Estella shrugged as he asked about adventures and glanced back at the Merrow. She felt a little guilty about leaving him but her mind turned to her experiences. She hadn't really thought of them as that persay when she'd had them. She just had a knack of attracting trouble, partially due to Audrial, partially due to certain behaviors irked her enough she'd spout of things she shouldn't. She was such a mild mannered person normally but when people said or did certain things it made her so mad that her mouth ran off without her permission. Still she would have answered more had he not run his hand through her hair again. She shivered for a moment helplessly as she felt the familiar tingle down her spine from it.

As he spoke, briefly shock flickered in her gaze as she had not believed she was in the running so to speak. Still, she was starting to understand this elegant dance of words and touches that seemed to come so naturally to the fae. So her instinct had been correct... they didn't tend to be wrong about anything but this seemed more ludicrous then that time they told her touching this one bowl in that one temple was a bad idea. She never did get that stuff out of her clothes...

"I noticed... but we can't help the way we feel" She finally said quietly, her face briefly closing down as she seemed to disappear into her own head. She did not intend to fight for his passion. He would either loved her as she was or he could rot, even if the idea of losing him broke her heart. She gazed off into the distance a moment over his shoulder, not seeming to see him but something else that no one else could see. She shook her head and turned back to Ignatius, her eyes rising to meet his. Perhaps it was being raised by a wise older woman of such a gentle heart, but how she saw things sometimes seemed different and this may be one of those situations.

"I.....do...Like you quite a bit, I won't pretend i dont...but I don't play games and I'm not going to do anything but be myself. It's the only thing I can do or would want to do, you will do what you do and feel what you feel. No one can force someone to love them, not really love them. I wouldn't want to if i could, I have no interest in things that are so false. A product of how i was raised i guess..." she responded quietly. She sighed slightly and shrugged her shoulders, before she gave him a soft smile. She wasn't sure what he expected from his confession so she figured she would simply do what she always did... be honest. She thought back to Karilina... she'd always said that she would break hearts and get her heart broken but she hadn't really understood what it meant before now.

"as to my adventures... i started traveling as a teenage, just wanting to learn and find out about magic as I was raised by a human woman in a human village. I guess I wanted to find out who I was or something since I don't know who my father is and very little about my elven mother. I end up in various forgotten ruins a lot, looking for information on where Audrial came from since no one seems to know or helping somebody who did something stupid and got cursed in one. They tend to be dangerous and sometimes have a thing or two living in them but they also hold... so much history. You can feel it in the very air in some places. Sorry I just like history and mystery a bit too much for my own good" She answered, forcing her mind and hopefully the conversation away from the earlier topic. She stopped herself as she talked about the last, her tone having become rather warm. She really did love learning about various cultures not her own, it fascinated her. Trying to read and decipher things in them was fun for her too...

((yes... I happened to be enamored with the tomb raider games when i made her if it shows, she never does it for money though, too moral XD))

"I play no games! Choosing the right person, the right consort, is not only for me but for my people as well. And I can choose only one." He doubted either one of them realized what being courted by a prince meant, or perhaps they did but simply had not mentioned it. Confusion writ itself across his face, but soon enough her words had taken his mind away from the troublesome thoughts.

Staring into her lavender eyes Ignatius drank in the things she spoke of with a small half-smile."Loving in the past is no bad thing. You speak of your father, perhaps I could help?" Moving to twirl the woman away the fae then pulled her back to wrap his arms around her with a smile. The confusion he felt only returned again, along with a stab of guilt. Cyris didn't even know about this, the fact that his affections were torn so thoroughly in two.

((It seems so short compared to yours!))

She started to explain she hadn't meant he played games, just that she wouldn't play them to 'win' him so he'd have to make his choice himself when he already responded to the rest of what she said. She gasped in surprise at being so suddenly twirled but couldn't help but let out a soft surprised laugh at the motion of it. She blushed faintly as he pulled her into his arms again and inwardly sighed. For all her tough talk he could still tug at her heart like it was his play toy and she knew it. Oh well...she'd moved on from other things that made her heart break.

