The Festival Begins (Oct 22nd 2013))

A   Royal   Delight
BonnyLorwyn: Nothing delighted her more than to see her imagination to life. The Coven glinted and glittered with every turn, the golds and purples glimmering softly in the candle light. She looked around, admiring as silver rings washed over each member of the Coven. Each of the women was shrouded in a one of a kind gown, fashioned to what they wanted to see. The dresses flowed like the gowns of old, the fabrics pooling around their feet while intricate and sparkling embellishments wound their way from top the bottom. As she looked down, she smiled as a gown of dark blue, plum, and white flowed out from the silver mist. The sleeves wrapped around her upper arm, delicate white lace flowing from the bands. Her hair was swept up into an elegant but messy up do, tendrils falling and framing the delicate feature of her face. She looked up, moving her eyes over the Coven and eyeing the work she had done. Tapping her toe against the now marble flooring, she looked around impatiently for the others to arrive. She walked up and down the hall, reaching out to touch the fabrics that had adorned each of the shop keepers stalls. She was delighted to see the small ripple that resonated from her fingertips. For under each ripple lie glimpses of what was hidden away. Sweeping back to her sister who had become lost in her own thoughts, she stepped softly next to her smiled. She did not have to ask where their “guests” had run off too. With her sisters abilities, they would not have to wait long for them to make their way to the main hall. Nova’s words were low, and Bonny nodded in agreement. “How might we go about bringing them to us?” Her head gave a slight tilt at the thought, before she smiled to herself. “Lest we go retrieve them ourselves.”

Athene: Athene was still sitting in the throne, practicing her gifts and not paying attention to much of anything around her. Finding the chair to hard to move, Athene moved on to moving slightly smaller things to play with. Just as she was reaching out with her mind, just as she was wrapping her minds hand around a candle stand that she had in her sights her senses were almost assulted by the sudden now unfamiliar smells that premaded the halls now. Whatever it was made her stomache rumble appreciatively as she wondered what was going on. After being so long in the coven, Athene almost forgot what a market could be like, forgot the smells and ambiance as she started to hear the echos of a crowd of people. What is going on? With that, she let everything go and pulled her attentions back in as she stood up and moved to go see what was new. Almost as a second thought, she shifted her slinky kimono out for another glamour. A dress that looked as if it were made of gold flames and covered ever part that mattered as she went exploring to see what was up. As she was making her way down through the coven, following her nose, Athene all but ran straight into Nova and Bonny as they stood side by side. She wasn't looking at them, but beyond them at the now bustleing hallway that didnt look like the hallways she was used to but as if it were part of some other world so different than the dark and cool world that she had grown accustomed to. How did this happen? How did this get her? Her head back, her jaw slightly opened in shock as she looked wided-eyed at everything, Athene looked back at Nova and Bonny with a look of wonder and curiosity that she tried to keep to herself since she had came to find herself at the coven. "What... How... Oh my.."

Bedecking   Drak
drakkornoir: A rush of satisfaction followed on the sorcerer's victory,by no means short lived even as the entire coven seemed to change before his eyes. He needed to address something, and right away, but his eyes too were amazed at what he saw before and around him. A magician's skill still was not the same as a glamour, but he was no stranger to such things, and saw what he was meant to see knowing full well what he saw was not all there was taking place. The superb skill shown before him was a testiment to the artistry of the conjurer, whoever that one might be. Instead of the usual dark shadows, there was light everwhere, and color, and people. He looked down to see that what he wore had been replaced visibly with the rich fabrics and touches normally reserved for what he had seen in the royal courts over the years, only he could assume this to be one of the newer trends. Costly silks and satins, wonderously dyed in crimsons and gold, complete with ermine bedecking a lush collar to a long red cloak. His feet looked to be dressed in fancy shoes that looked more like slippers than the staid boots he normally wore, and his hair to all appearances was now bound behind his head and tied smartly in a black ribbon. Rings adorned his fingers, a king's ransom, hiding the one he normally word upon the finger of his right hand. As he moved marginally, he became aware that this too was glamour, and what he needed to have on him still was there, after a fashion. His hand searched, and found, that pockets did exist even if they didn't appear to be functional. Drakkor looked back up, in time to see the approaching Priestesses, Nova in the forefront. There was no doubt a purpose to this, and he felt sure he was about to find it out. The dragon's voice echoed in his head, as the cool sound of the dragoness's voice at his back presented her intentions. He turned back to face her, a chill running down his spine, not sure until he saw her face if she too was witnessing what he had seen. There was a subtle difference in his voice, but he did his best to make sure she would not see at first the major difference in the one before her now and the one who had been there just seconds before. "No, I bid you stay, the storm has returned and is fiercely taking it's toll out there. There are rooms here not in the middle of things, more remote, private." His fingers coiled around a much smaller sphere. Just how far would he have to go to keep her here? The others were now at his back, and he reached for the dragoness's arm to lay his free hand upon her forearm again, his fingers coiling lightly to the curvature of the bones that lay unseen beneath.

