Talen'sul, Celebrate!

[Kender Bard]

((Talen'sul, Year 1021 in Winter)

Guest list includes: All nobles (minor and major) of Maelstrom, New Anarlina, Talen'sul, and Khelek Crystalands. Any personal friends of Tristan or the royal family. All bards from these regions are welcome to come be paid to perform.))

Luminous was ecstatic with delight as she rushed about the Palace of Winds to make sure everything was ready to go. Of course, there was far too much for her alone to oversee which was why she had a horde of servants seeing to it all. But she couldn't help but busy herself. There were several long tables heavily laden with drinks and foods, servants prepared to whisk treats and glasses on silver platters, some of the bards who had arrived early to begin setting up in the performance area of the ballroom, and of course guest rooms being made up for all the out-of-nation travelers who wanted to stay in the palace and not the local inns.

Luminous finally gave up getting in everyone's way to go to her personal chambers and fuss over her outfit--a dark purple gown with silvery embroidery, a statement to her commitment to her new house as much as because the colors flattered her--and her hair (worn partially up with silver and amethyst hair pins to hold the bun in place and the rest trailing down in a long braid with silk silver ribbons.) She left explicit instructions to have Tristan ushered to her bedroom once he showed up so that they could make an entrance together when the guests had assembled.

[Northen Light36]

Bas, along with Robin and Letha, was among the first guests to arrive - for once without her twin at her side. She would have preferred not to attend at all and simply send the younger set of twins to represent House Melissan-Ronoh, but it would have been unspeakably rude as well as a deadly mistake politically. Her adoptive father may have been the family head in name, but in reality the duties of that role fell to her and Pas.

And her twin certainly wasn't ready to face the reason behind this ball. He was still healing from the blow Luminous had dealt him, even if Bas had done her best to brace him for the heartbreak, and it would have set him back to be here. So it was up to Bas to grit her teeth and put up with the duties of Family, even if she hated balls and was far more comfortable in armor then a dress.

She had to admit, Letha's clever hand with face paints and such other girl things had worked a miracle. Her choppy hair had somehow been turned into some fashionable hairstyle with a couple of diamond covered clips and the new dress, in Family colours of course, fitted like a glove without being crude in how it highlighted her features. There was nothing that gave away the sheathed dagger on her hip, nor did she look even remotely like a child any more.

Her family ring glittered gold on her finger, the ring of the Melissan Heir having replaced her former copper Family ring, and everything about her spoke of her right to wear it. She may have looked the part of a gentle lady, but she moved with the deadly grace that was to be expected of the Heir to a warrior bloodline and her eyes were calculating and cool in a way that warned against underestimating her. A sharp eye would note the cut of her dress managed to allow for complete freedom of movement.

Robin and Letha had lost the last of their childhood too since the last time they'd made an appearance. While Letha would never be as tall or filled out as her sister, she had a beauty all of her own and while she'd lost her youthful innocence, there was a quiet wisdom in her eyes instead and the grace of a dancer in her movements. Her hair glittered a little with gold dust that brightened its colour and hung loose down her back in gentle ringlets. She was young still, but it was a woman who accompanied her sister rather then a girl.

Robin's eyes might not be as hard as Bas', but there was a cool assessment in how he looked at everyone and while he might be thin, every inch of him was clearly lean, strong muscle. He too was the child of a warrior bloodline and as he walked between his sisters, he was clearly as much on guard duty as he was a guest. Dressed in House colours, with his hair bound tightly out of his face and a decorative dagger that was more functional then it appeared on his hip, there was something about the young man that would remind anyone of Amaro.

House Melissan-Ronoh was clearly making a statement of their own tonight. They'd been dealt a blow by the loss of their former Lord and Heir, but they would remain a force to be reckoned with.

[Darastrix]

Tristan was excited for the day for several reasons. One, he actually liked balls and the socializing that went along with them. Two, he'd get to spend more time with Luminous. And three, his brother was going to be there. Despite Zira having moved to Anarlina when he was still a baby, they'd grown close and Tristan was eager for him and Luminous to meet. Well, meet again. He knew Zack and Zira had both met Luminous (as well as her parents) before, but it had been when his fiancee was a child and he doubted she remembered them much. He really hoped they liked each other.

