Lucas offered Kia his best courtly bow - rough around the edges, to be certain, but considerably better than years before when they'd first met. "It would be my honor to dance with you, my lady," he said, an imitation of the formal speech from the higher-class folks around. There was a grin on his lips that showed how silly he found it all to be; but he was having fun nonetheless. At least Kia didn't seem to mind that he'd chosen an outfit that was as informal as he could get away with.

"Ah." Kai colored as well, though he didn't have the luxury of a truly covering mask to hide behind. There were so many different things she could be referring to, and all of them were personal. "There were many things weighing on my mind in the years past. As I've grown older, there are some that have faded and others than have seen themselves resolved." He paused, then snorted in an entirely ungentlemanly way and reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "If there's anything really different, it's probably that I live on the surface now and talk to my mother maybe once every couple months." Kai offered an almost boyishly sheepish smile to go along with the suddenly informal drop of his speech. "That'll change anyone for the better."

(( TRINKETS OR BUST!))

The comment about a cage concerned her, but after glancing from one man to the other she decided not to ask. She was quite certain that must be part of why Saintzer was so upset, and she didn't want to dampen the mood more than it already was, even if she did feel badly for him. "I do lots of things. Still at school, but I go visit Peka and friends there. Liana live there now -- I help her move. And go for Morostide and Survival to Shadowglen. I like traveling. Never do before, you know?" Shy signalled the bartender and ordered something without alcohol before turning her attention back to Kasiya. It was a little hard to talk to him, mostly because of nerves she really didn't think she should be having. "Saintzer not unsocial. ...Dance better than you," she added with a teasing smile quickly hidden behind her just-arrived drink. "You learn since then? Or I try teach again. ...Maybe teach outside, so less people." She remembered how frustrated he'd been, and offered an alternative that might be less bothersome to him.

(( all the trinkets~~ grabby hands I need so many more D: ))

Kia laughed at Lucas, her nose wrinkling with a bright smile that she seemed to reserve for just him. She found it so funny when he tried to be all formal like the people she'd grown up with. It just didn't suit him. she liked him rough around the edges, it made her feel all warm inside to be with him. Like she was finally in a place where she felt completely comfortable. "Hmm," She laughed, joining him in the mocking of the speech around them. "Mayhaps, you would be kind enough to escort me for the evening. Or would that be too bold of me to ask?"

How Lucas loved that smile. He loved everything about her, really, but sometimes he was struck all over again by how lucky he was. When she adopted the same sort of speech, he broke character and laughed. "I thought I already was escorting you?" Lucas teased, taking her hand and kissing the back. "Let's dance," he offered, taking a step toward the polished parquet and tugging gently on the hand he held.

"Well, whatever the reasons, I'm glad to hear you're doing better," Kyriel replied, in a surprisingly genuine tone of voice, considering they barely knew one another. Her expression turned just a little sad, though, when he mentioned his mother, and she sipped at her drink in an attempt to cover it. "Perhaps not everyone," she murmured, "but it's good that it's working out for you, at least." She actually startled slightly as her small companion clambered his way up onto her shoulder and stuck his nose in her face; she had rather forgotten he was there, as such. But a soft laugh escaped her, as well. "Achemar," she chided the little dragon, "behave yourself, will you? Especially when I'm talking to someone."

[img align=left]https://s26.postimg.org/bjgd4u3k9/190114.png[/img] Terribly interesting how the other man could change his appearance so swiftly. Ven even felt a bit envious before he considered how many years it must have taken to develop the skill set. Pushing back his mask, Ven watched carefully as Sorn brought his weapon to life. He almost felt giddy when Sorn allowed him to touch Mirror. Reaching out he could have sworn there had been a sharp snap that tickled his palm when contact was made. Heavier than it looked the balance was perfect, each blade dangerously sharp. If only he could hear it speaking. But that was reserved for the wielder, not just anyone allowed to put their paws on it.

“Truly an exotic specimen.” Handing Mirror back he reached for the cane at his hip. Pushing the crystal on top to the side with his thumb in an instant the illusion was gone. In its place was a shiny black sheath. With another flick of the thumb a black blade slid from its cage and glistened dangerous in the starlight, a few emeralds glittering at the hilt. “This is Venom.” It absorbed the light around it, distorting one's vision if they looked at it directly. Though Ven suspected Sorn wouldn’t have a hard time defining the edges. “A temperamental thing.” He pushed it back into its sheath although it looked more difficult to put back than releasing it, the blade was objecting it didn’t like being woken up for nothing.

The sheath itself was made of a highly polished black marble like stone. Heavier than the blade itself, it was used to keep it still as Venom tended to vibrate when anticipating use. Carefully Ven held it out for Sorn to inspect. ( ) ~ When Liana and Elle had gotten their fill of the Menagerie, the two parted ways. Her heart significantly lightened from the shopping, Liana caught herself skipping across the ballroom. Chewing her lip, hoping no one had noticed she smoothed her skirt and hastily scampered the rest of the way back toward the Lounge. It wasn’t a drink she was after, but rather something sugary. Perhaps afterwards she would even hunt down her escort and force a dance upon him.

