Idlewild -- Logs

Aiden has led the numbed and quiet Clairchiare off to his own room to console, or perhaps only to give the pink elf a semblance of privacy in his grief as the Summer Court betrayals and fears fall around his elegant ears, unable to ignore.

Soleil followed soon after, leaving the rest of the group gathered in low spirits in the common room. Kip strokes Lotte's hair with an air somewhere between gingerly and resigned as she cries in his lap, and succeeds in drying her tears though she still clearly needs the comfort he keeps providing.

Lauren has been somewhat quieted in her vocal worries by the ever-laid-back Zhi, and Steven has agreed per Seodil's request to make Sarete his target as soon as possible in obtaining clothing and masks so that everyone but Aiden and Seodil as his hopefully-invisible shadow can go to the ball ahead of Aiden's appointment with Whisper to await his arrival-- and do whatever they can to avoid his death in an elven duel. Over on the couch with Lotte, Kip tells softly of the Fall elves at Steven's request...

Kip is, as he said, no storyteller-- but the image he shapes makes it fairly clear that his time with Zhi, at least, has been pleasant. They have apparently been taking their time travelling to the outer border of the Fall forests, nearest Summer, because Zhi had a feeling it was where they should be going-- but without a sense of urgency, they stopped a day or two with each small family or travelling group of other elves they met. The Fall elves, at least from Kip's account, appear to be a scattered nation of wanderers mostly intent on finding interesting and beautiful places-- and protecting them from non-Fall people.

Kip finishes up, "Then after we'd been at the place with the great water swing for a few days-- and Raniya can seriously cook, let me tell you, AND she jumps the farthest I saw anybody go off that swing-- Zhi got called here, and I have no idea how far we are-" he blinks, comes back to himself and falls silent, suddenly, and looks uncomfortable.

Lotte has continued to doze on Kip's lap as he speaks. As he finishes, her eyes open sleepily.

Steven listens, interestedly. He wonders how he can broach the subject of his teacher to Zhi, with them sounding so similar, then decides to file it away for the time being... like how Willow's hair is also that shade of electric blue.

"Feeling better, Lotte?" Lauren's tone is just barely on the warm side of neutral.

Lotte mumbles, "Mmmph." She sits up and rubs her eyes, then looks around dazed and hungry.

Aiden isn't in the room for very long. He emerges just after Kip finishes talking, shutting the door behind him quietly. "There's nothing better than a great cook if you're staying with someone.." He sits back down where he was before.

Ghost noses Lotte comfortingly.

Lauren stretches her legs out on the couch, her toes curling. "So what's going on in there, Aiden? Is Clairchiare all right? Eh, mostly all right?"

Lotte smiles at Ghost and sits down on the floor next to her. She wraps her arms around the fluff and hugs.

Kip gives Aiden an oddly grateful glance as the Newfie elfling settles back into a seat with the rest, Soleil curling up close to Aiden and Seodil flashing a quick smile at the returned Grey Worlder-- mostly with his eyes.

Aiden nods at Lauren, "He's sleeping. He's not alright.. but I hope that he will be again."

Ghost waves her plumed tail and eyes the table where food appears. She whuffs at it.

Lauren whuffs at the food, too. "This IS vegetarian, right?"

Lotte goes to the table and starts eating at a starving person's pace. She does pause now and then to offer Ghost some choice pieces of food.

Zhi says, "Vegetarian?"

Aiden eats, lightly. He's hungry, but not particularly interested in the actual act of eating. He also pulls some food off to the side, just in case Clairchiare wakes hungry.

Steven blinks at the table. He hadn't even known it was dinner time. He smiles and says, 'Thank you,' to the air if he doesn't see one of the ethereal figures. "Vegetarian, made only from vegetables and fruits, no meat.

The food is varied but clearly not all vegetarian... the veggies are mostly raw, some cooked whipped things that might be potatoes... some meat. It's all very prettily laid out and arranged in fanciful dishes, but most of it is recognizeable. Except some of the meat...

Lotte blinks at Steven as he says thanks. She never even thought about how the food arrived, but with all the talk of ghosts it does dawn on her that she is taking things for granted. "Yes, thanks!" she says to the air, then continues eating.

Aiden looks up at Lauren, eyes amused, "Well. It may not be vegetarian, but I'm pretty sure it's all organic."

A breathy voice in Steven's ear says "You are welcome."

Aiden carefully avoids eating anything that he doesn't recognise. He saw the teeth marks on those bones.

Steven gives a slight start, not having expected a reply this time.