When he arrived at the palace (separate from his mother, as they didn't want him to seem a child), he found himself quickly escorted to Luminous' room. He paused in the doorway when he was allowed entrance and smiled when he saw her. "You look beautiful tonight," he told her, stepping the rest of the way inside. He was in House colours as well, with the addition of black as an accent, and his wings were lightly dusted with silver.

[Kender Bard]

Luminous grinned happily at his arrival and hastened to greet him with a tight hug. "And you every bit the handsome lord," she responded in kind, leaning in and kissing him carefully. She'd applied a bit of tint to her lips and she wasn't sure if it would stain his or not if she kissed too hard or long. She reached out to lightly run her fingertip along one of his primary feathers. "Your wings are so sparkly!" For herself, she'd also applied a little bit of kohl and something silvery around her eyes and a bit of rouge for her cheeks. The faint scent of perfume--jasmine--lingered on her skin.

"Your brother and brother-in-law made it to the event, right?" she asked. She was just as eager to meet her new family members as Tristan was to introduce her.

---

Shyamal grinned as he looked about, in high spirits. He didn't mind at all that Luminous hadn't chosen her from amongst her suitors--while they hadn't been disagreeable, they hadn't seemed to share any chemistry and their personalities weren't the most complimentary. Instead, he was supremely happy for Tristan... And admittedly curious to see if there would be any ladies of similar age presenting themselves. "Looks like Princess Luminous isn't sparing expenses on this celebration," he noted to his fathers. He glanced at the other guests, eyes skipping over Robin and Bas to linger momentarily on Letha before flicking back to the other two. Frowning, he asked Zira, ~Are those guards or guests...?~

One of the royal guards had noticed as well and, spying Robin's dagger, approached the trio. Addressing the young man, he said, "Sir, if you are not going to peace-tie your weapon I must insist on holding on to it for you."

[Darastrix]

Tristan grinned at her after the kiss and fluffed his feathers a bit. Finally, he was old enough to add powder or paint to his wings. When the stuff had come into fashion, his mother had stipulated that he could use such things when he was of age, but considering that he was betrothed and that his birthday was just next season, she easily bent on that.

"Zira, Zack, and Shyamal and Autumn," he said, his smile widening. "I know you met Shyamal a few years ago, but I...don't think you've met my niece."

---

Zira was in similarly high spirits, delighted for his little brother. He had initially been a bit more wary, for the same reasons their mother had been, but Tristan had been clearly happy, and not just about his new position. From what he could tell, he liked Luminous a good deal, even if the two of them hadn't fallen in love yet.

"Nothing like a royal ball," Zack said with a grin as he looked about. Beside him, Autumn watched the other guests, her gaze lingering on Bas for a moment. She didn't understand the message she and her brother were trying to send, and if she had, she still wouldn't have understood. Nobody did that in the Anarlinan court. At least, nobody who was dressed like that.

Zira glanced about at his son's question, and his wings gave a twitch as he halted the reflex to draw them toward his back at the way Bas and Robin were presenting themselves. He still had moments of edginess even now, particularly when he noted something out of the ordinary.

~I...imagine they're here as guests,~ he told Shyamal. ~They're actually our cousins, Acqua's children.~ Though why they looked like they expected a fight was beyond him.

[Kender Bard]

"I haven't had the pleasure," she admitted. "Would you like me to meet with them a bit privately before things start? I'd rather not make my way to the ballroom until more guests arrive." She smirked and affected a pose of vanity. "One must wait for at least some guests so as to make a grand entrance." But she couldn't keep a straight face at that and bit her lip to keep from laughing.

---

~Odd~ was Shyamal's only response. ~Maybe they have reason to be unhappy over the event?~

Cobalt, Holiday, and Bryant were next to arrive. Spotting Tristan's family, Bryant smiled and nudged his father, nodding towards the Wintersongs. "I think that's Tristan's brother and his family. Lord Wintersong." He wasn't sure, but the descriptions matched.

