[@Wick][h1][color=royalblue][center][img]http://t02.deviantart.net/22Rgt0gblSi_IukwT9Ahe-p82zg=/fit-in/700x350/filters:fixed_height(100,100):origin()/pre15/600e/th/pre/i/2014/201/a/2/giacomo_crescentii_by_kazuyalord-d7rhlf9.jpg[/img]
Elias[/center][/color][/h1][hr]
Elias mingled through the party for the rest of the night, growling in slight frustration as he refused drink after drink. If he was going to train with Alexis, he needed to be sober to avoid letting any information slip about his fling with Jenora... and Alice. If Alexis found out about either of them, it would cause unnecessary drama and tension. Besides, it wasn't like he was doing anything wrong; They were both adults who owed each other nothing. Any previous debts he owed to Alexis had been repaid by him accompanying her to the city. That was more than enough to pay back a stabbing and saving of his life, right?

Elias shook his head and forced the pathetic justifications out of his mind and continued to mingle, endearing himself to the various high-end guests, making sure they knew his name and his family's power. It never hurt to have friends in high places, and he had already struck a few deals with a couple of younger men looking for some excitement. The Grimm was positive he could earn some quick, easy favors from the men.

The party continued on into the night, and Elias resisted many of the people's offers to be taken away to other events in the night. The city was a lively place for the night, and there was always a new party to be attending. The double standard of the city struck him quite strongly; While Elias was free to party and sleep around, Alexis was supposed to present herself as this extravagant, perfect mate for the right suitor. The expectation on her end was far higher than anything Elias was held to, and the injustice of the situation did no go unnoticed by him.

After many hours, the guests began departing, and the staff set themselves to cleaning the venue. Elias feigned extreme exhaustion and retired to his room, waving off a bath that was offered to him by one of the servants assigned to him. The Grimm shut himself in his room and bolted the door, quickly moving to change into a pair of less restrictive pants and a tighter black shirt that was far easier to sneak around and fight in. Within minutes, he had gathered his gear from a hidden compartment in one of his dressers and escaped out the window, sneaking through the various shadows until he managed to sneak into the barn.

Alexis lay on the floor, curling up, appearing to be sleeping. A small smile crept across his face as he attempted to sneak up on her, hugging tightly to the walls to avoid her eyesight.

A moment later and he had slyly slid up right beside her, taking a casual seat before looking over at her with a nonchalantly raised eyebrow. [color=royalblue]"So, do ladies such as yourself sit in barns alone frequently?"[/color]

The partying and debauchery of late had brought out a more playful, less grim side of Elias. He wasn't positive if he liked it, however it was certainly enjoyable. Perhaps he was being too juvenile for the task at hand, however he was experiencing a joy he hadn't felt since Taric's death. It was nice to simply [i]live.[/i]