|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 1:26 pm
____________
{hot chocolate bar -> Anita, Xan, Josh & Ian (obliquely)}}
He coughed again. ...Had he just heard someone say Anita's name? You're going crazy, he chided himself. Just because you know her name and ..sort of know her doesn't mean he had rights to go hang about her. Despite that, he -was- guinuinely concerned. The last time he had seeen her, she had sported some very nasty scratches. At Xan's words, he looked up st the man. "A Cruz, huh.... weird name, but it sounds vaguely familiar. Though I'm the wring perspomn to be asking." Justin chuckled and pulled a face.
"How are we supposed to find anyone in this mess?" As he looked at the crowd, a sudden wave of uneasiness washed over him. It was getting crowded. He hated people, the press of them, especially when it was people he did not know. He debated pouring another drink and looked at Xan, noticing his greedy gaze. Curious, he turned and looked, straight at the hot chocolate bar and Anita. A man had slung his arm around Anita. Really, she was a pretty girl, so it was unsurprising that she had a boyfriend. Nevertheless, he grinned, reservations forgotten. "Actually, Xan, it looks like the girl I've been looking for is over at hot chocolate bar. Care to come with me? You could probably spike some chocolate."
He loped on over, tapping Anita on one shoulder. "Hey Anita! I see you've got your man harem going already. Fantastic! But don't hog the chocolate space." He chuckled and grabbed a mug. "How've you been?"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 1:40 pm
((Josh Cocoa bar with Anita and Ian ))
Josh took her smirk in stride and just shot his own dazzling grin to seal the greeting neatly. "That is good to hear. Likewise, a lot of changes but things seem to be settling at last." The boy's gaze flicked around before he spoke again, "Speaking of... I never met your, um..." He gave a vague motion near his sternum as though dissecting it. Sign language for raevan it seemed.
At last, his attention was drawn to Ian. Oh crap! He had interrupted. Josh tried to maneuver around his slip-up. He had not meant to ostracize a new face with his warm greeting.
Perhaps he had been a tad too friendly. Yet, this was the Lab. Everyone eventually became like family in one way or another. He waved the other man over. "No need to be shy here, buddy. Nice to meet you."
Josh slipped from Anita and began busying himself with making his own cup. Now what would go best with rum? White chocolate or dark?
LuLu's voice caught his attention and his grin returned to Ani upon the revelation that they were secret Santa partners. "You got Lu! No way! What did you get her?" He chuckled before his tone grew more somber, "It is nice seeing her that happy again. Thanks. For everything." It went unsaid that he was referring to her call a few months prior as well. Even if they had not met in person, Anita had still been present in small ways. He was glad for that.
He gave a nod at the other newcomers to the bar. It seemed he was not the only person with this brilliant idea.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 2:43 pm
(( Troxel and Camille -> Arriving || Trox -> Anita, Cam-> Bar ))
The snow had picked up on the drive over, Camille had been obnoxious when it had come to preparation for the event and Troxel wondered just how the man had ever made it into the Army. Apparently the young medic was able to button up his schedule and manage to complete the five holy S's in 10 minutes or less at basic-- otherwise he wouldn't have made the rank. Harrison had fussed with the secret santa presents, stacking the jovially wrapped boxes in a old and decommissioned helmet bag. He wasn't much of a party goer and the prospect of going to a party with people he'd experienced some pretty horrific events. He himself was recovering from an ACL tear since the event, he'd gotten it shortly after Zeke had picked up his filled bottles with the promise of a Raevan soon.
Needless to say the conflicting emotions were rife. He was apprehensive, especially now that the unstable tenant to his living room couch had joined his party, but he also had to quell droves of excitement and anticipation. With his knee brace holding the healing tendon in place, flyers cap on, his casual kahkis, winter boots and oversized sweater with broad stripes slapped on he called it done. And it had taken him 5 minutes. Camille was on his 17th.
Harrison had eyeballed his watch once 15 more minutes had passed before barging down the bathroom door and grabbing the small medic unceremoniously. The drive had been filled with complaints and calls about how rude the action was, to which the pilot merely turned up the radio featuring a collegiate hockey game and focused on the road. Camille pulled out his flask and the ride continued flawlessly with the tiny medic placated.
