OoC: Perhaps Saki speaks from experience?

IC:

“I certainly don’t remember you being this polite,” Arrika replied teasingly. “Now tell me. Where have you been? Off slaying dragons, saving princesses? Or were you the dragon this time around?"

She was careful to keep a few inches of space between them; quite honestly, she had not expected him to comply, and wondered why the stoic man had done so. Hadn't expected him to be quite a decent dancer either.

For the first time, the wallflower reveled in all the attention they drew.

"She won't cut me, will she?" Arrika said, glancing towards Shada. Not that she was worried; she was quite confident that the daggers strapped to her thighs and concealed within her bodice would suffice to take care of any trouble. "...I never asked. How do you know her?"

***

"That's quite an odd shade of hair on your head, my boy," a ruddy-faced man in a powdered wig and paisley greatcoat said to Seth.

Seth recoiled and threw a protective arm over his food. The man's breath reeked of whiskey; clearly, someone had jumped the gun on getting themselves inebriated, though the night had only just begun.

"Haven't you got a mistress to debauch?" Seth replied tersely as the man leaned towards him, peering with intrigue at his green hair.

"Couldn't bring her. The wife decided to come along."

"Huh," Seth intoned noncommittally.

"You're quite the dainty fellow, aren't you? And those eyes! You see, my boy, I am a collector of precious things, and you are quite the exotic specimen." And then the man licked his lips.

Seth stared at him blankly for a moment, then silently rose from the table in search of Netta.

Royal Guard wrote:"Be that as it may, Goldfeather, there is little doubt that many gathered here would be happy to welcome Shadowclaw back if he returned. It is always a shame when a man throws away such friendships as those."

Darkin's eyes brightened upon the arrival of his old friend. "Arty! It's been a long time, my friend!" The Rito had studied under Sage Artorius when he was quite young. He no doubt owed a piece of his success to this brilliant mentor in particular. He placed a feathered hand on the man's shoulder, and smiled warmly. "Everyone, this is Sage Artorius. It's not often he needs an introduction. He's one of the most brilliant men of his time, and gave much to the school of magic."

Taint saluted, and Lilly waved. The Zora nodded solemnly. "I met Dogura only a few times. He seemed like a good guy. Hell of a swordsman. We would have been in a pinch had he not been there for the Gossip Isle expedition. I owe him more than I payed him." Lilly nodded. "I do hope he shows up tonight... It'd be nice to meet him."

Darkin shook his head solemnly. "No. He felt he wasn't strong enough during our voyage to Gossip Isle. It's true though. Missing both an arm and an eye... He was a shell of his former glory. It drove him mad- to have all of that power, and then lost it all in an instant..."

Taint put his hands in his pockets, and looked towards the ground. "He was plenty strong. He didn't need more power. A man who values power over friends..."

"No." Darkin interrupted. "I think... I think he valued the safety of his friends so vastly that it killed him that he couldn't protect them as well as he'd have liked..."

That's enough, Darkin.

The Rito smiled. "I have faith that he plans to get back to us someday. He just doesn't know how yet."

Royal Guard wrote:"Quite an interesting little spell you performed there, my lady. But Lord Darkin is correct, such things are best avoided. Not only will some fear your spell, but those that do not may be tempted to try and top it. Such a thing has not happened here in, oh, thirty years. Let us simply say that this side of the castle was once contained a great deal more ... elemental decorations, and leave the tale at that."

Lilly nodded shyly. "I didn't think about it. I'm sorry. But I am interested in your story, if you'd grace us with it." Taint nodded, and Darkin looked upon the Sage expectantly.

OC: Oh my, am I too late?

IC: Keychain wrinkled her nose as a snowflake fell on her nose. She let out a puff of air as the snow melted on her warm skin. Letting a small giggle, Keychain peered upward at the doors. Oh my, she thought, it's been far too long since I've been here. Will anyone even remember me? Shaking her head, Keychain breathed in deeply. The nerves were causing her skin to jump like there were critters in her skin. Her crystal blue eyes sparkled with joy.

I was invited, she thought, I deserve to be here.

