PARTY TIME (closed)

[overkilled]

[ Somehow, after all those repeated (failed) kidnapping attempts, a semi-unwelcome stay in the castle (that was also a failed kidnapping attempt), and several more awkward encounters - somehow, some way, he's managed to actually befriend the princess. Which, admittedly, wasn't exactly what he was going for in the beginning, but when he thinks about it, it still sort of counts as stealing her away to his side. It was just a platonic, non-combative theft! And now, he's in the perfect position to get close to her and concoct a perfect plan of sabotage. That's right - he was actually successful. Kind of. Totally what he was going for.

In another area, however, he's been extremely unsuccessful. As the evil demon lord, it's only natural to intend to kidnap the gentle, kind princess of the good kingdom and make her his bride. That would be cool, and wonderfully evil, of course. The only problem is that his plans had disintegrated pretty quickly, turning from "steal the princess" to "steal the princess's heart." And then that had turned more into "win the princess's heart." The more he'd watched her, the more he'd admired her, and now that he's actually friends with her, his puppy crush is turning into a full-grown bull mastiff of romance. Or something. The point is, he's pretty in love with her (though he wouldn't admit it), and has made exactly zero progress in winning her heart.

So when he hears about the royal masquerade ball being held in her castle, he pretty much has to go. It's a great opportunity to kidnap her/spend time with her/????, of course, but more than that... the idea of her in a pretty dress that he won't be able to see, dancing with someone other than him makes him feel all upset. Maou's mind is made up pretty much instantly.

But, of course, the demon lord isn't going to get invited to a party. Which means he has to sneak in. It's quite painful for him to part with his ravishingly intimidating final boss costume, but he does what he must to blend in with the populace and get closer to his princess...! There's not much he can do about the horns, but he's hoping his mask will help him play them off as part of a costume. As for the fangs and nails... Well. He'll just have to hope for the best.

There's a reason he's not a very successful demon lord.

He manages to slip in pretty easily, with some clever application of his shapeshifting abilities - bats are good at getting in through those little balcony things - and, miraculously, lay low while he waits for her to make her appearance. No, he hasn't told her that he's coming. Surprising her with his dashing, courageous appearance is obviously way cooler. ]

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[poised]

[Demon lords don't get invitations to masquerade balls. Of course when Natalia heard this, she was incredibly displeased. Excuse you, she was trying to invite one demon lord in specific who was becoming rather dear to her -- but of course her father's obstinate counsel would hear none of it and she had to admit that it would be bad to set the precedent that maybe sometimes demon lords were welcome in her kingdom. So even though she wasn't that happy with it, she wasn't able to invite Maou. She could imagine his pouting at the lack of an invitation already but she had thought that perhaps fortune would favor her and he wouldn't even hear about it.

He wouldn't be interested in this kind of thing anything -- or at least that's how she justified it to herself.

When the night of the ball comes, however, Natalia is delighted as she always is. The doors are open to everyone in the kingdom and a few ambassadors, making the entire ballroom full of light and laughter. She spent a few moments mingling before she went to check on how the servants were handling everything. Just because she's a hostess doesn't mean that she can neglect her subjects.

But now from the sounds of it, the party was in full swing and she was due to appear again. So after smoothing out her dress gently and adjusting her own mask, she's rounding the corner to head for the dance floor again and all too suddenly bumping into someone.]

Oh my!! [Having steadied herself on the person's arm, she immediately retracts her hand and blinks as the apology comes naturally.] I sincerely apologize, I--

['-- didn't expect someone to be here' dies on her lips as she looks up at him and recognition definitely starts to kick in.]

You.... Could it be....?

[But there's no way Maou got an invitation? CONFUSION.]

[overkilled]

[ on the contrary - Maou loves lavish parties. It's just that being evil also means you don't have a lot of friends. Natalia might be his first friend that isn't undead/inhuman/in his thrall/other. Not that he'd ever admit that, because it's pathetic!!

Naturally, she stands out like a star in the night sky on the dance floor. Considering the princess is kind of a big deal, he was expecting to have to do something suave to get her attention. Instead, he accidentally bumps into her, which is probably the least suave thing he could have done, but he'll take it. After stumbling back a few steps less than gracefully, he realizes who bumped into him, and quickly dismisses the angry insults that he'd been summoning, instead puffing out his chest and putting his hands on his hips. ]

Ha ha ha! That's right! [ Maou exclaims it loudly, as he usually does, without thinking - then, he notices some people staring at him from the side with mild disgust, and quickly hunches over, as if that'll make him less noticeable. Timidly, he shuffles up closer to her, putting a finger to his lips and speaking to her in a (pompous) undertone. ] -- That's right! I, the demon lord Maou, have snuck into your party! Are you surprised?

