"If you forgot, then your claims that it is a bad thing are unfounded. Besides, I know you secretly want me. You are just afraid to let yourself enjoy the treasure I am." Sorn smirked. "Surely you would rather my clothing came off than I destroy the ball room as I came close to doing last year?" He smiled thinking of the incident and gave a lecherous grin at the mention of the private rooms. "Yes, I did partake of those last year with Devin." He missed the sarcasm. He nodded to Garrin. "Quite right, dear Jean. It would not do to make these poor people stand in pallor next to such as I for too long. The weeping of envy would drown us all in tears and sweep our corpses far away." As the dance started Sorn said, "I have missed your company. As I have missed Garrin's as well. Do not tell him though."

Kyriel delicately raised an eyebrow, and might have blushed faintly, but certainly it would be hard to tell if the subtle golden tint on her cheeks was that, or simply a reflection off her citrine mask. The little dragon, for his part, seemed to bask in the attention, puffing out his chest and mantling his wings a little to make himself look more impressive. "Well, thank you," she said, a little shyly. "If that is true, and in all this finery and elegance you have still come here, then I suppose I should be flattered, hm?"

Orion smiled. And there we have it. He nodded to her. "I don't think myself quite as egotistical as Sorn but yes." He winked at her before he unfolded his legs and leaned forward. "What is the dragon's name?" he prompted, "I haven't seen a dragon with these colors before." What he did know about dragons is that they tend to be very full of themselves and are drawn towards shiny trinkets. Orion had a pair dangling from his ears but there was no reason to fret about that. If the dragon wasn't tempted by anything else around here, then it probably was more interested in staying with its... mistress? Companion would probably be the best word to avoid offending such a proud creature.

It's alright, I work second shift so I feel like I miss everything

crash of flutes caused Goldy to jump, the crash was loud. She flushed bright red as it felt like everybody nearby stared at their table. Tanwen flinched at the commotion but stayed on the seat. Goldy caught the glint of tears but said nothing, she wouldn't pry. Another woman appeared offering to get them some food, "Those little bread appetizers are delicious." she suggested to the lady. 'Okay, a little past tipsy was generous.' she thought realizing her new table friend was sloshed. "Enjoying it about as much as I can. Everybody seems to be able to be good at dancing. Their clothes are beautiful too." she replied, wondering how much longer it would take for this woman to pass out from her drinks. Carefully she picked up Tanwen to place on her lap to take a seat. Somebody should probably keep an eye the inebriated woman.

( For now. But I'm sure she'll catch up with Venom and Jean soon for a dance or two.) "The court of the birds is a strange place where plumage is everything. You would be much admired there." Quercus couldn't help but laugh as she spoke. "I thought you wore the makeup well. But I can understand why you would prefer to avoid another round of that. I wouldn't enjoy it either." She followed Jean's drink recommendations and watched the ballroom with interest. Maybe they could play a faster song for them to dance to. "Do you know what this music is called? It reminds me of the ballrooms of Crystania but it's different."

She didn't realise her mistake at first but it became apparent the person wasn't who she thought they were. She wondered about applogising but she had the feeling the person wouldn't notice. "Sure. I'll get a selection so you can choose. There's a few things I want to try too. Maybe you can tell me what they are?"

( I forgot to change my HA before I posted. I've got Quercus set now. Sorry about that.) Quercus smiled cheerfully at the offer to dance. "I'd love to. I confess I've not danced like this before. I will try though." She felt Sihr hide within her vines. She hoped the little faeling knew that Quercus wouldn't stand her getting hurt. (Best to let her do what she feels happiest about.) When the stranger glanced away she whispered; "Tell me if you want me to do something. I wouldn't want you to feel unhappy." She stood up and offered her hand to the stranger. "I am Quercus, and you?" She glanced again at the third member of their party. "How about I get those snacks and we can talk for now?" She nodded at the lady. "I know so few people here, it would good to make a few new friends if I can."

