PL IC Thread IX++ //Oddsbodikins & Atomic Kittens//

[Cerillium]

Kale grinned to Toscha. "You picked out the mask silly!" she said, "But thank you anyways I didn't think what I would pick out would look good, since I know barely anything about clothes. she giggled. "You look great as well Toscha," she said, "So... you want to link arms? That's what you do when you enter balls, right?"

"I think that's what we're supposed to do." Toscha nodded and took Kale's arm, wrapping it around his as he looked to the door. Right before they started to make their entrance, however, both Drova and Yuna entered themselves, not holding arms, as both of them had dates that they were to meet in the Ballroom together. Drova went looking around the Ballroom for Torii, and Yuna started looking for whoever she could find who wanted to dance.

"Princess Yuna?"

The young, masked man presented a proper bow to the princess. It was difficult to discern his identity; his accent was no different than a Templars' own. The cropped sandy-blonde hair didn't stand out as anything too special, although it seemed military in nature, and his party clothing was modern.

"May I have this dance?" the lad politely requested.

[Fvaarniimar]

Nick scampered into the ballroom, immediately pausing.. It would take him several minutes to accustom himself to what amounted to a sensory din. Light glinting off almost every surface, such noise... Pleasant noise, some of it, but his ears still hurt! The bustle of people... Eyes narrowed to slits, emphasizing the blue, and ears flattened slightly.

Rmwtyliin - coming of course from a time before refrigeration, water purification, etc were well understood - sniffed at a few nonalcoholic beverages before heading for the alcohol and doing the same. Blue-gray eyes widened - that stuff was STRONG, even in scent. (At least, it was compared to the dilute alcohols typical in medieval times.) She picked up a glass of something which fizzed, sounding out the term on the platter for Duncan. It turned out, according to the translation, to be a fermented fruit drink; as her previous main beverage could also have been so described, the girl - who didn't appear older than ten - raised her glass, ready to imbibe.

Kwa'a, on the other hand, knew of modern sanitation and didn't feel that such a magical sort of evening should be relegated to a blur in memory. She'd have time to drink, later, if she so chose; for the moment, she selected a clear beverage. An almost-spicy taste proved a pleasant surprise, and when done she took a second glass from the same platter. Sipping this, she walked over to Reginald. Others, after all, were dancing. She didn't wish to be left out, and she'd actually interacted with the man - he'd seemed nice enough. "In dance join me? As neighbors?" An outstretched hand (light brown, bearing only a few thin rings in various metals) would further serve to convey the Bomic's intent.

Reginald looked at Kwa'a and smiled. He was not expecting some one asking him to dance since he barley knew anyone in the building or the palace. He then said to her," Yes i shall accept your invitation to dance". He then got up and took her hand.

The foreigner rather quickly encountered a problem. "You do any of dances these know?" Reginald would find the other hand being moved upwards, as though to be set on the woman's red-tinged brown hair. Midway through so doing, however, Kwa'a frowned - after hesitating a moment, she linked the hand with his, and lowered it, black lace shrug flexing as she did so.

[The BranRiech]

Kale blushed as Toscha took her arm and wrapped it around his. As they walked in, she was blushing as red as a cherry. "So many friends! Oh, they'll think we're dating!" she thought to herself. Luckily for her, the mask covered most of her face, covering those rose red cheeks.

"So... Toscha," she said in a slightly embarrassed tone, "You wanna go grab a drink or something?"

"Oh, they won't think that, I mean, come on." He rolled his eyes, chuckling as he slithered himself into the Ballroom, looking at all the people, he didn't know many of them, and the ones he did know were obscured by their masks. He shook his head. "I mean, I suppose it's easy to tell who I am with the tail, but still, I like the mask, and heck, I'd love something to drink."

--

Yuna, standing near the edge of the Ballroom, watched everyone else file in with their partners. She didn't expect, however, for someone to actually approach her. As was the same with Toscha, Yuna wasn't very hard to spot out of the guests either. Maybe it was her wings or something that made her recognizable, or her striking orange eyes, or her different skin color (Well, if someone was really dumb, they might mistake her for Drova if that was the case).

"I-I'm flattered, I'd love to give you this dance." She replied, stretching a dainty hand outward.

[Rygondria]

Reginald looked at Kwa'a and smiled. He was not expecting some one asking him to dance since he barley knew anyone in the building or the palace. He then said to her," Yes i shall accept your invitation to dance". He then got up and took her hand.

The foreigner rather quickly encountered a problem. "You do any of dances these know?" Reginald would find the other hand being moved upwards, as though to be set on the woman's red-tinged brown hair. Midway through so doing, however, Kwa'a frowned - after hesitating a moment, she linked the hand with his, and lowered it, black lace shrug flexing as she did so.

