Spirits of the Earth

This outfit was positively stifling!  Cherie gave an unhappy tug at the material, earning a swat from the maid trying to put the ensemble together.  The poor woman had been unfailingly patient, but it was only Dahlia's supervision and direction that kept Cherie from wandering away to do something more interesting than getting dressed for a ball she had no interest in attending.

Old habits died hard, after all, and with so many people quietly supporting her interest in things better left to men, it's little wonder she hadn't grown out of them!

At last, however, and with a final pin, the outfit was in place.  Cherie had become a butterfly (also something she did not care for) with lovely, bespeckled wings that almost glowed with a life of their own upon her back.  The colorful ensemble, primarily whites and reds, seemed to swirl about her person, emphasizing, fashionably, that she was indeed a young woman...

So much so, in fact, that had Redly not been lounging near the foot of the stairs when she made her appearance, he might not have recognized the girl!  She was usually so...anti-feminine and dirty that it was a surprise to see her, for once in her life, looking like a woman.

"Dahlia, I think you've outdone yourself," he complimented with a broad grin, even as he set aside his drink to clap.

"How long do we have to stay there?" Cherie chorused in a near-whine, already planning her escape, clearly.

"As long as the damned politicians want us there. If Braxton has his way, that is, with our dear Mother telling him when and how to breath, assuming it suits her for him to do that..." Janette leaned against the doorframe, smiling at Cherie, the only sibling Janette actually cared for.

Janette had chosen a rather expensive dress which had seemingly come at a low cost.

Of nothing.

In truth, she had stolen the money from many a fellow noblewoman's purse, and piled it all up to pay for the gorgeous dress, which she intended to keep.

The dress itself was dark grey, with blue trim, and a necklace (also stolen) of pearls and a sapphire.

"And you look beautiful by the way Cherie..." She conceded a compliment to Cherie, and smiled sweetly. Janette turned to Redly, and grinned.

"Look, it's the ghost! Quick, everyone act like he's not there."

Illi ran out into the main hall, her hair flying behind her and her dress all messed up. Quickly turning around, she stopped and shouted, "I'm not letting you change me! Goodness, why did Ma said a BUTLER to change me?! A BUTLER?! That is insane!" With a deep breath, Illi turned back towards the direction she had been running in. But then her eyes passed by her little sister.

Running straight up to her and giving her a giant hug, she exclaimed, "Cherie! What a beautiful thing you have blossomed into! You know, it's always good to dress up like this every once in a while... and you had the sweet Dahlia to change you. Ah! She must be done then! Maybe I can have her help me, instead of this man!" She smiled wholeheartedly before hearing the steps of the butler, Eric, who had finally caught up to her. With a frown, Illi quickly added in, "And I like your dress, Janette! Nice pearls!"

The butler who was now right in front of Illi was a dashing fellow, in a nice suit and neatly combed hair. But she would have none of it. She wouldn't be changed or seen without even her top clothing by anyone other than her true love. Eric raised his hand as if to grab her, but she instead snatched the big gold poof of a dress out of his hands and ran up the stairs. The butler then shrugged, sighed, and walked away in hopelessness.

Illi entered Cherie's room with a wide grin on her face. Dahlia hardly seemed phased by the sudden entrance, which was probably due to how loud Illi had been downstairs. With a sigh of her own, Dahlia motioned for her to stand in front of her. Illi happily complied and handed her sister the dress.

Dahlia had never seen the thing—for it had just finished being custom made that day. But she managed to redress Illi in a matter of minutes. Dahlia sat her down and put her hair in a gorgeous braided bun. Normally Illi would have asked about the kids and how she had been doing, but she was way too excited about the party. So instead she asked Dahlia about her own costume, and whether or not she thought that Illi would finally find the man of her dreams. And, of course, they talked about books.

Dahlia placed a big gold crown atop Illi's hair and brushed on some light make-up while responding to Illi's small talk. After putting on her intricate, gold, lace mask, Illi stood up, gave Dahlia a big hug, and thanked her. Then she turned and headed back downstairs. This time she was a lot more peaceful and graceful. Her big gold dress fit her slim figure perfectly, and made her look like royalty... which she was. Even the person she was dressing up as was royalty. A figure unlike any other, Illi was dressed as the first true queen of Connloath. She was renowned not only for her beauty, but also for her revolutionary quests for land and knowledge. She was considered to be one of the most important figures in Connloath history. But if someone asked, she would probably just say that she was dressed as a queen. Just a simple queen.

Her family, of course, had heard all of Illi's ranting about the queen she was. The looks on their faces as she climbed down the steps, however, made it clear that they hadn't expected Illi to look quite as elegant as she had. Which was a surprise to her, considering that she knew she was one of the Treyburn girls who was most likely to overdress on an event like this.

Once she had finally reached the bottom, Illi gave Cherie another hug and exclaimed, "Now we're beautiful together!" Then she hugged Janette and Redly, mostly out of custom.

"I would have let the guy undress and redress me personally..." Janette mumbled to herself as she stood upright, watching the butler leave, and smiling.

When Illi hugged her, Janette actually felt like wrecking her dress. It was sickeningly elegant, with no attack to it. Just some self contained sense of royalty. It was disgusting, and vile, and had no place near a girl like Janette. A hardened, street wise girl like Janette.

It was odd of her to think that she was street wise, considering that she came from nobility, and her family hadn't disowned her yet. In fact her whole predicament was rather odd. She didn't want to have money that was hers. She wanted to take other people's money and spend it for them. She wanted to live as a challenge to survive and to thrive.

Not to be scooped up every so often with her sisters and sent to some masquerade ball. It irritated her so much that her mother seemed to invite them all to events that they shouldn't go to.

Rather, she shouldn't go to.

Too many rich, hot, young noblemen to bed, and not enough time. That was her opinion.

"So is Ma coming, or can I misbehave?"

((Har har, Dahlia did so many things before I even read all of this thread! :P))

Dahlia barely had the time to mouth a 'thank you' to Redly before she was whisked away again by Jillian. It had been at least a year since she'd seen her family, and Dahlia found them easier to deal with if she kept herself occupied. She had to admit to herself, though, that it was amazing to see the girls transform into women. Jillian had only been nine when Dahlia had married and left home, but Cherie had still been a baby! Had this not been Cherie's entrance into society, Dahlia wasn't sure if she would have come at all. But her mother-in-law and children ganged up on her; it was time for Dahlia to actually go out and live again.


She'd been in the kitchen when the last shoe dropped, baking a cake for no reason in particular other than that the act calmed her. Like always, she and everything else was covered in flour when Riley, her youngest son entered and asked if she was going to go to the masked ball the Grand Duke was holding.

"I dont't know. Your grandmother thinks I should," Dahlia had answered, putting down the bowl and spatula and turning to face her son. She raised an eyebrow at him, "What do you think?"

Riley considered for half a second, then nodded. "I think so, too." He looked meaningfully at her flour-covered countenance and barely kept a smirk from his face when he added, "You need to get out more, Mom."

A flour battle followed his smart remark, rendering them both white as ghosts. When a truce was finally called, Riley said something more that almost broke Dahlia's heart. "But Grandma says that a lady should never go to a ball unescorted by a gentleman," he began, feigning pomp, but clearly uncertain. "And now that... I thought I could take you."

Dahlia had still been shaking off laughter from the flour fight, but her son's offer stopped her short. She wanted to either burst into tears or scoop up the boy into a bear hug. But she didn't let her children see her upset, and Riley was just entering that age where being scooped up in hugs risked embarrassment. She'd cried about it later to Helen - about the sweetness of the gesture, how proud Kerry would have been, how much she didn't want her son to have to escort her anywhere - but in the moment she just agreed. "Well, alright," she told Riley with a sly grin, "but only if you keep all the bad dancers away from me. Oh, and it's your aunt Cherie's coming out, so we have to go see my family first."

Now it was Riley's turn to stop short. "...all of them?"


Dahlia pushed the memory away as she worked on Jillian's hair. After taking a deep breath to clear her mind again, she spent the rest of the time asking Jillian about what the girl was up to these days, what good books she'd read recently, and other similar things.

Jillian left the room in the same bluster she entered, and Dahlia hung back a moment as to not ruin the girl's entrance. She hadn't changed herself yet, but she wasn't in quite the same rush as the young women were. She slipped quietly back into the main room a minute or so after Jillian, coming over to stand next to Redly.

"Have they always been such a handful?"

Braxton was still in bed when his mother arrived outside his door, knocking on the door, "Braxton! Are you in there?"

He said nothing and snuggled his wife, something he hadn't done in a long time with her. "Ignore her," He whispered.

