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Glen had just seen the sign for Slave to the Grind, and had seriously considered going in when he suddenly was aware of two things;

1: There is a dog, right there

2: It wasn't actually aware of, more like 'he felt it because he was jumped on'

"Hey! Watch it!" He turned around, hands up to make sure she didn't completley crash into him and wow, did the tiny terror that yapped cause him to say such a stupid cliche thing? Probably, that or the fact he almost fell as well. He looked at the girl, glad she hadnt fallen or jumped in his arms or whatever, with the looks of those clothes any damages probably would have been on him. Not sure what to say, he settled on what he hoped was not a glare. "Are you okay?" and he hoped that didn't sound as rude as he thought.

In any other situation, Lilith was aware of the potential health concerns of being willing to supply a manx cat with Moon Pies. However, with this particular manx purring away on her shoulder, all such concerns weren't even wisps on the wind. Instead, she tried to muffle her laugh, nodding when ********* brought up how cats weren't exactly considered contestants for the eating contest. It was hard to keep her chuckles to a minimum picturing how ********* probably beat everyone. "I'm... pretty sure they'd object if you hopped up onto the table to join, yes. Or maybe you'll find a sympathetic contestant," she teased, thinking of how most of the people who dealt with the cheerful guardian seemed pretty willing to hand over some variety of snack. The far more logical approach however got a light nod from Lilith. "Just point me in the direction when you've found a booth--I'd be more than happy to grab a few Moon Pies myself."

Even if they'd likely be a bit priced up due to the theme of the event, it'd be worth it. It'd been a while since she'd had the delectable cookies. Buying a small batch would hardly hurt anything. As it was, she'd intended to not leave before at least having a few little bites to eat. The scents in the air would haunt her if she did anything but.

Lilith listened with interest as ********* spoke about the attire around them. It was a little relieving to know she didn't stick out much. In normal clothes while everyone else was dressed up for the event... ouch. "A space event with no aliens? I'm appalled." Clearly evident by how she grinned, followed by a turned head to plant a quick peck against ********* forehead--least she assumed, going on the brush of a fuzzy ear against her cheek. Turning her head forward again, she picked up her pace a little from a lazy stroll. "Onward to treasure?"

Her smile had barely budged when she heard another voice pop up near her. A trigger of familiarity made her pause. Brow furrowed slightly, she tried to place the voice. Was that question directed at her even? The voice--well, child, she figured. A boy? Either way, the speaker continued on, asking about a cat. Unless there was a fine coincidence going on here, yeah she was willing to bet she was the one being spoken to. The mention of Ridley had her brows pop from a confused frown to a wide-eyed gaze in his direction. "You know Ridley?" Were they classmates?

Lifting her hand back to *********, she wasn't entirely sure how to respond for a moment. Someone who'd seen her with Raja, had seen ********* with one of the others... question was, who? "I'm not too sure who you would call ********* owner. She's adopted a few of us, really," Lilith mused aloud. She'd never really put any thought into that. Still, she wasn't inclined to disclose any further information. How did the child know *********? Under what circumstances? Wasn't like she could ask...

"I'm sorry, you have me at a disadvantage here." Switching her can into her other hand, she extended her right somewhat towards where she'd heard the voice. "Your voice is familiar, but forgive me for not placing a name. I'm Lilith. Although if you're asking about my dog, I must wonder if you already knew that." Her voice was light, casual. No reason to jump to conclusions... yet.

You know what they say about assuming.

Okay, it was hard to smother a wince at that one, but she managed.

At the sound of another cat, Lilith cocked her head a little. Oh boy. Now what? "Is that... yours?" she directed towards the boy, unaware of another person with them. The cat had sounded close. Her head tilted a bit closer to *********, unable to help the sensation of being a tad out of water here.







If Danika had any remote sense that the girl in the moth costume was causing an 'inconvenience,' she would have bust a gut laughing. Instead, she paused catching how the other girl glanced down. The note was hurled away though in a bright grin, standing up all the straighter to hear the word Mothra come out of the other's mouth. "You mean... One of the monsters who fought Godzilla, right?" Old Japanese movies were not her forte, but she'd seen enough on the Internet and at conventions to get the gist of stuff. Besides. Who hasn't heard of Mothra and Godzilla?

