Mana Academy (IC) (Open, Fantasy)

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Catherine de Sanguine Vivere


Catherine stood quickly as Aria entered the ballroom with Rabbit. Even though Catherine wasn't particularly fond of the teacher, she owed him her thanks, for for helping her heal and for helping Aria tonight. He may not have been her favorite instructor in class, but he was an exemplar of kindness, and she was proud to say that he was one of her teachers. And with him... Oh Aria, beautiful, kind, amazing, ferocious Aria. Marked or not, Human or not, she was the most beautiful thing that Catherine had ever seen. The extravagant ballroom seemed to fade into the distance, Aria completely dwarfing it's splendor. Aria was everything to Catherine, and even her pain dulled and disapeared when looking upon her. Like a moth drawn to flame Cather made for Aria's brilliance, a broad smile outshining her other features, including the scars. She broke her composed walk once she had a direct line to Aria, and moved as fast as her dress would let her. She took Aria in a tight embrace planting a kiss on her forehead, ignoring rabbit, though she would have to thank him later for what ever he might have said to get Aria to come down from their room.

"I'm so glad you came down. I felt incomplete with out you here. And... Wow, you're so beautiful. I saw the dress before, but that means nothing compared to what it's looks like on you. I'm so happy."

Henry Von Kressel

Immediately, Henry's sights turned to Aria. Even with the markings, she managed to be beautifully astonishing in the middle of the elegance and glamour of the ball. The room gained a completely different air as he saw her entering, as if all of the lights diminished to give her the privilege of appearing.

And then, Henry finally moved. Initially slow, given his surprise. He had never seen Aria in such kind of clothes, and his eyes took some time to adjust to the vision. He meticulously observed every detail on her body, considering her almost like a picture from the Renaissance given life. And then, he adjusted to his normal pace, eventually catching up to Rabbit and Aria.

"I don't know if I will find a way to thank you enough for this Rabbit."

And then, somewhat mocking the gentlemanly air of the others around him, he gently grabbed Aria's hand before kissing it. Catherine had kissed her in the forehead in a protective act, and despite their conflict over Aria, he had a deep respect for her.

"I can bet that you're the most beautiful person in Europe right now, Aria. It's... Good to see you here. Truly. I'm happy that you decided to join us. This ball wouldn't be complete without you."

[Saldinado]

Scott furrowed his brows some, and a corner of his lip curved upwards to form a wry grin. "Is that a snarky way of saying 'yes'?"

Following Shaun's eyes after, he took a gander at Aria himself and the grin dissipated. She looked nice, the drama queen. It wasn't that Scott hated her or anything, but he was so perplexed as to why the teachers continually gave her the most attention. She was even escorted in by one -- Rabbit. It made him question whether or not she could handle herself independently or if she was so broken that constant supervision was needed. He concluded that it must have been the latter deduction. When he swiveled his neck around to face Shaun again, Scott immediately became aware of his animated visage. Aria was certainly good-looking, but there were plenty of other good-looking girls on the floor. Maybe he wanted to ask her something urgently. Who knew.

"That dress doesn't match her hair all that well," he bluntly remarked.

"It doesn't really matter to me to be honest.", Shaun said politely. "

After everything's she's been through, she still manages to look beautiful." Just saying that made Shaun turn a little red in the cheeks. He was a little embarrassed that he said something like that to someone he barely knew, but it was true. She was beautiful. It seems that no matter what happens to her, she still manages to be glamorous. Not only in looks, but in personality as well. Even to have both Henry and Catherine kiss her? A little too much for him, but still a mesmerizing woman indeed.

But his thoughts were interrupted by the young boy that seemingly came out of nowhere and just jumped into the conversation. This made him jump from being startled and soon confused and aggravated that this stranger just came up to him and Scott and just voice his opinion. Seeing that nowhere did anyone ask him. But he knew that he couldn't say that, for fear of hurting the boy's feelings and causing another one of his temper incidents. Hearing Scott speak to him, Shaun ignored him and turned back towards his "toughie" speaking acquaintance.

"Also yes. That was a little snarky remark amour." He causally said.

[Prusselanden]

Scott furrowed his brows some, and a corner of his lip curved upwards to form a wry grin. "Is that a snarky way of saying 'yes'?"

Following Shaun's eyes after, he took a gander at Aria himself and the grin dissipated. She looked nice, the drama queen. It wasn't that Scott hated her or anything, but he was so perplexed as to why the teachers continually gave her the most attention. She was even escorted in by one -- Rabbit. It made him question whether or not she could handle herself independently or if she was so broken that constant supervision was needed. He concluded that it must have been the latter deduction. When he swiveled his neck around to face Shaun again, Scott immediately became aware of his animated visage. Aria was certainly good-looking, but there were plenty of other good-looking girls on the floor. Maybe he wanted to ask her something urgently. Who knew.

"That dress doesn't match her hair all that well," he bluntly remarked.

"It doesn't really matter to me to be honest.", Shaun said politely. "

After everything's she's been through, she still manages to look beautiful." Just saying that made Shaun turn a little red in the cheeks. He was a little embarrassed that he said something like that to someone he barely knew, but it was true. She was beautiful. It seems that no matter what happens to her, she still manages to be glamorous. Not only in looks, but in personality as well. Even to have both Henry and Catherine kiss her? A little too much for him, but still a mesmerizing woman indeed.

