The young man blushed at the bird girl's words. He wasn't used to being flattered so, though Arkerril could only scoff at his reaction. It was beginning to be tiresome... Hiding in the corners of Leif's mind. Truly, if he'd had any other choice the older man would have wrested control from Leif and amused himself at the masquerade in a much more devastating way.

Luckily for everyone there, this was not the case. "I'm not used to such flattery, so excuse me if I do anything to embarrass myself." He'd very nearly dropped his glass at her words, and was more then glad such a thing hadn't happened.

"I don't think you are capable of doing anything embarrassing, just bat your eyes and flash that gorgeous smile of yours." She was starting to get frustrated, but if flatter would make him loosen up then she would try all she had. "Hey, with looks like ours, we shouldn't be tucked away in this corner! Come on, Leif!" she jumped up from her seat, her black curls bouncing around her shoulders. Taking his hand in both of hers she tugged lightly on him, a coy smile and a twinkle in her eye. "Let's get out there and flaunt our stuff! Cut a rug on the dance floor. Or at least grab some drinks and show off." If she couldn't get him to share any sort of story about himself or his people, then maybe she could dump him on some one else. He really wasn't her type, the only thing he had was the mystery angle.

The blonde took a moment to search for her friend amidst the crowd. A perplexed expression crossed her features once she realized that Stuart was there no more. With a smile she spotted the merrow. For a moment she seemed torn between leaving her new acquaintance to see an old friend, but made her decision quickly enough.

"I'm really sorry Sil, I would love to talk with you more but I've just spotted my friend again. He's alone this time, so this is my chance to go and say hi. I hope we get the chance to speak again." With that Rosellen smiled brightly at the half-elf before moving to navigate her way trough the crowded ballroom.

Soon enough, the young woman was standing a little nervously behind the merrow. "Stuart?" It was hard to tell if he remembered her or not without even uttering a word. Rose hoped he did, but she had only been one face among many, and a forgettable one in her opinion.

Leif allowed himself to be dragged along, or would have if he hadn't been suddenly pushed aside by an angry Arkerril. The older nameless wrenched his hand away from the dark haired girl with a smirk. She did annoy him so with her twittering about. "You wish to dance then?" Then he would give her one and be on his way.

Stuart heard a familiar voice call out his name. Turning away from the ocean to face the speaker he was pleasantly surprised to see an old acquaintance. "Och Miss Roselynn! Ah did nae expect tae see ye again! Hoo hae ye bin daein' me dear?" He smiled greeting her enthusiastically. His grin was all gnashing teeth above quivering tentacles. It had been since last ball that he had seen the human female, and was he first person he had seen at this one that he recognized save the queen.

~~~

"Yes I wish to dance. That's why I dragged your hot piece of rump out of that seat. Now come on cutie, and you can tell me more about yourself while we dance." Jacky sensed a change in his demeanor but brushed it off. She was either going to crack him like an egg or drop him on someone else. From her experience dances usually loosened people up where her charm couldn't. The dance floor was only a short bit away from them and there other people enjoying themselves out there.

His queen really knew how to throw a party, but really, in a series of caves? Garrison shook his head in mock sadness, caves were no longer in vogue, the rage was tree-house mansions. The fire fairy shivered his wings, the salty sea breeze was going to stiffen up his fine silk suit and ruin it. It was a brand new suit, hand embroidered too, he was actually really proud of his handiwork.

Getting closer to the caves he saw two figures standing outside, no where near the fabulous fae ball. What were they thinking. He just had to go help them out in his own sassy fashion, and it was high fashion at that.

"Oh, Hay there you two. What, what, what are you doing out here! The party is in there you silly heads! Come on! By the way your masks are fabulous! and that dress miss, simple sleek, gorgeous! And you sir..ehem. you yourself are pretty handsome too." He waggled his eyebrow, with hand on his hip. Wings smoldering behind him, brought out the ember tones in his own mask.

The young woman moved to stand by her friends side with a smile. Resting her arms against the stone balcony, Rose tilted her head to peer at Stuart. "I've been doing alright, just reading much more then I ever thought I would. And how are you?" Strange and unusual, perhaps somewhat frightening, it all described the merrow very well upon a glance. Rosellen knew for a fact after the last masquerade she'd attended that he was by far one of the kindest people one could ever find.

Smiling to himself still, he reached out to grasp her hand and pulled her into the swirling crowd of people already upon the dance floor. "I would rather hear about you. Or shall we make this a game? One bit of information for another." Arkerril smirked lightly as he feigned a slip up in order to gauge her reaction to such things. It seemed like this young woman was quite volatile, and someone even Leif admitted to wanting nothing to do with. She'd made him far too uncomfortable for him to speak with her, so he let Arkerril deal with Jacky willingly.

Oh, there was a definite change with him, he was suddenly more interesting. She let him lead her out onto the dance floor and into a swirl, always light on her feet. And if she was to be picked up, she was very light for her perceived size. Narrowing her eyes, she purred, "Now this is my kind of game."

Her real job in the Family was information gathering, second to showing a presence when they needed a more friendly face out there. "Hmm. Very well, what exactly are your people, if not mysterious?" Sometime that's all she needed to know, many races and sub-races in the supernatural realm were predisposed to certain tasks and areas of dwelling.

