NationStates Jolt Archive

Alessa sighed and shook her head after a moment, lapsing back against Sempero. "I'm afraid I might have to exert myself." She murmured, gently, though with increasing iron behind the words. As Semp's grip tightened around her, she relaxed just slightly and tilted her head as she listened to Goor's speech.

"Relax..." Sempero whispered in her ear, his hands rubbing along the bareskin at her stomach and sides. With a smile she gently nuzzled him and looked around the room. Finally, the young woman caught Hesche's eye for a second and held it, as if trying to request his return, while also catching the attention of the nearest majordomo (or whatever the Menelmacari title was.)

"'Scuse me, m'lady, but is this seat taken?"

...

"Excuse me for being so bold, but it seemed like you could do with someone to talk to and I figured that, since I was free, perhaps I could help. I'm Magnus Hesche."


"Ah, no sir, I believe the seat is free, sir, uhm, Magnus..." Aeselle smiles softly, taking in the sight of the other 'pendran she'd noticed before, but had yet to meet. He was quite impressive, if not exactly what would be considered perfect for the leaner and darker druchii. But she certainly found him to be... yummy.

"I am Aeselle Colthique. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir, uhm, Magnus." 'He didn't use a title... that means he wants you to use his name, stupid! Stop stumbling!' she thought to herself, trying not to let her internal monologue show. He was certainly oozing charm, and she blushes a little as she realizes she's been singled out, "Yes, I could certainly do with some conversation, as I admit that it's a little odd to be amongst so many friends and colleagues, while I know only my cousin here..." Konrad didn't see fit to reply, as he was busily devouring the last third of his meal, "And it seem that the chefs may have given me a bit more steak then I'd been prepared for..."

She leans a little closer to him, so she can talk a little more quietly. Hopefully, she figures, this will help conceal her ignorance. She had a burning question to ask, before she could go much further, "Though I must ask, many of the other guest seem to know you quite well, sir..." she curses herself for slipping on that again, but quickly ignores it to spit out what she's trying to ask, "Might I ask, well, why that is?"

Sempero raised an eye a little bit, pondering further response but with a dull sense of familiarity he soon gathered Heruss had the matter well in hand. How Goor choose to react from now on would define how he himself would respond, but he takes a cue from Alessa's feigned indifference and merely contents himself to soothing and distracting her. He turned his head slightly to glance at Clo, and they exchanged a look that basically ensured they both agreed on how Goor was an overall embarrasment to the class of Sauropsida in general.

Clo meanwhile looked concerned over much bigger fish. Heruss' words had taken a while to sink in. But the reaction from the normally reserved Freestian was spectacular when it finally hit him, his fingers cracking and spraying the head with sufficient force pieces went flying into the air and landed in rather awkward places on the tables, chairs and people around him.

"But...I thought the vaults were secured. The island?"

He muttered fast words under his breathe.

"The mask?" He asked, his tanned face suddenly going very, very pale.

Ilyatur nos Círdan managed to avoid looking like he was hurrying over. Somehow. “Mister Goor,” he said, “it appears that you are not enjoying yourself. Perhaps you would preffer to find enjoyment for yourself some place else? You were only permitted into the building, I am told, as part of the manners we extend to any who find themselves at our door with nowhere else to go in the cold winter nights. It would be appropriate if you showed more respect to the guests of our choosing, as you are but a guest of our charity.”

Heruss grinned toothily as the guard came over and berated Goor, he then got snake meat into his eye. Great. He removed it with a powder blue kerchiff, and turned back to Clodius, noticing his rather ashen expression.

"I think, Clodius, we should talk about that in greater detail in private. Porphyria is as secure as we can get it, and no more." he simply put himself into deeper thought at the situation and how best to word it to Clodius.

Goor smirked. "The famous Goor? Oh... you mean the nutjob that took over Crimmond for all of eight and a half hours before being flung to his death by a rival?" He chuckled. "Sorry... different Goor. I myself have kept quite a low profile, living out my life in the lands that are on and off controlled by the Shentavo Clan."

He looked up at the man who came over to speak with him and chuckled some more. "You are a poor judge of emotion, whoever you are. I'm actually just starting to enjoy myself. And I do realize that being polite to such ladies as the Honorable Empress Annirere here is much more proper than my behavior thus far, but to be very frank with you..." he lowers his voice in tone, not volume. "I find that smiling politely and bowing the proper eight times and using all fifteen proper titles and whatever else starts giving me an ulcer. Besides, I'm a retired special forces soldier. Feel lucky that I have some self control and limit my antics to words, instead of discreetly starting a few fires to amuse myself, though I was tempted to do so a little while ago." All through this, he seems very amused and very relaxed.

Alessa looked up as snake bits scatted over her and made a protesting sound as she brushed herself off. "Clodius, could you try to be more careful?" She murmured as gently as she could, a little smile coming to her lips. She started to pull off of Semp's lap, but decided against it, instead wriggling back closer to him and resting her head gently on his chest. With a little grin she lifted his hands up to just below her breasts and allowed them to sit there.

Perhaps allowed would be the wrong term, as she seemed to have preferred them to be an inch or two higher up and only propiety stopped her as she kissed Semp again. "Thank you, my bold and chivalrous knight." She murmured with a grin as her own hands began to caress his legs. "How can I ever repay you for helping me retain my calm like that?"

Her attention was only partially directed to him, as a good chunk of it was watching Illyatur tell off Goor. 'Interesting. Goor wasn't invited here. Rather a relief.' And the rest was focussing on the conversation between Clod and Heruss, especially that about a 'mask'.

"There are rumours that said Goor never actually died despite being thrown to his "death"" shot back Heruss.

"I'll also note that actual guests were informed of the security here. A rather complex Artifical Intelligence dulls all magic and physical violence between the guests. But it can also... control and sort out any trouble the guests may cause, largely through physical manipulation of the atmosphere which may kill you quickly if lucky, or slowly if you do decide to do something as monumentally stupid as that. Insulting the hosts' security to this function isn't exactly a smart move either. I mean... failing that three of us at this table have combat experience that brings up to a total of, oh... lets see." he counted off mentally in his head for a moment or two.

"Well, by my reckoning added together myself, Semp and Clodius have the better part of a millenia's worth of combat experience."

Semp let goor's ill-advised words flow over him, and he took on a suddenly vastly more serious expression, brow furrowing and fangs glistening even as Alessa moved his arms. There are words and actions and things, rare that they were, that made him drop the playboy demeanour and, if only for the briefest second, Goor would understand exactly why his people didn't mind him coming to functions like this.

He rose, gently, lifting and carefully putting Alessa down in the seat, before rising fully and standing about a yard away from Goor. He glared, black eyes again, fangs glistening, though he made no move save one.

He brought his foot down hard.

The house shield stopped the impact literally tearing through the floor, but the reflex and momentum that went through was still sufficient to send the drinks and plates on nearby tables into the air, and a sound like a sauropod had crashed its way in uninvited echoed and reverberated around the room. He moved closer, moving his head beside Goor.

"If you dare threaten anyone here, especially someone I care deeply for, you will pay. You are the most pathetic excuse for a Saurian as I have ever encountered, and if you say one more word I will personally hunt you down when we leave this place and tear you asunder." The tone was harsh and yet exceedingly clear, delivered with the air of a parent explaining how fire can burn to a curious youngster. "Learn that quickly, Goor."

“Very good. Bear in mind that your being here does not confer upon you the option to infringe on the enjoyment of other guests. Regardless of your feelings, by refusing even a minimum of respect and courteously to invited guests, you are impinging on their enjoyment. Please bear this in mind, and then we can all be happy…”

He said nothing in regard to Sempero's outburst.

Goor ignores the words of Heruss. There was a much more interesting reaction happening. "Sit down you blow-hard. I haven't threatened anyone. I haven't even told anyone to pull the stick out of their ass and act like a normal person, though I think you might have a branch up there. So why don't you just sit down and go back to talking with the Empress and stop making a scene. I said I'd start a few fires... not that I'd set people on fire. Learn to listen." he tapped the side of his head and grinned. Oh, this was getting fun.

He looked at the man that had come over to scold him. "Yes, yes... I understand. Stop being an ass. It's hard with loose cannons like this one, though." Motions at Sempero, quite neatly making him the one at fault somehow.

“It is obvious that your presence at this table is no longer tolerable, Mister Goor. Please leave it.”

Goor sighs and stands slowly, nodding. "I suppose it is for the best, before my reptilian friend here has a stroke." He looks at Sempero again. "And by the way... you may most likely find me at the side of Ravelyn Shentavo, at her private mansion in her nation, once I leave here. I would suggest wearing fire retardant clothing, if you try to carry out your threat. She's... rather protective of me." he smiles and nods, before turning and stepping away.

Alessa... snarled. There was no other way to put it. She opened her mouth and bared her sharp, jagged set of fangs completely, and then suddenly the angelic exterior burst away in a flash of light. Alessa sprang from her seat, the angel replaced by a grey, gargoyle-like figure. The tail (where did that come from?) lashed out in a fury. "Impudent creature!" The sorceress hissed, holding her clawed hand in front of her still beautiful, but now also terrifying, face. A bolt of fire began to dance in that hand.

The gargoyle was, in fact, not much different from Alessa's normal body. Both were beautiful, though, if possible, the gargoyle was wearing much less. (Just a bikini, basically) The only real difference was the talons and fangs. And then, suddenly, Alessa shifted and two batwings shot out from behind her, contributing to making her seem more menacing.

The effect was spoiled slightly by Alessa only gaining a couple of inches in height, though. And, also, Goor leaving before she could do anything. Alessa lashed her tail about in impotent fury and then, suddenly, a shocked look came into her eyes. She looked up at Semp. "Uh...hi." She murmured, looking about as embarassed as a 5'1 gargoyle can.

Goor looked back and chuckled more at the sight of Alessa transforming. "How interesting... sorry, m'lady. I've just got back from a trip where I killed a couple Golem that stood several stories high and had quite a large grudge against those who work with vampires. I'm afraid you aren't exactly... menacing." And he turns away again.

President Sarah Sacker smiled to herself as she took another sip of her drink. She had kept to herself more than she had planned thus far but she couldn't quite concentrate on where she was. The Confederated Peoples had been evolving past the point where its leaders could simply point out that they were in a period of intense change and she was painfully aware that the next month or so would make or break the viability of what was, despite strong continuity with the previously independent governments of many of its Members, an extremely young new state, essentially post-colonial in its make-up.

Sacker shook her head as she lowered her wineglass. It wouldn't help the nation to act standoffish in front of foreign leaders. She turned her gaze towards the altercation at a nearby table containing a few friendly faces, a few strangers and a Freestian. A slight frown tugged at her dark features as she took a moment to survey the room, admitting to herself that she hadn't been quite paying as much attention to who was doing what where as she should have been.

“Coward.“ The word and gesture were dismissive, and summed up his base opinion well enough. Sempero looked suddenly concerned, however, as the adrenaline died down and Goor scuttled off.

“I…” he turned to Ilyatur, “am sorry for that. I just dislike having people I care for threatened in such a manner.” He paused, and sighed. “I apologise, to you and your hosts for that scene. If you could inform them I will personally apologise later I would be most appreciative.” He turned to look over his shoulder, before turning back. “Thank you for sorting that out calmly, I should not have put in such a position in the first place.” He said in a humble tone, looking the elf directly in the eye. Only at the end of his apology did Alessa’s actions catch his attention.

The transformation was not in itself shocking per se, he had read up upon the subject, and to be honest Freestian vampires had a pretty damn disorientating transformation of their own (One which Goor, and a few others, was well not to have seen, thank god). He looked on, opened mouthed, at both her speech and her form…

“Alessa?”

The creature turned suddenly cautious, and its body language took on the Roanian’s mannerisms. Sempero smiled finally.

“Succubus thing going. I like.” He grinned more fully, and arms wrapped around her again. “I’m sorry for letting you down like that.”

Alessa nervously lowered her hands, looking up at Semp. Her breath came a little quickly, and she reached a talon up to curl her hair back behind her head. "Um... yeah... this is me?" It would definitely be difficult for anyone to confuse Alessa with a girl now. Or, for that matter, a human.

Her skin was a slate grey, now, and her eyes had shifted to aquamarine. With a nervous laugh, she crossed one of her arms back over her slightly larger breasts. The other arm drifted down to her her hips, falling slightly between the two of them as she ran the right hand over it's shoulder. These hands now had only four fingers, each topped with a vicious rending claw. Long, flowing white hair drifted down her shoulders as the grey batwings curled tighter around the nervous, embarassed Roanian.

Her tail flashed around a bit and then curled up at her feet. "Er..." She looked away, a faint redness becoming visible through the slate at her cheeks.

Of course all the fuss doesn’t go completely unnoticed, considering the proximity. Both children’s eyes go wide, and they look over at the scene, back and forth at each other, and glance at their mother with telltale ‘ooooooh, busted’ expressions, not daring to comment out loud on it as yet.

“Let it go, Marcus, Naiya,” Nathi says quietly, a slight furrowing of her brows indicating her own displeasure at the disruption overall. “This should be a reminder to you that there always seems to be some people who do not know how to act in public, and how important it is to act properly yourselves whenever you can. It doesn’t matter whether one is highborn or not – manners are something everyone can afford.”

“Yes, mama,” the both of them say quietly in response, eyes still flickering occasionally over to the other table and it’s occupants, including the one walking away.

Of course Marcus can’t help but mutter very quietly under his breath, enough at least for his sister to hear – it’s in his nature.

“If we’d have acted like that, we wouldn’t be able to sit for a week. And they worry about kids being bad …”

Semp smiled playfully, "don;t worry about it. You still look good. Which is better than what I tend to do." He snorted slightly. "This was stupid. I'll kill that little prick next time I se..." a finger rose across his mouth to shut off his words. "Sorry. Look, I think its best we find somewhere, a little more private no? Get you, back together, perchance?"

He took off his tunic, leaving a black undershirt underneath now visible, and did his best to drape the unsuitable garment over her shoulders (and wings) and give her a little dignity. He pointed to an alcoved door leading off the hall. "Probably best getting us both sorted. Dinner can wait a few minutes, no?"

"I've always allowed people privacy in their own homes," Rene replied. "We're a very private people. Which is why you don't see people running about half-naked in the corridors, of course."

"Or, you could tell me things you've seen while fishing that would embarrass poor Rene here..."

Erin blushed; Rene raised an eyebrow. "Uh, I haven't seen anything like that," the young priestess answered, at the same time as Rene said airily, affecting a Midlonian accent; "I am perpetually the very spirit of grace and dignity, I'll have you know" and grinned helplessly. Ysarika just gave a crooked grin, as if to say that she knew otherwise. "There was that time with the trout ..."

"What? There was not that time with the trout! I meant to do that!"

"You see," Ysarika said, ignoring Rene's outcries, "We were sitting on the jetty one afternoon when along came a trout, which hove to right by the jetty. "You know," says the Arkhora here, "Apparently you can tickle trout out of the water with your hands." So she leans over to try it, and the trout ambles on a bit, lazy as can be ... and Rene leans over further ... and it moves on a bit more ... and falls into the water."

"You promised you wouldn't tell anyone!" Rene's cheeks are crimson.

"Sorry, O Great and Powerful Leader. You know the Tribunes voted down the sections of the Articles of Confederation that dealt with Tsarainese state secrets. Her Most Splendiferous Ladyship," Ysarika tells Elisa, "Is almost always the very spirit of grace and dignity ..."

"Now that idiocy is sorted..." murmured Heruss. "Clodius? Should we find somewhere quieter to talk?"

Clodius meanwhile nodded at Heruss, glad for the distraction of the scene, and nodded towards one of the standing elf attendants. “Agreed. Away from this crowd anyway.”

Clodius sighed. "Breathe of fresh air would be good. Besides..." He nodded towards Sempero and Alessa. "I think they would like a little space." He grins, but its an uneasy one.

Clodius rose up after him, wiping and discarding a napkin, and looked back over the couple next to him. He decided against worrying Sempero for now, the man deserved every moment of joy he could get, and moved slowly after Heruss lead, tucking and wiping off his uniform and, subconciously, passing his hand over the cleaver held against his hip.

Heruss only had a single blade-pistol with him, deciding that bringing both weapons was unnecessary. He sighed and took a deep breath as he stepped outside. “Quite nice.” he simply commented as he began a slow walk around the gardens.

Clodius moved up a pace to bring himself alongside the Midlonian, then settled into the vampire's own pattern. "I hate it when you say that Heruss." Admittedly, it was, cool and breezy and the smell of surrounding gardens being idyllic to the enhanced senses of his speeches, but it was a sideshow to the matter at hand now. "The watch and monocle were just relics, I thought?"

Heruss took out a pipe, filled it and lit it quite quickly.

“Yes..” he said thoughtfully. “So did we.” He took a small roll of parchment out of his inside pocket. “Until…” he unrolled it, and then handed it to Clodius. “I received this.”

It transpires to me that, after extensive study inside that of the Librarian‘s own keep that Franz has been killed and returned until this earth some six times previously, all of which seem to arise around the items which are personal to him the previous incarnation, under all circumstance those items are never to be found, never to be used.


Yours in Darkness and in Light
~Terefedel


"Terefedel." There was bitterness in his voice even as he scanned the words. "How ma...." He closed the parchment and handed it back with forceful gesture, his eyes wandering across the gardens to the obscure point Heruss was staring. "Too many bodies, Heruss, too many by far even last time." Another pause. "You said no leads?"

Heruss puffed up a large forceful cloud from his pipe and frowned, looking at Clodius. “You think I don’t know that?” he hissed slightly, then calmed.
“No, as I said, none, no leads, nothing.” he stopped and looked at some flowers which had closed, the garden itself was very quiet, only the soft twittering of night time animals and the gentle splashing of a water feature broke the conversation between the two Vampires, once bitter enemies, now brothers-in-arms for the better part of two centuries. Heruss still considered how else he should tell Clodius.

“The items in question were cast into a relatively unimportant and disused vault in Porphyria. Dust ridden and half-rusted up since we placed them there during the Redemption period.” he paused.

“As time and technology moved on we placed more and more sophisticated security near to those vaults, and indeed at every vault so as not to raise suspicion.” he paused again.
“If I am honest Clodius. We don’t know when the items were stolen, only that…something disturbed everything on Porphyria about a week ago.”

Clodius breathed in slowly. "Sounds like you got careless in your old age." The tone was not mocking, indeed it was more a sign of grim acceptance. "It is not something that can even be remotely chanced Heruss. And what do you mean by disturbed?"

“Perhaps I am…” he mused sadly and sighed as he blew another puff of smoke, which drifted lazily around him as they walked, the soft crunching of Heruss’ shoes and the thump of Clodius’ much heavier weight sounding relatively controlled, despite both Vampire‘s worried expressions.

“Night turned to day.” he said simply. “I cannot really explain it, but… a monumental shift happened in Porphyria. So strange… so strange that I don’t know how to describe it.”

Heruss trailed off, the thought evidently disturbing him.

"We forget that the world can move quicker than we like, especially us that sit back in the stream of humanity and watch as they live their lives, shape the world and die. I wonder sometimes what the elves must feel, watching every civilization come and go as whispers of peoples and history and culture..." He stopped himself rambling as he turned to look at his friend again. "It has been a long time, but it has been generations lest we forget. What turned, Heruss?"

“Time.” was all he could say bleakly, his brow was hard down now as he was still trying to comprehend what had happened.

"Rumours at home have been saying one or two troubling things as well..." Clodius admitted, as if trying to contribute something vaguely relevant but mostly tangential. "You know what dregs end up in Navarrian taverns and the lone ranches of the outback."

He continued. "Nothing unusual per se, the usual 'the end is nigh' crowds. But...there is something that has people spooked."

"I don't think you mean this in the same way... not even remotely. I... how can I explain it, Kristian and I really couldn't beleive what happened either.” Heruss had made a casual mention to his human aid at the time of the Second Moonstone War, since then Heruss’ Lover had been sired by Heruss and had since become a Lieutenant within the Dark Angels, despite a technical non-fraternisation policy they had made an exception for Heruss and his lover.

“We were in bed, in a modern, clean home. And… everything changed.” he shook his head and puffed on his pipe a few more times. “Just…changed.”

"Its the Kingdom. Modern for you does look like the past for the rest of us." Clodius tried to joke but it just fell strangely flat, almost poignant. Clodius' face grew dark momentarily. "Khristian is alright, I hope?"

“He freaked out when it happened, he‘s still young as it goes. I just… well. I guess I knew straight away. I’d seen the period before….”

Clodius just stopped. "Time displacement?" He asked, in a strange monotone. "How?"

“I don’t know…” spoke Heruss, at barely a whisper. “I just… don’t know.” He suddenly started speaking rapidly.

“Everything changed, everything, the house, the bed, the windows, the walls were made from stone, old stone. It twitched almost immediately. It was my home, mine! From The 1700’s! From the glory days when Midlonia was at her Imperial height! Parts of the world and trade all lay out our feet. But it was a particular night…A horrible night.” He gulped hard and took a breath at this point.

“It was a day we called Caedes.”

Clodius closed his eyes, and breathed out slowly. His hand, a hand that could forge cold steel, trembled in the still night air. "I have heard some sto...no. Tell me fully what happened."

“A charismatic Vampire Hunter who was only know as the Placator managed to convince an entire army to attack my Kingdom, I was unaware, I had no scouts… I only lived in a large stately house by this time… We were still nominally independent at this time and Midlonia was still barely a functioning state of just 50 years, despite the official timeline of the War of Union ending in 1655 it carried on a lot longer than that, rival factions, petty kingdoms that switched sides…” he trailed off slightly and sighed.

“It was a massacre. None of the troops were ready. It had all been so peaceful, for once not hounded, nothing for nearly 50 years.” he sighed, a tear at the very corner of his eye. But then, at midday at the striking of the bells The Army of the Placator somehow, as they killed, and burned, died. All of them. To a man…” he trailed off again. “The screaming at that precise moment. Oh god….” he looked physically sick.

Clodius put a comforting hand on Heruss' shoulder. "People like us never forget. Such is our curse." He lets the man grieve, turning away to give him dignity. "We vaguely recall the troubles. I remember many fleeing to us even before our race became known."

“Then everything changed again. We were in the Grand hall of Porphyria. King Gidwon first King of all the Greater Kingdom, with his bloodstained banner standing proud before me. Next to him, was something I had never seen before… A Vampire Mage….”

"I've only known one of your peopl..." Clodius stopped as the realisation hit him. "He was around back then?"

Clodius shakes his head. "Six incarnations... of course he was."

“Of course he was ArchMage Harringott back then, he went by his last name like we do back then.” Heruss replied. “He was right there, he travelled with the First King. I remember that moment well. He regaled in detail at how he had saved all the Vampiric Kin by destroying the army single handed.” His voice was barely a whisper.

“Godwin was so proud and forced us into swearing fealty to him and the Greater Kingdom…. This time though.” Heruss stopped again.

“It was different. He was the only one to speak.” He took a puff on his pipe again.

“He said….”

”Six times I have been killed, six times. Upon that of my seventh coming, I shall be a GOD. You will all bow to me, worship me, I will have all the power I wish to command, all the fields and the land, the crowns of both nations shall be mine, and then, the world.”

Heruss had sat down now on a small carved stone bench. “Before I could say a word we were back at Home. We were in the kitchen, both kneeling, but home. Kristian was in hysterics. I’d barely got him calmed down when I was informed that the whole week’s worth of security footage was missing. I immediately had them check the vault. The particular vault where Franz’s belonging were. Only two items were unaccounted.”

"Both kingdoms? But the Commonwealth wasn't even a distant dream back then...hell, we had bar...unless..." Clodius tilted his head to look at the evening sky. "The elves have seers, did Franz have that ability? To see through time?"

He sighs again, shorter, more frantic. "Or is it different kingdoms? Vampiric or?"

“I don’t think so. He had a lot of powers as we both know. Perhaps the last incarnation which fed upon the Priestesses blood gave him that ability. Maybe it’s how he gains power. I don’t know.”

He paused. “He could mean the Vampire nations that existed before the Commonwealth though. Your kin used to be a dominant force in the lands that would become The Commonwealth. Our kin was a dominant force before the rise of Godwin...”

"He gained her strength. I remember that much." Clodius rubbed on his arms at the memory. "And perhaps, though dominant was a relative turn."

"I mean thats a mystery in itself isn't it."

“That is my worry. All I can hope is that the security we both placed upon the isle where the mask resides is going to stop whatever forces lie against us.” Heruss tapped out his pipe on his shoe.

Clodius shakes his head. "No. No no no no." He takes a step forward and growls, a horrible, bestial noise that carries awkwardly well in the night. Watching elven sentries briefly turn to look before resuming their duties. "Too many chances. Too much passivity. There can not be a repeat of that, ever."

“Terefedel and the Librarian are keeping a close eye on the books of fate.” Heruss replied as he stood. Putting his pipe away. “What can we do? Can your Preistess see better than our intelligence network? The only way we could face this resurgent threat to keep the status quo is to work as closely together as possible.”

He took a deep breathe, deciding that nothing should now be held back.

“So far as I know from another Parchment I burnt there needs to be a sacrifice at another place that was significant the the previous incarnation of Him. And we don’t know where that is.”

"I'll have a word. But her visions are shaky at best. The future is infinitely complex and yet for some reason everything seems so obvious in hindsight." He peers round at Heruss. "Its a short list. The Spire? Stupidly well guarded, the Behemoth, maybe? Or the Harringway."

“The Harringway was scrapped long ago. If I had to placemy bets. It’d be the Behemoth. He loved that thing because of it’s sheer destructive raw technological power.” Heruss had turned his way back to the party.

"Its a museum piece. Literally a piece of the museum that houses the thing." Another wave of memories, and Clodius turns after Heruss. "But it would stupid to ignore. I'll sort out a guard for it."

“There may be other places that we don’t know about. We just haven’t got a clue yet and I’ve sent more of my kin to the Library and the closed chapters of the books of fate to try to find more on it. But that is a library of literally every person and every action ever done in the world. It’s ridiculous, but it’s the only route we have.”

"I thought that was a goddamn legend, that place." The Freestian said, now surprisingly jovial in a patent act. "I'll start making the necessary arrangements on my end, start rounding up the old crowd and having words with the CNIO. Celiana will not be happy. But we need to watch carefully. I don't care if its just the proclaimation of a madman. Even if he is just back normally, well, the last time it cost the lives of twenty-four million people..."
“It exists and has been of much benefit. Quite odd to realise that even as we speak out actions are being recorded on a book by a quill.” remarked Heruss, nodding.

“Still. I think that’s enough doom and gloom and now. Back to the Party I think.” he smiled weakly.

"Yeah....yeah, I think I need to sit down and have a chat with Farahind anyway about what happened back then. What a weight to fall on her shoulders."

He looked up again.

"Just promise me one thing."

“What?”

"No slip ups, no cut corners, we can do whatever you need us to do but dear god leave the bastard NO chance to come back anew."

Another lost look, another sigh. "I lost too much last time. We all did."

“I don’t use the library lightly, Clodius…” replied Heruss. “He caused so much pain every time he has walked upon the Earth, do you honestly think I’d let him come back for a seventh time? It’s time this ended Permanently Clodius. Permanently. He is a threat to every kin, every species, not just yours or mine, or our Human charges.”

"The vows we take..." They walked through the door again, the sound of the party rising up anew. "...the sacrifices we make, the prices we pay."

“Ours is to reason why and to do or die Clodius. It’s always been that way.”

"Has it?" Clodius turned, and placed his hands upon Heruss' shoulders. "Go, for the moment. I have words and plans to form. God speed, and may the Guardian watch over you."

“I am at your service in Light and in Darkness, my brother.” replied Heruss.

Clodius turned, nodded in silence, and walked away.

Max quirks one eyebrow, watching Goor make a bit of a scene among the diners. "Mm... perhaps bitter isn't quite the word, but certainly ill suited to these sorts of events. I gather the distinct impression he derives his pleasure out of antagonizing others. Good as a body guard or a soldier, but more apt to be a liability at diplomatic functions." The diplomat chuckles dryly. "Perhaps a good thing that the Lady Shogun was unable to attend. She was and still is a soldier herself, and the years of ruling the nation haven't softened her tongue any."

At the vampire's remark about the diners, Max gives one of those theatric sighs. "Indeed, I enjoy a meal, but it is only food. I fail to see how some of my fellows can waste away a perfectly nice evening on just the meal." Apparently the blue-eyed diplomat catches onto Ravelyn's seeming despondancy. "Well, m'lady, there are some pleasant little balconies and rooms away from our stuffy fellows that can offer a more enjoyable view. Perhaps we may swap stories of tragedy and heartbreak away from prying ears."

A trace of Max's usual chipper humor creeps back into the diplomat's voice. "After all, the saying goes that 'misery loves company', does it not?"
---

Marcus/Naiya/Nathi/Rhiannon
At Rhi's offer, the eldest Keeper's face lights up. "It would be a pleasure. So far Firefury-Uccjooh has only arranged a personal terrestrial transport for me." A slightly self-effacing shrug follows. "Though I must warn you that thus far my experience with such travel through space... apparently sits ill with me."

