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Chris's lip twitched in amusement at Josh's comment. "I sure wouldn't expect you bite. That is, unless all that purring means you're actually a cat," she said raising an eyebrow, her voice slightly sarcastic. Chris then recognized him. "Hey! I think I saw you on the same paintball team as my roommate. She was the one with red hair and a dark blue trencher." She didn't bother to mention that she had been in the pie eating contest. Getting last place because of a coughing fit wasn't exactly flattering.

Aphismet was so thankful for the Doctor's nonchalant, casual behavior. He suddenly felt like this wasn't so much an unreachable person, but just another guy at a party. Although Aphi still doubted anything would ever make him and Dr Kyou- no, JUST Kyou, he amended- equals.

Aphi took the wine glass happily, amazed at how brazenly Kyou had begun looking through Werika's house. If only Aphi had guts like that, he'd have looked for the booze stash earlier. Shrugging to himself, Aphi smiled and raised his glass. "To Alex!" he said with a chuckle, bringing the glass to his lips and tilting it up, downing it all in one gulp.

"Mmm!" Aphi hummed as he finished, eyes opening wide. "Wow, that wine is amazing!" He said, fingering the empty glass and sending the bottle a shy glance, wondering if it was rude to ask for another helping.

Rivener chuckled, noticing that YES, strip-poker between the two of them WOULD be unfair. "Also, I can't take off my shirt, and YOU can. Not that it would really make much difference, with the amount of skin you're already showing." Riv gave the Sigel a teasing stare, running his red eyes all over the exposed abs before laughing easily, taking the deck of cards from the center of the table and shuffling.

"I'll deal, c'mon, lighten up. It's just jokes! So, five cards, right?" Riv flicked his wrist, doling out cards until both he and Laz had a full hand. Leaning down to peer at his cards, Riv checked the rule sheet again to make sure he knew what to look for.

Well, apparently she hadn't been heard. That was fine, though, everyone seemed to be doing their own thing. She only hoped she recognized some one in this place. After a small amount of exploring she found a table where presents were sat, and she stacked up the gold right beside the rabbit keychain, setting it down. There were a lot of big gifts, but not a lot of them seemed very personal. Maybe she wasn't the only one here that had no idea who Alex actually was? She could only hope...

Scratching her neck lightly, she meandered through the place, noting all unfamiliar faces and attempting to learn the layout of the place, which was easy enough, it wasn't too big. Anita faltered, though, when she came upon a pair of familiar creatures. Raevans! From the beach fundraiser! She hadn't actually met these two, but she knew what they were easily enough. Just like the others she had seen, these ones were amazing beyond comprehension. The black and red, red and white. The one with white seemed a bit older... did he have more of a torso then the former? It seemed he did... how interesting. She had to shake off, though. She was in a strange place with no one familiar at her immediate disposal; this was a very uncomfortable position, and she wasn't about to ask the Raevans for any help, but--

"...Nao?" from the elevator? Yes, she was fairly certain that that was David's sister. Excellent, if it were true! Cautiously she crept up, hoping she wasn't intruding on anything or mistaking a total stranger for some acquaintance. How embarrassing would that be? "Namini? Is that you?" Even if it was, what if she didn't remember her? Oh boy. At least that wouldn't be as awkward as the stranger bit.

Aphismet was glad to see that Kyou had noticed his glances; he didn't have to ask for it. Eagerly, Aphi raised his glass to be refilled, smiling. "Are you sure you don't mind? This bottle is for everyone, isn't it?" Despite his words, Aphi was bringing the glass close to prevent it from being taken away. He was starting to feel the effects of the first glass already- he'd never been quite good with alcohol.

The chef brought the glass to his lips and tipped it again, downing the whole thing with a pleased sigh. "That's really good wine. ...S-so how did Alex get that job at the Lab? Good for her! She's a good person, you know." Aphi smiled, finally feeling a little more at ease, even around the famous doctor.

Rivener noticed Laz trying to hide himself, and he chuckled a little sadly. If only the Sigel wasn't so against the idea... Riv would love to try touching that body sometime, maybe kissing like he kissed Roux. But ah well, he supposed being just friends was good too.

The Scorpion scoffed at Laz's snicker. "Beginner's luck, Laz! Let's try another hand, and we'll see." He dealt a new set of cards, picking up his own and looking at them, hoping he got something good...

