Cantarella

Chance Tag

Chance was focusing between two specific couples, a frown on his face. The rose trick! That was so clever. He wondered if he could do something like that if he tried. Conjure a rose. That prince wasn't even a hechizo. He was some sort of flame user, right? It had to be a trick. There was no magic involved with it. Clever, though, he had to admit. He looked down at his hands and mumbled something. Instead of a rose appearing like he was aiming for, however, a dead bouquet of lilies showed up in his hand instead. His frown deepened. I can't even do that much, he thought distractedly.

His attention was drawn away as his eyes were drawn to a pair of feet that stopped in front of him. Chance followed the feet up the body, finally settling on the girl's masked face. Her eyes intrigued him and he suddenly became aware of the lilies in his hands. He held them out to her, then looked down and remembered they were dead. With a shake of nervousness, he quickly tossed them behind him. They were gone before they hit the floor. "Sorry!" he said, a little too loudly.

“Hello. I suppose I can’t tell you my name, but hello all the same. Enjoying the party?”

"The party seems to be enjoying itself," Chance replied, giving a glance around at the odd-acting people. The emotions running around were strange to him. Why were they acting like this? Why was he? He mentally scolded himself for his actions and straightened up, offering a small smile and leaning in just a little close to the girl's face, squinting. "Your eyes," he mumbled, thinking of something else other than the close proximity. He reached out without much thought and lightly held a few strands of her hair, before letting them fall back into place. "Same color as your hair. That's different." He stood back away from her and nodded to himself, talking more to himself now. "You're an acceptable person."

Sindri Katanova

"Oh, I understand." Saying he was relieved would have been a gross understatement. Before he had time to speak she continued "I love dancing, my mother said that I even danced in her womb! I'm glad that you've chosen me, it seems you also would like to dance as well." He gave a soft smile under his mask, his eyes lighting up although he doubted she knew he smiled since the mask still covered his entire face. "I would have danced with no other." He replied easily enough.The greatest sound.. was that of her laugh. He felt so happy and relieved that she was no longer crying.. He small laugh sounded.. beyond compare. He wanted to hear that sound more.. and more, just like her it was intoxicating.

Lost in his admiration, he did not notice she had pushed him further into the hall. "we probably shouldn't dance so close to the wall or we might dance right into it." But it was what happened after. She giggled, yes, that sound once more. His eyes closed for a second, admiring the sound. He did notice that for some reason she was seemed vacant. "I'm so sorry, you have such deep, eyes, and such beautiful dark hair!" What? His eyes were nothing special... still he was flattered, he wasnt quite sure how to respond, but he decided that a compliment back couldnt hurt. "My hair is nothing compared to yours.. Iv never seen such a wondrous color of hair." He said softly. In response to her hand on his shoulder, he placed his hand on the small of her back.

"and I also apologize for my dancing, I've never danced with anyone else before so..." She said nervously, and for some reason he laughed.. His first true laugh since arriving. It was deep and his shoulders bounced from the force. "I put myself in your care." He managed to choke out, his ribs aching slightly from the laugh.

They slowly stepped onto the dance floor, and he gave her a soft swirl before moving into the next steps. Since the song was a slow one, he was sure she would be fine..

Nikk Hezelcharm

"Oh, I'm Shinku Touya, and you are?"
He suddenly looked at her in surprise and his eyes stopped sparkling. "I forgot to introduce myself! I'm such an airhead. Shinko Touya? What a lovely name..." Nikk suddenly got a bit depressed when realizing he still hadn't told her his name. "I'm Nikk Hezelcharm." he said, making a small bow towards her. He looked at Shinko. He suddenly felt a lot less shy now they'd been talking for a bit. He smiled at her, out of nowhere, and took her hand. "Shall we?" he asked, still holding her hand. His uncle had told him that when asking a woman to dance, he should hold her hand, and that he did. His hand was a lot warmer that hers, probably because he'd tried a Inner Heat potion a few years ago, and it was permanent. Whenever he was happy, his body temperature would rise due to the potion. It could also drop drastically if he experienced a tragedy. But before that, his family was quite worried anyway, since his body temperature was always a bit higher than others. "Haha, sorry. My hands are a bit warm. You probably noticed, but I'm a Neko-Hechizo. I tried a inner heat potion a few years back and, well, it lasted!" he sort of giggled in a childish way.

