[center]
[h2][color=ab0000]C[/color]armillia [color=ab0000]C[/color]arbonneau[/h2][h2]&[/h2][h2][color=fff200]L[/color]eon [color=fff200]S[/color]olaire[/h2][/center]

[b]Collaboration between [@Jumbus] and [@Animus]
Place(s): Covered Verandah and Entertainment Lounge, Lorentine Queen
Interactions: Firebrand & Various [@Medili][@Force And Fury][/b]
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As Carmilla took Leon’s hand and, therefore, his offer to dance, Leon gently pulled her toward him. Then placed her right arm to come around his chest with the hand landing on his back while Leon rested his left hand on her shoulder. Their other hands joined out toward the side and they were beginning to dance. The place Leon decided to position Carmillia’s hand would not go unnoticed. In Perrence and surrounding cultures, it was expected for the male to symbolically support his partner’s back during such a dance. Leon had intentionally reversed the gender roles of it.

While the decision to dance nor the reversal of gender roles was out of place, especially during such an event as this, it was nothing that couldn’t be explained away as more of Leon’s eccentric behaviour. But only to Carmillia would the real message be revealed as she felt something against his back. She had seen nothing out of the ordinary earlier. But sure enough, the wooden frame of an instrument could be felt there. It was the lyre. He was using illusion magic to hide it on himself.

Meanwhile, Leon seemed not to acknowledge this discovery at all. Without a word, he was telling Carmillia that he possessed the lyre while keeping suspicion from onlookers.

Carmillia matched him beat for beat, the revelation of the Lyre's location seemingly not bothering her. Any curious onlookers that had noticed the pair dancing on the verandah and come to observe would have found nothing amiss, other than the fact the two of them were twirling about admist a riot. But such an act wasn't too surprising when one was talking about the likes of Leon and a person he'd chosen to dance with.

In truth, Carmillia's inner thoughts were in turmoil.

[color=ab0000][i]I could snatch it right from him right now,[/i][/color] she thought. Even though all signs of Leon's laborious breathing had vanished when they begun dancing, either out of false bravado to put up a front for her or the various beaten, bruised and drunk observers that were streaming in, the occasional tremble told her enough.

[color=ab0000][i]And do what with it?[/i][/color] She admonished herself. Her innate greed had always acted as a powerful motivator but it was pointless unless she was in control with it. Leon was an ally, for now. 

Contrary to Leon's expectations or intentions, he was having fun with the dance. Of course, it was not the focus of such a conversation. But he did not expect Carmillia to dance so well. For a shy girl, at least shy in his perception, she danced with a degree of confidence.

They were performing a standard Perrench waltz routine, albeit with reversed gender roles. Carmillia chose her time to speak carefully. As Leon twirled away in a spin, she gently snapped him back with a tug and he rolled back into her arms.

Leon returned from the spin with a tug from Carmillia, perfectly timed with the imaginary rythym. Now close to her, he awaited a response. He could only hope she had read between the lines of his actions.

[color=ab0000]"I'm not too sure either Manfred or Eun-ji would be happy that you made off with it like this."[/color] Though her words were chiding, her tone was gentle and hushed.

Leon chuckled. Then spoke matching his company's volume in turn. [color=fff200]"No, I'm not sure they would be happy with all this at all. But Manfred and... Eun-Ji, they don't need to know right now."[/color] Leon's gazed wandered onto the walls of the entertainment hall they came from, his head turning to adjust to where the waltz took the two. [color=fff200]"People who follow orders so tightly are rarely good at [i]dancing[/i] after all."[/color] He remarked in an offhanded but matter of fact demeanor.

Carmillia momentarily pictured either of the two dancing. She could imagine the stoic Kerreman being versed in standard ballroom dances due to his noble heritage. Eun-ji most likely knew some traditional Tan Keoulian dances. She doubted that they would have been particularly skilled at them.

The thought faded away quickly. They weren't of importance at the moment.

