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Reality Fault

Realms: Burning Man Logs

Burning Man Day 11, day

Some time later, after dark and when folks have started to gather for the impromptu partying in the pavilion that night, Slate is happily stretched out over heaping piles of cushions. He's very much hoping people enjoy the tiger form as much as he and his lovers have been, and he's almost half-purring, half-rumbling as he looks around interestedly. Nearby, Soma and Rosie are curled up almost blissfully together, and Bella's off chatting with someone else for a bit. Slate hmms thoughtfully to himself, wishing to connect or communicate, but not wanting to push himself on anyone. His eyes are lazily half-closed and his long tail swishes slowly back and forth as he looks around for someone who might be willing to come sit and be with him for a bit...

Peony is sitting with Angus and Adair, chatting and laughing. The trio sits maybe a third of the way across the pavilion from Slate's little nest. All three have mugs with them, but Angus mostly seems to be sipping out of a delicately tooled silver hip flask. The female leprechaun is sprawled on her back with her hair sort of pooled on the cushion under her head. Her mug has been sitting on her chest, untouched, for the last bit.

Shateishael brightens at sight of Peony -- she usually seems willing to hug him a bit! He starts to sit up, pushing pillows aside slightly as he does so... then goes still for a moment, thinking. A few seconds later a mischievous grin crosses his lips and flicks up his whiskers -- then he settles back into his previous half-reclining position, an artlessly casual look on his face. His long tail is easily visible by Peony, however, and while he's quite still, the end of his long, white-tipped, black-striped tail seems to twitch alluringly once or twice -- just enough to catch the eye, but then stilled! -every time Peony looks in his direction. The twitch pattern is erratic... mostly still if she's looking, and if she's not, distractingly flicking at the corner of her vision.

Peony glances in Slate's direction a time or two when the twitching starts -- then more deliberately, trying to catch the big tiger-angel in the act of flicking his tail. Curiously enough, Slate doesn't appear to be watching her. One black-rimmed ear is turned back towards that part of the pavilion, and his head isn't exactly turned away from her... but he seems almost half asleep, reclining with his chin resting on his crossed front paw hands. Utterly relaxed... except for that occasional, almost accidental seeming twitch! twitch! out of the corner of her eye. It's almost like having a cat toy being dangled just out of reach...

After a few renditions of this, Peony sits up and watches Slate closely for several minutes before she puts her mug down and starts to move across the pavilion. Well, crawl, really. She's wearing something akin to the short dresses the dryads often wear, but in a red-tinged brown. Shateishael seems his usual somewhat oblivious self... just resting there, big and lazy and doing nothing at all. However, every once in a while... unexpected and startlingly eye-catching, that fluffy tailtip twitches again! Peony smirks just a little bit, makes her way close to Slate's twitching tailtip, and sits back on her heels, eyes twinkling as she waits to see if he's going to do it again.

Shateishael's yawn is elaborately casual as he shifts slightly, apparently not quite noticing the little leprechaun nearby... and a moment later, just as Peony's about to glance up at Slate to see if he's fallen asleep or not: flicktwitchtwitch!

That's it -- and Peony, who giggles in a way that indicates she might just be slightly tipsy, tries to pounce onto the tailtip. Being a leprechaun and not a cat, the pounce leaves something to be desired. Further messing with it is the fact that she gets a bit tangled in her dress.

Shateishael has been waiting patiently for just that moment -- and when Peony's tangled attempt at a pounce starts, there's a sudden eruption of movement from the huge tiger! Arching up and over his own hindquarters in a blurringly swift (and very feline!) pounce, Slate's front paw-hands scoop Peony up as he rolls -- with her tucked gently up against him -- landing on his back with her against his white-furred chest. He beams at her, his big fangs gleaming, "Caughtcha!"

Peony yelps, but there's more of laughter than alarm in it. She wriggles just enough so that no elbows or knees are poking awkwardly into Slate's feline form -- then she sprawls rather comfortably, "Would seem y'do, kitty." Her brogue is quite strong in her tipsy state.

Shateishael chuckles delightedly, both pleased with the little leprechaun's enjoyment of his prank, and gratified he could pull it off. He grins, leaning forward to snuggle her the way his tiger form tells him he should -- he runs his tongue once along the wisps of hair falling into her face, to put them back in place, then with lazy pleasure gently rubs his cheek ruffs against her face -- first one side, then the other. His big, velvety paws are careful against her tiny body -- he's a little startled at just how diminutive she is when he's this large! The little leprechaun doesn't seem fazed by Slate's size, though she does wrinkle her face up with a laugh when his raspy tongue moves over her face to groom her hair back into place. The cheek nuzzling is returned as best she can and one diminutive hand starts absently petting the heavy pelt on the transformed angel's body.

Shateishael's chest vibrates slightly with the deep, heavy grumble of his purr, and his eyes go half-closed at Peony's petting. He tilts his big head so she can reach him more easily, then rolls onto his side, careful to settle her gently next to him, tucked up against him as much as she'd like. He rumbles cheerfully, "So y'like this form? Pretty neat, ain'it? Keep wantin' t'groom folks 'r snuggle 'em 'gainst me, but think I'm bit big f' 'em still, y'know?"

Peony snuggles against Slate as if he were an enormous stuffed toy and reaches up to use both hands to scritch beneath his chin, brogue still rolling richly, "Aye, y're quite the cuddlesome beast... but I spent the night in a centaur's tent... y'r size dinnae bother me."

Shateishael's eyes glaze over as Peony scritches him under the chin -- not only does it feel wonderful, but the tiger body language he's somehow accessing is practically ecstatic at the lovely, deliciously alluring-smelling little female both letting him know she's interested in him, and making an effort to get his scent all over her! Surely no other tigers would dare come near her while she's so strongly scent marked herself to him! The less instinctual, more rational side of Slate, of course, is simply thrilled Peony's not alarmed at his size... and is blissfully enjoying her attention and cuddling her close.

Peony laughs quietly at Slate's happily glazed expression, "Y'remind me o' m' monsters at home." She squirms a bit and tucks her head beneath Slate's chin, "Though they are a bit more wee."

Shateishael mumbles contentedly, "Mmmmonsters?" as he tucks both huge, velvety paws around her where she's wriggled under his chin. He blinks at a sudden thought, then half coughs, half snickers, "Bright Lord, y'r not talkin' 'bout Adair 'n Angus, are ya?!"

Peony laughs and shakes her head, "No. I meant me cats, lad." She shakes her head and giggles at herself, repeating herself, "My cats. Ach, too much ale. I'm half out of me... my head."

Shateishael chuckles quietly, "An' whut'sa problem wi'that, mm?" He dips his head a bit to gently rub his cheek ruffs against her again, and run one large paw lightly along her back, "Mmm y' c'n invite 'em over if'n y'want... really enjoyin' y'r comp'ny right now..."

Peony snorts and rolls onto her stomach when Slate starts running a paw down her back, carefully turning her face away from him. She's not quite tipsy enough to use it as an excuse for something untoward, "Mmm... not a bad idea." She takes a bit getting her head up to look over the bulk of Slate's body and then whistles sharply toward the other leprechaun and the clurichaun, "Oy. Lads! Whyn't come 'n sit wi' us?"

Adair snorts and stands, picking up his mug and Peony's both. Angus jumps a bit, but does follow the leprechaun. He looks a bit wide-eyed still. Shateishael rolls his large head back to grin lazily over his shoulder at the two others, fangs gleaming a bit. When they come over he rumbles relaxedly to them, "Hey. Make y'selves comf't'ble." The very tip of his long tail is flipping slowly and contentedly back and forth... he looks almost blissful, with his eyes half-closed from satisfaction.

Adair meanders over and sits down near Peony's feet, leaning back and using Slate's body as a backrest. Angus sits facing his cousin and Peony, holding onto his mug with both hands and watching the tiger-shaped Celestial warily. Peony flops over onto her back and takes her mug back from Adair, "An' what's wrong wi' too much ale is I get quite flirty when I've had too much."

Adair nearly sprays his own ale out his nose at that, "Aye, 'quite flirty' is one way to put it."

Shateishael tilts his head and rumbles curiously to Peony, "Whut's wrong wi'flirtin'? Rosie says I should learn it better m'se'f, but ain't quite gotten th'hang a' it t'date." To Adair he adds, "Slate. Nice t'meetcha. D'that thong chafe t'other night?"

Adair smirks, "Nay, Warrior. Rather like how it feels t'wear." His brogue is even thicker than Peony's, but without the slight slur. He either holds his alcohol better or hasn't had as much, "But what m'cousin means by quite flirty is really rather randy." Peony snorts, but doesn't contradict him.

Shateishael nods thoughtfully to Adair, then absently and gently rubs his chin against Peony, his eyes shifting curiously between the two male leprechauns. "So... y'all 're cousins?" He looks back at Angus, "Whut happened t'ya, then? Y' a night 'r unnergroun' version a' leprechauns 'r sumpin'?" He grins ruefully, adding, "Sorry t'scare ya t'other night, guy. Wuz bit twitchy, 'm 'fraid."

Peony shifts around again, carefully putting her back against Slate's body and facing away from him again. She's still nestled quite close against him, however. Adair grins at her and lets Angus talk, sipping his drink. The clurichaun nods, voice soft and whispery, "Aye, a night version... naturally nocturnal, me." He sways a bit where he sits and grins.

Shateishael tilts his head, sniffing curiously at Angus. Is he swaying because he's drunk, or is there something wrong with him? The clurichaun seems to be beyond tipsy. Shateishael looks a bit surprised at the scent, then leans his head over towards Angus and sniffs again, double checking. He snorts slightly, shaking his head and wrinkling his nose as he gets a snootfull of a simply breathtaking level of inebriation! He looks both amused and bemused, and sounds a bit puzzled, "Holy cow, guy... how c'n ya be that drunk 'n still sit upright?! 'R... did someone spill a drink on ya?" He leans his head enough to casually rub one cheek ruff against Adair as he's still curiously watching Angus. Adair laughs at the nuzzling, patting Slate's hip much the same way one might almost-roughly pat a large dog.

