Rowan looked in the mirror blandly as he adjusted the bright red tie around his neck. A ball. Prefect, just perfect. As a plus, a ball with the main two packs being the Blood Moon and Lunar Falls packs, with the Lunar Falls pack being the pack of his ex. Caelan. His biggest regret was getting to the relationship when he probably wasn't ready for such a thing, emotionally speaking, and also hurting the other person within the relationship. He didn't know if he'd be able to face Caelan after he'd hurt them.

He sighed, running a hand through his gelled up hair, letting a few straight locks of copper fall free across his face. He wore a simple black dress shirt, shoes, and suit jacket, black dress pants, and he'd left his silver studs in his ears. He hadn't even tried to cover up the scar that went over his left eye. If he closed his left eye, it made a straight, long scratch over his eyelid. Stupid grumpy badger. Still, he'd grown to love the scar, how it messed up his features. He didn't really know why he liked it so.

He also wore his silver watch on his wrist, which he now looked at to see the time. He sighed again and started heading down to the ballroom. As he made his way down, he couldn't help but think of the first time he'd met Caelan.

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

Rowan finally got down to the ballroom and went through the process of having his name, pack, and rank announced before descending the stairs. As he descended, there were only really a few people who caught his eye. A woman with ivory hair and a woman in a pink dress conversing, and Caelan and a man with shining, long cream colored hair conversing by the bar before heading to the dance floor. He couldn't help but notice that Caelan somehow managed to get lost from their companion and did a roundabout back to the bar.

He made his way away from all the people and towards the bar, ordering a drink before letting his eyes drift over to where Caelan was. He was going to greet them before noticing them engage in a conversation with someone else. Figuring it would be inpolite to interrupt, Rowan simply took his drink and swirled it around slightly, watching a slight whirlpool form in the middle with glazed eyes, wondering what on Earth he'd even say to Caelan at this point. For now, he'd let go of his pride and let them make the first move if they decided to notice him.

Hope had gone for a more night-sky kind of outfit, as something she had always been fascinated with the stars. She wore a long black dress in which the skirt fluttered around her ankles and had silvery rhinestones scattered on the bodice. The skirt itself also had silver flecks throughout it, winking like stars, and if you looked close enough, they looked multicolored. The dress had a long sheer black cape that flowed behind it, also having silver flecks like the skirt did. For shoes she wore silver heels that were bejeweled on the ankle and toe straps.

For her hair, she had it put up in a bun with a couple locks of auburn staying loose. She had put silver clips in that had rhinestones placed periodically which made them look like mini constellations. As for makeup, she'd gone rather simple. A slightly sparkly lip gloss, light pink blush, black mascara to define her long yet light lashes, and a silvery colored eyeshadow.

For jewelry, she simply went with her silver moonstone necklace, which shimmered with many colors. She'd always thought it beautiful and had been ecstatic when her sister had gotten it for her. Oh how she wished she were here now. She'd left to "travel the world". She'd always been a restless spirit, moreso than Hope, at any rate. Hope also wore a pair of earring, once again given to her by her sister, that had a central star that made it look like the Neverland constellation, since Hope always had loved the tale of Peter Pan.

Hope glanced over at the time once more, then headed down to the ballroom. You couldn't say she was enthusiastic about this party. In fact, she usually avoided parties at all cost, unless there was a particular motivation behind her wanting to go. She was a more introverted person and didn't like the buzz and hustle of parties. However, this one was required, so she didn't have a choice. Maybe if she met someone she liked she'd consider it worth her while.

She went through and had her name, pack, and rank announced before rather hurriedly descending the stairs. Well, as hurriedly as she could in heels. They weren't particularly high heels, but she hardly wore heels on the regular, so she wasn't very comfortable in them yet. The reason why she hurried in the first place was simply that she didn't enjoy spending a prolonged period of time in an area in which people could easily see her.