Her dark red hair was pulled back into a single braid, falling down past her waist. She pulled the braid over her shoulder and breathed in deeply. No matter how many times she told herself to step through the doors, she couldn't. Keychain had even searched the stores for a beautiful new dress for the day, one that showed off her curves that rarely showed due to her usual loose clothing. The rich blue dress that was laced with silver around the edges and within the folds went perfectly with her porcelain skin. The only color that existed on her were her beautiful, piercing eyes, ruby red lips, and the flush in her cheeks from the cold.

"Are you going in or not?" scuffed Aqua behind her. She peered at Keychain with annoyance. Unlike Keychain, she hated the cold. And dressing up. She had chosen to wear her hunting clothing, brown trousers and a matching top that was tearing at the seams. Her brown hair was choppy and her dark skin showed how many hours she had spent out in the sunlight before the bitter cold had set in. Oh, how she hated the cold. "I'm freezing over here."

"I'm getting to it, I'm getting to it." Keychain glanced at Aqua. "And it was your choice to wear that. At least I chose to be smart and wear something underneath my dress."

"Yeah, that underclothing will be a bugger in the heat inside," scuffed Aqua, clearly already not enjoying herself.

Keychain glanced nervously at the door. "Are you sure you want to attend the party? I mean, you hate parties and--"

With a sigh, Aqua twisted Keychain around to face the door. With one hand on Keychain's elbow and the other on the door, she opened the door and shoved Keychain in hard. Within seconds, Keychain was sprawled on the floor and Aqua had shut the door hard.

"Now that wasn't so hard, was it?" Aqua smiled at Keychain wickedly.

"Easy for you to say," mumbled Keychain as she stood to her feet and brushed off the dust that had settled on her cotton dress.

Aqua's smiled never disappeared, "You're dressed to impress. Show yourself off. And don't worry, if anyone tries to threaten you, I'll be right by your side." She gave her hidden dagger a pat and winked at Keychain.

With a deep sigh, Keychain glanced around the room. Everyone had already arrived. With a jolt of surprise, Keychain felt nervous. Fashionably late, she thought with a nervous smile.

However, there were so many people she knew. Kasei, Sovelis, Arrika, Nogare. . . Everyone!

It was time to have a little fun.

OC: Miss me?

"Indeed it has been, old friend. I knew you'd show up eventually. As they say, rumors of your death have been greatly exaggerated." Sovelis blew a smoke ring into the air, aiming it at the Rebel Flame's face. "But then again, the same could be said of me. I haven't been in Hyrule for quiet some time, and I was surprised when I found an invitation in my old mailbox in Rauru Town when I got back."

Sovelis leaned his sword against his chair, looking up at the much taller man, his eyes locking onto Kasei's crimson eyes. "This is a little awkward though... the party I mean, not seeing you. I've never been big on parties, always preferred to drink alone."

OOC: HI KEYCHAIN!

IC:
"I thought chivalry was but one of many things expected of a 'knight'," Alpha replied in a similar tone. She was right, though -- politeness was something of which he rarely partook; it required too much time and effort, and all it occasionally gained you was a bit of respect. People impressed with him for his mannerisms weren't people he was all that interested in impressing.

"Now tell me. Where have you been? Off slaying dragons, saving princesses? Or were you the dragon this time around?"

"Sorry to disappoint, but neither," he replied as they stepped in a crescent pattern along with the other dancers. "I have been..." he trailed off, trying to figure out the best way to say it for all involved. "...training, I suppose is the simplest way to say it. I found a secluded region in South Hyrule and have been preparing myself." He glanced around, certain that the reason for such training was present somewhere nearby. Certainly he'd be close enough to strike if he thought it necessary; Alpha hoped it would not come to that... Not here, not now.

"Dark times are coming, Arrika," he muttered, voice soft and solemn as the subject at hand, "and I was not nearly so ready to face them as I am now." Part of him wanted to say more...but even if the entire kingdom had declared Dogura Shadowclaw a wanted man, he doubted very many knew exactly how far he had fallen. And even then, only a handful had any idea the personal stake Alpha had placed in the matter. Or the nature of the relationship the pair now shared.

'I will kill the demon that mars Dogura's good name, he thought. 'That's the least I can do for him.'

