Only the weak use their eyes... [open]

[Jannik]

The thing about Jannik the Great, he grew up with three older brothers. Worse, three older brothers and a father that made them fight for everything. Jannik did not know the meaning of sharing, and had always had to fight for his spot light. The sly little vixen that sashayed her way to the band and that was suddenly cutting in? To say Jannik wasn't killing her with his eyes was an understatement. How dare she! This was his night. He'd earned it, not this..this...hussy! He saw what she was doing! And that was because it was something he would do. He would do the same thing as her if their roles were reversed. But that didn't matter. She was barging in on his parade. 

None the less, the show must go on.... So he continued with the song, strumming away on Lucy even as she came and leaned on him. He narrowed his eyes, though he was grinning as they harmonized. His gaze would tell her exactly what he thought. Get the hell of my stage.  They reached the chorus and Jannik watched as she moved away from him. Without breaking a stride or note, he listened to how she used her voice, which, he had to admit was good, but it wasn't great. As she broke the harmonizing to show off, Jannik to the opportunity to show off with Lucy, that is until the chorus ended. He came up behind her, turning so they're backs were were touching and he leaned down. "Oi, backup singer, find another party to crash." He murmured low for her to hear, but so no one else would hear him. That's what he thought of her little stunt. He caught the eye of the back up lutist, and then swung lucy behind with her strap. He then reached down, plucking up the intruders hand to hold it in his own. He quickly turned his body as he stepped in front of her, but then spun her out in front of him before catching her, and then pulling her back into him so her back was pressed against his chest, and one of her arms was across her body. His free hand rested on her hip before he began to sing the next verse. They danced through the day
...And into the night through the snow..." Jannik spun her again, and this time when he brought her back, he pulled her in for a waltz.  

That swept through the hall

From winter to summer then winter again

'Til the walls did crumble and fall

And she never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave..." It was his turn to arch an eyebrow at her to see what she thought about That. 

[Rosemary McIntyre]

Aoife's veiled comment drew a surprised laugh from Rosemary once she realized what she was saying. "A shame indeed! Although...I think the horse would be in more danger than him," She replied with a grimace as her mind caught up with her mouth. He'd be more likely to kill it for tossing him than to accept the blow to his ego." She shook her head, remembering Magnus's pride and temper. "He may have a silver tongue and eyes, but his temper is all black powder."

She fell quiet for a moment as she listened to the musicians, frowning as they began to dance. "they sound lovely, but doesn't that man look...angry?" She glanced at Aoife. "Or am I just imagining things?"

[Deleted]

Backup singer?!

Saffron's eyes narrowed at the man's insult. How dare he? Her smile never faltered, even as her eyes followed his gesture to the other musicians in the band, but her eyes practically sparked with flames. Being pulled into a dance certainly surprised her, but she followed with grace, and when he rested his hand on her hip she flipped her hair over her shoulder to look up at him. To anyone watching it might look like they were flirting, but Saffron was contemplating how hard she'd have to stomp on the man's foot to deflate his ego. She had strong legs and good heels on, but she doubted even that would be enough to burst this bubble. The thought nearly made her roll her eyes, but then she was being twirled out again and pulled back into a waltz.

She let him handle the next verse on his own, using the opportunity to whisper not-so-sweet nothings to him instead as they danced. "I've got a child to feed, Cassanova, so I'm not going anywhere. If you've got a problem, take it up with the guy who thought it would be a bright idea to hire both of us."

As he returned to the chorus she joined in with a softer, more haunting descant, then launched into the next verse. If he was polite he'd let her do one on her own as well, but she doubted that would be the case. Even so, this one was her favorite part, so she poured her heart into it. "High in the halls of the kings who are gone, Jenny would dance with her ghosts.." she began, and if he hadn't already joined in, she'd nod to him to take over for 'The ones she had lost and the ones she had found,' before she joined in for the last few lines again.

"And the ones...Who had loved her... the most..." If he cooperated, they could draw things out to a lovely finish of the song, then bow to the crowd. 

[Cera Le'Orin]

Ah, so it was going to be like that now. Cera should have known he wouldn't let this simple barb bait him any further. Somehow, though, there was a glint of amusement in her eyes before they were shifting back over to the target. "Alright then," she said quietly while she retrieved an arrow.