But his thoughts were interrupted by the young boy that seemingly came out of nowhere and just jumped into the conversation. This made him jump from being startled and soon confused and aggravated that this stranger just came up to him and Scott and just voice his opinion. Seeing that nowhere did anyone ask him. But he knew that he couldn't say that, for fear of hurting the boy's feelings and causing another one of his temper incidents. Hearing Scott speak to him, Shaun ignored him and turned back towards his "toughie" speaking acquaintance.

"Also yes. That was a little snarky remark amour." He causally said.

"S-sorry about that, I didn't mean it that way...mmm...."
Aaron retreated behind a pillar shyly.
"Don't get too mad about it ok..."

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Simone Bellerose

"Yes, Simone. And accompanied? Besides the rest of my classmates, I have not come here with anyone else. My brothers wouldn't want to be involved with this type of stuff, and there's no partner in my life, so no. I came alone." She said wrapping her arms around the Russian boy's neck and looking at him.

Hopefully he was a good guy. By the looks of things, he seemed to be one as well. Maybe the American was the actual aggressor between the two of them? She kept a mental note of what to do next when she has the time to in order to get to the bottom of this.

As her arms wrapped around his neck, he promptly did the same with his arms at her waist, slightly pulling her closer to him. Something that started as strictly professional could actually present him some personal fun after all, if she was up for it.

"Well... I hope you don't mind if I offer myself to be your company for the night, do you?"

[Archembalt]

Scott furrowed his brows some, and a corner of his lip curved upwards to form a wry grin. "Is that a snarky way of saying 'yes'?"

Following Shaun's eyes after, he took a gander at Aria himself and the grin dissipated. She looked nice, the drama queen. It wasn't that Scott hated her or anything, but he was so perplexed as to why the teachers continually gave her the most attention. She was even escorted in by one -- Rabbit. It made him question whether or not she could handle herself independently or if she was so broken that constant supervision was needed. He concluded that it must have been the latter deduction. When he swiveled his neck around to face Shaun again, Scott immediately became aware of his animated visage. Aria was certainly good-looking, but there were plenty of other good-looking girls on the floor. Maybe he wanted to ask her something urgently. Who knew.

"That dress doesn't match her hair all that well," he bluntly remarked.

"It doesn't really matter to me to be honest.", Shaun said politely. "

After everything's she's been through, she still manages to look beautiful." Just saying that made Shaun turn a little red in the cheeks. He was a little embarrassed that he said something like that to someone he barely knew, but it was true. She was beautiful. It seems that no matter what happens to her, she still manages to be glamorous. Not only in looks, but in personality as well. Even to have both Henry and Catherine kiss her? A little too much for him, but still a mesmerizing woman indeed.

But his thoughts were interrupted by the young boy that seemingly came out of nowhere and just jumped into the conversation. This made him jump from being startled and soon confused and aggravated that this stranger just came up to him and Scott and just voice his opinion. Seeing that nowhere did anyone ask him. But he knew that he couldn't say that, for fear of hurting the boy's feelings and causing another one of his temper incidents. Hearing Scott speak to him, Shaun ignored him and turned back towards his "toughie" speaking acquaintance.

"Also yes. That was a little snarky remark amour." He causally said.

Scott's features reverted back into the typical semi-grimace that he had taken on before they began talking for a brief moment when Shaun commented upon Aria's beauty. That was odd. Scott took another glance at Aria again. She did have appealing facial aesthetics, but she was far too pale for his liking. Additionally, her dress looked . . . rather plain. A tacky design, in Scott's eyes. There were worse on the dance floor, but her's wasn't the best. The hair didn't match the gold and white, and that bothered him somewhat. Why not just get a dress that had a crimson trim or body at the least? Maybe just a white one? That was an entirely poor decision on whoever dressed her's part. And he had already spotted a few feminine faces worth more admiration than hers. Scott was beginning to think that Shaun might be a bit enamored with Aria, but he didn't openly ask his partner if this was true or not.

Instead, he just shrugged and gave a half-hearted retort.

"Eh."

And then to Shaun's last remark:

"Thought so. Well, I think it would be good if I came with you, as I said before. I won't be too much trouble. Just want to make sure I can get around with a translator."

[Prusselanden]

"Ah, Tim, You should really come over and see this kitty, he's so cute."
Ignis tugged on Tim's hand eagerly, referring to Bastille.

[Saldinado]

Shaun Calhoun
"Eh, cool." Shaun said now focusing his attention towards Scott. He didn't want to completely become focused on Aria. She wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. Especially when she got friends...some more..."involved" with her than others by her side. Now he focused his time on his accomplice with the otter-type body and his semi-formal attire.

He smiled and gave a single nob towards his little remark about sticking with him. "Sure. I don't mind that. Though just as a head's up, I'm still a little rusty on my French, so I might make a few mistakes along the way."

Then that other boy said something to him. Shaun then raised an eyebrow at the teen, still not looking back at him. What was he talking about? He haven't said anything to him, so why is he getting defensive? He's certainly not going to beat him or torment him or anything. Unless he tried something smart with him; though given his current impression, he won't have to worry about him. But looks can be deceiving. The quiet ones are always the most deadly. He just shrugged it off and ignored his remark.



Simone Bellerose

She looked at into his eyes as he pulled her closer to him, a little surprised by the action. But she went along with it. It felt nice to be in someone's arms. Even if it was something as simple as dancing. She then began to wonder what was going through his mind when he did that.

