Marstini, shaken and stirred (Almost totally open rp!)

[Roania]

The weak sun filtered through the habitation dome that surrounded Darsalin Base, causing it to gleam in the Martian sun. While the local environment had recovered somewhat from the volaria incident, the Roanians felt safer with complete control of their environment. This far from their Homeworlds, the inhabitants of Darsalin Base felt better with complete control of anything. It was a special day for one inhabitant in particular, though. While many legal responsibilities did not come into play until the 21st birthday, the 17th birthday was a very important ceremony in a young woman's life, and today was the birthday of the belle of Martian society (such as it was), the daughter of Governor Ecanus, Maryeselle Cheruv. In celebration of this fact, invitations had winged to all the embassies in all the colonies on Mars, and beyond.

Maryeselle studied herself in the mirror, batting her long eyelashes at the image in front of her. She didn't feel seventeen years old, that's for certain, but she was beginning to look it, at least. She brushed the seashell comb through her long white hair and shook her head so it fell in rivulets down her back and sides. Behind her, her mother was quietly talking, in her soft, slow voice that always sounded like it was coming from a long way away.

"And remember, there may be boys there, but I want you to be careful, A thaisce. Even the nicest boy should not be trusted at first." Lia spoke from bitter experience. She was a selkie, and had once been free to roam the Martian oceans, before her husband had caught her and stolen from her her sealskin coat. Now she was his wife. Still, she dreamed of the ocean, as she gently brushed her fingers through her daughter's foam-white hair.

"Yes, mother." Maryeselle said, dutifully. She gently left her mother's arms and then turned to hug the older woman. "Are you not pleased? I am to become a woman today."

Lia managed a weak smile. "It is something to have raised you to your seventeenth birthday, yes." Lia looked her daughter over, somewhat pleased by how well the young woman had turned out.
Maryeselle definitely followed in her mother's footsteps, despite being a late bloomer. While never going to be especially curvy, her thin white dress did a good job of showing that she was definitely growing into a beauty; sleek where she needed to be, round where she should be. And, shy and retiring though she was, her mother could see she was eager to go out and join the party that was already in full swing. "Alright, sweetheart, go out and enjoy yourself." Maryeselle smiled slightly and went outside.

Lia watched her go, a bit full of trepidation. Her daughter had too little friends. And it was her fault. Many Roanians had misgivings about a fae half-breed, as pretty and friendly as she was, and none of Mary's peers had turned up, something which made Ecanus fume and threaten angry words to the Empress. But the local Roanians had arrived, and so had many foreigners, and Maryeselle was looking forward to the attention.

The pretty young woman entered the party around the pool, smiling quietly at people who were engaged in partying, and quietly stripping out of her white dress once her mother's back was figuratively turned. Beneath it, she wore a small string bikini that clung tight to her. She kicked her dress off and dove into the water with a splash, laughing as it welcomed her like an old friend. There'd be time to socialise later, but now she wanted to swim!

While she and some of the other guests swam in the heated pool, others hung out in the even hotter hot tub nearby. There was a loud laugh as a girl nearly lost her top from one of the water jets turning on suddenly! Waiting for people to be tired of splashing around is a dance floor, surrounded by tables laden heavily with food and drink from all over the galaxy. Including a lot of alcohol. After all, people are watching, so it should be safe.



[Maryeselle Cheruv

OOC: This thread is almost totally open. If you've a humanoid, felinesque, or reptilian teenager who likes to swim or meet people, they''re totally invited. It's nothing too serious, and security is rather tight, though not obtrusive, so don't worry too much about safety!

[Roania]

OOC: Oh, and to make things clear, just post being at the party. Introductions and arrivals slow threads down.

[Roania]

OOC: First post edited somewhat.

[Gehenna Tartarus]

There were some things that Tatiana Fitzsimmons liked to do more than others, and partying happened to be one of them. In fact, she would probably put it in her list of top ten things a young woman should invest a certain amount of time in. If a pool and alcohol were added to the mix, it just made everything even more appealing and shot the event higher up the list. The only downside to the party was that it was on Mars, although other than the journey, it was easy to forget that it was not any other party on Earth.