"Braxton! I know you can hear me!"

Leanna sighed, "She won't stop until you answer."

"Yeah, ma?" Braxton called out.

"You're not even dressed, are you?"

"Nope. I was rough riding the wife like-"

Lennna smacked him on the shoulder. Hard and shot him her usual warning glare.

"I mean, uh. We're getting ready, ma , so calm down! It's not good for your heart!"

"Your father was never late-"

"I'm NOT my father!" Braxton snarled defensively, "Ansgar's balls, woman! I'll be ready when I damn well feel like being ready and not before!"


((Apologies. If the language feels like it's a bit much for PG-13 , let me know and I will tone it down. I'm not always the best at gaging such things.

So Braxton will probably be the last to show up. Feel free for the kids to chatter and skip 'my turn' so long as you don't go too far ahead without me, you know? If anyone feels that it's time for my character to show up, just send me a PM or tell me in ooc here or in the Treyburn plotting thread! Until then, I'll probably make a couple more posts similar to this to show you how much Braxton likes to drag his feet and how much women have to nag him to get anything done and done right!))

((Janette will interject with comments on things, and most likely start a shenanigan when the time is right, so don't count me as a posting order person till that happens, lol))

"Fine. No-one answer my question. I'll assume every guy I see is fair game then..." Janette was about to say more but then she heard Braxton shouting at her mother, and realised that Ma was coming too.

"Or, Braxton can answer it indirectly... KEEP IT DOWN FOR THE LOVE OF VESKOS!" She walked over to the part of the room directly beneath the bedroom and knocked, suddenly having an idea.

"All of you, keep Braxton in his room. I wanna go get something." With that, she rushed off to her own room, grinning joyfully.

(OOC: I think that's everybody, except for teh Loosh (who is on hiatus)!  I feel like Gandalf counting dwarves. (http://iamthebluebox.tumblr.com/post/65545155814/gandalf-the-super-nanny-supernanny-the-shire)  For those of you who know me, you know I do not use that phrase lightly!)

Cherie blushed lightly at the string of compliments, looking down at her feet and fidgeting.  "Um, thanks."  She wasn't accustomed to either attention or compliments -- in part, because she could never keep any of her clothes clean for very long...  It soon became apparent as to why as she missed a step and went careening down the stairs.  Fortunately, Redly was at the base of the steps to catch her!

"Careful, now," Redly advised, fervently hoping there wouldn't be many stairs at the ball.  Setting the youngest Treyburn back on her feet -- on the floor -- he glanced around at the assembled parties, doing a silent headcount.  Dahlia would be looking after Illi -- he had never seen the girl so excited! -- and that meant they were only missing two -- Braxton and their surprise guest.

'Keep an eye on her,' he mouthed to Janette with a gesture to Cherie.  Janette certainly would -- and, hopefully, she'd also keep Cherie from retreating to a corner to be by herself.

"You cannot misbehave," he answered his sister sternly, looking all too much like a parent.  "This is Braxton's first public appearance as Lord Treyburn and Cherie's first public appearance as a young lady."

Cherie spoke up, then, adding brightly, "Well, if it's boring..."

"Not even if it's boring," Redly answered flatly.  "Give Brax a break here."

Illi's entrance, then, momentarily distracted the crowd.  Letting the girls fawn over one another, he smiled in response to Dahlia.  "Well, you're the one who'll be stuck with them tonight.  You are going, aren't you?"  He was vaguely concerned she might try to back out at the last minute...

Hearing that she wasn't brought Redly's usual grin back, and he nodded.  "Good.  Before you go, though, I have to warn you someone else is tagging along."

And now was as good a time to give them the heads up before their mother came back down...  He cleared his voice for attention, having to try several times before everyone, at last, quieted down.

"There's one more reason you have to behave tonight."  This was addressed towards Janette and Cherie, who, he knew, wouldn't purposefully misbehave -- it was just her way to be contrary.  "Jana's going to joining you, and you all know what it would mean if she were discovered."

"Really??" Cherie asked brightly, excited, as usual, to see the outlaw.  They had only met a handful of times...and it was always a secret from their parents, from the law -- from everyone but each other.

(OOC: *nudges the scene forward some*  Paradox, I'm assuming Redly would have informed Brax about this previously, as he'll be the one in charge of the whole thing!)

Dahlia had been about to say something about how she certainly was not going to be the one responsible for keeping the younger girls out of trouble. The whole idea of a ball in the middle of this war was, in her opinion, entirely preposterous. Let them get into a bit of trouble. Not to mention that she knew better than to think she could keep Janette out of trouble even if she wanted to. But she closed her mouth when Redly said that 'someone else' would be joining them. Her gray eyes sharpened at the comment, something about the way he said it...

And then Dahlia had to close her mouth again when Redly made the announcement of who would be joining them and her eyes widened in disbelief. But, unlike the bright Cherie, Dahlia looked far from happy about the news. In fact, some of the color might have left her face.

"Redly," she interjected, her voice flat, "you have to be joking." Still next to her older brother, Dahlia kept her voice fairly low, but her tone was serious. It wasn't that Dahlia didn't, necessarily, want to see her sister. But this wasn't the same as Jana discretely showing up at a birthday party or a family event. This was a public ball thrown by the Grand Duke!

Dahlia didn't say anything more at the moment, not surrounded by their younger siblings, but the look she gave Redly clearly said, You're insane. She's going to get killed.

Janette came back holding Megraph.

"I saw this in the back garden earlier, and thought it would be cool to prank someone with if it stayed!" In reality, the snake was her best friend. The unconditional love was just something they had, and naturally, Megraph protected Janette.

"Go..." Janette ran upstairs, slowing to a tip toe when she reached Braxton's room, then seeing Ma there. I don't care, why should I? Janette thought to herself.

Ma gasped slightly as Janette walked up to her holding the snake. "Get that filthy thing out of my home! NOW!" Janette simply smiled and ignored her, ever so slightly opening the door, and letting Megraph go through, waiting to hear the sounds of panic as the snake explored the room casually.

A little morning prank never hurt anyone.

"That thing is disgusting Janette, get it back, now!" Ma looked rather disgusted as Janette walked back downstairs to wait to hear the sounds there instead. Ma would never touch something as filthy as a snake, especially since she thought it was wild.

Illi saw what Janette was doing, but let her younger sister do as she pleased. She wouldn't listen, anyway. And there was much more exciting news: Jana.

The sister of mystery.

Illi was too young to have grown up with Jana, but she loved the visits. And she loved fantasizing about the stories. She knew that her sister had cross-dressed. And she loved it. Books with girls cross-dressing to be in the army were great. And none of those girls joined the army just because they had to. That's the story of guys. Girls joined because they truly wanted to fight for their country, or because they were protecting someone else, or because they were running away. It was great. Those books were also forbidden in Connlaoth. She liked to imagine Jana's story, anyway. Especially because it involved murder.

Unlike Dahlia, Illi was elated. And she didn't plan on hiding that. "Oooooo!" she squealed. "That's so exciting! I can tell her about all of my new books. About the one with the man and the dragon and also the one with the princess and of course the one about the dog! Ahhh this will be great!" She started mentally ordering the books that she wanted to talk about from most important to least important. After all, she knew that Jana wouldn't listen to her about all of the stories. If any.

With a wide smile, Illi gave Redly another hug. "When will she be here? Will we recognize her?" She paused and hesitantly added, "... what about Ma?" She then realized that maybe Dahlia's worries weren't stupid. After all, her sister did have a crazy high bounty on her.

That's part of the reason that Illi loved her sister. She came to visit even though getting caught meant almost certain death. But she had never risked going to an event like this—one with so many people. Illi knew she was risking it because it was a milestone mark for both Cherie and Braxton. But was the danger really worth it? Well, no good novel didn't have a fair bit of danger...

Braxton and Leanna were getting dressed – actually, it was more like Leanna was fussing over her husband's outfit when the snake slithered into their room. Braxton saw the snake first and made the mistake of showing surprise in his expression because that look got his wife's attention and he knew that when she looked in the same direction that he was that this was not going to end well! 

Janette was about to hear the screams that she was anticipating as Leanna came streaking out of the room in her nightgown, shrieking in terror. Following his wife came Braxton's booming voice that snarled like an angry bear that had been abruptly stirred from its hibernation, "JANETTE ! I SWEAR BY ANSGAR'S FLAMING SAC THAT I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

Janette, you roguish little witch! If it were legal, I'd throttle you in public and the people would rejoice. Wait. Maybe it is legal...or maybe I could write to the Grand Duke asking him to change the laws .... Braxton contemplated.

