Open Chronicles The Upper Crust (Romance Among Elites)

[Farzad Oldsummer]

He almost felt that he might've been rude. But that was probably wrong. He might've had a poor reputation but it certainly wasn't for being rude. At least to the best of his knowledge. It was the debt. It was always the debt. He took a harsh bite out of his toffee apple now drenched in bitter tasting wine, his salvation mixing and matching with the red liquor as it dripped in wavey droplets that created makeshift puddles at his feet. He gave a snap of his finger and pointed at Victoria, "See you and me peas in a pod belonging here and not over there and the whatnot." He pointed off into the far distance towards a gathering of common class people. At least, he thought they were, he was unassumingly pointing towards a gathering of the attendants. None of which, his were in.

”Why have you come all the way to Alliria, your ‘majesty?’”
​

He was waiting for it. He wasn't prepared for it. He took out his toffee apple and rolled it around a few times, as if catching the perfume of the natural air to enhance it's flavour. His breath was caught in a gust of cold, creating a breath of sparkles and white. "Honestly. The free food. Plus this was the only way to get my guards to leave me be for a moment." The free food being the free food, and the guards being debt collectors. A lie graced in the truth was all it needed to be. "Of course... Other reasons as well..." There was a few seconds of silence as he asked himself the question, What did I just say? As he gave a wry smile, head cocked to the side, his bandanna still covering his neck luckily.

"You see. I've come here to trade, build contracts and the whosohowsitwhatnot." Mouth. Shut up. He thought to himself as he continued his knowing smile, running the toffee apples caramel sauce along a lip before taking another frightful crunch from the tart fruit. "Afterall, what is a kingdom without relations and trade? And I do need to get rid of some of this bothersome junk." He continued, his brain was slowly leaning the discourse to where it needed to go. He was already this deep in the shit, might as well make use of it.

Rich dumb People buy rich dumb things after all.​

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

It was so easy to fall into step with him; he was an adept lead, charming, no doubt an equally sharp-eyed businessman, adept with his own reach. A soft chuckle slipped past her lips at his own murmur, tilting her chin up ever so slightly as though to hear him better.

"The rumors don't do you justice, my lady. Tell me, are you so shrewd around everyone? Or am I special in some way?"

She pursed her lips slightly as though to think up an answer, but there was one already on her lips. Instead she allowed the music to guide them both, her own steps light, sure within the threads and tempo of the song. She was peripherally aware of others dancing, but the insularity of the act and the movement was far more private than any booth or nook such a streetside distraction provided.

"I'm sure you've heard a great many things," she replied airily, lips twitching slightly in vague amusement. "I prefer observant, however. Intelligence, and those insightful enough to wield it, are a confessed weakness."

She was sure, as he was, to place her hands appropriately; however, there was a slight warming to her own gaze as he spoke once more, giving a slight nod. "I'm sure you say that to all the traders," she commented, her smile a mysterious blend of amusement, humor, and mild self-effacement. "I am not nearly as established as some. I'm sure a man with your experience, and insight, would no doubt know more than I."

Even she knew the limitations of her own experience. She was young, yes, and she was still new within the council and the chartered tradesmen. But she desired so much more than supply of goods. And if the night panned out well, with all the elite coming out to play, she would add a few more strands of commerce within the weave of her proverbial web.

 

[Victoria O'Connor]

Despite her best efforts, she was intrigued by Applewine's response. Trade, contracts, relations, it was exactly why she was here, and likely the reason anyone was at the little brat's celebration anyway. She wondered what a "king of nowhere" could have to trade, but she realized, with painful humility, that her own situation wasn't much better. Greyrock's lands were fertile and they were near enough to the coast that trade routes would be profitable, but her estate was still very much in a second infancy. She had returned to a broken keep surrounded by struggling villages. It had taken decades to restore rule and build local economies to the point that taxation was even worthwhile.

Perhaps she should not have been so quick to judge the colorful fool. She was dressed more appropriately, but she had come to this gathering with little more to offer than promises and charm. "I suppose a kingdom without relations would be like a castle without guests. Just a large, drafty home."

She cast her eyes back to the dancing guests once more, just to keep her true targets within sight. She supposed she should be happy that they were both in one place now... but she could not shake some nagging emotion. She couldn't put her finger on what it was, not yet.

As she turned back to Farzad a few whispers from the crowd stood out. She heard both Tzuriel and Divina's names being mentioned in hushed tones from a number of mouths, and she perked up her ears to listen.

"...both too young. I don't like their new ideas..."

"...so handsome, I wish he'd dance with me like that..."​

"...better watch his back around her, you know she killed both her husbands?"​

​

Victoria was unable to keep her eyebrows from lifting and her expression turning lighter at these last words. Lady Rosenstern, be still my dead heart. She laughed softly under her breath, but turned back to the "king" to cover for herself. "Oh? What junk might that be? I am sure at least one of these merchants would be happy to take it off your hands."

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

She was tactful and talented, just as Victoria was she was a gifted dancer. Some people have all the luck and he felt a bit of pride at being such a person tonight, even given his prior rollercoaster of unbalance and emotion. This was exactly what he needed to help ground him after his reality check by Victoria.

"I'm sure you say that to all the traders,"

He couldn't help but chuckle at this. It was shaping up to be quite the cliche flirting match.
Of course she wasn't wrong, but not all correct either.
"I only say it if it's true. The Rosenstern family came to prominence largely due to your contribution, how else would you have made it to the counsel if you weren't an incredible individual?"
Might not have been totally true, but he first took note of the Rosensterns when Divina was put on the counsel.

"I am not nearly as established as some. I'm sure a man with your experience, and insight, would no doubt know more than I."

