Dance All Night Long
So, Maggie's gone. Merri's over there with the amorous selkie. Salin's gone. Poor Liya is all alone. Whatever will she do. She looks at the dance floor then over at the bar, then back to the dance floor, and decides on - the bar. A drink is just the thing. Only when she turns to leave, she nearly bumps into a handsome green haired Rebman who is totally accidentally floating right there. Blink. Within moments of her stammering apology for nearly running him over, he's charmingly asking her to dance, and leading her onto the dance floor, introducing himself really innocuously as Pete. But it turns out Pete is a really good dancer, and he knows how to teach. So, Liya at least gets to learn more, and have fun on the dance floor. Far as she's concerned, that's a win.
Whatever Salin dealt with has him grumbling softly to himself, but it fades quick enough as the sound of music reaches him once more. There's only a flicker of his eyes around the area; the dance floor, the bar and where others simply lounge. But, there's a lot of people and he can't spot anyone at this point. So, he's propelling himself through the water at a zippy pace, angling directly over towards the bar to snag one of those darker bottles again. Coffee? Not for him. The bottle is lifted to his lips, a nice long sip taken and when it lowers, he's turning back to survey the dance floor.
Midlevel and whoever Pete is he's being a trooper. Dancing with Liya nearly constantly, with just a short break for a drink, and no, Lemonhead, go away. Ahem. Liya might not even have caught that subtle protective motion, Pete being somewhat suave that way. As it happens, they're in the middle of a spinning kaleidoscope when Salin comes back, so he's not noticed immediately either. It's a maneouver that has Liya laughing as it comes to an end, the music finishing up with a huge crescendo before a break is called. Only long enough for the next act to get onto the dais and start the music up again, but certainly long enough for Pete to bring Liya down to the bar for a drink.
It's only when that music begins to finish in that crescendo and that break is called that Salin notices Pete and Liya making their way towards the bar. There's a quick, warm smile to her and a smile to him and it's followed by a lift of his free hand in a wave. Once they draw a bit closer, enough that he can talk without screaming, he's calling out, "I take it that you're getting the hang of things now, Liya?"
Pete bows his head behind Liya towards Salin. And then he charmingly takes his leave, leaving her with the Baron, as he makes his way off into the crowd, after placing that drink in her hands. One of the darker bottles. Liya blinks, tilts her head, sips her drink and then looks over at Salin. "I think so," she says. "At least that was fun. But - who is that Pete guy?"
Nalwin's laughter can be heard from... somewhere. He doesn't even know the little bit of strife he caused with his wink-winky ways. And of course, Merri didn't kill or club him - which is probably the point. He knows he can push Merri without Merri pushing back with a pointy stick. Merrisol meanders back towards the party, watching the dancing from afar, and looking unsurprised that Liyandra has secured a new teacher in the interim. Now, about that drink...
As Pete offers a bow of his head in Salin's direction, he's returning it and giving another smile to the man. Then, his attention shifts to Liya, that smile warming a touch as he shfits enough to lean back against the bar, "Glad you're finding it to be so. Was a touch worried you might not exactly enjoy Rebma Court and the like." A flicker of a grin and at the mention of Pete, he's casting a look in the direction of the man before looking back to Liya, "I think that was a cousin of mine .. maybe .." A cant of his head and then he's offering, "Maybe he was looking out for you in my absence?" Guardian Rebma? Who knows. Merri's sudden return towards the bar has his attention shifting that way, a hand lifting to give a wave.
Liya frowns at Salin, not sure she believes him, and then glances over at Pete. Huh. "He's a good teacher," she decides anyway, taking another sip of her drink. As Salin catches sight of someone and waves, Liya turns to see who it is, and she smiles at Merrisol as well, waving. And then to Salin, "Well, I admit this is a lot more fun than court was, but it was neat to hear Liam and Moxon commentating." Okay, that maybe she should not have admitted, even jokingly, but well - too late now. "We didn't break you with dancing, did we?" she adds, impishly.
