Kenya
Caleesi was coming for the High Lords throat with her dagger like hands, shaped stiff and straight, her fingers perfectly crafted for one swift blow- As she spun herself around however, the heavy momentum of her arm flying through the air only to get caught in a loud **THWAP** By the Law Master's mighty hand- it left poor Caleesi to stumble on impact. A loud gasp sucked through the woman's teeth as she was startled by Lysanthir's sudden movements, her bright baby blues widening as she tried to yank her wrist away from his tight grip. The man's hands completely covered her entire arm- making her balled fist look like nothing but a small marble beneath his muscular form. Cali's eyes panicked between Olagwyen's face and his unwavering grip he had on her, panicking on what he was going to do now that her attempt had failed. For they were not feet apart like she had wished to be, but instead pushed further together.

As the high elf squirmed under the hold of Lysanthir.. Her whimpers of dread muffled from her gritted teeth, leaving shaky breaths in her wake. Nevertheless, through the vampire's iron-like grasp, Caleesi found herself stunned when she noticed the lack of movement or anger on Lysan's face. Locking eyes with the man, Scarleth stopped completely in her tracks. Seeing his look of pure shock and unreadable stature, a similar look now mirrored in the sorceress as she slowly settled herself into his touch- Completely taken aback by not only the man's beauty but also his unpredictable nature. *Why was he doing this?* She thought to herself. *Why wasn't he tearing her apart limb from limb? Getting a guard? Escorting her out?* It all seemed so unreal... Withheld as if she were a hostage, Caleesi surprisingly lost all fear as she kept her gaze intertwined with the High Lord. Of course, the fear of the unknown still lingered within her azure eyes, but now, everything was still. Her soft face was replaced with thoughts of confusion and surprise.

Even Cali's curled fist that rested in the now gentle grip of his– slowly fell limp as she found herself getting lost in his peculiar stare. 
_ _

Silence had washed over the two as they shared a rather one sided gaze. Lysanthir held emotions that Caleesi pained herself to feel through his eyes. Wavering over his uneasy expression to try and piece together what had taken over him at this moment. Surely it wasn't something she had done, was it? There was an odd pull within the young woman's chest as she was left helpless, staring deeply into his troubled eyes with tears forming. Usually the high elf would pay no mind to a man in distress, let alone one that had her pinned against a railing with no way out- Yet that unrelenting feeling to know more, to understand his pain- it was far too greater than anything she had ever felt.. Ever since Iarydark that is. Feeling Lysan's hand slowly let her wrist go, Caleesi was starstruck when the man then moved it towards her face. At first, the elven woman tried to back away from his touch– too frightened to feel his fingers as they embraced her cheek in an endearing caress. Even so.. As he gently kissed his tender hand along her face, Cali's lips parted in complete speechlessness. She no longer flinched, nor did she stray away from his touch. But instead Caleesi remained still, those wide, bright blue eyes searching inside his own for an answer as to why... 

When he spoke her name however, that look of shock repainted Lady Scarleths face again. Making her tilt her head in utter confusion as she slowly reached her small, delicate hands up to touch his palm. "*How do you know my name...?*" Was all the high elf could manage to murmur out- her voice whispering just as Lysantheir's did. Caleesi simply couldn't wrap her head around what was going on, nor why this vampire was holding onto with such grace and gentleness. It had been *Years* Since the sorceress had ever let anyone near her like this... Let alone touch her. Despite it all though, Scarleth had found herself in another trance yet again. One of mystery and curiosity far beyond anything she could have ever imagined.

The way the night sky had reflected so cold and lonely within the Law Masters eyes... It was enough to break even her heart. After hearing parts of her name being spoken, Cali's brows twisted upwards in a deep yearn to understand him. Her fingers slowly wrapped around his massive hand before Lysan fully pulled away- And while he may have been cold to the touch, there was a burning warmth that remained on her skin even after he had left. 
_ _

She watched silently as the vampire took derailing steps backwards, the sight of his tears now falling only making poor Caleesi's gut turn over as if she had done something to offend him. But she had never been in such a situation as this before... And all of the thoughts crumbling down onto her seemingly bared too much weight as she was forced to watch the High Lord turn and walk away. No answer to the millions of questions buzzing through her head. After Lysanthir was out of sight completely, it was then that Cali remembered she wasn't breathing– and soon, her chest would heave in a heavy sigh. Gasping for air once more as the high elf brought her wrist up to her chest to cradle it. *What... Was that?* She thought to herself, eyes racking in her surroundings as if to ground herself once more. The warm sounds of talking crowds would soon find its way to the council woman's ears, along with the rebirth of crashing waves. Even the feeling of the wind still nipping at her open skin still seemed to blow, rustling her long blond hair over her face at times. But now there was a new sound still echoing in the corners of her mind... 

