Glancing over a pair of large wings caught his eye. () Perhaps an elaborate costume, maybe not it was hard to tell. He did not recognize the owner, but then again he’d only recognized Jean because she had approached him and his broach had reacted. Shameful perhaps, but there were way too many different scents going on to be able to pick up on one in particular. Readjusting to keep the wings in view, just in case, he refocused on the conversation at hand.

Tapping the side of his glass a smirk tugged the corner of his lips at Jean’s comment. () She was correct of course, but Ven was a unique creature who spent most of his youth obtaining, testing, and building up a tolerance to hundreds of toxins. Certainly nothing served at a human run bar would provide him with much more than a mild buzz. “A grappling hook is a poor instrument for hunting dragons, to be sure. But then most things are.” Despite his training, dragons were not something he looked forward to brawling.

His expression fell when Sorn asked about his origins although his mask hid it well. () “Far from this place, certainly.” He paused a moment mentally calculating the distance, but giving up before he reached an answer. “I was born into darkness, and spent countless years wasting away inside of it before cutting it out of my life.” His tail twitched as he toyed with his glass before finishing the drink. “In that time I was trained in many things, blades being one of them. Although it was considered a primitive art.” Sure he was glossing over the finer details, but he never promised direct answers. “Interesting though, the man who I would consider a father figure, they called him Scorn.” He watched the sorcerer carefully, so far he didn’t seem much like dear old dad, but that wasn’t a bad thing. Not at all.

Sorn watched the winged woman a few more moments longer. Perhaps he would find her on the dance floor later.

For now his attention returned to Ven. His answer was slightly cryptic, the sorcerer thought, then again they had not know each other for long. Truth was never owed to anyone in his realm. Deceit was served far more often than any form of truth. He wondered was the man a demonkind? Sorn wasn't sure but the question could wait for a long time actually. It wasn't really important. He wasn't sure how to take the next comment. An insult? A compliment? Comment on his age? Was Ven testing him? He considered his words carefully, staving off any reaction for the moment. "Was he now?" he said in a neutral tone, "I have no father, merely a sire."

Ven almost chuckled, but cleared his throat instead. “Family is never a pleasant topic,I apologize for bringing it up.” Lifting a hand he signaled the bartender that he wanted another beverage. Perhaps it was time to reciprocate Sorn's interest and ask a question of his own. “You said your people eventually specialize, is it rude of me to ask what you chose?” Magic was a given, but like weaponry not all spells and magic disciplines were the same. ()

Sorn gave a liquid shrug. "The lack of a father does not bother me. If my name similarity bothers you, take comfort in the fact that Sorn is not my full name. My name has power in it. Half concealed and only known to the dead and but a few living souls." He gave a boisterous laugh and said, "Why would asking me what weapons I chose be rude? I have a double bladed staff. When it is not in use, it is the size of a dagger. It is enchanted so I may channel my magic through it. It only answers to my powers as it was specially crafted for me--it contains my blood. I have it with me if you would like to see it. I also can conjure several things, but my favourite is a rain of swords."

( - hey guys! Long time no see! x3 )

Saintzer nodded with a sad smile. "Similar, yes." He didn't let himself dwell on such things though. He floundered internally, wondering what he could do or say to make the situation lighter. "Ah... W-well, regardless of our mistakes, we're here and alive. Might as well make the best of it," he offered.

"Saintzer."

Kasiya approached them from behind, having to skirt around the edges of the ballroom floor. He wore a frown as per usual and Saintzer quickly dropped Shylarah's hand and stepped away, bracing himself. The taller man looked him over. "You still look nervous," he observed. At Saintzer's nod, he sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "Well, of all the people here to socialize with, Shylarah would be a good one. Thank you for taking care of him," he said, directing that last bit at the young lady with a gentler expression. "It's good to see you again."

She considered his answer, but the idea hardly seemed to bother her. "Then need more practice," she told him, not realizing that there was a far deeper issue at play than just a lack of skill. "You get eventually. Some people just need long to get right. No giving up! And no be down because need time." The last words were almost playful. Shy hated seeing someone not having a good time at a party like the Masquerade. "Make best of -- yes, exactly right."

