She laughed, the sound bubbling out like water in a creek. It was different, refreshing even, to talk with someone that spoke bluntly as he did. It was something she missed dearly from her travels. "If it had been a true exile I would not be Queen. I guess it was more a self-imposed exile. I did not agree with the policies of my father, so to spite him I left." She answered, though amusement still tinged the sound. She shook her head, wondering if speaking so freely was the brightest idea, but then wasn't that the point of the masks? The ability to speak freely, to get to know a person without the prejudice of species?

"I do still make time for travel though. It helps that I have many sisters that can govern in my place, even if they don't agree with my father's choice of naming his second youngest as ruler. Or my policies." She shrugged her shoulder, though her lips dipped into a frown. She really hoped she wouldn't be coming back to a riot. Catching the swipe from the peripheral, she let the smile tug back. "Would you care to step outside for a breather? I think it'll be somewhat cooler out there than here." She offered, the lavender orbs looking around for either a door to a more secluded area. If not, the next best was back at the entrance.

"Thank you, Miss," Leland nodded softly, then turning his attention to the lovely Drow in front f him. "Madam, I must say you look gorgeous, may I have this dance?"

Leland extended his hand, awaiting the other Drows response. While he waited for her response he pulled a small, white furred kitten from his coat pocket, also extending the kitten to her.

He paused, letting a small grin pull at the corners of his mouth, "I found it on the way here, would you like it?"

Lyssa watched as some of the people seemed some what uncomfortable, she debated on going to talk to the man, with the beautiful silver hair. She decided to buck up the courage and talk to him. She hoped her small talk would help bring the man from his somewhat reclusive state.

She strolled over, setting her glass of wine on a nearby servers tray, then continuing onwards. She curtsied and grinned softly, "Hello."

"I see," Vincent inclined his head a bit as he understood why Aria had left. She was queen - a true leader. The heirarchy of the elementals was much different than the "desired" position of high ruler. It was a burden that was readily dismissed . . . but someone had to carry it. Vincent had been the unlucky creature to accept the "crown" of leadership many years prior.
"A breath of fresh air is desirable, yes." The dark-haired creature followed Aria's gaze to the nearest doorway. Instead of offering his arm (as one of the other gentemen might have done) Vincent took a few steps in that direction without bothering to look back at the woman. He never once considered Aria following him outside - that just wasn't how his solitary-minded thoughts worked.

The moment the elemental felt cooler air striking his pale features, Vincent couldn't help but breathe in deeply. It took a few moments for the frost at his fingertips to form. When he exhaled a small fog of frost faded into the darkness. Though there were still people nearby the crowds weren't quite as pressing. The male reached up to touch his brow as he cleared himself of the uncomfortable heat from the inside rooms.
-

Ajon noticed a dark-haired woman making her way toward him, but the broad-shouldered elf managed to look ignorant. He didn't want to talk; he'd had enough of that already. When the female neared him he closed his eyes and sighed. It seemed that he was destined to talk with someone else. Stubbornly offering a mere nod, the elf turned his blue eyes to the other side of the room with a look of annoyance. Leave me be.
His fingertips brushed his left collarbone just above his heart in a manner that looked like he might be dusting off his shoulder. Sadly, what the action meant to the nomads meant something far deeper than just brushing away a speck of dust: it meant he was irritated and very bothered. It usually told his own people to back off - but it wasn't a usual action. No one but one of his own people would know what it meant.

((:lol: Don't take it personally! He's always like this. -_-'
*cough* Keep talking to him! Ajon is a jerk, but he's a hot jerk and he's going to talk with you sooner or later, Miss Silkie. ;)))

"You know, I know you don't want to talk to me, I'm wise enough to condone it. I figure from the way you're acting you're new here, too. I'm Lyssa, and you are," she questioned.

She was ever so curious about him, in all of her years of travel--she had only traveled for diplomatic reasons, never for leisure, it was always nice when she got to meet and talk with new people. She had never see a man quite like him, not one that carried himself that high to say the least--he had to be a leader or maybe a part of counsel, she thought.