Najoedo smiles warmly as the children heap praise on the youngest of the Keepers. "I'm sure she'll be happy to hear that you think so highly of her. You know, you should tell your mother that you're all welcome to visit the Academy of the Arts sometime." This is accompanied by a knowing grin aimed at Nathi, since she can easily overhear the entire exchange. "There's a reason the place it's built in is also called the Valley of Dragons."

Zeroel finds a seat and settles his slightly clunky avatar into it. "Apparently I'm better equipped to cope with Becky and her antics than the rest of Camp R is." The shipmind heaves a sigh that only hints at the chaos that must have ensued. "I don't suppose you heard that she somehow got into the Cetagandan section of the base and made... rather a large mess involving a fabricator, Granny Slag chocolate pudding, a prototype teleporter they were building, and Team MELTA? Some of the Shogunate's thaumaturgists are convinced the kid has some sort of unexplained power since she's proven capable of evading even the security measures at Camp R when she wants to."

Of course, when Goor causes a commotion on the other side of the room, both of the Shogunate representatives react. Zeroel more mildly, spinning to see what the noise is about. Najoedo not quite so mildly, but then he has a few thousand years of being a tribal WMD backing his instincts as he half-rises from his seat, one hand going instinctively to the sheathed sword at his side. It's only when he tries to draw the blade and the room's security prevents him from doing so that he remembers that commotion or not, everyone in the room is presumably safe enough.

Then the Keeper just takes a moment to compute what his senses are telling him. It's obvious from the gargoyle creature's sudden appearance that he's not the only one present with some shapeshifting abilities; and that the reptilian with the haughty expression seems to be the source of the fuss. Forcing himself to release his grip on the sword hilt, Najoedo settles back into his seat.

"Jisx u rujo shoukiho xuj de rijadojj mujgiohutadw uj u salacaqot roadw." He mutters in his native tongue. The statement may be illegible to those who don't know his ancient language, but the Keeper's tone and narrow-eyed glance in Goor's direction is probably enough to make it clear that the Keeper does not think very highly of the reptilian.

Alessa smiled slightly at him and sagged a bit, relieved. "Thank you." She murmured, and then her wings shrank away again. She turned away from him, embarassed a bit, and reached up to try to pull the tunic down her arms and torso.

Coincidentally, as she did so, she accidentally allowed the perhaps-too-young-and-innocent-to-realise-what-he-was-seeing Marcus to catch a glimpse of her perfectly shaped breasts, stretching against the almost insanely tight bra she was wearing. With a little sigh, she pulled the tunic down after about twenty seconds of fiddling.

Tears of embarassment drifted down her cheeks once she was 'dressed', and she pushed tight against Semp once more, wrapping her tail around him. "Thank you..." She whispered once more.

Semp lifted Alessa up and carried her out with him. He called over to Clodius, "I'll be back in a little while, okay? Just sorting this out!"

«Хм, узковатое бельишко,» Mikhail murmured softly and coldly, his gaze observing the little scene involving Alessa in the immediate vicinity. His sister arched an eyebrow.

«Дама попала в пикантную ситуацию, а тебе только белье разглядывать! Да и неужели тебе не нравится?» she said with a sly smile.

«Почему, очень даже нравится. Вайлфи у меня любит вот в такое одеваться, во время наших... личных... разговоров... Только в данной ситуации все эти хвосты-крылья даме со-о-овершенно ни к чему,» the Vasilevs sighed and looked at Vethara.

«Интересно, что это с ней такое случилось? Знала ведь я одну Роанку, но вот такого что-то не припомню.»

«Ну и слава Богу, что не припомнишь,» the Vasilevs said with a bored look as his eyes then traveled back to the people around the table, resting upon some of them before going back to the others.

_____________________________________________

OOC: Because this thread needed a non-Promt Russian lingerie talk.

Nathi and Shodey“We’ll have to drop in on him again sometime,” she says, her smile turning a bit mischievous. “Maybe ask him to give the twins diving lessons.”Speaker chortles to himself. One's not heard chortling until they've heard it done with a voice deeper and more growly than on the normal human bell curve. "I am certain he would love that--he would be able to teach them to swim like fish." He gets thoughtful for a moment, rubbing his chin. "While he would be... uncomfortable at first, I do think he would appreciate it." Gears turn and his ears flick in the equivalent of a small smile and starts thinking aloud, quietly. "Hrrr... while it may have been a joke of an idea, it could be one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for him."

“You never cease to amaze me with the things your company comes up with. How Speaker ever manages to keep up with one as brilliant, and dare I say sly as you, I’ll never know. Then again, someone needs to keep him on his toes, no? You let me know if you need any say, investment funds or the like. That all sounds rather promising.”"We do have excellent return on investment, without recourse to any forms of trade protectionism." H'zta glances at Shodey and flicks her ears. "Nor, oddly enough, governmental favoritism."

This is true. Advisor Hawke may be a cold-hearted sonufabitch who make Tsarainese look like jovial, sloppy, devil-may-care taoists, but he's an effective one and when it comes to what he outfits his system of mass destruction with he simply does not care who happens to be sleeping with his boss.

The Kids“You can fly spacedy ships too? Do you get to do everything like your dad does? He’s amaaaazing. Almost as good as my Zio Timo. Are all those stories true? Can he really do all that stuff? Can you do it too? What about—“
...
“That’s enough, Marcus. Let’s not overwhelm the nice young lady. My apologies, Rhiannon – he absolutely loves flying, and I’m afraid he’s grown up with some rather impressive stories, and well … you know how it is with the little ones” ...
“I’ll bet she can do all sorts of things,” she says with a little smile, before turning her attention back to daintily sampling some more from her plate.Rhiannon smiles. She likes kids, even excited ones. There was that time when babysitting--"Babysitting?" Dad said, "you're practically a baby yourself!"--that the kids snuck into the lair, but hey, it's Magnus' house. Of course he has a large basement packed to the gills with ancient riches. Don't tell anyone. "It's alright, ma'am."

She tries to think of a 'Timo' and can't place a person, much less a face, to the name. Clearly he's this kid's hero, though, and Rhiannon leans in conspiratorially. "Yup, I get to go around with my dad a lot." Ever since she forced the issue. "And you're right--almost like your uncle there. Don't believe everything you see in the comic books." She winks, then lets her eyebrow quirk up at Naiya's mysteriousness. "I'm sure I don't know half the things I could do."

Honesty is a virtue and its own reward.

More Nathi“Now my biggest ‘threat’ is going out to the gardens and being unexpectedly pounced – something I have Shorty to thank for, no doubt.”"As only befits a named Hero." Speaker nods firmly, then chuckles and playfully pushes Nathi in the shoulder with one furred fist. "She does the species proud.""Ah, no sir, I believe the seat is free, sir, uhm, Magnus..." ... "I am Aeselle Colthique. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir, uhm, Magnus." ... "Yes, I could certainly do with some conversation, as I admit that it's a little odd to be amongst so many friends and colleagues, while I know only my cousin here..." ... "And it seem that the chefs may have given me a bit more steak then I'd been prepared for..." ... "Though I must ask, many of the other guest seem to know you quite well, sir..." ... "Might I ask, well, why that is?"
Magnus finally grins, seeing how the girl isn't going to wither and blow away at the glory of the gigawatt grin. "Ah, well... if you must insist on titles, m'lady, my only official one is 'Officer' and I'm pretty certain I don't outrank anyone here. Everyone 'knows' me because..." He chuckles. He's confident, but he knows just how silly the next bit will sound. "I'm a professional adventurer and, from there, action hero. Movies, comic books, action figures, you name it. Luckily for me, I always get to play myself, which makes things easier." He grins then changes the subject entirely. "What brings you to our neck of the woods? I'm still technically a diplomat by profession, working for padishah Speaker-Rrit over there,"--he nods towards the 'tosh--"and the International Relations Section prides itself on knowing everyone, but I can only gather you're new. Welcome." He grins again, then goes back to looking quite honestly curious.

The BrouhahaHe brought his foot down hard.
Everyone glances over, casually, like it's the most normal thing in the world. Situational awareness is the key to airpower.
looking about as embarassed as a 5'1 gargoyle can.This gets them a front row seat, more or less, of this. The kzinti bottle out then relax at the sight of proper predator's teeth bared in anger, then ease the tension some more with suppressed sniggers at the end of the floor show. Roania... odd. They feel sorry for Alessa's embarrassment, but only because they have to.

Rhiannon, however, flashes a glare at the 'tosh and the 'ret for being so cruel. Certainly, Alessa is a horrible despot, but many of the people she was dining with are and she deserves some respect as at least a marginally friendly despot. The younger Hesche will laugh herself, she admits, but only in private. For now, she unintentionally looks sympathetic and nods with the sense that all is right with the world as Sempero plays the gentlemen.

Magnus sees it out of the corner of his eye, reappraises previous talk and play, and sorts it in the 'huh, well, that's new' file he keeps in his brain. Actually, all things considered, the potential challenges have just become more challenging and therefore interesting. By the time everyone else is politely trying to ignore the distraction, Magnus has long since turned his full attention (never completely broken) back to his new friend.

A slight frown tugged at her dark features as she took a moment to survey the room, admitting to herself that she hadn't been quite paying as much attention to who was doing what where as she should have been.
Speaker waves in a friendly fashion when they make eye contact. Always on the job.

"It would be a pleasure. So far Firefury-Uccjooh has only arranged a personal terrestrial transport for me." ... "Though I must warn you that thus far my experience with such travel through space... apparently sits ill with me."
"That's what neodramamine is for, if it'll work... or I'll just turn off the exciters so we have a smooth standing-still ride." Rhiannon smiles broadly. "I can imagine how spaceflight could be vertiginous, even if we're used to looking at things from high up while flying normally--" She smiles much too broadly and shuts her mouth with a click. Damn it, now he has me doing it."Jisx u rujo shoukiho xuj de rijadojj mujgiohutadw uj u salacaqot roadw." Rhiannon blushes furiously and eyeballs daggers at the Keeper. "Keeper!" She glances at the children and drops her voice to a directed whisper. "Children!"

He didn't cuss or use innuendo, but the sentiment still isn't for little ones. The fact they don't know Keeperspeak is irrelevant for the social imperatives of the situation.

Najoedo looks honestly baffled at Rhi's surprised reprimand. For one thing, not too many people know the old language that had been inaccurately dubbed "Keeperspeak," and for another, he honestly sees nothing wrong with his disparaging remark. Perhaps as good an indicator as any of just how old he is, he was using far coarser language when he was Marcus or Naiya's age than simply calling somebody uncivilized; and so he views his own remark as being extremely restrained.

Recalling what Oduh had told him from that ruckus underground, the Keeper glances at the children and takes a different route for inquiring what Rhiannon seems so flustered about that won't draw the little ones' attention further to his statement.

He taps two fingers to his forehead briefly, as a sort of signal and advance warning before he fires up that handy Keeper telepathy of his.

I apologize if I have caused offense, but why such a reaction? That reptile across the room is being uncivilized; I do not see why such a statement of fact would be unfit around children, even if they could understand what was said.

"André!" complained Princess Helen as she and her friend Countess Marian struggled to keep the Despot of New Constantinople upright as the trio made its way from their apartments in Fëanor Palace downstairs to the party.

"Sorry... my mistake." apologised the heir to the Pantocratorian throne as he struggled to regain his footing.

"What did you take?" Helen frowned.

"Nothing..." answered the Prince. "Well... that's not entirely true..."

"We can't take you downstairs like this!" Helen hissed. "Your sister Zoë is here, do you want her to see you like this?"

"Is it worse than how my other sister saw me?" Andreus inquired.

"You were at least capable of walking upright unaided!" Helen scowled.

"You need to lie down." Marian observed.

"Let's go back to the suite." Helen nodded. "You can lie down and... take some coffee or something..."

"Ah! mon Dieu! je suis mort... Mon frère, vous m'avez perdu...." Andreus began to rave with a grin as the ladies turned him around and started marching him back to the suite. "Je n'en puis plus. Je sens déjà que la médecine se venge... Vous voyez, mon frère, les étranges maladies dont il m'a menacé."

"Stop it!" Helen grumbled. "I hate Molière."

"Ah! mon frère, il sait tout mon tempérament et la manière dont il faut me gouverner." Andreus said in a mocking tone.

"You skipped a line." complained Helen.

Several hours later...

Prince Andreus, Despot of New Constantinople, Dauphin of Viennois, eldest son and heir of the Emperor of Pantocratoria, strode (unaided) into the party, although he was considerably late. His naval dress uniform was decorated with every conceivable medal, many of which were non-naval in nature. The only one of these medals to which he was entitled was the Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis, which was a particularly large jewel encrusted cross pinned to his sash of purple silk, and even this medal he hadn't earned - it was an automatic honour for the Dauphin of Viennois. He had arbitrarily selected an Imperial Navy Commander's uniform, although he held no actual military commission, because he felt it the most aesthetically pleasing combined with this impressive array of honours. He wore no dress sabre, as he thought them pretentious, so his white trousers were largely undecorated, and ended in a pair of polished leather shoes of dark purple. This fashion absurdity was a mark of distinction amongst princes in Pantocratoria, denoting the wearer as a child of the Emperor born during his reign.

His other two primary marks of distinction were not fashion absurdities - they were the two lovely young ladies who followed him into the room, Princess Helen and Countess Marian. The Despot hadn't yet gathered the nerve to insult his father so openly as to take his most prominent and only permanent mistress with him to international affairs such as this, and had instead invited his cousin Helen to escort him. She refused to come unless she could take her closest friend, Marian, with her, and consequently, the Despot had two escorts. Each lady was dressed tastefully, not in the stuffy New Rome Court Fashion perhaps expected of Pantocratorian nobility, but in becoming Vinyatírion high society fashion.

"I wonder where I might find my sister." Andreus said quietly to Helen.

"Perhaps she's gone to bed. You took a very long time to sober up." Helen hissed back, quietly but coldly.

"I shall endeavour to ask our hosts." Andreus smiled, and began to make his way through the room, making acknowledgements and introductions.

I apologize if I have caused offense, but why such a reaction? That reptile across the room is being uncivilized; I do not see why such a statement of fact would be unfit around children, even if they could understand what was said.
Rhiannon coughs slightly to cover a slight blush. Sorry about that. I'm not actually offended. I have an overactive sense of propriety and, well, still calling a person, even a rude one, an animal isn't being a good role model for the little ones. I sometimes forget that I'm a bit... ah... ahead of the power curve. Comes with the whole secret identity, it seems.

Still... she glances over her shoulder. Looks like he left, so with luck we can be left to more pleasant distractions.

Beat. Damn. Then she remembers to stop transmitting.

The mechanoid queen chuckles softly at Zeroel's report. "I would not be surprised in the least. She did sneak up on me, after all--you saw it, you know. I'm glad to hear that Captain Sierra is making do as best she can." She finds herself quietly wondering when exactly that silly man Pandousco will make his move. Probably once he realizes it's what he wants to do with his life.

S.H.O.D.A.N. smiles wryly at H'zta's teases. "You're merely jealous of my more diverse portfolio and broader customer base. Besides, I'm certain my sister-in-mind understands that the MonoCorporation is in no need of charity." She smiles with doubly duplicitous sweetness, then looks down with unfeigned tenderness at her sister-in-mind's children. "Is this a competition now, seeing how much trouble you can cause for your poor, sweet, old mother?" Letting out a patently false sigh, she looks up as if to say, 'what can I do?' "Children these days. Must be because your mother never taught you the kinds of stories people use to strike fear into the hearts of naughty little children." She smiles slyly in a way they probably know and love well, for is she not the closest thing to the stereotypical bogeyman they know?

She doesn't seem to pay much attention to the commotion at the other table; her ongoing conversation with the room security seems to indicate everything is under control. She is somewhat sorry that there was no displacer moonshot, even though it would be something of a waste. An unwanted physical specimen like that could do wonders for medical science before it finally gave out.

<LOS Communications to Nathi>
{
<< What party would be complete without people so incapable of having a good time that they have to try and ruin it for everyone else? No matter, it looks to not be a problem anymore and, if the room intelligence has anything to say on the matter, everything is well under control.
}

“It’s amazing what having little ones underfoot ends up doing to oneself, Josef,” Nathi says with an amused grin.Vermi smiles a little wistfully at Nathi's comment, simply nodding mutely. Being aware of Vermi's lost children, Josef speaks up so she can compose herself, time doesn't quite heal all wounds, "You're telling me... after all, Federals are fond of large families and having extended members in one place... I've actually lost count of the number of people living in my house." He chuckles softly, "I used to be such a private person..."

He grins slightly and gives Nathi a conspiratorial wink, "Oh, I would never dream of letting people know you're growing soft."


... Her Most Splendiferous Ladyship," Ysarika tells Elisa, "Is almost always the very spirit of grace and dignity ..."Elisa laughs quite a bit, pauses, gets a rather vivid mental image, and erupts in more laughter. Finally, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes she smiles at Rene, "I'm not sure what's better the yelp I'm sure you gave, or the fact that you fell," she pauses to giggle at the unintentional pun, "for that."

She smiles at Ysarika, "I have to wonder... have you offered to take her on a snipe hunt, too?"

She heard the slavic tongue from those that dinned, and wanted to say something. It was the language of her nation.

"Я не знаю а чём ты думаешь..." she muttered to herself, sighing heavily as she listened into the conversation, afterwhich she extended her wings slightly still looking at the pair before getting up. Max was quick to follow. She took her crimson eyes off of the two, turned back to Max.

"Don't make the mistake in thinking that all my thoughts are consumed with misery, nor that my soul dwells in its own hell," she said in a whisper, tendrils of something rich wrapping around her tongue and slipping off onto her words. "Your eyes are what triggered those thoughts. They are not often at the forefront of my mind." With that she said nothing more and stepped out onto one of the balconies. She breathed in the unneeded air.

"If you want to exchange stories, you go first..."

Heruss merely glanced to check on Melchett who seemed enamoured by everything in the hall, and was quietly downing pint after pint of Bass Blue Beer, he then retured to the table at which Alessa, Clodius and Semp had returned.

"If it's all the same to you Clodius. I'd rather keep company than get back with that idiot." Heruss made no comment on Alessa's nudity.

"Who's the woman with the feathers? I get a funny feeling about her..." Heruss nodded to the black haired and feathered figure that was standing with a Reploid.

"Never mind." He muttered as he noticed Alessa and Semp acting as lovers do and threaded his way over towards Max and Rave.

"Hello. I don't beleive we have been introduced? I am Colonel Asopher Heruss of His Greater Majesty's Dark Angels Regiment. I'm from the Greater Kingdom of Midlonia and really looking to socialize." he smiled a little and extended his hand to Max first.

Clodius shrugged as Heruss rejoined them briefly. "Dunno. All I know is she's the mate of our wonderful reptilian friend. Go bug her if you like. God knows we need simple pleasures right now." Clodius reclined back as Sempero announced his departure, tucking Alessa off the hall to try and help restore the poor girl's dignity. Clodius was smart enough not to ask, transformation was embarassing like that sometimes unfortunately, even the best designed clothing could hardly be expected to cope with such changes. Such was life.

It wasn't as if he had bigger things to worry about, he pondered as Heruss left across the room.

Ranisath smiled, letting Anna stand beside him, and offering her a little tray of slivers of what looked like chocolate, and tasted similar, but stronger, in an entirely different way from richer chocolates, sweeter and yet more exotic. It was the Necrontyr equivalent, made from a plant that looked entirely different from the coca plant. “Hello,” he said, and after a few questions, signed in a curving, flowing font, in ink that somehow became metal, glittering in a circular, linear shape, before he signed above it in flowing tengwar, and under it, in her own native language, a another signature.

Ravelyn was rather offended that he had extended his hand towards Max first. Perhaps it was her pride or slight feminism, but it did not seem that this man meant to meet with her. She had been looking to exchange stories with Max and find out a bit more about him, and get a few of her stories off her chest. She turned towards the balcony and rested her hands on the railing. Her skin seemed to glow in the dim lighting, her eyes taking in the light of stars as they cast over the balcony and towards the ground below. Her dark hair she shifted over her shoulders, following her light movement. She shifted her black wings.

Azrael... she could hear the voice deep with in a reverie. Belle Morte... Beautiful Death...Who are you to decide my fate? Or you to take it? Who are you to guide me, Azrael? The woman that drunk down my soul with that siren's gaze...who are you Azrael? The voice was not her own, but a man's from an old memory. She did not turn around. She would give Max the privacy.

"Don't make the mistake in thinking that all my thoughts are consumed with misery, nor that my soul dwells in its own hell," she said in a whisper, tendrils of something rich wrapping around her tongue and slipping off onto her words. "Your eyes are what triggered those thoughts. They are not often at the forefront of my mind." With that she said nothing more and stepped out onto one of the balconies. She breathed in the unneeded air.

"If you want to exchange stories, you go first..."

"Ah, I jest once again." Max offers Ravelyn one of those courteous, flourishing bows that the diplomat seems so fond of before joining her on the balcony for a moment of companionable silence.

"You know, it was a night rather like this, though it was summer, not the dead of winter." The diplomat begins softly. "A diplomatic function, a celebration."

There's an odd note of wistful longing that wasn't in Max's tone before; perhaps the darkness outside lends the diplomat an unusual sense of security, letting slip the mask if only a little.

"I was getting on rather smashingly with a military representative from another nation. Granted, our countries were technically enemies, though the Shogunate never fought against them; it was the alliance, you see. It was nothing short of magic, that night. National borders didn't matter, fleeting moments of trifling polity meant not a thing. It was just us, the night, our love..."

A heavy sigh escapes Max's lips. "And then my dearling Alkie-chan found out what I was... and fled in terror, disgust. These humans... they see, and assume. When those assumptions are proven false... it's those of us who don't fit the mold that must suffer for it. Even in my native land I often find myself the source of revulsion." A dry, almost bitter chuckle slips loose next. "Yes, maybe that is why my coworkers despise me- not for my work, but merely for being what I am."

"Hello. I don't beleive we have been introduced? I am Colonel Asopher Heruss of His Greater Majesty's Dark Angels Regiment. I'm from the Greater Kingdom of Midlonia and really looking to socialize." he smiled a little and extended his hand to Max first.

Of course, the moment is broken by the unexpected intrusion. In a flash Max has slipped back into the diplomatic facade, accepting the newcomer's hand with a firm shake and a smile.

"Ah, Colonel, a pleasure. I'm Maxmillian Patrick Christof the Fourth, general lackey and diplomatic representative of the Arpean Diplomatic Corps of Reploid Productions. Contrary to the nation's name though, I must stress that most of our population are baseline humans, and not the mechanoids the country was named after." Max then gestures to Ravelyn with one of those trademark flourishes. "If I might introduce you to my lovely companion, Lady Ravelyn Shentavo. I fear she has far higher rank in the political arena than I do, though we have been enjoying the evening rather quietly compared to my more mechanized traveling companion inside."

If Ravelyn is paying attention, it's clear from Max's straight stance that the diplomat is similarly displeased at the interruption; but also knows better than to shame the Shogunate's Diplomatic Corps by being rude. Most likely word of a transgression would get leaked back up Max's command chain, something the diplomat clearly wishes to avoid given the previously stated workplace tensions.

These Elves (or rather Necrontyr, or C’tan, or whatever they were), might have known how to throw a party, and might have known how to impress, but by the Goddess were they not rude! The Marquise had been stubbornly speaking in English since she had met the two, and yet they continued to poke fun at her high school Xirnian by handling it with flawless mastery.

She suspected that it was probably an unintentional type of rudeness, inflicted out of a desire to be friendly, which of course made it all the worse, for at least calculated rudeness was a symptom of respect. The Marquise zée Seriendé sighed internally; one really needed the patience of a saint when dealing with foreigners. And the more alien they were, the less common sense they seemed to exercise, and the more patience required.

‘No longer visible, but why?’ asked the Lady Protector, puzzled slightly. Where Asine’rin had meant “Aquila”, Victória had heard her say “Veumârda the Hawk”, not that she had ever encountered the name of either constellation. She shrugged at the offer to see it as a radio source. ‘I don’t suppose there’s all that much point really, if one has to see it as a computer generated image.’

At that moment Ranisath announced dinner and the Xirniumite turned back to her hosts. ‘Do lead the way.’

Ravelyn didn't care as Max did. Her nation had more than enough allies. She wasn't concerned with being rude in return to something she had considered rude. In her nation, it was the women who were introduced first, then the men as their companions. It not a sign of superiority, but a sign of respect. She heard Max introduce her and didn't wish to turn around, but in being introduced she was somewhat forced. She turned around, her eyes burning quite the hole in to Heruss' visage. She did not extend her hand.

"Colonel Asopher Heruss of His Greater Majesty's Dark Angels Regiment," she said, drawing out the long name. She did not like his slight smile, or avid enough interest to interrupt a private conversation. Oh if the magic field hadn't have been there, she would have given the man a magical slap in the face. Despite her cool skin at the moment, she normally manipulated fire, however that was out of the question right now. She shifted her wings outward, making her a bit bigger than Max at a glance. Her wings were quite large, beautiful, and fully functional.

"I am Ravelyn Shentavo, former empress of the Three United Empires, but as my daughter, Charmaine, currently has the throne, I still shadow as Empress." her voice was cold, but somewhere underneath that tone was white hot coals. It was true, however. The Shentavo family was very loyal to Ravelyn. If she told them to plunge a sword through their hearts, they would. They weren't natural family, but rather brought through siring, as most vampires are. Her children were carefully selected, and at the point there were only three left, all of which made up the vampiric population of the Three United Empires. Ravelyn eyes did not leave the colonel.

Clodius sat calmly as the full consequences of Heruss’ warning made themselves manifest, hands steeped and face locked in concentration, ears pricked and seemingly hypersensitive now, picking up random conversations notable only for their menial nature as his brain sought subconsciously for any distraction from his thoughts. His bright blue eyes meanwhile, kept closed tight, almost painful as he hid the views of the room from interfering with the stream of conscious thought that now picked and analysed the events of both Heruss’ conversation and his own experience before. There were things he had to do, unpleasant things, and he had to start here. He rose, slowly, and disappeared after Semp and Alessa.

Sempero inwardly cursed at his superior’s arrival, but made no true outward showing of it. He moved himself and Alessa slowly round, ensuring the tunic, longer than average and on a much smaller frame now resemble a badly tailored mini-dress rather than a jacket, slightly dishevelled from what Semp had been doing but still keeping her modesty intact. Clodius looked at his fellow vampire first after smiling briefly at the smaller female. The glance towards Sempero was sad and paternalistic, and Sempero’s annoyance quickly diffused itself without protest.

“Sempero. Don’t worry, I’ll leave you two alone in a moment, but there is something I need to ask of you, well, both of you” He took a step back so he could address both of them directly. “If your offer was serious, Alessa, then I would very much like it if you could take Sempero back with you.”

Alessa looked enthusiastic, clutching Semp around the waist and looking up between the men with an excited gesture. Sempero’s reaction was, however, somewhat more muted. He looked down at Alessa with a longing, but he straightened quickly into a relaxed militant posture, eyes locking fully on Clodius.

“Sir, as much I loved the opportunity much than anything to spend time with Alessa, I get the impression you’re trying to keep me out of danger.” Which was obvious to them both, but it had to be said out loud for Sempero, who went uneasy almost instantly.

“That’s one way to describe it.” Clodius admitted, biting his lip briefly. “Some things have occurred, some events that I had hoped would not happen, have despite the best efforts of our friends become reality. I do not want you within reach of this planet if the worst case scenario comes around.”

“We…wait, what the hell? The Commonwealth is facing that kind of threat?“ Sempero backed up, his eyes narrowing. “Do you honestly expect me to run in the face of that, sir?”

“Sempero.” Clodius placed his hands on the man’s shoulders. “I know its hard for you to obey this order.” He paused, looking down briefly, giving time to find the correct words.. “You a Warlord of the Navarrok Guard, a position that has required you to display and posses strength and courage on a scale incomprehensible to most people present here. Your bravery, your honour is beyond question. I am not asking this of you because I believe you are not up for the fight, I am asking you to do this because you are the only one I can trust who can carry my plan through when the time comes.”

Sempero took a firm step back, moving outside Alessa‘s hold. “People will talk.” Anger rose in his words. “I do not mind what I have to do but, Clodius, by the Guardian I can not run.”

“Does it matter,” Clodius said softly. Sempero shuddered and held back a scathing reply, but his superior merely held the look once more. “Your duty, is not to opinion, but to play your part in the fight. I will, if things don’t work out, be needing you to play a role of extraordinary importance, and I need to know too that I can trust you in this.” It wasn’t working as well as he hoped, the soothing words seemingly irrelevant to the seething vampire. “We owe each other our lives many times over, Semp, and I hate to ask this of you, believe me.” Sad eyes, for once belying the elder Freestian’s millennia of age, looked up anew. “Please.”

Silence for the moment, then a cordial and sharp "fine" broke the air.

The two broke their glances again, the younger vampire shaking his head slowly. Clodius sighed, bowed his head, and turned away.

