* 18 * 4/11/12

Casavir told the druid the entire story, about everything that had happened with the succubi masquerading as women who needed his help, their queen Blooden, and...the kiss that Lily had witnessed.

Elanee was quiet for a few seconds. Then: "I hope you won't think I'm making light of the situation, but I must say what I believe will help you remedy all of this."

"If you'd please," Casavir encouraged.

"Just apologize to her, and do so without making excuses or placing blame, though I'm fairly certain you wouldn't do that anyway," she advised. "I don't believe your apology would make her think you are being presumptuous."

Casavir, after considering her words, let out a relieved sigh. "I was overthinking the situation, and wanted to make sure I would not make another terrible folly. However, speaking to you has confirmed my path; indeed a simple apology seems to be the best course of action. Thank you, Lady Elanee. I am in your debt."

Normally when someone said something about being indebted to another, Elanee figured it was more of an expression that emphasizes a "thank you" than a serious statement. However, she was fairly certain the noble paladin meant his words, and she felt the need to diffuse his debt before he took it too seriously. "No, please; I'm just glad I was able to help." She paused and considered. "I admit, though, that I am curious about something: I would like to know why you came to me with such a personal ailment rather than to one of the others."

Casavir nodded. "Very well. I felt a woman would be better to ask about what has happened, for reasons I'm sure you understand. However, I do not feel Qara would have the ability to listen to my plight without giving me sarcastic and unhelpful advice, and the tiefling has nearly let this rather personal information slip out to all of the others. And though I believe Shandra would have been a good choice for this discussion, she is sadly no longer available to advise anyone on anything."

"I understand, and am happy to be able to say something that you feel is helpful. I wish you the best of luck." She smirked very lightly. "I have to admit, I would rather our Leader get caught up with you than with the objectionable ranger; I do not trust him, or the way he looks at her," the druid explained.

Casavir nodded appreciatively. "I thank you for your support. As I am sure you are aware, I do not trust him either; I have met far too many of his kind on my travels to change that."

Suddenly a tune wafted its way to their ears. Grobnar had begun playing his lute.

"Shall we return?" asked the silver knight.

"Yes. I should go get Lily; everyone has gathered and the celebration is due to begin any minute now."

The two walked back toward the main hall, Elanee veering off to the left just before to fetch Lily from the basement.

Casavir was in relatively high spirits brought on by his strengthened determination. He reentered the room, only to be given a death glare from Bishop.

But the paladin ignored him, something Bishop wasn't expecting. Usually the ranger got at least a dirty look in exchange for one of his own, but this time he was treated only to silence. He was bothered by the determined look that still decorated Casavir's face, but Bishop would have to wait for the paladin to act to find out how he could best turn the situation in his own favor.

A few minutes passed before Elanee rejoined the others in the room, promptly turning back around to face where she had just come from with an expectant smile. The others were confounded about her actions until they became transfixed by a brilliant flash of gold.

Lily stepped into the room, her golden hair brace catching the light still pouring in from the windows. Her long, wavy, golden-brown locks were pulled to the side and draping over one shoulder. She was wearing a long, white-and-gold dress, which contrasted nicely with her slightly tan elven skin. Lily was most definitely donning a much more feminine look tonight than her usual sorceress robes.

Casavir's heart stilled in his chest. He was speechless.

Bishop's eyes were wide and his brows were raised, seemingly stuck there permanently. He could do nothing but stare for a few seconds. He had never admired the way royal clothing looked, but this was an exception. "Well, well," he said finally with a smirk, his gaze lingering especially long on how tightly the material hugged her hips.

"There she is," Khelgar declared, his face bright and welcoming with a wide grin.

Lily walked in to the smiles of her friends turned in her direction. Their pleased expressions were contagious, and she found herself breaking into a humble and slightly embarrassed smile of her own. But only slightly.

Just as promised, Grobnar was playing "The Magical Accoutrements of Jazendry", a happy, upbeat song that Lily liked from what she had heard so far. She was beginning to feel like the night wouldn't be so bad after all.

Neeshka spoke third. "Well, Cas, we're glad you're back and not dead." She then looked around impatiently. "So, what're we waiting for? Where's the food?" Casavir couldn't help but look amused. Neeshka did have a one-track mind.