Speaking of such things, she thought absently as he mentioned her father. She glanced towards a table to see if there was an empty one. A slightly thoughtful expression fell over her features as she saw one. She nodded to herself, her earlier glee at the fun of dancing with him fading to an 'all business' type of expression. She boxed up her emotions to protect them and turned her gaze back onto the prince.

"We should sit down for that... you may recognize something of my father's. Many fae do but they tend to become unhappy when they see it and I don't know why...Let's sit down and I'll show you it..." She stated quietly, for once taking control of the situation. It was simply for her own safety that she always did after one fae who had called her a 'bastard' child and tried to kill her. This time protecting herself was even more important as she half expected Ignatius to turn on her. She would take his hand and lead him to the table whether he cooperated very well or not. Once he sat down she would reach into the small bag she carried and get out the ring. She held the ornate object out towards him, noticing the butterfly in the stone seemed to shift as it often did around powerful fae for reasons she could not know.

"I am from the union of an elf and a fae man. He gave this to my mother when he realized she was going to have me and to give it to his 'son' when that son was born. It was to early to tell I was actually a girl... even someone like me can feel the fae magic in it, but I know nothing else about it." She said quietly. She held no expression on her face as she spoke to him about the ring, as if the light in her eyes had just gone out. It was clear she expected a bad reaction and had merely prepared herself for it. She imagined he would have no problem choosing Cyris now....

He had to shake his head, hoping to clear it some. She was a sweet girl and he owed her at least respect. Sighing deeply, he looked at her before leading into a clumsy waltz. "Och aye, upsit wood be th' wuid. Ahm jist nae used tae th' customs an' manners ye lain folk, Ah guess. An I dinnea want tae stahrt a wee bit o'scuffle a'tween tae sea-fae and the lain-fae. Things are thin as they ur." He wasn't sugar coating it either. His clan wasn't the only one on hard times, and it wasn't just the humans infringing either. His attendance was of dual purpose; finding a potential wife and gauging the reception of a sea-fae on land.

The sudden shift in Estella's personality surprised the fae prince. Even so he let the red haired woman guide him towards an empty table. The stares of the crowd followed them, always interested as they were in the royalty of the fae. It was a very difficult thing to miss, this scrutiny.

Upon seeing the ring Ignatius' eyes widened. Shooting a questioning glance at Estella he reached out to grasp it so he could examine it more closely. If this was the seal he thought it was ... That would mean Estella came from the old royal family. There had been rumors of children springing up, but none that he'd ever come across himself.

Biting his lip, the fae lifted his right hand and held it out for Estella to examine it. The two seals resembled each other very closely, save for the fact that instead of a butterfly a leaf adorned the gem. "Your father was once the second prince of the ruling family. They were deposed and replaced by the Leafall, my kin. The reason, your father killed his elder brother when the throne was on the line. That type of thing is looked down upon by our people, tremendously so." This certainly complicated everything. Such implications, they were staggering!

But he believed her. Ignatius had absolutely no reason to questions Estella. This seal proved her heritage, though none had ever taken the time to explain it to her. Shoulders slumping slightly he rubbed his forehead and longed for the soothing breeze of the cool night air.

She was beginning to get better at understanding what Stuart said. A worried frown crossed Rosellen's face at the mention of a scuffle, as the merrow put it. It was such an alien concept, that war would be waged between sea and land, or at all for that matter. Where Rose lived, things were peaceful without a hint of strife. "I can't imagine what it must be like to worry about such things." The words were sad almost, as if even the thought of such worries made her mood fall. So the blonde turned her mind to the dance, which while a little clumsy was more enjoyable then anything else. Without realizing it both her hands had moved to the merrow's shoulders. Whether to seek for more support or for another reason Rosellen had no idea.

