Something Domestic (IC, Closed, ending soon)

[The JVP]

Vivi smiled to the elder monarch. His years of rule and wisdom would be something she would surely like to pick at. "I would be honored to accept your gift. Maybe I'll even wear it during my next ceremony. God knows there are so many." So looked around, already surprised by the group of people looking to speak to her. Most of them nobles she seen on a daily basis.

She let out a small sigh. "Erik, and Yes you are free to call me Vivi as you please. But Erik I wish I could spare more time to talk with you, it has been a pleasure. I really get the chance to talk with other monarchs on a level that does not involve some kind of an arrangement, marriage, or both. I'll save some time to speak with you and your Cousin before the night is over, and I look forward to showing you around." She nodded to the king. "Now I have to kindly reject offers for my hand." She said in a low voice so only her and the king could here.

"Ahhh, Duke Foxwood. I was just having a lovely Chat with my dear friend here." Vivi said, as an over eager Nobleman pushed his way to the front, bumping the Queen.

Vivi gripped the other dahher still on her hip, but let her hands fall free. Tonight was not a night for her to show her justice on Duke Foxwood, who is most likely drunk. "Yes... How about I have you wait for me in a separate Room, my dear Duke." Vivi said, as she raised her hand and pointed at the Duke, who was not talking about a beach or something.

A female in a greenish dress uniform with a very short skirt moved to the Queens side, almost as if coming out of the shadows.

"Yes my High Queen."

"Ah Yes. Valkyrie Corra. Please escort the Duke here to my waiting room." She watched as the Woman grabbed the Duke by the arm, and moved him to the back of the room. "Oh, and please do be gentle with the dear Duke. He has a beach Condo."

Vivi looked back to the King, a flash of anger in her eyes. "I am personally sorry for what you just witnessed. I wished my... Noe families would act more modest at these things. But I must bid you a good bye, or better yet a see you later my dear friend Erik." Vivi gave him a final Smile before turning to a Noblewoman, who was with a young teen girl.

[Republic of Altos and Stratis]

Brooke, Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

Brooke was on the hunt. Soon after joining the party she had split from Nova to find her target for the evening, admiral Harry Haida. But that itself would be difficult because of the masquerade theme. There had even been some discussion of even using facial recognition glasses to make the process easier. But this idea had been quickly discarded after testing proved unreliable.

So she had done it the old fashioned way, studying photographs of Haida. Along with practicing diplomatic protocol. But that would not solve the problem of trying to find him in this veritable sea of people.

“Oh, where the hell could he?”

She took a drink from a passing waiter, as she continued to scan the room for any clues to Haida’s whereabouts. When a flash of green caught her eye, turn to get a better look. She saw a man with a green tie and a black-green mask, conversing with someone in uniform with a sword at his belt.

“Well may as well start there, I don’t have any other leads.”

She finished her drink and passed it off to a waiter before she moved closer to listen.

Nova, Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

Nova had a better eye for people than her sister and had swiftly picked Haida out from the crowd. But that was the end of the good news. She had spotted the claimant to the throne of the Green Union, Thomes Duke of Ekkesburg with him. And the last thing The Republic needed was more converts to Thomes’s cause.

She dug out her phone and quickly typed a text to Brooke.

“Haida is with Thomes, get rid of him!!!”

However, it seemed Brooke had also spotted him. As she caught a glimpse of her sister’s mask and uniform heading in his direction.

“Hopefully she can deal with this”

Thinking about Thomes and the Green Union Civil War had brought back painful memories for her. The days of battling frostbite, and dodging patrols, had taken its toll.

“I need a smoke.”

Then she smiled, shaking her head as she corrected herself.

“Actually I need to vape.”

She had recently gotten an e-cigarette or a vape as some people called them. And thus needed to update her terminology, however stupid it may sound. She moved for the door fumbling with her breast pocket as she went, trying to get her cigarette out. So she would be ready when she got outside. This distraction along with the fact she was still thinking of her time in the Icy Hell of the Green Union. This proved disastrous as she walked into a man wearing a Cream and Blue mask, who was coming back into the party.

[The Kingdom of Rhamos]

Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

Their entrance into the Gala was a procedure that was admittedly a little less formal then Florence had expected or was used too even. Normally such an event in a Rhamosian court would see the guest announced as they walked in so everyone would have an idea as too who was who and who to schmooze.

Then again he supposed he understood that this would in turn defeat the purpose of the masquerade after all. But this would defeat the purpose of schmoozing, a key purpose of events like this. On the plus side however, it also meant that for a little while at least he could relax and maybe not have to mind his p's and q's as much, being lost in the sea of ambiguous identities.

He continued to absentmindedly muse on these thoughts, busying himself from having to think to much on events as they walked through the crowd. So much so that he realized, out of the corner of his eye that, Caroline was trying to say something to him and he had almost completely ignored her. His attention now grabbed he turned his head towards her only to stare directly down into her bright hazel eyes and completely fumbled his response as he had to remind himself quickly not to be so damn awkward. He was a grown man, a Baron, and a Viceroy at that after, composure was key at all times!

"Er, what? I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you over the crowd."

A smooth recovery surely.

Caroline pointed in the direction of a lone light shining down on korean Darth Vader wearing a tiger mask.

Repeating herself a little louder now to be heard over the noise. "I said I wonder who that man is?"

