[center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjgwLjEyZmRlMS5UbWxoZG1GcklGZDViV0Z5YXcsLC4w/osmane.regular.png[/img] [/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/nFPmwXe.gif[/img][/center] [hider=A few days prior...] [color=#00CED1][INDENT][B] [SUP][SUB][H3]Alovian Training Yard[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][sup][color=silver]August 25th, Dawn | Sparring partners, Jacques Wymark[/color][/sup][/INDENT] [indent][color=Lavender]An ashen-haired man stood in a courtyard in the early morning, gripped with a wooden sword. The knight was besieged by men on all three sides. The three men bore down on Niavak, waiting for an opening or movement. A chirping bird broke the still silence causing one of the three men to momentarily lose focus. Noticing this lapse in concentration, Niavak let out a breath and dashed at blinding speeds towards him. The man managed to bring his sword up to defend but his posture and balance were off. His weapon flew off his hands with a quick upward diagonal slash. Without pause the disarmed man punched in a wide, horizontal arc. Niavak deftly dodged the swing with a leg sweep, the man's face thud into the sandy soil. The other two blinked for a moment, stunned. This was, however, brief, as they both leaped on their feet and attacked him from opposite sides. Niavak commended the duo internally, they still had kept their composure and attacked as a team. The knight also knew that being surrounded was the worst case scenario for a fight and as such he retreated in a way that kept both of them in his sight. He noticed that both men had their eyes directly on his sword. He played an obvious feint, a heavily telegraphed, high downward slash. The arc of the slash was interrupted by him abruptly letting go of the weapon. The men infront of Niavak were stunned, their heads followed the arc of the falling weapon. He delivered a swift kick to the man on his right, causing him to fall over and tumble back. While the other one was stumbling, he slithered around the man and put him in an neck-lock. It took a few moments before the man tapped the dirt, signalling his surrender. The last man standing had regained his stance. Niavak stood up and grabbed his wooden weapon and stared at the man. His stance, while good and leaving little openings, highlighted his inexperience in dueling. It was too rigid. He also noticed that the man's hands were shaking. Deciding to prod the young man, he slashed horizontally but stopped it mid-way. The man quickly held his sword up to defend but only found air. Niavak wasn't doing it to anger the man, it was to prod him, but it incensed the him. The man charged at him, striking with noteworthy speed and strength. However these strikes were easily blocked or parried to the side. He stayed on defense, he ignored the feints and pushed aside the strikes. The man would now gamble, he began a left, horizontal swing only to feint and transform it into a right, horizontal swing. Niavak pushed the swing upwards and kicked his foot that supported his weight. The man fell on his ass, Niavak's wooden sword trained on his neck. He held his arm up in mock surrender. With a long sigh, Niavak's face loosened up and a smile crept on his face. His battle-demeanor beginning to dissipate. He wiped the sweat off his face and held his hand out to the fallen man.[/color] [color=white]"You are terrifying, Wymark."[/color] [color=Lavender]The man said, accepting the hand. He dusted the dirt off his clothes before he continued.[/color] [color=white]"This is the first time I've trained with you, but I'm not sure if I'd do it again."[/color] [color=Lavender]The other two men joined his sentiments. Niavak could only scratch his cheek in shyness. [color=#00CED1]"You three were good! I really had to improvise when you had surrounded me, any mistake on my part would have been my end."[/color] He said, taking a sip of water from a leather bottle. [color=#00CED1]"If I had to say much, you, Eliot, should've control your emotions. It's easier to strike down an angered man."[/color] The three men could only listen to him and nod. Eliot looked away when he was mentioned but begrudgingly agreed. An older man's laugh could be heard, the man looked like Niavak but older and with a cane. The three men bowed towards him and Niavak could only grin. [color=#00CED1]"Father, what brings you here?"[/color] [color=white]"I came to observe my favorite son."[/color] Jacques Wymark said, resting on his cane. His eyes swam between the three men [color=white]"... and as I suspected, you didn't hold back against these trainees at all."[/color] [color=#00CED1]"I'd be surprised if I wasn't your favorite son. Since I'm your only son, right?"[/color] Niavak chuckled, helping his father down the steps. [color=#00CED1]"You three, take a break."[/color] The three men dispersed and went their own directions. [color=#00CED1]"I can only assume you're here to talk about the super-secret party I've been recruited to."[/color] He said, as he was set to travel to Thelan in a day. [color=white]"As expected o' the ever astute 'Pale Knight'."[/color] His father said, mockingly sheathing his cane into an imaginary hilt. [color=#00CED1]"Ugh that nickname. It's because of this white hair and complexion."[/color] He said, gesturing towards his hair. He simply followed his father's antics. [color=#00CED1]"If you think about it, this is your fault father."[/color] His father laughed boisterously for a moment. His face turned serious with his following words. [color=white]"I have only one question that I'll ask. Are you nervous?"[/color] [color=#00CED1]"Of course I am!"