He smiled kindly at this and leaned in slightly with a conspirational tone.
"But you never let that stop you... Did you. You are not naive, you earned the experience and skills that you have and now you are recognized for those skills by the counsel"
He couldn't help but add a little more with a crooked smile before he gave her space again.
"And you've been recognized by me."

The slow music was rhythmic and soothing. Some couples simply leaned on one another while they gently swayed with the music. Tzuriel didn't get that intimately close with Divina, but he danced with smooth movements and never took his eyes from hers. He was relaxing by the moment and he could reasonably attribute this to Divina's kind attention to detail in seeing when he was in distress.
For him all of his attention was on her, nobody else exists around them, anything less would be an insult. Only them and the music.

Tzuriel was as much a deviant as he was a gentleman, a seducer as he was a chivalrous man and a charmer. He's been with plenty of noble women and daughters, he had no compunctions when it came to appreciating the female form which is why he's never settled down with one. He suspected that she suspected this about him by her comment and he wouldn't do anything to dispell this idea, it would be insulting to her intelligence for him to pretend that he wasn't a rich womanizing bastard.

He held her in his arms as they danced, not committing one way or the other to either seduce her or give her a chance to get a foothold in him.
As of right now she was still a variable as to what she would respond well to or as to what he would find worthy of his attention.
Competency and ambition could only get one so far, she is impressive but she was still mostly right in her comment that he did say such things to many people even if it was only if it's true.

"Rosenstern... I'm only vaguely familiar with that family. You're in the agricultural goods and produce trade, correct? Or have you other branches?"

 

[Farzad Oldsummer]

He gave a finger gun in agreeance. "Couldn't agree more what with the moats and the bailey's and the all that." He spewed out, it was as if the architecture of his sentence was all wrong. He spoke with confidence from a master speaker with all the ability of a no limbed boxer. Words placed where they shouldn't be. Just as he was in a place he shouldn't be. But that was future Farzad's problem, or King Applewine whichever gave out first.

In the time they had turned around though he had already started fingering his way around the selection again with the toffee apple still lounging in his mouth, with nothing more than a curl of his tongue flicking it back and forth. "Hmmm wonder what this weird fish tail thing is." He muttered as he grabbed from a waste bowel the leftover from what he would've imagined, if he knew what he was handling, was from the waste bowl. He flung it back and forth, entertained by it's idle motions before turning on a heel, by the stark reminder of a customer.

He genuinely seemed like a child at this moment. He blinked a few times, the stick of his apple rolling and turning in his pursed lips as he sniffed, the wagging of the fish tail in hand before it became limp and returned it to the waste bowl. "I was selling something?" He clarified, tone chipped for a minute as he cocked a head before remembering what fat lie he spat out. "Oh right yeah." He dug his hands around his person scraping for what he could find.

He pulled out a few loose pieces, old coins encrusted from ancient times, gemstones cut in ways magic couldn't hope to match and a single thread of silk that shone iridescent but only when the shadows touched it. These odds and ends were gathered in his hands like nothing more than loose change. "I got this stuff on my person? No merchant wants the stuff though..." He dawdled off, remembering his role as King Applewine, "Hard to sell stuff from ancient times. Everyone wants the latest gadgets. What is it? That Tiktok machine? Uses gears?" He paused for a few moments, curling a hand and covering his fine thread of silk. "Oh yea. Grandfather clocks. Towering things. Suppose I also got the inks and paper and the whosahowit." He replied, his pitch was pretty much done, if one could call what amounted to an absurd aberration of merchants cant a pitch.

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

She chuckled at his conspirational words, both brows raising subtly.

"But you never let that stop you... Did you. You are not naive, you earned the experience and skills that you have and now you are recognized for those skills by the counsel"

She leaned forward slightly as well, her own voice silent. "I blame my first husband for that," she answered softly, moving with him with all the lightness and grace of a practiced dancer, blue eyes assessing for any reaction from Tzuriel. That being said.. she was charmed by his directness. So often they tried to spin a web of words, overwrought with the words of men too shallow to dive the depths of true conversation.

Such flowery overtalk made her sick.

"He taught in me a hunger for ambition. His kindness was all a young bride could ask for... too often, an older husband can be unkind. We were not lovers, but... I sometimes miss his council in manners of speaking with men."

It was true, Willem was a charmer, far more adept at speaking to men. Many did not deign to speak to a woman, no matter how established she was. That Tzuriel did was a point in her favor. She did not shy in speaking of her marriages; they were not soured in any way, and even with time she looked on both men with fondness, and nostalgia.

The trouble with nobility was you rarely wed with those you felt any love or passion for. She often wondered if she was even capable of falling in love.

"Rosenstern... I'm only vaguely familiar with that family. You're in the agricultural goods and produce trade, correct? Or have you other branches?"

She smiled slightly, head cocked at his question. "A lady never has one gift to give to the world," she replied with a glimmer in blue eyes. "Wine, yes, and granaries. Furs and silks, ships. But did you know..." she allowed a beat, before speaking again, her voice low, soft, "that mining and new innovations are on their way? If you are ever curious, I'm sure I can perhaps permit an audience."

A dangling lure set on her web, allowing him to take it or leave it as is. He was an intelligent man, he would know an offer when he saw one.

A small part of her was curious, and hoped he would take it. There was something in those eyes... something that talked of a kindred spirit.

 

[Victoria O'Connor]

There it was. He was truly, undeniably, completely mad. The king of nothing, named for the treat he sucked on, coming to sell a few stones and coins and an odd bit of string? She could feel the embers heating up again as she thought about how much time she had wasted on his company. However, as she cast her eyes around, there weren’t many others here that she truly wished to speak to. It would be polite to introduce herself to their host, if she could find him, but there were so many guests that her indiscretion would not be noticed.

