((Sorry it took a while. Been busy and brain fried mushy crisp))

Aria smiled but blushed when she noticed his brow raised. Maybe just a bit too much enthusiasm? Shaking her head, she walked out of the dining room alongside, as they were climbing the stairs she started to nibble her bottom lip, obvious concern for him. "Are you ok?" She asked softly, though her lavender eyes flit around the hall they founds themselves at. "I have not yet figured out. But I'm sure I will find it soon. Maybe even nearby." She murmured, temporarily distracted from looking around so she could find her room.



She'd moved to sit in the veranda, thinking about the recent encounter with Ajon. She hadn't expected him to suddenly shift like that. She'd originally cornered him partly because she honestly didn't like the fawning of the other males, and he had looked angry. Normally it would have kept any sane person away, but she was different. She wanted to find out that anger, push him till it exploded, and see the person. It was always during or after an explosion of anger when you could see the true person underneath. Nice was just a mask, many emotions were just a mask to hide the true things, like pain and anger.

Shaking her head and sighing softly, she heard someone calling her name. Standing and turning around quickly, she frowned as she noticed the other had come after her. "It's my name." She agreed, letting her lips quirk in a slight smile as she spaced her legs apart to place more weight on one and crossed her arms. "So what brings you to following me?" She asked, her flirty nature coming back.

((A mushy crisp, eh? Ugh, I hate that feeling! :lol: I don't mind the wait! I do it to everyone else all the time. :sweat:))

"I'm fine," Vincent said quietly, but then watched as Aria was distracted by looking for her room. The elemental looked over the doors until he saw his own; he'd memorized it earlier. When his hand touched the surface a spike of frost formed around his hand. "I would help you search, but I would be a hindrance." After getting the door open Vincent stayed in the doorway and continued to watch Aria search for her room.
Strangely, he was hoping she was nearby.

((:XD SOrry for the general shortness. :drool:))
-

Ajon shrugged and moved to look out at the darkness. "Who said I didn't want a breath of fresh air?" The elf had retained a twinge of irritation, as though even he wasn't quite sure why he'd moved outside to follow her. With Raina's flirtatious nature came Ajon's irritated aura. It was almost comedic to see how when one arose the other followed swiftly. "You were standing there, and I thought I'd ask your name. Nothing more."
The tall elf frowned slowly, trying to push the fuzzy feeling from his system. Alcohol wasn't rare in his tribe, but he didn't take to it as easily as he did the sweeter drinks here. It was influencing how he thought: there was no way on earth that he would ever come to like this girl. What had gotten into him?

She smiled when he mentioned helping her, waving her hand back and forth in dismissal. "Its fine. I'm sure I'm not on the opposite side." She replied, looking to the side, directly across from his room. Smiling brightly she nodded. "Cool. I'm right across the hall." She turned towards him and motioned at her door. Frowning lightly, she stepped close. "Rest well." She murmured before rising up and brushing a feather light kiss to his cheek. Blushing mildly she turned and walked away quickly to the balcony area.



Scoffing lightly at his responses she shook her head, not buying it really. But whatever. He was irritated, and that suited her just fine. Made her feel better in a strange way. "If you needed fresh air you would have been out here before." Commenting lightly, she moved from her location, stepping next to the rose bushes. Leaning down, she picked up a recently fallen one, the stem had been a little weak, but the bud was fine. She stuck it in her hair, making sure it stayed in place. "Well since you know my name, what is yours? Although, I have no problem continuing with calling you cutey." Raina winked when she'd looked back at him.

Vincent let the beginnings of a smile start on his face. "I'm glad." He watched the girl get closer, and didn't move away when she entered his comfort zone (which, technically, was a good foot from him). "Thank you for your well-wishes." His glowing eyes flickered with amusement as Aria stood on her tiptoes . . . and then blinked in surprise when he felt her kiss on his cheek.
He sensed the shift of heat on her features, and let a smile spread over his face before turning into his room and closing the door behind him. It seems we're both fond of one another already.
-

The elf watched as Raina tucked a flower into her hair, keeping himself still. "Think what you want," he said dismissively, waving a hand backward in front of his face. Dismissal. Ajon was content with staying silent after that point (and letting his annoyance spike steadily), but the young woman had another plan.

"It's Ajon," he growled, frowning upon hearing her pet name for him. The wink unsettled him once again, and Ajon pointedly turned his gaze elsewhere. "Ajon Darkholme."

Aria wrung her hands together for a few moments as she stood out on the balcony overlooking the rose garden. Really the flora was very beautiful, but her mind was distracted from thoughts of her sudden boldness just moments earlier. Leaning her hip against the railing she sighed softly, which turned into humming. After a few minutes of humming, she started to sing. It was an old lullaby her mother had used to sing, about saying goodnight instead of goodbye. She never noticed it, but silent tears made their way down her cheeks, it had been the last night she'd seen her mother, for the very next day, she'd gone into labor and the babe had been stillborn and complications caused massive bleed out.
((I'm using Amy Lee's song Goodnight for this.))