The fashion student couldn't of course keep her pride from preening at the girl's complements to her attire. Her hands smoothed down the flowing fabric of her dress, careful of the rhinestones. It was more than a little satisfying to hear someone liked the work she'd put into her look. Way more than a little. "You're so sweet! And totally giving me a peacock moment. Thank you for that. But seriously, I cheat," she laughed, snickering for a moment before continuing, "I'm learning fashion over at DCU. One of my professors told me about the contest... could not pass up the chance to make something with such a varied theme." Casting a glance around, wondering if any of her other classmates were also present, she quickly refocused on the dark-haired girl. "What about you though? What sparked the protector of mankind~?" As she said the last bit, she gestured to the volunteer's costume. She was genuine in her interest. Any fellow nerd was an awesome person to run into in her book. Her hands rested on her hips, body relaxed and smile warm.

She'd run off to the contest in a bit. She'd found a fellow nerd! Socializing came first in such cases.

"Have you seen any of the movies? I keep wanting to see them, but only catch flicks here and there online. Don't suppose you've got recommenda-- oh wow." Danika stopped short, bright eyes widening to see yet another man waltz up to the other girl and... really?

Her smile was a forced one. "You're a man-magnet, girlie," she mused to her, flicking her gaze between Miss Mothra and the dude who confused Miss Mothra with a science project. A bitchin' leather jacket and good looks didn't give much of an excuse for that sort of line.

To him, she flashed a casual smile and cocked her head curiously. "You honestly going to stand there and say badass moths can't be adorable?" Please tell her he didn't mean what he said the way it sounded. Come on now. Please let her have just heard that all wrong.

The volunteer lifted her head again and immediately her smile became more relaxed. It was comforting, in a sense, to have someone who recognized Mothra's name. The young lady was no expert by any means--that was all Scott--but at least it wasn't impossible to recognize her. She listened eagerly to the girl's description, however brief, of her field of study. Things were beginning to calm down, to make sense again. Having Zach come up to her and flirt? No, that didn't make sense. But this talk did. "I hope to go to DCU too soon to study library science. I'm sure your coursework will come in handy, and if your costume is any indication, you're in the right major. Um... well, Mothra has fought and fought with... depending on the movie. I'm really seeing them all for the first time myself, recently, but I can certainly give you a list. I like her because she's strong and really wants to protect people and--"

Her voice trailed off because Penelope could see Chris and Paris in the distance... although it was kind of hard to see what exactly they were doing. She offered an above-the-head-arm-extended-wave, hoping they saw it over the reason it was difficult for her to see what they were doing: a blond fashionisto (Adrian) had suddenly come up close to her and spoke critically of her costume! The black-haired girlwas already sensitive enough given that... someone had approached her with a bad pickup line, and it had turned out to be someone a friend knew and then this gorgeous costume wearer had showed up dressed to the absolute 9s. Against the contestant's (Danika) wonderfully ornate costume that glimmered just perfectly in the street lamps... of course she looked like a juvenile. But she hadn't made the costume to enter! She'd only made it to have fun and to usher people and... and now this hunk was saying her work wasn't good enough, even just for that? Had she let the whole costume contest down?!

Perhaps his greatest fault had been in calling her 'babe.' She had never known anyone to call a woman that without it being some kind of insult... which meant that this man, however attractive, was some kind of a jerk. An already blushing face now had puffed cheeks to go along with it, as fiery eyes looked up again and squarely at him. She kept her temper in check because she honestly didn't want the show to look any worse becaue of her. Also because the much-more-bedecked girl at her side had made a comment that made her more embarassed than angry--man magnet really, since when what did one do with such attention?--and seemed to be taking control of the situation, much to her relief. She did offer, in her own defense, "It's Mothra, not a science project... and I worked hard on it, so even if it's... not very good, I like it. If you'd like to see better costumes... you can always come watch the show? I know our contestants will have more for you to see."

It didn't take long for Adira to see a flash of purple hair that looked oddly familiar in the crowd. With some manuevering around small children and somewhat tipsy adults, she made sure that it really was Zac before moving in to say hello.

She caught him right in the middle of grabbing at a flask from the boy who was with him. She'd not seen the other before, but it wasn't going to stop her from interacting with someone Adira actually recognized.

"Hey Zac... it's been a while." Adira added in a goofy little wave and a smile and hoped that he would recognize and remember who she was. She made sure to make eye contact and smile at Ever as well.

They had managed to make some ground and ********* had been able to sniff out a few delectable scents, but before she could give any guidance, the manx soon enough found herself in the company of a young boy and his taller blonder companion. The mention of Ridley didn't go unnoticed, however, there was not much she could do about it right now.

An ear twitched slightly as she heard a rather forced Mew sound. If she had a tail, it might have flicked slightly. However, she looked down to notice a familiar feline. With a slightly trilled mewling sound, she attempted to acknowledge the other Mauvian. With that, she nuzzled against the leaning head, as if to quietly comfort her companion.

