[hider= A Grand Entrance]
“Magister Lanaya Triskell Dionisa, Advisor to the High King, Duchess of House Dionisa!”

The announcer bellowed her titles across the garden for all to hear. Lanaya was important now, and she wanted everyone to know it. Though the list of titles she held was not as long as some others in attendance, each one was meaningful and powerful in its own right, allowing her to more easily outshine her fellow guests with prestige.

A quick wave of her fingers as she crossed the threshold turned the sky a glittering gold for a moment, illusory gold leaf raining down upon the gathered Nobles, instigating sounds of awe, wonderment, and then disappointment as they realised they wouldn’t be walking away with fistfuls of gold. Lana smiled elegantly, hiding her amusement at the reactions of the nobles as she entered the party.

She had decided that, with so many people in close proximity, it would be better to wear a full length dress. Without illusion it was simply a fairly mundane blue, cut more for comfort than style. But that was not how everyone would see it - she had gone to a special effort on the illusions this night, in an effort to be the most radiant woman present. The fabric shimmered, appearing to be inlaid with impossibly fine detail of her house crest. The rich blue was accentuated by the crimson gem upon her breast, and her fiery hair - done up in an elegant style that was both understated and daringly different from current high fashion.

She noted many guests as she made her way to the High King’s table, nobles and petty Kings from across Formaroth were of course present, yet there were many more interesting attendees as well. Ser Lycaon Issorat was there, as well as the half elf merchant and her curious servant creature. Apparently even Urd had had been persuaded to attend. A scowl flashed across Lana’s face for just a moment when she noticed that her sky illusion was being hijacked by another mage… Cinero Lupus to be specific. She was not impressed with this, and it only added to her scathing opinion of him. In her eyes he was an uninspired hack coasting on natural talent.

For a moment she wondered if Alasdair had invited him just to spite her, but quickly dismissed the thought. Chances were slim Alasdair, or anyone else outside the magical community, knew what she thought of the ‘storyteller.’ Besides, it made sense. She could hardly be the one providing the entertainment now, it would be demeaning of the King’s Council and her position as magical advisor. Only an ignorant King used the mage on their council as a cheap party trick.

For a time, Lana sat at the high table, nursing a single goblet of wine and making small talk with the less important people at the table. It was mostly for show - to be seen being seen. Eventually, she became bored of it and decided to mingle amongst the more interesting people in the Gardens…. And the more sycophantic ones as well.
[/hider]

[hider= A Surreal Experience]
“...and this is my good friend and colleague Lanaya.”

Lana turned gracefully as yet another noble introduced her as ‘a good friend’ despite barely knowing her at all. It was a little annoying that they kept doing this, but at the same time she couldn’t help but bask in the implications of importance that came along with it.

She nearly jumped in surprise when she saw that it was none other than Isabel De Reimer that was speaking to her. So unused to the idea of Isabel speaking pleasantly or sounding happy was she, that she hadn’t even recognised her voice. No doubt Isabel was counting on that, trying to make a fool of her.

But Lana would not be caught out at the party of the year - she was fully focused on social manipulation tonight. Her eyes moved quickly over Isabel, noting the extravagant dress, and the fact that she was arm in arm with [i]Goodwin Wulfrick[/i] of all people, searching for an acceptable reason for her surprised expression.

She found it quickly, in the golden ring on Isabel’s finger, signifying her engagement.

“Isabel, my friend!” Lana exclaimed. “You didn’t tell me you were getting married. That’s wonderful news!”

“Truly? I would have thought that it would have been known to someone as important as yourself” Isabel replied with a fake smile “This, as I am sure you know is Goodwin Wulfrick, my husband to be” on cue Goodwin stepped forward before taking Lanaya’s hand “Pleasure to meet you” before kissing it. Despite being a known womanizer, this act was simply common courtesy in Nash. 

“The pleasure is all mine Lord Wulfrick.” Lana said, with a shallow curtsey and a demure smile, before turning back to Isabel. “Oh Isabel, you know I don’t have time to monitor the rumors at court anymore… I have just been so busy arranging to feed the whole city and ensure this event had bountiful food and drink.”

“I must say, I am surprised house Dionisa was able to find the funding to afford all of this” Isabel said as she gestured towards the table. While this was a concealed jab at Lanaya’s wealth, Isabel was genuinely curious as to where Lanaya ascertained the funds. 

“Oh, I would be happy to tell you all about it later.” Lana said with a saccharine tone that clearly indicated she would be doing no such thing. “But we wouldn’t want to get into such a dull and lengthy topic during such a rare and wonderful time of celebration.” Lana was both indirectly calling Isabel boring for specialising in finance, and calling for this exchange to come to an end. As much as she enjoyed stabbing her fellow council member with words, she didn’t plan on spending the whole night doing so, nor did she want to escalate it into a scene if Isabel proved less calm and collected than she appeared…

Though she remained smiling Isabel’s eyes narrowed a bit, clearly angered by the comment that Lanaya had just made, “Indeed” Isabel said with a slight venomous tone “Well I shall not keep you from the celebration, who knows perhaps you will meet someone. I imagine it must get very lonely in that new manion of yours” as Isabel finished both she and Goodwin gave a courteous bow before leaving Lanaya to join the rest of the celebration.
[/hider]

[hider= An Expected Complication]
The night was beginning to age when Alasdair finally deigned to make his speech. Lana knew what was coming, and was slightly surprised he had waited until half the crowd was drunk out of their heads to announce it. The perks of Council membership included knowing about virtually all major decisions Alasdair made before anyone else did. She waited patiently as he went through the motions, a long and tedious speech meant to justify his ultimate announcement.

And then there it was - the High King crowning himself Emperor of Formaroth.

She made the appropriate surprised and excited gestures and cheered with the crowd, but her heart was not in it. It was far too complex a thing to be happy for. On the one hand, it would make it harder for Eli to seize the throne if Alasdair could call on the united might of the Concord as Emperor. Yet it would likely also serve to split the Circle of Magi away from him, since it implied more direct control of the Summer Isles from Nyhem. And if she could somehow put herself in that new position, she could reap the benefits of control without dealing with the inevitable backlash of state reform...

That… And ‘Empress Lanaya’ did have a nice ring to it...
[/hider]

Credit:
[@Sundered Echo] [@TheDuncanMorgan]