Death Returns

New Acquaintances

Calian wandered around the ballroom as people danced, trying to put some distance between him and Miss Siersha. He walked to the other side of the room and hid in a different corner. As he was trying to fix his lapels, a man approached. He tried not to make eye contact so maybe he qowuldnt talk to him, but it was no use.

"Hello. Welcome to the castle, how are you getting on so far, Sir?" The man said, his tone polite and proper.

Vae!

Calian thought. It was the King. He looked up and bowed. "Your highness." Calian greeted. "I'm doing wonderful. You've thrown a beautiful party."

"Well, Ila organizes most of it, but thank you. And what is your name?" He asked. Calian gulped slightly, nervous that for some reason if he said his name in person, they would recognize him.

"Calian, your highness. Calian Banik."

"Ah, Mr. Banik! Well, we're very glad you could make it. Lovely name as well, I swear I've heard it somewhere.." he trailed off, studying Calian.

Faex-

Calian thought again, wishing he'd had a fake name prepared. "Well, Banik is a rather common name, your highness. I'm sure you've met others with the same."

"Yes I suppose.." he. Responded, continuing to stare at him. He suddenly snapped his fingers and Calian flinched a little. "That's it! Our cook's name is Banik."

"Ah, what a coincidence."

"Yes, yes. I suppose you will get to try his cooking this evening when the dancing is over. Do you not have a partner?"

"No, I'm afraid not."

"Hm. Well, we'll just have to find you one, eh?"

"Your highness, if you're suggesting we dance together I'm going to have to politely decline." Calian joked, trying to lighten the mood. The King erupted into laughter.

"No, no, my dear boy. I was suggesting my wife. Oh Ila!" He called into the crowd, the Queen suddenly appearing.

"What is it, Florian?" She asked, her voice as sweet as honey.

"We have a guest that is without a dance partner. Would you care to fill in?" The King asked his wife. Calian bowed to the Queen as well and she gave a little smile.

"Oh, he's rather adorable, isn't he? Well, as much as I would love to dance with such a handsome young man, we have another guest that is without a second half and I just promised her I would find her one by dinner. Shall I go get her?" She asked. Calian stuttered for a moment, but the King interrupted him.

"How wonderful! Go on and retrieve her, my dear. I would like to dance with you anyway." He gave a mischievous look to the Queen and she giggled, going off into the crowd to find the girl.

"So, do you dance much, Mr. Banik?" The king asked, turning back to Calian.

"Not much. Sometimes it comes in handy, but my work doesn't focus much on the arts, unless I'm making a profit off them." Calian replied. The King chuckled and nodded.

"I suppose I can understand that. All these balls and parties—while wonderful and necessary—do get in the way of my reading." He whispered, as if the Queen, or Dionysus himself, were listening in. Calian nodded slightly and mimicked the Kings playful expression. It was almost hard to believe this was the man with the stone cold face just a little bit ago. He had probably been thoroughly liqueured up.

"Yes, I agree. I do enjoy the occasional celebration but really there are so many other things to fill your days with." Calian agreed. The King started to say something else, but the Queen came back at that moment, now dragging some poor girl behind her. She stopped in front of Calian and the King and pulled the girl up next to her.