Wren+and+Kale+at+The+Spring+Celebration+Dance

Wren looked stunning in her long, nearly-sheer, silky black dress. A silver necklace, adorned with intricately carved white dragon scales wrapped around the base of her neck, dangling an elegant dragon pendant, carved from a frosted white diamond... almost giving the appearance of sparkling ice. Silver leaves cuffed along the edge of her ears. Her long, raven black hair was swept up to accentuate her face. Her lips were stained with a dark red, and her lids were thinly lined in black to emphasize her sparkling gold eyes. Coming from the Temple of Sune with the other girls, Wren walked into the hall of the elven embassy to find Kale.

He was dressed in the finest elven silk shirt, black, with silvery elven scrollwork embroidered along the edges of the collar, down the front, and along the cuffs. Crisp, black, fine elven silk pants. Lightweight for spring, and fitted perfectly. Wren's cheeks blushed pink when she seen him. Strong, charming, and handsome... he looked almost aristocratic standing there in the hall, smiling at her as she walked up.

She warmly stepped up in front of him, gently caressing the side of his neck as she slipped her hand up and around to cup the back of his neck to draw him in to kiss his lips softly. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in close to return her sweet kiss. He gently tucked a vivid purple flower behind her left ear, and was rewarded with an adoring smile. She looped her arm into his, and climbed into the carriages to the ball.

Eloquent and diplomatic, she warmly walked their way through mingling with some of the nobles at the dance, and then let Kale lead her out to dance, where he swept her gracefully across the floor, leading her through appropriate dances. She embraced him closely, and followed his lead with elven grace.

The dance floor was busy with mingling, swapping dance partners. Raven came to dance with Kale, as Mali came to dance with Wren. The two girls giggled together, and danced near enough to watch Kale come away from his dance a little paler than he had gone in. Mali and Wren exchanged glances and Wren hugged Mali before returning to Kale, leaving the young druidess to return to Ursus.

Wren and Kale went to the tables to get a drink, "Are you alright?" She laid a comforting hand on his arm, "What did she say to you?"

When Lady Lionspaw brought Aspen around, introducing her to people, Wren froze as soon as she heard the familiar voice. //No... Why? Why is she here? and with Lady Lionspaw?!//

Aspen ran over to embrace Kale when she seen him, "Kale!" Surprised to see her, he warmly returned her embrace, as Wren stepped away radiating cold. She stared at Aspen darkly. Despite this impudent woman... who always intruded between them, and treated her with such insulting disrespect... Kale was almost always receptive to her... welcoming her with patience.

Seeing the dark look and feeling the cold from across the room, Yuki hurried to grab Mali and go head off Wren, who was starting to look dangerously close to a bad scene at the dance.

Aspen invited Kale to dance with her. He glanced a little uncertainly at Wren, who had stepped away from his side and seemed to be cold. He tried to make his excuse to refute the offer, as Yuki and Mali tugged on Wren to take her to get a drink, but Wren smiled charmingly, "No, by all means... you haven't seen her in months... go dance with her if you like." He nodded to her, still certain whatever choice he made would be met with consequences later... and he went to the dance floor with the lovely sorceress.

Wren walked coldly to grab a bottle of wine and walk out of the estate, accompanied by Mali and Ursus who tried to keep her drink full and keep her calm with Mali's normal cheerfulness. Erevin's eyes weren't the only ones who watched as Wren made a rather angry exit through the room. Crowe glanced with concern at her sister, but seen her accompanied by her friends, so decided to let her cool off and she would approach her later. Raven also watched, with a raised eyebrow, as her wandering eyes caught her youngest daughter exiting the building exuding cold, with a bottle of wine in her hands.

Wren's composure calmed with Mali's encouraging drinks and happy smile, but all of the troubles that Aspen had caused her were still fresh in her mind. Wren drank her red wine as Mali happily offered her white. Wren shrugged and blended the two together. "Blush!" Mali happily chimed in, never faltering despite the witch's obvious dark mood.

Gradually, with the combination of numbing wine and Mali's bubbly personality, Wren cooled off. Her charming smile started to again cross her lips. How could she stay mad with the adorable druidess who drenched her in joy, and the ever presence of Ursus who seemed very happy to be reunited with Mali...

