The Masquerade Ball (IC)

[Mervay]

Welcome! Here's the OOC if you want to join and those already accepted; have fun!

January 16tn; 22:00 PM
Palace of Saint Marie
Montrose, Mervay
The Castle of Saint Marie; One of the castles of the House of Devienne, but located away of the city. The area around Montrose and the valley has always been a location where a few states and castles could be found, in fact the citadel in middle of the city was also one of the homes of the Royal Family of Mervay, House of Mervay, but; that wasn't important at the moment. The castle itself was a marvel to look and live in, it's open garden which was located straight in the center of that beautiful building, up in the stairs of the garden, away of the halls from where the guests entered; there's where the main event would happen for the night, up there was where their dance hall would be. It certainly was a walk, however, even in a night as cold as this and the fact that they were blessed with the night full of stars and a shower later in the night; it would be a crime to not take advantage of the gardens and show not only the beauty of the castle and the architecture of the nation and it's autonomous territory; but also of the beautiful night mother nature gave us for the night, plus the fact that there won't be snow for a few days as it is expected to get to the south in next thursday and just in time for the last two days of the carnival.

As soon as they get all over the walking from most of the castle to it's upper levels, through the garden's route; all guests would find themselves with the massive ballroom where they will find themselves invested for the night until they are led to the balconies for the meteor shower. It was a wonderful place certainly; the castle was accomodated for the tonight's ball, with lounges being prepared, the tailors of House of Devienne prepared for any emergency regarding the clothes of the guests both national and from abroad, hairdressers and medical teams prepared, catering made by the castle staff and of course, an considerable amount of security from the Royal Guard was present. Tonight was an special day as the event had always the presence of the Mervayan Elite: The Royal Family, noble families, aristocrats, industrialists or businesspeople, members of the arts and sciences, military and government officers to name a few; it was without a doubt the place where the nation's high society was always present and yet, we still need to mention the hosts that were selected to host this year's ball.
To many in the Mervayan High Society, the fact your family is selected to be the organizers of the next Masquerade Ball, an important tradition in the Mervayan Culture, it is an honour and pleasure; that was the same case for the House of Devienne, which was the family of the Grand Duchy of Ardens, an autonomous territory of the nation and former kingdom some centuries ago; had the honour to host this ball and it was clear they made sure everything was perfect.

The event of course had to be modified for these difficult times regarding sanitary protection, which had to be further increased just in case alongside the security as the Royal Guard had to escort the guests from abroad in order to make sure they got safely to Montrose.

For many guests, this was an moment they hoped would be magical, many things could happen tonight; behind those masks that covered their faces or their eyes, there was always that feeling of how this night would go, some like the woman of the black dress, whose mask certainly combined with her eyes could only hope that what was going to happen after the Devienne Family and The Royal Family made their apperances and officially declared the ball open, would go perfect as she was as nervious as the man besides her; her boyfriend more exactly, the first time he will meet face to face her family and get themselves into what a serious step of their relationship such as this. That was one of the many stories that would happen during the night.

A Night to Remember is to be for sure.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Mervay - Castle of Saint-Marie, Erika Byrnes

There’s a saying back home, in the Commonwealth; “Never trust a man wearing white tie.”

Of course, issue was, I was going into a party where nearly everyone was wearing white tie. Except for me; I didn’t have any, neither was I ever issued any. My parade uniform would have to do, and it was far more tolerable, even though the gold buttons on my shoulder-straps still seemed a little too ostentatious for my taste. All in all, my clothing was satisfactory. Or, at least, it would be, if it were not for the ridiculous mask I had to wear. No, not just ridiculous. Downright irritating and, honestly, creepy. Worst of all, I couldn’t wear it with my glasses; and given that my eyesight had taken a turn for the worse, I needed those glasses.

“Damn this thing.” I muttered, as I gazed at the plain-white mask. “And I have to wear this?”
My minder for the night looked over. Bronislaw Vyterski; he seemed a decent sort, and was a friend of Uncle Emil’s. Unfortunately, he was in white tie too, and seemed, honestly, ridiculous; the tailcoat and shirt hung loosely around him, making him look like a shriveled penguin.

“‘Fraid so.” he replied, gazing at his own mask. It seemed as though my disgust for the mask was shared, and that was some comfort. “But since we’re attending, we have to play by their rules.”

“Why do we have to attend?” I grumbled. “There are no balls in Prussia-Poland, certainly no white-tie ones. I’ll never attend one in my life.”

“Erika. You’re still the kid of that guy, Aceus, righ’? So you’re a princess, yea? That means you gotta shake hands with all the people you don’t like. For all I care, you can hit them in private, but while the press is watching-”

“Fuck the press.” I flatly replied. “Fuck ‘em with a rusty toothpick up the urethra.”

My words had the desired effect. Bronislaw stifled a grin.

“Well, I agree.” he replied. “But I’d rather not have to cover that up.”

“Of course. How else would you dump shitty tanks on third-world nations?”

“By taking weebshit as payment.”

“And using it yourself?”

“Yes.” Bronislaw smiled, but his grin faded quickly. “Erika, one more thing. Can you lose the rifle?”

My heart skipped a beat, and I turned to face him. “No.” I replied, forcefully.

Bronislaw sighed in frustration. “Look.” He started again. “If you don’t lose the rifle they can’t let us in.”

“Fine!” I replied, with a sneer. “I’ll stand out here and wait.” I meant it too; cadet school had taught me to stand still for hours, and although it wasn’t a pleasant thing, I could do it.

He stared daggers at me; I stared daggers back.

“What’s so vital about it, anyway?” He asked.

“I like holding it.”

“Can’t you hold a stick or sword?”

“It’s not the same.”

“What’s so special about it, then?”

“It’s…”
I paused.

The rifle is significant to me, but I cannot quantify its significance to Vyterski. It’s value is...sentimental, is that the right word? But how do I tell him that?

“I just like holding it.” I finally repeated.

“Can...you at least carry only a part in?”

“No.”

Bronislaw pinched the bridge of his nose. “Erika. I swear to God. Leave the rifle in the car or I will snap it.”

“You wouldn’t!” I snarled, balling my fist and raising it. I doubted his ability to carry out the threat, but if he so much as ruined the polish...

“I will.” He replied. “Look. Take out the bolt. You can carry it with you. Everything else stays on the car. Nothing bad will happen to it.”

“Fine.” I replied, after a long silence. “But just this once.”

---

Two entered the ballroom; a young girl, and an older man.

The girl seemed bitter, as if someone had slapped her and she had been scolded for slapping back. She was dressed surprisingly informally for the occasion; an olive-green uniform with trousers and a cap; the cadet’s parade uniform of the Warsaw Royal School for Infantry. A sword-bayonet hung in it’s sheath, attached to her left. The man, by contrast, seemed calm, and almost blank, and unlike his partner, was dressed in standard white-tie; tailcoat, white shirt, the works. Both wore austere cream-colored masks, although if anyone was watching, they would notice that the girl would occasionally pull off her mask in order to put on a pair of glasses.

These were the Lady Byrnes and the Lord Vyterski, respectively. Or, as they would prefer to be called, Erika and Bronislaw.

Erika seemed to gawk at the battlements and towers of the castle with a mixture of shock and incredulity. Small wonder; Prussia-Poland’s castles and buildings, although usually elegant, often lacked the sort of refinement and furnishings one would expect from a royal residence. Bronislaw, however, paid little heed to such things, for whatever reason, and continued on, eyes fixed straight ahead.

At last, both arrived in the main hall, and introduced themselves to whoever it would concern; Bronislaw would give a short, stiff bow, before straightening his back. “Bronislaw Vyterski, your Grace.” He would say, followed by Erika saluting and chiming in with “Erika Byrnes, sir/ma’am.”

[New Visayan Islands]

Dr. Eloisa Francine L. Su-Fernandez, MD, FVPS
Dance Hall of the Palace of Saint Marie
January 16th, AD 2021
2200 Local

Dressed in a midnight blue gown and donning a gas mask, the Visayan Ambassador to Mervay was accompanied by her husband Andrew. The couple were physicians who initially met as residents in the San Roque Medical Center in Iloilo all those years ago; Doctor Su, as she was called back then, specialized in pediatrics while Doctor Fernandez specialized in cardiology. The two of them eventually married and had two children, and from 2013 to 2017, Eloisa served as a member of the House of Assemblymen, occupying the fifth seat representing the Province of Panay for a single term under the Liberal Party before returning to medicine full time.
"Well dear," Andrew said, "I don't suppose this is one of those things you imagined when you received the invitation?" The gas mask muffled his voice, but even then she understood.
"No...this blows away whatever I could have imagined; it amazes me to no end that some buildings that were designed in this manner survive everything time could throw at them. A shame we couldn't bring the children." Jennifer was seven (the story that she was born on the steps of the Assembly Hall was an exaggeration; Eloisa's water had broken and the couple rushed to Cebu Doc, where she gave birth to Jennifer without complications) and John Henry was five; given that the couple wore gas masks in solidarity with medical personnel battling COVID-19 everywhere else, they had to set the example. At the very least, it explained why the Visayan couple kept mostly to themselves, keeping some distance as they introduced themselves to a member of the Royal Family of Mervay.
"Your Highness," Andrew said after bowing, "may I introduce my wife, the Visayan Ambassador to your fine nation."

[A m e n r i a]

Being vampires, the Heiresses of the Miao Coven, Camilla and Camellia had always preferred night over day, and tonight was beautiful indeed. Nice weather not unlike that of their native province Shandong, and clear skies revealing the stars above - who knows, Gemini might be visible tonight, even.

Gemini, the constellation that has been associated with them all their lives. Not only is Gemini their star sign, it's also what their birthmarks look like when they hold their arms next to each other; Camilla's left and Camellia's right. There's also the fact that they're identical twins, with the only difference between them now being their hair colour, as Camellia decided to dye her hair blonde since college.

Upon entering the castle, they would hang their coats where the host's servants allowed them, revealing their clothing, qipao with golden patterns, Camellia's being white and Camilla's being black. The twins held their arms together as they entered and had small talk with each other, appreciating the garden, the castle, and the sky. Their conversation ended when Camellia ask her sister a question, only to turn around to see that she was no longer with her. Indeed, it seems that a nearby man had Camilla's attention and she walked towards him to start a conversation. Smiling, Camellia shook her head. "She never changes.." she mumbled to herself.

Green: spoken in Chinese

[The Selkie]

Yacht Snámleosc, Port Directus Marina, Mervay.
Elin Blaidd, of Tralee Descent.
It was an interesting feeling, to be honest: Here you are, slated to be, the Gods willing, a being with a lifespan, which might as well be called immortal for all we know, live in this world for merely twenty Springs, get almost levied by a friend and colleague of mine to attend a ball abroad... and am nervous as water wet.
Cousin Nia once told me, that she never attended a formal ball – never as a guest anyway, she did participate in such a function in her days as a pirate and back then, she hasn't really been invited – and Dad, helpful as ever, had given me lessons in foreign dancing, while Mam had taken care of the Mask. It was a Masquerade, after all, so a mask was a given!
Elin had teased me to no end.
My dress for the party was in a nice, safe container (seriously, nuke the blasted thing and I bet, my dress wouldn't even be crumpled) in the back of a gigantic Gabha Motorworks G 23 Starrcailann Luxury SUV, one of HCB model: The abbreviation stood for the Selkie-Term for a Hydrogen Fuel Cell. The original model was a fuel guzzler, drinking 14 litres of petrol on 100 kilometers.
That car, technically a prototype going on a field trial, was driven by the friend, who had dragged me along: Nolwenn Gluaisrothar of the Tribe of Wexford, the Company Heiress to Gabha Motorworks Limited, the largest producer of motor vehicles in the Free Lands, who was looking to take markets abroad, first of all within the countries of the Strategic and Economic Alliance.
That would not be so simple, each of the sometimes highly industrialized nations had their own automotive industries and the competition would be fierce. Then again, I had a solid source telling me, that Gabha's aim was for a piece of the market cake for now, not for the entire cake.
Emphasis on 'for now.'
In any case, Nolwenn, or Nolly, as I was allowed to call her, put a hand on my shoulder.
The two of us had spent the last three weeks aboard the Snámleosc, her yacht, together with the crew. She was a beautiful woman, when she smiled, and she grinned from ear to ear as the G 20 was unloaded.
I couldn't help but admire the result of Selkie-Craftsmanship as well, at least as far as I understood cars. It would carry us safely, I felt that, and I knew, that the petrol engine version of this vehicle honoured its name.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells were far more silent.
“So...”, Nolly said as the wheels touched the ground, “...ready for a little test tour?”
We had planned this part as a bit of a road trip (we had been informed, that some members of the Royal Guard would be behind us in case of trouble) to Montrose, where the ball would happen. Nolly and I had our dresses for it, the masks were at the ready as well, I still had no idea about why she dragged me along for this other then me being good company (I hope), but in the end, I nodded.
“Let's go!”, I said and off we were.

Montrose, Castle of Saint Marie.
A few many hours later, we were there.
Like, there.
Wearing our masks, our ball dresses (White Tie, appropriate, of course), both Nolly and I were a bit... well, impressed or startled were the wrong words, maybe. Certainly we were aware, how much out of our league we were.
Nolly was the Company Heiress of the Free Lands' largest car manufacturer – in a country, where the majority of the people considered the horse or trains to be a better mode of transportation. I was an author of a successful series of science fiction novels and a student of Selkie-Literature.
We had seen, from the corner of our eyes, Princess Aurelia arrive.
Fürst Alrich of Teressien was here with our dear modelling-colleague Enya Findehoof.
There were dozens, if not hundreds, of other people with larger names.
Did that frighten us? Or make us retreat?
“Ar aghaidh!”, Nolly said with a grin.
“Chuig briseadh!“, I replied.
Onwards! Towards battle! An old battlecry of the Selkie, which was, in recent times, used in a lot of situations, which had little to nothing to do with war.
Like for example pumping oneself up to attend a ball.
Maybe I should now describe, what we were wearing...
As expected, our dresses had survived well in their nuclear-proofed containers, so we had changed without issues.
Nolly was a, for a Selkie at least, tall woman. Her long, blonde hair fell down her back to her waist, and her green-blue eyes sparkled as she entered. She was a busty woman, too, who did not shy away from wearing an evening gown to show that. It was a blue, sleeveless dress, which showed a nice cleavage and which went down to the floor, as it was appropriate. Around her neck, she wore a little pendant, an emerald laid into silver, a slim chain holding the piece on her collarbone. A sash ran around her waist, made of dark blue silk and with a tight knot on her left side. Her skirt was laiden with frills, just as she loved it. A hairband kept her mane of hair in check, while a pair of gloves made from Selkie-Silk covered her hands, the light dark sheen complementing her fair skin nicely.
I was actually four centimeters taller then her, but truth being told, as I haven't mastered walking in heels like Nolly did, we appeared to be of equivalent height. My dress, too, was blue, though an evening gown of a darker blue and silk.
The sheath silhouette of the dress emphasized my built as well, hugged it closely as it was the built of a predator. I was of the Spiorad Ainmhithe, my familiar was a certain kind of dog, the ears usually blending into my hair (my sister Elin's dog ears were far easier to notice). As my black hair, which usually went down to my bottom, was bound back into a ponytail with a blue ribbon of the same colour as the dress, one could notice them quite easily.
The dress had detached sleeves, which went from the middle of my upper arms down to my wrists. It let my shoulders be free, which also emphasized the halterneck-structure of the dress with the choker around my neck, decorated with blue flowers, acting as the attaching point. As it went down, and around, it met with the body of the dress, the straps decorated with more flower motifs, which also went along the heart-cleavage. It went down to the floor, but it also had a side slit, on the left side, making moving (and thus dancing) easier.
It might be considered a bit daring, admittedly, but I liked it.
Of course, we both wore masks, something, which was actually rather uncommon among the Selkie, especially in a certain social level. Nevertheless, we had revived the old tradition of the Folaidan-Laoghi, the Warriors with the Hidden Face, for this purpose, wearing masks, which covered our faces.
Both were of metal, thin and made to cover the face, held onto it by straps of silk. I had been tempted to come in Gwisgwanaeth, the Traditional Costume of us Spiorad, which sometimes included masks (and of course I would make it work), but I decided against it, mainly because it would be made in the image of an animal from the Great Woods and the majority of the available selections weren't exactly nice-looking. Instead, my metal mask was adorned by lines and patterns, to some ocean waves, to others fire, to others yet again patterns of infinite wonder, on its right side, running out the closer it got to my face, leaving my face's left blank.
Nolly went with a similar, but inverted design, the patterns on the left, the right blank. Seeing that someone commented on us looking like chromatic opposites of each other, it had seemed like a fun idea at the time.
We both represented something: Nolly represented Gabha Motorworks. I represented myself, my work – and BI.
It wasn't exactly high diplomacy, but it was worthwile.
And like that, we entered the dance hall of Castle of Saint Marie – on to the evening!

---

Finnya Sloroimh of the Tribe of Cork.
Dance Hall of the Castle of Saint Marie.
The Castle of Saint Marie was... impressive, to say the least.
High spires extended high into the sky, mighty castle walls needed buttresses to stay standing, a garden, which, in summer, would be in full bloom, likely in all colours of the rainbow and then some – stone I would identify as marble was everywhere.
It was impressive, but also a relic from a distant past.
Castles like this, palaces like the Palace of the Azure Hall or Schloss Hochheyde, they were outdated shows of power, wealth and fortune – they worked, don't get me wrong, they showed history and strength, but... I am an economist and a businesswoman.
Specifically, I owned land in the Free Lands, Sloroimh Estates had land along the edges of the Great Woods, which was used in forestry and agriculture by a number of tenants, who, of course, paid a handy sum to the company to be able to use the land. And, one should mention, the headquarters of the company, Tradadai House near Crosgaire, was an agricultural estate of its own, home to a herd of cattle of over a hundred head, which was taken care of by my brother and his children.
Cel was my daughter, she studied economics herself and would one day take over Sloroimh Estates, even if she married her boyfriend Chris.
He was a good lad.
And actually it was her why I was here in the first place: Cel had befriended the Grands-Ducs d'Ardens, and although she had assured me, that she had done so without knowing who they were, they had invited her. And, for some reason, me as well.
I would not complain.
Spending some time with my daughter was always fun, especially now as she was on Home Studying thanks to COVID. If she did that in her two-room-flat in Leuda, at Tradadai House or aboard the small yacht Fia on her way to Mervay mattered little these days.
And we had done so, being aboard the small yacht. Leonard Rualacha of the Tribe of Wicklow had been there as well, although he had been pretty occupied with an internet correspondence course in Mathematics. He would graduate later this year, after all.
As we ascended to the Dance Hall, I could not help but watch the two young people.
Cel was a beautiful young woman (she was literally paid because she was beautiful as she was also a model for Bicíní Industries), and had decided to go a bit daring. She had combined her long, black hair and blue eyes with a red evening gown, floor length and strapless. It emphasized her youth, her allure, her curves – and hid her steel. In other words, I doubted, that she would spent much time off of the dance floor tonight, but I doubted just as much, that she would be unfaithful to Chris tonight (or that he would hold it against her, if she had some fun).
I wore a black, backless halterneck dress, which showed much, yet little cleavage and had two side slits, which I had paired with high heels – sure, I was Cel's mother and would turn 51 Springs this year, but that did not mean, that I couldn't pull off a nice dress. And I'd say, that I did.
And there was a version of this dress in semi-translucent cloth, which was... interesting to look at, but I had opted for the opaque one.
Leonard, of course, wore a suit appropriate for White Tie and to be honest, were I around my daughter's age and if he would be free, I would make a pass at him. As he did have a girlfriend, he was off limits, though.
I would nab him for a dance regardless.
He wore a white marcella shirt with wing collar, studs and cufflinks, a waistcoat, a tailcoat, leather shoes, a white scarf around his neck (the lad was from the Archipelago, after all)... he even had a pair of white gloves, though they were in his pocket. A very good pocket watch was in his pocket, a gift from a friend he and Cel shared, a silver piece.
The Marquise de Silvat had invited him, his girlfriend had invited him – both as her date and for him to meet her family. And he was appropriately nervous. He was fidgety, he tried to hide it by having at least one hand in his pocket, but he could not deceive me.
And neither could he deceive Cel.
She took his hand, gave him a smile (at least I presumed she did, under her mask) and told him: “Don't worry. It'll be fine.”, she said, “Your girl will have your back.”
Leonard nodded. “Thanks, Cel.”
In addition to the dresses, we also wore our masks, Leonard opting for one only covering the upper half of his face, but also leaving room for his fire-red hair, Cel had a mask covering her eyes and little more and I had a similar one, though we had adjusted them to our dresses.
In any case, Cel's words did not seem to help, I thought as we entered.
Almost immediately, Leonard spotted someone, and we had a rough idea about who it was by how his eyes shone. He turned to me and Cel, bowed his head lightly and extended his hand. I placed mine in his, he bowed and led my hand upwards, placing its back softly against his forehead, then lowering it.
“Milady Finnya, thank you for... well, giving me the ride.”, he said, then smiled a bit roguishly. “And for the remedial lessons.”
“It was my pleasure, Leonard.”, I replied with a smile, then placed my other hand on his upper arm in a reassuring gesture. “Now go get her. And tell her, that I would love to dance with both of you tonight.”
The last was accompanied by a wink while Cel giggled.

