The Grand Hall

[Zack Asiv]

To mark the annual celebration of peace brought about by the Accords forever ending the War for Power on the Northern Territories a single Host territory is chosen to be the center of that celebration. Each of the Big Four take turns hosting within their borders at specified protectorates away from the Capitols. This year it is Zekunft's turn to host, and has chosen one of their trade cities to host.

A Grand hall newly built for the celebration alone, and adorned with finery. The last ten years of peace have been good to Zekunft's way of life, being able to make extravagant shows of wealth and power. Guests pull up on horde drawn carriages, the huge mutated horses make swift work of any travel needs. Walk ins are allowed during the celebration as well. Huge wooden doors open to a buff'd tile floor, large pillars with floral designs carved into them line the entry way to the main area. The main hall has two floors, one obviously made to hold a dance floor, a band, and tables with food and drink, while the upper floor is meant as a balcony to overlook the dance floor.

At the far end is a VIP section with many chairs facing a stair case leading down to the dance floor, sitting in some of the chairs would be the Zekunft Royal Family, Sorrel Kaizer and his sixteen year old Daughter Angelonia Kaizer the future ruler of Zekunft. Also present is the Emperor of Prota John Strike, enjoying the music and food and making pleasant conversation as it were. Placing mostly Zekunft and Protan citizens at this party, though ti wasn't unheard of for Cabal and Vindicta citizens to also be here. It was easy to tell Zekunft from Prota in this gathering. Protan civilians had military jackets, or long coats on, or hanging over their shoulders. Zekunft civilians are wearing fine clothes and suits. There is a handful of Royal National Guards here as security, Active Duty Protan military members, and some Cabal soldiers in uniform. It is well secured as was a requirement over the last ten years to keep everyone at ease.

[Cecelia Riddel]

Cecelia is enjoying herself at the ball! Currently mingling with other girls her age of Zukunft, rubbing elbows, exchanging news and all the normal niceties. Given how well guarded things are and how things have been, she felt fairly at ease for now, smiling and silently praying she has no bubble betrayals.

[Drake]

Drake would be here, dressed up in the nicest attire he could find and looking hella confused. Why did he come here? I mean he came here in search of someone... something... but he can't remember what, or why... But there was definitely something in Zekunft that he needed to find... Hopefully he would find it. For now he would just mingle and play nice. Skills that while he was use to using there was something different about the way he was interacting now... he felt more confident. Where did that come from? Oh well. Nothing to worry about now. Just keep going.

[Dime Price]

Dime is making her way through and reached for a glass from a passing worker when she was met with her brother, Quarter, by surprise.

"Oh... you came I thought there were more business things to take care of." She started.

He just smiled. "Dime! I-I told them to fuck off for the night... I'll hear it from Dad later, but I wanted to talk to you actually if you have time?"

"Yes, what is it you want to say?" Frankly her and her brother didn't get along much better than most siblings and namely his involvement in being the "Favorite" child inheriting the name, business, and becoming the family face she was just the younger sister in his shadow. She never held that against him... still with a difficult moment of telling dreams and reality Dime was a little unease imagining that she requested the aid of Raikotsu to Kill him after so much time of them both being at war with each other.

"I had a dream..." those words he started with made her perk up. "It put something into view for me. I am sorry and I want to be there for you if you should ever need it. I was wrapped up in my own future... I was greedy and I was... I was sent to a Hell that I feel was a warning if I didn't change my ways... Well needless to say I was relieved when I woke that I was in the flesh and I want to change for the better Dime." He placed a hand on her confused shoulder and gave it a strong pat.

The Lengths she had gone to in her dream she wondered if he had the same dream but he started away to continue his night. Images of an afterlife and a greed that became insatiable when he lost everything. Frankly she was a bit speechless at the change and wondered if he really meant it and what that would mean for her in the future.

[Novocaine]

Nova watched the dance floor from the balcony, leaning over the railing in something akin to boredom. None of the civilians caught her attention so far, not even some foolish drunk.

There had to be people up to something. There were SO many here.

Her eyes settled on Drake since...while he wasn't drunk he looked like he'd just woken up from a coma in the middle of the party. So lost. So confused.

She'd keep an eye on him for now. Maybe he'd do something sketchy.

[Allison Kazim]

Allison was taking in the amount of people and who appeared to being to what city-state as she took wallflower status at the gala for now. It felt odd to be here, but it was expected, and if she'd come this far, then she deserved the chance to see what the results of her hard work were.

Which currently meant a bunch of people standing around and talking small talk. It felt like wearing two left shoes when she thought about it, but with a small silent sigh, the mage steeled herself to give this a shot. At least she could appreciate some of the soldier uniforms, but she didn't exactly know who to talk to. The nobles in their little snob clusters?

