ellenor replied yes it is.

"Thank you," Kyriel murmured in response to Sorn's compliment. "I hope you have a pleasant evening, if we do not meet again." She watched him go for a moment, then shook herself and returned her full attention to Shylarah. "I'd certainly be willing to try to help sometime, if you like," she said with a smile. She made as if to say something else, but was cut off by Shy noticing her scars. Unconsciously, the smile fell from her face, and she wrapped her arms around herself, and then draped her wings forward, practically hiding her entire body from view.

"Not a fight," she muttered. "I... It's..." Kyriel sighed and shook her head. "It's a long story. One I would... Rather not discuss, where others can overhear." A shiver passed through her body, and she closed her eyes for a long moment. Being what she was, she shouldn't have scars, for the most part. A few, perhaps, but the extensive collection of new ones... They should have healed by now. But she didn't really want to say so out loud - at least, not yet.

Liana’s eyes sparkled beneath her mask. “Well they have a lovely boutique here, if you are interested in fashion. The bar also serves amazing snack foods. Clearly there’s a lot of dancing… And I should tell you… There is a wonderful library toward the back of the house. Just down that hall.” She gestured past the dance floor toward an opening in the wall with a half drawn-back curtain. “The attendance there keep the fire lit and will bring you refreshments if you need them.” She shrugged slightly. “That is, it is a nice place to take a break from the crowds.” Pushing her mask back into place she smiled. ()

Ven’s attention drifted back to the conversation at hand. It was a wonder Liana wasn’t already in the library or out on the balcony, he knew how she was in crowds and was mildly proud of her for lasting this long. Then again, maybe it had something to do with the quickly diminishing beverage in her hand. He shifted slightly where he stood keeping a careful watch.

Amid the bright colors and the merriment of the other masquerade-goers, there was a dark spot in a far corner, far, far away from the dance floor. A young gentleman, wearing burgundy and black, stood alone with a small flute of untouched champagne. He surveyed the dance floor with turquoise eyes, dulled by either boredom or sadness; it was difficult to tell. The aura about him was dark and seemed to absorb the light from the dance floor so none of it touched his person.

Why was he here? he wondered once again. Some portion of him longed for companionship, but so many people all at once was intimidating if not frightening. He looked at the sparkling drink in his hand and sighed before he sipped it cautiously. The alcohol burned, but he didn't mind its sting. What continued to hurt was the lump in his chest that prevented him from socializing properly with other people.

Saintzer didn't normally stick around for so long. But the bright colors, the happiness and care-free attitudes everyone else seemed to carry was attractive... yet repulsive. He wanted to be with them, and he wanted to stay away. He found himself at an impasse and so stayed where he was.

Sorn muttered to himself in his native tongue. He summon a ball of lightning and started playing with it. Twisting and turning it. He thought of the underdark. The smell of the earth and his kin. Of course the kin part was not a good thing...save for his little sister and she was in the above ground world. His dark magic crackled over him. Sighing he dispelled the lightning and scanned the floor again. Maybe he shouldn't have come? Parties like this had been plenty in his old home. Sorn's eyes flicked towards a dark figure who looked foxlike. He was alluring. He made his way over to him and the women beside him.
"Pardon me," he said to the group, "I could not help notice you." His eyes lingering mostly on the male.

A chill crawled across her skin and Liana’s eyes flitted upward as the magic user approached. Her mouth had become suddenly dry, but she did not lift the drink to her lips just yet. What was the use in drinking if she was going to get all nervous every time a stranger approached them anyway. But this was not any ordinary stranger, clearly he wore his rank in the arts for all to see.

Ven on the other hand was quite oblivious to magic and hadn’t a keen sense for whether a person was a user or not. However, as he turned to regard the person who had spoke, it would take a dunce not to recognize the signs. But Liana had insisted the people who attended the ball were generally laid back, so he felt no reason to tense. He bobbed his head slightly and spoke softly. “And they said my outfit was boring.” There was a hint of amusement to his tone as he observed the newcomers attire, his eyes lingering a while on the other man’s horns. Ever so subtly he adjusted his position to be partially blocking Liana and Ellenor, just in case. Old habits and such. ( )

Sorn cackled in delight. He loved it when people noticed him in any degree. And clearly both had noticed. He was ostentatious. He saw the male's flicker to his horns and the protective move towards the female--admirable on both accounts. "Yes, my horns are quite nice," he said silkily, "I do so enjoy creating them. I admire your costume as well, it is most agreeable on the eyes." Sorn appreciated a very wide range of genders and species. "Protecting the female is admirable," he continued, "she has magic, I can feel it. Though, not as powerful as mine--at least not yet. Then again, I have had centuries to devolop my craft." He bowed low enough to be hospitable but he never took his eyes off either. "I am called Sorn," he said by way of greeting.

