Alirius Val Corona
Location: Whetherford Mansion Halls
Accompanying: NA.

Alirius, taken aback by the flow of events, followed after the woman who had just absconded with Freida. He didn't recognize the woman, but he could tell rather easily that Freida was not happy with it, prompting him to step in as best he could. Somewhere along the way, he lost track of his quarry. "Well, Freida's a capable woman. I'm sure she can take care of herself. Plus, if she couldn't, she undoubtedly has someone at her beck and call who can. I suppose I really needn't worry..." He said to himself, before deciding his attention was better directed at finding Meren and evacuating any remaining occupants, lest they be lost to the fire. Alirius pulled his communication crystal from the inner pocket of his coat. Focusing on it, he established a connection with Meren's. With any luck, she was paying enough attention to notice it glowing in flashes and would respond. After a few moments, she answered, as evidenced by the pulsing light becoming a solid glow. "Meren. Where are you? Did you deliver the parcel already? If so, I need you to assist the other occupants in their evacuation." After Meren informed him that she was still with Elissac and relayed his words, Alirius chuckled slightly before he added "Also, since you're still in his company, tell Elissac that last I saw, Asena Valda burst into flames. That may be of relevance to him."

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Meren Hasan
Location: Whetherford Mansion Ballroom
Accompanying: Elissac

As the Dweller before her returned his attention to his meal, Meren thought it prudent to his own safety that she inform him of the current state of things. "By the way, Elissac...Just so you are aware, the mansion is on fire. It may be wise to check on those you are here to protect, or at the very least make your way outside." No sooner had she finished that sentence, she noticed a faint, blue pulsing from within her coat. Pulling from it the source of the light, her communication crystal, she poured her mental focus into it until the light stopped pulsing. It was Alirius. After his rather quick paced questioning, she replied "Yes, the parcel has been delivered. I'm with Elissac right now. He says to tell you "The cheese wheel was good, and that you would understand." But not to worry; I will do as you ask immediately." The glow of the crystal subsided, and Meren returned it to her coat before once again speaking to Elissac. "In case you didn't hear that, Alirius wishes me to tell you that one Asena Valda was last seen...bursting into flames? Is that normal for her?" Meren asked, genuinely puzzled by the remark, so much so that she tilted her head slightly to the side.

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Shimmer Caesori
Location: Whetherford Mansion Halls, near entrance
Accompanying: Corentin Desdemona (@Marvin)

Shimmer pressed on, not once loosening her grip on Corentin, even as he continued his childish tirade. She only paused when he asked why the building was on fire, as if she knew. "Hell if I know! All I know is that it's on fire, same as you. Seriously, though...could you please at least treat the situation a little more seriously?" She said in a mildly exhausted tone. The events of tonight were entirely outside her expertise in handling. Before resuming their march to the entrance of the mansion, Shimmer reached down, tearing a length of her red dress away so she could move her legs more freely, and ditched the shoes she was wearing; heels didn't make this any easier.
With those minor obstacles out of the way, she resumed her pace, dragging Corentin along once more. They were almost to the front doors...but she could already smell smoke even this far away from the source. The fire was spreading fast.

Shimmer Caesori
Location: Whetherford Mansion Ballroom
Accompanying: Corentin Desdemona (@Marvin42), Sumara Zendulu (@DolittleMax)


At Sumara's last question, Shimmer slowly sashayed around the outskirts of the crowd, hand extended for any volunteer to take it. She thought about taking a little energy from anyone who took her hand, but figured Corentin would probably admonish her for it, ultimately deciding against it. "Surely one of you has the courage to step up?" She said scanning the onlookers. Finally a young man stepped forward, grinning ear to ear as he sheepishly placed his hand in Shimmer's. Shimmer offered the boy a gentle smile, careful not to expose her fangs. Closing her fingers around the volunteer's, she turned and led him to the center of their little makeshift stage. "We have a volunteer!" She shouted, and the crowd clapped in excitement and anticipation of what was to come.

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Alirius Val Corona
Location: Whetherford Mansion Exterior
Acompanying: Meren Hasan, Freida Vawne de Whitheres (@Pyxie)


Alirius approached the guard posted outside the doors to the large estate. It had been some time since he had last been to a home this large. It was his own, back in Illydia Bay if memory served. With that little bit of nostalgia still fresh in his mind, the guard spoke. "Arriving late, eh? 'Suppose it could be fashionable. Or not. Invitation?" The man was a little gruff, but he seemed to take his job seriously enough. "Of course." Alirius said, gesturing to the woman beside him. His second in command produced the invitation and handed it to the guard. Luckily Alirius had been able to get Meren added to the guest list as his companion at the very last minute. She insisted on coming along to act as his bodyguard, not that he really needed one. "Everything seems in order. Enjoy the festivities, Master Val Corona, Madam Hasan." The man bowed and opened the door in one smooth, well rehearsed action.

As Alirius entered the ballroom, it seemed rather dark. After a moment, he realized he had arrived in the middle of the night's entertainment. It was difficult to appraise the situation through the thick of the crowd, but he caught glimpses of a beautiful Elvi in a slimming black dress leading a young man to the center of the room. "Hmm...Seems interesting. I'll have to make it a point to observe it later." He said, still scanning the room for his old friend Freida.

Finding her in a corner with her son, Hydrus who was engrossed in a book, Alirius approached the woman, arms wide. "Freida! How have you been, my dear friend?" He said with a magnanimous tone.

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Meren Hasan
Location: Whetherford Mansion Exterior
Accompanying: Alirius Val Corona, Freida Vawne de Whitheres (@Pyxie).


Meren followed Alirius up the stairs to the Whetherford home, stopping in front of the guard. She decided she would let Alirius do the talking, as her only objective was to keep him and his parcel safe. At the cue of her master, she pulled their invitation from inside her coat and offered it to the doorman. Upon its acceptance, she and Alirius made their way inside, immediately heading for the ballroom.

As they entered, she could hear murmurs among the crowd before a woman shouted 'We have a volunteer'. She paid little attention to this, instead focusing her gaze on the strangers between them and the person they were to meet with. Apparently she was an old friend of Alirius', and if he trusted her, Meren saw no reason she shouldn't....mostly.

As Alirius approached Freida, he gave a quick nod to Meren and she took up a position some distance away, so as not to intrude on their conversation. She cared not what they talked about, only that Alirius remained unharmed. She again turned her attention to sizing up any who passed by Alirius, assessing whether or not they were a threat.

Shimmer Caesori
Location: Whetherford Mansion Exterior
Accompanying: Corentin Desdemona ( @Marvin42), Sumara Zendulu (@MindLabyrinth)

As Corentin finished delivering his instructions, Shimmer simply nodded, pulled her hood up and began to make her way into the mansion, gently and discreetly touching any who passed her by, draining a little of their energy to charge herself up.
She was pretty sure this was going to a largely boring affair, but what Corentin had said about "showing the owner of the mansion our gratitude" made her slightly giddy. It had been too long since she got to have a little fun...
But, before she could let loose on the poor bastard, she had to make it through the grueling past-time of putting on a show for the mindless sheep. Little did they know that the real show was going down behind closed doors.