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Aerie Hotel Lobby

Exotic and elegant, the Aerie Hotel's lobby is awash with color. The arching walls curve overhead, forming a dome. The upper section of the dome is of clear plasglass, allowing a view of the rooms above, and allowing resort guests to peek into the lobby. The lower sections of the walls are bright with gryphonic art: paintings and feathers and sculptures of all media. Gryphon-staff mill about the room, especially at the west end of the room, where a large desk suggests a check-in point. Closer to the center of the room, couches and large cushions intersperse with tables, allowing places for guests to meet.

Contents:

Tarrant

Obvious exits:

Wide Stairway Ballroom Verge

You walk here from the Aerie Hotel Verge.

Corian seems decidedly less and less thrilled as the ballroom gets closer and closer. Yes, the ballroom is moving. It's talented. She doesn't say anything, though, instead heading into the room.

You walk towards the Obsidian Feather Ballroom.

Obsidian Feather Ballroom

An endless sea of mirror-black marble is off set by cascades of twinkling white lights, like a vast array of stars in the black of night. A full half of the room is simply open, allowing for dancing. A low stage is built at one end for full orchestra to set up on. The other half of the room is filled with large cloth covered tables, providing a place for patrons to dine. The walls are hung with sweeping tapestries in deep toned metallic designs to offset the polished floors and twinkling lights overhead.

The place settings are all in crystal and heavy silver to match the decor, and lit candles crown each table. The ceiling overhead is plasglass, exposing the sky above.

Contents:

Clara

Riley

Obvious exits:

Lobby

You walk here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Clara

Fairly tall for a woman at 5'9", Clara is nonetheless sharply slender, the type of shape defined as willowy by the kind, or whiplike by the easily intimidated. Unique coloration adds to the conspicuous form, with almost untamabley tight curls standing out at angles to her head in a reddish bronze halo. The face they frame is at odds, pleasantly heart shaped and the color of java with a fair amount of cream with deep set hazel green eyes under well manicured brows. A light dusting of freckles crosses a thin nose, above wide lips flexible in expression. She seems to have about 28 years, although one can never be too sure.

While unmasked, this isn't an outfit most doctors would consider a uniform, but rather a cancan girl. Lace seems to be the order of the day, along with a fair amount of satin. A fitted bodice of scarlet satin is ruffled at the low neckline with a flounce, wide straps in place over her shoulders. The skirt of the dress is an equally deep scarlet and falls to upper shin, and yet has an interesting flash of white lace along the hem. Were she to lift the skirt at all, the entire underside would reveal rows upon rows of lace and crimson ribbons, not to mention a strategically placed garter. Black fishnet stockings end in high-heeled, calf-high buttoned black leather granny boots, well polished as should be no surprise. Copper curls have been piled high atop her head and offset with a black fuzzed plume, matching ebony arm-length satin gloves and a black lace choker.

Clara slips her arm up through your arm with an assuring and fondly warm look, squeezing her fingers at the coatsleeve for a moment. "You'll do fine," she assures, pulling you forward slightly as she returns a polite greeting to a passing diplomat.

Tarrant walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Tarrant has arrived.

Riley

Despite as much height as any Edreeni, Riley is apparently human. His hair is a mass of floomphy chocolate colored curls, cut close on the sides but allowed to grow more riotously on top. The occasional gray hair is visible amongst the brown. Set beneath careful brows, his eyes are the same chocolate shade as his hair, except where they are flecked with odd greenish specks that tend to pick up the light. His features are not angular or aquiline, although there is the hint of both beneath the cultivated air of excessive averageness he employs. His feet and hands are large, even in proportion to his six foot eight frame, adding to a relatively harmless image. His voice is low, with a touch of a rumble at times, as his natural accent tries to break clear.

Riley's costume is neither wild nor daring, but then that should hardly come as any surprise. He's wearing a tailed tuxedo, jet black and closely fitted. The pants hang neatly to perfectly shined black polished shoes, and the shirt is crisp and carefully ironed. The vest and bow tie are both a satin black, and rather elegant-not at all Riley-esque. The jacket itself is a very formal tail-coat, the dagged ends fall nearly to the back of his knees, although the front buttons are at waist level. Now admittedly, for Riley this is something of a costume, but not really suitable for a costume ball, right? Well, except for the crowning touch, a plastic animal nose, of the variety one acquires in a happy meal. It's a penguin beak.

Riley looks a bit lost for a moment, but straightens up, mentally reminding himself there are the same folks he sees every day after all, there's nothing intimidating about this at all. He returns the greeting as well, mentally noting Corian and Tarrant enter. He doesn't recognize Corian at first, although he's pretty sure he -should- at least.

Tarrant glances about at the room full of people, looking decidedly bemused. He offers Corian an amused look and a murmured comment, indicating the direction of Riley and Clara with a head tilt.

Tarrant whispers "I didn't realize you had waterfowl in the family."

Corian pauses just inside the entrance. No, she's definitely not pleased, especially at some of the looks she's receiving. She edges perhaps a bit closer to Tarrant, whose arm she has, but she can't help but laugh as she follows the direction of his headtilt. "Nor did I," she replies quietly. "Should we greet them, or would you rather not?"

Clara hasn't noticed the pair of patients yet (does that beat a straight?), as another delegate has found and discovered her, and is cheerfully relegating all the details of his latest episode of arthritis. Poor Riley.

Morrigan walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Morrigan has arrived.

Morrigan

Sheathed in Silver from her head to her toes...only her face appears where the mouthpiece of the piccolo would be, surrounded by the lip plate. Black dots are carefully arranged down her front, above each is a key, also covered in a silver fabric.

Tara walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Tara has arrived.

Riley is doomed indeed, but he's not about to object. There's something about wearing a penguin nose and trying to look serious that appeals to some deep inner twisted portion of his psyche. Besides, the orchestra's playing. Dancing is occuring, it's something to look forward to.

Tarrant turns another glance out towards the morass of costumed delegates, eyes scanning the crowd. "I certainly don't mind. It's up to you. I'm just here to make evil and uncalled for comments, see. Like about how disturbing I find it that the guy over there dressed as a flower is trying to chat up the lady dressed as a bee. Ain't that backwards? The flowers bonking the bees?"

Corian is fortunate, in that her mask hides her amused expression. She doesn't laugh, but she's clearly close to laughter, and there are elements of it in her voice. "Van'chela, there is a vast difference between chatting and... bonking. Hopefully, they will not engage in the latter amidst the ball." The laughter finally escaping, albeit quietly, she starts towards Riley and Clara.

Tara

'Average' is probably the best way to describe this human woman.
Standing around 5'6" with a medium build, she blends easily into a crowd. Flyaway brown hair, highlighted by the sun with blonde streaks, is pulled back into a shoulder-length ponytail held by a round silver clasp. Her eyes, a deep hazel, loom over a crooked nose, thin lips, and a square, firm chin. A floorlength, spotless white gown covers Tara in angelic innocence. Despite the laciness of the material, her form can barely be discerned beneath it. White oval clasps ring her hair, holding it in a puffy 'do, and a halo of golden metal floats a few inches above her head. Gauzy wings thrust upward from her back to curve gently downward, feathery tips not quite touching the floor. She appears to be around 30 years, old.

Riley has turned away from the Corian direction, still puzzling. This brings him to spot Tara. Recognition dawns. Then Riley falls down. Literally, flops right down then and there to sit on the floor and laugh. "Valentine, need some Brasso for that halo?"

Clara exhales a breath of relief, turning back towards her companing and noting in a prison-whisper, "Well, it was worth a try. Do I have 'doctor' tattooed on my forehead?" She laughs wistfully, peering about until spotting fluffy white wings, jaw nearly dropping both at the Riley-lossage and costume. "Or maybe a lightening shield?" she offers, but with a smile.

Terrence walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Terrence has arrived.

Tara arches an eyebrow at Riley, shifting to move in his direction. "You seem to find something amusing?" A suppressed grin tugs at the corner of her mouth. Clara's remark makes a snicker escape.

Terrence

While well into his early sixties, Terrence is the very model of a sturdy and rugged individualist. Just over 6'3", he carries his height with an air of confidence that fairly oozes from him. Neatly groomed curls of what used to be black are now shot through mainly with cotton white, and have been trimmed close on the sides while left a bit longer on the top as they gradually bob down about his collar. Handsomely acquiline features and light olive skin hint strongly at his heritage, thick brows still as black as can be despite the gray in his hair. Laugh lines crinkle at his eyes, and a few worry lines at his forehead, although a broad chest and decent build betray his attempts to stay in a condition that would still attract a feminine eye or two. Or three. Or more.

Dressed entirely in black, it's Zorro! The hems of tightly tailored black pants vanish under knee-high black leather boots that have been polished to a gloss. Tucked into the waistband of the pants is a billowing ebony cotton shirt, laced loosely at the collar to reveal just a hint of chest hair and broad shoulders. The sleeves flare down, although the ends are lost into the cuffs of black leather gloves. A voluminous cape draping to his knees offsets a wicked looking bullwhip coiled at one hip. Perched over a simple but identity concealing black cloth mask is a round gentleman's sombrero. A ancient fashion Spanish sword, blunted for the sake of safety, rests in a sturdy black scabbard at his left hip, opposite the whip.

Tarrant moves with Corian of course, he's cheerful that way. The ox comes too. It doesn't want to get left out. It's a nice ox, but a bit insecure. He's so -bluuuuuue-... He blinks at the occuring tableau. "You never know here...."

Corian can hardly miss the spectacle of her brother collapsing in laughter. Blinking, she turns towards the object of said laughter, and smiles rather quizzically, though her mask hides her expression. "If they do," she murmurs to Tarrant, "I believe I will leave. Honalee cannot object to ignoring her instructions under those circumstances."

Riley continues to just snicker a moment before moving to re-take his feet, offering Clara an apologetic look as he straightens back up to his full height. With Tara as an angel, and him all in black, things are somewhat amusing switched about. "I should have worn horns," he notes.

Tarrant stifles a laugh, "I should hope she wouldn't. Still, the evening's young, relax, there's nothing to worry about."

With all the grace of a gentleman, or perhaps the ooziness of a snake, Terrence sidles down the stairs practically exuding pheremones and self-confidence. Oh, -look-. A feminine shaped piccolo! "Such a lovely instrument," he offers. "Soars above the crowd."

Corian releases Tarrant's arm finally, after giving it a gentle squeeze, and moves somewhat closer to Riley and Clara and company. "That, cha'leket," she says to Riley, "Would certainly have been entertaining." See? He does know her.

Tara gives Cori a nod in return for the smile. Yes, she gives change. "You'd scare the Stilvani, Addison."

Clara wrinkles her nose in a grin up at the straightening Riley. "Like you better as a penguin," she notes before tilting her head at the walking tree-woman and..."Mr. Czolgosz. What a pleasant surprise." Corian gets a pleasant nod too, although she's not about to blow the other woman's cover from uncertainty.

Morrigan colours beneath her costume, pleased all the same, 'I do thank you.'

Briga walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Briga has arrived.

Briga

Saphire rings around black pupils gaze solemnly out from under this young female Zaeltan's short, white whiskers which emerge evenly from the ridge of her eyebrows. Her slender frame, covered ear tuft to toe tufts with dark charcoal gray fur, moves with obvious feline grace. White whiskers, which will quirk and shake with her mood, spread out in an array from her feline face.

The sheerest of silk swirls about her with each movement..accentuating rather then concealing. Cascades of beads are braided through her hair...and make a soft sound with each motion. A gold tiara with a ruby dangling from the crown holds back her mane...over all, Bri just sparkles in the reflection.

Briga sways in..beads clicking softy together...her whole attitude one of...I am here, adore me.

Riley's eyebrows shoot up into all but his hairline, realizing that -that- is his sister. He grins brightly, "What, an expression of my inner evil perhaps?" He regards the costume, "You look terrific Cori, that's a terribly neat costume." It's a tree. Even he can tell that. And hence it's suave in his book. "It's good to see you." At Clara's addressing of Tarrant he nods to the other man as well, offering a smiled greeting. "Ah, from the death of the door report."

Tarrant stays back as Corian moves to her relatives, although he does take a step up into the general grouping as Clara addresses him. He bows in his archaic fashion, as does the ox. He's grinning as he straightens. "Good evening Dr. Aleron." He also nods to Riley, "The same, yes."

Terrence flicks a gloved hand with each, smiling urbanely. "But whatever for? I simply speak the truth. That is the cellist beneath that trilling costume, is it not, madame?"

Tara's eyebrows rise as her gaze flickers toward Corian, and she offers a warm smile, sidling a few steps closer. "Very good to see you again, Corian."

Morrigan offers an awkward bow to Terrence, eyes sparkling in her excitment, 'You remembered' That alone pleases her to no end.

Jay walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Jay has arrived.

A large banner is hung over the orchestra, 'Welcome MPD Sufferers'.

Corian needs to figure out how to make leaves smile, that would be so much more suave than smiling and nobody being able to tell. "Thank you, Riley. Honalee will be, I am sure, most glad that you approve." There's a faint hint of humor in her voice. "You look wonderful as well--as do you, Clara." As Riley and Tarrant speak, she pauses, then adds, "Tarrant, this is Riley Addison. Riley--Tarrant Czolgosz. Though you seem to know each other by reputation, at least."

Corian also inclines her head to Tara. "What a charming costume, Tara," she says, her warm smile evident in her tone. (Hate it when I lose track of poses.)

Briga pads over to a few of the other Zaeltan delegates..one of whom had the lack of taste to appear as a mouse. As she does so, she does catch sight of Tara and a soft hiss escapes her lips before she continues on her wway.

Clara goes so far as to even curtsy, skirt coming out just enough that the merest hint of lace makes a faint glint, then blinks at the tree upon her naming. "Corian? Good gracious, that looks spectacular on you. Did y-... Oh, good heavens. For the last time, no thank you." The last is an exclamation to redheaded man in a tux coming up to natter at her in heavily accented standard and gesturing at his camera.

Ah, now Tara likes that response. (Cori's, not Briga's. She's studiously pretending Briga isn't here.) "That costume must've taken you forever to put together."