---

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Dance Hall of the Castle of Saint Marie.
Let me be honest: I was bloody nervous.
Sure, by now, I had five years of diplomatic experience under my belt by now, mostly as my Father's plus one, but I'd like to think, that this was still pretty impressive for a girl, who would turn 20 Springs this year. Blimey, a quarter of my life, I spent representing Kyrenaia abroad...
Anyway, this here – this was BIG, like, really BIG.
I had been the sole representative of Kyrenaia abroad before and I have led delegations before, most famously last year to Astares Amauricanum, but this was important. Kyrenaia was aiming at access to the markets of the Strategic and Economic Alliance, which, in and of itself, was not much of a problem, it was not a closed market, after all, but Kyrenaia wanted access with advantages for its own trade and industries – not the same advantages a full member would have, we knew, that we would not get those without joining, but advantages over others.
Additionally, we wanted a few more friends and allies.
And after the state visit of Queen Callista of Mervay a few months ago, we were on a good way.
And after the state visit of Queen Callista of Mervay a few months ago, I have been named as the one responsible for the nice photographs and generally getting along with Mervay, while more professional diplomats took care of the specifics.
Don't get me wrong, Callista and I had gotten along and Mervay was a good partner for Kyrenaia and I liked of it, what I saw so far, but...
No.
No buts.
I'll manage that. I'll ace it. I'll do my duty to the Sultanate.
I psyched myself up, then looked down at myself.
My dress was perfect: A black ball gown, and a quite conservatively cut one, I might add. Floor length of course. It had cut off shoulders and I wore opera-length gloves of dark sheer fabric, allowing people to see healthy and strong arms, while the bodice fitted close, but was of opaque material. It allured to many things, but showed nothing.
I wore a shawl over it, because quite frankly, I was cold.
Highlights included how the front of the bodice was worked, with green straps as if that was, what held it together, and a matching green ribbon around my neck. I also had a black veil on my head, sheer fabric again, which covered my hair. I could have also worn a mouth veil of the same fabric, but that would have been a bit too much, considering, that I also wore a mask to this masquerade. The dress was trimmed with lace, slightly, at least, nothing too outstanding or outrageous – although I did wear a piece of jewels, which might count as eye-catching. A silver necklace, the metal was so pure, that it was almost white, the pendant on my collarbone was silver as well, with sapphires laid into it, arranged so that it looked like a desert rose. Dad had gifted it to me not too long ago.
Sarina, who had helped me getting into the dress and who was enjoying the Masquerade Festival in town, had made a few photographs to send to Dad, like she and I had promised. I knew, that when I got back to my room and took my smartphone, I would find a message of his.
I also knew, that Marcella would be here.
Gods, how I longed to see her... to hold her... to... ahem. But duties came first.
I would invite her aboard the Hariqasahm, my yacht currently moored in Port Directus, where we would be able to enjoy us two being together (even if I were to host Fürst Alrich and his girlfriend tomorrow as well, but the more the merrier). A dance or two would definitely be on the cards, though.
Oh, and I knew, that one representative of the Kyrenaian Economy was present as well: Beyeha Fadwa Faris. The two of us were... not really able to get along, for various reasons, but I knew, that she would be professional. And I knew, that I would be.
It would be alright.
As I went up the last steps and into the Dance Hall, I smiled.
This would be a good evening!

---

Beyeha Fadwa Faris.
Dance Hall.
I, although unaware of it, was about as optimistic as Princess Aurelia about the coming evening.
Sure, we could not get along, not after the insults she had rendered to me and my family, but the little mutt had her uses – that, and she had the need to feel needed, to feel useful. I had yet to use that directly, but I would be getting there.
And even if not, it was unlikely, that she would be anything more then a Princess during my lifetime. And I was very well connected to Nesrin, the Ilkhana of Fenchu – and one of the candidates to become Sultana once Razia bit the dust (to whom I was well-connected as well, but not as good as to my former underclassgirl Nesrin).
But that was neither here nor there.
Moving Kyrenaia closer to the markets of SEA had a number of advantages for my company: Surya Corporation was mostly known for building, maintaining and operating power plants, that was true, but we were also engaged in a number of other activities, like nuclear waste disposal, building of marine engines (including marine nuclear power plants) and, of course, mining. With our close connections to other industrial companies, like Rusadir Steelworks, we were well poised to expand effectively onto the markets of SEA.
Granted, we would not take the cake, but a nice piece of it.
This ball here was only the beginning. Other markets might open as well.
But I was also here to have some fun... how I wished Ilja was here, but my husband was not well (no COVID, don't worry), and my sons were both engaged elsewhere. So, I had to attend this party alone, for better or for worse.
To that end, I wore a black dress, a ball gown with a skirt mostly made of frills. Near the hemline, it was studded with small amethysts, not many and not overly close to each other, but they had a nice sparkle, much like the amethyst necklace around my neck, which brought out my purple eyes.
The dress went up, one piece, covering everything and having a bit of a cleavage, but it was more of a cutout with slim straps criss-crossing over it. I was not here to present The Goods, as it were, and I was fifty-three, married and with four children. I did not need to present The Goods either.
The dress had shoulders and it had sleeves, which widened a bit towards the wrists, but around my neckline, it also had a feather trim of white feathers – nothing too flashy as well. I also wore a shawl over it all, for I was cold (weird days when I agree with the mutt) and, of course, a mask.
I think, that they were called Venetian Style Masks?
In any case, I had my work cut out for me as I ascended the Stairs to the Dance Hall: Spread the influence of the Surya Corporation and have some fun.
The evening could begin!

---

Enya Findehoof.
I had been a bit out of my league for a while, I'll admit, being the happy-go-lucky lass at the side of Fürst Alrich III. of Teressien for a long time – for four years and counting, now. Being the girlfriend of the Prince of Teressien was not exactly easy, the Court had seen to that, but both he and I had resolved, that it would work.
We'd make it work.
Not only because he was eleven years older then I was.
I was the granddaughter of the Commanding Admiral of the Marine des Fürsten and the daughter of the ambassador of the Principality to the Free Lands of the Selkie, where I was born and had grown up. I was smart and could focus my boundless energy on work, as my professors had soon enough learned.
Alrich, according to his mother, could have made a worse pick, but Oda also told me, that I was not her first pick. And she did so regularly.
Well... apparently I was Alrich's first pick. And he had made that clear as we had been aboard the Traumfänger on the trip here. He was in Home Office, like the majority of the Teressians, thanks to COVID-19, but he regularly conferred with his ministers from Schloss Hochheyde – or, when he was underway, from his office aboard Teressien's State Yacht. And during our transit to Mervay, he had not only invited me to participate in the conferences, but to be an active part of them.
According to the Hausmädchen of Schloss Hochheyde, the photographs of that had found quite a good resonance in the press and population, as had my inquiry about what we were planning to do with the rampant problem of child poverty in Teressien, especially in regards to COVID: Due to the virus, many parents in economically dangerous situations had lost their jobs and that did not exactly help with raising children.
There were plans, though, which were currently being drawn up. Alrich had later told me, that this was Politician Speak for “We have no idea.”
I smiled at Alrich. He was a tall man, brown short hair and purple eyes. One saw in them, that he was not a ruler, but an artist, a musician, at heart, but he would make it work. He had to. He also wore the whole assembly of a White Tie Suit, waistcoat, tailcoat and whatever went along with it as well, and he looked splendidly. While I was not sure, if I was in the contest for the most beautiful woman this evening, he certainly cut a very impressive figure.
I, meanwhile, wore a two-tone ball gown, with a white shoulderless bodice and an open upper back, as well as a blue, floor-length skirt. My hair was bound in a braid, which started high on the head, the hairband hidden by a ribbon in two blue hues and white, strands of hair framing my face. White gloves going up well past my elbows completed the ensemble.
The entire thing was, by Teressian standards, quite daring.
He smiled at me, looking into my eyes.
I returned the smile.
We both wore these masks, covering half of the face, but I could still see his small smile.
“Nervous?”, he asked.
“Yes.”, I replied with a deep breath – a breathing exercise, which Oda had taught me. I might not be her first pick, she had said, but she would see to it, that it worked. “But we'll be fine.”
“Indeed we will.”, Alrich agreed and looked behind us, then in front of us. He stopped us, as we walked with arms linked, and put a hand on mine. A small squeeze. Alrich was not a man, who liked to show his affections in public. This squeeze said it all. He'd be there, next to me.
And he'd try to not step onto my toes.
We turned forward and entered the Dance Hall.

[Lillorainen]

January 16, 2021. Dance Hall, Castle of Saint Marie, Montrose, Kingdom of Mervay.
Britta Morgenthau.
I know what you're thinking, and you're right - normally, storytelling would be up to a narrator. But since the old narrator got tired of waiting and they didn't hire a new one, the pesky job of recordkeeping ended up left to us. Sad but true.
So, what's the best way of holding a ball during a pandemic? Of course, a masquerade ball! Actually, this was an idea so logical, that it was beyond me how nobody had come up with that idea way sooner. Apparently, the idea the Grand Dukes of Ardens had wasn't only appealing to us, but also to many figures of High Society of lots of other nations.
Allow me to introduce myself first - I'm Britta Morgenthau, and I would most certainly be a normal girl of 19 Summers, if it weren't for the fact, that my Dad was nobody lesser than Severin Morgenthau, co-owner of Lengerich Electronics Ltd., Lillorainen's largest technology corporation. In fact, if you're Lillorainian and use some smartphone, laptop, or tablet, chances are, that Lengerich made it. Dad, whom the entire world could watch signing the SEA-Accords as one of the witnesses from the Federation of Lillorainen, didn't exactly oppose the idea to send me to such an occasion - after all, I would, once upon a sunny Friday afternoon, inherit a whole heap of Lengerich stocks, plus a seat in the company's board of directors. Until then, I would be busy studying, namely, Military History and Information Technology - the former due to a personal interest, the latter out of necessity.
We even brought someone along who shared my interest in war machinery - Sandra Charlotte Katharina von Wettau-Fronweiler, called 'Sandra' in normal situations, and 'Sandra Charlotte Katharina' when somebody was mad with her. A year older than me, studying Economics in Pontrath, where I lived now as well, coming from a renowned nobility - not that this were any relevant in Lillorainen in terms of legal rights and duties, but they, including Sandra herself, owned land of a stratospheric number of square kilometers. Especially in her original hometown of Laerdonk, Rathenia, one could spit onto the ground anywhere, and chances were, that one hit some ground owned by the von Wettau-Fronweiler Clan. Our shared interest in Tankery - in fact, I was one of the founders of the Vartrup Boarding School's team - had brought us together in no time.
Along with us, Greta Taastrup had arrived - a woman who was in her mid-forties, which was hard to guess from her outward appearance. She wasn't only a successful stockbroker, even holding a few shares of Lengerich Electronics, but also a philanthropist, supporting financially struggling small sports clubs throughout Lillorainen for the sake of saving young people's pastimes, especially in Sigurdsland, her home state over in the East. Both, along with a long-time MUP membership, had gotten her a seat in the state legislature of Sigurdsland, which she used as the prolonged arm of her cause. In fact, whenever someone suggested a budget cut at the expense of recreation facilities, she was very certain to vote against the proposals, and making her opinion about that very clear.
Sophia Fauth was surely an … interesting figure, to say the very least. Having written a book about her time in Ahjada during the assassination of King Hassan and the first days of the Mairani occupation following it, as well as a few Hammamat Alshati novels, which were most likely inspired by said time, she had grown up on her father's farm in Fyleria. Emmerich Fauth was a rich businessman, who had established a huge farm with the goal of total self-sufficiency, preparing for the collapse of the Lillorainian financial and economic system he anticipated. To support his argumentation, he stocked up guns, probably responsible for the high gun ownership rate in Lillorainen just on his own … although, to be fair, for a woman having grown up in an environment like this, Sophia was surprisingly down-to-earth, and from what I had seen on PiffleNet, so was her sister Saskia, who still lived on the farm and managed its finances.
And then, there was Arnulf Riescheid, a man in his mid-forties, who would probably have been the luckiest man west of Shikonjima, judging by the good-looking ladies he was accompanied by (I'll be so bold and include myself into this, even though there are parts of my body I could express quite some criticism on, starting with the small size of my 'milk shop'), but I knew, that he was happily married and had a son a bit older than me. He owned parts of Nieukant Dockyards Ltd., a huge shipbuilding company mostly focussed on cargo ships. I knew, that his son Christopher, apparently named after Christopherus Ambrosius, a sailor of the Crusaders' Navy who had switched sides and assisted the Lillorainian Navies in playing Battleships in the Northern Seas, was in a relationship with a lassie from the Free Lands of the Selkie he had met during a school exchange in Purgatio. It was beyond me how someone could seriously be thinking of going to that hellscape after all I had heard about it, but if the shoe fits … regardless of that, I still believed, that I had much more fun back in Kuronami than they had in Purgatio.
Redford Academy … I had missed it a lot, when I had returned, and now, I somtimes missed Vartrup just as much. Sure, I was still in touch with Joelle Charlot Engström and Sophie Rohn, even though we now lived in different states, and meeting up was a tiny bit problematic in the Age of the Coof. It wasn't anywhere near as difficult as trying to get to our math genius and accountant of the 'Vixens', Ichiko Tanaka, who, after her exchange year, had returned to Shikonjima.
And Holger … Holger Merzenich had been my best friend since grade five, and he had often been suspected of having a crush on me. In the last year, I had learned, that Joelle had even tried to convince him to finally tell me several times, but he never had. It had been out of question, though, that he had stayed loyal to me come Ragnarök or high water, even when I had messed things up beyond all repair. Even when I had been together with Lars Wegscheid, and even more so after I had broken up with him.
Which had not been my fault. Our time had been awesome - until he had gotten paranoid. More and more. In the end, he had been convinced, that someone were after his life. He had started hiding a handgun under his pillow, although bringing private guns to the boarding school had been strictly forbidden. I hadn't denounced him. I probably should have. Especially when he had gotten territorial to the point, that every guy, and even the one girl or the other (although I didn't swing that way), was potentially trying to pinch me from him. The peak point, the point I hadn't been able to tolerate him anymore, that had been when I had been out in the woods with Valerie Berverath, who had been known as openly lesbian, and Lars suddenly had shown up from behind a tree and threatened Valerie with his gun, screaming at her to not touch me. Valerie and I had been able to calm the situation down, with me protecting her (the old "If ya' wanna shoot her, ya' gotta shoot me first!" game you probably know from movies), but after that, I had broken up - and made sure, that he would be evicted from the school.
It had taken me some time from recovering from this. In fact, it had been the chief reason why I had gotten a lot more silent and insecure after that. But I had managed to get over it, especially with the help of a certain lad named Bhuf.
And now, I was finally back to where I had been before this, and had even more self-esteem than ever. Something which not only a few lassies driving APCs had been made aware of at times …
"Britta? Are you dreaming?" - Sandra's voice tore me out of my thoughts. She spoke Rhenish.
It took me but a second.
"I'm there. Now, this is gonna be a feast, eh?" - I responded.
"You bet."

Allie Mulroney.
Let me take over narration at this point.
Life is always full of surprises. The first surprise I had learned about years ago, was that Shane Aelfricsson, Prince of Saexney and future member of the Clan Council running the little Commonwealth Domain I hailed from, owned a good portion of land just six miles away from my home. The next surprise had been, that we both also owned some farmland in Lassingham, a village in the south of Isfeldas. He had surprised me again by openly bragging about me being from Saexney. And when I had received his letter inviting me to come along to a masquerade ball in Mervay, I had stuck my head into a bucket full of icewater in order to make sure, that I wasn't dreaming.
Sure, I did know how to behave in High Society, and according to my parents, I also had a good grasp on how not to, and not only owning hundreds of square miles of land all over Hrimfaroth, but also collecting one trophy after the other by winning national equestrian tournaments did give me a solid portion of renown - but this took the entire thing to a completely new level.
Not that I minded, though.
Another Royal came from Isfeldas, the Kingdom of the Ice Plains - read: the place where Summer was described as the season with "slightly less snow than normal" and, the more north you go, also the season where the sun never sets. Prince Edwin, 40 years of age, but looking like he was still in his late 20s, seemed to consider it reasonable to come along just for fun. Sure, there was never a ball to attend "just for fun" for someone who was determined to run a Kingdom in the future, even if said Kingdom was not an independent country, but apparently, the duties associated with such occasions were of minor concern for him.
A true surprise (here we go again) was the presence of a blonde woman with sparking blue eyes, which made her look like she was staring right through you, in her late 30s. Dr. Joy Tremayne, CEO of Farraday & Croham Systems Ltd., one of Hrimfaroth's largest arms manufacturers. I did own one of their products, an FCS-17 Assault Rifle (needless to mention, that I left it at home), basically a copy of the Lillorainian MJR-102 - the cooperation of both companies was not really a surprise, as it was a late aftermath of the Lillorainian occupation from 1963 to 1972. I kept wondering as to whether Dr. Tremayne was just around for the funsies as well, or whether she was hoping for some new arms deal in here … then again, this wasn't that much of my business. She was here, period. We had already met a couple of times, for equestrianism wasn't only my main passion, but apparently also one of her private pleasures.
I looked around. There was a lot of guests - a literal shitton, as usually put by the more foul-mouthed folks, which I quite ended up counted into at times for reasons beyond me, and in this case, it didn't even matter, if this shitton was an Anglo or metric shitton. It took me a bit to recognize the one or the other figure, due to the number of masks.
"Did I promise too much?" - Dr. Tremayne suddenly whispered into my hear, in Hrimfarothian English. "I can't remember to have seen such a huge crowd in one room since that tournament in Cheshire back then. 2017, I think, it was. Miss Kershaw beat you by three and a half seconds, and you got yourself wasted as a result." She snorted.
So did I. "You, on the other hand, seem to remember quite well, Doc" - I commented. My friendly rivalry with Jade Kershaw was well-known. What the media failed to elaborate at times, however, was that our rivalry was indeed friendly. I actually liked Jade. In fact, I had ended up waking up next to her more times than with all of my previous significant others combined. Usually under the counter of some pub.
I even managed to get along with Sheryl Goffin and Carrie Walsh, at least after the third ale, even though with their ruthless arrogance, they did put a lot of effort into making anybody consider them likeable a true challenge. Even when just making an 'also ran', they kept bragging about how their families did some awesome job at cooperating at supplying the entire Commonwealth with vending machines for casinos (like gambling was so much more essential for a nation's survival than farmland!). I was ready to admit, though, that unconcealed elevatedness probably just didn't meet too well with my natural hotheadedness …
Then again, I was aware of some top-tier riders from Lillorainen, who didn't only get along well with each other as far as my awareness went, but even shared the same stable - Saran Kiyat, Lolita Pantaleón Weisweiler, Iris Osterath, and Maria Ramm. I kept wondering as to how this was possible … and then, there was Hilda Leverdal, whom I was often considered the Hrimfarothian counterpart of. Not to mention Ragnhild Svanstrup, Carolin van Cleef, and Sophia Worringer. And from what I had heard, even two riders from Stella Dorata, Melania Prodan and Francesca Dogaru, participated in tournaments in Lillorainen on a regular basis. Gods … I was sure, that once the Age of the Coof was over, I would give it a shot in Lauenwerth, Meerhof, Düvenich, or Lexingerhof, maybe even all of these places, as well. I mean, I already did have a good grasp on what the Lillorainian scene was like, and if we already had a friendly rivalry with the Lillos at car racing, football, and biathlon, shouldn't we also act it out on horseback? And couldn't this way of proudly representing Hrimfaroth possibly also unite Jade and me with the aforementioned arrogant brats fellow competitors?
I was sure to hear some Mangudai laughing in the background …
Now, Dr. Tremayne grinned. "You have the trained rider's legs, I have the trained liver."
"Excuse me, ladies!" - Shane interrupted, not without a grin. "Whomever the two of you may be gossiping about, would it be awfully unreasonable of me to ask you to postpone your chatter to a later point? It might be getting serious soon."
Edwin nodded.
I kept grinning and saluted. "Yes, sir, Colonel, sir!" - I said.
So much for the seriosity. Both Shane and Edwin snorted. If you order Allie Mulroney, you'll get Allie Mulroney. Or something like that, they must have been thinking.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

22:00 o'clock. Perfect timing, Dietrich had to admit that much when he put his pocketwatch away again and looked up at the quite impressive Palace of Saint Marie again. Now, impressive did not necessarily mean that he actually appreciated it, in fact, he found most of it rather sickening, his exilvanian sense of aesthetics demanding something notably darker, murkier. A look at his company told him that this sentiment was shared, Antonia just staring with her usual, dead eyes while the princess glared daggers at parts of the construction which had caught her attention. Most notably the gardens and vegetation. Dietrich could guess what was going on in her head and while he shared her dislike, he also knew that he would have to make sure that the Ordo Crudelitatis had less access to her. He didn't need the princess to be a raving, fanatical lunatic but much rather to be very much able to stay her hand and keep her face unreadable.

