
in a dodging step as she moves with an unmistakable hint of combat training. She
tries to lift her arm to block her head, as if to parry Noelle or Xenia or
merely their combined dance moves, but instead finds herself ensnared in a trap
worse than a Sentinel's binding: slightly-drunken young women, intent on dancing
with her.

Zaephlyn steps around Rou silently placing a hand on Menelaus' shoulder before
he says strongly, "Please don't offer my date to others. It's not your
business."

Menelaus blinks vacantly, staring at nothing in particular.

Menelaus lowers his head as he realizes how ashamed he is of himself.

Barda leans forward off the wall, quickly slipping a vial to his mouth he takes
a sip and begins floating a few feet off the ground giving himself some extra
height. He makes his way through the dancers to Moirean and lets a small smile
out as he holds out a hand, "May I have a dance Commander?"

The corners of Menelaus's mouth turn up as he grins mischievously.

Zaephlyn steps back into his place for a brief moment before he peers at Atraya.
He ponders for awhile before stepping off the wall and taking her arm and
pressing into the crowd. Pressed close for but a moment he grins and spines her
about, unintentionally bumping into others.

Xenia releases Moirean's hand in recognition to Barda's request.

Noelle glances at Barda, leading Xenia away as to allow them some space, her
hands returning to the Atavian before her.

Bakhtuh sips the last drops from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Yusri is actually managing a modicum of rather dour grace under Carson's
guidance, though whether or not she could be said to be enjoying herself is
rather unclear. She even manages a stilted, nearly disastrous twirl at an
appropriate moment, her barbed tailtip scything out from her whirling longcoat
at precisely ankle-level.

Burdened with madness, the cacophonous voice of Aarbrok resounds, "As the storm
brews overhead, he who speaks ill of one so beloved can find themselves out of
fingers to count newfound enemies upon. Slander of a kind woman never earns a
bad man respects, only new hardships. Consider this a warning, bellowed from the
valley."

Menelaus wears an expression on his countenance that breaks up the brooding for
a brief moment of shock. The look almost says, Now I have seen it all.

Menelaus drinks from a green glass jug with traces of rum.

Arbre moves over to an empty chair, dragging it a couple of feet back to ensure
she is well out of the way of the dancing before she takes a seat alone,
focusing her attention on her drink.

Arbre drinks from a delicate silver goblet full of gold-flecked champagne.

Rou morphs before your eyes, taking on the form of Arxalion.

Moirean gratefully retreats from the teaming, twisting away to take Barda's
hand. She leans in closer, whispering quietly in his ear as she stares around
the room, tactically assessing the dance floor with a scrutinizing eye. "Right,"
she lowly mutters to Barda. "They have the exits covered, but maybe if I tumble
and you leap..."

Atraya lets out a small screech as Zaephlyn grabs her and pulls her into the
crowd but before she can register what is happening, she is spun around, her
tail whipping out behind her and accidentally hitting other dancers. "Sorry!"
she mutters under her breathe.

Finding his bottle empty, Bakhtuh picks himself up and lurches to the table. He
pauses for a moment while Arbre pulls her chair over. With a nod, he passes her
by to pick another bottle from the table.

Bakhtuh picks up a heavy glass bottle.

Arbre lifts her chin and rolls her shoulders back as she sits up straighter, her
eyes finding Carson.

Bakhtuh sips from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Menelaus gulps from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

As expected Akaryuterra's tie is up and about, fluttering in the wake of their
brisk movements. Even as they dance, and Yusri twirls nearby, the human keeps a
wary eye on his surroundings, affording a small hop to clear the dangerous tail.
When he lands, he bends his knees and flashes Eleanor a pointed look as he gives
her just short of a second to react as he begins a sudden lift from Eleanor's
hips- if she doesn't manage to stop her own momentum, this could mean a pile of
disheveled dancers is imminent.

Kallah crosses the back of the room, after patting Rou's shoulder. Finding her
way over to Arbre, she quietly leans in to whisper a few words.

Menelaus takes a long drag from a lit rank-smelling blunt.

The ringing clang of some relentless forger's hammer sings out through the air.

Arbre nods to Kallah, her eyes never leaving Carson.

Noelle begins to intensify slowly until she appears flesh and blood once more.

Noelle projects a net of light about herself, and you watch as her image becomes
faded and ghostly.

Kallah nods, rising to cast a glance towards Moirean.

Rou offers Kallah a smile in her passing as he continues to watch Zaephlyn and
Atraya, comfortable at his wall.