Peony also laughs, one hand stroking Slate's arm/foreleg and running her fingers through the slightly shorter coat there, "Clurichauns are famous for their love o' the drink. Got 'n uncanny sense o' when somethin's alcoholic n' can hold the liquor better'n any other bein'."

Angus laughs and raises his mug to Peony, "Aye. I've outdrunk centaurs and giants in me time."

Shateishael chuckles, "Ah. Whutta skill t'have, eh?" He grins... then tilts his head to look down at Peony again, curiously rumbling, "This like gold f'y'all?"

Peony giggles and tries to take another sip of her ale. It takes a couple of tries and then she carefully puts the mug down, "Mmm... hard for a clurichaun t'resist the drink, aye." She's sounding almost dreamy.

Shateishael sniffs Peony's drink, curiously wondering if they're drinking something stronger than Bacchus's ale. He rumbles relaxedly, "Nuthin' wrong wi'drinkin' much as y'want, 'long's y'gotta frien' t'cover y'back when y'fall over." Peony's drink seems simply to be the ale. However, the air does smell sharper, like one of the three of them has been into something quite a bit stronger.

Peony grins at Slate's comment and wriggles a bit again, fitting her back against his chest and stomach, "Mmm. Aye."

Shateishael neatly tucks his free paw around Peony, rumbling contentedly as he rubs his chin gently against her again, "Mmm... so's Adair's twin th'one makin' sure y'all get t'y'r tents 'kay t'night?" He leans towards Adair and sniffs thoughtfully again... is it the male leprechaun, perhaps, who's got the stronger drink tonight, then? Adair's drink isn't the stronger one. Must be Angus.

Peony is still sounding dreamy, "I'm s'posed to meet up wi' Ajax after 'is patrol. I'll stay wi' him again."

Angus laughs and takes a big swig of his drink, "Aye. Afton'll make sure we're tucked away safe."

Shateishael grins, rumbling curiously to Angus, "Whut on earth y'drinkin', guy? Weirdest scent I've smelled f'a whiles." He blinks down at Peony, wondering if she's going to stay awake that long... then nods to Angus again, "'Kay. When's Ajax off p'trol, 'n where's Afton? 'M thinkin' y'all might wanna hang 'roun' till they both turn up, yeah?"

Peony wriggles a little bit and smiles, "Not that far gone yet, pusspuss. Ajax will be off patrol in a couple of hours." Adair chimes in, "An' me dear Afton'll be around sometime or another. I b'lieve he's making 'is rounds of the drummers in the human City."

Angus smiles and offers the mug to Slate, "Truth is, I'm not sure. Dwarf stuff. Whisky o' some sort, I'm sure..." The smile is almost shy, a little nervous.

Shateishael chuckles quietly at Peony's comment, then nods to Adair, "Ah. Enjoys drummin', 'r lookin' f'Lilith?" He curiously accepts the mug from Angus, sniffing warily at it... then turns his head quickly aside and half-coughs, half-sneezes! "Holy cow again, guy! Where'd ya git this from?!" He grins in amused amazement at the clurichaun, then curiously asks, "Y'all celebratin' sumpin', that'cher drinkin' s'much already t'night?"

Peony laughs and continues petting Slate's foreleg... arm... whatever that limb is, concentrating on it fairly closely, "Adair's gonna be a papa."

Adair smirks, "Or Afton is... dunnae matter. What's 'is is mine. What's mine is 'is."

Shateishael blinks, his head going up to stare interestedly at the leprechaun, "Y'are? Hey, congratulations, guy! Who's th'lucky lady?" He grins, leaning over to rub his cheek ruff against Adair again, "That's great! This happen 'cause a' th'glamour t'other night?" He cheerfully raises the mug to them, "T' th' cute li'l babies -- 'n t'their c'mmunities that care for 'em!" He takes a cautious sip of the drink... then winces, his ears flattening as he swallows. Yup, just about what he'd expected -- moonshine!

Adair laughs and ruffles Slate's ears, "Aye, 's likely. Though 's not the only time we've been with the lass."

Angus throws his head back and laughs as Slate reacts to the moonshine -- or whatever it is. He takes the mug back and takes a swig himself, "Hear, hear!"

Shateishael's nose is still wrinkled up from the drink -- his sinuses feel like he just breathed gasoline! He hastily licks his chops several times, then dips his head down and rumbles amusedly to Peony, "Hey, c'n I have a drink a' y'r ale t'get th'taste a' moonshine outta m'mouth?"

Peony crinkles her forehead as she thinks, pushing her fingers through Slate's pelt, "Been quite a while since there've been any leprechaun crossbreeds, too... wonder if gender'll play into it? I mean, there's both sexes of us... so would a girl necessarily be a dryad, or might a girl turn out to be a leprechaun?" She absently hands the mug toward Slate as she muses.

Shateishael has a hasty gulp, then whews. Amusedly he thinks, [Thank goodness they're not Japanese, or I'd have just kissed her metaphorically!] He hands the mug back to Peony, making a mental note to get one of his own at some point, then rumbles curiously, "Y'all don' breed true t' one 'r t'other a' th' parents? Huh... guess I jus' sorta 'ssumed y'all did." He glances around, reminded of the dragon ladies by his passing thought about Japanese culture. He hopes they turn up tonight -- he'd love to see if they like his tiger form or not! Considering the animal symbols for east, south, and west are respectively the dragon, the phoenix, and the tiger, he'd think they might like it... even if he's not a traditional white tiger. He curiously wonders why both dragon ladies are female... wasn't the dragon traditionally male, and dragon and phoenix together symbolized both emperor and empress, as well as wedded bliss?

Peony squirms around until she's face-up again, grinning, "On the types that are gender-linked, aye. No girl satyrs. No boy dryads. And we breed true to a parent, but it's not always gender linked. If a dwarf bred with a sidhe, the child would be pure one or t'other. Th'only half-breeds I've ever seen are wi' humans."

Shateishael blinks down at Peony's comment, thinking -- then grins, noticing she's facing him again, and dips his head to lightly nuzzle her stomach, rumbling, "So's Ayra th' mom-t'be?" As Slate is looking down at Peony, Ayra and Bacchus enter together, laughing. Ayra looks as if she could burst from joy and Bacchus is every inch the proud grandpapa-to-be. At their entrance, Adair almost floats to his feet and moves toward them.

Peony's eyes go half-closed as Slate nuzzles her belly, wriggling because there's just no way she could not wriggle. [Oh dear, should stop drinking now or I'll make an ass of myself before Ajax arrives...] "Mmm... aye, Ayra's th' mom. Seems to take after her papa." Peony does take the opportunity of being nuzzled to scritch around Slate's ears, smiling dreamily.

Shateishael laughs, raising his head to watch the new family-to-be, "Guess that answers that question, eh?" He tilts his head, watching them with pleasure. Not only does he love seeing happiness in the clan, but seeing the clan growing is a wonderful sign of health to him!

Angus snorts slightly at Peony's comment, "Not too much, or she'd have already had a sprout 'r two..."

Shateishael chuckles at Angus, "Ah, be nice. Don' she 'n th'guys look happy?"

Angus laughs and sways just a little where he sits, "Nothing bad meant by't."

Shateishael smiles, still watching the little family-to-be... then he gets a curious look and glances back at Angus, "Hey... d'th' really older ones from th' other pantheons ever breed still? Like... Bast, 'r... anyone from th' Chinese pantheons?" Adair is being enveloped in a crushing hug by Bacchus, who thumps him on the back enthusiastically. Ayra is laughing a bit at the leprechaun's expression. Shateishael smiles a touch wistfully, watching them... then firmly reminds himself he gets to play with and be responsible for every child here -- not just one! He grins with quiet happiness then, remembering Jenny's group of "little ones," with their curious rubies in their foreheads. They'll be by later tonight, and he'll get to play with all of them!

Angus watches his cousin get greeted by the satyr and his daughter, then turns back to Slate, blinking owlishly, "None of 'em have had little ones for a long, long time... Bast last had a kit before the Purge. Lost 'im then."

Shateishael winces slightly at that, then just nods quietly to Angus, "Poor Lady. Guess at some point th'age changes 'em 'r sumpin' then." He adds amusedly, "If'n y'wanna lean 'gainst sumpin' 'fore y'fall over, Angus, c'n lean 'gainst me." He chuckles... then rests his head on one foreleg/arm, rumbling hopefully to Peony, "'N if'n y'bored 'r anythin', I don' mind any scritchies y'might wanna share?" He grins at her, his bright blue eyes twinkling.

Peony shrugs, stretching luxuriously and reaching up to scritch beneath Slate's chin again, "None of us are a very fertile lot, pusspuss. Bacchus has several kids, but he's unusually fertile..."

Angus wriggles around until he's leaning against Slate's thighs, "Aye. Seems like one every two or three hundred years with the ol' man."

Shateishael rumbles contentedly, turning his head sideways so it's easier for Peony to reach him... she ends up with his huge head almost in her lap, unless she shifts! He mumbles contentedly, "Mmm... wunner whut he does diff'rent then..." He absently shifts to make sure Angus is comfortable, then relaxes again. His tailtip is swaying slowly back and forth, and the deep purr rumbling in his chest can almost be felt through the ground as well as through him.

Angus's voice is half-muffled by his mug, "Ruts a lot. Really a lot. I think he's slept with most of the court that he's not related to."

Shateishael snorts amusedly at that, his eyes half closed. "Mmhmmm... mus' really treat folks nice t'be able t'do so, then..."

Peony pokes Angus with one bare foot, "An' what's the shame in tha'? He dinnae force himself or even act pushy. He's a lovely person an' considerate."

Shateishael blinks a bit lazily at Peony, from where his head's slowly sliding into her lap, "He din' say wuz bad, ma'am?"