Out of the corner of his eye, Steven thinks he sees one of the airy servers for a moment before it is gone. The servers remain invisible to everyone else.

Lauren picks at a few things that are obviously vegetables. "So I suppose we just wait for Steven to talk to Sarete now. Right?"

Seodil eats lightly, as do the other elves. He says between bites, "We are running out of time, so if there is anything anyone can think of to do besides that, please, speak your thoughts."

Aiden is quiet, having no suggestions aside from the ones that he's already given.

Lotte shakes her head sadly.

Sol says thoughtfully, "Could Lotte charm one of the male elves into taking her to this ball? Or.. I suppose we'd have to find one first. Hm."

"That sounds like an idea," says Lauren carefully. "We were ALL going to crash it, eventually."

Sol blinks, smiles. "Oh! Clairchiare said Rathskeliad and Linden are not going to the ball. Something about not caring much for dances.. but I don't think Rathskeliad cares that much for Linden, either. He tried to seduce me the night of that party, after we arrived. Lotte or Lauren might be able to.... y'know."

Lotte raises her eyebrow at Sol's suggestion. "Sounds like you should charm him, Sol."

Aiden scowls at the mention of Rathskeliad's attempted seduction.

Lauren blinks. "Who's this Linden, again?"

Sol sighs, "There's no way I could keep my mind on it. I'll be all nerves paying attention to Aiden and hoping nothing goes wrong. Can't you just... be pretty at him?"

Seodil adds, "Also virginal. I suspect his sort... likes that."

Steven arches a brow at that, covering a rather odd feeling that wells up. He shakes his head. Focus, student! "Uhm. Lindenel is Rathskelliad's fiancee.

Zhi chuckles at Seodil and says, "Well, that lets me out. Kip?"

Kip turns SCARLET and ducks behind his long chocolate hair.

Aiden rolls his eyes, "I'm not sure that he discriminates. He made a suggestion to me as well.."

Lauren makes an exasperated noise and stand up from the sofa. "You're all impossible. What, exactly, needs to happen? I'LL do it. I'm BORED."

Lotte hides a laugh and says playfully, "Seodil said virginal, Lauren."

Sol gives Lauren a calculating look. "You might do, at that--" he buries a laugh in the crook of his arm, shaking.

Lauren glares sweetness and light right back at Lotte. "Not a problem."

Aiden plants his elbows on his knees and lets his head sink into his hands..

Lotte nods back at Lauren and says, "Ok. Go for it. I'd rather mingle anyway."

Sol says with muffled glee, "So. I have a thought..."

Lauren fluffs her skirts up a bit and arranges her bodice just SO. "What is it, Sol?"

Aiden doesn't dare look up yet, "What's the idea, Soleil?"

Steven arches a brow slightly, remaining very circumspectly quiet and not trusting himself to say a thing.

Grinning, Soleil says "We need an excuse or a way to get Rathskeliad here without making it obvious what we want... I mean, we never actually wanted him here before, did we? I say we send him a love letter. From the new girl. Make up a poem saying how she burns for him or is very curious about whether he wears anything under his pants, or something. That sound good?"

Sol adds, "Maybe she saw him from afar and she wants to know if green hair really does mean you're better at wrestling."

Aiden looks up, chewing on his bottom lip, thoughtfully. He doesn't say anything to Soleil's plan.

Zhi murmurs, "Green is for swordplay. Blue is for wrestling."

Steven frowns a bit. "I have just one problem with that plan.... What if his... mating habits match those of others we've come to know of?"

Seodil frowns. "It sounds... somewhat obvious, Soleil. A trap. Is she naive-seeming enough to lull him?" He looks up at Lauren, then shrugs. "Hm. She is."

Lauren shrugs. "Fine. I'll write something. I have no idea about all this color stuff, and if you want me to sound like a bubbleheaded little twit, fine."

Steven winces a but at Seodil's jab at Lauren.

Aiden says, "Lauren? Be careful, okay? I don't trust him."

Sol says, "What, you mean if he eats her?"

"Oh....what was his name again? Forget it. "Oh, Green-Haired something something...eh. Oh Verdant Joy...heh. This is funny." Lauren grins. "I'm not going to get EATEN. Don't worry."

Zhi reaches to squeeze Lauren's shoulder, smiling. "If you like, I can hide and watch as backup while you talk to him."

Lotte looks thoughtful. "I don't think he'll hurt her. That seems like something distinctly... female." She winces.

Sol's eyes widen. "Verdant Joy. Oh, yes."

