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[[ Milo – Appetizer table ]]

Arriving at the appetizer table, Milo grabbed a plate and helped herself to some of the potato salad on the table. She placed a fork on the side before turning to leave. However, she paused in mid-leave as a man in an apron caught her eye. Was he the host of this lovely summer event? She should ask. He might be able to tell her why some of the party goers have only half a body.

“Excuse me.” Milo spoke, hoping to draw the man’s attention. “I’m hope I’m not bothering you, but are you – perhaps – the host of this lovely party?”

((Cesc -- Tables))

"Rivener, it is a pleasure," Cesc responded, returning the sigel's smile. He was conscious of having received some sort of... approval from the older Raevan, or at the very least, of having passed some sort of entrance exam and had not been found displeasing. There was an immense feeling of capability and self-assurance that all but rolled off of Rivener, immediately apparent from just speaking with him -- not the same as the self-possession and hushed power that circled Zul, but the effect was similar in some ways...

... but Cesc was immediately distracted by the blush of the muse beside him, and her flushed beauty and spilling apologies managed to supersede even that feeling of loss that Cesc was pretending hard not to have noticed. The ache -- the terrible ache that was within her -- it made him dizzy if he focused on it. But her words put all of that aside, and the look of confusion and concern that had spread across Cesc's face by her exclamation (had he gotten the drink wrong?) soon evaporated into a smile and a breathless laugh as he understood her meaning.

"Ah! No -- do not worry yourself." He tugged on the cravat, his smile becoming lopsided, his words soaked with good-natured amusement. He paused for a moment, composing the words in his head before he spoke, trying to keep his accented speech fluid. "A man wearing this, by drinks and beautiful women -- he is easily mistaken for a waiter. The blame is wholly on my cravat." His gaze was warm as he caught the muse's eye, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "No apologies, they are not necessary. It has been a pleasure, truly."

He nodded to her and to Rivener, smiling still, and turned back toward Xiu, who had been writing on his pad. The paper itself intrigued Cesc -- was Xiu sick? Mute, he understood, but by chance or by choice? It must be impolite to ask such a question, he thought... he remembered Granny M telling him about monks who took vows of silence, things that were holy and thus beyond simple curious inquiries. He tilted his head to read the paper, and floated with Xiu as the other created some distance between them and the conversing sigels.

"Good to meet you, ah... is it... Je-oo?" Cesc asked, trying to sound out the word without having any vocal help, sounding the 'x' as a soft sound between a 'j' and an 'sh'. He gave the sigel a look of pre-emptive apology.

"I am enjoying it very much." He continued, replying to Xiu's written question. "It is a wonderful..." He paused for the word, nodding as he remembered it. "...opportunity, yes, to meet others. It is a very beautiful place. Not like anything I have seen." He looked at their surroundings, at the beautiful set tables, at the lights and the mingling people, and at the looming hedge maze and podium not far away."And you?"

((Vivi -- Drinks table))

Vivi took a long sip of the cool gazpacho as she listened to Wasa speak, reveling in the taste of it -- it was a wonderful flavor with just the barest hint of spice, refreshing as a cucumber with the robustness of ripe summer tomatoes... it was as perfect and rejuvenating as she had hoped. And the company was fascinating, not only in her looks but clearly in her history -- for there must be interesting history in knowing such a clearly captivating Raevan as Melisande for so long. Vivi's gaze found the Muse as the woman spoke, and was pleased to see that Cesc was smiling, speaking with her.

"I can understand this! She seems a very lovely girl, and so beautiful," the Frenchwoman exclaimed with a nod. "You must feel very lucky -- do you know many of the Raevans, then, through these parties? I am quite amazed with the Lab, you know -- so much effort and such a lovely place they created for us all! I have been to one previous, at Halloween, but this is the first since Cesc was born. He is the deer, the one with the pink hair that is speaking with mademoiselle."

With every helping of savory BBQ she dropped onto her plate, Genie felt increasingly self-conscious. Basil had definitely touched a sore point, and the worst part was, he hadn't been entirely off the mark. Although it happened very rarely, it was not unheard of for Basil to say something that surprised her that way. Something truthful and direct. Something she didn't like to acknowledge. She supposed he wasn't completely lacking in common sense, and maybe he did pay more attention than she gave him credit for. She should have done more to encourage that. Keep him curious. But did he have to be such an a*****e about it?

