Midnight Rhapsody

[Tsumi Okasaki]

The night was her home. It called to her, singing a sweet song of seduction that the woman couldn’t resist. It cloaked her in shadows and hid her from prying eyes as she went about her work. The night was a thief’s friend. It was also her enemy. For what the night concealed of her actions, so too would it of another’s. But Arcia wasn’t stupid. She had spent the majority of her life in the streets. She knew that anyone who failed to observe and listen, failed to survive. She had long since earned respect in her field and was a rum hand at her work. From card sharping to angling, from pocket diving to playing the roost. She had long since mastered the skills of her trade earning her the name ‘Nightingale’ for her fleet work and beauty. She was as ruthless as any breaker and loved out foxing her opponents. Treasures were her favorite thing to ‘procure’ and she was in the middle of just such a thing.

A moonless night shadowed her, concealing her from the Night Watch as she moved silently through the back alleys of her prowling grounds. She felt the night chill and embraced it. It was perfect for what she intended. Moving closer towards her target, a large estate on the east side of town, she stopped in an ally just shy and looked over the area once more. She had ordered her men to case the place for the past week and had joined in on the last two in order to confirm her intel. Her target was a large amulet heavily encrusted with gems worth a kings ransom. Some trinket from an age long past that seemed to have a particular appeal to quite a few people. She had noted other parties around the area that didn’t belong several times on her previous runs. She doubted they would have the grit for the work. The estate was wrapped in a large stone wall at least ten feet tall and two feet thick. She had already gotten the layout from a very eager to please guard who, after several drinks, and carefully rebuffed attempts at an intimate night, awoke none the wiser from a drug induced sleep in a slummed inn in a less than reputable part of town. All that had been left behind indicating what might have happened was a piece of a woman’s garments. After prying him of everything he knew, Arcia had endured his pawing till the drugs took affect and left him off in a rented room with a bra conveniently left on the floor at the foot of the bed. She had even left small tantalizing comments with a few people there about his ‘prowess’ in the bedroom before departing. Confidant that he would awake believing his fortunes had only improved during the seemingly forgotten night.

There was another person casing the place tonight as well. Arcia could make them out from the slight shifts in the shadows of an alleyway not far from the main gate and clear to her view. ‘Rookie.’ she thought to herself as she watched the young man move about. He had at stuck to the shadows, so she couldn’t make him out save a few movements here and there, but she knew he was growing impatient. Removing her customary silk bandana from her head, she let her dark hair fall around her shoulders and shifted in the slight coat she wore. It had been liberated from a rather well to do shop just this afternoon to replace one she had to part with earlier. Arcia wasn’t above playing whatever part it took to get her job done, from a fancy girl to a maiden in distress. She had become whatever her job had required and had then melted into the shadows. Few ever saw her coming and even fewer had ever met her in the act and survived to tell the tale.

Deciding that the rookie in the alley needed to be taught a lesson about interfering in her scores on her own turf and run off before he could complicate her own agenda, Arcia staggered slightly from the alleyway and into the light of a nearby streetlamp. Her lips moving silently, she stumbled towards the guards posted at the gate of the estate. As she drew near she caught their full attentions and leaned heavily against the wall trembling and letting out a broken sob. “Help.” she said in a shaken voice. Slowly she pushed herself off of the wall and stumbled towards the guards, one of whom had started cautiously towards her. As he drew near, Arcia stumbled forward once more and reached out, suddenly loosing her balance and pitching forward. The guard rushed forward catching her as she collapsed and she pressed her face tightly to his chest sobbing and shaking as she clung to him. “Please help.” she said weakly and looked up at him with large brown eyes. Arcia knew full well the effect she had on most men and had used it more than once. She watched as he looked her over, his pupils shrinking slightly as he struggled to contain his surprise. His left arm slid around her waist and pulled her closer. She did nothing to resist, only stared at him with a silent plea.

“Ma’am, whats wrong?” He asked in a low gruff voice. A piss poor attempt at soothing, Arcia none the less played along and took a moment to gather her ‘frayed’ nerves. “A man. He attacked me several moments ago. H-he said… “ she forced out a tremor and closed her eyes tightly looking away and pulled her hands to her chest. She felt the man stiffen and felt his hand on her cheek. Turning her head to meet his gazed, she swallowed hard and continued. “He said he wanted to know what I tasted like…” she let her voice break half way through and looked up to find the man struggling to contain his anger. He began questioning her on where this had happened and what the man had looked like. She began to answer his questions then suddenly froze as her gaze swept the alley where the would be thief stood, watching the scene unfold but to far away to hear the exchange. “He’s still here!” she shouted suddenly pointing towards the alleyway and nearly smiling as she saw him step back and heard his footfalls as he began to flee. She heard two swords slide from their scabbards as the man still at the gate rushed forth into the alley and ordered his companion, the man holding her, to try and head him off. “Will you be alright miss?” the man asked, to which she nodded. “Please don’t let him hurt anyone else!” she said in a worried tone. The man nodded and set off after his companion.

