[img align=right]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/darkright.png[/img] "That sounds like a good idea to me," Lucas agreed, taking the cup from Kia's hand and pulling her just a little bit closer. "Have I mentioned yet how great it is to see you? Because it's fantastic." He was completely wrapped up in her, sparing no attention for the path they were walking - which in a place so crowded was not necessarily the brightest idea.

Thankfully, they'd been walking fairly slowly when Lucas bumped into a young person with a large tail and elaborate face paint. "Oh-! I'm so sorry, are you okay?" he asked immediately, letting go of Kia's arm in order to reach out and steady the stranger.

[img align=left]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/violetleft.png[/img] "Don't joke about that!" Kai said, the embarrassment of the situation making the words come out sharper than he'd intended. After a deep, steadying breath, he withdrew his hand from his eyes (makeup surprisingly, or perhaps skillfully, un-smudged) and offered Platina an awkward and still blushing half-smile. "I apologize for him. He's...well, sometimes I wonder how he manages to get anywhere in society with a mouth like that." With one hand, Kai rubbed sheepishly at the back of his neck. "If you'll please excuse me for a moment? I need some air." Without waiting for approval to be excused, Kai turned on his heel and strode purposefully in the direction of the woods. It was the only place he could think of, offhand, that might allow him some respite from the crowds of merrymakers and ordinary citizens alike.

Platina smiled faintly in return, "You know some people might take that seriously. I'm sure the two of you have plenty to offer in the bedroom." There, a decent recovery. He brushed back the black strands of hair. "Yes, well, Morostide allows for the darker side of things to show. I decided to try something new. The hair color isn't, but these contacts." He blinked again and offered a wry smile. "They are definitely different." The fun part was they made his eyes glow, too. Red eyes had always fascinated him; perhaps that was a sin in itself. He smiled at Sui, "Good to see you again, my dear."

"I'm feeling that look on you, by the way. A whole jump from blonde to black, but you know what? It fits you!" Sui seemed a bit more excited than usual, but it was hard to tell if it was the Morostide season or if she was cupcake-high, given she had just left the shop. "But Kai didn't change, still needing to escape the crowd a bit, I see. Oh, and hello to you~" she said, smiling at Archer. "You are new addition to the group, right? I'm Sui, by the way"

After introductions, she turned to Platina again "Good to see you like this. You're looking happy. Last time we've been here together, the two of us were kind of down..."

((occ: Kuroi, I didn't bring Daniel at first, but if you want him, I can bring him :3 ))

(pleeeease)

Platina smiled, "The times have changed a bit. I daresay for the better. How have you been?" Her excitement, sugar-high-induced or not, was contagious. "You look fantastic per usual. The hat is a nice touch," he said with a wink. The traditional witch costume was really quite adorable. She wore it quite well. He did, however, wonder if a black cat might serve better than the stuffed animal she had with her now.

Kia took a step back so that the drink Lucas had been holding wouldn't spill on her outfit, half of it could take it... but she preferred not to get stains on the other. She frowned slightly at the man, even though he really was blameless for ruining their moment.

Archer was about to open his mouth to introduce himself as Platina and the woman named Sui just continued on speaking. He raised an eyebrow (not that you could see it under the hood) and held his tongue, waiting for the two of them to finish their conversation before seeing if the woman still wanted to know who he was. He glanced over at the woods where Kai had disappeared to and frowned slightly, hoping that he would be back soon. If you put Archer in a boardroom with a bunch of businessmen and CEO's he could smooze until the sun was gone. This sort of situation? He wasn't quite as smooth as he thought he was and there were times, like this, that he remembered.

((sorry, it was supposed to had come off as Archer's space for introduction o3o I'm kinda rusty at roleplaying right now xD it's been foreveeeer! Glad we're back <3 ))

"Thank you for the compliment" she winked and brushed the edge of her hat, then fiddled with her unpinned little voodoo companion. "And I still haven't heard from , that's how I have been BUT HEY let's not think about it, I'm trying not to!" - all with a huge smile on her face. "But how about you, my marksman friend? I don't think we've met before from the other festivities..." she turned back to the hooded man.

"Archer Desmond," he nodded to her. "I was at the Masquerade ball that I understand you all know each other from. I will admit I didn't get to partake much in the festivities as I was working part time." Ahh there was the charmer that he knew he could be. "Platina and i met briefly there when I met Kai." That was definitely putting it mildy, and honestly Archer couldn't quite remember if Kai had introduced them or if they just knew about each other.