Peony watches Slate's head in its descent toward her lap, and she shifts. There's a quick spike in the scent of arousal, but she seems to work at pulling herself together, "True... he didn't."

Shateishael grins, his eyes drifting back to half-closed as she scritches his chin. He certainly won't object if she scritches anywhere else around his head either, considering his current shape! He makes a (somewhat distracted) mental note to himself to watch out for the possible entry of Bast or the dragon ladies... then continues his blissfully contented rumbling at the lovely sensations Peony's nimble little fingers are giving him. He half-mumbles, "Y'din' mean nuthin' bad by that neither, right, Angus?"

Angus snorts and laughs, "Bad? I'm envious."

Shateishael nods slightly, rumbling to Peony, "There, see?" One eye opens enough to glance at Angus, and Slate grins, "C'd allus ask 'im f'pointers, s'pose?"

"And just what are you envious of, Angus?" The voice is half-amused and very familiar. Bacchus and Ayra, along with Adair, have made their way over to Slate, "What happened to the centaur form, Slate?"

Shateishael glances up at Bacchus, carefully not moving from Peony's pettings, and rumbles, "Soma wuz bein' nice... tough t'make love inna bed in 'at form, y'know?" He grins, adding, "Y'got any pointers, Bacchus, f'folks who're wantin' t'have sex wi' more folks?" He waves his free hand-paw, adding relaxedly, "Have a seat, y'all... gonna getta crick in m'neck lookin' atch'all this way!"

Bacchus arches both brows and Angus turns slowly scarlet and hunches his shoulders up. The satyr settles in facing Slate, while Ayra and Adair settle against Slate's stomach and legs, "Mmm... ask. Ask nicely, be polite, be honest. Never ask someone unless you truly want to be with them."

Shateishael sniffs slightly... then at the sudden changes in scent he raises his head, "Aw, crap. Did I say sumpin' rude 'gain?" His ears droop as he rumbles, "Sorry, Angus... 'm not real good at, uh... romantic subtlety 'n stuff?"

Angus laughs a bit and shrugs, "Nah, nah." Peony chuckles and pats Slate's ears, scritching around them, "He gets embarrassed easily anyway."

Shateishael looks relieved, "Ah, 'kay then." His tone is rueful, "Never sure if'n I messed up 'r not, whut wi'all th'taboos folks got now'days." He considers a moment, then adds to the satyr, "Seems like good advice t'me, Bacchus. If'n I ever don' get asked first, I'll keep it in mind." He grins, leaning over to gently rub his cheek ruffs against Ayra also, "'N congrats, Miz Ayra!"

Ayra smiles and kisses Slate warmly on the cheek, ruffling around his ears. She looks like she's smiling hard enough to make her cheeks ache, eyes twinkling, "You mean you've never, ever propositioned someone, Slate?"

Shateishael chuckles quietly, tilting his head slightly so it's easier for her to rub his ears, and feeling wonderfully warm inside at her obvious joy. He rumbles relaxedly, "No'm, never have. Not sumpin' I much thought 'bout at first, 'n been tole I don' notice it when nice ladies 're bein' discreet 'bout bein' innerested... 'n later foun' out th'hard way mos' women now'days get spooked if'n someone large is warm 'n huggy wi' 'em, 'cause they seem like they need it." He adds ruefully, "Din' allus know t'keep m'mouth shut neither... been slapped coupla times f'tellin' th'truth." He considers a moment, then adds, "Um... y'mean th'firs' time, right, Miz Ayra?"

Peony snorts through her nose, "'S because women nowadays've been treated like property and had it drilled into their minds that large affectionate males probably mean to rape them... and then they get tol' they're helpless!"

Ayra smiles at Peony's small rant, then answers Slate, "Yes, I mean the first time."

Shateishael blinks at Peony, then rumbles, "Uhm... that th'reason why? Never asked." He settles his big head on his foreleg again, hoping Peony will scritch his head a bit more. He really enjoys that, although he's not entirely sure why her scent keeps having arousal spikes. He ponders silently... it can't be him, because she's calling him 'pusspuss,' and that's what you'd call a pet, not a lover. So... ah! She must be thinking about Ajax at those times! He's faintly proud of himself for figuring out some social subtleties... he'll have to remember to mention this to Rosie and Bella, so they know he's making at least some progress!

Peony leans her head so that it's resting against Slate's, using both her hands to scritch his ears, "'S a theory, anyway. Think women oughta learn they can mos'ly take care of themselves." She wriggles a bit until she's actually facing Slate and nestles herself against him, chest to chest -- or, well, entire-abdomen-to-chest.

Shateishael shifts enough so Peony can be comfortable, a contented rumble echoing through his chest as she leans against him. Relaxedly he grumbles, "Whutsis mos'ly thin' 'bout, Miz Peony?"

Peony's voice is a little muffled and her hands are buried nearly wrist-deep in the fur on Slate's chest, "Mmm... I mean I don' think I could out-wrestle you, so you'd have an advantage." There is a slight spike in her scent again, "But it could be evened out somehow."

Shateishael sounds puzzled, "You need t'wrestle me f'some reason, Miz Peony? Wun't it be easier t'jus' ask f'whutcha wanted?"

Ayra smiles and pats Slate's side, laughing quietly, "I must admit, I'm having a difficult time imagining Rosenstern making the first move." As she speaks, Adair has moved around, putting his head on her thigh.

Shateishael flicks a black-rimmed ear back towards Ayra, and grins, "Think it took 'im 'bout a decade, ma'am."

Peony snorts, and Bacchus laughs. After a moment Peony restates herself, "I meant if, for some strange reason, you attacked me, I'd be at a disadvantage. Or if you tried to overpower me. I already know to speak plainly."

Shateishael blinks, actually raising his head to look down at Peony, rumbling in shocked tones, "Why on earth 'r heaven w'd I 'ttack you, Miz Peony?!"

Peony tips her head way back so she can look at Slate from her vantage point, "Using it as an example, Slate. Some... and I say some because I wouldn't want to tussle with a female centaur if there were any left... women are at a physical disadvantage against a male. But they let that translate to weakness when it doesn't have to."

Shateishael snorts amusedly, laying his head back down on his foreleg, "Soun's like bullshite t'me. Alla th'women I knew were quite capable a'yellin' f'help if necessary... 'n no man in 'is right mind wan'ed t'face a passel a' riled-up female relatives." He grins, "'N I seen th'Norse 'n th'Comanche women d'fend 'mselves quite briskly wi' thin's like metal pans 'r wooden shovels. Gotta be stupid t'wanna piss offa nice lady anyways."

Peony pats Slate's chest and buries her face into his neck ruff. She's got nearly her whole petite self curled close against him, "Aye! See! Stupid women, givin' up their own power like tha'..." She pauses a bit, then adds, "Not that givin' someone power over you is always bad."

Shateishael's tail flicks in sudden interest as a thought distracts him from commenting further on the inadvisability of antagonizing hearthfolk, "Wait... did you jus' say there wern't n'more female centaurs?"

Peony nods against Slate's chest. Ayra looks slightly sad, "Aye, she did. Or at least none we know of."

Shateishael rumbles thoughtfully, "But... from whutch'all 're sayin', centaurs'd breed true, yeah?"

Peony squirms and nods again. Bacchus nods, "Mmm, aye. To one parent or another. If Ajax or Karl... or, heavens help us, Laertes were to breed with someone, it would either be a centaur or purely of the mother's race."

Shateishael says, "Who's Laertes? 'N why d'ya need heaven t'help ya?" He relaxedly wraps a paw around Peony where she's curled up, half immersed in his fur. She seems to need reassuring... the plight of modern hearthfolk must really bother her. He gently rubs his chin against her, purring calmly to her.

Peony has started running her fingers through the cream colored fur over Slate's chest and stomach. The chin-rubbing and purring seems to make her relax, but she's also still smelling quite enticing. Bacchus smirks tiredly, "Laertes is sworn to Bran."

Shateishael says, "Oh." He ponders that a touch confusedly, "But... huh. So folks choose th'court they wanna be 'ssociated wi', 'n that's that? Surely he wun't try t'harm a chile, though?"

Adair shakes his head and wraps a hand around Ayra's ankle as the dryad speaks, "Harm a child? Likely not. Get a child by less-than-savory means, aye. Be someone you wouldn't want raising a child? Definitely." Angus compresses his lips and then takes several large gulps from his mug.

Shateishael looks blank for a while, distracted by Peony's scent. He absently grooms her a bit as he wonders what bad smells have to do with... "Oh... y'r sayin' he might force hisse'f on someone? 'N then steal th'chile? But... why wouldn't th'lady jus' go t'her fam'ly?" Then he adds bemusedly, "Wun't it be damn stupid t'harm hearthfolk? Who's gonna care f'him ifn' he don' pr'tect his hearthfolk in return?"

Bacchus nods, looking less-than-happy for a moment, "Not all of us have family left, Slate. Some of Bran's people don't even really have friends. I don't know that he'd actually...." it takes him a moment to say the next work -- and even then he winces as he says it, as if it's the worst obscenity he could think of, "...rape someone, but he might use trickery or blackmail or exploit a binding somehow."

Shateishael wrinkles his nose in revulsion, "Tha's jus'... jus' wrong, though! Why don' th'family-less ones band t'gether, 'r fin' a nice warrior t'make theirs?" He ponders a moment, then adds a bit wistfully, "'R 'm I jus' bein' dumb here?"

Ayra smiles softly and strokes Slate, "No, you're not being dumb, Warrior. They are."

Peony shifts and moves up until she can rest her upturned nose against Slate's relatively enormous nose pad, voice solemn if still slightly tipsy, "Naive you may be, but it is in the most wonderful way."

Shateishael sighs -- a long, grumbling exhalation -- then nuzzles Peony gently as he murmurs to Ayra, "Anybody ever tried tellin' 'em they don' hafta live in fear?" Then he grins, lazily flicking his tongue up to slurp Peony's chin as well. Peony can't help but giggle, despite the serious subject -- then she catches herself and wriggles back down to bury herself in Slate's chestfur again.