Leda Inbera Kerndall
The man seemed to have conjured up some lilies from nowhere. They were…dead, was it? Leda was just plain bewildered, and slightly sad for the flowers. And the man looked confused, or something. He realised the lilies were dead, and tossed them aside, probably to be cleared away after the ball. There were invisible servants for such a thing in large castles, weren’t there? She made it her responsibility to know each and every one. There was Susan, and Willow, and… Oh, he was talking. And had leaned in slightly closer, to inspect her face or something.

"Your eyes. Same color as your hair. That's different. You're an acceptable person."

She couldn’t help herself. She laughed, clear and tinkling. “Acceptable. Thank you. I try my best.” She grinned. “Yes, it’s seems so easy for other people to mingle.” She gave a little exaggerated sigh. And noticed some strange things going around. “Oh…wait…just pretend I never said anything.”

He seemed nice enough. She glanced over to the space the flowers landed. Except for them, just being thrown away like that. Wait, what flowers? They weren’t there anymore! Her mouth gaped open slightly in surprise, something her mother told her never to do. But she couldn’t care less about being uncouth now. “Where’d those lilies go?”

Shinku Touya

"I forgot to introduce myself! I'm such an airhead. Shinku Touya? What a lovely name... I'm Nikk Hezelcharm."

"Thank you...." Shinku said, blushing a little. "Nice to meet you Nikk Hezelcharm." All of a sudden, Nikk smiled at her and then took her hand.

"Shall we?"

Strangely, Shinku noticed that his hands were warmer than others. Why are his hands warmer than-

"Haha, sorry. My hands are a bit warm. You probably noticed, but I'm a Neko-Hechizo. I tried a inner heat potion a few years back and, well, it lasted!"

Shinku laughed a little when he said this. "It's fine." she said said "I was just wondering about why your hands were warm."
"I could tell you were a Neko, but I didn't know you were a Hechizo." she said as she looked at his cat ears then back down at his face. Just then, she noticed that she had forgot to answer his question on if she'll dance with him.
"Sure, I'll dance with you." she said. Then she looked down at the ground her face red with embarrassment. "I-I'm not very good at dancing though...." she said. "The only time I had danced was when I was little... so I can't remember how to that much...." Shinku could remember when she and the rest of her family were all living together still. Shinku's mother tried to teach her how to dance. She learned how to after a while, but she was still not that well. She could only dance with her brother though, since he was the only one there that was her size.
All of that was just a faint memory now though, and Shinku had forgot how to dance almost completely.

Michael Cayne

Michael gave up on his unruly hair, deigning instead to watch the other couples mingle. It was rather interesting, actually. There was the Neko boy, who was talking with a pretty blonde Miss, a bit awkwardly it seemed. There was the Ram Esperos, dancing with the human, actually looking happy. Michael shook his head slightly, closing his eyes for a moment. Such fickle things, these emotions. Michael stopped to think for a moment. Such unsteady emotions were like a jig, a song so quick and spirited that it leaves singer, player, and dancer breathless. Fun, if one enjoys that type of physical exertion, but annoying if one doesn't. Michael favored the latter. He liked slower song. Sweet and harmonious, not the quick songs that leave sweat on the brow and the lungs panting for breath.

Anyway, back to the people. Michael opened his eyes again to observe the other two couples. There was the distinctive girl with the blue-purple hair, and the dark-haired boy with the dead lilies clutched in his hand. Michael actually had to stifle the urge to chuckle when the boy offered his fistful of long dead flowers to the Miss. Such an intelligent move. But the Miss did not seem to mind in the slightest, and they continued to exchange words. Then there was the young man in uniform, flirting with a shy looking Miss. She seemed to be rather scared by the fire he'd conjured in his hand however. Michael faintly wondered if she'd had some kind of tragedy in her past involving flame. After he'd been attacked he'd been absolutely terrified of water in that same horror stricken way that the girl so bravely shook off.