Stepping up to the line and slipping the arrow onto the bow's string, the weapon was raised. Cera was already dreading this. It had been months, maybe even a year since she tried any sort of target practice. This was going to be embarrassing, and he was going to see that failure. At that thought, like it was the determination she needed, the princess drew in a slow and deep breath as she pulled back on the string until it was impossible to draw back any further.

From behind her, someone had started to sing and she tried to ignore it. In her peripheral, she spotted her father who was laughing with that whore seated beside him, and some other woman fawning over him before she was drifting away. It distracted her. It annoyed her, and Cera gritted her teeth as her arm began to shake from holding the string so taut. Finally releasing, the arrow shot through the air to hit the target. It was neither a perfect bullseye or horrible, being somewhere in the middle rings.

Regardless, she sighed, not bothering to try and meet his gaze. "I suppose I am not," she said flatly, barely accepting it.

[Dunstan DeGraff]

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late, I'm laaaaaaaaaaaaaate! "I'm fucking dead!"Dunstan DeGraff swore, as he hurdled himself over a log, and he danced around some bushes. First event he'd been told to guard and what did he do? Over sleep. By a lot. The shift he'd had the night before was apparently more draining then he thought. It didn't help he'd been too wired to even sleep right away. Excitement and nerves had kept him up and now it might have cost him. 

He hustled to where the gathering was, seeing it up ahead. His foot caught on a root, and he went flying forward. "Ah fu-" He quickly dropped into a somersault to break his fall. "Whew!" He said, lunging forward and breaking back into a run. His breathing was labored, and he decided his best course would be to jog. He didn't want to show up like some mad man. It wouldn't look good. Especially if he was there. First impressions where everything. As he jogged, he slowed to a walk, as he spotted his older brother Cian DeGraff entering the woods. What was he doing? OH SHIT! If Cian saw him, he'd never hear the end of being late, and Rowan was probably around here somewhere too. "Shit fuck." Dunstan darted behind a tree, letting his head fall back against it, as he tried to make a game plan. Was Cian coming to look for him? Did he know he was late? "Shit balls." He muttered. To take the embarrassment from one brother, and possible the other later, or pretend he had been there the entire time? 

He took a deep breath. Perimeter check. Right, that's what he was doing. That's what he can be doing. Okay, act cool Dunstan. He gathered his breath, and then came out from behind the tree. Now in guard mode, Dunstans eyes scanned the area, and really looked at it now that he wasn't running like a mad man through the trees. One of his hands rested on his belt, prepared to pull out the butterfly swords he kept at the small of his back in case he needed them. 

[Rowan DeGraff]

Rowan had arrived early but had not yet made his presence known. He lurked in the shadows, quite literally staying hidden from view. No one knew of this power he had--not even his own family. But he was smart about it and stayed as subtle as he could with using it.

What kind of moron planned an event, such as this, outdoors? Out in the elements and out where the only protection the royal family had, were from the guards and the wardens. It was stupid, really. But it wasn't his place. He was here to do his job, regardless of how difficult the king wanted to make of it.

His eyes were everywhere, glancing around at the other nobles as they arrived, studying everyone to ensure they were not a threat.
He noticed his youngest brother running in, late, per usual, and he tried not to roll his eyes. The boy needed to smarten up.

Then, he spotted Cian wandering off into the woods. He only imagined it was to use that damned gift of his. He felt nervous about the thing--mostly because he knew it left Cian's body vulnerable, and each time he used it, he did not know how it would affect him.
Quietly, Rowan made his way over towards his younger brother, following him until he had an opportunity to appear as if he had been walking out in the open all along, and he stepped out of the shadows interrupting Cian with a clear of his throat. His deep gruff voice breaking the silence. "What are you doing?"

[Sebastian Arcturis]

The Warden Inquisitor was aware of who was here and who was not. Rowen, at least, he could count on, wherever the oldest DeGraff brother was. Well, unless he moved off to bother his brother instead of the guests. He'd been paying attention to where Cian moved off too and he noticed a lot more movement in that direction.

