Everlong

Ball gowns and Throw downs

Late into the night Olly thought about everything that had transpired between the here now and the past. Cloudy visions of the past haunted her as she tried to rest, but it was no use. She couldn't help but think on Ed, how things had been much easier since he was helping her, how it was almost a night and day difference...

She also couldn't help but think of Peren, about where he was right now, and what he would do when he finally found her. Instinctively she reached for the piece of ribbon magically bonded around her neck.

Before, it had felt like such an intimate gesture, his slender finger's tracing along her neckline as he spoke the words that spell bonded them together.

"You and I, bonded by magic and power, until the end..."

She remembered he had given her a faint kiss on the cheek after the deed was done, sealing their magic together. With the spell bond, Peren could take her power for his spells without asking, and she could do the same if she willed it, although she never got the chance to try. Now though, the black ribbon felt more like a collar, a hold on her so that she could never really get far enough away from him. She always felt his presence, his scrutiny and snide commenting on her every move...

When had it all changed? Had it been the moment that his rude remarks stopped making her laugh? Or was it the first time he didn't regard her in their decisions?

She had thought being spell bonded to him would change everything, that they would become closer as their magic wove together to create something wondrous. She had seen firsthand what a couple could do when they combined their power. Instead, she felt like she was being siphoned, the moment he needed her power she gave it, but when it came time for him to help her, she found herself alone.

She was used to it, being alone. She had been for years. But now things were different, she could feel Ed's hand in her own still. That firm grip that didn't squeeze, the way he felt like a comforting shadow than a leering one. She wasn't alone now....

Dawn came faster than she realized as Olly noticed the hints of sunlight cresting over the wide cityscape of Waterdeep. Tonight was the New Moon, and the night of the Margaster Ball. She was one step closer to finding Nole.

Juliette began to stir in her bed as Olly sat quietly on the windowsill, her body still feeling fresh from the night's watch. Thankfully nothing had been noticed in the night, but Olly knew that the peace wouldn't last long.

"Good morning" Juliette yawned as a servant came in, hearing their mistress's voice rise like the sun itself.

"Morning" Olly said "Slept well I hope?"

"Mmm" Juliette hummed, her eyes still comically closed as the servant began pulling out a day dress for her "Did you sleep?"

"Had to keep an eye on things" Olly said getting up "But I'm going to rest now. Ed will be around the mansion to keep watch."

"Thank you, Olly," Juliette said gently with a smile as she went into her usual routine of getting up and being waited on "Come to my rooms later to be dressed for tonight, I have the perfect thing for you."

Olly nodded and slipped out of the room without notice, as she began walking down the luxurious hallways. All around servants bustled with decorations, flowers, and paper lanterns, heading in and out of the mansion to the gardens outside. Olly stopped one servant to ask where the Cleric was sleeping and was pointed down a series of halls until she came to a humbler looking door on the servant floor.

"Looks like I got the fancy room" Olly murmured to herself, amused that Lord Margaster thought it appropriate to put Ed all the way down here. Olly gave the door a knock, but when she didn't hear a response, she quickly opened the door alert.