Stars were starting to peek out of the darkening sky, shining even past the light of the lanterns. The music carried on without any signs of stopping and the murmur of the crowd only grew louder as more guests joined for late-night revelries.

Again she looked to Tzuriel and Divina, and her expression soured. She could not approach him again so soon, to do so would reveal how desperately her lands depended on his company’s support. She needed time to groom him, to make him realize that the partnership would be in both their interests.

Likewise, she desired to continue her conversation with Lady Rosenstern. Begin her conversation, more like, as it had been cut pitifully short. Victoria’s original motivations had been prurient, but upon learning the woman’s identity she had added strategy and profit to that list. There was no reason she could not enjoy the company of a beautiful woman and help her coffers in the process. Divina had said she would return, but truthfully Victoria did not wish to remain with this multicolored child for much longer.

”Those are quite nice, but if you’ll excuse me, your majesty, I must-” She was cut off by a burst of light and heat to her side. A plume of flame had erupted into the air, and she stepped back with an expression of shock and fear. She quickly muted this into simple surprise, and a voice rang out,

“Flavio the Fire Eater! My Lords and Ladies, watch him defy death and master the elements for your entertainment!”​

A round of applause came from the surrounding crowd as a man in bright red and tight-fitting clothes twirled a torch through the air, tossing and catching it before lifting the end to his lips and splitting another column of fire into the air. Victoria made sure to feign at least mild interest, but she was tense. She hated fire.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

Blue eyes met blue eyes and held them. Their closeness drew whispers from the crowd but they were both above the crowd. Anyone out there would give their left hand to have a piece of the pies that they made. Wealth and commerce blessed them and success followed in their wake.

Internally his heart skipped a beat whenever her fatal gaze examined him, but his face only returned with his own naturally intense stare, equally as calculating, equally as attentive, equally as deadly.
She was rather quick to open up about her late husband. He mentally took note that he should look up more information about her previous marriages, to hear her talk about him he must have been a good man.
"I hope I don't seem too forward, but he was a very lucky man. I admit that I've yet to experience company in such a... Chaste... Format."
Of course he referred to the fact he'd never married and enjoyed many partners over his lifetime.
Not necessarily being of noble blood or birth there was never such a demand that he followed tradition. When his father turned away from the family business in favor of religious pursuits Tzuriel stepped in and turned it into an empire, thus his rise in status caused his parents to lose any jurisdiction over his life and any ability to influence or arrange his future.

"A lady never has one gift to give to the world," she replied with a glimmer in blue eyes. "Wine, yes, and granaries. Furs and silks, ships. But did you know..." she allowed a beat, before speaking again, her voice low, soft, "that mining and new innovations are on their way? If you are ever curious, I'm sure I can perhaps permit an audience."

An offer, a deal in the middle of a dance. She was shrewd, a woman after his own heart. It wasn't easy to top that, most noble daughters were simply eager to get him alone, perhaps seduce him into making their conniving father's wealthy father-in-law's. He's broken hearts but the choice was always theirs, he couldn't be blamed for keeping things in perspective and his commitments business related.
"Quite a profitable array of products, for Rosenstern. Even mining you say? You've quite expertly grabbed my attention without flashing cleavage in my face, I'm thoroughly impressed!"
He grinned teasingly at her but his eyes remained passively reading her reactions. He WAS impressed, but it was her mention of silk that truly grabbed his attention. He had an import of silk from the Eastern Continent, but if her company produced silk on its own it would prove far cheaper than buying overseas.

The music ended and disappointment crossed his face. He loathed to move away from her warmth, but he did so and gave her a low bow.
"You've honored me, Lady Rosenstern. Thank you for dancing with me, I feel much better. But I feel I've taken up enough of your time, even if it was freely given. A Lady O'Connor inquired about you and I imagine seeks an audience. But if you will indulge me I would love to speak with you later?"
He left the question in the air and was about to escort them away from the dance area when a gout of flame erupted not far away. Instinctively he moved himself in front of Divina only to chuckle when he realized it was merely more entertainment.
He turned to her and took her hand gently in his, pressing his lips to the back of her hand without breaking eye contact.
"Later, my lady. The night is young, and so are we. I would tell you to be cautious, but you already know that."
He meant Victoria O'Connor when he said that... His way of warning without betraying one he hoped was a friend. He gracefully turned and disappeared back into the crowd seeking a drink and a certain client that he was supposed to meet.

 

[Farzad Oldsummer]

His hands balled up, there was a strike of ennui in those eyes. An emptiness. Even the rich don't appreciate the ancient things. He thought to himself with a shake of his head, his toffee apple centered as his tongue held it in place, stick slapping both sides of his lips creases. Low they will become this soon enough. Forgotten relics that no one will dare to give a second look. He continued, a forlorn thought striking him as he plopped his treasures back into his pockets.

The flames engorged a small portion of the stage and with it encapsulated their thimble of a world.
"Eh. If you don't buy them more for me." He replied in tandem with the boiling display.
Mischievous. In nothing more than an action and a turn. He became an incarnate of activity.
​

He gave a poor and rushed bow, legs barely crossed before he moved in a dodging step over towards the table of treats and goodies. From everything he had done he should've been eyeing the toffee'd apples again. But he seemingly had lost interest, moving a few of the display platters across and even one of them onto the floor. The one with the weird tail fancy feast piece. He turned a head and watched around him, not many people were seemingly busy with paying attention to the jester that acted as if he met as equals. They had, quite enough of his antics for the most part.

