[Seasonal Quest] The Winter Ball: Act I of Darkling Tides

[Trente]

Trente listened attentively, admittedly finding the history lesson tedious. He only had an interest in the applicable aspects of the showy magic. He was patient, however, and feeling no need to rush the conversation he collected the bits of abstract information, entrusting the scholar before him to follow through on his promise to explain their relevance, eventually.

His eyes did break away from the conversation for several moments, however, as Eorar reentered the room. The man seemed more sober of pace than he had when he crudely exited the party, though now it seemed he had taken up harassing one of the help. Trente made a mental note to keep an eye in that direction, partly for curiosity, and partly for concern for the poorly adorned Konti beauty. He had no personal need to be a knight in shining armor, but if one was needed to free the attractive women from the clutches of a clumsy student with lack of social grace, he would be more than happy to oblige.

This thought, however, was side tracked as Stri's words lulled, and quickly ceased. Trente looked back to the man, thinking a moment he had perhaps been offending with his lack of focus, but then realized a much better explanation for Stri's distraction. Following Stri's gaze he met with an exuberant splash of vivid red. The impressive dress displayed in a pleasing manner upon an even more pleasing female. She was young, but not without her own womanly charm. Trente's eyes drifted with ease over the curves of her face, and along those set by her clothing. His gaze held, however, as he met eyes with her. In artistic contrast to her fiery dress were two bright blue eyes. He knew these eyes well, like the blue of midday upon open seas. Svefra eyes. The colour itself seemed to send a firm breeze through Trente's body, and he could nearly smell the salty ocean air upon her through the musk of the lesser ball attendants.

Trente's eyes flared as he saw kinship in her. What were moments before, eyes of a common blue, they deepened in vivacity, and grew bright as the daylight sky, despite the low flickering fire light from a nearby torch. Not only did his own soul answer Laviku's call, emanating from the Svefra beauty, but the aurorian gleam of his own Vantha spirit spoke out for her stunning beauty. It wasn't just her tanned skin, and unique features that brought about this subtle reaction, but also the way in which she conducted herself. Like all Svefra she took deliberate steps, without loosing natural flow. No doubt from years at sea. It made Trente feel as if the very stonework beneath the girl were ripped out from under her she would still stand with grace and beauty. The Konti by the food display made him feel a knight, but this Svefra women made him feel an audience, simply receptive to her natural beauty.

Trente's hand lifted slowly as he saw the girl, then moved to rest on the crown of his rapier's hilt as Stri spoke his introduction. Trente was in awe of the girl, and complimented she would join with them, but this did not distract him from his awkward friend's words. Stri's drawn out explanation of how irrelevant her courtesies were slightly offended Trente, but he gave no overt indication of it. When Stri ceased, Trente continued to stare into Nai'Shee's eyes a short moment before speaking for himself. "It is our pleasure, milady. Please." He then shifted his weight out shortly to open the aura of the circle up to be more receptive for the girl. "My name is Trente Ostentatoire-Criard Eclatante." He gave a brief showy smile. He loved Svefra women, and he loved to see their reactions to his often haughty behavior.

Remembering himself, and his place in the conversation again, he continued to say. "Mister Navasarjaka," He gave an inexpert attempt at pronouncing the plentiful syllables, "here was just explaining his field of study here at the college. Are you a student at well, Miss...?" He trailed off, cocking his head with slight suggestion in his deep sapphire eyes. "Would you grace us with your name?" He finished, and gave a sideways glance to Stri, to assess his reaction to the introduction, before refocusing his eyes on the Svefra girl.

[Nai'shee]