[ beat. ]

Er, please be surprised quietly!

[poised]

[Loud.... So loud..... Even when he's trying to be quiet, he's loud.

So naturally Natalia just spares him a withering glance. Then, because she can't help but respond to his pompousness with some firmness of her own:] I don't believe you're in any position to tell me to be quiet.

[But it's with that that she does spare a glance to those who had been staring at Maou before -- meeting their curious eyes with a judgmental stare of her own that could make grown men cower. Apparently it makes them feel rather sheepish as they very quickly avert their gazes. Well. Let no one be mistaken about who truly rules over this party.

Yet the guiltiness of others manages to appease her as she looks back to Maou and her gaze softens considerably. Despite everything--]

I am surprised.... but pleasantly so. Try not to make a spectacle of yourself regardless. Father had told me I wasn't allowed to invite you and though I am willing to try his patience in most matters, I'd rather not ruin a nice evening.

[Nicer now that there's a familiar face that probably isn't looking to muddle things with politics and power plays.]

[overkilled]

[ It's his terrifying, booming voice that commands the attention and fear of all around him, of course! He can't help it! Also did she just imply that he's going to ruin things. ]

I-I know that! That's why I'm in disguise! See? I've got a mask and everything!

[ it's a masquerade ball, everyone is wearing a mask. But he has a point, maybe. Kind of. There's little he could do to hide his horns, but they could ostensibly be part of his costume, and in place of his usual robes and mantle, he's in an elaborate little suit, befitting the event. It becomes obvious that he's built like a twig and hides it with bulky clothes. ]

In any case, I can't promise that I won't ruin it... After all, I am the villain, so it's kind of my job... [ ahem. she's probably not going to approve of that. ] But! I can try.

[poised]

[He is trying.... Natalia considers her words once again and can understand why they might've been taken the wrong way. Gently, she shakes her head once.]

No, I see how you're trying and I have enough faith in you that I don't think that you'd ruin the ball on purpose.... but it would be dampened if my father were to discover you were here and I would have to fight with him all over again about letting you stay.

[She'll fight everybody for her friends!! And honestly, even though Maou has a certain reputation, she is fond of him.

But even so she offers a soft smile even as she mimics his earlier gesture and raises a finger to her lips.]

We can keep a secret, I think.

[She almost sounds delighted at the idea. Wow, how duplicitous!! And maybe a little romantic but mostly just exciting. Ah, her priorities are a shame.]

[overkilled]

[ should he be offended or reassured that she thinks he wouldn't ruin it on purpose? On one hand, it means she trusts him! On the other hand, doesn't that mean he's a total failure as the main villain? Gah, this romance business is too confusing! His face pinches for a few seconds, but he shakes it off. Whatever, he'll just go with it... If it makes her happy, he doesn't mind being not-so-bad just for a night.

And she'd even fight for him to be here...! Maou feels a little giddy. ]

Right...! If I made him dislike me even more, that would be trouble later... [ when they eventually get #married, of course... it's legitimately his thought process. He's so far ahead of himself. ] Very well, princess! This will be our secret! Until the end of the night, I shall be as inconspicuous as your shadow!

[ a really tall and loud one who is probably going to try and filch some of the food. He crosses his arms, seeming pleased with himself. ]

Well? What things are planned for the evening? [ a beat. Then, added rather hastily: ] -- Do I look okay? I think purple suits me better than black, but purple stands out more, and I didn't want to stick out more than I had to, since I was trying to be good... It's okay, right? The mask isn't too obvious, right? I thought it went with my horns and ears, but it might scream "demon!" I-I was in a rush! And...

[poised]

[For some reason, she doubts that he's going to be inconspicuous at all. But she doesn't voice that, instead just settling for amused. No matter his (weird, long-term) reasoning, it appears that he has no intention of making her pick fights with her father tonight. So he's rewarded with a pleased, satisfied smile.

.... and then a slight laugh that she obscures with the back of her hand at his questioning. Such worry! Wow, it's almost like he tried to impress her or something.]

