[center][h1][color=00aeef][b]Kazumin Nagasa[/b][/color][/h1] [img]https://i.ibb.co/n1mrZcV/Cropped-Kazu.png [/img] Currently wearing: Caesonian traditional formal wear [hider][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/953090004584890368/953102552520589322/a450f6d37e47f5d4e24eb22a17d81539.png [/img][/hider] (Minus the gloves and cape) [/center] [hr] The carriage carrying the Hugonin party eventually arrived and pulled to a stop before the steps leading up to the open heavyset doors leading into the hall and past that the ballroom. And as the carriage rolled to a stop did it cause the napping Kazumin wake with a small, startled start who then sat up wiping the bit of drool from his lips upon the back of his left hand, the right used to rub the sleep from his eyes. Blinking himself awake and with it, Baron Asteroth's stern face came into view with an eyebrow raised."[color=00aeef] Hm? Have we arrived then?[/color]" He asked sleepily, still in the midst of waking. Lord Asteroth simply stared at his young ward who had napped the entire trip for a moment before giving a slight shake of the head with a low wry chuckle."[color=8882be] Indeed, that we have and a trifle late I might add.[/color]" The aged gentleman stated with cloying accusation. Kazu coughed into his fist upon hearing this with the pretense of clearing his throat while looking away."[color=00aeef] Yes, well...we're here aren't we? Shan't be sitting about casting blame to why we're late, no?[/color]" The young blonde, now awake patted at his knees with a wide forced grin trying to show enthusiasm, but his amber brown eyes clearly gave way that he wished to be anywhere but here. The baron studied his ward a moment longer then let out a wry chuckle." [color=8882be]Yes, I suppose you're correct. Let us be off, but I suggest you fix up your hair. I shall head out first and expect you to be following after shortly.[/color]" He spoke in that gruff coolly tone of his, the warning for him to not go sneaking off evident in his voice that had Kazu let out a weak chuckle in turn. [color=00aeef] " Don't worry, I'll be along shortly.[/color]" Waving his hand while keeping up that forced grin only to let out a weary sigh the moment the older gent stepped out from the carriage." [color=00aeef]Ugh, I can already tell this is going to be a long and excruciating day.[/color]" His body slumped back against the cushioned seat as his head rolled back, eyes closed and took a few deep breaths trying to prepare himself. His trepidations were understandable; seeing as this was not only his first ball, but his first outing with nobles' period. How he, a mere peasant farmer managed to find himself to an event no peasant could dare dream to experience and yet somehow here he was about to enter a room filled with all the elites of elites, the royal family included. Yet, unlike any other who would find themselves impossibly excited and nervous, Kazumin was absolutely and positively dreading placing a foot on the steps alone as he found himself picturing his pals back home at the run-down tavern laughing their arses off at him were they to see the ridiculously over the top outfit he currently wore. He leaned forward; face buried in his hands where he let out an almost pained groan sounding like one asking to be killed and spare him such a tortous evening. If not for the fact that this was his first time leaving the Hugonin estate since being taken there three months ago or the promised prospect of wondrous food the likes peasant never even knew existed, then he would have chosen to skip the festivities entirely. Having been cooped up for three months doing nothing but sword training with the sword trainer, Ezekial whom preferred to called Zeke and Agatha, his etiquette teacher; Zeke he did not mind too much though tended to get a little too into the sword fighting during training, the bruises adorning his skin a fresh reminder. Miss Agatah, on the other hand was hands down the most horrid person he ever had the delight to meet and the source of the majority of bruises that ached his body and head to this day. The blasted hag never heard the meaning of holding back with that stick of hers; a number of countless times that her mere presence made him nervous and with it screwing up the latest tasks towards becoming a proper gentleman. The Hugonin estate has indeed been a truly hellish stay and were it not for Susan, one of the house's younger maids that he may very well have gone mad from the constant training and teaching with too little breaks that allowed him a proper smoke or drink. He rubbed at his face with a weary groan and after a few more moments preparing himself, did he sit up where he licked at his fingers, using them to press down his golden blonde gelled hair. The gel kept most of his hair in place leaving him only needing to fix a couple stray tufts until only two, maybe three remained though that curly golden cowlick bouncing at the top of his head stuck out; a tuft that proved impossible to rid as no amount of brushing or hair product proved capable of defeating it. Not that Kazu was bothered by it, not in the slightest and simply gave a shrug of his shoulders."[color=00aeef] Good enough as ever I guess.[/color]" Taking a few more deep breaths and slow exhales before the young blonde finally brought himself to exit the carriage. He stepped down then stopped to take a glance around to see a few other nobles making their way up the steps, each of them moving with a graceful gait and was once more reminded just how much of a fish out of water he was and for the briefest moment thought to simply leave and might have done so had he not spotted Asteroth at the top of the stairs chatting with some unknown noble."[color=00aeef] Phew...it's just for one evening. You can do this, Kazu.... do it for the food... for the exotic pudding.