Once she made her way down she went over to the bar and got a champagne. She sipped the drink slightly as she watched people mingling on the dance floor, her usual straight, defensive face in place. She'd had people ask why she looked pissed off before, and she simply wasn't, it was just her regular face. Although, looking in the mirror, she could see how some would assume her to be mad. She sipped on the drink some more as she waited to see if she'd interact with anyone, not having the energy to initiate a social situation herself.

Arrietty sighed as her Alpha walked to the bar, she walked to a chair and sat down. Looking around the room, everyone was either coming into the ball or was already there and talking. Crossing her arms she thought, 'Ugh, fine...'. Arrietty got up and looked around to see who her victim of conversation would be.

Arrietty cocked her head and headed over to who she recognized from some gatherings the packs had had. She tapped Rowan on the shoulder, "Hello Rowan, would you care for a drink?" Arrietty asked softly. She had saw him standing looking at the two women in front of them.

A singular brow raised as the glass touched his lips, taking a generous swig of the bubbly liquid. "Hello to you, too," he had responded curtly, the smell of champagne fresh on his breath as he exhaled out the words.

He expected this. Nicanor had a right to be upset with him, it was understandable. After all, he was tardy. "You must understand, I had a bit of a.. predicament," he had begun to explain, turning to the man. "One cannot simply attend a formal event without a tie." He paused, his eyes glimpsing to Nicanor's neck. "Well, most of us cannot." -- "Oh, but no more of that," he waved in a lazy manner, flapping his hand a singular time before motioning to the crowd with it.

Endless opportunities, he seemed to say.

Leaning against the bar, he surveyed the crowd as Nicanor spoke, his eyes fixated upon them as he was given the information. "You're fiddling with it again," he had commented briefly, side-eyeing the man as his hand strummed the ring upon his choker. His attention rested upon it momentarily before breaking contact, and instead, continued to listen, nodding along to the words spoken.

The Lunar Falls Pack and Blood Moon Pack were already here, he could see that much. He had known about the Cassiopeia pack prior, having seen Elowen's mother enter the room earlier. Of course, that meant that Elowen was not far behind. He would have to remember to greet her later in the evening and perhaps question her about the woman in the pink dress.

"The heirs should be announced soon enough. In the meantime, we sit, drink, and blend in." Given Lucienne's tone, he didn't seem to mind. "Afterwards, the audience will be too fixated upon them to even bat an eye. It would be a good chance to make a round or two, don't you agree? Perhaps strengthen our alliances as well?" He didn't wait for Nicanor to respond. Instead, his attention refocused upon the bartender, who was busy with another.

Must he do everything himself?

Without another word, Lucienne reached over the counter, pouring himself another glass before setting it down.

"So much work, so little time." Dragging out the sentence, Lucienne released an exaggerated exhale through his nose. Raising his hand, he held the bridge of his nose before dropping it to his side rather suddenly. His eyes had latched onto another, a rather dull expression twisting upon his features.

"Speak of the devil," he had muttered, chin tipping towards a familiar head of hair. "It appears as if they let anybody in nowadays. Whatever happened to having class?" Of course, Lucienne was referring to the man no other than Quincy, who was parading around with his cousin, Caelan, just as Nicanor had said. "Still as boring as ever, I see. At least his outfit matches. I taught him that, you know." Elbowing Nicanor, an amused look befell him before vanishing at the man's own serious one.

"Oh, relax, won't you?" He turned, eyeing him. "Always so tense, Arete. Loosen up! It's a party!" Patting the man on the back, Lucienne leaned against the bar once more, though had noticed Nicanor's demeanor had remained unchanged. Huffing, he turned to him, lowering his tone. "Do you truly believe that?" He asked, questioning the man. Lucienne knew of Nicanor's anxiety, but he also knew of his instincts. If he truly believed something were to happen, he would listen.

"Give it a few minutes, why don't you? Tell me how you feel then. If it's still bugging you, we will leave, how's that?" It seemed like a good idea, but then again, all of Lucienne's ideas sounded good in his mind. "We'll go someplace else. You tell me where, and we'll go." In an attempt to cheer Nicanor up, he had failed to notice the appearance of Caelan on the other side.

