The Devil's Ball

[Doctor Nationis]

Iugo's head slowly turned, the plain face looking bored as the beak swung wide with his head. There were many reasons why he had looked. There was the odd happenings with the shadows on the table, resulting in an additional center piece. Looking at this, he frowned underneath the mask as he let his attention linger to the plethora of voices. Two of them were familiar and one was very new. His dark brown eyes examined Naelona. She was the first name he heard and closest being to him. For a split second the doctor felt like an idiot for scanning everywhere before sitting. His eyes then drifted to... Dear Lord-he-didn't-believe in...

This... well, man, he supposed, was rather feathery. Immediately Iugo's disposition to this strange boogie dropped to borderline unfriendly. He was about to make a remark of a very snide sort when the third voice broke in. The rage was almost redirected entirely but he stopped upon seeing and hearing the voice of his friend. The frown that had turned a one-eighty, a smile now hidden by his mask. "My, my," Iugo began, standing up, cane helping him stagger over to the other side of the table. Once there he eased himself into the seat next to Naelona, giving her a nod as he did so.

"It is most gracious to see you again, Jasmine," He finished, both hands on the top of the cane as he looked between the three. "You flatter me, sir," Iugo said, addressing Shaehern. "I am afraid I do not know who you are, Mister...?" The boogie waited, hoping that this strange... peacock man would fill in the rest. Birds they may be, but together they did not flock. Iugo would be sure of it.

[Elric Vlarintos]

Elric's eyes were narrow with suspicion and his teeth were pressing into his lip. Perhaps he should not have asked the question. It put Piper in a tough position, and that meant that if they asked him that he'd know more about it. Thoughts were not necessarily dangerous, but knowledge was. They had people with ways of figuring out what you knew. And even if they didn't know what it was you knew, they'd know you were withholding something. It was less painful to just tell them and get it over with.

Piper's admission made Elric suddenly wonder what about his reaction to her first confession seemed all that bad. This had put him in an impossible position, now. Betraying his friend was something he could not do, but keeping the Boogies in the dark went against duty. The rules needed to be respected and a dutiful slave understood what was expected in a particular situation without being told.

Responsibility to his Mistress would demand that he tell her about it. Loyalty to his friend required that he tell nobody. Personal convictions told him that both were required; therein lay Elric's dilemma.

The conclusion was not an easy one to reach. He stood there in disbelief for a few moments before he lifted up his hands and pulled Piper's off of his shoulders. "Thanks for the concern." He didn't sound very grateful.

The rebels just made everything more complicated for the people who were just trying to survive. Why couldn't they see that? The Boogies were harsh, but some of them were more fair than others. The threats of a rebellion just made everyone paranoid and made it more likely that people were going to get hurt for no good reason. Elric could not stand by the decisions of the rebels... or Piper's decision, for that matter.

"So it looks like I'm guilty by association now... I won't tell anyone, you have my word." His word was good until he crossed the final threshold. "I won't be able to leave immediately if trouble starts, though. I'll have to find Kristopher and make sure he gets out first." It was part of Naelona's standing order for Elric and Kyle. Kyle had both loyalty to Naelona and blood ties to keep him to that. Elric was only bound by duty.

"If you'll excuse me, now, I need to return to my Mistress." Letting go of Piper Elric walked away from the balcony. She'd still have to talk to Naelona at some point, but for now Elric did not care if she followed him back to her. He needed some time to sort out his thoughts.

[Naelona Ezel]

Taking the drink Naelona took a small sip with faint brief curl of her lips. It was fairly decent this year and went down just as nicely. And she couldn't blame the boy for skirting the far way around to her and away from Shaehern. Shae was the sort one either tolerated or abhorred, and the majority of Wonderland seemed to fall into the latter category. Past that, she gave Kristopher no other instruction than to remain by her side.