Eleanor catches the eye contact just in time, bracing her hand against
Akaryuterra's shoulder- the result is a flashy lift and twirl in the dance- not
terribly long-lived, but a flurry of swirling skirts and a showy flair all the
same. The circular momentum of the dance means that she swings safely down on
the other side of Akaryuterra, clear of Yusri's tail.

Rou sips from a delicately etched Spirean wine glass with traces of North
Terrace Red.

Kallah sends a small salute towards Moirean, moving for the door. She quickly
turns to look back over the room, a small incline of her head with her exit.
murmur kiershu Perhaps time to starting drawing the song to a close

You murmur to Kiershu, "Perhaps time to starting drawing the song to a close."

Setne taps his foot along with the music, gaze wandering around the room,
stopping ever few seconds to focus on a particular section or group.

Zaephlyn smirks lightly when he notices Atraya's tail whacking others and looks
to her with a wink. He pulls her close to himself for a moment before stepping
back, his feet in sync with her own. Then steps forward dipping her low to the
ground. With a deft movement he once again pulls her upright and twirls her
about. Releasing his grip on the woman to allow her to dance alone.

Carson tries to guide Yusri with as much know-how as he can, though there's
little he can do about the hazards of tail slung around with the twirl. A pause,
and then the Azudim has pressed himself in closer in towards Yusri than he had
been originally, caring little for whatever personal space had been left. His
pace picks up, rising with the energetic movements of Eleanor and Akaryuterra.

Kiershu nods her head at you.

Bakhtuh sips from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

The movement catches Arbre's eye and she looks over to Eleanor and Akaryuterra
with curiosity.

Barda continues smiling and gently places his free hand on the shoulder of
Moirean, he begins leading her in a slow, but well paced dance. His feet move
slightly clumsy without being on solid ground. He leans in and says quietly, "I
am not much of a dancer, but it's a ball after all might as well try my best."

Arbre drinks from a delicate silver goblet of gold-flecked champagne.

The sun begins her downward journey towards eventual sleep, casting even, full
light upon the land.

Kiershu slows her movements now, the her violins sharp notes wafting off into
the distance as she takes the violin from her chin, softly pluckling the strings
as she brings her melody to a slow pace.

Kiershu shifts her stance, seeming to become more nimble on her feet.

Clearly drained by her nimble maneuvers, Kiershu appears to slow down somewhat,
breathing heavily.

The ringing clang of some relentless forger's hammer sings out through the air.

Moirean glowers at the sudden but inevitable betrayal and lets out a sigh,
following Barda's lead. "Fiiiine," she grunts, doing her best to keep time.

You have emoted: Meskhenet mimics Kiershu, her constrasting notes slowing down
and drawing the song near to its completion.

Menelaus sways drunkenly and falls to the ground in an undignified heap.

Menelaus stands up and stretches his arms out wide.

Bakhtuh sips from a heavy glass bottle with traces of rum.

Bakhtuh picks up a crimson and white lion cookie.

Atraya slowly fades into view, returning to the realm of perception.

Atraya tosses a sparkling cloud of dust over herself, and vanishes little by
little into invisibility.

Bakhtuh eats a crimson and white lion cookie.

Menelaus sways drunkenly and falls to the ground in an undignified heap.

Menelaus stands up and stretches his arms out wide.

Movements slowing with the music, Xenia steps closer to Noelle as the two wave
through the crowd. From time to time she glances at the wake of the two women,
checking on the Xorani's tail.

Atraya reaches out behind her with one hand, gripping Zaephlyn with her other
hand to keep her tail from doing more damage. As she is dipped and spun then
released she loses her balance and stumbles blindly into a few dancers. Atraya
quickly mutters a few sorries, finally gripping her tail and making her way
through the crowd, trying to avoid the dancers.

Doggedly stepping in time with Carson, Yusri draws herself up, offered neither
the time or breath to object to the sudden closeness. Her rather desperately
focused gaze keeps flicking down to check on her appendages, but for the most
part she manages not to fall over.

Zaephlyn slips back to the wall, next to Rou and gives him a small smile,
whispering, "Sorry about that.."

Kiershu finally drops the violin from her chin and lets it rest cradled in her
arms, watching the couples dance as she finishes.

Noelle soon stops moving as the music ceases, her tail moving to coil around her
ankle, and out of the way.

Rou shakes his head at Zaephlyn, returning the smile with a grin. "Glad it
wasn't me."

Zaephlyn offers Rou a light smirk and nods, "I'm sure."


Barda lowers his hand from the shoulder of Moirean, moving it to her mid back.
He attempts a twirl but his small arms won't let him get it high enough, so
instead he releases his grips for the end of the song has come and steps back,
allowing his body to fall slowly back to the ground. He lets out a slight blush,
"Apologies Commander, did not mean to just force myself in there."