A   Sad   Possibility
Fiherce: Fiher’s keen gaze narrowed on the face of the one who stood in front of her as reached out to close that comfortable space again. Had he become so ingrained with the humanoid creatures that he thought an offer to shut herself up on a tiny room would be attractive? It was a sad possibility. When he reached, she back up and tilted her head to study him. She didn’t care to be shut indoors and due to the nature of her kind and their high level of intelligence she was suddenly seeing many layers of reality. While she could behold the illusion of his finery she could also see the manna in which it was cast creating a pretty colorful halo around almost everything. It must have been a lovely skill to have and useful at time but while some of it was reality with a coat of refinery the many voices carried a few tangible ones, meaning the population of this dwelling had indeed increased. “Storms don’t bother me. Do they bother you?” A well placed question to reveal something he wasn’t giving willingly but she didn’t expect an answer so she smiled politely and shook her head. “If it comforts your mind, I can rest until it passes, outside.” It didn’t appear the doors were going to open up again without provocation like that had to let her in and she was growing increasingly suspicious about that and about the entire dwelling of the living treasures. With the manna now flowing throughout and around them it was beginning to look like glowing dust fairly dripped from the falls, furnishing and the creatures themselves. Fiher realized the magnitude of this conjure was not only growing but being fueled so it would continue to last. It must have taken either a great deal of effort or skill. Admirable, but uncomfortable for one as wary as she was.

Do   You   Mind,   Good   Sir?
Marishka’s lower lip trembled ever so slightly as the mechanism inside the lock clicked and the tension keeping the door closed relaxed. She had no idea what to expect on the other side of the door and her last encounter with the coven had left her filled with trepidation. Fear was not something that Marishka was accustomed with. Her green eyes glanced towards the specter that was merely a pair of deep ruby eyes and a cloak that flapped on a nonexistent breeze. If she was looking for some sort of comfort in his presence, she was denied it. Time had dragged on long enough that, she almost felt silly with her hesitation. Her chest sunk as she exhaled, her eyelids sliding to a close as she pushed the door open in a complete and utter “do or die, get it over with” type of gesture. As her eyes opened her lips turned upwards into a relieved smile. The room before her was rather quaint and she sensed no unwanted presences. It was a simple room with a bed, wardrobe and a small vanity. Tucked in a corner was a bath tub that was already filled and had tendrils of steam rising from it. Her smile widened at the sight and she barely had time to kick the door closed before she began to peel off the gown. Marishka raised her eyebrow at the spirit. “Do you mind good Sir?” She asked as she motioned with her finger for him to turn around before she dropped the rest of her garments in a pile unceremoniously. She had felt like she had been in them for an eternity and at this point burning them did not seem like such a bad idea. Her fingers reached for the necklace and she fumbled with it in attempts to find a clasp or some sort of means to remove it. Her attempts were in vain and she found no way to remove it. She gave a little shrug and instead stepped into the tub. The warm water wrapped around her body as she slid into it and she sighed peacefully, feeling better instantly. It took her several minutes for her to do any bathing activities and instead she just submerged herself. Finally, once the water had started to cool, she grabbed the sponge and lathered it up with a soap scented with the light fragrance of gardenias, gliding it over her bare skin. After she had finished, she rose from the tub and encased herself in a soft towel, before checking the wardrobe. Inside, there was a single dress of blood red satin which she held up to examine. It was not as modest as she was use to as the strips of satin scantily draped over her frame and the ruby encrusted top. She stepped into it and slid it over her torso, situating it over her right shoulder. A pair of red heels that matched set in the bottom of the wardrobe waiting for her feet to fill them. She sat down on the small bench in front of the vanity and slipped them on before turning to fix her hair and make-up. Sitting on a small silver tray was a tall glass of blood. Her fangs slid forward as she eyes it hungrily. It wasn’t fresh, but it had been so long that hardly mattered. She brought the glass to her lips and drank as if she had just traversed the Sahara. Marishka set the glass back onto the tray and sunk into the bench as a feeling of satisfaction consumed her. Her fangs slid back and her pallid skin regained a healthy glow. She grabbed a small brush and ran it through her hair, leaving the ebony waves down, her bangs cascading over her eyes. In the drawer of the vanity there was a small collection of cosmetics. With a poof, she patted on some rouge over her cheek bones and then used the kohl pencil to outline her eyes. She finished the look off by dabbing crimson lipstick across her lips. Marishka stood and glanced around the room. It was the closest thing she had had to a home in quite some time, but one cannot wander forever. Still, she was filled with an odd sense that she had finally found a place where she fit. Here, Marishka was not forced to hide in the shadows and pretend to be something she wasn’t for sake of blending in. Instead, she was accepted exactly as she was and this made her smile, a true smile that lit her whole face up. With that smile in place, she left her room, nodding to the spectre as she went out the door. She counted her steps turning in all the right directions and easily found the steps that led to the main room. Her green eyes went wide as she realized that the room had completely undergone a transformation and she stood at the top of the steps in complete and utter bewilderment.

