Funny how quickly things turned around. The party had ended in a showdown, and now Oros did want to take part as if it was some sort of demented game. Dina felt, once again the weight of her words being scattered to ash.

What was the point of trying to be just and honorable, if people just disregarded her intentions to appease as yet another game. Her ears folded, and once again Oros had left her truly without words.

"Have it your way." She said, icyly. She probably didn't understand what was she trying to achieve with this. Probably being the centre of attention. After her piece was done, she then rushed out to a side, trying to hide her obvious displeasure.

She had a century old poise, but some things still hurt.

What she didn't know was that someone had already taken note of her reaction, her expression. Finn had only waited until things seemed calm again to check on her. He excused himself from the table to grab some more ale, but quietly stopped by Dina first.

 [color=C41E3A]"Are you alright, Miss?"[/color] He'd gently ask.

Dina raised an eyebrow. "Lady Dina." She answered at the kid's response. "Is that evident? One can get so far with props and songs, before the true nature of these people resurface. I'm tired." The catgirl said. "I assume you're a new face, as you've never met me before. I am delighted to be acquainted with you, circumstances not withstanding."

She said, before moving a few steps, her tail dragging along. "I shall be fine... just some stupid backslash."

Finn slightly frowned. [color=C41E3A]"I think I already know why."[/color] He looked back to the crowd. Or more specifically, the Ascendancy members and those who challenged Rachel as well. [color=C41E3A]"Not the first time I delt with people like that. Especially like that over-zealous woman."[/color] His brows furrowed for a second. [color=C41E3A]"Truely, my friend and I were visiting from Europe for today but it seems things have changed without us knowing. I'll have to talk with my patron, see if we have to stay for a while."[/color] He explained. His frown didn't dispate when she tried to reassure him.

 [color=C41E3A]"You're tense, Lady Dina. That I can tell. Helped keep everyone in check, I assume? A noble task it is, but one can only do so much before they burn out themselves."[/color] He stepped up next to Dina and held out a hand for her to shake. [color=C41E3A]"I'm Finn Vanhorn. And you should probably rest before your match.[/color]

"Two matches. I need to win two matches. That brigand wants to have fun by stealing from others again. I had thought her to be better." Dina said. "Dina of the House of Denisov. Regent of Penrose, but not many are aware of that fact yet." She looked at the hand that was being offered. A very passable courtesy, but who was she ask about courtly manners? Sanctuary was already difficult to pull of, but the people of Penrose... were not known for niceties.

She took the hand carefully and shook it. "That much is obvious, mister Vanhorn, but the question is, will I be able to afford it?" She said. "A fellow power user huh. You've come to a ghastly place." Despite her evident tiredness, her stance and words had regained her careful regal tone.

Finn's eyes widened. He was in the presence of a noble, and this is how he acts? How absurd! [color=C41E3A]"Forgive my ignorance, Lady Denisov."[/color] He retracted his hand to bow instead. [color=C41E3A]"I wasn't aware Penrose housed royalty.[/color] The boy remained calm, even when Dina noticed they had the same power.

 He chuckled. [color=C41E3A]"The Power of Friendship, hm? Frankly I find it to be a grim irony. I don't care much for people, not for how long I've resided here, or for those who stabbed me in the back."[/color] Finn shrugged. [color=C41E3A]"Alas, those same people tend to be drawn to me for some reason... Ah, well, it does prove useful sometimes. But still, if you wish, I can hold down the fort until the matches begin."[/color] He suggested.
 
 "Look at there. We have Odin amidst our midst. There's no way we can hold the fort with... his attitude." Dina sighed. "We can only try for our best." Her eyes went to Finn's reaction. "Royalty? Not quite. I was once upon a time acquainted with the Romanovs... but that is an once forgotten memory."
 
 "Besides, it takes very little for them to disregard the nudges. And fall again in shortsightedness. Like spoiler toddlers. It's the curse of magical power I guess." answered. "But if you wish to ingratiate with me, Mr Vanhorn, better think on how flight footed you are in case we have to leave. I am not alone here. There are acquaintances."

How he didn't notice the norse god among them was a mystery, even to himself. But from what he gathered, Odin was being...a bit of a bastard in his own rite. Finn grimaced at the thought. [color=C41E3A]"Noted."[/color] Though Dina's advice admittedly concerned him;He could easily shift to the Overcity or borrow the speed of a cheetah, he had to ask.

 [color=C41E3A]"Acquaintances? Is there a chance you can introduce me to them?"[/color]
 
 Dina looked at Finn. "Mayhaps when the time is better suited... I must apologize, but I have to be more selective of my acquaintances from now on. Please disregard my words." She added, her words with a slight edge of bluntness.

