He had heard that name before. Kyriel. A higher-ranked angel that went about that name. Zahyl simply pushed away that thought for today. Petty conflict didn't matter to him today. Not today. "The pleasure's mine, Miss Kyriel." He could easily feel Shy intently staring at him on a spiritual level. She was left to see his "spirit head" turn and squint right back at her and shake its head, an almost literal iron wall keeping his aura down under wraps and away from others' view. "That's fine, Sir... Archer was it?" He turned to Kyriel after the two left, "What seems to be the matter with your wrist?" he asked her in an inquisitive tone, gesturing to her cradled arm.

Liana’s blush had not diminished in the slightest beneath her mask. “You are both so kind, I feel very lucky to have had the honor of making your acquaintances.” She sipped her drink and was pleased to find that she could not detect much of the alcohol therein.

After what must have seemed like an eternity the server returned and set a plate of assorted fingers foods before them. After paying their current tab Liana dutifully picked apart one of the smaller more meaty treats and presented them on a small plate for Mog to enjoy.

"And I feel the same," Archer added raising his glass in salute to her. "I am far more of a loner than Kai is and I have no issues bumbling around the large house on our own. However, Kai I've noticed is happy when friends are around. When he is happy, then I am happy. And it's good that he has gotten me out more to meet people so I don't end up and old lonely man."

He glanced back to the ballroom and his smile drooped as he immediately didn't spot Kai before he turned back to Liana. "Now, It seems that I have been speaking far too much of myself, please tell me how you have been this year since the last we saw each other."

The doors to the main ballroom opened and Kia happily entered the room arm in arm with her boyfriend Lucas. It had been a big year for Kia. She had moved out of her parent’s house on Atebus to her father’s penthouse in Centropolis to be closer to Lucas. Though the excuse they gave her mother was that she wanted to focus more on her studies and they didn’t offer the courses she wanted on Atebus. She gave Lucas’ arm a squeeze as they walked in and she grinned looking around.

“Shall we find Kai first? Or have a dance?” She asked and almost bounced with anticipation as she scanned the crowds for anyone familiar.

( )

[img align=right]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/darkright.png[/img] "I'm just following you," Lucas said with a grin. Like Kia, it had been an eventful year for Lucas as well. He had quit all three of the jobs he had been working this time last year - instead, he was enrolled at Centropolis University on a full scholarship from Kia's father's company. He was also employed at that same company - he was, in fact, Archer's assistant. It was remarkably useful for getting some hands-on experience in conjunction with the classes he was taking.

"We have the whole event to do whatever you'd like to do," he continued. "So we definitely have time to do both!"

[img align=left]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/violetleft.png[/img] "Kia!" Kai called, solving the question for them. He waved his arm up above the crowd to get their attention; he was starting to learn that without his old, highly distinctive hairstyle, he tended to blend into crowds. He navigated his way through the crowd, narrowly avoiding goring himself on the massive horns of one mask but unable to move quickly enough to avoid getting a face full of curled, trailing peacock feathers from another. He paused in his tracks, sneezing and trying to spit out bits of feather behind his hand.

“I’m much the same honestly, solidarity has its advantages…” She sat back a bit, twisting the bottom of her glass with slender fingers to keep the swirls inside moving. “But friendship is a powerful thing.” Her eyes flicked upward and held his for a brief moment before looking away. “It is good to step outside of your comfort zone every once in a while… At least that is what Mr. Chetwood tells me. Perhaps you have heard of him? They call him the Old Wizard.” Mog mewed for another morsel and Liana complied. “I recently moved to the Sacred Lands and was fortunate enough to obtain a sort of apprenticeship with him. Even if most of the time I feel more like a secretary… Or maid...” She let out a small sigh. “It pays well enough but leaves me little time to myself.”

Pushing another handful of hair over her shoulder she noticed one of the ladies from earlier entering the Lounge. Liana felt like she should invite her to sit with them, knowing what it felt like to be going it alone, but her anxiety wouldn’t allow it. Instead she took another sip of her elaborate drink of choice.