Reginald thought for a minute. He then said," Yes, I do know a dance or two. Absolutely despised learning them but i knew they would come in handy.So shall we got towards the dance floor"?

[The Carlisle]

"I guess...." she said. When they reached the table, Kale poured herself on of the flavored sparkling water. She took a sip, grinning at it's sweetness. "Wow, I like this! Want one?" she said, "Oh, I never asked before. How old are you Toscha?"

[Fvaarniimar]

The foreigner rather quickly encountered a problem. "You do any of dances these know?" Reginald would find the other hand being moved upwards, as though to be set on the woman's red-tinged brown hair. Midway through so doing, however, Kwa'a frowned - after hesitating a moment, she linked the hand with his, and lowered it, black lace shrug flexing as she did so.

Reginald thought for a minute. He then said," Yes, I do know a dance or two. Absolutely despised learning them but i knew they would come in handy.So shall we got towards the dance floor"?

Kwa'a's forehead scrunched up, fine lines forming. I'd thought this was the dance floor... "We shall." Hopefully we won't look too silly... Well, if we were making it up as we went along, we'd just look sillier, wouldn't we? Perhaps some small talk would be pleasant. "You are then fond not of dancing?"

Hundreds of feet away, Nick decided to check out the ballroom. Going out on the floor, given his size, struck him as a Very Bad Idea. He'd started to circle the ballroom when he spotted Willow. Perhaps the winged pony wouldn't mind giving him a boost? It was worth asking. He was pretty sure that he could avoid ripping the suit - oh, no, the suit! What if his -Sapphire's - ribbon wasn't enough for this sort of thing? He set a paw above the hoof.
<Hi?>

[Germanic Templars]

Thriller kept a close eye on Rmwtyliin, unsure whether or not if they were of age or not. However, rather then just sit back and watch, he walked up and knelt next to them and asked, "So, how is your evening going? By the way, you must be new, may I have the honor of knowing you?"

[Cerillium]

Yuna, standing near the edge of the Ballroom, watched everyone else file in with their partners. She didn't expect, however, for someone to actually approach her. As was the same with Toscha, Yuna wasn't very hard to spot out of the guests either. Maybe it was her wings or something that made her recognizable, or her striking orange eyes, or her different skin color (Well, if someone was really dumb, they might mistake her for Drova if that was the case).

"I-I'm flattered, I'd love to give you this dance." She replied, stretching a dainty hand outward.

The young man's mouth wasn't hidden by his mask; he bestowed a warm smile on Yuna and then brought her to the dance floor.

"Thanks for not saying "no" back there," he sighed. "I didn't really think things through. I didn't have a backup plan in place. You look very pretty tonight, Princess Yuna. I suppose I should have said that first, huh?"



Ogoti couldn't help but to smile at Dora's observation. "Give Torii time. She's young and rash although I believe you'll find that she's grow much this past year."

He took note of the others around them and winked at his companion. "Care to dance? I thought it might be a good excuse for catching up with each others lives. Besides, that dress is too lovely to be hidden behind a table."



The Masked Marcus sucked in a year's supply of air when Drova beat him to the girls. He actually hadn't expected people to pair up so quickly. Yuna had gone off with some guy, old Ogoti was already chatting up Dora. Kale was with the snake guy. Holy shit! But Drova was interested in Tora - Marcus could breathe out again. The lad threw caution to the wind.

Thirty steps away - Piece of cake. This is my bestest friend in the whole world. She won't laugh.

Twenty steps away - oh, wow, her hair looks so different. She's wearing a nice dress, too.

Ten steps away - woah, she has girl curves. Did she always have those?

Five steps away - c'mon man! don'tfuckupdon'tfuckupdon'tfuckup.

A step away and - ohshitIjust can'tdothis! - he passed her and stopped a few steps beyond.

This was silly. His fears were silly. Friends didn't hurt friend's feelings. Giovenith had always been honest with him even if that honesty was uncomfortable for both. He realized he was doing a disservice to her by not giving her the freedom to make a choice. He was essentially making her choice for her by convincing himself she'd reject the offer. The boy mentally kicked himself and then took several steps backward until he was in front of her once more.

"Sometimes," he began, "you find yourself face to face with something or someone otherworldly and magical. You don't dare to breathe because you don't want to spoil that moment, but then you realize that your breath has already been taken away by that beautiful thing or person. You stand there with your soul stirred and your heart bubbling, and it feels like all the joy in the universe had just set up shop in your stomach."

