Tanya
*To him, the choice had seemed obvious - and he had even promised, at their last meeting between the three, to do something to keep him off Caleesi's back, to make sure that he was not derelict in his duty to one of his ministers, and they had made that particular meeting at Thunder Fest, where the man's advances had been detestable to her. What had changed from then until now? The last he had thought, she detested the vampire that had swept in and made unwanted gestures, but she was now abandoning the plans that had been laid in favor of dancing with him.

It was as if the ship of thought had sailed into a fog bank and come back out in a completely different direction - some unforeseen twist or turn had occurred which had made things change. Now the atmosphere between them was nothing like it had been, and for some incomprehensible reason, she had actually agreed to dance with the man. His eyes narrowed in confusion, and he was somewhat taken aback - had something, some enemy spell, taken hold of her mind? What was incongruous between then and now?

He had no idea. By all rights, if she had detested the man, then she would not have agreed to dance with him - it was not the responsibility of Alynthi to guarantee a minister a dance partner, nor was it her obligation to agree to do something she was uncomfortable. But despite her previous answer - despite him hearing her say that surely she would not be the one to dance with him just the moment prior, she was making the choice on her own, and he could not object to something she chose.*

"If you are certain." *He murmured back, still trying to ascertain the reason for this. He gave her a nod and stood aside as she mounted the stage with the monster she had run from in every instance prior, and his gaze followed them in the utter confusion that had come over him - it seemed so nonsensical. But, he supposed, they were about to see a dance demonstration. And if something truly wrong happened, he would be there.*

_ _
*After all, the distance between the stage and where they had been was only a matter of a few yards - a small amount of time for an arrow or a crossbow bolt to fly, not to mention the stag that could leap into action should he wish it. The circlet the man wore, rings around fingers of onlookers...

There was time enough to react, he supposed - and this was worth watching. He hoped that she would be all right - after all, at Thunder Fest, she had been practically shaking, her voice wavering, a shout of desperation issuing from her lips. He did not want to see a repeat performance of that particular night for her - had he been no one to her and she no one to him, there would still be a concern as a man and as a decent person to see that distress was minimized...

And this was something to monitor, to be certain. For the moment, he stood back with a watchful eye and made no moves.*
Althea
Lysanthir's heart began to sink further and further into his chest, though his demeanor remained as confident as ever. On the inside though, the poor man knew Caleesi would choose King Astalios over himself, and now he was coming to grips with that fact mentally. Looking to Caleesi however, he noticed the pink that kissed her cheeks, and the now determined and irritated look in her eyes. *What was she thinking?* Then, the she-elf spoke. Lysanthir's eyes lit up with delight, though less at the expense of the king and more at the fact that the vampire had been chosen over the stag. No smile emerged on his lips however, instead a respectful nod towards the king and Caleesi. Without a word, the moment the she-elf's hand met his he gently tugged her away to the center of the room for all to see.

So close was he yet again to his prize, just as he was night's prior. Though, only he knew of this interaction they had shared, for if Caleesi knew she surely would have declined the offer, or even had Lysanthir arrested or outed for his crime. Looking down at the significantly smaller woman, Lysanthir gently placed his right hand in her left and held them upward as he began to take the position a lead dancer should. "Do you really believe a woman such as Delsandra would ever allow me to so much as touch her?" Lysanthir said coolly, his left hand coming to rest at the woman's side and around her. Looking over to the musicians waiting for their cue, a simple nod from Lysanthir and a piano began to play a soft melody. A violin soon followed, then a cello. They had yet to begin dancing however, and the candle the vampire had lit earlier now rest neatly between the couple's clasped hands.

_ _
Her inquiry as to why the lord chose him however caused Lysanthir's face to darken, but now out of anger. Instead, he looked a bit embarrassed. "I-... Well, in truth my lady I wished to apologize for my actions in Findara." The music slowly began to build all three musicians drew their instruments to silence, and in that brief moment Lysanthir allowed his eyes to meet Caleesi's fully, his voice hushed ever so slightly, "A lady such as yourself, Caleesi, does not deserve such mistreatment." Before the woman could respond, the music picked up once more, and their waltz began. Quickly but as smooth as butter the two began to waltz around the open space, the music filling the thick air and almost clearing it of all the whispers and stares the two elves were receiving. The music itself was hopeful but longing all at once, its gentle but fast melody perfect for the demonstration.

