Decennial Do

[rassafraggin]

Sorgo house is bathed in darkness in which odd shapes and shadows that should not be there loom and move against night sky, just when you turn your eyes the shadows seem to slither in between strategically placed orange floodlights that tease and hide rather than reveal. The rail and gate to Sorgo park is decorated with strings of bubble like orange lights in between steampunk delights, and the circular reception area in front of the house is a pool of light and fog, blinding the crowd to what is beyond the cocktail area. Light mechanical sounding music eerily plays from a slowly turning segments of the brass clockwork center stage that looks like a wedding cake mated with clock. From darkness above hangs a scattered mass of the toys, puppets and dolls of different styles, and bigger pieces of mechanical wonders and live puppet artists are along the edges, where orange flowing curtains lead further into the darkness of gardens. Sorgo staff are dressed as and bunny ears. Easy to spot. They give out cocktails themed after legendary favorite toys and foods inspired by popular children's games.

On the lane outside, the carriages arrive and depart in a never-ending congo line. Some passengers decide to disembark where they stop instead of waiting to pull up by the Sorgo gates exactly. A short stroll through the cool evening air is an invigorating way to lead up to the party experience of the season, the year even, and that is how the costume-clad figures of Merrisol and Maggie do, as they step into the spectacle through the gates, pausing several steps within to get their bearings in all the shadows, fog, and blinding lights.

--[ Maggie ]--
Hair the color of autumn on fire has been sculpted into a wild, fae, upsweep that mimics the delicate curves of twin flames burning hotly in a rising wind or the wings of a butterfly beating into the sky. A net of madnight blue mesh augmented by cerulean beads holds the elaborate updo in place. High cheekbones and a narrow chin give her a fey look, the ethereal otherness augmented by eyes the color of midnight ringed emeralds and skin more golden brown than fair. Her face is mostly hidden by an elaborate, glittering butterfly mask that surrounds her eyes and mouth in soft shades of vibrant blue. She wears a beautifully ornate white-gold wedding band upon the ring finger of her left hand.
Butterfly wings of twilight blue gauze, veined and edged in midnight fuzz hug this woman's torso from her taut stomach up along her ribs and arching up and around her ample curves. They flutter slightly as they lift from her skin, framing her cleavage as they angle toward her shoulders. Deep blue velvet 'antenna' slip from the 'wings' to encircle her slender throat. A glittering, golden sun pendant nestles between the blue velvet straps.
The butterfly motif is continued below her waist, the lower 'wings' extending over a skin-tight, skin-colored body sheath just to the top of her thighs before parting to curve in shades of cerulean before fading into alternating, rippling triangles of twilight and midnight that end in a hem of black and near-white at mid-thigh. Stockings of deeper blue cover the length of her legs and her feet are encased in delicate point slippers of the same shade.

--[ Merrisol ]--
My, it's la cirque at le rave!
Active outdoors and industrious living have granted this large man a deep abiding tan and faded battlescars over his long strong structure. He is within his prime, sea-green eyes bright and attentive, while keeping his vibrant physicality under wraps above the waves. Wheat-golden hair sculpts crisp tongues of violet-tipped fire above the crown of his head, shorn close at the sides and back. Face blockish and long, with a strong pillar of a nose, the blond has a rugged adventuring hero's good looks, currently streaked camo-style with a velvet-finish skin paint of dark blues and purples, encrusted with accents of scintillating gem dust.
A proud specimen indeed he proves whilst dressed for an intriguing night out, and possessing a broad-shouldered, powerful physique, well above six feet in height. His lower half features clinging slacks of decidedly organic weave, velvety in look and feel. Cultured algae of dark shades, which reacts to both light and heat in snaps of glowing colour to match those nearby at any given moment. Climbing up his torso in spirling, rough streaks is a body paint of the same soft texture, deep shades of blue and purple, and edged with scatterings of winking little gems.
A white-gold wedding band sits his ring finger. Tattoos are visible: An ocean reef cuff tattoo with rose lace coral branches dangles over the back of his left hand; a tightly-packed series of intricate black scars cover a small patch of skin midway up the same arm; and a glowing niche of lava rock is stylized around a curled and sleeping salamander tattoo, located high on his right arm. At the nape of his neck would be a small tattoo resembling a bulls-eye.

Keryk grinned to the Plague Doctor, nodding. "Certainly. Though a good, dramatic faint does tend to liven up a party a bit doesn't it?" He chuckled, eyes scanning the crowd once more. Spotting Carmichael, he gave the man a bow. "Greetings Prince Carmichael. It's good to see you again." He looked back to Antonio. "Which drink did you grab there? I'm afraid I haven't had time to try any of them yet. Have a recommendation?" Eyes still scanning, he spotted a pair of familiar heterochromatic eyes in a barn owl mask and smiled, though his gaze automatically started scanning about for other figures.

Melina eyes that butler as he makes his way across the room and then shrugs as she blows away purple confetti sticking to her lips as more sticks to her blushed cheeks "It is a pleasure to have days such as this when absolutely nothing was out of place

Antonio gestures, showing his blue glass. Of course, the whole 'Royal Fast Metabolism' thing might be a touch of an unfair advantage, but who's he to mention it? "Not the _absolutely_ best thing, but really, quite passable." If the Stag follows suit, Tony then waits until his companion has sipped before saying, "You can't taste the Iocane at all."

Dirk heads monkey and all right for Carm.

Fashionably late is one way to enter to a party, especially upon finding out about it somewhat belatedly. A mask crafted of black leather in the form of a wolf's face is worn upon his face, and there are sort silver markings tooled into the leather. The parts of his face which show are clean-shaven. The man himself is dressed all in black -- the shirt silk and loose, long-sleeved and chased through with silver threads whilst his pants and boots are leather. His normally red hair has been dyed to black, tamed into a braid at the nape of his neck but with a crimson ribbon playing peek-a-boo through the weaving. One detail which may betray Vincenzo's identity would be the Dragonblade worn at his left hip, though it is peace-tied for the occasion.

Aurora hesitates with a fidget. Surely she should stay long enough to say hello to the hostess for she seems oddly rooted to the spot, only her head turning a bit to scan the crowd.

Black is IN this season! Look at all those guys! Young ladies in fluffy masks fawn droolingly after one too many Blue fairy drink. Raph's party get all the boys in the yard WOOT WOOT! Fog is twining between people's legs, ever denser as slight in change as the music that slowly starts spreading from the wedding cake like music box in centre and encircling people from all sides - almost as if someone was gradually engaging a surround system around the area. Some might even notice that fog trails rise much higher outside the area, half way up to where house lurks in darkness. At one point. A very loud CLICK. WHIRRR. TWACK. is heard. And music stops.

Ruby is approached by one of the Sorgo staff and is offered a drink. Ruby's response is to slowly turn to fully regard the helpful soul, and unclasp the hands behind her back. The left is raised, and adorning it is a purple puppet. It regards the Waiter and twitches a button-eye towards them. Ruby side-mouths somewhat in sync to the pantomime of the puppet with a high-pitched gravely voice, "No thanks chummo, I'm trying to lower my thread-count." The appearance of fog has the puppet dramatically gape, open-mouthed, and then moreso at the music ceasing.

--[ Ruby ]--
This woman is above average in height and has ebony skin. Seven feet tall and heavily muscled from her bare feet up to the closely cropped hair atop her head. To say she looks used to physical labor would be an understatement. When certain muscle groups are utilitized upon her body, a freakish level of definition is put on display. Those familiar with her more than a year ago would now note a more manicured physicality. Exceptionally dark skinned, and this has not stopped her from receiving a myriad of tattoos both colourful and one-toned. A wide assortment of skulls, knives, lightning bolts, gills, a silver shield and mythological creatures make up the lionshare of designs. These in turn have the additional challenge of competing with scar tissue. While she's not a walking scratchpad, she bears the evidence of either an almost terminally clumsy life or rather just one full of close shaves and misadventures. Her eyes are large, though one looks to have suffered damage and is an unhealthy hue. Her nose is on the broad side as is the width of her usually smiling mouth. In a rather bold style, her hair has been shorn almost completely from her. Only a thin layer of black hair closely cropped along the curves of her cranium remains.
She's come dressed like she's recently been aboard ship. A severe black un-adorned naval jacket (apart from the silver piping) is worn overtop a white shirt. Relatively less-severe pants of Minosian threads, and knee-high boots with a robust heel you could start stamping sheet metal with. Hair pulled back and a bandana providing a cap like a Chickadee of the sea.
She has a purple puppet on her left hand.

A lonesome flute like instrument starts a note that reminds people of highlands and grass, and wild spirits roaming the meadows, as lights dim and focus on the stage, and from the top a lone player emerges. Ghostly beautiful tune continues, a bit, but the large mechanism does not stop and slowly, in spirals, stage unravels its metal plating to reaveal a whole band on stage, still mute, but a strange crossover between autonomaton and live people painted as mechanical puppets. With all the tubing and sound system... it is probably....going to get...LOUDER.

Keryk took a drink likewise, eyeing Antonio through his mask. "Hardly at all..." He took another drink, chuckling as he looked about. Spotting a familiar blade sitting on the waste of an unfamiliar mask, his smile widened as he took a deep breath. Aurora and Vincenzo both received a friendly wave and a raising of his glass. "I always thought the best sort of party was the ones where your host gives you the antidote at the end. Always ensures people stick around for the whole thing." He winked, catching sight of Ruby and giving her a bow. "Captain Incarnate. A pleasure to see you again under better circumstances." He paused as the fog began to roll through and the music stopped, looking down as his boots disappeared. His mask swiveled to take in the lone flute player, grinning from ear to ear as the clockwork revealed itself.

