Carissa, a Malvici bodyguard have been dismissed.

2 Solace trained guards have been dismissed.

The ethereal extravagance of the Whispers' ballroom has been reworked with the wealth of the Faith of the Pantheon. Hangings at every turn portray pivotal moments from the recent war in vibrant color. Heroes are honored - not just the Paladins, although they are certainly featured in several places, but almost everyone who has distinguished themselves in the war is seen, often with hints of divine imagery, or a hint of a god's face looking on in approval. Musicians abound, playing far enough away from each other in the space that the sounds don't run too much together, and the food - oh, the food. Tables and tables of food, drinks, and treats, all meant to be easily eaten by fingers, and safe to be consumed with masks. Dancers and entertainers work the crowd, doing their best to engage each and every guest when they catch an eye here or there. It is almost like a festival rather than a dance, although there is plenty of dancing to be done on that floor before them.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask steps inside... and promptly causes an issue with traffic flow as she freezes. Her head tilts mask, masked face lifted as the woman behind it stares at the ballroom's transformation. A moment later she is "encouraged" to step aside by those sweeping in behind. She goes with an apologetic dip and a gathering of her trailing skirts, fingers lost in the shimmer of white-becoming-silver.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask is standing by the door, making greetings and bows to those who come in. It's really not difficult to recognize the Legate of Concepts, even without tabard or longcoat. He smiles broadly at the woman in the Shining Star mask, and offers a hand to draw her out of traffic. "Lovely, is it not? The Whispers have outdone themselves."

Someone wearing reflective half-mask with twining vines and blooming roses moves through slipping past the Shining Star and pausing to give a nod of greetings to her and the Nightbird. If her identity isn't given away by the lack of masking, the slightly plain handmaiden wearing a black dress in Lycene styles probably will. "It does look marvelous, doesn't it?" She inquires. "Legate Nightbird, Lady Star. A pleasure to meet you both on this fine night."

Someone wearing a Smiling Wolf mask has made his way inside only to promptly get distracted by one of the Paladin displays: most specifically, a display of the Paladin of Freedom. "Are you /kidding me/?" He has the mask, sure, but the hilt of his alaricite longsword Chainbreaker is recognizable to some, even peacebound with a length of silk as it is, and some others might recognize his backside in this painted-on pants he's wearing.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask slips her hand into that offered to her, a grateful clasp followed by an apologetic glance over her shoulder. "Thank you, Father. It's /beautiful/," she breathes a beat later. "The wall-hangings especially. Did you ask for those?" She must mean the drapes bearing the images of the paladins-- it's towards those her face turns again, until the Lady of Roses calls her attention back. She dips her head, a quick and respectful greeting. "My lady."

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask glides into the ballroom, feet concealed by the plumes along the robe's hem. He tilts the long beak of his mask toward Nightbird, then glides in further, pointing face toward each of the displays in turn. Weighing, just weighing.

Little flourishes of music, playful and ethereal, greet each newcomer to the ballroom - they are brief, but that doesn't stop the heralds from giving the musicians the stinkeye each time they try to announce a member of the nobility. The musicians, in response, grin and step up their game. Meanwhile, in the Nightbird mask, Orazio says, "I did." He guides her off to the side, before turning to smile at those coming in. "Lord Wolf, no jest is meant, I assure you. Lady Mirror, Lord Firebird, a pleasure to see you both."

Eirene wears no mask. Why would she ever, direct creature that she is. But the cloak of her short half-cape is drawn up and her black leather trimmed in icy blue so it's at least different from her flames of Lagoma motif she usually wears. It's not as much skin as she had showing at the Charity Auction but the corset far from her usual high-collared doublet. Seeing the displays, she dreads any such visage of herself, hoping her contributions didn't warrant one.

A Mirror Masked Woman arrives, following Isolde.

Oh, there is DEFINITELY a portrayal of Eirene and her combat medics in the array. Likely surrounded by the flames of Lagoma, all dramatic and heroic like.

Armel wears no mask at all. It is like that, given his false eye, it would be entirely useless anyway for hiding his identity, and so his scarred face is there for all to see as he enters arm-in-arm with Eirene, also maskless. "Well well, isn't this a fine and dandy song and dance," He remarks in a murmur aside to Eirene before he spots the wolf-masked gent, moving to clap him on the shoulder and tell him with a grin, "Oh, embrace it, my friend. You're going to be remembered for a thousand years, after all, if not in name." And then he squeezes, tipping his head to the nightbird. "Well met, of course." He looks around, very thankful he isn't seeing anything about the Knights of Solace in the displays immediately. But oh, how he spots Eirene's portrayal, and just /grins/ cheekily at her, gesturing to it. "They even got the hair right."

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask levels a small, ephemeral smile at Nightbird, and then the smile widens to just about overtake his face. "Thank you, Lord Nightbird. Always my pleasure as well."

Nisaa walks into the ballroom with her espresso toned hair elegantly swept up and held into place by a glittering gem of a bloom. She wears only a painted mask, her identity not hidden at all, to those who know her. Head held high, bright verdigris eyes take in the scene around her, and she smiles to any masked person who looks ehr way, not knowing if she knows them or not.

Someone wearing A Featureless Silver Facade arrives at the ball, delicate and small, she wears summer silks and a mirrored mask that completely covers her features in a smooth silver reflective surface. Making her way over towards the other mirrored Lady of the evening, she bows over towards her. "As I hoped, I knew I'd find you here," she says with a delighted laugh. "Always a lovely sight."

Following in behind Eirene, Edward also comes in without a mask but wearing a black doublet embroidered in gold and a pair of matching trousers. Different from his typical sea farer attire. He pauses just briefly as he gets his announcement and then he steps in with his brows furrowing. He notes the masked gathering and then cracks a half-grin before he turns and starts towards one of the displays, giving the Grandmaster a nod of acknowledgement as he passes him.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask says, with a chuckle, "Lady Eirene. How lovely it is to see you, your beauty unencumbered by any carved artifice." His tone is light and teasing, and remains so as he bows to Armel, as well. "A pleasure to see you as well, Grandmaster. The Knights' display can be found over there," he gestures languidly. "You are welcome to whichever you like, of course." Laughter bubbles in his throat, even as he moves to bow and greet the others coming in.

Someone wearing Archlector Vayne's mirrormask cuts an easily recognizable figure as one of Arx's most prominent habitual mask-wearers, even if the mirroring itself was not a dead giveaway. The heralds announce the arrival of the Archlector of the Thirteenth as he wastes little time in beckoning a man with a tray full of white wine goblets towards him.

Armel might swear a little bit under his breath at the fact there is a Knight's display at all, even as he nods firmly to Edward as the man passes. "Lord Redreef."

Someone wearing a Smiling Wolf mask slides a look over at Armel when the Grandmaster claps his shoulder. "I mean, I'd rather they remember my face, if not my name," he says all reasonable like. He mutters something quieter to Armel, eyeing the man from behind his mask.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask is content to slip aside. Far, far aside, though not far enough to escape the enthusiasm of the servers. Along the way she finds a glass of something sparkly in one hand. It's studied and cautiously sipped from before she decides it's better used to raise in a salute. Of course, in a crowd like this, it might be difficult to tell just which of the attendees she's hailing. Someone near the Nightbird, maybe.

A woman in a gown so dark a purple it appears almost black enters wearing a Serpent shaped mask, though it is a shimmering silk thing that reflects a good deal of light even if it is no Mirrormask, as if she wished to pay homage to those more reflective vestments. The fashion of Setarco is visible in the very cut of her gown, it shows off as much flesh as it conceals and the silk is of the highest quality. She enters arm-in-arm with a woman in all black leather, a long cloak, and a true Mirrormask, the two women murmuring to one another in appreciation for the art they are viewing or the crowd in general.

Eirene nods back to Edward as he passes by and looks past him to the Phoenix Brigade on display. "Well shit," she swears gently. "Hey, they got the sword right," she says of Flamemender; even if it isn't alaricite or diamond plate the blade is fairly recognizable. The NightBird is given a nod back in reply and a furrow of her brow as she tries to place the voice behind the visage.

Someone wearing reflective half-mask with twining vines and blooming roses says, "I'd recognise those eyes anywhere." Spreading her arms to welcome the featureless masked woman into a hug. "Good to see you tonight, darling. Quite the displays, aren't they? I do so look forward this evening's entertainment." She gives another bow of her head, acknowledging the Lord Nightbird. And giving another nod to the man in the firebird mask, as well. Raising a gloved hand to give a little wave in greeting to Eirene and Armel. "It's intriguing to see both familiar and new faces, and mingled with the masquerade, even those known most intimately seem to take on a different aspect."

Arriving a little late perhaps, or fashionably so if one had a mind to consider it, a person wearing a Handsome Swan Mask enters into the ballroom. The Swan treads just within the modest bounds of scandalously dressed, in a wrap that accumulates to a great swathe of delicately thin silver chains that melt like liquid mercury with his graceful stride. He pauses as one of the servers attends him, though he declines a drink with a quiet word before the Swan saunters himself to a nondescript area to apparently, take in the grandeur of the Whisper House and all the guests in attendance.

"Blessed Vayne! It is good to see you," the man in the Nightbird Mask proclaims, cheerfully. He doesn't interrupt the important intersection of Archlector and wine, of course, but his pleasure is obvious. In response to Eirene's scrutiny, there's only a wink, but really, there's a distinctive voice there - most usually heard being stern and repressive, of course. But now, there's only pleasure and jovility as he moves to greet those newly arrived. "Please, come. Celebrate the victory, the struggle, and the gods who protect and guide us."

Edward pauses in note to the words given to him and so the Lord turns and replies to Armel, "Good eve Grandmaster," and then Eirene gets a return of acknowledgement with a polite smile offered. When they are so taken by others he notes one of the displays that Eirene remarks upon and so goes to make his way that way, sweeping something sparkling off a tray as he passes to drink from.

Ulf arrives, following Fergus.

