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(( Sloane's Room; bed ))

The black space of sleep, where time stood still but quickly flew by, had overtaken the Infitialis some hours ago. His injuries, though healing at a faster rate than any human's could, were taking a toll on his energy and prevented him from leaving his quarters very often. All things considered, Sloane was quiet the heavy sleeper and none of the commotion in the doll house across from his bed had awoken him.

In fact, he might have stayed completely asleep if it hadn't been for a few certain factors; for one, there were now a lot of people coming and going from his room, which caused him to stir here and there, not to mention all of the new Excito additions to the room who did not realize to be quiet. Secondly, there was a new presence on the bed with him, one he couldn't ignore as it was far bigger than any Excito--it was quite human sized. With a grumble, the Anhelo opened his eyes to find the courtyard of the doll house was quite stuffed with tiny, colorful bodies and more still were climbing the strings to gain entrance. His brow furrowed but there was a distinct smile on his face, however weak it may have been from the exhausted confusion he was now feeling.

Turning his head, Sloane was promptly met with the body which lay, quite asleep, by his side. Chauhn, poor Chauhn with his bandaged hands. Looking around, the Infitialis situated himself and pulled the covers from under his body, wrapping them over the boy so he could keep warm. From there, he moved to sit at the edge of the bed, leaning closer to the doll house and smiling at all those who were now gracing its yard. With great enthusiasm, he heard Blaithe call his name as she clung to the fence and then dear Ophelia thanking him for the invitation.

Wait, invitation? To what, pray tell?

"Hello," he grinned at them all, flashing his teeth, "I thank you all for coming, though I do not know the occasion. I recall sending no invitation." It was troubling to the still only half awake Plague, but slowly things began to make sense. It was not he who sent an invitation but, perhaps, his small charges had a hand in the situation?

Then, with little regard to anyone around them nor the house's integrity, two Stunteds burst through the front door and escorted a certain white, flowery Excito into the foyer. This made Sloane frown and utter a quiet warning of 'be careful' as he rested his chin in one hand and watched the others.

(( Doll House; Foyer ))

As the door slammed open, a jingling shriek was heard while another sound of bells came from a different room entirely. There was little time for the hosts to prepare themselves but now that the door was open and someone was entering as they pleased, it was show time whether they were ready or not.

A tiny silver boy slid out onto the foyer floor from a room to the right, quickly removing his hat and bowing with a flourish. "Bonjour! Welcome to our home! Please, come in and find a comfortable seat!" he half shouted from his excitement.

This prompted another presence, a golden girl, to step inside the foyer from a room to the left, giving a low curtsy to Claudia and her servants. "Salut, friends. We have treats and sweets, would any of you like some nog?" her chiming voice held a foreign accent, the same as her silver brother.

Chavelle, the silver bell, directed Claudia and the others to the room he had exited to greet them. It was a dining room, full of plush looking sofas and chairs. A long wooden table was pushed off against a wall to make for more walking and sitting room. The table had a white lace doily tablecloth and neatly arranged sat bowls, plates, platters, cups and pitchers full of what anyone but an Excito or mouse would consider crumbs and drops of the most delicious and enticing food and drink one could imagine.

Once their guests began to get situated, Chavelle's dark eyes were locked on the pure white flower Caedos, tiny mouth ajar as he stood against a wall. "Mon dieu," he whispered to himself as his sister, Lavelle, gave him a quick pat on the shoulder before heading towards the front door. She beckoned all those who were not yet inside within their walls, a pleased smile on her face as she looked up to Sloane who couldn't seem to get rid of the grin now plastered across his face.

Only once before had Clurie been introduced to such a grand amount of Excito, but the blood bath of the Colwe carnival hardly counted as a social outing. Choosing to stay near the fences and watch as new and outrageous Excito fled to the scene, the Clemmings plague and two escorts idled about with wide eyes, peering at those familiar and unfamiliar around them. There were some curious Excito, a few who he had seen in passing, and from the congregation of deathly smells and haunting odors, were a few that Clurie had smelled before in passing. In countless number of them all, though, were bells similar to the two Notclemms by his side, standing just a bit taller than he. They were cheerful and merry, through politely reserved, as they pointed out those who wore garments of the similar color and fashion.