Miriam is late in joining the party, but she does finally arrive. Accompanied, as always, by two of her ghostly people as guards, she is dressed in silver shorts. Gems in a variety of deep colors are woven through her silver hair, and a cluster of them worked into sole-less silver sandals around her feet. Drifting about her shoulders loosely is a silver mesh shawl that's weighted a little at the ends to keep its shape, likewise dotted with gems. She takes a moment to consider the partiers alreday present, her guards not drifting far from her.
There's another flicker of his gaze over in the direction that Pete went and when Salin's gaze returns to Liya, it's so he can offer, "Good. Maybe you'll be able to teach me a thing or two." A quick grin and then it's masked as the bottle comes back to his lips, another long sip taken before he's lowering it back down to settle beside him, "Well .. I suppose I can see how this would be more fun. Just a different fun for me, though." A shrug at that and then a laugh escapes past his lips, "Break me? Hardly. It's going to take more then a little dancing to do that."
Liya smiles as Salin laughs, looking pleased with herself. "Very good," she says. "Definitely not stuffy." She takes another drink from her own glass, and then turns to look around. There's Merri slowly making his way over. Pete's just about vanished. Maggie is still getting coffee, and oh. Hey. There's someone all silvery - Liya pauses to think if she knows that particular lady, or her guards. And perhaps she watchse a bit too long. Then she moves closer to Salin, so she can ask softly, "Who is that?"
Merri's original drink is course gone, so when he gets to the bar, bellying up in true seacowpoke fashion, he orders a new 'for people who can drink' drink. "Evenin'," he greets those present, with a particular smile for particular folk such as Liya and Salin.
As Liya motions in the direction of Miriam, Salin is taking a look in that direction, regarding the woman for a moment before he's looking back to Liya, "I .. have no idea. Gotta remember, though .. I was gone for a few years and there were a lot of changes. Could have been someone who arrived after I left. But, judging the guards, she's someone important." Oh, hey, it's Merri! He gets a wave, a smile and a pointed finger in the direction of Miriam, "Whose that?"
Miriam and her people still do get looks, regardless of having been in Rebma a while. They're obviously neither natives nor Amberites, after all. Stares, then, get only a polite smile from her. At least she moves like someone comfortable underwater, though.
Merri leans onto his forearm and looks over his shoulder, following Salin's pointer finger with a frown. Put that thing away, Sir! Were you raised in a stronghold of rocks and whale ribs?? "Princess Miriam of Tir," he says after a moment. "Honoured guest of the Palace. Her people are granted safe refuge in Rebma." He glances at Salin and Liya. "If you are sure this isn't amnesia stealing her identity from your memories, I'd be happy to make introductions." Otherwise... best wing it, Coz!
Martin has risked a few drinks even while dealing with various nobles. It doesn't matter though since he's fully capable of holding his liquor after so much abuse of it in Shadow. The end result is that he's 90% sober, really. Throughout the whole party after Court he has been easy to spot but most of the time he's had to listen to the nobles. Every time he moves, someone appears to want to speak with him, he can't get five feet before being intercepted. Nearby a Selkie hovers as needed and once it seems that the nobles have begun to let the Regent breathe a little she maintains a bit more of a distance. That all done he looks around to see who is still around and gravitates towards that direction a gracious smile for all. With any luck, no Ygrayne Ladies with really tall hair will get in his way.
Liya just blinks as Salin points, eyes dancing with a bit of amusement. Hey, looks like /he/ can get away with it - she'd not be so lucky no doubt. Merri's answer gets a blink and then a nod. "Thanks, Kerf," she says softly. "I don't think I met her. Though - there are still a few holes in my memory, I admit." Hah. Not likely those will ever come back, since they're from over a year ago. She sips her drink, and then looks up at the dancers. "Not yet," she decides, watching some really outrageous manouevers for a moment. "But one of these days, I'm invading that top level." Martin's happy shiny figure is noted, though Liya at this point assumes he'll still be sideswiped again.