He exhaled his worries with a single breath, only then realizing how tense his body had become. 'Fighting Shadowclaw... Ending it all... It truly is terrifying, isn't it?' Even with all the time and practice he had done, he still wasn't sure he could defeat Ganon's reaper...

"She won't cut me, will she?" Arrika said, glancing towards Shada. "...I never asked. How do you know her?"

Thank goodness for a change of subject, especially to one as humorous as that. A small smirk formed on the man's lips. "You needn't worry about her tonight. I gave her a glass of wine. She has no resistance to speak of to alcohol -- like Sakiko, if memory serves -- and, fortunately," he smirked, "Shada's a very happy drunk."

"As for how I know her, we're childhood friends. Ran into each other when I returned to Hyrule, and..." he sighed, exasperated, "...now she seems to have the crazy idea that we were 'made for each other'." He shook his head. "Honestly, if she wasn't an old friend I might have killed the witch a long time ago."

His last remaining childhood friend, he might have added, since his hometown and almost everyone in it had been slain by the Hakiems Tribe. But...that would put him into a very dark mood again; he had no desire to feel that way again so soon.

OC: ALPHA!

IC: Keychain glanced around. She might as well partake in conversation herself. Push herself to speak first before someone else spoke to her. But, from the looks of the ballroom, she seemed to find everyone in a private conversation. Arrika was speaking with someone she knew, but couldn't quite remember. Alpha? Yes, possibly. But who else was by their side? A woman she was not familiar with. Maybe she should leave them be. Maybe in a while, she could speak with Arrika, catch up on old times, and even possibly befriend Alpha, rekindle a friendship that might not have actually ever been there.

"Oh goddess," Aqua said, wrinkling her nose. "Is Sovelis smoking? Disgusting old habit of his, isn't it?"

Surprised, Keychain glanced around again. And to her delight, she saw Sovelis and Kasei speaking to each other. Very tempted to speak with the two of them, she took a few steps forward. She was delighted to speak with Kasei again. Hopefully in the end he wouldn't have forgotten about her. Then she was just little pipsqueak, now she was. . .well, not so much of a pipsqueak, more of a woman like she should be at the age of nineteen.

But Kasei and Sovelis were talking. She didn't wish to interrupt. She looked up at Aqua. "Are you thirsty? I'm thirsty."

Snorting, Aqua commented, "Thirsty? We've been here thirty seconds. Besides-" Aqua leaned in closer to Keychain to whisper in her ear, "our presence has yet to be announced."

As if on que, Keychain's and Aqua's presence was announced. Keychain's face and neck became cherry red. Aqua was smug and smiled at everyone who may have turned to stare at the two.

"Just be glad that they didn't announce you as Keychain Pure Innocence. Honestly, you have the weirdest name ever," Aqua commented, laughing at her friend.

Feeling a little better, she elbowed Aqua and stepped into the ballroom a little more. Now, just to speak with someone.

Goddess, Keychain wanted to badly bug Sovelis about his smoking, but that didn't go so well before. In the end, she just went to the refreshments for something to drink. Maybe a glass of wine would loosen her up a little bit.

OOC: If you don't mind me, I may end up spamming. The place I work at is closed for the season and I'm done with my college semester tomorrow after my last final.
Alpha Edit: As long as you give other people time to post too, I have no problem with that. And, you know, avoid one liners and OOC only posts and all that other stuff we can't stand.

Just before the ballroom entrance, Azador stopped his sudden urge to run. And left behind him, tracks in the snow. He did not seem exhausted, although the cold air showed his heavy breathing as a vapor. He had clung to the red top hat along the way, a small layer of snow had formed around its rim, and on the purple mantle the mage was wearing.

He approached the doorkeeper with the invitation in hand. Without much of a hassle he could continue onward. A worker tried to relieve Azador of his hat, but azador insisted on keeping it on. The worker looked at him with confusion, seeing the odd combination of clothing colors. As many people know Azador usually wears dark clothing. “Don’t worry the hat is only for the occasion.”Azador said with a mischievous grin. He took of his mantle, revealing a large-collared white shirt beneath a vermillion silk vest. The vest was richly decorated with flower patterns. The hat perfectly fitted his new clothing style. A worker quickly came and took his mantle, as he continued onwards into the ballroom.

:Azador Greenfield, Arcane Magician and Adventurer!
The announcer called out.