"I'll take what I can get from you, then. My new friend here is-" Shae had started, but his friend seemed to have other ideas. "U-Um...good evening, I'm Jasmine. Jasmine Krisp. It's an honor to meet you...I've heard much about you..." A little on edge, were we? Well, Naelona was known to be a bit intimidating. For a moment her ears perked to the name.. Krisp.. there had been a death of a Krisp of late. Darion Krisp. Briefly, she wondered if they were related.

"My pleasure." Naelona nodded, then making a curt reference to Jasmine's dress. "I see I'm not the only one with sensible tastes. It suits beings such as ourselves, wouldn't you agree?" Of course, leave it to Naelona to compliment the all-black dress. Amidst this see of color and pomp? A solid black for once was a welcome sight.

"Doc? Is that you?" Naelona looked curiously as the bird-thing walked over and sat by her chair, she crossed one leg over the other reflexively. "Mr. Nationis? What a surprise." For a boogie she rarely saw, the Ezel definitely felt.. if felt was the proper word.. she should have recognized him sooner. But all well.. "I should mention that the affair I mentioned before is in order now, Naelona dear. Everything is as it should be." There was a small not, then a sharp look. "Please refrain from calling me 'dear', Mr. Azhrarn, but that is good news to hear. Tell me, did you find what you were seeking? Or did you find yourself to seek but a ghost?"

"I am afraid I do not know who you are, Mister...?" Ah, a golden moment. She just couldn't quite resist. "This is Shaehern Azhrarn, an old acquaintance and a boogie of his own doings. I should think you two would get along splendidly." If Shae drove Iugo nuts, and thus rendered either of them permanently out of her own matters, that would be the most splendid thing of all!

[Piper Wren]

"Thanks for the concern...So it looks like I'm guilty by association now... I won't tell anyone, you have my word. I won't be able to leave immediately if trouble starts, though. I'll have to find Kristopher and make sure he gets out first."

As Elric made to walk away, Piper grabbed his arm without hesitation. He seemed to think she was doing this just to cause trouble, she had her reasons and they were far from petty. He had lead her to believe he had morals and standards, not someone who cowtowed to the boogies because it was the easy option. Piper knew that Elric had been hurt by the Ezels before wouldn't that give him enough reason to understand her choice here? Perhaps not...Anyway, Kristopher was already aware, Augusta would hardly leave the blonde in the midst of it all...but what if he wasn't 'himself' this evening?

“I don’t think you understand, you’ve never been someone toy that they feel they can break when they please. If you had been then you would understand my reasons, I had it at home and here…no more. I know I’m not special and I’m not strong like some people here but I’m doing this because I don’t want to see others being toyed with and hurt. The only one of ‘them’ I had any loyalty to is dead so why should I be someone’s pet another time around?”

There was a pause as Piper look momentarily frustrated, her choice had not been an easy one. If there was another way to do this she would have taken it but there really wasn't, what else could she do but stand up for what she believed in? Then her expression changed, instead she just looked sad, then apolegtic...really she should have known better. But she wouldn't have forgiven herself if things went wrong and Elric was a casualty.

“I gave you warning because despite what’s been happening I don’t want to see you hurt but you’ve looked at me like that twice now…I ought to have known better. Sorry…”

Pipr let him go then and went to move away, spotting Zarek in the crowd...great, that was the last thing she needed right now. And as for Naelona, well...it wasn't going to happen. If Naelona wanted to speak to her that badly he could come and find her.

[Shaehern Azhrarn]

Shaehern felt like the odd man out for a moment before he reminded himself that Jasmine and Naelona had also never met. The break between the Doctor and him was hardly anything awkward. However, Shaehern was able to tell when someone did not seem to appreciate his presence. Shaehern just went through all sorts of hoops to ignore the hints.

"As the Lady Ezel says, my name is Shaehern, though most everyone just calls me Shae. I'm a pleasant sort." What Shaehern really meant was that he simply did things that he wanted without any concern for what other people would think. In some ways that made him a more honest being than many. He still stitched together lies like a quilter.