"It's already been laid out in the dining room," said Elanee. As quickly as the druid had spoken, Neeshka had already left the room. Unexpectedly, Ammon Jerro was right on her heels. So that's why he had requested a celebration. Elanee was quick to admit, though, that the amount and quality of food prepared for such occasions was leagues beyond what was served on a normal day.

To everyone else's great surprise, even Aldanon had come to investigate what all the racket was about. As soon as he heard Grobnar's song, he stomped his feet and exclaimed excitedly, "Oh, Jazendry! My, my, Grobnar, will there be any dancing tonight to accompany the lovely tune?"

"You'll have to ask Lily!" Grobnar returned, giving the Leader a wink.

Lily balked at the idea. She had to admit that she had always wanted to dance, but she wasn't currently on the best of terms with the one everyone expected her to dance with, and she doubted the word "dance" was even in Bishop's vocabulary.

"I don't think I'm up for any of that," Khelgar admitted. "But I'm willin' to try out all the food; it smells like I'm gonna have a good time tonight." He looked at Casavir. "Welcome back, lad. Don't be too late gettin' some food, 'cause it won't be there for long with me around." The dwarf laughed heartily and went to join the others in the dining room.

"I saw a couple of ridiculous decorations when I was outside, so I think I'm gonna go for some target practice," Qara stated matter-of-factly with a smirk. "I'll see you all when you get outside. I'll try to leave some barrels for Lily." Everyone knew Qara was a pyromaniac, and the mad glint in her eyes every time she talked about destruction by fire only proved it.

Sand made a disgusted face and then tsked. "All that time for preparations and you don't even ruin them with an interesting spell," he chided her. They argued all the way out of the Keep; presumably Sand wanted some destruction for himself, but didn't want to admit it.

"Know that I am not opposed to dance, but I cannot say I have any experience in the act," Zhjaeve proclaimed. A very drunk worker bee immediately sidled up to her. Looking amused for the first time in Lily's memory, Zhjaeve simply and jokingly walked in a circle around the man until he grabbed her and started flinging her across the floor.

Lily and Elanee laughed at the display. After watching Zhjaeve get spun in a couple circles, Elanee turned to Lily and asked, "What would you like to do?" She was fishing for a certain answer, one that involved the paladin, but didn't make her intentions obvious.

Lily lowered her voice to a hushed whisper to reply. "Truthfully? I'd maybe like to dance." She seemed to be a bit uncertain about the topic at hand, partly because she was unsure of her abilities, and partly because she had always thought it a nice idea to blend with another being to the beat of music.

But Aldanon, who had strained his ears to hear every word, paid her shyness no mind. "Certainly, my dear! Why, it would be a crime for a lovely lady like yourself not to dance, especially to this song!" He grabbed her and pulled a drunk worker bee, swinging her around, but with considerably more grace than Zhjaeve's partner. He was a surprisingly good dancer for being, well, old. Lily found herself laughing at her own thoughts, but she didn't share them with their victim.

Elanee took the opportunity to distract Bishop. She made a quick pass by Casavir, saying only a clandestine phrase without looking at him: "Dining for five." He thought for a moment about what that could mean, but realization hit as she came upon Bishop. Casavir turned to join the pigs in the dining room, with Bishop watching his every step.

"Don't you want to dance?" Elanee asked of Bishop, stepping in front of his view. She knew he would never agree to such a thing, but wished to draw his attention away from Casavir.

Bishop looked at her for only a moment. "Pffh. Yeah, right," came his reply. He glanced at Lily dancing with the crazy old man and, satisfied that it at least wasn't Casavir, left the building to go to a more comfortable domain, one where the air wasn't stuffy and things were exploding, probably against the will of their owners.

Allowing herself a barely visible grin, Elanee leaned against the wall and watched the evening in the Keep unfold. She hoped Casavir had understood her cryptic message; she couldn't think of a better way to relay the information to him in such a short time without Bishop noticing. He'd never leave if he knew something was up, or if Casavir was still in the same room as Lily.

Sure enough, the paladin returned after approximately five minutes. Looking around and confirming that Bishop was no longer there, he nodded appreciatively toward Elanee and approached their Leader. She and Aldanon had stopped dancing now that Aldanon's apparent favorite song had ended, and he was clapping ecstatically at the moves the drunk worker bee was pulling with Zhjaeve, who seemed to be having a good time.