The room though had grown silent right then to see what the tiger masked man was going to do, amplifying her voice to a shout. Several heads around them turned to see who was causing the commotion as she quickly muttered several apologies attempting to hide her embarrassment. Florence opened his mouth to say something only to in turn get cutoff by the playing of what he could only assume was deafening J-POP music.

The pair stared at the display in confusion as the man whipped capes this way and that before finally being yelled at by someone important.

Florence was for all intents lost in what exactly it all meant and a glance to his side confirmed that Caroline was as well. "Strange country." He muttered before snagging what he hoped was a strong drink off of a tray as it floated by.

With the music and crowd returning back to normal though Caroline wasn't as intent to waste the night on things like drinking. She excused herself from the Baron, allowing him to conduct his business of the state or whatever he had called it earlier. Lightly swaying and humming with music as she walked she made her way through the crowd looking for any fellow Aelians.

Across the room Violette and Osywen were now making their way through the crowd towards refreshments with an air of somewhat normalcy. Realizing that she was deep the crowd, Violettes hold on Osywens arm had turned into a death grip. This only made the boy give her a cheeky grin as he tilted his head to speak to her.

"You are not relaxing to well you know."

"Oh! I'm sorry!" She responded hurriedly as it dawned on her she was probably cutting the circulation of to his arm now. "It's just, well I don't want to get separated from you and lost out here alone. "

Osywen couldn't help but feel a little protective of her suddenly at her timid explanation or perhaps he was just getting full of himself. "Don't worry Violette, I promise you I won't let you get lost out here." He boasted before trying to figure out how best to keep her mind off all the people. His searching eyes quickly fell upon something humorous and he quickly pointed it out to her with some discretion. "Look over there!"

On the side of the room a man was braced against the wall, slumped over a potted plant. "The party has barely begun and that man is already drunk. I think he's gonna puke into that plant!"

He then drew her attention over to a man in several capes and a tiger mask. "And look over there, that man is dressed like cartoon villain! His attendants must hate him to let him come here like that....or they are blind."

Violette had to look away and cover her mouth to hid the fact that her serious facade was breaking down with laughter. "Hey Osywen I thought we were supposed to be serious." She managed to whisper out between smothered laughter. "If you keep this up I'm going to laugh in front of everyone." She felt herself finally exhale a breath she didn't know she had been holding in as she managed to finally feel a sense of at ease and safety.

"I know you're just trying to calm me down and you don't have too. I'll be fine." She added with a comforting smile.

[Connori Pilgrims]

The Sun Palace, Seoul Joseon, the JVP Empire
The Masquerade Room
Night of the Gala

Ambassador Gawain surveyed the room and the growing crowd of costumed personages. He had quietly entered along with the rest of the guests, costumed up in the robes of his family. As an old Corvinian high comitatense' (soldier) family, these robes normally included a full plate armoured ensemble, but as it was to be a dance ball he had left off several pieces:

While a helmet would've helped conceal his face, he felt the thing to be too much and stuffy, so he just brought a blue eye mask. As it was a masquerade ball, no introductions were made, which frankly suited him well enough. Given the caliber of personages expected in the Gala, he was only slightly miffed that he would have to represent the United Provinces of Connorianople here alone, without his head of government. He would have to give High Queen Vivi the regrets of Igetis Javier when he had a chance.

But until then, it was a party, so he may as well go around and enjoy himself...

[The Green Union]

KVP
Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon
Masquerade Room | Night

The Duke thought about the question for a moment, for it was imperative to craft his response most carefully: "I come not purely on my own will; I come with the King if that answers your question? Let's be honest with each other, though, Haida, — I don't want to tarry around. I know we are in no way acquainted with each other, and I know there is a likely chance that you don't like me because of my actions in regards to your homeland. We all know what there is to know, and you know I have found you for obvious reasons. Let us put aside politics for tonight, for I am sure we both can say with honesty, may the Green Union rise again. Would you like to share a drink, Admiral?"

Harry Haida, Sun Palace, Seoul Joseon, Joseon:

Haida's drink glass twitched as his hand tightened, locking eyes with the Emerstarian. "This is not a chance meeting, is it?"

The stauch Loyalist was acutely aware of all the eyes around them. Suddently, every flash of a camera was a mortal danger. Every inquisitive, chatty noble threatened to end his career, and it felt as if many were sneaking glances in his direction. He could swear that one woman in blue army dress, standing by herself, was stealing glances in his direction. He quickly turned away from Thomes, trying to sip stiffly while fixating on the middle distance. This Emerstarian was an enemy who's very presence ought to be avoided, and yet he had sought him out this far from either of their homelands. On a certain level, Haida wanted to know what he had to say . . .

For a terribly awkward moment, the two were silent. Then, almost inaudibly within the busy room, Haida made his decision.

"Take a look at that balcony up there." he said, barely extending the finger around his glass to indicate the obscure platform high above them.

"Meet me up there in ten minutes."

And without waiting for an argument, Haida quickly passed off his finished glass and stepped back into the crowd. It was only after (hopefully nonchalantly) making his way to the other side of the room that he would permit himself to look back and breathe a sigh. Nobody seemed to be following him. Even the navy woman had vanished.

The Green Union Loyalist once again dove into the crowd, looking for the Queen. Things had become more complex, but he still needed to complete his original purpose.