Michael turned his gaze to the last person in the room, who was alone. She was a fragile looking doll of a Miss, with picture perfect blonde hair. His older sisters had owned dolls like that, brushing their silky hair for hours on end. They'd be so jealous of this young lady. She was standing alone, looking rather regal. She must be a princess. What else could she be with such pale skin? It looked as if she never left her palace. Michael was rather interested. Everyone else already had dancing partners, so he decided to catch this Miss's attentions.

"Said the young man to the little lamb,
"Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see?
A girl, a girl, Shining like a star,
the most lovely thing in the sky."

He sang softly, words he intended would reach her, for that was what the song was intended to do. He'd learned that trick early on. A summoning song that made itself heard only to the one it was intended for, no matter how loud the voice actually was. Michael had used that one much in his childhood. He could catch anyone's attention from even about eighty pace lengths away, as long as he could see them. It was all about intent, not necessarily the words spoken in this case. Michael was rather amused by his manipulation of the lyrics. It was rather clever, if he did say so himself. He leaned forward on his cane, shifting his leg into a more comfortable position. He quirked a small smile in her direction, not exactly real, but not entirely fake either.

Sindri Katanova

It had to be a dream Sindri decided. Perhaps he was still in his room fast asleep, for life was never this kind.. never. She was breath taking, the swirl of blues as she turned, the way the light caught her eyes, the soft sway of her hips, the smell of lavender... She was a wonderful dancer. Moving with confidence and grace, but he expected nothing less from her.. from Maika. She would always be there to haunt him, to make him want to do just a little more.. just a little more. "Do you have any other family?" The question took him out of his daze in a snap, but he found that was something she was good at.

"I know this is a silly question, but, if we get engaged, will I get to meet them?" He felt his heart stop.. and beat quicker at the same time. He.. Marry.. her. He had known that was why he was here, and she as well, but he had never let himself think of the possibilities. Of waking up every morning to see her laying next to him, to be able to hold her whenever he wished, no longer a mere dream. He knew his father would not approve of her since she was not quiet what his father pictured as a princess. To Sindri, no one was more beautiful then her. He would be a better father then his own, even if he never became a prince, he knew that he could live in a small hovel with her and it would all be fine..

His eyes widened in shock. How could he? He was a Prince.. duty always came first. always. To forget that even for a moment... He took a deep breath trying to re-attach his princely mask. "I have a little brother, a father, and a.. mother." He said hesitating slightly on the mother. Her head was tucked against his chest.. he could only see the top of her head that starting hue of blue. He wanted to move his hand form her back and cradled her, promise her that no matter what happened in the future, he would do whatever it took to make her happy, but instead, he simply said. "I would love for you to meet my family, do you have any?"

Ashelia Emily Rozenstolz

The Lady Rozenstolz observed the people around her. There was already a couple dancing and quite tender to her taste. It is true that this entire ball was for all of them to be engaged and get married. But, Ashelia does not believe in things like 'love at first sight' or 'true love'. It is simple a mere illusion created by the brain for the hope of companionship and reproduction. After all, people need reasons to be with someone and if that does not exist then solitude comes forth. Everyone is scared to be alone even her. Maybe, it is why she had come here at her own duress. She hoped to have a person to be by her side even if their relationship would be either platonic or more on the long run. Regardless of her subtle desires, she had come here to simply fulfill a duty and that is to get married. Things like love only complicates matters. She knows this very well.

A voice she could hear it clearly as she was taken out of her reverie. It is a song about a beautiful girl and that took her attention. Her eyes of blue amethyst looked around the ballroom and noticed that the other guests seemed oblivious to it as they continued their own machinations. It made her wonder if she was only imagining such a thing. If it was, the voice should have stopped at this realization. It only continued until she had finally located the source of it. There across the room was a man looking at her with a smile upon his face. He seemed to be a respectable man with a cane in hand. It made her wonder if something was wrong with his legs. More than that, he must be a Canción due to that song of his if she had deducted correctly.