Estella glanced at his ring as he held it up, only now able to notice the similarities. She hadn't really been looking at his hands... She frowned as he began to speak and her head dipped forward so her hair fell slightly as he spoke. She opened her mouth as if to stop him, she doubted fae kicked leaders out of power for nothing. Before she could, however, he was mercilessly going on...confirming her greatest fears as he did so. It truly was something she'd spent her entire life fearing... her entire search attempting to prove wrong.

She shook her head, for a moment looking as if she wanted to cry. No...No...No! Her father couldn't be that... someone who would cared nothing for the sanctity of life, only power. Someone who represented everything about humanity, and all sentient races really, that she hated. Everything she fought to destroy... Someone who sought, and for all she knew still did, to use her existence only for his own power and greed.

"I do not think much of it myself...e...excuse me..." She stated slightly bitterly as she picked up the ring, her hand trembling with anger as tended to happen when she was afraid. She looked wild, angry, lost all at once and the light around her seemed to flicker as white flecks appeared in her eyes and briefly the slightest hint of wings. She headed for the balcony, not the one Cyris was on but the one used as a garden of sorts. The plants there would make her feel safe as they often did her mother's people even as she fought that one of her two major fears had just happened. Few failed to move out of her way, the very air around her seeming to crackle with a warning tension that chased them off. She would not stop until she got outside and dropped the ring on the ground, ignoring Audrial who was desperately pleading with her to talk to him on the way there.

She drew the sword from her waist and raised it above her head before smashing to down on the blue crystal of the ring. It released a flash of energy as it smashed into tiny flecks of blue stone, magic that would have resisted letting it break if Audrial was not a magical sword. She wanted nothing to do with it! with him! She would not be her father's daughter anymore! She took deep breaths as she simply held the sword there and leaned upon it. She tried to breath in the cool night air but anger sorrow and fear gripped her throat like a vice so she could barely heave in air. Now that she knew she wished she had never found out, for now she understood what her father had truly done to her mother... why he had not returned to her even as she was dying. She'd just been breeding stock to him... Just a toy... Her mother had died due to complications from her birth... her mother had died because that bastard still lusted for power... All the suffering....all the pain her mother's people had suffered without their main healer because of him....for nothing but power...

A nudge caught Calder mid-laugh, jolting him from his musings to toss him back into the moment. There was a small panic in the second before he turned to find he was greeted by friendly blue eyes and a grin, in which he’d jumped to the conclusion that he was being spoken to by something frightening. It was nice to be able to melt back into knowing he hadn’t yet been left alone to chatter with anyone too large and terrible. For now, he would continue to feel big for having just accomplished speaking to strangers- especially female strangers, without falter or stutter. There was one source of pride for the night.

Still unable to wipe the smirk from his face, Calder picked up the nearest glass by the stem- one containing a lush, red liquid that looked like a fine red wine. He’d never been one to choose such a drink by his own will, it seemed any amount of alcohol made drinks too bitter for his tongue. For the moment, the glass would serve its purpose to hide his mouth as he took a deep breath, as though to smell it. The aroma was oddly unfamiliar, perhaps because of growing tension.

Before delivering any form of proper reply, Calder was given a mutter as the blonde excused herself, leaving the young prince certain only that people were more unpredictable than he’d ever anticipated. With that, he spun back around to face the group.

Placing the glass to his mouth, Calder tipped it just a little to allow the liquid to pour through slightly parted lips, which had been prepared for that rough swallow that had always come at the end of his experiences with wine (although he’d never admit it, he only drank it on holidays, when it served to make him look “tough” like the older men). Much to his surprise, he hadn’t been greeted by this, but rather the salty taste that came only upon losing teeth or after games became too rough and cuts found their way to faces. Why, whatever he had picked up tasted quite like blood (but, just a bit sweet?)

With wide eyes, he turned, spitting the liquid out at his brother’s unsuspecting feet and dropping the glass in such a manner that both their clothes would bear stains.

