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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 10:32 am
((Ethiriel --> Lounge | Aina, Claire, Mordekai and Cadi | nod to Cesc))
The Frei didn't mean to ignore Claire or Mordekai, but as Aina reached for her, Ethiriel scooped her up into her arms to give her a warm hug, resting her cheek against the crown of the small Frei's head. She planted a gentle kiss before pulling back to look over her face; small and childlike, bright eyes and white hair. Ethiriel never would have expected such with her former, dimmer vision. She gave Aina another hug before pulling back, just as Vivi began counting down.
"Yes, they are gone and I am not hurt, little one. Just as I had promised!"
Just as she was instructed, Ethiriel followed Aina onto the couch and nestled, where she finally turned to both Mordekai and Claire. "I am sorry, I did not mean to ignore -- seems I am one-track minded," she said, laughing lighlty. "It is a pleasure to see you both--" she trailed, turning to watch as Cesc's guardian led the countdown. Cesc's wave had caught her attention, and she gave him a smile and a nod as she gestured toward Aina.
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 7:03 pm
(( Claire & Cadi -> with Mordekai, Aina, Seabiscuit, & Ethiriel in the lounge ))
"You bet," Claire replied quietly to Mordekai, laughing and holding up her mug. Cadi likewise smiled and tipped her own in his direction, but her attention was once again diverted by the sight happening between the three humans. Although neither of them had much context to the reunion happening between them, Claire and Cadi could not deny that it was certainly heartwarming. Ethiriel had a very apparent fondness for Aina, and as she picked her up and rounded the couch to join her, Claire scooted over to make just enough room and she waved a free hand in Eth's direction when she finally turned to address them. "You're fine, besides I don't blame you for wanting to lavish attention onto this little girl, she's too precious." She winked in Aina's direction, taking a careful sip from her mug as the countdown marched on. "Looks like I will be giving my New Years kiss to you, baby girl, if you don't mind." There would be another when she and Aaron both returned from their respective parties, topped off with a glass of champagne in their own home and a sleepy stumble to bed. Cadi shifted uncomfortably at the mention of kissing, her smile fading just a touch, which caught Claire's attention. "And one for you too, missy."
"Aw, Claire," Cadi groaned a bit at the thought of her aunt giving her a sympathy kiss, her cheeks coloring, which only caused her aunt to laugh. Her tenuous smile faded fully until she glanced over at Mordekai. "Want me to run and get you a mug while you're buried under dog there?" The smile found its footing again in the form of a smirk. "Might miss the end of the countdown but I did promise a second round." She looked over to Ethiriel and Aina and was about to ask but the two of them looked rather preoccupied, and she did not feel comfortable interrupting their tender reunion.
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 7:45 pm
( Zuri -- > with Cesc )
She accepted the champagne with her chest and her belly full of butterflies, cradling the glass in her dainty fingers, frost creeping up onto it in fine filigreed blooms. Her head was filled with the same thoughts -- kisses. What was right in this situation? She knew what her heart wanted: it was the same thing it had always wanted, the same thing it had never stopped wanting, the emotions made warmer and deeper and more mature with time. The grapes on the skewer rolled around the rim of the glass as Zuri peered down into the depths of the golden fizzy wine for a moment to compose herself, and then she looked up at Cesc, wondering if her emotions showed on her face as much as she was afraid they did.
Her lips curved in a warm smile, her eyes soft as she joined the count. "Two, one?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 9:14 pm
(( Aina, Mordekai, Seabiscuit --> Lounge, Claire, Cadi, and Ethiriel ))
Aina received Ethiriel's hug and nuzzled her following her gentle little kiss. When the tea Frei leaned back to look at her, Aina admired her, too - she looked so different from when she saw her last, but what struck her the most was her lack of antlers. She pat her own antlers, curious, but she didn't have time to linger on it as Ethiriel settled into the couch with them and apologized to the humans present.