The trip went by faster once Trox focused on the game, even keeping the car running in the parking lot to catch the tail end of the game. Camille then spent a fair amount of time convincing Troxel that he did not need to bring his sidearm inside and that it'd be perfectly fine to keep it locked inside the car. The former flight medic then ushered the pilot into the lobby without taking a spill in the snow.
Camille in all his grace had insisted on formulating a ugly sweater contest and was wearing a garishly designed, oversized christmas sweater. His prosthetic, in place of his former right leg, was fastened but he still required crutches due to a severe lack of physical therapy and obedience. His eyes scanned the room and glazed over, beelining for the open and DIY bar, huge smile breaking his face.
Harrison rolled his eyes and progressed after him before he saw a very familiar silhouette and hair color. He grinned, furrowing his brow and wandered over to the popular guardian.
"Anita!" He called approaching slowly, not wanting to interrupt. This meant Cruz was around as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 3:47 pm
[Luka>Lobby---> Dayo, LuLu | Elai>Lobby headed to Christmas Tree----> Domevlo]]
Opening the double doors to the Lab building once more, the bicolored hair man reentered the lobby with two relatively large packages in each hand. One was in green mistletoe leaf print wrapping paper with a golden bow, a slender tag poking out with it's eventual recipient's name printed painstakingly neat by Luka. The other, was wrapped in candy cane red striped wrapping paper with a golden tag, it's recipient's name written in Elai's fluid cursive. "Luka, a hand please." The acupuncturist motioned with his head for the Satyr to float over.
When LuLu mentioned the name Josh, and our presents, a gleam came into the Satyr's eyes. Well! He had found his giftee for today's Secret Santa event now! After all, how many people were possibly named Josh? As the Satyr was musing over the situation, the realization that Josh was LuLu's guardian came even more evident when he recalled the night where she had smashed his cellphone screaming at a Josh.
When he heard a voice like clouds on a mountain top, the Frei's whipped around and stared eyes as big as saucers at the form of Ekundayo. "DAYO!" The Satyr yelled. Their initial meeting had been years ago, but, he had kept her in fond memory. Something about the girl had always drawn him. {color=chocolate]"I haven't seen you in forever! You haven't changed! How are you?" The youth found himself shooting off a barrage of questions at the Eagle girl and immediately gave her a sheepish look. "I can't believe you're really here. It's been so long since I last saw you." He was about to lean in to hug the girl when he heard his guardian call his own name.
"I'll be right back," Excusing himself from the gaggle of Raevans, he threw his guardian a smirk whist taking the green package from Elai's arm.
"I found my person. And, Elai, you won't believe it. Dayo is here too. That must mean her guardian is probably here too." Beaming at his guardian, the Satyr parted from his guardian once more to the group of Raevans.
"LuLu! Which one is your guardian?" The Frei asked, package in his arms. "I have a present for a Josh, and I think it's your Josh."
Present in hand, Elai approached the Christmas tree in the center of the room and slid the present under the white tree. It was a suitable place to leave it while he went around, mingled and figured out just who his gift recipient was. Of course, he was quick to realize that he was not the only one around the Christmas Tree. Like, Luka, he had spotted the intriguing form of Domevlo. "Would you like help decorating the tree?" The acupuncturist asked, noticing the decorations in the Frei's fingers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 4:20 pm
(( Hot Chocolate Bar -> Anita & Josh & Others (vaguely) -> Dinner Table ))
The young woman's reaction only worsened his embarrassment, though he did sort of chuckle softly. It was kind of funny, when he thought about it. He even kind of surprised himself, sometimes, with how jumpy he could be. You'd think that after enough times of being spooked he would kind of become used to it, but apparently not.
"Oh, yeah, I'm okay," he replied, scratching absently at his forearm. He watched the interaction between the young woman and the other man who seemed so familiar with her; perhaps they were dating? But after only a few moments he was pulled back into the conversation, glancing at still two others who had joined the growing group. Okay, he could deal with four people, that wasn't so bad, right? Breathe. "Oh, Ian. Ian Flynn. And no, I, uh, I just did the flowers. Jeremy invited me, for some reason." He went for a slightly self-depreciating joke, wondering if it would be grasped. He offered another smile, this time directed at the others in general and not just Anita. Introductions, done! Good! There was a fleeting moment of satisfaction that he'd accomplished that much, with only a minor hiccup.