“Alessa” he turned to the Roanian queen with a single movement, flourished and precise, even if his face was sad and strained. “I want to ask a favour of you too,” he paused again, looked back up at Sempero momentarily, then turned back. “Sempero cares for you, I’ve noticed, more than he’ll admit right now. And so I need you to look after him and make sure no matter how hard and desperate he is to return to keep him comforted and safe and to remind him of where his duty lies.” Sempero turned back, a mixture of slight embarrassment and resignation that was cleared before he turned back round fully to face them again.

And nor did the Colonel's eyes leave that of Ravelyn. Instead he bowed slightly.
"Former empress of the Three United Empires." he merely replied, also dragging out the words before standing upright and glancing out at the night.

"It's quite a beautiful night, is it not? I have to admit your name travels far and wide Former Empress, mostly that of legend. It has to be said." he sniffed slightly. "Child of the night." he added quietly.

"I beleive I shall continue introducing myself to others at this party who are perhaps more socially finessed and willing to be more in the fray of the party." He said with a grin showing his fangs, and bowed before heading back to his own table.

Knew it. he thought to himself as he headed back to a now passed out General Melchett. By her attitude she is but another from those brutal nests. Perhaps yet another candidate for nest-wide extermination? Perhaps not, the usual jobs will have to wait until that final matter is solved.


----------------------------------

He simply stopped by his table and took a sip from his glass before looking around the hall and moving over towards that which the Dread Lady and such were sat. He bowed slightly at a pause in conversation.

"I do apologize if I appear Impertinent at all, but my... ahem, 'plus one' has taken it upon himself to have a slight nap and I thought I should socialize and introduce myself. Colonel Asopher Heruss."

After the interloper departs, Max lets off an exasperated sigh. "The nerve! If I was that ill-mannered, my superiors would have my head on a pike!"

The diplomat pauses for a long moment, apparently getting the slight outburst of temper back under control. It's not exactly rage, nor mere annoyance; it's clear Max has been offended just seriously enough to hang somewhere between the two. Or at least offended on Ravelyn's behalf; perhaps for the both of them.

After a moment, Max turns to address the vampire again. "My apologies, m'lady. Had I known he was going to be so uncouth, I would not have given him the benefit of a properly cordial greeting. Alas that my position in the Corps requires me to greet such snide rudeness with at least bare civility."

The diplomat cracks a wry smile and mimes a punch in the departed Colonel's direction. "Otherwise I would have quite enjoyed smacking him one."

"He flashed his fangs at me," she said removing invisible dirt from underneath her cleanly polished crimson nails. "If he wishes to kill me..." she trailed off, eyes lost in thought, and her wings spread outward. "It will be his own death sentence...if he has heard of me as he claimed, he will keep his distance if he seeks to be an enemy, and apologize profusely if an ally." She wasn't exceptionally offended. She was more annoyed at the defense system in this place than anything else, or she would have given the man quite the deck in the face. She didn't slap...she knew how to fight.

She paused. "...Allow me," she said to Max quietly, stalked inside, and met eyes with the colonel. She walked towards him. God, that dress fit her perfectly. Her wings were angled to either side, not closed. He was speaking with another woman. Ravelyn showed no hostility towards either, and was actually interested in the woman, though she had something else to deal with. When she reached his table, she slipped next to him, flashing her own set of fangs to him, and just to him. They weren't normal fangs; but a double set. It was strange to see that. The outer set was a bit longer than the inner; and they were pure ivory. Such weapons hidden between such soft lips. "I am not a child...I am a mother...and you have lost your vampiric etiquette in not greeting myself first." She took a card from her purse, gave it to him. It was an address, no name, but it was in her nation. The ink was written in silver with a black lion icon on the corner.

"If you want to challenge me, sir...then do so on your own time, not the host's." She turned from him, and walked back towards Max. If the vampire wanted to challenge her, she had no problem accepting it. It was quite rude of the man to have not greeted her first, even more so that he was somewhat of her own kind, though her angelic blood separated her from a good majority of the population. She had never fully taken on the embrace, or at least her body hadn't. There was a never ending struggle between angelic and vampiric blood in her veins, and it would never end, and never stop.

She walked back out on the balcony with Max, away from the others. "It's cocky fledglings like that; those who have lost respect for their kind or for others, that need to be beaten before they will ever listen to you. It's a shame with the growing populations many have fallen to such lack of etiquette. I am very lucky that none of my children turned out anything less than exceptional..." she sighed heavily. Why was she always the target? People couldn't just talk to her instead of threats? From one of vampiric blood too... it didn't matter anymore. She took out another card, the same as the first given to the colonel, and she handed it to Max.

"You should come to my nation for a while," she said quietly. "I've invited our friend...and there is no defense system such as this one there. We, my family and I, are the defense system of that building." She leaned on the railing again. ..

"You and I both have been discriminated for who we are. I by other nations because they don't understand. They do not see what I have done for the empire, or how my nation reveres me because of my kindness and wisdom, not just because I'm their empress, was rather. All people see from other nations is "vampire!" or "seraphic!" or "chimera!" she laughed bitterly. They have never seen until they spend time with me, who I am, what I am, and why I am. I've known Goor for many many years, Max. He knows who I am. My students; my nation...but these outsiders just look to pick fights, or challenge me. They don't take the time first to know me." She sighed once more.

"It saddens me how people have become. Perhaps I shouldn't have disappeared for so long...who am I to deserve a break?"

"Thank you, um, sir." Anna did not know the proper address for Ranisath, but simply bowed and departed. Out of curiosity, she ran her fingers over the metal script, and found it diamond-hard and cold to the touch. It was perfect. Where Rani had learned telessa was another question, but since he really was a C'tan it wasn't surprising that he'd had the time.

All Anna had known about the C'tan before was that they had no psionic presence and came from stars. His answers to her questions had taught her a lot about them. As she neatly pocketed the autograph book (for Kandarinese garb always had many pockets), she wondered who to go to next. There was the party with Santa Hats, and that fellow with the giant wings, and the flower probably counted as an autograph from Siri...there! Her eyes fell almost absent-mindedly on a woman in a slim, elegant black dress, herding two younger children and chatting here and there with passing dignitaries.

"Good evening, Dread Lady." Anna nudged Siri's poinsettia in an innovative attempt at hat-tipping, all other formalities having been exhausted. It was not yet time to dig out the autograph book. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Anna Khaz, nevyaha ama kandanirya."

Alessa looked up at the two males, and then slowly let go of Sempero, her expression now almost as grey as her complexion. "I see." She murmured, shaking her head slightly. "I..." She looked up at Sempero, a determined and flinty expression on her face. "Do you want to go with me?" She touched his arm, gently stroking it with one of her delicate claws.

Sempero smiled and reached up to take her hand, squeezing it as much as he could without cutting himself or hurting her. "I do." He kissed her.

She returned the kiss, then pulled away, looking over at Clodius. "Then I guess I'll do it." Alessa told the older vamp. She bared her fangs, though. "But if I find that he's hurt because of this..."

Sempero grinned and dragged her along. "Come on, dear. We're keeping Clodius from the party." He gave the older drake a nod of respect.

Alessa nodded, reluctantly, and then hugged Sempero as tight as she could. "I'll do my best." She murmured to Clodius.

"Ah, well... if you must insist on titles, m'lady, my only official one is 'Officer' and I'm pretty certain I don't outrank anyone here. Everyone 'knows' me because..." ..."I'm a professional adventurer and, from there, action hero. Movies, comic books, action figures, you name it. Luckily for me, I always get to play myself, which makes things easier." ... "What brings you to our neck of the woods? I'm still technically a diplomat by profession, working for padishah Speaker-Rrit over there, and the International Relations Section prides itself on knowing everyone, but I can only gather you're new. Welcome."


"Yes, we've only really started to venture beyond our home in the last few years..." Aese comments, smiling at Magnus. For a druchii, she was still very young... and impressionable. And he does have a certain irresistible charm...

"It was only after a rather unfortunate incident with a few of our citizens and a Necrontyr tomb world that really opened our eyes to the larger galaxy. Our little corner is rather isolated, but after some exploration, Sol proved to be, well, quite an obvious place to send our envoys. Like me!" she smiles, trying to be as interesting as possible. She'd left out the minor detail of the short and bloody war that had forced a marked change on druchii society, that necessitated contact with outsiders. It didn't make a very good dinner story.

"So, an action hero... quite a title," she grins, liking him more the longer they talk. "'Magnus Hesche, Action Hero!'" she laughs softly as she tilts her head back, and tries to envision just what kind of uniform he'd wear with such a job title. "Much better then 'Diplomatic Officer Magnus Hesche,' or any other such nonsense. Though, I can't say I've ever met anyone with their own... what did you call it? Comic book?"

Alessa looked up at the two males, and then slowly let go of Sempero, her expression now almost as grey as her complexion. "I see." She murmured, shaking her head slightly. "I..." She looked up at Sempero, a determined and flinty expression on her face. "Do you want to go with me?" She touched his arm, gently stroking it with one of her delicate claws.

....

Alessa nodded, reluctantly, and then hugged Sempero as tight as she could. "I'll do my best." She murmured to Clodius.

"I know." He smiled in relief but also genuine happiness. "Take care of him. I will need him ready if the time comes."

"And Sempero. I appreciate this. I know how hard it seems, and all I can offer in comfort is that you are the only man on the planet I would entrust with this. Thank you old friend. I only hope one day to repay you."

The last of Sempero's anger diffused with Alessa's touch and Clodius solemn praise. "I won't let you down sir."

"I know. Go have fun you two. And Sempero?"

"Yes Clo?" Sempero's arm wandered around Alessa's uniformed shoulders and held her close.

"Do your species proud sunshine."

Both of them grinned. "Will do chief."

Clodius burst out laughing, well, they both did, and the older vampire turned and walked back towards the hall, leaving the two to their own affairs. At least he could be happy for now, Clodius presumed, and he deserved that much in the light of what he would eventually ask of him. His smile dropped slightly as he reentered the hall, looking for Barham and Farahind.

"Yes, we've only really started to venture beyond our home in the last few years..." ... "It was only after a rather unfortunate incident with a few of our citizens and a Necrontyr tomb world that really opened our eyes to the larger galaxy. Our little corner is rather isolated, but after some exploration, Sol proved to be, well, quite an obvious place to send our envoys. Like me!"
"And if you are representative of your envoys, then your people's stay in the system should be a happy one indeed." Magnus allows himself a slightly teasing grin at the compliment. "Everyone comes around here eventually, so it's an excellent place to meet exciting new people." He quirks an eyebrow and a corner of a lip, as if to suggest that Aeselle is indeed one of those exciting new people. 'As if to suggest?' Bah. 'Certainly to suggest,' is more like.
"So, an action hero... quite a title, ... 'Magnus Hesche, Action Hero!' ... Much better then 'Diplomatic Officer Magnus Hesche,' or any other such nonsense. Though, I can't say I've ever met anyone with their own... what did you call it? Comic book?"
"Yup. Magnus Hesche, Man of Action is the best one, I think, mostly because when they send the pages to me to check they leave my dialogue bubbles blank so I can fill them in." Magnus chuckles confidently at the self-conscious absurdity. "It's certainly a shift from the days when I was unknown, but I guess that's what saving the world does for a guy. Ah well, it's a hobby." He deftly, if not particularly subtly, turns the conversation back to focus on Aeselle. "What do you do in your free time, assuming they let you have any?"

"You should come to my nation for a while," she said quietly. "I've invited our friend...and there is no defense system such as this one there. We, my family and I, are the defense system of that building." She leaned on the railing again. ..

<snip for length>

"It saddens me how people have become. Perhaps I shouldn't have disappeared for so long...who am I to deserve a break?"

Max accepts the little card with a bow; not one of the flourishing gestures like when the diplomat first was introduced, but a more subdued, more real bow of the head. "M'lady, I am honored to receive such an invitation. Though I must warn you it could be some time before I can accept it; a few days from now I'm supposed to be shipped off to some remote political backwater in space to serve as a diplomatic liason. I'm not certain how long I'll be off-world, either."

Max listens patiently, staring into the darkness. "Come now, everybody deserves a break sometimes. Clearly just no one else here seems to think so." Max's keen eyes spot something in the dark below the balcony. "There's a quiet little garden down there; with everyone else busy gorging themselves and being rude, I don't think we would need to worry about further interruptions like our dear friend the Colonel."

The diplomat turns to face Ravelyn again. "And in the darkness, we're all the same." This last is accompanied by a downright boyish grin and a wink as Max braces one foot on the railing as though to simply jump down.

She smiles at Ysarika, "I have to wonder... have you offered to take her on a snipe hunt, too?"

Ysarika frowns. "I don't think we have those, in Kynarai ..."

Rene chuckles. "I know what that is, you. I wasn't born yesterday!"

Ravelyn raises an eyebrow and then leaps from the balcony before him. Her wings spread outward at a surprisingly large wingspan. It is clear she is skilled, as she turns around in mid air to look up at Max before landing effortlessly. She folds her raven like wings behind her. She loved flowers; roses in particular; scarlet or cream, and never pink. She took the scent in of the flower-kissed air, and waited for her companion.

“Careful now," she cautioned.

The Chief Advisor once again proved to be precisely the wrong person to invite along to an event such as this. As was typical of her nature, she had made very little conversation during her time with the Kephalian drow, and even at the dinner table, she had chosen to talk with neigh a single person, mainly focusing on eating from the plate of food set before her. And, once the meal had been finished, the ancient drow decided to do nothing more than listen in on the conversations around her as her eyes closely examined those chatting in the dining hall.

However, seated beside her, Alakantar had attempted some short dialogue with her but to no avail. She merely nodded her head every few minutes and acted as if she did not want to do anything but take up space. But he wasn’t going to sit there with her acting like the party’s deadbeat and certainly he wouldn’t allow her to either. So he glanced around the hall quickly, searching for someone free to talk with.

No…Nathicana appears busy…the Vice Chairman is busy with that Roanian guy…the Scolopendrans are too…damn…who isn’t talking with someone…well….other than us…

His red eyes then gazed beyond the crowds at the table. There, seemingly wandering around the hall alone, he spotted Rachel Penteleimon.

“C’mon,” he finally said to Ire’arra. “We need to get up and do something for once. Perhaps talk with that woman over there. I doubt anyone has said a word to her all evening.”

Her expression changed as she stared up at him, appearing to say ‘how dare you disturb me!’ but she said nothing of the sort. “Very well,” she muttered with a sigh and hoisted herself up from the seat using her wooden staff to follow him.

“Good evening, ma’am,” greeted Alakantar to Rachel with a respectful bow of his head. “I don’t believe we’ve met before. “I’m Alakantar Aleanrahel O’Neill, Northrop-Grumman’s Governor of the Martian Colony of Valacirca.”

He then glanced over to Ire’arra, who exhaled heavily in some irritation. “I am Ire’arra Aleanrahel, Chief Advisor to the Chairman and Chairwoman of Northrop-Grumman and the Matron Queen of the First House of Shal’Thassan-Nal.”

Rene chuckles. "I know what that is, you. I wasn't born yesterday!"Elisa giggles softly, "Day before, I guess. I mean, you did fall for that trout idea." She smiles warmly and gives Rene a little hug, Tsaranese ideas of public affection be damned, "If it's not a super-private thing, I'd love to go with you on one of these fishing trips. They sound like fun."

Max's chuckle floats down from the balcony. "I fear my landing won't be nearly so graceful. Incoming!"

And it isn't, really. Max leaps from the railing, getting some impressive distance that no human could hope to match. But then again, the diplomat lacks any way to tell gravity to piss off, turning the leap into a ballistic arc. Max's landing isn't a bad one, just efficient; the diplomat landing in a practiced crouch with a heavy thud, shoes likely leaving marked impressions in the grassy soil from the impact.

"Well, I think I managed to avoid getting my suit dirty, at least." Max's voice jokes in the shadowy dark of the garden.

It's probably very beautiful in full daylight; however in the dark, the deflected light from the building and the careful lighting from strategic sources leaves only vague impressions of the well-tended trees and flowers glowing gently like a mass of tiny stars come to rest. It could be the dead of winter outside, but probably thanks to the elves and various magical or scientific gadgetry, the garden carries the floral scent of mid-spring, the soft grass and the ground still radiating the gentle warmth of the day's departed sunlight.

It must be a private outdoor lounge of some sort, lacking the brilliant views of the city below due to facing the entirely wrong direction and being sheltered further by the impressive facades of the building. The acoustics of the little garden channel the noise of the party up and away from the area and its scattering of benches and comfortable lounges; leaving just the whisper of the breeze and the splash of water from some fountain hidden in the shadows.

"Ah, now this is far more congenial for quiet conversation than upstairs, isn't it?"

Iyanna had been lost in thought, a minor matter to deal with overall, but with half the council here, Galdern as always locked up in his research, it left very little of the Council back on Yvresse itself, so she was having to take care of a few details on the fly. Now through it was dealt with and the table seemed, if at all possible, to have gained more people since her attention wandered. Rhiannon where have I heard that name… ah wait now I remember Galdern’s report of the Mines, interesting no wonder Taldar backed down like that, speaking of Taldar where has she gotten too… oh hmm well seems she has a new goal for the night, a nice enough haul I guess.

Taldar’s new goal would likely confuse those who had watched the cat play earlier all for a taste of the treats on offer, now she tucked carried some of the food in her mouth away from the party. Somewhere in this place was the Gryinx of the Ambassador Nais, a strong enough male for her purposes, some kittens might result.

She would return later of course, after all Iyanna wanted her by her side, but for now… for now Iyanna deigned to give the people now on their table the briefest of smiles, and looked over the assembled guests again. In time she might rejoin the conversation.

(Really bad catch up post I know sorry folks)

Nathi’s Kids Are Not Far Off, Right?

The talk in between the Vasilevs and Katrina pretty much died out as both sides appeared more interested in their meals than in delving deep into Taraskovyan history and all things magical. Vethara, in the meantime, gave a look around, to see whether any new or known faces had not come around while she was busily eating and talking about old arts proper to her homeland.

It was a sort of a pleasant surprise for her to find out that the Dread Lady and her little family were pretty much only a few seats away. She still remembered them from that time when she relaxed a few days at a Sakkran resort and the two children were swarming around Pushok. The gigantic predator, the terror of Taraskovyan mountains and plains alike, yet again proved that sometimes, there was more to things than met the eye. Meaning gigantic fangs that could rip through armour suits and muscular paws that could squish people into pancakes somehow were the perfect example of docility.

The Grand Duchess, before the rest of her meal was delivered, stood up from her seat, careful not to disturb anyone around her, and made a few steps into the direction of the two children. She stopped behind their chairs, placing a hand on the back of one of them and leaning in ever so slightly, enough for those sitting to see her fully, but not enough to either shove her nose into their plates or faces, and of course very far from enough to appear as overly “bent over” in the less polite sense of the word.

“Pardon for the interruption, but do I not have the honour of meeting Marcus and Naiya again?” she said with a charming smile, giving each child a warm gaze of greeting before rising her eyes to the Dread Lady. “It is a pleasure, Your Majesty. But I do not believe I am acquainted with the rest, but if I am, I beg forgiveness for my faulty memory.”

As her eyes cover the rest of the little discussion circle, a sincere and warm smile greets everybody.

OOC: Sowwy for bashing in on your talk, but I really felt like posting something.

"Good evening, sir. I hope you're enjoying the party, Your Grace." Rachel bowed slightly to both Alakantar and the Chief Advisor in turn. "I am Rachel Penteleimon, Foreign Minister of the Kandarin Federation." She did not mention her noble title, an omission that was the custom for those of the ruling caste.

"It's been awhile since there was any contact between our kindreds." Rachel didn't know if that was the right place to start, but it had to be said eventually. She carefully avoided any mention of the various skirmishes with what were surely some other Drow of that Maker-knows-how-splintered kindred. "It seems we've been out of the world for a while. There's so much to catch up on. Not least of all you."

Nathi’s Kids Are Not Far Off, Right?Sure, why not?

Vermi and Josef glanced up from chatting with each other to smile in greeting at the Grand Duchess. Josef smiled, figuring introductions were probably his responsibility, "A pleasure to meet you, I don't believe we've ever officially met." He paused half a beat, "Or unofficially, for that matter."

Gesturing to the older woman next to him, "This is 'Vermi', the Hack's observer to the United Nations... such as it is." A gesture to woman on the other side of him, "That is Elisa Day, the Speaker for the Oligarchy who is..." he blinked, "Catching up on old times with the Tsarainese, it seems." He smiled, "And I'm Josef Specter, Nominal Head of said Oligarchy."

“Well, the nation of my birth and ancestry, Shal’Thassan-Nal, has had no contact at all with the outside world for the past ten thousand years.” Alakantar glanced over to the Chief Advisor, who gave a quiet nod of the head in approval. “To make a long story short for the moment, a war with the rogue elements of another civilization eventually drove them all underground, where they have been to this day. It’s been protected by an energy shield and advanced defense system that prevents people from accessing it. But…due to strange circumstances, here I am, the first of my kind to venture out from our underground world.

“However, I’m more here as a representative of Northrop-Grumman than anything else. Though the fact that I am one of the few drow from Shal’Thassan-Nal, leaves me as its primary representative by default.” He stopped briefly and chuckled with a shake of his head. “Anyway, before I start into rambling…getting back to Northrop-Grumman… We’re not a particularly old nation – only have been around for the past sixty-one years, so you can say that our involvement in foreign affairs has been limited thus far. But we’re trying to fix that and have been through our assets on Mars. It seems that due to the amount of nations represented there, it’s easier to work diplomatic relations there instead of traipsing all over the universe.”

Chucking once more, he noted to himself his ever constant habit of being long-winded in these situations and often carrying on one-sided conversations. But this woman was a foreign minister. No doubt she’s heard it all in her position.

"Bah, enough about us. There will be time for all that later...so...if you don't mind me asking, what would be the cause of the Kandarin Federation's absence from the world?"

"Yup. Magnus Hesche, Man of Action is the best one, I think, mostly because when they send the pages to me to check they leave my dialogue bubbles blank so I can fill them in." ... "It's certainly a shift from the days when I was unknown, but I guess that's what saving the world does for a guy. Ah well, it's a hobby." He deftly, if not particularly subtly, turns the conversation back to focus on Aeselle. "What do you do in your free time, assuming they let you have any?"

"Free... time? Ah yes, leisure. Well, reading mostly," she politely dabs her lip with the corner of her napkin as she finishes her meal, and gently pushes it away as she turns slightly to face Magnus.

"I've become quite interested in human literature, actually, though I do find much of it to be quite confusing. The language..." she pauses and turns a little more in her seat, making her belted swords clatter lightly against the table. "It requires a deeper understanding of human culture that perhaps I lack. Maybe you could suggest a good book, Magnus? One or two that would, say, help me understand your people more?"

If one looked more closely at the look that accompanies that question, one of a slightly smirking smile and dangerously raised eyebrows, one could imply that it is hardly a trip to their hosts' library that the young druchii is requesting. Or perhaps it is?

"Free... time? Ah yes, leisure. Well, reading mostly," ... "I've become quite interested in human literature, actually, though I do find much of it to be quite confusing. The language... It requires a deeper understanding of human culture that perhaps I lack. Maybe you could suggest a good book, Magnus? One or two that would, say, help me understand your people more?"

If one looked more closely at the look that accompanies that question, one of a slightly smirking smile and dangerously raised eyebrows, one could imply that it is hardly a trip to their hosts' library that the young druchii is requesting. Or perhaps it is?
Either way, Magnus is game. In such a way is life made an adventure! Honestly, she could be all for a game of tiddlywinks or looking at a stamp collection and he'd go along, because everything he comes across can be made into a challenge, a growing experience of one sort or another. It's the liberating form of nihilism, if you could call Magnus a nihilist, and you couldn't. He really does believe that good will always triumph over evil; that money and power mean nothing and a noble spirit and honor mean everything. It'd probably be more accurate to say that he is simply the master of the intentional stance. "I could... attempt both," he says with a grin and a slyness all his own, maintaining an equal air of mystery and confidence, making his own intentions as uncertain as they actually are. Life's more of an adventure if you don't plan ahead too much. "I think there's much we could learn from each other were we to take the time to study together. Learning is best when it goes both ways, after all..."

He glances about conspiratorially, yet smoothly, still smirking with quiet humor. "I do happen to know where there's a nice, quiet little study with a connection to the Vinyatírion Library near here..."

Reppy’s Crew

Nathi’s brow arches up a bit at the offer to visit the Academy, and she glances quickly at Naiya before looking back and nodding. “We’ll have to see,” she says noncommittally, though both the kids light up at the prospect.

Of course the mention of Becky’s antics brings an understanding smile to Nathicana’s face, while one can practically see the wheels turning in the minds of Marcus and Naiya, comparing notes, and pondering just how much pudding had been involved and how much of a mess that must have made.

“However,” Nathi interjects at the end of that story, “I do NOT think we’ll be visiting Camp R – for the sanity of all. Could you just imagine if those three got together?” She chuckles at that, then ponders further, then coughs nervously, and takes a quick sip of water – the thought not setting all too well with her, once she’d thought it through.

Battlegroup H’zta

"Hrrr... while it may have been a joke of an idea, it could be one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for him."

“Then I’ll have to be sure and follow up on this one,” Nathi says with a warm smile to Speeks, thinking fondly of her crotchety yet steadfast gray-haired friend. Anything that’d get him out and enjoying life a bit without causing undue emotional stress – now that was a good thing.

“As for the investments, just send me the details at my office, and I’ll look into it. I’m always looking to diversify, and if I can benefit friends while doing so, so much the better.”

"As only befits a named Hero." Speaker nods firmly, then chuckles and playfully pushes Nathi in the shoulder with one furred fist. "She does the species proud."

“You’re damn right, she does. She not only does an excellent job in her position – I’ve had numerous compliments on her grace and skill, mind – but it’s been absolutely wonderful to have her and the bambinos around. I’m truly glad she earned her full name. The young ‘ret certainly has earned it, not that you need my approval,” Nathi replies, still smiling, close-lipped of course.

The children, meanwhile, are quite taken with Rhiannon, though Naiya is more quiet and contemplative about it all. Marcus, as often happens, is the more boisterous one, talking excitedly, his eyes wide as he listens and replies having brushed off his mother’s warning after the nice lady said it was ok. The sudden fracas at the other table, and the reactions of those at this table broke things up a bit, and there were some curious glances exchanged at Rhi’s outburst.

While that was going on, Marcus happened to glance back over at the disturbance at the other table, then turned back to the conversation at hand. He’d overheard his mother say once that some people had a hard time keeping their clothes on, though at the time, he thought she was joking about something. Perhaps the lady who wasn’t a lady over there was one of those people.

“Wow … beating bad guys, and flying all those cool ships, and with the guns and the … Miss Rhiannon, that is sooooo awesome. You should meet my Zio Timo – you’d like him. He does all sorts of things like that too, like fighting off a huge cat barehanded, and surviving out in the wild with like nothing, and did you know, he even saved mama once – he did! I love it when he comes over, with Shorty and Gatto and Felina. They are all so fun! And you know, he’d come over more if that bastard Hawke didn’t send him off all over the pl—“

“Marcus!” Nathi gasps, with Marcus reflexively shrinking down in his seat, looking sheepish.

“Ooooooh …” is all Naiya offers in a very quiet voice.

“But mama, you said—“

“I don’t care what I said, some things don’t need to be repeated!”

“Well, he is one if he’s gonna keep Zio Timo away all the time,” Marcus mutters sullenly.

“He has a job to do, whether he, or any of us, likes it or not – and he’ll be the first one to tell you that,” she says more quietly, putting an arm around the little guy. “And I need to be more careful about what I say when you children are about. My apologies,” she says, looking around at the group with a mix of what might be construed as slight defiance and embarrassment all at once.

“It’s ok, mama,” Naiya pipes up, still fairly quietly. “They all know you have a temper.”

Nathi just rubs her forehead slightly and sighs.

Shodey

"Is this a competition now, seeing how much trouble you can cause for your poor, sweet, old mother?" Letting out a patently false sigh, she looks up as if to say, 'what can I do?' "Children these days. Must be because your mother never taught you the kinds of stories people use to strike fear into the hearts of naughty little children."

Both the kids giggle a bit at all that, though they do look just a tad less mischievous.

“I wouldn’t say ‘old’,” Nathi says archly, though her wink gives it away.

“Mama doesn’t tell us scary stories, Auntie Shodey – you know that,” Naiya says with a smile. “And we’re not that naughty.”

“Usually,” Marcus interjects between mouthfuls. Yes indeed, better not to elaborate overmuch.

<LOS Communications to Shodey>
{
<< I’ve every confidence, but truth, thanks for the assurance. It’s true – it never fails someone has to act the ass, and invariably, someone has to take the bait. How in hell did we ever manage to survive so many of these things, I swear?
}

Der Hackmeister

He grins slightly and gives Nathi a conspiratorial wink, "Oh, I would never dream of letting people know you're growing soft."