“My… if that isn’t one of the fanciest title I could ever hope to earn in these parts.”
The mage mockingly said, loud enough for the announcer to hear.

As he turned to the ballroom, he saw some familiar faces, some customers and some familiar nobles. He did not which to waste time with the nobles however, one nobleman as a friend was enough for him. He looked around looking for fellow adventurers.

A man richly dressed in red, and with blue hair stood out. “Well I’ll be damned…it’s the rebel flame.” Approaching the company, he saw even more acquaintances. Sovelis and Sakiko as well.
Azador uncharacteristically made a theatrical bow. “Greetings!”
“How fare ye, good people?” the mage said raising his head with an unsettling grin.

"I'm guessing something happened between you two?"

Sakiko gave Sovelis a bewildered look, wondering what he was talking about. She started to voice her confusion when Kasei made his way to the fireplace. The mage nodded a small hello, wondering if her ‘power gaze’ had been one to bring Kasei over here. If so, she was duly impressed with herself, and she made a note to use it again sometime in the future. Her eyes were drawn to his elaborate and fancy outfit, the gold trimming of his red tuxedo. She looked down at her own dress, as if she was suddenly reminded of it after seeing the Rebel Flame’s attire. It was black and simple, clinging to her nonexistent curves and draping dangerously low at the back. It was the only one she could find that was appropriate for the occasion, and she was certain that it was probably one of Zeze’s many dresses, discarded out of mistake or apathy…or both. She was grateful that the length of the dress was to her ankles; goddess forbid that she was revealing her bare back and her legs. Her pale skin seemed to glow in stark contrast with the midnight ink of the silk, although her face was a different matter - her cheeks were blushing pink from the drink.

While the two men were having a rather tense conversation, Sakiko finished off the wine with a smack of her lips. The velvety liquid seemed to circulate her entire body, washing her entire bloodstream with an effusion of elated boldness. She put down her glass with a clink and extended her porcelain arm with a flourish in an ambiguous direction at the two warriors. The mage turned her face coyly and stood up, her gown rustling luxuriously as she did so. Sweeping her silvery cascade of hair aside, Sakiko announced grandly, “I shan’t mind a dance.” Just moments after her declaration, Azador arrived to make a bow. She bent her knees awkwardly in response, not sure how one was to properly react to such a grand, theatrical sweep.

Lilly nodded shyly. "I didn't think about it. I'm sorry. But I am interested in your story, if you'd grace us with it." Taint nodded, and Darkin looked upon the Sage expectantly.

Artorius blinked twice, nearly maintaining the visage of someone who really had not expected to have the story requested...but the smirk on his lips refused to stay hidden, and after a few moments he abandoned the charade entirely. "Very well, my friends." As if on cue, the entire region of people surrounding Sage Artorius and the Adventurers quieted down. It seemed his audience contained more than just the three of them, and he was nothing if not pleased about it.

"Look around this chamber," he began, "and what will you see? Beautiful gemstones, golden fixtures, priceless relics and portraits on display for all to admire." He waved his hands about towards his favorite instances of each in turn: a chandelier with lighting turned blue by the array of sapphires affixed to its surface; a clock on the wall made of shining gold, embedded with replicas of the six Medallions of the Sacred Sages and of tools the Hero was said to have used on his quests; a portrait of King Daphnes VII standing alongside his advisors -- one of which, it was rumored, was a young Sage Artorius himself, though the master of Scholars always had refused to comment on it. "The other two Ballrooms are similar, albeit with rubies and emeralds rather than sapphire.

"But did you know that the three ballrooms used to be one?

"Smaller than what we have now, of course -- the king used the chance to expand things out a bit -- but what beauty that one chamber held... It was still separated into three sections, one for each goddess, but they were not distinguished by jewels. Goodness no." He chuckled to himself, and lifted his staff to use to point to the southern wall, beyond which lay the Golden Ballroom of Din. "The southern wall of the chamber belonged solely to Din, and reveled in her power with a display of fire. Intricate symbols, runes or letters of a forgotten spell or language, were written out by the flames day in and day out. The fire had a mind of its own, and never harmed a soul -- new servants to the castle were often thrown against the wall for their 'initiation' by the rest of the staff. None were ever so much as scorched, even when the flames were all around them. A true thing of beauty it was... For when a large enough crowd gathered round, the flames would change color and begin to dance about the room." He smirked, and gave Lily a wink. "There's a reason this place became a ballroom, you know."