He sighed and decided standing around the king was boring. He flowed through the crowd, avoiding direct contact with anyone, seeing them without looking. He was a guard, after all. A Captain maybe, but just the help, here to make things run smoothly no matter how much drinking went on. And of course...ideally nothing more than that. But he didn't expect anything. Usually nothing happened. And on the off chance it did, expecting nothing left him free of assumptions.

Sebastian wasn't here to make judgement calls. So he didn't. He spent more time observing rather than worrying.

His rounds brought him near Aoife Lee Frye and the woman he had admired before. Talking about the music? He glanced toward the bard as the song came to a close. Tension indeed. And from the look of it, not anything friendly. If the two entertainers were going to fight, however, that would be easily and impersonally dealt with. "He's fuming. Used to being a solo act, I expect," Sebastian noted to Rosemary McIntyre 's question. 'Pissed' was the word he would have used if he wasn't at a party for royals and nobility. "My ladies," the man said by way of excusing himself, giving them both a small nod before moving on.

[Aoife Lee Frye]

”Not if he were to hit his head… you would be surprised how fragile men could be.” Aoife said, her voice somewhat airy as she continued to scan the crowd, lingering a moment on the entertainment, rather than keeping her attention focused solely on her younger cousin. The woman hadn’t meant anything by the words or the threat behind them, even if she could sneak away from the event and startle the man’s horse somehow… she wasn’t seriously considering doing it. ”Are you sure you’re okay?” She said, finally allowing grey eyes to fall upon Rosemary with an expression of concern on her features.

    Before she had the chance to open her mouth, to offer a comment in regards to the entertainment and the less than subtle tension between them, Sebastian had joined the two of them. For the first time that evening, Aoife allowed her attention to fall completely and utterly onto an individual. However, the soldier did not linger long before excusing himself. Her gaze followed the retreating figure until he was lost amongst the assembled guests before her eyes found Rosemary again. ”I would be inclined to agree… though at least the entertainment may be more entertaining than I initially expected.”

[Jannik]

Jannik could be a team player. Sort of, if only to let the show go on and make it seem like this whole thing was planned. He heard her voice next to his ear, and he resisted rolling his eyes. Of course she did. A likely excuse! Like he hand't heard that one before. Still, to hear the king had hired two entertainers definitely put a damper on his mood. Oh well, he would do what he did best. Compete for the spotlight. 

Jannik moved them around the stage skillfully, as if he'd been dancing for years, while his voice melted with hers. She really did have a beautiful voice, and the two of them did sound great together, but he would not. Not. NOT. Tell her that. He didn't need to boost her ego. He joined in with at the height of the song, picking up what she was putting down. "The ones she had lost and the ones she had found." He sang, as he slowed their dance down. As if they were two lovers, slow dancing, and he spun her out, and gave her a slow twirl, before he brought her back into his waiting arms just as they ended the song. It was quite lovely. He grinned at her then, and then gestured out towards the crowd. He held her hand and bowed, and he could hear some of the patrons clap. He let go of her hand then, and pulled Lucy around in front of him. "Alright m'lady, lets see if you know this one." He said over to her. He arched an eyebrow and there was a playful smirk to his lips. If she did know this one, well...she could sing with him whenever she wanted. Heck, he might even kiss her. And if she didn't? Well...He'd take his stage back. 

He strummed a few chords, and then grinned out the crowd, before he looked at his back up singer. His fingers began to play the tune before he his voice began to rang out. "As I walked into the tavern...His voice sang out to me...So clear and beautiful...I surely couldn't flee..." He began to sing. He gave a daring look to the woman, before he continued on. "He invited me to take a seat to listen to his tale about the life of Jannik Drach The Bardiest Bard from the veil..." 

[Rosemary McIntyre]

Rosemary jumped slightly when the guard interjected; on edge as she was, any unexpected male voice was likely to make her flinch. She relaxed, though, once she saw who it was, and nodded a gentle greeting. The two of them could almost be considered friends, now. 

After Aoife's comment, Rosemary smiled, although it was a bit half-hearted. "I suppose you're both right. People do enjoy a bit of conflict and drama, and they say artists are often more emotional than others. I do hope they won't cause too much trouble, though...I'd rather hear them sing." She sighed. She meant it, too, there was no need to fight. Both performers were obviously talented, and they sounded lovely together.

