Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Well, this is certainly...'something'..." Saffron muttered, lost for a suitable word as he tracked the eyes of one painting as they tracked him. Creepy. Then again, it was Halloween, right? Wasn't that supposed to be the point?

Still, how'd they do that?

Takeko chuckled softly, patting her son's arm in a reassuring manner, the same as he'd done for her while they were still standing outside. "That it is. Now, try to relax and enjoy yourself for once, will you?" There was a twinkle in her eye as he turned to give her a look. Yes, she was well aware of the irony of that statement.

Hearing her name called out over the crowd, she looked up, surprised and wondering who here might know both her and her son. Oh! It was Kane's new friend, Texas, and a young lady! Perhaps his date for the evening? Smiling warmly, she raised an arm to wave back and started off towards the pair, Saffron following behind.

"Indeed, Texas, I was starting to wonder just what sort of party this was going to be without at least a few familiar faces." She nodded to both Texas and the young lady, taking initiative to introduce herself in the meantime. "Greetings, miss. I'm Takeko, and this handsome swashbuckler behind me is my son, Saffron."

"Mom! Cut it out!" Saffron ignored his mother's child-like giggling, trying to hide the fact that she was making him blush. It didn't help that the other two seemed to be looking at him oddly. Again. Great, what was it this time? Had to be the costume. He'd probably screwed it up somehow.

Woobie came in a little after the two girls. He flipped and somersaulted over to Pastela. "Hello, Miss. Can I get a pint?" He giggled and smiled at her pretty outfit. He was dressed as an acrobat. Like This

After the demon pae was a female demon. She looked in and smiled. She looked at the group a bit shyly. She had been to so many parties before and Alicia still hadn't met anyone! She looked over the group and wasn't sure where to go. She was dressed as Robin Hood. Like This

Woobie put his arm around Pastela's waist. "I think it looks just fine. Although, I may be distracted all night." Woobie gave a hearty laugh. It had been such a long time since he had enjoyed himself. With Pastela he was back to his happy self. "You look awesome too, Ama!"

"I hope not too." Woobie laughed and looked to Ama. "Well, you stay near us and we're fine." He didn't worry too much. There wasn't anything about this place that could actually harm them. "Wanna dance?"

Karma came into the ball after a few costume changes. She looked down and blushed. She wanted to be a genie as a throw to her power, but she wasn't sure if this small outfit was considered a genie or a belly dancer. It was gold and pretty so she picked it anyway. Here

Well, this was certainly unexpected! Taken by surprise, Takeko let out a youthful giggle, her cheeks turning just the faintest touch of pink. "Oh my...my dear, you flatter an old woman so," she chuckled, reaching out to take Aysu's hand and patting it.

Saffron sighed, cheeks still warm, but glad his mother seemed to be enjoying herself...even if it was at his expense. Though...perhaps not for long, he observed, watching recent events unfold with an eyebrow raised in curiosity. Even if it seemed strange...he couldn't help but start to smirk slightly. His poor sheltered mother...

Wait...was he much better?

Shaking his head slightly, he looked away from the two women, instead glancing at Texas, relieved to note that the demon wasn't staring at him oddly anymore, like he'd had something strange stuck to his face, or...whatever. He'd caught the apologetic look and simply shook his head with a simple smile as if to say 'Eh, mothers...' Family was there both to support you...and drive you crazy. It was a vicious cycle.

Still seeming quite flattered and amused by all the attention, Takeko nodded to the young lady. "I believe you exaggerate, but thank you nonetheless. You've already made my night." She seemed as if she were about to say something else when she blinked and looked towards the door. "Anyone else hear that?"

Through the main door, the clatter of hooves barely preceded the blue and silver fuzzy blur that streaked into the room. Faroth paused only briefly to stare slack-jawed at all the strange decor and other people before centering on a group of familiar-looking Pae. Hey, he knew...well, most of them! And maybe they'd be cool enough to get how awesome his costume was.

"Hey everybody! Nice costumes!" Faroth shouted, galloping over to join the group, leaving a couple of spare pieces of pine straw laying dropped in the entrance. "Guess what I am!"

"Oh my..." Takeko murmured, her hand rising to cover her mouth. Whether it was surprise or amusement she was trying to hide, only she knew. "Dare I ask?"

