Pomp and Circumstance (Open!)

[Mirai]

It was another one of those parties, a truly extravagant shindig that really only rated 'somewhat' interesting on Mirai's scale of events she had to attend. In fact, it was barely rousing enough to force her from her bed in one of the smaller villas in the upper rungs of the city. But then, Mirai was a very spartan dragon that never did fuss all that much with material possessions.

To any sane individual, the entire hall, one of the more extravagant halls owned by some large bank, was a pure twisted display of hedonism and privilege run amok. There were more women in frills than one could imagine what to do with. Minstrels and dancers had taken up their spots and whatever patches of floorspace not occupied by dining tables overflowing with extravagant meats and deserts or fat rich men with nothing more to do than guffaw with one another were quickly taken up by dancing couples. Men in robes and striking tunics, hats that were worth more than homes in the other parts of the continent. And the women! Oh, all the women and their dresses, winter styles from only the most chic little boutiques in the artisan quarters. It was really an almost nauseating display of swirling and twirling colors and people as glasses clinked, women positioned around the walls of the hall giggled and gossiped with one another, and their husbands got fat on enough food to feed at least six orphanages. But then, maybe the orphans wouldn't be so bad off if they just worked hard enough to earn their parent's love.

And, at the head of all of this, stands a lone woman with a glass in hand, three ice cubes floating in the amber liquid as her violet eyes flicked across the night life with almost predator like intent. She'd already chatted up the patron of this fundraiser event, and after finding him positively droll after he provided her with her newest scarf, she was already on the prowl for another unwitting victim. And of course, she's extravagantly dressed, a ruffled lacey blouse that seems to suddenly stop at a rather low cut black white accented black skirt. And of course of course of course, it's all topped off with black stockings and the fur scarf wrapped around her neck. It's the casual look, really.

[Palenax]

Ah, Arcadia. City of pomp, circumstance, and most of all, lovely ladies. Palenax always did enjoy the times she visited the Golden City, finding new things of splendor to take amusement in every time. New artists always came with the passing of years and while some weren't great, others were simply fantastic. Palenax couldn't count how many "rare" paintings adorned her collection over time. She was a patron to the best artists she could find, both in the art of painting and in the musical arts. Many masterpieces had fallen into the elegant Fire Dragon's hands over time.

But ah, her favorite part was always the beauties. Dragon, Human, Taguel... She wasn't particularly choosey of what race her lovers came in, but their beauty and the passionate fires that burned within even the frostiest of Ice Dragons and the most steeled of Taguel. Palenax had a very certain knack for getting women to do things they would never have considered before and it was a knack that she took great pride in. Well, what beauties might she see at this social gathering now?

Her eyes stopped upon a particularly fancily dressed woman. Palenax herself was dressed in her common fashion of a naval merchant, dressed in fine silks of the highest quality material as usual. Yet even she appeared quite underdressed compared to the blue haired woman that was prowling about the party. Perhaps she should make herself more known...

However, Palenax was halted in this thought as she felt a finger tap on her shoulder. "Palenax?" "Yes. Who's asking?" The Fire Dragon turned to view the source of the voice. Only to receive a splash of wine straight to the face.

After pausing a moment, she brought a hand up to wipe away the wine, opening her eyes again to view a beautiful brunette before her that looked quite disgruntled. "Hello, Sandara... A pleasure." The brunette simply huffed and walked away. Palenax sighed and muttered how that could have most certainly gone better.

[Mirai]

"That looked more than appropriate." A haughty voice will chime from behind Palenax, followed by a trilling laugh that would send shivers down the spines of lesser men. And if Palenax were to turn she'd be greeted by the sight of the blue haired woman looking down on her. It's quite amazing how quickly she found her way over here, seeing as how it took a mere moment between splash and that horrid laugh. And really, Mirai was like a shark in the water when it came to these little socials, and the silver haired navigator was quite a sampling of blood in the water.

She'll deftly offer the other woman her hand, which of course, is adorned with several far too large gemstones. "I don't believe we have had the pleasure to meet Palenax." She hums, cocking an eyebrow and smiling oh so very smugly as if having her name alone already put her up in the little game that was social maneuvering. "A navigator then? Professional traveler with a taste in catty brunettes?" She asks, ho humming under her breath as those violet eyes flicked over to peer after the woman, who no doubt had joined one of those groups of gossiping women who certainly had to be chattering about this development. "And, the drinks are much better when you sip them and not wear them." She remarks with a shake of her head and a click of her tongue as she offers the other (unbeknownst to her) dragon woman her same drink, the one with ice! Ice! That's a luxury beyond most means, if only because Ice dragons don't appreciate being glorified ice machines.

