He had yet to figure out what on the gods' green earth had possessed him to invite Mirannda to this dance, but River knew it was far too late to back out now.  It had been a few weeks since they had escaped the desert city, and become friends in the process.  They had a great deal in common, and he knew that she would likely enjoy this little event.  Pacing around the floor, he had a hard time not fidgeting with the rich clothing that seemed to be appropriate to such an event.  The red silk shirt and brown velvet vest were light and loose enough to allow him to still move about unhindered, and River had also chosen plain, comfortable boots that he could dance in as well.  His black trousers were perhaps a bit shabby, but it was hard to tell with the rest of his attire.  Plus they were comfortable and normal, making him more at ease.

Glancing around, Mirannda still wasn't here.  But nerves had made him early.  He wandered over to the refreshments, taking a copper mug of mulled cider.  He sipped, watching the people pass around the room and chat and dance.  There were people of all walks of life and species here, vampires mingled with elves, and a dwarf was dancing with one of the Cradle's natives.  There was a calm air to the entire scene, and River felt himself relaxing.  It wouldn't do for Mirannda to get here and find him a nervous wreck.

It was somewhat disconcerting to wake up to tiny, cold brushes against ones cheek. This was how Mirannda was woken up one morning, from a ghostly pup. When she finally opened her eyes, she was annoyed to find that her ghost had multiplied in the night. Was that possible? No, the second pup was familiar, and had a scroll tied neatly with ribbon. It was a message from River, asking her to be his date to the Reverie Ball. With a small smile, she wrote in a steady hand a message in reply. She would meet him there.

There came the matter of apparel, however. For now, she had primarily been concentrating on rebuilding what she had lost. All of her gear, new contacts, new reputation. After a long while, Mirannda finally settled on a blood red, mermaid dress with lace red flowers covering most of it from below her knees to her bosom. Rosebuds reached up, giving an impression of flame from a distance. The flowers wound all the way down her arms, tapering at a V across the back of her hand. In between the roses where the dress isn't covering her skin was a nude colored mesh that matched her skin tone perfectly. Her hair was teased into a budding rose with gems adorning it as dew, the rest of her locks wavy and over one shoulder.

When she finally made it to the party, Mirannda fidgeted with her hands. Aside from River, she was likely to know absolutely no one here. She was nervous about being in a room full of so many strangers. It was easy for assassins to hide, as well as other dangers. Yet, why would anyone be out against her? Deciding she needed to calm her nerves, she headed for the refreshments table, only to find the one person she knew. A wide, genuine smile spread across her face, her nervousness disappearing at spotting friendly River. "Good evening, River. How have you fared lately?" she asked as she grabbed her own copper mug of mulled cider.

A grin warmed his face when Mirannda approached, and River offered her a bow.  "You look lovely, my friend.  I'm glad to see you.  This night has already gotten better," he said after a brief silence.  He was truly glad to see her, and knew the evening would be much better with her company.  It took him a few moments to find his words, taken somewhat offguard by how lovely she looked.  Granted, the first time they had met had been in a rather dusty temple, and they'd both had to flee before more trouble had found them.  "I've been well.  I found another book of forgotten rituals, so that's been consuming much of my time as of late.  Spyros being able to travel to you with the invitation is the result of one of those rituals, I was able to help him travel further from me, and maintain some solidity," he said, his face animated as he spoke of the work that consumed most of his time.  But there were things be made time for, his dear friend being one, and a ball like this another.  "I've not even gotten half way through the tome, but there is quite a bit I've already learned, and more to look forward to," he said, then took a gulp of the cider. 

"So tell me of your adventures, Mirannda.  Surely you've been up to more interesting things than I have.  I have a bad habit of sequestering myself within a library for rather long periods of time without realizing it," he admitted with a chuckle.  River's eyes had stopped drifting around the room once she had arrived, and Mirannda now had his attention.  He would have likely remained on the fringes without her presence, and River was glad he wouldn't be a wallflower tonight.

Mirannda curtsied to his bow and blushed at his compliment. "Thank you. I must say, you clean up nice. Not that you were – Just that, the dusty – Um… You look nice." She was flustered at herself, feeling heat rising to her cheeks as she ducked her head sheepishly. He spoke about being consumed by a book, causing her to smile. Of course he had found a book, it seemed only natural for him.