Their night shared in Findara was an accident, Lysanthir was aware of this. How could he know that Caleesi would bring on such terrible but longing memories of his late wife Calitherien? In this moment here and now, it was if he were dancing with her once again, but that illusion his mind had conjured up of a mask over Caleesi's face of his wife was slowly starting to disappear. The true, the real Caleesi began to peak through, and truth be told Lysanthir wasn't fully aware on how to handle it. Powering through the raw emotion in his chest, the vampire soon realized he had never fully accepted his wife's death, or the fact he didn't die alongside her. Instead, he was forced to live a life of immortality and servitude to a lust he never would have asked for if given the choice.

_ _
All those memories of Calitherien coalesced into this moment, and like wall falling to canons, so too did the mask of Calitherien over Caleesi. Not fully, not yet, as Lysanthir was still grasping this reality. The reality in which Calitherien had died thousands of years ago. The reality that Lysanthir's heart longed to move forward to. Now, it was only his mind stopping him.
Farah
Caleesi felt as though she were holding her breath for years while the pair got into position for their demonstration. The overpowering scent of Lord Lysanthir was enough to suffocate her, although it had seemed to mesmerize her even more so when the High Lord slipped his arm around her- pulling her into his hold and locking her in. Delicately, Cali rested her hand within the vampires, her palm just barely brushing the candle they held together. Wavering her eyes to the flame, the she-elf's expression rekindled a spark of warmth that was long forgotten- a memory of loathing. Of home. Countless times, the High Lady practiced this technique, with her mother, her father, even her butlers should she beg them enough. Dancing was a part of Caleesi's life before her demise... When she changed, however, there wasn't much thought of ever picking it back up again. Yet here she was, swept up within the arms of another vampire.

Swallowing her distant stare away, Caleesi's skin quivered at the feeling of Lysnathirs hand tracing her back. She did her best not to succumb to the way her body reacted-Stiffening up in response as she blinked away the wide look in her eyes. His grip on her was no less gentle as it was demanding. There was a sense of security sure, but the way he held her so closely... It was almost as if she knew it before. Slowly, Cali dragged her face back up to meet the High Lords, staring down the chilling set of eyes searching through her own. No smile sat upon Lysanthirs face, although in the few times ever seeing him, Caleesi wondered if he ever had before. He was always in a state of constant brooding. Thinking or plotting- it didn't make a difference, all the high elf knew was that he was impossible to read. 
_ _

Nevertheless, as the music started to introduce itself to the crowd, Caleesi's long elven ears could be seen jumping in response. She quickly took a troubled head spin around her, a sense of panic flooding her azure hues. *What if she messes up?* In truth, it had been years since the grandmistress had done a proper waltz. The need to be perfect for such a demonstration? It wasn't an easy task to have weighing on your shoulders. There were still a few moments left before the song would take off, but before Caleesi could get any other words out, Lysanthirs voice bellowed into her ears like a warm wave of sweeping sand. To his first inquire, Scarleth found herself almost cracking a smile. With the way he made it sound, it almost seemed as though the man felt the same way about Delsandra that she did. *Perhaps it was a vampire's intuition.* Nevertheless, it still begged the question as to why he would think Caleesi would allow him to touch her- His hands wrapping even tighter around her waist as seconds drained before they would start. 
_ _

"I'm Surprised she even let you here at all. You should have seen the way she acted during ThunderFest- That woman wanted your head on a silver platter if it wasn't for me to stop her." Shaking her head ever so slightly, Caleesi lowered her sights back towards the center of Olagwyen's chest. Recalling the fire that burned so chaotically within Princess Delsandras eyes, it was rather worrisome to know that one day she could very well become Queen. Regardless of the eladrins behavior, what Lysanthir said next brought a sinking feeling to Cali's stomach. After such a terrifying night... He wanted to apologize? There was a much softer glance to the high elfs gaze as she fixed her sights back up to the vampire, her eyes searching over his face for any reason as to why. While no hardened expression lied upon the High Lords perfectly sculpted face, Caleesi could see the twinge of regret and humiliation that formed at the center of his brows. Elongating a slight frown from his usual flattened lips.

_ _
It all *Seemed* Genuine. Though it did come as a shock to the sorceress, she didn't find his words disingenuous. Becoming reeled in by such a different side of the man, Cali's lips parted curiously as she observed Lysan. She could tell he was almost struggling to say what he truly wanted to, and that in itself made her all the more interested in what he had to say. Leaning forwards when the elven man inclined his head to her however, the warmth of Lysanthir's breath caressed her ears just like it had within a dream she had not long ago... It was hard to differentiate the way Lord Olagwyen's actions differed from his words. He could have spoken in riddles of silk and honey, meaning every word, but his body language said otherwise. There was an intimidating factor to him, that perhaps was the main cause in misleading his true intentions- Nevertheless, Caleesi did her best to accept them. If not to cause a scene for the sake of the event. Her bright blue eyes remained wide as she looked up towards the vampire, speechless as if he had struck her with awe. But before the woman could get anything out, the loud chime of the orchestra picked up for the final time; and it would seem the show was to begin.
_ _