Though soon they would realize. The dear man had yet to even start plying his trade.
​

He pulled out three things. A small brush, each hair laced and lavished with a vivid display that put himself to shame, as if he had condensed a rainbow into nothing more than a square, and with it a small vial of ink. Red. Pure red. The sort of red that would put the flames of youth to shame with it's passionate and bold colour. Finally, something off. Something different. It stank old and faint. A very small thread of paper no larger than the width of his palm, stinking of something burnt, something pungent and something off. Not off like decaying meat, but off as if it didn't belong in the world. Magic was often so strange like that.

He cracked his fingers, the brush rolled between each fingers like a master musician might twirl their bow or instrument. He matched their skill and than some with nothing more than an idle flourish. "It's an Tra for sure..." He whispered to himself as he dipped nothing more than the faintest tip of hair into the vial of ink and slashed his hand with the motion of a swordsman, each direct cut of ink filling and making sharp yet curvaceous geometric lines.

Tra
"Maybe something serpentine? No... No I know. A swarm."
Tra Kurane
"Than... Than I want it to be seen..."
Tra Kurane Jurade
​

His parchment was small, barely fitting the words as he turned his head to look around. It wasn't to pay attention. He had lost himself really in his art. He turned to look as the flames smith kept up his act. Farzad's mischievous smile grew giddy and dim witted. He looked at the fire. Than to the clouds. He took a deep breath. He turned from the table and stared coldly at the fire. Deeply, as if he was learning it, watching how each blob of dancing inferno rolled and twisted with it's dancing partner of smoke and air. He brought the paper up to his mouth and whispered.

Is this a good idea?​

Farzad, have we ever had a good idea.

No I... I suppose we haven't.​

So why start now?

Tra Kurane Jurade
​

And with little more than a hushed whisper, the magic rattled. It was faint; subtle. He needed it like that. Invisible powers unseen and he hoped unnoticed moved towards the flame twirler as he consumed the bolt of fire heaving in and out. And in the space of an in to an out came a grand display. The blobs and plume that were repeated like an off-beat metronome occasionally twisting with the subtle motion of their body became something new. Something vivid.

At first, it was an insect. A few wayward bugs of bold burning embers emerged and danced between each other, nothing more than an off spectacle. Than as the shape of fire twisted to an ovular egg as the very last heated cusp and motion of flame twirled and shaped. It happened. The cocoon of flame burst out into a spectacle of colliding and dancing butterflies, filling the grand debut as they spread outwards an almost perfect circle formed around the debutantes as they bounced and bounded with fanciful beats of their wings.

Finally they met their crescendo, twisting and twirling as if they courted amongst themselves the spectators nothing more than idle scenery to them, their flushed flames ascended high in a stringy upwards bolt of motion, illuminating first the lantern level in a halo of orange, than danced at the tips of the tallest buildings in a haze of yellow, before the sky itself became glittered with a thousand exploding stars, the butterflies bodies hanging high in the sky as nothing more than false ember dots and forgotten smokey trails.

"Hehe... Dat was fun." He mumbled under his breath as he took another, long suck at his toffee apple.​

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

She gave a light smile in return for his easy banter; it seemed he was not the type to lean or hover possessively; like the string of lovers he had left in the wake of his lifetime no doubt could confirm, he was a man that any fair young maiden would break her heart over gladly. Divina, however, had been stripped of any such romantic notions some years ago. Though she was charmed and beguiled by his own guileless persona, there was curiosity piqued as well.

"Quite a profitable array of products, for Rosenstern. Even mining you say? You've quite expertly grabbed my attention without flashing cleavage in my face, I'm thoroughly impressed!"

Blue eyes flashed with rare amusement, present and very much lively in their keen observance. "Oh, would baring skin have snagged attention as well? I suppose for some conversations, it might become a topic of interest." Her lips twitched, the barest hint of a pearly smile touching full, soft lips. "A charming thought, in its' own way. Perhaps it might even become the norm."

"You've honored me, Lady Rosenstern. Thank you for dancing with me, I feel much better. But I feel I've taken up enough of your time, even if it was freely given. A Lady O'Connor inquired about you and I imagine seeks an audience. But if you will indulge me I would love to speak with you later?"

She opened her mouth as though to ask about the lady in question; she hadn't forgotten the mysterious femme, but there was something of his eyes. Courteous, yes... yet something lurked within them. A knowing. He knew something. She dipped her head once, but lofted a brow at the sudden turn he did at her defense to...

A pyrotechnic display?

She blinked once... and then the smile warmed ever so slightly. "I would be delighted," she agreed.

"Later, my lady. The night is young, and so are we. I would tell you to be cautious, but you already know that."

It was that quote that caught her attention. Sharp, dissecting gaze razed across his own, allowing the warmth of his lips to her hand. "The night is never a still nor simple affair," came her own quiet response.

She knew.

How, or of what, would remain a mystery to him, but she knew something of the lady in question. And as he melted into the crowd once more, she did not linger, but returned, stepping towards the lady in question with an incline of her head.

"I beg your pardon, my Lady. There was a rare opportunity for business... I'm sure you know what it means to gain connections." Despite the warm smile, those blue eyes assessed with as sharp an observance as ever.

In fact, it was as though the lady Victoria alone held her entire attention, of keenest kind. And even noted the flinch in the face of fire.

Interesting.

 

[Victoria O'Connor]

She could feel the heat of the dancers’ flames, and while it would be exhilarating for the guests, it was scorching to her. The brilliant light dazzled her sight, and the sweeping plumes of fire stirred an emotion that she despised: fear. Her curse had its pleasures, chief among them being near unending existence. The things that could truly end her were few and far between, but fire was one of the most odious. It required no skill, no besting of wits or strength, it needed only fuel.