Sitting in the hot tub, Tia had shed the little summer print dress that she had arrived in the party in and was enjoying the warm bubbles in a coral pink, polka dot bikini. Her dyed blonde hair was piled upon her head, held up with tiny pins, with crystal ends, just to give that hint of party.

In her hand, she held a glass of wine, keeping it above the water level. Her blue eyes sparkled as she laughed out loud at the girl who had been caught by surprise by the jets of water. The people soaking around her were equally amused by the situation, and the sound was infectious.

It has been a couple of years since she first met Maryeselle during a hunting trip. Not exactly something the young Tartarian had enjoyed, but it had given her the chance to meet new people and got her an invite to the party at hand. She caught a glimpse of the young woman before she disappeared into the pool. She made a mental note to speak to her later, if the opportunity came up.

[Waspeaters]

OoC: Would it OK if my character was around 21?

[Roania]

OOC: Yeah, that'd be fine.

[The Freethinkers]

Harry Camberley smiled in that Freestian way, a simple expression of white teeth and tanned face that emitted a level of confidence and assuredness. He was an interesting mix, leaner than his compatriots, a marathon runner's build, more diet than gym, and an stance that was casual and unassuming and hadn't been infused yet with the military rigour that National Service would one day push into him.

He was here because it was a party, Mars was fun in an adventurer's kind of way, and the semi-open invitation was enough in his native etiquette code to come and see what was happening. He wore a t-shirt, a faded 'NAVY' job inherited from a former room-mate back in uni, and one he meant to return when he started next semester. Shorts too, torn cargoes, khaki, again faded in a used rather than designed way. Still, there was something in the time taken with his tussled brown hair and a pick of designer sunglasses that indicated he gave more to his appearance than would first be thought.

Cultures, and people, were fascinating to him, and he saddled in with an assuredness that no one would question.

He grabbed a drink from a table, weaving through the throng of people, and took a swig. He was careful, taking a light F.P.A, cooled too much but tasty all the same. He peered over the edge of the bottle, looking at opportunities for chat and chatting up. Pickings were available. Time to jump in...

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

Maryeselle had grown up since he had last seen her. That much was patently obvious to Leonardo Genovese as he quietly sampled a glass of imported Dominion wine. But then, he supposed, they all had since the hunt. Given his father’s business interests, this wasn’t his first trip to Mars, but it was the first time he had found himself largely in the company of Roanians again. He wondered idly if it was going to be as much of a test as the first time had been.

Still, his father had been right. When invited to these sorts of things, one should make an effort to attend and be sociable. It wasn’t as if the young man had surrounded himself with that many close friends over the years, though he had a number of associates from school he still kept in touch with. Odd as it seemed, some of those he’d shared that memorable trip with lent themselves to the title ‘friend’ more easily than some of those he’d known most of his life. Not to mention the non-human nature of several.

Something, he had to admit however much it irritated him, had somehow become a relative non-issue between himself, and the diminutive girl who he’d arrived with.

Talia Patroni, niece to Vasco Patroni - Mars Representative for the Dominion – seemed quite comfortable lounging by the pool with a tall glass of iced juice, nothing alcoholic added. She noticed Tia there in the hot tub, and made a mental note to stop in to say hi, and catch up on things over the past couple years.

The young nekoite mix had not changed much herself, by comparison. She hadn’t grown noticeably taller, still quite short at just under the five foot mark, her purple hair still worn long everywhere but around her face, where it feathered in choppy layers that mostly hid the lightly tufted ears that were the most obvious tell to her mixed heritage. Her piercing eyes, a rich golden brown, being the other.

If anything, her quiet confidence was more natural than ever. By comparison to Leo, she was relaxed and sociable having nothing to prove, and holding no secret agendas. While she wore a simple two-piece black swim suit and a pretty batik sarong, sporting shades of purple and blue to compliment her hair, her companion was clothed in a more conservative fashion.

