The Vote

As those who have gathered around the tables, a herald stood at the other end of the room, waiting for everyone to be seated and eating their food. He then cleared his throat, before loudly announcing what was written on a scroll. "Attention!" he called. "As you have all have noticed, there is a sheet folded underneath your plates. They are votes. For the Best Man, Woman, and Couple of the night. Listed are the contestants as chosen by the attendants of this ball. Their names are written down, please mark one for each category if you wish to participate. Then fold it up and put it back underneath your plate until the attendant comes around and will collect them. Please enjoy your meals," he then walked off from his station, and the rest of the room continued to be full of chatter and livelihood.

A note is found underneath each plate on every table, with the three categories as described and the full names of the contestants, who perhaps, didn't even know they were chosen. An attendant will come around to collect them, and near the end of the Feast the winners shall be announced, and brought to the center of the room where they shall receive a crown and a bouquet. What a vision of peace it was, for those of both common and noble blood to be named like royalty in this event.

(So basically how this will work is that the characters can choose to vote IC within the posts, however the actual poll will be taken OOC. Please only use one account to vote if you have more than one character as to not upset the balance. What happens IC will not affect the votes OOC and vise versa. But the list of the people will remain the same. September 25 will be the last day to vote, and the winners will be announced on the 26th. It will be considered that the vote of the poll was taken by the whole crowd, instead of the actual characters themselves. So the characters can vote, but the OOC vote will determine the outcome.)

Orin had seated himself on the far side of the room. Shaecayrn had left him, in favor of entertaining another man, whom he vaguely recognized. Though perhaps it was vise versa, and if that was so then he'd hope that the Goddess bless his poor soul. He decided to then watch the crowd from afar, his gaze settled from where he sat as he stared out seemingly into the distance. So far, there was no sign of danger. He hadn't sensed the plant anywhere near here, which was a good thing but he couldn't be certain. His dark eyes scanned the room, seeing the crowd of the people who had gathered. In the distance he spotted Ives. His eyes had settled on him. It was odd, seeing them in person. He had mostly oversaw his former apprentice through his abacomancy, but so far all he could tell was that he was safe. Though he could barely see whom he sat with nor who he was talking to, as he was but a mere head of curly blond hair amongst the others. Of course his apprentice would be at an event as this. As Lore Keeper it was to be expected. He assumed that the Council was most likely here as well, although turning his head he saw no sign of them. When the herald announced, stating the "voting" Orin gazed at the plate quizzically before curiously upturning it, unfolding the sheet that was hidden underneath.

At the sight of the contestants his brow raised in interest, seeing Ives' name on the sheet. His eyes then averted toward the man, then back onto the paper. Indeed, he must have had more weight on the people than he thought. Setting it down he then made a tick by his name, easy enough. His eyes then scanned through the rest of the list, not recognizing many of their names however he knew of Larkin, Ives' apprentice. He made a mark by her name as well. In the couples he read all of their names, but he didn't know any of them other than the king and queen of the immortals. He placed his vote for them as well, and as he was done with the vote he would fold it back up again, sliding it underneath his plate once more. Orin didn't expect himself to participate in this folly, but then again perhaps Ives needed the extra attention, and his former mentor would help give that to him. The elf then sat there patiently, despite the fact that many merfolk had come and began to serve their dishes. The smell of seafood wafted to his nose, such an odious scent. Orin despised food made of the sea. It smelled too much like salt and seaweed and the like. But even a wanderer could not be so picky, despite his obvious choice of food from the forest. Nevertheless he began to start eating, his utensils clinging and clanging much like the others.

Solara Ell Polst

Orin looked up to see the woman who had announced that she would be joining him. The elf looked up at her in surprise, however then turning his head he then saw... there were no other chairs that were vacant. He had thought he had chosen this space for he would be alone, perhaps for someone he had known to join him but perhaps this was even better. Getting lost among strangers suited him. It was like he was a wanderer in the forest all over again. This time instead of animals it was people. Putting on the falsest smile he could muster, the man looked up at her with an accepting gaze. "Not at all," he said in a lighter tone as she sat. He was disgusted with himself on the inside. Though, he had to fit into the crowd if he did not wish to be recognized as Orin, the former Lore Keeper. He was typically stern back then, just as he was now. However he held much more of an air of authority and composure to him. However now he perhaps seemed to be out of place with himself. Though, he did wear such different attire than he normally had, and nor did he usually try to blend in so effortfully. When he was Lore Keeper he typically wore dark colors, and he indeed kept the look about him. But now he was just a simpleton, placed among those who were both noble and commoners wearing fancy attire, there was little distinction between the two.

