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"Depends on the answer," Natsuki retorted playfully, trying to decipher the code Niksia spoke in. "I'm not one to make assumptions, hence my asking."

Closing her gray eyes, she breathed the beautiful assortment of scents. Natsuki loved flowers, but preferred seeing them in gardens or in nature, primarily because it meant they were still living. "Personally, I have a fevor for sweet Peas and hydrangea. I know they are usually filler flowers, but I love the assortment of colors."

Natsuki knelt down to sniff some of the flowers in the buckets. The palete of scents was quite varied, allowing the woman's mind to wander to other places. Touching the petals of a rather large white flower with pink edges, part of her longed to be on the receiving end of such a beautiful sacrifice. She would certainly take good care of the flowers, especially since they would make her cramped apartment smell of something other than salt water fish tanks.

"I wonder if what people would think if I were to buy some of these for myself," she said aloud, aware that her inner monologue was speaking rather publicly.

"Hm," she mused, "two over...the one called Gage." Alex looked over the list thoughtfully, wondering which of these lovely Raevans had which name. All the names were so different and unique, not something you'd hear walking down the street.

She looked over her shoulder, looking around at the Raevans that were still present. Gage, Gage... Her eyes moved over those gathered, wondering. I wonder what a Gage looks like.

Alex grinned to herself at the thought, turning back to scoop up the dice and give another roll. Before the dice had a chance to hit the pan, Zoe swooped out of nowhere and grabbed them in his little claws, chittering gleefully.

"Lorenzo!" the woman cried out for the second time that night, embarrassed yet again. "Those aren't toys!" The little Gwee chittered and flew around her head, quite pleased with himself. Scowling, Alex pulled out the remaining sweet, holding it in her lap, watching the small dragon.

The Gwee stopped flying in circles almost immediately, zeroing in on the pastry. He dropped the dice - over the pan, no less - and nearly crashed into his owner's chest to claim his much loved treat. Alex clamped her hands around him while he got strawberry and cream all over his face, sighing like an over-worked mother.

Josh took uneasy steps around the festival now. He could still make out the faint wails coming from the mint green raevan at the kissing booths. It gave him a sickening feeling to see the creature in so much distress. Josh squirmed as his stomach tightened in guilt; leaving him with a hollow sensation in his gut. He would have to make it up to Eiry later. Maybe he would get him something later on in the festival… a flower perhaps?
~~~~
Josh made his way over to the ’Lucky Bowl’ again. He hoped the mild distraction would divert his mind from Eiry for now. Josh managed to find an opening in the large crowd that had gathered around the overly popular game. He picked up the dice and gave them a rough shake in his hand before letting them drop into the bowl with a solid echoing click. He stared intently at the bowl curious to see what the numbers were.

Lead here by the allure of a party, Amaris stood on the sidewalk and took in the view. Well... it.... wasn't quite what she expected, but it would do to entertain the kids with for a little while, right? Right. She shifted Mitsuoujo a little higher on her hip. Hopefully aformentioned children would behave themselves. Somewhere behind her Cain was standing with Alice; actually, part of the reason she was idling here was because she could feel his gaze boring into her back and it was very distracting. Thankfully Rat was there to break the ice - getting excited from the smell of the food, the little puppy-thing barked happily and started to pace anxiously around Amaris' feet, waiting for the go-ahead.

"What is this? A carnival?" Alice piped up. "I don't see a ferris wheel." Exhaling, Amaris turned and smiled. "No, it's just a little party, and I want you to behave yourself, okay? It's for charity. Maybe you'll meet some new friends!"

"I guess," she muttered, though she trailed off; then, raising her arm to point at something behind Amaris, she said "Mitsu, your dog's running away."

It was true - currently Rat was making a mad dash for the refreshments table to harrass everyone there for food. "Oh!" Amaris cried, spinning around again; the fa'e toddler slipped out of her guardian's grasp and clumsily ran after her pet, shouting random vowels as she went. "Wait for me!" Alice cried and chased after her little sister.

Amaris groaned and facepalmed. That... that went great.

Lorenzo slept peacefully in Alex's lap, despite all the bustle and commotion. She was momentarily content to sit and watch everyone partake in the festivities, scratching behind Zoe's ear-fins with a serene expression on her face.

Her green eyes kept wandering to the instructions for the game, looking at the names of the Raevans. It wasn't until she'd read them for the tenth time or so that she saw more beneath the list of winning numbers. And if you see Aphismet, the scrawled text proclaimed, be sure to give him a big thanks! Alex was beyond being surprised at this point; between the Raevans and Zoe's behavior, she was feeling quite mellow in this sea of bizarre events. She wasn't surprised that the kind gentleman she'd met before was partaking in the events, but it made her smile that another irony had popped up at this enigmatic party.

Shaking off the brief but eventful memories, Alex took another quick look over the grounds. It was become quite popular, as made obvious by the increasing amounts of people that were filing in. She was thankful the festival was outside. By now, she would have started to feel claustrophobic.

The mere thought of being claustrophobic made her realize exactly how many people were crowded around the small area the dice game was at. Alex carefully curled her arms under the slumbering dragon - who did little more than snort in his sleep at the movement - cradling him to her chest as she stood and allowed another person to take her place. She found herself between the refreshment stands and the kissing booths when she remembered she needed to drop the photograph off with a person named Chloe. Alex turned and looked at the kissing booth names, vaguely recalling that she'd seen that name before. She was right! There was a booth with Chloe's name affixed to it.

And, of course, the booth was empty. Ah, later, she chuckled inwardly, the Gwee giving a kick of his leg and another snort, I have the whole night ahead of me.

One man stopped, and Natsuki handed him her camera. After showing him now to work it, she bent down by a bucket teeming with colorful sweat peas. She was surprised to see more than just roses lying about. Finger combing her hair, she posed solo as the Niksia looked lost in though. The man told her to say cheese, but instead she replied with "Green Peas!"

Snap. Checking the photo, she smiled; another memory to add to get growing journal online. Though from the looks of it, she would need to talk to more people if she wanted to make it sound of any interest.

"Are you having a good time?" she asked to a woman passing by with little Gwee in her hands.

"He's so darling! What's his name?" She squealed in a small voice so as not to disturb him. "May I take his picture?"

Natsuki flashed a brilliant smile, and looked at the woman appreciately. She enjoyed her own pets at home, though her fish weren't the particularly cuddly sort. Perhaps she would need to pick up something a little more... fluffy.

"My name's Natsuki," she smiled, extended her hand. "It's nice to meet you."