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Rainey had to try hard to keep from snorting when he told her she had a "motherly touch." Not only had she never been told that in her life (and was quite certain she never again would be), but she had the feeling she'd be the horrible mother who forgot her children's names and gernerally abided by the "tough love" policy her father had always shown her.

"Thank you," she said nonetheless, smling slightly. If there was one thing Rainey was good at, it was probably accepting compliments. She was many things, but humble was not one of them. At least, not very often.

"I'm Rainey," she told him when she asked. "Sorry, no fancy title or anything. Just Rainey. And I've actually lived here since I was a girl - my parents have both worked here for a while. But don't feel bad if you haven't noticed me, we're generally invisible. Servants shouldn't be seen or heard - we try to operate the castle as unnoticably as we can, though we do make up the majority of its inhabitants, it seems." She looked toward the ballroom at the sound of trumpets and applause. "In answer to your other question," she said, "I'm afraid that you are a bit late. It sounds as though the princess is arriving now."

Sir Rolando Garrote was bored. Many of the other suitors at the ball, he assumed, were also bored, as they awaited the arrival of the princess. They talked amongst themselves, aiming to start a fight, or at least win the battle of witty repartee. The ladies at least seemed a little more active, trying to get all of these young men's minds off of the princess and on to them.

Rolando had been fortunate (unfortunate?) enough to avoid most of the party so far, staying to the edges of the ballroom. He push some of his long, flowing locks of hair to the side- while longer hair was not always in fashion, he kept his past his shoulders. It wasn't the most practical for sword fighting, but it often attracted women. Plus it felt soft and smooth, since he took such good care of it.

Shrugging off the slightly guilty feeling that he was as vain as the best of any court lady, Rolando scanned the ballroom again. There had been murmur of an... interesting arrival, but he didn't wish to flock with the rest of the crowd to the door.

It was at this moment he noticed a flying vase... right towards Alto and some young lady. He saw him deflect it ('That show off...'), and shortly thereafter was lead away, by a servant girl. Rolando grinned- it was time to move in.

He had met Alto's acquaintance a few times at court (Garrote family, while certainly noble enough to attend, was from a outlying part of the kingdom and did not often attend court proceedings), and felt that 'stealing his companion,' so to speak, would be the best course of action right now. After all, Rolando felt he didn't have a good shot at the Princess, so he might as well try this new gem.

"Hey, Sir Garrote, where ya going?" shouted one of the suitors as Rolando edged by. His eyebrow twitched as his hand rested on the hilt of his rapier, always carefully sheathed at his side. "It's pronounced Gah-Roh-Tay, and you should do well to remember that." He glared at the man, someone who had given him a hard time before when they went to court. The man laughed, and said some insults Rolando had no time to really respond to. He said as much and moved on.

'Court... now I remember why I don't come as often.'

He nearly made it to Alto's mystery woman when the princess began her decent. She looked stunning, as usual. Her beautiful condescending smile... yes, just the same as always.

His approach slowed as people watched the princess, and managed to insert himself at the Lady's side. Her blue dress was quite pretty, but she looked a little worried; the Princess's route was heading right towards them.

"Now why would your escort leave you all alone at such an important time?" he said in a hushed tone, rather close to her ear. His smooth tenor was much calmer now than in his small dispute, though that event took place much farther away in the room. "I had noticed Sir Runeius had left you alone... I'm Sir Rolando Garrote, by the way. At your service." He gave a mini-bow to her, but kept more of his attention on the princess, watching her introduce herself to the suitors around her.