[The JVP]

Nova, Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

Nova had a better eye for people than her sister and had swiftly picked Haida out from the crowd. But that was the end of the good news. She had spotted the claimant to the throne of the Green Union, Thomes Duke of Ekkesburg with him. And the last thing The Republic needed was more converts to Thomes’s cause.

She dug out her phone and quickly typed a text to Brooke.

“Haida is with Thomes, get rid of him!!!”

However, it seemed Brooke had also spotted him. As she caught a glimpse of her sister’s mask and uniform heading in his direction.

“Hopefully she can deal with this”

Thinking about Thomes and the Green Union Civil War had brought back painful memories for her. The days of battling frostbite, and dodging patrols, had taken its toll.

“I need a smoke.”

Then she smiled, shaking her head as she corrected herself.

“Actually I need to vape.”

She had recently gotten an e-cigarette or a vape as some people called them. And thus needed to update her terminology, however stupid it may sound. She moved for the door fumbling with her breast pocket as she went, trying to get her cigarette out. So she would be ready when she got outside. This distraction along with the fact she was still thinking of her time in the Icy Hell of the Green Union. Proved disastrous as she walked into a man wearing a Cream and Blue mask, who was coming back into the party.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry. I should have been paying more attention to where I was going”

Kyong

Having stormed off in a huff, mind abuzz with the stupid words his brother had just said. Kyong was not ashamed of his sexuality, the opposite, he had come to terms with it years again, and just wanted to live his life as normal. Not saying that his father or brother were leave him alone about. To his father, it was unnatural for his eldest son to be gay. That was something that would fall to his third or fourth son. A Gay first born son did not help the family out. Who would he be married off to. As far as his father was concerned, Kyong had no value to the family.

Min-jun, his little brother on the other hand, revolved in pride of being the heir to the family. As the second born he was only there to be married off, or to enter service. But as the heir, he was a jewel in his fathers eye. But deep down Kyong knew that his little brother held some kind of jealousy towards him. Kyong with was tall, handsome, good at sports, and a world renowned write. Min-jun was barely 5' 11", and was no were as skilled as his brother in sports. Kyong knew this ate at him, and it would cause he little brother to shame him for his sexuality. Be it private or public. "The Seoul Knights could really us your talents Kyong." Min-jun would say, after a game of basketball. "To bad they would hate to share a locker room with you." That comment brought Min-jun a busted nose and Kyong a scolding from their father.

"Life can be tough." Kyong said, mind still on past events, not really paying attention to where he had been walking. So it was no surprised been he crashed into someone, who themselves seemed to have their head in the clouds.

"Damn." He said, as he got back to his feet and looked down to the person he ran into. She wore a green and black military uniform. One that Kyong could not pick out. She did not look Chinese, so he figured she was not a spy.

"Sorry about that." He said, holding out a hand to help. "Mind in the cloud. I'm Kyong by the way." He said, hand still out as he studied the woman.

[The JVP]

Admiral Son

Admiral watched as the female Valkyrie pull away the drunk noble, he had been keeping an eye on him since he seen a glint of sharp metal in the mans pocket. He had mad sure to catch the eye of one of the Queens body guards, and lucky for him he also caught the eye of the Queen, who happened to have picked up on the noble snaking towards her.

Once he knew she was in the clear, and that this noble was most like being taken to a cage, he went back to taking pictures with the nobles asking.

"Admiral Son, you are the modern day Admiral Yi. With you out there, the Chinese would never think about about invite our waters." Said one noble and she took out her phone, snapped a few pictures, and the hugged the Admiral.

Son heard this a lot, the comparison to Admiral Yi, one of the greatest Admirals in the history of his nation. Outwardly he would smile and laugh. "No, I'm nowhere near the great man as Yi." He would say, but deep down he hated it. To be compared to a saint, a military mastermind. They looked to stoke his ego, as he knew such honey words would be followed by an invite to their house for dinner, and would probably be followed up by them asking for their child to find a spot in his staff.

"Filthy ass hats." Son said, as he finally broke away from the group, taking off his mask and looking to throw it to the ground. He stopped himself as he thought about how Gemma would ask for his mask after the party. "I guess i can hold onto it." He said as he tired the mask to be belt. Out side of the Queen, her Sister, and little lady Inna. Son had no love for most of the other nobles. They all wanted something of for you, and it was only further their own posts.

He scuff. "Maybe I should take this appointment. It would come with the power to put my hands on some of these fools." He thought about how nice it would be to throw some noble off his ship... well some noble that was not in the Navy. He had thrown many of spoiled noble children from his ship, when they thought their parents name could get them out of a duty.

"These parties never have like minded people." He said as he grabbed a drink from a waitress, and then reached for a snack from a passing food tray. "There was that one guy. A fellow Admiral himself. Haida was it?" He said as he remembered the Queen sending him a profile on a man attending the party. The profile did not have much. Just his name, rank, a picture, and a small profile. It did not come with any other notes. So he figured the Queen just sent it his way, like she would with any other high ranking Naval official from a foreign nation.

"Maybe he is good for a drink." He said, as he scanned the room. "Damn masks."

Admiral Son's ears perked up, as he heard Vivi's voice over the PA again.

