His Grin turned into a smirk. "Lets see what you can do."

Cyris' eyes widened at his next sentence. "A Prince? Well I've been addressing you all wrong now haven't I." The Centaur brushed a lock of hair behind Ignatius' ear. "I have no intention of leaving you any time soon Ignatius. Remember, it's my brother thats important to my clan. I just fill in for him occasionally, meaning I can be where ever I want. And where I want to be, is by you." Cyris looked deeply into Ignatius' eyes, trying to make him see that his words were the truth.

The feeling of a comforting hand over his made Uriel lower his eyes from the heavens to gaze curiously at his companion. She was acting so different then he was after suffering trough much the same fate. Perhaps this Estella was simply hiding what she felt much better then he. The task was difficult enough.

Shaking his head slightly, Uriel forced himself not to sigh by pressing his lips tightly together. "Uriel, that is my name." Lapsing into silence once more, the changeling found questions running trough his mind about some of the things this woman had said. Choosing to leap upon a comfortable enough subject, Uriel straightened and turned his back to the night as he leaned his elbows against the railing in a way that let him watch both the interior of the ball room as well as his conversation partner.

"What would give you fond memories? Perhaps a dance, or would you much rather stay here in the quiet the night offers?" There was something different about the way he spoke now, as if his speech was changing much as he was. It wasn't so strange a thing really, and one that Uriel did now realize was happening. In any case, he still had a job to accomplish despite the fact that by now he'd gotten quite tired of it and wanted to do nothing more then to leave.

Chuckling, Ignatius found himself leaning a little into the centaur's touch. Reaching up he caught a lock of hair between his fingers to silently enjoy the fact that he could do so. "You don't need to convince me you know." The fae had simply wanted to know if Cyris minded traveling to visit him, hearing that he wanted to stay by his side had a strangely warm feeling sweeping trough Ignatius' heart.

"It's refreshing, that you haven't spoken to me as a royal. I quite like it." People usually bowed and scrapped to try and find their way into his good graces. The fact that Cyris hadn't done so was probably one of the reasons why he'd risen so quickly into the prince's affections.

Estella noticed the head shake and briefly wondered why he had done so. Still as she listened to his voice, with it's soft hint of sorrow her focus quickly became only helping him. It was always easier to help others rather then focus on her own emotion. Now even more then ever...despite her promise to herself about living for herself. Still as he asked about dancing she couldn't help but shake her head as a strange, sad expression fell over her face before disappearing.

"I.....I dont think I'm quite ready to return to dancing just yet. Perhaps we could just sit and talk or something?" She asked quietly as she pushed away her emotions once more. She couldn't spend all night moping about the prince. So she simply focused on her white haired companion instead. It was strange she realized as she looked at Uriel's mask. She never did see Ignatius face... She wondered if she'd see this mans or if it would all continue...everyone in mask, flitting around in secret.

She sighed at the thought. Though she was grateful the mask hid the redness around her eyes that came from crying she wasn't so sure she liked that. Right now she craved the simple and honest. No delicate dance or masks or any such thing...just the simplicity of the outside. She shook her head head slightly and gazed up at the stars again.

"What does someone do other then dancing at a thing like this anyway? My idea of a party is sitting around the camp fire singing or joking or telling stories....or before Mother Karlina died sitting at home around her table with a good meal and her friends." She asked curiously. Honestly she wasn't sure... It was one thing that made her slightly shy being here. She had no idea what was actually expected of her.

Estella nodded at the first but was starting to wonder.... was there something more going on? She followed his gaze a moment in thought only to see Ignatius was who he was looking at. Pain briefly took over her features and it would be fairly clear who rejected her. She turned her back on the party again and gazed up at the stars. Perhaps it wasn't as easy as she thought to dismiss the emotion. Still, Uriel made her feel a little better. There was a feeling of kinship...perhaps simply because of their having a shared experience...if not with each other.