Marcus folded his hands in front of him. "Now that I have my breath back, may I have a dance, Giovenith? I'm not very skilled at it though, and I might step on your toes a few times."

[The BranRiech]

"I guess...." she said. When they reached the table, Kale poured herself on of the flavored sparkling water. She took a sip, grinning at it's sweetness. "Wow, I like this! Want one?" she said, "Oh, I never asked before. How old are you Toscha?"

"I'm 17, almost 18." Toscha nodded.

He shrugged. Alcoholic drinks were perfectly fine from where he was from, but considering that his old civilization was quite the opposite of civilized. He waved that off as some old tradition to be forgotten. If he wasn't allowed to drink, he'd respect the law. The Lamia had no interest in alcohol anyways.

"Mmm, I'll take a soda, if they have them."

--

Almost enraptured in the mystery of her dance partner, Yuna dared not ask the name of the boy.

"How could I ever say no to a dance? It's why we're all here, to dance and make merry." She smiled, following the man onto the dance floor for their first dance of the night. "And I'm flattered, a friend helped me pick out the dress and jewelry. You look quite fetching as well."

[Fvaarniimar]

Thriller kept a close eye on Rmwtyliin, unsure whether or not if they were of age or not. However, rather then just sit back and watch, he walked up and knelt next to them and asked, "So, how is your evening going? By the way, you must be new, may I have the honor of knowing you?"

"My name is Rmwtyliin Saagve Annvyeelee -" She broke off. Something just...seemed wrong. Given that she was among strangers in a strange world, and that she'd known already that sharing her family name could be dangerous (not to mention that she'd been omitting her title) she chose to pay attention to the feeling. Smoothly, she covered the slight lapse, glittering purple mask helping to cover a few subtle shifts in expression that, otherwise, might have given something away. "You are welcome to use a nickname. The names of my people typically seem to be difficult for foreigners to pronounce." Hopefully the nickname would be based on her first name; correcting an awkwardly intimate one would be quite, well, awkward. "I am..." What could be safely shared? "I am twelve years of age. And you are - well, you are the ruler here? Are you a knight?" Oh, no. I seem to have gone beyond chatter into embarrassing babble... "I ask that due to your armor." The Naasliiasz, of course, would seem considerably less ruffled than would most at meeting a royal personage.

[Giovenith]

"I like clouds. They're like rolling, profound architecture too good for us to live in."

"Well, I actually did live in cloud architecture for most of my life, soooo... thanks for the compliment?"

"Your welcome, if you're inclined to take it that way."

"Better than not."

Giovenith and Willow's necks ached from the upward crane they'd been locked in for a considerable time to take in the exquisite ceiling of the ballroom, along with the rest of the glowing luxury of the massive room. She, ever-appreciating the ethereal, liked the glow and the clouds, and though he preferred the modern, he could recognize a well put-together room of this style when he saw one. A hoof reached up to push the mask upward so the eyes behind them could get a better view, only to be smacked away by a pale hand.

"Hey, you're not supposed to take that off," the godling chastised him. "It's a masquerade, secret identities!"

"Oh jee, a talking grey pony with wings, I wonder who is could possibly be."

"Just pretend, that's part of the fun."

"Fine, fine," said mystery pony, attention suddenly getting caught by the kitty Nick pawing at him. "Why hello Nick." Rather forwardly, he scooped the cat onto his back and flew off some paces away from his roommate down the ballroom. "Haven't seen you in a while."

D'awww, kitty riding a pony! Giovenith thought happily, before having her attention hooked away by a young man who had begun speaking to her. At first, due to Marcus' presentation, she hadn't recognized him, but the words (along with his voice, but mostly the words) gave it away. She smiled sweetly, tilting her head in admiration as he finally made his way to the question.

"I don't think," she said. "That even toe-stepping could wake us up from this dream..." And offered her hand.

[Mincaldenteans]

"Thank you," Fritz offered a polite bow and then his arm. "You look positively stunning, Mab. Come, let's lay claim to a cozy spot before they're all taken."

He eyed the others in the room but stopped himself from exploring their futures. No, not tonight. Tonight was all about the unexpected. It, like the breeze and the stunning creature on his arm, was a welcome anticipation. "I don't know if you've had much opportunity to meet any of the others - or if you'd care to, considering most are mortal."