Though she tried very well to hide it, servant girl Rainey's bitterness was noticeable. Her words like silk sliding over a sharp edge. Alto had always believed that many should have an opinion regardless of rank, but if he were to peg someone just repeating something they'd been told their entire life, this would have been a shining example. The young dark haired noble wanted to frame a reply, something to ease the uncomfortable tension that had formed quite suddenly with out his notice. But what could he say? That he had perhaps not noticed because he had been constantly bullied by a very young princess Claire at an early age to notice mayhap? That it was only the adults to come and break up the rough housing between the young princess and the equally young (beaten) Alto. What could he say that this young servant would believe? The noble sighed and rubbed his bandaged hand. "I don't believe any of that~" But he was cut off as the trumpets sounded announcing the Princess' arrival. Alto could not hide his frustration. "Really? Now of all times?" He bit back a moan. He had to get back to Lady Grace, but Princess Claire had expressed her demands that he be present the moment she arrived. If he didn't hurry over, he was going to be at the end of one large hissy fit. He stood offering the servant girl a hand. "Then we best hurry Miss Rainey knowing the Princess, if not EVERY eye is on her we're both in trouble." He was certain that even all servants were to be present as well, to give the effect that the princess was the center of the universe and that she could stop time with her looks alone. The thought of suffering the princess's wrath was just like putting hot coals in his shoes. Alto reached over and took Rainey by the hand when she did not move accordingly and the doors opened quickly as both rushed out. Thankfully it would not be hard to find the princess as she was the center of attention, just as she wanted. Before he entered the crowds, Alto released the young servant thanking her with a quick kiss on the hand, and apologizing for his rushed departure of her company. Then he dove into the moving, living mass of people. As he made his way to where the Princess descended the stairs he threw a look about him trying to pinpoint Lady Grace's location. Perhaps it was less difficult trying to find her than the princess because of the scumbag hanging onto her. Though Alto knew he ought to be with the princess at this very moment, he actually paused cursing his bad luck. Despite everything else, this had to be the definitive nail in the coffin. While he wasn't worried so much about the other nobles, why O' why did Sir Rolando Garrote have to find her? Now he was going to have a hell of a time speaking with Lady Grace and not try to thrash Sir Garrote at the same time.

But that was for later, right now he had a place to be. He was resigned to the thought that eventually flying vase or no, he'd have to leave her company and that Garrote vulture would have moved in regardless. By the time he breached the front line of spectators, Alto had recomposed himself in a very presentable manner, keeping in mind to keep his injured hand as covered as possible and at his back as he strode to the princess who was rather dazzling tonight. With confident steps and a straight back he strode up to her proudly and bowed regally. He presented the crook of his arm, an open indication for her to take or decline. This was just formalities really, and though Alto was a childhood friend, he had just about the same chances as the others. Maybe less. He kept his head lowered for he had lost his mask. Though he was still vauge on the details of the masked ball he was certain that all male suitors were to keep their masks on until she said they could take it off. If the princess asked them to remove their masks, then it was a very good sign that she was considering them as her husband and future king. Again, Alto was not too sure, and kept his head low to hide the fact that he did not have a mask, he was grateful that the large feathered hat did rather well to obscure his sights. Both from the princess and Sir Garrote.

(( Yes, that's an accurate appearance for Rolando. You may note that he IS wearing a small black mask, something I forgot to add on. Also, I'm adding another character to play with Rainey. Hope you don't mind... ))

Sir Garrote snickered inwardly when he saw Alto striding back. Did he see a look a disgust on the courtier's face? Or did he just imagine seeing Alto disgusted at his presence?

He decided that Alto must've been furious, for that made the game more fun.

"Look, there he goes. Right to Her side," he said softly to the Lady. He was, of course, referring to Alto's movement to the Princess. The man had bowed, obscuring his own face, and was therefore certainly unable to see Rolando's slightly amused expression. Balls were so much more fun with people like Alto. The man could at least hold his temper in, unlike some.

---

Penelope Pierce pensively pondered a particularly peculiar puzzling problem. Well, it wasn't a real problem of any sort, but when you have a name like Penelope Pierce, alliteration seems necessary. At any rate, Miss Pierce, one of the many servants in the palace, was wondering what was up with Rainey. The girl had exhibited her usual clumsiness, Penelope had noted, by running people and in general causing messes. Yes, that's what her friend would do, indeed. She had at least helped to clean up, which isn't what Penelope could say for herself. She had been busy setting out food, so it would all be ready by the time the Princess arrived. The nobles couldn't have a good party without hearty supplies ready to be eaten, nor without the Princess!

Luckily, the food was all set out by the time the trumpets blared and the Princess arrived. Penelope had quickly formed in line with the rest of the servants, respectfully paying attention to the lavish gown that the Princess wore. Oh, and her too, Penelope supposed. But really it was the gown that caught her attention- so lavish, so pretty. She bet it felt much nicer than what she wore, though palace servants were given a decent amount of coin to keep their wardrobe presentable.

And that's when Penelope noticed Rainey, making her way across the ballroom (her movements were a little more obvious in the sea of people, since most had directed their attention to the Princess entirely, and therefore had stopped moving). Rainey was blushing. Profusely. What would have caused that, Penelope wondered. Her mind raced as she attempted to recall Rainey's latest actions. Didn't she run off with that one guy, what's-his-face-the-Princess's-friend? Yes, from the vase cutting his hand... she recalled hearing the crash, for certain. Rainey must've gone off to help him, but now she was blushing? Suspicious.