Leonardo stood not too far off, nursing his drink. He wore a light white cotton shirt unbuttoned far enough that it showed the thick golden chain glimmering against his tanned olive complexion. The large rings he sported spoke of wealth as well. Though the understated khaki cargo shorts perhaps did not. While Talia was currently barefoot, he wore a pair of black hiking sandals, and a pair of designer sunglasses covered his grey-green eyes, save for when he glanced over the top of them at this person or that. His ash brown hair was cut respectably short while not crossing into the more militaristic fashion, feathered back on either side.

While still relatively aloof, those who had known him from before might notice the former edge to his disdain had softened considerably, and the inherent haughtiness had mellowed to a degree. He glanced over at Talia, and offered her a half smile.

Well damn Tee for making sure I tagged along, he thought, not altogether unkindly. She had steadfastly insisted that getting out and socializing was just what was needed after his months-long sulking over the rumors of the principessa hooking up with the Ardan heir. The thought still rankled, and he quickly pushed the thought from his mind.

“Leo, do be a dear and grab me a towel?” she asked, as if reading his mind and seeing a need for distraction. After shooting her an incredulous look, he sighed and walked over to where some were being kept, and brought it back to her, handing it over.

“I see miss Fitzsimmons is in attendance as well,” he commented idly, noting that the young woman in question looked as beautiful as ever – perhaps more so in a setting that leant itself to her smile and pretty laugh than the sometimes tense moments of the hunt.

“I wondered if you’d notice,” Talia replied. “I was thinking of joining her. You up for a dip?”

“Not just yet,” he said somewhat evasively.

“Oh don’t be a stick, Leo. It’s a party, remember?”

“I’d never have guessed,” came the flat reply. “I think I might go say hello to Mary – who’s party this is, may I remind you.”

“Point – was that her who just jumped in?”

“I believe so. If you’ll pardon me?”

“I’ll say hi to Tia for you,” Talia said, grinning in spite of herself at Leo’s continued ‘above-it-all’ act. Both made their way in their intended directions, with Talia taking off the sarong as she walked, and Leo carefully scanning the crowd from behind his sunglasses.

[Roania]

Mary leaped out of the water in her elegant fashion, sitting on the edge of the pool. She ran her fingers through the long strands of hair that now hung over her developed body, before shaking her head and leaving it. She looked around at the party guests, feeling a bit... overwhelmed, she supposed the word may be. Her peculiar heritage had not lent itself to many opportunities to be around this many people, and the selkie half of her personality was particularly uneasy.

Still, for once in her life she was the center of attention, and part of her relished it. She smiled to people she'd known for years, and greeted people she'd never met. Above all, though, she wanted to show that she'd grown up into a woman inside as well as out.

She stood up to greet more of her guests, and her body momentarily brushed against Leo, coming up behind her. Her plan to show her maturity came to a screeching halt as she blushed, stammered, and stepped backwards into the water, reappearing a moment later as a bobbing head. "Y-you startled me." Mary said by way of explanation, embarrassed and fully aware of the small size of her bikini now.

[The Freethinkers]

There was that awkward air of intruding on old friends that made Harry pause for the briefest of moments, then, with a shrug and a swig, he decided to ingratiate himself into the mix. He at least looked the part.

He took a slow walk through the party, leaving a trail of glances and meaningful eye contact as he waltzed through the guests, his direction of travel at odds with where he was looking, and yet he gracefully avoided collision without a single hitch.

"What to do, what to do." He muttered to himself as he finally came to a halt. He turned, eyes scanning through the crowd. A hot tub. That was practically a siren call for a Freestian. There was already an occupant, and another it seemed joining her. The more the merrier. And damn, those bodies. He stared a little bit too long, turning his back to them.

Thinking of a game plan, he replaced his bottle on the table, and replaced it with a glass with a bright looking cocktail and a couple of straws. He turned back and headed towards the hot tub, pondering the best approach a little, and then, simply;

"Mind if I join in with you ladies?" He smiled a winner's smile, a self assured grin of white.

