Welcome to Gaia! ::

Not his usual drag was right. If the extra sizzling sound didn't do it, it was the surprise of taking cool air into his lungs rather than the familiar heat he'd become comfortable with for year on year that made Manson pull the cigarette out right away and even bend his head neck away. He expelled a cloud, chills lingering in the back of his throat after it had come up. It was as black as soot or as Manson recalled, even darker than soot since he'd seen the real thing fall from the sky three months ago. He was swept by a new sensation, one he'd have to add to the list of experiences from that that particular day. It was as if his weight had solidified; as if Manson in his new form had become grounded and now had an understanding of the function of his own movements in his new form. It was instinction and now Manson, tainted in black magic, suddenly could tell or "feel" exactly what was in the cigarette. In next drag, he knew just how to make the cloud of smoke and magic spark with orange as if the act had made sense to him from the very beginning.

He listened, taking another drag, one that was heavy and potent as he exhaled. He took a few steps and now his was not but a foot away from Aziz. He lowered his head, coming closer to Aziz's, his eyes grasping on her's. "I think I am. Do you?" He asked jeering. There was a touch of insinuated wrong in his voice. "I'd like you to test me. Show me you've done me good in the ritual."

Aziz felt the pressure of his words, while inhaling the burning magic on his breath. She looked up at him and smiled warmly, once again being forced to admire his confidence. "While I don't approve of it, if Mahli would oblige, we shall test you." Aziz reached into her own pocket and pulled out a handful of black sand, her trademark medium. She held her hand before him grinned. "In which way would you like to be tested? In battle or wits; or even in will?"

Mahli's jaw tightened at the sight of the sand in Aziz's small hand. While on its own it was just sand from the beaches of Ater Nox, nothing more than sediment, but in the right hands, it held endless possibilities. Aziz used it as her anchor to home, to draw on the magic blood that flows through the very soil of Ater Nox. The sand gleamed in Aziz's hand, seeming to glow in the fading light of the sun.

Layla bit her bottom lip in response to Aiden's introduction. Madame? She had been called miss many times before, even little miss, but madame was new. Her cheeks flushed and grew warm, though she didn't feel as nervous towards Chance as she had earlier.

"No, it's all right!" Layla said quickly. "Well... she was the reason I came up here. I hope that's OK...." her voice became a murmur towards the end of her sentence. It was probably wise not to practically yell at a faction leader, but her voice always seemed to increase in vloume when she was excited or anxious. Like so many times before, she could hear her mother's voice inside of her head, lecturing her on manners.

At that point, she was glad that Vossler had stepped into the conversation. "All I've been able to do is read books in the library," she added. "But there's this acolyte from one of the temples here. She's really nice. I'm not always bored, but... yeah. Sorry," her head bowed slightly in apology.

( So where's this party going to take place? I want to know because I'll prolly exit Chance here next post or so. Make it seem less cluttered in my mind. )

Then he was flooded all at once with the greetings of more or less his guests in the reserved floor, giving him something of a feeling of being overwhelmed in his sleep addled mind. Left hand remained on his cane while the right rose in a rather imposing manner of 'halt' to ward off the onslaught of apologies and greetings likewise. "It's no trouble." Eyes were dry from the dull focus he had on the situation at the moment, hands returning to that walking aid and eyes closing as if to solidify some unspoken thought and bring some small amount of order to his mind.

When the brief interlude was over he opened his eyes with renewed expression, a brighter and happier looking one as he silently looked from one to the other of the three guests as if silently welcoming them. "It's been a pleasure meeting you all, but I have some matters of my own to attend." Tipping that fedora to fix it's position and likewise give them a salute of fairwell he turned and began making his way to the elevator; exclaming behind him. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" The words rang loudly through the corridor along with the brief spout of fading laughter as he approached the closed door of the elvation machine.

He was in within moments and the doors closing, inching away the mass of the statuesque behemoth that he was. Vossler seemed a nice enough fellow, but it was hard not to question him allowing the young girl Layla to stick about with such a reputation as his. If she stuck around the next few days she would be lwarning quite a deal about the world through his eyes. It was in that thought that he caught a brief glimpse of the poster hanging in the elevator about some fancy to-do. Perfect! He ripped the newly placed flier from thr elevator and read in more detail about it before tucking it away into some hidden pocket. By the time he reached ground floor he was quite simply beaming for some reason - his exact thoughts hidden behind devious eyes as he walked out into the bustling streets. Ah.. One had to love the city life.

Vossler could have sworn he heared bells ringing in the distance as Aiden returned her focus on him. The Commander slowly turned to her and instinctivly moved Layla to the side in case Aiden snapped. Vossler closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Opening his eyes he gave Aiden the normal blank look he gave most people. "I'm sorry that I forgot it. I'm sure its within reach. I was just a bit distracted when I was around it." Vossler was glad that he was wearing armor underneath his clothes but felt that he dearly wished he had the helmet.

Moa had been walking around for a bit when she heard something that made her perk up slightly. "Layla." she said as she looked around to see the girl waving at her. As she looked on she could see that Aiden was slightly agitated for some reason and Vossler was slightly on the defensive. She gave a sigh before walking over to the three of them.

"Hey what's up?" she asked as she stepped to the side of everyone. It was as if making a triangle between Vossler and Aiden with Layla behind him. She could feel the tension in the air and it made her a bit shifty. "Is everything ok?"

Vossler's body tensed slightly at the look Aiden gave him. He was silently thanking paranoia for making him wear the armor. He gave Moa a wave then refocused back on Aiden. "I can probably get the guys to go back and get it after the parade. They won't let my men off the ship here. So I can't just send them all off before time." Vossler turned to Moa and gave her a smile. "I do wish to talk with you. I want to make Aes seem less threatening and the best way is to make public appearences. Would you care to join me at a party? I fear I am without a date." A thought then hit Vossler. He turned to Aiden and tilted his head. "Why is the chest so important when you have Chance and I who would probably get you anything? Layla does miss the shopping trips you take her on."