Muttering a string of volatile curses to himself He stripped one of the sheets from the bed and  then went over to the wall and got a poker hanging by the fireplace in the room. "C'mon, ya slitherin' bastard. " The snake had never attacked him before, but even so he was wary of it. It was big , it was a snake and it could kill him if he wasn't careful. He goaded it into the sheet and then wrapped it up like a burrito and carried it out of the room.

Once outside, he let the snake go and then turned to Ma and his wife and smirked as if he thought the whole ordeal was some big joke. His expression flattened a bit when he noted the livid expression on both of their faces.

Women.

  (( Ivory, let me know if you feel that I need to move things along some more and I'll add to my post!))

(OOC: Okay, kids, new round.  That means you guys can post in any order -- but only the once.  So choose your posting timing carefully!)

Redly grinned boyishly in response to Dahlia's concerns.  "It'll be fine.  Everyone will be dressed to the nine's and wearing a mask, so no one will know her from the Grand Duchess herself.  Brax already knows, too, and he's fine with it." More or less.  "She'll be on her best behavior.  I promise."

"As for Ma..."  Redly shrugged slightly.  "She doesn't need to know."  That was simple as that.  "I don't even thi--"

That was all the further Redly got before Brax's voice boomed into the room, as loud, it seemed, as though he had been standing at the top of the stairs and preceded by feminine screams of terror.  Had Brax not used Janette's name, Redly would have bolted up the stairs three at a time to find out what was happening and if he could help.  The use of Janette's name, however, only made him sigh tiredly and mutter, "Of all the nights..."

Cherie stared towards the noise a moment, as if trying to decide what to make of it.  Coming up empty, she instead turned her focus to her older sister.  "When are we going to see what you're wearing, Dahlia?" she asked brightly.

"She's right," Redly put in with a glance towards the clock.  "Why don't you go get dressed?  And don't worry about Jana, alright?"

Janette burst out laughing, unable to control herself as Braxton shouted. She couldn't physically stop, and ended up rolling on the floor laughing.

"LOVE YOU TOO BRAXTON YA' WIMP!" Janette yelled back up before Megraph came and joined her on the floor, slithering over her and flicking her with his tongue, making her laugh even more as the forked tongue tickled her face.

Then Janette decided she should probably send Megraph back to their room.

"Megraph: home. Go, shoo you lovable lizard..." Janette got up just in time to hear (or rather process) Redly stating the words "She'll be on her best behaviour."

Then Janette laughed again, pointing at Redly. "I hope that's not me you're talking about Redly! I'm not planning on behaving at all. I'm itching for some fun..." Then she realised they were discussing Jana and decided to get with the conversation.

"Come on Dahlia, go and get your dress on!" Janette reached for the mask with she had looped through her rather delicate blue belt, and waved it around for reasons unknown even to her.

Dahlia stared at Redly in disbelief and poorly-veiled offense. "Why don't you go get dressed?  And don't worry about Jana, alright?" Dahlia had not particularly cared for Redly treating her like a child when they were growing up, and she certainly didn't appreciate it now. In fact, if they weren't with everyone else right now, she might just hit him for it. With that option closed, it took a few moments before the baleful look at Redly turned into something softer (just) when she remembered the question had originally been posed by Cherie.

"You're right, Cherie," she admitted with a not-entirely-convincing casual air, "I ought to get ready now that you and Jillian are dressed."

But Dahlia barely took her eyes off Redly when she gave this answer and, as she left the room, she stopped half a foot from him. "Our country is at war, Redly," she told him sharply, but low enough that only he should hear all of what she said, "and if you think fancy dresses and masks exempt any of us from that, you're an idiot." She started to leave, then paused and added, "And don't' treat me like a child."

With that Dahlia left, leaving a noticeable chill in her wake. Riley, already smartly dressed and carrying his feathered falcon mask in the crick of his arm, entered just in time to see his mother's departure. He watched her leave with a knowing look; as much as she might try to hide them from her children, all three could recognize their mother's moods now.

"She's a bit on edge," Riley said matter-of-factly and to no one in particular. "Milo finally left for the army last week." This was information, unbeknownst to him, that his mother had thus far been keeping from her siblings.

Rather than elaborating on this, Riley looked to the mask Janette was wildly flailing about. The boy was, in general, a bit intimidated by his aunt, but plucked up his courage to ask, very politely, "What's your mask, Janette? Are you dressing as anything in particular?"

Too much arguing.

That is what Illi decided.

So the second after the conversation about Jana seemed to cease, she took off for her room. Less than a minute later, she returned. Reading. All the voices were tuned out—even that of the sweet Riley, who she normally loved to talk to. Of course, books about knights saving princesses were much more exciting. Especially when they involved politics... politics that weren't part of the real world.

Illi easily managed her way to a wall, where she leant against and continued to read. She would stop reading once the fighting ended. If that ever happened. Her family fought too much... in fact, the whole world fought too much. That's why she loved to delve into books. They took her to another world.

Braxton's two eldest children, Ethen(18) and Carleigh(17), were ready to go forty minutes before their parents. The pair of them slipped quietly into the room where most of the other Treyburns had assembled; neither of them appeared to look very happy because their costumes fit a lame theme that their father had selected (probably just to embarrass them!)

"I still don't know what you're so cross about, Ethen," Carleigh told her elder brother quietly, "at least your costume makes sense. I don't get this," she shook her head, the curly locks of her golden wig bobbing. Ethen smiled a little and his sister narrowed her eyes at him, daring him to laugh. He snickered and she whacked him on the arm with her mask.

At long last, Braxton Treyburn emerged from bedchambers dressed smartly in his military uniform. Over his face he wore a mask that resembled the snarling visage of a bear. Pausing at the top of the stairs and looking down at his assembled family he...released a fart and then grinned wolfishly down at them,  "Papa bear's here, kids! Let's get this show on the road!" He announced as he stomped down the stairs. As he moved down , he turned his head to should back over his shoulder, "Come on, honey! You look fine!"

(( I didn't want to hold you guys up so you get a short, cruddy post. ;_; ))

((OOC: I wanna start this round, lol))

Janette smiled when her nephew asked about her dress. Maybe she could show off the small bit of the dress that was her favourite. Maybe.

"Well Riley, you'll see in a minute. Just wait here a second. I have to go and sort out Aunt Illi." Janette stepped over to her older sister, and paused, tapping her foot, and putting on a rather unimpressed face.

"Illi. Give me the book, or go and put it in your room. This is a social event, and we all need to get along... So for Angsar's sake, get yourself sorted, and be sociable!" Her tone was mocking of Ma's tone when she scolded Janette for refusing to go to the ball earlier this morning.

Then just like that, Janette didn't push it any further, knowing that a book had to better than a family get together, and walked back over to Riley.

"So you wanted to see what I'm going as?" Janette put the mask on, the clearly reptilian face seeming rather lifelike. Then she took the dress straps off her shoulders, reached into the back of the dress, and pulled a cowl-like piece of fabric out, putting it on, revealing the fully patterned cobra hood that a friend had beautifully sown and created for Janette.

"SSSSS!" She made a childish scary pose towards Riley, before putting the cowel back and setting herself back to just how she was.

Riley's face fell at his sister's chastisement.  He hadn't meant that.  He hadn't meant any of that.  "Dahlia..."  But it was too late; she was already gone.

He blinked in alarm at Riley, then, and his face softened.  "Oh."  But he said nothing more as he turned his thoughts inwards.

Cherie, on the other hand, only looked sad.  She glanced around airily, then, after taking a moment to kick off the heels that had nearly killed her once already, bounded up the steps after her sister.  She burst in after Dahlia, exclaiming breathlessly, "You helped me, Dahlia!  It's my turn to help you!"  Although, certainly, Dahlia could do it on her own...and would probably be better off for it, really.  Still, she did not want to miss the opportunity to give her sister a chance to vent, in case she needed it.

Dahlia looked straight ahead into the mirror as the maid who had dressed Cherie began to do up the long row of buttons up the back of her dress. She saw Cherie enter in the mirror a moment before her sister announced herself. With a small nod of her head, Dahlia excused the maid. When the woman was gone, Dahlia gave her sister a smile through the mirror, not turning around. She might still be upset about Jana and the ridiculous manner Redly had announced it, but she wasn't upset with Cherie, and she certainly didn't want her youngest sibling to see her flustered.

Anyway, more than anything, she was just tired. Tired of fighting, tired of pretending everything was okay, tired of the war.