What was important was to steer the conversation towards the topic of the Lyre. What were Leon's plans for the artifact?[color=ab0000] [i]Patience,[/i][/color] she thought. There was no need to rush. He had revealed on his own accord that the Lyre was on him. That discussion would come organically.[color=ab0000] [i]Humor him.[/i][/color]

Though she was still somewhat fatigued from the earlier brawl against the agents, she worked her magics on him. She was normally wary of employing her magic on him but she doubted he'd detect it in his current condition.

Leon was lost in the dance while waiting on Carmillia's response. His thoughts wandered to Manfred and Eun-Ji. How would they really react when they saw he had the lyre?

Manfred would probably try to take it from Leon by force if nessecary. It was about as much as he expected from a Kerreman soldier. And force would be necessary to take it from Leon's hands. He could not fond out yet.

Then Eun-Ji. Truthfully, he didn't know how she would react. But he doubted he could have much fun flirting with her afterwards.

Leon would let them know eventually. But first they had to learn to dance as Carmillia does.

[color=ab0000]"Are you implying I'm not good at following orders?"[/color] she asked, smiling as she did so.

Tendrils of magic worked their way into Leon, releasing endorphins that would relax him and cover up his fatigue. A temporary rejuvenation spell.

Carmillia's response snapped him out of thought. His gazed gently returning back to her. With a refreshing surge of energy, he was feeling a lot better. Even on the surface, his smile grew wider. But this time the smile held a more genuine quality to it.

[color=fff200]"I didn't say that Carmillia. Truth be told, I know very little about you."[/color] Leon readjusted Carmillia's on his back, further onto the lyre. [color=fff200]"But there is a reason I chose to waltz with you under the pale moonlight and not them."[/color]

Carmillia raised an eyebrow.

[color=fff200]"We made an agreement to help one another. And I always keep my word."[/color]

[color=ab0000]"I'd argue that the one who's providing aid at the moment would be me."[/color]

Leon looked back toward Carmillia with some confusion. [color=fff200]"How so?"[/color]

She smiled at his reaction. [color=ab0000]"Why, I was worried and came after you, did I not?"[/color] She paused momentarily as Leon bent backwards during the dip and continued when he came back up. [color=ab0000]"And I'd say the dancing has helped quite a bit, seeing as you no longer look as miserable as you did before."[/color]

So she did take notice of his fatigued state. That was cause for some concern in Leon's mind. But she wasn't taking advantage of it right now, and besides people get tired all the time. He chuckled after coming up from the dip with some relief. [color=fff200]"You do have a point. But we must not forget the reason why we are dancing in the first place. Unless, you care little for such novelties?"[/color]

[color=ab0000][i]The Lyre.[/i][/color]

[color=ab0000]"I wouldn't say that I cared little for it. The important question is, what do you think I want with it?"[/color]

[color=fff200]"Well everyone who is anyone seems to want it. I just thought you would be the same."[/color] Leon took a pause to think out his next words. "As for why you would want it, I have no clue. I'm not even sure what to do with it myself."

[color=ab0000]"Are you implying you made off with it just for me?"[/color] she asked innocently.

[color=fff200]"For us."[/color] A well told lie.

Carmillia refrained from believing she had Leon in the bag. Her experience with Dorothea served as a grim reminder. The students in Ersand'Enise were far more unpredictable than the rabble she usually dealt with. And she considered Leon to be several tiers above Dorothea in that aspect.

[color=ab0000]"For us,"[/color] she echoed.

[color=fff200]"I'm not sure what I am going to do with it. I just know that I want it right now. Out of the hands of the Traveller and those silly nobles."[/color]

[color=ab0000]"That is a notion I can agree with. Whatever the Lyre may actually be, I think it's time people like us take it away from their political chessboards."[/color]

[color=ab0000][i]And onto mine.[/i][/color]

As the male role in the dance and consequently the lead, Carmillia changed up the tempo. Gone were the slow waltzes and foxtrots as she delved into a fiery tango, confident that Leon wouldn't fail to follow. The onlookers that had been mesmerised by their delicate dance were snapped back to reality as Carmillia used the escalating screams and cries of the riot as the musical backdrop their dance.

