A Tragic Affair IC

[Tarieles]

The King and Queen of Treyton sat on their golden thrones, smiling at the guests. Their smiles were as empty as the hearts that attended the event. Not a single person was here because they actually cared for the rulers, they were there because the two had power, even if they were, arguably, insane. A subtle foreboding lingered in the air, as the man and his wife were much more quiet this year. Perhaps they had realized their son was not coming back? The guests lingered, mostly concerned and confused that they were not allowed to leave the palace. At least the food was decent. The guards had taken their weaponry as they entered, even the ornamental pieces that some wore. This, too, caused the guests to be concerned. However, it was better than offending what may be the most politically powerful country in the nation. And so, the guests endured.


[fieldbox="Taqedin Othyrsa, #ff9900, solid, 10, Blackadder ITC"]The young man stood near the table of gifts, his servants having just brought in an ornate chest filled with golden jewelry and gems. Taquedin's people were known for such fineries, and it was quite an honor to have a wyvern at an event, as they would give enough gold and treasure to start a small kingdom. He bowed to the rulers, finding it quite odd at how silent they were. He had been to the same party year after year, and they were always gushing about their "new baby boy". This year, after the announcement that no one would be leaving until that dead child woke up, they never mentioned him again. As if they had forgotten about him entirely. Not only that, they were uncharacteristically silent when speaking to guests.

He brushed it off for now, returning to the floor, where food and wine were being served. He surveyed his surroundings, seeing many people and creatures from everywhere. He even saw some new faces that he had not encountered at previous parties. He ordered his hand servant to fetch him a chalice of wine, still not quite able to shake the disturbing feeling around him. The guards did not seem hostile towards anyone, and they even looked as confused as the guests. Perhaps it was nothing important, and just the rulers being different for once. He was brought his wine, and he took a sip, looking around again. Everyone seemed bored, as usual. It was never exciting. The first year, it was a grand celebration, when the child was actually alive. The second year was almost as wonderful, even though the prince had died only weeks after the party. Nobody had wanted to offend the rulers, who were adamant about their son being alive. However, after the seventh time, it had started to just get awkward. This year was the eighth, and hopefully the last. If he had to go to one more of these parties, he had half a mind to throttle the two and make a fuss about their dead son. O coursem he wouldn't. His father might actually kill him.

He glanced down at the claws on his hands, glad he had them. His sword was taken from him. He may not have been very good at it, but it was still a weapon. And of course, no one could disarm magic users, nor could they stop him from reverting into his larger self. He blinked, shaking his head ever so slightly. Why was he worried about that? Everyone was safe here. It wasn't as if there would be an all out battle in the ballroom or anything.[/fieldbox]

 

[slifer]

Kyriel Thorn had been sent to this party because every one else had been busier than he had been. Of course, princely duties made it so that he had to usually attend events, but somehow, both his mother and older brother, Empress and Crown Prince respectively had been unable to go, leaving him to attend this frankly disturbing party by himself. With everything he had heard about said party, his anxiety was eating at his stomach. Without much preamble, he let the guards take his weapons. It didn't matter much anyway. His weapons were his shifting, his unicorn form, and his body so that wasn't too much of an issue.

Frankly, he was sure that the Queen and the King loved to invite his people to their dead son's birthday party because of their...ability, to say the least. Trailing glitter around in human form always seemed to make the King and Queen happy, like their glitter made the party more festive. This time though, everything was even worse than how the party was usually described. It was tense in the room, too silent, like if someone made a wrong move, the King and Queen would react. Without much of a preamble, he went to the gift table to place his gift on the table. His family had gone a different route, deciding to give a powerful healing amulet to the family. Maybe once they touched it, it would help clear their head of the sickness. Though he was less than sure that it would work, considering unicorn healing magic was more for wounds of the body than of the mind. Admittedly, he was the best healer they had and thus had the most athourity on the subject, but even over his protests, the plan had gone into action.

Now that he had dumped the healing amulet on the table, he was free to enjoy himself at the party. That would be incredibly hard to do, considering that he knew almost no one at the party. He wasn't the best prince to send to a party like this, considering that he was painfully shy. His appearance, with his brown hair that could change into rainbow colors and glitter than shed from his body was completely opposite from his nature. It didn't help that Unicorns usually dressed outlandishly, although he had gone for a simple black suit this time so he didn't look completely out of place.