Kidnapped   For   Their   Enjoyment
NovaGenesis: *She had not gone far before Bonny was again at her side. Time and grooming in the proper temples of worship had taught her that those that look to you should never have to be the ones that comfort you. Offering a gentle yet seemingly fulfilled smile she took the priestess’s hand and squeezed it lightly. She reached out to the coven with her mind finding no response. Oh well wasn’t this a bit of a harsh reality for her. She could no more control its communications with her than it could control her actions. She took several deep breathes before trying once more and coming away from it unsuccessful. She gritted her teeth and glared a bit at it for a moment and then as if she had never tried at all her face became a mask of calm. The rehearsed smile returning to her lips in full force, she nodded and bowed deeply to the Dark Keeper and curtsied to his guest robed in the hues of the very same light clouds that had parted to let the sun grace her face in the marketplace. She had not been absolutely positive that all would gather but in the event that they did not she was ready to “assist” them. Almond shaped dark eyes rounded the keep to take in the collection of gems arriving in short order. From the notable Nicole to Her servant’s charge they came giving light to the royal mirage. But not being one whom enjoyed personal contact without warning she would slightly feel the Bride closing in on her location and Bonny’s. Releasing her sister’s hand she pivoted while wrapping a warm arm around Athene’s back and leaned in on her own terms to whisper in a saccharine manner.* Welcome Dear Athene. I would say this surprise is for you but we did not do a very good job of hiding it now did we. *she raised her head from the bride’s ear to savor the looks of awe on every face those who had come to see the grand display. The humans who had been kidnapped for their enjoyment all paused as she moved to address all in attendance, their eyes focused but their mouths silenced as they paused any action they were attempting paying all proper respect to their hostesses.* Welcome one and all to a celebration of vows as we have all at some point taken them regarding the coven… or its keeper. Please eat, drink, and be merry until your hearts are content. *with that she again held out her hand for Bonny’s as the two had chosen to host this affair and she would not deny the beauty her due. She did not prod nor guide Bonny to say a word, for the grace and power that was a priestess would certainly show through in her mannerisms and speech. *

Mirror   Mirror
lNataliya: Nicole watches everyone walk in, all dressed up in the new clothing and all of the beautiful things appear around her and smiles. Walking from the base of the stairs and then to one of the vendor stalls. Looking at the beautiful jewels that lay on the table in front of her, she gently grazes her fingers across a necklace that had beautiful mother of pearl stones on it. She glances down at it and bites her bottom lip, never before had she seen something so beautiful. She looked over at the vendor and smiled softly at her. Walking even further down the table she smiles seeing ear rings and a tiara that matched it, she giggles and grazes her hand across the other items. With the next stall she notices the beautiful fabrics that were at this one. She knew that she was able to make her own dresses, so she looked through each piece of fabric. Nicole liked making things more than she liked buying the dress already made. Seeing the price on the fabric tag she hands over the money to the vendor and takes the piece of fabric that she purchased under her arm. Turning her head to the side, she looks over to the beautiful necklace again and smiles. Then something took a hold of her attention in the corner of her eye. It was shimmering off the lights of the candles. A white mirror lay on a stall across the way. Her eyes widen just a bit as she walked over to it. Picking up the mirror she smiles at it and thinks back a moment to her mother. She remembered her mother holding up one just like this when she did her hair and makeup, even just to check to see if she was in approval. Coming back to this moment in time in her mind, she looks for the price of the mirror, she had to have it. Finding the price she smiles noticing that she had just enough for it. She hands the money over to the vendor and then giggles as she walks off from the stall. Finding a seat she sits and just stairs at it for a moment remembering what she could of her.

Enjoy   Your   Time   Here
BonnyLorwyn: Bonny watched with an amused look about her face as the festivities began. Turning her head toward Nova, she gave a concerned look. She knew Nova was trying her best to reach out to those that resided within. As soon as she returned to the normal calm and false smile returned, Bonny knew that she had success. Watching her give the proper and pleasant departure motions, she mimicked her sister, giving a deep curtsy to their guest and bowed to the Keeper, leaving behind a little smirk. No sooner had she turned to follow after Nova would Drak and the unknown woman be greeted by a small sparrow of odd colors. Bonny had picked up a candle on her walk, and using the flame; she fashioned and twisted it until it resembled the tiny messenger she wanted. The small bird was fire red with one black wing, landing quietly on his shoulder. If he noticed, he would see that the bird would begin to disappear and spark. The odd portion was the words that seemed to come from the parlor trick animal, her voice sweeping out and wrapping around both figures, her tone soft and inviting. “We do hope you both will attend.” As they continued their walk, Athene bumped into them, literally, her mouth gaping open as she seemed to take in the sights. Listening to Nova speak; Bonny could only giggle and nod in agreement. Looking around at the faces of the humans, she could only grin from ear to ear at her work. Taking Nova’s hand, Bonny also addressed the large gathering that they now held the awe on their faces amusing to her. Her voice was warm, the persuasion in her words snaking out through the crowd to set all minds at ease. “We do hope that you all find everything to your liking. Please, do enjoy your time here.” She squeezed Nova’s hand lightly, hoping that those words alone would be enough.