"No...I don't mind at all.", she said quietly, but loud enough to hear. "Would you mind if I were to offer to be your company?"

[Sky-TheLandOfNekos]

Sage

After the last word left his mouth, it wasn't difficult to figure out what he meant. Ruta had refused her because of someone he lost in the past, most likely a girl, a lover. He still suffered from grief, refusing to let go. Without saying a word, she did as Soleil had taught her and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her head against his chest in an effort to comfort him.

"What was her name?" Sage asked after a moment of silence, her voice nearly a whisper.

Ruta's black clothes were as frigid as the air that lingered around him, as if the sadness that constantly hung over him had become material, something that you could hold in your own two hands, magical or no. He did not return the hug from Sage, nor could he feel her warmth. His sense of touch seemed to fail as well.

"...Her name was Yona..." Ruta said softly, looking down upon Sage and closing his tired, world weary eyes. "...I loved her more than anything in the world..." he continued quietly, his gloved hands balling themselves into fists, as if to hold tight to the memory of the smiling face of his beloved.

'Why...why did you leave me so soon?'

'Was it fate, for me to lose you, like everything else before?'

'We forsook our home, family, and our very souls so that we could die side by side...Was it worth it?'

'I may never know the answer to that question...It will forever haunt me.'

Sage

"Yona..." Sage repeated quietly, learning the name. It was obvious that the woman had meant everything to Ruta. He had loved her so much that losing her broke him, or had a large role in shaping him into the man he is today. "Ruta... Forgive me for asking, but how did she die?" She asked, her voice only slightly louder than before. "If you don't wish to tell me, I'll understand."

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Simone Bellerose

She looked at into his eyes as he pulled her closer to him, a little surprised by the action. But she went along with it. It felt nice to be in someone's arms. Even if it was something as simple as dancing. She then began to wonder what was going through his mind when he did that.

"No...I don't mind at all.", she said quietly, but loud enough to hear. "Would you mind if I were to offer to be your company?"

"Absolutely not..."

If anything, Anatoly was having fun at that particular moment. Obviously, he knew that he could receive a slap or another punch to the face, but he decided to take the risks of trying it. And then, he finally completed his sentence.

"...but I do think that we can enjoy each others company better in more private places."

[Neolvex]

Matthew had wandered around the building. He was quite lonely, as he disappeared before he could really meet anyone in the Academy and returned back from his "spiritual quest" during an international ball. "Great." He whispered to himself "My social awkwardness and stoic attitude must make everything better."

[Prusselanden]

Matthew had wandered around the building. He was quite lonely, as he disappeared before he could really meet anyone in the Academy and returned back from his "spiritual quest" during an international ball. "Great." He whispered to himself "My social awkwardness and stoic attitude must make everything better."

Ignis wanted to avoid the sappiness of the upcoming dance and jumped out of the window again, landing on the ground on her feet.
"Maybe I can sneak out and go to Notre Dame!" She spotted Matt. "Hey Matt d'you wanna sneak out and go to Notre Dame and see if the Gargoyles come alive? We could find Tim and bring him with us too!"

[Archembalt]

Shaun Calhoun
"Eh, cool." Shaun said now focusing his attention towards Scott. He didn't want to completely become focused on Aria. She wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. Especially when she got friends...some more..."involved" with her than others by her side. Now he focused his time on his accomplice with the otter-type body and his semi-formal attire.

He smiled and gave a single nob towards his little remark about sticking with him. "Sure. I don't mind that. Though just as a head's up, I'm still a little rusty on my French, so I might make a few mistakes along the way."

Then that other boy said something to him. Shaun then raised an eyebrow at the teen, still not looking back at him. What was he talking about? He haven't said anything to him, so why is he getting defensive? He's certainly not going to beat him or torment him or anything. Unless he tried something smart with him; though given his current impression, he won't have to worry about him. But looks can be deceiving. The quiet ones are always the most deadly. He just shrugged it off and ignored his remark.



Simone Bellerose

She looked at into his eyes as he pulled her closer to him, a little surprised by the action. But she went along with it. It felt nice to be in someone's arms. Even if it was something as simple as dancing. She then began to wonder what was going through his mind when he did that.

"No...I don't mind at all.", she said quietly, but loud enough to hear. "Would you mind if I were to offer to be your company?"

At this point, Scott didn't make any further attempts at continuing the conversation. He just kept looking at the crowd and folded his arms against his chest like before. Scott really didn't know what else to do with himself at this point, so he would just wait until the rules of the tournament were given.

[Chrome Legion]

Annice Null


"You'd be suprised just how much down time there is in the never ending war against black magic. It was about ten percent deployments and action, and the rest of the time we were at the fortress waiting. A lot of military units will keep their troops busy with meaningless work during down time. Not the Order, we hired civies for that kind of stuff. So there was a lot of time to practice, train, or pick up random skills like ballroom dancing. Even though we weren't given busy work, higher ups always saw that we had something to fill our time. For me, sometimes that was ballroom dancing. I liked it, it was so completely different than our... normal activities. Gave me a nice break, and it could make for good PT."

Annice reached up and brushed Alli's hair out of his face, looking into his eyes for a moment... thinking.

"Ah, that's better, can't be looking sloppy now."

