Of Mice and Boogies [Nae]

[Ryan Cardwell]

The ballroom, gathering place of the ruling class of boogies. Humans were rarely allowed within, and then only if escorting their boogie to some event. This day it was filled with boogies of every possible description, all dressed to the nines in reverence of the special event. Scattered here and there, they were all up to something. Whether it be talking, drinking, betting, or just stroking their ego's all were preoccupied with some task or another. Which was odd, seeing as most of them rarely, if ever, did anything. And despite their various activities, they all made sure to do one thing. And that was to make sure they stayed out of the way of the intimidating man strolling though their midst with a full glass in his hand. They knew him, one and all. And they knew what he was. Trouble.

Tristan slowly made his way through the crowd of boogies, sending bone-chilling glares at those that didn't move fast enough for his liking. To be honest he hated events like this, and all the boogies that went to them. So why was he here then? That was a stupid question. They had a free bar, of course he was here. But then why was he dressed up as nicely as everyone else? Simple. It meant less bitching from the idiot masses. Someone always got their tight ass in an uproar when he skipped such things. So here he was, his usual attire swapped out for a suit, and a rather nice suit at that. A few of the boogie women were staring, though they knew it was pointless. Even so....he looked damn fine this night.

After a while he grew bored wandering about the ball room, and so set out for something else. At that moment music began floating through the air, a rather lovely piano piece it seemed. To be honest he rather enjoyed it, and thus looked around for the human that was playing it. Unfortunately, there wasn't even a piano in sight. Perhaps some boogie had hidden it/them away somewhere? That seemed likely, he rather doubted a human would be welcome at this event.....whatever it was for, he hadn't cared enough to pay attention when he'd been told. No matter. He wandered off towards a far door, following the music as he went. Eventually he reached it, stepping in and speaking before looking. "Your doing a wonderful job. Congratulations."

[Naelona Ezel]

For the socially adept, such times and events were ones to cherish and revel. They weren't nearly quite as grand as some of the more rare, seasonal events, but they had their own appeal to them. They occurred every so often, every other month or so or something like that. Said to go by some old calendar but Naelona didn't much keep track anymore. With her plate full enough as it was it was simpler and more reasonable to just wait until someone was sent to notify her of the time and place. Even so most often it was here, within the ballroom, than anywhere else.

A glass of wine sitting upon the finely polished wood of one of the several pianos to be found within the boogie palace, her fingers pressed lightly upon the keys. A skill she rarely used nor showed, a small sign of her childhood but one not entirely forgotten. Eyes grazing a sheet of old markings set up more for show than use, she turned the symbols of ink into sound, whispering softly a childhood lullaby her and Anolean grew up with long ago but never fully learned the meaning. It had a calming quality to it and put them to sleep easily. It seemed to work on human children just as easily, as it'd soothed Kristopher to sleep many times when Wonderland was still a new thing to the boy. Soothed them both, really. It was a boogie lullaby, if one could ever be thought to have existed.

Mar was nowhere in sight, having been sent of the Familiar's quarters hours ago. She'd last seen Kyle a short while before, mostly for reference and a second opinion. She'd last seen Kristopher.. a lot longer before than that. For what may have been so odd about her was, as per her betting agreement, not an inch of black or white remained upon her form save for her hair. The dress she wore was a fine one, but stopped at the wrist where it flared. A dress that hugged close to her form save to her hips where it cascaded into a sea of deep red cloth, as dark as she could find. It did marvels for her complexion, but such things she wasn't interested in. Red was a color that bled into others and ruined her white clothing and tinted her grays and blacks. So caught up in her thoughts and the tune she hadn't even been paying attention to the doorway. Not that anyone came this way.. it was why she was there after all.

"Your doing a wonderful job. Congratulations." The music paused and the last of the tune faded from the air as Naelona looked at the pages in front of her, turning one over. A song written long ago by who knew who now, but recorded by a boogie. Naelona didn't bother to look over her shoulder, or even respond. She could identify the voice in a moment if she wanted to, but given her current situation she was merely here for expectations sake tonight, at least until this now detested month was over. Odds were, given the lack of gray they'd have no idea who she was until they came to face her. Continuing the gentle song she merely watched the symbols and kept playing. They'd move on sure enough, before the realized too much about her.