(( )) ((Sorry if the edit double-pinged anyone!))

Strange that Kyriel's name preceded her, since she wasn't a native to this world. Had she been aware, she might have brought it up. Under the circumstances, all she actually did was narrow her eyes slightly at Zahyl and answer, "Nothing is the matter with it, actually." Noticing a little too late that her reaction was rather harsh, she added more slowly and in a deliberately concerved tone, "Though your concern is appreciated." She also made a point of lowering her arms, letting them settle at her sides in what she hoped was a natural manner.

Some familiar energies caught her attention, and she turned her gaze toward the entrance to the room. "Say, Shy, I think some of the other people we know have just arrived. Want to go welcome them?" A genuine offer, and a first step toward something else she had in mind, but also an excuse to get away from the demon and compose herself again. She just hoped the last part of it wasn't too obvious.

"Okay," the girl replied, more than happy to do as Kyriel suggested. After they were out of earshot from him, she looked at the angel carefully. "Is hand really okay?" she asked. "Or you just say that because no know him?" Shylarah had noticed the way she was holding it, and her voice held concern. Still, she didn't plan on pressing the matter if the woman dismissed it.

Jean eventually coaxed the small grey creature off her shoulder. Sihr grabbed the berry, licking the custard from the tart off it first before taking a big bite that left a streak of juice on her cheek. Mm~ she commented to her friend, tail twitching. Sweet and juicy. "See, this isn't all bad," the woman replied with a soft laugh, taking another of the tartlets for herself. "And I agree, it's delicious."

A fox twined around Tanwen's feet, "I thought I told you to stay home." she murmured. Avery ignored her master and instead ran towards the Lounge. Tanwen grumbled, sure her companion would get into trouble in some way or another, and ran after the fox. Avery placed her paws on the table of a stranger and shoved her nose at a creature Tanwen had never seen before. "I'm so sorry, she wasn't supposed to follow me!" Tanwen apologized, swiftly picking up the fox and cradling it in her arms. "What type of creature is that?" she added, bending down to a polite level.

Sihr let out a mental shriek and darted for Jean's hair, dropping the berry in her fright. The woman stood up quickly, trying to soothe her friend. "Hey, it's okay. I don't think he was trying to eat you, just curious." She glanced at the person who approached her. "Sorry, she's very skittish, especially with so many people around."

Archer raised his eyebrows with an impressed expression. "The old wizard? Wow, that's huh," Archer chuckled. "I have to say it makes me reevaluate you a bit. Not in a bad way, I'm actually quite impressed." He finished his drink and set it down, hailing the bartender to come back over. "I'm glad that you were able to get away for this at least."

Kia laughed at her brother. "Very smooth Kai," she said, trying to cover her grin with her hand. She looked around for Archer and looked back at Kai. "Have you gotten so clumsy that you've lost your boyfriend?"

[img align=left]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/violetleft.png[/img] Kai cleared his throat, grateful for the mask that hid most of his blushing - but his ears still burned. "Archer escorted Liana to the lounge. We were going to meet up again a little later. So how come the two of you are so late, anyway?"

[img align=right]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/darkright.png[/img] Lucas blushed, glancing at Kia before hastily looking off into the middle distance. "We, uh, couldn't get Kia's outfit to look quite right. She was agonizing over her accessories."

A new man approached the masquerade. Tieran looked around at his surroundings. The locale was certainly nothing new compared to what he was used to, but the people... Some of them had features unlike anything he was used to, with wings or tails, while others had small creatures with them that he did not recognize. He adjusted his mask slightly and stepped into the entrance. He looked through the crowd for the person he was looking for, but could not find them. Another scan, however, revealed their face beneath their mask. He approached Kyriel and Shylarah, relaxing as he did. He said to Kyriel, "Ah, there you are. This is, as you said, quite interesting..." He turned to Shylarah and gave a small bow, saying, "Ah, my apologies. And who might you be?"

(OOC: Hi there, everyone! My first time RP'ing here on Subeta, being mostly dragged in by Sundavr :P. Hopefully I'll be alright!)