[Palenax]

"That looked more than appropriate."

Y'know. Now that that thought was put into her head...

That was probably true.

But, regardless. Palenax finished wiping the wine away with a handkerchief she kept on hand, turning to see the source of the voice. Up close, Nax had to admit that this woman was quite tall. It seemed like everything she did was meant to hold flash and flair. But still, she wasn't shaken just yet. The sapphire socialite would need to try harder if that was the goal. For the moment, Palenax deftly accepted the outstretched hand and placed a kiss upon it.

"I don't believe we have had the pleasure to meet Palenax."

"I'm afraid we haven't, madam. You know my name though. Mayhaps I acquire your's?"

"A navigator then? Professional traveler with a taste in catty brunettes?"

"One of many things I've done over the years. And one of the many tastes. Though I think I may hold off on the brunettes for a time after this." Palenax chuckled with her own amusement. Meanwhile, the brunette woman was indeed with others now, laughing while a couple of them looked over at Palenax with more of a longing sort of expression on their face instead of the mockery that one might expect.

"And, the drinks are much better when you sip them and not wear them."

"Oh, I'm quite certain they do." She looked at the offered drink, carefully placing a hand to reject the offer. "Thank you for the offer, but I think I've still got some of the taste in my mouth." She chuckled again. "Though, I must wonder. A lady of ice or simply a paramour?" It was rare that Ice Dragons did it even for those they were affectionate of, but ice in a drink seemed to be their favorite status symbol when it came to these events.

[Mirai]

"Mhhm, Mirai." She'll remark cooly, putting a finger to her chin and rolling her shoulders with a little sound before she pets Palenax right atop the hat with the same hand that had been kissed. Though, that harsh judging look she first met her with melts into something a little kinder, even as she offers Palenax a genuine smile! It's kind of creepy even.

"One of many things I've done over the years. And one of the many tastes. Though I think I may hold off on the brunettes for a time after this."

The ice-dragon-in-disguise (where more than meets the eye!) will cock an eyebrow at that and then click her tongue as she tilts her head ever so slightly. "Ah, don't want to get into the details of your no doubt countless adventures?" She'll hum, her eyes flicking over those silks and taking in the whole ensemble. "Though, I really must ask if I could be so bold, what did you do to her? She's usually so reserved." She adds, rolling her shoulders once again as she pulls her drink back and pokes her tongue out between her blood red lips.

"Suit yourself dearest." She'll remark with another self satisfied click as she takes a small sip, only to pull the drink down with an inquisitive little noise at the last question. "Why, I am not sure what you mean my little captain of the savage seas." She'll sniff, her eyes narrowing at the prospect someone might well know her secret. Oh! The scene that would make! "If you were to ask, I'm sure you would find that I'm both very warm and the subject of much adoration." She sniffs, as if wounded before she shakes her glass, causing the ice to clink.

[Palenax]

Hm. That smile was actually slightly unnerving. Perhaps because it came at such a contrast to the snootier words that came before.

"Ah, don't want to get into the details of your no doubt countless adventures?"

Palenax shrugged haplessly. "I am many things, but a gossip I'm afraid I'm not much of."

"Though, I really must ask if I could be so bold, what did you do to her? She's usually so reserved."

Palenax grinned. "I'm a woman of many talents as it so happens. The foremost being a silver tongue. I must admit I'm not one to play politics though, despite all those that think I should." The lovely Fire Dragon's grin stayed on her face with the reaction that Mirai showed. She did like to watch Ice Dragons squirm from time to time.

"If you were to ask, I'm sure you would find that I'm both very warm and the subject of much adoration."

"Oh, I have not a doubt. You are quite lovely, Madam Mirai. So kind to offer me a drink as well." Her eyes glinted... No, it was something else. Something that a Human wouldn't catch, but a Dragon certainly would. Her eyes did not glint, but rather there was a passing glimmer of golden flames. "Ice is just such a rare commodity, even here in Arcadia amongst the Dragons. I'd simply jumped to an early conclusion. My apologies."

[Mirai]

It should have been unsettling! If only because it wasn't her normal brand of predator like grin as she hunted her newest little target, but alas that grin was gone as soon as it had appeared as the two 'danced' with words. "A pity! There's very little that's so engaging as a little round of good gossip." She hums sweetly, taking a deft step forward to get all up in Palenax's business. One wouldn't think she's on the young side with how much she's throwing around her weight, and her height with all that staring down on the other dragon she's doing. She's a bluff artist really.

