Welcome to Gaia! ::

Xennik had been surprised by the invitation to attend a party. Parties, especially private parties, were usually thinks he politely avoided, being the kind to enjoy curling up with a good book to partying on the weekends. But the invitation had come form Kana, who, due to their busy schedules, he hadn't seen since their first date that summer. He couldn't say no to Kana, especially since he wante dto see her so badly.

Biwa, obviously, said no to accompanying the party. He'd rather be alone and sulk, as usual. Allani, however, was thrilled at the thought of a party.

"I want to be a mermaid princess!" She screamed when he explained the idea of Halloween.

Of course.

So her costume was fairly easy to throw together, seeing as she wore a less-fancied-up version of it everyday.

Xennik debated for hours what he should wear. A costume...

As well as having a hat fetish, he had a mask fetish, so he finally decided on a Phantom of the Opera costume. So he arrived at the party with his face concealed behind a pearl white half-mask, garbed in a romantic-style outfit; loose white shirt gathered at the cuffs and unbuttoned enough to show a bit of his chest (but not too much), black pants tucked into knee-high black boots, and for once no hat. His feather fell down his leg, attached to a decorative belt, his hair loose around his face.

"Wow!" Allani screeched the moment the entered the door, disappearing into the crowd of people before Xennik could stop her.

"Allani!" He sighed. She wasn't one to cause trouble, not on purpose. He really shouldn't worry about her so much...

One moment Xennik was looking around to see if he could spot the tell-tale candy-pink locks of his date, the next Kana's arms were around him in a hug that caused his cheeks to flare with a blush. Then she kissed him on the cheek, and before he could even say hello, she'd stepped back and squealed with joy. Xennik wasn't used to so much affection being heaped on him, or being cooed and squealed over.

One look at her and he nearly passed out. The top she wore was hardly larger than a bra, the straps falling off her shoulders in a teasing, tempting way, the pants hugging her hips in a seductive manner that caused Xennik to practically swoon. She looked absolutely gorgeous, her outfit causing the imagination to go wild. The biologist struggled to catch his breath, obviously twitterpated.

He managed to gather his thoughts into a somewhat presentable pattern when Jaenelle pointed out the alcohol. Being a biologist, Xennik knew all about the horrible effects of alcohol and was completely paranoid about it.

"How about I get you some water instead?" Xennik asked gently, sweetly taking the EVIL drink from her hand and holding it as casually out of her reach as he could. He was glad he was taller than she was.

Xennik flushed when she closed the distance between their bodies, leaning against him. He felt suddenly like he had a fever.

His expression was one of alarm when she noticed the lipstick on his face. He glanced over at Jaenelle with a helpless look as Kana wiped the lipstick off, mentioning the possibility of him cheating on her.

They were a couple? Was his first thought. The thought was only surprising because of the fact that he hadn't gone steady with anyone for a long time, and it especially hadn't been decided by the second date. He ought to be used to Kana's forwardness by now, all things considering, but it still took him by suprise.

Then Jaenelle abandoned him, and Xennik nearly panicked. He didn't know how to act around someone who was drunk, especially if they were hanging all over him, wearing as little as Kana was.

But once again he managed to pull himself together. "It's crowded in here," he said casually, ignoring her cheating remark. "Want to go outside?" As he spoke, he set the alcohol-contaminated cup aside and wrapped his arm around her, walking with her by his side toward the back door. THIS was EXACTLY why he avoided parties.

Xennik guided her out the door into the spacious backyard of the house, hoping that the fresh air would help...sober her. There were less people out here, and he felt himself relaxing immediately. Holding her the way he was embarrassed him, his hand touching the bare skin of her side while she leaned against him. He regretted not wearing gloves. At least then he wouldn't seem so desperate. He just really wished that she was in her right mind. Still, he didn't pull away, partly because she'd probably collapse if he did, and partly because...well, it was rather comfortable and actually quite thrilling to hold her like this. So, uncomfortable though he was, he guided her farther away from the house and other people and the lights and the noise and -most importantly- the alcohol.

"Feeling better?" He asked, finally releasing her so they coud sit on a bench he'd located in the shadowy, more private area of the yard.

Xennik let the silence last. He didn't know what to say. He'd never been in a situation like this before, sitting alone in the dark with a drunk woman that, when sober, was incredibly attractive. He didn't speak until she did, and then he felt bad. She sounded so upset. He turned towards her with one of his easy, gorgeous smiles. "That's alright, Kana. I'm not mad." Acting on pure impulse, he gently took her chin in his hand, thumb resting just below her bottom lip. "We all have our weaknesses." He said with a smile almost like a grin.

Xennik laughed softly in appreciation for what she'd just said. Something about her just made him loosen up, made all of his worrying just flit away. All he wanted to be around her was happy.

And as close to her as he could possibly get, but those were far more carnal thoughts than the happiness...he felt his cheeks growing warm with a blush. How did she constantly manage to do this to him? They had barely spent any time together, and already his mind was running wild and his heart was fluttering in his chest. He never thought he'd ever find anyone attractive after seieng them drunk, but she was still as beautiful as always, especially now that she was sobering up.

With his free hand he pulled the half-mask from his face (it was making him hot anyway), and let it fall from his fingers to the grass beside the bench. He leaned forward, giving in to a temptation just as she had with the punch. "I missed you, too." He murmurred, as he gently pushed his lips against her cheek. His kiss landed a little low, to the point where he almost kissed her on the neck. He'd never kissed anyone on the neck before. He had always thought of it as something of a violation, kind of gross and a bit lewd. But now, nothing seemed like a better idea, and nothing seemed more inviting and sexy to him. Amazed by all of the impulses he was giving in to, but thrilled and excited at the same time, he leaned closer, kind of kneeling now, keeping himself up with his hand on her knee, and buried his face in her warm neck, gently kissing the soft, sensitive skin. He actually enjoyed the naughty little thrill that shot through him.

One kiss wasn't enough. He leaned in closer to her, acting far more sensual than he could ever remember having acted before, and kissed her neck again. And again. And again, enjoying the effect he was having on her. His free hand moved to her side, gently drawing her nearer as he continued nuzzling her neck.

Then he realized what he was doing and pulled away in horror. What had he just done? "I'm sorry." He stammered, obviously embarrassed. "I got carried away." He was upset. What was wrong with him? He was being the complete opposite of a gentleman! Coming on to her that way...what had gotten into him? And she was still under the influence, for crying out loud! Was he really so starved for attention...?