A wry grin formed, again the evidence of his solitary lifestyle shown as he walked away without her. Sighing lightly, she followed him, though haltingly as newly brave males decided to come up and speak to her. Turning them down firmly, yet politely, she finally made it out beside Vincent. Noticing the frosty exhale, it made her curious. She'd heard rumors of beings of ice, yet she wasn't sure if he was one such being. Not that she cared either, much as freezing temperatures bothered her, she'd been growing used to it, her kingdom was within the dark, deepest depths where the sun never reached down to chill the surrounding.

Sighing in pleasure as she felt a light breeze, she hummed a tune, a piece of a song she'd once heard when she'd traveled among the mortals. "This is so much better." She murmured, feeling as if speaking too loudly would destroy the peace of being out here. Leaning lightly against a thin pillar, she let her gaze turn to watch the night sky. "Do you ever miss your family?" She asked suddenly after a few minutes of silence, genuinely curious about him.

Ajon flicked his collarbone once again, narrowing his eyes behind his dusty mask. "Not interested," he responded when she asked who he was. After a few moments of stubborn silence the male finally forced himself to speak further. "Ajon," he said, extending his hand with palm up. "A pleasure to meet you, I'm sure."
He still didn't look interested (if anything the tall male looked desperately irritated), but at least he wasn't going to ignore the woman further. "I'm sure there are many men dying to have you for a dance. You should accept their efforts." His words were a barely disguised not-so-discreet way of saying: leave me alone. Motioning briskly to the nearest of the non-dancing youth, Ajon smiled grimly. "I'm afraid my company will only mar your opinion of me, Lyssa." He was out of sorts . . . and he knew it. His attitude wasn't very kind and understanding at the moment.
-

Slowly blinking in Aria's direction Vincent was startled to see that she'd followed him. He said nothing about it, but merely looked back out to the darkness. When she hummed, he took a moment to close his eyes - it felt like a soothing wave washing over him; it nearly lulled him to sleep right then and there.
Luckily Aria's words brought him back to reality. "My . . . family?" Vincent frowned, his crimson mask barely shadowing the expression. "I don't." He looked over the girl for a few moments before asking a question in return. "It sounds as though you have bigger families than my kind. Do you ever . . . miss them?"

It was a while before he even bothered pulling his gaze back out to the night sky. It was almost too easy to look upon this woman with an eye of contentedness: she was rather good looking, sounded beautiful, and carried a soothing aura about her. The elemental found himself drawn to her just as she was drawn to him.
"Your voice is very soothing," he whispered moments after she replied to his question.

He didn't? The knowledge left Aria feeling sad. Much as she didn't agree with her family, she would still miss them, well a few of them anyway. She giggled at his comment of her having a big family. But it did pique her interest of what his kind was. "Indeed. It was completely unintentional on my father's part. He wanted a son, but his wives only produced girls up until his most recent birthed a boy, short months before the King passed. I was fifth among his six daughters." She laughed a little, though knowingly forgetting to mention that the King had had so many wives in the first place because he was a rather extremely temperamental male who had his wife behead when she bore a daughter. Tilting her head to look at him, the wistful smile appeared again. "When I am away, I miss them. Well some of them, a few of my older sisters can be rather...Irritating." She finally said after having had to think about the last word.

Smiling beautifully, she made no comment about actually the hushed words. He didn't seem the type to be comfortable with any niceties being acknowledged. "Do you dance?" Aria asked after letting the comfortable silence stretch, the faint noise of a waltz playing, the mermaid turning to face him, setting her glass on the flat banister beside her hip.

Vincent's features melted into a amused expression as he listened to Aria speak of her family. He managed to finish off his drink and set it aside while she talked, and even offered a soft chuckle when she mentioned her "irritating" older sisters. Her family was, as he'd thought, much larger than his own. His "family" consisted of his parents and nothing more. Elementals were few and far between - and they lived for so long that it was rumored they never multiplied. Vincent's "young" age of 590 was far too young to be completely immortal.

The gorgeous smile that Aria gave off after his comment was enough to bring a response from Vincent. He smiled in return, turning his eyes to the couple that strolled leisurely by. Her question about dancing made him tilt his head with a quirked brow: he looked equally surprised and skeptical. "No," he stated bluntly, looking back toward the building to observe the dancers there. They were moving together as one; each couple was like a single entity. It was a strange sight for his eyes, but he found it rather . . . pleasing.
"Do you?"

Lyssa looked down at his hand, supposing she was to shake it, which she did, but it was somewhat awkward.