Seodil meets Lotte's eyes gravely. "I believe you are entirely right, Lotte."

Lotte nods and smiles sadly to Seodil.

Steven still looks more than a little dubious.

Lauren flounces a little, flush with new purpose. "I'd LOVE that, Zhi," she says sincerely. "I need a pen and some paper. Where do you keep it?"

Aiden is mirroring Steven's dubious look.

Seodil stands and walks over to Lotte. He lays a gentle hand on her shoulder in passing and says, "It is not so much a female trait, I think, as it matches the theory that the man's life is taken for the child's ensured survival... and the female must carry the child. I am sure that it is personality and not gender, in other words."

Sol hops up and returns in a moment from his bedroom to present Lauren with paper, an inkpot, and a writing quill.

Lotte looks slightly comforted by Seodil's gentle explanation, and still a little shocked at his kindness.

Lauren claims the implements of destruction from Sol with a curtsey and withdraws a bit to settle down and suck on her pen in thought.

Seodil clearly sees the shock and withdraws just a little; he keeps walking to get a single apple slice from the table, more an excuse for getting up than anything, before walking back to sit by Aiden again.

Aiden watches Seodil with a small smile of admiration on his face.

Kip looks at Steven. "So... should you write to, uh, Sarete too? To get her here?"

Sol's eyes sparkle. "I'll get another quill."

Lotte suggests, "Can I go get her for you? I'd like to talk to her a little."

He does, and hands it to Steven in short notice.

Steven blinks to Kip, opens his mouth to protest.. and it comes out a strained little sound.

Kip doesn't seem to notice Steven's reaction; he brightens. "Oh! You know her? That seems better."

Lauren scribbles, scribbles, scribbles. "Verdant joy," she mumbles. "Something something beautiful mumble strange world mumble like deep water...hm. Mumble mumble unaccustomed mumble..."

Lotte says, "No, I don't, really. But I'd like to know a little bit about this ball before we go."

Steven says, "I.. well... that is... it would have to be very careful, I mean... I don't want to give her the wrong impression..."

Sol smirks and pats Steven on the back. "Better let Lotte go then. You're saved."

Lotte cackles. "I know just what I'll tell her." She winks at Steven.

Steven blinks to Lotte. "No, wait.. I don't... what are you going to tell her?"

Lauren crosses something out. "Too naive," she scolds herself. "Frond is better. F-R-O-N-D."

Kip's gaze drifts to Lauren and unfocuses a bit as he gets a seriously amused expression.

Lotte grins again. "I'm just kidding you. What do you want me to tell her?"

Aiden leans back on the couch, closing his eyes and relaxing while the others compose.

Lauren signs her sheet of parchment with a flourish of her quill and blows a righteous puff of air over it to dry it.

Lotte looks curiously over at Lauren and her letter while awaiting Steven's decision.

Kip giggles. Zhi eyes the letter, looking awfully curious. The blue-crested elf says, "Well?" in very hopeful tones.

Lauren fans the letter around once, and hands it to Kip for perusal.

Steven says, "Uhhh... well... just that I'd like to talk with her about... possibly going to the ball.... she'll probably volunteer If I express interest. Uhm... Maybe that I heard that there was a ball, that I was interested in going but of course I don't have anyone to go with...." His voice trails off uncertainly."

Sol and Seodil relax quietly, one at Aiden's feet and the other at his side.

Lotte giggles and nods to Steven. "Sure thing. No problem. Does anyone know where to find her?"

Aiden actually leans against Seodil, maybe to catch a short nap, maybe just because he's relaxed.

Sol sighs and looks less pleasantly relaxed for a moment as he opens his eyes to look at Lotte. "Clairchiare would know... if you wake him up."

Steven says, "Uhm, we found her last time in the library, didn't we?"

Lotte gets up and nods. "Don't wake him. I'll just go look for her, starting at the library."

Before Lotte leaves, Kip grins broadly at the letter and looks up at Lauren. "It's great. Can I read this out loud?"

Lauren meeps, before she catches herself. "Eh um," she says, purpling.

"It's...not very good," Lauren protests. "I made it that way on purpose!"

Zhi nuzzles Lauren, eyes dancing. "All the more reason to share it. This dark gathering could use the light, hm?"

Aiden opens his eyes, looking over at Kip, waiting for him to start, if Lauren lets him.

Steven blinks, loking at Kip, for the moment not thinking of his own impending meeting with Sarete.

Lauren hangs her head. "FINE," she mumbles.