Kyriel, or Kyr as he was referred to by the people he was close to almost ran towards the food tables, quickly alerting a servant so he could get some wine. Usually he didn't drink, but for this party, he would probably need a ton of wine. Getting drunk wasn't an option, but he needed something to distract him from all of this.

 

[IceQueen]

Eli was unhappy. The elders had forced her to go to the party. Not only was it tradition she was the only one spry enough to make the journey. Last year she had threatened to throttle a guard, which hadn't bode well. Not like there was much she could say but apologies for 'ruining the party' for their dead soon. Eli knew death well, but she had never encountered people who decided that they would continue living as if said person was still alive. Even more ridiculous was to throw a party for such a person.

Eli had dressed in her finest. A high low dress which fanned out behind her elegantly. The dress was a matte black, transitioning to red underneath the skirt. She wore a pair of delicate black heels with red roses on it. The dress looped around her neck with a thick band, leaving her arms and part of her sides bare. The fabric recollected together at the small of her back, giving enough room for her large wings to petrude out the back. Her hair was elegantly pulled into a bun with a rose clip, a single raven feather dangling from the clip. To her dismay the elders ordered the close nobles to help dress her, which accounted for the fact that she was covered in ruby sparkles, wearing ruby dangles, and had a very dramatic and dark smiley eye on. If it were up to her she wouldn't even be dressed as she was. She felt stiff and a little tippy on her heels. Thankfully they let Sari and Eli in, after Eli spent five minutes arguing with the guards over her raven. She was not about to leave Sari outside. They had taken all her weapons though, so all she had were her fists.

After setting her ornately crafted raven and ruby bracelet on the table, along with the gifted sword which was wrapped in fine silk, Eli belonged for the wine. She was not staying sober for long. She would need it to keep herself sane. She noticed a well dressed man in black also standing there, presumably waiting for someone. "It's almost too quiet in here." She mumbled, giving off a smile as she leaned over.
@slifer

 

[LuckycoolHawk9]

Sir Matthias had grown used to these parties. They had been happening for eight years when the prince was alive and after he had passed. However, Matthias had know these people for so much longer. He had known the king and queen for over thirteen years. It wasn't chance that he got this job. It was a decision. It was either take the job as the guard and protect the king and queen or death. He really didn't like the other option, so he choose to be their guard. Of course, he was also a magician and still did those things too.

He surveyed the area and took a deep breath. Every year he dealt with the guest and each year they went through the same dance, the same song. People arrived for the prince's party and people waited for him to appear. Of course, every year it was the Prince's birthday his age would vary. He bite down on his lip and went over to the refreshment table. He needed a drink badly and the other guards could watch the royalty. He sipped on the red wine and decided to look around for someone to talk about, particularly the woman who he had talked to for the past eight years. Same song and same dance. Never learned her name though.

@Starlighter @Tarieles @slifer @IceQueen

 

[Starlighter]

[fieldbox="Royal Chancellor Sharina Raienna Varys of Caèlthe, #f0000f, ridge, 7, Papyrus"][font="verdana, 6"]Sharina despised this party. Every year she had attended, it was like reliving the same bad day over and over and over. It had come to the point where she detested even the mere idea of returning. Countless times she had made her excuses and attempted to get one of her diplomatic underlings to fill the role of representing Caèlthe, but every time it came down to the fact that the Royals would have no one beneath her in attendance. Only due to the political influence of Treyton was she required to return each time, and only for the sake of peace did she submit.

And so it was that this had become the most regularly repeated instance where she practiced her courtesies. She smiled and she danced and she paid kind compliments even when it wasn't necessarily a requirement, and she did perhaps the most fabulous act of any guest in so far as pretending to be happy with the arrangement. If not for the diplomacy ingrained in every part of her, she would have found a way to declare war on Treyton long ago.