[Ryan Cardwell]

Unfortunately for her, he didn't leave. He merely stood in the doorway listening to her. His mind was busy turning things over, though he smiled gently as he listened to the song she was singing. Strange as it may seem, even he knew it. The song was an age old one, born long before he. His own mother had used it to lull him to sleep when he was but a babe. Recalling the song brought back fond memories, ones he hadn't chanced upon in centuries. It was strange. The odd, haunting melody filled him with nostalgia, and he began softly humming along with it. For the first time in millenia he began to feel homesick, and he missed his parents. His father's kind words of guidance, his mother's gentle caress as she put him to bed.... He longed to see their faces again, to hear their voices. Longed to see the family humans once more. For a moment he briefly wondered if they were still alive. If so, then they were older than even he, and most certainly were the oldest humans in all Wonderland. An odd concept to be sure, but one he didn't dwell on much. There were other things on his mind.

Staring at the woman before him, he leaned against the doorframe as he studied her back. There was something familiar about the woman, both in voice and body. That was extremely odd, because he could tell that she wasn't human. The air of her was far too different, far too regal. No. She was most definitely not human. But then why did she seem so familiar? He despised his race, or at least the younger portion of it. So it was quite the oddity for him to feel as though he knew this boogie. Stepping closer so as to look at her face, he moved to the side a bit to provide a better view. It had to be the drinks messing with his head. He couldn't possibly know this boogie. There was just no wa----

He stopped dead in his tracks. The boogie was absolutely floored. It was Naelona. And she looked absolutely gorgeous. Had he been a more emotional boogie he would have been drooling like a black dog over a kiddie buffet. Tristan didn't know what to say and this unfortunately meant that his mouth stole his thoughts and kicked them out his teeth. "Gorgeous...." No sooner had the words left his lips, than he realize what he'd just done. One did not say such things, at least not to Naelona. Doing so was asking for a thrashing and quite a bit of nagging. Knowing this Tristan steeled himself, fully prepared for anything she might throw at him. Whether literally or figuratively.

[Naelona Ezel]

As only silence met the gentle notes Naelona began to assume the stray commenter had moved on their way. Losing herself in the music it was so simple to merely gaze about the room, mostly unseeingly lost in her thoughts the notes invoked. She almost forgot she couldn't wear her own beloved colors, until he came into peripheral view and she most obviously was seen. Had it been any other situation, a curtain of shade would have done the trick nicely, but even that would give herself away even more that her presence alone would.

"Gorgeous...." Naelona's eyes drifted to only find light ones, which still sent a vague chill down her spine. Looking back to the white and black keys she glanced once more at the music, changing the tone ever so slightly to a deeper sound. He might be bracing himself out of habit and experience, and even Nae knew for sure now it was Tristan though it took a moment for recognition. But question was - given the glass in his hand - who knew how drunk he might be? A slim chance.. he might not even know who she was..

"It is." The piece of music was very beautiful, though after a few moments it became apparent to her that he probably wasn't speaking of the music. The result was the same. "Please don't stare.." She spoke quietly, with a peculiar lilt to her tongue, an effect from singing the lullaby as it wasn't in English at all.. "..it isn't polite." A little embarrassing, really. Being caught in such a.. colored state.

As the song came to an end, she removed the sheets from where they'd been propped up, thumbing through them and setting some away in a place for them nearby. Setting up another song she tested a few chords, and slid down the bench some. "Care for a seat?" Of all the situations she kept ending up in, at least this one he perhaps could benefit her some. At least - if any other boogies came in - perhaps they'd be scared off by the menacing Tristan. 'You sounded as though you knew that song, Tristan..' She remarked in an old tongue that few boogies seemed to know, yet a surprising number as such gatherings. Starting into the new melody, it was slow and gentle like the last one.

[Ryan Cardwell]

His eye met her's as she glanced up at him, knowing that she would immediately regret it. There was something about his eye that had always unnerved her, though he never knew what. He could only assume it reminded her of something that she'd much prefer to forget. Tristan had been in this palace many years, but even he knew little to nothing of Naelona's past. He knew she came from a well to do family, but that was about it. At times he wondered about what might have happened to her, what knowledge was shrouded in the impenetrable mists of time. But in the end, his natural stubbornness overpowered his curiosity. He simply wouldn't allow himself to think of her fondly.