Corian chuckles very quietly at Clara's compliment. "Thank you for your kind words." Something about her tone, however, suggests that -she- thinks she looks somewhat less than 'spectacular'. Of course, considering her usual choice of clothing, that shouldn't be surprising. With a shake of her head to Tara, she says, "Quite the contrary. I do not believe I would go to such trouble, but I had no need, as a relative sent it to me." Her tone is one of fond, if wry, amusement.

Terrence lowers into a sweeping bow, cape flipping back suavely. "I could forget such dedication to such a lovely instrument? Perhaps when the stars fall from the sky. Perhaps you would honor me with a dance, madame cellist?"

Jay saunters in...okay, so it's not /quite/ a saunter. A bit too stiff for that. Pausing on the threshold, he lets his gaze wander the room, eyes pausing briefly on various women. Ah, but it's best to get the family greetings over with before getting on to the meat of the meal. So he heads over toward Riley and Clara with a grin. "Would this be a bad time to make a remark about birdbrains?" Yes, he's teasing.

Jay

Tall (6'4") and lanky, this human male is skinny enough that the notion
of him being intimidating is laughable. Laugh lines crinkle around his dancing deep blue eyes, and his complexion is utterly pale, testimony to very little time spent outdoors. Lean fingers move quickly, never able to stay still for long. A long narrow nose, heart-shaped mouth, and firm square chin serve to give him what some have called an aristocratic look. His black hair is pulled back into a nape-length ponytail at the back of his head. A sweet tenor drawling voice is only slightly tinged by an Edrilac accent. Woohoo! Not /every/ part of Jay is uncovered, but enough. A white sleeveless tunic reaches to his knees, cinched in by a belt of gold. Gold laced sandals are the footwear of the day. A white curly wig and beard hide his own handsome head of hair, and a lightning bolt of foam is strapped to his back. Beware that he doesn't Zeus ya with it. Those with access to his personal files would know that he's 20 years, 7 months, and 7 days old.

Jay seems to have had a rough time of it. He sheepishly sports a black
eye, various bruises all over, and he walks a bit stiffly.

Morrigan looks as close to swooning as one can and still remain standing. She nods with a smile,'I would be honoured'

Riley attempts to give the cameraman an ominous look. The humor in his eyes and the penguin nose really seem to kill the effect. He does however lean forward and murmur something quietly to said cameraman. Straightening he nods to Corian, "Only somewhat, yes." He then nods to Tarrant, "Good to meet you." The reply is pleasantly formal.

Tarrant offers Corian the hint of a bemused grin, regarding her half sideways. He nods however and returns the polite greeting. "A pleasure." Jay's entrance garners lifted brows and a decidedly amused look. He's -not- going to laugh, really.

Tara grins wryly. "Remind me to borrow some of your relatives sometime then, if that's the result."

Riley does laugh however, stifling a snicker, "If you're going to have delusions of granduer, might as go all the way, eh Jay?" He grins brightly at the younger man, "I'd comment further, but I'm afraid of lightning bolts, eh? Makes my hair frizz something fierce."

Briga makes her way towards Corian...and waits politely for the translator's attention.

Clara flashes Riley a patently grateful look as the cameraman vanishes, then doesn't even bother to stifle a laugh at Jay's greeting. "Besides, if it is, I'll bet it runs in the family, and I'd have to kidnap you, too. How's the ribs? And where did you stash my nurse?"

Tarrant notes Briga's stance and leans in commenting softly to Corian.

Tarrant whispers "Uh oh, careful, she might climb up and get stuck on your shoulders."

Corian is all innocence, where Riley and Tarrant are concerned. She pauses at Jay's entrance, but, again, the mask hides her expression. At Tara's comment, she shakes her head fractionally. "As much as I love my great-grandmother, I would not wish her attentions on you, Tara." At Tarrant's comment, she is quiet for a very long moment. Did she just elbow him? Certainly not, she's far too refined for that. Turning to Briga, she says, with a smile, "Delegate, your beadwork is just lovely."

Terrence bows again, only perhaps less sweepingly so that he might come up with an arm held out in offering. "The honor is mine, my dear. Many thanks."

Jay snickers, giving Clara a sweeping bow. "As usual, Clara, you're lovely as an angel's dream. Ah, Giani...we, um, spent quite a pleasant afternoon together. She's a credit to your department." Riley gets an amused nod. "Whatta ya mean, /delusions/?" Ooooh, who's /that/? Jay steps quickly by the pair to grin winningly at the tree lady. "My gods, it's a nymph lost her way in this cruel world, waiting for the right god to rescue her."

Morrigan slips her arm through Terrence's as she carefully gathers her skirts and prepares to follow him onto the floor.

Tara chuckles softly. "Thanks,Cori. I think." Jay garners a stare and many muffled snickers. "Good grief, Addison, who's your friend in the sheet?"

Briga offers Corian a deep curtsey, that sets her bead work clicking together, 'Thank you...But I was just admiring your costume..It is quite unique'

Terrence leads Morrigan out to the dance floor and slips his arms about her before sweeping her out and away to the triple beat of the waltz. Yes, he knows how to dance. It gets the babes.

Clara winks at Jay affably, then stretches up to murmur into Riley's ear for a moment, brows lifted significantly as she gestures back towards the hallway.

Riley does -not- choke at Jay's comment, although it's a near thing. Maybe he's ill? That weird coughing choking thing cannot be normal can it? Tara's comment garners a grin, "A cousin of mine. Yes, more relatives of mine. They wander out of the woodwork. It's handy being related to a god. Ones lightning needs always met...that kind of thing."

Morrigan moves with studied precision...as if she had just spent the night memorizing the steps.

Riley nods to Clara, politely disentangling himself from the crowd and offering his arm to escort her into the lobby.

Corian's mask reveals her gray eyes, so her blinking is more than obvious. She seems rather at a loss, and shakes her head fractionally, without comment. Turning to Briga, she says warmly, "Many thanks, though I cannot take credit for it. It was a gift."

Smug? Now why in the world would Clara look smug? She gives the others a pleasant nod before taking Riley's arm and heading out with him.

Tara shakes her head, amused. "I'll have to be careful then." Jay's entertaining though- even more so when she realizes... Trying not to crack up, she takes a step back to watch the show.

If Corian did elbow him, it hasn't dimmed Tarrant's cheerful expression any, and my, doesn't that ox look innocent? Jay's comment garners lifted brows from him as well, and he starts to say something, looking amused. His sleeve however is tugged on by a man in a Death's robe and he turns to have a quiet conversation with Death. He couldn't stop for Death, so Death kindly showed up to natter at the party.

Riley walks towards the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Riley has left.

Clara walks towards the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Clara has left.

Jay pauses... okay, he /knows/ those eyes, but... Shaking his head, he gives Tarrant a brief nod, taking a step closer to Cori. "My lovely, can I perchance interest you in a dance? Swinging through the clouds of Olympia would merely accentuate your ethereal beauty."

Morrigan ahhhs softly, 'But it suits you very well.' She offers Cori another bow before she turns to Tara, ear tufts flattening, "You should be relieved to hear that Roland will recover." With that, she sways back to the other Zaeltans.

Briga ahhhs softly, 'But it suits you very well.' She offers Cori another bow before she turns to Tara, ear tufts flattening, "You should be relieved to hear that Roland will recover." With that, she sways back to the other Zaeltans.

Tara glances toward Briga, looking faintly annoyed, but doesn't get the chance to express said annoyance, and shrugs.

Corian absently returns Briga's bow, with fluid grace. Turning to Jay, she inquires quietly, "I would be pleased to dance with you, but do you not perhaps find your manner somewhat inappropriate?" Of course, she's also evil. She doesn't greet him by name, or give her own.

Jay hesitates, his charming smile faltering slightly. He knows the voice too, but it's just not coming to him. However, he does beam at the dance acceptance, offering his arm. "Inappropriate? My dear, you're more than worthy of my worship."

Tarrant stops his conversation with Death, looking perhaps a hint troubled. The troubled look leaves as he returns to the group, grinning at Jay's continued Corian-courting. He murmurs again to Corian, seemingly in passing before adding a wave to the others present.

Tara gives Tarrant an automatic nod, her eyes dancing with amusement at Jay's choice of target.

Tarrant whispers "Funny, I thought lusting cousins were unique to Jawjuh. Maybe he's been visitin'?"

Corian casts a brief glance at Tarrant as he speaks, eyes glinting with amusement. "Perhaps, van'chela. I suspect he knows not what he does." Turning back to her cousin, her amusement is obvious in her voice as she says, "I believe I shall wait to dance, cousin. But many thanks--I had promised to comm Honalee and tell her what happened here, and now I will have an amusing story to relate. She will be pleased that her costume did as she intended it to do."

Jay blinks. *thunk* That was the sound of his jaw hitting the floor. "I... what the... Cori?!?" Every inch of Jay, from his toes to his hairline, turns quite red. "Nooooooo! Most georgeous girl at the ball, and it has to be my /cousin/?" He fakes a pitiful sniffle. "/Not/ fair. Cori, don't you /dare/ tell Honalee or I'll... I'll... you'll be bald, woman!"

Tara cracks up.

Tarrant does as well, although for Corian's sake he's trying to be polite about it, but Jay's reaction is just too priceless. The ox even looks amused.

Corian absolutely gapes at 'most gorgeous girl at the ball'. "Jay..." She sounds more than a little startled, but then she pulls herself together. "I suppose I could avoid telling Honalee, though it would be for kindness to you, rather than out of fear of your threat. If she asks, though, I cannot help but answer."

Jay groans. "Probably too late. Riley's probably already on the comm to her, laughing his... beak... off." He shakes his head with a melodramatic sigh. "Just as well, I suppose. I'm supposed to pick up one of my dates in a few minutes."

"And Zeus did threaten the tree, and compromise was made, and hence why every winter trees are without leaves." Tarrant's tone takes on the semblance of one of those storytellers on books on tape, although his expression is amused.

Corian casts a look at Tarrant that suggests her expression matches his. "I am fortunate that it is not winter, then, van'chela." Her tone managing to be both resigned and amused, she inquires of Jay, "One of them? Dare I ask how many dates you will have this evening, cousin?"

Jay rolls his eyes. "Just what I need- mocking." He gives Tarrant a narrowed-eyed glance before answering Cori. "Only two. One of the symphony cellists and a local girl. Which reminds me... may I offer a belated happy birthday?"

Tarrant grins at Jay's response, taking the narrowed eyed glance as the joke he assumes it to be. "Call it belated revenge for stealing my lines."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian inclines her head to Jay, gray eyes sparkling. "You may, yes. Many thanks. Ah, but I shouldn't keep you--you must, after all, go fetch the first of your dates." She shakes her head fractionally. "Cousin, that costume is remarkably apt. I do hope you will not turn one of your dates into something odd, to prevent the other from becoming jealous."

Tarrant hides his poor ox.

Jay snickers, giving Tarrant a half-bow. "I oughta steal Cori from you too, for the night, just for that one." Eyes roll. "Coooriiiii. Bestiality is really not my thing. And I'm only bringing Ryo cause she said she wouldn't come without inspiration. And /I/ am enough to inspire the coldest woman." With a half-wave, he moves off toward the door. "Be back in a bit."

Kathlyn mutters, to another SecOff, "See? He didn't leave her room til this afternoon--after being there all night. Told you they were a couple."

Jay walks towards the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Jay has left.

It's a good thing Tarrant doesn't hear Kathlyn, he'd look -so- guilty. He's still feeling guilty enough as it is for his breach of manners. As Jay leaves he shakes his head, amused. "That one is an adventure all to himself."

Tara peers after Jay, taking a step forward with a glass of acquired something. "He's... interesting. What's his name, Cori? Addison didn't say."

Corian offers a decidedly amused smile after Jay, though she feels compelled to point out, "-I- was not the one who mentioned bestiality." She nods to Tarrant, adding, "You should have seen him when he was a boy." To Tara, she says pleasantly, "Jeremy Lasher, though he is generally called Jay by all but his mother." She blinks, then. "Oh, his mother would be quite entertained by that story." Her tone isn't evil at all, merely thoughtful.

Tarrant pets his ox consolingly, "It's okay, Babe. The scary God did not want to bonk you, they were just being silly."

Tara shakes her head. "I'll bet he was a handful or two as a kid."

Corian lifts one gloved hand to pet the ox as well, though her tone is amused as she says to Tara, "He was, quite, but he made life most entertaining. Ah... I have forgotten my manners. Tara, may I introduce my dear friend Tarrant Czolgosz. Tarrant, this is Tara Valentine."

Tarrant lets his bad leg drop back a step to bow politely to Tara, offering a broad grin as he straightens. "A pleasure to meet you." There's something of amusement in his expression.

Tara looks amused to- bowing, huh? "Of course it is," she grins, then relents. "Very nice to meet you, Mr... sir. Any friend of Cori's is a friend of mine."

Niko walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Niko has arrived.

Elasia walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Elasia has arrived.

Niko

Standing at around 6'4", Niko is muscular without being overly so, and
rather rangy. His black hair has been cut close along the sides, short enough that only a hint of curl is visible. That curl springs to life at the top of his head, though, longer hair allowing the riotous tangles to be shown. Olive skin is unmarred by freckles or blemishes. His eyes are large and dark, and would be bovine-esque if they held less intelligence, beneath brows that bear a disturbing resemblance to a pair of caterpillars. Besides the brows, his oval face is dominated by a nose that would be aristocratically aquiline if it hadn't been broken at some point in the past. His voice, a pleasant baritone, frequently holds odd inflections, remnants of an accent that he can't quite shake. He looks to be somewhere in his early twenties.

Today, Niko is in a uniform of a vastly different type. Did he actually
go out and get a suit of armor? No. See, there are costume shops, and very lightweight versions of the real thing. He still clinks when he walks, though, which is a festively amusing side-effect of the whole setup. The suit seems to be made of lightweight plassteel, and is, as should not come as a surprise to those who know Niko, obnoxiously shiny. The armor has been updated for the ages as well, in that the joints have been made much more flexible--so Niko can dance. He has a sword at his side, though he'll be the first to say that it's made of foam rubber. He also has a shiny cup attached to the swordbelt. It's some form of plastic-esque material, with the words, 'My father went to the Middle Ages and all I got was this lousy grail' written around the side.

