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Chloe gave a small flush of excitement that she wasn't able to contain. She had a secret love of stuffed things and she'd wanted to win one of the plushies badly.. "O-Oh! Th-That would be s-so wonderful! But.. only if you had time.."

She didn't want to make Aphismet spend time he could use doing something else more enjoyable making her a silly stuffed toy. She glanced up with surprise as the doors opened, giving a smile of greeting that grew into a shyer, happier one of recognition as Alex entered. She gave a small wave to the woman.

"H-Hello.. oh.." She glanced over at the two Raevens, startling slightly - she'd never actually seen them this close before... but so long as Roux wasn't feeling aggrivated it'd be alright.. "N-No, it's alright." She looked to Aphismet, eyebrows knitting together in concern. "O-Oh.. if you... if you don't mind.. I don't.. want to be rude."

She looked with slight confliction between Alex and Aphismet, she wished to talk with them both but she didn't want to be rude to either...


Roux had been enjoying just being beside Rivener until the doors opened and that familiar woman walked in. He scoweled darkly before floating up, reaching down to take Rivener's hand forcefully and tug him toward the sliding doors.

It was FAR too crowded for his comfort, besides.. the outside felt like a much better place to be right now. He looked back over his shoulder once to make sure Rivener wasn't resisting too hard as he lead him outside into the winter sunlight. Warming, but not too hot. One would have to sit in it for quite some time wearing dark clothing before they became too heated.

Alex brightened as the young man turned around, recognizing his sudden fear immediately. She had no idea why she scared Aphismet so, but she'd have to worry about that later. She was here on business. Her eyes flitted briefly between Chloe and Aphismet as she tried to wave from beneath the bundle in her arms, not able to disregard the strange claim of 'not wanting to be rude.' Had she interrupted something?

She turned to look at the Raevans as they moved, inclining her head respectfully to Roux; she knew the necessary precautions to take, and was not about to infuriate THAT one. The woman offered a warm smile to Rivener after the frigid Raevan passed, but he was not paying attention. She couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of the kind, flower-selling Raevan being infatuated with the wild-tempered icy Roux, or vise versa.

Lorenzo snapped his attention to Chloe when he heard her voice, almost leaping off of Alex's shoulder in joy of seeing the pink-haired woman again. He immediately stopped that idea and flattened himself again his master's neck as Roux passed by, peeking out when Rivener followed. The little Gwee looked back towards Chloe, chirruping a greeting to her.

Alex followed Zoe's lead, smiling apologetically to the two humans. "It's quite all right if you have plans," she said mildly, her thumb stroking whatever was wrapped in the white shirt in her arms. "I can take Zoe out and--" She bit her lip to keep from grinning at Aphismet's quickly uttered dismissal. It probably would not help matters to laugh at the young man.

"If you're certain, I'll only ask for an hour or so of your time, Chloe, and you as well if you'd like to watch, Aphismet." She glanced behind her at the leaving Raevans, knowing Roux would not be happy when they all followed suit. It was best to be outside for this type of thing. Her green eyes moved back to the nervous man and uncertain woman. Alex offered a kind smile to them, adding, "I think she'll take to you quicker than that, but it never hurts to give extra time for questions and training."

Rivener smiled at the surprising warmth. It was even warmer than when they had arrived. His eyes closed, Rivener let himself be led, simply enjoying the sunshine on his skin.

He'd almost forgotten his question when Roux let go of his hand. Rivener opened his eyes and looked at the other, who rolled his shoulders in answer. He wasn't sure where he was going? Well, figures. Roux probably just wanted to be alone, away from all the others. As Rivener kept watching, Roux turned his eyes skyward again. Riv followed suit, looking at the clear azure.

Maybe that's where Roux wanted to go. Actually, Rivener was certain it was.

The rustle of fabric brought his gaze over to the other Raevan. The labcoat was falling. Riv frowned slightly. Did Roux want to fly now? Were his wings fixed?

Deciding it would be best not to say anything, Riv instead simply leaned over and kissed Roux's shoulder, smiling. "Yes," he said, resorting to the other's language.


Aphismet was startled at Chloe's sudden change in demeanor. Questions and training? What was Alex talking about? Why was Chloe so excited? What was that thing in the Italian's arms?

Aph was too confused to argue, not that he would have anyway. At least the confusion kept the paranoid feeling at bay. He smiled sheepishly when Chloe touched his shoulder, and nodded. "Erm, sure! Wh-what should I do? Should I s-stand over there or something?" he motioned to the back of the room, not wanting to be in the way of whatever the two girls were supposed to accomplish.

Chloe listened raptly as Alex spoke to her, soaking in as much of it as she could - she'd have to ask the other woman to explain it all again later so she could take notes. For now she was held rapt by the tiny baby dragon's eyes and little wings.

She shyly tucked her hands into her pockets, standing beside Aphismet as she called out softly, her voice barely above a croon. "C-Come here.. little one.." She wasn't sure what to call it..


Roux sighed, floating closer almost as though he wanted to lean against Rivener's shoulder. Instead he turned to the other, reaching out once more to idly stroke and play with his hair, only a little uncomfortable from the sun and heat.

The little dragon blinked at the pink-haired woman, flapping its tiny wings. She looked over at Alex, who gave her an encouraging nudge with her fingers.