She frowned somewhat when he told her there were man who were dying to have dance with her, "I honestly don't think any man would dance with me, if they knew what I really was behind this mask, I may be beautiful now..." She trailed off, catching herself mid-sentence, she paused a bit scatter-brained, talking about what she was always made her somewhat self-conscience. "Just because I am..doesn't make me feeling like I belong, I myself came alone."

Nikholas smiled warmly at her last comment, declaring him cowardly for such an approach at peace. No doubt, she did not know who he was, but this was good- he rather liked the thought that he blended in. Hearing opinions that differ from one's own was refreshing, so he welcomed her opinion. Before replying to her later comment, he first addressed their proper greeting, blunt in a genuine manner, as was his personality, "A lovely name... and easy to remember." He took mental note of the appearance of her mask, for later reference in case they happened to spend time together later in the weeks to come.

Then, his mind switching back to the subject of the masks, he decided to share his thoughts on the matter, "I suppose I can see why one may think that, however..." His voice trailed off as he took a moment between their slow steps to move himself backwards in order for her to twirl, if she so wished. After he allowed for the pause, he would take her waist once more and continue, "It's my belief that the masks allow an ease to tension," his gaze moved from hers to look about the others dancing, "All of the dancing couples in the ballroom have had to choose partners without knowing their species. Imagine the possibilities... Right now, a man from one race and a woman from an enemy species may be getting along rather brilliantly. At the end of the three weeks, the two could've grown rather close, or simply remember sharing a lovely evening together, and an alliance that may have been otherwise inconceivable may be formed."

Nikholas let out a soft sigh, then looked back into her eyes, "The king may have some romantic visions, but I believe I see his reasoning." Then laughing softly and smiling a little, he changed the subject, "Why have you chosen to attend?" The question was one of pure curiosity, as was natural of a host to wonder what drew his guests, particularly those who disliked the approach, in to the event.

Ayumu finally gained the courage to go on into the mansion and mingle with the other guests. Inside she found herself relaxing more as she looked around the ballroom. Couples were already on the dance floor twirling to the music. She had never seen such a place as this and found herself in awe. Moving along the edge of the room she enjoyed the music that was playing. She took a glass of wine off a tray as a server passed by. A faint smile formed on her ice blue lips. Not knowing much about the outside world she had done her best to pick out something suitable for the ball that suited her tastes. For now she was content was just looking on as the other people danced and had fun.

Gun gave instructions to the man who took his horse. He straightened his jacket before making his way into the mansion. As he walked his eyes wandered over the other guests. Just thinking about the possibility of the person who killed his father or hired someone to kill his father being here made him tense. Without realizing it he had clutched his right hand into a fist as he walked along. Once he realized how tense he was getting he took a deep breath, unclenching his fist. The music that floated around the room also helped him to relax himself a little, but he wasn’t about to totally let his guard down. For all he knew he was the only one from his clan attending so if he got into trouble he was on his own. Which was fine by him since he preferred it that way now, especially since his father’s death. His eyes continued to wonder as he walked along the outside the dance floor.

Following his gaze to watch the dancing couples inside, Aria shook her head. Tilting her head, she thought back to the dances she'd partaken of. "Well, nothing this fancy. Rather difficult to dance a waltz underwater. The few times I was on dry land, the dancing was nothing as high-class as this." She answered softly, yet still feeling restless. "Do you know how to dance though?" She wondered, though she also wondered if she was going about asking him to dance the wrong way. Aria felt maybe it would've been better to just ask him outright, but at the same time she didn't want to be rude if he didn't know how to, though not wanting to suffer a rejection. She was enjoying her time with him, even curious if she would see him more during this long party, hopefully afterwards as well.

Viktoria had been taking a leisurely stroll about the room, anything to keep her from standing or sitting still along the sidelines. Being stationary for so long was simply not fun, and it much more suited her to go around mingling and enjoying the evening's selection of wines. The particular one in her glass now was a rather sweet, white dessert wine- her favorite thus far. Luckily for her, she was not one to really be affected by drinking wine, it was simply something she was accustomed to by now. Her actions were still just as graceful, just as deliberate and her air of confidence hadn't dissolved in the least sense. When she stopped her walking, the person she had been talking to deciding to go and dance, she looked about casually.

