Chrys

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Night
Location: Grand Ballroom balcony
Interactions: @Remram Magnus and @Infinite Cosmos Munir

Magnus cleared his throat. "I merely followed after her due to concern. However, it turns out her company is pleasant to keep." His blue eyes stole a glance from her with just the briefest smile before turning his sights back to the man. "Magnus Pawonska. I believe you've recently become acquainted with my sister, Nora Pawonska. The woman in the red dress." It was a simple acknowledgement followed by a smile just as simple.

@Remram

In that briefest of moments when his eyes caught hers, Amira could feel her heart jump up into her throat. She suddenly had no words to say, just staring back at Magnus with a growing aching hunger as he went on with his conversation with her cousin.

"Lord Pawonska. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. To say I came out here to catch my breath would be... a rather creative interpretation of the truth. I merely noticed my cousin being cornered by a gentleman of your... impressive stature and thought it only proper to introduce myself." His gaze briefly shifted toward Amira, noting she had already restored the respectable distance expected between herself and a gentleman. "Ah... Lady Nora. Well... I do intend on asking for her hand..." Munir allowed the sentence to linger just long enough for its more scandalous meaning to bloom before the corner of his mouth curled into a grin. "...for a dance. Though now you've made me curious. Am I expected to seek permission from her elder brother first? Is that the custom in Caesonia? If so, Lord Magnus, would you grant me the honor of asking your sister to dance?" He chuckled softly. "In any case, I should probably ask the lady herself before negotiating terms with her family. We are gentlemen, after all."

@Infinite Cosmos

It seemed as if Munir's little jest struck a target that he had not aimed from as Amira was shocked from her dreamy gaze to look at him in shock and delight. Only for the moment next to be slightly disappointed. Yet she found herself still all grins, it seemed that her newfound friend might also get her romantic dream granted to her just as she had.

Turning back to Amira, his expression softened. "Cousin, I am glad to see you're smiling again. Please enjoy the rest of your evening." Leaning in just enough for only her to hear, he added with perfect seriousness, "And if Lord Pawonska should trouble you in even the slightest way... drive your knee upward with confidence. I can personally guarantee he'll rethink every decision that led him to that moment." Straightening again, he offered Magnus an innocent smile. "Nothing personal, Lord Pawonska. Merely encouraging healthy self-defense." A wink to Amira followed. "Now then... you two behave yourselves."

@Infinite Cosmos

Her eyes widened in surprise at her cousins suggestion leaving her chuckling awkwardly. Why would she ever need to do that? Lord Magnus had been a perfect gentleman. She could not for one moment even imagine that she would need to take such actions. After all this was a romance story, the exact kind she loved, instead of the dark novels she would not even touch.

Instead when Munir made his quick leave out the door and surely to the woman he had just mentioned, Amira turned to look shyly at the man before her.

"I know it is customary that the gentleman would be the one to request a dance," she could hardly even look him in the eyes. Yet she dared forward as she got just a touch closer and looked up at him with those large amber eyes that admired him so, "But, I am hardly ready for this night to end."

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom balcony
Interactions: @Remram Magnus and @Infinite Cosmos Munir

Hesitantly, Magnus nodded and then said, "Yes, it's true. She admitted to being a witch and... Well, you know the rest." His brows knitted together. He had just pushed that thought way in the back of his mind. "I implore you not to think hard about it. It'll only leave a pit in your stomach like the rest of us." His piercing blue eyes looked over the view they had of Soralia. The lights almost seemed like the very stars in the sky.

He let the silence hang in the air for only a moment.

@Remram

"A wi-" she started but quickly shut herself up. She indeed did not know the rest, but she knew enough. Enough that her vision of Caesonia had been shattered and left her rose tinted view of the world starting to darken slightly.

She was brough back to the balcony as she heard Magnus try to comfort her, "I - will try."

He turned to face her again with a very earnest expression. "I truly do wish to apologize to you, Shehzadi Amira. I did not mean to embarrass you the way that I did, but I had to make myself abundantly clear that it wasn't me who sent those flowers. It would've been cruel to lead you on when I've only learned of your existence tonight."

She was beautiful, beautiful enough to make any man's heart race. That was an indisputable fact though there was something else to her. There was something, for lack of a better word, pure about her. Not pure as in someone inexperienced with the world, but pure in the fact that she hardly seemed to have a malicious bone in her body and saw the good in everyone and everything. Maybe to her own detriment. She should have been more wary of him, of any man for that matter instead of inching
closer to him... And yet he made no attempt to move away.