"S'no problem!" the blond chuckled, wiggling further to the edge of the couch to allow Ethiriel more space. He giggled as Claire turned her attention toward Aina and scratched Seabiscuit's fur, lifting his head up to kiss the great dane on the cheek. "Guess who's gettin' New Years kisses, smalls?" He wiggled a little with Seabiscuit leaning on him to nab the flip phone from his pocket; it was easier said than done, but Mordekai managed to point the camera squarely toward Claire and company.
"I'll give you kissies too! An' Eth!" Aina smiled brightly - with a curious tilt of her head, she nodded toward Cadi, too. "An'-- an' Miss Cadi, would you like a kissy too?"
Mordekai glanced away from his phone to Cadi, briefly - grinning, he shook his head. "Nah, 'm good - wanna get in on this picture? Gonna nab some champagne after!"
He waved toward all the couch occupants, then, pointing toward his phone - "Heads up!"
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 3:54 am
((Xiu -- > Laz))
Xiu smiled and inclined his head when Cesc’s introduced them. Zurine seemed like a lovely raevan and Xiu was surprised that he had not seen her before. Just how many Sigels were there?
However, Xiu’s thoughts were brushed aside when Vivi stood on a nearby chair to announce the coming of the New Year. Blue eyes sparkled with excitement as he cast a glance at Lazarus. This was indeed their first New Year countdown together. Hopefully there would be many more.
Helping himself to a champagne glass, Xiu smiled and clinked his glass with Lazarus’s as the countdown reached touchdown.
“Happy New Year Lazarus!” chuckled the Sigel, not really expecting the Firey Raevan to follow up with a kiss. They had always been rather discreet with their affections after all.
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 9:39 am
((Vivi--> Dr. Kyou, Shep | Cesc --> Zurine | Shepard --> the champagne table and then the couch))
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" cheered Vivi as the countdown reached zero, and at the corners and center of the room, a few small confetti poppers--having been set on a timer--showered down gold, silver and white confetti onto all of the partygoers.
The Frenchwoman laughed at the sight, one hand on her chest from surprise, and then she held up her champagne glass and clinked it to whomever was close to her. With twinkling eyes, she looked over at Shepard, who was fast approaching her.
Shepard grinned and leaned down, one hand on her waist, and tipped her back for a kiss. "Happy New Year!" He said.
"And to the Shepard as well!" chimed Vivi. She stood again, and with a wide smile, she came forward to Dr. Kyou. "And do you, good doctor, as well!"
With a laugh, she pressed a friendly kiss to the corner of the doctor's mouth. "Thank you for all that you do!"
Cesc laughed as the confetti poppers opened, and he held out his glass to toast Lazarus, Xiu and Zurine. He looked over and saw Vivi kissing and he swallowed down apprehension. It was a new year! It was the time to kiss! Everyone was--or at least, Cesc certainly hoped everyone was.
He stopped his mind. He pulled Zurine closer to him and leaned down to plant a quick, friendly kiss to her lips.
But as he went to pull away, his mind fed him something strange. One kiss? There were two of them. One kiss was half the business, wasn't it?
Rhedefre wasn't sure why, in hindsight, but he bought that. It was less than a second between the first and second kisses, and in the second one his hand was at her waist, and he pulled her gently forward into him, his cheeks warm. He kissed her firmly this time, lips parted, his eyes only half-closed. It wasn't so long to be awkward, or to draw undue attention, but it was long enough to feel the scent and revel in the cold taste of her, and enough that when he pulled back, he felt unsteady, and took a quick drink of champagne.
"Happy New Year!" Cesc called, smiling broadly, although a tinge of sheepishness was creeping into the expression. Shepard came over to the group then, and turned Cesc's head as the Aussie kissed him on the cheek.
"Rhede! Happy New Year!" he said, and then did the same to Zurine--a quick kiss on the top of the head, and then he was off with a bottle of champagne to the couch.
"Look at you snugglebunnies over here," Shepard called to Claire and Mordekai. "C'mere and get some champers, y'snoozlebums."