"Ok everyone. Mingle time is over, dance time is right meow" She said, as the music played, with a more upbeat song, that seen a load of younger nobles and guests heading to the dance floor.

"The time for young ones to flirt has started." He knew what this really meant, and looked around as some of the older nobles and guest broke off to talk. "The time of back door dealings in now."

[Sjovenia]

Sun Palace, Seoul Joseon

Ciril Slavko was driven to the palace in a chartered four door sedan. The windows were tinted but still didn’t detract very much from daily life of Seoul Joseon. Ciril was a bit surprised to be invited to this event but accepted none the less. He needed to take some time from writing music and practicing with his band.

His car pulled up to the main gate of the palace. The driver showed credentials and then proceeded through the gate. After coming to a stop the driver got out of his seat and opened the door for Ciril. Almost immediately Ciril felt severely underdressed for the occasion. He wasn’t in a fancy suit and tie that one would come to expect a guest of a palace to wear. He instead had a black leather jacket, green button up shirt, jeans, and nice shoes. Ciril felt that a suit wasn’t exactly his style and rightfully so....he was the forefather of the Slaveškan Grunge Scene and so he would dress as most rock stars who weren’t on stage would.

The main door was opened for him and he showed his invitation to the usher.

[The Kingdom of Rhamos]

Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

The mass of people, the sea of movement, controlled chaos, and noise; Violette couldn't help but look back out across it all and wonder how she had made it through. Such a large event filled with all sorts of people of importance she couldn't even imagine nor did she want too. It only served to make her feel so small and isolated amongst it all, or at least she would have if it had not been for the boy standing next to her now.

Stealthy she tried to watch him out of the corner of her eye as he absentmindedly sipped from his drink. She only stared for a few seconds though, afraid of being caught and the feelings of awkwardness that would follow. What was it about him that just made her feel so...okay about the situation right now. His jokes had been corney and cheesy at best, and he smiled like a dork but yet some how he managed to make her feel like she was going to be alright.

Looking back down at her own cup, she rotated it around in her hands in an attempt to distract herself from the fact that she couldn't think of anything to say to him. He had been doing most of the talking so far and while she had been responding, she was starting to fear he might think she was either being rude or bored of him. Neither of these were the case, but she had never been in this situation before and with a boy for that matter.

She inhaled deeply before letting out a long exhale. "It would be fine, just calm down. He's just a boy escorting you around for the night, just be your normal self and you'll be fine." She thought to herself.

The loudspeakers blared to life as Vivi made her announcement bringing Violette out of her thoughts. "Ok everyone. Mingle time is over, dance time is right meow."

Osywen turned to Violette as the music changed wearing that look he had described as formal seriousness earlier. She was lost in confusion for just but amount until he raised a hand out towards her in a gesture of offering to take it.

He was asking going to ask her too-

"Lady Violette, would you care for a dance?" He had dropped his voice down several octaves in a mock regal voice as a smile cracked his attempt at being a serious gentleman.

"I...uh...I...I" The suddenness of his offer had caught her off guard and until now she had had no interest in highlighting herself out on the dance floor. "I don't think we should...."

Osywen seemed prepared for this though. "It'll be alright Violette, didn't I promise that I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you? You-"

"We don't match."

Osywen cocked an eyebrow at the sudden statement. "We don't match? I don't think anyone will really care that we didn't wear matching outfits. People change dancing partners all the time at these things, nobody hardly ever matches."

Violette was scrambling to think of a better excuse and silently cursing herself for leading herself into this mess. "No no it's not that it's just that I'm shorter than you and it wouldn't look right if we...danced...together..." She was almost kicking herself, he would surely see that she was just saying excuses now.

Osywen took a step toward her suddenly, making the space between them measured in inches and not feet. He held a hand level with the top of his head before moving over hers, comparing their height. "Hmm, I don't think you're that much shorter than me. Maybe an inch or two but...." He looked down at her face suddenly aware that Violette had turned a shade of red, and her expression was one that he couldn't make out. "Uh Violette, are you okay?"

"I-I need to go to the ladies room." She blurted out before spinning around and rushing off into the crowd before Osywen could stop her.

Why couldn't she just tell him she didn't know how to dance. Why did she have to say she was going to the bathroom! She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't even realize where the bathroom even was or where she was for that matter. Why couldn't she have just stayed with Osywen.

[The JVP]

Inna

Once again it was time to dance, and once again Min-Jun was gone. "He said he would be back." She said to herself as she remembered how he had out to find his brother. She was beginning to think that maybe he did not like her. She pushed the thought from her mind as she scanned around from him. "Min-Jun, where are you?" She said, catching a glimpse of a red and black Hanbok.

Her face lit up with joy. "There you are." She said, as she worked her way through a group of dance youth. "Min-Jun." She yelled out, trying and failing to get her voice over the roar of the upbeat music. 'BTS' She thought to herself, as she walked a little closer, her eyes watching as Min-Jun offered his hand to beautiful Female noble, and took her to the dance floor, passing Inna as they headed out.

It took Inna's mind a few seconds to catch up to what she had just seen, but it did not take the tears nearly as long. She spun around, and looked at heart breaker, quickly looking eyes with him, before he broke off the gaze, smiled to his dance partner, and pulled her in close.

"But... But... You promised...." Inna could not get the words out, as she rushed from the dance floor, and towards the back room where the bathrooms where at. "You dummy." She yelled as she elbowed her way through the dance floor.

