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((Ballroom – Mistletoe))

As quickly as it had come, quickly was her anger gone. The young Frei had some potent power of softening the hearts of people with her big, bright eyes and innocent charm. Though Ebony had always secretly held a soft spot in her heart for children, the harsh reality of her own childhood being a major factor. This is how she thought children should always be, happy.

A boyish squeal and a poke on her arm grabbed the Brit’s attention. Slated eyes blinked at the…newt boy? She blinked again, slightly shifting to meet the boy’s confused expression. Oh, so he was trying to stick the mistletoe to her arm without knowing that it couldn’t be done that way. Lilac curls shook as she chuckled light, stooping down to pick up the lost plant.

“It’s quite all right. Balamb is it? Deary, it won’t stay on like that. But…I bet it’ll stay with you.” Carefully, Ebony attached the mistletoe to the boy’s lapel. “See? Perfect.” She smiled and turned to address the whole party at the table now, “I’m Ebony by the way. Pleasure to meet you all.”

((Ballroom - Mistletoe ))

LuLu’s delicate eyebrows arched upwards at the sudden appearance of the vivacious Balamb. The petite raevan sunk against the table to avoid the blue boy as he throttled into Ebony. The raevan’s voice shrank down into a small peep at the unexpected intrusions around her. She hesitantly floated away from the table and hid behind the amethyst hair woman as if Ebony was some sort of silk wrapped shield meant just for her. Every so often she would spare a quick glance around her “defense’s” shoulder to check if the danger was gone. LuLu peeked up at the woman with timid, glittering eyes and mumbled into her sun kissed shoulder, “LuLu.” This gallant woman, Ebony, would be her protection for now.

~~~~~

Josh chuckled at Namini's flustered expression. Had he really been that easy to forget? "Yes, in the flesh." He gave her a charming smile and swooped down for a brief hug. He only peered out of the corner of his eyes once or twice for David. The last thing he needed was a bleeding face on Christmas. The boy retracted and gave a thoughtful sigh, "Actually, I have not seen her at all tonight." He held his leather clad hands out in resignation. Those same hands grasped Namini's own silken fingertips, "I would love to, but I believe this gentleman had your attention before me." He gently placed her hand within the other man's and gave them both a pleasant smirk, "I'll take your second dance of the night."

((Ballroom – Mistletoe))

Too bad for David, Ebony’s attention was also placed else where and she had not seen his query of looks nor his dancing with the other female. Between the blue boy trying to stick things to her and the dark skinned Bunny using her as a human shield, the womanizer had been put on the back burner of her thoughts. If that weren’t enough, just when he’d looked their way with that expectant sort of glance, the grey-eyed Brit had just given a delightful chuckle at the antics of the youths before her.

Giving the shy Frei a delicate pat on the shoulder, “There there darling, nothing to fear. Just new friends, and see, even Balamb thinks your pretty. Isn’t that nice?” She certainly hoped that would help the girl feel more at ease. It seemed to work when she’d said it. “You’re welcome dear. And no, I’m not her guardian if that’s what you mean Briget. Just another new friend.”

Ebony tilted her head to the side at the boy’s awkward sentence, the piece of mistletoe in her hair shifting slight from the movement. Thinking over it quietly, “OH! What’s the mistletoe for?!” She laughed again, “Well it’s for kissing of course. When people have them, they have to kiss. Like so.” Ebony swooped in to give Balamb a quick peck on the cheek. “Get it?”

((Points – 1))

Graficcha quickly regained her compsure, like a cat that'd been caught dunking off a narrow wall and acting like it had never happened.

"...No, you did not." she smiled, yet again it was hard to hide that touch of a wry grin. Her answer was soft, yet blunt. No, you did not scare me. Do not play with me, mister David, I know what game you're involved in here. The idea of him competing over her attention, as if it were some sort of trophy, didn't cross well with her pride. She did not frown, but for a short instance, the slightly scorned stalker felt her shadows draw up on her before she dismisssed them. How dare he!..

Then she started seeing this entire situation in another light, and her smile softened into a small display of appreciation.


