[h2]A L E J A N D R O A G U Í L A D E A G U S T Í N[/h2] [hr] Prince Alejandro Álvaro Aguíla de Agustín of the Kingdom of Castilya was perfectly aware of how long his name was, thank you very much. Yet his best friend and most valuable source of gossip (as well as one of the most promising reconnaissance officers in the Castilyan military), Vhalery de Mirabel, insisted on reminding him of this fact [i]every single[/i] day. "Mirry, my darling, deadly [i]pearl[/i], you simply [i]must[/i] lay the matter to rest," he said to her. Most people could not fathom calling Vhalery de Mirabel a "darling pearl", for she was quite possibly the most accomplished operative that had served the Castilyan military so far-and very, very deadly indeed. However, [i]nothing[/i] was 'unfathomable' to Alejandro, save for perhaps a leopard-print miniskirt (those were old-fashioned by 2010, for heaven's sake) or wearing white at a wedding one was merely a guest to (a [i]huge[/i] no-no). Vhalery gave a noncommittal shrug. "I am merely suggesting that it will be a mouthful to say, when you are introducing yourself to the other royalty in attendance," she answered, arching an eyebrow. Alejandro sighed dramatically. "Well, [i]Mirry[/i], consider this: since when has that stopped me?" he asked in a lightly teasing tone. Vhalery shrugged again, as if she were saying [i]there's no helping you at this point[/i]. Alejandro grinned widely and continued filing his nails. Alejandro was going to be late, of course, but he was going to be [i]fashionably[/i] late, and there was quite a world of difference in between that and just [i]plain[/i] late, thank you very much. "I am so looking [i]forward[/i] to the ball tonight. Perhaps you would be amenable to refresh my memory on who shall be in attendance, my dearest [i]jewel[/i]?" Vhalery scowled. "You insufferable piece of shit," she answered him. Both she and Alejandro knew full well that Alejandro knew exactly who would be at the Aciran ball. Alejandro's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Mmm, indeed, but you love me for that, don't you, my dearest [i]Mirry[/i]?" Vhalery did not deign to respond to that. Just imagine it-Vhalery de Mirabel, a woman who could kill a man in ten different ways with her bare hands, being called the flowery bullshit that Alejandro called her? Any person with a modicum of common sense would see how, well, contradictory of an image that was. Alejandro, being Alejandro, thought nothing of it. He inspected his nails. "Princess Lea will be there, mm? I've met her before. She has such a brilliant taste in fashion. Prince Elias too, mm. He and I are...acquainted. As you are aware of. And Mai Mei of Liang, yes, my dear?" Vhalery rolled her eyes skywards. "Yes, my [i]prince[/i], Princess Mai Mei of Liang, soon to be Queen Mai Ford of Krieg-Konigreich, 'Mai' spelled m-a-i, 'Mei' spelled m-e-i, Liang being the large country located in the eastern part of the world. Do you understand my meaning?" Alejandro grinned. "[i]Splendid[/i], absolutely [i]splendid[/i]!" he exclaimed. "I do recall that she and her cousin visited a few years ago, with her uncle. That beautiful [i]weapon[/i] of a woman, hmm?" he thought out loud in a slightly more serious tone of voice. "If I recall, she was [i]quite[/i] charming, and her cousin, oh-what a headache he was to my poor, dearest [i]brother[/i]. Though I look forward to the wedding. Princess Lea is the only person in the world with more energy than Prince Zhou, I would imagine." Alejandro popped a compact mirror open and checked his reflection. His honey-blonde hair fell in waves down a couple inches past his shoulders, though for the welcome ball, it was tied back in a neat little ponytail. Alejandro had left a couple tendrils of hair hanging loosely in front of his face, in the same way that a woman would leave a curl or two out of an updo to frame her features. Alejandro was mightily proud of his hair, in fact. It was soft and silky and shiny, and he'd be damned if there ever were a man who had better hair than he did. "As for Mai's betrothed...he seems like a military type, Prince Leon, if I am correct. Reminds me too much of my brother. Oh, how awkward they shall look, standing together-can you [i]imagine[/i] a drab old military uniform next to Mai's [i]wondrous[/i] ball gowns? It's unspeakable, such a thing, simply [i]unspeakable[/i]." Vhalery largely ignored Alejandro's rambling. She had learned the hard way that it was the best method to preserving one's sanity when he got into a state like this. Vhalery rubbed her temples and prayed that this would be over soon. The two began walking towards the ballroom. "Oh, how [i]wonderful[/i]...we've arrived, and we are perfectly, [i]fashionably[/i], late!" With that, Alejandro stepped gracefully towards the ornate doors. He wore a rather flashy ensemble of metallic gold brocade, decorated with copious amounts of floral embroidery-simple, but impossible to miss, and perfecting complementing the gold eye-shadow that shimmered over his eyelids (okay, so his parents would have a minor heart attack when they saw the eye-shadow, but Alejandro just could [i]not[/i] help himself when it came to make-up). His polished (and heeled!) dress shoes were decorated with sparkly gold hearts, and ruby rings adorned his fingers. A pair of unduly large ruby studs adorned his ears, and strands of rubies glittered around his neck. The added height that his shoes gave him did nothing but emphasize the tight cut of the gold trousers and jacket. As he approached the herald and the entrance to the ballroom, Alejandro's decidedly [i]unusual[/i] manner of dress garnered