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 11:31 am
((Ethiriel --> Aina, Claire, Mordekai and Cadi))
Ethiriel took Aina's love and ate it up, loving the attention of the smaller Frei. She hadn't taken into consideration that she had soaked in her silver for the evening, having not thought about it enough to explain to the rain drop, and she had no need to without being questioned -- she had noticed the small motion made towards Aina's branches, but further than that it was lost.
With smooches in question, Ethiriel glanced around at the other members of the party, as well as back to Seabuscuit and, in turn, to Nedhudir faithfully behind the couch. As the countdown began, she whispered for the Collie to come to front and center in order to get some kisses, as well.
Then, Mordekai declared a heads up of his own, to which Ethiriel instinctively looked back at Cesc -- at the very wrong time.
Her heart sank as the stag planted a curious one on Zurine, followed by a more confident kiss. Ethiriel stared for a moment after they had parted, turning back to Aina and giving her a kiss on each cheek before moving to Claire, then Mordekai and, of course, plenty of extra ones for Nedhudir. If it hadn't been for that second, seemingly more eager kiss, Ethiriel might have shrugged it off as festivity -- with what she gleamed of their history at Cruz's birthday party, did that mean that they were back together?
Which, in turn, fed into her insecurities of how she felt about Cesc.
As Shepard called, the silver Frei almost couldn't bring herself to look back at that group, but she swallowed her pride and waved back, holding Aina closely. She wasn't much for actual ingesting of foods and goods, so if they were called over she wasn't sure what she would do.
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 2:49 pm
(( Claire & Cadi -> with Mordekai, Aina, Seabiscuit, Ethiriel & Shep in the lounge ))
Cadi looked momentarily startled at the offer from little Aina, whom she had only just met a few moments before, but smiled. "I'd be honored, kiddo, if you'll let me dish out the same." She glanced up at Mordekai when he held up the phone, draining her mug quickly while her eyes darted down to Claire, who extended an arm out to pull her down to the couch. She tucked in cozily just behind them as the countdown finished and the flip phone was held up, both women smiling (one more uneasily than the other) on cue for the picture and the room filled with cheers and celebration to usher in the new year. Claire laughed and held up her hands to catch some of it, keeping it from falling into her hot chocolate. Cadi, for her part, was running a hand through her curls to get it out before it became too tangled within.
"Happy New Year!" she said to the fond company on the couch, bending quickly to give Aina a soft peck on her small cheek, and turning up to give Eth much the same when she had noticed the Frei had frozen in place for a moment, eyes staring just a short distance from them, her expression unreadable. What had happened? Claire pursed her lips and felt Cadi shift behind her. "Oh no you don't," and catching Cadi's arm, she planted a kiss on her cheek, her niece's face reddening and a groan rising but the smile still holding. She turned her attention to Mordekai and leaned forward over the two Freis with a grin. "Hope you don't mind one more!" before she gave him a friendly peck on the cheek.
Now, with that out of the way, she turned to Ethiriel, who had been likewise distributing New Years kisses, and when the Frei moved in to give her one, she planted a hand on her forearm and squeezed gently. She returned the gesture fondly but bent towards her ear as they pulled away to ask, "is everything okay?" under her breath. There was not much time to answer before another joined them, champagne in hand. Claire had seen him during the snowball fight and recognized him as someone who came with the very friendly lady who was running the show tonight. "None for me, I'll start and not want to stop," she laughed, holding up her quickly cooling mug.
"Certainly don't do things by halves here, do you?" Cadi remarked dryly as she finally stood up, eyebrows lifting at Shep. "I'll take a glass." Granted, it would probably not taste fantastic after hot chocolate, but her nerves cried out for champagne in the worst way. She grinned at Mordekai. "Shall we mosey to the booze? If you can disengage yourself from your dog there."
Claire once again was aware of Eth's subtle change in demeanor, and as the tea Raevan continued to hold Aina and wave towards the group (Claire chanced a look and noticed, with a start, that it included Cesc - how did he fit into this?), she rested her hand on her arm in a gesture of reassurance. When there was a moment, maybe they could talk, but for now she waited.
