John
**Maren 'Skagerlly'
The Ball, Maith Mansion**

Ah, it was so far from the cold, so far from what she was used to. But... Things were pleasant. It felt like the fire inside her was burning around her now, especially in the dress that Shaydrin had purchased for her on her behalf. It was necessary to keep her plethora of Old-Tongue scars hidden, but to do so in such a muggy environment made it a little difficult to finesse. A high collared dress made of thin, fine silk, in a pleasant baby blue. The sleeves ended a quarter way down her arms, her scars barely caressing the sun with the tips of words even she could not read. The dress reminded Maren of the soft sky. She was thankful. Whilst the adults were talking, she simply kept her eyes looking in wonder. She had not planned to be so far away from home. But now that she was, she tried to embrace it. 

She wished she had brought a toy. She had made a doll from sticks and snow before, but Shaydrin had simply told her that it was mediocre and unnecessary. 

Although she was a Vessel for the Gods' will, she was still very much a soft-hearted little girl, and couldn't help but crave the things that little girls did. 

Speaking of, her *Father* Was speaking of one of the scantily clad women behind them. Big Tits. Maren was *Very* Small, but her age was a mystery. She could understand more than what she let on. She understood too much. She looked at the woman, with a soft stare of pity. No one could tell, but Maren could. Big Tits and Muffy were scared. Sold off to this king. She looked down at her slippered feet with a small pout. Maren had her eyes, but only the Gods could save the prostitute's soul.

-

As they entered the ballroom, finally, Maren walked up quickly to snatch Shaydrin's hand, her little hand swallowed by his as she looked at all the very pretty people around her. She felt out of place, these people were tanned. She had heard of people that could wear the sun on their skin, as the Withic people bore the resemblance of snow. She was in awe of their caramel skin, some even darker, like coffee and chocolate. She wondered if they smelled that way? She tilted her head to the side, hardly paying attention to anything else until they had reached the table before the King. 

She turned her head, and it was almost like her senses were hit by a speeding cannonball. Before her stood the King, and she shuddered. All of her little hairs stood on end as she read the man before her. He was strong, built from iron and gold, his face hardened, carved from salt and stone. His hair was like the foam at sea, as if he had crawled from the ocean. Maren feared the ocean. But did she fear Bradai Maith? As she squeezed Shaydrin's hand, her lips parted, wanting to ask Bradai if he wanted a hug, but staying obedient. She let her eyes drift to the others around him, her eyes trained on the pale one. 

His hair was like ink, the deepest dark. A shadow. He was pretty, but also... Unnatural. When she looked at him, she smelled blood. She simply stared, unwavering, unblinking. Who was this creature? Surely he wasn't like the rest of them. Not of this world... She finally averted her gaze, her eyes looking down at the floor before reading more nobles... There were so many...
Marguerite
Catarina Tanner
The Ball, Maith Mansion

Cat lit up at the other woman's small smile and chuckle. It was much nicer to see Alva start to enjoy the party more, and it made Cat quite pleased to know that she had been a part of that. 

"I've found alcohol makes most things more bearable," Cat replied with a wink. "But I've always enjoyed parties, personally. The food, the dancing, the music, the drinks! I think this is my biggest party yet, though. I can understand where something like this would be a little... Overwhelming, I suppose?"

She paused, then said, "Or, wait! Underwhelming for you, perhaps?"
Phyllis
Alva Ivanova
The Ball, Maith Mansion

Alva shook her head. "Oh no, not at all. I've been to many big parties in my lifetime, but I just can't seem to get used to them."

She reached for her wine glass before swirling it around a little and taking a big sip, emptying the glass. She had grabbed the glass with her right hand, and the cup sat comfortably between her only three fingers on that side. 