Whatever   She   Wished
Athene: In Nova's grip, all Athene could do was smile as she looked around at all the colors and sparkles that now surounded her. This was supposed to be a suprize for her? "As far as I am conserned, it surely is a huge suprize. I dont know what to say, this is amazing." Looking around at her suroundings, Athene didnt even know where to start as she spots a vendor that was selling some particularly mouth-watering looking pasteries. She couldn't even remember the last time she had anything sweet to nibble on, the sight of the treats making her more homesick than ever as she recalled all the times she used to sneak into the kitchen and raid the baked goodies that the cooks used to create from time to time for the family. Looking at the pastry and back to the vendor, she looked almost helpless at first since she didnt have anything to pay him. And with that, the vendor would lift the tray and let Athene take her pick of whatever she wished. "Really? I can? Thank you." After the reassurance from the vendor, Athene took a couple of the treats before moving on among the stalls looking at all the exciteing and sparkley things. What would she get next? After taking a bite, the outer crust breaking beneath her teeth as the sweetness bursts over her toung as she chewed thoughtfully when she sees Nicole across the way. She knew that they could have become great friends; but after what happened not long before, Athene turns around and moves the opposite way and after laceing through the stalls, gets lost among the hubbub. With that, Athene smiles truely for the first time and starts to allow herself to have some fun as she tries on jewelery and outfits.

A   Doomed   Species
Fiherce: Through the haze of mana fueled glamour Fiher saw the approach of another darker hued one like the male. Both of their colorings were in stark contrast to her own and this one carried herself as though she not only belonged, but she commanded. Another puzzle and perhaps not really as human as she looked. No, surely not. She was too lovely to be human. There was still plenty of room to back up into the cool recesses of the halls and it was more and more tempting the more that drew close but there was also pride to consider and she didn’t want to appear cowardly. When the female bowed like the other one had, Fiher frowned and canted her head the other way. Why did they keep doing that? She didn’t wear any symbol of power and surely they didn’t know what she was. Her nose twitched and she hesitated with confusion but she did her best to return the respect and nod while keeping her eyes on the pair and the incoming of more. She too was completely puzzled by the scene and pushed off center by the noise and uncomfortable with the magic and anxious about the crowd. Really, it was to be expected. How many dragons had anyone ever seen wearing a party hat? Socializing was not something they did altogether well in the first place, Firher was worse off than most at it. She watched the female move off again and announce to the crowd of a celebration of a vow and the mention of a keeper. What was a keeper and what vow? A human ceremony of bonding? That odd promise to wedlock and monogamy where a man was forced to take only one mate for life. Absurd. Firher was sure one day the species would go extinct out in such a manner. It made so sense. How could one possibly secure the continuance of a species when they mates with one female and she procured only one or two offspring at a time? They didn’t even have clutches. Yet they celebrated. With that and the knowledge that they could be rather tasty when braised, they were surely a doomed species.

There   is   Nothing to   Fear
drakkornoir: Fiher drew away, and a sensation of real alarm began, but Drak did not allow that to show. He could not let anger remove his reason or his sidetrack his intentions. He had no real time to answer Fiher's questions before the approach of the Priestesses made that difficult. The dragoness had not just tried to bolt, that would have to do for the moment. He returned Nova's courtesy with a nod of his own, a mystified slight smile appearing as Bonny followed suit, still unsure what the intention of this was all about, but more than willing to trust that there would be an explanation forthcoming and soon. Beyond Bonny and Nova he could clearly see Athene coming as well, adorned in her own finery, exquisite and colorful among the show surrouding them, and seeming to not see the Priestess's as her trajectory lined her up for a collision, but with intuitive grace Nova seemed to sense her, and turned to enfold Athene in a close embrace, whispering something that Drakkor could not quite hear, not at this distance and not among the noise of those around them. When she broke away and turned to address those thronged about her, he cast a swift glance at Fiher next to him, looking to see if her immediate intentions would show, until what Nova spoke regained his attention and he glanced back sharply. He did not miss the meaning behind Nova's words. This was something he had not quite expected at all. His sham of a marriage to capture the prized possession of another was clearly going to be taken in a different light by at least the Priestesses before him. Athene's upturned face showed real delight, but surely not at the purpose of the festival, so much as the fact the Priestesses had enacted such entertainment for herself. As he watched, a small flash of color darted to his shoulder. A small bird, but no ordinary bird, cleary not one any would find dwelling just anywhere. It's coloring alone attested to another sort of glamor, being that no real bird could carry off such plummage. Drak's emerald eyes unshielded watched as the thing seemed to vanish in a swirl of it's own colors, followed by Priestess Bonny's dulcit toned voice bearing her invitation. A flash of something very troubled indeed spoke volumes in his eyes before he thought to drop them, buying a moment to remove all traces of such a thing. When next he looked up, Athene was already gone, and the two Priestesses were moving away in stately grace, looking more like court royalty than many in courts he had visited himself over the years had managed to do. He looked at Fiher still standing near. "The invitation includes yourself, Fiher. Surely besting the storm can wait. There is nothing to fear granting so small a request, surely." He did not offer his arm, fairly sure she would not only not understand his gesture, but would likely just pull away again. Considering the circumstances of earlier, and the fact he knew as surelyl as the dragon did that at least one other in here wasn't about to let him get near her, the last thing he needed was to have her wrest away and react more directly than she just had.

