Michelle
"I thank you for the compliment, but I am a servant of my father's kingdom, Chieftain." *Astalios's tone was somewhat sharp, as if he had been threatened with a dagger. His father's rule was a subject that he intended to keep out of the gutter, and placing himself with the honor of being king... It felt too early. And much of his heart feared the desired that lay within, the seed deep inside his mind that urged him towards destruction, that told him to kill until he could kill no more, to leave Alynthi to carnage if it meant war would come.

He could not be king just yet. It would be worse for the kingdom.* "I do not intend to usurp the honor of king. His rule has been prosperous for Alynthi as a whole, and I cannot say whether I shall compare in the future. It is my most fervent hope that I can be half the king my father happens to be."

*At least the armor had been well-received. There was a true wonder to the eyes of the dragonborn as he observed the change in the armor he wore, the style changing from a generic and shoddily made suit that might have held up under pitched battle and might have failed to a fashion statement, as well as a much improved product. Smooth steel, layered properly - or at least, it would be steel again when the ball was over. Outside of politics, golden or orange armor was a terrible hindrance, as it was not only weaker than steel, but much more distinctive.*

"If you were worried about making the wrong impression, Chieftain, you might have worn a tunic or some other finery, like Prince Samir of Khisfire is doing at the moment." *He nodded over to Hannibal, in his cloak and various silks.* "And I can hardly believe that the night has been so uncomfortable when we have hardly been speaking for a few moments. The night is long, and this is barely considered the start of it. The dances have not yet begun."

_ _
*Umras waved to another noble - Delsandra. He hadn't met the princess of Thyseer for too long at once, but it seemed she was a devout person, caring for the fire god's rituals. She was an elf of some beauty, but the same could be said of most elves, Caleesi being the prime example. His grand Mistress of Magic was as alluring in form as any. The trick with elves was to discern what sort of person they really were - appearances were always in top shape, but what lay beneath could be ugly as any hag of the night. Though he hadn't intended to acknowledge that she was staring, he gave a polite nod as Umras did so as not to be rude, though he did wish that the chieftain hadn't drawn so much attention.

But what came next blew him away. His eyebrows raised in skepticism as Umras detailed the plans he was setting in motion for the future. To simply ask here and now in the middle of a crowded ballroom - it forced the hand of everyone present, made certain that his response would be recorded. He had to find a way to redirect, and though Umras's plans seemed too good to be true... They could not be accepted here. Not now, with the entire ballroom privy to the plans. It was with pity that Astalios looked back at the chieftain, unsure of how much he knew about what he had just done to himself.*

"I will have to consult with the king of this possibility. I cannot answer you now. As you say... There is not much good history between us. And please, Your Excellency, refer to me as 'Your Highness'. We have barely been talking for a few brief moments." *The harsh staccato of his words clashed with Umras's hopes, but as he turned to take a sip of his wine cup, patterns began to rearrange themselves on Astalios's gauntlet, forming letters one after the other in a quick message as he drank.

S - P - I - E - S E - V - E - R - Y - W - H - E - R - E H - O - L - D - T - O - N - G - U - E F - O - O - L.*
Mike
Hannibal downing yet another glass putting him on his sixth in his hands. Now deciding he has confidence to confront people that are high up, the Prince starts to walk over to the Princess of Thyseer. He makes sure to approach at a reasonable pace his clock just dragging along the ground, and the odd clink of gold as he walked. The glass with the red liquid in it spinned and twirled as he walked. The Prince then appeared next to the Princess Qinrel leaving a foot or so between them.

"What brings the Princess of Thyseer here?"

Waiting a second or two after speaking the prince would turn his head to look at the Princess, admiring the fair skin and the outfit now at a closer distance. Finding the gold and blue a great choice especially for thunder fest. Then he remembered their is something off with this 'fair lady'. The sneer at an extravagant event like this is unheard of for him, and it is down right impolite for when you walk in to look disgusted. 

The Prince then took a sip from his glass finally taking his time and savouring the taste. It was refined and rich, but he still did not see this as something he would drink back home, so that idea was crossed off the list.
John
Feeling a presence approach her, Delsandra averted her eyes from the discussion between the Iron Prince and dragonborn to instead settle her eyes on a sun kissed elf; the prince of Khisfire. Eyeing him curiously, the princess let out a gentle sigh before turning her eyes away once more to answer Prince Samir. "I myself have never seen King Zarreus's fireworks. I simply had to see them in person, rather through tale or painting." Darting her eyes to meet the prince's, her own were set ablaze as if a flame danced within them. A faint smile sat beautifully across the fair eladrin's face, though her eyes seemed to tell a different story, one of curiosity. Almost a *Surgical* Curiosity, as if she were dissecting the prince's ever word and movement the moment he made one.