Maggie arriving with Merrisol, Maggie's hand rests on his curved arm. The top of her costume flutters slightly with her movements as they walk, then still as they arrive. Looking around, her gaze is drawn through the flashing lights, the fog and the people to the stage. With a smiled, if quiet, word to the man beside her, she motions with her head and, therefore, with her mask and hair, toward the stage. She wears bracelets on her forearms and upper arms, dangling golden chains glittering in graceful swoops from them. They do not swing as chains might, but fall from her arms down along her body, their ends currently hidden. When a waiter comes up to the pair, she accepts a blue colored drink with a smile of thanks.
Dirk is goosing random people and covering them with confetti.

Antonio merely looks slightly puzzled at the raising mist. And the clockwork. Yes, not really his thing, it would appear.

Carmichael nodded lightly to Keryk, a smile hinting but never landing on his face. The man just rarely lets that expression visit him often. Costumes aplenty have him looking at one bright sparkle to the next, taking in the vibrancy of Maggie's outfit with a sip of his drink. He slips out of the way of everyone entering then, finding a spot under the darker spots of the transformed garden, to look at the fogged house and soak up the ambience.

Jurou does seem concerned with the loud noises from the machine. Maybe it's broken? He frowns a bit behind the mask. It proves not to be broken. Which is a relief. And he seems drawn in by the music. Moreso than the drinks it seems. He heads over in that direction to watch the band.

Melina looks at the stage with rapt attention as she listens to the song. music really does seem to carry her away at times, for all the sights she could be taking in. For the moment, she might be alone in the fog with the notes

Too bad. Cat might have warned him not to drink the Feline Russian cocktail.

Dirk finds Melina and snuggles to her belly.

Drinks, yes please. Merri looks back from studying the revelatory barriers on-stage to see the hovering tray, and immediately reaches for two. Even after realizing Maggie already has one for herself, he raises a finger to the server, swallows one of the drinks down like a fish, then places the empty back on the tray with a nod. Swinging from his own set of arm bracelets are fine glittering lines, and as he pivots back to Maggie, the ends float out towards her, seeking and lingering before falling back down. "Closer?" he asks in the relative silence of the event. Not many faces are visible, let alone familiar, but he manages to see at least one, and gestures towards Ruby.

Band erupts and starts to play in full, strength twined with gentleness as eyes lock in on stage. Performance is helped with orange lights flashing in sequence and swaying around, not quite revealing as to hinting at curves and angles hidden in darkness and fog. It is a move of magician's hand. Even though she is not visible just yet. Timing is so well done in tune to the music, those who know Raph, probably know that some preps are being done while everyone is focused - but...she anticipated a variety of enhanced abilities visiting. Fog, scents, lights, loudness is all to diffuse and entertain. At the end of the song, flute keeps playing same three notes over, and over. Lights stop and one sole spot light stabs at the figure, that seems to be stuck in a loop.

A glance is cast about, and some folks are observed a touch more than others, though none in a lingering fashion. The greeting from Keryk, unspoken though it is, earns a nod and a wave in turn. Yet then the various clockworks and rising fog earns his attention, and he finds himself watching as the band of players are revealed. As a servant passes him with a tray of drinks, he reaches out with his right hand and seems to choose one at random. Vincenzo lifts the drink and takes a sip of it, his footsteps seeming to gravitate him more towards the fringes.

Penelope the Purple Puppet fields the response to Keryk on Ruby's behalf, in the same sort of tone as earlier, though the there's a more amicable demeanor, if such can be pantomimed. The puppet produces a deep bow and, "OOooooooohhhh, Lord Cathcart. Lordy Lordy Lordy. Much better circumstances. Congratulations! Your headgear is so terrifying that it makes my meat-wagon want to loose its few remaining marbles." A gesture from the crowd has the puppet head-tilting like a doggo. "Great balls of wool...There's another Begman meat-suit." The puppet shivers its tiny ineffectual felt arms that hang like limp noodles.

Aurora jerks and skitters back, eyes wide as she skitters backwards wence she came, not yet having spot the dapper fellow in the black wolf's mask.

Carmichael's ears might twitch to the repeating notes. His foot ends up tapping a contra-beat to it, synchopated rhythm.

Antonio lounges back, watching with pale eyes, and a cynical mien.

Dirk climbs up Melina to wrap around her neck.

Melina reaches up to thrum the beat with her fingers on dirk's back

The mechanical player is tugged to side. God gods, now it is mechanical mimes. Everything is mute as it seems to be tugged and tugs back. After one of those tugs, he lights up with LED like tubing on his countours, and light sweeps to reveal strings. Another tug, and drummer lights up in the darkness and starts to play. Other players join in the musical tug. Lights starts spreading up the threads, up up up and above their heads. In whispers of fogged light a figure is revealed holding the crosses with the strings on the platform way above where roof should be. it is a FRANKEN BUNNY! Spotlights fwam at her as the band continues and they pull back and forth! Very dangeorus....on such precarious footing!

Keryk's grin remained as he drank, watching the spectacle unfold with a chuckle. His eyebrows went up, hidden of course by his mask, at the sight of the Franken Bunny appearing, looking up at the precarious position of the monster bunny.

Maggie nods to Merrisol, her smile at his consumption of the first drink one of interest and understanding. As he moves toward her, the chains that dangle from her bracelets lift and sway toward his own. Turning to look again at the stage, Maggie takes a moment to watch the display, then nods, "Oh, of course." Her eyes turn to Ruby with her purple puppet pal and she starts moving that way. Still, her gaze turns to the stage more often than not. Lifting her drink and her eyes, she takes a long swallow when Franken Bunny is revealed, then almost coughs out a sodden, "oh, goodness."

Softly does a hand settle upon one of Aurora's shoulders as she skitters back nigh into him, though the man in the wolf's mask has no way to know it's Aurora as of yet. "Careful, my lady," Vincenzo says softly, a gentle note to his voice. His hand lowers a moment later, not lingering. With his other hand, he lifts his drink to take a sip of the vibrant green contents of the glass. He looks up then as the Franken Bunny is revealed, then gives a soft chuckle. "The terror of bunnies," he comments, a bit of amusement coming to his voice.

Melina bliks as her gaze travels upward, holding her breath in as she watchers. She would do this regardless but it is even more tightly held guessing the identity of the performer. She abprubtly scans the crowd looking for carm's presence

Carmichael probably does not need to add to this effect generated by Raphaela's ingenuity, but where he hides in the shadows and fog, watching, he lifts a hand to twirl his index finger in a spiral as he sips his drink. It has a fantastic effect on the fog, which elevates up before it dissipates in corkscrews, playing over the lights and highlighting streams of the stuff.

Dirk starts chanting "Bite the bunny!" His monkey friend does run upnto do just that.

Merrisol is just walking over that way when he demonstrtes a lack of musical danger-sense by flinching visibly at the first blast of aggressive strings and drumbeats. He checks his drink's upright and curls his free arm around Maggie as much as he can, accounting for the bouffant flaming wings of her hairdo, and the butterflies sprouting from her outfit. Turns out they don't quite make it all the way over to Ruby, what with the intrigue of the single repetitious flute, the herky-jerky of the band members, and finally, the reveal of the Bunmaster above! Merri finds himself motionless and craned back in posture a bit, and for an instant wild-eyed with shock... like he's come face to face with some half-recalled dream spectre. It takes half the second drink before he's ready to resume the trek across the grounds.

Oooo....nono she's safe....oooooooo....the vile grin of the bunny is visible even from below, good stage make up, surely, as the wind twines the fog just right, she uses the moment to stretch out arms and wraps the chords around her wrists, with slow determination. What can possibly go wrong?? Band synchronizes during one big chord and pulls. OH NO A MONKEY! And! She looses footing! Arching in a beautiful dip. Oh. Not a splat then. Good. Good. Shift in lights of course show she too is on a string. Ah so meta.

Monkies climb strings, just saying.

Different strings, and also, now he is technically, a flying monkey.

Ruby regrets that earlier drink getting talk-blocked after witnessing the unveiling and pagentry of what she considers nightmare fuel. A strangled noise comes from her throat and her upraised arm starts to wilt in slo-mo like someone just sniped Penelope or it had a stroke.

Aurora issues a startled yelp and whips around and then exhales and mutters, "You /scared/ me!" she asides, "I have seen places where bunnies are alpha predators one should never underestimate them.."

Carmichael sets his drink down a moment before disaster strikes and is running through the shadows right when choreography and act of monkey have a wonderful collision. Dangit! Safetylines. Should've known that. He comes up short, edges around the contrast of the dark to the light and ends up in a different spot of the gardens, where there are more drinks. Blue ones... oooh, blue.

The Stag headed man looked over to Aurora and grinned. "Bunnies are always alpha predators. In that they are adorable and could easily convince me to slay their foes." He chuckled and bowed to them both. He looked back towards the stage where the bunny had managed to evade a marauding monkey momentarily. He cheered at her graceful movement and took up another drink. Something red and interesting looking.
Dirk purrs sweet nothings into his wife's ear.

BUahahha nightmare Rubes? This lil thing? You have NO IDEA...what sleeps beyond darkess.As her dive reaches lowest, carefully calculated point and then she swishes over the heads over her guests in erruption of glitter, setting counterweights into motion.