"Alright," she agreed, "you can finish the buttons. It's a bit snug, though." The dress was sleeveless with a ribbed bodice and fell around Dahlia's feet in a small train on the floor. The dress itself was black and Dahlia wore long silk, black gloves that came past her elbows with it. The whole look would be rather solemn if it weren't for the bright, billowing sheaths of red and yellow silk on each side that connected from the top of the dress bodice at her ribs to the wrists of her gloves.

Dahlia watched Cherie carefully through the mirror and finally gave her a sly smile. "So will you be looking for a husband tonight?" she asked teasingly, certain that the girl would hear enough about this by now from their mother. "I was married by your age, you know. And you were only a baby! Shouldn't let the fruit wither on the tree," she clucked, and grinned into the mirror at Cherie.


Meanwhile, Riley blinked at Janette's snake dress. "Hm," he nodded, not otherwise reacting to Janette's display. "I like that," he said soberly, then added, holding up his own mask, "mine is a falcon."

Done with that interaction, Riley walked smartly over to Jillian. Leaning next to her against the wall, he peered over to her book. "What are you reading, Illi? Is it good?"

Riley looked at Braxton with wide eyes as he made his grand, flatulent entrance and muttered to Illi, "You think that was meant to be a bear growl?"

Illi simply tuned out Janette. She subconsciously noticed the girl approaching and somewhere in her head probably heard the words, but none of it went to the front of her head. So she just kept reading, unaware that anything had happened.

Riley, however, caught her attention. Looking up from her book and admiring her costume, she responded, "Riley! I didn't notice that you came!" She leaned a little towards him and quietly responded, "If only that was a bear growl... we all know that your uncle is one stinky man."

Laughing, she handed the book to him so that he could take a look at it. "It's a romance book, as you probably could have suspected. About this knight who wants to marry this princess, but she's engaged to a prince. Who just so happens to be his leader. In order to win her hand in marriage, he has to become royal. So he starts to hatch this plan to become the prince of his own country! It's great, I promise. Ah, but enough about that. I want to hear about you!"

Removing herself from the wall, Illi moved so that she was in front of Riley. Then she looked his outfit up and down, and paid particular attention to the mask. He was a falcon—something that she was willing to bet he wasn't too excited about.

"Hmm..." she said, as if she were debating what his costume was of. "Let me guess... you are a cursed dragon! You defeated an evil witch who had been terrorizing this village, but she had placed a spell on her that made it so whoever killed her would be turned into a falcon. That curse would only be broken when he whom ended her life finally got a kiss from the perfect girl." She paused before adding, "Oh wait, you're too young to be kissing girls! Fooling me with that handsome appearance of yours!"

[Leaping in to introduce Oscar. Don't mind me!]

Oscar could hear the bickering before he even rang the bell, and he couldn't help but chuckle. He visited this house little, and with every months-long gap he wondered at how it became both less familiar and more imposing. None of it felt especially welcoming with all the thoughtlessness and snobbery steeped into the walls, but the bickering? That was home. That was ten children running wild, together as they... well, as they'd never really been, considering their ages and the Jana incident. But it had been close to it, and by the sounds of that racket, this evening was going to be rather close too. A whole menagerie of Treyburns, all dressed to the nines and off to a ball!

Not that he'd wanted to go to one. When he'd been sent the invitation, Oscar was ready to push it to the side and spend another solitary night with his telescope. His mother though, had anticipated him: You simply cannot think that you will be allowed to languish at that college while the future of your family hangs in the balance. She had written, melodramatic as ever. Your brothers first public appearance as Lord is of the utmost importance; you cannot leave us incomplete on such an evening. What would your father say?

Oscar knew all too well what his father would have said, and none of it was like to be pleasant. However, while his father might have been a stranger (a late lamented stranger now), his mother's dramatic manipulations still struck a chord more often than not. Three letters and a lot of passive-aggression later, and here he stood, pulling the bell to his childhood home in a silly costume, his stomach all tied up in knots - though whether it was nerves or excitement, he was never sure.

Typically, none of them noticed, even as the butler moved to let him in, stepping into the entrance hall with his customary quiet tread. What siblings there were all chattering around the stairs, and at the sight of them had a warm and irrepressibly fond smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. It felt like so much longer since he'd last seen them, especially all together like this.

"Oh, but my dear siblings haven't changed one bit." He called by way of hello, his smile widening to encompass all of them. "Am I that late? Have I missed the big argument?"

"Oscar? Is that you?" Braxton stomped down the stairs, looking every bit as much appropriate in the bear costume that he was wearing. He tackled his younger brother and crushed the poor soul in his embrace which was also rather bear-like. Fortunately, it was a brief embrace and Brax stepped back grinning wolfishly, "So, Ma pulled her usual guilt trip and get you to show up, eh?" He smirked.If anyone knew how manipulative mother was, it was Braxton. She'd been making him feel like shit since the day he'd been born and never seemed to let up! He slapped a hand on the younger man's back ," Good to see you again, little brother."

((Sorry. Tis short, but I don't want to make you folks wait any longer!))

(New Round!)

"If she hadn't, I certainly would have," a smartly-dressed fellow added from the doorway, having arrived just moments after Oscar.  Trevian had chosen to come as a playing card -- the jack of hearts, naturally.  The ensemble was colorful, featuring a feathered red cap sat at a jaunty angle on his head, a matching red and white square tabard with hearts and J's in the corners worn above a ridiculously froofy outfit that seemed a fair imitation of the design on the card.  Any hugs -- from Brax or otherwise -- were, however, waylaid by a pair of extended hands, a cheeky laugh, and Trevian's usual winning smile.  "The night is far too young for a wrinkled outfit."

Redly had been pouting -- but little could keep him down for long.  Oscar, followed immediately by Trevian, returned his grin to his face, and he stepped forward to greet them both with handshakes, rather than the bear hugs they were getting from Brax.  No one could top those!  "You did miss a bit, but I'm sure it'll pick up again in just a moment," the eldest Treyburn muttered confidentially with a wink of his one eye.  "Trevian, really?  The Jack of Hearts?"

Recognizing Redly's tone for teasing, Trevian laughed cheerfully.  "I know, I know.  I thought the King too grand, and this is really the wrong crowd to play the Queen.  The Ace is too lonely, the two too suggestive, and the three -- well, it's just an ugly number, isn't it?  Four is too even and five too odd..."

"You've really thought this out, haven't you?" Redly groaned.

~*~*~

Upstairs, Cherie was all too happy to help complete her sister's outfit.  She approached with an almost shyness -- pretty dresses, ribbons and balls were certainly something she had always longed for and never quite been able to grasp, although they were made available aplenty by their mother.  Dahlia's instructions were followed carefully, so as to ensure nothing untoward happened to her sister's lovely outfit on her big night.

Cherie's face turned a light shade of pink, and she laughed softly.  "You sound exactly like Mother!"  Hopefully, by design, not by accident.  She couldn't stand the thought of Dahlia becoming like that shrew!

"Shouldn't I let Illi find her prince before I look for mine?" she asked evasively.  "And even Janette..."  Although Angsar knew that wasn't likely to happen very soon!

Janette was about to pay attention to Oscar, but Trevian drew her attention away rapidly. Riley had left her alone, Illi was stuck in a book, Cherie and Dahlia were playing dress up (or that was Janette's opinion) and Braxton was probably still seething over the snake incident.

Braxton it was then.

"Sssssssssss....." Janette put her hood up, and her mask on, walking over to Braxton, her hissing progressively getting louder, until she got behind him and jabbed him in the sides.

"Hey Braxy-boy!" She jumped back, ready for the flurry of angry comments about Megraph, annoying him, and other such things. "Did you and you wife like the present I gave you?" She smirked mischievously, still feeling like she wanted to be trouble today.

"SSSS!" She laughed at Braxton, more than happy to openly mock her older brother.

Dahlia laughed, grinning into the mirror. "Well, I certainly hope you know I'm teasing whenever I sound like our mother!"

Dahlia adjusted the bodice a little when all the buttons were fastened and picked up a handful of black feathers on a nearby table. Her blonde curls were already contained in an up-do, and turning, to face Cherie, she began blindly (but adeptly) adorning them with the feathers.

"But in all seriousness, Cherie," she told her little sister with a soft look in her grey eyes, "if you do 'find your prince' at this ball or wherever, don't wait for anyone. Follow your heart and grab him. Not too many women in our position get to marry someone they really like. If you find someone and hold off in favor of your sisters, or anyone, you might lose him and end up married to an old bore. We only have one life, you know."

"And anyway," she pulled a face, "if you wait for Janette to settle down, you'll die an old maid!"

--

Riley listened attentively to to Jillian as she described the book. He liked Jillian. Though he officially didn't have favorites, Jillian was his favorite. "Can I borrow it when you're done?"