When she finally made it up to the bar and managed to grab the attendants attention she ordered a plate of before securing a small table at the edge of the room. With her back to the wall where she was comfortable she dug in but only managed a roll and a half before feeling full. Probably thanks to the corset she had on underneath.

Kia gladly let Lucas guide her out onto the dance floor. He was one of the few men that she would follow anywhere with at least very little questions. She grinned back at Lucas as he took both of her hands and they got into step with the other dancers around them.

"You are, thank goodness. Because there is no one else that I would rather be escorted by," she said beaming at him and ignoring the looks from the people around them. She recognized some, even with their masks and sighed. Her mother would know about all this soon enough, but for now there was nothing that could spoil it.

(Bringing in the Archer if that's okay~)

Archer tugged as his cuffs as he entered the grand ballroom of the masque. He grinned brightly at the brightly colored sea of people dancing, mingling, drinking. This was certainly the place to be. There was a time until just recently that Archer wasn't entirely sure if he was going to be able to make it. Which really would have thrown all of his plans out of whack, now to find Kai to start setting his plans into motion.

It took Archer only a few moments to locate his boyfriend. He grinned recognizing the hair and the clothing that Kai had planned out an packed the night before. He headed towards the bar coming up behind Kai so that the shorter man didn't spot him. He gave the woman he was speaking with a wink before standing right behind Kai. "I'm shocked that you are standing here at the bar and not out on the dance floor." He chuckled. "Was it just too depressing without me?"

(( aaah! Archer looks great, what's that hair? And I'm glad to see they're still a couple. I heard...rather unfortunate things about last year or two years ago. I think two. I'm glad they sorted it out. <3))

(( I think it's the Shenguo fisherman's hair? I'm not in a place I can look atm. XD And yeah they were rocky a while ago. Also thank you for all the dances!! I MIIIIGHT actually be able to get all the things I want from the shop!! I"m getting much closer ))

Kai watched the tiny dragon with focused interest for all of a few seconds, sharp violet eyes taking in the way it moved. He noticed not at all the sneaky dork looming up behind him - considering Kai was just over six feet tall himself, Archer's ability to loom was a formidable thing. Archer was just lucky that Kai had already imbibed most of his drink before Archer spoke, because the rest of it went crashing to the polished floor. Glass and ice scattered and Kai smothered a curse before turning to look up at Archer. "Stars, Archer! Don't do that!"

The event staff quickly moved to clean up the mess before any of them could try to take care of it themselves, sweeping away the debris as if the accident had never happened. Kai murmured an apology as they whisked away. With his heart rate returning to normal, Kai poked a finger into the middle of Archer's chest. "I thought you weren't coming this year!"

Lucas noticed Kia's sigh and glanced away from her for a moment in order to survey the couples dancing around them. He caught rather haughty expressions from a few of the masked faces, and while this didn't seem terribly out of the ordinary, the fact that they were looking specifically at him made Lucas raise his eyebrows in barely-polite questioning. It seemed to be enough to make them sniff and look away, at least. "I'm happy to be here with you," Lucas said softly, pitching his voice for Kia's ears only. He squeezed her hand before finding the rhythm of the music and catching up with the steps of the dance.

Kyriel, for her part, covered a smile behind another sip of her own drink. Achemar was not so subtle, making an odd, metallic noise that was no less distinguishable as laughter. "Hush, you," she told him, with only minimal effect, before rolling her eyes and turning her attention back to the men. "That's one way to make an entrance." Her voice was dry, but her expression still threatened to betray her amusement. "Do you always frighten people half to death when you greet them?"

Kasiya made a face, but he shrugged. "I learned a little. I don't expect to have gotten any better since then but I can at least guarantee that I won't step on you." If he did, he would no doubt break her foot with his heavy boots. Saintzer removed his hat briefly to rake a hand through his hair, giving a soft sigh.

"Then it sounds like the only person who knew how to dance was Platina," he said with a slight teasing smile. Kasiya rolled his eyes.

"He excels at anything feminine," he agreed, "Hence why I'm the brute force and he's the pretty face. Anyway. Neither of us have done much dancing since then."

Archer gave Kyriel an enigmatic shrug as he smiled at Kai apologetically brushing some imaginary bit of drink off Kai's jacket.

"Plans changed," Archer said with a happy, teasing, grin. He reached over and tilted Kai's chin up to give him a small chaste kiss before letting go and putting his arm around Kai's waist. "Though if you're not happy to see me, I can always go."

Kai had blushed earlier, but that was nothing compared to now. "I, um," he stammered, even his ears seeming to burn. There was nothing to be done for it except to bury his incandescent face in one of his hands until the worst of the embarrassment passed. "M-My apologies, Lady Kyriel," he finally managed, though he didn't seem capable of looking higher than her knees. "Archer is a... well, sometimes there are words that come to mind that aren't fit for polite company."

