And then there was one in their numbers...

One who was not there for festivities despite the act he played.

Nosdyn had not been so uncomfortable in a long time standing in the party with the group of people singing and dancing. Some consuming food of all sorts, drink and ale of all sorts. Nosdyn hated every moment of it. But his seething rage was contained behind his golden eyes. Only those who knew of The Demon Folks from Tular Plains would even be able to tell that he was pissed off. The night proceeded with the usual festivities that any such party would be expected to have.

Nosdyn stood in a corner of one of the larger ball room areas. His visage clearly sticking out like a sore thumb. He stared out of a window as he waited for whatever was supposed to be the trigger to the night's true act. The true play. As Nosdyn's thoughts became ever darker as he heard what passed for Hume entertainment...the music did not help. It was all pomp and flare and he did not like the pretentious air about it. Why did I agree to do this...? Nosdyn admitted the initial invitation had intrigued him quite a bit. He sighed. I'm not sure who the target is... Nosdyn held a drink in a fancy goblet in his hand. He periodically took a sip from it. The taste of the drink was rather strong and it had a surprising amount of flavor.

Being surrounded by so many enemies made Nosdyn extremely uncomfortable.

Nosdyn was a member of the denizens of Tular Plains. They were a war like species and conqueror by nature. But even folks like Nosdyn were capable of at least acting sociably "tolerable." A woman walked up towards Nosdyn at that point as he stood there deep in thought. She was a Hume (Human) in relatively good physical shape and condition. But what Nosdyn noticed most was her eyes...they seemed to sparkle with a glow.

"My Lord. How does the party treat you?" She asked.

Nosdyn blinked for a moment. He sighed after taking a deep pull of his drink. "Well enough." Nosdyn said with a surprising degree of calm.

"Do you think that you would like some company for the 'eve?" She asked.

Nosdyn blinked. She must have a death wish... He thought to himself.

"What are you doing Wendy?" Came a different voice from behind the girl.

Nosdyn looked at the secondary voice. It belonged to a burly Hume. He might be the target...it surely can't be this simple? But Demons knew...The Thayne played their games all the time. Sometimes it would cause a little bit of a ripple on the web. Nosdyn looked at the strange pair of Humes.

The music continued...folks were too enthralled by alcohol and other opiate like substances...

Nosdyn looked at the Humes.

"You lot would best be on your way if you don't want any trouble." Nosdyn said calmly. Something triggered in the back of Nosdyn's mind...something dangerous.

Nosdyn stood up straight and placed his position in between Wendy and the man that was standing nearby.

The fellow looked at Nosdyn. "I've seen your kind before. My Father used to tell stories...spin tales about the 'deadly Tular folks.' Used to think it was all a bunch of bullshit." The man said calmly. "Here I so happen to find one of your kind at a party that is meant to celebrate life and it's finer points and all that bullshit too." The man continued. "You sully this party, Demon." The man said loudly and nearby folks stopped dancing and put their attention on the rapidly escalating argument.

"Don't act so surprised." Nosdyn said to the accusatory gazes from the gathered party goers. "I was summoned to this place just the same as all of you were." Nosdyn did not have to reveal his reason. At that point, the girl, Wendy, leaned against the man.

"Please, calm yourself. It looks deadly and very very clearly disgusting." There was that sparkle in her eyes again.

Nosdyn narrowed his eyes at that point. She is playing both sides...or attempting to level the playing field. At that point, Nosdyn's hand went instinctively to his fabled weapon. He prepared to unlatch it from it's straps that held it against his side. The large handle style weapon sat silent for the time being, ominous and waiting.

"You beast!" Wendy suddenly cried out. She spotted where his hand went.

Nosdyn took a step backwards making sure he stood by one of the windows of the old building. Always prepare an emergency escape route. The Demon thought to himself. Then he looked at the man and Wendy. The man suddenly smacked Wendy hard across the face.

"You harlot! Socializing with a Demon. How dare you...do you not remember the lives lost in the Demon's War?" The man spoke with an authoritative tone of voice. He looked at Nosdyn at that point. "You. Demon. Why are you really here?"

"You make our case for us." Nosdyn suddenly said. "My ancestors launched a Crusade against your kind before...you barely won." Nosydn continued. "You should keep your righteous nonsense in check before you attempt to aggravate someone like me."

"Demon. Mark my words. I am going to end you." The man fumed, his face turning an angry red. The man walked with an angry step towards Nosdyn and prepared to engage him. He swung the first swing of a right handed strike towards Nosdyn's face.

Nosdyn caught the Hume's fist. More eyes stared...Nosdyn was holding back for a reason he did not know at the time. The Thayne play their games... Nosdyn thought to himself. He held the man's fist with his own sinewy, and powerful hand. He gripped and broke the man's wrist with a quick counter movement. The man screamed in anger and frustration.

He clutched at his injured wrist. "This isn't the end. You have not won..." The man looked at Wendy with a sneer on his face. "Keep her." The man spat out and began to walk away...

Nosdyn looked at Wendy, shaking his head.

Then when the argument had escalated...he proceeded to slowly follow the fellow that started the argument...but kept a relatively fair distance away from him.