Another voice called Anita's name, making Ian look up, and he sort of shrank back again, though only slightly. The cocoa bar was apparently quite popular, or well...Anita was rather popular. That probably meant she was really nice, which was a good sign, but Ian had never been great with crowds, even relatively small ones like this. Sure, he liked being around people, but he felt rather out of place. Feeling that now was probably a decent time to kind of drift off, he slowly moved away to make room for the other man that obviously knew Anita. He did make sure to give her a sort of 'see you later' glance before he hurried over to the dinner table, grabbing a plate and focusing on that. Maybe he could ask Anita who his assigned Secret Santa recipient was; she seemed to know a lot of people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 4:24 pm
(( Domevlo --> Christmas Tree ))
"Would you like help decorating the tree?"
Domevlo blinked himself out of his decorating stupor long enough to realize someone had approached him. "Help is appreciated." He offered taking a side long glance at the new comer. Fairly tall, he sounded educated and refined. Xan would get along with him well enough he thought. This person wasn't unpleasant, his presence was acceptable Domo decided. Good. He didn't feel the need to flee. "Domevlo is this one's designation." Nodding as a form of greeting, he circled the tree once more as he placed another ornament on it. "The tree was naked upon arrival. Domo has been working diligently to rectify this situation!" He gave a huff at the idea but looked to the boxes for another colorful trinket. "Do you have a charge?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 4:36 pm
[Revontulet and Doucette --> Arriving]
[Doucette --> Hot Chocolate Bar]
[Revontulet --> Christmas Tree]
The two women arrived a little shy of promptly, Revontulet holding the invitation within one delicate hand while Doucette held a large plate of home-baked sugar cookies. These cookies were Christmas shaped, snowmen and snowflakes and the like, and were perhaps a little overly covered with the powdered sugar that the redhead so enjoyed. Each looked about the place expectantly, one with a little more excitement than the other.
Although Revon did not display the same outward enthusiasm of her guardian, there was a certain glimmer in her eyes that showed she very much enjoyed this time of year. Perhaps it was the sharp, crisp touch of the winter weather and the way it almost hurt if you took too deep a breath. Or mayhaps it was simply Doe's exuberance which was rubbing off, for the woman in a shimmering pale gold party dress seemed to hum and bounce as she moved. Revontulet herself wore a delicate, white concoction of a dress which fell about her as if it was made for her lithe frame. Open in the back, as she had come to prefer, the shoulders were made of soft down feathers that drifted and danced with even the slightest shift in movement. It delighted her to feel the gentle things brush against her skin as she drifted forward and tickle even when the frei was still.
Not yet a year old, Christmas was rather quickly becoming her favorite time of year.
The newborn had not enjoyed Halloween overly much, though the colours were at least more agreeable than the hideous scheme Doucette had decorated the house with for that Thanksgiving thing. These colours were not only beautiful with Christmas, the gentle blues and golds and silvery whites, but people just seemed more interesting. Nicer? Certainly Ren could get over the unattractive red and green for the other bonuses of the holiday.
"I wonder who's here," Doucette mused aloud, moving onto her tiptoes for just a moment to peer around in an attempt to spy some familiar faces. "Do you see anyone you know Ren?" the guardian asked warmly, turning her attention to her charge only to be met with a blank space where the dark haired girl had been a moment before.
Things had been...difficult after the adventure into the forest to search for the doctor a little while back. Revontulet had needed a hair cut after what had happened with the spiders-flambe and the newborn hadn't really forgiven the redhead for the slight.
Although it was hardly noticeable, the frei's hair was significantly shorter in her opinion and she was exceptionally displeased about it. Thankfully she had found the perfect hairstyle to hide the disfigurement and had requested Doucette to re-do the up-do three times before it was deemed to have passed muster for the party.
Revon had caught sight of the large Christmas tree to the side and had abandoned her guardian in favor of the magnificent being. Her wings lofted eagerly as she neared the thing, fingers outstretching slowly upon her approach until they sunk slowly into the mass of needles that made up the tree's girth and grandeur. The frei did not even notice the people she had passed in her mission to approach the tree, simply allowing it to engulf her whole field of vision with wide eyes and slightly parted lips.
Why didn't they have one of these in their home yet? Why didn't they have one of these all the time?