Someone wearing A Featureless Silver Facade's eyes crinkle into what is unmistakably a smile, though the rest of her face is obscured, she wraps her arms about her, squeezing tight before breaking the hug to lean affectionately into her side. "Sorry I couldn't enter with you, but I'm glad I could catch up. Do you know what kind of entertainment we should be expecting?" she asks, apparently knowing nothing of what she'd decided to attend, why plan?

Armel bobs his head to Eirene and remarks, "Always important to get the particulars right." He seems pleased at all the portrayals as he mumbles aside to the wolf-masked man, "I think nobody would /hugely/ care. Or if they do, I'm in big trouble, aren't I? You be you, that's Skald's entire concept." And then he's tipping his head wordlessly to the woman of vines and roses, not speaking a word to her before his attention shifts to drinks, making a beeline to snag a pair of them for himself and Eirene to pass off whatever it was. Wine? sure, wine.

Eirene tilts her head back in greeting to the Rose woman, offering a small smile. The Wolf is patted on the shoulder. "You'll get a fucking statue, ducky. One with you all heroic-posed and some quote that someone got wrong," she teases. "I figure they'll have to censor anything of mine they put on my tomb when that fucking day comes." Wine. Wine is good. She seems to be checking out the room- who has what weapons (peace tied though they are) and where the exits and entrances are. Not that she thinks there is danger; but she hasn't survived this long by being negligent.

Someone wearing reflective half-mask with twining vines and blooming roses sketches a curtsey to Archlector Vayne, one arm still around the woman in the Silver Facade. "Archlector," She purrs. Then gives another curtsey to the woman in the serpent mask. Focusing her attentions on her newly acquired companion, she offers a mild shrug. "Dance, wine, and good company seems the very least." She muses. And then "Oooh..." At the sight of the Swan-masked gent.

Fergus heard there was drinking. And where there's drinking, Fergus is likely to show up. Even if he's not wearing a mask. The particulars of the whys and hows are more than likely lost on the big Redrain, appearing in the doorway, the large man-at-arms Ulf with him. "Hey, go drink." he tells the man at his side. "If you're lucky, get laid while you're at it. You got free reign. Enjoy it." Giving the man a nod, he makes for the bar. Because booze is going to be there, right?

Someone wearing A Moretta Mask Crafted from Mirrored Stygian arrives arm in arm with a woman wearing a serpent mask. It's hard to tell who they are as the mask itself completely hides the face and the thick black cloak obscures the rest of them. It's surface is reflective and dark, serving as a distorted mirror for any that look into it. At the moment, their gaze seems locked onto Vayne or at least the figure who wears the archlector's familiar mask. Whispering quietly to her companion, the masked woman moves to greet the leader of the mirrormasks. "Archlector Vayne. Good to see you this evening."

The music swells and dances as servants in white and gold move about, carrying a variety of drinks and finger foods on heavy silver trays. Those who desire spirits are swiftly served, and those who are finished with their drinks have them whisked away almost as soon as they lower the glass, and the drink is replaced in the next breath, should they desire.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask raises both his hands to frame Wolf and Eirene in the near distance, the feathery dangle-sleeves of his robes drifting together. "A quote. 'There is no choice possible but the dutiful one.' Skald would love that."

Titania comes walking into the ball room she has no mask on her face, but she is in a very pretty violet dress. Her eyes widden a bit when she spots so many people and wearing masks, for a moment she rethinks her idea of coming.

It is a rare somewhat shy moment for the Eurusi dancer, as Nisaa struggles to recognize people by voice if not by sight. She does spot Armel though, and Edward, and Archlector Vayne, who she met once upon a time, and should they look her way, they would each get a dip of her head and a smile. When an attendant carrying a wine tray walks by, she reaches out with a dainty hand to snag a glass, smiling to them as she pulls it to her lips for a drink.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask's expression is still smiling - although the perceptive might pick up winces at some of the coarse language floating about - even as he turns to greet Fergus and bow. "Prince Fergus. It is good to see you. There is plenty to drink, I assure you. Please, enjoy yourself, and the blessings of Mangata." Seeing Titania, he offers another warm smile, trying to draw the wide-eyed woman further into the ball with a kindly, beckoning motion. "Come, be welcome, child of the Pantheon, to drink and make merry."

Someone wearing Archlector Vayne's mirrormask regards Legate Nightbird with a respectful dip of his head, cradling his goblet with one hand while the other remains behind his back. "Legate, good evening. A pleasure, as always." He gestures minutely with his goblet so as not to disturb the contents within overly much. "The preparations have exceeded expectations, wouldn't you say? I'll be certain to have a look at the hanging works of art on display before I leave tonight." The mirrormasks that greet him get their own bow and a smile. "Paladin, Princess. It's wonderful to see the both of you here tonight," he replies.

2 Redoubt Buccaneers, Minnow, the Boarhound-Mastiff Mix, Koi, the Boarhound-Mastiff Mix arrive, following Ariel.

"If you don't die cursing and spitting at whoever is trying to help you or kill you, I'll be most disappointed," Armel remarks aside to Eirene, smiling brightly at the thought as he lifts his glass to both Nisaa and to Fergus, since they are unmasked and thus easy to spot and recognize. He begins to peruse the finger foods, not hesitating to dig in as he glances aside to Eirene at her examination of the crowd. He himself does have his hammer, if peace-tied, and he murmurs to his companion with a snort.

Someone wearing A Featureless Silver Facade nods her featureless face up and down, looking over at her companion for a moment. "Dance and wine, and the best company. Though I feel I should at least mingle a little bit, but I hope I can get at least one dance from you before the night is through," she smiles, tilting her head to rest for a few moments on her shoulder. "Archlector," she nods her head. "Good to see you, quite a turnout so far!"

Someone wearing Shining Star mask works her way back through the crowd to take up position between the Wolf and the firebird. Hidden though her expression might be, there is no mistaking the relief in her quiet voice as she says, "Thank the gods above." She gives her skirts an anxious twitch to settle the hem in a silvery drift about her slippers, and raises the glass still clasped to toast voices she recognizes. "Who's getting a statue?"

The Swan tips his graceful head and pushes himself up to his bare toes to peer a little more clearly across the crowds of people. When the Swan Mask'd creature moves again it is towards the man in the Nightbird Mask; waiting a moment while the man greets guests before leaning close by the Nightbird's side.

Armel helpfully points out the man in the wolf-mask once Shining Star asks the question. He's nice like that.

Someone wearing a bejeweled silver butterfly mask slips in a bit late but made it at least. As she looks about, she sees a familiar face and begins to make her way over to Edward. Carefully moving through all gathered. Once near him, she will lean in and whisper something softly.

"/Ugh/," the man the Smiling Wolf mask says in reply to Eirene. "A statue. /Gross/. They wouldn't even get my hair right, probably." He peers over at the Firebird. "Ugh!" he says again. I need alcohol." He turns, seeing the Shining Star approaching, and just starts taking a step closer to her when he catches sight of the man in the Swan mask. His gaze catches on him, his head twists around, and then he's running directly into a chair at one of the tables, twisting around with an undignified noise, and then he trips and lands directly at the Shining Star's feet with a clatter. Hello.

Titania looks the person in the nightbird Mask's she smiles bowing her head some, "Thank you." she says softly movingin more her hands clasped in front of her. Her eyes scanning the room some to see who she may know who is here.

Hearing the word 'Archlector' stated once and again might catch the Serpent Masked woman's attention, for her green eyes scan part of the room from beneath her mask. A smile then lifts soft lips and she directs her companion over. "Archlector Vayne...it is you after all, I wonder how anyone could tell." More than a hint of dry in the young woman's voice, like a chardonnay.

"Blessing of Mangata, eh?" Fergus turns to look at the person with the Nightbird Mask. "Boy, ain't that some fucking irony." He doesn't expand on that. "Hey, thanks. I plan to. But ah..." he looks down at himself at pads a finger at his scar. "Doubt this is going to hide who I am, right? Then again, think the height kinda gives me away. No mask ain't gonna help with that, I figure.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask spreads his hands wide, now. "Statues for everyone! Every man a statue, every woman a statue, we will all be remembered." At this, 'course, Wolf trips and pratfalls next to Star, and the firebird shakes his head, the beak swinging dangerously. "Little weak in the knees, there?" He stoops between Star and Wolf to offer the latter a hand up.

Someone wearing reflective half-mask with twining vines and blooming roses pats the Featureless Facade on the shoulder. "Of course you'll have at least one dance. Though I don't know how long I'll be staying, I wanted to at least show my face - even a painted one - and delight in the hospitality of Whisper House," She admits. She looks around. "Who do you want to mingle with first?"

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask waves for a servant to bring Titania a drink, and smiles at her. "Just let a servant know what you desire, my lady, and it will appear. No one here bites." A wink, then he pretends to think about it. "Well, I'm not /entirely/ certain that's true, but I'm sure they need to be asked first."

Someone wearing A Moretta Mask Crafted from Mirrored Stygian gives a short, crisp bow to the Archlector. "I would never miss a party." She says cheerily before glancing back to her serpent masked companion. "But it's good to see you again. There is much we should discuss." Pausing at her friend's words, Isolde chuckles. "When you're free of course. I'll let you enjoy tonight."

Eirene is drinking and scoping out the room while dressed in black leather; in short, being herself. Except the leather is trimmed in blue and not red. She shakes her head to something Armel asks and nahs. "It's only just begun, who knows, it may get interesting." Like the Wolf falling down.

With a new glass given to him, Edward continues to look at the statues and the depictions. Moving quietly from one to the other, occasionally glancing around. He smiles to Nisaa and gives her a motion towards him before he glances back to the current display he is at then notices the butterfly that approaches him. He tilts his head as he is spoken to and then he replies after a drink from his flute of wine.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask squeaks in /most/ undignified fashion, hopping back as the Wolf deposits himself so gracelessly at her feet. The glass she'd been holding? That hops too, and while she doesn't lose it, what's /in/ it is not so fortunate. Which means Wolf is going to be dribbled on, and Firebird too, as she thrusts her champagne-dripping hand /away/ from her fancy new clothes. "Oh gods, are you alright?" That chair, it just leapt out and tackled him!