Unfortunately for her though, he was far from drunk. It took quite a bit to get him to the point where his memory faltered, and he was miles away from it. However he had, had enough to push away his stubbornness and inhibitions. So he didn't feel odd in the least thinking such things of Naelona. Though when he recalled it later.... Well, he would not be pleased with himself. Not in the least.

"It is." "Please don't stare....it isn't polite."

In fact he hadn't been speaking of the music, though the same could be said of it. It was absolutely beautiful, though he could be more than a bit biased. Strangely enough though, he felt a bit ashamed of himself for making her uncomfortable. With his defenses down, he could freely admit that he didn't like seeing her like that. Hated it in fact. And so he gave her a small smile, turning his eyes away. "My apologies."

"Care for a seat?" 'You sounded as though you knew that song, Tristan..'

He nodded at her offer, gladly moving up and seating himself next to her on the bench. Normally he would have been extremely uncomfortable, but now he felt oddly at peace. Strange. Though when she spoke in the old tongue he looked up in surprise, amazed that one so young as her would know it. But after a moment he smiled softly again, turning back to the piano and playing a few tentative notes. 'My mother used to sing it to me...'

[/b] He too knew the old language, having been born in the time when it was still spoken. Now. All he could wonder is how this night would go. A good part of him hoped it would go well....[/size][/center]

[Naelona Ezel]

"My apologies." An apology from Tristan? A bit peculiar in itself, considering how often they could be found arguing. "I dislike being in such a state, but as per my word I won't falter from it." She was referring, of course, to the fact there was color in her clothing and her bet with Sin which - by now - she was sure most of the palace already knew the details of. Making sure he had room, and her skirts were out of the way, she deemed the situation a peculiar one indeed. Tristan wasn't a boogie she got along with, and most she kept at a broom-length's distance. Though having him sit beside her didn't seem as huge an issue for the time being. He didn't seem as much as a threat as he used to.

A few notes sounded from keys she had not pressed. Glancing over to his hands she playing a for a few moments, something simple and easy to follow and paused to listen to the ancient tongue. It didn't take an ancient boogie to tell that Tristan knew it from his youth. It was in how he spoke it, a certain manner that took her lots of time to master yet seemed to come so easily to the elders.. enviably.

Naelona looked at him when he spoke of his mother. She could hardly fathom how long ago that must have been, which merely lay testament to how old the lullaby itself really was. 'As did mine.' Muting she played for a few more moments, for what times her and Anolean actually saw the woman when they were put to bed. She'd learned very young that if she fussed enough Syeria would come and sing it to them herself, and so this particular twin it made a point to do so regularly, even Anolean would join into the act. The not-so-innocent beginnings of the hellion twins.. she was sure. But it had it's own charm, its allure to children. Naelona couldn't deny that, even to the grown ones.

'I was told it was sung at the beginning of everything, when Wonderland formed apart and into it's own creation.. But it seems too-' It took the female boogie a few moments to search for the right word, let alone translate it into the older tongue. '..too pleasant.. for that.'

[Ryan Cardwell]

"I dislike being in such a state, but as per my word I won't falter from it."

This was indeed an odd situation, one that Tristan would never have deemed possible. But apparently he would have been wrong, the boogie merely nodding at her words. "I heard word of your misfortune. I was....startled, to say the least." That he was. Naelona simply did not lose bets, especially when it considered that little blond pet of hers. That was simply the way of things. To Tristan, it seemed that Naelona's loss and the rebellion occurring were dark omens of days ahead. He did not like the way things were headed in his mind, and had been spending quite a bit of time trying to find a remedy for the situations, one and all.

Unfortunately, such solutions were sometimes far beyond the realm of possibility. There were simply some things that could not be fixed. He was positive these were however, and so kept at it. That is until he spared a glance sideways, entranced by the boogie woman he most times would much rather have find unable to speak when within earshot of him. Something had changed though, whether with her or with him he wasn't sure. Perhaps it was the dress she was wearing? Yes, that had to be it. At least that's what he was telling himself. It suits you...' Tristan? Giving a compliment? To Naelona?! ...The world really was ending. Without a glance at her he set to playing a soft tune on the piano, eyes focused on the keys before him.

