Constellations

[DragonSong]

“O-oh. Of course...”

Lily bit her lip and ducked her eyes again. Fool. Sheltered, shallow little fool. The overwhelming weight of just how far out of her depth she was suddenly came crashing down on her shoulders and she very abruptly found herself on the verge of tears.

God, this was ridiculous. She shouldn’t have come tonight—she couldn’t even carry on a basic conversation without nearly falling apart!

She tried to keep her voice cool and collected, but it still wobbled a bit when she murmured, “I fear I have overstepped in your hospitality, ser. I— if I’ve caused offense I assure it was unconsciously done. But perhaps I’d best leave you to enjoy the ball.”

She forced a smile and started to pull away from him, already wondering about her chances of sneaking out of the ballroom to find somewhere secluded to hide herself for the rest of the evening, and just how humiliating it would be if she was caught.

In a last desperate attempt to avoid seeming rude, she added quietly, “Thank you for your time, ser, and conversation. Truly. I hope you enjoy your evening.”



“Not unless you’re about to propose marriage,” Reina replied brightly. She sipped at her own glass, then set it aside with a shrug. “Honestly though, you’re a bit dour for my tastes. But I’m flattered.”

She smirked a moment longer, then sobered a bit and added, “I need not ask about your holdings if the topic is truly of such secrecy though. Perhaps you’d rather tell me your impressions of the ball, instead.”

[visualspice]

It wasn't until the woman was nearly pulling out of his arms in mid dance did Kentamin realize what he had done. He flushed embarrassedly, and as gently as he could, pulled her back in to their dance.

"No.. I should be the one apologizing here," he said with a sigh. "I.. have been away to long with this war.. I.. I've forgotten my manners. Please forgive me," he went on, still dancing, stiffly now, as he bowed his head in apology.


----

"Impressions of the ball?"
Leif had to laugh. Perhaps he did. Or perhaps it was implied in the loudness of his silence, but the glowing irritation in his eyes.

"I don't think anyone would enjoy that." He took the last swig of his drink with a frown.

"It's about as fucking empty as my cup. If you'll excuse me..."
He didn't bother to spare a glance her way as he simply excused himself to fetch more.

[DragonSong]

Oh. Oh, well that was...kind of him. But she really didn't want to impose on him any longer than she already had...

"Ser Kentamin..."

Lily stared at him, opened her mouth, frowned, closed it, and looked away. Then she gave herself a little shake and moved her eyes back to his—and there was a hint of something in them this time, something bright and alive.

"If I were in your position, I would not want to spend my evening dancing and exchanging idle small talk." She tipped her head to the side and offered slowly, cautiously, "Would you accompany me to get a drink?"



"Well now, just because something isn't enjoyable doesn't necessarily mean it's not worth doing," Reina quipped back lightly. She moved with him easily, as though he'd offered to escort her rather than was obviously trying to escape her.

It was just too fun.

"Take balls in general, for instance," she went on flippantly. "They can be dreadful dull or full or political backstabbing or both—but they're still worth attending, if for no other reason that to acquaint oneself with one's enemies. Or potential allies. Don't you think?"

[visualspice]

Leif's eyes were now fully upon Reina when they made it to where a servant was hefting along a tray of drinks. With a fresh drink in hand, he knocked back a fresh mouthful before turning to observe a templar approaching the servant for a drink before he sneered and walked away.

The room swayed a little.
Perhaps he was getting too drunk. He didn't want to pass out..
Or the hell with it- what did it matter if he did? What did he care about his reputation and all of the ridiculous high society gossip?

Another few steps had him walking into a second servant, to which he spilled his drink upon-
and also on himself.
He didn't really apologize, simply righted himself and fetched what was left of the filled glasses on his tray and stalked off elsewhere, none the wise if Reina decided to keep up with his drunken parade and he soon found himself outside on a veranda, where he was loosening his collar and sucking down more drink as he leaned against the railing... reeling from the alcohol and staring out into the backyard with listless eyes that were set into far deeper thoughts than he'd ever expose.

[DragonSong]

Reina was content to watch the erstwhile duke blunder about a hit, a small smirk playing at the edges of her lips all the while. She moved to the doors that led out onto the veranda but didn't cross the threshold, simply watching the ballroom and Duke Arrant in turn as though waiting for something.

Ah, her brother seemed to have made an appearance. With a girl on his arm. Interesting.