~~~

The merrow leaned back on the railing, looking into the ballroom. He studied the dancing figures before answering. He was glad to hear that his friend was doing well, and he nodded his approval. "Weel mah sisters ur daein' fine. Mah oldest has gain yet anither husband thes year. As ye can see, aam haur again."

He grinned sadly, last ball had been an abysmal failure in his search for a potential wife. Not a person showed interest in him, he never really faulted them for it either. He wasn't exactly a catch like some of the Mediterranean or New World sea people. And most people weren't willing to permanently relocate their lives under the water. At most he had a court standing to offer, his clan was one of the more powerful of the European coasts and was often held in council when matters of the waters were concerned.

The blonde turned her entire attention to the merrow with a smile. It had been such a long time since their last meeting, and strange though it might have seemed, Rosellen had missed their talks. "Another one? She's been busy." Her blue eyes moved to the starry sky thoughtfully.

"Being here isn't such a bad thing, is it?" It almost made her want to learn how to create beautiful dresses like her mother. All the fabrics caught her eye in a way that made her just want to reach out and touch. She did so without meaning to, placing a hand upon Stuart's arm.

He laughed a little, letting the sound roll off his tongue and slip into the air. It was a drastic change from his first appearance, and surprised Leif into making a startled cut off coughing sound. Quickly Arkerril took back the upper hand while sweeping up the raven into a swirling, fast paced, dance.

"My people are close knit, and very few. They have certain abilities, inherently, which makes others a danger for them." There was no way he would say more, and perhaps endanger his kind. That need to protect the nameless, their kin, was something both Arkerril and Leif shared. "And you, tell me, have you been to many masquerades?"

A strange girl with white hair had entered the area were the seperate ballrooms were. She had pointy ears and a long red bow to contrast her hair, and as she walked down one the first cave to the ballroom she had a long black dress that flowed behind her. In her hand a long stick held a Mardi Gras style mask that was black with gold swirls around out. "Well"Mara looked around at all the people"This should be interesting"she then put her mask up to her face and stepped into the crowd of colorful dresses and tuxedos.

"Aye, weel that's mah sisters fur ye. An' yoo're reit thaur isnae anythin' wrong wi' bein' at th' balls again. It's jist that Ah dornt much loch bein' oot ay water that much an' aam nae sure Ah can fin' someain haur willin' tae laeve everythin' behin' tae be wi' me." He sighed as he watched people pair off for dances, sadly reminded how he looked like a monster to most. He was glad that this year was held right next to the ocean though, if he needed to he could just slip away.