Penelope waved for Rainey to hurry up and get to the servant's dinner (Miss Pierce had already gotten to the door, tummy rumbling in an unlady-like fashion). They just had to talk now. She initiated the conversation as Rainey got close and they moved towards the food. "So, what are you blushing about?" Penelope asked directly. No need to beat around the bush.

The trumpets blaring alerted Gal to the presence of the princess. He could see her as she daintily stepped down the grand stairs. Everyone had gone silent, staring at the girl.

Claire disappeared from Gal's view as she descended lower and lower. Unfortunately, Gal was far away from the stairs. The historian meekly looked at the overturned table that he had disturbed. No, it would be unsightly to stand on a table. Besides, food was being served on the tables.

Gal quickly tried to jot notes down on Claire's appearance in his pad. It was pointless to push through the crowd.

((Apologies. Life and writer's block have hit me.))

"Yes," Evangeline replied, at Rolando's comment about Alto leaving her by herself. "I believe he was injured, but I must say, he has excellent reflexes." Damn. Her attention had immediately gone to his speed and reflexes, but she didn't think a noble would have been so concerned with such physical prowess. Oh well; what was said was said.

She was glad that she had another escort, even if this one was a little more like what she would have expected from a nobleman. It would be good to have someone whose lead she could follow. Right now, she was still entranced by the princess-- so little, so delicate-looking, and yet this was the girl who would one day rule the kingdom. Those little hands would bear the lives and, no doubt, the blood of so many. Those eyes, which likely saw only the gold and lace before her, would not take in the realities of the kingdom before that golden head made its rash decisions.

Her eyes moved to the man now standing beside the princess. Alto. He was a nobleman, yes, but nothing like what she would have expected. And he seemed capable, and he was a little more unsure of himself, somehow, than this Rolando fellow. It had put her at ease; she, too, was unsure of herself, and it was nice to know she wasn't the only one.

Well, the princess was the princess. It wasn't as though she could hope to hold the attention of a nobleman, even glossed over and draped in fine fabrics-- not when there was such a delicate, pretty thing just across the room. She turned back to Rolando. "She is looking for a husband, yes? I'm sure he would do well."

"I suppose," Evangeline answered, thinking back to Aiden. Where was he now? Were they waiting for her? Had they been caught? Had he returned to the old, run-down guardhouse that now served as their home? She thought perhaps he was hiding in the garden or some such nonsense, as he was likely to do. The thought gave her some small measure of comfort. Childhood friend, indeed. She considered Aiden to be her best friend, and yet he'd sent her out here to find a way out of her life on the street. He hadn't said it in so many words, but she believed he'd be pleased if she managed to marry one of these stuck-up noblemen. Which was ridiculous; she couldn't hide the truth of her own roots forever. Still, one had to find some way to put food in one's mouth...

"I'm certain there are other... considerations, though," she continued, clearly deep in thought. These other considerations-- wealth, power, fame-- didn't really apply to the princess, who already possessed all of these... but then, her thoughts weren't entirely on the princess anymore. Shaking her head, she pulled herself back to the situation at hand. "And you, Sir Garotte? Are you the dark horse?"

Sir Garrote chuckled lightly before answering. "Ha ha, I'm barely in the running. I rarely come to court as it is- my estate is rather far away. No no, I'm mostly here to observe..." He smiled again at Eva, his look implying that it was not just the Princess he was looking at. At any rate, it seemed the Princess was still talking to Alto, which suited Rolando just fine. He was sure that the two of them would have some choice words later on.

He blinked out of his thoughts, and continued to speak. "Ah, but I am rambling on when I don't even know your name." He looked at her expectantly, still smiling pleasantly.

---

Penelope dug into her food while Rainey talked, taking bites of bread that were far too large for her mouth. A few crumbs flew out when she snorted (in laughter) at some of Rainey's remarks.

"'Ell, ah 'eatha'-" (she swallowed) "-'Da weatha isn' da' ba' of a-" (she swallowed again) "-conversation". (While palace servants certainly weren't starved, this would be the largest and tastiest amount of food they would have for awhile). Penelope swigged some water, and began to speak again.

"I mean, most of those people won't even give us the time of day, even if were saving their lives. ... Though I suppose Alto has always been a little different than the rest, least for as long as I've been here," Penelope mused. She took a moment to eat some cheese.

"He must've said more though, for you to be blushing like that!" she said with a wicked grin on her face. Penelope did not want to let this one slip by her.