With all the various conversations, the reason for Vermi’s quietness goes undetected unfortunately, and Nathi simply replies “You’d better not,” to Josef with a smile and a wink.

Heruss & Anna & Vethara

Nathicana looks up, then extends her hand in greeting to Heruss. “A pleasure. Nathicana D’Aquisto of the Dominion, and my two children, Naiya and Marcus,” she says, then attempts to introduce the rest of the table to the best of her abilities – which all in all aren’t too shabby.

Of course when the winged lady stalks over, Nathicana’s expression freezes to one carefully neutral, and she rises from her chair, firmly putting herself between her children, and this stranger. She said not a word during the exchange, but waited until the menacing woman left before speaking again.

“Since she lacked the good grace to do so herself, allow me to apologize on behalf of … whoever that was, one and all. Again we see that regardless of rank or status, some here seem bereft of manners.”

She let the whole ‘vampiric’ business slide, all things considered. She’d since learned, after her surprise at finding out such creatures existed to begin with, that there were vampires, and then there were vampires, and not all, in spite of the common name, were the same. Were it not for examples like the Cetagandans, well … she’d be forced to maintain her original opinion she gained from her experiences years ago with the mindless monsters they’d been forced to deal with.

Anna’s greeting surprised her, given her focus elsewhere at the moment, and she turned a bit quickly, smiling when she saw it wasn’t some crazy person looking for trouble.

“Pleased to meet you as well,” she says, nodding politely. “Though I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the title there.

The children both light up, remembering the nice lady with the big wolf from the beach.

“Miss Vethara! Is Fluff here too?” asks Marcus.

“Good heavens, your Imperial Highness,” Nathi says, surprised. “Perhaps we need to find some more chairs so that at least everyone can sit and visit?”



ooc: Please let me know if I inadvertently missed something important, or left anyone out ...

Still... she glances over her shoulder. Looks like he left, so with luck we can be left to more pleasant distractions.

Beat. Damn. Then she remembers to stop transmitting.

If the Keeper actually heard the accidental remark, he does an admirable job of pretending he didn't. Instead, he turns to a more pleasant avenue of conversation.

"Likewise, you're welcome to visit the Academy. The more technologically inclined faculty-" A self-depreciating grin; the old guy is decidedly NOT one of the more technologically capable. "-have been working on getting all the old texts scanned in, but I fear we have generated rather a lot over our long rest in the Valley. Not to mention we've had to dig a lot of the old caverns out since Xefo got loose."

She paused. "...Allow me," she said to Max quietly, stalked inside, and met eyes with the colonel. She walked towards him. God, that dress fit her perfectly. Her wings were angled to either side, not closed. He was speaking with another woman. Ravelyn showed no hostility towards either, and was actually interested in the woman, though she had something else to deal with. When she reached his table, she slipped next to him, flashing her own set of fangs to him, and just to him.

Both the Keeper and Zeroel tense when the vampire approaches; obviously neither seems quite as trusting of Ravelyn as their fellow diplomat Max is. Zeroel relaxes when it's quickly made clear she has no business with anyone but the Colonel.

Najoedo, on the other hand, warily eyes the vampire through narrowed blue eyes, rustling his milky dragonwings in the guise of merely shifting in his seat, his hand resting easily on the hilt of his blade despite knowing the security will keep him from drawing the weapon. He had encountered vampiric beings in his travels forever and a day ago, and virtually none of those ancient encounters had ended on a positive note. Thus he was not well-inclined to trust this strange raven-winged being any farther than he could throw her.

And with the room security, that was not very far at all.

“Pardon for the interruption, but do I not have the honour of meeting Marcus and Naiya again?” she said with a charming smile, giving each child a warm gaze of greeting before rising her eyes to the Dread Lady. “It is a pleasure, Your Majesty. But I do not believe I am acquainted with the rest, but if I am, I beg forgiveness for my faulty memory.”

Najoedo shakes himself from keeping surveillance on the departed Ravelyn, turning his attention to the newest arrival at the table. Luckily Zeroel is a bit quicker than the old Keeper, giving him a moment to recollect his wits.

"I'm Zeroel, shipmind of the Shogunate Diplomatic Corps carrier by the same name." The mechanoid introduces himself. "I don't believe we've been previously introduced, but it's a pleasure to meet new people."

"Particularly new people that don't intend to cause a stir at what is meant to be a celebration." Najoedo adds with a pointed look in the direction Goor disappeared. "I am Najoedo, eldest of the Keepers of the Goddess Blades, also representing Firefury-Uccjooh and the Shogunate."

“However,” Nathi interjects at the end of that story, “I do NOT think we’ll be visiting Camp R – for the sanity of all. Could you just imagine if those three got together?” She chuckles at that, then ponders further, then coughs nervously, and takes a quick sip of water – the thought not setting all too well with her, once she’d thought it through.

"They could probably scare the HELLSING guys, I'm sure." Zeroel chuckles. Oh yes, there are stories and stories there about all the mischief the captain's daughter got into at Camp R. "Admittedly Becky has gotten a bit mellower now that she's a bit older.... but I think she's making up for it by getting more... ah... inventive. Poor Weapons-Maker. And Test Pilot Ymari. I did not know you could 'tree' a Neko like you can a housecat."

“Wow … beating bad guys, and flying all those cool ships, and with the guns and the … Miss Rhiannon, that is sooooo awesome. You should meet my Zio Timo – you’d like him. He does all sorts of things like that too, like fighting off a huge cat barehanded, and surviving out in the wild with like nothing, and did you know, he even saved mama once – he did! I love it when he comes over, with Shorty and Gatto and Felina. They are all so fun! And you know, he’d come over more if that bastard Hawke didn’t send him off all over the pl—“

Najoedo listens to the children lavishing Rhiannon with praise of their 'Zio Timo' with a smile that barely shows the tip of one fang. Marcus and his inventive language, followed by Nathi's reaction actually makes the old guy start to snicker audibly, since the boy just very neatly proved the point he made after Rhi had chastised his earlier uncomplimentary remark.

"This Zio Timo..." The Keeper recalls something he'd heard on the ship en route to the party. "Would that be the Timperium fellow I've heard rumors about?"

Even Zeroel bursts into a fit of snickering.

Nathicana's table

"Oh, I'm sorry." Anna knew she shouldn't have expected anyone to know the Kandarinese language. "It means I'm from Kandarin, and also that I'm nobody in particular. Maybe related to somebody, but I'm not important." In wordless response to Nathi's request, she pulled up a few chairs from a table section that sat vacant and tugged them laboriously into place. Taking the seat directly next to Naiya for herself, Anna whispered into the girl's ear. "You meet everyone here, don't you?"

Alakantar

"It's complicated." Rachel said with a hint of regret. "Most of it's bloody. We've been fighting dozens of local wars over the last few years. Some by proxy, some not. It's been a drain on everything, and it's only now starting to wrap up. We were so busy fighting off one aggressor after another that we didn't notice our connection to the rest of the world drifting away."

"Anyway, we're starting to emerge from our collective national foxhole. If we pull this off right, the next generation-" She gestured momentarily to Anna, who seemed to be busy moving furniture for some reason- "will be able to see the things we missed. It seems like so little has changed, and yet..." Rachel ran her fingers through her hair in contemplation. "I'm sorry. I'm talking to myself. You don't need to know what it's like to come out of a bubble. You would know more about that than me."

"Speaking of which, I'm curious. How did you come to be the first of your kind to visit the surface?"

“Honestly, I doubt I’d know how it is to come out of a bubble. I never really knew what it was like where I was born, more or less because, I was just too young when I came to the surface…”

Alakantar sighed as he scratched at the back of his head. He had begun to almost hate discussing how things were during that time, mostly due to the flashbacks and visions he had of his earlier years. They brought back everything that he had forgotten in time and even things that he could not have possibly remembered. But he could not change that fact, so he answered Rachel’s question truthfully.

“I was only three months old when my mother came to the surface. I don’t know why she decided to do it in the midst of a snowstorm. It doesn’t really make much sense to me…but maybe my answers are underground…or maybe I’ll never know…” He shrugged, but it was not one of not caring, but instead of sadness. “Our life signs were picked up by an orbiting battlecarrier that managed to teleport us out and into the medical center within the Grummian capital building. But it was no use. She later died of complications due to hyperthermia, but not before handing me over to the Chairman and Chairwoman for them to take care of. They accepted me, adopted me, and raised me from then on. To this day, I can’t help but be eternally grateful for them and the chance at life they gave me.”

He turned his eyes back up towards her, realizing that he had put a damper on the conversation with his rather depressing topic. "Oh! I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to go off on a tangent about that. I just got caught up in things, I guess." He shrugged slightly.

“However,” Nathi interjects at the end of that story, “I do NOT think we’ll be visiting Camp R – for the sanity of all. Could you just imagine if those three got together?”
"Not to mention, it's not exactly a safe place," Rhiannon points out.

“Then I’ll have to be sure and follow up on this one,”
Speaker flicks his ears and nods. "I will do what I can to help arrange things."

“As for the investments, just send me the details at my office, and I’ll look into it. I’m always looking to diversify, and if I can benefit friends while doing so, so much the better.”
H'zta nods. "I'll send forward a financial report, then, and some other informational literature." Her voice takes on a more seductive tone, even if it is joking. Slightly. "If you see anything in particular that strikes your fancy, I'm certain we can send you a sample or two and, should you like it, we can arrange a promotional price..."

“You’re damn right, she does.
Rhiannon glares, then just sighs.

"The young ‘ret certainly has earned it, not that you need my approval,”
"Of course. I should know." Speeks sounds quite proud of himself and his kin-by-species. "I awarded her that name."

The younger Hesche happily listens to the kids and Does Her Part to keep them out of trouble. Apparently their uncle is quite a guy. Wait, saved the Dread Lady? Not too many people hold that title. Certainly her father does, but he doesn't count. Who else...
I love it when he comes over, with Shorty and Gatto and Felina. They are all so fun! And you know, he’d come over more if that bastard Hawke didn’t send him off all over the pl—“
He's Scolopendran, at the very least. And military. Oddly enough, she doesn't glare at the kid. He doesn't know any better.

“Marcus!” Nathi gasps, with Marcus reflexively shrinking down in his seat, looking sheepish.
"And this is why I insist. Impressionable minds, you know." Rhiannon is back to looking sternly at the Dread Lady, perhaps like a paladin staring down a dragon. Then again, paladins don't traditionally have eyes quite like that. Paladins don't cause guilt with a look, do they? I mean, more than anyone else does.

“And I need to be more careful about what I say when you children are about. My apologies,”
Rhiannon nods, but she waits for the defiance to ebb and the blush response to flair up now.

“It’s ok, mama,” Naiya pipes up, still fairly quietly. “They all know you have a temper.”
Speaker chortles. "Indeed we do..."


"Likewise, you're welcome to visit the Academy. The more technologically inclined faculty--have been working on getting all the old texts scanned in, but I fear we have generated rather a lot over our long rest in the Valley. Not to mention we've had to dig a lot of the old caverns out since Xefo got loose."
"I'd be delighted," the younger Hesche chirps happily. Dragons, books, she's set. Her delight makes her completely ignore the tension when the seraphic demon vampire comes and goes; she suddenly wonders why everyone is so tense, glances over, and tries to figure out what's so special about the goth chick with wings.

“Pardon for the interruption, but do I not have the honour of meeting Marcus and Naiya again?” she said with a charming smile, giving each child a warm gaze of greeting before rising her eyes to the Dread Lady. “It is a pleasure, Your Majesty. But I do not believe I am acquainted with the rest, but if I am, I beg forgiveness for my faulty memory.”
"I am Supreme Emperor Speaker-Rrit of the Federated Segments of Scolopendra," the kzintosh introduces himself with a slight bow in his seat, "this is Chief Executive Officer H'zta of H'zta-Kraah Industries, my consort," the kzinrret nods with a flick of her bat-wing ears, "and this is Rhiannon Hesche, daughter of Magnus Hesche." The sixteen year old in the red-and-black sari bows her head with self-confident respect. "Magnus is the one down the table a bit talking to Ambassador Aeselle, the druchii."

"This Zio Timo..." The Keeper recalls something he'd heard on the ship en route to the party. "Would that be the Timperium fellow I've heard rumors about?"

Even Zeroel bursts into a fit of snickering.
Speaker glances down at his meal, H'zta decides a point on the ceiling looks interesting, and Rhiannon allows herself to look confused. "I'm missing something here, aren't I?"

"I could... attempt both," ... "I think there's much we could learn from each other were we to take the time to study together. Learning is best when it goes both ways, after all..."
... "I do happen to know where there's a nice, quiet little study with a connection to the Vinyatírion Library near here..."

This makes that dangerously raised eyebrow arch just a little bit more, and her coy smile turn into an excited grin,

"Ah... You do, do you..." she leans in close, and whispers almost conspiratorially to him. The view afforded to Magnus is, really, quite spectacular, "Mr. Hesche, Magnus..." she does her best to conceal her soft purring, though she's not very good at it at that range, "I am quite interested in, ah, the sharing of knowledge. Perhaps we could slip away for half an hour or so, after dinner?"

A wink as she sits up and a little bite of her lip certainly betrays how... interested, he's made her in... learning... with books...

Vethara

Vethara blinked a few times as the heads of state and other important personalities presented themselves one after the other, as she struggled not to turn tomato-red from the embarrassment. But her face maintained the usual slightly pale tone as the Grand Duchess smiled in return.

“Great, not acquainted indeed! Missing out on the identities of heads of state, keep it up, girl!” she thought to herself. But then she consolated herself with the fact that she was not a diplomatic worker, nor occupied any government position. So, keeping up with foreign affairs was not her job… and yet she still felt quite embarrassed inside.

She acknowledged each of the persons politely, with the conventional “it is a pleasure” and “it is an honour” here and then. Her eyes followed the directions given by some of the dignitaries to their colleagues, lost in discussion with other dignitaries some distance away. But each time her gaze returned the full attention to those in her immediate reach.

When Anna enthusiastically brought over a chair for her to sit on, Vethara blinked again and heartily thanked the girl, before taking her seat. She crossed her legs and corrected her long emerald skirt (which covered the aforementioned legs entirely), and then smiled to Marcus. She took care to sit in such a way as not to shove the rather generous opening of her decolleté into the children's faces, all while appearing natural. After all, the whole "showing off the Alps without showing them" was destined at the grown up male attendance.

“I left him at the apartments. He is quite huge, as you surely know. Not the best suited for crowded places full of people and breakable objects,” she grinned, remembering some occasions on which the cute little Fluff unwillingly sent waiters and staff flying from wall to wall by over-enthusiastic changes of direction. “It wouldn't be great if he caused any damage to all the nice things around this hall, would it?” She laughed lightly.

OOC: Pardon for not mentioning all the names, but just fresh from a Social Security Law exam and my brains were surely left at the uni.

ooc: so sorry. I was in California and didn't have time to make a post before I left. I have returned.

IC:

"I agree that it is more fitting," she said, looking up at the darkened sky. Absolutely more suiting. She paused for a moment.

"It might just be this anti magic field, but I am unable to tell you apart from a human," she said simply, leaning against the wall with her black wings fanned out to either side. "So tell me," she continued, "What exactly are you? Partly mechanoid? Normally I can't sense mechanics because they don't usually contain a part of a soul's essense."

"Добрый вечер, Госпожа." A warm voice purred from behind Vethara. "Вы возражали бы, если бы я сидел здесь?" At her agreement, a handsome man who appeared to be roughly her age sat down next to her and stretched slightly. He was dressed in a slim uniform that appeared to be tailored to fit him precisely. Two sheathes waited on the side, though neither of them seemed to have had a weapon present for years.

"Forgive me for asking, but would I be correct in assuming that you are the Grand Duchess Vethara of Taraskovya?" He said, looking her over subtly as he tried to place her. He looked up and met her green eyes with his piercing blue ones. "I thought you seemed a bit lonely over here, Your Majesty, and my lady and mistress hasn't seen fit to give me any orders to the contrary. So, I decided to come keep you company." He extended his hands outwards in a gesture of both contrition and appeal, a slim smile darting across his face; as if it was in unfamiliar territory, yes, but a smile all the same. "Ah, forgive me, Your Majesty. I am..." He paused and looked at her for a short, almost nonexistent moment, "Sand." He laughed and rubbed the back of his head in a seemingly embarassed fashion. "Absurd, I know, but that's the way it is."

Vethara

The arrival of the handsome stranger was a bit of a surprise to the Grand Duchess, who observed the man with a polite and charming smile. That he deemed her lonely just as she fell upon a whole group of people to chatter with and annoy with her presence did amuse her, her emerald eyes sparkling a little at him as he took his seat and talked to her.

“It is a pleasure, Pan Sand,” she spoke to the man. “But, pray, I do not believe I can place which country you come from exactly. And who is that lady and mistress you mentioned not so long ago?”

Sand paused, and then smiled slightly. "Oh, I'm from around, really. Don't stick around long enough to declare my loyalty to any specific nation." He paused and considered this statement for a while. "I used to be a minor potentate of some realm out east, but that was so long ago I've quite forgotten the name." He laughed and rubbed the back of his head again, smiling a bit broader.

"As to whom my Lady and Mistres is, well." He glanced over at Sirithil. "I believe you might know her as Elentari Sirithil Nos Feanor." His accent was broad, and distinctively unplaceable, though there was the faintest trace of a lilt at the end.

"Ah... You do, do you... Mr. Hesche, Magnus... I am quite interested in, ah, the sharing of knowledge. Perhaps we could slip away for half an hour or so, after dinner?"
"I'm always delighted to meet an enthusiastic student," Magnus returns the sly look with an excitingly dangerous grin, "but learning takes time. While I'm certainly all for some studying after dinner, I don't think we need to limit ourselves to any particular length of time."

What an incorrigible... anyway, glancing around the table, he smiles and changes tone to something far more politely conversational, albeit still quite friendly. But chaste. "Until then, though, do you have any immediate questions or concerns I can attend to? Introductions, connections between people at the table, things every good local diplomat should know?"

“I wouldn’t say ‘old’,”
"Of course you wouldn't. I am the elder sister, after all."

“Mama doesn’t tell us scary stories, Auntie Shodey – you know that,” ... “And we’re not that naughty.”

“Usually,"
"That's because you're both frightful enough as is," Auntie Shodey replies with a teasing smile. This is a common thing. "Don't quote the line to the author--I know full well what kind of trouble you're capable of, because, much to your mother's chagrin, I've taught you at least half of it."

Such as 'mess with mommy's mind' in which the children should move, inch by inch, things that Nathi commonly uses and see how far they can get before she notices. Keys on the table? Slowly, day by day, move them to the other side (they may have made two, perhaps three circuits before a pattern came together). Never get caught--when you get older, moving furniture will be next. Gaussian math tricks, linguistic oddities, and paradoxes to keep their tutors on their toes. Nothing harmful except in that they become just more dangerous.

<LOS Communications to Nathi>
{
<< Good security.
}

Vethara

“You are quite mysterious… Sand…” Vethara said pensively, studying the stranger with her emerald eyes. “I believe I shall call you that as this is what you presented yourself as. Well then, Sand, let you not be a complete stranger to those around you. I know not whether you are already acquainted, but if not, then you shall be!”

It was the moment the Grand Duchess allowed herself to present Nathicana, Naiya, Marcus, Rhiannon, Anna and everybody else within immediate reach of her improvised seating position to the newcomer. Her eyes left the man for the duration of the presentation, as she motioned towards the various personalities and fixed them with her eyes. The presentations having been done, Vethara looked back at her new seating neighbour and smiled lightly.

“I guess that your tasks can also be described as “doing this and that, here and there”, Sand? In the fashion of some sort of a… top secret agent?” the smile and the look of amusement in her eyes indicated clearly that she was joking. But then again, talk of secret agents just might poke the children right nearby into burying the man beneath an avalanche of questions, during which he just might spill the beans or leak some information. An attempt at indirect interrogation, in other words. She did not at all count on success, but prying in too much and letting her own curiousity take over seemed like the wrong thing to do for now.

Sand's face remained impassive as she addressed him. "I don't see how I'd mind at all, Vethara." He said, sliding back in his occupied seat and brushing a perfectly formed finger back through his hair. His expression didn't change as he was presented to those around him, though when Nathicana was introdued there was a brief flicker of something behind those cold blue orbs. Recognition, perhaps?

When the question was asked he smiled, showing perfect white teeth. "Oh, I wouldn't say that, Vethara." He offered after a moment's thought, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Certainly not an agent, at least." He pressed his hands together and leaned forward. "Anyway, I'm sure that's all that most of us do. This and that, here and there..."

Vethara

“And so the mystery surrounding your persona grows thicker, Sand,” Vethara said with a casual smile, asking one of the waiters to bring her a glass of campari-orange. Quite obviously, she also asked the handsome stranger whether he wanted anything, so that he could poke the attendant with his own request. “But I guess you have your reasons to keep your affairs to yourself. After all, there are quite a few things I myself do not divulge to the public knowledge.”

She laughed lightly, and in less than a minute the waiter came around with their chosen drinks. The service was rapid, efficient and impeccable and at least Vethara’s cocktail tasted perfect.

“This is a nice little party… well… figuratively speaking, of course. I’ve met quite a few persons of worth with which I have not been acquainted before,” she said pensively. “I admit to not traveling all that much of late. You, however… you have traveled a lot, you say? How does it feel, to be always on the road and having no place to call home?”

Sand bowed his head low as the red wine he had ordered requested, and then smiled. "A toast to your beauty!" He said, just loud enough for only Vethara to hear. He sipped his wine appreciatively, looking at the gorgeous woman in front of him.

"Well, that depends on what you mean by 'a lot', yes. I've been around, of course. I find it...relaxing, I suppose." He smiled again. "Never liked being cooped up and I feel like I was for far too long." Sand smiled, just a little. "I must say, though, that when I wandered through your homeland a long while ago I found it a most delightful place..." His eyes twinkled. "There was some fuss about a charity shot, as I remember..."

“Ah, so this is where you know me from,” Vethara laughed lightly, a sparkle in her eyes. After all, it was to be quite expected that the “Mystery of Goddess” attracted not only the attention of local magnates. Who then, as was aimed for by the project, took a greater interest in the fate of the more depraved of their countrymen and funded their own social relief programs. And in conjunction with the State “sword for bread” social assistance, it helped quite a few people out there.

“There were indeed certain issues with me posing in it. What with my position as Benefactress of the Church requiring a certain code of behaviour from me. But I do believe that the “Mystery of Goddess” did not come out to be some album of vulgar lingerie, but more of an artistic work, even if through a rather daring medium. What do you think?”

"What do I think?" Sand inquired, his eyes fixed on hers once more as the next round in their game began, aware that he was holding his own quite solidly. "Well, Vethara. I believe... that you must have both felt quite strongly about the issue and quite confident in yourself in order to go ahead with such an item." His eyes twinkled slightly. "I certainly hope your presentation didn't overshadow what it was meant to showcase, though."

He leaned forward slightly with a cautious eye on the children, then whispered lowly, "Of course, I wonder if that's really the way you wanted me to take that question..."

She smiled cunningly, leaning in to whisper back ever so softly. “Truth be told, Sand, you handled the question exactly how I wished, avoiding routine and cliché nodding of agreement while having eyes fixed below my neckline,” a pause, as she sips some of her drink.

“But, pray, enlighten me as to what other ways were there to take the question?” the smile was ever present on her lips as the game was quite entertaining to her indeed. And the interlocutor was awaking more and more interest in her with every passing minute. Even if, in the end, it appeared the goals of his play were just as blunt as those of far less skilled players. But well, the evening was only beginning.

"Perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere." Sand suggested, rising to his feet and holding out his hand for her to take. "I believe that we both have much to learn from one another... perhaps in private?" His eyes darted around the room.

"Hrm. I believe there was a library nearby. We could certainly talk in private there, if you like..." His eyes twinkled slightly, his motivations less than clear at this point.

“Private talk in a library?” Vethara whispered softly before erupting into melodic laughter, covering her mouth in a graceful gesture. “I do not think libraries are well suited for private talk, Sand. There are usually quite a lot of people on the spot, seeking for books and knowledge.”

It was completely unclear from both her words and expression whether she was using some kind of metaphors or whether she really meant people in libraries reading books. But she accepted his hand and stood up none the less, even if she was not going to go to any libraries tonight, that was for sure.

“But tell me, Sand, do you like gardens? I remember, years ago, when I was forced to stay at Menelmacar due to my homeland having a complicated political situation… I would often walk the gardens… It made me feel fresh.”

Heruss & Anna & Vethara

Nathicana looks up, then extends her hand in greeting to Heruss. “A pleasure. Nathicana D’Aquisto of the Dominion, and my two children, Naiya and Marcus,” she says, then attempts to introduce the rest of the table to the best of her abilities – which all in all aren’t too shabby.

Of course when the winged lady stalks over, Nathicana’s expression freezes to one carefully neutral, and she rises from her chair, firmly putting herself between her children, and this stranger. She said not a word during the exchange, but waited until the menacing woman left before speaking again.

“Since she lacked the good grace to do so herself, allow me to apologize on behalf of … whoever that was, one and all. Again we see that regardless of rank or status, some here seem bereft of manners.”

She let the whole ‘vampiric’ business slide, all things considered. She’d since learned, after her surprise at finding out such creatures existed to begin with, that there were vampires, and then there were vampires, and not all, in spite of the common name, were the same. Were it not for examples like the Cetagandans, well … she’d be forced to maintain her original opinion she gained from her experiences years ago with the mindless monsters they’d been forced to deal with.

Heruss merely raises an eyebrow as Ravelyn stalks away again, he merely looked the card over and pocketed it.

"That was Lady Ravelyn Shentavo of the Three United... something or others. I didn't really care to learn or listen to much said, quite morose even by my standards she seemed to me so I simply moved on and thought I should be more sociable, and there is no need to apologize for the actions of other less savoury guests, Signora D'Aquisto."

He smiled and took a sip from his glass again.

"As I once learned. Vivere e lasciare in diretta..." He chuckled. "I think anyway. I have to admit to being quite rusty...." he smiled slightly, which showed a very quick flash of a fang, but his general attitude, politeness and seemingly disarmed nature was an attempt at relaxing the guests around him after the short spectacle.

"To be honest Signora, I feel horribly out of my depth. I am mostly but a simple soldier who deals with various administrative and leadership issues within my own minority and to be sitting here with some of the high-ups of the world is quite... baffling. Especially when you realize there are people who are less than subtle at such gatherings like our feathered guest..." he smiled half to himself "And my plus one." he muttered, draining his glass and asking for a refil.

"I agree that it is more fitting," she said, looking up at the darkened sky. Absolutely more suiting. She paused for a moment.

"It might just be this anti magic field, but I am unable to tell you apart from a human," she said simply, leaning against the wall with her black wings fanned out to either side. "So tell me," she continued, "What exactly are you? Partly mechanoid? Normally I can't sense mechanics because they don't usually contain a part of a soul's essense."
((OOC: Sorry for the delay too- I'm dogsitting for my sister... and the aforementioned dog is.... rather time-consuming.))

Max chuckles softly into the darkness. "Well, the idea is to blend with humans, given there are rather a lot of them in my line of work. I'm not partly mechanoid- Shogunate mecha have certain design qualities that the engineers can't see to get away from. Surely you saw that armored guy when you gave the Colonel his due- all armor and clunky and those huge feet!" The diplomat pauses briefly. "I think it's a holdover from the Irregular Wars, when the reploids threw off their bonds and fought back. Even today, people are uneasy with machines that look perfectly human, so they don't build them that way."

Max pauses again, pondering how best to answer the vampire's question. "I am, truly, a magicless creature, something of a golem, you could almost say. Hence my referring to myself as bloodless earlier; I have no true life, but my existence can be destroyed. Though admittedly for my kind that destruction can prove notoriously difficult. That's why we were such effective weapons during the major wars; we could absorb blows that would pulverize a truehuman. Thankfully under Firefury-sama's rule, I can enjoy the same protections and rights as any truehuman, Neko, Drakon, reploid, or what-have-you. There's still issues, of course, but it could be far worse."

"No, no." Rachel protested. "There's no need to be sorry. Tangents are sometimes the only way to get anywhere interesting." She winked at Alakantar, distracted for a moment from the task of keeping an eye on Anna. "Did I say 'sometimes'? I meant 'always'. Let me prove it."

"I'm surprised the Chairman and Chairwoman were so accepting of you. It's not what I'd expect." Realizing her words could be taken as offensive, Rachel explained, "I may be a bit biased. My own people had a very difficult time accepting anything that wasn't the same species as them. For centuries, our humans were second-class citizens to elves. It's only in the last few decades that there's been any semblance of equality, and even that required a little push." There was much more to the story, but Rachel didn't feel like bragging. "Of course, some things are still unequal, but there's a limit to what I can do about basic biology."

“A golem?” Ravelyn grins, “My, my, we have some of those too, albeit ours are sealed within the void. They were quite troublesome during the last war, which was quite some time ago. That really was the only safe place for them.” As she rested against the wall she considered going back to Corothisia. Had she stayed long enough? Didn’t seem like many other people wanted to talk, just that rude vampire, who she wasn’t particularly interested in anymore. Her eyes glassed over, as any normal person’s would while stuck in thought.