Atraya makes it back to the wall beside Zaephlyn, "You'll pay for that." she
whispers, crossing her arms over her chest and staring stubbornly ahead.

Zaephlyn chuckles at Atraya.

Akaryuterra finishes the lift by extending his arm and spinning Eleanor out tos
his side, both arms flung wide as their firm grip on eachother's hand endures
the tension of their snappy stop. He glances to her, meeting her gaze just
before tugging her back toward himself to reverse the spin and bring the two of
them into contact again.

Kiershu swings her arm up and high fives you enthusiastically.

Kiershu takes a long drag from a lit slender white cigarette.

Kiershu exhales a white cloud of smoke, redolent with pungent scents.

Xenia leans against Noelle, stretching an arm around her waist.

And just as quickly as Carson had sped up the pace, he has allowed it to fall
back as well, the music having shifted down quite a few notches until it
eventually has almost waned entirely. His eyes find Arbre once before his
attention returns to Yusri, to whom he offers a similar smile as from before.

Eleanor beams despite herself, clinging close to Akaryuterra and reaching up to
stroke a hand tenderly along $akaruterra_his cheek as the brisk dance draws to
its inevitable close, her skirts swirling with momentum around them both before
finally settling.

Carson murmurs to Yusri, "Got my confidence at all the wrong time. You shouldn't
worry so much when you've got an oaf to distract others from your own moves."

Moirean grunts as she is kinda-sorta spun from side to side and finally comes to
a halt. "It's ok," she replies to Barda. "Ser Toz apparently didn't want to
force his way in at all. So, at least you weren't left out, like he was."

Moirean mutters, "And l... he will .. .or th. ...t month."

Noelle slowly fades into view, returning to the realm of perception.

Noelle tosses a sparkling cloud of dust over herself, and vanishes little by
little into invisibility.

Xenia snickers at Moirean's comment.

Menelaus says, "My vote is Akaryuterra and Eleanor for first, Yusri and Carson
for third, and I don't know about third so much."

Menelaus nods his head at himself.

Menelaus says, "Second.."

Menelaus coughs softly.

Menelaus clears his throat.

Minarael has been sliced apart by a lurking shadow.

Noelle reaches to pat Xenia's head, an amused smile on her features.

Moirean hastily retreats from the center of the room and coughs, before she
raises her voice. "Other votes!" she demands.

Menelaus says, "Yusri and Carson second I meant."

Beads of sweat break out on Menelaus's brow.

Yusri returns Carson's smile uncertainly, the expression rather odd and
breathless as the dance comes to and end. A few seconds pass before she recalls
her grip on his shoulder and waist, and she retracts her hands.

Eleanor leans against Akaryuterra, taking a few moments to catch her breath.

Zaephlyn says, "I vote Director Atraya takes first for her unrivaled
clumsiness."

Meskhenet sets down her lute, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.
"Akaryuterra and Eleanor for first, Carson and Yusri for second, and Noelle and
Xenia for third - the second and third place for people stepping out of their
comfort zones."

Yusri murmurs to Carson, "Thank you, ser. That was rather more, ah.. enjoyable
than expected."

The body of Setne appears in a flash and his soul descends to fill it, causing
the previously expressionless face to fill with emotion.

Setne leans over to one side before standing up again.

Barda backs himself back to the wall and lowers his fedora to cover the majority
of his face.

Bakhtuh nods his head at you, showing his acceptance.

A deep, resonant note echoes from all throughout the corridors of the Citadel,
creating a tremulous sound that seems to rattle the sky itself. In its wake, a
chill wind bellows across the firmament, embracing the twilight of a new dusk.

Setne tosses a sparkling cloud of dust over himself, and vanishes little by
little into invisibility.

Setne projects a net of light about himself, and you watch as his image becomes
faded and ghostly.

Bakhtuh says, "I second that vote, yes."

Menelaus nods his head at you, showing his acceptance.

Moirean says, "All right. A show of hands."

Menelaus raises his hand quickly to high above his head.

Arbre drinks from a delicate silver goblet of gold-flecked champagne.

Menelaus puts a green glass jug into a draconic egg chest.

Eleanor smoothes her hair back from her face. "I must admit to being a bit
distracted, but I thought Moirean was putting on a good show."

Menelaus quickly devours a bunch of green grapes.

Somewhat confused, Setne creases his brow uncertainly.

Menelaus nods his head at Eleanor, showing his acceptance.

Moirean says, "First: The...uhh...Junakutz-Lionheart's? Is that what you two are
called?"

Menelaus grins mischievously at Moirean.