Elasia

Although hardly one to stand out in a crowd of otherworldy diplomats, Elasia is by no means unremarkable. Her facial features are curved without being overly round, and slender without being skinny. Eyes of a brown so dark they're almost black lurk merrily beneath expressive brows the same hue. Captured back in a loose tail, her hair is a mass of flowing curls, and hangs to just below her shoulderblades. She's relatively tall for a woman, at nearly six feet; and like her face her body is curved without being round, and slender without being skinny. Her skin is almost fair, but with a hint of olive tone to it that keeps it from being quite so.

Elasia's costume is cheerful at least, rather goofy in fact. Her pants are a neon-bright green with deeper green spots, and her hooded sweatshirt is in the same pattern. The hood of the sweatshirt has been decorated with puffed stitchery and padding to look like a cartoonish dragon's head, and when pulled up over her curls, is presumably supposed to be her head. Attached to her waist is a vastly overlong tail that matches the rest of the costume, and ends in an arrow shaped tailtip. On her feet are a pair of oversized slippers portraying clawed feet, and on her hands are oversized claw-gloves, although the have a space for her hands to slide out of so she can use them. It's as if a small child had chosen to dress as a dragon, the costume has a childlike innocence to it.

Adorning the ring finger of her left hand is a ring, a delicate band of gold crowned by a rich blue stone. The sapphire depths are topped with a milky white star.

Niko clinks. Clink clink clink. He looks vaguely thoughtful about something or another. Spotting Tara, he just stops, as does the clinking, and snickers. "By all that's holy... talk about role-reversals."

Now Tarrant's heard a goodly number of versions of address, but 'Mr Sir' is new even for him. That garners an even more amused grin. "Please, call me Tarrant if my last name is a bit more than a mouthfull. I'm not going to object."

Tara glances over, and has to snicker at Niko's comment. "Holy, unholy, what's the difference? Nice costume, handsome. Suits you to a tee." She gives Tarrant a grateful look. "Tarrant it is then, thank you."

Corian glances towards the newcomers as well, and can't help but chuckle. "An excellent pair," she approves. She casts an amused look to Tarrant, adding, "Mr. Czolgosz is his father, you see. He is not Mr. Czolgosz."

Niko grins as he catches the comments. "Thanks. I really couldn't see myself going as anyone else." He peers at Corian, and grins rather stu--erk, no, Ela's there, he doesn't do that. He turns back to his fiancee. Yeah. Good man.

Elasia pads cheerfully along next to her clanking knight, perhaps as far from frightening as it is possible to be. Her eyes are alight at the dancing and the swirl of people and costumes. She nods to the others, smiling brightly. Corian's costume gets a delighted look, "What a lovely cloak ma'am." She nods to the others.

Tara chuckles, both at Cori's comment and Niko's reaction to the leafy lady.

Tarrant looks a bot abashed at Corian's comment, but is still grinning. "Some people don't seem to be willing to buy into that however. I have endless difficulty. Still, I am attached to the latter name, and find myself unwilling to alter it, although it's been suggested." His words are polite, the accent a drawl.

Corian offers a nod to Elasia. "Many thanks. I am most glad that you approve." She likes this one. This one complimented the -cloak-, which Corian actually likes, instead of the dress, which she doesn't. At Tarrant's comment, however, she blinks. "Alter it? Van'chela, you cannot." She adds something else to him, a bit more quietly.

You whisper "If nothing else, it is far too entertaining when it is necessary that others -spell- the name." to Tarrant.

Jay walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Jay has arrived.

Niko pauses. Like Jay--good timing, Jay--he recognizes the voice, but can't quite place it. He murmurs to Ela, "Do you know who that is? The one in the... uh, dress?"

Ryoshia walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Ryoshia has arrived.

Ryoshia

With a wisp of sea air, The Dread Pirate Roberts arrives. It's just uh,
well, he's a she. That's right, Carey Elwes didn't have curves like these. Form fitting black leather pants covers her legs, with shined black knee high boots on her feet. A black cloth sash covers where her top is tucked into the pants. Tucked into the sash is an old flint-lock gun replica, a harmless toy that could barely pop a cap. The top, made of black cotton, has a very low neck, common for a pirate of the female persuasion. The sleeves are made out

of a more light and airy, transparent fabric which billows nicely to stay with the pirate look and they end in shiny black leather gloves, the fingers cut of at the first joint past the knuckles.

Hanging snugly on her neck is a silver necklace, with a blue jewel set
into the ornate dangle. Around her wrists are silver wristlets with similiar light-blue jewels. Silver and diamond studs, one per, are set into her ears. Covering most of her face except for the mouth, nostrils and eyes, is a black mask. The padded leather mask rests on a black cloth, tied snuggly around her head constricting her hair, not her ears. Deep amber eyes and long lashes peer out from the holes in the mask. A looong ponytail of jet black hair falls from the tie of the mask to the small of her back.

Tara snorts softly. "Any who'd suggest that aren't using their brains."

Ryoshia is proudly escorted in by Jay.

Tarrant brightens at Corian's comment, nodding. It's as if he's all but about to begin snickering. Tara;s comment does get a snicker and a nod. "But then so few do in this day and age. Brains are considered overrated."

Elasia shakes her head, setting several padded spikes to shifting. She murmurs, "Can't say that I do, sorry hon." She seems amused however at Niko's eyes being drawn Corian-ward.

Tara shrugs amiably. "Brains have their advantages and their disadvantages, depending on who you're dealing with."

Niko's eyes are, in fact, drawn Corian-ward. He just boggles for a moment, then shakes his head. "Maybe you can borrow the dress from her, whoever she is?" he suggests to Ela, sotto voce. "You'd look -great- in that dress." He mumbles something about vanquishing.

Corian nods her agreement to something that has been said, though there's a certain hint of amusement in her eyes.

Elasia looks decidedly amused, leaning up to comment in Niko's ear quietly, offering Corian an apologetic look for the goofyness of the males of the species.

Jay does indeed look proud as he hands Ryo into the ballroom. Of course, he has to smirk at Niko's reaction to Cori. Coming up beside the knight, he nudges him with an elbow. "Careful. That one's too hot to handle."

Niko mumbles to Ela, "I could vanquish a tree if I tried hard enough." Jay's comment gets a quick grin. "I just, uh, like her dress." Yeah. "Do you know who she is?"

Corian manages not to sigh, and, in fact, looks rather amused. She's likely smiling in response to Ela's apologetic look. Fortunately, she doesn't catch Jay's comment, or she'd have to throw a pine cone at him.

Tara snickers softly. "Handsome, you'd be safer staring at me than her."

Jay nods amiably to Niko. "Yep." He's evil too.

Kyara walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Kyara has arrived.

Ryoshia follows Jay over, glancing at Tara and smiles. "Going for the looks?" she asks.

Tarrant lifts a hand up to tilt it in a so-so fashion. Too bad it's the hand holding the ox, the effect is lost. "I am partial to the helpfulness of brains." He grins at Niko's reaction as well, innocently rfraining from 'I told you so' looks.

Roland walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Roland has arrived.

Niko looks just a little put-upon. "I'm not starying at anybody, except Ela." Maybe he needs to borrow Tara's halo? It'd look suave with armor, really. Peering at Jay, he inquires, sotto voce, "So who is she?"

Tara's eyebrows rise in amusement. "Only when it's useful." She offers Tarrant an apologetic grin. "Again, it depends on who one is dealing with."

Jay positively smirks. "Niko, ole boy, you've been ogling your sister."

Kyara leads Roland in, humming an annoying little song as she goes. She sticks quite close to him. Yes, this is definitely the blind leading the blind.

Niko just stares at Jay for a moment, then he squints at Corian for a long moment. "You're right," he decides. "She -is- my sister." Then he blinks. "Ack! Iew."

Elasia is casting looks dance-floor-wards, although she glances back at the mention that this is someone familiar. *click* "Ms. Treston? Oh goodness, I'd've never guessed."

Corian is starting to look just a bit uncomfortable at all the attention. With a murmur about Honalee, she offers a smile, though, of course, the mask obscures this. "Thank you, Elasia--I believe that may have been the intention. You look lovely."

Tara laaauuughs.

Tarrant murmurs a quiet comment, looking somewhat amused. It probably involves what kind of parents spawn trees, penguins, and armored knights. He nods to Tara, "I have found few situations where brains are less than helpful."

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Jay snickers. "Of course I'm right. I'm always right." Seeing Cori's discomfort, he makes an attempt at distraction, tugging Ryo forward. "Have you all met my lovely companion?"

Roland's head darts around a bit, moving his ears not his eyes. "Pretty noisy," he notes to Kyara.

Roland

Before you is a young, male bounty hunter. Roland appears to be about
22 years, and stands about 5 feet, 10 inches tall. His eyes are the shade of an gray overcast sky. He keeps his hair short, but that's about all the care he gives it. Tracing diagonally along the right side of his neck is the dark furrow of a scar, about 3 inches long. He bears no form of identification.

He is wearing a worn leather jacket, which has obviously seen many
years. Visible underneath is a white shirt, short-sleaved, tucked into a pair of blue jeans. Around the waist of the jeans is a black leather belt. The buckle's tongue has been shaped into the form of a sword, and the loop has a vine design etched into it. On his feet are scuffed black leather boots. Etched into the boots at the ankles is a design of two crossed swords. On his left wrist is a round chrono-peice, steel in appearance, with a blue rim, black roughed leather band a slightly scuffed glass front. A classic.

Roland is a little paler than usuall, and he has pharmacy brand
complete eye shades on, very dark.

Tara cocks her head, giving Tarrant a grin. "Lack of brains on the part of one's adversaries is always a plus."

Briga pads over to Roland and Tara with a happy purr of greetings, 'Hello'

Corian offers a brief look of gratitude to Jay. "I have not, cousin," she murmurs. At Tara's comment, she nods firmly. "I have found that so, in the past." One gloved hand rubs absently at her wrist.

Kyara nods, agreeing with Roland. "Well, it /is/ a party."

Roland shrugs. "Sounds louder than any party than I've see-ah, heard."

Niko, still looking just a bit sheepish for his error, inquires of Elasia, "Want to dance, hon? Feet in the mouth are not good at all, especially with all this metal." See, the sooner he gets the dancing over with, the sooner he can flee.

Tarrant considers this a moment and then shakes his head, "No, I find it often important that the forces one works against have something of a brain. It is the madman, the brainless one who's the most dangerous. Those with a brain are logical, gotcha? But then my department tracks down paper crimes mostly, so it may be perspective based. We paper-pushers are a bit twisted."

Jay looks as proud of his date as Nick does of Ela. "Cori, all, may I introduce Ryoshia, of the Bonded Guild. The feathery guy out in the hallway, if you happen to tread out there, is Meloss."

Elasia brightens perceptibly at this suggestion, reaching to catch Niko's hand, "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea, feet on the dance floor instead of in the mouth."

Corian offers a graceful bow to Ryoshia, one gloved hand resting lightly over her heart. "I am most glad to meet you. I am Jay's cousin, Corian." She glances towards Tarrant, with a brief nod.

Aliana walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Aliana has arrived.

Tara gives Cori a curious look. "Somehow I don't picture you as having adversaries at all." She considers Tarrants words for a moment. "Perhaps, perhaps." She flashes a grin. "I'm afraid I can't disagree with that statement, Tarrant. No offense. Paper is one of the banes of my life."

Aliana struts in..much like a chicken looking for food...wings aflappin' and all.

Ryoshia nods her head. "I think we've met once in passing. Not formaly, of course." She returns the bow.

Kyara grins, though Roland can't see it. "Hey, the louder the better. At least that's what I've always heard."

Niko grins rather crookedly as he allows his hand to be caught, moving with Ela to the dance floor. Creak, rattle, clink, this should be fun. "Just watch your feet, eh, hon?"

Feathers move with each step of this rather small person....No matter how much Islien wishes, Chickens do not grow this big. Two hazel eyes peer out from behind a large yellow beak. Arms are cased in oversized wings...and a little brown tail completes the outfit.

Tarrant nods at the introduction of Ryoshia, offering a polite half-bow in response to the introduction. Noting the nod he offers a questioning look before replying to Tara, "There is a place even for lunatics, and the buearocracy has kindly provided it of course."

Corian murmurs in response to Tarrant's questioning look, "It is of no moment, van'chela." To Tara, one shoulder lifts in a graceful half-shrug. "It is a rare person who makes it through life without encountering an adversary. I am hardly so rare."

Roland shrugs. "It's confusing," he says, then turns his head vaguely towards Briga. "Briga? Is that you?" he asks.

Tara laughs quietly. "You almost sound serious, Tarrant." She gives Cori a shake of her head with a slight smile. "You're rare, believe me."

Elasia tugs Niko floorwards and into the pattern of the dance, relatively graceful despite her oversized shoes amd gloves.

Jay turns his charming smile on Ryo, bowing slightly. "I think Nick's got the right idea. Would you like to dance?"

Briga rumbles a soft greetings,'It is....Nice costume' She notes before turning to Kyara.."And yours as well is very interesting'

Tarrant stifles a quiet laugh, "Heaven help I should sound serious." He nods again to Corian, looking perhaps a bit abashed.

Kyara beams at Briga. "You look just beautiful!"

Briga purrs her pleasure at the compliment,'Thank you'

Niko is somewhat less graceful, but seeing as how he's all in metal, that shouldn't be surprising. He still manages the dance aptly enough, though with the manner of one who -really- doesn't do this too often. Clink. Rattle. Clank.

Tara grins. "Still, this certainly does seem to be the proper place for lunatics. And I ain't talking about the ballroom."

Ryoshia glances towards the floor then looks back at her date. "My, pretty fast, aren't we?"

Aliana pauses to move the beak out of her way. Spotting Tarrant and Corian she struts that away, wings folded neatly to her side.

Roland frowns slightly as they discuss costumes, his head drifting around.

Corian pauses a beat at Tara's words regarding her rareness. "Many thanks," she murmurs. Aliana's appearance makes for a perfect distraction, however, and she offers a nod and a pleasant, "Good evening." Her tone sounds a bit curious.

Jay shakes his head. "Nope. I want to get the dancing out of the way before I'm too stiff to enjoy it."

Kyara gives Roland's hand a comforting squeeze. "I heard you had a bit of trouble last night, Briga."