[/color]" Muttering this to himself and upon mentioning pudding felt energy well up through his body, invigorating the young blonde. Giving his formal wear shirt a few tugs removing any wrinkles and a shifting tug of the belt then finished with some sharp adjustments of the cuffs and he was ready to venture inside. And considering this damn outfit took him nearly an hour to put on and the likely cause of their lateness, Kazu intended to get his use from the suit. One last slow exhale and he was off; up the stairs his fine booted feet crunched feeling as if he was venturing into a realm wholly new and normally forbidden to one of his ilk. Whether this were to prove a grave mistake or not he had no inkling to know. Before long he was at the top and found Lord Asteroth waiting for him who regarded him momentarily before stepping close to place a hand upon his shoulder with an assuring squeeze."[color=8882be] You will do great, lad. No time better to put your training from lady Agatha to practice. But remember that what awaits you are no plaything scenarios so be respectful and on your best behavior. Do not make me regret my decision and embarrass my house.[/color]" Each word he spoke were stern and serious, the most serious Kazu had seen him since becoming his ward yet they had a strangely comforting hint to them as the aged knight offered a small smile barely visible through the groomed beard. " [color=00aeef]Right... my best behavior. I'll do my best.[/color]" He returned with a half-hearted salute while blowing a low huff from his nose as he gazed at Asteroth, the older gentleman who was the root cause for his even being here. In fact, he never even wanted nor intended accepting the offer of being his ward, but the countless convincing pleas and talks of such opportunity so rarely given led to him to accept in resignment though his many siblings were very much against it as well. Thinking of them brought a sad smile to his lips; all of this was for their sake. Just five years, five years and he will be back home with his family and all their money troubles no longer a thing. Steeling himself once more, Kazu nodded back which earned him another comforting squeeze to his shoulder then the two turn and made their way inside. These past three months have all been done to prepare himself for such an event like this and yet, even with all that had been taught and beaten into his head, none of it could ever accurately prepare one who has never born witness to such a spectacle. As such, the mere moment he placed his first step into the ballroom and he found himself completely overwhelmed, his senses assaulted by a wide assortment of things a farmboy like him has never experienced. All sorts of glittering gowns, jewelry and fancy decor along with various instruments of all sorts he had never laid eyes on before playing elegant music that might have brought him to tears were it not for thick smog of mixing perfumes and sweet scents making his eyes sting. It took all that he had to keep from gagging from the overwhelming nauseating scents though he could not stop the coughs that he thankfully covered up with the back of his right hand. Barely a step inside and already his head swam; a headache beginning to faintly throb in his temples as he tried peering into the room, but his eyes stinging with tears could hardly make out any of the various face and the people dancing only made it all the more difficult to pick out anything. [color=00a651]*Gods! How can these people possibly endure such a heavy smog of scents for even a second? And all those candles...this place is a raging fire waiting to happen.[/color]* The overwhelmed blonde thought this to himself. The room certainly was unlike anything he had ever seen before, but it was impossible to admire or enjoy with the vast amount of activity and going-Ons happening. If one were to honestly ask him what he thought of the place he would say that this was simply overkill, far too much and unnecessary. The amount of money you could get from everything in this room could easily cover ten villages for years and still have some left-over, an unpleasant thought that left Kazu with a bad taste in his mouth. Then the unexpected pat to his back snapped him away from such negative thoughts as he looked over at Asteroth who gave a nod and smile in turn before heading off to find and mingle with his fellow men. That's right...everyone in here were born of the same cloth, everyone that is save for him. Even with all these people about, Kazu found himself feeling impossibly alone without a familiar friendly face in sight. Thankfully, the smell of food filled his nostrils no longer burning from the heavy parfumes which helped lessen the swirling dizziness he was reeling from. Not wishing to dwell on such depressing thoughts when a treasure trove of a feast never before seen lie only a short distance away. a myriad of food those like him could spend their entire life saving and still be lucky to afford only a morsel and here there several tables of such along with alcohol to drink. He would find himself disappointed to find that it only consisted of wine...the drink for whelps among booze, but better than nothing. Without wasting a step, the hungry blonde made straight for the tables until he could hardly notice the perfume or much of anything. Only the food that lie before him lay in his sights and with an anticipated growl from his belly moved in intending to partake of everything in this hall. Kazumin was so engrossed with the most beautiful and eye fetching spread that he could dare say was unmatched that he hardly paid notice to the huge spectacle of an entrance made by the visiting Alidasht who made it their goal to make the most extravagant entrance imaginable. While everyone else in the hall was in stunned awe and disbelief, Kazu was in disbelief at the gush of heavenly flavors titillating his tongue to the point of nearly bringing him to tears once more, this one of pure happiness.