Arriving a little bit late comes a man with a silver mask on his face. Gray eyes sweep the rom and he blinks toward the man in the wolf mask. He begins to wander in that direction, one dark skinned hand rubbing over his head. A tilt of his head is given when he spots the smiling wolf mask'd man on the ground.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask chuckles at Fergus. "Your Highness, masks are not required, and not everyone enjoys the possibilities a mask creates. Go as you like, and be welcome," he adds, with a low laugh. Then he turns around to give the Star, Wolf, and Firebird a /look/. Somehow, it manages to be stern /even through the maask/.

Armel chuckles, shaking his head as he remarks aside to Eirene, "Fair enough. Get up, you bloody gawker." And he /tries/ to move and help the poor man get up, glancing to the Nightbird as he mutters, "Your dad is watching."

The man in the Swan Mask chuckles softly by the Nightbird, though his attention is brisked away for the clatter of a chair and the Wolf. The Swan dips his head a touch, bringing a hand to the mouth of the mask as if to hide a small laugh. Poor Wolf.

Someone wearing a reflective half-mask with twining vines and blooming roses blinks at the sudden shift of motion, offering a hand to the fallen wolf. Looking to firebird and star. Moving to help Wolf as well, and looking over to Armel. "Grandmaster. a pleasure to see you here tonight."

Nisaa gracefully makes her way to Edward when he motions to her. She stops a step away though, out of respect for the masked woman leaning in to him for a whisper.

"Thank you and I would hope they would ask first." she grins taking the drink and sipping it, "I will remember that." she spots someone she knows, "Please excues me." she turns to head in Edwards direction.

Someone wearing a bejeweled silver butterfly mask remains closer to Edward as she moves along with him to look over the statues, taking one of the glasses as she continues to softly talk with him.

Justice, an elegant hunting falcon arrives, delivering a message to Someone wearing a silver volto with pale blue stones before departing.

Seeing people without masks is likely a bit glaring compared to the ones that do. And Fergus spies Eirene and Armel as being a few that decided to be like him and go sans-masks. "Look at this pair of losers." he utters in good humor, heading on over. "Malvici. Armel. Seems like you two move in unison. Here for the free drinks too?"

Someone wearing Smiling white volto arrives. Any decoration whatsoever has been rendered utterly null and void, save for a very light glaze over the mask's eternally smiling countenance. The mask is friendly, innocent, inviting--much like a winterscape after a devastating blizzard has buried everything in its path.

"Of course, Princess," Vayne replies to the lady in the Moretta Mask before turning to the Serpent masked woman to analyze her a moment before smiling in recognition. "I should wonder myself, Reflection," he says lightly. "Regular attendance at the Shrine would be the first step I would reccom-" He glances mildly towards the source of the clattering chair and abandons his line of conversation for a quick sip of wine. "Hmm. Perhaps decamping from the main floor to a more secluded location would be a wise course of action," he says. "And a ready supply of more white wine would be a fine bonus. To the bar it is, then."

Someone wearing Archlector Vayne's mirrormask has joined the Semi-circular Bar.

Someone wearing a Smiling Wolf mask stares at -- three? -- different hands now trying to help him up. "I'm /fine/," he argues at all of them, eventually opting for Armel's hand as the steadiest to grab and hoist himself up with. "I'm blaming this," he declares, pulling the mask off and raking a hand through his hair. "Gods. Don't call him that!" he hisses at Armel, blanching a bit, and glances over towards the entrance.

Armel has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing a Smiling Wolf mask has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing A Moretta Mask Crafted from Mirrored Stygian has joined the Semi-circular Bar.

"When do I pass up free booze," Eirene replies to Fergus with a snort of amusement, her arms folded over her chest. Perhaps she's not entirely comfortable in a corset but the glass in her hand is at least familiar. "We need a rematch on our drinking contest, yes?"

Eirene has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Edward moves with the woman in the silver butterfly mask and then he smiles as he looks at Nissa and motions. He says to the lady he is next to, "I want to introduce you to someone I know." he smiles to Nissa and then glances to the butterfly masked woman, "She is a dancer here at the Whisper House."

Someone wearing Smiling white volto has joined the Semi-circular Bar.

Someone wearing A Featureless Silver Facade jumps back in surprise as Wolf falls down, she scoops up a glass of wine and tilts her mask upwards a touch to take a small sip with a concerned smile, looking then to the blooming roses. "Oh dear. Perhaps we should make sure he's okay?" she suggests as the wolf mask is helped up.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask moves to set her glass on a table and right the fallen chair, while everyone else converges on Wolf. It is possible this rapid tidying up is in reaction to the Nightbird's fierce look. It is possible that the Star is feeling both guilty and self-conscious at being singled out by someone else's pratfall. The way she slides into the same chair after that manages meek penitence. Nothing to see here.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing A Serpent Mask has joined the Semi-circular Bar.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask says, with a laugh, "He's fine. It takes more than a little fall to bruise a wolf, my lady." He bows to her, and seems to have recovered from the sternness in record time.

Someone wearing a bejeweled silver butterfly mask smiles to from Edward to Nisaa as she says "I have had the pleasure of meeting Miss Nisaa, though only briefly a while back. Though I have yet to see her perform in truth. Perhap we could have a dance together?"

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask withdraws his hand, useful as it was like to be, and hurries up standing and away from Nightbird's gaze, albeit not without a, "I was very well-behaved!" Who can avoid a little defensiveness. Mock as it is.

Someone wearing a silver volto with pale blue stones has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Armel merely beams at Wolf-boy, clapping him on the shoulder after he helps him easily to his feet, one thing he's good for, certainly. "Oh, just messing with you, buddy. Go on, get a drink, and yeah, take the dang mask off." He hums to himself, moving off to find Fergus after that little message. "Someone said something about a drinking contest?" He seems to be about one hundred percent more alert now, to say the least.

"Just go an fucking pull my leg why don't you." Fergus grunts, pulling up a chair with the others. "Though I don't know if it's gonna be a decent drinking with just wine here. Think I got something a bit more stronger for that. Gonna need some glasses." The man never goes anywhere without his satchel, slung around into his lap, withdrawing a black and red bottle. Large, bold words label it with an intimidating brand name. BLOODRAGE. "Sit your ass down, Armel. Proper drinking, get that wine out of your hand and pull up your big boy britches."

Laughter under her voice, the Serpent Masked lady smiles. "Regular attendance at the Shrine...that must help. Yet I am there more days and nights than not and have only seemed to pick you out from the crowd, Archlector...perhaps the others are too skilled at disguise to elude me. Or else I do not pay enough attention to the world around me. Hmm."

The entity in the smiling white volto mask drifts with terrible purpose toward the semi-circular bar, her stark white dress trailing behind her. Unadorned, featureless, the dress is plain and simple, adhering to perilous curves and snow-white planes of colorless white. A cap covers the white one's head, from neck to mask, completely concealing the person underneath.

Nisaa dips her head to Edward and the woman wearing the bejeweled butterfly mask. "Good evening. I perform the dance of Eurusi, it is not a dance of joining, typically," she explains. "I am just learning of the dances done here. I will hold performance soon, and you will see." She smiles delicately.

3 Rough and tumble sailors arrives, following Merida.

Ainsley has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

3 Rough and tumble sailors have been dismissed.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask shifts himself into a seat, but not without a long, curious glance toward Smiling White volto, impressed by the sheer sinister.

The Swan dips his head, a touch, standing beside the man wearing a Nightbird Mask, while he looks about as guests mingle.

Fergus has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing a bejeweled silver butterfly mask nods softly then says something softly to Nisaa before she draws back and says "I do look forward to your performance though. I hope to see them very soon."

Armel also spares a tight nod to the rose-and-vine-masked woman. "Lady Fidante." All he says, and roughly at that, before he turns to join the tight group of others, including Fergus. "Oh, Bloodrage! Love this stuff, I've only had it a couple times. Better than the southern swill, certainly." He seats himself down where it's convenient and downs the rest of his drink with one swallow, leaning in for a proper refill.

Fergus drops a wax sealed black whiskey bottle labeled 'Bloodrage'.

Titania smiles to Edward when she moves over to him, "Lord Redreef, it is good to see you." she miles softly then looking to Nisaa and the woman in the butterfly mask, "Hello." she says to them as well.

There is far more than just wine available - although, to be honest, there is probably not anything called 'bloodrage' in the crystal and cut glass bottles that are abundant throughout the ballroom. This is likely a deliberate choice, if the look the Nightbird Mask gives the black and red bottle is anything to go by. Still. MERRIMENT. He continues to greet people, and waves at the musicians to move from their 'holding' music to something lively, and meant to be danced to.

Eirene is still a bit suspicious of some of the bodies milling about. Faces hidden, funny costumes... she can't help it. The blue-eyed woman glances away back to the men and the coming contest. "Bring it, then." She flags down a servant and requests a half-dozen shot glasses so they can add more people. "And watch your mouth about Southern swill," she says with a scowl. "Nothing beats a Southport julip in the summertime."

Someone wearing Smiling white volto turns her head, leveling hard blue eyes on the Firebird Ascendant, the stare completely at odds with the friendly innocence of the porcelain mask. Maintaining eyecontact, the figure very lightly sits on one of the stools at the bar, crossing legs under the fully concealing dress.

Edward smiles to Nisaa, "Well perhaps the lovely Butterfly could give you a taste of what dancing is like...," he stops as they both confer and so he lets his attention drift for a few minutes. He notes the table with Fergus and the big bottle even from here. He hmms softly to himself in consideration and then he looks back to the ladies near him, a smile for Titania, "Good evening Lady Kennex." he inclines his head to her, "I hope you are well."