[Gehenna Tartarus]

Tia, despite the company in the hot tub, kept an eye on the other guests at the party, just in case she spotted someone she knew. And there were not that many people that she did know, not that that would spoil her fun. Making new friends was one of her favourite pastimes. Even so, she felt her smile grow as she spotted a couple of familiar faces in the crowd, which got even larger as she watched one of them walk in her direction.

“Talia,” she called out, as her old hunting buddy drew close enough to hear. “It’s so good to see you.” As she spoke, she nudged her body one way to make room for the other girl to join her in the tub. “I was beginning to think I was the only other hunter here.” Her smile though still present, was diminished slightly, though her joy was still present in her eyes.

And if seeing Talia was not enough to capture her interest, an unfamiliar voice made her share her time. Looking at the new comer, she felt her smile grow again. “There is plenty of room,” she announced, once more nudging slightly to allow both bodies some space. Despite herself, she could not help her gaze travelling along the man’s form.

Damn, this party just keeps getting better and better, she thought.

[The Freethinkers]

"Thank you." The words lingered slightly as Harry took a step back, lifting his shirt over his head and with a flippant fold dumped it unceremoniously on the nearest table. Neither Ghoul heritage nor military service were yet to give him a more loaded physique of many of his countrymen, instead he was lean, supple, and nicely tanned in a 'I spend a lot of times outdoors' kinda way, even if his natural tone was originally much paler. He soon discarded his sandals with equal disdain to his t shirt.

"Oh, that's good." He said, generically as he sat down in the hot tub, letting the bubbles and warm water run over his body. The drink was still in hand, and he took a quick sip.

"My apologies." That smile again, and a cock of the head that jostled his hair in the water. "So we're not stuck quickly, I am Harry." He pronounced the name in a posher Midlonian clip, almost embarrassed by the name it seemed. His hand did an open palmed movement, relaxing in the warmth again. "I hope I was not interrupting, Miss?" His tone indicated the Freestian hoped he was interrupting something suggestive. He was relying already on being cheeky. Hey, it could work.

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

“Hey Tia – good to see you too! You’re looking great, by the way.” Talia said enthusiastically, climbing in with a contented sigh. “Fun little soiree they’ve got going here. And did you see Mary? Growing right up, isn’t she?”

She took in the young man with an appreciative eye as well as he made his introduction and joined them in the tub, then offered Tia a conspiratory grin, as if to suggest ‘go for it’.

“Even if you were, you’ve been invited to join,” she quipped, leaning back with her arms on the side of the hot tub, watching Harry climb in lazily through half-lidded eyes. “Talia Patroni, one-time native, Dominion-raised. Nice to meet you, Harry.”

--- --- ---

Yes, she certainly had grown up a bit, although she hadn’t lost any of that pretty, delicate, ethereal quality he’d first been impressed by on the shuttle all that while back. Having her run into him like she did had his hands coming up reflexively, brushing against her shoulders for all the brief moment it took for her to step back into the water.

“My apologies, Maryeselle,” Leonardo replied smoothly after a moment’s pause. He crouched down and offered her his hand by way of either greeting, or helping her back up if she so chose. “Thank you for having us – it’s a pleasure seeing you again.”

One brow arched up slightly as a few more details filtered through, including her bikini, which seemed for some reason to be causing her some discomfort. Perhaps he could set her at ease with a compliment?

“That’s a Partuzzi design, isn’t it? Beautiful choice.”

[Gehenna Tartarus]

“She’s certainly is,” Tia replied, as the young woman entered the tub. “And you have too.” She had not failed to notice the change that two years had bought to everyone who had attended the hunt.

Doing her best not to appear to be watching, Tia could not help her eyes checking the status of the undressing. In between, she flicked her gaze to Talia or took a small sip of her wine. By the time Harry climbed into the tub, she had focused on the water in front of her, though her smile indicated that she was more aware of his arrival than she was trying to let on.

“Tia,” she replied, not boring him with her full name. She liked people with confidence and this one certainly seemed to have it by the bucket load. It might have been an act, but she really did not care, as long as she had fun and good company, she would mark the party as a success. “And as Talia said, it's a pleasure to meet you.”