Moving with her head held high, Sharina glided smoothly over the dance floor to find a partner. She rarely cared who it was; she could make idle chit-chat with almost anyone without missing a beat, and allow her true attention to be on her dancing. She had come to find it the best way to alleviate the inevitable boredom of this event. She gave an older, finely dressed man ever so slight a curtsy, a bat of her lashes, and just like that they were off among the swirling gowns and clicky shoes of the other dancers. There wasn't much left to the song, and in less than a minute or two they parted ways again, and she was off to the sidelines for another (and hopefully more skilled) partner.
[/fieldbox]

 

[Assallya]

Assallya Kressair moved quietly between the stone columns that lined the great hall. Silent as a shadow she flitted, keeping to the shadows. There was nothing particularly villainous about her actions. No, she merely was seeking a reprieve from the noble she had come through the door with. She would return to him shortly, she had to. She had a contract to fulfill.

The elven woman was the epitome of beauty, slender of limb, graceful as any gazelle and with the poise of a princess. Her blonde tresses both were wound elaborately around her head and tumbled down over her shoulders in an elaborate combination that had taken two assistants to produce. Brilliant azure eyes sparkled beneath a diadem on her forehead that hung from a silver chain that was woven through her hair.

Leaning against one column, the sole of one of her bare feet pressed against the stone behind her she cut a perfect figure out of shadow as she peered up and the king and queen. So different from what she remembered. The king had once been more vibrant. She remembered her from her establishment, drinking fine wine with his noble friends and watching the women dance in unison to a fine selection of exotic delicacies imported from far away lands. She had even danced for him at his request and she rarely did so anymore. Once she even entertained the notion of seducing the king for her own purposes before realizing what sort of shackles being a king's consort would bring.

Peering over the guests she mused their natures. So many nobles, born and bred and few like herself that had earned the prestige. One that drew her attention was he albino man in the golden armour, a woman in scarlet, a lady from the far flung east and the strange child of a man who trailed motes of light amongst just a few.

 

[LuckycoolHawk9]

Sir Matthias looked around the room to see if he spotted her. He took a sip of his red wine again, not certain if he had spotted her. It took him another few moments before he finally spotted her and decided to go and approach her. He took another glass of wine, the kind he knew that she liked and brought it over. "It looks like you might need this drink more than anyone else in the room. It has been over a year since we last talked," he said, smiling as he waited for her response. If she offered to dance, he would oblige, but until then, he waited for Sharina's response.

@Starlighter

 

[Starlighter]

[fieldbox="Sharina Varys of Caèlthe, #f0000f, ridge, 7, Papyrus"][font="verdana, 6"]Sharina turned at the sound of a familiar voice - not one that she had heard often, but she highly doubted she would ever forget it. If not for her sour outlook at the moment, she might have been tempted to smile. With a gracious tip of her head, she curtsied and accepted the wine glass. "You may well be quite right" she murmured cynically. She took a tiny sip before going on.

Over the years she had been tempted to subtly ask around and find out who exactly the stranger whose company she had enjoyed all these years actually was, but she had never found the motivation to do it. The one thing she enjoyed about this party was their little game, repeated every year. Always pretending, never revealing, leaving each other to guess.

Lowering the wine glass she said, "Yes, but I must say it feels like longer. Yet I could swear that each year this party comes sooner than the last. Isn't that odd?" Beginning to settle into the familiarity of their old game, a smile came easily as she took another sip. She would have made straight for the dance floor as soon as she found him - the one person always in attendance she knew for a fact to be a decent dancer - but now she had wine to finish. [/font][/fieldbox]
@LuckycoolHawk9

 

[LuckycoolHawk9]

Matthias looked over at her and was happy that she remembered his voice this time. It had been quite interesting the years that she seemed to have forgotten it. Of course, it may be that he once had a cold one year and had sounded worse, but he smiled when she said that he may be right. Ah, it was certainly starting earlier this year. " I call them as I see them," he replied.

For the past few years, he had debated asking either the king or queen about the woman he talked with. They would have told him her his name if he asked them, but he choose not too. There was something amazing that they could keep a conversation without knowing the names of a single other person. They talked about other things, things about themselves, about their lives.