"Yes... my first formal anything really. I'd ask if this was your first but something about you.... you seem to have a lot of experience with this sort of thing. I could be wrong though....even if I haven't been wrong yet tonight..." She responded with a slight smile...yet still at the last statement a slightly bitter quality had entered her tone. The second he had said he was pulled in two directions she had known how it would end even if he had not. Hell, the second she'd seen him touch the centaurs hair she had felt it somewhere..... she just hadn't wanted to face it.

"Honestly, I think I'm a little out of place. Still, I'm glad you came out to say hi, even if you looked like you wanted to stab me with my own sword when you first came out here." She added quietly, attempting a little humor. She turned back towards him and gave him a warm, if slightly teasing smile. She was glad to be out here, even if she knew she'd have to go back inside eventually... no other way to get to the door! Still, Uriel...whether he realized or not had come when she needed to be reminded she mattered, even if she lived for herself now to. It felt nice to feel like even if she started to live for herself, that someone could still care for her well being if only because it was his job.

"Ah'm sorry Ah forgit that nae erreyon understands hoo merrows live. Ah'm gonnae teel ye a story an' use mah oldest sister as an example." He took a pause to gather the story and try to figure a way to tell it so it didn't sound as bad as it was, and gave up on that. Sylvia's 'er nam, an' she's al'ways lookin' fur a new husband. An' althoogh she can win ower mony a men wi' 'er charms an' looks she still has tae git them tae agree tae live underwater. Most fowk wooldnae want tae so she enchants them an' tricks them, sometimes erasin' their memories. An' basically drags them under wi' 'er. Tae thin' is Sylvia tires ay them an' aft removes their sools an' sets their bodies adrift efter a while. An' she starts th' search again." He let this part of the story sink in, his eyes no longer focused on Rosellen's face. Stuart's face looked distant and sad when he spoke again. "I dinnea want ta git mah wife tae same way ma sister's git 'heir husbands. I want saimone hoo wants ta be wit me an' mah clan."

~~~

Letting her head fall back, Jacky laughed, it was almost a cackle. "I'm sorry, when I said 'Family' I meant it with a capital 'F' not a lowercase one. My Family isn't all the same race, some of them aren't even the same species. You really have no idea who my family is do you?" It was sweet really, the raven was so used to people automatically knowing the name Corvus and giving her either a knowing nod or trying to hide a scowl. And Jacky thought so. "You are just too cute, Pandora, you know that right? Downright precious." Her eyes twinkled with mirth from behind the pink and black mask she wore, she just wanted to reach up and kiss her. She wondered when she had met someone she thought was this naive.

Pandora felt a blush form across her cheeks from embarrassment. "Oh..." she said, "Well then... Maybe I wouldn't feel so awkward after all." She once again ran through her thoughts, now wanting to ask a question. "What's your family like?" she asked. The curiosity was practically liking her now. She was unaware of who this girls family was. It was only natural for her to want to know.

Cyris gave a one shoulder shrug. "I know, but I just had to say it." A smile flittered across the Centaur's lips as Ignatius tugged on a lock of his hair. "Well then I guess we're alright, because I have no intention of inflating your ego with 'my prince' 's " He laughed.

Cyris picked up a drink and carefully smelled it before determining that it was simple red wine and taking a drink. "So why don't you tell me more about yourself Ignatius? What do you like, dislike? What are your favorite foods?" He asked.

Jo smiled again, the blush deepening just a bit more. "Yes, everything I'm wearing is my work, and my mother made the dress to match," she said, one hand twitching as if to fiddle with something. "The mask is my own work as well, and some of the thinnest work I've done." She started finding her rhythm again, trying to not pay as much attention to her feet. Perhaps this woman was right, and no one back at Eerie had really noticed her. At least not after she shut herself in. She glanced down and back up, a thought trying to form somewhere in her mind. "I...," she started trying to say it, but found that she didn't have the right words.

---