Speaking of liars, Shae couldn't help but note that Naelona was under the impression that Shaehern and Iugo would get along wonderfully. What that likely meant was that Naelona was observant enough to see that Shaehern had an abrasive personality and that the Doctor could be short. She was setting the pair up for imminent failure. Clicking his fingers together once Shaehern pondered if there was a way to turn that back around on her.

"I must say, I don't really do anything more than dabble a little bit with the more interesting flora. It's really a hobby and nothing more." Nothing was more than a hobby with Shaehern, though. "It's wonderful to see that we've got the introductions out of the way."

"As for the matter of my business, it was resolved. It was little more than a slave without a master. I imagine she had been such for a while." Shaehern's eyes glanced nervously about for the hulking Boogie from before. It occurred to him that the man was getting closer. "Naelona... am I just being paranoid, or is he getting closer to us?"

[Elric Vlarintos]

Elric was stopped mid-stride. Part of him might have wanted her to stop him, but the greater part just wanted to be left alone. There was more than enough for him to think about now without getting another piece of Piper's mind to chew on. What Elric wanted now was not really important, since Piper was going to talk anyways. He resisted the urge to brush her hand off of his arm and keep walking. Maybe she would say something that could change his mind.

Being told that he did not understand how Piper felt hurt, but he supposed there was never any reason for her to know. He had never explained what he had been through to anybody. Everyone in Wonderland seemed to have their own sop story and adding his the heap would have been pitiful and left him unfulfilled. Piper's story was worse than his. Most everyone seemed to have a story that was worse than his. Yet, Elric still had sat around feeling sorry for himself. Maybe it was because his story wasn't as tragic that he didn't feel the way everyone else did. Or maybe it was because his experience was something different from what everyone else had.

"I was branded before I came to Wonderland. Literally branded." Would Piper understood what that meant? "My father broke me down repeatedly as a child so I would follow commands. He apprenticed me to a metalworker because he didn't think I was suited for a formal education. My master was a sick fuck and he branded me. Do you get what I'm saying?"

Elric choked. Things had been bad, and he only scratched the surface there. Essentially, he had been made into the perfect little servant before he even came to Wonderland. That was why the adjustment had been so easy for him. "I ran away from my home, and ended up here. This place always seemed nicer."

"I understand if you won't want to talk with me again, but I do swear your secret is safe." What else was there to say? It was a stupid secret, but he'd keep it. Elric took his new freedom and walked away with it.

[Kyle Roberts]

As the ball had worn on and everyone else had gone about their own business, Kyle had busied himself with maintaining his own uneasy vigil. He wasn't really sure why his nerves were so on end, all he knew was that no sooner had he stepped into the room than every insitnct he had was telling him there was trouble to be had. Why? Again, he had no idea.; nor did he have any clue as to what it might be that was going to happen. For all he was aware it could be anything; or anyone for that matter.

The on thing he did know, is that the rebels and their damned leader had something planned for tonight. He cursed under his breath as he passed by a crowd of boogies, earning a few harsh glances from those with the sharpest hearing. Luckily he was already past them and melting into the crowd before they could give thought to retaining him. Normally he would have been more careful, he dammit! Why the hell did Augusta always have to be such a show off about everything?! If it had been kyle he would have been busy doing something elsewhere while all of the boogies were distracted but no; Augy just HAD to make a damn spectacle of things. It wasn't enough for him that the boogies knew of the rebels and seemed to consider them a serious threat. He cursed again; but this time made sure it stayed inside his head.

Stopping in the shadows of a column, he took a moment to scan the sea of heads once more. He couldn't see Elric or Piper, but he knew Elric to have some sense and Piper to be pretty resourceful so that didn't bother him much. His mistress was still were she had been; not surprising, although the crowd that seemed to have gathered around her was. He knew that Naelona wasn't a social creature by any means; betting partners of hers perhaps? Regardless, nothing seemed amiss with her. That giant of a boogie was still circling the wall, staying away from the majority of the crowd as though he was afraid he'd catch something from one of them.