"Interesting things? Compared to a book, probably. I'm learning that I must start back at square one, before I can be what I wish. So I spent much of my time in the employ of several different people. Guard and protect, escort, even assassination of a deserving individual or two." The assassinations took a week longer than it should have, but Mirannda always was and always will be thorough. Never has she killed an innocent for money, and even with her desire to not be as she once was, she could not bring herself to be a paid murderer of that caliber.

With the turn of the conversation having turned to her, Mirannda realized how vastly different she is from her friend. River spent his time in books and working with spirits. Mirannda dealt in blood and death. Resisting the urge to glance at her hands, Mirannda put her empty glass down, took River's and placed it next to hers. Taking his hands in hers, she gently tugged at him toward the dance floor. "You got me in a beautiful dress. It'd be a shame to waste it. Dance with me, ma falon." Those last to words caused her to pause. For the first time in forever, the elvish word for friend slipped past her lips. Tears rushed to her eyes as she leaned in and placed a small kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, River… For giving me something I thought was lost for eternity." The true feeling of friendship…

It was awkward for him, being in these formal clothes and with Mirannda looking as lovely as she did.  But he was in a good mood, and River was glad that she reacted in a similar way.  "Well, to be fair, we were both quite dusty.  I do believe I collected a few cobwebs in the library," he said with a laugh.  River listened attentively to what she had been up to, and nodded.  He trusted her judgement as to who her assassination targets had been, and he was certain she would tell him more if she was comfortable.  "Quite a bit of travels it sounds like.  I should do that more, my mentor is always having to chase me out of my studies," River admitted with a sigh.  What he didn't add were the actual threats from Bryony. 

As they moved towards the dance floor, River could tell that Mirannda's emotions weighed on her.   He knew what the words she spoke meant, and River ducked his head in a bow.  It was a sign of trust, and he swore here and now to never let her down.  "You are very welcome, Mirannda.  I only ask one thing in return…  Drag me out of Sularia every now and again.  I could use a good adventure," he said, a gentle smile on his face. The dance was a waltz, the three beat pulse of music still allowed for conversation.  They joined the crowds, though River preferred to stay on the fringes.  His dancing skills were not all the way up to par, and it would help to make a quick exit if need be.  He stopped paying attention to the people around them, and only to her.  At least, until a hand dropped on his shoulder…

He almost had not come to this overly cheerful place, but Logan had decided to see just what kind of mischief he could stir up.  He took a drink from the table, drifted around, and chatted with the other guests.  Perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing to just enjoy himself?  None the less, the vampire kept an eye out for anyone of interest.  And who should enter, but the lady from Hoja Mesto.  She didn't see him, since Logan made it a point to keep out of her line of sight.  Now there was a proper target for his mischief.  He had already planted seeds of distrust in her mind, and it was time to see just where those had ended up.

Watching for a few moments as she danced with another man, Logan drained his cup.  Now was as good of a time as any.  He headed toward the pair, studying their body language.  Friends, most likely.  Another one of her misguided adventures had probably brought her into the man's path.  It would be interesting to observe both their reactions.  He sauntered up and carefully dropped a hand on the man's shoulder.  "I beg your pardon, good sir.  But I'm acquainted with your friend here.  I only wished to say hello to the little bird," Logan said, offering Mirannda a bow.  There was no snark in his gesture, but nothing in his eyes other than dark humor.  It was clear he was trying to bait for a reaction.

Mirannda laughed heartily. "An adventure it is then," she promised. Perhaps there is some long lost temple holding something she needed? River would prove to be invaluable in many situations. Or, perhaps, she'd run across someone experiencing spiritual disturbances. Soon enough, all thoughts melted away as they danced. She didn't care where in the crowd they were, enjoying the moment of peace.

It all crashed around her, however, when a familiar hand landed on River's shoulder, halting their dance. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she clenched her jaw, hands falling from casual dancing positions to be folded before her chest. Eventually, she forced a small smile. Had he found out about her true nature, or was he merely referring to the fact she had "flown" away from attracted guards in Hoja Mesto? Until he made clear what he had meant, she decided to overlook the pet name for now. "Good evening, Logan. Pleasant surprise. Have you forgotten my name already?" she asked dryly.