"We may well have to test that, and I don't mean your ardent refusal to play the games big men find important." She hums sweetly, closing her eyes and turning her nose up. Only to let out a little sniff and turn her nose down, even as she works a hand forward to gently cup Palenax's shoulder. Oh my!

She'll open her mouth to respond to the lovely comment before she cringes and falters for a split second at the glimmer of those eyes. Damn. So she was a dragon, and one of those pesky fire ones that loved to stick their nose into everyone's business. And she just stepped into Mirai's nest for all intents and purposes, she was not to let this stand! "You'll find that I have means beyond simple looks Lady Palenax." She remarks darkly, digging her perfectly polished nails into Nax's shoulder, even as her eyes flash a bright cyan that conjures images of blistering cold.

Somewhere in one of the impenetrable gossip groups, a whisper of 'sexual tension' can be heard and passed along.

[Palenax]

Oooooh. Now this reaction was fun. "Lady? Oh, pshaw. I'm not one for formalities upon myself." A hand rose up to meet the soft... well, "soft", hand that rested itself on her shoulder. A gentle squeeze followed, though it still gave the impression of a strength beyond Mirai's. Yet, Palenax's hand didn't stop there, tracing the arm back to Mirai's shoulder, squeezing gently yet firmly. "Your arms are so... tense, Madam Mirai. Perhaps I'll show you another talent of mine as well."

Palenax didn't miss a beat. More because this wasn't a mask of personality than anything. Whispers in the crowd started to include 'there she goes again'.

An arm snaked around the larger woman's waist, pulling her closer. Seemingly gently, but the force behind it started to speak of Nax's real strength instead of the squeezes from before. "Perhaps we should go somewhere more private, no?"

[Mirai]

Mirai would bristle at the touch, her brow furrowing and a little curl forming on her lips as she hissed quietly under her breath. "I could not begin to imagine why." She replies back, that frown growing all the deeper as she quickly filled the space between her mouth and Palenax's with her iced glass. And, with Pal on her shoulder, with that grip that caused her to wince just the smallest bit, she would work her hands down to the small of the other drgon's back only to pull her in close as the other dragon does the very same, it seems they may have gone to the same school!

"Only if you promise not to burn it down." She'll snap under her breath, lightly swaying with the other woman before she puts the glass to her lips, takes a gentle sip and then deftly begins to untangle herself from the tight hold. "I'd rather not make a scene here~" she coos huskily at the other woman with a wink, even as she turned about sporting a look like she ate something very sour.

[Palenax]

"Only if you promise not to burn it down."

Hmhmhm~

A squirming Ice Dragon was a thing of amusement, yes indeed. Especially when they were literally squirming in her arms. One might wonder just how much she'd squirm elsewhere. Outwardly, Palenax's grin grew wider and her hold loosened, allowing the entrapped sapphire socialite to escape for the moment. This woman, a younger generation she'd wager, was rather amusing.

"I'd rather not make a scene here~"

"A fine idea." She stepped closer once more and raised up a finger, running it down the spine of the taller woman, producing a feeling of euphoria, even despite the current circumstances. She moved in closer and whispered up into an ear. "Shall we step outside, lovely Mirai?"

[Mirai]

Mirai was far less than amused with all of this, she was quite an expert at making a scene, but that was only when it would come in her favor. And all things considered, revealing herself to be a dragon and dropping her ruse among all those stuffy wuffy humans? That was not a favorable situation. She stopped for a moment, straightening up her back as tilting her head to the right to spar back with the woman.

"Well then, do you like what you S-NNYAHCK!" The lady of the court will cry, near jumping out of her fancy boots as her whole body quivered before she cringed at that whisper. It was at this moment that Nax would feel the other lady tense greatly. "You insuferable wyrm." She coughs, blinking several times and then sucking in a deep breath to steady herself and regain her composure. And some would wonder why she would never talk to other dragons...

It really took all of Mirai's strength not to slap the other woman right then and there as she draped her arm over Pal's shoulders, pulling her in as tight as they had been moments earlier as she lead the sashay towards the main door. "I hope you're happy." She'll hiss once again, finally trying to tear away from the other dragon when they're free from the prying eyes and giggles of the well to do crowd.

[Palenax]

"Well then, do you like what you S-NNYAHCK!"