Finn nodded. [color=C41E3A]"Don't worry, I know what you mean."[/color]

"Hm." Dina just hummed in response. It wasn't like this boy... or man was by any chance a knight in needed of purpose, and if his compulsion was as bad as she was, then he was trying to get her appeased for the sake of it. Still, it was worth a shot to get him acquainted.

"Perhaps you can help in some way. Odin's chosen is my acquaintance. Quite an unruly, rude child, but one with enough potential. Not unlike the one who appeared to go at Justine's beck and call. Pass a message to her. Why should I fight my own battles if I have battlemongers..."

 It wasn't that he was trying to get on her good grace on purpose, Finn was tempted to clarify that to the Empress. Maybe he was in denial over his good nature, or maybe his Power of Friendship felt as natural as breathing. Regardless, he was always willing to hear someone out.

 [color=C41E3A]"Alright, what do you want me to tell her?"[/color] He asked. He might have to take a bit to find said recipient though...

"Just avoid she chokes on cake and tell her there's a fight. It can't be missed, she's the girl with the most impressive wings of the entire party." Dina said, tired. 

Finn looked around to spy anyone with wings, then nodded. [color=C41E3A]"Hm, got it. I'll check back on you later!"[/color] With that, he walked off and over to Sanngridr. His refill of ale forgotten for the moment.

Sann had been left to her devices after sharing some interaction with a fellow glutton called Viva, so she had chosen once more to keep eating cake. She did notice Finn pretty quickly as she grinned while licking her lips.

"Oh, an edgelord. Nice. Do you want to have a nice evening with Sann? " She said, tilting her head with a grin.

Finn visibly flinched. [color=C41E3A]"Uh, no thank you. I approach on buisness, not pleasure."[/color] he frowned, shrugging off what she called him for now. [color=C41E3A]"Lady Denisov requested I inform you that there's a fight, possibly the Keijo match comming up. I don't care much for it, but she probably wanted you there as audience."[/color] Finn explained.

"The who? Ah, yes! Granny Kitty. Yes, she wanted me to hunt Sanctuary enemies. Has the time come for the reckoning?" She said, closing up on Finn, without any kind of personal space whatsoever, her wings blotting out all the view. "And can I get you as prize? You seem a good prize, instead of these whatever travel around the world trips I have gotten." 

 The boy tried to back away from Sann, slowly becoming anxious. [color=C41E3A]"F-Forgive me ma'am, you seem like a nice girl but-!"[/color] Finn gently pushed her away from him, to regain some space. [color=C41E3A]"Maybe there's someone else that can trade with you, but I'm no prize!"[/color] He laughed his worries off.
 
 "Oh, but you are a prize. Aren't all magical boys? The chosen ones, you can get almost any girl you want." Sann said chuckling. "But I have to be a nice girl. Allfather is watching, and I got in far too much trouble for chasing things that don't belong in a battlefield."
 
 She clapped her hands. "You kinda remind me of Reaver, to be fair."
 
  Whew, atleast she won't bother him. For now at least. Though at the mention of Reaver, Finn tilted his head with a brow raised. [color=C41E3A]"Friend of yours, I'm guessing?"[/color]

"Not quite. A simp." She said. "A stupid simp who got roasted by Odin. Also is your friend tasty? He's been looking at me staring daggers."

Okay, now Finn was just unamused. [color=C41E3A]"Are you saying I'm a goddamn simp?! Rude!"[/color] though before he could get an answer, Sann had turned her attention to Oliver, who was ready to intervene if she didn't leave Finn alone. [color=C41E3A]"Ah. Uh, I don't know if you can uh...eat...ghosts, but I'd probably leave him be. Could be poisonous."[/color] Finn had a slight grimace, turning around to reassure Oliver that he was okay.

"I'm a valkyrie." Sann said. "In training." She added. "You certainly look like one. Well, some people are into that." The winged girl retracted her wings. "Alright, time to get down to business and stomp...uh, is that the Ascendancy tramp and Oros?"

"I think I love you. Or granny Kitty." She giggled.

Before Finn could say anything else, Oliver had hurried over and grabbed him by the shoulders, pulling him away from the deranged valkyrie. [color=faed27]"Thank ya [i]very kindly[/i] for your time Madam, but my friend here isn't looking for a relationship at the moment and we should really get back to our seats, okay? Ciao~!"[/color] With that, the ghost would drag Finn back to their table.

"You look way tastier anyway. Ah well...time...for...fighting." She trailed off.