Mab beamed a charming smile and bowed her head politely before taking Fritz's arm and the duo strolled toward a table that was largely separated from the rest of the crowd. The Monarch hadn't considered mingling with the others, but perhaps the opportunity would come later. Currently it didn't suit her goals and when Mab ran over her list of objectives, that particular task wasn't for hers to take up unless all other options had failed. Besides, the avatar that held her hand was likely the only one outside of Faerie to ever get this close and tell the tale. The fae found that just this once, she wouldn't mind at all and be damned any gossip that may find its way to her court. She noticed the summer-born taking the hand of a mortal woman and Mab recognized her and her ilk immediately. The summer-born bowed his head, curiosity in his eyes, hesitation in movement but at least the youngling knew his place. She winked at him and moved on with Fritz.

"Perhaps a little later," she suggested lightly. The Waltz was about to begin and Mab tilted her head, strands of her hair fell across her delicate features as she heard the tune begin and she smiled once more, a touch more personal and warm than the last, "Not quite the same tune as before but perhaps we can lay claim to the floor and dazzle the others."

[Rygondria]

Reginald thought for a minute. He then said," Yes, I do know a dance or two. Absolutely despised learning them but i knew they would come in handy.So shall we got towards the dance floor"?

Kwa'a's forehead scrunched up, fine lines forming. I'd thought this was the dance floor... "We shall." Hopefully we won't look too silly... Well, if we were making it up as we went along, we'd just look sillier, wouldn't we? Perhaps some small talk would be pleasant. "You are then fond not of dancing?"

Hundreds of feet away, Nick decided to check out the ballroom. Going out on the floor, given his size, struck him as a Very Bad Idea. He'd started to circle the ballroom when he spotted Willow. Perhaps the winged pony wouldn't mind giving him a boost? It was worth asking. He was pretty sure that he could avoid ripping the suit - oh, no, the suit! What if his -Sapphire's - ribbon wasn't enough for this sort of thing? He set a paw above the hoof.
<Hi?>

Reginald chuckled and said," I do not mind dancing it is just i hated learning to dance. You see my mother made me take dance lessons because we where a wealthy family and going to gatherings like this was expected".

[Germanic Templars]

Thriller kept a close eye on Rmwtyliin, unsure whether or not if they were of age or not. However, rather then just sit back and watch, he walked up and knelt next to them and asked, "So, how is your evening going? By the way, you must be new, may I have the honor of knowing you?"

"My name is Rmwtyliin Saagve Annvyeelee -" She broke off. Something just...seemed wrong. Given that she was among strangers in a strange world, and that she'd known already that sharing her family name could be dangerous (not to mention that she'd been omitting her title) she chose to pay attention to the feeling. Smoothly, she covered the slight lapse, glittering purple mask helping to cover a few subtle shifts in expression that, otherwise, might have given something away. "You are welcome to use a nickname. The names of my people typically seem to be difficult for foreigners to pronounce." Hopefully the nickname would be based on her first name; correcting an awkwardly intimate one would be quite, well, awkward. "I am..." What could be safely shared? "I am twelve years of age. And you are - well, you are the ruler here? Are you a knight?" Oh, no. I seem to have gone beyond chatter into embarrassing babble... "I ask that due to your armor." The Naasliiasz, of course, would seem considerably less ruffled than would most at meeting a royal personage.

"Nice to meet you, Annvyeelee. Sounds like a wonderful last name." He complemented before going on, "Trust me, little one, in this time and age, your full name fits in fine. And that I am ruler here. Immortal Emperor to be precise. And this is not armor at all... Well it is, but that would imply that I am a mind in an empty suit, who happens to share it with three other people."

[Fvaarniimar]

"My name is Rmwtyliin Saagve Annvyeelee -" She broke off. Something just...seemed wrong. Given that she was among strangers in a strange world, and that she'd known already that sharing her family name could be dangerous (not to mention that she'd been omitting her title) she chose to pay attention to the feeling. Smoothly, she covered the slight lapse, glittering purple mask helping to cover a few subtle shifts in expression that, otherwise, might have given something away. "You are welcome to use a nickname. The names of my people typically seem to be difficult for foreigners to pronounce." Hopefully the nickname would be based on her first name; correcting an awkwardly intimate one would be quite, well, awkward. "I am..." What could be safely shared? "I am twelve years of age. And you are - well, you are the ruler here? Are you a knight?" Oh, no. I seem to have gone beyond chatter into embarrassing babble... "I ask that due to your armor." The Naasliiasz, of course, would seem considerably less ruffled than would most at meeting a royal personage.

"Nice to meet you, Annvyeelee. Sounds like a wonderful last name." He complemented before going on, "Trust me, little one, in this time and age, your full name fits in fine. And that I am ruler here. Immortal Emperor to be precise. And this is not armor at all... Well it is, but that would imply that I am a mind in an empty suit, who happens to share it with three other people."

