The Fox Dances

The next evening the springtime debut ball began. The first ball of the season. It was being held at one of the Four Duke's estate in the upper city. It was luxurious. Vaulted ceilings with embellished marble, thick velvet drapes over large windows and High walls with crown mouldings. Artwork of varies important figures and scenes of the city's history hung in the large room. Crystal chandeliers glittered above. The orchestra was situated in the four curved observation balconies on the upper level, how Lady Fox wished she was playing with them. The air was thick with the smell of exotic perfumes and flavours. Every gentleman and gentlewoman were dressed by the best tailors in the city and each of them tried to show off their wealth in every stitch. Some wore elaborate gowns and suits, dipped in golden or silver dyes. The floral design of plants and birds were also popular, though dragon scales were still the most prevalent. Tiefling men and women (for there were a few despite the ton's displeasure) had decorate jewels hanging from their horns. Dwarven men braided golden or platinum cuffs into their beards and some noble wood elves had real flowers and bird feathers in their hair. The hue of the setting sun made everything seem warmer and colourful.

Lady Fox had been to a few ballrooms in her time for mostly elven affairs that meant they were more stiff and uptight than human ones. This ballroom was fair more impressive and filled with so many beautiful people. This was the chance to tell the rest of the ton who you were and Lady Fox wasn't going let this opportunity go to waste. She was after all in the same household as the Dukes's chosen.

Lady Fox wasn't quite sure what she was looking for in a match. She knew it had to be a love match. It had to be with someone who would understand her and allow her freedom. It was also important to get a match as soon as possible. Even being on the market for a year or two would raise some eyebrows. She hoped that her new face and mysterious background would intrigue the proper sort of gentleman to associate with her.

Lady Fox was standing with the Viscountess and Miss Aelina. Miss Evette was already dancing with a gentleman, much to her sister's chagrin. It seemed that Miss Evette's dance card would be filled by the end of was fair to say Miss Aelina was jealous of her sister, for Miss Evette had barely entered society and was already the chosen favourite of the season.

"Aren't you excited Miss Aelina?" Lady Fox whispered to her when the Viscountess was busy snapping orders at the servants.

Miss Aelina sighed. "What do i have to be excited about Lady Fox. My sister has already incised the whole of the ton."

"Indeed."

"Our chances of finding a match are dwindling before our eyes."Miss Aelina looked down at her empty dance card.

"Oh, I don't know Miss Aelina," Lady Fox said, "I think there will be a someone for you. You are very beautiful."

"Really?" Miss Aelina turned to Lady Fox.

"Yes, and it takes a brave woman to know who and what she wants in a partner." Lady Fox took Miss Aelina's hand.

"What about you? Your chances are much higher than mine," Miss Aelina said.

"I suppose they might be. But I'm not sure these gentlemen haven't much to offer me." Lady Fox looked out to the ballroom.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm looking for freedom, Miss Aelina. Someone who would take me for me and not for titles or money."

"But you are a Lady. No one is going to ignore a title like that." Miss Aelina laughed.

Lady Fox smiled at her. If only she knew the truth. 'Lady Fox' was a cover story, one that she intended to keep until she grew her last breath. If people knew she was a runaway of low genital rank, most would lose their heads and some would ask for hers. She simply wanted to forge a different path from one that was forced upon her.

The master of the ceremony, Grand Duke Admiral Ravengard, approached the corner where Lady Fox's group were huddled in. A human woman and man accompanied him, both roughly in their mid-forties. The woman was wearing a dark lavender gown with black embroidery around the edges and sleeves. She also wore a silk crepe over her head that came down to her shoulders. She looked to be in half mourning. The man was in a gilded black jacket with golden embroidery. Even though he was wearing black himself, Lady Fox doubted this man was in mourning like the woman. His countenance suggested he was in extreme bliss or perhaps arrogant and a little too full of was the same man from the debut yesterday. The one who showed off that poor tiefling girl, who clearly did not want to be there.

"Ah Viscountess Janneth, I'm pleased to see you in attendance."