OOCJust had to say it, Nai'shee isn't Svefra, but she could really easily be mistaken as one. Actually, she doesn't know if she is, she lived as ordinary human, so you maybe gave me a plot to think about. Stri's words made her feel less welcome and her stubbornness begged her to reply, but she just gave him a sarcastic sight as a reply to his words, surpassing argue, she would probably lose. Her mind told her her first impression wasn't very good, but she couldn't surpass the feeling she actually liked the way he spoke. She doubted if it was true that she was intrusive this time. She was, indeed, but not this time. The part of her which liked him was probably the part which actually liked to argue and fight, even if she isn't right, so she concluded she can decide her opinion a bit later. She wanted to introduce herself, as well, but the man - or the boy - on her right spoke before that. He was looking straight into her eyes and he spoke with confidence, but he seemed a little distracted. His eyes were blue, exactly like her, but she noticed them becoming brighter and deeper as he spoke, which almost made her lose in them. She quickly looked aside, while her eyes, trained to notice details, seemed to remember black hair, with blue lighted parts. Is it possible that he is Vantha? She haven't saw many Vanthas here, in Zeltiva, but she was always fascinated with their eyes. The way they changed color was so surreal, and they always seemed much deeper then ordinary eyes to her. It was like a mixture of colors fighting about dominance in eyes or mind, personality. Her mind slowly glanced back to conversation, trying to remember his name. The way he formally spoke to her made her feel weird, closed. She should give him a name, basic informations, but she can't speak about who she really is. The Ball just wasn't good enough place to meet people. It even made her feel hard about her introduction. "My name is Nai'shee. I don't know my surname, so, please, feel free to call me by my name. It's a pleasure to meet you both", she said, trying hard not to sound rude. With her words she gave a friendly smile to both of them, trying to find out Siri's reaction. Was it that he wasn't good with socializing or he didn't like her that much? "Yes, I am a student, as well, but only since this semester, but I would definitely like to hear what Mr. Navasarjaka had to say, before I start talking about myself. And I'm sure it's much more interesting." Attention in a group slowly transfered back to his story about his studies. Nai'shee was a bit afraid she won't understand what is he talking about, but she concentrated on him trying to figure it out. He probably told them pretty much before she came and it would sound wrong if she tried to make him repeat everything just because of her.

[Stri Navasarjaka]

His first impression of Nai'shee was mistaken; Stri had taken her to be a merchants' daughter, or perhaps a Svefra sailor, but her lack of surname made him blink. It was not surprising, considering the amount of mariners who came through the port. Still, perhaps she was an orphan or a bastard child; Of course, this did nothing to make him think less of her. All it really did was make him cringe when he mentioned his father. Deciding to gloss over that foux pas, he turned his attention back to Trente. And gave a start, but he prevented himself from staring and maintained the same amount of eye contact as before. The mans eyes had turned a deeper and brighter blue. Stri guessed he was half Vantha, or a quarter, though he did not know how the inheritance of those traits worked. It was not the transition itself but its suddenness that made Stri start. "Please, Stri is fine. Mr. Navasarjaka is my father." He said, pronouncing the name Nah-vah-sár 'jaka with years of experience having to deal with people mispronouncing his surname. It was no bother, really, not to him, but for some reason people always seemed slightly embarrassed to have gotten it wrong. "I apologize if I insulted you before, Nai'shee, I only wanted to see what kind of a reaction I would get." Stri's work more interesting? He had not even heard what the girl was studying, and Trente's Summoning was certainly more interesting than making automatons, but Stri continued anyway. "You can animate practically anything, but it is easiest to make what you are animating similar in physiology to what it is you want it to do. If you want, say, something that moves, make sure its legs have joints, or else give it wheels. That will make its function and the teaching of its function possible, and much simpler. It's impossible to teach a granite statue how to walk, since it has no pivot axes." He hoped he wasn't boring his small audience. Animation can be tedious work, and Stri was afraid he might have been going too in depth. "I consider my work in gadgeteering to be as much a part of my Animation as the actual drawing of the circles and transfer of the Life Principle. It's important to have a functional subject to Animate or the entire process will fail."

[Nai'shee]

She was glad to be able to call him by his first name. Not only that she was used to it, but his surname was really complicated. When he pronounced it seemed a bit different from when Trente said it. She assumed people usually pronounce it wrong, so Siri made sure to at least let them know how's the right way. She just nodded at his apologies, letting him know that it wasn't big deal. When he started talking Nai'shee was surprised to realize it was actually rather simple, at least theoretically. But she imagined how complex it probably is for an Animator. He must not make a least mistake or else it won't work properly. And it sure was complicated to make a life out of Djed. It was silly to say she knew much about magic due to her Flux ability, Flux was pretty simple compared to any other magic in Mizahar. But because it was simple, it was rather dangerous to use. "It sound amazing", she couldn't stand to conceal. "And how complex things it could make?" She already imagined beings able to think, but made of metal or stone. It would be great, but yet she found it scary. How would you fight huge being made of stone if it rots against you? She made a notice in her mind not to make any Animator angry, ever.

[Trente]

Trente's eyes stayed fixed upon Nai'Shee. She seemed an enigma to him. She was like a walking contradiction. Like her dress, the cut was simple, but the colour was bold. He saw something in her, weather it were simply his imagination or a keen sense of the person was unknown to him, but he firmly believed she had that Svefra spirit somewhere in her. That he did not doubt. He did wonder if she was aware of this strength, however. Her manner was so polite, and restricted. He yearned to see her writhe before him, to witness her move along the deck of a ship, and to stand with the sea's wind to her hair. To hold the hilt a rapier in her palm. He did not allow this thought to terry his mind too long, however. He was much too focused on being an attentive socialite.