[Saldinado]

Shaun Calhoun

And thus the conversation ended and the two went back to standing quietly like they were before. He didn't really know what to say or do at this point. The event was nearly over and he wanted to get ready so that he could be the first one out of the ballroom before everyone crowds it on their way out. He then wondered where Scott was staying. Seeing as he didn't really know him until this night, he was curious as to find out where he was staying and who his partner was.

Turning his head slightly towards him and putting his hands behind his back, Shaun broke the silence to ask one last question. "So mind me asking, do you have a hotel room that you're residing in? And if so, who's your roommate?" He said inquisitively.

Simone Bellerose

Simone's face slightly turned red at the sound of hearing him. She was taking off guard for a bit. She didn't actually know that he meant by that, though she could have infer something. She looked down for a moment, she face still red before looking back up at him and smiling.

"...And where do you think would be a good choice for these 'private places?'" She said causally as she really didn't know where he was talking about.

[Finsternia]

Annice Null


"You'd be suprised just how much down time there is in the never ending war against black magic. It was about ten percent deployments and action, and the rest of the time we were at the fortress waiting. A lot of military units will keep their troops busy with meaningless work during down time. Not the Order, we hired civies for that kind of stuff. So there was a lot of time to practice, train, or pick up random skills like ballroom dancing. Even though we weren't given busy work, higher ups always saw that we had something to fill our time. For me, sometimes that was ballroom dancing. I liked it, it was so completely different than our... normal activities. Gave me a nice break, and it could make for good PT."

Annice reached up and brushed Alli's hair out of his face, looking into his eyes for a moment... thinking.

"Ah, that's better, can't be looking sloppy now."

Allistor Abendroth

"Had any cooking lessons? We should see who's the better cook next time." He said while giving another smile. He found himself smiling more around Annice's presence in the past days and months and he was less cynic too. "Well, since dark magic isn't that rampant nowadays, it would really make sense for your commanders to let you do mundane tasks." He found that Annice was really good at ballroom dancing, and she was the one who's mostly taking the lead. When Annice brushed his hair off his face, he felt heat in his cheeks. He stared at her for awhile, before muttering his words. "Th-thank you."

[Rhomaia]

He walked over to her and examined her for a moment before answering. He was obviously very pleased that she had decided to go to the ball after all. Her outfit seemed to twinkle in the opulent light of the hallway, and her eyes seemed to show their old sparkle again. "...You look absolutely stunning. The Belle of the Ball. I don't think even Madame Bourbon herself could outdo you tonight," he complimented her. He then offered her his hand, so they could walk together to the ballroom. As he did so, he showed her something in his open palm. A dark-violet Japanese symbol glowed softly in his hand for just a moment, representing his deepest, darkest secret. It only lasted for a moment, but the moment meant everything. He was determined to let Aria know she was not alone.

"Shall we, dear?" he asked Aria softly, as those crushing words echoed through his head. That voice of self-hatred, it never seemed to go away. It always told him to back away, knowing that he was cared too much for others and never cared enough for himself. The constant fighting inside wore him down, and he wished sometimes he could just end it. One quick shot of mana through his chest was all it would take, after all. Yet when he looked at Aria, his student, whose eyes sparkled with trust and care for her teacher, he desired to keep living. He would give everything, even as it hurt.

Aria

Aria nearly smiled at the Rabbit's compliment, a little bit of the rosiness coming back into her cheeks as she looked up at him. "...My thanks, Professor...but you may not wish to say that so loudly...We wouldn't want for her to become jealous, now would we?" she said, a hint of her old playfulness baring itself to the Rabbit once again. It did indeed show that she was, though still scared, slowly breaking out of her shell.

And then she took the Rabbit's hand, to see an Oriental symbol ignite in their white palms, while the same time an alchemical symbol on the back of Aria's own hand glowed to life, emitting a mellow crimson red light for mere moments. That moment, that tiny little reaction between them, lasted only seconds; but seconds were all it took Aria to realize what the Rabbit was trying to tell her.

In all her abnormalities, all the modifications that her body had undergone, no matter how different she was from everyone else in body or spirit, Aria was not alone. The Rabbit was a being just like her, artificially created on the whim of another for cruel, selfish purposes. And despite this, he was kind beyond measure. What he was did not impact what he wished to be, and at this little thought, Aria gave the Rabbit an honest smile and a silent nod, as if to show she understood what he wished to say to her.

Catherine de Sanguine Vivere

Catherine stood quickly as Aria entered the ballroom with Rabbit. Even though Catherine wasn't particularly fond of the teacher, she owed him her thanks, for for helping her heal and for helping Aria tonight. He may not have been her favorite instructor in class, but he was an exemplar of kindness, and she was proud to say that he was one of her teachers. And with him... Oh Aria, beautiful, kind, amazing, ferocious Aria. Marked or not, Human or not, she was the most beautiful thing that Catherine had ever seen. The extravagant ballroom seemed to fade into the distance, Aria completely dwarfing it's splendor. Aria was everything to Catherine, and even her pain dulled and disapeared when looking upon her. Like a moth drawn to flame Catherine made for Aria's brilliance, a broad smile outshining her other features, including the scars. She broke her composed walk once she had a direct line to Aria, and moved as fast as her dress would let her. She took Aria in a tight embrace planting a kiss on her forehead, ignoring rabbit, though she would have to thank him later for what ever he might have said to get Aria to come down from their room.

"I'm so glad you came down. I felt incomplete with out you here. And... Wow, you're so beautiful. I saw the dress before, but that means nothing compared to what it's looks like on you. I'm so happy."