Yuki swiftly took Kale's arm after his dance with Aspen, "Kale, I need you! It's important!" He nodded to her, seemingly grateful, "Of course, important business." He smiled and made his polite exit from Aspen's side. Before Aspen could put up any kind of a fuss, Azarius invited the young sorceress to dance with him as Yuki quickly dragged Kale to the door and threw him outside to find Wren, "If your hurry, you might still catch her!"

Kale walked over to Wren after noticing her drinking by a small brazier of fire with Mali and Ursus... it was only a small amount of time before that could become a dangerous situation at the event that they were attending. He came up to her with a soft sigh, "So how much trouble am I in?"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Mali looked at Ursus, "Okay, Kale is here... we should go." <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ursus nodded, "Want to go hide in the bushes and watch?"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Ursus! We should most definitely not watch! Wren will give us our privacy when we need it. We should afford her the same. Besides Kale already knows he's in trouble so it wouldn't be much of a show. But I would love another twirl around the dance floor before we take our leave. Oh! I have a wondrous idea! Before we leave for our next adventure we should see about your companion. White Fang was a ferocious bear and loyal friend. I'm certain he wouldn't want you to be alone. If you like I can join you. I'll pack a picnic and maybe a bottle or two of the elven wine..." Mali grins deviously. "I don't think I mentioned how devilishly handsome you are in that tux but it looks a bit um.. restrictive. I think I prefer you in leather."

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren turned to Kale with a charming smile, "Trouble? No trouble... why would you be in trouble?" <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "Because you look really pissed..." <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She smiled, her voice still a little on edge, "I'm fine." <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">He spoke to her softly, "I was surprised. I didn't expect to see Lady Aspen here... I hope you can forgive the one dance?" He smiled at her hopefully. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She smiled at him, "There's nothing to forgive. She's your friend. You haven't seen her in such a long time..." <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">He offered her his arm, "Then will you accompany me back inside?" <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She nodded and took his arm, "Of course."

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As they walked back to the door, she was sweet and charming, nothing but nice to him. She sighed softly as she thought to herself, //I used to handle that better. I used to be able to simply block her out...// //Thank goodness for such amazing friends... who pulled her away and brought her back to calm.// She began wondering just how close she let herself get to Kale and why it was so much harder to block out the meddling sorceress and harder yet, Kale's attachment to her.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Kale pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her, "You know you have nothing to worry about..." He smiled at her reassuringly, wondering just how pissed she was now that she seemed to be covering it up. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren laughed softly and leaned against him, "Oh... I have plenty of things to worry about...." Her eyes met Raven's as they walked through the room, and she smiled and bowed slightly. Kale turned to follow her gaze as she acknowledged Raven, and Wren turned to lead him to the dance floor. "What did she say to you when you danced? Our conversation was interrupted before..."

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Azarius looked at Kale over Aspen's shoulder on the dance floor, and mouthed the words "Do you want this back?"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Erevin swept up to take Aspen off of Azarius's hands, inviting the young sorceress for a dance. Twirled around the room by such handsome men, paying her attention, Aspen was friendly and graceful in her attempt to shine as the daughter of a mage of the white tower... though it was easy to tell by the way she spoke, that she was spoiled and used to having her way. After a couple of very suave dances with Erevin, she bowed to him gracefully and thanked him. She scanned the room, and quickly headed back toward Kale before anyone else could ask her to dance.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Kale was on the dance floor with Wren, and the two of them danced beautifully together. A graceful extension of the other's movements, as though they had learned to simply read the other's body language so well that there was no need for words. She leaned in, whispering in his ear as she passed close to him in their twirls, "Tell me... how are you feeling tonight? Has your strength returned in full?" Her eyes sparkled with such a challenging invitation that the mischievous smile that played on her lips brought a soft blush to his ears as his blood ran hot. He grinned at her and pulled her in close to dance with him as he whispered back in her ear, "Whatever you need, my lady, I'm sure I can handle. Do you think we've stayed long enough to make your mother happy with your presence here?" He placed a lingering kiss on her neck and felt her heart start to race as she shivered to his gentle kisses. Her eyes closed as she tilted her head with him in the dance, giving him full access to the smooth skin on her neck.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Her breathing became heavier, and he could feel her skin get warmer with his soft lips as he kissed her. She leaned up and whispered into his ear, "If not..." she softly licked the edge of his ear, "it will be well worth whatever punishment she can throw at me." He grinned at her, and casually moved their dance across the floor toward the exit. He placed an arm around her waist, holding her close as they stepped off of the dance floor and headed for the door...

