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"Rutie, that's a cute name. She watched the little one with fascination. he was terribly cute, though she knew now they had a cheeky streak. "I dyed my hair pink once, when I was in college. I looked like I'd lost a fight with some bubble gum. Really didn't suit me. My shop is just across the road, a couple of shops down. You can't miss it. it's pink." She grinned and tucked a strand og blonde hair behind her ear. "Jewelry for cake sounds like an exceptionally good trade."

Reyna offered Dio a small smile as he snuggled up next to her in a hug. "Heh. No. I'm not avoiding you," she said with a smirk, "Parties just eh... aren't really my thing. I'm here partly under duress, you could say."

Only partly because the idea of spending a little time flirting with Amon was appealing, but it unfortunately didn't change the fact that she was rather antisocial.

She grinned and ruffled Dio's colorful hair. "Have you gotten bigger since I saw you last?" she asked, "Looks like it. Or maybe I'm getting to be forgetful as Athan."

She snickered a bit under her breath as she heard Athan speak up again. He was already beginning to get rather cranky. Or at least crankier. She could only imagine what his temperament would end up like when Mystic made his appearance. Her own Shadow had been acting... strangely as of late.

"I would also suggest not starting any unnecessary fires," Athan said in warning with a sidelong glance directed towards Tektite. He had indeed been correct in assuming that he would need to be watched closely.

He retreated a few feet away to take a seat in one of the lawn chairs that had been provided, but offered a small, reassuring smile to Nephrite. "I believe you, young miss," he spoke in playful admonishment, "Owe me some tea. I don't suppose you have any chai or jasmine on hand..?"

Dio practically purred at the attention. He adored his Auntie Reyna and didn't see her enough. 'You and Vance. He really didn't wanna come either. I'm surprised he's being as nice as he is actually.' The teenager was rather taken aback. She was the second person that commented on his appearance. Did he really look so much older? He felt pretty good, and he had been feeling a bit stronger lately. It made him even happier for some reason, 'You think I look older? Algie said the same thing. Maybe I'm getting stronger. He glanced at her and his pierced eyebrow raised, 'Who forced you to come? Was it the Athan man? Dio curled up and settled next to the demoness, content to pester her.

"I've not been as well as right now!" Algie's face was bright red but he hugged both women and laughed a bit. He'd. Just. Been. Licked. "I'm clearly the luckiest gent in the room."

After the hugs and small affections, he released the women and scratched his head. He was still bright red but it was fading. That was the second time tonight he'd flushed and completely opposite reasons. "You both look well. Superb in fact. And the kids as well." He meant their fiends, children and other acquaintances. Cinder and Merci had quite a few it seemed. Not so unlike himself. "I was happy to go out. An old codger like myself spends too much time alone with books."

'No. Not Athan. It was partly my influence that caused her to decide to attend the festivities,' came a low voice that very nearly sounded real in reply to Dio's inquiry. Mystic phased into view with a decidedly smug look upon his face. Remaining mostly invisible as he had entered the party required far more effort than he cared to admit.

"About time you got here," Reyna grumbled. "What took you so long?" she teased as she reached out to tug at his tunic shirt, "Had to get yourself all dolled up for the occasion, eh?"

Mystic rolled his eyes and folded his arms over his chest which was indeed covered in a gray tunic. His attire was dangerously close to what Athan had arrived in -- dark slacks and a gray shirt. While it had seemed unusual for Athan to show up in clothing other than his typical robes, it was equally unusual to see Mystic without his cloak and in "normal" clothing. Save for the lack of face and unusual color of his skin he looked almost... human.

Further lending to the strangeness of his overall appearance was the change in color of the sclera of his left eye. Also changed were the additional markings on his face, hands, and feet.

None of this was exactly news to Reyna. He lived with her after all, but it had been quite some time since her Shadow had willingly gone out into public. His sudden desire to do so made her curious as to what he was up to.

'It has been a while, little brother,' Mystic replied smoothly, 'Looks as though you have grown since we met last.'

'That is very true,' Mystic replied, 'We should see more of one another. I'm afraid I've been absent due to well...' He fell silent, shook his head with a musical sort of laughter and idly wrapped an arm about Dio's shoulders when the boy, no teenager, hugged close.

'I've been asleep, believe it or not. A very deep sleep.'

"More like a coma," Reyna chimed in, "An epic coma."

Athan turned in his chair to glance towards Reyna and the two Shadows that accompanied her. He thought he had felt Mystic's presence, but it was difficult to discern with so many Shadows near him all at once, each unwittingly commanding a small portion of his attention and energy.

He shifted to turn his attention away from the scene with a small frown. Mystic looked different and his aura had changed. It was darker and no longer laced with his guardian's firey touch. It was both interesting and worrisome all at once.

Hugo listened to Athan and Jasa speak for a few moments. His lips twitched upwards when Amon took the brunt of the wisps' activities concerning the grill and coal. He could see how the little ones might think that the grill charcoal was the same. It was definitely amusing. He glanced over at Athan after he scolded the little ones. "I guess that means that if Oblivion does become a problem, you could help take care of it. I'll definitely come as soon as I can to talk to you about him then."

He turned noticing that the there was another wisp near Obli. Perhaps it would do him some good to be around others like himself. Well, they were not exactly. Each seemed to have their own specialties. Glancing over at Jasa, he said, "That one is yours?" He indicated Ruku who was standing to the side watching with a smirk on his face.

Jasa nodded. "And he can be a handful. Fire Opal. He likes things really warm. He's ruined five icemakers so far. But he likes plants and my greenhouse so I've been able to distract him for the moment. I'm Jasa, Hugo. It's nice to meet you."

*Normally I'm the one who gets into trouble,* he grinned as he watched them. *Good thing I was not still at the grill. I'd have been all wet instead of you, Amon.* Turning he winked at Nephrite in amusement. She'd probably get mad at him but it was funny. Since he was not to blame for causing the trouble for once.

Moving away, he caught sight of the starry one. Looking him over, he realized that he was older or at least bigger than he was and Ruku studied him closely. What was he going to look like when he grew as large as the starry one? And hopefully he'd find some more fireproof clothing. His tail twitched when the next one appeared. He was even bigger. How many of them were there? And how were they all related? Were these his brothers? And did that make Neph his sister? His eyes narrowed. Did he really want to think about this now? There were others to meet.

Obli hesitated as he remained behind Hugo. He was still glowing and angry, but he liked the darkness here and it soothed him some. Then he seemed to notice the other wisp and drifted closer. This was one he did not know and for a moment he turned more violet as if contemplating something as he moved further into the shadow nearby as she moved closer to him. Then he phazed entirely, disappearing, then reappeared directly behind her. A bit of amusement slid over him as he spun around her.