Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Kyoko!" The pregnant woman was given a warm hug from behind, and then the owner stepped into her view. One Qwan Yin Lung stood there, jet-colored hair done in a braid woven with white and pink ribbons. Her clothing was a simple long-sleeved cheongsam of white silk with pink and gold dragons dancing across it through clouds outlined in gold. She wore a pair of white martial arts slippers, and her claw-like nails were laquered pale pink. She wore no jewelry except for a gold chain with a pendant of golden dragon carrying a jasmine blossom in its front claws. "My dear, how are you doing! And hello Mr. Kyuubi. You've been taking such wonderful care of my little star-to-be." She turned to those surrounding. "Ah, do forgive me. I am Lung Qwan Yin, of the Jasmine Dragon. Perhaps you've heard of it?" She stood as if well-bred, and her vocabulary lent itself to that as well...but her tone of voice was very quiet and kind, more like that of a mother.

Arius really could hardly have been more pleased with Vanyel's actions towards him. This close, he became aware of how warm she was...and how her body had matured from girl to woman... He wondered if she was really conscious of just how attractive she was, or even vaguely concerned with the effect she was having on him. And she thought he was handsome? Better and better. Flashing a dazzling grin at the orange lass, Arius responded to her compliment in kind, "And you on the other hand turned into quite the lady...I think you've quite outdone me, Vanyel."

His arm had snaked its way back around the girl's waist, and Ari was really trying with utmost vigor to keep his mind where it should be...and was failing miserably with only a small portion of the guilt that probably should have been present. "Well...I've been driving my daddy crazy, or so he tells me...oh! And I led my dad's long-lost lover home one day without meaning to...so he's a lot happier now. We stay at his place now with Rhiloss...that's Ka's scent-baby." Upon hearing of the dress, Ari's mind immediately conjured up the memories of that day, and he chuckled, "Well I'm glad you liked it so very much..." Leaning in, he whispered softly into the girl's ear, "But remember, I still owe you that date."

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Farlest laughed softly at Kyoko's words. "A girl? That's a very surprising development...I imagine you found that most startling indeed." Green eyes darted towards Ari, and noted that he was getting very friendly with Vanyel. Well then...he'd just have to make sure that Arius didn't get too terribly carried away...but at least that meant that Ari wasn't out getting into more trouble someplace else...the lesser of two evils, perhaps? "Arius grew about a week ago...and has been nothing but a handful since..." There was a certain tension beneath the words...but Farlest glossed over it quickly...and was glad when the woman who introduced herself as Lung Qwan Yin came up to the party.

Farlest smiled politely and gave her a half-bow. "No, Madam, I have not, but if I were to ask, would you enlighten me?" She really was a striking individual, this lady, and the elf was fascinated by her. "I am Farlest Morifaerion, and this is Ka'hmesh." Introducing the tall male on his arm.

Anima blinked at Anbu as she was led away, quite oblivious to what was going on. "Okay~." She hummed happily, then stopped as an idea popped into her head. "Can we do a show here? I'm sure everyone would love your exploding hat trick." Yup. Anima was highly clueless.

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Esme chuckled at Kyoko's antics with Alais and made a nod towards Qwan Yin. "Very nice to meet you ma'am. Thank you for taking my friends under your wing." She was still quiet, but her voice was steady, and she did not hesitate to look the shorter woman in the eyes...Wasn't often she had to look down to look at someone with such a commanding presence. But it wasn't the kind of command that had Esme cowering...instead it was the kind that had her wanting to follow the woman.

He smiled a farewell as Crystal departed and sighed, retreating back to Arcanos' side with a look of disappointment. That hadn't gone so well... Unknowingly interrupting, flustering an already flustered woman and being totally ignored by someone who was probably of the same social rank. With a frustrated grumble, he pulled his hat back on and turned back to the oils that were on display.

At least Crystal had said she'd return after she got some air. That was something he appreciated. Perhaps he'd try again later but for now he was more interested in nursing his bruised ego then in socializing.