'I was told it was sung at the beginning of everything, when Wonderland formed apart and into it's own creation.. But it seems too-..too pleasant.. for that.'

He nodded absently, mind casting to and fro. Such things had been told to him as well, though having no knowledge of any of it he made sure to take it with a pinch of salt. Tristan was not one to accept something as fact unless he himself knew it to be so. Nevertheless, he did know the song to be far older than he, and he was far from being a youngster in any respect. He continued playing, closing his eyes as he spoke to her. 'Perhaps. Even I have no knowledge of times so far gone.' He stopped, fingers moving across the keys as he pondered in relative silence. 'Though perhaps those days were not quite so dark as may be believed...' He gave no indication of what he might mean, he simply fell into silence.

[Naelona Ezel]

"I heard word of your misfortune. I was....startled, to say the least." Startled was an understatement. Remembering the bet was an unpleasant thing, and she shuddered from the thought. The chills from the bet and her unexpected loss and the anger of Sin's brazen behavior mixed for an ill effect upon her being. "You and the rest of Wonderland, I'm sure." Naelona remarked with disgust, curling her fingers from the keys into a fist remarking in a slightly lighter tone. "And red is not my color." Nor any other for that matter. Color.. an equally revolting word. She felt strange without her monochromatic clothes. It was embarrassing enough to find her current ones, is not a bit humiliating.

'It suits you...' The younger boogie looked at him bewildered. Her lips posed as to form a sound but formed nothing as her fist unclenched and rested her hands helplessly in her lap. Perhaps when she had been younger she might have been a bit embarrassed, or blushed, but such things had been shut away for so long they weren't noticed now. Colors held no point, but for mere preference. They were senseless, pointless choices. Useless for anything but organizing, and for that numbers worked just as well. Listening as he began to play, Naelona watched him solemnly for a few moments in thought.

'Perhaps. Even I have no knowledge of times so far gone. Though perhaps those days were not quite so dark as may be believed...' Voices drifting in from boogies wandering down the nearby hall. Naelona looked past the piano as the room visibly dimmed. There was a soft rustle of cloth as she shifted her feet and sat a little straighter, rising from her seat. 'All was dark in the beginning.' Some statement for someone of her.. age.. to be making. '..if one looks back back far enough.' Leaving Tristan at the piano the boogie crossed the room, retrieving a small candelabra and setting it upon the polished wood near her glass of wine with a soft click.

As the voices neared the door the few lights all but vanished from sight as they seemed to hover there for a few moments, then continue on down the hall. The darkness lightened up a bit, arranging to take a curtain-like appearance shielding the piano from the rest of the room, and the room from them though smothered the small flames to but a glow. 'I used to believe we were created by the nightmare of a child, and the nightmare gave us our desires. Our everything.' A farce by far she knew, but it still held it's charm. Repoising her fingertips one hand then the other joined to accompany him though only to sound chords. Listening to his tune she began to hum softly instead, shutting her eyes. 'I've heard this one.. but I don't know it..' Adding in the more common tongue "..I hope you don't mind the curtain. I didn't want company tonight." Was it ever like Nae to care if he took offense to that or not?

'..do you know what it is?' Ah curiosity. Downfall and instigator. Naelona glanced at her unusual accomplice for some notion of an answer.

[Ryan Cardwell]

"You and the rest of Wonderland, I'm sure. And red is not my color."

That was something he would choose not to comment on, the second part at least. "I'm sure. It caused quite a stir that something like that should happen." It was better not to push her too far, or else she would start pushing back. He didn't want that, strangely at peace with the civility of the situation as he was. Such moments were rare for them, that last having been a might long ago down by the beach. Most of the time they were generally arguing, both having a bit of disdain for the others' ways of thinking.

'All was dark in the beginning. ..if one looks back back far enough.'

He did not smile, did not smirk or chuckle, did none of the things that had been come to be expected of them. All he did was press his finger into another key, the gentle note sounding through the small room. 'All is dark, until it is within sight' What did he mean? Who knows. Despite his usual frivolity the boogie was a serious one, perhaps that was his true nature. And no matter how much he professed his distance from his kind, there was far too much evidence that made it clear what he was. It didn't matter how much of his actions he did in carelessness and disregard, the man had a regal air about him. And no matter how much he loved the humans, he was a boogie among boogies.