Kip beams and clears his throat lightly before reading in a very good rendition of breathless, adoring naivete: "Verdant Joy,

Lauren covers her face in her hands. The back of her neck is clearly visible, however, and it's blushing. Her SHOULDERS are blushing.

Kip continues, "I've been here in this strange world for what seems like years already...and I have yet to see anything that compares to you. You are like deep water, all deep greens and light in the shaols. I would love to know your depths. (ink blot) I am a frond here. Might I meet a stronger vine? Love, Lauren." He looks thoroughly delighted in a sly little way.

Lotte giggles with true mirth and smiles at Lauren.

Kip enthuses, "With big fancy signature and EVerything. It's perfect. He'll come despoil your innocence before he does anything else. I would.."

Aiden's voice is tight when he speaks, probably because he's trying not to crack up. Rude, you know? "Very nice, Lauren."

"Hate. This," Lauren whispers fervently.

Zhi wraps a huge comfort hug around Lauren and snuggles her. He whispers, "Very brave and thoughtful of you to let them have a smile. I'm proud."

Steven blinks. "It's actually pretty good, all inall...

Lauren permits herself to be comforted, still maroon-faced. "Well, if it does what it's supposed to do. Heh." She manages a smile around the room.

Lotte asks, "Shall I deliver it on my way?

Lauren says, "Why not? Let's get it over with."

Sol snaps his fingers. "Sarete can do it. She'll know where to find him, I bet. Whole court's surely slept together."

Lotte nods at Sol. "Alright then. I'm off."

Lauren points at Steven. "Don't think I won't be laughing inside at YOU, you know."

Lotte departs with purpose, bearing the letter to Rathskeliad. Seodil opens his eyes long enough to suggest that everyone adjourn to the bedrooms but Steven to give Sarete the illusion of privacy with him if Lotte does manage to bring her back... after all, the silver elf points out, they can set the magic doors as one-way mirrors and still see the show.

Steven winces. "Thanks.... thank you, that makes me feel better..."

Aiden glances over at Steven, "I'd be surprised if she keeps it internal, honestly. She doesn't have much restraint."

"Maybe not, but she'd be able to hear it through the doors," says Lauren seriously.

Aiden sits up straight, then stands. He starts to walk towards his bedroom, getting about halfway there before he remembers Clairchiare sleeping in the bed. He goes back to the table, scoops up the bit of food that he set aside and goes into the room to drop it off. He doesn't stay in there, though, coming back out. "Seodil? Soleil? I don't want to disturb him."

Lotte finds both Sarete and Ilirith in the library. Sarete looks bored and is easily engaged in conversation; she brightens at mention of the masquerade ball tomorrow night and says "What, no one asked you? You poor darling! I can outfit you, you know... I have spare masks and.. hmm, yes, a cloak with feathers... come, dear, I'll get you everything but a date at my rooms. I'll find you that before tomorrow nightfall, though!" She beams and leads Lotte off to do exactly that.

Back at the suite, Sol stands ready to follow Aiden, Seodil's eyes on the ranger as well. Sol considers it, then says "We can all go to Steven's room, then. After all, he won't need it.. he'll be out here," and grins.

Aiden nods. "Alright." He turns to head into Steven's room. Just before he walks in, he looks at Steven. "Good luck with her!"

Steven tries to think of the best way to approach this. He isn't really all that fond of Sarete, and he isn't the best at keeping secrets or playing a role, but what can he do? He grimaces a bit, and nods to Aiden. "Thanks...."

Lauren makes a mincing little wrist-wave at Steven as she ducks into his room, giggling.

Aiden smiles, "You'll be fine, Steven." He heads into Steven's room and sits down at the wall opposite the door, leaning back against the wall.

Lotte says to Sarete, "You know, Steven doesn't have a date either and he desperately wants to go. He's so shy, I feel sorry for him at times like this."

Lauren enthuses. "This is going to be great!" She hops, actually hops on her toes.

Sarete brightens, face oddly open and hopeful for a moment. "Really? Oh... well, I could take him! I was supposed to take him out riding but then, well, things happened and he was busy... this would... yes!" She walks faster, making it a little dfficult for the shorter Lotte to keep up. They spend minimal time at Sarete's rooms-- which are as opulent and alienly, perfectly elven as Lotte could wish-- and end up with Sarete throwing things into a large chest that she says she'll have delivered to Lotte's room in plenty of time for Lotte to choose an outfit and mask. It seems likely there will be enough spares for everyone going to the dance-- provided the men don't mind wearing dresses.

