Ballroom A

A graceful landing outside was heard from a distance followed by the clomping of hooves that slowly faded into footsteps. An auburn-haired man that had a tall frame and a rather shiny looking weapon slung across his back in a leather sling was found to be the source of the footsteps.

Stormy eyes raged on as lightning flicked across his unique irises. The deep voice came off a little louder than he had intended due to the wonderful acoustics in the ballroom that caused his baritone voice to bounce off of the very walls and ceiling, amplifying his already rather loud voice from years of shouting to his soldiers.

"You look rather lost." he said, his eyes darting around the room following the acoustics and following up in a more quiet tone afterwards.

"My apologies if I startled you, madame." he followed up.

Sweeping steps graced the silent movement of the hunter's frame, his visage calm and pristine, in contrast with his stormy eyes. His clothing fell about him loosely in slight disarray, but this was offset by the gentle smile with which his eyes and visage held as he politely awaited response.

Lucian strutted in the ball room in his best tux. A simple yet intelligent looking costume with long flowing tails nearly to the floor. A simple black bow tie resides at the base of his throat and his cuffs were tight to his wrists. The regal air of the ballroom was a new feeling for Lucian and he wasn't sure if he liked it yet but he knew he didn't hate it.

He watched the dancers flow across the room with ease and grace not to different to his own martial arts. He felt strange with his gloves not on his hands but he had each one hidden in his coat pocket so he didn't feel as helpless. He sauntered across the floor side stepping the falling panels as he made his way to hor d'oeuvres.

"Que bueno." he responded with a smile, raising an auburn eyebrow and chuckling lightly at her blush. as his hands reached forward only momentarily to catch her, but fell short before she hopped back to her feet.

The calm tone that had taken his voice didn't boom off of the walls like before, and he had, himself, been slightly embarrassed by the volume of his original statement, though it had scarcely showed.

His stormy irises caught sight of her bubbly nature and it slightly amused his aloof nature. Settling most of his weight on one leg, the sling across his back and his clothing slid to the left side of him. Those sharpened eyes remained on her, but noted the presence in the room as well, choosing to keep his attention on the young girl in front of him instead.

"You speak my native language. That's a rare thing for me to find.." he said softly, so as not to surprise anyone else. "No apologies necessary, however. It was I who walked too close to cause your bumping into me. My apologies for that, as well." the musketeer continued as music began to hum through the area, no doubt spurred on by the spirits that had departed upon his arrival.

"Loneliness is something I'm all too familiar with, and as I've a few minutes before I have to depart, would you like some company, señorita?" he asked politely, his accent picking up on the final word in his sentence.

Mael danced casually with Amber, gazing into her loving eyes and holding her with the gentlest of touches as they easily swept the dance floor. His golden eyes had regained their luminescence and his hands their powerful feel. Dressed in an white tuxedo and a pale blue undershirt, the pair cut a dashing scene as they waltzed as if the troubles of the world were of no more consequence.

Although he felt her troubled thoughts, Mael was insistent at the beginning of the evening that they focus on the time that they had left, and truly enjoy it instead of worrying over the troubles that were to be none of their concern soon enough. Though they'd had a long talk the morning before, and traveled to see an old friend before showing up to the event, all of it seemed forever away now as he cherished each and every moment holding her in his arms.

Finally, the song began coming to a close as Mael spun her and dipped her, landing a gentle kiss upon her lips as he brought her back up. A deep breath arose from his chest, and the old man that took the weight of everyone else and the world on his shoulders finally seemed at peace with himself.

"I missed dancing with you. It's been awhile." he reminisced, smiling and laughing a little. "You've been all I've wanted for a very long time. Thank you..for coming back for me." Mael said softly, kissing her forehead whilst he held her, entwining the fingers of the hand that held hers from the waltz.

Smiling as brightly as ever, Amber swayed to the music with Mael, her hair done up in white ribbons to match his tuxedo and her flowing dress the same powder blue as his shirt. Even as an ominous feeling tickled at the back of her mind, she cast it aside, laying her cheek against the soft fabric of his lapel. Beneath his clothing, she could hear his heart beat, a strong and steady thrum that set her own at ease.

“You’re a wonderful dancer, Mael…,” she murmured, recalling when last they had danced this way.

As Mael twirled her to the song’s ending chorus, she laughed and kissed him sweetly, resting her forehead on his. Here was all she had wanted for a very long time…it saddened her to know it would end soon, but they had talked about this. Nodding in agreement with him, she wrapped her arms about his waist and nuzzled against his chest, squeezing his hand gently.

“Thank you for waiting for me…Shall we go outside for some fresh air? It would do you some good,” she entreated, pulling him towards a spiraling staircase in the midst of the room that would perchance lead them to an outdoor area.

Noting Mael's entrance, Aurion bowed deeply to the girl in front of him. He didn't like to impose on his old acquaintance if he could avoid it, and his emotions would most definitely be fouled with if he felt the occurrence that looked as if would occur actually did so.

"Please forgive me, but I must take my leave." he said with a calm smile, containing any worry that may have sparked in the musketeer's eyes.

With that said, he turned and walked slowly down through the castle, looking for something to occupy his time and keep his mind busy enough to miss the fireworks that were supposed to light off during the evening. Still, a letter he'd received by way of an ebon-winged avian creature earlier on in the day plagued his mind.

Lucian quickly found himself bored. Unless he was dancing against someone dancing was no fun at all. Thats why he preferred to fight. With that he decided he should check out some other attractions of the castle. With a castle this size there must be something interesting to do. He began to walk out of the ballroom when a tile beneath him began to shift. He effortlessly flipped form the tile landing deftly near the door. Of course it would be an interesting arena for a fight.