The dance floor was filling up. Adelaide danced first with her Uncle, who left not long after to discuss business with a member of the Radacke Dynasty, then with Novak Draer (who had dressed himself up as some sort of King of Cats... she rather liked it and likewise liked his compliment to the supposed realism of her ship hat, which she supposed he knew much of in his capacity as Svefra) then with a slightly drunken Paille then, in order to drag him away from a potential fight with one of the few freeborn in attendance, a handsome Konrath Akalak who left her blushing.
Breaking away reluctantly, the young Sitai was about to announce one of the more extravagant entertainment acts of the evening when she was called over by the doorman to deal with an issue of a Freeborn trying to get into the party. A tick later, and ten mizas richer (Adelaide wondered if she should have asked for more) the Freeborn and his wild costume had made a discreet entrance and Adelaide was able to present the first all-around entertainment to her guests.
"Ladies, Gentlemen and those who are still undecided," she laughed, "You may think a man, or a woman, can not fly. Tonight, I hope you see many things that challenge notions of what is and is not possible so I will start with this act. And I hope you will agree that their activities will prove you wrong."
With that, the lights dimmed slightly and lit up one of the central trees. A dozen acrobats dressed as birds leapt out and immediately started tumbling and swinging around the trunk of the tree. Only to the keenest eye did their tricks look like anything other than magic, the act of human beings floating and swooping through the air, since only the keenest eye would be able to see the thin lines attached to the birds' ankles and waists. After the initial bursting out of the tree, they settled into a fast, rhythmic sort of aerial dance. First, they coupled up into pairs and pretended to ballroom dance through the air before breaking up and performing a series of impressive acrobatic tricks... six women cartwheeling, somersaulting then jumping as six men dived between their legs in an elegant line, before they all lined up and moved into one huge circle, holding hands around the trunk of the tree like a spinning star.
"Where did you find them?" whispered one awed woman with the face of a bear and a figure-hugging red dress, as her eyes remained fixed on the spectacle above
"They're a travelling troupe from Alvadas." Adelaide smiled at the unknown woman before excusing herself and moving away. It was all going very well but she wanted to make sure that no-one felt like they had to watch the whole thing. They were free to move and continue smoking or drinking, even dancing, while watching at their leisure. The young woman was about to settle herself absent-mindedly on a divan but then, remembering that she was supposed to be the hostess, shook herself, picked up a drink and walked gracefully over to a winter day complemented by a starry night - two people whom she recognised even with their costumesl: a childhood friend and a Konti detective.
"Good evening Edmund, Miss Konrath. How are you? I hope you're enjoying yourselves thus far."
Breaking away reluctantly, the young Sitai was about to announce one of the more extravagant entertainment acts of the evening when she was called over by the doorman to deal with an issue of a Freeborn trying to get into the party. A tick later, and ten mizas richer (Adelaide wondered if she should have asked for more) the Freeborn and his wild costume had made a discreet entrance and Adelaide was able to present the first all-around entertainment to her guests.
"Ladies, Gentlemen and those who are still undecided," she laughed, "You may think a man, or a woman, can not fly. Tonight, I hope you see many things that challenge notions of what is and is not possible so I will start with this act. And I hope you will agree that their activities will prove you wrong."
With that, the lights dimmed slightly and lit up one of the central trees. A dozen acrobats dressed as birds leapt out and immediately started tumbling and swinging around the trunk of the tree. Only to the keenest eye did their tricks look like anything other than magic, the act of human beings floating and swooping through the air, since only the keenest eye would be able to see the thin lines attached to the birds' ankles and waists. After the initial bursting out of the tree, they settled into a fast, rhythmic sort of aerial dance. First, they coupled up into pairs and pretended to ballroom dance through the air before breaking up and performing a series of impressive acrobatic tricks... six women cartwheeling, somersaulting then jumping as six men dived between their legs in an elegant line, before they all lined up and moved into one huge circle, holding hands around the trunk of the tree like a spinning star.
"Where did you find them?" whispered one awed woman with the face of a bear and a figure-hugging red dress, as her eyes remained fixed on the spectacle above
"They're a travelling troupe from Alvadas." Adelaide smiled at the unknown woman before excusing herself and moving away. It was all going very well but she wanted to make sure that no-one felt like they had to watch the whole thing. They were free to move and continue smoking or drinking, even dancing, while watching at their leisure. The young woman was about to settle herself absent-mindedly on a divan but then, remembering that she was supposed to be the hostess, shook herself, picked up a drink and walked gracefully over to a winter day complemented by a starry night - two people whom she recognised even with their costumesl: a childhood friend and a Konti detective.
"Good evening Edmund, Miss Konrath. How are you? I hope you're enjoying yourselves thus far."