There's a moments consideration before Salin gives a shake of his head in the direction of Merrisol, "No, I'm sure we haven't been introduced. Most of the people I knew has returned to me ..." At least his thinks that the case. He does look to Liya, a quick chuckle escaping past his lips, "Maybe by the next time that Court is held, hmm?" A flash of a grin and then he's looking back around, managing to catch sight of Martin, a flash of a smile and an incline of his head coming to be offered.
Miriam drifts among the other partiers, looking at this and that and greeting those she's come to know. She seems to be headed more or less towards Martin, though clearly not in a hurry. She turns briefly and speaks with one of her guards, and he swims off to fetch her a drink.
Merri's gaze lifts away to briefly regard the graceful arts of the dance divas, and... nods. "Well.. the thing about that top level.." and there's always a thing about things, aren't there. "It's turbulent. Everyone up there might look like they are showboating alone much of the time, but they really are all supporting each other." Meaning it's not all about training and tiaras, but a social pact as well. "Even better," Merrisol remarks, his gaze slipping back over to Miriam, and seeing her approaching Martin. "Fearless Leader will make the introductions." More proper that way, surely.
Martin smiles when he sees Miriam and takes her hand to give it a kiss. "Welcome, Princess. You look lovely!" He tells her warmly and guides her towards Salin, Merrisol and Liyandra. "I believe you know Mr. Merrisol?"
Liya glances back up at the top tier and then back at Merri for a moment, thoughtfully. "Politics there too, huh?" she asks, with a bit of a wry smile. "Well, perhaps I will have to make friends first then." A grin at Salin and then she says, "Maybe not the /next/ one. But soon." And then Martin and the Tir Princess are coming their way, and Liya politely moves back a bit, letting the more important folks take point.
There' a quiet chuckle in the direction of Merrisol and Liya, but when Martin and Miriam make their way over, Salin's falling quiet and simply inclining his head in the direction of Miriam before he's looking over towards Martin, "Lord Regent."
Merrisol is all aglow thanks to his arm bands, as he puts his drink down, turns a few paces from the bar, and nods low and slow. His gaze flickers lower briefly as well but rests on Miriam otherwise. "Of course. It was a pleasure to host you on the Solar Flare for a time, Princess," he says with a warm smile. He's not one to go reaching for lady hands, but follows her own cues for civility.
Martin indicates Salin, and adds somewhat ruefully. "Baron Salon Morfilod, and Lady Liyandra." It's been a long day! He wonders what happened to his drink.
There's a smile given to Martin, when he takes and kisses her hand. Miriam replies to him "Thank you, your Highness. You're kind to say so." She lets herself be guided, her remaining guard falling back while she's with Martin, and then nods to Merrisol. "So nice to see you again." The others get nods of greeting. "A pleasure."
Liya bows her head. "Your Highness," she says, as she's introduced. "And Lord Regent Martin. It's good to see you again. You're looking quite dashing this evening," she says. Hey, the Sukhoti woman is not the politician in the bunch, but she is warm hearted. "This is quite the party - I've been learning interesting dances. It's quite fun."
As introductions come to pass, Salin is giving a bow of his head in the direction of Miriam, "A pleasure, Your Highness." It seems like Martin is without a drink, so Salin is turning to claim one of the unopened bottles by from the bar and when he turns back, he's offering the bottle in the direction of Martin with just a quirk of a smile.
Martin takes the bottle gratefully, given that the politics of the party have wound down and people are just simply enjoying themselves now he begins to relax quite a bit. "Glad to hear it, Liya. Dancing underwater takes a little finesse but you can learn with the right tutors. Everyone behaving themselves?" He winks, and takes a long swig. Yep, needed that. The next person to come with him with a political issue might just have to play poker to resolve it.
Merrisol smiles to Martin after Miriam has moved attention to the others, and reaches back to reacquire his drink. "I dunno about the actual court, but it's always interesting to gauge just how many fins were ruffled by how long it takes you to get to the bar."
