Mike
After having sip of his sixth glass he looked at the wine and the princess making the supposed joke of blood, put him off of the idea of continuing to down the liquid. Hannibal waved the servant away after the princess's head shook. The smile on the face of the eladrin seemed sweet, and Hannibal was thankful he seemed to be on an okay side of this woman. The sun elf looked off into the party to glance back and realise the princess had turned to fully face him. In return the tanned man turned his body as well than standing on the slant it was before.

Hearing the question Hannibal raised and eyebrow and got slightly frustrated at the pause the princess made. *Why* Couldn't she just call it what it is...*Crime.* The prince feeling obligated responded to the questions, "Firstly call it *Crime*, don't try and work around the truth. My parents trying to crack down on the *Crime* May seem just. But I tell you half their wealth lies in said *Crime*. Why I have spent time out of the capital because all I see is the crackdown on *Crime*. If anything more and more is happening in the walls. Guards shaking down the poor, as they don't have a voice. So I see this *Crime* As a necessary evil or you will see me and my family out on the streets or on some execution platform." Hannibal spoke passionately and seemly opposed to the removal of the crime at least to the extent his parents want it, despite the amount of propaganda they tried feeding him in childhood.

.
The prince changed his voice from the more passionate attitude to a more casual one like before. "As for what I do, I mentioned I spend time out of the capital. It is such a cesspool, and restricting. I love to host events at villas throughout Khisfire, typically nothing like this formal occasion. Apart from my hospitality I am known for my hunting on the seas and dunes. I have slain a mighty dorsodile and even the famed Kaladon." Of course he had never fought and hunted them alone but will always claim he has, dorsodile because he needs a crew on the ship. And the Kaladon he has been with a hunting party of other nobles and royal guards. "I also look to befriend some of our great cats, much like my sister. But if you ever want to come to one of my famed parties, or join me on my hunting adventures you are more than welcome to." He spoke the last part not expecting the princess to accept the offer by any means and if she does to never turn up. 

"Enough about me what is life of the fair Princess Delsandra Qinrel, like in Thyseer?"
Michelle
*Though the gaze of Astalios had left Umras, the sense for where the metal armor was did not fade, and soon, a cold spot developed on the palm of Umras, freezing the hand to catch the attention of the large lizard. If the palm of the gauntlet was turned upright, as if Umras was looking at it, a message began to scroll across it, written in fine gold lettering across the gray iron that he had bestowed upon Umras. It was quick and discreet, a way to send a message without notice or connection to him - even if people noticed Umras was reading something, it would easily have been a signal from one of his own agents instead of Astalios.

The message read: "My apologies, Chieftain, for my rather icy greeting earlier, but our positions dictate that we be discreet. Please take more care in the future to remain within the bounds of plausible deniability as we interact. Secret letters carry words just as easily as shouting. In any case, I send you this message now to give you my true thoughts on the matter of an alliance. I cannot say you are a trustworthy person quite yet, but if this promise of yours is true, and your words about the reformation of Dazvaz are not simply empty air, I cannot find a reason to repulse you. It would be a mighty and beneficial alliance between us. Enough to tip the scales of the world."

"However, overtures of peace from Dazvaz have never lasted for long, given the history of killing being the vehicle of succession and war being Dazvaz's business. I do not mean to suggest that I am opposed to the changes you say you will make, but I do not believe you have quite thought things through yet, and thus I may have to take your promises with a grain of salt. Any leader needs potency, and a victory from you might go a long way in stabilizing your rule. Once it is truly established, and you have the power to make such reforms, your actions will tell us whether you keep your word. I wish you good luck, sincerely."