Becoming Enticed
NovaGenesis : *Now that introductions were underway she was happy make her way comfortably through the bodies filling down to fill the spaces between the dancers, street performers, and musicians. This event was not for her so she would pay attention first to everyone’s satisfaction first. Her eyes fell upon Nicole who had opted first for sampling the wares available to her. A light laughter escaped her lips as she summoned her minions to each lady’s side. Though the vendors would not be able to see them the members of the coven would. Each would appear just as crimson eyes shrouded in a cloak of night. Their purpose to be Nova’s eyes and ears since the coven would not lend her assistance. They would be the ones to port the goods gathered from the stalls back to the gems’ collective quarters and insure that everything went as smoothly as possible. She had not missed that there were certainly men in their presence and where there were males there was mistrust in her. Only the keepers had proven themselves worthy of her loyalty and for it they had her devotion. She held her head high keeping her eyes upon them all when she caught it. Her eyes narrowed marginally as Nicole went about paying not one but several vendors. She did not gasp nor did she truly react outwardly. They converged upon the vendors who had accepted the funds and just as quickly as they were received the very same payments evaporated in their pockets leaving only the gold she had given them as a generous memory of their visit here. It had been too long since she had practiced “compelling” others to do as she wished but now would not be the time. In fact she would be content with them simply being confused a bit. Her gaze softened as she watched Athene being offered a taste of a sweet delicacy and the women fawn over the wares offered. Adornments as far as the eye could see. Bright pearl baubles, lockets, pendants and bands galore were laid out and polished to a finish that sparkled in her own dark hues but the silks gathered their own bit of her fascination as her fingertips slid effortlessly over them. However, this was a celebration for those she had come to see as a sort of family structure. So with no hesitation she removed her hand and let them have first pick of everything… a short surprised gasp escaped her lips as she was drawn out of her reverie by the jingling of precious metals dangling from the shifting hips of the gypsy women. Their vibrant scarves and bared bellies made her subconsciously bite her bottom lip and slink back a bit. She could not allow herself to be drawn into this too much. Aloof was the only way she knew to be yet they were slowly closing in forming a shimmering rainbow of sheer fabrics bedecked in hardware. She was drawn back into memories of festivals in the honor of the gods she had once served. Had she not danced then? Had she paid homage to beings that had not brought her as much amusement as the ones that now joined her? Reaching out for her fiddle she would give in to a rhythmic rolling of her shoulders that traveled down her spine as she lifted the instrument to her chin and joined in with the merriment of song and dance.*

Stutters
Athene : As Athene was walking around the stalls, looking at everything with a renewed sense of happiness that coursed through her like a jolt of electricity, she looks around excitedly and all but runs between the stalls to take everything in. With the sight of the cloaked figure with the glowy red eyes, Athene jumped alittle but not so much out of fear than suprize, it reminded her of her faithful guardians but this one seemed to want to help her with the stuff she had found so far. With her arms covered with different fabrics and outfits, a pair of sparkley shoes she couldn't pass up dangleing from her hooked finger tips, Athene hands the stuff over to the being and keeps moveing on to the next stall. Here she found some jewelery that caught her eye, expecially a blue diamond choker but at that, she hesitated and placed her hand across her glamoured neck to where she felt the hidden ruby and diamond collar that lay hidden there. "Maybe some earrings instead.." Looking up at the shop keeper, Athene smiled sweetly as she noticed how cute he was. "Well hello there. Which one of these would you suggest I should pick out?" And with that, Athene leaned forward, her dress accentuating her curves and with the smile she gave the poor shop keeper, left him slightly studdering. "Umm.. umm.. umm.. I t-t-thin-" Unable to finish his sentance, he lifts up the choker and hands it to her. "Why thank you." And with that, she walks off to another stall after handing the choker over to her helper and looking forward to the occation she would get to wear it.