"Oh, you really /are/ Archer, interesting. And what a shame you couldn't enjoy it full-time! Masquerade is the second best event of the year if you ask me, and you didn't, but Morostide is the best best! And you still get to wear a mask if you wish"

She was still messing with the doll, and now addressed both of them "So, did you guys come all together? And where are you staying?"

((ooc: taking a few liberties with the area here...my apologies. It makes sense in my head anyway!))

[img align=left]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/violetleft.png[/img] There was a path through this section of the woods that led to the docks, both for marine ships and air ships. It wasn't that long of a walk, and as the trees thinned Kai was given a spectacular view of the last bit of sunset. He leaned back against one of the trees, feeling some of the tension leave his shoulders as he watched the vessels going about their business. The marine steamships were similar in many ways to the airships Kai was used to, but different enough that they gave him something to break down schematically in his head. There was more traffic now than there had been when he'd arrived, people seeming to take the sunset as their cue to come in droves. He only paid half-attention to the people who went walking past his post, laughing and chattering amongst themselves, some in regular clothes and others in elaborate costumes. For the moment, Kai was breaking down the large cargo steamer that was currently unloading, violet eyes narrowed intently as he absently twisted the amethyst signet ring on his finger. It was likely a triple-expansion engine, with multiple boilers and a very high PSI, necessary for the sort of power required to move something so large...

Platina blinked again and furrowed his brows as the contacts started to suck onto his eyeballs. What a horrific image that brought to mind. He smiled though, faintly, "I'm staying in a hotel. I would feel bad bothering anyone around here to allow me to stay for so long." He looked around again for Daniel, but perhaps the student would arrive later. And where on earth did Kai sneak off to?

Coffee in hand Cin strode through the center of town taking in the lights, sights, and smells. So accustomed to being out after dark the dim lights trickling out of shops windows were enough to cause him to have to squint slightly. Some sort of giant lit up dragon lantern above caught his eye but when he looked back down all he could see was the residual light behind his eyes. Suddenly he bumped into something and hot coffee splashed onto his boots and the bottom of his pants. Assuming the incident had been his fault alone Cin smiled and vision clearing noticed a familiar costume from across the veil of steam. "Nah, it's all good... Officer." Having realized the man he had run into was dressed as an officer of the law his fur couldn't help but bristle. Sure it was the season to play dress-up but why anyone would choose an outfit like -that- he couldn't fathom. Even with the odds being slim that the man actually was a cop, Cin felt uneasy. He wasn't -exactly- a law abiding citizen. "My fault anyway, no harm done." Resisting the impulse to salute the man Cin bit his lip instead and chanced a nervous glance over the mans shoulder at the mime lady from earlier.

Kia sighed with annoyance. "I suppose I'll need to get back in line to get Kai another drink." she glanced over at the cafe and frowned seeing the line that had formed there. Kia eyed the tailed man duviously, hed had been near their group at the gate and hadn't been that friendly. At least he was being apologetic now.

Archer smiled at Sui from under the hood and chuckled. "Yes, Archer the Archer, though I am a much better shot with different kinds of weapons that are a little more... modern." He smirked slightly at Platina under the hood and shook his head. "No we did not arrive together or plan on meeting each other. I came at the invitation of Kai's sister as a surprise to him. The three of us are staying at one of the local hotels." Though he didn't say how many rooms they had rented. Even if Kia had been silly enough to rent three rooms, Archer knew that he'd be spending most of his time in Kai's.

[img align=right]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/darkright.png[/img] "Officer?" It took Lucas a moment to connect the dots, but when he did he quickly shook his head, holding up his free hand in an open gesture of denial. "Oh, no, no - no badge. Just the only costume I could find on short notice that fit." It wasn't even all that comfortable, truth be told. It was, literally, the only costume in his size that he'd been able to borrow before hopping onto the transport to get there. He wasn't about to show up in his work clothes and pretend to be 'dressed up' as a waiter. That would have just been pathetic.

"I'm Lucas," Lucas offered his hand genially. "Again, I'm sorry for running into you. It was probably my own fault really. I'm kind of distracted." He shot a glance of his own over at Kia, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh, I see. I'd be glad to offer you guys my place, but I only have one extra room and then only the couches. You seem to have more comfortable arrangements, anyway. But feel free to visit anytime, I live right over there~"

She gestured to a point a bit further from where they were, across from the square. Her house was only a tad bit brighter than the other houses around, just enough to be recognized as hers when pointed at, but not too much as to not fit in with the other houses.

