[center][color=8F9779][h3]Cormorant Sanders[/h3][/color]
[@Zarkun][/center]

No matter how jovial the atmosphere, how full of cheer, or how fascinating the society, the master of Frenzy Plant could not put aside the worries that needled him.  While other partygoers snuck glances at waistlines and necklines, his furtive eyes scanned for telltale inconsistencies in fabric that hinted at concealed weapons.  Despite his attempt to suppress his instincts, his silver eyes sought ripples in the air and darkness in the eyes of others, looking for any trace of magic aura or ill intent.  He'd already increased the odds of him and his nearby guild members noticing the use of wizardry, and he knew that at any given moment he could rouse his entire army into battle mode, but all the same his paranoia remained.

A twinge at the edge of his consciousness grabbed his attention, and Sanders gave a discreet look upward.  The ballroom's high, vaulted ceiling loomed far above the crowd, and a chandelier of extravagant quality hung from it.  Notably, several chains rather than a single one secured it to the ceiling, but that detail didn't interest the old man so much as the dark figure sitting on the steel and glass decoration.  While not what they used to be, his eyes could still make out the shape hidden up there: the slender form of Xyster the Dullahan.  Dressed in her usual shirt, jacket, and jeans, the monster would have been a freakish sight down among the guests, and Sanders felt sure that the same thought had occurred to her as well.  Sadness filtered through the tactician's mind to know that Xyster isolated herself, believing herself not fit for civilized company.  Still, the fact that she'd shown up at all assured him that she wouldn't be whiling away the night all alone in some dark corner.  Plus, perched at her bird's-eye view, she served as another line of defense should anything go awry.

While here, at least, he supposed that he should attempt to socialize.  One target in particular stood out—Jack Goran, the master of Dragon Fang.  At the meeting earlier today, the wizard saint's words had suggested that he wouldn't stand by and put up with Phoenix Wing's nonsense.  The smartest move in any conflict wasn't, as the young and hotheaded might imagine, to believe in oneself, but rather to forge alliances that could be relied upon.  In the span of one afternoon, Frenzy Plant had doubled in size; the might of Pirate Lord, plus its famous airship, now lay under Sanders' command.  As anyone might have predicted, the lower-scoring guilds had abstained from the ball, with the exception of Pirate Lord's master Salem Monroe.  From where he stood, Sanders could see his new friend's stormy expression as he lounged against the railing of the staircase.  While uninterested in any more mergers, Frenzy Plant's general wished to make sure that his guild and Goran's would be on good terms.

With that in mind, Sanders caught the eyes of Hyun and motioned for her to follow him.  The two navigated the crowd toward Jack Goran, and when in range the tactician gave a wave of his hand.  [color=8F9779]”Master Jack!  Not much time has passed, but it is good to see you again.  Enjoying the evening, I hope?  What an extraordinary affair!”[/color]

On his right, Hyun bowed to the master of Dragon Fang.  [color=DA70D6]”Good evening, sir.”[/color]

[center][color=007fff][h3]Indigo Afina[/h3][/color]
[@Oblivion666][/center]

A maelstrom of pleasantries surrounding Frenzy Plant's premier sorceress at all times.  A steady stream of people came by to say hello, to give her a comment, or to request a dance.  Each time, Indigo gave the man in question a sorry smile before replying, [color=007fff]”My apologies, but I'm married,”[/color] and showing her ring.  And each time, her teasing side giggled at their crestfallen expressions.  One visitor stood out in her memory, however.  Indigo recognized Malice as the well-dressed young lady who's had the misfortune of being matched against her in the one-on-one duels.  Beyond the shadow of a doubt, she knew that Malice resented her for that—after all, who wouldn't?  That kind of display, admittedly ill-judged on her part, left scars other than physical.  However, Malice greeted her with hospitality, so Indigo returned the favor with a happy heart.

[color=007fff]”Thank you very much!  I found this at a little boutique not far away from the park where my guild camped out.  A lot of the girls were eying dresses like these, but as it turned out, only I could get one to wear!  Still, they cut a dashing figure, all dressed up in uniform, don't they?”[/color]  She performed a sweeping gesture with her arm, indicating every soldier present.  Her attention returned to Malice soonafter.  [color=007fff]”But I must say, you look lovely!  The black and purple match your hair so well.  You've got a mysterious, reserved sort of allure that men go mad for.  I expect you've broken a lot of hearts!”[/color]

[center][color=CCCCFF][h3]Joakim Fortinbras[/h3][/color]
[@The Wild West][@Raijinslayer][/center]

Blue hair, a red beret, and a pastel green uniform did not make for an excellent color combination, but Joakim did not mind.  After all, fashion never stood out to him as a pursuit worth his time, which was no doubt evident in the thin hide and fur robe he most commonly wore.  Still, while taking pride in the garb that signified his own guild, he conceded the magnificence of the sight of so many impeccably-dressed men and women in the same room.  Overwarm -as usual- he hung near the open windows, a light chill cast around him to keep him feeling cool.  Not far away, he recognized two of the newer members of Frenzy Plant, Argus and Flint.  From their bearings and expressions, though well-hidden beneath badass veneers, the Arctic Wizard expected that they might be feeling like outsiders themselves.  Accordingly, he approached the pair, positioning himself between them.  A warmer comrade might have clapped a hand on their shoulders, but Joakim did not intend to invade their personal space, and so refrained.  Instead, he said, [color=CCCCFF]”Talk about classy.  Even in my dress uniform I still feel like something the cat drug in.  I can only imagine how you two feel, so new to the guild and all.  Mr. Dunigan, I'll bet you didn't expect your first official assignment with the war guild to be some high-society meet-and-greet in Crocus Palace!”[/color]  His hand clasped behind his back, he put forward a pleasant, toothy smile permeated by the quaint charm of a foreigner trying to fit in.

[center][color=CD5C5C][h3]Jane Putcher[/h3][/color]
[@Caits][@Silver Fox][/center]

When a former pirate was called on to give a dance, she gave it her all.  After only a couple of rounds, Jane found herself exhausted.  After excusing herself rather brusquely from her current partner, Owen, she found a chair to plop into.  The momentary respite relieved her, though she was surprised that the others left her the time to herself.  Since her arrival in the ballroom along with the rest of her guild, she'd been beset by suitors seeking a dance, both from within Frenzy Plant and without.  The reason why wasn't hard to guess.  As well-tailored as her uniform was, it wasn't a perfect fit, and Jane seemed fit to burst her buttons any moment.

The rest gave her the chance to look around, and her position on the outskirts of the room allowed her to spot Gabriel, looking nervous and out of place as ever.  Moreover, she spotted a blonde sidling up to him, and in the moments that followed Jane determined that she did not at all like the interloper's provocative manner.  There was no way she was letting anyone seduce a gullible young boy, especially a fellow soldier.  Adjusting her beret, the cannoneer arose from her seat and made a beeline for the pair.  On the way, she squinted at the ambiguous newcomer, trying to figure out whether Karn was a manly girl or a girly man.  From her time in the bustling ports of Hargeon, she'd grown a great contempt for the deceitful.  She arrived just as Gabriel's sentence trailed off, and after crossing her arms asked him in a firm voice, [color=CD5C5C]“Avast, Gabe.  This...person botherin' ye?”[/color]  A steely glance flew Karn's way, and -still addressing her guildmate- she continued, [color=CD5C5C]”Don't do anythin' that makes ye uncomfortable.  We don't want anyone taken advantage of.”[/color]