They were both here for a cause hm.. Not only to attend the event, but also to smoothen their skills and persuade a mission. He was a masterful player, and as a nice side effect of his efforts, he allowed her to blend in with the crowd seamlessly. Without his game, hers would have played a lot more roughly tonight. Graf couldn't deny he was a great aid in warming her up, kneading her, melding her to relieve most of her anxiety.

Graficcha continued going along with his dance for a while longer, then felt like she owed him at least a small explanation. If not for her own agenda, he would surely have been very successful with this strategy. David was a smooth hunter, she had to give him that. Besides, it was almost cute how emotionally involved he was. For someone who feels every glance tossed her way, it wasn't too hard to recognise his well-hidden envy.
At another climax of proximity in the dance, she decided to take the plunge even deeper. She was actually beginning to have fun here.

"I apologise." she slipped a whisper in, looking at him with her full attention now. "It is in my nature to be distracted.. attracted to what is... young and enigmatic."

Would he get it? Would he be able to deduct she was referring to the likes of LuLu and little Balamb? This time, however, she had broadened her scope somewhat.

Graf hoped he'd get the compliment, as she'd pretty much included him in the assembly of said 'young enigmatics'. Call it a test of wits, not that she considered herself to be so witty.


All of this hadn't kept her from skipping a heartbeat when Lucia and her guardian entered the perimeters, but the little scene over in LuLu's domain she hadn't been able to keep track of. Might not have been that bad a situation for any of them. The way the bunny raevan looked slightly upset over something, scared even, would've gotten her to get herself involved most likely.

((Mistletoe ))

LuLu slid further behind Ebony when she was addressed. The part of the raevan that was visible were her fluffy ears peeking over the woman’s bronzed shoulders. They were perked up in the air like two fuzzy spires signaling her presence. They twitched when she heard that magical word again. Pretty.

She floated a bit higher, her chin resting on Ebony’s bare shoulder. A few wisps of her plush hair tickled the woman’s dark flesh. She examines the two newcomers. The woman was tan… familiar. She paused and gave her a small smile, “No, with him.” She pointed backwards as if stabbing the air behind her. Her outstretched arm pointed in the direction of Josh. Next she turned to the blue newt boy… not familiar. He would have to prove to her that he was not a threat.

Just in that instant Ebony kneeled down towards the aforementioned ‘threat’. LuLu stiffened. How could she actually go and touch that… thing?! Especially, when she was supposed to be protecting LuLu. The raevan jolted behind Bridget. That Ebony woman was not a good shield.

((Ballroom/Mistletoe -> Dining))

Another bit of soft laughter was issued towards the actions of LuLu. Just as she’d thought, the word of ‘pretty’ held much power over the shy Frei and that the familiar boy from the Lab’s summer event was indeed her guardian. But it seemed Ebony had made some wrong move in embracing the newt boy despite his unusual appearance, for LuLu had decided to abandon her post behind herself and take it up behind Bridget. Apparently, the girl did not like the boy much. She wondered why.

Then the boy went and stuck his fingers in his toothless mouth, swirling it around without remorse or modesty. At that, Ebony could not help but cringe in slight disgust. She wished she could do what the Bunny was doing at that moment, but of course she did not have the excuse of being a child. Since the purple haired woman still had her fan with her, having been hanging loose from her wrist the whole time, she decided to whip it out then with a flourish in order to hide her rudeness at the boy’s unsavory behavior.

Fanning herself dramatically, Ebony began to back away from the small group. “Umm, please excuse me. I require some refreshment.” Quickly, she turned and briskly walked to the table with all the delicious plates of food and drinks, her heels sounding very loud in her own ears. She certainly hoped she hadn’t offended anyone with her rapid escape, but there were some things that the woman could not control as much as wish she could.

((Points – 1))

(( Ballroom --> Bathroom --> Ballroom ))

