John
"Sounds as though Princess Nala needs to get out more." Delsandra giggled a bit, this small talk bringing her a bit more joy than she initially thought it would. With a gentle sigh, the princess shrugged to her own words slightly, "I suppose I shouldn't say such things, I myself haven't left Thyseer's walls for quite some time. It is rather rare for me to leave the castle itself, let alone the kingdom." A faint smile seemed to remain on the princess's face, until the heralds at the door shouted once more.

Taking note of another new arrival, Delsandra didn't seem to be filled with a fear like Prince Samir. Instead, that fire within her eladrin eyes only seemed to burn even more. *Vampires?* ***In a royal court?*** What the hell was a beast of hell such as him doing here? That hatred that smoldered within the princesses heart was apparent in her expression, and that distrust for Lazaroth only seemed to grow. She knew they allowed vampires and werewolves within their kingdom and even in their nobility and royal council; but to allow one or even *Send* One to another kingdom? What a blasphemous place indeed. If the princess had it her way, the entire kingdom of Lazaroth would be put to the pyre, burning brightly by the flames of Phoedite.

Delsandra did notice the look of fear on Prince Samir's face however, as well as the many other nobles and individuals present within the ballroom. Did this *Lysanthir* Not care at all how his presence caused others to stare in fear and uncertainty? Obviously not. With a glare burning as fiery as the sun as the vampire took his leave to the gardens, Delsandra shook her head. "Unbelievable. I cannot believe King Meshoon would allow such filth within his castle, or his kingdom overall for that matter."
Mike
The Prince looked glanced at the princess, his eyes still showing the fear of the vampire. Hannibal only fears vampires due to the children stories the servants read to him before going to bed. Yet until now he had never been in the presents of one, he believed the stories were true with their mind control just by looking into someone's eyes hence he avoided looking at the councilman. So the prince gulped down a chunk of his wine.

"It makes you wonder if King Meshoon endorses the vampire *Plague*. I for one dislike their kind for obvious reasons." Hannibal looked at the princess Qinrel glare with having her eyes seem like a flame rages within. The sun elf admired the bravery of the Thyseer princess to speak out. However, he was a bit shocked at the sudden change in demeanour, defiantly jotting down in his head for future reference. 

Raising his hand and waved it towards a servant to come over. Once the servant was over the prince downed the last mouthful of wine and took a new glass of wine. The prince spun the liquid and watched the red liquid swirl with the odd bubble sticking to the side of the glass. Raising the glass to his nose the prince gave it a sniff, enjoying the smell before taking a small sip. With his confidence returning from the vampire passing by, the khisfirian prince looked over to the princess and deciding to be a gentleman he decided to ask, "Would care for a refill by any chance?"
Adolfo
"Hm." Caleesi breathed quietly, still examining the dragonborn from afar. "How are things with Dasvas? I'm surprised to see him at an event like this, let alone that he chose to speak with you. I know little of the more recent chieftains, but if their reputations hold still, they are far better at making enemies than allies..." The low, hushed tone of the Grand Master remained neutral as she spoke, still keeping her head inclined towards the prince to give off the idea that she was not snooping her eyes elsewhere. Although, as she finished her rather intrigued opinion, Cali then slid her bright blue eyes back into the deep depths of Astalios's own- her heeding smile painting back onto her face as if to keep the peace. "I have no doubt you came here for political views, so excuse my banter." Caleesi couldn't help but notice the strong aged appearance of the prince under the string lights when her attention finally fixated onto him. Even her bright smile couldn't be matched to his, yet the high elf found a bittersweet beauty to his own when he tried to mirror her joyful nature. Searching through his darkened stare, Caleesi's head tilted ever so slightly as her face softened over. "I will say however, and if i may- That i am very grateful to serve under an old friend..." 

Taking a glass of wine from a pass by tray, the high elf slightly rose it towards the prince before nodding her head. "Let us enjoy this party for tonight, you of all people definitely deserve it." Cali murmured, bringing her cup up to her curved lips. After hearing about the prince's long period of campaigning, while hard to relate, Caleesi felt sympathetic for him. She may have not been able to understand what he went through, however, the sorceress knew very well what it was like to be a stranger in your own body. Your own home.