Aden buried his face in a hand, clicking his tongue to make disappointment obvious (something that usually made his brother cower in guilt). With apologetic eyes, he could only bring himself to stare up and blankly deliver an excuse to the ladies. “He just gets jittery- it must’ve been the centaur that scared him.” With this, a heavy hand found its way to drop too hard on the younger’s head, which was still held low in frozen shock, to both inspire comfort and deliver mild punishment for having again been cause for embarrassment.

Estella shivered as he hugged her, looking surprised and uncertain. She bit her lip as she gazed at him, uncertain. She started to speak until he began to kiss her cheek and all thoughts fled. For a moment her heart seemed to reach heights she didn't think possible only for it to fall to a crash. When he stopped so close to taking her first kiss, he didn't have to say it. She knew what stopped him. He didn't feel torn in two directions anymore...

"But...apparently not enough..." She said quietly, her thoughts replaced with a hollow sorrow. She sighed softly and turned back to the shattered ring. She had found what she had been looking for here... The search was over, and apparently so was her first love affair. She let her head drop, her eyes tearing. She would not cry in front of him.. not now. She would close her eyes, feeling just so numb, as if there was nothing left.

"go to him.." She said simply, though honestly she just wanted him to leave. She didn't want to be touched anymore... she wanted to forget...to forget this whole night! Pretend it never happened....and just go.

Pandora danced with Jacky, trying her best to dance as she led her. It was a bit harder since the raven was shorter, but she eventually got used to it. "I don't mind talking while we dance," she said with a smile.

At the mention of family, the dark elf's eyes grew slightly wider and filled with sadness. "I... I don't think our families would know each other..." she said, "My father brutally murdered my mother and was put on death sentence from what he did to my mother and tried to do to me." She smiled sadly. "Sorry..."

Nivedus noticed the skittish, almost frightened look in her eyes as she placed her hand in his and gave her name. Was she really that shy? He had to commend the woman if she honestly was, but he had a feeling there was more to it than that. However, he shrugged it off for the moment and concentrated on his new dancing partner, giving her a warm smile. "It is quite alright, Lady Janu, you do not have to know steps to dance. You simply must give yourself to the melody." he said as he began to lead the pale woman towards the dance floor.

He paused to set his drink down on one of the tables when Heiro walked past, leaving the balcony. The Warlock couldn't help but give him a quick, sly look though narrowed eyes, but gave no other hint or provoking. He turned back to Janu with his smile back in place and held his arm out, bent at the elbow. "Shall we, Lady Janu?" He asked.


Heiro gave a nod, "Of course we will.... We are the best at what we do." he said, watching the pale-haired man slip off into the crowds before picking up his glass and doing so himself, catching Nivedus's glance as he walked past. He returned the knowing look with a golden-eyed glare. To put it lightly, the Warlock and the Dhampir did not get along. You could call it conflict of interests, though Heiro would say it's because the charming mage was two-faced, like so many of his kind. Of course, it didn't help that the tanned man now had a hand on Janu, who's presence and the placement of the two told him the warlock was probably the "company" she had warned he and Uriel of.

However, he let none of his speculations show as he swept past, going back to the refreshment tables to place his now unwanted drink on a tray for used glasses. He then moved over to the line up of bottles and stacks of empty liquor glasses. Picking a short, wide one, he used the tongs to place a few cubes of ice in it then selected a strong amber-colored drink and filled the glass. He then slowly walked around the room, taking in the dancers and chatting guests, dark eyes watching unobtrusively.

By the time he had made it back around by the balcony, he caught sight of Estella rushing into the greenhouse gardens, the Prince not far behind. He halted in his tracks, blinking in confusion, trying to tell himself someone had tainted the bottle he poured from. He couldn't help but drift after them, clinging to the shadows of the doorway as he watched them. He knew it was wrong, and down right rude, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the redhead in Ignatius's arms.

