Zandour Dalton found his sister in the menagerie as expected. This meant something was bothering her. Whenever Anreah - or Anny - was feeling down she spent time with her favorite pets, Leeber and Tyber, though Zandour had no idea why. To everyone but her, the beasts were all claws and teeth. Anny was probably soothing them, but then they should be docile to everyone, not just her. They hissed at his approach, but she kept them in control, bopping the hisser on nose and patting at his claws when he complained.
Something was indeed bothering her. House Polunin had tapped them for the "honor" of throwing their Announcement Ball, forcing them to celebrate their own defeat. With Father dead, the house was in financial freefall. They had no liquid resources for such an affair, at least not one that wouldn't beggar them or embarrass the house, which she was certain was the true goal of the event - rub their noses in their defeat. She gave him a valuable heirloom from the house's treasury and instructed him to take care of the food.
Zandour gathered his two loyalest retainers. Vilkus, Vill, had been his father's longtime Skaa body man, and was now his. Zandour was still getting used to the hulking man's constant presence at his side. Professor Trellan's wisdom could likely come in handy as well. They put their heads together and came up with an idea. They would offer up the house's renowned menagerie for the gala's feast. Not for real, of course. Anny would never stand for that. They would serve fowl instead.
Several hurdles were overcome. They had to convince Samden Urvon to take the figure off their hands. He had been ordered by the Polunnin's not to offer them anything. They threatened to implicate the man if they weren't satisfied. They took a loss, but got the cash.
On the docks they were attacked by an organized group of Skaa thugs, who bloodied Zandour and punctured Trellan. They then had to convince the Skaa overseer to release the goods. Again, they had been instructed not to by the Pollunins. A quick reminder of the friend to the Skaa House Dalton had always been opened the stores.
At the party, Trellan rescued a Skaa maid named Laytanna from the abuses of young master Trafford Polunin who was upbraiding her mercilessly for no other cause than his own amusement.
Zandour asked the beautiful, Kyrie Dalton to dance. She obliged, inquiring while on the floor if his house has any fight left in it. Zandour assured her they were duly cowed and willing to serve. Seeming disappointed, Kyrie ended the dance early and returned to her family's table.
After the meal was served and the crowd was basking in the family's exotic largess, Vill spotted a man standing as staff whom he did not recognize. He tried to keep the man in sight, but all at once he seemed to vanish. Vill alerted Zandour and Trellan. They searched the crowd, spotting him just as the assailant launched his attack. He was coinshot, and he had Anny in his sights! The trio managed to engage the man and protect Anny, but just as the fight was joined, Baron Polunin crushed the man's skull with mistborn fist.
Guards rushed in and tensions were high. Sergei Polunin stood to announce how saddened he was by the marring of this grand affair, especially since he had an announcement to make. In order to mend the damaged way between their houses his son Baron would marry Anreah. Baron leapt to the woman's side taking her in a possessive embrace his lips seeking hers. Anreah stilled him with her power, and he responded with and angry shove. Guards tensed again, but Sergei beckoned and the Polunins left in en masse.
A tense beat passed as Anreah regained her feat and summoned what she could of her dignity, before Leonid Paltuni arrived with a flourish. He looked around at the overturned carts and stunned partiers. "Did I miss something?"
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