Someone wearing A beautiful half-face sparkling blue sea-dragon mask, adorned with glimmering rubies steps into the ballroom with a curious glance around, at least as curious as one can seem adorned in a mask. Resting her back against the column she surveys the others, not quite yet making a move to join.

Someone wearing a bejeweled silver butterfly mask looks to Titania as she says "Lady Titania, it is a pleasure to meet you. I hope you are enjoying yourself." At Edward's suggestion, she looks to him as she says "I would indeed adore to do that." As she looks to Nissa with a curious tilt of her head as she comments "I promise I can lead and follow quite well. Though if you rather not. I will not push it."

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask smiles, a light tug-up of one side of his mouth, and maintains eye contact with Smiling white, even if it requires him reseat himself so that his arms are folded over the back of the chair, so he's straddled, his robe now just barely touching the ground. His dark eyes are just mildly curious, though. What fun!

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask murmurs back to the Swan mask wearing man, his tone warm, before turning his attention to the woman in the sea-dragon mask as she comes in. He bows to her, and beckons warmly. "Come, please, and enjoy the evening. There are drinks, music, and treats for all the senses. Celebrate the gods in joy and revelry."

Ugarte, Binky, an asshole crow arrive, following Aureth.

Someone wearing Smiling white volto looks away from Firebird Ascendant, dismissive. Aloof. Unconcerned. A look to the server at the bar, and a lifted finger in a white, arm-length glove. She nods to the man's question and takes a blue drink...but does not drink it. Instead, she sits it next to herself, at the next empty seat over. As cold as the eternal winter of the north, her eyes survey and do not linger.

Someone wearing a reflective half-mask with twining vines and blooming roses gives a few waves and smiles, before she slips out, apparently drained.

Fidelia Fidante, A Lady-in-Waiting leaves, following Juliet.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask executes a light shrug and turns his attention, and the cant of his posture, back toward the table.

All of the Houses and armies are represented in the hangings on display throughout the room - no doubt many of the guests will recognize themselves in heroic or action poses - the hangings do not entirely sanitize the horrors of war, of course; memorials are also scattered throughout, with portraits of the lost, from high to low, and space for people to write prayers or memorial verse if they wish, and empty stands of silver candlesticks to be lit.

The Swan leans close to the Nightbird mask'd man briefly before stepping away and heading towards the the guest table draped in lace. Where a dubious looking bottle has been brought out. And onward the Swan saunters!

Someone wearing a Handsome Swan mask has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Titania smiles, "I am well, if not a bit over whelmed at the moment." she looks around at all the masked people. She bites her lips, "Would you all like to find some place to sit?"

Someone wearing Shining Star mask lifts her hand, fingers and thumb spread delicately to cover the eye-holes of her mask. Her posture is that of a person who very much wishes to facepalm but is trying to be fancy about it.

Someone wearing A beautiful half-face sparkling blue sea-dragon mask, adorned with glimmering rubies has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing A beautiful half-face sparkling blue sea-dragon mask, adorned with glimmering rubies cants her head somewhat before offering a broad smile, pushing herself from the column to cross over to man in the Nightbird mask. She offers a fluid curtsy to both him and the man in the swan mask before eyeing the many tables. She moves to one with a sway to her movements akin to dancing before taking a seat at the round table with many guests, a drink quickly brought to her.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask continues to move about to greet people, not settling at any one group or place. He does, however, snag a glass of wine because it is a summer night, and even a three-story high room is rather /warm/ as it begins to fill. The curtsy is met with a bow and a broad smile. He does pause by the Shining Star mask, and leans in close to say something to her.

Someone wearing grinning white skull mask arrives. It is very subtle, his arrival. What with the skull, and the crow riding his shoulder. He surveys the ballroom with composure lent him largely by the stitched silk of the skull he wears. This is pretty glam, you guys.

Edward smiles to Titania as he gives a nod, "Of course." he looks at the tables and then he motions, "How about that one." and then he gives the Butterfly a nudge towards Nissa with a ilght smile on his face for the action. He turns then and goes to walk towards a table, draining his glass and swapping it for another on the way.

Edward has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing a bejeweled silver butterfly mask nods softly at Titania's words says "I am sure you will get the hang out it all." Her attention then looks to Edward before it is back upon Nissa, awaiting a response.

Titania has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Nisaa smiles and dips her head to Titania. "Good evening," she says to her, then turns to Edward. "If it is her wish, I could try, though I seem to be a fair bit of the tired tonight." She looks around the busy ballroom and says, "perhaps sometime more quiet to how it is now?" She nods as they begin to walk towards the tables, joining them there.

After whispering to Shining Star for a moment, Orazio turns, and gives the Wolf a LOOK. He makes a brief, but unmistakable gesture - the universal sign for 'I'm watching you'.

Nisaa has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask didn't tattle. Really, really she didn't. Though it isn't going to help her plausible deniability, that she reaches to try to intercept the Nightbird before he goes all stern authority figure on Aleksei. A brief pluck of fingers against sleeve, a quick murmur, and she shakes her head.

"What!" Aleksei declares in a tone of wounded innocence when the Nightbird gives him that LOOK. "I fell! I'm the victim!"

Someone wearing a bejeweled silver butterfly mask offers a soft shrug of her shoulders, just watching as they all go to the table. She instead joins the dance floor and begins to gracefully move by herself to the music. A smile curling her lips as she glides.

The Swan sighs a little too loudly in that moment, for some reason.

Someone wearing a bejeweled silver butterfly mask checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 42 higher.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask listens to the Shining Star's whisper, chuckles, and whispers something back before patting her shoulder and moving on. He just /looks/ at the Wolf Mask, once again. Then moves past his place at the table and pats him on the shoulder as well, before moving on.

Eirene is glancing at Nightbird when she takes a drink, grinning at the masked man before her table of ne'er do wells.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask slips from her chair when Nightbird ventures off. Her hand lands briefly on Firebird's shoulder as she rises, a quick smoothing of his painted feathers, before she trails after the host to exchange a few more quiet words.

The ballroom is in full swing, with many people having broken off to tables to talk and chat and probably plot doom. A woman in a beautiful silver mask is dancing with grace by herself on the floor, and a man in a Nightbird Mask is wandering from group to group, greeting people as he can. He does turn as the Shining Star approaches, his smile quick and ready.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask stands up from the guest table, stretches his shoulders back slight, then ventures across the great hall to deposit himself at the bar and its rather more mirrored occupants.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask has joined the Semi-circular Bar.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask listens to the words shared, and grins. Rather than whisper back, he just steps back, offers an elegant bow, and then his hand, to lead her to the dance floor, with a nod to the butterfly masked woman.

Someone wearing A Serpent Mask has left the Semi-circular Bar.

Eirene tinks her glass against Armel's before she tosses back the potent drink. "And on that note, I'm out. It was different," she says with a nod as she stands. "Not my scene for sure but a lovely set-up all the same." She raises a hand in farewell to the Nightbird as she makes for the doors.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask slips her hand into the one offered, a moment of deja vu from her arrival. Beneath the pearl and silver curve of her mask, her smile tucks brighter and lingers long enough to be offered to the butterfly as they proceed to the dance floor. Of course, having prompted this, her turn back towards the Nightbird is slightly awkward-- she needs a moment to determine where to set her other hand, settling for the outer crest of his shoulder. "I never studied dancing," comes the confession.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask checked charm + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Someone wearing Smiling white volto turns her mask to watch the person in the grinning skull. Her mask is featurelessly white, with a friendly smile, and a hard stare from the gleaming blue eyes beneath. She wears a stark white dress from head to toe, her hair covered by a white cowl fitted to the mask and the dress hugging snow-covered features.

The little princess arrives late, though she has the good grace to look apologetic as she smiles. Having said that, Valencia enters the room with grace, head held high and her expression on of schooled serenity. Clad in storm grey southern silks that elegantly embrace slender waist and sultry curves, the raven-haired fox, wears her long dark waves ins soft curls swept stylishly up and held into place with a set of beautiful steel hair sticks. She pauses just inside the room to get her barrings.

Eirene has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Fergus picks up a wax sealed black whiskey bottle labeled 'Bloodrage'.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask guides the shining star's hands where they need to be without making it obvious that he's doing so, and starts leading in a rather simple, if elegant, dance. No showy moves here, with that confession, but just something easy to follow, that still fits into the music and flow around them. He smiles down at the Star. "Then you humble me, for you dance beautifully without instruction. It's embarassing, really," he adds, so deadpan he /must/ be joking. Probably.

Fergus has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Ulf leaves, following Fergus.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask is able to master 'simple', at least, and leaves whatever elegant flourishes the dance requires to Nightbird's lead. The compliment granted leads to a soft huff of breath and the start of a headshake. Midway through that she must reconsider refusal, because he earns another smile as she matches step to step, turn to turn. Something is offered back, quietly spoken.

Someone wearing grinning white skull mask turns the white skull toward the white volto, pale eyes glinting with a shade of humor that matches the broad grin that inevitably comes from, you know, being a skull. The rest of his kit, however, is much less white. "Good evening," he says. He sounds sunny. As sunny as a skull can sound.

Armel has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask is whispering at the Shining Star mask on the dancefloor, shaking his head at something said, and responding. The musicians continue to play a sprightly tune, trying to draw further dancers than the three on the floor, and servants move about, fetching and replacing drinks with a ferocious dedication to punctuality.

Someone wearing the visage of a cunning vixen cast in sculpted ceramic steps into the ballroom and gazes about, eyes glittering from beneath the mask she wears. She stops not too far from the entrance to gaze around her. Her hands are clasped before her, the skin moon pale and flawless. A long look lingers on the dance floor and the dancers upon it, following their movements with an even turn to her head.

Someone wearing Smiling white volto nods slowly to the Grinning White Skull, her friendly visage emitting a chill, unfriendly, "Salutations..." Grim, icy, harsh, her voice is accompanied by the narrowing of her deep ice blue eyes, revealing white paint has been applied around them, giving the person underneath the illusion of being unusually pale.