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Kale! There you are!" Aspen's arms quickly enveloped around Kale's other arm.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Lady Aspen," Kale smiled at her, "You'll have to forgive me... I was just on my way out..." <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren was silent, but lingered close to him, waiting... <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"No...You can't leave yet!" Aspen clung to him and tugged him toward her, "I've only just found you! We have so much to talk about... Come dance with me." <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I'm sorry... I really do have to go... it's very important..." he let go of Wren to use that hand to try to gently take Aspen's grasp of his arm off, but she still clung to him. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"That's what you said last time... I'm sure whatever it is..." she glanced at Wren, "can wait while you dance with me." She held on to him. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren took a step away, staying silent, and still waiting... repeating thoughts in her head to stay calm, //it's his friend. don't make a scene... it's his friend. don't make a scene... I'm sure he can handle it... breathe...//

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jerrandis Mercer walked in the door, coming back in after getting some air. He smiled in surprise, and stopped in front of Wren, "Lady Wren..." He bowed in greeting. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren flashed him a charming smile, "Why if it isn't Lord Mercer... my hero... how are you?" she bowed gracefully. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">He offered her his arm, "Would you care to dance?" <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren glanced back to look at Kale, giving him only a moment longer before she would accept the witch-hunter's invitation to dance.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Kale swiftly disengaged himself from the young sorceresses arm, apologizing with a "Forgive me, I promised to escort Miss Dreamspinner home this evening." Frowning at the Mercer boy's awfully familiar closeness to Wren, he quickly closed the distance between the two of them as Wren was about to accept the dance from the smiling witch hunter. "Are you ready to leave now...mi'lady?" The warrior stood expectantly beside Wren and Jerandis.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren could see...over her shoulder...Aspen who looked...wide eyed at Kale's retreating form. A look of...devastation in her eyes, she turned...hurrying out of the room unto a nearby balcony...

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren stood there, her mouth half-open, stunned. //What just happened? Did he just walk away from her for me?!// She looked at Kale and back at the disappearing Aspen and back at Kale, and stumbled over her words, completely shocked, "B-but I thought that... you were going to... but... I... I didn't say anything... I was just going to... but... you always..." she stopped talking and threw her arms up and around him, hugging him close for a long moment, and as she released Kale from her tight hug, she smiled at him, a little teary, but all lit up with joy.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jerrandis looked at the two of them, wondering what he had just missed. Wren turned around and gave him one of her most charming smiles, "Jerrandis, thank you for the invitation, but I'll have to take a rain check... I was actually just on my way out." She bowed slightly.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Next time then," he nodded to her. She smiled and nodded to him, as she could feel Kale practically growling at him from behind her.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">After Jerrandis walked away, Wren turned back to Kale and hugged him again, laying her head on his shoulder and sighing happily... but the devastated look on Aspen's face seemed to haunt her memory... Aspen was always mean, insulting, and like a chisel between her and Kale... why should she care that Kale sent her away to cry alone? Kale's words from the ship began to fill her head...//'She was...totally different then...so kind...and helpful, and a good companion to my sister.' ...... 'And so we let her go and she was adopted. He pampered her...gave her everything she'd ever dreamed. And it slowly...changed her. But I know down deep she's still the kind girl we took in those years ago...' ...... 'Yes....I miss her....like I miss my sister...and my other friends in Myth Coramanth. But it wasn't her...that I was thinking about all of those...dark days of blood...and pain...and war. It was you...only you Wren. You were the one thing that I could hold on to...that I had to hold on to...to keep going. The thought that one day I'd return...and you'd be waiting.'// <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren brushed a tear from her cheek in memory, and shook her head as her own words to Crowe describing Aspen started to haunt her... //'She's a petty, jealous, conniving bitch who lives a spiteful life of hate.'// //...... but isn't that what I just did... it was one dance... I told him to go... I was jealous... I was petty... I was spiteful... I had no reason to be so angry...// Suddenly she felt like a horrible person.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As Kale walked with her toward the door, she stopped and looked up at him as he looked down at her with a raised eyebrow. She swallowed, and tried to find her voice. Speaking tentatively, she looked into his face again, "Kale wait... I... I'm sorry... I'm sorry I got so mad... I was hurt. I was frustrated... and I let it all get away from me... it was like nothing had changed, but..." she reached up and softly caressed his cheek, gazing into his eyes, "things have changed... and..." She looked away from him, "While I know she has nothing but hate for me... I... I overreacted, and I'm so sorry for doing that..." she looked back up at him, "to you. I had no right to be mad... You've shown me nothing but patience... even though I must drive you crazy..." she laughed softly as several moments in time came vividly to her mind, but then she smiled up at him tenderly, "and you... you really are my hero."