Elasia apparently does this somewhat more often that Niko, although her tail is something of an impediment. Well, to her skill, not to her apparent enjoyment of the experience.

Ryoshia sighs softly, smiling. "Still on the upper end of healing, hmm?"

Aliana oohhhs softly at Corian's costume as she comes close enough to see...beaks make it hard, 'Very nice....Corian. Nice to see you again Tarrant"

Briga rumbles softly as her ears flatten slightly, 'Attention will be paid...in due time'

Jay shakes his head again, smiling a bit. "Clara said it'd be a few days before I'm fully fit again. I'm about halfway through."

"I think my relative state of sanity, or lack thereof, is hardly in question." Tarrant comments as a near wry aside, stepping back rather politely. He nods to Aliana, smiling. "Nice to see you again." Briga's words cause him to turn just a hair, ears all but perking up.

Niko is apparently having fun as well, though he seems to be taking care not to step on feet, tails, or random trailing bits of costume. "Having fun?" he inquires.

Tara's eyebrows rise. "I do beg your pardon, Tarrant. I was not referring to you."

Kyara gives Briga an odd look. "Be careful," she cautions.

Corian's warm smile is evident in her voice. "Many thanks... it is Aliana, yes? What a fascinating costume." She, too, catches Briga's phrase, and blinks, glancing briefly at the Zaeltan.

Elasia just nods at first, eyes altogether alight. Woosh, swish, twirl, step, swooshy. "This is terrific." She looks a bit sheepish. "Holding up?"

Roland returns the squeeze then glances around. "I think I can pick up a few people I know," he notes quietly.

Kyara blinks at Roland. "Hey, you're not supposed to be picking up girls tonight."

Niko nods agreeably enough, though he sighs as the gesture causes his visor to snap over his face. "Mostly, yeah," he says, lifting the visor so his smile can be seen. "It's fun, just haven't ever danced in armor, that's all."

Roland's head turns to Kyara and his eyebrows furrow. "I meant the voices. I can pick out a couple familiar voices."

Ryoshia nods her head. "I'll be gentle then."

Elasia does not make the first comment that comes to mind, but her brwos do arch in amusement as she continues the pattern of the dance. "It certainly makes interesting noises, a whole rhythm section yourself."

Kyara ohs, relaxing, and glances around. One particular familiar face makes her blanch. "Like who, Rol?"

Niko grins suddenly. "Hey, yeah! I can send Sochos some armor, Cip and Stavros would love it! And maybe if the new baby is a boy..." He keeps up with the dance as well.

Jay acks softly, laughing as he leads Ryo to the dance floor. "Don't you dare."

Tarrant starts to reply to Tara, but instead simply grins and shrugs. It's not good to explain to relative strangers that one is insane after all.

Corian, as she knows Tarrant well enough to guess what he's not explaining, shakes her head and chuckles quietly. "But you aren't, van'chela."

Roland hmms then frowns slightly. "Tara for one, Briga's right here, there's that Jay guy, and I think another is Casmyd."

Elasia stifles a quiet laugh, shaking her head. Of course this causes the hood to fall back down around her shoulders. "Cip and Stavros would be thinking of ways to have you on a pike, love. And I prefer you un-shisked."

Tara looks confused for a moment, and finally shakes her head. "Anybody need something to drink while I'm headed in that direction?"

Kyara nods before remembering and vocalizes a confirmation. "Yes, they're all here, although..." She glances around curiously. "Who's Jay?"

Ryoshia shrugs. "Some guy who likes to hit on women. I think I might have heard talk of him being related to half of the AF or somehing like that."

Tarrant glances over at Corian, looking amused but almost seriously so. "I am afraid I shall have to chose to disagree, but I appreciate it anyhow."

Roland shrugs. "Some guy who likes to hit on women. I think I might have heard talk of him being related to half of the AF or somehing like that."

Niko looks a little disappointed, but nods nonetheless. "Yeah, you're probably right." Attempting a turn of the dance, he accidentally steps on the tail of someone who is, fortunately, an Edreeni -dressed- as a Zaeltan. The tail separates from the body with an audible ripping sound. Niko pauses, turning, and promptly starts to apologize.

Elasia can't quite stifle a chuckle, noting, "I guess her tail was not part of who she was."

Kyara looks amused. "That's quite a feat."

Briga bows to Kyara slightly, bead clinking, "Always."

Corian shakes her head to Tara, smile in her voice. "Thank you, Tara, it is unnecessary." She casts an amused look at Tarrant, and merely shakes her head. "As you wish, van'chela."

Kyara blinks at Briga. "You're related to half the AF too?"

Aliana shakes her head to Tara,'No thank you' Course that sets the feathers into motion.

Tara gives Ali a cool look. She wasn't asking /her/. After a few seconds she nods to Cori.

Roland gives Briga a puzzled expression from behind the glasses.

Briga peers at Niko...then prompty checks her tail with an aidible sigh of relief.

Niko picks up the poor, severed tail and offers it to the Edreeni, who is fortunately vastly amused by the situation. As the Edreeni leaves, he turns back to Ela, somehow managing not to snicker. "Guess not. Hoo, I'm glad that wasn't a real Zaeltan. That could've been really bad."

Aliana either does not see the look or chooses to ignore it. Head tilting this way and that as she watches. Indeed she almost does look like a chicken.

Ryoshia shakes her head at Jay. "Then why shouldn't I be gentle then if you're still hurt?"

Tarrant nods to Corian, "Perhaps part of my lunacy is to orefer to accept it?" He grins, noting Tara's comment and offering to Corian, as he is her escort after all, "Would you like me to go acquire a drink for you?"

Jay coughs, swinging Ryo into the dance. "Hon, gentle is /my/ job, not yours."

Tara's eyebrows rise slightly, and she gives Tarrant a measuring look.

Briga considers Tarrant for a moment, 'Weren't some of the greatest Terran thinkers considered lunatics?'

Aliana considers Tarrant for a moment, 'Weren't some of the greatest Terran thinkers considered lunatics?'

Corian, voice puzzled and amused at the same time, shakes her head to Tarrant. "Van'chela, I am still not thirsty. Though perhaps I can impose upon you for a dance? Honalee would be most disappointed in me if I managed to make my way through the evening without a dance." At Aliana's question, however, she pauses.

Elasia gently tugs Niko back into the dance, although she keeps an eye on where he's headed, in hopes of steering him away from tails.

Niko is more than willing to be tugged back to the dance, especially by his fiancee. He's also more than willing to avoid tails. "Maybe," he suggests quietly, "We should sit out the fast ones."

Kyara brightens suddenly, pointing through the crowd toward Terrence. "Rol, did I tell you about that scientist I met, the one who's interested in the temple? He's here too."

Tarrant is obviously as loony as he professes to be, having not heard Corian's reply. Maybe he was watching Death again. He offers Aliana a grin, "But I'm neither Terran, nor a great thinker." His words are a quiet drawl. At Corian's comment he brightens however, offering another bow and finding someplace to stash the ox. "Heaven help us if Honalee were to be dissapointed."

Aliana offers Tarrant and Corian a bow, 'Enjoy your dance.'

Elasia nods to Niko's comment, smiling, "That sounds like a terrific idea, love. I don't want you overtired after all."

Tara glances around, looking for a smooth escape. Last thing she wants is to be left alone with Ali. A night digging out of a temple with Addison of all people is more appealing at the moment.

Aliana showered...Honest! Her gaze does move to Tara...and while her mouth is hidden by the beak, the amusement does fill her eyes.

Corian returns Aliana's bow. "Many thanks, I am most certain that we will." She

starts for the dance floor with her usual grace, cloak practially floating behind her. "You are quite right, van'chela," she informs Tarrant. "Even heaven would not be able to help us."

Ryoshia can't help but to snicker as she steps into the dance. "Oh, I see."

Niko's brows waggle briefly. Gee, he almost looks like Terrence over there for a moment, perish the thought. "No, you don't," he murmurs to Ela, pulling her just a bit closer, though she's still far enough from him to satisfy the bounds of propriety.

Jay grins down at Ryo. "Me, I prefer strong passion from a woman, no matter the condition I'm in. In whatever she does, that is."

Tara shrugs, her expression a tad annoyed beneath the halo. "Evening, Aliana. You find something amusing, perhaps?"

"Nor hell for that matter," Tarrant moves to pace Corian to the dance floor, grinning. As it's reached, and the dance begun he attempts to match Corian's natural grace. With his limp it's a doomed effort, but what he lacks in grace he makes up with in flair. Years of experience are helpful as well.

Elasia's brows lift in response, beaming at being pulled closer, her tail is missed as well by another dancer as she tugs it close. "Thank you for bringing me this evening."

Aliana moves the beak to make talking easier,'Yeah...the fact that I am dressed up like a chicken...Your outfit, on the other hand is quite beautiful'

Corian seems to relax somewhat when she reaches the dance floor. "This is... quite entertaining," she murmurs, gray eyes shining with humor. "Are you enjoying yourself, van'chela?"

Tara blinks a few times. "Um... thanks." She looks quite confused. "Yours is more original," she returns grudgingly.

Niko kisses Ela's cheek, then muffles a laugh at the disgusted noises from a pair of young Sectassians. "Oh, wait til you grow up, kids," he says goodnaturedly. Turning back to Ela, he adds, "You're welcome, hon. I'm having fun, even with the tail-severing and all."

"I am dressed as a lumberjack, dancing with a tree, who also happens to be a very close friend, and I nearly just got mowed down by the Easter Bunny," Tarrant replies, his eyes glinting with amusement, "I am either having a great deal of fun, or the food in the vending machines is even more evil than usual. And yourself?"

Aliana laughs softly, "It was Islien's idea tho...so I can't claim any credit for it."

Terrence sidles away from a rather lovely woman, perhaps because her husband chose that moment to return, and heads for another section of the crowd. "Good evening, ladies," he offers, heading past Tara and Aliana.

Riley walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Riley has arrived.

Tara's mouth quirks. "Figures. She's a tad biased, I think." She gives Terrence a fleeting nod, automatically sizing him up.

Elasia stifles a laugh at the Sectassians, sticking her tongue out at them in a highly adult manner. "Tail-severing is unfortunate, yes."

Aliana smiles as she sees Terrence,'Good evening' Okay..the beak does hide her smile..but it is reflected in her eyes.

Briga eyewidens at Ela's comment and her tail moves into her hands almost protectively.

Clara walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Clara has arrived.

Corian chuckles very quietly at that, carefully tucking her cloak a bit closer--because of all the people, of course, not because of anything it might disguise. "I am enjoying myself -now-. I was not quite so much earlier, though I have to say that Jay's reaction was amusing."

Ryoshia twists around extra fast, just for Jay and gives his hand a squeeze. "You dance well for a man who's been beaten up.

Roland tilts his head. "What was that about tail severing," he asks of the two ladies around him.

Jay overhears Cori and sticks his tongue out at her as he whirls past with Ryo, but is immediately distracted by Ryo's... movements. "My dear, for you, I would excel in the Herculean tasks, much less dancing."

The Sectassians flee, jabbering about telling their mother. Eyes rolling once more, Niko mumbles something about kids. He doesn't notice Briga's widening eyes, fortunately, but instead continues with the dancing. "You really picked the right kind of costume hon," he decides, watching a decked-out lady struggle with her heels. He adds, maybe a bit wistfully, "Looks comfy."

Briga rumbles softly, "Not mine" She says solemnly.

Kya shakes her head, chuckling in amusement. "Nick stepped on one. A fake one, thankfully. Oooh, Riley and Clara're here." She gives the couple a cheerful wave.

Terrence pauses briefly to tilt his head at the dance floor thoughtfully, absently adjusting his mask upon seeing Niko and carefully turning his attention to Corian rather admiringly before resuming his lascivious survey.

Roland ohs and nods vaguely in Briga's direction. "Thank fully."

Riley re-enters with Clara, looking somewhat amused and much less startled at the crowding this time. He grins down at Clara, "Dance? Harass people? Any preferences, love?"

Ryoshia rolls her eyes. "Just you wait, Zuessy," she says wryly.

Briga turns to see Clara and Riley arrive...and miss Rolan's nod and words..thankfully.

"The costume is very lovely, Honalee has marvelous taste. However, considering your desire not to garner attention, perhaps it was not best chosen." Tarrant shifts carefully, so as to keep up with the dance, he's obviously quite accustomed to compensating for that leg. "Still, the required portion of the program is completed, you have been polite, and now may do as you will. Dancing's safe enough it seems."

Clara practically hurries in with Riley, occassionally casting the briefly puzzled looks over one shoulder, then forces herself to relax and lean into the taller be-penguined man. Grinning broadly at various greetings, she sighs with relief. "Either is fine. Maybe a dance, first, then torture?"

Tara nudges Ali with her elbow, nodding toward Terrence with an amused expression. She mutters to Aliana, "... one to watch..."

Aliana glances at Terrence..moving the beak out of the way, She mutters to Tara, "... Why..."

Elasia nods cheerfully, "It's certainly cosy enough. The sweatshirt especially." She eyes the armor, "Yours however looks a bit less comfortable. Would you rather escape the dance floor?" She doesn't look dissapointed at the prospect, she got to dance, she's happy.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Jay beams at Ryo. "Is that a promise?"

Corian catches Terrence's admiring look, and quite firmly turns her attention to her partner, with a fractional shake of her head. "Honalee wished for me to garner attention," she says, voice touched with wry amusement. "I suppose I can put up with it this one evening, for her, but, yes, I am most glad to have completed her instructions."

Riley offers Clara his arm to lead her to the dance floor, grinning. "Sounds like a plan of attack." He looks distinctly pleased.

Roland grins coyly, eyes shining behind the mask. "Maybe," she says slowly and moves in a bit closer to avoid being bowled over by a bit more excited pair.

Tara keeps her voice low. "Wanna make a bet on who he'll hit on first?"

Niko nods, after a moment. "If you wouldn't mind, hon? There's so much to think about, between my feet, and various tails and tentacles and other fake body parts, and it's kind of awkward in this evil getup. I don't think I'll be a knight any more. The armor's just obnoxious."

Aliana thinks for a moment, then points to a rather fully haired blond...beautiful,'Her' Ali descides.

Elasia finds a place to exit the dance gracefully, careful of her own tail. "I think you're still a knight, with or without the armor, hon."