Regardless, he did have an honest interest in Stri's words. To his disregard of name Trente simple smiled, and offhandedly said, "We all become our father's some day, Stri." He, unlike Stri, was unabashed to speak of fathers in front of the nameless girl. He half hoped the comment would bring about an explanation from the girl. In all truth, he could have just as easily been born cursed with such a drab introduction, had his mother not had such a blatant disregard for tradition. He had to at least appreciate that she was named with a very pleasing name.

To the man's apology directed at Nai'shee Trente gave a quiet laugh, not insulting but entertained. "You are a true scientist, Stri. Risking all just to know what the reaction will be." He then looked to Nai'shee, a lingering smile tugging slightly at the corner of his lips. "All men are scientists at heart, he is simply bolder than most." He continued his playful fight against the smile on his face as he added, "and more honest too." Then gave a wink to Stri for his trouble.

"Fascinating," he said honestly in response to Stri's explanation of animation. The practical information had his mind working, which refreshed him, though the puzzle of the girl amongst them did not stray far from his awareness. "I wonder how the glyphs differ between your work and mine. Perhaps we could compare notes some time. I am not accustomed to glyphs that are dependent on the shape of the object they act upon. You see summoning," He gave another glance to Nai'shee at that point to emphasize his study of the field, realizing it would be an easy detail to miss if she had already lost interest in the conversation, "relies on a series of numbers contained within smaller sections of the diagram to denote the locations involved, not predetermined man made constructs." He smiled at Stri as he finished his speech, but then looked to Nai'shee.

He wondered a moment how she must be taking all of this. She approached no doubt for his unique attire, and not altogether unattractive appearance. However, she was met with a highly abstract and hypothetical conversation about fields she was probably uninterested in. Only a few moments into the conversation, and he had to think she must be looking for a way to escape. Trente's brow jump, relinquishing the topic with the slightest shrug, and opened the conversation back up to Nai'shee. "So, as promised do we get to hear what interests you now?"

oocOk now to respond to what you just posted XD

Trente was pleasantly surprised in the girl's interest in the field. Not only did she display an innate beauty, but she seemed at least willing to engage in scientific chatter. Trente was not a strict scientist, but he did feel the principle of the scientific method could be applied to most anything in life, if one strove to do so. As such, one that could display a passable interest in the subject was more than slightly appealing.

[Faylon Kwanda]

[Offering his hand to Idue had never crossed Faylons mind. Nor had giving his last name. At least not to begin with. Not that Faylon had intended to be rude but looking at Idue, which he did from the corner of his eye while leaning against the wall, he did not believe that last names were necessary not were affiliations. Right now a first name basis and having something in common was enough. Especially now amongst so many who were different. Academics made up the majority of the party goers here and one look at Faylon or Idue definitely indicated that they were both of a different stock. A little out of place here.] [When Idue had played with the words Faylon used and referred to the both of them as falcons who would be ready for danger when it struck he half smiled. Danger was something else that Faylon was familiar with, perhaps not intimately so though he had experienced it before, and recently he had begun to dabble with it again. If only Idue knew that the man he conversed with now had engaged in heinous crimes the depths of even murder Faylon wondered if that might set the two of them at odds with one another. Yet to his words he would answer...”I couldn’t agree more.”...before his attention shifted out across the hall once again and over the sea of people gathered here.] [Eventually, after only a short time, Faylons curiosity would get the better of him though and he’d begin a somewhat more in depth conversation which began with his question...”Do you intend to attend the university at all?”...that might seem odd but he wasn’t discriminatory and though Idue may have appeared out of place here he could have very well desired to get the education that the University of Zeltiva offered to its students. Credentials that were universally recognized across civilized Mizahar. Once that had been thrown out into the open though he would continue by remarking...”I’ve more an interest in the politics of the docks myself though I’m no sailor.”...which was true, Faylon had never found his sea legs even while onboard a vessel from Denval to Avanthal and then to Zeltiva.] [Looking towards a group of party goers that conversed, two men and a young looking girl, while talking with Idue he would assess them quietly while other bodies mingled all around them sometimes causing them to disappear from view only to reappear again. Laying his right hand across the pommel of his Longsword he’d have let it rest easy while leaning back into the wall, the wine having been shifting over to his left hand, and then raising the wine too Faylon would drink slowly, tipping the glass higher as he did, before finally finishing the wine completely. Wetting his tongue he could taste the fragrance of the beverage on his lips, the aftertaste not an unpleasant one, and decided that he would wait at least a few chimes before fetching another glass.] [Thoughtfully he considered all the faces in the crowd, thinking back to the woman he had seen at the table with salt stained breeches when he stood there, and Faylon would start comment...”I think I may seen a Konti.”...he can’t imagine how stupid that may have sounded but to him it was somewhat interesting seeing as how the seers were somewhat renowned and this may have been the first time he had actually seen one and been able to recognize it later on. It didn’t matter though; Konti were said to be the Children of Avalis after all and Faylon reserved a special disliking for the Gods no matter who they were. Unlike Konti though Benshira were human, darker skinned and a sub race but still quite human, and so Faylon didn’t immediately assume that Idue was a man of the dessert which is why he asked...”So, Idue, where do you come to here from anyways?”...just something that he would ask not knowing where the man had ventured to here from.] [All this small talk and still there was no indication of the dangers lurking in the background. Music and revelries continued. Party goers mingled and celebrated with one another. Everyone seemed like they were having a very good time. Except these two who, at least in Faylons own opinion, were a little more reserved than the rest.]

