Midnight Approaches

[kalyssien]

The ball wound towards midnight. At the toll of a bell the music would silence and it would be time to reveal themselves.

Please note the bell has not tolled YET, very soon

The king is outside and none know where, people have come with offers of a political alliance, intrigue and murder have occured. the guards have apparently lost a dead body as someone reanimated it and games galore are played by wamphyri and other alike.

What new twist shall arise form this.....

[Sil'in]

The drow Grinned broadly beneath his mask, returning Duncan's embrace.  "It's good to see you, you rogue."  He said.  He bowed his head to Ladvinia, as Duncan released him.  "Aye, your face is familiar to me, though my memory seems ill-equipped at the moment.  Still, a pleasure, m'lady."  Clearly, they had things to attend to, and Sil'in wouldn't keep them.  "Worry not, friends.."  He said with a chuckle.  "'Tis not right to deny the favors of a lady."  Clasping Duncan's shoulder for half a moment, he smiled to his friend, and turned to blend back into the throng.  If Duncan had received any ill will, or teasing for his feelings, he would receive none from Sil'in.

[Adrin Eitan]

It appeared that women were falling from the sky, perhaps he had not lost it afterall. Not that he minded the attention at all he gave a brief smile at Farsiris. It faded quickly as the acolytes commanded him to let go of her. Adrin?s eyes narrowed, sparks of the never twisting and refracting within the crystalline labyrinths which seemed locked upon the two acolytes.

He responded sharply ?I say, it is not I who has handled her gentleman, but her me. And I demand a dance in return for her disruption.?  He looked down at Farsiris, it was odd to have a woman land within his arms so quickly and with such little effort, he figured he may as well take advantage of it. ?Well, shall we have this dance? ?Least you could do.?  The two acolytes would no doubt have objections, but it was not their decision to make.

His other arm fell from Krisxi, his thoughts within hers I shall deal with this, try and see where Thane went. She seems to have disappeared.

Once more the whispers toned within his mind, as Nyst attempted to issue him once more. This time the response was rather surprising. Shut up?seriously have you ever considered that people are just getting tired of this over used approach? Sitting in some locked away plane whispering like a child on the playground? A surprising way for someone to address their ?god?, course there always had been a fine line between who commanded who, especially since the days of the cult. Course Nyst wouldn?t fight, knowing full well that Adrin could dismiss him completely.

His gaze shifted between Farsiris and her acolytes, wondering who would respond first. The longer it took the better, he could hold the woman all evening.

[Camelot Guards]

Duncan smiled and patted Sil's arm. "I will come back n keep you company soon Sil'in. But if I deny this lovely woman a dance, who knows what wrath such a female could bring down upon my brow." He laughed and winked to Nia to show he was jesting and bowed with a flourish... "Mlady, I believe I owe you a dance."

He held an arm to her and chuckled over his shoulder at Sil'in. "Find a partner and join us Sil, I recall you were lithe on the wall. Perhapsa dance will show how lithe you really are."

He chuckeld and led Nia off without waiting for a response.

[Elysse]

Elysse had thought that this King had a happy demeanor. An almost cheerful one - but now it seemed that his truer side was showing. What else could she expect of a King? Honestly, she could not wait until the unmasking, for one reason only. So that this arrogant fool could meet King Kalyssien and consequently be forced to swallow his pride. As Elysse continued to watch Tyrial, she realised that he would never be the King Kalyssien was. Her anger was mounting, but she did not let it show. Forcing a calm and controlled smile onto her face, she replied;

"I do apologise, sir, but you must understand. You are a King yourself. No doubt Kalyssien is attending to matters that need to be attended to. And if not...even a King deserves to have his fun, correct? As soon as the bell tolls, and midnight is here, the unmasking will begin. The entire crowd will know who Kalyssien is, and no doubt half of it will be vying for his attention. I must implore you to be patient, M'Lord."