He folded his arms, though, and frowned at her when she went on about how he must be a dragon. He frowned because: one, he was obviously not a dragon, he was covered in feathers!; two, he didn't find dragons interesting at all; and three, everyone knew he was interested in falcons.

"No," he answered in a huff (but a playful one), "I'm a falcon and I think you know that, Illi."

[Sorry about the wait! For some stupid reason I thought there was someone in the queue ahead of me.]

"Who else would it be?" Oscar grinned, lifting his mask to show it off better. Not that he needed to provide this proof: Braxton was already barrelling down the stairs, and automatically Oscar braced himself for impact. It never truly worked, right from when he'd been a boy, but at least he knew enough to keep from staggering backwards under the weight of his bear hug. His mask slipped back down crooked, and for a moment he was unable to see or breathe as his brother squeezed the wind out of him. Nevertheless he laughed, wrapping his far skinnier arms as far around his broad back as he could manage before they broke apart, fixing his mask with a shrug and a twinkle in the eye. "Yes, mother worked her magic as usual... but how could I pass up a chance to see my big brother?"

All his siblings, actually. Two more of his brothers approached before long, and he responded with a handshake for Redly and a cheery wave for dear Trevian, who was already waxing lyrical about his costume whether they wanted to listen to him or not. Not far away, Janette had decided to join in and torment Braxton some more, something that had Oscar smirking. "Good Lord, Janette, you're sticking to character aren't you?" He laughed, raising an eyebrow behind his mask. He turned to his eldest brother again, jerking his head towards the display. "Pick up again? Honestly, Redly, I don't think it ever stopped."

And nor will it, he thought wryly, not if Treyburns are involved.

OOC: that's 'cause I was... but i totally forgot! D: Good thing you posted! XD

IC:

Illi faked a pout and huffed back at Riley, "You never let me have any fun, Riley." She was about to ruff up his hair before remembering that kids hated it when people did that. So instead she did a little fake punch on his side. "You won't even humor me? Well... I suppose falcons are cooler, anyway." She giggled before glancing up at her troublesome siblings.

Nothing too new seemed to be going on, so she turned back towards Riley.

"And of course you can borrow it! You can borrow any of my books, any time. You know that... and I do read some that have falcons in them, too. Not just dragons." Dragons were definitely a more common theme, though. "Just don't read that book that I've been leaving at your house... not without me, that is!" Whenever she went to visit Riley, she read him parts of her favorite childhood book. Of course, he was old enough to read by himself now, but they had started it long before that was the case. It was their little thing.

Braxton cupped a hand to the bear's ear of his mask and wrinkled his expression as though he were straining to hear her, "Huh? Thought I heard someone talking, but it's just someone takin' a piss in the wind. " He replied humorously.

He turned and looked back up towards the stairs and noted his wife coming down. She , like he, was also wearing a bear theme , "Well, well. Here comes mama bear now. Better hide, Janette because mama looks pissed."

Leanna was , by default, a kindly and compassionate woman but sometimes Janette and her antics brought out the worst in her. "Where is she?" She growled at Braxton the moment she stood by his side.

"Honey, you're in character already!" Braxton laughed and threw his arms around her, "Give papa bear a hug!"

(OOC: New round!  Vivi: once a new round is declared, there is no posting order.  Everyone posts once in any order!)

Cherie smiled and fidgeted with a piece of cloth on her dress.  It was getting to be a bad habit, and, knowing Cherie, that little piece would be bunched up and torn off in a burst of nervous energy before long!

"I will.  Trust me, Dahlia.  My prince isn't getting away that easily."

-----

After taking a silent headcount, Trev wondered, "Where are Dahlia and Cherie?  And Florry?"

"Still getting ready.  After that, I think we're pretty much all set.  Ma said she wanted to take a look at all of you together, and then I'll get her upstairs and get her to bed so you can go."  And so Jana could arrive!

Leanna was amusing to Janette. She wasn't afraid. She didn't care how angry Leanna was, Janette was going to godsdamn enjoy herself today. And tonight, at the ball. Drinks, men, more drinks, more men. That was her ultimatum this evening.

So of course Janette would love to see what happened. She wanted to revel in the reactions. She wanted it.

"Oh, hello my dearest sister-in-law! I trust you had no trouble getting ready? What's the matter? You seem to be feeling rather venomous..." The mocking puns were probably Janette's death sentence, but it just had to happen. She wanted to see Leanna angry. It was one of life's greatest joys in her eyes.

That and seeing nervous men. Braxton was desperate to calm his wife down by the way he was cracking jokes, but Janette desired otherwise.

((Alright, I am going to do a small bit of cc here but I feel like Janette has this coming. She can only be permitted to get away with so much, you know?))

The look Leanna shot Janette promised serious bodily injury, which was likely hilarious to Janette given the fact that Lady Treyburn was a whole five inches shorter than her husband. Practically midget-sized next to a giant like Janette.

Braxton turned from his wife and stormed over to Janette, looking every bit like Pa when he was angry. He seized the snake girl by the arm and pulled her sharply aside, " Janette, you're this close to gettin' on my bad side and you don't want to go there tonight. I've tolerated your behavior because I think you're amusing, but you need to know where to draw the line or there will be consequences that even I can't protect you from. Are we clear? " He tried to meet her eyes. 

Oscar grimaced at the fury on his sister-in-laws face, sincerely hoping that she'd have the wisdom to give up before Leanna reduced the amount of siblings he had. True to form, she didn't, rather Braxton did it for her, dragging her to one side and muttering words he couldn't hear. Probably a wise move: one of these days dear Janette was going to pick on someone not nearly as lenient.

"Were we to call mother?" He asked Redly and Trevian in an undertone. "Or have we been given a time limit? If Janette's sulking, she might comment and make it worse."

Dahlia finished placing the feathers in her hair and smiled at Cherie. How had she grown up so fast? It seemed like just yesterday that Cherie had turned sixteen. Of course, Dahlia probably had not been the most attentive sister in the last few years.

Well, there was no going back and doing it over now. She would just have to start doing better.

Rather than remark on any of this to Cherie, though, she simply smiled wryly at her. "Your dress isn't going to last the night if you keep fussing it like that, you know. Come on, shall we go back down? Find out what kind of trouble everyone will be getting themselves into tonight?"

---

Downstairs, Riley promised to Jillian that he wouldn't read ahead in their book without her. But before he could keep up the conversation about books, Janette began provoking Leanna, earning herself a rather harsh rebuff from Braxton. Riley pulled a face. It was starting already...

He looked up at Jillian earnestly. "Promise me that at least you won't do anything too silly tonight, okay, Illi?"

Florry didn't quite know what to do with himself. Ever since he had heard of the ball the Grand Duke was planning on hosting, he had been a ball of nerves. It meant he would have to act like a nobleman. Dress in terrible clothing, force smiles for people he didn't like - or when he couldn't answer a question. In the days before the ball, he had taken out his frustration in the forge, feeling the heat of the iron on his skin, and the sweat bead down his forehead and soak in his hair. His master said it was his best work yet, and teased that she would find other ways to make him nervous. He didn't like the sound of that. The woman could be devious.

For now, Florry stood in front of a mirror in his room, the long reflection not really putting him on his good side. He squinted and turned his head to the side, but no matter what view he took, he looked ridiculous. Or rather apt. Depending on the opinion. His tail fidgeted back and forth out of his control. He didn't look like him. His wild blond hair was brushed back, curling a bit on the ends, his beard was trimmed and he had even washed - gasp - and smelt like fancy soap instead of ash and iron. He didn't like it. Florry wanted to jump out his window, and if he lived, go roll in a puddle of mud like he did as a child in good clothing. At that thought a smile was brought to his face;  a face that was partly hidden by a mask he was forced to wear - it had a feline resemblance - how unsurprising - but the type of cat couldn't be named. It was a cat though. Whiskers and everything. He played with the cuffs of his jacket, the feeling of being stuffed into the backside of a turkey wouldn't leave him.

He swallowed back a lump in his throat and figured he better get his butt out there and with the rest of his family. So he did, and tried to slink into where they were gathered without trying to be noticed. He could taste the tension in the air, and he didn't really have to guess why. It was his family after all.

OOC: Thanks to sharkie for reminding me it was my turn again. XD

IC:

Illi smiled at her cute little nephew. "I promise," she replied happily. "And promise me you won't do anything too outrageous? I'm sure my siblings will take care of that."

After a quick pat on the head, she finished, "Now, go spend some time with the others! Even Florry is here finally... well, his costume matches him well." He nailed the tail. "Anyway, you're much more social than me, little falcon. So go be social!"