@Remram

A small bittersweet but understanding smile decorated her face, "I know that you did not, and I am thankful you were honest. Even if all of this was one big mistake, I am glad that I have made some friends. I do not know what I would have done tonight if I had faced all this .. news alone."

Magnus plucked a yellow marigold from one of the pots that decorated the balcony and gingerly tucked it behind her ear. "It may not be a bouquet, but maybe this will suffice." It stood out from the blues and golds that covered her though he could not deny that it looked pleasing on her. He smiled at his handiwork and said, "Yellow definitely suits you."

@Remram

His delicate and caring gesture left her stunned, mouth gaping with a blush growing on her face. This was nothing like the story she had daydreamed but somehow that made it all that much sweeter.

With an easy smile returning to his face, he finally stepped onto the balcony proper and approached the pair.

"There you are."

His tone carried the familiar blend of relief and amusement reserved for troublesome family

"For a moment I feared I would have to explain to your father how I allowed his daughter to vanish into the night unsupervised."

His eyes shifted briefly toward the blond man before returning to Amira.

"I see, however, that you have already acquired company."

The prince offered a polite inclination of his head.

"Munir al-Kadir."

The introduction was simple, casual, and confident.

@Infinite Cosmos

Spinning around at the voice that disturbed their little moment, Amira was shocked and almost thankful to see that it was Munir standing there. It had just occurred to her that had it been anyone else who had decided to take a walk on the balcony, this whole scene might have caused enough gossip to destroy her and possibly even Lord Magnus' reputation.

In that moment as Munir was busy introducing himself, she quickly took a step away from Magnus to keep the space between them.

Then his gaze flicked back toward Amira, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Now then, should I be concerned, or was this merely a strategic retreat from the horrors of ballroom conversation?"

@Infinite Cosmos

Amira nodded nervously.

"Yes. Yes. I needed a moment to breathe after all the," She took a moment as she tried to choose her next words carefully, "commotion that had been caused."

"Though," She looked over Lord Magnus for half a second, a small smile once again brightened up her face, "I am feeling much better now."

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom balcony
Interactions: @Remram Magnus

After a moment he called out from behind, "It's a lot in there, isn't it?" Magnus slowly approached the railing of the balcony just a few feet from her. His large form leaned forward more than normally so they could be as close to eye level as possible. There was no point in asking if she was okay; he had no intention of drawing attention to her feeling of embarrassment.

@Remram

As Amira gasped for air like a woman who had been drowning just moments before, she had not even been aware of someone else approaching her until she heard Magnus' voice.

She swung around in shock, her hands rising to her mouth as the embarrassment started to meet with the panic that had shaken her body. She had not thought of anything while she ran, and now here she was, a complete mess in front of the man she had for one moment truly thought was her destiny.

Amira would say she had not meant to show him this side of her, but to be completely honest, she had not meant for any of this to happen at all. This had not gone anything like what she had dreamed on all those nights on the ship.

"I don't think most balls are supposed to be this... heated, for lack of a better word." He chuckled though it really did sound like things were hectic in there. "I do believe I would be remiss though if I fail to comment how lovely you look tonight, Shehzadi Amira."

@Remram

A small chuckle escaped from her lips before she covered her mouth with a shameful hand. The phrasing during all the absurdity had brought such a strange laugh slip from her that she couldn't believe herself.

"Heated... would indeed be a word for it." She said so quietly it could almost be considered a whisper.

The next thing he said brought a strange warmth to her chest. She had spent all night looking for her true love, but in this moment, after what had to be her first panic attack since she was a child, it all felt so far away. Yet here he was, seeing her making a complete fool out of herself, and he not only did not see any less of her but even mentioned how she looked 'lovely'.

"Thank you... Lord Magnus." She said with a small smile that seemed too faint on her once brilliantly alit face.

Biting her lip, she looked out to the starry night before looking back to the ballroom before seeming to decide on something. Pulling up closer to Magnus on the balcony, she was so close that they were almost touching. It was then that she, under her breath, quietly whispered the words only he could hear,
"Is... is it true what they said? The king had his wife ... "

The final word felt too harsh on her tongue to say out loud.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom
Interactions: @HylianRose Nora, @Remram Magnus and @ReusableSword Roman
Mentions: @princess King Edin and @funnyguy Duke Lorenzo

Nora gave her brother a glare, a hand on her hip. She was trying to make it plain to him that she was not going to just let this slide under the rug like that. "My dear new friend, this is my brother. Magnus." She explained to Amira, turning now to look at her.