Aria

Seeing Catherine smile so happily brought a warm feeling to Aria's heart. All of her pain and anguish melted before the sight of the pure, blissful look on Catherine's face. At this moment, the hellish memories and crushing guilt that once weighed heavy on her shoulders were feather light as she felt her love's pale arms around her. Aria truly had done the right thing then, coming down to see her. This was perhaps the happiest she had ever seen Catherine.

"...I'm sorry for not coming down sooner..." Aria said softly to Catherine, looking into her blood red eyes and seeing all of the gleefulness she felt reflected straight back at her. At her friend's own praise of the opulent dress, she continued to smile and blush, rather embarrassed at all the attention she was now getting. "...But if it meant getting to see you smiling again, I would do anything."

Henry Von Kressel

Immediately, Henry's sights turned to Aria. Even with the markings, she managed to be beautifully astonishing in the middle of the elegance and glamour of the ball. The room gained a completely different air as he saw her entering, as if all of the lights diminished to give her the privilege of appearing.

And then, Henry finally moved. Initially slow, given his surprise. He had never seen Aria in such kind of clothes, and his eyes took some time to adjust to the vision. He meticulously observed every detail on her body, considering her almost like a picture from the Renaissance given life. And then, he adjusted to his normal pace, eventually catching up to Rabbit and Aria.

"I don't know if I will find a way to thank you enough for this Rabbit."

And then, somewhat mocking the gentlemanly air of the others around him, he gently grabbed Aria's hand before kissing it. Catherine had kissed her in the forehead in a protective act, and despite their conflict over Aria, he had a deep respect for her.

"I can bet that you're the most beautiful person in Europe right now, Aria. It's... Good to see you here. Truly. I'm happy that you decided to join us. This ball wouldn't be complete without you."

Aria

Just as they had with Catherine, Aria's silvery amber eyes lit up on seeing Henry coming towards her. In formal red dress, his appearances were most definitely befitting of an Austrian nobleman. The scrutinizing look in his eye was a little strange, like he was trying to see if it really was Aria standing in the ballroom, covered in white and gold that practically made her look like royalty in the eyes of many attending.

The formal kiss Henry planted on her hand, however, proved that her presence here was very real, resulting in an even more intense red flooding her face as both he and Catherine came up to Aria at the same time, the latter almost glomping her at this point. Not that Aria was complaining, this was the happiest she had been in these past few months, and knowing that they were both comfortable enough to touch her like this gave her a small sense of closure.

"...And I can safely say that you are the most handsome man in all of France." she said, with a small smile that had become so rare for anyone to see. "...You were both right...I shouldn't have kept locking myself away the way I did...I'm sorry..."

---

At that moment, an audible scoff could be heard from the other side of the ballroom, along with a few snickering laughs. A green eyed young man in a complete black and gold Prussian style military tunic, accompanied by several others in similar dress looked to be shaking their heads at the sight of Aria's entrance, and her consequent affectionate reception.

The young man, with boyishly disheveled dishwater blonde hair that looked more to be a shade of brown and shiny emerald eyes stepped towards the Rabbit, Henry, Catherine, and Aria calmly, giving a slow, deliberately sarcastic clap of his hands as the procession unfolded before his eyes.

"Now, now, I will say whoever planned this joke of a social gathering does at least have a sense of humor...However brutally grotesque, this is truly the most ridiculous act of the night." he said coldly, continuing his half-hearted applause as he kept his forest green eyes on the red headed woman. "But I thought we were all made well aware that people were supposed to attend this Ball...Not pieces of sentient garbage."

[Charlia]

At that moment, an audible scoff could be heard from the other side of the ballroom, along with a few snickering laughs. A green eyed young man in a complete black and gold Prussian style military tunic, accompanied by several others in similar dress looked to be shaking their heads at the sight of Aria's entrance, and her consequent affectionate reception.

The young man, with boyishly disheveled dishwater blonde hair that looked more to be a shade of brown and shiny emerald eyes stepped towards the Rabbit, Henry, Catherine, and Aria calmly, giving a slow, deliberately sarcastic clap of his hands as the procession unfolded before his eyes.

"Now, now, I will say whoever planned this joke of a social gathering does at least have a sense of humor...However brutally grotesque, this is truly the most ridiculous act of the night." he said coldly, continuing his half-hearted applause as he kept his forest green eyes on the red headed woman. "But I thought we were all made well aware that people were supposed to attend this Ball...Not pieces of sentient garbage."

Aether shook her head, placing a gray-scarred hand on the young man's shoulder.

"I would disagree with that assessment," she said softly. "I think the biggest joke they made was in inviting you here. After all, humans of your caliber are little more than 'pieces of sentient garbage', are you not?"

She smiled thinly.

"Why, I've met stuffed animals with more humanity than you, and that's not an exaggeration. In fact, several of them are currently attending."

Fire flickered over her hand. She wanted to burn this insolent child, and she wanted it badly.

[Luminesa]

He walked over to her and examined her for a moment before answering. He was obviously very pleased that she had decided to go to the ball after all. Her outfit seemed to twinkle in the opulent light of the hallway, and her eyes seemed to show their old sparkle again. "...You look absolutely stunning. The Belle of the Ball. I don't think even Madame Bourbon herself could outdo you tonight," he complimented her. He then offered her his hand, so they could walk together to the ballroom. As he did so, he showed her something in his open palm. A dark-violet Japanese symbol glowed softly in his hand for just a moment, representing his deepest, darkest secret. It only lasted for a moment, but the moment meant everything. He was determined to let Aria know she was not alone.