She took her book back from Riley with another smile and started reading before he could even really respond.

(OOC: New round!  I am getting so much practice in counting Treyburns!  I'm fast-forwarding a bit so we can get Jana in!)

"There's no need, darling," Rose answered from the stairs as she surveyed the family.  Naturally, she had to be the last to arrive...  "Look at you all!  Cherie, where are your shoes?"

"Right here," Cherie answered with a sigh.  "Do I really have to wear these?"

"All night."  Rose gave the girl a sharp look, adding to her only sensible daughter, "Dahlia, do make sure your sister leaves her shoes on.  Florry, quit lurking and stand up straight.  Oscar..."  She paused to straighten a sleeve, which, she had determined, wasn't falling quite correctly.  "I'm so glad you're here.  Try to find a nice girl while you're there.  Braxton...  Braxton, where are you?  Oh.  Now, remember what I told you.  You must impress these people.  Try to gain an introduction to the Grand Duke if you can, and be sure to tell him about your command at Ferryton."  She was circling the room as she spoke, apparently picking out children to scold as she came across them.  All the while, she was straightening outfits, adjusted loose strands of hair, and, generally, interfering with their outfits as much as possible.  "Jillian, put that book away!  You're too old to have your head in a book all night, and Trevian...  I thought I told you that you were not to go as a playing card!"  He made a face in her wake and readjusted the hat she had straightened so that it hung slightly to the side.  "And, Janette, behave yourself!  I'll just die if I hear you've been fighting at the ball!" she announced shrilly as she completed her circle, standing halfway up the stairs to better look at them all.  "Redly, get out of the way.  I want to see everybody in their costumes."  The tone directed at Redly was harsh, but her final statement was delivered with a warm and winning smile, in complete contrast to the way she spoke to her eldest son.

Redly was used to it, and he didn't hold it against her; it had been twenty years, after all.  So, instead, he stepped up onto the stairs behind her...just to take a look himself.  And, while Rose was staring at the gathered crowd of Treyburns with something like resignation, Redly looked as proud as though they were his children, one and all.

"I suppose," she sighed heavily with a shake of her head.  "It will do."

"Ma, they look great," Redly corrected with a grin.

"I still think--"

"No, no."  Redly caught his mother's slender shoulders with both of his arms, gently but firmly to stop her from going back down the stairs.  "I think we should let them get going, don't you?  They shouldn't be late."

"That's right," she agreed, giving Redly a somewhat suspicious look but accepting his thoughts on the matter.  "Good night, my darlings.  Make us proud of you.  And I expect several of you to secure spouses at this little party.  Goodness knows, with all these children, you'd think I'd have more than two who bothered to marry.  And..."

Her voice faded as Redly guided her to her bedroom.

Illi laughed as her and her siblings got bounced around by Rose. She set her book down by the wall and complied to her mother's demands—after all, the faster this was done, the faster Rose would leave. And that was always a good thing. Plus, she realized, maybe that meant Jana would come soon.

So when she heard the door open, Illi's hopes skyrocketed. It would be the first time she had seen her sister in over a year! Even more exciting, however, was that it would be the first time she'd see her sister in a real dress—ever! Jana would wear peasant women clothes when she visited, sure, but that was nothing compared to the extravagant costumes made for masquerade balls.

She started wondering what that costume might be. A fairy? No, that didn't seem like Jana. But maybe some kind of animal... like a fox or a lion. Something loyal and cunning—that was her sister. Illi's eyes grew wider as she realized that maybe Jana actually had long hair for once, too! After all, it had been a full year. That would be plenty of time for hair to grow out. While Illi loved her sister for breaking the social normalities and being adventurous, she always imagined that Jana would make quite a beautiful lady. And if her sister truly wanted to blend in, as Illi knew she did, the best way to do that would be to look like something no one had ever seen her looking like!

In the midst of her daydreams, a figure stepped out from the hallway and into the gathering place that held all the siblings. And Illi's hope filled eyes changed to depression and then to curiosity.

She didn't recognize the person in front of them.

Glancing over at Florry, who had been placed next to her for height's organization, Illi whispered, "Who's that man, and why is he in our house?" Perhaps he was an escort for someone? Her first guess would be some sort of secret admirer of Dahlia, but that wouldn't make sense. Riley was Dahlia's escort.

Looking the man up and down, Illi wasn't quite sure what to think. He was attractive and surely the topic of many ladies' late night conversations. But she found his costume a bit depressing. Beautiful, but depressing.

He was a fallen angel. A white suit contrasted nicely against his tan skin while his dirt blond hair seemed to be sleeked back with oil—but loosely, so that it really look like he may have taken a fall. Then there were his wings. Exquisitely crafted, they looked as if they could actually belong to an angel. Their pure white surface was only disturbed by splotches of red blood, which added a sense of eeriness to the costume. The red was only matched by the tie and, she noticed, the mask. The mask itself was another set of wings, but this time they were entirely blood colored.

It was lovely, but in a broken way.

She loved it.

Illi just stared, mesmerized, waiting for something to happen. And, after a few moments of silence passed, something did happen.

With a deep bow, the stranger finally spoke. "My name is Ezekiel Carzile. You have probably never heard of me, and tonight is the first night I have officially met any of you." So far, Illi agreed with the stranger. "However, there is a chance that I will make a name for myself in the future. This isn't something that is well known, for it isn't official and may cause a bit of a scandal. I ask you to keep it a secret. If you haven't figured it out already, I am telling you all this due to your relationship with my uncle. After all, he is the reason that I am staying with arriving at the ball with you all."

Illi nodded, thinking his story over. It all seemed logical. Of course, she wasn't quite sure who his uncle was... or what sort of relationship they had with him. It probably was something regarding her parents or one of her older siblings. She wasn't quite sure what she was supposed to do, so instead she waited for one of the others to react.

Oscar jumped, hoping silently that his mother hadn't heard too much of what he'd been saying about her - but if she had, she showed no sign of it, descending the stairs as imperious as a queen. Bossy as one too. She went to each of them in turn to pick and prod, ladling out advice and admonitions in equal measure. Oscar nodded, mumbled 'yes mother' and 'no mother' where appropriate, and waited to sigh until she was out of earshot and line of sight. Because really, what were the odds of Oscar involving himself with any women? He'd be lucky if he was even looked at, and he wasn't entirely sad about that either.

He plastered a smile on his face as she took them all in, but it was more reserved for his eldest brother than for her, taking the role of encourager where she did not. Although perhaps that was unfair: she was trying in her own unique fashion, Redly's words just came out a little sweeter - and he was better at cutting her off and sending her away to boot.

That in itself was nothing unusual, Redly was always charming their mother out of further bossing, but what was truly odd was that they were no longer alone. Someone else had joined them, introducing themselves in flamboyant, showy fashion while the assembled Treyburn clan just blinked at them. Oscar certainly didn't know what to make of it: he'd never even heard of an Ezekiel Carzile before today.

"Um... Hello." He remembered his courtesies, nodding politely, but it still didn't stop him from frowning after this odd fellow. "I'm sorry, but... that still doesn't explain why you're, ah, in our house."

[Edited to fit with everyone else's reactions better.]

He didn't like to be examined like a toad on a table. Especially not by his mother. Florry's shoulders were tense the entire time she prodded at them, fixing the collar on his jacket, with a thin line that was supposed to be her smile - smile? Who was he thinking his mother was? He breathed a sigh of relief when she moved on to another. He felt sorry for his siblings more than he did for himself. In a way, because of his little quirk - Ahem. The tail. - it was a little more lax on his shoulders. Not many expected much out of him, he doubted his mother expected him to find someone to dance with. - Oh Ansgar, dancing, did he really have to do that? The tail tended to put people off.

When the new person arrived, Florry was in his own little world, and it was only when Illi whispered in his ear, it tickled, did he snap out of his own thoughts. He raised his eyebrows, which couldn't been seen from under the mask. His eyes glanced over the stranger, and his mouth twisted into a frown, twitching his beard. He squinted at them, and took in the ridiculous stage that was their costume. And their name - though he was one to talk. Florry. What kind of name was that?

"You'll make a name all right." He said without thinking, like how he did many things. He didn't bother with courtesy. "What did you do, have a wrestling match with a duck?"

Mentally, Braxton rolled his eyes while his mother doled out instructions to his siblings. Of course his mother saw the gesture because he'd purposefully waited for her to look his way and see him. He flashed her a wolfish grin when she glared, frowning at him with her usual disapproval. "I could just drop my drawers . That'd leave a BIG impression. " Braxton snickered. That comment earned him a sharp elbow in his side and the death glare from his wife. He sighed and readjusted his collar , making it sit crooked. He wasn't about to let the women control him entirely this night; He was a real rebel!