It was only when the prince rose to stand that he slid away, fading back into the crowds in a fluid movement, his stomach churning as he tried to fight the onslaught of thoughts. Seeking a distraction, he busied himself with searching out those who seemed to have no partners. Perhaps a dance and some light flirting would occupy his mind...

Estella simply nodded and took the ring, but didn't say anything as she didn't trust herself to. She simply whispered a soft good bye and let him leave. She pushed herself upwards and sheathed Audrial. It was over... She knew. All the pain and death, all the wondering... was over. She pushed the prince's ring into her pocket and glanced at the ring it had replaced. She looked at the shattered bits of gold and crystal.

Silently she slid behind a random decoration and let herself have a good cry, as she took stock of everything that had happened. It hurt but it was just a crush and not love at least... even if it had been close to blooming into it. Not to mention could he really have been allowed to be with her? Considering the ban on her.....on her father's family? No.. she doubted it. Though it left her feeling hallow and achey.. it was for the best. She turned her mind to her father, to the search she'd been doing for him since child hood. It was over... he was over. There was no longer any reason so what would she travel for? What would she live for?

~You~ a familiar masculine voice whispered from the sword.
"Pardon?"
~ You... First you lived for Karlina, then you lived for your mother's memory and finding your father, then you were about to live for that boy in there. Live now for what you should have lived for in the first place... You. I knew your father and I hated him. For that hatred i pushed you to find him so i could taste his blood but I have grown to love you like my own daughter. You are strong and kind and worth living for. Live for you~

Estella blinked at inward conversation, not able to speak a moment. She stared upwards at the moon and the sky, biting her lip in thought. It was the same sky it had always been but somehow it looked different to her... as if it was brighter somehow. Her first instinct was to tell Audri that he should mind her own business, she'd never lived just for other people... but she realized even before she could that he was right. She had always been living for someone else, never just for herself. It was likely the reason she'd felt herself attaching so fast to Ignatius when she had sensed that her search for her father would likely come to a close this night. Did she really need someone to live for?

No... No she didn't. She always had before but Audri was right. She needed to stop, to live for herself, to live to explore and have her passions. Her elf like ears tilted downward in thought a moment and the hollowness began to fade. Strangely the idea of living for herself with no more ties, no more obligations, was freeing somehow. Of course, as the hollowness faded the pain returned so she wasn't sure if she would stay or leave but something in her had shattered with that ring and left something far better in it's place.

((O.O I have no idea why the post took such an optimistic turn and spilled out that way so don't ask me xD))




Janu nodded as he spoke though she wasn't so sure. Ballroom dancing seemed decidedly...different. She would get the hang of it, however, she was sure as she was given a crash course to learn a step or two by the fae friend who had gotten her in here. She would try her best to dance and forget all her worries as relief flooded her. He seemed to have already forgotten all about Heiro and uriel. She might have saved them after all... Still, she knew it wasn't over yet so she'd have to keep herself on her toes.

She soon achieved her goal of getting him to the dance floor so she would end up literally staying on her toes it seemed. She would take his hand gently, her touch as always light. She smiled warmly but her relief began to fade as she saw the look pass between the two men. There was something going on between them... some prior meeting and judging by the glare Heiro shot him it hadn't been good. Instantly this sent her back to worrying.

"Of course Sir Nivedues" She managed to respond smoothly. She kept her smile in place, even if her eyes were slightly shy and uncertain. Of course much of the uncertainty came from worry, not shyness but it would not seem to be the case. Just what kind of person was she dancing with if Heiro disliked him so?






Azrealla raised an eyebrow as the other woman spoke, gazing at her thoughtfully. She seemed perplexed at the other woman lacking such attention and instantly she found a warm chuckle escaped her lips. She shook her head slightly, the sea of semi-damp waves dancing around her a moment. It was as if she had a genuinely hard time believing what Jo had said.