*That echo of the vampire speaking her name... So soft and broken.*
Terry
Emerging from the ballroom with Prince Dilitrios in tow, Delsandra scanned the castle grounds for Lady Scarleth before finally her eyes fell upon the high elf woman. Stood on the balcony and nearly leaning over the edge, Delsandra took immediate note of the look of pure shock on the woman's face before glancing to Astalios for a brief second. "Is she...?" Slowly making her way forward, the princess leaned her head forward, the glass of wine still in her hands as she spoke to Caleesi in a concerned tone. "Are you alright, Lady Scarleth? Do you feel well?" Delsandra was sure her worry would extend to Astalios, especially given it was one of his council members who seemed to be distressed. It was only then did she remember Lord Olagwyen had been outside as well, though she was sure she had seen him go into the lower area of the gardens. Perhaps he made his way up and spoke to Caleesi? Or perhaps the woman ate or drank something that didn't sit right with her stomach.

Seeing a servant pass by, Delsandra called them over with a brisk tone in her voice. "Find this woman some water, would you please?" The servant quickly scurried off and Delsandra inched closer to Caleesi, a look of both caution and worry on her face. Seeing the woman's wine glass empty, perhaps Lady Scarleth simply couldn't hold her alcohol? The eladrin did notice however as she peered over the gardens now filling with other guests that Lord Olagwyen was gone, at least from her view. Frowning toward the prince, Delsandra had her suspicions but chose to keep them to herself. Soon enough, the servant reappeared with a glass of water, and as the princess picked it up in her free hand she tightened her grip around it ever so slightly. Soon, a chill overcame the water itself, even forming a thin layer of easily broken ice on the top. A nice cool drink for a woman in distress.

_ _
"Here you are, my dear." Holding it out for Caleesi to take, Delsandra was curious how Prince Dilitrios would handle the situation, one of his council in distress and all. The fireworks would start very, very soon however, so the conversation would likely have to continue after or inside away from the loud sounds yet to come.
Kenya
After the odd turn of events with Lysanthir, Caleesi was far too gone in a frozen state of mind that she couldn't find it within herself to move from where her feet were planted. The woman's chest still rose and fell quickly- though she kept the noise muffled in case the vampire should return. Cali couldn't get her mind off of why Olagwyen had done what he did, or how he knew of her first name... At least a very sentimental nickname. She couldn't shake his weary eyes from her mind- and how heavily sorrow had resided within them. It was the first time she had ever seen a man so powerful and intimidating cry in front of her like that. Surely there was more to his unusual behavior...? Alas, Caleesi felt as though she would never know the truth. Lysanthir had disappeared right before her eyes, seemingly taking her breath along with his chilling presence. 

The high elf had thought about returning to the ballroom after the incident, knowing it would be disrespectful to isolate herself in an event held for social hospitality. However, the fear of running back into that vampire seemed greater than the fear of her reputation. And so, Caleesi remained glued to the railing she had found herself pressed up against mere seconds ago. Her head had fallen between her shoulders and chest once more, leaving room for heavy breaths to regulate back through her lungs and get her cold blood flowing. All Scarleth could think of now besides this terrifying event was going back home to the Aylnthi castle and cradling herself next to a fire... 
_ _

When the upcoming sounds of footsteps slowly marched their way from marble flooring to the outskirts of the stone courtyard, Caleesi's body was still on edge- tensing from the idea she was going to be trapped once more with another monstrous man. Despite her anxious thoughts, Delsandra's feminine voice pierced the woman's ears enough to make her jump, but also relax enough to turn around. As the High Lady did so, both the prince and princess would see just how petrified Scarleth had become. Her bright blue eyes holding a ghostly haze as if she were a deer in headlights. Skimming her shaking sight between the man and woman before her, Caleesi could be seen checking all around them before even thinking of moving from her post. Even in her shaken stupor, the sorceress bowed her head to her superiors in respect, though it was not as gracious as she usually would have been. 

Cali's first reaction upon staring out between the two was to rush to Astalios's side. Being that he was all she knew, and trusted fondly, it would have made perfect sense to want to hide behind the prince at a moment such as this. In the young womans eyes, perhaps Astalios would see how they screamed for him so helplessly. Nevertheless, no words came from her silent stares. It was only when Delsandra had made her way cautiously to the Grandmistress's side that Caleesi felt a sense of safety- being that of a woman, that is. Scarleth always found security in the feminine nature of other elven women, mainly because they all reminded her of her mother. There was nothing any male would ever be able to do for her in terms of comfort, even if she trusted them. Shifting her worried gaze over towards the eladrin, Cali searched the woman's beaming eyes for help or understanding. "I-I'm fine... That man- He..." Cutting herself off, Caleesi took another sharp look around the area. Not wanting to speak on behalf of the vampire should he still lurk the castle walls. 
_ _