But out of all of the people in the room, he couldn't see one hair of Kris. That was odd because just a moment ago he'd been with that other boy that Kyle seemed to vaguely remember from somewhere. Kris had probably introduced them at some point and he just couldn't recall; but that wasn't the point! The point was that his little brother was somewhere in the midst of all of these boogies and he had no idea where he was. It didn't help that Naelona had specifically ordered him to keep a special eye on the blonde.

Just as he was scanning the crowd once more he noticed something he hadn't before. That big boogie, that one that looked like he was itching to rip someone's head off; he was moving in a different pattern from how he'd been before. Before it had seemed that he was merely strafing the crowd, watching to kill anyone that tried to start trouble. But now there was a definite purpose to his motion, like he was headed for somewhere. Following what seemed to be his path Kyle that he was making for the stairs, and he only person up there was Naelona and her associates.

Instantly a lump formed in his throat and before he even knew it he was moving to head the boogie off. It was an easy task, his hurried pace was much quicker than the other's deliberate stride; soon enough he'd reached the staircase and moved up it. As he neared his mistress his pace consciously slowed, falling back to a respectful speed so as not to be reprimanded. The last thing he needed tonight was to screw up and arouse her displeasure; he had enough things to worry about without being stuck wondering what she'd decide to do with him.

It wasn't until he'd almost reached the small group that he began to recognize some of them. The tall one in the dress was quite obviously the one that had made the jaw dropping (and stomach turning) entrance earlier, a woman who on closer inspection was probably packing a few things a woman neither had or needed. He didn't know who the one in the cape and beak mask was, but something instinctively made him dislike him; though he suppose that could be attributed to his jittery nerves. He let out a minuscule sigh as he finally saw Kris standing by Naelona, only for his breath to catch in his throat as he saw the woman next to her; a tiny plum figure that could only belong to the boogie he'd met not long ago upon his unsuccessful suicide attempt, Jasmine.

Quickly he swallowed the urge to speak to her and instead moved to the side of them so that he wouldn't disturb their conversation. Passing through the shadows behind the table he took up his customary position behind his mistress chair, eyes uneasily watching the staircase for the arrival he knew would come.

His nerves were too on edge to simply stare at the mostly empty stairway however, and so he soon casted his gaze about once more. Not unpleasantly he found that his gaze seemed to gravitate towards Jasmine, and before he knew it he'd fallen into staring at her. She looked rather stunning in her outfit and he simply couldn't help himself. Nevertheless he still flushed a bit when he realized what he'd been doing; thanking what ever god was on duty here that the mask prevented anyone from seeing where his eyes were turned.

Quick as he could he shifted his gaze elsewhere, this time to his brother. He was glad to see that Kris was alright, if anything else were to happen to him he didn't know how he'd ever be able to live with himself. Edging a bit closer, he half turned his head to whisper something to the blond when he stopped mid-motion. A frown formed on his face as he stared at the boy next to him. He didn't know what it was, but something about Kris just seemed off. But why would that be? he thought on it for a bit and finally decided that it had to be his nerves, he was simply thinking on things too hard. Regardless, the frown remained on his face as he turned away once more, staring out over the crowds.

[Abel Cunningham]

Abel entered the ball room. He was late. Very late. He was just glad his mistress wasn't actually here. She'd have done such unpleasant things to him for potentially missing something good. Hopefully nothing had started yet. Well, except for the eating and the drinking and the dancing, of course. That had almost certainly begun without him. Oh, well. Hopefully there was some good food left.

As it happened, there was some. Abel got a little, and went to a wall. He was here to observe, not mingle. Besides, the one person he'd have liked to have gone with wouldn't go with him. So, he contented himself with watching the goings on from his wall. Scanning around, he made note of Kris' siblings, but not of Kris himself. Abel wondered at this. The death match didn't look to have started, yet, so at least that was a possibility he didn't have to worry about. He hoped.

Wait, there was Kristopher. Abel had almost overlooked him somehow. He wasn't sure how that was possible. Abel was sent here to observe, and he did a lot of it, between drinking, fighting, and visiting Kristopher in the hospital (as a patient, more often than not). However, despite himself, Abel had ended up observing Kristopher more than anyone else. How had he missed him the first time? The more he watched, the more he felt something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. It looked like Kristopher. It sounded like Kristopher. It must be Krissy, right? . . .

