Gamgi Kholodno~~

Adopted by the Mistress? That can't be right. My eyes narrow suspiciously and I watch the girl leave. Lady Sitaara pur Keteque died years ago, and she only had one child--her son, Aakash pur Keteque.  She vanishes with the boy into a closet, then they reappear, the boy wearing different clothes.

So they're evidently not supposed to be here. I decide to keep an eye on them. If it comes to it...well, I have a loaded pistol in my boot, and I've been a Sanukan soldier for a good number of years now, one of the highest-ranking ones. They'll not harm anyone on my watch.

I drift over towards a group of Nobyls. Their eyes all simultaneously light up when they see me. 

"You must be the Sanukan representative!" A woman exclaims. "Why, I've never met a Sanukan before. Tell me, do all Sanukan women refuse to wear dresses, or is that just you?"

"Sanukan culture places intelligence and logic above physical appearance," I reply, in a kind voice. Unlike you stupid Nobyls*, I think sourly. "What might be your names? I am Lieutenant General Gamgi Kholodno, Head of the Sniper and Recon Unit of the Sanukan Army."

The Nobyls look impressed at the long title. "That sounds important," The woman from before says. "I am Lady Mora pur Zaraon, and this is Lady Laini pur Derefoni." The woman next to her curtsies. Lady Mora is wearing an outfit with many blue and white pom-poms, while Lady Laini is wearing something that I think mimicks an arctic hare, though it's hard to tell.

"A pleasure to meet you," I say.

"The pleasure is ours, I assure you," Lady Laini says. Her voice is much more mature and regal than Lady Mora's. "Why speak to us, Ms. Kholodno? I did not think the Sanukans supported an oligarchy."

"We do not, though I imagine Kyngdom will not have an oligarchy much longer. But that is besides the point," I explain. "I apologize for being so straightforward and ruining the atmosphere, but I came to discuss possible funding for the Sanukans. You would, of course, be gifted with the finest Sanukan luxuries--expensive pine wood, ice dragon scale jewelry, Nanulian-woven dresses, Sanukan shepherds to join your packs of hunting dogs...and much more."

Lady Laini seems only vaguely interested, but Lady Mora seems extremely excited. "Why, that sounds wonderful! I may not be the Head or Heir of the pur Zaraons, but I assure you I will provide funding and supplies."

"Eruoja enäkr, Lady Mora."