"Grand Duke Ravengard, the pleasure is mine. It has been too long." The Viscountess bowed, along with Aelina and Lady Fox. They looked to have been acquainted with each other already, as for the other two who were standing with the Grand Duke, their introduction was needed.

"I've been charged to make introductions this evening," The Grand Duke laughed. "Viscountess, may I introduce Lord Gortash and Lady Dekarios of Waterdeep. Lord Gortash had expressed a wish to know you and your daughters." The two acquaintances bowed to the Viscountess.

"I have heard a great deal about you my lady and I was eager to make your acquaintance." Lord Gortash stepped forward. He looked over at Aelina and Lady Fox. His look gave Lady Fox a chill down her spine. It was as if he was assessing a prize cow at the butchers. He gave Lady Fox a quizzical brow as he noticed her ears and then looked back over at the Viscountess.

"Ah yes, Lord Gortash, Lady Dekarios, this is my daughter Aelina, my eldest and my youngest, Evette, is already dancing." She pointed over to Evette who was on the ballroom floor with an elven gentleman. "And this is my ward, Lady Fox."

After a moment's pause the Viscountess continued, "That was quite the display yesterday. Tell me where hasyour tiefling ward run off to?"

"Miss Cliffgate? Ah yes, I'm afraid my mother's pet was not feeling well for this evening." Lord Gortash sneered slightly. The novelty of presenting Miss Cliffgate and her unfortunate display (an obviously shock to the court) had worn off for him. "No doubt still crying over that ruined dress."

"Well, I hope to see her more at these ballrooms, Sir," Lady Fox said. "If you will do me the honour of introducing me to Miss Cliffgate at the next one."

Lord Gortash looked over at Lady Fox and she regretted opening her mouth.

"Lady Fox, was it?. I saw your presentation at court, such grace. One could almost believe it was on purpose," Lord Gortash laughed. Everyone did accept for Lady Fox. "And if you aren't already engaged my Lady, may I claim the next dance?"

She could hardly say no. The Viscountess had not intervened which meant she was comfortable with this prompt. If Lady Fox was to turn him down in front of one of the Grand Dukes it would no doubt be look down upon.

"I am not engaged, sir." Lady Fox gritted her teeth. There was something about him that rubbed her the wrong way. It was similar to the gentleman at the door earlier, but this feeling was more like instinct. He was putting on a charm. Not just to find a match perhaps but because there was something very wrong about him.

Luckily for Lady Fox the dance playing at the moment hadn't yet finished.

"Have I heard correctly Lady Fox that you had some trouble on the road to the city?" The Grand Duke addressed Lady Fox.

"A minor inconvenience I assure you, my Lord."

"She is being modest Ravengard, it was bandits probably hobgoblins or those Zariel tieflings again," The Viscountess piped in.

"That is serious indeed, why haven't you report it to the city's watch, Lady Fox?" Lord Gortash almost dived into the conversation.

"It was a few bandits that held us up on the High Road, my servant fought them off the best he could, but we were both unharmed." Lady Fox regretted telling the Viscountess this story in a dramatic tone because now she would need to keep up the rouse longer than she intended.

"Well, I am glad that you made it here safely, regardless," The Grand Duke said.

As the Grand Duke was talking, two gentlemen approached the small party. It was the gentlemen she took notice in the debutante debut. "Ah Viscountess, I present to you, Lady Dekarios's son Mr Dekarios of Waterdeep and you know my son Captain Ravengard, who has just returned from Western isles."

The Grand Duke's voice faltered slightly when he presented his son as if it was some sort of laborious task for him. The Grand Duke then introduced the ladies to the gentlemen. The two gentlemen bowed to the ladies.

"It's so good to see you again Captain," The Viscountess said with much more warmness that his father.

"It's a pleasure to see you Ma'am." Captain Ravengard held all that was proper to a man of his station. In Lady Fox's opinion he was far better than Lord Gortash, who from the corner of her eye was still looking at her with in themost disagreeable nature.

"If Miss Aelina is not already engaged, may I claim the next dance?" Captain Ravengard bowed to Miss Aelina.

"I'm not engaged, sir." Miss Aelina blushed.

"You do us a great honour, Captain Ravengard." The Viscountess then turned to the other gentleman and said, "Do you dance, Mr Dekarios?"

