Why So Serious?

[tidesnpcs]

Characters: OPEN
Progress: Continuous
Summary: Part II! Several hours into the Ball at Palace Alexandria, the party is crashed by an unwelcome clown. Chaos ensues.
Location: Palace Alexandria
Date: June 21st, 1803
Warnings: Violence. Potentially of the Graphic Nature

Comments

[magicclown]

Of course everyone's suspicions of the crazed clown not being there were false. Of course Kefka was there, for with in the party a clown wearing a very interesting mask was around juggling and performing spectacles for the passer-bys. Some watch with intent, while others didn't care to bother.

He didn't care, all he did was want to create quite a commotion, a stir within this so called peaceful kingdom. A noble lady asked him for a trick, and the clown grinned viciously under his mask and replied, "Certainly, I will show you all quite a trick, and make this a night none of you ever forget." But he restrained himself once more juggling a little, until he had a perfect shot...a perfect sight of the dear sweet Queen.

[eidolon_soul]

Tired from all the dancing and socializing, Rydia pondered departing the ball quietly. She hadn't seen any signs of true danger, only a fight which was barely worth taking notice. Still, it wouldn't hurt to say her goodbyes to any friends she could find along the way. An idle glance around revealed Yuna nearby, watching that clown juggle. Idly curious and not having had much of a chance to speak with Yuna yet, she wandered over.

[herownhero]

Quistis tried her best to move swiftly between the bodies crowding the room, murmuring apologies left and right. There were so many people here! Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the two knights as well as the Queen in the distance. Quickly, she wove through the remaining maze, clearing her throat politely as she walked up to Beatrix.

"Excuse me, ma'am..."

[knightedmayrose]

Beatrix had spent the majority of her evening allowing Garnet her space to enjoy the party, without smothering her. At the same time, there was matter of security, and she was already on high alert due to the madman's threats on the network. Thus, she spotted the approaching young woman before her greeting.

Stranger or no, she was afforded the same formal politeness that was a trademark of the Queen's general. While firm in enunciation, her voice was still actually quite soft. "Yes? May I help you?"

[herownhero]

"I'm SeeD Quistis Trepe of Garden." Quistis began, trying to keep her voice low from the prying ears of Steiner, "I have reason to believe that the clown entertaining the crowd near the front of the dance floor is the same clown to killed those moogles reported on the Mooglenet. He's been juggling with objects radiating with thunder magic, and he performed a vanishing trick that could not have otherwise been done without the use of dark magic."

Her eyes shifted to glance at the Queen, before she concluded, "I just wanted to give you a warning- Squall and I will be keeping an eye on him to make sure everything will be under control. We will also warn the other SeeDs, in case anything should happen."

[knightedmayrose]

After a moment's consideration, the general remembered where she recognized the young woman from. She was with the others who broke up the squabble earlier in the evening. Quite admirable, with a good head on her shoulders.

Giving the SeeD the entirety of her attention, Beatrix nodded. "I understand. I will inform Her Majesty at once and we will secure her safety. Thank you for the information."

[herownhero]

Why were there so many people? She found herself asking the question over and over as she wove in and out of the dance floor, eyes sweeping the area in search for Larsa. Quistis was beginning to think that she had to take Selphie's joke seriously; maybe she will have to start searching under tables and behind curtains.

SHOWTIME!

[magicclown]

He was getting tired of playing these tedious tricks and unnecessary games. He thought he had caught a glimpse of what he assumed was Garnet and smiled

[empires_lapdog]

[[ooc: this is following this conversation.]]

Whilst normally he wouldn't have taken much notice by Larsa getting angry, this was no mere boy now, this was a grown man with a mind of his own. Noah gave a single nod, withholding the sigh he'd have given if this indeed was the twelve year old he was accustomed to.

"Again, my apologies, Lord Lar--" and then he was cut off by the sound of a man, no... a monster and his mocking voice. Watching the event unfold, even going so far as to rest a hand on both the Emperor's shoulder and the street urchin's, his likeness to his brother indeed shone through any previous disagreements. He was actually protecting them both, if only for now.

[danceawaypain]

The monstrosity mocking the entire assembly shook Penelo to the core, and she let out a horrified gasp. So much so that she was even unaware of the gauntlet covered hand on her shoulder. There was ice and fire and one thought came to mind:

"Ashe!"

A madman on the loose and her friend well into her pregnancy. She wrenched herself loose of the protective grasp to seek out the expectant queen, hoping to get her out. Much as she loathed that horrible twin of Basch's, she knew that he could and would protect Larsa. But Ashe was vulnerable right now.

[stoicguardian]

Auron had a bad feeling. And it grew more intense with the presence of the clown. His hand itched to reach for his katana. But there just didn't seem the need for it. Not yet at least.

It was when the jester began to speak that Auron freed his arm from his coat and began his search for Yuna. He just had to protect her. "Yuna!"