By the way it goes without saying Red is still trans in this AU. He just has magic and medical methods of dealing with his transition now. And people are physically incapable of even saying his dead name to him anymore.

design your quest and I'll tell you who you are

the blacksmith’s daughter son

a little rough around the edges, people can often be intimidated by you and your seemingly cold personality. really, you’re very kind and loyal. but you’ve been burnt before, so you don’t just let people in like your father does with his shop. you’re fiercely protective and are always ready for a fight. whether its with words or fists, whether its for your friends or just because the person is an asshole (sorry, thou art a donkey’s colon)

@mirroredranger​ - x

Something tends to go wrong? He raises an eyebrow hearing that, with a slight glance thrown Lady Sylvia’s way. Was she intending on him being somehow part of that? Or was this really no big deal? For now, it’s impossible to say. Might as well talk, he supposes.

“No need to apologize, I’m the one who just started talking.” He responds while turning back to Valerie. “Red, nice to meet you. But...what else has happened in these balls? I’ve never attended one before to know anything about previous ones.”

@silverdeer - x

He looks out onto the ballroom floor, finding a few eyes had apparently been watching him before they turn their attention back to eachother. It’s been like that since he came in, with nosy people whispering about him as though he’s something special. 

He doesn’t understand it, but for the moment he’s not complaining.

“I suppose that’s fair enough,” he sighs. “And it’s not that I’m not grateful just... confused. I appreciate your words about me, but it’s just... interesting that you brought me of all people for this.”

“But I will take advantage of my time here regardless,” he adds while adjusting his cape. “Dare I ask what else you might be plotting for the evening?”

Rarely does the incognito sorceress ever appear out of sorts... though tonight appears to be one of those scattered occurrences. Her father's calls can barely be heard over the crescendo of violins as she flees toward the fringes of the ballroom. She just needs to get away—

And that's when she catches sight of him—that dashing, if unusual, stranger from before... Red. She all but barrels into him, a hint of desperation in her voice as she clutches onto the sleeves of his tunic.

"You. Me. Dance floor. Please." When their eyes meet, her silent cry for help becomes painfully evident.

He was honestly debating as to what he was still doing here. He'd wandered around a bit, talked to people, put the fear of Mew into the king by being anywhere near him-- by all accounts he was kind of meeting every possible goal he could've really had.

But nobody had the nerve to ask him to dance so far, which he wondered if that was out of dislike for him or intimidation. Or even both, half the people there seemed like they wanted to avoid his gaze completely at all costs.

But then there's Blue, who had been pleasant conversation to the hermit when he'd walked in; at least until she had to attend to other matters with her family. Judging by the look of the disappointed man past the crowd behind her, it might've not ended on the best of notes.

He's getting a track record of upsetting fathers just by existing this evening, isn't he? But he asks no questions at first, and merely goes to carefully take one of her hands from gripping his tunic and leading her onto the ballroom floor, should she allow it.

"Seems like I'm saving you from something," he says with a smile. "And I suppose I'm happy to do so, if a bit curious."

[I’m not that good at figuring out outfits but here goes]

Normally he doesn’t wear these shoes, he prefers boots. But on the off chance ha someone is to dance with him at the ball he figured it’d probably be better to wear something more light.

Can he even dance? Hm. Maybe. He’s not denying it.

who will dance with you at the starlight ball?

the court mage

You enjoy the ball but wander away in the early hours of the morning, losing yourself in the corridors of the palace. Your steps take you up a spiral staircase and into the tallest tower. There, you find the court mage deep in research of a spell. Their fine clothes tell that they were at the ball at some point, but their sleeves are now rolled and their face deep in concentration. You speak softly, and the spell flashes out, as they rub their eyes, clearly tired. They invite you to stay and you sit next to them, sharing tea and conversation in the candlelight. They tell you about the magic that comes from the heavens, show you how to turn starlight into a spoon or a teacup, and talk about the ancient tunnels buried under the palace, filled with arcane secrets. Near the end of the ball, the music is so loud that it rises up to the tower. You take their hand and offer a dance, spinning across the room, stumbling upon books, and catching alembics before they crash on the floor. When they open the door back to the palace and you descend the first steps, their hand will linger on yours for a few seconds. In your hand, you will find a note with a hastily scrawled map of the palace, and a secret room marked on it, along with a delicate earring made of starlight, that will light your way down the stairs. Will you meet them on the next new moon and uncover the secrets of the palace?

(Place your bets on how many people Red will unexpectedly end up dancing with at the ball)

It’s not immediate, but it doesn’t take long for the ball to quiet some when he walks in. He’s not surprised, he’s unrecognizable to the upper class and he’s not trying to hide his entry. The guards try to stop and question him but Spark is holding his invite smugly, clear as day he is allowed to be here. He’s been invited by Lady Sylvia, despite his various protests about how he has no need to go. Why would she invite a complete stranger?

He has a feeling there is an ulterior motive, but he is getting some amusement over the unease he’s apparently settling into the crowd. Though now that he’s here he’s not entirely sure what to do, beyond just observing the place for curiosity’s sake. He’ll probably never have the chance to see the inside of this place again, so it’s fun for now.

He locks eyes briefly with the king.

Guess someone must get really offended over random commoners finding their way into his parties, huh?

A mysterious traveling hermit arrives at the royal ball. Though he has no business being there, he does arrive with a formal invite. The king’s guards seem ready to throw him out at the first sign of trouble, and he’s not even sure why he’s here in the first place.

Red is the illegitimate son of the current king, making him the older half-brother to the current heir to the throne (@unovasrose​), and he’s completely unaware of this fact. However the person who invited him (@silverdeer​​), had suspicions about it when she met him deep in the woods on the outskirts of the kingdom. She invited him to stir up trouble, and Red had no reason to go, but maybe he just wants to annoy some upper class idiots.

Though he’s met various creatures in his travels, he arrives with his Pikachu named Spark on his shoulder. Spark is more enthused about being here than he is.

He was born on the outskirts of a neighboring kingdom, and frankly doesn’t pay much attention to borders. He goes wherever he pleases ever since he left home at 14, looking to travel and see the world beyond normal civilization. Who knows how the current king met Red’s mother, but he has to some extent been aware of Red’s existence, and hoped he would never darken his door.

Has spent long periods of time on a distant freezing mountain with his father figure and mentor, Articuno. He’s fairly skilled with the fire magic he was born with, and ice magic that he acquired through him as a result. Admittedly a bit more adept in terms of fire however, it comes to him more naturally.

@heroftruth​ : “Wallflowers rarely have any fun, are you sure you don’t want some company?”

“I’m not exactly the most social person in the world, despite the fact I decided to come here.” 

But he notices the fact that she doesn’t seem overly engaged with the rest of the court either, seems like he might not be the only wallflower attending the royal ball.

“But I never said anything about disliking company. What’s brought you to the ball?” He asks, “if you don’t mind me saying so... you don’t seem like the rest of the crowd.”

@unovasrose​ : “You could meet the love of your life tonight and not even realize it.” She follows with an amused shake of the head. "At least, that's what my father says every time we throw one of these."

He was lead to believe that this ball was being thrown for the princess’ birthday, so he supposes that answers who is speaking to him most likely. Funny though, considering her father gave him such a look on entry, was she sent over to him? Did she see that little moment? 

Meh, it’s not any concern to him.

“That’s an optimistic way of looking at it,” he replies. “I guess there’s some truth to be found in that though, with so many people around. Surely someone would be of interest in the crowd.”

“Has anyone caught your eye?”