Let the Music Bring you In
BonnyLorwyn : Bonny watched Nova weave her way through the crowd, her body seeming more relaxed as she interacted with the townsfolk. It calmed her to know that she was feeling more at ease with the mortals. Slipping up to the lower tier of thrones, Bonny sat on the edge, smiling and laughing at all of the interactions that were taking place below her. The Fae did not forget though, the way mortals had treated her. They had run her out of homes, inns, and even barns, shouting after her claims of being a witch or sorceress. At the time, she of course was nothing more than a simple Fae who had been cast from her court, however now she was so much more. Scanning the room, she let her eyes graze over each of the Coven member, watching as cloaked figures appeared next to each of the girls, their eyes sparkling bright ruby against the black. She knew who had placed them there; it was the same manifestation Nova had made for Marishka right before the sisters stepped through to the marketplace. She smiled softly at the protectiveness Nova showed to all of the women. Despite the indifferent appearance she sometimes gave, the woman was truly amazing. Bonny smiled softly and continued looking around, the vendors and gypsies seeming none the wiser about where they really were. The glamor was working; vendors shouted out calls of their products, encouraging the women to come and inspect their goods, the gypsies danced throughout the stalls, singing and tapping tambourines to the beat of a drum they all carried inside their heads. Watching Nova once more, Bonny leaned forward and studied her movements carefully. The biting of her lip could not have been missed by anyone who would have been watching her at that particular time. She smiled softly, happy that Nova was as well enjoying herself. It was when she picked up the fiddle and began to dance with the gypsies that Bonny was truly captivated. That song, it rang something familiar to her, but she couldn’t place it. Stepping over to the staircase, she found herself drawn in to the music, her mouth shaping to form the words while her hands clapped in rhythm. Swiftly, she descended the stairway and made her way through the crowed as gave a low curtsy to her. She grinned up to her; the words of this song streamed quickly from her lips, the Welsh language replacing English as she began to sing. “Whan fy nghariad woo'd hwn yn gyntaf, nad oedd ond llanc: Frae ei wefusau flow'd y straen o 'perswâd a gwirionedd; ei siwt gwrthodais wi' falchder yn 'disdain, Ond, oh, wad ei fod yn cynnig i ddenu mi eto.” Her words seemed to be laced with the wines that were being served by vendors, intoxicating to anyone and drawing them in close to the pair as her words floated above the crowd and throughout the Coven. As she stood back up, she stepped toward Nova lightly and began a gentle dance around her, their gowns flowing together in a mixture of blacks and white, reds and blues. She laughed whole heartedly now, singing to those who listened and dancing with her sister.

Better off in the Storm
Fiherce : Fiher shook her head and retreated a few more steps. “No thank you.” She nodded her head to the second female that approached but didn’t pause. As their intangible festival picked up in tempo she felt more and more than this was not a place she belonged. The opaque eyes that beheld the sight shifted back to Drak and from her distance surveyed him from head to toe. She had been promised answers if she stayed and she had dallied long enough without a single one, new or old being answered as she was promised. She no longer trusted that they were anything more than the bait to lure her into making a mistake and she was beginning to think she had. If she wasn’t flawed in her observation, there was a difference in his demeanor, or at least she was sure she wasn’t flawed and if she had guessed correctly earlier than the kindred race she had been speaking with was not the dominant, for he was not in the expression and demeanor of the one who spoke to her now. Were they trying to deceive her? Was this a test? Fiher backed up another step and turned for the door, her very substance beginning to shimmer into something as intangible as the festival behind her. She wasn’t sure if those doors were going to open for her but she wasn’t going to take the chance or waiting for them either. Once she got outside she would concern herself with the wind and the storm, which would require her to take on her natural form. This one was too frail for the elements.

Leaving so soon? drakkornoir : Drak could see the dragoness was not going to stay. Everything about her was giving off her distress, from backing up slowly towards the door to the way she kept looking back, to the expression on her face. He saw that she was staring at him. He knew she had sensed something wasn't right, and he could not allow the dragon back up for fear of what might happen. When she finally turned away from him towards the door he realized his choices were now limited. Keep the doors closed and refuse to allow her to leave, and possibly have a very enraged creature in the middle of the faire, or open the doors and hope that with the storm outdoors now buffeting the coven in gale force winds and visibility reduced to zero, she would not go far. If only she hesitated, it might be long enough. He did not make a move to hinder her retreat, but simply stood there and watched her, keeping as much of the same expression as before as he could in order to not betray his real thoughts or actions, which were reaching past the walls around him as he pulled a smaller sphere from his pocket and tossed it toward the wall of the coven. He would have to hope that in all the noise and fervor of the faire and backed by the storm blasting against the doors, she'd never notice the absurdly small sound of the sphere breaking. His other hand he brought over the palm of the first, where with a quick gesture he scrapped the signet ring against the underside of his hand. A quick movement, but it brought the desired result of drawing a single droplet of sanguine fluid to fall upon the signet ring itself. The upside of this would be that with any luck, the doors of the coven just starting to open behind her making for a frigid draft to make him downwind of her, she might never smell that single drop, which he was sure she might have otherwise. The down side, was that same ring tied each of the women of the coven wearing a necklace to feel the instant connection to the ones wearing the ring. Abel, Drak knew, still lingered in that dark state of no readable awareness for them. But they'd sense him, and quite possibly the sense of urgency and serious concern he now held in trying to achieve what the dragon had set him to.