Goldy nodded, she'd tried most of the appetizers already to some degree and somewhat knew what they were, she hadn't tried many of the main dishes yet. The appetizers were good enough to make a whole meal out of anyways. She was lost in the thought of the different flavors when another person came to check on the table's other occupant. "Sorry, I didn't mean to invade your table." she assumed since they knew each other they had been sitting together earlier. Goldy tried to move but the rule of not moving pets was in effect. She was stuck. "This was the first mostly empty table I spotted so I kind of invited myself to join your friend."

Quercus nodded and moved to the bar. She returned with a platter of things she thought looked good. The staff had seemed surprised at her desire to carry it herself but she saw no issue with it. (I hope these are acceptable.) She laid them out on the table. She'd brought some napkins as well. She placed a few by the woman who looked like she might cry or shout. "I admit I've not seen half of these things." She looked at a strange mound of what appeared to be cream with sauce. But she'd never seen cream hold a shape before. She addressed the woman who might have had too much. "What do you think tastes the best?" She noticed the little fox had decided to sleep. The sight was enough to bring her mood down. She missed her companions badly but it wasn't in her nature to remain depressed for long. Instead she decided to focus on the little creature. "I didn't think there would be any creatures here. I've seen a few but I had to leave my friends behind. Tipper and Star probably would have gone mad by now. How do you keep your friend so calm?"

"I haven't tried that one yet, looks like some sort of cream cheese or something on top." Goldy said, inspecting the strange food. The question about favorite foods made her glance around for more. "My absolute favorites are all of the crostinis. They got the bread toasted just right." She began to pet Tanwen, "She's rather attached to me, although she did run away earlier to check out somebody's sword." She wasn't sure why Tanwen stayed so close other than her telling her to. "You can pet her if you'd like, she rather enjoys attention."

Sorn... That name seemed familiar, somehow, but Kyriel couldn't place it. For now, she chose not to comment. The dragon, on the other hand, did. He "spoke" telepathically, as he had all evening, but now it was broadcast enough that Orion should be able to "hear" it. You may call me Achemar. His voice gave the impression of a tenor, high but masculine, with what would best be described as a metallic quality to it. You have never seen a green dragon before? Curious.

Orion looked at the dragon and smiled a little more. He didn't seem surprised at the notion of communicating telepathically as he simply turned to the creature, calm and collected. "Indeed. Most of the dragons I have had the pleasure of seeing were darker tones: grey and black mainly. Not very benevolent, these dragons." This one was a fair bit kinder than those back home. They had more of a habit to dismember or torch those who came too close to their hoards. "It's a pleasure, Achemar. You both may call me Orion."

(())

"Your secret is safe with me, Sorn," Jean assured him. "Still, I think Garrin might appreciate you saying as much to him as well, though I'll leave that up to you." If he wanted to keep his feelings close to his chest, that was his choice. "I see you're still up to your old tricks, but how have you passed the time since last year? I was dragged off to help family for a lot of it, but I finally made my escape. Love 'em to pieces, but after a while we start getting on each other's nerves -- and I start wanting to travel again."

Shy blinked at the two orange-haired women, and shrugged. "Not my table, just my friend. Only now found her," she explained. "I knew she must be around somewhere. Please, stay. I am Shylarah."

(( ))

Sorn's eyes flashed with a hint of anger. "No," he said as calmly as he could manage. Things hadn't gone well for him. He sighed. Of course she'd ask. "I have wandered around the surface world." For some reason he was surprised that she had family. "Oh? What you do with them?"

(())

Jean caught the glint of dark emotions and let Sorn's barely-descriptive reply pass without comment. "Stay with them, mostly. We love gaming, and sometimes there's something good to see in theaters. This time was a bit more stressful, and certainly more work. Less fun, more business. But we still had a chance to enjoy each other's company."

"Oh," the drow replied. "It sounds... tame. What work do you do?" He paused and said as if it was an afterthought, "Kara been trapped in another world and I am unsure which one or how to find her. Or if she wants to be found."

