Post #1738073 in Elphanor: Tipping the Scales of Fate, a roleplay on RPG

Ai loved the reef. No particular reason why, but there wasn’t any question why either. It was the most beautiful and lively part of the ocean. Although, it also left little space between her and the surface of the water, which to most selkies was among the scariest places to be. They were always so worried a fisherman would see them laying on the reef, but what were they going to do? Dive in after them? It wasn’t as though they were allowed to catch selkies in their nets or on a hook. If they were ever discovered doing so there were some severe consequences. That is however if they were caught. The one thought that never occurred to her was that the chanced of anyone seeing were next to none.

The wash of the current over her gills and fins tickled her and a small smile flashed on her face. A smile that held in laughter and even a giggle. To hold in the small sounds a chuckle may make she turned her face and dug it into her arms. She didn’t lay perfectly still, it wasn’t likely a selkie could remain still in or out of the water. Her tail slowly and smoothly stirred with a pattern as the water moved about her.

Her light blonde hair flowed wildly about her and angel fish nestled themselves within it. Gold eyes peeped out from behind her small arms and glanced around but just as quickly hid themselves again. Ai was waiting for something. A common thing when she was on a reef. Just what she was waiting for most didn’t know, most didn’t have the patience to find out.

One gold eye appeared for a second time, they focused intently on a certain spot of the coral. It was there a large cone shaped object sat unmoving. Rather than hiding her eyes again she simply closed them tightly and reopened the other one. The bud before her began to open; not obviously, it gradually untwisted itself and as it did her other eye opened. She bit her bottom lip in anxiety and excitement. Finally, the animal in front of her opened completely revealing a purple sea anemone that moved in a mesmerizing pattern. Her arms uncrossed and Ai stroked the ‘legs’ of the anemone lightly; she didn’t want to scare it or it would close again. “Hello there,” her voice came out as a vague whisper only audible to the angel fish still in her hair and the creature she was now petting.

It didn’t close this time; she was thankful, it meant it was starting to like her. That was no easy task, an anemone doesn’t just befriend anybody and it takes days for it to allow you to stroke it. It was a lucky week for her, the carnival hadn’t moved that week so she had become acquainted with many of the creatures here. Mainly the ‘plants’ and a few fish.

She stroke the creature for a little while then stopped, she didn’t want to push her luck. Her tail paused for a moment, she gripped the corral and with a twist of her fins and a push of her arms she flipped herself around. Then her tail uncoiled and gently rested on the plants beneath her. One of her hands laid out to the side and the other reached up to gently brush her hair out of her way. It was so hard to control her hair sometimes.

Of course now was no different. As if in defiance of the supreme universe, which was of course her, it moved right back into her field of vision. She glared at the strands that moved needlessly in and out of her scrutiny just so that she could analyze a new one.

After becoming uninterested with the blonde curls she attempted to peer around them; her eyes focusing on the glare above her. She frowned and looked away; the sun hurt her liquid gold irises and pupils. Unfortunately that wasn’t enough to save her from the solar leer so her hands gently moved to cast a shadow over her face.

Ai was bored. She had made friends with an anemone because she was waiting; this was where she always waited. For whom? Three boys to come and find her, after all she was playing hide and go seek with these boys. It was funny, she always won even though she hid in the same general area every day.

“Ai!” She knew that voice that was Ryu.

Immediately she sat up, she couldn’t see him yet. That means she had some time to actually hid instead of remaining in the open. She twisted herself around and swam much faster than her dainty figure would suggest. A small flip and she was hiding in a small cave; for some reason the corral refused to grow on top of the sand here.

“Hey, Ai!” A blush spread up her chest and to her cheeks. Unconsciously she covered herself; there was no shame among selkies to have their upper bodies bare. After all, as a half fish her chest was covered by a second skin, but as a human she had to admit it was embarrassing. It was also embarrassing around Set.

She liked him, but unlike so many other men, he did not return those feelings. Her many attempts at making him jealous always ended in a ‘damn it!’