He continued to eat, placing the horrid food in his mouth, what felt like some burnt fish of the sort before he began to chew. It must have been evident on his face, the grimace as he tried to swallow it down. The woman in fact took notice. Or at least to him. When she asked the question he reached for a napkin, placing it over his mouth and nose as he then blew, as if to blow his nose, however he blew the contents in his mouth into the napkin as well, the gross bits and pieces of fish flesh. He then wrapped up the napkin quite neatly, before placing it far from his plate. He looked at her with content and ease. "Indeed, not many do," he said. Clearly she wasn't an elf, though that wasn't to say that she might not know any. He looked at her. "However there are some that live along the coastline, they live off of whatever they can eat. Though, I myself am far much more used to eating that which comes from our very woods." He then looked down at his own dish, He couldn't even tell what parts of it were. The black shells were obviously barnacles, that were surrounding what appeared to be shrimp. He had no idea what the pink little creatures were however, and he curiously poked at one with his fork. Its beady eyes that gazed up at him were unnerving. He then moved his fork to gather the green and yellows, most likely assuming that it was just regular food mixed with some spices as green specs dotted the whole plate. Twirling his fork as the greens bundled up in one place, he then took another bite. He was hungry. Being a wanderer, he could take whatever he could get. Though he much prefer other foods. "I guess we do not," he smiled again, out of politeness. Though he looked down again, he couldn't bring himself to take another bite. He thought that they should arrive with some appetizers like bread and the sort, but so far he hadn't seen any around. The humans had to bring food they could actually digest right? Though looking around, even the king seemed to be pleased with the meals.

There was a silence, though perhaps he should speak more. He didn't recognize the woman, though he didn't really care all that much who she was. He should be more focused on figuring out what the plant is up to, if it is here. Though, his doubts were beginning to occur. He probably shouldn't have come here. Then again, if he didn't he would regret it. It didn't matter anyway, for he got to check up on Ives. "Are you enjoying the ball so far?" he then asked, not gazing at her. He then moved some of the portion of his dish with a knife, dividing the plate into two parts of food. "I heard there are many people of importance here. It is good to see that everyone is at peace." But it wasn't. His words were full of lies, just empty words that filled in the silence. He was used to partaking such conversations during his time as Lore Keeper. He had learned many things about these kinds of events. Though, not everyone was at peace. Even the ball itself, held within the midst of danger when there was a dangerous creature lurking just outside. The plant could come and wreck havoc any moment, he figured.

He seemed to bore her, well not that it really mattered but when the servant came around with the water Orin wished for a glass but the servant just merely passed him. Perhaps the next round, he supposed. He then turned his attention to her again, noticing that maybe she wasn't enjoying the food as much as he was. What an awfully peaceful event this was, to have food that no other race enjoyed other than merfolk and perhaps human. He was about to take another bite out of the... strange stuff but then she spoke, his eyes averted toward her instead. He was slightly surprised, she didn't like events such as these? Then again neither did he but he somehow had the idea that everyone else must have had. Perhaps it were the false smiles that everyone gave that made it seem this way. In fact why have meeting such as these at all if no one enjoyed them? Then she continued on, stating that he was proper and indeed the elf was. Although this time he was less proper than usual in fact. Acting as though as he could just let it go, the elf did so, breathing before giving a small chuckle. "No, I just only saw the need to be," he said to her in jest. Although, this was rather unusual of himself. He would much rather continue to be formal, however, sticking in he had to play the part. Of a normal person that would need be. So he was going to try to... not act so formal around her this time. He had to act as if he were an ordinary elf. Back in the old days when he was around his family and friends in the middle of the woods. A cheery group they were, however Orin had always seemed to be a bit gloomy and serious than they. Perhaps that was just apart of his personality, it wasn't necessarily the events that had changed him into what he was, although it did have an effect on him.

