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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 1, 2023 10:41:12 GMT -5
The party was underway. A grand event arranged by the Sultan celebrating the coming of age for Veronica De Mare, the daughter of a dear friend of the Sultan. The De Mare family is the largest supplier of riding horses and camels in the kingdom, and directly supplies the Sultans army. The Sultan is not present at the party, but the father, Heinrich De Mare is seen shaking hands and talking with the various noble families. The party itself takes place in a grand ballroom in the palace. White marble decorates the walls and flooring, and curtains made of silk move in the light breeze that comes through the open balcony were servants are busy decorating the tables for dinner. Its not long until food is served and many guests have already began finding places to sit. Aledüne, in his ever growing curiosity has found himself as a guest of the De Mare family after having managed to seduce the daughter with a simple greeting a few nights before. Veronica has since his arrival been talking with her friends, shooting glances in his direction every now and again. Those paying attention to her has no difficulty seeing the fascination in her eyes as they follow him around the room. His radiant appearance is tonight decorated with a long dark cloak with pauldrons at the sides. The fabric is black, but smooth as silk. Two jewels decorated with rubies are attacked to each side with a golden chain connecting the two sides of the cloak together to allow for ease of wear. The inside of the cloak seem to be red silk instead of black. The cloak is neck high and a hood hangs down the back. As it becomes clear that dinner is about to be served he finds his way to the right table and sits down. Despite the attention that follows him he remains reserved and polite as he makes his way.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Sept 1, 2023 15:23:22 GMT -5
While she would often rejoice at the opportunity of some high society gossip and drama, Kamille has found herself less and less drawn to the higher circles of Zeinav. The best goldsmith's work resting on her shoulders, smooth zeinavian silks flowed away from her arms, so delicate it looked like they were made of threads of water - perhaps a bit more modest than her usual choice of wardrobe would be, yet still in tones of black and azure. But above it all, the gorgeous sapphire on her chest, adorned with black diamonds, was her most prized and cherished gift.
Bellighul's gift, one of the first ones.
His favorite seamstress, his favorite goldsmiths - all seemed to relate back to him, even when there was no trace of the Lord of Ghouls for months. Every visit she paid to Zeinav reminded her of how much she lost there, empty halls greeting her mockingly.
She shook her head, trying to get her head out of such dark mood. The Witch couldn’t remember exactly who was it that invited her, but she shouldn’t be avoiding such events, especially now that she acquired the title of nobility.
"Welcome, Lady Kamille. I'm glad you were able to attend. I told Lady Thasra the Witch of Moonglade would come and she mocked me!"
"I'll make sure to strike up a conversation with Lady Thasra, then. Your daughter is gorgeous, by the way! I'm sure all the most respectable bachelors will be lining up to dance with her tonight."
How ironic that the Witch of Moonglade was still a more powerful persona than Lady Verlithax, the family name still cursed and tainted. After greeting the father and the young lady herself, she made her way between nobles and servants, prancing around gracefully as she heard a faint flutter of wings. Mischief already found his way to the event, even if she tried to trick the raven not to come. It never worked.
The raven dropped to her shoulder, a pretty common sight with the Witch; enough to make people think he's a familiar.
"CAAAAW! Hungry! CAW! Shinny!"
"No, I told you I would give you a shinny if you remained home..."
Between the bickering of the Witch and the raven, a peculiar sight caught her attention. The star of the night, the young woman who was being celebrated, couldn’t help but keep glancing towards the same person all the time. Someone... someone she didn’t know.
Yet.
"Come Mischief, let's make a deal..."
Soon, it was time for the guests to be seated, and she started to head to the table. Mischief was faster, as usual, and landed on the table in a whirl of black feathers and chaos, almost knocking out the table's decoration. Then, just as a drink was placed in front of the gentleman, the raven imediately tried to dunk its head on the cup.
Kamille was already prepared.
"Don’t! Mischief! Bad! Shoo! Out! Looks like you learned nothing... I'm so sorry, sir... It looks like the bird does as he pleases."
Very much like her. Kamille was one of those people who smiled with her eyes, dark blue skies sparkled with dancing stars, filled with arcane might.
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 1, 2023 15:46:52 GMT -5
The birds mischief was met with a light laugh from the man in question, seemingly amused by the birds presence.
