Dull and boring, full of pomp and airs. Leif Arrant crinkled his nose, able to smell the arrogance even from here as women with high hair and men with tall hats and thick beards strolled around and spoke like dogs in men's clothing. It was a hideous, despicable sight and it made Leif's stomach rot at the thought as to what these nobles were clucking about like hens in a barn; and by his standards, their noise was just as superfluous as the chicken's.
His dark green eyes scouted the room, taking in each guest as his lips sagged. He tried to avoid this ball, but not without consequences, and found himself dolled up, and powder faced as he was suited up and forced into a carriage. Was it a sad fact his father had to put him at sword at his head to get him to go? But he'd rather not be in here in Matron's Hallow. Sure the lake was beautiful, but the festivities were not. Even from where he stood near the punch bowl he could hear the women giggling, and knew their stories and pointed noses spoke only of their vanity and vulgar obsessions. He turned away from their doe eyed looks and took another scoop of punch for himself. He couldn't get enough alcohol to drown this place out.
ANd to make matter's worse, his betrothed would be here; an idea that made him repulsed and set his nerves on edge. He'd rather not meet her, for he had no reason to, but his father insisted, and the sharp end of his sword brought him here, to a Festival of Light,( or whatever the hell it was called). He knew not, for it was a recent addition to the new ceremonies in Connlaoth. The festival was about beauty, but he saw none of that here as he took his drink and made his way outside onto a long balcony that curled around the entire southern edge of the manor house and from here, one could spot the glittering colors of the lakes and the lamps that were set upon it like dazzling blots of twilight.
That might have looked beautiful, or so he thought. But nothing else.
Sighing again, he reached into his breast coat pocket and produced a cigar. Lighting up, Leif leaned against the outter rim and slowly inhaled.
This was going to be a long arduous night.