[/color] He said, his face flabbergasted. [color=#00CED1]"Anyone who says otherwise is a fool. However we have little choice now. The situation is taking a turn for the worse. Thelannian military have begun pulling out of key locations. This last-minute party may be the only chance at stopping a full-blown war."[/color] Jacques leg ached at the mention of the war. [color=white]"Good."[/color] He smiled warmly. [color=white]"You are to take my [url=https://i.imgur.com/w28Xgr9.png]clothing[/url] into the dinner. This time I won't allow you to wear whatever you find under your wardrobe. Try not to earn the ire of any Thelannian nobles, or I daresay, their King."[/color] [color=#00CED1]"Naturally, father."[/color] Niavak placed his hand on his chest and bowed deeply. [color=#00CED1]"Blessings and glory upon the Alovian Empire."[/color] His father followed suit, the grim silence that followed pierced by both the father and son's uproarious laughter. [/color] [/indent] ---------------------------------------- [/hider] [color=#00CED1][INDENT][B] [SUP][SUB][H3]The Ballroom[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][sup][color=silver]August 31st, Sunset | Servants, Alice Allaire [@Lionhearted] [/color][/sup][/INDENT] [indent] [color=Lavender] Niavak pulled at the scruff of his stuffy clothing. He had worn clothing such as this in more than a few occasions but he could never get used to it. It was too tight, impractical for chases or fighting. It's only merit was to look fancy and presentable. As soon as he stepped in, he could feel a waft of cool air hit him. The atmosphere, while appearing on the surface as jovial and lively, was heavy and foreboding. It reminded him of the political jungles back at home. He stood before the king, placed his arms over his chest and took a knee. He paid his respects with a few words. [color=#00CED1]"My greetings to the Thelan King."[/color] The king wrinkled his nose and waved him away. With another bow, he walked away and back into the festivities. [color=#00CED1][i]That's the king huh.[/i][/color] Formality was drilled into him at a young age, so he was used to rather callous behavior. He knew the king's mind was preoccupied, however he still thought it rude to not even acknowledge him. [color=#00CED1][i]Maybe that's how Thelannian's greet their visitors.[/i][/color] He thought jokingly, shaking off the king's discourtesy. He had only visited Thelan in more than a few occasions, mostly for joint-military training and sparring, but he had always thought it to be a beautiful kingdom. He would try his best to prevent both kingdoms from going to war. A few eyes now drifted on him after paying respects to the king. Most were Thelannians trying to place who exactly he was. The Alovians that recognized him gave him a wave and chuckled. Niavak smiled at the few that met his eyes. His first objective were to greet those who were to be in the legion. He eyed the sea of people dining and talking amongst themselves. He'd already caught a few noteworthy people. One such individual was the 'Shield-Maiden of Moore' Ellinor Myren, her reputation even reaching Alovia. He would have like to acquaint himself with her but she seemed busy conversing with a few other people so he pushed the greetings later. His head craned around the room, looking for the rumored commander of the party- Lady Alice Allaire. Though his father said he wasn't entirely sure of the validity of this information. Because of his distraction he bumped into a female servant, causing a tall glass of champagne to spill into him and break on the flawless marble floor. The servant looked pale as a sheet. She stood silently, unable to process what had just happened. She let a moment pass before she prostrated before Niavak. [color=white]"Ac-Accept my deepest apologies sir."[/color] The servant said, her voice shaking with each enunciation. She apologized a dozen more times. The hubbub had drawn the attention of a few attendees. With a shaking arm, she began to hastily pick up the broken glass. [color=#00CED1]"No no, that was entirely my fault Madam."[/color] He said, grabbing her wrist. [color=#00CED1]"Best not to get your beautiful hands cut, I'll handle it."[/color] He bent down and pulled his sleeves up, revealing multiple scars and burn spots. The woman gasped at the sight his arms. He picked up the glass pieces and placed it on her tray. [color=white]"I've also ruined your garments, please let me pay."[/color] The woman said with a downtrodden look. [color=#00CED1]"As I've said, that was my fault. Send the cost of the glass to the Wymark family."[/color] He continued, flashing her a smile. [color=#00CED1]"Don't worry, it's why I wore black, the champagne just blends right in."[/color] He winked at her, an attempt to settle her nerves. After another slew of apologies she eventually left. Niavak stood, smelling of champagne. He ignored the whispering directed at him. [i][color=#00CED1]Guess I'll be known as the champagne knight now.[/color][/i] He took off his jacket and black inner shirt. He called another servant and asked them to bring them to his carriage. He only had one layer left on his person; a white, long-sleeved [url=https://i.imgur.com/HpqMhYI.png]linen shirt[/url] that were pulled taut due to his muscles. He cuffed his sleeves in an attempt at making his shirt 'formal', however his garments still looked out of place in the ballroom. A few noblewomen and, oddly enough, noblemen seemed to flush red before looking away. He silently regretted not heeding his mother's words at bringing an extra set or two of formal clothing. Finally he spotted Lady Alice. After making her way to her, he placed his hand on his chest and bowed. [color=#00CED1]"Lady Alice, my greetings."[/color] He said. [color=#00CED1]"Pleased to make your acquaintance. Excuse the attire, my clumsy self had caused them to be drenched with champagne."[/color] [/color] [/indent]