Earl
Gentle was the air that whispered through milky white curtains of a single, yet large bedroom for one particular soul. The softened clamor of luggage rustled together before inevitably *Thumping* To the ground– followed by the heavy sigh from a rather delicate voice. Caleesi Scarleth had never truly been this far within the Alynthi castle since she was nothing much more than a baby. Always cradled at her mothers hip as she watched royalty dance along the outstretched ballroom just downstairs from her newly assigned room. Part of those memories created a small divot in the high elf's stomach, thinking back to her days with her parents. Although that woe was quickly replaced with a bittersweet smile as Cali reminded herself that her mother would be proud of her now. After all, she had become the very thing she worked so hard for... A Grandmaster. 

Taking in the spacious atmosphere, Caleesi's wide blue eyes explored each and every crevice and embroidered detail that the royal room had to offer. From a lavish queen sized bed, to the sizable mini fireplace surrounded by a one person desk already littered with the sorceresses books. It was dusk however when Scarleth had arrived- traveling all night to make it before morning. Her first job started at dawn however... And although the work in question was far from her ideal of being on a council, Caleesi respected it nonetheless. Attending a festival of all things- who knew? The idea of being surrounded by millions of strangers, let alone royalty was nerve racking enough as it was. But nothing this former High Lady couldn't handle. Even so, the bite of *'what if* Still nipped at the back of her well pointed ears. 

_ _

What if the prince didn't like her? Much less remembered her. Despite their adolescence- Caleesi fondly remembered the little boy who attended each and every family gathering in celebration of the king and queen. While the two only held simi-frequent conversations with one another, the high elf got a good chuckle out of his company. She could always notice him in the middle of a crowded room, or amongst the faces of a million strangers. The prince had a whimsical way about himself back then. Smiling and parading around like the beacon of joy for his people.Nevertheless, part of Caleesi liked to think maybe Astalios remembered her face too. But perhaps that was just silly to think about. She may not have held the title of a princess, let alone true royalty, though always found herself constantly surrounded by it. 

Taking a moment to pull off her worn in clothes and trade them in for a small silk nightgown, Caleesi sauntered over near the decorative window and sat silently upon the ledge. The high elf pulled her long legs to her chest, wrapping those feminine arms around her knees before resting her head within her lap. The sounds of silence became quiet deafoning at these hours, even when the poor woman's mind seemed to race endlessly with thoughts. Tilting her chin up to prop onto her forearm- Cali watched the calm, deep midnight blue sky from her rose painted window. The moon still shining down tenderly on her just as it did in her times of need. Caleesi took a deep breath in through her nose before letting it blow out rather harshly- still stuck on what she should or could do to make the best impression tomorrow... 

*Who knew that even the most level headed people still concerned themselves with the jitters?*
||
Claude
*As the wind gently blew against the castle, causing the mighty stone to groan in silent anger and stress, a small starling landing on the roof above the royal quarters, nestling onto the shingles. The bird stared out into the sky, chuckling softly at the blue wonder in front of him. He always liked the night-sky. That wasn't really fair, though. He liked most things. Sun rises, sun sets, the moon. He always found himself getting lost in that cosmic beauty. The infinity laid out in front of him. Part of that joy definitely stemmed from the ability to fly between the stars. He always felt so in tune with the realm while flying. Watching everyone below him lead happy lives. Living in pure, unadulterated peace. He loved that. Always had. But there were some nights when that peace was interrupted. He could always feel them, you know. The insomniacs lying up at night, nervous to face the next day. Not like he had anything better to do, right? He was absolutely willing to make someone smile instead of sleeping.*

*In an instant, the bird swapped forms with a man, covered in dark, concealing clothing. A hood was draped over his head, and his face was covered with tightly fitting rags. Thin enough to allow him to breathe, of course. Quickly, he crouched down, rolling out a large piece of leather holding all of his tools. He removed a small hook with a smile, taking care to latch it onto the roof. Reaching on his back, he removed a long piece of rope, quickly fitting it through a small notch in the hook. Testing it for weight, he deemed it strong enough, quickly taking a few steps to the end of the sloping tower. His feet collided with the thick stone of the castle, and slowly, Karl lowered himself down, whispering quietly to himself as he went.* 'Fifth window down on the left... Fifth window down on the left..." *He reminded himself repeatedly, humming a tune. A tune that would slowly pierce Caleesi's ears.*

*Soon, a pair of red eyes would descend from the top of Calee

Si's window, quickly taking a peek into the room. Quickly, a bandaged hand would follow, offering a small, quiet wave. Karl quickly cut himself from the rope, falling down onto the windowsill with the grace of a house-cat. He waved once more, chuckling softly.* "Hope I'm not intruding." *He said in a sweet, cheery voice, reaching to his waist to remove a small fife. It was slimmed down and undecorated, clearly brought entirely for the effectiveness, not the looks.* "Caleesi, right? New Grandmaster? Pleasure to meet you." *He said, gripping the fife tightly in his hand. She was more beautiful than he had expected. His little birds had told him she was pretty, but she was PRETTY. He shrugged it off, offering a visible smile underneath his face-mask.*

"I'm the Songbird, by the way." *He said, nodding quietly. Quietly, he raised the fife to his lips, beginning to blow out a short and sweet song. From the corner of his mouth, he began to sing, somehow juggling both playing the fife and singing.* "To your happiness, Miss Caleesi." 

