NationStates Jolt Archive

It was that time again, when all from the Kingdom gathered for Queen Angel ni Gwydion's Masquerade Ball. She threw one every year to celebrate the birth of her Kingdom. Invitations were not necessary within the kingdom itself, but this year many were sent to the neighboring Kingdoms. The Queen had decided that it was time others saw that commoners could do just fine as rulers. As you enter the great hall in the center of the kingdom, it was like entering a grand Irish pub....only on a massive scale. Brightly colored decorations, balloons, and various chimera were linning the walls, making for a magnificent sight. There was a long table that spanned the entire length of the room on the right filled with all the delights the Boggan chefs had prepared...all new recipies that had been saved for just this occasion. Gifts were piled high on the left by the throne, obviously this was more then just a Masq. Gathered around were many creatures, some indescribable, others were easily recognised by thier kith. Every expence had been saved and utilized for this even. Sitting at the throne was a Fenic, a proud and perky little fellow with bright violet eyes. She had white feathered wings folded neatly behind her, and it seemed all the guests as they arrived came to greet this happy go lucky creature before setting thier gift with the others and moving about thier business. A Troll meets you at the door and welcomes you home, gesturing in a grand motion to the room. "Be sure and greet the Queen before you partake of her party. To overlook this detail would be an unforgivable grievance." He smiles bright and turns to the next guests, also welcomeing them home.

Lady Eluvial glides quietly into the room, the sidhe lady's shining visage smiling faintly as she surveys the room. Most of her face, of course, was covered by the aristocratic white half-mask that covered the upper half of her face. Her soft hands folded in front of her lap, she moves with a graceful stride towards the throned pooka.

At the foot of the throne, Eluvial curtseys graciously before the queen. "Your Majesty."

"It is, of course, my pleasure to extend the good wishes of the Empire of Mists and of the Empire of the Resurgent Dream on this, the anniversary of Willows Whispers founding."

With that, she stands, smoothing her flowing crimson skirts unnecessarily. "It is wonderful to be here, Your Majesty. Her Imperial Majesty would have come personally were she not off at the wars."

There is a purr from the Fenic as a smiles slips across her face.

"I am beyond pleased you have come. Enjoy the festivities and give my best reguards to her Imperial Magisty when you see her, won't you? There is much I would like to see this most glorious evening."

She purrs once again, wings fluttering softly as she shifts her position on the throne, watching over the room. A rather large Troll approaches and whispers something to the Fenic and then retakes his place along the wall at the right of the throne....oddly enough he had not been visible before.

The Fenic meerly dismisses what was said.....or has she?

Eluvial inclines her head. "I shall be certain to convey the message, Your Majesty. Her Imperial Majesty has also, of course, sent a gift, though she has asked me not to reveal it until the end of the evening. And, I was hoping, we might talk about establishing formal relations."

Eluvial arches a brow ever so faintly at the mysteriously appearing troll but she said nothing, not aloud. "By your leave then."

Once she receives the queen's leave, Eluvial steps aside, moving towards the refreshment table, helping herself to some small snacks as she surveys the floor. Her gaze moves from one man to the next. She might well be the only sidhe in the room but, for the moment at least, she was just another girl waiting to be asked to dance.

As soon as she had left, the Fenic lept into the arms of the troll and was carried away. The party seemed to carry on, even without the throne being filled....a small child stepped up and stood in front of the throne and accepted the gifts as they came with the brightest smile on her lil pug face. A few moments later, the same Troll...or at least it apperaed to be...approached with a stoic look.

"Her Majesty requests your presenece in her sitting room. Follow me please."

He makes no gesture, but rather turns and walks away, just expecting you to follow. He shows you to a small, but lavish round room with a bench that ran around nearly the entire wall...save where the door was and behind a small lounge where there was now a beautiful girl with catlike features and glorious white wings. She sat up with a bright smile.

"Come in come in...please...sit. I have not waited so long to have you standing in my parlor. It is indeed an honor, is it not?"

She poured some wine and offered a glass to you.

"So...what have you come to discuss?"