Atraya begins to intensify slowly until she appears flesh and blood once more.

Atraya projects a net of light about herself, and you watch as her image becomes
faded and ghostly.

Barda makes a low grunting noise before quietly saying, "I wasn't here long
enough to judge."

Zion has been burnt beyond recognition by Amelas.

Moirean points accusingly at Eleanor.

Moirean points accusingly at Akaryuterra.

Moirean points accusingly at Akaryuterra.

Moirean says, "Them."

Akaryuterra's recovering his breath as well, but gives a nod in response to
Moirean as he pants slightly.

Yusri quips breathlessly, "'The usual suspects' is perhaps a more fitting term."

Moirean says, "Hands raised to vote for them."

Noelle raises her hand quickly to high above her head.
raise

You raise an eyebrow questioningly.

Bakhtuh raises his hand and nods.
cough
raisehand

Menelaus raises his hand quickly to high above his head.

You cough softly.

Kiershu raises her hand quickly to high above her head.

You raise your hand quickly to high above your head.

Eleanor wrinkles her nose, apparently uncertain whether to laugh or be dismayed
at the sudden attention.

Yusri raises her hand quickly to high above her head.

Carson raises his hand quickly to high above his head.

Xenia raises her hand.

The body of Zaephlyn appears in a flash and his soul descends to fill it,
causing the previously expressionless face to fill with emotion.

Moirean says, "Seems we have a majority right there!"

"Heh heh heh," Menelaus chuckles.

Akaryuterra's cheeks turn red and he drags a hand down his cheek just befor
taking a deep breath.

Menelaus hums a happy tune.

Akaryuterra says, "Ah."
sjkhg

Surely you jest!

Carson's hands find the pockets on his slacks, a comfortable and familiar
position for him. He stays near Yusri, a lack of any other place to really
settle himself amongst the crowd.

Akaryuterra says, "Well."

Akaryuterra says, "Thank you, I suppose."

Menelaus congratulates Akaryuterra with some wild clapping.

Menelaus throws up his hands and cheers wildly for Eleanor!

Kiershu throws up her hands and cheers wildly!

Menelaus takes a long drag from a lit rank-smelling blunt.

"HROAGH!" Kiershu shouts, her voice defiant like a challenge to the Gods
themselves.

"Heh heh heh," Menelaus chuckles.

The stars wink into existence, familiar constellations illuminating the night
with tales of myth and legend.

Yusri insinuates an arm around Carson's without apparently being fully cognizant
of the act, her attention fixed on Akaryuterra and Eleanor.

Eleanor grins at Akaryuterra, apparently amused by the embarrassment- then she
curtseys to everyone else, ducking her head modestly at the applause.

Moirean raises her hands to still the cheering. "Now, onto some quick business,
and then one final activity," she shouts over the noise.

Zaephlyn murmurs to Rou, "See what I mean by ignored?"

"Oooo!" Kiershu enthuses.

Kiershu takes a long drag from a lit slender white cigarette.

Atraya sticks out her lower lip in a pout.

Rou morphs before your eyes, taking on the form of Escutcheon.

Akaryuterra bows deeply- with two added floureshes, one with his hand, one with
his tie.
sjkhg

Rou nods his head at Zaephlyn sagely.

Kiershu exhales a white cloud of smoke, redolent with pungent scents.

Most perplexing.

Moirean says, "First, the Town Hall meeting is tomorrow - read my post to see
the topics for discussion. Mail me a letter, message me, or request a private
chat if you can't make the meeting."

Moirean exclaims, "Second, the city lottery!!!"

Rou sips from a water gourd with traces of Starion Private Stock.

Eleanor reaches over and calmly tucks Akaryuterra's tie back into his waistcoat.

Menelaus crosses his fingers hopefully.

Kiershu's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Aside to Yusri, quietly, Carson asks, "Is she always this loud?"

Rou leans comfortably on Zaephlyn.

Xenia takes a deep breath, stepping closer towards Moirean.

Beads of sweat gather on Menelaus's brow as he glances tentatively at Xenia.

Menelaus gulps nervously.
murmur zaephlyn If you had danced you would not have been, BE ACTIVE.

You murmur to Zaephlyn, "If you had danced you would not have been, BE ACTIVE."

Moirean says, "Lot 1 has been won by Xenia!"

Menelaus congratulates Xenia with some wild clapping.

Moirean says, "Actually, Xenia won most everything."

Moirean coughs softly.

Yusri murmurs to Carson, "Essentially, yes."

Akaryuterra says, "Congratulations."

Xenia smirks.

Menelaus sniffles softly.

Moirean says, "Lot 3 goes to Menelaus!"