______________________

"I don't see why ya need me here..." A blonde girl with a leather biker jacket and worn down black jeans shoved her hands in her pockets as she somewhat groaned at her own companion.

An equally tall man with red hair in a ponytail and a bandana tied across his forehead just grinned at her. "Look, I don't expect you to get wasted... but it wouldn't kill ya to loosen up. And yer my wing-man..."

"Ya know I'm not into that sorta sh*t, Phil..." was the scoffed reply.

"BUZZKILLINGTON!"

The scowl got larger on Ellie's lips. "...this ain't the sort of thing I'm into..."

"BUUUUUUZZZZKILLINGTON!!!!!"

"....I hate you...."

Phil was still grinning and soon enough was messing with the blonde's hair. "Shut up, you know you love it! Seriously, don't be p***y repellent please and just have a good time, Ellie!"

"...be glad I actually kinda like ya, Phil... you'd be on the floor if I didn't like ya so much..." With that, she stomped on her friend's foot with her boot to get him to stop ruffling her hair. She wouldn't admit it, but a part of her wanted to observe the Moon which she had been on in space.





(Note: I have quotes turned off, so rather than quote me, just bold the name of whichever character you are trying to address and I'll see it heart )

Where there was a city wide party, there would be Porsha.

The young woman had struck out on her own, something she'd been doing more frequently as of late. She adored her boys. Enjoyed spending time with them, but a desire to delve more fully into her own thoughts meant the teen struck out alone when the opportunity permitted. The solitude wouldn't last, she knew that. Sooner or later she'd run into someone familiar, or friendly, or intriguing, and they'd earn her attention.

But until then, even surrounded by jostling bodies, she would keep her own company.

There was a drink in her hand. Some fruity mix that had been handed to her by some nameless face on the street. A hopeful lit in their voice and a flicker of disappointment when she'd taken the cup and given only a smile and thanks in return. She sipped at it slowly as she traversed the streets, working her way from the bustling center on outwards.

She wondered when she had started to turn away from the countless prospects of unknown company. It wasn't like her to turn down the chance for a good time and the promise of endless free drinks on another's tab.

It wasn't like her to insist someone stayed the morning after.

Speak of the devil. He'd dug beneath her skin, burrowed and infested.

Gun-metal eyes found the bench and it's one lone occupant. Well, two if you chose to count the small pony that was wandering closer. She stood for a moment, across the street, and watched with brows pinched and lips twisted. Amused, perplexed, and certainly curious as to his reaction.

Curious if he'd feel her eyes on him and look up.

Would there be games tonight? The cruelty of feigned indifference? Panic inducing lessons? She hoped not. They might not survive the eclipse if otherwise.

Badass moths...? Poker face standing proud, Adrian looked over the dark-haired girl's costume once more. Pipe cleaners, cardboard... Paint. Definitely paint. Oh, oh, those pipe cleaners were supposed to be moth feelers. Okay, part one down. Now for part two... Why cardboard flaps on her back? They had some kind of petal design, like... wings. Okay, it makes sense now. She's a moth. Definitely a moth.

Now since when were moths badass? Was he missing something here?

Probably.

Adrian smiled his cheeky little smirk, and flashed the glimmering girl a sideways glance. "Of course not. I'm going to say that badass moths are drawn to rhinestone-studded beauties like yourself. You're dressed for the costume contest, yeah?" The only way she'd avoid winning is if she blinded the judges with all that bling. The moth on the other hand... What do moths have to do with the moon?

He supposed nothing.

Though Adrian had an excellent reason for his ignorance toward Mothra, born of a unique upbringing, he still felt a slight inclination toward shame for simply not knowing. He raised both his hands in a mild surrender, before administering his defense. "Hey, hey, I've never seen a girl dressed as a moth before, alright? It just took me a minute to catch the costume, lady Mothra." Well, at least he got a name out of it. Not hers, but it would suffice for now. "I'm more interested in hearing about why you're dressed as a moth on this fine night."

And most certainly the reasoning behind it. And he wouldn't mind if that rhinestone-studded starlet got a little too cold. He brought that jacket for a reason. And the smell of it afterward... Totally worth it.




Alois saw the horse in glazed passing, almost too immersed in his own thoughts to register the sentient beings around him. However, the corners of his mind nagged at the audacity of a small horse present on the streets of Destiny City. Struggle as he might, thoughts of youmafication and living in the Rift could not quell his flabbergasted train of thought from returning to the horse that now drew to the bench.

It stood at a reasonable height; either it was not of full size, or this horse was still a juvenile. He knew little of horses, as he'd never seen one in person, but he knew a look of yearning from his time spent watching youma. Watching animals. Watching people.

