She sprawled out over a chair in a little hiding spot only Blaine knew about in the house. She was groaning as she tried to put her thoughts into what she could do for this party. “I could throw them into the Casimir?” No, that wasn’t a party that was a massacre. Her green eyes were desperate as she tried to figure it out. “I could put little imps in his shoes.” She frowned. “Not very fair to the imps.” She sprung up. “I could put the guts of my enemy all over like banners and celebrate with dragonfire ale!” It sunk in that wasn’t a great idea either. “Lilllyyy, I don’t know what to do.” Girly things were not her forte. 

The blonde was with her and a gentle sigh let her lips. “We could use the ballroom at the castle for starters.” Lily ran her fingers through Toya’s hair and gave a smile. “It’s not that hard not to be destructive. You can be constructive if you really put your mind to it. Just think of your children!”

“They all happened because we couldn’t stop fucking. They weren’t planned or anything.” Toya groaned. “I wasn’t even being constructive when I was pregnant. I was a monster.”

Lily sighed a bit, “Children shouldn’t have children.” Toya frowned up at her. “Though I suppose it’s not your fault for being so messed up. One of us obviously dropped you on your head when you were younger way too many times.” Toya now was glaring.

“Did you really?”

“I think Ang did a few times. Just kidding.” Toya was seething with rage just at the thought but Lily stroked her head until the woman calmed down. “We should have all kinds of decorations in storage. We throw enough parties. Do you know how you're going to make your speech to knight the boy?”

“I have to make a speech? Oh hell.”

–

Lily had made all the arrangements but Toya was made to help as she used her magic to get the decorations in place. They ended up talking to some of Angela’s clergy who delivered the finest food in the land for the party. Toya was content with burning things in the kitchen herself, but Lily wanted something edible.

The ballroom of the castle was huge, possibly even larger than that of Angela’s. It’s mosaic tiles had many abalone shell tiles throughout the marble. House members set to lighting the candles of the large crystal chandeliers in the room. Toya was sitting in the corner after she got done with her part. Flowers were everywhere, disgusting. “I mean they look nice but can’t we have a bit of blood? Maybe violence?” Toya mused.

“It wouldn’t be proper.” Lily took the chair out from under Toya’s ass and the youngest fell down. “Why are you so blood-thirsty lately?” The deal with Ynnarah came to her mind and Toya shook her head. She just didn’t want to deal with Angela. Lily pat her head again and dragged her up to get changed.

It was like dressing a pig up in her opinion. The color white looked ridiculous on her. It was crafted from the white feathers of swans. They weren’t forced off but gently collected over time. The elves had made Toya this dress as their appreciation for the many times she had protected them since showing up. It looked ridiculous but she was thankful. She never thought she would actually wear it. Lily had washed her hair and started to pin it up. “If you would grow out your hair more like Ang you could wildly decorate it.”

“I can’t. It would get in the way of the dragon fire.” Toya groaned. She looked silly but she supposed… she looked regal. Lily slipped slippers onto Toya’s feet and it was weird not being pregnant while wearing something like this.

She got down to the ballroom and found her Blaine and pouted. “I look silly.” As she spoke the music began and she snuggled into her husband.

Toya's Dress!

As much as Ynnarah enjoyed her adventuring, she couldn't deny the appeal of a good, hot bath.  And it was one of those rare times she felt no shame in using her status as a princess.  A pair of attendants were present to help once she stepped out of the bath, and helped towel her dry.  One dried her hair with a judicious use of air magic, while the other smoothed her broken nails until they were all the same.  The bath had been scented with rose oil, so she didn't feel the need for perfume.  Her hair was left mostly loose, though several small braids were beaded with small sapphire and gold beads. 

Then she slipped into the dress she had found, proud of herself for picking it out.  Her father couldn't complain much because it wasn't too revealing, and her mother should be happy because it made her look like a princess.  And the colors suited her so well, Ynnarah loved how the dark blue, silver, and light blue all mixed with the gold.  It reminded her so very much of the heavens that she was tied to.  She didn't bother with any makeup, Ynnarah had never really like the feeling of it on her face.  A pair of dark blue slippers completed her outfit, and the young woman hurried down to the grand ballroom.

She smiled at the sight of her parents, Ynnarah was glad to see them together.  After the disaster that had befallen their old home, she had come to appreciate her family all the more.  And seeing them only hardened her determination to find her brother.  "Hello Mom, Dad.  Who all is here so far?" she asked, after curtsying to her parents.  It didn't hurt to observe at least some of the formalities.