Valencia watches the dancers with a smile, the beautiful eye-catching masks move about her seeming to bring a bright flash of smile to the little fox's eyes. Glancing across the dance floor, she smiles and offers a warm incline of head to her cousins Isolde and Elenya and another bright smile is offered to Nisaa, Aleksei and Titania as they are recognizes across the floor. She turns again, stepping out of the way of a pair of another masked revelers, her eyes finding Edward. A shy smile finds her face and she turns her eyes back to watch the dancing.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask adjusts the cadence of her steps in a bid to match sprightly. It means the poor Nightbird's hand will be squeezed that much tighter, his shirt rumpled at the shoulder where she leans to try to steal support for speed from her partner. Countdown until his toes are trod upon, five, four, three...

Edward rises from his seat and breaks away from the table. He finishes his glass of wine and lets it slip off to one of the servers passing by. With a clear objective, Edward slips around other party-goers to the newly arrived Princess Valencia. He gives her a warm smile as he approaches, "Your Highness...," getting close to speak softly to her.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 6 lower.

"The monochrome is striking," remarks the skull with casual grace, sketching a little bow. The faint film threaded through his eyeholes lends the eerie illusion of a blue glow to his eyes, like the skull glows with some creepy occult inner fire of a terrible sense of humor. He doffs his tall hat as he does so, the pale sheen of his fair hair falling around his shoulders with the dip. He flows back upright again, the hat flipping back over his wrist in a casual play of sleight of hand until he returns it to the crown of his hair.

Oblivious to his danger, the man in the Nighbird Mask continues to exchange murmured words with his partner...at least until the Star treads heavily on his poor feet, which being in dancing shoes, are not made for this sort of thing. You'd think he could just grin and bear it, but an audible grunt is surprised out of him, and he does an odd little hop-skip on the floor in reaction. He...he...meant to do that?

Valencia glances aside as Edward approaches and offers him a beautiful smile, "My dearest Lord Edward. I'm so happy to see you." There is a little laugh as he whispers in her ear, and her cheeks flush a little. "The boldest, my lord. Withouth a doubt." She pauses and looks up at him, leaning in again to listen.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask does not help with a subtle recovery. Nightbird is hopping, and her own steps grind to a halt so she can flutter her hands at him and blurt, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry, I'm terrible at this!" It's true. Really.

Oh dear. Whatever Shining Star tells Nightbird Mask in that moment seems to fluster the already discombobulated dancer, and the dance itself comes to a stumbling halt. "Ah, no, of course not. I tripped, and I beg your forgiveness," he says, loyally polite, but now he's trying to guide her gently off the floor, lest they run into other dancers. He clears his throat, and leans in to murmur something to her.

Someone wearing Smiling white volto nods slowly, her grim voice judging as her mask inclines, "While you are very animated for a skeleton. Even more so than usual." The dark blue eyes dart over the skull's other features, narrowing a bit afterward. The dress falls below her ankles, and would trail along the floor, if she were not seated at the bar. Arm-length white gloves along with the cowl ensure that not an inch of her is visible to the harsh glare of the ballroom's candlelight.

Someone wearing a bejeweled silver butterfly mask continues to gracefully move about the dance floor, her eyes searching for someone to take as a partner for herself. Her smile ever present are her dark purple lacy seasilk moves so perfectly with her movements.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask angles a glance over-shoulder at the dancing, his lopsided smile tugging a bit brighter, if a bit uncertain for all that. There's pain and trod-upon toes, after all.

Edward whispers something more to the Princess and then he takes a hand that is offered to him. He grins and then he walks with her out into the primary dance area where the others are and he draws her in and begins to lead them into the music. His head tilted so that he could speak to her softly.

Someone wearing the visage of a cunning vixen cast in sculpted ceramic's expression can't be seen beneath her mask, but the woman's head does cant to the side, spilling golden curls over a silk clad shoulder, as she watches the interplay between the Nightbird and the Shining Star, as a misstep is taken and a foot falls victim to it.

Saedrus checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask is rather more stiff in exiting the dance floor than she had been upon entering it. What's said earns a short nod to the Nightbird, a dip of head accomplished with chin tucked low. Her hands at her sides pluck at the froth and whimsy of her skirt, unsettling the silk, while she responds in kind, softly.

Edward has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing grinning white skull mask allows a low chuckle to escape his throat. "Strangely enough, that happens around me a lot," he says, his fingers curling lightly beneath the silken aspect of bone that would be his chin. The lift his his wrist bares the glittering silver bracelet he wears more prominently into view, dangling its charms. "Skeletons can be livelier than you'd think."

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask's mask doesn't allow a lot of emotion to come through, but he's no longer smiling. He whispers to his partner as they reach the edge, and offers an elegant bow.

Nisaa has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

From the lace guest tables Saedrus, bereft of his mask, suddenly saunters off at more 'storming' level. Cheeks flushed the courtesan moves across the floor towards the Whisper House receiving room.

Saedrus has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

The Smiling White leans forward, the happy, friendly, innocent face covering narrowed eyes and the hint of an icy sneer. "Yes, that *was* the joke..." But then the eyes of the mask flit down over the charms, and the woman in white leans back crossing her legs once more, languidly. She gestures to the blue drink next to her, before an empty seat at the bar. "Sit. Drink. You are warm for the walking dead, but tolerable."

Valencia smiles shyly as Edward takes her into his arms and the dance begins, delicate chin tilted up so that they may speak softly. Her expression is nothing short of delighted as she moves with an easy grace, small booted feet keeping step witih his as they turn about the dancefloor.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask performs a rough-edged curtsy in answer to the Nightbird's bow. It is unbefitting her finery, and might account for her quick withdrawal-- she near flees back to the table she'd come from originally.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask has joined the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Titania has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Someone wearing grinning white skull mask claims the seat at the bar readily enough, turning backwards as he hauls himself up. He doffs the hat to set it down beside him and flicks his wrist, sending the fall of his hair backwards with the flick of his wrist. "I only do awful jokes these days. It's kind of a professional hazard."

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask sighs. Just sighs. And rubs the back of his neck, before turning towards the entrance. Seeing Saedrus storming off draws another sigh, and he moves in that direction, before seeing the woman in the vixen mask. After a moment, his shoulders square, and he moves towards her, instead, offering her a bow. "Welcome, Lady Vixen. I hope you're well?" His early jocularity is somewhat muted, but he smiles, still.

Someone wearing grinning white skull mask has joined the Semi-circular Bar.

Aleksei is clearly the shocked and confused cause of Saedrus's exit from the table, and he scrambles to stand. "What'd I do?" is the eternal Aleksei mantra. He shoots the Shining Star a pained sort of look as he starts off and tries to maneuver his way through the crowd after the courtesan.

Isolde chuckles before taking another sip of her wine. It's rapidly running out. "Not dark, just." A smile plays on her lips. "Less restrained then a typical festival of the faith." Some would argue that Tehom was dark in and of herself but not Isolde. Her gaze flickers between the firebird masked man and then the mess on the dance floor. The whole scene is kind of cute in an embarrassing way. "So, do you have any suggestion for our party planning?" She downs the last bit of wine. "As to not scare off those unaccustomed to the thirteenth." It doesn't seem like a serious question but Isolde does look a little curious.

Edward notes the scene and swings his partner away from the goings on so that they can move into a corner of the dance floor and maintain their movements. He smiles to those gathered for a moment to ensure there is no panic or need for help and then he looks back to the Princess and leans in to speak again.

Someone wearing Shining Star mask slides into place beside Aleksei's vacated chair and draws off her mask, revealing the priestess beneath as flushed and flustered. That would explain why she reaches for the nearest glass, after the mask is carefully set aside. Summer-blue eyes cast over the ballroom while she sips, the plaintive Skaldian's departure marked and then left as her regard wanders on.

Someone wearing the visage of a cunning vixen cast in sculpted ceramic dips her head in a nod at the man in the Nightbird mask before offering in a low, husky voice, "Thank you. I am very well, thank you. This is lovely. I've never been in the Whisper House before." One hand lifts to gesture at the elegantly appointed ballroom before lowering to rejoin its mate to clasp before her. She glances down at the man's foot and then up, asking in a playful tone, "And you? Are you well? Is your foot?"

Saedrus comes to a remarkably delicate stop, considerig the oncoming storm's pace he had been taking, when Aleksei pleads innocence. The courtesan waits where he stopped, out the way of dancers and other guests, not far from the door. And once Aleksei was within polite speaking distance Saedrus speaks quietly to the man; remaining ever calm and poised, sans storming.

"Oh, my foot is fine," the Nightbird Mask is quick to reassure, "although my manners have /clearly/ suffered. Maybe I'm going senile," he claims, with a glance towards Saedrus and Aleksei, before turning his attention back to the vixen. "The ballroom is extravagantly beautiful, is it not? I'm honored the Whispers allowed us to take up space. May I fetch you a drink?" he adds, with a gesture at a servant. Who admittedly, immediately draws near, meaning than any 'fetching' must be theoretical. The thought that counts.

Archlector Ilvin Steadworth of Limerance managed to miss the 'fun' of the siege of Arx, arriving unfashionably late after it was over, and it appears that's going to be his general modus operandi going forward, because here he is, unfashionably late to the celebration as well. And not even wearing a mask! How gauche. Still, he made it, the little priest with the dark blonde hair and bright cognac eyes smiling excitedly despite his obvious social faux pas as he takes in the view of all the masked celebrants and the magnificent ballroom. "... oh, my."

"I'm glad to hear that," the Vixen says with amusement in her tone, if not seen on her lips. She fixes a lingering gaze on the dance floor before turning her masked face to the Nightbird Mask again and saying, "That might be nice, though, if, as you've claimed, you've not injured yourself too badly, I would rather be danced with." There is a tilt of the woman's head in the direction of the dance floor as if in question, the mask hiding whatever thought or feeling might be expressed on the woman's face, yet it doesn't quite hide the glimmer of pale blue eyes beneath the ceramic visage.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask steps back just enough to give an low bow to the Vixen. "It would be my honor, I assure you." Indeed, his forgotten smile has returned in a brilliant grin, and he offers a hand. "But, fair warning, if I am terrible, it would be wicked to mock me for it, for I am elderly." He glances over as Ilvin comes in, and offers a wave to the man. "Blessed Ilvin, please, come in. Celebrate the gods with joy." The Legate's voice is very recognizable.