The gold faded to gray.*
Margaret
*Umras stood near a table adorned with fanciful cups and drinks, chuckling softly as his claws slowly filtered through the ornate gold and steel. He was out of his element here too, it seemed. He slowly let out a brief sigh, shaking his head as turned back towards Astalios. He offered a quick wave, chuckling to himself. His mind fluttered back to Dasvaz for an instant. How would this ball go if Astalios was an orc? Psh. He'd likely be dead at this point. Umras or Astalios. The mere mention of an alliance would force a duel to commence. He wasn't sure if he could take the prince on in a fight, but he opted not to even think about it. His eyes moved down to his claws for a moment, his attention being caught by the rapidly appearing golden fleece on his gauntlet.*

*A message. One that gave him hope, yet dashed his future expectations all in one go. He understood the hesitancy, though. He was no diplomat, that much was obvious. He tried his best. That much was commendable. He sighed heavily, his eyes closing as he moved to mentally interpret the message. He was right about a few things. A military alliance between Alynthi and a free Dasvaz was unheard of. With Lazaroth as neutered as it was, Gantrick was the only nation that truly stood in their way. With the military and political support of Alynthi, Umras would be free to make all the changes he desired. The sound of a million shackles being broken brought immense joy to Umras, albeit fleeting. The rest of the message brought him intense pause.*

*He'd have to prove himself. Hadn't thought it through. Psh. He had thought about this since he was a child. He wasn't simply jumping into the future with no plan. He knew what he was to do. But he understood where Astalios was coming from. Umras was a wildcard. A fresh Chieftain trying to forge chains that had never even been imagined before. It was risky. If only he had the chance to explain himself. He shrugged the worry off. No point in crying about it. He had a repu

Tation to upkeep. Quickly, he moved to brush the gold off his gauntlet, chuckling as it left his palm. He puffed his chest out as he looked toward the dance floor.*

*Forward, he marched.*
Adolfo
"I..." Caleesi stammered, Her gaze buffering as she tried to pull her eyes away from where Lysanthir had sauntered off too. The young woman seemed visibly shocked and out of it by the color draining from her fair-skinned face. It had been years since Cali had seen another vampire, and with the confirmation of one brought the nauseating feeling of ptsd. Her head was reeling with the sensation of copper scented blood- flashbacks of her fathers dangling heads being rolled out to her feet like trophies to be won. Sending panic to the forefront of her widened expression as sweat was slowly building on her forehead and upper lip. Vampires were monsters in Caleesi's eyes, no matter how hard she tried to remind herself others could very well fall to the same uneventful fate like she did. Taking a moment to gather herself enough to speak, the Grandmistress leaned in closer towards Astalios as she murmured quietly. "It's just... Vampires are what killed my parents, as you may know." She said in almost a whisper, swallowing the lukewarm feeling in her mouth. It was no secret to anyone within Alynthi that vampires were the downfall to Lord and Lady Scarleth, the massive bite marks on their decapitated necks proving that point. While word hadn't gotten far though, Cali entrusted the truth to the prince enough to tell him nonetheless. It was in the past now. 
_ _

"So its just- *Surprising* To see one." With a slight clear of the woman's throat, the high elf shook her head dismissively and pulled herself together. She would not be a fool and have a meltdown in front of such a crowd- let alone her prince. "But you're right, it is awful.. Those who are left defenseless to such ruthless power. I hope one day we will find an everlasting cure against vampirism.. That way no one has to suffer." Astalios's words on how he viewed vampires however, proved far more than Caleesi would have guessed. She appreciated his mercy towards victims, unlike the disdain that came from princess Delsandra's lips- which told a lot about her as a person. Yet- Cali feared she couldn't blame her. Or anyone for that matter. For she too sat in a gray line... Constantly wavering between judging those who wore the curse of monsters and men. Regardless of it all, the weight was getting to Caleesi. The noise and chatter testing far too loud for her to handle. 

Pausing, Caleesi braced her hand towards her chest, taking in a shaky sigh. She needed air. Silence. And knew that standing here within a sea of blood and warm bodies would not help. The high elf took quick notice of the ever growing concern on Astalios's face, and before she could draw any more attention to herself- Cali flashed a soft, calming smile before dipping her head respectfully towards the man. "Do forgive me, Your Majesty, I think I may need some air." Cautiously, the sorceress hovered her cyanic blue eyes over the prince's face, trying to take his presence in one final time should she not have the chance to speak to him again tonight. As much as Caleesi wanted to stay and linger in the familiar shadow of a friend she once knew- Scarleth knew what was needed of her. And right now she needed out.

So, with another formal, and graceful bow, the Grandmistress took her leave with the elegant turn of her heel as she headed off towards the opposite end of  Far away from the ballroom and gardens.