Tara hmmms, considering that particular possible target. "Maybe. What about..." She nods toward Cori. "God, I want that dress."

Terrence's glance glides away from the tree and lumberjack pair to fall on the saloon girl. No, he doesn't whistle. Bad idea when she's got a partner that big. Okay...hmm. Angel. He bows low, oblivious to any possible lightening. "Pleasant evening, no?"

Aliana hmmms softly,'Considering the fact that Corian is currently wearing it...I don't think you will get it'

Isis walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Isis has arrived.

Isis says, "okay. i give. what's going on?"

Tara smirks. "I'd pay to see her out of it." Eyebrows rise at Terrence's greeting. So much for that bet. She offers a polite smile. "So far, it has indeed."

Tarrant can't quite help but grin, "It certainly garnered attention, yes. It's quite striking. One evening is not such a terrible thing, certainly. Especially when there are so many people to make fun of."

Niko raps lightly on his armor, with a soft clang. "If I can still be a knight without the armor, maybe I'll keep up with it." One bemetalled arm sliding around Elasia, he heads back to where he was standing before. Incidentally, that's not all -that- far from Aliana and Tara.

Isis says, "what is going on? i heard noises, so i decided to come on in"

Someone asks Isis, "Do you have an invitation?"

Clara allows herself to be led, catching up the edge of her skirt in preparation. No, she's not going to can-can, but waltzing is far safer. "I think the rest of Copper Hill showed up while we were gone," she notes, amused.

People are dancing, drinking, chatting, and enjoying themselves. There's music. It's obvicously a festive event.

Aliana smiles as she sees Ela and Niko...eyes widening in appreciation of their costumes. Beak is again lifts so she can talk. "Niko...You look wonderful."

Elasia looks content to be be-armed, looking amused. "You're a knight without help. It's the attitude."

Corian, spotting Clara and Riley, offers them a nod--she can't smile with the mask on, see. Turning back to Tarrant, she nods her agreement ot that, eyes shining. "It is most entertaining, yes--though I feared I would injure myself when you commented on my poor cousin."

Terrence adds a charming, if anonymous smile at Aliana as well, crossing his arms cheerfully. "So far? Ah, but certainly ladies of your caliber should be having an evening beyond dr-..." He pauses at seeing Niko and Elasia so close, then smoothly continues. "Dreams."

Riley slides into the pattern of the dance, waltzing he can do. "I would have to agree." There's a grin, "Still, we know all these people pretty much, I just keep reminding myself of that."

Isis walks in the door, her platform heels tapping on the floor.

Aliana doesn't seem to notice the pause,'It truly is a night beyond dreams.'

Ryoshia grins coyly, eyes shining behind the mask. "Maybe," she says slowly and moves in a bit closer to avoid being bowled over by a bit more excited pair.

Tara chuckles. "I think you need a refresher course in judging caliber. Mine, at least. And I suppose you can supply such an evening, sir?"

Niko offers a grin to Aliana. "Thanks. Hey, a chicken, that looks great. Fun costume. It looks lots more comfortable than this." He raps the armor once more, flashing a grin to Ela. He pauses upon hearing a particular voice. Hey. He's got metal. He's got gauntlets. He's got a sword--okay, so it's made of foam rubber, but it's still a sword.

Isis walks over to Niko, and taps on the armor to see if it's metal or plastic.

Tarrant's expression brightens at that, half nodding by lieu of a bow under the circumstances. "Hey, it's my job after all, to make the distressing comments. Although the point is that you are to wish to injure me, not cause yourself pain."

Isis says, "cool."

Niko peers at Isis. "Hi, yeah, please don't do that. It's a rental."

Isis says, "whoops."

Isis picks up a feather that fell off of her, and brushes her fingerprints off of the armor.

Terrence has a whip? Besides, he's incognito. Everything's safe. "Me? Ah, I could only but offer my humble hand to a lady such as yourself. To dream, perchance to dance," he adds warmly.

Aliana grins at Niko before turning to Ela with a slight bow of her head,'Islien sends her compliments on the costume..she is truly honoured.'

Elasia notes the pause, glancing up with some confusion, looking for the point of difficulty. The woman poking at Niko gets an askance look.

Isis says, "hey, sorry. didn't mean to bug ya."

Elasia brightens however at Aliana, "I'm glad she approves, I looked for red, but I couldn't find the material."

Isis scurries off towards a corner.

Niko leans closer to say something quietly to Elasia.

Aliana nods her head, the beak flopping creating a rather silly look. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

"And you look like a penguin," Clara replies dutifully, composure regained with a faint smile. "And we do know everyone here, and I had no idea," she adds, voice dropping and eyes lighting after a brief grin over at Corian and Tarrant. "This is nice."

Isis sighs, and watches the couples on the dance floor with a slightly faraway look in her eyes.

Niko says "Terrence is here--I didn't see him not really looking but I heard him I think. Maybe we should get out of here hm?" in Hellenic.

Tara ahs softly. "I haven't danced in quite a long time." It is a wistful glance she sends toward the dance floor.

"No idea?" Riley echoes by way of question, waltzing smoothly. That Edreeni heritage is good for something it turns out. "It is nice. Vastly silly, and wonderfully nice."

Isis takes a glass of some green punch, takes a small swig, swishes it around in her mouth, and swallows it.

Elasia ahhs quietly, nodding and gesturing towards the exit. "Shall we then?"

Isis sighs, and sits down in a chair near the dance floor.

Terrence starts to slide in another even more sappy compliment, then hesitates at the comment in Hellenic and peers over somewhat sadly at its direction and offers a comment in the same language.

Corian shakes her head to Tarrant at that, with a quiet chuckle. Like Riley, she's demonstrating the joys of Edreeni heritage, as she's grace personified, except that grace usually isn't leafy. "I am unlikely to wish injury upon you, van'chela."

Isis mumbles something in a language that noone has ever heard of.

Tara arches an eyebrow, her gaze following Terrence's. Not that that's very enlightening- it's just Niko, after all.

Terrence says "You don't have to go lad. I thought that might be you...a good evening to you both." in Hellenic.

Isis downs the rest of her punch, and makes her way to the dance floor.

"Then you would likely be the first," Tarrant notes with an amused chuckle, "Who has known me long without at least wishing to smack me once or twice. It's in my script after all."

Niko starts to nod to Elasia, arm still around her, though he pauses at the comment from Terrence. "Good evening." Ooh, wow, did he actually make icicles form in the air? He's certainly trying. "Ela, this is Terrence Veruzac. Terrence, my fiancee, Elasia Iakovu." And there's something about his tone that suggests that only self-control is keeping him from adding, 'so stay away from her'.

"Never mind," Clara replies, stealing one arm back to push a wayward curl from one eye. Obviously she had training along the way somewhere too. Not a real surprise. "Have you seen Kathlyn yet? Did she say if she'd be here?"

Aliana may not understand Hellenic...but it does not take a meterologist to feel a drop in the tempature. Beak hides most of her face as her eyes darts between the three.

Elasia's brows lift, and her tone is cordial, but frosty as well. "Ah, I've heard so much about you sir."

Corian shakes her head at that. "Tarrant, I can hardly be the only one. Why, there's..." She pauses. No, most of those people, she's actually -seen- hit Tarrant. "Someone," she decides. "Of course, there must be. I will think of one later."

Riley's shoulders lift slightly in a shrug at Clara's never mind, grinning. He's in too good a mood at this exact moment to worry over it. "Kath? She and Shan are around here somewhere. They passed through earlier, want me to radio one of them?"

Terrence offers Tara and Aliana each apologetic smiles, then actually clicks his heels as he inclines his shoulders in a polite bow at Elasia. "A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Iakovu." At her comment, his lips quirk. "I was afraid of that. Well. I'll not make any efforts to create liquid nitrogen. Please excuse me," he offers satirically, then turns and heads off in stalk of new feminine prey.

Tara gives Niko a questioning look that's a bit annoyed. "Okay, what was all that about?"

Elasia got a heel-click. She's special. She doesn't look thrilled however, still just simply polite.

Niko shakes his head, with a creak or two. "Nothing important," he says flatly. "Nothing at all, matter of fact. Doesn't even matter." Maybe he intends for Terrence to hear that. It's pitched so that the overhearing would be conceivable, though not inevitable, in the crowd.

Briga pads over to food tables..considering the offering rather critically, her tail lashing from side to side.

Tara throws her hands up in exasperation. "In that case, handsome, you owe me a dance."

Clara's laugh rings out happily as she shakes her head. "No, silly. Do you mean to tell me you've still got your...never mind. Of course you do. Leave those two alone, you bad ol' man." The orchestra flashes by for a moment, getting a quick peek.

Aliana watches after Terrence thoughtfully, hand moving to tap her lip thoughtfully..but simply tapping the end of her beak. Eyes cross as she looks at her finger...oops.

Tarrant just grins, at that, carefully following the dance's pattern. With anyone else he would seem a good dancer, but Corian's grace makes him once again a mere pretender to the art. "I am afraid you'll come up short. It's a common occurance, although people seem good natured about the fact they need to beat me."

Terrence is already off and laughing almost over-contentedly with a rather middle-aged brunette, once again only to melt away as this woman's husband interferes as well. What -is- it with husbands tonight? Sheesh.

Roland moves his head about, catching sounds, then moves back to where Kyara last was. "How about we find a seat somewhere? Maybe a drink. I think I got enough hand cordination to reach my mouth with a glass."

Niko shakes his head once more. "Sorry, Valentine. I'll go away. Maybe he'll come back, though it'd be better for you both if he didn't. He's bad news."

Riley looks decidedly sheepish, "The only time in seven years I've taken the thing out were the two times you've made me do so, love. It's habit." He nods amiably, "I will leave them alone, they seemed to be having a great deal of fun."

Isis walks over to the man in black, with an odd loon on her face. She keeps running a finger down each scar on her face.

Tara's mouth quirks. "Then we should mesh nicely, no?" Yes, she's annoyed and being snide.

Jay melts. "Ryo, my dear, even a maybe from you is music to my ears."

Elasia just shifts closer to Niko, maybe Terrence was giving off ick waves or something, she seems unthrilled.

Ryoshia shakes her head. "More dancing, less prose," she teases and moves again to avoid another wild pair. "People are frisky tonight," she notes.

Aliana lowers her tone as she does spot Terrence,'He seems to be unoccupied now...perhaps you could catch him?

Corian laughs quietly at that, still moving to the cadences of the dance. "Ah, not the first time I have been termed short, I am afraid. I suppose I am able to cope. And it is kind of them to be at least merry about the beatings. That must make it more entertaining."

Niko rolls his eyes. "Valentine, let's put it this way. I'm warning you about him. That should answer your question." Turning to Elasia, he summons a smile from somewhere. "Ready to go, hon?"

Morrigan pauses at the doorway as she returns, dark eyes sparking in her excitment.

"And one of those, you weren't awake to tell me no," Clara agrees rather irrepresibly, then peeks up past another pair before breaking into a smile. "Riley, look. It's Jones and his wife. I did tell you they'd gotten married, didn't I?" Most appropriately, Jones is an overlarge teddy bear, and is dancing with a rather small woman dressed as Tinkerbell.

Jay grins, moving fairly smoothly along with Ryo. "Hon, you don't know the meaning of frisky. I'll be happy to teach you thou..." He trails off, and suddenly gives Ryo's hand a tug, trying to lead her toward the doorway. "There she is."

Aliana turns back to Niko and Ela as she moves her beak aside,'It was a pleasure meeting you...and enjoy the rest of the night...both of you'

Tarrant seems to consider that a moment and then nods agreeably acquiesence, "Somewhat more so usually. And there is usually that I have done something to deserve it after all, made some remark, pointed out some helpful thing, so usually I cannot blame them."

Ryoshia raises an eyebrow then tries to peer over his shoulder (fat chance.)

Elasia nods to the question, stepping to allow Niko to lead the way, her hand in his.

Tara gives Niko a frosty look, along with a single one, and a biggie fries one. "Hmmm. You've got a point there, Ali."

Terrence notices the doorway, too though, and brightens as much as a man in a mask can, heading forwards. "Ah, the musician returns to eclipse the music of the hall. Welcome back, my dear."

Corian inquires innocently, "But if you were being helpful, van'chela, shouldn't they have welcomed your assistance?"

Jay sees Terrence coming, and growls. He remembers /that/ guy, and moves a bit faster, so as to get to Mori first, hopefully.

Morrigan brightens considerably at the greetings, as if taken by suprise.

Niko likes frosties, so it is unfortunate that he misses the frosty look. Fries are good, too. Hand in hand with Ela, he heads in the direction of the exit, careful to avoid Terrence. He'd like to warn Morrigan, really, he would, but he'd rather leave.

Riley looks in the indicated direction, stifling a pleased laugh. "I am not sure if I ever will manage to look half of these people in the eyes again after this evening. It's like Disney decided to sponsor an evening at the Complex." He shakes his head, "I do not recall mention of it. They look happy."

Niko walks towards the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Niko has left.

Elasia walks towards the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Elasia has left.

Clara wrinkles her nose, casting a pleased wink over at the teddy bear before nodding up at Riley. "Sorry, I thought I'd told you. I guess I may have had my mind elsewhere. I tend to keep it in a jar during off-duty hours."

Isis walks back over to the table by the dance floor, and sits down again, with an audible sigh. She then goes back to sipping her green goop.

Briga pauses by Isis and offers her a pleasant purr of greetings...Its a ball, you are supposed to be plesant.

Greek knights, yes, but Terrence has yet to notice any Greek gods. Morrigan, he's really noticed though. "I was near the realm of despair at the idea of not getting another dance with you. Perhaps you'd care for a drink first?"

"Aaaah," Riley replies, shifting swiftly with the dance, "And I had thought it merely a clever paperweight. How enlightening."

Morrigan thinks for a moment, 'Perhaps come punch?'

Donatien walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Donatien has arrived.

Jay coughs, stepping up to Mori. Terrence is studiously ignored. "Ah, surely the evening is now complete now that you're here." He gives the cellist a mournful look. "My dear, I do believe you promised to enjoy the evening with me. It just wouldn't be the same without you."

Tarrant tries to look innocent, but the Mike-Nesmith-esque stocking cap does -not- aid in this endeavor. "You would think, but I have learned the world does not often -want- lunatics to be helpful you see."