Silently he watched as she moved about the room, taking her precautions to ensure that no one further may chance upon her. She was a solitary creature, something that he could easily understand. Naelona may have been one of the younger of their race, but she exemplified the ways of the old world. Unlike the others she was capable of functioning on her own, and held the same pride as Tristan. Thus she was one of the very few boogies he could allow himself to respect.

'I used to believe we were created by the nightmare of a child, and the nightmare gave us our desires. Our everything.'

That was certainly the usual thought process within Wonderland. There was no one that knew how that first boogies had come to be, and so they made wild assumptions as to it. Quite personally Tristan believed none of it, and would believe none of it unless presented with irrefutable evidence, preferably of his own finding. He was not one to believe something so foolish as to believe an entire race could be created from something such as thoughts and dreams. He’d heard some of the humans speak of some divine creator theory, but he saw that as nonsense as well. Who the hell would be psychotic enough to create something like boogies?

'I've heard this one.. but I don't know it..' "..I hope you don't mind the curtain. I didn't want company tonight."

At this he nodded, a bit surprised that she knew the tune. It was an old one, though not quite as ancient as the previous one. Briefly he glanced up, taking note of the curtain like darkness that had fallen around them. He didn't mind, the darkness not bothering him in the least. To be honest he appreciated it, he didn't want any interruptions either. Still, it grated on his mind a bit that she had said she wanted none at all, making him a bit remorseful at having intruded. "I apologize for disturbing you then" It was amazing how effortlessly he transitioned across the languages, especially since it had been quite a while since he'd last spoken it. The general populace of Wonderland had stopped speaking it many years ago, it was now a dead language for all intents and purposes. But that was part of why Tristan had never forgotten it...

'..do you know what it is?'

A small smile flicked across his face, though he didn't look away. 'I wrote it, some five thousand years ago I believe.' In all actuality it was probably much older than that, but such things were easily forgotten after several thousand years. Originally it had been meant to sound like rainfall, with here and there a deeper note to resemble thunder. The fact that he could even mimic the sounds of limbs and leaves blowing in the wind gave testament to just how many times he'd played the tune.

[Naelona Ezel]

Resting her hands in her lap she folding her fingers together, palms up while she listened. 'All is dark, until it is within sight.' Quietly she watched him, eyes sinking to study her palms while the line lingered within her mind. Something about it was unsettling, and rested uneasily upon her thoughts. 'Light reveals many things, yet some are best left shrouded in darkness.'

Listening the old tune it brought Naelona's thoughts back to where she'd first heard it. When she was little, actually. Her and Anolean would listen to one of the more talented slaves play. It wasn't as pretty as this version was.. but she supposed little can beat the original. Yet it was still similar enough to be recognized.

"You wrote it?" The line blurted out in the more common tongue unintendedly. Her thoughts not having enough time to translate before the surprise reached her lips. 'I wasn't aware you enjoyed music.. its such a fickle pointless thing..' ..like color. Something that served no purpose yet was enjoyed regardless. Just another thing she didn't understand even though she could play and sing just as well.

The female boogie merely shook her head to his apology. It really was unnecessary. 'You haven't disturbed me.' Naelona stayed within the older language, finding the switching difficult and tricky to follow. 'I don't detest you or your presence. You aren't so that I cannot harbor at least a measure of respect for you.' Naelona's voice fell silent, taking a sip of her wine before returning it to its place in contemplation, being reminded of nightmares and beaches, adding rather quietly. 'I've rather come to appreciate it.' Admittance of compliments wasn't normally her forte, though for Naelona - she was merely stating the facts. He could, at least, count on that much.

[Ryan Cardwell]

'Light reveals many things, yet some are best left shrouded in darkness.'

He couldn't argue with that, there were many things in this he didn't want to know, as well as many he wished he never had known. As she said some things were better left hidden, though which should and which should not be was a question that haunted each and every soul. Most times it was impossible to tell what should be left alone until it was already disturbed, until it was too late to reverse ones actions. That was why things so often came to ruin. But then....it was also why so many things bloomed. If one did not tamper with the forbidden, then they could never know if it was justly outlawed. This of course coming from the boogie who had fallen in love with a human, twice. 'And some are much better brought into the light'

"You wrote it?"