Cobalt decided to trust his son's judgment and approached the family, smiling at Zira. "Good evening. I believe you are Lord Wintersong...?"

[Darastrix]

Tristan grinned and pulled a small, loose feather to tickle Luminous under the chin. "That's a good idea," he said. "I'm sure Zira would appreciate not having people staring to see how you two seem to get along."

---

~I can't imagine why,~ Zira thought to his son. He didn't have time to ponder further, though, as Cobalt approached.

"Lord Furinko," he greeted with a small smile. He still knew the Talen'sul nobility, and as Cobalt wasn't the winged knight who would be with his mother.... "I am. This is my husband, Zack Riel, and our children, Shyamal and Autumn."

Zack gave Cobalt a friendly smile, and Autumn made a little curtsey.

[Kender Bard]

Luminous giggled and fidgeted at the tickling, tilting her head back to move her chin out of the way. "I'll send someone to go fetch him. Let's meet him in a couple rooms over though. My bedroom isn't precisely a proper meeting place." She slipped past him to snag a servant in the hall and sent them off to fetch Zira and his family.

---

Shyamal grinned slightly and bowed.

Cobalt was quite polite and knew how to react in public. Even if he didn't approve of Zira and Zack's relationship, he knew better than to react to those feelings. He nodded to Zack with a very slight smile and smiled wider at Autumn and Shyamal, though he was also giving Shyamal a considering look.

Holiday was beaming brightly at the whole group though. She seemed quite taken by Autumn. "What a beautiful daughter you have, Lord Wintersong!"

"Allow me to introduce my family in kind," Cobalt replied. "This is my wife, Holiday, and my son Bryant, whom you may have heard of through Tristan."

"It's such a pleasure to meet you!" Holiday enthused, curtseying.

Bryant bowed as well but he seemed more interested in Autumn than the other family members. "Tristan's mentioned you, my lady, but mere words don't do you justice."

~Flirting already? He's a bold one isn't he?~ Shyamal told Autumn, struggling not to chuckle.

A servant approached timidly. "Beggin' your pardons, my lords and ladies, but the princess is requesting the Wintersong family meet with her in private. I can escort you at your leisure."

[Darastrix]

Tristan followed Luminous out, twirling the feather between his fingers.

---

It was good that Cobalt kept his feelings to himself, but by that point in his life, Zira no longer cared who approved of his preferences and marriage. He was in love, had a happy relationship with his husband (and his lover), and was just done with trying to downplay it or be anything less than himself. He’d been blessed by the Forces (who thought his marriage was just fine, thank you) on more than one occasion and had fought on a field of battle against demonkind. The prejudices of his homeland were no longer among the things he feared, even from those who would have been his noble peers had he remained in Talen’sul.

Autumn looked up at Holiday and gave a smile that seemed very similar to Zack’s as she curtseyed. She always liked getting complements about how she looked (even if her dress invariably ended on the floor in a rumpled mess and her hairpins scattered all over as soon as she was back in her room).

“The pleasure is all ours, lovely,” Zack responded to Holiday, lightly taking her hand to kiss.

“We’ve heard a great deal about the both of you,” Zira told Cobalt. “I’m glad Tristan’s had such a skilled swordsman to tutor him since our father never had that chance.”

Oh, hush and let me enjoy the attention, Autumn thought at her brother. She wished she had a pair of wings to fluff up at the complement. She’d always thought batting one’s lashes made it look more like there was something in one’s eye than anything flirty.

“We’ll have to scold him then, won’t we?” she told Bryant. “He failed to mention how handsome you were as well.”

Forces, she is her father’s daughter, Zira thought, but had little time to dwell on it, as the servant arrived at that moment.

“I’ll bet Tristan’s with her, too,” Zack commented, looking over.

Zira gave a slight nod and bowed to Cobalt and his family. “Please, excuse us.”

---

Goodness, we’ll need to start having Sunlight at least meeting more suitable men and women soon, Dusk thought to herself as she entered the palace with her family. After the mess she, Twilight, and Sunray had gotten themselves into, she didn’t want to put too much pressure on their firstborn to marry and produce an heir. Besides, even if he never had a child, with his brothers and sisters, their line was fairly well-secured in any case.