Then Sarete pats the chest on its lid and whispers something to it. It closes and follows the women out on hundreds of little feet as Sarete hurries Lotte off home again, nearly bubbling with cheer.

Lotte pretend-gushes, "Oh, I think he would be so happy if you asked him to go!" She stops talking and watches the chest in horror, then reaches down as it's walking to gently touch it.

The chest snaps its lid at Lotte a little. Sarete says scoldingly-- to the chest-- "No! Be nice. Lotte is a friend. --They're terribly possessive," she confides to the redheaded bard. "I had a whole set made, but I'm missing one even though they're supposed to be thief-proof and guard one's possessions like a watchdog... anyway. Shall we?" Sarete and Lotte sweep into the suite well ahead of the ambulatory luggage, as it moves at its own pace-- which appears to be "slow."

Lotte blinks and nods, trying to figure out a way to tell Steven about the chest before it arrives. Not finding a discrete way, she simply says to Steven as she enters, "I believe you may have a piece of Sarete's luggage in your room Steven. The one that bites?"

Steven is fidgeting a little in the commons room, and stands as they arrive, still trying to put his thoughts together. At Lotte's comment, though, he blinks dumbly. "You believe me -- wait... Sarete's?"

Sarete blinks at Lotte and Steven both, apparently surprised. "He does?"

Aiden looks around at the others who are in Steven's room with him. He says, quietly, "Uh oh."

Lotte looks at Steven with a smile. "Yes, I believe we had some problem luggage here for a while. We didn't realize it was just being possessive."

Steven explains, "When we first came here, the clothing we got from the tailor's shop, for me anyway, came in a chest that... walked around. On it's own. When I tried to look closer at it, it.. uh... kicked me."

Lauren whispers, oh-so-quietly, from behind the mirrored door: "Does this mean he's NOT nuts?"

Safely in Steven's room with Aiden, Sol looks at his lover and quirks an eyebrow. "I don't think we'll all fit in the bathroom if they come in here..."

Aiden stands up, whispering back, "I told you." He looks around. "Alright.. who is she going to be least pleased to find in here?"

Zhi says comfortably, "I'd estimate Steven is no crazier than you, Lauren."

Lotte coughs and says, "Why don't you, ah, go get it for her Steven? I'll just go rest in my room for a while."

"Oh," Lauren murmurs. "That's good."

Sarete beams and takes Steven by the arm. "Good idea. I'll come with you, it would never kick me..."

Steven starts to nod, then pauses, then nods again, slowlyy. "Right...," He smiles. "I'll be right back... ah...." He swallows a bit, wondering how dorky this is going to come out. "It's... good to see you today, Sarete."

Lotte says, "Oh, wait, Sarete! I had another question for you!"

Sol mutters a nasty word and says, "Alright, everyone who does not fit in the bathroom-- lose some clothes and get on the bed."

Aiden glances back out the door, then whispers. "So.. we just stay here, sitting down around the room, rather than gathered in view of the door and if she asks, we were shooed out of the main room and all came in here to chatter?"

Lauren squeaks.

Kip gives Soleil a horrified look.

Aiden looks at Soleil, shrugs and whispers, "That works, too."

Steven pauses at the door, glancingback to Lotte and wondering if that will get Sarete's attention.

Lauren grabs two handfuls of her skirts. "I...um, only have one thing on," she says. "AndIcan'tloseit."

Aiden pulls off his shirt and tosses it messily on the floor. He settles down on the bed, kicking his boots off and to the floor. "Then get in the bathroom."

Sarete keeps hold of Steven's arm as she turns to Lotte. "Mmhm?"

Lauren dashes for the loo at once.

Lotte says, "Well, ah," she discards all pride and begins to fluff her hair, "what do you think I should wear that would best attract a date? I'd just hate to go to the ball alone.""

Steven really hopes this is enough time for the others in his room to find some way out or to hide. On the other hand, a small, petty part of him is snickering, and he squelches that part quickly.

Kip flees hot on Lauren's heels, pink. Or tries. Zhi grabs him and smirks. "No, you don't. We need a pile of limbs to discourage her from questioning our presence, and you're in it."

Lauren pokes her head out of the bathroom, half to offer a sympathetic look to Kip and half to see the inevitable expression of abject terror cross his face.

Aiden gives Kip a sympathetic look. "It's alright.. C'mon.. quick."

Sarete gives Lotte a thoughtful-but-impatient lookover. "Hm. You have more bosom than most here-- I think that will appeal to our males, as a newness if nothing else. No one has kidnapped a human for sport in ages, after all, and that is usually why..."