Before he could locate a warming or at least less dizzying drink replacement he heard Jean's voice coming form over his shoulder. She took in Sorn's half naked appearance, lingering on his bare chest looking rather unabashed as she talked with him.

Sorn, as usual, manged to call Garrin any sort of name not his given one, a fact that did not seem to bother the scholar. He merely shrugged it off as a friendly pet name that always revolved around one G or another.

Coda preened upon being recognized by Jean. She pounced upon a char and sat regally in it, stooping every so often to lap up a bit of her New World Daiquiri.

(( I've got errands to run today, but I'm guna try to jump back in before tonight if I can. ))

"I'm the wild one in my family," Jean agreed readily. "What work I do? ...A bit of everything, really. Mostly I am in the exploration and recovery business -- it doesn't pay all that well, but the adventures are worth it. Think Indiana Jones, I guess -- not that it's an accurate portrayal of archaeology, but since I contract out I can usually skip a lot of the tedious portions. ...And I also do some testing of puzzle rooms for this one friend that likes designing them. I think that particular fad is pretty awesome."

The woman's expression turned serious when Sorn mentioned his girlfriend. "I can't help you if she doesn't want to be found -- but maybe I can help piece things together so you know if that's the case. And if not, I would be more than willing to help you look."

"I do not know who this Indiana Jones is," Sorn said, "Or what archaeology is." He mulled over the information. Recovery business sounded like a fancy word for thief. It sounds possibly intriguing."

"I believe it was deliberate," the drow said. It hurt, knowing she left him. His sister, Raven, and her husband were in married bliss. He was bitter, if he was honest with himself. Bitter and lonely.

Looking over at Sorn Garrin motioned to his face. "Orn, yew hel e ou?" His eyes were pleading. 'That blasted drink - I should have Coda.... Where is Coda?' Garrin belated realized he could just ask Coda for help. 'I can't locate her at the present moment anyways. Garrin thought with a shrug.

Meanwhile, Coda had hunkered down behind the table nearest Garrin and was holding back her gleeful purrs as she continued to set numbing charms upon Garrin. After the enchanted Triple Frozen Berry Punch had such a lovely effect upon him, Coda had realized it was the perfect opportunity to mess with Garrin. 'Normally the effects of enchanted foods here tend to wear off within moments,' she mind spoke to Sorn, who she wanted to bring in on the secret. 'But I thought this was too rich to pass up.'

Stepping out of the way of a few bar patrons intent on joining the next dance, Ven though he spotted a familiar dark visage mingled in amongst the fancy folk twirling around the floor. But with all the commotion and trying not to step on anyone's feet, it was hard to say for sure. Just for curiosity's sake he sniffed the air, but was only able to pick up the same scents he had been before.

When they approached the threshold of the Lounge, Ven paused and swept an arm over, indicating El could go first. Another mannerism he had picked up from watching the others present. “Ladies first.” He heard himself mumble, while looking over everyone's heads to try and spot his charge. It did not take long. The sound of shattering crystal told him where to look. “Ah, this way, probably…” His tone was grim, but it usually was. However, the Lounge was busy and it took him a fair bit of time to pick his way closer while keep and eye on El.

~

Liana jumped at the touch, only afterward registering that someone had said her name. Her eyes went all fuzzy and slowly focused. When the recognition dawned on her she smiled brightly and sort of fell toward Shy to give her a huge hug. “Shylarah! I’ve missed you.” Maybe the getting drunk plan had been a good one afterall.

The first lady to ask to join her at the table seemed a bit uncomfortable, for reasons Liana couldn’t grasp. “No no, stay it’s totally fine. It’s a free country isn’t it?” Suddenly she was wondering about the politics of the moon. Was it even considered a country? She shook her head and tried to focus on what was happening around her. “Oh these are cute.” She bent down to focus on little foods that had appeared on the table. Her intoxicated attention span was clearly very limited. Sitting back and looking past her immediate surroundings she pouted slightly. “Guess you found me.” As Ven and El approached their little corner table.

(( Ven thought he spotted Sorn // ))