[Luther Verhulst]

There was no sense of immediate urgency to his pace, but Luther still took very large steps and was able to cover ground quickly. It helped that no one seemed foolish enough to stand in his way tonight. Most things in Wonderland had learned not to stand in his way. Sometimes there was an occasional glance at him from one who did not know their place, but so long as no one was foolish enough to lock eyes with Luther he found that he could ignore them.

Locked eyes would have been a challenge. Luther would not have backed down from a challenge tonight.

Moving to his main checkpoint Luther found himself slightly bothered by the crowd that had amassed in the area. Naelona Ezel, for one, and a great deal of other smells. One who's sweat smelled of blood... Luther doubted any amount of washing would get that scent away from him. Another female Boogie whose appearance was young but bearing suggested otherwise. Then there was Shaehern. Luther did not bother hiding his disdain for that Boogie. On any other day the crazy little fruit fly would have been dragged off the Labyrinth as dog chow. How fortuitous for him that the evening required he be here and not there.

Then there was a couple of human slaves. One whose scent was filled with nervousness and another whose scent was mixed... confused. Luther actually stepped closer to the blond and took a deeper sniff of him. This one wore the clothes of another. That was the source of the confusion. That hardly seemed something to worry about at an event like this.

Without so much as a vocal greeting to anyone in the area Luther instead turned his attention to the dark statue of a dog. The ruby eyes seemed to glow in the light of the room, and then they blinked. Luther reached out a hand and touched the head of the massive beast. The creature stood up and revealed its full size. It was larger than a young cow with thick, muscular legs supporting its girth. The fur was so black that it seemed to impossibly absorb all light touching it. But it was those ruby red eyes that made it so distinctive.

The creature neither growled nor barred its fangs. Luther set a tidbit of food on the floor for his familiar. "You're being very patient," he murmured finally in the kindest of tones that a voice like Luther's could produce.

[Jasmine Krisp]

Just when it seemed the girl's face couldn't get any hotter, it got to the point where Jasmine was worried the mask would melt right off her skin. She was thrilled that her assumption had been correct and that it was, indeed, her dear friend Iugo...and then to be complimented by Naelona...she looked like a strawberry with grape-jelly on top of it. At least until she noticed Iugo's need for the cane and the limp in his step. Had he been hurt again? Was it his ambushers? Jazz sighed and looked at Iugo with worried gold eyes.

"You need to watch yourself, dear one," she spoke the last word in the old tongue, as usual, "Those wounds you have are getting worse by the day..."

Then back to Naelona, pushing her blush back, she smiled her small, elegant cat-grin and curtsied slightly. "Thank you, Miss Ezel. Your dress is utterly beautiful this evening." The young-looking woman noticed the obvious friction between Shaehern and Nae, hearing them bicker like a married lesbian couple. No that she would ever say that out loud, lest she lose points with Naelona.

Her smile faded suddenly as the monster among monsters got even closer to the four, though she was confused as to why her sniffed at the slave called Kristopher. The boy seemed to go paler than normal. Poor thing. I'd react that way too, though...hell, I think anyone would.

Trying to distract herself as Luther went to the dog, which only added to her discomfort...Jazz didn't like dogs in general, but the Black Dogs instilled fear in everyone...she looked back to Iugo with a weaker smile, then nodded to Shae, going from Naelona's jest. "I do hope you two get along, at least a little. I'd hate to have to clean my friends off of the floor someday."

Out of the corner of her gold eye, she spotted, again, a most familiar face. Staring at her, if she was right. Which she was. or at least she hoped as she mouth the words 'Nice leather, boy' at Kyle while the other Boogies weren't looking.

