If Kyriel could have heard the faeling's comment, she might have laughed. Zahyl had magic? Perhaps, but it was almost certainly nothing compared to hers. Then again, she kept the majority of hers under wraps; it would as good as suffocate anyone in proximity if she didn't. Not to mention that she was, well, an angel, and that usually put her in good standing with people who could sense energy like that. Potentially misplaced trust, perhaps, but she did try to live up to her reputation.

Her eyes widened slightly at the mental contact, though behind her mask the movement was almost imperceptible. She hadn't really expected anyone to speak to her that way, here, especially someone she didn't know. But he seemed genuine, at least, unless he was very good at hiding his intentions, and Kyriel didn't really expect that he was. She'd only ever met a small handful of people who she even thought would be able to lie to her telepathically. His aura still put her on edge, but she forced her body to relax, at least a little bit. She still held her right arm protectively, though. "Pleasure," she murmured. She hesitated, then added simply, "You may call me Kyriel." She had contemplated mentioning her true rank, but decided against it; it was likely not necessary, and she still wasn't sure if she wanted anyone else present to know about it - not yet, at least.

(( Just in case ))

Tense was a nice way to describe the tangled feeling that had been growing in her stomach. Knowing that it was so obvious to the others threatened to keep the knot there all night. “Business calls?” She presumed, pushing her mask back onto her face much like one would a pair of glasses. She wouldn’t be upset if Archer had used her as an excuse to step away from the others, it wouldn’t be the first time someone had. Besides hadn’t she done exactly the same thing?

Slipping from Archer’s arm Liana took a seat at a high top table adjacent to the bar. Less of a high traffic area even if it was only a few feet from the action. “If you need a moment please don’t let me keep you.” Her eyes fell to the table top and rested there comfortably. Mog meanwhile leapt onto one of the tall chairs and meowed anxious to finally have something to eat. Liana scoffed at the little cat. “Mogget really? Don’t be rude.”

"Oh!" Kai reached up the rub the bridge of his nose, embarrassed, but felt even more foolish when his hand encountered the hard ridge of his mask. "Yes - I have met Cin. I apologize for misunderstanding you before." He bowed gallantly before extending his hand to Jean. "It would be an honor to share this dance with you, my lady. If you would please excuse us, Miss Kyriel, Lord Zahyl."

Archer laughed heartily as she sat on Liana's other side. "No, I've been told under no uncertain circumstances that I should not conduct any business over the holiday." He pulled the lump from his pocket which ended up being a small wooden box. "I only need to try and figure out a way to present this."

He flagged down a waiter for them to take their orders and glanced out the doorway of the lounge, smiling as he caught sight of Kai going out onto the dance floor with a lovely lady. "Now," he said with a smile turning his attention back to Liana. "Is there anything that I may do you help alleviate your tension?"

Liana’s hand flew to her mouth at the presentation of the wooden box. “Is that what I think it is!?” She quickly turned a shade of rose beneath her mask realizing that she had practically shouted. They hadn’t exactly spent one on one time together, but Kai’s love for archer somehow made it easier for Liana to feel relaxed around him. “I’m sure no matter how you present it, it will be well received.” There she was a nervous ball of tension and her only plans were to share a few dances, nothing compared to what Archer had in mind. How could he stay so incredibly calm? Certainly she could search his emotions but she felt it would be an invasion of privacy even if it was easy to do and she could without the other party noticing. Instead she chose one of the new menu items for herself and her cat. “Allow me to buy this round?” Pushing her hair over her shoulder she leaned across and scratched Mog under his chin resulting in an explosion of purrs.

Archer grinned mischievously and held a finger up to his mouth for Liana to quiet. "It may or may not be," he said cryptically, the grin just getting bigger. "I've actually had it on me since last summer waiting for the right moment. Hopefully it will actually happen here." He put the box back into his pocket and leaned on the counter.

"Cannot turn down the offer a a beautiful lady, but I will counter that I will allow if only if you allow me to purchase the next."

(( Oh ho! So...not yet, but imminently. Very nice!))

Jean returned with a curtsy of her own and let Kai lead her out to the dance floor. "No need to apologize. I know he has a habit of getting distracted and wandering off at times -- or just falling asleep, though I'd hope he wouldn't do so here." Amusement glittered in what could be seen of her eyes behind her mask as the musicians began their next piece. The woman was a decent dancer, though she did have to pay more attention to where she put her feet than those with more experience. Still, it wasn't enough to make her lose track of her partner, or her surroundings. Now that her back was to most of the room, the faeling on her shoulders moved closer to the side of her neck. The tiny creature was still somewhat concealed, but Sihr decided the risk of Kai spotting her was worth the greater protection from the room at large, especially since it was easier to watch one person. She took a good long look at him, pressed up against Jean's neck and collar bone with one hand gripping the leather strap over the woman's shoulder for balance.

(ooc: LOL this is actually news to me! It literally was only there because I'd had it on his last outfit as just basic gold jewelry and forgot to take it off when I changed him to Masque-wear)

Kai, on the other hand, was one of the more experienced ones. Dance lessons had been part of his life from young childhood until he had departed for his first stint as a shipboard mechanic. He moved with the easy, assured grace that practiced skill allowed him, even able to cover any of the minor slips of his partner - provided they were nothing drastic, of course. Though Jean did not seem to need any sort of rescue for her steps.

"Falling asleep here could certainly be a bit of trouble if he had no one to look out for him," Kai admitted. "It's a fairly high class event, but no security is ever perfect and there are always those about with slightly lower moral standards than might be hoped for." He moved Jean into a gentle spin, his attention on her though his eyes occasionally flicked to those who milled on the sides of the dance floor like he was looking for someone. "Are you at least enjoying yourself?"