He laughed for a time - a bitter, choking laugh. He watched the moon in mild amusement while his audacity lingered in the form of a smile, as if the universe sought to slip him dark hints through the visage of a horse. And maybe it was - maybe this moment was no different than a dear old friend reminding him that seeing horses in the middle of a bustling city probably spelled dementia or insanity - and he'd kindly correct that friend that they may as well be one in the same.

Dementia was insanity. Horses on the street was insanity. Fighting magical girls through the use of monsters was insanity.

Oh, if he'd lost it, he'd lost it long ago.

But it did not stop that acrid smile. "Hast du Durst*?" He asked the horse knowingly. The way it eyed his cup indicated that it did not linger to watch a misanthrope mentally toil about the world around him. He peeled the plastic cover off the top of the cup, tossing it aside onto the bench, before tipping the container toward his equestrian visitor

and then Porsha appeared.

It was a little too convenient to stifle another laugh.

Maybe he was dreaming. All we see or seem is but a dream within a dream, he thought, as he watched her approach. "Porsha," he greeted with drawn attention. "Did you come to visit me, or ze pony? Sit wis' me, or sit on ze horse, I don't have a preference. Tell me what you sink of solar eclipses."

The pony gave a little snuffle of delight, as if understanding german perfectly, plunging his muzzle blissfully into the cup of lemonade, lipping at its surface, and probably sloshing a great deal over as he indulged himself with the shameless grace that was a small horse trying to drink out of a plastic cup. Luckily he was a pony not a full sized horse, or surely it would have gotten stuck. Porsha ran her fingers along Puppy's back, and he rolled his eyes to her, making a happy little horsey noise before returning to lipping the cup in Alois's hands.

Destry was continuing on her performance, still walking on her hands, balancing a small rubber ball up the skyward pointing heel of her shoe, high over her head, when she noticed the distinct lack of a prancing pony with his charming little donation box. She frowned, looking around, still in her upside down position, wondering if maybe the poor old creature had gotten tired and laid down in some grass again... He had done that a couple times much to Destry's dismay, content to be fawned over my children instead of doing his little prancing dance.

But no, he was not laying in the edged strip of grass that lined the sidewalks... in fact, destry didn't see him at all. She quickly flipped over, brushing her hands off dismissively on the sides of her outfit, before to her horror, spotting him accosting a poor young couple sitting on a bench. Yes the ancient pony was a horrible mooch, but he always loyally followed behind her with a single minded loyalty that had earned him his name. Unless the dark haired boy or lovely steel eyed girl had rolled themselves in sugar cubes before heading out this evening, she couldn't think of why on earth he would just... scamper off like that.

Oh god he had actually stuck his face in the guys drink. Mortified, Destry ran over to her misguided performance partner " Oh god, I am so sorry you guys!! " Destry just sort of blurted the words out in a jumble " I don't know what gave over him!! " Destry made a clicking sound that was puppys' signal to stop what he was doing. The horse rose his head up and looked at his lady... gave a happy snort of acknowledgment.... then turned adoring eyes back to Alois and Porsha before continuing to lip at Alois's lemonade.

" ACK. " Destry raised her hands, as if she were going to physically pull the 300+pounds of hose away by hand, but then let her shoulders slump in defeat. " Um... Can I buy you guys refills of... whatever it is your drinking? As an apology? " she kind of motioned with her hands at her hooved friend.

She mentally cringed at the thought of spending money on drinks, but her pride deemed it necessary, so she would fork over the moolah. She was honestly curious what had derailed her ponys' train of thought, though.





It was tragic the little photographer girl she had met at the library several months ago wasn't there, because if Evalia had thought about it, Björn's quick reflexes and quick support at eva's waste probably made a lovely picture. She had indeed been falling, and so was tilted back slightly at an angle. For a split second it had probably appeared as if they were dancing.

" Oh god, thank you!! I really didn't have any desires to become close personal friends with the concrete tonight. " It would really have been tragic, as per usual she was dressed in almost exclusively white. She could only imagine landing on her bum would probably just have ripped her lacy little dress, or at the least got it horribly filthy. " Yes I am fine, I'm sorry for running into you like that, I guess I wasn't paying to much attention to were I was going, totally my fault " Eva gave him a warm, but slightly sheepish smile. The girl was indeed a bit of a scatterbrain sometimes, but it wasn't something she really liked to admit.

Evalia couldn't help the little giggle that escaped her " Well, I should hope not! I probably wouldn't taste that good anyway " She said with a grin, her face happy and her expression warm. For some reason his hesitant smile made her feel as if he was self-conscious for some reason, and considering he had just saved her from landing square on her booty, she couldn't think of a reason why.