Despite the charms she wore Liana visibly bristled when Sorn () commented on her abilities. She was ruffled both by the fact he could see through her so easily, and the bit about her abilities not being on par. They weren’t, but still. Wasn’t drinking supposed to help with the nerves? She finished the remainder of her swirling beverage and set it on a passing waiter's empty tray. Maybe Ven was right and she needed to meditate more… Why was her skin still crawling.

Ven was entertained though it was difficult to tell. Behind him he felt Liana’s unrest but had anticipated it and let the intense wave of emotion simply roll over him and away. “That’s generous of you, Sorn. They call me Ven.” His brow twitched though it was concealed by his mask. “Currently, it is what I am paid to do. Soon, I fear it will be learning to dance.” He almost cracked a smile when he heard a tisk from Liana. His comment must have encouraged her to speak up.

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, I’m Liana.” She muttered. “Don’t act like it’s hard.” She said glaring up at Ven. “Not for someone as coordinated as you.” Putting a hand on her hip she squinted at him but didn’t fully step out from his shadow. “I’m telling you, it’s common practice for martial artists to improve their balance by taking dance classes. Everyone knows it.”

ellenor noticed a new masked stranger walking towards the group. she felt a little uncomfortable she wondered if he was dangerous? she decided she would stick close to the older girl just in case. she whispered who's that?

((haha yes, Sorn is very dangerous.))

Liana did not look pleased and Sorn cringed automatically. He expected a blow. Even though one did not come, his stance shifted and he went into damage control. "I apologise, dearest female, it was not my intent to offend you. You must understand that what I am is extremely rare. My powers showed whilst I was unborn and upon my birth I was marked with runes."

He flicked his wrist and his clothing shifted, His white runes now visible. "My powers were so great that I am the only male to ever be allowed the rank of a High Priest." Looking at Ven he said, "You are most right to be protective. One never knows when or where danger lurks." He didn't wish to say more but he would if needed, currying favour was something he knew a lot about. He did grin at the martial arts. "Actually, my sister trained a human how to fight using dance."

He looked at the neverous female who did not give her name. "I am Sorn, and a dark elf, whispering is pointless, I can hear you."

ellenor went really pale and blushed she didn't trust this mask stranger named Sorn. she thought if she stayed hidden behind the other girl she would look childish but she was frightened. something told her he was dangerous.

Now it was Liana’s turn to feel protective. She turned to Ellenor with somewhat of a forced smile. () “He’s clearly out of our league. Would you care to dance?” Usually it wasn’t the dance floor she wished to retreat to, but there was an energy building up inside of her that she needed to burn off. As much as she hated to admit it, it was getting harder and harder not to step closer to Sorn. () A dance would surely do the trick. Only she hoped it wouldn't be strange asking the other girl to share one.

Ven passed the cane he carried from one hand to the next, the jewel atop glittering in the light. He was curious to learn what would attract such a person as Sorn to this place. Maybe it was a magic user thing. He suspected Liana had similar unspoken intentions in mind. “Impressive.” It was true. The way Sorn wielded his power so effortlessly made it look like child's play. From having watched Liana at work, when he was allowed, he knew that was not the case. “I never said I wouldn’t try it, I am just not… Enthusiastic, about it.” He sighed but was mildly relieved when Liana asked Ellenor to dance instead. Maybe she would get it out of her system and he would be off the hook.

Sorn was no fool but then neither was the unnamed girl--she clearly didn't trust him and was quite right in doing so. Still Liana's words made the drow cock his head. Had he offended the other magic user? Drow females were far easier to know when you did something wrong, they would punish. Other species were far more frustrating and the drow muttered in his tongue.

He sighed and regarded Ven when a nod and smile. His vanity appeased. "I have had 400 years to practice it," he said with a smile. "So, will you try?"