Samantha makes her way into the ballroom. She lacks a mask, but that's alright, because the body paint that matches her gown is swirled on her skin like sparkling black dust, making her seem like a burning coal ember. She takes a moment to smooth out the slimming gown, eyeing her figure with a certain wry air of humor before proceeding further inward.

Another smile parts her lips as Edward spins her about. Dark eyes dancing, she looks up at him, her cheeks flushing again. "You are a remarkable dancer, my lord. Wherever did you learn?" Valenica asks with little laugh.

Gisele folds her hands around a glass of wine. In the span of an evening she's gone from using such a thing as a prop, to more than one sip taken in a brief amount of time. It must help-- some of the colour rampant in her cheeks has faded, aided by the occasional flutter of hand near her face to help that cooling off. While recovering from having crushed the host's poor feet, she scans the ballroom, and makes minute adjustments to the tabled mask, turning the silver-wire star out for easy viewing.

"I always do!", Ilvin replies, his smile as infectious as ever as he's greeted by the Nightbird masked one. "Thank you." He bows his head lightly, and makes his way further in, bright eyes searching curiously through the crowd for- aha! Drinks. Quick steps make a beeline for the refreshments.

Where Saedrus is perfectly poised, Aleksei is looking utterly confused and a bit forlorn. He speaks quietly to the other man, but his hand gestures are wide and baffled.

"Do I look like the sort of woman that would mock?" The Vixen reaches to take the Nightbird Mask's hand, her pale fingers squeezing his lightly as she murmurs in a bemused tone, "Though, I suspect that you will be far from a terrible dancer. Call it something of a hunch." The Vixen briefly glanes toward Aleksei and Saderus, a gleam in her pale eyes as she gazes between the two, but then fixes her attention on the Nightbird Mask once again as she begins to lead him toward the dance floor. "Shall we?"

Edward gives a light smile in return to the Redrain Princess, "It was taught to me as all things. A necessary component of being raised properly." he chuckles softly as he gives her a spin and then draws her back in again.

"I would be a poor man if I did not bow to a lady's hunch. I will endeavor to not disappoint," the man in the Nightbird Mask claims, with a warm smile, and is led to the dance floor. Once there, of course, he takes up the dance and leans closer to whisper to the Vixen.

Gisele draws a breath. Thusly steeled, she rises with glass in hand to step free of the table again. A flickering glance darts towards Aleksei and Saedrus then skims away as if embarrassed, or shy of being caught peeking. She aims herself instead towards Ilvin and the same tray of drinks the Archlector is looking to borrow from. "Blessed," is quiet greeting. "It's good to see you out and about."

Someone wearing a bejeweled silver butterfly mask begins to gracefully make her way off the dancefloor and to the exit. One can only dance alone for so long before wishing to flutter off.

The little raven-haired fox blinks up at Edward's next wisper and her cheeks flush crimson. "I... um.. Oh, really, my lord," Valencia says in a subtle attempt to maintain composure. "And how do you know this," she asks with an impish lift of her brow and a little smile.

2 Redoubt Buccaneers, Minnow, the Boarhound-Mastiff Mix, Koi, the Boarhound-Mastiff Mix leave, following Ariel.

Someone wearing the visage of a cunning vixen cast in sculpted ceramic easily falls into the steps of the dance, moving gracefully with the music and to her partner's lead. A low, rich laugh is heard from beneath the mask as she responds, "If only more men thought like you and realized that it is better to simply accede to a lady's hunches instead of question them, the world would be a much more peaceful place, I think." The Vixen takes advantage of the dance to lean in and murmur to the Nightbird Mask.

Ilvin's quick fingers easily snatch up a drink, and he's about to take a sip when Gisele's approach causes him to pause. His smile widens in recognition, and he turns to focus the full warmth of his attention on her. "It's good to *be* out and about. I've barely had a moment to myself since returning to Arx- the Shrine has been packed, thank Limerance. It's been *wonderful*. And this- oh, this is a lovely event, isn't it?", he says, excitedly, before managing to rein himself in. "Oh, sorry, I'm being rude, aren't I? How are *you*? I've missed so much in my time away. You must tell me everything."

Saedrus looks to sigh, and steps up close enough to Aleksei he can reach up and frame the Paladin's jaw in both hands. Words are exchanged, still quietly spoken, but classically the tables seemed to have turned like the courtesan was apologising.

There is no resisting Ilvin's smile. Gisele's returns under that light, though she partially obscures with with a dip of her head, shyness and respectful greeting both. But then her eyes widen slightly. "/Everything/?" is almost a squeak. "Ah... that would... take hours, I think, and not all of it fit for... for a ball as fine as this one. It's beautiful, isn't it? Father Orazio's idea, the wall hangings. When Aleksei saw his, he tripped and fell." Only a slight smudging of the truth. Really.

Edward chuckles softly, "I have learned a lot of things, Your Highness." and he turns her again as he listens and watches others for a moment come and go from the area where the dancing is had. He glances back to her and then he adds, "Perhaps it is not true."

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask inclines his head to his partner, with a smile. "I have often thought so." A few beats of silence, before he adds, "Unless, of course, the lady's hunch goes against what I want, in which case I am /obviously/ right. Until I receive an elbow in the gut, at least." He spins her around the floor, listening to lower words, and returning them with some of his own.

Someone wearing the visage of a cunning vixen cast in sculpted ceramic laughs from beneath the mask again and shakes her head, tumbling her pale blond curls down the length of her back. "I knew there was a reason that the gods blessed me with exquisitely pointy elbows; to make sure that I can get my way, even against the most stubborn of opponents." She tilts her head to listen to the murmured words and offers a few of her own, head tilted back to gaze up at her dancing partner with obvious affection.

"I would suppose being a man of the world you would be so. And it would seem I still have much to learn," Valencia laughs gently and smiles as he spins her with expert grace and pulls her to him again. She takes a little breath and lowers her eyes.

"Oh, yes, everything. I won't settle for anything less.", Archlector Ilvin tells Gisele, his bright smile going impish for a moment, making him look years younger before it softens once more. "Oh, but not all tonight. You must come see me after- a visitor to the Shrine yesterday gave me the most lovely gift, a selection of teas, packaged in the most ingenious way! You can fill me in on all I've missed over a cup or three, yes?", he offers, then looks about at the hangings with open appreciation. "Father Orazio has made an inspired choice, yes. They're stunning.", he agrees, then a laugh, warm and easy, spills past his lips at the description of Aleksei's tumble. "And I missed that! What a shame."

Someone wearing Smiling white volto slips away from the bar quietly, departing into places unknown as quietly as she arrived, never dropping a hint as to who she might really be...

"Pointy, but elegant," the Nightbird claims, gallantly. Then ruins it by grinning and adding, "Like stilettos, perhaps. Wielded by a master, to be certain." It's light and teasing, but his mouth turns downward as she continues in whispers, and he returns it, in kind.

Edward laughs and he says, "Not the whole world. But I have been to many places that think they are the corner or backend of it." he finishes the dance as he leads her out to the edge and then he says, "I am thinking of stepping out for some air. Would you care to join me?"

At least they aren't making a /real/ scene. Aleksei still speaks quietly to Saedrus, his brow cinched, his fingers twitching a bit at his side with some suppressed urge.

Someone wearing the visage of a cunning vixen cast in sculpted ceramic checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Gisele's smile ticks deeper, eyes narrowing with the force of her own smile. "I will," she makes a promise. "I'd like that, very much. It reminds me, I meant to bring you a copy of the prayers I found... ah." But that's shop talk. So, marshaling herself, she tilts her glass towards the crowd at the bar. "Is there anyone you'd like an introduction to?" The question is chased with something softer, a murmured aside.

Valencia turns easily in his arms and steps out matching Edward's pace, her fingers naturally falling to his proffered arm as he leads her off the dance floor. She steals a little glance up at her rather dashing dance partner and nods, "I would be delighted, my lord."

Someone wearing grinning white skull mask has left the Semi-circular Bar.

Someone wearing grinning white skull mask has joined the Semi-circular Bar.

Ilvin's smile is warm and pleased as Gisele agrees to meet him over tea later, and he tilts his head in interest when she mentions the prayers, making a mental note of that before she changes the topic. At the murmured words, he leans in just a bit, then his eyes scan the crowd until he spots someone, and nods. Turning the light of his attention back towards Gisele, that smile returns as he says, "I've nothing but confidence in your choices. Please, lead on- I'd love to meet them."

Someone wearing Archlector Vayne's mirrormask checked perception + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Someone wearing the visage of a cunning vixen cast in sculpted ceramic continues to dance gracefully with the Nightbird Mask, yet her movements seem to get a bit slower as the chin remains tilted up, the eyes fixed on the man before her. Her voice is pitched low, a muffled murmur from behind her mask.

Edward checked perception + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Gisele has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Valencia turns easily in his arms and steps out matching Edward's pace, her fingers naturally falling to his proffered arm as he leads her off the dance floor. She steals a little glance up at her rather dashing dance partner and nods, "I would be delighted, my lord."

Valencia leaves, following Edward.

As the lady in the Vixen mask slows, the man in the Nightbird Mask slows to match her, pulling her a little closer and bending his head until their masks are almost touching, his lips moving in near silence as they talk.

Gisele doesn't often lead but on this occasion, she shall. She sets an easy pace, at least, winding through the crowd on a course to the bar. "You'll know Archlector Vayne already," she murmurs as she goes, indicating the man in question. "And that is the Princess Isolde. The skull is, I believe, Archlector Aureth." The hand she's not using to cradle a wineglass touches one of the starbursts on her gown, smoothing down the silk. "And this," as she draws up beside Firebird, "is the artist I told you about. I oughtn't ruin his cover just yet," with a smiling, questioning look at the fellow she's aimed Limerance's blessed at.