"He seems precious, so why not allow him the enjoyment?" He motions for the waiter to place another glass for the raven as well. As the glass is placed, he meets Kamille's eyes, and for a moment he gets lost in them like any other man. Though unlike other men he smiles pleasantly, having regained his composure quickly.
"My, you are quite a beauty. The party has been buzzing with your name, and as I can hardly think of another women here more fit for the title, The Witch Of Moonglade. Kamille, I assume?"
He gets up from his chair and bows politely before sitting back down. "Its a pleasure to meet a woman of your standing. My name is Aledüne Nevaar, I was invited here by the hosts good graces but carry no noble title so please speak casually. I would be embarrassed having someone of your reputation treat me as an equal."
His words are fluid, but strong and sincere. His appearance would suggest a more arrogant demeanour given his beauty, but he acts with humility while managing to keep eye contact with her the entire time. Its clear that this is no common elf, given that there is a clear spark of arcane energies in the air around him.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Sept 3, 2023 14:42:27 GMT -5
The Witch is not a stranger to flattery, and yet sometimes it was good for the ego to have a handsome one throw some her way. It was not only beauty, but his gaze was steady, grounded - and she could appreciate that. Having not forgotten her own upbringing, she granted him the perfect curtsy, learned and trained at the most notorious viper nest of high society: Sol City.
"You're too kind. Yes, you may call me just Kamille. Unfortunately, it's often not considered proper for an unchaperoned lady to speak of a bachelor's charm..."
"Or else I would be", was the implied. It was also not strictly true that she was unchaperoned, as the raven jumped to the arm of the chair before her.
"May I?"
She indicated the chair next to him, waiting for his approval before she could sit down. There was a pull to her eyes, a hypnotic drag, unescapable as the tide. In most aspects, the Witch of Moonglade lived up to her reputation, except maybe not to those stories that painted her as a child-eating hag that lived in a haunted forest. That before him was a lady, and she could recognize one that hunted the title, not unlike she was herself sometime ago.
"Please, don't sell yourself so short. It's not a noble title that is getting so many sweet stares. But far from me to be stealing the bachelorette's main interest this night..."
A playful wink, almost as playful as the smile upon her lips. Of course she had noticed the attention the man had, especially from the star of the night.
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 4, 2023 17:34:36 GMT -5
He smiles apparently pleased by her words. He bows his head again. "Your propriety is not in question my lady, but I will take your kind words as a simple compliment should you feel my forwardness to be too direct for our first meeting."
Still standing he moves around to the chair she asked to sit on and pulls it out for her before sitting himself down where he had been before. "I didn't think you would ask, please."
His words are yet again pulled to her eyes. Eyelashes that acted as a delicate veil to an abyss that would threaten to swallow any man not in control of himself. Dead or allow, the flesh yearns. But a trained mind could withstand her presence if they didn't let their guard down. Interesting.
"Ah," He almost looks embarrassed, modest. "Yes, I seem to have caught her eye. I encountered the young lady after entering the city, and she was kind enough to offer me a place to stay while I was in town. Upon hearing it was her coming of age ceremony I found difficult to decline her invitation. I have already talked to her father about her infatuation, and we have agreed she will get over it like any young crush should at least once in their life."
"But enough about tragic romances, instead I suggest we make a toast for the woman of the hour before we continue the conversation, as I feel it would be rude to not make sure to celebrate her at her own party." He lifts the glass the waiter had given him and holds it in front of himself and gets up from the chair. People still talking he raises his voice to catch their attention, to which the room grows silent rapidly. "Before dinner is served and we all return to our topic of choice, I wish to personally take the chance to make a toast for the lovely lady Veronica De Mare on her day of becoming a woman. May her beauty growing wisdom never fade, and may the spice never run dry. To De Mare!" With those last words he raises the glass and waits for people to follow, cheering Veronica on before drinking.
Sitting back down he waits for the cheers to die down before he asks. "So, may I be so bold as to ask a question lady Kamille?"
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Sept 6, 2023 15:30:37 GMT -5
Not in the slightest troubled by his aparent modesty, it was clear the rumors about her playfulness were true; a light and fresh exterior and manners to cover for a veiled, heavier core, one with a strong, deadly gravitas. An inescapable pull.
She rejoiced in seeing a charming man loose his footing, except he didn’t look nearly as fazed as she'd like. A regal one, impecable, even if he mentioned he wasn’t a noble himself. Still, he knew what he was doing.