(( ))

"It's okay now, at least," Kyriel murmured, though making sure it was loud enough for Shylarah to hear. "It's kind of a long story; I'll tell you later, maybe." A new, even more familiar signature suddenly registered on Kyriel's metaphorical radar, and she grinned, looking toward the entrance and letting her tension fall away like water. "Tieran! It's good to see you, uh, made it." She stumbled a little over her words and blushed, but the grin quickly returned to her face. "This is Shylarah, a friend of mine. Shy, this is Tieran, my..." The angel frowned slightly. "Um... Significant other?" She wasn't actually quite sure what to call it. 'Boyfriend' sounded too pedestrian, all things considered. She shrugged mentally, figuring that they could sort it out later, if he didn't correct her in the meantime.

(( Hey, welcome! Hope you like it here, we're pretty friendly.))

Shylarah beamed at the man, offering a hand to shake. "Nice to meet you," she said, her accented voice bright. "Is first time at Masquerade? Is very different, or like what you used to?" She could easily recall her first Masque, how it was so different that she had been overwhelmed at first. So many people, and so many bright colors! The clothing looked like a field of wildflowers, and there were far more people than even a market day back where she'd grown up.

Tanwen grinned, "That's alright, I would be too. Avery here, though, likes to check everything out anywhere we go, even if she is being a tad rude. There are so many people bigger than your friend is. What is she? If I may ask." she replied, taking the seat across from Jean. "My name is Tanwen, by the way." she said, offering a free hand to shake. Avery grumbled slightly at being restrained by Tanwen's other hand and not able to investigate everything. She settled down grudgingly, hoping a moment of inattention from Tanwen would allow for her to escape and explore more of the ball.

Kia winced at Lucas' horrible attempt to cover for them and sighed as the wince turn into a smile. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek before looking back at her brother.

"I couldn't find a belt that matched and I eventually had to give up," she explained a little more convincingly than her boyfirend had. "Now, shall we go track down your significant other and save Liana from him before she gets lost in his charming whiles?"

[img align=right]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/darkright.png[/img] Lucas slipped his arm through Kia's, too embarrassed to say anything. He was a terrible liar, and he knew it. Unfortunately that didn't always stop him from trying.

[img align=left]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x416/kibu_subeta/violetleft.png[/img] Kai barely managed to keep from facepalming, his ears still flaming red. He didn't believe the excuses for a single minute, and while he didn't find fault in the truth behind it, it was still something he didn't really want to think about. Kia was his sister, after all, and he was grateful for the change of subject. "He really is quite charming," Kai agreed, reaching up to adjust his hat. "And he's not my 'significant other' - he's my boyfriend. Just because I'm gay doesn't mean you have to use a special term for it."

Tieran returned the handshake. "It is a pleasure to meet you, as well." He looked around as he continued, taking in the sights of the place. "It is my first time here, yes, though I am no stranger to events similar to it. The people are quite different than I am used to, though. Much more... exotic. If it were not for Kyriel here, I would likely be quite lost."

Kyriel chuckled softly, clearly amused by what Tieran had said. "I thought you'd be more used to people like this by now," she teased. "Speaking of people, there are some others I want you to meet." She hooked her left arm around Tieran's right and pulled him gently, but insistently, toward another small group of energies she recognized: the Ashworth siblings and Lucas, beckoning Shylarah to follow with her free hand. Maybe they could help dispel some of the awkwardness hovering around the other group, too.

"Kia, Lucas, glad to see you could make it!" Kyriel called, smiling. "Do you three have a moment? I have someone here I'd like to introduce you to."

Realizing she had more or less outed herself without even thinking about it Liana swallowed hard and sat back in her seat, hand pressing against her chest while her heart resumed beating. About the same time a small fox darted into the Lounge and caused Mog to arch his back slightly. Once the beast had been contained by it’s human however Mog returned to his plate, no sense letting warm food go to waste.

Clearing her throat not daring to make eye contact Liana sputtered. “Time off for this was written into my contract...” At the moment she couldn’t think of anything else to say as her entire person had turned white as a ghost, she was certain.