Noticing a rather tense looking individual walking around the edge of the dance floor [Gun], the man snared her curiosity. He was rather near, on a course set to pass by her until she turned to join him in walking for a moment. She didn't wish to bother him- simply make conversation. "Hello," she began with a warm smile, "Is... something the matter?" Viktoria wasn't sure if if was his mask or his actions that got her thinking that he was up tight, made nervous, uncomfortable. It was not at all unusual for there to be a few uncomfortable guests.

When Lyssa took his hand Ajon moved his fingers to encircle her wrist. It was a sign of trust for his people - and it was the only "handshake" they had. The awkward moment passed slowly . . . which was no suprise, considering the elf's lack of words. The silver-haired male laughed bitterly and shook his head. "Surely you aren't that hideous," though he said it with a dull tone, he meant it. Looking her over for the first time since she'd approached, Ajon smiled tightly. "I came alone as well. It seems that many of us did."

Instead of making the moment more awkward for the both of them, Ajon narrowed his blue gaze and swallowed thickly. In order to avoid the females sending him impatient looks he would need to dance with someone - and that someone was standing right before him. "Would you mind dancing?" the tall elf hesitantly offered his arm, looking uncomfortable with the idea (but willing to do it as long as it kept him away from the other women).
-

"I do not," Vincent replied, not sounding self-conscious in the least. His kind didn't hold social gatherings and they avoided humanity. They never danced - save with the wind, but that was different. "It seems simple enough, though." He met Aria's curious gaze with the ghost of a smile. "Would you be willing to try?"

He didn't like the thought of physical contact, but he would do it. He only did things he wanted to do . . . so this was a sure sign that the elemental enjoyed the girl's company.

((:XD I'm so sorry, everyone! I'm going to be gone until Monday. :())

As he made his around the room Gun hadn’t noticed the woman [Viktoria] who had started walking beside him. She hadn’t really started him, rather just surprised him when she spoke. Her voice had snapped him out of his thoughts which had been drifting back to tasking of discovering his father’s murderer. He blinked as he looked down at the woman. “No, not really, I’m just not use to these sort of events,” he answered casually.

What he had said wasn’t entirely true. He had attended several balls with and without his parents. None of them had been as grand as this one. Balls were something that a good leader should consider hosting and attending his father had told him. They were a way for tensions to be eased and hopefully doors for diplomacy to open. He finally let himself relax more so he wouldn’t draw more attention. “Balls like this that have so many people can overwhelm someone who isn’t use to very large gatherings.”

Lyssa grinned, "It would be an honor..what I meant was the mask will come off in three weeks time, I won't show anyone any more than that...but you I may, I'm sure there's a place I could show you nearby..when the time comes..but until then I shall keep you guessing."

She took his arm, then lowering her voice, "All I know is a simple slow dance..never learned, never saw the need to..."

Blushing lightly, though most of it was hidden under the mask, she hesitantly moved from the pillar. She hadn't actually expected him to want to try dancing, pleased, but hadn't expected it. "I'll apologize in advance if I accidentally step on any toes." She said, smiling softly in apology. She hoped she didn't, but she was not used to dancing of this kind. She curtsied, again, as she moved a bit closer to him.


((Awwwww! I'll miss ya though lots Esmme!))

Smoothing out her dress as she sat in the carriage, Chandra rode to the ball. She was ticked that Gun decided to live with her, he didn't even give her a warning, but that was gun for her. Sighing softly she would lean her hand against the palm of her hand as she looked out the window. A light breeze would blow through the windows as the wheels roll over the bumps on the rode. If she knew that this ride was going to be so bumpy, she would of rode a horse to the ball instead. Glancing up she would see the moon and a soft smile came to her face. She always loved looking at the moon, it was like a calling to her. It always calmed her down when she was upset or mad.

Reaching up, Chandra fixed one of the strands of long, curled brown hair. It took her hours to get prepared for the ball, she didn't want to take that long but she had to look good right? Her hair was pulled into a half up half down do, her natural curls making it look so elegant. Her dress was one of Gun's mother's dress. She was like a mother to her since she didn't know her real parents. The soft fabric would hug her every curves, fitting her body perfectly.