“This anti magic shield is quite a pain,” she commented. “Normally when I walk into a room I can get the jist of everyone’s moods and thoughts, and even intentions. To me it is a way of sensing life, and the whispers of people’s thoughts are always background music, if you will, to my everyday routine. Here I cannot hear anything, nothing but your voice. It is a most uncomfortable feeling to lose that familiarity.” She trailed off again.

“Michael Vaughn was the president of a nation a good deal away from ours. We had met through our associates, mine being the psion Genesis Versai, and his being the Other, Jeremy Witz. Michael Vaughn himself was an Other, someone with the ability to step into the twilight realm, a parallel universe. In which you can travel faster, get to areas that could not be reached, and so forth. Despite the level of my skill, I was never able to enter the twilight by myself. He always had to take me with him. Anyway, we were both in the highest possession of power nation wise, our match would prove a good one. I was someone who has a good deal of inner strength. That might be one of the things that attracted him to me. When his eyes met mine, of the same color as yours, perhaps a bit lighter, we both knew that it would take a good deal of force to ever separate us.

Michael Vaughn loved me dearly, make no mistake. We managed to have a child together, though not the conventional way. Her name was Sarah. Anyway, I found he had a habit of pushing me away; not because he didn’t want me, but because he wanted to save me from the trouble that came with being his girlfriend. He never always told me everything, and his defenses were too strong for me to sense anything. He was trying to protect me, and he knew I could quite take care of myself. We had fought opponents next to each other. He knew what I was capable of, but he still didn’t believe that I would be okay after every encounter. Many came against me simply for who I am. Azrael is quite a wanted name throughout the void, as I’ve sent many there. Many came for him for being an Other and for past relations.

Anyway, after a rather long relationship, engagement, we were due to be married. He said there was something he needed to do. He was so dark in his mood. When I said I’d go with him, he told me to stay. And normally, I would have gone anyway, but this time he didn’t. I sensed that he had to do this alone. It was personal. This time I stayed, for a while. When he didn’t return…I left after him. To make this tale short, and as I do not wish to get into details, Michael Vaughn died saving me. What he would think would be saving me. I am Azrael…do you realize how hard it is to keep me dead? Short from dismemberment, which thankfully has not occurred,” she added, “Vaughn still believed he was saving me. I had killed Cecelia, long story, returned to my nation and started to bring about the destruction of the land. Most people thought the meteor shower was a natural disaster, that I was away from my nation, and could not protect them. So they accepted it as such. And I killed myself.” She looked at the polished nails on her right hand momentarily.

“But you see, I can’t enter heaven or hell as a permanent resident. I stay between worlds; in a world of gray. I wait to be given another body. The parallel world. I met him there, even in death. He told me he had to follow his father’s path, and I didn’t want to let him go again. He went through two double doors, and they closed behind him. Then, I was given another body, and returned to this world.” She sighed heavily. “I thought death would be a sweet release for one of it’s guides, but heaven and hell don’t want me. Would just have to find someone strong enough to destroy my essence rather than just my body, but that is a task in itself.”

“After a while I went into seclusion, passed on the rule to my vampiric daughter, Charmaine. She is now the empress. An old friend returned to my life, Corothisia, and ancient, also a vampire, and we were together for quite some time. Then I saw Vaughn, a little beat up in spirit, but alive, right in front of me. You don’t know how painful it was to tell him that yes, I love him, and still do, but I also fell in love with Corothisia, and Vaughn’s knack for pushing me away all the time, trying to get around truths to keep his glass rose safe…pushed me away from being with him again. As much as I wanted to, as much as I want to. I couldn’t. Coro always told me the truth, and we faced it together. He never pushed me away, he just warned me, and went forward. He vanished into the sands of time…I haven’t seen him in quite a few years. I keep telling myself I should go back to him, but I know that his living quarters are empty, and I will find nothing there.”

“There is the tale of my sad love life, don’t you dare pity…” she hated that the most, when people pitied her for what she had lost. Her huge amount of pride wouldn’t allow it. “Their love I hold with me, and it is as much a strength as it is as pain.”

The sword krinked slightly on the stone seat nearby to Ravelyn and Max.

"Quite a life story madam, but as they say, better to have loved and lost then n'er to have loved at all." came the voice.

Ravelyn and Max turned suddenly to see a figure standing ontop of one of the stone benches set in the garden.

The figure was tall and lithe, wearing a black leather and tight fitting uniform of some sort, purely black. He was casually leaning on a long bladed Katana sword that was also dull in colour, resting his chin ontop of the pommel of the sword itself. The only thing that wasn't black was his longish golden blonde hair.

"Apologies for apparently eavesdropping, but I just...dropped in." he smiled and tilted his head, smiling and showing a fang mischievously. "And you two are?"

“Ravelyn Shentavo,” she said, a bit precautious of the individual. She hadn’t sensed his life forcer near her…damned security field. She would lean on the adamantine chains around her wrists but they didn’t provide much support. Besides, she couldn’t call upon them here. She studied the man carefully.

“Leather at a party? Aren’t you a little daring…” Her own dress was a soft silk. It was clearly expensive, but whether she actually paid for it, or if it was gifted to her, no one would concern. She noted his smile, catching the flash of one fang. She smiled pleasantly. An actual vampire with manners of the old ways? Perhaps not. She would see. She showed her own double set of fangs, only partially behind her soft lips. Her crimson eyes scanned over him.

"Terefedel Jelthan of His Greater Majesty's Dark Angels Regiment. I do apologize for my attire but I am in my work clothes, Child of the Night." He bowed his head slightly with a smile.

He then lifted the sword up and placed the flat of the blade on his shoulder, before unbuttoning a small canteen and taking a sip, before offering it to Ravelyn.

"I'm simply looking for someone but instead I found you pair, interesting. Must be fate." He smiled again.

“Ahhh…are you of the same blood of that other vampire here? I don’t quite fancy him, rather insulting fellow…” She looked at the canteen hesitantly, then took it. She raised it to her lips simultaneously as she turned away from them. She took slow sips, her eyes rolling back behind closed lids with each taste. How long it had been since she tasted blood other than that from her bloodstone. She lowered the canteen, turned around, and capped it. She handed it back to him. Her cheeks were flush with color, as were her lips. There was no stray blood, but there was the dull brightness in her eyes like after a night of pleasure.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice thick with the sanguine sweet. Her body relaxed, her wings folded behind her back. She stepped towards him, looking up at him for he was quite a bit taller than she was (for the angel was only 5”7) her crimson eyes were captivated. After feeding, Shentavo’s are famous for having a rather increased charm, adding on to that which was already high.

"No problem at all." Terefedel buttons his flask back and puts his sword back in its place on his back before lightly jumping off the bench, landing in front of Ravelyn, scant inches away.

"Were you partaking this fine night air and do you care at all if I join you?" he spoke quietly to Ravelyn, barely inches from her face, his cool green eyes looking deeply into her Crimson eyes.

Sand smiled as she rose to her feet, gently leading her along. "Well, no concerns, then. I myself once possessed gardens of no small opulence." His smile faltered as the memory passed through his head. "Yes... I believe a walk in the gardens would certainly be pleasant." He said to no one in particular, his eyes growing distant for a moment.

Then he returned to the here and now, and smiled down at her. "I'm sorry, you know how it is. Pleasant memories, and all that... though none so pleasant as this evening in your company promises to be, of course." He drew a piece of twine out of his pocket and gently twirled it between his fingers, whispering something under his breath.

A beautiful red rose appeared in his hands, which he held out to her. "For you, Vethara."

“Your Majesty, Naiya, Marcus, Rhiannon, Anna... I hope I get the opportunity to annoy you again…” Vethara inclined her head to Nathicana. Then followed polite inclinations of the head in sign of departure to the other guests around and by the table, before she had a few more words for the kids. “Pushok is at my apartments, as I have said, so you can visit him if you wish. He likes children.” A moment of pause, before her lips spread in a cunning smile. “Raw, with sweet sour sauce.”

In a wink of the eye she was gone, as she and Sand made their way through the dining hall. She only smiled to Sand’s compliment, on her promising to be a pleasant memory. But when he created a rose out of nowhere, she laughed a little. She was not really impressed, but very pleasantly surprised.

“Ah, Sand, thank you! It’s beautiful…” she said as she accepted the flower. “So, you are what the Tarathians call a “ketheshekh”? Interesting. I hope the flower does not turn back into twine after midnight.”

Clodius returned, unsmiling and heavyfooted, from his brief sojurn with Barham and Farahind, and now sought out his Midlonian counterpart anew. His impromptu briefing had turned Barham pale and Farahind into a curious mixture of questioning and scared, the stuff of legends in the Commonwealth undone and reformed into far more solid threats to her. Well, far more solid threats to all of them. The reassurances had not gone down well enough, of course, and there would be repurcusions back home, the FRAF and CNIO would go berserk. Or at least some veyr high up out the way bits of them would.

Which, to be honest, wasn't a bad thing. Just as long as nothing leaked. Then again who would believe such tales. The legends and the cover stories were literally entrenched in the Commonwealth's psyche by now. The truth had been inconsequential tot he myths and the heros and the victory, and that was something in itself he was thankful for.

He saw Heruss through the crowd, finally sniffing him out in the surrounding aura of perfumes and wafting scents of food and flowers. He stepped closer, guaging the crowd, and it was a list of impressive figures as he moved, softening his heavy footfalls as he moved up close to the Midlonian. And the woman he was talking to...

Bugger.

He hovered for the briefest second on Heruss' shoulder as he stepped up.

"Nathicana D’..." He started before realising the error. "My apologies, my Lady, where are my manners. Sorry to interupt your conversation with my comrade here, especially..." He stopped again, leaning back, a heavy footfall again. "Lord Clodius Maxilimus, of the Navarrok Guard, at your service." He smiles, heavy bright blue eyes, fangs, well, the poor lady must be getting used to them by now, especially from three seperate 'vampire' species. "I would not have intervened save for a pressing matter of concern to my friend here. I must admit to being somewhat out of my depth in your presence, my lady."

********

"Hmmmmm" She moved slowly against him. "You are too damn good to me..."

No response, just a tightening of bodies and gentle kisses along her before he moves his body away slowly from hers, darkness enveloping. "Don't stop."

He smiles, jaws barely visible. "Not until you say so. Also...I hope thats your tail..."

She giggled, and pulled him close ago, and both descended back into the embrace. Wings fluttered, fingernails scratched into his hide, and for the moment Sempero let his mind wander from Clodius' words.

"Clodius!" Smiled Heruss. "This is Signora D'Aquisto of the Dominion. Signora, Lord Clodius, my Freethinker Counterpart, so to speak." he smiled.

"We were just discussing a certain...guest who decided to give me her home address. It seems I have a way with the women." he chuckled and took a sip from his drink. "What Kristian would think of me for that I would not know..."

“Not at all,” Ravelyn said, her voice unwavering. Whether the blush in her cheeks was from the blood, or sheepishness, it was unclear. She was a woman of much experience over many millennia. A playful smile could not perturb her cool demeanor. She managed to look back at Max, standing not to far away from her. “Oh and this is Maxmillian Patrick Christof the Fourth, diplomat in the service of the Lady Shogun Firefury Amahira, though I’m sure he’d rather you call him Max.” She winked. She had remembered his words perfectly. She had quite the good memory, though more so with numbers.

“It’s far more beautiful out here than inside,” she continued softly. He was awfully close, but didn’t back away. He had received the dark gift as a vampire, so did she, though she saw her own gift as more of a curse. “Inside they are feasting, though I can’t join them in that particular celebration, so we decided for a bit of fresh air…”

“Well, it’s not as surprising to me as one might expect. My father had barely any knowledge of drow, other than the fact that we are basically elves…just darker…, and he was not one who let racial differences get in the way of saving a life. And as for my mother, she spent nearly two hundred years of her life along with dark elves, so she was used to those that had bared some resemblance to me.”

Alakantar suddenly realized that he had absentmindedly dropped the formal titles for his parents as he wasn’t one who normally referred to them in that fashion. Though, he didn’t give it further thought. This event was not exactly anything official nor was he and Rachel’s subject material. “The population never turned it into anything derogatory, either, and I never felt like a second class citizen. Honestly and aggravatingly, it was more of the opposite at times, especially considering I was the only drow in Northrop-Grumman. But really, the people don’t seem to mind what race you are, what position in government you hold, or what you believe in. They will treat you…almost all the time…the same as anyone else.” He took a deep breath. “Unless you disrupt the status quo.”

Anna sat quietly and tried to be very patient. There wasn't really much for her to say. It was one of those awkward 'be polite and let the adults talk' moments she ran into from time to time. So the Kandarinese girl watched and listened. As a result, she caught all the sly little flashes of vampire fangs. Absent-mindedly, Anna wondered just how many vampires were present. She knew the Freestians were vampires, and the Midlonians had just flashed their fangs. That black-winged girl...What was her name? It's probably not important...looked like a vampire. Had Alessa turned into a vampire? No, that was something else. Rani was a C'tan, and they were sometimes called star-vampires, weren't they? She suspected he'd take the analogy badly. Definitely not. Do pranic vampires count? No, no biting...not much, anyway...

Anna found herself casually wishing for a calculator and a spreadsheet.

---

"I know how you feel. Honor can be just as frustrating as shame. It's best just not to draw attention when possible." Rachel almost whispered the last words, half to make a point and half because most of the people in the room would likely be horrified by the very thought of such a thing. "Sadly that's not always possible, as I'm sure you'd know."

"So...did you? Disrupt the status quo, that is."

"Until then, though, do you have any immediate questions or concerns I can attend to? Introductions, connections between people at the table, things every good local diplomat should know?"


"Well..." Aese gives a soft, content sigh as she thinks ahead wistfully. Truthfully, she's not entirely thinking about the present, "Perhaps you could... tell me more about some of these people? The Supreme-Empereor," she nods in Speek's direction, "I've already met, but I'm ashamed to admit I've never so much as heard of anyone else we have the pleasure of dining with. We... didn't get much of a briefing, you see..."

“Not at all,” Ravelyn said, her voice unwavering. Whether the blush in her cheeks was from the blood, or sheepishness, it was unclear. She was a woman of much experience over many millennia. A playful smile could not perturb her cool demeanor. She managed to look back at Max, standing not to far away from her. “Oh and this is Maxmillian Patrick Christof the Fourth, diplomat in the service of the Lady Shogun Firefury Amahira, though I’m sure he’d rather you call him Max.” She winked. She had remembered his words perfectly. She had quite the good memory, though more so with numbers.

“It’s far more beautiful out here than inside,” she continued softly. He was awfully close, but didn’t back away. He had received the dark gift as a vampire, so did she, though she saw her own gift as more of a curse. “Inside they are feasting, though I can’t join them in that particular celebration, so we decided for a bit of fresh air…”

"Tut tut M'lady, you should really have ordered something to eat it certainly makes you seem cold and obtuse to not have sat with people and spoken and enjoyed yourself a little. Otherwise what was the point in turning up to the party." Terefedel smiled.

Terefedel turned slightly and bowed to Max. "Diplomat." Before turning back to Ravelyn and offering her his arm "Well, shall we walk? Seems a shame to ruin this lovely night."

"I fear explaining to people why I do not eat, repeatedly, and refusing any food offered would be more unpleasant than taking the time for myself in the night air. Besides, former topic does not warrent their ears, and I owed Max and explaination," she explained. It was all really quite simple. "The reason I came to the party was to make a proposition to somone, one that has been accepted and needs only time to take place. My diplomatic matters are done for the evening."

She took his arm. His skin was as cold as hers. She could feel the chill through the cloth. Hers could get quite heated, however, though the anti magic field prevented it at the moment.

“Did I disrupt the status quo?” Alakantar let out a chuckle and shook his head. “Not by what I am, no. But I am starting to have a few run-ins due to who I am.”

“See, the population has always had this fear of the slightest bit of automated technology. Basically they’re vehemently against anything from the smallest automated floor cleaners to sentient mechanoids because of this belief that humanity has no right to create another ‘race’, for lack of a better term. It’s all embedded deep within this devout sense of spirituality they have, and they’ve managed to pressure the Chair decades ago into enacting laws that ban these things.

“Personally, while I do try to respect what they believe in, I find that at times it gets rather…insane. For an example: If we could somehow automate a great deal of our military, we wouldn’t be running around in spacecraft that require an upwards of almost a hundred fifty thousand people to operate. We wouldn’t have to be creating new ‘races’, just construct programs and machines that can take the place of parts of the crew. It makes much more sense than going into a war and losing a million people just because you lose seven or eight vessels.

“Now, as the governor over our Martian colonies, I’ve been working with another ally of ours to slowly introduce machines like that to my people so that perhaps they can slowly get used to them. At the moment, there are little automated floor sweepers scurrying about the public areas. It’s been largely successful so far…just a few angry hateful letters, some threats to the sweepers, and a few broken ones. So, to get back to what you asked, I have disrupted the status quo and probably will be for the foreseeable future, just not because of race, but just because of who I am.”

"I fear explaining to people why I do not eat, repeatedly, and refusing any food offered would be more unpleasant than taking the time for myself in the night air. Besides, former topic does not warrent their ears, and I owed Max and explaination," she explained. It was all really quite simple. "The reason I came to the party was to make a proposition to somone, one that has been accepted and needs only time to take place. My diplomatic matters are done for the evening."

She took his arm. His skin was as cold as hers. She could feel the chill through the cloth. Hers could get quite heated, however, though the anti magic field prevented it at the moment.

"I see. So are your diplomatic dealings not extended to Max here? Have I interrupted something more personal with your radiantly beautiful self?" He smiled and cocked his head slightly, his eyes gleaming slightly as they began a slow walk around the gardens.

OOC - Loooooong co-op post.

"Oh...well...I'm not empress anymore so...The throne has been passed to one of my daughters, Charmaine. Really the business was more personal than diplomatic. I visited an old friend to see if he could help with my special forces, and he agreed after some coaxing. Max was the only person who approached me besides that rather rude vampire. Max is quite the agreeable fellow, and good company…but as far as interruptions go you only interrupted my story, nothing more.” She kept a level head.

He was quite charming really. In truth she wanted to learn more about him, but didn't want to pry either. With the security system, she couldn't sense how old he was either. That she was interested in; and his rank among vampires as well as nation. The nation wasn't so much important as his age and blood. She would find out in due time.

She shifted her wings behind her back so they would't hinder either of the two males. Terefedel was to her right, and Max to her left. "So who is your sire, if you don't mind me asking?"

“Ah, you mean Colonel or Prince Heruss.” nodded Terefedel in thought before his face darkened. “My sire was a woman named Haresh. She sired both myself and my brother some 3 centuries ago. Both she and my brother were over 2 centuries ago by a single figure. I delt with him though…” he hissed slightly towards the end and looked moody for a second or two.

“But that is long ago in the past, and largely to the influence of a…problematic person who has been dealt with also. I don’t hold it against the person’s soul anymore that he killed my sire and my brother.”

"I did not want to become a vampire," she said softly. "I was once a pure seraphic soul once. When I first came to this realm. A man found me washed up on the beach, a vampire; ancient. His name was Daja. His obsessions got the best of him. I was turned against my will. It has been nothing but a curse for me. For what gifts it gave humans it took away some of mine.

“I can no longer enjoy food or drink. My once white wings have turned black over time from the battle raging between the vampiric and remaining angelic blood in me. My resistance to the cold is lowered significantly, even more so than before. It has gifted me nothing more than a double set of fangs, and fair skin."

"When I was strong enough, when my seraphic abilities started to manifest themselves as I grew healthier...I killed my sire, or came as close as I could. I sealed him within the Chamber of Fayth in Turnika Temple."

“I see.” Terefedel nooded in sympathy. “Perhaps your penchance of food and drink is similar to ours, we merely adapted certain kinds of food to our own needs and wishes, it allows us to enjoy food better.” He merely shifted slightly at her tone of voice from talking about her sire, it was evident that something bad had happened on top of the unwilling siring, but he simply skimmed over it.

“So how many of your kind are there?” He asked, skimming the issue of siring. “Or are you the only one?”

"No other vampiric clan dares enter with my family in rule," she smiled for the first time in a while. "Before I was empress there were three major clans. They weren't very well behaved at all. There were mass killings. After my name got around as I started executing them, they asked for an audience. By this time, after the Great Wars, I was the new empress. They were asked pardon, many left....Those who continued to hunt were destroyed. My family's blood tended to be rather overwhelming for most of them. My family once had more members, but now consists of myself, Charmaine, Quissera, Mathias- Charmaine's fledgling and boyfriend if you will, and Kayde. The only one who causes trouble is Quissera. He's rather the rebellious one; well, he was my first child. He's very skilled but doesn't like doing things by the book. Even tried to kill me once," she sighed, and then chuckled.

"He's a good man though. He has done a lot for the family and the nation."

"Those are all the vampires currently in our nation. Any other clan or vampires have to receive permission to enter. The rest of the population is 98% human and 1.999% Other."

“I see, so there are very very few of you.” Terefedel nodded. “I don’t know how that’d feel, so cut off from everyone and everything, no sense of community. Not like the Kingdom of Porphyria at all.”

"We are a very close knit family, and because our blood doesn't become diluted by other types of vampirism, we remain stronger." She paused. "Kingdom of Porphyria? I am not familiar with the name, though I have been out of politics for a while now."

“So has the Kingdom as an actual entity.” chuckled Terefedel. “Porphyria hasn’t existed since the 1500’s as an independent entity, it has been subservient to the Greater Kingdom for 7 centuries now.”

“Yes, the area only has Children of the Night upon it, as it always has had.”

"Wow. Is it not hard to keep all of them in line? Perhaps its just my preference, but with large groups of vampires, I feel there is a loss of identity. I think being small in family is similar to a nuclear family. I can give all my children the attention that they need, and focus on them individually. Not that a larger population would be bad, but I do prefer my family. They are all so unique; so special...for, well they are all my own sons and daughters except for Mathias."

“Where I come from there is a greater large island, well, a small archipelago really, hundreds of smaller islands, but predominantly one large one. Upon that island were many different squabbling petty Kingdoms, including our own Vampiric one, which was unsuaul as there was a feeling of unity, as there simply are with our kin.” He sighed and smiled wistfully.

“But still, One of these Kingdoms was called Midlownya, it was predominantly within the middle-lowlands of the island, there was born a King. When he came to power he vowed to cease all wars on the land in any way possible. This eventually meant war, by the time he came around to us, all other kingdoms lay in ruins under his command, he gave us an option, subservience to him, or destruction.”

"Knowing the pride of my family, we would have said destruction and fought to our deaths. We are rather infamous for our pride..." She flashed a grin at him. Her mood was lightening up. She was more at ease certainly. Her crimson eyes scanned both Max, (who probably was getting a bit lost with the whole vampirism conversation, or perhaps he was a bit lost in thought), and Terefedel.

“By then we were all tired from nearly 40 years of war, there had been numerous incidents before that that had given us pause for thought. Plus the ability to continue rule and self defence and such benefited us, we simply worked for them when called upon, which many of us do so gladly, such as myself.” he smiled, tightening his grip on Ravelyn’s arm gently.

She felt the grip on her arm tighten, and actually shivered. "And what exactly do you do?" she said with a pleasant smile upon her face. Her eyes glowed softly as the pigment in them sometimes did during various surges of emotion or magick.

“Officially I don’t exist.” he smiled pleasantly. “Or rather, His Greater Majesty’s Dark Angels Regiment doesn’t. I am a soldier, my lady. A special soldier carrying out the more…unusual tasks of the Greater Kingdom’s needs for defence and protection. Usually erring on the side of the unbelievable for the majority of it’s citizens.”

"Oh," she smiled, "I see..." Heat rushed through her skin, making it notably warmer. If one think could tell the woman's emotion it was in her eyes and skin. Her element was fire, and vamprism hadn't changed that. It was the reason for her weakness to the cold. Strange for a vampire to be sure, but a rather large disadvantage if utilized properly. She blushed, his grip still tight on her arm.

She couldn't look him in the eyes it would tell too much. "Do you enjoy it?"

“Immensely, it takes me to many parts of the world, and occasionally I meet very beautiful people.” he smiled as his grip got slightly tighter, the warmth from her arm merely causing him to smile in the moonlit gardens.

She couldn't help but to smile and steal a glance at him. Why was she so attracted to him? Or was it mere interest of not flirting with someone for a while? He didn't remind her of Vaughn or Corothisia. Were the gods playing their game again, was it fate or merely passing fancy? Hell she had no idea, and couldn't find out here. For the seventh time she cursed the security system.

"Have you ever been to my empire by chance?"

“Ah, now that I cannot discuss my lady, even with one as beautiful as you.” he smiled, looking into her eyes with a gleam of mischief. “Though I can hint at knowing of something about roses.”

The other times her face become flush was partly because of blood or heat, but this time it was rather hard to mistake the blush in her cheeks for anything else than sheepishness. She smiled in return and touched her shoulder, gently referencing the tribal rose down the center of her spine between her wings. "My favorite flower," she said clearing her throat before looking up at him with stunning scarlet eyes. She felt a bit sorry that she had been neglecting Max in conversation but she was compelled to continue.

“I thought it might.” he smiled and nodded.

She shifted her long dark hair over her shoulders with the gentle movement of her head. Shentavos were known for a variety of things; some bad some good. Pride, Beauty, Stubborness, Courage, and Intelligence, but apart from that their euphoric bite and increased charm was also noted. Those two traits were similar with vampires known as toreadors.

She felt the chill from the grip on her arm; still cold and never changing as a vampire's grasp should be as they continued to walk through the gentle and quiet gardens near to the party, who's chatter had dulled to nothingness.

"Perhaps you could... tell me more about some of these people? The Supreme-Emperor ... I've already met, but I'm ashamed to admit I've never so much as heard of anyone else we have the pleasure of dining with. We... didn't get much of a briefing, you see..."
"I saw. You've also discovered one of the padishah's secret hobbies--the cat's a hoofer." Magnus grins. "We'll start with him, though. Despite the title, he's elected. He's been elected so many times, though, that he's practically become an institution himself. The kzinrret sitting next to him is H'zta, Chief Executive Officer of H'zta-Kraah Industries, a joint Scolopendran-Sakkran business venture made up of, in H'zta's own words, 'government has-beens.' They mostly deal in chemicals and industrial research into additives intended to improve products, although they've got some industrial capacity and make a few consumer goods themselves to fill niches and whatnot. Finishing out the 'Pendran party is my daughter, Rhiannon Hesche." He sounds decidedly proud concerning her.

"Next we'll move onto the Kajali: Lirella and Ilunaia Keral-Kavar, and Prime Minister Derin." He notes each one in turn with subtle nods of his head. "Lirella's the Imperatrix of Kajal; Ilunaia is the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Kajal Mars. They're all good friends of ours; Lirella is reportedly extremely good personal friends with the hosts." If the hosts' reputations have gotten around as much as they have, the meaning behind the 'extremely' should be relatively clear. If not, well, we're all just Such Great Friends. "Then there's the local Yvressi, the slightly heavy metal looking elf-type: Asuridain Iyanna Arienal, a Farseer. They're closer to the Menelmacari than they are to us 'Pendrans, but we generally get along and have the same interests.

"The Shogunate--more people we get along famously with--are being represented by Keeper Najoedo, the one with the wings who keeps a magic sword, and the armored humanoid robot one is the avatar of Zeroel Archangel, a diplomatic warship. Good guy. There's also a 'Maximillian' whatever-it's-going-by-right-now wandering about... between you and me, decent enough guy, but the kind you want to keep a polite distance between." He winks. "I think it went chasing off after that black-winged woman, though, so I don't think that'll be that big a deal.

"The Dominioners: Imperatrice Nathicana d'Aquisto and her kids, Naiya and Marcus. More friends of ours, albeit more internally controversial ones. She and Speeks are good friends, basically adopted family. Next to them, their allies the Hackers--hailing from The Most Glorious Hack--they're now sort-of-a-corporate-entity and sort-of-a-colony, so I'm not too sure how to describe them. Still, there's Josef Specter, one of the old guard and technically in charge; Speaker Elisa Day; and... um... one moment." Magnus' eyelids flick for a moment as if he were squinting at something off at the distance. "The kind older lady is Vermithrax, their United Nations observer."

"Then there's the Arkhora Rene Seingult of the Tsarainese. I don't recognize the others with her, but they're more of Nathi's allies. Decent people, but strict, and highly bureaucratic. Next to them is the Grand Duchess Vethara of... Tarasovka. I always have to pause to make sure I get that right; they used to be rather touchy about mispronunciations."

"Finally, the grey-skinned lady is Sentient HyperOptimized Data Access Network, Master Control Program of the Queendom of Zero-One. Our local quiet AI goddess, I suppose you could say."

OOC - Second ridiculously long co-op post...

Terefedel merely thought it was unusual for a vampire to radiate heat, but from what he had gauged so far was that she seemed to be enjoying herself whenever he tightened his grip. Perhaps she was a tactile person by nature which was very interesting. It was certainly more exciting than any woman he had previously met over several centuries.