CLACK. IT wasn't the monkey! It was part of the show! OH MY! Glowing orange light starts to crawl up and around them in vast curves of tentacles that start low and spread around them, engantle THROUGH the mansion and finally segment by segment it reaches the roof and then a hot air flickers up massive squid head as fireworks blast in the background. Welcome, to the Deceniall celebrations. You are in the attack of the Kraken. Instalation is massive. Staircases and slides, sometimes, mobile.

Monkey throws confetti on everyone minus Antonio from his airborn locale.

Blue ones would be the blue fairies. Start off in blaze of stars, end up in a ditch, wooden. Red ones are Red Riding hoods. You plop a Big Bad Wolf shooters inside. It is unholy union and grandma will end up embaressed of you.

Antonio leans back against a wall, and pats his pockets, producing a cigarillo case.

Mouth agape, Maggie is still there to give Merrisol emotional and physical support until the finale when the kracken blooms to life above the house. The Kercken! In that instant, she, too, is transported to realms of hideous nightmare and shimmering derring-do. Where is her sword? The beast will want slaying, surely! Surely? But no. The touch of Merrisol's arm about her snaps her back to the hear and now. What butterfly woman would carry a sword? What kracken of Raphaela's party-design really needs to be sliced and diced? With a sheepish glance around to see if anyone noticed her near gaff, she remains beside her husband. One arm slips about his waist to snug him a bit closerer even if it does send the fluttering wing of her costume a bit askew on that side.

"My apologies, my lady. I assure you, I meant not to cause a fright," Vincenzo says, inclining his head towards her. He looks up once more to the antics of the Franken Bunny, then gives a soft chuckle before nodding. "Indeed. The killer rabbit of Caerbannog, for example. Such terrible little things they can be, with their sharp killer teeth," he comments with a touch of amusement. Yet he does realize they can be harmful. As the entertainment morphs into a strange attack of the kraken, he wrinkles his nose, a gesture unseen for the mask he wears.

At the sight of the kracken Keryk winced visibly beneath his mask, staring as the display above them. He gripped his cane a bit tighter but breathed out a sigh of relief. "Ah... all part of the show." He looked to Vincenzo and Aurora, and over towards Ruby.

Ahh, Franken Bunny surely would tear up (either in tears or laughter) that her construct is SO well done. BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Ahem. The band starts another energetic tune as with a swish of cord drapes are pulled away and all of Sorgo glows , open to visitors to explore variety of musical floors, entertainment and foods and drinks. Raphaela is untangled while everyone else watches the kraken lighting up and monkey is saved too, oddly by another monkey. By time people adjusted and look for her she is on central balcony, taking a bow and hopping into a krakentube that slides just above entrance on central spot. "THank you coming! Enjoy!" boooms all over, from hidden sound system.

One staffer with a blank face mask and sock puppet runs to offer cpr to Penelope!

Aurora looks up and sliiiinks behind Vincenzo quietly, shrinking a bit.

Ruby's puppet rears back up, reanimated zombie-fashion. It's mouth hinges back like a snake trying to swallow an ostrich egg. The knuckles pressing up against eye-buttons and fabric make the poor things head a lumpy shape. I appears like its brains are trying to poke their way out after a four-fingered death punch.
Bunny is so dead isn't she. Penelope zombie is coming after her.

Antonio finally lights the cigarillo, leaning back to watch.

Could've been worse, she could have pulled this off at the docks. Eh?

Vincenzo raises an eyebrow slightly at Aurora's reaction, though it's not unexpected, all things considered. He turns, slow and careful, to face her, and with his free hand claims one of her hands to give it a gentle squeeze. "'Tis all right, my lady," he says quietly, watching her. "'Tis not real," he adds, brow furrowing beneath his mask.

Not unless Raph found a kraken, skinned it, and made it into a puppet. Shifty eyes.

A couple of stops and starts to gaze back at the stage and the antics of the rabbiteer, Merri wondering a bit over that player's indentity, finally smiling a bit as she flails at the end of her own strings. Finally.. he and Maggie are standing before Ruby and Penelope.. only for him to blank out again when the tentacles unfurl through the storeys of the manor, like a landlocked ship pursued by its mortal enemy from the deeps. A couple of butterflies are at least temporarily crippled on Maggie while Merri works through his own private stir of echoes.

Carmichael takes a few moments to sample the blue fairy, take a red riding hood and the big bad wolf, chasing one drink after another whilst he's going unnoticed, then when the lights are up, he is all straightfaced and straightlaced once again. A moment is spent silently adjusting leather straps, dusting imaginary lint off of a lack of cuff and his eyes travel the marvel of the Kraken. Oh, the horror! And the technical masterpiece also, which seems to have him hunting for wires and cords.

SLowly music goes from dramatic concert into high voltage energy danceability.

Aurora mutters softly to Vincenzo, "That's what you think." She snatches a cocktail and then a second one and after inner struggle even offers one to Vincenzo, "It's...nothing." a slight tic before summoning a reassuring smile for her strapping and dutiful custos. She looks up then and peers about the crowd, "I brought one of Giselle's potions as a hostess gift but it seems as if your sister has already given our hostess plenty."

Nonsense. This shit is natural.

Even with elevator shoes, this newcomer is just short of pulling off his disguise. The large papier-mache head with brown hair combined with the orange trousers, yellow cape and brown coat leaves no confusion as to who that should be: Prince Benedict, back to give you all a good dose of his trademark 'be careful' attitude. The guest did put a lot of efforts in the details, down to fake jewerly and a replica of the dearly missed Prince's sword. Whoever that is who dares, he refuses all drinks for the sake of practicality and staying in character. Swimming through the crowd, Big Head Benedict spots someone he needs to talk with. "Maggie-san, Merri-san. I was hoping to see you here." Obviously, only one known individual speaks that way.

Antonio straightens up, going to throw his cigarillo away, and then he relaxes. Papier mache. Right. He leans back, taking a deep inhalation, the red end of the cigarillo glowing like a firefly.
A masked staffer promply meats bauble head with tea cup of his scale. Where do they keep this stuff.

Keryk chuckled. "Well that was... rather impressive. And a bit harrowing I admit. Well done though." Smiling, he took another sip of the red riding hood cocktail with big bad wolf shooter. "Good heavens that's a taste..." His eyes teared slightly in his mask as he looked aroundf or anyone else he might know and easily spot. Certainly Giant Head Benedict was easily spotted, though who knew if he knew the person underneath? He chuckled, twisting this way and that and tilting his head. "How does it do that?"

Raphaela has pretty high shoes. She puts the muzzle on for more friendly look as silver eyes scan the room, listening to info assistant provides, with couple of nods, as her eyes dart from one corner to the other with a nod. Then the bauble head. Good thing she has the muzzle.

--[ Raphaela ]--
It is a battle franken-bunny! Above others is a massive pair of metallic bunny ears - a bow that resembles ears is massive and one end is perked up, while other flops charmingly to side. Head piece is glittered with pink dust and settled onto bun, looking like a fireworks of goggles, tools, and hair that is deep read at roots, then pink, finally silver as it sparks from every angle, slightly tilted to cover the 3D make up of the face, black cross slits accenting silver eyes and slipping into the hair and a marvelously well done pointy teeth ear to ear grin that goes with a lovely muzzle, now on her collarbone. It is a friendly bunny puppet! Metallic body suit is well padded and sculpted around body painted bits of flesh into a silver bestitched and beclockworked battle bunny, the metallic silvers layering out clockwork joints. They even steam on occasion. There is modesty 'plating' all beaten up where you would expect it and occasional pinkish sparkle on 'hoof' bunny boots, gloves, and of course a flourished fireoworks on the bum. Rest is skin tight or actual skin.

Carmichael's eyes trail down from wires and tubing, moving just right to see the bauble-head of ... he freezes. Speaking of /that/ sword... his hand comes to rest on its hilt, sliding the steel out with a soft silky sound by about half an inch, before the occupant of his father's puppet speaks up. The blade is clicked back into its housing with a sharp exhale and a shake of his head. The light at the end of Antonio's cigarette catches his eye and he looks that way, frowns and murmurs something about it being a good idea. He turns his back on the sight of the Benedict costume, to light up and regain composure.

"If I turn out to be wrong, and it turns out to be real, then I will cut it into chunks, burn it to ash, and bury the ashes somewhere very far away," Vincenzo says softly, tilting his head slightly to one side. "A lie ill suits you, but that... is something to be discussed anon," he adds in a much quieter voice, giving a small nod to her. Lifting his right hand, he draws the mask from his face before idly hooking it at his belt. No longer in the mood for such revelry, perhaps. And he grunts softly before giving a shake of his head. "My half-sister does as she pleases, how she pleases, with no thought to the consequences her actions have to others," he comments, then lifts one of his shoulders in a faint shrug. He finishes his drink in one fell swoop, then places the empty glass on a passing servants tray.

Maggie leans into Merrisol, her arm tightenint a bit more for a moment. Breathing deeply, she holds the air for a moment or two before releasing it. Turning her head she lifts a kiss to Merrisol's cheek. Standing back again, she lets her costume uncrinkle as she looks around surrupticiously to see where Raphaela is. It takes a while before she spots the hostess coming down her slide. "There she is." With the muzzle on. Swallowing the rest of her blue drink, she sets the empty down on a passing tray. Taking another from the same tray, Maggie takes another swallow or two. "Let's see how Ruby is."

Dirk drops down and heads for Carm. "Hug me please. I have been good. No touching the elf on the shelf catnip is good!"