[Zeke Suzushima]

Since Naelona hadn't given him any other orders, Zeke-"Kris" found himself standing contently at her side while she conversed with the other three Boogies. He made a point of keeping from staring at Shae, which was really hard, while also pretending to be sickened just by his presence. It was easy enough to do, considering the other two Boogies didn't really notice him, let alone seem to care...not that he knew who they were either. Kris had mentioned the Boogies to look out for, missing Shaehern of course, and neither of them fit any sort of description. He did, however, recognize Kazn from the orchestra, and on occasion would look in that direction before averting his eyes.

He wasn't as afraid as Kris was, but he hated the man enough to not want to be in the same room.

Out of the corner of his eye, Zeke-"Kris" noticed the shadow-Black Dog, but he didn't flinch at it. It was only when Luther appeared to evaporate by him, sniffing at him, did the boy pale and back up a step. Holy shit, where did he come from?! etched itself in his false eyes as he looked down, back to the floor, and pulled manically at his sleeves. It wasn't even on purpose, the guy just freak the hell out of him. Only when he walked away did the false-Kris look up to see him move to the Black Dog.

He prayed that Luther didn't sense something was off. Nothing that would jeopardize him or Kris in anyway. If anything went wrong, we could be killed...we will get killed...Zeke was so frantic, on the inside anyway, that he didn't notice Kyle so close by.

[Naelona Ezel]

Shaehern was pleasant, like a fly. Good for pestering others with and always best when far, far away. But the issue Shae had approached her before was merely over an unclaimed slave? All that trouble? "I see, then if you are acting upon such unclaimed property, be sure it is properly recorded as to avoid similar troubles in the future." Really, an undocumented slave was quite troublesome. "Naelona... am I just being paranoid, or is he getting closer to us?" Resting back into her chair Naelona glanced down along the balcony towards the stairs, minding as Kyle arrived and stood obediently behind her.

"So it would seem, Shaehern." Naelona agreed, tilting her head slightly to her troublesome acquaintance. Looking further it seemed Elric might also be returning. "Do you know who is in the red dress? Do find out if you can.." she quietly murmured to Shae. Judging by the boy's apparent overall mood, it was someone. And for that sort of reaction, someone worth knowing about, given what plans she was considering for him.

"Thank you, Miss Ezel. Your dress is utterly beautiful this evening." Naelona looked to her drink, as though considering a thought, then nodded in regards to the woman and said no more. She had no more to say. Jasmine was a woman, and women and Naelona didn't tend to mix, and so were best dealt with in calm, simple.. small ways. Why had she ever agreed to take on Tristan's two(?) slaves again, she couldn't recall. That sort of thinking made her brain hurt, and want another drink.

Despite looking mostly relaxed within her chair, the boogie still tensed slightly as Luther suddenly stepped closer to her and her two slaves, shooting a look that spoke of death to his backside when he turned away from them and moved towards the stone statue. Of all the cursed, ill-mannered, rude, belligerent, insult-riddled, obnoxious, irritating, annoying.. things to cross Wonderland's surface..it had to be Luther, and he had to be here.

Even as the giant of a boogie was turned away from them, Naelona persisted in watching him like a hawk. There would be some move, some mistake, some twist of a wrist she could hold to his throat and beat him with. Though Naelona was amused.. she must have done an excellent job in her shadow copy of that statue, for him to think it was the real thing. She was just waiting.. waiting for him to reach out and pet it to watch it melt away from under his hand. The corner or her lips curled in anticipation, only for her face to drain of all color then the 'original' statue.. suddenly moved.

Naelona had to hide her surprised yet did well enough behind her mask, forcing back a shudder at the realization that it was indeed a Black Dog, and a very live, and very real one at that too. She'd almost forgotten, and recalling the marks on her shoulders she almost felt a bit exposed. It was Luther's familiar. Even when he spoke to the beast, Nae had to do a double take, eying with a sharp gaze. How surprising, that a brute like him was even capable of such tones. "What a surprise to see you, Mr. Verhulst." Even the name felt strange and distasteful upon her tongue. Needless to say he had suddenly, and undeniably, stolen her complete and unwilling attention.

At least if worse came to worse, she could suffer his insufferable presence with some decent company.