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 4:41 pm
(( Gabe at the Food Table --> Lounge Area with Ethiriel & everyone else ))
There didn't seem to be anything piquing his interest here that was within his scope. Gabe frowned at the treats laid out across the table, the cocoa bar nearby, but especially at the champagne. If his tolerance wasn't so damn low despite many years of trying to train it otherwise then one glass wouldn't be a problem, nor would it have been if they were going to be staying for another hour or so but he was mildly hopeful the festivities wouldn't extend much longer beyond the countdown.
Which, speak of the devil, was just announced quite excitedly by the woman who spoke to him earlier. Gabe took a slow breath and pinched the bridge of his nose as, suddenly, there were corks popping and voices chanting the numbers.
Was kissing on New Years actually a common tradition or were they just spicing it up? He glanced over his shoulder, back facing most of the crowd, and saw that many people were taking it up. His eyes scanned the mingling groups for Ethiriel again and managed to spot her, kissing as well, not terribly far off.
Gabe weaved through the scattered crowd towards the lounge, making a bee-line for Ethiriel in particular without paying much mind to those around her. Through the trip he glanced elsewhere but just about everyone seemed to be engaged in the same sort of thing, so eventually he just settled with looking at the floor a few feet ahead of himself. When he stopped beside the couch she and Aina were cuddled up on, he finally took a second to look at the others she was with and spotted the one other face he could vaguely call familiar at this gathering.
"Hey again," he said to Cadi a bit absently before turning his attention to Eth, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, "When do you want to head out?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 6:08 pm
(( Aina --> Lounge, Claire, Ethiriel, Gabe; Mordekai, Seabiscuit --> To the champagne table, Cadi ))
As the new year rolled in and confetti went flying, Aina squealed with delight and clung closely to Ethiriel in surprise. She glanced up at the three women near her, blushing as each of them gifted her with a little kiss - with a small nod toward Cadi's offer she gave her, Claire, and Ethiriel two kisses each, one on each cheek. "Happy New Year!"
Mordekai managed to capture a picture for the moment as the confetti began drifting down - laughing, he glanced up, then refocused on sending the image to one Anita Bishop. He smiled fondly at the phone as it processed the image, and when it sent, he kissed the cellphone screen before pocketing it again - he lugged Seabiscuit into a big hug and gave him a big kiss on the forehead, nuzzling the patient great dane with his cheek. Grinning, he leaned forward to give Ethiriel and Aina on the cheek - "Bonne année, girls!" When Claire leaned over to give him a peck on the cheek, the blond gave her a lopsided smile before returning the gesture, "Hope you don't mind one more either - happy new year!"
The pomegranate didn't seem to be aware of Ethiriel's shift in mood when she glanced toward Cesc, too busy waving toward Shep as he arrived with the champagne. When that was done, she wiggled a bit in Ethiriel's arms and glanced up, tapping her on the arm, "Ethiriel?" she began, quietly, though she was cut short with Shep's remark and a rumble of amused laughter from Mordekai.
"Shep! That the outback leakin' outta you?" Mordekai waved the brunette over while motioning to lean forward to hop off of the couch; of course, Seabiscuit was obstructing that somewhat, and he sat back with a small oof-- now that he had time to get settled, a pang of pain crept down his spine, and moving carelessly wouldn't help him. He smiled toward Cadi, arms around Seabiscuit; "Yea, les'mosey - he ain't no issue," with some effort, he managed to heave himself off of the couch, Seabiscuit in tow, and staggered forward as he took a few steps to find his balance.
"Papa, where are you goin'?" Aina asked - when Gabe approached, though, asking Eth when she wanted to leave, she tapped on Ethiriel's arm more insistently and shook her head. "Don't go!"