Ashelia had intended to mind her own business willing time to simply announce who is her betrothed. However, there was no harm socializing from time to time as a means of entertainment. Everyone around them seemed to be doing the same. She gave polite bow of a head with her natural grace as acknowledgment and a gentle smile upon her lips. "Good Evening, my prince." She said with her voice akin to a lullaby wrapped with politeness. One would wonder if she is a Canción however, Ashelia had never sung in her life and despite her melodic voice. She was not a good songstress at all and preferred musical instruments.

Michael Cayne

Michael watched the fragile Miss spot him, letting the smile fade into his usual expression. It had taken her a moment to locate the source of the song, and she had also considered for a moment before greeting him back. He pushed himself off the wall and made his way over to where she was standing carefully, making sure not to get in the way of any of the other people. "Nice to meet you, Miss." he said, dipping his head. "You appear to be utterly bored, so I figured you might like some company. Everyone else seems to be drawn into couples already, like emotion in the crescendo at the end of a grand melody." He sighed lightly, shifting his weight onto the cane so he could face the Miss. "And I am rather curious. You appear regal. Are you by chance a princess? If you are, then I should probably correct my former greeting, and do apologize." He said, bowing his head formally again.

"Oh, yes, before I forget," He said, looking back up at the pale Miss, "Sela and the others will stab me to death with my own cane if I don't ask you how you get your hair so lovely." A touch of a smile crossed his face at the thought of his sisters' reactions to this Miss. "My sisters are a touch, ah, eccentric." he said quickly as an explanation to the question he'd posed. A touch was a bit of an understatement. They were as mad as a march hare doing a jig on hot coals in his opinion. They were absolutely obsessed with their appearances. He could still remember from when he was little, before the accident, when they would chase him down and dress him up in a variety of outfits with no regard which gender the clothing was meant for. Then they'd coo about how darling he was for a few minutes, then wander off to play with their dolls again.

Nikk Hezelcharm

"Sure, I'll dance with you."Nikk saw her turn bright red. "I-I'm not very good at dancing though... The only time I had danced was when I was little... so I can't remember how to that much...."
Nikk suddenly relaxed, which made his hands a bit cooler. "It's okay. Just follow my lead." he said, his hand warming up because he realized he wasn't used to contact with girls. He thought for a minute, wondering if his hand was really to warm. Before he could get any paler (The potion had a slight malfunction; if his temperature went down, say he became traumatized, or scared, he would go deathly white, and if his temperature went up, he also went quite pale, just not as pale and when it goes down), he began to take the lead.

The song wasn't especially fast, and Nikk kept grinning at Shinku, as if to say You're doing great! He wasn't bad at dancing, and he could dance quite well. His uncle thought a prince should know how to dance if he were to ever dance with a lady. He remembered his uncle trying to make it easy for him by saying 'Just think of it as a potion you are conjuring with your feet, and you have to do the right steps to make it work.'

The explanation actually worked, so Nikk tried to do the same. "Think of this as a song, but you're singing it with your feet. You have to go with the flow, but as it's a duet, you have to work with your partner."

Shinku Touya

"It's ok. Just follow my lead."

Shinku looked up and then nodded. "Ok..." Shinku followed Nikk's lead, hoping she wouldn't mess up and end up doing something embarrassing, such as tripping or accidentally stepping on his foot. Shinku tried to remember how to dance as best as she could, but she couldn't exactly remember. While she was trying to remember, she didn't notice that she had been dancing just fine. She blinked once, and then relaxed a little. Nikk smiled at her, and she smiled back.

"Think of this as a song, but you're singing it with your feet. You have to go with the flow, but as it's a duet, you have to work with your partner."

Shinku nodded, and then looked down at her feet and back up at Nikk. Memories of her and her brother dancing came back to her, and she could remember the memories better. She smiled happily at Nikk, glad that she wasn't messing up or anything of the sort. All of a sudden, the music stopped...