You look very handsome, Maou. Quite dashing, really. [And she does sincerely mean this from the bottom of her heart, giving him a brighter smile and a nod of approval.] It all... rather suits you, I'd say.

The mask livens up the whole ensemble!

[that's a compliment probably]

[overkilled]

[ thank you, Natalia, for humoring him. Her comment shuts him up in a rush, at least, because (for once in his life) he wasn't actually fishing for a compliment, and she just gave him a pretty spectacular one. Genuine, too. Color immediately darkens his pale skin, and he stands a little straighter, linking his hands somewhat awkwardly.

She thinks he's handsome? Of course he's handsome -- but it's different if she thinks he is! An irrepressibly pleased smile floats to his face, and god help him, he looks exactly the opposite of what an intimidating demon lord should look like. ]

O... Oh. Really? [ how rare; Maou actually said something with no exaggeration or dramatics. ] Well, it's not really in my usual style... but if you think so, then, um, thank you.

[ the "thank you" is said in a smaller, more sheepish voice. There's a pause; then, taking a deep breath as if gathering courage, he nods to himself before looking at her again. And speaking very quickly. ] You -- you look very ravishing!!

[poised]

[What is this.... He's so bashful and he looks so happy. She honestly has to raise a hand to cover her mouth gently to keep from smiling too obviously at him when he seems out of his depth. That could almost be considered rude!! But in truth, her eyes are alight with amusement. She's always been bad at obscuring her emotions.

So instead she's just lowering her hand when he delivers his own compliment, offering a pleased smile in return.]

Do you truly think so? That's awfully sweet of you to say -- thank you.

[Unlike.... someone else here.... Natalia's received many a compliment tonight, probably more than a few from people who are seeking to gain her favor. But hearing it from Maou, who she knows without a doubt means it genuinely, it warms her heart even if her words are a little practiced. She opens her mouth to say something else when she hears the music coming from the dance floor change--

And she perks up in recognition.]

Oh Maou, do you know how to dance? I love this song....!

[overkilled]

[ she's giggling and smiling, and it's with him, not at him! His dream. Well. His other dream. Out of his depth is right - he doesn't quite seem to know how to act in this situation. Being called sweet should make him mad, but he's still kind of... happy about it? Natalia is so confusing. If she'd just become his bride already, this would be so much easier!

(of course, if it was actually that easy, he would have just stopped at trying to kidnap her and gone with that instead of spiraling into this weird farce and eventual friendship... honestly, he has no idea what he's doing. This wasn't in the Demon Lord for Dummies handbook.)

Maou attempts to recover, huffing and preening a little, but an attempt is really all it is. ]

Sweet? Ngh... Can't you phrase it some other way? [ he grumbles, largely under his breath. villains shouldn't be sweet. The dancing, at least, is a distraction. ]

Hm...? Of course. I'm a demon lord, as in aristocrat! It's not just a title, it's a lifestyle. [ what does that mean ]

[poised]

[this nerd.... she gives him a sideways glance at his grumbling, a small smile already playing on her face. Really, what is he expecting of her? When would Natalia ever actually rephrase something that she means sincerely..... his behavior has been sweet and it's made her quite happy indeed.

and the fact that he can dance makes her very happy too. She brightens up a little bit at the confirmation, glad that she won't have to leave his side just yet (she'll dissect the reasoning behind that at a later date, maybe) nor would she have to miss out on this song. so instead she turns to him and offers a hand.]

Sweet or not [but he is sweet, for the record] would you mind accompanying me in this dance, your Lordship?

[overkilled]

[ she wouldn't, and, secretly, he doesn't actually mind it all that much. Whenever she gives him attention - especially positive attention - he's over the moon. Of course, because it means his villainous charms are working! (And she likes him! She must like him at least a little.)

Somehow, he didn't see this coming. Maybe part of him wished it was coming, but, as he often does, he assumed that would never happen, and that he'd be left to wallflower, admiring her dancing from the sidelines, being jealous of whatever human prince-types got to dance with her. Even when she asked him if he knew how to dance, Maou figured she was just making conversation. But no. This is real. She's holding out her hand for him to take.

And he wants to just grab onto it and never let go, to be quite honest, but he freezes up. ]

I... R-really? [ he squeaks, lamely, before adding: ] -- W-wouldn't that be conspicuous?! I mean, the princess's dance partner would be noticed, and...

[ trailing off nervously. ]