2.5, mini-adventure: Pretty women

Mihai still feels like something is amiss however, and suddenly remembers something he'd forgotten days ago. After grabbing an almond chocolate bar for himself, he reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a box of matches. Striking one, he gets some decent visibility of a cupboard full of canned food, which isn't even close to what he's after. He keeps searching all the way to the end of the pantry until he reaches the alcohol, which would tempt him if they weren't scheduled to dance in little over an hour.

Feeling defeat, he makes one last sweep as he heads back, and that's when he finally finds the apple juice. He takes two bottles and gives one to Fedler - "Now we're good." - before heading out to the exit. Then as if he'd forgotten something, he stops dead in his tracks, turns around, steps toward Fedler and kisses her deeply.

The making out lasts for a couple of minutes before she suggests they make their exit before they're spotted. The pair successfully exfiltrates the pantry and proceeds to their room, to enjoy the spoils of the successful operation.

While Aemilia would also prefer to arrive fashionably late, she explains to Konrad that she cannot afford to this time. After being invited by Mr. Freeron to spend the night under his roof, it would be rude, even disrespectful, not to arrive on time.

"Fret not," she tells him. "With the gift you gave me, we won't need to arrive late to turn a few heads."

They leave her villa, and embark in a carriage she keeps for this type of occasion.

____________________

Music:

19:01 PM, 17th of August
Walkerfree, Free Feathers

Aemilia Avernarius' carriage is one of the first to arrive at the Freeron's manor, and each couple that emerges from them radiates an aura of pride. Konrad and Aemilia are no exception, and they are rapidly guided into the manor alongside the other guests. Those who wish to leave their jacket in the cloak room are invited to let one of the servants take care of it, and are then given a ticket with a number on it.

The ball room isn't even half-full yet, and it is already quite animated. Small magical fireflies that intermittently change colors are flying through the air and are choosing some guests apparently at random to buzz around their head for a minute or two before going back to their aerial acrobatics. A small group of musicians have placed themselves between two pillars on the east side of the room, just in front of the pantry, and are now playing some ambiance music. All the doors on the first floor except the bathrooms have been closed, and those leading to the buffet service, the gallery and the lounge should open at an unspecified time. The other guests do not question this, probably for a good reason.

When Aemilia make her entrance, she understandably turns a few heads, especially when they set their eyes on her scarred partner, who they've never head of before. Their attention quickly turns on the necklace she is wearing; a carefully sculpted thumb-sized emerald is embedded in the center of the silver chain, with two rubies on each side of the gem. A few women whisper between themselves once they've caught sight of it, to the pleasure of Aemilia.

This is when Zelk and Fedler make their own entrance, walking down the stairs with their arm clenched at their partner's and a smile on their face. Many people are surprised to see Zelk in the company of a man, especially one they've never heard of before, and they're already coming up with theories to ascertain the identity of the one person who managed to sway the heart of the Freeron heir. This is not to say that Fedler doesn't grab the attention of anyone at this little soirée; the sight of this redheaded beauty is enough to fuel even more ongoing conversations, and if she wasn't already at the arm of another man, some of the guests would certainly try their luck.

Breeze, however, is the one person who manages to get a gasp from the crowd. The fairy, who is innocently floating above the heads of her friends, is initially taken aback by the reaction of the other guests. She then rubs the back of her head with her hand, smiles at everyone, and greets them.

"Eh, 'sup! How are you guys doing?"

She then catches sight of the fireflies, and forevermore curious as she is, she chases after the magical decorations, having already forgot about the guests who are now discussing the rumors of mythical creatures appearing across the Archipelago. This certainly will be one of the most interesting balls Sean Freeron has ever held.

Speaking of the man, he hasn't appeared yet.

Aemilia's dress:

Zelk's dress:

Fedler's dress:

Breeze's dress:

OOC:

"While we wait for the buffet to open, why don't we go shake hands with these people, and talk about whatever it is they talk about at these events?"

Konrad joins the crowd to socialize and answer questions about his homeland, and learn more about the people asking him these questions, introducing himself as an independent military contractor who left the shipwright business. It's more exciting to be at sea on the ships you're building than it is to build them, but he's not going to let that talent go to waste.

On the topic of Myr, once he's gotten started, there's no stopping him, and he's not shy about addressing the philosophical differences and arguing for the superiority of the Myrzen perspective.

Deception 8

GA 7
Diplomacy 7

Konrad doesn't have to wait long before someone strikes up a conversation with Aemilia, then turns their attention on him. The few people he speaks to are for the most part merchants and investors, but he learns that there's also a few politicians present tonight, including the mayor of Walkerfree and the representative who sits on the Council at the Citadel. Konrad conducts himself well enough to earn the respect of his interlocutors, although some of it is because of Aemilia. She expertly deflects some questions about Konrad himself, and manages to change the subject to the latest news instead.