Ynnarah's dress

Of course he had to do the dirty work.

Blaine stood outside the girl’s bedroom door, arms crossed tightly against him as he leaned against the wall. Screams could be heard coming from the youngest of his daughters, some of which contained some language that she was still not quite old enough to use, but like her mother, she didn’t care at the moment. This whole ceremony thing had better been worth it, he hoped as he had to led some of the servants to come and get Aurora dressed and prepped for this bash. Not that she would like this, but at least he could handle her better than he could his wife. Meanwhile he had already got ready himself- a cream colored shirt, tan waistcoat and trousers and a blue noble robe to complete the image. His blonde hair was pulled back into a long and neat ponytail. “Okay honey you made your point. Stop fussing and get ready”, he shouted back before shaking his head. “Don’t make me come in there!”

Like magic, that fussing and hollering ceased immediately and in a few long moments, she came out in a sea green colored dress. He ignored the look on her face and escorted her to where the ceremony was held. “Be on your best behavior, or else I’ll have your mother deal with you”, he said in a hushed tone as they entered the ballroom. He wasn’t too sure whether they were early or not, but they were here and nothing major happened yet. Nor was there any wildfires about so Toya hadn’t killed or set anyone on fire just yet either. He spotted Toya nearby and embraced her as she complained about her attire.

“It looks great on you, sweetheart” He looked to Aurora who looked like she was ready to kill someone as well and he groaned. He hoped that none of this would turn into a nightmare. So far, the mission was going smoothly and would continue as long as his family managed to behave properly. It wasn’t long before Ynnarah found them as well. “Looking beautiful, darling. Now. where’s the guest of honor?”, he asked as he looked around for Valkoinen.     

Valkoinen found his way to the ballroom with only slight difficulty.  After having been subjected to poking and prodding from the tailors that Ynnarah had left him with, he was now dressed in very regal attire - unlike anything he had ever worn before.  It was a very dark blue color, nearly black, and seemed to be accented with bits of silver and gold, velvet adorning much of it.  It had no sleeves, showing off the large, rippling muscles on his shoulders, biceps, and forearms that were usually hidden beneath his loose clothing and armor.  The tailor had shown him a mirror once he had been dressed and his belongings had been carted off to the quarters he would be staying in, and he had to admit - even though he had never seen himself in such attire before, he looked rather handsome.  He caught himself wondering for a moment whether or not Ynnarah would find him handsome, but he quickly brushed those thoughts from his mind as there were more pressing things for him to worry about presently. 

Upon his entrance to the ballroom, the first thing that stood out to him was Ynnarah.  He nearly froze, taking in the beautiful sight before him.  Somehow, he managed to keep his composure and made his way towards the family, taking in the sight of Toya and Blaine as well, and also another girl who he did not recognize.  As if on cue, he approached them just as Blaine questioned his whereabouts.

“Forgive my tardiness,” he said, offering a respectful bow to Blaine, Toya, Ynnarah, and the other.  “It took me a bit of time to adjust to the feeling of this clothing.  It is quite lovely, but I am not used to the way it feels on me,” he said, offering an awkward smile.  He turned to Toya and bowed his head a bit.  “You look lovely,” he said to her, adding no flourish to the words.  He knew that Toya would not be a fan of over proper compliments, but he wanted to point out that she did indeed look nice.

He turned to Ynnarah, and stumbled across his words.  “You… you look… you look b-beautiful,” he said quietly, tripping across the syllables as they flowed off his tongue.  His cheeks reddened a bit, and he could not take his eyes off of her for a few moments.  It was clear that his intentions were pure, the look in his eyes not full of lust but rather adoration.  He finally regained his composure and managed to speak in a firmer tone of voice.

“Forgive me, but is there something I am supposed to do during this?” he asked.  “I have never participated in anything like this, so I may need some coaching on how to proceed,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, and it was clear that he was a bit embarrassed at his lack of knowledge.  

To say that Aurora wasn’t pleased about any of this would have been a complete understatement. She had counted the days before this whole ceremony for Ynnarah’s little “friend” was to take place, knowing that it was a formal occasion which meant that she would have to be all dolled up and prettified and forced to attend. She had been scheming of ways to avoid all of this but it didn’t seem like she’d have to since no one mentioned it to her at all until the last day. She guessed that her parents had given up and were letting her make the choice to come or not, which meant that she wasn’t going.

