Welcome to Gaia! ::

It's been a while since she stepped outside the laboratory and a while had turned into a year or maybe two, it's hard to keep track of time when one day feel almost exactly the same as the next. Eat. Sleep. Work. Fun. Repeat. But it was a comfortable schedule and one she was a little disgruntled to be out of. Since Banning's decision to have this ball, his scientist partner had been pondering what happened to the man especially after he asked her to attend. The young lady was never into such events but of course she agreed since it meant she'd finally have a chance to see her first litter of creations.

After a rough move into Banning's manor, Mei was kicked out from the preparation and told to enjoy herself. What was that supposed to mean anyway? It's true that she sort of a fire hazard, which immediately banned her from the kitchen, but it doesn't mean the man had to kick her out of helping! Now all the young lady could was mumble to herself. A squeek came from her proto, Kyru, who just received an involunteer squeeze from her brewing tantrum. Mei stared at the dragon who stared straight back. The two often exchanged thoughts this way, not literally of course but they somehow understand each other just fine. "Might as well enjoy it, right?" And the little dragon nodded.

The drop off location seems to be a carnival of sorts which brings back childhood memories. It's been a while since she had any spare change to attend something like a fair. She clutched her companion tightly around his waist so he wouldn't fall as he masqueraded a plush toy, not something the little proto was good at as he fidgeted in her grasp. It was fairly obvious that he was starting to regret the idea. "Hey what's that? Mei wondered a little closer as the night made the words hard to read. It was definitely a fortune telling booth. Although the girl's always been on the suspicious side in regards these types of events, Banning had provided her with enough pocket change to buy the whole place! Maybe he misunderstood the definition of pocket change. Oh well. Since she's here, she might as well toss some money to the less fortunate.

Mei walked up to the colorfully dressed man who smelled strangely of alcohol. Or was it just her suspicions acting up? He seemed as though he might have been possessed by the devil with his two horns protruding roughly from the surface of his forehead. She couldn't get her gut wrenching feeling out that she's about to get mugged. Luckily, she's got her handy bodyguard with her...who really isn't supposed to do anything in public. Guess I'll have to trust my judgment that nothing will happen. "What do you read and how much is a go?"

The light made the man look even more devilish with he charming features. Although Mei is female and females have a hard time resisting male charm, she has had years of training that others might not. But despite all this, she found herself captivated for a moment because of the sudden shock that he was quite good looking. A swift kick from Kyru made her snap back to attention. She grinned, hoping the man didn't catch the proto's movement. What was going on? Oh right. Tarots.

She adjusted Kyru's weight so he sat a bit more comfortably in her arms, it felt a bit like carrying a small dog. Mei walked into the booth and looked around while her eyes adjusted to the dimmer light

The candle scent was thick yet cozy, reminding her of her childhood when her brother would slave away at his assignment with her dozying off quietly on the side near the fireplace. Mei surpressed a few tears that nearly escaped from her eyes. Now was neither the place or the time to get sentimental, she thought quietly to herself.

The quick glance revealed an almost hidden door. But as alluring as door might be to her curiousity, Mei forced her glance away as she made her way to the table and sat down on the chair provided her. She was thankful for the break as her arms weren't used to the excess weight she was putting them through. Kyru's head plopped gently on the table as the two of them stared at their host. The man's previous attentive glance seemed now a bit unnerving. He appeared to be trying almost, but not quite, as hard as Banning tried when he first attempted to recruit her, which she learned was uncommon unless the person is looking for something. This put Mei on the defensive.

The momentary silence felt awkward so she broke it. "I've never done this before, do I need to provide something?"

The sudden announcement of her employer's name surprised her but not long enough to make her delay seem suspicious. "You mean the duke? It's hard not to know him, isn't it?" Mei fiddled around her messenger bag for something meaningful, which was harder than she thought. All of her personal belongings were at the manor, afterall, only idiots brought their most valuable possessions around. Her hand finally landed on a small mechanical pencil that her carried with her often for good luck, a small birthday present from her family when she was six that she could never bring herself around to use. The eraser end had a crouching cat smiling up at the holder and it was rimmed with a fake silver tint that had started to fade over the years. "Hope this will do. Oh, and just out of curiousity, why do you ask about Banning?"