"This is why I was worried about learning to defend myself; I don't like conflict even when I'm not involved!" She added with a little laugh. "I hope you know what you've gotten yourself into, Aoife."

[Deleted]

See, that wasn't so bad! Once he decided to cooperate, the two of them sounded like silk together--smooth and luxurious. She didn't even mind dancing with him, seeing as he was the most talented partner she'd had in ages, and he didn't try to grab anything that didn't belong to him, either. She let him dip her without losing her place in the song, and when he took a bow, she curtsied to the crowd as well. But then he was releasing her hand, and the glint in his eyes told her that he was up to something. She just wasn't sure what it was right away.

Saffron couldn't keep her real emotions off her face this time. When the bard began the new song with that self-satisfied grin on his face, her first reaction was horror. "Aw, hell." That was why he was so gods damned smug all the time--he was Jannik Drach, the man who'd written a ballad about his own life and been lucky enough to have it catch on in taverns all over the place. Ooh, she wanted to slap him so badly, just to see that smirk wiped off his face for a moment. He knew he had her in a bind--either she refused to sing his own stupid, self-aggrandizing theme song with him and gave up the spotlight, or she stroked his ego by admitting she knew it and singing along. Her eye actually twitched for a moment before she burst out laughing. That clever little bastard! Alright, she'd give him what she wanted--but she wasn't about to give up on performing for everyone who was anyone in Teronna.

Saffron took a deep breath and joined in as harmony for the next stanza, although she was a bit quieter on a few words as she worked to recall the lyrics. "He came from the Dragon Clan, Mighty warriors through and through, Only the gods had a different plan..."

She raised an eyebrow at him as she sang, answering his challenge in kind. It wouldn't be that easy to get rid of her--she was stubborn as hell, and not afraid to show it.

[Jannik]

Jannik heard her curse and knew he instantly won. He expected her to scedadle then, right off his stage so she wouldn't take up the spotlight that was meant to be his all along. He caught her sighing out of the corner of his eye; this was it, this was the moment she walked right off and-

His eyes widened in shock, and would have probably let his jaw drop to the ground if he wasn't so busy using it to sing. She knew it. She knew his song. Somewhere, at some point, she'd heard the Ballad of Jannik Drach the Great. She most certainly stroked his ego, and his spiteful little smirk that had been on his face earlier was now gone, as a far more genuine one exploded across his face. His bright eyes shone brightly as he watched his new favorite person. 

She wasn't so bad! And clearly, she had great taste in music. "...and boy did it make dear ole' dad blue...The singer's life it was for him...Blood and violence was not this dragons cup of tea....He could really hit those high notes and hymns...A singer son the old Dragon did not want ...but Jannik didn't listen to his plea..." He sang along with her into the next verse, and Saffron would notice the immediate change in him. His willingness to work with her, even encouraging her to take over the next verse on her own while he happily strummed away on Lucy. He wanted to hear someone else sing his song other than him. When he'd written, his intent had been to make a name from himself, and clearly...he'd done just that. 

If only you could look at your singer son now father. My, have I spread my wings and flown. My, have I roared, and my, have I become a great Dragon. He thought to himself. 

[Aoife Lee Frye]

Concern flashed across her features, fading as quickly as it had first appeared. Aoife hadn’t remembered her younger cousin being so jumpy, flighty perhaps but not quite to this degree, and the realisation brought a fresh wave of hatred for the man that had done this crashing over her. The smile on Aoife’s lips was equally half-hearted, obviously forced, she would have much rather have been at home. An open air event, especially one surrounded by trees and other cover, it had her on edge… and as entertaining as the unfolding spectacle had the potential to be, even that couldn’t settle her nerves.

    ”It seems as though they’re trying to squabble as they sing.” Aoife said lightly, as though she was commenting on the weather. ”So you may get to hear them sing as we watch them cause trouble.” Grey eyes found Rosemary as a sigh fell from the younger woman’s lips. ”You’ll be fine, defending yourself is about getting out of conflict rather than into it.” Though her words were directed at Rosemary, Aoife’s gaze glanced over the crowd once again. ”I know what I’ve gotten myself into… at least I think I have. I’m not worried and neither should you be.”