“Ai, seriously come out! The performance is going to start soon!” Ha, she wasn’t falling for that one again. “Come on! You need to get ready!” Unconsciously she rolled her eyes. They must think she was one of the gullible sorts. Well, they are sadly mistaken.

Then Lana spoke, her stern voice echoed throughout the corral, “Ai Quen, get your little tail out here.” This was the time where she started taking them seriously. Her head popped up from behind the corral and she saw the three searching for her amongst the corral. Lana appeared quite annoyed, she clenched her teeth hoping she wasn’t annoyed with her.

“Yes?” Her whole body then appeared, “You say there is a performance starting somewhere?” She smiled awkwardly, she loved Lana but she could be a little scary sometimes. A small gesture told Ai that she was to follow and she did so, the two boys followed in line behind them. It wasn’t long until a shore-line came into view; on it sat the small group of carnival carts that she lived among.

Lana led her up to the surface and she rolled her eyes, she had figured out quite quickly where it was she was going. Rather, she had always known. The city of Airis had called their small, yet famous, Carnival to perform for the city and to once more draw trade from some of the smaller towns. Apparently they were very good for that.

Either way, they were being paid so no one honestly cared.

Getting dressed was the hard part. She didn’t wear clothing much since she spent most of her time in the water so there were occasions she wasn’t positive what goes where. However, she always figured it out sooner or later.

Once finished she placed one or two flowers in her hair and let it dry on its own. Something that Lana always craved was her naturally curly and perfect hair even when there was no comb involved. The flowers were not of any specific sort; just whatever she could get her hands on and they went wherever she wanted to put them.

The performance was the easy part. There was a throng before they even got there so all they needed to do was start the music and dance. Of course, what was a good performance without some theatrics. The story this time was of a young lover bound to be to be married to the one she hated rather than the one she loved. Unconsciously she thanked whomever there was to thank that this story was not a real version of her life. (Snicker, snicker)

As the dying down of the music commenced and the dancing stopped the audience clapped, he clapped so hard that the city seemed to rumble. Then they left. It was funny to watch how a busy street could completely clear when nothing interesting was happening. No one of interest watched as they packed up.

Oh, I take that back there was one person that was watching intently. Watching Ai intently, as though he was a bird waiting for the right moment to strike, but she would beat him to it. Standing back up she looked at the man, her eye in complete seduce mode. A very irresistible mode.

She gracefully made her way to the man, a slight sway to her hips added to the view. Almost immediately the man rolled his eyes, annoyance took grip of her very soul. Who was he to act that way, he was the one staring. With one hand on her hip she glared at the man; he, however, wasted no time making his way over to her and then spoke, “Ai Quen, I assume?”

The young selkie smirked, “That depends, who’s asking?”

“I am Badic, assistant to the High King.” The man bowed slightly as he spoke leaving her standing there awkwardly. She glanced around before removing her hand from its position on her hip and wiping some hair from her face.

“Err, it’s very nice to meet you…I think. That all depends on what you have to say, so what exactly do you want?”

“I am here to invite you to a masquerade in Elphanor.”

Ai blinked once or twice, somewhat confused, she thought for a moment and then comprehended his words, or at least she thought she had, “You want us to perform there? I am truly honored.” Lana, Ju, Ryu, and Set had all made there way up behind her, curious as to who it was she was speaking with.

“Oooh! We get to perform at Elphanor! I’m excited! I’ve got to go pack my bags, I’ll be right back.” Ryu exclaimed quite happily, he was stopped half way through.

“I believe you have misunderstood. I am inviting Ms. Quen alone, as a guest.” The man spoke with an annoying authority.

Ai couldn’t resist, she was a flirt and Set was in range and thus she flirted, “Oh, I see!” her face approached his and her hand delicately held the bottom of the dark elf’s chin, “you want me you be your date,” she pouted for a moment, “as much as I would love to, you’re just not my type.”