Abanya stood facing the drinks, trying to decide what one to pick. Giving a small sigh, she looked up to find someone who might help her, seeing a dark-skinned woman close by. "Excuse me," she said, voice soft but somehow strong. "Would you mind helping me pick something? I have no idea what most of these are, and would rather not pick something too strong for me." She knew she had little tolerance for alcohol, having had very little of it in her life so far. Hopefully, the woman would help, and perhaps she could start conversation.

"Even if I am your prince?" teased Ignatius lightly. As the centaur turned away he pondered the question quite seriously. Reaching out for a metal goblet filled with a steaming purple liquid, the long haired man took a careful sip before saying a word. "Flying is a pleasure I'll have to introduce you to sometime. The taste of moonlight and the singing of the stars, it's all quite magical really. Rare threats, of course, but all the more special because of it." Shooting a grin at Cyris, Ignatius took hold of his hand. "Which reminds me, I've still to show you my wings." Perhaps he would take the time to steal a kiss away if the opportune moment arose. Being alone was almost reason enough for the fae who had been thinking about such a thing for a little bit.

Turning his gaze to Estella after his contemplation, Uriel caught the expression of pain she displayed so readily. Following her gaze he realized suddenly what had transpired. Reaching out he placed a comforting hand on her arm. Giving her a warm smile, he listened intently to her words and noted the bitterness of the red head's tone.

"I am of the queen's court, a changeling. As such I've nearly always attended various masquerades, balls and other more serious functions. " Even as a child he'd been introduced to such gatherings. The glittering clothing and happy laughter had always enchanted him. It still did, despite what had happened earlier that evening. Uriel was glad to be there, surrounded by people from all over the world.

The realization lightened his heart, as did his conversation partner who somehow had managed to find just the right things to say to distract him. "Out of place? No, simply not used to the situation. As for earlier, I do apologize for that." The rules didn't exactly cover how to treat souled weaponry after all. Such things weren't overly common even with races magically inclined. Bloody history usually surrounded such things, and of late because of the current crisis it had been strongly discouraged by Queen Phryne herself.

As Stuart told his tale a flurry of emotions flew across Rosellen's face. Shock and sorrow the foremost. How many lives were lost that way? A growing respect was forming in her heart for the merrow she danced with, despite the fact that she now actually knew the usual way his people gained their mates. "I think it's admirable that you're looking for someone who wants to be with you. It would take someone rather special to go against the traditions of their race to do things in a new way." Realizing what she'd said, Rosellen felt yet another blush rushing across her cheeks.

"Especially if you are my prince!" Cyris teased right back. He raised an eyebrow at Ignatius' choice of beverage, but said not a word about it. "I'm not sure how I would feel about flying. Hooves tend to do better on the ground." he laughed. "But I think I'd be willing to take the chance."
Cyris sipped the wine. "Yes you do. I can't help but wonder exactly what your wings look like."

Estella blushed faintly in surprise as he touched her arm but smiled faintly, almost gratefully. It was nice to know that he wanted to comfort her just as she wanted to comfort him. She was human at heart, no matter her bloodline, and as is human nature it just felt good to know someone cared that didn't feel obligated to out of guilt. That it mattered to someone unrelated to the situation that she'd been hurt, even if only a little.

The fae court...? just as Ignatius had been. Were they all taught to charm women she wondered instinctively, her freshly scratched heart not quite ready to risk too much. She felt herself a little wary then, if only for an instance. No...she shouldn't be suspicious of his friendship for that. It wasn't as if even Ignatius had done things deliberately...he was just flirty and got caught up in the moments. This man wasn't even flirting with her or anything...just a kind hearted man who'd been hurt and happened to find a kindred soul who felt similarly hurt and lost. She decided this as quickly as the suspicion hit her and so was smiling warmly by the time he apologized.