"Well, if that's all it takes then ,by all means, do have at it, Janette," Leanna muttered in reply to Ma's instructions of behavior to her unruly sister-in-law.
Braxton tried not to laugh. 

While his mother continued to fuss, Braxton's patience was quickly wearing thin. He was a moment's breath from losing his temper and telling his mother to go upstairs and let them all be on their way when , thankfully, Redley interrupted (and a lot more tactfully than his own fiery temper would have allowed !) .

As soon as she was gone , Braxton heaved a sigh of relief, "For a moment I thought she was going to change her mind and tell us that she was coming with us." It really wouldn't have surprised him because he knew that she counted on him screwing up somehow! "Hey, does anyone think that if I bribed someone with half the Treyburn inheritance, that they'd marry Janette?" He jested.

"Braxton!" She didn't like Janette, but that was terrible a thing to say! She smacked his shoulder.

"Oh come on ,honey bear. I was just kidding. "Sort of, but not really!
Leanna narrowed her eyes at him, her glowering expression clearly conveying that she wasn't susceptible to believing his lies.

Braxton heard the door open and in stepped a peculiar looking man in the most ridiculous and girlish of costumes he'd ever seen. While Illi thought the stranger may have been a dreamboat, Braxton was eyeing this man up suspiciously. He moved away from the other Treyburns and went to intercept the newcomer who introduced himself.

"Yeah, great. Fantastic.  I'd say that it was nice meeting you too, Ezekiel, but I'm not really that fond of random strangers just inviting themselves into my home without , you know, seeking my permission first." He then closed the gap between them and was standing just a couple inches away from the stranger, scrutinizing their face with his steely blue eyes, " I feel as though we've met somewhere before." It wasn't a question. No. He knew he'd met this person, but the given name was either lost to memory, which he doubted or false.

But there were questions in his mind and the circumstances as well as the explanation were a red flag. There was one possibility in his mind that made sense, but he kept those thoughts internal for now.

He backed away ," Heh. So be it, Mister Enigmatic. Just don't give me any trouble this evening.  "

((Damn. I had meant to delete the first word in my post as I had changed my mind about the eyerolling. As old as he is , Braxton would no longer care whether mother saw or not. ))

Janette just smirked and smartened herself up. She didn't need her mother on her case right now. She let Leanna's comment slide, but she heard Braxton's comment.

"I'll have you know Brax, that I am more than capable of wooing any man of my choice. It's that most of the one's I meet bore me to tears... I mean, I find my own brother's wife boring enough, let alone prospective prey..." Janette smiled sarcastically before shooting Leanna a look that said "Go on. Majorly annoy me. I dare you...".

As soon as her mother left, Janette let her composure and attitude drop again. She would need whatever drink was on offer at this party. And lots of it.

Then the new bloke arrived, and a few things in her head stopped her going up and flirting. One, this bloke could actually be someone seriously important, and she wasn't drunk yet. Two, this bloke looked like he could do some physical damage. Three, the bloke looked familiar.

"Well, Ezekiel... I think you need to answer my brother's question. Now!"

((OOC: Sorry I'm the latest of the late on this!!!))


Riley frowned at being so thoroughly dismissed by his aunt Jillian. But, seeing her already absorbed back into her book, he shuffled off to his mother's side as Dahlia and Cherie re-entered the room. And only a moment later his Grandma came in and herded everyone into a line. Rose was on the list of Treyburn Women Riley Was Afraid Of, so he stuck dutifully by Dahlia's side.

Unlike Braxton, Dahlia openly rolled her eyes at being lined up and assessed like they were school children. Her mood was still somewhat soured by the earlier exchange with Redly. And it didn't improve upon the entrance of the 'stranger.' Dahlia's expression hardened as she looked at 'Ezekiel' and she had to stop herself from rolling her eyes again when, one by one, her siblings gaped at who this mysterious person might be.

Dahlia supposed she wouldn't stake her life on it, but if she was forced to guess who was the mysterious stranger that showed up in the house less than an hour after they were informed Jana would be joining them...

It was ridiculous. Not just that Jana was joining them at all (which Dahlia still could not believe), but this attention-seeking game of guess-who-I-am. But still, Dahlia wouldn't ruin whatever fun the rest were getting out of this, so she just retreated back a bit into the room and sat to wait for the rest. She was a bit frustrated with herself that she was in this mood in the first place, and that the sight of her sister darkened it so much. Well, when they arrived at the ball, she'd flip the switch to Sociable and Charming, whatever she was feeling. It was always so much easier to do that with strangers than with family.

Riley, for his part, just looked earnestly up at Exekiel after Janette's demand. "I'd listen to her. She might actually hit you."

(OOC: Holidays happen.  Don't worry about it.  New round, all!)

"Now, now," Trevian intervened quickly, raising both hands as he glided between the stranger and his family.  Goodness, they were like a pack of wolves circling their prey -- without even checking first to see if they were hunting a deer or a mere likeness upon somebody's lawn.  Of course, Braxton had already reached the stranger, well before Trevian had, and so he hand fell naturally on his big brother's shoulder gently, just to keep the bigger man from backing into him as he moved about.  "That's hardly any way to treat a guest, is it?"  He was curious as any of them, but he was a firm believer in catching flies with honey, not with vinegar.  "Master Carzile, was it?" he asked, flashing the man a charming grin.  "You'll have to excuse us.  We weren't expecting any guests tonight."

That gave him pause, then, and he looked the stranger over more closely.  Well, they weren't expecting any strangers -- but who they were expecting was unable to give herself away to the guards.  His grin almost doubled at the thought, and, although ever charming, his expression changed slightly, now regarding him like the piece of prey -- and he was just silently accusing his siblings of doing the same thing!

"It's very nice to meet you," Cherie chirped up sweetly, trying to lend her brother some support.  She curtsied prettily, even, although a moment ago she had been snickering behind a hand at Florry's comment.

Trevian chuckled softly.  Leave it to Cherie...  But, nevermind, he had questions!

"Is it dear uncle Reagan who extended the invitation?" The soldier wondered off-handedly.  "I've never met him, but I hear he has a knack for finding trouble."

And, behind him, Cherie scrunched up her nose slightly with an air of confusion.  Did they even have an uncle Reagan?

(OOC: lols...  Redly is still dealing with Ma!)

(OOC: Y'all can be like Sharkie and send me friendly reminders to post if it's my turn and I haven't posted in a day or two... chances are, I forgot.)

Illi looked at her siblings with a little bit of disdain. Even if there was a random stranger in their house, wouldn't it be best to treat him with some respect? Well, she should have known better than to expect that from her siblings. She was about to curtsy, introduce herself, and apologize for her siblings... but then Trevian spoke about "dear uncle Reagan". Being one for stories, Illi knew exactly who that was. And the look of surprise and pain—though it lasted only a second—on the man... no, the woman's... face proved his suspicions.

"Jana?!" Illi screamed before quickly turning and looking upstairs with horror. Hopefully Rose hadn't heard her! But the horror only lasted a second, because she quickly turned around and ran to hug her older sister. She knew it was Jana. Nobody else would look so much like a typical Treyburn boy and yet still look completely dashing. Her brothers were all slobs. And plus, Jana was the key candidate of who would understand what it would be like to be that fallen angel, bloodied with the soul of innocence.

And as she realized this, she dropped down from Jana (who had lifted her up for a full embrace) and twirled around so that she was facing Trevian. "Why would you bring up Reagan?!" Illi snapped. He was the source of all of Jana's suffering, and Trev had brought him up for almost no reason. "It's supposed to be a happy day! A happy day!"

But while Illi attempted to scold her older brother, Jana merely smirked and patted her dear younger sister on the head. "It's okay, Illi," she said kindly. "I'm sure it just slipped Trev's mind... plus, that whole army encounter happened years ago." Of course, Illi didn't know the true reason why Reagan's name brought her older sister pain. But she had seen the reaction on Jana's face earlier, and knew that the pain still existed.

So Illi frowned at the ground. She couldn't stay sad, though. It had been so long since she had seen Jana! Her sister had matured even more, becoming an even more handsome man. She had been hoping for her to come as a beautiful lady, though...

Now that the whirlwind of her sister seemed to be distracted, Jana finally took a deep breath and looked around the room. All of her siblings grew so much whenever she saw them, and she felt as if she was missing out on their lives. She hated it, and she hated herself for causing this to happen. But she didn't want to spoil the night, so Jana pushed back her feelings and took a deep breath. Then she bowed and looked up with a foolish smile. With a laugh, Jana exclaimed (though quietly enough that Rose shouldn't be distracted), "My name is Jana Treyburn, you all know me, and I am here today because I love every one of you crazy siblings!"