[Anolean Ezel]

The screeching of a chair being pulled out signifed the new company that was joining Naelona's table. To her right, now sat her twin brother looking dashing as ever. Much like his twin, he was wearing cream and black colored clothing in the form of a relaxing tux with the jacket wide open. His attire matched his twins too much and he even wore the same style of mask of Naelona, however slightly more masculine verison.

Beside him rested his ever present feline, purring happily, though pondering if Shae would indeed taste like chicken or rather peacock. But the beast would never find out as Anolean clacked his cane on the ground between his legs as he rested comfortably in the chair.

"Greetings, Sister." The twin said with a small smile on his features. Giving a nod to the others he turned his attention to Nae, "Have I missed much? I certainly hope not, I am rather in the mood to see a few slaves have a go at it..." A pause as his grey eyes rested on Shaehern, "Shaehern, what on earth are you wearing? You look like a very giant and over flamboyant peacock that I am sure that even Jounhin would be ashamed of." He shook his head slightly trying to get rid of the shock.

He needed something to clear his mind and what better way to do that then take a nice view of his sisters slaves. His eyes rested on the Robert brothers for a moment. One was burnette, the other silver haired, and finally one blond. He thought for a moment and reached over without a care in the world and poked "Kris" in the side with his cane.

He did not speak to him but to his sister, "Still have a blond him? I think I like the silver haired one more. Speaking of such a slave, where is he?" He knew he saw him a moment ago. However as he looked about the room, his cane still probed at the little blond.

[zarek]

"It seems like you two are getting along." Zarek sleeked out from the crowd of boogies and no one seemed to pay him any attention or have even seen him. Which was fine with this particular boogie, he was not one for large crowds to begin with at all.

Though now that he found his slave, he decided to speak with her for the time being. Though, he wasn't sure for how long he was going to remain here among these individuals called Boogies. Sighing softly he shifted his weight from one foot to the next. "You do look rather lovely this evening, you should wear dresses more often."

Trying to find words to encourage a human to wear a certain apparel was rather difficult. He rather like seeing Piper in a dress, it wasn't something he got to see everyday, hell no one really got to see it. The cow headed boogie looked off to the side then to nod at a passing by Boogie who took not of him sadly.

Then he returned his attention to Piper, "Red does suit you."

[Elric Vlarintos]

It was as though his second master mentioning his name was enough to summon him to the table. Elric had been moving up the stairs, but he was lost in his own world of thoughts. He heard the commotion from the table; it just never registered. If the commotion had registered, then Elric might have realized how peculiar it was for Naelona's table.

So when he reached the top of the stairs Elric found himself shocked and surprised at the crowd that had gathered around his mistress. Anolean had arrived--Elric wondered if he had slipped into the room the same way he always managed to slip into everywhere else without being noticed. The peacock from before was standing here as well as a small Boogie lady. There was also a man wrapped up so well and wearing such a strange mask that Elric doubted he could have recognized him even if he knew more Boogies. The last Boogie hardly seemed a guest, however.

The last one was a large, hulking man with painfully pale hair. It occurred to Elric that the Boogie was larger than even he was, which meant that he was quite a giant, indeed. Elric had wondered about Kyle's outfit on the occasion--it hardly seemed like something one would wear to a dance. This monster's outfit left nothing to wonder about. He was clearly dressed for battle and there was a nice trench coat tossed on as an afterthought. Elric had been so startled that he didn't even notice the huge canine that stood nearly so large as the monster. A chill ran down Elric's spine as his hairs started to stand on end. Is that... his familiar?

Some familiars Elric had seen were unusual for creatures of their type, but they were still ordinary creatures that he had grown up with. He had heard that some Boogies made creatures that were mythological... purely fiction in his world into their familiars. Was this the Barghest?

Elric shook the nerves off and turned to Naelona. She would not be happy with his bad news. His bow was a little more stiff than usual, but he managed to remember to pull off his hat when he performed the maneuver. Politeness mandated that he not speak to her or Anolean until he was spoken to.