Aleksei checked willpower + etiquette at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

"Good guess," the grinning skull says cheerfully. He has at some point in the evening gained a drink, which he raises to Gisele in toast. "How could you guess? I mean, really." He cants his head to glance towards the Firebird and says, "What, an /artist/? Here? I disbelieve."

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask lifts his attention from the bar, running his finger along the edge of his mask in a bit of a scratch. Or tweak. "An artist! But a very lazy one. More dreamer of art than maker of it. It's fine," he directs toward Ilvin and Gisele both. "My cover's only barely kept anyway. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Archlector!"

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask does favor skull with a side-scowl.

Someone wearing grinning white skull mask can't scowl, because he's a skull. He can only grin. So he does. Somehow, it is more obnoxious when he does it at the Firebird, though.

Someone wearing A beautiful half-face sparkling blue sea-dragon mask, adorned with glimmering rubies has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

3 Rough and tumble sailors have been dismissed.

Aleksei has left the Round guest table draped in lace and silk.

Ilvin sips his own drink as he follows Gisele, his steps quick and light as always, the little priest's slim frim slipping easily among the dancers and guests. He smiles brilliantly at each person as Gisele points them out, and gives a soft laugh at the skull-mask's quip before he turns his attention to the firebird-masked one. There's clear curiosity there in his gaze, the Archlector's expression an open book. "It's a pleasure for me as well, good sir. Not so lazy that your fame as an artist hasn't spread, though, I gather. Have I perhaps been fortunate enough to see any of your work?", he asks, glancing towards Gisele a moment, then back to the others.

frim=frame

Gisele's smile in answer to the skull's briefly threatens a grin of her own, though surely that cannot be so. Quick, quick, it's back to a milder curve of lips as she slides both hands around her wineglass now. "As it happens, he recently agreed to create for a show. Though it might be some time." That, with a sidelong peek at the artsy bird in question. "He /must/ be an artist, to have a show lined up."

Someone wearing Archlector Vayne's mirrormask smiles to Ilvin as Gisele brings him to the bar. "Ah, Blessed Ilvin, it's excellent to see you once again." He turns the smile to Gisele. "And Sister Gisele, hello." He turns back to Isolde with a dubious expression. "Succinctly... yes," he says with an evident lack of enthusiasm to delve too deeply into that particular topic. Instead, his analytical gaze goes back to their white-masked former companion making her exit before she's lost in the crowd. He sips from his wine goblet again thoughtfully.

Someone wearing the visage of a cunning vixen cast in sculpted ceramic murmurs a few more words to her partner before she begins to dance again, just as gracefully as before as she murmurs with a bit of a strained laugh, "It's just as a suspected. You are a lovely dancer. I do so love being right."

Mira has left the Semi-circular Bar.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask tilts his head, glancing from Ilvin to Gisele. "If the subject matter is dark, I paint faster. Most people don't care to commission that, though. So I am fortunate, thank Gisele and another, to have a very dark show to put on. I may be able to do so before a decade passes, so fast will I work." He keeps his voice light, almost to a wandering degree. "But it's unlikely you've seen my work, Archlector. Archlector Aleksei may show you a piece in time, though."

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask murmurs something to the Vixen dancer as they slow on the floor, then he flashes a smile at the jest as they pick up speed again. "You must be quite pleased quite often, my lady," he says, with a chuckle. "But I do my best, and that is all that I can say." He starts to steer them towards the edge of the dancefloor as the song concludes, but dancing all the way.

Aleksei continues speaking quietly with Saedrus, but the mood has slowly shifted to something warmer. Enough that the Archlector steps forward to press a kiss, brief but warm, to the courtesan's lips before letting him go as if to let him make his escape.

"There's literally a piece of your work in the Dominus's study," the grinning skull points out. "Your work is all around. Your work is in little grab bags all over the city!"

"I shall have to badger Aleksei relentlessly, then, until he agrees to show me.", Ilvin quips, the Archlector seeming to be in a fine mood. "Until then, I'll simply have to make sure I've got some free time before the next decade passes so that I can see this show of yours, good sir." Archlector Vayne's greeting takes his attention away from the artist for a moment, and he blesses his peer with one of his irresistibly warm smiles. "It's good to *be* seen, Blessed. Thank you."

Someone wearing the visage of a cunning vixen cast in sculpted ceramic follows the Nightbird Mask's lead with easy grace, perhaps a touch too practiced in the way that someone dances after years of lessons, not so much from a wealth of natural talent. "Your best has always been a delight. It's a pity, though. After five seconds out on the dance floor, it's as if you weren't wearing a mask at all. I feel as though I ruined a mystery."

There is no surface difference between Ilvin's smile, and Vayne's. But under Vayne's, Gisele's gaze lowers. It does make for a more respectful facade, as the Thirteenth's blessed is acknowledged. "Archlector Vayne. Always a pleasure," she murmurs. "I hope, ah. You're enjoying the evening?" But she doesn't dawdle in pleasantries, inclining slightly towards Firebird-- comfort stolen by proximity-- and recovers a deeper smile as he addresses Ilvin. "The skull speaks truth. I like the little figurines especially."

Though Saedrus is free to roam, once the kiss ends on one end, the courtesan pushes to his toes to dot a final touch of affection to the corner of Aleksei's mouth. Saedrus steps back then, cheeks pink, and makes his departure.

Someone wearing Nightbird Mask ducks his head in mock contrition. "My apologies, Lady Fox. I fear that I have no true facility for deception. I'm sure that everyone knows who I am," he admits. "Perhaps, one day, I shall do better." Even so, he moves to take off the mask, revealing the face of - to no one's surprise - Orazio. He bows. "It has been a pleasure."

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask reaches out to touch Gisele's hand. "People do seem to like them," he says, a little dubiously. "Ah!" more general. "So many archlectors in one place, I do feel immensely blessed."

Ilvin blinks as he hears mention of figurines. "Oh-ho! See, *this*, I've heard of. If they're the same figurines, that is- and I don't imagine there's many others going around that create as much talk. Well, this is certainly something. I'm in the presence of a celebrity!", he declares, with a total lack of guile. Because Archlectors aren't well-known, or anything. At the artist's last comment, Ilvin's expression goes a little deadpan. "Personally, I'm just a little Blessed." Because he's so short and slight, you see. These are the jokes, folks.

Aleksei watches Saedrus go with a suspiciously pleased expression before finally pulling his attention over to the bar and beginning to drift over thataways. Just in time to hear that there's a surplus of Archlectors. "Now you're even more blessed!" he tells the Firebird. And then he stares at Ilvin for his joke. He suddenly looks a little in love. "That," he tells him oh so sincerely, reaching to set a hand on his colleague's shoulder, "was amazing."

The grinning skull throws back his head and cackles. "Beautiful," he says, and then, because his identity is very obvious already, he turns his bright gaze behind his mask to Ilvin and tells him, "Death would love it. She would love it so much."

Gisele turns her hand just so, to capture the one nudged near in contact. It's held loose but sure after, while she lifts her wine in the other for a sip. Just one sip-- and then the glass is used instead to veil her low burble of amusement for Ilvin's /everything/. "It's a shame you missed Aureth's jokes... thing. You might have taken away one of the prizes."

Isolde stares at the man in a firebird mask. Her shoulders shake just a little and then from underneath the mask, giggling ensues. It's an odd sound to hear coming from Isolde of all people. That's perhaps the second time she'd giggled in years. It was almost uncomfortable for the princess. "I love it." She shakes her head, trying to compose herself. "I'll be sure to commission you sometime. Not of puppies, I promise." Ilvin's comment doesn't help her repress the laughter. Dumb joke but that almost made it funnier. In an effort to save herself, Isolde turns with another bow and then briskly starts to walk off.

Whatever the Nightbird Mask, revealed in a stunning twist to be Orazio, says just before he removes his mask makes the Vixen laugh from behind hers. She dips into a curtsy when he bows and responds in kind, "Indeed. I always look forward to dancing with you."

Someone wearing Archlector Vayne's mirrormask returns Ilvin's smile with a slightly wider than normal one, as if compelled to for some reason. Irresistable, indeed. "Of course," he says smoothly before turning to Gisele. "It's been a superb event. I'm very grateful for and appreciative of the hard work at all levels that made this possible." He regards Aleksei's arrival with a slight smirk. "I believe we may actually have a quorum present. Now all that's missing is unending amounts of reports and paperwork," he notes casually as he sips his wine. "Hopefully the guards are still in place at the door so it can't be brought in."

Isolde is overheard praising Vayne.

Isolde is overheard praising Orazio.

Isolde is overheard praising Gisele.

Isolde is overheard praising Aureth.

Isolde is overheard praising Fortunato.

Isolde has left the Semi-circular Bar.

"And I, with you," Orazio says, fondly. "Let us not make the next time require a war to go between it, hmm?" He bows. "And be well, Lady Fox." A hint of seriousness in that last, a touch of STERN as his eyes go to the mask as he straightens.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask snorts soft surprise and then laughs outright. He slips off his stool to compare height, up to and including raising his hand above his head. (He's a bit shorter.) "That's quite all right, little Blessed. I'm only a little celebrity. And not nearly so quick with a joke! Well done and well met!"

"Silly wars, getting in the way of our dancing." The Vixen laughs and reaches up to slip off her own mask, revealing the porcelain pale face of Eleyna Velenosa. The chuckle is now matched with a revealed smile at the stern expression in the Archlector's eyes as she's perhaps one of the few that don't seem to be intimidated in the face of it. "Yes, yes. You should be as well. Else I'll be cross. No one wants that. Now go back to your lovely party. I'm going to find some wine." She makes a shoo-ing gesture toward Orazio, brows lifted over icy blue eyes.