Liana gave a small shrug. “If you insist.” Fully intending on refusing when the time actually came. Despite the growing amount of people filtering into and out of the Lounge the drinks arrived sooner than expected, but they were told that their food would yet take some time. Mog visibly irritated at this development watched the server depart with squinted eyes, purrs growing quiet but not quite diminishing altogether.

Stirring her Liana watched the small shimmers swirl around the glass. “You and Kai must be enjoying the new house. I’m sorry I haven’t had time to visit yet… Don’t think I have forgotten.” She dropped her gaze. “I had hoped to give you a house warming gift."

(( I noticed, and then I noticed Archer fiddling with his pocket, and thought, "that's gotta be a ring", but both characters were wearing the same one @.@ haha, this is gonna be awesome. I hope Archer does propose here!))

"Ah yes, that is always a concern, some places more than others," Jean commented. "Unfortunate, but there you have it." She didn't mention that she herself had skills suited to a thief, even if she didn't usually employ them in unsavory ways. "I am, thank you," she responded with an easy smile. "It's my first time here, and I have to say, I am impressed." The woman removed her hand from his shoulder to attempt to catch Sihr as the faeling, peeking out a bit too far at just the wrong time, lost both grip and balance and slipped off her shoulder. But Jean's concern was unnecessary, since the faeling could fly, and swiftly righted herself, darting back up onto Jean's other shoulder and trying to hide between collar and hair. Why'd you do that?! she demanded in Jean's mind, sounding anxious. I can fly, you /know/ I can fly, why'd you draw attention to me?!

Kia

If Kai saw anything strange, he was far too polite to comment on it directly. "Are you concerned about your hairdo? It looks quite solidly in place from my perspective," he said with a slight smile that nonetheless crinkled his eyes behind his mask. "Granted, I'm not much when it comes to styling. Do you need to excuse yourself to make adjustments?" There was not so much as a pause in his steps, but he offered as graceful an out as possible if she desired to take it.

"Ah, no, not at all." She laughed, then winced. "Ow! Sihr, you stop that right this instant. You know I don't like it when you pull my hair, and I don't care how worked up you are." Jean turned her attention back to Kai, ignoring the faeling's protests about this being entirely her fault. "Sihr is...not a fairy, but not completely unlike. She's a dear friend, and hates being left behind. I did warn her that there were going to be more people here than she'd like, but she insisted on coming." Jean smiled wryly. "She's been a bundle of nerves since we came in the door."

Kai's face only showed bewilderment. He offered Jean another smile, this one puzzled. "I'm afraid I don't understand, Miss Jean. Do you mean to say that you carry a small creature within your coiffure?" Kai chose the words carefully; to insinuate something so ridiculous and have it be a gross misunderstanding would be embarrassment enough to force him to leave for the night.

"Shoulder or back of the neck, usually, but she has climbed into my hair on more than one occasion," Jean answered, her eyes laughing, for she knew how strange it sounded. "Maybe if she calms down, Sihr will be willing to meet you later. She responds well to fruit, and assorted sweets, so I might be able to lure her out with something from the Lounge."

"I see," Kai said, though he really did not. He had no real contact with the supernatural as a whole. He was distantly aware of it, of course, but the most supernatural thing he encountered on a regular basis was the magic of technology. "Even if you're unsettled at the moment, Miss Jean, I do hope that you will continue to enjoy yourself for the duration of this festival." Kai bowed formally over her hands and released them as the song drew to a close. "If you have not had the opportunity, I recommend exploring a bit more of this grand place if at any point you require a break in the dancing. It's quite lovely, particularly the gardens."

"Thank you for the advice, Kai," Jean answered, giving a small curtsy in return. "I appreciate it, and will certainly take a better look around at some point." She smiled at him. "I think I'm going to go to the Lounge for a bit," she added. "Nothing soothes a certain small someone's temper like a piece of fruit."

ooc/ mind if I join?

bic/ "Late, late, always late!" Tanwen scolded herself as she practically jumped off her transportation. "Go home, you." she ordered the steamwork horse. It creaked and rattled as protest and wandered off, hopefully it would return back to it's stables with her other mounts. She loved her horses, but the stress of being late to her favorite event of the year got to her. She didn't even feel properly dressed, but she enjoyed her outfit and fox companion and would stick with it.

Taking a breath she forced herself to calm down before stepping into the ballroom. It was as beautiful as always with people dancing the night away, some more gracefully than others, in swirling colors. Tanwen hovered on the edge of the floor, unsure of what to do. She wanted to dance, but was not in the mood to dance by herself quite yet.

"I hope you enjoy yourself," Kai said, nodding to Jean and parting ways. He was certain he had seen a familiar hairstyle near the doorway. Given the constant stream of new arrivals, it was difficult to be certain if it was her or if it was wishful thinking. Kai moved toward the entrance to get a better look.

Kai nodded and thanked the waiter as he brought his drink of a simple rum and coke. "You're still more than welcome to come by any time Liana. Kai and I would be more than happy to have you visit whenever you'd wish." He glanced over at the cat. "And you're welcome to bring your companion along with you." As much as Archer still didn't overly care for animals. He found that he was having to make concessions if only for Kia's overly friendly Celinox.

Jean made her way over to the Lounge and ordered herself a drink and some little fruit tartlets. She took them over to a vacant table and sat down, plucking a berry off one of the tarts and holding it up where Sihr might grab it if she ventured a little further out from her hair. "I don't want you getting sugar and juice all over my blouse, Sihr," the woman said, picking up another tart in her other hand. "So you'll need to eat it on the table." Jean popped the second one in her mouth, savoring the sweet taste.