The Ruby Prince, Lyra though with a smirk, How pretentious.
It was ever a source of amusement for Lyra, to watch these children play at importance when their world was so utterly small. Still, when among children one must play their games, or so Lyra supposed. Now then, who was this 'prince'?
Lowering her glass Lyra began to pay attention to some of the conversations around her. Some were too far away, though a handful were speaking in voices just loud enough for her to overhear. There she focused on, taking a few steps closer.
"So he's a prince now?" a man with a thick mustache was saying, "Are the Daizoku giving themselves titles and I am just hearing of it?"
His companion snorted into his drink, "Seems House Senue really does think highly of themselves. Though I wouldn't think to comprehend what he intends, it would be nice if his vessel house Fillma would open trade with my house again. Our grain stores are running low, and the silk trade has not been doing well this past year."
"As if any of Senue's vassals would think to consort with the likes of us, not after how abysmal House Novalys reputation is of late."
Curious... Lyra wandered away from this group, glancing up as a new name was called from the door. She noted a tension in the air, and someone in that direction rank of nervousness. In fact... Focusing, Lyra could sense several symphonies around her ringing with similar tones. Anxiety, uncertainty, and anger peaked at intervals. This ball, as carefree as it seemed, was a nest of unsettled emotions. Yet why?
"They say House Novalys still refused to stand up to Zaichaer again." A woman whispered as Lyra passed, "Soldiers from the High City were spotted near the border again, and the Daizoku of House Dahshida himself reported the news."
A border dispute? Or was there something deeper going on? Lyra cast her gaze back toward Talon and his family, noting the slight tension they held, despite the smiles they wore. The ballroom as a whole was now suddenly charged with restless energy. There simply was not enough for Lyra to make an assessment. If that was the case...
Lyra found another man who spoke of House Senue to a companion. She heard in his rhythm signs of frustration, though no outright anger. With subtle motions of magic Lyra twined her melodies into his friend's symphony, lowering his interest and raising a feeling of hunger and urgency to be elsewhere. Then she simply waited, poking at those tones until, at last, the man begged forgiveness and excused himself from the conversation. As expected the man who was left rank of annoyance, and in that moment Lyra moved in.
The man was of sturdy build, one who was used to using his hands despite his lavish clothing. He looked down at Lyra in surprise as she appeared, eyes unfocusing slightly as he tried to penetrate the effects of her dress. Smiling Lyra pressed down on his inhibitions, shattering his sense of suspicion and propriety, and grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him down and kissing him deeply. It was a brief thing, but in the seconds they were connected Lyra slipped a portion of her essence into the man, layering with it the powers of Mesmer and giving it a suggestion that would ring in his mind.
What did House Senue think coming here with such disrespect? Did they not know how much trouble they caused? They are not welcome. They should be removed.
These musings were laced with thin tones of frustration and anger and fed off what the man himself felt. Urging him to act, pressing him to do something. Breaking the kiss Lyra smiled and giving him an idle wave before turning and walking away. Already his mind was becoming distracted from her, as he found his eyes focused on House Senue once more.
As she walked Lyra touched and tweaked the melodies of those she passed. Raising the negative emotions, and dampening inhibitions left and right. She did this for both supports of House Senue and House Novalys, smiling to herself as she made her way to the other side of the ballroom where she pulled up a chair and sat, cross-legged and watching as things progressed from there.
It was ever a source of amusement for Lyra, to watch these children play at importance when their world was so utterly small. Still, when among children one must play their games, or so Lyra supposed. Now then, who was this 'prince'?
Lowering her glass Lyra began to pay attention to some of the conversations around her. Some were too far away, though a handful were speaking in voices just loud enough for her to overhear. There she focused on, taking a few steps closer.
"So he's a prince now?" a man with a thick mustache was saying, "Are the Daizoku giving themselves titles and I am just hearing of it?"
His companion snorted into his drink, "Seems House Senue really does think highly of themselves. Though I wouldn't think to comprehend what he intends, it would be nice if his vessel house Fillma would open trade with my house again. Our grain stores are running low, and the silk trade has not been doing well this past year."
"As if any of Senue's vassals would think to consort with the likes of us, not after how abysmal House Novalys reputation is of late."
Curious... Lyra wandered away from this group, glancing up as a new name was called from the door. She noted a tension in the air, and someone in that direction rank of nervousness. In fact... Focusing, Lyra could sense several symphonies around her ringing with similar tones. Anxiety, uncertainty, and anger peaked at intervals. This ball, as carefree as it seemed, was a nest of unsettled emotions. Yet why?
"They say House Novalys still refused to stand up to Zaichaer again." A woman whispered as Lyra passed, "Soldiers from the High City were spotted near the border again, and the Daizoku of House Dahshida himself reported the news."
A border dispute? Or was there something deeper going on? Lyra cast her gaze back toward Talon and his family, noting the slight tension they held, despite the smiles they wore. The ballroom as a whole was now suddenly charged with restless energy. There simply was not enough for Lyra to make an assessment. If that was the case...
Lyra found another man who spoke of House Senue to a companion. She heard in his rhythm signs of frustration, though no outright anger. With subtle motions of magic Lyra twined her melodies into his friend's symphony, lowering his interest and raising a feeling of hunger and urgency to be elsewhere. Then she simply waited, poking at those tones until, at last, the man begged forgiveness and excused himself from the conversation. As expected the man who was left rank of annoyance, and in that moment Lyra moved in.
The man was of sturdy build, one who was used to using his hands despite his lavish clothing. He looked down at Lyra in surprise as she appeared, eyes unfocusing slightly as he tried to penetrate the effects of her dress. Smiling Lyra pressed down on his inhibitions, shattering his sense of suspicion and propriety, and grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him down and kissing him deeply. It was a brief thing, but in the seconds they were connected Lyra slipped a portion of her essence into the man, layering with it the powers of Mesmer and giving it a suggestion that would ring in his mind.
What did House Senue think coming here with such disrespect? Did they not know how much trouble they caused? They are not welcome. They should be removed.
These musings were laced with thin tones of frustration and anger and fed off what the man himself felt. Urging him to act, pressing him to do something. Breaking the kiss Lyra smiled and giving him an idle wave before turning and walking away. Already his mind was becoming distracted from her, as he found his eyes focused on House Senue once more.
As she walked Lyra touched and tweaked the melodies of those she passed. Raising the negative emotions, and dampening inhibitions left and right. She did this for both supports of House Senue and House Novalys, smiling to herself as she made her way to the other side of the ballroom where she pulled up a chair and sat, cross-legged and watching as things progressed from there.