Vivi always mindful of what was going on around her, and standing on a raised level of the room so as to see everything going on below her, watched as the young girl exited the dance floor in a hurry. "Inna dear." She said, raising her dress a little to allow her to rush after the girl, but something caught her eye. A man in a black suit with green tie, and he seemed to have been making his way towards her. "Damn it." She said, as she lowed her dress and composed herself, ready to great who this was.

Inna had made her way out of the crown, but was having a hard time seeing, as the tears began to block her vision, the mask being more of a hinder then anything else. So she was not aware of the girl in an emerald green dress, not before bumping into her, sending herself to the ground.

"I... I..." Inna fumbled for her words in-between bouts of sobbing. "I'm sorry." She said, taking off her mask and wiping the tears from her eyes, ruining her makeup in the process. "I should... Have been looking at where I was going." She said getting to her feet, the tears in her eyes coming back anew. "I'm sorry." She said again, fumbling as she dropped her handkerchief.

[The Green Union]

"Ok everyone. Mingle time is over, dance time is right meow" She said, as the music played, with a more upbeat song, that seen a load of younger nobles and guests heading to the dance floor.

The throng of colourful bodies had begun to thin as many began their migration to the dance floor, with many of the young and excited hurrying by Mr. Haida in their rush. Though worried about being bowled over, the Green Union Loyalist finally managed to negotiate his way to the centre of the floor. There, the young Queen Vivi, clearly the same woman whom had just given the address, was finishing up her greetings to a group of nobles. This, at least, was good. He could fit himself into the queue, without a need to make a great production of things.

Briefly being sure to fix his suit and stride and skirt the throng around that unsavoury tiger character, Haida began walking across the floor to them when the Queen’s demeanour changed abruptly.

Vivi always mindful of what was going on around her, and standing on a raised level of the room so as to see everything going on below her, watched as the young girl exited the dance floor in a hurry. "Inna dear." She said, raising her dress a little to allow her to rush after the girl, but something caught her eye. A man in a Naval uniform black suit and green tie, and he seemed to have been making his way towards her. "Damn it." She said, as she lowed her dress and composed herself, ready to great who this was.

The Queen was clearly distressed as she took off. Haida stopped, unsure, but not before she had spotted him and started smoothing herself out, looking over expectantly. Well, it was not possible to leave now.

Haida stepped forward as best he could, bowing deeply. “Your Majesty,” he said, “please, do not let me intrude. If your attention is required elsewhere, I will be more than pleased to make your acquaintance later."

[The JVP]

Vivi

Vivi smiled down to the man in the black suit and green tie. She had seen him coming and knew he was coming to talk with her.

"Please, just call me Vivi for the night." She said, offering him her hand, as she looked to take a step down from the raised area. "As for my attention." She flashed him a quick smile. "It is here with you, and would be more then happy to make your acquaintance right now." She allowed herself to be helped down. "Now. With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?" She asked, as more and more young people rushed the dance floor.

Some of the girls, as she overheard, were talking about a man in jeans and a leather jacket. Yells of BTS, Zion T, or some other popular singer, was making it's way around the room, as some girls broke from their partners and made there was to the front of the ball room.

Gemma

Gemma, who was close to the entrance, was one of the first to spot the man in jeans and a leather coat. She thought to herself how hot he was going to be once he walked inside with that coat on, then she wondered who he was. Admiral Son was already inside, so it could not be him. "Unless he changed outfits." She said, beaming to herself. "But he did not give me his mask first." She said, a little sad at the fact of missing out on adding to her collection. "No. I'll make such i get that mask, and maybe even that jacket." She said, as she walked towards the man.

"Admiral Son. ADMIRAL." She said, as she reached out to the man and tapped him on the shoulder. "I think you owe me something." She said, hand out, and to prideful in her assumption, that she did not even put together that this man was no where near the height or size of Admiral Son, and looked physically younger then him.

[The Green Union]

Vivi

Vivi smiled down to the man in the black suit and green tie. She had seen him coming and knew he was coming to talk with her.

"Please, just call me Vivi for the night." She said, offering him her hand, as she looked to take a step down from the raised area. "As for my attention." She flashed him a quick smile. "It is here with you, and would be more then happy to make your acquaintance right now." She allowed herself to be helped down. "Now. With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?" She asked, as more and more young people rushed the dance floor.

"Mr. Harry Haida of the Green Union, Your Majesty." the Loyalist said, taking her hand. "I am sorry, but I really must insist on observing convention."

Though she clearly did not need it, Haida helped the Queen down the step, letting his eyes flick over her quickly. Even having seen photos and being briefed on what to expect, it still startled him to once again be in the presence of such a young monarch. Vivi Fuchs had barely spoken a word to him, and already Haida was intrigued. Why so informal? Surely the Queen must be watching her every move as he was, yet it definitely did not seem that way. Even behind the mask, Queen Vivi just seemed so . . . careless. There was clearly a story in there, but this was not the place to inquire into such things.

[The JVP]

Vivi

"Mr. Harry Haida. Yes Former Navy man." She flashed him a smile, ignoring his disregard that he call her Vivi. But she figured a man of his year, and his background would stand on tradition., and tradition she did respect. But she would make a point.