He looked over at her with a smile. " Time is only short or long based on your time awake. I would imagine it is because they had started making a day before the Prince's birthday or perhaps they are forgetting the actual date. How long can one truly remember the date of a dead child? Things tend to merge and mix over time, days become nights amongst other things," he said, being a little philosophical for the moment that he was in. Thankfully, he was right to believe so.

@Starlighter

 

[Starlighter]

[fieldbox="Sharina Varys of Caèlthe, #f0000f, ridge, 7, Papyrus"][font="verdana, 6"]Sharina watched his face, looking for the small tells and subconscious indicators that were so much a part of reading others. It already felt natural to be settling into their old dance once more. Perhaps in another time or another place others might even call it flirtatious, but to her it was simply a challenge, a battle of wits and the mind.

At his transition to the philosophical she took an intentionally long sip of her wine while ever so slightly raising one eyebrow. To her it seemed rather an interesting, abstract perspective. But most satisfying to her was his mention of the specifically dead child. Through a rather irksome miscommunication, she had originally been ignorant of the child's death. Her opponent had done well in misdirecting her from that fact for longer than she liked to admit, but ultimately that wasn't a battle he could have won.

Sharina gave a delicate shrug of her shoulders as she replied, her voice soft to prevent it from carrying beyond the scope of their conversation. "I must confess I feel badly for their Majesties; I myself could never imagine being wrought with such pain as losing one's child. Truly, under the circumstances it is understandable that they should suffer such grief as they do." She gave a slight sigh, putting a hint of sadness into her expression. "If only there were a way to mend such a terrible wound of the heart."

Diplomacy was all about speaking the truth in the language of lies. Sharina would much rather awaken the king and queen to reality by a declaration of war than through some ministration to their madness. But, no one would ever hear such contentious words from her mouth.[/font][/fieldbox]
@LuckycoolHawk9

 

[slifer]

For a moment, Kyriel looked at her confused, as if she was talking to someone else. Everyone else here was so...pretty, confident, and poised. He felt like an outsider that was masquerading as royalty. Dammit, why did he have to go solo to this overblown, very terrifying and creepy affair? Oh right, he had to. For a moment, he looked like he wasn't going to speak to her, until finally, he spoke.
"You're right. It's not pleasant. I thought the Queen and the King would talk to someone here or at least greet them. Most of these people are probably representing key allies. They haven't spoken to anyone though. No party is ever this quiet." He was already anxious just by being here, and now the weird coincidences that kept piling up in regards to the party were putting him on edge.

That was when he remembered himself. A confident and self-assured woman had approached him. He had to at least try to smile at her, even though it seemed hard to. So he cracked a smile, trying not to look like he was scoping out the place. Though at least someone actually tried to talk to him, which he was thankful for. He had at first tried to see if he could make a connection, but now his goals had devolved into trying not to embarrass himself here.
@IceQueen
@anyone else who wants to reply too.

 

[IceQueen]

Eli couldn't help but wonder if the man in front of her didn't talk to women often or if the party was putting him on edge. He stood there for a long while just staring. Eli followed his gaze, double checking that he wasn't looking down her dress. Thankfully at the least some people had decency at the party.

"Believe me, it gets worse every year. They don't talk because half a dozen people have already tried to convince them that their son has passed. It doesn't end well. Though if I must say I enjoy those two ratting guests out. It's kind of funny to see such a non violent reaction be so aggressive." Eli said, chuckling softly. Finally the man had cracked a smile again. He was back to being semi normal. "Eliza, pleasure to meet you. People call me Eli." She said firmly, sticking out a hand to shake, or kiss, whatever kind of man he was.
@slifer

 

[LuckycoolHawk9]

Matthias would have considered himself flirting- except he had found that it was more interesting to match wits and mind with that woman and to see how much he could hid her from and how much he could reveal at the same time. Sometimes it felt better to not lay all his cards down. He was an enigma and there were still things she didn't know about him.

He loved presenting things in abstracts when it came to her. He could have told her it in any way, but there were beautiful ways to present everything that was happening here. He specifically mentioned the dead child because he knew that she knew. He had done a good job of hiding it over the years and he was proud of that fact. He knew that he could hide it from a while, but he didn't expect her to never find it. He looked at the ground and was curious to what she was going to reply to the philosophical question.