As she hummed to herself and tended to making more arrows in her room, there was a knock on the door. “Come in!” Boy, she would come to hate that she had answered for it was all a setup. The servants poured into her room, their tools of destruction ready to make her into a proper lady much to her dismay. She struggled and cursed to her heart’s content but nothing was stopping them from cramming her into a dress and doing unspeakable things to her hair and face. Perfume was sprayed onto her, making her cough up a fierce storm. And the bits of makeup they put on, oh god it was terrible. Her chocolate locks were put up into a messy bun and she hated every second she was made to endure this torture. And she could hear from outside the room of whom had orchestrated all this- her own bloody father. By the time it was all over, Aurora came out with literally with clenching her teeth together and grinding them. Her father paid her no mind though with his mission completed and led her to the ballroom.

She masked her temper away for now, if only to avoid any sort of conflict with her parents, though anything that met with her eyesight was greet with her blue gems boring down as if to claim their souls. Her mother was there, and she looked just as annoyed as she was about the whole thing, though this was her brilliant idea to throw the ceremony. Couldn’t she had just knighted him on the spot instead of making this is a spectacle? Clearly not. Crossing her arms tightly, she looked about to see who else had made it so far. Her sister’s arrival was expected, though she wasn’t sure if Keira would be here as well. Valkoinen showed immediately afterwards and she gave him a courtesy bow in return. Otherwise it would have been rude and she would have to endure even more punishment and the thought made her mentally shutter.

“Aurora. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Valkoinen. I do hope my parents have been kind to you. ” She smiled sweetly yet when she moved to her mother’s side, she leaned far enough to not be seen and whispered to her, “Please get me out of here, wearing this feels so stupid.”

“And what would you think about adding violets into the alchemical composition for this potion,” Keira pulled up her journal and showed her aunt. The goddess’s green eyes studied the page and she tilted her head.

“Violets tend to lend more of their attitude I fear. For something like that… Perhaps you should go with Buttercups? They are fierce little things but also their taste is better. When thinking about the herbal alchemy ingredients remember that perhaps not all will have an effect like you would think.” She tapped her chin softly. “Also unless you want to shit your brains out I would avoid them in any potions. At least doing a large dose of it. 

Honestly, the only reason Keira had asked about violets was because of the dress that The Artisan wore. It had many violets weaved through it. The skirt of the dress was silk, no it was more like a giant purple petal! The way her top was weaved it felt like one little violet could move and the entirety of her breasts would show. It almost made the young Rosenite blush but her aunt had control of the plants there was no way a mistake like that would happen. The red head’s long red hair tread just above the ground with wicked wild curls of fire.

Meanwhile, Angela was admiring the long red lace version of a qipao the girl wore. It fit the subtle curves the young one had managed to grow in such a short time. Her soft golden hair was loosely swept up and the goddess had a hard time believing the twins even belonged to her emotionally distraught sister.

“I would love to continue our talk on alchemical plants but for now let's enjoy this ball. Your aunt did a splendid job with the decorations to help your mother out. Spend time with family and friends, try not to worry about things like that for now.”

“But–” Keira was brushed off as Angela moved over to the small forming group of Roses and their friend. 

“I have heard today is a special day. A new knight Toya? What a splendid idea.” The way Toya was staring at her sister was much like she was practicing killing the woman over and over again. “Now now, hostility will just get you put back up into my healing camp for more time. I wouldn’t want to tie you up to a bed to help ease your mind.” The youngest one groaned and clung to her husband and youngest child more.

Toya looked to Valkoinen. “The fuck if I know.”

Gently Angela punished Toya with words, “You had time to plan and you asked no one for help? Are you a loon?”

“You had me tied up for being one so the answer is yes?”

Sighing Angela moved in front of Valkoinen and shook her head. “She has no idea what she is doing. I shall instruct both of you on the proper knighting of the Rose Court.” Looking over to Toya she did a sigh. “Do you have your blade?”

Toya fumbled her words for a moment, “The correct answer my dear Toya is no you don’t. Can someone run home and get the pyro her blade? Do not touch it with your hands you’ll get burnt.” She sent one of the help to go get it. “You’ll need it for the knighting process WITHOUT actually touching him. The blade Toya wields only has one master.”