[Idue]

It was good to get on the good side of whoever you spoke to, especially when they were armed and dangerous. Idue didn't know Faylon very well, but his first assumption that this man knew how to use that longsword on his hip. He wasn't like these scholars who bared weapons because it had been handed down in their family. Idue could go to the length of saying that this man has killed another man before. Two years ago, when the Benshira was still among his people, he would've agreed with this elder that Faylon deserved to die for his crimes. But since living among the more. . . bloodthirsty people, his beliefs were cloudy. He tried to tell himself that those people he had killed was justified; they were slavers, selling humans as if they were livestock. So until he came to realize that killing was never right, Idue would never be at odds with Faylon. They were both sinners in Yahal's eyes. Idue learned that Faylon was not much of a talker, with only a half smile and a short agreement to Idue's statement. It didn't really bother the Benshira; he didn't expect everyone he met to be talkers. So Idue passed the time watching the people mingle with each other and sipping his wine. But Faylon broke the silence, to Idue's surprise by asking if he had any intention to study at the university, followed by stating he preferred the politics of the docks, despite not being a sailor. Surprise flashed across his eyes for a moment, but disappeared quickly as Idue considered what to say. Did he really desire an education from a university? He figured it would be helpful for him to learn something. New knowledge might even lead him to a career that didn't involve harming other human beings. He truly needed something to fill his time so he wasn't killing others. But for some reason, the thought of spending the majority of his time cooped up in one room was not something he thought. . . exciting. He loved roaming the streets, jumping into random scraps and exploring the darker realms of cities. But Idue had to realize something; this wasn't Sunberth, and law was probably enforced more. For about the twenty-fifth time since leaving Ekytol, he remembered how simple it was just searching for water and food with his people. Why was life so interesting and dangerous at the same time outside the tents of the Benshira? "Faylon, I'm not sure what my intentions are at the moment. I'm sure learning at the University would be a unique experience for someone like me who didn't have these choices in my past. Although between you and I, and Yahal if he is listening to me, I'm not really into sitting around. Odds are, I'll enroll, but I can say that the politics you spoke of would probably interest me more. If you really didn't mean politics. . ." Idue wasn't what you called the political person, and Faylon did not look the sort either. And if he wasn't a sailor, then this man probably threw himself into darker situations, full of Idue's dreaded love. Idue had made an assumption that Faylon got into fights. Over what, and what side he was on, the Benshira was unsure. And maybe he was wrong. Maybe Faylon was just a hired hand to protect merchandise. Whatever he was, it caught Idue's interest. If Faylon got into fights, Idue might join him. It was a little while before Faylon spoke again, and this time his statement was less straightforward. He stated he had seen a Konti. Idue didn't reply to this, instead glancing out into the crowd to see if he spotted the woman too. If only Idue knew what at Konti looked like. If only he knew about Konti at all. He had heard that Konti were all women, but other than that, he knew not of any appearance attributes to tell them apart from other women. Idue felt rather bad that he couldn't provide Faylon any help, but it was only a few moments before the swordsman changed the topic on him once more. He wished to know where he came to Zeltiva from. That was an easy topic, and Idue didn't have to wait long to answer. "I traveled from Sunberth to Zeltiva, arriving about three days ago. But I wasn't born in Sunberth. I had lived in the desert for roughly twenty-five years before leaving." Idue paused. If Faylon was going to ask questions, he was too. "And what about you, Faylon? Where to hail from?" Most likely Faylon would say Zeltiva, but maybe he was a foriegner too. If he was, it would be another thing they had in common.