Kindness was never one of Elysse's good traits, especially when she had been angered. She had to bite her tongue in order to stay civil. This King couldn't think himself so important that Kalyssien would come to him right away, could he? There were more pressing matters at hand. Kalyssien would have to see to those who would become his enemies first. He would have to make sure that those enemies did not think him afraid. This King Tyrial...if he had wanted the audience of the King all to himself, right away...why would he come to seek it on such a night?

[Ladvinia]

Ladvina smiled and laughed at Duncans jest " M'Lord I dont think I have a womanly wrath" she said innocently also jesting with him . " Yes m'Lord you do owe me a dance" she said with a smile

 She interlocked her arm with his  and looked back at Sil'in trying to rember if she had met him before " Yes join us for the Midwinter Solstis will soon be over" she said with a laugh as she was enjoying for the first time , being in the company of someone who was not six years old

 " You do not have to dance with me all night m'Lord , I should not put a manoplis on your time ,"she said quiet " even if I wish I never had to let you " she wisperd looking into Duncans eyes

[Krisxianne]

At the sight of the falling woman, Krisxi?anne just stepped back a bit, without letting her arm disengage Adrin?s, taking her right hand to one of her dress folds. "... This is most pathetic... these "creatures". A small sigh preceded the   disturbed whisper of the woman. Then raised her furious gaze to the demanding acolyte, only blinded by her mask.

At Adrin?s words, she crossed her arms, even angrier than a moment ago. "Fine!... if that?s what you want. Im sensing... you know? forget it. I?m taking those filthy dalrathi you had over there just in case. Ill be right back in 60 yirs or less. If not, i?m probably dead. Enjoy your dance..." then she turned her back to Adrin?s and started walking, still with her arms crossed. It would be so low from a man that takes so much from her, and then, sparing her from some random flying "lady"... but very deep within her there was a concern from somebody, even though newly met, she was starting to feel fond for her.

Aprovaching the pale skinned soldiers, which glanced with their yellow eyes to the woman with some concern, she got closer in her common arrogant leader instance. "Okay, listen me guys. We need to find Miss Thane as soon as possible. You two will be on my back, not closer but do not separate within 3 steps. Do not harm people until i say so. Keep your arms covered at every step. And do not say a single word. You already know the lady we?re seeking. We will start from the gates.Understood?, good, get moving..."

The woman started walking with the creatures, so horrid for her, but at first sight she knew they were reliable soldiers. Keeping her senses sharp, she started to search Thane.

(Krisxi?anne left the main hall momentarily)
(OCC note: Yirs = minutes)

[Camelot Guards]

Duncan smiled and took Nia on a round of the floor. As the next dance, a slower one, began, he drew her close and smiled. "Even if you never wish to let me what, dear Lady?" He looked down and smiled into her lovely eyes. "All you would have to do is ask, Lady Ladvinia, and I would do whatever you bid. If you have not figured that out by now..." His voice teased and he winked to her.

[Ladvinia]

As Duncan lead her around the floor she couldnt help but keep a broad smile on her face. She was so happy to be here with him . When the next dance started off and Duncan held her closer " I mean I wish I didnt have to let you go .... cus even though you reassure me that this isnt a dream , I cannot help but think it is and that when I wake up tmro I will never get to see you agian" she said softly looking down at the floor , she had just made her self vaurnable .... and she wasnt sure how he would react to her honest words...

[Camelot Guards]

He looked down at her smiling softly and lifted her chin so he could see her face. "Fear not, this may seem dream like, but since we have already spoken of a day tomorrow with our children, you know we shall meet at least once more. And after that, if you wish to see me still, then the choice shall be yours." He stopped dancing, there in the middle of the floor and spoke as if no one else where around. He cared not who heard, though his voice was low, for her alone. This moment right here was what he had wished for all night... her desire to see him again voiced out loud.