Certainly Vanyel hadn't meant to ignore the Dark Carnival friend of hers, for honestly it was one of the few (or really, likely the only) female friends the citrus scent had. Sure she'd met other girls, but it was Anbu that Vanyel felt closest to. Unfortunately at that moment though the girl was feeling just a bit closer to the male she'd pressed herself against. She would have felt worse about it if someone else hadn't come along, but at least now there was Anima to keep the entertainer entertained.

Another delightful peach blush spread across the girl's cheeks and lined her ears which were mostly covered with her hair anyway, so she needn't be too worried about how silly she looked. "I most certainly haven't Arius! You've clearly become much more handsome than I have become pretty. I look just the same as ever I think." Nervously she moved one hand to her face and fiddled with her glasses, trying to decide between pushing them further up her nose or pulling them off and putting them in some pocket somewhere.

She did neither as he continued to talk, and all of her attention was on the boy as if he was the god Amahte claimed himself to be. If she knew what crushes were she would have quite a big one on the boy, that's for sure. His whisper brought a giggle from her and she'd nod in agreement before speaking, "I haven't forgotten either Arius. Before that though, I'll find a great dress I can wear for you..." She wanted to make a promise to find a dress that showed off her legs for him, but the poor girl just couldn't get the words out.

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Kitten, too busy with trying her best to keep her other daughter Seveda from reading piles upon piles of romance novels, had always been grateful that Vanyel had never shown interest in such books. Instead Vanyel loved history, perhaps a bit of fiction here and there, but there really hadn't been any experiencing or witnessing of romantic encounters her entire life. In this manner, Kitten completely failed her daughter when raising her, for clearly things with Arius would prove to be trouble.

At Mary's words Kitten gave a bit of a shrug. "If it was Amahte then I'm sure you've nothing to worry about. Vanyel had nothing but good things to say about the Egyptian boy she met. According to her he was delightful, if not a little confused." Kitten laughed at the notion that it could possibly be their two children they spoke of together. She too nodded and smiled at Qadir as he passed, as well as Crystal when she soon followed, but she knew neither of them and so she paid them little thought.

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Orpheus just gave a shrug at the other scents words, for he was equally confused as to why Qadir would want to settle with such a plain scrap of woman, especially when he could have a stunning piece of work like that woman in purple the group had been talking to just a moment ago. Brooding in the corner didn't seem to be going as well for Orpheus as he would have liked and so, as usual, he devised a plan to have some fun instead of sitting in the corner and just talking.

"Let's try something. Follow me." Orpheus said with a wave of his hand as he hopped from the counter and towards the direction of Sena, the purple clad woman. Once he (and perhaps Amahte?) reached the woman he put on an expression that he hoped made him look clearly pathetic. "Pardon me miss," he started, folding one arm across his chest while the other swept out wide in the most regal of bows he could remember being taught from Qadir, perfect in form. "I apologize for the intrusion but I saw you were speaking with my father, Qadir. Perhaps you have noticed his most unpleasant demeanor, for which I apologize deeply for. He is truly not that much more pleasant to his own child. Why, just earlier I asked him for a glass of that lovely drink you are enjoying and he told me he would rather I die of thirst. Please miss, would you be willing to give my friend and I a sip of the drink? It would mean the world to me, and I promise not to tell my father."

Orpheus picked his head up from the bow after finishing his speech, but his waist and arms were still bent into their strict position of the bow. Thick lashes fluttered meekly over distant eyes and lower lip stuck out only ever so slightly to portray that total beggar look to the woman. Orpheus was hoping Amahte would have his fingers crossed for the both of them.

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Had not even for a moment suspected that Crystal would appear outside with him just moments after he'd left the party. The moon had been too alluring to allow him just a quick breath, and so he had stayed out there, head tilted back onto his shoulders and eyes closed to bask in the glowing light that the sun simply could give in such a gentle fashion. The moon was his mistress, forever.