"I know you wish to stand on your morals Mr. Haida, And I do respect that. But tonight is an informal night, and you are a guest in my house. A most welcomed and honored guest at that." She decided to respect the mans wishes, and pushed past the manner, as she scanned behind him. "Wonderful. Drinks are here."

She smiled as a woman, not dressed like the other wait staff, came over and held out a tray with two drinks. Vivi took one, and nodded at the other for Haida to take. "A fine white wine from the Luar region. I love the taste that grapes give off." She said, more to anyone that was listening, then to an exact person.

"Now." She said, refocusing her full attention to Haida. "I'm pretty sure you have questions of me, or something you wish to speak about, and if my sources are true, Then I also have some things to speak with you about, mainly the Green Union, and the events taking place."

[The Kingdom of Rhamos]

Violette made her way slowly through the crowd attempting to make herself as small as possible in an attempt to not draw any attention to herself. She had so far been successful but her mind still raced with a thousand thoughts as she tried to figure out what to do now.

So far she had embarrassed herself in front of her escort, ran off when he asked her to dance, and now she had gotten herself lost in a crowd of people she didn't know or could even speak her language. Despite being surrounded by so many people she had never felt more alone then now and the feeling felt like it was crushing her.

She gently pushed and squeezed her way through the gaps of strangers who were more focused on themselves and others to pay her any mind. Violette had decided that at the very least finding her way towards the wall would at least put her out of the crowd and she would only have to worry about any media that circled the event like hungry sharks.

The thought of interacting with a reporter made her shudder at the idea though. Her mother had always been rather strict about limiting Violettes exposure to them at all cost, explaining it as something that would have dire consequences for the both of them.

In a way it almost seemed like her mom was attempting to hide her from the public sometimes, but Violette always felt like she had to have a good reason for it. Even if that reason was never really explained to her.

Violette paused to adjust the mask on her face as it continued presence was starting to be of an annoyance to her. She had stopped only for a brief moment when she felt the force of someone running into her knock her down to the ground. The event had been so sudden that to her it had seemed like she had only blinked before opening her eyes to see and feel that she was on the floor now. She sat up while looking around trying to make sense of what had just happened, more confused then anything.

A red hair girl in some sort of uniform sat opposite of her crying and wiping away tears as she pulled up her mask. She couldn't have been much older than herself and Violette could only assume that she was crying because of their joint spill. Her mind was still trying to make sense of how this had even happened though. How could she have let herself be so careless.

Had she been in the way of something? Had she tripped this girl somehow? Whatever the case, Violette pushed the thoughts aside for now as she moved from a sitting position to one on her knees close to the other girl now as she made to help wipe away her tears. It was a small gesture of kindness but it was the only thing she could think to do to help her.

"I so sorry I wasn't looking where I was going! Are you alright!" Words like these and many more spilled out Violette as she attempted to comfort the girl and help her collect herself. She was becoming acutely aware that their little scene was drawing the attention of many onlookers and she could feel her ears turn red with embarrassment, but she did her best to ignore them as she could.

On the other side of the room a bewildered Osywen was awkwardly standing by himself attempting to "act natural". While in reality he was contemplating how he had managed to screw up asking Violette to dance so bad that she had ran off. Maybe she really just had to go to the bathroom that bad?

He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly for no one in particular and grabbed a small finger sandwhich off a tray as it was carried by. It smelled amazing and he couldn't help but feel bad that Violette was missing out on these great snacks.

[The JVP]

Inna

Looked at the girl, tears falling from her eyes. "I'm the one at fault here." She said, hearing some noble speaking Korean, and pointing towards her. Inna said something back and the noble froze up, bowed and moved away.

It was then that Inna became aware of the all the people around her, and more aware of the girl. She had to be only a year or so younger then herself, maybe even her age. It was rare for Inna to find someone her age at these things.

"Are you..." She started, as she dabbed at her eyes, looking around and still feeling what she could only think to be people watching her. "I hate this." She said as she grabbed the girls arm and headed off to a hallway with two knights guarding it. She said something to them in Korean, and they parted ways, Inna almost dragging the girl along with her.

Once in the quiet of the hallway Inna Slumped to the ground looking around to see if she was alone, before crying again. Her eyes falling on the girl, as she quickly remembered dragging her along with her.

"Oh no. I kidnapped someone." She said, tears now falling from her face a new. "I got stood up, and I kidnapped someone. Vivi is going to scold me." She rubbed at her face with her sleeves, as he body racked with guilt as she cried.

[Republic of Altos and Stratis]

Nova, Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

“Ouch, well that’s what I get for letting my mind run wild”

Looking up she saw that the man she had run into, was offering his hand to help her up. She gladly took it and hauled herself back to her feet. He had introduced himself as Kyong, so she figured she better introduce herself.

“Thanks for the hand, I’m Nova.”

“So what brings you to this event?”

Brooke, Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

“Dammit”

Despite the text from her sister confirming Haida’s presence he had managed to lose her in the crowd, and even Thomes had managed to disappear.

“Well at least I know what he is wearing now” she mused, Haida was indeed wearing quite a distinct outfit. So he would be easy to pick out amongst the crowd.

The queen’s voice came over PA again, oh what was her name again. Brooke was struggling to remember some of the material she had studied before attending the party. She remembered that the queen’s name started with a V.

“Vivi, there it is” she smiled as she breathed a sigh of relief.