"Oh my." Lily blinked and covered her mother with a hand when the rather unpleasant gentleman who'd been seemingly enjoying the refreshments just before them stumbled away. She hesitated, glancing after him, then gave herself a little shake. "I do hope he's alright," she muttered, mostly to herself.

[visualspice]

Kentamin glared daggers at the drunken duke and moved to lead the lady away from the rough atmosphere he had caused. Once they were in a little more intimate location, he sighed and gave a shake of his head.

"It's good to see the Duke of Castavar is still as drunk as ever."
Everyone knew about his reputation. He was an embarrassment, if anything, to his name.

"Are you alright?" he asked, only taking the moment now to see if the intoxicated buffoon had spilled anything upon her.

[DragonSong]

"Oh, yes, I'm fine," Lily hastened to assure him, not wanting to be any more of a nuisance than she was sure she already was to him. She tried for a smile and gestures to herself to show that she was in fact unscathed from the encounter. "I was just a bit startled, that's all."

Her eyes flickered after the Duke, but she couldn't find where he'd gone in the ballroom. With a mental shrug, she decided it wasn't worth worrying about and gave Kentamin a rueful sort of smile. "I'll admit to a lack of experience at these sort of functions, but he didn't seem quite...typical."

[visualspice]

He sincerely looked her over to confirm that she was- okay, that was, and nodded when he felt he could be satisfied that she was.
And then he sighed, looking over towards where the Duke of Catsavar once was and gave a shake of his head.

"He's not, and you'd do well to avoid him in the future."

He turned his attention back to her and smiled a little, though it was forced. It was evident he was still flustered.

"Perhaps we should wait out until the next song and enjoy a drink or two. How do you fancy yours?" he asked, gesturing to her drink before attempting to drink some of his own.

[DragonSong]

"Oh, it's quite good!"

Not that she would know if it wasn't. Hoping her thoughts didn't show on her face, Lily offered up a small smile and took another tiny sip of her drink. It was rather good, actually—she almost never drank, her mother was convinced it might trigger one of her "fits". The logical of that sentiment perpetually eluded her.

"I'll admit I'm not all that well versed in wine, but I think I enjoy the sweetness," she offered up after a moment. Nodding toward his own glass, she asked, "And you? Even if balls are not your preferred method of entertainment, at least the refreshments are nice?"

[visualspice]

"I never said I wasn't a fan of a ball," Kentamin replied. "On the contrary.. I find it a very lovely way to spend my time."

Too bad it had been ages...
And would be few and far between as the war continued.

"But yes, I've always said a good Connlaothian wine is always served among the nobles." And he nodded to her and gave drink to that.
"So you are not much of a wine connoisseur?" he asked, curious because it seemed many nobles would have been pretty well knowledgeable on the types of wines of their country, especially at her age.

[DragonSong]

"A-ah, of course, well..."

She flushed again, dropping her eyes as though the contents of her glass were suddenly absolutely fascinating. "I'm...not much of a drinker, really. My mother worries after my health..."

Her blush worsened and she sighed. Perfect. Just highlight how much of a shrinking flower you are. Well played.

[visualspice]

Kentamin raises a single brow, and perhaps stared at her far longer than ought.
"And here I've heard how wine can cure all ales. Perhaps your mother hasn't served you the right cup?"

[DragonSong]

That infernal blush darkened yet another shade and she cleared her throat again before admitting, "I have...er, fainting spells. One of the few ails where wine may be a detriment rather than a benefit, I'm afraid."

She chuckled, a little forced, and glanced down for a moment. "But I'm fine! My parents just worry too much, that's all."

Anxious to change the subject, she cast her eyes around the room again in an effort to find something to comment on. She was drawing an unfortunate blank.



Leaving her brother and his hapless, unaware fiancé, Reina had gathered a drink of her own before meandering her way back through the crowded ballroom toward the veranda. She smiled and nodded and exchanged a few pleasantries—then breathed a deep sigh of relief as she stepped out into open air.

She'd actually forgotten about the erstwhile duke she'd been pestering earlier. Or at least she appeared to, finding a place by the railing to sip her wine and lean back into one hip, eyes closed as she turned her face out over the gardens.

[visualspice]

Kentamin's expression actually changed. Was that concern on his face? Perhaps mixed a little with surprise. He shook his head at her disregard.

"Fainting isn't something to balk at," he began. "Perhaps I ought to entertain you with another refreshment?" The idea was sweet, but he hadn't thought far enough ahead on where he might obtain something without alcohol. It seemed to be all they really served at these events, ever since he could remember.