"What a way to take the plunge into adulthood: A heartbreak! Haven’t we all? It is a universal experience, I believe... I would love to hear the next chapter of this story, should Mr. Nevaar choose to entertain me..."
So he was invited by the young woman herself? No wonder she couldn’t peel her eyes off of him - as well as nearly all women of the place, if she was to be honest. An ambitious man would probably seize the opportunity to wiggle his way into nobility and wealth, having so easily gained the favor of a noble lady like that.
What else could he...?
"To De Mare!"
She echoed, taking a sip of the drink she quickly whisked from the tray of a servant that was passing by. This stranger was interesting, drawing her into his mystery: a former servant? Perhaps he grew up around nobles too? Or perhaps he hailed from a rich family that wasn’t considered nobility? He had the manners, the looks, the persuasive charm. He could be lying, and try to step away from a heritage he didn’t want?
Stop projecting, Milly.
"You may ask one more, even... If you promise me to consider getting your palm read by me before the night is over."
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 7, 2023 13:33:17 GMT -5
After his speech he sits down, calmly viewing the other guests as they continue to socialize.
"A heartbreak is something we all go through eventually. And I am sure Lady De Mare will find another gentleman that suits her tastes in due time." His voice carries a hint of amusement. "Though its not my place to fulfil her romantic interests." His eyes again shift to looking only at Kamille, studying her with an interested look in his eyes.
"But to get back on topic, you wish to read my palm?" His tone signals that he is intrigued. "I must admit that I am curious, but I feel like I should ask what for." He doesn't indicate that he expected an answer in return, instead he continues to consider the option and why she would ask to perform a trick most would consider a waste of time. This was no mere seer he was talking to after all, and so he bid himself to be careful.
"Very well, but only after the party in private. Something intimate like a palm reading should be enjoyed in private don't you agree?" His tone is suggestive, as if he was testing her limits. But also curious, careful.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Sept 7, 2023 22:23:16 GMT -5
"It is not your place... Or you don't want to?"
Maybe she was crossing a line there, but most were well aware of her disregard for some lines and rules she deemed a bother.
"There's a saying about curiosity and cats..."
Once again, that playful smile that lighted her eyes and warmed her face.
"Although, if that saying was true, it would certainly mean I am immortal. Or else I have a thousand lives to spare, that's the only explanation... It's just a silly thing I do. A trick I learned that some people find amusing."
She was a curious thing, that much was clear - and a very known fact about her. And not that much of a great liar, as Aledüne could notice how some part of her last sentences felt a hitch untrue. But he kept on, and her smile shifted in nature before his eyes. The suggestion didn't go over her head, and even as she squinted her eyes ever so gently, the light never faded.
"I wouldn't take you for a gambler, Mr. Nevaar. Interesting."
Once again, she took her drink to her lips.
"How abou-"
And she stopped, the smile suddenly sliding from her face. A stern look furrowed her brow as she took the drink to her lips and halted, as if......... as if she perceived something she hadn't before. The shift was abrupt and great enough to be alarming. She eyed her drink, shot a quick glance to his, and then looked around. As she spotted the server carrying the tray of drinks she scooped her glass from, she didn't hesitate - putting down her drink, she stood up.
"Excuse me."
An alchemist. Even before being known as the powerful mage that she was, she had first been an alchemist. And she noticed something was wrong.
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 9, 2023 11:18:07 GMT -5
Her warm expression is simply met with one of his own, he chuckles at her rhetoric and nods in agreement.
"There is also one that says that time spent with cats is never wasted. And I get the feeling that your suggested mortality is in large part due to your social skills."
He continues to listen, and about to say something as she suggest that he is a gambler when she suddenly excuses herself. Her glances at the drinks makes him put his back down, alerted by her own awareness that something was amiss with the situation. "Is something.."
His question halts as he starts to notice the issue. With surprising speed he noticed that the table surface started to rise, that his feet was no longer in contact with the ground and that Kamille as well started to shrink in front of him. Quick witted her understood the potential dilemma a grabbed her hand in pulled her close to himself as he got up from chair and stepped away from the table. With surprising strength for his frame he hugs her close to his chest, standing over a head taller than her. He glances around and notices the other guests as well as they start to shrink. The drinks was the only thing they all had in common, and for a brief flash rage washed over his face. Looking down on Kamille his expression changes as he smiles.