______________

All of a sudden, the music in the whole ballroom stopped. There was a loud fanfare, and then one of the palace announcers came out of the crowd, and went into the middle of the ballroom. The guests in the ballroom stepped back a few feet, all of them giving him his attention. The announcer pulled a scroll out of his bag, and then said in a voice loud enough to fill the whole ballroom.
"Will all of the Princes of Cantarella, and the Princesses-to-be please come to the middle of the ballroom." he said. "It is now time for the couples to be announced."

______________



Shinku Touya

Shinku looked over at the announcer as he walked into the middle of the room.

"Will all of the Princes of Cantarella, and the Princesses-to-be please come to the middle of the ballroom. It is now time for the couples to be announced."

I guess it's time.... she thought. She looked over in the crowd, and noticed that her brother had gotten back. He noticed her looking at him, and then smiled at her and mouthed 'It looks like your happy.' Shinku nodded silently and then looked back over at the announcer. She didn't want to go into the middle first, unless someone would come up with her, she didn't want to be stared at all by herself. "Well, I guess it's time for the marriages to be announced...." she said as she looked back at Nikk.

Ashelia Emily Rozenstolz

At his notion of her being bored, Ashelia gave a small yet sad smile smile that quickly vanished like a dream. It would appear he shared the same sentiments of boredom. She gazed at the other occupants of the room and knew what he had said is true. Everyone had someone to converse with and seemed immersed in their worlds for two. Focusing her eyes of mauve blue to the man before her once again, he had asked if she was of royalty. She tilted her head ever so slightly and answered, "I am not a princess but, I am a noble by birth. So please your apologies are not needed, my Prince." Lowering her head with refinement as a show of humility, her family is of known prestige due to its magical ancestry and at the same time they are of aristocratic blood. The demeanor that she possessed is the result of her upbringing although, she does find this overbearing at certain situations.

The inquiry about her hair gave her a bit of surprise. She had never thought her hair was of beauty. It had always been like that ever since she could remember without her doing much about it. The servants back at the estate did comment that her tresses are like of her deceased mother. In truth, she find this hair of hers troublesome and even thought of cutting it. However, the fact it resembles her mother's somehow gave it a sentimental value to her. Thus, Ashelia decided to simply let it be as it is. "I do not do anything profound on it." Gathering a few of her locks upon her hand, there was a slight lonely warmth upon those eyes of gems as she looked at it. "I am told that it is much like of my mother perhaps I have inherited it." Letting the locks slipped through her fingers like pristine water, she faced the man once again with a polite and apologetic expression. "I hope that your sisters would not harm you. I apologize I could not give you specifics about how my hair had become like this, my Prince."

Their humble conversation had been put to halt as the moment of truth had finally come. Ashelia looked at the palace announcer with clear hesitation that was easily overtaken by her calm persona. The man that she would be married to will be finally announced. She only hoped that whoever that would be they would have at least a civil relationship. Looking back at the man before her, she gave a polite smile. "It would appear it is time for us to know who are we engaged to, my Prince. It was a pleasure to have to talk to you."

Sindri Katanova

He felt something stomp on his foot, and he gave a slight wince as he moved his foot back and out of the way by reflex. The beautiful voice came in this time quick and above all surprised "I apologize!". He tried to speak but before he could she cut him off with another. "I'm so sorry!" She leaned down, however, and came perilously close to him, and he felt the blood rise to his head and for a moment he was dazed. "I apologize!" She said once more just to get the point through it seemed as she gently touched his foot. "I hope I didn't hurt you." Well, she did slightly. Her shoes were hard, and his werent so hard, and she had stepped right on the top part of the shoe, the softest part.

"Im alright." He said trying to calm her from her frantic and hopefully stop the next barrage of apologies. He didnt like when she apologized to him, he did not deserve that. Someday he would tell her everything.. but that was not today, but it still made him feel bad. She took the time to tell him about her family, and he listened intently, although kept part of his mind keeping his feet out of her way. "I live with my mother, that's all. My father left us after my little brother, Sora, was born, and my little brother died when he was very little of an illness." He closed his eyes at her story feeling her pain. He loved his little brother and could not bear the thought of him dying.

