[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/181109/b14e03f045e666658118663197a581f8.png[/img][/center]
[right][sub]Interacting with:[@Trainerblue192][@Obscene Symphony][/sub][/right]

[color=bc8dbf]“Yes, it’ll be-”[/color] Ryner’s reply was cut short as a familiar voice, to Aaron at the very least, carried over the yard, [color=ec008c]“Princess, the Queen and Lady Sinnenodel are ready for you.”[/color] Ryner smiled at Aaron.

[color=bc8dbf]“Your aunt, Isadora, is attending Mother this evening. Alder can handle himself for a few hours.”[/color] Ryner said, winding her arm into Varis’s as the vampire’s smile curled into a smug grin. [color=bc8dbf]“Varis and I have Council business to discuss after this. I’m sure we could find some time for you and Isadora to be alone if you wished to talk for awhile.”[/color] She steered the group towards the door. 

[color=bc8dbf]“You briefed Aaron?”[/color] Ryner said quietly as they approached. A middle-aged woman stood at the door, golden-blonde hair done up in braids starting to show streaks of silver and covered with a thin blue lace veil adorned with gold beading. She wore a conservative blue dress, high collared and long sleeved, with gold trim and dipped into a curtsy as the party approached. 

[color=f7976a]“The boy has his instructions. I expect you will handle the other?”[/color] Varis said, matching her tone. The boy was fun to play with but he expected better from Salem’s son. Rule number one when playing the game, responses must be consistent. And his response to the half hearted threat to his mother was far more revealing than the cool and collected cut about his father’s business. Varis couldn’t [i]wait[/i] to see how long the boy would last under his attention.

[color=bc8dbf]“Yes. And I expect whatever plan you’re hatching for Salem not to interfere with tonight.”[/color] Ryner said sternly before offering Isadora a warm smile. [color=bc8dbf]“How is she this evening?”[/color]

[color=92278f]“As best as can be expected considering the circumstances, your royal highness.”[/color] Isadora spoke softly. Ryner sighed and nodded. Varis glared at the Princess with a irritably muttered [color=f7976a]“Of course”[/color] and the Princess shrugged sheepishly. Isadora smiled at her nephew briefly before turning and guiding the group to the dining room. Ryner addressed the mages as they walked through the manor.

[color=bc8dbf]“When we reach the dining room, I will enter first, followed by Varis and finally you two. It is incredibly important you stay as close to Varis as possible until you need to separate for the table. Salem, you will be on my right in the seat next to me. Aaron, you will be across from Salem and Varis will be to your left.”[/color] Ryner said but paused a moment to turn and address the mages directly. [color=bc8dbf]“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of staying close to Varis until the last possible moment.”[/color] Ryner held each mage’s gaze for a moment, reinforcing the point rather than enthralling them, before turning back to Varis. They arrived at the double doors and Isadora knocked once, stepping aside and curtsying again.

 A few moments passed and the doors opened inwards, two servants bowing to the group as they entered. The room features several paintings of those in the Noila line, including a few mages. Geoffrey Noila, the Queen’s Sire and predecessor, stared solemnly down from behind the Queen as he sat on the throne and Landar Starag stood behind the man, looking down sterny at the assembly. A large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling and a group of musicians played soft music in the corner. 

The Queen sat on the right side of the table head, tracking the group’s movements with beady eyes. She wore a gold cotte and a dark blue high collared chemise. A thin white veil covered her translucent hair, just a dash of black standing out under the cloth. She wore little in the way of jewelry, only one ring and a brooch with the Noalia crest. The Queen’s eyes were sunken in and her skin snow white. Deep frown lines stretched around her mouth, deepening as the Princess’s attire caught her eye. It was barely audible but the vampires in the room could hear the faint tsk.

Against the wall behind her, Lady Sinnenodel lounged on a grecian couch with soft green cushions and gold designs on the dark wood trimming. Her skin and eyes were in a similar state as the Queen’s but her eyes were clear and her gaze seemingly vacant. The sides of her head were shaved, leaving a wispy spiked mohawk down the center of her head, and several piercings decorated her nose, ears, and lips. The woman wore spike covered leather, her undershirt and pants torn in several places. Heavy combat boots finished off her look. Two men stood next to her in similar attire scowling. A petite woman sat next to the Queen, where Lady Sinnenodel should sit, in a backless black dress. Black rose piercings followed the shell of her ear. She shifted slightly in her seat, a corset piercing on display as she faced her Lady then turned to face the newcomers once again. A thin black cloth covered her eyes as she settled her hands in her lap. She looked at the mages in the group and tilted head with a faint frown.

Princess Ryner curtsied and took her place. Varis stopped for a moment next to the Princess, bowing for the Queen and then deeper to Lady Sinnenodel before he sat and took his place. The mage woman leaned towards Varis and whispered into his ear, a smile on her lips as Varis smiled fondly with a slightest shake of his head.