[Cian DeGraff]

So focused on his task, so on edge, he almost hadn't heard the quickening of footsteps nearby. It made Cian pause for a moment, sweeping those blue eyes around the woods as his gloved hand was inching towards the sheathed knife at his hip. Oh, he knew someone was there, no matter how much Dunstan tried to be silent. Cian didn't dive into the minds of animals on occasion and not pick up on that keen ability to sense a disturbance in the air.

Slowly, he began to move away, watching all around him before his brother emerged from around the tree, acting as if he'd been there the whole damn time. Cian had tensed before he was letting out a heavy sigh. Goddammit, Dunny. "Seriously?!" he called out in a whisper before he pointed in the direction of the party. He wouldn't vouch for him this time.

With a shake of his head, Cian continued on; that uneasy feeling was getting heavier and he couldn't ignore it. Maybe he was nervous for no reason, but more often than not, his gut instinct turned out to be helpful. Yet, in this case, he was hoping it decided to make a fool of himself instead. Just this once.

Further and further away he drifted from the gathering until he thought he was at a good enough distance where he wouldn't be found. That is, except from Rowan apparently. The man's voice breaking the silence had Cian finally drawing that knife out, ready to wield it when he spotted his brother. Why did he always have to sneak up on him like that? "You know...for a big fella, you're awfully light on your feet," he mused before his expression sobered a bit. "You know what I'm doing. Cover me." And that was that.

He wasn't going to connect with any vicious animal this time- he wasn't ready for that again just yet. His mind needed a break. But a bird? Just a simple robin or blue jay, anything of the sort would do just fine and be easy enough to come back from. Without waiting for his brother's acknowledgement or approval, he pressed his back against the nearest tree as he clenched his hand into a fist, feeling the ring upon his finger beneath the glove. Drawing from its magic, blue eyes suddenly glazed over to white as Cian's mind reached out to the surrounding nature. The bird's eye view soared passed the trees, through the brush, seeking the animal he needed. He could already feel his heart pounding within his chest from this simple task before he found the blue feathered bird. It barely fought him as he invaded its mind, and it was a subtle adjustment when he took over.

He took flight, searching the area as quickly and thoroughly as possible. It was when he was at the south wall, spotting the hole within the stone did something not feel right. Whatever had caused it wasn't there, and frantically, Cian sent the bird flying back in the direction of the party. From above, he spotted the advancing group spread out, drifting closer and closer to the king and his guests. He was about to sever the connection with the bird when movement elsewhere caught his attention.

Gaze found the archer as he was drawing back on his bow. Cian was calling out as he finally broke from the bird's mind, just in time to feel the sting of the arrow as it grazed across his arm, breaking through soft leather and skin. "Get to the king!" he called out to Rowan, gritting his teeth. His eyes were already set on the archer who thought he was safely hidden within the brush.

[Deleted]

That defiant glint in her eye of a challenge accepted, baited though it may be, was met with a slight curl at the corner of his mouth. He would see just what she was made of and how far the king would allow his little trophy daughter to arm herself. However, she again surprised him by handling the bow with competent- if unpracticed ease. She knew what she was doing but had not made a habit out of it. So too did he note the twitches and tensions in her stance at every burst of commotion around them from the party, the shift of her head that no doubt noted the presence of her father and his menagerie nearby. Given all that, he was surprised she hit the target at all.
"I wouldn't say that, your highness." he murmured over the singing bards and grating tinkle of giggling laughter from the pile of women around the king. Leaning closer to be heard over the din, he lowered his voice for only her to hear. "Perhaps all you need is a better target."

Drawing back to find her eyes, Gabriel's attention was caught by a flicker of movement at the edge of his vision. Under a pretense of lifting a glass from a passing tray, those steel greys peered into the shadows surrounding the party, skimming over the guards spaced out all around them, searching for whatever it was that sent a cold finger of awareness down his spine. Then, a shout broke through the din of the party, an alarm to get to the king.

Rohan, however, did not serve this king. As an enjoy for marriage negotiations, he had not even been permitted to carry a sword while he was within the castle walls. There had been no such edict on daggers, however. His knee came up, hand darting down to his boot and coming up with a blade that glinted in the firelight while his other hand swept back, arcing around the princess and drawing her behind him so that he was between her and the darkness of the wood.