Hikaru watched, for just a brief moment, as Orion left, still bemused by his elegance and beauty. He then turned quicky to his new friend and her company.

"Ahem, Mister Platina, would you allow me steal the lady for a dance? I am terribly sorry to have interrupted you three, and to now leave you alone for a moment, but I feel I owe her a dance, since I was delayed," only after saying so did Hikaru finally turn to Shylarah and offered her his hand.

((ooc: I based Hikaru off of a classic Japanese literature character by the same name, so I'm trying to portray him a liiiiittle, very little, bit like a Heian era nobleman, even by being a little sexist at times, like prioritizing other males in a conversation, as seen above ^^; but I won't get too carried away, otherwise it'd be awful!))

Garrin looked around for Jean in desperation once Sorn had realized that Jean couldn't have actually written her name on his dance card. "I bet Jean just went to grab a drink or freshen up -- or something..." his voice slowly trailed off as he grew more and more doubtful. He really wanted to be sure Sorn knew he was not alone. "You know, Sorn, I really am gla--."

As Garrin was speaking Coda, trotted up, her white fur gleaming in the golden light, and rubbed along the outside of Sorn's leg. The sleek fox-like creature moved between Sorn's two legs and stopped to sit right between them. She looked quite pleased to be with Sorn and was loving the disturbance her affection was causing in both Garrin and the drow Sorn.

"E-hmm" His throat was not in need of clearing but Garrin did it subconsciously as he looked between Sorn and Coda. His anxiety level had grown because he did not wish to see Coda boiled alive with lava or whatever crazy torturous death Sorn would come up with.

Just when Garrin thought Sorn was going to react to Coda, a stranger, presumably an elf by the looks of him, sauntered up and asked Sorn for a dance. Garrin's eyes widened sharply and he took a step back but closer to Sorn's side. He was totally unsure how the drow would react to the elf but wanted to make sure Sorn knew he was on his team.

(( <3 -- , also Garrin is sexy and he knows it. (sticks tongue out at Sorn) ))

Sorn nodded to the girl (Goldy). "Alright," he said. "I was not sure. The surface world is very different from what I am used to."

Whatever Garrin was about to say was swallowed up with several disturbances. He gave a slight sneer to Coda as she sat between his legs but the drow just rolled his eyes.

What did interest him was the unusual man who approached him. "It will be your pleasure," Sorn said with a smirk. He offered his hand to the other man. Even with the mask on the man had a sense about him that was familiar. "I am called Sorn." With a brief glance at Garrin he said. "I shall return, Gerrad."

Orion inclined his head elegantly to the gentleman at Sorn's side. "Perhaps it would be more prudent to introduce myself first. A thousand pardons." Slightly lidded eyes with a soft smile indicated he was turning on the charm. No reason to be standoffish with these people. They were only here for a good time. "I am called Orion." He accepted Sorn's hand and bowed over it slightly at the waist before he lead Sorn out to the ballroom floor. He laid a hand Sorn's waist, just high enough to be proper but just low enough to be flirtatious. "Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of a dance," he said as he began to lead.

Platina waved off Hikaru with a grin. "Oh, be my guest. Our graceful Shylarah doesn't deserve to be a wallflower by any stretch. I'll be here." He shooed them away with a playful motion of his hands and a wink. As they walked away, he exhaled and threw back the rest of the contents of his glass before asking for another drink. A different one this time. That blue one looked pretty. He tucked his wings close to his body and glanced over his shoulder again, managing to catch the sight of Orion with Sorn. Oh my. Now that was a striking pair, he thought. One dark, the other light.

((is Orion human, angel, elf? lol))

"Greetings," Sorn replied. He gave a bow but didn't take his eyes off Orion's eyes. "Oh this is my pet human. Is it not amusing? Its name is Gwendoline." He pointed at Garrin.

Sorn nodded. "It is no problem. Though you shall forever pine for my beauty." He had no problem with the hand in the proper place, but he slid it down lower, so Orion's hand was now on his firm behind.

(Check your sMail! :3 )

Orion chuckled at the 'human pet' comment. He was certainly an interesting individual indeed. Though Orion was pretty sure the handsome human male's name wasn't Gwendoline, since it was a female name, it was amusing all the same.