The other gentleman, Mr Dekarios, seemed disinterested in the ball. His face was a stoic expression that looked to be un-moving. He stood straighter when he was addressed, but it looked like it slightly pained him to do it.

"I'm afraid I rarely dance ma'am," he said. Lady Fox noticed in his eyes that he was looking for someone or something in the ballroom.

"Well, let this be one of the occasions, sir. For there are many pretty partners to choose here." The Viscountess turned to Lady Fox as she was talking. To show her off to Mr Dekarios. "Why, Lady Fox is eager to fill her dance card tonight."

Mr Dekarios simply bowed and walked away.

The Viscountess noticed this and was quite put off.

"I apologise for my son, ma'am," Lady Dekarios said. Her eyes followed her son, as he left the ballroom. "He was become distracted of late at the academy."

"The Blackstaff academy?" Lady Fox asked, slightly put off by the gentleman's rudeness. She had heard of the academy where mostly men go to study the arcane arts. Women were sometimes accepted into magical academies, if they were born with mystic abilities or had family connections. It must be said that magic wasn't just limited to books and birthright, as there were those who gain magic through prayer, the land and even from musical instruments. But they weren't seen as 'proper' magic and therefore not considered subjects for worth studying. That's why Lady Fox was able to learn magic through the use of musical instruments. Many people do not realise she's played with magic.

"Indeed. He is a professor there."

"Is he not your eldest son ma'am?" Lady Fox asked. It was unusual for an heir to take a profession and still remain a gentleman.

"He is my only son, my dear." Lady Dekarios looked mournfully at Lady Fox. "I hope he'll come to his senses about this magic business."

"And learn some manners in the process, I dare say," The Viscountess interrupted.

Lady Dekarios looked embarrassed at her son's departure. The bell for the next dance began and people were making their way to the ballroom floor.

"I believe it is time Lady Fox and I take to the floor." Lord Gortash stepped front of Lady Fox and presented his hand. Lady Foxwas loathed to accept it.

She put on a fake smile, took his hand and they made their way to the floor with the other couples. Lady Fox looked over her shoulder to see Captain Ravengard had followed after them, leading Miss Aelina to the dance floor.Lucky

The act of dancing, from the lower class to the nobility, was the only pass-time where one could get close to someone in a more intimate manner. It was a time for conversation that didn't need to be overheard by your chaperone or the other was a way to see if you dance partner was compatible or tolerable. Lady Fox's dance partner was anything but compatible. He was all over the place, missing important steps and his conversation was lacklustre as if he had read pick-up lines from a wanton bachelor's pamphlet.

"You don't talk much, Lady Fox." Lord Gortash said, recovering himself from stepping on Lady Fox's toes (for the second time it should be noted). He had spoken about his wealth, his success and how he got the title of 'lord'. He hadn't asked Lady Fox any questions about herself or what she liked.

"It's a little hard to carry a conversation when one's dancing, my Lord. Leaves one out of breath."

"Oh I can think of other ways one can get out of breath." Lord Gortash whispered.

Lady Fox wanted to throw up. To even think of improper topics, (especially that one!) was further prove Lord Gortash was an odious man.

She had to endure her partner for another quarter of the set, before thankful the music had ceased. Lady Fox bowed to Lord Gortash and swiftly moved off the dance floor. It felt like he was going to ask her for another dance and Lady Fox knew this was the beginning of him trying to court her. She made her way through the crowds of guest, occasionally looking over her shoulder to see if Lord Gortash was following. In a stroke of bad luck it seemed, she dumped into the white-hair gentleman from yesterday.

"A thousand apologies my Lady." The gentleman bowed to her. His attitude was in stark contrast from earlier, it was completely the opposite.

"I remember you." Lady Fox turned her nose up, "If you'll excuse me, sir."

She was about to turn when the Grand Duke Ravengard walked by and the white-hair gentleman waved him over.

"Terrible sorry Ravengard but could you do me the honour of introducing me to this young lady, I've appeared to have torn her hem and I'm obligated to pay my share for the fixing."