Rmwtyliin gaped. "I - what? How... Three other people? Immortal? 'Kale' seems spirit-touched, or something of that nature, being able to do things not even attributed to our spirits... 'Giovenith' promised that she would protect me and that the dwelling would also, and I doubt she is lying... I have watched all that is change around me, I have seen animals - Duncan here, for instance - talk, one thus far in my mind even, I have been transported by things which could not be beasts of burden...What does one do? Is anyone or anything here ordinary?!" She quaffed the champagne.

[Germanic Templars]

"Nice to meet you, Annvyeelee. Sounds like a wonderful last name." He complemented before going on, "Trust me, little one, in this time and age, your full name fits in fine. And that I am ruler here. Immortal Emperor to be precise. And this is not armor at all... Well it is, but that would imply that I am a mind in an empty suit, who happens to share it with three other people."

Rmwtyliin gaped. "I - what? How... Three other people? Immortal? 'Kale' seems spirit-touched, or something of that nature, being able to do things not even attributed to our spirits... 'Giovenith' promised that she would protect me and that the dwelling would also, and I doubt she is lying... I have watched all that is change around me, I have seen animals - Duncan here, for instance - talk, one thus far in my mind even, I have been transported by things which could not be beasts of burden...What does one do? Is anyone or anything here ordinary?!" She quaffed the champagne.

Thriller chuckled a bit. "Little one, you must understand this: Things these days are no longer made up of magic or any sorts but rather lives are augmented by that of the acceleration made in the progress in machines and in medicine. For example, my suit is made up of layers of different metals both common and foreign to that of mankind. Like wise I am a body...Well a mind transferred into a mechanical suit with three A.Is, or artificial intelligence. But if you look around this room you see Dr. Smith," He pointed towards the robot in the tuxedo and stovepipe hat "He is just a brain in a robot's body. A process called singularity, though he regrets it a bit and I can agree in parts." He then pointed towards Sapphire. "And that is my great, great, great granddaughter, Sapphire. A geneticist meaning she deals with genetics." He then let out a sigh and asked, "I can name off more things if you would like."

[Monfrox]

As always, the trademark of a Froxian was showing up fashionably late to gatherings. Right on that cue, Mon, Varona, Sinyaya, Flint, and Cinnamon all walked into the ballroom. Sinyaya was the only one wearing anything resembling a dress out of the others, who were in suits. The took some champagne and stood by the wall to watch the others dance for a bit while discussing among themselves who'd they like to ask.

"Who do you think would be a good partner?"

"I don't know...lot of people, though."

"Lot of people already dancing, too."

"Perhaps one should ask if they can even dance, first."

"You guys can dance, right?"

The four adults stopped and glanced worriedly among each other before they each came to the same startling realization. None of them knew how to dance!

[Tiltjuice]

That was never a good thing to say to a Conservator, let alone one who was doubting herself.

Tasia just bit her tongue instead of doing what came naturally. "Sure, thanks. Listen, I'm not feeling so well; but I think there are plenty of people to meet and greet. Those five, for example." She waved toward Mon, Varona, Flint, Cinnamon and Sinyaya.

She headed outside.

*****

"Thank you. I'd like that," came Dora's answering drawl as she took Ogoti's hand. He was probably right about Tora. "Your wisdom shines, as always."

Oh, nice one. You're drier than the Sahara in the daytime. Where's the wine gone? I thought alcohol was supposed to loosen tongues.

"Just as much as you in your crisp attire."

[Cerillium]

"I like clouds. They're like rolling, profound architecture too good for us to live in."

"Well, I actually did live in cloud architecture for most of my life, soooo... thanks for the compliment?"

"Your welcome, if you're inclined to take it that way."

"Better than not."

Giovenith and Willow's necks ached from the upward crane they'd been locked in for a considerable time to take in the exquisite ceiling of the ballroom, along with the rest of the glowing luxury of the massive room. She, ever-appreciating the ethereal, liked the glow and the clouds, and though he preferred the modern, he could recognize a well put-together room of this style when he saw one. A hoof reached up to push the mask upward so the eyes behind them could get a better view, only to be smacked away by a pale hand.

"Hey, you're not supposed to take that off," the godling chastised him. "It's a masquerade, secret identities!"

"Oh jee, a talking grey pony with wings, I wonder who is could possibly be."

"Just pretend, that's part of the fun."

"Fine, fine," said mystery pony, attention suddenly getting caught by the kitty Nick pawing at him. "Why hello Nick." Rather forwardly, he scooped the cat onto his back and flew off some paces away from his roommate down the ballroom. "Haven't seen you in a while."