"Shall we, dear?" he asked Aria softly, as those crushing words echoed through his head. That voice of self-hatred, it never seemed to go away. It always told him to back away, knowing that he was cared too much for others and never cared enough for himself. The constant fighting inside wore him down, and he wished sometimes he could just end it. One quick shot of mana through his chest was all it would take, after all. Yet when he looked at Aria, his student, whose eyes sparkled with trust and care for her teacher, he desired to keep living. He would give everything, even as it hurt.

Aria

Aria nearly smiled at the Rabbit's compliment, a little bit of the rosiness coming back into her cheeks as she looked up at him. "...My thanks, Professor...but you may not wish to say that so loudly...We wouldn't want for her to become jealous, now would we?" she said, a hint of her old playfulness baring itself to the Rabbit once again. It did indeed show that she was, though still scared, slowly breaking out of her shell.

And then she took the Rabbit's hand, to see an Oriental symbol ignite in their white palms, while the same time an alchemical symbol on the back of Aria's own hand glowed to life, emitting a mellow crimson red light for mere moments. That moment, that tiny little reaction between them, lasted only seconds; but seconds were all it took Aria to realize what the Rabbit was trying to tell her.

In all her abnormalities, all the modifications that her body had undergone, no matter how different she was from everyone else in body or spirit, Aria was not alone. The Rabbit was a being just like her, artificially created on the whim of another for cruel, selfish purposes. And despite this, he was kind beyond measure. What he was did not impact what he wished to be, and at this little thought, Aria gave the Rabbit an honest smile and a silent nod, as if to show she understood what he wished to say to her.

Catherine de Sanguine Vivere

Catherine stood quickly as Aria entered the ballroom with Rabbit. Even though Catherine wasn't particularly fond of the teacher, she owed him her thanks, for for helping her heal and for helping Aria tonight. He may not have been her favorite instructor in class, but he was an exemplar of kindness, and she was proud to say that he was one of her teachers. And with him... Oh Aria, beautiful, kind, amazing, ferocious Aria. Marked or not, Human or not, she was the most beautiful thing that Catherine had ever seen. The extravagant ballroom seemed to fade into the distance, Aria completely dwarfing it's splendor. Aria was everything to Catherine, and even her pain dulled and disapeared when looking upon her. Like a moth drawn to flame Catherine made for Aria's brilliance, a broad smile outshining her other features, including the scars. She broke her composed walk once she had a direct line to Aria, and moved as fast as her dress would let her. She took Aria in a tight embrace planting a kiss on her forehead, ignoring rabbit, though she would have to thank him later for what ever he might have said to get Aria to come down from their room.

"I'm so glad you came down. I felt incomplete with out you here. And... Wow, you're so beautiful. I saw the dress before, but that means nothing compared to what it's looks like on you. I'm so happy."

Aria

Seeing Catherine smile so happily brought a warm feeling to Aria's heart. All of her pain and anguish melted before the sight of the pure, blissful look on Catherine's face. At this moment, the hellish memories and crushing guilt that once weighed heavy on her shoulders were feather light as she felt her love's pale arms around her. Aria truly had done the right thing then, coming down to see her. This was perhaps the happiest she had ever seen Catherine.

"...I'm sorry for not coming down sooner..." Aria said softly to Catherine, looking into her blood red eyes and seeing all of the gleefulness she felt reflected straight back at her. At her friend's own praise of the opulent dress, she continued to smile and blush, rather embarrassed at all the attention she was now getting. "...But if it meant getting to see you smiling again, I would do anything."

Henry Von Kressel

Immediately, Henry's sights turned to Aria. Even with the markings, she managed to be beautifully astonishing in the middle of the elegance and glamour of the ball. The room gained a completely different air as he saw her entering, as if all of the lights diminished to give her the privilege of appearing.

And then, Henry finally moved. Initially slow, given his surprise. He had never seen Aria in such kind of clothes, and his eyes took some time to adjust to the vision. He meticulously observed every detail on her body, considering her almost like a picture from the Renaissance given life. And then, he adjusted to his normal pace, eventually catching up to Rabbit and Aria.

"I don't know if I will find a way to thank you enough for this Rabbit."

And then, somewhat mocking the gentlemanly air of the others around him, he gently grabbed Aria's hand before kissing it. Catherine had kissed her in the forehead in a protective act, and despite their conflict over Aria, he had a deep respect for her.

"I can bet that you're the most beautiful person in Europe right now, Aria. It's... Good to see you here. Truly. I'm happy that you decided to join us. This ball wouldn't be complete without you."

Aria

Just as they had with Catherine, Aria's silvery amber eyes lit up on seeing Henry coming towards her. In formal red dress, his appearances were most definitely befitting of an Austrian nobleman. The scrutinizing look in his eye was a little strange, like he was trying to see if it really was Aria standing in the ballroom, covered in white and gold that practically made her look like royalty in the eyes of many attending.

The formal kiss Henry planted on her hand, however, proved that her presence here was very real, resulting in an even more intense red flooding her face as both he and Catherine came up to Aria at the same time, the latter almost glomping her at this point. Not that Aria was complaining, this was the happiest she had been in these past few months, and knowing that they were both comfortable enough to touch her like this gave her a small sense of closure.

