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Ryuu glanced at the newcomers and waved leisurely at them before turning his head back to the kitchen. "Hika-chan, more guests have arrived." he informed informed his lovely Hikari, who was still whipping up goodies in the kitchen. He had been instructed to tell him when more people started arriving so he could bring out more things and greet people, since he'd probably end up being in the kitchen a lot of the time, doing what he loves.

Appearing at the doorway, Hika-chan was decked out in a red and white outfit, including frilly apron and Mrs. Claus hat, and carrying a large platter of cookies in various Christmas shapes. "Hello everyone, I'm glad you all could make it." He greeted as he strolled over to one of the center tables to put down the platter, "These are freshly baked, so please help yourselves to them." he said with a happy smile.

Having snagged a pair of cookies from the platter when Hika-chan went by, Katashi nibbled on one as he walked over to Kiyoshi and stood by him silently, offering the other cookie to the milk bishie with one hand.

Ichigo and Tsubaki gazed up at the life size gingerbread house hand in hand, mouths slightly open in awe. The invitation had arrived a few days earlier, and Ichigo had literally tackled Tsubaki to the floor in his excitement, "It's a party! A party a party!"

Now, standing in front of the shop from which he was born, the pocky boy's overflowing excitement had dwindled tremendously. Ichigo tugged at his guardian's sleeve with his free hand, "Do-do you think there's a witch in there waiting to eat us?" Indeed, the two of them felt very much like Hansel and Gretel at that moment, it definitely didn't help that Tsubaki looked more like a kid than an adult.

"Well... if there is a witch, she'd probably want to eat you first, you're much more meaty and tastier." Watching Ichigo's cute face transform in slow motion from nervous to horrified Tsubaki muffled a giggle and added, "But don't worry, it's always the older sister that saves the tastier younger brother, remember?"

Comforted, Ichigo squeezed Tsubaki's hand, determined not to let go in case the tricky witch within tries to separate them. That's right, we know you're in there! You can't trick us! I'm a manly man! Suddenly riled up with courage and confidence, Ichigo took a step forward and pushed open the door of the shop. He wondered momentarily if there was anyone he would recognize, but that thought was quickly pushed out of his brain as his eyes feasted on the shop's decor.

This was Tsubaki's first time back to the shop after Ichigo barged into her life, so her impressions of the shop were pretty fuzzy. Magical pocky really didn't help convince her that there wasn't a witch hiding somewhere within. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately for those that are more paranoid), all the sweet smells that permeated the air were more than enough to distract her and dispose of such thoughts. There was no denying that she had a bit of a sweet tooth. Her attention was only diverted when the word "prince" entered her ears.

Glancing over toward Ai who was introducing Rie to Tatsuo, she took in Ai's ornate clothes and Rie's crown. A little sigh, those three, even if any of them might be princes, were too young for her tastes and therefore not within consideration. Instead she directed her attention toward the taller men that were standing around the shop. Kiyoshi and Katashi were especially eye catching, and Ryuusei's black made him stand out from the decor. Recognizing Ryuusei as shop keeper from her fuzzy impressions of the shop and finally remembering her manners, she started to make her way over for obligatory greetings, but not before checking where Ichigo had run off to.

Ichigo, who was so determined not to let go of Tsubaki just moments earlier, had released his grasp on her hand to investigate the people and wonders around him. There were so many sights to see and sweets to taste and people to meet--his pretty little head just couldn't figure out what to do first. The good news was that this prevented him from acting like a bad mannered child with ADD. The bad news was well... perhaps there weren't any bad news. After getting the O.K. from Tsubaki (she had come back to her senses in time to remind him to behave and be polite), Ichigo started wandering about.

"...evil witch."

Ichigo's... hearing senses (since pocky boys do not have ears) singled out the phrase as he made his way around the shop. Shuffling cautiously closer toward the trio of pocky boys to find out more about this supposed witch, the mochi child's eyes grew round as he saw Rei and Tatsuo. Wings and scales! That is awesome! But...

"So there is witch in this shop?" Ichigo blurted out, after all, if there can be dragons, why can't there be witches? "ah... Sorry for interrupting, it's just that I was just thinking that this place reminds me of the candy house from Hansel and Gretel and-- oh right." Remembering his manners, Ichigo stopped rambling and straightened his posture to introduce himself properly.

"I'm Ichigo Ezaki, nice to meet you all!" He crossed one arm across his chest and bowed, imitating as best he could that one guy he saw from that one movie on television. Since it was a party, Tsubaki had dressed him smartly for the occasion, just in case. Ichigo had fussed a bit when he was put in the collared shirt, a big bow tied around his neck, but now that he was surrounded by a crowned dragon and Ai's layers of ruffles, he was inwardly appreciative that Tsubaki had insisted.

Ai gave a smile and nod, "It was fun! I hope that we can do something like that again Prince Rie." He told him in a happy and enthusiastic manner, rather enjoying himself at the moment. How could he not though? There were pretty boys all around to look at, he got to meet with his Prince again, and there were treats to be had if he could bring himself to move away from the two dragons to get himself something to eat... something that became much harder to do when the pretty boy with pink hair approached them and his eyes went wide, "Hello!" He greeted him.

The white haired boy tilted his head to one side in a curious manner before giving a thoughtful look, "A witch?" He asked of the boy who seemed to think that the shop they were in was like the one in a story. Looking around he could see where he got the idea. Ai could only hope that he was wrong about that since the witch in that story wanted to eat people! That wouldn't be a very nice way to go for people as pretty as the ones who were standing around today.

"Its nice to meet you Ichigo! My name is Ai, that is Tatsuo, and our Prince Rie." He introduced everyone happily.

Tatsuo, who was starring at Rie's hand in a curious manner, reached out to take it in his before doing as Ai had done, giving his hand a kiss. It seemed a strange sort of greeting to him but maybe it was the way one greeted a Prince? He couldn't be sure since he'd never met one of them before. This was a special sort of day, wasn't it? He gave him a smile before he shook his head as he was asked about his flavor, "Oh... no... its... umm..." He didn't know if it were the most interesting one, not really, "Swamp Water Taffy." He explained to Rie, wondering idly if that meant that he was a Swamp Dragon perhaps? It could explain his scales...

His attention went for a moment to Ichigo, giving him a smile and a wave as Ai so helpfully introduced him. He was glad to have the more talkative boy around to take care of things like that.