"I dont know why... you're utterly charming." She finally responded as the chuckle ended. She smiled to herself then, subtly drawing Jo closer as she danced with her. She did so love to dance with people and it not be a part of her job, but she only could do so very rarely. Perhaps that was why the leader had sent her on this 'mission' instead of coming herself?

Cyris watched Ignatius encounter with a young woman for a brief moment before settling his attention on the rest of the ball.

Kisala enjoyed the company of the two princes and the dryad. They were quiet wonderful. When Calder dropped his glass, Kisala gave a small gasp of surprise. "The centaur? Bad experiences with the creatures?" she asked softly.

Cyris gave a bit of a start when he felt a hand. Turning he saw Ignatius. He grinned at the fae's words. "I would be, but what about the young woman? I thought you were torn between the two of us?" He hated the idea of snatching the owner of anothers heart.
Thats horrible poetic. He thought to himself.

Uriel found himself wandering trough the crowds with a strangely cold look in his eyes. People shied away from the white haired man as he stalked about warily as if searching for prey. In truth, he wanted to do nothing more then hide away in a corner to let his emotions fly free. Trough training, trough music ... Anything was better then having to hold it all in as he needed to!

Shaking his head, he caught a glimpse of metal flashing in the moonlight. Without even thinking of his actions the human moved swiftly towards the source. Stopping in his tracks, he eyed the long red hair flowing down this woman's back. It was such a contrast to the colors he usually had to deal with in the fae courts, save for when the seasons changed and power shifted with them. Steeling himself, Uriel moved forward. He did not bow or scrape to announce his presence, since doing such things seemed to not be of much use anyway.

"Lady, why have you a sword and why are you alone on such a night?" Polished manners with the blunt words he found himself using more often of late, it was such a strange contrast. Glancing up at the stars, he closed his eyes for a brief moment as he shoved a memory aside. No, it was time to forget all about that and leave it to the past where it belonged.

Catching the grin eased some of the tension Ignatius had been feeling as relief began to seep trough him. Smiling in return, he moved to hug the blond. Taking a few moments, the fae breathed in deeply. The centaur had such a calming scent, why hadn't he noticed it before? "No more. And you, have you decided that you cannot feel anything other then friendship for a man after all?" He wasn't asking for love. It was too soon for that as yet, but attraction? That the fae would be content to live with until they knew each other much better even if Ignatius was almost certain his feelings ran deeper then that.

The earth fairy went down the steps rather quickly, not wanting others to stare at her. She wandered around the crowd, her wings concealed. She felt a tad bit awkward taking the place of Odette, but she was her sister and didn't mind doing something simple like this. She sighed, closing her golden eyes as she walked past a few people without bumping into them. But when she stepped past one person, it caused her to bump into another. Her eyes shot open and she took a step back so she could see who she bumped into.

Her eyes landed on a man who was taller than her by a longshot... Well... At least four or five inches. That was still pretty tall, to her at least. She blinked a couple times, snapping herself out of her thoughts as she opened her mouth to speak. "S... Sorry about that..." she said, her cheeks flushing to a bright red from embarrassment.

Cyris was a bit amused by the fact, that now he was about half a foot taller than Ignatius- rather than about the same height. He could feel the tension slip away from the fae, and he wrapped his arms around him, when Ignatius moved for the hug.
"No, for any man, I couldn't. For you, I feel a deep connection. Attraction, companionship, possibly desire... haven't quiet explored that emotion yet." Cyris gave a one shoulder shrug.

Estella turned as she sensed someone had entered, the wind moving her hair around her light dress a moment. Free.... Had she really never been free before this moment? Before she had, ironically, one of her two greatest fears become reality? Perhaps the old saying was true... still, as he asked her why she was alone she couldn't help but reach up to touch one of her own tear straight cheeks... It felt cold. She would give him a rueful, slightly bitter smile.