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She leaned up and kissed his lips affectionately, "To answer your question... Yes. I'm ready to go... but are you sure you want to walk away from her like that? She did look pretty hurt... I know that she's an important person to you... and... and if you still want her friendship... you should go and talk to her. I suggest that you try not to lead her to think anything other than it is, because she obviously has feelings for you... but if she's at all important to you... you should probably go talk to her before any more damage is done. She went out on to that balcony over there." She smiled softly.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She straightened herself up and folded her arms, "Don't get me wrong... I haven't gone crazy... I still don't like her and I don't trust her enough to want to be anywhere near her..." She smiled up at him, "but I do trust you... so I'll wait right out here." She nodded and gestured toward the balcony openly.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I think...it was probably best it was done...quickly..." But Kale looked over at the balcony sadly, he didn't want to lose the girl's friendship, especially for the sake of his sister. "Less....pain for her in the long run...she's not the type to take a hint...easily." He put an arm around her shoulder. "I do wish my sister were here though...to talk to her. She always....understood Aspen better than I. If I go...and talk to her now she'll just...think that I've reconsidered won't she...and she'll redouble her effort."

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The warrior considered "But perhaps...I should...go...tell Erevin to look out for her for the rest of the evening. I would hate for her to do something rash...okay?" He looked to the lovely witch beside him, wondering what she thought...

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren hugged him comfortingly, "You're probably right..." she nodded. She glanced over to where Erevin was laughing with Lady Moonsong, who was looking pretty tired from all of the festivities. "I don't know that Erevin will be here much longer... but you can ask him." She placed a soft kiss on his lips and waited by the door while he walked over by the ranger.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren glanced at the balcony and sighed. She wondered if some magic spell of rage would be coming for her any time soon or if the sorceress would retreat in her hour of grief. //Should I go talk to her for him? Wait! What am I thinking?! ... because that surely wont end in a horrible scene in the middle of a celebration ball... no, no... stay right here and just wait for Kale.//

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The elven witch watched...half expecting a bolt of lightning to strike down from the balcony from Aspen's wrath...but...none came, much to her surprise. She was so caught up in preparing to defend herself...and worry that she was actually feeling a twinge of guilt...that she didn't notice a young blonde woman approaching her, and it still didn't register with her until the young woman cleared her throat...

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Ahem..."

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Then did it again, a little louder, when Wren didn't respond...

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"AHEM!"

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren was startled, turning to look at the young woman. She was short...with long blonde hair, wearing a stunning ivory dress bedecked with frills and jewels. Brilliant violet amethysts and dark opals of all sizes she wore on her neck and wrists. She looked...vaguely familiar, but the witch couldn't quite...place her.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Good evening...you’re Miss...Dreamspinner, right?" The young woman smiled "My…brother...told me about you. I'm Katarina...Brightwood...it's sounds like you've been having many exciting adventurers. But are you all right? You look a little…sad? Weren't you with that handsome elven warrior?"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren blinked at her, still a little distracted. She smiled, and bowed slightly to the young woman, "Yes, forgive me... I've been a little off tonight... I'm not sure what's gotten into me really... but it's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Brightwood.... What brings you to me this evening? Were you wanting to meet Kale? He is handsome, isn't he? He should be back in just a moment... or was there something that I can help you with?" She smiled warmly.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Oh! No...I mean...Mr. Kale is handsome but very imposing...like my big brother 'Lex!" Her eyes shimmer happily, as she looks over at the dance floor where Alexander Brightwood is dancing with Rhianna Dursear. His blonde hair neatly framing his handsome face, he seemed as adept on the dance floor as wielding a blade in the service of Lathander. "He dances...so....awesome..." Katarina murmured, it was clear to Wren that this girl certainly worshipped the ground her brother walked on.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I just wanted...to make your acquaintance really...you seemed a little lonely. And I'd love to hear about your adventures. And your companions! Especially that priestess of Sune...Yuki Ashdown. She seems very nice, and a good dancer too!"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren grinned at Katarina, following her gaze to the dance floor, "Your brother seems most kind. He personally escorted our dear priestess, through town personally to get her safely to her temple. You should be proud of him. I hear he was quite the hero in helping to save the city." She smiled at the young woman, knowing she was already glowing with adoration.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"It's so sweet of you to come and talk with me... Yuki is an amazing woman. Probably the nicest person I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. She really does dance well, doesn't she?" Wren smiled looking out with Katarina at Yuki and Azarius on the dance floor. "We simply couldn't get by without her. I think she's saved almost all of our lives at one time or another. My own more than once." Wren glanced back to Erevin's table and smiled warmly at Kale, remembering how worried he had been when they came up from the tower of Heroes' Rest... she was still covered in her own blood and in so much pain even after Yuki had managed to close the wound.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She turned back to smile at Katarina, "You seem like a bit of a spellcaster... are you a follower of Sune?" Wren looked her over, wondering what the girl's interest in Yuki was... especially since she had come to talk to her instead of going to talk to Yuki.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"No...no...not a priestess!" Katarina held up her delicate hands, shaking them negatively "I am a sorceress...though...I'm surprised you could see that. Or...or...have you heard of me..." The young noblewoman blushed, as if very embarrassed 'T...that was a long time ago! A total accident...I've learned a lot since then!"