She grumbled. If she was eating too much at parties, it was only because eating was the only thing keeping her from lighting up a cigarette. She was quitting for his benefit, you'd think he'd be more appreciative. She looked at her plate. Two spare ribs and some baby carrots. She felt a dark pit in her stomach and sighed. She was determined to pace herself, but only because she wanted to. Staring at those baby carrots, she pursed her lips. She was being so childish about this. She added a piece of chicken, and ambled towards the drink table.

She considered her options. There was beer in a steel basin that looked awfully refreshing, but she was sure to refrain. It wasn't even half-past-noon. She settled for lemonade, filling her glass under the spigot. The glass quickly became sweaty, and it was one of the few times that she was cognizant of lacking a little finger. She quickly put her other hand under the bottom of the glass to hold it. Turning, she was taken aback by the sight of what could only be described as a tall, exciting looking stranger. She nearly bumped into him, "Oh sh--!" She stopped mid-word, hissing on it. Her drink had sloshed slightly over her hands, which she did not become aware of until she went to touch her chest. "Sorry," She offered, taking a moment to examine the stranger, and his piebald hair. Shaking the lemonade off her fingers, she laughingly added, "Hey, nice shades."


So this is what the daytime felt like. Warm and invigorating.

The Other had seen the sun and green grass before. He had seen it through Basil's blurry lens, and had since been filled with the desire to walk in it. This One had perfect vision, a clear 20-20, which did not serve him very well in the dark hours. He could only ever breathe in the evenings. It was only when he could not be seen, that he felt secure, like a little shadow merging into a big one. He smiled softly. The colors were so saturated, and the sun felt so nice against his skin. Why had he waited so long to do this? Well, he knew the answer, but guiltily enjoyed his rhetoric.

He didn't get to come to many parties. He didn't get to meet very many people in person. It was partly by choice. After all, Basil was the perfect surveillance system. The perfect tool to judge the people he interacted with, and keep a tidy file of those he felt comfortable trusting. Trust was a very major concern. Showing himself to Genie alone had been a huge gamble, and although she showed signs of curiosity and suspicion, there was no question that she wasn't any closer to the truth than before. As far as she knew, Basil was just having a very strange turn of mood.

Energy had been another concern. The more they fought for control, the more sapped they felt. It was clear that Basil was like a battery that needed to be charged, otherwise, the both of them could end up shiftless and sluggish well before they were ready. And so, he had been sure to have him sleep for two extra days. Occupy him with nightmares and visions. Make him anxious and energized, so that if the need arose, he could swap him out in a heartbeat. He himself felt fresh as a daisy, and his appearance reflected this. He had prepared well in advance. Now, it was time to see what this was all about. He needed a vantage point. There was a tent in the center of the garden. There, he would have a panoramic view of the guests.

He would sweep his eyes from left to right, and when he could look no further, subtly turn his body and begin again. He recognized the Frenchwoman, but only vaguely remembered her. That day Basil had been in an awful state. There was a cat. Some cakes and cookies. An accent he had never heard before. That was all he knew. He noticed she was with another Raevan, one he didn't recognize. Hair in a hilarious shade of pink. Somehow, that detail seemed important. He continued looking. There was a redhead beneath a tree, shady-looking. He remembered that one quite well. The little glutton for attention, who had come with promises of food and excitement. A freezing-cold boxcar. Probably on the lookout for someone else it could scam into its devious antics. Flash those baby blues, stick out the bottom lip. He couldn't help a chuckle. Not him. Not today. He kept looking.

Suddenly, he felt his pulse quicken. Cordelia...

When Basil slept at night and The Other was wide awake, there was very little for him to do to stave off boredom until sunrise. He didn't always use it as an opportunity to switch. The Other was like anyone else in that sometimes, he preferred a cozy evening at home. To pass the time, he enjoyed sorting through memories. It kept him organized. It was just a matter of gathering them together, setting up the reels, sitting back, and watching their lives roll by, projected on the back of Basil's sleeping eyelids. Sometimes Basil felt them. Sometimes he saw his own life in his dreams, and woke up feeling restless. But that night... That night had been a personal favorite. The Other could have watched it a thousand times over. It was the stuff box-office hits were made of. The tenderness. The insecurity. That single, stolen kiss. Today she wore a breezy sundress, the most feminine he had ever seen her. White, like moonlight. If that wasn't a sign, he didn't know what was. Did she think of it? Did she miss them? Her hair was down today... Who was she trying to impress?