Miriam's other guard returns to Miriam with a drink for her, which she accepts from him with a quiet thanks before he leaves them as well. Her attention returns to the others then, and she says "I've learned a few simple dances here, but I certainly wouldn't say I'm good at them. I like to watch the dancers, though."
Liya smiles, glancing at Miriam first, and then she says, "I have always loved to dance, and today I had the best of teachers." She looks at Merrisol at that, just to be clear who she's talking about. "And Pete followed up with lots of practice, so I think I have the basics now." Pete? Who the heck is Pete? He's some green haired Rebman who kept Liya entertained for the while that she was at the party with nobody she knew. And then vanished, like a good super hero. Ahem. Named ... Pete. Yes. She glances at Martin to add, "And yes, everyone's behaving themselves, quite nicely. Even me."
Salin offers a quirk of his lips to a grin as his shoulders angle up into a shrug, "I'm sure I didn't ruffle /all/ that many fins." A faint cough and then he's looking to Miriam, "Then you're about at the same level as me, Your Highness." A look to Merrisol and Martin has him giving a quick smile before he's looking back to Liya. Then it's back to Martin again, "Right. Everyone's behaving. At least for the moment."
"Excellent!" Martin grins, he glowers at Merrisol but it's only mock-glowering. "Miriam, you are are graceful at everything you do!" He tells her gallantly. "Well, we've been through a few hard times lately so it was the right moment to have something nice again. "I don't see that Amber's blown up yet, so I'm assuming that things are still back and forth up there. It's actually a little heartening, you know, fin ruffling. We are still connected to Amber enough that what is happening there reflects a little here."
Merrisol shakes his head slightly at Salin, just more lighthearted ribbing. He'll never admit he kinda liked Salin's sass-talkin' at the lofty major nobles, never! Catching a look from Liyandra in passing, he glances between her and Miriam bemusedly. Pete.. Pete who? Oh boy, a mystery is afoot in the courtyard. Perhaps she meant boring ol' Cousin Petyr, who apparently leads a double life as a disco hero. Martin's words get a moment's weighty thought, and he smiles. "They should try reflecting us sometime, might be better for it." Deeep thoughts at the wet bar, folks.
Miriam smiles to Martin again, at his compliment. "You're a very kind man." she says. Merri's comment gets a quiet chuckle, then. "You certainly don't have to convince me of that. Then again, it's all Tir's done for all this time." She has a sip of her wine.
Liya takes a sip of her drink, and nods to Miriam. "I am sure that His Highness is right, and you are absolutely graceful and beautiful when you dance, as in everything else." She shrugs a bit, a graceful move, even down here where it's wetter. She arches a brow at Merri's deep thoughts, and then she reaches one hand to rub at the right side of her head. "Oh, I don't know how well that would - it might be interesting though. And I'm glad that Amber's not blown up. I might have a house there still. With a lovely round door."
Martin's expression remains light though he exchanges a glance with Miriam. "Reflections sometimes show more truth than we want to see." He winks. "Pete." He looks thoughtful as trying to place the name. "You must mean Petyr Baquemare, I believe, he's quite the dancer. Ah the sweet taste of liquor without the grating noise of a disgruntled noblewoman.
Oh yeah. Merri acknowledges Miriam's point with a nod, glancing at his drink as though it must be to blame for any flippancy escaping his mouth. Liya's mention of her property and splendid gate gets him back to smiling a bit, in time for Martin's remark. "He was Bauquemare..? I need to speak to the Bauquemares," he recalls. Which of course means land negotiations will be resolved with a dance-off.
Miriam's cheek darken a little at the compliment from Liya. "I'm still better in the air, but I'm getting there." She has another drink then, saying "But a party's certainly not the place for such a serious subject? It's a place to forget the serious for a while, no?"