Angela was quick to straight Valkoinen as if he had been standing wrong the entire time. “You will have to accept her words. The words of the White Court, which I hope to the Voice she knows.” Toya rolled her eyes but nodded. “You will pledge yourself to them. The words of the White Court is to protect the pure and innocent. To abide by the wild flame. This is what the White Rose Court rules for.”

Angela’s eyes went to the others now. “Hello, Ynnarah, Aurora, and Blaine.”

Toya grumbled softly at Angela, "Valkoinen, this is my sister Angela, The Master Artisan of Life and Keeper of the Cornucopia. That is such a stupid name."

Angela shrugged. "You think I pick these things? Gods earn their names from the people most of the time. If that is what they want to call me I shall abide by it. Also Lily did a splendid job with the decor will she be joining us?"

"Her miss a party? Ha," Toya laughed and shrugged. "That is up to her. She does have that kid of hers. Thankfully mine don't act like that. I would beat them black and blue." Angela nodded in agreement, one of the few times they agreed on something. 


Angela's Dress
Keira's Dress

It was wonderful to see so many of her family gathered here, and Ynnarah smiled for a moment.  Though Jayden was still close to her heart, it would help to have Valkoinen at her side in the search.  Gods only knew what trouble her brother had gotten himself into.  Her parents looked wonderful together, all dressed up, even if her mother was clearly not happy about the feathered dress.  Giving her father a quick hug, she looked around for her friend.  And for just a moment, her voice caught in her throat.  She had only seen Valkoinen in dirty traveling clothes and armor, she hadn't quite expected to see him looking so… handsome.  That was the proper word.  There was a flush on her cheeks when he bowed to all of them, but his stutter broke her silence.

"Thank you, Valkoinen.  You look very handsome, you should dress like that more often," she said, the flush still on her cheeks, but mischief sparking in her eyes.  She turned to her little sister, and added "This is my little sister Aurora, she's the biggest pain," with a wink to her little sister.  It was a game they had long played.  Then her aunt and sister joined them, and Ynnarah's face lit with a smile.  The smile lasted until her mother started swearing again, and she buried her forehead in her palms for a moment.  "Aunt Angela, thank you for coming.  This is Valkoinen, he's been protecting since after I met you at Rhylana's court," she said.  As soon as the words left her mouth, Ynnarah had a feeling her mother would have something to say about Angela letting her niece wander the world.  And she didn't plan on staying around to hear about it.  Not up close anyway.

The music has started by now, and a few couples were dancing.  Ynnarah saw her chance.  Grabbing Valkoinen's hand, she pulled him away to the dance floor.  She only knew a few steps, but it was a slow, calm waltz right now.  Nothing too difficult, and perfect for talking.  "I'm sorry for my mother, Valkoinen.  She's… well, she's my mother.  But Aunt Angela will make sure things go well," she said, the smile returning to her face.  It was nice to pretend there wasn't a storm brewing between her mother and aunt, at least for a few moments.

Of course Blaine had been a fool to believe that his family would be able to behave in a social setting. Or at least believed that the women could; it wasn’t long before he was really missing his one and only son. Between his wife and Aurora, he didn’t know who would be worse at the moment. Like clockwork, Valkoinen arrived, albeit awkwardly but the lycan couldn’t hold it against him since he apologized and the explanation was good enough for him. “Nay, it’s fine. I think everyone here is out of their element. This is a far cry from the humble living we had been used to for a couple of decades now.” He gave him a light pat on the shoulder and watched his youngest politely introduced herself, though she was quick to retreat to her mother and it was obvious that she wanted out of this place and the dress. He gave her a soft growl from his throat, warning her to behave and would have done it with her mother had he not spotted Angela coming over. “Oh god. Now they’ll never listen”, he groaned, scratching the back of his head as the unstoppable force collided with the unmovable object. At least he and Krys had grown out of their silly rivalry and they nearly killed each other had it not been for Molirra being around at the time to nurse them both.

“Hello Angela”, he offered with a brief smile before the storm between the sisters brewed out. It didn’t surprise him that Toya didn’t quite know how to deal with this ceremony business. “Considering that it's been so long since she had to recognize her title and this lifestyle, I couldn’t blame her for it.” Hell, Blaine had long forsaken his previous life, like much of the Wintercrest children. But then again they no longer held any sort of claim to that life anymore, unlike his wife’s side of the family. He thought this whole thing was pretty stupid but then again it wasn’t his place nor was it his idea, so he simply went along with it for the time being.

