Shylarah could feel the darkness surrounding him, but she didn't shiver at the chill. It wasn't all that bad, really. "Saintzer," she echoed, trying to get the name right and managing to come close. "Not know how dance? Not problem, I teach. ...I not very good either," she admitted with a self-conscious smile. "This kind very different from village dance. So if we bad, we be bad together." The idea amused her more than anything. It was nice dancing with someone who knew what they were doing, but there was a big gap between that and knowing how to account for a less skilled partner, and she ended up feeling horribly bumbling in comparison to most. She gave Saintzer's hand a reassuring squeeze. "You should have seen first time in long dress. I not walk two steps before trip!"

A small smile twitched on Saintzer's lips but it was gone a moment later. "You seem to have a handle on it now. I take it this isn't your first event," he said, glancing nervously at the dance floor. Everyone was very graceful and beautiful... He didn't feel like he belonged at all. He was here to become social again, but he was beginning to think that perhaps solitary confinement was the best thing for him after all. Kasiya didn't agree, naturally, but if Saintzer was here, why wasn't he? Or maybe it was all a ruse?

“Well then,” Sorn said with a smile, “I accept.” The dark elf followed along with the couple, taking Jean’s arm. Jean seemed fairly agreeable to him—easy going. Then Ven did seem a little more agreeable than Sorn had expected. The sorcerer spent a long time examining the drink selections; the look on his face was pensive. When he growled with frustration, his red eyes flashing with anger, the brave barkeep came over to him. After a brief exchange, a new drink was concocted with the two strongest drinks there: Haunting Nightmare Illumis Cocktail and Zombie. Sorn sampled the drink. It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t as strong as he would have liked but it was passable. “I wonder…” he asked hesitatingly unsure if he would offend the male, “may I pose a few questions?”

He regarded Jean’s conversation. “Weapons can be truly remarkable and the skill in them useful for a variety of situations. Though, improvising can prove how creative one is,” he remarked. “My kind is taught since a young age a variety of weapons and then as we age we specialize. A lover of puzzles then?” He asked intrigued.

"I come since five...no, six years." She didn't take them far onto the dance floor, preferring to stay near the edge. She'd spoken the truth: while Shylarah had a certain amount of natural grace, it was evident that she was not a particularly good dancer. Indeed, without a competent partner she was merely passable, but if she minded the occasional raised eyebrow directed at the pair there was no way to tell. She even went so far as to smile at those she caught looking.

It wasn't that she was /bad/, not really, and she certainly wasn't clumsy. It was just that she'd trained as a warrior, and while simple country dances were fine the more complicated formal ones preferred by Masquerade guests were not the sort of thing that came naturally to her. It was only because of her training that she had picked up on ballroom dancing as well as she had, and there was evidence that she approached it a little like she might a sword drill or a spar. It wasn't the only sign that the girl was a fighter, either, with one of the more obvious ones being the callouses on her hands.

"First time, come with Professor from school," Shy continued, doing her best to teach her partner how to move his feet for the basic step. She'd gathered her skirt up enough that her own dress boots were visible, which was not exactly proper but how else did you show someone the steps? "I make friends here. Now every year I come. Is best holiday, I think."

So she was a regular, then. Saintzer looked up from their feet, "So you know Kasiya then?" he asked, "He came around some years ago... two? I believe." He wasn't around, clearly, for that time but he had recalled Platina talking about their adventures in this world. Saintzer didn't know Platina well, but he was very well acquainted with Kasiya. But if this girl - Shylarah - knew of Kasiya, then perhaps she would know where he was at this time. It was unlike Kasiya to be late.

For perhaps the first time in his life, Kai felt butterflies take wing in his stomach as he approached the Grand Ballroom. Things had been so hectic for the past year - no, it had been longer than that. They'd essentially missed the last year's Masquerade, hadn't they? It was telling that Kai could not, for the life of him, remember. Usually he could at least recall the outfits he'd worn, but try as he might he could not pinpoint the timeframe in his mind.

