Unexpected Encounter (Princess Rose X Ai-in Ayan)

[Princess Rose]

Kal didn't know what he was truly getting himself into when he accepted that mysterious invitation to a masquerade secret Santa exchange. How on earth the gilded envelope found him in his realm was beyond his knowledge. The invitation intrigued him beyond words, he wasn't expecting anything to come to him but when it quite literally appeared on his desk as he was working, he couldn't deny that it was truly meant for him. The journey to the manor was something a bit mystical in itself as well, he was informed via the invitation that a private car would be arriving for him. He didn't sense any ill will or malice within the invitation. He read within that he was to bring a present of sorts and some human money in which to purchase said gift.

Having arrived when the invitation told him to. Kal was pleasantly surprised to see that he had an upper-floor room. He made himself at home pretty much dropping his glamour and relaxing a bit. The day before the ball he had made his way to the kitchen and prepped his gift for his secret Santa. He went through the painstaking process of handmaking the pastry dough and filling as he had done a million times before. It was pretty much therapeutic for the man. Once it was down and it was neatly wrapped in a box, he whisked it away to his room and prepped for the ball the next evening.

The night of the ball, Kall pulled on his suit fixing his sleeves and collar appropriately. He picked up his mask sliding it over his head and face. He picked up his box of sweets only after he fastened his pin to his tie. He left the room sweets in hand as he made his way down to the ballroom to find his secret Santa.

@Ai-in Ayan

 

[Ai-in Ayan]

An invitation for an event to a far off place was something Glumisun never expected. It came by when she least expected and her subordinates had to suffer from it. She had been training the next generation of arcane mages back then when the envelope arrived. To say the least, papers had to be dried after an unexpected rain shower in the classroom. Being the curious creature that she was, Glumi accepted and followed what was instructed.

"Pack up and get down here, your transportation awaits," her step-brother, Graphvegon, called out. Hurrying down, Glumisun gave a hasty greeting to him before jumping into the vehicle. The drive itself was smooth, Glumisun engaging in conversation with the driver. Before she knew it, they arrived to the mansion. "Have fun, madame," the driver smiled, tipping his hat to her before leaving her at the front where she was then escorted to the room. She grinned at the accommodation, loving the calming aura before walking to where the mask and envelope was and excitedly read through another mysterious instruction. Taking the pin, she smiled at the symbol. "Cute."

---

Excitement was an understatement to what she was feeling. It was a cacophony of emotions and luckily it never resulted in something that she would regret later on. "Spirits, let this be an experience with happy memories," Glumisun prayed as she adjusted the small strap on her neck. Looking over at her outfit, she pursed her lips at the impracticality of the aesthetic clothing. There were better gowns to suit her but this was what her friends insisted on this after a brief conversation. 'It would be the perfect pair for her mask,' they have stated.

Taking a deep breath, the red head nodded and slowly walking to her bed to grab the small present she was to bring and offer to her partner. With the wrapped gift at hand and everything in place, she walked out of her room towards the halls to check where she might find her partner. Honestly, she prayed that it would be later rather than sooner as her nervousness slowly crept in.

 

[Princess Rose]

Kal had weaved his way through numerous guests to the refreshment table, the present he carefully made tucked under his arm. He had mixed feelings about where this evening could head for him. His eyes scanned the table, and out of a habit albeit a nervous habit, he ran a hand through his silver grey hair. He reached forward and picked up a glass that seemed to have a punch in it. He wasn't sure if it was a punch or some other liquid beverage that the mortals seemed to enjoy. He brought it to his lips and turned his back to the table that held all the refreshments. His eyes ever observant scanned the mass of people that were there attempting to find the person whose pin matched the one that he had fastened to his tie.

Kal wanted nothing more than to go back home to the safety and comfort of his realm and the people there who knew him best, but there was another part of him that was immensely curious as to who, this host picked out for him to be a secret Santa of. It was conflicting emotions that were coursing through the angel. He looked towards the ballroom doors just as another guest walked in, brilliant red hair caught his attention, it seemed to shine in contrast to the beautiful blue dress and mask that the woman had on. Something about her drew him in but she also had a slight air about her that he could not put his finger on. Part of him speculated that the woman was not human as she appeared just as he was not. He couldn't place her semi-familiar feeling though.