"It's alright, It's not like you did anything...Besides it got you out here so it wasn't all bad. It was nice really...to talk to someone who understood how I felt. I have to thank you for that. It would have been easy to just run out those doors and throw myself into danger again, when I was too emotional for it to be a good idea. " She responded a little more seriously then she meant to as she gazed up at the stars. It sounded like she was thinking aloud when she really hadn't' meant to and was speaking just as much to herself as him as she came to that realization. It was true... she was happy in a twisted sort of way for her new found freedom but she was also hurt, angry, and in a reckless sort of mood that could have gotten her killed. She would have been sloppy... foolish. Despite Estella's habit of ending up, quite accidentally of course, in such dangerous situations all the time she was generally never foolish or sloppy so tended to survive but in that sort of mood she would have been both.

"So thank you, anyway do you enjoy these? Balls and Masquerades and things? Though it seems I'm the only one wearing a mask at the moment" She asked warmly, as she tried to stop the situation from getting to serious. She teased him lightly but a whim decided to join him. No more hiding, Just honesty as she had wished for moments earlier. She untied the golden mask and played with it in her hands a moment. She looked at it, briefly wondering how different she looked without it. Uriel, she had to admit if only to herself, looked rather handsome which was something she hadn't noticed before but she never really thought of herself as particularly beautiful or anything. She knew she was pretty in some human circles but among the fae she was likely simply average... at least in her own assessment.

"there, now we match." She said quietly as she closed her eyes and let the wind touch her face where the mask had been covering. It felt freeing somehow... as if the mask had somehow been holding a wall between her and the world and now that wall was gone. It felt good that Uriels was gone as well, like all the walls were gone and this balcony was no longer quite the prison it had felt when she looked at Ignatius and realized she'd have to walk past him. She decided... she might just be able to hold her head high and walk past Ignatius at the same time after all. She couldn't have been a princess or a queen, trapped in the role her father had ironically wished for his children. No... she like her mother and the other children of the Lunara woods needed more freedom than could ever be offered to a fae queen. Perhaps, unlike the fairy tale stories, it was better when the prince didn't love you back after all...

Azrealla chuckled and spun the other girl before a glint of mischief flickered in her eye. Any courtly manners seemed to flee as she playfully dipped the other woman, taking on the man's role a little too well in the dance it seemed. Playfully she leaned forward a bit more then necessary so her lips would be close enough to the other womans ear for a whisper to caress it and be heard by Jo above the music.

"They are truely works of art... almost as beautiful as the one who made them. No easy task" she teased mercilessly before she stood again and pulled the woman up at of the dip. She would continue the soft steps again, with her hands a little firmer to support the other woman while she got her balance back as Ella suspected it might be a little off after that. She couldn't help but enjoy teasing the woman who seemed just so...young, so naive, so cute. It was such a relief after the slovenly, pushy, and often male, murderers she had to spend most of her time with, though there were equally slovenly, pushy, women murderers she had to seek out sometimes too...To be here, with something so soft, so beautiful, so gentle, was something she'd needed more then she had realized until this instance.

He was mentally preparing to defend his sister when the comments of revolt never came. He should have expected better from Rosellen who had only been kind to him this night. "Ye 'hink sae? Mah sisters mean th' sea tae me an' if Ah coods jist fin' someain fa wanted tae be wi' me, wi' them, eh'd be happy.Listen tae me prattle loch a sap."

He laughed at himself, the same underwater quality touched passed his lips with that. Eyes twinkling he twirled his dance partner. "Och, enough ay mah stories. Why did ye come tae th' baa? Ur ye lookin' tae fin' a suitur as well, ur jist haur tae enjoy th' fae's hospitality?" He was doing much better with his legs now having spent some time with them, dancing and otherwise engaging with others.