Shaking off the thoughts, Kai smoothed his waistcoat and made sure his mask was in place. It was a small thing, no larger than a small makeup compact and lensed in green: a callback to one of the outfits he'd worn his first year at the Masquerade. Even if he wasn't in his signature purple, the green he wore instead brought out the violet of his visible eye. He knew he looked good, but it was surprising how clothing that had once been everyday to him now felt restrictive and even a touch uncomfortable.

Oh, how many things had changed.

The Ballroom, on the other hand, looked as warm and radiant as the first time he'd stepped foot inside. The place was bustling with people and the band was playing for all of those who graced the dance floor. Kai gave the dancers a quick glance, unable to hide the way a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but made his way to the Lounge instead. Dancing would happen, in time. For now it was simply a matter of re-acclimating himself to the setting and finding the comfortable chaos that he'd so loved to be a part of in years prior.

((ooc: knocks off rust, creaks around trying to sweep it up It's been a loooong time. Hello~ and so they know I posted something instead of just dithering more lol))

At the mention of a familiar name, Shylarah blinked, her hands tightening slightly for a moment. "Kasiya? Yes!" She grinned, messing up a step, catching her skirt, and stumbling a little as she neglected paying enough attention to dancing. "Interesting man. Had interesting magic, very unusual signature. I ask he want visit sometime, but he say no." She shrugged. "You know him? ...He come this year?" She rather hoped he had.

((A curse on college and the amount of time it takes up. Sorry! I'll try to keep more on top of things for a little while at least, while my evenings are actually relatively free.))

A sigh passed Kyriel's lips, and she shook herself roughly. It's not like me to zone out like that, she thought to herself. Get a grip, Kyriel. You're fine, now. Shylarah, it seemed, had wandered off, and the darkness surrounding her current dance partner made Kyriel uneasy, at best. She was a creature of light at heart, after all. Something told her it wasn't anything to be worried about, but... Well, in her current state of mind, maybe it was best to steer clear for the time being. Until she cleared her head a bit, at least.

Maybe a drink would help. Strange that they affected her, but she wasn't exactly complaining. Approaching the lounge, she noticed a few familiar presences as well: Liana was in the general vicinity, at least, and one or two others she thought seemed familiar, but couldn't exactly place. And... Kai? After last year, she almost hadn't expected him to be around, and the fact that he was somehow made everything feel just a little more familiar. Funny, considering how little they'd ever really spoken. Maybe she'd run into him this year, or one of the others..? Or someone new, for that matter.

(( and I suppose is in the vicinity, too. Leaving this open-ended so I don't intrude on anything~))

Saintzer held her steady; his grip was firm but not bruising. He nodded, "He is... er..." Probation officer probably wasn't something she would be familiar with. "A guardian of sorts, I suppose." He was surprised at her enthusiasm. Kasiya wasn't normally one to make friends, much less a lady friend. Still, stranger things had happened. He was a living testament to that. "He should be coming tonight but I'm not sure where he's at."

"Guardian?" That word got even more of a reaction than Kasiya's name had, and she lost track of the rhythm entirely and had to listen for a moment to find it again. Once she had she fixed Saintzer with an usually focused gaze. "You mean guardian like...someone who protect, or you mean Guardian like...like job name, like title?" Shylarah's voice had taken on a singular intensity, and it seemed the question had a particular significance to her.

For the girl it ws another reminder of home. She'd found a number of them lately, but this one, this meant that maybe she could still finish her training. She'd still been an apprentice when she'd made the mistake that ended her up where she was now, and she'd not heard anything about Guardians since. It was a position that carried a great deal of respect, but also a great deal of responsibility, and she'd wanted to be one since she was old enough to run about with a wooden sword.

Ah, not the right word, then. She clearly had a different understanding of the word than he did. Saintzer shook his head. "Someone who guards others from me. Someone who... keeps me from doing bad things." Rather, his magic and his temper. But still, he wouldn't be surprised if that chased her off on its own.

Meanwhile, another dark-haired man had entered the ballroom, hurriedly pulling his vest back into place and smoothing back his bangs. Kasiya grunted a greeting at the man standing guard at the ballroom's door as he trotted into the building. It didn't take him long to spot Saintzer and he frowned when he saw what the younger man was doing.