Ayra takes a deep breath, "Some of them trusted the wrong person first. Some of them refuse to trust anyone. Some are simply broken."

Shateishael grins down at Peony, neatly tucking her back up against himself, then glances at Ayra, "'Kay, I c'n unnerstan' that -- heaven's all 'bout second chances, but lotta demons cain't bring 'emselves t'trust. So... who's th'wrong person, 'n there any ways I c'n he'p 'em? He'p th'ones 'at need it, not th'wrong person t'trust, I mean?"

Bacchus smiles, "I dearly hope so, Friend."

Shateishael tilts his head thoughtfully at Bacchus, then rumbles, "There's more t'this diplomat thingie than jus' talkin' 'bout Tethers, ain't there?"

Ayra smiles quietly, "There are a lot of wrong people to trust. I wouldn't trust Gaelach as far as I can throw Idaho and I'd trust Laertes less than that, but he can be a charming bugger if you don't know him."

Bacchus smiles crookedly, "Only if you wish it, Slate. The only thing we ask is what Soma brought to you in the beginning."

Shateishael nods to Ayra, then grins, "Well, y'ever getta chance t'toss Gaelach 'roun', Miz Ayra, 'n y'don' min' someone lendin' a hand... feel free t'gimme a shout!" Peony giggles against Slate's chest. Her hands have gotten so that they're holding onto his fur rather than moving through it. Shateishael tilts his head amusedly at Bacchus, his whiskers flicking in amusement, "Oh, yeah, like I'm gonna be able t'jus' stan' by 'n watch shite like that happ'nin'... might as well try t'figger out 'head a' time who's real 'n who ain't, y'know?" He blinks lazily at Peony's giggle, then grins uncomprehendingly at her as he gently nuzzles her a bit more, "Y' 'kay there, ma'am?"

Bacchus smirks, "I believe you'd have to get in line, Slate." Angus hehs and raises his mug, "Aye. Even behind me." He tips back the mug and drains it, then starts to get to his feet, "I b'lieve I need another drink..."

Shateishael chuckles, then brightens, his ears perking up at Angus, "Hey! C'd I trouble ya f'mug f'me too, please?"

Angus stands surprisingly steadily and nods, "Aye. Of itself or of ale?"

Peony tips her head way back again and looks at Slate, "Just imaginin' you pitching Gaelach around."

Shateishael's tail flicks in lazy pleasure -- something useful he might be able to do at the Winter Court! He's quite elated at the thought... then he grins down at Peony, lightly touching his nose to hers again, "Thinkin' we'd need t'sell tickets if'n that happened, eh?" He chuckles, then turns to grin at Angus, "Ain't hadda mug a'that fine ale yet t'night. Wud'n' min' one now, if'n y'don' mind?"

Angus nods and grins broadly at Slate, "Be m'pleasure." He starts meandering toward another part of the pavilion. Peony blinks lazily and smiles, then takes a deep breath and wriggles around until she's got her back against Slate's chest again.

Bacchus smiles quietly and reaches over, stroking his daughter's hair fondly, "We actually came in because we were going to visit my Zareh. My little fruit blossom wants to tell her mam about the good news."

Shateishael rumbles, "Thanks, Angus," then neatly tucks one large, velvety paw around Peony again, accommodating her comfortably. He's idly curious as to why she's so jumpy tonight, but not unduly worried about it. He nods to Bacchus, smiling, "Bet she'll be thrilled too." He leans to rub his head amiably against both Bacchus and Ayra, then rumbles, "Give her our congrats too, please?"

Bacchus nods and climbs to his feet, then offers his hand to Ayra, who first leans over to kiss Adair's forehead before taking the help. She smiles at Slate, "We will. It's her first grandchild. She's going to be thrilled." The satyr and the dryad move off toward Soma to ask him to activate the Tether.

Shateishael chuckles quietly, beaming and his tail flicking happily back and forth as he watches them... he turns to Adair and curiously rumbles, "Ain'tcha goin' too?"

After a moment Adair also rises, taking his mug with him, "I'm off t'find what's keepin' Afton."

Shateishael tilts his head thoughtfully... then ah!s silently to himself. Both of them were with Ayra, so it makes sense both of them would want to go meet Zareh. He rumbles a cheerful, "Later, guy!" to Adair, then tucks both front paws around Peony where she's cuddled up against his chest. He looks around thoughtfully, wondering who else is around... he's still waiting for the ruby-foreheaded children to turn up for their tiger rides, and he'd love to see Bast or the dragon ladies, to see if they'd like a hug from this form also!

Peony's breathing is slow and measured, more as if she's concentrating on it than if she's completely relaxed. She's petting the back of one of the paws Slate has wrapped so cozily around her. One thing she hasn't done in all her wriggling is make a move to try and get away. As Slate's looking around, he catches sight of the flick of a graceful gray tail amid a small knot of Ethereals just inside the door. Anubis the djinn and two of the sidhe are standing there. Bast isn't quite visible, but her scent is definitely there.

Shateishael absently and affectionately nuzzles the top of Peony's head, then glances over that way, ears pricked up in interest and smiling, his tailtip swinging back and forth. He hasn't noticed yet, but a pillow has fallen over his tail from when others were leaning against him... and his tailtip is half hidden, flicking enticingly half out of sight. He figures they're talking... Bast will likely wander by later, and he can speak to her then. He leans his head down to settle it next to Peony and rumbles to her, "Y'doin' 'kay, pretty lady? When's Ajax off duty?"

Peony giggles dreamily, "I'm good. Behaving. Ajax should be off duty soon."

Shateishael nods, giving her a gently reassuring nuzzle, "'Kay. Y'c'n stay if'n y'wan' till he gets here, 'kay?" He hopes she doesn't leave... she seems so dreamy over Ajax, as well as somewhat tipsy, that he's a bit worried about her. His tailtip flicks again as he considers (with some concern) how he might make sure she stays safe if she insists on moving, and the pillow rustles a bit where it rests on Slate's tail.

As he's caught up considering keeping the tipsy (and apparently aroused even though she's been careful to keep her body language fairly neutral) leprechaun from wandering off and getting herself into trouble, there's a very quiet rustling of cloth and a delicately-clawed paw comes to rest on the tip of his half-hidden tail. A purring, amused voice says, "If I were more of a kitten this would be in my mouth, Warrior."

Shateishael's entire body jerks in startled reflex, his head going straight up with a shocked, "Grargh?!" He catches himself before doing anything drastic, though, coming to a frozen, spraddle-legged stance with one clawed paw-hand whipping out for whatever startled him. Bright, wide steel blue eyes stare at Bast for a split second -- then he draws a deep breath, his heart slowing down as he forces his ears forward again and closes his mouth, hiding the bared teeth. He swallows, settling back and rumbles a bit breathlessly, "Evenin', Lady Bast... 'xcitin' t'see y' 'gain too!" He carefully flicks his tail under him, giving her a half-exasperated, half-amused glance, "Care t'have a seat, ma'am?"

Bast is sitting behind Slate. Actually, lounging is more akin to what her body is doing, half-reclining on her side. One of her ears flicks forward and back in amusement, "And so ferocious, too..."

Shateishael snorts amusedly, still a bit exasperated with himself as he rumbles, "More like so not watchin' 'is back, ma'am." He sheepishly adds to Peony, "Sorry 'bout that," then tucks a paw around her again.

Peony blinks up at Slate and giggles from where she'd rolled when he sprang up. Her heart is beating so hard that Slate's acute hearing can detect its racing, and there's a tinge of adrenalin in her scent, "That was unexpected."

Shateishael nods amusedly, his tone sheepish, "Uh, yeah." He adds (equally amusedly) to Bast, "Nex' time y'wan' m'tailtip in y'r mouth, Lady, feel free t'let me know first, please?" He can feel his own heart settling a bit still, so he's not surprised poor tumbled Peony is a bit riled up also... and he utterly misses the potential innuendo in his comment.

Both the leprechaun and the goddess break into laughter at Slate's comment. Peony wriggles herself back into Slate's arms. As he settles back down Bast practically pours herself over his hip so that she can lean against his belly, gently kneading along his side with one hand, "I'll keep that in mind," she murmurs, feline eyes flashing.

Shateishael blinks, looking a bit puzzled even as he smiles at both women, "Um... 'kay." He tucks the other foreleg/arm around Peony's side as well, then blinks again in startlement! A moment later he draws a long, slow breath at the astonishingly pleasurable feeling of someone rubbing against his belly like that... then he rumbles in obvious bliss, "Dayum... 'at feels... real, real nice, Lady!" He remembers his manners, and leans to rub his head companionably against hers, "Thank you!" He feels wonderfully tingly... he wonders what the tiger form is trying to tell him about what Bast is doing. It must be another nice 'signal' form of touching... but whatever it is, if she keeps it up he may just roll over on his back and purr in a puddle of bliss!

Bast rubs her cheekruffs against Slate in return and purrs quite loudly, eyes closing down to contented slits as she breathes in the scent of him. She nestles in against him, seeming quite comfortable with the angel in this feline form. Her delicate claws drag gently over his ribs for a moment before she resumes the lazy kneading. Shateishael grunts slightly at her running her claws across his ribs, then sighs gustily again, his eyes going almost deliriously half-closed at her kneading. He wavers a moment... then flops slowly sideways next to Bast, a deep, almost thunderous purr rumbling up from his chest. His front paw-hands are still wrapped around Peony, reflexively tucking her neatly up against his chest, although if she struggles he'll release at once.

Peony squeaks slightly as she's rolled over atop Slate and wriggles around until she's sprawled belly-up atop him, wrapping her arms over his paws. It takes her a little squirming to get into a position that's comfortable without looking lewd. Bast laughs and kneads very gently at Slate's exposed belly, half draping herself over his hip.