"Don your masks, we are about to enter the ball and it would be impolite to appear unmasked."

The princess, momentarily distracted from her seething, shot him an annoyed glare, no doubt because while his words implied him addressing her too, she already wore her mask. It was really only him and Antonia who did not wear theirs, a mistake both of them corrected now as they put relatively simple, white porcellain masks onto their faces which covered them completely, leaving little more than their eyes to peer out. Dietrich had chosen a happy mime mask, a simple, wide, upturned arc painted on its lower half signifying a smiling mouth while two slits in the shape of small arcs were left free at the top for his eyes. Antonia on the other hand had chosen a recreation of a human face for her mask, making her look rather eerie, her face now being as dead as the eyes that peered out from behind the mask.

With a polite gesture and an implied ladies first, the ZZ Reichskommandant let the two females pass him and start heading up towards the castle's halls, with him trailing behinf and surveying as well as the other guests that he could make out. None of the faces appeared familiar however, an immense given that he really didn't need lackeys of the Alliance of Nations being around and poisoning his efforts at image improvement.

"Are you certain ladies wear these kinds of shoes for occasions like this?"

, the question promptly ripped him out of his thoughts, Dietrich nearly stumbling as he ran into a smaller, albeit unmoving obstacle. Looking down he of course found the princess standing before him and giving him an accusatory glare while seemingly tip toeing around underneath her dress, a slightly exaggerated gesture to show her displeasure with the footwear he had chosen for her.

Speaking of which...he wasn't quite sure what he had chosen. He had used his memories of the aristocratic balls often held prior to the civil war to put together an outfit for the princess. And where he wasn't sure what the ladies of high society wore, he filled it in with what his wife used to wear to such occasions. Hated memories but memories she had made sure to drill into his head, sadistic bitch that she had been.

With a sigh, he elected to simple say:

"As far as I am aware, yes, your highness."

He received a pout in return and a grumbled:

"It is difficult to stand in these though..."

To which he just said:

"It is how it is, your highness. It's not like we brought a second pair of shoes so you could change."

That seemed to shut the princess up though she continued to pout. For a while atleast. Yet when Dietrich turned to move, he caught her face brightening up for a split second, followed up by an odd crunching sound. Moments later she was at his side, happily bouncing up and down on her feet and grabbing a hold of his arm, clinging onto him like some happy little sister. Yeah, that was what they probably looked like, brother and sister.

He heard Antonia snort behind him at the princess' childish sign of affection yet a warning glance from Dietrich made her quiet down. Though he was absolutely certain that she was still quite amused and would come back to pester him about it later, once the princess was out of earshot. But atleast the risk of the princess throwing a tantrum and possible turning his arm into little more than a bloody slime was avoided for the moment. If there was one thing she did not like, it was being laughed about or treated like someone lesser.

The rest of the short walk up to the palace remained uneventful, Dietrich merely getting handed a call from ZZ Sektionsleiter Vormyn, informing him about the capture pf the Yeuzuishan Oracle and the subsequent clean-up operation that likely destroyed the Yeuzuishan resistance for good. Excellent but not unexpected news for those resistance fighters couldn't have evaded the net forever. And with them gone, bleeding the occupied territory dry of all its resources, its very life, should be but a simple task.

Arriving at the palace itself, the Exilvanians had little in the way of coats to hand over, none of them having even felt the cold. Antonia was the only one who could have handed over her cape yet decided to keep it on for what she callee "costume reasons", whatever those were. It certainly didn't make her attire any more white tie than it already wasn't, the woman just bearing her usual uniform.

"Antonia, do you see anyone of note? Anyone I ought to know about?"

, Dietrich asked casually while making surr his gloves sat tightly. The giantess of a woman in his company immediately complied, her eyes scanning the crowd from their elevated position.

"Define of note, Herr Reichskommandant. If you mean Alliance folk, no, I can't see any. However there's plenty of others around here that would certainly be worth talking to for politicians like you...I guess. Royalty and industrialists and all of that."

She was snippy, albeit in a friendly way. Dietrich and Antonia had served alongside each other for well over 30 years at this point and respected one another well...though it really didn't stop her from teasing him or joking around about him in other ways. The perks of knowing him before he became the Reichskommandant he supposed.

[Brettenwald]

"Aww, my little dragon's all grown up," Sir Nikolas teased, giving his daughter Valentine a paternal smile from across the limousine at the casual kiss she bestowed on her girlfriend Martina's cheek. "Daaaad," she groaned, while Marti blushed hard. "What was that for?" she managed through a fit of the giggles. "Just because I love you," Val replied. "Isn't that enough of a reason?" For the two of them, it was. Sir Nikolas had initially dismissed their relationship as a mutual experimental phase before growing concerned about what the media and conservative elements within the company might say or do, setting aside any personal biases for the sake of his daughter and her future position at the helm of Teissëdre Group, but after inviting Martina to a serious one-on-one discussion of the matter and seeing how the two just lit up around each other... well, frankly he didn't have the heart to object. Val transformed from an imposing, reserved figure wearing a suit like battle armor with an innate instinct for what was and wasn't going to work for the company into a confident, carefree, loving young lady, and Martina finally found someone to see past her physical qualities and love her for her intelligent, creative mind in addition to her beauty. Valentine had approached the fashion element of her and Martina's attendance with the kind of ruthless efficiency and focus she usually reserved for quarterly reports or budget negotiations. Somewhat limited in color choices by her fiery strawberry-blonde hair currently done up in an intricate set of braids, she had eventually settled on a lovely pinkish-cream gown. It showed off her upper assets a little more than anything she would have worn back home, but she was perfectly fine with that. No harm in getting adventurous, after all. Her partner had chosen a frankly stunning gown in royal blue over white, and both women had eschewed high heels since they stood 6' & 5' 10" respectively. Martina's faintly scandalous neckline didn't bother her, she'd always been comfortable in her own skin. Sir Nikolas was slightly uncomfortable thanks to the high collar of his white-tie attire digging into his beard somewhat but he looked immaculate and regal nevertheless, a gracefully aging blond lion alongside two younger and decidedly feminine lionesses.. As the Empire had no official diplomatic presence here, the three were well aware that they unofficially represented their mother country and should look & act accordingly. Unfortunately for Val and Marti, that did include a mild degree of coolness and formality between them necessitated by the potential presence of delegates from more conservative nations. The Empire was progressive in that regard as was Mervay, and Val's rebellious streak whispered that said delegates could go take a long climb up a short mountain and fall back down if they had any issues with that, but with the recent murder of openly lesbian Cassadian dissident Adlopovna Gazgireyeva via a car bomb in Palmyrion it was probably better to hedge her bets. One couldn't be too careful these days, especially if one had the relatively high profile that she did.

As the trio stepped out of the limousine, one of at least a dozen lined up in front of the entrance, Marti gazed up in awe at the castle and let out a breath that steamed in the cold night air. "I hate to say it, but this place makes the Falcon's Nest look like an outhouse." The Imperial palace back home was grand indeed, a massive, tastefully imposing structure nestled in the woods on the outskirts of Aurinel, but Val decided the Castle of Saint-Marie had it quite definitively beat at least where absurd opulence was concerned . If you factored in the grounds this place might even challenge for size the company's HQ complex outside Aurinel, her sprawling, gorgeously brutalist home away from home of glass, steel and white concrete. The company had come quite a ways indeed from its humble beginnings as a simple firearms manufacturer saved from bankruptcy and failure along with House Teissëdre itself by the Ten Years' War from 1775-1785 to the immense conglomerate of aerospace & defense technology and cyber- & IT-everything subsidiaries it had slowly become through shrewd negotiation, smart decisions and willingness to adapt and evolve. Other House companies had faded away as a symptom of stagnation at the top, complacency, an unwillingness to change along with society, but the big T had endured for nearly three centuries and it wasn't going away any time soon. They were now the second-largest corporation in the Empire, for crying out loud. The family had to be doing something right. Because there are occasions when time is indeed money, or more to the point because her father had meetings he couldn't reschedule, she'd picked the family's Bombardier Global 7500 for the occasion. Currently snugly ensconced in a hangar back at the airport, the big gold & white jet had everything you needed for an oasis in the sky: a full galley, a bedroom, office space, and plush, luxurious seating. Martina didn't like flying normally, but having the room to move around, sleep comfortably and eat an actual meal made her much happier than if the three had flown commercially. Val felt that it might have been a little two-faced of her to do this for only three people considering she'd just signed off on a company-wide environmental impact reduction program, but what the hell? You only lived once, and time was one of those intangible luxuries you couldn't put a price or a carbon tax on. Shivering a little despite her thick mink coat from the sudden hit of cold after the warmth of the limousine, she followed Martina up the stairs to the end of the reception line and put an arm around her, ostensibly to keep warm but really just because she felt like holding her.

Sir Nikolas was rather looking forward to this, despite privately fearing he looked a touch ridiculous in the immaculate white tie attire hiding under his great gray shearling overcoat. He was used to the same cut of suit in the same navy blue tweed from the same tailor he'd been going to for the past four and a half decades, and he would have drawn the line at a tuxedo any other evening and politely declined the invitation... but on second thought he could use a diversion, something as far removed from the corner office as conceivably possible, and a masquerade ball in a foreign country seemed like the ideal candidate. Valentine had floated the idea to him, actually: her secretary Kirrin had rightly judged an unusually expensive and important-looking envelope to be the kind of thing to hand her personally instead of leaving it in her in-tray on the desk and one thing had led to another, and, well, here they were. Simple, really. He was glad that Martina had decided to come along, very different though the guest list may have been from her usual bohemian social calendar, during which conversation could switch from chiaroscuro to Kafka in the blink of an eye, nobody was wholly sober and the background music was equally likely to be John Cage as John Coltrane, but she seemed perfectly happy to be here and was positively glowing. He made a mental note to once again ask Valentine if she ever planned to make an honest woman out of her, but then crumpled it up and tossed it in the bin. She knew what was best for her own relationship, she didn't need him butting in. For her part, Martina looked forward to this evening with a little trepidation along with her excitement: she'd been to high society events with Val in the past and though everyone had seemed nice enough she got the faint sense that she was being judged. Granted, she didn't come from money and had made half of hers with her body- not like that, get your mind out of the gutter -and the other half in the arts, so that might have had something to do with it. For now, she merely reached up & back and patted her neatly bunned brunette hair back into place. "Here, let me help you with that," Valentine said with a smile, deftly adjusting the pair of diamond-studded hair pins she'd given her for the occasion. "Lovely." Taking Martina's white-gloved hand in hers with another sweet smile and one last quick kiss to get it out of her system that sent Martina into another giggly blush, the pair followed Sir Nikolas through the majestic doors. The grand ballroom's lights sparkled off the two ladies' jewelry, gold for Valentine and silver for Martina, as the pair entered, Martina awestruck at the outfits and the people in them. "That's not Princess Aurelia, is it? Is that- Are they- Val, I'm feeling very much out of my element here," she whispered, looking scared behind her plain white mask. Val merely smiled. "You're going to be fine, Marti. You've survived meeting my grandmother, so how bad could this be?" Marti unsuccessfully stifled a giggle. "Oh, that old bat. Yeah. You're right, I can do this." And taking Val's hand once more, she accompanied her onto the dance floor and into the unknown.

[AHSCA]

THE AHSCA ENVOY

It was a few weeks ago when an invite from The Kingdom of Mervay to attend a masquerade ball landed on the desk of Marcella. As nice as the invite was, Marcella at first was ready to pass on it. "Balls are for couples." She sort of wrote it off, I mean she was in a relationship but her squeeze was hundreds of thousands of miles across the sea in Kyrenaia. She offered it to Noir who was willing to take it, after all, it was a party with a newly found friend of the UIS, it might be a bit rude to not represent someone but Noir was sort of occupied herself, needing to set up a new spy agency and so she passed it along to someone who knew she could really use it, the Premier of Animalpolis, Millhiore Firianno Biscotti, well better known as Millihi to her friends. "Milady, I can't possibly take this, this is too important of an event with a close friend!"

"Balls like these are for couples, you're already married, you should take your husband and go." Again Marcella insisted.

Well plans were underway then for the Premier and her husband to attend but Noir had good reason to believe the Desert Princess that captured Marcella's heart so now this was a bit awkward because Marcella would certainly want to go but now having promised the invite to The Premier it seemed rude to take it back now.

"Milady, Noir, why not all of us go?" Millihi suggested I can't imagine they'd mind too much and worse comes to worse, Cinque and me can't go in and we go see the city instead. I mean Mervay is supposed to be beautiful this time of year." This would be a win-win-win. Marcella would get to see Aurelia, Millihi would get to see Mervay either way, whether going to the ball or having to go sight seeing if she couldn't get into the ball.

But Marcella thought on it, "We're all going in, or none of us are going in." Marcella valued a few things above all else, her family, her subjects, her faith, the sea, and last but certainly not least, Aurelia. But there'd be other times to see Aurelia if she couldn't get into the party.

and that my friends is how we are here today.

January 16tn; 22:00 PM
Palace of Saint Marie
Montrose, Mervay

Having arrived just a day ago aboard The HMS Gisella complete with a whole entourage. Of course their guards would remain aboard the ship as the party specifically asked for no security details. Normally it'd be easy to forego them but they had planned on the city either way so they were on standby. There was also a detail of a couple of maids to help the ladies get ready in their best gowns. Marcella had a nice tailored ball gown made for her, pink and white, of course, her favorite colors, it's no wonder why so many thought her family as divinely inspired. Long skirt trim, lacy cuffs, cut off at the shoulders to leave them exposed. Yeah it was a little chilly but they'd be indoors most time anyway and she had something she could wear if they were outside.

For the Premier, she had a custom outfit also tailored of her, a bit more adapted for the winter conditions. It also had a hood if she just felt a need to obscure her obvious dog ears. These women from the tropics were certainly as prepared as they could be. Noir wore a classical dress uniform. Between her short hair you could mistake her for a younger boy. "Noir, it's supposed to be a ball." Marcella chuckled

"I've never been one for dresses, Milady. Besides my mission here is a little less about dance and mingling and more about scouting."

"Scouting, you don't mean?" Millihi asked without saying it, Noir was sort of hear to "spy" on the crowd. Now she wasn't here to get the juiciest of state secrets or plot anything, it was more like a field exercise to test her ability to gather very basic intel. This would be important in the months ahead as the UIS established better means of intelligence gathering.
"I do."

"Is that really a good idea?" Marcella asked

"Don't worry Milady, I'm not going to go out of bounds, just think of it like a basic exercise. Just seeing what I can learn by listening."

"There sure are a lot of stairs here..." Marcella puffed out as they climbed each step. "How does anyone get around here?" As she finished that little grumble it all became worth it as they stepped into the massive ballroom. "Wow this place is stunning!"

"Wow I can't wait to have a dance on this floor, it's great!" Millihi said, squeezing her husband's hands.

"It's sure to be a nice time."

They rather forgot they were a bit of a larger party than what was RSVP'd months in advance but nobody chased them away so it was probably fine. "I'm glad you talked me into this." Marcella agreed to Noir "Mervay is a beautiful place indeed." Her eyes darted around the room a bit, she couldn't see if Aurelia was here yet or not, Noir may be a lot of things but a liar she wasn't, if she said she'd be here, she would be here unless something last minute happened. And besides that, it was pretty crowded. No surprise it took them a while to get from the port to here, frankly the fact they made it here on time was nothing short of a miracle with nothing but the wind and current to carry them this far. They were people of the sea.


The Envoy from Kuronami, Lady and Lord Wisteria


Parties like these were usually big draws for the Empress herself, and given the Empress had a lady on her arm always, it seemed like she for sure wouldn't pass this up but to surprise, she did. Same with the Foreign Agent, Hanamura. So the invite was passed to Lady Sylvia and Lord Izana Wisteria of the Clarines Domain. Their trip was probably a lot quicker than the UIS delegation given they flew in and they arrived in just before they had. Honestly they kind of felt out of place considering events like these usually attract heads of state but oh well, no time to feel self conscious now. Sylvia opted for purple, her favorite color and traditionally the color of royalty in many places, her glowing golden hair tied up with a nice white bow and matching white mask. Spotting the UIS group, she urged her husband to follow her.

"Milady Duchess." Izana greeted with a small bow as did Sylvia. "Might I say how lovely you look tonight."

Marcella could recognize the charming Lord and lovely Lady she met them on her first trip to Kuronami which took her cross country to see all the lovely Domains of the Great Empire. "Milord Wisteria and Milady!" Marcella greeted. "Thank you, you two look great as well. Milady, Purple is your color for certain."

"Thank you. The event says White Tie but black...It's so I don't know drab. But you ladies have the right idea, pink and white. Honestly I'd say they are the colors of the UIS."

"Well I mean it is the colors of our Goddess after all." Marcella giggled. "Oh, my manners. May I introduce to you, Noir VinoCacao, she is my foreign affairs officer. And this is Premier Millhiore Firianno Biscotti, she is the Premier of Animalpolis."

"Milord and Milady, I'm charmed. And with me is my own husband, Corporal Cinque Izumi."

"It's a pleasant surprise to see you here, Milady, we heard you might not be in attendance." Izana continued after the pleasantries were exchanged.

"Well sort of talked into it last minute by Noir here."

Sylvia however had her eyes wide, cheeks glowing and a small grimace. "Milady Biscotti it was?"

Millhi's ears perked up a bit, she hopped she hadn't just said something bad. Or maybe it was her silly name she was going to make fun of, oh well, everyone usually got a chuckle out of it once in a while.

"You are just, so unbelievably cute!" Sylvia suddenly cracked a wide smile.

"Oh well, uh thank you very much, Milady." Millhi said a bit embarrassed but flattered

"I've always heard of AHSCA having many of you uh well, your kind..." That kind of came out wrong but she kept going "But you're the first I've ever seen. Y-you're a cat?"

"Dog."

"Dog! oh my....I'd swear I'm dreaming but here you are in front of me. I uhh could I pet you?"

"Oh well sure~" Millihi agreed. This was strange as Sylvia gently patted Millihi's tidy pink hairdo. It was real human hair but the ears had fur it was strange indeed but Sylvia was euphoric.

"My love, I think you can stop now." Izana urged her to pull back

"Oh yes of course. I'm sorry, Milady. Or Premier?"

"How about Millihi."

"Are you sure? I mean you are important for your own nation."

"Millihi is fine."

"In that case, you can call me Sylvia." She blushed.

"Oh Sylvia it is then."

"See, Millihi makes friends easily." Marcella giggled to Noir.

"Yeah but she sometimes forgets her manners." Noir responded

"Oh that old thing? I already told her not to worry about that a while ago. I doubt that matters much here."

"Oh good, I'm glad she's finally put that out of her mind. Milady maybe I should see what refreshments are offered and bring us some."

"Sure." Noir parted company a moment and Marcella continued talking with the Kuronami couple. "Milord and Lady." Marcella spoke, "Also surprised to not see Her Highness the Empress here."

"Ah yes, you may be aware Her Address to the Empire is coming up. Tomorrow in fact, she felt best to stay and prepare for that."

"Oh I wish her all the luck then, I know it's tough."

"Don't worry about her, Milady Duchess," Sylvia replied, "if there's one thing Her Highness is not, it's shy, she knows how to stir a crowd. Now Milady, I hope I can share a dance with you. Word is out you're quite a dancer."

"Oh my I'm okay really."

"I agree." Izana said "I hope I get to share a dance with you."

"Milord and Milady, it'd be a delight." Marcella responded "And hopefully Millihi will as well. And you Corporal?"

"I'm not opposed to switching partners every so often but the first dance is for my wife and I."

"Of course, of course" Sylvia said, "Just as my husband and I will share the first dance."

[Nachfolgia]

January 16tn; 22:00 PM
Palace of Saint Marie
Montrose, Mervay


Ascending the final steps to the entrance of the Castle of Saint Maria, Angelika stops briefly on the landing before the door. Taking a fortifying breath of the chilly air. Angelika prepares herself for the night ahead. Glancing briefly at the servants standing at the doorway, Angelika turns away and stares at the beautiful cityscape spread out before her. Tonight would be a true test of her diplomatic skills. While she greatly enjoyed playing the Game, there were far too many unknown players. She would need to remedy that.

Turning quickly and striding with purpose, Angelika quickly approached the door. A young man opened it and another servant took her coat, revealing a figure hugging sequined dress. The top portion of the dress was black as the void fading into blood red. Nachfolgian colours, a physical representation of what they held dear. The red akin to the life giving blood, the dwelling of their ancestral soul. The black, being that of death and war, their sacrifices in life.

Securing her mask, a black filigree inlaid with tiny rubies around the eyes, onto her face, Angelika followed another young man to the ballroom. Upon her entrance, a few eyes strayed towards her, but most were engaged in conversation with other attendees. She walked with purpose, strutting across the floor as someone who knows power. Angelika was well acquainted with power and knew how to carry herself accordingly. Flicking her delicately curled hair and surveying the battlefield, she takes note of how many non-humans are present. Interesting.