“I hope Lya has been well,” she mused aloud as she dusted a bit of snow from her wings. “I’ve heard nothing more from her since her letter about Dami.”

“I wonder if this will be much different from one of our balls,” Sunlight was saying to his cousin as he escorted her inside. Sure, they’d been tutored in etiquette, but that wasn’t the same as actually attending a function in another nation.

[Kender Bard]

"I hope we can speak further later," Cobalt told Zira sincerely. "I have much I'd like to discuss with you, when we get the chance."

"Bye!" Holiday chirped, waving her fingertips at the family, though she gave Zack some pretty good eye contact. It'd been a while since anyone but her husband had even lightly flirted with her.

"I'll save a dance for you, my lady," Bryant told Autumn with a very wide grin.

---

Aurora held on to Sunlight's arm, trying to look at everything at once. She was glad for his escort--she'd have probably tripped over her feet at some point in all her gawking. "Oh I don't know. When you get down to it, a ball is just a bunch of people trying to impress and romance each other. I guess what changes are the finer points. But would you look at everything? This is such a pretty palace! There's windows in the ceiling!"

Twilight grinned as he watched the pair of them talking. Aurora had been overjoyed to be allowed to come with them, and he was also quite eager to watch how his son comported himself in a foreign court. He glanced at Dusk at her remark. "I haven't heard any rumors to suggest otherwise." One... interesting feature of being stuck between the two halves of the kingdom was that they got to hear the gossip of one side sometimes before the other. "But surely Luminous will know if there's anything to be heard."

Libre appeared near them, coincidentally picturing a spot nearby and teleporting with good timing on his arrival. Aurora jumped slightly at his sudden appearance.

Libre flashed her a smile. ~Sorry about that, my lady.~ He glanced up at the adults and blinked, then smiled. "King and Queen Flamehart!"

"Hello Master Redway," Twilight greeted, extending a hand that Libre shook. "You look well."

"As do you," Libre turned. He bowed to Dusk. "And Queen Dusk, you look beautiful as can be. Are these your children?"

---

The servant led the Wintersong family up a flight of stairs and down a hallway to a small room that sat nestled between some guest suites. Luminous was trying to snatch the feather away from Tristan when they arrived and she hastily put her hand down in mid-grab and turned to beam at them all. "Welcome! I'm so glad you could all make it to the ball!"

[Devon]

Devon entered the ball, slightly annoyed with himself being a little bit late. He was dressed nicely for the occasion sporting an elegant blue and white outfit. He even wore a yellow pin that represented his Order in the Steel Wings. Spotting Cobalt, he made his way over to his friend and fellow knight feeling more comfortable around him than on his own. "Hello Cobalt, hello Holiday," Devon said bowing to his friend and his wife.

[Darastrix]

“If I looked at everything, we might both walk into the wall,” Sunlight teased, though he did look up to see the ceiling.


”She’ll know, and the court will have any number of guesses,” Dusk said with a small grin. Get the nobility and elite of any kingdom together, and there would be plenty to be heard, even if the gossip was just invented that night. It was a universal constant, it seemed.


Sunlight stopped in his tracks at Libre's arrival, wings flaring a bit in his surprise, though he was likely a touch more accustomed the comings and goings of Minds than most Sulans likely were. See? It was a good thing he’d been watching where they were going.


“Oh, it’s so good to see you on a happy occasion,” Dusk declared, stepping forward to embrace the young Master. Hey, she was the Queen of Love. She could get away with it. When she drew back, she gestured at the children who, well, weren’t quite children anymore.

“This is our eldest, Sunlight,” she introduced, as Sunlight bowed to Libre. “Our younger children are still a bit young for attending these affairs outside of Anarlina. This is our niece, Aurora Moonwing. I suppose you could still call them twins of a sort, though.” She added with a grin. “They were born on the same day.”

---

Zack and Zira both bowed to the princess, Zack leaving little room for doubt as to where Tristan had picked up his style of bowing. “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world, Highness,” Zack replied with a smile. “It’s not every day our little brother gets engaged.”