"What about you, your highness? Feeling festive?" Before she could give any intentions or insight away with nothing more than a gaze, she finally pulled the flames within her eyes away from Hannibal, and back onto Astalios and the dragonborn. Many women, when not expressing any emotion may have looked irritated or even bored, but not Delsandra. Her resting face was one of constant inquiry, but ever with a very faint smile. Yes, it was creepy enough to those who didn't know. Well, perhaps it was creepy to those who knew her too... Nevertheless, on she stared, ever wondering what the two could be talking about, and just who the lizard man was exactly. Deciding not to wait any longer to find out, she tilted her head toward the dragonborn.

"Is he a noble of some kind, Prince Samir? I don't believe I know his name, nor where he's from or who he is." Eyeing the band of... *Vagabonds* With the dragonborn, it was obvious he was a stranger, perhaps even a foreigner. Was he... *From Dasvaz?* Oh how fun this night would be if that were the case-
Mike
Watching her eyes dart to meet his it added a hint of fear to them, yet adored the orange. The prince thought about the response and realised unless he was close that is the answer everyone would give. The half elf looked away after being probed by the Princess's eyes. Hannibal felt as so he had nothing to hide when looking at the eladrin elf. Then hearing the question he took it right away, and seeing that he hasn't seen the event before he'd thought he be honest.

"I myself have not seen Findara's great fireworks. I simply had to see them, for myself." After feeling the gaze disappear he turned his head once more for a quick moment and realised her interest was back at the 'The Slave' dragonborn and Iron Prince. He let out a slight sigh, as this is nothing like the parties he threw back in Khisfire. No one was higher of class than him and came up to him praising him. But here, here Hannibal was not the highest and people were not flocking to praise him. The prince turned his attention to the dragonborn, after getting asked about him or at least the Prince assumed it was about Umaras.

"That is, 'His Excellency, Chieftain Umras Kilfras of Dasvaz, The Weak, The Meek, The Slave'." The longer the title went on the more monotone and pauses were made. "I am assuming he has recently taken power from the tribes of Dasvaz. Given the title he has and his seeming positive attitude towards Astalios."
Adolfo
The old rusted *Creeaakk* Bellowed from the mighty double doors of the Findara ballroom castle, giving way to heralds as they swiftly moved towards the entrance in respect for their new guest before allowing their voices to ring into the air like a trumpet, sounding off. 

``` "High Lady Caleesi Scarleth of Alynthi, Grand Mistress of Magic." ```

Soon to follow suit to her arrival, Caleesi Scarleth emerged from the darkened hall and into the gentle candle light of the ballroom like an angel from caelum. This golden-haired mistress walked with a very strong stride that held poise and elegance. Donning a creamy white silk slip dress that undoubtedly kissed every curve on the high elf's body, cutting directly at the hip with an open back to match- The shimmering fabric seemingly hovered above her skin rather than clinging to it. With her piercing blue eyes scanning the forefront of the grand showground, any signs of her nervousness from the other night had simply vanished. *Perhaps that little bird had helped her more than Cali realized.* Nevertheless, the Grand-master made her descend down the wide set of stairs with her head held high, along with her arms neatly clasped together in front of her. Stepping rather rhythmically to the faint tempo from the nearby band, Caleesi's beautifully pale legs swayed with each click of her glass heels. 

She may have been no princess, but she surely looked the part. 
_ _

No jewelry hung from the sorceress's neck, nor from her wrists. As the thought of anything restricting her caused too much of a nuisance. Instead, the curve of her sharp collar bones sat on display just above the dip in her satin dress, making for a far more interesting eye candy than a simple rock or two. Once Caleesi's feet breached the bottom of the stairs, waiters could be seen flocking to her side with trays of assorted treats and wines. Though, the high elf respectfully waved them along with the motion of a calm hand. Those glossed peach lips spreading sweetly into a graceful smile. Being surrounded by walks of all types of royals made it hard to want to eat anything, and truth be told, Caleesi didn't know half of these gowns or plated armors and suits. Her gaze went straight for the scenery around her however, as there was so much to take in and admire. This was the High Lady's first time within the castle of Findara, and while the outside seemed just as magical... This ballroom proved to be enchanted. Caleesi tilted her head up above to gaze upon the ceiling murals, as well as the beautiful golden statues that held the nosebleed section of guests mingling about. The traces of gold and deep blue collided so well under the subtle hues of yellow candle light... All of which put stars in Cali's eyes. 
_ _

Although, it didn't take her long to push her focus inward to the crowd of bodies lingering about on the dance floor. Scarleth danced her wandering gaze to each head slowly, studying each feature that stood out to her. Meeting the back of a yellow and blue dress, the sorceress raised a brow when she trailed her eyes up to the crown sitting upon an elven head. *That must have been the princess*. Caleesi had skimmed through the many guesses as to who the woman was, but she couldn't be too certain. It had been years since she attended royal meetings, and her history on who was representing each kingdom other than her own seemed to be a little rusty. That dreading thought of not knowing however, certainly nipped at her ears. Nevertheless, Cali continued on observing new faces. Hoping to find one she'd soon recognize...