Episode 19

Content Warning
This episode contains descriptions of violence some may consider disturbing along with themes of horror. This scene is accompanied by loud music and sound effects, such as distorted laughter, that are meant to create a sense of unease. This scene starts at 1:14:00 and continues to the end. Please stay safe!

Recap
''Wine and ale flow in a veritable bacchanalia amidst a harmony of winding gears. The Spring Ball is underway, with an unexpected guest from the Strings' past taking center stage.''

Part 1
The episode opens with a monologue from Jarlaxle, casting himself as a hero. It then cuts to Lidara dancing with Jarlaxle himself, who had passed himself off as "Lord Apollo" (the real Lord Apollo is unconscious in the bathroom). Jarlaxle asks Lidara if he had her fooled, and she says that although seeing him here is a surprise, she knew something was up when a stranger wanted to dance with her.

Jarlaxle clarifies that he is here to parlay, after he had returned to Ciniath and talked to their friend Durnan, the bartender. He knew that the Strings of Fate had left "the Stone" with Durnan, and when he questioned him with magic, Jarlaxle found that the stone was not there, and so he knows the party must have it. Lidara insists that they do not have it, but Jarlaxle is not convinced.

Jarlaxle reveals that he has been watching the party discretely while they are in Wheldon - he had disguised himself as several other individuals they had encountered, like the schnitzel cart and the waiter at the hotel who brought them the roasted potatoes. He also tells Lidara that - although he doesn't want to do it this way - he knows about the genasi family in the mansion and has people watching them: a hostage situation. Jarlaxle gives Lidara an ultimatum - either they help him find the stone, or he harms the family as "leverage."

Lidara and Jarlaxle agree that Lidara needs to consult with her party. The song ends, and they part ways into the crowd.

Meanwhile Azzurum is dancing with Finnegan. They compliment each others dancing, and flirt a bit. Finnegan asks why Azzurum is there, and Azzurum tells them he is there as security for Valentina. Finnegan is surprised, for although there is some tension, they don't expect any brawls, since the higher ups don't really go in for those kinds of things like the grunts do. They also provide Azzurum with some gossip - Houseguard Selen and Houseguard Franzi are romantically involved even though fraternizing with the other side is against the rules. Within the families, Finnegan confirms that Valentina is ambitious, and does not feel that Tasha is fit to take over the family business. (Of course, neither is Finnegan.) But they don't think Valentina will make a move to do anything too risky. They invite Azzurum to an afterparty before they part ways.

Renaer and Vincent dance together nearby, enjoying each others company. Renaer is a bit clumsy, but clearly knows the rules and the steps of the dance. Renaer reveals that he had gone to many balls in Ciniath when he was younger, but he stopped going when he had to take care of his mother. He's now relying on lessons from when he was a child. Vincent compliments him nonetheless, and emphasizes that he's having fun. Vincent looks around at the others, just to check on them, and notices that Lidara looks visibly disturbed, with anger in her face. Vincent voices his concern to Renaer, and they agree to keep an eye on things and protect her.

Vincent laments that he was planning to enjoy this night, but Renaer - ever optimistic - says that they still can. The food is good, the night is young and beautiful. He reminisces about the last ball they went to, when they were afraid Azzurum was going to turn into a statue, and about the afterparty. He suggests that maybe they can do something like that after the ball, and Vincent agrees.

The dance comes to an end, and the group reconvenes. Lidara immediately tells the group what she learned during her conversation with Jarlaxle. Azzurum, rightly, is very angry that Jarlaxle would threaten the genasi family. Vincent feels that he doesn't want Jarlaxle to have the stone and the fortune, but Renaer agrees that although the money was intended for the people of Ciniath, they are doing already without it right now, and he does not want that money to be the cause of harm for any other family.

They go over to Jarlaxle's table, where he is sitting with other nobles who seem like his friends and allies. The party says again that they don't have the stone, but Jarlaxle insists the stone is here in this room and demands they tell him where it is. This information confuses them, and Jarlaxle further clarifies that he had tracked it to both the Thorn and Walsh mansions. Ella - a person at the table who the group had apparently fired from the tavern when they learned she had betrayed them - also tells them that Durnan had a gap in his memory, similar to the one Lidara had. They posit that perhaps Finnegan is the one who has it, or perhaps Tyron, since they both have blond hair, but they cannot fathom a reason why anyone would want the stone here in Wheldon when it's only use is the vault back in Ciniath.