Atraya murmurs to you, "He did dance."

Menelaus says, "Awesome!"

Atraya rolls her eyes.

Bakhtuh claps for Xenia, applauding in appreciation.

Moirean says, "And the rest is all to Xenia. So!"

Akaryuterra smiles anc claps his hands in celebration of the winners.

"Heh heh heh," Menelaus chuckles.

Barda smirks.

A grin slides onto Carson's lips.

Setne eyes Xenia, giving her the once over.

Xenia says to Menelaus, "What do you need with all that bling?"

Menelaus says, "Well I should of bid a bit more."

Bakhtuh claps for Menelaus, applauding in appreciation.

Barda says to Xenia, "Good job."

Menelaus smiles at Bakhtuh.

Xenia nods her head, replying to Barda, "Yes, I've always been one to gamble!"

Moirean says, "The crafting contest was won by Servo, with his design of a
Spires-themed pike. This will be stocked in the city shop."

Menelaus says to Xenia, "I thought of it as a high-risk investment. Chaos can
sometimes pay off with proper introspection and deductive logics."

Noelle begins to intensify slowly until she appears flesh and blood once more.

Noelle projects a net of light about herself, and you watch as her image becomes
faded and ghostly.

Menelaus nods his head in agreement.

Yusri furrows her brow in consternation.

Moirean says, "I have something fun which will be unveiled next month at the
Town Hall meeting..."

Menelaus says, "I wish I had submitted for that, sorry."

The body of Zaephlyn appears in a flash and his soul descends to fill it,
causing the previously expressionless face to fill with emotion.

Menelaus removes a masculine, polished golden band.

Menelaus puts a masculine, polished golden band into an emerald and black
Indorani backpack.

Moirean says, "There are several ministry spots open for application. Speak to
me if you have any questions about that!"

Moirean says, "And now, if you all would follow me, we'll make our way to the
Spire of Mystery for a sermon to conclude the night's festivities."

Menelaus claps his hands together merrily.

Setne stands up and stretches his arms out wide.

Zion has been reduced to his elemental constituents by Xiuhcoatl.

Barda steps away from the wall and nods slowly, his fedora still tipped low.

Zaephlyn removes a mantle of dissolution.

Arbre pushes herself out of her seat and returns to her original position at
Moirean's side.

Zaephlyn beckons Rou to him.

Zaephlyn puts on a mantle of dissolution.

Yusri wrinkles her nose, flaring her nostrils briefly. To Carson, she directs a
glance, retrieving her arm. "My gratitude for an entertaining evening." She
murmurs.

Eleanor smoothes her skirts down, falling into step near Moirean.

Moirean glances about the crowd briefly, stating, "Last call, or find your own
way there."

Menelaus places his fingers to his mouth, pausing for a moment before blowing
hard, creating a sharp, carrying whistle.
A donkey trots in, beckoned by its master's call.

A donkey begins to follow Menelaus obediently.

Menelaus swiftly swings up onto a donkey.

Moirean touches a prism tattoo and suddenly a razor-thin beam of prismatic light
shoots off into the distance.
sjkhg


Zaephlyn says to you, "I thought your scene was splendid."

Carson gives a nod in Yusri's direction, sort of a half-tilt.

Akaryuterra, Arbre, Barda, Eleanor, Menelaus, and Xenia leave to the ether.

Bakhtuh leaves to the east.

Bakhtuh arrives from the east.

Bakhtuh leaves to the west.


Yusri smooths down her longcoat, retrieves her cup, and with a half-bow to the
assembly, steps out.

You have emoted: Meskhenet starts to say something to follow, but falls short as
the group leaves. With a shrug, she picks up her lute, offering a smile to
Zaephlyn. "Glad someone enjoyed it."

Yusri leaves to the west.

Zaephlyn says to Atraya, "Thank you for the good time, Director."

Zaephlyn shrugs helplessly at you.

Deepest Stygian night steals over the land as the symbolic hourglass empties and
turns, ready to begin a new day.
It is now the 20th of Lanosian, year 391 of the Midnight Age.

A violent shriek of steam escapes from within the Citadel, streaming into the
night sky and signalling the coming of midnight.

Zaephlyn gives Atraya a respectful salute.

Rou leaves to the west following Zaephlyn.

Kiershu tilts her head back, inhaling sharply several times.

Kiershu shifts her stance, seeming to become more nimble on her feet.

Carson gives you a long look before making his way out as well.

Carson leaves to the west.

Meskhenet glancing over the drinks on the table, she spies a
bottle of rum, quickly picking it up. "Think it is time for a drink and a dip in
my pool."