He shifted his gaze to the other side of the room, to the northern wall which hid behind it the Golden Ballroom of Farore. "Just the same, the northern wall was dedicated to Farore, and she blessed it with an intricate arrangement of vines and blossoms which covered the entire face. Every spring, the buds would sprout and release a unique pollen, one which I have never seen again in all of nature: they filled all those who breathed them in with hope and peaceful thoughts, so strong that even in the midst of war one could find solace and comfort in those leaves. And no matter what happened, they never spread beyond that wall -- and neither did they ever give up a part of it, either. The windows were left open to the room one winter night, I recall, and every floral decoration on this half of the castle was frozen solid by morning -- save for that wall, which may as well have been in the midst of a hot summer day. And just like Din's flames, Farore's flowers reacted to the presence of numerous individuals. That is when they would open their blossoms and expose their petals, every last one dazzling, a heavenly symphony of light." Those close enough could spy a single tear falling down his cheek as he recalled memories of that wall...

"And here!" He suddenly shifted and pointed to the eastern wall of the room. "This wall, like the room we all stand in now, was Nayru's alone, and on it sat the most dazzling of waterfalls that I have ever seen. Even when I first came to the castle as a boy, no one remembered who had carved the fixtures and features that adorned the wall, taking the shape of whales and fish and waves and clouds. It was rumored then that Nayru herself had drawn the stone up from the ground, and after all this time I still think that may have been the case -- for you see, there was another mystery to those falls: there was no method for the water to be drawn up to its summit. Water fell, day in and day out, but no one could find out where it came from. It had to come from somewhere, one would think, but there was no spring drawing it up from the ground, no mechanism lifting it to the top. One could even climb to its tallest point, from which the water came, and remove a block to see inside the wall, and all they would find would be a small pool that never emptied, no matter how great a cascade it poured down." He turned and smiled at them. "The goddess herself fed it, I believe. And when the lights of Din's flames and the beauty of Farore's flowers began to glow, the water itself glistened and reflected the beauty of both, merged together into a scene that I shall never forget, not in a hundred lifetimes."

He trailed off, enraptured by his memories, his tale apparently placed on hold as he envisioned them once more. There was more to be said, of course, but for the moment he was lost in his thoughts.

OOC: This was starting to get a bit long for one post... Just prompt him for the rest of it when you're ready.

OoC: KEYCHAIN. HI.

IC:

Alpha's reverent tone was quite welcome, disjointed and uncharacteristic of him as it was, as quite frankly it had been a while since anyone had spoken to her with any sense of friendliness, not to mention sheer adoration.

"Dark times? Compared to you, the rest of us are lost causes." Arrika loved secrets, and could not deny her interest was piqued. "Are you allowed to give me a better hint than that? Should I be afraid?" she asked in a low voice, drawing closer.

"As for how I know her, we're childhood friends. Ran into each other when I returned to Hyrule, and..." he sighed, exasperated, "...now she seems to have the crazy idea that we were 'made for each other'."

"Made for each other?" Arrika repeated. She tried to smile, and managed one half-hearted at best. "That... sounds quite serious." A tinge of disappointment colored her voice, and she looked away. In her haste, she faltered, missed her step, hurried to catch up.

***

"You were looking for me!" Netta exclaimed cheerfully.

"No, I wasn't!" Seth replied hotly. "I was looking for... for... my friends!"

"You don't have any friends!"

This was not entirely correct. In fact, Seth had exactly two friends- one of which was gliding across the dance floor in a dress which bore a price tag that could have fed a peasant family for several months. The other was an archer by the name of Throne, whom he had not seen for three or four years. His cat was his third friend, though he would not go so far as to call the miniature demon that, as it was an unreliable little bastard that came and went as it pleased.

"Like you have any," he retorted, and he was bothered to find that her bursting into tears somewhat upset him.

“I shan’t mind a dance.”