"Look at them all," said Minori in wonder as she took her silver brother's arm in hers, "They are just like us and our other siblings. Do you think they're Notclemms, too? They must be, we are the same!" She smiled at them grandly, looking again to her brother for confirmation.

Micchi nodded his head, patting his sister's hand, looking every bit like a gentleman with his lady. "They must be the others that came with our coming to be. But we are all Excito, aren't we? We are one kind, the Plague kind."

"Save our thoughtful Clurie," Minori said, reaching out to lead Clurie forward and away from the fence. She patted his shoulder. Clurie, in response to the kind touch, gave a start as he was brought back to reality from his distant planes of thought and musing. "He's not like us."

Clurie gave a nod, feeling a little comforted by the fact that they were no longer pressing him into being an Excito like them, but of a different caliber. Still, that small victory had no satisfaction for Clurie, and when she said it, it sounded wrong, like he should argue it as a lie. This troubled Clurie. It was an either or situation. He was either an Excito or he was Clurie, Chauhn's dead little brother. He firmly believed that he was Clurie, but when he looked at the other Excito around him, all the same sixe as he, the same build and makeup, the same breed, minus the fact that they didn't have a title to uphold or a roll to fill. But then Clurie, his scattered mind focusing in to a determined whirl, had to wonder if he was just filling someone else's shoes.

While his mind twirled with all these dizzying thoughts and troubles, he carelessly followed along as the flood of tiny Excito bodies made their way into the house.

There was a familiar Plague just off to the side, a bright and colorful Excito, smaller yet than he, who was small to begin with in comparison to the other Excito around. He waved at her, a bit distractedly, and smiled, "'Allo Blaithe. I knew you'd be here." But as she finished her smile, she was approached by other Plagues, who since captured her attention. He kept his smile on until it faded, and he turned away, glancing despairingly at the crowd around him. He felt like he were in the place he should be, the place he belonged, and that feeling alone was what really upset him.

While the two Notclemms beside him greeted the hosts with a merry wave and giggle, Clurie stared off at the other Excito, feeling uncomfortably distant from his brother, Chauhn, who slept, now covered with blankets that Sloane had tucked over him, not even two yards away. The Sword Plague was smiling and looking on at them.

Clurie tried to maneuver into a place where he could wave up at the Anhelo, a comforting visage in the sea of others, before he accidentally bumped into the white rose Excito, expelling a plume of ash.

(( Entering: Courtyard ))

Approaching this highly anticipated party happened to be two very curious excitos. One calmly following the trail of what could be assumed to be his friend, a much brighter figure who's pace was awkward and hasty as he moved. Now with such difference in pallet and build, the strangers certainly looked like an unlikely pair, but upon listening to their interactions with one another it became obvious that the duo were well acquainted.

"Honestly, Ripley, I do not see the point to making a fuss to rush," came the voice of the taller, lankier character, standing upright with a dignified strut as he followed his more colourful friend who was hurrying forward. " It really is best to be fashionably late, after all. It keeps things interesting, leaves one looking quite mysterious! Others would be more inclined to conversation with a cryptic gentleman than a stumbling fool who frets over a few lost minutes."

Just as this was said, the 'fool' in question, predictable as always, nearly tripped as he was nearing the metal fence to the large (or should it be considered small? ) home that was their destination. The excito was able to catch himself though, but to do so he'd continued the embarrassing display with a flailing of his tiny arms to attempt to re-balance himself. Once he heard the amused snickering of his dear friend behind him, Ripley turned to face the other stunted with his mouth pressed into a tight frown, his cheeks growing a similar shade of pink as that he was thoroughly adorned in.

"I may sometime loose my footwork, Ada," he chimed back, his voice defensive but far from intimidating in it's naturally light tone," but I feel as though the embarrassment is worth arriving on time. It's only polite! We are very rarely invited to parties and I do not want to give a bad impression!"

"Very well, Very well," the monotone fellow cooed, a faint chuckle still carrying in his voice," Let's not keep them waiting any longer then, shall we? "

" Right, Right," Ripley replied with a huff before turning back to the gate and quickly regaining a pleasant attitude as he unlatched the door with careful hands and pulled the thing open to more properly view the courtyard as well as the various guests that still conversed among themselves. Both wearing sociable smiles, the boys strode into the yard, Ada completely aware the he'd left the gate ajar, while Ripley was merely too distracted.