Lady Mora looks flattered. "A Sanukan thank you! How kind, Ms. Kholodno."

~~~ 

*I don't mean any offense towards anyone who plays a Nobyl character--Gamgi just doesn't like Nobyls. There have been some really cool Nobyls who weren't foolish or ridiculous, like Lily and Rose/Karune pur Lamour, Saralayah (mighta misspelled that) pur Arthi, and Aakash pur Keteque. And Mina pur Courageoux!

---

With the careful eye of a connoisseur, Valerie had picked out her outfit for tonight. There were important people here, here to discuss important matters. Valerie hadn't been sent an invitation, a little spoiled Mer kid wasn't wanted, but she would be there! And she was dressed to impress!

An elegant purple dress that resembled an orchid, a cow skull mask with hanging purple gauze and orchids, and an extravagant feathered headpiece. Valerie had pretty much been born yesterday (her town had been relatively sheltered from Catastrophe and all the crazy worldwide events), but she knew how to be classy!

The extravagance of the hall stunned her. She had never been anywhere like this. But clearly, the people here had. Oh, they looked like they were used to this.

Right, Nobyls or whatnot. Mer really only mattered during the huge power of fin fiasco, and then people pretty much left us alone.

Spotting a strange looking person, Valerie walked over, careful not to trip on her dress. They were dressed in the Sanuka style - at least Valerie thought it was the Sanuka style. She was a little rusty on geography.

"Hello, who might you happen to be?" Val asked curiously, stepping in front of the person.

--- 

Jaaws faced the human and the wolf standing on the leaf litter below. They wore fancy attire and masks, and Jaaws could tell they were ready to leave the forest and enter the ball. Jaaws, meanwhile,had buried herself in snow and filtered into the shadows of twilight. [I'm assuming the ball is at night.] 

Rose clutched the list of names sent, as requested, by the pur Keteques. On it was the set of Nobyls that Jaaws was prepared to hypnotize. An opportunity such as this did not arise often. Should the mission succeed--and it would--Catastrophe's army would begin to see a fountain of funds cascading into its treasury. Not only that, but the support of the Nobyls would suddenly sway to Catastrophe's cause.

"The Nobyls must be addressed," Jaaws spoke. "We are to be as discreet as possible. You will do the talking. I will do the rest."

Jaaws then breathed deeply and sent her consciousness into Rose's body.

---

Hopefully this is okay; I just wanted to write something rather than nothing.

Belluma Prince~

I enter the mansion, looking around and nodding cordially at all those who look my way. I'm dressed in an elegant, bright blue dress swirled with white that looks like a snowy scene, crawling up my neck and fanning out at the knees. My hair is done in a meticulous bun, wreathed in a braid that has small ornaments imitating icicles woven into the braid. Some of the Nobyls look my way, so I make a beeline for them. I'm not absolutely looking forward to talking with them- some of them are rather pretentious, while others are frivolous- but they are powerful and demand respect. I therefore have no right to a negative opinion about them.

One woman in particular seems to be givng me a pointed look. I quicken my pace, but only a little. "I simply had to speak with you," the woman begins, "Because I've never seen such a beautiful dress before!"

I smile, trying not to think about what kind of company this woman must be surrounded by if she judges a character by what they happen to be wearing. "How very kind of you, Lady...?"

"Lady Roverta pur Abadore*," she replies. "And you are?"

"General Belluma Prince, Lady pur Abadore," I say, bowing my head. "A pleasure to make your acquintence."

"General Prince? Might you be the daughter of Lucian and Melaina Prince, from New Windswood? They have been such an influence there. I met them once at a previous ball; they seem to be putting the right idea in people's heads."

"The very same," I confirm, smiling. But really, I see a warning sign in my mind. If she knows of my parents, then she might know about Speirys...

"When we met, they did speak very highly of you. I am sad to hear about your brother- Dex, was it?- who died at the hand of the Resistance."

"Thank you very much," I murmur. She's oblivious to Speirys... as well as Lex's real name. I ignore the small, awkward shard of anger that prods at my mind at the thought. "That is kind of you."

"Pardon me, Lady pur Abadore," a male voice says from behind me. Ice shoots through my body at the sound. I know that voice. "May I steal General Prince from you?"

"Of course!" Lady Roverta pur Abadore says, much to my disappointment. I give her one last smile before turning and facing my brother.

Speirys~

Glover cover my bluish hands, a popped collar for my gills, and a hat for my tentacles; I'm covering my inhuman blue figures with still more blue. Seems a bit ridiculous, but then again, the whole thing is ridiculous. If I had it my way, Roverta pur Abadore would have known that by now. But to be successful, I have to be at least somewhat socially acceptable.

Nevermind all that now. What matters now is that I'm staring at my sister.

"Hi, Bell," I say teasingly, using our childhood nickname for her.

"What do you want?" she hisses, eyes narrowed.

"To say hello," I reply. "Can't a guy greet his sister?"

"Not when they stand on opposite sides of a wide river," she growls. "When the brother is an ignorant freak and the sister is a respectable woman trying to appear civil." 

She begins to walk away briskly. I quickly grab her wrist. "I disagree," I whisper through clenched teeth. "Your freak of a brother has every right to say a few words when he sees you."

"Let go. of. me," she hisses. Before I can, she snatches her wrist away from my hand. I watch her march over to a new group of people with a smile planted firmly on her face.

~~~

*assuming we can just invent random Nobyl NPCs 

Rose's eyes looked down at the girl who had approached them. This was no Nobyl--just a random girl who'd decided to show up. She wasn't important to them.

"The Lady does not wish to be bothered," the wolf growled. "She has more important things to attend to than talk to common folk."

"Don't be rude, Sybill," Rose said, much better at social interaction than the grey wolf. "I would be delighted to speak with you. My name is Lady Karune pur Lamour." Sybill could see the slight flicker of pain in Rose's eyes when she said 'Karune'. Surely it reminded her of a time when Lilly was still alive. Rose had given up the name Karune, in honor of her.

"It's great to meet you," The girl said, beaming.

"The pleasure is mine," Rose replied. "Did you come alone?"

~~~