As for the moment his hand was moved lower, Orion's eyebrow arched slowly as a smirk slid into place. Forward, wasn't he? And certainly arrogant. It wasn't unlike himself, so he simply enjoyed it. "I'm certain I shall. Though I may be presumptuous to say the same of myself." Presumptuous perhaps but he didn't sound repentant. He stepped back to give Sorn a turn, moving with all the elegance and grace of royalty. This was far more interesting than he thought it would be. Orion should know better than to underestimate other species though, especially mortals.

"I guess Kai picked the right guy, hm?" Lucas asked with a laugh. "Considering you and Archer act almost more like siblings than you and Kai do most of the time." Lucas was careful to avoid stepping on the hems of the ladies around them, as well as trying to not bump into the other couples around them.

Mentioning their marriage was still, even now, a way to bring a blush to Kai's cheeks. "I recognize at least one," he answered thoughtfully. As the person in question drifted to the bar in search of additional libations, Kai got up from the table and adjusted his hat. "I'm going to go say hello," he explained, taking Archer's hand and giving it an affectionate squeeze before heading toward the bar. Kai leaned on his elbows to order a drink for himself - and one for Archer - and then gave a sidelong, half-smiling look out of the corners of his masked eyes. "It's good to see you again. Have you been well?"

Being a magic wielder Sorn could sense the power the man held. He felt a darkness to him which also appealed just as much as the magic. He could practically taste the magic. The way it tickled down his spine was nearly sensual. "I admit, you have an exotic flare about you that I find intriguing," Sorn said, "so I believe I shall enjoy it." The grace they danced with was nothing sort of flawless.

Orion couldn't help but grin. "Oh? I'm flattered such an exquisite being such as your self would think as such about me." He tugged Sorn back in, replacing his hand where the elf had originally placed it himself. Perhaps this evening would go much better than he expected. Time could only tell... and perhaps some more dances and alcohol would further that along. It was a lovely idea. Though he would need to be wary. Sorn looked the type to be able to wield that demonic sword with ease.

Platina jumped at the new yet familiar voice to his side. He turned his head to find Kai standing there. He smiled back. "Long time no see. I have been well." He spied the glittering ring on Kai's finger and lifted his eyes again as he folded his hands together. "I've been a bit busy, but I suppose that is a day in the life isn't it? How have you been?" He had spied Kai enter the room with Archer, Kia and Lucas. He was petty, but he still hadn't been willing to approach Kai. Perhaps it was fear of old feelings resurfacing. But as of right now... he didn't feel anything except the slight fluttering motions of anxiety. He had been a pretty awful friend, after all. Perhaps he wasn't quite as petty as he once was.

"Busy, yes," Kai agreed sheepishly. "I understand that one completely. There are some days when I entirely forget to come out of my studio only to discover at some unholy hour that I'm bone tired and quite hungry." He shook his lacy cuffs back from his hands in order to accept the drinks offered. One he set on the bar in front of him, the other he sipped appreciatively. A look toward the dance floor helped Kai to spot Kia and Lucas still dancing and having a good time, laughing together. A lot had changed over the past couple of years for both of the twins. But it was a joy to see old friends and reconnect at an event that had always been such an important place.

His stoic expression was hard to read, but he didn’t seem to be having a bad time. “Ven, nice to make your acquaintance.” He could appreciate her directness, as he thought the idea of hiding behind masks to be rather juvenile. As the song came to an end they slowed, and Ven bowed before handing over a few trinkets. “This is customary, is it not?” He wasn’t sure how many or what ones so he gave her a couple of both and hoped it was not an offensive amount. Glancing down at the skeletal rabbit at El’s feet, he lifted a brow. “Does it always look so… hungry?” Hungry was a nicer word than emaciated. ()

The flattery made Sorn's smile widen. He loved praise. "So, might i inquire why you chose to come here? I am most curious as to what draws people to such things as a ball."

((did you get a chance to listen to that song I sent you? :3))

"Hi, love!"

Daniel showed up as if he'd come out of thin air, and gave Platina a quick peck on the cheek, leaning from behind and over the top of his lover's folded wing. "Sorry I didn't get here earlier, I was picking up-- uh, I forgot something." Daniel spoke in a rather fast manner. He seemed pretty worked up about something, anxious, but also cheerful. Fidgety. He still had a boyish air about him, but he was much less a boy now than he was some years ago, when he first came to the Masque and met Platina.