"I am sorry for my forward action, but it seems we better stick close together for the moment. I have gotten the feeling that you can take care of yourself, but please do not worry."
Everyone continues to shrink further and further down, and before anyone knows the two stands alone on a large flat stone surface. Towering above them, chairs and tables can be seen, but the most immediate worry was the large waiter that was about to come stomping as he looked around in confusion.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Sept 9, 2023 17:37:07 GMT -5
Urgency and ire crossed her eyes in a dark shadow - the Witch was slow to anger, but the circumstances certainly called for it! A poisoner being poisoned at such an elegant event! How dare-!
Except her wrath was short lived this time, as shock and disbelief took it by the hand. Or maybe it was just Aledüne that pulled her, his arms enveloping her in a strong embrace. Whatever it was that she expected, it clearly wasn't that. Long, dark lashes batted against high cheeks in complete and utmost bafflement, but not without a hint of flustering - the kind to send a lovely rosy hue to her face. At first she didn’t even register the whole wide array of facts that were unfolding around them.
Only Aledüne was in focus, as the whole world rose around them. As she turned her gaze upon him, he would see the expression of someone who saw a ghost. She was taken aback as his features came into focus, and her eyes wandered from the line of his jaw, to the silvery hair cascading round his smooth face, and finaly to his intense eyes. For a moment, she noticed how she forgot to breath.
By Lunala, why did he look so much like... him?
Her expression was a complicated one: the shock from the situation was one thing, but the shock of some kind of recognition hit her afterwards, leaving an aftertaste of confusion, pain, distrust...
Yearning.
And then it hit her: he was affected too! It happened so quickly, so suddenly, she hadn’t considered they'd be sharing this fate.
"What!"
It wasn’t common for an event to punch the words out of her, so she shook her head to snap out of it. In the blink of the eye, they shrunk so much as to be easily lost among the crowd of giants around them.
Kamille opened her mouth to say something, but instead pulled him by the hand, rushing towards the chair he'd been seated the moment before.
"This is... this is an unfortunate turn of events. Since you're affected too, I can only assume you're not the poisoner as well."
As they hid from giant feet around them under the shadows of the chair, she glanced around, thinking of a way out of that... mess.
"I... don't think it's a good idea to try something right now and cause a scene. I suggest we find somewhere safe to dispell this effects, if possible, least give the people something to worry about."
Or to talk about. Although she was pretty sure someone must've noticed that, before simply vanishing from sight, the most wanted bachelor of the night was taking the Witch by the hand.
Gods did she expect some gossip thrown her way after all of this was over....
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 16, 2023 10:04:49 GMT -5
It was humiliating, but he had managed to calm himself down. Anger was a sign of weakness in his experience, and for now survival was the number one priority. He follows her under the chair and watches as one of the waters runs over to start looking for them, clearly surprised by the sudden disappearance of so many of the guests. Shouting of guards can be heard, and Aledüne can only thing about the stupidity of these men. Worried that they might see them he pushes her close to one of the chair legs to hide in the shadow of it as he continues to observe carefully.
"Yes, quite unfortunate. But if this is a permanent situation we will need to figure out a way to get a hold of the alchemist responsible. If only these buffoons would cease their panic maybe we could get into contact with someone safely."
He studies her, as if to ascertain if she was trustworthy or not, though its only a temporary worry. He glances upwards towards the top of the table as if gauging the distance.
"We might be able to reach the top of the table and get some help. Or do you think it would be wisest to avoid the notice of others in case the culprit might be targeting one of us. Do you have reason to believe yourself the target?"
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Sept 21, 2023 10:42:44 GMT -5
Confusion quickly wore off, and he could feel, as her eyes sharply went from one place to the other, that the gears were turning. The Witch would rathee act without people realizing what she was doing, so she could get at the bottom of it. And know who was responsible for it.
"Do you have reason to believe yourself the target?"
An involuntary smile crossed her lips, one that was equal parts mischievous and amusing.
"I'd like to think my enemies are smarter than trying to poison me at a high society event."
Which was to say that, yes, she had enemies - and that her main concern was not on her own safety at the moment. She let herself be guided by him, hiding on the shadow of the chair as the seemed to mule over what to do.
"I'd rather not make a scene right now, and perhaps try to find who's responsible for this before.... Ah! I got an idea! Mischief!"