Ruby detects the presence of others she knows nearby, and turns to address Maggie and Merrisol as they approach. Ruby's either too into her whole sock puppet thing or maybe using it as a reality parachute, or something. Shifting her profile, the bulge in her belly is more prominent. It's still the puppet that greets them though, with a resurgence of vitality. It fairly screeches at Merrisol, "OOOoooouuuuuh. Your Majesty! Bow...bow...bow..." The arm dips, prostrating itself before royalty. It's mouth curls and undulates like a simpering servant, and then a button-eye nudges flatly at Maggie and leers. "Hot knitting needles in my eyes, if it isn't the hot stuff!"

Battle Franken-Bunny squints and meanders towards Ben head, she might be passing by the Maggie and Merri couple entirely unawares. Masks and you know. Not actually expecting people....and greeting to sides as people come still not sure what to say. Just...speechless. The wicked grin might not entirely be make up. Good thing muzzle is there. She then snaps around as MAJESTY is thrown about, eyes wider.
MAJESTY is a title never welcome at the masque.

Benedict the Swollen looks to Dirk with his air of deceptive detachement. "A cup of tea is worth a thousand hugs," he says as he offers his own cup to Dirk. Another fresh cup is expected.

Privately, to Maggie and Merrisol, Battle Franken-Bunny's eyes soon narrow in on them. Headtilt. With a floppy ear. aw.

Shao in his disguise has no answer for that silly question... which conveys exactly the right kind of attitude: a silent stare.

Dirk drinks the tea and licks the cup clean.

Antonio takes another inhalation. His thin cigar is burning down quite a bit faster than you'd normally see. Because, well...

A new cocktail makes the round. White bunny - salty edge and delicious vileness within that will make your head tick tock!

Shao is suddenly crowded by three animals of considerable weight, right on top of the already carefuly balanced head. He tries to reach up and maybe push one off but his arms are too short. After a full circle spin, the head crooks to one side and back, twisting to the right. "By Sullivan's beard!"

Merri nods as he returns from his muddle of internal jazz, ready and good with all of the Sorgo Baroness's creative direction now. At least, he is reasonably reassured that Raphaela remains an unsettling figure in his life, even now. Another sip of the blue-mouth-dyeing stuff, and he swivels to put some of that blue on Maggie's lips in return. Peering through the coiffed twirls of her curls, he looks for the source of the familiar Penglaian-accented voice, spots the bobble-head Ben bobbling away, then double-takes at the actual stature of the person ensconced within. He lifts a cautious wave towards maybe-Shao, then must swivel back around as Ruby's spokespuppet begins to genuflect wildly with a wildly inappropriate greeting.... at least towards him. He reaches up his drink to shove the cup into Penelope's cotton mouth. "Wrong," he states, and winds up to give his friend the customary sock to the gut. Then pauses. A lot. Leaving the drink stuck in the sock puppet, he lowers his hand to point in utter astonishment at Ruby's swollen tumtum.

It comes with a shooter of blood red - famed Sorgo cherry brandy that wraps the vile edges into velvetty softness.

Dirk looks at the head and bats at it.

Aaah, sweet sweet chaos.

Hopefully the teacups are safely boarded up.

Battle Franken-Bunny's eyes widen at Merrisol as he is astounded by Ruby's everything. She paces slowly towards the M pair and leans in to check something.

Aurora claims Vincenzo's arm and looks grateful for his reassurance that anything that comes menacing will be dealt with though him calling her out on her white lie gets a flat, unhappy stare before that too is wiped away in favor of a cultivated smile, "Yes, cousin, I have met your sister. Not all can aspire to such prudence as you display."

Dirk is jumping up to hit Ben's head.

"Shoo," Shao says. He stumbled a bit and bumps into someone unseen. The eyehole is not aligned anymore.
Melina has disconnected.

"~Kak!..." Penny-Puppet gets a muzzling mouthful and is stunned to silence. Ruby frowns heavily, not quite understanding this new wrinkle. She adds to the pregnant pause, a trio of blinks, and refocuses on Merrisol. Really, really looks. It's the almost-piston-punch to the belly that really has her widening her eyes. "Whut?...wait...Who?" She croaks out, closer and closer to her usual mush-mouth. "Are you, you-you? Who's in there?!"

Dirk goes to goose Ruby hard. He laughs and asks for a feline Russian for a top up.

Staffers quickly surround and remove Benhead and his animals to a less crowded area of what is now dancfloor for de-pesting. Cat gets lured away by FR, the monkeys get Banana Coladas.

The guards had best not try to take the blade from the Custos, either. He's not about to relinquish it, even if asked politely. A small smile touches barely at the corners of his lips, and he lifts a hand to place it upon her hand on his arm, giving it a small pat. "My decisions are not always borne of common sense, this, you have witnessed," Vincenzo says softly, inclining his head towards her. Then he lifts a hand to gesture slightly towards the crowd the masque has gathered. "Go, my lady. Enjoy the gaiety of the masque. You have no need of my dourness, tonight or any other," he says quietly, a hint of a smile returning to his features as he inclines his head towards her.

Sorgo guards know what to do! THey are awesooome.

Shao was ready for such wardrobe malfunction. The disguise maybe silly but its proprietor is not entirely oblivious. He removes the Benhead and underneath, he appears with a wig... and a pair of spectacle with eyes painted on. Still Benedict, right? The Penglai takes a moment to get his bearings back. The unwieldly head is left in the care of the capable Sorgo staff.

Dirk drinks his FR and looks for boy booty to goose.

Carmichael seems to have made himself scarce for the nonce. This detracts from nothing at all. He did not make ripples, after all.

Aurora frowns gently and her brow knits, "Are you excusing yourself from the evening?" dismay plain to see as she studies Vincenzo.

There is, of course, trays of food as well as drinks. They are like the less popular sister.

Shao returns into the fray. He looks like the bachelor he's been for so long, with no plus one or dance partner. But he does have a cup of tea. One in each hand. Really, the staff have their own sense of humor.

There is something to be said of fraternizing with the less popular sister. Particularly if she's still attractive and has a great personality too. Which is to say Jurou has been attracted more strongly to the food trays than the drinks. He's been sort of ghosting about the place since the entertainment ended. Given his outfit it's entirely appropriate behavior. But he goes to nibble on some noms.

Dirk gooses a random party bum and runs under a random party skirt.

Food nibbles are scandalously delicious, both savory and sweet. Each looks like art and tastes like heaven. Yes staff has good sense of humor. After reveal rounds are offering a variation of squid and octopus delicacies.

Deal with your nightmares one bite at a time!

"As yet, I am undecided," Vincenzo says softly, inclining his head towards her. He studies her for a long and quiet moment. "The 'entertainment' seems to have struck a sour chord for me. Perhaps I simply need another drink or three," he offers, a wistful sort of note to his voice. Not that such things will do anything for him, all things considered. "You ought enjoy the festivities -- the food and drink and music and such ilk," he adds, watching her a moment.

Who's in there, is kind of also Merrisol's question here. His pointy-finger is still fixated on the fecund part of the Captain Incarnate, her moniker more apt now than ever. Decorum soon demands he withdraw his own unspoken question and his finger too, when Ruby gives no answer. He draws himself back straight and looks from face to face to face - in this case, Ruby, Raphaela, and yes, Renelope. "Back to the original two.. at least. I'm still not all that clear on how many there were to start," he mumbles... then smiles. It's him. "Raphaela.. Ruby. Hi."

Still at his side, Maggie is happily patient with the whole process of discovery, and puts in her own greetings in time.

Battle Franken-Bunny's eyes widen and the horrible bunny zombie tacklehugs the man. Maggie is then roped in too. Such breach of protocol!

The cocktail smoothened mass of human morphed into maskes is dancing on the floor, some are exploring the routes of the kraken corridors, and some find more intimate corners to discuss things and or snuggle.

Ruby is so stunned, she probably didn't feel Dirk's goosing attempt. All for the best. Merrisol's answer sounds strange, but she brightens at him being back in his own body. So the rest comes rushing back as to why she was almost gut-punched with the old greeting. "Bog's balls." She grins at Maggie and Merri and Raph, and would be flushing with colour if such were possible. "Bog's barnacled balls...Tha's great news." A pause as her free hand lightly sa-slaps against her abdomen. "We gots tah talk. You gots tah come tah sea. Lots tah catch up on, an none 'o it is me fault, Truth."

Aurora dips her chin and smooths the dismay, "As you like, cousin. I will give the baroness your regards if you would like?" mismatched eyes scan the crowd and a hand fidgets and flexes restlessly at her side.
Privately, to Battle Franken-Bunny, Looking at Raph, the light in Merri's green eyes shutter through stages of thought and emotion, as though he is hurried sorting through what is true and false and currently uncertain. Flashes of Sorensen's caution and Lirre's calculation seen throughout.

Carmichael returns, composed, to lurk like a tall wallflower. He does it so well, having chainsmoked a cigarette or two. He watches people dance, soaking the evening up like a sponge, even if he is barely participating.

"It is you," Shao confirms after a moment of contemplation. He wears a smile that cannot be suppressed and does something unusual: he clasps his hand at Merrisol's shoulder. "You have been missed."

Privately, to Merrisol, Battle Franken-Bunny is glad to see both of them, or...absence of Moire maybe. Even though she probably absorbs all of the nuances with those observing eyes of hers, she can't stop herself from the hug. In any case, he might sense some tears on his neck as she hugs. "Welcome back, I've missed you." and you never had more nuances, and all of them sincere.

"If it please you, my lady, I would appreciate you doing so," Vincenzo says softly, giving a small nod to Aurora. He reaches for her fidgetty hand, giving her fingers a bit of a squeeze before lifting the hand to place a kiss upon the back of it as he half bows to her. "I'll not leave without telling you," he promises, a bit of a smile coming to his features.