More people were beginning to show up, and it seemed that David hadn't actually noticed her when she passed which she couldn't tell whether it was a good or bad thing, especially with what she was going to do very shortly. As she had taken the time to look around, she felt a bit defeated; it seemed that some one else she knew had been there but she was too far off and dim-witted to properly recognize him: Josh. It also appeared that he had one of those mysterious Raevans.

At least now she could ask some one she was comfortable with more about them and get decent answers, but those would have to and most certainly could wait until later.

As more and more people began pouring in, there was only one thing she could do that would make her not sit there and be a sour Sally--change into that embarrassing outfit she felt she was forced to rent.

Taking a deep breath, Anita pushed herself up and grabbed the jacket she had worn in from the back of the chair, carrying the ornate outfit bag with her up the stairs. There was a red haired woman at the top, who she gave an acknowledging nod and "hi" to, but quickly passed by her and dodged into a separate room. A bathroom. Well, that was good for later, at least she knew where one was now and wouldn't have to look. It had looked more like a closet from the outside...

The plunge had begun.

With a shaky hand, Anita removed her scarf and all of the other necessary bits of clothing that would be otherwise inappropriate for a gathering such as this, and haphazardly replaced them with the red and white of her "chosen" outfit. Even heels... why heels? If she ever danced ( which she was certain she wouldn't ) there was no question of their removal, proper or not.

Silently, she thanked whatever higher power for the mirror in the room, as it allowed her to adjust both the shirt so it wasn't too low and the skirt so it didn't ride too high. Normally, she'd never be caught in a skirt, but the stockings made up for it as they covered up her legs entirely.

Another sigh, "Okay... you can do this...", she muttered to herself while shoving the clothes she had just removed into the bag, which now looked like it was ready to burst. She was ready to face the world... in her skimp.

Before she walked out, she made sure that her bangs hid her cheeks but weren't blocking her eyes; her pale complexion was easy to gain a flush and she could already feel the heat in her face as she opened the door, a rush of cool air greeting her. Hardly anyone had moved in the Ballroom, but she recognized purple hair from earlier. A nice indicator for the food and drink, she was quickly prompted by her stomach and made her way back down towards it.

The heels were making things difficult and she was increasingly thankful of the large hand rails at the sides of the staircase. Once again, she tried to move inconspicuously past David--she could only imagine the sorts of comments he would make against her and she prayed he would keep occupied with other women for the duration. She wasn't even sure if she could face Josh in this outft.

"Hey," she whispered upon arrival to the food table, not sure if the woman would want any conversation so she left it at that for the mean time, just an acknowledgement of her presence. One thing on the table caught her eye; egg nog. She'd never had that before but had heard the world of it, and how very festive! Maybe just a little...

((Entrance-->mistletoe table/ballroom---->stairs))

It had taken a while for him to move away from the doors outside to the doors on the inside. Most people had moved away and no one was around. Marcus, liked it that way. he felt much like an 'awkward turtle' as his students would say. The only thing that seemed empty now was a table many of the guest had visited before. He had watched some of them take a plant from the table, kiss someone, and move on.
'Whatever allows me to kiss people and not get slapped is good...I think.'
Coming out from his corner he tried to make himself small as he went to inspect the table. Mistletoe lines it along with the rules and instructions to a game of sorts. For a few seconds, marcus wondered if they were serious. Then, he looked over and say a person make a peck on another's cheek.
"Oh." He felt a bit slow on that. It was a real game, and he might as well play it. Stuffing the plant into his lapel, he let the ribbon and ruffs of the leaves peek out. It went well on the black and white of his suit.
Suddenly, he felt very, very surrounded.
'Such a childish game'
He walked back to the entrance and sighed heavily. He was never one for social events...He looked at the top of the stairs and made a small sound. He was in plain sight, and he was quite sure she had seen him.
"Um....Hello miss." he gave a small bow and smile.
Talk about awkward.