She took a step back but the crowd had gathered in close. Unless she wanted to draw scrutinizing eyes she was trapped, and so she stood, her face diligently set in a quiet acceptance of the act. To anyone watching, she may even appear to be enjoying the display, although she could not hide the tension in her neck whenever a fireball came too close.

"I beg your pardon, my Lady. There was a rare opportunity for business... I'm sure you know what it means to gain connections."

The voice was honeyed in a way that had most certainly ensnared its share of flies. Smooth, measured, undeniably lovely to the ear, it caused a moment’s stirring of even Victoria’s cold chest.

She looked over quickly, perhaps too quickly if she were trying to hide her happiness that Divina had indeed returned. The fake smile melted seamlessly into a true and pleasant curving of her lips as red eyes met blue.

And what a blue they were. “Piercing” was too often used to describe eyes that were dull as dirt, but the moniker fit these to the letter. They cut through Victoria like icy blades and she found herself, momentarily, disarmed by them. The beautiful ones were dangerous.

”But of course,” she replied, ”A night such as this promises many such chances, and we must grasp what we can.” Her attention was yanked back to the flames as a marvelous shimmer of burning insects took to the air. It was far more than a simple fire-eater or pay-for-play mage, and even she had to admit it was quite beautiful.

She returned her face to Divina, looking down to meet her gaze. ”I do thank you for your time in that regard, Lady Rosenstern, for I should so like to make…” her eyes obviously swept Divina from head to toe and back again, “...connections.”

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

He indeed felt much better, his former gloom forgotten. Validation went a long way with Tzuriel, and being approached by two beautiful and powerful women in one night gave his ego a much needed boost.
He weaved through the crowd of nobles, some recognized him and attempted to snare him into conversation but he had a commitment to keep.
He slipped through the crowd till he came to a sitting area, filled with tables and booths where people gathered for important conversation, though many people ate there as well.

Tzuriel scanned the area till he spied the client he was meant to meet, though he wasn't difficult to spot at all. A black haired man dressed in white noble garb seated alone in a booth.
Ryado had been wrong, this man didn't show any signs of coming here to enjoy himself.
Keeping that in mind he sad down across from him before making introductions with a friendly handshake.
"Saben Strahd? I'm Tzuriel Alanthis, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Saben returned with a firm handshake and a stoic nod.
"Likewise. I've been waiting for you, but they say your company has the most reliable caravans on the market."
Tzuriel raised his eyebrow at this. So this was a delivery job, and if it had to go through Tzuriel directly then it must be supremely important.
"I'm listening..."

 

[Farzad Oldsummer]

Welp. He had achieved his goal.​

Made a good impression?

I'd like to think so.​

Provisionary food collected.

Check.​

Sold our wares?

In a sense, yes. In another. Not really.​

He popped another toffee apple, he could feel his belly swell as he waltzed along the table. He could feel his night meeting it's end and as Divinia returned to engage in her courtly duties, Farzad felt best to leave. He had made his milage. He had taken a belly full of sweets, engaged with only the fanciest of people under the moonlight and got to test the mettle of his magic. He didn't bow his way from the courting ladies, instead merely rolled the toffee apple in his mouth, ran a finger along the table collecting and taxing the scores of these overindulged bounties and filled and lined his pockets like a hoodrat with coin.

He was on the cusp of it all circling around the room at the very tiptoe edge of the galah. He had come to one of the escape routes though it was no good. A recognized face. He couldn't put a name to it though he betted if he could recognize it he likely owed them money.

And in a city like this ones debts are never small.
​

It was as he came to a third exit he heard the whispers. It sounded dangerous. Mysterious. And most pressingly, maybe a safe passage outta town. He curled around the booth only once or twice. Look like some lost puppy. It was easy to imitate. Even easier to be when you had the touch of wanderlust in your eyes like a balding man had the look of desperation. It didn't take long before he settled himself a little ways out. Standing just close enough to pry, but far enough away to seem like someone watching the displays of the pyrotechnics that had so far lost a lot of it's splendour with Farzad's helpful touch.

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

A small smile touched her lips at the woman's icy demeanor melting. Perhaps she was a bit dense around the more illustrious crowd, but even she could read body language. The tension, the flash of subtle fear. The tightness of jaw easing into a warm smile, the curve of lips being an inviting warmth. The colorful gentleman, it seemed, had moved on, a brief stab of regret touching her mind.

He seemed such a diverting fellow, easy to dismiss for many. But there breathed and whispered a taste of old magic, a whisper of something she had felt before.

Something that spoke like her first husband's death. He perhaps knew something of magic, of runes. But for now there was Victoria, a woman that asked about her.

Now, either the woman had impeccable taste, or wanted something of Divina. Or perhaps both, who could tell.

”I do thank you for your time in that regard, Lady Rosenstern, for I should so like to make…” her eyes obviously swept Divina from head to toe and back again, “...connections.”

And there it was. Her lips turned into a sly grin, head tilted ever so slightly. "Why, my lady," she replied quietly, her voice a light lilt. "I don't know whether to be pleased, or ingratiated, by such fine company. How may I possibly make up for such a desire?"

She offered her arm to the woman, her gaze never leaving her own. The Black Widow was tapping the threads of her web again, and this beautiful moth of the night was fluttering closer. Delicate beauty with an intense, contained intelligence with ferocity.

She was intrigued, and keen for information.

 

[Victoria O'Connor]

Vampire hearts were peculiar things, sometimes they beat, and sometimes they didn’t. Victoria could only speak for herself in this regard, for the affliction seemed to manifest itself in a myriad of ways. For her, it was almost as though her body, at times, remembered what it used to do. Sometimes she breathed, sometimes her heart beat, and sometimes she felt a shiver run down her spine.