Matthias looked over at her. He hadn't ever heard be sympathetic for the king and queen in a good long time. It wasn't the first time, but it felt so good to hear. " It has been a long time, and I imagine that their grief have clouded them the truth of how pointless this party has become. Perhaps it is them trying to remember their prince in any way they can do it, even if it is the most unusual to remember. Wounds of the heart often take the most time to heal and sometimes they never heal... sometimes."

Matthias was also good at lying. There were things he could say to wake up the King and Queen. He could tell them that there were things wrong in the kingdom. But he didn't as he remembered that they had taken him when they could have killed him. He wasn't about to make them have a reason to want to kill him.

@Starlighter

 

[Tarieles]

[fieldbox="Taqedin Othyrsa, #ff9900, solid, 10, Blackadder ITC"]Taqedin moved about the ballroom, deciding to converse at least somewhat. His father had sent him on a royal mission, and that was to improve ties among nations and other royals. He stopped near an elfish woman, and bowed grandly, as was his people's customs. "Greetings, madam. I am Prince Taquedin Othyrsa. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He stood quite rigidly, eyeing her carefully, but not for long. He knew staring was considered rude in many cultures, so he tried to not stare at everyone he met. How else was he supposed to read them?

"I do not think I have seen you at this event before, in all the times I have been." He had definitely met others before, and had noticed some of those he knew. Perhaps she was the wife of one of the nobles? Either way, not that it mattered. He was here to speak with nobles. Before he could speak much more, the room got very quiet when both the king and queen stood, and a guard next to them yelled into the crowd for everyone to please be silent.[/fieldbox]

The king cleared his throat, smiling grimly into the crowd. "Good day, those who have graced our son with your presence. We are both thankful for you to be here." There was an incredibly stunned silence from the crowd. This had not happened in years. The king and queen had been silent for the longest time. "We are extraordinarily thankful indeed." He repeated, peering down for a moment. "Unfortunately, me friends, this will be the last birthday party of ours you will have to attend." He let out a ragged sigh. "In fact, this will be the last party you will have to attend."

Creatures crashed through the windows above the ballroom floor, falling among the guests, squishing them under their weight whenever they could manage. They were tall, huge, and had an absolutely vile stench to them. The skin that was visible underneath the mismatched armor was a sickly olive green. Tusks jutted out from their lower jaw, and hog noses poked out from their helms. People began screaming and running to safety. The king and queen did nothing other than stand there and look ashamed. Guards stood at the doors of the ballroom, disallowing anyone from leaving, though it was questionable just how long they would stay there under the force of dozens of nobles and servants. Blood was already spilling, and many people were already cut down. With no weapons people had minimal ways to defend themselves. It was turning out to be a massacre.

@LuckycoolHawk9 @Starlighter @IceQueen @slifer @Assallya

 

[LuckycoolHawk9]

Matthias had barely noticed that something was off until the last line was said by the king. He should have known though. There were tells such as the guards taking all weaponry, even his own when he entered for protection. Thankfully, he had other means to help in the fight. He could manipulate plants and he looked for some throughout the room. If he couldn't find any plants, he would have to use his magic to enhance his strength. He wasn't going to die in a ball room like the others here. He hoped that it wouldn't come to that.

@Assallya @IceQueen @slifer @Starlighter @Tarieles

 

[Assallya]

Assallya Kressair, a lady of Treyton, but also referred to as the "Brothel Queen" in whispers by most of the gentrified ladies, was quite amused by the Prince's introduction. She, of course, knew of him. Assallya made it her business to know everything about anyone with power that entered the desmense. This, she sensed was an opportunity. A crown prince had significantly more coin than a mere lord of Treyton like the one that had hired her to be his accompaniment for the evening.

Perhaps she could spend a few more minutes here with Taqedin before returning to her work. She certainly had some leeway but it wouldn't do for her to remain too long.

She was about to respond, having adjusted her poise slightly to more readily let the crown prince look down her brassiere when the king and queen called for silence. Cursing quietly beneath her breath, the sort of words that a noblewoman should not know she turned to return to the side of her date before she was missed. She'd have to make it up to Taqedin later.