"If you told me you hadn't been to my nation, I would have invited you, but seeing as you might have been there already, it would be nothing you haven't already seen." She grinned.

Of course this merely prompted him to tighten his grip a tiny bit more. “While I’d be delighted to perhaps visit again and maybe see sights I may have seen again.” he smiled.

This caused a more intense wave of heat, bringing her temperature to that of almost a human. "The man who insulted me I invited to settle matters in my own nation as well. You should come watch as I tear him to pieces for his transgression..." That grip brought out another tone in her voice; lower. She was far more heated for a fight, or something else. Or anything at all. She had always been a passionate individual

“That you must forgive in Price Heruss, he has a very fine view of vampires and their elegance. Because our kind is so special we tend to exterminate any of other kinds that are not so refined. It’s just one of our other duties to the Greater Kingdom. So perhaps he’s merely trying to collate information on whether you’d be a candidate. I can also assure you he wouldn’t be silly enough to go alone.”

"I would say that he was the one who was unrefined..." and Max could vouch for her there. "Anyway gathering information is no reason to treat a Night Mother as such. If he refuses to apologize then I won't be one to refuse a challenge should he come. I would welcome it with open arms. Should he have more, I will bring my family along for a group outing. It would be good bonding time," she smiled effortlessly.

"No more talk of such," she said. "I was having such a pleasant time and yet my temper is stirred."

Terefedel merely grinned. “I am sure he was merely distracted by other events, it’s how he can get when things are heavily on his mind.” he then nodded. “But of course, perhaps we should speak of something else, what do you have in mind?”


"You said extermination," she continued, even though she had suggested a topic change, her mind was still on it and that was unavoidable. "Has my clan ever been targeted..." Her tone was dark, rather scary for such a striking woman.

“I can honestly say no to that. But how I know to say no is my own business.” he smiled gently, his hand stroking Ravelyn’s arm slightly in re-assurance.Terefedel had faced numerous opponents down the centuries, so little fazed him, even Ravelyn’s growling voice.

"Fair enough," she commented. She looked over the expanse of the garden. "I wonder how far the security system extends to..."

“I’m afraid I wouldn’t know, despite entering via unconventional means.” he wistfully replied. “Propably the whole complex, these Menelmacari don’t tend to miss many tricks.”

"I've already figured that..." she said with a sigh, sad to admit it through her lips. Her heart beat slowed to its normal slow pace, the way it did after feeding. Too much blood might send her mind to another place for a while, so she didn't ask for more. "So is he the one you were looking for?"

“Yes, quite simply, he is my Colonel after all, I was bringing him an important message, but then I ran into you and I do believe I am distracted gathering further intelligence.” he grinned and laughed mischievously.

"Oh?" she commented as if suprised. "Did you find anything interesting?"

He looked into her eyes with a wide grin “I do believe I may have, which may require further study.”

"I see. Well, ask away..." she was beginning to be able to read his mannerisms and tone, which comforted her.

“I believe that private study may be best.” he replied with a further smile and twinkle in his eyes.“I believe that private study may be best.” he replied with a further smile and twinkle in his eyes.
“After all, detailed study is better done yourself, in my opinion.”

She became a bit flustered. "Max," she said, turning to her other companion who she now chastised herself for partly neglecting and indulging in flirtation. "I'm terribly sorry, I've been so rude. Would you mind giving us a few moments, and I will see you later on in the evening?" She posed as a question as best she could, and set off with Terefedel. She liked Max, but without blood, she could not share something she valued very close to her heart.

Terefedel merely nodded in agreement with Ravelyn. “Sorry about it Max, but I guess it’s a Vampire thing.” he smiled good humouredly.

He steered Ravelyn gently away from the paths and gardens and instead went further into the gardens proper, stopping by a quiet fountain and small stone benches. The fountain splashed gently and the moonlight caught the water, causing it to sparkle and reflect around them.

Gently Terefedel motioned for her to sit on one of the benches.

Ravelyn sat down on one of the benches, the silence of the night engulfing her thoughts

Terefedel sat next to her, gently placing his hand on hers, looking at her deep in thought, the moonlight catching off of her pale skin and radiant eyes.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked, squeezing her hand.

"Wondering what you wanted to be alone for," she said, turning towards him with her crimson eyes flashing and an expressionless face which seemed to be carved out of alabastor marble.

“That would depend.” he said with a smile, his hand wandering up Ravelyn’s arm gently caressing the pale coloured skin.

"On what?" she said with the same expression, even though her skin was heated. This wasn't like her to become attracted to someone so quickly, so she was rather cautious.

“If you would care to drink with me some more, in private away from eyes that may find it disgusting.” he said, offering his canteen again while caressing Ravelyn’s arm still.

She took the canteen into her hands. "Yes," she said breathlessly, only from the desire. What kind of blood was it? It was good...certainly not from a bloodstone or an animal. She regained her composure, "where to?"

“Here seems perfectly good to me, it’s quiet and out of the way from the party and other wandering guests.” He smiled. It was Human blood she was drinking, hence why she was obviously finding it so enjoyable, a good benefit of compulsory Blood donation from the National Health Service and it’s billions of citizens.

"I don't know...guests could step out for air, who knows. I don't think they'd take well to seeing us drink, and I want to enjoy it while the chance is presented."

“Hmm.” thought Terefedel for a moment or two, before then spotting a small summerhouse further in the gardens interior. “How about in there?” he pointed before standing and offering his hand to Ravelyn.

She took his hand in one of hers, and held the open canteen in the other. She was very careful not to spill any. The small attatchement was closed, and she could hear no one else around. She closed the door behind them, and offered him the canteen. "Drink first..."

Terefedel took the canteen and put it to his lips, taking a swig of it before lowering it, his eyes twinkling in the little light that came in from the moonlight outside.

“Don’t worry. I can always get more.” he grinned, showing his own fangs.

She took the canteen within her hands, pressed it to her lips and tilted her head, tipping the canteen almost completely vertical. She drank hungrily, and a trail of blood flowed from her lips, down her chin and down to the pale flesh just above the low neckline of her dark dress, though it didn't touch the silk fabric.

Terefedel moved close to her, wrapped his arms around Ravelyn’s waist and bent down to lick the trail of blood that had gone down her neck, before he then pressed his lips to hers hungrily, both their lips tasting like blood.
She tasted the blood on his lips and the canteen clattered to the ground. Her fangs grazed her lips, and she started to lose herself caught up in bloodlust.

Terefedel merely pushed Rave towards the door, causing them to rattle as she was pushed up against them, biting her lip and tightening his hands around her waist. His lips locked heavily with hers in the small, quiet summerhouse.

When the blood had been cleaned away from his lips she pulled back from a bit, which is all she was able to against the door. She took in a heavy, uneeded breath. She was almost shaking. Her fangs were fully extended, and would be for a while, though her skin had a light pigment to it, her cheeks; a light blush, and her eyes matched the color of the sanguine liquid. Her skin was hot to the touch, a few degrees over that of a human.

She leaned her head back against the door, closing her eyes to enjoy the cold chill of his arm around her, his body pressed up against hers, and the fresh blood now running through her veins.

Terefedel hungrily kissed Rave’s neck again, biting it gently as he did so, leaving red marks, but not puncturing the skin, he moved down her neck steadily before kissing and biting her shoulder also.

She placed a hand on his chest. "Hey now," she said breathlessly. "Do not forget where we are. Have...to remain...presentable," he had reached that spot on the side of her neck. She pushed him back slightly. She was strong, and had used a little of her strength partly for him partly for herself. "I also don't do this randomly at parties." She grinned and laughed lightly.

“Perhaps it very much was fate then, Ravelyn.” he smirked and kissed her on her lips again.

OOC - Third, twice as long co-operative post! We've gotten too much done tonight I think o.O

Clodius peered over the edge of his ale glass as Heruss finished his conversation with the infamous Dread Lady. There would be time, he supposed, for pleasentries and exchanges of a meaningful nature later on, given the rather pressing nature of his earlier exchange.

Heruss merely noticed Clodius' look and turned to him. "What is on your mind, Clodius?" he asked, straightening out his jacket a little.

"What is on my mind is the weight on our shoulders." He took a slight breathe, "time is short. Time always is I suppose. Excuse us, my lady," he nodded to Nathicana as he moved with Heruss away from the table. "I had a word with Barham and Farahind. They took it as well as can be expected, but Sarah in particular I don't think has fully registered the full gravity of the situation."

He nodded to the blonde ghoul taking her seat again. "Why would she, after all, given how few know what happened, how few can even comprehend what happened that night..."

"But I remember, Heruss. And it hurts. Every time."

“Those that were never there never do. Some of our newest recruits openly mocked the stories.” He sighed. “Such impudence at such a time is not the best thing to have. But that is how the young always act.”

He looked out into the gardens and sighed again. “Another walk perhaps?”

"Maybe, but I will forgive the young their stupidity. Tis far better in the wake of such for those who are ignorant to remain so."

"Maybe, but I will forgive the young their stupidity. Tis far better in the wake of such for those who are ignorant to remain so."

He looked up at Heruss, and smiled a dark smile. "And yes, a walk. Sempero has found his release. I wonder if I shall find mine."

Heruss snorted and opened one of the French doors again, the cool air of the night breathing in to the nearest tables and a still snoring Melchett as they stepped back outside, once again Heruss got out his pipe, stuffed it with tobacco and lit it.

Clodius smiled again, a bit warmer expression as the night air washed over him. "You know. I never told him what did happen. Why his father died up there."

“Always better not to, I say.” Heruss remarked as he puffed the pipe a few times. “I wouldn’t have told Terefedel about his brother had he not actually been there.”

"Families...." He sniffed the night air, eyes first closing then opening sharply, belying something crossing his mind rather fitfully. "Sometimes I'm glad being an orphan, you know."

“Not the only one.” he smirked as he set off at a slow pace into the gardens again.

Clodius made a wierd sound in his throat, and moved half a pace behind the Midlonian. "Not worried 'bout your principal?"

“Not really, he’s passed out, that’s all I care about.” muttered Heruss. “It annoys me that I am not in a greater position of influence than an idiot like that sometimes.”

"I've been doing it before you were even a country, believe me you get used to it eventually."

“Point taken.” He smacked his lips slightly as he puffed again on the pipe. “So, what else is on your mind? Surely this cannot be all we’re out here for.”

"I take it you're not alone tonight? Idiot buffoons aside?"

“I was expecting contact from you-know-who, but he seems to have failed to turn up.” Remarked Heruss casually. “It may be this damnable field though.” he shrugged and sighed.

"Him." A blank pause, an automatic sip on his ale. "How is grimmy doing?"

Heruss gives a harsh laugh at the nickname. “I forget about him at times, as far as I know he is doing a lot of research, he’s sealed Him so many damn times now he’s gotten sick of doing it over and over again I think and is trying his best to find a way of tackling him once and for all.”

Clodius stops just as his mouth cracks into a grin. "Well, well, well...."

The figures came stumbling out from a pathway up ahead, giggling and holding hands like young lovers. Rave straightened the strap on her dress and fixed her hair as she came out. She looked flawless as she had before, but now with a good deal more color to her skin and shine in her eyes. Terefedel spotted a pair of figures ahead and looked away from Rave, saw who it was and his face lost all sense of colour and slight fear crept into his eyes. "Ah... Colonel. I. Um. Was just coming to find you."

Heruss stood there, arms folded puffing on his pipe furiously, Clodius could hardly supress a snigger at the scene as it unfolded. "Seems like somebody else found a release also..."

Ravelyn couldn't help but to chuckle, and couldn't supress the smile which came to her lips. She looked far more pleasant then the woman he had encountered earlier, though he did offend her.

She folded her dark wings out behind her in a brilliant display. She was radient, with fresh blood coursing through her veins and still lingering in scent.

Clodius' snigger soon departed though, and it was perhaps clear he was enjoying Tere's humiliation a bit too much for a professional attitude. Fangs returned and eyes narrowed. "Terefedel." He acknowledged. "And I must admit to not being introduced to your companion." He proffered a hand and took the black-winged angel's fingers lightly. "Sir Clodius Maxilimus, Lord of Navarrok."

Ravelyn smiled, offering her hand and bowing her head in return. "Ravelyn Shentavo, former Empress of the Three United Empires." She gave the colonel a look that said this is how you introduce yourself to a lady properly...jerk. She let her own fangs show slightly, though not threateningly. Hers were a double set.

"Leftenant Terefedel." Heruss snapped. "Status Report"
"I, um, well, ran into this lovely lady here and I..." Terefedel began to stumble.

Heruss rolled his eyes. "Not that! The other matter?" He turned and bowed slightly to Ravelyn

"My apologies for earlier Empress, but as ever there are many things on my mind and it means I can be short tempered, especially when I was unable to judge you because of this field."

Clodius's scarred face broke into a smile. "A place I regret to admit to be only familiar in passing, though I must say your lady's name carries a reputation all by itself, Lady Shentavo." His tooth chain jingled, an icon of home, six inch teeth and claws twinkling against the medals on his chest. He peered over at Heruss and his subordinate. "Come now Heruss, don't be so harsh on everyone's favourite pet sociopath.”

"Apology accepted," she said, a reluctant nod of her head. She had wanted to fight. She smiled at Clodius, and directed her speech at him. "A pleasure to meet you. I hope you have heard good things..."

"Interesting things, but I am glad to see the words used to describe your beauty were not misplaced." He smiled again, warm and friendly, but for the briefest moment his visage belies his age. "I have to admit, I am not used to meeting with...true vampires all that often. As races we tend not to intermingle, especially given our...limited spread."

“Aside from our kinds shooting at each other for a few years..” muttered Heruss with a smirk.

She hadn't chosen to unravel Tere's grasp on her. It comforted her. She blushed slightly at Clodius' words. Her eyes were all the proof they needed of her age. Millenia of experience. Perhaps that is why she had stepped down as empress. Everyone deserves a break right?

She became aware of her appearance in the presence of the other two. Luckily all the marks were covered save for one just one the spot where her neck met her shoulder. Rave figured that it was dark, and while they were vampires, they wouldn't notice one small nick. Her dark hair perhaps would fall just right over it.

"Time has tempered the mistakes, but forgiveness is hard sometimes..." He continued, looking down at the dregs of his ale, before briefing glancing up and locking eyes with Tere. "There is a long and painful history, thankfully in a new era of cooperation. I could bore you with the details, my lady, but its too short a night for tales of woo."

"I could bore you with my own tails of hell and back," she grinned ironically. She wasn't lying. "But it's not quite such a topic to get into when spirits are supposed to be light." She looked at the colonel. "By the way, Heruss, if you ever wish to challege me on friendly terms, I would much like to oblige you." She smiled mischieviously as the look in her eyes was overwhelmingly older than her youthful body.

"That is if you think you'd be up for it..." She winked, and noticed Tere's grip tighten. She silently shrugged. She was not scared, nor stupid; but fearless and playful.

Clodius smiled. "Thats not a very ladylike thing to say." He said as he took another, final sip on his drink.

"Perhaps not," she shrugged, "But then again my essense tells no difference between sexes."

"Leftenant, I asked for the situation report." Heruss commented, merely shrugging aside the comment from Ravelyn in good humour, he puffed his pipe again, waiting.
.
Terefedel straightened slightly and used his free hand to unbutton a pocket on his uniform, before handing over a scrolled up piece of parchment, which he handed to Heruss, while still holding Ravelyn's hand.

Heruss sighed and rolled the parchment out, read it, read it again, then looked up aghast at Terefedel, his pipe giving one apparently defiant puff before he stopped apparently breathing.

Clodius raised an eyebrow, "what is it?"

"Win the lottery?" Ravelyn smirked. My, my was she in a good mood.

Terefedel squeezed Rave's hand "Shh, it's bad news, just.... bad news." his own cheer had subsequently gone from the moment and an uncomfortable silence hung.

Clodius coughed rather loudly at the woman's comment, and a flash of shock made the slightest of appearences. "I wish it were so trivial a matter, my dear." He said cooly.

Her expression darkened and immediately her demeanor diminished; like extinguishing a bright star from the sky. "What's happened?" She asked with some concern. "I'm afraid I would have been more keen on the situation if this security field was not up...but I can't sense a damn thing."


Heruss rather robotically crunched the parchment slightly and stuck it out to his side, hitting Clodius in the chest with it.

"Demon" was all he replied, his own face was slightly pale, the reaction it had had on Heruss was what had shocked him the most.

On it in very neat writing was - A Book of Fate has started a new chapter, it is entitled: "Seventh Coming, Third War." I do not know if this pertains the certain individual as you well know, but I would generally assume so. As this is a book of Fate you may not be able to change the forthcoming events, or if you can, the chances of doing so may be slim.

Yours Faithfully. The Librarian.

The blood drained from Clodius' face, and he sank to his knees, a ton of muscle and bone, absorb in part by the shield perhaps in part, causing another earthquake like roar to eminate.

His fingers swung loose, and the paper slipped out of his hand...

"Demon..." her voice trailed off as memories flashed back to her fight with Mephisto. She stretched her wings outward fully. They were quite large for the woman, though didn't appear that large when folded. "Demon from which realm and by what name?" Apparently she was the only one not afraid.

She picked up the piece of paper and read it carefully. Her face didn't pale, but her demeanor was significantly darkened.

"Okay, so...if you know," she said quietly. "Tell me, and I might be able to help. If you don't know...tell me, and I'll do what you ask to help."

The Freestian bowed his head. "Do we know where or when?"

"I've dealt with a good deal of demons, I've been to hell before, felt the pain of its hellfire for my sins..." That was too much information even she wasn't prepared to share. She leaned on Tere. "I want to help, as my own apology for taunting you so much."

Even then, the woman who was so cheerful seconds before, was not able to smile.

"The book was still writing as I left for here, It kept mentioning Behemoth over and over." Terefedel replied, before turning to Ravelyn. "I can garuntee you will not know of this... man, this, demon, this God. For he only became such as time turned him."

"I don't know the name," she was tempted to say, but he should know mine as my seraphic name , but she held it back. A god? She frowned. The closest she had come to fighting a god was Mephisto, and even then she hadn't done it alone. That was when she was alone. By the look on their faces, she feared that this was a great deal more of a threat than Mephisto.

Clodius rose to his feet again, standing strong and almost resurgent. " The place. A ceremony?"

“I don’t know. What about more personal effects? He used that place as a command centre after all.”

Rave contemplated backing out of the situation when she could. Demons didn't take kindly to angels, especially seraphic, however she had a good feeling her retirement had not come as quickly as she would have liked to. This could impact the rest of the world, and her own nation. Tere would probably be fighting as well. Fate entertwined us, huh? She looked at Tere momentarily before back to the other two.

Clodius looked at her with eyes that now rang with fire. "Fate, can go to hell. We forge our own paths, on our own terms."

"I don't care. The personal effects are your responsibility. The Behemoth is in Navarre and it is mine. I will flood every goddamn inch of the thing in enough soldiers to drown them in biomass alone."


Heruss spoke quietly “You realise Clodius it may not be enough. After all we had so much security in the vaults and look what happened…”

"Heruss. I know. I bear the scars from many battles and from that night in particular. But dear god I will not let the bastard have it easy. And may....whoever, have mercy on anyone who helps him."

The Freestian turned to Rave, voice quietening. "Madam. I thank for your words, but I cannot bring myself to ask for help without knowing myself what it is we face." He let out as long, tired breathe that hung in the cool air. "I am strong, believe me I am. I have faced the worst, I have taken on gods and demons, lived through the most terrifying things imaginable. But to face that again is something I can never do again."

"Something you have to do again..." she said softly.

"This isn't the first time the three of us has faced this... person." Heruss merely spoke in monotone, his pipe puffing gently again, causing smoke to coil across the conversation gently.

"Everything I have done for my nation...every battle I have wished it would just end, that these things would just stop happening. It doesn't...and if you are there and you are capable, you will risk everything you have to save them. Even though you don't want to, say you cannot live through it again, you can't sit around and do nothing. Your blood will not let you."

"I know it is unfortunate the burden gets placed upon your shoulders. I sympathize...but if there is no one else to undertake it..."

"I know." He swallowed the night air. And stopped. He moved a hand towards one of Rave's wings. "Might I?"

Ravelyn looked at him hesitantly, picked up her dress again and knelt on the ground, extending them out fully. The rose tattoo on her back was fully visable, and her dark hair blended in with the long feathers of the blackened wings. "They were once white..." She trailed off.
Terefedel knelt with her, glasping her hand and wrist in a gentle embrace. Heruss merely noted the dedication and gave a weak smile.

He moved his hand along the feathers. "I prefer black...I must admit. Better night time camoflauge..." The comment wouldn't perhaps carry with her, or at least his proper meaning. "Muscles good. Fully functional I presume?"

"Fully." Rave nodded. "I'm better in the air then on the ground."

"Fly free and soar, Ms Shentavo." He smiled. "I wish I could say the same."

She nodded, and stood up, pulling Tere with her. "My son lost the ability to fly when his right wing got severed in two by his Night Father." She sighed heavily. "I could feel it get severed when it happened, and felt his loss, Thank you Clodius.”

"One day you may get to see mine, my lady." He paused, and pondered he better offer an explanation. "Angels, my dear, are rare. And even we appreciate them."

"I'm a seraphic, though really all the same," she said. "Only four of us." She apparently wasn't happy, not with what Clodius said but with the whole situation. She had the urge to crawl into bed with Tere and pretend everything was allright. That, she knew, wouldn't happen. But as bright a star she seemed before, darkness hung thick in the air; breathable invisible, as the sense of security and happiness had left the former empress.

"Loneliness is a bitch isn't it."

"Very much so..." she gripped Tere's hand.

Heruss pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“Terefedel, how long is it since you had some RnR? Or even some sleep?” He asked.

“Six days, sir.” Was the reply.

“Fine, ask the Librarian to send you back to Porphyria. Lady Ravelyn may go with you if she wishes.”

Clodius smiled. "Enjoy yourselves." The reptilian vampire smiled, even forgetting his hostility towards Tere. He looked up at Heruss. "If you don't mind, me and the Colonel need to have one or two private words...specifics. I bid you good evening for now. If Heruss doesn't mind." He nodded towards towards the Midlonian.

She looked at Tere. Once we get out of here i'll ease your mind... she thought silently to herself. She shook her head in reply, she didn't mind. She took Tere's hand, folded her wings so as not to hit him.

Heruss nodded to Clodius and turned on his heel and began to walk back to another part of the gardens, the Freestian following behind.

Terefedel turned to Ravelyn. “Uhm. I guess you’re visiting my place first…” he said with a smile.

If Max is annoyed by the new arrival, the diplomat doesn't show it. "Two is company, three's a crowd."

Perhaps slightly disappointed at being brushed off, Max winks. "Perhaps we can all enjoy one another's company at a later time. I may be bloodless.... but you could say I am quite talented and can entertain in other ways."

At the request to let the vampires have a moment, the diplomat looks thoughtful for a moment before flashing a bright (fangless) grin. "Ah, I know! Perhaps we can meet up later... I'm fairly certain that the security system doesn't include the landing field- certainly not to the extent of the main building here. You're both certainly welcome to visit the ship I came in on. The RPDC-Zeroel. You can't miss it- it's the red and white Archangel class ship parked out there. Kinda looks a little like a sphinx, what with the front 'legs' sticking out in front."

A finger-wag and another amused wink. "I daresay I can probably codge something from the medical ward as well, that I may offer my most esteemed guests the proper refreshments as befitting their rank and station." Max crouches as though to jump. "Until then, I shall take my leave."

If Max is disappointed, the diplomat does a fine job of hiding it. With a surge of strength that is clearly not human, Max makes the jump back up onto the balcony above; turning briefly to wave down to the pair before disappearing back inside the building.

Ravelyn nodded. “I probably should say goodbye to Max first,” she said quietly. “Feel kind of bad for taking my leave to have a chat with you,” she swore she heard someone cough at that remark, but ignored it. She squeezed his hand gently before releasing it and walking towards the balcony. She looked up at it, jumped and let her wings beat twice to carry her momentum up to the ledge. She folded her wings back behind her, turning around she could see only a glimpse of Tere before she entered into the party. She made her way back out, towards the landing station, and began to look around for said vehicle.

She hoped that Tere would say his goodbyes as well so they could be off. She didn't see Goor anywhere, and figured he had had enough of the party and had gotten what he had come for.

Sacker approached the Marquise zée Seriendé, her frown becoming a light smile. It hadn't been hard to pick the woman out as a Xirniumite aristocrat even from across the room from her appearance and her wardrobe. Sacker herself was wearing a pinched black skirt which came down to mid-calf, a pair of matching black pumps, a white blouse and a black blazer with subdued gold lining tastefully and sparingly woven in. Back home, Sacker wouldn't have stood out in a room unless people knew who she was. Here, a black human of about forty dressed professionally stood out like a sore thumb. She always felt a little out of place at events like this, where most of those present spoke and thought of their interests in terms of Sol or the Milky Way, where many looked too young to be in politics at all, where... Sacker shook her head and decided not to dwell on how out of place she felt. She valued the Menelmacari alliance but the world in which they moved just seemed so different sometimes and it made her feel different. This Xirniumite, although not anyone recognizable, was more familiar and thus Sacker asked, "Is anyone sitting here?"

It was unsurprising that Sarah Sacker could not name the Xirniumite before her, though if the latter had suspected it would have wounded her pride. Lacking the executive or policy role that most heads of state enjoyed, the Lady Protector had long struggled to find relevance, much less recognition, in a nation where Parliament stood at the pinnacle of the political hierarchy. Indeed for years Xirnium had simply done without one, content to leave the ceremonial powers and functions now required of her in the hands of a three-member presidium, a committee comprising both Lord Speakers of the Houses of Parliament and the Lord Chief Justice of the High Supreme Court.

President Sacker herself had been immediately recognisable to the Marquise á Aumalême zée Seriendé, who smiled a little at how out of place, how plain, the Danaan seemed. No doubt it was a chore to compete for extravagance amongst those with wings or worse, and even the Xirniumite had eschewed some of her own more elaborate costumes in favour of more subtle elegance.

Aiming at a striking severity rather than delicacy or allure, there was something perhaps of a pretended militaristic flair to the Marquise’s attire, as though it were informed by riding habit or cavalry officer’s dress. Her evening gown was of lustrous scarlet satin, trimmed with gold thread embroidery on lace and decorated with little gilt buttons, exceedingly long trained as fashion dictated, with layers of ruffles and ruching around the hem. Its narrow bodice was in the style of a long double-breasted redingote, tight about the sleeves and waist and forming two square ends behind, like a tailcoat. It opened with turned-back lapels at the neck, revealing a tightly-knotted, stiffly formal scarf necktie with a pearl pin in the middle, and ended in enormous full reverse cuffs at either sleeve.

Completing the whole jaunty, flamboyant effect was a large, ostrich-feather plumed, black velvet tricorne hat. A long evening cape, of yellow silk damask and gold brocade, embroidered with peacocks and tulips, had been thrown casually over the chair.

The Dannan asked her question, demonstrating with her sentence’s unadorned form the lack of insincerity and social pretension without which one could not survive amongst the Xirniumite beau monde.

‘Is anyone sitting here?’

‘If there is, my dear creature, then they shall just have to find somewhere else to sit,’ replied the Marquise á Aumalême zée Seriendé as she retrieved her sparkling cape.

Any doubts remaining as to the noblewoman’s nationality would have evaporated upon hearing her distinctively contemptuous lilt, like a symphony in complacent arrogance, exaggerating that drawling singsong cadence peculiar to her countrymen. Showing a politeness she felt most becoming, and very friendly, the Lady Protector stubbed out her opium-tainted cigarette and indicated that the Danaan should sit beside her at once.

‘I will let you in on a little secret, you have just saved me from an eternity of torment,’ the Marquise went on, taking the other’s hand as a drowning sailor takes a lifebelt. She had had perhaps a few too many glasses of vermouth and gin, and was beginning to feel a little drunk. ‘Would you believe that I had just consigned myself to spending the entire evening alone, and oh so very terribly bored?’

“Where did that woman go...” Kes muttered, wandering around in search of her Vicereine... Having long since drifted away from Vethara, Kasterairin was sitting at one of the tables, of her earlier companion, there was no sign, Kestrel Amea found her eventually, and smiles, “Ah, there you are...” she hailed Kasterairin, and went to sit down with her, “I'd thought you'd got lost. Having fun, are we?”

“Mm, moderately,” she said, smiling just a little, “Did you enjoy dinner?” she said, promptly rising, just when Kestrel sat.

“Yes, the veal was delicious. It's not often I get to have any back home...” she gives her governor a wry smile, and invited her to sit back down. “All alone I see... where did your wife wander off to?”

“Oh, somewhere,” she smirked, not bothering to sit, “She doesn't often spend any length of time away from me... She's used to being on a short leash...”

Kestrel Amea grinned and chuckled a little at that, “Ah, yes of course. Well, I was hoping you'd walk with me for a little bit. I think if we're going to promote the interests of Indiastan tonight, we should present an united front, neh?”

