Cyrdic never did well acting the part of a noble, at least how he saw it. He was a bit too ruddy and rough looking, even in this pompous dress. Still, he'd had to guard enough aristocrats to know their general manner of speech. It was when Camilla began to brag about him in front of them that he nearly lost his composure. "I'm surprised you're focused on him, Gabriella." Cyrdic said. "I heard he has a beautiful woman who he chased after...it wasn't for her beauty though." 

Cyrdic turned to smile at Camilla, looking into her eyes. "He was in love." 

"Sounds like a droll melodrama." Elise scoffed, and Adolf laughed with an arrogance that would make the Elder races in the room envious. It was fortunate, because the look 'Richter' and 'Gabriella' gave one another spoke volumes. Luckily they composed themselves quickly. "Yes, it was uh, bloody business nonetheless." Cyrdic continued. "But the Chaos filth were pushed back, just as they will be here." 

"Very well spoken." Adolf commented if only to be polite. "Duke Henrik has faced such odds before, as well. I've never met a man as severe as that. Save for maybe his new regent. A cousin of his I've heard." 

"Oh, Rishnekov is simply a darling, I think." Elise said, giving the first genuine look of...appeal? Happiness? Cyrdic couldn't guess. He had even heard a giggle. "A fine man if nothing else. From what I've seen he's done quite well here. Too bad he's absent tonight." 

Cyrdic raised an eyebrow. "He's not here? Wouldn't the Vice Regent be at the Duke's Ball?" 

"Private business, I heard." Adolf said, and the following pause had Cyrdic wanting to ask what sort of business until...

"Wait no..." Elise said, blinking as she turned around to look at the Duke. "He is here. Oh he simply glides in doesn't he?" 

Standing beside the Duke was a tall man. A man that had not been there before. With a mane of dark hair, and a suit of fine wool and bears fur, colored in crimson and purple with the sign of Ursun. He spoke in the Duke's ear as a few of the other Baron's sang a song they had obviously been raised to know by heart. It was then that a scent wafted in the air. A refreshing scent that was akin to the spray of the sea. 

Dietrichia, escorted by the Elves (or perhaps the other way around) approached the four humans, poised and clean in a way that had to be magical, even compared to the finery and extravagant nobility that lingered in the great hall. "Ah, herr Richter, there you are." Dietrichia said, placing a hand on Cyrdic's shoulder. "Have you met the Duke?" she asked. 
[@Penny]