D'awww, kitty riding a pony! Giovenith thought happily, before having her attention hooked away by a young man who had begun speaking to her. At first, due to Marcus' presentation, she hadn't recognized him, but the words (along with his voice, but mostly the words) gave it away. She smiled sweetly, tilting her head in admiration as he finally made his way to the question.

"I don't think," she said. "That even toe-stepping could wake us up from this dream..." And offered her hand.

Giovenith was powerful yet that power had absolutely nothing to do with her godling self. Marcus put every effort into not fist-pumping while shouting "WOOO! Oh yeah! WOO!"

Every guy does that. You all might not realize it but even those boys that have grown old and jaded and found grey hairs on their pillows each morning will still experience that immature urge to crow whenever something awesome goes their way. Of course that "WOO! She said yes!" is often replaced by more menial thrills such as "WOO! They lowered my insurance premiums!" and "WOO! I got 10 cents off per gallon of gas with my Kroger card!" but the principle is still there. At that moment in time, Marcus the Lad had experienced his first real "WOO!" moment and could hardly contain himself. It would be the first of many in his life, but none of them would ever be as sweet as this one.

He wasn't sure how they managed to find the dance floor although he would say that they must have floated there, if asked. He didn't even remember his clumsy attempt to put his hands where they were supposed to go. All he knew was that they had somehow found a step. He nervously laughed. "Some day we're gonna look back on this and say, remember that ball on Gliese?"

The First Rule of Dude dawned on him then. Shut up and focus on what matters. It's not all about you.

"I like the dress. It's perfect. Did you make it?"

Mab beamed a charming smile and bowed her head politely before taking Fritz's arm and the duo strolled toward a table that was largely separated from the rest of the crowd. The Monarch hadn't considered mingling with the others, but perhaps the opportunity would come later. Currently it didn't suit her goals and when Mab ran over her list of objectives, that particular task wasn't for hers to take up unless all other options had failed. Besides, the avatar that held her hand was likely the only one outside of Faerie to ever get this close and tell the tale. The fae found that just this once, she wouldn't mind at all and be damned any gossip that may find its way to her court. She noticed the summer-born taking the hand of a mortal woman and Mab recognized her and her ilk immediately. The summer-born bowed his head, curiosity in his eyes, hesitation in movement but at least the youngling knew his place. She winked at him and moved on with Fritz.

"Perhaps a little later," she suggested lightly. The Waltz was about to begin and Mab tilted her head, strands of her hair fell across her delicate features as she heard the tune begin and she smiled once more, a touch more personal and warm than the last, "Not quite the same tune as before but perhaps we can lay claim to the floor and dazzle the others."

The avatar raised his hand to gently brush the loose strands into place. The backs of his fingers paused within a fraction of touching them however; his head tilted. The wayward locks lent a capricious air to her deadly beauty. He decided to leave them be. It wasn't his place to sort them. The hand casually lowered and then swept behind her to lightly cup Mab's left shoulder blade and draw her in. He gently lifted her free hand to lead them through the first routine box steps.

Ah, but it had been a long time since the old god had waltzed. The dance, although set in its pattern, was liberating in that it allowed contact without forcing it. It offered a type of bubble wherein a person could quietly chat, or laugh, or sigh without attracting too much attention from the couples around them.

"We never did sort out the rest of our plot to bring back weapons," he halfheartedly admitted. "Not that I'm in much of a rush to do so right now. Call me an old fool but I can't tell you how long it's been since I've had such pleasant company."

[Monfrox]

It was at this time, that Brit begrudgingly got out of her bed. The room was dark. Very dark. She had trouble finding the doorknob before stepping out into the hall. She was hungry again, and looked like she just woke up on the wrong side of the living room couch after a late night. She shuffled her way downstairs, groaning intangible words and phrases to communicate her disgust with the current situation. There had to be something to eat here, right? She yawned and walked without caring to pay much attention to where she was going, as she was still groggy.

[Cerillium]

Almost enraptured in the mystery of her dance partner, Yuna dared not ask the name of the boy.

"How could I ever say no to a dance? It's why we're all here, to dance and make merry." She smiled, following the man onto the dance floor for their first dance of the night. "And I'm flattered, a friend helped me pick out the dress and jewelry. You look quite fetching as well."

"Thank you," he replied. "I don't have many chances to attend these kinds of things. It's nice to just enjoy the change of pace."

He carefully places his hand on her back in order to not ruffle her feathers. "When I was a little boy, my opa would tell me about angels. Sometimes we'd go to the Lutheran cathedral and see them there. I've always wondered where man came up with their appearance. Do you suppose they're related to your people? Maybe there are pocket populations all over the world that no one knows about?"