Kasterairin continued to smirk, and turned, “Very good... Who should be our first... target?”

Briefly surveying the crowd revealed a particularly tall female whom Kes remembered from the previous night's news, “Ah, she looks tempting... future Freestian prime minister, if I'm not mistaken?”

“Very well,” Kasty said, and started off, with a long-legged stride, toward the Freestians...


Farahind leaned back and yawned in a long, almost slow motion move, inch long fangs becoming visible as she gestured towards the ceiling. The conversation between the elder Barham and the ZMI representative was, to put it bluntly, less than captivating, and though she tried her hardest to seem interested, her mind had begun to wonder, pale blue eyes looking out over the room and its occupants. Kestrel approached the group first, and politely curtsied to them, “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you've been enjoying yourselves?”

Farahind blinked, quickly taking in the woman approaching with a darting glance, before smiling and nodding along with Barham next to her. “A fine evening indeed, the hosts have really pushed themselves out.” She spoke, words flowing in a strange accent with few attempts as softness. Her scar moved with her mouth, the slick crescent almost invisible in the light of the room.

“You should see the really big ceremonies,” Kasterairin said.

Farahind nodded, and giggled playfully, sweeping the room again. Barham merely rolled his eyes with a mischievous grin. He spoke first, “I only regret not seeing them in office. Of course I would expect nothing less than the very best here.”

“Yes, this is quite enjoyable, but hardly... pushing their limits,” she paused, and smiled as she quickly appraised this tall beauty, careful to avoid skimming her surface thoughts excessively. “Indeed. Ah, how rude of me... Introductions!”

Kasterairin took over, “I am Kasterairin Seidiacaun, Vicereine of United Indiastan, and this is Kestrel Amea, Samragyi Maharanidhiraja Rani of the same...”

“I tend to prefer 'Queen' for short,” she grinned. Not too much of a stranger to international politics, she did already know who the two of them are, but it's always polite to hear it from them!

Farahind nodded again politely, smiling, and from Barham's cue, “Dame Sarah Farahind, Leader of His' Majesty's Opposition, and of course, my opponent in the house, Sir Theodore Barham, the Freestian Prime Minister.”

“A pleasure,” she said, bowing formally. “I don't believe we've ever had the pleasure of meeting, I'm afraid.”

Farahind laughed again, clear this time as the elder Freestian took a glass of wine. “Queen? I suppose it's simpler...and clearer.”

Kasterairin smiled, “So, are either of you curious about the city?”

Farahind turned her head slightly. “Of course. Extraordinarily beautiful to fly into. It...I would say comparing it to home would mean little to you, but splendour on this sort of scale is rare...”

“Perhaps a tour, then? We'd love to take you... the sights are just as impressive at night!” she smiled, offering her arm to the much taller Farahind.

“You might want to see Mumbai some time. It's quite different again. Isasrach's quite impressive too.”

Farahind blinked at the offer as she rose, but, when in Rome... She takes the arm with her own, soft material giving way to a very toned forearm decorated with jingling, decorated bracelets. She stepped forward, rivalling the nearby elves in height and feeling a little awkward. It was perhaps obvious for those who know to look that she wasn't quite used to heels just yet. “Mumbai? Is your realm? I have heard of Isasrach… from the Martian affairs...its quite out of this world...”

“Ah. They often park it out in the straights there. I think it's there tonight.”

Kestrel Amea laughed softly, “Yes, I hold court in Mumbai these days. Gosh, I still remember when it was in Delhi... back before it was irradiated, anyways.”

Kasterairin smiled, “Well. I hear that most of the radiation's been dealt with now. Aside from in monument reserves...”

“Irradiated? That sounds...somewhat disasterous for a past?” Sarah raised an eyebrow curiously, suddenly, unconciously feeling highly protective of the smaller woman beside her. “But I imagine such things are never too much of an issue here in terms of recovery.”

“Indeed, the recovery and cleanup efforts have been continuing non-stop. I think it'll only be another year or two before rebuilding and rehabitation can begin.” Kestrel said.

“Thats good...I know what its like to be hit by weapons like that, though god forbid them falling on cities.” She suddenly turned grave. “I hope it wasn't personally tragic?”

“I don't really have family...” Kes said, frowning a little, “But it's all the worse when it's your own countrymen dropping the bombs on you. Some people just can't stand losing...”

Kasterairin said nothing at this point, watching Kestrel.

Sarah nodded, reminiscent herself. “We know the feeling, though I have to admit not personally. Life has a nasty way of proving our fragility at times...” She paused, and looked up. “Of course, I would love to see the city, Isasrach amongst other famous landmarks. I have heard impressive tales of the local's...opulence.”

Smirking a little, Kes gave Sarah a little wink, “Only half of what you've heard is true...”

“Then I only expect to be overwhelmed instead of dying of shock and awe.” She smiled back, white fangs glistening.

Kasty tutted, “The other half is understatement.”

“Well then, shall we?”

“Indeed.” She said, happily, momentarily retracting her arm to grab a glass of wine from a passing waiter. “My apologies. After you my dear.”

Kestrel Amea made sure to grab two glasses, and handed one to Kasterairin as she takes Sarah's arm again. “Well, where to first, Vicereine?”

Sarah winked back at Barham, who nodded politely and went back to his discussions, whilst the ghoul turns round to smile at Kes again.

“Well, what would you like to see first?”

The Freestian hums, furrowing her brow slightly. “Somewhere open. I must admit to feeling a little bit, claustrophobic, being indoors.” She peered around the gargantuan hall, which given it could contain a decent battleship seemed an odd statement. “I can describe anything more specific. You know your country best, right?”

Kasterairin grinned knowingly. Even wickedly, and began to say something in necrontyr under her breath...

“I'll admit to not having seen as much of the country as I'd have liked, so this should be fun!” Kes added, smiling up at the Freestian, who has a good foot in height on her.

Sarah pulled her arm and with it Kes herself closer to her, into the soft material of her robes. “Oh, I had assumed you were a regular here? And what does our friend here have in mind?”

“Oh, I am. That doesn't mean I go exploring anywhere near as much as I'd like,” she smiled, almost pressing up against Sarah now.

Sarah seemed slightly surprised, but didn’t push away from her either. “Obligations? Yeah I can imagine that limiting things somewhat. Still, an oppprtunity is an opportunity.”

They promptly disappeared with a pop, appearing miles away, over the ocean. Specifically, high enough in the air for it to just about be safely breathable. And falling. Kasty continued to grin manically as her long hair flies up behind her, “Spacious enough for you!” she screamed, somehow loud enough to be heard.

Sarah suddenly found herself falling. She opened her mouth and her eyes bulge in shock, but no screams came from her. Instead she clung harder to Kes, her robes flailing up around her, and her blonde hair coming loose and fanning out into an enormous arc around her head.

Kestrel Amea promptly started to grip Sarah tightly as well, the silver sticks in her hair completely failing to keep her hair together as they start to plummet back to earth!

As they looked down, they could see the large snowflake shape of white metal in the ocean they were headed toward...

“Holy....” Farahind closed her eyes as the airspeed picked up. “Jesus, get us OUT OF HERE!” She yelled, barely audible even with her sharp drillmaster bark coming through.

Kestrel Amea kept her eyes squeezed shut as she gripped on to Sarah for dear life. She was muttering something to herself, though it's utterly inaudible over the rush of the wind...

They continued to fall, hurtling down at terminal velocity, drifting this way and that in the winds, until finally, at the last moment, and without any apparent feeling, they stopped and hovered the last foot or so to the ground on top of the city-ship's highest tower.

“Oh god oh god oh god oh god” Sarah kept chanting as she felt the ground with her feet. She looked up at Kasty. “What the hell was that? Are you insane?”

She let go of Kes too, her strength crushing even against the bionics. Her breath was rapid, and her chest rose and fell equally as quickly.

“I couldn't resist. You did say 'somewhere open...'“

Kes shivered and gasped for breath as they touch down. She's quite cold now, so she keeps herself close to Sarah. “That was... highly inappropriate...” she managed, finally...

“But very funny!”

“You couldn...you people are goddamn...” She stops, then peered at the other two women, then ghoulish pride took over, and she started laughing. “Where are we?”

“Yes, Kasterairin... where are we?”

“Isasrach! Central tower. Right below us is the Veritas council rooms and city control centre..”

“Oh...right.” Sarah slowly caught her breath, the feeling returning to frozen limbs and slowly getting her hair back under control. She let go of Kes, though her hand then grabs the smaller womans' as she dragged them both to stare at the surrounding scenery. “It is pretty though.”

“Mmm. Come here for a moment...” she said, “Please...”

Kestrel Amea shook her long hair out, letting it spill down her back as she took in the scene, still reluctant to let go of the taller, apparently protective Freestian. “Yes, it is... can't we go inside now? I'm freezing...”

Sarah turned, and reluctantly walked towards the spot where Kasty indicated.

Kasterairin leaned forward, and down a bit, and kissed Sarah firmly, just for a moment, and then did the same to Kestrel.

The Freestian blinked. “What the...errr...thank you?” The tall, well built woman looked surprisingly sheepish and unsteady. She looked towards Kes. “You okay now?”

Kestrel blusheed a bit, and looks shyly up at Sarah, “Yes, I think so...”

“You should both warm up in a minute. Just something harmless,” Kasty said, walking away from the edge.

Sarah suddenly felt far warmer, and strangely more comfortable, enough to loosen the robes slightly. She decided against tying up her hair, letting her blonde locks wave slightly in the wind. “It is beautiful.”

“Mmm, the palace is over there,” Kasty said, pointing at a set of buildings that rose in the distance, to a slightly higher height, but with the horizon, it looks on their level.

Kes adjusted the collar of her kimono, and smiled, “Well... lead the way then!”

Kasty looked around, “There should be a door here somewhere...”

Pressing up against Sarah a little more, Kes frowned and asks her to hurry up!

Sarah turned from looking at the palace, vampiric sight sharply refocusing. “Alright. Unless you have any more surprises for u...me.”

She grinned, and pressed her hand to part of the wall, causing an almost invisible airlock door to open, revealing a chamber with a stained glass (Or rather, Angvírin) door on the far side. “Many. Many...” she said, stepping through into the brightness beyond.

“Friends, Honoured Guests. As it seems that most everyone has finished dining, I think it time to move on a little. As promised, we can’t monopolise your time as we have so far, all weekend. As such, we’ve a few things prepared that might interest anyone looking for enlightenment, erudition, and most importantly, entertainment,” Ranisath waved a hand, towards one of the high, reflective illuminated panels, which disappeared, leading into a three floor set of balconies, revealing luxuriant sitting rooms, appointed in deep red rosewoods and fabrics, with high, granite and marble hearths.

With a nod in the other direction, another section of the wall disappeared, creating a transparent juxtaposition which could well have been only a screen, though it was not. “If anyone does wish to visit Khazad-dûm, and I do recommend it,” the hall on the other side was exactly the same height as the elven one, though its architecture, while similar, was more squared off and its patterns more inspired by metal and rock work, than the flowing organic shapes of the elves. It wasn’t, as one might have thought from the stereotype, that the dwarves didn’t see many growing things, or like them, but rather, that their own art styles were inspired by a more direct taste. Indeed, Khazad-dûm had probably some of the finest underground gardens and parks anywhere.

“Meanwhile, we have a whole nation, well, several, technically, if anyone would like to leave, and more than a few interesting places one may wish to see. Here, we will shortly be presenting some examples of our various forms of participatory and semi-participatory performances, including dance, music, and within reason, whatever one may wish to see. Another tradition one may be interested in is gift-giving. We’ve tried to make these individualised, but not cheated, as we did with the meal,” he smiled a little, watching his wife as she sauntered off towards the sitting area, with its high spiral staircases, within recesses to either side, and covered in a carpet of a light purple, held down by shimmer-steel frames in a leaf pattern. “We are of course, at your service should you want anything specific,” Ranisath said, as he joined her.

OOC: Not a great post. Not great at all. But it was about time I did one…

Aese sat patiently as Magnus elaborated on the various personalities seated around the table. She was rather impressed by the breadth and depth of his knowledge, and she soon found herself practically staring at him and forgetting most everything else.

"Most fascinating, I must admit... I had no idea you had such contacts! To know such respected and powerful people must be rather exhilarating! The only person of any real power back home that I'm familiar with would be my uncle Sargarhess, his father," she hiked her thumb over her shoulder to indicated the brandy-sipping Konrad, "The drachau of Karond Kar. It was he who managed to get me my appointment, and I owe him everything..." she trails off, blushing a little as she realizes she's started to talk about herself again.

She's saved by Ranisath's speech, though. "Hmm... those sitting rooms look rather appealing..." she grins, giving Magnus a sly little wink...

Even with the landing area crowded by craft various dignitaries had come in on, the RPDC-Zeroel (http://rpstudios.ian-justman.com/junk/CGgoods/archangel-rough3.JPG) sticks out as one of the larger vehicles. As it should; despite its diplomatic role, the Archangel class ship is a fully commissioned reserve aerospace carrier with its share of violent history. It's also the single oldest vessel in the Shogunate's space fleets, as it was the first built years ago when the Space Taxi mass driver was finally repaired.

Right now the ship sits quietly on the landing field, the lights of the visible bridge tower dark; likely most of the crew is on leave and a skeleton crew is monitoring the area from the internal command room. Two sentries stand bored watch over an open airlock hatch in the side of the ship near where the large swept wings join the vessel's main body. Neither appear to be armed, though it's likely they have some sort of weapons; but given the nature of the event, the posted watch is merely a formality with the guards more likely tasked with assisting wayward folks than any sort of real security issues.
---

Najoedo's expression positively lights up at the prospect of exploring new places and experiencing new cultures. He'd heard plenty about Khazad-dûm, and mostly about the tunnels far beneath it from Oduh, but the Keeper wasn't one for just being content with another person's account of things.

"Ah, you've been there before, if I recall right." He grins... almost slyly? at Rhiannon. "I fear my fellow Keeper Oduh waxed wordy about the evil beneath the surface, and far too little about the people living above the killer squid beasts. I don't suppose you had much of an opportunity to enjoy the sights either?"

Okay, for the old guy, his humor could probably be the wry amusement of sharing an addiction to knowledge with someone. Or maybe a flirtation. Hard to tell.

Meanwhile, Zeroel deflects conversation about the Timperator by whispering to Najoedo that he'll explain it on the trip back from the party.

"Hmm... those sitting rooms look rather appealing..." she grins, giving Magnus a sly little wink...
Magnus doesn't seem to mind whenever Aeselle starts talking about herself; indeed, he's probably more interested in what she has to say than how interested she was in what Magnus was actually saying, rather than how him talking made his jaw muscles move in exciting ways. "Indeed they do, although one hopes they have curtains at the very least." He rubs his chin. "That and they do seem to lack books after a fashion. Well, m'lady," he says, standing in a rather dashing fashion out of a lifetime of experience in doing generally everything in a rather dashing fashion, "we'll try those first and, if not, then an adventure to find a nice, quiet study."

He shrugs lightly should this be compared to his previous statement that he knew where one was. "The wall portals to different countries is something they must've installed since my last visit."

"Ah, you've been there before, if I recall right." He grins... almost slyly? at Rhiannon. "I fear my fellow Keeper Oduh waxed wordy about the evil beneath the surface, and far too little about the people living above the killer squid beasts. I don't suppose you had much of an opportunity to enjoy the sights either?"
"Not beyond the obligatory pre- and post-adventure parties, no," Rhiannon says, returning the smile with interest. Badoomboom. "I've wanted to go again, but it's been one adventure after another..." She shrugs and smiles more humorously. "Sure, let's call it a date."

Pausing again, she thinks for a moment, then rolls her eyes at herself. "Sorry. Obnoxious family tradition."

She recognized the vessel which Max had described, and noted the two guards in front of it. She approached them, folding her ebony wings behind her back. "You wouldn't have happened to seen Max around, have you?" She questioned the one on the right, hoping to receive an answer. It was strange how she hadn't stopped to observe the differences between so many cultures and nations which lay within the structures of their vessels. They were all to serve the same purpose, right? Then why would they ever be created differently.

The sentry blinks in momentary confusion. "Max-?"

His partner- clearly a reploid judging by the clearly mechanical armor- elbows him. "Oh, Maxmillian, y'mean? "

The first guard- some sort of human-variation judging by the catlike ears has a flash of realization. "Oooh. Yeah, you must be the vampire gal Max told us to keep an eye open for. Said you were expected. Would you like one of us to show you to his quarters, or we can page him first to let 'im know you're here?"

"Why don't you page him," she said in return. She couldn't wait to get out of this damned security field. Thing would have been so much easier. She waited for the guard to page Max. After all, she couldn't stay long, and she had just come to say goodbye.

"Sure thing." The mechanoid apparently has some sort of internal communications system, because he goes quiet for a second, a weird look crossing his face. "Urm... Mr. Christoph asks if you'd like to join him in his quarters for a 'farewell cup.' Says he was able to convince the medtechs of something or other."

"Translation: The fruit loop's getting all wordy in that weird diplo-speak manner of his, right?" The other sentry jokes, at least partially confirming Max's earlier claims that evening of a certain bias against the bloodless diplomat. "'Least he's being assigned off-world for awhile, should keep 'im out of trouble."

"Anyway, ma'am, if you would, I can show you to Max's rooms." The mechanoid offers, beckoning to the open airlock.
---

Inside the party, Zeroel facepalms. "Oh no, Max didn't-!"

"Max did not what?" Najoedo looks over from his conversation with Rhiannon about their plans.

"The vampire woman's outside my airlock asking for Max." The shipmind mumbles into one metallic hand. "I make no further comment than that. At least this time I don't think it's likely to almost cause an international incident like at Nathi's coronation."

If the Dread Lady notices Rhiannon’s initial irritation, she does a good job not showing it. Ah, youth. Agreements are made to follow up with H’zta, and notes are made on her small PDA for reference before it is tucked back away in her small purse. She nods in agreement with Speaker and his choice of names, obviously quite proud of the young ‘ret as well, and pleased at her success.

Nathi does have the good grace to look slightly sheepish after the fuss with Marcus’ choice of descriptors of her Favorite ‘Pendran ™, and shrugs slightly in response to Rhiannon’s judgement as if to say ‘yes, well … we all slip now and then’. It will probably take more than a young, determined idealist to cure her completely of her shamelessness, after all.

“Tree’d a Neko?” Nathi asks Zeroel finally, trying not to laugh out loud at the image. “Now that’s a little girl we really ought to meet.”

At Najoedo’s comment about ‘Timperium’, and Rhiannon’s subsequent confusion, Nathi pauses and takes a slow drink of water. Marcus takes the general pause to say in one of those kid-style whispers that can be heard regardless of intent.

“We kinda don’t talk about that part,” he explains to the Keeper. “It’s … what’s the word?”

“Delicate,” Naiya says with a knowing nod.

“Regardless,” Nathicana says, directing her attention to Anna and away from the mildly uncomfortable, however unintentional moment. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. And please, don’t underplay yourself. You’re here, just like the rest of us, and I’m sure you are just as welcome as we.”

Naiya arches a brow curiously at Anna’s comment, looks around for a moment, then nods thoughtfully. “Yes, there are a lot of interesting people here. We know some of them, like a lot of the people right here with us, but there’s a lot we don’t know. Mama says it’s important to get out and meet new people, even if there’s people we know at a party. Where is Kandarin? Is it nice?”

Marcus meanwhile responds to Vethara with a smile and a nod. “It might not be great to have Fluff running around wile in here, but it would be funny, at least until we got in trouble.”

Nathicana casually dismisses the information about the Shentavo woman that Heruss offers. If she can’t be bothered to at the very least introduce herself, let alone show some minimal manners, she couldn’t be bothered to worry about her further.

“Ah, Heruss – something you learn after mucking about with the ‘high-ups’ as you call them; they’re all just people when you get right down to it. Don’t let on, mind. I’ll lose my membership in the elite Leaders of the Multiverse club for letting out such secrets,” she says with a teasing sort of smile. “Of course, across the negotiating table, you’ll never get such an admission from me.”

“It was a pleasure seeing you again, Vethara,” Nathi says as the Tarasovkan lady makes her exist, both of the children waving and giggling quietly at her parting joke, followed of course by questioning looks to their mother, who simply responds with a quiet ‘We’ll see’.

To Shodey, she offers a sly sidelong smile at her well-known verifications. "Pity me, that they are such apt pupils, mia sorella. I only wish I could turn the both of them loose in Devon's offices. Now that would be amusing." The two children just grin at one another impishly, reminders of the unfortunate barrier there aside.

The entrance of another sharp-toothed guest has Nathicana smiling to herself, thinking of the odd counterpoints they offer to the kzin, and wondering idly what her furred friends think, offhandedly, of the fanged folk.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Maxilimus,” she says, offering her hand in greeting. “And please – if you gentlemen continue to put me on pedestals, I fear I’m eventually going to fall off, much to my embarrassment.” This all said with a pleasant smile, and just the hint of a wink.

The announcement of other things to be experienced causes a bit of a stir, with the three of them taking a moment to see what might be of interest, and Nathi of course, checking the time. Little ones still needed their sleep, after all.

“Hmmm,” she said looking the sentry in the eyes with her scarlet. After debating whether or not to go, for it was strange he did not come out and greet her. He had always been very polite. “All right.” She didn’t mention that she was gorged on blood, and really didn’t want any more. It was synonymous to having a full stomach. She walks in front of the officer, adjusting her wings fully outward. They were quite useful; especially when you didn’t want someone breathing down your neck. With her rather, large wingspan, he could get no closer than four meters or get fluffled with feathers.

Najoedo grins at Rhi's apology. "Every family has its traditions." He chuckles. "Better that being sociable is a tradition than... oh, say, making some bizarre gestures when entering a doorway to ward off evil creatures. Or having to close everything up in the most nonsensical order, because otherwise demons would get in with the livestock."

Zeroel fidgets some more about what's going on with the shipmind's 'real' body, but apparently gets over it after a few moments once the announcements are made about the other available attractions. "If you need an extra pair of hands to help wrangle the kids, I can't say any one area stands out overly much." The EI notes to Nathi. "And I'm probably one of the few Shogunate spacecraft that's used to dealing with youngsters."

Yes, Rebecca Menolimi's... ah... "skillz"... are the stuff of legend among at least part of the Diplomatic Corps.
---

The sentry seems largely unruffled, the mechanoid strolling with the ease of long familiarity into the ship. "Ur... some of the corridors may be a little tight with those wings, ma'am." He cautions with the sort of casual politeness of someone who doesn't necessarily know who precisely he's talking to.

The interior is well lit, though as warned, slightly narrow in places. Motorized hand grips sit in powered-down silence in the walls, the devices unnecessary under gravity, but extremely useful for moving efficiently through the corridors when the craft is in space.

"Sorry for the trek, ma'am." The reploid apologizes as he shows Ravelyn through the veritable maze of the ship's interior. "Max requested quarters on the aft deck for this trip. Here we are..."

The reploid pauses outside one of the bulky airtight doors and thumps his fist against it with the harsh clang of metal on metal. "Oi, Max! Your guest's here, open up!"

Max must have been waiting, because almost immediately the door slides open, revealing the diplomat and the room beyond.

"Ah, m'lady Ravelyn!" Max beams. "I was beginning to fear my night was done. Please, come in. Mi casa et su casa, or however that tired old saying goes."

"Ahem..." The sentry clears his throat and looks incredibly uncomfortable in Max's presence; strange that the mechanoid doesn't so much as bat an eye at the beautiful scarlet-eyed vampire woman with wings, yet seems so ill at ease in the presence of the human-looking bloodless diplomat. "Just page the bridge on the comm if you need anything... I should get back to my post."

The reploid sentry turns and doesn't quite flee, though his departure is decidedly rapid. Max's quarters are a marked contrast to the corridor outside- the suite done up in rich velvet and tapestries; more like a palace suite than a bunk on a ship. The far wall is dominated by a large viewport that right now offers a view of the starry sky, framed in white and red by the tail section of the craft.

"I do hope that you had no further trouble with the other partygoers after we parted ways?" Max offers one of the plush chairs for Ravelyn- clearly selected to be comfortable with a minimum of interference with her wings.

Max is a little dressed down from the full suit and jacket the diplomat was sporting at the party. The green suit jacket is lying carefully discarded over another chair along with the tie, leaving the white dress shirt now slightly rumpled with the top few buttons undone. Max's hair shows signs of nervous pacing; as though one hand had run through the styled locks several times since Ravelyn last saw the diplomat.

"Max did not what?" Najoedo looks over from his conversation with Rhiannon about their plans.

"The vampire woman's outside my airlock asking for Max. ... I make no further comment than that. At least this time I don't think it's likely to almost cause an international incident like at Nathi's coronation."
There's nothing we can do here, Keeper. "You'll just have to get him back at some point," Rhiannon offers as she takes Naj by the wrist and starts to--gently, mind--drag him away from the approaching train wreck. It's quite Arab of her, actually. "Or go into security lockdown or turn off cameras or turn on automated filters or something."

She'd heard stories, carefully edited concerning their source and the fact she was the audience, and that's all she had to hear.

She takes the seat as offered. She looks with concern at the diplomat who has clearly been agonizing over something. "What plagues your mind?" she said, not answering his question for she feels that hers addresses a more prominent concern. While his eloquence was the same, something clearly was amiss.

Sacker smiled warmly at her greeting by the Xirniumite lady, sliding into the proferred seat and crossing her legs elegantly. She offerred her hand to the other woman. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Sarah Sacker. I'm afraid I was also almost doomed to spending an evening by myself."

Sand laughed and shook his head. "I wouldn't do such a thing, though the rose is but a pale reflection of its holder's beauty." He led Vethara along and beyond the door, the guards simply stepping alongside after a very, very close and distrustful look at him.

"Some people, really." Sand muttered under his breath as he took Vethara to the gardens. His mood was only temporarily darkened, improving when they reached the palace's beautiful gardens. Skirting along a bush and finding a private and secluded bench, he stretched his hands behind his head and looked down at Vethara, a subtle grin appearing on his face. "So, we're alone now..."

“Well, you do appear happy to be alone here with me,” Vethara said, arching an eyebrow and giving a glance around. “So then, what plans for tonight? One of those “get to know each other talks” or something else? I do warn you, though, that any planned midnight baths shall have to be cancelled, for I do not have a top, so to speak…”

She laughed melodically and then traced a finger from her collar bone, along her cleavage and all the way down to the end of her décolleté. The generous opening formed a triangle, going from the sides of the neck to join together beneath the bust. And it was quite apparent indeed that there was nothing beneath the top part of her dress without any further demonstration.

She motioned her hand in a "See what I mean?" fashion.

“And I do not believe I am ready to get drunk in company of a stranger of whom I know nearly nothing and who, from what I could gather, does not attract the most positive of reactions.”

"Indeed they do, although one hopes they have curtains at the very least." ... "That and they do seem to lack books after a fashion. Well, m'lady," ... "we'll try those first and, if not, then an adventure to find a nice, quiet study."

"Excellent! Well, perhaps they don't have books... but there are other forms of storage for that sort of thing beyond paper, correct?" Aese seemed to be rather pleased she knew that; New Naggoroth still, despite all the fancy space technology, tended to put everything down on paper. Or etched into thin sheets of metal. "I'm, ah, sure we could find something amusing..." Another sly grin and a wink later, and they were off...

"Mmm, my feet are killing me, though... It's been quite a while since I've worn heels..." she grumbles, leading Magnus off to a secluded sitting room. "Maybe we'll need to postpone further adventuring until I can conjure some better footwear..."

‘Ah so you’d be that Rhiannon, hmm yes I think I recall Galdern mentioning you and your Father there after his treatment, hmm fascinating, I can see the interest from his perspective at least.’ She really had been quiet for a long time, maybe typical of a Farseer but still… She hadn’t even responded when the group had gotten so defensive over the presence of one, woman. She found it odd actually, yes she was clearly an Undead thing but then again, well it was just another Mon-Keigh to Iyanna inferior, and to be put up with for the interests of common Curiosity If she was Galdern it might have ended in a desire to investigate the woman then again… maybe not. What caught Galderns interest was never certain.

Her thoughts now turning to the other forms of entertainment, and with almost a weary sigh Iyanna considered them dismissing the tour of Menelmacar proper after a moment. She really didn’t want to consider the response of some that had came with her, to the idea of her wandering the lands of even an ally unguarded. She would have to therefore keep herself to the more common areas of the event in question. ‘Gifts hmm, well this should be interesting.’

Pausing a moment she almost laughed. ‘Hmm it would appear our group has grown a little larger since last I spoke, I suppose I should greet those who joined us after my prolonged silence?’

Badb and her husband found the opening of side rooms a good opportunity and almost before Ranisath could finish speaking the two slipped into one of the lavish sitting rooms, the couple soon claiming a place close to the fire, settling down in the cousins and pillows wrapped closely together. For all the world badb might almost appear peaceful and content. She was, actually to be honest, she was happy; an occasional giggle erupted from her throat at a whispered comment, a furtive glance occasionally followed, but Badb being Badb, the comments where never far from her lips. She might be happy and content but she still felt superior to Ninety percent of the guests, and had no qualms about explaining why.