Eluvial's smile begins to fade at her apparent inability to attract a dance partner. In fact, her lips turn faintly downwards at the troll's words and especially at his manners. Nonetheless, she does follow him.

Slipping into the parlor, Eluvial curtsies once more. "Your Majesty. It is, of course, an honor."

Sitting, she crosses her legs with simple grace. "I have come to discuss the establishment of relations, the opening of trade, the exchange of embassies. I had also come to attend the ball." Turning, Eluvial glances over her shoulder before returning her gaze to Angel.

The door to the room had been shut...soundlessly and the Troll was no longer present. Angel simply smiled.

"Yes, these are things to discuss. This is not the very reason I had my invitations sent out. There is a great deal that I have yet to learn, and a greater deal still that you have to. There is much myu Kingdom needs from the outside, yes?"

Angel lifts the wine glass, an elegant goblet of what looks to be the finest silver and raises towards Eluvial.

"To a new begining.....Welcome home."

Eluvial's frown deepens as the ponders the fenic's words. Her brow arches higher at the statement about how much she has to learn. "If Your Majesty wishes aid and friendship from the outside world, perhaps Your Majesty's servants might learn not to attempt to order about foreign diplomats." She does not raise her glass. "And I already have a home."

She frowns deeply now and rises, pasing slighlty, her long cat tail swaying behind her, and it is clear she is no Fenic. She places a hand to her chin and then smiles, her wings folding behind her as she becomes just a bit more diplomatic.

"I see.....I will have a talk with them. It is not my intent to foster any ill will with future allies. You have my appologies. I have been Queen of the Kingdom of Willow's Whispers for 3 years now. Everyone in my Kingdom is a commoner, in their on right. There are a few Sidhe here, but they are those who have been banished from thier homes and have no place left to go. That is why I always welcome everyone who ventures here, home. This is my stance. I open my arms to nearly everyone seeking a place they can be accepted for who they are. We have little crime here...many of our own citizens patrol thier neighborhoods to be sure that nothing happens. We have a watch system where even the chimera take part in keeping the Kingdom safe. What we don't have is a means of commerce. Yes, we have shops and craftsmen of our own, but I have watched as out reasources have plumeted and I have been forced to cover the fact that we are poor. It is necissary that we link with our neighboring Kingdoms and open good relations with them. That is why I have invited you here."

She takes a seat again and smiles brightly, offering the floor to Eluvial with a wave of her hand.

Eluvial nods, raising her glass and sipping. "Thank you, Your Majesty. We would gladly have open and free trade with you. It does thrill our hearts to find another nation of fae. It is nice to be among ones own kind, meaning no offense to the other peoples of the world. Do you have any more...specific needs?"

"I believe there is only one other thing that my Kingdom would require. And while I think this would go without saying, I realize that there are thouse out there who would do so simply because of the nature of my realm."

She pauses for a moment as she shifts a little on her lounge, taking a bit more of a relaxed position and appearing more as a Pooka should, a bright smile on her almost child-like face.

"Some would look upon my Kingdom and frown because we have no Nobles, though I myself was once a Qwydion Kinght. I shall make it known that none of my people treat anyone who comes here as anything other then the brothers and sister they are, should they show us the same respect."

Eluvial tilts her head. "No nobles? But aren't you a Queen, Your Majesty? I'm afraid I don't quite understand. However, we will treat you as friends. That is not a concern you need to worry about."

Darius Steele twisted and turned, trying to escape the death-grip of the creature that now assaulted him. His years of experience as a warrior and bounty-hunter could not help him now, and in fact, it looked as if he was about to lose the battle. Steele tried one last move in desperation, and with a flick of his massive wrist, he finally tied his bowtie on straight.

"Damn, but I HATE these formal functions..." he muttered to the mirror he now stood in front of. Despite his dislike of formality, Steele thought he looked pretty damn good in his dress uniform. A large man, Steele towered over most, his massively muscled physique sometimes intimidating, but offset by the glint of good humor in his eyes.

Brushing out the last wrinkle, Steele strode towards the transport bay, trying not to notice the looks of his clearly amused crew. He walked past a beautiful Elfling at the navigation console.

