Act 3: The Ball - Crisis

Konrad is the one who kicks up a fuss. "What? No, you're my bodyguard, not my nanny."

He tries to move past.

In response, Théo puts one heavy hand onto Konrad's shoulder and gives him The Look.

Konrad stares at the hand on his shoulder. He looks back to Theo in protest, and then to Smirk & Mihai walking away, and harumphs.

"If your goal was to spoil my good mood, sir, consider it accomplished," he grumbles, as he lifts Theo's hand away from him. "I'll go."

Théo doesn't say anything to Konrad, but he is happy he didn't have to physically wrestle him into the room. That could have gotten ugly fast. They enter just as Steve is responding to Mihai and Smirk.

Steve is surprised to see Smirk, but can't help but take a moment to appreciate his breathtaking joke. It's such a ridiculous lie on its face but that's what makes it so brilliant. The shadows, the smoozing charm, Mihai's coat: it was simply perfection. There was only one thing he could do. "By Deremonda's ginormous bosom! What has happened to you, Mihai?!"

He points in horror at the real Mihai, "What is that thing? Nick?"

Konrad looks at Smirk, and then to Mihai. Then a grin pulls at the corner of his mouth. "Sir, control your Aspect. It's becoming delirious."

Fluffle looks back and forth between Smirk and Mihai, confused by Nick's absence. Then Amber enters the room, followed by Théo. The teenage girl wears her usual attire and has added a few braids to her hairstyle. She examines her companions for a moment, raises her eyebrows when she recognizes Smirk under the hood, then asks all of them, "Hi. Who am I talking to right now?"

"Well Mihai claims to be 'Mihai' today, and Nick's Aspect is playing a joke on us. I'm still Konrad. Steve isn't speaking with a thick Lorinthian accent, so he must be himself as well." He smiles, and asks, "And who are you today, Miss?"

"Yeah, like Konrad said it's me. Though it looks like I'm not the only one that's a bit mixed up today." Steve waves hello to Smirk.

A flush creeps on Amber's cheeks when Smirk compliments her, and she brushes one of her braids behind her ear while she changes the topic of conversation. "Well, I hope it doesn't get worse. I've left Brünhilde alone for now, but I don't think we should leave her alone for too long. We're still planning to take her to the ship, right?"

Konrad nods. "We are. We don't have a best solution getting out of here. I don't like the thought of being held here, or escaping without the ship. But I have another surprise to share:

"Η σφαίρα της Σαμάνθας μου μετέδωσε κάποιες νέες γνώσεις. Τώρα μπορώ να μιλήσω τη γλώσσα των Στωικών."
"Samantha's orb passed some new knowledge to me. I can now speak the language of the Stoics."

Steve bites his lower lip and says, "If not the ship, where? Seems like the ship is still the best place if we have to leave in a hurry."

"Maybe the temple?" Fluffle suggests. "Although, it'll be right in the middle of the battle."

"I still think that the ship is the safest place. We aren't leaving the fairies behind anyway, and they can protect her."

"They'd definitely be more committed to her safety than hotel security. Not that I'm saying they are cowards or anything. I'll make sure she gets there okay, if you guys want to do something else in the meantime." He looks at Mihai and Konrad to see what they think.

He crosses his arms to think - "It's Hortensia's men posted at the Docks. Fine, then."

"Yes, I like that. Fluffle, why don't you go along?"

"Sure thing." The fairy then turns to Steve and asks, "Shall we go?"

"Uh, I have to get going soon too, so I think the next time we'll see each other is tonight," Amber says. "So... good luck."

She shyly nods at the black mage.

Steve internally smiles at the awkwardness of the moment. "I'll see you tonight. Chin up, you'll be spectacular."

Amber smiles. "We'll try to be."