Hesitantly, Cali brushed her free hand up the side of the Law Master's arm until it rested perfectly against his massive, broad shoulder. Her back staying perfectly straight into the curve of his hand as the pair took off in wide strides around the ballroom. The grandmistress's torso was pressed up firmly against Lysanthirs chest- though no heartbeat from him could have been felt. Only her own. Nervously, Caleesi darted her glance around the crowd, anxious to see the faces of strangers and what they would think of her. Unknowingly, Scarleth squeezed the shoulder of the High Lord as they waltzed around. Her feet sweeping the floor in an effortless motion as he led her around the ballroom with ease. The ends of her white lace dress trailing behind her as it danced within the air of each twirl and turn. While she may have appeared confident, Caleesi was internally panicking. The fear of failure crawling into the sides of her mind like black shadows she had imagined in the dream before- but then..

*Something clicked.* 
_ _

The way that the Law Master had been so carefully holding her, insuring she was following the dominant footing of his leads as they traced perfect squares. His scent, that never died down from it's intoxicating pull it had. Calming- As if she could have been devoured by it whole. Leaving nothing but the two of them in an eternal darkness. Quickly, Cali's eyes shot back to Lysanthir, her brow twisting in a confused thought as she quietly blurted out. "I... I think i had a *Dream* About you.." She whispered, her expression melting into a bit of a shock. Still swaying effortlessly along the ballroom floor, nothing but the sound of music filled the woman's ears as she lost herself in the depths of Lord Olagwyens icy hues. There was an eerie familiarity they carried to them, almost as if she had seen them on more than just one occasion. The background around the man soon would become a mesh of a blur, as her gaze became more and more fixated on just what she was trying so desperately to believe. It had to have just been a coincidence.. Right?
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Althea
_ _The mention of Delsandra's rage did not come as a surprise to the lord, and in a fleeting second his eyes darted over to where she stood on the outside of the crowd now around the two dancers. Those piercing yellow-orange eyes stabbed like daggers at him, but there was a smile upon her face. Perhaps it was the eladrin Caleesi should fear, not Lysanthir... 

Though, Caleesi mentioning she had stood up for Lysanthir, or at the very least eluding to it, make Lysanthir's heart light up. What had she said? What did she do to illicit such a powerful princess as Delsandra to not do what she wished to do? It was strange. If Caleesi had felt so uncomfortable or even scared of the vampire, why not let the Princess of Fire burn him away? He felt a warmth regardless, one he had not felt in a very long time. It only made the man wish to be closer to Caleesi, less physically however. Lysanthir wished to know just who Lady Scarleth was.

As the two began to danced within the cleared circle, the crowd around them still carried on with their hushed remarks, though more were simply enjoying the demonstration. Lysanthir's eyes fell back down upon Caleesi's, and it was then he noticed just how nervous she was. The vampire's grip remained around the she-elf, but loosened to give her as much breathing room as she could have, even with the two so close. The music playing was beautiful, a perfect selection for a demonstration such as this. It matched the pace Lysanthir set perfectly, and each movement almost seemed to match each hum cello, whine of the violin and ring of the piano. The two almost seemed to flow round and round like a whirlpool in the ocean, their movement as fluid as the sea.

_ _
Though, Caleesi's nervousness did come as a bit of a surprise to the vampire. Of course, the anxiety she felt around him was one he had felt before, but the feeling of her emotions now was different. It felt more... Immediate, as if she were afraid to mess up a step or spin. Opening his mouth, Lysanthir spoke in a hushed tone once more, "You're dance beautifully, Lady Scarleth." The man didn't even seem to be out of air with how fast they were moving, but as was the life and stamina of a vampire. Hoping his words would calm her worry, the two continued on, spinning 'round the ballroom as if the world around them was gone. At least, to Lysanthir it was. It was only he and Caleesi in this moment, which was all that mattered. Could one go as far as to say Lysanthir was in love? No. 

Lysanthir was in love with a memory. But that memory was slowly fading from his view. 

Now, the Caleesi everyone else knew was slowly revealing herself to the Master of Laws, and the pain Lysanthir felt in his chest was so agonizingly similar to the pain he felt when he watched his wife exhale her last. Refusing to allow that memory plague his mind any longer, Lysanthir mentally thanked the Gods when Caleesi spoke again, but that relief was quickly replaced by ever so slight panic. All Caleesi would feel or see was a twitch at Lysanthir's left hand, the one wrapped around her back. Remaining calm and collected, the vampire replied, "Is dreaming of Lazaroth councilors normal for you, Lady Scarleth?" The inflection in his voice was one of ever so slight amusement, but there was still no smile upon his face. It would take a lot more to get a man such as he to crack a smile.

