Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Set the pumpkins over there," Isadora ordered as she pointed the direction of where the decorations were. The preparations was nearly set and everything was going according to plan despite the heavy business the crew had.

With Nino feeling ill and confined in her room, Rath was in charge to make sure things were running smoothly. The paladin hoped that Nino would get better soon.

With the decorations all set in the ballroom, the paladin couldn't help but smile. This was the first time she was celebrating Halloween in Learania. Last year, she and the crew were confined in the prison due to Madriana and her morphs. Thanked St. Elimine that it was over. The paladin prayed that it would be repeated the same history.

Just then, she heard the trumpets. It seemed that the guest Rath had invited had arrived. Making sure she would give the proper greetings to the honored guest, Isadora headed over to the main entrance. She stood in position with the crew and the members as the doors opened. She let out a welcomed smile when she saw the guest entering.

"Welcome, Chieftain Songhua. We hope you will enjoy our party today."

Rath kept his composure, as he was... hugged. His encounters with the man in the past have become routine now, and it wasn't a big deal to him anymore. He made no reply, at the comment of his native wardrobe. Learania may have changed him, but his roots run deep in the plains.

However, he looked up some at the man, when he heard him ask about Nino. "I'm afraid Captain Nino is feeling ill, ever since she snuck into the kitchen and had a midnight snack of uncooked swine, a few days ago. ....She was told by the one who prepared it that it was cooked..." Rath glanced over at Ayra, with his peripheral vision, then looked back at Songhua. "I've requested that she remain in her room, until she is better. She wishes for you to know that she is sorry, and will make it up to you another time."

I shall now demonstrate the Law of Sacae…
Tribesmen fighting with all they have for the sake of one another!

Sue was one of the first to follow the crew inside the ballroom. It was good to actually have her father here, after all his time on leave away from Learania. The Nomad Trooper, out of habit came with her bow, her sword, and the traditional robes of the Kutolah tribe. Hopefully, being armed didn't scare anyone... nor did she want to look like the terror nomads were made out to be.

Of course, worrying wouldn't change things. She could explain if need be. Instead, she made her way to greet her father and his new ally. "Chieftain Songhua?" she asked, as she approached him. "I am the daugter of Rath... my name is Susan, but everyone here just calls me Sue. I've heard much about you, and am glad to finally meet you in person." She smiled sincerely, nothing hiding behind it.

I was blessed with the gifts of the goddess, so show me respect!
It's not every day that you stumble across a rarity like me.


Victoria arrived around the same time as Blossom. She too had decided to wear her costume around: that of a traditional Etrurian Queen. She looked like she could be in formal dress too, not much a difference, truly. The bishop wasn't making as much haste as the others, knowing that one was never 'too late' for a party. Taking one's time could help relaxation.

That was the point of parties, wasn't it?

Those inside the ballroom could hear the click-click of Victoria's heels (not very high, but still heels) that she wore under the floor-long blue regal gown. She'd just heard Blossom awkwardly speaking how she didn't know it was an event to be formally dressed. "Now, now, Miss..." her brown eyes made their way towards the female Hero, Victoria's lips wearing a small grin. "I don't think it's all formal, despite how I look. I don't see anyone scowling. You're fine."

The Hawk King had finally had his formal Phoenician Royal Scarf re-stitched, and it looked great, its twin strands twisting behind him as he briskly walked through the hall. As always, even when he wore a shirt it was open-chested, because it had to be open-backed. Shirts were just too small to fit his wings through, like he could do with his long jackets.

As Songhua offered the Nomad Salute, the Hawk King pressed his right fist into his left palm in front of his bare chest, spread his wings, and flapped them once as he nodded. A moment later, his face broke into a grin as he returned Songhua's hug, then laughed. "I hope it pleases, it took me seven tries and several days to get it right. First time I had it, it was prepared over an open flame... I honestly don't know how the cook was able to do that. Your people are incredibly talented." He released the Chieftain, then chuckled and made his way back to the kitchen to see that the racks of ribs were being handled properly, and he followed a few of his assistant chefs out as they carried trays with large racks of ribs and placed them carefully on the long table with the other entree dishes.

And then he spotted Blossom, and his face split into a wide grin. "There's always one," he snickered, making his way toward her. Poor thing looked like she was about to pop a vein in her face.

"Whoo-oooh~"

Blossom wasn't alone in her questionable choice of attire. Ed ambled in with the rest of the guests, looking as normal as always: not in formal wear, not in costume. There was something a bit different about her aside from a tooth missing in her grin. Perhaps she was slimmer (if that was possible), perhaps leaner, perhaps quicker or sharper. But it was clear Ed was not exactly the same as before.

Slipping between two random partygoers, Ed wound her way to wherever the snacks were. She was hungry. Food first, tour later. The girl did glance over the crowd in search of this esteemed guest they were having. Popping some curious fruit into her mouth, her eyes traveled the faces of those present until she found one that was clearly not of Learania, adorned in nomadic wear. Yep, that was him. Who was he again? Ed wasn't good with public talk these days, being holed up in the library or out training all by her lonesome.

The fruit was a bit tangy, flavor unique. She immediately wondered what she had just ingested as the juice immediately began dribbling down her lip. Oops. Ed wiped it away, wondering if anyone would be offended by her clothing and eating habits. It had been such a stressful time that she was really starting to slip on etiquette. These days, Ed just read, slept, and trained. She usually put on her happy face but she was honestly very tired deep down.

Ephraim ran his hand through his sea green hair before putting his hat back on. Why he bothered even wearing a hat? Because it looked cool? Nah..most likely because it had been sitting around collecting dust for quite a while. Why not wear it? He fumbled with the cuffs on his sleeves, slowly approaching the castle. Ok, so maybe he should have thought things through when they said 'formal'. Having part of his collar bone show was hardly formal...What can he do..the prince was trying something new..but even so this hardly seemed normal for him.

What was more unusual was the fact that he was wearing his mother's pendant. That's not something a guy would normally do, let alone show an old trinket. It didn't matter.. "I wonder if Sophia will come..?" Ephraim's mind suddenly wandered to that lavender haired woman.

Maybe? Maybe not? If Ephraim knew any better, Sophia wasn't much of a social person..let alone one to actually talk if he remembered. So it would be normal if she didn't come. He sighed, tipping his hat to the side a little and finally walked through in the ballroom. He took a quick glance around, it was starting to get crowded..just a little....not many had arrived just yet and it seemed people were just arriving or going to arrive later.