"It's the white two story one. Hey, are you guys doind anything later? I heard in the neighbourhood that Jaxon Skelly was throwing this fancy party tonight to celebrate the coming of Morostide month and I was thinking of crashing in, what do you think?" she gave them a wink and an up-to-no-good smile.

Among the various groups coming for Morostide was Daniel, all dressed up in proper Prince Charming costumes and demeanor (except for a huge backpack). The young man seemed to be a bit dazed from all that was going on, and when he saw and recognized Kai, he felt relief. He approached, not quite sure if Kai would recognize him as well.

"Uhm, 'evening. Remember me from Masquerade? It's Daniel."

He offered his hand and gave Kai a shy smile. The poor thing was always struggling not to be too polite neither too casual and often created awkward situations mixing both.

[img align=left]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/violetleft.png[/img] "Yes, I remember you. Hello, Daniel," Kai said with a polite smile, shaking his hand. "Arriving for a stay, I take it?" It was polite chitchat; nothing too strenuous. His eyes slid past the younger man, drifting back to the ship he'd been analyzing for a moment before he forced his attention back. It wouldn't do to be rude. "Platina's already here if you were hoping to run into him." His words were nothing but polite, but despite his efforts it was clear that his heart just wasn't in it.

Platina smiled, "Thank you for the offer." He did color a bit when Archer mentioned his 'weapon'. Goodness, he was supposed to be an angel and not know what the man was talking about. Then again... Platina flapped his miniature devil wings and smirked back. "I am quite happily settled in my hotel room, though your offer is kind. I do hope Kai isn't being attacked by a creature of the night," he said with a light laugh. There was nothing in these woods that would harm a person, not even Jaxon Skelly's strange creatures. "Really now? I hadn't heard that... I do know of the annual hunt in the Pumpkin Patch, which I'm very much looking forward to." He would need to find something different to wear... This poor excuse for an outfit was definitely not what he wanted to stay in for too long.

"As a matter of fact, yes, I was." Daniel couldn't help but notice something was off, but he had no clue what it was. Was it him? Was it because of the last time they met? He had a lot of thoughts on his mind, but struggled to set them aside and talk properly. "Well, uhm... are you waiting for someone here? I don't mean to intrude, it's just... I don't know my way around, I've never been here before and it's nice to see a familiar face."

"Yes, well, I think I wasn't supposed to know about it either, it's only for the V.I.People (- she actually said it that way -) from Skelly's cirlce, but crashing into parties is as fun as actually getting invited!" she giggled and clapped her hands in a tiny sort of way.

"But it's only later, so there will be plenty of time if you want to change or anything. I've been wearing these all day around the shop, so I'd like to change too, and eat something before I go."

[img align=left]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/violetleft.png[/img] "What? Oh," Kai said, shaking his head slightly. "No, no. Archer's still in town," he said, glancing back over his shoulder along the defined trail that led into the center of town. "I should probably be getting back to him soon: I'm just taking a few minutes to breathe." He flashed Daniel a sheepish smile. "Besides - it's a pretty great view right here," he pointed out, nodding to the panorama of ships. For a moment, something about one of the crafts seemed familiar, but Kai brushed that off with a mental shake. He'd run into so many different airships during his time in the fleet that it wasn't uncommon for some of them to seem familiar now and again.

"It really is a nice view..." Daniel agreed dreamingly. "I can't wait 'til I've had some real work, you know? I've only started college, and I reckon it's going to take a while, but I'm getting tired of all theory and no proper 'making'~" he halted. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to preach... Anyway, would you mind if I join you? Or, if you wish to stay here longer... could you point me the way to the center?" The young man fiddled with the end of his chainmail and smiled apologetically.

[img align=left]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/violetleft.png[/img] "Don't get too ahead of yourself," Kai warned. "As someone who's been in the business for a while - it's not all fun and games." He reached up, adjusting the decorative goggles he wore. They were flimsy things, but they looked nice with the rest of the outfit. "Don't be in a rush to start real work. Working is something most people end up doing for the majority of their lives, so enjoy being carefree while you can." It was a somewhat ironic little speech from someone who could, in all honesty, stop working at any time and never need to change his lifestyle. Still, the words were true as Kai saw it.

"You're welcome to join me, but I'll be staying here a little longer. Town is that way if you wanted to head in now." Kai indicated the clear, delineated path that cut through the forest.