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren had no idea what the young sorceress was talking about...but apparently it was very embarrassing. She smiled "No...I haven't...hear anything. You just...had an aura that felt...like the earth..."

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Ah...whew...I mean...yes! That's my elemental affinity!" Katarina seemed pleased that Wren had noticed, then turned back to Azarius and Yuki...dancing. "I just...well...was admiring how well she danced and how beautiful she is. And she's very lucky to have such a handsome… paramour...like Mr. Chaat?" Wren couldn't help but notice the faint hint...of a question at the end of her statement.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren laughed softly, "Oh... Azarius and Yuki are friends. They are both single, and he was kind enough to invite her to her first ball so that she had a date. Isn't that sweet? It did make Yuki very happy. He is very charming and generous that way." Wren smiled charmingly, but thought to herself, //not to mention temperamental, mentally unstable, and cursed... but we all have flaws, right?//

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"He's a sorcerer as well. He's been very valuable in our adventures..." Wren nodded to her as she watched yet another partner twirl Yuki in another dance. "Would you like me to introduce you to him? I'm sure you have some common interests, and he hasn't been able to meet very many of the people of Lyrabar yet... I should speak with him and thank him for his favor earlier anyway. Shall we?" she smiled warmly.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Oh...so they aren't really...an official...couple...or anything?" Katarina said perhaps a little too hopefully She hadn't recognized the beautiful priestess on Azarius's arm, thinking perhaps she was a noblewoman from northern Impiltur. "I...introduce...me...w..wait I'm...not ready. I..I.." But Wren scarcely heard her as she took the young woman's hand and pulled her over through the crowd to where the handsome young sorcerer was dancing with the Sunite priestess.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Azarius just finished a twirling her when Yuki noticed Wren and a young blonde haired woman in a magnificent creamy dress standing beside them side by side. Wren smiled "I'm sorry for the interruption...you two...but there's someone who wanted to meet you..." She turned to the blonde woman.

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She smiled nervously "Hi! I'm...uh...Katarina...Brightwood...pleased to meet you...both..." She kept her eyes down, but kept stealing glances at Azarius.

<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren smiled warmly at both Yuki and Azarius, "I'm very sorry for my... overly dramatic exit earlier... and I just wanted to thank you both so much for your help... and... I've been talking with this lovely, young lady, and she wanted to meet you... so we thought we'd come over together." Wren winked at Yuki.

<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She turned to Yuki, "Kale is just talking to Erevin for a moment and then we should be taking our leave for the evening... Would you dance with me once before I go?" she smiled mischievously at Azarius and glanced at Katarina, "Would you mind dancing with Azarius for a moment while I steal his dance partner for a dance?"