[color=fff200]"I couldn't agree more."[/color] Leon matched Carmillia's pace in no time at all. He was fully prepared to dance the night away having little to gain but risking everything to try and help the riot. [color=fff200]"I have been meaning to ask. Why is this ship sinking? I thought you and... those other two were going to stop the riot."[/color] Slowly, Leon began to take the lead of the dance despite remaining in the female role.

Carmillia adjusted accordingly, taking a background approach and letting Leon take center stage.

[color=ab0000]"The plan was to stop the riot. What actually happened was..."[/color] Instead of words, Carmillia used the dance to finish her sentence, shrugging twice, the moves uncannily timed with the sound of two quick explosions. [color=ab0000]"Let's just say Zarra went on a trip and Dory got caught up in the abberation."[/color]

Leon squeezed Carmillia's hand a bit when she mentioned aberrations. But released as soon as he realised and readjusted his smile.

It was not something Carmillia failed to notice.

[color=fff200]"Ah, cuddling up with abberations. Madness and tragedy is sure to follow. You were happily to whispering with her just earlier. Could you do nothing to stop her?"[/color] Leon made sure to keep a playful tone, keeping out any accusatory inflections.

Carmillia showed a mock grimace.[color=ab0000] "Unfortunately, no. Dory took the lead in the negotiations due to her heritage. She got swept up by the pressure and we were seperated by dozens of rioters when she had taken in the abberation."[/color]

As if to show her dejection, her movements slowed down and she no longer matched up to Leon's lead as well as she did before.

Leon was slow to match back down to Carmillia's speed. [color=fff200]"So then there was nothing you could have done could you..."[/color]

[color=ab0000]"I'd have stopped her if I could,"[/color] she responded as she slowed to a stop. The dance was over. She gave a remorseful look, clearly blaming herself though whereas one might have intepreted her as feeling guilt over not being able to help Dorothea, the reality was she was actually frustrated by how she had naively believed in Dorothea's capabilities.

While the curiosity of what Carmillia could actually do perked up in Leon's mind. He could see it was not the time or place for that. He had clearly hit a sore spot for the girl.

It was at this moment that Eun-ji appeared.

[color=87CEEB]"Mr. Solaire, Ms. Carbonneau, you are both needed. It is quite likely now that this ship is going to sink if we do not act. There are holes on the ship that need to be patched up, fires have broken out and are threatening to spread wildly. But most importantly, this chaos needs to be controlled. Otherwise, countless lives will likely be lost. Please, do whatever it is that you think can help. All of us need to work together if we are to manage this situation.”[/color]

Once she had finished her message, she dispersed into a puddle of water.

[color=ab0000][i]That would explain the complete lack of awareness,[/i][/color] she thought. Carmillia snapped back to her usual self, any signs of her prior dejection gone.

[color=ab0000]"Any proposals, Leon?"[/color]

Leon's gaze was on the puddle which had once held the shape of Eun-Ji. What an interesting technique. He considered asking the girl to teach him that one day. But he wouldn't be willing to give away his own tricks in turn.

[color=fff200]"I suppose we should go help. I wasn't paying attention if Hugo had mentioned how to get out of here."[/color] Leon looked toward Carmillia. [color=fff200]"Besides, one should be wary of dancing for too long anyway. Or they risk being lost to fantasy forever."[/color] Leon took Carmillia's hand and kissed it with a bow as a sign of respect for his dance.

[color=fff200]"Shall we save this boat?"[/color] He gestured toward the hall.
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/dDAl8GI.png[/img][/center]
Truth be told, Carmillia would have preferred if they could have made off with the Lyre on one of the remaining rowboats but the repercussions would have been dire. It was much easier to attempt to salvage the mission and instead hide away the Lyre when Paradigm Hugo recalled them.

The two of them went back into the entertainment hall in hopes of quelling the riot. Things were looking grim; Carmillia lacked the ability to employ chemical magic over such a wide scale at a significant effect and Leon was running on fumes.