His blood ran cold at the sight. Well... colder. If she could only have noticed him. Seen the look on his face, sharp and burning. Almost horrified. The way she touched the chest of some stony behemoth he had never seen before. Playing with his tie. Being so coy. Did she think she was being cute? For only a moment, he lost control. At the sight of it, his heart was beating thickly. It felt as if it were lodged in his throat. The sound of it started to emanate. A deep thumping sound, amplified as though somebody held a megaphone to his chest. It was loud. Distracting. He quickly clutched the front of his shirt, and it the sound of it faded away.

Had he drawn attention? He grit his teeth. As much pleasure as it would have given him, he wouldn't make a fool of himself by marching over. He wouldn't give her that satisfaction, and he certainly wouldn't let Basil see her treachery. He wouldn't have jumped to the same conclusions he did. Basil would have tried to bargain with him, and tell him that it was just in Cordelia's nature to be friendly. Touchy-feely. Basil was a moron. He went away from the tent, fuming.

He had nearly stormed right past a stately podium. Curiosity halted him. What was this? He idled beside a purple-haired woman in mid-conversation. He would easily have recognized her as Cordelia's own guardian, but couldn't have cared less at the moment. There was a sign-up sheet for some kind of maze? A maze? What was he, a lab-rat? He paused to consider this... Well, he was from a lab. He sighed in exasperation and began reading off of a rule-card. He then looked from side to side. This maze appeared to be the only thing for him to do here, short of finding someone to talk to, and he was not feeling very sociable at the moment. Was it a competition, maybe? If so desired, it was a team event. He could find someone to partner with him. Was the maze so difficult that it was encouraged for a pair to enter? He scoffed. Anyone would have been wise to choose him for a partner, but he for one did not need the dead weight. And after all, didn't he always have a team-mate handy? Yes. He was determined now. In a quick, jagged line, Basil's name stood alone on the sheet. He clenched his jaw. They didn't need anyone.

((Ebs – Near Maze Sign Up => Seating Area Near Buffet // Delia – Near BBQ))
((Tag to Aphi, Neon // Tag to Wings))

Delia smiled and waved to Lillian and Tyson as they wandered off, nodding her understanding to the latter of his request. So those were Reks’s guardians? They were so young! Well the boy at least was much younger than her own woman, yet Lillian looked to be perhaps around the same age bracket as Ebony. Either way, they seemed nice. It was a shame she had inadvertently ignored them for most of her conversation with their Raevan. She’d have to make up for that at a later time.

If the snake’s biology had allowed, her blush would have deepened noticeably at the other Frei’s gushing of her talent, yet it was times like this that Cordelia was grateful for being cold-blooded. The smoky girl chuckled at the mentioning of breaking things. “My wings tend to make trouble for me as well if I’m not careful. They’re pretty sharp and tend to get caught on things easily.”

She blinked at the question. How strong was she? Tapping her chin as she thought, “Mmm, I dunno…enough to break bones?” Delia couldn’t think of ever doing that though since she was usually fairly careful since she’d bruised Ebony a fair share of times when she was younger just by hugging her excitedly. “Well I suppose enough to bruise since I don’t think I’ve ever hurt anyone that badly before.” At least she hoped not. After all there were gaps in her memories from when she was younger, like some of the things that happened during the virus outbreak. And they were faded from age as well, so that didn’t help either.

It was brief, but it had been enough to register with the serpentine girl. Perhaps it was merely a snake’s sensitivity towards such things, but it felt like a familiar vibration had rippled through the air then. The likes of which had made her shiver for some reason. Taken away from her conversation for but a moment, Delia turned her head slightly to look behind her, expecting someone’s eyes to be upon her and yet…no one was there. For some reason that made her a little sad, but not enough to weigh her down too much as she quickly returned to her conversation with Reks.