The sensations are intensely delicious for Slate, such that he's struggling to not let his tongue hang out of his mouth! He shifts his big paw-hands however Peony wants, half out of his head at the sensations he's getting. He draws in another slow, deep breath, inhaling lovely scents as well, and continues to rumble blissfully -- as far as he's currently concerned, Bast can do whatever she'd like as long as she keeps kneading through his tummy fur like that! The scents are definitely interesting, both from Peony and from Bast -- and breathing in as deeply as he is, he catches fleeting snatches of Bella's and Rosie's scents as well. In fact, the pavilion is a wonderful melange of scents.

Shateishael mmms contentedly, letting his senses drift in a mild ecstasy... Peony's heartbeat and slightly fast breathing, Bast's soft fur against his hip and side as she purrs quietly, the scent of pleasure and arousal and happiness -- all the lovely, sensuous tapestry of a happy, healthy community weaving itself around him, wrapping him in pleasure and belongingness like warm velvet... for a bit, although he's not even aware of it, he goes utterly non-verbal in instinctual euphoria.

In the midst of Slate's reverie there is a cascade of joyfully squealing voices as the little ones come spilling into the tent. Within moments Slate and his two cuddlesome companions are inundated with a flood of small beings. In this form Slate actually detects a scent about them that is distinctly reptilian. He rrrs relaxedly, raising his head to sniff curiously at the younglings, then lazily rub his big head against them. Coming back to rationality is an equally pleasant experience, oddly enough, as his emotions slide smoothly from curiosity to recognition to affectionate protectiveness -- to remembering he'd promised them tiger rides! He grins, rolling back upright with Peony in one arm, and a youngling in the other, careful not to jostle Bast unduly. "Hey there, y'all! Been waitin' f'ya! Where's Miz Jenny?"

Jenny is standing near the entrance of the pavilion, smiling indulgently as her young charges swarm over Slate. Bast laughs and scoops two of the little ones into her lap, nuzzling their gem-adorned heads. Peony giggles and reaches over to tickle the belly of the one Slate is holding. One of the other little ones tugs on Slate's tail, eyes wide as she lisps, "Riding now, big kitty-man?" Her R's aren't quite formed, sounding closer to W's.

Shateishael grins and nods politely to Jenny, rumbling, "Ev'nin', ma'am," then cheerfully adds to the children, "Yep! 'Kay, who's first?" He's quite aware that'll evoke a small storm of excitement, which should give him time to politely disengage from the ladies. He nuzzles the one he's holding, grinning... children always make him feel amazingly useful and protective!

Bast carefully lets the two wriggling children down and stands, brushing herself off. She's actually wearing nothing but her own pelt and the gold torc, "I believe I shall mingle and allow you to be a mount, Slate. Thank you for the chance to be with another feline for a moment."

Shateishael grins over at Bast, rumbling with sincere cheerfulness, "Any time, Lady Bast! Well, when I'm in this form, least'ways." Bast flicks her tail in amusement and disappears into the sparse crowd.

Shateishael sets Peony down carefully, then scoops up another child, setting them on his shoulders, "'Kay, y'all ready? Hol' on tight now!" He grins at Peony, adding, "Y'r welcome t'a ride too if'n y' wan', Miz Peony... though if'n y'don' mind waitin' t'after th'kids're done, that'd be nice?"

Peony covers her amused grin with one hand and inclines her head, "I'll sit here and watch you with them if you don't mind, Slate. Not that I'm above kitty-rides."

Shateishael beams cheerfully at her, "'Kay! That'd be fun, if'n y'want. See ya inna bit!" He scoops up a few more kids, apparently utterly unfazed at being practically draped in children, and spends the next hour or so absolutely delighting them with his play. They get rides, bounced carefully around, tucks and tumbles for the more daring ones, cheerful growly songs shared with them, gentle teasings and pouncings... when it comes to kids, Slate is completely unworried about the apparent importance of dignity! Peony watches Slate with the little ones, smiling to herself. Bella eventually joins her.

While Slate is busy romping with and delighting the little ones, there is the ecstatic chord of the Tether activating very briefly. The Symphony sings with it in the same way, but the flash of light is less bright, as if Soma was trying to keep it from disturbing the people gathered in the pavilion. Later, a few of the little ones start yawning and looking droopy-eyed as well, and Jenny moves in to start collecting them. "They've had a very long day... one of the humans has a ball-pit in their camp."

Shateishael laughs quietly as he aids Jenny in gently shooing the children off to bed. He gets and receives several hugs and slightly sticky kisses, and promises to give them more rides next time he's a tiger here. He waves cheerfully as they leave... then turns, still beaming, to see if Peony's where he left her. At sight of Bella there too, his ears flick and his eyes widen in pleasure, and he bounds over happily, to sprawl out comfortably next to them both. "Hi there! Y'all havin' a nice night?"

Bella leans in and gives Slate a completely, shamelessly affectionate nuzzling, nibbling along one of his ears as she flicks her brush of a tail back and forth. "Smells good in here," she says, grinning, "People have been really nice."

Peony looks as if she's perhaps sobering up a bit, eyes twinkling, "Your Seductress has been explaining to me how I smell really nice."

Shateishael mmms contentedly, rubbing his cheek ruffs along Bella's foxy furry face. He flicks an ear back at Peony and chuckles, rumbling, "She's right -- y'do! C'n tell y'r real 'xcited 'bout Ajax... smells yummy."

Peony arches a brow, not quite sober enough to stop herself saying, "You think it's Ajax has me... ahh..." she laughs and then clears her throat, smiling a bit.

Shateishael curiously turns his head to glance at Peony, "Huh?" He tucks one paw around Bella, the other around Peony, snuggling them both up close to his chest and purring contentedly.

Peony smiles and snuggles in against Slate, kissing his cheek, "Don't worry yourself over it, pusspuss." Bella also smiles and snuggles in against Slate, scritching under his chin and wrapping her tail around his back, "Ajax is pretty. Can see why he might make you feel like you were in rut." She nods solemnly, and then her ears go red as her more rational mind manages to push through the glamour for a moment, "Oof... Peony... that was..."

Peony laughs and shakes her head, "Perfectly honest."

Shateishael rumbles contentedly again, distracted by having his chin rubbed. He's not quite sure why Bella's embarrassed, but politely asks, "Why're y' 'pologizin' 'bout bein' honest, Bellisima?"

Bella squirms a little, ears tucking down in embarrassment, "Was awfully blunt is all."

Shateishael grins lazily at Bella, gently grooming her soft, fuzzy ears to encourage them to prick back up nicely, "'Kay... but'cha allus f'give me when I'm blunt. Why wouldn' we do th'same f'you?"

Bella giggles and ducks her head because the grooming is tickling a bit, "Uhm... b'cause... uhm... dunno."

Shateishael grins lazily, his rumble deeply contented, "Y'r kinda cuddly 'n sweet like this, beautiful. Y'like it?" He adds happily to Peony, "Don' she make y'wanna jus' cuddle 'er up?"

Peony smiles and reaches over to pet Bella's ears, making the transformed Bright lean across Slate's chest slightly. "Mmm... her fur is awfully soft."

Shateishael purrs again as both women lean more into him, absently nuzzling Peony as she shifts in front of him. He's starting to fall into that blissfully cuddly feeling again, although it's not as intense as it was while his tummy was being groomed. He mumbles relaxedly against Peony's shining scarlet hair, "This's awful nice, y'all... y'think we c'n talk Soma int' givin' us forms like this 'gain nex' year?"

Bella sighs happily, sliding a hand down over Slate's belly to scritch through the fur there, "Mmm... he seems to like Rosie all fuzzy and purring. Bet we can." Peony smiles and tucks her head against Slate's shoulder, petting his chest lazily.

Shateishael draws a slow breath as Bella's scritching gets real close to where Bast was earlier. A moment later he rumbles, "Sweetheart, y'keep scritchin' there'n I'm gonna turn inta bliss-puddle 'gain..."

Bella giggles quietly, "Nuh-uh... keep this up and I'll make you take me to the yurt."

Shateishael mumbles distractedly, "Uhh... 'kay... now?" He's trying to control the urge to shift position so Bella can better reach that spot, so he hastily nuzzles Peony again, breathing in her scent with appreciative pleasure.

Bella wriggles so that she can get to that spot, not quite able to knead the same way but still scritching wonderfully through the fur, "Mmm... not this second. Would be rude to Peony not to invite her."

Shateishael nods, completely lost in sensation as he mumbles, "'Kay, don' wanna be rude..." He sighs, stretching out and rolling to one side again, Peony again neatly tucked up against his chest as he adds contentedly, "Where we 'nvitin' 'er to 'gain, lover?" He's struggling to maintain thought, licking his chops and rubbing his head blissfully against Peony... but the scents and sensations are starting to work their magic on him again. Lovely stroking fingers, mmmm!

Bella sprawls over Slate's hip, ruffling through his bellyfur and giggling, "To the yurt, lover..."

Shateishael nods sagely, happy to agree to whatever Bella wants at this point, "Ah! 'Kay... uhmmm..." He's about to fade off into sensuous overwhelm when a small thought drifts up in his mind, "Uh, shu'n't we ask Soma firs' though, 'fore invitin' folks t'his tent?"

Bella giggles quietly and nuzzles Slate, whispering into his ear, "Kitty, thought you didn't want to do that with Peony?" Her tail is flicking back and forth, fingers still sliding through Slate's fur though she's moved the stroking up slightly. Peony is very politely pretending not to be able to hear, just happily snuggling the very cuddly feline-shaped Seraph.

Shateishael's ear flicks at the gentle tickle of breath against his ear, and he reaches out one paw-hand to wrap an arm/foreleg around Bella's lovely and enticing waist. Bemusedly he rumbles, "Do whut, lover? I miss sumpin' here? Thought y'wan'ed t'invite 'er t'snuggle inna tent... 'at not whutcha wan'ed?"

Bella giggles quietly, "Can snuggle here. Yurt would be for... private things."