Fire Dancers
Athene : After Athene had gathered almost all of the clothes she could possibly ever want or need, plus the shoes and jewels, she spots the gypsies dancing between each stall with their tamborines. Moving their hips, their hair loose and eyes danceing with their own inner light, Athene was entranced. After about shoveing her items into her helpers arms, she thanked him and asked if he would take it to the second floor bathroom for the moment. She wasn't able to pick out a new room yet so hopefully no one would bother it up there as she did her new room search later. She would put it in Dra-Beast's room, but then she remembers that she doesnt trust him or want to go anywhere near his room ever again. Bringing her thoughts back to the now as her helper goes to drop off everything, Athene smiles at the sound of the tamborine and finds herself closing her eyes, swaying to the music as the beat starts to pump through her head and her skirts start to swirl about her feet. Athene could feel pull of her hidden collar that bounded her to the one man who she utterly dispised more than any she had before. She could feel his urgent need for something and at that, Athene fought hard to not run over and see what was going on; though she hated him, she still felt something deep down from all those times he was so sweet and unsure to her. With a shake of the head, Athene stomps her foot down and says to no one in particular, "NO!". With that, Athene was off; dancing with the gypsies and laughing as she raises her arms high in the air, her dress twisting about her legs as her bare feet tap lightly against the ground while she follows their dance. Spinning in circles with some of the women, danceing against some of guys that came up and got lost in the beat with her, flirted mercylessly with her and she back to them. Her heart pounding its own rhythm as her feet hit the floor matching it as her world seemed to spin out of control and making her let out a happy shout and laugh. Out of control was what she was, unbeknownst to her, Athene's intense emotions tend to make her gifts go crazy and some she didnt even know she had, show up. As she spun, anyone watching her would see the fire that started to dance around her feet aswell, following each footfall and slide that she did with either of her bare feet. Unburnt, she didnt see the ends of her dress flare out and catch fire with each spin but quickly go out when her gown fell back around her feet. Hot, sweating lightly at the exsertion and excitement, Athene was panting for breath when she paused a moment, trying to catch it as she was letting out breathy laughs here and there.

Panic?
NovaGenesis : *The corners of her full lips turned upwards marginally as she swayed to the rhythm. Her doe brown gaze no longer roaming the great hall but instead fluttering closed. Here she was safe. In the walls of her inner self there was nothing to fear. The tune was not one of simple happy handclapping but one she had known for longer than she cared to count. It was the sound that came from deep within her heart as it would unravel to grant brief glimpses into her psyche. Only it could drown out the decades of captivity and the barriers that had been built as a result of them. She had freedom here in the melody that she never truly felt even when she would lose her body to the will of her spirit. Now in this very moment she glimpsed the bliss that always seemed to elude her. Though to be quite honest had she ever truly searched for it? Power yes, knowledge without a doubt, home… She cut off the thoughts and opened her ears to the sound of Bonny’s voice rising and falling in tandem with her strings and the gypsies playing as a background. The symphony seemed to fuel her own magic. Though how could this be? She did not bother to resist it but instead with utter abandon she gave in. Her body no longer was a separate entity from the music but ingrained in it as her form floated along the air drifting to the heights of the gilded ceilings. Inky strands of stray hairs gathered across her cheek as she was now spinning slowly her skirts weaving into Bonny’s as the priestess had not only joined her but now made her melody a harmony of voice and bow against string. The incantation thrummed throughout her as ebon lashes lay lightly across the flush of her mocha cheeks. There in the middle of such festivities her skin tingled with the light caresses of her minions. She smiled warmly knowing that even if the living forsook her the dead would never cease to see her even if all others could not. The gentle stroking had begun to dig into her tender flesh revealing the clawed fingers of the Revenants had gotten wind of her relaxed state. Their hisses seeped through her as they repeated over and over in her head.* “They are coming.” *Shutting her eyes she clenched the fiddle tighter yet found her feet upon the ground. Ignoring their warning she began to pull away from the tune. Once more becoming separate from something that brought her such… joy. She was shaken but would not reveal it until the stone around her delicate neck began to hum with its own energy warming her from head to toe. Her gaze wandered but not before falling upon the graceful bride who had come to dance with them while she remained in a pseudo entranced state. Raising a brow she took quiet note of the flames forming at the dainty feet that danced with the fever that came with defiance. No look of alarm would cross her face as her eyes would seek out the one who had so effectively gathered her attention. She moved forward as if to answer if he had summoned but bumped into one of the gypsy youths. His hazel eyes giving her the type of attention that made her skin crawl… idolatry. She tilted her head as his eyes gave away what he found so utterly distracting that he had not watched where he was going. Twisting her lips slightly she lay the instrument in his hands and swiveled to move past him. She would neither hear nor see as he positioned it and tried to find his way around the fiddle that the bow would repeatedly strike his finger breaking the skin. It was not her concern as the bloodstone was still vibrating and giving off the slightest bit of glow.*