"Being rejected it seems.... My sword? ... you're the second man to ask me that tonight... the same one who rejected me at that. It's name is Audrial and he would not allow me in without a chaperone so I'd like to see someone try to remove him... " She spoke quietly, her eyes lifting to focus on the stars instead of the man on the balcony with her. She seemed to fall into deep thought. She could still feel the dull ache, feel her heart wondering if Ignatius had already confessed to Cyris, but the stars still seemed so much more beautiful tonight.

Had she really been so blind to herself and how she was living her life? Yes... she knew that now. Perhaps she had simply not wanted to see it... and it had took feeling herself break and seeing everything she had left, even her new crush as well as her hope for her father, shattering like glass to see it. Then again she'd always been that way... sometimes it took breaking down utterly for her to see the light of day again.

Abanya started a little as she was announced, not expecting it. Although, the title was fitting. She was the ruler, of sorts, of her kind in that region. Stepping gracefully into the room, she let her ruby eyes sweep over everyone, noting the wide range of species here. The thrum of power, invisible and no more tangible to most people than air, played across her skin, sending a wave of goosebumps up her arms. She knew that there were powerful people here, but she was the only dragon of any kind.

Her feet continued to carry her through the crowd as she made these observations, heading around the dance floor and towards the appetizing scents of the refreshment table. Once there, the array before her seemed overwhelming, and she paused, one hand raising to her mouth in thought.

---

Jo's blush deepened a bit again, and she looked off to one side again. "I usually stay inside, working. The jewelry I make is in high demand in Eerie and the towns around it," she said by way of explanation. She'd started working almost non stop recently, so perhaps her mother sent her here because she needed to get out more?

"I used to get flirted with, as much as teenage boys know how, but soon after that I started working, and spent less time out about the town." She looked back up at Ella's face, a bit less red now. "I think they stopped because I stopped listening..."

Azrealla listened quietly, just letting her talk. Ella was always a good listener though with many people she didn't pay attention to what they were saying, just feeling. Still, Jo was proving the exception. there was something about her just innocently chatting on about her home and her metal work and such that just felt soothing to her. She found it strange... normally when she found a woman so attractive as Jo her mind was more on simply enjoying their bodies... Perhaps she simply had difficulty giving of herself something more to enjoy just being with someone.

"That may be the case... Not all are capable of seeing a worthy pursuit even when it dances right besides them. Is smoe fo the jewelry you're wearing some of your work? " She said warmly. It seemed innocent enough...until you realized her use of the word Dances had been most deliberate. She asked the last with genuine interest, however. It was very good if so... Having been well to do when she was human she knew jewelry quality well.

The tentacles wave slightly on their own accord, "Ah woods chase mah ain kin' aff tay if Ah hud th' sam ideals as some ay th' lain . We're nae exactly th' nicest ay th' fae, mah sisters ur proof ay 'at." He sighed as they continued their dance; he was glad he had found someone of good companionship during this ball, even if she wasn't interested in him at all. It would give him an excuse to make more visits on land and get used to moving around other humans.