Battle Franken-Bunny pulls back from a hug and hugs Maggie more properly, too. "What a suprise!" she states. Good thing that her make up is zombielike already so few extra smudges of black around eyes won't matter. She remembers the surroundings and snatches a White bunny for herself, lifts it in a mute cheer to Merri, plops the cherry brandy bomb and drinks it all. Damn what a night. That will help. Her eyes wander around, registring where people are, who is, and what is. A lift of glass at Aurora and other familiar faces, Carmichael is noticed despite blending with surroundings.

Yes, she totally has another glass by now.

Dirk sneaks to the franken bunny and gooses it hard. He then sits down to lick his face clean and giggles.

Battle Franken-Bunny twitches at the goosing and spills the sticky cocktail all over the cat.

Aurora dips her chin to Vincenzo, "You didn't tell me you were coming or else I would have thought to invite you when Lord Dashton was detained." She summons another smile and then turns to ace the party at large.

Merri scoffs out a laugh as Raphaela's leap is one of those retrospectively unsurprising surprises. He folds one arm about the padded fursuit to hold her up into the embrace, scrunches Maggie further into it with his other arm. Over it all, he looks up at Ruby, and in comes the staggering realization of this moment's purity of joy. A single nod affirms and promises himself to Ruby's plans, carelessly determined to catch up. After Raphaela has bounded back, taking a smidge of his body paint with her, he disentangles from Maggie so the ladies can bounce-hug properly. Rescuing his drink from Ruby's puppet head, he turns belatedly to the shoulder slap, finds Shao and goes to clasp the man by the forearm. "All better, Shaosan, the both of us." he observes, in a hark to the beginning of the year when his friend fresh from Jade was but skin and bones.

GAME: Raphaela changed the setting to: Sorgo house is lit with hundreds of bubbly orange orbs, house itself bathed in spotlight streaks and then entangled in a giant art installation glowing in deep orange - a giant kraken - head a hot air puff of balloon above the house and tentacles enveloping it. Main party dance floor is in the front of the house, where large steampunk stage morphs into musician puppets or the other way around. Art for charity sale is displayed around gardens and house, music is everywhere and so are weird cocktails and good food.

Carmichael takes this opportunity, when joy and drinks and hugs and celebrations occur, to slip away, into the house. Maybe he just can't get into the spirit of it, maybe he just wants to follow wires to their source.

Vincenzo tilts his head to one side at Aurora's words, and then he gives a small nod. "'Twas a decision made with little time to spare, else I would have sent word otherwise," he says softly, a smile touching at the corners of his lips. He watches her for a moment, and then he steps back a bit before settling into being a wallflower himself, folding his arms before his chest in a relaxed and familiar sort of manner.

On certain areas of the Kraken instalation there are 'DO NOT TINKER WITH THE KRAKEN' notes.

OOC> Merrisol says, "In Deepest Rebma, the Kraken tinkers YOU."
OOC> Raphaela rofl

Aurora looks intimidated by the party, increasingly anxious but she has a mission. To find the hostess and thank her, admist all this confusions and chaos. Hands flexing at her side she shuffles forward a bit.

Ruby lowers her puppet-adorned hand, bearing fresh stains of whatever Merri was drinking. A felt tongue lolls, as if drunk. Ruby yammers, "I don't understand 'alf 'o what 'as been goin on, but you can be sure as sure I kept an eye on your 'ealth, when I could, when you...weren't...uh...at 'ome." Ruby nods and gestures vaguely and goes into a moment of internal thought as she considers other things. Adjacent things dominoing from the relevation. Her puppet undulates while she thinks.

Battle Franken-Bunny shoves a non alcoholic cocktail in ruby's non socketed hand. "Party now, ponder tomorrow."

Shao switcharoos his tea cups for strong rum drinks. Why two? The point is to prevent the staff to try and force more tea in his hands, at least for now.

Dirk sings "you're no bunny till some bunny loves you!"

Maggie smiles to those around her, then fishes a small wrapped gift from her butterfly reticule with which to slip away and deposit with the hostess's staff.

Shao nods to Merrisol. He raises his glass to his friend's health and drinks heartily. "A lot has happened, Merri-san. I was never too far away from you... remind me to tell you about the tunder manjellies later." That was a close one, a bit too close to make a good story at a party. He smiles to Ruby, who could not disguise her size. "Thank you for helping, Ruby-san. Without you, keeping Merri-san safe would have been a lot harder."

Faridah flexes her fingers, trying to keep the nerves under control. A touch to the mask on her face, making sure it's in place and secure. From a distance, the Sorgo house looked intimidating. Up close is even more so. She makes her way into the gardens, at the very least, trying to find a spot out of the way to be while she gets her bearings.

Where has The Blue Fairy been? Who can say, whither fairies wander when they're out of sight. But, now she wanders back, looking here and there at who is around and what they're wearing. She seems in a very fine mood, though more glide-y than bouncy tonight. It's not like she can hide all that red hair, so there was little point in a mask

Staying at the fringes of the gathering, Vincenzo watches Aurora start to make her way through the crowd of folks. The mask he'd started with is hooked at his belt, a black leather wolf's face with a bit of silver accent to it. The man himself is dressed all in black -- the shirt silk and loose, long-sleeved and chased through with silver threads whilst his pants and boots are leather. His normally red hair has been dyed to black, tamed into a braid at the nape of his neck but with a crimson ribbon playing peek-a-boo through the weaving. He's also cleanly shaven, nad he has his arms folded lightly across his chest. At his left hip is where his Dragonblade is secured, though it is peace-tied for the occassion.

Merrisol releases Shao to his teacup juggling ways and glances between him and Ruby. "I'm just starting to go over the records..what's available of them," he nods slowly. "They'll get me up to speed, somewhat. I wager there'll still be plenty of questions after." With that admitted, his gaze drifts around, then off into the rollicking sea of masques.

Aurora is lost in the sea of masks and seems to vanish-then again her gown and mask were not horribly distinctive so that was bound to happen in all the hubbub and impressive puppetry.

Battle Franken-Bunny remains quiet and drinking, with occasional conversation with someone passing by and greeting. She is thankful for the presents, although she does not open them right away.

Wulf makes his way into Sorgo gardens not remotely looking like his namesake whatsoever. He made an effort though, an effort that may be a little loose in the interpretation, but with the artistic decorations that abound, the music and the people, the frost giant teddy bear looks utterly lost for a couple of moments in slackjawed gawping.

One of tHe swarm of blue fairy becocktailed lady fluffmasks want to nuzzle on the Bear. Man those cocktails are wicked. Rest of the swarm attempts to peel her away. She loves them oh so much WOOT WOOT!

Always scanning, Shao spots someone. He empties his drink, one of them, to waves at Faridah, who he would recognize anywhere. Just behind her is a giant bear thing and Shao looks to Raphaela, unsure if this is part of Sorgo's amazing display.

Battle Franken-Bunny nudges away the drunken cat, pats Merrisol's shoulder and leans in to smooch both Maggie and Merri, apologizing, but she has to meander! She makes an I have my eyes on you to Shao. His stunt was noted. She blink sat Bear Shao is watching "Holy Unicorn that is a lot of bear."

Privately, to Merrisol, Battle Franken-Bunny says, "Thank you so much for coming. We must talk more..." she is apologetic, and seem to really want to ditch the party and cling, but... duty is duty. "I have to go smooth over the trauma I've caused with this.""

Faridah notices the wave. She can't clearly see who it is, but it's enough of a sign to make her way over. Oh! Well that's surprising. She offers a gentle smile. "Good evening." New faces, whether they be real or not, are always fun to get acquainted with.

Wulf is being approached by a drunken woman in a mask? And this is abnormal in only one minor aspect. "What is...?" but the hug glomped right before the 'I love you guys' says it all. Hugged bear, as opposed to bear hug, which would probably be spine crackling. He waves a massive and claw-festooned paw after the woman. "Are welcome," only to look about for the hostess, whom he frankly cannot tell from a hole in the wall, in this crowd. "Who is hosting?" he asks, lumbering forth.

Melina must have wandered off somewhere but returns now, having just noticed shao in his getup and stands just gaping "What in the name of the unicorn possessed him" she mutters to herself as she looks over the rest of the crowd who all seem to be enjoying themselves. Everyone has had there go at the emotional roller coaster this evening and now is her turn for a momement. she adjust the mask on her face for the moment aware of and thankful for its presence. Her eyes find dirk and she heads in that direction
Dirk is curled up giggling.

"Faridah, how good it is you could join us," Shao says, offering her a flute of sparkling wine he snatched from a waiter's tray. "Please meet Ruby-san, also known as Captain Incarnate, Maggie-san of Minos and also named Captain Flame and Captain Merrisol, Lord Warden of the Deep. Everyone, meet Faridah, my sweetheart." Who is this woman in disguise, over there? Is it Celeste or Melina? The share about the same pregnancy time. Better be safe and nod politely.

So many people! Giselle smiles brightly, delighted by the turn-out for Raphaela's shindig. That same smile is given to everyone she knows, of course, along with a swirling sort of wave with the hand holding the magic wand. She looks like she's been here and drinking for quite some time already, though apparently not front and center where all the people are gathered.

Dirk looks over "Mellllina is that you and Perci?"

Ruby offers a nod of her head when introductions are made. An eyebrow arches over the relationship addendum that is provided. "Aye, evening."

