Ataline nodded a bit, looking down. She couldn't find any words, but she hoped the nod would be enough.

Kristina smiled at how excited he got. "Well... alright. I'll have to talk to a couple of people, but I'm sure you'll get in. It's alright if Ataline and Razvan don't come? I have a feeling it's not their sort of event."

Razvan wasn't sure if it was enough, but he pulled her into a hug all the same, and pulled back to kiss her forehead. "I think I'm just going to go for a walk alright?" He said softly. "I'll be back I promise."

Dresden snorted. "I don't think I can imagine Razvan dancing in a million years." He agreed. "They might have things of their own to take care of."

Ataline swallowed quietly and nodded, looking down. She'd heard that before. But she couldn't just keep him there either. "See you... later then," she whispered.

Kristina nodded. "Probably." She said and shrugged. "Well, it will be fun." She said and smiled a little bit.

Razvan sighed and walked through the streets, his hands in his pockets. He was with a very important royal person...
That he had incredable feelings for. But she didn't want to be treated differently. And he wasn't sure if she felt the same way. But honestly, that was alright. He was here when she needed him, and if she never feels the same for him then...he'd still have her friendship at least.
"Oh what a big boy you are." A familiar voice echoed behind him.

Dresden smiled and nodded. "I have to find something acceptable to wear I'm sure." He said slowly. "I haven't been to anything formal in years."

Ataline stood still in Geoffrey's stall for a long while, before she finally moved over to the wall. She slid to the floor of the stall and curled her knees into her chest, burying her face in them. As she started to sob, her loyal companion lay down nearby, nuzzling his nose between her legs, trying to get to her face.

Kristina nodded. "And there will definitely be well dressed people at this ball. It's sort of the most important thing to a lot of people." She said and smiled a little bit.

Razvan froze as a cold hand rested on his shoulder. It sent a chill around his neck and the familiar ache in his wrists returned. He was pulled into alley and he looked down, seeing the shackles on his wrists and the cold metal collar around his neck. "Aeurun'high! Mistress!" He managed. He fell to his knees as if a great weight had pulled him down.
The Deva was tall. At least seven or eight feet. Inhuman in nature. She rested heavy hands on his shoulders. "I leave you to do this task and I come back to your heart dripping and sloshing over a mortal woman? See, I find that interesting, Razvan. I thought you were colder then that."
"Just let me go back to her."
"Oh...she tried to steal you away from me didn't she?!"
"No! Just..... please. I'll get you what you want and then everything will be fine." Razvan promised.

***

Dresden nodded slowly. "Well, I enjoy looking good,on occasion. But I wouldn't mind if I was covered in mud either." He laughed. "It's one of those things.

Ataline, after a good while, finally pushed herself up. She hugged Geoff gently, but then moved out of the stable. She slipped into the inn and managed to sneak past Dresden and Kristina without them noticing. Then she moved to her room and got under the covers, hugging a pillow tight. Men had left her before... after finding out who she was but... nothing had ever hurt like this. She buried her face under the second pillow and slowly fell asleep.

Kristina nodded. "I think that's what every person wishes. Sometimes I day dream about getting really dirty in my best clothes." She laughed a little bit.

"Well then it's a date. After the dinner party we'll go jump in the mud." He grinned playfully.

Razvan wandered back into the inn, as pale as a ghost not too long later. He moved to Dres. "Have you seen Ataline?"
"No...thought she was with you, Raz."
Razvan frowned and looked upstairs. "Just gunna go check up there."
"Okay...man. Everything alright?"
"Fine." Razvan said softly moving away.
Dresden looked to Kristina and shrugged. "Hope everything is okay."

Ataline was fast asleep, her head under a pillow. She had curled up with the pillows, the blankets pulled tightly around her.

Kristina nodded, but she frowned. "Does he usually look that pale?" She asked him.

Razvan moved upstairs and found Ataline. He deflated when he saw her before slipping into bed with her and pulling her as close as he could. He hugged her tightly and held her soundly, closing his eyes.
He never wanted to let go.

Dresden shook his head. "Somethings up but...I don't really feel that it's right to intrude." He said softly. He swallowed a little. "Really, I hope everything's well."