"But my mother is all I need. And you." She continued, and his heart stopped as his eyes flashed opened just in time to see her envelop him in a hug. The dancing stopped as he stood stunned. "I need you, too." He felt a tear slip free from his left eye. It wasnt fair. He gently brought his arms around her and held her close. It was all he ever wanted, and all he never deserved. "I.." He began whispering in her ear softly "Would give anything to make you happy." He finished meaning it with his entire being.

The music ended, but he didnt want to let her go. "Will all of the Princes of Cantarella, and the Princesses-to-be please come to the middle of the ballroom. It is now time for the couples to be announced." He gently let her go, but hooked his arm in hers. "I.." His breath caught for a moment. "We should go and see." On his way to the center, which was too far since as they were dancing they were near the middle as it was. Please Gods.. Iv never asked you for anything. Never once.. please.. please let her be mine this one time. I will do anything, I will atone for all my crimes.. Just this once.. let me be selfish.

Michael Cayne

"Oh, Miss, It is not a problem. Let us merely not tell them about this, yes?" Michael pressed a single finger to his lips, a slight smirk on his face. Ah well, he'd tried. He stood for a second, lost in thought, and then the Miss's words pulled him back from his mind. "Oh, yes, It was simply delightful to speak with you, Miss. I would offer to escort you the several paces to the center of the room, but I am sure you'd arrive much faster on your own." He sighed, adjusting his position so he could walk over to the center of the ballroom where the others were crowding.

"I swear." He mumbled to himself. "If this...this thing doesn't kill me soon I'm going to destroy it, royal metal-smith's feeling disregarded." He sighed loudly as he moved slowly.

Chance Tag

Chance wasn't sure if he felt more confused or offended by the woman's laughter. He frowned slightly and studied her for a moment, quickly getting the idea that she was merely laughing out of amusement and not out of mockery. This brought a smile back to his face. He liked this masked woman, whoever she was. She didn't mock him despite his awkward idiocies. “Acceptable. Thank you. I try my best.” He nodded slowly, watching her as she continued. “Yes, it’s seems so easy for other people to mingle.” The way she was looking around made him wonder if she was growing bored. This thought disturbed him some--enough so that he inadvertently tuned her out without having realized it. “Where’d those lilies go?”

When he'd tuned her back in, Chance took notice that her mouth was agape and she was watching the spot behind him. Lilies? he wondered, glancing over his shoulder to the empty ground behind him. What lilies? Oh! The dead ones, right right. He turned his head back around to face the girl. She...didn't know? Well, of course, he shouldn't expect her to since they'd just met, but her skills of perception wavered him slightly. Her reaction to his abilities, however, brought his attention back and kept him from making a rude comment towards her that would probably of ruined their conversation. "I'm a hechizo," he replied simply, blinking and tilting his head to the side. "Aren't you something?"

"Will all of the Princes of Cantarella, and the Princesses-to-be please come to the middle of the ballroom." he said. "It is now time for the couples to be announced."

And the conversation was still going. Chase thought. "How rude," he said aloud without realizing it. He looked to the girl whose name he didn't know and whose face he might never completely see. He wondered if she would be the one he would be paired with and a slight agitation came to him at the thought that it would be just his luck he would get someone completely unlike him, completely different, completely...not this girl who laughed in amusement and had the acceptable eyes and hair. "We might not meet again," Chase said to her, bowing slightly--though stiff and awkwardly. "If we do..." Then what? If we do...what? He trailed off and never finished his sentence, merely straightening up and walking to the center next to his fellow princes (standing off slightly away) and waiting for the pairs to be announced.