Finally, after negotiations, the party agrees to help Jarlaxle find the stone in exchange for immediately calling off his people who are watching the genasi family. Jarlaxle agrees, and lifts a sending stone to communicate that message to his people. They separate and agree to meet back up later when they have more information.

Part 2
Lidara goes to investigate the kitchens. She spots a room in the back filled with kegs of alcohol, and confidently walks through the kitchen with purpose, even stopping to taste test a meal one of the chefs is preparing. Inside the room are green and blue barrels, as well as crystal mugs and wine glasses beneath silk drapes. One crystal mug is out of alignment, but there are no other signs of the glasses or kegs being tampered with.

Lidara does find one stray bottle at the back - sparkling white grape juice (fantasy Welch's) labeled "Tasha." As she picks it up, an genasi server with short dark hair walks in. He is very nervous, and Lidara bluffs that she was sent back here by Valentina. The server slips up, intimidated by Lidara, and reveals that the bottle was supposed to be a secret from Valentina, and was Tasha's private bottle, and he cannot let her take it. Lidara relents and leaves the bottle with the server.

In the ballroom, Azzurum finds Tyron who is sitting at their table. He questions Tyron about who he should be looking out for, and implies that Tyron himself might be a problem. Tyron looks nervous, and asks if he had somehow gotten off on the wrong foot with Azzurum, or had offended him in some way. Azzurum responds vaguely that "you could just say I'm onto something" and then stands and leaves.

Vincent and Renaer spot their own quarry - the businesswoman from the Veran Principalities. They follow her out onto the balcony as Vincent quickly confirms for himself that Renaer is *Renaer* and not an imposter.

The businesswoman introduces herself as Rayna of Limon. Vincent tells her that they are trying to gain passage east to the Principalities, and that he would particularly like to see Lochsha, the Shining City. Rayna is surprised, as it is very difficult to gain entry to the city. In order to do so, you have to be graced by the Immortal Prince himself, and you must say the right thing at the right time without offending him or getting thrown in a dungeon. Rayna is actually here because she has heard the Prince is in Ansyr, and she is trying to network her way into gaining access to places where she can meet him. Vincent and Rayna agree to help each other out if either one of them is able to gain his favor. She also tells them that the parties in Lochsha put this "shindig" to shame.

Vincent breathes a sigh of relief when their conversation is over, and Renaer reassures him that his confidence was very convincing. The two then take a moment together at the balcony. They speak softly about how hectic things have been, and Renaer asks Vincent if he has ever thought about a quiet life. Vincent has, but he has things he needs to do since he is bound by something he does not want to be bound to, and his friends need him... but afterwards, a quiet life would be nice. Renaer agrees to help Vincent with his own quests if he will agree to stay by his side during his own. Vincent asks - is that even a question? and they agree to stick together.

At this point, they are the only two remaining on the balcony, and Vincent takes a moment to compliment Renaer's outfit - but says there is one thing missing. He goes over to a nearby rosebush, part of the Thorn decorations, and plucks a flower. He then places it on Renaer's jacket, and deems it "perfect." Renaer blushes, and they share a gaze. Vincent asks if they want to go back in, but Renaer says they should stay here a little longer.

Inside, the sound of glass chiming rises over the noise, and the guests go back to their seats. Tasha is standing on the center stage, and she's handed a special glass by the water genasi servant from earlier. She nervously proposes a toast (with Lidara giving her a thumbs up for confidence.)

Tasha mentions the recent strife in Wheldon, and toasts to not division, but unity. Not chaos and violence which undermines us, but shared understanding and a prosperous Wheldon. A Wheldon that cannot survive without the efforts of everyone here. Everyone drinks, and Lidara notices at that moment that "a Walsh" is missing.

As the party drinks, far from the ball, The Conductor raises his hands, and with a flick of his wrists he begins the first movement. At The Conductor's command, the people at the ball begin to rise from their seats, grabbing weapons or silverware or whatever they can reach to attack each other. There is no gasp, no hesitation - they are not able to control the violence. Valentina, who is fighting the affect, gasps out a curse against Finnegan before finally losing herself and jumping into the fray. Within the blink of an eye, this ball of unity turns into a bloody massacre.

The Strings of Fate

 * Azzurum Esen-Carr
 * Lidara Mormaer
 * Vincent Obra
 * Renaer Neverember

Returning

 * Jarlaxle Baenre
 * Valentina Thorn
 * Tasha Thorn
 * Tyron Thorn
 * Finnegan Walsh
 * The Conductor

Debut

 * Ella
 * Rayna of Limon

Mentions

 * Durnan
 * Houseguard Selen
 * Houseguard Franzi
 * Immortal Prince Veran