@HylianRose

The older gentleman that had caused such discomfort was completely forgotten as she probed Nora for more information for the man that would surely be the man she had dreamed of. After all, he had already sent her such a beautiful bouquet so this man of course must be kind, thoughtful and most importantly romantic.

Instead the reply that came from her new friend left her stunned. She looked up wide eyed at the large fair man that stood so close to them. The look of complete surprise, and her jaw slightly opened quickly became a blushing red mess as she suddenly realized that she had been so close to her suitor this whole time. She had nowhere ready to meet the man, let alone be talking to him yet and yet here he was.

Her eyes took him in awe. She stared at his large strong build, his great height and the way his suit beautifully fit him. All along with his beautiful long flowing blonde hair and the kind hazel eyes looking down at her and she found her gasping for words.

Magnus followed after Nora and the girl with the bouquet from another Magnus. He flashed his sister a smile, genuine, but tense. "You are looking quite lovely tonight, sister. I hope you have been enjoying yourself, such as the night has been." His gaze soon moved to the Alidasht girl and gave her a polite bow from the hip with his large frame. "I hope you have been enjoying your night as well, miss. I see that you've caught someone's eyes already."

He looked at her bouquet, black and blue as a starry night. A thoughtful expression painted his face. "Personally, I wouldn't have gone with black. It's a bit... dark."

@Remram

Amira was quickly and painfully clumsily curtsying back to him as she tried to pull herself back together. She was making such a fool out of herself in front of the man that was surely about to be her husband.

"I - I have been truly enjoying this night. I have made such a wonderful friend and now - "

She had been so excited to respond, that it took a moment but then finally his words started to be comprehended.

"The - the flowers? You did not send them?"

She looked at him with large eyes that were on the verge of tears, as the dream she had been writing in her head was suddenly being demolished before her.

"My dear brother, are you meaning to say that you did not send these flowers?" She asked, a certain edge to her voice that was only present when she was angry with her siblings. She turned to look at Amira again, concern crossing her features. If Magnus had not sent them, that presented itself another problem. This poor girl would then have to deal with the disappointment of the flowers not being for her.

@HylianRose

Looking to her new found friend, to her brother, her face became even redder. Amira could not feel like she had done nothing but make humiliate herself at this ball. For a moment she had all thought it had been for a good reason, after all it had looked so much like fate, but now she was questioning everything.

"If", She began her voice wavering "If it was not you, than … who?"

“Offering my daughter to you?” It was hard to see the disgust in his expression buried beneath the visage of someone who might kill the man he glared at with such animosity. “ARE YOU MAD?! Do you think I would ever entertain my daughter ever being with you?! A man who had his wife killed for all to see?! FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO SEE! And now you hold a damned ball and sit alone as if it didn't even occur! You may be king but you are the FURTHEST from worthy enough to even consider her!” The duke shook his head while unsteadily pointing at Edin. “I may be seen as a fool in your court, but you will FOREVER be miserable! Your ilk will never forgive you and love will forever be far from your grasp! AND IF YOU DARE THINK OF TAKING HER…” He stopped himself.

@FunnyGuy

The accusing shout rang throughout the ballroom, instantly catching the young Shehzadi's attention. Each new venomous word filling her head, filling her mind with images and terrifying realisations as she finally started to understand what the Count had been alluding to earlier.

The secret whispered around her all night. The information no one had thought to tell her. Why had no one told her?!?

The small stars of light that decorated her clothing began to tremble under the bright candle lights, as she stared upon the scene with growing fear. Her eyes gazing upon the Caesonia King with a whole new petrified look.

He calmly and confidently approached the trio. Only as he drew near did he realize they looked a little upset about something. What that might be, he couldn't say, but he approached with a warm smile anyway.

“Lady Nora Pawonska, a pleasure to see you again. I must say, that shade of crimson is absolutely striking—it rivals even the brightest ruby I’ve ever worked with. And Shehzadi Amira Kadir, you bring the serene beauty of the Alidasht coast straight into this crowded room. It is always lovely to see you. Which means you must be Magnus Pawonska? You are looking magnificent tonight.”