Ashelia Emily Rozenstolz

His words interests her. Ashelia had observed that he does have difficulty in his stride. The cane and along with his statement of being slower than her only strengthen her earlier assumptions. Regardless of that, the Lady Rozenstolz does not judge a person based on such trivial matters. She gave a small smile and walked beside him. "I believe that what does not kill you only makes you stronger." Her voice floated around them like a song as she looked in front of her. Ashelia reached out her hand to him with subtle warmth upon those polite amethyst blue eyes of hers. "I would not mind being escorted by you. It is not like it would trouble my intended to wait a little longer, my Prince." After all, she is not really that excited to know who is her betrothed and in addition, there is a possibility that the man beside her is that one. Gazing at the man, she waited for his response towards her statement.

Azriel Faustus

For the umpteenth time, the demon prince had made a mental note to slaughter these servants manhandling him once he returns to the castle. They were only able to do this due to his old man's doing by bounding him in chains. His strength proved to be useless as it would appear the contraptions had certain magical enhancement upon it. He was a prisoner despite how vile that idea is to him. During these times, it would have been better if he had left one of his elder brothers alive for the purpose of getting married. In that way, he would not be in such troublesome event such as this. Leaning his head back, Azriel closed his eyes to calm his frustrated nerves. There was no doubt in his mind that he is late for the sad excuse of a ball. After all, he had taken a lot of time running away and killing fellow demons chasing him under the orders of his father to be brought to this engagement party. If his old man had not personally intervened, he could have avoided all of this. Despite the Demon King's age, he is still a force to reckon with. He should train harder.

The carriage had finally come to a stop and the servants opened the doors. They yanked one of the loose chains and dragged him like a dangerous beast. It is right to assume that he is especially considering his temper. His silver eyes similar to the moon hanging brilliantly on the sky pierced through the servants leading him to the halls. The said men trembled with fear knowing that they had been sentenced to death by the Demon Prince. Azriel gazed at the large doors that probably lead to the ballroom where the party is happening. Warily and slowly, the servants were unlocking the locks of the chains around him. Soon enough, he was finally free. Stretching his neck and limbs, it was rather uncomfortable being restricted. Taking a look at his attire, there were little creases. Straightening it out, he made sure that everything is in order. Afterwards, he grabbed a nearby servant by the neck almost crushing it. He did not even bother looking at the shaking man.

"Do all the pleasures that feeble mind of yours could think of and when I return home. I will enjoy gutting all of you. Now, scram."

Azriel ended his tone with a deadly edge as he threw the man with force and heard something breaking. The servants immediately left the prince in haste. Azriel released a frustrated sigh from his lips. Killing them here would only bring him tedious work and he is not fond of that, the demon prince opened the doors and entered the ballroom. It would appear he was not that tardy. He had heard the announcement. It is good for he did not like waiting too long. The other princes were already there along with the women that would be engaged to one of them.

The night is beginning to be troublesome for his tastes. Making his way to the center, his domineering figure commandeered the whole room. The demon prince is truly a picturesque man despite the white mask hiding his handsome or rather beautiful face. Azriel donned a white tuxedo suit which for him is quite similar to a wolf in sheep's clothing. It is an idea that he liked very much. Regardless of that, he was not here for fun or anything. His 'fun' was rudely interrupted earlier due to this. Whoever his bride to be better be worth it or it would be her undoing. Thinking about it, he would gain a new toy. Well, it is starting to look not that troublesome anymore

Leda Inbera Kerndall
The expression on the man’s face changed to something Leda could not read. It could have been anything from joyful to scorn. He tilted his head to the side and said,

“I’m a hechizo. Aren’t you something?”

The phrase “are you something?” caught her off guard, and she wondered briefly what he meant. And the thought that she might have offended him somehow occurred to her suddenly. Just as she was about to apologise, all the music stopped, the people parted, a palace announcer entered the room, and his clear and loud voice rung out:

"Will all of the Princes of Cantarella, and the Princesses-to-be please come to the middle of the ballroom. It is now time for the couples to be announced."

She started in slight alarm. Why, she hadn’t even finished her conversation yet!
“How rude.” The man’s seemingly sub-conscious words brought her out of her reverie. She worried for moment he was talking about her, then realized he meant the interruption. He bowed to her, somewhat stiffly, and she dipped a gentle curtsy in return automatically.