Forcing himself to smile when he faced his human friend he feigned cheeriness. His under bite full of gnashing teeth wasn't exactly an award winning smile. "Weel there's nae point in standin' tae th' side, we shoods be it thaur enjoyin' th' baa th' queen has pit oan fur us."

~~~

It wasn't much information but it was something. Clearly his people were very secretive about themselves, usually that meant they had something worth hiding. And what abilities do they have that they keep themselves from the rest of the world? That was something that started tickling the back of her mind.

At the speed they were dancing her feet were barely touching the ground for very long, spending more and more time in the air an element that was first nature to her. "Hmm, this is my second time to this particular ball, but yes I have been to many a celebration in the past few years. I'm usually sent in as my family's representative. My turn, why did you come to the ball?" She had a sly, crooked smile as the whirled to the music.

The blonde smiled slightly, though a little sadly, at her friend's words. She had hoped that perhaps he had managed to find someone, but alas it appeared like that hadn't happened yet. In her opinion, appearance played far too important a role in people's decisions about their romantic partners. Those thoughts went for both how people gravitated towards beautiful people, and how they invariably avoided those without such luck.

"Then, why don't we dance? I've improved since last time ..." Rosellen blushed and smiled all at once as she peered at Stuart. She really did want to dance with him again, and hoped that the merrow felt the same way as her.

The nameless allowed himself to smile at the raven's words while he twirled the woman around and around like a top. She was feather light, this pink wearing woman. Leif didn't deign to even try and regain control of the situation, much preferring to let Arkerril have the lead. This really wasn't the type of situation he felt comfortable with.

"Why? Because I was invited. And you, what are you? Light as you are, there's no way you're human." Arkerril's eyes twinkled with mischief as they pair glided gracefully over the floor and between the other dancers.

She had stepped lightly down the ballroom to make sure her boots didn't click on the stairs that led to the dance floor. Mara looked around and since the ball was new to her she realized that noone knew her. Still she had joined in the merriment and had walked over to some of the guest to go and talk with them while the pleasant music made her feel more cheerful than ever.

Smiling in earnest he replied, "Weel 'en, wa dornt we dance? Ah promise ye mah legs ur much steadier thes time aroond, but Ah cannae say 'at I've practiced nur improved frae lest time. Ah still dance loch a feesh oot ay water." He chuckled deeply as he offered his hand to lead. The dance floor was scattered with partners, many were dancing their own styles, as was the nature of a fae ball there was no set dance. However he could see a dervish of a couple swirling in and out between the others. Stuart made mental note to stay away from them as best he could.

~~~

She fluttered her eyes at him and slowly smiled, it was a dark and unkind smile, "And you would be right Mr. Leif, human I'm not. But I doubt many here tonight are. I am one of many, my kind is numerous and wide spread but mostly unknown. We flit like shadows and thrive by hiding in plain sight. I'm certain you have seen us on many an occasion but did not know who or what you were seeing. We take our secrecy as seriously as, it would seem, you do as well. I have told others before you what I was and they spent the rest of their lives constantly in a state of paranoia, watching over their shoulder, jumping at the shadows and the likes." That last one was a complete lie, her own life was so short that she had no way of knowing what happened during the lifespan of others. But it might do to set down a warning per se. She tilted her head back mid twirl and laughed, it was a loud almost cackle like laughter. Jacky's eyes were twinkling again, "Nah it's fine. We're bird-kin; extra light bone structure, affinity towards avian folk, penchant for collecting shiny things, some of us can actually talk with birds too. Nothing too dangerous or mysterious. " There were many different kinds of bird-kin in the world, so she really wasn't narrowing it down that much. "Speaking of shiny things. Your hair isn't a color I've seen before. Why do you dye it?"

Mara had perked her ears up at the conversations going on, and heard many interesting things. There was one dancer who had discussed her kind with her partner. At this Mara had smiled for she knew what it was like to hide from everyone and jump at shadows "Well there are some interesting kinds here she'd said quietly with her mask to her face.

Her eyes flitted around, never staying on her dance partner for too long. She kept a constant watch for interesting characters and things worth her family's knowing. But she also was here on her own terms and was looking for someone to spend some quality time with and actually share her secrets rather than barter with them. And during a particular twirl and dip she spotted her; beautiful long flowing white hair, accented by a rich red ribbon, her ears came to a delicate point and Jacky was head over heals. Literally, her dance partner righted her and she continued to keep an eye on the new elf, she just had to know her.
"Cutie at 7 o'clock." She whispered to her partner who she had been sharing barbs and twirls with, he might get the hint he might not, but she wasn't about to loose an opportunity to talk with gorgeous over there. Another twirl and she was spun out to her arm's length, close to the elf.
"Hello there sugar. Care to dance? This one is almost finished and I would love to keep out on the floor for the next."

Mara had turned around at this girls request to dance. She had smiled and let out a small chuckle "I would love to danceshe'd put up a hand for the lady to grab it "I think you should lead". Mara had to wonder whys he was so interested in dancing but didn't mind since she was getting bored. What is your name?"she'd asked as she removed her mask from her face with her other hand.