The elf rolled his eyes again and moved her hand, “No, I do not wish for you to be my type, I have absolutely no such interest in you.” Now Ai was insulted, no one told her that she wasn’t their type. It was always the other way around. Now whether he wanted her to or not, she was going just to make him regret those words.

“Fine Badic, I will happily attend your masquerade, if only for the purpose of making you regret those words.”

“Not to interrupt your parade Ai, but would you like, at all, to know our opinion?” She could hear the concern in Ju’s voice. He was like an older, less mature, and way too protective brother. She shrugged and waved her dainty hand at him without even turning to look at the man.

“I have to agree, I don’t feel comfortable with this.” Lana was next.

“I don’t mind.” Set, that bastard. She swore he knew how she felt and said those kinds of things just to hurt her feelings.

“I’ll be back tomorrow; don’t worry so much.” Ai did catch the sly smile Badic had after she said those words. He most definitely knew something she didn’t and that bothered her, but not enough to deter her resolve. The others were still not entirely comfortable but knew they did not stand a chance against Ai’s determination so bowed their heads in defeat. She looked the dark elf before her, Bring it on, she thought. “So, Badic, how exactly do you plan on taking me to Elphanor?” Ai could swear that this was on cue because the moment she said that a ‘royal’ carriage carried by three sea serpents emerged.

At first the young woman just stood there and stared in shock and awe. She watched as the dark elf opened the door into the carriage and motioned her in. For a moment she just blinked and then finally she allowed her stiffened muscles to relax. “Oooh, fancy.” She proclaimed as she let herself in.

Of course, the thought that these creatures flew didn’t occur to her until she leaned out to wave farewell and they took off. She fell out of her seat, quite literally but didn’t try to get up. Rather she gripped anything she could out of instinct and fear. A scream echoed from within the carriage and a small bit of laughter could be heard from the small group of soldiers that accompanied it. “You son of a-”, Ai’s declaration of rage and fear was interrupted by an ungraceful bump and the hitting of her head.

Unconsciously the selkie had backed herself into the carriage walls as she frantically glanced around her. What was happening? Why was she flying!? Selkies were made for swimming in the ocean and walking on land. Flying was not on this list. She wanted down, now!

That however wasn’t happening until they reached Elphanor.

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Three hours, or maybe four, or maybe five, or who knows it could have been an entire day, passed and Ai finally felt the bump of the carriage landing on the ground. She sighed in relief and fear. Where was she? Elphanor, yes, but what was Elphanor in comparison to Airis. What sort of strange creatures existed in this strange land?

The carriage ride had given her time to think these things through and she realized on just how little she had based her decision to come on. Internally she slapped herself. This was not her finest moment. Actually, usually, she was an intelligent and, though a little happy-go-lucky, wise young lady. It was amazing to see how a spark of annoyance and insult could inspire such a reaction and unwise decision.

She officially did not like Badic.

Behind her the door she had been leaning on opened. As it did she lost her balance and nearly fell out but in the end she caught herself on the door frame of the carriage. The men around chuckled again. That was beginning to annoy her. They had chuckling and outright laughing at her since the ride took place.

After exiting the carriage and embracing the feeling of stability and the ground three maids made their way over to her. They curtsied, which confused Ai, and then took her away. More forcefully than they had to. Behind her Badic spoke, “These young ladies will help you prepare. I’m afraid I still have my own duties to take care of.

Ai glared at him; but alas that was nothing new considering how often she did. The ladies brought her through elaborate and somewhat boring always that echoed the sound of her bare feet. Apparently, that was actually possible. She would have never known that if it wasn’t for this boring castle.

They made it to a room that had been prepared in an elaborate decorative way. Much out of her style. Actually, she kind of despised it. Everything was too perfect and elegant. There was nothing fun or interesting about it.

The room was closed and the ladies began undressing her, Ai pushed them away “I can do that on my own, thank you.” The ladies bowed and rushed to the closes pulling out a black and grey dress. Ai gagged, “I refuse to wear that,” the girls looked at each other, confused. Obviously they weren’t used to having someone where such a high quality dress.