She peered out of the shadows and remained silent for a moment, looking upwards for a flash of black feathers before stepping into hiding again, as the people around started moving.
"I called him, I guess we can ride on Mischief's back and get to safety, where I can dispell this effect or we wait it out. Only problem is..."
Fluttering wings above them, their sound announced the raven as it looked around, quite puzzled, looking for them. When Mischief finally found the little ones under the chair, it was clear it looked surprised and inquiring, a curious glint on his beady eyes.
"He's not gonna like it..."
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 21, 2023 16:21:47 GMT -5
He watches as her demeanour changed, almost in its own way improving. Was she maybe enjoying this? He flashes a smile at her, though not one as charming as he had been showing so far, instead mirroring her own mischievous smile. He was getting the feeling that this woman was a lot more interesting and dangerous that he had initially though, and it fascinated him.
"Aww, I am sure the bird will be fine with our presence on its back. And I am sure it can be completely obedient to its master when it has to." He locks eyes with the animal, and with a few steps reaches out and touches its beak. The moment it does the bird stops moving, bending down as it listens intently to what he says next.
"Isn't that right Mischief? You are obedient to your master, and you want to bring us to safety, away from the floor with no fuss or issues. You are a good bird, and deep down, your masters approval is all you care about." There is an almost unnatural ring to his voice as he speaks to it. A pleasant rhythm that would give even Kamille who only listens a feeling of safety and warmth.
Using Powerful Presence on Mischief.
Turning around he offers a hand to Kamille, an offer to help her on its back as the bird lowers itself as a horse mount would to make it easier to step over its back. "Let me help you up. I can't have you make wrinkles in such a lovely dress, and when we are done with the current obstacle I would wish for our night to carry on with the festivities."
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Sept 24, 2023 17:52:54 GMT -5
What had first appeared to be a common high society event turned into something much more interesting - and Aledüne could clearly see how that lended an extra glint to her eyes. A mischievous one.
Kamille watches intently as the stranger handles her unruly raven. Despite of how much she loved him, the Witch had a fairly healthy estimation of Mischief's temperament, so it added to her surprise that Aledüne would so easily calm him down. His voice rang with a hint of the otherwordly, an echo of power, a hint...
Of familiarity.
She knew this... She's seen this before...
Still, she looked fairly impressed, with a raised eyebrow as he offered her a hand to help her up. As expected, her hand was warm.
"That was impressive. Knowing how to do that would save me a lot of trouble with Mischief..."
Though, if she was to be honest, she did like the spike of danger and randomness the bird sometimes sparked in her life. But it was not time for that. Mischief seemed a bit less excitable, which would hopefully make for a more stable flight, even if he had never been riden.
"Don't worry - a dress without wrinkles is a night without good stories."
There it was a gain - that playful wink, the mischief upon her lips in the shape of a smile. She quickly mounted the bird the best she could, and he could be certain it was a practiced move, although obviously not for the bird. For a moment, Mischief protested, unsure of what that meant, but then he waited for Aledüne, watching him curiously. Kamille extended a hand to help him up as well.
"Easy and slowly, Mischief. You just need to take us to someplace where there's no one. An empty room, the kitchen, whichever. Without drawing much attention."
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 24, 2023 18:59:04 GMT -5
He first lifts her quietly up on the raven, making sure her position was safe before taking her hand in turn and jumping on. Mischief remains calm despite the sudden movements, and as Kamille gives her command it listens and starts its running start to take off as ordered. "A trick I could very well see me teach you one day. I think it would suit you quite well, but another night perhaps. But lets make sure we remain hidden for now."
With a couple of waves with his hand, the dark shadows of the late night around them gather around the two hugging them close. To anyone looking at the raven, if they looked closely, they would only see an extra dark spot on its back as it took off from the ground towards the kitchen. As they leave the ground, Aledüne wraps his hands confidently around Kamille's waist as he holds on the same way she held onto the feathers.
Some of the waiters that were running around looking for the missing guests fell as the birds take off surprised them. From the air, it became even clearer to the two that the enter party was in a disarray. Guards stationed outside the entrances were now running in, swords raised, some already having started questioning those not affected about what was happening.
"Seems things aren't going to calm down anytime soon. Are you sure you will be able to reverse this, whatever it is? I would hate to have to change my entire wardrobe just for such a small thing as this." His concern seems real, despite the attempt at humour.
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