Welcome to Gaia! ::

Kyrielle and Thalanir were standing near the doors so they saw everything when the woman ran out clutching something in her hands that was quickly chased after by a man dressed as a raven. Man things were crazy here. Seeing people dance, she wondered if Aila was okay. Kyri knew it had taken all she and Thal had to even convince her to come, now she wanted to make sure she enjoyed it. Tugging on Thalanir's hand, she gripped it tightly as they made their way into the large room. "Where do you think Aila would be? I think maybe we should stick together." She said once they stopped in a spot that wasn't as occupied as the rest. They were across from an...interesting ice sculpture so she decided to just avert her eyes and look elsewhere. The mouse woman stood there for a few moments watching the dancer swirl around and around, her feet itched to get out there but she reminded them that they needed to find Aila before anything. Her eyes then moved across more, seeing all kinds of costumes, people with layers and layers of clothing on and some, well, with the very minimum. Then, after her survey of the room, Kyri decided that the food and drink would be the most likely of places to check. "Lets go look by the food and drink." She suggested.

Thalanir grinned as he was dragged along to find Aila. "There she is, next to the fox." He said with a warm smile as they approached. His happy smile only increased, however, when he recognized the fox. "Reokee!" he exclaimed with delight.

Aila looked over at her companions and then turned to study the fox. This must be the woman who was dear friends with Kyrielle and had returned Karia to them when the pesky little female was a foal. "Reokee? The woman that helped with the return of Karia?" She asked offhandly, studying the woman appreciatively.

The red Bayrel sighed and made his way over to a chair to sit down and watch everyone pass by, as well as watch some lady run out, clutching a little lizard thing to her chest. He gave a small chuckle, this company was definitely very interesting.

Hearing her name she looked up with half of a pumpkin cookie on her lips. “uh fello” She tried to mumble a hello to the weird looking old wizard. His voice was really familiar. There was a little mouse with him. As soon as the mouse started speaking she knew exactly who the pair was. “Falneer, Kiilli.” Using two fingers she quickly stuffed the rest of the cookie into her mouth and chewed on it. Looking at the little angel next to her she nodded at the mention of the little filly. This was Aila? On more than one occasion she had been told she’d have to meet the woman, but so far this had been their first encounter. She raised up a hand and waved to the angel off handedly while looking at Kyrielle and Tahlanir. Swallowing the cookie in hast she coughed once and took a swig from her alcohol to wash it down so she wouldn’t choke. Feeling a bit drunk at this point Reo smiled at the pair. “It’s nice to see you both, and ah nice to meet you Aila. At least I think you’re Aila.” She looked to Kyrielle for confirmation. Reo would feel mortified if she had botched up names this early in the evening. She’d have to hunt down that crimson cat and just drink the rest of the night. Noticing a few cookie crumbs on the front of her outfit she brushed them off.
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Things were so lively at this party. She could hear shouting about an amphibian and there was running and dancing and laughing all around her. Mei felt trapped and alone. She didn’t take her blindfold off in case she started to cry. Shaking her head firmly causing her ears to flop about she stood up sharply causing the chair she was sitting in to slide backwards. No she was not going to just sulk. Patting her cheeks with the palms of her hands she decided she was going to go talk to someone. She took a step and bumped into the table. Mei put her palm down on the top of the table feeling like an idiot. That was right she couldn’t see. Feeling like the perfect fool she stood there for a moment trying to decide what to do next.

Yvar paused in his playing to listen to the quiet voice around the corner. "It's quite alright. No harm done." He resumed playing as he spoke. "In fact, you gave me a reason to leave that crowded room." He smiled ever so slightly at her last comment, his music reflecting the slight change in mood. "At least you only feel ridiculous when crying at a party. I feel ridiculous simply for showing up." He sighed softly as he leaned back against the wall. "I'm just too old for these parties..."

"Then maybe I'm just too cynical." Yvar shook his head, though he knew she couldn't see. "It's not wrong to be sad." He sighed. "I have not had the honor of being Bonded, but I do understand loss. I was once told... that you should not let your sorrow overcome the joy that preceded it because it means that the death overshadows the life of the one who's been lost." The serene notes continued to stream from the lute as his leathery fingers plucked the strings. "But being sad that he is not here... is not a bad thing. It means that he was precious to you." He let out a slightly bitter chuckle at her last comment. "That's because parties don't cure loss. Sometimes it can expand it instead." The notes came more rapidly now. "I imagine this party was to alleviate stress caused by this war. But those already sporting wounds from it won't necessarily find it appealing. It may reunite friends in ways that can lessen the loss, but it won't go away." He paused for a few moments. "I... can't say it really ever does. I guess it depends on the individual..." He paused once more before chuckling again, this time without the bitterness. "My apologies. I seem to have gone on a rant..." He sighed and closed his eyes, managing to keep a smile on his face as his playing returned to its neutral tune. "Rambling on like this... my mind's wandering more every day," he mumbled to himself.

Yvar removed the mask from his face; it was starting to bother him. "... That is... a predicament I am familiar with." Agonizingly familiar with. "If you're falling, find someone who can catch you at the bottom. Or don't. Either way, once you reach your lowest point, there's only one way to go: up. As for being a loner... There are ways to change a lifestyle like that. It seems we've both stumbled upon one of the most painful ways." He went quiet for several minutes, just letting the music stream from underneath his fingertips. "If you have trouble concentrating on your job, then look for something that brings you peace; something that brings you joy." He let out a soft, sad chuckle. "Sometimes, it's ironic what you discover."

(( You know, I'm starting to realize how much Yvar and Eir's background stories parallel each other. o.o Though I'm still working out the actual time frame... ))

Such a stubborn girl. But looking back, Yvar remembered being a real piece of work himself. "It's fine. I have a lot of time, and it's refreshing to talk to someone. But you do not remotely resemble a grieving lunatic." She was so much like he had been. Maybe he should... No. He wasn't going to talk about it. But maybe... maybe he could mention a story. Just one. The one of the instrument he was playing. That one might be helpful to the emotional young lady. "I... was never fond of this lute," he began. "I had no talent for it, and I did not enjoy being teased by my peers for being so poor of a musician. But it was entrusted to me by its previous owner." He went quiet for several moments, pausing his playing to inspect the back of the old lute. "To this day, I still can't get the blasted bloodstains off of it." Patches of maroon clung like paint to the wooden frame, refusing to be removed no matter what cleaning and scrubbing he'd done. "And yet... it is one of the only things of that time that does not torment me. It is... truly an ironic comfort."

(( Well, Yvar's is a little farther along of course, but yeah...
They both left home when they were younger, wandered for a while, got involved in a war, and have lost important friends. ))

The dance came to an end and she curtsied to the Ram smiling faintly at the masked gentleman before her. Watching him, it would have been surprising if he kissed her hand. Kali didn't think he did such things ever yet looked a bit amused when he stood up instead. He was good at playing the charming gentleman. Listening to him she nodded a bit dismayed that their time ended but it was for the best. Sometimes being around dangerous men lead to dangerous situations and Kali did have things to do after this party. It just wouldn't do for her to linger longer than necessary.

"Of course my lord." Taken aback by being given a vial, from his pocket, Kali watched him leave and looked at the item raising a brow. Now then what sort of trinket was this? This was something best pondered on after the party. Walking away from the dance floor and hidden by the crowd, Lady Luck hid the vial in the hidden pockets of her dress and prowled around for her companion, Lord Devil.