Lorenzo was poised to help the little female if necessary, but it didn't seem like she'd need any aid. Pumping her little wings for all they were worth, the dragonette leapt off of Alex's hands and started to fly in a jerky pattern. She was all over the place, not very good at centering her weight and really moving forward; she had just learned to fly, and much like a baby's first steps, her movements were a little erratic and faltering. Her brave display of almost hummingbird-like speed to flap her wings paid off. She closed the distance between herself and Chloe, using her dainty claws to grab onto the woman's lab coat.

"Well done," Alex complimented softly. "She understood. I thought she'd like you." Although she was careful to watch Chloe and the little Gwee's interactions, she was not oblivious to Aphismet's sudden interest. It almost seemed like the little dragon had made him forget his discomfort.

Lorenzo watched the plight of the small dragonette, only taking to flight once the little one had landed. He flew towards Chloe, stuffed panda in his claws, chirruping proudly at the tiny female Gwee from over the pink-haired receptionist's shoulder.

Alex smiled at Zoe's actions. He'd been very curious and protective of the smaller Gwee; she wondered if he'd miss the little one. "Also, don't worry if your little girl doesn't make noise. Zoe is very chatty, constantly trying to mimic what he thinks humans do. Most of the other Gwee aren't quite as vocal, but if you teach her to be, she will likely try to imitate you."

She paused for a moment, glancing at the doors behind her. "Chloe, would you happen to have a lunch break you can take? It'd be nice to sit down and answer any questions you have while the little one gets used to you." Alex turned her attention back to Chloe and Aphismet, quirking a dark brow in question.

Chloe reached out to the little dragonette, startling only slightly as it reached her and clung tenaciously to the front of her labcoat. Instantly her hands came up to cup around the little thing, protect it, keep it from falling and make it feel secure.

The little Gwee gave a small, almost distressed bleet, claws digging in deeper to the starchy fabric of Chloe's coat. She simply smiled down at the small creature and smoothed her thumb over the top of it's head, making small hushing sounds at it before looking up, first toward Aphismet so she could proudly smile at him. She turned sideways and thrust her chest out slightly - as that is where the Gwee clung, close to her neck - and motioned toward it. She then turned to look at Alex, blinking.

"Lunch b-break? Oh! Y-Yes, of course. I can right now."


Roux followed Rivener silently, pausing by the counter. The other was right, he very much didn't want to sit on it, instead he contented himself to lean toward the dark Frei, looking up curiously at him.

Something caught his eye and he turned his head slowly, focusing on Rivener's... wings. He reached up, fingers curled slightly against his palm, as though he wanted to touch. Before he could come in contact he gave a small jolt as something.. someone.. was yelling behind him. He couldn't tell the distance but the sudden sound that wasn't Rivener's smooth voice had been unexpected.

Unconsciously his wings extended in anger as he turned toward the source, sending the labcoat he wore about his shoulders slumping to the ground. His wings were bare, pink flesh slightly prickled where the flesh used to be - there was only a little soft feather down that remained.

The yelling was coming from outside, it sounded nearer now. In fact, it was coming closer at a faster and faster rate.

"A picnic?" She blinked, glancing down at the small dragonette, whom was relaxing a little as she realized that the human had a good, firm hold on her. She gave a small nod. "Th-That.. sounds wonderful, actually. B-Being outside in the s-sun would be nice.. especially i-in Spring!"

She loved Spring.

Chloe began walking forward toward Alex, eyebrows knitting together as she too heard the sounds coming from outside. "O-Oh my.." She tensed as she saw Roux, her heart clenching with pain for him as she saw his poor wings. Since their falling he'd become more.. unsure of himself. It was a pronounced difference in his previous attitude in life and it made Chloe's heart break to see him so.. uneasy.. unhappy.

She reached out to gently touch Alex's shoulder, leaning in toward the woman though her eyes never left Roux.

"..I-I want to sh-show him her," she gently lifted her cupped hand, causing the little female to give a small utterance of protest and cling to her front againt. "B-But..." Chloe bit her lip and looked down. "W-Well.. m-maybe just a Gwee would h-help.." A quick, sucked in breath as she finally tore her eyes away from her Raeven and focused them on Alex's face. "D-Do you think.. i-it'd be safe f-for Zoe.. i-i-if he's willing.. I-I mean.. I wouldn't l-let Roux e-even think of h-hurting him b-but.. i-if the worst goes wrong.. h-he can fly."

When it was all out in the open it sounded like a dangerous idea. She quickly shook her head, sighing nervously. "N-No, never mind.." Leaning down to place a soft kiss atop the little Gwee's head she began trying to pry the baby dragon from her labcoat to hand to Alex. "I-I'll just ... let go, little one.. I'll just l-leave her with y-you while I m-make sure Roux's okay?"


"Oh Roux... Why?"

The words caused the ice Frei to turn. For a moment he didn't understand what Rivener had meant. The duel warmth of sun and pleasent chilly cool breeze answered any questions that had formed in his mind. The coat was gone, had fallen, and Rivener had seen his shame.

Roux leaned down to quickly snatch up the jacket, slinging it over his shoulders once more before turning away from the other, face expresionless - his anger at the yelling, no matter how close it was getting, was forgotten. His wings folded pathetically against his back despite being covered.

Maybe if he just ignored it...

Roux stared blankly ahead and slightly to the side of Rivener, trying his hardest not to think of how horrible he looked.