[Zeon Principality]

Mineva was nervous. She had been barely outside Side 3 all her life, having visited the Von Braun colony on the Moon and some of the other Sides a few times. But this time she was not only away from Earth orbit, she was in a different star system altogether. It was a weird mirroring of her home system, but still. Different. Exploration, as it were, had been left for the different branches of the military, and they hadn't really done that many diplomatic missions to anywhere. But nonetheless, she was here. As her uncle had put it, it was a "good way to get some experience on diplomacy without risking an international incident" or somesuch. It sounded like a nice way of saying "Go act your age while you can." Well, at least they hadn't forced her to put on a pompous uniform.

She hadn't really known what to expect. A birthday of someone she didn't know, sure, but had it been hers, it would've been a terribly formal occasion. Mostly due to her stature as the "princess" of the Principality, as some people had started to call her, the heiress apparent. And that's exactly why she didn't really celebrate her birthdays. Too much formality. This, however, was anything but formal. Something akin to what she had heard how "normal" rich teenagers celebrated their birthdays. Which was outside her comfort zone, but still much more enjoyable than what they would've conjured up for her at home.

The only problem was, however, that she wasn't fully aware that who was the person whose birthday party it was. Well, that, and she had no idea who to speak to. Which meant that for now... Well, she'd just try to enjoy herself as well as she could. Drink some non-alcoholic beverages (it wasn't befitting of her station to risk getting drunk), walk around. And, well. Watch the people, as she had never seen people outside the Earth Sphere before.

[Roania]

"A-ah..." Mary stammered a few lines, looking up at Leo, her delicate cheeks glowing red. "Oh, God." She paused, managing enough attention to correct herself. "I... I mean Light. You just startled me." She stared at Leo. Wow, he was gorgeous. She didn't remember him looking that good at the hunting trip. Then again, she'd not been paying much attention to guys at the time. "Oh... thank you." She took his hand and let him help her up.

Either he didn't know his own strength, or Mary wasn't as steady on her feet as usual, but she fell against his chest with a muffled gasp. "U-um." Sure she wanted to stay, equally unsure about how his feeling was, she got out of his grip and stood up, smiling shyly. "It... it's good to see you, Leo!" This close, he would have a good look at her. Slim, but well-formed, her body may not match Talia or Tia, but it served her well and she possessed, as Leo had noticed, a definite aethereal quality.

[Waspeaters]

Crown Prince Edward, the future king of Waspeaters was sulking in a corner reading a satirical magazine. He knew his parents wanted him to get married, but sending him to Mars was just going too far.

At this point, it would be wise to include a bit of background information on the prince. Known to the newspapers as the 'Party Prince' (some called him 'Prince Promiscuity, which was a bit unfair), he was generally thought to be a loveable idiot who would waste the monarchy's fortune on parties and alcohol within weeks of taking the throne. Fearing this nightmare scenario, the King, the Queen and Parliament decided that a wife would be a civilising influence on him (although our Prime Minister later said that "It's not a wife he needs, it's a straitjacket"). He wasn't really mad though, just a little eccentric. Any other upper class Waspeaterian would act the same if given a lot of money and far too much time on their hands.

But there he was, on Mars, at a party for someone or other. How depressing. He would have stayed moping, but for one thing. He realised that this party had the potential to become almost Waspeaterian in its consumption of alcohol. It could be one of those really good parties where everyone sat around drinking, playing cards and exchanging witticisms. He stood up and decided he actually would join in. After all, he had no shortage of anecdotes.

[The Freethinkers]

"The pleasure is all mine, believe me." Harry said, leaning back, taking his drink back. He watched the two girls as far as decency would allow, but he was chivalrous at heart. "Tia, Talia," he nodded at each in turn. "I take it the party girl is a friend of yours?" He did know the answer, but details were always useful.

"I'm going to be honest, my general experience with the Roanians is that they're, well, a lot more formal than this. But hey, I'm not complaining." Smile again, cheesy line, cheeky sod. It might work.