Hearing Divinia’s words caused her chest to flip a few beats in excitement, and she felt her tainted blood run more vigorously. The pyromancers continued their dangerous dance, but she did not react this time. The blue eyes had cooled the air and she no longer resented the heat.

"How may I possibly make up for such a desire?"

How indeed, she thought to herself, and she took the lady’s arm with a purposeful step forwards. She stood half a head above the deep brown locks and she pulled in close, silken gloves over the fine fabric of the Divina’s coat. ”Come. Speak with me. Have a drink.” She gestured to the sitting area at the other side of the crowd. ”And please, call me Victoria.”

As they maneuvered through the sea of wealth Victoria’s heightened senses took in the woman in better detail. Her warmth was lovely, the blood ran hot with youth and passion. Her graceful movements were seen through the darkness with perfect clarity and Victoria noted everything from how her hips gently swayed to how her hair bounced softly over her shoulders. Even her scent was pleasing. Victoria had always preferred women, perhaps for the very qualities she adored in Divina. As much as her parents had tried, she never took quite the same fascination with men. She could appreciate a handsome face, of course, but it rarely went further than that.

And speak of the devil, there was Tzuriel. He sat with a rather severe looking man in shockingly clean garments. More business, she wondered? She had spent but a few minutes with the man, but it was enough to learn that young master Alanthis would likely still be dancing with maidens if given the choice. Time enough to make her arrangements with him, Divina was her only concern for the time being.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

The two men were like night and day. Tzuriel with his black garb, and Saben with his white clothes. But both of them possessed the same expression for business.
Simultaneously reading each other while only showing the other what he wants them to see.
"My lady bade me to deliver some items to her brother while here in Alliria, but he appears to have found his way all the way to Vel Anir in the time it took us to arrive. We're not heading that way but it's imperative that he receive this shipment as soon as humanly possible, and we require a guaranteed delivery."
Tzuriel nodded thoughtfully. Naturally this man was vague, this was neither the time or place to deal in details with so many ears about.
Tzuriel leaned back in his seat, an easy smile spread over his face.
"I'm intrigued. Naturally I'm the best option available for a secure delivery, the roads have their dangers both natural and malicious, even with my organization accidents happen. But come to my office two days from now and we will discuss the details."
Saben nodded and motioned over a servant bearing a tray of wine. Both men took a glass and toasted.

Spoiler: Victoria O'Connor

Over the edge of his glass Saben's eyes suddenly snapped to Victoria. Even when he lowered his glass he didn't move his dark eyes from her face. He flashed a grin, but not one of mirth, one of invitation to kindred as he revealed his fangs to her from across the way.

"I'm sure we'll come to a profitable arrangement. My lady has given me the means to negotiate for her. House Armon would be in your debt no doubt."

Tzuriel downed his glass of wine.
"Indeed, sir Strahd. Until then, I will return to the celebration if you don't mind."
They exchanged pleasantries and Tzuriel got up and once again disappeared into the crowd. But Saben remained where he sat, sipping his glass of wine.

 

[Farzad Oldsummer]

Where smiles flashed. He gave his own.
Where devils danced. Farzad was to be an imp on shoulders.
As seen as he had been, for a moment he saw the unseen.
​

He was on a heel as he smiled that gleeful thing. A smile of a million shades of nasty and mischievous. Vampires often have such a way with power. Farzad thought to himself as his vision watched and waded through the crowd, following this seeming attractive man and where it landed.

Victoria.​

The ethereally pale cold to the touch and disinterested woman. Who seemed to have mastered that gait of royalty. Often they do Farzad. It seems often they do. He became almost apoplectic with giddiness. Who else here was a vampire? Was this why the wine was so foul tasting? His interest had been pulled right back into the waning night. The night might be over, but the dawnbreak was still yet to come.

He waltzed through the crowd with a disturbing mark of distance. Most people kept themselves a few feet away from Farzad, his eyes not helping the fact since they had twirled colour to a almost neon gold, the tune of magic in the air an off-played violin. It was all so pleasant but something was untuned, not quite right in the night. At least, he thought so his mind a playscape of imagination as he went back to the wine bar. He was like a bloodhound as he came to the deep red drinks. Was that what was wrong? Was it blood? If so what animal? Was it people? Were they so nefarious that they hoodwinked this entire galah? Was everyone here a vampire? Was he nothing more than a sheep playing in the den of wolves? If people what sort? Rich? Poor? Drug addicts?

"Slllluurrrpppp. Tsskkaahhhh." He was rather audible, his eyes narrowed, rolling the wine in his mouth a few times, a gargle before a swallow. "Nope just shit wine." Well that was rather disappointing. He cupped the pole of his toffee'd apple in his fingers and pulled it out, the thing an unbalanced mace betwixt digits as he took in a deep of air, releasing the cold vapours and crystals like a poor mimicry of a detective with a fat cigar. "Welp there goes that detective murder mystery." He said profoundly to himself, plopping his apple back in his mouth as he patted his hands with satisfaction.

"Case closed."
​

He monologued to himself as he scanned back through the crowd. He might've gone on a tangent, but he still had a job to achieve. And the easiest way to do that, was to get on the first caravan that Tzuriel fellow had outta town. It was nothing more than luck that as he swept his eyes through the gathering of people he caught vision of the man. He paused for a few moments. "Now... How do I approach this..." He muttered beneath his breath, this would require, tact, skill and patience. Two of which he didn't have considering the whole time he kept unbroken eye contact with his golden ticket.

