Braeth'el was annoyed. Actually, 'annoyed' didn't entirely cover the full array of emotions adequately. Angry. Worried. Tense. Stressed out. All of these things combined perhaps. It wasn't even worth classifying in his mind and really just felt like a lead weight pressing down on him. In his line of work he was used to dangerous and stressful situations, but it was rare that he became emotionally invested in the situation enough to actually feel it pressing down on him. Perhaps it was the fact that he was something of a free agent now, a situation that was uncomfortable and unusual for him.
Regardless of the why behind his feelings, he had to deal with the situation that was causing them immediately. He scowled as he stood before the large, golden double doors, taking a deep breath and smoothing out his features before pushing them open.
As soon as the barrier had been removed, a wave of sound hit him. The sounds of voices in conversation, the laughter and revelry of people enjoying themselves, the sounds of hands clapping in time with music, and of course the beautiful music itself floating through the hall all around him. He paused in the entryway, absorbing it all in an instant as his training and instincts had taught him to do, assessing the moment and planning two steps ahead.
It was, of course, a party. One of the usual galas thrown in Silvermoon by the noble houses. This one was a masquerade and seemed to be a bit overboard in terms of the decorations, number of musicians, and guest list. The hall was somewhat cramped with all of the Sin'dorei it contained, and Braeth'el's immediate assessment was that the gala had been thrown by a lesser known noble house seeking to increase its reputation and prestige. As was often the case, events like this could propel those lower down the social chain to soaring heights if the event was successful or they gained the ear of the right people.
All of this passed through the trained spy's mind in a moment, setting his body in motion almost without thought. As if he were born to it, he slipped amongst the party-goers, his carefully tailored golden and red doublet with its matching golden mask making him blend into the crowd and disappear in a moment. Trained from birth in the craft of spying, Braeth'el had attended events identical to this one more times than he cared to remember. They were excellent places to gather intelligence, meet contacts, or even plot an assassination if such were required, and he'd been trained long ago to mingle with the mighty who attended such events.
His current concern was not to gather intelligence however, nor to plan assassinations, it was instead to find one Telatha Dayfire that had decided it would be an excellent idea to slip from her quarters in the inn without notifying her guards or any other member of her House where she was going. That she would do something so dangerous without even consulting him was infuriating, but the anger was something that he found strangely pushed to the side and replaced with actual concern for her well being. Her naivety was jaw-dropping to his experienced mind, and he had already prepared a lengthy speech for her once he located her.
Even as the thought crossed his mind, his eyes caught the sight of faintly glowing fel runes amongst a mass of party-goers standing at the edge of the hall's dance floor. Braeth'el smoothly moved through the crowd, navigating towards where he had spotted them. His hand darted between people, slyly grabbing an arm and gently pulling his target towards him. He spun the Sin'dorei he'd grabbed around and then blinked in surprise as he met her gaze.
A giggle came from behind a red mask as Bellemasra's lips curled into a smirk. She looked down, nodding at the fact that he was holding her hand, "Can I help you with something, Mister Braeth'el?"
Braeth'el sighed, rolling his eyes and releasing his grip on Telatha's coven-member. Of course she'd bring her 'friends' with her. The fact that he hadn't even checked their quarters showed just how unused to Telatha's nature he was; his former employer didn't have a gaggle of girlfriends that she'd go places with nor would she have invited them out for a clandestine party even if she had. Telatha on the other hand not only trusted those who served her House, but actively encouraged their friendship and camaraderie.
Bellemasra's eyebrow shot up in question as Braeth'el sighed again. He shook his head, keeping his voice low and his tone pleasant so as not to disturb the warlock, "I imagine she is here with you then?"
Bellemasra nodded at him and gave him a knowing wink before subtly tilting her head towards the dance floor behind them, "Naturally, Mister Braeth'el."
Braeth'el gave Bellemasra a polite nod of thanks before moving past her and heading deeper into the crowd. Just beyond where she stood was the edge of the dance floor, and beyond that point Sin'dorei were paired together, twirling and moving in time with the music as their bodies flowed across the dance floor. He paused at the edge of that boundary, preparing himself to cut in but wanting to at least have a destination in mind before he did.
He was rewarded for his patience a moment later as the crowd thinned slightly, the music picking up in pace as a dance began wherein Sin'dorei would rapidly change partners. Amongst the glimmering gold and red and swirling dresses he caught the glimpse of a deep purple gown, its owner twirling as her partner passed her off to the elf beside him in exchange for a golden haired beauty in a red dress. As Braeth'el peered into the moving crowd, he caught sight of Telatha's markings glowing fel green beneath a purple hawkstrider mask that covered the upper half of her face.
For a moment he watched her, admiring the way she was able to move amongst the dancers, her steps perfectly aligned with this partner or that as the dancers changed partners rapidly. With a half-smile on his face, he plunged into the midst of the crowd, his hands reaching out to catch those of a dark-haired Sin'dorei as he began to move towards his target.