Curious what someone could learn in 400 years, but then again, Sorn had claimed to have been exceptional from birth. One of Ven’s ears flicked slightly as he shifted a shrug. “If I must, should try anything once.” For the first time in a very long time, he felt the twinge of the jitters. “It seems my partner is yet occupied.”

He wouldn’t be opposed to passing the time with another drink, the last one had been weak. As observant as he claimed to be, Ven was often emotionally absent with strangers and preferred not to read too deeply into their intentions. Unless of course they were sparring. ()

ellenor nodded and spoke quietly yes lets dance.. she was glad the older girl had asked her. she could sneak away from the masked stranger.

Sorn watched as the ladies left.

"Ah, but your partner is right here," Sorn said extending his hand, "I give you my word of honour, I shall not harm you or your charge. I merely wish to engage in dancing and frivolity." Of course if it led to other things that was fine too--not that he would say that--yet.

Liana was relieved, perhaps it showed a bit on her face as she took Ellenor’s hand and the two stepped onto the dance floor. () “Thanks, he was a bit scary wasn’t he?” This time her smile was genuine. Dancing really was incredibly fun and the distance gave her time to mentally prepare for another encounter. After all she had to retrieve her bodyguard at some point. “You're pretty good at this, practice often?” She laughed as they twirled around the floor. One of the corners of the room seemed a bit dark, but it was hard to tell with all the glittery costumes and keeping in step with the music. ()

Ven watched Liana and Ellenor depart. He knew he could find her in a pinch, but still wasn’t thrilled about losing her in the crowd. Regarding Sorn’s proposal his eyes shimmered. () “Curious, I accept.” In anticipation of dancing with at least someone this evening, he had done a few mental exercises earlier to strengthen his own resolve. Now it was just a matter of not stepping on a very powerful wizards toes.

He pressed his cane against his right leg, attaching it to the almost invisible holster before taking Sorn’s hand. His own were more similar to paws. His palms were a bit calloused and the ends of his fingers were tipped in very fine black claws. A thin covering of black hair or fur covered the entirety of his body with the exception of his face, well concealed behind his mask.

as they both twirled around the floor ellenor replied yes he was i didn't trust him. she thought there's just something off about him? but she kept this thought to her self. and tried to smile.

He took the other man's hand--er paw with a genuine smile. "What is curious?" Sorn asked fascinated by Ven." He whispered, "I can generate wind, allowing you to glide if you wish." The fur felt real, which made Sorn highly intrigued. Ven felt warm despite the callous which told the drow he worked with his hands--likely with weapons. "What type of weapons do you use?"

"Okay, maybe another time." Shy let the question go without pushing, but she was sorry she'd made her friend so self conscious. "Is okay, don't look bad at all," she assured Kyriel, smiling brightly, though perhaps that was not really what the winged woman wanted to hear. "You see any of the others?" she asked, changing the topic. "Not me, but I look. Twins never miss, nor Liana. They'll come soon if not yet." She was eager to see all of them, particularly Liana, but a quick scan of the room didn't turn up anything familiar. Liana was closer to the entrance, and out of range for Shy with so many people around. However she did sense something that intrigued her.

"Kyriel? That man, you feel him?" She tilted her head towards the one with the dark aura. Even off in his own corner, he was a blob of shadow she could hardly miss. "...He look a little lonely. Also strange. Want go say hi?"

Jean reassured the hiding faeling that yes, she was quite sure the tiny creature was going to be just safe and no the woman wouldn't let her get eaten. The reply was a nervous mumble in her head, and Sihr tucked herself a little more securely out of sight in Jean's hair. The woman sighed and looked around the ballroom. She'd been to the event only a few times before, but still it would be nice if she happened to see someone she knew.

Of course masks made finding people terribly hard, but her enchanted pin was warm -- that meant someone from the Fellowship had to be nearby! Wondering which of them it was, she scanned the colorful outfits and hidden faces, trying to figure out where they were. Oh, but wasn't that a surprise! A dark elf, and those pale markings -- it /would/ be Sorn that wore so little in a place like this. She made her way over, figuring if she couldn't find her other friend then she might as well say hello.

"Sorn! And -- Ven? Oh wow, it is you! I didn't recognize you with the mask on." Jean grinned broadly. "I have to admit, when my pin warmed, I thought it would be one of the ladies, not you. What a surprise. How have you been?" She was visibly pleased to see him. They'd visited back and forth when they had the time, but it had been a while since their last opportunity.