No, Kai was not remotely a fan of PDA. Who would have guessed?

((Embarrassed Kai is ADORABLE, . <3))

"Is good idea, not step on me," Shy quickly agreed. She had noticed his shoes and didn't think she'd do well getting trod on. The mention of Kasiya's brother got a tilt of her head, but she was glad Saintzer was up to making a joke. "Not seen him since a few years," she commented. "Hope he is good. You say hi for me, when see him again?" She directed the request at Kasiya, since the two were brothers.

His description of himself and his brother confused her. "Dancing not girly -- fighting not /not/ girly." She didn't understand the gender divisions that so many people seemed to make. Females were often faster, and males stronger and better gliders, but that hardly mattered all that much. "I think knowing fighting more important than looking pretty, anyhow. But can do both. Like you do."

A shattering glass farther down the bar saved the young lady from having to consider how embarrassed she was after realizing she'd just indirectly admitted she though Kasiya was handsome. Startled by the noise she was off her stool in a moment, wings flared and hand reaching for her hidden weapon before she figured out it was just an accident and relaxed. "Sorry...still not very good with so many people." Her mask hid some of her blush, but it was still evident in the pink tinge to her ears. She still had trouble being completely relaxed in a large crowd, especially after the fiasco with the rift beasts and the assassins a few years back. Trying to regain her composure, she offered Kasiya a hand, brushing hair back from the . "So, you want dance in ballroom, or in garden?"

Jean had been quite certain the cane was her friend's ever-present blade. He always had it with him, and there was a connection between the two. From the sound of it, Sorn's bladed staff likewise had a personality. She'd heard of weapons that were more like people than objects, but she was just as happy working with a regular old staff or knife. "Both are lovely weapons," she said, though she knew better than to try to handle either.

Kyriel's smile was gentle, and she rested a reassuring hand on Kai's shoulder, though only for a moment, hoping not to risk overstepping her bounds or embarassing him further. "It's fine," she said softly. "He doesn't seem so bad thus far, though. Not compared to some others I know, at least." Her smile turned a little mischevous. "Let's just say there's a good reason I never invite my, er, best friend to these sorts of things, myself."

Achemar gave a snort at that, and fixed her with a flat stare. Are you sure that isn't just because you're afraid of what people would think, seeing the two of you together? The dragon "spoke" telepathically, making his thoughts heard to the three of them. Then again, he mused, most people here seem to think your wings are just costuming, anyhow. You still worry too much.

Saintzer jumped at the sudden noise and flicked his hand out. A massive black scythe with lines of teal shot through it appearing in his hand. The dark aura expanded and Kasiya grabbed Saintzer in an arm bar, making him release the weapon, which vanished, and the aura shrank back down to its usual size. "Don't," Kasiya hissed softly in the younger angel's ear, drawing a quiet whimper from him.

Once that was taken care of, Kasiya stepped back from Saintzer and shook his head at Shylarah. "I can't let him out of my sight. So, if we can stay here, that would be best. It would be scandalous for two men to disappear with a young woman."

((sorry long day took forever to come up with this lmao))

Sorn set Mirror beside him, he’d do a few moves if they asked. He enjoyed the fact that Ven approved of his staff. Sorn smirked, “I was correct then, I had guessed perhaps your cane was your weapon concealed.” He could feel the energy. And enjoyed watching how difficult it was to re-sheath. To him it felt like a song, one he knew even if the language was different. “Dark magic?” he asked. He caressed it like a lover and a gasp of appreciation issued forth. “It is beautiful. Does Venom grow in longing as it hits enemies or is it sated with blood shed?” He was curious as to what kind of spells and life it had. A few more touches—and he forced himself to break contact. “Truly remarkable. I would love to see it in action one day.” He turned to Jean, “Do you have a magical weapon?”

Archer motioned at Kyriel with a grin. "She doens't think I'm bad. Unless you are sublte saying that You can't take me anywhere. Which is not true you know," He pointed out before turning to the bartender to order himself a drink and one to replace the drink Kai dropped thanks to him. "And I'll cover the lady's next drink."

He turned back to the other two, looking apologetic at least that he made Kai that uncomfortable. It was always jsut to the two of them so it was difficult to remember that their typical 'hellos' were not going to work here. "Is this one of your old friends Kai?" Archer asked, trying to move past the awkwardness.

"He could be worse," Kai agreed, though the words were a touch on the side of grudging. When asked about Kyriel, however, another tint of pink dusted his cheeks. "Of a sort, I suppose. Unfortunately I must admit to not recognizing Lady Kyriel from previous years, though it's absolutely likely that we have spoken before. Lady Kyriel; Archer Desmond. Archer, the lovely lady Kyriel." He offered introductions the best he could, then gratefully accepted his replacement drink and took a sip. Even if he chose not to drink it, having something in-hand put him more at ease.