Althea
"When you've been alive as long as I, things start to become second nature." Lysanthir responded to Caleesi's compliment, and then realized she had grown a bit more relaxed. It was a relief. Perhaps she had finally gotten past what she had heard about him, or what he had done at Thunder Fest for that matter. A brief moment of silence fell between the two, which gave Lysanthir time to enjoy the dance and song they were performing to. The crowd around them melted away, as if a spotlight from above had cascaded down upon the two of them. Was this love? No, how could it be? He's only met her thrice, one of which she didn't even know it was him. Perhaps what he felt was calm, a feeling that the vampire had nearly forgotten. Simply being content. Eyeing the candle between their hands, Lysanthir wasn't surprised at all to see it still lit.

There was a shift however. As Caleesi allowed the music to finally invade her mind, Lysanthir could feel how more confidently she carried herself. Her movements weren't as hesitant as they were just a moment before, leaving Lysanthir feeling ever so slightly proud that she had come out of her shell. It was a night of trying something new for everyone, that much was certain. Though, the blush that covered Caleesi's lips after the vampire's question did amuse Lysanthir, her inquiry in return caused his brow to furrow. Broody? *Apathetic?* Soon, the realization that he had not even cracked so much as a faint smile the entire night washed over him, but in his eyes Caleesi could very well see the amusement dancing within them, even though his lips remained neutral.

_ _
"There's no need to be sorry, my lady." Lysanthir did his best to reassure her as he felt her tense up once more. Noticing her glance to the king, the he-elf waited patiently for her response to his question. It was an honest one, as Lysanthir had been genuinely surprised Caleesi had chosen him over the Iron King, but the high elf would be lying if he didn't say he wasn't the least bit amused by thought. When Caleesi spoke the words 'second chance' however, there was an obvious hitch in Lysanthir's movements, but as quickly as it appeared it was gone. The music was dying down and soon their dance would be over, but it was apparent Caleesi's words had struck a chord within the vampire's heart.

Lysanthir looked to Caleesi's face with a mixed expression. It was filled with both understanding and caution, slight pain and appreciation. It was almost as if Lysanthir was struggling to come to grips with the feeling her words had placed within him. Watching the she-elf's eyes as the music started to die down and their dance slowly came to an end, the vision of Calitherien's face had finally melted away entirely. Now all that was left was Caleesi. Only, Caleesi. It was painful to witness, but healing all at once. It was something Lysanthir had never given himself a chance to feel. That loss and all that pain had been bottled up and the moment he had first laid eyes upon Caleesi, his mind told him this was his second chance to be with her, when in reality it was his second chance to live.

To be alive, as he was thousands of years ago.

_ _
The music had finally stopped, and the crowd erupted into applause for their performance. Staring at Caleesi as he held her so close in his arms a moment longer, the vampire soon departed from his stance and instead took a spot next to the woman. Lysanthir gazed around the room, but there was a look of deep thought in his eyes. Without another moment however, Lysanthir bowed to Caleesi and extended a hand to her before looking to the crowd, "Grandmistress Caleesi Scarleth of Alynthi." The crowd looked to the she-elf, and instead of hateful or gossip-filled looks in their eyes, it was appreciation for their display. When their claps died down once more, Lysanthir looked to Delsandra in the back of the crowd before dipping his head in respect. It was a silent thanks for allowing him such an opportunity.

Soon, the crowd began to disperse as another performer took the stage. Some began to practice their own waltzing, others going to mingle about the performance. Nevertheless, it left Caleesi and Lysanthir with significantly less eyes on them. Turning to face the she-elf, the vampire took Caleesi's hand in his own before dipping his head down to place a kiss on the back of her hand. "I thank you, Lady Scarleth, for allowing me to share a dance with you. You have made my attendance here worth while."
Farah
With the way that Lysanthir never seemed to budge from his cold expressions, Caleesi started to slowly realize that perhaps that was just the way the high elf was. His comment of being alive for such a long time helped better understand that this vampire had possibly lived in worlds not even she could have imagined. Deeping her gaze into the High Lords icy hues, Cali could almost see the underlying passion that swooped in each fiery white arch, swirling along his snowy blue irises. One glance alone told of a lifetime of struggle that had never been put into words, but Caleesi saw it for all it was worth. Silence hovered over the two once more, only this time it held far more significance for them both. Even as their dance had come to an end, and both elves slowed to a gentle sway- still tangled in one another's arms- Caleesi's eyes never wavered from Lord Olagwyens own while they shared a longing stare. No fear or hesitation was present on the grandmistress face, as it was now replaced with a look of pure innocent curiosity for what Lysanthir was thinking. She saw the cracks that lingered on his face, small hints of himself peeking through by words she didn't think would have such an effect on him.