quite a few looks. Alejandro responded to these looks by flashing people a wide, cheery smile, breezing past them-like he was walking on air-and towards King Landon and Queen Cecilia Lynton, the hosts of this big gathering Alejandro pranced up to them and made all the proper greetings, albeit in a slightly, er, [i]outrageous[/i] manner. He turned to Princess Ayleanna-Lea-and grinned. "Hello, hello, Princess Lea," he sang out, pecking her on both cheeks. He glanced at her gown, and his eyes lit up. "And oh, what an [i]exquisite[/i] gown you are wearing tonight, my friend!" he exclaimed. He leaned in closer, giving her a mischievous grin. "Now, pray tell, [i]who[/i] are you wearing? I do love that color." The Aciran princess grinned at him. "People Tree," she said, and Alejandro chuckled. "And how are you, Prince Alejandro? I see that you look as awesome as ever tonight," she replied. "I couldn't be better, Princess Lea, couldn't be better!" And with an exaggerated flourish, Alejandro sailed away, in search of someone to talk to. "Tastefully decorated, wouldn't you say?" Alejandro commented as he took in everything-the chandelier, the paintings, the people, the [i]gowns[/i]. He skillfully wove his way through the crowd, Vhalery close on his heels, as he searched the room for someone...interesting. Alejandro's eyes alighted on the familiar profile of Mai Mei. her back was to him; she was conversing with a shy-looking red-haired princess, likely Genevieve Anders of Maris. A flash of amusement flickered across Alejandro's face; both of them had such [i]wonderful[/i] tastes in lipstick. They would get along swellingly. On the other side of the room, Princess Liviana Viriatus of Lusitania was dressed in a dark blue gown, and her long hair was the most [i]beautiful[/i] thing he had ever laid eyes on. Beside her was...Domitia, her niece. In a suit of armor. [i]Well, Domitia and Prince Edwin will make a perfect pair,[/i] Alejandro thought wryly to himself. [i]A suit of armor and some undoubtedly ostentatiously traditional Britannian get-up, likely in a bright shade of red. I cannot[/i] wait[i] to see it.[/i] Princess Rhia Cadfael of Wales was sporting the most [i]wonderful[/i] ensemble, and just a ways from her were the Notian princesses. Alejandro made a mental note to compliment all three of them on their outfits at some point during the ball. Alejandro's gaze passed over the outspoken princess of Castelleve, the rather belligerent prince of the Ivunate Empire (who was currently talking to the considerably more mellow prince of Weifeing, Yu Liang. Alejandro liked his hair), and there was Princess Hye-ri of Haneul, dressed in pinks and purples. Prince Diederik Isidor was conversing with a blue-haired member of the Aciran palace staff (Alejandro quite liked the Argenyonni prince's outfit, [i]especially[/i] the pants)...and ah, there was Prince Erik von Rothschild of the Veredunian Empire, casually sipping champagne. Alejandro took a moment to admire the cut of his sleek black suit from afar. Erik had the reputation of being a partier, and, well, Alejandro loved parties. The two of them were friends, of a sort, and they had definitely spent some time together in the past, after Erik joined his kingdom's navy. Though Alejandro was always [i]quite[/i] scandalized by the other prince's inexplicable love of beer. Alejandro's eyes slid from Vhalery, and then to Erik. He glanced back at his friend's chocolate-brown eyes and tilted his head ever-so-slightly in the direction of the Veredunian prince. Vhalery's eyes shifted imperceptibly, and Alejandro knew that she was rolling her eyes without actually rolling her eyes, if that made any sense at all (he guessed that it didn't to most people, but whatever) in response to Alejandro's unspoken [i]shall we?[/i]. A pang stabbed Alejandro in the gut. The way that Vhalery immediately knew what Alejandro was saying, and vice versa...he had shared that with Eduardo, too. Alejandro's features tightened at the thought of Eduardo, and his beautiful hazel eyes, flecked with gold and brown, and his fine, chestnut-colored curls, and his sweet, soft mouth.... [i]No[/i]. Alejandro thought ruthlessly, shutting down that line of thinking, mercilessly crushing the longing inside of him. [i]That does not matter right now.[/i] Vhalery, god bless her heart, was as perceptive as usual. She crinkled her brow at him, and Alejandro gave her a little half-smile before prancing off in the direction of Prince Erik. Vhalery didn't follow, instead melting away into the crowd to better observe everything that was going on. Alejandro's trademark wide grin fell over his face as he glided over to the Veredunian prince. "Well, hello there," he greeted, his eyes twinkling with mirth as they flicked downwards to the delicate champagne flute in Erik's hand. "I see that you are busy keeping yourself, mmm, [i]hydrated[/i]," he continued, grinning mischievously. "Though I am quite surprised at your chosen method of hydration." He lowered his voice, leaning in conspiratorially, his voice full of playful mischief. "Disappointed that there is no beer to be found? I am sure that our lovely hostess would be quite willing to [i]accommodate[/i] your preferences." Alejandro withdrew, slightly, taking another moment to admire Erik's outfit. That suit really did, [i]ahem[/i], suit the Veredunian prince. Alejandro found a glass of champagne for himself and took a dainty sip, turning back to Erik. "I trust that your journey to Aciras was pleasant enough?" he asked, examining a painting on the wall in front of him. "It must have been quite long." [i](Interacting with [@madmonarchist])[/i]