Many a guest points out to gigantibear that the creepy bunny monster is indeed Raphaela.
Melina peers at her husband "You spent half the night on my heas and didn't know it was me

Wulf aahs. "Thanking you," to the many guests, he makes his way over toward Raphaela, a mountain of man in a fur suit. From beneath the costume, he pulls out two tremendously bulgy bags. They should truly be sacks, given their size relatively. "Here. Is for good cause, ja? These are cheese and toffee profits." Which means, for all intents and purposes two very large bags full of copper coins and the occasional silver. But it's the thought that counts. They're held out, withdrawn again a moment and he casts about for a second thought, proffering them to the servants of the house. It's then that he spots Merrisol and Maggie, stares a long moment in that direction. "Merry man?"

Dirk says "I knew then but someone slipped catnip into my drink and now I know only that I have the funniest tail that was ever attached to my bum."

Battle Franken-Bunny grins at Wulf "Thank you, walking fuzzy monstrosity!" aas the staffers manage to drag gift away. She nods with a hidden smile towards Maggie Merri and bunch and nudges Wulf that way.
Battle Franken-Bunny is still totally somewhere. But emotionally unavailable.

The Blue Fairy has obviously also been informed of what their hostress looks like at the moment, and she bounces over towards the creepy bunny. "You. Look. AWESOME!" she says with a huge grin. Wulf gets one too, and she says "So do you. Everyone looks awesome! I love this. We totally need to play dress up more often." she then declares, before catching sight of Merrisol and Maggie and looking a bit surprised. Apparently, she didn't expect at least one of them at a party like this one, but then they get bright smiles, too.

Battle Franken-Bunny snugs the Blue Fairy on the way to the next guest. And then she grabs a blue fairy and goes star gazing.

Sidonie, the woman in grey and white with the feathered mask, enters rather quietly. She then stands frozen in place, gaping up, at the sight of the kraken display and the glowing orbs. She pushes her mask up so that she can see it better, and squints. Wow.

Merrisol receives his smooch with a blink, then another in realization of it, glancing after Raphaela with a quickly offered, "Stop by Luck Row sometime soon." Odds are they won't be long in Amber after this. He scans anxiously for Maggie again, but is distracted back to those he currently shares prime lawn real estate with. "Oh.." he clues into Shao's introduction of a sweetheart, regarding Faridah and then Shao again, and then a smile surfaces for the pink-haired stranger. "Good evening.. Faridah. It's a pleasure to meet you..." he trails off, head tilting slowly. Because his name isn't Merryman, but something about the way it was said. Frowning, he sidelong glances around.

--[ Wulf ]--
Up. Up a bit more. That's it. He's gigantic, easily 10'10" possibly even 11'0" and built like a hairy brick privvy. Gargantuan shoulders are the first thing that strikes the eye, other than his sheer height. They're sloped like his eyes which are deepset and ice blue, one of which is coloured over by a dark umber tattoo of an arrow pointing down toward his chin, that ends mid-cheek. Rugged features arrange themselves in a relatively pleasing glacial formation beneath that, as the giant man's complexion is distinctly ice-blue with it, matching his eyes. His nose, relatively as broad as his shoulders are in his face, is long and has been broken once or twice. Long, dark brown, curly hair, with navy overtones tamed in a multitude of braids, hangs to his shoulderblades and are wrestled into confinement by a leather thong, short back and sides in a knight's cut. Thick lips sit in amidst a neat goatee beard and moustache, the latter of which is braided much like his hair. Streaks of blond and red can be seen here and there in the midst of it.
And somewhere, he found enough fur to make himself into a giant of a polar teddybear. There is an addition to the otherwise rather macabre sort of costume, for it looks as if it once was on a bear itself: a dicky bow of blue that matches his skin tone, an addition supplied by someone that knows these sorts of things much better than he. The stitching even looks hand done, all over.

Wulf probably didn't really feel the light shove through the fur, but that's okay, he's lumbering over toward Merrisol and co anyway! Shao and Faridah noted with a wave full of claws, he also catches a brief sight of Sidonie's gawping and apparently this provides a measure of reassurance to the giant, perhaps because he's not the only one that could easily be mesmerized. And now? There are more important things to do, like actually bestow a bearhug - or at least attempt to. "MERRY MAN!" The boom is as big as he is.

Sorgo security also did not argue with the bear about his claws. Clever bunch.

Faridah offers a small chuckle. "A pleasure to meet you all." She's grateful for her mask that offers some cover for the light flush of her face. She opens her mouth to say something when there is a loud booming voice that interrupts. Ah, it seems there are other introductions to be made.

Spying on Faridah's reactions, Shao stops one of the help for a whispered request. "Faridah is a prominent glass artisan and a fair marksman. I am proud she lets me walk our days together. Finally, Shao recognizes Wulf, who he met once before. He offers the giant a nod and a smile - also he scoots closer to Faridah to give him some space. With impeccable timing, he gently moves Faridah one inch to the side, just enough for her to dodge one of the swishing claws.

Ruby sees Wulf bellowing and coming in, and her instincts go through a series of rapid filters. Her swollen abdomen leads the charge as she steps in front of the intended hug and raises her purple puppet to head-height, open-mouthed to abort it. "Wait! Ya big oaf! Could still be ten-u-ous resident! No crushin or smushin!"

It takes a long moment for Sidonie to compose herself. She lowers the mask back on her face, then looks around herself, zeroing in on the canapes... and then catches sight of the gigantic bear man with the waving claws. The mask goes back up again, because wouldn't anyone stare, first time around? Her brows shoot up in surprise when she sees Ruby as well. Someone she knows. She pops another canape into her mouth, picks up her skirts, and steps over to the tall sea captain.

A moment of concentration on Shao's words, a hint garnered from them, gets Faridah another interested look from Merri. "I regret not being able to hear about you sooner, Shaosan being a dear friend.. I've just.." But now the second bellow of half his name comes from much closer, and he turns to see an 11-foot wall of off-white fur almost upon him. All the clues come together just as Ruby locomotives between them, like the shindig suddenly called for everyone to line up according to height. "Wulfgar - hell, it's been years.." he attempts while gauging his and Ruby's chances of getting out of this uncrushed. He opts to reach around her for a polite paw shake.

Melina heads over to wulf as a giant anything is very hard to miss and waits a bit until the hugging of the rebman warden has been dealt with

Faridah is moved to the side, and the faint breeze that follows the swish of claws has her appreciating the gentle movement. "Thank you," she murmurs, a hand at Shao's elbow, squeezing gently. She's a bit curious as to what Merrisol was about to say, but there are events unfolding. Who shall come out of this with their ribs intact?

The fact that there's a lot of both interposer and interposed does mean things are bumped, including the bump, most likely! Although the bump does get cushioned by a lot of fur. The puzzled look in the middle of the bear's jaws from the jotnar in the midst of it all is seconded by "But a hug does not make the mind break? Men are hugging, ja? Hello Ruby Captain. You are pregnant!" Because Wulf has no filter at all, when it comes to speaking his mind. "May Freya bless you!" The hand snuck around is grasped, shaken firmly and clasped in the safe spot between claws at the wrist, as warriors might. "Is it years that have passed? Ja, he is thinking so... you are being right. Wulf has come to see the waters in Rebma, but he is always in wrong place, he is thinking." There is a lot of him though, other things might well have been dislodged, despite there being a judicious side-step. He turns his head a moment, catches sight of Giselle and to prove that he did hear her, before getting distracted by a long-time of no-see, he jerks his chin to her. "You are looking blue, sprite! Is good, is good. Ah, little Melina also... there is Dirk about also then?"

The Blue Fairy grins at Wulf, and bounces in place. It causes her wings to sway. "Very blue! But it's the theme! The Blue Fairy turns puppets into real people!" Because not everyone knows that particular story." She snags another drink off a passing tray.

--[ Giselle ]--
This young woman's attractive face looks entirely uncluttered by cares. It's framed by what could be called a freakish amount of bright red hair that's been twisted and turned into thick braids that rope around several times in a complicated weave (See: Tangled). Even braided, it hangs to her knees. Her nose and cheeks have a few freckles, but not nearly as many as one might assume for how fair she is, and her expression and emerald green eyes suggest mischief. She's tallish at 5'7", has a very slender build, and moves like a dancer.
She is dressed entirely in sky blue. The young-looking redhead wears a long sleeveless gown of a sparkling, shimmering material that dips to a semi-modest cleavage accented with a smooth oval gem that is just a shade darker than her dress. A very slender cord that matches the gem hangs low at her waist, coming together with a heart-shaped clasp and then hanging down past her knees. The single hanging cord features a bead of the same sky blue, then flairs just a little before ending. In place of regular sleeves, she wears a long draping, diaphanous material that matches her gown and hangs almost to her feet. Helping to hold back all her hair is a thin band that matches the gem and cord. On her feet are matching slippers that also sparkle.
Of course, what might stand out the most are the expertly-made blue wings attached to the back of her gown. They aren't very large, being only from about the top of her head to the bottom of her back, and are made of that same light material stretched over a frame of thin wire that still manages to hold the shape. They aren't designed to move a lot, but do sway some as she moves. Naturally, she carries a simple ivory wand with a yellow star at its tip.

Shao judges the distraction being sufficient, all eyes are on Wulfgar. Merrisol is not the one in danger here, drink and dresses are! Quick, he squeezes Faridah's hand in his. Holding hands is not exactly fashionable in big parties but a quick hit and run cannot hurt. Ah, there it is! Shao beams for the steward returning with what he asked for. The poor man has a hard time manoeuvering through the crowd so burdened by the big big head he is hauling. For his pain, Shao rewards him with a piece of silver, slipped in the servant's pocket. He takes the papier mache head and slips his own head in the hole. Disguise complete again!