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

The strains of music were light, lilting in the atmosphere. The night was transitioning from the hour more suitable for children, to an hour where revelry became a little less guarded, a little less held together. You could hear it in their laughter, see it in the way limbs moved with less care, more abandon. But it seemed more than one predator stalked in their midst.

Divina merely smiled graciously as the woman stepped up. She had stepped into her web, the willing mistress of the night. No doubt she'd had her fill of intrigues.

Divina would not waste time for intrigues. Her focus was far more singular and intense. Namely, the delectably charming Victoria O'Connor. Such a name stood out from the many, for certain, but she could not pinpoint an O'Connor brand anywhere in market. Indeed, were she not a titular Lady of her own right Divina might have suspected another pauper in her midst.

"Victoria," she nodded along, head held high as their arms were linked. She was cool to the touch, even through the layers of their jackets. Her skin had a pallor to it that spoke more of time devoid of sun, and her mannerisms... though for now she maintained a distinct air of minimal judgement, seeming to be content to walk arm in arm with the lady in question.

"I must ask..." she began quietly, her voice a low, hushed aside to her companion. "What is a lady of your fine caliber doing here? Surely you would find far better in the Allirian keep than amongst..." her gaze panned across the crowd, passively seeking a face. But they blended amongst the crowd once more.

"...drunken louts and small time merchants."

 

[Victoria O'Connor]

Confidence and pride, these were commonplace among her kin. Such things were well earned, for rarely would they get into any real trouble. Here and there were fools who found themselves taken advantage of and on the business end of a stake, but they were careless. Victoria was not careless... but then again, no one ever thought themselves the fool.

She did realize that she was dealing with one of the sharper examples of humankind. Hypnosis was an old trick, but Victoria had not even attempted its use here. While she would take great pleasure in winning Miss Rosenstern over on her own, she truthfully did not think her powers would work on the noble anyway. She had seen the intelligence and will behind those eyes, and both would not be easily dominated.

She felt other eyes on her. Cold eyes. As her own gaze drifted lazily across the crowds Saben’s face stood out like a beacon. Well, well, how very interesting. She shouldn’t have been surprised, this was a prime hunting ground. Classy people gathered together after dark, inebriating themselves and looking for time alone with handsome strangers? It was almost too easy. She nodded back to him in subtle acknowledgement before hearing Divina’s question. As for Tzuriel, she had even more questions for him now.

She laughed quietly and politely, and squeezed the woman’s arm just a bit tighter. ”You flatter me. In truth I have not been to Alliria in some time, but the high courts can be so very dull, this seemed a much better use of my visit.” A half truth. She did enjoy the royal courts, but she needed to improve her land’s financial standings before seeking those out.

She led them to a small table where they could continue their conversation. ”And you do yourself a disservice, Lady Rosenstern. From what I have heard you are no small time trader.” Just before reaching the table she stepped in front of Divina to face her. She stood half a head higher than the lady, and kept herself close as she looked down at her. ”I doubt I would find better company in the palaces of Oban. Besides, the drunken louts add some fun to the air, don’t you think?” There was a flare of devious suggestion in her eyes before she stepped back and offered the lady a chair.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

He wandered about for a little bit. This time he allowed himself to be diverted by others who sought his attention, Nobles seeking favors, their daughters seeking an opening, their mothers trying to set them up, he was adept in dealing with this sort of diversion and tactfully sidestepped their intimate advances. Though he did honor a few more with short dances it wasn't long before he noticed that eccentric older man watching him.

By this time he was a little curious about him. Eccentric or simply out of place? It was difficult to tell. After he finished the his dance with a big busted blonde he made his way over to the older man.
"Greetings, I don't believe we've been acquainted. I'm Tzuriel Alanthis, owner of the Alanthis Trade and Co. I noticed you speaking with Lady Rosenstern earlier but didn't find a good opportunity to introduce myself."

He gave the man a good natured smile and offered his hand to shake. Upon closer inspection the man seemed to have a huge arsenal of items in various places on his person which drew Tzuriel's eye.

 

[Farzad Oldsummer]

Their eyes matched each other. Farzad's smile grew wide with mirth as he watched the man pace towards him. Ahaha. My plan exactly. He lied to himself with cocky bravado. Now where to go from here. He thought to himself, he rolled the toffee'd apple in his mouth with a curl and than gave the man a poorly executed bow.

"Sup, I'm King Applewine."
...
Freaking. Flawless Farzad.
​

He went in for a fist bump, opening his palm at the last second to give the man a hearty, if a little over enthused handshake. He held it there for a beat or two longer than he should have, a gleaming smile that spoke of too much confidence. Cold. Too cold. It was in those crucial seconds he waited for it. Or at least, the absence of it. Yeap. There's not a single beat. He clarified to himself before taking his hand away. "You know. Tzuriel Alanthis, can I call ya Alanthis? Where I'm from more traditional." He insisted, outstretching his web of lies piece by piece.

He ran a finger through his mottled hair beneath his pointed hat, pulling out a few tendrils and wrapping it around his finger. "I accidentally, sorry about this by the by. Overheard you talking about caravans? And that you.... Like..." He rolled his hand for emphasis. "Can move stuff?" He asked, he moved a little closer to whisper, intentionally making himself seem more vulnerable all the while with his free hand pointing towards the servant corral.

"See. Let me be frank. Honest even." He waved a hand around the people gathered around turning on the ball of his heel to stand next to his one way ticket outta town. "I've sorta came here to get away from it all? Ya know. See the world." He looked to the man as equals, as if his plight was a common daily occurrence. "But these prudes. Are making it quite the hassle. So, I wanna ask. Man to man." He cupped his hands, rolled his wrists than pointed. "Can yo smuggle me outta here so my servants don't catch me? I'll owe ya one champ."