He bit his lower lip a moment. "Sorry, I don't mean to sound like I'm prying. I'm not, I promise."

"Thank you. I'd like that," came Dora's answering drawl as she took Ogoti's hand. He was probably right about Tora. "Your wisdom shines, as always."

Oh, nice one. You're drier than the Sahara in the daytime. Where's the wine gone? I thought alcohol was supposed to loosen tongues.

"Just as much as you in your crisp attire."

Ogoti guided Dora past a few couples before gently leading her in the familiar steps of a waltz. It felt good to share a moment with her once more. Her perfume was as wonderful as he remembered it; her eyes still held their charm.

"Dora, I need a vacation. It almost sounds as if you need one too. This year has been too much. Care to share quarters? Oh, I'm not hitting on you or trying to coax you into bed. I stay at the compound on the Island and I hear we're shipping out there soon. You'd have your own room and a place to unwind without being trampled by everyone."

A careful turn gave her a view of a few people behind Ogoti. "You'd hardly see the big ox, Deuce. He's security but will probably spend his time picking flowers for his garden back home. You know the old cyborg. He needs to work on his personal life; I don't expect to see much of him. Naomi isn't any trouble at all. The twins are managed by Chi - children that are seen but not heard. You'd have a bit of luxury and I'd have someone to talk to. I never had a chance to hear some of your stories. Perhaps it's the perfect way to get in touch with yourself? To remind yourself of what makes you, you. I plan to do that for my own account. I've lost touch with me."

[Giovenith]

Giovenith laughed lightly, and attempted to nod while still keeping the rhythm of the dance; rusty, since she'd only first learned the steps back when Jacob taught her at the last ball. It was bit like patting your (light-feeling) head and rubbing your (flutter-feeling) tummy at the same time... with your wonderful, sweet, genius best friend close by you. "I would hope so! This isn't something I want to be forgetting anytime soon."

He hid everything, she noticed, looking up at the eye holes in his mask. All the techie stuff... huh. Sometimes I would wonder. Not that it really matters...

"Not this one, I went shopping with the others," she admitted, leading a spin. "Being an artist isn't just being on your own, you've got to go be inspired by others' bold work too. ... Like your's!" She playfully tapped her forehead against his.

[The New Velociraptor Empire]

Neil and Gretta, here and there, both at the ball and riding Bones' disco stick. Reflections of quantum probability coinciding in what is and isn't. They grabbed drinks off the table and wandered over to antagonize the orchestra. Neil wore a black chalk stripe suit and a black wig in place of his usual attire. Tonight called for a cigar rather than his usual pipe. Gretta wore a black gothic dress that reached the floor, nearly covering her tail.

"So what is on the stands tonight? Everybody's talking about the new sound of the future. Hot funk, cool punk, even if it's old junk, it's still rock and roll to us." Neil said to the musicians.

"Oh, it doesn't matter what they say in the papers, because it's always been the same old scene. There's a new band in town, but you can't get the sound from a story in a magazine." Gretta added following Neil's lead.

They hiccuped, drunk again or rather riding the Zalgofest buzz until they ran out of alcohol.

[Mincaldenteans]

The avatar raised his hand to gently brush the loose strands into place. The backs of his fingers paused within a fraction of touching them however; his head tilted. The wayward locks lent a capricious air to her deadly beauty. He decided to leave them be. It wasn't his place to sort them. The hand casually lowered and then swept behind her to lightly cup Mab's left shoulder blade and draw her in. He gently lifted her free hand to lead them through the first routine box steps.

Ah, but it had been a long time since the old god had waltzed. The dance, although set in its pattern, was liberating in that it allowed contact without forcing it. It offered a type of bubble wherein a person could quietly chat, or laugh, or sigh without attracting too much attention from the couples around them.

"We never did sort out the rest of our plot to bring back weapons," he halfheartedly admitted. "Not that I'm in much of a rush to do so right now. Call me an old fool but I can't tell you how long it's been since I've had such pleasant company."

"Indeed, it has been an age since the last I allowed myself to be so..." Mab paused at the word as she spun and arms wrapped around her lightly for the briefest of moments before her heels spun her back to be captured again. Her dress moved with her like a living entity in itself, diamonds blinked and shimmered at angles of sharp light while simultaneously melding itself to the dark fabrics of her gown. Mab let the word trail off as there was no exact word that could aptly describe how long it been and the exact nature of how it came to be. Too call her time away from Court 'free' would be about as close as one could define it, yet nowhere near the true essence of it. After all, those that didn't have freedom often coveted it and Mab could safely say she adored it for that reason alone.

