Welcome to Gaia! ::

[Koniryu]

"Rather thankful about that, if ye don't mind me saying it bluntly..." While Hayaharu got angry and very cross with the overly nosy maid, he began to look rather thoughtful. "Is she always like this? With the whole plotting and doing things like this? Most maids are nay like that... from what little I know of them..." It did strike him as odd that she seemed to be doing everything possible to put the two of them together in ways that weren't proper so she had to have some kind of motive behind it.

Draining his tea dry, he set the cup down before he shook his head. "Never had it before.. so I cannot say whether I like it or nay til I try it..." Reika was trying to see more of the sandwiches as they were brought over and he knew he would have to give her a bit to try as well. "It might sound bad to say this.. but I hope she takes a long while... and my clothing dries quickly.." He didn't wish to be in this robe for much longer.

//Sorry updating Journal, will be incredibly slow...

[Hayaharu]

"She is always as you see her." Hayaharu responded cooly as she lifted one of the sandwiches and picked absently at the corner of the bread before nibbling on it experimentally - other than the traditional 'tangy' taste there appeared to be nothing amiss and she gave a delicate nod, "You will not see her for a good three hours or so, if she returns any earlier I will beat her." She murmured a matter of factly as though the concept of punishing someone physically was of no concern to her.

"Many fail to understand why she is like that but she wishes to receive Mother's favour, she wants to be a geisha but I am not prepared to take her as my apprentice now that she insults me repeatedly." She gave a lose shrug and motioned to the sandwiches.

"I am not sure your clothes will be dried though, they were only just hung up."

Gambino wasn't a very large island and the casino sat near the shore, so it wasnt long before the noise and splendor infiltrated all their senses. Dismounting, Quinn untethered her quarterstaff, disguising it's actual use by temporarily putting into employment as a walking staff and left Therin to wait under a close knit grove of palms. He was close enough to hear her should she have need and far enough away not to garner unwanted attention. She did not worry about anyone threatening him, for he was fully capable of taking care of himself and the palms provided at least some shelter from the storm.

Making her way the last few yards to the Casino, she moved under the brightly lit over hang and runh out her tail and towled off her head and ears a bit with the underside of her cloak. It didn't help much, but at least she was no longer dripping. Addressing both Mirror and Akiya, since they were in such close proximity to one another and either may know the answer, she asked, "Do either of you remember what this Vincent looks like? Perhaps you should lead the way, as I have no idea."

Mirror knew this much. At first he was walking, shaking the water out of his little wings when all of a sudden he was in Akiya's arms being carried like a child! It took him a couple moments to realize this and then he began to squirm. "I can do it, really I can!" Mirror protested, but after a while he gave up. Thanking the large friend Mirror began work on resting his mind as Akiya carried his small body. He watched wordlessly as the bright multi-colored lights swarmed into the air just as much as the noise swelled with volume. This was Gambino alright, he thought dryly.

When Quinn turned back and asked them the questions, Mirror lifted his head from Akiya's arms. "Vincent? I...I think I do. What about you, Akiya?" Mirror looked up at him. It seemed that Mirror was getting better with the rest. Already he was clearer with his surroundings and could move without his eyes crossing.

"He was the man who ran the game of dice, wasn't he....?" Odilen cursed herself for not writing down and memorizing the names of those present, but she'd had so much to keep track of... and she'd been playing too...

Once underneath the overhang, Odilen lifted her skirts slightly to allow the familiars to creep out, then opened the door. A blast of warm air and riotous sound emerged - clangs, bings, beeps, chimes, and the occasional cry of "NOOOOOOOOOO!" as someone met financial doom at the hands of the slots.

"No wonder he's in here, he liked the dice so much... maybe he's running a game even." Odilen snorted.

Taking a step inside, BoCo immediately picked up a fallen poker chip.

[casino]

The dandy was nowhere to be seen, the slots were empty, the card games occupied and even the dice games were unoccupied by the being who was apparently so interested in gambling his life away in this area. It was not surprising however that every now and again the occasional lady would speak of a certain gentleman who they sorely missed but at present, Lord Yuthing appeared to have vanished off the face of the earth.

Nevertheless, the casino was always a source of gossip and eventually as they passed another trio of women appreciative murmurs regarding a delightful woman in emerald garb could be heard. They spoke of her as a rogue and yet somebody of noble qualities but most of all the spoke of the apparent style in her large plumed hat...

"Have you sighted Lady Ali'ance lately?" One of them whispered from behind her fan and gave a giggle, "She's wearing the most ravishing robes, if not a little revealing."

"Indeed, tight they may be but look at the response she gets from the men!" The second squealed.

[hayaharu]

"A folly yes, but as I said she is a girl of few talents and therefore lacks the ability." She smiled wanly as she insulted one of the locals from her homeland and continued to nibble on her sandwich thoughtfully before at last taking note of his evident discomfort. Well she knew that yukata robes were odd to wear but she had never considered them uncomfortable...

"I apologise for your discomfort, but would you have preferred to smell like I wet dog?" she enquired curiously, her head canting to the side as she offered another knowing smile before pushing her fan across the table for Reika to view again...she evidently admired the little trinket.

"I think I'll still need another ten minutes rest, Akiya. But I'm not at all insulted of getting picked up. I just...I'm just a bit stubborn, that's all. Nothing more." Mirror said, lapsing back into his position in Akiya's arms. As they entered the casino, Mirror coughed slightly when the smell of smoke filled their lungs. He quickly got accustomed to it, and kept his eyes open. After a couple minutes of wandering around, Mirror tapped Akiya, thanked him and he was let down onto his own feet. This time he could walk without much fault and he was getting stronger with each step. However, he stayed near to Akiya like a youngling would stay to the elders. From then on, they wandered together like a tight clump of bees.

Listening to the gossip of the three women, Mirror immediately thought of Cordelia. He glanced over to the others and saw the same expression take over their faces. Maybe she'd know where to find Vincent. As much as he didn't want to go near her, they had no other choice if they wanted to get this done quickly.

Hopping near to the women, Mirror cleared his voice and asked, "Do any of you happen to know where Lady Ali'ance is now? We're looking for a friend who frequently visits here and we believe that she might know where he is."