(OOC: Let me know if you want me to edit anything! I realized about five paragraphs in that Illi might not have been the only one who would have run up and hugged her, but I didn't want to rewrite the whole thing. But if you want me to change it, let me know!)

Of course Braxton knew who it was. Redley had informed him. Braxton had been against the idea at first, concerned that Ma would find out. Why couldn't Jana meet the group outside the estate and away from Ma? Why tonight? He couldn't even believe that someone as sensible as Redley had even suggested it! And he couldn't believe that Redley had talked him into going along with this but ultimately Braxton had agreed.

He'd told the guards of 'Ezekiel'  and it was the only reason that Jana was able to pass into the estate with little consequence. Of course, Braxton being who he was decided to feign ignorance.

Trevian bought his act and that tickled him because Trevian was usually pretty good at seeing through lies and weaving them. However, when Trevian mentioned Reagan, Brax shot him a disproving glare. Of all the names to use that they were familiar with and that was the one he dropped? He was concerned it'd cause a reaction in someone and he was right because Illi practically shouted Jana's name;Brax cringed. "Keep your voices down, " he reminded the group as a whole, knowing that quite a few need no such reminder. He cast a sharp warning glance at Illi.

"Welcome back." He didn't say 'home'. Ever since Regan had died, he doubted that Jana had thought of this place in that sense. Brax nodded at eldest sister and stood back, allowing the other siblings to crowd her. He could catch up with Jana later. After all, he'd seen her more than the rest of them.

((Sarsar's post, in which nothing happens. >.>))

Dahlia's grey eyes widened in surprise at Trevian's question about 'Uncle Reagan.' She opened her mouth, then closed it, thinking better of it. She was sure someone else would chastise her careless brother and, before long, Illi did. Still, Dahlia frowned. After Braxton, she was the only Treyburn for whom Reagan was more than just a rumor or a story. A secret to be used or guarded. And though she was never taken into her older siblings' confidence on Reagan's fate, she knew more of the truth than they might guess. But if they didn't want to talk to her about it, Dahlia never approached her older siblings on the matter. But thankfully the matter passed nearly as quickly as it had come and everyone seemed back in good spirits.

Dahlia stayed where she was, though, and had to exert a real effort not to roll her eyes at Jana's antics. 'Every one of you crazy siblings,' indeed. Dahlia couldn't believe Jana would take the risk of being here tonight, of coming to the Grand Duke's Palace. As though the risk would only be to her if she were caught (though that should be enough!) But in these increasingly tense times of a nation at war, Dahlia doubted the rest of the family would be able to walk away safely if they were found to be harboring a criminal. But with the way Jana and Redly were carrying themselves, you'd think it was a game of hide-and-seek! And Angsar only knew what Jana's real intentions were. Dahlia, for her part, wanted none of it. She wasn't going to make a fuss of disapproval, but she certainly wasn't going to pretend this was all fine by her for Jana's benefit.

((Please accept my apologies for the following post. I literally cannot think of anything to post, so it's gonna be stupid short. Gonna have Janette exit for a bit. And if anyone but Dahlia, Trevian, Braxton or Riley wants to spot her leave, they can come and accompany her into the cellar and scold her, but those 4 can't know, because they don't know that she's already had some when she start's the ball (We don't want paradoxes galore now, do we? Can't mess with the timey-wimey)))

Janette stared at the situation. Jana was the one sibling she hardly knew, and had no idea how to interact with. And the fact that her sister was dressed up like a man made things so much more awkward.

So instead of saying anything, and not really wanting to interact with this new person, she snuck off to start the night early. When she thought no-one was looking, she quickly ducked into the cellar, and found her bottles of liquid courage.

Then she began to drink them...

Jana?

Jana!

Florry's eyes went wide behind his mask and his mouth hung open slight. The fur on his tail raised at his shock, and a sinking feeling dropped down into his stomach. He just called his older sister a duck. His face went red, and his tongue felt like wool, but he knew he had to apologize, even if that wasn't necessarily the Treyburn way. He had to be a gentleman tonight, and he was going to try. It was just that his trying didn't amount to anything much.

Once Illi pulled away from Jana, he could then see the resemblance of his sister. At first it wasn't obvious, and he figured it was from the get up(oh how he hated his). His heart thumped, and he couldn't help but grin. Florry took steps forward, with a hunch to his shoulders.

"I'm sorry I called you a duck." He said, his eyes darting away from Jana's face. Boy, was he embarrassed.

"Jana?" Oscar looked from every one of his siblings to the other, but it didn't serve to make the revelation make any more sense. Jana? As in... their sister Jana? He narrowed his eyes as Illi ran squealing to meet her, trying to make sense of what lay behind that mask. He was older than Illi, but even so had been just a boy when his youngest sister had fled - or been banished, depending on who was telling the story. He barely even remembered her, just the fleeting memory of a loud voice and strong arms. This woman... she was a stranger. She didn't sound like he'd thought she would, looked strange to his eyes, and as for her being here at all...

He didn't know what to say.

He exchanged glances with Dahlia, one of the few siblings not to say anything at all. Janette had vanished, and with the others crowding around their sister, he was faltering, unsure of what to do. He shrugged hopelessly at Dahlia, a silent grimace giving voice to his confusion.

What's going on? He mouthed to Dahlia, utterly bemused. Braxton seemed utterly unphased - had he known about this all along? Had they planned this? This was madness, it had to be. Jana couldn't be here, the risk alone... She could be arrested, or worse!

"Jana..." He swallowed, wringing his hands anxiously. "N-not that I'm not pleased to see you, but... What is this? Surely you don't mean to go to the ball, too?"

(OOC: New round!)

Trevian picked up on his siblings' disapproval with ease; it was an almost tangible presence electrifying the air, and he responded merely by raising his eyebrows and extending his hands outwards, palms forward, as if to ward them off.

Hey, she was the one who chose that name -- twenty years ago or so! -- and had started this little game tonight.  It wasn't his fault he happened to be a better player than the rest of them...

Instead of pressing his point, however, or proclaiming his innocence, he simply folded his arms across his chest and stepped back to lean against the wall, turning his head slightly to regard his eldest brother as Red finally headed downstairs.

"I see our guest of honor has arrived," he announced cheerfully, albeit a bit more quietly than he otherwise might have.  No reason to risk Ma overhearing...

Jana looked at the embarrassed Florry and laughed. "Oh come on, Florry, we both know you thought I was a rather dashing duck, no?" she teased with a wink. She did have enough sense to keep her voice down, and the fact that half of her siblings seemed rather... indifferent to her presence helped that. She had been expecting as much, of course. This wasn't her normal visit—she was planning on taking a huge risk by going to the ball.

Oscar's attitude was just what Jana was imagining was passing through most people's heads, and she was just about to reply when Redly came down the stairs.

A wide smile spread across her face and she ran up to give her only older sibling a full body hug. Her connection with Redly was unlike her connection with any of the others, and it was a bond that could never be broken. Even after all the years that had passed, she still felt guilty about him getting disowned; after all, it was her fault.

"It's great to see you again," she said seriously to him before turning around. "It's great to see all of you!"

Meanwhile, Illi had returned to Florry. Sneaking up behind him, she quietly yelled, "Quack!" into his ear before laughing right into his ear. "Calling our dear older sister a duck? How kind," she teased lightheartedly.

OOC: where did cherie go? :3

Dahlia returned Oscar's look and gave a small shrug of her own to say, God knows. And perhaps, But I don't like it. She kept her eyes on him when he asked aloud what was going on. Well, at least one of her siblings had sense. Of course, Oscar could usually be counted upon to be fairly sensible, anyway.

Her countenance cooled further when Redly entered and he and Jana embraced and smiled and joked about the 'guest of honor.' Typical of them to pretend everything was just perfectly fine; like they were the only adults and the rest of them were children who had to be protected.

"As nice as it is to see you, Jana," Dahlia finally spoke up, but did not move to greet her sister, "I'm afraid I'm left wondering the same as Oscar. You can't seriously think that you can attend tonight, however your dressed, without putting everyone here at as much risk as you put yourself." Dahlia's tone was measured, but the accusation was perfectly clear in her voice. It was, of course, completely true. Tensions were high in Connlaoth and Jana had put the rest of the family now put the rest of the family in the position of knowingly escorting a wanted criminal - and probably a spy - into the Grand Duke's ball. In the eyes of the government, fairly unforgiving eyes at the moment, that would make them all just as guilty as Jana.