Hm. A rather interesting name, something she repeated aloud for him. Raina sighed, noting his irritation spiking, and wanting to continue having a good night, she made to move past him. Except, she miscalculated a step and tripped, landing against the male. "Sorry. So sorry." She murmured, though made no move to stop touching him at the moment. After a little bit, she finally moved away. Inhaling and exhaling, she seemed to be gathering up her frayed dignity, even her feline pride, for that trip was most ungraceful. Lifting her chin and stepping away quickly, she escaped back into the dining hall to grab a glass of whatever alcoholic substance was closest and hide in a corner.

((:cry: Poor Aria.))
-

Ajon caught Raina against him when she fell, looking just as startled as she was for a few brief moments. The contact was more than necessary - and it would have received many frowns from his kin. As it was the leader merely watched her gather herself with a slight smile on his features. Quirking a brow in amusement the elf chuckled when Raina muttered her apology and swiftly stepped away from him.
Instead of pursuing her, the silver-haired male watched her go . . . and then turned back to the darkness with a sigh on his lips. Keep your tribe in mind, you fool.

((:XD Sorry it's short. I'm so dead right now. . . .))

[ Sorry, Classik, for the late reply. A whole bunch of stuff going on this week. ]

Emerion allowed a small smile as he accepted Alice's offer, then departed to find his own room. When he finally reached it, having to ask a few servants along the way, he made a beeline for his clothing and took a few items in the bathroom for a quick shower. He quickly scanned the room for any cameras or things of the sort, and when he deemed it safe, peeled off his mask. He took a quick glance in the mirror, seeing teal eyes staring right back at him, the same straight nose, the same shape of his lips, before wondering what he was really looking for. Two gracefully thin eyebrows furrowed at the same time, and he had to peel himself away from the mirror to get into the shower and quickly wash off the dried wine from the earlier event.

It was only when he was out of the shower and buttoning his new shirt that he almost left without replacing his mask. What am I thinking? he asked himself, before returning back to where he had thrown it. He strapped it back on and left his room, remembering the way there, and headed back to Alice's, where they would go dine.

The thought slapped him in the face; how was he supposed to eat with the others? Would he be revealed if he refused to eat meat, like his race normally did? He came to a halt some way before approaching Alice's room, and almost thought of turning back. He made his decision and walked, nearly passing Alice's door in his determination. He'd eat meat, but only for these three weeks, and get away without eating it whenever he could. He'd have to stomach it if he wasn't to be revealed. He almost lost his appetite at the thought, but lifted his hand to knock anyhow. He'd have to do it. What else would his parents have done?

((Yes I was a little sad with her. But it'll be all good in the end))

She missed her mother, and her older sisters had teased her about it nastily, but she had remained strong. It was after she'd started getting older, when she got a younger sister, that her father came down harder on her. Not that it seemed to affect her any since she'd run away to travel and now she was the ruler of her people, over her sisters. Wiping away the tears from her eyes, now that she noticed the sticky tracks, she turned, deciding she was finally tired, and went to her room.

Placing her mask gently on the top of the dresser, she stared into the mirror that rested on top of it. Slowly she removed the jewelry, her earrings and necklace, the bracelet came undone, the armband pulled down, the fabric that connected them rustled gently. Her dress fell next and after hanging it up she found her luggage, pulling out her sleepwear; a pair of blue shorts and a lighter blue tank top. Dressing in them, she removed the clip in her hair, sighing as the extra weight relaxed now that her hair wasn't held up. Grabbing up her brush and a hair tie, she set about braiding her long hair, that way it didn't tangle badly as she slept.


Raina was starting to feel better, even if she was alone in a corner, nursing another glass of...Well she wasn't too sure right, except that it had alcohol in it and tasted good. She knew by now she should head to her room and sleep the alcohol off, that was what her rational side was saying, before her instincts came over and knocked reason out. Irrationally, she figured she was fine, and she had to admit, that....male, Ajon, yeah that was his name, had pissed her off. Such an uptight prudish prick, probably still a virgin too if he believed in arranged marriages and all. Which she felt was a cryin' shame. He was very good looking. Dominant too. Not that she wanted something like that. She didn't think she did.

Stepping away from the wall, she stumbled a little, giggling at herself. Noticing that, she wondered just how drunk she had to be. Damn. She was going to end up making a fool of herself. It was easier though, reapplying her mask of flirtation, and she stepped from her corner to mingle again, still pointedly and gently avoiding the touches of another.

((Awh its ok. I've had the dead moments too. But then I finally get inspired with something and I can write quite a bit. ^_^))

Alice turned to find her own room as Emerion did. She only glanced back for a split second before she turned a corner. This was the opportunity she'd been waiting for. A few minutes of alone time to properly think of a plan. Every since she had walked into the building, everything she had done had been acted on impulse. Her arrogance and rage had gotten the better of her. Alice took a breathe as she entered her room and looked around. It was a simple, but appealing. She caught sight of her belongings neatly stacked to one side of the room. She had to admit that the service was pretty impressive. It was obvious that the faerie king wanted his guests to feel as comfortable as possible in the three weeks to come.