Nax could barely contain herself, that reaction was priceless. The cry and physical reaction were just absolutely delightful to provoke. Oh, this one was so much fun. As Mirai swiftly put an arm around her shoulders, Nax placed her's around the Ice Dragon's waist. She walked along with her as they strode away from the party goers.

"I hope you're happy."

"I'm quite delightfully amused, lovely Mirai." Palenax still wore her amused grin even now, an expression that was likely making it's way up Mirai's hate list quite fast. "I simply had to get you all to myself."

The party hall emptied out into a scenic park, extravagant trees planted everywhere, all emphasizing the greater splendor of Arcadia as a whole. "Humans are so boring, you know... I prefer greater prizes..." Nax's grip on the other woman loosened once more, already well aware just what the Ice Dragon really had in mind, even as the Fire Dragon continued about her usual flirtatious ways.

[Mirai]

Hopefully Palenax would see what the ice dragon was brewing, especially as she spun on the place and attempted to plant an open palmed slap right on the other dragon's face. She had quite the hate list, because lists were convenient and hate was something she loved to immerse herself in, and of course this woman had already worked her way up towards the upper crust. Not to mention, she found it absolutely fitting that something so pretty was filled such smug venom. "You should know to look before touching then you... You!" She huffs, her lips curling once again before she shook her head sharply and let out a choked noise.

"And then you have me." She'll finally respond, closing her eyes and tutting her tongue as she continued to shake her head. She'll stew for a few moments before going through her settle down process once again, deep breath, hand to her chest, exhale and inhale once again. "What is it you want then?" She'll ask cooly, turning her nose upwards. "And your hat looks ridiculous." She'll quickly add before Nax can speak. Oh snap, shots fired! And she had a thing or two about dragons being boring, if only because they're all busy bodies who like to get their claws in everyone's business, at least humans were enjoyable with their short little spats of life.

[Palenax]

Nax's arm slipped away as she moved back in time to dodge the slap, hands going to rest in the pockets of her trousers.

"You should know to look before touching then you... You!"

"And what I saw was quite beautiful." Nax held up her hands as if to show that she certainly wasn't touching now. "But who was it that started touching who, hm? I think that was you, darling."

The way that the woman tried to calm herself down was actually kind of cute, Nax noted. "What is it you want then?"

Palenax started to reply.

"And your hat looks ridiculous."

Well.

Quite snippy of her. Quite snippy indeed...

"What do I want? Ah, that's a simple answer. I want things of beauty. Art, music, women. The finer things." She paused, removing her hat. "Y'know... I got this hat as a last gift from my father before he went to go fight a Dracolich some few hundred years ago now. The monster's dead and so is my father..." She stared at her hat as she spoke, the smugness was gone, but her tone was certainly dark.

"Y'know... He always said to me, "Nax. You must follow your passions. Fire Dragons are born with an ember that never dies, even when our bodies expire. Live and die, engaging in the passions of life." Those were his words. I always did take them to heart." She paused again now. "So I'd... appreciate it if you didn't quip about it, hm?"

Nax looked back up at Mirai at last. Her eyes were filled with golden fire. Even for a Fire Dragon, this was a new one. "And if you wanna pick a fight... Well. I guess you can have it."

[Mirai]

She may well have missed, but damn was her follow through on the attempted strike not perfect. She'll swing her whole body to the right, hand up in the air before she lets out a little 'hmph!' and brings the hand back down to her chin with a snort. "I touched your shoulder, not did that thing with the back and the touching and Argh." She'll whine, her shoulders slumping just a smidgen before she rolled her violet eyes upward and crossed her arms over her chest. "That was uncalled for, do you have any idea how ridiculous I looked?" Hmph, mmph, pout.

Mirai had the absolute burning desire to mess up Nax's hair to oblivion the second she took off that hat, but as the woman spoke, and, with the tone she used, well- for one time in her life Mirai wasn't going to push her luck. She'll keep that in mind, leave the hat alone, though now she was learning things about itty bitty Fire dragon! Daddy issues! Oooh, she could use that! But, her thoughts of revenge are totally stopped dead in their tracks as Nax peers at her like that. She'll open her mouth to respond in her normal, haughty manner before she closes it, puts a finger to her lips and then closes her eyes.

"You said you wanted things of beauty. Art, music, women. The finer things." She'll start, cocking an eyebrow as her hand then reaches down to twirl a loose lock of her sapphire hair. "Which of those am I?" The ice dragon will ask, her voice cold.

That whole Ember thing was totally something a Fire Dragon would say.