Beside them, Autumn gave a deep curtsey, though kept her eyes raised as she looked at her uncle’s betrothed with bold curiosity.

Tristan gets all the luck, she thought for Shyamal to pick up. She’s beautiful.

Tristan, meanwhile, took advantage of Luminous’ distraction to tuck his feather into her hair.

[Kender Bard]

Aurora moved her face next to Sunlight's with a grin. "Not to mention the family resemblance!"

Libre was a little surprised at Dusk's hug but recovered well and returned it with a quiet chuckle. At the introduction, he gave a slight bow to the pair. "It's nice to meet you. A pity my younger sister couldn't be here or I could have introduced you both to her. Flame has business with Clan Fira in Naurorod, though." Which wasn't a lie, but she was mostly not there as she didn't want to be and Libre saw no reason to make her.

"Do you know the princess well?" Aurora asked curiously.

Libre rubbed the back of his neck with a mildly embarrassed grin. "I'm a rejected suitor. There's no hard feelings, though; I've known her since she was quite young, even if we didn't get to meet terribly often. Our parents were friends. She's a sweet young lady, and I'm happy to bow out to a better man for the right to her hand as long as we can remain friends."

---

Cobalt heard Devon's voice and turned, smiling in turn. "Devon! Good to see you!" He clasped the other man's hand and forearm in a firm grip. When he let go, Holiday stepped forward to give Devon a hug. "How have you been, my old friend?"

---

"Oh, please, there's no need for titles," Luminous told Zack warmly. "We're all to be family soon, aren't we? You may call me Luminous--or even Lumi for short if you please." She blinked and touched the feather, flashing Tristan a grin and reaching for his hand. "Tristan's told me much about all of you but I look forward to learning more on my own. I hope you'll be staying in Talen'sul for a while; you're all welcome to my home anytime you please while you're here. I hope to have more chances to visit privately. As much fun as the ball shall be it doesn't lend itself well to intimate conversation."

She glanced at Shyamal and smiled slightly. "I... Hope there's no hard feelings over my choice."

"None at all," Shyamal hastened to assure her. "I think you and Tristan make a far better couple than we would have. You both seem to compliment each other well from what I see."

Luminous flushed, happily. "I'm flattered and very pleased you think so."

Shyamal glanced at Autumn out of the corner of his eye and grinned. ~She's very pretty. Tristan aside, I think even you would have been a better match for her than me.~

[Devon]

Devon smiled to them both and answered, "I can't complain Cobalt. How have the two of you been? I trust you're keeping him in line Lady Holiday."

[Darastrix]

”I doubt her betrothed would object to that,” Sunlight said. “He’s Lord Wintersong’s younger brother and from all accounts, very friendly.” He didn’t know Tristan as well as their friends in Widor did, but he didn’t strike Sunlight as someone who’d object to his wife being friends with an ex-suitor.

“I’m rather inclined to agree,” Dusk added. “I think it’s most likely that you’ll end up with another friend out of the whole situation.”

---

Tristan smiled back at Luminous and squeezed her hand lightly.

“We’ll be sure to take you up on that,” Zack answered, grinning. “I doubt you remember since it’s been so long ago, but the last conversation you and I had was in the palace nursery in Anarlina, over a teaset. As I recall, you were planning to marry the now-Honoured Leader Ann at the time. Do you remember that?” he asked, nudging Zira lightly to bring him into the conversation. Apparently, his husband felt more confident addressing the other guests than his brother’s future wife.

“I…remember Twilight and I both trying not to laugh while you started making up courtly gossip for the two of you to talk about,” he finally spoke up, smiling slightly. That had been when they’d held a dinner to celebrate his joining the noble ranks and to show up Sunlight and Aurora to the other invited leaders. “That was…goodness, almost fourteen years ago.”

And Maelstrom would have had a collective apoplexy, Autumn thought back, repressing the urge to snort. Having had grown up in Anarlina and with her parents in particular, she found Caelium’s limits on relationships laughable at best.

”I’d offer to introduce you around,” Tristan added to his nephew, “but there really aren’t many nobles your age in Talen’sul.”