~~~

Jacky really just wanted to curl up on this girl's lap and tell her stories. The many colorful and often awful stories about her family, and she would do it with a smile and perhaps a box of chocolates. The grin creeped across her face and marred an otherwise elegant look, the smile had just a touch of macabre to it as she spoke.

"Well let's start with my immediate family. We're a flock of shapeshifters; ravens and crows mostly. My parents are the head of the flock. Which makes my Daddy the Flock Father. The rest of the Family are those who work for or owe something to my dad. Business is a big part of the Family." She found that she couldn't outright say what her family did as it would implicate many crimes and wrongdoings. And as much as she didn't want to be the next head of the outfit, she also didn't want to see it fall.

Azrealla couldn't help but chuckle a little as she blushed though inwardly Ella was a little surprised by something herself. She hadn't expected the other woman to clutch at her quite that tight, but if she was perfectly honest she rather enjoyed it. She muttered a smooth, elegant 'your welcome' to the woman and continued to dance with her as if she hadn't said anything at all. She looked perfectly formal and gentile but was watching Jo in thought a moment. Finally she decided something based on the flicker of disbelief in the other woman's gaze.

" Are you perhaps thinking you'd like to run now before i call you or your works beautiful again? I'd love for you to stay and talk but not unless you wish it" She finally said quietly with a rather coy looking smile, her rather dominant personality showing again for a moment. There was nothing shy in the woman but she understood Jo may not be into women or particularly enjoying her company even if she was. She could be rather brash after all. It would not surprise her if Jo tired of her games and left. It would sadden her as she was growing rather fond of the shy woman's company, but not not surprise her.

Finally reaching the balcony, Ignatius raised an eyebrow as he turned to face Cyris. "I won't drop you Cyris." Especially not if he was in his humanesque form. Fae were far stronger then they looked, or they were the majority of the time. Shrugging, the prince moved to a reclusive corner of the large balcony and divested himself of his coat and shirt nonchalantly. After a few moments a pair of red and black wings began to unfurl gently from his back. For a few moments they lay wetly against his exposed skin before the fae forced them to flutter lightly in the wind so they dried faster. Looking up anxiously Ignatius awaited Cyris's reaction.

Enjoying the masquerade was difficult when one had to always pay attention to each word someone spoke. It was part of his job description. Still he smiled and shrugged while turning his back from the crowd as he noticed that Ignatius and Cyris were moving out of sight. He didn't need to watch the pair anymore to know that they were fast becoming candidates for the more secretive portion of the masquerade. Hopefully there would be others soon. After his own experience Uriel found himself wanting to see others succeed as he hadn't.

"Some of it is pleasant, but usually I get pulled away from the festivities." Living with the fae had made it so that Uriel felt obligated to speak the truth just as they did though he was human. The habit was hard to break, so much so that if he tried to lie Uriel would have made a very comical sight. He was so see trough sometimes, in contrast to his demeanor during the masquerades. Hiding behind a mask

Turning his head his grey eyes widened slightly as he caught sight of Estella's unmasked face. Feeling a wash of pink moving to his cheeks, he looked away quickly in attempt to hide the reaction. "Yes, in a way we certainly do." Though that certainly brought some uncomfortable questions to mind. What kind of person would this kind woman find at the masquerade? She did deserve that, especially after what Ignatius had pulled on her. For her sake Uriel hoped she found someone who could treat her as she deserved.

Smiling kindly Rose nodded. Of course she thought so! Maybe others of his kind would follow his example, despite the fact that he seemed to be having some difficulty with the task he'd imposed upon himself. It was a shame really, because Stuart was such a nice man.

"Frankly, a little bit of both. This is my first masquerade and so far it's been nothing but wonderful." She laughed delightedly as the dancing suddenly improved. The young woman was so excited that her own traitorous feet propelled her into another dancing couple.

Looking up with a furious blush at the cat eared woman and the white haired man, Rosellen bowed her head. "I'm so sorry, that was really quite clumsy of me." Looking to Stuart, she apologized silently with her eyes though a smile tugged up at her lips. Of the two of them, he had seemed like the most likely to fall, yet she was the one who had done so.

After leading Janu to the edge of the dance floor, he gently placed one hand at her waist and held his other out for her to grasp. Once she had herself positioned, he started them off with a simple but lively waltz to match the pace of the music, easing the pale woman into the steps. After she seemed to have a handle on the formation, he attempted to strike up conversation, his tone formal but relaxed, to make her more at ease and to make the discussion seem more inviting.