 

[Ai-in Ayan]

The place was surreal. She could not help but look like a child in wanderment. Everything was incedible. Glumi temporarily forgot what her goal was as she appreciated the guests and decorations. That was until she felt eyes on her. The hairs at the back of her head stood in attention.

Violet eyes darted around, trying to find the source of her unease. Through the crowds, she moved closer and closer to the refreshment table where she found a pair of storm gray hued eyes focused on her. She opened her mouth to start a conversation before her eyes darted on the pin on his clothes. Oh. This person was her partner. Spirits, she found her partner and he was staring at her.

Taking a deep breath, she smiled to the stranger and gave a light curtsey. "Good evening, my lord," she stated, feeling the air of authority around him. "It looks like we are partnered up for this event." Glumi already knew that the man before her was not like the common folks. He was deadlier, more special. It almost felt like he was not human but she will not eliminate the possibilities.

 

[Princess Rose]

Kal's eyes wandered around only slightly as the red-headed woman approached him. No one seemed to be reaching for her. If it wasn't for her violet eyes he would have pretty much ignored her. It was the violet eyes that were framed perfectly by her blue and white mask that was on her face that kept practically all his attention. He also looked around some as to not seem as if he was being too much a blighter.

He briefly snapped out of his rudeness as she was now right next to him. It was then that his eyes fell on the pin that was on her dress. It matched his, this was his partner for the Secret Santa exchange thing that the human had set up.

The male cleared his throat as she curtsied to him. He gave a bow to her and offered his hand to her. "Good Evening, my lady. It does appear that we have been paired together for the event that has been set up." His storm gray eyes flashed almost silvery as a smirk pulled at his lips looking at her lips briefly to check for a smile.

Up close now he could feel her aura, and sense even more deeply that she was not as human as she appeared to be. This was going to be an entertaining night see how well they could mingle together. "Would you be interested in joining me out in the gardens before we demask, my lady?"

 

[Ai-in Ayan]

Did she overdo it? She almost froze when he cleared his throat but continued on as if this was natural for her. Looking up, she nodded and held unto the pin. Glumi's grin could not help but grace her lips upon him opening his mouth. Was he following her speech pattern to keep it formal or was this how he really talks. The two will have to relax later on. She knew both of them was a bit high strung with this grandiose event.

She had to close her eyes as she listened to him. His voice was quite soothing for her. It was rich and low and a tinge of an unearthly crack - ethereal even. It sounded much like her step-brother's. A demon much like herself perhaps? Their draconian acquaintances was closer. Then the last one was their counterparts of the celestial realm.

She offered her hand to him then, smirking impishly. "Shall we?" she mused. "It is starting to get a bit stuffy here," she stated. Without much to go by, she lightly placed her hand on his arm to maneuver him to the entrance of the gardens. If ever a fight between them broke because of differences - which would never happen because of etiquette and they were merely guests there - the open space would be for the best.

 

[Princess Rose]

He noticed as she gripped the pin and as a smile pulled at her lips. Relief flooded through him as she smiled. The formal speech was a far cry from how he normally spoke outside of his own domain. Where he called his home a more formal canter was natural, normally on the mortal plane he would have a more causal canter, but it was nice to speak the way he was accustomed to.

He let out a low chuckle as she closed her eyes listening to him. It was almost adorable in a way that she seemed to relax around him. He stood up as she placed her hand in his. Her smirk helped him to relax now as well, the tension in his shoulders seemed to melt away. Her voice floated around him and he noted the undertones of the ethereal tones, which made him perk up even more, but also seemed to nearly put him on edge because it was not only the angels who had that tone but others who originated from the angelic realm had that tone as well.