Sovelis cleared his throat, looking a bit akward. "And you'll be the second young lady I'll have to refuse. I really don't dance. At all. Ever." the Tempest deftly swiped a drink from a passing waiter, and downed it in one gulp. "I don't mind wine, but its just a tad weak in my opinion." he looked at Sakiko and smirked. "But if your insistent, I'll try to dance." he put a hand out in offering.

OOC: I'd say I missed you, Key, if I didn't talk to you all the time.

IC:

Kasei smiled as Sovelis spoke his mind about the festivities. "Ah, yes, you never did strike me as someone who would enjoy larger parties such as this. Oh how I remember you playing drinking games in old taverns. As for my...absence...I'm pleased to say that I've been given a second chance at life. It's taken me a bit of time to put some strength back into these old bones, but I dare say it's a good start."

The Shiekah's burning eyes then turned to Sakiko as she finished her little tirade.He then watched as Sovelis offered away. "Heh, quite the ladies' man, aren't you?"

OC: Indeed. The great power of yahoo messenger. Brings geeky strangers together.

IC: Before Keychain could take a sip, the glass of wine was taken from her hands. Aqua gulped it down in one swing. Keychain glared at Aqua. Her friend simply shrugged with humor glinting in her eyes.

Keychain finally decided it was time to talk to someone, to interact with someone other than Aqua. She saw that Sovelis was going to be out on the dance floor very quickly. A sad smile was pressed against her lips. It seems like tonight Sovelis would be the attraction of many women.

She picked up her dress a little. She made her way over there. Not to speak with Sovelis. Kasei was the one she wished to speak with. Indeed, the rebel flame was one whom she both liked and sometimes feared. Besides, soon he would be alone, and easier to chat with.

"Kasei," she said politely. "It's good to see you tonight." Keychain gave a small nod at Sovelis before turning her attention back at Kasei. "How have you been lately?"

"And you'll be the second young lady I'll have to refuse. I really don't dance. At all. Ever."

The expectant arm dropped to her side, and Sakiko - Goddess forgive her - pouted, which would have actually been cute, had it not looked more like a pained grimace. With nothing to do and feeling like an awkward penguin, she reached out for a drink from a passing waiter, but Sovelis beat her to it and downed it in one gulp. Sakiko clicked her tongue in mild irritation.

"But if you're insistent, I'll try to dance."

She took his offered hand, the unsightly pout still on her lips. She already felt a bit slighted by the fact that she had almost been rejected, and was the second one, at that. Perhaps the delight and attractiveness of youth was already slipping from her fingers...even before she hit her third decade...The depressing thought dissipated quickly as she heard Kasei's remark. She turned and smiled at Kasei. "Well, as though you aren't one yourself! A dashing Rebel Flame is likely to stir up a flame in any poor girl's heart." She nodded at Keychain, who seemed to want to strike up a conversation.

With a giggle, she tugged at Sovelis's sleeve and said playfully, "But I insist that this ladies' man lead my hand in a dance tonight." As she tried to tug him toward the dance floor, she coaxed, "Come, Sovelis, humor me."

Ooc: "Liquid courage," folks.

Kasei couldn't help but grin at Sakiko's remark, nothing less than a compliment in his eyes. Yet, he also felt a small bit of discomfort in her words - he had a wife before, and has shared several lovers over the decades, but never could he find someone such as himself, someone to share an ageless life with. He eyed Sovelis briefly, crimson eyes meeting his for just a moment. Surely, the immortal Tempest would have a similar sorrow eating away at his heart.

The Rebel Flame twirled around in an almost dance-like motion - his hand never leaving the cane - as he was addressed by Keychain. His composure only faltered for a brief second as a jolt of pain shot through his side, but he had flinched and recover mid-spin, a sly smile back on his face as he stopped to face her.

Like so many others, Keychain likely didn't know of Kasei's survival. However, her apparent lack of surprise meant she didn't seem to think he had died two years ago, either. There would be no need to trouble her with such an issue, then; tonight was one of enjoyment, and Kasei would see to it that enjoyment would be had. He glanced down at the beauty before him, his earlier worry seemind to slip away. "Keychain...I've been relatively fine these last few months. I'd been away for some time, training in the mountains. And what of you? Had any interesting adventures lately?" He inquired, holding out a hand to her.