 

[Divina Rosenstern]

Her lips twitched at the woman's responses. For certain, there was some charm to others short-comings, and watching them unfold. She often stood to one side, observing silently the rush and activity of so many little nothings from so many little nobodies who fancied themselves so important. Though Victoria was a kind hostess, allowing her her seat, there was something of the mysterious about her. Admittedly Divina knew nothing of the O'Connor name, and she took great pride in knowing people of import, or of trade.

As for their other mystery guest, it was strange. He was no doubt adept in some degree with magic... and yet he seemed as supposedly guileless as a child. And no doubt just as dangerous if left unsupervised. But for now she would stay with this lady, pry out slowly the many secrets that wrapped around her as obvious as shawls.

There was something about the woman, a prickle of the predatory amidst the beauty.

"Don't tell me you weren't here merely to admire people's constitutions in the face of limitless drink," she replied, her voice almost sounding like a rebuke. And yet... blue eyes glimmered with a thin mist of amusement, full lips twitching as well to suppress a smile.

A verbal sparring partner, at least, was a wonderful diversion.

 

[Victoria O'Connor]

"Oh, no," she said, accepting a glass of dark wine from a passing server who offered drinks to the both of them, "I came here to see if any one was worth my time. There are conversations to be had and riches to trade, but I am afraid I can be... selective, about my partners." Her eyeline fell to the necklace Divina wore around her neck, and her stomach felt tight as she counted the pulses of her jugular. She again fell into the cool blue pools. "The limitless drink merely helps narrow it down," she cooed in a smooth, almost warm tone.

Then she leaned forwards just a bit, bringing herself closer to the pretty face and giving the illusion of a more private conversation. "I am pleased to find another woman of substance. I believe we have much to offer one another, if you will indulge me."

In her periphery, she tracked Tzuriel. His afflicted acquaintance was in the back of her mind, although she had not felt him approach, and she couldn't quite make out who Tzuriel was talking to... no. The strange, multi-colored man from before? How did he keep finding his way into her evening? As much as she wished to be disdainful, her curiosity was steadily growing.

Movement caught her eye to the left, and her red globes swept to meet it. A small group of other guests were speaking quickly and looking back and forth from Victoria to Divina and back to their own stupid fellows.

"It would appear the rumor mill is still hard at work." She looked sidelong at the Lady, wondering for her reaction. As far as the redhead was concerned this was excellent news. Anything that got her name into the right mouths was good at this point. And if her lovely companion wished for them to stop talking, well... she was getting hungry.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

Certainly eccentric. Well, it didn't matter how much of what the older man said was true or not, true to his profession it's what was in his purse that mattered. But still he greeted him like they were old friends, emphasizing his name loudly to the listening crowd as if the introductions never occurred.
"No harm no foul, Farzad! It's been too long! I quite understand the need to get away at times, which is why I'm a merchant instead of a noble! My time is my own and no one can say otherwise!"
He took up the older mans unconventional mannerisms and elbowed him meaningfully in the arm with a wink. The opening show concluded he lowered his tone and went on conversationally with Farzad still as though they'd known each other their whole lives.
"Believe me, there's nothing like the open road with nothing between you and a quick death but a bit of canvas and a sword! Or on the open seas with nothing but a boat and a harpoon to fight off the shallow water Kraken! Your pick, my friend, and I can rescue you from the hum drum of the noble life! If you're in trouble of course you know you can always afford me, anything for a friend!"

He kept a friendly smile, but the underlying message in his words were in the way he emphasized them.

Spoiler: Merchants Gab

There's the open road or the open seas. Your pick, if you can afford me.

As they shook hands he put his other arm around his shoulder and led them towards the edge of the crowd so they weren't so surrounded.
"Naturally we can discuss this later though, are you enjoying the party? seems like there's not enough these days, so much talk of empires and war markets, too little time to take a load off and simply enjoy good company."

_________________________________________​

When a server baring a tray crossed their line of sight, Saben was suddenly not seated, in fact he seemed to have vanished entirely which is impressive considering how much he stood out in his white outfit.

 

[Farzad Oldsummer]

Tsk...
Sonofabitch...
​

Well well well. Just like a game of poker, this man just played an ace. Half way to twenty two. He thought to himself as the metaphor he internally thought was lost on him. Well two can play this game. Time to chuck down... He narrowed his eyes as he wrapped the arm around him. Merchants cant wasn't his fortay, but seemingly even the common language was somewhat lost on him from the way he fluttered about this night. A go fish.

He matched the mans smile, though his seemed more like a stressed and unraveled slinky that just so desperately wanted to be pulled back into it's natural curl."Ahhhhhhhhhh why of course. Luckily we know your prices are affordable. Unlike others who might bleed me dry." He retorted back, taking a few seconds to figure out his next line, the geras clearly moving behind partially jaded eyes, though a thimble of something enjoying the challenge sat in those swimming eyes of gold. "Though it does sound great the open ocean. Maybe go fishing. But those Krakens, can't go biting off more than I can chew." He finally sputtered out. His tongue in this game lacked any refinery, his mind unable to think up stringy lines of dialogue. The best he could do was try to play it subtle though without grace. Which matches his attitude through the whole night.

"No... No you are right my dear, dear friend." He replied, rolling the toffee apple back and forth, he was simmering. He had the whole night to get this one way ticket outta town. "Let's discuss leaving after the night is done. As for the party, the fireshow could be a little better. The wine too. But the candies." He finally took one last suckle, than a harsh and hardy bite of the apple and pulled it out. "Delectable by it's purest definition. Tell me who supplied them I'll need to get a supply for the boat trip."