Spying a familiar figure with a noticeably blue complexion, Angelika glides through the crush towards him. Reichskommandant Dietrich Haegler, wearing a simple but effective white tie tuxedo and a white smile mask accompanied by the Princess Elizabeth wearing a long dark blue ballgown with a high collar and an intricate black filigree mask inlaid with red gems reaching up towards her temples and grazing her lower cheeks. Inspektionsleiterin Kostka stood next to them wearing her finely laundered military uniform and a full-faced white mask with a neutral expression.

“ A pleasure to see you again, Your Highness.” Angelika said as she politely curtseyed, an act she did regularly in conjunction with her playing the game. “ And you as well, Inspektionsleiterin Kostka. I see that you are still not one for elegant ball gowns. “ She added, looking up at the insanely tall woman. She then drew her attention to the lone man in the group. “ You are looking rather handsome this evening, Herr Reichskommadant. The suit and mask compliment you well.”

As she mingled with the few people she recognizes, Angelika took note of others so far in attendance. A couple wearing gas masks causes Angelika to pause for a moment. Other Exilvanians? Probably not, but maybe worth taking note.

Angelika also noticed the various exits and guard positioned about the room. Good coverage, well armed, discreet placement, these people know what they’re doing. It made her feel a little more comfortable about the whole situation. Angelika, being naturally suspicious, is a little concerned that she may have been invited for dubious reasons. After all, not many people outside of her inner circle of allies knew that Nachfolgians love a good party. They were mostly known for their exceptional warmongering abilities. It left Angelika feeling concerned about why, precisely, she was invited.

[Greater Orcadia]

Quite why Penny and Evan Snyder have been sent to the ball is a bit of a mystery, Penny Snyder, the daughter of Sir Nick Warszinski - Greater Orcadia's ambassador to Port Ember, and Evan Snyder, Penny's husband usually spend their time pounding the highways of the European Union hauling containers for Meridian Cargo Services, however Nick wants Penny to move towards a high society role and possibly take up a career in politics like her sister who works for the Foreign and Commonwealth office, and her uncle who is the member of Parliament for the northern highlands region of Orcadia, however Penny has been adamant that she wants to do her own thing.

Now her father has got her an invite to go to this ball, probably to see who was there and maybe just what, if anything, is being said about Port Ember, who knows what is going to happen though right now Penny is in an area that befits her status, however her comfort zone is not in areas of high society, give her a small music stage, recording studio or the cabin of a commercial truck and she is much happier, however the ball is where she is, though will she enjoy it, maybe after the alcohol starts to flow, though its hard to tell. She turned up with Evan dressed in a long blue dress with open sides, showing off the twin high-tech cybernetic legs and her cybernetic arm as well as the couple of tattoos she has on her remaining natural arm, as well as the floral and tribal tattoo that she has on the right side of her body, the tribal arms of which go down her leg so are part obsucred by the chrome shell of her cybernetic limb, a limb that is the result of someone tossing a fragmentation grenade towards her trying to deal with Evan, though the people who did that are now in prison in the USA and are not likely to get out any time soon.

Evan however, wearing a black suit followed along,

To get onto the dance floor, Penny and Evan make their way down the grand stair case, Evan taking Penny's cybernetic hand and gently leading her down before Angelika catches his eye,
"who's that?" he asks Penny,

Penny looks across, "Nachfolgian I think, Can't be too sure though, but I like the dress she wears" As she moves around passing under the lights, the chrome of her cybernetics glint, especially as with help from Evan they have been buffed up to beyond their normal shine so now the chrome is almost mirror like. "and over there I think are people from the Free Lands, though no Emberan's that I can see", she pauses a moment and puts both arms around Evan who is a slight bit shorter than Penny then kisses him.
"There's a couple from AHSCA over there. Dont recognize anyone else though, at least not yet" says Penny.

[Seleucid Pergamon]

The Chatzigeorgious

"I just cannot help it, dear," complained Christodoulos to his spouse, "I mean, I look so ridiculous in this, it's like I'm a stage magician with no tricks in hand."

"It comes with the aesthetics, dad," Theonymphi, their daughter, interjected, "White ties are supposed to make the ball magical and mysterious alongside the masks and gowns."

"See that, dear," Natassa nudged to her husband, "Listen to our fashionista. She knows what she's talking about."

Christodoulos sighed as he glanced out his window to observe the passing countryside.

'"Come on, dad. It's not as bad once you get used to it," Aristeidis reassured.

"Still, I think it's ridiculous."

Eyeing each other, all the rest of the family can do is shrug.

"Well, that aside," Natassa remarked, "I can't wait to see the ambassador's family. I'm hoping to meet his wife and daughter. Though, she can be quite hyperactive."

"The daughter," asked Theonymphi.

"Yeah, even though she attends one of Mervay's prestigious lyceums."

"That'll lighten the party up," Theonymphi chuckled, "I'm genuinely excited for the other attendees. There's so many people to meet."

"Same here," Aristeidis chimed in, "It'll be nice to get acquainted with foreigners. And not only that, their dresses can give you more ideas, sis."

"Just make sure you don't go overboard your stories, alright," asked Christodoulos, "I don't want to have our counterparts get sick."

"Of course, dad."

As they left the limousine to echo its hum in the compartment, Theonymphi requested a selfie of her family on her phone. It is something to remember for the trip, and also for her friends to get a glance at the elegant fashion worn. The family arranged themselves to be included, and while Christodoulos disliked the suit, he put up a smile anyways.

The Zanniadises

"You look fabulous, dad," Despina delightfully complimented.

"Thank you, so do you, sweetheart," replied Periklis as he kissed his daughter on the cheek, "With that on, I'm sure you'll get yourself a boyfriend there."

"Dad..."

"Now, remember," Marieta, the mother, said as she finishes putting up her earrings, "Even though your friends are going to be there, you need to control yourself. This is High Society we're blending into, and I don't want you to sell yourself an outcast. Especially, with the Chatzigeorgious."

"I know, ma," Despina groaned, "You've already told me this before."

"I'm doing this for your own good, honey. Remember the last time you've played with your friend?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I promise I won't act like such a wild animal. Alright?"

Despina goes back to her phone to text her friends that they're leaving, while the parents finish up preparations. Then, they went into their limousine, and exited their embassy.

Palace of Saint Marie, 22:07 PM

Both limousines arrived at the front of the Castle despite being several minutes late, leaving their passengers in awe of its architecture as they went out. Though some would say otherwise, especially Natassa, Christodoulos, and Marieta who judged the castle's architecture to be crude. Marieta even critiqued that from her nearsightedness, she could accidentally impale herself outside...somehow. After the two families exchanged their greetings, they went in with their masks, with Theonymphi giving the word as if calling out her models for the show. Altogether, the entourage retained a colorful and sophisticated mural of formal dresses. Aside from the white ties, the gowns worn by the females helps to spice their appearance: Natassa wore a shoulderless evening gown in a mellow blue with streaks of grey, Marieta a black satin mermaid dress with an elaborate gold lace, Despina a blue ball gown decorated with floral patterns and trailing frills and Theonymphi an emerald green dress adorned with ornate silver lines, little green and silver jewels, and a shawl. An elegant display of haute fashion.

The entourage entered the main hall to introduce themselves to the host.

[Danceria]

Mervay - Castle of Saint-Marie
Prince Theomer of Danceria

---

Theomer always hated regal appearances. One could go inside a hundred thousand castles and the opulence itself would grow dull to him, not out of arrogance, but out of the sheer...weariness that it brought on. Countless sycophantic petitioners, screeching media heads, and most damnedly of all, the fact he was forced to play at a farce. His mission was bestowed to him by his mentor and now kingmaker-woo the daughter of the current King. Of course, Princess Erika of Danceria thought herself neither much of a Dancerian, a Princess, or even her father’s daughter due to her name being still a “Byrnes”. The controversy had reared its ugly head once more that His Current Majesty’s high school squeeze wasn’t just some commoner floozie-but in fact a distantly related baronetess or thane or what have you. Frankly speaking, he did not look forward to this. Not because of the play he must perform before the nobility and the media as “Aceus’ undeclared heir”, not because Erika’s temperamental nature perturbed him. Anger he knew, and anger he could handle...but he hoped that Erika did not take after her father’s tender and pitying heart. It made him feel...sick, wrong. Like he was some common thief robbing an old man of his last possessions rather than the “glorious reclaimer of Christian Kingship” in Danceria that his mentor so loudly boasted. If there was one thing that he as a salt-of-the-earth farmer knew, it was never to mess with family, especially in regards to politics.

Further politics would no doubt occur, there were the Amenrians. At first, Theomer regarded the strange, almost marble-like creatures from there as an oddity that occasionally flittered in for Danceria’s own banquets and balls-but having conducted his own research he would tersely deal with the Vampires that he would encounter. If the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos wouldn’t ward them off, a few well placed jabs should. Then there was the matter of Ms. Fadwa Faris and Princess Aurellia bint-Damir being present under the same roof, a surefire recipe for disaster. Ms. Faris was someone whom the Honourable Rev. Stavros found some common ground in, both for her business acumen, and being wronged by an increasingly liberalised nobility, namely a certain pint-sized-vertically-but-gallon sized-in-other-regions Princess and Islander Duchess. It was times like these he actually missed college, he still didn’t look forward to the thinly veiled petulance of any blueblood. Especially a certain pair of Spiroiad...and the vibrant creativity the younger of the sisters had.

He shook his head, sucked in his teeth, and would survey the area for his intended “partner” to stiffly hold for the photos.

---

Jacinto Dariel Garibay

---

While Sr. Garibay would have thought that such a white tie occasion would be more befitting of someone of political pomp. Yet the ruddy-skinned gentleman never turned away a chance to work hard or party harder...except that this is sadly a stuffy ceremony for little other reason than to flaunt their own beauty. Normally, he would be thrilled to show off his own bonita, what self-respecting paiso wouldn’t in an occasion such as this! But sadly, both had work to deal with, and with their respective occupations as softball player and him being a freelance cinematographer. Besides, they seemed a bit too high and mighty to pass around some beers.

It’s just like Seminci the man would think to himself, adjusting his rather Venetian style mask slightly. Smile, wave, talk to the Señores y Señoras And barely touch the champagne. To onlookers, Jacinto may also seem to nervously tug at his tie, but that was the latest in TennoTech devices: some form of universal translator. What, just because he was a cinematographer doesn’t mean he has to comprehend almost [i]every language on the planet-he barely survived Japanese!

Nevertheless, he was impressed by the company as well as the locale-having only been to Spain once for a film festival (didn’t quite win, but for as young as he was, he still considered it an accomplishment). He would awkwardly orbit the extremities of the crowds, taking in the sights of the area and attempting to doodle as much as he could on a mere pocketbook. Jacinto Garibay was an artist, through and through, after all.

[Shwe Tu Colony]

No, we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars? Upon my word, you are very romantic to-night.
Too romantic! You must be in love.

We have always adored the stars, those immutable and gleaming beauties hanging in the sky. War would pass, sickness would come, morning would arrive, dusk would settle, and the stars would remain affixed as they had always been, adorning the sky in a tapestry like a mother's quilt, passed down generation to generation. Perhaps some days they might not be seen — perhaps some dark and stormy night blocked the telescopes, or perhaps one's declining vision had finally completed its cycle.
But the stars remained. Sailors found their ways home, steady despite the roiling sea; lovers found their wishes, connected despite the distances; the downtrodden found their inspiration, shining despite the bleak night; the wealthy found their ambition, eternal despite mortality. Yet, high up in their haughty heavens, the stars remained silent for their wishes, but at the end of the day, these little beliefs were still our lanterns, illuminating the winding tunnels as we groped our way to the finish.

Shwe Tu Colony/World Machine
The thick of night descends upon the quiet world,
It is as if the memories in the stars can reach the ground
There are things I want to show you,
I gently pointed to the sky and took you with me
To the cloudless sky, the world where stardust shines,
Pointing towards the distant sky, you were smiling…
"StarCrew" by Akagami

When the memories, the guilt, the regret, the truth, the lies of the past wash over a soul like a Thryllasian hurricane ravaging the sea, perhaps someone would wish to forget it all, to have a second life. But there is no easy solution; to lose a memory as impactful as that, would one even be the same? All that can be done is move forward, or else one may risk being trapped in the past, living a lie, rejecting the present, and never having a future. Stars can not unburn.
For the little doll boy and girl who were tossed and turned aside as nothing more than toys, they had found their consolation with constellations. Those dark nights, in that long-gone room, where he promised that they would escape, her unceasing adoration of him, the horrors of what they did, it seemed now distant, unreal. For the little Doll boy and girl, they now had a room just next to the river of Varepohlu where they could open the window and smell the refreshing lush tropics, where in the day they could now chatter aimless youthful conversations alongside milk tea with boba, without worry.

For the idol, a masquerade fits him. His heart was already nothing more than a delicate dance, something as ephemerally beautiful as a swaying marigold, and yet just as meaningful if one let it be. Perhaps he was insincere, but did it matter? His sway, his song, his dance, his kiss, his cuddle, it felt that he offered his whole self for those brief moments, even if he had no intention of dedication. Was it fine to play with people that way? After all, it was mutually beneficial, hollow as it was, and his countless encounters would sooner praise than despise him.
For the lost businessman and actor, he had always wished to witness the splendor and power of the Thallian seas, and was often brought along for his uncle's journeys, only for it all to go rotten that fateful night, as the stars themselves crashed upon the waves in a bitter rancor. With his flesh melded to that little piece of flotsam, he persisted, he lived, he forgot. Still, the repressed memory fought its way to his mind's surface like him bobbing upon the violent seas, and each time, he shoved it down with work and acting alike. He was thankful for the masks. It hid the marks of those bygone days.

For the artist of the jewels, the gleam of his jewels in his dark desk was starlight enough. Raised in an aristocratic family in Renstar, he and his brother Sakana aspired to be like Sekka Verndara, as many Thryllasian youths were, and so they too sought to expand their horizons beyond the comforts of their luxuriant mansion. Norni, for one, prided himself on the development of ethical artisanal goods — he preferred for his jewels to represent more than just aristocratic pleasures, and a twinge of noblesse oblige would do for that. Even if it were more expensive, what mattered was the story behind each pendant, brooch, necklace, ring he made, something to kickstart an interesting discussion, or something to that effect.

Gisara
Countless stars fill up my sky so soon
And as if the garden of falling stars is their bed
They sleep with gentle gasps
I can see you over a faint boundary
But as soon as I reach my hand
It disappears like a specter of a firefly
"Will It Reach You Over The Sky?" by 류현준

To die is inevitable, but the sting is always there. Invariably, the sweet memories come with a gripping nostalgia that can never be experienced in the present, and the bad ones come with "if only I had done better." Sometimes, the loss is enough to nullify one's life, where, like a vicious current, one's boat is borne, shoved, slammed back into the past; for others, it is a reminder that even a star will burn itself out one day. One will feel, that is inevitable. But from there, that is a choice.
For the marigold guitarist, there was a time the stars were a backdrop, their speckled presence in the night sky a gentle glow amidst the fireflies on the beach of Jae-Syu, like the blankets of a pillow fort. Then, they became a jeering symphony, a reminder that she was gone, a reminder that never again would he frolic on the beach, sparkler in hand, friends behind him, her in front. Sometimes, the memory would grow foggy with tears, and he would stumble. Other times, he tried to play that over and over again, hoping that some sort of sensation, some sort of happiness or sadness, could start up his heart again as he lay in bed, unthinking, uncaring, unfeeling. When he made his choice, he remembered the stars shining brighter as a small protest quivered in his throat, as though the realization of their lonesome eternities inspired him to live again, but it would take a little longer before he truly learned to love life again.

For the matcha-scented, matcha-green actor, adults are to be obeyed, and the younger to be protected at all costs. Perhaps it was some naivete on his part when one considered his foster mother, not that he would ever tell any detail of the way she managed him, or perhaps it was his utter devotion to the latter. He, the star-actor of Suzurai, would burn himself out if he had to, turn from fresh matcha green to bleak grey like the walls of that alleyway, if it meant a garden of Eden for his beloved sister, if it meant no child would suffer as he did. He aspired to give them all shelter, as his mother once did. Perhaps someday, the stars would turn blurry as his actor-tears clouded his eyes, his head would turn down and he would stumble, but so long as he could walk, he would try to follow and remember each and every constellation he was taught.

And yet, he found someone. As he got off of that train that fateful day, he saw someone who he vowed to protect, a tough little architect, and yet later that night, Eiko was the one whose heart was touched first as he begged Kasem not to leave him in the morning like everyone else, whether it was the crew's houses that he stayed at or his own mother. Somehow, they had connected. Perhaps it was the younger's own experiences with solitude, of cowering underneath a bed, wishing for a better time as he turned his head starward, towards his window, trying to ignore the sounds of a war the next room over. There was a time when his stars were viewed from a skyscraper, but it seemed that the one in his parents' constellation were decaying. Still, if he could design some beautiful building, somewhere for people to be happy, that would be enough. He could smile, knowing that someone else, in a broken home like his, might too.

AARU
Let go of your free radiance, and we can see the smile from your heart
No matter where you are, you’ll be able to hear our unparalleled star tune
(No one can stop it)
It’s obvious that we don’t fit in, with an ensemble like a self-indulgent love
We want to enjoy our disobedient fates, so dance on this party night!
"Eccentric Party Night" from Ensemble Stars!

A star shines bright, but bring one too close and one will surely be burned by the heat, so perhaps it is better to look at it with specialized glasses, from farther away. But what of five, each star shining with its own iconic radiance? Isolated for their aesthetic adorations, for their unfamiliar minds, for their dissimilar rhythms, they found solace in one another, for each knew loneliness, how it was to float forgotten in the expanses. Having found someone that adored them, they devoted themselves to one another, creating a paradise of eccentricity just for them, something like the Sessanian field of reeds — Aaru — that good souls would end up in, where the five of them would be able to perform to their heart's content and let their starry auras dazzle rather than overwhelm.
Each had a storied past, one that had destroyed them, one that forced them to build themselves.
To the stars.

For the starry psychopomp leader, death was at every corner. The kindly man who was willing to give her a morsel of bread turned out to be a criminal, and she was there when the rivers of blood dripped out to the canals of Sessenan. The woman who pushed her aside as Kebechet became the witness was soon at the wrong place at the wrong time, and still the future Idol was there to bring upon herself a final wish. The audience listening to her song in that little alcove she made for herself, even their faces changed, yet she still felt that each of them remained, that they were still watching. She would bring them beyond. That was her vow. No matter how grave her situation, she would not rest till she believed the dead finally were, even if she would be shunned for her task.

For the soaring acrobat, she flew with every task. School was easy, sports were easy, games were easy, everything came as easily as the bird flew through the air on a daily journey. Only, it was terribly boring. No matter how she explored, she found nothing to satisfy her, and her boredom turned to rambunctious, death-defying dares. It was often said the Sessenanians were a bold folk, but none came close to Renenūtet, whose acrobatics, stunts, parkours, and fights got her into reprimand after reprimand. It infuriated her; she was capable, so why not let her have a bit of fun? Keeping herself lifted high, only a great storm could possibly down her wings — and when it came, she would adore it as she plummeted to the earth.

For the altruistic songwriter, he was born with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. Tampered toys, upturned meals, painted insults, water balloons, zip-tied storage, swapped drawers, all of them were fair in his prank wars, and it would've been tolerable had he found a more lighthearted family. He did not have such luck, though, and more often than not, his horrid grades and troublesome habits saw him grounded more than cherished. He couldn't help it. His impulses dominated him, but outside of his home, he was deeply jealous of the love that he saw with his peers. So, with a practiced smile in his hand, he would always offer his hand to lift up the same people he pranked or the victims of others, and he would devote himself towards serving them. The mischief, of course, remained, but it was a small price when one happened to have a lad who would be very much willing to give away his entire lunch if it meant you adored him. Whether the green paste was guacamole, persillade, or wasabi was another question.

For the sleepless dancer, life demanded he sit still, sit down, but he never could. Whether the irritating timbre of someone's voice, the roar of an oncoming train, the whip-whip of whiteboard markers, or the pump of an engine, sounds always tickled his skin, forced him to get up and dance to purge the irritation. Even lying almost-asleep in bed, the moment the midnight train came and shook the earth, he always shot awake and danced in his room, in a delicate pitter-patter upon the wooden floors, but it was always fine at the end of the day. Even a six-hour rest was enough to dance the day away. He was lucky enough to have that, at least.

For the disguised producer, she lacked the best influences early on, and praised as Ezhara's bonds were, she was always outside of them. So, discreetly, she picked upon, excluded, bullied, stole from the loners, the outcasts, the eccentric, and before she knew it, she pressed someone — a lad who always wore a mask on his eyes — too far. That was enough for her motley band, and before she knew it, she joined her victims, and found herself with nobody. Hard as she tried, she was consistently denied. Nobody wanted to be friends with someone like her, and so she reinvented herself, mimicked nearly each and every movement and taste of the cliques in her school. One moment, she was discussing a book of poems or a piece of art; the next, hurrying over to the basketball court with a jug of water. Eventually, the memory of those days faded for most. Her social network, charisma, and favors had turned her into quite the asset, but she couldn't help but wonder how much of herself she had burned for this success.