Shateishael is lightly stroking the other velvety paw-hand along Peony's back, since she doesn't seem to mind being tucked up against his chest while he's lying on his back like this. He mmms curiously at Bella... then blinks as her meaning finally registers, "Oh! Oh, I get it! 'M sorry, Bellisima -- sure, I c'n wait while you'n Peony're private inna tent!" A bit ruefully he adds, "C'n y'jus' say it nex' time, though, so's I don' get all confused 'bout whutcha really mean, sweetheart?"

Peony laughs and sits up, patting Slate, "Mmm... she's saying, pusspuss, that she wants to take you off for private time, but doesn't want to be rude and tell me to go away." Bella is giggling helplessly, tail flicking back and forth quite enthusiastically.

Shateishael rrrs confusedly, looking back and forth between the two women... then he grins good-naturedly, "Uh... 'kay, 'at works too..." He snorts amusedly, patting at that flickery foxtail with one paw-hand, "Y'r a tease, sweetheart!" He shifts his other paw-hand to gently wrap it around Peony's rear where she's sitting on his chest, adding, "Wanna wait till Ajax gets here, though, 'kay?"

Bella laughs and nods, "That's what I was saying!" She carefully keeps her hands up above Slate's waist. Peony mmms and nods, "Good idea."

Shateishael has completely lost the thread of the conversation, but he's got two wonderful-smelling, warm women cuddling with him. He cheerfully rumbles, "'Kay! Jus' lemme know what 'n when!" That, he figures, will be safe enough...? He wonders idly how long until Ajax is off duty, then glances around hopefully. He'd spotted the dragon ladies playing chess with Jenny's little ones that first night... might they perhaps turn up for tonight as well? And if Bast's still around... he really liked how she felt and smelled too. He wishes a touch wistfully, as he looks around, that he could invite all the Ethereals he likes to come pile up with him -- that'd be blissful indeed! He grins, feeling wonderfully belonging and contented.

Peony murmurs almost drowsily, "The little naga seemed to like you a lot, Slate."

Shateishael hms curiously, "Who? Oh... Jenny's li'l 'uns? 'At why they smell bit reptilian?" He's silent a moment... then purrs relaxedly, "'At's nice. Allus thought we needed more Serpents a' Knowledge." He grins cheerfully, adding with more enthusiasm, "They're fun!"

Peony nods and wriggles slightly, playing with Slate's cheekruff, "Yeah. Their eggs were found in an abandoned temple. Jenny's been raising them." She laughs quietly, "They're really, really smart, but they're really just wee ones so it's nice when people play babbie games with them."

Shateishael leans his head comfortably against Peony so she can ruffle his fur all she'd like, purring contentedly. At her last comment, though, he rumbles a bit startledly, "No 'un else'll play wi'em?! But... howcum? Why not?" He rumbles a little sadly, "Poor mom Naga, though."

Peony laughs, "Some will. Jenny plays with them. A lot of the others tend to treat them like very small adults because they're so bright."

Shateishael says, "Oh! 'Kay, I c'n unnerstan' that." He looks around, then rumbles a touch bemusedly, "Hey... whut happened t'Angus? Wun't he gonna get me an ale?" He glances around, sniffing a bit as he adds, "'N Adair wuz searchin' f'Alton too. 'D I jus' miss 'em?

Peony blinks, having gotten distracted from thinking about the clurichaun. She sits up and looks around, finally spotting Angus, who has apparently been sidetracked by a pair of naiads. She giggles, "Be right back..." She starts to wriggle her way free of Slate.

Shateishael smiles, lifting his paw free if she really wants, rumbling, "Ah, let 'im be. Mebbe he's usin' Bacchus's advice!" He grins at that thought, his fangs gleaming.

Peony grins and kisses Slate's nose pad affectionately, "Goin' after an ale for you."

Bella grins at Slate, "Why the big smile?"

Shateishael chuckles, his tongue reflexively flicking out to lick his nose and Peony's face! Then he grins at Bella, "Angus said 'e wuz envious a' Bacchus's luck in ruttin'! So Bacchus gave 'im some advice." He thinks a moment, then rumbles, "Be p'lite, be hones', never ask no one y're not really innerested in... um, whut wuz th'las' one... oh! Ask nicely."

Bella grins at that, "Well... that's about right." She wriggles around until she's sitting astride Slate's waist, rump resting on his hip, "Such a happy kitty. You haven't been this happy 'cept when we've been alone since we got here."

Shateishael rumbles contentedly at Bella, resting his big velvety paw-hands against Bella's curvy hips. "Mmhmm... startin' t' 'member whut it useta be like in m'communities, sweetheart." He sighs happily, adding, "Feels 'mazin'ly good t'be in one 'gain!"

Bella nods, wriggling a little bit and enjoying the feel of Slate's paws on her like that, "I never had one. It's nice. Like the ranch, but bigger."

Shateishael nods contentedly, "Yeah, like that." Happily he adds, "Hey, guess whut I foun' out from Bacchus, beautiful? Foun' out there're folks inna Win'er Court 'at don' have family n'more -- 'n so no warrior a' their own t' pr'tect 'em!" He beams up at her, his whiskers bristling with excitement as he adds, "Innit neat? Sumpin' I c'n mebbe do there!"

Bella giggles quietly and leans down to kiss Slate's cheek affectionately, "It's nice that you're enthusiastic about it, lover." Her tail is brushing back and forth across Slate's legs. A moment or so later, Peony comes back, carefully carrying three full mugs.

Shateishael purrs with lazy contentment, stroking his big velvety paws along Bella's sides and rear. He glances over, eyes half-closed in pleasure, when Peony comes back, "Thankya, Miz Peony -- 'at's right thoughtful a'ya!" He rolls gracefully upright, settling Bella on his lap and reaching for a mug.

Bella shifts around so that Peony can also cuddle into Slate's lap if she wants. She takes one of the mugs as well and gives Peony a big, foxish grin, "Nice! Thank you!" Peony settles back in Slate's lap with the last mug.

Shateishael has a long draught of the mug of ale, and is a bit surprised both at how little it holds, and how small it seems in his large paw-hand... he grins, setting the empty mug aside, and tucks his arm companionably around the little leprechaun, just like he's currently cuddling Bella close as well. He leans down to gently rub his chin against Peony's head again, purring relaxedly, "Y'r nice, ma'am... thanks 'gain f'th'drinks." Peony is almost purring herself. Bella is watching the leprechaun and the Seraph interact with a twinkle in her eyes. Shateishael tilts his head interestedly at Bella... then curiously rumbles, "Hey, if'n Miz Peony smells yummy t'you too... whutcha scentin'?"

Bella blinks and tips her head. "Huh?" she asks eloquently.

Shateishael grins, leaning to affectionately nuzzle Bella too, then rumbles, "Miz Peony said you wuz tellin' her she smelled good? So wuz wondrin' whut her scent reminded ya of?" He cheerfully adds to Peony, "'N I still owe ya 'least one kitty ride, like y'said y'd enjoy after th'Naga kids." Peony actually bites her bottom lip at that, as if she's stifling more laughing. Shateishael blinks startledly at Peony, "Y'okay, ma'am?" Peony nods, some of the giggling escaping.

Bella doesn't stifle it, "Well, she smells kinda like violets and like a really eager female and she smelled a lot like you. Just really nice."

Shateishael grins bemusedly at Peony, "Um... 'kay..." then looks at Bella and nods cheerfully, "Yeah, don' she smell nice?" With growly pleasure he adds, "She's been rubbing m'chin bunches too... feels real nice..." His voice drawls out a bit with enjoyment. He pauses, considering, then glances back at Peony, rumbling curiously, "Hey... if'n y'wer'n't 'xcited 'bout Ajax, then who wuz it?" Bella nods solemnly at Slate's query to her, though her tail dances back and forth faster, eyes twinkling as she watches Peony get confronted with a blunt question. Shateishael sniffs Peony thoughtfully, double-checking... yeah, he's not wrong -- she does smell like an interested female! His nose gently brushes along Peony as he does so.

Peony laughs and shakes her head. "Uhm..." she starts out, trying to decide how to answer this one, "Didn't we have a conversation like this be..." she catches her breath as Slate's nose brushes against her, "...fore?" she finishes breathlessly. Bella's eyes are still dancing, recognizing some of Peony's reactions just from the way she herself reacts to the big Seraph.

Shateishael thinks about it for a moment... then nods happily, "Yeah! 'N y'tole me not t'worry 'bout it, 'n I figger'd y'din' wanna talk 'bout it while others were 'roun'. But it's jus' us now -- y'r cousins're all out 'n 'bout." He tilts his head to study her with cheerful interest, "Right?" Then he frowns thoughtfully, "No, wait... 'at wuz after y'r cousins'd left. Huh."

Peony takes a deep breath, leaning in to murmur close to Slate's ear. She's putting herself very close to his muzzle and filling his nose with her scent, "You, Slate." She kisses the curve of his ear and settles back into his lap, arranging herself fairly decorously.

Shateishael tilts his head helpfully as Peony leans in to him, one ear flicking down towards her... he listens, then lifts his head to look down at the leprechaun again, obviously surprised, "Me? But... then howcum y'kept turnin' 'way from me? 'N... y'were callin' me 'pusspuss' -- ain't that more like a pet's name than a lover's?" He glances bemusedly at Bella, "Didja know this a'ready, lover?"

Peony very, very carefully says in her alcohol-thickened brogue, "Because if I kept m'self turned toward you, I was going to do something to make you feel awkward and me like an idiot. An' pusspuss is just affectionate. And you're not my lover, so callin' you something more intimate would be incorrect." She pauses, then asks, "Right?"

Bella tries her best to look abashed, but it doesn't work, "Yeah. I suspected."

Shateishael ponders all the information for a few heartbeats, thoughtfully licking his chops as he does so... then he rumbles curiously, "Whut were y'thinkin' a' doin', ma'am? This why y'were askin' 'bout wrestlin' earlier?" He grins ruefully at Bella, "We jus' gotta figger out some kinda signalin' 'r sumpin' 'bout this... I wuz ac'shly congrachulatin' m'self earlier 'bout figgerin' out who Miz Peony wuz squirmy 'bout! Heh... silly me..." He leans down, still grinning ruefully, to gently nip one of Bella's ears. "Tease."