The bright smile returned to her face, only to turn puzzled as Saintzer stepped away, acting like he expected a fight. She turned to face whatever was coming, her hand reaching for the long knife beneath her skirts. It took her a moment to realize the approaching man was the cause -- and another to recognize him.

"Kasiya!" Her wings flared in surprise. She seemed to remember him being a great deal taller, but it had been three years and she'd grown, though she would never be as tall as most of the people present. Even the tallest of her kind were merely average by human standards. She flushed when he said she was a good person to talk to. Few had that opinion, especially since she didn't actually talk all that well. "Is good see you too." A few step brought her close enough to poke him squarely in the chest. "I say you write. I say maybe come visit. You do neither, then not even here since two years. You owe me dance." Shylarah tried to sound displeased, but couldn't quite manage to keep from smiling.

Saintzer looked between the two, his comfort levels dropping as he saw the familiarity between them. Well, it seemed like she was a nice young lady. He wouldn't be surprised if she had many friends here.

Kasiya shrugged, "It's been hectic. I haven't had much time. Other things took precedence," he said and sent Saintzer a cool stare. He flushed under Kasiya's steely gaze and looked at the floor. "In any case, I'll take you up on that dance. Saintzer, perhaps you should get some refreshments," he suggested.

The younger man wilted a little, his blood-red wings tucking tightly against his back, but he nodded and silently made his way to the refreshment table.

Shy didn't let him go far, quickly snagging his sleeve. "Stay?" she asked Saintzer, before glaring back up at Kasiya. "You not here since three years, you not interrupt so fast. Dance not over yet. First /you/ wait. You say I good for talking, you let us talk." She wasn't angry, but she wasn't going to just let him cut in like that when he clearly made the other man uncomfortable. "Not long -- maybe minute more. Go, go." She tried to shoo him off so Saintzer would have some space. "We find after, promise."

Saintzer paused and looked up at Kasiya nervously. The violet-eyed man sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair, effectively ruining the style he had attempted to go for. He frowned at Shylarah before he shrugged. He remembered how stubborn she could be. And he had done wrongly by disappearing for these few years anyway. He best make it up to her somehow. "Fine." He inclined his head to her and gave Saintzer a warning stare before he walked away.

Saintzer swallowed hard and adjusted his gloves as though afraid they had fallen off. He knew he had to take great care to not touch anyone with skin-to-skin contact, otherwise... well. He turned back to Shylarah, looking repentant and generally unhappy again.

"You not like him," she stated as she offered her hands again. "You know, last time he much more awkward," she added, catching the beat again and matching it. "...He not know how dance either then." The young lady's smile turned impish. "He say yes dance now, so many he learn somewhere else. You learn better, I think. Or maybe I teach better now. Either way, no reason let him cut in. Don't want you all sad for party. Okay?" Shylarah wasn't sure precisely what was going on between the two, but it felt decidedly uncomfortable, even sharp. She hoped the description of Kasiya as equally failible might help a little, but she didn't want to press it. A change of subject was in order.

"So when not lurking in corners or learning from bad teacher, what you do?" she asked him. "Have job, hobbies?"

Saintzer gave a faint smile and stepped back in to continue dancing with her. "I don't... have a job at the moment. I mean, I had one. I can't do it anymore though." He wondered how much he could tell her, how much she would understand or even believe. But considering she had come from a different world herself, he supposed there wasn't much she would outright disbelieve, maybe. "I've been looking at other things to do," he continued softly. "I thought, perhaps, painting?"

“No concern, just an interesting observation.” A rain of sword sounded very much like something Ven had to see some time during his lifetime. “Your weapon sounds intriguing. Perhaps you would appreciate the one I prefer as well.” Glancing around the room he second guessed himself. “Although I feel we should step outside, before we start brandishing knives here amidst these fancy people.” However much fun as it sounded, he did want to put his contract in jeopardy by frightening everyone out of the Lounge. ()

"Ooh, painting is nice. You good? Not something I saw much, until come here." There was something about the idea of making pictures that fascinated her, though she had no skill at it herself. "Before, was mostly just ink pictures. Or...wood carving...um, statue!" The word took her a moment, since she'd used it only rarely. "Is Museum in Delphi. You should go. I think you like.