[Paragon]

The break in could not have come at a worse time for Hal. The Registrars oversaw the Archive building - but they were too busy revelling in the Winter Ball. He had sent word - hoping they would come - but they had not turned up so far. Walking gingerly, he began descending the small collection of shallow steps. "Hello?" he asked of the darkness. He did not want to think on the type of being that could have breached the glyphing seals. "Is anyone there?" Only silence greeted him, his lone voice resounding through the black. He could hear his own breaths, anxious, nerve ridden. Drip. He stumbled grasping for the wall. Drip. Pooling Djed down his arm, Hal began to focus on making a small ball of res to light his passage. Drip. "Hello...? If this is some kind of prank..." And then his pool of reimancy induced light fell upon the most startling of discoveries. A body. Blood trickled from a concave wound in the dead professors head, dripping onto the cold stone below. "Oh my..." Hal recoiled back, his loss of focus forcing himself into darkness as the ball of res shut off. Reimancy required concentration. Catching his breath, he shakily mustered another small ball of flame, bending down to try and identify the deathly visage. "What on Mizahar...?" He flicked his head back and saw Mistress Claira coming down the stairs, sensibly holding a lantern. "I got the message... But half of them are too drunk to even know what's going on. Who... Who is that?" She was quickly at Hal's side, checking pulses, listening to the mans heart. But she only confirmed Hal's suspicions. Remy Lars, professor of auristics, was dead. "Wait here," Claira said slowly, her calm words belying her age, "I'll get the others." She scurried off, coming to the music filled hall within two chimes. She went straight to the main stage of the West Wing hall, coughing and clapping her hands. The attention of the Ball came in waves. The music stopped shortly after. "Everyone should remain in the hall until further notice - that is an order, not an option." Panic laced her voice despite her attempts to hide it. "I need all professors to meet me outside the hall immediately. We have a crisis on our hands." As the professors followed Claira out, anyone with keen eyes would have noticed the bloodstains on one of the professors shirts. The night was just beginning.

[Nai'shee]

Nai'shee was just gave Trente few mystical smiles on his comments. She wasn't sure of his intentions, and she was curious about Stri's work, but yet, after a while she started to feel comfortable by his side. A sudden question came, she was so airy about Stri's work that she could forget her promise already. "Of course you will, impatient", she answered cheerfully. She decided to play honesty and try and turn this conversation in something at least a bit more chatty. "But it's nothing really interesting. I study about sailing and navigation, because I hope to be a sailor someday. I'm still a newbie with these, I really can't get much experience. I think sailing skills are a lot easier to acquire, because they're logical, while navigating is more complicated, at least to me. I'm really curious, but I've never had patience for things like this. I guess it's about taste. And I study Flux, as well, simply because I'm good at it. Yet, I was always a bit afraid of that power. It's quiet simple to understand, you just need to practice, but it's extremely painful and dangerous..." Her big, passionate speech was interrupted with loud and nervous footsteps behind her. She immediately felt something was wrong, she didn't know if it was some instinct, or just years and years of recognizing kinds of footsteps. However, she turned around to face Mistress Claira walking straight to the main stage. Her legs were a bit shaky and her pupils were tiny. Yet, even with that she looked confident and concentrated. Slowly music got quieter and disappeared, and she heard few panic voices asking what was happening. Or what happened? Mistress's words haven't calmed or explained the situation, but, at least to Nai'shee, something was clear - something big happened, and it was a crime. It was probably her logic built trough all these years of committing them, but she couldn't think of any other reason for all the guests to be imprisoned like this. Or could it be some big danger? Is it possible for anything to be this big? Valterrian appeared in her head immediately, but she threw away that thought. "What is happening?", she couldn't surpass asking. She didn't really expected answer, but what else she could do? People needed entertainment not to panic, and what was better entertainment in this situation then letting them guess what happened. But she forgot the fact they probably won't bother. Even so, question was awkwardly flying around them, screaming to everybody's ears, dying to be answered.

[Stri Navasarjaka]

oocSorry, I haven't been feeling well. "The basic circles are the same, one smaller than the other, connected by a line. You can modify these with Glyphing, though, as I'm sure you do with your Summoning circles, in order to get better results or to specify certain things..." Stri's voice trailed off as he noticed the woman on stage trying to get everyone's attention. "I would like to discuss this with you in a more peaceful setting, Trente; I believe we could learn much from each other." He got in before the woman started to talk.