Ilvin ducks his head, clearly pleased with himself that his little (hah) joke went over as well as it did. His smile beams appreciation out to the rest of the group, before he blinks cognac eyes at Aleksei's touch on his shoulder. "Ah! Aleksei. There you are! It's good to see you again- I hope the party sees you well?", he asks, then grins back at Gisele and the firebird. "Oh, hardly quick- I've been saving that one for weeks. Now I'll need to think of another one, it could be months."

"I quake in fear of your most terrible wrath, Your Highness," Orazio says, not sounding terrified at all, although it might just be male posturing, because when she shoos him, he tucks his chin, and is obediently shooed. Although not without a backward glance at the Princess, before he makes his way towards the knot clustered around Ilvin. "Blessed Ilvin. It is good to see you, as I've said. Enjoying things?" This last seems to go out to everyone in the vicinity, his mask dangling loosely from his fingers.

Gisele draws back half a step to clear the space needed for height comparisons. "Not little, just efficient," she murmurs. It could be reassurance, it could be teasing. There's no real way to tell, given the way she also ducks her head, chin tucked towards throat. Who needs a mask to hide? Not her! "I think I'm going to go home," is added, quietly, in another sway towards the Firebird. Her smile is tilted to include the others-- Vayne, Aureth, Aleksei... even Orazio, though that effort is punctuated with another bout of ducking as she slides away to retrieve her mask and flee.

Someone wearing firebird ascendant mask asides to Gisele, "I'll have to follow you in a moment, I think." Still, he brights to Orazio, "Much enjoying, thank you."

"Now we have an even bigger quorum!" Aleksei declares when Orazio shows up. "I mean. He's not an Archlector, but as a Legate he should count for double, right?" He grins at the group in a particularly energetic sort of way, like he's in a particularly good mood. "Were you talking about Fortunato's art? Did you know who /loves/ Fortunato's art?" His eyes are twinkling a bit as he glances at the Firebird in the manner of someone who knows he's about to embarrass his friend.

Orazio watches Gisele go, his expression unreadable for a moment, before his attention goes to Aleksei. And then the Firebird. And then Aleksei. "I should think everyone loves Fortunato's art. He's quite a gifted artist, after all." He does add, to Aleksei, "And I am not voting on anything which has been come up with when people have been drinking this much, either."

"Double," Aureth agrees. He turns his bright gaze, through the eye sockets of his skull mask, towards Orazio. "Gorgeous party," he says. He toasts Orazio with the wine and then carefully drinks so that he is not at risk of getting any of the wine on the white silk. "I haven't danced yet, though. For some reason, dancing skeletons creep people out. Who knew?" (He knew. He totally knew.)

Someone wearing Archlector Vayne's mirrormask nods to Orazio's approach and smiles lightly to Gisele's departure, mostly content to nurse his wine for the moment while the conversation bounces around in several directions. "A Legate counts as two and a /half/ Archlectors," he deadpans. "I've researched the topic extensively." (He hasn't. Nobody has.)

"Legate Orazio! You've outdone yourself tonight. My apologies for arriving so late, and without a mask- with everything I've been needing to catch up on at the Shrine, I thank the gods I was able to make it at all!", Ilvin replies to Orazio, looking up at the man. His smile remains as wide and infectious as ever, radiating warmth even up to the Legate, though his voice pairs that warmth with heartfelt respect as well. When Gisele makes to leave, there's a terrible moment, a stillness in the air- will Ilvin's smile turn to disappointment at her departure? But then the moment passes, and though the smile softens, it remains warm. "I'll see you soon, I hope, Sister. Remember, tea!", he calls as she leaves. When Archlector Vayne makes his comment, he blinks innocently at the man. "... I'm the half, aren't I?"

Eleyna find a seat and flags down a server to get that glass of wine, which she drinks from gratefully once received. Her pale eyes slide over the gathered members of the Faith, appearing almost bemused for a moment before she lifts the glass again to her lips and drinks deeply as she toys with the ribbons of her abandoned mask as it sits on the table before her.

Fortunato peels off his mask as, at this point, quite beside the point, his head canted toward Orazio, his eyes thoughtful. For just a moment. He sighs, exaggeratedly. "It's all right, I suppose. I'm behind, though." He spares Aleksei a subdued glare. "This will be terrible, and then I'll go home." General, if quieter, "Gisele's quiet, but has a way of lighting up a room, doesn't she." Then Ilvin has him laughing again. Sure enough. Short jokes.

"/Skald/ loves Fortunato's art," Aleksei declares with particular pride. "There's a huge mural in the inner sanctum of the shrine that Fort painted." He reaches to clasp Fortunato's shoulder and give it a good shake. It's super decorous behavior. And then his gaze slides back to Ilvin for that joke and he bursts out in totally shameless laughter.

Someone wearing Archlector Vayne's mirrormask sips his wine with a slight non-denial denial shrug in Ilvin's direction.

Eleyna is overheard praising Orazio for: Lovely party! I expected nothing less.

"Sister Gisele is a lovely woman, who deserves every happiness," Orazio says, and please do ignore that flash of a frown. "The party did seem to go rather well, though. I am...cautiously pleased." A pause. "Cautiously." He glances back towards Eleyna, then to Ilvin and Vayne in particular. "Has everyone had the opportunity to meet Princess Eleyna? If not, you truly should. I can make the introductions." It's pleasant, but there's also something in there that suggests it's only /so/ optional.

Someone wearing grinning white skull mask kind of gives Orazio a sidelong look that might be a little more subtle if he weren't wearing a mask and needing to angle his head just so to slant that peripheral look at him. "Sister Gisele is one of the best people I know," he says, mildly.

Someone wearing grinning white skull mask only then lifts his skull eyesockets towards Princess Eleyna. "I think we've met in my old life, although I can't say as how I'm entirely sure," he says. "But I'm a skeleton now, so you can't expect me to remember things--" That's how it works.

Ilvin grins at Aleksei and Fortunato's laughter, all kinds of pleased with himself. One might pity the poor Devotions that had to tolerate his humor during the time he spent outside Arx during the siege. Vayne's shrug draws an amused look from Ilvin's cognac eyes, but his attention is quickly brought back to Orazio- and then to the Princess beyond. "Ah, Sister Gisele is a blessing upon all of us, Legate. And no, I've not had the pleasure of meeting the Princess, an injustice that I would gladly appreciate your aid in rectifying."

Fortunato winds his hands around the edge of the mask, squooshing it together. "Yes, every happiness. And shut up, Aleksei," he says, quite, before his attention strays to Eleyna. He smiles, quieter. "We're acquainted, a little bit. Incisive and wise, our princess."

Someone wearing Archlector Vayne's mirrormask gives Eleyna a welcoming smile and a slight bow. "Princess Eleyna, thank you for attending the celebration. I'm always delighted to see a family member of House Velenosa," he says. No Thirteenth biases here, nope.

"Eleyna's great!" Aleksei pipes up in agreement. And without a title. He even lifts a hand to wave over at her. Hi Eleyna!! He's a little drunk.

Orazio gives the white skull a stern look. "Mmhmm." And then Aleksei chirps up, and Orazio just...sighs. "I am rethinking my urge to conduct introductions," he mutters, but turns, anyway, to say to Eleyna. "Your Highness, may I present the Archlectors Vayne and Ilvin, who perhaps you have not met. As well as the Archlectors Aleksei and Aureth, who...well, I'm sure you have met, and you have my condolences. As well, the artist Fortunato, and possibly only sane man in the group, myself possibly included." Maybe the Legate has also been drinking.

Eleyna might have been better about at least pretending that she doesn't know she's being spoken about if she wasn't shamelessly watching as she drinks her wine. When others start looking in her direction, she manages a wave and swallows the wine her mouth as she rises, "It was my pleasure to attend. It feels good to have a chance to celebrate after so much tension and worry." She glances at Aleksei with a sort of bemused affection in her eyes as she bobs her head and says with a sort of eternal patience, "Hello, Aleksei. Looks like you've been having a good time." Her pale gaze sweeps over the Skeleton, Ilvin, and Vayne as she tips her chin and nods, "A pleasure to meet all of you." Her smile widens in familiarity when she sees Fortunato as she nods to the artist as well.

Ilvin gives a quick, respectful bow of his head to the Princess in greeting. "It's a pleasure and an honor to make your acquaintance, Princess. We are fortunate to have you here with us this evening. Thank you for coming.", he says, all kinds of polite, before gracing Her Highness with one of those bright, beaming smiles he's so well known for, easy warmth just radiating from the little Archlector.

"What!" Aleksei looks to Orazio with utter innocence. "Eleyna totally likes me despite herself." He shoots the princess a quick grin, clearly expecting confirmation, even if it comes in the form of an expressionless look.

"Good to meet you again, or for the first time," Aureth says with a little seated bow. "Sometimes I think the secret to having a good time at a party is having an Aleksei around." He winks at the Archlector of the First Choice and then finishes his glass of wine. Then he reaches up to unhook the ribbons of his mask and abandons it entirely to let it sit on top of the tall red hat that he took off earlier in the evening. Hopefully the striptease will end there for the night.

Fortunato sweeps a bow, his mask tucked under hisself. "Princess," he says again, then straightens. To Orazio, "Well. That is one of the kinder compliments anyone has ever paid me. But now I must myself depart. This has been an unusually tolerable party, thank the Faith and Whispers, hm?" And with that, the artist departs.

Fortunato has left the Semi-circular Bar.

Someone wearing Archlector Vayne's mirrormask smiles lightly, but not without shooting Orazio a brief squint as he has another sip of wine. "The pleasure is ours. Pray don't mind the Legate's jesting too much now, I assure you I'm quite sane," he says mostly not snarkily. He doesn't vouch for the others.

"Aleksei," Orazio stops, and just /sighs/. He shakes his head and glances at Eleyna with a 'what can you do' sort of smile. At least the others seem to meet with the Archlector's approval in their greetings. Vayne's response even makes him laugh, a little. "Hmm, what is it that they say about people who have to reassure others about their sanity, Blessed Vayne?"