He gave them all a warm smile after each complement on their attire, offering Amira a respectful bow of his head and shoulder, the metal of his pauldron gleaming in the chandelier's light. “Lord Roman Ravenwood, at your service. I do hope I’m not intruding.” He kept his demeanor polite, calm, and confident—but relaxed enough that he could easily step away if his intrusion wasn't welcome.

@ReusableSword

Her head turned suddenly to the sound of her name, as she stared at the new man before her. Surely another noble, one she had to introduce herself to. She tried to curtsy, she tried to speak, yet nothing came to her. Her eyes stared widely like an animal that had been backed against the wall.

Yet as her body wobbled it became growingly obvious to her that her lungs burned for air. She had not been breathing since the realisation had hit her and now as she stared at the faces before her, she found her hand going to her chest.

The room started to seem both too big, and too small. To close, too full. Too much noise, and all of it closing in on her. She gaped for a moment, words failing her.

Then she ran.

Running for the open doors of the balcony, running for the fresh air. Which when the cool air finally hit her face, she took a large gasping breath. Her lungs starved for the air and she drank it in greedily, as she leaned over the balcony and stared out to the world outside.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom
Interactions: @HylianRose Nora
Mentions:@princess Count Emil, @Potter Elena and @Remram Magnus

Looking between Lady Elena and the mystery man who had blocked off the Count's path to her and Lady Nora, Amira was lost in her confusion. She has no idea what was happening, and what had made so many people suddenly appear to protect Nora from the older man. Than of course, there was the floral bouquet in her arms which brought up even more questions.

Ending in it all being too easy for Nora to convince Amira to leave the situation with the promise of telling her about her mysterious secret admirer.

"You know who Magnus is?" She asked, eyes sparkling as she followed the other ladies lead with eager excitement.

"What is he like? Is he kind? Handsome? How do you know him? How do you think he knows of me? Woul - would you point him out to me?"

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom
Interactions: @HylianRose Nora, @princess Count Emil, @Potter Elena and @Remram Magnus

Looking from the other young woman to this older man, Amira's confusion just grew. She smiled at the new woman joining them, giving her a slight head nod, but anyone could see the worry on her face as her brow furrowed.

"It is a joy to meet you, Lady Elena," she said in a soft voice, her etiquette training taking over. Yet Amira's mind seemed to be somewhere else completely.

What were they talking about? What had she missed? Why had no one told her something had happened?! Was it because her cousins truly had no interest in her or, was it simply supposed to be obvious? Why had her own brother not mentioned it earlier? She knew she had just met him, but surely -

The word "pet" slid across her skin and caused a disgusted shiver to run down her spine, as she was shocked back to the current moment by Count Emil's words.

"I - I," She took a moment to try to bring her thoughts together. She didn't know why, maybe it was the nickname, or maybe it was the way he had inserted himself into the conversation but Amira found herself not wanting to be around Count Emil much longer, "I believe my.. friend will tell me more later."

She looked at Nora with her large brown eyes, hoping in that moment she had not overstepped.

Suddenly she was shocked by not only the approach of a large man making his presence known behind the count. For a moment, Amira was unsure if she was more worried or relieved. Then, before she could even make up her mind, a bouquet was being put into her hands.

Staring, stunned, at the bouquet and the servant, her mouth gaped open for far too long. Soon, a bright red shade was covering her face, and she was calling back to the servant in confusion, "I - I do not know a Magnus! This - this must be a mistake."

It seemed as if the servant either didn't hear her or didn't care because she was awkwardly left standing with a stunning dark bouquet of flowers. Turning back to look at the other woman, completely astounded, she just found herself repeating the words, "I... do not know a Magnus."

Nevertheless, she found herself hugging the flowers close to her chest.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom
Interactions: @HylianRose Nora and @princess Count Emil

Hearing the chuckle, Amira was all but ready to run out of the ballroom and to somewhere she couldn't make an idiot out of herself. It was only as the word sorry hit her, did she dare to give the other woman a peak.

Hearing the woman compliment her outfit, a giant sigh of relief seemed to flood Amira. A small chuckle escaped from her lips as she did a small curtsy with a warm smile, "Shehzadi Amira Kadir." Though if they were going to explain who they were related to, "I am the daughter of Grand Vizier Hafiz Kadir and niece to the radiant Sultan Raif Kadir."

A small chuckle escaped from her again after what felt like a long-winded introduction, "But after such an... impactful introduction, you may call me just Amira." Maybe tonight had not been a complete loss if she could indeed make a friend.

Amira had finally started to relax around another woman around her age, so that she hardly even noticed the older man walk into their space until he intruded with his greeting.