Saffron allowed himself a soft snicker in any case, grinning. "You seem to have put a lot of effort into whatever it is. Alright, I'll bite. What are you supposed to be?"

Pouting a bit at the fact that no one had guessed, Faroth struck a proud pose, fists on his hips and grinning widely. "Obviously, I'm Kane!"

Takeko, normally composed and collected, ever a lady...let out an uncharacteristic snort at the declaration. If she could have stopped giggling for a moment, she'd have been speechless She'd never imagined...of all the things the teen could have chosen to try and dress as...

"Oh good Guardians..." Saffron broke down as well, perhaps a little less so than his mother or Texas seemed to be doing, but still was unable to say further for a while due to laughing. Finally, he reached up to wipe an eye beneath his mask and muttered, "...brilliant, absolutely brilliant..."

Finally! Appreciation for his awesome costume idea and implementation! Faroth puffed out his chest proudly, or at least as much as the awkward teen covered in pine straw could manage, then winked back at Texas. "Doesn't matter. He'd still have to catch me first!"

Still giggling to herself, Takeko struggled to get enough control over herself to speak again. "Oh dear..." More giggling. She reached out, ignoring the scratchy nature of the pine straw as she wrapped an arm around the teen's shoulder. "Well, good job on your hard work, hon. Speaking of Kane, he's not here with you?"

Faroth shook his head, careful of his sprouting antlers given his closeness to the angel. "Nah, gave me the slip a few days ago. Not sure he's much in the party kinda' mood right now anyway. I'm sure he's fine wherever he's hiding out. He and the kid."

Takeko frowned a bit, but sighed in acceptance. "I know I told him he couldn't run away from this...but I really thought he'd accept some help. He hasn't been by in days." She shook her head, then patted Faroth's shoulder. "Well, I'm sure he's doing alright then. He knows he has help if he needs it, even if he's too proud to admit it out loud."

Giving his mother a moment to talk to Faroth, Saffron chuckled, shaking off some of the hysterics the faun had unleashed on them all just a moment ago. The previous awkwardness forgotten with the unconventional ice breaker, the mixed angel felt more at ease with present company. With a smirk, he reached out and patted the coughing Texas on the back. "Okay, no choking before the party even gets into full swing there, buddy."

The doors flew open and in a bounding chaos came Kali, the destructive blue teen."WHOO HOOO PARTY TIME!!!!" The angel announced, throwing her arms in the air and swaying them. The silk length of her light purple sari bobbed like a small tornado wanted to eat it, while the bangles on her ankles and arms jingling in a grating way. The teen danced into the room on bare feet, ponytail bobbing and eyes sparkling. She wanted to raise the roof tonight. A bundle of teen hormones and raging boredom, Kali promised herself she'd live it up large tonight. Who knows when another shindig would ensue?

Peeping his head in hesitantly, Siva, looking oh so embarrassed, tried to slink in as unnoticed as possible. His twin had insisted on dressing him up as a sandwich. Now he had two large slices of cardboard bread hanging from his front and rear by some string. Their adopted mom Quinn had been so amused that she made him a hat that looked like a lettuce leaf and a slice of tomato. It was just totally humiliating. A sandwich? Siva sighed. He supposed he could have saved himself some dignity, but in a house full of estrogen he felt he was better off just letting them have their fun. It sucked to be the only male... a lot. Sliding along the wall, Siva situated himself close to the back, keeping an eye on his sister in case she got carried away and he would have to use his power to stop the madness.

Bringing up the rear, a little eyerapingly orange faun trotted in looking very pleased with herself. The child was dressed as a good witch, complete with cute white dress and little white witch hat. Ella carried a plastic wand with feathers and streamers coming out of the big gaudy star tip. Giggling, she stamped her little red hooves and curtsied to the pae nearby.

-----------

A dark pae with dragonfly wings sat at a table to one side of the dance floor. Thara was here to observe the other pae, to make note of their customs and behaviors. She had been long out of the loop and, though very cautious, found herself enjoying the punch. When the doors burst open she swung her head toward the noise, the large hoop earrings banging against the side of her face. She barely saved her gypsy dress from a splash of punch when she jumped. "Hmph"