Smiling to herself, Arcia then slipped silently through the gate and into the grounds of the estate. Not more than seven minutes later she was scaling the walls with her prize tucked firmly in a pouch at her waist. Quickly leaving the scene, she could hear the clamors inside as the guards raced about to find her. She had purposely taken longer than normal so that the fact of the object being stolen would raise the attentions of the entire house staff. She didn’t want there to be any doubt the object had been taken, and knew that there was a good chance that the owners would try to replace the object with a fake and hunt for the thief on their own terms to retrieve it. Slipping through the back alleys along her escape route, she took her time in getting back to the hide out. She already had a buyer interested in the item and knew that for her next gig she would need some heavy coin. For her next gig wasn’t a what, but a who……

 

[Ms_Muffintops]

So it was that time of the year again. Well, it was one of those times of the year she supposed one could say. An extravagant gala filled with no one but high society, nobility, and royalty. Such was the life of those who had inherited their status and money. No one there but a few would know of the hard work it took to reach the top. All of these people had been born with a silver spoon in their mouth, only to be wrapped up in the finest of silk. They would grow up knowing no better. Their lives were filled with nothing but the best, and they expected no less. Their views of the world were misconstrued and warped by their petty fears of the everyday rustics and struggle. So, they remained high on their perch, closed off from the world, as they attended balls, auctions, masquerades, afternoon tea, and sporting events that were deemed safe enough for their delicate sheltered skin. Tonight was one of those nights, where they could gather and brag about their meaningless lives that served no purpose or help to society other than furthering the gap.

Alone in her room, Lily Ellenford laid on her bed, her nose buried deep into a book, today's tale--- Peter Pan. It was her favorite pastime... to engulf herself in tales of adventure and overcoming conflict and troubles. It was something she would never know. As critical she was towards these people that she so loathed, she was unfortunately one of them. She didn't deny fears of leaving the four walls of her family's manor. Her father had often filled her head with ideas and dangers of men from the outside world. They only wanted one thing from her, and they'd only take advantage of her. They'd strip her down until the lack of her finely stitched gown left her looking no different than some whore on the streets. They'd taint her flawless, creamy, fair skin. They'd rob her of her innocence and corrupt every inch of her soul.

The young woman was yanked out of her fantasy world when she heard the soft scuff of a maid making her presence known at her bedroom door. The girl looked nervous, as she usually did, as she feared angering the young mistress of the home while she was deep in concentration. "M-Ma'am, your father, Lord William, would like me to inform you that it is time to get ready for the masquerade ball tonight. I've been instructed to assist you," the maid spoke softly holding up a bad that appeared to contain a gown.

With a sigh, Lily stood up and waved her hand, signalling the woman to come forth and join her in front of the dressing mirror. The gown was a light blue, and made of satin with champagne hued accents. Of course it had a finely crafted mask decorated with jewels and feathers to match. This was her least favorite part of the whole ordeal--- getting dressed. Thick fabric that made her sweat like a pig, corsets that made it impossible to breath, skirts that made it difficult to move around, and shoes that ached her feet until they blistered and bled. She was the epitome of elegance, but beauty definitely was pain. With the lacing, the buttons, and her hair, it took the two almost an hour just to get Lily dressed.

Her long golden locks were intertwined into an intricate bun only to be accented with a gemmed pick and feathers that matcher her mask and dress. The mask concealed her eyes that matched the sky on a clear summer's day. At least it was a masquerade. Unless her father was planning a completely unncessary formal entry, she could hide in the corner the entire time and not expect people to want to talk to her simply because she was the host's only daughter, and pride and joy of the family... even if she wasn't a son and couldn't carry on her father's name.
Lily Ellenford stood at her bedroom window that overlooked the garden, watching as carriages pulled up to the gates of the manor , and guests began to gradually pile in. Some were dressed up in themes, some chose to dress formally with a matching mask. She couldn't tell who any of them were and she didn't care to know. She just wanted to get out of there, she could already feel the suffocation coming on. What were they celebrating anyways? If they even needed a reason to hold a masquerade. These people lead such boring unproductive lives. They lived for these events.