Lily didn't notice him over all the noise until he was within a meter of her. He made sure to keep his distance as she turned around and saw him.

"Oh. Casavir," she started, her eyes shifting a little. At that moment, she didn't seem to be talking to him at all, moreso was just flipping the name over her tongue and thinking about whether or not she liked it anymore. She was uncertain how to talk to him. She was angry with him, but she also didn't want to ruin the feel of the party, especially not one thrown for him, and especially not in front of her friends.

She had barely said anything at all, but already the paladin's spirits were lifted. He didn't remember the last time he heard her say his name, and he relished it.

"My lady. Forgive me for asking once more, but may we speak in private?" He waited patiently for her answer, ready to back off if she refused.

He wasn't expecting what came next. Lily looked him dead in the eye right where she stood, seeming extremely confident. She squared her shoulders and opened her mouth. But just when she looked so certain that she would say something – something mean – she looked to have had a gentler change of heart. Instead, she just stared into his eyes; however, her upset expression had not been lost on him, and he stared back apologetically.

At this, her anger with him melted a little. "Um..." She looked around. No one seemed to notice them. Feeling a bit better, and more confident, her mood improved. "Well...alright."

"Thank you," came his earnest reply. She had granted him a chance to explain himself even despite her anger, and he couldn't be more grateful.

"Come this way," she said, ushering him toward the wing off which both her room and the library trailed. He followed.

She took him near the door to her chamber, but did not allow him inside. They stood against the west wall, as to be more alert if someone were to spy on them. She looked at him expectantly.

"My lady," he began, clearing his throat. "I do not wish to change your opinion of what happened, nor insinuate anything by saying this." He paused. "I am grateful that you have given me this chance to speak, despite how you may feel toward me after what you saw."

Her bright green eyes bore into his.

Normally he'd be taken in unequivocally by them, but he could not afford to miss this opportunity to make things right. "I wish to apologize, sincerely, and with all of my being, for what I have done. I do not expect your forgiveness, but I do not wish for you to think I cannot take responsibility for my grave mistakes."

Lily looked at him with hard eyes. After thinking for a bit about how unfair she was being, though, they softened. "You have no need to apologize to me, Casavir," she started, feeling bad about how she was treating him, but simultaneously feeling like she should be even harsher.

"Forgive me, my lady, but yes, I do." He looked into her eyes.

She stared back into his for a few moments. In that time, she took in how striking his bright, icy blue eyes were, and understood how they could hold other women in a trance so easily. She still felt rubbed a bit raw from his actions, however, and was not taken in by their gentlemanly spell.

"Very well then...I forgive you," she said hesitantly, looking away.

He read the hesitation in her movements and voice and it made him uncomfortable. "Please do not say that if you do not mean it," Casavir pled. The last thing he wanted from her was insincere platitudes masquerading as forgiveness.

She looked back into his face. "All right, I won't."

Casavir sighed in relief. She didn't forgive him, but at least now she wasn't lying to make him feel better. Either way, the paladin felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders. "Thank you for listening, my lady."

He figured she wanted her space now, and was going to oblige, but when he turned to walk back to where the music was, she said simply, "Wait."

Casavir stopped. He looked back at her inquisitively, but did not press her to explain.

Lily looked uncomfortable again, this time toying with the hem of her dress. After a few seconds, however, she steeled herself, and looked straight into his eyes, catching him off guard again. Through this, he tried to keep his face straight.

"When we first walked in to Blooden's lair, before Shandra sacrificed herself...were you attracted to her for even one moment?" He knew who she meant.

He again faced her head-on with a straight face. "Not even for one moment," he confirmed, saying each word solidly.

She read the truth in his gaze, and smiled. Casavir finally allowed himself to grin, taken in by her contagious and beautiful expression.

"Ahem," came a sudden, small voice.

Just then, they spotted Guyven of the Road. They hadn't noticed him before because of his rather...lacking stature.

"Excuse me, I do not mean to interrupt. However, there appears to be a fire outside my window..."

Lily slapped her hand to her mouth. "Oh my goodness, Qara! I left her out there with the other two demons!" She gaped and quickly scrambled out of the hall. Casavir dutifully followed.