Then she began to focus on what Vivi was saying over the PA.

"Ok everyone. Mingle time is over, dance time is right meow."

This sent many people scurrying for the dance floor. Brooke, however, stood idly by sipping her drink as she watched the sea of people shift in response to this development. She turned to look toward where the queen had set up shop. Where she saw a familiar suited figure standing in line for his chance to talk to the queen.

“Gotcha”

While she had indeed found Haida again, she couldn’t get to him at the moment. So she typed out a message to her sister, informing her of the situation.

“Haida is with the queen, can’t get to him”

She hit send and hoped that Nova had some ideas.

[The JVP]

Kyong

Nova, Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

“Ouch, well that’s what I get for letting my mind run wild”

Looking up she saw that the man she had run into, was offering his hand to help her up. She gladly took it and hauled herself back to her feet. He had introduced himself as Kyong, so she figured she better introduce herself.

“Thanks for the hand, I’m Nova.”

“So what brings you to this event?”

"Nova?" Kyong said, as he looked over the girl to make sure she was out. "Lovely name." He said, satisfied that she did not look to have broken anything.

"What brings me to this event?" He thought about it for a sec, before replying. "Probably the same reason as you. I was invite." He smiled. "No, I happen to be a very renowned writer, that gets invite so older noble women can ask me for private readings." He laughed. "But what brings you here Nova?"

[The Kingdom of Rhamos]

"Your fault?" Violette hardly felt like the accident had been this girls fault, she was the one who hadn't been paying attention after all. She reached forward to help the girl when she froze as she watched Inna snap at the leering noble. Her hand nearly recoiled in fright as she watched the brief exchange play out in front of her.

The other girls words had practically made the person run away and they had even bowed to her!

"Oh god who did I run into!" The thought had flooded into her mind and she was already beginning to assume the worst. The way her luck had been going to night she had probably just ran in to someone of royalty or at least very important. So much for keeping a low profile.

Violette brushed off the girls apology."No no, I'm the one who should be sorry I wasn't watching where I was going." While she spoke she watched the other girl look around before suddenly staring at herself and she shuddered at the thought of the girls response. Was she sizing her up? Determining if she was even worth being yelled at?

"Are you?" Inna asked and Violette nearly winced at the response expecting it to have actually been something furious. Instead however, the girl trailed of in thought before she told Violette suddenly she hated this and grabbed her arm.

"Wha?!" The poor girl blurted out in alarm and confusion as she was half yanked onto her feet. What was going on!? Who was this person?! Violette had so many questions and no answers to anything that was happening now.

"Miss! Wait Miss! Ma'am! I can't go with you I have someone waiting on me!" She was almost pleading with the girl while still trying not to draw more attention then they already were.

This girl who she didn't know was practically dragging her through the crowd and the idea had dawned on Violette that maybe she was being kidnapped. It had always been something that her mom was worried about for some reason and maybe this was finally why. She could feel the panic button she always carried with her and was increasingly tempted to press it.

For some reason though she didn't. She looked at the girl in front of her as she was pulled along and couldn't see a maniacal kidnapper. She saw someone who was embarrassed and hurt, most likely from running into her, and wanted to get away from the crowd. Granted for all Violette knew it could have been an elaborate ruse, but she didn't know any better.

The girl order some knights aside who were clearly guarding something and Violettes breath caught in her throat. This was definitely someone very important and she might have screwed up big time. But once into the quiet recess of the hallway the girl finally let go and slumped against the wall crying again.

Finally able to breath after this girl had nearly given her a panic attack, Violette couldn't help but feel a strange mix of pity and guilt for her not-kidnapper. She wasn't sure how much of a part she had played in ruining her night but she felt responsible none the less. Kneeling down beside her Violette grabbed some of her excess dress fabric to use in helping wipe the girls tears.

"It'll be okay." She said gently dabbing tear streaks off her face. "Guys can be such dumb jerks but you shouldn't let one ruin your night." She gave the girl a comforting smile as she examined her handy work before trying to clean up some of the girls smeared make up. "My mom always tells me that when you let someone make you feel bad for being you, you only let them win."

She stopped wiping to wet another corner of her dress with her tongue to really work on a bit of stubborn makeup before continuing. "And being happy is how we don't let them."

[The JVP]

Inna

Inna sniffed away the hurt, as she let the girl tend to her. Dear gods, she had kidnapped this poor girl, and now she was trying to cheer her up. "Your mothers words are wise. I wish I could take hold of them, but it hurts so much." She began to sulk again, but did not let the tears fall.

"My name is Inna by the way." She said Thoughts racing through her mind on who she could have possibly pulled back. "Thank you, and sorry." She said, pointing at the dress. "That looks very expensive, and you are using it wipe away tears." The small joy of the joke helped to lift the heaviness in her heart, but then her thoughts went back to Min-Jun and she felt like a few more stones had been added.

[Republic of Altos and Stratis]

Kyong

"Nova?" Kyong said, as he looked over the girl to make sure she was out. "Lovely name." He said, satisfied that she did not look to have broken anything.

"What brings me to this event?" He thought about it for a sec, before replying. "Probably the same reason as you. I was invite." He smiled. "No, I happen to be a very renowned writer, that gets invite so older noble women can ask me for private readings." He laughed. "But what brings you here Nova?"