“Um, madam, what would you like to wear then?” One of the maids asked her. Ai smiled, mischievously.

“What all do you have?” The maids looked at each other and smiled for the first time since she had met them. Away they rushed in and out of the closet each time carrying a dress that they would try to sell on her. Each time she said no. Most of them were composed of blacks, whites, grays, and dark blues and purples. “Come now ladies, I’m not dressing for my wedding and not for my funeral. I thought this was a party?!”

They threw the dresses they had on the nearest chair, and one of the smallest spoke, “I think I know of something you will find pleasing, Madam.” She whispered to the two others whom left the room, then she took Ai’s arm and brought her to a mirror. “If you don’t mind I will start on your hair and make up. Just hold still.”

Whoever this girl was she was fast and good, so good Ai was considering on hiring her herself. In less than fifteen minutes the young lady had taken control of Ai’s natural curly locks and pulled half of them into a messy, curly, half bun. Oh yeah, she was hired.

The make-up took a little longer and Ai was unable to see it until it was done, however she could most certainly tell she was using quite a bit of eye-liner, eye-shadow, and mascara. Although not quite as much mascara. Ai always had naturally thick and long eyelashes. When Ai was finally allowed to see her eye make-up it was dramatic and most definitely made her eyes pop. That and it made the rest of her face seem to be without any fault of any kind.

When the woman was done the other two had returned. In one of their hands was a red and gold masquerade mask. In the other was a bright red dress. Ai smiled, “Perfect.” The maids smiled, quite happy with themselves. They then proceeded to help dress the selkie in this salient dress. The dress by itself was remarkable, however, they all agreed that after the dress was on her it was alluring and stunning. No man could resist her charm in this red mermaid dress. Ai smiled, the three maids did so also.

“Thank you. I am afraid I don’t know your names though.” Ai said to the three women.

The maids looked at each other flabbergasted; they had never been asked that by someone. One finally stepped forward, “I am Redora, this,” she said as she gestured to the tallest women, “is Kayel, and that,” the shortest, “is Madde.”

“Thank you Redora, Kayel, and Madde.” Ai bowed to the three.

Madde spoke this time, “D-don’t mind us, it’s are job. H-hurry and put your mask on.” She stepped over and placed the mask on Ai’s face, “You are truly beautiful, no man can resist your allure now!” She giggled, a small blush spread across her cheeks.

“Madde, hush now, we must lead her to the ballroom. Now is not the time for small talk.” Kayel spoke that time and immediately it quiet the younger maid. Redora took Ai’s hand and led her out of the room and through the halls once more, the black heels Ai wore clickety and clacked through out the hallways. She hated that, they were so obnoxious.

Finally, after long travels, music could be heard emanating from behind two doors or one double door. Whichever you prefer.

“This is where we must leave you, Madam.”

“Call me Ai.” With a wink and grin Ai walked up the stairs and stood in front of the two doors. She peeked in first, it was beautiful, and so were the people inside. Glitter and sparkles were everywhere, including the floors. How they managed to keep such a place so clean was beyond her capacity of understanding. Oh dear, I have a feeling I’m in way over my head, oh well, wouldn’t be the first time, she thought to herself.

With a sharp intake of breath she opened the doors and walked proudly in, Her red dress did bring a lot of attention to her, but it soon passed and she was allowed to walk on her way. Immediately she caught sight of an empty chair and took a seat. She looked away for a few moments before looking back up at all the masks. As she did she imagined what the faces underneath looked like, she got a small chuckle when she imagined faces of abnormality. Giant eyes, misshapen noses, oh it was all up to her creativity and boredom.

Her mind only wandered when a young man offered her a drink which she took and then dismissed the man. Rude sure, but it most certainly revealed her sense of nobility and superiority. That, to her, was all that mattered.

Snippet #1738073

located in Ballroom, a part of Elphanor: Tipping the Scales of Fate, one of the many universes on RPG.

Setting

Characters Present

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