"We might not meet again. If we do…" His sentence trailed off, and she understood what he meant. They couldn’t share their names. She would probably never see his face, and neither would he know hers. They would never recognize each other if their paths did cross once more. Her heart twisted with regret. She never apologized to him. This hechizo Prince, he was completely unlike any other man she’d met before. He was easygoing, pleasant and would make a great friend…

She refused to think any further than that. She needed no more attachment before the announcing.

He made his way to the other Princes, already gathering in front of the announcer. She watched him go, and let out a small sigh. Gracefully as she could, she went to join the other girls.

It was only when she had reached them and stood beside them that she realized that the man had been asking her what race she was.

Her heart raced with panic. This was probably the only way that he could find out who she truly was. She doubted that water deseos were all that common in the palace, and trusted that the distinct colour of her eyes and hair would be good enough for confirmation. Her gaze focused on a vase, and the power surged through her. Swiftly, the clear, sparkling liquid had flown over to the Prince’s hand, dampening it. Job done, she squeezed her eyes shut and pleaded to no one in particular.

Please let this work…

Michael Cayne

Michael's face mirrored the slight surprise he felt at the Miss's words. How interesting. She was definitely something. Michael decide right then that he liked this Miss. Her diction, and her obvious intelligence made for a wonderful conversation. He hoped that he'd be able to seek her company if they weren't paired. She had such an intriguing personality. "Slow and steady doesn't always win the race." He said softly, but all the same offered her his arm. "Trust me. It mostly frustrates the soul." He slowly escorted the Miss to where the other soon to be princesses were gathering and bowed to her before turning to where the princes were crowding. "I greatly enjoyed your company Miss. I am glad we had a chance to exchange words." He said before departing.

He hummed lightly to himself as he walked the couple paces to the other group, where he settled down to stand for a while. He was rather out of breath, admittedly. All this walking about was taking it's toll on him. He really did need to find a better craftsman to make him a leg. Preferably something not made of metal. Michael closed his eyes, deep in thought, still humming.

Nikk Hezelcharm

The music stopped suddenly and Nikk looked over at the announcer. "Will all of the Princes of Cantarella, and the Princesses-to-be please come to the middle of the ballroom." he said. "It is now time for the couples to be announced."

Nikk looked at Shinko and smiled. "Well, I guess it's time for the marriages to be announced...." "Yeah, I guess so." Nikk said in a nervous voice. He walked over to the middle of the big room, then he looked back at Shinko and grinned, beckoning her over. His tail swayed from left to right behind him, moving swiftly. He was excited, happy, and extremely nervous. He hoped he'd get Shinko; she was the first he'd talked to, she was kind and she had a beautiful voice.

Ashelia Emily Rozenstolz

Ashelia had a small yet delighted smile upon her face as she took his offered arm. Slow and steady, she read a similar thing in one of her children stories back at the estate. It is the tale about the tortoise and the hare in which the underestimated tortoise won the race. In her opinion, the hare only reaped what it sowed. Although. she would be quite surprise if such an event truly happened in real life. Still, there is no harm in taking matters one step at a time. If one simply throw themselves in the burning fire due to the eruption of emotions, the person would be burned in agony. This is what she believes and could tell from her experience. "I agree, my Prince." She answered softly as they had finally arrived at the designated place.

Removing herself from his person, Ashelia offered a bow as well. "I feel the same. It has been a pleasure. Until we meet again, my Prince." Her polite and delicate smile present upon her masked face. The said prince left her and began to walk towards his intended position. It would be nice to have the opportunity to talk to him again. She had forgotten that meeting new people is also an adventure in a sense. Taking her proper place among her fellow ladies, her amethyst blue eyes gazed at them. It would appear they are either nervous or hopeful. As for her, she has no idea what to feel at the moment. It is much more easy to just feel nothing than something. Well, that is her opinion. In any case, she stood there elegant and proper without a crack in her regal bearing perfected through the years.