And as the princess retrieved some water for her, offering her the glass.. All Cali could do was pull herself closer towards Delsandra, reaching ever so gently as she took her hand and used her magic to speak into her mind.*"That Vampire was here... Something is not right about him, Your Highness..."*
||
Colette
*At first, Astalios's mouth opened halfway, unsure as to what to really say - but as the look of horror on her face, those eyes pleading for help, called out in silent terror, he could do nothing but place a gentle, steadying hand on her shoulder, making sure to warm the metal a little so as not to make her shiver. There was such a manner about her as to make him wonder - perhaps that cane... Yes, he hadn't known she had been here all along. He could not sense the jewelry she wore, for she chose to wear none, and slipped beyond the unseen sight he usually could bring to bear. But the cane and jewelry he knew had been here, and the puzzle pieces clicked into place one after the other as he tried to make sure she was as comfortable as possible.

Delsandra, he noted, was somewhat more caring than he had previously thought her to be - and the respect with which she treated Caleesi assuaged some of his worries about her. Regardless, it was time to be that steadying influence.*

"You are among friends." *It was a simple statement, sure, but the voice that carried it spoke with a concern and kindness that was seldom reserved for anyone besides the civilians of the Western border, those that had suffered tragedies, and the men under his command. Though enemies deserved contempt, allies and friends deserved the mercy they were due, and this was a time of some need.* "Speak freely, and do not worry of consequences."

*There was no need for a political nature to the words, nor anything held back. This was a friend, and a countryman under the protection of the crown - she could speak her mind as she wished, under the shield of the crown. In the castle grounds, the half-elf's eyes carried the same hue in the firelight of Delsandra's presence as the brown stone of a hearth, warm and comforting, where a meal might be had over a long wooden table.*
Joe
|| Sorry about length
Arnold
Without much warning, a loud whistle could be heard coming from the castle. It grew silent once more before finally a loud BOOM shook glasses, rattled windows and caused a cascade of bright blue to wash over the patrons of the Thunder Festival. It would seem the show had begun. The fireworks were slow and few at first, the colors ranging from blue to red to yellow, basic colors all would know. As it carried on, the colors began to grow more complex, alongside the shapes of the fireworks themselves. Purples, golds, whites even blasted their way across the sky behind the castle's outline, lighting up the sky and filling it with thunder just as it was named after. The shapes ranged from circles to stars before more specific shapes began to form.

The first was a sun, followed by a large blue moon that seemed to chase the sun away, an obvious nod to Lunam and Solaris, with their never ending game of tag. Smaller fireworks representing stars then filled the sky, comets and shooting stars flying across the sky. A loud whistle seemed to grow and then die down each time one zoomed over the cosmos, before the next portion of the show began. Suddenly, wings of pure gold began to flap slow and sure, like the wings of an angel. They began to fly and soar through the sky, before flying straight up and slowly dispersing in a fiery flame and explosion. The third portion then began after a few moments, and was a depiction of angels fighting demons, likely a recreation of the Siege of Calamity; a war between Ulmos and Kamara. Red demons clashed with golden and white angels, the booms almost sounding like the clashing of steel with steel. Eventually, one angel stood victorious, a massive golden angel with wings of pure white; likely the aasimar the month of Genvlir.

_ _
The fourth portion began after a while, a collection of each kingdom's colors and symbol. First, the blue and white of Findara depicted through a flying osprey, the whistle of the firework almost sounding like the aforementioned birds call. Next, a large crowned gold and black stag, that stood on all fours before rearing and throwing its head back. Suddenly a glorious light began to grow from the stags crown, before it was entirely replaced by Khisfire's orange and red symbol. Blazing and burning like the sun above, a white stallion with purple filagree burst through it and reared just like the stag, the symbol of Thyseer. The next was a massive white bear, crowned with gold and blood red eyes. It reared as well, slashing at the air with its massive paws. The white of the bear's fur soon began to dull before the animal shifted into that of Lazaroth's wolf, dark grey with red eyes. Howling, it almost sounded like a real and true wolf. Behind it rose a triton, along with a storm as the wolf faded away, representing the triton and mermaids of Tritetheas. Soon, the sky turned black once more, before the grand finale began.

Dragons of red, grey, blue, white and gold soon filled the sky, flying and spewing various elements from their mouths. The crowds began to gasp, almost in a combination of fear and amazement before what looked like dwarves and other humanoids appeared on the other end of the sky. Raising their swords and flags up high, the two forces began to clash. Human and dragon fighting one another in a glorious battle, before finally a bolt of pure white struck one of the flying terrors. Soon enough, the rest of the dragons began to fade before various men stood together. The fireworks made sounds like shouts of victory, before finally one last explosion ended the show. 

Thunder Fest was over.