Isis looks up at the Zaeltan before her. She then gets a puzzled look on her face, and askes her, "Why should i be pleasant? There is noone to share my joy with. I am but one in a room full of strangers. but that's just my point of view."

Clara lifts a brow upwards, then shakes her head with amusement and mutters something about it being good she's not leading, although she follows the lead easily. "No, no, no. That's just various medical tools that shall remain nameless, oh wicked man."

A rathen stricken look crosses Mori's face..."But you asked Ryo first...and Kya said only one person to a date"

Corian replies, tone excessively patient, "Tarrant, you are not insane. You merely have a different outlook on life. It is quite different."

Isis looks back at her punch, and starts sipping again.

Donatien wanders into the ball room, head darting around rather quickly, purposefully adding to the allusion of someone missing a couple bolts. He spots someone and heads over. "Good evening, Morrigan," he says as he approaches the small gathered group.

Briga looks a little taken aback by Isis' words, her tail lashes some more. "I am Briga Al-Saydun...and you are?'

Jay shakes his head firmly. "I asked you first, for one thing. And for another, whoever this Kya is, who is she to tell you how to run your social life? Do what /you/ want." He glances grudgingly toward Terrence. "Even if it means spending the night with this..." The last word is not in Standard, nor does it sound complimentary.

Riley doesn't appear to be thinking about who's leading, or what the bizarre rules of the dance may be, he's just doing it, polished shoes finding the steps as he grins at Clara, eyes lost in her. "Nameless is good, I really would hate to have to cower just now. I'm wicked now?"

Isis says, "Isis Kyle from the planet Salana."

Terrence clears his throat, straightening to his full height. "You abandoned this fragile creature after asking her to dance? For -shame-, boy..." he intones, then executes another sweeeping bow at Morrigan. "Punch you said, my lady?"

Was that a crackle of static over Terrence? A lightning bolt hint?

Morrigan looks rather relieved by Terrence's words and she nods quickly, 'Please' She says with a small squeak.

Ryoshia slips to Jay's side and offers a smile at Morrigan. "Nice costume," she says then stops her complimenting to look slightly cod at Terrence.

Briga nods to Isis then says shortly,'Come' Off she pads...fully expecting Isis to come.

Jay draws himself up to his full height, though that probably doesn't mean much to Terrence. "Would you like to step outside, sir?" Yes, it's Mr. Scrawny, doing something extraordinarily stupid.

"Term it what you will," Tarrant says, just as patient, but also amused. "You certainly have a better way with words than I do."

Isis rolls her eyes at the scene over by zorro. She mumbles "pick-up artist" below her breath.

"I can come up with a half dozen other adjectives?" Clara offers winsomely. There's other people here? Where? "I think you know the litany, though, darling. I suppose I could rattle them all off is you -want-..."

Isis stands, and follows Briga

Donatien raises an eyebrow as he glances around, then asks of the group. "Is there a problem?"

Tara nudges Ali, gesturing toward the tableau by the door. "This night might get more exciting than that guy implied it would."

"I also could poke you," Riley notes to Clara, amused, "Or haul you off over one shoulder like the boor I am?"

Roland moves his head about, catching sounds, then moves back to where Kyara last was. "How about we find a seat somewhere? Maybe a drink. I think I got enough hand cordination to reach my mouth with a glass."

Terrence starts to reply to Morrigan urbanely, then loses the smile as he turns slowly to face Jay, one brow plainly raised under the mask. For a long moment, he simply regards the other man, then suddenly bursts into laughter.

Briga pads over to Kyara and Roland, "I would like you to meet someone"

Corian shakes her head, amusement working its way into her own tone. "I merely have more options, because of the alternative languages available to me. You put your own options to excellent use, van'chela."

Isis has a little trouble following Briga, as she is running on platform heels.

Morrigan looks definetely at a loss now. She quickly shakes her head..."No...No trouble"

Kyara nods, leading Roland to a table well out of the way of frisky dancers, and quickly fetches a drink for him. Glancing up, she gives Briga a smile. "Oh?"

Roland fumbles for a chair back then sits himself down carefully.

Isis stops where Briga is standing, and yanks off her shoes. She says, "Mental note. No more borrowing Ayda's shoes!" She tosses the shoes aside, and stands up.

Aliana glances over at the doorway,'Hmm...wonder what's up?'

Ryoshia frowns, looking up at Jay first then at Terrence.

Jay isn't laughing. "If that's a 'no', I'd suggest you bow out now then."

Briga purrs softly, 'Roland..>Kyara. I would like you to meet Isis Kyle. Isis, This is my bodyguard Roland DeMario and my friend Kyara Frondeur.'

"How about you just haul me off for something to drink, hmm? It's..." Clara glances at a wall chrono, then tilts her head. "It's almost pumpkin hour, or close enough. We're supposed to be sociable, though," she adds, slightly disappointed.

Donatien glances between the two men, then at Morrigan. "If ah didn't know better, I'd say they were fightin' over you," he says quietly to her.

Riley's brows lower, spotting trouble brewing, and Jay infested trouble at that. Gesturing with a head nod in the direction of it he murmurs something apologetic to Clara. "In just a moment."

Isis says in a very weak voice, "Bodyguard?"

Roland nods his head. "Fair job," he explains to the voice.

Morrigan chews her lip nervously...eyebrows knitting together as she stands in dismay.

Terrence stifles the laughter, but still looks distinctly amused. "Boy, you can't be serious. Don't make me make an example of you, son. It's bad enough you went off and left this ravishing young woman."

Tarrant grins at that, brows lifting in amusement. "If you prefer to think me sane, I'm hardly going to object. Still, it must mean your view of existance is as warped as my own."

Kyara smiles pleasantly. "Isis, it's very nice to meet you." She gives Roland a proud look. "He's very good at it too."

Briga nods with a proud purr,'Bodyguard' She turns to Isis and notes, 'There...you are no longer around strangers.'

Isis coughs, then offers her hand to the large man.

Clara steps out of the slow spin, brows lifted as she follows the look and whisper, and rather follows along. At a safe distance.

Roland throws in a quick comment, "When I don't sleep on the job, that is." If the hand is being offered to him, he doesn't notice.

Jay stiffens, shaking his head slightly. "I didn't leave her. She's right here. They're both aware I agreed to escort them /both/ tonight. Don't threaten me. You'll regret it."

Isis says, "Thank you, Briga. I've had a little trouble being social since this one time in college."

Morrigan backs up slowly, shaking her head, 'No...Please..Its my fault. I better just go.' She keeps muttering that over and over as she backs out the door.

Morrigan walks towards the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Morrigan has left.

Corian pauses a moment to glance in the general direction of the kafuffle, attention caught as her brother moves to settle it. Then she turns back to the dance, gliding gracefully into the proper steps. "Van'chela, I suppose you must then make a choice: either you may believe that both of us are insane, or that neither of us are." Funny, she sounds a little amused, if a bit distracted.

Ryoshia knudges Jay in the side. She mutters to Jay, " Baka!... this... something... bad.... some... do,... danging with... trifle..."

Terrence's hands fall akimbo to his hips, smile fading. "Look, junior. You're the one who threatened. It's not my fault you bit off more than you can chew. Now am-scray and allow me to treat your abandoned date as she deserves to be." As Morrigan runs off, he utters an oath and sighs. "Good job, kid."

Isis suddenly glances over to where the woman just ran out of the room. She gets a slightly concerned look on her face, then shakes her head, returning to normal.

Riley gives the dance floor a reluctant look as it's left behind. He -likes- dancing. He pads over to the disturbance, absently shedding the penguin nose. "Hey folks, now we don't want to disturb the peace now do we..."

Of course Cori's insane. At least Tara has thought so ever since the translator turned down her overtures.

"Then we're both loony," Tarrant shakes his head almost sadly. "And you seemed so sane..."

Donatien watches Morrigan retreat and turns back to the other men. He bows his head to Riley. "'Course. If you all will excuse me," he says and backs out the door.

Donatien walks towards the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Donatien has left.

Jay glances briefly toward his cousin, nodding shortly. "Hence my suggestion to take this outside." Turning back to Terrence, bristling, he notes stiffly, "She's not aband... bloody! Now look what you've done." He goes to shoulder his way roughly past Terrence, going after Mori.

Corian, at the section of the dance floor nearest the door, and, as such, close enough to hear the ruckus, nods seriously. "As you have often said, van'chela, appearances may deceive."

Aliana glances for Tara, hmmming softly.

Isis notices how quiet it has suddenly gotten. "Do I wanna know?"

Ryoshia tries to grab onto Jay's hand. "Jay!" he calls out then follows.

Riley says something in a quiet but commanding tone to Jay in Kashidian.

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Tara is watching the scene and making bets on who's going to win.

Terrence watches the other young man head off after Morrigan and all but growls. "I'll disturb more than the peace," he mutters, all but ready to go after her as well, then hesitates and frowns back at the peacekeeper, muttering absent-mindedly, "Nov-..." Snap. Jaws close rapidly as he turns away, sneering at Jay.

Riley says "Jeremy you are not making things better. Melant'i does not allow for the pressing of unwanted attentions." in Kashidian.

Isis whispers to the large man next to her, "Is it just me, or is a fight gonna break out soon?"

Riley then turns to Terrence, "Mr...?, I would request that you control your temper. This is a celebration. If you cannot conduct yourself in peace, please go."

Tarrant apears not to be watching the goings on, but as Corian just pointed out... He continues to dance. "It is often amazing how truly that is the case, o lady tree."

Aliana senses an apportunity...for what, who knows as she makes her way over to Terrence and remarks,'You know...I have not had an opportunity to dance...Would you indulge me?'

Jay finds his hand caught by Ryo and halts, looking a tad frustrated. "What's that supposed to mean?" he snaps at Terrence, then shudders slightly, muttering about one mother too many as Riley speaks.

Terrence reigns in his temper rather miraculously, back to smooth...almost oily...at light speed. "Mr. Veruzac," he offers with a readily pleasant smile. "Of course it's a celebration, young man. Sorry about the misunderstanding," he adds to Jay, only a vague glint in his eyes above the smile.

Riley says "Except Aunt Kareen will not toss you in the brig. Jay give it a r... Funny he stops there " in Kashidian.

Jay says "No kidding cous. Would like to make sure she's alright though you know. Maybe apologize to her? *pause* You wouldn't." in Kashidian.

Isis slaps her forehead. She mutters something in Salanese, then starts to walk over to where all the tension is.

Roland blinks. "Is there?" he says, his head darting to try and hear around better. His head turns vaguely in Kyara's direction. "Something up?" he asks her.

Corian shakes her head to Tarrant, her smile apparent in her voice. "You are sane, Tarrant. Some things are true whether you believe them or not." Catching part of the conversation, she slowly turns, with a murmured apology to Tarrant, and peers rather intently at Terrence.

Jay stares at Riley for a moment, boggling, before turning back to Terrence. After a moment, he nods. "And my apologies as well."

Isis whispers to Aliana, "Believe me, girl...bad timing. Beautiful women do not make men suddenlynot want to fight. Especially not ones in chicken suits."

Riley starts to make another comment to Jay in Kashidian, coming up exceedingly short. "Mr....Veruzac, yes. We have a shared ... acquaintance." His picking on Jay seems to be entirely thrown off.

Ryoshia walks back over to Jay's side and watches the goings on from the front row. Woo hoo!

Kya mutters softly. "Dunno. I can't /see/ anything in the land of the giants over there."

Briga considers the disturbance for a brief moment, It does not concern her...so why should she care?

Roland makes an amused noise. "I hear you," he comments dryly then fumbles slightly for his drink, raising it to drink.

Isis walks back over to Briga, Roland, and Kyara. "Just trying to save that girl from making a HUGE mistake.

For some reason that makes Tarrant all but lose the step, although it's easily covered for. His smile is bemused as he nods, "Believe in them, or understand them, yes." Thankfully the dancing at that point stops, so he can't make more of a fool of himself.

Terrence's lips thin slightly as he nods slowly. "I thought so," he mutters, then lifts his eyes to the ceiling and mutters vaguely in Hellenic. Good thing Niko and Ela aren't here anymore. "Novinha's boy?" For once, the slimeball merely seems tired.

Aliana peers down at herself, then at Isis..looking rather befuddled after her.

Tara beams, collecting on her bets. She bet on Riley, see.

Isis gets another glass of green goop, and looks around. "How come everything has stopped?"

Gee, it's a good thing Riley took off the penguin nose, he's already feeling foolish enough having had to snag his jaw up a bit and all. Composure is however regained and he nods simply, "My mother, yes."

Corian, with another murmured apology to Tarrant, moves closer to Riley and company. She's fairly unobtrusive--well, about as unobtrusive as a six foot-tall walking tree can be--and definitely quiet.

Jay glances back and forth between cousin and... whatever Terrence is. He does, however, keep quiet, for the moment at any rate.

Isis says, "Who started this whle mess, again? I missed that part."

Clara is by now coming up behind Riley as well and staring at Terrence rather intently, arms folded.

Everything hasn't stopped of course, the bulk of the ball is altogether unaware in fact.

Isis notices this, and decides to ignore what's gong on, and try to get to know some people around here.

Roland shrugs. "Wrong person to ask," he says of himself and sets the glass down on the table heavily.

Aliana finally has a nose worthy of her curiousity and she watches quietly.

"Yeah, well. Just your lucky day, isn't it, son?" Terrence offers somewhat apologetically. "Nikolaos said you were here." Hey, he does know Niko's name. "Well. Hmpf." And there are -women- around to watch his discomfiture. This is getting worse.

Tarrant stays a polite distance back, speaking briefly again with Death.

Briga has her back to the whole business...Not her affair.

Ryoshia all ready took him for a creep so is actually quite enjoying this. She glances back up at Jay's face, trying to read it. Once upon a time...

Isis walks back over to where briga, roland, and Kyara are, but namages to slightly trip over a pair of 3" platform heels.

Corian, like Clara, is fairly near Riley, if behind him and somewhat to one side. Her arms aren't folded, but instead resting lightly at her sides. Of course, the intent look is there as well.

Isis sighs, and mumbles, "Ayda's shoes."