Ven had a difficult time recalling the contract Jean mentioned, but then there had been quite a number of less appealing requests over the last year. “This one’s much more tolerable, nothing to write about anyway.” He hesitated a moment before accepting Jean’s free arm. ()

After Sorn got the bartender to agree to the devious concoction, without missing a beat Ven spoke up. “I’ll have what he’s having.” He stated very clearly as if it had already been done, not giving the barkeep an opportunity to object. There was a dangerous glimmer in his eye. “I don’t see the harm.” He leaned on the bar preferring to stand as he regarded Sorn. He was growing slightly more comfortable, so far this man seemed rather tame in comparison to other magic users Ven had known. ()

((I hope I covered everything, had a long day at werk. my brain has the dumb XP !! Glad you could make it! ❤️ Leelee will find you in a bit, count on it. lol))

((AAAH ! glomps And when she shows up! Glad you guys can make it~ ❤️ It's really not the same without the twins. ^.^ ))

"Ah, well I'm glad it's neither bothersome nor especially dangerous." Jean replied. At the bar, she ordered the hard cider with the outer space theme. "I'm pretty sure if I tried what you two are drinking I'd be flat on my back. And while the chandeliers are pretty, I don't want to spend the evening looking at nothing else." She was not a big drinker, and the fact she was having anything at all meant the night was special. "I do love a good puzzle. Or a riddle, or even a secret. Something between a hobby and a profession, since I do a little bit of a lot of different things. And I love poking around in old abandoned sites. You never know what you'll turn up."

The commentary about weapons got a wry smile. "Yeah...I don't know. I don't ever want to go up against a dragon with just a staff and a grappling hook again. ...Nor do I want to get so close a look at one's teeth if it's not friendly." She shuddered. "I'll leave that sort of thing to the experts, thank you. But enough about that. What have you been up to since we got back from Sinhae, Sorn?"

"Oh."  She was disappointed, and sorely, but did her best to shrug it off.  "I sorry....You see, was training for Guardian back home.  Is like...."  The girl struggled to find the right words to explain it.  "Guardian protect everyone, but not just from normal bad things.  Rift bring evil, things that destroy life.  ...I was stupid, didn't think.  Ended up here."  The smile she attempted that time was weaker and a bit wavery.  "I think not able go back.  But is nice here."  Shy found something positive to focus on, and that helped her shake off her brief melancholy.  "Professor teach me speaking, and I learn reading, and is forest like back home in Peka.  Visit friends there a lot."

The rest of what Saintzer mentioned was a bit puzzling.  "So he protect people from...you?  Why, you not good at keep calm?  I hear stories, mages lose control make bad things happen.  Like that?"

After flagging down the bartender and paying the required trinkets, Kai collected his gin and tonic and moved out of the way of the bar. He scanned the crowd again, clearly looking out for someone. Accidentally catching the eye of a red-haired woman ( ) he nodded a polite greeting and glanced down to check his pocket watch. Considering he had barely been on time, himself, they were most certainly late. And yet, he wasn't terribly surprised. He caught himself grinning at the thought of his sister fighting with her wardrobe - as much as they were different, the twins had their similarities. Kai's own near tardiness had been caused by an inability to choose between four different suits - and then he'd agonized over which jacket to put over it for another half an hour, to boot.

It would be a little difficult to spot in the crowd, but that didn't stop Kai from looking for her and Lucas.

(( don't rush on my account ^^ And yes, I'm here! ))

Sorn watched as a women dressed as an angel came to the bar. He was also amused that he and Ven not only shared the shame drink but the same stance. Leaning not sitting. Sorn was also watching movements and calculating threats. “I’m curious, were where you from Ven? Did you did train long in your skills?”

Sorn smirked at Jean’s comment. “Fair one, this drink is weak enough to give to my sister’s newborn babe. Then again, it would take many a drink to get me drunk even on my kin’s brews. Abandon places would indeed keep one on their toes, especially ridged with traps.” He gave a creepy smile. “I don’t know… there is something about being on your enemy and greeting it as it dies. But, to each their own.” He recovered from his moment of bloodlust thoughts. “I suppose adjusting would be an applicable word. I do not know what to do with myself.” He took a long swig of his drink. “And you? Just roaming sites and trying to get into trouble?”