"I sought the King to be your escort this night, and I have sought a way to tell you this as well. You are the only person I desire to spend time with besides my dearest Ariana. If you wish it to be the same, then I can assure you many more dreamlike nights such as this. And dreamlike days as well." He let his hand drop then and resisted the urge to kiss her as his heart and body wished him too. He was a gentleman and gave word to the King to remain such. His words may come with the appearance he had forgotten he was no more than a Guard of the Keep, but the unmasking was soon. Some would know him for what he was, and he would not allow his urges this night to ruin her reputation for a moment of bliss for himself.

He was a gentleman and a Captain of the Guard, he would act as such and save his desires for more appropriate times and places.

[Farsiris]

An arm slipped out and around her waist giving her the moment where she could stand up straighter and more along this savior of hers. Farsiris was not happy and it showed in her expression for the few moments of pause between her bulldogs polite and firm command and this saviors smart retort back. The downward move of her lips in an angry line lifted showing her pleasure in his annoyances towards those who harped on her day and night. They were the ones who prompted her to come to this silly ball and where these silly contraptions of dress and baubles. They were also the ones that caused such frustration at being herded like a small child needing protection and guidance. She was not a child, though some made the mistake of seeing her as such.

The glow In her eyes lessened softly and she smiled to Adrin. However, suddenly Her the obsidian curls bounced a little and her head snapped to the side glaring at the half ward uttered from one of the acolytes lips. They knew that expression well enough to merely nod stiffly bowing off and blending in the shadows away from her wrath. It was time to give her space, as she said before in the first time either of them had trespassed over their boundaries as servants?I could kill with a mere touch and send your soul into a dark oblivion. You could scream for eons and no one would care. She watched them slip back wards and pivot to position themselves on opposite ends of the dance floor. Guards who never knew their place, Farsiris thought to herself, except as over zealous lovers. Then the dark curls swept back to this savior.

A voice like angel slipped from those lips, ?I would happy to honor you with a Dance Sir to make-up for my slip off the dance floor.? She stepped back only slightly from him giving the space required to move back out onto the dance floor. Adrin?s hand slipping to the small of her back giving her a sense of more comfort and protection that a pair of bull dogs biting and snatching her away from every opportunity. Their arms moved and the frame was made then the music swept into the movement and the conversation began.

? I must say it is a pleasant surprise to find a beauty in darkness, and one so wiling to fall so readily into my arms.? The curve of her smiling lips rose a little higher but a blush remained a little longer while she contemplated something of worth in this man who flattered her darker beauty. She made only one glance toward that of her guards taking in their positions and thankfully blessing whatever god of hers provided her with a straight escape route to the front door of the ballroom. When she looked back at him she moved the conversation from flattery to a her proposition.

?It seems your tastes are rather refined? Are just as clever in escaping this ball without the leash I seemingly have attached to me.? It was a playful banter she retorted seeing if he would actually be a gentleman and suffer protocol of having her delivered back to her bull dogs or take the adventure she proposed to him.

Adrin NPC and Spoken Words by his permissions

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[Ladvinia]

Ladvinia looked into his eyes" Yes we do have tomrrow with the children , but that is not what I speek of I speek of adult time , when there are no children. And I do not need to wait one day ..... I can say now with my heart open that I wish to see you every day ...every moment I can" she said

" I want the dreamlike nights , and days you promise I do not just want you to be with me every day every moment too but to be with Ariana . I want you to be there when I have a problem , to be there when I am happy , sad , angry and mad.... I want to no I need to have you and Airana in mine and Dares life" she said as she looked into his eyes , she felt the sudden urge to kiss him right there  , and as soon as the thought entered her head she leaned up and softly placed the most passionate of kissed on his lips . She didnt care whom knew who she kissed , let them talk because she didnt care.

[Adrin Eitan]

A grin arose upon his lips as he whispered, drawing her closer so that his mouth was to her ear. ?Just keep dancing??

His motions were smooth, the dance taking them out of the view of the two acolytes momentarily and into the crowd on the dance floor.  Within his mind he began to envision a construct, the runes of K?lohukai and began to draw forth from the guardian planes, tapping the pools of free quintessence, weaving it into existence. Seconds later a tiny silver rune made a ghostly appearance between them.

