Return of the Dämmerung Royal Ball (Open to all)

[Andy Jammer]

Andy frowned at the speech, invasion?

He did hear things...he never really been to Roccia, but he heard unsettling things happened after Trucido fell. But these things, these politics didn't concern him right now, there was something he had to do.

"Jasmine can we talk...about something? Maybe on the balcony?"

[Benjamin Kírix-Unda]

Benjamin made a glance to where Brea was, at the current moment he regretted sending his Itan-Sha friend away. He held himself high as Seigmand approached him, "Kí̱ri̱x-Unda." 'Kí̱ri̱x' meaning herald was very appropriate he thought, the herald of his people.

"You begin to become blunt once you see so many families being buried," Benjamin said scanning over Seigmand. He could tell by the way he held himself he was someone of high ranking, and Roccian too, by the accent in his voice and traits that gave him away, "Sometimes people need to have their eyes peeled open to the realities. Although I'm going to take a guess that you disagree. Which rank do you hold on the machine that grinds on in Roccia?"

[Alex of Santo-Luce]

Alex rolled his eyes.

"I doubt that would do much good, Lord Omoihake," he said. "His weapon is worn in plain sight."

[Yeligar Maelstrom]

Yeligar looked at him, and then took in a deep breath."Hala was a dear friend to me, even though she hated me because of your 'death'. Her death was hard for me. And I was there when Jasmine was born, and you showed her off to me and the rest of the men in the platoon. Once you faked your death, I couldn't see them. I understand how that might have been. As for the girlfriend soon to be your wife... I had that only for an instant, so I cannot help you there."

[Vash, the Angel's Moon]

"Please, please, no need for violence!" I said, overhearing the tail of the conversation. "What you're sensing is likely my connection to Guasto's Lunar. It makes some sensitive people uneasy... really, I promise, I don't mean any harm!"

Who was this person anyway? Hmmm.

[Zeke Omoihake]

Zeke gave a sheepish look at the ground, slightly embarrassed by Alex's comment. Looking back at Vash his weapon was practically staring him back in the face.

Still he realized that he could beat himself up later for his childishness. Once again he put on his serious face and looked Vash in the eye. "In the interest of milord's safety I must ask you for your weapons. Only then may you be allowed an audience." Zeke crossed his arms and nodded with confidence, ready to show Alex that he could protect Alexander just as well as he could.

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Feigning a lack of interest Seigmand vowed to memorize that name till he could get back home. He would need to know everything he could about this man as soon as possible. History, military rank, birthplace, these things would be easy enough for his network to gather for him. Right now though, he would learn information his spies would have no ability to collect. After all, the way a man handled himself with an adversary mere paces away, what could provide better data than that?

"Forgive me Mr. Kirix-Unda, it is indeed so difficult to keep up with every upstart trying to make a name for themselves when one is busy ruling a kingdom. Seigmand Dezmar, King of Roccia at your service." He bowed every so slightly, allowing the words to sink in while he gauged the man's reaction.

"I actually couldn't agree more with your words. Touching ones at that. Certainly people must be made to face the harsh realities of our world. Take for instance the great, unmoving walls of my nation that my people see every day. Like those walls, I believe my rule to be unyielding and merciless, yet it provides protection. It provides structure. Most importantly, it provides order to a people that need it most. Do you appreciate order, Mr. Kirix-Unda?" His brow arched questioningly as he stared down the President of Unda.

[Benjamin Kírix-Unda]

"..." Benjamin stared at Seigmand, he snarled, seemly disgusted by the words he spoke. Not to long ago he put other men like Seigmand to rest and won over Unda. "No." Benjamin hissed, "That 'wall' you speak of provides nothing but suppression and destruction for your people. The order that I believe in is an order contained and controlled by the people. If they don't like how their government is going they vote them out, which is exactly what your people are doing now. Voting you out by force."

"Let us not create a scene here, in neutral territory after all. But as you sail off, keep a look out for Undian ship, the waves you travel on are our waves."

Benjamin looked up at Seigmand and glared, "And those walls you speak of? They're coming down."

[Seigmand Dezmar]

It would be so easy, just a flick of the wrist and he'd be a footnote in history... Once again Seigmand lost his emotional cool, signified only by a twitch in his eyebrows and a tensing of his shoulders. It passed, but he knew that to even show that much was beneath his usual behaviour.

He inhaled a calming breath. "You have such a charming view of people. It must have been nice to have lived in a place where such naiveté wouldn't have gotten you killed. Sadly though we can't all earn our lot in life with pretty words and the works of other men." Seigmand made no effort to hide his patronizing tone. Granted the words were meant as a calculated sting at the man, but there was an all too unpleasant truth behind them that he'd faced before.