Doucette, after spying Revon engaging with the tree simply gave a shrug and moved off to the hot chocolate table. Her cookies weren't worthy enough to be placed on the dessert table with the other beautiful creations, but she hadn't wanted to come along empty handed, especially since she'd completely forgotten about the Secret Santa notice stuck to her fridge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 5:25 pm
[Elai>Christmas Tree----> Tag: Domevlo and Revontulet]
"Then, help you shall receive." Chuckling, the guardian reached down for one of the long red tinsel garlands inside the box. "And an interesting name it would seem! My name is Jexabroux, but you may call me Elai" The acupuncturist replied, returning the Lead raevan's greeting. "It would seem that you've been very diligent." He acknowledged, noticing the various ornaments hanging from the once pure snowy tree.
"A charge? Yes. My charge is Luka." The man explained, pointing to the creme colored Frei standing among the others. The same Raevan that had worked on the tree only moments before beside Domevlo before being called away by Cruz.
The older man's attention was caught by the darling lady who simply floated past them. A smile curving at his lips as he saw the wonder and delight lighting across her face. "It's called a Christmas tree. It's a tradition to bring in a pinetree inside your house and decorate it. They're usually green though, instead of white." The man explained.
"Is this your first time seeing a Christmas tree." He asked, clearly endeared by her expression of wonderment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 5:30 pm
[[Fathle > Bar [Xan + Cam] || Ekundayo > Lobby [Luka + LuLu]]
Fathle smiled.
“A stroke of luck then, Xan. I will not have to clumsily hunt my way through a crowd,” he said as he shook the man’s hand. Fathle was mildly surprised. He expected a man bearing the Greek name of death to have a dark demeanor but Xan’s appearance was bright and open. “My charge is the young lady with the dark brown hair and gold eyes… Ekundayo but she prefers Dayo.” He glanced over at her and she caught his eye; she smiled briefly and waved before returning to her current group.
“This is for you then, sir,” Fathle said with a smile as he offered his neatly wrapped present to Xan. He was thankful for the lab staff’s direction in regards to gift ideas. Fathle had decided to gift the man with handcrafted chocolates of various flavors plus a tin can of tea leaves.
“May I ask when you came across the lab and the raevens?” he asked, though his dark red eyes flicking away from Xan for a moment as he caught sight of a man approaching the bar with crutches.
---
Dayo could feel her spirit glow with happiness when Luka looked at her with recognition.
“I know, I’m sorry!” she said with a laugh. “I’m well. My Faye needed to travel out of the country and—“
There were so many things she wanted to say to the raeven. Dayo felt like she was going to burst. Would they be able to play together again? What about his guardian? She vaguely remembered him. What had Luka been up to over the years? However, before she could ask all these questions, Luka was excusing himself.
“Oh, okay, Luka!” she said with a smile, her gold eyes watching Luka leave for a moment before addressing the raeven with ears like a rabbit. She smiled at the other female raeven and offered a little wave.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 6:01 pm
(( LuLu to Luka and Dayo in the middle of the lobby ))
LuLu returned Anita's wave jovially. It seemed as though her night was now made. With more that a little hop in her 'step', the rabbit regarded the satyr's question with a quirk of her brow, "Oh, my Josh?" The irony was rather thick. If anything, they should owe Luka a gift. Preferentially a new cell phone.
Nevertheless, Lu's eyes traveled from the dessert table until they spotted her guardian at the cocoa table. Her eyes narrowed. That collar of his was still rumpled. The sigel held out her hand and motioned Luka closer with a jerk of her chin, "I can take you to him." It was starting to get crowded and the rabbit did not want to lose him or get him lost in the crowd.
At the last second, her eyes fell on Dayo. She awkwardly shifted the handles her gift bag to the crook of her elbow so she could hold out her other hand for Dayo, "You want to come along? The more the merrier, hm?" Her ears perked at the bird frei, "I am LuLu and it is a pleasure."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 6:11 pm
[Revontulet --> Christmas Tree with Domevlo and Elai]
For a long moment the frei hadn't realized there was a man speaking to her. Thin fingers plucked and brushed at the pines and a pale blush of happiness appeared on those pale, smooth cheeks. The sensation was down right wonderful, and the smell only added to the interest. Whether the tree was real and sprayed with can-snow to be white and silver, or it was a fake thing, the scent of pine washed over her, enveloping the pale night-creature.
Doucette had made an off-handed comment about cats and their obsessive interest with Christmas trees, but she hadn't fully understood at the time what her guardian had meant. Now she did. Would it be overly inconsiderate of her to simply melt into it?