Before Konrad can initiate a discussion about the values of Myrzen's cultural viewpoint, Aemilia takes his arm and whispers to his ear, "Let us greet Zelk. Her friendship is dear to me."

A few more guests have entered the ball room.

Konrad:

"Excuse us, will you gentlemen? I think I see a familiar face we need to greet tonight."

As they walk away, he'll whisper back, "Is everything all right?"

Their interlocutors are curious as to who Konrad and Aemilia are going to talk to now.

"Oh, yes," she answers. "I just think it's a good time to greet Zelk."

Konrad:

Mihai's enthusiasm is less than great to join the sea of snobs waiting down there, but seeing Fedler emerge in that dress does make his jaw drop for a second as he admires. Not much able to say anything, he merely raises his left eyebrow in concern for how she feels clad in one big piece of fabric.

Fedler then approaches him, lets her finger run down his chest, and smiles. Mihai looks into her eyes and smiles back. Then their fingers meet. Fedler takes his arm and walks toward the stairs.

As he approaches the floor, he can only think to say - "We went too easy on that pantry."

"We should have drank one of those bottles."

"We will."

"You want to have another game?"

"Oh yeah."

After putting on his tux and taming his locks with hair product, Steve makes his way to the veranda to await his date.

Steve's Tux:

When Zelk finally shows he flashes her a winning smile, takes her by the hand and plants a kiss on it. "You broke your promise, you know."

When she looks at him in confusion he answers without missing a beat, "That is a VERY sexy dress."

A little shy, she smiles at him and replies, "Thank you. You're not so bad yourself."

"Then mission accomplished. I only wanted to impress you."

Without answering, Zelk suddenly walks forward and thrusts her hand into Steve's. Smiling, she leads him to the top of the stairs. They make their way down together, their happiness clear to all. When the two couples reach the bottom Steve says to Mihai and Fedler, "Looking good you guys. Very elegant Fedler. You clean up nice too Mihai."

geez, alright:

Mihai looks down at his outfit as if to check it, then "Thanks."

"Thank you," replies Fedler. "You too Zelk, for helping me choose it."

"It suits you much better than I," remarks the Freeron maiden. "Why don't you take it back with you when you go back to Highwind?"

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want-"

"Just keep it."

Fedler smiles. "Alright then."

Mihai blinks, then looks back and forth between the two girls.

"So, has anyone seen Konrad and Aemilia? I meant to look for them while we were descending the stairs but I admit I was distracted by the experience." He looks at Zelk and smiles. "And the company."

Zelk clearly appreciates the compliment, and she tightens her grasp on Steve's arm.

"Oh, here they are," states Fedler, pointing at the fantastic couple which mingles with the rest of the crowd. "They're not losing any time."

"She's always been like that," explains Zelk.

"Is that why people come here?" - Mihai asks genuinely - "To network?"

"You've never gone to that kind of of event, right Mihai?"

She smirks at him. This is obviously a rhetorical question, but the answer does interest her.

"No. There was a bar that would throw parties every once in a while and got pretty crowded, but nothing like this."

The way he says crowded makes it apparent it wasn't a thing he enjoyed.

"At least you have your friends with you here. That should help, right?"

Still looking at the crowd, Mihai's eyes wince. He takes a moment to answer. - "...yeah."

Aemilia and Konrad are quickly wrapping up their conversation, and are now approaching the rest of the group which is hanging around the bottom of the stairs.

"Hello Aemilia. Konrad." Zelk is quick to greet them with a smile. "Nice outfits."

"Thank you Zelk," responds the elegant businesswoman. She peers at each couple, and adds, "You all look lovely together."

"Thanks."

"Thank you. Are you guys enjoying yourselves so far?"

Konrad's wearing a nice dark grey suit. Imagine the best that money can buy. It's sleek, almost executive-style. He looks like he fits in.

"This party's off to a smooth start, but I'll enjoy the company a little better when I have a glass in my hand."

That comment has nothing to do with a lack of enjoyment for this kind of thing. Booze just makes everything better. He'd smoke if he could.

"I wouldn't mind a glass of wine myself..." comments Fedler.

"Oh, the doors to the buffet won't open until my grandfather has joined us," explains Zelk. "He will make small speech, and access to the first floor will open up soon after that."

Mihai keeps on looking absentmindedly at the crowd.

"How long does he typically wait before he comes down for his speech? An hour or two after most everyone is here?"