Kai was looking at the dance floor and Daniel didn't notice it was him right away. "Oh, Kai! How is life treating you?" He asked with a bright smile and an outstretched hand.

Orion chuckled at the other man's reaction to his words. Bingo. "I heard talk of a ball and saw a crowd headed here in finery and such... I thought it looked interesting. I'm not one to pass up the opportunity to dress up once in a while." He noticed the song ending, so he stilled his movements and slid his hand up Sorn's back. He ran his hand through the ends of the silvery hair, lowering his lashes a bit as he looked at the drow. "And certainly not one to pass up incredible beauty."

((I DID AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL~ I'm sorry, it got buried in my inbox!))

Platina jumped again. What was it with people and appearing right by him? He laughed a moment later, mostly at himself. "Goodness. I thought you weren't going to make it." He returned the gentle peck to Daniel's cheek and smiled brightly, pushing away the half-finished alcoholic drink. It wasn't as appetizing anymore. Despite that, he placed a few trinkets on the counter for the bartender before he looped his arm through Daniel's.

Sorn nodded. "Yes, we are both used to finery with such beauty," he said with a small. "I can see why it drew you here. It is nice to see people appreciate nicer clothing. I was appalled at some things they were trying to sell me at this store I went in." He made a disgusted face.

The drow smiled as Orion felt his back and his hair. "Yes, there is a lot of beauty here tonight," he said looking directly into the other man's eyes.

((ooc: It's ok ^^ and yeees, thought you'd like the song <3 reminded me of them <3 And oh, dear... I've played myself into a corner now, cause we need to wait for Kai's answer and I neeeeeed to go to bed ^^; feel free to RP Danny if need be, honey :3))

Kai offered Daniel a warm smile and a nod. "A pleasure to see you again," he said, shaking the offered hand. "I'm well, thank you. Married, living on Subeta, and recently began selling my silly tinkering projects. Apparently I've somehow become something of an artist, much to my mother's acute dismay." There was a sparkle in his eye with the admission; somehow the last bit seemed to give him the most glee. Offending his mother's sensibilities was so easy, but it never got old.

"But please, don't let me keep you." Kai swept his arm to indicate the dancing whirl. "There will be plenty of time for everyone to catch up as we all arrive. I should bring Archer his drink as well."

Orion smiled in return before he pressed his hand against the small of Sorn's back and began to steer him towards the edge of the dance floor. "Shall I take you back to your human pet? I'm sure he is pining for you by now," he teased. People had begun to stare. They were, no doubt, one of the most handsome couples on the dance floor. At least in their opinions. Being otherworldly had its merits.

Platina smiled at Kai. "I'm glad you're so happy. Let's catch up soon. I'm sure you and Archer have some interesting tales. Well then... Please excuse us." He was just as glad to pull Daniel out onto the dance floor too. It felt so good to be able to talk to Kai without feeling like a catty jilted lover, and even better to know Kai held no malice towards him despite his awful attitude through the entire thing. As the next dance started, he threaded his fingers through Daniel's and exhaled deeply.

Daniel smiled as they parted ways with Kai, and always kept his cool, after all, he'd only arrived after the whole thing was said and done. And to him, as long as everyone was civil to each other, there was no reason why everyone couldn't be friends.

He noticed Platina's deep breath, however.

"Are you alright? I interrupted something, didn't I?" His tone was gentle and comprehensive, not jealous. After all, he was the angel's lover, and he felt confident about it. But he did understand those two had history, and wished to support Platina through and through.

((Hey, everyone, long time no see! Feels like I'm always late to these... We'll see how it all goes, though.))

A sigh escaped one of the, perhaps, more striking women in the ballroom; even without the large, snowy wings, she possessed an inhuman fairness, and the small green dragon perched on her shoulder was rather curious, as well. She spoke softly, seemingly to herself as she cast her golden eyes across the room. "How long has it been, Achemar? It feels like much more than just a year." No audible response came, but rather a telepathic voice, reserved for her alone. As I recall you did drop by last year, but not for long. Does that matter? She cast a glance down at the dragon, and shrugged with the unoccupied shoulder. "Maybe not. I don't know." She seemed to shake herself, then made her way around toward the lounge; she wasn't quite ready to dance yet, and she really hoped to encounter someone she knew. That was as good a place as any to start.