"I believe we shall," He gripped her hand as she slid into the crook of his elbow as they both led each other to the entrance of the gardens. Being outside was more favorable, and the air was a bit more breathable compared to how cramped the ballroom currently was and how much energy that was being bounced around there.

 

[Ai-in Ayan]

Upon stepping outside, Glumisun could not help take a deep breath. It was cooler, more space to move around. Releasing his arm to lean on the cool concrete banister that bordered the structure and the gardens, she stared at the fairytale-like arrangements of the plants and furniture. Everything was too perfect for her taste. It was unnerving.

"Ah," she started, looking back at him with a smile. "We have yet to actually introduce ourselves," she chuckled, starting the conversation once more. The letter about her partner was vague and did not really give much. "They usually call me Glumi (Gloomy)," she stated. "I would have told you my real name but I think it is when we enter the room and remove our masks."

Her smile then turned down as she pondered. "I do apologize, I really did not read through the instructions. Do we exchange gifts when we meet, or when we are in a privacy of the rooms?" she asked, holding unto a small object wrapped in glittering paper, magic exhuming from the said thing.

 

[Princess Rose]

The cool night air hit Kal's face and he felt immense relief. Being outside helped any more anxieties that he felt. He watched carefully as his partner for the evening separated from him and went to the cool concrete-like banister that bordered the structure that they were currently in. He then looked towards the garden they were in. It almost rivaled the one he had back at his home. Some flowers seemed to nearly glow in the night leading to a nearly romantic atmosphere, which was different to him. Though his garden was far more grandiose than the one here, however, he liked it nearly the same.

"Ah yes, we didn't do introductions inside." He straightened himself out a bit before giving her another bow. "I usually go by Kal as it is the easiest to pronounce for most tongues." He looked back at her before standing back to his full height.

"From my understanding, we are able to demask and exchange presents once we find our partner for the evening." He held up his box that was tied up nicely with a bow. He then held it out to her with a smile. "For you Lady Glumi."

 

[Ai-in Ayan]

Glumi had to slowly crane her head to look at his face from this close. She could not help but chuckle at herself for lacking in height but was perfectly content. She had to bit her lips before she commented at how his body fit for a warrior. From how he moved, he certainly was.

"Kal," she repeated as she nodded in appreciation at the gift. "I am not curious of what your real name is. Most tongues? That only meant that you are not of the mortal species," she smiled. Taking the slim gift she prepared for him, she bowed as she offered it.

Once he takes the gift, Glumi would place her hands over her chest and give a deep bow, an unconscious action she always does when gifts were exchanged and how they show respect.

 

[Princess Rose]

From the corner of his eye, Kal observed as she looked at him closely now that they were close together. A smile crept onto his lips at her looking at him. Part of him was suddenly self-conscious about how he was presenting himself.

Some relief let his shoulders drop as she accepted the gift from him, but she had yet to open it. He truly hoped that she would like the pastries that he had made for her, he even added a touch of divine magic to help enhance the flavor to make them extra special. "I am not a mortal." He confirmed to her.

He looked at the gift she offered him and gently took the gift from her. He bowed his head in gratitude for the gift he had received from her. He chuckled and offered his hand to her again as she bowed to him deeply, "You do not need to bow so deeply to me Lady Glumi."

 

[Ai-in Ayan]

When she heard he was not a mortal, she was relieved. She has completely forgotten that there was a possibility that the person who she will be partnered with in this event would not be able to use the arcane arts.

What was inside the wrapping was a journal created by one of her friends. Pages from an elder tree that would absorb the ink and turns blank after a couple of days. With a bit of mana, the owner could retrieve all what was written, choosing what it would appear from the ghostly holograms it would be show. The quill attached would be the only thing that would be allowed to write on the paper. One would only have to infuse mana on the quill for ink to flow.

Blushing at that, she huffed out a soft chuckle. "It is what I am accustomed of," she admitted. She had to keep in mind that wherever this is, that kind of gesture was not common from what she observed. "Shall we head to our room to open our presents?" she suggested. In truth, she was curious of who this man is and was just too excited about opening her present.