In the midst of the chaos, something caught Carmillia's eye. Two were dressed in similar garbs to the Traveler agents they had fought earlier. But that wasn't what caught her eye, it was the fact of the two, the man had been focusing on putting out the smaller fires in the hall. He had even just saved a woman and her two children from a rioter. She felt the gears in her head turning. She pulled on Leon's hand and went after him.

Carmillia had waited for the agents to seperate before making her appearance.

[color=ab0000]"So that's it? You stir up this... this chaos and run away with your tail tugged in between your legs?"[/color]

Leon was taken aback a bit. He did not expect Carmillia to be so confrontational. He was running on fumes but he did need to show it. He simply stood in a confident pose, but back a bit allowing himself to play second fiddle to her.

[color=fff200][i]I'm lucky Carmillia is none the wiser to my weakened state. But I need to fool the agent as well.[/i][/color]

The agent whirled to face her and Leon. Perhaps the tensity had gotten to him but he hadn't picked up on them sneaking up on him. He stared capriciously, eyes flitting between them. Carmillia sensed his lack of conviction and tugged.

[color=ab0000]"Is this what the Traveler stands for? Senseless violence and death?"[/color]

Carmilla could feel him drawing on energy, he was ready to engage in battle. He had no plans on talking things out. Not yet anyway. She waited till he made his move. Two more agents manifested, one on either side of him. To the naked eye, they were perfect clones. There was no shimmering of any sorts to imply they were illusions but unlike whatever Leon had did earlier, any trained magus could sense the arcane energies these possessed. 

[color=ab0000][i]This was perfect,[/i] [/color]she thought.

Just as he was about to jump on them, Carmillia interrupted him.

[color=ab0000]"Yesterday's enemy is today's friend-"[/color]

He paused. In that instance of hesitation, Carmillia worked her magic onto him, stirring on his uneasiness and doubt.

Leon kept quiet, but kept his composure. He had made his stance with the Traveller clear back in the cargo hold. But its not as if news would have spread to his agents yet. Nevertheless, Carmillia was making sense.

[color=ab0000]"-and you can still make a difference instead of running. The innocents on this ship don't deserve to suffer for the war you have with the nobles. Help us. Help us save them." [/color]Carmillia waved at rioters senselessly dying before their eyes.

"What...what do you need me to do?"

[color=fff200]"A ceasefire of sorts sounds like a good idea, no? No side wins if they all go down with the ship."[/color] Leon looked around the unconcious bodies scattered around the floor. [color=fff200]"To make a change, you need people left to actually make it."[/color] He stopped himself there, allowing Carmillia to lead the conversation again.

Carmillia gave the quick run down on her plan. Leon would seize the attention of the rioters in the entertainment hall in order to put an end to the violence. As he was still fatigued, Firebrand would make up for the theatrics. Fortunately for them, Firebrand was a skilled arcane illusionist.

[color=fff200]"I am perfectly able to cast of course. But it would be more fun to see an agent of the Traveller be my lights show."[/color]

While the riot is distracted by Leon's performance, Carmillia would seek out the original riot 'leaders'. Those that held influence over the common folk rioting. She would convince them to stop the riot.
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/dDAl8GI.png[/img][/center]
Without casting, marbles, or an instrument Leon was pretty light on options. And no, he wasn't about to use the lyre of the gods just for a tune. Luckily, it wouldn't take anything fancy just enough to get their attentions off fighting. And a big display was needed for that.

Leon took an elevated position on a nearby table that hadn't been smashed in half. Then with the signal given to Firebrand, harmless but flashy light bathed the room emanating from Leon.

[color=fff200]"Ladies and gentlemen. I think it's time we stopped fighting and looked upon the entertainment for tonight. Me."[/color]

An acrobatics show was just what the crowd needed and Leon was there to deliver. 
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/dDAl8GI.png[/img][/center]
With the crowd's attention on Leon, Carmillia bade her way towards the rioters of influence, recalling several from the upper deck where Dorothea had gone wild. Even an agent of the Traveler could see the senselessness of the riot which meant rabble like them could easily be convinced. She still had enough in her to sway them with her magics if needed.