"Tanis, you have the bridge. I'll be back in a few hours. My comm link is active."

A few moments later, Darius Steele was standing at the entrance of the grand chateau, looking at a large, troll-like creature who was guarding the door. He took a moment to remove a small, silver case from his inner pocket, retrieving a thin cigar from within. He lit it, looking around him. Smoking serenely, he prepared himself mentally for what was to come.

He hated politicians, and affairs of state. The real reason he came to these things was for the food and booze...Steele was a connaiseur of fine cuisine, and would travel light-years to try a new dish. That, and the women. They were always beautiful and available at these affairs, and if nothing else, an evening of dancing and flirting was as good an excuse as any.

Crushing the cigar out under his foot, Steele approached the beast guarding the door.

She offers a soft smile to Eluvial.

"You have been to my Ball. Tell me, how many Sidhe did you see? How many other nations will recognise a Queen who is, to most Sidhe, not a noble? This is why we have been hezitant to approach our nieghbors. Please do not take offence to this, for I mean no ill will. But when you have been treated the way that some of my people have, it takes alot for them to set aside those past discressions."

She rises and resettles her wings behind her, walking towards the door.

"Come, there is a party we aren't missing."

Outside the chamber, the Troll was looking down at Steele. Thomas was not small, even for Troll standards, towering over the man at 7'2. His gruff voice reverberated off the walls of the small entranceway.

"Invitation Sir?"

There was a small collection of looks and whispers from those near the door. One small child with bright red hair turned and ran, making a beeline for Angel. The child tugged on the winged lady's skirt and pointed towards Thomas. Angel smiled and looked up towards the Troll who, without looking back at her, nodded and moved from the doorway. He smiled gently to the man as he gestured to the room.

"Enjoy the party Sir. Welcome home."

The creature's breath was as ugly as his face, but Steele had seen, and smelled, worse before. Handing over the exquisitely detailed invitation, he waited patiently as the Troll read it over, his massive, warty brow wrinkling with concentration. Steele looked up in surprise when he heard the Trolls melodic voice welcome him home. Surely this was simply a custom of these people, because this was certainly NOT his home. Nodding his thanks, he walked by the creature, slipping him a small band of gold as a tip. Steele entered the glorious structure, his nose guiding him to the bar. First, a stiff drink...and then, the hunt would begin. He looked around the room briefly, noticing some admiring glances his way. He returned them with a smile.

Yes, this already had the makings of a GREAT party.

Lady Eluvial looks at her in frank astonishment, unable to hide her shock for a moment. "How many other nations do you think are ruled by sidhe? All of one among thousands. Of course you would be recognized. We're not sure exactly what vast sidhe coalition you're worried about but it certainly doesn't exist. The vast majority of nations in the world are ruled by humans. Elves of various sorts probably come in a distant second. Then maybe orcs, though I'm not sure. At any event, my people have but one country."

Eluvial rises as the queen does, heading for the door where the stately looking troll is standing. "So we are. It is a lovely party. I wonder if anyone else has arrived while we have been back here."

Eluvial's radiant face smiles, literally shining with a light much like starlight that illuminates the gentle, yet vibrant features. She inclines her head ever so faintly to thre guard, stepping back into the main room.

Something was nagging at him, touching his seventh sense. His sixth sense was danger, and the seventh, beauty. At this moment, he knew that somewhere close by was a walking work of art, and he needed to admire it. Turning slowly, his massive shoulders bumping the party-goers around him, Steele scanned the room. He saw her immediately, an Elfling of great and powerful regard, standing regally at the entrance. She was stunning, and for a moment, Steele had to gather himself. He was no stranger to the Elvenkind, his best friend and navigator being one. There was another very special Elf that had entered his life, and though his heart would always belong to her, they could never be together. Still, the beauty of the sidhe was hard to resist, and Steele smiled at her, catching her eye.

Eluvial blinks once as she comes face to face with Steele, smiling ever so faintly. "Good even, my good sir. I do not believe I have yet had the pleasure of an introduction."

She sidhe lady extends one delicate hand, palm down. "I am Lady Eluvial from the Empire of the Resurgent Dream."