Nova, Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

“Hmm, a writer interesting” she mused

“I am here on a diplomatic mission at the moment, but I have some free time.”

Her phone buzzed, but she ignored it for the moment. To do otherwise would have been rude.

“What do you say, since we ran into each other we buy each other a drink?”

Brooke, Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

“Dammit answer the damn phone”

Brooke had been concocting a plan while Haida was occupied with the queen. But it was bold, and she would need her sister’s help. So she typed out another message.

“I am going to follow Haida to try and force the issue. But I will need your help”

[The JVP]

Kyong

Nova, Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

“Hmm, a writer interesting” she mused

“I am here on a diplomatic mission at the moment, but I have some free time.”

Her phone buzzed, but she ignored it for the moment. To do otherwise would have been rude.
“What do you say, since we ran into each other we buy each other a drink?”

"A diplomat?" He questioned as he looked her over once again. "Military most likely." He said as he pulled out his note pad and wrote something down. "A masked event were two rival military agents fall in love after a wonderful night of passion." He placed the tip of the pen to his lip, thinking on what he just wrote down. "I'll title it, War of The Heart." He seemed very pleased with himself as he quickly forgot about his guest until he looked back at her.

"Drinks? Buy? Everything at the party is free." He said. Wondering if she wanted to go to a local bar or something. "Wait. Why not just go to the open bar, on the balcony." He said, pointed to what seemed to be a second set of doors.

"Oh. Drinks on the Balcony." He said as he wrote the thought down. "Such passion in that." He began to walk towards the bar, stopped, looked at his guest, and held his arm out for her. "Drinks right?"

[Republic of Altos and Stratis]

Kyong

"A diplomat?" He questioned as he looked her over once again. "Military most likely." He said as he pulled out his note pad and wrote something down. "A masked event were two rival military agents fall in love after a wonderful night of passion." He placed the tip of the pen to his lip, thinking on what he just wrote down. "I'll title it, War of The Heart." He seemed very pleased with himself as he quickly forgot about his guest until he looked back at her.

"Drinks? Buy? Everything at the party is free." He said. Wondering if she wanted to go to a local bar or something. "Wait. Why not just go to the open bar, on the balcony." He said, pointed to what seemed to be a second set of doors.

"Oh. Drinks on the Balcony." He said as he wrote the thought down. "Such passion in that." He began to walk towards the bar, stopped, looked at his guest, and held his arm out for her. "Drinks right?"

Nova, Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

“It is interesting how he takes notes, though I suppose that is what a writer does.”

“It's kind of cute, in an adorkable way, although that sounds kind of mean.” she continued to ponder.

Her phone buzzed again, and she ignored it again. She planned to answer it at the bar.

“Drinks” she said as she took his arm.

[The JVP]

Kyong

Nova, Sun Palace in Seoul Joseon, Masquerade Room

“It is interesting how he takes notes, though I suppose that is what a writer does.”

“It's kind of cute, in an adorkable way, although that sounds kind of mean.” she continued to ponder.

Her phone buzzed again, and she ignored it again. She planned to answer it at the bar.

“Drinks” she said as she took his arm.

"Wonderful." He said. Placing his hand over hers as he escorted her to the bar. You must not be from our region." He said, as he waved to a random noble. "I could not tell before. But I'm starting to wonder." He said, as they reached the bar, and he said something to the bar keep in the Aelion common, holding up two fingers. He smiled to his guest, as looked around.

The bar was not as packed as he thought it would be. Most likely people are still trying to get a word in with the Queen, and are taking the drinks from trays walking around the floor.

[The Green Union]

Vivi

"Mr. Harry Haida. Yes Former Navy man." She flashed him a smile, ignoring his disregard that he call her Vivi. But she figured a man of his year, and his background would stand on tradition., and tradition she did respect. But she would make a point.

"I know you wish to stand on your morals Mr. Haida, And I do respect that. But tonight is an informal night, and you are a guest in my house. A most welcomed and honored guest at that." She decided to respect the mans wishes, and pushed past the manner, as she scanned behind him. "Wonderful. Drinks are here."

She smiled as a woman, not dressed like the other wait staff, came over and held out a tray with two drinks. Vivi took one, and nodded at the other for Haida to take. "A fine white wine from the Luar region. I love the taste that grapes give off." She said, more to anyone that was listening, then to an exact person.

"Now." She said, refocusing her full attention to Haida. "I'm pretty sure you have questions of me, or something you wish to speak about, and if my sources are true, Then I also have some things to speak with you about, mainly the Green Union, and the events taking place."

Haida's lips parsed, eyes clouding. Even past the mask, his brief wistful look was obvious. But then the man came back to his usual stiffness, if with the thin trace of a smile.

"My homeland is by far the most amazing place on Earth. I would gladly talk for hours about her mountains, rivers, cities, and people."

"But those recent events hardly make for pleasant discussion, and this is indeed a party."

Haida took a sip of his drink, hesitant at first. Having already taken a drink before this, any more was just being polite. But Vivi was right; this wine was wonderful. A sparkle of approval played across the man’s face.

“So on to something more pleasant. On behalf of Wolfe VI and the royal family of the Green Union, I apologize that they could not attend.” He brought a hand to the sword on his hip. “In Markion, it would be customary to offer you this royal Slektensvard as compensation.”