He whispered ?Close your eyes?? seconds later the rune shattered releasing the energy. K?lohukai illusionary web drifted over them, solidifying like shells around them. A single drop of the never dripped down his spine, the silver stable liquid dripping from his influence onto the floor tearing open the transdemensional shift. Leaving the shells behind?as they sunk beneath the floor and into the vortex.

On the dance floor only a momentary flash marked their absence. The two shells of their forms, mimicking every movement, dancing there as a spectacle for the two acolytes who likely didn?t know the difference. The illusion could hold for up to an hour, after which they would be far beyond the reach of even the most persistent of follower.


Upon the deck of the SAF Rivenscar their dance continued without music. A silent message tore through the threshold of the link to the other Eitans, Thane and Krisxi.

Back on the Rivenscar?Departure will be soon, so finish up.

He said ?I think that will rid you of your followers for a while, afterall they are still watching what they think is us dancing.?

Permission to NPC Farisis movement granted. Adrin and her have left the hall and are back on the airship.

[Odin's Bard]

The bell tolled it was midnight, time to remove the masks and reveal whom it was beneath the glittering finery. As people began to expose their faces something happened within the great hall, a wind came from nowhere, roaring through, carrying the chill scent of death, sending cold shivers up the spine of those present, for something very wrong had occurred. The wind picked up in intensity and with a final shuddering gust, the candelabras were extinguished.

Outside from no where storm clouds would gather from nowhere, turning the brilliantly lit night to utter darkness. Lightening would flash with immense ferocity and snow would begin to fall hard, something had triggered the elements into insanity, something major??

Moments of silence, then a torch flared in a doorway and servants swiftly began illuminating the hall again. Confusion reigning but order being restored. As the lights came up, it would be seen that Excalibur was no longer on the wall above the dias, it was gone. When the final candelabra was lit, and being raised to its position, a swirl of breeze far gentler, the smell of fresh mown hay, and the sudden appearance of a man of beauty and majesty. He had an odd presence and a grim face, and although not the king, stood and held Excalibur. This was Oberon King of the Faerie.

[Oberon]

Resting in silence the ancient oak on the shores of Avalon had been there for as long as living memory, but it was providing a haven for one whose heart was heavy. She was gone, for all their tiffs and moments she was no longer and he had needed a respite so had entered the sacred tree and remained hidden for centuries. But now something was happening that meant no longer could he allow his grief to continue.

The tree shuddered and a shimmering glow appeared on its trunk as the figure of a man stepped forth. He turned to the lake and bowed acknowledging the blessed lady, and said ?Time enough to re-enter the world, I wonder what has called me.? His heart felt lighter then when he entered, but when his right hand tingled and a blue fiery glow formed he grew intrigued, the glow building until within his grasp the blessed sword Excalibur appeared. ?Ahhhh? he sighed, so a king be dead and the land be without a ruler. A familiar wrench and the words of the lady touched his mind, so he now knew of this history.

Shaking his head, he turned and looked to where the castle would be, watching storm clouds gather over the land and the beginning of weather wild and free. Would be a wondrous night to ride the hunt he thought then began to move to fulfil the duty now on his shoulders. A breeze would spring up and leaves twirling about him and the smell of fresh mown hay, his form would vanish from this holy place.

Reappearing in Camelot only moments later amidst what appeared to be a ball, he looked around and bellowed. ?A KING BE DEAD YET YOU CELEBRATE? WHAT MANNER OF PLACE BE THIS?? Then held the glowing Excalibur up for all to see. ?I am Oberon, king of the Faerie and I be here with this sword for there be none present who may hold it, so from the past I bring a leader who may just have the balls needed for what does come.?

Raising Excalibur high he shouted ?LUTHER, FULFILL THY PROMISE, FOR THE LAND DOES NEED YOUR ARM AND YOUR HEART, COME LUTHER FOR DUTY BEGS YOUR PRESENCE? And from the sword a brilliant burst of flame reaching out, making the hall shine with incredible brightness. He then turned towards the door and waited.