Little did the woman know, her father had ulterior motives for this event.

 

[Tsumi Okasaki]

“All right men!” the woman said as she looked over her crew. Before her sat a wooden table settled in an unused cellar in the north side of town. It sat in between a nest of buildings. Arcia had chosen the place because of a few reasons. When trying to enter the cellar, there was only one entrance into the small square of space where the cellar door sat. A narrow alley that a person needed to slip into by sliding sideways down the narrow gap. There was a small clearing or plaza in between the buildings that the shoulder to shoulder structures hid completely. Inside the cellar there was one other exit that lead up into the building that the cellar door sat against. A warehouse that Arcia had purchased under a false name in order to keep the Night Watch off of her back and other crews out of her space. She and her crew had been careful about their comings and goings, taking round about routes to come and leave, and never gathering here unless it was mission critical. The Night Watch currently believed her crew was nothing more than a scattered nest of thieves that had little organization. Rumors that had taken quite a bit of coin and fancy call girls to breath life into.

“We have a new target tonight. Strap on your dancing shoes, because tonight we attend a ball!” Grinning, she watched the various expressions of her men. They knew she rarely joked about a mission but the reactions she got only provoked humor. “Uh, Night?” one mouse of a kid said. He was just nearing his twenties and was one of the best pocket divers and roosters that Arcia had worked with. He was always asking questions and often brought back better intel than any of the other crew. That’s part of the reason Arcia used him for a rooster. “Nuttin for nuttin, but I aint strap ‘n tie man.” he said looking slightly perplexed. Several laughed at the image of him in a suit and tie trying to dance his way through the night. “Aye, yer not one for dancin.” Arcia said, slipping once more into the street flash and patter. She had a habit of talking the talk when with her crew, one of which had taken the time to teach her proper English many years ago. Something that had come in handy since she was a child. She had used it many times to convince various marks that she wasn’t some simple slum girl but a woman of higher class. She was intelligent and sharp as well as observant. It didn’t hurt that her body was well honed from years of acrobatic entrances and fighting. She was light and nimble and rum with a blade, a pair of daggers being her weapons of choice. She was mean with a garrote as well but preferred the point of a blade to the blood spattered cord any day.

“I’ll be the main foot in this un.” she said. Her brown eyes danced across the room as she grinned in response to the images dancing in her crew’s head. Cat smirked at her. A woman a few years younger than Arcia, she was of a muscular build with a scar running across her right bicep and had a knack for being mean as a snake. “Chu gonna play prim and sippy yer self some tea?” Cat said grinning. Her tone one of mirth as she teased the woman. She knew that Arcia hated rubbing shoulders with bluebloods and would prefer to bed a man to that, an act that several of her crew had learned the hard way would never happen. She had left one former member in a gutter when he’d gotten sweet on her then tried to muscle in and take over her rig. Her crew saw it coming. Arcia had made it clear that there would be nothing between them, but the man either thought she was playing hard to get or though that she would fold under his strong arm tactics. They had been smart enough to heed the woman’s subtle warnings. However she hadn’t really chosen the man for his brains. He had them where it counted but had been densely unaware of the game he was playing. Strangely, no one seemed to miss his presence. Cat had gone so far as to curse the man for his overbearing nature and ‘other’ small indiscretions. ‘Left him bleedin in the cold, did ya?” Cat had asked to which Arcia simply shrugged “Seemed fitting.” she had simply replied.

“This’ll be a fancy ball. Nice masked kind.” She said looking over the crew. She forced herself out of the street patter that she had been using and looked over her crew. “It’s a masquerade ball. A costume ball if you will. Don’t ask me why people with money think dressing up and pretending to be someone else. It must be amusing in some fashion.” Arcia tapped the map of the house on the table. It was a massive many roomed building with three floors and sprawling hallways and fancy gardens. She would have loved to take a normal run at the place but there was a prize in there worth its weight in gold. Literally. “Our target will be the daughter of the host. A blueblood woman named Lily Ellenford.” She rolled her eyes at the various cat calls and suggestions they split the booty like always. “Not this time boys.” she said grinning. “We need her in one well working piece. Some of you tend to get… overly active when it comes to having your pleasures. We don’t need her going back broken or worse, starry eyed. I’ll be taking charge of this one myself and if she gets to be too much trouble, then I’ll toss her to you. “ she said with a cold grin. She said “You will easily recognize me. I’ll be dressed as a rogue and thief.” She said which illicited a laugh from a few and caused cat to say “Yous becomin a honest to goodness Blueblood on us?” Her eyes wide in feigned shock as she took a step back. Arcia couldn’t help but laugh. It was well known that bluebloods and politicians were the biggest set of thieves in the world. She used to joke with Cat and her mousey lover about being small time compared to them. Standing aside, she let their gaze fall to an outfit that had gone unnoticed till now. She picked it up and let them see just what it was. One of which had the stones to say “It suits ya!” Several laughs had followed this to which Arcia only rolled her eyes. “Here’s the plan.” She said and began speaking.