[Cillian McWolfe]

He didn't want to be here. He wanted to be out on the streets where there were shows, and tournaments and meat on sticks! Where the common people were, the lifeblood of a Kingdom and the fabric of society. He'd almost skipped out on this stuffy ball altogether, but he was stopped at the door by the voice of his Father in his head. Duty was such a pain.

So Cillian was there dressed appropriately for the occasion. His weapon back in his quarters. Such was life, he would make the most of it and mingle with the upper crust. At least then he could know he did his best. He wandered around the hall a bit, a wine glass in hand but untouched like the prop it was as he looked over the ladies and gentlemen talking about scandals and gossip. Or wheeling and dealing. How boring. But one lady did catch his eye, all by her self staring off of the balcony. Approaching from behind, grabbing another glass from a passing waiter he would make his presence known.

"Pardon me, may I trouble you for the pleasure of your company?"

[Zack Asiv]

Angelonia would peer out into the crowed until her eyes fell on some girls around her own age. She would wait for a respite in the conversation between his Lordship Kaizer and the Emperor Strike before raising a hand to his chin and clearing her throat.

"Your Excellency, Lord Father. I must excuse myself I'm afraid. I wish to mingle with some people of interest and leave you to your business."

She would stand and lay a hand across her chest softly, bending her waist and waiting for both men to nod as a motion of dismissal. She would wander out into the crowed stopping at a woman who looked... Uncomfortable. That would be a stop for sure, but first. First he would stop by Cecelia. Giving a quick bow as she entered the fray of woman.

"Hello, my name is Angelonia. I was hoping to spend time with some other girls instead of sitting with the noble men all day. I hope you will have me."

[Cecelia Riddel]

The giggling from the group of girls as they caught up faded a bit as Angelonia neared, Cecelia's attention turning towards the other girl with a polite smile in place as she nodded. She curtsied with the grace of a dove. Lead by example.

"Good day, Lady Angelonia. You are welcome to join us." She rose with an air that suggested she knew enough to speak for herself, and likely the others. They all knew who she was.

"Hopefully you have been able to enjoy some of your time here."

[Drake]

So far the fake smiles and light conversations got him no closer to finding whatever it was he thought he was searching for. He sighed. While interesting, none of the gossip was very helpful. So for now, he would Male his way to the snack table, and grab a drink.

[Preston Salabim]

Preston was at home in situations like these.  He found himself in a group of scholars and academically minded noblemen sitting at a table overseeing the dance floor.  They were currently in a heated debate over the nature of Qi, it's manipulation, and the place of those that had it in their world. A gentleman from New Carolina was arguing that such people were the reason the old world was destroyed and integrating them into society properly was inviting a second sundering. 

"And you believe that alienating them to be a better solution?  To go with your logic, if users of Qi energy are all potential threats, then shuffling them away from society would only cause them to be more likely to violently lash out with their abilities in self defense.  Warranted or otherwise.  And to follow that mindset to it's logical conclusion of exterminating them would amplify that threat to them, creating a scenario even more likely to end in unwanted violence and destruction.  As a user myself, or an 'Aberrant' as you put it.  And one with no small amount of mastery in my abilities I can tell you that where I am from we have achieved much by utilizing all of our abilities to the fullest.  Harmony can be achieved, and you will find that most people with abilities just want to live a peaceful life, the vast majority of people want to avoid another calamity."

[Dime Price]

Dime would venture and suppose she was giving her cordial hellos and keeping face with her family's names on the face.

She would approach Drake he seemed to look nice but somehow didn't seem like he was apart of the scene. visiting the table of hors d' Oeuvres 

The Tall woman would stop near him. "Hello... You look like you are missing something or someone..?" Frankly, he looked familiar to her too.

[Zack Asiv]

"Thank you all."

She would nod and close her eyes. She needed to address the comment before continuing forward.

"It is interesting to listen to the issues of other political leaders and finding common ground within to bring us closer together. Emperor Strike himself is a very polite man, and the few times I've been able to speak with President Asiv he is also a very warm leader. How do the festivities find you all? Taken care of? Anything we can do for you, as the family hosting this event, I'd hate to play a poor host."

[Novocaine]

"Hmm, someone's trying to help..." she'd mumble to herself softly before hearing someone speak to her.

She would glance back to make sure it wasn't a conversation happening behind her, before giving a polite smile.

"It's no trouble at all." she'd reply, glancing back at the lost bird and his tall, dark lady before deciding it was probably not nearly as interesting as she thought it was going to be. She'd return her full attention to the ginger, noting his attire and guessing pretty quickly he was likely from Zekunft.

"Nova Vivienne." she'd offer her name, considering a handshake but...his hands were busy at the moment.

[Gunslinger]

Daniel watches the interaction between Nova and some.... other guy, with slitted eyes as he stands against a wall.

He clearly doesn't approve.