Ynnarah had the right idea of getting her and Valkoinen out of the crossfire and before he knew it Aurora disappeared off somewhere without him noticing. “Damn girl”, he swore beneath his breath. She was likely halfway home or something by now, but at least she would being causing trouble. That just left him and the two hens fighting one another until mentioning Lily seemed to quell them down, at least the moment. “I feel like I’m missing something here. Something happened to her children?”    

Valkoinen bowed his head respectfully at Aurora.  “‘Tis a pleasure, Aurora,” he said.  “Your family has been nothing but welcoming,” he added.  He chose not to bring up the fact that Blaine had threatened him with dismemberment upon his first arrival to Arri, as it had been ill-begotten and unnecessary and there was no apparent animosity between the two of them now - in fact, it seemed that Blaine rather approved of the situation with Valkoinen protecting Ynnarah.

Toya’s brash words to Valkoinen a bit off guard and he raised his eyebrows, unsure how to respond to the queen.  He chose to stay silent, his eyes instead resting upon Angela.  She was a beautiful woman - clearly a Rosenite, but there was something all together completely different about her.  When she moved to stand in front of him, he felt his cheeks blush a bit.  It had not been his intention to be unprepared for whatever was needed of him for the ceremony, but he had been thrown into it so quickly he had no time to prepare.

When Toya introduce Angela to him, however, the slight redness increased to a full blown blush.  “Forgive me,” he said, bowing his head in respect.  “I did not realize I was in the presence of one of the Triune,” he said.  Fortunately, he was not allowed to embarass himself much longer as Ynnarah took him off to dance.  He was a bit awkward with the steps, being much taller than Ynnarah, but managed to mask it with a bit of focus. 

“It’s no worry,” he said, in response to Ynnarah’s apology about her mother.  “I felt rather embarrassed that I did not see her for the goddess she is upon first glance,” he admitted.  His hand gripped hers as they danced, his other resting about her waist.  He could not help but smile back at her, unable to take his eyes off of her.  He subconsciously pulled her a bit closer as they danced, the space dissipating between them.   “I guess I should just get used to never knowing what to expect with you, shouldn’t I?” he asked, his eyes gleaming a bit.

Angela gave Valkoinen a smile. “Think nothing of it. I rarely like to use my title around this place anyways. This is a place for our grandmother Willow to reign in all the respect. Here I am but a humble queen.” Soon though the cat was out of the bag and Angela looked coy.

Toya was sure to be on top of Angela as soon as the truth about Rhylana’s court came out. Despite being dressed proper Angela was quick to restrain her sister with a mass of vines that came from the floor. “She is an adult Toya.”

“You could have told me. I was lonely–”

“You were going on a rampage and destroying things. If I had told you, you would have walked into a god’s hall and got yourself killed. No sister of mine is going to do something that stupid if I can help it.” Angela flicked the woman’s forehead and sighed. “You are strong but you get maternally stupid when your children are involved.”

Turning her head to Blaine Angela shook her head gently. “Nothing yet has happened but her young daughter is half demon and it shows greatly. Sometimes it hurts her and she has to take a very special herbal bath to make the demonic essence crawl back from where it came. For how holy she is, Lily loves to mess around with Demons.” 

Finally, Angela let Toya go and handed her right off to Blaine. “Hold that, it makes a mess of things rather fast when not on its leash.” Toya hissed at her sister but did as she was told. “As soon as the blade is here we should be able to move on with the ceremony. I can actually instruct Angela on how to do this. I’ve knighted quite a few knights as a goddess even my own son Ash.”

When the sword did show up Angela took it by the hilt, something that she had specifically told others not to do, it appeared like she was bending the sword to her whims and it was aggravating Toya. "GIVE ME THAT BEFORE YOU RUIN IT." Toya snatched it and cradled it close. "Keep your filthy hands off my son's sword." Again Angela flicked Toya's forehead.

"Don't yell at me. I'll make it so you can't speak. Then we will really be in a pickle." Angela waved her finger and smiled at Toya who was letting her guard down softly. "We'll begin the ceremony in a few moments… Just let me teach my sister the way first." The goddess was known for coming in and taking things over but there was reason for it, she knew well her sister didn't understand the first thing about knighting and this would take some work. "Valkoinen when you are ready come here."