That night she strolled right into the estate, acting like she belonged there. She grinned at the gate keepers reaction. She was dressed in old fashion clothes. Her boots knee high and black leather with a set of black pants. She had on a white flannel and a red cape held together by a gold clasp on the crest. Set into each of the ends of the clasp was a large ruby. But the most distinguishing item was a large dark and wide strapped leather eye patch over her right eye. The strap ran under her right ear and over the crown of her head. Giving the man a very friendly grin, she sauntered by and muttered “Whats wrong? Have I stolen your tongue?” She kept moving and mixed in with a few of the other patrons at the ball. Some dressed far more ridiculous than she. Arcia had been worried that she wouldn’t fit in with the crowd and had never really crashed a masquerade before. She saw some people with neck feather plumage that made her think of the evil queen in the kids tale, Snow White. A few had chosen more modern clothing and went with simple masks or the like to go with them. Some with a tux and a red belt sash similar to the one around her waist. Tucked in the sash is a coil of thin cord and two daggers, the rapier at her hip more for show that practical use. If came down to a hairy situation, she knew that it would be useless to her. Not only did she not know how to use it, but the piece was an antique looted from the vaults of a now deceased noble several years ago. She had no idea if the thing would even hold up in a fight. She currently stood with a group of women, one who was giving her an odd glance as she sipped at a glass of wine. “What are you supposed to be?” she finally toned in, looking to the rogue. “Who me? I’m a noble Lady gone rogue. I’m here to steal your heart and pick your purse clean.” she said giving the woman a wink which got her a laugh. She made small talk about this and that as she waited for the main guests to arrive. After that she hears a pause in the room and turns her attentions to a double staircase that framed the room. On the top steps of the right side came her target. “Let the games begin.” she says winking to her previous conversational cover before moving into the crowds once more and taking a glass of wine from a server as she moves closer. Her plan already in motion, she waits for nearly an hour before approaching the woman, who was now in the forced company of several older gentlemen whom seemed to be boring the piss out of her. Walking past, she winked to her then approached. “Well hello there, Mi’lady.” she said and went into a fancy bow. “Trouble you for some company?” she flashed a friendly grin and waited for her means of extraction. She already knew how to get the woman alone and simply had to keep the woman occupied till it bore fruit…

 

[Ms_Muffintops]

There she stood at the end of the hallway, the epitome of elegance, the envy of many young women, the prized jewel of her father, William Ellenford, and the heiress that had yet to be charmed by a young man. A nervous smile formed on her lips as her mother and father approached her. They both were donning their own formal attire, surely to out-do the entire crowd; It was their event after all. With her father on one side, and her mother on the other, the three linked arms and headed down the hallway together to greet their guests. Of course, it wasn't going to be so humble of an entrance. At the top of the stairs stood a man dressed in a black suit. With the raise of his hand, a grand trumpet played announcing the entry of the family as if they were actual royalty.

"Announcing, Lord William Ellenford, his wife Petunia, and their daughter, Lily", he called out to the crowd. All of the distinguished guests burst out in an applaud as one by one, the family made their way down the marble steps. First was Lord Ellenford of course, the head of the household. Then there was his wife Petunia, quite the socialite. And then came Lily, their silent and mysterious daughter.

William quickly stood to the side as he made his way at the bottom of the stairs, Petunia stood on the other side. In the middle stood a group of young men in a line awaiting to greet the young woman. A confused smile formed on Lily's lips as out of social obligation, she approached the men, with her hand already held out; She knew what they were there to do.