The purple haired Brit laughed as well. Yes it was a pretty silly question wasn’t it? Rivener had always been so fiercely independent, something that hadn’t really changed after all these years, so it was no surprise when Aphismet said the scorpion would rather go in with another Raevan. It should also be mentioned that Ebony was starting to notice how Aphi seemed to be looking around often, most especially towards the entrance. Was he waiting for someone specific to show up? She wondered, but did not say out loud.

As he pulled them away from the sign up sheet so that they were out of the way of others lining up, Ebony was just about to sass back some, yet the certain surly accent of one We’rika made her stop and cringe instead. She had hoped that ever since the incident with Sevilin where he was conveniently absent from, that he would remain as such from her view forever. Frowning slight, Ebony started pushing Aphi forward hurriedly, forcing the white haired male to pick up his pace. She wanted to get as far away from that as possible, else chancing punching the Mexican in the face.

When she felt they were adequately away from the man, Ebony breathed a sigh of relief. Looking around a bit to gather her bearings, the woman’s silver eyes suddenly stopped and widened. Just off to the side of them was one of the most beautifully, elegant female Raevans she had ever seen. There were obvious earthy signs in her makeup, a tree or some plant perhaps, but yet also…not. What should have been leafy in texture seemed to be shiny like metal! It adorned her like jewelry and thus made her all the more enchanting.

Nudging the chef then, “I haven’t seen her around before. Have you Aphismet? The silvery green Frei over there?” She pointed a well-manicured nail towards Ethiriel.

((Towards the Garden Maze signup. Tag to Cesc))

Xiu gave a silent chuckle at the pronunciation of his name. It really did not matter how the others pronounced it; not like he could correct them anyway. Besides, Cesc was pleasant company. The White Sigel found himself warming up to the courteous Frei.

This garden theme is a new one to me as well wrote Xiu in his neat stroke. And like you, I am meeting many new faces as well. More new faces in fact than the old ones Xiu wrote before a thoughtful expression stole over him I wonder where they could be.

Their “walk” had taken the two of them ever closer to the impressive maze that the Doctor had painstakingly set up (according to Lazarus). Xiu paused before the signup book and gave Cesc a glance.

Have you found a friend for the Garden Maze event yet? the Sigel wrote. If you haven’t, I would be delighted to have you as a partner for the exploration .

The maze seemed safe enough and a quiet walk through it with Cesc seemed like a splendid idea. For all he knew, Cesc might even turn out to be an avid reader. The thought of that made Xiu almost impatient for the other’s answer. Please do say yes.

A quiet and calming stroll through thick walls of picturesque foliage with a polite conversationalist....

What could possibly go wrong?

((Pasha -Appetizer Table -> Maze sign ups))

Melisande laughed, a sweet sound that dispelled some of the heavy atmosphere around her. "Thank you but yes." She took one last sip of her ice tea and set the half full glass on the table, before noticing the flower. It was one of hers! Her own, not one of the azaleas tucked in her hair. She took it slowly, her fingers barely touching his at all...still cool from where she'd been holding the glass.

What was she to do with it? It had already fallen! Floating forward, suddenly aware of how their bodies mirrored as Sigel when they were face to face, Pasha tucked it discreetly into one of the details of Rivener's vest. "How's that?" She asked, voice very small since they were so close. She floated a little lower than the Scorpion, though out of reaction or preference it was hard to tell. "And if you wish, use the petals as crumbs, so we can find our way back."

She smiled at her own jest, and floated back again. The ethereal smell of her, tea and young flowers, faded. "Is there a sign up? I will put us on the list." There almost always was, as these events! Tucking her stray curl back up, she twisted, glancing around for it. Her arms were still up, fixing her hair, when she turned back to Rivener.

"Regarding Zul, he...I..." For once, the Muse seemed at a loss for words. Her pupils dilated slowly, the black encroaching on blue, and she dropped her arms to cross them loosely at her waist. Fear. A real and physical fear, not the anxiety she had ever felt around the Scorpion. "I've never gotten to know him. I'm glad I can ask my questions of you." Dangerous! Her heart cried, but she didn't need to tell Riv that.

He'd been there.