"As much as I do love food and drinks, I dislike loud music and crowds even more." Alva shrugged and looked out to the rest of the ballroom at the other guests dancing and mingling. What she had said wasn't the entire truth, but naturally, she wasn't about to overshare.
David
Self-Named Sea King, Lord David Brass 
The Maith Mansion
The sight of two armoured men that carried a well-crafted chest into the halls, would of graced those within the large structure. More Vivayn Knights appeared after the first two, they all entered like a silver tide, solid and moved as one, A dominant sight to behold, The Sea King in his brass attire stood out as did Reginald in the centre of the display. The Snow Crow sigil enveloped each knight's breastplates. David glanced around the room, his eyes wondered at the unfamiliar faces and clothing, it differed greatly from the North. As David stepped with proposes he allowed his thoughts to manifest, *What a surprisingly impressive sight, it would be better with less here. The warmth grows with the number of bodies in any building, the warmth is already a needless discomfort to be dealt with, the amount gift givers, all here will be introduced, nay remind of House Brass, but that isn't the main focus of this night*.

The Sea King continued to allow his eyes and nose to wander, he smelled many types of foods and many types of drinks, not pleased by all smells that met his nose that evening. He had noticed a smell particularly pleasing to him, it was coming from the table filled with a large range of food placed across it,*They have squids?* The sudden question entered his mind as he paused taking a small sniff as he walked, not allowing his interest to appear on his face, *No it's different, strange I shall try some of what is hopefully food I'm smelling later this evening*. His hidden interest broke for that moment as his brow slightly narrowed at the sight of the mystery smell causer, the coiled cooked tentacles. The now dead creature bathed in red wine sat in the centre, it looked like a squid to David but twisted, after a quick glance at the octopus The Head of House Brass continued his grand steps, he offered nothing but silence to those surrounded him *The South has much to hide, it seems, with its own squids with more legs then I've seen in the North*.

The musicians played and what they played echoed across the room, It rang like a bell to David loud and never ending. *Such noise is nothing without feeling*, he gritted his teeth under his mouth * I hope it shall be silent soon, the south can't play music clearly, the waves are the greatest rhythm to dance to,*. The Basterds Bane cut his thoughts short as he stopped, his pride filled steps that echoed as they travelled across the marble flooring. He cleared his throat loudly then gave a long stare to the two knights that held the chest in their hands, he moved his head upwards in a motion for them to follow. With another cleared throat The Brass parted the silver sea of the Vivayn Knights that surrounded him. The Sea King stepped forwards as he faced the Pirate King. The Gray Eyed Squid's eyes never faltered in that moment, then a soft smile appeared over his bearded face as David introduced himself to Bradai. His voice appeared to be clearer and less dry than it had been when he first arrived; perhaps the warm air is what his tired salt-covered throat needed. 

"The Pirate King eh? I have travelled far for this, The seas from the north to the seas of the south. I be David Brass The Sea King, King Of The Seas, I am what I say by right".He stroked his black beard as he continued to speak, the lights of the room shined off his brass attire, his black beard still had remaining seawater drops placed about when view by a closer eye. "I have a gift that fellow royalty of the seas will be pleased with, such as you are. I had to be a part of such an event. For my house. House Brass" He paused as he allowed the words to linger like the sound of a rock being dropped into the depth of the sea.

He would suddenly break the silence, "And of course for such a grand old evening of celebration and see sights we simply don't have In the North. My fellow northerners, these guardsmen will offer my gift to you, it will be useful to you, it is something you could never find here, a gift perfectly suited to one that rides her majesty, that one stands before my gaze and is here to enjoy the bounty's of Dovka, The Seas herself" He bows his head respectfully, David then gave a stern look to the knights that held the chest, they lowered their heads then made their way towards the lucky pirate and opened it up showing what it held inside.

He then glanced to the side of him as the chest opening would have taken place, The Gray Eyed Squid would be met by the sight of a woman in a red velvet gown. The golden flower pattern placed on the gown is what caught his eye the most. He noticed the painted smile she held on her, his gray eyes gave off the feeling of coldness and tiredness. David turned his head away from the red-dressed women and looked back towards Bradai Maith, a look of interest, appeared on David's face as he awaited a repose for his gift.