"Evening miss. It is a pleasure to meet you. You are looking quite lovely this evening", each one said in their own variation before kissing her hand, hoping to catch her eye. She then figured out why her father threw a random masquerade; It was all to find her a potential husband. Most father's would force their daughter's into marriage, but as the Ellenford's only surviving child, they were a bit reluctant. Unfortunately for them, like usual, as soon as she greeted each young man standing there, she walked away with a bored look upon her face. The girl couldn't make it ten feet without being approached by yet another man with nothing but small talk. When it became personal, it wasn't even about her, it was about her father and his estate, as if she cared. This was a masquerade and she was the only one aside from her parents who's identity wasn't sealed. The young woman was hoping to blend in with the crowd. But thanks to their oh so grand entrance, she might as well have shown up in neon colors.

As soon as she broke free from about her tenth conversation for the night, Lily found herself to the nearest server and got herself a glass of wine and chugged it before grabbing another; She was going to need it to make it through the night. As luck would have it, Lily was then bombarded by not just a bunch of young men, but their father's. Each man attempted to humble brag about his son, of course the other's would always have a rebutle followed by rumors they had heard about the young men. It turned into a full on debate between the men. Lily of course wasn't paying any attention or mind to them. While looking for a a perfect excuse to get away, a certain someone caught her eye--- a rather attractive young woman dressed in rather unique garments, looking her way. She could feel the hairs on the back of her head stand as soon as the two of them locked eyes.

Lily assumed the woman knew exactly what Lily was hoping for as she noticed the woman walking her way. The heiress breathed a sigh of relief as the woman made her way around the crowd and once again made eye contact. A smirk formed on Lily's lips as she spoke, freeing her from the boredom of these men who thought she was honestly interested in marrying their son's who were by no means men.

With a nod of acknowledgement, Lily spoke, "That would be lovely." She then turned to the men and gave them a slight wave, "Sorry gentlemen, we won't bore you with our talk. You know how chatty us girl's can get." She then linked arms with the mysterious woman and lead her away from the crowd of men. "You have no idea how much I owe you for that. They were boring me to tears", Lily spoke as she turned to formally introduce herself. "If you do not already know, I am Lily Ellenford, the daughter of William Ellenford, the owner of this estate", she spoke, assuming the girl knew who she was, but doing what she thought was simply expected of her. She took advantage of the moment to get a good look at the girl before her. Her choice of attire sure did surprise her. Of course it was a masquerade, but most women found it degrading to dress in such a way; The men always seemed more willing to dress in a theme. While women, they typically revealed their costume or theme through color coordination and their masks. It was rather dull.

 

[Tsumi Okasaki]

She smiled and pretended to be lead further from the crowd. "I never did get the male peacocks need for feathers. Now I think I'm beginning to understand." She said as she threw the young woman a look then glanced over their shoulders at the men who were still watching their retreating figures; the expressions ranging from a wolf with his eyes on a meal, to disapproving and even one that seemed as if he had already won the courtship dance as he eyed the woman with open possessiveness. One of the men seemed about to follow them at the nudging of his father and Arcia shot him a brutally frozen glance and watched as he returned to his father a little more than unsettled. She turned her attentions back to the young woman walking arm in arm with her and continued her previous line of thought "Its to disguise and distract you from the fact that your getting a very fat, and very dull bird."

She lead the woman towards a corner of the room only to have the pair of them beset by two men. Brothers from the looks of it. Both had short hair cuts, nearly bowl style, and both had dressed opposite the other. One in a white themed suit and the other in a stark black. Immediately the courtship began, but it seems they would flirt with just about anything in sight. After trying tactfully to dislodge them, Arcia took the blunt approach. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and looked at the two young men. "Look boys, I'm sure your from some well to do family that has far more money than brains. And I'm sure your names are all big an important like. But if you continue to pester me, I'm going to cut off your family heirlooms, sun bake them, then turn the whole package into a tobacco pipe." She paused, letting it sink in only to see slight confusion on the men's faces. Leaning up and placing her face between their shoulders she said "In other words, keep this up and I'll be smoking your balls by noon tomorrow."

She grinned and pulled back to see a horrified set of expressions on the men's faces. She knew they were used to dainty little numbers that blushed and wilted under their gaze, or never had a thing to say that wasn't proper. So she could understand their sudden confusion at the situation before them. "Run along now, boys. The women want to play." Placing a hand on Lily's forearm she lead her towards the edge of the room. "Okay, spill." She said, "Who's the supposed suitor out of this batch?" she said as she eyed the woman. She knew for a fact that to many people were interested in the young woman tonight which meant she was up for grabs and everyone knew it. They were making last minute plays for her attentions which usually indicated that a choice had already been made by the parents and the men hoped to change their minds via the daughter. Or at least conquer her before the chosen suitor did. She looked the woman over once more. To try to say she was a Helen of Troy would be laughable. She was cute, blondes really not being Arcia's thing, but she wasn't 'risk your kids and kingdom' attractive.