"You have no need to worry Mr. Kirix-Unda. I have no intention of creating a scene on the lands of my ally. I came merely to offer you a chance to talk, man-to-man about these coming events. I'm sure if nothing else you'd have a great deal to teach me about ruling my people before you kicked down my door and forced yourself into power, hmm?"

Even as he spoke his mind was whirling with possibilities and deductions. The man was bold, confident, and had some skill in tactics if he indeed had taken Unda. That or charisma. He wasn't sure yet. What Seigmand was sure of was the softness he still had in his eyes. It was the look of an innocent man. A man who'd been able to keep his hands clean, and for his age it truly did puzzle Seigmand how he'd gained his position and respect after all. No matter, for the time being it would have to remain a mystery.

[Benjamin Kírix-Unda]

Benjamin was no fool. He knew he would not be able to rule a land as large as Roccia while sitting in Unda. He had no intentions to take control, but Roxa did, and he vowed to help him.

It would not take much to make Benjamin a 'foot note in history', under normal circumstances. Thankfully there was a Itan-Sha who fought forces of Duo's armies stalking the entire citation. It made Benjamin confident, to say the least.

"You'll find out, King Seigmand, that the will of a majority of men is far more powerful than the will of one. I find it truly ironic that it will not be my hands that throw you down from the throne, nor will it be the guns of my ship but it'll be your own people. Does that bother you? The people you were meant to serve desire your blood?"

Benjamin shrugged, "I think you'll find in the coming days that you'll have no allies King Seigmand. I'm well acquainted with how you do your work, your work creates enemies, not allies."

[Seigmand Dezmar]

"It is not the will of men that terrify me. Only power in the hands of men that fail to understand the difference between what they think they want and what they need. If you give men a master, a king who commands them, they will protect that which is most important. If you give men a choice, they will divide and bemoan each other for the smallest perceived slight."

"Remember this well Mr. Kirix-Unda, for if the day does come that I am indeed thrown from my throne, it will not be I who brings ruination to your elected government. It will be your own people, fattened on their own ego and empty promises, who will topple your puppets. Were I a lesser man, I'd surrender right now just so I could expedite things ever so much quicker." There was no playfulness in his words as Seigmand spoke to Benjamin, and to him there was nothing idle in his threat. Whether or not events would come to pass as he'd envisioned, Seigmand believed with all his heart in the good of his tyranny. No, good was the wrong word for it. Necessity, that was the one.

"Unfortunately for you, I hold to my ways as stubbornly as you seem to. I suppose words are wasted on us both, aren't they?"

[The Other]

For those too busy enjoying the pleasantries of the evening's company, the sounds of smacking jaws and quieted cries outside the ballroom doors were little more than white noise against the music and chatter within the ballroom. To the Other though, it was as warm a welcoming as he could have hoped for.

With a dramatic gesture he threw open the doors and moved through the threshold with a patient and meticulous pace. To each set of eyes he met he returned only an expressionless glance, and to each set wide with terror he met them a moment longer to heighten it, making it that much sweeter to enjoy.

After a minute, his featureless face split inches above the jawline, and what could only be called a maw of jagged teeth appeared to fill in it's place. "I hope I haven't missed any of the fun. It's my first time at such an event, so I wasn't sure if I was to bring anything." The Other's hand, dripping with a thick red fluid, slowly slipped into his chest, twisting for a moment before coming out with a tray of marbled chocolate sweets. "I do hope you'll enjoy them, I told my chef that if it was not to your liking I'd have to eat him." The Other roared with laughter at his own morbid joke before he placed them down on a table.

[Benjamin Kírix-Unda]

"That's the great thing about the system. There is a civil war every five years, one the shows no blood and gives the people what they wish for." Benjamin growled as he vigorously defended the system of his government.

It was true, both men were dead set on their ways. Could you blame them? They were two leaders who's countries were at war.

"Our words are useless. This matter will be squared on the battlefield." Benjamin spoke before giving a slight smile, "By the time you get back to Roccia, I do hope you enjoy the coastline my forces will control. I'll have one of our troops leave a comment card, where you can detail the sights, sounds and how our soldiers treated you. You don't expect we'll just willingly let you back into the country, right?"

[alexanderthegreat]

Alexander couldn't contain the amused grin that broke free when Zeke jumped in to 'save' him. He was only too adorable when he was being protective. Though, it was him doing his job.

He looked past his two guards and shrugged at Vash. The ball was in his court, now.


And yet at the same time he could hear a highly familiar voice that made his stomach turn a little. One he hadn't heard for a very, very long time.
He caught only bits and pieces of what was going on between Benjamin and Seigmand (one whom he'd thought had long disappeared off the face of Allorum), and from the sounds of it it wasn't going well. It'd be something he'd have to investigate afterwards possibly.

[glitters]

Jasmine's smile slightly deflated into something that was still content, though a little concerned as she looked up at Andy.

"I don't mind at all," she said and moved to hold both of his hands, "let's go."