[b][center][h3][color=orange] Lein [/color][/h3][/center][/b]
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[b][color=orange]Location:[/color][/b] The Royal Ball
[b][color=orange]Interactions:[/color][/b] Fleuri [@Crimson Paladin] Cake Thief? [@VitaVitaAR] Fionn [@The Otter]
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	If only the girl had told Lein about her plans! Had he been in coarser company Lein would have broken out in open laughter. All that security and guardianship, and all that was needed was for an unassuming girl to [i]swoop![/i] and take the whole-ass cake and disappear! Lein's intuition that the 'girl' was no doubt an enchantress of some kind was right, but he couldn't have known that she had a roaring sense of humor. Lein started, [color=orange]"What a strange lass! We really ought to have known better to - Herr Fleuri?" [/color]

	Lein nodded along as Fleuri explained and scarce broke character. Still, for what it was worth, the disguised rogue was taking Fleuri's word and did not interrupt the flurry of action. While Fleuri lead them around the dance floor, his eyes darted around the rafters and entrance ways, looking for any misshapen shadows leaning out a corner or watching the center of the room with too much intensity.

	Lein had no sympathies for the princesses, and cared even less that it was technically within his duty as an Iron Rose to protect the nobles who had gathered here. If anything, he was suspicious of why a strange mage of no clear identity would even warn them. Still, a whole lot of chaos would mean a headache on his part, and will most certainly sweep up the Roses in the process. Lein had never bothered to learn of Thalnese politics and probably never will, so he'd have to rely heavier on his experience of subterfuge to untangle this whole cloak and daggers business. [i]Putain de merde[/i], at least things were easier back up in Ithillin where everyone was dumber and had a fetish for open dueling.

	[color=orange]"My, aren't you a little forward? Are we at that stage already?"[/color] Lein joked with a smile, but his eyes did not reflect mirth. [color=orange]"Are you sure that's the best move? We're not even sure if that girl's not bluffing. If this is a plot against the princesses, our would-be assailants would be watching a danger like the First and Last closely. If it isn't, that's two counts of public humiliation against the Roses in front of the royals."[/color] Lein rebutted Fleuri's suggestion to warn the Paladin as they danced, though he could tell that Fleuri had already made the decision. The Champion was on the straight and narrow, and he had already knocked all the dominoes in his head, it seemed. Trustworthy, but also too trusting. [color=orange]"We'll need to try and keep things discrete. Don't warn the princesses directly and do try not to tip off our 'guests'?" [/color]

	As he sent Fleuri off with a dramatic wave and a curtsy at the end of their dance, he looked for the younger princess and started to run through what he knew. Clearly, despite the wards in this place magic was still available to those who knew to squeeze past them. Most of the Knights carried their weapons, at the behest of the Princess, though it was still unclear if the Princess knew she would need extra security for the night. It was indeed a bit strange that the ball invitation and the ball itself was within a day of each other. And in a crowded room such as this...what would be the best kind of attack?

	In a couple steps, the Hundi strutted up to the knight for the second time this evening and tapped him on the shoulder. Thankfully he can just skip the explanations even if it would have been amusing in other circumstances. [color=orange]"[i]Herr Fionn[/i]! I had a lovely time with the Champion, and I would love to thank you for your recommendation. He's quite a passionate one though a little rough in his handling. But in our enthusiasm I'm afraid your cute little bow's been ruined."[/color] Lein said, pulling in close as if to show off the supposed 'ruined bow' in his laces. Lein whispered a warning in Fionn's ear in a very different tone. [color=orange]"Hey, word from Fleuri that something's targeting the princesses. Didn't get much more than a vague warning. Know anything about it?"[/color]