 

[Ms_Muffintops]

The young mistress of the household was grateful to have stumbled upon her new acquaintance, who's name she had yet to learn. As much as she despised most of these men, she couldn't find herself doing the things that this fiery woman was. Giving men disgruntled glares, and threatening to cut the balls off of the Richmond brother's of all people. Her behavior was peculiar, but rather refreshing. Lily had yet to ever meet such a fiesty girl. She had always been taught to remain polite and respectful when in the company of her father's associates and their family. Why should she? Lily always thought... they were all here, treating Lily like an object, a prize to be won, and it wasn't her approval they were necessarily after, it was her father's. If it were up to Lily to choose a suitor this evening, and if it had to be someone from this vary room, heck, she'd choose this interesting woman. Hey, she was in pants, and she most certainly wasn't acting like a lady. Was that manly enough?

And why was she so concerned about who her father's choice was anyways? This girl certainly was odd, but Lily didn't mind. They'd only been acquainted a few minutes, and she was already ten times more fascinating than anyone there that night. A blank stare formed upon her youthful face when presented with the question. Who was the highest potential suitor here? The young woman turned to face the crowd... her bright blue eyes scanning each guest she could recognize. It wasn't until her eyes spotted a royal blue velvet coat that she was completely clueless. The man wearing the ornate coat was the young Lord Williamson. There he stood in the crowd, with long chocolate brown hair. He had just inherited his family's riches when his parents grew ill and died. All he needed was a wife. His father was a colleague of her father's, and the two had always been forced to play together as children. Lily couldn't stand the creep. He was a manchild, perpetual flirt, and incredibly competitive and ambition to a point he was simply selfish.

With her arms stretched out before her, pointed in his direction, "Him. That's Lord Williamson", she whispered. She made sure to keep her mask held up so he couldn't spot her looking his way. "My father is rather fond of him, but to be honest, I cannot stand the man. My father is growing impatient with my refusal to marry just any noble who comes our way", she explained. "Why can't life be like the books? Marry for love. Your time and the things you do together matter... not the money you both have and the children you produce..."

As luck would have it, the two women would be spotted. As soon as the familiar baby blue dress caught his eye, the man came stomping their way with an over[joyous smile upon his face. Tightly, Lily gripped onto Aria's arm, pretending to not notice him.

"Quick quick quick, this way, pretend you didn't see him", Lily once again dragged the girl away, heading for the stairs across the room. Hopefully the man would give up after realizing she didn't notice him. Or perhaps a pair of jugs would distract him along the way.

 

[Tsumi Okasaki]

Arcia let herself be lead along and to the stairs then up them and to a second landing where yet more lords and ladies gathered. "My dear lord." she muttered to herself. She had never seen so much blue blood or loot in one place "How many of these people have to get together for everyone to be happy?" she muttered once more. Looking back over her shoulder she saw the man still coming and waving to get their attention. Realizing they weren't going to loose him, she twisted her grip on the woman's arm pulling her into a tight spin then stepped out onto the dance floor. Slipping her arm around the woman's waist as their bodies met with a gentle bump, she held her close and spoke in a low voice. "Sorry but your friend seems to have the tenacity of a blood hound. I think the only way we are going to loose him is by out waiting him or knocking him atop his head."

Grinning she pulled the woman into a small spin, extending her arm and letting the woman run the length of it, then back down and into her arms once more as she gave her a gentle tug. Playing the male lead, she began to lead them through the dance, occasionally glancing over to the young man. She would depart when another skirt caught his attention and carry her friend along with her. "So, what makes you think you have to live by their rules? You where granted this life, correct? Not them or theirs?" She looked intently at the woman as they moved across the dance floor. "It only seems logical that you be the one to make the choices in it. It's pure arrogance for another to presume to live your life for you. If it was meant to be lived by them, then they would have been given it, not you."

Slipping her left hand to the small of the woman's back she stepped in a slightly closer than the dance called for, needing a tight position to spin the woman free of the floor when their chance arrived at last. "I'm sure you have just as much brains as beauty. So what makes them more capable of living your life than you? Age?" She shook her head slightly and let the moment fall into silence as the dance began to pick up tempo.