Two other lads followed their wake, two Talents chasing stars. One was a writer wrapped up in a blue morpho butterfly dream, and his eyes were always lost in a distant reverie imagining some vivid scene. The other, a firework artisan and artist, was his "older brother," and though they weren't related by blood, he still took it upon himself to care for him, with a little bit of freeloading from the younger's restaurant. Perhaps the two were not nearly as brilliant as Eiko and AARU, but they found their happiness well enough. Fame was not for everyone, after all, nor would it be the fate of every Talent.
Perhaps there are some other star-chasers whose wings had long since been clipped, at this meeting of the stars. The musician whose voice was his piano, the dancer whose loss ripped out the world's rhythm, the artist whose empathy led her to bear too large a cross, the writer whose lost time led her to see the fall of stars, the Idol whose vanity limited his words, the photographer who kept his past shrouded in mystery... Perhaps their stories are being told, witnessed like that fateful day where the moon cried in the old realm of Parfuhmerie's empire. Still, the precious memories of those untold, like constellations over their hometown of Caleo, will still surely illuminate their own lives.

A story, a sky, for another day.

Shwe Tu Colony/World Machine
"H-Hazel, please, slow dow—own!" D'aillisioux kicked into the stairs, but he managed to stick his arm out to keep himself from slamming into the cement, although his mask — a pair of monarch butterfly wings, adorned by triangles of radiance that rose from the upper edges — nearly slipped from his face. "Ah, Hazel..."
"Wah, sorry, Deli." She turned around, her twin pigtails swaying in the cold night. "I thought you would keep up."
"I-I mean I usually can," he said as he rose. "But not in this, Hazel."
"Is it too familiar or something?"
He shook his head no as Hazel held his hand, leading him up the steps. "No no, i-it's not a bad memory or anything. I'm just used to a better range of movement." Still, in the back of his mind, the specter of those memories still taunted him, of a time when he would've seen these sorts of steps, this sort of extravagance, of a time when he never would have benefited from such. Still, the soft silk of Hazel's gloves comforted him even back then; they were each other's eternal vows, and ever since that fateful re-encounter in Parfuhmerie, their promises had nearly been fulfilled, and they would keep living on.

Behind them, Luò chuckled. "Ah, young lo—"
"Qu-quiet down," D'aillisioux said as he dusted off the sketchbook hanging at his side. "You have your own person to bother." At that, the idol's smile faded, and he titled his head side to side while his tassel earring jingled.
"Mmm, no, I don't, actually."
"Eh?"
"Broke up."
"Already?" D'aillisioux glanced at Hazel, both baffled. "You don't sound very committed."

Another chuckle. "You'll understand when you're older," Luò said, pushing up his bright blue mask, whose edges peaked with swan-like wings. "Or maybe you won't. You and Hazel are just adorable— maybe you two would be together forev... you know, you're not very subtle about your, um, intentions." D'aillisioux pouted as he got back to standing straight up, and the Penglairean laughed again. "It's rather like Anh. I think he was considering coming here, actually."
"Who's he?" D'aillisioux asked.
"Oh, just another boy. You remind me of him a little." Luò smiled as he strutted up the stairs, his perfume like a floral waterfall in a garden, while his hands fidgeted behind his back. Meanwhile, the younger Parfuhmerians exchanged another glance, then hurried up the stairs as well.

Giucà stared ahead, his expression knit in consternation. Then, his face flitted between various emotions as he readjusted his mask, which was a stippled black at the upper half. Next to him, Norni paused, his jewelry — a necklace, a brooch, a signet ring, and a cufflink — glimmering in the night. "Something the matter, Giucà?" he asked.
"No, nothing, nothing." The Thallian sniffed the air, turned his head skyward to look at the stars. "It's not a bad feeling, but it is a familiar one, and I find it strange for that... That woman we saw..." He glanced behind himself, but recognized nobody. "Strange that I can recall her face... dah, whatever."
"Shall we head in, then?"
"Of course, maestro Nacre."

Gisara
Despite his ornate, matcha-green mask decorated with his portfolio of films, a sudden darkness became apparent over Eiko's face as the car approached the steps of the castle, and he turned away so that Kasem wouldn't notice as he typed something out on his phone. Of all the times that humiliating memory had to come back, it had to be now.
Next to him, he could feel Kasem lean closer. "Eiko, is something wrong?"
"I'm just..." The actor glanced at his friend, who was staring outside and looking a little too excited to look at the castle. "Thinking of a bad memory. Of..." He shuddered as he recalled the feeling of a snug-fitting headband.
"Of what?"

Eiko stared ahead. "Do you know that cat food brand in Suzurai, Matatabi Feast?" A beat. Then, Kasem's face lit up. "That... that guy was you?" Silence. Eiko turned away; Kasem started to laugh. "Oh my— oh my god, I can't believe it—" He bent his head down as he shook with joy.
"Neither can I." Eiko sighed, taking a sip of his matcha to hide his smile at the younger's cackling. "Sometimes, I regret ever saying yes."
"Is it because of the plushies they sold?"
Gisara turned around; his mask was part orange and marigold dawnbreak, part purple night speckled by glittering fireflies. "What are you two boys talking about?"
"Cat food," Kasem said. "Eiko, he-he— ahahahah!"

"Ah..." The Mascot said nothing further, though Eiko could tell that he was hiding his laughter, too. Not that he minded, really. If others were happy with his performance, that was fine enough, even if the idea of acting came as naturally as breathing to him, and didn't really seem that impressive. Then again, advertising a brand of cat food... how much of that even used his acting chops? Most of it was probably just Matatabi Feast riding off of his fame from the release of — Soris Datae — and trying to juxtapose his grim noir aesthetic with something cute.
And then they released the marketable catboy plushies. Ayame was first to get one, and the image of his adorable younger sister spinning around to show it off, he was at least pleased to see her happy. Though, it was horrifying to see his face, with cat ears and cat tail, plastered onto a plush like that.
<Like the kitty in the house...> he muttered to himself in Suzuraigan.

A few minutes passed.
"Boys, we're here."
By this point, Kasem had become more infatuated with the architecture than amused by Eiko's younger antics, and at least this time there wasn't a bump in the road to cause him to spill his tea. Still, he couldn't help but smile as Kasem groped around, trying not to trip and fall over anything as his eyes, concealed by his coffee-brown mask, took in every curve, every railing, every window alcove, statue, foliage.
"Hey, Kasem, wake up." Eiko lightly tapped his friend's curly hair. "Now's not the time to start fantasizing about learning every shape and curve of a castle intimately."

"... wish I had my sketchbook."
"You have your phone."
"It's not the same..."
Eiko couldn't help but smile. "You're just like Darius."
"Okay, but he is right you know," Kasem said. "Photography is nice and all, but something like this— you just can't get every angle and every detail— you just don't get the same value out of a photograph, you know? Like right over here." He ran over to a statue, leaning on the railing as he analyzed everything in front of him. "I can't walk around a photograph, Eiko. Something like right here, I'm not going to get the... authentic, the real percep—"

"All right, I get it, you're—"
"Eiko." Gisara stepped next to him, guitar case in hand. "Please don't make fun of Kasem's Talent work here."
"Yeah, Eiko." Kasem stood proudly as Eiko rolled his eyes and wandered behind the architect, then grabbed him up by the back of his outfit. "H-hey, Eiko—"
"Call me a catboy and you'll get what you deserve."
"Eiko, don't do that, you'll tear his suit," Gisara said, walking towards them. "Now come on, we've gotta meet our hosts."

AARU
A shining black limousine drove up to the site, with fake gold running alongside it like rivers as hundreds of rushes and reeds arose from the wheels and bottom. Hidden among the fields, hieroglyphics and calligraphy adorned the vehicle, telling a story in some foreign language of someone's birth, life, and death, and little wings adorned the side-view mirrors, while the front of the vehicle had a small copper-green scarab lying on it. Once it stopped, a woman stepped out, her eyes covered by a starry mask, while her hands held a black cane, speckled with green stars and blue scarabs soaring in the night sky. Behind her, a sacred ibis strutted out from her dress as some bizarre magic trick.
Then, she pointed her cane skyward.
"Arise." Her voice resonated with such vitality that one might feel it could awaken the dead from their graves and carry vengeful spirits to a peaceful beyond alike. "Arise, servants of AARU. Allow our spirits to resurrect, call upon every precious glory of this life and what awaits us after to greet this new begi—"

"Kebechet, not again, please." Another stepped out of the car, her hair in a ponytail and her ball gown and mask like gleaming glasses of champagne as she ushered the ibis back into the vehicle. "We're not performing for anyone this time."
"Fun as ever." A third woman exited the car, her gait one of noble pride; her dark mask blossomed into the air like a peacock's feathers. "Maybe he should let her actually say her whole speech one of these days, eh, Satis?"
"We have enough eccentricity with our car and, you know, mere existence."
"That's what makes us fun, isn't it?"

Behind them, two men exited: one, with a passionate red mask, immediately started dancing once he could stand up straight, but he was a phenomenal dancer despite how every part of his performance was improvised — it clearly came naturally enough. The other man had on a serpentine necklace that ended with a pig's head, while his mask was a brilliant blue with hieroglyphics faintly carved inside it
A boy, no older than sixteen, came out from the limousine after him, his mask a passionate depiction of countless fireworks. "I can not thank you enough for helping me get a suit for this, Shai."
"Oh, it was nothing," the necklace-carrying man said. "I'm just doing what I gotta do, ya know?"
"Ah, speaking of our obligations, are the stars not wondrously inspiring?" the lad hurried up the stairs as the rest of the group casually walked, and his dramatic motions were reminiscent of a superhero-actor. "The constellations are gleaming like a thousand firework—"

Another boy, around eleven, passed by him, his blue-morpho butterfly mask a vast contrast with his softly-tanned skin. "Don't be so loud, Hasan," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.
"Menos, you know how I am when I get inspired. I can not help but explode with fervor like a fire flower giving its radiance unto this world." As though to emphasize his point, he raised his fist to the sky.
Satis smirked. "As we see here."
"Let him be," Renenūtet said, smiling as she headed up the stairs.
"Yes, allow me to expel my fullest passio—"
"Phrasing..." Menos said.

Behind them all, Kebechet was silent, still as she gazed at the constellations. The rest of her group departed, although the dancing man turned around. "Kebechet," he cooed as he maneuvered down the stairs. "You got something on your mind again?" His arm rose to her chin as he spun and danced around her.
"Ah... someone here... someone here has been reborn, haven't they?"
"So that's the secret of the day, is it?" He chuckled. "Well, here's hoping that it'll be a fun one, right?"
"Perhaps. Perhaps." A step forward, and the dancer reached out his hand.
"Let's not keep the others waiting, 'kay?"

"Never will..."

The three groups would meet their hosts soon enough.

[Mervay]

The entire line of guests from home and abroad were making themselves feel comfortable it seemed, the type of guests was also quite interesting; from heads of state and government, officers from their respective governments, industrialists or businesspeople, military officers, members of royalty from abroad, people of the arts and the list could go on. Of course, the event hasn't really begun as per tradition, the host family had to come and officially announce the beginning of the ball; quite the process, but it was respectful. As such, all guests were left waiting for the moment the House of Devienne will appear, which was; getting near.
Then, in a minute, all guests could hear the sound of trumpets all across the massive hall, four soldiers in the Royal Guard's Ceremonial Dress were in front of the other in the door leading to the dormitories, their faces were stern and serious; their interruption was certainly to the moment everyone waited for.

"Attention all honourable guests!!" One of the soldiers spoke in a respectful tone. "Please recive with the greatest honour; The Princess of Slyvan, Her Most Royal Highness; Circe IV!" As soon as she ended up saying that, the two soldiers at the door opened while the others begun to play the National Anthem in the trumpets. Her face and her smile was hidden by the mask she wore, but it was clear her aura radiated with such happiness and elegance as she walked to the floor while everyone applauded warmly for the appearance of the Princess of Slyvan. Her dress was a contrast to the mask but it worked well to what she wanted.

It was then that the applause stopped and the soldier continued with the names, next one was the pair of twins from the royal family.

"Please recive with the greatest honour, The Prince of Athalyssya and his sister, The Princess of Lixtium; Their Highnesses; Pandareos III and Corette V!!" The turn of the other two members of the Royal Family; they were applauded as loud as their sister was while they were well dressed for the occasion with Princess Corette dressed in a light blue ball gown and her brother in a white tie suit. Of course, they still had another member of the family to make their appearance. The masks of the twins was very identical of the other if we had to say about it entirely. Maybe something taken of some work of theatre?

"And at last!!" The soldier continued, now the last member of the family was to make their appearance. "Because of the issue that Her Emeritus Majesties will not be present at the ball. We will welcome the last member of the Royal Family" After they stepped down the throne three years ago, their parents had been keeping a low profile and decided to not assist at the ball, albeit they were enjoying the carnival from Arcadia.

"Please recive with the greatest honour; Her Most Royal Majesty of Mervay, Callista IV!" As soon as she ended up saying that, the four soldiers begun to play the National Anthem in the trumpets alongside the orchestra, which joined in an improvised yet orderly idea to the soldiers. Then she appeared, her face and her smile was hidden by the mask she wore, but it was clear her aura radiated with such happiness and elegance as she walked to the floor while everyone applauded warmly for her appearance. Her dress was a contrast to the mask but it worked well to what she wanted.

It was after the presence of the Royal Family that the hosting family would appear and, to the surprise of those not familiarized with the tradition, the crown doesn't speak during the inauguration or closing of the ball unless the Royal Family is the one organazing it.

It was then that the trumpets and the orchestra changed the anthem of Mervay to the old anthem of Ardens, in order to signal the arrival of the Grand Dukes and The Crown Princess alongside her boyfriend. Once again the soldier called for the attention of the crowd in order for them to meet their hosts.

"And now. All honourable guests, please give an applause and cheer to the hosts of this year's Masquerade Ball. Presenting with the greatest honour; The Grand Dukes of Ardens; Their Royal Highnesses of Ardens, Adrien IV and Marion VI; Alongside Crown Princess, Lisolette X and her boyfriend, Sir Lucas Walker!!"

As such both couples appeared in front of the guests as they passed the door, the anthem of the old kingdom being heard all across the ballroom while they walked to their position to finally begin the ball, the dukes had masks that covered their faces entirely while the younger couple had masks that covered their eyes. Cheers and applause were all they got and it only stopped by Lord Adrien's Hand motioning to an stop; then he and his wife bowed at the guests before Lady Marion spoke.

"Dear guests. In the name of my family and I, we appreciate your presence in this important event that our family had the honour to host." She told to the guests while everyone applauded at that, Marion let a beat pass before continue. "We want to thank you for your presence here and to thank the people that has helped in preparing the event since we were the organizers, but they, they were the ones that made sure all of us have the opportunity to enjoy this night to the best!" That certainly could be seen to where the praise was getting, the entire staff made sure to prepare the event as the family organized it and they deserved to be recognized the effort.

It was then that Adrien glared at his wife and with a light giggle from her let him speak.

"We also are honoured to announce that for the first time in 200 years, we will be blessed with the opportunity to see in middle of this prestigious event, an meteor shower." To some that was clearly an point they looked foward to see when it happens, more noticing the gasps of awe as they heard that. "As such, when the time comes, all of you are to be led outside to the balconies if you wish to see the shower." After that however, there was nothing more to say, they wanted to keep it simple and the traditional speech they needed to give was for when the ball ended, where they will ask all guests to take off their masks and finally see the faces of those surrounding them.

"It is, with the greatest honour that without any further delays, we declare the officially inauguration of this year's masquerade ball!" And with that a new round of applause followed through, the Grand Duke motioned for the orchestra to begin with the music, a waltz was the selected opening piece for the night.

Now it came the moment of greetings and socialize with the guests. Which speaking of rome...

Two entered the ballroom; a young girl, and an older man.

The girl seemed bitter, as if someone had slapped her and she had been scolded for slapping back. She was dressed surprisingly informally for the occasion; an olive-green uniform with trousers and a cap; the cadet’s parade uniform of the Warsaw Royal School for Infantry. A sword-bayonet hung in it’s sheath, attached to her left. The man, by contrast, seemed calm, and almost blank, and unlike his partner, was dressed in standard white-tie; tailcoat, white shirt, the works. Both wore austere cream-colored masks, although if anyone was watching, they would notice that the girl would occasionally pull off her mask in order to put on a pair of glasses.

These were the Lady Byrnes and the Lord Vyterski, respectively. Or, as they would prefer to be called, Erika and Bronislaw.

Erika seemed to gawk at the battlements and towers of the castle with a mixture of shock and incredulity. Small wonder; Prussia-Poland’s castles and buildings, although usually elegant, often lacked the sort of refinement and furnishings one would expect from a royal residence. Bronislaw, however, paid little heed to such things, for whatever reason, and continued on, eyes fixed straight ahead.

At last, both arrived in the main hall, and introduced themselves to whoever it would concern; Bronislaw would give a short, stiff bow, before straightening his back. “Bronislaw Vyterski, your Grace.” He would say, followed by Erika saluting and chiming in with “Erika Byrnes, sir/ma’am.”

Grand Duke Adrien and Grand Duchess Marion
The host couple now had the honour of meeting some of their foreign guests, in this case; Lady Erika Byrnes and Master Bronislaw Vyterski respectively; as much as the faces of the Grand Dukes weren't seen, they made sure to greet them warmly. They bowed back at the pair.

"It's an honour to meet you, Lord Vyterski, Lady Byrnes; we appreciate your presence in this millenary event." The Grand Duchess said at them politely, letting a beat pass. "Please enjoy of the night and make sure to have fun in it, we hope that you two will be comfortable and if there's anything you need, please let us know."

Dr. Eloisa Francine L. Su-Fernandez, MD, FVPS
Dance Hall of the Palace of Saint Marie
January 16th, AD 2021
2200 Local

Dressed in a midnight blue gown and donning a gas mask, the Visayan Ambassador to Mervay was accompanied by her husband Andrew. The couple were physicians who initially met as residents in the San Roque Medical Center in Iloilo all those years ago; Doctor Su, as she was called back then, specialized in pediatrics while Doctor Fernandez specialized in cardiology. The two of them eventually married and had two children, and from 2013 to 2017, Eloisa served as a member of the House of Assemblymen, occupying the fifth seat representing the Province of Panay for a single term under the Liberal Party before returning to medicine full time.
"Well dear," Andrew said, "I don't suppose this is one of those things you imagined when you received the invitation?" The gas mask muffled his voice, but even then she understood.
"No...this blows away whatever I could have imagined; it amazes me to no end that some buildings that were designed in this manner survive everything time could throw at them. A shame we couldn't bring the children." Jennifer was seven (the story that she was born on the steps of the Assembly Hall was an exaggeration; Eloisa's water had broken and the couple rushed to Cebu Doc, where she gave birth to Jennifer without complications) and John Henry was five; given that the couple wore gas masks in solidarity with medical personnel battling COVID-19 everywhere else, they had to set the example. At the very least, it explained why the Visayan couple kept mostly to themselves, keeping some distance as they introduced themselves to a member of the Royal Family of Mervay.
"Your Highness," Andrew said after bowing, "may I introduce my wife, the Visayan Ambassador to your fine nation."

Princess Circe IV
After their entrance and as soon as the ball was officially declared open, Princess Ariadna, that's her true name to advice; had found herself split from her silbings. The older daughter of the family and the one chosen by the four of them to replace their sister shall an, and god forbid such thing, an death that would put her on the throne; she was the other contender for the crown until they all agreed to have their younger sister be the one to take it up after seeing her dedication and determination. She was glad her little sister has been doing an marvelous job as Queen and will always support her no matter what.
Of course, one of her works in helping her was the type of talks she will do at this moment as she noticed the Visayan Ambassador and her husband coming at her, it will certainly be a pleasant talk considering the actual situation and in a more personal level shall it be possible. As such, the Princess of Slyvan curtsied at the couple with their gas masks.

"Lady Francine, Sir Andrew. It's a pleasure to meet you." She said with in a polite and kind manner as she noticed their distance of her, considering the masks, it was obvious why. "In the name of Her Majesty and my sister, I'm pleasant to see you two here, there's a lot to discuss if taking into into consideration the recent events that had plagued our planet." The Princess was sure they got what events she was talking about, from the pandemic that has entered into it's second year, to the situation in Cassadia; they had a lot to talk in how to strenght and share positions or strategies in both cases of course. Of course, she also wanted them to present themselves to the hosts.

"I would like advice you to present yourselves to the hosts of this event when it is possible, I can be certain they will be pleased to meet you." She told them, it was impolite after all even if she was a member of the royal family, hopefully they understand the reasoning rather than take it as a misunderstanding.