Dirk runs to Wulf and starts to climb up him like he was a tree... Wulf being the tree not Dirk. "Yep I am all the way here

Ruby gives Wulf a leaden stare and then moves aside when things look like they won't get too carried away. "Tha be unlikely." she rasps gruffly. "...But I understand tha sent-i-ment behind yer well wishes. Tha affliction will pass soon enough an no more delays are possible." Ruby sucks air through her teeth. Irritation flicking at the edges of her psyche.

Mask still pushed up on her forehead, Sidonie, approaches. She had seen Shao and done a double-take, finding him somehow familiar, but as soon as he donned the papier mache head, she turned her head back to Ruby, the giant bear, the blue fairy, et al. "Ruby, hello," she says a bit hesitantly, having noticed her irritation.

Merrisol retrieves his hand safely, brow furrowing into thought, but not so deeply that he doesn't also sidle out of bearhug range with Ruby. "Last I think was in Kitezh," he muses, "If there were times in Rebma.. afraid I was not all there at the time," is the simplest way he can excuse his lapse in memory, for the sake of not bogging down a rave. From his new vantage point, he catches sight of red... sees it is Giselle, and offers her an amiable smile. When the giant BenHead makes a reappearance, he only eyes it, mystified.

Faridah is admittedly distracted by all the commotion, and doesn't notice the arrival of the paper mache monstrosity. But she does quickly notice it, and startles a bit. "Oh!" She swats Shao's arm lightly. "What in the world is that for? And why are you wearing it?" She's still adjusting to the concept of a masque ball, and that thing Shao has is just terrifying.

"Ohhh," the story requires thinking about by Wulf. "Oh! Ah, he is remembering something out of Montevalno," this with a nod toward Giselle's explanation. "That is making sense," then to look back to Merrisol's explanation and the grim look on Ruby's face. That actually catches him entirely off guard and his deep set eyes cloud, taking a step back from all of them. "Is not joy," he concludes, with a slightly questioning tone. "He meant no wrong," good thing there's a Benhead to distract him enough to all out stare at it. "You hated dead prince?" he asks of Shao.

Wulf is unlikely to have dislodged a Dirk in this process, there's a lot of fur to sink claws into. He does attempt to see the edge of the cat though, around the skull of the ice bear.

Dirk is making his way to Wulf's head. "I am the king of the world!"

The Ben head causes Giselle to look puzzled for a moment, then she chuckles. "That's pretty cool." she says to Shao, then there's another bright smile for Merrisol. "For some reason I didn't think this would be your sort of party." Might be confusing him for someone else. "Everything good? Or, goodish?"

Ruby still has a sock-puppet on her hand (her ~costume~ for the evening), and her fist balls within it, and then relaxes. With effort, she dilutes the irritation from her mind, and whatever other concerns are needing to be seen to in shadow. Turning to Sidonie, she nods and ressurrects a small smile. "Aye, 'Ello Sidonie. Sorry, lots on me mind an just got reminded 'o three others. Aye, glad you could make tha celebrations. Dunno where tha 'ostess went, otherwise I'd introduce. I can introduce this bloke 'ere, Merrisol. Warden 'o tha Deep. Good bloke tah 'ave in a fight. Above or below tha waves. E's been...away, for awhile."

"I'm glad I could make it out," Sidonie responds with a smile. Upon introduction to Merrisol, she bows her head to him. "Good to meet you, Warden."

Shao turns his attention to Wulf, which requires careful balance as he cranes his head back. "On the contrary, Wulfgar-san. I miss the prince dearly, every day I breathe. I am honoring his memory the best I can... I meant no offense. Perhaps not everyone agrees with my choice of costume. I apologize if it hurts your feelings, I really do." He acknowledges Giselle with a nod and in hopes it would amuse her, he strikes a military salute.

Dirk wraps around so he can stare at Wulf.

Melina just stands looking at Shao for a moment "Yes, what are/ you wearing that for" She lets her gaze travel to Faridah "so glad you could come cousin. It's been quite the evening. Then to Wulf "I understand congratulations are in order on the birth of your son. I apologize for not having called to see Celeste yet. How is she"

Dirk says "I have the best tail ever that was ever stuck on my butt!"

Merrisol pans his attention between a few of those present, considering Giselle an extra moment, before he finds himself in the midst of another introduction, this time by Ruby. He nods a quick appreciation for her words, much improved from the grudging "Pretty good... for a bloke" of yore. "Hullo.." he fishes the name he heard back up, "Miss Sidonie. A pleasure, though that title has more bearing in Rebma. In Amber, the Warden is Prince Julian. And so, it's Captain, if you must," he recommends, with a smile. There's another glance towards Giselle, hoping she has seen and heard enough now to adjust her understanding.

Faridah shakes her head at Shao. While she better understands what's going on, she still thinks Shao looks ridiculous. "You are too creative for your own good." But she offers him a gentle pat on the arm and a smile. She had never met Benedict, so there is some context lost on her.

Wulf looks one final time at Ruby, sort of folornly to Merrisol and settles his focus on Melina and Shao. The latter's reply to his inquiry has him looking at the papier mache effigy with a puzzled incomprehension. "Is thing he does not understand, he is thinking," he muses and gives it up for a bad deal, looking briefly puzzled at Melina, mostly because there's a tail and a cat in his periphery vision. He reaches up to pluck off the feline and return him to his keeper, holding Dirk out to the lady. "Oh! Ja, she is back to old self, cranky and happy depending on the hour. Have son! He is big and has dark hair. Will be as big as prince of storms, he is thinking." Maybe bigger, given his parentage. "WIll show him to all, soon, when he is old enough. Name is being Thorne."

Arriving late to a party is considered, in some circles, as fasionable. Motoko had learned that in Montevalno, and she put it in practice even now. Stepping into the gardens wearing her most fashionable green and gold dragon covered Kimono, her face bearing dark makeup that accenuated her finer features like her eyes and black painted lips. She looks about the room in a curious manner though she doesn't head in any particular direction, waiting to see if she noticed anyone in particular...

Ruby balls up the sock puppet and the poor thing is slowly inverted until just the button-eyes are poking out of the tube-tacular bundle. Judging! Ruby eyes the growing throng of folks catching up and being introduced for the first time. "Sidonie is gonna take a peek at tha Beast. She's got practical skills, an they could be useful on tha voyage. So I gonna try an tempt 'er tah sail for coin an loot. Be a 'uge boost 'o morale tah 'ave a real sawbones aboard. Effort be rewarded with lucrative whatnots. But aye...if you want a reference from a soul I've sailed with, you could do worse than talk tah Cap'n Merrisol 'ere."

Shao looks to Faridah, the head taking in her comment with all its subtle expression. "Faridah, I would like you to meet doctor Sidonie. Sidonie-san, please meet Faridah. Sidone-san was nice enough to help me with a dislocated shoulder yesterday." With great interest, Shao listens to Sidonie's career plan as delivered by Captain Incarnate herself. From afar, he spots his niece Motoko and he waves at her.

Melina smiles to wulf as she taker husband "i shall look quite forward to meeting him. Speaking of I chanced to meet Dwennon Gozar and Amberyl. I had no idea you could fashion creatures. As you made her I'm hoping you can tell me what kind of beast she is?

"Oh! Thank you, Captain, I will try to remember that," Sidonie says with a wide, dimpled smile. Her attention is divided, as the giant bear has removed a cat from his back and hands him off. She blinks a few times at the sight, then looks back at Ruby, then Merrisol. "I look forward to finally seeing the Beast, for sure. You sailed with Ruby long?... Mister Shao! Is that you in there? How is your shoulder?" Her face brightens even more as she is introduced to his companion. "Pleased to meet you, Faridah."

--[ Melina ]--
Long golden curls are today adorned by a rather unusual headpiece. A pink satin hat fashion like a doll's cap is topped by a pair of white, wooden crosspieces, such as a marionette would have to control his puppets, yet from hang not a marionette but a variety of animal sock puppets on strings all around the young woman's head, a cat, a dog, a wolf, a fox, a dragon, a gryphon, and a panther. An odd assortment of bedfellows to be sure, but some might have the barest hints of actual recognition upon close inspection. Green eyes, peer through a slanted masquerade eye-mask perched over a slightly upturned little nose and thin lips whose usual pale pink shade is accentuated by bright-pink lipstick. Her soft cheekbones are likewise adorned in bright pink blush, the amount of which might be considered distasteful were it not clearly part of the costume
A long pink satin dress continues the theme and like the headpiece has an array of sock puppets on strings dangling from it. Along with repeats of the creatures above, there is greater variety to the menagerie. Animals of a more domestic sort, cows, pigs, chickens, rabbit, songbirds, and squirrels join their more exotic counterparts Lace is gathered and gathered at the neck of the dress which has been tailored to meet the petite 5'1" frame, yet there is a small round bulge showing at the waistline which doesn't quite match the proportions of her frame.
Her arms are covered in long-satin sleeves which end in lace cuffs to match the neck. On her left ring finger are two rings. The first is a crystal band that has a sparkling liquid inside it that looks like liquid diamonds and if you look really close, you see a very small golden coconut floating around in the liquid. The second is an open band of silver completed by matching white curniciellos -- or Italian/Mon horns Pink satin slippers adorn her small feet.

Dirk curls up in his wife's arms and passes out. He is all partied out.

The Blue Fairy looks puzzled by Merrisol, and watches him for a moment, her head tilting first one way and then the other. Finally thought, she just smiles to him. It's unclear whether she really gets it or is just happy to play it the way he wants it played. There's another smile, then she says "Okay, Captain! It's good to see you again!" She leaves it there, and watches everything going on as she downs her drink and then reaches for another off another passing tray.