[Gehenna Tartarus]

“We all met during a hunting expedition” As soon as she said it, Tia wondered what such a revelation would say about her. She was not really a country girl and preferred partying and town life much more than tramping around jungles and shooting things. Though she had to admit that the trip had turned out to be a lot more entertaining than she had thought it would be and she had made new friends, which was the reason she was sitting in the hot tub at that moment, hopefully making another new friend.

Nodding her head, she took another sip of her drink, before placing her glass on the edge of the tub. “The Roanians are not overly well known for letting their hair down. Mary has done herself proud with a pool party. I certainly would not have expected it two years ago.” She graced Harry with another smile. “And I’m certainly not complaining.” After all, formal is nowhere near as much fun as half naked bodies.

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

Leonardo

Leo instinctively supported the delicate Mary as she fell into him, his hands surprisingly gentle, almost as if he were afraid of hurting her. He refocused somewhat as he brushed some of the water from his chest and shirt, his gaze dropping from her porcelain form after an equally instinctive lingering look.

She was everything Naiya was not, save for beautiful. Pale and petite, unsure and shy. And all of it still as intriguing and pretty as on the hunt. He cleared his throat quietly, then looked back to her, his eyes on her doll-like face.

“I hope the years have been treating you well,” he began politely. “Which reminds me – happy birthday.”

He reached into a pocket and took out a rectangular blue velvet case, tied with a silver ribbon. Handing it to Mary, he smiled slightly, and shrugged. “I wasn’t sure how these things usually go in your culture, but I figured a little something for the occasion hopefully wouldn’t offend.”

----- ----- -----

Talia

"Mmhm. Like Tia said, we met a couple years back. Very nice girl, Mary. Very sweet," Talia replied, casually observing the rest of the party with that same easy-going half-lidded gaze, occasionally shifting back to those sharing the hot tub with her.

"Some of them can be right bitchy, yeah. But Mary, she's not like that at all."

What Maryeselle chose to reveal about her own background, Talia figured, was her own business. And not for someone like herself to be batting about as idle gossip. Besides, she did genuinely like the delicate girl. There would be nothing but good things said from this end. Grinning at Tia, she had to agree.

"It is rather fun, this. Not bad scenery either."

[The Freethinkers]

"That...yes. Hunting?" He left the statement open ended. Harry looked again. She didn't seem the hunting type, that was true.

"And I would never speculate either," Harry mentioned, turning to Talia, a stronger pose now, no gym but good genes, "though she doesn't seem to fit the Roanian mould. "And I would agree on the scenery. Never knew Mars could be so...hilly."

Christ, he needed to work on this.

[Gehenna Tartarus]

It took all of Tia’s effort not to laugh at the Harry’s remark, not because it was funny, but it was obvious where the young man’s mind had been since he joined them and it was certainly not on Mars’ landmarks. Not that she minded, the whole point of a pool part was to leave little to the imagination, while having the ability to cool off if things got a little too hot.

“So, how do you know Mary?” She asked. Maryeselle was not the most outgoing girl at the party and Harry was certainly not the most introverted guy she had ever met. And learning a thing or two about someone never hurt anyone.

[Roania]

Dread Lady Nathicana

Mary, to her credit, did not turn into a puddle of goo when she noticed him looking at her. Nor did she quiver at the knees more than she ought when he handed her a present. "I... I've been well." She murmured in response, after a pause where she stood before him, hands turned out. She wanted him to look at her, to like what he was seeing. She just didn't know how to do that, how to interest him, how to... God... how to make him want her. The thought crossed her mind, and left a huge blush in its wake, that she rapidly tried to suppress. Instead, she looked down, and gently opened the box he'd offered her. There had been a lot of presents, of course, but precious few from people she'd met before, and only this one from Leo.

She was acutely aware, as she stood there, water dripping off her petite curves, of how little she was wearing. Oh, she had made the choice herself, of course. The tiny white outfit had seemed like such a good idea; a way to show the other girls, and more importantly, the boys how she'd grown up; but standing here in front of one of those boys, with only a few inches of fabric, if that, covering her'... well, that was substantially different. "Oh, my." Mary murmured, after she'd opened the present.