Elsewhere Darvins and his companion found the talk of exploring Menelmacar more to their liking, a party was interesting but after a while it got… too controlled for Darvins these days. He would circulate a little longer then slip away.

(OOC shamelessly weak getting Iyanna back into talking to people, but I had to start somewhere or else she was just going to sit there the entire thread;) )

The Marquise liked not at all the implication that she could not even recognise the Head of State of a major Europe-Atlantic nation, and liked even less the unspoken admission that the Danaan hadn’t recognise her. This was precisely why presentations and introductions existed, to prevent just such embarrassing social situations. One simply did not stumble into someone and ask their name, it was most impolite and ill-bred, especially if the status of the person stumbled into was such that they should have commanded immediate recognition.

‘You’re quite right, madam, we’ve not yet met,’ the Marquise á Aumalême zée Seriendé confirmed, absently pleating the slippery yellow damask of her cape between her fingers as she held it all in her lap. ‘I’ve pestered the Prime Minister for ages into arranging a State Visit so I might get the chance to receive you properly, but she tells me the Foreign Ministry has been busy. Nonsense I say, they’re probably still trying to work out who exactly to invite, you or that King of yours or your whole bloody Cabinet.’

The Marquise smiled good-humouredly but perhaps expected too much, the Confederals had never been known for having much in the way of a sense of humour.

‘How terribly ungracious of our hosts, though, to have left you all on your own,’ the Marquise á Aumalême zée Seriendé sympathised languidly as she congratulated herself on having let President Sacker know who she was without resorting to so vulgar a tactic as actually telling her. ‘At least I was given two babysitters to amuse me, they’re gone now though. Such flighty, fickle creatures, these elves, don’t you think?’

“I’m not sure myself sometimes,” Sacker said with something of a lop-sided grin. “I must say that I’m looking forward to visiting Xirnium. Your nation is easily one of our most important allies but, more than that, its one of the cultural treasure troves of the Atlantic, a history of art and culture and philosophy and music stretching back through the ages in a largely continuous tradition. Of course, we would also be glad to have you visit the Confederated Peoples. Are you at all familiar with the Lunar New Year? We’re probably going to be having the biggest festival we’ve ever had in Kenron, attended by the High King, the Confederal Council and the leaders of both houses of the Assembly. I don’t know if that would be something you were interested in.”

“Ah! Nathicana!” a voice cheerfully announced from behind the Imperatrice. “It’s always a pleasure to see you again.”

The Chairman and Chairwoman stepped forward, hand-in-hand, in order to get into a better position to talk to the Dominion’s leader. There was just no sense in making her constantly turn around to dress everyone crowded near her. Her head could very well pop off from all the twisting. Besides, the two Grummian leaders had been lingering around not exactly making much conversation so it was about time to get into the mix of things.

“For a while there I was thinking you were avoiding us, especially after last year’s fiasco. I don’t blame ya. Wherever we go, the insanity just seems to follow,” Jack joked. “But, this year our hosts seem to have everything well under control…a lot of control. Can’t say I blame them, coming from firsthand experience myself.” He laughed once more and scratched the side of his short salt and pepper hair. “So…how have you been?”

Meanwhile, after politely bowing in greeting to the leader, Siri had taken up idly listening in on her husband’s conversation but also watching the two children of this woman. She found it rather odd that there were children here amongst all of these adults and even more so that Nathicana had had any of her own. Doesn’t seem the type…hrm…but then again no one thought Jack and I could raise Alak… But she dismissed that line of thinking for the moment as it wasn’t an important matter right now, just an observation. So she gave as friendly of a smile as she could muster to the two and returned her attention back on the conversation.

"Mmm, my feet are killing me, though... It's been quite a while since I've worn heels... Maybe we'll need to postpone further adventuring until I can conjure some better footwear..."
"Well, it is a sitting room, isn't it?" Magnus replies with a grin as he collapses comfortably on a sofa. "As far as I can tell, walking isn't exactly necessary, and in some cultures it's considered polite to take off your shoes before coming inside. So I think, given how hospitable our hosts have been, that no one'll take it amiss if you kick off your shoes, relax, and get comfortable."

Grinning impishly throughout. Boy, does he love him some flirting.

‘Ah so you’d be that Rhiannon, hmm yes I think I recall Galdern mentioning you and your Father there after his treatment, hmm fascinating, I can see the interest from his perspective at least.’
"Thank you, ma'am," Rhiannon says, having the sense to bow politely even while she attempts to (also politely, at least in her culture) drag the Keeper off. "I hope I meet with approval, if nothing else."

Speeks and H'zta make their polite greetings and attempt a little small-talk with the Eldar and the Grummians, in the way that friends-of-friends generally do at first.

Max pauses with a nervous chuckle. "That obvious, am I?" The diplomat glances out the viewport before turning to face Ravelyn. "No sense dancing around it- I was frankly quite certain I had lost out on another chance due to what I am. I fear after all this time, it's become a rather unpleasantly conditioned expectation after years of disappointments. Strike up a conversation, get led on for a few hours... and as soon as what I am comes up, it's as quick a dismissal as is politely possible. And that's if I'm fortunate; usually it's shrieks and yelling and a big ugly scene."

Max runs one hand through the now thoroughly tousled black hair. "You can probably imagine how anxious I was when you asked to speak with that other fellow; given my track record thus far."
---

It doesn't take Najoedo long to catch a hint, the Keeper rising to his feet and allowing himself to be 'dragged' off, offering a polite bow and a (careful not to bump anyone) flick of his wings to Iyanna. "A pleasure to meet with you, but I admit my curiosity about that mess that my fellow Keeper Oduh was part of is a bit insatiable and insists on seeing the place right away."

Perhaps a bit of a joke about Rhi's less-than-subtle encouragement to get his tail in gear, and a shot at his own interest in the subject; because once he's on his feet, Rhi needs to do precious little 'dragging' to encourage the old guy along.

Sand's eyes followed her fingers along as they traced the shape, a soft smile on his face. When her hand dropped away, though, so did his view, though it took him a bit of an effort. "I wouldn't possibly ask you to do anything before you were that comfortable with me, Vethara." He seemed pleased, though with what was impossible to guess. "No, I can understand your... apprehension."

"These are safe times we live in, though." He said, sitting next to her. "Certainly far less dangerous then they used to be, back when I was...active." Sand seemed lost in thought for a moment. "But, I agree I have been less than forthright with you. I know your name, yet..." He picked a flower and twirled it gently between his fingers.

Then his face lightened slightly and he smiled once more. "I am, or was, Aleksandr Eduardevich Chyornyev, once Prince-Regent of Novar Ohan." He dropped the flower and it grew back into the dirt from whence it had been taken. "I've had a... long and varied career since I and my old nation parted ways." His expression turned wistful for a moment, and then it passed like a mist on a windy day. "But there, I believe, you have me."

“Ah, I believe I have heard of you then,” Vethara said with a sigh as she sat down on the bench, leaning against the back and looking up at the man. “Public enemy number two or three of the elves, or so I remember. Or maybe something not exactly this, but close.”

She smiled in her charming manner. “But well, I do not really care to know more right now. I can always later, if my curiousity takes over. And if now you are at the court of Sirithil herself, then I guess your status must have somewhat changed… but… as I have said, no more of this.”

She paused for a moment, looking the man over. “Hm. I do admit that I do not know what to do right now. In the very strict sense of the word: sit here and chat or have you walk me through the gardens, even if I have already been here and seen them, or maybe going back inside to see whether the dancing began. What about you? Any ideas to propose for consideration?”

Sand smiled bitterly. "Yes, that's all true. For my sins, I suppose." He ran a finger through his sandy hair and smiled at her a little warmer. "So, you know all about me. And yet...you're still here." Soon his smile regained its previous infectious quality, and he slowly and gently, but very deliberately, slipped his arm around the middle of her waist, fast enough to avoid being too cautious, while slow enough to let her push him away if she wished to avoid it. "I, myself, would, if I may have your attention for but a little longer..."

He lifted his small green pendant to his lips and blew into one of the holes, causing a clear note to ring out. Slowly, a smoky mist filled the air before them. If she acted in fear and jumped back, he was more than ready to catch her with his free hand. Especially as he blew another note, a note that swelled in tone.

Slowly, the smoke cleared, and a scene appeared in the air before them. He whispered in her ear, a tad embarassed, "I'm afraid my talents don't run to the composition, but hopefully this will amuse you, and maybe even please you?" A ballet was taking place before them, a tiny illusory one. After a moment or two the music started. It was a perfect production of the Firebird Suite's conclusion, for all that it was set in miniature. Then, suddenly, the ballet vanished in a puff of flames, and a flaming red bird launched into the air with a long, low shriek, passing so close to them she could almost feel the heat of its flame. It stopped in the air and shrieked once more, and then exploded in a burst of fireworks.

Alex rose to his feet and bowed slightly, a mysterious smile on his face. "Your servant, ma'am."

The Grand Duchesses’es eyebrows frowned when he leaned closer to her. And, in fact, the action which caused the frown was not the hand on the waist, but more the rather pointless whistle blowing. However, as the scene in front of her eyes unfolded, the frown changed to amazement as she quite enjoyed the show, laughing lightly at the miniature ballet and the music.

“Sand! This is one of my favourite…” she did not have the time to finish her phrase as the whole scene changed drastically, her eyes widening slightly as the fiery bird passed close to her skin and then exploded in fireworks. And then she laughed quite aloud, her melodic laughter filling the air around them.

“Oh for the love of…” she spoke out as her breathing pace returned to normal after all the laughing.

“That was marvelous, Sand. Thank you for the show,” she looked at the man, a smile on her lips. “Now, what on earth can I do with such a talented servant? I cannot be expected to come up with everything all by myself. Help me out, Sand, provide ideas and suggestions!”

His expression became curiously blank as she spoke, and with great economy of motion he slipped back into the seat next to her. "Ideas and suggestions, hmmm?" He smiled, suddenly. "Well, milady, all sorts of ideas do come to mind, but I'm not sure they'd be at all appropriate." He sighed, a tad playfully. "I do suppose we could return to the dining hall in the hope that the dancing has begun..."

"I believe it is a bit early to go back inside, Sand... or am I to call you Sasha?" she asked with a charming smile, standing up and offering her arm to the man. "Let us just wander about the gardens and talk of all matters silly and unimportant. Or, I have a better idea! You know how to create illusions, but... can you sing? For real, I mean. You could sing for me."

"Well, it is a sitting room, isn't it? ... As far as I can tell, walking isn't exactly necessary, and in some cultures it's considered polite to take off your shoes before coming inside. So I think, given how hospitable our hosts have been, that no one'll take it amiss if you kick off your shoes, relax, and get comfortable."


"Ah, you think so?" she grins at Magnus, raising her feet and kicking her red heels off, flinging them over to the foot of the couch. One very relieved sigh later, and she's turned and flopped down on the couch beside him. With that dangerous grin growing ever broader, Aese snuggles up to his side and rests her head on his shoulder.

"Mmm, well, you did say to relax and get comfortable. I think this will do nicely..."

“Oh Zeroel, that is so sweet of you, but truly, I’ll be just fine. I didn’t intend to shuffle the bambinos off to anyone while here, and they’re no bother at all. Please, relax and enjoy yourself while you can,” Nathi says to the AI with a warm, appreciative smile.

The new arrivals take her slightly by surprise, though she supposes it shouldn’t, considering how many people have been able to attend the grand event. She was starting to think that nearly everyone she knew of, in addition to the many she didn’t had shown up in the end, and she didn’t envy those responsible for the security on account.

“Jack, Siri – so glad you could make it tonight. Quite the gathering, no?” Nathicana responds, then shakes her head and smiles at the Chairman’s references to his own holiday party previously. “Never. I had a wonderful time there, and the hospitality was never lacking. You can’t be held responsible for the actions of a few rotten apples, and you took care of the situation just fine.”

The children also smile and nod in greeting to the two, looking them over curiously while Nathicana attempts to make some introductions to those in the near vicinity, hoping to help everyone feel at ease.

“We know you, sort of,” Marcus pipes up, pleased to show he’s been paying attention to his lessons. “You’re our allies from Northrop-Grumman. Mama says you have a beautiful house and really good food there.”

Naiya however, chooses to let her brother do the talking for now, looking first at Jack, then more closely at Siri in quiet contemplation, her head tilting slightly to one side as she studies the woman. She draws just a little closer to her mother, subtly slipping her small hand into Nathicana’s to receive that reassuring squeeze that’s so instinctive as the woman continues to chat.

“It’s been a busy year, as always. And of course, through it all, the children keep me moreso. They’ve been growing like weeds, and I swear, they find new ways to vex me right along with making me so proud I could burst every day. And how have the two of you been? All well at home and abroad, I hope?”

‘Everyone knows about the Lunar New Year, even in Xirnium,’ replied the Marquise. ‘I’m familiar with the firecrackers and red paper streamers and dancing dragon parades. You see we’re not that insular, my dear Madam President.’

Insular she may not have been, but if Sacker has been able to read the noblewoman’s thoughts she would have discovered some very lurid and colourful ideas concerning the Orient indeed. The Marquise imagined bright little shops and exotic smelling restaurants, crowded open markets with squawking chickens crammed within rattling wooden cages, mazes of narrow, lanterned arcades, little apothecaries selling all manner of herbal remedies, opium dens frequented by pale, sunken-eyed, upper class Xirniumites, and noisy gambling houses where gentlemen played with mah-jongg tiles.

True, she could not have told the difference between the Daehanjeiguk and Zeng, or any of the other Han nations that existed in the vast multiverse, nor did she much think that such differences, if they existed, mattered all that much, but that didn’t mean she did not find the Orient mildly interesting, so long as she experienced it from the illustrated pages of entertainment periodicals, and not first-hand.

“Forgive me,” Sacker said, still smiling that same soft smile. “I make it a point never to assume anything. I’m frequently astounded to hear leaders of nations and high ranking officials in various foreign services declare, without any evident embarrassment, that there are whole countries they’re completely unaware of. I’m sure that would be a career-ending blunder in Xirnium as surely as in the Confederated Peoples, no?”

She took another bite of her food, chewing it slowly, almost delicately, as she pondered the Xirniumite woman before her. She was certainly typical of her people with the same unabashed pretentiousness but there seemed, under that, to be a lively and interesting personality. Sacker did not, for example, feel the sense of contempt mixed with resentment which invariably came from any contact whatsoever with Eléanor Sabelinà.

"Understand that I didn't leave for who you are or what you are, but for what Terefedel is. I didn't mean any offense to you. I'm afraid you could have been the King of a vast empire and I would have still needed to excuse myself." She paused for a moment. "It doesn't matter to me what you are, you do realize that , right? I take people's souls and attach them to my own for a job. How do you think that has affected my relations? Most people don't like dealing with those of my kind. Only the ones that understand do."

She sat down in a chair at the side of the room. "My offer still stands if you want to visit my nation."

"Mmm, well, you did say to relax and get comfortable. I think this will do nicely..."
Magnus drapes one arm comfortably over Aeselle, his hand tracing with perhaps feigned idleness along the side of her red coat. "Quite nicely indeed. Now, as for learning..."

ABRUPT TRANSITION!
"A pleasure to meet with you, but I admit my curiosity about that mess that my fellow Keeper Oduh was part of is a bit insatiable and insists on seeing the place right away."
"Well, hopefully you're not interested in poking around in the dark places of lurking dread," Rhiannon quips, the force of her 'dragging' being inversely proportional to Oduh's velocity in the desired direction. "Still, should be fun to go out on the town when it isn't under dire threat."

Without taking her focus from the young boy as he spoke, Siri noted Naiya’s reaction to her presence – at least, what she thought was a reaction. But by now, the elf was used to such a thing as she was never one to give the best first impression. It was nothing new for people to be wary of her at first, or even after knowing her for many decades.

“Thank you,” she responded with a polite bow of her head and a warm smile. “You can see it one day, if your mother allows you to. Actually, whenever we decide to throw another Christmas party, I’ll be sure to pester your mother about bringing you both along.”

Jack listens to Siri for just a moment then chuckles at both Marcus and Nathicana. “Ah kids…they sure grow up fast. I feel like it was just yesterday that little Alak was trying to levitate for the first few times and fell off the back of the sofa. And now, he’s nearly twenty-four and been the Martian governor for the past few months. I don’t think he ever ceases to amaze me with how well he’s been handling the political mumbo-jumbo over there and how well he’s managed to create and strengthen ties between us and others.

“As for Siri and I…eh…we’re doing as well as we can.” He sighs and appears a bit frustrated. “Though, things really haven’t improved back at home with the whole religious quasi-war that’s been going on. The economy has taken a tumble because of that and other things…and the only way we can get the nonsense to stop right now is to lockdown the cities with the military…but that’s not the greatest thing to do when those billions of people need to work…so we screw ourselves up more. I don’t know really what we’re going to do. I’m starting to think it’s gonna have to be something drastic. But any sort of political reform that I can think of offhand would force us to rework all the laws in over six hundred counties. They’re all so damned different that it would be like trying to rearrange straws of hay from a haystack by length. It’s such a mess…”

(OOC: Sorry, one thing led to another and I suddenly didn't have any time to follow the thread)

"It's on Earth...mostly. Underground. And it's very nice." After smiling and nodding to the Chairman and Chairwoman, Anna decided that the best way to calm the apparently-nervous Naiya was distraction. "It's not really dark, everything is lit up brightly in every color there is. And a few that aren't. Everyone lives in a few great big Elven cities, and gets between them with really fast trains. And elevators. Lots and lots of elevators." Curious, Anna added, "I don't suppose they need anything like that where you come from."

---

"You can't please everybody." Lady Rachel stated the obvious. "It's hard to fight superstition, but you have to start somewhere. I think I know how that must have been. We never had exactly the same problem - more like the opposite. The attitude back home has always been 'Why automate that when you can enchant it?' We had magical elevators, magical doors, magical monorails, magical office furniture...you name it. And then we started running out of usable magic." A more honest individual might have been more forthright about the reasons for this transformation. Again, Rachel kept quiet about the details. "And so we had to put automation everywhere. There was all kinds of resistance. It's still not all worked out. It's hard to change anything."

"Mmm..." Alessa purred as she slowly woke up from her catnap. Sempero was lying next to her, an arm wrapped gently around her waist. She looked at him curiously, then leaned across and kissed him impulsively. "Wake up, sleepy!" She ordered in as peremptory a tone as she could muster.

He yawned and stretched, sitting up and smiling toothily at her. "I only had my eyes closed for five minutes!" He poked her, eliciting a sharp gasp. "I think we should make our way back to the party, though..."

Alessa nodded and slid off the bed, dodging Sempero's questing hands as she did. "If you start that, we'll never be back." She said with a sigh, pulling her bra back on. Then she frowned and closed her eyes. "Shhh..." There was a flash of light, and she was once more in angelic form. A few more seconds and she was dressed once more, Semp's tunic transforming into a loose, but attractively cut, dress as she ran a gentle finger over it.

Semp, who had been watching her get dressed with evident enjoyment, stood up and dressed himself, then crossed the floor and kissed her, holding her close for a moment. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"No more than you." She murmured, a pale blush covering her cheeks. "Come on, I want to see Lady Siri and Lord Ranisath..."


Sand touched his hand to his lip thoughtfully. "A song, dear Vetha? I'm afraid that I'm not a master of the vocal arts..." He caught sight of her expression, and then smiled winningly. "But allow me a second and I believe I can sing for you. Of course, I'm not accustomed to working for free..." He said this with a smile and a wink, and then he released her and spun away. "Aa aa aa aa! Testing...testing..."

His voice, when it came, was a delicious baritone. He sang up and down the scale as far in both directions as he could, putting the lie to his claim, though the question was how much was his own skill and how much was magic. "Well, the old vocal chords seem to be in working order. Any song you'd like me to sing in particular, Vetha?"

The passageways of Fëanor Palace were quite simple, indeed, Alessa found herself quite able to step into a dedicated elevator area in her suite and be whisked directly to the back of the chamber that Sirithil and Ranisath were currently sat in. They were by the edge of the three-walled room, between its open fireplace and the railings – that could barely be called such, so much as elaborate pieces of artwork in a railing-like form that happened to provide a useful function as well. The elf and her consort were seated in low chairs, with Sirithil’s costume looking more ornate, as was most often the case.

A trio of Mornahossë guardians stood at the corners of the room, along with a tall figure who seemed to be an elf but bore the staff of a necron lord. Beside their table stood a comparatively short elf woman of about human average height with long red hair. She seemed utterly perfect in almost every conceivable way, poise, elegance, eyes – sharply witty and simultaneously coy and alluring – and dress which although her white-gold highlighted sea green (the different colour indicating she was a personal servant) uniform (no hat) reflected those of the servants who had been around before, it somehow seemed to fit her far better than any mortal tailoring could contrive. She glanced at Alessa curiously from her place between Sirithil and the fireplace, and smiled, before glancing down at the hall again.

Ranisath did the same, a little more roguishly, and waited to see what, if anything, they would do. At the same moment, a little gesture sent the servant woman away, her hair swirling lightly as she turned and stepped lightly toward the next room.

Vethara grinned as he practiced his vocal cords, noticing immediately his charming baritone.

“Well, Sand,” she said pensively when he asked about the song to sing. “There is a nice band back in Taraskovya called Liubertsy. Ever heard of them? There is a love song in particular I enjoy. I wonder if you can ever guess which it is…”

Sand smiled slightly and then shrugged. "I cando my best to sing." He offered her. "I don't promise anything, but as I said, I don't genertally work for free...”

“And what do you work for then, handsome singing mercenary?” she asked with a smile.

He smiled slightly sinisterly in return. "Well, if you're offering...how about a kiss, Vetha?"

“A kiss?” she laughed lightly at the proposition and then gave him a pondering look. And then she smiled. “Alright, a kiss you shall have if your singing is without false notes.”

He smiled and bowed low. "We shall see." And then he closed his eyes, trying to recall to mind the lyrics. Then he nodded, before he began to sing out loud, striving for perfection. As he sang he tugged Vethara back into his arms with a wink and nod, spinning her around with him.

She smiled as she let him guide her into the improvised dance and quite admiring his singing. When he finished, he held her by the waist once more, pulling her closer, looking into her eyes.

"I think you'll find, Vetha, that I sang every note and word absolutely perfectly."

His hands slid up and down her waist and hips gently, and then he leaned forward to press his lips against hers in a passionate kiss.

He lifted the blacklids, looking at her waking form. Sempero couldn't help but smile, who could really watching what he was watching. All thoughts from earlier were thankfully gone, the notion he might be spending a hell of a lot more time with the quite frankly divine woman rising next to him not exactly an unappealing prospect.

She dressed quickly, removing her delicious form from view (well, directly anyway, her DIY dress was, like most of her wardrobe, not exactly modest), and, with it, removing his top. He gathered and stored the discarded medals, looping the chain over his neck after he donned his original black undershirt. He commented on the party, immediate response, then, in light of her request;

"Oh you do?"

He smiled at her again, a genuine jovial sort of smile. "Lets go for it." He was reduced to his black undershirt, though it still looked formal enough and he looked naturally well built to the point it didn't matter per se. No female was going to complain after all, and no male baring the one they were about to meet would dare make mention.

Alessa stepped forward and curtsied slightly. "Good evening, your majesties." She murmured, a thin blush covering her cheeks. "In my research, I learned that terrans grant gifts on this day. So, I... er... took the liberty of putting together some gifts for you. I hope that was alright, My Lord and Lady?" She held her hand out and a small selection of items appeared stacked on her delicate fingers.

Semp moved and quickly grabbed them before they fell to the ground. Alessa smiled at him, and then turned back to Ranisath and Sirithil, curtseying again. "My lady, I ordered these thrown together for you by the archivists and Archmage Kouban, who has quite wonderfully not made his presence known to me this evening.." Two small leather tomes floated across the room to hover before the Elentari, before rising up to display their covers, 'A Guide to the Arcane Magick of the Academy' and 'A Dictionary of High Roanian in Quenyan and Galactick Standard'.

Alessa nervously smiled. "I hope you'll have better facility with my language than I've had with yours, my lady." She curtsied once more, and then backed up. "And...I wasn't sure what to do for you, Lord Ranisath..." She blushed as she took the remaining item, a small envelope, from Semp's hand. "It was a small thing, so... I'd understand if you don't like it, I mean..."

~~~

The passion was something a tad unexpected. Indeed, what Vethara expected was far more routine and mundane and so she was somehow surprised and pleased by the kiss. The sensation was nice and so she let it go on for a good moment before placing a hand against his chest and with light pressure signifying to him that it was time to part lips. That done, she grinned at him, still enclosed in his embrace. “Well, a kiss was agreed for payment and I consider that the payment has been done,” she said joyfully.

Sand smiled at her, and looked deep into her eyes. "I'd agree." He murmured, his hands holding loose on her waist. "More than done." His smile softened. "Have I told you that you were beautiful, Vethara Mikhailovna Shakhovskaya?

"Yes, you have, Pan Chyornyev." Vethara murmured, a soft smile reappearing on her face. "But I'd be glad to hear you say it again."

"Very well. You, Vethara, are amongst the most beautiful women of this or any other universe." He murmured, staring into her luminous green eyes. "Your eyes are as beautiful as a spring morning, your lips as red as a rose..." Sand looked away for a second, and grinned. "I'm embarassed that I am not a skilled poet, Vethara, for if I was I could write an epic dedicated purely to your face."

"Just my face?"

"Amongst your many other fine qualities, yes..." He leaned forward and kissed her gently and tenderly.

Vethara leaned against Sand as he kissed her again. She was lost in the sensations for a moment, being happy to just stand, do nothing apart from kissing and being kissed. This time, it came to an end on sort of a mutual decision as both of them parted lips to look upon each other. The Grand Duchess just smiled in a mysterious fashion, letting silence reign supreme.

The servant returned, as Ranisath took the envelope from Alessa with a little smile, “And I should present you with a gift also,” he said, taking two slender boxes that appeared to be made out of diamonds and silver from the servant, and passing one to Sempero; this one was a gun, a rather menacing one, in fact, and very, very old; it was attached to a display stand labelling it as a ‘hunter-missile dispenser Mk 1’ with a brief history of this rare, early necrontyr device.

The present Alessa received was somewhat more interesting, consisting of dozens of shining gemstones in silver frames and meshes, the silver engraved with flowing, brush-like strokes of Sindarin. They weren’t exactly common, but weren’t terribly powerful magic items, either. They were however, a rare version of such items, made from gemstones created in the last phases of stellar fusion.

There were also presents from Sirithil, but these were designed to be entirely useless seeming; until such time as they became useful. These enigmatic objects were generally made of metals – bronze and silver, in these cases, but varied wildly in form and size. Ranisath, meanwhile, opened his envelope.

Fast forwarding to the late morning, thanks to FluidTime [tm]

She woke up first, as she always did, smiling to the pleasant sensation of a now familiar body pressed against her. In fact, she was also mildly amused by the fact that Alex’es hand elected her bosom for resting spot, a sort of a subconscious continuation of his quite enthusiastic attention to this part of her body during the active hours of the night. And activity there was. A quick survey of the folded sheets, of mutual clothes spread around the room indicated quite a passionate lovemaking. She sighed sleepily, half-yawning, and weaseled out of his embrace without waking him up.

She retrieved a gown from one of the closets and then directed herself to the door leading to the hall of her apartments, where she gave Pushok a reassuring ruffle on the head, the beast nearly two times her size on hind legs just yawning in return, confirming that message received, all is fine, no need to kill the male Vetha brought in during the night. Then she went back into the bedroom, closing the door behind her and directing herself to the bathroom. Time was for a morning shower. She did not bother closing that door, however, as she hopped beneath a mildly cool waterfall, smiling pleasantly.

Alexander woke up a few moments later and sat up to stretch, looking around the room. "Mmm." He mumbled as his eyes roamed around the room, looking at the same scene Vethara had witnessed when she had awakened before. A smile came to his face as he recalled that night. He shifted the bedclothes away from him and sat up, looking for his partner in his recent exertions. Soon, the sound of the shower called him, and he stood up and walked to the door of the bathroom, looking at the way the water trickled down her curves appreciatively. "You know, you look even more beautiful in this light."

She grinned at him, not interrupting the process, albeit making it a tad more sensual than a usual morning shower. “Why, thank you!” she said lightly. “You’re not too bad either, in upward position.”

"Would you mind terribly if I joined you?" He offered, taking a step forward inside the bathroom and very clearly looking her over.

“Of course not! I have been thinking that I could use a back rubber, as I cannot reach back there, quite obviously,” she answered back. “And maybe I’ll also let you rub other places.”


~~

The envelope folded out to reveal a short, curtly worded statement: "We, the undersigned, in view of our duties to preserve and protect the Empire of the Twin Lamps, do hereby place ourselves and our successors, en perpetua, under the personal suzerainty of their Majesties Lord Ranisath and Elentari Sirithil."

What followed was a short list of the EoTL's highest grandees, topped by the pretty little thing in front of them.