Lotte goes wide-eyed at the mention of kidnapping, but hides it quickly. "Ah, ok. Thank you." She shrugs and leaves Steven to it, heading for her room where she closes the door and turns into a oneway mirror.

Kip whimpers at Lauren as Zhi drags him cheerfully to the bed and takes away his leather vest. He tosses it to Lauren. "Hang this somewhere incriminating, fast, would you?"

Lauren scans the room, hastily...what would count as incriminating? Aigh!

Zhi has no shirt on and tosses his own bright pants to Lauren next, apparently unconcerned about being buck naked. He then pushes Kip flat and manages to arrange them so that it's mostly Zhi presented toward the door.

"Oh, hell with it," says Lauren, and puts on Kip's vest before disappearing into the bathroom again.

Steven blinks as Lotte bolts, then nods a little. "Ah... Uhm, right. Well..." He smiles to Sarete. He knows the others are doing their best to come up with something where they won't be seen. He should just play for time as long as he could. "As I said," He says, letting his voice drop a bit, "I really am glad to see you again. Er.... Lotte had... mentioned the ball...."

Seodil hesitates-- grabs Aiden and tugs him toward the bed. "You in the middle, I've no time to get my clothes off, Soleil on top." Soleil is as naked as Zhi and just as cheerful about it; he nods.

Lauren sits by herself in the bathroom, pink as the dickens and trying very hard not to think about things in too much detail.

Aiden nods and lets Seodil pull him into position, quickly, apparently not at all concerned by what anyone might think at this point.

Lauren tries to lock the bathroom door. Just in case.

Sarete melds closer to Steven's side, warm against him. "Yes? You know... I'm sorry we didn't get our ride together. I could... make up for that."

The bathroom, horribly, appears to operate on the same magical principle as the main room doors. Lauren cannot even get a door to appear in the doorframe, much less lock it safely. While she lingers there trying to work it out, she receives a very clear view of Zhi kissing Kip like he knows exactly what he's doing... and Kip turning so red it's a wonder the bed doesn't catch fire.

Lauren squeaks again and ducks--no, CRINGES--back into the shower.

The shower, at least, has a curtain. It provides a modicum of reassurance.

Steven swallows a little, and smiles sheepishly. "Yes, ah, yes, I'm sorry we didn't, er, weren't able to do that...." He tries not to pursue the second part of her statement, trying to gauge how long he needs to give the people inside a chance to hide or escape or do something!

Sarete cuddles vertically at Steven. "Don't worry, I'll take you on a ride soon. Now, about my chest...?"

Murmuring the word to open the magic door, Sarete tugs Steven into his room.. and stops again, looking at the bed.

The scene greeting Steven's and Sarete's eyes involves a thoroughly naked Zhi and Soleil atop a pile of limbs that probably belong to Kip, Seodil and Aiden. The limbs are writhing-- or perhaps twitching. Kip actually appears to be kicking, but the hissed "stopthatnow!" does not carry to the door.

Various articles of clothing are... strewn. Definitely strewn.

Steven blinks as she quite brazenly opens the door, and swallows, hoping they're all hidden.. and does not have to fake being stunned when he sees that they are anything BUT hiding. "What the...?!"

Lauren is out of sight, safely wrapped in the shower curtain, NOT seeing anything.

Soleil flips over a little and gasps, as if startled. So does Sarete, because Sol naked is downright impressive in certain areas.

Sarete clings a little more warmly to Steven. A needle would not fit between them where they touch. "..Steven?"

Steven just stands there, blinking, stunned at the overall scene rather than any particular part of it -- the forest rather than the trees, you could far too easilly say. "Uh... I think...." He coughs a little, and drops his voice, "I think they got the wrong room...."

Sarete sounds a trifle disappointed. "Oh. So... this is not a typical afternoon for your bed?"

Steven says, "Er... no, it's... really not....."

Aiden doesn't react in the slightest to the others coming in the room, acting as though he's so wrapped up in what he's doing - kissing Seodil - that he doesn't notice them at all. Seodil is rather distracting.

Steven is honestly not sure how to deal with this; it's never happened to him before. "Maybe... maybe, uh...." He coughs a bit again. Some way of hiding you guys have.... Well, you wanted to watch.... "Maybe we should get the chest and... er... leave them to... whatever they're doing...."

Kip whimpers again in that moment of thoughtful stillness, but it sounds not at all protesting this time-- if still pretty lost. Sarete tilts her head and sounds yet more disappointed. "Are you sure? This is your room." She seems to be enjoying the scenery.