Standing, Lucienne watched the encounter take place. He had stood there for several moments, simply observing. "Lovely to see you too, Caelan," he interrupted, no longer able to keep silent. What was he, chopped liver? No greeting? First the champagne, and now this? Truly, must he do everything himself?

"Don't mind me, I'll simply be here," he spoke, unsure if anybody had even heard him. Regardless, he had stood there alongside of Nicanor, simply in case the man required his assistance. Knowing the stress of it all, Lucienne wished to be close. However, his attention had shifted away once more seconds later, this time, to a woman alongside of him.

"Tori," he greeted, allowing a fragment of a smile to appear. "You look wonderful, my dear. Finally, somebody that dressed for the occasion," he commented, giving her outfit a once-over before his amusement fell at her small jab. "Don't push it. You may look good, but not better than me. Though I do compliment your choice of colour." Throwing in his own comment, Lucienne studied the fabric that the dress was made of. Was it exquisite? Yes, but he wasn't about to tell her that.

"How are you?" He had asked, raising his glass to his lips once more before watching the crowd. There was no denying that she knew what he was referring to. She was one of the packs that he had struck an alliance with, and like many others, knew of the rumours circling around her. "Looking for somebody?" He had continued, now studying the crowd himself. He was always there shall she require assistance. There was no doubt that she was looking for her own pack, perhaps her beta or a member within it.

As he searched the crowd, his eyes fell upon the form of Quincy once more, to which Lucienne nearly rolled his eyes.

Perhaps Nicanor had the proper idea to leave.

The room was so large, and yet so impossibly small, and yet he ignored the imposing walls and nodded along with what Lucienne was saying in response to him. He ran a hand briefly through his hair, shaking his head afterwards. If he pretended hard enough, he could almost say he was shaking away the cloudiness in his brain.

His eyes cut across the crowd to Quincy, and he placed a face to the name he'd heard before, now that he knew exactly who Lucienne had been speaking of. He leaned further against the bar, consciously curving his shoulders and forcefully relaxing his spine. His glass was empty, and he shifted it between his palms, before he put it back on the bar behind him.

As Lucienne's questions, assurances about what Nicanor was feeling, asking if he was being true and serious.

"They were at war, all they've done is put soldiers from opposing sides in the same room," he said ducking his head and lowering his voice further, to be away from prying ears. "And they're hoping they don't rip each other apart. I have no such hope." He spoke as if it were a fact, and, to him, it was.

This entire thing was reliant on hope that the packs could avoid tearing each other and themselves apart before the wedding, if the wedding even happened. He had no hope for that. Hope got you in trouble, hope made you blind to threats, hope was dangerous.

"We can stay," he said slowly, as if considering his options. The words, although necessary, made his lungs clench. "But Lunar Falls and Blood Moon are powerful, and they outnumber us here. We have allies, but we don't need war." He fiddled with his fingers, blinking slowly out at the room, and, to someone who didn't know him, he might have even looked relaxed.

"The second it looks like they're going to start fighting again, I want us gone." He said, eyes hardening as much as they dared when he looked at Lucienne, trying desperately to dig in his feet and be stubborn. "I'll carry you and our allies out if I have to, we are not getting involved in their war if it breaks out all over again."

He had just managed to settle into his own silence, had just settled into the moving tides of the crowded room, had just settled into the thrum of noise that never ended, when a body crashed into him.

He had the restraint to just look down slowly rather than react aggressively, leaning his weight a little away from the little figure and more towards Lucienne. They were staring. At him. At his scars, at his hair, at his eyes. He put his hands in his pockets to avoid fiddling. It was one thing to do it in front of Lucienne, another entirely to do it in front of a stranger.

He forcefully relaxed his entire body, tilting his head with a small half-smile down at the person.