Finally, Elai's words sunk in and Revon turned a slightly startled expression to the man, as if she knew she was being caught doing something she wasn't quite supposed to be. It wasn't the most shocked she could have looked, but a certain level of surprise showed in the widened expression about her dark, smokey painted eyes.
"I like it white," she said after regaining herself, a small smile upon her lips. With her gaze shifted slightly to the side, Ren caught sight of Domevlo, but made no move to interrupt her conversation with the man to introduce herself. "No, I have never seen a Christmas tree before. It is...the most beautiful thing. I have only ever heard about them before."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 6:19 pm
(( Thanatos --> Alcohol Bar ))
"Oh! She's quite pretty." Xan acknowledged with a soft chuckle, waving just for the heck of it. "I'm currently at odds with the little devil so he's keeping his distance... poor kid. I guess I let him down." He offered but quickly turned his attention to the gift. "Oh?" Taking the gift he gave it a soft shake out of curiosity before taking a moment to unwrap it. Arching a brow at the contents he almost lost his head at the assortment of chocolates. Damn! And here he was trying to stay away from chocolate. He just didn't want to make a spectacle of himself no one would like a chocolate monster on the loose. Eying the can he opened it and took a sniff. Oh! Tea leaves, this is wonderful, he loved tea!
"Well thank you for the gift. I'm sure the Lab helped in this you pegged me correctly." With a chuckled he neatly tucked the gift in his holiday bag. At Fathle's questioning he looked thoughtful for a moment. "Actually I've only recently made a waves a year or two before my boy was given to me. What about yourself?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 6:29 pm
[Luka>Lobby---> Tag: LuLu and Dayo]
"That would be good." Luka couldn't help but give a small nod of approval as she offered to lead the way to this Josh person. Come to think of it, Luka didn't know much about LuLu other than the parts of herself that she most likely didn't want other to know. Their relationship was certainly a tense if not unbalanced. The package in his arms was roughly the size of a shoe box and fairly light. Inside, there was a rectangular metal tin lined with baking parchment filled to the brim with glazed lemon scones and lemon baby cakes. The culmination of a hard day's baking by Luka with help from his guardian. The Frei had trouble finding something sporty for his secret santa giftee and had opted for something edible instead.
"I have something for you too though." The frei said, reaching into his jacket pocket to pull out a small box wrapped in a twine bow. He held it out for the sigel to take. Inside, she would find a leather cuff with the phrase not forgotten, only forgiven burnished in the inside. He wasn't sure if the cuff would be LuLu's style at all, but it the project he'd spent the most time working on while coming to peace with himself after the incident. It seemed only fair that he would give her what had helped him be at peace with himself.
"Open it at home." Were his only words as he gave her a quick glance before looking up at the different clusters of adults wondering who LuLu's Josh might be.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 6:36 pm
[[Dayo > Lobby [Lulu + Luka] || Fathle > Bar [Thanatos]]]
Dayo smiled and shyly took Lulu’s hand with a nod. A comforting warmth filled her at the touch and her soul began to feed on the happy emotions from the guests.
“Yes, please!” She said excitedly. “I would like to meet all the raevens. And I like your ears.”
It was like a verbal stream that could not be stopped. After so many months and years of having no contact with her own kind, Dayo was elated and wanted to talk to every raeven at the party.
---
“I apologize for your turn of luck at the moment, Xan,” Fathle said. “I hope your relationship is repaired soon… As for myself, I’ve been an official guardian for a few years. However, I had to leave the country for a time for business. Dayo was quite upset about it but now she seems to be utterly ecstatic to be back with her own kind. I am glad. It was hard on her.” He paused for a small moment. “May I ask you a question? Do you know a man named Leonard?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 6:46 pm
[Elai>Christmas Tree----> Tag: Revontulet]
The smile on Elai's face grew even larger as he watched her soak in the smell of the tree for a good bit. He was bemused. Even his own charge, Luka, had not reacted so strongly to his first Christmas tree.
"I do too. It's my first time seeing a white tree that isn't one covered in snow. You know what snow is right?" He asked, unsure of her age. At her comment, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Christmas trees aren't the only things beautiful about the Christmas holiday season. Have you gotten to see the Durem Christmas lights display yet? You should ask your guardian to take you, that's equally impressive."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
