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Layla gave Moa a grin and walked over to her. "Uhm, yeah, " she said, but even her voice made a disclaimer to her nervousness over the situation. She looked over at Vossler and Aiden quietly, and gulped as Vossler finally said something. It was better than she expected, at least she thought so. The young girl grinned wider and stepped towards Aiden. "We should go out! We should get something nice to wear for the parade.

"We can help each other find a nice dress, right?" Layla said. "And when Vossler gets your trunk here, I'll bring it up myself! I promise!" Her voice rose again with determination and assurance. Everything would be all right, she told herself. "I know what it's like to not have anything, Aiden, so we'll get your stuff back! I'm sure your trunk is safe somewhere."

She was drowned in her own fury and suffered all that she could in it before it was visible that her heart had sunk. Her eyes fell low to the whereabouts of her cup, which although previously couldn't be ripped from her hand, now was held in the most delicate manner, easily susceptible to a good fall and shatter. It was still full with its near-to-black content and no longer desired. The rest of her body fell back against the wall and slumped halfway down.

Not the least bit released of any frustration, vocalizing became a matter of finding the willpower, which rather was working on taming herself into composure.

Aiden listened to Vossler's reasoning and then Layla's, never finding the need to share the importance in the significance of her trunk because the fact of the matter was: it was no one else's damn business.

The moment was still, and to Aiden she was alone for a moment in trance aided by the silence that'd been provided for her. Calm and collected -she could make it happen. It's been her fault leaving the trunk for someone else anyway. And then Aiden forced a tight smile just for the sake of Layla who'd become the object of her attention and then for Moa who'd Aiden show the the ropes of a good party to. "Yea, let's make it happen. Lemmie drop this off," she said raising the mug no higher than her shoulder blades, "and we can get moving."

She started off back to her room, swallowing the coffee in gulps and finished before she'd made back.

(Goodnight.)

Sorry about disappearing during the chat...yinternet crapped out on me...its what i get for not charging my own internet before going to school...

The air was much lighter as everyone came to a truce, even though Layla could tell that Aiden's smile was just a facade. She wouldn't ruin the moment by questioning it. Instead, she grinned back, genuinely, and looked up at Vossler. "It won't be like that," she said lightly and then stepped over next to Moa. The girl took Moa's hand with her own. "We'll have fun, right? C'mon," and with that, Layla began to coax the young woman towards Aiden's room.

"Aiden?" She peeked into Aiden's room and knocked on the doorframe. She was curious, but not invasive—she knew to not walk into people's room when uninvited. Layla took a gander at Moa by her side. She remembered Moa very well, the first person to have given her a warm and affectionate greeting after a long day trekking through the snow. The first person that looked after her, even for that small moment. Layla kept her promise—she would never forget Moa's kindness.

Chance had made it quite a ways in the short time of his stroll, mostly because he wasn't hindered by people tagging along - a freedom he had not felt in days. Currently he was stopped at the corner of the busiest intersection he'd seen in the town thusfar, holding the flier for tonights party up to his face to read it over again. As he lowered the sheet, an exact correlation between the now seemingly shaudy artwork was pale in comparison to the splendor of the building he was set before. Low whistle was given as he tucked away the page once more, marveling at just how the city remained so quaint with so much extravagance dotting it.

Now for the hard part. Tongue poked at the inside of his cheek as his face settled into a somewhat comedic pondering of his next move before right hand outstretched and began to move in time with his words. "Eenie.. Meenie.. Minie.." Before the last word was uttered his eyes followed a convoy of refridgerated vehicles pulling into a side alley and he could not help but smile. "Moe." Cane settled in his next location, practically hopping in step with his cane's assistance to aid him across the bustling street and to the other side without incident.

By the time he reached the side alley his suspicions were confirmed; this was the staff entrance and was currently buzzing with activity as outsidr help brougbt catered food in through the propped open doors. Pausing momentarily at the mouth of the alley he mustered up all his confidence and daring before pushing forward into the crowd as if hr belonged there. With everyone so busy at their work they gave the man little mind, and he slipped through the kitched; picking up some loose fruit from a passing table before popping it into his mouth. The interior of the place was spectacular, even being devoid of a crowd; but he could imagine it full of wealthy influential people. Peeking through the small round window of the kitchen's swinging doors he managed to pick out just the people he had been looking for. Dressed entirely too fancy to be staff - these men and women were the spearhead of their powerful masters, making sure everything was perfect for their masters. Smirk played on his lips as he adjusted his attire slightly to make himself presentable before uttering low "Show time." These marks were the back door into their master's pockets and with so many in one place, Chance was brirmming with enthusiasm.