"Oh yes, I'm thrilled," Riley's tone is one of dry amusement. "See the thrilled waves?" He nods, "Odd, that a couple of your by-blows ended up in once place. But then as many of them as there likely are, perhaps the odds are not so outrageous." Riley doesn't seem upset, just sardonically amused.

Isis picks up the heels, and asks, "Does anyone here want a pair of white 3" platform heels from the wardrobe of ayda?"

Jay's eyebrows rise slowly, and he gives Terrence a somewhat stunned perusal.

Terrence snorts vaguely, although both the women flanking his erstwhile byblow get somewhat nervous looks. These suddenly have lost all hit-upon-ability. Maybe. Depends on how much ouzo he can get into them. "Lots of thrilled waves, sure. And there are only three of you, lad. I'm quite certain of that."

Briga is close enough to have heard that, "Funny" She notes softly, 'He doesn't look that old."

Kyara taps Roland's hand as she rises. "I'll go see what's going on." It's times like this she enjoys being small, as she slips through the crowd. The scene she finds brighs her up short, her expression turning uneasy.

Isis shrugs, and puts the heels on the floor again.

Riley is Zorro's son. That explains everything, doesn't it?

Roland nods his head at where he thinks the tap came from, quite the other direction as it turns out.

Aliana is close enough to have heard that, "Funny" She notes softly, 'He doesn't look that old." (sigh)

"Certain? As certain as you were..." Riley shakes his head calmly, "Neither the time nor the place, my apologies. It is certainly an honor, if perhaps a dubious one, to meet you at last, sir. Please, do not let me impede your enjoyment of the evening. Although if you could refrain from sparking further argument, you would find me appreciative of the fact."

Tara glances up from tabulating her winnings. "Hmmm? Who doesn't look how old?"

Corian, unfortunately for Terrence, rarely drinks alcoholic beverages. She nods fractionally at Riley's words, though, of course, her mask hides her expression. Something about the light of her gray eyes, however, suggests that said expression might not be too pleasant, just now.

Isis says to Tara, "Terrence doesn't look old enough to have riley for a son."

Aliana indicates Terrence with her beak,'I thought I just heard Riley say something about By-blows'

Tara catches Isis' remark, blinks at Ali, and ends up staring in the direction of Terrence and Riley. "Well, whatta ya know. I've been right all these years... he really /is/ a..." At that moment a glass crashes to the floor, breaking and drowning her out.

Terrence glances down at Aliana, smile softening rather significantly as he shakes his head. "More than old enough, dear lady. "More." He tilts his head back at Riley, then nods slowly. "An honor to meet you as well, lad, without the dubiousness. Your mother is a remakable woman." He straightens in the attempt to regain a bit of suavity. "Fear not. I'll behave." And with a swirl of cape, he's off and through the crowd, eventually just a smudge of black at the far side of the room.

Aliana peers at Tara 'A what?' Her voice contains a slight edge to it.

Tara repeats it, for Ali's ears only.

Isis starts giggling. Maybe it's because of all that's going on. Maybe someone spiked the punch that she is drinking.

Riley simply shakes his head as the man leaves, turning back to Clara and giving Corian a nodded greeting and a perhaps half-hearted smile. "Where were things?"

Ryoshia glances at Riley's face, then at Terrence's face before he swept away, very dubiously. My, this is interesting. She glances up at Jay. "Jay," she asks softly.

Jay, a bit distracted, glances down at Ryo. "Hmmm?"

Kyara, her expression a bit troubled, withdraws quietly to return to Roland's side. "Whatever it was, it's over," she tells him.

Isis stops gigling. "Well, I must leave. It was nice meeting you, Briga, Roland, Kyara, but I am tired. If a fight breaks out, or something else interesting, please tell me tomorrow."

Aliana looks very amused by that, She mutters to Tara, "And... is a... some..."

Corian casts a thoughtful look after Terrence. One hand lifts briefly, touching Riley's shoulder, and she shakes her head. "You and Clara were going to enjoy the remainder of your evening," she suggests, a hint of a smile visible through the gapes in her leafy mask.

Briga offers Isis a quick bow, 'rest well'

Isis shakes hands with the three people, and heads towards the door.

Ryoshia raises hers brows, barely noticable underneath the mask. "What in the world is going on? Are you related to that... guy?" she asks, in absence of any better adjectives that are appropiate.

Tara's mouth quirks. "I wouldn't say that. Not any more at any rate. The term's generally used in reference to those one does not like, however."

Clara watches the masked man sweep off, insinuating herself a bit closer to Riley thoughtfully. "I think I'd like that, love. Still up to it?" she offers, giving Corian a grateful smile in return.

Isis stops, goes back, gets the ridiculous platform heels, and walks out the door.

Isis walks towards the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Isis has left.

Jay blinks, and quickly shakes his head. "Oh, hell no. It's... um, it's complicated. A very long story."

Roland nods his head vaguely in the direction of Isis, noticably being left puzzled by the sudden shaking of his hand. He turns back to Kyara after he's regained his composure. "What was going on?"

Aliana ahhs softly, 'Well, it also applies to me.' Her gaze moves around the room.

Kyara shrugs helplessly. "I'm not sure, honestly. Riley had it taken care of by the time I got there."

Ryoshia is noticably relieved by this. "Good, good, I don't think I'd be able to look at you the same way. Riley though... this /is/ complicated." She glances off the latter man's direction then back at Jay.

Tara shrugs slightly, glancing in the black smudge's direction. "Now why couldn't he have shown up here months ago?"

Riley nods to Corian, offering a smile before turning to Clara, "As I'll ever be, certainly. Lead on?"

Roland nods his head. "Quite the hero," he comments then takes a sip of his drink.

Kyara nods. "He always is."

Jay nods his agreement with that. "Shall we go back to the dancing, my dear, or would you prefer a break?"

Roland smiles and shakes her head. "Dancing will do for now," she says.

Corian watches her brother and his lady for a moment, then glances to determine Tarrant's location before turning to head after Terrence, wherever he went.

Ryoshia smiles and shakes her head. "Dancing will do for now," she says.

Aliana indicates Terrence with her beak..its quite handy for many thing, maybe she'll keep it. "Nows your chance'

Tarrant must have been abducted by Death or something, as he's not within sight at least. Although the ox is still present, seated in a chair and looking as if it would like very much to dance as well, so he must still be around somewhere.

Clara makes a valient attempt to snare one of the Security Chief's hands and fairly well drag him over towards the refreshments before securing a pair of glasses and handing one over. "You'd never met him before, had you?" she murmurs.

Terrence is well on the other side of the room, and for once not attempting to romance the socks off of anything female. Nor male, for that matter. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Instead, he's found a single glass full of clear liquid, and is sipping at it thoughtfully.

Tara contemplates Terrence for a few moments, then shakes her head. "No... no, I'll wait til a better time, like when the by-blow isn't around. He'd have a fit of apoplexy laughing that hard, and then Dr. Aleron'd skin me alive."

Jay nods, reaching for Ryo's hand with a smile. "Whatever you desire, my dear."

Corian pauses in front of Terrence. "Mr. Veruzac?" Her voice is perfectly pleasant. "Do you have a moment?"

Long distance to Terrence: Corian could maybe -sound- like Novinha, if you want him to have the figurative heart attack? ;)

Riley is more than willing to be drug along afterwards, and to accept a drink. Dancing being thirsty work and all. He shakes his head to the question, "I hadn't, although I did strive for relative politeness. I could have been kinder I suppose."

Ryoshia returns the smile and places her hand in his. "Lead on, sir," she says to him.

Terrence's brows lift as he focuses on the tree before him. A tree with decidedly feminine curves. Never mind that the tree was one of the women flanking his eldest son protectively. At the voice, though, his smile fades and he takes a step back. "Novinha? Impossible..."

Jay leads. Then he does more leading, as he sweeps Ryo into a waltz. Recovering completely from being stunned, he does seem to be enjoying himself. And, ever mindful of the feathery guy outside, he keeps his hands in the proper places on Ryo through sheer willpower.

Clara reaches up to squeeze one tuxedo clad arm reassuringly, offering, "You did fine, love. Considering the circumstances." Her gaze filters past towards some of the others before she notes quietly, "We really should say hello to a few people. I think I see someone over there that either drank her own coffee or got into my supply of methaline blue."

A tree grows in Linnae? Well... yes, lots of them do, this isn't Brooklyn. But this particular tree--namely Corian--is a bit startled, and sounds it. "It is highly improbable, yes, but I do not believe it impossible. After all, there seem to be several others associated with you here on Linnae."

Riley nods pleasantly to Clara, remaining in carefully polite mode. He sips his drink and then re-dons the penguin nose. "Lead on, love."

Ryoshia beams pleasently up at her partner in dancing. "So tell me," she asks in a conversational tone, "have you ever danced with a devil in the pale moon-light?"

Jay looks fairly amused at that. "No... but you are."

"Novinha...all these years," Terrence manages, eyes all but popping out of the mask as he gestures with his free hand. "Look at you. Young and beautiful and..." He cuts off, sobering and stifling his words before becoming maudlin.

Roland turns his head towards Kyara. "Do these glasses make me look fat?" he asks in all seriousness.

Clara gives Riley an undisguised look of concern before quelling it and leading on as suggested over towards Kyara and Roland. "Blue's a good color on you, Kya. DeMario...how's the eyes? I got the report this morning."

"And her daughter," Corian finishes, a hint of an undiscernable emotion touching her voice. "Please forgive me, sir. I did not mean to deceive you. She is my mother. I am Corian Treston.""

Riley finally manages to spot Kyara in the crowd as he follows Clara there. He stifles a snicker, startling from other thoughts. "Kya, you're a smurf." Hello, Mr. Obvious?

Terrence inhales sharply. This requires a drink, and he takes one. "Her daughter. -Not- my daughter?" he asks, almost pleadingly, then clears his throat. "What can I do for you, Miss Treston?"

Kya giggles at Roland. "Not at all. They make you look dashing." She turns at hearing her name, and gives a grin. "You wouldn't believe how long it took to mix the right color dye." Riley gets a beam. "Somebody recognized the costume!" She's elated.

Briga peers at Roland, tail twitching from side to side. As Riley and Clara approach she offers both of them a gracious bow, 'Good Evening'

Roland turns his head next towards Clara's direction. "I don't think these glasses are very becoming of me," he notes to the person slightly to the right and behind the doc. He turns his head back to Kya and shrugs. "They feel bulky."

Riley guesses it might be bad to make a Beauty is in the eye of the beholder joke just this moment.

Only if seeing Kya turn purple from the conflicting blush is bad.

Corian shakes her head quickly. "I am not your daughter, no, sir." She feels it necessary to add, voice still smooth and altogether pleasant, "My father stayed, you see." With a fractional shake of her head, she adds, "But this is hardly the time or the place to discuss this, as has been said. What you can do for me is to spare a bit of your time. There are some questions I have that perhaps you can answer."

Riley nods to Kyara, snickering. "What, couldn't just spike some coffee?" He returns Briga's bow, hand held to his heart. "Good evening, delegate."

Clara stifles a faint grin, then catches her breath at Briga and offers a pleasant smile. "Delegate, good evening. Why, what a purely smashing costume," she adds to Riley's greetings, inclining her head.

Ryoshia glances up at the ceiling and ohs. "So I am." That moment of distraction is enough for her not to see that wild couple come back around, crash course.

Did I say purple? Make it puce. Kya manages a snicker. "They don't let me near the coffee with mysterious packages anymore." Le sigh.

Tensing slightly, Terrence notes very, very calmly (not like anyone else we know, nope), "Your father, then, had more than several ounces of sense." Head tilting a bit warily, he asks, "What precisely is it you want of me?"

Briga's whiskers fairly quiver in her delight at the praise, 'Thank you very much.' Her own town seems rather genuine as she says softly, 'You are looking beautiful as well.'

Roland tilts his head to the side slightly. "I thought smurfs were blue, not green."

"Gee, I can't imagine -why-," Riley's tone is pleasantly teasing. "I mean -I'd- trust you with coffee." He nods at Briga's comment in regards to Clara's apparel, glancing rather appreciatively at the doctor. You can almost here the little woohoo cells firing.

Clara drops her eyes in a depricating gesture, shaking her head. "Amazing what an old-fashioned dress will do for a girl." Riley gets an almost invisible and unobtrusive poke in the ribs. "You're sure you didn't raid my methaline supply, Kya?"

Well, unobtrusive if it weren't for Riley's unrequired and overdramatic, "Ack, I am poke'd."

Corian regards Terrence for a moment, then says, pleasant tone touched with perhaps a hint of apology, "Please forgive me. That comment was most unnecessary, and not especially kind. As for what I want of you, it is quite simple--answers, a bit of time. I promise I will try to refrain from further unkind comments." She almost continues, there, but then doesn't, with a shake of her head. It wouldn't be kind, after all, to say where she's heard similar comments.

Kyara rolls her eyes, amused. "I'm never going to hear the end of that one." She peers curiously at Clara, perking up. "Methaline? No... sounds like interesting stuff though." A thought strikes her, but the imagined reaction to the entire Security force making like smurfs evokes a shudder. Besides, most of 'em aren't short enough.

Terrence lifts his glass to regard the clear contents for a moment, then half smiles at the tree-woman. "My dear, I'm entirely used to such comments, and you should feel free to speak your mind. Of course, I'll answer any questions for you. Perhaps over lunch?" He gestures with the glass, almost amused. "A comfortably public place?"

You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.

Corian considers Terrence's words. "I am not sure how prudent that would be, though I appreciate your intentions." Could hearing that phrase be a first for Terrence? "There are certain subjects, after all, that should not be discussed in public." Like her mother's sex life.

Riley makes a quiet ack sound, draining the rest of his drink. "Love, you're giving the impling -ideas-..."

Roland notes, with all brilliance, "Isn't Methaline that blue crystal stuff we got to play with in 9th grade science in basic?"

Briga offers in Kya's defense..if only she knew,'Kyara would never tamper with peoples food...She is to nice.' Zaeltan aims a glare Tara-wards and mutters, "unlike some people"

Clara casts a wink up at Riley and mutters a few adjectives at him before laughing at Kya. "Come talk to me one of these days and we'll discuss the pleasantries of said chemical." An innocent look goes up to Riley, or as innocent as a woman in a cancan dress can get. "Me? Perish the thought. I'm not sure, Roland," she adds. "It is blue, though. Very, very blue. Very blue indeed."