An idea struck him and he was all smiles again, "Ah mauna be yer type an' Ah understan' that, Ah'm fine wi' that. Ah actually loch 'at Ah can treat ye loch a frien'.But dae ye think ye micht know anyain who Ah woods be their type? Ah still want tae try tae win someain ower raither than drag them in." She had to know other people and even if it just meant that he would amass friends, again that was something he was fine with.

~~~

Jacky blinked a few times and tilted her head, she didn't know what to say to her. Her dad killed people all the time, her mom killed a few people too. It was part of her life, death and danger. "I uh, think you're right. Our families probably don't know each other, and for the best really. My dad probably would have found a way around the court system, he usually does." She reached up and gently cupped the side of the elf's face and looked at her with what she hoped were smokey eyes and a coy smile. "There's always room in my family for more; and once in the family, always in the family. And I wouldn't mind having a beauty like you to smooth over and enjoy your company." How she was able to turn such a sob story into an excuse to hit on her was incredible. She just really liked flirting with pretty things.

Pandora blinked a couple times, the girls' hand warm against her chilled skin. "I don't think that would be the best idea in the world," she said with a nervous smile, "I get all awkward around a large number of people that are of the same race with me being the only of my kind around such a group..." She paused, thinking of what to say next. She wasn't sure on what to say, so she just stayed silent.

Leaning into the unspoken support the centaur offered, Ignatius found himself calmed. It hurt to have rejected Estella and caused her so much pain. He genuinely had, did, like her. Those feelings though, they weren't enough.

As Cyris began to speak, Ignatius felt a sliver of fear run trough him as his body stiffened in shock. Only once he'd listened to the rest of the centaur's words did he relax and lift his amber eyes to look up at the other man with a smile and a wink. "I'll just have to help you with that, won't I?" Pausing for a few moments, Ignatius turned his eyes to their surroundings and was sure enough of not being overheard that he continued speaking. "I am a prince of my people which means that one day I will rule. This is where my future court lies. Venturing away from this place, at some point it will become a very rare occurrence... Cyris, you need to know what you're venturing into and what it might entail." Ignatius didn't want to lose the centaur so quickly, but had to make sure that everything was clear from the outset. Tightening his hold on the other man, the fae hid his face against his chest to try and obscure the sudden worry written plainly upon his features.

Latching onto the words the woman had spoken, Uriel moved to lean companionably against the railing beside her. Glancing up, he offered the woman a wry smile of his own. "I know the feeling of rejection all too well." Quickly averting his eyes to hide the hurt he still felt, Uriel let out a shuddering sigh.

He was doing as he was supposed to, wasn't he? Though exposing himself like this to a stranger had him feeling uncomfortable it was also very refreshing. "I don't suppose you would be willing to simply spend some time with me? You ... don't even have to speak a word. Tonight of all nights everyone should have another with them, even in silence." The happy revelry of those within made Uriel want to run away. He had waited years, too long, and been pushed away. It was so difficult to pull out those feelings of sadness and throw them to the winds like he wanted to.

She could only silently agree as she danced with the merrow. He was so strange, but one of the nicest people she'd ever met. For a moment Rosellen found herself wondering what her reaction to him would have been if he'd looked different, like one of the fae. The thought had her blushing furiously and turning her eyes from Stuart with a silent chastisement.

Were looks really so important to her? Breaking out of her thoughts, Rose turned to give the merrow an apologetic glance. "I'm sorry Stuart, you're actually the only person I've spoken with so far. I ... I really wish I could help you." Nervously tapping her fingers on the man's shoulders, Rose finally thought of something she was actually quite curious about. "You keep talking about dragging people away ... Why?"

Estella didn't need to see his eyes to spot the hurt... she could hear it in his voice. He had been rejected tonight too more then likely. She sighed, feeling for a moment a little less self pity and a little more pity for him. If things had been less formal or she had known him better she would have hugged him then. Instead she simply glanced towards the doors and put a hand over his on the balcony to give it a brief comforting squeeze before she pulled her hand back and gazed back at the stars.

She had intended to leave this place once she could walk through that room without bursting back into tears when she looked at Ignatius but his request seemed so genuine, so urgent. She wanted nothing more then to run, to explore her new freedom and forget... Forget her father, her mother, her dear prince, even the elves and fae all together if she could. Yet she couldn't... she was not the type to leave someone when they were so vulnerable. Her heart was too kind and open for that.

" I will and gladly... True,I was going to leave, I found out what I came here for. My fathers identity has been made clear to me, but if it will help you I won't leave your side until you ask me too. Who knows, perhaps it'll give me some fond memories of tonight. It's the first time i've been to something like this so it'd be nice to have at least one... My name is Estella, what is your name?" She finally responded after a moments thought. She didn't really mind... as long as he didn't ask her to go in there and watch Ignatius with the centaur she could stand this. Maybe he would even give her some measure of happiness. Freedom was wonderful but little protection against sorrow and a broken heart, even if she had decided now... even if she found love or a new home she would live for her too and not just others.