He passed off his partner to another elf, taking up a second Sin'dorei and twirling her around as he made his way deeper into the crowd. This one peered at him from behind a silver mask, her eyes devouring him as he moved with her. Braeth'el smirked, offering her a wink before he passed her off again, turning to reach for his next partner, his hands moving out to take hers in his.
And then Telatha was in his arms, her eyes wide with shock as she realized just who had caught her. Braeth'el gave himself a moment to congratulate himself not only on surprising her, but on successfully catching her just as the wild changing of partners came to a close and another song was struck up by the musicians.
"Braeth'el," Telatha whispered as he pulled her close to begin the next dance. Her voice was low enough so that only he could hear it, and he admitted that she at least had some small amount of sense to her.
He twirled her around once, grudgingly admitting to himself that her dress was gorgeous as her skirts fanned out around her before bringing her close to him again. His voice was also low, whispered almost directly into her ear as the two came together once more, the sound not even reaching the other couples dancing around them, "Lady Dayfire...this is extremely dangerous and you know it. If someone were to discover you before you've made allies..."
He didn't get to finish as the dance required him to twirl her again, but he didn't have to; the message was clear and he could see disappointment on her face as it sunk in. A part of him regretted that he was making what would otherwise be an enjoyable dance less fun for her, but she needed to understand the danger she was in.
To his surprise, as she came in close against him again, she pressed her other hand into his, her voice firm but not angry, "Firstly, if we're to be dancing, you will call me Tela or Telatha at the least. I came here to enjoy myself; not to bring my worries with me."
She pressed against him and he managed to surprise her again by leading her into the next steps of the dance, his perfect movements ingrained into him after years of practice. That she matched him step for step made a bit of amusement creep over his features as she began to lecture him.
"Secondly, I am aware of the dangers," Telatha continued, her voice low as she whispered into his ear. "I am not a child, but my naming-day was not so long ago. I wish to truly live, to enjoy what little I have been given. I understand my responsibilities, but I have the right to live as much as any other. Is that too much to ask? Is it too much to desire to at least enjoy this moment? Perhaps doom will fall upon us tomorrow, and if it does I will face it bravely, but tonight I just wish to dance."
Braeth'el said nothing for a moment, twirling her again as the other dancers around him were doing, contemplating her words. As she drew near again, both of her hands pressed against his, he looked down at her and met her gaze. Her eyes were like deep pools of fel green magic, a sense of longing in them for something, for approval or at least forgiveness for taking a moment for herself.
In that instant as Braeth'el stared into her eyes, a thought came to him that he had never considered before.
Perhaps that is the difference between her and her half-sister. Does Biara Sunfire actually enjoy her life, or is it all a chore? If you can't enjoy life, what value would you place in the lives of others? Did she do this out of recklessness, or because she actually enjoys the little things she can have?
His mind made up, Braeth'el nodded at Telatha, drawing her close to him again as the music played on. With a devious smile on his face, he twirled her again, and this time when she returned to him, instead of bring her close, he caught her in his arms and dipped her low, supporting her slight weight as he leaned over her. The surprise on her face was priceless, and he couldn't help but pull her up and send her into another twirl, the moves perfectly choreographed to the timing of the music.
A moment later it was his turn to be surprised as Telatha laughed and returned to him, moving her body close against his and then jumping lightly up, forcing him to catch her and twirl her in the air before dipping her down again. As he lowered her down, their eyes met again, and this time there was a look of gratitude on her face as he held her, their bodies inches apart. He could feel her heart pounding in her chest as he held her close, and smiled as he realized how happy that moment had made her.
It would not be until later that he realized his own heart had been beating heavily itself.
When he brought her back up and against him again, he realized to his horror that the dancers around them were not only staring at them, but a few were applauding the rather difficult moves the two had just displayed. Beside him Telatha had begun to blush a bright pink, the color traveling all the way up to her eartips.
Way to be subtle there, Braeth'el. Oh don't worry, I'm sure no one will notice the two people in the center of the dance floor being applauded...
With that he shook his head, looking down at Telatha and seeing the smile on her face. Perhaps it didn't matter in the end, because she'd had her moment. Maybe tomorrow the news of this would get out and all of their foes would fall upon them like wolves, but for tonight, it didn't matter.
With a sigh, more at himself than at the situation, Braeth'el gently lead Telatha from the dance floor and towards the tables full of food, the blushing noble happily trailing along behind him eager to get out of the spotlight. Food and wine and perhaps a bit more dancing, and then he'd take her and her coven-members back to the inn and that would be that.
It would not be until hours later that the group from House Dayfire returned to their suites at the inn, their echoing laughter as sweet as the wine they'd tasted that night.
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