"...And I can safely say that you are the most handsome man in all of France." she said, with a small smile that had become so rare for anyone to see. "...You were both right...I shouldn't have kept locking myself away the way I did...I'm sorry..."

---

At that moment, an audible scoff could be heard from the other side of the ballroom, along with a few snickering laughs. A green eyed young man in a complete black and gold Prussian style military tunic, accompanied by several others in similar dress looked to be shaking their heads at the sight of Aria's entrance, and her consequent affectionate reception.

The young man, with boyishly disheveled dishwater blonde hair that looked more to be a shade of brown and shiny emerald eyes stepped towards the Rabbit, Henry, Catherine, and Aria calmly, giving a slow, deliberately sarcastic clap of his hands as the procession unfolded before his eyes.

"Now, now, I will say whoever planned this joke of a social gathering does at least have a sense of humor...However brutally grotesque, this is truly the most ridiculous act of the night." he said coldly, continuing his half-hearted applause as he kept his forest green eyes on the red headed woman. "But I thought we were all made well aware that people were supposed to attend this Ball...Not pieces of sentient garbage."

Rabbit watched Aria greet her friends, and her friends' enthusiastic greetings to her in return. He laughed, as he saw how excited they were to see her, and he was glad to see the color return to Aria's cheeks, as they showered compliments over her. She truly was beloved, just as Rabbit had told her. All of the eyes in the room were now on her, and there was no way she could feel unloved.

...And yet there was yet another young boy who had decided to break the happy mood. A scrawny dirty-blonde dressed in military-style robes walked toward the group, clapping slowly and mocking Aria. The masked teacher shook his head and sighed. He had hoped he would be able to come to this ball and to have a peaceful night, but with every blonde-headed brat that came by to insult one of his students-Aria, yet again, at that-he felt himself growing that much closer to deciding on putting the fear of God into someone.

Slowly, he approached the boy, his ocean-blue kimono and long, sweeping white hair giving him the air of an ethereal Far-Eastern deity. "I am sorry...but did I hear you say 'sentient garbage'? Are you possibly referring to yourself, dear?" he questioned, as he stopped in front of the boy. He used his normal term of endearment in a sarcastic manner, his voice sharp enough to cut clean through bones.

Soleil watched from a distance, as he continued to hold Bastille in his arms. Nervous, as he heard Rabbit's normally kind-and-polite tone turn to ice, he began to shudder, wondering if a fight was going to break out.

Cecily also watched, now standing in the very back of the ballroom. However, seeing the boy approach Rabbit-or Rabbit approach the boy-also caught her attention, and she began to edge toward the conversation. Who was this boy, and why was he bothering Rabbit? He wasn't going to try and fight him, was he?

[Chrome Legion]

Catherine de Sanguine Vivere


Catherine didn't look at the boy with anger, though she felt that. Insteaded it was almost more with grotesque interest. Like a train wreck you know will make you late for your plans, she was also slightly disappointed. She reached into her handbag, and causally pulled out a band of green bills. She doubted what she was about to do would actually dissuade the boy, but it would also work as a nice insult.

"Look, I really don't want to deal with someone like your self right now, so how about I pay you ten-thousand euros to just fuck right on off?"

[Saldinado]

Dominique Corleone

While playing the saxophone for everyone for the event was nearly over, Dominique looked over to see that the lovely Aria was standing there. Though he really never got to talk to her without everyone basically being her little body guard, she was at least a friend at the most; and her wonderful looks were even more visible in that stunning dress. He continued playing until he saw the young green-eyed boy with the weird feather earrings come out of nowhere and walk up towards the group and talk to them. He didn't pay no mind to it and continued playing. Until he heard the stranger say something. "Garbage." He'd never thought he'd hear that word being thrown at someone for a long time. But maybe his time was up.

He then suddenly stopped playing, leaving a loud screech from the instrument to echo throughout the room. The room was then silent as the crowd wondered what was going on as to why he stopped. He then called the original saxophone player over to him. "Here. Take over for now.", he quietly said as he returned the brass instrument and walked off of stage and towards the direction of the group of Mana students surrounding the boy.

"Excuse me?" He said sounding calm, but also annoyed. "Did you just call someone....'garbage?' And of all people, her?" Dominique said folding his arms in anger waiting for an answer. He knew what it was like to be called garbage as everyone around him called him that for years. Even to the point of calling himself garbage just to make himself feel better. It took him many years to remind himself that he wasn't garbage and in fact a human being he'll be damned before he lets someone calls another person garbage.

"And no. He's not garbage." He said referring to Rabbit's comment. He then looked at Catherine and smirked. "Hell, I'll do you one better. I'll give you the damn keys to my chateau in the valley if you were to just leave this young woman alone." He said politely closing his eyes and continuing to fold his arms.

[Prusselanden]

Ignis could not resist the urge to sneak in some sass to the rude male.
"Dude, I never knew you threw shade at your own kind, jeez."
She then retreated into the corner silently.
"...I'll go now...before any more stuff occurs."

[Rhomaia]

Aether shook her head, placing a gray-scarred hand on the young man's shoulder.

"I would disagree with that assessment," she said softly. "I think the biggest joke they made was in inviting you here. After all, humans of your caliber are little more than 'pieces of sentient garbage', are you not?"