Bella ducks her head and giggles, "You like it when I tease!"

Peony smiles lopsidedly and shrugs, "Either rubbing myself against you even more than I was or kissing you."

Shateishael grins, giving Bella a quick lick to straighten up the fur on her nibbled ear... then he glances interestedly at Peony, "Ah, so not wrestlin'? 'Kay." He thinks about that a bit... then startledly adds, "Oh! Y'mean like f'sex, right? Not jus' cuddlesomeness?"

Peony actually goes slightly pink around the ears, "Yes. In a lot less platonic way."

Shateishael chuckles, gently nuzzling the top of Peony's head and murmuring, "Then my thanks, ma'am, f'not doin' 'at... figger 'jax's feelin's might be hurt t'walk in on that, y'know?"

Peony laughs quietly, "One reason to behave myself, yes." Bella smiles and nestles against Slate, scritching over his chest.

Shateishael tilts his head in thoughtful consideration, remembering Peony and Bella's behavior around Lilith... then he grins, "Oh, I get it! When you'n Bellisima were pr'tectin' me from Lilith, y'weren't really not lovers wi'Ajax n'mo-..." his voice trails off as he remembers that moment -- and that there hadn't been any hint of falsehood in the Symphony around Peony. His ears flick a few times in perplexity... then he rumbles, "Wait, 'at's not right neither..."

As if the conversation summoned him, Ajax comes in. He's clothed himself in his human seeming and is dressed only in a pair of jeans. Peony flushes, "We sort of renewed our acquaintance that night everything was so... vivid."

Shateishael looks up, scent catching him first -- then grins and waves, "Hey, 'jax!" Then he grins down at Peony, "Y'mean y'b'came lovers 'gain? 'S true 'at wuz one helluva night!" He curiously adds, "Why'd y'stop th'firs' time?"

Ajax wanders over just in time to hear the question, asking in his rumble of a voice, "Stop what?"

Shateishael idly and contentedly rubs his cheek ruff against Bella again as he studies Peony... then he looks to Ajax and grins, "Stop bein' lovers." He adds cheerfully, "Have a seat? This form's lot easier t'settle with, 'm thinkin'." He sniffs at Ajax with interest, wondering if the young centaur is as excited as Peony is.

The younger centaur blinks and settles down, "With Peony?" He holds his arms out and the leprechaun moves to snuggle into his lap, he stroking her hair once she settles in, "I... decided I wanted to deal with some things on my own." Ajax smells slightly of arousal, but he also smells rather strongly of Pan again.

Shateishael looks inquiring, "Y'okay?" He smiles, rumbling contentedly, "Pan smells happy too."

Ajax chuckles and snuggles Peony close, "Mmm... Pan's sort of distracting." He doesn't seem distressed, and Peony actually laughs quietly and hugs Ajax, "Do I need to sleep in my own tent tonight?"

Ajax rests his chin on Peony's shoulder and grins, "Nah. He said something about a date with Bacchus later."

Shateishael grins, utterly missing out on the potential for disaster his comment might have initiated. He's just happy to see friends enjoying themselves. He cheerfully adds, "Bacchus 'n Ayra went up th'Tether -- they're goin' t'tell th'Willow Lady she's gonna be a gramma!"

Ajax grins and nods, "Yeah, I ran into an extremely giddy Afton earlier."

Shateishael chuckles, contentedly nuzzling Bella again, "Tole 'em all congrats... figger nex' year we'll have a cute li'l bairn t'he'p out wi'!" He pauses, then adds, "Hope she comes." He pauses, then curiously asks, "Wunner where Afton 'n Adair are now? Thought they'd be goin' up th'Tether too? They still checkin' out drummers?"

Ajax chuckles quietly, "I can't see her staying home." His eyes half-closed as Peony nuzzles up against the side of his neck and kisses him there. "Mmm? Didn't see them when I came in."

Shateishael goes still for a moment, thinking... then he rumbles slowly to Ajax, "Ev'ryone here knows t' 'ware a' Lilith, right?"

Ajax's eyes were starting to go a little glazed, but the question makes him blink and look more aware, "The demon? Yeah. They've been warned."

Shateishael considers a moment, then reassures himself -- he and Rosie spent almost the whole night dancing to the drums, and so did he and Bella. There's no reason to worry just yet. He nods, "'Kay." He sighs, relaxing and letting his whiskers fall into a less alarmed pose as he rubs his cheek against Bella again, hugging her gently close. His tail switches happily back and forth as he rumbles to her, "How're ya doin', lover?"

Bella smiles and nuzzles her cheek against Slate's shoulder, "Doing fine." Shateishael mmms lazily to her, then glances around. If the dragon ladies don't turn up soon, he's leaning towards scooping up Bella in a wonderful armful of furry squirmy happiness, and heading to the yurt with her!

Ajax smiles quietly at the angels, murmuring, "Just realized you think Peony and I have..." he makes a waffling motion with his hand, "committed to one another or something?"

Shateishael glances back at Ajax inquiringly, "Hm?" He blinks, looking between the two of them and wondering what that gesture means, "Come 'gain, please?"

Ajax chuckles quietly, but it's Peony that answers, "He's trying to be delicate in saying that we're friends and we've been having sex, but we're not more than friends emotionally."

Shateishael tilts his head curiously, studying the twosome with interest, "Really? Huh. Bella does 'at too sometimes, she's said. Allus wondered whut it felt like."

Bella giggles quietly because Peony has gone back to nibbling distractingly on Ajax's neck, "Apparently it feels nice to them..."

Shateishael affectionately nuzzles the fox-Bright as she speaks, then smiles. "If'n it makes 'em happy... all t'th' good, then."

Bella nods and smiles, murmuring, "Think friendship is a kind of love, though."

Shateishael tilts his head, his ears pricked up curiously, sniffing with interest at the other two, "Y'think so? Same's sexual love, 'r sumpin' else?"

There's obvious affection in their body language as well as the arousal. Bella shakes her head, "Well, they obviously like sex with each other. But friendship is... just as broad but not as deep maybe? Feels different."

Shateishael nods in agreement, "Yeah, def'nitely feels diff'rent." He pauses in his gentle stroking of Bella's side, obviously struggling for words... then he rumbles slowly, "It's jus'... not th'same's sexual connection, y'know? T'me, I mean... there's a... a truth t'real intimacy..." He hesitates, knowing he's not as clear as he'd like, and then adds a bit hopefully, "Y'know whut I mean?"

Bella smiles and nuzzles Slate's temple, ears twitching in a foxy smile, "I think there's intimacy, but I think I know what you mean, lover."

Shateishael nods and purrs quietly, leaning his head for Bella to more easily reach him. His whiskers twitch a bit at the nuzzle and he grins, overcome for a moment with an upwelling, enormous, euphoric joy in this wonderful, sensual moment... he takes a deep breath, his arms tightening for a second around Bella as he whispers softly in her pointed foxy ear, "You're so beautiful tonight, my heart..."

Peony stretches up to murmur in Ajax's ear and the centaur smiles, "If you'll excuse us, I've been told that something seems to have gotten Peony worked up. I think I'll help her with that."

Shateishael flicks an ear, then smiles a bit distractedly at the centaur and the leprechaun, "G'night, 'n y'all have fun!" He turns back to Bella, inhaling with almost ecstatic pleasure. He's not used to quite so much sensory input, and when he thinks about it, he feels almost high on it. Ajax stands and he and Peony wander out the door. Their body language shows that they are very comfortable with one another, and their scents speak of arousal and affection. Bella is looking fairly intoxicated herself, wriggling slightly in Slate's lap. She doesn't really seem to have noticed the centaur and the leprechaun leaving.

On the heels of Ajax and Peony's exit, the dragon and the phoenix enter. Shateishael is watching Bella, nuzzling gently against her ear and enjoying the scents of his friends. He smiles slowly down at her -- then blinks at the sudden scent change. He raises his head, wondering who that is, then grins, "Oh! Hey, look, sweetheart -- 's th'dragon ladies!" He grins and waves to them, "Evenin', ladies!"

Right behind them is Puck, dressed almost decorously. He's wearing the wide-legged jeans he had on the first night he came to fetch the angels from their tent, and a simple black t-shirt. The Dragon and Phoenix smile and move toward Slate, eyes shining. The Phoenix shows no real human traits, her feathers looking as if they're made of living flame, though they don't throw off heat. The Dragon seems halfway between serpentine and human, scales glowing like rubies.

Shateishael's slitted eyes widen as he notices how striking the two Chinese ladies look, and he rumbles softly to Bella, "Whoa... look, lover. Don' they look 'mazin'?!" Without really thinking about it, he rises smoothly, Bella neatly tucked into his left arm, and bows gracefully to the two ancient, beautiful Ethereals. "Ladies... 's a real pleasure t'see y'both t'night." Bella looks at them with amazement in her eyes, and tucks her hands close against her body to prevent reaching out to pet them.

The two Ethereals bow to Slate, each in her own way. The Phoenix speaks, though her beak doesn't seem to move. "Warrior. Your form suits you." With just a little concentration it's obvious the words are not so much heard as simply perceived directly mind-to-mind.

Shateishael looks a bit startled... then grins a touch bemusedly at the phoenix, "Thank you, Lady." He'd known Celestials could do that, but he'd not realized that was a skill the Ethereals had! Interesting. He hesitates, then rumbles carefully in slow Japanese, "Alas, this clumsy one does not speak the sacred tongue of the Glorious Emperor, but would yet offer a small homage to your gracious selves on this night?"

The expressions are a little difficult to read on the non-human faces, but the body language is obviously pleased, the Phoenix spreading her tail and the Dragon standing up tall and straight, scaled half-claw hands reaching to rest on Slate's head as in benediction. "You do us great honor, Warrior of Heaven."

