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Malodore had to admit, it was impressed by Christof's apparently level head, to judge by the patchwork's body language and Riley's words. That was good, not only for Riley's sake but for Christof's own. It had underestimated Christof's mechanical sensibility before; was it now also underestimating his capacity for stability as well? It was something to think about...

The faint hostility in Riley's voice, though, brought it out of its reverie. Startled, it looked at her, but... anchor, not judge, it repeated to itself. Though it couldn't figure out what had prompted that, or why...

Mot leaned against the table, watching them dance. Hel, West and Levi. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. A soft smile graced his lips as he watched, feeling semi detached from it all.

Soon he found Hel hip swaying her way toward him, beckoning him with her hands, hips and eyes. "Goodness.." Mot laughed, hovering a hand over his smile. "I apologize, but can I join you later? I still owe a few more dances to others." He asked with an apologetic tilt of his head.

"I promise, the last dance of the night belongs to you. Deal?" He asked with a wink.

Christof's previously carefully calculated expression suddenly flushed. I should find Miss Amrita, He murmured, a touch nervously at Riley's sudden offer of a gift, albeit how simple a gesture. The situation was odd on numerous levels, but the hunchback was kept his mind on the self-appointed Task-At-Hand.

He turned his attempt to the Plague Doctor, lips pursed as he snapped his fingers at his side politely to try to get it's attention before signed carefully, "Has-Rita-been-told? Master-Barth?"

Amrita should know. Should see that Mistress was alright. And perhaps seeing a creature of Riley's partial handy-work would help rekindle old memories locked away? She had aided in the body-snatcher's moving to her current host body...

As it stood, everything would be a new experience, every movement, every expression, every thought and gestured word a first-impression. He tread lightly.

Still, a part of him still ached for her approval, for her interest, her positive thought. He shifted a bit demurely, I built the chandelier, Mistress. It is electric, though you wouldn't know it. The candles at the tables too. Miss Junko wanted candles, thought it would be romantic, but worried about the Undead population and it's high flammability rate. Electric simulations seemed a logical solution.

Lizzy was somewhere, a cup of punch in her hand, when the text from Malodore came; she actually froze, eyes widened ever so slightly as she read it over and over again, as if she didn't quite believe her own eyes. When the words finally made sense to her, it took another few seconds for it to actually sink it.

'Riley and I are coming.'

'Riley and I.'

Her throat felt dry all of a sudden, and she finished the rest of her punch in one gulp, just barely avoiding choking on the beverage.

"I'll... I'll be right back!" She informed her boilfriend, giving him a bright smile as she tossed the empty cup away, and hurried off - in the direction of the bathroom. The music that was playing had drowned out, and she was practically shoving her way through the crowd... That was, until she ran smack right into someone's back.

"Ohhh, I'm so sorr-" She bowed her head, and then looked up, only to spot a familiar crop of black hair. Relieved that she hadn't just bumped into a stranger, she forced a smile, although she was tearing up behind her mask, and her voice was starting to tremble "M-Mot! Ah, I'm sorry, uh, I need to- Uh, I'll... I'll see you later." She gestured wildly, and then continued on her way towards the bathroom.

When Mot slowed her down, her first worry was 'What if Mac sees?' The reaper would probably have to deal with her later... She didn't want to make a fuss and worry him right now. Besides, Mac was... Biased against-

"Riley," She whispered at Mot, looking down at the floor as her arms went limp, not bothering to try to run from her big brother, "Riley's back." And she didn't sound happy about it at all.

Jericho had told her, and she should have known. She should have expected it, that it was just a matter of time before Riley showed up in person. She had kept it a secret for him, but now that the mindflayer was making a public appearance, she felt that it wasn't really a secret anymore.

Riley...?

Mot's heart nearly stopped. "...Huh?" The music faded into a numb hum in the background, his eyes peering back inside the gym. It didn't take long to see her. She didn't exactly blend in. And she was surrounded.

"But... that's..." Impossible. "No.. she was turned to stone.. taken by the Boogeymen... Lizzy, That's probably just some other mindflayer... surrounded by her.. loved ones..."

He had a lot of trouble believing this at all. Riley was dead.

Mot blinked, looking lost. Lizzy seemed bitter and upset, and the situation was catching him off guard. "Um.. back up.. I don't.. understand.. huh?" Did he miss something? There was obviously information Lizzy had that Mot did not.

His grip loosened and arms fell to his sides. "So.. they revived her from the statue.. somehow. And no she has no memory?" He looked over there again, now spotting a boogeyman keeping a watchful eye on the ilithid.

This was too much..