(Ya'll, that was an incredible night.)

Aiden was straitening up, adjusting her scarf excessively till it bundled up under her chin and soft red-orange fabric was then brushing against her cheeks. And as routine, she pulled out a cigarette which she placed behind her ear. Now, she was really anticipating the outing.


"I'm cool. Are you?" She said shot immediately, pursing her lips between each sentace gap. "It looks like you have the hots for Vossler, but hey, don't worry, I'm good about secrets." A hand went up in defense. She wasn't done talking. "'Wouldn't want to help Vossler with his stupid ego." Her tone had become bitter.

The sounds of pages being flipped and a sigh could be heard in the room. For such a large room, the sounds seemed so little. Books sat in shelves, and the shelves in columns, one after another—the Herus Manor library was famous for possessing all of Lucidus Magus's literature, down to original copies. It was Aaren's cove of treasures, and also her haven. When she went into the library and shut the door, the soldiers and paladins knew not to disturb her peace lest there was anything of greater importance she must know. At the same time, many hesitated to worry the lady of Lucidus Magus with too many problems because of her ailment. She had been weak for so long, no real sign of recovery around the corner, either.

However, she herself had been persistent in being involved in the issues of her faction. Aaren had to uphold what he father worked so hard to acheive, but also because she loved her home. Many days in the library weren't spent on reading for pleasure, but also reading for the creation of buildings and restoring the architecture of Lucidus. It was her love letter to her people, she had hoped they would see it that way. She hated being shut away for this long...

The lady sat at the long and clean table in the middle of the library with parchment spread on it surface in front of her. Her fingers ached, but the ache was somewhat welcomed—it meant she had done a good few hours of work on her latest creation. She took a break and relaxed against her chair. Her favorite chair; she had fallen asleep on it more than once, only to be woken by someone late in the day. Her sleeping spells had been coming and going, but have gotten longer. A small nap turned into a day of beauty sleep.

"...Only just early afternoon," she murmured, looking over at the window at the end of the library. It led out to a balcony and was cracked open. A breeze blew gently against her face, and she closed her eyes. Aaren opened them again soon after, though. Sleep all too easily beckoned her if she relaxed for too long, so she sat up straight in her chair.

But as she was ready to stand, she was interrupted by someone entering the library. The lady had her hands rested against the edge of the table and her gaze was at the doors, watching quietly as the stranger entered. She did not know this person, but she didn't have much time to consider the possibilities of who he was before he introduced himself and the reason for him being there, standing in her manor. Aaren only looked back still in her silence, and her brows softly furrowed with question.

"Who are you?" The lady asked. The words were not firm, yet not fearful. They were soft, unassuming, and had a hint of polite curiosity.

As much as he didn't expect her response, Aaren didn't really expect his. He seemed determined enough to offer his services, but what for? She had an army at her disposal, so what was it he could offer that her army couldn't?

But then a word peaked her attention, and she blinked before her eyes looked down at his garments as her curiosity deepened. A mage? Of course, there were magic users in Lucidus Magus, but there were none that actually called themselves mages. Even the soldiers outside of the library knew magic, but they were simply soldiers. Even she knew magic, but she had a feeling that this man before her was something a bit more... complicated in nature.

The lady was silent again, as though she was trying to study him solely by his appearance. She wasn't all-knowing, but she was wise enough to know whether someone was being honest, and when they were not. This mage seemed very honest, even blunt. Aaren wasn't used to it, having been surrounded by elders and soliders doing their best to approach her gently and indirectly with news and situations within her faction.

She looked away and over at the table and began to carefully roll up the large parchment in front of her. "...You want to offer your protection, but not your name, sir?" She said, again with a polite curiosity, though much more pronounced as she gathered subtle bits of information about the mage. "Is there a reason why?" She carefully stood up from her chair and held the rolled up parchment in one hand. Aaren walked over to a set of drawers that was placed against the side of one of the towering bookshelves and opened one of the drawers. She shuffled through the drawer, but took a brief glance at the mage, awaiting his answer.