Shocked and a little taken aback, Amira began to remember that she was, in fact, in front of dozens, if not hundreds, of eyes that afternoon and would be under great scrutiny. She curtsied back, trying to smile politely, but she admittedly was unsure how to answer someone calling her company 'beautiful'.

Though that was quickly forgotten as she looked at the man in confusion, and she stuttered out the word, "M-mourn? I believed this to be a party, a - a introduction of noble families. What would we be mourning?" Amira stared at him in confusion, showing all of her innocence and naivety on display for the world to see.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom
Interactions: @HylianRose Nora

Amira turned around aghast with complete embarrassment at her lack of attention and manners. She was surely never going to be allowed to a ball ever again after all the shame she had already managed to bring to herself in such little time.

Seeing the young noblewoman bowing towards her, she quickly began to curtsy in return as she started to spout out her rambling apologies. "No, no," She insisted, "It was entirely my fault. I was not looking where I was going at all and -"

It was then she peered to look up at the young woman she had bumped into, only to find her head now hitting squarely with the young lady's. A jingling mess was heard as she pulled back, hand to her head, her face now somehow managed to burn an even brighter red than ever before.

"I am so so sorry. I do not know what has come over me," Amira said, mortified, "I - I have never been to such a ball before, and I obviously was not ready for all the crowds and splendour."

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom
Interactions: @AuthenticTomb Aslam and @Potter Kira

Amira had never even considered that someone might be waiting for her. That wasn't how it went in romance stories at all. The prince charming was supposed to turn up and sweep her off her feet, no? Ask her for a first dance, maybe if they were a little daring, her first kiss.

Aslam's words made sense, but they conflicted with the beautiful love story she had written in her head over the last few weeks.

The moment of contemplation of maybe this was the reality of a ball quickly, was replaced by embarrassed panic as her words came spilling out as she complimented the stranger's outfit. The self assured reaction of her cousin did anything but calm down her mortification.

Aslam was so cool and collected, which made her awkward self all the more obvious.

"Please excuse me," she said quietly with a little curtsy before hurrying away from the scene. Almost running away from the two, she quickly made her way to be somewhere else. Looking back for a moment, she looked at the two composed, beautiful people before she had left together. Then her panicked exit was suddenly stopped as she came crashing into the back of someone.

🗡 Roses and Daggers 🎕

Time: Evening
Location: Grand Ballroom
Interactions: @AuthenticTomb Aslam and @Potter Kira

Amira had been so enamoured with watching her cousin introduce himself a beautiful lady in red that she had not even noticed Aslam approach her. The sudden smooth voice coming from behind her had the young princess jump in shock. Wine sloshing from the fine glass in her hand and nearly spilling onto her precious dress.

"Cousin Aslam!" She exclaimed after she had spun around to look at the mystery voice that had so startled her. Trying to compose herself, she brushed down her elegant blue dress, making sure none of the wine had stained it.

"I - I am not afraid." She protested, even though every action she had just displayed would say otherwise. "I am just .... waiting."

His words complimenting her had Amira even more startled and lost as a bright blush grew on her face. She had no idea what to say to such honeyed words. She was so unused to so many people, let alone the attention she had just received.

"I am thankful for the offer of assistance, but I admit I am not used to such functions or even what I would, or maybe should, be looking for." Her confession had her fiddling with the silver adornments on her skirt, "I thought it best to wait..."

"Surely it would be evident when the man who would win my heart would appear, would it not?" She asked with a playful smile, almost as if it was a joke, but there was still a sincere question hiding in there.

Her eyes searched his, as if looking for the answer, and she was just about to ask him if he had ever had that moment when she was reminded they were not so alone.

Quickly curtseying to the lady in a gorgeous, delicate dress, she was swiftly repeating the words she had been made repeat at least a couple of hundred times before she had been let to go on this trip.

"Good evening, I am Shehzadi Amira Kadir of Alidasht. It is a pleasure to meet you th-"

Her words stopped suddenly as the other lady's statement seemed to have finally hit her, "Jealous?!"

"No, no" She protested, "It is you they must be jealous of. That lace! The way your dress presents you so softly but boldly. It declares you as a moonlit beauty."

The colour in Amira's face blossomed into a beautiful red as she rambled on about Kira's outfit, "I - I mean...It truly is a gorgeous dress."

Amira chided herself, at this rate, she was never going to be invited to another social event such as this.