*The tune was quiet but sweet, the lyrics piercing Caleesi's ears in a rough, yet gentle manner.* 

"Folks gather 'round for I'll tell you a tale
Yes fill up your cisterns and drink down your ale
For I'll spin you a story of a magician so strong
Her magical will hath done strung us along

So cheer, cheer, loud so she'll hear!
Yes cheer, cheer, for the wondrous years!

Here comes Caleesi, so strong and so brave
With her magical hands she casts down the knaves
A bringer of peace and of beauty immense
A glorious age she's set to commence

So cheer, cheer, loud so she'll hear!
Yes cheer, cheer, for the wondrous years!

Now my friends, I am sad to say
The time has come for us to go our separate ways
But look to your heart for guidance and smarts
Know that Caleesi is in all of our hearts

So cheer, cheer, loud so she'll hear!
Yes cheer, cheer, for the wondrous years!"
Earl
With the chirrs and thrums of the outside world echoing into the castle walls, subsequently causing a much more eerie noise to reflect out into the air- Caleesi sprained her brows ever so slightly. Alynthi was beautiful, that much she always knew. However, with how much she would have to get accustomed to up here in the massive wonderland that was the stronghold of a fortress- the high elf knew she would have to get used to the howling of the wind from time to time. A chill that abruptly breezed by the window had shivered poor Cali enough to stand up and fall closer towards her firepit. Leaning onto one of the bed poles, the sorceress hovered her sleepy gaze over the fresh log wood before raising her fingers in front of her- speaking out in a hush. "*Incendia*." Within seconds, the under barrel of the logs began to quake and tremble. Jolting around until sparks of embers sputtered from the center, finally exploding with elegance as a flame danced around. Growing brighter and brighter- the lulling orange hues reflecting softly against the tapestry, creating a homely ambiance. 

Caleesi watches as each crackle breathed among the burning wood, ripping the layers apart only to fuel the flames further. Those same flames swayed within the reflection of the grand mistress's eyes, making her eyelids fold with a heaviness that craved for sleep. In those moments, Cali switched from wondering about her duties to debating on which pillow she'd be resting her head on tonight. However, that thought didn't linger long. Because now the sounds of unfamiliar footsteps padding against stone caught her ears. At first, the woman thought it was nothing more than a guard patrolling the halls. Yet, when she fixed her senses towards the door... Nothing. Puzzled by this, Caleesi shifted on her hip and twisted herself around slowly. The sounds of whispers creeping up on her elven ears as if it were breathing on her skin.

Narrowing her eyes, the high elf tip toed her way back towards her window, a million thoughts running through her mind. 

_ _

*Was someone really trying to break into her room right now?*
Was someone *Really* Trying to break into the **Castle** Right now??
*Better yet, who would be stupid enough to do so?*

Magic fiddled within Caleesi's palms as she cautiously grew closer towards her windowsill. The strange sounds of a melody faintly drew the woman in, and once she was face to face with the breach of the wall- about to stick her head out of it–A looming figure of black rolled from up above her. Along with the eerie sight of red eyes piercing into her ocean blues. Cali's face widened in alarm, panic revealing itself outwardly as she jumped back in a shudder. Surprisingly, a yelp shrieked from the young woman's lips; though, she was quick to hush herself by slamming her hand against her mouth. Not trying to wake anyone. As the figure slinked its way into the window, waving and relaxing himself as if this was something he did often, Caleesi looked on in much less horror but confusion. Shocked from it all. Opening her mouth to speak, the high elf's lips failed to make sense of what was going on. Nevertheless, as the man introduced himself- a faint memory clicked in her absent mind. 

Upon the music that the songbird gently played, Caleesi's expression had completely melted from its perplexed state and into a far more softer and flattered gaze. Those high cheekbones kissed a rosy pink while a smile sat between them, admiring the presence of the bard she had only ever heard stories about from her district long ago. Slowly, the sorceress made her way over to her bed that sat inches from her window. Sitting down respectfully as she devoted her humbling attention onto the man with nothing more than a tender stare. Stars seemed to sparkle in the high elf's eyes as she admired his voice, and all the sweet words he hummed to her. Parts of them even flustering the mistress as she could be seen enthusiastically raising a brow along with a chuckle or two.

_ _

Once the music died down, and the songbird's tune came to an end, Caleesi lifted her hands up to cast an illusion. The mist of a bird, far similar to the mask he wore soared briefly into the air, circling around a few times before diving down and sitting on the man's shoulder. Mimicking the twitchiness of most observant fledglings, the bird cocked its head towards the fife, and back to the song bird before opening its beak to speak– The voice that came out of the illusion however was Caleesi. Her gentle and soothing tone murmuring out through the magic as she voiced, "Thank you, Songbird." Soon, the illusion would die out. Like a breeze that drifted in the wind, the shimmering off white mist fizzled away into nothingness. "If i would have known I was going to have company, I would have made you some tea for your generous talents. I hope you can forgive me." Caleesi offered a gentle smile as she pulled her hands back into her lap gracefully, the sparkle in her eyes still gleaming. 
||