Ah crap! Absolutely nothing! Could it be that... that Rivener had horrendous luck at gambling?! Sighing, the Frei put his cards down with a frown. "Dammit!" he mumbled, expecting another snicker from Laz.

Aphismet wasn't sure he saw right. Was Kyou giving Alex a sweet look? The chef's face turned into a picture of shock, brown eyes going round and his mouth matching, before he broke into a fit of mirthful giggles, quite sure that the wine was taking effect now.

"Oh, why doctor, do you LIKE Alex? And shouldn't we, like, NOT drink her gift? A-at least she should have some!" Good thing for Kyou that he then distracted Aphi, turning the man's teasing aside in favor of the usual worry whenever Riv was involved.

"Uh-oh... Riv tends to, uhm... Well, didn't he use to harrass Lazarus? Since when are they buds?"

Rivener blinked when Laz had nothing also. With a grin, thinking that he still had a chance, Riv looked at the rule sheet. "Okay, it says that if no one has anything, then.... then we tally the cards and the highest total wins!" Working quickly, Riv counted his cards and then Laz's, his grin turning into a mildly outraged frown. "AWW! I have 31, and you have 32! By ONE point! Grrr, this one didn't count! Do-over!"

"Very nice to meet you, Chris," she replied just as politely, looking between Josh and the young woman. Alex almost thought to joke on the fact that some people did bite (they obviously didn't know We`rika), but decided against it as Chris seemed to recognize Josh. Clutching the dinosaur like a life-saving flotation device, she pointed with one finger across the stuffed animal towards one of the tables. "'m gonna go put this over there, 'kay?" she murmured softly, so as not to interrupt. They were, of course, welcome to come along if they so chose, but she did have to make some rounds.

Repressing a shudder at the idea of being a social butterfly, she deftly picked her way through the gathered, smiling and waving to Niksia with some recogntion and again with a hello to a girl with her hair in braids. Arriving to the table, her expression softened into bewilderment at the gifts; she'd never received so much, likely not in her whole lifetime! Alex's smile softened into something sweet and wistful, fingers trailing over the tags with names and well wishes to her. It was humbling, and for someone as socially awkward as she, it was difficult for her to express her gratitude without going overboard.

"There's a lot of them," she agreed with equal nervousness, glancing over to Niksia with a smile. "H-hey, I'm Alex. We...met a long time ago, but I'm not sure I ever got your name," she admitted with a sheepish grin. She never forgot a face if a name was tied to it, but that day...that was a rough day, one that wouldn't leave her or those involved anytime soon, or so she'd imagine. All she could remember for certain was rain, a trickling fear and Natsuki's grim blood-spotted face...

Shaking her head sharply to dispel the thoughts, she brought her bright smile back up, hoping she hadn't looked too pensive at the memory. Alex knew Natsuki was busy and likely wouldn't make the party (she quietly noted she'd need to stop by the cafe afterwards), but it soothed her somewhat to think of her good friend. She glanced around for a moment, taking in all the faces and motion, her own thoughts and emotions jumbled. The crazy ride here and the surprise were still fresh in her mind. "Um, thanks for coming, though, it's good to see you again."

Realizing she was still clutching the dinsoaur like a shield, she gingerly put it on the table, afraid she was going to squeeze the stuffing out of it before she ever got home. Trying to keep some semblence of manners and the ability to think, Alex extended her hand to Niksia in greetings.

Where was We`rika?! It was over an hour since Alex came in and Sevilin couldn't handle all this by himself. He tried his best though, smiling, helping people find drinks or the bathroom. But there was a limit to what a tiny Frei could do. Fidgeting around the kitchen, clearing a few cups from the tables and putting them in trash can. He was such a good helper tonight, even without We`rika.

Actually, if We`rika was here he would just get drunk and trash his own house. Maybe it was better he was absent, less for the sea fairy to clean up. With those thoughts, he heard a bit of ooing and awwwing from the living room. Pulling his scrunchy tight in habit, he wandered out to see someone was finally wheeling the big ol' cake out. Alice's firned had done such a good job. It looked so good! He wished he was more than a chest so he could eat some.

"Oh yes!! Good! Hey guys!! We have to sing Happy Birthday for Alex!! Hey!" The little Raevan motioned for everyone to gather round, floating through the small crowds to find Alex. "C'mon c'mon it's yer birthday cake!! You get the first piece!" Ohh he hoped this went well.