Caelan Journington, Delta of the Lunar Falls Pack.

Caelan, someone that Lucienne had mentioned, cousins with Quincy. He should have connected who they were when he'd found out who Quincy was.

He turned his head to send a short glance to Lucienne, smile dropping into a flicker of a frown, before it was back on his face, leaning a little further into his Alpha's space, as if to remind him that he was there and not ignoring him.

"Nicanor, Beta of the Crescent Moon Pack," he said back simply, not providing a surname. He didn't need anyone googling him. God forbid anyone here find his record.

He took the persons hand in a short, firm handshake. Delta. That meant that this was the person responsible for guarding the Luna and Heirs of the Lunar Falls Pack. He could have grinned.

He'd, naturally, heard some rumors about the two packs heirs. It was hard not to when you were attending a damn ball about them and their marriage.

Sadoc, a drunkard with a habit for flirting with anyone and anything, with an ability to find conflict in any situation.

Klotho, he had heard much more about. Opinionated, unafraid of defending herself and her opinions, mildly hotheaded at times, undoubtedly lesbian, despite what the ball suggested.

He could almost feel sorry for Sadoc, if he cared enough.

Caelan Kamari-Jericho Journigan
Lunar Falls Pack | The Delta | Genderfluid | Mentions: People At The Bar [ind. - Rowan D. ], Luicenne, Nicanor

Current Pronouns Usage: She / They

The young person gave Lucienne a deadpanned look at his snark of not being greeted, " Says the one who messages me twice a year and then sends cryptic ass messages like a freaking serial killer. Hello to you too Lucienne. " she said with a teasing manner but also a slight huff, and continued, " I'm also not dealing with you and Quincy's marital spat, you two can deal with that mess. Both of you are stubborn as hell, but I hope for Goddess's sake that it works out."

And then she took in the nature of the male she had bumped into. It was interesting to meet him, she wondered how he met Lucienne. And their face brightened up at the mention of his name, also noting the fact they didn't say their last name. Hmm, odd , but that wasn't her problem. She only gave him a genuine smile and matched his firm handshake with a firm one of her own. She had to look up to him, after all he still was taller than her even in heels. The light in the room faintly showing her own scar on her face, and she released his hand from the shake and decided to converse with him.

"Nice to meet you Beta Nicanor." They said politely, " and again, apologies for bumping into you, I really should watch where I'm going." And she gave a soft laugh, and moved to stand next to him as to not be blocking the pathway for someone else. She noted Lucienne was conversing with someone else and decided not to interrupt them, and shifted her focus back to the bar or possibly finding their cousin.

But they noticed a familiar face at the bar ; their ex-boyfriend. Was it a curse for her family to have bad luck with men? It dude did feel like it, what was the odds both her and her cousins' exes would be here? Well, Rowan was in the Blood Moon Pack so that checked out. She didn't really feel like talking with him . . . just yet at least. She simply noticed his presence and opted to not engage with him nor make a scene unlike his cousin did, bless his heart. But there was a sort of somber expression on her face after seeing him , and she shook it off. They needed to get that off their mind for a moment. And looked at how dull and bare the floor was, hmm, the party could use some livening up a bit. Even the music playing was making her loose interest.

" What type of music is this to dance to ? " she muttered to herself , as she scrunched her nose in distaste as she glared at the speakers as if they had offended her. They then turned back to Nicanor saying, "can you believe my cousin wanted to go to the dance floor to this music," and then she sighed, "besides, I don't have anyone to dance with." And there was a bit of bitterness at that, but she kept a straight face as she looked at Nicanor saying, "do you know if they have a list of what songs are playing? Or at least when the dance music come in, because this party is rather dull for the moment besides people trying to get the latest gossip, which is fun but not lively."

She then realized she was probably talking too much and said, "Enough of me talking," they said rather embarrassed, "uh- tell me about yourself, you have any interests...oor -um . . . hobbies?"she said, though it came out a bit awkward .