*Just what was he thinking?*
_ _

Surprisingly, Lady Scarleth had become accustomed to the tender loving hold the High Lord had on her. His hands, while large in size, fit into the curve of her back like a piece of a puzzle. Perfectly lined right down to the way they both held the candle so effortlessly in their hands. However, when the music had finally died out, leaving both vampires to pick up on the enhanced noises around them, Cali still clung to the melody in her mind. And just how graceful Lysanthir led her. Applause rained down upon the two heavy, so abrupt it had broken the fixational stare Caleesi had on the councilor. It was only when the Law Master untethered his grasp on the woman that Scarleth unknowingly wished to hold on longer. There was a pull from deep within just as she had felt that night in Findara to know more about Olagwyen than he had put on. Tonight, he had shown a side that she had never seen before out of people like him... 

*People. Not monsters.*
_ _

Jumping ever so slightly to such praise that arised by guests who once bickered over them, a sense of excitement and proudness rose within the high elves chest. She allowed the High Lord to move to her side, though still kept her hand intertwined within his own. When Lysanthir announced her name, the heat that had finally subsided from Caleesi's face came burning right back. Even redder than before. A bashful smile painted Lady Scarleths lips as she took a humbled bow, squeezing her former dance partner's hand in silent thanks. Once she arose, Cali tilted her head over towards the man, a sparkle of light dancing in her eyes that spoke far louder than words ever could. She was thankful for such a moment, and knew that this night would stay in her memories for a long time. 

Watching as the crowd departed, and some even whisking their loved ones to their own dance, a warm calm washed over the grandmaster. However, feeling a shuffle by her side, Caleesi brought her attention back over to Lysanthir; his hand still holding gently onto hers. A flustered, wide eyed look overcame the she-elf once the vampire pressed his lips to her skin. Chills invaded the woman's spine, leaving goosebumps to dot around her neck and arms. There was a cold caress from the High Lords lips that, even though held little warmth, still set the young girl's heart on fire. Smooth and soft were the elven man's skin-as if unscathed from any cut or roughness. Sheepishly darting her eyes away from him however, Caleesi's chest could be seen picking up speed from her accelerated heart beat. 
_ _

"P-Please, i'm far too flattered, Lord Olagwyen." The sorceress stammered, her voice holding a small smile. Soon, Cali's face would return to the Law Master, her gaze still soft and welcoming as she twisted her smiling lips to the side. "I should be thanking you though.. That was the first time i've danced in years. You've helped me come alive far more than you know it, so thank you." 

Caleesi dipped her head down graciously in respect, the golden strands of her long, wavy hair tumbling down along with her. As she rose for the final time, a hopeful look remained in her eyes that perhaps Lysanthir's motives were mistaken all along. And maybe, just maybe, they could start over. 
||
Althea
Lysanthir held onto Caleesi's hand a few moments longer, but soon he retracted his own to his side and returned to standing straight up. Looking over to King Dilitrios for a brief moment, Lysanthir wanted what he thought of their interaction. While he tried his best to be as respectful as a councilor should have been, Lysanthir was delighted at the thought of whisking Caleesi away from Astalios. Nevertheless, the vampire looked back to his dance partner and dipped his head. "There's no reason to thank me, my lady. I knew you were the perfect choice the moment I saw you." His words were buttery and filled with compliments, and one wouldn't be wrong to say it was a ploy to get closer to Caleesi, because it was. Though, not for the reasons one might expect. They also could very well have had a double meaning, for he could have meant when he first saw her at Thunder Fest, or when he saw her in the crowd.

Looking over to a servent carrying a tray of wine, Lysanthir waved a hand and two glasses levitated over the various heads of party-goers to his hand, though one floated right in front of Caleesi. "I actually have not danced in... Hm, just under a thousand years I believe? I'm just as surprised as you are that I didn't mess up the demonstration." It was likely strange for both Queen Runacri and Lord Corinthian to see Lysanthir be so- well, talkative to *Anyone* Really. Most times he'd answer questions or get straight to a point, but small talk wasn't in his repertoire usually. A thought had crossed Lysanthir's mind however as he went to sip from his glass, which stopped him dead in his tracks. Turning to look at Caleesi, a curious look befell his face.

_ _
"If you don't mind me asking, Lady Scarleth, why *Were* You so upset that night in Findara?" Caleesi would very easily notice Lysanthir avoid speaking of his actions that night, but he did never truly find out why she had been so upset before he had even approached her. Perhaps his prodding would ruin the mood, but it had bothered him ever since. Did someone say or do something to her? No one would ever lay a hand or harmful word upon Caleesi again if Lysanthir was around. Not if they wished to continue breathing at least. While that mask of Calitherien may have disappeared, Lysanthir wished to remain as close to the she-elf as he could. The feelings she made him feel were euphoric, nearly as addictive as a drug.

He had no intention of quitting it now.

While he waited for answer, Lysanthir eyed the crowd once more though rather than looking to Princess Delsandra or King Astalios, the vampire was instead searching for his own queen, Ashira, as well as the little pest Corinthian. With a gentle inhale, Lysanthir felt each heart beat in the room. The drunken fools being escorted out of the ballroom, lovers dancing the night away with one another in front of the stage and the current performer, the calm, the quick- he felt it all. None however, were beating as quickly as Queen Dhakashira's did when the hym was playing its little game with her. It was a simple and very discreet way to check on his queen, one only he knew about. For now, all was calm, which was a relief to the Law Master.