She smiled thinly.

"Why, I've met stuffed animals with more humanity than you, and that's not an exaggeration. In fact, several of them are currently attending."

Fire flickered over her hand. She wanted to burn this insolent child, and she wanted it badly.

The boy nonchalantly shoved off Aether's hand and turned his head to face her, ceasing his degrading gesture and instead giving her an annoyed kind of stare after stealthily rolling his eyes at the Professor. The fire didn't seem to bother him at all, nor did he look very threatened at all by her words, the exasperation remaining steadfast in his pointed face. With a bored sigh, he spoke again, his voice cold as ever.

"The very idea that anything could give those imbecilic constructs humanity merely attests to your intelligence...or rather, a lack thereof. A doll cannot be given a soul, just as a machine cannot be truly given life. The 'humanity' you see in those worthless things can only truly be your imagination."

Catherine de Sanguine Vivere


Catherine didn't look at the boy with anger, though she felt that. Insteaded it was almost more with grotesque interest. Like a train wreck you know will make you late for your plans, she was also slightly disappointed. She reached into her handbag, and causally pulled out a band of green bills. She doubted what she was about to do would actually dissuade the boy, but it would also work as a nice insult.

"Look, I really don't want to deal with someone like your self right now, so how about I pay you ten-thousand euros to just fuck right on off?"

The boy simply shook his head and laughed at Catherine's offer of appeasement and her own words, like she were a circus freak at some twisted attraction that he found some morbid joy in looking upon.

"As if I would accept money coming from the hands of a filthy Yank...Your kind are presumptuous indeed! And so horribly foul mouthed...Tut, tut, tut..." he replied, a twisted, bastardly grin creeping onto his face. He didn't even care if it was an insulting gesture, it seemed. The attention and responses he was getting right now were more than enough to keep him entertained.

Dominique Corleone

"Excuse me?" He said sounding calm, but also annoyed. "Did you just call someone....'garbage?' And of all people, her?" Dominique said folding his arms in anger waiting for an answer. He knew what it was like to be called garbage as everyone around him called him that for years. Even to the point of calling himself garbage just to make himself feel better. It took him many years to remind himself that he wasn't garbage and in fact a human being he'll be damned before he lets someone calls another person garbage.

"And no. He's not garbage." He said referring to Rabbit's comment. He then looked at Catherine and smirked. "Hell, I'll do you one better. I'll give you the damn keys to my chateau in the valley if you were to just leave this young woman alone." He said politely closing his eyes and continuing to fold his arms.

"Did you just refer to that vile creature as a person?" the boy said incredulously, scoffing once more at what he thought to be utter and complete idiocy. "I did, and I was speaking the truth, you insolent négros.

"Honestly, how many times must I requite that none of your petty offers interest me? What must a man do to speak his mind without being interrupted by mindless chatter such as that?"

Slowly, he approached the boy, his ocean-blue kimono and long, sweeping white hair giving him the air of an ethereal Far-Eastern deity. "I am sorry...but did I hear you say 'sentient garbage'? Are you possibly referring to yourself, dear?" he questioned, as he stopped in front of the boy. He used his normal term of endearment in a sarcastic manner, his voice sharp enough to cut clean through bones.

"Oh, no, no, no...The thing I am referring to? It's standing behind you, flanked by one charming, scarred young woman and an Aryan coconut, wearing perhaps the ugliest excuse for a gown I have ever seen." the boy said, trifling with one of the golden feather earrings and running a hand through his messy, unkempt brown hair. Even in the presence of the Rabbit, who should have intimidated him to no end, there was no sign that the boy would cease his antagonistic rhetoric.

[Prusselanden]

"You must be really fun at parties."
Ignis snickered at him from a corner.
"In fact if we put a guinea pig on your head you could become a certain orange-faced, obese failure candidate."

[Prusselanden]

snip

[Charlia]

Aether shook her head, placing a gray-scarred hand on the young man's shoulder.

"I would disagree with that assessment," she said softly. "I think the biggest joke they made was in inviting you here. After all, humans of your caliber are little more than 'pieces of sentient garbage', are you not?"

She smiled thinly.

"Why, I've met stuffed animals with more humanity than you, and that's not an exaggeration. In fact, several of them are currently attending."

Fire flickered over her hand. She wanted to burn this insolent child, and she wanted it badly.

The boy nonchalantly shoved off Aether's hand and turned his head to face her, ceasing his degrading gesture and instead giving her an annoyed kind of stare after stealthily rolling his eyes at the Professor. The fire didn't seem to bother him at all, nor did he look very threatened at all by her words, the exasperation remaining steadfast in his pointed face. With a bored sigh, he spoke again, his voice cold as ever.

"The very idea that anything could give those imbecilic constructs humanity merely attests to your intelligence...or rather, a lack thereof. A doll cannot be given a soul, just as a machine cannot be truly given life. The 'humanity' you see in those worthless things can only truly be your imagination."

"Actually, as you would know if you weren't an imbecilic, entirely unintelligent and ignorant child, it is quite simple to give constructs a soul," Aether said calmly. "You should try studying sometime, it might do you good. On the other hand, judging from your behavior, you are entirely too dull and thick-skulled to comprehend any of it."

Her skin and eyes started glowing, making her look stunningly ethereal and truly formidable.

"Now, either you be silent," she ordered in a frighteningly dark tone, "or I'll silence you myself."