That was when the nine hells erupted . She should have done better but it had been too many years of politics and skullduggery. She reacted poorly, one palm pressing up between her breasts as she squealed in shock and horror. She could feel it, a black hand squeezing her heart. Fear. Orcs. Orcs hated elves with particular relish. Assallya hadn't seen one in years and she stood paralyzed, her bare feet unable to move as the creatures that abducted her in her youth and sold her into slavery pressed inwards and began killing. Her blonde tresses lifted as her head spun about searching for somewhere to run and hide but she could spy none.

 

[slifer]

"It's lovely to meet you Eliza, or Eli." Kyriel replied, shaking her hand firmly, but not too hard. He wasn't looking at her chest, because he was too focused on her face, otherwise known as trying to be polite and look her in the eye. At least someone here seemed to be kind and reasonably honest. He had been around too many people just playing coy and not being themselves to make him hate it.

He turned to look at the king, who had suddenly started to speak, politely though so Eli wouldn't think he was giving her any sort of offense. The king had uttered his last words, leaving Kyriel with a burning sense of betrayal in his stomach. He was totally taking back the present he had given them. Thankfully, he was close enough to snatch the healing amulet and slip it into his pocket, for later. That was when all shit broke loose, as freaking green and totally evil creatures came through the door. If he got out of this alive...well, his people were known for justice, and there would be justice brought upon this kingdom, and whomever was doing, especially if he didn't come back from this event.

One of the hellish creatures came at him, but slipped on the glitter trail that Kyriel had nervously produced. That creature slammed into another one, sending them both crashing to the ground. It would have been hilarious, had they not been in a life or death situation. "We have to find any survivors and group together so I can heal them." Though why would they invite a species that was known for their advanced healing skills to a slaughter was beyond him. Maybe...maybe there was something that wanted to give them a chance to live? He kicked out at another creature, tripping it and sending that one sprawling as well. He was going to save his transformation for when they really needed it, and also stop thinking about things that weren't as important as, for example, surviving.

 

[Starlighter]

[fieldbox="Sharina Varys of Caèlthe, #f0000f, ridge, 7, Papyrus"][font="verdana, 6"]Sharina parted her lips to respond, but was cut off by the impromptu speech. She very nearly burst out in song and dance at the King's initial mention that this would be the last reiteration they would ever have to attend.

And then the room erupted in blood and chaos. Sharina muttered an unsavoury exclamation and jumped back as one of the foul stinking creatures nearly landed on her head just as she was taking a sip of her wine. Standing between her and Matthias, it snarled and lunged toward her. She spat a mouthful of wine into it's face, giving her just long enough to whisper a brief illusion. It came up short, growling and pawing at what it believed to be a stone wall but really only flailing at thin air. She smashed her wine glass against the creature's head, and stabbed the sharpened remainder into it's neck. It dropped like a rock.

She held up the glass stem smeared with blood and scowled in disgust. "Useless waste of good wine" she grumbled under her breath.[/font][/fieldbox]

 

[IceQueen]

Eli was having a grand old time with her new friend when the queen and king started to speak. Something was very off about this place, Eli felt it. The king and Queen did not seem to be happy about celebrating. If anything they felt glum about it all.

And then hell broke loose.

The ceiling caved in with disgusting looking monsters. Eli reached for the inside of her thigh to find nothing. Cursing underneath her breath Eli looked at her shoulder. Sari was sitting there. "Sari, Defend me!" Eli commanded as she drew upon her own shadows to her fists. She glanced back at the guy who was now glittering all over the floor. "You save people, I got your back."

 

[slifer]

Kyriel nodded to her before spotting a person that wasn't totally dead yet. "Come on!" He said quickly, hoping they could get to the person before it was too late. In his human form, he could heal some wounds, but he was a master of healing in his unicorn form. The only problem was that no one would give him enough time to transform if he needed to. His unicorn transformation would have to be be done later. "I might need you to cover me while I transform. I'll tell you when I need it." Kyriel informed her when they reached the alive but hurt person. He reached out a hand to the person's neck, and soon, mystical purple energy transferred from him to the person. The wounds the person had stitched themselves back together right before their eyes.