Being vampires, the Heiresses of the Miao Coven, Camilla and Camellia had always preferred night over day, and tonight was beautiful indeed. Nice weather not unlike that of their native province Shandong, and clear skies revealing the stars above - who knows, Gemini might be visible tonight, even.

Gemini, the constellation that has been associated with them all their lives. Not only is Gemini their star sign, it's also what their birthmarks look like when they hold their arms next to each other; Camilla's left and Camellia's right. There's also the fact that they're identical twins, with the only difference between them now being their hair colour, as Camellia decided to dye her hair blonde since college.

Upon entering the castle, they would hang their coats where the host's servants allowed them, revealing their clothing, qipao with golden patterns, Camellia's being white and Camilla's being black. The twins held their arms together as they entered and had small talk with each other, appreciating the garden, the castle, and the sky. Their conversation ended when Camellia ask her sister a question, only to turn around to see that she was no longer with her. Indeed, it seems that a nearby man had Camilla's attention and she walked towards him to start a conversation. Smiling, Camellia shook her head. "She never changes.." she mumbled to herself.

Damien Cossentic
If he had to say, it was nice to be dressed in a white tie suit, he certainly felt that it was a nice change of pace. Perhaps it must that he was never used to it, but for his first time in a while, it felt nice. Of course he was invited to the event considering his name and history, Damien Cossentic; son of Allstair and Ida Cossentic, an important family in the nation, his parents were well renowed in the field of the history and law. He studied the latter as he was interested in the field of the nation's judicial system; but, for all he loved the career of law, perhaps he could study another field as soon as he was done, after all; it wasn't uncommon around here to do that.
But that was a thought reserved for later as she saw a black haired young woman approach him, she was wearing some eastern clothes, a qipao if he remembered it's name, truth to be told; she looked pretty on it and as such he gave her a friendly smile as she approached, he had to be glad his mask didn't hide it.

"Good evening young lady, what can I do for you." He grinned at her while slightly bowing at her, it would be hopeful to see where this talk ends.

However meanwhile that happened, an maid approached to Camellia in order to talk with her and her sister regarding their presence to greet the hosts of the party.

"Lady Miao, it is requested that you and your sister make their presence known to the Grand Dukes and the Crown Princess if possible." The maid told her while keeping an calm tone, she then glared at the twin and glared back at Camellia. "Of course, if your sister wants, she can bring along Sir Cossentic."

Enya Findehoof.
I had been a bit out of my league for a while, I'll admit, being the happy-go-lucky lass at the side of Fürst Alrich III. of Teressien for a long time – for four years and counting, now. Being the girlfriend of the Prince of Teressien was not exactly easy, the Court had seen to that, but both he and I had resolved, that it would work.
We'd make it work.
Not only because he was eleven years older then I was.
I was the granddaughter of the Commanding Admiral of the Marine des Fürsten and the daughter of the ambassador of the Principality to the Free Lands of the Selkie, where I was born and had grown up. I was smart and could focus my boundless energy on work, as my professors had soon enough learned.
Alrich, according to his mother, could have made a worse pick, but Oda also told me, that I was not her first pick. And she did so regularly.
Well... apparently I was Alrich's first pick. And he had made that clear as we had been aboard the Traumfänger on the trip here. He was in Home Office, like the majority of the Teressians, thanks to COVID-19, but he regularly conferred with his ministers from Schloss Hochheyde – or, when he was underway, from his office aboard Teressien's State Yacht. And during our transit to Mervay, he had not only invited me to participate in the conferences, but to be an active part of them.
According to the Hausmädchen of Schloss Hochheyde, the photographs of that had found quite a good resonance in the press and population, as had my inquiry about what we were planning to do with the rampant problem of child poverty in Teressien, especially in regards to COVID: Due to the virus, many parents in economically dangerous situations had lost their jobs and that did not exactly help with raising children.
There were plans, though, which were currently being drawn up. Alrich had later told me, that this was Politician Speak for “We have no idea.”
I smiled at Alrich. He was a tall man, brown short hair and purple eyes. One saw in them, that he was not a ruler, but an artist, a musician, at heart, but he would make it work. He had to. He also wore the whole assembly of a White Tie Suit, waistcoat, tailcoat and whatever went along with it as well, and he looked splendidly. While I was not sure, if I was in the contest for the most beautiful woman this evening, he certainly cut a very impressive figure.
I, meanwhile, wore a two-tone ball gown, with a white shoulderless bodice and an open upper back, as well as a blue, floor-length skirt. My hair was bound in a braid, which started high on the head, the hairband hidden by a ribbon in two blue hues and white, strands of hair framing my face. White gloves going up well past my elbows completed the ensemble.
The entire thing was, by Teressian standards, quite daring.
He smiled at me, looking into my eyes.
I returned the smile.
We both wore these masks, covering half of the face, but I could still see his small smile.
“Nervous?”, he asked.
“Yes.”, I replied with a deep breath – a breathing exercise, which Oda had taught me. I might not be her first pick, she had said, but she would see to it, that it worked. “But we'll be fine.”
“Indeed we will.”, Alrich agreed and looked behind us, then in front of us. He stopped us, as we walked with arms linked, and put a hand on mine. A small squeeze. Alrich was not a man, who liked to show his affections in public. This squeeze said it all. He'd be there, next to me.
And he'd try to not step onto my toes.
We turned forward and entered the Dance Hall.

Grand Duke Adrien and Grand Duchess Marion
Both women, Lady Gluaisrothar and Lady Blaidd; were requested by a maid as soon as the inauguration ended, to please come and greet their hosts respectfully in order before they can enjoy finally the ball; it was to be quick and simple for everyone to go and enjoy.

The Grand Dukes and her daugher bowed respectfully as soon as they were in front of them; they couldn't notice it, but they were smiling politely at them beneath their masks.

"Lady Blaidd, Lady Gluaisrothar; it is a honour to see you in this honourable event." The Grand Duchess spoke to them politely before adding. "Please make sure to enjoy the ball and advice us or to our personnel if you two have any problems."

Lisolette Devienne and Lucas Walker
As much as it was nice to dance the waltz together with your soon to be fiance, she had other things to take care of too; as such, she glared at Lucas a look, the two of the used to what each of it meant; understood that this one was to talk with the guests, a work required and that it could be fun, but then again; they had to do it once in a while to know if everything was alright so they had time to spare before getting to that bridge. It was fun to have the person you love deeply be besides you, if this was during high school and those two weren't a couple despite their obvious feelings for the other; she might as well turned red scarlet like her eyes by how her friends would tease her.
But now, now she could only laugh at such thought as they were besides her parents, greeting the guests, the next ones, after of course being requested by a butler to please make sure to make themselves present to the hosts, Cel and her mother.

And when he did; he could only smile and bow as she curtsied at the pair of mother and daughter. Always happy to see her friend again.

"Ladies Sloroimh, it's quite a pleasure to see you around here." Lucas said, keeping formalities as he talked to Cel and her mother, she also had to do the same after all.

"I like to repeat the words of my boyfriend as well my dear friends." She said smiling warmly at the two. "Thanks for accepting the invitation my family lended to you two. And which, please allow me to present them." Lise in turn motioned to her parents.

"Mother, Father; Please allow me to present you to my friend, Lady Celina and her mother, Lady Finnya." The Crown Princess told them with an warm grin in her face. "Lady Finnya, Lady Celina, those are my parents; Lord Adrien, Grand Duke of Ardens, and Lady Marion, Grand Duchess of Ardens." The couple bowed at the pair of mother and daughter, a kind smile beneath their masks.

"It is a pleasure to meet you two." The Grand Duke spoke in a polite and kind manner while his wife took the word.

"Our daughter is a great friend of yours and we were interested in meeting her and you, Lady Finnya." The Grand Duchess continued with an hidden smile. "Please make sure to enjoy the ball, as soon as we are done greeting the respective guests we would like to have an word with you two if possible."

Athena Freezis
After a few minutes of wait, he was finally here and he looked handsome; it seemed he really did up hismself and was glad to see he came. Athena could only smile as she curtsied at him before hugging him warmly and giving him a kiss on his lips, finally able after their confession back in Ironcastle. She let go a minute later as her smile and eyes were looking at him warmly.

"Thank you so much for coming!" She exclaimed with such happiness on her eyes that could even warm in the cold nights of winter. "So how it was your travel here?" Before she could make more questions, the trumpets sounded and called for the eyes of everyone to be fixated in the door where the hosts and the Royal Family would appear.

The calls for each of them to appear took it's time alongside the official inauguration of the ball; not that long as maybe fifteen minutes at most; she made sure that during that time she was close to her boy friend, her arms linked with his as they watched the ceremony unfold for the time being before it ended.
After that however, she eyed at Leo and knew, that he was a nervious as she was, and who couldn't blame him; he got into a high society event like this just for her and to meet her parents so they gave their blessings to the relationship, she already talked very good of him that what was to be needed now was to confirm her words.

"Before we get to talk with my family. We should certainly go and greet our hosts, it would be impolite if we don't?"

Grand Duke Adrien and Grand Duchess Marion
Similar to the other case, Princess Aurelia was requested by a maid to please greet the hosts before moving on to enjoy the night, the process was entirely being done in a way there wasn't a any guests waiting and as such, as soon as one was done theother was called. It only was a few minutes and they had her in front of them, to which they bowed at her respctfully with the same charm they greeted everyone.

"Your Highness, it is a honour to have you here in this honourable event. Please make sure to enjoy of the ball and advice to any of our personnel if you have a problem." The grand duke said respectfully at the Princess before they got their next guest to greet.

A butler went to request the presence of Lady Faris, the next guest to be requested to present herself with the hosts. It was clear they were calling guest by guest to those who they could at the moment and if they could.

"Lady Faris, it's an pleasure to have you in this prestigious event and we hope you enjoy it." The Grand Duchess said with the same respectful charm like always. "If you have an issue, please let it be known to our personnel."

Of course then they had more guests to greet after deal with the Kyrenian Businesswoman, this time a maid led the Teressian Couple to where the host family was for their greetings before finally moving on. They all bowed, but this time their daughter was the first to speak while curtsying.

"Lady Findehoof, it is a pleasure to see you again alongside your boyfriend." She could smile gently and subtly but certainly Enya might remember where she saw her back two years ago. Meanwhile her eyes fell on Alrich now.

"It is an honour to have you with your girlfriend, Your Highness. In the name of my family, I hope you two enjoy the ball." She smiled at them as so did the rest of the family; for them it was nice Lise doing this since when she will host events like this, she will to get used to it.

Snip

For this ocassion they decided to divide the next guests they will have to greet into two; they were quite the amount of guests and were surprised about it, in fact they had some industrialists and heirs to important positions alongside an author and parliamentary member. Their daughter could certainly recognize one of the members that were called by the surname she was so familiar with, it appeared one of the guests was the father of her friend's boyfriend and an important bussinessman in the shipping industry of Lillorainen which was focused in the cargo ships production. Then the heiress to the co-ownership of technological behemoth, Lengerich Electronics; an important tech corp in the federation.

The Grand Dukes alongside their daughter and future son-in law bowed respectfully at them. Keeping their charm and calm, while Adrien spoke to them.

"Lady Morgenthau, Lady Von Wettau-Fronweiler, Lady Taastrup, Lady Fauth and Sir Riescheid. Welcome and in the name of my family, apologies to call all of you together for this, but we couldn't help it considering all of you were together." He said giving them beneath his mask an apologetic smile to them while their daughter once again, decided to speak.

"Sir Riescheid, If you could wish me the favour; please send my and my boyfriend's regards to your son-." She smiled at him kindly, if Chris has ever talked about his friends with his father, he should certainly know who were they or so she thought. "And that I apologize for not having invited him even if his girlfriend is present in this event." Well she could had done the same that she did with Celina, but then again, it would had been unknown if he would had accepted. Nevertheless, as soon as soon as she ended that, she went with the usual response.

"Please make sure all of you enjoy the ball, if anything happens, please contact any of our personnel for help." She alongside her family and boyfriend curtsied/bowed at them before letting them make their leave.

Then they had a few minutes later, their guests from The Commonwealth of Hrimfaroth, The Crown Prince of Isfeldas, The Prince of Saexney and heir to the Aelfricsson Clan, An renowed horserider and landowner, and the CEO of Farraday & Croham Systems, an important arms manufacturer from there.

Like always they all respectfully greeted them and gave a polite smile.

"Your Highnesess, Lady Mulroney, Lady Tremayne; Pleasure to see you here. In the name of my family we hope that you have an ball." The Grand Duchess smiled at them behind her mask. "I apologize for having to call you all of you together, but we couldn't help considering all of you came in group. If you need something, please talk with our personnel and they will do everything to help." After letting them leave, they had to wait a few minutes before their next guests.

snip

Snip

It was almost the same case, but since one of their maids spotted them all together having a talk, as such after all the ceremony and as soon as they dealt with the guests from the commonwealth, they were requested to make their presence known to their hosts. To which as soon as they were present they bowed or curtsied at them.

"Lady von Sturmgeist, Your Majesty von & zu Vladstag , Lady Kostka, Sir Haegler. Welcome to the ball; We hope that this night can be marvelous to all of you; If you need help, please advice to our personnel and they will be willing to." The Grand Duchess spoke, smiling at them even if hidden by her mask.

Snip

Their next guests were from the Empire of Brettenwald, a nation that Mervay didn't had official diplomatic relations with, of course, that could change; and what better way than going through their unofficial representatives present for the event; two of the most important people from that nation and the girlfriend of the heiress to that massive corporate group. As such, the moment they were requested to meet their hosts and were led by a butler, the entire ordeal would begin.

"Sir and Lady Teissëdre, Lady Andjori; Thank you for coming to this prestigious event." The Grand Duchess spoke with her usual charm while giving them a curtsy alongside her daugther while her husband and future son-in law bowed at them.

"Please enjoy the ball and we hope everything goes perfect for you, our personnel will help you out if you all need something."

Snip

A few minutes after greeting the people from the empire, the Duchess of AHSCA alongside her Foreign Minister and the governor of Animalpolis and her husband were called to greet their hosts, of course; they also called Lord and Lady Clarines, the representatives of The Empire of Kuronami since they were together with the islanders. Two birds with one stone right? Either way, The representatives from both nations were greeted warmly by their hosts, curtsying in the case of the two women and bowing in case of the men.

"Your Majesty, Lady VinoCacao, Lady Biscotti, Sir Izumi. Welcome and it's a pleasure to see you all here." The Grand Duke warmly welcomed them before focusing in Lord and Lady Wisteria. "The same goes as well for both of you, Sir and Lady Wisteria, it's a pleasure to see you here as well." He smiled beneath the mask he had put.

"Please make sure to enjoy the ball; and if needing something, our personnel will be at your disposal if you need something."

Snip

Their next guests were the daughter and son-in law of the Greater Orcadian Ambassador to Port Ember, Lord and Lady Snyder. They were greeted respectfully to their hosts after being led by a maid to them; they were greeted respectfully by their hosts.

"Lord and Lady Snyder. Welcome, it's a pleasure to have you this night." The Grand Duke warmly greeted the couple in the name of his family. "In the name of my family, I hope you two have a great night and our personnel will help you in anything you need."

Snip

Minutes later, their next guests were from an important family from Pergamon that has came alongside the Ambassador's family to the ball. The
Chatzigeorgiou's if their memory didn't fail them from Pergamon itself and the Zanniadis that came from Asteria as the family lived there because they were the family of the ambassador.

As such, as soon as they were present they were led by a butler to where the hosts were; them respectfully greeting them like they did to the rest from what has gone of the night.

"Sir and Lady Zanniadis, welcome, it is a pleasure to see you and your daughter present for this prestigious event." The Grand Duke said to them while respectfully bowing, meanwhile his wife was focused with the other family.

"It's also an pleasure to see you as well, Sir and Lady Chatzigeorgious." Marion said curtsying at the other couple as well. "In the name of my family, I hope both of you enjoy the night and doesn't have any problems, if you need help, please do ask and our personnel will help."

Snip

A few minutes after the other two families, their next guest to greet was Theomer Eorlmyn, the Grand Prince of the United Kingdoms of Danceria and Prince of Rohan. He was like the rest requested to greet the hosts of the event, just a quick greeting and it would be done.

"Your Highness, it is an honour to have you in this event and we hope you enjoy it." The Crown Princess on this case was the one greeting, making a curtsy at him while smiling before continue. "Please make sure to advice if there is any problem and our personnel and us we will do everything to help."

A few minutes later and they had another guest to greet; semiprofessional filmer and freelance photojournalist, Jacinto Garibay from Gran Colombia. A butler had asked for him to come and greet the hosts. The hosts greeting him kindly and respectfully.

"Sir Garibay. Welcome." Adrien spoke to him, bowing respectfully to their guest. "Espero que pueda disfrutar de esta hermosa noche y que pueda sacar algo bueno de este honrado evento." (I hope that you can enjoy of this beautiful night and take something out of this respectful event) The Grand Duke spoke at him in spanish, very fluent albeit not with the dialect he might be used to. "Please make sure to enjoy and if you need something, please ask."

I'm sorry for that but I couldn't hold myself, the duke spoke in the rioplatense dialect of spanish btw

Snip

They had been the last ones to recive entirely now, as such they were requested to meet their hosts and greet them, maids and butlers guiding them to that as they would respectfully greet them kindly. In what seemed to be an accident, they sent them in simultaneous.

"Welcome, my apologies for this but it seems we had some miscommunications. I deeply sorry for that in the name of my family." The Grand Duchess said to them, apologizing truthfully for the small mess up.

"We hope that all of you can enjoy this night to the best of your souls and that there is no more troubles, but if any of you need help. Please advice."

[AHSCA]

A few minutes after greeting the people from the empire, the Duchess of AHSCA alongside her Foreign Minister and the governor of Animalpolis and her husband were called to greet their hosts, of course; they also called Lord and Lady Clarines, the representatives of The Empire of Kuronami since they were together with the islanders. Two birds with one stone right? Either way, The representatives from both nations were greeted warmly by their hosts, curtsying in the case of the two women and bowing in case of the men.

"Your Majesty, Lady VinoCacao, Lady Biscotti, Sir Izumi. Welcome and it's a pleasure to see you all here." The Grand Duke warmly welcomed them before focusing in Lord and Lady Wisteria. "The same goes as well for both of you, Sir and Lady Wisteria, it's a pleasure to see you here as well." He smiled beneath the mask he had put.

"Please make sure to enjoy the ball; and if needing something, our personnel will be at your disposal if you need something."

It didn't take long for Noir to return to the side of everyone else having grabbed a drink for the Duchess. "Why thank you, Noir." The others would be on their own but that's fine, Noir was more in service to The Duchess than to anyone else in the group and it likely wouldn't be hard to find a maid or butler in a few minutes anyway. "I believe our hosts will be making their appearances in just a moment." Noir calculated. And indeed they did as attention was called for with many noble families being introduced each with their own ravishing gowns and different types of masks to go with it.

Noir gave a few brief tidbits on who the people were introduced, nothing that wasn't already available to any world leader, naturally but good to inform Marcella should she run into them on the floor while Noir wasn't at her side. Obviously the Queen needed no introduction to Marcella, she knew plenty on her from usual foreign briefs. Anyway, with everyone introduced and shown off another surprise, tonight there'd be a lovely meteor shower! "oh exciting, a celestial event, a gift from the Holy Mothers themselves."

"Indeed it is, Milady, it's sure to be a beautiful sight this evening." Noir agreed.

"Romantic too!" Millihi cooed at the thought as she nuzzled up against her husband, being able to stand on the balcony and watch the greatest light show nature could offer. It wasn't too long as the various nobles fanned out on the dance floor to greet their guests, such a nice gesture to make them feel welcome. The Grand Duke welcomed all of them together and they similarly gave respectful greetings back from slight bows to a curtsy by the Lady Wisteria.

"Milord, thank you for the invitation here tonight." Marcella spoke out first "I do apologize for having a bigger party than what we probably first responded with. I know Noir here did her best to amend the invite but you know how things are in our little corner of the world. We appreciate the staff being at our call if we need them we'll be certain to remember that."

"Milord thank you kindly." Lord Wisteria responded as well. "we shall." He finished with a simple statement to allow him to move along, no doubt many more to go meet and greet.

"I'm sorry, did I over do things?" Marcella asked sheepishly.

"Perhaps so, Milady," Noir responded rather nonchalant "the first dispersal by the hosts are usually meant to be a quick hello. But don't fret over it. I'm sure the Mervay Government is well aware of our culture and customs so they know you were intending to show respect by apologizing."

"Agreed, Milady." Millhi agreed. "Cinque, let's go get ourselves something to drink."

"Yeah, all right. Please excuse us a moment."

"Certainly."

[Brettenwald]

Snip

Their next guests were from the Empire of Brettenwald, a nation that Mervay didn't had official diplomatic relations with, of course, that could change; and what better way than going through their unofficial representatives present for the event; two of the most important people from that nation and the girlfriend of the heiress to that massive corporate group. As such, the moment they were requested to meet their hosts and were led by a butler, the entire ordeal would begin.

