[center][h1][color=B3A984]Aedan Merryn[/color][/h1]
[img]https://68.media.tumblr.com/07f9dec17260bd497b4fb164f6d2ae91/tumblr_otccckDham1s7l9w9o1_540.gif[/img]
[hr][color=B3A984][b]Location:[/b][/color] Guestroom -> Abhainn's Ballroom
[color=B3A984][b]Interacting With:[/b][/color] Me, Myself and I[/center][hr]

Aedan had sat by the window in his time waiting for the ball, staring out into the castle's training grounds below as time went on. He had removed his tunic as the heat of it had begun to bother him, but had yet to change into the [url=http://i.imgur.com/q97SSav.jpg]outfit[/url] he would be wearing to the ball, much more a soldier's uniform than a noble's garb. But then again, Aedan was much more a soldier than a lord anyway. For now, it sat on a mannequin and had been left there alongside the [url=http://pre13.deviantart.net/08dc/th/pre/i/2013/325/e/3/black_lion_with_silver_flourish_by_merimask-d6v27oc.jpg]mask[/url]. He'd allowed a servant to pick the mask, not particularly being one for parties where they were needed, but he found himself regretting it - a look at the mask and anyone would know who was beneath it - [i]The Lionheart.[/i]

Aedan loathed the name, he loathed titles such as that in general, among soldiers they were often earned, they had meaning. He had never greatly minded when he'd heard his men casually refer to him as such, or other officers among his station use it in passing, but it was never considered much more than what it was - a name. Aedan had learned quickly that this was not the case of such names in noble court, they were weapons, used to beat anyone and everyone around over the head with until there was a clear understanding of who was deserving of more honour and praise. 

Sighing, Aedan shook his head and turned his gaze back away from the outfit, back towards the training yards as his eyes drifted between those fighting, soldiers training with all sorts of weapons, archers practicing with bows, even a woman - he figured a noble lady, though he had not noticed her when he had arrived, practicing with the sword. Under any other circumstance he would have happily spent his time down in the yard training with those there, but given his reputation, he figured the training yards were the last place anyone in Abhainn wanted him, he doubted indeed that he would be received warmly. 

Moving to stand, he turned back toward the Mannequin and walked over to it, looking over the coat as he went to retrieve a shirt, placing it on and beginning to lace it up. He made no effort to call for a servant, and had turned away the servants who brought the outfit to him in the first place. There was something... Odd to Aedan about being dressed or 'readied' by others, he doubted he would ever allow such a thing, for him it far too well reflected the loss that came with nobility. He had once been told, and he knew many nobles believed that their rank meant they could do anything - in Aedan's mind, the higher you went, the less freedom you had. Unfortunately - it was also harder to get into an outfit with a hundred buckles and straps with only one set of hands.

By the time Aedan was ready, the masquerade had begun. Sighing as he placed the lion mask over his face, he moved to the desk of his room, reaching out toward his sheathed blade. He halted for a moment, it had been instinct for him to reach for it, to wish to carry it with him even to a celebration of sorts. He felt naked without it, but he fought the urge to take up the blade, trying not to cause perhaps a diplomatic incident as he sighed, turning back towards the door of his room and pushing it open, moving down the halls toward the ballroom. 

It did not take him long to find it, the sounds of music, cheers and chatter carried through the halls like a siren's song luring him nearer. As he reached the hall, he sighed as he took in a breath, moving into the room as he glanced around, immediately taking a goblet of wine from a nearby servant as he took a long drink. His eyes flicked through the crowd, meeting the occasional glancing or watching eye, and many faces he did not know. He felt as though he was trapped, and had to remind himself again that this was no longer 'enemy territory'. Sighing, Aedan slinked toward a quieter corner of the room, briefly catching Julianna's eye, as he gave her a nod, more to let her know he was present, than anything.