(( Courtyard >> Ground floor kitchen ))

Though delayed a bit by the exhaustion of the run to party, Phillipe soon was bouncing up an down in excitement. Party party party! The head of the little ornament was constantly moving as he took in everything around, the other excitos fascinating but the house even more fascinating. At that moment he decided he had looked enough. It was time to go inside.

When Milena saw Phillipe begin to head towards the house, she immediately followed him, wanting to make sure that he stayed out of trouble. Also, the enthusiastic but silent ornament would need someone to talk for him. It wasn't long before the two of them trotted through the door, and the holly servos did her best to avoid bumping into the multitude of plagues already inside, with the occasional tug on Phillipe's outfit reminding him to do the same.

Catching sight of the two bell plagues that were hosting the party Milena gave a smile and walked over. "This quite the lovely party you have. I would like to thank you for the chance to come," she said. However, she wasn't able to stick around, because at that moment she saw Phillipe wandering off.
"Ah, I must go! Sorry!"

By the time Milena caught up with Phillipe the two plauges were in the kitchen. She stared in awe. Someone had actually set out food for the party. While Milena was too intimidated by the sight to start eating yet, Phillipe had no such inhibitions and was already tearing into a tiny cookie with delight.

(( Courtyard ))

Cassandra gave no objections to her companions going inside, silently grateful for Milena volunteering to take care of Phillipe. He was a nice little excito, but still painfully annoying at times. Not really motivated to do anything, Cassandra decided to simply stay in the courtyard for now, waiting to see if any new plagues would be coming.

[[ Entryway ]]

And Clurie, being one of the smallest Excito there, had little chance of staying upright after such a rough shove. He hardly knew what was going on, it had happened so fast, but he remembered each moment with stark clarity. Just as he began to spurt apologies like a good gentleman like he had been taught by Clurie, and a few moments after another Exicto addressed him with questions about the house, he felt two pairs of hands against his chest. The air was promptly punched out from his lungs by the flat of their palms and he fell back onto his rump with another cloud of ash.

"Health and living, mum, whoever you are!" Clurie swore with a defensive squeak, sprawled upon the ground. He glared up with hurt at the two leaf guards standing over him and the white lady who stood behind as he smeared his sleeve across his cheeks, lighting them with a defensive glow. His hat was skewed backwards from the fall, exposing the twin patches of ember red on either side of his face and his bottom lip twinged with hurt. "What are you about, pushing me around? I was trying to say sorry!"

Micchi and Minori, distracted from waving at their bell counterparts, heard the squeak of Clurie's defensive voice. Micchi was there in an instant, slipping in between Excitos who filed in the front hallway to stand in front of Clurie. Rolling his sleeves up in a gesture of warning, the silver boy skewed his mouth at them and crowed at them with his high-pitched voice.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Micchi said, puffing up his little chest, "Just what do you think you're doing to my friend, huh, tough guys?"

With a jingle and a jangle, Minori dropped to Clurie's side, helping him up into a seated position. She smiled gently at him and Clurie tightened his mouth back at her, adjusting his hat back to its rightful position on his head. Together, Minori picked Clurie up from the ground and helped pat him down, and with an astonished huff, she narrowed her gaze at Claudia, the pristine white flower.

"He didn't mean any harm," Minori pointed out, "An accident, that's all, or are you too blinded by the stark white of your pretty party dress to see that?"

Clurie turned to Minori, blinking his eyes with surprise at the sharpness of her tone. She hadn't ever spoken like that before, not in his short time of knowing her, but when he looked into her face, he saw something terribly familiar: Love. It was the same kind of look on her face that Chauhn had when he was defending Clurie from any number of mishaps and mistakes, save, this time, it felt rightly placed. This realization made Clurie feel sick to his stomach, and he staggered a bit, only to be steadied by Minori's gentle hands. Why was it that he felt like this were right? But more importantly, why did it make Chauhn's show of devotions seem wrong? What was he feeling? Clurie's face drooped into a haggard hang, weighed down with a disturbing doubt.

(( Dollhouse; Foyer --> dining room ))

Oh goodness!

