Set during the ball//

There were strangers in his house. While Vendrick is used to one or two strangers, and sometimes his cousins (who were quite strange), and the usual rotating door inside the Hallows, this was different. This wasn't just having guests. This wasn't just needing to avoid a couple rooms, dancing around the company so he could maintain his Mysterious And Spooky aura. This was a who lot of strangers in his house at the same time. Most of them were his age, even, and or they were close to it. The boy couldn't help that it made him a bit anxious. He did what he was supposed to. He came down. He supported Bramble. He sat beside Dusk, watching the party for a few minutes... and then Vendrick was out of there thank you very much. The young prince swiped a handful of snacks and headed outdoors. Too stifling with so many strangers, and it was too nice an evening to be cooped up inside. Who knew how many more nice nights they'd get, before the winter chill took them over? Out into the crisp autumn breeze, Ven made his way. Head tossing, taking in a deep breath of it all. Yeah, this was a lot nicer. Wandering around to the back patio of the castle, climbing up to perch on one of the low stone walls, he finally settled in to enjoy his snack and watch the party from a distance. Why did everyone look so happy in there? Seemed... faked. Boring. Who knew, anyway. He has fresh air and snacks, so who was the real winner?

Spring and autumn were the worst for her condition so when her brothers walked straight through the doors and into the hall, Morganna held back. Who was going to want to dance with a wolf that was covered in mushrooms and oozing glowing muck all over the nice clean floors? Sure, even some of the wolves from Heiðinn had made the trip down, and perhaps she'd spot some familiar faces from Armada, but did she want any of them seeing her like this? Probably not. So instead, she did what any other self-respecting moody pre-teen would do - she huffed, and rolled her eyes, breaking to the left and making her way around the outside of the castle. Maybe they'd have snacks out the back for the guests they'd rather didn't show up?

"speech"

Tipping his face to the breeze and closing his orange eyes to the fading sun, Ven heaved a heavy sigh. It was strange, the evenings like this. Like he could feel winter right around the corner. On the cusp of something strange. He could write (bad) poems about it all day. Maybe he should, but then, dad would probably be disappointed if he didn't hang around the ball for at least a little while longer. Something about being a good host, even though Bramble was the true host of this whole shenanigan. The sorta navy, sorta purple-y girl had shown up with Bramble and Ember's friends, but Vendrick had never seen this one before. Peering down from his perch on the wall, he watched her for a long moment. What was her plan now that she was out here? Hell, what was his? Right, that decided that. "Hey. What're you doing?" His new plan was, in fact, whatever she was doing. A whole group of strangers sucked, but just one? Just one he could handle.

The voice calling out from above her was unexpected, so she jumped up to be on level ground, eyeing the stranger up and down before answering as she bought herself to a seat. He smelled like he belonged here, not like her. "Sparin' yer floors." She lifted a mushroom laden leg, showing off the glowing ooze trail from where she had knocked one off earlier in the day. They sprouted from her ears, about her neck and out of the point where her legs met her torso. This was probably the first time she'd even managed to sprout one on her tail. "This time'o year seems ter make it worse, but m' brothers just had ter come." She rolled her eyes. "What about you castle boy? Shouldn' yer be in there dancin' w' all th' pretty girls?" She couldn't be bothered trying to mask her disdain, though she did batt her eyes for effect.

"speech"

The mushroom growth on the girl was extensive, and Vendrick knows better than to be visibly distressed. No, he was going to be good. He was going to look upon her with kindness, though he wouldn't necessarily conceal his curiosity either. "You seen how many siblings I have? The floors have seen worse." A little smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Humor, hanging with a glimmer in his eyes. Making a joke, but not at her expense. The disdain brings a real chuckle, though. It's warm, tossing his head slightly. Pushing some of his pilfered snacks forward, something with figs and honey and whatever else. It all seemed like too much to him, but it tastes good. Ven isn't complaining or anything, just... it wasn't his idea of a good time. "I did my fifteen minutes!" The boy chirped, mock-defensive. Amber eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's all so fussy." That was his genuine answer, though he could hardly pretend that he wasn't also a bit fussy. With a tut-tut he thought about it for a moment. Her brothers... yeah, that tracked. Roving men buzzing around his sisters aren't his favorite, for obvious reasons. It's not quite as venomous as the reaction of the girl beside of him, but he won't hold that together. "Right, oh my manners!" He snaps back with a flourish. "I'm Vendrick Carpathius, it's very nice to meet you." A grin, a smile, a twinkle in his eyes. Mirth. So much mirth in such a strange package. So comfortable here-- why wouldn't he be? He could keep up the well behaved act for at least twelve more minutes.