Waspeaters

"You look as bored at this party as I am." A voice broke into the crown prince's reverie. Sharp, spiteful, and somehow beautiful through it all, it could only be one person. And so it was. Lorelle Maline, of ill-fame from the hunting trip, had once again been dispatched by eager parents to curry favor from the great and good of House Cheruv, even that cursed Martian Branch of it.

The years had been kind to her, too. She'd filled out, in the way most Roanians do, developing a beautiful and well-rounded body ideal for Harry's 'hillwalking', and she was dressed in a way that would be illegal almost anywhere else, with even less fabric covering her than Mary. Unlike the other Roanian, Lorelle was proud of it, keeping her large chest thrust out in front of her like a shield to protect her from the world. "At least there's enough alcohol to go around." She gave Edward an appraising look, and evidently decided she liked what she saw. Her own perfection was marred by nothing. Nothing, that is, except a crooked nose.

"Oh, is there?" Another voice said from behind. "How lovely!" Alies had also come along, ever Lorelle's shadow; the years had been even kinder to her, at least physically, but anyone speaking to her would have the feeling that they were talking to a brick wall. She batted her bright blue eyes at the handsome crown prince and stood there for him to look at her; her father having despaired of anything other than the physical graces had bade the tutor drill them well into her, and so she knew full well how to present herself for a man's inspection!

The Zeon Principality

The Princess had eyes following her too, but only one of them was (ironically) bold enough to approach her. "M'lady." In truth, he had no idea who she was, but she looked and acted like the noble ladies he'd met in his guard training. "May I introduce myself? I am Tenetheren Eten, guard-candidate for Her Majesty's Imperial Guard." He was handsome, in an ordinary fashion; straight-cut, clean shaved, well-built. The most noticeable thing about him, though, was that he was missing his left leg. In its place, at about the knee, was a cybernetic replacement.

He'd come along more... well, he had no idea why he'd come along. He'd not cared for the Hunt that much. But it promised to help close old... wounds. Besides, having seen the princess, he was glad he had.

[Dread Lady Nathicana]

Leonardo

Inside, laid out on the velvet lining, was a delicate necklace of silver and a scattering of tiny diamonds interspersed between the links, and around the glass globe pendant encased in swirls of silver, reminiscent of waves. Inside were several tiny shells, their edges lined in silver, and a pinch of white sand.

“I remembered the necklace you had on the hunt,” he explained, his eyes dropping once, then hurriedly returning to her face. “It’s ocean water from home – back in Devras, on Earth.”

Leo was still painfully aware of Mary’s father not to mention uncle, and the potential loss of personal parts he would just as soon keep intact. Just as he was painfully aware of her dripping wet petite body. Any red-blooded Dominion man worth his salt couldn’t help but notice. And the juxtaposition of her rather vulnerable position against the implied threat of the present guards had him shifting uncomfortably.

“Talia was able to make it as well. She’s over at the hot tub with Tia. I’m sure they would both like to see you. In the meantime, can I ah, get you a drink?” he offered, looking over towards the refreshments for a moment.

[Roania]

Mary's eyes widened, until they were the size of saucers on her small head. She stared at the necklace, and then at Leo, too stunned even to blush. After a moment, she gently took the necklace and dropped it around her neck, letting the pendant dangle between her beautiful breasts. "It... it's... amazing." She whispered, touching her hand to it. Ocean water from one's home had a peculiar meaning in selkie culture, her mother had told her. When a male selkie wanted to bring home a bride, he offered her some water from his home sea, to show her that he wished her to make that his home now. And despite everything, Mary couldn't think of anything else but that.

Of course, she wasn't a purebred selkie, and Leo wasn't one at all, but... well, it might be fun to try to tease him. A-and it was a beautiful necklace. And... "...to my mother's people, this is a proposal of marriage," she murmured, still staggered by the gesture.