"Sir and Lady Teissëdre, Lady Andjori; Thank you for coming to this prestigious event." The Grand Duchess spoke with her usual charm while giving them a curtsy alongside her daughter while her husband and future son-in law bowed at them.

"Please enjoy the ball and we hope everything goes perfect for you, our personnel will help you out if you all need something."

"I think you'll really enjoy this, Marti. This seems like a kinder, gentler group of people for you to interact with than back home, and-" A trumpet fanfare silenced the room and interrupted Valentine's quiet assurances to her girlfriend. Martina was rather uncomfortable in settings this formal, but her scared-rabbit look seemed to be fading already. Several introductions were then made, Mervayan nobility and their hosts among them. Valentine watched with her usual unruffled composure while Martina's awe was clearly visible. Maybe it was the lighting, maybe it was the splendid décor, maybe it was the gowns: the elegant, amethyst-studded black gown of an intimidating dark-skinned lady with violet eyes who appeared to be here by herself stood out, as did a pair of distinctively Amenrian-looking women in silk qipao, or perhaps it was simply the fact that 99% of the guests here could buy her and her entire portfolio without blinking. Several minutes later, when the introductions were concluded, the band struck up a waltz and the evening began in earnest. A butler arrived and escorted the three to meet their hosts, and Valentine took the lead as usual. "Thank you very much, Your Graces," she said, curtsying politely. "It is a great honor to have been invited." Sir Nikolas bowed, and then grinned mischievously. "I'm afraid our two nations don't have a formal diplomatic relationship yet, so you're stuck with us three," he added, earning a groan & a muttered "gods preserve me" from his daughter and a stifled laugh from her partner. After a brief exchange of further pleasantries, they said their goodbyes and split up once more, with the two ladies heading to the dance floor and beginning a graceful waltz and Sir Nikolas getting a glass of something non-alcoholic from the bar.

[New Visayan Islands]

Dr. Andrew M. Fernandez, MD, FVSC
Dance Hall of the Palace of Saint Marie

"Why, of course, Your Highness," Andrew said after bowing. "We will be honored to introduce ourselves to the hosts," he added.
"By your leave, Your Highness," Eloisa said, the couple bowing again before leaving the Princess. As soon as they were certain they were far enough, Andrew spoke up.
"I suppose the Royal Family has good reason to redirect anyone willing to introduce themselves to the actual hosts," he said.
"They probably do," Eloisa said in reply. "The invite does mention an Autonomous Duchy; perhaps introducing ourselves to Their Grace was what the Princess had in mind."
"Figures." There was no mistaking the reason the Visayan couple wore gas masks, and there would be plenty of time to talk about that particular reason soon. After all, that reason saw the Confederation and Lillorainen lending aid to a partner common to all three nations: the Free Lands.
As for the Cassadian issue, there was no doubt that Eloisa was up to speed; the final session of the Federal Assembly had recently concluded with a Negrense Assemblyman's email being publicly read. In it was a call for the Confederation to stand with Palmyrion and encourage uplifting those who benefited the most from what would appear to be the flames of a future conflict over the horizon: political opponents, the LGBT+ community, those slaves rechristened "Living Property Units" as though they were livestock, ethnic and religious minorities...the prospect of their emancipation at the hands of a combined coalition of Amistad signatories like the Confederation and Palmyrion with other nations that stood against the slaver was something that would most certainly make for the interesting conversation.
First, however, they would have to introduce themselves to the Grand Duke.

[Remnants of Exilvania]

Spying a familiar figure with a noticeably blue complexion, Angelika glides through the crush towards him. Reichskommandant Dietrich Haegler, wearing a simple but effective white tie tuxedo and a white smile mask accompanied by the Princess Elizabeth wearing a long dark blue ballgown with a high collar and an intricate black filigree mask inlaid with red gems reaching up towards her temples and grazing her lower cheeks. Inspektionsleiterin Kostka stood next to them wearing her finely laundered military uniform and a full-faced white mask with a neutral expression.

“ A pleasure to see you again, Your Highness.” Angelika said as she politely curtseyed, an act she did regularly in conjunction with her playing the game. “ And you as well, Inspektionsleiterin Kostka. I see that you are still not one for elegant ball gowns. “ She added, looking up at the insanely tall woman. She then drew her attention to the lone man in the group. “ You are looking rather handsome this evening, Herr Reichskommadant. The suit and mask compliment you well.”

Dietrich had to admit, he had been distracted, trying to get a proper look at guests on the other side of the room. There were too many unknown faces so it was absolutely understandable but still...it was somewhat embarrassing to not notice the Oberste Führerin of Nachfolgia untill she addressed his company. It certainly caused him to flip around in a heartbeat, the familiar voice catching him by surprise.

And there she was, greeting Princess Elizabeth, the 'young' royal merely huffing at her with displeasure before returning the curtsy stiffly, muttering:

"The pleasure is all mine, Oberste Führerin."

Kostka didn't show even half as much dislike for Angelika, a dark chuckle emanating from her mask as the towering woman slowly leaned over Angelika, one of her gloved hands reaching up to grab onto Angelika's face while the other-

"I think that is enough Inspektionsleiterin Kostka."

Atleast she stopped immediately before withdrawing and straighteneing herself again to her full size, her hands now hanging off her sides again. In her deep, female voice, she said:

"And it appears that you are still one for figure-hugging outfits, Nachfolgian."

Dietrich wasn't quite sure what prior possible event Kostka was referring to, the two of them, to his knowledge, meeting for the first time ever but he decided to let that slide as Angelika turned towards him. He did have to admit that Kostka's assessment was quite right, the dress Angelika wore hugged her figure perfectly, the black contrasting nicely with her light skin, a thousand stars seemingly shimmering within it. And towards the bottom it faded wonderfully to a nice, powerful red. A very symbolical dress, truly, showing off their national colours though he wasn't quite sure which symbolized which. The red was clearly blood so perhaps it referred to all the blood they spilled...yet what was the black about then? For most that colour held negative connotation but in keeping in line with the Duality, it ought to symbolize something positive, right? Ah hell, no need to destroy his peace of mind over the implications of some dress' colours!

With a bow he took Angelika's hand and, much like during their first meeting in Yeuzuishan, pressed his mask against it, simulating the simply act of a small, polite kiss before straightening himself again and getting his outfit back in order. Behind him he heard Elizabeth retching at the sight but decided to ignore it for the moment. He couldn't well babysit them over every little thing now, could he?

"Your sense of fashion is similarly impeccable it seems, Oberste Führerin von Sturmgeist. Though I have to admit to being a bit disappointed that you deigned only my 'charming' company worthy of a curtsy. Perhaps we should remedy this?"

With that he snapped to attention before performing a bow before her, smiling under his mask when he came back up. This would be a wonderful little experiment to test some things out. However, before he could dwell on it for too long for the sound of trumpets suddenly blared across the entire hall, causing Dietrich to turn around to see what was causing the commotion. He spotted what were probably some form of royal guard standing before a door and he could already guess for what reason. The ball was likely about to finally be opened by their oh so gracious hosts.

And, just as expected, the soldiers began announcing the names of members of the royal family, Dietrich being able to atleast somewhat recognize them as he did read the dossiers they had on them...though information was scarce. Mervay had not exactly been a place of interest to the secret service...yet. And of course all the royals just radiated elegance, almost sickeningly so though Dietrich still had to admit that it looked good and that a certain somewhat should take some hints from them. Bowing downward and whispering into the princess' ear, he made sure that she did just that:

"See these? That's the direction in which royalty is expected to carry itself during such events. I absolutely recommend learning a thing or two just from watching them."

It earned him a death glare and an attempt to inconspicuously crush his foot with her own but he was saved by the rather restrictive nature of her dress making it rather difficult for her to step so close to him that she could reach his foot. Atleast not without it losing all manner of inconspicuousness.

Next came the actual hosts, the noble family of Ardens who were, interestingly, the ones to hold the sole opening speech, something Dietrich had expected from Queen Callista IV first and foremost rather than from mere Grand Dukes. But alas, customs were perhaps different so he paid it no mind, instead focusing on the speech which, of course, praised the help of all the low born workers like they always did in these weak minded countries. Some praise was of course in order at times but that was supposed to be given for extraordinary acts or historic occasions or times of need, when morale was low rather than a simple yearly masquerade ball...atleast he thought it to be yearly. He had to admit, his opinion of balls was not particularly high, among others because they were one of his former wife's favourite events, so perhaps he was judging this entire affair a bit too unfairly but alas, he couldn't help his thoughts, only his actions.

Following the official opening of the ball and the beginning of an orchestral waltz, Dietrioch spotted a maid which was seemingly heading straight towards them. He could already guess for what purpose, the hosts most likely wishing to greet their prominent guests now though he figured that they'd end up having a good deal of time still, considering the sheer number of guests who had to be greeted. Still, the maid's requested, while polite, was brought forth with a firmness that tolerated no delays and so Dietrich motioned with his head for Elizabeth and Kostka to go ahead while offering his arm to Angelika, saying:

"Well then, we should not keep our hosts waiting. Will you give me the honour of accompanying me for this ball, Oberste Führerin von Sturmgeist?"

It was almost the same case, but since one of their maids spotted them all together having a talk, as such after all the ceremony and as soon as they dealt with the guests from the commonwealth, they were requested to make their presence known to their hosts. To which as soon as they were present they bowed or curtsied at them.

"Lady von Sturmgeist, Your Majesty von & zu Vladstag , Lady Kostka, Sir Haegler. Welcome to the ball; We hope that this night can be marvelous to all of you; If you need help, please advice to our personnel and they will be willing to." The Grand Duchess spoke, smiling at them even if hidden by her mask.

Once before the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, Dietrich bowed deeply, extending his hand to Grand Duchess Marion VI, asking:

"May I?"

, before, depending on the answer, repeating the act he had done before Angelika, pressing his mask onto the back of the hand for a moment before letting it go and standing up straight again. To his right Elizabeth curtseyed before the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess respectively while behind him, Kostka's bones audibly cracked as she lowered her head and turned herself into a temporary hunchback, though it did atleast put her face closer to the nobles' height, allowing her to salute without towering over the Mervayans as much. She did straighten her back out again immediately after, hanging back and leaving Dietrich to do the talking who calmly said:

"Likewise, likewise your graces, I hope your ball will be most wonderful and successful for you personally and for your house. Alas, I am afraid, Fräulein Kostka has not received a noble title, not due to lack of willingness to give her such a title but more due to her personal distaste for it. I am certain I speak for her when I ask your graces not to address her as Lady in the future. Madam or Miss should suffice."

A painful sensation in his shoulderblades almost made him yelp before he quickly corrected himself:

"I meant to say Missus of course. As for myself, I apologize for the pedantry on my part but I am a Count, not a Knight and would equally be delighted to be referred to as such or as any of my other, current, occupations."

, the final part was said in a calculated, half joking manner, with Dietrich invisibly smiling under his mask. He didn't want to antagonize their hosts afterall but wasn't quite sure how important correct titles were in Mervay. In Exilvania, back during the days of Kaiser Vlad, knowing the correct titles, their ranks within the aristocracy as well as the proper form of address for each of them had been extremely important. So he decided to play it safe for the moment.

"We shall not occupy you for too long, I am certain your graces have more prominent guests to greet and it would be impolite of us to take you all for ourselves. I still hope to exchange words later tonight perhaps?"

With that, Dietrich removed himself from the Grand Duchess' and Grand Duke' presence, Kostka and Elizabeth in tow as he was looking for a relatively quiet spot a bit to the side of the dance floor from which to continue surveying guests for anyone he knew or who was...politically hopefully friendly. Aside from Angelika of course, though he absolutely wouldn't mind her company now.

[Greater Orcadia]

Their next guests were the daughter and son-in law of the Greater Orcadian Ambassador to Port Ember, Lord and Lady Snyder. They were greeted respectfully to their hosts after being led by a maid to them; they were greeted respectfully by their hosts.

"Lord and Lady Snyder. Welcome, it's a pleasure to have you this night." The Grand Duke warmly greeted the couple in the name of his family. "In the name of my family, I hope you two have a great night and our personnel will help you in anything you need."

Penny and Evan shook hands with the duke if he offered such a gesture

"Thank you sir" replied Pnny, "Im sure i will have a great evening" As she spoke, she moved her arm slightly, the lights of the entranceway to the great hall glinted off the chrome that is now her left arm

Evan too was respectful in his reply
"Thank you sir, It is a pleasure to be here as well" he says before taking Penny by the arm and graciously leading her into the hall past the duke after shaking his hand. His eyes taking a moment to take in the surroundings.

Given his past, being in such oppulent company is more than he could have ever have hoped for, son of someone the city mayor didnt like, and now the husband of someone of aristocratic standing, although Penny really likes to live her own life there are times when she needs to step to the socialite stage and this is one such occasion.

[The Selkie]

The entire line of guests from home and abroad were making themselves feel comfortable it seemed, the type of guests was also quite interesting; from heads of state and government, officers from their respective governments, industrialists or businesspeople, military officers, members of royalty from abroad, people of the arts and the list could go on. Of course, the event hasn't really begun as per tradition, the host family had to come and officially announce the beginning of the ball; quite the process, but it was respectful. As such, all guests were left waiting for the moment the House of Devienne will appear, which was; getting near.
Then, in a minute, all guests could hear the sound of trumpets all across the massive hall, four soldiers in the Royal Guard's Ceremonial Dress were in front of the other in the door leading to the dormitories, their faces were stern and serious; their interruption was certainly to the moment everyone waited for.

"Attention all honourable guests!!" One of the soldiers spoke in a respectful tone. "Please recive with the greatest honour; The Princess of Slyvan, Her Most Royal Highness; Circe IV!" As soon as she ended up saying that, the two soldiers at the door opened while the others begun to play the National Anthem in the trumpets. Her face and her smile was hidden by the mask she wore, but it was clear her aura radiated with such happiness and elegance as she walked to the floor while everyone applauded warmly for the appearance of the Princess of Slyvan. Her dress was a contrast to the mask but it worked well to what she wanted.

It was then that the applause stopped and the soldier continued with the names, next one was the pair of twins from the royal family.

"Please recive with the greatest honour, The Prince of Athalyssya and his sister, The Princess of Lixtium; Their Highnesses; Pandareos III and Corette V!!" The turn of the other two members of the Royal Family; they were applauded as loud as their sister was while they were well dressed for the occasion with Princess Corette dressed in a light blue ball gown and her brother in a white tie suit. Of course, they still had another member of the family to make their appearance. The masks of the twins was very identical of the other if we had to say about it entirely. Maybe something taken of some work of theatre?

"And at last!!" The soldier continued, now the last member of the family was to make their appearance. "Because of the issue that Her Emeritus Majesties will not be present at the ball. We will welcome the last member of the Royal Family" After they stepped down the throne three years ago, their parents had been keeping a low profile and decided to not assist at the ball, albeit they were enjoying the carnival from Arcadia.

"Please recive with the greatest honour; Her Most Royal Majesty of Mervay, Callista IV!" As soon as she ended up saying that, the four soldiers begun to play the National Anthem in the trumpets alongside the orchestra, which joined in an improvised yet orderly idea to the soldiers. Then she appeared, her face and her smile was hidden by the mask she wore, but it was clear her aura radiated with such happiness and elegance as she walked to the floor while everyone applauded warmly for her appearance. Her dress was a contrast to the mask but it worked well to what she wanted.

It was after the presence of the Royal Family that the hosting family would appear and, to the surprise of those not familiarized with the tradition, the crown doesn't speak during the inauguration or closing of the ball unless the Royal Family is the one organazing it.

It was then that the trumpets and the orchestra changed the anthem of Mervay to the old anthem of Ardens, in order to signal the arrival of the Grand Dukes and The Crown Princess alongside her boyfriend. Once again the soldier called for the attention of the crowd in order for them to meet their hosts.

"And now. All honourable guests, please give an applause and cheer to the hosts of this year's Masquerade Ball. Presenting with the greatest honour; The Grand Dukes of Ardens; Their Royal Highnesses of Ardens, Adrien IV and Marion VI; Alongside Crown Princess, Lisolette X and her boyfriend, Sir Lucas Walker!!"

As such both couples appeared in front of the guests as they passed the door, the anthem of the old kingdom being heard all across the ballroom while they walked to their position to finally begin the ball, the dukes had masks that covered their faces entirely while the younger couple had masks that covered their eyes. Cheers and applause were all they got and it only stopped by Lord Adrien's Hand motioning to an stop; then he and his wife bowed at the guests before Lady Marion spoke.

"Dear guests. In the name of my family and I, we appreciate your presence in this important event that our family had the honour to host." She told to the guests while everyone applauded at that, Marion let a beat pass before continue. "We want to thank you for your presence here and to thank the people that has helped in preparing the event since we were the organizers, but they, they were the ones that made sure all of us have the opportunity to enjoy this night to the best!" That certainly could be seen to where the praise was getting, the entire staff made sure to prepare the event as the family organized it and they deserved to be recognized the effort.

It was then that Adrien glared at his wife and with a light giggle from her let him speak.

"We also are honoured to announce that for the first time in 200 years, we will be blessed with the opportunity to see in middle of this prestigious event, an meteor shower." To some that was clearly an point they looked foward to see when it happens, more noticing the gasps of awe as they heard that. "As such, when the time comes, all of you are to be led outside to the balconies if you wish to see the shower." After that however, there was nothing more to say, they wanted to keep it simple and the traditional speech they needed to give was for when the ball ended, where they will ask all guests to take off their masks and finally see the faces of those surrounding them.

"It is, with the greatest honour that without any further delays, we declare the officially inauguration of this year's masquerade ball!" And with that a new round of applause followed through, the Grand Duke motioned for the orchestra to begin with the music, a waltz was the selected opening piece for the night.

Now it came the moment of greetings and socialize with the guests. Which speaking of rome...

[...]
Grand Duke Adrien and Grand Duchess Marion
Both women, Lady Gluaisrothar and Lady Blaidd; were requested by a maid as soon as the inauguration ended, to please come and greet their hosts respectfully in order before they can enjoy finally the ball; it was to be quick and simple for everyone to go and enjoy.

The Grand Dukes and her daugher bowed respectfully as soon as they were in front of them; they couldn't notice it, but they were smiling politely at them beneath their masks.

"Lady Blaidd, Lady Gluaisrothar; it is a honour to see you in this honourable event." The Grand Duchess spoke to them politely before adding. "Please make sure to enjoy the ball and advice us or to our personnel if you two have any problems."

Lisolette Devienne and Lucas Walker
As much as it was nice to dance the waltz together with your soon to be fiance, she had other things to take care of too; as such, she glared at Lucas a look, the two of the used to what each of it meant; understood that this one was to talk with the guests, a work required and that it could be fun, but then again; they had to do it once in a while to know if everything was alright so they had time to spare before getting to that bridge. It was fun to have the person you love deeply be besides you, if this was during high school and those two weren't a couple despite their obvious feelings for the other; she might as well turned red scarlet like her eyes by how her friends would tease her.
But now, now she could only laugh at such thought as they were besides her parents, greeting the guests, the next ones, after of course being requested by a butler to please make sure to make themselves present to the hosts, Cel and her mother.

And when he did; he could only smile and bow as she curtsied at the pair of mother and daughter. Always happy to see her friend again.

"Ladies Sloroimh, it's quite a pleasure to see you around here." Lucas said, keeping formalities as he talked to Cel and her mother, she also had to do the same after all.

"I like to repeat the words of my boyfriend as well my dear friends." She said smiling warmly at the two. "Thanks for accepting the invitation my family lended to you two. And which, please allow me to present them." Lise in turn motioned to her parents.

"Mother, Father; Please allow me to present you to my friend, Lady Celina and her mother, Lady Finnya." The Crown Princess told them with an warm grin in her face. "Lady Finnya, Lady Celina, those are my parents; Lord Adrien, Grand Duke of Ardens, and Lady Marion, Grand Duchess of Ardens." The couple bowed at the pair of mother and daughter, a kind smile beneath their masks.

"It is a pleasure to meet you two." The Grand Duke spoke in a polite and kind manner while his wife took the word.

"Our daughter is a great friend of yours and we were interested in meeting her and you, Lady Finnya." The Grand Duchess continued with an hidden smile. "Please make sure to enjoy the ball, as soon as we are done greeting the respective guests we would like to have an word with you two if possible."

Athena Freezis
After a few minutes of wait, he was finally here and he looked handsome; it seemed he really did up hismself and was glad to see he came. Athena could only smile as she curtsied at him before hugging him warmly and giving him a kiss on his lips, finally able after their confession back in Ironcastle. She let go a minute later as her smile and eyes were looking at him warmly.

"Thank you so much for coming!" She exclaimed with such happiness on her eyes that could even warm in the cold nights of winter. "So how it was your travel here?" Before she could make more questions, the trumpets sounded and called for the eyes of everyone to be fixated in the door where the hosts and the Royal Family would appear.