_ _
Around the two elves went, all eyes in the room on them, but that painful feeling was returning once more. Speak to her more. It disappears when you do, Lysan. Ushering himself mentally to speak yet again, Lysanthir changed topics of the dream quickly to avoid Caleesi figuring anything out, as well as to rid himself of the mourning he felt in his chest. "I believe it is my turn to ask a question." Pausing for only a moment, Lysanthir glanced over to Astalios who only seemed to have the same glare Delsandra did, but was significantly better at hiding it. "Why choose me over King Dilitrios? I'm sure he was a surprised as I was when you did so."
Farah
Feeling the loosened grip from the high lord, Caleesi's elbows straightened out ever so slightly to match the newly found space to make their dance as seamless as possible. She was surprised by Lysanthir's words that followed soon after- making her heart flutter in the climax of its anxious fit- though deep down a wave of calm began to wash over her. A light hint of pink still kissed the grandmistress cheeks, even more so with the complement of her dance partner. Shifting her eyes away from him for a moment, Cali relaxed her nerves before she softly spoke back to him, the candle's flame between them whisking around just as bright as it had been standing still. "Thank you.. Lord Olagwyen. I didn't know that you were this proficient in the waltz, nor your knowledge on it. It's refreshing to know that people still remember its history." 

Getting caught up within the midst of the music, Caleesi fell to its passion and allowed herself to truly *Feel* It's tune. The high elf leaned back, interesting that her partner would support her as they dipped and rocked through the highs and lows of each note that paced itself within a *One, two, three* Tempo. Like a lost soul finding their voice, Lady Scarleth had seemingly find her confidence for this dance. The waltz was all about trusting your partner, and whilst trust was something neither of the two truly had for one another just yet, they were slowly melting the ice at the very least. Caleesi fluttered her eyes shut to envelop herself in the song, leaning her head back as she did so. Many guests that had cursed silent whispers were now staring in awe, their views shifting at the sight of the two as they claimed the ballroom for as their own. 
_ _

Once Cali did bring her attention to the front, the trickled feeling of Lysans hand caused her to tilt her head up at him in question. Perhaps the she-elf shouldn't have spoken her thoughts aloud, as the vampire's response made Caleesi's face heat up a ruby red. A nervous smile broke the woman's lips as she left out an airy chuckle, her gaze swimming around as she tried to think of a clever response. "I- Haha, well no, of course not... Is being broody and apathetic normal for you, Lord Olagwyen?"" Lingering back around to the man, Cali noticed the unwavering, bland expression that sat on the High Lords face, her nervous smile drooping in worry that he perhaps was offended. "I'm sorry-" She started, her fingers that once sat flatly against the Law Masters shoulders now bunching up. 

Before the gandmistress could explain herself any further, a new question would arise. Though, instead of Lysnathir's haunting eyes piercing through the she-elf's soul, Caleesi watched as he trailed his sights elsewhere. Landing on King Astalios himself. Following his gaze, Lady Scarleth took in the deepend glare that her King had, his muddled brown hues speaking volumes. A slight frown tugged the edges of Cali's lips as she listened to Lysnathir, her eyes still hovering over the half elf that stood out amongst the crowd. Part of the young woman felt as though she had let down her king by choosing to dance with the counselor, but the other part felt as though she had a duty to fill. Keeping the peace. Swaying her attention back towards Lord Olagwyen, Caleesi's eyes softened almost completely. The feeling of fear for the man she was far too terrified to look at now slowly melting away. "If i'm being completely honest with you, there is nothing i hate more than having a man speak for me. I did not know King Astalios would do such a thing, and so i am sorry if it ruined your performance at all." 
_ _

As the pair glided and swayed their way around a few times more, a few strands of Cali's neatly blond hair wisped about- some breaking from the white petal clip that held half of her thick tresses together. Caleesi did her best to ignore such a bothersome thing, and instead focused on the music as it began to slow from its once upbeat tune. Each time Lysathir pressed his dominant foot forwards, placing himself up close and personal to her, the high elf got a fluster of butterflies caged deep in her chest. She still felt a bit unsure about the vampire no doubt, but to have him apologize to her in such a manner, and still offer his conversation after.. It was oddly nice. " I picked you because.. If someone like Delsandra can give you a second chance. So can i." Caleesi paused a moment, eyes locked sweetly with Lysan before she offered a small, and heartfelt smile. "Everyone deserves to enjoy tonight. Besides, I do love the waltz. Dancing was all i did growing up, so *Maybe* You were right about perfect partners." 
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