The carriage would come to a stop and it made her body do a jerking motion. Looking out the window once more she noticed that she arrived. Her jaw dropped slightly when she looked at the building. It was gorgeous. The perfect place to have a ball for thousands. Placing her mask on, she would await for the driver to open the door. Taking his hand when he did, she would climb out, holding the end of her dress. She smiled at him softly, thanking him before she walks up towards the door.

(Sorry I posted when I was slightly half asleep. I guess I wasn't paying attention. And question how was a good modding?)

http://joechip.net/liana/uploads/pen...rds-tabbed.png (That's her dress)

"Then we're on the same page," the elf said, glancing at the ladies he'd left behind. Ajon tried to copy the dancers around them at first . . . but it became swiftly apparent that the elven dancing style was nothing so simple as waltzing and swaying back and forth. It was nearly impossible for Darkholme to get the movements down to memory. Instead, he acted in a different manner entirely.

Instead of asking Lyssa's permission, Ajon moved on to a different dance. It was more flowing and brought them closer together in a kind of "oneness" that the other couples lacked. The broad-shouldered male linked his fingers with Lyssa's as he slid behind her, leading her as a puppeteer might lead his act. Keeping their hands linked was the most complicated part for the female: from there it was Ajon's turn to lead her completely. He moved in a way that helped Lyssa stay with him completely, making her look more like his immediate shadow than a separate partner.

Nomadic dancing was . . . altogether inappropriate for their particular setting, so he kept it slow and simple: a mere "shadow" dance, if you will.
-

Vincent nodded to acknowledge that he'd heard Aria, but he didn't reply. Instead he offered his hand after a slight bow. Tentatively placing his hands where they ought to have been, the elemental couldn't help but notice the girl's warmth. It wasn't the stuffy feeling from the room, but a life-giving pulse that made his red gaze fill with wonder.
As they fell into position and slowly, haltingly tried to mimic the dance, Vincent didn't seem bothered by their mistakes. If anything he seemed eager to correct everything they did wrong. Every mess up was a chance to solve a problem; every misstep was something to focus on. Granted, there were a few stubbed toes on both sides, but Vincent never seemed to look sheepish or embarrassed. Instead, he looked intent and focused - and interested.
It was like trying out a new food that you'd never eaten before: strange, altogether different, and something you needed to work around until you got the taste for it. Vincent could easily ignore Aria's sense of heat as long as they moved - though the extra layer of frost on his fingertips certainly did help.

Even their clothing felt different: Aria's felt like warm silk and velvet - it was soft and delicate to the touch. Vincent's was woven and almost rough, like a travel-worn cloak that was meant to keep the water from seeping into him. She was warm, he was cool. He was taller than her - though that was expected - and they were both pale, though in different ways. Aria was like porcelain while Vincent was stone.

"Have you ever wanted to dance before?" Vincent asked quietly, careful to avoid stepping on Aria once again. They were slowly getting the hang of it - and they were moving just as smoothly as their well-practiced counterparts.

((Aww . . . I'll miss you guys too! :kiss: Hahah, try to wait for me? If you can't, go ahead and move. Or . . . just ditch my character and I'll seek you out later. ;) If you ditch, go hang out with other dancers/party goers! I'll have Vinny come after you anyway. :ninja:))

She blushed, she'd never been this close to any man before, and she was surprised by his dancing skills, "Ajon, you're an incredible dancer--you're so fluent and graceful."

Lyssa had never seen such a fluent dancer in all of her years, she blushed a deeper red, thankfully the mask covered up most of her flushed cheeks, she felt butterfly's in her stomach, in all her years she had never developed a crush on a total stranger before. She was completely overwhelmed with emotions she really couldn't comprehend, the best she could do was manage them and not let her eyes tell the story. She looked up at him, grinning.

[ DarkAngel562415- I'm sorry, but I'm going to ask you to please edit your post. Gun is already at the ball, and is not your character- so your post has a bit of godmodding in it.

Esmme- Thank you for the notice, by the way. Much appreciated. :) ]

Viktoria noticed his eyes widen the slightest bit from what she could see, and she felt a bit bad, now thinking she may have surprised him. She had been mingling previously with others who had been doing likewise- she hadn't stopped to think that the man was not speaking to anyone, and perhaps didn't wan to be bothered. Those thoughts made her feel sorry, sending him an apologetic smile, "Sorry if I've startled you, I didn't mean to..." she spoke a bit shyly, wringing her hand momentarily before he responded to her question. She nodded slowly in understanding, "I see.. Well, the summer ball is one of my favorite events. I can only hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do," she responded in a more relaxed manner, sending him a warm smile.