"Are you enjoying the evening so far, Lady Janu?" He kept his cat-like eyes on her truly feline ones as he spoke, a light smile firm on his lips. Before she could reply, a blond woman ran into them, causing Nivedus to loose his grip on Janu's clawed hand as he stumbled slightly. Frowning, at the loss of his elegant composure, he first made sure Janu was alright and still safely on her feet. He then looked to Rosellen, and quickly removed any displeasure from his features, giving her a smile. "It is quite alright, accidents do happen. Are you alright?" He asked, looking from her to Janu to show the question applied to both of them.


Heiro let out a small noise as Lunalla bumped into him, he had been lost in thought more than he realized, it seemed. Reacting quickly, he took a step back and moved the glass in his hand as he flexed a bit of his power over liquids, catching the splash of watered down brandy before it had a chance to reach either of their clothing. He then looked down to the woman who had run into him and managed a slight smile as he cleared his throat lightly.

"Ah, no, forgive me, I had been in a reverie." he said with a chuckle, his deep voice rolling like velvet. "Are you alright, My Lady?" he asked, looking the flushed woman over. Her scent told him she was definitely a Fae, most likely an earth or woodland one, though even his nose could be deceived.


Sadiya, who had been mostly contentedly watching the swirl of the dancing couples, jumped slightly when Abanya spoke. She spun to face the other woman, the sheer wrap of her sari flaring out as she did. "A-ah, yes, of course." She half mumbled as she only half-realized what had been said. However, she righted herself quickly, shaking her head a bit before stepping closer to the red-eyed dragon in disguise. She gave a warm, bright smile and gave something that was a cross between a bow and a curtsy.

"Forgive me, I had been in a bit of a daze, I would not mind helping you at all. I am Sadiya Lahab, Ambassador of the Kahroba tribe, and you are?" She asked, being as polite as she could while giving her trademark charming, sultry smile.

Pandora nodded slightly as she listened to Jacky, a smile on her face the whole time. "So... Shapeshifters that are mainly ravens or crows?" she said, "That's rather interesting." She nodded slightly to herself as she said this. "Business, huh?" she said, "Good? Bad? Neither or other?" She was still smiling, wanting to know more. "Y'know... I think it would be easier to talk when not dancing," she said, "Would you like to find a spot where we can sit and converse?"

---

Lunalla covered her face with her hands when she heard his voice. Out of all of the fae she knew, she hadn't heard a voice like his. The reason why she covered her face was to conceal the blush that seemed to turn to a deeper color of red. She finally got her blush of embarrassment to go away, all that was left was the blush from the sound of his voice. She uncovered her face and looked up at him, nodding slightly. "I'm fine," she said.

Cyris noticed that this was the same balcony that he had changed for Ignatius' in. Going to a shadowy corner, he retrieved his trousers. "You dare drop me, and I swear Ignatius, that that." Cyris tried to look serious, but a smirk couldn't stay away from his lips. Quickly focusing and changing back, Cyris redressed, and adjusted his clothes so it appeared nothing had happned.

Cyris watched as Ignatius removed his jacket and shirt. His eyes widened as the wings fluttered free from his body. He stood speachless for a few minutes, then slowly shook his head. "Ignatius, they're beautiful." he whispered.

"I...I wasn't thinking of running," Jo said, trying to think straight. "But, perhaps talking while not dancing would be better. I wouldn't be falling into you quite so much." She looked down again, slowing her steps. Why did this woman make her blush so? Was it just because she was complementing more than her work? No, because complementing her work also made her blush, just not nearly to this extent. So, was she finding Ella attractive too? How did one find out who they were interested in?

---

She gave a reserved smile in return, bending a little at the waist before righting herself. "Abanya, though I was introduced as a queen. I had not been entirely aware that that was the title for me, to be honest," she said. She returned her attention to the array of drinks. "If we could find something light and sweet, that would be wonderful," she continued, still overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. She hadn't tried enough things yet to be sure of what she liked! "And, might we be able to talk a bit? I am very curious about the lives of other beings."