She supposed the Hallows wolves did seem to multiply more like rabbits than anything else. She eyed the food offered and cautiously reached out to sample a little, her nose scrunching at the unusual taste. Her edges softened a little as the dark and dusty coated boy declared that he had done his fifteen minutes and that he found it all a bit stuffy. She could certainly agree with that, and quietly wondered how many minutes she would be afforded if he'd already done that many. Not that she minded, stretched out on the castle wall, catching a late autumn breeze, just a touch of chill to the air enough to lull her eyes to closing until he introduced himself.

For a moment, a smirk pulls at the corner of her own lips as she considered giving him a fake name. It wasn't like they'd see each other again probably; he'd never know. She could drop off the wall and disappear like a figment of his imagination, if only she kept her name to herself. Her mother was suspicious about that sort of stuff. Telling her to look out for Pooka's and watch out for the kelpies near the water and don't forget to leave out some milk for the brownies... It was a jarring contrast to the way other members of the pack acted. Sedna would probably have kittens if she knew her daughter was eating food that could well have been offered straight from the paws of a fae... but if he was, well he wasn't nearly as ethereal as she would have expected, and she'd tell him straight to his face how disappointed she was if that was what eventuated.

"Morganna Archer, o' Tojo Kai currently." She finally responded, swiping another fig from Vendrick and allowing her seafoam eyes to scan their cobblestone surroundings, probably once bordered with manicured gardens that had long since gone feral. Like she had. "Wanna fight? If anyone gets shitty we can smooch an' tell 'em we're jus' dancin'..." Her grin was sly, but humour laced her tone.

"speech"

A prince, but not a fairy prince, unfortunately for both of them. Vendrick did have an athleticism about him-- the way he moves, the way his pale eyes shine from his dark face, but aside from that he's really very ordinary. If Morganna was interested in the more mystical looking members of the family, he'd have to send her Dusk's way... not that she'd have much to say. If only Ven had known just how similar his sister and her brother now were. No, those thoughts are far from his mind, and he offers Morganna only a charming smile. "Charmed," it's genuine, in a way that reaches his eyes. He wouldn't say it if it wasn't, even if it would have probably been the polite thing to do. His eyes gleam in the low light thrown by the sconces that surrounded them, giving an eager nod and hopping down. Vendrick should have known not to look too eager, but he can't help himself. Tossing his head, shaking out his coat, and giving a little wink as he stepped back from the wall they'd been sitting on. "What, are you looking for an excuse?" He winks, tail wagging. Offering a bit of an excited little play bow, the boy sets his defenses. Ladies first, after all. A brilliant grin-- she's on!

Vendrick vs Morganna for smooch spar
Round 0/?
Age: over 1
Size: Large
Build: Light
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual
Specialty:

Her invitation for a fight was met with a bow and her grin grew. Her siblings were reluctant to spar with her in case they knocked a mushroom off, but it didn't mean she was completely useless. Watching as her opponent set his defenses, she wouldn't allow him too long to get comfortable before she moved forward and into the boys space. Using her height to her advantage she threw a paw over his left shoulder and aimed her teeth at the thick fur around the back of his neck. It was only a playful movement, one with no malice. He wasn't exactly far off the mark when he asked if she was looking for an excuse.

"speech"

Morganna II vs Vendrick for spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Balanced
Companion 1: Elf Owl, Female - Perception
Companion 2: Raven, Female - Perception
*Companion 3: Raven, Male - Perception
Mutation 1: Water Deer Fangs - Offensive
Mutation 2: Neck Crystals - Defensive
Mutation 3: Butt and Tail quills - Defensive
Disability: Mushroom Growth - Moderate
Skills: Advanced Navigator & Intermediate Fighter
Specialty: