Welcome to Gaia! ::

"You did," he acknowledged quietly, leading them into his library. "But you told me in the words of someone who well could have been blinded by happiness- as I was, when I was betrayed." He shrugged, and turned his eyes back to Xue. "I have heard those words before, but...they were said very differently. I am pleasantly surprised."

He shook himself, feathers flashing brightly, and offered a small smile. "Now that the confusion has been averted, may I offer you tea...?"

Aishiki wasn't quite as sure what to think as Xue obviously was. She watched him for a moment, worried eyes gauging his response before nodding to Ira. "Yes, thank you," she murmured, and as the rooster's back turned, she reached out, grasping Xue's hand and gazing at him in silent but nervous apology.

For a long moment, the uncomfortable silence stretched between them. Aishiki took a cup, passing it to Xue without breaking it, but when she reached for her own, she finally summoned the nerve to murmur a quiet, "Thank you." Holding the saucer carefully, as she'd been taught her entire life, she watched her friend a moment longer before adding, "I thought you'd like each other." As soon as the words slipped from her mouth, she winced, ducking her head to stare at the dark liquid in her cup. She hadn't meant it to sound quite that much like an accusation...

Ira glanced up at Xue with surprise...and suddenly offered an urchin-like grin. So...they seemed to understand each other, after all. "I think the one most concerned here is you, Shiki," he teased, and tossed his brilliant hair back over his shoulder. He sniffed with the same arrogance, and smirked at Xue. "Hallo, I'm Irasiel and I'm a vain, arrogant p***k who generally thinks very little of the people around him- unless bribed with compliments and presents, of course." ^_~

Blue eyes widened, darting between the two as she tried to figure out just what had happened. Tail drawing around her, she tucked herself a bit farther back in her chair, not quite sure what to say, except... "You're good to me, Xue. That's what." Almost immediately, she fell silent again, not wanting to interrupt them now that they were getting along.

"Perhaps," came the wry answer. Xue smirked then, moving to wind an arm around Aishiki for a moment, reassuring her. "Relax, please... we're not going to go at each other's throats or anything."

"I know," Ira said quietly, and made as if to reach out- but with sad eyes he pulled back his hand, wrapping it around his cup instead. "Time will get us past that. Oh, did I tell you? I've started a new project outside- a moon garden. If it succeeds, I shall have to invite you both to stay some night and see it bloom."

With fluid movements he rose, moving to his desk to retrieve a book from the steady surface. He returned to his seat and offered it- it was full of little bookmarks and handwritten notes in the margins; a large white flower graced the cover. "This is what my theories are based on- I'm quite intrigued by it."

He turned his attention back to Aishiki, and smiled gently. "I truly am sorry, Shiki. Sometimes...I forget that the rest of the world isn't out to get me or the people I worry aobut."