Lavelle swayed to and fro, her dress twirling around her waist and tiny ankles as she gave way to such excitement and nervousness as having this many guests in their home at once! It was a good thing they had gotten so many treats or they might not have had enough to feed everyone, let alone offer proper entertainment to the quickly growing number of Excio.

"Oh, oui! Oui!" she giggled happily to Mykolai's question, her chest swelling with pride, "Monsieur Sloane went to great lengths in order to grant us such a place! We love it very much!" Lavelle's tiny hands reached up to her face as something of a golden blush crossed her white features. The sentiment, it seemed, was shared by Chavelle as he leaped toward the purple Excito and giggled with the sound of many bells, "It is so lovely to share it with others!"

Another joined the group, asking a similar question. At first Lavelle thought it male-- the Servos looked so much like Nikolas except in color --but the voice told her enough of her true gender. "Merci! And many thanks for com--" but before she could finish, the poor girl had to dash after a retreating figure "--ing" That was fine, though, there were so many others that needed their attention!

"Chavelle, please check on Grimaud, oui?" and Chavelle chirped, rushing down the stairs from Mykolai and into the adjoining room to the right.

Within stood a tall and red capped musketeer Caedos who was arranging and fluffing pillows. Without turning to face the silver bell, he seemed to realize he was being approached by that specific Servos. "How many are there?" he asked simply, his voice like silken night. Chavelle bounced on his toes, running in place as he attempted to count on his tiny fingers before holding up both hands, digits stretched, "More than this!" and when Grimaud turned to look he merely sighed and looked toward the foyer to see the gathering crowd.

Setting what currently had him preoccupied in its place, he stepped out into the crowd just as something terrible happened; a puff cloud of ash seeped into the chapel, making many of the small ones cough or cover their mouths. Grimaud's glowing white eyes merely narrowed as he peered through the thick black shroud and scoped an abundance of white. Flower petals. My goodness, she looked positively radiant, didn't she? He glanced to Lavelle and then back to the white rose as she turned around and began confronted the source of the ash-- a short and stocky Phasmas that looked absolutely filthy. The Caedos cringed, waving what lingered of the soot from the air and moving through the crowd. Already others were jumping down her throat, either trying to calm her down or to tell her off mattered not to him but as the distance closed there was another Caedos that intruded between him and the white rose.

Pity. Now the moment was stolen. Instead, Grimaud cleared his throat and spoke above all the commotion within the foyer, directing everyone's attention to the dining room; "Everyone, we welcome you to our home! If you please, come to the room to your right where there are cakes and meats, nog and seats! It is time for a glorious party~" he crooned, raising his arms on high and locking eyes with the flower Plague to offer her a crooked grin. Behind him, Lavelle and Chavelle cheered and spun their way into the dining room, leading others along with them.

It was time for the festivities to begin.

[Courtyard]

The arguing between Clurie and Claudia, both considered to be friends in Blaithe's mind, had stolen her attention from Sloane as she now watched the many other Excito jump in and take sides. There were a lot of others that she didn't know, but her smile sagged a little as she watched all of the excitement. Even though it wasn't necessarily a good kind of excitement, she was, well... stuck.

Standing in the exact spot where her Grimm had left her, she clung to the fence, which was further from everyone than she would have liked. Her pegged leg was something she was born with, but she hated it from the very first time she tried to walk. Jin-Ho told her that it made her special and different, and admittedly Blaithe really liked the idea of being different, but not at the expense of walking.

Everyone else seemed to have such an easy time with it.

As the young Phasmas watched her counterparts mingle, a timid voice simply handed out a name, grabbing her attention. Turning her head, Blaithe's smile immediately returned once she layed eyes on her new companion; a mistletoe! She had seen a few others there, but they were all so pretty! This one's ribbons were a bit more of a gray color, like the leftovers of burnt-out wood, compared to the others. Her whites and greens stood out against the dull gray and dark black, and she was quite lovely!

"Hi! My name's Blaithe! It's nice to meet you, Shu!" Her smile grew in excitement as she clutched the fence beside them. She had never been exposed to so many other Excito!

As she was about to say something, one of the other Excito, a leaf Caedos, announced that it was time to get started. Blaithe had never been to any parties, and this was quite a time! Turning back to her new companion, she smiled again as she motioned toward the excitement, "Let's go!"