The later response made her think, realizing just how many guests had congregated for the event and how intimidating that number may be to one who's not accustomed to it. Viktoria only grew used to it through many years of service under Nikholas, but she could still vaguely remember her first ball. She was horribly shy back at that time, her dancing was clumsy at best, and she'd drank a bit too much wine the first night. She smiled at the memories, then though for a moment, "Well, I suppose that number amy be smaller if you knew a few people, right?" While it was impossible to truly 'know' someone until three weeks' time, she encouraged her thought by introducing herself. "My name is Viktoria," she stated simply, flashing him a friendly smile.

Aria laughed as they moved, not bothered as they stumbled a few steps. She smiled up at him, ignoring the sudden shiver that chased down her spine. Where she was possibly warm to him, he was like ice to her. Hearing the music die down before starting up another, equally simple dance music, she kept moving.

Sighing softly, bare fingers brushing against the rough fabric of his clothing, she slowly drew back, suddenly breaking out into giggles and a bit of swaying from dizziness. "Sorry. Sorry. Just got a little bit dizzy there." She spoke through the laughter, leaning back against the banister. It was that or lean against Vincent, but she didn't figure he would have approved that. Smoothing out the fabric of her dress, she seemed to avoid looking at him as she suddenly flushed with color. Both from being warm again and from slight embarrassment of becoming dizzy so easily. Tilting her head, brushing a few strands behind her shoulder, she let her thoughts wander away. "Have I? Well, sometimes I had. But when I had practically exiled myself when I was younger, I had no title with which I could use to enter high society of the mortals. I did used to watch them though, daydreaming of moving as fluidly on their dance floors as I would swim through the oceans." She responded once she'd caught her breath, and the goosebumps seemed to disappear.

"Have you? Have you ever wanted to dance or even play among a group of people?" She questioned, turning to look at him directly, lips stilled parted as she breathed from her mouth instead of her nose.

((Heh. An icy 'stalker' instead of a windy one? Oh well, still sexy. I hope you have fun though.))

With a grim smile, Ajon looked down at the girl and regarded her excitement with a critical expression. When he finally forced his feral demeanor away, the elf managed to make his features appear a tad more friendly. "We have no formal dances where I come from," he said, spinning Lyssa so that she could stand in front of him. Any other dance he knew was . . . well, not suitable for their current circumstances. "The dances here," he motioned toward the other dancers with the flick of his hand, "are nothing like ours."
He liked the mystery, he decided. Ajon Darkholme was no one important here - no one was higher than the other with their silly titles and power. Everyone was a mask: everyone was equal. There was no hostility . . . though Ajon found darker feelings easier to come by. The silver-haired elf looked back to Lyssa and slowly grasped her left hand with his right, linking their fingers once again. "Ours have a more personal meaning," Ajon whispered, though he knew that this one time was an exception: he was only dancing to keep himself from the other females. That was what he kept repeating to himself.

((:XD I'm sorry . .. can't finish. Have to go now. :cry: See you later, everyone!))

"There's no formal dances where I come from either," Lyssa was really having great difficulties hiding her nervousness. "You've got beautifully toned hair."

She was having such a good time, he made her feel a bit more normal for a change, and it was really nice feeling--to feel at least somewhat normal.

"I'm so glad that I'm not stepping on your toes, I would feel completely terrible, if I did that is."

Chuckling slightly, Gun shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. I should have been paying more attention. A lady as lovely as you should not be hard to miss.” A sly smile formed on his lips as he spoke smoothly. He found himself finally looking the woman over and trying to figure out which race she might be from. He listened to her, nodding slightly. “This is my first time attending this ball. It shall be a very interesting and enlightening experience I’m sure. I have no doubts that if most of the guests are as nice as you seem to be that I will very much enjoy this ball.”

He thought about the last think that she had said. She had a good point. The main reason he came other than to get lead on his father’s murder was to get to know people of the other races, hopefully other leaders. “You are right. One of the nice things about this ball since it is longer is you have more time to get to know at least a few of the people that you meet. I’m Gunther, but most people call me Gun.” He bowed to her, giving her a smile.