"Wulf is jotnar," Wulf explains to Melina, because this makes absolute sense in context. "Was thing of jotnar, to have power over beast and land... Wulf has a little of power," he shrugs, thinking of the creature he gave to the odd gozar. "Ohh.. he made creature of the earth for the stone-crafter. She is uhlebjorn, good at digging and has good ears." And a beak and is huge and we'll just skip over that. "He has heard there is insect of fire that is around... Olumus he is telling and begman chantris."
Faridah quirks an eyebrow at Shao. "You dislocated your shoulder?" Yes, that is what she took from the introduction. Just kidding! She turns, her expression morphing to a cheerful one of greeting. "It is lovely to meet you Sidonie. Thank you for looking after him." She pats Shao's arm to clarify her reference of 'him'. "So you are a doctor? That must be very rewarding work." No sense in not starting some gentle conversation.

Dirk starts to snore a snore that sounds like a kitty purr.

"I do on occasion and live to tell," Merrisol abbreviates his response judiciously, so that Shao and Faridah can claim the rest of Sidonie's fractured focus. A quick nod is sent to Giselle, relieved by her no-fuss changeroo. He looks up and to the side, Ruby's scrunched up sock intimating an imminent departure. "Hit me with my trump when you're back on the Beast," he requests evenly, mental noting himself to find Maggie and maybe get the skinny on that bulging belly. There's no way he is less clueless over it than anyone else here.

"It was not intentional. There was a royal battle brawl at the docks and someone came at me from behind," Shao explains. Faridah often gets him on his guard like that. He is grateful for the Benhead right now, hiding his pout of dismay. "The shoulder is doing better, doctor. I get all the ice I need... my ship is docking in Kitezh at the moment." He observes a pause, as this could be confusing. "I have the means to travel from my ship to Amber and back."

Disapointed is a word that would describe the look on the Halfjadean's face. She had kind of expected to have some sort of impact on the party, but alas it was only her uncle that had turned to wave to her. At least it was something right? She heads that way looking him over for a second eyeing his odd choice in attire. "Oh hey, How are you?"

The woman with the feather mask on her forehead flashes a smile at Merrisol's response, then glances back at Benhead and Faridah. "A surgeon - unfortunately my work has less finesse than a doctor's. But it was enough to put Shao's shoulder back into place thankfully," Sidonie says, sounding a bit hesitant when she notes Faridah was unaware this had happened. She nods to Shao in understanding - something like how Ruby gets back to the Beast, perhaps. "Oh, icing is good. Glad to hear it. Just Sidonie is fine."

Melina strokes dirk lightly as she answers wulf "oh, yes, the magma fly. It escaped after the last earthquake. Duke Karm was explaining that the insact cannot be killed and as the insect is made of lava those with power over ice might be helpful in recapturing it. Olumus reminded me you have such power and may be willing to help. However, we have another slight problem "she lowers her voice slightly "duke Karm has no idea where its disappeared to at the moment" If you excuse me, I want to say hello to Captain Merrisol. "She turns towards Merrisol and removes her mask for this purpose they've only met once. She has only slight hope of him remebering her without it "good evening captain. I don't know if you'll remember me. Melina Solaris. you sailed with my cousin ailith and I to Lyonesse. I understand you've been through an unusual ordeal recently. I wanted to say its good to see you looking well"

Faridah waves her hand, as if brushing Sidonie's words away. "Still, you have skills more than I can handle. There is something to be said for that." Faridah is used to the spill of blood, but not of the putting people back together. Turning to Shao, she only looks curious now. "Royal battle? You'll have to tell me about it at some point."

Merrisol sees an opportunity to fade back from the group and go seeking wherever Raphaela and Maggie went off to... aaand, then finds Melina before him promptly. "I... recall. Lady Melina," he looks grateful for her assistance with some details. "That's kind of you. From what little I've caught up on so far, I do need to speak with Lady Ailith about her progress as regards Lyonesse. If you'll all excuse me," he nods politely, expanding his focus to the rest, "I'll return once I've done some scouting the sights.." Within the next few seconds, he's pivoted about to stroll towards the manor, steeling himself for the wubbly tentacle slides.

Shao turns to bow to Motoko, as he should have had before. "I am doing well, Motoko-san. I am grateful for this time to shore leave, away from all my duties. And you? Have you met my very good friend, Captain Merriol, Lord Warden of the Deep?" He shows Merrisol to Motoko with an open hand gesture... and Merrisol takes his leave. "Maybe next time. I have had bad timing all this day long."

Sidonie's attention is drawn to Motoko as Shao bows to her, and she nods and smiles in greeting to the newcomer too. She also sees the opportunity to fade a bit into the background, as she hears the siren song of the canapes and wine. Particularly the canapes.

Wulf bows his head, which makes his bow-tie bobble where it's tied about his neck, watching Melina head off with Dirk and Merrisol blend into the background. He lifts a clawed ham-fist to wave him off, looking back to Shao, Faridah and... "Oh, it is you," he says toward Motoko. "The one who does not understand Wulf's words."

Motoko watches the introductee as he slips off, giving shao a slight nod of her head in aknowldgement, her green gaze drawn to Sidonie as she too slips away "And I seem to be scaring people off uncle. So good day all around I suppose." Her eyes track towards Wulf and gives him a polite smile. "Ah, yes hello. You aren't the only one I have trouble understanding, I can hardly understand what Zachary says either."

Faridah looks around, realizing there is quite a bit more space than there previously was. Where has everyone gone? She takes a moment to check the time. Oh, well that might explain it. Hopefully the others are so engaged with each other they won't mind her absence.

Shao seems to pick up with Faridah's intents. He sides by her for a more private conversation. "Should I get a coach ready for you, Faridah?" he asks quietly, "or do you want me to walk you home?"

Wulf might be raising his brows underneath the bear mask. "Well, he will say one thing: you say what you think. He is blunt also, though Mandrake are calling him forthright."

Faridah nods. "A walk home, if you don't mind." She hopes he will take off the head. Eh, she can probably persuade him towards such.

The Blue Fairy got distracted by something. Giselle gets distracted easily sometimes. But she's back now, and looking at the others around her with great interest. Or, drunken interest. Who can tell?

Shao remove his hommage Benhead. To all gathered nearby, he offers the deepest bow he can manage. "It was a wonderful time I have had meeting you all on this day. I wish we did this more often. Have the best of evenings, everyone." He adds a hail in parting and falls into Faridah's steps.

Wulf gets a look on his face about then. "Ohh, she is calling. There is annoyance..." he holds up a bear claw and nods to all. "Am away... was good meeting. Good seeing. Very strangeness." He looks up at the cracken to emphasise that and then? Then he hurries off, before a dragon goes all melty.

The Blue Fairy turns to looks at all the bubbly orange orbs lighting the house, and the giant kraken head, and grins. "Raphaela sure knows how to do it up." she says, chuckling before she takes another drink from her glass.

Motoko glaces towards the fairy seeing that all of her company had taken off, she was too fashinable for her own good. Or just too late. "Oh Raphaela decorated? It is nice."

The Blue Fairy thinks about that. "Hmmm... Well, I'm guessing she came up with it, and designed a bunch of it. But I'm guessing staff put it all up. Or most of it. On the other hand, she is very hands-on, so maybe?" Apparently, this redhead is prone to babbling.

Motoko shrugs, she wasn't much for prattiling...Unless of course it was bragging about her prowess and martial arts skill... "Sure sure..."

Maggie is standing near Merrisol, a drink in her hand. She looks as though she is trying to decide whether to flee the party with her husband or linger for a little longer. Taking a few swallows from the glass seems to help and she sets the empty on a passing tray. Stepping slightly away from Merrisol to claim two more drinks, one for him if he is lacking and one for her, the delicate golden chains that trail from the bracelets worn on forearm and bicep curve in delicate swoops toward him as though drawn to him despite themselves.

If there was a dress code of some sort for this party on the sorgo grounds, Ciara Chantras-Solaris had not heard of it, and obviously so as she enters clad in her normal style of a dress. A long, flowing, dark blue gown with golden highlights, and a simple black leather belt with a silver buckle is all she wears. She stops a moment, having at least heard of the celebrations in passing, and no doubt having forgotten about them, and exhales. She's bored, and lonely, and well, she might as well make herself known. She turns on heel and heads on to the grounds stopping with hands clasped together, she gives the place a look over with her icy blue. She doesnt' recognize a single person here, and that, for the moment, keeps her from engaging anyone in conversation. For now, she'll people watch.

The Blue Fairy makes her way through another glass of sparkling wine at a pretty lively pace, as she walks over to a nearby table for some nibbles. She chews as she looks around her again, and Maggie gets another smile and wave. So says to Motoko "I was sorry I missed most of the beach party the other day. I had something to do. Ah, well. I still did a bit of a puppet show for the kids, anyway.

Maggie turns back to Merrisol to give him his new drink, then spots the Blue Fairy's wave. Returning it, Maggie murmurs a soft something to her husband before taking a few steps toward the snacking table and her cousin, "Hello. Lovely costume." Makoto is given a nod of greeting just as Ciara enters to people watch. The new person is given another wave and a come-hither gesture. might as well meet new folk, right?

Motoko shrugs her shoulders to the fairy, she really needed to keep up with the times she had apparently missed a bunch of party's "I wasn't even aware there have been parties, I only just heard about this one." The half jadean glances towards the new comer, and gives her a soft welcoming nod.