As she fell on the bed, her stomach grumbled in complaint. Feeding in front of everyone during the meal was out of the question. It would be more than obvious if she were to drink blood publicly. Only a fool wouldn't be able to guess her true identity from that act alone. She would be able to eat and drink whatever was served, but it would not satisfy her for long, or at all for that matter. Clearly she would have to feed in her own time. Her plan to come up with a proper plan didn't happen, since as soon as she laid her head on a pillow, her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep. The sound of knocking forced her eyes back open and she sat up from the bed.

Almost immediately, Alice picked herself up, checked that her mask was on properly and made her way to the door.
“Hello,” She smiled as she opened the door to find Emerion standing there. She felt that twinge of guilt as she realized that she must have fallen asleep for longer than she thought.
“I'm sorry for the delay. I pretty much passed out from exhaustion,” She apologised and admitted honestly. She spoke up again quickly to avoid any further shame, “We should probably go now. I can imagine how late we must be.”
She smiled shyly before walking out of her room and joining the man in the hall.

[Roka: I can't get on as often either, don't worry about it, I’m in the middle of a school term and all my exams and assignments are coming in. And sorry about the crappy post.]

((:XD I'll have to post in here later. I miss it! But . . . I'm so busy. . . . :rofl:))

Vincent took one look at the bed before shaking his head. As an elemental, he wouldn't touch the thing. Instead, he moved toward the window and threw it wide open. The cool air was a God-send as it teased over his pale features, pushing dark hair from his eyes. Frost formed over his cheeks and lips as he pulled the mask from his face. Feeling the crimson fabric pulling away left Vincent blinking in relief.
Just as he looked down at the limp fabric in his hands, Vincent found that his thoughts were still lingering on Aria. She was an interesting girl, and not just in looks. The elemental enjoyed talking with her. He liked how she shared new things and thoughts, how she didn't act like the other females who tried in vain to get his attention.

As ice began to softly coat the floor about Vincent's feet, and then the windowsill, the male turned toward the room once again. At least the sky was still the same. Everything else might feel, smell and sound different, but the stars were still there. The familiar blackness of night was still cool and refreshing, even though it was a summer celebration.
With thoughts of all he had learned in mind, Vincent took a step toward the bed. He'd never slept in one before, for the elementals didn't care for "homes," as many races had. They were free-roaming and hard to find; they had no permanent dwellings. Beds didn't just pop out of the snow.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Vincent contemplated sleeping there. Certainly his energy levels were plummeting - a sure sign that he was using a lot of his powers to keep himself comfortable. Vincent didn't remember falling back against the covers. He didn't recall falling asleep, either.
-

Ajon managed to stay on the balcony for quite a while. He was lost in his thoughts of home quite suddenly when Raina turned away from him. Standing by the railing, the elf gazed out into the blackness of the garden's below. They were so . . . tame. Back in the forests where Ajon lived, everything was wild and free. No one cut back the stray leaves or drooping branches. This garden was too civilized for his tastes.
His blue eyes closed for a moment. There was a scent here that reminded him of his people. The tribe of elves were constantly moving, but the area they inhabited often held the scent of a certain flower. That flower must be in the garden somewhere, for its scent teased Ajon's senses as he thought.

After many minutes, the warrior finally turned back to the party indoors. It seemed that the crowd had thinned. Many of the guests had gone off in search of their rooms. Ajon brushed his fingertips over his collarbone in a sign of irritation (it seemed the most common expression he ever gave) as he thought of the people inside. Raina.
Speaking of the devil, her giggle caught the tall male's attention. She was grinning and flirting with someone (as usual), and Ajon shook his head. Another? Surely she is desperate for attention. His blue gaze moved to the drink she carried. She was drunk, or at least very tipsy. In his tribe, Ajon would have offered to take her home. Here, the elf suddenly felt another wave of frustration. He was out of sorts here. This wasn't his tribe.

The male's silver hair fell away from his chiseled features. She can take care of herself. He ignored Raina and her flirtation as best he could. Instead, he headed to the drink table and found some water to help clear his head. Already he could feel the alcohol he'd consumed earlier rushing through his system. It was a light buzz, making the elf grimace. He hated not being in control of his actions, and he knew the influence of alcohol was strong enough to sway the most steadfast creature.
He finished off the first cup of water, filled his glass again, and started on that one. The liquid was cool and refreshing. It was also a distraction to keep his gaze off of Raina. No matter what he did Ajon found his eyes traveling over the room and to the girl. Her flirtatious manner made him grimace . . . yet something about it drew him in. Why?

((*cough* I see that it has been a long while. I apologize. :sweat:))

((*pokes the thread* It has officially died, then? :lol:))