Once the duo was back to safety, Oliver sat Finn down before sitting in his chair again. [color=faed27]"You okay? She didn't try anything with you did she??"[/color] If one observed close enough, the ghost's tone when talking with Finn was different from if he was talking to someone else.

 Finn only shuddered. [color=C41E3A]"Thankfully no. Strange one, she is."[/color]

 Oliver looked at him for a moment, then sighed. [color=faed27]"You got to be more careful, Finn. We're not in Kansas anymore, and who knows what may try to hurt us both. You didn't even get more ale did you?"[/color] 

 The other boy glanced down at his empty cup. [color=C41E3A]"...Oh."[/color]

"It's fine. I can manage her." Dina said, as she offered a pitcher to Finn. "I just needed to get away from people for the time being."

 [color=faed27]"Eh, whatever keeps her from hurting 'em."[/color] Oliver shrugged. While Finn held out his glass for Dina to pour him a refill. 

 [color=C41E3A]"Thank you, Lady Denisov."[/color] Finn said to her with a polite smile. 

"Denisova." Dina said. "Russian girl surnames have different endings." Dina corrected. "Tis' a fine piece that girl. Took too much power at once... without having the ego to hold it at bay. Sanctuary was practically made for these cases... And I don't want to risk a second outburst by telling Her Highness about Oros." 

 [color=C41E3A]"Ah, right. Forgive me once more, if you can."[/color] Finn nervously chuckled, scratching the back of his head. Then Dina explained what the deal with Sann was. Both boys' eyes widened.

 [color=faed27]"Wait, so we're dealin' with a Monster Queen teetering towards going full ballistic on us? You do have a plan in case that happens, don't ya?"[/color] Oliver appeared concerned. [Color=faed27]"And who the hell is this Oros chick???"[/color]

"Not quite a Queen. But if someone keeps feeding her coins, she will. " Dina said. "As for Oros it's a long story. Loves to get thrills and attention."  Dina said.

 [color=faed27]"Coins?? She's not part seagull is she- [i]Ow.[/i]"[/color] Oliver tried to joke, but got interrupted by Finn elbowing him.

 [color=C41E3A]"Well regardless, we'll keep an eye out."[/color] Finn nodded.

"Devourer and Destroyer. I think." Dina said, her eyes narrowing at Oliver. "You seem to forget that restrained monster girls and monster boys are the exception rather than the rule, mister." 

Oliver quickly straigtened himself up. [color=faed27][sub]"Sorry ma'am, will behave ma'am."[/sub][/color]

 [color=C41E3A]"Don't worry about him, we look out for each other. As long as anyone he cares for doesn't get badly hurt, he won't be tearing down the place any time soon."[/color] Finn whispered to Dina, explaining Oliver's mental mutation.

Dina just blinked. "Come to think of it, we do need more knights at Sanctuary. Shane is not even a monster boy, and while we appreciate his work... more monster kind would actually appease the more radical of the individuals."

 The two looked at each other, taking a moment to discuss between themselves. Afterwards, they looked back to Dina. [color=C41E3A]"Well...after we catch up with our patron, we can visit the Sanctuary and see if we can help some. Is that alright with you?"[/color] Finn asked.
 
 "As long as you do not belong to the Ascendancy...which I doubt." Dina said. "You are most welcome, even if the Sanctuary is supposed to be hidden these days."

 At the mention of the Ascendancy, Finn furrowed his brows. [color=C41E3A]"Don't worry. We know better than to associate with them."[/color] He reassured Dina, Oliver gently patting his back.

Dina raised an eyebrow. Maybe these two were lovers? Queer things she had seen in her days... It was then when a couple of wings engulfed her, as an all too familiar Valkyrie was invading someone else's space as well.

"Cute kitty wants to fight that stupid Ascendancy... I will help. But let me pet you before..." Sann had said.

 [Sub][color=faed27]"Shit."[/color][/sub] Oliver swored under his breath with Sann appearing next to Dina. While Finn didn't say anything himself, not yet. He was curious. He wanted to see how Dina could handle someone like her.

Dina tensed up, very much like an unwilling cat at first, at her invasion of her personal space. "After." She said deliberatedly eyeing Sann. "And I will let you eat tea and pastries." She cooed towards the rude monster girl, who just tilted her head.

"Tea...is good." She said, before releasing Dina and skipping a couple of steps. "I need to whack them, right?"

"At Keijo...actually."

"Sounds boring...but alright, Granny Kitty." She pouted, as she began to walk once more towards the crowd.

 [color=C41E3A]"Hm..."[/color] Finn watched as Sann left them be again, then turned back to Dina. [color=C41E3A]"Not bad."[/color]