This won't do. She's too tense. Why did she allow vampires to see her physical distaste for them? Mirannda has lost her touch to hide anything from them ever since she had escaped Sin. "River, let me introduce Logan. Logan, this is River." Shifting her weight between each foot, it was clear Mirannda didn't know how to weasel out of the situation. It was not proper to make demands as to why he was here, why Logan was interrupting their dance. Nor did she wish to inquire as to his desire for a dance, as that would be dancing too close to the vampire. Yet, she could not think of idle small talk to bring up, as would be appropriate for such a setting. Logan desired more than a simple hello, he always desired something more.

"I'm assuming your agenda did not include ruffling the feathers of a "little bird" tonight. What brings you here, Logan?" While Mirannda was attempting, it was still painfully obvious that she did not like, nor trust this man. The phoenix was standing as close to River as possible, to protect him if she needed to.

It took all his self control to not punch this stranger in his smug face, especially with the tone he was using to speak to Mirannda.  But River was quiet, clenching his fists.  He knew she was fully capable of taking care of herself, and he would much rather not get in her way.  He only nodded when she introduced the two men, and he glared silently.  They knew each other, that much was clear, and she did not like him in the least.  A few people were watching the trio, but not enough for him to wave them away.  "Well, I thought to join the festivities here.  Then I saw you here as well, and I of course wished to say hello.  Is this any way to greet an old friend?" the vampire asked, a hint of snark finally coming into his voice.  And it was clear to River that his intentions were not pleasant.

He did have to hide his smile when Mirannda had moved into a position of protection, River was certain their hosts would not allow anything to happen.  "I think that the lady does not appreciate your presence here, Logan.  Perhaps you should find someone else to speak with.  I'm certain there is someone here who would be willing to tolerate your company," River finally spoke when Logan opened his mouth again.  He didn't want to hear what the vampire was going to say, he didn't particularly care either.  He just wanted to have a peaceful evening with his friend.

The tension between them was rising. To make matters worse, Logan was beginning to get snarky with her. Mirannda scoffed at the mention of "old friend." Acquaintance, yes, friends, absolutely not. She did not think that she could ever befriend a vampire in her lifetime, especially with what happened.

Yet River was standing up to Logan. The phoenix was staring at him, her jaw having dropped in astonishment. Poor River did not know who he was challenging, and Mirannda wondered if he stood a chance against such a creature as Logan. Why had she not given him the credit of being an upstanding gentleman? He had not given her evidence of anything different. She would have to apologize later for not thinking of him properly.

Closing her mouth, she smiled at River before returning her attention back to Logan. The smile had faded, her back was straight, head held high with pride. "I have no doubt you're old, Logan, but friends we are not. Really, how can one count a single encounter that had not been an hour where you disappeared developing a friendship? You were testing me, learning about the chinks in my armor. Do not think I have forgotten your words, but now is not the time to cash in what I supposedly owe. Just remember that I had not requested your assistance, I merely did not turn it down. A mistake on my part, to be sure." Thinking back, she hated to admit that she probably did require his help. Or was she selling her skills short?

They were such a charming couple, and it almost made him sick to see it.  There were a few eyes on them, but still not enough for him to be concerned.  An eyebrow went up when the man suggested he move on to someone else, but Mirannda seemed to have other plans.  "A fair point, Mirannda.  And you are quite correct about testing you, though I must admit that you did quite well.  Others have asked things of me, gotten them, and regretted it.  But you were different.  I admire that," he said, being genuine for a few moments.  But the smile was back on his face soon, and he could not help but add "You do have to admit that we did work well together.  Was it all really that bad?", the smile growing cold.  He only wanted the smallest of admissions from her, that would make this encounter just lovely.

He looked towards the man still clenching a fist, clearing resisting a temptation towards violence.  "Did she mention that she was wanted for murder in Hoja Mesto?  A false charge, I would assume from the passion she used to defend herself.   But still, that does ask the question of who she angered enough to cause such action against her," Logan asked.  It was a mystery to him still how her face had come to be on that wanted poster, but she had not been forthcoming before.  Perhaps now, with her friend there?

But the man, River, spoke curtly again.  "I don't particularly care as to why or how.  I'm certain there was a reason.  She is my friend, and I will stand by her.  Now, please.  Leave us be.  I will not ask you again," in a voice that deepened with anger.  At least one person was having a struck nerve.