Welcome to Gaia! ::

((that quip about Mozart was hillareous! xd ))

Twi smiled, and took Cassandra for a dance. as before, he was a little clumsy at ballroom dancing, but he was definitely in better practice from before.

"might i ask your name, dear?" he asked as he danced with her.

he smirked in response. "of course you may, i'm sure your better at it than me anyway." he replied. he couldn't shake the feeling of danger, which made him wonder if there was an instigator to this girl's apparrent earlier frustrations who might be dangerous. he kept his ears open and his field of vision clear, just to be sure.

following Cassandra's lead, he continued his facade of innocence. "i couldn't help but notice you seemed upset earlier. has someone bothered you?" he asked, pressing for information.

Cassandra led her and this dark elf dancing toward alfons.
"there are mischecous things afoot, dear - " she paused, "I'm terribly sorry, i havn't even asked your name." Cas smiled at him, blinking a few times. She was almost distracted by his scent... she hadn't seen a dark elf in quite some time.
Once alfons was in clear sight, she projected a clear thought to him.
"alfons, help him. I will be tracking you."

"You're doing better" She smiled, regarding the dark elf's dancing ability. "But I see you are feeling uneasy as well. Is there something bothering you?"

She playfully rolled her eyes. "I am nothing of your concern, dear Valthier. The reason I looked predatory is the fact that I am absolutely famished. But I digress, We do indeed have party crashers, but i'm sure their business will be handled just fine"
The thought of hunger reminded her of exactly how hungry she was. However, Cassandra could not decide whether to hold off for a while, incase Alfons' young... follower... thing, was in need of assistance, or to snack to gain a little more strength then nescissary to scare the big bad 'vinny' away.

"take a bite from me, i fed earlier, so i'll have enough for us both. you're skills could prove useful if nessesary. we need to alert Scarlet that guests may be in danger."

In a split second, Jamie pulled the trigger of his sub-machine-gun. Knowing this was coming, Vinny jumped to the right soon enough to dodge the first blast, firing a few rounds towards Jamie. Missing, Vinny rolled into a kick that knocked the Thompson out of Jamie's hands. Stumbling back, Jamie responded with a series of punches into his enemy's face. In a slight daze, Vinny dropped his USP after the fourth blow. Shaking his head to come to his senses, Vinny unleashed a tackle that threw Jamie seven feet back. Picking up his gun, Vinny walked up to the winded Jamie and pressed the barrel to his forehead. "Checkmate."

---------------------------------

Walking rather hurriedly, Alfons noticed that Jamie's line of fire pointed directly at him. Seeing Vinny jump out of the way, he immediately hit the ground. Five bullets whizzed overhead. "Scheiße." The moment the gunfire stopped, Alfons stood and ran towards the fight. Reaching the scuffle, he slowed and carefully snuck up behind Vinny (who had Jamie at gunpoint), readying his blade for a strike.

The tension in the air was tangible now, and Devonte could tell that even the most obtuse guests were getting antsy. Disengaging himself from the conversation, he made his way over to his sister.

"Is there anything we can do to prepare?" he asked her in a hushed tone.

"Release the hounds," she replied in a low, cold alto voice. For the first time in decades, goosebumps prickled up Devonte's arms.

"Are you sure?" He insisted, his voice hoarse with trepidation. "Those beasts have no love for me or anyone else."

"Then it's a good thing I told you to 'release' the hounds, not 'cuddle' the hounds. They know my scent; they'll find me. Just keep everyone out of their way. Perhaps you could get the staff to usher the guests to the conservatory in the northern tower. I thought I heard the distant whistle of meteors in the night sky."

Trying not to show his distress, Devonte made his rounds to all the staff, instructing them to coax the guests away from the danger. Then he went down to the ancient dungeons, where a corner set of 3 cells held Scarlet's infamous Hounds. They were Lycans at one point, and men of strength and courage before that. But in the twists of time and fate, these three had fallen through the cracks, collecting bites and venoms, until the three were monstrous conglomerations of nightmares. They were somewhat intelligent, the same way a football player who has taken one too many blows to the head is intelligent. They were also bitter about their lots in life. And hungry. Always hungry.

Sending a small prayer to any gods that might be listening, Devonte pressed the button that would open the kennel doors.

Upstairs, Scarlet sought out Cassandra. She was slightly flushed, indicating she had recently fed, and catching the scent of her breath, Scarlet knew it had been Valthier who had donated the nutrition. Always the flirt.