"We'll be back, Aina! Ah-- oh!" he leaned forward, kissing the collie on the top of his head, "Din't see you there, bud! Happy New Year. Alright -" he set the great dane on the floor next to him, and he nodded toward the champagne table - he smiled at Cadi, then raised his brows toward Gabe, unaware of what he'd asked the tea Frei. "Oke! Les'go! You wanna come with?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 6:21 pm
((Ethiriel > everyone in the lounge))
Unfortunately, the silver Frei had lost herself in looming thoughts once the initial excitement wore down, and Claire's motion had caught her in her blur. She blushed, hesitating a moment before shaking her head and giving the woman as bright a smile as she could muster, even if it didn't meet her eyes.
"Ah, pardon. I am fine, do not worry--" she started, passing a glance to Gabe as he approached. As he spoke, Ethiriel turned to face him properly, patting Claire's arm once as she returned her embrace to Aina. For a moment, her expression blanked as she thought it through, but a gentle, slightly forced smile graced her lips -- especially at Aina's input. "A bit longer, if you wouldn't mind. I would like to be with my friends just a little longer."
With that, she nuzzled Aina playfully.
"Miss Aina, little one, we must meet again outside of festivities! I have yet to spend enough time with you since taking care of you!"
The distraction in thought definitely helped the sting, even if glancing back to Cesc shoved pins through her heart.
However, catching glimpse of Mordekai giving Nedhudir some kisses, Ethiriel's smile softened and she looked on with content in her eyes. Yes, she was around people who cared, and right now, that was what was important. She needed this; this makeshift family. Even if her feelings for Cesc were overlooked -- all of her own fault -- she was at least happy to be his friend.
If he and Zurine were happy... she loved them both. She supposed, as long as they were happy... That's how she had to see it.
With Aina cuddled closely to her, Ethiriel rested her cheek on top of the little Frei's head, giving her a gentle squeeze as she exhaled. "You are my little pomegranate fairy," she mused, mostly to herself, though directed obviously at Aina; whether she would catch it or not.
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 6:46 pm
( Zurine -> Cesc )
She had been a moment from sipping her champagne -- a moment from a laughing 'happy new year', from playing it off, from smiling up at him and giving him the best wish she had for him for 2016. But that quick, light first kiss effectively forestalled her words, something so simple freezing every syllable in her throat.
The second kiss, that warm hand cradling her waist, the familiar (and so very missed) feel of his mouth on hers -- that stole the rest of Zuri's words completely. Her hand rested briefly on his chest -- just a moment, fingers threatening to curl into his sweater -- but when he pulled away, her face was flushed warmly, her eyes wide. Her heart was pounding, and she smiled, lifting her champagne glass. "Happy New Year," she said more softly and a bit more huskily than she had intended, then laughing as the spell of silence was broken by the sudden kiss at the top of her head. "Happy New Year to you too, sir!"
She sipped her champagne, and nearly poked herself in the cheek with the skewer of grapes. The bubbles rushed cheerily to her head and she thought maybe she had an excuse to be smiling giddily, champagne or not.
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 6:49 pm
(( Claire -> Ethiriel, Gabe, Aina, Shep in the lounge; Cadi -> Mordekai at the champagne table ))
"If you're sure," Claire replied, her arm retracting as Eth turned to lavish affection on Aina, not believing her for a second. Something had happened, but unfortunately, it was no business of hers; she herself had been well-adept at covering up her sadnesses, and it seemed Ethiriel was much the same. If she wanted to talk, she would do so in due course. Both women glanced behind the couch when Gabe made his appearance, and Cadi raised her hand in a brief wave, eyebrows brushing her bangs as she said, "hey," before he started in about his and Ethiriel's departure time. Claire looked mildly surprised at this new face, glancing between Ethiriel and Cadi, before her mind made the connection - was this the mysterious younger brother that had been mentioned? Replacing her hand on Ethiriel's arm, she smiled. "I don't mean to interrupt, but is this Henry's brother?" She was delighted to finally put a face to a.. well, description, rather, and this was very different from what she had gathered from the sparse information she had on him. She did not wait long to be introduced and nodded genially at Gabe, extending a slender hand over the back of the couch. "I'm Claire, nice to meet you at last. I've heard many good things about you."