The boogie merely nodded at her outburst, having expected her surprise. Tristan did not seem the type to enjoy such recreational things as music, and certainly not the type to actually play it. Most saw him as just a big, dumb brute. They never expected there to be any intelligence behind those muscles. In fact, no one expected anything from him other than his temper, which was legendarily short. It always came as a shock when they discovered that he was just as powerful mentally as he was physically. Of course that put the cards in his favor, so he wasn't complaining or anything...

'I wasn't aware you enjoyed music.. its such a fickle pointless thing..'

For a moment he raised his brow in surprise, though he didn't look away from the keys before him. He wasn't sure why he should be surprised though, that had always been her way. 'And yet you sit here playing the piano' There were times he wondered if she was aware of the fact that her logic complex quite often made her seem a hypocrite. He was certain it conflicted with her actual thoughts, whether she chose to acknowledge such thoughts or not. She might have been able to fool the rest of the world's populace, but Tristan was not so easily duped. He could see beyond her little mask, even if she couldn't.

'You haven't disturbed me. 'I don't detest you or your presence. You aren't so that I cannot harbor at least a measure of respect for you. I've rather come to appreciate it.'

Tristan nodded, responding without thought. 'That's good. I'm rather quite fond of you Naelona' A moment or two passed with no sound other than the music, and then it stopped. His body sat stiff, mind racing to find how the hell he'd just let something like that slip. It was the truth of course, he was fond of her, moreso even. But he'd never planned on admitting that to himself let alone her. Such things simply weren't the way things were. He kept to himself, and she to her's, that was the way it was supposed to be. Anything else, and the natural order was completely undone. He knew this to be true, even if he couldn't supply himself with anything resembling a good reason as to why it should be so.

[Naelona Ezel]

'And some are much better brought into the light.' Naelona had nothing more to remark upon that. A great number of things some forbidden fear wished she'd never knew, though she made it her business to know everything. It was something she didn't dwell on for very long, at least. Light had such a strange effect upon beings such as themselves. Both literal and metaphorical.

The small sign of surprise didn't miss her. What did he expect? She wasn't a lover of the arts, after all. A necessary evil they were, perhaps. Something each world both insisted on possessing. 'And yet you sit here playing the piano.' Naelona tsked softly with her tongue and shook her head. 'I was raised with it. I was taught when I was young. I was given a proper upbringing, I'll have you know.' Ah if there wasn't a bit of pride behind that statement. Part of her childhood rearing was to form her into a little lady, which she did consider herself to quite the degree. One had to wonder, if the end result was ever what her parents had intended, if truly intended anything at all.

And here Naelona had merely been acting pleasant. Err.. making conversation? She saw no flaw in the words she spoke, they were facts within her mind with which she saw no issue nor complication. No err to be aware of. But 'fond'.. 'That's good. I'm rather quite fond of you Naelona' She thought no ill of what he'd said, until the music ceased and something seemed amiss with him. Fond.. a more peculiar word she never tampered with. Fond was.. not quite settled within the reigns of strict respect at all.

Searching her mind with the word, she recalled it one of those words she couldn't define. Something she'd hear slaves - at most - utter. It related to attraction and other such nuances. But this was being applied.. to her? For a few moments, hands still folded within her lap, head slighly bowed, Nae had nothing to say. A reprimand first sprang to mind, it was what she would do to any other who uttered such a thing of anyone else. But applied to her? It.. just wasn't understandable.

For some moments her mind was quiet and her tongue still. 'Fond is a very peculiar word, Tristan. It should be uttered with utmost caution, lest it be taken wrongly.' Turning her head to look at him, his expression spoke enough even if he could not. 'You've never struck me as much for a liar, Blackthorne, so I suppose I'll have to believe you.' It took a moment.. like a few stray bubbles, which turned into an infantile giggle - a brief laugh, or as close to one as she got.

'Is that what's merited me your stray compliments this evening?' Naelona asked quietly, if not without a hint of amusement. At least what he'd said hadn't seemed to offend her any. With a subtle look, almost coy, she turned her attentions back to the piano coaxing the sound of the ancient lullaby into the largely vacant room. 'Do relax. Your words haven't offended me.'