Liya pauses, that idea sort of - "wait, on land or in the air? Cause I can dance on land, and I am learning here, but in the air?" she asks, rather struck by the whole idea. If Miriam's not careful, Liya will be asking for flying lessons next. Ahem. "I don't know. He just said his name was Pete. And he showed up, almost right after Salin left, and then once Salin came back, Pete sort of gave me a drink, and vanished." Shrug. "He was very nice though."
Merri hums tunelessly to himself over Liyandra's clues, and by tuneless, that means he is all over the place and awful. Maybe he should be trading dance tutoring for vocal coaching. Taking another swig from his bottle, he sets it aside on the bar and moves off after he says to the others, "Excuse me for a short while."
Apparently day dreaming for a moment, Salin gives a slight shake of his head, his brow lifting a touch as he offers, "A Bauquemare? Really?" Huh. Who would have known. But then again, that still does make him family, in a fashion. Lifting the bottle back to his lips, there's another healthy sip taken that results in it being emptied and after a quick look at it, he's setting it back on the bar, only to claim another.
Miriam laughs. "No, not up in the air. Sadly, I can't float. Except downwards." She watches Merri go, looking curious, then back to the others. "I really must spend more time in the city, getting to know the noble houses. I've spent most of my time just helping my people to acclimate at Icedeep."
Martin smiles in Salin's direction. "If you have not heard Princess, Lord Salin is the heir to Morfilod." He is on drink number two... at least within the last 20 minutes, anyway. He cringes only very slightly at of-tune humming but tries not to let it show. "Icedeep is my holdings. It's near what used to be Kitzeh."
There's just the hint of a chuckle as Martin offers a little explaination as to Salin and to Miriam, he's offering, "I fear, Your Highness, that even as a native of Rebma, I find myself needing to spend more time in the city." There's a smile that comes to be offered and then he's looking to Martin, "Was just going to ask what Icedeep was."
Liya looks a bit sad, but not too much. "Oh well, it was a thought," she says. "I shall content myself with two elements of dancing." She glances at Merri, her own senses cringing slightly as well at that humming. But only a little.
Miriam ahs? She nods as Martin explains Salin. "I see. Then yes, we should get to know each other." she says to him. "Not that Tir's people have any real influence, but I do want us to truly be a part of Rebma."
Martin grins at Miriam and his eyes sparkle slightly. "Princess, you and your people /are/ a part of Rebma for as long as I draw breath and beyond that you have place and status here. The Barony of Icedeep is yours to live as you see fit." He looks at Salin a moment, suddenly thinking of something. "I wonder why we only ever had 3 Major and minor. I'll have to look that up."
"Then perhaps, Your Highness, we shall have to make time to meet," offers Salin, with another smile before he's looking to Martin, "Stability, I would imagine." A flickered grin and then he's offering, "For now, I fear that I must take my leave. I do hope that you will enjoy the party, Your Highness. Lord Regent." There's a bow of his head to her and then to Martin before he's looking to Liya, "I'm see you back at the Estate, Liya."
"Probably to limit the politics," Liya says softly. Though Salin beats her to it, and she smiles at the man. "Oh. I think, maybe I should head out too?" she says. "I'm a little on the danced out side by now."
"You are a wonderful man." Miriam says to Martin. "I and all my people are grateful to you." She nods her agreement with Salin, regarding them meeting, then says to both him and Liya "It was so nice to meet you."
Merrisol may have gone in search of the elusive Pete, or he may have gone looking for Maggie who went looking for coffee a while back. Either way, it means he ends up wherever Petes, Maggies, and coffee goes during a party. Which is, you guessed it, the dance space. Somehow. He's been snagged by an older Morfilod, an aunt by the looks of it. Aunties don't fancy being flipped and twisted and carried upon the shoulders of their nephews. In general.
Drifting back toward the party, Maggie travels the currents within the Rebman courtyard like an old pro. Sort of. Well, maybe not. Dipping down beneath that flow, she wheels about and dives for the spot where the people she knows cluster, "Hey." Not a very imaginative greeting, it is warmly offered for all that.