<span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Yuki giggled, "B...BUT WREN! I'm a GIRL! People will...talk!" She looped her arm through her friend's and smiled at the pretty blond girl, "...Please to meet you Miss Brightwood! I'm Yuki Ashdown, Priestess of Sune, recently from Waterdeep! And this is our good friend Azarius Chaat of Sarschel! Won't you dance with him?" She smiled up at the handsome man by her side, "Please Azarius. I've been monopolizing you all evening and...AH!" She turned excitedly back to Katarina, "Brightwood!? Could you be....Sir Alexander's relation? Oh Azarius! If she's Sir Alexander's relation you MUST dance with her!"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren giggled at Yuki, contentedly looped with her.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren nodded, "We were just talking about her older brother and how heroic and noble he is... and quite the dancer." Wren nudged Yuki and nodded in the paladin's direction, "And then we were noting how elegantly you two danced... and we were talking about how Miss Katarina and Azarius had a bit in common with magic... a little different element, but I'm sure plenty to talk about... at least long enough while I steal Yuki for a dance?" Wren smiled innocently.

<span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Oh Wren! You flirt!" Yuki teased, blushingly, "Weeeeell, if you insist! But you know I only LOVE boys, right?" Yuki giggled playing it to the hilt for Katarina's benefit! She was so happy to see her friend return to her good spirits again after that Aspen fiasco. When that girl had latched herself onto Kale, Yuki had honestly thought Wren was going to hex her to death right there. To be herself so soon afterwards must mean Kale did ALL the right things! And she was dying to find out WHAT THOSE RIGHT THINGS WERE! "Sorry Azarius! Wren's sweeping me off my feet!" The two girls giggled and Yuki suddenly looked confused, "But...er...Wren? Who leads?"

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren giggled herself silly slipping off with Yuki, and waving to Katarina and Azarius, "Oh... this is certainly more your kind of dance! You lead. Kale's been leading... I just follow. When we finally get to dance around the fire... I'll happily show you how it's done." Wren giggled again.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Oh, Yuki! Thank you so much for earlier... I don't know what came over me... It was like I became a crazy person... so angry... and I really had no right to be... I've apologized to Kale, but... really if it wasn't for you and Mali... and Ursus and Azarius... I might've been so much worse," Wren sighed, "I have such good friends." Wren hugged her as they twirled about in a silly girly dance, "Thank you!"

<span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I know EXACTLY what came over you!" Yuki beamed, "...she was holding onto Kale as if she owned him and he was letting her! I would have been SOOOOOOO angry too!" The priestess twirled her out friend out, clearly she was no good at this leading business. "Sooooo, what did Kale say to make it all better? And where is he now?!"

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I'm right here...ladies..." A deep elven voice said from behind Yuki, causing her to squeak with surprise as she turned around to see the handsome elven warrior standing beside them with another man. "If I might...interrupt your...girl talk I believe I was about to escort Wren home safely." He smiled as Wren released Yuki and embraced him.

<span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"He has THE WORST TIMING, YOUR man!" Yuki giggled with Wren... "And just when I it was getting the hang of this leading thing too. So mean, Kale! Taking my partner away!"

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"But..." Kale motioned to the tall blonde man next to him "I leave you with a parting gift...mi'lady of Sune. A new partner...more appropriate for you. Sir Alexander Brightwood, Paladin of Lathander. I believe you two...know each other?"

<span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"OOoh!" The priestesses eyes shone!

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Yes..." 'Lex said "I've had the on of escorting the lovely Miss Yuki around before...it would...a pleasure to dance with you...mi'lady." He bowed, kissing the back of her hand.

<span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Yuki bowed elegantly and blushed, her eyes glancing out to where Azarius was dancing beautifully with young Katarina, "Sir Alexander! It's so good to see you again. You honour me. A great hero of the city asking me to dance!?" The young priestess practically bubbled over with life...and high spirits, "I daresay you know how to lead a GREAT DEAL better than I, right Wren?"

<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Then...shall we be away Miss Dreamspinner?" Kale offered his arm to the lovely elven witch...

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Wren giggled, and happily took his arm, "Of course, my lord! I'm ready if you are." ...playing the part he was obviously setting with all of the formalities. <span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She bowed slightly to Alexander, "A pleasure to see you again, Sir Brightwood. I'm sure you'll make a much better partner for our dear Yuki than I did."

<span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Yuki laughed!

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She grinned back at Yuki, "Enjoy the rest of the dance! We'll talk soon!" She leaned softly against Kale and smiled up at him. She sighed happily.

<span style="color: #8064a2; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Awwww! You two have fun!" Yuki called out, watching them go. Glancing back Wren could practically see the hearts circling her head before Alexander Brightwood, the gleaming paladin, swept her away in his arms.

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Did you get everything all settled then?" she asked softly as she walked away with Kale.