They moved as a smooth pair across the floor, careful not to entangle themselves with the others and like any Waltz, all of them had to somehow gotten into a rhythm without tripping one another or stomping another foot. Thankfully the ball room was large enough to house even the most disparate dancer (an 'ow!' could be heard by Anais with a hurried 'sorry!' from Hunter at the far end). "My plans remain the same, however I too admit I haven't given it much thought past my main objective in acquiring one," she said after, twirling in a circle with and stopped just as she felt an arm wrapped around her waist with their free hands clasped and outstretched to resume the first routine, no doubt to repeat itself.

"I have enjoyed my stay Fritz, more than words can put into meaning. It has been a revival, a reawakening, a restoration even. Mortal words, how entirely inefficient," Mab said with a soft cluck of her tongue. It had a been a time immemorial since she entertained such notions; but what if there was such a chance? Sitting upon a throne had always been a lonely path, even those fairy-tales mortals often entertained their children with never truly captured the solitary life a ruler led, the burdens of it. Duties. Responsibilities. Time. She looked up at Fritz with softer, almost solemn, eyes with a rare glimpse of vulnerability that no other would see save the avatar, "I would welcome the possibility of you at my side if such a chance or choice were made available to me."

[Fvaarniimar]

"Fine, fine," said mystery pony, attention suddenly getting caught by the kitty Nick pawing at him. "Why hello Nick." Rather forwardly, he scooped the cat onto his back and flew off some paces away from his roommate down the ballroom. "Haven't seen you in a while."

Nick stretched out - keeping claws retracted - and wriggled around a bit to find a comfy spot. <Ahhhh.> He purred, body vibrating slightly. <Thank you! It has been awhile, hasn't it? It is BRIGHT in here!>

Thriller chuckled a bit. "Little one, you must understand this: Things these days are no longer made up of unexplained powers of any variety but rather lives are augmented by that of the increasing speed of the progress in things like levers, screws, gears, and trebuchets and in medicine. For example, my suit is made up of layers of different metals both common and foreign to that of mankind. Like wise I am a body...Well a mind transferred into a suit that isn't alive and is made of lever and screw and gear like devices, with three A.Is, or minds formed by such lever and screw like devices. But if you look around this room you see Dr. Smith," He pointed towards the robot in the tuxedo and stovepipe hat "He is just a flesh-holding-mind in a robot's body. A process called singularity, though he regrets it a bit and I can agree in parts." He then pointed towards Sapphire. "And that is my great, great, great granddaughter, Sapphire. A geneticist meaning she deals with the fundamental things which give living things their natures." He then let out a sigh and asked, "I can name off more things if you would like."

"You - you seem to have found out so much about the world! I believe I ought to take my leave - these beverages are far stronger than those which I am used to! They are tasty, though!" With a giddy laugh, the girl started walking towards a wall withou drinks. Sitting down for a bit seemed wise. As for what Thriller had told her... She tried to ponder it, but her brain more or less went, "What the f-" and went on strike. She took another sip of champagne, mind feeling almost-relaxingly fuzzy. She sat against the wall. Spirits, she felt strange. Was it all of the odd things she'd been told? Something different occurred to her.
"No, little one - not so much. I know it is sweet and fruity, but it will do strange things to your mind..."
"Rmwtyliin! Do not take two drinking vessels! I know you like it, but it makes you rude, and if you swallow a large enough amount..."
"When in a foreign land, one must carefully sniff... If a beverage lighter in scent is not available, take that with a strong scent, but use caution as those affect your mind more easily, do not drink more than a bit... Food may help, nuts if possible..."
Oops. Reaching into the pouch which she had left around her neck, the girl pulled out an irka nut. Of similar size to an in-shell walnut with a thin, tough shell, it could be peeled and was, with a few swift strokes from a thin, sharpened flint. She ate it whole, hoping that the emperor would not see its consumption as an insult to its hospitality, and carefully set aside her drink, keeping an eye on it.

Reginald chuckled and said," I do not mind dancing it is just i hated learning to dance. You see my mother made me take dance lessons because we where a wealthy family and going to gatherings like this was expected".

Kwa'a nodded. "I see. Times were there - when younger I was, I danced, sometimes - not-formal? Friendly? - gatherings at, once, no times a few, at balls." Her face fell; her mask might conceal it to some extent, even flimsy as it was.
Those times are in the past. Zeeburdoig - oh, how foolish had she been! He is in the past.
Here, I can dance again. She wasn't terribly skilled, and the steps were alien. Still - she smiled. It was certainly a pleasant way to spend an evening. "Perhaps I ought learn dances the here..."