Even now the young woman would find herself dissociating from the reality of her life... Not fully recognizing that she was merely just a dead soul carrying on the work she felt called to do.Nevertheless, as the High Lady took a respectful sip from her glass, the call of another noble sang into the busy air- making whosoever presence known by the many audible gasps and silence following after it. Slowly, Caleesi turned around at the mention of the name she herself did not know. The massive, narrow steps had created somewhat of a barrier that cut off the view from the ground below; making it hard to tell who would be emerging from the double doors until they made their way closer towards the edge. It was then that Caleesi took the time to whisper over towards Astalios, curious as to why the crowd around them had become tense. "Would you happen to know *This* Man, Your Majesty? *How come everyone is so... Uneasy?* 
_ _

Soon, the face of Lysanthir revealed himself to the ballroom. His sky-scraping appearance caused the air within Caleesi's chest to stagger ever so slightly. Right away, she could tell he was a High elf, same as she. With defining features of well pointed ears and fair, ivory skin and a face sculpted so beautifully that it was somewhat frightening. It was not a romantic attraction that pulled Scarleth in by any means- heavens no. She didn't even know the man, let alone like the idea of being surrounded by men. But there was definitely something that both scared and intrigued her at the same time. Perhaps it was the odd, reminiscing feeling that he reminded her so much of a man she once knew... That same quiver of fear lingered within the female's bones as she watched the noble make his way towards the staircase- her ears now catching onto the whispers around her. Most- if not all, were cursing the ground he walked upon. Calling his mere presence a disgusting display. However, it wasn't until Caleesi's vampiric hearing caught wind of the princesses tight lips behind her... *Confirming that he was a vampire* 

Cali's eyes widened immensely once the words hit her eardrums. Causing hints of fear to crawl their way into her once gentle hues. For some reason, the high elf couldn't take her eyes off the man- perplexed at why Findara would allow an openly known vampire to roam the grounds freely. Caleesi, of course, had her own views and opinions on these bloodsucking creatures, regardless that she was one herself. And while she held a fiery hatred in her heart for the kind that took her own life- the words Delsandra displayed sent chills down her bare arms. A lump backed up in the woman's throat at the mention of filth. Making thought of what the princess could possibly say if she had found out Caleesi was that same filth deep down. Better yet- *What Astalios would say.* 
_ _

Flickering her eyes towards the prince, Cali fell in line beside him. Goosebumps now invading her skin in a painful ache. She wondered what he would say on the matter of vampires, if at all. Though with the presence of the Law Master growing closer, Caleesi's gaze turned back to Lysanthir- pausing a moment when she noticed something she hadn't before. *Was he.. Limping?* That once panicked stare had slowly begun to fade into a curious and soft look as her mouth fell open ever so slightly. Vampires had remarkable healing abilities, ones that mend broken bones, or even open wounds. If it were true that this man was indeed a Vampire, then how come he walked with such pain in each silent step? Lost in her own thoughts, Caleesi's stare persisted as Lysanthir walked all the way from one end of the ballroom to the other and finally- outside into the garden lawn. Her brows ruffled together in confusion when he disappeared from view, not quite understanding why he didn't intend on staying among the royals though- with all the blaspheme surrounding him.. Caleesi could put two and two together. 

It was then that a sorrowful look shadowed over her soft features, those longing baby blues falling to the floor in realization that this man could have been just like her- turned against his will and cursed to carry the title of vampirism. Of course, Cali didn't know for sure. However his need for solitude gave enough away for her to ponder on. Regret settled in the woman's mouth when she realized just how hateful her mind had become. She never truly hated anyone before, not like she did Iarydark. There was no place for her to judge someone before knowing the truth, and for that Caleesi bit her tongue towards the spiteful remarks still lingering about.
Michelle
"Things with Dazvaz..." *He murmured, running the actions of Umras over and over again through his mind like a streaming river. He had come in armor, unmarked by any sigils, unadorned in any quality or personal style, made not by a skilled smith, but by a novice. The dragonborn had been direct, straightforward - too direct, in his opinion. Ears were everywhere in the world, and he paid heed to none of them. The chieftain was a fool, that was true. 