At the sound of his name falling from familiar lips he startled slightly, eyes flying open and body twisting in her direction with no more than a few seconds of reaction time. "Crystal..." he breathed, taking a step towards her only to find that she had come to him, uttering such heart breaking words and then pulling him into a kiss that made him weak, not only in the knees but all over. He was completely hers, and that sweet kiss made him feel terrible for having acted such a terrible prat in their company.

Arms looped about her waist after the moment of shock had passed and he could feel his body once more, and he pulled her into him, supporting her against him as he pulled out of the kiss eventually. "I'm sorry for leaving you Crystal. It was rude of me. I should not have acted so jealous simply because I did not hold your attention for more than a minute." His words were sincere, but sincere words did not a changed man make, for it had been too many years that Qadir had lived his way, and it would likely be too many years more that he would have trouble with his jealousy. For now though, she could have asked him to balance the punch bowl on his head and sing soprano and he'd have done it for her like a trained chimp.

Ka had stayed quiet for a little while, just watching everyone ... smiling slightly at Kyoko's shout and waving back to her. When Tiis came in the door, though, Ka happened to glance over and froze. "Meleth..." he said softly, an urgent sort of tone, tapping the other on the shoulder. Oh what the hell was he doing here? And please don't tell him that Tiis of all people had a child?? Good gods....

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Rhiloss had wandered over to Anbu and was just kind of standing there staring at her, without saying a word. He remembered her from before, and honestly didn't know quite what to think about the change. Not that he let any of that show.

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Also looking the pink-haired man up and down, Arcanos raised a brow, letting it climb up into his hairline. Surely this wasn't the shopkeeper... or at least he hoped not. There was something about the man that bothered him. Made him want to lay ears back and growl...

Sena arched an eybrow with interest as the young one adreesed her in a proper format becoming of a young gentleman. She found it rather surprising that such refinement could have that neanderthal of a man as a guardian, let alone as a father. Sheesh, what kind of party did she find herself at? A single parents' gala? Holding her glass delicately out of reach, she rose and gave the young man a delicate, bow like that of the beautiful white crane.

"There is certainly no need for you to apologize, young one. A true man would not be hot and bothered under the collar by the musings of a complete stranger. Perhaps my words hit the mark?" Sena said, taking a long sip, her plush lips lingering on the rim of the glass as the boy before her proposed a rather interesting situation before her. Though the idea of getting Qadir's young charge shelacked, she was certain it would not warrant future invitations to such galas by the hostess. The boy's efforts at negiotiation were amusing and rather cunning for one so young. Not the method of attack the debutante would have selected herself, but the boy could definitely be taught. Draining the glass, an idea brewed within, and a wicked smile traced her lips. Perfect. "By all means, far be it for me to permit the death of a child from thirst when there is so much gorgeous beverages to be had. Allow me to get a refill first, okay?"

Rising to her feet, she placed her handbag on the chair marking her seat, and gave the boy an elegant nod accentuated with a mischievous wink before drifting over to the drink counter.

Cyr turned slightly and looked up at Arcnos, frowning slightly. What was wrong? Reaching up, he patted the other's shoulder in the hopes of settling him. "You alright...?" He sounded concerned but turned back to gaze at Tiis. He felt awfully short, caught between the six foot five Arcanos and taller Tiis.

"Oh... They are unique. I've never seen scents of such quality before." He nodded happily and indicated the sample he'd last tried, "It's really rather pleasant. Actually yes, I was. Though I haven't found something I'm particularly attracted to yet."

Answering the question with a bow, he smiled broadly but there was a sort of steel in his tone, "I'm Cyralthein and this is Arcanos." He arched a brow, obviously wary of any advances the other might make. To emphasize his point, Cyr stepped in close to Arcanos and wrapped an arm about his waist with a smile that held smug undertones. It was if he was saying 'this is mine'. He'd play nice but only so far as the other did.