Jacky was shorter than this other girl but gladly took lead, switching from her former dance partner to this one was a smooth transition. And in her opinion a lovelier view too, not that Lief wasn't handsome himself, but he just wasn't in her tastes. The elf however seemed to tickle her fancy. Her dark curls bounced on her shoulders as lead, an honest happy smile gracing her face, visible just under the feathered mask she wore.
"My name's Jaquelin, but most call me Jacky, you can call me either. And whom do I have the pleasure of dancing with?" She batted her eyes trying to be smooth with the, assumed, older woman. She just hoped that the elf didn't go running from her flirting.

Dancing with her new partner was really interesting, and her hand was very light in Maras. She was very short and small but had been much better at leading than herself. "Mine name is Mara"she looked down at her partner and smiled "What is your name?"she had enjoyed the music as her and her partner swayed and danced.

Jacky scrunched her nose, she wasn't sure if her partner was just very distracted or was a bit slow. She was hoping for the former. "Mara, dove, you already asked me my name. Is this your first time to a masquerade?" perhaps it was just that she was overwhelmed by the surrounding activities. There was a lot to take in for a first attendance, many different races in beautiful attire flocked to the fae balls.

Laughing lightly, she placed her hand upon his. "But you are a fish out of water, in a manner of speaking." Smiling, Rosellen let herself be led out upon the dance floor and waited for her dance partner to begin their journey across the floor.

"What is it like, living under the sea? I can't remember if I ever asked you that before." Rose's eyes lifted joyously to peer at her friend. It was strange, last time the way he'd looked had put her off but now it just didn't seem to matter.

Mara just smiled Yes it is I'm sorry I got overwhelmed" she let out a small laugh. She had watched Jacky dancing with her "So I see you've been to alot of these' she hesitated for a second and wondered if that was to personal then she had still continued to dance and sway with the music.

Malfay sighed, she had a few drinks so she was far less tense then she normally was as her red eyes scanned around the ballroom. Everyone had already paired off, even females were with females and males with males, though she couldn't say that she was surprised after all everyone had their preference. She looked around once more, seeing the man from earlier that she had been talking with standing there in the middle of the floor, doing absolutely nothing. She rolled her eyes before she went out onto the dance floor, tugging him close to as she ducked and weaved until they were off the dance floor, turning back to look at him. "If you do not have a dance partner do not be on the dance floor." she said as she smiled her white painted lips at him.

Jacky smiled at her, she was just so pure and innocent. And she wanted to corrupt her; she was, after all, a harbinger of bad news in many cultures, and to those who saw her on business purposes. "Not as many as you'd think. This is actually my second time to the Fae Ball. I really enjoy seeing all the pretty faces and meeting new people." She wasn't lying, meeting people and making connections was an important factor and pretty faces were a bonus. If only she could take a pretty face or two home with her, but her dad would never approve. "Are you here to represent your family? Or to find a potential marriage partner? Most people are here for one or the other."

~~~

Ah suppose Ah am. He laughed loudly in mirth. His eyes twinkled as they began to dance, they were a bit slower than some of the other partners out. Stuart's steps were unsure at best and he set their slower pace. "Weel, whaur Ah live th' waters ur cold an' roogh at times, sae everythin' is dark an' ye can feel th' dangers. But they're dangers ye know, comfortable dangers, an' ye start tae feel at haem wi' them an' can start readin' them. Bein' able tae travel in aw directions is somethin' else, it's a challenge when ye leave. Ah dornt make it soond aw 'at magical ur majestic, if we waur mer-people in th' Mediterranean aam sure it woods be much mair pleasant. But they dornt hae th' sam powers mah sisters hae."

Mara paused to think about Jackies questions while they danced. She then smiled and said "Well I don't think my family would approve of me being here, so for marriage purposes"she laughed lightly. "And what about you Jacky what are you here for?Mara said as she tilted her head to the side. Her dance partner was really intriguing to Mara since elfs didn't get out very often, and she started to sway more with the music as her black dress trailed behind her. She then smiled at her partner"And if I'm not imposing what is your species?"she had to wonder if her partner would answer her while they danced together.