"Of course, sir." The Duke, a little peeved at the gentleman using his last name rather than his title, obliged. "My Lady, this is Magistrate Ancunín, esquire to the Count Szarr of Tumbledown."

Mr Ancunín bowed to her. Though Lady Fox noticed his jaw was tensed andthere was a slight stiffness to his shoulders when his master's name was mentioned.

"And this is Lady Fox, she has just arrived within the city." The Grand Duke was then summoned to another group of people and left the pair to themselves.

"A pleasure, my Lady," Mr Ancunín purred. "And how are you-"

"I thought I was not worthy of a 'proper introduction' by your account." Lady Fox's heart quickened in her chest and she could feel her cheeks heating up. She was quite sure this was because the man was an arse who was rude to her and not infatuation. She was also not please in him inventing a lie to becoming acquainted with her.

"I said I was sorry, what more do you want." Mr Ancunín pouted and crossed his arms.

"You weren't sorry yesterday." Lady Fox crossed her arms as well and straighten her back. This man was not going to get the best of her.

"I was only because I didn't know you were a Lady."

"So, you don't respect anyone lower than a Lady?"

"Well yes, I mean no," Mr Ancunín spurted. His complexion became coloured with a tint of anger. He was struggling for the appearance of composure. Lady Fox was not quite sure why he was feeling this way as they meant nothing to each other and had only just met. It was a poor meeting, one that they shall never make again. Or so she hoped.

"And those are the words of a gentleman?" Lady Fox was determined to leave this man by any means. "Good evening, sir."

She thought she had nailed him and was going to take a victory lap, but as she bowed and turned Lord Gortash was heading her way.Shit.

Lord Gortash was in no doubt looking for Lady Fox. Another dance was about to play.

Lady Fox spun around. Mr Ancunín was still there comprehending what she had just said and blinked in surprise.

"That was quick," he said.

"Never mind that, ask me to dance." She could feel Lord Gortash arrogant gaze trying to locate her.

"I'm sorry?" Mr Ancunín seemed to had caught on to Lady Fox's quick change in demeanour and was purposely being obtuse.

"The next dance. Ask me to dance."

"Oh, you want to dance." Mr Ancunín laughed. "Why the sudden change my dear? Dance partner stepping on your toes too much." He glanced behind her.

Lady Fox followed his eye and accidentally caught Lord Gortash's.

"Shit," she hissed.

"Now who's being improper." Mr Ancunín grinned at her. "Very well, I will dance with you."

Lady Fox sighed and was about to move when Mr Ancunín said, "If you say please."

Lady Fox gritted her teeth. Her name was being called from behind her. Lord Gortash was heading her way.

"Please."

"A little louder darling."

"You are insufferable."

"Well, if you don't want to dance."MrAncunín turned.

"Please!" Lady Fox almost shouted but kept her proper composure.

"Ah Lady Fox there you are." Lord Gortash caught her. "Are you ready for another dance?"

Mr Ancunín cut in-between them and said, "Oh my apologies sir but I have promised Lady Fox to the next dance." He indicated to Lady Fox's dance card which had his name written for the next song. Lady Fox didn't even see him write it.

"Ah MagistrateAncunín, it's quite the pleasure to see you. Here I thought the Count had you on a leash." Lord Gortash was all smile when he said this. It did inflict a slight anger in Mr Ancunín as his face was set in a half smile. But his jaw was clenched.

"The Count has no control over what I do in my spare time, my lord."

"We all know what you do in your spare time, Mr Ancunín. Sharess' Caress would be nothing without its favourite patron." Lord Gortash lowed and left them.

Lady Fox had heard of Sharess' Caress. It was a house of pleasure that would welcome noble patrons. It was a dirty little secret of the city's nobility, but one that everyone knew.

"Lady Fox." Mr Ancunín then took Lady Fox's hand and lead her to the ballroom floor.

"You had to wait," Lady Fox hissed.

"Well, my Lady you are quite pretty when you get angry." Mr Ancunín winked at her.

Oh, how she hated his guts in that moment, but she noticed that what Lord Gortash had said was eating away at him. He had a reputation and Lady Fox wasn't sure if she wanted to know more, but she was curious.