Steven blinks, glancing to Sarete. "Uh... well, yeah, but...." He tries to smile a bit. "They're having so much fun I'd hate to kick them out now.."

Sarete pouts a little, then smiles and leans to nip Steven's earlobe. "I like the way you think." She allows him to guide her back out of the room, and says coyly "I'll just leave my chest in your possession for now... I'll come see it tomorrow. After we get back from the ball." With a little pat to Steven's butt, she smiles and saunters off. "I'd better go find you something.. enticing... to wear." And the sunset hair walks away.

Steven gives only alittle start with the nip, thinking, How I think? How could she -- uh... oh, dear... that's not how I normally think! He manages to not do more than blink confusedy, blush, and smile at mention of getting something for him to wear. That sounds... worrisome. Oh, dear.... He smiles, nodding, saying something to the effect of looking forward to it, talk with you soon... then slumps a bit after she goes. He looks back on his room, wondering if he should tell them they can stop or not....

Lotte watches Sarete leave Steven's room and darts out to give her the letter to Rathskaleid.

Sarete looks deeply amused and says, "A letter for who? The girl has terrible taste, but I'd be delighted to shake up his stolid little routine for you... and, darling. I'll bring you a date to go with those dresses tomorrow when I come for Steven. Do you like 'pretty' or 'well-endowed' better?"

Lotte blushes, but manages a cheerful, "Pretty" before skittering back to her room.

Sarete departs, leaving Steven alone in the common room. Shortly thereafter, Zhi walks out stark naked and grinning. "That went well. Good job."

Steven gives Zhi an incredulous look. "Uh... thanks. I think."

Zhi gives Steven a comradely thwack on the back and then goes-- butt naked-- back into Steven's room. And shuts the door.

Lotte comes back out into the common room as she hears Sarete leave and begins to rummage through the newly arrived chest. "So, what happened?"

Steven lets out a breath. "Well... she's going to come by tomorrow, she seems... to like the idea of going to the ball." He casts a glance at Zhi. That's not the only idea she liked, it seems.

Lotte turns to look where Zhi has just exited and shut the door, assumes Steven prevented her from going into his room, and continues to pull out costume after costume.

The distraction on Steven's bed falls apart just a tad lingeringly, being comprised of at least one set of actual lovers. The evening is more relaxed after such silliness-- although in some cases 'more relaxed' means less than in others. Sol and Seodil stay close to Aiden even clothed, looking worried. Kip hides in the bathroom for awhile after Lauren exits it and comes out damp as though freshly showered. He turns pink whenever anyone looks at him for awhile. Lotte's dresses do not all fit, but enough do-- with overflowing cleavage, being built for a lady with hardly any-- to give her choice, and the masks are nothing short of wonderful.

A letter arrives for Lauren during dinner, borne by a glowing golden birdthat drops it and departs. The message is simple, in painfully neat handwriting. "I can arrange for that branching out. Follow the bird tomorrow." It is not signed.

After dinner, Seodil looks at Lauren and says, "You may have my room tonight." He then leaves with Aiden and Sol for their bedroom. The door to that room shuts.

Lauren says, "I..oh. Well. I guess I may. Cool."

The night passes quietly for most, with no alarms or cries to bring allies running. Steven's luggage even seems in a better mood, and the ghost of Setisel does not visit him. In the morning, Aiden is visibly much more relaxed than he was the previous day, despite it being very possibly his own impending doom tonight.

The day itself passes uneventfully; people find things to do, or fret, as they can manage. Evening comes inexorably. It brings with it Sarete and a lovely tall elf with orange hair down to his butt. He bows over Lotte's hand and kisses it, clearly enchanted with the sight of her, and makes small talk to her breasts while Sarete outfits Steven. They sweep off to the ball.

Lauren's promised bird does come for her, and leads her to a silent garden with nothing in it but a ribbon-wrapped box. Untying the ribbon reveals a deep green dress and matching green and black feathered mask.

Once dressed, Lauren's bird leads her onward through the darkening garden... hopefully to the ball. Zhi is somewhere behind her, silent and dressed soberly for once.

Kip and Sol have raided Sarete's offerings and catch Lotte and Steven's eye once at the ball. They make lovely girls.

Evening brings the time of Aiden's appointment with Whisper closer. Seodil regards Aiden very solemnly, then folds him in a hug before they set out and whispers softly in his ear. "I will not lose you."

Aiden shudders deeply in the hug. "And I will not leave you." He squeezes Seodil and then heads out of the room, towards the little garden where he is supposed to meet Elis.