Roland almost gives the Doc a puzzled look, he misses. "Blue-blue as in that very-very much blue? Indeed blue?"

Jay acks softly, steering Ryo well out of the path of the tipsy dancers headed their way. In the course of said action, he's forced... really... to pull her close to him. "Never fear, my dear, I'll keep you safe."

Terrence's brows quirk up, almost visibly under the mask before he nods slowly. "As you wish." Okay, that's Ryo's line, but he's in black too. "I'll leave the time and place to your liking, then, my dear. My schedule is quite flexible, for all that I can study and write at any time of day."

Riley shifts a bit closer to Clara, one hand lightly on her shoulder as he stands there amiably. "Evil woman, you know that? If all of Security ends up blue..."

Kyara snickers, eyes twinkling, well, impishly at Riley. "Now now, ideas aren't bad..." She gives Clara an eager nod. "Sounds good to me. Hmmm. There seems to be a whole rainbow of chemicals out there..." SHe trails off, coughing as Riley speaks.

Corian inclines her head to Terrence. "Many thanks, sir. I do appreciate your willingness to help. I am uncertain what my schedule will be like for the next several days; may I contact you when I have more information?"

Clara goes so far as to flutter her eyelashes up at Riley in overly patent innocence. "Me? I though I was insane?" she offers, almost pouting before winking at Kyara. "There are, but don't go experimenting, okay? I'd end up with half of Security in my office and unhappy."

Kyara does gives Briga a grateful look, but it's very amused at the same time.

Ryoshia snickers quietly, glancing over her shoulder to watch the pair zoom by. "My eternal thanks," she says then looks down at their proximity, her smile returning to his face.

Terrence downs the last of his drink and reaches into a pocket, pulling out a business card and offering it. "My comm code is there, as well as the number of my hotel room on the back. Call me at your leisure, and I'll help however I may." He hesitates, regarding the glass. "Can I ask...how's your mother?"

Corian murmurs a quiet thankyou as she takes the card. Only one problem--she doesn't really have anywhere to put it. After a moment, she tucks the card inside one of her gloves, briefly revealing a hint of greenish-yellow beneath. "She is well," she says, absently smoothing her sleeve into place. "She is busy, of course--she always is. But she is happy." She does not, it may be noted, offer to pass along greetings.

Riley beams at Clara, "That too love, you must be." He nods, "No blue people. Err, other than you, Kya."

Briga considers Kya for a long moment, then decides, 'I do not wish to be be blue'

Roland frowns slightly in a decidedly frustrated manner and takes a sip of his drink, setting it back down with careful ease.

Terrence half-smiles and shakes his head, neither does he ask for greetings to be passed. Not this time. "Very good. I'd hoped she was." He removes the hat for a moment to rub at graying curls. "Was there anything else, Miss Treston? I'm beginning to think this old man's had enough excitement for one night."

Kyara shakes her head firmly to Clara. "I wouldn't do that to the folks to Security." Mouth quirking in amusement, she reaches for her glass. "Indeed. One blue person is more than enough."

Jay grins down at Ryo, arms loose enough about her that she could pull away if she chose. "Eternal? My my, I'm moving up in the galaxy."

Corian shakes her head, a hint of a smile in her voice. "There is nothing else, sir. Many thanks for your time, and I will contact you within the next few days." She offers a graceful bow, one hand lightly on her heart. "Enjoy the remainder of your evening."

Clara stretches up to murmur at Riley briefly, then leans forward to pat Roland's shoulder. "I'd say keep an eye out on Kyara, DeMario, but in this case, I'll settle for you keeping her company. Keep faith. You'll be out of the shades in no time."

Roland offers a grin at the source of the pat and voice. "I thought I always wore shades though?"

Riley nods to Clara, leaning down to reply.

Terrence returns the bow in a half-remembered gesture, even if whatever he knew of the language at one point is long forgoten. "Enjoy yours as well, m'dear," he offers, then heads off through the crowd. Alone. This is a first.

Tara has been thoughtfully staring into her glass all this time, and now murmurs something to the effect of being happy to keep an eye on Kya.

Ryoshia nods. "Devils often do, I hear," she says, apperently not minding the closeness at all.

Kyara rolls her eyes, amused. "I don't need eyes kept on me, /Mom/."

Aliana offers a bow as she finishes a dance with a hamster..She glances around the room and heads for the punch.

Clara can't suppress a grin at the blue Kyara before poking Roland in the arm gently. "You know what I mean, mister. Fine. Then you keep an eye on -him-, Kya," she charges, albeit with a briefly significant look, then nods back up at Riley and replies.

Corian looks after Terrence for a long moment, then, with a shake of her head, finally turns to seek her poor, neglected escort. Hopefully, Death has returned him intact.

Terrence walks towards the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Terrence has left.

Roland rubs his arm, demanding, "Who did that?"

Tarrant is indeed intact, and Death-less, seated off to one side, next to the ox, watching the ebb and flow of the people attending. Or seems to be at least. His expression is quite thoughtful.

Clara finishes her own drink and sets the cup on a nearby abandoned table before holding a hand out to her tuxedo'd companion. "I did, DeMario," she offers with a laugh. "Sorry."

Briga peers between Clara and Kya, ear tufts perking forward curiously

Kyara raises fake yellow eyebrows at the look, but nods. "A very close eye on him, yes'm."

Corian finally spots Tarrant, and crosses lightly to sit next to him. "My apologies, van'chela. There was that which I needed to do. I did not intend to abandon you for quite so long."

Riley accepts Clara's hand, looking somewhat bemused. He offers the others a polite wave and a half bow.

Roland ohs. "I can forgive you then," he says and reaches for his drink only to knock what little was left over. A sharp comment escapes him as he fumbles around for a towel.

Tarrant glances up as Corian moves near and seats herself, smiling. "Not a problem a'tall. I got dragged off a bit anyhow, so the timing was well enough."

Clara has already lost track of the rest of the room, focusing rather on her partner. Now honestly, she's supposed to resist an overtall penguin? Not likely. "Lead on?"

Kya gives a cheerful wave, only to ack and hastily begin mopping up Roland's drink.

Albert walks here from the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Albert has arrived.

Corian's brows lift fractionally, though the mask hides that. "Dragged off?" she echoes. "I do hope that all is well."

Roland murmers a sorry, sensing Kyara cleaning up the mess.

Jay laughs softly, bending down... aiming to brush his lips against Ryo's.

Riley does so, edging through the crowd and leading to the dance floor with its waltzing couples. Finding a space he leads Clara into it, grinning.

Albert pauses just inside the doorway, countenance lighting almost gleefully at the scene, even if it has calmed down a bit. He starts to make his way inwards, pausing every few feet to offer greetings to various individuals, then finally come to a stop. "I'm here. Start the party," he mutters, vastly cheerful.

Albert

Rather tall and lanky at just a couple inches above six feet in height, this elderly gentleman's face is creased with the lines that only many years of laughter and enjoying whatever life may have offered could bring. Solid gray hair is rather sparse on top, a shine of pattern baldness showing beneath the few wisps that are grown long. No combing it over to hide the shiny dome, though, goodness no. The thicker cotton white hair above his ears and on the back of his head is combed back to be secured with a black elastic band, curls falling to his shoulders. A pair of wireframe glasses perch on a slightly beaky nose, which sets off a magnificently shaggy iron gray moustache. His speech is perfectly understandable, although lyrical with the rather quaint Germanic accent of his native language.

With an additional toupee on top, and both real and helpful hair being fluffed out into absent-minded wildness, the elderly maestro is rather more reminiscent of another, long-deceased Albert. Rather baggy brown pants fall somewhat rumpled to sensible shoes. A plain white shirt sports a plaid orange and brown bowtie, while the brown tweed sports coat is labeled with an adhesive tag sporting 'Hello my name is...Alberto Einsteinio'. Even his moustache has been fluffed up into proper eccentricity.

Tarrant glances briefly towards the dance floor, but nods. "Well enough certainly. And you?" This last is said with a meaningful nod towards the rumplekeruff site.

Kyara shakes her head with a smile. "Don't worry about it, Rol." She takes the mess to dispose of it, getting more drinks on the way back for herself and her companions. At the doorway, she pauses, giving Albert a delighted smile. "Sir! Very glad you could make it."

Ryoshia just happens to lean back obliviously right at that moment, offering a small wave to Clara and Riley as she sees them enter the dance floor.

Aliana sips her punch, then Kyara's voice attracts her attention and she glances to the doorway with a smile...then chuckles softly as she murmers,'I See him now'

Corian inclines her head, gaze flicking briefly to the dance floor as well. "Quite well, thank you, though I anticipate an unpleasant conversation or two as repercussions." She makes a dismissive gesture, adding, "But it is of no moment, for now. Do you have any preferences in what we do now?"

Clara flashes Jay and his masked companion a brief smile as she dips just enough to lift the edge of her skirt and easily spin into the waltz. "That's better. Now you look like that smile might actually mean it," she teases her partner.

Albert moves forward at the greeting, eyes lighting further as he recognizes the little blue woman. "Kyara? Mein kind, -look- at you! You've been dipped in ink!" He clicks his heels together and half bows at the others as well. "Good evening, all."

Tarrant shakes his head, smiling and gesturing to the room at large. "The world is your oddly gray shellfish. I just came along for comic relief, I have no preferences."

Riley looks a bit sheepish, but eases into the dance with equal...well...ease. "It is difficult to be unhappy when dancing with a beautiful woman."

Oh that's right. Tempt Jay. His gaze follows Clara's leg even as he aims for that kiss with Ryo.

Corian inquires of Tarrant, rather tentatively, "Would you mind if we left? It has been quite a while--I have stayed twice what Honalee suggested."

Kyara giggles, shaking her head. "No, I threw out that option days ago." She peers up at the Maestro's hair. "Ooooh. Pity that do's not regulation."

Poor Jay. And the leg is even encased in fishnet. Eyes on the proper girl, boyo. Clara seems oblivious to the gaze as hers is focused on the elder of the cousins adoringly. "Oh? Better tell me who she is. I'll scratch her eyes out," she explains with a wink.

Tarrant shakes his head, moving to gather his ox and climb to his feet. He offers Corian a hand up, saying, "I don't mind in the slightest. And you'll have to tell Honalee that, maybe she'll be less inclined to chivvy you into further evils?" Okay, proof he doesn't know her.

Albert gestures at a seat rather hopefully. "What, this?" He pats at his hair, rather amused. "Tis a rug, my girl. Fake as the day is long. Amusing though, no?"

Briga peers at Albert's do and offers generously,'I have a brush.'

There's a hint of an eye roll, but then Riley's gaze returns rather adoringly. "Silly Clara." And, one, two, three, and... "Well, something pleasant came out of the vid people at least."

Kyara glances over her shoulder toward Roland, and impulsively offers Albert one of the drinks she's carrying, taking a few steps in Roland's direction. "No. I mean yes!" Another giggle. "It's very amusing. Who's Alberto Einsteinio?"

Corian murmurs a quiet thankyou as she makes use of the hand up, absently straightening the skirt of her dress as she rises. Of course, tight as it is, it didn't even remotely wrinkle. "I find that somewhat unlikely, but it will please her, at least."

"Never claimed to be otherwise, my dear," Clara replies, utterly unperterbed. "Pleasant? From the -vid- people? Riley Addison, are you sure you're quite sober?"

Tarrant offers his arm to escort Corian from the room. The ox gets the other. He heads towards the exit.

Corian doesn't even seem remotely nonplussed to share her escort with an ox, even if it's only a little blue ox. She murmurs farewells to the folks who offer them to her, moving gracefully with the taller man.

Aliana offers the pair a bow as they walk by her, 'Good Evening.'

"One drink, one drink, I promise I'm sober." Riley grins as he hurries to protest. "No, I meant this dance. Chaos to arrange, but still, a single moment of whimsy in a non-whimsical world."

Albert accepts the drink affably, following the Smurf without drinking. "An ancient scientist back on Earth," he offers. "An amazing man, and a fellow of the ethnic extraction that produced my own. And gray-haired. It was either come as him or Samual Clemmons." Briga gets a warm smile and a slight bow. "My gratitude, dear lady, but for tonight, the muss is quite appropriate."

Between leg distraction, and Ryo's leaning... well, Jay straightens back abruptly after missing his balance. Missing a girl's lips is not the suavest of things to do, but he recovers smoothly and continues the dance.

Ryoshia glances up at Jay, noting his distraction for later.

Jay is in trouble, isn't he?

Tarrant walks towards the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Tarrant has left.

You walk towards the Aerie Hotel Lobby.

Aerie Hotel Lobby

Exotic and elegant, the Aerie Hotel's lobby is awash with color. The arching walls curve overhead, forming a dome. The upper section of the dome is of clear plasglass, allowing a view of the rooms above, and allowing resort guests to peek into the lobby. The lower sections of the walls are bright with gryphonic art: paintings and feathers and sculptures of all media. Gryphon-staff mill about the room, especially at the west end of the room, where a large desk suggests a check-in point. Closer to the center of the room, couches and large cushions intersperse with tables, allowing places for guests to meet.

Contents:

Tarrant

Islien

Meloss

Obvious exits:

Wide Stairway Ballroom Verge

You walk here from the Obsidian Feather Ballroom.

Meloss chirrs to the pair as they pass. (( Hhxptwdqx yzyyxdq had tkk wxthtnxtpkvwtksh twxt.cpnvxnhgwhv )) Aside to Islien, (( I kvhtkwxth tqdx ddxq shcxwphtvt xdhhwvwtxq xndrxndqkrdkrt-q vcphtgn because I wtxdhqwx ttwhxh sxrrrdwnqtxhw nwtxhdqx rrqxdr qtdxw hnvcpts.g ))

Islien clucks happily...she makes a good chicken..no?

Tarrant offers a polite nod to Meloss and Islien, he'd wave, but Corian's on one arm, and there's an ox beneath the other. H

Corian pauses as she catches the unusual language, then, after a moment in which she convinces herself that, no, she's -not- going to stay here and torment the poor gryphon until she can understand the speech, murmurs a pleasant farewell to the pair.

Tarrant walks towards the Aerie Hotel Verge.

Tarrant has left.

You walk towards the Aerie Hotel Verge.

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