The calls for each of them to appear took it's time alongside the official inauguration of the ball; not that long as maybe fifteen minutes at most; she made sure that during that time she was close to her boy friend, her arms linked with his as they watched the ceremony unfold for the time being before it ended.
After that however, she eyed at Leo and knew, that he was a nervious as she was, and who couldn't blame him; he got into a high society event like this just for her and to meet her parents so they gave their blessings to the relationship, she already talked very good of him that what was to be needed now was to confirm her words.

"Before we get to talk with my family. We should certainly go and greet our hosts, it would be impolite if we don't?"

Grand Duke Adrien and Grand Duchess Marion
Similar to the other case, Princess Aurelia was requested by a maid to please greet the hosts before moving on to enjoy the night, the process was entirely being done in a way there wasn't a any guests waiting and as such, as soon as one was done theother was called. It only was a few minutes and they had her in front of them, to which they bowed at her respctfully with the same charm they greeted everyone.

"Your Highness, it is a honour to have you here in this honourable event. Please make sure to enjoy of the ball and advice to any of our personnel if you have a problem." The grand duke said respectfully at the Princess before they got their next guest to greet.

A butler went to request the presence of Lady Faris, the next guest to be requested to present herself with the hosts. It was clear they were calling guest by guest to those who they could at the moment and if they could.

"Lady Faris, it's an pleasure to have you in this prestigious event and we hope you enjoy it." The Grand Duchess said with the same respectful charm like always. "If you have an issue, please let it be known to our personnel."

Of course then they had more guests to greet after deal with the Kyrenian Businesswoman, this time a maid led the Teressian Couple to where the host family was for their greetings before finally moving on. They all bowed, but this time their daughter was the first to speak while curtsying.

"Lady Findehoof, it is a pleasure to see you again alongside your boyfriend." She could smile gently and subtly but certainly Enya might remember where she saw her back two years ago. Meanwhile her eyes fell on Alrich now.

"It is an honour to have you with your girlfriend, Your Highness. In the name of my family, I hope you two enjoy the ball." She smiled at them as so did the rest of the family; for them it was nice Lise doing this since when she will host events like this, she will to get used to it.

[...]

When the hosts came out to greet their guests and to formally open the ball, the guests from the Free Lands, from Kyrenaia and from Tressien applauded politely. Of course, when Callista appeared, the applause got a bit stronger from the Kyrenaian Camp, but that was a given.
After the state visit last year, Callista IV. of Mervay was a household name in Kyrenaia, Mervay was, as far as Kyrenaia was concerned, seen as a potential equal partner, on par with the Free Lands as far as the weight of their word was concerned - not to mention, that Callista had impressed the crowds (who had mostly watched her reception via TV, due to COVID) and that she and her delegation had impressed the political apparatus of Kyrenaia with their abilities.
And then the ball was opened by the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess and the merry positioning could begin!

Branwen Blaidd, of Tralee Descent.
We were fetched by a maid to greet our gracious hosts, as it was polite, shortly after the opening of the ball, and I had the feeling, that both the Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess and their daughter were smiling beneath their masks.
We did, too, as we bowed our heads, as it was custom among the Selkie.
The Grand Duchess greeted us, as Lady Blaidd and Lady Gluaisrothar, to which Nolly replied: "The honour is ours, Your Majesty.", she spoke for both me and her. She was simply better at this. "Branwen and I were deeply honoured at your invitation. I am sure, that there won't be any problems. I hope, that we might see each other later on the dance floor."
I nodded.
And with that, we were done and off.
It took a moment, until we were out of earshot: "Lady Blaidd?", Nolly asked with a smirk.
"Apparently.", I said and couldn't help but smile. Usually, in the Free Lands, the appelation for a Spiorad like me was Milady (or Milord, if it was a guy) followed by the first name. But my Dad was Milord Llwyd. I was... Branwen. Branny for friends, who had a weirds sense for nicknames. I shrugged slightly. "Speaking of, though, you mentioned dances... anyone you'd have your eyes on for a spin?"
"You, for example.", Nolly said - and giggled as I blushed.

Finnya Sloroimh of the Tribe of Cork.
We met Lucas, a cute lad, and Cel's friend Lise quite quickly, but I must admit... were I three decades younger, I would not make a pass at Lucas. He was in firm and safe hands, hands, which thought the world of him - and hands, which he thought the world of.
Even as the two were formal and stuck to protocol, the four of us exchanging quick greetings before they introduced us to Lise's parents, one could feel the love they held for each other.
And then, we met Lord Adrien, the Grand Duke of Ardens, and Lady Marion, the Grand Duchess of Ardens.
"Of course it is possible, Your Royal Highness.", I said and bowed my head politely, Cel following suit, as it was custom, "Cel has spoken very kindly of your daughter and your soon-to-be son-in-law, so I would be thrilled to meet her parents... if only to compare notes, as it were."
Cel blushed lightly, but did not miss throwing a wink at Lise - a conspiracy in the making, so that the three friends could leave us oldtimers to our oldtimer-conversation, when the time came. I did not mind.
"Until then...", I finished, "...we'll leave you to your duties."
Cel bowed her head lightly as well. "Until then, Sir, Ma'am.", she said politely.

Leonard Rualacha of the Tribe of Wicklow.
The kiss was very appreciated and there might have been some tongue involved, but let's not go into detail there.
I was overjoyed to see her again and as such, I nodded at her proposal of meeting our hosts, my nervousness not away, but soothed by Athena. She was like a rock.
As we were on our way, I decided to answer her question: "My trip here was nice. I... well, I hitched a ride, if you want to put it that way, with a friend. Celina Sloroimh of the Tribe of Cork and her mother Finnya. I can introduce you later, if you want, they're nice.", I told her of my trip, while we made the trip to our hosts.

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
A maid fetched me and brought me to the hosts, who welcomed me.
I bowed my head with a smile, which was not hidden by my mask.
"The honour and pleasure is all mine, Adrien-Ilkhan.", I told the Grand Duke, using, as it was custom with the Kyrenaians, the Kyrenaian name for his title of nobility - a Grand Duke was roughly equivalent to an Ilkhan. "I hope, that we have the chance for a closer conversation later."
And with that, I left them to their duties, Faris shortly behind me.
I decided to linger a bit, intercept her, maybe, as she was greeted a few moments after me. She said something very similar to me, then moved away, spotted me.
"Ah, Aurelia...", she said in Kyrenaian, "I thought, that I had seen your new boat in the harbour at Port Directus. A nice little ship. What was her top speed again?"
I was very sure, that she knew exactly, what the Hariqasahm was all about, down to the last weld. I still decided to humour her: "35 knots, or 64.8 kilometers per hour. I also saw the Rahala."
"Indeed.", she spoke with a small bow. We were able to hold polite conversation. "Mervay is an interesting country, after all... and speaking of interesting..." She leaned over to me slightly, as if to tell a secret. "I think I spotted Marcella-Khana."
Oh, alarm bells, stop going off, she might hear you - but then again, if Marcella was here...
"Would you allow me to join you, if only for a quick hello?", Faris asked.
I did not hesitate for a moment: "Certainly.", I said - and my heart was pounding. On one hand, I would see my beloved again, on the other, I was leading a Sand Wyvern to her...

[...]

It didn't take long for Noir to return to the side of everyone else having grabbed a drink for the Duchess. "Why thank you, Noir." The others would be on their own but that's fine, Noir was more in service to The Duchess than to anyone else in the group and it likely wouldn't be hard to find a maid or butler in a few minutes anyway. "I believe our hosts will be making their appearances in just a moment." Noir calculated. And indeed they did as attention was called for with many noble families being introduced each with their own ravishing gowns and different types of masks to go with it.

Noir gave a few brief tidbits on who the people were introduced, nothing that wasn't already available to any world leader, naturally but good to inform Marcella should she run into them on the floor while Noir wasn't at her side. Obviously the Queen needed no introduction to Marcella, she knew plenty on her from usual foreign briefs. Anyway, with everyone introduced and shown off another surprise, tonight there'd be a lovely meteor shower! "oh exciting, a celestial event, a gift from the Holy Mothers themselves."

"Indeed it is, Milady, it's sure to be a beautiful sight this evening." Noir agreed.

"Romantic too!" Millihi cooed at the thought as she nuzzled up against her husband, being able to stand on the balcony and watch the greatest light show nature could offer. It wasn't too long as the various nobles fanned out on the dance floor to greet their guests, such a nice gesture to make them feel welcome. The Grand Duke welcomed all of them together and they similarly gave respectful greetings back from slight bows to a curtsy by the Lady Wisteria.

"Milord, thank you for the invitation here tonight." Marcella spoke out first "I do apologize for having a bigger party than what we probably first responded with. I know Noir here did her best to amend the invite but you know how things are in our little corner of the world. We appreciate the staff being at our call if we need them we'll be certain to remember that."

"Milord thank you kindly." Lord Wisteria responded as well. "we shall." He finished with a simple statement to allow him to move along, no doubt many more to go meet and greet.

"I'm sorry, did I over do things?" Marcella asked sheepishly.

"Perhaps so, Milady," Noir responded rather nonchalant "the first dispersal by the hosts are usually meant to be a quick hello. But don't fret over it. I'm sure the Mervay Government is well aware of our culture and customs so they know you were intending to show respect by apologizing."

"Agreed, Milady." Millhi agreed. "Cinque, let's go get ourselves something to drink."

"Yeah, all right. Please excuse us a moment."

"Certainly."

There she was, surrounded by two other women, both like the Spiorad (I had learned during my last trip to the UIS, that there was at least one Spiorad living there), while a blond man was running off, presumably to fetch something.
Faris was in the lead as she directed me towards Marcella, but fell in line behind me as we approached.
Damn heels... They kept me from running over to Marcella and shoving my tongue down her throat...
Like this, I had to content with a less quick pace, but at an apppropriate distance, I cleared my throat.
My heart was beating so loud, it might as well learn the rhythm and join the orchestra.

Enya Findehoof.
A maid led us over and I was a bit surprised that, instead of greeting Alrich first, the daughter of the Grand Duke turned to me - Alrich didn't seem to mind. Wait... ah, now I recognized her!
I smiled a beaming smile at her, nodded, as they turned to Alrich.
He smiled at Lise and bowed his head. "The pleasure is all ours, Princess.", he said with a bit of an accent, "And I am sure, that we'll enjoy ourselves. If you would now excuse us?"
And with that, we were off, me throwing Lise a wink, telling her, that I had recognized her.
As we were out of earshot, Alrich looked to me. "I see, that you have recognized our hosts..."
"Only their daughter. I met her at the Aftershow Party 2019.", I told Alrich. "The one where I took your mother along."
He winced. "I remember her discription... she did have some fun with the younger models, if I remember correctly.", he said, I nodded, "In any case, let's get something to drink."
I nodded in agreement and we were off to the bar.

[Nachfolgia]

-snip

Angelika smirked unnoticeably at the obvious disdain radiating from Princess Elizabeth, watching as she begrudgingly gave a shallow curtsy. Which considering Angelika technically outranked her in terms of hierarchy could have been perceived as an insult. Angelika merely found it childish.


Turning towards Kostka after hearing her chuckle, and staring her down as Kostka brazenly tried to touch her inappropriately. The nerve of this woman! Though she wanted nothing more than to put the giantess in her place, Angelika simply raised a brow and inclined her head at the tall woman. “And I see you still don’t understand proper decorum and polite manners, Frau Inspektionsleiterin Kostka.”

Before Angelika could offer a witty quip to Haegler’s attempt to rectify the greeting with another try, the royal trumpets blared, signalling the entrance of the royal family. Angelika gave her full attention to the royal family as they were being introduced. She wanted to gather as much info on them as possible which she was sure the night would provide plenty of time for that. Such was the life of a former intelligence officer, having to read and gather info on everyone she met. Even though at times it annoyed Angelika, she understood its importance. You never know when the information could come in hand.

Angelika clapped as each blue blooded noble was introduced, following alone with the rest of the room. She never much cared for nobility, having had bad experiences with them. Each noble she had ever encountered, from the Exilvanian princess to the Minrozian Emperor, all were extremely high brow and condescending. Maybe it was her predisposition towards Nobility, her own country having a kaiser a mere 150 years or so ago that became a messy situation. Maybe it was actually true of blue bloods. Regardless, Angelika was expecting nothing less from the Nobles of Mervay.


After a rather pandering speech, the ball was officially opened and the guests were free to mingle and enjoy the festivities. It didn’t take her long before a servant summoned Angelika and the Xers to be introduced to the Hosts. Angelika agreed and took Haegler’s arm and was led to the Grand Duke and Duchess. Holding onto Haegler’s arm, Angelika was reminiscent of Yeuzechan and the Victory Ball that the Nachfolgians hosted after their conquering of the country. That night her and Haegler shared a dance and a kiss that made headlines in the Reich. While it was nice to see Haegler be socially awkward around her, she wondered how tonight will go and how “eventful” it will be.

When the group reached the Grand Duke and Duchess, Angelika was polite and gave a shallow courtesy as one would normally do if they respected nobility.

“ Thank you for affording a Nachfolgian the opportunity to witness such a grandiose event, your graces.” Angelika greeted, giving special attention to making sure she didn’t sound insincere.

She watched and gave a half smile as Haegler extended his hand out and kissed the Grand Duchess’s hand, much like he did hers. She then quietly listened with amusement as he prostrated himself to the Nobles and then tried to explain Kostka’s situation regarding titles. She noticed the strike to his back from the tall Xer but did not draw attention to it. When Haegler offered parting words, Angelika finally piped up to offer her own words.

“ I too would like to exchange words in the near future, but first, Herr Reichkommadant was going to offer me a dance. I take my leave, your graces. “ Angelika said as she was soon led away by Haegler. Of course, she wasn’t expecting a dance right away and merely offered up an opportunity to leave the Grand Duke and Duchess. If only she could see the look on Haelger’s face, she was sure he was panicking underneath that mask.

[A m e n r i a]

Camilla Miao, Heiress of the Miao Coven, a Ramadhan Family subsidiary

The hall was full of people from different countries all over the multiverse. A fashion designer from her universe's iteration of Greece, a little boy in a cute green kimono, a guy in a ski mask, for some reason, and many others. One stood out and grabbed my attention - a guy wearing the Imperial Colours. Perhaps it's his clothing, or his frame, I'm not really sure. I've always had a thing for blondes too, so that might be it.

"I like the outfit you're wearing, was it custom made?" Camilla tried to start a conversation with Cossentic. She smiled in return, fangs hidden and retracted, slightly tilting her body to show the slit on the side of her dress, and, by extension, her long legs, as at 180 centimetres, she was one of the tallest members of the Starchild Sorority. Before she could continue her conversation, trumpets were heard and suddenly everyone's attention was at the soldiers introducing the hosts of the events. She clapped along with the rest of the attendees, taking note of the royals to report to her uncle later on.

Camellia Miao, Heiress of the Miao Coven, a Ramadhan Family subsidiary

She just had to talk to the first blonde guy she sees.I guess it's fine, we are here to build networks, after all. Maybe I should start talking with someone too, but who? Hm?

A maid walked up to Camellia, explaining the standard procedure for balls in Mervay. She bowed and put her hand on the left side of her chest and bowed slightly. "I see, my apologies. We'll be on our way then." Camellia smiled softly, then turned to her sister, approaching her and calling her by her Chinese name. "Let's go meet our hosts. Take him with you if you want." Camellia looked at Damien, smiling and extending her right hand for him to shake, showing her birthmark on her arm that looked like dots that formed half of the constellation Gemini. "Camellia Miao, Heiress of the Miao Coven, a Ramadhan Family subsidiary. This is my twin sister, Camilla." Camilla waited her turn to shake Damien's hand. "Well, shall we?" Camilla went closer to Damien, asking him to join her, with what seems to be a soft Dongbei accent.

Box: a character's inner thoughts
Green: spoken in Chinese
Blue: spoken in English

[Lillorainen]

Sophia Fauth.
As we entered, the hosts themselves, Grand Duke Adrien and Grand Duchess Marion, greeted us, as a contingent - a logical choice, as we were indeed approaching as a joint group. We were followed by some folks from Hrimfaroth, of whom I immediately recognized Allie Mulroney, whose appearence was well-known to me thanks to my sister Saskia, an ambitioned equestrian, who was in charge of dealing with our family's farm, near Dettinghoven-Merchweiler, Fylerian Free State, for a reason; I also recognized the two Princes, as well as Dr. Joy Tremayne, whose knowledge on what we commonly referred to as 'opinion amplifiers' was sufficient to be known to me as well - in fact, the FCS-17 Assault Rifle was part of Dad's enormous collection.
I felt surprisingly good around here - normally, I avoided situations like this due to my experience with them. Dad was usually described as 'special', but he was nowhere near some other businesspeople I knew. When I had been young, years before I became an author, I had been a prominent newsreader at Radio Fylern, Fyleria's state-run radio channel. When Dad had been visited by his colleagues, Saskia had proudly told them about that - and one man had shouted at her, "The radio?! A public channel?! You do realize, that this is the first place they're going to capture in a coup d'etat?!"
This was the time Saskia and I started to consistently be busy with the horses whenever our parents had guests.
Shocking, I know.
This time, however, I had enough experience myself, mostly from Ahjada, where I had spent several years in as a journalist, I felt good; said businessmen would probably have freaked out, if they had known about this. Well, maybe they had, should they have read Rosfahan Calling, the book I had written about said time, before I had started to write for Hammamat Alshati - which was my main business now, at least until the time would come to inherit Dad's farm.
After we had been greeted, we had moved on. From distance, I managed to spot Branwen Blaidd, of Tralee Descent. A fellow author, responsible for Gwarcheidwad, a Sci-Fi series. I quite liked Sci-Fi - I would probably have contributed to Captain Coulter, if my Shamsiyyan were better -, even though my main focus were novels about conspiracies and theories thereon in the here and now. For a given definition of the term 'here', obviously.
Miss Blaidd was talking to a woman in her mid-20s, blonde and green-eyed, whom I certainly had already seen somewhere, but I failed to remember where, at the moment. When I approached, they did seem to talk about dances - the blonde woman, apparently, offered herself as a dance partner, in case Miss Blaidd wouldn't find any alternative.
I took a deep breath, then I smiled.
"Excuse my interruption" - I said. "But shouldn't first things come first? I've learned, that first, you go to the bar, then pick a dance partner."

Arnulf Riescheid.
It took me but a moment to realize, that it could get interesting very soon.
I recognized Celina at once - I knew her from a lot of photos, and this lot of photos didn't even include the catalogues of Bicíní Industries. One could say much about Chris (indeed named after Ambrosius), but he did have a good taste.
Her mother - what was the name? Fenja? Finja? Ah, no, Finnya, it was - wasn't entirely unknown, either. She worked for BI as well, and I must say, one couldn't guess her age just from her appearance; she looked quite young, despite being a few years older than me. This is how you age like a fine wine - I thought.
No worries, though - Mette, my own wife, remained the most beautiful woman on earth for me.
Still, I couldn't help but take a deep breath until I decided to approach my son's girlfriend and her mother.
"Dia dhaoibh!" - I said, smiling. I had a deep respect for my son as far as learning the Selkie-language was concerned. I immediately switched to English. "I have a sneaking suspicion, that we should have met way sooner. I'm Arnulf Riescheid, Chris' father."

[AHSCA]

There she was, surrounded by two other women, both like the Spiorad (I had learned during my last trip to the UIS, that there was at least one Spiorad living there), while a blond man was running off, presumably to fetch something.
Faris was in the lead as she directed me towards Marcella, but fell in line behind me as we approached.
Damn heels... They kept me from running over to Marcella and shoving my tongue down her throat...
Like this, I had to content with a less quick pace, but at an apppropriate distance, I cleared my throat.
My heart was beating so loud, it might as well learn the rhythm and join the orchestra.

The gentlemen went off to grab drinks for their wives, leaving the four women behind in their little group. The band had kicked up a nice piece again but they were really waiting for something to slowly move to. Sylvia explained a few things to Marcella, "Well I'm well versed in ball room myself."

Noir's eyes caught glance of the golden haired dark skinned beauty that was the Princess Aurelia darting to them at this moment. "Uh excuse me, Miladies." Noir interrupted "But Milady Duchess, I believe someone has found you!"

Marcella turned her attention to where Noir was looking and yup, there was Aurelia. Marcella's cheeks flushed red as well seeing the woman who stole her heart, not alone but that didn't matter.

"Oooh, excuse me, Lady Sylvia, Noir, Premier. "

"Oooh" Syliva giggled just a little like a school girl confiding with her BFF about a crush, "The lovely Desert Princess has found her other Princess."

"So romantic!" Millihi held her glowing cheeks as well. Marcella gathering her long skirt shuffled her way over to Aurelia so the two could meet up in the middle basically which wasn't much further from her little posse. The words suddenly escaped her, she wanted to throw herself onto Aurelia and just kiss her but this was a large party and that would be rude, not to mention Aurelia was with a guest, so still unable to summon the words, she did what would be polite, she gave a deep curtsy to say hello. Well maybe much much later the two could dance together in more ways than one. Marcella was glad Noir did talk her into going, how bad it would have been if she didn't come and Aurelia did arrive. Balls are for couples, right? Well now she had her better half.