Maybe they have things for painting there." The song came to an end and Shylarah curtsied politely. "Thank you for dance," she said, holding out a few trinkets. "Here. I go find Kasiya now."Shy was surprised when Saintzer made to follow her, but she didn't protest. Since the man wasn't at the edge of the dance floor she headed for the Lounge, and quickly located him. It wasn't a terribly hard task. "Done now, Kasiya," she informed him, hopping up on a barstool near where he stood. A few years before she would have needed to carefully watch where her skirts ended up, but now she could swish them into place almost as easily as the quick flick she gave her wings to keep them from getting caught. "So you been busy? Am glad you have today free, then. Has been too long."

"If you would like to, I would be most interested in seeing. Perhaps we can show each other some moves. For these skills are always something I am agreeable in demonstrating and seeing."

"You do look lovely," Kai said with a small incline of his head. "The colors you have chosen all blend exquisitely." While it was true that he still couldn't quite place her in his memories, there was nothing wrong with meeting her over again even if they'd met once before. He offered a warm, if slightly puzzled smile. "Different? Though there have been many changes in my life of late, I still find myself to be as unremarkable as ever. Thank you, however, for such kind words."

((ooc: sorry for the delay x_x))

((It's okay! Life gets in the way sometimes, I understand.))

"Oh! Ah, thank you," Kyriel replied, a light, golden color rising across her face - a blush, though someone not familiar with her may not recognize it as such, especially under a mask. "I, er... Sorry, maybe that's just something I'd notice. I can get a sort of sense of people, and everyone has a certain... Presence, about themselves. Yours seems, I don't know, freer than I remember? Or something," she said, seeming to grow slightly less certain of herself with every word. "Either way, I certainly wouldn't call you unremarkable. I think I've noticed you in some way or another nearly every year since the first time I came to the Masquerade. You and your sister both, now I think on it. Speaking of whom, I'm not keeping you, am I?"

(( ~ you guys have been dancing me to death!! and ILU for it, omggg. SORRYIMSOSLOW D8 also I'm ver sleepy sorry if my post is dumb x.x ))

"Then I believe we have a date." Was that was they called it? Anyway he'd smiled when he said it, so there was that. Nothing like weapons talk to get Ven all fired up. "Heard there was a garden outside, maybe less crowded?" He chanced a glance at Jean having anticipated some sort of objection. Or perhaps she would care to join them, although she had seen Venom before. Surely the magician among them would not fail to entertain, perhaps even terrify. Originally when he heard about the masquerade he thought it sounded boring. Wasn't turning out half bad.

(oh, and if anyone is wondering how to pronounce his name it's : s-AIN-zir )

At the question she posed, he shook his head. "I've never held a paint brush, so I haven't the slightest on whether or not I can paint well." But as the song ended, he followed her at a respectful distance back to Kasiya. Saintzer wasn't keen on being by himself for this event, and he also knew Kasiya would prefer him to stay close where he could keep an eye on him.

Kasiya nodded at Shylara, casually leaning against the bar. "I have some time. And I thought Saint here would like to have a little time out of his cage. It's good for his social skills, as nonexistent as they are right now. But anyhow, what have you been up to?" he asked and tipped the contents of the glass back into his mouth.

(( any time, darling~

actually I just want the trinkets. shot))

Jean was surprisingly amiable to the suggestion. "I think as long as we don't damage the flora too badly they won't mind. Isn't there an open area in one of the gardens?" She rose to her feet and set her empty glass on the counter. "I would enjoy watching. I'm not really a match for either of you. Now, if you want to try a race on hovercycles, we'll need to go elsewhere, but I'd make you eat my dust!"

“Most excellent,” Sorn said with a true smile on his face. “Jean, would you care to join or would you rather mingle?” When Jean agreed he smiled again. “It will be a pleasure.”

In the garden, in the cool air, Sorn reach into his boot and pulled out a dagger. He touched a certain spot and it sprang open, extending to its fullest—a blade on each end. “This is Mirror,” he said with a grin. “You may hold it, if you desire, but do not attempt to use it, for it is treacherous.” He shifted his clothing, if he was going to show it and his own powers he wanted a different look.