If Kyriel had heard the observation made of her, she might have corrected it: she was not merely dressed as an angel. The wings and the status they implied were quite real, thank you. Perhaps fortunately, though, she had not; in fact, she barely heard the conversation Sorn and the others were having out loud. Something about strong drinks and trying to get into trouble. Well, Kyriel certainly had plenty of experience with one of those, but if her choice of drink - there was a mulled wine this year that sounded pleasant - was anything to go by, it wasn't the former. Well, she wasn't going to intrude, but someone else had at least spared her a glance, and since he seemed to be alone for the moment, at least...

Kyriel flashed Kai a shy smile when he caught her eye, and wandered over into his vicinity once she had her drink. "Might you forgive a brief intrusion on my part?" she asked, voice soft, barely carrying over the chatter of the rest of the partygoers. "Only we both seem to be alone for the moment, and that's no way to be at something like this, is it?" She laughed nervously. "Ah, I'm Kyriel, by the way. I think we've met... Once or twice over the years, at least?"

((HIIII GUYS!!! Sorry I'm being slow. I am not 100% today D: ))

It wasn't that Kia had been fighting her wardrobe so much in that there had been deep discussion regarding how a'' of her crimson clothing could turn SUCH different shades in different lighting. Still, she rather enjoyed the outfit, and it was made all the better knowing that it was one that likely would have given their mother conniption fits. Kia smiled proudly as she held onto Lucas' arm as they walked into the ball room with the party in full spring and wondered if anyone would recognize her without the dreds that were here signature.

She squeezed his hand with excitement and bounced slightly in her tall heels. "I'm so glad that we're back! I didn't think that not going last year would affect me so much." Kia paused and scanned the room looking for Kai, Archer or any of the other's they'd gotten to know over the years of attending. "Now we play the game of find the people we know."

"Your name is familiar, Lady Kyriel, but your appearance is unknown to me." Kai smiled, the expression a touch sheepish. Despite the drink in his hand, he still managed to pull off a gracefully polite bow. "Although I suppose such is the expectation when one is attending a Masquerade. All one needs do is change his or her mask, and their entire countenance becomes unfamiliar." It was startlingly easy to fall back into his old speech patterns, the formality rising without him needing to reach too far for it. "Do you find yourself well this evening?"

In Lucas' opinion, Kia would have looked incredible in anything. So what if the reds weren't all the same red? Even though he struggled to follow why crimson was not the same as scarlet, he tried to be supportive and offer his honest opinion. It was more than worth it in the end, as he was now absolutely certain that he was the luckiest man in the entire place. No matter how much he looked around the ballroom once they'd made their entrance, his warm grey eyes always came back to rest on Kia. "Is that the game? I thought Kai would be meeting us somewhere here, but I don't suppose he mentioned where to you?"

Kia laughed and leaned in to give Lucas a quick kiss. "He was supposed to meet us at the entrance, but he was probably super giddy when he came in like I was." She smiled and looked around the room, scanning the area she could see before looking over at the bar. "And has wondered off..." she said as she starting to scan the crowd in the bar. "Oh, I see him. He's gotten himself a drink!" She peered again and noted him speaking with a woman dressed as an angel. "He seems occupied through." Kia grinned and turned back to Lucas. "Care to push me around the dance floor to work up a thirst before we join him?"

"True enough," Kyriel said with a smile, this one more genuine than the last she had offered. "I usually wear my hair black, too," she admitted, "but I felt like this suited better for the time being." The last question gave her pause, and it was a long moment before she replied. "I am not unwell, at least," she finally said, "though I have been better, certainly." A shiver passed through her, and she ruffled her wings slightly, as if to dispell it. "Such is life, though, I suppose." Or whatever approximation she had, anyway. "What about you, though? You seem... Different than I remember." She offered him a subtle tilt of her head and a shy smile. "In a good way, though, I think?"