But even so - He had made an effort to extend the hand of friendship, and Astalios had reciprocated in some way by flashing signals and signs at his eyes, warning him to take the overtures he made back, making it so that he was protected from the circling beasts of the noble parties. He was a strange creature, Astalios thought to himself, one raised in war and unsuited to an uneasy peace. He was genuine, or at least appeared that way. Was it the worst option to con sider the offer?*

"Things with Dazvaz are as of now still uncertain. I have done my best to remind him of what can happen in these situations." *He worded his statements carefully, like interlocking links of chain pieced together by a master smith as his brow creased in worry, his mouth still a grim line as he tried to answer her as best as possible.* "One would hope that he is different than the past few, and he seems to be. Whether this is for better or worse is the real conundrum in the long run." 

*He wondered whether he had noticed the shade of her eyes and hair, and how they contrasted. Honey blonde strands of golden gossamer and sapphire blue like a deep sea, each highlighting and offsetting the other. It was a fair sight, and one quite different from the scarred warriors he was used to. Certainly, it surpassed the common excesses of the noblewomen he often saw at social events. Perhaps, he thought to himself, it was some glamour cast upon herself to enhance the image. It was what any cunning warrior might do on a social battlefield.*

_ _
"Your gratitude is much appreciated." *He summarized his thoughts in a short statement, quick and to the point. She had called him an old friend, however - it was not only a statement of trust in the king, but in him, that she was making. It was heartening to know that such people had some level of faith in him, though he knew that there was never a window into his life that they could possibly see through in order to understand what he was holding back. Why he was so restrained in the presence of others. It was a secret he hoped to take to his grave. His destiny was HIS, and not the possession of some bloodthirsty god whose only purpose was to lead him towards destruction. They would certainly never trust him if that revelation became public.*

"I... Do not know if it is fair to say that I deserve any such party." *He replied evenly, looking down at the wineglass in contemplation. Excess, he reminded himself, was not the way towards being a good soldier, nor was opening the door for temptation a good way to resist the urges within him. She wanted him to enjoy himself, that much was true - but enjoying himself was not a luxury he could afford at the moment. Not without consequences. That face of hers was so full of optimism, he thought to himself, that he could never possibly match it, much like the radiant smile she had given off earlier. What he had was only a half-imitation.

But this man, he knew.

'Know your enemy' was a priority for any warrior worth his salt, and the council of Lazaroth certainly qualified as enemies. Lysanthir was a premier magician and a man of many talents, each dangerous to an approaching army or worth warning his subordinates about. Abjuration mages were definitely in need if he was to be killed, Counterspells and antimagical traps for him were a necessity.

"That, Lady Scarleth," He spoke her name quietly, deadly serious as he observed the vampire pass through the room. "Is Lazaroth's Master of Laws. Lysanthir. A vampire."

_ _
*Lysanthir was beautiful in the same way as Caleesi - the classic High Elf opposition to disorder and imperfection showed in the lines of his face, the way he moved, and even his lack of emotional response to the scenes unfolding around him beyond a nod. There was much to be said for someone who could keep himself under control. Perhaps this icy exterior was his pride and joy, the lack of disturbance his prized practice and political facade. There was much that could be hidden behind the veneer of aloofness and inaction, Astalios knew.*

"He tells of his vampirism to ensure that the people of Lazaroth think of him as transparent." *He assessed quietly.* "It is a pitiable condition. I have no less than utter contempt for those who wear it as if it was a distinction to be proud of, a high honor or some such foolishness. The disease ruins the lives of victims, who may very well go on to infect others as they have to deal with the new way of life. It is especially unfortunate when the commoners are bitten, for it is unlikely they have the resources to request blood every so often in order to keep themselves sane. Those that prey on the weak are truly despicable." 

*His brow creased - and perhaps he had been named not for his magic, but for the iron stare that he fixed on the Master of Laws, the candlelight of the ballroom throwing the hard lines of his face in to stark relief in light and shadow, a boundary between them that enhanced the sight of each. His gaze eventually moved from Lysanthir, however, as he observed that Caleesi's eyes had widened in shock, then faded into curiosity and into sorrow. He was reminded then that it had been long years since the two of them had met before - and while his years of campaigning had been grueling, so too perhaps had her years of society politics.*

'Lady Scarleth... Are you well?" *His voice was deep and even, but tinged with the strains of concern that one might expect from a man looking out for a friend.*