Silent as the ghost of his father, Seodil follows... his father's sword hanging at his side. Even Aiden does not see or hear him... but it cannot be doubted that the silver elf is there, exactly as he promised. The garden comes too soon, and Elis is there. Tiny and blonde, she holds a black feathered mask to her face. Tiny amethysts line the eyes, matching the violet of her dress and the flowers in her hair. Perfect pink lips curve up beneath that mask. "Aiden. I am so very pleased you came." Whisper's voice is soft and dulcet, breathily innocent... to someone who had never heard it gloating over Setisel's imminent death and consumption.

Aiden takes a deep breath before he enters the room, and reminds himself that she doesn't know that he knows what he does. He smiles at her, "Good evening, Whisper. You look lovely. I hope the evening finds you well?" He sounds incredibly sincere.

Whisper laughs softly, a bell-like trill. "It does, thank you. Night air agrees with you, Aiden... you are standing very straight. Here... come stand closer to me. I have a cloak for your costume-- black feathers to match me, and magic to clothe you in shadow." She laughs breathily again. "It seemed easier than asking you to change in a garden. Hardly proper, and we only friends without a chaperone."

Aiden's smile doesn't waver. "I enjoy the cool and quiet of the evening, before full dark sets in." He comes closer to her, so she can dress him as she wants him. "Of course, Whisper." Stop walking like you have a stick stuck in your ass. You're so tense that you'll snap when she touches you. He manages to adjust his spine, slouching just the tiniest bit, to look more natural and less tense. Nothing to be tense about, right? She apparently has quite a number of appetites that you have no appetite for. Nothing to worry about. Shut up, shut up.

Whisper makes a small frustrated sound and sighs as she steps behind Aiden and something rustles. When she speaks, she sounds faintly embarassed. "Aiden? Could you kneel? You're a little taller than I am." At four foot something, it's not an idle complaint.

Aiden says, "Oh! I'm sorry, Whisper. I'm used to being the shortest one, so I don't even think about it anymore.." He kneels carefully in front of her. "Is that better?"

Whisper's smile is quick and reflected in her blue-green eyes. "Much, thank you." She flips the feather-cloak and settles it neatly around Aiden's shoulders. The world darkens just a little, and he feels a tiny chill as if the cool feathers on his skin, around his neck, touching him... are not warming up with his body heat. Elis Shh reaches deftly forward to twitch the hood up onto Aiden's head, and then pats his cheek. "Stand and follow me, pet." Her smile does not change, but Aiden finds that he does it without intending the movement... his body simply, and immediately, obeys her.

Aiden waits for the cloak to come around his shoulders, telling himself not to react in any way that might clue her in to the fact that her touch makes his skin crawl. Instead, he shivers at the chill that the cloak sends through him. Internally, he starts to worry, especially when he follows her command without any conscious control. "Whisper?"

"Mm, yes, Aiden?" Whisper sounds daintily amused, raising her mask back to her face. As she starts walking-- deeper into the darkening garden-- Aiden follows as ordered. It requires no conscious thought.

Aiden tries to keep the calm that he is rapid losing in his voice. "What's going on?"

Whisper's voice comes to Aiden's ears with a cool and disturbing intimacy, as though her lips were inches from them despite her distance from him and the hood around his ears. "We are going to my office, Aiden."

Aiden had a feeling that this was coming. It doesn't take the sinking feeling from the pit of his stomach though. He keeps his act up externally. "Your office? I thought we were going to the ball?"

"Oh, but it's more fun at my office. You don't mind, do you?" Whisper sounds childlike, breathily concerned. "I promise you'll have all my attention."

Aiden closes his eyes briefly as he fights down a wave of nausea. "Why?"

Whisper's smile touches Aiden's ears, intangibly. "Because, silly. I can't cut you for very long in the middle of a ball." She laughs softly. "Now, can I?"

Aiden's voice is surprisingly steady when he speaks. "No. I suppose not." He forces himself to keep breathing and not panic. Not yet, at least, there'll be plenty of time for that later.

Whisper sounds downright cheerful. "I'm glad you understand. I'm sure you'll be pleasant company."

Aiden says, flatly, "Yeah."

They walk on, deeper into a garden Aiden has never seen.

[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]

Last modified: 2001-Jun-12 14:20:21

All material on this site is
Copyright © 2001-2024 Reality Fault
unless specifically indicated on each document.
All Rights Reserved.
Administrated by Reality Fault Webmaster