Cadi scooped up her empty mug as Mordekai hefted Seabiscuit to the floor, freeing himself for their trip to the champagne glasses and pausing to smother the collie that had accompanied Ethiriel with kisses. Everyone at this party was so free with kisses, she was somewhat astonished. But as soon as he stood and gave them the go ahead, she looked over to Aina and tipped the empty mug in her direction. "I'll pay you back for your kisses when I get back, promise," she said, and with a smirk, looked to Mordekai and nodded towards the champagne table, leading the way. Along the way, she dropped the used mug into the proper place for dirtied dishes on the refreshment table, and she paused to press a hand to her cheek. The glasses were so nicely laid out here, with their skewered grapes and everything. "Jesus, fan-cy," she commented with a low whistle. "Oh well, it won't drink itself." With that, she reached forward and grabbed an empty flute, tipping one of the open bottles into her glass generously; her sleeves were slipping down over her small hands and in irritation she rolled them up to her forearms. "Say when," she said to Mordekai, proceeding to the next flute; he had accompanied her to the table, it was only right she get him set up with a glass.
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 6:57 pm
(Cesc-->to the lounge, Shep-->pouring champagne as they walk back)
"Nothin' leakin'!" said Shep with a smile, pouring a glass to Cadi and to Mordekai with very little difficulty as they went back to the table, despite everything that was in his hands. He grinned and nodded at the girl he didn't recognize as he handed her the drink, introducing himself. "Shep Ryan, good to see a new face. Y'friends with this animal?"
He nodded toward Mordekai as he handed him his. "Happy New Year or Bon Idea or whatever it is y'say. Hope it's a good one, mate!"
Cesc was still warm with the high of having kissed Zurine, but he was staunchly determined to use that energy instead of reveling in it, lest something show--his incredible, unbeatable, unignorable urge to smile, for instance. He went quickly to Vivi with a bright laugh and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her from the back, and then went over to the couch with an extra glass of champagne, spying Ethiriel without a drink.
"Eth!" he cried. "You can't have nothing to toast at midnight! And Aina! Where's my New Year kiss?"
Full of bonhomie, he approached the couch, handing Ethiriel the glass before descending first on Aina: "KISSMONSTER,' he warned, giving her and her blankets a bear-hug and then kissing her multiple times on the cheek, making devouring noises as he did so.
"Oh, no, Eth! Kissmonster's coming for you, too!" he warned, leaning forward and kissing the tea Frei gently on the mouth. "Now you're both going to have a Happy New Year, I'm sorry!"
Gentler, he repeated the sentiment to Ethiriel, earnest: "I hope your new year is really, really great, Eth."
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Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 7:31 pm
(( Gabe in the lounge w/ Ethiriel, Aina, Claire + Cesc ))
Despite the discomfort from everyone around him being raucous and openly affectionate, he approached Ethiriel as neutrally as possible -- but the smile she gave at her request wasn't like her genuine ones. Gabe frowned. "Yeah, that's fine," he said casually, glancing away briefly to see where the others were heading off to.
Claire's question to Ethiriel drew his attention back before he could think too hard about wishing he didn't have to be a designated driver tonight, but the wording caused his brows to furrow for a moment. Good things, she said. He doubted that.
"It is," Gabe answered before Ethiriel had a chance to, occupied as she was with the smaller frei anyway. He returned Claire's offer for a handshake with a short and somewhat limp one of his own; his hand retreated to its jacket pocket soon after. "Gabe. You're friends with--?" Before he could finish, another raevan bounded by -- the pink one, whose boisterousness at that moment was very reminiscent to a certain brother of his. He cleared his throat and looked to the side during the course of the stag's exuberance until there was a moment for him to speak clearly to Claire again, at which he returned his attention to her. "I guess he didn't mention my name, in all those good things," though it was said calmly there was a detectable sprinkle of salt.
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