Shateishael looks pleased -- that sounds like agreement! He bows his head to them both, then carefully turns and sets Bella down on some nice cushions. After that he straightens up to his full 8' height, putting his large paw-hands together, palm to palm. He takes a deep breath, then rumbles slowly (still in careful Japanese), "This worthless one begs your kind forgiveness of any irregularities in translation." He takes another moment to mentally review and make sure he's got it as correctly translated to Japanese as he can -- then gives the two shining Ethereals a sincere tribute to their impressive beauty:

"Lo! in the orient when the gracious light
Lifts up her burning head, each under eye
Doth homage to her new-appearing sight,
Serving with looks her sacred majesty;
And having climbed the steep-up heavenly hill,
Resembling strong youth in her middle age,
Yet mortal looks adore her beauty still,
Attending on her golden pilgrimage."
Then he bows his head slightly again, rumbling, "From the Sonnets of the English bard Shakespeare; this one prays you are pleased."

The two Chinese Ethereals listen, and when Slate is done the Phoenix flaps her wings, spreading them out to show their fiery pattern. The Dragon has clasped her claw-hands together, rubyesque eyes glowing like coals. "Yes; a true honor, Warrior."

Shateishael looks inordinately pleased, his tail swishing happily behind him as he bows politely again. He's relieved they can understand Japanese, "You are too kind, gracious ladies -- thank you for your kindness!" Beaming, he adds in English, "Kinda hoped y'd like this form -- it's jus' 'mazin' feelin'!"

The Dragon lady's face takes on an expression that might be a smile and nods, "We have not seen a tiger on two legs in far too long, Warrior. It reminds me of our old retinue."

Shateishael grins and nods cheerfully to Puck too, then looks back at the dragon ladies, adding, "Soma's done lovely job... Bellisima's like a kitsune, 'n th'Rosebud's a, uh... think Soma said a kitty pooka?" He beams proudly at the compliment, bowing slightly again, "Thank y'kin'ly, ma'am! 'M quite flattered t'hear 'at." He isn't sure if an offer of a hug would be too forward... he hesitates, then compromises with a careful inhalation, trying to get an idea of what they're expecting through their scents.

The two Ethereals move toward Slate, moving around him in a quick circle, each of them brushing a cheek against his ruffs before coming back to be in front of him. Shateishael looks a bit surprised again as they start moving towards him, but gladly returns the gesture, a pleased rumble in his chest as he tilts his head to meet theirs. He has to be careful not to reach out and trail his fingers along their shining scales and feathers, although his tail does sort of stroke gently along their legs as they pass. He beams at them happily when they're in front of him again, rumbling, "Ladies, if'n th'tigers in y'r old ret'nue were also warriors 'n pr'tectors, then I'd be honored if'n I c'd offer whut pr'tecsh'n I can t' y'all 'n alla th'folks here."

The two ladies look at one another and then look back to Slate. The Dragon speaks, "We would be honored with your offer if it is ever needed, Warrior." Shateishael bows politely. He doesn't know if they're just courteously humoring him or really mean it... but he does. Should they need his skills as the Warrior, he'll be gladly doing his best to aid them.

The Phoenix's voice sounds again, "We pray it is never needed."

Shateishael nods gravely, "Yes'm, me too f'y'all's sakes... but please f'give me if'n I'd like t'be d'monstrably a'use t'this c'mmunity."

Puck mutters quietly, "Like scaring the shit out of Gaelach."

Shateishael covers his grin with one large paw-hand, trying (fairly unsuccessfully) to look serious. The Chinese Ethereals make similar motions, one with a claw and one with a wing. Shateishael grins at that, suddenly realizing even ancient, powerful entities can have senses of humor! He chuckles, then rumbles, "If'n there's anythin' else I c'n offer, please let me know, yeah?" He bows politely to them again, switching to Japanese to wish them a graceful and pleasant night, then stepping back out of their way. Each of them bows to Slate, and then they move off with Puck in tow. The satyr gives Slate and Bella a wink as he goes past. Shateishael grins and cheerfully nods towards the little satyr as he settles back down next to Bella. He cuddles her close, nuzzling happily if she doesn't seem to mind, and rumbles to her, "Ain't they sumpin', lover?"

Bella nestles in, grinning. "Lots of pretties here," she says by way of agreement.

Shateishael sighs contentedly, inhaling Bella's lovely, alluring scent, then whispers to her, "Y'wanna head f'th' yurt, beautiful? 'R y'got anyone else y'wanna say hi to?"

Bella smiles and plays with Slate's chestfur, "Mmm... feeling a little calmer if you want to stay."

Shateishael chuckles, enjoying the way Bella's fingers feel in his fur... then he looks around thoughtfully. Is there anyone here he'd like to stick around for? Anyone looking at him with that half-expectant or half-hopeful look? Any scent catching his attention as something he should notice? Soma and Rosie's scents are a little attention catching, but not in an alarming way. The whole pavilion seems filled with people being happy and comfortable -- that might be because Gaelach is absent. Shateishael chuckles quietly at that thought, then grins down at Bella, "Think everyone here's happy -- no Gaelach! Um... wanna take a walk then, beautiful?"

Bella thinks about it, then grins, "Want a kitty-back ride."

Shateishael blinks -- then tosses his head back with a roar of laughter! He grins widely down at Bella, his fangs and his eyes gleaming, then rises and easily scoops her up, lightly depositing her on his shoulders, "Y'r wish's my c'mmand, beautiful!" He's still chuckling as he paces over to where Soma and Rosie are, to cheerfully let the intertwined two know he and Bella are going for a stroll, and will be at the yurt later. Then he grins up at Bella as he's heading for the entrance, "Where y'wanna ride to, lover?"

Bella squeezes Slate's neck with her thighs, just to keep herself settled, "Don't care!" She grins, bouncing a little bit, her tail swishing back and forth against Slate's back.

Shateishael laughs again, a lazy rumble of happiness as he ducks carefully through the tent flap. He straightens once he's outside, looking around and drawing a deep breath of the cool, dust-scented night air. Then he happily points up at the stars, "Look, beautiful... there's th' li'l Bearcub 'n th'momma Bear! That way's North." Bella tips her head way, way back to look up at the stars, breathing in the night air and holding tight onto Slate's headfur so she doesn't tumble off backward. Shateishael puts his other large, velvet-furred paw-hand steadyingly on Bella's thigh. He's inordinately, almost bouncily happy for some reason! He draws another deep breath of air, checking for any interesting scents to go examine with his beloved, to give her a fun ride.

There's some quite raucous singing coming from the general direction of the yurt. Shateishael blinks at that, his ears flicking up as his head turns towards the yurt. Unless Bella indicates a desire to go elsewhere, he heads in an easy, almost lazy-looking lope to see what's up there. The closer they get, the easier it is to tell that the singing is actually coming from the tent where they found Ayra with Adair and Afton. Shateishael chuckles at that, his gait slowing to a relaxed walk. He rumbles amusedly to Bella, "Wunner why they ain't goin' t'meet th'Willow Lady?" He comes around the edge of the pavilion to find Afton and Adair, his eyes gleaming with amusement, reflecting red in the darkness.

The pair are sitting on chunks of wood in front of the tent. They're extremely difficult to tell apart on sight, but Slate recognizes the scent of Adair, who was leaning against him earlier. It's Adair that stands and stumbles a bit toward Slate, "Warrior tiger kitty! Have a drink!" He's got an unmarked glass bottle that smells exactly like what Angus was drinking earlier.

Shateishael chuckles, "Hey, Adair. Foun' y'r brother, eh?" He grins at the other leprechaun as he accepts the bottle, adding cheerfully, "Congratulations on bein' a daddy!" To Bella he rumbles, "Y'wanna sip a'moonshine, sweetheart? It'sa good stuff -- 'll rot'cher teeth!"

Bella sniffs at the bottle and wrinkles her nose, ears laying back, "And make my fur fall out! Nuh-uh!" She does grin down at Adair though, "Congratulations!"

Afton grins and waves to Slate. Even sitting down he looks a little unsteady, "Din't get back in time t'go see lady Zareh, so Adair waited, too."

Shateishael grins cheerfully up at Bella's comment, then has a sip himself to be neighborly. He coughs, his own ears flattening and his nose wrinkling as he hastily hands the bottle back. A touch hoarsely he husks, "S'awrigh'!" He draws a few breaths, wishing he had another ale to kill the burn, then grins at Afton, "Eh, y'all c'n go t'morra, 'm sure." He chuckles, waving, "Anyways, we wuz jus' headin' off t'bed. G'night t'y'all!" He turns and lopes easily off, doing a happy circuit of the Ethereal camp mostly because he loves the delighted squeaks he occasionally gets from Bella.

Adair chuckles quietly and takes the bottle back and both the leprechauns wave to the departing angels. Almost as soon as Slate and Bella start to move around, the singing starts back up. Shateishael rumbles in rueful amusement to Bella, "Shoulda brought our earplugs, eh?"

Bella squeaks and giggles happily as Slate makes the circuit. At one point she bends so far over his head she threatens to fall forward and off his shoulders so she can kiss his nose pad, "Mmm... can just make enough noise to drown 'em out."

Shateishael laughs delightedly, his tongue flicking out to lick her nose as well. He grins, "Cain't resist 'n invite like that, beautiful!" He turns and heads swiftly back towards the yurt.

Once back to the yurt, Bella seems determined that it's going to be Slate making the noise. She's by no means quiet herself, but the first thing she does once Slate puts her down is to nibble and scritch over his belly in almost the same way that threatened to turn him into a puddle in the pavilion. After that she really gets serious about putting every one of the glamour-enhanced senses to use and then trying to overload them. Eventually she manages to push the sensual teasing far enough that she's beyond teasing and lets herself get lost with Slate, leaving the pair of them in a happy pile to be found by Soma and Rosie when they finally come back.

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Last modified: 2006-Dec-07 15:15:59

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