Everything happened at the same time. As soon as the feathery thing jumped on the table and talked, Mei fell backwards from surprised and hit the floor with a thump, Kyru, still on the girl's lap with his head on the table reached a claw up to steady himself from falling as well. Unfortunately, the paw landed on the other Proto and the two tumbled off into Mei's exposed stomach.

The girl let out a painful groan as the two landed. Mei curled up to lessen the pain. This was definitely not what she had expected of her first fortune telling experience. Most people would have gone straight to yelling at the host but Mei's mind ran straight to frustration at her boss who just happened to forget to mention that there was a owner.

Kyru let go of the little guy and crawled off of Mei starring at the Essentic and the man with menacing eyes. "Grrrrr."

A few minutes longer on the floor was what she needed but Mei forced herself back to her feet in the best dignified pose she could but her pain was still apparent as her knees knocked and wobbled against each other. It took her another moment to steady the knocked over chair to sit down. Her proto, seeing that his owner seemed alright, flapped his wings aggressively to land back in her lap glaring at the two with his blood ruby eyes, now a bit mistrusting. The silver haired girl attempted her best grin as she stroked her little dragon to calm his nerves.

"Well, that was unexpected turn of events," she murmured through near pursed lips. "And to answer your question, no, Kyru won't attack unless you're attacking us. I'm glad you took the hint and didn't attempt to lend me a hand or he might have thought it as an aggressive action and bitten you. That would probably have some pretty dire consequences. Probably should stay a fair distance from us for now while he settles down." She suppressed a chuckle as she knew it was pretty serious business, but she couldn't help but feel relieved that nothing horrible happened. The last assistant that startled the dragon had his wrist gnawed and broken, it was a messy procedure for Mei as she wasn't quite a human doctor but she managed to save the guy's hand.

"Guess we should probably introduce ourselves. He's a combat essentic and a natural born bodyguard. He has never spoken a human word, not sure if it's just because he doesn't feel like it or he can't. Anyway my name is Mei," no need to give more info than necessary, she thought as she eyed the little essentic in the man's arms. Mei raised a finger and pointed at the ball of feather in his arms, "They've left me out on a few details but I'm going to guess that's from the clairvoyant spark." A shaky grin plastered onto her face, that should show him that he isn't the only one with excess information.

Mei cocked an eyebrow at Faolan, "And why would you suppose that? I don't believe I've ever met you in my life, at least before today." The immediate pain was slowly slipping away but she knew that where Kyru landed would most likely form a nice plump purple bruise later on but that should be the last thing on her mind. She stared at the featherball analyzing it thoroughly. Each Essentic should have its own form, something she'd have to look into. Some looked more interesting than others and this proto was definitely on the queer side. After the events of earlier, she doubt she'd be able to get some samples without being suspicious. Afterall, she specifically asked Banning not to disclose information about her or her job more than necessary and the last thing she'd want is to blow her own cover.

For now she'd have to act the part of a traveler and maybe another fellow Essentic contractor. That shouldn't be too hard. She reached into her bag and pulled out a camera. "Could I take a picture of you two to commemorate my first fortune telling experience? It's also the first time I've met another Essentic asides from Misha" which isn't a lie "and I'd would love to add it to my photo album." But that last part was a slight stray from the truth. There's no album yet, but there probably will be one in the near future.

The blue proto continued to direct his gaze at the other Essentic and he's clearly starting to enjoy himself. His contact with others of his kind have been limited to the brief visits from Misha and alters were almost a different race in his opinion. His opponent this time is a lot smaller and cowering from just a warning. Most normally back off when he acts growls but never turn tail and hide. To make the other even more uneasy, Kyru gave Zia a toothy grin.