Leaning back into his chair slightly he tried to make himself appear as if he indeed had no care for formalities at all, letting her assume that he was not going to continue with formalities. She then asked for a name... Shit. If the question that followed was true, and she was indeed a noble, then she would know of him, lest he give his name. Maybe if she was a young human noble she wouldn't, but still there was a slight chance of him being noticed here. He had to think of something quickly, a name that wouldn't give himself away. Oh, what could it be?

"You're a noble?" he then asked, like a commoner that was surprised to see that a noble would sit, here, with someone like him. He looked at her with aspirational awe, as if he were impressed by her feat. Though, it was a redirection to what kingdom she came from, and knowing that would hopefully buy him sometime to think of a name, or to give out his real one. He then looked downward bashfully. "I am afraid I am no one of importance," he said shyly. He was so sick of himself right now. He was Orin Forst, former Lore Keeper but now a wanderer of the Dryhtwood Forest. If anything he should be lecturing her about her manners. His eyes then averted back toward her. "But, we can talk about other things. I know that you must not like these kinds of gatherings," he then said, placing a wager on what he had just said.

He now gazed at her with more of a serious glance, than his easygoing facade earlier as it faded with her remarks. Indeed, he was losing his act the more she spoke. And she did like to speak quite a lot. Saying that it was improper to not listen, yet asking him how formal he was? Though then it was followed by an explanation, so perhaps it was more of a continued jest despite the fact he didn't pick up on it. Though he continued to listen, so in fact she was probably no less of a commoner than he was, or so he pretended to be. Or perhaps she was telling the truth, but he would not know for he wasn't present when the herald would call their names. It would make sense if she did though, as Orin had just had done so himself, losing his title and giving it to his apprentice while he ventured the wilds in hope of stopping the danger. He continued to look on at her sternly, perhaps the true self peeking through.

She asked for his name again, though it was then she asked to speak of other things. The mage? Which mage? He didn't recall any mage making an entrance, but as she continued to talk he began to realize whom she was speaking of. The dark woman indeed had shadows attached to her heals, for perhaps that was why everyone had gathered around her when she had entered. But he was present as well, arriving as her "date" that she had abandoned. Knowing that they were alone here at the table, he did decide to give out his name, as the mage had. "Orin," he replied, this time with a somber tone. His dark eyes then moved toward the glass of wine, then beginning to take a sip of it for he had not seen the servant carrying the tray of water. Or perhaps it was because he needed an extra dose for the fact that she might know him. But it was fruitless now. He placed the glass down and looked at her once more, the usual wanderer's glance. "You are speaking of Shaecayrn, are you not?" he then asked, his eyebrows narrowing. So she did see him after all. Did she see him be abandoned by his partner, and decide to come here to tease him? Not that he would be offended by it at all. Shaecayrn was free to do as she wished, though just knowing that the mage was there was good enough for him. If the plant came here, he knew that there would be someone capable of helping him that knew of the situation. Though this woman, what did she want out of this meeting with him? He looked up into the air dismissively. "She comes from Duskmire Woods. She feels the need to make an entrance because she feels the need she has to. Though, I was not present for her display." Again he took the glass, waving the wine around in his hand although he did not take another sip. His eyes then moved toward her again. "I was supposed to arrive with her here, although I had some complications," he spoke, although his tone even and yet keeping that same refinement as usual. "She went off with the Commander of the Immortals I believe," he then said, setting the glass back down again as he looked at his obscured reflection. Then his eyes made their way back to her. "Though, she was just a comrade of mine." His face paused momentarily, accentuating the fact that they were no more than friends, arrivals.

Then, he began to fiddle with his utensils again, perhaps his posture had returned to more straight than it was. Indeed it seemed like he was his old self again. Though he had no tolerance of trickery. On her part. Though that could be easily matched. "Did you lose your partner as well? Is that why you are here alone?" he then asked, eyes averting up at her again. Perhaps he was speaking more casually now, not really looking down on her intentionally but indeed if she saw him with her then he deserved to know. It seemed as if they were in a sad conversation about why their dance partners had left them, though to Orin it was indeed the opposite.