-----------

And if she were to notice, she wasn't too far from the drunken Duke. Then again, she was the closest to him- not that he was near any other, leaning in a corner himself, there in the darkness, where the lights of the torches could not reach. His back was to her, nearly empty glass in hand, threatening to fall from his fingers as he stared out into the vastness of the lawns and gardens- although his eyes were fixated on nothing or anything at all.

[DragonSong]

Lily blinked at him, then smiled. "That is a very kind offer," she said, eyes glinting from stormy gray to something like silver. "But please, don't put yourself out for my sake. I'm quite content to live vicariously." She nodded to the glass in his hand. "Is it good?"

She glanced around again as she asked, trying to think of something else that she could offer to perhaps make her company less boring. "Oh!" She looked back to him with a quick, crooked grin. "Would you perhaps have any interest in exploring the gardens?" It was actually the wine that had made her think of it—she may not enjoy a glass herself, but she could catch the slightly floral scent of it easily enough.



"You're going to drop that glass."

Reina hardly moved from her place, other than to twist her body slightly in his direction as she leaned her hip against the rail. "I mean, feel free if you like," she continued casually, "but I doubt your hosts would be very impressed to find glass shards on the lawn."

[visualspice]

Leif's eyes were like green eyes, staring near listlessly out into the void. He didn't even turn to address her when she spoke, simply let the glass continue to precariously slip in his fingers until- eventually, it did fall out.

The tinkling smash of glass came a second later, but had anyone noticed, there was no evidence as the music from the ball continued to roll out from the open doors.

-------

Kentamin frowned. He honestly felt bad and wanted to at least try to help her but...
Then she was speaking of the gardens. He was frowning still but then peered over in the direction he knew they were.

"The gardens?"
Perhaps a walk would do some good.
"I could escort you there," he offered with a nod and an offered hand. "But allow me to find you that drink, first."

[DragonSong]

Reina tsked and rolled her eyes, tilting her head the other way as she continued to observe her silent companion.

"Did you hurt yourself?" Though her tone was wry, the question was sincere. He...certainly didn't look well.



Lily looked down at his offered hand for a moment as though she'd never seen anything like it. Then she pulled herself together and offered him another one of those sweet, tentative smiles.

"I...would like that very much, Ser. Thank you," she murmured as she took his hand.

[visualspice]

Kentamin smiled and guided her towards the servants, taking the time to explain they desired a nonseasoned drink.. as it were. It didn't take much for them to oblige, disappearing for just a few moments while Kentamin talked about this and that and then they returned and the drink offered to the girl.

At this, Kentamin offered his full arm now to escort.
"Now I think it is more appropriate that we can enjoy the gardens with a drink in tow." For he, himself, had also taken one of the drinks without alcohol and began to lead the way.
(OOC: Their shenanigans continue here: http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=23653.msg387046#msg387046


------------

If Leif Arrant was phased  by any of her questions, it didn't show. Instead, his eyes continued to stare off into the distance, past the trees, even past the shadows.

Maybe.. if he ignored her, the wretch would go away.

[DragonSong]

"Thank you very much," Lily enthused when he handed her the drink, taking a cautious sip and finding herself delighted by a delicate, fruity sweetness. She smiled at him again and carefully tucked her hand into the curve of his arm. "And I would be more than happy to tour the gardens."



Reina sighed, then took a quick look around. They were alone on the balcony, most of the ballroom clustered near the refreshments at the far side of the room now that there was a brief lull in the dancing.

She shot the drunk stranger she'd been bothering all night a wary, calculating sort of look. Then she seemed to make a decision and waved her hand out over the balcony rail where the glass had fallen.

The liquid rose first, a few droplets that became a small orb, before the glass itself rose and reassembled itself with a faint, tinkling sort of chime. And then Reina was holding the once-shattered glass of wine in one hand, her own drink in the other.

That was exhausting. Connlaoth and their mordecai; made even a simple spell feel like a drain. She knew she wouldn't have been able to perform the magic at all inside any one of their fields, but even just barely outside it she could feel the drag of them at the edges of her power.

Determinedly not showing the sudden dizziness on her face, she stepped into the duke's personal space and slid the repaired glass onto the balcony in front of him.

"Enjoy your evening, Your Grace," she murmured before she turned to go back into the ballroom.

[visualspice]

He merely stared past the fixed glass for a long while, not even certain the woman was still there before he abandoned it carelessly on the side of the rail and disappeared elsewhere at the party.