It's best to stay inside
Fiherce : Fiher only looked behind her once more. Whether she heard or smelled anything or not was unclear and she didn’t remark on it nor did her diminishing form seem to take much notice in the blast of air that was let in when the doors were opened. Already in a state of semi physical form the wind only aided in disbursing her into the flurry of snow. Like a fine porcelain doll shattering, Fiher was gone with the hammer hit of that blast. Gone but not gone. The vacuum the door would have created and the resistance of heat to cool air would give her the push she needed in a vortex of confusing elements to thrust her way out in the misted form. Timed right so she did not get lifted up and blown more inland than she wanted to be, Firher had to force another change on the tail of the first but even then she might have remained lost in the snow and gale force as it became a horizontal pattern instead of vertical. How she had formed would most likely have been lost to the average eye. If she was still present might have been lost as well. The snow built quickly in a drift against her forelegs and chest and her great head was lowered against the battering winds. Her tail was curled in and around her body and her wings were tucked in tight but there was no way to face the storm directly for it seemed to pound down from all sizes. A true blizzard and none of it bothered her at all. If one was to watch to landscape from the distance her mist form had blown from the coven, some thirty feet from the door before her bulk had weighed her down enough to cease the rapid movement; they would see mostly a wall of white in which she was perfectly camouflaged. At least until she moved, then it would be possible to see the gleaming metallic and soft blues that decorated her scaled hide as well. Fiher lifted her head into the wind before turning it gracefully to face the still open doors, almost amazed she had fit through them even in the fragile humanoid form. Enough snow had gathered on her back that she shook and buffeted the large wings to make sure the weight didn’t pack them down. Yes, this was much better. She remembered that she had seen a sort of bridge between the coven and the tower. Even with the drifts building around her she didn’t have much difficulty turning and sort of hoped the first few steps, stamping down the frigid buildup around her. Once free of that her head cocked one way and then the other as she observed the strange dwelling from this distance and though slit eyes to keep them moist. Snow was rather dry moisture and even though it was moisture it could dry out her sensitive eyes. Something inside her nagged at her about sleeping to close to the dwelling, but the bridge offered a sort of protection that she would take advantage of. The roof had been a thought, but she didn’t care to take the risk of ice forming on her wings or around her nose and eyes because of the wind so it was the bridge she would find, passing slowly in front of the doors one more, the last part of her visible through them would be the spearhead of her tail. Thus she would stay and rest as she had promised, until the storm blew out and fully recharged she would head in the direction of the coast.

Beware the Tingles
BonnyLorwyn : Bonny was long gone, her eyes glittering with excitement as she twisted and turned her body around Nova’s. Gone were the words from her mouth, the only noises coming from between pink parted lips were those of heavy breathing and laughter. The gypsies moved closer to them, tambourines raised high above their heads while hips rocked to and fro with the rhythm of the songs. Bonny began to mimic them, lifting one arm above her head while the other held her shirt while she danced, her body rocking alongside the other bodies. Nova’s fiddle only enticed her more and more, the music flowing into her mind as her eyes trailed across the bodies. The gold that danced about the gypsy hips was hypnotizing, their soft jingle like set of drums, setting the pace for them. Lost in the mix, Bonny faintly registered the pulsing stone around her neck and upon focusing more, she realized that it, in fact was pulsing strongly against her skin. Turning to look to Nova in alarm, Bonny found that the priestess was already headed in the direction of the Keeper. She stopped her dancing abruptly and followed after, her spinal column getting a slight buzz as the glamour around Athene would begin to break. No one would notice the flames that seemed to leap from the girl, except for a vendor with an array of the finest fabrics. His eyes grew wide at the sight of the fire, and he began panic. The gypsies paid no heed to him as they were lost in their own minds, but other vendors slowly turned their heads, confusion and alarm mingling with each other as they watched the fabric vendor. The terror that rode across his face was something that Bonny had looked past, her eyes locked on the back of Nova’s head as she watched ebony locks of her sister weave between the mortals. Bonny looked back to the vendor briefly, tilting her head before leaving. But the damage had already been done, he had seen the fire and watched as the glamour of the Coven began to pull back and reveal its true nature. Slowly, like paint chipping off of a wall, the glamour peeled and flaked away from the floor. Left behind were patches of the stone flooring, which next to the marbled floor she had manifested in her mind, looked dingy and dull. The buzz in her spine slowly began to spread through her back, trying to warn her against the impending trauma it was about to cause. She shook it off, blaming it on the adrenaline that ran through her body after all of the dancing, but she was more focused on the stone and why it was pulsing.